Don't Allow Christianity to Disappear From Iraq August marked the 10th anniversary of the ISIS genocide perpetrated on the Christians, and other minority communities, of Northern Iraq. For the Christians there, this occurred primarily in the Nineveh Plain, and in nearby cities such as Mosul. In 2014, many of these families had only a few hours to flee their homes, taking precious little besides the clothes on their back, and whatever they could carry. Many retreated to nearby safe-haven cities further east, such as Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. From there began a three-year displacement of despair and uncertainty. Many were assigned to displacement tent encampments, and fewer were taken in by local churches, eventually relocated to temporary housing. Others were taken in by relatives or by kind neighbors. Food and shelter were provided as best it could, mostly through the efforts of relief organizations. Work was sporadic and arduous, with many finding jobs as day workers, truck drivers, hotel workers, and the like. This became the norm for many Christian families for far longer than any had hoped and prayed. After ISIS was defeated militarily in 2017, many displaced Christians were finally able to return to their homes. This, however, created a whole new hardship. Upon retreating, ISIS had burned the homes of Christians, destroyed and looted their businesses, and even poisoned their water wells. The returning Christian families had nothing; they were forced to start from scratch. Compounding their efforts, the Iranian-backed militias, who were initially welcomed to fight the spread of ISIS, have remained, exerting their influence and exploiting the disputed territories claimed by both the Iraqi Central Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). These territories, which include the Nineveh Plains, have been poorly funded by both sides, and are characterized by weak governance and inadequate security. Many of the returning minorities have reported harassment and corruption at checkpoints, with the militias demanding bribes and threatening local politicians, further thwarting the local economies. We encountered this uncomfortable situation first hand, in several ways; it creates anxiety and disruption for those trying to maintain a livelihood. To make matters worse, once the immediate crisis was over, many of the relief organizations ceased funding these communities, while much of the hard work was still ahead. Since 2017, Stand With Iraqi Christians (SWIC), and other NGOs operating on the ground, have provided thousands of beneficiaries with family farm funding and small business grants to help get their lives and livelihoods back. With our help and their unwavering faith, these families strive to re-establish their once-proud and flourishing communities. Ten years hence, it's been a long road back. Prior to the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, the Christians of Iraq numbered more than 1.6 million. Today, by most recent counts, there are less than 165,000; that's about a 90 percent decimation. The Christians modern-day Iraq are amongst the oldest Christian communities in the world, dating back to the 1st century, when the Apostle Thomas spread the Gospel throughout Mesopotamia. Even today, these Christian communities speak Aramaic, the native tongue of Jesus. As Christians, we can't allow Christianity to disappear from Iraq, a land that is so rich in biblical history. More critically, as human beings, we can't abide this suffering to continue. Most recently, during a trip to Iraq in May 2024, SWIC and its partners performed a needs assessment survey to understand how best to serve these communities that have endured so much over the past decade. We were present on the ground to talk with these community leaders and hard-working citizens. We listened to their thoughts and concerns. They welcomed us into their homes with open hearts and warm meals. They were thankful and hopeful. They praised God for everything they have. My heart soared for these faith-tested families whose unwavering devotion made me feel more than a little ashamed of some of my own concerns back home in the U.S. These are grassroots Christians with love and faith pervading all aspects of their daily lives. Their chief concerns today are security and employment, especially for the younger generation. Many of the young adults today were children when ISIS attacked. All they've known is strife, displacement, and hardship. They love their country, for which they've worked hard and sacrificed everything to secure a safe return. What they yearn for most now is the ability to stay and raise their families in their homeland. SWIC is committed to answering their call by funding employment opportunities with a focus on the younger generation. Many require vocational training to address the ever-changing technological needs of the agricultural landscape. Other vocations include IT training for programming, coding, and other disciplines. A better educated and more informed workforce could attract more businesses to these communities. These are just some of the innovative ways these needs can be addressed. This will require more funding, more attention, more love. A decade ago, SWIC entered into a love covenant with the Christians of Iraq and promised to be with them every step of the way; that includes the hopes and dreams of their children. There's more work to be done for these ancient Christian communities; now is not the time to leave them behind. The Apostles' work can only continue through us. Will you help answer the call? To learn more on how to you can help, please visit us at: www.swic.org Joe Lipuma serves as co-chairman of Stand With Iraqi Christians. Interview: Spanish AI director welcomes Spain-China scientific cooperation agreement Xinhua) 09:18, September 17, 2024 BARCELONA, Spain, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Coinciding with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's visit to China last week, the two countries signed an agreement to boost scientific cooperation, a move welcomed by Spain's scientific community, including a top AI researcher, who told Xinhua on Monday that collaboration is essential for research. "Today, science and technology is developed in large teams and this can be seen by the fact that big technology companies have huge teams of engineers and researchers to meet the challenges they face. It's clear that either research is collaborative or there is none," said Carles Sierra, head of the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (IIIA) of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). The AI institute director stressed that scientific collaboration "has to be common" and "free-flowing" and that "it's no longer possible to think that a single person can revolutionize the world with their ideas." Spain's Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Science and Technology of China to carry out joint research, as well as enabling the participation of scientific and technical staff from both countries in high-impact national research projects. "Not long ago we were visited by a delegation from the Chinese Academy of Sciences about issues of artificial intelligence applied to education, and we shared ideas and looked into the possibility of collaborating in the future, it was all very free-flowing, as it also is between researchers in congresses," Sierra added. The AI research director also pointed out the importance of welcoming students from other countries and that increasingly more scientists and researchers have the option of going abroad to find work. "There are a lot of students from China who go abroad to train and many who come back again, and lately there are many more Western researchers who are going to pursue a career in China and who are being hired by Chinese universities, so I think the flow back and forth is working well," he said. In fact, Sierra pointed to his own field of Artificial Intelligence as ideal for collaboration because the benefits of "artificial intelligence as an extension of our capabilities" and "as a kind of friend who assists us in doing what we've always done but doing it a little better" are universal. Referring to the concerns about the adoption of AI, Sierra pointed out that "AI automates cognitive processes and that's new for many people" and that this lack of familiarity "causes concerns about machines taking over our cognitive processes and thereby substituting us." The institute director also suggested that where Spain is concerned AI could be of particular help with the country's "environmental challenges, such as the recent drought or dealing with the impact of climate change, while energy is also a challenge." Meanwhile, on Tuesday last week, the Spanish government announced that it would allocate nearly 15 million euros (16.69 million U.S. dollars) to grants for "International Collaboration Projects", which will go towards financing Spanish participation in some 77 international research projects and activities. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Zhong Wenxing) https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/russia-hits-energy-infrastructure-supporting-ukraines-military-industrial-complex-1120175112.html Russia Hits Energy Infrastructure Supporting Ukraine's Military-Industrial Complex Russia Hits Energy Infrastructure Supporting Ukraine's Military-Industrial Complex Sputnik International According to the Russian Defense Ministry, air defenses also shot down a US-made HIMARS rocket and 36 drones over the past day. 2024-09-17T09:52+0000 2024-09-17T09:52+0000 2024-09-17T09:56+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine russia volodymyr zelensky russian defense ministry russian armed forces high mobility artillery rocket system (himars) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/09/11/1120174952_0:180:3004:1870_1920x0_80_0_0_e7eaef489d73e339690156f75a4a3f7e.jpg Russian forces carried out strikes on Ukraine's energy facilities that supply the military-industrial complex, the Ministry of Defense has reported. Weapons and ammunition depots were also hit.In June, Volodymyr Zelensky stated that nine gigawatts of energy generation capacity had been destroyed in Ukraine, which amounts to 80% of thermal power generation and a third of hydropower production.In turn, Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko specified that the country has lost half of its generating capacity, which would not be enough to survive the winter, and that electricity imports would be insufficient to cover the deficit.In early September, the Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council published a forecast by Yuriy Korolchuk, an expert from the Ukrainian Institute of Energy Strategies. According to one scenario, Ukrainians could be left without heat and light for up to 20 hours a day during the upcoming winter. This could happen if strikes on energy infrastructure continue, combined with other conditions. In the expert's optimistic forecast, power outages could last up to 12 hours per day. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240626/ukraines-energy-system-blown-away-by-zelensky-regime-corruption-russian-surgical-strikes-1119135567.html ukraine 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 russian special military operation, ukraine, himars, us made weapons in ukraine, russia strikes ukraine energy facilities https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/shoigu-delivers-putins-message-to-iranian-president-in-tehran---reports-1120179244.html Shoigu Delivers Putin's Message to Iranian President in Tehran - Reports Shoigu Delivers Putin's Message to Iranian President in Tehran - Reports Sputnik International Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, who arrived in Tehran earlier on Tuesday, delivered a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the meeting with the Iranian leader, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported on Tuesday. 2024-09-17T16:52+0000 2024-09-17T16:52+0000 2024-09-17T16:52+0000 world sergei shoigu masoud pezeshkian iran tehran islamic republic of iran broadcasting (irib) supreme national security council russia vladimir putin https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/0d/1118413029_0:0:2938:1654_1920x0_80_0_0_769b033eb95f49c5ad207ef5801dbafd.jpg During his meeting with the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Shoigu handed him a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin and presented Mr. Pezeshkian with a report on the agreements reached, the broadcaster said in a statement. Shoigu has also held talks with Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Akbar Ahmadian, the report said. iran tehran 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 shoigu goes to iran, shoigu meets with iranian president, shoigu pezeshkian meeting, putin's message to iranian president https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/simonyan-says-her-personal-facebook-instagram-accounts-blocked-by-meta-1120177266.html Simonyan Says Her Personal Facebook, Instagram Accounts Blocked by Meta* Simonyan Says Her Personal Facebook, Instagram Accounts Blocked by Meta* Sputnik International The editor-in-chief of Russias Rossiya Segodnya international media group and the RT broadcaster, Margarita Simonyan, said on Tuesday that social media platforms Facebook and Instagram (both owned by Meta, banned in Russia for extremism) had blocked her personal accounts in addition to the accounts of RT and Rossiya Segodnya. 2024-09-17T14:38+0000 2024-09-17T14:38+0000 2024-09-17T14:47+0000 world margarita simonyan dmitry peskov russia russian media rt rossiya segodnya sputnik https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107612/41/1076124160_0:235:2500:1641_1920x0_80_0_0_7dd5c1a353d86743ad2c2737f301c0a3.jpg "Facebook and Instagram have blocked the accounts of RT and Rossiya Segodnya as well as my personal pages," Simonyan wrote on Telegram. On Monday, Meta said that it had banned RT and Rossiya Segodnya from its apps globally for alleged foreign interference. The ban also applies to the Sputnik and RIA Novosti news outlets. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that blocking Russian media accounts is unacceptable and complicates the prospects for Russia's relations with Meta. On September 4, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions against Simonyan, two of her deputies, and several other employees of the broadcaster. The US State Department, in a parallel move, tightened the operating conditions for Rossiya Segodnya and its subsidiaries, designating them as "foreign missions." * Meta is banned in Russia as an extremist organization 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 sanctions against russian media, sanctions against russian rt, sanctions against russian sputnik, sanctions against russian rossiya segodnya, sanctions against russian ria novosti, russian media banned by us, why did america ban russian news outlets https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/trump-jr-says-us-should-find-diplomatic-outcome-to-ukraine-conflict-not-provoke-russia-1120179578.html Trump Jr. Says US Should Find Diplomatic Outcome to Ukraine Conflict, Not Provoke Russia Trump Jr. Says US Should Find Diplomatic Outcome to Ukraine Conflict, Not Provoke Russia Sputnik International The United States should be exploring ways to end the Ukraine conflict instead of strengthening Kievs strikes against Russia, Donald Trump Jr. said in an opinion piece jointly authored with former independent candidate for president, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 2024-09-17T17:13+0000 2024-09-17T17:13+0000 2024-09-17T17:13+0000 world joe biden donald trump vladimir putin russia ukraine kiev nato us army tactical missile system (atacms) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/09/11/1120179731_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_793dcfcffc62a51cfab761a789c89a61.jpg "At a time when American leaders should be focused on finding a diplomatic off-ramp to a war that should never have been allowed to take place, the Biden-Harris administration is instead pursuing a policy that Russia says it will interpret as an act of war," the authors said in the opinion published by The Hill on Tuesday. The Biden administration was reported last week to be considering allowing Ukraine to use NATO-provided long-range precision weapons against targets deep inside Russia. Trump Jr., the oldest son of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, and Kennedy Jr, who endorsed Trump last month after suspending his own campaign, warned that provoking Russia could be gravely dangerous. For context, the authors cited the wisdom of former US President John F. Kennedy, who said in 1963, "Nuclear powers must avert those confrontations which bring an adversary to a choice of either a humiliating retreat or a nuclear war." The authors said some believed Russian President Vladimir Putin was bluffing when he said Moscow will respond accordingly if Kiev is allowed to use Western weapons to strike deeper into Russia. The authors cautioned that with each escalation against Russia - from equipping Ukraine with HIMARS rocket launchers to cluster munitions, Abrams tanks, F-16 fighter jets and ATACMS advanced military rocket technology - the warring forces were bringing the world "closer to the brink of an Armageddon." "Their logic seems to be that if you goad a bear five times and it doesnt respond, it is safe to goad him even harder a sixth time," they said. "Such a strategy might be reasonable if the bear had no teeth." The authors reminded readers that Putin had signaled numerous times that Russia would use nuclear weapons in extreme circumstances. They warned that there would be no remaining step between firing US missiles deep into Russian territory and a nuclear exchange. While Trump has vowed to end the Ukraine conflict if reelected in November, it might be too late by the time he takes office, the authors said. "We need to demand, right now, that [Vice President Kamala] Harris and President Biden reverse their insane war agenda and open direct negotiations with Moscow," the authors added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240914/democrat-october-surprise-targeting-russia-and-trump-may-be-in-the-making--us-psy-op-veteran-1120152764.html russia ukraine kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International military aid for ukraine, is us giving more money to ukraine, why is us giving more money to kiev, whats happening to money given to kiev, will us give more money to kiev, how much money does ukraine get, how much money us gives to ukraine, how much money eu gives to ukraine, how much money europe gives to ukraine, what weapons does ukraine receive, does us give ukraine new weapons, f-16 sent to ukraine, f-16 aided to kiev https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/us-crackdown-on-sputnik-rt-meant-to-discourage-others-from-speaking-out-journo-1120177989.html US Crackdown on Sputnik, RT Meant to 'Discourage Others From Speaking Out' - Journo US Crackdown on Sputnik, RT Meant to 'Discourage Others From Speaking Out' - Journo Sputnik International Metas* decision to block the accounts of Sputnik and RT was the result of a growing pressure from the Biden administration that comes as the United States is losing the war in Ukraine and is thus growing increasingly desperate, independent journalist and author Daniel Lazare tells Sputnik. 2024-09-17T15:06+0000 2024-09-17T15:06+0000 2024-09-17T15:06+0000 analysis us meta sputnik censorship daniel lazare https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/13/1116877665_0:80:3263:1915_1920x0_80_0_0_0edac3cd75a77f2829684f2cd0e10142.jpg According to him, the purpose is not to strike out against the Russian media, but it's essentially to regiment political discourse in general. To discourage others from speaking out, to make it known that criticism of the war is now impermissible, that further action may be taken by the government and that people should watch their step. That's what the message is.Lazare says, Internet censorship is simply the logical next step for the US as it is raising the stakes by providing Kiev with medium-range missiles capable of striking deep within Russian territory while at the same time stepping up repression at home.This is very dangerous, but this is what a government does when it is losing a war. So, what we see here is this growing panic in official circles, Lazare remarks.Having noted that the freedom of speech in the United States is now under attack, Lazare warns that other nations will follow suit and that censorship is spreading.Regarding the role of the Ukrainian conflict in this situation, Lazare points out that it caused this war by pushing NATO ever further to the east and by backing the 2014 coup in Kiev, a coup that was spearheaded by neo-Nazi forces.Other nations, argues Lazare, should rethink NATO and rethink what the purpose of NATO is.They should not allow themselves to be let around by the US, which is increasingly reckless and irresponsible. The US is putting NATO on a very dangerous course and the consequences will be severely damaging, he adds.* Meta is banned in Russia as an extremist organization https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/self-discrediting-kremlin-excoriates-metas-global-ban-on-sputnik-and-rt-1120175444.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us censorship, sputnik, freedom of speech https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/us-navy-p-8a-poseidon-patrol-aircraft-crosses-taiwan-strait-1120174200.html US Navy P-8A Poseidon Patrol Aircraft Crosses Taiwan Strait US Navy P-8A Poseidon Patrol Aircraft Crosses Taiwan Strait Sputnik International A US Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft flew through "international airspace" across the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, the US Navy's 7th Fleet said. 2024-09-17T07:35+0000 2024-09-17T07:35+0000 2024-09-17T07:35+0000 world us taiwan china taiwan strait p-8 poseidon international law aircraft https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/02/15/1093240438_0:67:1280:787_1920x0_80_0_0_3b051b655b3d4f8d8ac0bea2df12d930.jpg "A US Navy P-8A Poseidon transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on April 17 (local time). By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations," the fleet said in a statement.In mid-April, the US 7th Fleet issued a similar statement that a P-8A Poseidon had flown through the Taiwan Strait. At the same time, China's military said it had escorted the US aircraft during its passage, saying that the Chinese forces maintain a high level of readiness to firmly defend national sovereignty, security, and regional peace and stability.Taiwan has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949. Beijing views the island as its province, while Taiwan a territory with its own elected government maintains that it is an autonomous country. Beijing opposes any official contacts of foreign states with Taipei and considers Chinese sovereignty over the island indisputable. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240912/sowing-the-seeds-for-war-machines-next-conflict-us-navy-seals-reportedly-train-for-taiwan-conflict-1120120667.html taiwan china 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 a us navy boeing p-8a poseidon patrol aircraft, chinese forces, mainland china, chinese sovereignty, china-taiwan tensions https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/us-restoring-military-infrastructure-on-pacific-island-to-project-power-in-region---reports-1120179392.html US Restoring Military Infrastructure on Pacific Island to Project Power in Region - Reports US Restoring Military Infrastructure on Pacific Island to Project Power in Region - Reports Sputnik International The United States is refurbishing military infrastructure on the Pacific island of Tinian as part of efforts to bolster power projection in the Indo-Pacific region, Newsweek reported on Tuesday. 2024-09-17T17:02+0000 2024-09-17T17:02+0000 2024-09-17T17:02+0000 military us pacific china world pentagon us air force https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/0b/1109364457_0:158:3072:1886_1920x0_80_0_0_6375aaa30aeca2f7fc4be2f86dc4d4bb.jpg The US cleared overgrowth on taxiways and runways previously built on the island during the Second World War, the report said, citing recent satellite imagery and Pacific Air Forces spokesperson Capt. Keith Peden. The US Defense Department established three projects to develop airfield operations on Tinian as part of its Pacific Deterrence Initiative, which focuses on defense planning for a potential conflict with China. The Pentagon seeks to add refueling, takeoff, landing and parking operations on Tinian, the report said. The projects will support a variety of aircraft and enable the US Air Force to rapidly deploy and sustain forces in diverse environments for both routine and contingency operations, Peden said. However, China strongly opposes US efforts to bolster forward deployments in the Indo-Pacific region, Chinese Embassy in the US spokesperson Liu Pengyu reportedly said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240731/okinawa-on-fire-division-brewing-in-japan-over-us-militarizing--nuclearizing-1119579206.html pacific china 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 us military in the pacific, us military infrastructure on pacific island, us military base on the pacific island of tinian https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/what-is-known-about-mass-pager-explosion-in-lebanon-1120178496.html What is Known About Mass Pager Explosion in Lebanon? What is Known About Mass Pager Explosion in Lebanon? Sputnik International Simultaneous detonations of pager devices occurred in Lebanon's capital of Beirut and several other cities, leaving thousands injured. Local media reported that the detonation of the devices happened due to a high-tech impact. 2024-09-17T16:05+0000 2024-09-17T16:05+0000 2024-09-17T17:17+0000 world middle east benjamin netanyahu lebanon israel beirut hezbollah https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/09/11/1120178758_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_b02b212096b47de25fc99d65268f1d30.jpg Personal communication devices began exploding around 3:30 p.m. due to simultaneous remote attacks. Pager owners have been urged to dispose of their pagers immediately.Media reports suggest that the attack mainly targeted devices carried by Hezbollah members. Shortly after the explosions, the movement blamed Israel for mass detonations in the country, threatening retaliation.At least eight people, including a child, have died as a result of the attack, according to the Lebanese health minister, over 2,800 were injured, and 200 of the injured are in critical condition.Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani is among the injured. Most of the wounded have severed fingers, severe burns, and other blast injuries.The exploded devices came from a new shipment that Hezbollah had recently received in recent days, the Wall Street Journal reported. Hezbollah said it had not yet determined the reasons behind the mass explosion.Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is currently holding a meeting with senior security officials in light of the explosions, according to Israeli media. On the agenda is a possible retaliatory attack by Hezbollah on Israel.The Lebanese government considers the mass detonation of pagers in different parts of the country as an Israeli aggression based on the initial results of the investigation, Lebanese Information Minister Ziad Makary said on Tuesday. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240914/hezbollah-says-attacked-idf-missile-headquarters-for-1st-time-at-lebanon-border-1120152588.html lebanon israel beirut 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 lebanon explosion, pager explosions in lebanon, why did pagers explode in lebanon, who attacked lebanon in pagers explosions, pagers blast in lebanon Culpeper County will make a request to the Virginia Department of Transportation to prohibit through truck traffic on Route 652/Mitchell Road. It is the result of a public hearing held by the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 3. The board unanimously adopted a resolution to request trucks dont travel the road between Zachary Taylor Highway and Rapidan Road. Local residents have objected to the heavy truck traffic on Mitchell Road, which they said would be better suited on other highways. According to Deputy Clerk Kimberly Ellis, VDOT also supported the initiative. The resolution lists vehicles, such as trucks, trucks with trailers and semi-trailer combinations as being restricted from traveling the road. Virginia Code allows for localities to petition VDOT for restriction against trucks that have no origin of departure or point of destination along the road. Local traffic wouldnt have to adhere to the new restriction. According to the resolution, if the request is adopted by the CTB, trucks would have to take an alternate route going from the intersection of Zachary Taylor Highway and Rapidan Road, heading southeast along Route 615. The alternate route is approximately 3.37 miles, 1.30 miles longer than the Mitchell Road route. During the public hearing, a Culpeper resident, identifying himself only as Jim, agreed with the proposal. He said diverting trucks from the route would cause less damage, such as potholes, to Mitchell Road. The boards request will now go to VDOTs Commonwealth Transportation Board for approval. Hidden away in east Vancouver, in an unassuming red brick building nearly identical to dozens of other office buildings dotting the citys landscape, Dr. Emily Montgomery-Brown works to unlock the mysteries of the Pacific Northwests volcanoes. Montgomery-Brown recently returned from Mount St. Helens, where she co-led this years GeoGirls program. The program, a collaborative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey and Mount St. Helens Institute, takes 20 middle and high school girls from Oregon and Washington on a five-day, four-night trip to the mountain. There, the students explored the 1980 eruption, the hazards volcanic eruptions pose to humans, and how scientists study and monitor volcanoes. The students also installed and monitored global satellite navigation equipment at the mountain that will help Montgomery-Brown know if the volcano is changing. As the satellites pass over, they send radio signals down to the antenna, and then we can triangulate very precisely, like millimeter accuracy, where those antenna are and if theyve moved, she said. Montgomery-Brown is a geophysicist. Her work is far different from that of vulcanologists, who are frequently out in the field collecting rock, lava and ash samples. I put instruments out at the volcano and then mostly sit at my computer and look at the data, she said. Co-leading the GeoGirls trip is one of the few times Montgomery-Brown gets to visit the mountain. She said the program is unique in that it gives students hands-on experience collecting data and using different scientific equipment. Montgomery-Brown first became interested in volcanoes after the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines sent clouds of ash across the globe. When I was about 10 or 11, Mount Pinatubo erupted. I dont think I was particularly aware of it at the time, but I definitely remember seeing these amazing orange and purple sunsets and then learning that the ash had gone all the way around the Earth, she said. Initially, she thought about pursuing chemistry or vulcanology, but she found that geophysics suited her better. Im much more of a numbers person, she said. Likely to erupt again Before coming to the U.S. Geological Survey, Montgomery-Brown was a researcher at the University of Tokyos Earthquake Research Institute, where she studied hydrothermal deformations at the Miyakejima volcano. As a National Science Foundation post-doctoral fellow at the University of Wisconsin, she studied Hawaiis Kilauea volcano. In 2013, Montgomery-Brown joined scientists at the Cascades Volcano Observatory monitoring volcanoes in Oregon and Washington. Sister observatories in other states monitor volcanoes in California, Alaska and Hawaii. She said her work is just one piece of a larger effort to explore, understand and monitor the regions volcanoes. We have a lot of different tools we use to monitor volcanoes, Montgomery-Brown said. The main things were looking for when a volcano starts to get restless which is what Im studying and what we did in the survey last week is how the volcano changes shape. For example, if magma comes in from the bottom, it kind of inflates the whole thing like a balloon, she said. She said measuring those changes could help scientists better understand and predict future eruptions. With several active volcanoes in the Cascades region, she said, their focus is on those that are the highest threat. Those are the ones that have erupted most recently or have the potential to be very close to city populations, she said. Tracking eruptions over the past 4,000 years, its not hard to guess which volcano has been the most active. Mount St. Helens is our most active historically and the most likely to erupt again. It certainly wont be as big as the 1980 level, Montgomery-Brown said. But there are lots of others that are all still active. She said a future event will be more similar to the last eruption from 2004 to 2008, rather than the massive 1980 blast. 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: Midea's IPO is the biggest in Hong Kong since 2021. Shares in Chinese electronic appliance maker Midea closed nearly eight percent higher on its Hong Kong debut Tuesday, having raised around US$4 billion in the city's biggest initial public offering for more than three years. The firm closed at HK$59.1 following early exchanges where it spiked to HK$60.0, up from its HK$54.8 list price, which was at the top of the range indicated in its prospectus. Midea's bumper listing fueled hopes that the Hong Kong bourse can attract more top Chinese firms and regain its crown as the world's top venue for IPOs. The Chinese finance hub has suffered a steady decline in new offerings since a regulatory crackdown by Beijing starting in 2020 led some Chinese mega-companies to put their plans on hold. The city saw just 30 IPOs in the first half of this year, compared with more than 100 annually between 2013 and 2020. "If this manages to hold on to gains for the week, it would definitely create a better IPO environment, paving the way for more to come," Rockpool Capital's chief investment officer Benjamin Wong told Bloomberg News. Midea's IPO has eclipsed the combined valuation of all of Hong Kong's new listings so far this year, and is the city's largest since JD Logistics and Kuaishou Technology in the first half of 2021. The Foshan-based company last week expanded the number of shares on offer by around 15 percent to 566 millionan indicator of strong demand. In a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange on Monday it said the international portion of the IPO was subscribed by more than eight times, before taking into account the adjustment to the offer size. Midea chairman Paul Fang called the listing "a strategic step forward in the company's globalization", the South China Morning Post reported on Tuesday. Cornerstone investors, including a subsidiary of Cosco Shipping Holdings and part of UBS Asset Management Singapore, agreed to buy Midea stocks worth US$1.26 billion. Founded in 1968, Midea has become one of the world's largest sellers of home appliances such as washing machines and air conditioners and it also owns the German industrial robot maker Kuka. Last month it reported a 14 percent rise in net profit in the first half of 2024 despite weakening consumer spending due to China's economic slowdown, while revenue hit US$52.7 billion. The company's shares in Hong Kong were offered at a 20 percent discount compared to its stock price in Shenzhen, where it has been listed since 2013. Hong Kong's stock exchange received a boost earlier this year after Chinese regulators unveiled measures to support the city's status as a finance hub. The bourse operator will also change its policy this month to keep trading through typhoons and heavy storms, in a bid to raise competitiveness. 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Air Force Tech. Sgt. Teri Eicher Last week, some 2,000 government officials and experts from around the world met for the REAIM (Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain) summit in Seoul, South Korea. This was the second event of its kind, with the first one held in the Netherlands in February 2023. During this year's summit, 61 countries endorsed a "Blueprint for Action" for governing the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) by the military. However, 30 countries sent a government representative to the summit but didn't endorse the blueprint, including China. The blueprint is an important, if modest, development. But there is still a gap in the understanding of what constitutes responsible use of AI and how this translates into concrete actions in the military domain. How is AI currently used in military contexts? Military use of AI has increased over the last few years, notably in the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflicts. Israel has used AI-enabled systems known as "Gospel" and "Lavender" to help it make key military decisions, such as which locations and people to target with bombs. The systems use large amounts of data, including people's addresses, phone numbers and membership of chat groups. The "Lavender" system in particular made headlines earlier this year when critics questioned its efficacy and legality. There was particular concern around its training data and how it classified targets. Both Russia and Ukraine also use AI to support military decision making. Satellite imagery, social media content and drone surveillance are just some of the many information sources which generate copious volumes of data. AI can analyze this data much more quickly than humans could. The results are incorporated into existing "kill chains"the process of locating, tracking, targeting and engaging targets. It means military officials can make faster decisions during active armed conflict, providing tactical advantages. However, the misuse of AI systems can also result in potential harm. Civil society and non-governmental organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross have warned about the risks. For example, algorithmic bias can exacerbate the risk to civilians during active warfare. What is responsible AI in the military domain? There is no consensus on what constitutes "responsible" AI. Some researchers argue the technology itself can be responsible. In this case, "responsible" would mean having built-in fairness and freedom from bias. Other studies refer to the practices around AIsuch as design, development and usebeing responsible. These would mean practices that are lawful, traceable, reliable and focused on mitigating bias. The blueprint endorsed at the recent summit in Seoul aligns with the latter interpretation. It advocates that anyone using AI in the military must comply with relevant national and international laws. It also highlights the importance of human roles in the development, deployment and use of AI in the military domain. This includes ensuring human judgement and control over the use of force are responsibly and safely managed. This is an important distinction, because many narratives around AI falsely imply an absence of human involvement and responsibility. What can governments do to use military AI responsibly? Discussions at the summit focused heavily on concrete steps governments can take to support responsible use of military AI. As military AI use is currently increasing, we need interim steps to deal with it. One suggestion was to strike AI regulation agreements within different regions, rather than taking longer to reach a global, universal consensus. To improve global cooperation on military AI, we could also heed lessons from previous global challengessuch as nuclear non-proliferation, saving the ozone layer and keeping outer space and Antarctica demilitarized. Eighteen months since the inaugural summit last year, governments and other responsible parties have started putting into place risk-mitigation processes and toolkits for military AI. The blueprint reflects the progress since then, and the ideas discussed at the summit. It proposes a number of tangible steps, which include: universal legal reviews for AI-enabled military capabilities promoting dialogue on developing measures to ensure responsible AI in the military domain at the national, regional and international levels maintaining appropriate human involvement in the development, deployment and use of AI in the military domain. However, progress is slow because we still don't have a universal understanding of what responsible military AI actually looks like. The need to cut through these issues is now putting pressure on the next summit (not yet announced). The Netherlands has also set up an expert body to further a globally consistent approach to military AI. Humanity can benefit from AI tools. But we urgently need to ensure the risks they pose don't proliferate, especially in the military domain. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Google bought advertising technology provider AdMeld in 2011 because the search giant saw the startup as a "threat" to its online display ad strategy, antitrust enforcers sought to show at trial Monday. The purchase of the company was portrayed by the Justice Department in its monopolization trial against the Alphabet Inc. unit as an example of so-called killer acquisitions. The government alleges that Google bought up nascent rivals, starting with DoubleClick in 2008 and followed by AdMeld and Invite Media, to build up a dominant position and stifle competition for its online ad tools. After purchasing DoubleClick, maker of the web's leading ad server, Google employees debated whether to buy a company that made "yield management tools," which help websites analyze data for ad pricing. Leading yield management companies at the time included AdMeld, PubMatic Inc. and the Rubicon Project. In an internal presentation shown in court Monday, Google staff dismissed the technology as "irrelevant," but said the tools were getting in the way of the search giant's opportunities to include more website ad inventory on its ad exchange platform. Google purchased AdMeld for more than $400 million and, after integrating its technology into the company's advertising exchange, shut down the product two years later. The Justice Department and a group of states allege that Google has monopolized the market for advertising technology tools used by websites and advertisers to buy and sell online display ads. Antitrust enforcers are seeking to show that Google bought rival companies to solidify its power in the online ad market. In an October 2010 email to a colleague, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, then a leader at Google's display advertising division, wrote that the company had "missed the yield manager threat." Mohan, who joined the search giant when it bought DoubleClick in 2008, suggested in a message to colleagues that Google should buy one of the leading products by "picking up the one with the most traction and parking it somewhere." In court on Monday, Mohan denied that he was suggesting Google buy AdMeld to eliminate a competitor. "Absolutely not," he said. AdMeld's technology "was a gap in our portfolio." "We needed to close that gap as quickly as possible," Mohan added. In the same presentation about whether the company should acquire a yield manager, Google said that buying AdMeld or PubMatic would close "product and service gaps" and was "a pressing need for publishers." An acquisition would also "ensure fair access to publisher inventory." In his testimony, Mohan said that AdMeld was a "complement" to Google's advertising exchange, AdX, a platform which matched advertisers with websites that wanted to sell space. "Yield management did something adjacent to, but different than, what AdX did," he said. Mohan said that in his view Google's products were more advanced than yield management tools, likening AdX to streaming video, while AdMeld and PubMatic were DVDs aimed at "solving yesterday's problems." But many websites were "more cautious" about taking the leap to Google's products, Mohan said, and were more comfortable adopting tools like AdMeld and Pubmatic, which he described as "baby steps" away from the technology they were used to. At the same time, Mohan acknowledged that Google's acquisition of both DoubleClick and eventually AdMeld was done in order to keep the technology giant from "falling behind" on its ad-tech offerings. "If we lose platform share, we can build the best" advertising platform "in the world but will still be at a severe risk of being disintermediated" by large competitors, Mohan wrote in a March 2009 email to colleagues, referring to companies such as Yahoo Inc. and Microsoft Corp., which were working on building up their own ad offerings. In the same email, he later added that Google needed "tight bundles" in its ad offerings that it could offer both publishers and advertisers in order to stay competitive. Google employees estimated that AdMeld was worth between $182 million and $355 million. Mohan acknowledged that Google ultimately paid $100 million above what the search giant estimated AdMeld's value was. 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Akzo Nobel (OTCMKTS:AKZOD Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $21.35 and last traded at $21.47, with a volume of 240530 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $21.66. Akzo Nobel Stock Performance The firm has a market cap of $14.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 8.70 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $20.64 and a 200-day moving average price of $22.17. Akzo Nobel Company Profile (Get Free Report) Akzo Nobel N.V. operates as a paints and coatings company in the Netherlands and internationally. The company operates through Decorative Paints and Performance Coatings segments. It provides decorative paints, including paints, lacquers, and varnishes; mixing machines, color concepts, and training courses for the building and renovation industry; and specialty coatings for metal, wood, and other building materials. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Akzo Nobel Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Akzo Nobel and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ares Management Co. (NYSE:ARES Get Free Report) insider Ryan Berry sold 12,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, September 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.42, for a total transaction of $1,855,250.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 414,202 shares of the companys stock, valued at $61,475,860.84. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Ryan Berry also recently made the following trade(s): Get Ares Management alerts: On Thursday, September 12th, Ryan Berry sold 1 shares of Ares Management stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.01, for a total transaction of $144.01. On Monday, September 9th, Ryan Berry sold 10,000 shares of Ares Management stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $142.12, for a total transaction of $1,421,200.00. On Thursday, September 5th, Ryan Berry sold 57,500 shares of Ares Management stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $140.74, for a total transaction of $8,092,550.00. Ares Management Stock Up 1.3 % Shares of ARES stock traded up $1.93 on Monday, reaching $149.33. 614,043 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,121,863. The company has a market cap of $46.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 66.96, a PEG ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a 50-day moving average of $143.79 and a 200-day moving average of $138.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 1.05. Ares Management Co. has a one year low of $96.00 and a one year high of $155.53. Ares Management Announces Dividend Ares Management ( NYSE:ARES Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, August 2nd. The asset manager reported $0.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $788.68 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $860.09 million. Ares Management had a net margin of 12.53% and a return on equity of 20.46%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.90 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Ares Management Co. will post 4.15 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be given a dividend of $0.93 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 16th. This represents a $3.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.49%. Ares Managements dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 166.82%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ares Management Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Ares Management by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 16,599,345 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $2,207,381,000 after acquiring an additional 206,996 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its position in Ares Management by 58.5% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 5,058,394 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $674,183,000 after acquiring an additional 1,867,933 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its position in Ares Management by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 3,872,559 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $460,525,000 after acquiring an additional 71,819 shares in the last quarter. LRI Investments LLC lifted its position in Ares Management by 49.4% in the 2nd quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 2,822,565 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $376,191,000 after acquiring an additional 933,664 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in Ares Management by 24.4% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 2,316,584 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $308,754,000 after acquiring an additional 453,657 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 50.03% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes ARES has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on shares of Ares Management in a report on Tuesday, August 27th. They set a neutral rating and a $140.00 price target for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on Ares Management from $134.00 to $133.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 15th. TD Cowen increased their price objective on Ares Management from $158.00 to $162.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $150.00 price objective on shares of Ares Management in a report on Wednesday, May 22nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Ares Management from $141.00 to $143.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $141.42. Check Out Our Latest Report on ARES About Ares Management (Get Free Report) Ares Management Corporation operates as an alternative asset manager in the United States, Europe, and Asia. The company's Tradable Credit Group segment manages various types of investment funds, such as commingled and separately managed accounts for institutional investors, and publicly traded vehicles and sub-advised funds for retail investors in the tradable and non-investment grade corporate credit markets. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ares Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ares Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc. (OTC:FKKFF Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $23.58 and last traded at $23.58, with a volume of 0 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $23.58. Fukuoka Financial Group Price Performance The companys 50-day simple moving average is $24.92 and its 200-day simple moving average is $23.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -43.67 and a beta of 0.03. About Fukuoka Financial Group (Get Free Report) Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides various banking services to individual and corporate customers. The company accepts various deposits, such as current deposits, ordinary and other demand deposits, time deposits, and negotiable certificates of deposit, as well as provides loan products. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Fukuoka Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fukuoka Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MSD Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 31,700 shares, a decrease of 31.7% from the August 15th total of 46,400 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 75,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.4 days. Institutional Trading of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in MSD. Sanctuary Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $137,000. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $99,000. MONECO Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund during the 1st quarter worth approximately $88,000. Wealthspire Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $74,000. Finally, Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund by 66.7% during the 2nd quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 20,000 shares of the companys stock worth $147,000 after buying an additional 8,000 shares during the last quarter. Get Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund alerts: Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund Stock Up 1.6 % MSD stock traded up $0.12 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $7.97. The companys stock had a trading volume of 137,588 shares, compared to its average volume of 70,877. The companys 50 day moving average is $7.62 and its two-hundred day moving average is $7.36. Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund has a fifty-two week low of $6.11 and a fifty-two week high of $8.00. Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund Dividend Announcement About Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 28th were issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 28th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 11.04%. (Get Free Report) Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income fund launched and managed by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc The fund invests in fixed income markets of emerging market countries across the globe. It primarily invests in debt securities of government and government-related issuers, of entities organized to restructure outstanding debt of such issuers and debt securities of corporate issuers in or organized under the laws of emerging countries. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund (NYSE:PTY Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 385,300 shares, a decrease of 30.8% from the August 15th total of 556,800 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 564,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.7 days. Hedge Funds Weigh In On PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of PTY. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund in the second quarter worth $7,233,000. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in shares of PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund by 162.9% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 798,564 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $11,875,000 after purchasing an additional 494,797 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund by 81.3% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 527,690 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $7,551,000 after purchasing an additional 236,616 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp grew its position in shares of PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund by 458.4% in the second quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 268,396 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $3,841,000 after purchasing an additional 220,335 shares during the period. Finally, Golden State Equity Partners acquired a new position in PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund during the second quarter worth about $2,595,000. 10.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund alerts: PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund Stock Performance Shares of NYSE PTY remained flat at $14.23 during midday trading on Monday. 526,782 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 583,162. The stocks 50 day moving average is $14.27 and its 200 day moving average is $14.33. PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund has a 1 year low of $11.92 and a 1 year high of $15.10. PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund Cuts Dividend About PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.1188 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $1.43 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.02%. (Get Free Report) PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC. It is co-managed by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets across the globe. It invests in corporate debt obligations rated in the lowest investment grade category Baa or BBB and in the highest non-investment grade category Ba or BB. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PIMCO Corporate & Income Opportunity Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Qantas Airways Limited (OTCMKTS:QABSY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 19,600 shares, a growth of 31.5% from the August 15th total of 14,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 20,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.0 days. Qantas Airways Trading Up 2.4 % OTCMKTS:QABSY traded up $0.55 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $23.81. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,184 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,499. The businesss 50-day moving average is $21.01 and its two-hundred day moving average is $19.76. Qantas Airways has a 52-week low of $14.83 and a 52-week high of $24.00. Get Qantas Airways alerts: About Qantas Airways (Get Free Report) Further Reading Qantas Airways Limited provides air transportation services in Australia and internationally. The company operates through Qantas Domestic, Qantas International, Jetstar Group, and Qantas Loyalty segments. It offers passenger flying, and air cargo and express freight services; and customer loyalty recognition programs. Receive News & Ratings for Qantas Airways Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Qantas Airways and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nippon Building Fund Inc. (OTCMKTS:NBFJF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 5,200 shares, a decline of 34.2% from the August 15th total of 7,900 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 52.0 days. Nippon Building Fund Price Performance OTCMKTS:NBFJF remained flat at C$4,495.79 on Monday. Nippon Building Fund has a 1 year low of C$3,555.00 and a 1 year high of C$4,495.79. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is C$3,912.50 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$3,970.69. Get Nippon Building Fund alerts: About Nippon Building Fund (Get Free Report) Further Reading NBF (Nippon Building Fund Inc) is Japan's largest real estate investment trust (J-REIT) which invests in office buildings primarily in Tokyo as well as nationwide. its objective is to source the solid growth of the stable revenues from its assets through exploitation of Mitsui Fudossan's know-how. Receive News & Ratings for Nippon Building Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nippon Building Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. STERIS plc (NYSE:STE Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,830,000 shares, a decrease of 29.3% from the August 15th total of 2,590,000 shares. Approximately 1.9% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 458,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.0 days. STERIS Stock Performance Shares of STERIS stock traded down $1.15 on Monday, hitting $243.68. 280,761 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 474,332. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $234.02 and a 200-day simple moving average of $225.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $24.09 billion, a PE ratio of 64.09 and a beta of 0.83. STERIS has a 1 year low of $195.47 and a 1 year high of $248.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.49 and a current ratio of 2.33. Get STERIS alerts: STERIS (NYSE:STE Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.98 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $1.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.27 billion. STERIS had a net margin of 7.36% and a return on equity of 13.85%. The companys revenue was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.00 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that STERIS will post 9.05 EPS for the current year. STERIS Increases Dividend Insider Transactions at STERIS The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 20th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 5th will be given a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.94%. This is an increase from STERISs previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 5th. STERISs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 59.69%. In other news, CFO Michael J. Tokich sold 23,332 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $247.00, for a total transaction of $5,763,004.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 42,930 shares in the company, valued at $10,603,710. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, Director Christopher S. Holland sold 473 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $239.68, for a total value of $113,368.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 582 shares of the companys stock, valued at $139,493.76. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Michael J. Tokich sold 23,332 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $247.00, for a total transaction of $5,763,004.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 42,930 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,603,710. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.14% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of STERIS Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its holdings in STERIS by 8.3% in the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 58,841 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $13,235,000 after acquiring an additional 4,494 shares during the last quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System increased its holdings in STERIS by 3.2% in the 1st quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 106,346 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $23,909,000 after acquiring an additional 3,342 shares during the last quarter. Caden Capital Partners LP increased its holdings in STERIS by 80.0% in the 4th quarter. Caden Capital Partners LP now owns 82,312 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $18,096,000 after acquiring an additional 36,576 shares during the last quarter. Diversify Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in STERIS in the 1st quarter valued at $903,000. Finally, Perpetual Ltd increased its holdings in STERIS by 9.3% in the 1st quarter. Perpetual Ltd now owns 40,571 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $9,121,000 after acquiring an additional 3,437 shares during the last quarter. 94.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have weighed in on STE. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of STERIS in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. StockNews.com raised shares of STERIS from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Stephens restated an overweight rating and issued a $260.00 target price on shares of STERIS in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. KeyCorp raised their target price on shares of STERIS from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, September 3rd. Finally, JMP Securities restated a market outperform rating and issued a $265.00 target price on shares of STERIS in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $246.00. Get Our Latest Report on STE STERIS Company Profile (Get Free Report) STERIS plc provides infection prevention products and services worldwide. It operates through four segments: Healthcare, Applied Sterilization Technologies, Life Sciences, and Dental. The Healthcare segment offers cleaning chemistries and sterility assurance products; automated endoscope reprocessing system and tracking products; endoscopy accessories, washers, sterilizers, and other pieces of capital equipment for the operation of a sterile processing department; and equipment used directly in the operating room, including surgical tables, lights, and connectivity solutions, as well as equipment management services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for STERIS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for STERIS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Frisch Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (BATS:QUAL Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 1,207 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $206,000. Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in QUAL. Unique Wealth Strategies LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $37,000. MCF Advisors LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $37,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $41,000. City State Bank increased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 123.7% in the 1st quarter. City State Bank now owns 255 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake 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 Stock Up 0.1 % BATS:QUAL opened at $177.07 on Tuesday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $172.65 and a 200-day moving average of $167.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $46.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.03 and a beta of 1.03. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF has a twelve month low of $71.96 and a twelve month high of $88.63. 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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding QUAL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (BATS:QUAL Free Report). 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. Monetta Financial Services Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund acquired 15,000 shares of the restaurant operators stock, valued at approximately $940,000. A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,732.3% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 20,177,309 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,264,109,000 after acquiring an additional 19,759,754 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 5,930.8% during the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 10,310,132 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $645,930,000 after purchasing an additional 10,139,174 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,816.1% during the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 8,356,173 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $523,514,000 after purchasing an additional 8,186,198 shares during the last quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,565.8% in the 2nd quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC now owns 5,078,767 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $318,185,000 after purchasing an additional 4,969,916 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 5,583.1% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 5,043,441 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $315,966,000 after buying an additional 4,954,696 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.31% of the companys stock. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Chipotle Mexican Grill Trading Up 2.7 % Shares of CMG stock opened at $57.66 on Tuesday. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 12 month low of $35.37 and a 12 month high of $69.26. The stock has a market cap of $79.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 61.34, a P/E/G ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $54.26 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $81.12. Insiders Place Their Bets Chipotle Mexican Grill ( NYSE:CMG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The restaurant operator reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.32 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $2.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.94 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 44.01% and a net margin of 13.23%. Chipotle Mexican Grills revenue was up 18.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $12.65 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.08 earnings per share for the current year. In other news, insider Curtis E. Garner sold 17,394 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.68, for a total transaction of $951,103.92. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 358,300 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,591,844. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, Director Robin S. Hickenlooper sold 1,790 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.38, for a total value of $100,920.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 41,510 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,340,333.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Curtis E. Garner sold 17,394 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.68, for a total value of $951,103.92. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 358,300 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,591,844. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 34,934 shares of company stock worth $1,918,589 over the last quarter. 1.02% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth CMG has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. KeyCorp lowered their price objective on 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. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and issued a $67.00 price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Oppenheimer reduced their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $70.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Argus upped their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $73.36 to $77.76 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 18th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 4th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen 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 $62.36. Read Our Latest Research Report on Chipotle Mexican Grill About Chipotle Mexican Grill (Free Report) Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Excalibur Management Corp bought a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 4,431 shares of the natural resource companys stock, valued at approximately $215,000. Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Spectrum Wealth Counsel LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 1,170.7% during the second quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 521 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 480 shares in the last quarter. Lynx Investment Advisory purchased a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the second quarter worth $26,000. LRI Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan in the first quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, RFP Financial Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 261.3% in the second quarter. RFP Financial Group LLC now owns 589 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 426 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.77% of the companys stock. Get Freeport-McMoRan alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades FCX has been the subject of several research reports. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and set a $60.00 price objective on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Scotiabank cut their price target on Freeport-McMoRan from $58.00 to $52.00 and set a sector outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 19th. Raymond James reduced their price objective on Freeport-McMoRan from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on Freeport-McMoRan from $48.00 to $51.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, June 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upgraded Freeport-McMoRan from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $49.50 to $62.00 in a report on Friday, June 21st. Five investment 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $53.07. Freeport-McMoRan Stock Up 0.5 % Shares of FCX opened at $42.89 on Tuesday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $44.12 and its 200 day moving average price is $47.05. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a 12-month low of $32.83 and a 12-month high of $55.24. The company has a current ratio of 2.40, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. The firm has a market cap of $61.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.89. Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The natural resource company reported $0.46 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.39 by $0.07. Freeport-McMoRan had a net margin of 7.83% and a return on equity of 7.60%. The business had revenue of $6.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.35 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 15.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.68 earnings per share for the current year. Freeport-McMoRan Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 1st. Investors of record on Monday, July 15th were issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, July 15th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.40%. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio is presently 26.55%. About Freeport-McMoRan (Free Report) Freeport-McMoRan Inc engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FCX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Freeport-McMoRan Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Freeport-McMoRan and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bancolombia S.A. (NYSE:CIB Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, September 17th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 27th will be paid a dividend of 0.8456 per share by the bank on Friday, October 11th. This represents a $3.38 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.71%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 27th. Bancolombia has raised its dividend by an average of 41.0% per year over the last three years. Bancolombia has a dividend payout ratio of 58.9% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Bancolombia to earn $6.08 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $3.59 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 59.0%. Get Bancolombia alerts: Bancolombia Trading Down 0.6 % Shares of Bancolombia stock traded down $0.19 on Tuesday, reaching $31.58. 205,661 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 267,243. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $32.89 and a 200-day moving average price of $33.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. Bancolombia has a fifty-two week low of $24.15 and a fifty-two week high of $37.85. Analysts Set New Price Targets Bancolombia ( NYSE:CIB Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The bank reported $1.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.43 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $1.77 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.82 billion. Bancolombia had a return on equity of 15.68% and a net margin of 13.73%. On average, analysts expect that Bancolombia will post 5.99 EPS for the current year. Several research analysts recently weighed in on CIB shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Bancolombia from $36.00 to $35.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Bancolombia from a neutral rating to a sell rating and dropped their price target for the company from $34.00 to $32.00 in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Finally, Bank of America lowered Bancolombia from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and dropped their price target for the company from $38.00 to $34.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 29th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and two have issued a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $32.40. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Bancolombia Bancolombia Company Profile (Get Free Report) Bancolombia SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides banking products and services in Colombia and internationally. The company operates through nine segments: Banking Colombia, Banking Panama, Banking El Salvador, Banking Guatemala, Trust, Investment Banking, Brokerage, International Banking, and All Other. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Bancolombia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bancolombia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bid Co. Limited (OTCMKTS:BPPPF Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 153,800 shares, a decline of 9.0% from the August 15th total of 169,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 769.0 days. BID Stock Performance OTCMKTS BPPPF remained flat at $25.00 during trading on Tuesday. BID has a 12 month low of $21.87 and a 12 month high of $25.00. The businesss fifty day moving average is $24.08 and its 200-day moving average is $23.08. Get BID alerts: About BID (Get Free Report) Featured Stories Bid Corporation Limited provides foodservice solutions in Australasia, the United Kingdom, Europe, and internationally. The company distributes fresh ingredients, including fish, seafood, meat, produce, dairy products, and ambient goods for the hospitality, institutional, catering, and retail sectors. Receive News & Ratings for BID Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BID and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 7,150,000 shares, a decline of 11.2% from the August 15th total of 8,050,000 shares. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 5,190,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.4 days. British American Tobacco Stock Performance NYSE:BTI traded down $1.40 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $37.96. The stock had a trading volume of 3,697,930 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,841,213. British American Tobacco has a 12-month low of $28.25 and a 12-month high of $39.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.88. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $35.84 and a 200 day simple moving average of $32.32. Get British American Tobacco alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, StockNews.com lowered shares of British American Tobacco from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, August 11th. Institutional Investors Weigh In On British American Tobacco Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. O Brien Greene & Co. Inc raised its holdings in British American Tobacco by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. O Brien Greene & Co. Inc now owns 17,102 shares of the companys stock valued at $529,000 after acquiring an additional 289 shares during the period. 1832 Asset Management L.P. boosted its stake in British American Tobacco by 4.2% in the 1st quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 8,969 shares of the companys stock worth $274,000 after purchasing an additional 363 shares during the period. Gallacher Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in British American Tobacco by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. Gallacher Capital Management LLC now owns 11,100 shares of the companys stock valued at $339,000 after buying an additional 402 shares in the last quarter. Dearborn Partners LLC increased its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 5.0% during the first quarter. Dearborn Partners LLC now owns 8,853 shares of the companys stock valued at $270,000 after buying an additional 425 shares during the period. Finally, Moody National Bank Trust Division lifted its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 6.3% in the first quarter. Moody National Bank Trust Division now owns 7,802 shares of the companys stock worth $238,000 after buying an additional 465 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 21.44% of the companys stock. About British American Tobacco (Get Free Report) British American Tobacco p.l.c. engages in the provision of tobacco and nicotine products to consumers worldwide. It also offers vapour, heated, and modern oral nicotine products; combustible cigarettes; and traditional oral products, such as snus and moist snuff. The company offers its products under the Vuse, glo, Velo, Grizzly, Kodiak, Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans, Camel, Natural American Spirit, Newport, Vogue, Viceroy, Kool, Peter Stuyvesant, Craven A, State Express 555 and Shuang Xi brands. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for British American Tobacco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for British American Tobacco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sargent Investment Group LLC lowered its stake in shares of Capital One Financial Co. (NYSE:COF) by 4.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,456 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 309 shares during the quarter. Sargent Investment Group LLCs holdings in Capital One Financial were worth $894,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Lmcg Investments LLC lifted its stake in shares of Capital One Financial by 0.6% in the second quarter. Lmcg Investments LLC now owns 99,457 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $13,770,000 after purchasing an additional 569 shares during the period. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI lifted its stake in shares of Capital One Financial by 117.7% during the second quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI now owns 5,370 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $744,000 after buying an additional 2,903 shares during the period. Angeles Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Capital One Financial by 2.3% during the second quarter. Angeles Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,311 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $597,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. boosted its stake in Capital One Financial by 25.4% in the 2nd quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 9,383 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,299,000 after buying an additional 1,903 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pinion Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Capital One Financial during the second quarter worth approximately $213,000. 89.84% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Capital One Financial alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. BTIG Research assumed coverage on shares of Capital One Financial in a research report on Friday, June 7th. They set a neutral rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Capital One Financial from $148.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, July 8th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $150.00 target price on shares of Capital One Financial in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Capital One Financial from $158.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Evercore ISI reduced their price target on Capital One Financial from $155.00 to $154.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, June 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $145.89. Capital One Financial Stock Up 1.4 % Shares of COF opened at $140.95 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $53.82 billion, a PE ratio of 11.04, a PEG ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 1.44. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $141.66 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $140.58. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. Capital One Financial Co. has a 12 month low of $88.23 and a 12 month high of $153.35. Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The financial services provider reported $3.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.28 by ($0.14). The company had revenue of $9.51 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.57 billion. Capital One Financial had a return on equity of 9.31% and a net margin of 9.01%. The firms revenue was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.52 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Capital One Financial Co. will post 13.1 EPS for the current year. Capital One Financial Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 23rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 12th were given a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.70%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 12th. Capital One Financials dividend payout ratio is currently 18.79%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, CEO Kevin S. Borgmann sold 61,532 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $132.86, for a total value of $8,175,141.52. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 40,934 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,438,491.24. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other Capital One Financial news, insider Robert M. Alexander sold 30,742 shares of Capital One Financial stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total transaction of $4,611,300.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 73,734 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,060,100. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Kevin S. Borgmann sold 61,532 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.86, for a total transaction of $8,175,141.52. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 40,934 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,438,491.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.30% of the companys stock. Capital One Financial Profile (Free Report) Capital One Financial Corporation operates as the financial services holding company for the Capital One, National Association, which engages in the provision of various financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Credit Card, Consumer Banking, and Commercial Banking. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding COF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Capital One Financial Co. (NYSE:COF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Capital One Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Capital One Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Catalent, Inc. (NYSE:CTLT Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 9,120,000 shares, a growth of 6.9% from the August 15th total of 8,530,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,790,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 5.1 days. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In CTLT has been the topic of several analyst reports. William Blair restated a market perform rating on shares of Catalent in a research report on Tuesday, September 3rd. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Catalent in a research report on Tuesday, September 10th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $63.50 price target on shares of Catalent in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on Catalent from $47.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, June 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $58.08. Get Catalent alerts: Read Our Latest Report on CTLT Insider Activity Institutional Investors Weigh In On Catalent In related news, CEO Alessandro Maselli sold 9,088 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $58.76, for a total transaction of $534,010.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 177,521 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,431,133.96. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . In other news, CEO Alessandro Maselli sold 9,088 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.76, for a total value of $534,010.88. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 177,521 shares in the company, valued at $10,431,133.96. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . Also, CFO Matti Masanovich sold 2,993 shares of Catalent stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.74, for a total value of $169,822.82. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 33,871 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,921,840.54. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold 13,409 shares of company stock valued at $782,923 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.31% of the companys stock. Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Lindbrook Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of Catalent by 79.4% during the first quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 470 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. acquired a new position in Catalent in the 2nd quarter valued at $42,000. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new position in Catalent in the 1st quarter valued at $52,000. Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC lifted its holdings in Catalent by 45.7% in the 2nd quarter. Longfellow Investment Management Co. LLC now owns 972 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 305 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in Catalent by 25.9% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,032 shares of the companys stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 212 shares during the last quarter. Catalent Stock Up 0.9 % CTLT stock opened at $60.16 on Tuesday. Catalent has a 52 week low of $31.80 and a 52 week high of $61.20. The company has a quick ratio of 1.77, a current ratio of 2.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $59.27 and a 200-day simple moving average of $57.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.89 billion, a P/E ratio of -9.86, a P/E/G ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 1.15. About Catalent (Get Free Report) Catalent, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops and manufactures solutions for drugs, protein-based biologics, cell and gene therapies, and consumer health products worldwide. It operates in two segments, Biologics, and Pharma and Consumer Health. The Biologics segment provides formulation, development, and manufacturing for biologic proteins, cell gene, and other nucleic acid therapies; pDNA, iPSCs, oncolytic viruses, and vaccines; formulation, development, and manufacturing for parenteral dose forms, including vials, prefilled syringes, and cartridges; and analytical development and testing services for large molecules. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Catalent Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Catalent and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cellnex Telecom, S.A. (OTCMKTS:CLNXF Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,055,400 shares, a drop of 11.5% from the August 15th total of 1,192,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 29,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 36.0 days. Cellnex Telecom Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:CLNXF remained flat at $39.60 during midday trading on Tuesday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $37.00 and a 200 day simple moving average of $35.64. Cellnex Telecom has a 1 year low of $27.82 and a 1 year high of $40.82. Get Cellnex Telecom alerts: Cellnex Telecom Company Profile (Get Free Report) Further Reading Cellnex Telecom, SA operates infrastructure for wireless telecommunication in Austria, Denmark, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Switzerland. It operates through three segments: Telecom Infrastructure Services, Broadcasting Infrastructure, and Other Network Services. Receive News & Ratings for Cellnex Telecom Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cellnex Telecom and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:CIK Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Friday, January 19th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 18th will be given a dividend of 0.0225 per share on Tuesday, September 24th. This represents a $0.27 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.79%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 18th. Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund Stock Performance NYSEAMERICAN:CIK opened at $3.07 on Tuesday. Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund has a 12 month low of $2.50 and a 12 month high of $3.19. Get Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund alerts: About Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund (Get Free Report) See Also Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund, Inc is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It primarily invests in high yield corporate debt such as bonds and debentures that are rated Baa or lower by Moody's or BBB or lower by S&P. Receive News & Ratings for Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Credit Suisse Asset Management Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Denali Advisors LLC lifted its position in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 8.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 31,600 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 2,400 shares during the quarter. Denali Advisors LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $884,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Olistico Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Pfizer during the second quarter worth about $25,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Pfizer during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Creekmur Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Pfizer during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC boosted its position 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 buying an additional 600 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Connections Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Pfizer in the second quarter worth $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.36% of the companys stock. Get Pfizer alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth PFE has been the topic of several analyst reports. Barclays increased their price objective on Pfizer from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded Pfizer from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $28.00 to $34.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating and set a $45.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Monday. Daiwa America upgraded shares of Pfizer from a moderate buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised 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. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $34.54. Pfizer Stock Up 2.7 % Shares of NYSE PFE opened at $30.07 on Tuesday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $29.26 and a 200 day moving average price of $28.15. The stock has a market cap of $170.40 billion, a PE ratio of -501.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Pfizer Inc. has a 52-week low of $25.20 and a 52-week high of $34.12. Pfizer (NYSE:PFE Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.60 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.46 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $13.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.96 billion. Pfizer had a positive return on equity of 8.42% and a negative net margin of 4.66%. The companys revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.67 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.66 earnings per share for the current year. Pfizer Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 26th were paid a $0.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 26th. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.59%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio is presently -2,799.53%. About Pfizer (Free Report) Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands. Recommended 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. Denali Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CNO Free Report) by 725.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 231,000 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 203,000 shares during the period. CNO Financial Group makes up about 1.8% of Denali Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest holding. Denali Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.21% of CNO Financial Group worth $6,403,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. bought a new position in CNO Financial Group during the 2nd quarter worth $852,000. Trexquant Investment LP bought a new position in CNO Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth $1,250,000. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System increased its stake in CNO Financial Group by 30.9% during the 1st quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 105,374 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,896,000 after acquiring an additional 24,844 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in CNO Financial Group during the 1st quarter worth $890,000. Finally, Congress Asset Management Co. MA increased its stake in CNO Financial Group by 43.7% during the 4th quarter. Congress Asset Management Co. MA now owns 157,126 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,384,000 after acquiring an additional 47,762 shares during the period. 95.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get CNO Financial Group alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In CNO has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Piper Sandler restated an overweight rating and set a $37.00 price objective on shares of CNO Financial Group in a research note on Friday. Evercore ISI raised their price objective on CNO Financial Group from $27.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on CNO Financial Group from $30.00 to $38.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on CNO Financial Group from $30.00 to $31.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, July 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $33.75. CNO Financial Group Trading Up 2.7 % Shares of CNO opened at $33.95 on Tuesday. CNO Financial Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $22.27 and a 52-week high of $35.45. The businesss fifty day moving average is $32.12 and its 200-day moving average is $28.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 0.19 and a current ratio of 0.19. The firm has a market cap of $3.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.90 and a beta of 1.01. CNO Financial Group (NYSE:CNO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 29th. The financial services provider reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.33. The business had revenue of $1.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $929.99 million. CNO Financial Group had a return on equity of 18.30% and a net margin of 9.96%. CNO Financial Groups quarterly revenue was up 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.54 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that CNO Financial Group, Inc. will post 3.43 EPS for the current fiscal year. CNO Financial Group Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 24th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 10th will be given a dividend of $0.16 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 10th. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.89%. CNO Financial Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 18.66%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, insider Jeanne L. Linnenbringer sold 5,364 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.88, for a total transaction of $187,096.32. Following the sale, the insider now owns 44,884 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,565,553.92. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other CNO Financial Group news, insider Jeanne L. Linnenbringer sold 5,435 shares of CNO Financial Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.26, for a total transaction of $186,203.10. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 37,663 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,290,334.38. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Jeanne L. Linnenbringer sold 5,364 shares of CNO Financial Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.88, for a total value of $187,096.32. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 44,884 shares in the company, valued at $1,565,553.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 3.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. About CNO Financial Group (Free Report) CNO Financial Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, develops, markets, and administers health insurance, annuity, individual life insurance, insurance products, and financial services for senior and middle-income markets in the United States. It offers Medicare supplement, supplemental health, and long-term care insurance policies; life insurance; and annuities, as well as Medicare advantage plans to individuals through phone, online, mail, and face-to-face. Read More Receive News & Ratings for CNO Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CNO Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Denali Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Riley Exploration Permian, Inc. (NYSE:REPX Free Report) by 223.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 42,700 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 29,500 shares during the quarter. Denali Advisors LLC owned 0.20% of Riley Exploration Permian worth $1,209,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CWM LLC boosted its holdings in Riley Exploration Permian by 1,191.7% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,240 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 1,144 shares in the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank purchased a new stake in Riley Exploration Permian in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Quest Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Riley Exploration Permian by 38.6% in the 2nd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 3,815 shares of the companys stock valued at $108,000 after purchasing an additional 1,062 shares in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Riley Exploration Permian by 785.9% during the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 4,571 shares of the companys stock worth $151,000 after acquiring an additional 4,055 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jump Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Riley Exploration Permian during the 4th quarter worth approximately $248,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.91% of the companys stock. Get Riley Exploration Permian alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Truist Financial cut their price objective on Riley Exploration Permian from $48.00 to $45.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Riley Exploration Permian Trading Up 1.1 % Shares of Riley Exploration Permian stock opened at $26.60 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.63 and a quick ratio of 0.58. Riley Exploration Permian, Inc. has a 1 year low of $21.27 and a 1 year high of $34.90. The company has a market capitalization of $573.07 million, a P/E ratio of 5.41 and a beta of 1.34. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $27.58 and a 200 day moving average price of $27.79. Riley Exploration Permian (NYSE:REPX Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $1.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.74 by ($0.13). Riley Exploration Permian had a return on equity of 25.74% and a net margin of 23.95%. The company had revenue of $105.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $106.62 million. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Riley Exploration Permian, Inc. will post 6.62 EPS for the current fiscal year. Riley Exploration Permian Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 8th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 25th were issued a $0.36 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 25th. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.41%. Riley Exploration Permians dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.27%. Insider Buying and Selling at Riley Exploration Permian In other Riley Exploration Permian news, CEO Bobby Riley sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.00, for a total value of $420,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 366,658 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,266,424. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 3.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Riley Exploration Permian Company Profile (Free Report) Riley Exploration Permian, Inc, an independent oil and natural gas company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in Texas and New Mexico. The company's activities are primarily focused on the Northwest Shelf and Yeso trend of the Permian Basin. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Riley Exploration Permian Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Riley Exploration Permian and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Entergy (NYSE:ETR Free Report) had its price objective upped by KeyCorp from $123.00 to $130.00 in a report published on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the utilities providers stock. ETR has been the topic of several other reports. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Entergy from $100.00 to $109.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 23rd. Scotiabank upped their target price on shares of Entergy from $115.00 to $119.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH reissued a neutral rating and issued a $109.50 price objective (down from $117.00) on shares of Entergy in a research report on Wednesday, June 12th. Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of Entergy from $107.00 to $114.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, May 31st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Entergy from $131.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, August 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $123.58. Get Entergy alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on ETR Entergy Price Performance Entergy stock opened at $128.46 on Monday. Entergy has a 1 year low of $87.10 and a 1 year high of $128.92. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $116.80 and its 200-day simple moving average is $110.17. The company has a market capitalization of $27.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.81, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.94. Entergy (NYSE:ETR Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.16. Entergy had a net margin of 14.75% and a return on equity of 10.10%. The firm had revenue of $2.95 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.98 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.84 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Entergy will post 7.22 earnings per share for the current year. Entergy Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 13th were issued a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.52%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 13th. Entergys payout ratio is 45.34%. Insider Activity In other news, COO Peter S. Norgeot, Jr. sold 11,472 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.16, for a total value of $1,321,115.52. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 37,888 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,363,182.08. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, CEO Andrew S. Marsh sold 600 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.03, for a total transaction of $72,018.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 150,731 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,092,241.93. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, COO Peter S. Norgeot, Jr. sold 11,472 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.16, for a total transaction of $1,321,115.52. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 37,888 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,363,182.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 42,888 shares of company stock worth $5,110,766. Corporate insiders own 0.39% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Entergy A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of ETR. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC raised its position in Entergy by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC now owns 4,075 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $436,000 after buying an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC raised its position in Entergy by 21.7% during the 1st quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 550 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Delta Financial Advisors LLC raised its position in Entergy by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Delta Financial Advisors LLC now owns 22,121 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,367,000 after buying an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. raised its position in Entergy by 40.0% during the 1st quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 385 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. Finally, iA Global Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Entergy by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 8,830 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $933,000 after buying an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.07% of the companys stock. Entergy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. It generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Entergy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Entergy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. L & S Advisors Inc decreased its stake in shares of Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:HWM Free Report) by 19.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 32,196 shares of the companys stock after selling 7,847 shares during the quarter. L & S Advisors Incs holdings in Howmet Aerospace were worth $2,499,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Blair William & Co. IL lifted its stake in Howmet Aerospace by 51.6% during the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 25,488 shares of the companys stock worth $1,744,000 after purchasing an additional 8,676 shares during the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Howmet Aerospace by 70.1% during the first quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 1,273,290 shares of the companys stock worth $87,131,000 after purchasing an additional 524,805 shares in the last quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Howmet Aerospace by 303.8% in the 4th quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd now owns 23,629 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,279,000 after buying an additional 17,777 shares during the period. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale lifted its holdings in Howmet Aerospace by 67.6% in the first quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 80,414 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,431,000 after acquiring an additional 32,431 shares during the period. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its holdings in Howmet Aerospace by 182.1% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 42,893 shares of the companys stock worth $2,935,000 after buying an additional 27,686 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.46% of the companys stock. Get Howmet Aerospace alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Howmet Aerospace from $88.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Howmet Aerospace from $83.00 to $105.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Benchmark upped their target price on Howmet Aerospace from $53.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 12th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on Howmet Aerospace from $90.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on Howmet Aerospace from $84.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $90.67. Insider Activity In related news, CFO Ken Giacobbe sold 154,909 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.58, for a total value of $14,961,111.22. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 155,135 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,982,938.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, EVP Neil Edward Marchuk sold 70,637 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.94, for a total value of $6,847,550.78. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 92,687 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,985,077.78. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Ken Giacobbe sold 154,909 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.58, for a total transaction of $14,961,111.22. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 155,135 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,982,938.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.12% of the companys stock. Howmet Aerospace Trading Down 0.1 % NYSE:HWM opened at $95.14 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $38.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.46. Howmet Aerospace Inc. has a one year low of $42.94 and a one year high of $98.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 1.53. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $90.02 and its 200 day simple moving average is $79.74. Howmet Aerospace (NYSE:HWM Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.60 by $0.07. Howmet Aerospace had a return on equity of 23.02% and a net margin of 13.15%. The company had revenue of $1.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.83 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.44 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 14.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Howmet Aerospace Inc. will post 2.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Howmet Aerospace Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th were given a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 9th. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.34%. This is an increase from Howmet Aerospaces previous quarterly dividend of $0.05. Howmet Aerospaces payout ratio is presently 15.46%. About Howmet Aerospace (Free Report) Howmet Aerospace Inc provides advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries in the United States, Japan, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Italy, Canada, Poland, China, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Engine Products, Fastening Systems, Engineered Structures, and Forged Wheels. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Howmet Aerospace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Howmet Aerospace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lmcg Investments LLC trimmed its position in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSEARCA:EWY Free Report) by 0.8% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 67,275 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 528 shares during the quarter. Lmcg Investments LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF were worth $4,446,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wakefield Asset Management LLLP grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 3.4% during the 1st quarter. Wakefield Asset Management LLLP now owns 9,428 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $633,000 after buying an additional 314 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Innealta Capital LLC now owns 33,478 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,194,000 after purchasing an additional 325 shares during the last quarter. Patten Group Inc. increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 7.2% during the 2nd quarter. Patten Group Inc. now owns 5,703 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $377,000 after purchasing an additional 382 shares during the last quarter. Founders Capital Management acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Get iShares MSCI South Korea ETF alerts: iShares MSCI South Korea ETF Trading Up 0.3 % EWY stock opened at $63.52 on Tuesday. iShares MSCI South Korea ETF has a 1-year low of $54.49 and a 1-year high of $69.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.04 billion, a PE ratio of 9.60 and a beta of 1.25. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $64.61 and its 200 day simple moving average is $64.90. iShares MSCI South Korea ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI South Korea Capped ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Korea 25/50 Index (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Stock Market Division of the Korean Exchange. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSEARCA:EWY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI South Korea ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI South Korea ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc. cut its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,170 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 62 shares during the period. Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc.s holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $984,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of GS. First Personal Financial Services acquired a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the first quarter worth approximately $25,000. POM Investment Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 106.3% during the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 66 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SJS Investment Consulting Inc. raised its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 103.3% in the 2nd quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 61 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 31 shares during the period. 71.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: Insider Activity at The Goldman Sachs Group In related news, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $505.99, for a total transaction of $1,770,965.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 12,095 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,119,949.05. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,500 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $505.99, for a total transaction of $1,770,965.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 12,095 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,119,949.05. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Thomas K. Montag sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $505.04, for a total transaction of $5,050,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 12,450 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,287,748. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Up 1.3 % GS opened at $485.16 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $156.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.94, a P/E/G ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.20. 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 50-day simple moving average of $490.74 and a 200 day simple moving average of $452.29. The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 15th. The investment management company reported $8.62 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $8.52 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $12.73 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.60 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 9.36% and a return on equity of 10.56%. Analysts predict that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 35.5 EPS for the current fiscal year. The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th will be paid a $3.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. This is a positive change from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $2.75. This represents a $12.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.47%. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 46.86%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $464.00 to $472.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, September 9th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and set a $500.00 target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $460.00 to $485.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. Seaport Res Ptn cut The Goldman Sachs Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Finally, Oppenheimer increased their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $504.00 to $559.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, The Goldman Sachs Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $496.44. View Our Latest Report on The Goldman Sachs Group The Goldman Sachs Group Profile (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements. Read More 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. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:BULZ Get Free Report) shares gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $125.11, but opened at $128.98. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN shares last traded at $127.00, with a volume of 22,514 shares changing hands. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN Stock Performance The stock has a market cap of $92.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 83.95 and a beta of 4.73. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $135.60 and its 200 day simple moving average is $136.48. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN Company Profile (Get Free Report) The MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation 3X Leveraged ETN (BULZ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Solactive FANG Innovation index. The fund tracks 3x the daily price movements of an equal-weighted index of US-listed technology companies. BULZ was launched on Aug 20, 2021 and is issued by REX Microsectors. Featured Articles 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. MoneyLion Inc. (NYSE:ML Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 787,900 shares, a drop of 18.5% from the August 15th total of 967,100 shares. Approximately 14.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 255,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.1 days. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have weighed in on ML. B. Riley reiterated a buy rating and issued a $133.00 target price on shares of MoneyLion in a report on Tuesday, June 25th. Needham & Company LLC cut their target price on MoneyLion from $100.00 to $70.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, MoneyLion presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $95.00. Get MoneyLion alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on ML MoneyLion Price Performance Shares of ML traded up $1.06 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $42.84. 42,285 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 201,006. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $54.67 and its 200-day simple moving average is $68.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $450.59 million, a PE ratio of -14.41 and a beta of 2.70. MoneyLion has a 52-week low of $17.40 and a 52-week high of $106.82. MoneyLion (NYSE:ML Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $0.26 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.01) by $0.27. The business had revenue of $130.90 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $127.03 million. MoneyLion had a net margin of 0.40% and a return on equity of 0.72%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 22.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned ($0.42) earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that MoneyLion will post 1.4 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity In other news, CEO Diwakar Choubey sold 20,133 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.10, for a total value of $907,998.30. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 716,380 shares in the company, valued at $32,308,738. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other MoneyLion news, CAO Mark Torossian sold 811 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.10, for a total transaction of $36,576.10. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 21,395 shares in the company, valued at approximately $964,914.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Diwakar Choubey sold 20,133 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.10, for a total value of $907,998.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 716,380 shares in the company, valued at approximately $32,308,738. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 64,403 shares of company stock worth $3,929,256 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 14.10% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of MoneyLion Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ML. Divisadero Street Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of MoneyLion during the 2nd quarter worth $13,427,000. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its holdings in MoneyLion by 2,060.1% during the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 103,470 shares of the companys stock worth $7,864,000 after buying an additional 98,680 shares in the last quarter. Driehaus Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in MoneyLion by 77.1% during the second quarter. Driehaus Capital Management LLC now owns 221,488 shares of the companys stock worth $16,288,000 after buying an additional 96,433 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its position in MoneyLion by 64.2% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 214,129 shares of the companys stock worth $15,747,000 after buying an additional 83,700 shares during the period. Finally, Hood River Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in MoneyLion in the first quarter valued at about $3,742,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 31.43% of the companys stock. About MoneyLion (Get Free Report) MoneyLion Inc, a financial technology company, provides personalized products and financial content for American consumers. The company's platform offers access to banking, borrowing, and investing solutions for customers. Its principal products include RoarMoney, an insured digital demand deposit account; Instacash, a cash advance product that gives customers early access to their recurring income deposits; Credit Builder Plus membership program; MoneyLion Investing, an online investment account that offers access to separately managed accounts invested based on model exchange-traded fund portfolios; Roundups, which provides features designed to encourage customers to establish good saving and investing habits; and MoneyLion Crypto, an online cryptocurrency account. See Also Receive News & Ratings for MoneyLion Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MoneyLion and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE:CLF Get Free Report)s stock had its equal weight rating restated by stock analysts at Morgan Stanley in a research report issued on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $15.00 target price on the mining companys stock. Morgan Stanleys target price suggests a potential upside of 26.48% from the companys current price. Several other analysts have also issued reports on CLF. Citigroup cut their price objective on Cleveland-Cliffs from $18.00 to $12.50 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, September 10th. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of Cleveland-Cliffs from $20.00 to $18.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, June 26th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Cleveland-Cliffs in a research note on Monday, May 20th. They issued a buy rating and a $22.00 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of Cleveland-Cliffs from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and cut their price target for the stock from $23.00 to $17.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 11th. Finally, B. Riley restated a buy rating and set a $23.00 price target on shares of Cleveland-Cliffs in a research note on Tuesday, June 25th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $17.75. Get Cleveland-Cliffs alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on Cleveland-Cliffs Cleveland-Cliffs Stock Up 0.9 % Shares of NYSE CLF traded up $0.11 on Tuesday, hitting $11.86. The company had a trading volume of 4,175,995 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,576,444. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 1.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Cleveland-Cliffs has a 12-month low of $10.21 and a 12-month high of $22.97. The business has a 50 day moving average of $13.64 and a two-hundred day moving average of $16.73. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.99, a PEG ratio of 21.57 and a beta of 1.97. Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE:CLF Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, July 22nd. The mining company reported $0.11 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $5.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.18 billion. Cleveland-Cliffs had a return on equity of 4.94% and a net margin of 0.21%. The businesss revenue was down 14.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.69 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Cleveland-Cliffs will post 0.01 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Cleveland-Cliffs A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of CLF. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs in the 4th quarter valued at $117,585,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its position in Cleveland-Cliffs by 54.7% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 15,906,597 shares of the mining companys stock worth $244,794,000 after buying an additional 5,621,797 shares in the last quarter. Peconic Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs during the 4th quarter worth about $42,370,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs by 49.9% during the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 6,093,632 shares of the mining companys stock worth $93,172,000 after purchasing an additional 2,027,757 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Nova Scotia acquired a new position in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs during the 4th quarter worth about $22,937,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.68% of the companys stock. Cleveland-Cliffs Company Profile (Get Free Report) Cleveland-Cliffs is the largest flat-rolled steel company and the largest iron ore pellet producer in North America. The company is vertically integrated from mining through iron making, steelmaking, rolling, finishing and downstream with hot and cold stamping of steel parts and components. The company was formerly known as Cliffs Natural Resources Inc and changed its name to Cleveland-Cliffs Inc in August 2017. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Cleveland-Cliffs Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cleveland-Cliffs and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP reduced its position in Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC Free Report) by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,859,307 shares of the railroad operators stock after selling 30,088 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned about 0.82% of Norfolk Southern worth $399,094,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 16.9% during the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 601,343 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $129,102,000 after purchasing an additional 86,726 shares during the period. Waycross Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 36.0% during the second quarter. Waycross Partners LLC now owns 55,904 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $12,002,000 after purchasing an additional 14,805 shares during the period. Abound Wealth Management boosted its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 122.0% during the second quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 182 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Wilkins Investment Counsel Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 34.7% during the second quarter. Wilkins Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 5,423 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $1,164,000 after purchasing an additional 1,398 shares during the period. Finally, Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 220.0% during the second quarter. Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC now owns 5,322 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $1,142,000 after purchasing an additional 3,659 shares during the period. 75.10% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Norfolk Southern alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades NSC has been the subject of several research reports. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $251.00 to $253.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Sanford C. Bernstein reduced their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $288.00 to $285.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 8th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $239.00 to $241.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Benchmark lifted their target price on shares of Norfolk Southern from $266.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an underweight rating and issued a $175.00 target price on shares of Norfolk Southern in a research note on Monday, July 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $264.24. Norfolk Southern Trading Up 0.5 % Shares of NSC stock opened at $247.12 on Tuesday. Norfolk Southern Co. has a 1 year low of $183.09 and a 1 year high of $263.66. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $241.02 and its 200 day simple moving average is $237.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $55.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a current ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30. Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The railroad operator reported $3.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.86 by $0.20. Norfolk Southern had a net margin of 14.85% and a return on equity of 19.64%. The business had revenue of $3.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.04 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.95 earnings per share. Norfolk Southerns revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Norfolk Southern Co. will post 11.8 EPS for the current year. Norfolk Southern Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, August 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 2nd were issued a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 2nd. Norfolk Southerns dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 86.96%. Insider Buying and Selling at Norfolk Southern In other news, EVP Nabanita C. Nag sold 355 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $249.38, for a total value of $88,529.90. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 1,488 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $371,077.44. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, Director Richard H. Anderson bought 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 29th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $247.48 per share, for a total transaction of $494,960.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $742,440. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Nabanita C. Nag sold 355 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $249.38, for a total transaction of $88,529.90. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 1,488 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $371,077.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.19% of the companys stock. About Norfolk Southern (Free Report) Norfolk Southern Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods in the United States. The company transports agriculture, forest, and consumer products comprising soybeans, wheat, corn, fertilizers, livestock and poultry feed, food products, food oils, flour, sweeteners, ethanol, lumber and wood products, pulp board and paper products, wood fibers, wood pulp, beverages, and canned goods; chemicals consist of sulfur and related chemicals, petroleum products comprising crude oil, chlorine and bleaching compounds, plastics, rubber, industrial chemicals, chemical wastes, sand, and natural gas liquids; metals and construction materials, such as steel, aluminum products, machinery, scrap metals, cement, aggregates, minerals, clay, transportation equipment, and military-related products; and automotive, including finished motor vehicles and automotive parts, as well as coal. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Norfolk Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Norfolk Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. North American Income Trust (LON:NAIT Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The company traded as high as GBX 312 ($4.12) and last traded at GBX 312 ($4.12), with a volume of 225855 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 307 ($4.06). North American Income Trust Stock Up 1.6 % The stock has a market cap of 404.48 million, a P/E ratio of -4,403.14 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a current ratio of 14.91, a quick ratio of 7.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.98. The firms fifty day moving average is GBX 302.52 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 294.69. Get North American Income Trust alerts: North American Income Trust Cuts Dividend The business also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 25th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 4th were given a GBX 2.70 ($0.04) dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 4th. This represents a yield of 0.91%. North American Income Trusts dividend payout ratio is -17,142.86%. Insiders Place Their Bets About North American Income Trust In related news, insider Patrick Edwardson purchased 83,755 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 297 ($3.92) per share, for a total transaction of 248,752.35 ($328,602.84). Insiders have purchased 200,000 shares of company stock worth $59,700,000 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 8.11% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) The North American Income Trust plc is an exchange traded fund launched and managed by Aberdeen Fund Managers Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in the stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund invests in the stocks of large-cap companies, within the market capitalization range of S&P 500 Index. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for North American Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for North American Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:NBY Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Saturday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the stock. NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Trading Up 2.9 % NBY opened at $0.49 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $0.93 and its 200 day moving average price is $2.58. NovaBay Pharmaceuticals has a 12-month low of $0.36 and a 12-month high of $17.74. The firm has a market cap of $528,665.20, a price-to-earnings ratio of 0.00 and a beta of 0.73. Get NovaBay Pharmaceuticals alerts: NovaBay Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:NBY Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 13th. The company reported ($1.37) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. NovaBay Pharmaceuticals had a negative return on equity of 744.33% and a negative net margin of 91.86%. The firm had revenue of $2.40 million for the quarter. On average, research analysts forecast that NovaBay Pharmaceuticals will post -0.17 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On NovaBay Pharmaceuticals NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Company Profile An institutional investor recently bought a new position in NovaBay Pharmaceuticals stock. Armistice Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ( NYSE:NBY Free Report ) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 718,768 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $147,000. Armistice Capital LLC owned 11.01% of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals at the end of the most recent reporting period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 23.25% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a biopharmaceutical company, develops and sells eyecare, skincare, and wound care products in the United States and internationally. It offers Avenova Spray, a solution for removing foreign materials, including microorganisms and debris from skin around the eye, such as the eyelid; and wound care products, which are used for cleansing and irrigation as part of surgical procedures, as well as treating certain wounds, burns, ulcers, and other injuries under the NeutroPhase and PhaseOne brands. See Also Receive News & Ratings for NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. increased its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 16.2% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 16,902 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after acquiring an additional 2,351 shares during the quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc.s holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $1,756,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Moors & Cabot Inc. increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 2.2% during the second quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 58,419 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $6,070,000 after acquiring an additional 1,237 shares during the period. Excalibur Management Corp increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 1.2% during the second quarter. Excalibur Management Corp now owns 13,927 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $1,447,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares during the period. Lmcg Investments LLC increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 22.6% during the second quarter. Lmcg Investments LLC now owns 176,580 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $18,348,000 after acquiring an additional 32,504 shares during the period. Luts & Greenleigh Group Inc. bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the second quarter worth $1,477,000. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 86.7% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 1,562,366 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $162,345,000 after acquiring an additional 725,600 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 75.18% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have issued reports on ABT shares. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $143.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $120.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday, May 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $121.00 target price on the stock. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $119.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, Edward Jones cut shares of Abbott Laboratories from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $121.80. Insider Activity In other news, CEO Robert B. Ford sold 141,679 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $116.41, for a total value of $16,492,852.39. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 220,059 shares in the company, valued at $25,617,068.19. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance Shares of ABT stock opened at $117.63 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 1.68. The company has a market capitalization of $204.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.72. The companys 50 day moving average price is $109.55 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $108.57. Abbott Laboratories has a 52 week low of $89.67 and a 52 week high of $121.64. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 18th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.10 by $0.04. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 13.65% and a return on equity of 20.18%. The company had revenue of $10.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.37 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.08 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Abbott Laboratories (Free Report) Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. lessened its position in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI Free Report) by 6.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 46,904 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,010 shares during the quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc.s holdings in British American Tobacco were worth $1,451,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of BTI. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 83.8% during the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 1,206 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 550 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 4.4% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 887,911 shares of the companys stock worth $26,007,000 after purchasing an additional 37,359 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 62.4% during the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 107,884 shares of the companys stock worth $3,160,000 after purchasing an additional 41,464 shares during the period. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd bought a new position in shares of British American Tobacco during the 4th quarter worth about $300,000. Finally, D.A. Davidson & CO. increased its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 38,497 shares of the companys stock worth $1,128,000 after purchasing an additional 640 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 21.44% of the companys stock. Get British American Tobacco alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, StockNews.com cut shares of British American Tobacco from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, August 11th. British American Tobacco Trading Up 0.5 % NYSE BTI opened at $39.36 on Tuesday. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $35.84 and its 200 day simple moving average is $32.32. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a twelve month low of $28.25 and a twelve month high of $39.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.58. British American Tobacco Company Profile (Free Report) British American Tobacco p.l.c. engages in the provision of tobacco and nicotine products to consumers worldwide. It also offers vapour, heated, and modern oral nicotine products; combustible cigarettes; and traditional oral products, such as snus and moist snuff. The company offers its products under the Vuse, glo, Velo, Grizzly, Kodiak, Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans, Camel, Natural American Spirit, Newport, Vogue, Viceroy, Kool, Peter Stuyvesant, Craven A, State Express 555 and Shuang Xi brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for British American Tobacco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for British American Tobacco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Frisch Financial Group Inc. trimmed its holdings in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 3.3% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 33,047 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 1,145 shares during the quarter. Frisch Financial Group Inc.s holdings in Pfizer were worth $925,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in Pfizer by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 239,209,768 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $6,886,849,000 after acquiring an additional 11,099,024 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 71,794,056 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,008,798,000 after purchasing an additional 2,241,609 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp increased its holdings in Pfizer by 1.8% in the second quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 16,104,088 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $450,593,000 after buying an additional 290,760 shares during the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. increased its holdings in Pfizer by 3.3% in the second quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 14,923,545 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $417,561,000 after buying an additional 470,003 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in Pfizer by 2.4% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 10,260,067 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $287,077,000 after buying an additional 238,850 shares during the last quarter. 68.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Pfizer alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In PFE has been the topic of a number of research reports. Barclays increased their price objective on Pfizer from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $45.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Monday. Daiwa America raised Pfizer from a moderate buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. UBS Group upped their target price on Pfizer from $30.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets raised Pfizer from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and upped their target price for the stock from $28.00 to $34.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $34.54. Pfizer Price Performance Pfizer stock opened at $30.07 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $170.40 billion, a P/E ratio of -501.08, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.68. Pfizer Inc. has a 1 year low of $25.20 and a 1 year high of $34.12. The business has a 50-day moving average of $29.26 and a 200-day moving average of $28.15. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Pfizer (NYSE:PFE Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.46 by $0.14. Pfizer had a positive return on equity of 8.42% and a negative net margin of 4.66%. The business had revenue of $13.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.96 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.67 EPS. Pfizers quarterly revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.66 EPS for the current year. Pfizer Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 26th were paid a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 26th. Pfizers payout ratio is -2,799.53%. About Pfizer (Free Report) Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quantbot Technologies LP raised its stake in shares of KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report) by 212.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 63,692 shares of the construction companys stock after purchasing an additional 43,316 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LPs holdings in KBR were worth $4,085,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in KBR by 12.5% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,766,916 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $113,331,000 after purchasing an additional 196,693 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in shares of KBR by 8.8% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 22,477 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,442,000 after acquiring an additional 1,809 shares during the period. Headlands Technologies LLC boosted its stake in shares of KBR by 17.2% in the second quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC now owns 6,897 shares of the construction companys stock worth $442,000 after acquiring an additional 1,012 shares during the period. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of KBR by 2.1% in the second quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 34,439 shares of the construction companys stock worth $2,209,000 after acquiring an additional 720 shares during the period. Finally, Levin Capital Strategies L.P. bought a new position in shares of KBR in the second quarter worth about $449,000. Institutional investors own 97.02% of the companys stock. Get KBR alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on KBR shares. TD Cowen lowered KBR from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $72.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Friday, September 6th. StockNews.com raised KBR from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. Finally, DA Davidson reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $78.00 price objective on shares of KBR in a research note on Tuesday, June 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $75.50. Insider Buying and Selling at KBR In other news, insider Jalal Ibrahim sold 35,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.56, for a total value of $2,329,600.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 106,550 shares in the company, valued at $7,091,968. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 1.08% of the companys stock. KBR Price Performance Shares of KBR stock opened at $61.80 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $65.54 and a 200 day moving average of $64.43. KBR, Inc. has a 12 month low of $49.37 and a 12 month high of $69.50. The firm has a market cap of $8.30 billion, a PE ratio of -32.19, a PEG ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35. KBR (NYSE:KBR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The construction company reported $0.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.79 by $0.04. KBR had a return on equity of 27.92% and a net margin of 2.77%. The business had revenue of $1.86 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.88 billion. On average, research analysts expect that KBR, Inc. will post 3.25 EPS for the current fiscal year. KBR Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be given a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 16th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.97%. KBRs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -31.25%. About KBR (Free Report) KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. It operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KBR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for KBR Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KBR and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sargent Investment Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report) by 2.0% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 21,779 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 436 shares during the period. Sargent Investment Group LLCs holdings in Johnson & Johnson were worth $3,183,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of JNJ. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Johnson & Johnson during the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc acquired a new position in Johnson & Johnson in the first quarter valued at about $31,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Johnson & Johnson during the second quarter worth about $43,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Johnson & Johnson in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Finally, Fairfield Financial Advisors LTD bought a new stake in shares of Johnson & Johnson during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $46,000. 69.55% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Johnson & Johnson alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have weighed in on JNJ. Daiwa America cut Johnson & Johnson from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $175.00 price objective on shares of Johnson & Johnson in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. TD Securities dropped their target price on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $195.00 to $185.00 in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price target on shares of Johnson & Johnson from $161.00 to $171.00 in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Johnson & Johnson from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Saturday. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Johnson & Johnson has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $173.21. Insider Buying and Selling at Johnson & Johnson In related news, VP Robert J. Decker sold 5,635 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $165.06, for a total value of $930,113.10. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 18,973 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,131,683.38. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.16% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Johnson & Johnson Stock Performance JNJ stock opened at $167.02 on Tuesday. Johnson & Johnson has a 1-year low of $143.13 and a 1-year high of $168.85. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $159.98 and a 200-day moving average price of $153.98. The firm has a market cap of $401.96 billion, a PE ratio of 10.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.53. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 17th. The company reported $2.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.71 by $0.11. Johnson & Johnson had a net margin of 46.34% and a return on equity of 36.60%. The company had revenue of $22.45 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $22.33 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.80 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 4.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Johnson & Johnson will post 10.02 earnings per share for the current year. Johnson & Johnson Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 27th were given a $1.24 dividend. This represents a $4.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.97%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 27th. Johnson & Johnsons payout ratio is currently 30.92%. Johnson & Johnson Profile (Free Report) Johnson & Johnson, together with its subsidiaries, researches, develops, manufactures, and sells various products in the healthcare field worldwide. The company's Innovative Medicine segment offers products for various therapeutic areas, such as immunology, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis; infectious diseases comprising HIV/AIDS; neuroscience, consisting of mood disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and schizophrenia; oncology, such as prostate cancer, hematologic malignancies, lung cancer, and bladder cancer; cardiovascular and metabolism, including thrombosis, diabetes, and macular degeneration; and pulmonary hypertension comprising pulmonary arterial hypertension through retailers, wholesalers, distributors, hospitals, and healthcare professionals for prescription use. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JNJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Johnson & Johnson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Johnson & Johnson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China Hongqiao Group Limited (OTCMKTS:CHHQF Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 46,269,700 shares, a drop of 20.1% from the August 15th total of 57,874,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently days. China Hongqiao Group Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:CHHQF remained flat at $1.15 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $1.15 and a 200 day moving average of $1.10. China Hongqiao Group has a 12-month low of $1.15 and a 12-month high of $1.15. Get China Hongqiao Group alerts: About China Hongqiao Group (Get Free Report) Featured Stories China Hongqiao Group Limited, an investment holding company, manufactures and sells aluminum products in the People's Republic of China and Indonesia. The company's products include molten aluminum alloys, aluminum alloy ingots, aluminum busbars, aluminum alloy processing, and alumina products. Receive News & Ratings for China Hongqiao Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Hongqiao Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited (OTCMKTS:CIADY Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 5,000 shares, a decrease of 21.9% from the August 15th total of 6,400 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 126,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.0 days. China Mengniu Dairy Stock Down 1.0 % OTCMKTS:CIADY traded down $0.16 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $16.02. The company had a trading volume of 15,491 shares, compared to its average volume of 38,824. China Mengniu Dairy has a 52 week low of $15.06 and a 52 week high of $34.77. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $16.88 and a 200 day moving average price of $19.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 1.05. Get China Mengniu Dairy alerts: China Mengniu Dairy Company Profile (Get Free Report) See Also China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited, an investment holding company, engages in the manufacture and distribution of dairy products under the MENGNIU brand in the People's Republic of China and internationally. It operates through Liquid Milk Business, Ice Cream Business, Milk Formula Business, and Cheese Business, and Other segments. Receive News & Ratings for China Mengniu Dairy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Mengniu Dairy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP decreased its stake in shares of Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU Free Report) (TSE:SU) by 0.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 10,144,521 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after selling 16,725 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LPs holdings in Suncor Energy were worth $386,501,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its stake in shares of Suncor Energy by 1.6% during the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 23,048,048 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $878,131,000 after buying an additional 366,432 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Suncor Energy by 5.8% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 656,635 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $25,018,000 after purchasing an additional 36,069 shares during the last quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Suncor Energy by 21.0% in the 2nd quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 48,823 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $1,860,000 after purchasing an additional 8,467 shares during the last quarter. Beverly Hills Private Wealth LLC raised its holdings in shares of Suncor Energy by 58.5% in the 2nd quarter. Beverly Hills Private Wealth LLC now owns 45,320 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $1,727,000 after purchasing an additional 16,731 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barings LLC lifted its position in shares of Suncor Energy by 21.4% during the 2nd quarter. Barings LLC now owns 1,523,300 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $58,045,000 after purchasing an additional 268,785 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.37% of the companys stock. Get Suncor Energy alerts: Suncor Energy Trading Up 0.8 % Shares of Suncor Energy stock opened at $36.72 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 1.46. The company has a market capitalization of $47.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.18, a PEG ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 1.13. Suncor Energy Inc. has a 1 year low of $29.45 and a 1 year high of $41.94. The companys fifty day moving average is $38.95 and its two-hundred day moving average is $38.31. Suncor Energy Announces Dividend Suncor Energy ( NYSE:SU Get Free Report ) (TSE:SU) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.76 by $0.51. The firm had revenue of $12.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.30 billion. Suncor Energy had a return on equity of 16.22% and a net margin of 14.40%. The businesss revenue was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.71 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Suncor Energy Inc. will post 3.71 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 25th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 4th will be paid a dividend of $0.395 per share. This represents a $1.58 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.30%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 4th. Suncor Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 35.86%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts recently commented on SU shares. Raymond James raised Suncor Energy to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, May 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Suncor Energy from $38.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, May 23rd. TD Securities raised Suncor Energy from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Scotiabank reduced their price objective on shares of 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. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised shares of Suncor Energy from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $54.86. Get Our Latest Research Report on Suncor Energy Suncor Energy Profile (Free Report) Suncor Energy Inc operates as an integrated energy company in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; and Refining and Marketing segments. The Oil Sands segment explores, develops, and produces bitumen, synthetic crude oil, and related products. Read More 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. Virtu Financial LLC lifted its stake in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report) by 386.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 13,528 shares of the insurance providers stock after purchasing an additional 10,746 shares during the quarter. Virtu Financial LLCs holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $2,751,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TRV. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,693,069 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $4,132,313,000 after acquiring an additional 148,012 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in Travelers Companies by 36.8% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 11,743,236 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,702,588,000 after purchasing an additional 3,158,979 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 5.8% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,044,839 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $619,241,000 after buying an additional 165,708 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $282,593,000. Finally, Boston Partners raised its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 16.4% during the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 1,388,019 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $319,348,000 after buying an additional 196,011 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.45% of the companys stock. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Insider Activity at Travelers Companies In other Travelers Companies news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $211.44, for a total value of $2,114,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 22,798 shares in the company, valued at $4,820,409.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.33% of the companys stock. Travelers Companies Price Performance Shares of TRV opened at $242.45 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $55.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.01, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.62. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $218.89 and its 200-day simple moving average is $216.97. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $157.33 and a twelve month high of $242.89. The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 19th. The insurance provider reported $2.51 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.23 by ($0.72). Travelers Companies had a net margin of 8.37% and a return on equity of 15.90%. The business had revenue of $11.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.35 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.06 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.19 EPS for the current fiscal year. Travelers Companies Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 10th will be issued a $1.05 dividend. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.73%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 10th. Travelers Companiess payout ratio is 31.20%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts recently weighed in on TRV shares. Barclays began coverage on Travelers Companies in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. They issued an overweight rating and a $286.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and set a $225.00 price objective on shares of Travelers Companies in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $221.00 to $234.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from $200.00 to $203.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $213.00 to $207.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have issued a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $227.05. View Our Latest Research Report on TRV Travelers Companies Company Profile (Free Report) The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Travelers Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Travelers Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Arvest Trust Co. N A cut its stake in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report) by 4.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 71,919 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 3,431 shares during the quarter. Arvest Trust Co. N As holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $14,624,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of TRV. Moors & Cabot Inc. lifted its position in Travelers Companies by 12.4% during the 2nd quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 7,700 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $1,566,000 after acquiring an additional 851 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 324.9% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 301,584 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $61,324,000 after purchasing an additional 230,612 shares during the period. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI boosted its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 2.7% in the second quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI now owns 39,404 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $8,012,000 after purchasing an additional 1,025 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in Travelers Companies by 5.8% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,044,839 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $619,241,000 after purchasing an additional 165,708 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rathbones Group PLC increased its stake in Travelers Companies by 29.3% during the 2nd quarter. Rathbones Group PLC now owns 1,508 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $307,000 after buying an additional 342 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.45% of the companys stock. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have recently weighed in on TRV. William Blair restated a market perform rating on shares of Travelers Companies in a research note on Friday, June 28th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $200.00 to $203.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Barclays initiated coverage on Travelers Companies in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. They set an overweight rating and a $286.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $220.00 to $210.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 19th. Finally, Piper Sandler lowered their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $213.00 to $207.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have issued a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Travelers Companies has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $227.05. Travelers Companies Stock Performance Shares of TRV opened at $242.45 on Tuesday. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $157.33 and a 12-month high of $242.89. The stock has a market capitalization of $55.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.01, a P/E/G ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.62. The firms 50 day moving average is $218.89 and its 200-day moving average is $216.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.33 and a quick ratio of 0.33. Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 19th. The insurance provider reported $2.51 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.23 by ($0.72). The company had revenue of $11.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.35 billion. Travelers Companies had a net margin of 8.37% and a return on equity of 15.90%. Travelers Companiess revenue was up 11.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.06 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.19 EPS for the current fiscal year. Travelers Companies Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 10th will be given a $1.05 dividend. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.73%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 10th. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 31.20%. Insider Activity In other Travelers Companies news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 10,000 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $211.44, for a total transaction of $2,114,400.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 22,798 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,820,409.12. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 1.33% of the stock is owned by company insiders. About Travelers Companies (Free Report) The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Travelers Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Travelers Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thomson Reuters Co. (TSE:TRI Get Free Report) (NYSE:TRI) Director Peter J. Thomson bought 78 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 16th. The stock was bought at an average price of C$235.93 per share, for a total transaction of C$18,402.76. Thomson Reuters Stock Performance TSE:TRI traded down C$7.06 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching C$227.81. The stock had a trading volume of 154,360 shares, compared to its average volume of 314,572. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 29.05, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 0.88. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$225.83 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$223.00. Thomson Reuters Co. has a 12-month low of C$163.01 and a 12-month high of C$242.92. The stock has a market cap of C$102.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.40. Get Thomson Reuters alerts: Thomson Reuters (TSE:TRI Get Free Report) (NYSE:TRI) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported C$1.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$1.10 by C$0.06. Thomson Reuters had a return on equity of 20.41% and a net margin of 33.65%. The business had revenue of C$2.38 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$2.38 billion. On average, research analysts forecast that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 5.8291688 EPS for the current fiscal year. Thomson Reuters Cuts Dividend Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th were given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.35%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 15th. Thomson Reuterss dividend payout ratio is currently 42.61%. A number of research firms have recently weighed in on TRI. TD Securities raised their target price on Thomson Reuters from C$230.00 to C$235.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, June 20th. National Bankshares increased their price target on Thomson Reuters from C$219.00 to C$231.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. National Bank Financial raised Thomson Reuters from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Sunday, September 8th. Finally, Scotiabank raised Thomson Reuters from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 27th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$190.14. Read Our Latest Analysis on Thomson Reuters About Thomson Reuters (Get Free Report) Thomson Reuters Corporation engages in the provision of business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Thomson Reuters Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thomson Reuters and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Unity Software (NYSE:U Get Free Report) had its price target boosted by equities researchers at Macquarie from $12.00 to $15.00 in a research note issued on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an underperform rating on the stock. Macquaries price target would indicate a potential downside of 26.43% from the companys previous close. Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the company. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on Unity Software from $26.00 to $22.50 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on Unity Software from $20.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Morgan Stanley raised Unity Software from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $22.00 price target for the company in a research note on Tuesday, September 3rd. Needham & Company LLC decreased their price target on Unity Software from $31.00 to $23.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Benchmark decreased their price target on Unity Software from $16.00 to $10.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $27.46. Get Unity Software alerts: View Our Latest Report on Unity Software Unity Software Trading Up 0.4 % Shares of NYSE:U traded up $0.09 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $20.39. The company had a trading volume of 8,832,359 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,232,112. The stock has a market cap of $8.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.10 and a beta of 2.25. Unity Software has a one year low of $13.90 and a one year high of $43.54. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $16.53 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $20.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 2.36 and a quick ratio of 2.36. Unity Software (NYSE:U Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported ($0.32) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.44) by $0.12. The business had revenue of $449.30 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $438.37 million. Unity Software had a negative return on equity of 8.78% and a negative net margin of 38.52%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 15.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned ($0.26) EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Unity Software will post -1.86 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at Unity Software In other Unity Software news, SVP Anirma Gupta sold 1,506 shares of Unity Software stock in a transaction on Monday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.73, for a total transaction of $25,195.38. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 409,540 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,851,604.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, SVP Anirma Gupta sold 1,506 shares of Unity Software stock in a transaction on Monday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.73, for a total value of $25,195.38. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 409,540 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,851,604.20. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Felix The sold 30,000 shares of Unity Software stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.89, for a total value of $536,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 423,679 shares in the company, valued at $7,579,617.31. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 284,672 shares of company stock valued at $5,762,015 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 6.30% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Unity Software during the 4th quarter worth $379,180,000. Capital International Investors grew its stake in Unity Software by 426.1% during the 1st quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 7,872,413 shares of the companys stock worth $210,193,000 after buying an additional 6,376,034 shares during the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors grew its stake in Unity Software by 510.2% during the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 7,181,661 shares of the companys stock worth $293,658,000 after buying an additional 6,004,655 shares during the last quarter. Nikko Asset Management Americas Inc. grew its stake in Unity Software by 32.6% during the 1st quarter. Nikko Asset Management Americas Inc. now owns 11,326,547 shares of the companys stock worth $302,419,000 after buying an additional 2,787,058 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. grew its stake in Unity Software by 30.4% during the 1st quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 11,909,509 shares of the companys stock worth $317,984,000 after buying an additional 2,777,884 shares during the last quarter. 73.46% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Unity Software Company Profile (Get Free Report) Unity Software Inc operates a real-time 3D development platform. Its platform provides software solutions to create, run, and monetize interactive, real-time 2D and 3D content for mobile phones, tablets, PCs, consoles, and augmented and virtual reality devices. The company offers its solutions directly through its online store and field sales operations in North America, Denmark, Finland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, China, Singapore, and South Korea, as well as indirectly through independent distributors and resellers worldwide. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Unity Software Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Unity Software and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. One Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Vanguard Real Estate ETF (NYSEARCA:VNQ Free Report) by 63.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 31,755 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 12,309 shares during the period. One Capital Management LLCs holdings in Vanguard Real Estate ETF were worth $2,660,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VNQ. ORG Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Vanguard Real Estate ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Vanguard Real Estate ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Triad Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Vanguard Real Estate ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Fortis Group Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 100.0% in the 4th quarter. Fortis Group Advisors LLC now owns 334 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Addison Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 6,350.0% in the 2nd quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 387 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 381 shares during the last quarter. Get Vanguard Real Estate ETF alerts: Vanguard Real Estate ETF Stock Up 0.3 % NYSEARCA:VNQ opened at $98.97 on Tuesday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $91.83 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $86.39. The company has a market cap of $38.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.09 and a beta of 1.03. Vanguard Real Estate ETF has a 52 week low of $70.61 and a 52 week high of $99.40. Vanguard Real Estate ETF Company Profile Vanguard REIT ETF (the Fund) is an open-end investment company. The Fund invests in stocks issued by real estate investment trusts (REITs), companies that purchase office buildings, hotels, and other real property. It tracks the return of the MSCI US RIT Index, a gauge of real estate stocks. The Vanguard Group, Inc provides investment advisory services to the Fund. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Vanguard Real Estate ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vanguard Real Estate ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WealthPLAN Partners LLC grew its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV Free Report) by 4.3% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 23,326 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 968 shares during the period. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF comprises approximately 1.4% of WealthPLAN Partners LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest position. WealthPLAN Partners LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $12,765,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Proffitt & Goodson Inc. boosted its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 21.2% during the second 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 boosted its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 5.3% during the second 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 boosted its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 0.9% during the first 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 during the period. Unionview LLC boosted 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 during the period. Finally, MTM Investment Management LLC boosted its stake 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 valued at $169,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares during the period. Get iShares Core S&P 500 ETF alerts: iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Stock Performance NYSEARCA:IVV opened at $566.06 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $488.45 billion, a PE ratio of 25.23 and a beta of 0.99. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a fifty-two week low of $411.02 and a fifty-two week high of $568.24. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $553.03 and a 200-day moving average price of $535.79. 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. Featured Stories 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. WealthPLAN Partners LLC increased its position in ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW Free Report) by 3.8% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 3,258 shares of the information technology services providers stock after buying an additional 118 shares during the quarter. WealthPLAN Partners LLCs holdings in ServiceNow were worth $2,563,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. M&G Plc bought a new stake in shares of ServiceNow in the 1st quarter worth approximately $11,030,000. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board lifted its stake in ServiceNow by 9.4% in the first quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 11,650 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $8,882,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares during the last quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management lifted its stake in ServiceNow by 375.6% in the first quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 1,365 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,041,000 after purchasing an additional 1,078 shares during the last quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC boosted its position in ServiceNow by 3.4% during the first quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 1,683 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,283,000 after buying an additional 56 shares during the period. Finally, Brookstone Capital Management grew its stake in shares of ServiceNow by 25.5% during the second quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 14,394 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $10,595,000 after buying an additional 2,928 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.18% of the companys stock. Get ServiceNow alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets NOW has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on ServiceNow from $780.00 to $820.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on ServiceNow from $830.00 to $860.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Citigroup increased their price objective on ServiceNow from $909.00 to $911.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. JMP Securities lifted their target price on shares of ServiceNow from $825.00 to $850.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of ServiceNow from $885.00 to $900.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and twenty-four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $855.44. ServiceNow Stock Performance Shares of NOW stock opened at $892.63 on Tuesday. The companys fifty day moving average price is $809.74 and its 200-day moving average price is $767.40. The stock has a market cap of $182.99 billion, a PE ratio of 95.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.25 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a current ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. ServiceNow, Inc. has a 12 month low of $527.24 and a 12 month high of $897.99. ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The information technology services provider reported $3.13 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.85 by $0.28. ServiceNow had a net margin of 11.51% and a return on equity of 14.52%. The business had revenue of $2.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.61 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.77 earnings per share. ServiceNows quarterly revenue was up 22.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that ServiceNow, Inc. will post 6.78 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In other ServiceNow news, General Counsel Russell S. Elmer sold 1,937 shares of ServiceNow stock in a transaction on Friday, August 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $779.81, for a total transaction of $1,510,491.97. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel now owns 6,736 shares in the company, valued at $5,252,800.16. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, General Counsel Russell S. Elmer sold 1,937 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, August 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $779.81, for a total transaction of $1,510,491.97. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 6,736 shares in the company, valued at $5,252,800.16. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Jacqueline P. Canney sold 94 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $825.92, for a total transaction of $77,636.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 4,019 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,319,372.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 6,914 shares of company stock worth $5,608,936 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.25% of the companys stock. ServiceNow Profile (Free Report) ServiceNow, Inc provides end to-end intelligent workflow automation platform solutions for digital businesses in the North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company operates the Now platform for end-to-end digital transformation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic process automation, process mining, performance analytics, and collaboration and development tools. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for ServiceNow Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ServiceNow and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The City of Orangeburg's budget does not include a property tax increase, but it does have some service fee increases. We are not requesting or asking for any property tax increases for this year, Orangeburg City Administrator Sidney Evering said. Prior to approving the budget, Councilman Richard Stroman asked about a cost-of-living increase for employees. The budget does not include one. There is no way to work that out? Stroman said. It is always up to you all, but we are not requesting that this year, Evering said. We are trying to be as conservative as possible given the fiscal constraints we find ourselves in. There are no immediate plans to cut any services, city officials say. Some highlights of the planned fee increases include: A $3 increase in the cost of residential sanitation rates. The increase will bring the rate to $20 a month. Evering said most private sanitation companies are charging an average of $35 to $40 a month. The fingerprinting fee at the Department of Public Safety is increasing from $5 to $10 for residents and $5 to $20 for non-residents. Permitting fees primarily related to mobile homes will increase. The fee will increase from $25 to $50 for moving a house; from $25 to $75 for moving a new, used mobile home; from $75 to $85 for the mobile home set-up fee and from $25 to $50 for the building code appeal application. A new fee will be added for nuisance or false fire alarm calls. The city's fire department is required to respond to all fire alarm calls. There is no charge if an establishment or residence has three false alarms in a calendar year. The city will now charge a $150 fee for the fourth false fire alarm call in one calendar year. If it is a reoccurring, ongoing thing, it costs for our fire department to have to mobilize and go out to your home or business, Evering said. The fifth false alarm call would mean a $300 charge and the sixth and subsequent alarms in the same calendar year would be a $500 fee. A $150 fee for funeral escort. A $300 processing fee for being buried in the city-owned Sunnyside Cemetery and a $150 grave marker fee. Evering said the city has not had a fee for use of its cemetery and has generally absorbed the costs of these services over the years. The next budget years medical health insurance cost will increase to $2,210,900 from $2,127,600. Evering said city employees will not see an increase in insurance costs. Orangeburg City Council gave unanimous third and final reading to the spending plan during its Sept. 3 meeting. The final budget approved was $29.6 million, compared to the budget initially approved on the first two readings of $26.9 million. Previously, we had not included the expenditures and the receipt of grant funds, Evering said. For example, the city received a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant of $479,100, a $707,000 grant from the South Carolina State Museum toward the South Carolina Civil Rights Museum and a grant for the replacement of the law enforcement complex roof of $193,000. The 2024-2025 fiscal year budget is almost the same as the current year's budget. The budget year begins Oct. 1. The new budget calls for spending $7.8 million at the airport. This compares to about $1.3 million in the current budget. The increase comes from two capital projects which include state and federal grants totaling $6.8 million. The city has budgeted a local match funded from the upcoming capital project sales tax of $358,000. In addition, council unanimously gave third reading to changes to the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget. The amended budget reflects expenses and revenues balanced at $29 million. The initial 2023-2024 budget was $24 million. The increase is due to the city's receipt and expenditure of grant funds. The city will also have about $2 million to $2.5 million in reserves to spend because the city is choosing not to accept a $1 million U.S. Department of Justice cops hiring program grant. The grant would have helped fund the hiring of eight certified officers for a three-year period. Evering said the grant has been awarded but the city would have to outfit the officers with needed equipment. We are in a position now where we don't think it would be prudent to accept that grant, Evering said. In other business: Orangeburg Mayor Michael Butler asked city residents to exercise self-awareness, the Orangeburg County Community of Character trait for the month of September. Former Orangeburg Administrator John Yow was in attendance and acknowledged by Butler. Butler announced that Councilman Dr. Kalu Kalu was absent as he was in Paris with his daughter, who received an Olympic Games honor. Council unanimously agreed to go into closed session to discuss contractual and legal matters related to a pole attachment agreement and strategic plan. Fast facts SCETV, in partnership with the University of South Carolina Press, is hosting a special book launch and jazz celebration for Shall We Play That One Together: The Life and Art of Jazz Piano Legend Marian McPartland by Paul de Barros. The event will take place on Oct. 1 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Koger Center for the Arts in Columbia. The evening will feature live music by the ColaJazz Trio, led by Mark Rapp, light refreshments, hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and a book signing with author Paul de Barros. Paul de Barros's biography chronicles Marian McPartlands rise from the British novelty circuit to becoming a major jazz pianist and the host of NPR's Marian McPartlands Piano Jazz, where she introduced jazz to a wide audience over 30 years. The event is free and open to the public, with books available for purchase onsite. More information and registration is available online. (TBTCO) - Gia xe SH moi nhat thang 10/2024 tai ai ly ang giam soc, mot so phien ban ang uoc ban re hon gia e xuat, ay la ieu hiem co cua dong xe Honda. Trong khi o, gia xe Vision tai ai ly ang o muc thap chua tung co, tinh trang oi gia cao gan nhu a khong con. Your Excellencies, Members of the European Parliament, Honored guests and respected hosts, It seems that it is only now as we are stepping well into the 21 century and possibly into a new and different world, a new epoch in which sovereignty is gaining more and more support of the people against globalizing trends of previous decades that the NATO bombing of the Republic of Srpska which happened over two decades ago is beginning to be objectively discussed and analyzed (let us say - comprehensive studies about the issue are still yet to come). Republic of Srpska was founded on January 9 1992 therefore, two months prior to the beginning of the civil and religious war in Bosnia and it has been created precisely as a response to the violation of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina of that time i.e., in order to protect the rights of the Serbs as a people. Civil and religious war in Bosnia began in April 1992. It must be noted that from the very beginning there have been multiple attempts to end the war but the West interfered simultaneously calling itself the international community and this is how NATO become involved supporting exclusively one side in the conflict. Considering the basic facts about NATO aggression against the Republic of Srpska one should keep in mind the following: first of all, this was the largest and the most military organized operation in Europe since the end of the Second World War. In the operation called Deliberate Force which lasted from August 30 until September 14 1995 the biggest military force in the world attacked the Republic of Srpska area of 24, 526 sq km with the population of 1, 479 million. The total number of bombs dropped on Srpska was 1026. NATO targeted almost everything - cities, villages, schools, hospitals, industrial facilities, power facilities. The aggression led to the immediate loss of 152 civilian lives, including children, 46 military victims, and over 300 seriously wounded civilians ( the numbers are most likely higher since the complete and systematized data from the period does not exist). The material damage is measured in multi-million euros and it would take years even for a much larger and economically prosperous country to restore it. Moreover, in a highly relevant aspect, however, the other reason why the number of actual victims is yet to be counted is because in violation to the Geneva Convention and a number of other conventions - bombings have been preformed using the ammunition with depleted uranium which caused permanent significant increase in number of malignancies (in two decades the death rate from these diseases tripled, it is now over 3000 per year) and the consequences will be felt by future generations as well. NATO, therefore, used unauthorized weapons and ammunition which was used never before such as missile warheads with depleted uranium. Serbs have never in their history attacked or otherwise imperiled any NATO member country - nor did the Republic of Srpska present any threat to world peace and safety as it has been presented by Western media and self-proclaimed experts at the time i.e. in decades of satanization of Serbs as a people.The real explanation is that after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Warsaw pact NATO set its new goal i.e., to spread to the East. This is how NATO transformed itself into a political expansionist organization. Unfortunately, the change of the concept of NATO has been first felt by the Serbs in the Republic of Srpska. This transformation of the alliance equally corresponded to a common thought of that time, namely, that NATO needed to find new tasks in order to justify its existence. NATO alliance, therefore, positioned itself as a party involved in the armed conflict - which is contrary to the international conventions as well as to certain rules of NATO alliance that existed at that time. The breakdown of Yugoslavia in the eyes of the allience has been a practically perfect experiment: it served as an introduction for a new concept of local wars which was then applied afterwards. The NATO aggression was not caused by a single event it has been planned much earlier (the force, power as well as the number of participants i.e., 5000 soldiers, 400 aircrafts etc. support the thesis that the whole operation has been planned in advance more details you may find in the first book I am presenting here today NATOs Deliberate Force Against The Republic of Srpska), and as we have seen in many different cases from Iraq to Libya and Syria, reasons to start the agression are basically extremely bizarre and serve the purpose of justifying the aggression before the world public. Apparently, the main reason of - first of all the American administration involvement in the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been to ensure the US domination in the Balkans. Therefore, as a political organization, NATO continued to pursue its activities on the territory of ex-Yugoslavia and the Balkans. Until present, NATO has placed a great deal of the Balkan Peninsula under its control: by fast-track acceptance of new countries (even when it is highly questionable from a democratic standpoint that the people in those countries actually wanted to join the alliance), as well as through various kinds of agreements. Needless to say - all of this is not helping long-term stability in the region precisely because it appears as a continuation of NATOs political expansionism. Republic of Srpska and Serbia are the only political subjects resisting further expansion of the alliance. The pressure on the Republic of Srpska is a continuation of the attitude NATO adopted during the years of war. In the contemporary situation, we are faced with the issue weather the Republic of Srpska should become a member of such an alliance, i.e. of a military organization which has undoubtedly written its history in a profoundly negative manner The pressure on the Republic of Srpska is a continuation of the attitude NATO adopted during the years of war. In the contemporary situation, we are faced with the issue weather the Republic of Srpska should become a member of such an alliance, i.e. of a military organization which has undoubtedly written its history in a profoundly negative manner. Memory of this exists today and the crime of NATO aggression will be remembered as such by future generations as well. The people of Srpska remember that they were unlawfully attacked and they also recall the largely excessive use of force by the alliance. The response, therefore, to the question whether the Republic of Srpska will join NATO has already been given - by the people of the Republic of Srpska. The official position of the Republic of Srpska is and will be one of military neutrality i.e. of not joining any military organization neither in present nor in the future. In October 2017 the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska adopted a Resolution proclaiming its military neutrality in relation to military alliances which firmly states its position. Republic of Srpska follows the equally military neutral position of Serbia which is one of the guarantors of the Dayton Agreement. NATOs Deliberate Force operation,in fact, was not the only action of the alliance against Srpska i.e. neither the first nor the last one (there were a number of smaller operations of the alliance that preceded the bombing). After the bombing - and now for over two decades - NATO has consistently been engaged in promoting and strengthening the role of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the High Representative has coherently and systematically been engaged in dissolving the Dayton Peace Accords. Or, more precisely, 460 laws, rules and regulations were imposed by the High Representative imposed meaning they are contrary to the Dayton Agreement. Therefore, through numerous direct violations of the Dayton Agreement the High Representative has been weakening the political and legal status of the Republic of Srpska. (More details may be found in the other book I am presenting here Subversion of the Dayton Agreement and one should keep in mind here, first and foremost, that the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina is Annex 4 of the Dayton Accords i.e., that, therefore, all subversion of Dayton have far-reaching consequences). This way, NATO once again proved itself as a political organization par excellence, and one that pursues a continuing task of deconstructing Srpska - so the fact that there is no trust in the alliance appears as the only reasonable attitude. ( And even if one was to observe this matter from a purely cost-benefit pragmatistic point of view, it is clear there would not be any benefits for Srpska from NATO membership on contrary, only the expenses would be much higher such that, for instance, the defense budget would, would need to increase 100%). Another and a most recent example of just to what extent NATO is still explicitly interfering into political life in Bosnia (and once more against the Republic of Srpska) is this: after Bosnias recent elections six months ago NATO offered Bosnia and Herzegovina to activate Membership Action Plan (MAP). Furthermore, the events that immediately followed retroactively proved the timing here was also not a matter of coincidence because right after this offer Bosniak representatives declared that they will not elect the Chairman of the Council of Ministers until the NATO MAP offer is accepted. (Bosnia does not have a government it has a body called Council of Ministers composed of representatives both from the Republic of Srpska and from the Federation). This way NATO MAP plan placed itself as the direct condition for what is suppose to be normal practical implementation of the results of democratic elections and this is called extreme political interventionism. The Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia (the Presidency of Bosnia functions according to the rotating principle so the current Chairman is from the Republic of Srpska) has declared that NATOs accession process is blocking Bosnias EU path and has traveled to Brussels twice regarding this matter. In spite the fact that EU officials confirmed on several occasions that the process of the EU integration and NATO membership are two separate issues and that therefore the EU path is not conditioned by questions such as Membership Action Plan - it remains a fact that the Council of Ministers in Bosnia has not been formed up to this day. This example illustrates several things: 1) firstly, the strong division between the stance of the Republic of Srpska and the Federation regarding NATO; 2) secondly, NATOs contemporary political involvement in Bosnia as a part of its broader plan to control the Balkans 3) thirdly, that is it unclear to what extent EU and NATO paths are in reality separated and this is happening in a moment in which there is a loss of enthusiasm in the Balkans for the EU en generale and 4) finally, that, in practice, it is the Federation and not the Republic of Srpska that is the cause not only of Bosnias current political standoff but equally of its continual process of progressive dissolving i.e. of turning out to be an impossible state. The same can be seen in and through the history of violation of the Dayton Peace Accords by the High Representative or, more precisely, between the correlation of such violations and the consistent political actions of the Bosniaks in the Federation to centralize Bosnia and, therefore, negate its political and legal structure of a state composed of two entities and three people. (And this negation of Bosnias structure by the Bosniaks can nowadays be seen in attempts of majorization of Croats as well as Serbs). Republic of Srpska is the only self-sustainable one in Bosnia, both in political and economic terms and the same does not hold for either the Federation or Bosnia as a whole. Republic of Srpska is stable, institutionally consolidated and is on the path of growth and development Republic of Srpska is the only self-sustainable one in Bosnia, both in political and economic terms and the same does not hold for either the Federation or Bosnia as a whole. Republic of Srpska is stable, institutionally consolidated and is on the path of growth and development. Its policy is cooperation with all political actors worldwide which respect its internationally recognized political and legal status according to the Dayton Agreement. Its policy is equally one of military neutrality - above and beyond all - because there are all reasons to believe that NATO membership would mean the political end of the Republic of Srpska. (Along the same lines the Republic of Srpska will purse the EU path inasmuch as this path not conditioned by acceleration into the alliance and inasmuch as there is respect for the status of Srpska. Also, the Republic of Srpska is keeping its eyes wide open when it comes to the issue of all turbulences happening in contemporary Europe and is proactively observing its undergoing transformations because it is prepared and willing to further strengthen relations with all its political allies ). Moreover, the stance of the Republic of Srpska is that military neutrality relevantly contributes to the stability of the entire Balkan region precisely because it affirms sovereignty and autonomy and simultaneously corresponds to the democratic principle i.e. to the will of the people. Consequently, therefore, the concept of a larger militarily neutral territory in the Balkans is one which would potentially lead to reduction of international tensions and, furthermore, as such, it could become a strategic course in future European doctrines, that is - it could possibly be incorporated into a new continental security architecture. Considering the current problems of the Balkans and its open questions as well as issues of European security overall it seems that the emphases on seeking common non-aligned solutions theoretically and practically could be the best fit. Indisputably, these issues equally relate to the question of Europes future and to the way one thinks about its politics and security. The vision of Europes future which the Republic of Srpska perceives as the one that best serves the long term interests of different European people is one that affirms sovereignty, patriotism and neutrality a Europe of its people that is truly democratic. The 21 century requires of all of us to creatively engage in the process of rebuilding politics, economy, society and culture in the epoch after globalism and neoliberalism as well as to emphasize the potentials of Europe when we remember that Europe, in fact, stretches from the Atlantic to the Urals. It is in such a way we can begin to see the Europe of tomorrow. Thank you for your attention. ( 26. 2019. . ) 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). Al Areen Holding Company, a subsidiary of GFH Financial Group and the developer of Al Areen masterplan, is set to kick off a 10-day promotional campaign to highlight its pioneering Tilal Residential Project, in Bahrain. A soon-to-be contemporary destination for those seeking an exceptional lifestyle close to scenic nature, Tilal Residential Project, boasts a panoramic view of Al Areen Wildlife Reserve, said the developer in a statement. Starting from September 19, Al Areen Holding Company will provide exclusive offers on residential units within the Tilal Residential Project. Spanning over 93,000 sq m, the premium project will offer residents a range of luxurious villas and townhouses. The property is characterised by lavish modern design and spaciousness, with diverse options available between three-, four- and five-bedroom units. Most of the townhouses are three-bedroom units with varying styles according to area and modern designs in line with contemporary trends, stated the developer. Unique, modern lifestyle requirements were taken into account, and each unit is marked by high-quality finishes while bearing in mind environmental sustainability, it added. On the upcoming event, Ahmed Khalfan, the Chief Marketing and Sales Officer of Al Areen Holding and CEO of Tilal Residential Project, said: "We are excited to launch this promotional campaign for Tilal Residential Project, which represents a valuable addition to the real estate market in Bahrain. We believe that this project will be a destination for anyone seeking an integrated and distinctive lifestyle in a scenic natural environment." "During this occasion, we will have the opportunity to highlight the singular features embraced by the project," he stated. "We invite everyone to visit our platform at City Centre Bahrain during the campaign period and benefit from the exclusive offers available, as Tilal Residential Project represents a unique opportunity to own and invest in the heart of nature," said Khalfan. During the promotional campaign, Al Areen Holding Company will provide comprehensive information about the project, including details about available facilities and services, such as shared parks, walkways, and kids playgrounds, in addition to the upscale community atmosphere that enhances the quality of life. Interested parties will also have various financing options provided by Khaleeji Bank that correspond to their aspirations, stated Khalfan. The Tilal project is located in the Al Areen masterplan, within a new city that includes commercial offices, retail units, restaurants, hotels, health and educational facilities, and a range of residential communities. The project is distinguished by its proximity to Al Areen Wildlife Reserve in the southern region of the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as the Bahrain International Circuit and Al Dana Amphitheatre. The masterplan also includes Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain and the Lost Paradise of Dilmun Waterpark.-TradeArabia News Service Project Management Institute (PMI), the world's leading authority for project professionals, has announced the establishment of its PMI Lebanon Chapter Student Club. The first-of-its-kind in the Middle East and North Africa, the Club is designed to equip students with real-world project experience and leadership skills to enter the workforce and contribute to their community. The launch of the PMI Lebanon Chapter Student Club showcases the Institutes focus on the next generation and their commitment to enhancing the skillset of young professionals with access to resources required to succeed in the field. Leadership opportunities The Club will offer students leadership opportunities, project management skills and access to valuable PMI resources such as mentorship, knowledge sharing and community engagement. It will help students kickstart their journey into project management with hands-on experience, providing them with professional status as project managers through globally recognised certifications thus supporting their employability, and preparing them for a successful career. We are proud to announce the establishment of the Lebanon Chapter Student Club, marking the first-of-its-kind initiative in the Middle East and North Africa region. This club is designed to equip students with real-world project experience and leadership skills. Congratulations to the PMI Lebanon Chapter on this momentous occasion. Your dedication to mentoring and knowledge-sharing, in collaboration with leading universities, sets a strong foundation for future project leaders, said Hanny Alshazly M Ed, PMI Mena Regional Managing Director. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this club will have on our community and to establishing more student clubs across the region. PMI Student Club PMI Chapter Student Clubs will consist of groups of university/higher education students, working together with their local PMI Chapter towards a common purpose to develop project skills, and build community. Self-governed by student volunteer leadership teams, with clear communication channels with their PMI Chapter, they will integrate transition planning and project management best practice. Students can benefit by gaining recognition from a global organisation, that enables them to connect with local professionals as well as be part of a network to meet other students in project management, have an impact in their community and be connected with the UN SDGs. Besides learning through practical action, the experience can go a long way towards boosting their resumes. While for the Chapter the establishment of the Student Club will result in increased student membership retention and greater involvement of student members, it will also help them formulate a platform for sharing experiences working with students. PMI toolkits, webinars and shared stories will help further support student engagement. The Student Club could also be a rich source for future members and Chapter leaders. Plans are afoot to host regional PMI Student Club Fest where students can learn, create and interact with their peers from the region.--TradeArabia News Service A groundbreaking study has discovered microplastics in the human brain for the first time, marking a significant milestone in environmental health research, says Bluewater, a global water purification and beverage leader. Bluewater founder and CEO Bengt Rittri said the discovery by researchers at Sao Paulo University Medical School, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, raises urgent questions about the potential impacts of microplastic exposure on human health. Microplastic particles silently infiltrate the water we drink, the food we eat, and the air we breathe, endangering both human health and the fragile balance of our planet, said Rittri, an acclaimed Swedish ecopreneur. He added that the new findings mean a dangerous threshold has been crossed in the invasion of human bodies by microplastics. Originating from a multitude of sources, including plastic waste, synthetic textiles, and even personal care products, micro- and nano-plastics are tiny plastic fragments measuring less than 5 millimeters. They have already been found throughout the human body, including the lungs, heart, intestines, liver, placenta, semen, and blood. Their pervasive presence, even in remote locations like Antarctica and the deepest areas of our oceans, underscores the extent of plastic pollution. Despite this, their presence in the brain had not been reported until the Brazilian research study. The study, conducted by a team of researchers at Sao Paulo University Medical School, analysed brain tissue samples from 15 deceased individuals who had lived in Sao Paulo, Brazils largest city. The results were startling: microplastics were detected in the brains of 8 out of the 15 individuals. The particles, which ranged from 5.5 micrometers and larger, were specifically found in the olfactory bulba critical brain region responsible for processing smell. According to Bluewater chief scientist Dr Ahmed Fawzi, the finding is particularly worrying because the olfactory bulb directly links to the limbic system, which plays a role in emotions and memory. He said the presence of microplastics in this area raises potential concerns about their impact on neurological functions and overall brain health. The study is a grave wake-up call that highlights the urgent need for further research to understand the full implications of these particles on cognitive and emotional well-being," said Dr Fawzi. Since its founding over a decade ago with a planet-plan mission to end the need for single-use plastic bottles, Bluewater has strived to spark a broader conversation about the environmental and health implications of microplastics. The Sao Paulo study underscores the need for comprehensive strategies to reduce plastic production and improve waste management practices, said Rittri. - TradeArabia News Service Damac Properties, a leading luxury real estate developer in the Middle East, announced that under an agreement signed on September 11, it will serve as the Palladium Sponsor for the 2024 Global Business Summit (November 7-9) in Dubai, hosted by YPO, the global leadership community of more than 35,000 chief executives in 150 countries. The sponsorship agreement was signed by Amira Sajwani, Managing Director of Sales & Development of Damac Properties and a member of the YPO MENA Star Chapter; and Sami Daud, Global Business Summit Host City Chair, and a member of the YPO Khaleej Chapter, in the presence of the YPO Global Business Summit Executive Committee and senior Damac executives. The event, chaired by YPO member Angel Garcia-Cordero, will gather 1,000 influential business leaders worldwide to explore cutting-edge trends and opportunities in business and innovation. The summit represents a key opportunity to showcase Dubais rapid ascent as a global business hub, a statement said. With its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and dynamic business environment, Dubai has become a thriving destination for entrepreneurs, corporations, and investors worldwide, it added. The summit will offer attendees an exclusive look into the citys business landscape and Damacs most innovative real estate developments. Sajwani said: Dubai has emerged as a critical nexus for global businesses, offering unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and growth. The YPO Global Business Summit perfectly reflects the citys innovative spirit. Damac is honoured to be the Official Palladium Sponsor of this prestigious event, where we look forward to showcasing our latest developments and engaging with global business leaders who are shaping the future. This partnership underlines Damacs ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence across our business verticals and ambitions. Sofyan Almoayed said: The YPO Global Business Summit presents a unique platform for leaders to explore key trends, exchange crucial market insights, and form meaningful partnerships to propel business growth in their communities and beyond. Damacs sponsorship underscores our shared vision with YPO to drive forward cutting-edge innovation and leadership in todays dynamic global economy. The summit will convene 1,000 YPO members in Dubai where over three days, attendees will participate in high-level discussions, hear from visionary speakers, and engage in meaningful networking opportunities designed to foster strategic business growth and partnerships. TradeArabia News Service IFZA, Dubais most dynamic free zone community, is the title sponsor of the 10th Annual World Free Zones Organisation World Congress to be held from September 23 to 25, at the Madinat Jumeirah Conference Centre, Dubai, UAE. This partnership marks IFZAs continued commitment to being an integral part of the global event, which will be hosted under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Focusing on the theme of "Zones and the Shifting Global Economic Structures: Unlocking New Investment Avenues", the congress will address key topics and priorities within the sector on a global scale. Pivotal gathering Martin G Pedersen, Chairman of IFZA, said: The World Free Zones Organisation's 10th World Congress represents a pivotal gathering for the global free zone community. Its presence in Dubai is testament to the UAE being a global economic powerhouse attracting significant foreign direct investment. As the official title sponsor for the second consecutive year, IFZA is honoured to support an event that shapes the future of global trade and economic policies. This partnership is a testament to our dedication towards innovation and growth within the free zone ecosystem. We are committed to creating a thriving environment for startups and SMEs and connecting the business community by providing global Free Zone solutions. Our involvement in this congress underscores our role in leading the way for a dynamic and prosperous free zone future. Dr Samir Hamrouni, CEO of the World Free Zones Organisation, added: The World FZOs World Congress has become a cornerstone event for our global community, serving as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and innovation. The 10th edition not only reflects our journey over the past decade but also sets the stage for the future, where free zones will continue to play a critical role in the shifting global economic landscape. Avenues for growth We are proud to have IFZA as our title sponsor, and together, we will explore new avenues for growth and investment, ensuring that free zones remain at the forefront of economic transformation. The event will feature an array of activities designed to promote learning, networking, advocacy, and consulting. Attendees can look forward to insightful keynote speeches, interactive panel discussions, workshops, knowledge sharing and research sessions, as well as insights into new investment opportunities and networking opportunities. The World Free Zones Organisation includes more than 1,600 members from more than 141 countries and has global representation through 12 regional offices worldwide and 42 national points of contact. This years conference is expected to attract representatives from more than 100 countries including more than 2,000 global and regional business leaders, Free Zone representatives, experts, investors, and entrepreneurs from around the world. Set to be the biggest gathering of free zones and special economic zones experts in the world, this years edition aims to explore the evolving landscape of global trade and investment, and support the pivotal role played by free zones in driving prosperity and fostering innovation.--TradeArabia News Service EtihadWE has partnered with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) on a collaborative initiative aimed at promoting the use of renewable energy in the Northern Emirates. The Distributed Solar System (DSS) project enables EtihadWE customers to generate solar power through rooftop PV systems installed on their properties. This power will then be fed back into the grid, enhancing the overall supply of renewable energy. The project aligns with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for the sustainable and clean energy development of energy sector in UAE. Regulations developed The project was launched in July 2023 with a feasibility study and assessment of the financial and technical impacts of connecting DSS to the grid. EtihadWE has developed regulations and technical guidelines for the systems in cooperation with MoEI. As the certified installer, EtihadWE will provide certified contractors to install the solar panels, ensuring they comply with the latest safety standards. Through the new initiative, EtihadWE customers, including residential, industrial and agricultural, will be offered rooftop PV systems, allowing them to generate solar power. The solar energy generated will be absorbed back into the grid, contributing to the overall renewable energy supply in the Northern Emirates. Reduced energy bills Although consumers will not directly utilise the energy produced by their solar panels, they will benefit from reduced energy bills in return for contributing to the renewable energy grid. Customers involved in the initiative will have two meters: one to measure the energy exported to the grid and the other to measure the energy imported. Each month, exported vs imported energy will be measured. If exports to the grid exceed imports, the excess energy will be credited to the customers account for use within the same year. The initiative is part of a long-term strategy to enhance accessibility to renewable energy in the Northern Emirates. The project aims to create a more sustainable energy supply that reduces carbon footprint and promotes cleaner energy sources. Eng Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI, said: The DSS project is a major contribution to the UAEs shift to clean energy sources. It reflects our steadfast commitment to fast-tracking renewable energy deployment and the countrys sustainable development. We are pleased to partner with EtihadWE on this project that will pave the way for wider community engagement in building a more sustainable, energy-secure future. Long-term objectives He added: The project supports the long-term objectives of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, including increasing the contribution of clean energy generation to 32%, ensuring the country is on track to meet its commitment to tripling the share of renewable energy by 2030 in line with the UAE Consensus. Such projects significantly contribute to enhancing the UAEs global competitiveness rankings. EtihadWE CEO, Eng Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, said: This major solar initiative marks a significant step in EtihadWEs progress towards enhancing renewable energy in the Northern Emirates. We are embracing new technology to improve our operations, offer, products and customer service, whilst making our commitment to sustainability clear. Through this project, we demonstrate our dedication to aligning our strategic approach with the UAE governments directives to transition towards a future fuelled by sustainable energy. For businesses, the new project will reduce operational costs and contribute to the creation of more sustainable business models. Roll-out will begin with industrial customers in the initial phase.--TradeArabia News Service Bureau Veritas, a global leader in testing, inspection and certification, has announced the launch of a new state-of-the-art Metals and Minerals laboratory in Jeddah and the opening of a new office in Al Khobar. These strategic expansions represent a significant milestone for the company and its future growth in the KSA. The events were celebrated as part of the company's 25th anniversary recognising the successful partnership in the kingdom and Bureau Veritass commitment to contribute to Saudi Vision 2030 to become a diversified and low-carbon economy. Bureau Veritas inaugurated a cutting-edge laboratory in Jeddah. The state-of-the-art facility embodies the Groups commitment to supporting the rapid development of the mining industry in the kingdom. Building on its experience with the Mining sector around the world, Bureau Veritas will endeavour to provide mining companies in the kingdom with the highest standards and practices to help them navigate the complexities and uncertainties of exploration and will support them as they develop their projects and accelerate production. The company will also invest in new mining capabilities including mine site inspections and certification. Enlarged office In addition, the company celebrated the opening of a new, enlarged office in Al Khobar. It enhances Bureau Veritas ability to serve customers in the Eastern Province and acts as a centre of excellence for energy, supporting transition programmes. Since its establishment in the kingdom in the late 1990s, Bureau Veritas has played a pivotal role in Saudi Arabia, offering a broad spectrum of services in critical sectors from energy to construction. Today, Bureau Veritas has a strong presence in Saudi Arabia, with over 1,000 employees in six offices and six laboratories strategically located in major cities, including its regional headquarters in Riyadh. To commemorate the silver jubilee of its presence, Bureau Veritas Group CEO, Hinda Gharbi, attended the grand anniversary ceremony in Riyadh where she reflected on the 25-year journey of collaboration and trust between Bureau Veritas, its valued clients and partners in the kingdom. Reflecting on this major milestone, Hinda Gharbi, CEO of Bureau Veritas, stated: "Over the last 25 years, our company has grown in lockstep with the country's development. As we celebrate this important milestone in the kingdom, we are filled with pride and gratitude for the trust our clients, partners, and the community have placed in Bureau Veritas. Looking forward, our companys focus on sustainability and energy transition aligns perfectly with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, and we are dedicated to being a key partner in the kingdom's transformation towards a diversified and low-carbon economy."--TradeArabia News Service The Sharjah Museums Authority has launched the "Suppliers Forum: Entrepreneurs' Projects Exhibition" to foster innovation, competitiveness, and strategic partnerships to support Emirati entrepreneurs. This is the Authoritys first-ever collaboration with the Sharjah Foundation to Support Pioneering Entrepreneurs (Ruwad), affiliated with the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD). The exhibition will run till September 18 concluding at the Sharjah Archaeology Museum. Inaugurated by Aisha Rashid Deemas, Director General of the Sharjah Museums Authority, alongside Hamad Ali Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Chairman of the Sharjah Economic Development Department and the Sharjah Foundation to Support Pioneering Entrepreneurs (Ruwad), the event featured both dignitaries taking a tour of the exhibition to explore the participating projects showcased on the first day. Community engagement The forum provides national projects affiliated with Ruwad the opportunity to collaborate with the Sharjah Museums Authority, attract new suppliers and expand partnerships through competitive services and pricing options. It also aims to enhance community engagement with the museums and deliver high-quality services. Deemas said the Authority always draws inspiration from the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah. She highlighted the importance of creating an environment that fosters innovation and competitiveness, while actively supporting ambitious Emirati youth to contribute to Sharjah's developmental vision. She further stressed the Authority's commitment to enhancing cooperation with local suppliers through this forum, noting that the event provides young entrepreneurs the chance to engage directly with museum administrators, paving the way for future collaborations that support the local economy and contribute to Sharjah's economic sustainability efforts. National projects The Director General also noted that the Authoritys strategy prioritises supporting national projects in general, as well as local cooperation, particularly among the youth, which positively impacts the national economy. Additionally, this aligns with Sharjah's developmental vision and fulfils the directives of the Executive Council, which mandate that no less than 10% of government purchases in the emirate be allocated to members of the Foundation. Al Mahmoud said: The participation of Sharjah Foundation to Support Entrepreneurs Ruwad in the first exhibition for Entrepreneurship Projects, which is organised in participation with Sharjah Museums Authority, comes within the Foundations concerns to strengthen effective partnerships with government entities in order to promote Sharjahs position as an incubator for UAEs projects. He added: The Foundation is proud of its members projects that contribute at supporting the sustainable economic and commercial movement in the emirate and supporting its local product, through its participation in ideal display platforms at exhibitions and conferences organised by government agencies, especially events related to entrepreneurship. 27 Ruwad projects He said the exhibition hosts 27 projects from Ruwad members in various commercial, professional and industrial sectors, especially activities and businesses that are a priority for the needs of government agencies, in the fields of technical and electronic services, hospitality and events, office supplies and others. The forum is attended by department heads, deputies, museum curators, financial representatives, and event coordinators. This gathering provides officials with the opportunity to learn about suppliers' work, explore future cooperation opportunities, and reinforce the close collaboration between the Sharjah Museums Authority and Ruwad-affiliated suppliers.--TradeArabia News Service SABIC, a Saudi-based global diversified chemicals company, has signed an agreement with Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) for the sale of its 20.62% shareholding in Aluminum Bahrain (Alba). The sales proceeds are expected to be within a range of BD363 million ($963.45 million) to BD398 million ($1,056.34 million), said a statement. The completion of this transaction is conditional upon obtaining all regulatory approvals from the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and after satisfaction of certain customary conditions set out in the Share Purchase Agreement. Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, SABIC CEO, said: We value our fruitful partnership with Alba over the years, which has contributed significantly to Sabics growth. Once this transaction is finalised, we will be better positioned to reinforce our strategy to become the preferred world leader in chemicals and support the successful realization of Saudi Vision 2030. When completed, the transaction will enable SABIC to optimise its portfolio, focus on its core business, and further strengthen its growth in the chemicals industry. It will contribute to improved returns and the reallocation of capital to opportunities with higher margins, a statement said. The move comes on the heels of Alba on Monday announcing a non-binding agreement with Maaden to commence due diligence towards a potential business combination involving segments of Maadens aluminium strategic business unit. This potential combination will reshape the global aluminium industry, positioning the merged entity as one of the largest aluminium producers worldwide. This partnership will create a larger, vertically integrated global champion with significant synergies offering advantages such as expanded production capacity; enhanced global presence; improved ESG performance; greater energy security; and significant shareholder value creation, Alba said. In yet another development on Sunday, US aluminium maker Alcoa said it would sell a 25.1% stake in a joint venture with Ma'aden to the Saudi company for $1.1 billion. The transaction includes approximately 86 million shares of Maaden and $150 million in cash, Alcoa said in a statement, adding that it expects to close the deal in the first half of 2025. "The transaction simplifies our portfolio, enhances visibility in the value of our investment in Saudi Arabia and provides greater financial flexibility for Alcoa," Alcoa CEO William Oplinger said. TradeArabia News Service Port Sudan, Sudan (PANA) - The US Administration has renewed its support for democracy in Sudan saying it wants to see an end of the war and a resumption of the democratic process Microsoft Corp and G42 have announced the establishment in Abu Dhabi of two new centres that together will advance their collective Responsible AI goals. The first, co-founded and co-funded by G42 and Microsoft, with the endorsement of UAEs Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC), will identify, develop and advance best practices and industry standards for the responsible use of AI in the Middle East and the Global South. The second is the expansion of Microsofts AI for Good Research Lab into Abu Dhabi, which will support AI projects that address key societal goals. Develop ongoing advances The first centre will convene academic researchers and AI practitioners from across the private sector to develop, document and share emerging Responsible AI best practices. G42 and Microsoft are both committed to working closely with the Centre to bring together individuals and organisations from across the Middle East, the Global South, and more broadly to learn from each other and develop ongoing advances in this emerging field. Simultaneously, Microsofts AI for Good Lab will open a centre in Abu Dhabi, its first in the Middle East. This new lab will harness the power of AI to collaborate with nonprofit organisations and partners, addressing key economic and societal challenges across the Middle East and Africa. In close collaboration with the Labs existing team in Nairobi, this initiative will prioritise the development of large language models for underrepresented languages, helping bridge the global language divide. It will also focus on advancing food security and strengthening climate resilience by applying AI to high-resolution geospatial data, enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities. The partnership will work alongside the AIATC, which was created in January to develop plans and research programmes in collaboration with local and global partners to enhance Abu Dhabis status in the fields of artificial intelligence and advanced technology. The two centres build on the work that Microsoft and G42 are taking together to implement Responsible AI standards and practices. This includes working to ensure that the two companies generative AI models and applications are developed, deployed and used safely a commitment that is at the heart of the Responsible AI policies that Microsoft has developed and implemented, and that G42 is now adopting in connection with its partnership and the commitments made to the US and UAE governments. Red teaming Among other things, these policies govern the design and use of AI applications, incorporate digital safety and cybersecurity plans for model training and deployment, and establish red teaming processes to harden AI systems against probing, testing and attacks. G42s adoption of these policies will solidify the UAEs position as a trusted global AI hub and ensure that Microsoft and G42 AI technologies running on Azure are responsibly shared with their growing joint customer base, globally. Todays steps will add to the important progress Microsoft and G42 are making to broaden access to the responsible, safe, and secure use of artificial intelligence, said Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft. We are committed to additional steps with G42 that advance responsible AI use for customers and that strengthen the relationship not only between our two companies, but between our two countries. Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, said: By advancing Responsible AI together with Microsoft, we are creating a framework for AI to serve all of humanity. These new centres reflect our shared vision for leveraging technology to solve real-world challenges, positioning Abu Dhabi as a global hub for AI innovation that prioritises safety, trust and collaboration, especially across the global south. Since Microsoft and G42 launched their partnership in April, the two companies have been executing under the commitments of the Intergovernmental Assurance Agreement, with support and oversight by both the US and UAE governments. Best in class As a matter of corporate policy instituted earlier this year, G42 and its affiliates do not conduct business with any entity listed on the US Government Consolidated Screening List. The Microsoft and G42 compliance committee meets quarterly, and the two teams maintain a weekly cadence for progress reviews. G42s compliance programme is designed to be best in class, ensuring the highest standards of business practices and security principles. This partnership presents a strategic opportunity to bring world-class technology to underserved regions such as the global south. G42s efforts in creating a regulated and monitored environment for deploying US-developed advanced technology systems are essential for meeting international AI demands. The collaboration aims to bridge the digital divide, address pressing social challenges, and promote democratic norms in cyberspace. The two entities have already announced a $1 billion investment in Kenya leveraging geothermal energy, and are actively exploring other strategic markets. In addition, the migration of G42s legacy public cloud infrastructure to Microsoft Azure began in November 2023 and is continuing as planned. This migration is critical for ensuring secure and efficient operations. Microsoft and G42 believe in the transformative power of AI and cloud technologies, and their partnership is built on a foundation of trust, security, shared values, and a commitment to the highest standards of regulatory compliance. Microsoft and G42 are dedicated to ensuring that the collaboration contributes positively to global technological advancement.--TradeArabia News Service The Integrated Transport Centre Abu Dhabi Mobility of the Department of Municipalities and Transport has launched a new taxi booking service in partnership with an international ride-hailing service Yango, through its smart app. This initiative aims to revolutionise public transport in Abu Dhabi by providing efficient and advanced services. Yango is a part of the global tech company Yango Group focused on creating daily services as well as transport and logistics ones. Abdulla Al Marzouqi, Director-General of the Integrated Transport Centre, said that offering the service through international apps enhances the overall efficiency of taxi operations. It facilitates the process of locating vehicles and booking rides electronically for all members of the community. This initiative connects public and private taxis, as well as licenced private vehicles, with passengers in the emirate through secure, approved electronic communication platforms and smart apps. It also supports the emirate's goals of reducing its carbon footprint by improving the operational efficiency of taxis and transport systems overall. H Al Marzouqi said: "Abu Dhabi Mobility aims to enhance and develop transport services in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi by providing digital connectivity between passengers and transport service operators. The goal is to offer users safe, fast, and convenient services." Islam Abdul Karim, General Manager, Yango GCC, said: "Were honoured to launch Yango in Abu Dhabi, partnering with Abu Dhabi Mobility. This collaboration brings together innovative technology and advanced world-class infrastructure, promising enhanced urban mobility and a seamless transportation experience for residents and tourists. We look forward to driving progress in the vibrant Emirate of Abu Dhabi, building on the strong foundations laid by Abu Dhabi Mobility." The trial phase of the launch saw more than 300 taxis operating within the emirate of Abu Dhabi, with over 8,000 trips completed through the Yango app in the last five months. Now with more than 1,500 taxis registered, Yango mobile app for iOS and Android is available for free download in Arabic, English and many other languages. To order a car, users download the app, open it and specify where they want to go. When geolocation is enabled, the service pinpoints where the user is and finds the nearby driver who will arrive the fastest. In addition, the service focuses on providing a secure system designed to protect personal belongings (lost items) found in taxis during any ride conducted through the service. It encourages drivers to return these items either to their owners or to the nearest police station. Drivers are responsible for documenting all information related to these belongings in collaboration with the franchise companies and providing it to Abu Dhabi Mobility upon request. TradeArabia News Service Saudi oil giant Aramco and Saudi Lithium Infinity (Lihytech), an innovative startup incubated by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), are working together to accelerate the development of Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology in Saudi Arabia. The collaboration aims to support the Kingdoms growing demand for lithium, essential for advancing the countrys electric vehicle (EV) initiatives as outlined in Vision 2030. Aramco said it has supplied brine from its oilfields to assess Lihytechs lithium extraction technology, located at KAUST Research and Technology Park. The technology is intended to advance to a field scale after completing the assessment phase. The collaboration is expected to contribute to the Kingdoms Vision 2030 by advancing sustainable resource extraction technologies and fostering the growth of a new, critical mineral industry in the region, it stated. "The mission of Lihytech is to empower Saudi Arabia with cutting-edge DLE technology, enabling the Kingdom to fully leverage its lithium resources," remarked Lihytech chief strategy and commercial officer Ehab Abbas. "With Aramco being one of the largest oil producers globally, the oilfield brines are a promising source to contribute to the Kingdoms lithium demands. Our pilot plant has yielded highly encouraging results, and with the expertise of Aramcos team, we are confident in our ability to validate this technology under real-world conditions, optimizing it for various brine sources within the Kingdom," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Sun Siyam Resorts has appointed Pasan Wijewardana as Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing for Sun Siyam Iru Fushi (Maldives) and Sun Siyam Pasikudah (Sri Lanka). Pasan brings over a decade of rich experience in the hospitality industry, having held key leadership roles across luxury, lifestyle, and full-service hotels in Sri Lanka, Maldives and Oman. Most recently, he was the Director of Sales and Business Development for Shangri-La Muscat, where he played a pivotal role in driving business growth and strategic development. Prior to this, Pasan was the Cluster Director of Sales for Shangri-La, Sri Lanka. He started his career with Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts in Sri Lanka where he was instrumental in establishing the Cinnamon city hotels in a competitive market. This is not Pasans first tenure with Sun Siyam Resorts; he previously held the position of Sales & Marketing Manager at Sun Siyam Iru Veli in the Maldives, where he significantly contributed to the resorts growth and market presence. His return to Sun Siyam Resorts is a testament to his expertise and the strong relationship he has maintained with the brand, said a statement. In his new role, Pasan will focus on developing and executing sales and marketing strategies to drive revenue growth, enhance brand visibility, and optimize market presence for both Sun Siyam Iru Fushi and Sun Siyam Pasikudah. He will lead the sales and marketing teams, foster strong partnerships with key stakeholders, and ensure that the resorts continue to deliver exceptional guest experiences. We are thrilled to welcome Pasan back to the Sun Siyam family. His extensive experience and leadership in the hospitality industry will be a tremendous asset to our team, said Ahmed Naufal, Group Director of Sales & Marketing. We are confident that under his guidance, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi and Sun Siyam Pasikudah will continue to thrive and deliver exceptional experiences for our guests. TradeArabia News Service Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad Airways have launched the globally recognised Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme at Zayed International Airport (AUH) and onboard Etihad Airways flights to support all passengers, particularly those with non-visible disabilities. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme provides discreet support for passengers with conditions like autism, chronic pain, or anxiety, whereby they can signal to staff their requirements for additional assistance or compassion. Passengers can pick up their complimentary Sunflower lanyards at the two dedicated special assistance desks at the pre-check-in area of AUH. "At Abu Dhabi Airports, we are dedicated to providing a seamless and inclusive travel experience for every passenger," said Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports. "The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme is a natural extension of this commitment, empowering passengers with non-visible disabilities to discreetly communicate their needs and receive the support they deserve throughout their journey at Zayed International Airport. This means our staff are now even better equipped to assist passengers who may require a little extra time, understanding, or assistance, ensuring a smoother and more positive experience for everyone." To ensure the programme's success, AUH and Etihad Airways have ensured that frontline teams from the airport, its stakeholders and business partners have undergone specialised training to better understand the needs of passengers with hidden disabilities and provide appropriate assistance. Trained staff members wear a Sunflower pin to convey that they are supporters of the initiative. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said: As part of our vision to be the airline everyone wants to fly, we want to ensure we are catering to the needs of all our guests and making the experience as smooth and seamless as possible for everyone. Were honoured to join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme to educate our teams on the wide range of non-visible disabilities and affirm our reputation for exceptional hospitality can be enjoyed by all. Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination (ZHO) is serving as the exclusive manufacturer and production centre for the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyards in the GCC region. The organisation said its involvement highlights how each lanyard used at Zayed International Airport is a symbol of inclusivity, hard work, dedication, and is made with the skill of its members of determination who craft them at dedicated vocational rehabilitation workshops. Abdulla Abdulalee Abdulla Al Humaidan, Secretary-General at Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, said: "Everyone has the right to travel and explore the world on their own terms. To ensure that every individual can fully enjoy their journey, we must make travel accessible and inclusive for all. The Sunflower lanyard is a simple yet powerful tool that helps create a more supportive environment for travellers with non-visible conditions, ensuring that everyone can travel with confidence and ease." TradeArabia News Service Airbus has named Gabriel Semelas as President of Airbus in Africa and the Middle East, effective from 1st January 2025. Semelas brings more than 24 years of experience in the aeronautical industry, having held key senior executive roles. He returns to Airbus from his current position as Chief Commercial and Financial Officer at Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug in Germany. Prior to that, he led the contracts team for Airbus Commercial Aircraft business in Africa and the Middle East. In his new role, Semelas will be responsible for overseeing Airbus' operations across all the companys divisions in the Africa and Middle East region, a key area for Airbus strategic development. Wouter Van Wersch, Executive Vice President International at Airbus, said: "Gabriel's extensive background in the aeronautical industry, coupled with his proven leadership skills, makes him the ideal candidate to lead Airbus' operations in Africa and the Middle East. We are confident that under his leadership, we will continue to strengthen our presence and partnerships in this strategically important region." "I am honoured to take on this responsibility at such a pivotal time for Airbus in Africa and the Middle East. I look forward to working with our talented teams and partners to drive growth and innovation in this dynamic market," said Semelas. Semelas succeeds Mikail Houari, who has played a crucial role in expanding Airbus footprint in the region over the past years, said a statement. With a significant presence throughout the Middle East and Africa, Airbus employs more than 3,300 people and remains committed to delivering industry leading products and services to customers across the region. The company actively sources supplies and components from local companies and provides comprehensive technical support to its partners, it said. Airbus has also launched several initiatives aimed at developing skills and talent in the region, nurturing the future leaders of the aerospace industry, it said. - TradeArabia News Service Dubai is set to revolutionise urban transportation by introducing fully electric air taxis in the first quarter of 2026 as part of its Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) initiatives, reported Wam, citing a senior official. Powered by Joby Aviation, the first point of the four vertiports of the Dubai flying taxi is expected to go into operation in the first quarter of 2026, stated Khaled Al Awadhi, Director of the Transportation Systems Department at Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), on the sidelines of the World Congress and Exhibition on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS World Congress) in Dubai. The event, a leading global platform for shaping the future of mobility, will run until September 20 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The project is considered an ambitious step in the field of autonomous air transportation, and aims to provide a modern and efficient means of transportation, as the air taxi is expected to serve different areas of the city, with a focus on linking the service to hotels and the airport, he added. According to Al Awadhi, the innovative initiative promises swift and safe mobility between key locations in the Emirate, offering passengers a futuristic mode of travel above the cityscape. Tyler Trerotola, General Manager for the Middle East, Joby Aviation, stated that these electric air taxis will operate from four vertiports: Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Dubai Downtown. They are designed to carry a pilot and four passengers at 320 km/h, which means passengers can get from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah in 10-12 minutes as compared with 45 minutes by car, he added. Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports), the leader in vertiport infrastructure for the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry, signed during the World Governments Summit in February a Definitive Agreement with Dubais Road and Transport Authority (RTA) and all-electric aircraft company Joby Aviation to launch passenger air taxi services in Dubai by 2026. Descendants of WWII Japanese invaders apologize for atrocities and call for peace Xinhua) 09:29, September 17, 2024 CHANGCHUN, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Under the Chinese national flag, 76-year-old Japanese man Kuroi Akio removed his shoes and socks and knelt down to kowtow before the Chinese people. In this way he sought to offer an apology on behalf of his father at a historical site in northeast China's Jilin Province, where Japanese forces once committed atrocities during the invasion of China. Ahead of the anniversary of the September 18th Incident, Kuroi, along with eight other descendants of Japanese soldiers who invaded China, embarked on a five-day journey of remorse and apology. On Sept. 18, 1931, Japanese troops bombarded the barracks and began the bloody invasion in China, foreshadowing WWII and making the country the first to resist fascism. The Japanese army had deployed 1.86 million troops in China, accounting for more than 50 percent of a total of 3.58 million Japanese troops sent overseas. During the war of resistance against Japanese aggression that lasted until 1945, China suffered a total of 35 million military and non-military casualties, accounting for a third of the total casualties of all the countries in WWII. Kuroi's father, Kuroi Keijirou, had participated in two separate campaigns in northeast China in 1932 and 1941. These campaigns included violent acts against civilians, something Kuroi Akio is determined to address and atone for. Walking through former sites of the Japanese military occupation, including the command headquarters and barracks, Kuroi reflected on the horrors his father's unit had inflicted. "They carried out assaults on the farmers and residents of Gongzhuling City, depriving them of their lives and robbing their property. The actions of my father were inhumane, and as his son, I offer my sincerest apologies to the people of Gongzhuling. What he did can never be forgiven," Kuroi said. Okayama Teruaki, 70, another member of the group, noted that the countless Chinese people who lost their lives to the Japanese military should have had the futures they had hoped for. He emphasized that ignoring these innocent souls and attempting to find solace by "honoring" Japanese soldiers who died in the war is futile. The true way to "comfort the souls" is to acknowledge the invasion, offer sincere apologies and compensation, mourn the victims, and renounce war. According to Li Suzhen, vice president of the Chinese and Japanese Oral History Culture Institute, Okayama's two uncles died in the invasion. After the war, Japan's disregard of the facts of invasion deeply disappointed Okayama, leading him to dedicate his life to anti-war activism. Okayama used his position as a teacher before retirement to tell high school students in Tokyo about Japan's war crimes. His outspoken activism has resulted in multiple reprimands from the Japanese government. While they apologized at the site, the group members held white flags with characters that read "white flags against war, reconciliation through dialogue" in a poignant act of calling on the international community to remember history and cherish peace. In addition to their acts of atonement, the descendants brought with them a trove of historical documents collected in Japan related to the Japanese invasion of China. These materials were presented to Changchun Normal University (CNU) to support academic research and deepen the understanding of this painful period in history. Professor Zhang Xiaogang from the School of History and Culture at CNU said that the personal stories and testimonies shared by the group offer a new dimension to the study of Japan's war crimes. "Their visit is a positive step towards shaping an accurate and honest historical memory for both nations," Zhang noted. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Zhong Wenxing) Blog Archive: Oct 2024 (35) 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) 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. THE topic of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley being replaced as political leader of the Peoples National Movement (PNM) is not an issue currently up for consideration, said Foster Cummings, Member of Parliament (MP) for La Horquetta/Talparo yesterday. There are strong processes in the PNM. There is a leader in office in the PNM. That is the leader that we support and who will take us into the next general election, he said. Hyatt farse and outta place. The audacity of them. Saying that in this country they are not ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME: Acting Prime Minister and party chairman Stuart Young is greeted yesterday by members of the PNM Womens League on arrival at the Leagues 49th conference at the Arima Central Secondary School. 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Christian D. Bennett was shot about 5 p.m. Saturday when an argument escalated into a fight, police said. Bennett died on the way to the hospital, Benson police said in a news release. Austin D. Kyes, 20, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder. He was booked into the Cochise County jail on $1 million bond, the release said. A 33-year-old Sahuarita man has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder after police were initially called to a house for a reported heart attack, authorities say. About 8:30 p.m. Friday, officers went to a house in the 900 Block of East Madera Estates after an emergency call reporting a heart attack, the Sahuarita Police Department said in a news release. Paul Baillargeon, 58, died at the scene despite life-saving efforts by Santa Rita Fire Department paramedics, the release said. "Officers began an investigation and learned there were suspicious circumstances and that a subject had fled the scene prior to officers arriving at the residence," the release said. The person who fled the house, identified by police as Davis Crowell, was apprehended later. Crowell was booked into the Pima County jail on suspicion of first-degree murder. Bond was set at $250,000, the release said. The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 of the department's tip line at 520-445-7847. Felix Clary Tulsa World Indigenous Affairs Reporter Follow Felix Clary Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today The Cherokee Nation publicized its new demographic maps this week that indicate how many of the tribes 460,000 Cherokee citizens live in each state. Cherokee citizens really do live in every corner of the country and all around the world. We work hard every day to keep them connected to their tribe, so its important to establish a consistent method for updating maps and providing them to Cherokee Nation departments and to the public, said Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief Bryan Warner. Our mapping work group was tasked with updating our demographic maps, and looking at ways to ensure we keep them updated consistently moving forward. For the first time in over a decade, Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. redistricted the reservation map by population in May 2024. The Cherokee Nation Office of the Secretary of Natural Resources GeoData team worked with Hoskin and Warner to gather the geographical data this year. Hoskin said in a recent press release that this demographic information will be critical for policy making, as tribal leaders need to know what programs and services are available to Cherokee citizens across the country. Understanding where our citizens live is crucial in how we maintain connection to our citizens and continually improve the services we provide them, including access to culture and language activities, Hoskin said. The tribe plans to conduct further research and find how many fluent Cherokee speakers there are and where those speakers live within the U.S. The Cherokee Nation is the second largest tribe in the United States, second to the Navajo Nation. Their reservation is in northeast Oklahoma, with their capital in Tahlequah. The new census information provided by the tribe indicates that more than 283,000 citizens (60.8%) live in Oklahoma; more than 29,400 citizens (6.3%) live in Texas; and around 28,000 live in California (6.0%). The Osage Nation recently completed its first global census survey that reported how many Osage citizens live across the globe, as well as how many fluent speakers there are and where they live. The tribe is partnering with the federal U.S. Census Bureau to provide them the information they gathered. Conducting a census reinforces Tribal Nations data sovereignty, said Osage Nation Secretary of Administration Susan Bayro. Tribal nations will be able to maintain control over critical data, ensuring it is accurate, relevant, and used in ways that directly benefit their people. Top 12 states with most Cherokee citizens Oklahoma: 283,227 (60.8%) Texas: 29,401 (6.3%) California: 27,972 (6%) Arkansas: 19,851 (4.3%) Kansas: 16,251 (3.5%) Missouri: 13,314 (2.9%) Washington: 7,514 (1.6%) Arizona: 7,443 (1.6%) Colorado: 6,944 (1.5%) Oregon: 6,691 (1.4%) Florida: 4,443 (1.0%) New Mexico: 2,539 (0.5%) Total in top 12: 425,590 (91.3%) The Tulsa World is where your story lives 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 OKLAHOMA CITY Children caught up in the juvenile justice system, mentally challenged adults in state facilities and other vulnerable Oklahomans have been made victims of physical, sexual or other abuse allowed by state agencies meant to protect them. That was the harsh judgment shared repeatedly on Monday by advocates of victims who spoke at a hearing of the Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Those who aired opinions about broad systemic failures dating back decades included Colleen McCarty, executive director of the Tulsa-based Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law & Justice. She said a complex, multilayered bureaucracy of local and state agencies often seems more intent on preserving itself than on protecting children or others. As evidence, McCarty pointed to difficulties the Appleseed Center encountered as it set out to investigate allegations of abuse aired this year at the Tulsa County juvenile detention center. A federal civil suit has been filed naming the county as a defendant and criminal charges, including sexual battery, have been leveled against former detention center staffers. Those who spoke at the hearing, organized by committee chairman Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, also referenced reports of abuse, including waterboarding of adults with intellectual disabilities, at the Robert M. Greer Center in Enid. McCarty said the complexity of the states system, involving multiple agencies that operate and oversee facilities, makes it difficult to hold anyone accountable for failure. Often, she added, administrators seem to use rules about safeguarding client privacy as excuses for not cooperating with investigations. One of the things we run into over and over again is (that) the system has become a giant finger-pointing game and no one takes accountability for these children, she said. (And) a lot of times they use the excuse of saying, Were trying to protect (a victims) privacy, but it becomes pretty obvious that what theyre actually doing is protecting people who are abusing kids. She said a culture of impunity continued at the Tulsa juvenile detention center even as it came under increased scrutiny. Often, she added, such agencies become more defensive when senior leaders or administrators are subjected to questions or criticism. Others who spoke at the hearing included Mandy Reed, founder of the Oklahomans for Childrens Rights organization, who said Oklahoma has a serious, multigenerational problem with abuse. She said people who are abused as children often become abusers themselves as adults. Many also struggle with alcohol or drug problems and wind up involved in the criminal justice system. Lawmakers who attended the hearing, including Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole, also cautioned about longstanding problems within the states system. Hefner noted particularly the difficulties parents and other advocates can have in being heard or getting records from agencies with overlapping responsibilities. She suggested that low pay received by case workers may contribute to high turnover and other problems within the DHS. It really looks to me like systemically we need to make some changes, Williams said. What does it say about us as a community when were more concerned about liability than about the lives of children? The sentiment was echoed by Humphrey, who suggested that the state faces incredible costs related to system failures, not only in the form of intergenerational abuse but as a result of lawsuits that could be filed against state agencies. One of the things I (find) infuriating, just unbelievable, is the fact that our state agencies can know that sexual abuse and child abuse is occurring and turn a blind eye to it and try to just cover it up, Humphrey said. The Tulsa World is where your story lives. The Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HoSE) has issued a decision to suspend Tan Tao Investment and Industry Corporation from trading its ITA shares as the firm violated regulations on information disclosure. ITA was listed as a restricted stock in July after the company failed to submit its financial statements for more than 45 days beyond the deadline. Despite being repeatedly asked to comply with securities regulations, Tan Tao has yet to publish an audited financial statement and an annual statement for 2023, as well as a reviewed semi-annual statement for 2024. Nguyen Thanh Phong, general director of Tan Tao, last month proposed the State Securities Commission of Vietnam and HoSE allow it to delay publishing these statements. The firm explained that it had reached out to dozens of audit enterprises to sign off on its financial statements, only to get a headshake. The State Securities Commission previously revoked the audit practicing certificates of four auditors who reviewed Tan Taos financial reports for 2021 and 2022, as well as its 2023 semi-annual financial report. This revocation has alarmed audit firms, according to a representative from Tan Tao. Tan Tao is associated with Dang Thi Hoang Yen, whose new name is Maya Dangelas, and Dang Thanh Tam, chairman of Kinh Bac City Development Holding Corporation. Yen, who holds U.S. nationality, is Tan Tao's chairwoman. The firm has undergone ups and downs over the past few years. In mid-2024, Tan Tao was stopped from conducting customs procedures for its imports and exports due to its tax arrears. In 2023, the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City asked Tan Tao to file for bankruptcy, but the firm explained the case to the securities market management agency and expressed its opposition to the courts request. In late 2022, investors were in tumult as the firms first 2022 semi-annual financial statement showed Tan Tao advanced Yen over VND1.9 trillion (US$77.4 million). Following the controversy, the company announced that there was a mistake in accounting. The amount of money was adjusted to become VND633 billion ($25.6 million) in accounts receivable from Yen. However, after an audit firm started their work at Tan Tao, the accounts receivable disappeared. According to a management report of the first half of 2022, the firm transacted nearly VND330 billion ($13.3 million) with Yen. These big conundrums concerned many of its investors. Tan Tao, which raked in a revenue of up to VND1 trillion ($40.5 million) during the 2008-10 period, has gone to hell in a handbasket and plunged into debt. The firm had previously made its name in the real estate industry with some outstanding industrial parks such as Tan Tao in Ho Chi Minh City, Tan Duc in Long An Province, Nhon Hoi in Binh Dinh Province, and Nhon Trach in Dong Nai Province. ITA used to climb to nearly VND20,000 ($0.8) per share, but it has hovered around VND3,000 ($0.12) in recent trading sessions. Closing the trading session on Tuesday, ITA hit the floor at VND3,020. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! International shipping has become more accessible, but challenges like inefficient payment systems and limited support for international logistics are a major headache for Vietnamese business owners when it comes to e-commerce. While foreign retailers can easily enter e-commerce platforms to sell to Vietnamese consumers, Vietnamese companies face far more hurdles when trying to do the same abroad. As globalization reshapes commerce, local businesses and vendors are struggling to establish a solid foothold in the global market. The logistics challenge Han, a business owner from Ho Chi Minh City who began selling on Amazon in 2011, emphasizes the importance of selecting a reliable shipping provider and understanding the delivery system to penetrate the U.S. market. My team and I had to teach ourselves how to navigate the software of delivery companies in the U.S. through online resources, she recalls. With time and networking through friends and family, Han's team developed a cost-effective transportation solution tailored for their products. However, they faced significant hurdles due to the nature of e-commerce shipping. Most packages are lightweight, making it difficult to find logistics providers that offer competitive rates for shipments weighing between 50g and 100g. Major delivery firms like UPS, FedEx, and DHL impose a minimum weight limit of 0.5 kg, which is not conducive to e-commerce needs. Vietnam Post services are not fully digitalized, leading to high risks of lost or failed deliveries. Shipping times further complicate matters. Han notes that when she first started selling on Amazon, customers accepted delivery times of 14 21 days for items shipped from abroad. However, with fierce competition from Chinese vendors who can deliver within 3-7 days, Vietnamese products struggle to compete. If we continue delivering within that time frame, our competitiveness diminishes significantly, she explains. Faster delivery leads to higher customer satisfaction and repeat business. Logistical constraints have changed little in Vietnam in the past decade, making it challenging for Vietnamese businesses to export goods internationally with minimal support. Many local vendors aspire to export their products but are confronted by significant logistical hurdles that hinder their ability to establish sales channels on international e-commerce platforms. Do Thi Toan, owner of 'Yen Sao Do Thi Toan,' a popular brand on TikTok, shares her experience, Selling Vietnamese goods abroad through e-commerce channels is not straightforward and remains quite ambiguous for local businesses." Beyond ensuring product quality and compliance with international standards, sellers must also determine appropriate pricing and shipping times that align with customer expectations -- factors often beyond their control. Export sector challenges The struggles are not confined to small- and medium-sized enterprises; larger exporters in Vietnam also encounter difficulty in leveraging e-commerce for international outreach. Consider N., a businessman from Quang Ngai Province who recognized the potential of utilizing locally-sourced areca palm leaves to produce bowls, spoons, and plates for export. Despite investing in manufacturing equipment and production lines, N.'s efforts were hampered by logistical issues with his export partners. Truong Van Cam, vice-chairman and general secretary of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association, spotlighted these challenges at the Cross-border E-commerce Forum 2024, co-hosted by Amazon Global Selling and the Vietnam E-commerce Association. He notes that Vietnam's textile sector has long struggled with excessive reliance on export partners forgoing recognition from consumers. Cam believes, Vietnam has a competitive edge due to its direct production capabilities combined with technological skills and high-quality products valued by importers. There significant potential for Vietnamese textile companies to build their brands through cross-border e-commerce. However, accessing highly competitive markets such as the United States or Europe still poses numerous challenges that require attention, particularly regarding transportation and distribution systems. Two types of e-commerce players In discussing the landscape of cross-border e-commerce in Vietnam, Gijae Seong, head of Amazon Global Selling Vietnam, identifies two primary categories of Vietnamese sellers. The first group consists of online merchants, familiar with digital marketplaces and equipped with the necessary digital tools. While they are responsive to market changes, they often lack long-term vision and product innovation. Building a strong brand and sustainable business model poses significant challenges for this group. The second group includes brand owners and traditional manufacturers who excel in production capacity but lack expertise in digital branding. Their experience primarily lies within domestic markets using conventional methods. For them, entering foreign online marketplaces like those in the U.S. or Europe requires innovative approaches to brand development and marketing strategies. Despite the potential for Vietnamese products in global e-commerce markets, significant barriers hinder their success. From logistical challenges to establishing effective branding strategies, local businesses must navigate a complex landscape if they are hoping to thrive internationally. As Vietnam continues its journey toward greater integration into global trade networks, addressing these issues will be crucial for empowering local vendors and enhancing their competitiveness on the world stage. With concerted efforts toward improving logistics infrastructure and fostering digital skills among businesses, Vietnam can carve out a more prominent place in the global e-commerce arena. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! JESENIK/LITOVEL, Czech Republic -- Residents of several areas of Poland and the Czech Republic rushed to evacuate on Monday as others in central Europe began cleaning up after the worst flooding in over two decades left a trail of destruction and a rising number of deaths. Border areas between the Czech Republic and Poland were hit hard over the weekend as heavy rain that has fallen since last week and surging water levels collapsed some bridges, forced evacuations and damaged cars and houses. At least 17 people have died in flooding from Romania to Poland in the past few days. On Monday afternoon, the mayor of Nysa, a town of more than 40,000 people in southern Poland, called on residents to evacuate immediately after a nearby floodbank was damaged. In the northeastern Czech city of Ostrava, a broken barrier on the Odra river at its confluence with the Opava river caused flooding of the city's industrial area including the BorsodChem chemical plant, coking plant OKK Koksovny and others. Hundreds of people were being evacuated from more residential areas as well. In the Czech town of Litovel, 70 percent of which was submerged by water up to a metre deep (3.2 feet) on Monday, residents described their fear as waters rose quickly over the weekend. "I was just very, very afraid... I ran away because the water was rising very quickly near the house," said Renata Gaborova, 39. A view of a damaged house, in the aftermath of flooding following heavy rainfalls, in Jesenik, Czech Republic, September 16. Photo: Reuters 'Apocalypse' Poland's government announced a state of natural disaster in affected areas and said that it had set aside 1 billion zlotys ($260 million) to help victims. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he was in touch with the leaders of other affected countries and that they would ask the European Union for financial aid. Szymon Krzysztan, 16, standing in the town square of Ladek Zdroj, described losses from the floods as "unimaginable". "It's a city like in an apocalypse... It's a ghost town," he said. Reuters footage showed the town strewn with debris and mud. "Armageddon... It literally ripped out everything because we don't have a single bridge. In Ladek, all bridges have disappeared. We are practically cut off from the world," Jerzy Adamczyk, 70, told Reuters. In Jesenik, a Czech town across the border that was inundated on Sunday, a clean-up was starting after waters receded to show damaged cars and debris on the streets. "There were two metres of water that ran through the street... There are many, many destroyed cars," said resident Zdenek Kuzilek. "Telephones are not working, there is no water, no electricity." In eastern Romania, where villages and towns were submerged over the weekend, Emil Dragomir, mayor of Slobozia Conachi, told Romanian television some people had been left with just the clothes they had on. A man walks next to a damaged building, in the aftermath of flooding following heavy rainfalls, in Jesenik, Czech Republic, September 16. Photo: Reuters A view of debris at a damaged building, in the aftermath of flooding following heavy rainfalls, in Jesenik, Czech Republic, September 16. Photo: Reuters Preparation While water was receding in some areas, others, including Wroclaw, a Polish city of some 600,000 people, were shoring up defences for floodwaters heading their way. In Romania, the flooding killed seven people over the last few days. An Austrian firefighter died on Sunday. In the state of Lower Austria that surrounds Vienna, two men aged 70 and 80 were found drowned in their homes, a police spokesperson said on Monday. Polish police said four people died as a result of floods in Poland, and in the Czech Republic three have died, a police official said. Slovakia's capital Bratislava and the Hungarian capital Budapest were both preparing for possible flooding as the River Danube rose. Hungarian Interior Minister Sandor Pinter said efforts were focused on keeping the river and its tributaries within their banks and said up to 12,000 soldiers were on standby to help. In Austria, the levels of rivers and reservoirs fell overnight as rain eased but officials said they were bracing for a second wave as heavier rain was expected. ($1 = 3.8398 zlotys) Rough weather forced the suspension of the express boat service from the mainland to Nam Du, an island off the coast of Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam, for two days, leaving nearly 70 tourists stranded, said a local official on Monday afternoon. The boat service between the provincial city of Rach Gia and Nam Du, located in Kien Hai District, ceased on Sunday due to powerful winds and high waves, Tran Thi Yen Oanh, vice-chairwoman of the administration in Kien Hais An Son Commune, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. Local authorities have called on hotel and tourism service providers to reduce lodging and transportation fees by 50 percent to support the stranded visitors. Nam Du Island, located over 100 kilometers off the coast of Rach Gia, is famed for its stunning Men Beach, according to the An Son Commune administration. During the recent National Day holiday (September 2), Nam Du and Hon Son, two islands in Kien Hai known for their pristine natural beauty and unique marine and forest ecosystems, attracted around 13,400 tourists. The islands generated approximately VND30 billion (US$1.2 million) in tourism revenue then. Tourists join an activity in the waters of Nam Du Island off Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: C.Cong / Tuoi Tre Le Xuan Hien, head of the provinces meteorological agency, said that thunderstorms had hit the waters off local islands including Nam Du and Phu Quoc, with rainfall ranging from 5mm and 15mm. To ensure tourist safety, the Kien Giang Maritime Administration on Monday had yet to permit the resumption of the express boat and ferry services from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc. Meanwhile, the express boat service from the provincial city of Ha Tien to Phu Quoc was resumed at noon on Monday. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Dak Lak Province, located in Vietnam's Central Highlands region, reported on Monday that they had detained a 32-year-old man for reversing his pickup truck in a schoolyard and hitting a seven-year-old student to death. At 6:45 am on Monday, L.V.N., a resident of Krong Buk District in Dak Lak, drove his pickup truck to Bui Thi Xuan Elementary and Middle School. Due to the rain, N. entered the schoolyard to drop off his child. After his child exited the vehicle, he reversed to leave and hit H., a second-grade student who was standing behind the car. H. died instantly from the collision. Nguyen Dinh Kha, head of the education and training division in Krong Buk, said they had received a report of the incident from Bui Thi Xuan Elementary and Middle School. The division and local authorities have tasked the school with supporting the victims family in holding a funeral due to the family's extremely difficult circumstance. All 12 members of the family have to share a small house. Family members and neighbors mourn the seven-year-old student's death in Dak Lak Province, located in Vietnam's Central Highlands region. Photo: T.H. / Tuoi Tre Kha added that police would probe into N.'s responsibility, the school's principal, and the security guard on duty at the time of the incident. He confirmed that all schools in Krong Buk forbid parents from driving cars and motorbikes into schoolyards. He is attributing the incident to the parents poor awareness. The school reported that when N. was driving the pickup truck into the schoolyard, the security guard was not at the gate. Many readers of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper have expressed their sympathy for the victim and vented their anger on the pickup truck driver. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! As of Monday, 20 countries and international organizations have pledged or are expected to provide a total of US$22 million in emergency relief to support Vietnams recovery efforts in the wake of typhoon Yagi. They are providing Vietnam with cash assistance and a large volume of supplies including shelter, clean water, sanitation, and other essential items, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On Friday last week, Le Thi Thu Hang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, handed over more than VND600 million ($24,400) to Do Van Chien, chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, as contributions from Vietnamese communities in Laos, Japan, and Russia to support typhoon-hit people in Vietnam. Besides, overseas Vietnamese communities teamed up in fundraising efforts to support affected residents in recovering from the typhoon damage and quickly getting back to their normal lives, with donations reaching VND19 billion ($774,000), and counting. In support of Vietnams response to the devastating impacts of Yagi, world leaders have sent letters, telegrams, and messages of condolence to Vietnams Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man. Many countries and international organizations also provided timely financial aid, equipment, essential supplies, and experts. Cambodia's Acting Head of State Hun Sen, Prime Minister Hun Manet, and National Assembly President Khuon Sudary expressed their deep condolences to the Vietnamese state and people, especially to the families of typhoon-stricken victims. Cambodia voiced its confidence that Vietnam would soon overcome this difficult time. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his condolences and affirmed Indias solidarity with the people of Vietnam, emphasizing New Delhis readiness to assist Vietnam in coping with the typhoon aftermath and returning to normal life. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated that his country stands ready to support Vietnams typhoon relief efforts. Pope Francis, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko, and President of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan also sent letters and telegrams of condolence to Vietnam over the extensive damage induced by Yagi. The foreign ministers of Cambodia, the U.S., New Zealand, Egypt, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechia, and Seychelles sent telegrams of sympathy to Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son. The foreign ministries and embassies of various countries also extended their condolences to Vietnam through their websites and social media platforms. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper has announced some planned programs to help restore the lives of people hurt by typhoon Yagi in northern Vietnam, using contributions from readers, businesses, and organizations. Depending on the contributions, Tuoi Tre will carry out the programs as follows: 1. Providing school supplies to students (VND500,000 [US$20.4] in cash and VND500,000 in kind per student) and equipment for schools (depending on the schools losses and scale) 2. Awarding scholarships worth VND3-5 million ($122.2-203.8) each to prevent students hit by typhoon Yagi from giving up on studying and offering aid valued at VND5-10 million ($203.8-407.7) for each teacher in extremely difficult circumstances 3. Providing livelihood, specifically seedlings, breeds, and tools, worth VND10-20 million ($407.7-815) to each household, depending on their specific circumstances 4. Repairing schools damaged by the typhoon and building new ones 5. Other sustainable, fundamental, practical, and effective support programs A resident in a flooded area in Yen Binh District, Yen Bai Province, northern Vietnam receives a gift set contributed by Tuoi Tre readers. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre Tuoi Tre will launch the programs soon, use readers contributions effectively, and invite some units to visit people in typhoon-hit areas with the newspaper. The newspaper has opened a donation channel to support those who have suffered huge losses in this storm. Thousands of readers, enterprises, and organizations have made donations to people affected by the storm through Tuoi Tre. Tuoi Tre will publicize the readers donations in its printed and online publications. Tuoi Tre readers gift sets are brought to a flooded area in Yen Binh District, Yen Bai Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre Contributions can also be made in person at the Tuoi Tre newspaper headquarters at 60A Hoang Van Thu Street, Ward 9, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, or at 12 Pham Ngoc Thach Street, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. Readers can also make donations at Tuoi Tre representative offices, including those at: - 72A Thuy Khe Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi - 9 Tran Phu Street, Da Nang City - 64 Le Dai Hanh Street, Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province - 95 Ngo Quyen Street, Can Tho City Tuoi Tre receives contributions during the week, including in the evenings. Tuoi Tre readers sets of relief aid are given to children in Yen Bai Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Ha Thanh / Tuoi Tre For domestic money transfers: Please send donations in Vietnamese dong to the Tuoi Tre newspaper account at the Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade (VietinBank) branch 3, Ho Chi Minh City. Account number: 113000006100. Please specify: Ung ho dong bao bi anh huong boi con bao so 3 (Support for people affected by storm No. 3) For international donations: Please transfer funds to Tuoi Tres USD account: 007.137.0195.845 at the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) in Ho Chi Minh City, or EUR account: 007.114.0373.054 at the same bank. SWIFT code: BFTVVNVX007. Please specify: Ung ho dong bao bi anh huong boi con bao so 3 (Support for people affected by storm No. 3) The QR code for readers to scan to make donations for victims of typhoon Yagi in northern Vietnam through Tuoi Tre newspaper. Please check the information carefully before making money transfers. The newspaper will work with local authorities in affected areas and relevant agencies to review and choose beneficiaries and hand over the donations to them. Residents in typhoon-hit Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam receive relief aid contributed by Tuoi Tre readers. Photo: Vu Tuan / Tuoi Tre Super typhoon Yagi and the subsequent floods and landslides have wreaked havoc on many localities, causing over 350 to die and go missing while injuring thousands of others, since the storm made landfall in northern Vietnam on September 7, according to the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Yagi has also blown off the roofs of over 230,000 houses, schools, and medical centers, while flooding 70,000 houses and 190,000 hectares of rice. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A sapper unit under the Vietnamese peacekeeping force at the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) Mission in Africa launched a 'Happy Mid-Autumn Festival for children this week, as part of its engagement with local communities. The festival was conducted at the Abyei church at the UNISFAs Highway Base and was attended by 200 local children, the unit said on Monday. The event was held to spread cheers and excitement to the children through the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration. In Vietnam, the event predominantly focuses on children and is similarly celebrated in China, South Korea, and Japan. Annually the festival takes place on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, which falls on September 17 this year. The festival was also part of the units activities to promote solidarity and closeness between the Vietnamese peacekeeping force and residents plus authorities in Abyei, a disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan, covering about 10,500 square kilometers. Participants at the event were treated to art, music, and dance performances by Vietnamese blue-beret soldiers alongside local children. As part of the festival, the unit distributed gifts to the kids, including lanterns, pinwheels, and bamboo hand fans handcrafted by the Vietnamese sapper division. A dance performance by members of a sapper unit under the Vietnamese peacekeeping force at the UNISFA Mission in Africa and local children at the Happy Mid-Autumn Festival hosted by the unit. Photo: The Vietnamese sapper unit In addition, the children received cakes, candy, jelly, and sweet pumpkin soup. The unit highlighted the origin and significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnamese culture through animated cartoons and video clips in English. "We, the Vietnamese blue-beret soldiers, have long been a part of the Abyei community and always want to help this region with all our might, said Major Nguyen Mau Vu, political commissar of the unit. The official expressed hope that the festival would help local children feel the care and support of the surrounding community, including the Vietnamese peacekeeping force. During the event, a representative of the unit presented gifts to the top ten students who excelled in last year's university entrance exam in Abyei. The unit donated bookshelves, notebooks, and toys to all five classrooms of a school located in the Abyei church area. The school serves 250 orphaned students and is staffed by seven volunteer teachers from other regions. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Mekong River is rising fast, with water levels in parts of Vietnam's southwestern region expected to exceed alert level 1, reaching 3 to 3.5 meters, on September 21 and 22. Water levels in the Mekong River are climbing rapidly, with Thailand's Mukdahan station recording 11.01 meters, Laos' Pakse station at 10.8 meters, and Cambodia's Kratie and Stung Treng stations at 19.34 and 9.06 meters, respectively. The rising water levels have been attributed to the effects of typhoon Yagi, whose circulation triggered heavy downpours. Super typhoon Yagi made landfall in northern Vietnam on September 7, causing widespread damage across several regions. As of 7:00 am on Monday, water levels at Tan Chau Station on the Tien River in the Mekong Delta had peaked at 2.52 meters, while Chau Doc Station recorded a high of 2.41 meters. The combination of upstream flooding and rising tides is expected to cause water levels in the Mekong River to surge rapidly in the coming days. The southern weather center has issued flooding warnings for low-lying and riverside areas in An Giang, Dong Thap, and Long An Provinces. The Mekong Delta region is forecast to face the height of floods from October 17 to 21 this year. Water levels in key stations will go down from mid-November to the end of December. Flood waters in rivers in northern Vietnam begin to recede Floodwaters in the Cau River in Bac Ninh Province and the Hoang Long River in Ninh Binh Province, northern Vietnam have begun to subside, but the water levels remained above alert level 2 on Monday morning. Meanwhile, the Thuong River in Bac Giang Province saw the water level recede below alert level 2. Flood waters in these rivers are expected to continue ebbing to above alert level 1 on Tuesday. Due to weaker rainfall, the flooding in low-lying and riverside areas will improve, beginning to recede within four to nine days. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Internationally renowned film directors Oliver Stone and Phillip Noyce will promote Vietnam tourism and cinema in the United States, according to organizers who revealed the plan at a press conference in Hanoi on Monday. The Vietnam Tourism and Cinema Promotion Program in the United States, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, is scheduled for September 23 to 25 in San Francisco and Los Angeles, California. According to the organizing committee, the program will feature representatives from the ministry, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, and key localities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Ninh Binh Province, and Quang Binh Province. These localities have existing tourism and cinema cooperation with the United States and will be joined by Vietnamese tourism businesses, film companies, and actors. Attendees from the U.S. will include government officials, management agencies, associations, chambers of commerce, investors, and key figures from the film industry such as producers, directors, and Hollywood stars. The list of attendees was compiled with the help of Indochina Productions, led by Thai-American producer Nicholas Simen. The organizers of the Vietnam Tourism and Cinema Promotion Program in the U.S. speak at a press conference in Hanoi, September 16, 2024. Photo: Supplied Notable attendees from the film industry include directors Phillip Noyce, Jordan Vogt-Roberts, and Oliver Stone, as well as location scouts Leann Emmert and Lori Balton, and producer Justin Booth. Noyce is known for The Quiet American, Vogt-Roberts and Emmert are celebrated for Kong: Skull Island, Stone has won three Oscars, Balton is recognized for Top Gun: Maverick, and Booth is known for The Challenge. Approximately 100 leading U.S. news agencies and media outlets, including Reuters, CNN, The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Los Angeles Times, are scheduled to cover the event. Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ho An Phong notes this is the first large-scale, official promotion program of its kind. He acknowledged that while perfection is not expected, the experience gained will improve future efforts. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism has reported strong interest from nearly 1,000 U.S. partners, though the organizing committee plans to select about 500 high-quality participants related to tourism and cinema. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! New horror movie Apartment 7A, featuring Julia Garner, Dianne Wiest and Jim Sturgess, is set to screen on Paramount+ next week. The film, based on the novel Rosemarys Baby, is directed by Natalie Erika James and comes from the producers of A Quiet Place. An ambitious young dancer Terry Gionoffrio (Julia Garner, Ozark) dreams of fame and fortune in New York City, but, after suffering a devastating injury, an older, wealthy couple (Dianne Wiest, I Care a Lot, and Kevin McNally, Pirates of the Caribbean film series) welcomes her into their home in the luxury apartment building the Bramford. When fellow resident and influential Broadway producer (Jim Sturgess, Across the Universe) offers her another chance at fame, it seems that all her dreams are finally coming true. However, after an evening she cant fully remember, disturbing circumstances soon have her second-guessing the sacrifices shes willing to make for her career as she realizes that something evil is living not only in Apartment 7A, but in the Bramford itself. Additional supporting cast includes Marli Siu (Everything I Know About Love), Andrew Buchan (All the Money in the World), Rosy McEwen (Blue Jean) and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Wonka). Saturday, 28 September on Paramount+ Horror themes. 2021 Finnish drama Freezing Embrace has its Free to Air debut on SBS this week. Based on the popular Detective Hautalehto book series by Christian Ronnbacka, the eight-part TV series is directed by Jussi award winner Petri Kotwica (Black Ice) and stars Mikko Leppilampi as the eponymous Chief Inspector Antti Hautalehto. It has previously been available on SBS on Demand. Freezing Embrace is a psychological thriller series based on the popular Finnish Hautalehto book series. In the peaceful and snowy Porvoo, where a partly frozen river flows through the town, mysterious murders start to take place. Almost every week a young man is found drowned into the river. Who is the killer? And what will it take to find them? Episode One: The Christmas Party Detective Antti Hautalehto starts to investigate the case when a young man goes missing after a Christmas party. His superiors problems only add to his pressure. Episode Two: The Clock Is Ticking Hautalehto investigates strange drownings of soccer players. A witness runs for his life. And meanwhile, Hautalehtos wife wants a divorce. Thursday, 19 September at 10.45pm on SBS. Red Flag: Musics Failed Revolution is the next two part documentary from Marc Fennell (The Kingdom, Framed, The Mission) -the bizarre story of the Aussie start up, Guvera, that promised to revolutionise music forever, but instead vanished in a $180 million mystery. Through exclusive interviews, never-before seen footage and photographs, archive and dramatic reenactments, Fennell charts the spectacular rise and fall of Guvera the Gold Coast tech start-up that challenged Spotify and was nicknamed the iTunes Killer- which once had A-list superstars like Alice Cooper and Mos Def lining up behind it with one mission: to destroy internet piracy. Presenter and Producer Marc Fennell said, Weve seen the explosion of social media, streaming and AI fundamentally shift how we interact, but the story of Guvera has largely been forgotten. The ambitions this company had were gargantuan, and their successes and failures have been too easily overlooked. There was a period where Australia could have been home to the next Spotify (before Spotify became a thing). Its a roller-coaster of a story with euphoric highs and devastating lows. But most importantly, Guveras catastrophic implosion also reveals a brutal reality about Australia our attitudes towards money, innovation, and risk. In the 2 x 1 hour docuseries, Marc is joined by iconic Australian musician Ben Lee as they take a nostalgic trip to the 90s, the golden age, before piracy threatened to take down the multi-billion-dollar music industry and an unlikely saviour. Guvera, emerged from the Gold Coast. With an audacious plan to revolutionise the music industry by promising free, legal mp3 downloads (and later streaming), Guveras colourful founders offered a beacon of hope in an era dominated by illegal file sharing platforms like Napster and Pirate Bay. In a few short years, Guvera would take the world by storm becoming the main player in the music downloading and streaming market and beating Spotify to launch in key markets. With its superstar following, glitzy parties and lucrative brand sponsorships, including Harley Davidson and The Australian Open, it raised an eye watering $180 million, but what was really going on behind closed doors? As Marc digs deeper, red flags start to emerge, uncovering a web of shady business dealings, ethical question marks, a company on the brink, and many lives left in its wake. With candid interviews with former Guvera staff, devastated investors, music industry experts, and behind the scenes footage, the documentary delves into the darker side of the start-up and a fake-it-till-you-make-it story so familiar with other famous tech start-ups, fuelled by the unwavering belief that one big idea can change the world. Red Flag: Musics Failed Revolution will be subtitled in five languages, streaming on SBS On Demand in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean. 8:35pm Tuesday 15 / 22 October on SBS (both episodes on SBS On Demand) Hopes to begin construction on a $600m film studio in Coffs Harbour are unlikely to be realised in 2024 due to protracted negotiations around a noise wall. Construction of a bypass project has compulsorily acquired land from the Pacific Bay Resort Studios & Village. Since the announcement of the ambitious studios in 2021 by Russell Crowe, resort owner Peter Montgomery and producer Keith Rodger, bypass development has opened up future sound problems. Studio owners are hoping a 8km noise wall being built in the area can be extended to include the 500m area impacting the planned studios. A tree-line which provided natural sound barrier has also been partly removed. Gurmesh Singh, Deputy Leader of NSW Nationals and the Member for Coffs Harbour, told TV Tonight during the Australian Childrens Content Summit, organisers were still waiting on the NSW Government. Unfortunately, were still waiting on Transport for New South Wales to provide some clarity around the noise wall that form will form part of the bypass project. One of Minister John Grahams other portfolios is Roads, so we were able to take him up there and show him, from an on-the-ground perspective, exactly whats required to progress this project forward, he said. Obviously, all sides of politics -it doesnt matter what team youre on- are all for this project. But its about How do we take the next couple of steps to continue it forward? I know the project team are obviously very excited to move forward, and the community is eagerly awaiting a new industry like this to come into town. I think we see what happens here when weve got one business like SLR Productions. Just having one business here has been able to bring this Content Summit together for two years in a row. Having the entire industry here will do amazing things, not just for Coffs Harbour, but the whole North Coast. In 2021 Russell Crowe anticipated the Studios could be operational between 3-5 years, but the bypass is set to be completed in late 2027 when organisers fear they will be invited to lodge a Development Application. But the planning and funding of the wall is yet to be agreed, and without it the Studios future remains in jeopardy. That seems to be the main sticking point for the project at the moment, because it is on Transport for New South Wales land, Singh continued. Its unfeasible for the studios to be doing it on their land. The wall would have to be much, much higher and bigger. The least impactful way would be for it to be on the bypass land itself. Transport for New South Wales, who are constructing the bypass, have got to come to the table a little bit and do the right thing by the Coffs Harbour community when it comes to this noise wall, so that we can bring this industry to Coffs Harbour. Leah Boonthanom has been appointed as Head of Corporate Communications for national hybrid-funded broadcaster SBS effective immediately. She replaces Nic Christensen who has moved to a consulting role with SBS, after two-and-a-half-years leading their Corporate Communications team. Leah has been a senior member of the SBS Corporate Communications team for almost three years and is well placed to continue the positive momentum that we have built telling the story of SBS as a uniquely placed national broadcaster at the intersection of public and commercial media, said Clare ONeil, SBS Director of Corporate Affairs. Id also like to thank Nic for his significant contribution in helping drive a strong media presence over these past few years. He has brought a tremendous energy and strategic thinking to the role and made sure our voice has been heard across a range of platforms. We are pleased he will continue to be part of the SBS family. For almost three years, Boonthanom has managed the broadcasters internal communications and communications for the SBS Audio division, including oversight over all communications around the Audio divisions Language Services Review and its rebrand of SBS Radio to SBS Audio. SBS is a media organisation like no other, and I am excited to continue amplifying SBSs unique position in market. Having worked in Australia and overseas, Im so proud of the critical role that SBS plays in telling the bold human stories that connect us all, and how SBS is leading the industry in so many areas, said Boonthanom. Nics dynamic leadership has been invaluable, and he leaves a strong Comms team who look forward to working with him in this new consultancy capacity. Christensen is a former Head of Corporate Affairs for Nine, who joined SBS in March 2022, and has led a proactive media strategy for the public broadcaster which in recent times has played a key role in industry debates on topics such as sustainability and responsible advertising. Leah is someone who embodies and lives the SBS Charter and together with the stellar Comms team, in place, I have every confidence she and the team will continue to tell the SBS story with tremendous passion, integrity and drive, he said. Im immensely proud of what the team has achieved over the past few years and Im very pleased Ill still get to work with them in this new consulting role, while also getting to spend a bit more time at home in Melbourne. TCN News New Delhi: An administrative error in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, triggered protests by Hindu groups demanding demolition of a mosque they claim is illegally built. An initial Right to Information (RTI) response indicated that there were no records of the mosques land, which heightened tensions. However, further investigation has confirmed that the land is legally registered, and the mosque is listed under the Sunni Waqf. Local authorities are working to resolve the situation, and the Muslim community has requested action against those spreading unrest. Support TwoCircles According to the Clarion, Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police Amit Srivastava clarified that despite claims from Right-wing groups asserting the mosques illegality, the district administration has confirmed it is built on legally registered land. The mosque is owned by four individuals, and the administration has communicated this information to the protesting groups. A video of the protest, which the Times of India (TOI) claims to have accessed, confirms that religious slogans were raised. The Sanyukt Sanatan Dharam Rakshak Sangh presented a memorandum to the Uttarkashi district magistrate, urging the demolition of the mosque. During the protest, speakers issued an ultimatum, threatening that if the authorities did not act on the demolition demand, the protesters would take matters into their own hands. One speaker declared that the mosque would be demolished, urging Hindutva organisations to prepare for the task, and emphasised that if the administration did not comply, they would carry out the demolition themselves. A video of the protest has surfaced on social media, showing demonstrators shouting inflammatory slogans, including calls to confront those protecting Muslims. Protesters also chanted for the demolition of the mosque, accompanied by chants of Jai Shri Ram. A local resident, quoted by the Times of India, mentioned that the colony was legally registered in 1969 with all the necessary documentation. He also stated that 15 Muslim families have been residing in the colony for the past 7-8 generations, living in harmony. Another resident, quoted by the Indian Express, stated, The Badaahat Mosque in Uttarkashi was officially registered under the Uttar Pradesh Muslim Waqf Act on May 20, 1987, and is included in the Sunni Waqf schedule. Both the land and the mosque are fully legal and in no way unauthorised. The Hindustan Times quoted SP Srivastava, stating, Some Hindu organisations submitted a memorandum to the administration, claiming the mosque to be illegal. However, according to the district administration, the mosque is built on registered land and is not illegal. It is registered under the names of four individuals, and the administration has communicated this to the Hindu organisations. The report claims that the Muslim community submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate, urging authorities to take stern action against individuals perpetuating unrest and disrupting the citys peace and harmony, based on unsubstantiated documentary claims. Meanwhile, a Muslim organisation, the Muslim Seva Sangathan, has decided to move to the high court for the protection of minority rights, while drawing attention to government inaction. At least 165 California police agencies have executed separation agreements concealing misconduct allegations against 299 officers and deputies, records obtained by this investigation show. John Blanchard and Sophie D'Amato/The Chronicle For decades, California police chiefs and sheriffs have lamented how difficult it is to fire officers and deputies who act with dishonesty or brutality, blaming powerful labor unions and robust employment protections. What law enforcement leaders have not revealed, and what has remained a secret until now, is how they have repeatedly turned to an under-the-radar method of getting rid of problem officers one that not only allows the officers to avoid accountability but, often, to quietly move on to other jobs where they are asked to protect the public. For years, dozens of California police agencies have executed clean-record agreements, clandestine legal settlements that promise to hide the wrongdoing of an officer in exchange for the officers guarantee to leave an agency without a fight, an investigation by the San Francisco Chronicle and UC Berkeleys Investigative Reporting Program found. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Over the past three years, reporters obtained records of these deals which often reverse an officers firing and sometimes include a cash payment by filing California Public Records Act requests to 501 police agencies. Even though more than one-third of the departments refused to release some or all the agreements theyd signed, reporters were able to expose the widespread use of clean-record agreements in departments up and down the state. Here are the main takeaways from the investigation: In the past decade, at least 163 California police agencies have executed clean-record agreements concealing misconduct allegations against 297 officers and deputies. While the precise terms of the agreements varied, most promised to either destroy disciplinary records, hide them in confidential folders or change them to reflect an alternate outcome. In many cases, the deals ensured that only certain information would be released to a potential future employer. At least five officers secured clean-record agreements from multiple agencies. Of the 297 officers and deputies identified by this investigation, 52 were subsequently hired by another law enforcement agency, 56 were hired as security guards or landed jobs as correctional officers. Meanwhile, 16 officers whose alleged misconduct prompted a clean-record agreement ended up in teaching positions. Three were either elected or appointed to public office. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The confidential agreements often shared identical structures and language, despite being approved years apart by agencies at opposite ends of the state. Nearly every clean-record agreement obtained by reporters was the handiwork of a small cadre of attorneys bankrolled by the Peace Officers Research Association of California Legal Defense Fund, which is funded by police unions. In an era of police reform, California has not proposed any legislation targeted at specifically addressing these secret deals. Three states Colorado, Kansas and Alaska have quietly passed laws to neutralize the practice. But California has failed to take even basic steps to crack down: In 2022, for example, the state began mandating that police chiefs and sheriffs report serious misconduct by officers to a new agency that can strip them of their licenses. But the landmark law contains no enforcement mechanism to ensure local departments do not agree to bury misconduct. Aakib Ahmad, TwoCircles.net Srinagar: In April this year, Syed Altaf Bukhari, a prominent Kashmiri politician, openly aligned himself with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that supporting the central government was beneficial if it brought development and stability to the region. Support TwoCircles Bukhari, who leads the newly formed political outfit Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP), faced significant backlash from rival political parties for his closeness to New Delhi. At that time, the former minister of the erstwhile state was confident that his party would make a strong showing in the Lok Sabha elections. However, the results on June 4 revealed unforeseen challenges and setbacks, as JKAP candidates performed poorly, with many losing their security deposits. The opposition parties took advantage of this narrative and we suffered losses, said Rafi Ahmad Mir, JKAP general secretary. On August 5, 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government revoked Article 370 of the Constitution, which had granted significant autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. The state was then divided into two union territories Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Political leaders close to the Centre for decades were detained for months a move they had never anticipated. Three former chief ministers were booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA). Since then, the political landscape has shifted dramatically. Regional politicians have increasingly relied on anti-New Delhi rhetoric for their survival, positioning themselves as victims of Delhi in the ongoing assembly elections. In the first week of September, when the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced elections after a 10-year hiatus, this anti-Delhi narrative gained further traction, influencing campaign strategies and shaping voter sentiments across the region. Almost all political parties, except the BJP, have pledged to restore statehood and the regions special status in their manifestos a promise that political analysts consider difficult to achieve. Their manifestos also include discussions on dialogue with Pakistan while maintaining a strong anti-Centre stance. Interestingly, new political parties that emerged after the abrogation of Article 370, despite being labeled as BJP proxies, also advocate for the restoration of Article 370. The regional parties are fully aware that the abrogation of Article 370 cant be undone, but they are still making promises as it will help them get votes, said Dr. Suheel Rasool Mir, a political analyst based in Kashmir. He further noted that instead of focusing on substantive issues, regional parties are engaged in a war of narratives with each other, further alienating the masses and particularly the youth. On September 11, firebrand Kashmiri politician Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, was released on interim bail from Tihar Jail after spending over five years in a terror-funding case. Rashid reverted to anti-Delhi rhetoric, attacking the BJP-led government for its alleged anti-Kashmir policies. Rashid is known for his strong anti-Centre stance, which has been central to his political career. Addressing a rally in South Kashmirs Anantnag district, he declared that they would never accept the changes imposed by New Delhi on August 5, 2019. Raising the slogan Lakhanpur se Gilgit Tak, Sara Kashmir Hamara Hai (from Lakhanpur to Gilgit, every part of Kashmir is ours), he criticised the central governments policies. Political observers argue that this narrative resonates in Kashmir similarly to how right-wing parties in mainland India capitalise on anti-Muslim rhetoric. Otherwise, what is there to sell? said a political analyst from Kashmir, who wished to remain anonymous. Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, a Member of Parliament from Central Kashmir, recently told reporters that his party, the National Conference (NC), will not dig its own grave by forming an alliance with the BJP. If, God forbid, the NC forms an alliance with the BJP after the elections, I will stand with the people, Mehdi, who is also a prominent Shia leader, said during an election campaign in South Kashmirs Pulwama. While the BJP has made notable inroads in the Valley, it has yet to win over a significant portion of the population, as skepticism about its intentions and policies remains strong. Sensing that the pro-New Delhi and pro-BJP narrative would not resonate well in the Valley, Bukhari distanced himself from the BJP ahead of the elections and began adopting his rivals strategies. In an interview with a news channel, he asserted that his party had no affiliation with the BJP and had not sought their help in the Lok Sabha elections. I was never the face of the BJP; I have never been with the BJP; and I will never be with the BJP, he declared. TCN News In a disturbing incident, an elderly Muslim shopkeeper was violently attacked by a Hindutva mob in Himachal Pradesh, which has witnessed a rise in Islamophobic incidents in recent weeks. Support TwoCircles A purported video, which surfaced on social media on Tuesday, shows the mob aggressively beating the shopkeeper, while spectators cheer and blow whistles. The footage captures the man crying and pleading for mercy with folded hands. However, the video also shows one man attempting to protect the elderly shopkeeper by pushing back the agitated attackers in the mob. In another purported video that surfaced on social media on Sunday, the agitated mob, incited by Hindutva members, is seen attacking vendors and destroying their carts. The mob can also be heard chanting provocative and inflammatory slogans against Muslims Katwe Mulle Nahi Chalenge; Mulle, Thulle Nahi Chalenge and Goli Maaro Saalon Ko, Mulle ke Dalalo Ko, Joote Maaro Salon Ko. Mulle ke dalalo ko, Jhoote maaro salo ko, Mulle kazi nahi chalenge. In Himachal Pradeshs Palampur, during a protest by Hindu organizations against Shimlas, Sanjauli Mosque, the carts/Hawkers of Muslims were vandalised and Anti- slogans were raised. pic.twitter.com/0wY03ASYEc SHAIKH (@azharfru1) September 15, 2024 The situation escalated on Friday following a series of protests over an alleged illegal construction of a Mosque in Shimlas Sanjauli, which led to an Islamophobic rampage all over the state. The ongoing violence and attacks reveal a disturbing reality for Muslims in Himachal Pradesh, where vandalism against their businesses and open hostility from Hindutva extremist groups have become alarmingly common. This has driven many Muslim businessmen to flee towns, concerned for their safety and livelihoods. Local BJP leaders & traders in Himachal stage a protest against Muslim traders. On the same day, PM @narendramodi & President @rashtrapatibhvn are tweeting best wishes on Milaad & want harmony & togetherness to always prevail all around the country.pic.twitter.com/P7pnvukUVV Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) September 16, 2024 Mohammad Aatif Ammad Kanth, TwoCircles.net Srinagar: The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) was founded in 1941 by Syed Abdul Ala Maududi. Inspired by the Muslim Brotherhood, the organisation was rooted in ideals such as Pan-Islamism, religious conservatism, Islamic revivalism, ShiaSunni unity and anti-secularism. It aimed to spread Islamic values across the Indian subcontinent and advocate for an Islamic political system. Maududi believed that Western imperialism had corrupted contemporary political ideologies and that implementing Sharia law was essential to preserving Muslim culture. He argued that politics was inseparable from Islamic faith and viewed Islamic ideology as incompatible with non-Islamic systems like capitalism, socialism, liberalism or secularism. Support TwoCircles After partition, the split into two factions: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan. A third faction, Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir (JIK), emerged in 1953 for freedom of Kashmir. It has consistently supported Kashmirs integration with Pakistan and resisted Indias presence in the region. However, the organization has now been disbanded. We fought against Indian oppression and sacrificed everything for the struggle, losing thousands of our people. We faced torture, saw our homes destroyed and our women harassed. Looking back, we now feel that we made a mistake, said a Jamaat member, speaking anonymously. Although the JIK opposed Jammu and Kashmirs accession to India, it interestingly also participated in several elections held under the framework of the Indian Constitution. The group justified this by aiming to use democratic means to expand its influence and eventually take control of government institutions. In 1969, the JIK fielded independent candidates in local panchayat elections and contested the 1971 general election, hoping to win some seats, though it failed, citing widespread rigging. The Jamaat remained involved in electoral politics until the infamous 1987 elections, where it participated as part of the Muslim United Front, advocating for rule by the Quran and Sunnah. Vikas Amin, a campaign manager for the JIK, stated, We have always been a democratic organisation. We firmly believed in the importance of democracy and the peoples choice, both in the state and across the country. If we did not hold this belief, we would not have participated in elections up until 1987. The Jamaat-e-Islami severed ties with electoral politics after the 1987 Assembly elections, which were allegedly rigged. Inside counting centres, candidates from the Muslim United Front were allegedly initially declared winners, only to be later announced as losers on radio and television. Many victorious candidates were arrested and humiliated in police stations. The purported rigging faced strong criticism from civil servants, political analysts and activists, leading the Jamaat to lose faith in the electoral process, ultimately declaring electoral politics as haraam (un-Islamic). However, both the Pakistan and India factions of the Jamaat distanced themselves from this ruling made by Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir. Vikas Amin stated, We would never have distanced ourselves from electoral politics if the 1987 elections hadnt been rigged. It was the Indian state and the National Conference that pushed us away because they didnt want us in power. However, things have changed. With recent elections being more transparent, like the case of a jailed candidate winning a parliamentary seat in May without his mandate being stolen, we believe its the right time to participate in elections again. Relations with PDP Although the Jamaat-e-Islami Kashmir stopped contesting elections after 1987 and was banned in 1990, it continued to wield influence in the socio-political arena through its Pakistan-backed militant wing, Hizbul Mujahideen, and its educational trust, Falah-e-Alam. However, the group faced severe persecution, with hundreds of members killed and properties seized. When Farooq Abdullah returned to power in 1996, the situation worsened for the Jamaat, as they claimed that Abdullah used brutal tactics, including the state-backed counter-insurgency militia, Ikhwan-ul-Muslimeen, to suppress them further. The 1990s were a nightmare for us in the Jamaat, said Vikas, adding, We faced brutal force, with over 500 of our Rukuns (cadre heads) killed. State institutions were weaponised against us, our properties were seized, and we were forced into hiding. This prompted the JIK to support Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in forming his own political party, which was named the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and would later come to power in 2002. The party adopted the symbol of the inkpot and pen, the same symbol previously used by the Muslim United Front in the 1987 elections. After Mufti Sayeed came to power, he lifted the ban on the Jamaat, restoring their assets. The JIK then resumed its social initiatives, such as providing education for the poor through its schools, offering medical aid and engaging in relief work. The organisation reactivated its cadre after 2002 and operated openly, though it continued to oppose elections and called for boycotts. However, it maintained a soft spot for the PDP. Vikas explained, We have always supported parties in the past that had a sympathetic approach toward Kashmiris and were relatively better than others. The organisation was again banned in 2019, which alleged unlawful associations and activities prejudicial to internal security and public order. The ban was condemned by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who termed it as high handedness of the government. Back to Electoral Politics After the 2019 ban, the JIK leaders were arrested, and their assets were frozen once again. The crackdown intensified, with many Jamaat-run schools shutdown, employees with any ties to the outfit terminated and passports of associates suspended. Hundreds of homes were raided and bank accounts were frozen. In May 2024, people were stunned when Jamaat leaders appeared on social media, posing outside polling booths and advocating for democracy and electoral politics. This sent shockwaves through the Valley, as the same organisation that once urged people to stay away from elections was now promoting participation. Many alleged that the Jamaat had struck a deal with Delhi, wherein the ban on the organisation would be lifted in exchange for the groups entry into mainstream politics. Nadeem Bhat (name changed) shared, The Jamaat leaders made us boycott elections for years, and in many ways, they were right. They led us in resisting forces, but that struggle resulted in thousands of deaths and countless people being tortured. In the end, however, when they faced their own crackdown, they struck a deal with the BJP. Now, no one will trust them anymore. Despite the anger directed at the organisation for keeping people away from the polls for decades, many still support its return to politics. The group is drawing large crowds, especially in South Kashmir, and is expected to present a formidable challenge to prominent figures like Yousuf Tarigami and others. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Abu Dhabi to host IEEE ICIP 2024 Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is gearing up to host the 2024 IEEE International Conference on Image Processing (ICIP 2024) in the month of October this year Wednesday September 18, 2024 0:46 AM , ummid.com News Network IEEE ICIP 2024: Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is gearing up to host the 2024 IEEE International Conference on Image Processing (ICIP 2024) in the month of October this year. The event will be jointly held by IEEE, the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for humanity, and the IEEE Signal Processing Society (SPS). ICIP 2024: Date and Venue According to IEEE, ICIP 2024 will be held on 27-30 October 2024 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in Abu Dhabi, UAE. "ICIP 2024 will be a hub of innovation and learning - examining how AI-based approaches in the field are bringing opportunities, as well as challenges", the The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers or IEEE said. The program delves into "Trustworthy Generalization in Visual Machine Learning," AI/ML learning on visual data, and examines the latest trends in data-driven, learning-based image and video coding standards. ICIP 2024 feature ICIP 2024 will feature insightful tutorials, engaging exhibits and demonstrations, workshops by leading tech companies, career development opportunities, and networking events for practicing engineers, aspiring students, and young entrepreneurs. "ICIP will provide thought leaders with a platform to reach diverse audiences and encourage a dialogue on topics making a large impact on our industry. We look forward to building connections between top researchers and practitioners in the field," said Kostas Plataniotis, IEEE Signal Processing Society President. Plenary speakers include Dr. Touradj Ebrahimi, Convenor of the JPEG Standardization Committee, Dr. Gitta Kutyniok, Bavarian AI Chair for Mathematical Foundations of AI, LMU Munich, and Dr. Mohamad Sawan, Chair Professor, Westlake University; Emeritus Professor, Polytechnique Montreal. View the Technical Program for a summary of conference activities. ICIP 2024 will bring together corporate, government, and academic researchers, top global leaders in the field and more. Registration is through online form. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Time for BJP to introspect: Cong on Iran Supreme Leader's India comments The Congress on Tuesday said the statement by Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei about the safety of Indian Muslims is the result of the situation which the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and its leaders have created a situation in the country Tuesday September 17, 2024 8:26 PM , ummid.com News Network [PM Modi with Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a file photo.] New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday said the statement by Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei about the safety of Indian Muslims is the result of the situation which the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and its leaders have created a situation in the country. See, when the news spreads that mosques are being demolished, houses of Muslims are being bulldozed, and some Chief Ministers saying that they will raze to the ground their properties, then the impact of such things will be felt sooner or later. This is the reason why a big leader of Iran gave such a statement, Rashid Alvi, former MP and senior Congress leader told news agency IANS. Alvi, however, added, They have no right to interfere in our affairs. Rashid Ali also asked Prime Minister Modi to rein in the BJP leaders because of whom the image of the country is tarnished. The Prime Minister of India should consider why such a situation has arisen that Ayatollah Khamenei had to give a statement that Muslims are not safe in India. This tarnishes the image of India in the whole world, Alvi told IANS. Rashid Alvi rejected the claims that the situation has arisen following the comments made by Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, during his foreign trips. Rahul Gandhi did not even mention the name of a Muslim when he went abroad, then how will it (image) be affected? Alvi asked. This is the effect of the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. This is the effect of whatever the Chief Minister of Assam says, whatever Giriraj Singh says. The BJP should analyse within the impact of statements made by its own leaders, the reason why Ayatollah Khamenei has given such a statement, he said. Rashid Alvi was commenting on the Iranian Supreme Leaders comments who in a social media post equated situation of Muslims in India with that of Gaza and Myanmar. "We cannot consider ourselves to be Muslims if we are oblivious to the suffering that a Muslim is enduring in Myanmar, Gaza, India, or any other place," Khamenei wrote on X, originally launched as Twitter, on Monday. India has condemned the statement asking the Iranian leader to concentrate and focus on the situation of his own citizens. "We strongly deplore the comments made by the Supreme Leader of Iran regarding minorities in India," the Indian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "These are misinformed and unacceptable. Countries commenting on minorities are advised to look at their own record before making any observations about others," the Ministry said. Notwithstanding these statements, India and Iran enjoy a good diplomatic and trade relations. The strong ties between the two countries are further demonstrated by the manner in which the Indian government used its good offices recently to get Iran a membership berth at BRICS and the manner in which it is going full steam ahead with developing the Chabahar Port in Iran. 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 Maharashtra Minister flees on bike as residents complain about damaged roads Maharashtra Rural Development Minister Girish Mahajan two days ago faced the ire of local residents complaining about the poor condition of roads as he rode a motorcycle stuck in mud Tuesday September 17, 2024 1:11 PM , ummid.com News Network Jalgaon: Maharashtra Rural Development Minister Girish Mahajan two days ago faced the ire of local residents complaining about the poor condition of roads as he rode a motorcycle stuck in mud. Girish Mahajan, a senior leader of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), represents Jamner assembly constituency in North Maharashtra since 1995. Mahajan on Saturday went to Liha Tanda area of his constituency for Bhandara. However, because of the poor condition of the roads, he could not take a car and was forced to ride a motorcycle. The high profile BJP neta and a cabinet rank minister was riding a pillion when the motorcycle slipped in mud even as local residents asked him to stop. Girish Bhau Mahajan Girish Bhau Mahajan, people shouted in an attempt to seek Mahajans attention. Watch Video We have been electing you from the area since the last 30 years. (Eve then) This is the condition of our roads? the local residents moaned. The whole incident is recorded on camera and the video footage is now widely shared on social media. In the viral video, Girish Mahajan is also seen fleeing on the motorcycle in a rush as local residents tried to approach him. To further add salt to the humiliation Girish Mahajan faced in his own constituency, his close aide Dilip Khodpe on Monday ditched him to join the NCP (Sharad Pawar). Dilip Khodpe resigned from the BJP and joined the NCP (Pawar) months before the 2024 state elections in Maharashtra. There are also reports that some senior BJP leaders of Maharashtra are also in touch with Sharad Pawar and have expressed their intention to join the NCP. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. These homeowners in Lafayette lost insurance coverage last year after their insurer left the state, citing wildfire risks an increasingly common problem for Californians. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle California regulators solution to the home insurance crisis hinges on a grand compromise: give insurance companies the opportunity to raise rates even more and in exchange the companies will write more policies in wildfire-prone areas of the state. But a critical question for homeowners is: How many more policies will insurers actually write? So far, theres no official number. Some companies potentially including Californias largest insurer, according to a Chronicle analysis may not need to write more policies at all, while other companies would in fact begin writing significantly more policies in risky areas. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Navigating the insurance crisis: The best way to protect yourself is also the easiest The California Department of Insurances preliminary analysis, published last month using 2021 data, found that about half of companies already wrote enough policies in those high-risk areas to meet the regulatory requirements of its Sustainable Insurance Strategy. In other words, these companies would not need to write more policies in distressed areas that have already been hard-hit by nonrenewals and price hikes. That figure could have changed since 2021 as the market has been in turmoil, with 70,000 California homeowners losing insurance in the past three years. The department is working to make updates based on 2023 data, and it wont have official confirmation of which insurers will write more policies until the companies submit rate applications with their own analysis, according to Deputy Insurance Commissioner Michael Soller. More than 1.2 million homeowners live in areas that the Department of Insurance has designated as distressed communities from the Sierra foothills to the Marin County coastline where insurance is expensive and hard to find. To understand how different insurers could be affected by the regulation, the Chronicle analyzed recently filed data from two: State Farm, which covers more than a fifth of the California homeowners market, and Mercury Insurance, which at a 6.35% market share was the fifth largest home insurer as of 2023. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Department of Insurance does not have the authority to force insurers to write policies in specific places. But it has told companies that if they want to incorporate two tools reinsurance (insurance for insurers) and forward-looking catastrophe modeling into their rates, they must match 85% of their statewide market share in designated distressed areas. So, if an insurer writes 100 out of every 1,000 policies in California overall, it would need to write 85 out of every 1,000 policies within the distressed areas. Policy counts that State Farm submitted in late August indicated that the insurer, Californias largest, is well above its 85% commitment. This analysis is not an exact reproduction of what the department will do when it makes its own calculation. The Chronicle used publicly available point-in-time policy counts rather than earned exposure a measure that multiplies each policy by the amount of the year its been on the insurers book to prevent double-counting between policyholders who switch insurers. The Chronicle also compared companies 2024 policy counts with total policy counts data from 2022, the latest publicly available numbers, to calculate each companys market share percentage. But based on the Chronicles calculation, more than 550,000 residential policies would have needed to be added in distressed areas between 2022 and 2024 by insurers other than State Farm in order for State Farm to drop below the 85% threshold. That would, had it occurred, represent a 43% increase from the total number of policies in distressed areas in 2022. Actual statewide numbers have been falling, however, according to the latest data: The number of residential policies in the state, including the FAIR Plan but excluding condos and renters, decreased by 47,600 from 2019 to 2022. Advertisement Article continues below this ad State Farm declined to respond to Chronicles request for comment, but in its August filing acknowledged that it had significant policyholder concentration in areas of higher risk, even after excluding recently identified nonrenewals. If the departments official analysis confirms State Farm meets the requirements, it would not be asked to write new policies but would be required to maintain its existing presence in distressed areas for at least three years. Mercury Insurance, meanwhile, was well below 85% of its market share in distressed areas as of a June 12 rate filing, according to the Chronicles analysis and Mercurys Chief Operating Officer Victor Joseph. That doesnt necessarily mean Mercury would have to rapidly write a substantial amount of policies in order to use the departments new reforms. It could also commit to increasing its writing by 5% in distressed areas an alternative for insurers for whom meeting 85% may be burdensome or create financial considerations, according to the departments analysis. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mercury, despite growing substantially over the past year, is still a significant jump from reaching the 85% threshold, Joseph said. There are no strict guidelines on which insurers will be forced to comply with the 85% requirement versus the 5% requirement. The regulations also leave room for insurers to propose their own alternative commitment. The Sustainable Insurance Strategy brings California in line with the majority of other states, where catastrophe models and reinsurance costs have long been allowed to be incorporated into prices. But California is the only state where in exchange, insurers would need to make a historic commitment to expand insurance availability in disaster-prone areas, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara told the Chronicle in an interview last month. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, tasked with easing the state's home insurance crisis, is trying to persuade more companies to write policies in wildfire-prone areas. Russell Yip/The Chronicle To Joseph, both parts of the strategy work in tandem using catastrophe models and reinsurance costs will make it easier for companies like Mercury to grow, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The use of forward-looking catastrophe models will allow companies to more accurately price policies in wildfire-prone areas, and being able to pass on the cost of reinsurance will give them a greater ability to buy reinsurance to cover their increased risk, Joseph said. Both are key elements for companies to be financially responsible when expanding into areas of greater risk, he said. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Muslim Panels 3 crore emails on Waqf Bill 2024 fail to match JPC data The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has claimed sending more than 3 crore emails to oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, the number however does not match with the Join Parliamentary Committee (JPC) data Tuesday September 17, 2024 3:32 PM , ummid.com News Network New Delhi: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has claimed sending more than 3 crore emails to oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, the number however does not match with the Join Parliamentary Committee (JPC) data. The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) had sought opinions and suggestions via different means, including e-mail. In response, we have so far received 84 lakh suggestions via email from different parts of the country, Jagdambika Pal said. Talking to media Monday, Jagdambika Pal, who is the Chairman of the 31-member Parliamentary panel formed to look into the grievances over the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, further said, Additionally, JPC has received approximately 70 boxes filled with written suggestions. Jagdambika Pal was addressing the media after the deadline to submit objections ended on September 15, 2024. The JPC had initially fixed the last date of submitting opinions on Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 as September 13. The deadline however was extended by two more days. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) along with various organisations of the Indian Muslims had ran a nationwide campaign to convince people to oppose the Waqf Bill 2024 via emails. QR Codes generated for the purpose were however pasted on the walls of the mosques and prominent places in Muslim localities to make it easier for the masses to register their opposition to the Waqf Bill 2024 which seeks to make 44 amendments to the existing Wakf Act 1995. Ironically, there are discrepancies in the actual number of emails sent by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and other Muslims organization to the JPC on Waqf. While some board members said more than 3 crore emails have been sent, AIMPLB Spokesperson Dr. S. Q. R. Ilyas sending over 5 crore emails. The AIMPLB has sent 3.48 crore emails, MURAC 89 lakh, and others 95 lakh. In this way the total number of emails sent to the JPC on the Waqf Amendment Bill from the Indian Muslim community has exceeded 5 crores as of last night, Ilyas said after the deadline. Jagdambika Pal however confirmed receiving only 84 lakh emails and 70 boxes. Pal also said the JPC will only consider suggestions relevant to the 44 proposed amendments and those with legal significance. JPC meetings and visits to different cities The JPC on Waqf has already met three times. Its next JPC meetings are scheduled for September 19 and September 20, 2024. The committee will hear first from Professor Faizan Mustafa, Vice Chancellor of Chanakya National Law University, and representatives from various organisations, including the Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz and the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board, he said. Next, the JPC will engage with members of the All India Sajjadanashin Parishad (Ajmer), the Muslim National Forum, and Bharat First (Delhi), Pal said. Between September 26 and October 1, the JPC plans to visit Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore to meet with Waqf Board officials, Muslim scholars, and Bar Council representatives. Additional visits to cities like Lucknow and Kolkata in October are also being planned. The Narendra Modi governmen had introduced The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 on August 08 in the Lok Sabha. However, after a strong protest by the opposition parties, including some government allies, the Bill has been referred to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) . The Bill seeks to make as many as 44 amendments in the existing Waqf Act 1995. The Muslims in India are opposing the Bill, saying by this way the BJP governments wants to snatch the Waqf properties. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has vowed to pass the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 at any cost. 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 No demolitions till Oct 1: SC stops bulldozers The Supreme Court of India Tuesday paused till it hears the matter on October 01, 2024, the demolition of private properties, also slamming once again the brazen act glorified as bulldozer justice Tuesday September 17, 2024 6:14 PM , ummid.com News Network New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India Tuesday paused till it hears the matter on October 01, 2024, the demolition of private properties, also slamming once again the brazen act glorified as bulldozer justice. "There shall be no demolitions till next date without seeking leave of this court, the SC bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan said. However, such order would not be applicable for unauthorised construction on public streets, footpaths, abutting railway lines or public spaces," the court order reads. 'Stay your hands' The government that was represented in the apex court by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta objected arguing that the order would impact legally sanctioned demolitions. The SC bench however was not convinced. "The heavens won't fall if we ask you to hold your hands till (the) next hearing, the Supreme Court said. "Stay your hands. What will happen in 15 days?" Justice Gavai remarked. The bench said that it had passed the direction invoking its special powers under Article 142 of the Constitution. "Even if there is one instance of illegal demolition, it is against the ethos of the Constitution," Justice Viswanathan emphasized during the brief hearing. "We made it clear we won't intervene in cases of unauthorized construction, but the executive cannot act as the judiciary," Justice Gavai said. The Supreme Court which has already denounced the demolition of properties, in majority of cases of Muslims, during the last two hearings , also warned against "grandstanding" and "glorification" of the bulldozer action. The bench noted that after its last order - where it expressed its intention to lay down nationwide guidelines , certain statements were made by Ministers. "After the order, there have been statements that bulldozers will continue..." Justice Gavai said. "After the 2nd of September, there has been grandstanding and justification. Should this happen in our country? Should the Election Commission be notified? We will formulate directives," Justice Viswanathan asserted. Jamiat welcomes SC ruling The SC ruling today came in response to a batch of petitions that were filed in 2022 in the wake of demolition drive in Jahangirpuri area of Delhi. The petitions inculded those filed by Jamiat Ulema and CPI-M leader and former MP Brinda Karat. Jamiat Ulema - one of the petitioners welcomed the SC stay on bulldozer acrions. "We commend the Court for taking notice of irresponsible statements made by government ministers, and we demand that such statements be immediately halted to uphold the rule of law and prevent the misuse of authority", Jamiat President Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani said. He further added that a civilized nation cannot allow entire communities to be punished under any circumstances. "Even in general cases, bulldozers come and demolish houses where elderly and bedridden people live. They are entirely punished, and after that, the narrative is built that criminals have been punished through statements from BJP ministers and the media", he said. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. HA NOI Viet Nam must enhance its development of green logistics to help domestic enterprises participate further in the global market, industry insiders say. The country's logistics industry has recorded a growth rate of 13-15 per cent each year, making it an important service industry and boosting the nation's socio-economic development. However, according to experts, the industry is not yet participating much in the global logistics chain. ang Hong Nhung from the Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade said that Viet Nam was one of the top ten emerging logistics markets, ranking at fourth place in the International Logistics Opportunity Index. This showed the great potential of the Vietnamese logistics market. Nhung also said that the industry had made a significant contribution to Viet Nam's import-export growth in the past several years. Import-export turnover increased to over US$680 billion in 2023 from just $150 billion in 2010. However, logistics is also an industry with large emissions and high energy consumption, and is therefore significantly affected by the green transformation trend. According to Nhung, this trend will affect the logistics industry in two ways: by both creating pressure and also by creating opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises. Logistics businesses will have to comply with new government regulations and high standards from international organisations on limiting waste and limiting energy consumption. The green transformation could also create conditions for the Vietnamese logistics industry to develop further. Over the long term, becoming more sustainable will help enterprises optimise processes, reduce costs and gain new business opportunities. According to Tran Thi Thu Huong, head of the Logistics and Supply Chain Department at the University of Commerce, Viet Nam is now home to nearly 30 foreign logistics corporations and more than 34,000 Vietnamese logistics enterprises. However, most Vietnamese logistics firms only play outside roles, providing satellite logistics services to the foreign companies. To promote the development of green logistics, the Vietnamese logistics industry needs to carry out its goals relating to sustainable development, along with strong investments by the State in developing logistics infrastructure. The most fundamental solution is to raise awareness among the business community and its customers. Customer demand will force enterprises to implement green development. Mai Tran Thuat, general director of ong A Pharmaceutical Logistics JSC, said training courses on green logistics was necessary for enterprises, helping raise awareness of the benefits of green logistics, such as cost reduction. In addition to policies on attracting investment in green logistics, Viet Nam needed to have more macro policies supporting development in this area, Thuat said. The Government has preferential policies to support logistics businesses in converting vehicles, including three years of exempt registration fees for battery-powered electric trucks and half off registration fees for the following two years. The Ministry of Industry and Trade also plans to support enterprises, especially small and medium-sized firms, in the process of converting their vehicles. The ministry is currently drafting a strategy on developing the country's logistics services over the next decade. Developing green logistics features prominently in the draft strategy. Nhung said that in 2022, the ministry published a Green Logistics Report. Since then, the business environment and enterprises' awareness of green logistics had improved. "If companies want to develop, they must include a green transformation in their business strategy. The enterprises that already have such a strategy should regularly update their plans to take into account new regulations and Government incentives relating to this issue," Nhung said. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam saw a gradual recovery of seafood exports during the first eight months of this year, both in terms of demand and price. According to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the value of seafood exports in the first eight months reached nearly US$6.3 billion, up nearly nine per cent over the same period last year. In August alone, this value reached a growth rate of 20 per cent to nearly $953 million. VASEP reported that, apart from squid and octopus, whose export turnover decreased by 15 per cent in August, the exports of all other key products had doubleor triple-digit growth. Shrimp exports rose by 30 per cent, pangasius by 18 per cent, tuna by 13 per cent, and other marine fish by 12 per cent. During the first eight months, shrimp exports reached $2.4 billion, up nine per cent year over year, including $1.75 billion from white-leg shrimp and $290 million from black tiger shrimp. Lobster alone maintained good growth momentum in August, so the lobster export turnover in the first eight months was 140 per cent higher than the same period in 2023. VASEP said that shrimp exports are showing a positive trend, with stable growth in recent months, though they are facing challenges from anti-subsidy and anti-dumping taxes. Shrimp consumption has begun to increase in Europe and the US, which is a positive sign for the market, although the price of shrimp exported to China is still low. Pangasius exports in the first eight months increased by nine per cent on year to $1.3 billion. Exports to China remained stagnant, but the recovery of the US market was a lever for pangasius exports to grow. The exports to the US surged by 23 per cent over the same period last year, while the exports to China decreased by three per cent. Viet Nam also saw a growth of 21 per cent on year in tuna exports during the first eight months to $652 million. However, VASEP believes that in the coming months, the tuna export market may find it difficult to maintain this growth momentum due to a lack of raw materials. With Decree 37/2024/N-CP, effective from May 19, 2024, which requires the size for skipjack tuna to be at least half a metre, companies have been almost unable to buy enough domestic raw material of tuna to produce canned tuna, as well as other export products from tuna. Squid and octopus exports have been most affected by the IUU yellow card. The issue of certifying the exploitation of this product has encountered many difficulties, causing the enterprises to not have eligible raw materials for processing export products. Therefore, squid and octopus exports in the first eight months fell by two per cent compared to the same period last year to $402 million. The association expects that seafood exports for this whole year will be at $9.4-9.5 billion, up six per cent compared to 2023, because there are still some major challenges curbing the export growth in the remaining months, such as the IUU yellow card, anti-subsidy tax and anti-dumping tax. VNS HA NOI Commercial banks must provide information on accounts that show possible signs of fraud, swindling, or law violations at the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) 's request every month. The regulation was under the SBVs newly issued Circular 17/2024/TT-NHNN regulating the opening and use of payment accounts at credit institutions. Under the circular, banks are responsible for providing information on customers' payment accounts according to the SBV's instructions. The information needs to include the customer information file, identification number, identification type, full name, date of birth, gender, nationality, account number, the date of account opening, the phone number registered for electronic banking services, along with the reason for any suspicions, account status and identification information of the suspected individual customers. Banks must send information via the SBVs information system on supporting the management, monitoring, and prevention of fraud risks in payment activities before the tenth day of each month. Information is provided electronically according to the SBV's technical connection instructions. Currently, the Ministry of Public Securitys Department of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention (A05) has deployed a solution to establish an online connection information system with commercial banks and payment intermediary organisations. From there, information about suspected fake and fraudulent accounts from the police will be sent to banks so that transactions on online channels can be suspended immediately. In order to promptly control and detect accounts with signs of fraud and law violations, banks have built a contact centre system to receive customer feedback, an anti-money laundering system, and a separate fraud prevention system. In addition, banks have also applied many methods and different levels of response to suspicious accounts. If the authorities identify the account as having committed a violation, transactions on the online channel will be blocked. In case new accounts only show signs of suspicion, banks will not block the transactions on the online channels but will request re-identification of the accounts to ensure that the accounts are owned honestly and can identify the owner as the person who makes the transactions for future investigation. Military Bank (MB) and A05 have so far updated the list of all accounts that participated in or were related to fraud nationwide. The list now has 3,500 black accounts, an increase of 500 accounts compared to the end of July, with the listings continuously updated. According to Vu Thanh Trung, vice chairman of the MBs board of directors in charge of digital transformation, it is just a list of suspected accounts, including both fraudulent accounts and suspicious accounts. Trung said MB clearly warns customers before transferring money to accounts that are on the suspected list. In July 2024 alone, MB warned 2,700 customers, and after receiving the warnings, 1,500 customers proactively stopped their transactions. VNS HCM CITY HCM City will implement a plan to support small and medium-sized enterprises with digital transformation to create a new growth driver for them while boosting socio-economic development, a conference has heard in HCM City last week. The city's Department of Information and Communications and Phu Nhuan District organised the conference on September 13 titled "Implementing the Digital Transformation Support Programme and the Pilot Programme for Surveying, Measuring, and Assessing the Current Status and Readiness for E-commerce and Digital Transformation of Enterprises, Household Businesses, Wholesale and Retail Stores in Phu Nhuan District." Tran Minh Tuan,director of the Ministry of Information and Communications Department of Digital Economy and Digital, said Viet Nams e-commerce retail market grew at 16-25 per cent in 2018-23 to rise to third in Southeast Asia behind only Malaysia and the Philippines. Yet its proportion of e-commerce to total retail sales is only 8 per cent, he said, far below the global average of 19.4 per cent and especially that of China (43 per cent), the UK (35 per cent), South Korea (28 per cent), and the US (26 per cent). This shows there is substantial room for growth, he said. But he also referred to challenges like the dominance of foreign firms in e-commerce. The ministry has approved a programme to help retailers make digital transformation and chosen Phu Nhuan District to pilot it before rolling it out nationwide, he said. Within one month the district will conduct a survey to assess the current state of digital transformation among 2,000 local wholesale and retail businesses to identify their specific needs and accessibility, challenges and barriers to the process. This would lay the groundwork for connecting them with technology solutions providers and offer support measures, he added. Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Pham uc Long, said: Viet Nam has 1.4 million grocery stores and 9,000 traditional markets. Wholesale and retail activities contributed 9.83 per cent to GDP in 2023, highlighting the immense importance of this sector in driving the countrys economic development and job creation. Therefore, supporting the wholesale and retail sector with digital transformation is essential." o ang Ai, vice chairman of the Phu Nhuan People's Committee, said the pilot implementation of the programme would create favourable conditions for businesses and households in his district to access digital transformation initiatives. But 95 per cent of them are small or micro businesses, and they face difficulties in going digital, he said. Lam inh Thang, director of the city Department of Information and Communications, said the data from the survey will also serve as a preference for the city in orienting its long-run digital economic development. He highlighted that efforts to accelerate digital economy development are on, and the city hopes the digital economy would account for 22 per cent of its economy in 2024, rising to 40 per cent by 2030. The city has identified digital technology as a driver of economic growth and is prioritising key sectors such as education, healthcare, tourism and social security. It would provide financial support, consultancy and digital transformation solutions for businesses and organisations, including to cooperatives and household enterprises that meet the required criteria, he added. VNS HA NOI The selling price of gold bars in Viet Nam increased sharply on Tuesday after remaining relatively stable for almost two weeks. Globally, spot gold prices have been rising continuously, approaching the US$2,600 per ounce mark. At SJC Company, the buying and selling price for SJC-branded gold bars is listed at VN80 million per tael ($3,250) and VN82 million ($3,331), respectively, an increase of VN1.5 million ($61) per tael from Monday. SJC is the only gold bar producer in Viet Nam, licensed by the State Bank. The prices are in the same ballpark at PNJ, Bao Tin Minh Chau, Phu Quy and DOJI Group. The buying price is a little higher at Mi Hong, at VN81 million per tael ($3,290). At State-owned commercial banks Agribank, BIDV, Vietcombank, and VietinBank, the selling price for SJC gold bars is the same as at private shops at VN82 million per tael. Privately-owned Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (ACB) and Eximbank also both listed their selling price at VN82 million. Their buying price is VN80 million and VN80.5 million, respectively. Privately-owned TPBanks buy/sell prices are about VN1.5 million higher than the market. They are at VN81.5 million and VN83.5 million per tael, respectively. For gold rings, prices remain stable with selling price set at VN79.2 million per tael ($3,217) at most shops, including SJC, PNJ, DOJI Group, Phu Quy and Bao Tin Minh Chau. The buying price is VN77.9 million per tael at most shops, except at Bao Tin Minh Chau where its set at VN78 million. Globally, at 10am on Tuesday, the spot gold price stands at $2,587.98 per ounce, while gold futures have surpassed $2,601 USD per ounce. Converting this to the bank exchange rate, the global gold price is equivalent to VN78 million per tael (including taxes). VNS HA NOI Ha Noi Radio and Television Station is going to broadcast a television series Mat Lenh Hoa Sua (Milk Flower Secret Order) celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Liberation Day of Ha Noi, on October 10. The 40-episode series tells the story of police officers from the Drug Crime Investigation Division, in Ha Noi, who protect the peace of the capital day and night. The series script is adapted from Major General writer Nguyen Hong Thai's two short stories. Directed by Nguyen Tat Kien, it not only offers a full portrait of the police force, but brings to the audience colourful pieces about the lives of ordinary Hanoians. Milk Flower Secret Order is a part from film project For The Love of Ha Noi made by Ha Noi Radio and Television Station on the celebration the 70th anniversary of Ha Noi Liberation Day. For the Love of Ha Noi project highlight stories about people who are attached to every breath of the capital's life as they travel on a path of personal development. It includes Ha Noi in Your Eyes. Both of the series express the deep and intense love for the glorious land of Thang Long - Ha Noi. According to General Director Nguyen Kim Khiem the station has carried out the project with the desire to create a good and entertaining television productions. "This is the first time Ha Noi People's Committee has produced a television series," Khiem said. "Ha Noi is the source of inspiration for all kinds of art forms; music, cinema, poetry among others. The station is one of the cultural institutions of Ha Noi, so there is no reason not to become a part of the development of Ha Noi culture." Directed by ao Thanh Hung, Ha Noi in Your Eyes revolves around five young girls with different circumstances and professions. It tells beautiful stories from the young women who study and work, and make their contribution to the capital. Each person has a different path, but a slight of twist of fate means they accidentally entwine with each other, creating relationships, from which many unexpected and complicated situations arise, both delicately humorous, romantic and profound. Through that, a truly fresh and colourful picture of Ha Noi is revealed. The project has the participation of established artists such as Lan Huong and Nguyet Hang alongside some promising new talent. VNS HA NOI General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, To Lam, has authored an article emphasising the critical need for renewing the Partys leadership and governance methods. He highlights that this renewal is not only necessary, but urgent, given the challenges Viet Nam faces as it embarks on a new revolutionary phase of national development. In the article, To Lam writes that the Partys leadership methods must continue to evolve to address new realities while maintaining the core principles that have guided the nations revolutionary journey. 94 years of revolutionary leadership Over the past 94 years, the Communist Party of Viet Nam has continuously refined its leadership methods, improving its governance capacity. To Lam emphasises that this ongoing evolution has been crucial to preserving the Partys integrity and strength. He notes that these refinements have allowed the Party to lead the nation through significant periods of change, ensuring Viet Nams stability and success in challenging times. Now, as Viet Nam enters a new phase of growth and development, To Lam stresses the importance of further renewing leadership and governance approaches. He recalls that the concept of a 'ruling party' first introduced by V.I. Lenin in 1922, has been a cornerstone of Communist Party leadership. He points out that President Ho Chi Minh expanded on this idea between 1925 and 1927 in his work 'The Revolutionary Path'. In this work, Ho Chi Minh stressed the Partys role in leading the working masses towards national liberation and the construction of a prosperous, communist society. Crucially, he underscored that the Party exists to serve the interests of the nation and its people, not its members. He notes that Ho Chi Minh reaffirmed this principle in his testament, writing, 'Our Party is a ruling Party'. He also points to Ho Chi Minhs work 'Correcting the Working Style' where he defined proper leadership as involving sound decision-making, effective organisation and thorough supervision, all of which should involve active participation from the people. Party leadership: A foundation of Viet Nams success Building on Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minhs thought, To Lam writes that the Party has consistently adapted its leadership methods to meet changing conditions. He explains that the Partys Seventh Congress introduced the concept of renewing the Partys leadership content and methods, which included clearly defining the relationships between the Party, the State and mass organisations. This approach has been essential in ensuring that Party leadership is based on democratic principles and sound governance practices, To Lam writes. In outlining the Partys leadership role, he highlights the 1991 Platform for National Construction during the Transition to Socialism, which he says detailed the Partys role in leading society through its platform, strategies, policies and by educating and mobilising the people. He stresses that the Party leads through persuasion, guidance, and the exemplary behaviour of its members, while avoiding interference with the functions of other political organisations. He writes that the Partys leadership must follow the principles of democratic centralism, collective decision-making and individual accountability. He points out that leadership is exercised through Party organisations rather than individuals, with collective decisions driving actions and ensuring effective supervision. This approach, refined through successive Party Congresses, has culminated in the Thirteenth Congress, which called for bold reforms in leadership methods to meet the demands of the new era. He emphasises that the Partys leadership role is enshrined in the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. 'The Party leads, the State manages and the people are the masters' is the guiding principle of Viet Nams political system, according to To Lam, who stresses that the Party remains at the centre of national leadership while respecting the states management role and the peoples mastery. Achievements under Party leadership To Lam writes that under the Partys leadership, Viet Nam has achieved remarkable success. He recalls that Viet Nam, once devastated by war, has emerged as a stable, peaceful country known for its economic dynamism and political stability. To Lam highlights that Viet Nam now ranks among the top 40 global economies and plays a pivotal role in international trade, with 16 free trade agreements connecting it to 60 major global economies. Diplomatically, he emphasises that Viet Nam has established relations with all 193 United Nations member states and maintains strategic partnerships with 30 countries. He also notes that the country is an active member of over 70 regional and international organisations. In addition to these diplomatic and economic achievements, To Lam writes that Viet Nams poverty reduction efforts have garnered international praise. The continuous improvements in the material and spiritual quality of life for the Vietnamese people, he adds, have solidified Viet Nams reputation as a success story on the global stage. However, he acknowledges that challenges remain in the Partys leadership methods. He writes that the overproduction of documents has resulted in some being vague or repetitive, while others are slow to be updated. Furthermore, he notes that some key policy directions have not been fully institutionalised and their practical applicability has been limited. He stresses that the political systems structure is still incomplete, with the roles, functions, and relationships between organisations and leaders needing clearer definition. He also points out that administrative reforms and changes in working styles within the Party have been slow to progress and the frequency of meetings remains excessive. Renewing leadership and governance methods To ensure the Party remains the driving force behind Viet Nams continued progress, the Party leader outlines several key tasks: First, he emphasises the need for a unified understanding of the Partys leadership and governance methods. He notes that the Party must avoid both overreach and laxity, leading through its ideology, policies, and exemplary conduct, while ensuring that leadership translates into effective governance. Second, he stresses the importance of streamlining the Partys organisational structure. He writes that advisory bodies must be strengthened, and officials must demonstrate high standards of political integrity and competence. He calls for reforms in working styles to prioritise professionalism and efficiency. He emphasises the need for substantial reform in the process of issuing, disseminating and implementing Party resolutions. He writes that resolutions must be concise, clear and practical and must inspire confidence among Party members, businesses and the public. He calls for continued reform in the Partys inspection and supervision processes, particularly with a focus on advancing digital transformation. He writes that the introduction of digital systems will strengthen internal political protection and ensure transparency. He concludes by invoking the words of V.I. Lenin: "When circumstances change, and we face different tasks, we should not look back and rely on yesterdays methods." Similarly, he recalls General Secretary Le Duans emphasis that "Leadership must be principled and steadfast, never wavering in the face of revolutionary challenges." These teachings, To Lam writes, remain essential as the Party evolves its leadership and governance methods to stay resilient and adaptable in the face of new challenges. VNS A sign directs travelers to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport. San Francisco officials are seeking a preliminary injunction to force Oakland to stop using the new name. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle San Francisco is raising the stakes in a legal battle to prevent Oakland from renaming its airport. Officials from San Francisco filed a request Tuesday morning for a preliminary injunction to block the East Bay city from using the name San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, saying the new moniker is already causing confusion and problems for passengers. According to City Attorney David Chius office, the motion argues that Oakland has infringed on San Francisco International Airports trademark and demands that Oakland destroy or transfer all physical and digital material containing the new name. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We are already seeing traveler confusion around the use of Oaklands new name, Chiu said in a statement. This was entirely predictable and preventable. Mary Richardson, an attorney for the Port of Oakland, replied in a statement that San Franciscos request for injunctive relief is a continuation of tactics rooted in publicity and anti-competitive bullying rather than on legal merits. Richardson said the lawsuit is nothing more than an attempt to stifle competition and travel choices by Bay Area residents and position SFO as the only airport that serves the San Francisco Bay Area. It is not, and OAK will continue to aggressively fight for its position on the San Francisco Bay, she said. Bay Area residents and visitors alike will have better flying choices when there is widespread industry and consumer recognition that OAK is located on the San Francisco Bay and serves the Bay Area region too. San Franciscos move comes after Oaklands port commission voted in May to change the name of the airport in hopes of boosting passenger traffic. In April, San Francisco filed a lawsuit in federal court arguing that the new name would puzzle travelers and could damage San Franciscos airport reputation. Oaklands port commission moved ahead with its name change on May 9, despite the infringement lawsuit. The commission argued that the rebranding would help travelers understand that Oakland is a gateway to the entire Bay Area and could potentially encourage more flyers to and from the East Bay airport. A spokesperson for the port previously said that the name change was meant to clarify, not confuse passengers, by letting people know that Oakland is in the Bay Area. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ivar Satero, SFOs airport director, said in a statement Tuesday that the airport has observed multiple incidents of customer confusion resulting from Oakland Airports rebranding. Satero did not say how many incidents of customer confusion have occurred, with passengers possibly at the wrong departure airport. SFGATE reported earlier this month that there were six reports of passenger confusion between June 18 and July 1. The cases included two travelers who showed up to SFO to take a flight with Spirit Airlines, which does not operate at SFO, and one traveler who showed up to SFO with a boarding pass to Morelia International Airport in Mexico even though SFO does not have a direct flight there, according to SFGATE. (SFGATE and the San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by the Hearst Corp. but operate independently.) Chiu said his office met with Oakland officials in August to come up with alternative names, but the two sides were unable to come to a solution. San Francisco has invested millions in making San Francisco International Airport the world class airport it is today, Chiu said. We have built an incredible brand that we must protect. Oakland has a trademark for Oakland International Airport. It should use that and stay away from San Franciscos brand. HA NOI Party General Secretary and President To Lam on Tuesday morning received ambassadors from Sri Lanka, Austria and 14 concurrent ambassadors who came to present their credentials for their duties in Viet Nam. Receiving Sri Lankan Ambassador Poshitha Perera, the General Secretary and President congratulated Poshitha Perera on his appointment as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sri Lanka to Viet Nam. The leader believes that with his experience as a professional diplomat and understanding of the region, the ambassador will make many practical contributions to promoting the development of Viet Nam Sri Lanka relations. Party General Secretary and President Lam also congratulated Sri Lanka on gradually overcoming difficulties, stabilising, improving economic growth, developing the country and making important contributions to regional and world stability. He emphasised that the ambassador's term was also the time to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the two countries diplomatic relations foundation, which is a favourable opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations. Agreeing with the ambassador's assessment of the direction for developing bilateral relations, the General Secretary and President said it was necessary to promote political trust and encourage delegation exchanges at high and all levels. Regarding economic relations, Party General Secretary and President Lam affirmed that Viet Nam was committed to supporting Sri Lanka in agricultural, tourism, trade and business development and agreed to open direct flights to facilitate people-to-people exchanges. Viet Nam is ready to be a bridge for Sri Lanka to expand ASEAN cooperation and supports Sri Lanka in multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations. Ambassador Poshitha Perera expressed his delight at the positive developments in bilateral relations, affirming that this was the foundation for further breakthroughs in the cooperation between the two countries in recent times. Reviewing the traditional relationship between the two countries, the ambassador said that late President Ho Chi Minh visited Sri Lanka three times, adding that his people hold the image of him in their hearts. Confirming that the two countries relationship is developing well, especially in education and agriculture, Ambassador Poshitha Perera expressed his joy at witnessing Viet Nam's agricultural achievements and wished to focus on promoting agricultural cooperation. More development Receiving Austrian Ambassador Philippo Agathonnos, Party General Secretary and President To Lam congratulated the ambassador on his term in Viet Nam, believing that, with his experience and dynamism, he would contribute to further promote the development of relations between the two countries. President Lam said that Viet Nam always attached importance to the traditional friendship and cooperation with Austria. He was pleased to see that after more than half a century of establishment, the Viet Nam-Austria friendship had made remarkable progress in politics diplomacy, economy and people-to-people exchanges. In the political field, the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially at high levels, had created an important driving force to promote cooperation between the two countries. He highly appreciated the cooperation projects between the two countries that had been effectively implemented in recent years, contributing positively to Viet Nam's socio-economic development. Along with that, cooperation in culture, education, science, technology and tourism has also flourished. To continue promoting multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, Party General Secretary and President Lam asked the Ambassador to promote the exchange of delegations at all levels, to enhance political trust, and at the same time, closely and effectively use the benefits of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), to encourage and create conditions for Austrian companies to increase investment and technology transfer to Viet Nam. The two sides will urge the Austrian Parliament to soon complete the procedures for ratifying the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to facilitate equal and mutually beneficial investment relations between the two sides. Thanking the Vietnamese leader for taking the time to receive him, Ambassador Philippo Agathonnos expressed his deepest condolences to the Government and people of Viet Nam for the heavy losses caused by Typhoon Yagi. The ambassador said that after more than half a century of establishing diplomatic relations, the two countries cooperation had increasingly deepened. He highly appreciated the cooperation between the EU and Viet Nam, emphasising that this was a good condition to promote multifaceted cooperation between the two countries in the coming time. The ambassador said that Austria also had strengths in cyber security, search and rescue and wished to work with Viet Nam. Letters of credence On the same morning, the Party General Secretary and President received credentials of 14 concurrent ambassadors from Costa Rica, Malta, Sudan, Zambia, Mauritius, Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Rwanda, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Botswana and Bhutan. Speaking at the reception, on behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State and people, the leader warmly welcomed the ambassadors appointed to take up their duties in Viet Nam. The Party General Secretary and President affirmed that during Viet Nams nearly 80-year development journey, the support and companionship of international friends, including the countries that the ambassadors represent, was indispensable. He confirmed that Viet Nam always remembered and was deeply grateful for the valuable assistance that the people of the world had given it. VNS MOSCOW A delegation from the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), led by Deputy General Director oan Thi Tuyet Nhung, attended the 53rd meeting of the Executive Board of the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) in Moscow on September 15 to discuss ethical aspects of modern media, particularly the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism. In her remarks, Nhung underscored VNA's commitment to information verification. She underlined the agency's role in delivering accurate, official and credible information to orient public opinions and maintain public trust. Information should reflect humanity, spread positive values and inspire people in their everyday lives, she said. She pointed out that in the era of social media where false or misleading content can spread rapidly, ethical principles of each journalist as well as each press agency are all the more important. Press and media agencies must adhere to ethical principles so as to win the trust of the public. According to her, news agencies should strengthen their presence across media platforms so as to seize advantage on the cyberspace and perform their vanguard role in offering fast, accurate, objective and verified information with wide coverage. This, she noted, would enhance their influence in shaping public opinion, particularly among younger audiences. Representatives from major news agencies such as Antara (Indonesia), Mehr (Iran), TASS (Russia), and Kyodo (Japan) shared their experiences and challenges in integrating AI into journalism and media operations. They discussed solutions to maintain ethical standards in AI use, highlighting the critical role of human decision-making. Delegates also called for establishing regulations and sharing the best practices in training journalists and editors as the media landscape continues to evolve with AI technologies. The meeting concluded with the announcement that the 54th OANA meeting will be hosted by Bernama (Malaysia) in Kuala Lumpur in February 2025, and the 19th OANA General Assembly is scheduled for next year in Moscow. During a visit to the Sputnik news agency on September 17, Nhung discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation, including increasing the exchange of photos, English-language and multimedia content, especially in sci-tech, socio-economy, culture and education. Vasily Pushkov, Director of International Cooperation at Sputnik, praised VNA as one of Sputniks most important partners. He expressed readiness to advance collaboration in information exchange, particularly multimedia content, aiming to further improve the effectiveness of their partnership in the future. The VNA delegation also toured Sputniks information production units to gain insights into their operations. On September 16, Deputy General Director Nhung also held a working session with Vietnamese Ambassador ang Minh Khoi. VNS BAC GIANG The armed forces of Military Zone 1 have recently effectively mobilised resources from the Ministry of National Defence, various units and the community to support the construction of new homes for impoverished and disadvantaged households in Bac Giang province. The initiative has involved tens of thousands of labour hours from military personnel and militia, contributing significantly to the national rural development programme and strengthening the 'Armed Forces Join Hands for the Poor Leaving No One Behind' movement. This initiative has helped local residents stabilise their lives and support the socio-economic development of the region. Tran Van Cap, a resident of Ho Vau Hamlet, Tan Hung Commune, Lang Giang District, faces immense hardship. Often ill and without stable employment, Cap is responsible for caring for his 95-year-old mother and a son with limited mobility and poor eyesight. His familys home had fallen into severe disrepair and he lacked the means to renovate or rebuild. The dream of having a solid house seemed out of reach. However, Cap's dream became a reality when Military Zone 1s Political Department and the Mass Mobilisation Committee of six provinces (Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, and Lang Son) provided him with VN150 million (US$6,100). In addition, officers, soldiers and local militia from the Bac Giang Provincial Military Command, along with local residents, contributed labour and building materials to construct a new, solid house for his family. If it werent for the material and labour support from Military Zone 1, I dont know when I would have had a new home, said Cap. Im overjoyed that impoverished households like mine are receiving more and more attention and help from society, making life a little less difficult. Vu Thi Quyen, another near-poverty household from Ngoc Son Hamlet, Quang Thinh Commune, Lang Giang District, also received financial support from Military Zone 1s programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated housing for impoverished and near-poverty households. Living in a frail house at risk of collapse, Quyen was overjoyed to receive assistance for a new home. According to Tran Cong Thang, Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Bac Giang Province, the province aims to eliminate 100 per cent of temporary and dilapidated homes for impoverished and near-poverty households by the end of 2024. Additionally, the province plans to provide 100 per cent support for disadvantaged families with damaged homes in need of repair or reconstruction. Achieving this goal requires the combined efforts of the entire political system, with the critical support of the Bac Giang Provincial Military Command and the leadership of Military Zone 1. Ten 'Great Unity' houses have already been constructed in the area, with four completed and in use, contributing significantly to poverty reduction and improving the lives of local residents. Colonel o Huy Khai, Head of the Mass Mobilisation Department of Military Zone 1, explained that in recent years, supporting impoverished and disadvantaged households has been a top priority for Military Zone 1. Each completed house represents one more family with a stable place to live, free from the burden of housing insecurity, enabling them to focus on work and rise out of poverty. Military Zone 1 will continue to effectively mobilise the For the Poor Fund while enhancing awareness among soldiers and the public. The military will also diversify its resource mobilisation efforts to eliminate temporary housing, contributing to the fulfilment of local rural development targets. Between 2023 and 2024, Military Zone 1 has been, and will continue to, support over 950 impoverished and disadvantaged households, providing funds for the construction of homes, with a total budget of nearly VN48 billion ($1.9 million). As of August 2024, Military Zone 1 had supported nearly 650 households, contributing over VN32 billion ($1.3 million). By the end of 2024, the military plans to support 310 more households, with each receiving VN50 million ($2 million). VNS SINGAPORE In response to the appeal of the Presidium of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee, the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore on Sunday launched a campaign to raise funds to support people who were affected by Typhoon Yagi and subsequent floods in the homeland. Head of the liaison board of the Vietnamese community in Singapore Ta Thuy Lien said that overseas Vietnamese in Singapore paid much attention to the campaign and spread relevant information. Meanwhile, according to the Singaporean Embassy in Viet Nam, the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has announced a grant of 50,000 SGD (around US$38,600) to support the ongoing humanitarian efforts of the Viet Nam Red Cross (VNRC). A response team from the SRC is scheduled to come to Viet Nam to support the relief operations. A group of Singaporean businesses in Viet Nam named "SG Community Cares" pledged to contribute VN1.5 billion (over $61,000) to support relief and recovery efforts. Wilmar, a Singaporean company with long-standing presence in Viet Nam, is launching an initiative that aims to raise $400,000 to provide relief aid for storm victims in areas that were hit hard by the typhoon, especially in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh. The Temasek Foundation in Singapore also announced that it will soon deliver aid to the northern province of Lao Cai and Hai Phong City, and coordinate to provide fresh water in Thai Nguyen Province. As of 5pm on Monday, Typhoon Yagi and subsequent floods and landslides had left 329 people dead or missing in Viet Nam, including 291 fatalities, and 1,922 others injured. VNS HCM CITY HCM City authorities have formally apologised to a well-known American streamer for an incident involving overcharging of a hoverboard rental on Nguyen Hue Walking Street in the downtown area. On September 15, a representative of the Department of Tourism met with IshowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., to express regret over the incident, which occurred on September 14. The streamer and his crew did not lodge complaints and accepted the authorities response. The seller, who overcharged the streamer VN1 million ($41) for a five-minute rental, was fined for illegal street vending. Typically, hoverboard rentals cost around VN50,000 ($2) for 15 minutes. Following the incident, the seller visited the streamer's hotel to refund the overcharged amount. Le Truong Hien Hoa, deputy director of the Department of Tourism, highlighted ongoing issues with overcharging and unauthorised vendors, stating the city will enhance management efforts in tourist-heavy areas. IShowSpeed, who has nearly 30 million followers, was in Viet Nam for tourism and media events when the incident occurred. Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, extending over 670 metres, runs from the HCM City Peoples Committee headquarters to Bach ang Wharf Park along the Saigon River. The location is a venue for significant cultural and artistic events, serving as a popular attraction for both domestic and international visitors. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam wishes to further strengthen cooperation with Germany in vocational education and sending Vietnamese workers to the European country to work in the context of Germany's recent revision of its foreign worker reception policy, stated Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Tan Dung at a meeting with Country Director of Germany Development Agency (GIZ) in Viet Nam Michaela Baur in Ha Noi on September 17. Dung held that cooperation in education and training, labour, employment, and vocational education is a highlight in relations between the two countries. Germany is one of Viet Nam 's traditional and strategic partners in the field of vocational education. The two sides have been implementing 10 projects and cooperation programmes at the national and regional levels, noted the official. Cooperation with Germany has benefited Viet Nam in infrastructure improvement and human resources development, contributing to enhancing vocational training quality, he said, adding that expanding labour collaboration with Germany has provided chances for Vietnamese workers in increasing their incomes and sharpening their skills. For her part, Baur underlined that in the context of increasing green jobs and the energy transition, Germany is a pioneer with a lot of experience and solutions for job transition. Therefore, Germany is also at the forefront of developing skills for green jobs, she said, adding that the German government has been cooperating with Viet Nam to promote the greening of jobs and vocational training according to international standards, creating opportunities for Vietnamese workers and youngsters to prepare for the global energy transition. Mentioning future cooperation orientations between the GIZ and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Viet Nam, Baur suggested that the two sides continue to strengthen cooperation, including Viet Nam's Vocational Training Reform Programme No.3 from March 2024 to February 2027, which has received funding commitment from Germany and will be integrated into the "VETVET Programme" of donors from the European Union (EU), the German Government, and the French Government. She said she hopes that in the process of implementing projects and programmes, the two sides will be flexible in cooperation based on legal regulations, mutual respect and trust, and shared responsibility. Dung said that his ministry is ready to cooperate with German partners, ministries, and sectors in areas of mutual interest such as vocational education, human resources training, and sending young people and workers to work in Germany. VNS HCM CITY Viet Nam is among the top destinations in Asia that travellers can't seem to get enough of and wish to revisit, as indicated by the recent Return Visitor Ranking report by Agoda. Alongside Viet Nam, Thailand and Japan are also popular choices for travellers looking to return to their favourite spots. Agoda's survey highlighted that 44 per cent of Asian travellers identified "Ease of Travel" as the primary reason for returning to their preferred destinations. The report mentioned, Japan, Thailand and Viet Nam are destinations that continue to captivate Asian travellers. For Vietnamese travellers, one visit to Thailand is simply not sufficient. Approximately 75 per cent of Vietnamese travellers express a desire to revisit their favoured destinations. The survey, conducted on the Agoda platform this month, identified Thailand, Japan, and South Korea as top destinations for returning visitors, followed by Singapore and China. The majority of Vietnamese respondents, around 47 per cent, cited 'adventure' as their main motivation for their upcoming trips. Additionally, about 39 per cent are travelling for culinary experiences, while 26 per cent are drawn by arts and culture. Among repeat visitors, 64 per cent have frequented their preferred destinations between one and three times over the past decade, constituting the largest group of returning travellers. Surprisingly, 8 per cent have visited their favourite spot 10 times or more. Vu Ngoc Lam, Agoda's country director in Viet Nam, remarked, "While some travellers enjoy exploring new horizons, others derive immense joy from revisiting their favourite destinations. The Agoda Return Visitor Ranking highlights that for Vietnamese travellers, Thailand, Japan and South Korea offer experiences that hold a special place in their hearts." When discussing the irresistible allure of their favourite destinations, Vietnamese travellers cited ease of travel, local cuisine, and convenient location as the top three reasons. Safety, cleanliness, and positive past experiences also factor significantly in their decision to return. The Return Visitor Ranking survey was conducted on the Agoda platform from August 1 to 19, 2024, with over 4,000 participants from 10 markets, including Indonesia, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and Viet Nam. VNS This milestone marks ACB as one of the leading domestic custodian banks in Vietnam, offering crucial support services to financial institutions and organisations investing in Vietnam's securities market. By facilitating investment activities, ACB contributes significantly to the growth and development of the domestic capital market. From a modest market with only two stocks, each with a market capitalisation exceeding $5 billion, Vietnam's stock market has witnessed remarkable growth. As of the end of the second quarter of 2024, the market capitalisation reached over VND7.1 trillion ($288.3 million), equivalent to 69.1 per cent of the estimated GDP for 2023. This represents a substantial increase compared to the modest figure of nearly VND1 trillion ($40.6 million) in 2000, positioning Vietnam's stock market as an increasingly promising and dynamic investment destination. ACB passionately believes in the immense potential of Vietnam's capital market, which stands out as an attractive investment destination in the region. Leveraging our competitive edge as a leading domestic bank with exceptional service quality and deep market understanding, ACB is committed to act as the bridge that connects financial institutions to Vietnam's securities market. We will spare no effort to deliver the best experience to our clients, including financial institutions and investment funds, as we help the market capitalises on the incoming wave of investment into Vietnam," said Huynh Duy Sang, head of financial markets division. In addition to launching securities custody services, ACB has also introduced supervisory bank and fund Accounting services for domestic fund management companies, aimed at providing a comprehensive service offering. Together with ACB Securities and ACB Capital Management Company, ACB is enhancing its financial services ecosystem to fully support the investment activities of financial institutions. Through extensive research on foreign investors, ACB has identified two primary challenges. The first is the need for access to comprehensive information, comparable to that of domestic investors. The second is the understanding of regulations and legal frameworks in Vietnam. ACBs investor services are designed to address these issues by assisting with opening securities trading accounts, obtaining securities trading codes, facilitating transactions, and providing timely market updates. With a swift registration and transaction process, convenient documentation, operated by an experienced and professional securities services team, ACB's custody service offers a full range of essential services provided by custodian banks. ACB will continue to collaborate with ACB Securities and ACB Capital Management Company to develop its ecosystem that can leverage maximise support for investment from foreign funds and domestic fund management companies. This initiative aims to contribute to the development of the local capital market, towards the goal of upgrading to secondary emerging market status for Vietnam. ACB first to publish dedicated report on sustainable development On October 27, ACB released its Sustainable Development Report, becoming the first bank in Vietnam to publish a separate report on the issue. ACB first bank to publish separate report on sustainable development On October 27, ACB officially released the 2022 Sustainable Development Report, becoming the first bank in Vietnam to publish a separate report on sustainable development. According to Ipsos Vietnam's 'Generation Myths & Realities 2024' report, Vietnam's shrinking population growth rates and population decline, set to begin from the middle of the century onwards, will have profound implications for workforce planning, pension systems, and economic growth. Adjusting to ageing populations, considering the potentially vast market of older adults who control a significant portion of wealth, will be crucial for marketers and businesses. The report pointed out that Vietnam currently enjoys a period known as the demographic window of opportunity, where the proportion of the working-age population is higher than that of dependents. However, this window is expected to start closing by 2039 as the fertility rate declines and population ageing accelerates. The total fertility rate in Vietnam has decreased significantly over the years, currently standing at 2.0, close to the replacement level. This trend, driven by socioeconomic factors like urbanisation and changing family dynamics, will eventually lead to a shrinking workforce and increased pressure on social services. Simultaneously, the median age of the Vietnamese population is rising, with the percentage of those over 60 projected to increase substantially in the coming decades. This ageing population presents a unique set of needs and preferences for businesses to address. While 49 per cent of global respondents have heard of Generation Z, only 34 per cent of Vietnamese are familiar with the term. This trend extends to other generations as well, with lower recognition for Millennials (24 per cent in Vietnam vs. 48 per cent globally), Generation X (33 per cent vs. 46 per cent), and Baby Boomers (29 per cent vs. 39 per cent). Generational labels like Baby Boomers or Gen Z may not resonate as strongly in Vietnam compared to western countries, due to cultural and historical contexts that significantly alter the collective experiences of generations. Health and wellness are paramount, with 91 per cent of Vietnamese respondents agreeing that they need to do more to look after themselves physically, according to Ipsos Global Trends 2023. Health enhancement could be an optimistic way of addressing older citizens, without the underlying implications of something is broken; therefore, it needs to be fixed or prevented that comes with curative or preventive messages. For businesses, demographic trends offer both challenges and opportunities, such as catering to underserved markets like the ageing population. There is a mismatch between mature adults considerable assets/buying power and the level of marketing attention they get, which often borders on neglect. Strategic planning must now account for these trends to ensure businesses are on a stable and sustainable footing for future growth. The general idea is that brands aim to serve the underserved to continue growing. However, examples are still primarily limited to products associated with maintaining physical health and wellbeing, rather than addressing other aspects of ageing like the need for smaller packaging (both because of weight and because of smaller household sizes), elderly peoples supposed reluctance to change their habits, among others. Vietnam's swiftly aging population prompts strategic government initiatives The Asian Development Bank (ADB) disclosed on May 2 that developing nations in the Asia-Pacific region, including Vietnam, are inadequately prepared to secure the welfare of their swiftly ageing populations. Ho Chi Minh City faces rapidly ageing population with 12.5 per cent over 60 Low birth and death rates, coupled with increased life expectancy, have accelerated Ho Chi Minh City's progression into an ageing population, with those over 60 years old accounting for 12.5 per cent of its citizens. How do extreme climate events like the recent ones affect Vietnams sustainable development goals? The northern region of Vietnam has been going through stormy days, with Typhoon Yagi hitting several provinces and cities, causing heavy damage to infrastructure and affecting many families. Yagi is the strongest super typhoon in the East Sea in the past 30 years, a rare phenomenon that serves as a stark reminder of the increased frequency and intensity of storms as a result of oceans heating up due to climate change. Nguyen Quang Vinh, vice chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and chairman of the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development It is yet another example of how global warming and climate change have caused, are causing, and will continue to cause increasingly extreme weather events that threaten the survival of humanity. Never has it been more critical to address the urgent global goal of slowing down the warming of our planet. In this context, sustainable development has also become a necessity and a strategic requirement for businesses in Vietnam and around the world. Achieving the goal of halving greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and reaching net-zero by 2050 is not just a target it is a mandatory step for countries globally. This is an urgent task, and building trust as well as pushing for genuine action is vital to reaching that goal. Vietnam, as a responsible nation, has made a strong commitment and is proactively working towards reducing its GHG emissions, which are the main contributors to global warming. The Party and state have placed a priority on building a sustainable development model. This involves two key roadmaps. First is adapting to climate change and building resilience against its impacts, and second is mitigating climate change by gradually decarbonising the economy, reducing emissions, and steering the country towards reducing reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources. What role do enterprises play in achieving these goals? Businesses play a crucial role in building a sustainable future. Conversely, by embracing sustainability, businesses can ensure they meet necessary regulations, enhance their brand reputation, and secure long-term growth. The practice of building strategies, implementing, and evaluating progress according to the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework has garnered significant attention and is being actively adopted across industries. From a business standpoint, when we discuss net-zero, many companies tend to focus solely on environmental factors. They often consider production, technology upgrades, and machinery improvements to reduce emissions and energy consumption as the primary measures. However, sustainability requires much more than environmental considerationsit also includes strong corporate governance and social factors, such as human capital. Corporate governance is fundamental to the success of a businesss sustainability campaign. The commitment and active participation of senior leaders, from strategy development to implementation, are essential for sustainable growth. Additionally, businesses must place people at the heart of their strategies. Putting human capital at the centre is something every company that wants to sustain long-term success must keep in mind. What is the VCCI doing to support businesses? We are committed to raising awareness and encouraging businesses to shift their mindset towards sustainable business practices. We emphasise the critical role that senior executives and boards of directors play in leading ESG-based governance. The development of human capital is also a key pillar in any businesss sustainable development strategy, which in turn supports the broader goal of net-zero. We want businesses to take bolder actions by sharing green transformation initiatives and case studies of companies from various sectors. For years, the VCCI has worked closely with many ministries and sectors, creating platforms for businesses to engage in dialogue with relevant agencies to overcome challenges. We have also shared sustainable business models that companies can learn from, helping them identify the most suitable frameworks to implement. We have developed several key indicators to promote sustainable transformation, encouraging different stakeholders to take action. For example, the Provincial Green Index motivates provinces and cities to pursue economic growth with environmental protection. Meanwhile, the Corporate Sustainability Index encourages the business community to integrate sustainability into their corporate governance models. This helps them become more competitive while transitioning to responsible business practices. Currently, through the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development, the VCCI is also collaborating with IDH Vietnam to promote sustainable industrial zones. This includes creating and implementing the Sustainable Industrial Park Index, which guides businesses in transforming such areas to meet sustainability standards. However, no matter how many efforts the VCCI and other organisations make, we cannot achieve these goals without the active involvement of businesses themselves. Companies must make strong commitments to sustainable development. Not only in terms of financial resources, but businesses also have the capacity to drive positive change in consumer behaviour, create sustainable livelihoods for communities, preserve biodiversity, and safeguard environmental resources. By adopting nature-based business models, enterprises can make an enormous difference and support the sustainable transformation of other companies within their value chain. The path to sustainable development and net-zero emissions is not a task for one group or organisation alone. It requires the collective effort of businesses, government bodies, and society as a whole. Vietnam has set a clear path towards a greener future, and with strong commitments from all stakeholders, we can successfully transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy. San Francisco Ballet announced its new executive director, Branislav Henselmann. Courtesy of Mark Yammine San Francisco Ballet has appointed Branislav Henselmann as its new executive director, concluding its nine-month international search. Henselmann will replace Arturo Jacobus, who has served as interim executive director since Danielle St.Germain resigned from the position in April 2023 after serving for a year. He is set to begin the new role in November. It just feels right and feels wonderful and, quite frankly, it feels super exciting, Henselmann told the Chronicle. I have been looking at San Francisco Ballets since my early, early days even as a dance student as a beacon for what ballet should and can be. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The professionally trained dancer studied in London at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, and later received his master of fine arts in dance and business administration from New York University in 2006. In 2022, he earned his master of public administration from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Henselmann, 49, brings more than 30 years of experience in the cultural and creative sector to the Ballet. He most recently worked as the deputy general manager of arts, culture and community for the city of Vancouver, where he worked for seven years and previously led the citys cultural services department. He also served as executive director of Ballet BC for nearly five years. Hes high energy, hes a new generation and thats exactly what we need right now, said Alison Hall Mauze, chair of the Ballets Board of Trustees. He brings this universal international perspective on building community and support for the arts. San Francisco Ballet plans to bring Helgi Tomassons Swan Lake to Spain in October. Lindsay Thomas Henselmanns experience working with a city government and understanding the connections between tourism, community and the arts is something Mauze said makes him perfect for the position. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Arts and culture are the very bedrock of our collective identity, he said. Theyre the heart and conscience of cities like San Francisco. In his new role, Henselmann plans to focus on familiarizing himself with San Francisco, the Ballet and its dancers, noting that he will keep a very firm eye on financial responsibility as well. He will work closely with the Ballets Artistic Director Tamara Rojo, who succeeded Helgi Tomasson in 2022 and recently launched the Raising Leaders fellowship to support dancers beyond the stage with individualized development curricula. Henselmann joins the Ballet as the company is facing litigation by two dancers. Mathilde Froustey sued the company in 2023, and fellow ballerina Ellen Hummel filed suit last month. Both allege they were pushed to perform through pain that resulted in permanent injury and disability. More Information Swan Lake: San Francisco Ballet. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15-18 and 21-22; 5 and 9 p.m. Oct. 19. Starting at 18. Teatro Real, Madrid. sfballet.org The Ballet previously told the Chronicle that it cannot comment on active litigation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Meanwhile, the Ballet is preparing to make its first international outing under Rojo, bringing Swan Lake to her native Madrid for an eight-day run starting Oct. 15. The donation was handed over to Thai Nguyen and Lao Cai provinces, which were the hardest hit by the recent disaster. Typhoon Yagi, one of the most intense storms to reach Vietnam in the past 30 years, caused widespread damage across the north of the country. The storm and its aftermath have resulted in significant loss of life, extensive property damage, and severe disruption to local infrastructure. According to the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, the storm had caused 330 deaths or missing persons, 1,921 injuries, and devastated tens of thousands of homes, with numbers still rising. In response, Carlsberg Vietnam, together with its employees, has stepped up to provide critical support, donating more than VND1 billion ($40,625) to the two hardest-hit provinces. This donation embodies Carlsberg Groups purpose of Brewing for a better today and tomorrow, reflecting Carlsberg Vietnam's commitment to social responsibility and community support during challenging times. In the spirit of solidarity and mutual support, Carlsberg Vietnam initiated a call for donations among its employees. These funds have been directly transferred to the Vietnam Fatherland Front committees in Thai Nguyen and Lao Cai. They will be used to repair damaged homes, support families facing severe losses or injuries, and provide essential aid to help residents rebuild their lives. Andrew Khan, managing director of Carlsberg Vietnam, said, At Carlsberg, our purpose of Brewing for a better today and tomorrow goes beyond our products; it defines our commitment to the communities we serve. With over 30 years of operations in Vietnam, we understand our role and responsibility towards the community and are committed to offering our support during challenging times. In the face of adversity, our mission compels us to stand together, offering support and hope. Through this donation, we aim to ease the burden faced by those affected by Typhoon Yagi and the floods. Our hearts go out to every family impacted, and we hope that this gesture will bring some relief and help rebuild lives. Together, we can overcome these hardships and move forward with renewed strength and unity, he added. As one of the first Danish multinational corporations to invest in Vietnam, Carlsberg has a long history of contributing to the countrys economic and social development. Over the past three decades, the company has engaged in sustainability efforts, limited its environmental impacts, and supported numerous community support initiatives. Carlsberg Vietnam has provided clean water to 9,000 households in Central Vietnam, distributed thousands of gift packs annually to low-income families, constructed charitable homes, and supported disaster relief efforts. Through these endeavours, the company continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of local people, fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility for a better Vietnam. Andrew Khan appointed as new managing director of Carlsberg Vietnam Andrew Khan has been appointed the new managing director of Carlsberg Vietnam. Carlsberg continues journey to bring fresh water to Central Vietnam Huda, a brand of the Carlsberg Group, has announced five new fresh water projects serving the community in Vietnam's central provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien Hue, showing its contribution to the region. Indonesias digital economy sector generates 1.75 billion USD in tax revenue, Illustrative photo ( Photo: Thejakartapost.com) Jakarta The tax revenue from the digital economy sector in Indonesia reached 27.85 trillion IDR (1.75 billion USD) from 2022 to the end of August 2024, according to the Taxation Directorate General under the countrys Finance Ministry. The revenue comes from the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) on e-commerce or marketplaces, crypto tax, peer-to-peer lending (P2P Lending) or online loan tax, and procurement tax through the Government Procurement Information System (SIPP tax). Director of Counseling, Services, and Public Relations Dwi Astuti said that since 2020, e-commerce VAT has deposited 22.3 trillion IDR from 166 collectors, with 5.39 trillion IDR in 2024 only. Meanwhile, crypto tax revenues since 2022 have amounted to 875.44 billion IDR, comprising 411.12 billion IDR from income tax of crypto trade and 463.32 billion IDR of crypto VAT. Fintech tax for online loans also contributed tax revenues of 2.43 trillion IDR between 2022 and August 2024. Tax revenues from other digital economic businesses came from SIPP tax revenues, reaching 2.25 trillion IDR. SIPP tax revenues consisted of 152.74 billion IDR of income tax and 2.09 trillion IDR of VAT. According to Dwi, Indonesia will continue to tax digital business actors in order to create justice and equality between e-commerce and conventional trade. The ministry also explores potential tax revenues from other digital economic businesses such as crypto taxes on crypto asset trading transactions, fintech taxes on loan interest paid by loan recipients, and SIPP taxes. Indonesia closely monitors development of monkeypox Indonesian President Joko Widodo held a cabinet meeting on August 27 to discuss the development of Monkeypox (mpox) in the country. Vietnam to benefit as Indonesia increases rice import volumes Vietnam is set to capitalise on Indonesia's record-high rice import volumes, as the rising demand from the neighbouring country opens up significant export opportunities for local producers. More mpox cases reported in Philippines (Photo: aa.com.tr) Hanoi The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) on September 16 announced three additional cases of monkeypox (mpox), bringing the total confirmed cases across the country this year to 18. Philippine Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa specified that the three newly confirmed cases are males from Metro Manila and nearby areas. Among the 18 confirmed patients so far this year, five have recovered, and there have been no fatalities. The secretary said that none of the 18 patients transmitted the virus to others, and no cases of virus spread occurred during their isolation periods. Mpox is a contagious disease that can spread from person to person through physical contact. The disease typically causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled sores. While it usually manifests in a mild form, there is a risk of death or severe complications, especially in children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals. This year, the outbreak has become more complex in Africa and has been detected in several countries worldwide. On August 14, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern regarding the disease. Ministry preparing response plans for monkeypox The Ministry of Health (MoH) on August 1 held an online training session to guide medical facilities nationwide on the diagnosis and treatment of monkeypox in the context that the number of the cases worldwide is topping 22,000. Indonesia confirms first case of monkeypox Indonesia has recorded its first case of monkeypox - an international traveller returning home from a country with confirmed cases. Indonesia works to tackle risk of monkeypox outbreak The Indonesian Ministry of Health confirmed the presence of seven active cases of monkeypox (mpox) in the country, with all of them detected in Jakarta, as reported by the national news agency Antara. Power supply resumed to over 5.98 million clients affected by Typhoon Yagi. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi- The Vietnam Electricity (EVN) announced that its units have resumed electricity supply to 98% or more than 5.98 million customers who suffer from power outage due to Typhoon Yagi. With the urgent and great efforts of units of the EVNs Northern Power Corporation (EVNNPC), 1,626 out of the 1,678 medium-voltage power lines affected by the super storm resumed operation as of September 16 morning. The northern power sector is urgently mobilising personnel, vehicles, and equipment to address post-typhoon consequences and restore supply to affected customers as quickly as possible. All incidents on the 500 kV high-voltage grid have been repaired. Meanwhile, 39 out of the 40 incidents on the 220 kV power grid, 184 out of the 190 on the 110 kV power grid; and 10 of the 220 kV substations and 101 out of the 104 110kV substations have been repaired. The National Power Transmission Corporation reported that the 500kV Circuit-3 power transmission line linking Quang Trach in the central province of Quang Binh and Pho Noi in the northern province of Hung Yen, which was inaugurated on August 29, 2024, did not experience any incident and was not damaged by Typhoon Yagi. UK provides $1.3 million to tackle Typhoon Yagi impact in Vietnam The UK government has announced 1 million ($1.3 million) of humanitarian assistance to Vietnam to support the initial phase of the response to the impact of Typhoon Yagi. New Zealand provides NZ$1 million aid to support Vietnam The New Zealand government has announced a NZ$1 million contribution to support Vietnams recovery from the devastating impacts of Typhoon Yagi. Food supply ensured in wake of typhoon Many retailers committed to stabilising prices and ensuring a sufficient food supply for customers as the impact of Typhoon Yagi continued to affect many areas in the north. More than 1,000 houses in the Bai Chay tourist area along Halong Bay were severely damaged, with many restaurants collapsing, roofs torn off, and hotel room doors broken. Quang Ninhs tourism takes the brunt of typhoon, Photo: Thu Chung Le Phuong Nhi, general director of cruise brand Indochine Premium, told VIR that dozens of yachts and other boats worth $1-4 million each are wrecked. Meanwhile, the costs for repairing the remaining ships and cruises are estimated at hundreds of billions of VND. Storm damage recovery activities are still facing difficulties due to limited communication connections, many mobile broadcasting towers and telecommunication cables have been damaged, Nhi said. Yagi swept away all achievements built up by people working in the tourism sector over the past three months of summer. It will be extremely difficult to restore the site to its previous state, which will take years, not months, Nhi added. For tourist boats on Halong Bay, a UNESCO-recognised world natural heritage site, preliminary estimates indicate that over 20 boats have sunk. Besides that, many eateries in the tourism centre were also affected. Vu Thi Tuyet, who owns a row of four kiosks, said that those in the tourism industry were starting to recover after suffering significant losses due to the 2020 pandemic, but Yagi has exacerbated their difficulties. I am unsure when they will be able to recover fully and hope for support from relevant agencies to help restore tourism activities, Tuyet said. Many high-end accommodation facilities, particularly hotels, have suffered partial or total damage, as strong winds tore off roofs, collapsed walls, and shattered windows and doors. The 5-star A La Carte is one of the hotels suffering the most serious damage from the storm. Just 200m from the sea, the 41-storey building suffered terrible devastation, with the sea-facing side of the building the worst hit and most of the glass shattered. The Sea Star Hotel in the Cai Dam Urban Area of Bai Chay Ward, suffered extensive damage, with many glass doors shattered by the typhoon. Sun World Halong Park also suffered infrastructure damage. About 90 per cent of trees were knocked down or broken, and management buildings, plaster ceilings, glass, and signs also fell due to strong winds. The Yagi storm has caused severe damage in Quang Ninh, and Sun World Ha Long has also been heavily affected. Immediately after the storm, our team has been working swiftly to address the damage. We see this as an opportunity to continuously improve and upgrade all the parks services, the Sun World Halong team shared on its website. With unity and determination, we are working tirelessly to restore Sun World Ha Long as soon as possible, so that it can continue to be a wonderful destination for Quang Ninh. Tourism is one of the key economic sectors of the province. In the first seven months of 2024, the province welcomed nearly 13 million visitors with a total revenue of $1.22 billion, signifying increases of 20 per cent in terms of traveller numbers and 40 per cent in revenues on-year. During the four-day National Day holiday, the whole province welcomed 455,000 tourists, reaching 119 per cent over the same period in 2023. Total tourism revenue is estimated at $42.9 million, reaching 131 per cent on-year. Typhoon Yagi estimated to cause $1.6 billion in damage for Vietnam An estimated $1.6 billion in damages has been incurred due to Typhoon Yagi, with a projected 0.15 per cent reduction in Vietnams GDP for 2024. UK provides $1.3 million to tackle Typhoon Yagi impact in Vietnam The UK government has announced 1 million ($1.3 million) of humanitarian assistance to Vietnam to support the initial phase of the response to the impact of Typhoon Yagi. The new store will be located at AEON MALL Hue, the largest multi-service shopping mall in central Vietnam. (Photo courtesy of UNIQLO) Hanoi - UNIQLO, the global clothing company from Japan, has announced it will open its first store in Hue city, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, in 2025. With this new launch, UNIQLO will have a retail presence spanning all three regions of Vietnam, north, central and south. The new store will be located at AEON MALL Hue, the largest multi-service shopping mall in central Vietnam. The new store aims to offer a more convenient shopping experience for customers in the region, while making a positive contribution to local communities in terms of economy, society and people's livelihood. General Director of UNIQLO Vietnam Nishida Hideki said: "We are reaching the five year anniversary in Vietnam. Throughout this journey, we are proud to gain customer love and trust in every province our stores are located Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong and Binh Duong. "For the central region, we also received customers warm messages to welcome the brand to this area. The opening of our new store is not only an important milestone for the company, but also our way of expressing gratitude to customers nationwide. We are thrilled to introduce our high-quality LifeWear and provide the best services to customers in the central region. In addition, we are also committed to supporting the development of the local communities. Thua Thien- Hue province, Vietnam's third largest economic region, has a population of over 650,000 and attracts both domestic and foreign tourists due to its local beauty and heritage. Thua Thien-Hue has been steadily developing, with an increased presence of domestic and international investors, with the goal of becoming a centrally managed city by 2025. As the seventh shopping mall of AEON MALL Group in Vietnam and the largest shopping mall in Hue city, AEON MALL Hue is located in An Van Duong New Urban Area, An Dong Ward. The plans are for a total area of about 1,700 hectares with an administrative centre along with commercial and residential areas. It is the first shopping mall in Vietnam to achieve the prestigious LOTUS certificate from the Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC), affirming AEON MALL Vietnam's commitment to environmental protection and efforts to improve the quality of life for the local community. UNIQLO AEON MALL Hue store will feature a sales floor size of roughly 1,000 square metres, delivering a full selection of LifeWear items and a comfortable shopping experience for central region clients. UNIQLO on sustainable development track Fast Retailing, UNIQLO's parent company, increased use of recycled materials and saw a 69.4 per cent reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the 2023 fiscal year. UNIQLO launches LifeWear autumn-winter 2024 collection UNIQLO has launched a new collection themed Timeless Tones", introducing basic, elegant designs featuring new colours, materials, and silhouettes inspired by the cities of Edinburgh and Stockholm. The delegation of the Vietnamese community in Laos presents to the Lao side a token of their aid for those affected by Typhoon Yagi in the countrys northern region. (Photo: VNA) Vientiane A delegation of the Vietnamese community in Laos, led by Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Vietnam Phan Minh Chien, on September 16 came to the Lao Prime Ministers Office to hand over financial aid to support those affected by Typhoon Yagi in the countrys northern region. At the event, Lao PM Sonexay Siphandone expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the timely support from Vietnam, although Vietnam has also suffered heavy losses from the natural disaster. He noted that this gesture reflected the two nations enduring solidarity and mutual support in any circumstance. The government leader assured that the received fund will be distributed to flood victims in various Lao localities. For his part, Chien expressed his confidence that under the leadership and close attention of the Lao Party and Government at both central and local levels, local people will overcome the difficulties and that life in the affected areas will soon return to normal. In the presence of PM Siphandone, Chien, on behalf of the embassy and its related agencies, the Vietnam Business Association and Vietnamese community in Laos, presented 300 million LAK (13,580 USD) worth of aid to Lao Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Baykham Khattiya. Quang Ninhs tourism takes the brunt of typhoon Typhoon Yagi has left a trail of destruction across several key tourist sites in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh. Power supply resumed to over 5.98 million clients affected by Typhoon Yagi The Vietnam Electricity (EVN) announced that its units have resumed electricity supply to 98% or more than 5.98 million customers who suffer from power outage due to Typhoon Yagi. Carlsberg Vietnam donates $44,000 to support Typhoon Yagi recovery efforts Carlsberg Vietnam, together with its employees, has donated over VND1.1 billion ($44,688) to support northern cities and provinces in Vietnam severely hit by Typhoon Yagi. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) The federal government urged a U.S. District Court judge on Tuesday to temporarily prevent a proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons, saying in closing arguments the combination would almost certainly benefit shareholders and not everyday shoppers. Lawyers for the Federal Trade Commission and for the supermarket chains gave their closing arguments at the end of a three-week hearing on the commission's request for a preliminary injunction to block the $24.6 billion deal. Kroger and Albertsons argued their merger would preserve consumer choice by allowing them to better compete against growing rivals like Walmart, Costco and Amazon. If we dont do something, the corner grocery store is in real danger," Kroger attorney Matt Wolf said. U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson must now decide whether to grant the injunction while the FTC's anti-trust complaint goes goes before an in-house administrative law judge. Nelson said she would work expeditiously on her decision, but she didn't say when she would rule. Kroger and Albertsons proposed what would be the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history in 2022. The FTC alleged the merger would eliminate competition and lead to higher food prices for already struggling customers. Susan Musser, the FTC's chief trial counsel, argued Tuesday that Kroger and Albertsons primarily compete with each other and not places like Amazon or Costco, where consumers do other kinds of shopping. Its this local competition, in these local communities, that this merger will eliminate, Musser said. But Wolf pushed back, saying Kroger and Albertsons were competing for the same customers as retailers that have lower labor costs because their workers aren't unionized. Supermarkets are losing this food fight, and we pay the price for that fact," Wolf said. Kroger has said it plans to invest $1 billion in lower prices, if the merger goes through. Wolf said the company would focus on lowering prices from day one. But Musser said the judge should be skeptical about the companies' promises, which aren't legally binding. Kroger and Albertsons' executives might be well-intentioned, she said, but they will face pressure to report profits and keep prices high. Executives have a fiduciary duty not to shoppers, but to shareholders, Musser said. Experience tells us that promises can be broken. Albertsons CEO Vivek Sankaran, who testified earlier in the hearing, attended the closing arguments Tuesday but didn't speak. FTC attorneys have noted that the two supermarket chains currently compete in 22 states, closely matching each other on price, quality, private label products and services like store pickup. Shoppers benefit from that competition and would lose those benefits if the merger is allowed to proceed, they said. Under the deal, Kroger and Albertsons would sell 579 stores in places where their locations overlap to C&S Wholesale Grocers, a New Hampshire-based supplier to independent supermarkets that also owns the Grand Union and Piggly Wiggly store brands. The FTC maintains C&S is ill-prepared to take on the stores now owned by Albertsons and Kroger. Earlier in the hearing, Laura Hall, the FTCs senior trial counsel, cited internal documents that indicated C&S executives were skeptical about the quality of the stores they would get and may want the option to sell or close them. But Wolf said Tuesday that C&S has the experience and national scale to handle the divestiture. We picked the party that could get the job done," he said. Kroger, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, operates 2,800 stores in 35 states, including brands like Ralphs, Smiths and Harris Teeter. Albertsons, based in Boise, Idaho, operates 2,273 stores in 34 states, including brands like Safeway, Jewel Osco and Shaws. Together, the companies employ around 710,000 people. In seeking to stop the merger, the FTC and labor union leaders have argued that workers wages and benefits would decline if Kroger and Albertsons no longer competed with each other. They also expressed concern that potential store closures could create so-called food and pharmacy deserts for consumers. Six local chapters of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which together represent 100,000 Kroger and Albertsons workers in 12 states, said in a joint statement Tuesday that the companies cant be trusted. The corporations admitted under oath, despite repeated comments to the public and media to the contrary, that some stores may close after a merger, prices may not actually go down after a merger and claims they have made to protect union jobs are not legally enforceable, the group said in a statement. The attorneys general of Arizona, California, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Wyoming all joined the FTCs lawsuit on the commissions side. Washington and Colorado filed separate cases in state courts seeking to block the merger. Washingtons case opened in Seattle on Monday. If Nelson agrees to issue the injunction, the FTC plans to hold the in-house hearings starting Oct. 1. Kroger sued the FTC last month, however, alleging the agencys internal proceedings are unconstitutional and saying it wants the mergers merits decided in federal court. That lawsuit is being considered by a federal court in Ohio. Shares in both Kroger and Albertsons fell 2% in trading Tuesday. Durbin reported from Detroit. Elena Kadvany has been a reporter on the Chronicles Food & Wine team since 2021. She covers the ins and outs of the Bay Area food industry, from breaking news about the latest restaurant openings to investigative stories into wage theft and workers rights. In 2024, her food writing portfolio won second place in the Society for Features Journalism Excellence-in-Features awards. Previously, she covered restaurants and education for the Palo Alto Weekly; her work has also been published in Bon Appetit and the Guardian, and her reporting has been recognized by the California News Publishers Association. She can be reached at Elena.Kadvany@sfchronicle.com. WATERLOO Iowa Finance Authority announced the winners of the annual Housing Iowa Awards at the 2024 Housing Iowa Conference. Amongst the winners, Hawkeye Community College won the Innovation Award for the WE Build program. These awards recognize outstanding programs, projects and professionals for leadership and innovation in advancing housing opportunities for Iowans. The WE Build program has been in operation for four years. It focuses on providing career training, career counseling, resume assistance, interview preparation, team building and personal skills development for individuals with employment barriers. It is an introduction to construction trades class. Individuals in the program go through a 12-week residential construction or rehabilitation project through the introduction to construction trades pre-apprenticeship, a recognized pre-apprenticeship program. This program is designed to create interest in an assortment of career paths within construction trades. In addition to creating career paths for individuals, it also helps create housing that will be sold to local lower income families. After completion, the program students have the opportunity to start a registered apprenticeship. To date WE Build has completed 14 homes in Waterloo. George Benson, a graduate of the program, said he appreciated the program and not just for the training. Being able to put in an impact, not just in the community ... making people happy, being able to say, Hey I did that, I helped create that home for that beautiful family was important for him. Every student has different challenges and barriers and needs to be successful, theres not one shoe that fits every student, saod Workforce Development Coordinator and team lead Valerie Peterson. We make it very individualized to help them. If students need help with transportation, connecting with community resources, food assistance or other needs, the program can help with that. Benson adds that seeing individuals who had a bad start in life or career path and getting a reset from WE Build, its kind of like, Hey if they can do it, I can do it. Many students within the program are referrals from former students. When they refer their friends and family to join the program ... that speaks volumes to the student experience, said Peterson. Since the program started, 86% of students earned high school equivalent credentials or industry recognized credentials with 91% of students continuing their education or moving to a full-time position. When Peterson first heard about the program receiving the innovation award, she said, I was surprised, there was a lot of great applications submitted and I know that theres a lot of wonderful things going on throughout the state as it relates to housing. She said they are very honored that they read our application and thought that we deserved the award. Mary Pat Moore, Hawkeyes executive director of public relations and marketing, added, From a college point of view, were always honored when someone recognizes a great workforce program such as WE Build and then the impact that it has on the community. Were training individuals, were helping them remove some barriers. Were building and renovating homes thatll be used in the community to create affordable housing. Benson accepted the award and gave a speech at the conference. I think the recognition was needed honestly ... you gain friends and gain people that went through your experience and are sticking it out like you are, its a wonderful thing, he said. Im happy to have had the opportunity to help accept that award. He and other students call it the WE Build family program. The innovation award was one of many that were handed out at the conference. Other awards included the Single Family Development Award to Hillside Estates in Council Bluffs, the Multifamily Development Award to Boulevard Apartments in Marion, the Special Needs Development Award to The Heights in Cedar Rapids, Mark Setterh Friend of Housing Award to Hope Metheny YSS and the Kay Anderson Friend of Iowa award to Jnae Peterman of Housing Fund for Linn County. DES MOINES Donald Trumps formerly double-digit lead in Iowa is now just 4 percentage points, a new Iowa Poll shows. Published over the weekend, the latest Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll shows Trump, the Republican former president seeking another term, with a lead of just 47% to 43% over Democratic candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris. That 4-point margin is a significant drop from the 18-point advantage Trump held over Democratic President Joe Biden in June. In that Iowa Poll, Trump enjoyed an expansive 50-32 percentage advantage over Biden. Biden ended his re-election campaign in July, and shortly afterward Democrats nominated Harris to run against Trump in the Nov. 5 presidential election. The latest Iowa Poll is the first since Harris became the Democratic nominee. The Iowa Poll is conducted for the Register by the Des Moines-based polling firm Selzer and Co. and is considered the gold standard in Iowa political polling. Selzer and Co. has a rating of 2.8 out of a possible 3 stars by the political data journalism website fivethirtyeight.com. There has been little polling on the presidential election in Iowa in 2024 because the state is expected to go comfortably to Trump, who has won the state both times he has been on the ballot: by 9 points over Hillary Clinton in 2016 and by 8 points over Biden in 2020. In 2016, the Iowa Poll showed Trump with a 4-point edge over Clinton in October and a 7-point edge just before the election. In 2020, the Iowa Poll showed Trump and Biden even in September before showing Trump with a 7-point lead in October. The new Iowa Poll also showed 6% support for independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and 1% for Libertarian Chase Oliver. Kennedy late last month suspended his campaign and endorsed Trump. CANDIDATE FUNDING PLEDGED: The abortion rights group Iowans for Health Liberty announced a slate of endorsements of 52 Statehouse candidates all Democrats and pledged to donate roughly $150,000 to their campaigns. The endorsements include both incumbent Democrats and Democratic challengers. The group was formed in 2023 in response to Iowas passage of a new state law that restricts abortions once cardiac activity can be detected, which typically is at roughly six weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman is aware of the pregnancy. The group said it has received contributions from more than 400 donors. Their generosity underscores the commitment to a shared belief that patients, in conjunction with their physicians, are best equipped to choose when to become pregnant or to end a pregnancy, as well as make other private medical decisions, Emily Boevers, an obstetrician and gynecologist and president of Iowans for Health Liberty, said in a statement. The group said it will donate $110,000 to candidates who can win on Nov. 5, and before the election will donate another $40,000. HINSON, CORKERY TO DEBATE: Republican incumbent Ashley Hinson and Democratic challenger Sarah Corkery in Eastern Iowas 2nd Congressional District will debate next month on Iowa PBS, the network has announced. The debate has been scheduled for 8 p.m. Oct. 14 at Iowa PBS studios in Johnston. Iowa Press host Kay Henderson will moderate with two yet unnamed Iowa political reporters. The debate will air live on Iowa PBS and be streamed on iowapbs.org, YouTube and Facebook. 17 political cartoons debate the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump The Eat My Hass guacamole at the 13th annual Guac-Off in San Francisco. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle A group gathers at a table during the guacamole competition on Saturday. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle Jarrod Shappell displays his entry in the 13th annual Guac-Off. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle Sarah Katz-Hyman holds Whoofi Goldberg at the Guac-Off. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle They say never work with children or animals, and yet on Saturday afternoon I found myself shoulder to shoulder with a 5-year-old, a 7-year-old, a cockatoo and a 30-pound hare, facing a crowd of a couple hundred. We were all local celebrity guest judges at the 13th annual Guac-Off, an event that, together with Dreamforce and Folsom Street Fair, Id argue is one of the marquee events of San Franciscos September calendar. This years Guac-Off featured a record-breaking 82 guacamoles, a term I use somewhat loosely (Im looking at you, guacamole brownies). As guest judges, we awarded a prize to the guac of our choosing, but the larger competition was democratic. Attendees grazed and voted, and the top 10 finishers received glamorous prizes from local businesses. The overall winner? A father-daughter duo, Ted and Ellie Dubasik, who charmed the crowd with their high-concept I Can Do It With a Broken Tart, a tangy-sweet concoction served on a heart-shaped crust. Taylor would approve. Ted and Ellie Dubasik received first place for their guacamole. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle It was a struggle to choose one favorite among the 80-plus entries, but thankfully I have a newsletter where I can make up my own damn awards. Shall we? Advertisement Article continues below this ad My Best Nontraditional Guac Award goes to the Guac-Amok-Amole, infused with the flavors of the iconic Khmer fish curry. Darien Werfhorst had recently returned from a trip to Cambodia with an amok seasoning mix (if youd like to make your own, I recommend this video featuring Lunette chef Nite Yun), which she amped up with fresh lemongrass, makrut lime leaves and herbs. Many of the fusion guacs erred on the side of subtlety is that sesame that I detect? but Werfhorsts left no question about its inspiration. Jaime Spray holds 1-year-old Julian at the Guac-Off. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle On the other end of the spectrum, the Eat My Hass guacamole featured chef-approved Brokaw avocados, salted Persian cucumbers and mint in addition to cilantro, and it takes home my Best Mostly Traditional Guac Award. It was a master class in balance, and the crowd rewarded it with second place. Im assigning a tie for the Guac That Eats Like a Meal Award. One favorite was the Guacque Choux from Jules Vu, who hails from Mississippi. Loaded with corn and peppers and served in a casserole, it reminded me of a Cajun 7-layer dip. Recognition also goes to Jarrod Shappell for his The Original Beefd Up Guacamole, an homage to The Bear. An 18-inch roll couldnt contain his guac topped with ample giardiniera and, yes, roast beef. The Original Beefd Up Guacamole, an homage to The Bear. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle The Siegfried & Roy Showbiz Award goes to the Guacano. This bedeviling spectacle, assembled in what Im pretty sure was a chocolate fountain, featured a reservoir of semi-congealed queso underneath a basin of guac. With the flick of a switch, the queso slowly oozed from a spigot onto the guacamole, orange and green commingling like an Irish flag waving in the wind which is really just a transition to tee up my Advertisement Article continues below this ad Most Anarchic Guac Award. The Gaelic Guac answered a question no one asked: What would happen if you added avocado to mashed potatoes? Fellas, I admire your gumption, but leave those poor spuds alone. If these guacamoles leave you inspired to experiment, here are some lines of verse handed to me on Saturday by Muni operator and poet Mc Allen: At the right instant, plant your feet firmly on the earth, draw strength from your core, Advertisement Article continues below this ad be balanced, trust your hands Commentary: Philippines needs to carefully consider next steps after withdrawing ship from China's Xianbin Jiao Xinhua) 10:00, September 17, 2024 BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- After nearly five months of illegally anchoring in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao, part of China's Nansha Qundao, Philippine coast guard vessel MRRV-9701 withdrew from the reef on Saturday and returned to a Philippine port. The withdrawal came after multiple resupply attempts by the Philippine side failed due to China's lawful and professional management and control measures. China had repeatedly urged Manila to immediately withdraw the ship that gravely infringed on China's territorial sovereignty. The withdrawal is the only correct choice and proves the Philippines' previous resupply attempts were unnecessary. It is a good thing to cool down the situation in Xianbin Jiao. But will peace return and prevail in Xianbin Jiao from now on? The answer to this question remains uncertain. Philippine National Maritime Council officials reportedly claimed another ship will replace it immediately and that the MRRV-9701 will resume its mission after resupply and repair. A Philippine coast guard spokesperson also said they will "sustain presence" in the waters. The Philippine side should learn from recent events and carefully consider its next steps. Given that Manila often chops and changes in tackling differences with China in the South China Sea, both its words and actions necessitate close observation and preventive measures. The Philippines intends to establish a long-term presence and occupy Xianbin Jiao, by fabricating the lie that its vessels are deployed to monitor China's "land reclamation" activities. China has no such plans at all. This is yet another deceitful act, similar to its trick at China's Ren'ai Jiao, where a Philippine military vessel was illegally "grounded" in 1999 and has since remained there. Xianbin Jiao is a part of China's Nansha Qundao. China maintains indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and the adjacent waters, including Ren'ai Jiao and Xianbin Jiao. China's coast guard will continue to carry out law enforcement activities in the waters under China's jurisdiction in accordance with the law, safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. It remains vigilant against any new possible ploys and provocations. At a recent high-level meeting on implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), China and ASEAN countries agreed that maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea is of great significance. They called for strengthening dialogue, exercising restraint, properly handling differences, enhancing mutual trust and maintaining the stability of the maritime situation. All parties agreed to continue to fully and effectively implement the declaration. The Philippines, as an ASEAN member, should be no exception in fully and effectively implementing the DOC. Instead of playing the tricks of hyping and cheating the international community, and even committing reckless infringements, Manila should work with Beijing to uphold the DOC's seriousness and effectiveness. This is the realistic and sensible choice. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Zhong Wenxing) The frutas a la Ines salad at Parche in Oakland features pressed seasonal melons accented with a lulo gelee. Kristen Murakoshi/Special to The Chronicle When Paul Iglesias was preparing to open his Colombian restaurant Parche in Oakland in 2023, he took his team on a trip to Bogota, Colombia, to explore the capitals restaurants, plazas and mercados. Immediately, one ingredient ubiquitous in Bogota, yet unknown to the Bay Area team stood out to the excursion members taste buds. Its fresh impression lingered throughout the trip and on the plane back home. We just couldnt get away from lulo, said Iglesias, who recalls tasting lulo on childhood trips to visit his relatives in Colombia. Bay Area restaurants are slowly embracing the bright and sweet taste of lulo, a nightshade fruit with a citrus-like profile. It is most popular in Colombia, where it is predominantly consumed as juice or chopped or infused into other beverages. Lulo drinks have long been visible at traditional Colombian restaurants specializing in homestyle dishes in the Bay Area. Now, however, more Latin American-inspired restaurants and bars are making use of lulos unique flavor to accent cocktails and dishes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Iglesias describes lulos flavor as the trinity of acid: It has notes of orange, lime and grapefruit that attack the palate in different stages. But despite its growing popularity among local chefs, lulo remains elusive: Its not grown at wholesale scale in the U.S., although small amounts can be grown in Florida, where microclimate pockets make it possible to grow this nightshade. Because it isnt imported in its fresh form in large amounts, chefs here must rely largely on lulo pulp. Parche owner Paul Iglesias, left, and executive chef Juan Hormiga. Kristen Murakoshi/Special to The Chronicle Lulo is not unique to Colombia; it is also found in countries such as Brazil and Panama. In Ecuador it is known by the name naranjilla, Spanish for little orange. Lulos resemblance to that citrus is easy to see, given its amber-yellow skin. However, lulos squishy interior often has a green pulp and is studded with seeds, similar to a tomatillo. It can be as large as a persimmon or as small as a tangerine. To Bay Area diners, Colombian cuisine may summon thoughts of arepas, stuffed corn flour patties; or bandeja paisa, a countryside breakfast platter of fried eggs, beans, sausage and plantains plated similarly to an English full breakfast. But Iglesias, whose mother is Colombian, argues that lulo along with coffee, Colombias top crop might be the most representative food from this country. Lulo shows you what the tropical terroir is like. It speaks volumes about the land, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At upscale Latin American-inspired restaurant Mago in Oakland, chef Mark Liberman prepares dishes for his multi-course feasts like arepas garnished with carrot puree, tender potatoes with cabbage, and sea bass skewers cooked over a live flame. The beverage pairings for his tasting menu highlight lulos tropical flavor, which is distinct from more common fruits like mango and pineapple. The Como Un Lulo cocktail at Parche, made with rum and lulo. Kristen Murakoshi/Special to The Chronicle Lulo has a unique flavor, like passion fruit candy, while adding acidity, which is a much needed element in cocktails, Liberman said. Mago serves a cocktail made with lulo puree, green chile vodka from Alameda distillery St. George Spirits, tomatillo shrub and lime. A nonalcoholic alternative, tinted a dreamy, blueish purple, mixes butterfly pea flower tea with the nightshade. Parches bar director Eric Syed found Lulo to have a perfect profile for cocktails, such as the rum-forward Como un Lulo, named after a flirty expression that can mean someone is like a peach, and the lulada, a nonalcoholic drink made with lime and sparkling water. The latter is based on popular drinks that, depending on the region, can combine a lulo base with other fruits, cacao, raw sugar and condensed milk. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Eric Syed, beverage director at Oakland restaurant Parche, prepares a lulada. The nonalcoholic beverage highlights the citrus-like flavor and acidity of lulo. Kristen Murakoshi/Special to The Chronicle But the fruit isnt used only in drinks. At Parche, it is a recurring sorbet flavor for dessert and has previously been used in a cream to top bread pudding. Iglesias and his team have also used it in marinades, where the acidic lulo can render beef soft. Currently, staff make a lulo gelee that dots the frutas a la Ines salad, a mix of seasonal melons pressed in a syrup made with aguardiente, a Colombian distillate. Working with lulo does pose some problems. Getting it to catch on outside of the Colombian diaspora has not been so simple, despite its winning flavor. At Macondo Colombian Fusion in Alameda, owner Constanza Ortiz has occasionally offered lulo juice to go along with her arepas stuffed with shredded beef or plantains. But the majority of her clientele, mostly unfamiliar with the crop, prefer passion fruit or berry juices. People havent been so adventurous when they hear about lulo. Even when you describe it, they dont know if theyll actually like it, she said. Because of the reluctance to try it, she only offers lulo juice a few times per year. Juan Hormiga, executive chef at Oakland restaurant Parche, prepares the frutas a la Ines salad, a blend of seasonal melons with lulo gelee. Kristen Murakoshi/Special to The Chronicle Availability is another difficulty. The fresh fruit is notoriously fragile, making it difficult to transport over long distances. Perhaps in part because of that, world demand for Colombian lulo is very low. 2022 data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity, a database of publicly disclosed trade data, shows tropical fruits as a category which includes bananas, limes and mango, among others is the 23rd most exported product from Colombia. The chief destination of these crops is the Netherlands. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Because wholesale fresh lulo is nearly impossible to find locally even retail frozen lulo is scarce in the Bay Area, Reddit users have found Parches Iglesias and Magos Liberman buy packaged lulo pulp to meet their needs. Ortiz, of Macondo, purchases bags of frozen lulo at retail online. The prices are similar to other tropical fruit ingredients: A 64-ounce container of lulo pulp from Primor Foods, the Colombian-owned Florida company Parche buys from, is $30.95, the same as other pulps like pink guava, passion fruit, lime, strawberry and soursop. Restaurateurs still hope to work with the fresh ingredient someday if it becomes available, even if its more labor intensive. Iglesias is constantly monitoring availability and has heard rumors of fresh lulo being brought into San Jose, though he hasnt been able to verify them. In the meantime, he and his crew are devising ways to implement lulo into more items. They hope to one day present fresh lulo in new preparations for Bay Area diners. Ive seen it on top of salads and charred. Powdered as well, Iglesais said. Ive never seen it compressed, but I think that would be a beautiful way of showing the texture and flavor. Meta* bans Sputnik, RT and other related entities over foreign interference activity. After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets. Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity, a Meta spokesperson said. * Banned in Russia for extremism. And what did anyone think would happen? Time to stop and remove all social media and remove all comments from the internet. No comments, that is correct. You have something to say? Say it, like I do. But who cares what you think about what I say? Since 95% of comments are bots and trash trolls and hate WtR NEW YORK (AP) Hours after an apparent attempt on Donald Trump's life over the weekend, Elon Musk took to his social platform X to post a thinking emoji and a comment that no one is even trying to assassinate the Democratic president and vice president. In the midst of anti-Muslim riots in the U.K. which were ginned up by a false rumor Musk declared that "civil war is inevitable" in the country. And when an anonymous X user distorted data to claim a surge in sketchy voter registrations in three U.S. states, Musk amplified the false post and called it extremely concerning. All three posts sparked quick backlash from public officials who called Musk's words irresponsible and misleading. As his words amass millions of views and thousands of shares, they also illustrate the ability of one of the world's most influential people to spread fear, hate and misinformation during fraught political moments around the world. That's especially true because he owns the social platform that used to be Twitter, giving Musk the authority to shape how its content reaches users. Musk's inaccurate posts to his 200 million followers along with his site's lack of guardrails are raising concerns about how he could manipulate public trust as Election Day in the U.S. draws nearer. He recently endorsed Trump's presidential bid and has become more personally invested in politics even agreeing to lead a government efficiency commission if Trump wins reelection. Trump gave a shoutout to Musk during an event on X Monday evening, basking in the tech billionaire's endorsement and referring to him as his friend. Musk did not reply to an emailed request for comment. At the very least, experts and election officials worry that Musk could influence people to question the legitimacy of the vote. But they also are concerned his words could motivate threats and violence against election workers or candidates. X and Musk are raising the temperature of politics dangerously and irresponsibly at a critical moment, said Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. Its shameful. The 53-year-old billionaire who bought and transformed Twitter in 2022 has modeled his social media site as a marketplace of ideas where people can speak freely without censorship, a move that has been cheered by many conservatives. He often has touted X as a superior news source to the mainstream media, one where users can post without fear and discern the truth. Yet the changes Musk has made to the company over two years also have allowed false information to spread largely unchecked. He has dismantled the company's Trust and Safety advisory group and stopped enforcing content moderation and hate speech rules that the site followed before his takeover. He has restored the accounts of conspiracy theorists, incentivized engagement on the platform with payouts and content partnerships, and instituted a Community Notes feature that at times results in misleading comments being placed on posts. Baseless claims from both sides of the political spectrum rack up thousands of shares on Musk's X. After a gunman shot Trump in the ear in an attempted assassination in Pennsylvania, far-left users shared false conspiracy theories that the former president had set it up. And after the debate between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, far-right users spread a bogus claim that Harris was wearing an earpiece. Rick Hasen, a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, said Musk has degraded the site so that its just a shadow of what it was in 2020, when it was regarded as a fairly reliable clearinghouse for information. Twitter, or X, has a very different public reputation now. Theres a reason millions of people left the platform and advertisers left, Hasen said. Hes spreading terrible messages. ... The question is will the marketplace of ideas work well enough that people will recognize those messages as untrustworthy, Hasen added. Musk and many Republicans disagree with that sentiment. They say the site under its previous ownership unfairly censored accurate information about COVID-19's origins and President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden when the facts were not immediately available. Musk uses his platform to post about his companies Tesla and SpaceX, to share his personal views that more people need to be having children, and to make jokes in response to memes and other content that he finds entertaining. He also has increasingly used the site to amplify unfounded claims from politicians, including that Democrats are importing" migrants into the country to vote and that Haitian migrants in Ohio are killing and eating pets. Jocelyn Benson, Michigans Democratic secretary of state, said in an interview earlier this month that Musks election postings have created a maelstrom of disinformation that makes it harder for those who run elections to empower voters with the facts. I know the vast majority of election administrators just try to keep their heads down and do the work, she said. The challenge is, how do we get information about our work out to citizens, many of whom follow Musk or are members of X, or on the platform? Some election officials have tried engaging with Musk directly to educate him and his followers. In July, the Republican recorder responsible for elections in Maricopa County, Arizona, which includes Phoenix, invited Musk through an X post to an all-access tour of the county's election facility. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, a Democrat, organized a letter to Musk with four other secretaries of state this summer when Musks AI platform, Grok, was posting incorrect information about election rules. He said Musk deserved credit for belatedly correcting that misinformation. Simon said that before Musk bought Twitter, the platform was helpful in correcting election misinformation and that he hopes Musk can do the same, whatever his personal beliefs. Its one thing if you dont like this election system or that election system in Minnesota, Simon said, but factually false information about voting needs to be fixed. Jen Easterly, director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, also commented last month on one of Musk's posts to correct a misconception that most elections in the U.S. don't use paper ballots. She wrote that during the last presidential election in 2020, "all States w/close presidential vote counts actually used paper records, allowing votes to be counted, recounted, & audited to ensure accuracy. The X owner has at times backtracked when he recognizes his posts were ill-advised. Earlier this month, he sparked outrage when one of his posts promoted an interview between the right-wing podcast host Tucker Carlson and a Holocaust revisionist. He then deleted it. Musk also deleted Sunday's post musing about how Biden and Harris had not been targeted by assassination attempts. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates nonetheless responded to call the post irresponsible and to say violence should only be condemned, never encouraged or joked about. Siva Vaidhyanathan, a professor of media studies at the University of Virginia, said most celebrities are careful about their words, recognizing that not everyone will understand their jokes or respond in a measured way. Musk, he said, has never had that kind of filter. Even so, Vaidhyanathan said Musk's influence might be overblown when it comes to political misinformation. His platform has lost money and advertisers, and he's only one of many figures who have long made false claims about elections. Musk is just one more voice in that cacophony, he said. Associated Press writers Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta, Chris Megerian in Washington and Nicholas Riccardi in Denver contributed to this report. The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about APs democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. XEC carries a mutation that could make it more transmissible, experts say. But its from the same family as current strains, so this years vaccine should still offer protection. Here, a patient gets the new shot at Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco on Sept. 11. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle A new coronavirus variant is rapidly gaining in Europe and could soon spread across the United States. Following a sustained summer swell of COVID-19, driven by the omicron KP family, health officials anticipate that a more contagious offshoot, named XEC, may become the predominant strain stateside during the expected winter surge. At this juncture, the XEC variant appears to be the most likely one to get legs next, Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla and a leading COVID-19 researcher, wrote in a social media post on Sunday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad His analysis aligns with a recent update from Andrea Garcia, vice president at the American Medical Association, who described the variant as something to keep an eye on. XEC could surpass KP.3.1.1 in the coming weeks, she noted, referring to the strain responsible for about 53% of infections in the U.S. Scientists remain on alert as XEC carries a mutation that is hypothesized to confer it superpowers, said Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at UCSF. While it is unlikely to cause a spike in hospitalizations and deaths, it is expected to infect more people. With these new transmissible variants, they will likely infect people who were otherwise not going to get infected, Chin-Hong said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad First identified in Germany in June, XEC has since spread rapidly to other countries worldwide, though it has not yet reached detectable levels in California. There is no evidence suggesting that XEC a hybrid of KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 is more virulent than its predecessors. Because it is part of the omicron family, which has been driving the COVID-19 pandemic since 2021, and a member of the XBB branch that has dominated throughout 2023, its symptoms are similar to those of previous variants, including fever or chills, cough, fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, congestion and gastrointestinal issues. XEC has tighter binding cells that may make it potentially more evasive and transmissible than earlier omicron strains, according to Chin-Hong. However, since it is an offshoot of currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains, the updated fall vaccines are expected to be effective against it. I have full confidence in the vaccine, Chin-Hong said. Particularly for serious disease prevention in those most likely to be hospitalized after infection, such as older folks who did not get a vaccine in a year or more and very immunocompromised folks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad XEC has tighter binding cells that may make it potentially more immune-evasive than earlier omicron strains. But this years vaccine should still offer protection against serious illness and its now available. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle He added that the vaccines would likely provide people with a buffer of six to eight weeks, reducing the chance of infection and the risk of long COVID. The new Pfizer and Moderna shots were formulated to target the KP.2 strain, while the Novavax vaccine aimed for JN.1. The catch is that you actually have to get vaccinated to reap the benefits, Chin-Hong said. He recommends getting the updated shots between late September and October, just before the flu season intensifies with colder weather. People in immediate need can get a vaccine sooner, especially if they are planning to travel during the fall. This summers COVID wave is on the decline now, state epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan said last week during a briefing with medical providers. She noted that hospitalizations and deaths are trending down and wastewater surveillance mirrors those declines. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cities like London, Paris and New York are high on many travelers lists of must-see destinations. However, they tend to be crowded and expensive. According to AARPs 2024 Travel Trends report, the high cost of travel is a major barrier for travelers 50-plus. However, you dont need to stay home just because Paris isnt in the budget. Many other fantastic destinations wont break the bank. These often-overlooked locations are full of culture, art, adventure and great food. With some creative thinking, you can have a great vacation without a high price tag and enjoy world-class sites without the crowds that make some more popular destinations difficult to navigate. Note: All prices listed in U.S. dollars. Members only Poland Looking for natural beauty in Poland? Head to Tatra Mountains. Adam Brzoza/Polish Tourism Organization Travel to the heart of Eastern Europe to take in history, breathtaking sites and world-class dining that goes beyond pierogies. Polands two biggest cities, Warsaw and Krakow, are about two and a half hours apart by train, making it easy to visit both in a single trip. Krakow has a charming old town square, a lively Jewish Quarter with restaurants and live music, and a lovely palace, the Wawel Royal Castle. Nearby, visit the sprawling underground Wieliczka Salt Mine that dates back to the Middle Ages and the AuschwitzBirkenau Memorial and Museum. Those who prefer to take in natural beauty can head to the nearby Tatra Mountains in Zakopane to hike or soak in geothermal pools. In Warsaw, visit the citys old town square and Royal Castle, both of which were meticulously restored after being destroyed in World War II. You can dine at Michelin-starred restaurants and visit any of the citys numerous museums including the POLIN museum, which explores the history of Jews in Poland, or the Warsaw Rising Museum. Many attractions in Warsaw are free one day per week, making it possible to save a bundle. Where to stay: In Krakow, the Holiday Inn Krakow City Centre is ideally situated between the Old Town Square and the Jewish Quarter. In Warsaw, the Hilton Warsaw City is a modern hotel with easy access to most of the citys major sites. Standard rooms at both hotels are available for around $150 per night and may be less during nonpeak travel times. Where to eat: In Warsaw, Niewinni Czarodzieje 44 draws inspiration from around the world to create craft cocktails and gourmet meals, many of which can be enjoyed for under $20. In Krakow, try Hamsa in the heart of the Jewish Quarter for traditional Middle Eastern food with flair. Many dishes are around $10 to $15. 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 San Francisco Mayor London Breed said Tuesday she was appalled by reports of mismanagement surrounding her key social equity program, the Dream Keeper Initiative, Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Mayor London Breed said Tuesday she was appalled by reports of mismanagement surrounding her key social equity program, the Dream Keeper Initiative, and acknowledged she should have done more to uphold the integrity of the effort. As Mayor, I take full responsibility because the buck stops with me, Breed said in a statement. Any potential misuse of taxpayer funds is unacceptable. Breed was responding to news reports Thursday that raised questions about spending by Sheryl Davis, then-San Francisco Human Rights Commission executive director. A Chronicle investigation showed that the department appeared to have flouted city purchasing rules, and revealed that Davis was facing a whistleblower complaint for allegedly asking a nonprofit to make purchases on behalf of her agency, including a $10,000 house rental on Marthas Vineyard. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It was also revealed Thursday that Davis had a close personal relationship with a nonprofit executive whose organization was one of the largest recipients of Dream Keeper funding, as the San Francisco Standard first reported. Davis signed off on contracts with James Spingola of Collective Impact, awarding up to $1.5 million in Dream Keeper funds from her department to his nonprofit. Davis took a leave of absence Thursday, shortly after the Chronicle published its investigation, and resigned Friday at the mayors request. Sheryl Davis provided an update on the Dream Keepers initiative at a Human Rights Commission special meeting on Sept. 5. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle In her statement, Breed said she was aware Davis and Spingola were very close friends. Thats why I made it clear to former Director Davis on multiple occasions that she needed to wall herself off from all decisions related to Collective Impact, Breed said. While protective measures were put in place, they werent implemented soon enough or to the extent necessary. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Davis wrote a letter removing herself from contracting decisions involving Collective Impact in late 2022, but that was after she signed the contracts with Spingola. She noted in the letter that she previously led Collective Impact, before her appointment as department head in 2016, and wanted to avoid the appearance of favoritism. Davis said that she had conferred with the city attorneys office and understood she had no legal conflict of interest with Collective Impact at the time. The letter did not mention her connections to Spingola. The mayor reiterated that she had immediately asked Davis to resign. She said all Dream Keeper funding has been frozen until further notice and that the controllers office was auditing the initiative to preserve the integrity of the program. Breed defended the achievements of the initiative, crediting it with providing down-payment assistance that helped Black residents become homeowners, support for small businesses, and other resources for arts and culture. DKI was designed to right the wrongs that have occurred to the citys Black community, she said. I remain committed to the program and stand by its good work. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Breed said she intended to continue funding Dream Keeper programs once the controllers office has completed its audit and the city has taken action to fix issues identified in the review. Breeds leading opponents in the mayors race have seized on the Dream Keeper reports to further criticize her leadership of the city and argue that voters should not reelect her in November. Her rivals doubled down on those critiques after her Tuesday statement and said they were unsatisfied with the mayors response. London Breed has overseen unprecedented corruption and it continues to unravel around her, said Supervisor Ahsha Safai, one of the four major challengers to Breeds reelection bid. She needs to answer the tough questions about what she knew and when she knew it. It seems to me that this response is only a reaction to media reports. Safai sought to link the Dream Keeper reports to past issues with the her administrations management of single-room occupancy hotels for the formerly homeless. A 2022 Chronicle investigation exposed squalid living conditions in the hotels, leading Safai to sponsor a successful ballot measure that created an oversight commission for the city homelessness department. This mayors administration is rotten to the core, Safai said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, another mayoral candidate, said Breeds statement was too little, too late and he planned to press for more details at a public hearing about Dream Keeper that he hoped to hold by months end. Peskin said he still planned to ask Breed to appear at the hearing, along with unidentified witnesses who he said had direct knowledge of what he described as a breathtaking amount of unethical behavior at the Human Rights Commission. I can tell you with confidence that whats come to light so far is only the tip of the iceberg, and this goes directly to London Breed, Peskin said. Mayoral candidate Mark Farrell, a former interim mayor, also panned Breeds statement. What a joke, Farrell said. If this is her signature initiative, the fact that she did not know how every single dollar was being spent is either complicity or complete negligence. In either case, San Francisco deserves better. Daniel Lurie, a nonprofit founder and Levi Strauss heir running for mayor, said in a statement that giving support to San Franciscos Black community the goal of Dream Keeper is critically important. He said the problems with Dream Keeper had the greatest impact on those most in need and blamed Breed for using her signature program to steer money to a department under her control with insufficient oversight. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Liam Mullin, left, and Landon Mullin, the sons of Rep. Kevin Mullin, D-Calif., hold signs during a news conference in honor of World IVF Day to discuss the next steps for legislation to protect access to in vitro fertilization, on July 25 in Washington. Tierney L. Cross/TNS Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Democrats hold a news conference after Republicans voted against a bill providing protection for in vitro fertilization procedures in Washington on June 13. Allison Bailey/Middle East Images/AFP/TNS WASHINGTON As Donald Trump and Kamala Harris both campaign on protecting access to in vitro fertilization, the Senate will once again vote on legislation that would enshrine the right to fertility care. The Senate will vote Tuesday to end debate about the Right to IVF Act, a bill to codify protections for IVF and other fertility treatments. Republicans blocked a similar motion in June. Since the June vote, Trump has pitched free IVF treatments, paid for by the federal government or insurance companies. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trumps running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, voted against the IVF access measure in June. Harris running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, discussed his own familys use of fertility treatments during his speech to the Democratic National Convention last month. Im letting you in on how we started our family because thats a big part of what this election is about: freedom, Walz said. Democrats hope that forcing Republicans to vote on the measure will highlight the parties wildly different approaches to reproductive rights, one of the biggest issues in the November election. The party has used Harris candidacy as an opportunity to hammer Trump and Vance about IVF, an issue they see as a weakness for Republicans, and to argue that Democrats are the true party of family values. Senate Republicans said they support IVF but wouldnt support the creation of a right to IVF and wouldnt support prohibiting courts from restricting the procedure. GOP senators sought to pass their own bill in June, which also failed. Two Republicans Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska crossed the aisle to vote in favor of the Democrat-led bill in June. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trump later floated the idea of mandating insurance companies cover the cost of IVF something Republicans are reluctant to do, citing the costs and uncertainty that the government should be required to pay for IVF. I have been a leader on IVF which is fertilization, Trump said during the Sept. 10 presidential debate. I have been a leader. In fact, when they got a very negative decision on IVF from the Alabama courts, I saw the people of Alabama and the legislature two days later voted it in. Ive been a leader on it. They know that and everybody else knows it. I have been a leader on fertilization, IVF. Campaigning on abortion and IVF has been effective for Democrats, likely because 63% of Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases and 70% of Americans support access to IVF, according to the Pew Research Center. Republicans are expected to regain control of the Senate in November, as they only need one additional seat for a majority. Democrats, meanwhile, hope enthusiasm over Harris candidacy will help them take control of the House. We have seen the Republican Partys nominee for president claim to be a leader in fertilization and come out in support of expanding access to IVF by requiring insurance companies to cover IVF treatment, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a Monday letter to other senators. So, we are going to give our Republican colleagues another chance to show the American people where they stand, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After the June vote, Republican Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama said Democrats arent interested in a bill to actually protect IVF access and figuring out how we could get that to become law. That wouldnt advance their true goal, which is about partisan electoral politics. Some Republicans have highlighted their support for IVF access, a seeming acknowledgment of the partys vulnerability on the issue. Rep. Michelle Steel of Cypress (Orange County) spoke about her own use of IVF in her first ad this cycle. Steel, however, twice cosponsored a bill that would grant legal personhood to fertilized eggs, a move that could lead to the criminalization of aspects of fertility treatment. She later removed her name from the bills sponsors. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida also said he supports IVF in an ad that began airing the day after he voted against the Right to IVF Act. Although Republicans say they support IVF, access to the procedure could be banned by establishing fetal personhood, the idea that fetuses have the same legal rights as a person. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That fringe legal theory was put into practice when the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in February that frozen, fertilized embryos have the same rights as children. State legislators were later forced to pass legislation protecting health-care providers from civil lawsuits. The Alabama ruling set off a nationwide panic that led to pauses in fertility care and clinics moving or destroying frozen embryos stored in Republican-controlled states. Although Project 2025, a collection of Republican policy proposals written by former Trump administration officials and advisers, doesnt explicitly mention IVF or other fertility treatments, it contains language that reflects the ideas of fetal personhood. From the moment of conception, every human being possesses inherent dignity and worth, and our humanity does not depend on our age, stage of development, race, or abilities. The Secretary must ensure that all HHS programs and activities are rooted in a deep respect for innocent human life from day one until natural death: Abortion and euthanasia are not health care, the document says. Trump has tried to distance himself from Project 2025, saying that he hasnt seen it and has no idea who is in charge of it, and, unlike our very well received Republican Platform, had nothing to do with it. At least 140 people who worked in the Trump administration helped create the plan, a CNN review found; the health and human services section was written by Roger Severino, who led the Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights during the Trump administration. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Republican Party platform calls for policies that advance prenatal care, access to birth control, and IVF, but doesnt provide additional specifics. It also proclaims reverence for families and life, and declares that states can pass laws protecting the rights of every person, language that some legal scholars and abortion rights advocates have read as an endorsement of fetal personhood. FCB Group India is proud to announce the launch of its Creative Council. The council with an agenda is designed to elevate the culture of creativity, embrace new-age problem-solving, and set global benchmarks for exceptional work across the group by leveraging new-age tools using technology and data. The council, with its unwavering focus on delivering exceptional work, will also focus on developing groundbreaking work that resonates with audiences and delivers real solutions to client challenges. Bringing together the best creative talent from the industry and group, the council will drive the agenda of fostering a dynamic creative culture that inspires future-proof ideas and innovation. The council will consist of Mayuresh Dubhashi, CCO, FCB India; Hemant Shringy, CCO, FCB Ulka; Rakesh Menon, CCO, FCB Interface; Neville Shah, CCO, FCB Kinnect; Kartikeya Tiwari, Creative Digital Partner, FCB Group India; Anusheela Saha, NCD, FCB India; Udayan Chakravarty, NCD, FCB India; and Suchitra Gahlot, NCD, FCB Ulka. Dheeraj Sinha, Group CEO of FCB Group India & South Asia, expressed his enthusiasm for the council's launch, stating, "At FCB Group India, we believe that creativity is the heart of everything we do. The launch of the Creative Council is a testament to our commitment to 'Creativity is an economic multiplier, fostering an innovative, creative culture and continually pushing the boundaries of what's new. This council will work together to solve real client problems, enabling us to deliver work that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our clients and the industry at large." The beauty care industry in India has seen substantial growth over the years, transforming into a dynamic and fast-paced sector. As of 2023, the Indian beauty and personal care market was estimated to be worth over $15 billion and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 9% over the next few years. According to the Nykaa Beauty Trends Report, the Beauty and Personal Care (BPC) market is pegged to reach $34 billion by 2028, driven by online penetration of core beauty categories. A Historical Perspective Traditionally, Indian beauty care relied on natural ingredients and Ayurvedic practices. Homemade concoctions and seasonal routines were the norm. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian holistic healing system, played a key role with tailams (oils) and ghritas (clarified butter) used for skincare. However, the industry witnessed a significant shift in the 1990s. The 1990s were not only marked by economic liberalization, but also by significant successes in international beauty pageants, with Indians winning two Miss Universe titles (1994 and 2000) and four Miss World titles (1994, 1997, 1999, and 2000). It is believed that the growing popularity of yoga, coupled with these international beauty wins, contributed significantly to the rise in popularity and sales of cosmetics in India. The Indian beauty industry saw robust growth following the Miss World pageant held in India in 1996, sponsored by Godrej. Since then, the Indian beauty industry has seen remarkable growth. Numerous international brands entered the country following economic liberalisation, contributing to the expansion of the Indian cosmetics market. Growth of Beauty care industry Recent projections indicate significant growth in Indias beauty, cosmetics, and grooming sector. According to Assocham (2016), the market is expected to reach $20 billion by 2025. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) estimated the total Indian cosmetics market to be valued at $950 million, with an annual growth rate of 15-20%. More recent data projects the Beauty & Personal Care market in India to generate revenue of $31.51 billion in 2024, with an expected annual growth rate of 3.00% (CAGR 2024-2028). The largest segment within this market is the Personal Care segment, which is estimated to have a market volume of $14.31 billion in 2024. With a population of 1.4 billion, India is the 4th largest beauty market in the world, expected to grow by 40% by 2026, as highlighted at Cosmoprof India, held at Jio Convention Centre in Mumbai. The Indian cosmetics products market size is estimated at $1.35 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $2.27 billion by 2028, registering a CAGR of 10.91% during the forecast period (2023-2028). Industry Insights: Shaily Mehrotra, Co-founder, Fixderma, noted, The beauty care landscape in India has blossomed into a kaleidoscope of innovation and diversity, propelled by various socio-economic factors and changing consumer trends. With a market size exceeding 1.4 trillion, it reflects the nations growing emphasis on personal grooming and wellness with endless possibilities. Major players and emerging disruptors paint a vibrant tapestry of competition and collaboration. Mini Sood Banerjee, Assistant Director and Head of Marketing, Amorepacific India, who oversees a portfolio of four luxury and premium brands in India like Sulwhasoo, Laneige, Innisfree & Etude, shared, The beauty care industry in India has been experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing consumer awareness, rising disposable incomes, and a growing emphasis on grooming and personal appearance. As of 2023, the industry is estimated to be worth around $11 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 10% over the next five years. The market encompasses various segments, including skincare, haircare, color cosmetics, fragrances, and personal care products. Similarly, Mansi Sharma, Founder, The Honest Tree by Boddess, said, Providing an overview of the Indian beauty market is very exciting right now because it is rapidly evolving. Every other week, new brands emerge with the support of VCs and platforms like Shark Tank, celebrating entrepreneurship and female independence. Beauty is the first industry that comes to mind. People all around the country are leaving their corporate jobs, rejecting societal norms dictating appearance, and are defining beauty for themselves. Of course, there are major players, including VC-backed ones like Mama Earth, Colorbar, and Lakme. However, if you delve deeper, numerous smaller homegrown brands address specific niches, from body bacteria to melasma, catering to diverse skin concerns prevalent in our country. It's highly personalized and increasingly premiumized. Evolution of the beauty industry As discussed, the beauty industry in India has seen a remarkable evolution over the past few decades, transitioning from traditional, home-based remedies to a dynamic, multi-billion dollar market. The influence of globalization has brought international brands and modern technologies to the forefront, while the resurgence of Ayurvedic and natural products reflects a blend of old and new. Digital transformation, especially e-commerce and social media, has significantly reshaped consumer behavior and accessibility. The rise of beauty influencers and localized marketing has further personalized consumer engagement, making the industry diverse and rapidly adaptable to global trends and innovations. Vikas Gupta, Managing Director & Group CEO, VLCC, added here, The evolution of the beauty industry in India mirrors the country's economic growth. As peoples incomes increase, they begin to explore new categories of products beyond the basics. Theres a strong correlation between per capita income and the consumption of beauty and personal care products. In the past, the market was dominated by basic mass-market products like fairness creams, soaps, and talcum powders. As the economy grew and more women entered the workforce, there was a rise in the desirability and availability of new categories. According to Fixdermas Shaily Mehrotra, The rise of aesthetic clinics across India shows how much the beauty care industry has changed over time. One big change is that people are now paying more attention to whats in their beauty products. They want to know exactly what ingredients are used and if they're safe. This shift has also led to a growing interest in clean and natural beauty products. People are looking for products that are free from harmful chemicals and additives. Beauty brands are responding to this demand by creating cleaner, more sustainable options for consumers. Overall, the beauty care industry in India is evolving to meet the needs of a more informed and conscious consumer base. Mini Sood Banerjee, Assistant Director and Head of Marketing, Amorepacific India, elaborated, Every day, the Indian beauty market improves and changes. There are several products on the cosmetics market now that address different skincare issues. Over the past five years, the beauty brands have become increasingly competitive with the established brands, making it harder for new products to make an impression on the market. In the next five years, brands will undoubtedly work together to provide consumers high-quality, comprehensive skincare products. The goal over the next five years will be to strike a balance between customer demands and innovation. As a new tool to work on for raising brand visibility is innovation. Mansi Sharma, Founder, The Honest Tree by Boddess, opined, The evolution of the beauty care industry aligns with the changing perception of women about themselves and others, as they prioritize self-care more. In previous generations, women often neglected self-care, viewing it as a point of pride to be low maintenance. Today, with increased financial independence, women prioritize self-care, recognizing its importance in fulfilling various roles. This shift has fueled the industry's growth, with a healthy annual CAGR of about 11%. Prevailing Trends Shaping the Beauty Care Industry in India Several trends are currently shaping the Indian beauty care industry such as: Natural and Organic Products: There is a growing preference for natural, organic, and Ayurvedic products as consumers become more health-conscious and environmentally aware. Personalization: Consumers are seeking products tailored to their specific needs and preferences. Brands are leveraging technology to offer personalized skincare and beauty solutions. Inclusivity and Diversity: There is a rising demand for inclusive beauty products that cater to diverse skin tones and types, reflecting the country's multicultural population. Sustainability: Eco-friendly packaging and sustainable sourcing of ingredients are becoming critical factors in consumer decision-making. As shared by Shaily Mehrotra, Skincare is becoming a daily essential, seamlessly included in everyday routines for a healthier complexion. In India, people are paying more attention to taking care of their skin every day. Now, using sunscreen and body lotions has become a regular part of many people's skincare routine. This shows that more people are realising how important it is to protect and nourish their skin. In the future, we can expect to see even more skincare products tailored to different needs and preferences. Similarly, Mansi Sood from Amorepacific India said, The prevailing trends in the beauty market can be e- commerce platforms that are working on improving the sales and gaining popularity among the audiences. The e-commerce platform is increasing the customer engagement among the people and providing them the feedback option to solve their problems. This trend will influence the brands and will change the future trajectory of brands to focus on increasing traffic over their websites. These collaborations of brands with online platforms will support the technology advancement and make it easier for brands to make their products visible and promote in the market. Agreeing with industry experts, Vikas Gupta of VLCC said, The advent of e-commerce has accelerated the trend, democratizing access to a wider range of products. The industry has seen the introduction of new categories like color cosmetics, serums, and body masks. One of the most significant changes has been the integration of technology and services. While consumer products can achieve a certain level of results, high-end services and FDA-approved technologies can deliver far superior outcomes. This is a game changer, especially for consumers who have higher aspirations for their appearance. Similarly, Mansi Sharma from The Honest Tree said, At present, many homegrown brands address local concerns, reflecting a broader trend of increased patriotism and awareness of diverse skin needs. Additionally, theres a demand for multi-functional products, blending makeup with skincare, driving innovation and setting higher standards. Role of New-Age Startup brands New-age startup brands are playing a transformative role in reshaping the beauty business landscape in India. By disrupting traditional norms and practices, these brands are pioneering a new era of transparency, authenticity, and innovation within the industry. Shaily Mehrotra of Fixderma, highlights the importance of startups focusing on Know Your Supplier (KYS). In today's consumer-driven market, where there is a growing awareness of the ingredients used in beauty products, startups need to prioritize understanding and being transparent about their sourcing practices. By ensuring honesty in ingredient sourcing, these brands are building trust with consumers and setting new ethical standards in the beauty industry. According to Mini Sood, modern startups are addressing outdated consumer needs with creative and innovative solutions. These brands offer a diverse range of products with unique features and benefits, altering audience preferences and trends. By balancing innovation with traditional practices, startups are gaining recognition in a competitive market and attracting a broader customer base. Mansi Sharma emphasizes that new-age startup brands are also targeting niche markets, challenging traditional beauty standards by promoting diversity and inclusivity. Their approach informs larger industry players of evolving consumer preferences, setting higher benchmarks and fostering healthy competition within the beauty sector. Shift from Celebrity Endorsements to Social Influencers The shift from traditional celebrity endorsements to social influencers marks a significant evolution in the beauty care industry in India. This transition is reshaping how brands engage with their audience, offering a more personalized and relatable approach to marketing. Mini Sood Banerjee highlights the growing influence of social media in this transformation, stating: "A significant development in the modern world is the move from celebrity endorsements to social influencers. Social media platforms have made consumer engagement more interactive, enabling audiences to connect easily with influencers who resonate with their needs." Banerjee emphasizes that in the Indian market, creating a strong bond between the product and the target audience is crucial, and social influencers are proving to be more successful in fostering these connections. She also notes Laneiges recent decision to appoint Sara Tendulkar as their brand ambassador, reflecting the brand's belief in individuality and unique inner and outer glow. Shaily Mehrotra provides a different perspective, acknowledging the continued relevance of celebrity endorsements, particularly in reaching Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. "Celebrities have a broad appeal, making them easily connect with Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 cities, or even mass audiences," says Mehrotra. She stresses the importance of a balanced approach, noting, "While influencers engage consumers on a more personal level, celebrity endorsements are crucial for better reach, especially in offline markets." Mansi Sharma also underscores the evolving concept of celebrity status, with social influencers playing a pivotal role in shaping consumer engagement. "The concept of celebrity status has evolved with increased accessibility, and social influencers play a significant role in shaping consumer engagement and brand perception," Sharma explains. She cautions against inauthentic endorsements, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that genuinely resonates with consumers. As the beauty industry continues to evolve, the strategic use of both social influencers and celebrities will be key in navigating the complex landscape of consumer engagement and brand perception in India. Also Read: How to Successfully Market in a Sector like Agriculture Anytime Fitness, the worlds largest gym chain announced its collaboration with TOEFL India (@toefl_india_official), Firefox Bikes (@firefoxbikes), Hero Cycles (@hero_cycles), Luxury Ride (@luxuryride.in), Hisense India (@HisenseIndiaOfficial), Max Protein (ritebite_maxprotein) and TCL (@tcl_india), along with Anytime Fitnesss Be Fit Fest 3.0 campaign with the message to not rely on promotion and advertisements, but rather let the quality and work be the voice for brands. Be Fit Fest 3.0, the month-long social media campaign announced by Anytime Fitness was launched on 15th August 2024. It spread the message that fitness doesnt need to be promoted through advertisements and flashy products. Continuing with the message and going against traditional marketing norms, reputed brands such as TOEFL India, Firefox Bikes, Hero Cycles, Hisense, Luxury Rise, Max Protein, and TCL also jumped on to the wagon and spread the message that one doesnt need flashy advertisements or expensive equipment to thrive. By rejecting the idea that products need a lot of advertising to be successful, these brands are showing their commitment to a more honest and environmentally friendly way of doing business. Where TOEFL emphasized the value of TOEFL tests to study abroad, Firefox emphasized on the significance of having that fire in your DNA, whereas Hero Cycles and TCL put forward the sheer significance of brand value and trust and how no ads or promotion can replace them. Automotive aggregator LuxuryRide.in and technology appliance company Hisense joined the campaign too, to iterate on the campaign. Max Protein emphasized the importance of healthy snacking along with ones fitness journey. Booking.com, one of the worlds leading online travel companies, along with popular Bollywood couple Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal teamed up with Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com to enjoy a guided cooking experience, highlighting one of many exciting experiences and attractions available on Booking.com. Planning a dream vacation can quickly turn into a logistical nightmare. A recent Booking.com survey reveals that nearly half (42%) of Indians find trip planning stressful, including juggling flights, accommodations, car rentals, activities and the overall logistics. Booking.com, one of the worlds leading online travel companies, is addressing this need by orchestrating the best traveller experience and aiming to make every trip a connected trip. The connected journey: more than just travel Booking.com empowers Indian travellers to seamlessly plan and book all key aspects of their journey on the Booking.com platform, eliminating the need to navigate multiple websites and apps. From finding the right flight to booking the perfect stay, travellers can craft their ideal itinerary with ease. Additionally, options for car rentals, private airport transfers and a vast selection of exciting local activities are all readily available in one place, to create a frictionless travel experience. Experience driven travel motivators: Experiences are an important part of a trip with almost half of Indian travellers ( 48% ) wanting to experience a new or different lifestyle and culture. 43% want to find thrills and adventures during their travels and trying new food is one of the top five motivators for Indians to travel. Booking.com offers a range of attractions and great things to do for customers across 2,300 cities across 125 countries, enabling travellers to fully appreciate and explore the very best a destination has to offer. From guided heritage walks to street food walks, Booking.com offers over 7,300 attractions 'must do' attractions alongside the more niche and unknown in India. Experiences are an important part of a trip with almost half of Indian travellers ( ) wanting to experience a new or different lifestyle and culture. want to find thrills and adventures during their travels and trying new food is one of the top five motivators for Indians to travel. Booking.com offers a range of attractions and great things to do for customers across 2,300 cities across 125 countries, enabling travellers to fully appreciate and explore the very best a destination has to offer. From guided heritage walks to street food walks, Booking.com offers over attractions 'must do' attractions alongside the more niche and unknown in India. Effortless travel: Transport is a key part of the trip planning process and one in which multiple points of friction still exist today. Booking.com offers multiple onground options car rentals, pre-booked taxis and ride-hailing at the click of a button. Car rentals are currently available at over 50,000 locations worldwide across 156 countries and pre-booked taxis are available in 600+ cities across 130+ countries. Transport is a key part of the trip planning process and one in which multiple points of friction still exist today. Booking.com offers multiple onground options car rentals, pre-booked taxis and ride-hailing at the click of a button. Car rentals are currently available at over 50,000 locations worldwide across 156 countries and pre-booked taxis are available in 600+ cities across 130+ countries. Explore the world: Beyond accommodation, Booking.com offers an end-to-end branded flight product to customers in 55 markets globally, including India. Travellers can book flights to over 4,500 destinations worldwide for over 500 airlines. For Indian travellers travelling domestically, the top 5 most searched destinations for flights include Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Goa and Hyderabad. Similarly when it comes to international travel, Dubai, London, Bangkok, Toronto and Bali are among the top searched international destinations for flights by Indians from January 2024 till date. Cooking up a storm with Booking.com With nearly half (48%) of the Indian travellers choosing a destination to indulge in local cuisines, the event was a perfect blend of travel, food and memorable experiences. At the The Connected Trip: A Culinary Experience event on September 12, 2024, Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal shared their food inspired travel stories while learning to prepare their favourite avocado and cucumber sushi and sattu ka paratha with eggplant and tomato chutney, a delicacy from Bihar reflecting on their local and global adventures and childhood memories. The event illustrated how Booking.com connects travellers with diverse, authentic and immersive experiences based on their needs and preferences. Bollywood actor Sonakshi Sinha commented, Travel is my passion. I love immersing myself in the destinations culture, exploring the local markets and of course relishing the local cuisine. But planning is a bit of a headache. Juggling flights, accommodations and activities can be overwhelming. Thankfully, Booking.com has simplified this and travellers can now book various elements of their trip on one platform and enjoy a stress free holiday. Adding to this, Bollywood actor Zaheer Iqbal said, Food is integral to Indias culture. It has the power to unite people from all over the world. As someone who loves exploring local cuisines whenever I travel, Im excited to be a part of this event showcasing Booking.com immersive experiences for Indian travellers. Travellers can easily book attractions like sushi making class in Japan or exploring Kolkata's street food scene - everything in the palm of their hand. Tailor-made trips powered by predictive technology Booking.com leverages smart, data-powered predictive technologies, like machine learning and AI, to enhance the traveller experience further. By analysing past choices and preferences, Booking.com can suggest other useful services for their trip, such as car rental, dining reservations, tickets to attractions, and shuttle services, ultimately creating a personalised, AI-enhanced and truly connected booking experience. Today travellers are looking for seamless trip planning and travel experiences where they can search, book and manage different aspects of their trip on one platform," said Santosh Kumar, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com. At Booking.com, we are dedicated to eliminating friction in travel by continuously innovating to address their evolving needs. Our Connected Trip vision embodies this commitment by offering multiple elements of the travel experience in one place and providing seamless, end-to-end support throughout the entire journey. Today, were excited to see real progress with our vision for a 'connected trip. Today we are seeing real progress in our vision. According to our Booking Holdings Q2 2024 earnings, our connected transactions increased by 45% y-o-y and continue to represent a high single digit percentage of Booking.coms total transactions. He further added, we are excited to have partnered with Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal to showcase how travellers can easily book just about every element of their trip on Booking.com - whether it's renting a car, enrolling for a cooking class or booking an airport taxi - and easily create a travel experience. A group gathers for a photo before a rally on Tuesday outside San Francisco City Hall in support of a worker relief fund. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle A sign rests before a rally outside City Hall in support of a worker relief fund in San Francisco. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle For two years, Qiming Huang, 68, has obsessed over $9,680.72: The money his last employer a now-closed Chinese restaurant on Clement Street never paid him. Huang started as a dishwasher there in 2021. About a year later, he began noticing his checks were less than he expected. Huang kept track of the amounts on a piece of paper, and asked his boss to recognize that he owed him the money. When he left for another job, he showed the full accounting to his boss, who he said acknowledged the debt. Huang continued to press his old boss for the money. But when the restaurant closed, he nearly lost hope of ever getting what was owed to him. Desperate, Huang called the San Francisco Office of Labor Standards Enforcement, which began an investigation. They found Huangs boss owed him the money and ordered him to pay it. However, nothing has happened and Huang is still out almost $10,000. I was supposed to save that wage to retire, Huang told the Chronicle. Instead I have to continue working longer to raise my family. Huangs worker restitution case is just one of the more than 400 cases that the OLSE took up in fiscal 2022-2023, according to its most recent annual report. While the office collected more than $21 million in worker restitution and penalties for 14,000 workers that year, many like Huang werent able to get the wages they were due. Supervisor Hillary Ronen introduced legislation to create a fund to pay San Francisco workers whove been stiffed by their employers. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle To address the predicament of workers like Huang, Supervisor Hillary Ronen on Tuesday introduced legislation to create a fund to pay San Francisco workers whove been stiffed by their employers. Ronen came up with the plan with the Asian Law Caucus and Chinese Progressive Association. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The fund, which could be about $500,000 or more a year, would serve San Francisco workers who were owed wages as determined by the OLSE or if the OLSE has entered into a settlement agreement with an employer but is unable to collect some or all of the restitution. Ronen wants to pay for the fund with the future penalties OLSE collects, and an existing city fund with unclaimed money for workers. The fund will aim to provide workers 100%, or as much as possible, of what is owed to them based on whats available in the fund, the plan says, with priority given to workers who make minimum wage. So often our government has used taxpayer dollars to bail out big banks and really wealthy entities, and this is an opportunity for San Francisco to use penalties collected when employers break the law to fund a fund to actually pay workers what they were owed, Ronen said. Wage theft remains a major issue in California and the Bay Area, especially for those who worked in businesses that have closed and paid low wages. A recent Rutgers University report found that 14% of workers in the Bay Area were paid under the minimum wage between 2014 and 2023. The OLSE has seen a 34% increase in cases opened since the pandemic. In fiscal year 2022-2023, the OLSE collected more worker restitution than any in prior year and possibly more than any other municipal or state labor enforcement agency in the country, its annual report says. But sometimes the OLSE is unable to collect the money owed because the business has closed, the employer has filed for bankruptcy or fled, or there are no assets to pay what they owe. Workers who would have met the eligibility requirements on or after Jan. 1, 2023, will be eligible for payment. Iris Barrera Hurtado, a community organizer with Trabajadores Unidos, said shes working with a Salvadoran woman named Sonia who faced similar challenges at a San Francisco fast food outlet. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hurtado said Sonia was not paid sick leave, didnt receive legally entitled health insurance and wasnt getting the work schedule with the appropriate two weeks notice required by the city. She also wasnt paid for overtime and was not allowed meals or rest breaks at times. Mei Mei Chan, a community advocate for workers rights at the Asian Law Caucus, told the Chronicle workers are unable to actually collect the money theyre owed because their employer has gone under or disappeared, but their rent and medical bills are still due. She said the fund will help protect workers. Its unclear if Ronen will get support for her proposal, as the city is facing tight budget years ahead. Supervisor Dean Preston said hell support the plan. I definitely have a lot of workers and constituents who have faced this situation, Preston said. Theres a need for this. The fund would be good news for Huang, he said, as he continues to try to keep his family afloat. In 2022 Huangs wife had brain surgery and he had to stop working to help her. With paying medical fees for myself and my wife, and utility bills, pretty much Im struggling every month, Huang said. Thats why I have insisted this boss should pay it back. Narendra Damodardas Modi, was born on September 17, 1950, in the quaint town of Vadnagar, Gujarat. His journey into the political arena began in 1971 with his participation in a Jana Sangh Satyagraha in Delhi, led by the esteemed Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Modis commitment to the cause even led to his brief imprisonment in Tihar Jail. He earned his Bachelors degree in Political Science from Delhi University in 1978, followed by a Masters degree in the same field from Gujarat University. In October 2001, Modi ascended to the role of Chief Minister of Gujarat, stepping in for Keshubhai Patel due to the latters declining health. His tenure as CM, marked by the challenging period of the 2002 Godhra riots, spanned approximately 12.5 years before he transitioned to national politics, stepping down to run for the position of Prime Minister. Today, as we celebrate his birthday, Prime Minister Modi continues to make waves with his innovative initiatives. His recent introduction of the National Creators Award underscores his support for independent content creators, celebrating their unique contributions. In Odisha, schools are enjoying a holiday in honor of the occasion as the Prime Minister inaugurates the Subhadra Yojana in Bhubaneswar. As we mark this special day, we recognize and applaud a leader whose vision and dedication have left an indelible mark on Indias progress. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modis visionary leadership, India has witnessed several transformative initiatives aimed at modernization and self-reliance. Key among these are: Digital India Program: This ambitious initiative seeks to deliver government services electronically, improve infrastructure for high-speed Internet in rural areas, stimulate domestic electronic manufacturing, and enhance digital literacy nationwide. Ujjwala Scheme: Designed to provide free liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) connections to rural households, this program improves access to clean cooking fuel and elevates the quality of life for many. Make in India Initiative: This campaign encourages foreign companies to establish manufacturing operations in India, with the goal of transforming the country into a global manufacturing hub and spurring economic growth and job creation. Aatmanirbhar Bharat Campaign: This campaign includes new policies to promote indigenous defense manufacturing and procurement of key weapon systems domestically, thereby bolstering national security and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. Prime Minister Modis impactful leadership has also earned him numerous prestigious awards and recognitions: Time Magazine Cover: Modi made history by appearing on the cover of the Asian edition of Time Magazine, a rare honor for Indian politicians. Indian of the Year: CNN-News18 (formerly CNN-IBN) recognized Modi as Indian of the Year for his significant contributions and leadership. Time 100 Most Influential People: Modi has been featured multiple times in Time magazine's list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020, and 2021, underscoring his global impact. Ig Nobel Prize in Medical Education: Modi was one of eight world leaders awarded the parody Ig Nobel Prize in Medical Education for demonstrating how politicians can have a profound impact on life and death during the COVID-19 pandemic. These accolades and initiatives highlight Modis dedication to advancing Indias technological capabilities, economic independence, and global standing. Also Read: GroupM Elevates Bharat Rajamani to Managing Partner - Growth, Acceleration Havas Media Network has appointed Rebecca Tos as Managing Partner for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) of Consumer Science & Analytics (CSA), its global data and technology consultancy, which is now being introduced in the ANZ market. Previously, Tos led Havas Media Market, a role that will now be taken over by National Head of Partnerships and Adtech, Kevin Fernandes. In her new position, Tos will continue to be part of the Havas Media Leadership team. In this expanded role, Tos will oversee CSAs launch across Australia and New Zealand, where Havas had acquired Catchi in 2018. She will lead the initiative to support marketers in providing high-value business solutions. Virginia Hyland, CEO of Havas Media Network, praised Tos, stating: Rebecca is a rare talent within our industry with a sharp focused mind that can unpack and develop business solutions for clients with compelling results. Rebecca has successfully led and grown businesses in her previous roles of Managing Director, Merkle and CEO of Columbus. She more recently served in key Advisor roles to data and tech businesses across APAC. She will play a pivotal role working with our Havas Village agencies and our clients to support our continued global focus creating better ways to unlock insights and improve consumer experiences when engaging with companies, building data homes that connect audience movements and activate campaigns. Hyland added that marketers face growing challenges, especially with tight budgets and stretched teams. She emphasized Rebeccas importance in fostering client partnerships, saying, Rebecca will play a key role in leaning into our clients businesses in a true partnership extension. Regarding her new position, Rebecca Tos expressed her enthusiasm: Being a data native myself, working with a team who thrive on solving problems with data and technology each day, is a very rewarding space to be. Our partners truly value how we think and operate in their ecosystem, which at times is unique, complex and challenging. Im particularly excited about the significant global investment were making to accelerate our capability even faster and being a part of that story. Also Read:Rebecca Ingram appointed as GM PR and Major Events, Tourism New Zealand Building on the resounding success of the inaugural Republic Digital Roundtable, we are proud to announce the second edition of this series. The first edition, in Bengaluru, focused on "The Budget Blueprint for Startups 2024" and hosted over 20 prominent startup founders, co-founders, CEOs, and presidents for impactful discussions in their industry verticals. The event set a high standard for fostering meaningful dialogue and strategic networking. India has the 3rd largest automotive market in the world (2023), contributing over 7.1%, to the countrys GDP. Indias automotive sector is experiencing transformative changes with the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), advanced mobility solutions, and infrastructure enhancements. This transformation is further underscored by Transport Minister Nitin Gadkaris projection that the cost of petrol and diesel vehicles will soon be comparable to that of EVs within the next two years. This anticipated cost parity highlights Indias evolving role as a significant player in global automotive innovation. The sector's growth, driven by electrification, technological integration, and sustainable practices, is setting the stage for a future where India leads in shaping the future of mobility. On this note, Republic Digital announces Mobility Revolution-Pioneering the Next Auto Era as the theme of the second edition of the Roundtable series. This exclusive invite-only series will feature four in-depth panel discussions covering key areas shaping the future of the Indian automotive landscape: Segment 1: Electric Vehicles (EVs) Theme: Electrifying India: The Rise of Electric Vehicles Segment 2: Passenger & Commercial Vehicles Theme: Redefining the Driving Experience: The Future of Passenger & Commercial Vehicles Segment 3: Ancillaries and Infrastructure in the Automotive Industry Theme: Strengthening the Automotive Ecosystem Segment 4: Policy and Regulations Theme: Creating a Conducive Regulatory Environment This edition is scheduled for 4th October at the Republic Auditorium, Noida facility as Delhi-NCR is widely regarded as the nerve centre of Indias automotive sector. As home to major automotive manufacturers, policy decision-makers, and research hubs, the city plays a pivotal role in shaping the industry's future. Reflecting on the automotive panel in the first edition, panellists noted, "India's structured subsidy programs since 2019 have greatly accelerated technology adoption. To become a tech powerhouse in the next five years, we need a balanced focus on both infrastructure and cutting-edge technology." Another panellist emphasised the importance of standardisation in the EV space and said, "For uniform standardisation of chargers, batteries, and IoT devices in the EV sector, the government should not only recommend but mandate it. However, as the industry grows, implementing such standards is not an easy task." Republic Digital will keep you informed and updated on all that you need to know about Indias automotive sector. Stay tuned for further updates on the event agenda and panellists. Event Details: Date: 4th October, 2024 Location: Noida Venue: Republic Auditorium Also Read: Republic Digital Roundtable: Success in Decoding the Future of Startups Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Gorman Houston with his son, Gorman Houston, and daughter, Millie Houston.U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Gorman Houston, remembered for his integrity and devotion to fairness in the legal system over a career that spanned most of his long life, has died. Houston was 91. Houston, a native of Eufaula, was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1985 by Gov. George Wallace. He was elected to three six-year terms and retired from the court in 2005. He continued to practice law after that. In 2003, Houston became acting chief justice when Chief Justice Roy Moore was removed from office for defying a federal court order to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the judicial building. Justice Houston truly cared not only about the individual cases that he ruled on, but he also cared about the administration of justice, former Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb said. After former Chief Justice Roy Moore was removed, Justice Houston took over the court and did an outstanding job as the acting chief justice. He cared about indigent defense. Anyone who knew him, knew that he was a true warrior for those who were less fortunate to have better access to the court. He truly cared about civility and about professionalism and was just a tremendous public servant. Will Sellers, an associate justice on the current Alabama Supreme Court, said Houston carried out his work with selflessness, integrity, and ability. Justice Houston was a mentor to me and so many others, Sellers said. He was a paragon of integrity, courage and legal prowess. Alabamas judicial system gained so much from his leadership and selfless service when he served as acting chief justice when Chief Justice Moore was removed from office. He left a great legacy for lawyers and judges to emulate. In our world of divisive politics, Justice Houston was a servant leader who sacrificed much to maintain the integrity of Alabamas Judicial system. Houston earned a bachelors degree from Auburn University and graduated first in his class from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1956. The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama documented Houstons career in an oral history Houston recorded with his son Gorman and his daughter Millie in 2022. A 24-year-old man has pleaded guilty in a 2021 shooting outside a bar on Birminghams Southside that killed one man and critically injured another. Alonzo Johnson II, of Greensboro, pleaded guilty to murder in the slaying of 42-year-old Shaun Rhudy, a beloved father and engineer who worked at the front door at Martys PM, and attempted murder in the wounding of a second victim. Johnson was sentence to 20 years in prison. Authorities said he fired the fatal shots because he was denied entry into the bar. The case was prosecuted by Jefferson County Deputy District Attorney Kylie Jernigan. Johnson was represented by attorney Julian Hendrix. Terrill Huey Jr., 30, of Moundville, pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution for driving Johnson away from the crime scene. He received a two-year suspended sentence. The shooting happened shortly before 3:30 a.m. on Christmas Eve in 2021. South Precinct officers responded that Friday on a report of shots fired. Officers found one of the victims laying unresponsive at the entrance to the bar and another man unresponsive in a parking lot across the street. Both had been shot and were rushed to UAB Hospital. Rhudy was later pronounced dead. Police at the time said the bars management did not allow Johnson into the establishment because of a prior incident. Johnson was then involved in a fight in the parking lot across the street when gunfire ensued, striking Rhudy and the second male victim. Johnson fled the scene, and Huey picked him up. Both were quickly taken into custody. Alonzo Johnson(Jefferson County Jail) Though not an Alabama native, Rhudy spent the majority of his life in the Birmingham area. He obtained an engineering degree from Auburn University, was a graduate of Hoover High School and had attended St. Pauls School downtown from kindergarten through eighth grade. He exemplified the things he learned at that school (St. Pauls) which was an appreciation for all of the people around him, said his grieving mother, Pat Rhudy, told AL.com in 2021. He was generally easy going, non-judgmental and liked everyone. Though Rhudy worked as an engineer after college, he long ago left that field of work and opted to do what made him happy which was working in Southside at various restaurants over the years. He never worried about money too much. Never wanted to be rich. He just liked living life, said longtime friend Chris Powell shortly after Rhudys death. That was the life he liked. Rhudy left behind a 9-year-old son. Johnson was booked back into the Jefferson County Jail Monday - following his guilty plea to await transfer to state prison. A national retailer is looking to beef up staff before the holiday season. Target said it will add some 100,000 workers before the holiday season with pay of up to $24 an hour. In a release, the Minnesota-based chain said the new hires will join some 400,000 existing employees in 2,000 stores and 50-plus supply chain warehouse positions. Current workers will also be offered an option to work extra hours during the holiday and more will be added to the 45,000-person On Demand team, a group of workers that can pick up extra shifts as desired. READ MORE: Major grocery chain hiring 13,000 workers, raising starting pay to up to $23 per hour We look forward to welcoming seasonal hires to Team Target, enabling us to continue building the best team in retail. Many seasonal team members including more than half of last years are offered an opportunity to stay with Target following the holiday season and continue spreading everyday joy to our guests year-round, the company said in a statement. Starting pay for positions will be $15-$24 per hour with access to health benefits and a 10% discount on Target merchandise. In-store positions will include front-of-store attendants, online fulfillment, merchandising, food and beverage and clothing departments. Order pick-up and drive-up employees are also needed. In supply chains, positions will include warehouse operation roles. Last year, the company said, about half of all seasonal workers were offered full-time positions after the holidays. Interested candidates can visit TargetSeasonalJobs.com starting Sept. 25 to apply for stores roles. Target is already hiring for supply chain roles and candidates can apply through Target.com/careers. A north Alabama man awaiting trial for murder attacked a Morgan County Jail officer Tuesday morning, authorities said. Jason ONeal Stovall, 41, broke the sprinkler head in his cell, causing it to flood the floor, said sheriffs spokesman Mike Swafford. Stovall was moved and isolated in the recreation yard while the cell could be cleaned and the sprinkler head repaired. When those repairs were complete, a corrections officer directed Stovall to exit the rec yard and return to his cell. The inmate initially appeared to comply and walked toward the open door but then violently struck the corrections officer in the head and continued to attempt to beat the officer. The inmate was tazed, with little effect, and finally subdued when additional officers arrived. The jail officer was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Stovall is now being charged with second-degree assault, Swafford said. Stovall is awaiting trial later this year in the 2021 stabbing death of his 63-year-old stepfather. Ohio state police will help protect schools in a city at the center of a political furor over Haitian migrants, the governor announced Monday, while local officials canceled an annual celebration of cultural diversity in the fallout over former President Donald Trumps false claims about pet-eating. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, has denounced the debunked rumors that spread online before Trump amplified them at last weeks presidential debate, saying there is no evidence of it. He said at a news conference in Springfield on Monday that dozens of members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol will be stationed in city schools starting Tuesday following a series of threats across the city, sweeping each building every morning before the arrival of faculty or students. Security cameras have also been stationed at strategic spots in the city, and a bomb-sniffing dog will be in the city and available round-the-clock. We know that people are very, very concerned, DeWine said. But weve moved resources into Springfield. People have the right to feel safe as well as being safe. Springfield City Hall, several schools, and state motor vehicle offices in Springfield were forced to evacuate last week after receiving bomb threats. At least 33 separate bomb threats were made in recent days, all of them hoaxes, DeWine said. He said some of the threats came from overseas, but declined to name the country. The people who are doing this are doing this to sow discord in our community, said Andy Wilson, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. We just cant let them do that. We cant let them do that. We have to keep providing the services that the citizens of Springfield and Clark County expect. Springfield has been the focus of intense attention in recent days after Trump, his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, and the Republican presidential campaign repeated false claims about Haitian immigrants eating domestic pets and waterfowl. President Joe Biden, appearing in Philadelphia at the National HBCU Week Conference on Monday, addressed the situation in Springfield, condemning what he called the lies and hate. Its wrong. Its simply wrong. And it must stop, he said. Springfield canceled its annual celebration of diversity, arts and culture in response to the threats. The citys two-day CultureFest had been scheduled to begin Sept. 27 but was called off in light of recent threats and safety concerns, Springfield officials announced Monday. We deeply regret having to cancel CultureFest, as we know it is a beloved event for our community, City Manager Bryan Heck said in a statement. However, the safety of our residents and visitors must come first. Two colleges in Springfield held classes virtually on Monday. Wittenberg University said it received two threats over the weekend, both of which were targeted toward members of the Haitian Community. Clark State College said it would operate virtually through Friday due to recent events in Springfield. The city itself seemed quiet on Monday. Among the diners at a Creole restaurant were friends Bill Teager and Paul Gomia, who had driven more than an hour to help support a Haitian-owned business. Weve both just been incensed over the last week of what has happened to this town nationally and even locally, Teager said. Thousands of Haitian immigrants have settled in recent years in the predominantly white, blue-collar city of about 60,000, about 45 miles (70 kilometers) from the state capital of Columbus, where they have found work in factories and warehouses that had been struggling to fill job openings. The sudden influx has strained schools, health care facilities and city services and driven up the cost of housing. DeWine acknowledged that Springfield has challenges but said that its a city that frankly, is on the move. If you look where Springfield was 15 years ago, ten years ago, even five years ago, were moving. He declined to criticize Trump, saying the Biden administrations record on immigration is a legitimate topic for debate. But he pointed out that the Haitians in Springfield are there legally under a federal program that allows them to remain in the country temporarily because conditions in Haiti are considered unsafe for them to return. The companies hire them because they needed the help and they needed the support, DeWine said. These are people who care about their families. These are people who value education. They are hard workers. And I think we should we should respect that. He added: These ... people who are spreading the hate need to move on. They need to go away. They need to stop it. A member of the Sylacauga City Council told Fox News that people in her city want answers as to the cause of Haitian immigration to the area. Sylacauga City council member Laura Barlow Heath, in a video interview, said the city officials have no answers from federal authorities to give to their constituents. There is a fear here of becoming the next Springfield, Ohio, you know, she said. When is enough enough? When do they stop coming in? How many are there going to be? Theres no answers. We have none. The unknown and uncertainty is scary. We have 12,236 people in our community, and we just do not have the adequate resources to handle an influx of migrants. Its going to take away from resources that are already struggling here. Heath has served on the council since 2020. The council dismissed a meeting earlier this month after only 20 minutes following questions from several residents about recent Haitian immigration to the area. Several residents said they wanted to know how the city knew workers coming there were legal immigrants, who had determined this, and what effect they were having on crime and housing. The council at a later meeting took more questions. See also: Haitian immigrants fleeing unrest and facing exploitation find Alabama is the best place to live Sylacauga, like Athens and Albertville, has seen controversy on social media related to Haitian immigration, which some residents are blaming for crime, scarce housing, and overcrowded schools. Heath said she does feel bad for Haitian immigrants, some of whom she feels are being trafficked for labor. Theyre in a foreign country... Its almost like a case of human trafficking...Even though theyre not working, people are hiring them in at a lower rate of pay. Thats just not right. Nobody wins in that situation at all, she said. However, she says city officials have learned nothing from federal authorities about the number of Haitians who have come to the area. Officials in several counties in Alabama where Haitian immigration has been reported say they have not encountered a rise in crime, contrary to rumors, and that school enrollment increases have been in keeping with existing trends. Haitian immigration began increasing earlier this year after unrest on the Caribbean island caused by gang activity. The federal Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan (CHNV) Parole Program allows immigrants from Haiti, along with three other countries, to enter the U.S. without entry documents if they have a sponsor, meet certain guidelines and undergo a vetting. The program resumed last month after an investigation into fraud and once additional security measures were added. Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville this month criticized the program. The main thing is, I want to know why Sylacauga. Why here? We already have a housing crisis. We dont have a lot of availability in jobs. So many uncertainties, Heath said. She also fears that a lack of information may lead to civil unrest. I believe people are very protective of their property, she said. And theres fear with them not working, that when people are hungry or not working or in need, that theyre going to start vandalizing property and breaking in, because again...their culture is very broken right now, especially when it comes to laws and rules. Attendees enter Salesforces Dreamforce National Park entrance at Moscone Center in San Francisco on Tuesday. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Escalators in Moscone South Hall were packed with Dreamforce convention-goers Tuesday. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue features its AI partnership with Salesforce during Dreamforce in San Francisco on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. Saks now uses AI to expand its personalize shopping. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle From left, Gunnar Bickel and his father, Guy, who works at Coordona, explore the Dreamforce campus through an app. This is Guys 10th time at Dreamforce and chose to dress up as Waldo, from Wheres Waldo, as a conversation starter. Its just fun and it stands out, Guy said. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Thousands attend Dreamforce Campground in San Francisco on Tuesday. The event space offers a deep dive into its products, brand, and culture. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle For better or for worse, one way to gauge San Franciscos recovery these days is by the size of the crowds that its most notable conferences and events are able to lure into the citys struggling downtown. By that measure, this years Dreamforce summit the annual three-day occupation of Moscone Center and the surrounding area by tech behemoth and emerging AI leader Salesforce is certainly a step toward greater economic abundance. Advertisement Article continues below this ad How big of a step is not entirely clear, yet. But the highly anticipated conference, which kicked off Tuesday morning, is expected to draw more than 45,000 visitors from near and far to the citys largest convention center this week. If those estimates hold true, it would be the biggest Dreamforce event since the pandemic. On the eve of the summit, a host of bars and restaurants along Fifth Street were packed with groups of people in Salesforce gear. While often underappreciated on regular workdays, many of these establishments were booked for private events Monday. Tuesday morning, crowds of people in suits covered by backpacks could be seen making their way down Fifth Street from the Powell Street BART Station with a sense of purpose that has not been characteristic of downtown since the start of the pandemic. Thousands arrived Tuesday for the first day of the Dreamforce conference at Moscone Center in San Francisco. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle The streets look good, said John Anderson, general manager at the Marriott Marquis hotel at 780 Mission St., who was voluntarily out on ambassador duty. I love seeing the amount of people walking toward the convention center with smiles on their faces. Anderson also had something to smile about: The hotel, just a block from Moscone Center, was sold out Monday night, he said. The economic impact reverberates throughout the city its not just hotels or restaurants. Its Uber and the small businesses. Everyone enjoys the benefit. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While still a mere fraction of its former glory, the event drew about 5,000 more attendees than last year. Thats the kind of incremental growth that city leaders and San Franciscos boosters are happy to call out. Dreamforce is one of the biggest technology events in the world and will be the most impactful event held at Moscone Center this year, said Anna Marie Presutti, interim president and CEO of the San Francisco Travel Association. She said that the total economic impact of the conference is projected to be about $93 million. Upon arrival, attendees encountered an urban campus anchored by Moscone South, North and West. A few events and breakout training sessions were also scheduled at nearby hotels, including the Marriott and InterContinental. In order to allow pedestrians to more easily flow between the buildings, Fourth Street between Mission and Howard streets was closed to vehicles. Howard Street between Third and Fourth streets was also shuttered, and transformed into the campus centerpiece: a facsimile of a national park. David Newlander escorts visitors to and from Dreamforce in San Francisco on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. The three-day long conference is expected to more than 45,000 visitors with AI being at the center of events. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle The park, dubbed Dream Forest, consisted of artificial turf and experience booths that allowed attendees to mingle or interact with the latest technologies, resembling a carnival. When coffee ran out at the parks main refreshment stand, attendees were directed to another where beverages were served by a robot. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There were also what appeared to be larger-than-life stone-carved and moss-covered replicas of Salesforces new Agentforce product which uses artificial intelligence to automate customer support tasks, with attendee demos. Images of the Agentforce characters, like Einstein, a data scientist known as Salesforces resident problem solver, were impossible to ignore. With so many things to do and see at Dreamforce, the conditions of downtown San Francisco werent top of mind for many visitors. I just saw a robot dog, so I feel like its a weird day already, said Kate Hensley, an employee of Collins Aerospace who flew in from North Carolina. I think everyone is just trying to get your attention here. Daiany Favarato fist bumps an Agentforce robotic dog during Dreamforce in San Francisco. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Piper Trachtmann, Henleys colleague from Iowa, said that the conference felt very well put together this year though there were small hiccups. The artificial turf came undone on a few occasions as crowds traversed it, forcing employees to cordon off areas in the park for repairs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For Trachtmann, the offering of more than 1,500 events and sessions was overwhelming. We were just doing the divide-and-conquer approach because we cant be everywhere at once but then there are also shiny objects everywhere, she said. Theres a skill set needed just to manage this conference. Trachtmann said she attended Dreamforce in the midst of the pandemic: San Francisco feels a lot more back to normal than it was then. At no point probably due to the volume of the people here today have I felt unsafe. Thousands packed the Moscone South Hall on Tuesday in preparation for keynote speakers like CEO Marc Benioff during the first day of the Dreamforce conference in San Francisco. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle However, the absence of what has grown to become an iconic feature of Dreamforce the free Salesforce swag usually given to attendees was palpable this year. The event has cut down on attendee gifts like free water bottles and printed brochures, reportedly to reduce waste and be more sustainable. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Security has been reported to be a priority this year, and security outcomes could dictate whether Dreamforce will return to downtown San Francisco next year. Given the amount of security presence that the city has dedicated to this event, its hard for (Salesforce CEO Marc) Benioff to replicate that anywhere else, said Anderson, of the Marriott. And, judging from Benioffs keynote speech on Tuesday, it is also hard to believe that he might abandon the city that supported Salesforces growth into a business generating $38 billion in revenues and is said to be on the forefront of the artificial intelligence boom. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff spoke to thousands Tuesday at Moscone South Hall during the opening remarks at Dreamforce in San Francisco. This is the most exciting and most important Dreamforce, Benioff said of the annual Salesforce convention. Talking about the emergence of AI and how it is a critical part of the future. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle A 21-year-old man charged in a deadly Birmingham home invasion that left one person dead and three others wounded included himself will remain behind bars. Tyler Reed Sanders, of Birmingham, is charged with murder in the Sept. 2 slaying of 49-year-old Lafontae Dejarris Lenard. He is also charged with two counts of attempted murder. Sanders was booked into the Jefferson County Jail 9 after he was released from the hospital. He went before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Stephen Wallace Monday for an Aniahs Law hearing. After hearing testimony from Birmingham homicide Det. Mark Green, the judge wrote, the court is satisfied that by clear and convincing evidence that there are no condition or combination of conditions of release that will reasonably ensure the defendants appearance in court or protect the safety of the community. Wallace ordered Sanders to be held without bond. Just before 11 p.m. that Monday, South Precinct officers were dispatched to a report of a burglary in progress at University Crossings apartments in the 200 block of Third Avenue S.W. One person was killed and three others wounded when someone kicked open an apartment door where they were playing cards.(Carol Robinson) Sgt. LaQuitta Wade said police were en route when they received updated information that someone had been shot. Officers arrived to find a man now identified as Sanders - shot outside the apartment building. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service rushed him to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries. They learned there was another victim inside the apartment. Lenard was found unresponsive and pronounced dead on the scene at 11:23 p.m. Wade said another man and woman were shot and fled the apartment. They made it a short distance away but then were found by BFRS and also taken to UAB. The preliminary investigation indicates the victims were inside the second-story apartment when the suspect kicked in the front door and fired shots. Someone at the apartment returned fire, striking Sanders. The bullets damaged the apartment below, as well as others. A Courtland man died Monday afternoon in a one-vehicle crash in Lawrence County. Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) said the incident happened at about 5:40 p.m. Monday on Alabama 33 near Lawrence County 286, about four miles southeast of Courtland. Melvin L. Reedus Jr., 40, was driving a 2017 Infiniti Q50 that left the roadway, struck a mailbox, a utility pole, a gas line and then a tree. Reedus was not using a seat belt at the time of crash, Bailey said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers with ALEAs Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate. This article is about three types of assassination. The first, which President Trump has endured nonstop since he first entered the political arena, is character assassination. The second is legal assassination, sometimes called lawfare. The term is appropriate, because it is derived from warfare. This is the attempt to lawlessly, but under the guise of law, bankrupt, ruin, defame and even imprison a dangerous political opponent. In extreme cases, this opponent might even face life imprisonment, which is a legal equivalent of the death penalty. (Murderers are often given the death penalty or life in prison, which some people say is a fate worse than death.) And finally, when all else fails, there is actual assassination. These three types of assassination are connected, and typically one leads to another. During the English Civil War, King Charles I, who admittedly was a tyrant, was subjected to a lengthy volley of complaints and accusations. This was character assassination aimed at producing his overthrow political assassination. Then he was tried by the Rump Parliament, but it was a bogus trial, mainly consisting of crimes that were made up solely in order to convict him. Charles was only guilty of laws passed ex post facto by the Parliament; he was then retroactively found to have violated those laws. Finally, Charles was executed, a supposedly lawful penalty for his crimes, but since the crimes themselves were bogus, the execution amounted to an assassination. The point is that while Charles was indeed a tyrant, the process of his deposition and murder were no less lawless no less tyrannical than Charles himself. More recently, and closer to home, John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln at Fords Theater on April 14, 1865. The Southern Democrats who led the Confederacy had been blackening Lincolns character for years, calling him a gorilla and a tyrant. Secession itself amounted to a kind of lawfare, not only because it had no legal or constitutional basis Lincolns only crime was that he had won the 1860 election, and secession was nothing more than a spurious attempt to invalidate the result of that election. And of course, secession led rapidly to war: lawfare became warfare! Finally, Booth murdered Lincoln, as part of a plot to kill the president, the vice president and the secretary of state. Booth and his co-conspirators were Confederates. Their minds had been poisoned by years of propaganda. Booth genuinely believed Lincoln was a tyrant. His political motive was to get rid of Lincoln and energize the Confederacy to fight on even after the surrender at Appomattox less than a week earlier. After shooting Lincoln, Booth jumped to the stage of the theater and shouted, Sic semper tyrannis, which means So it goes with tyrants. With Trump, character assassination came first. When it proved insufficient, it metamorphosed into lawfare. We see this with the Stormy Daniels matter, which began as a sex scandal, aimed at showing Trump to be a philanderer and low-life. Later, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg used the same set of facts Trumps lawyer paid Stormy Daniels to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement or NDA to concoct a two-tiered crime: alteration of business records (a misdemeanor) and an attempt to violate federal campaign finance laws (a felony). One might wonder how Bragg gets so much out of so little. But he got a jury conviction out of it, and for this entirely legal and legitimate transaction NDAs are perfectly legal and wealthy individuals and businesses do them all the time Trump faces 34 felony convictions and potentially many years in prison. For a man of his age, this would be tantamount to a life sentence, a legal assassination. But even that was not enough, because just a few weeks ago Trump was the target of an assassins bullet that should have taken his life but almost miraculously only grazed his ear. Then, soon after, a second attempt. One might say that the wicked and lawless regime that has been out to get Trump from the outset is taking no chances. This regime run by President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, the whole Democrat gang represents precisely the tyranny and lawlessness that Lincoln warned about in his 1838 Lyceum speech. The only difference is that the regime now controls the levers of law. So it deploys law itself to abuse the process of law. It is a legal abomination. And when even this fails, it does what the Confederacy did with Booth: it poisons the minds of unstable and disturbed individuals so that two of them, on two separate occasions, took the law into their own hands and attempted to kill the former and potentially future president. Whatever the ideology of these two men, their motive quite obviously was to get rid of a man they believed to be a danger to democracy and to the country. They had obviously heard the libelous propaganda: Trump is Hitler circa 1933. Quite likely they saw themselves as intrepid soldiers who had the foresight to take Hitler out before he could unleash a world war and murder millions of Jews as part of his final solution. In other words, the would-be assassins believed the lie that Trump is like Hitler, like Caesar, like Napoleon. They, too, sought to make the point that Booth did sic semper tyrannis. In a way, the two assassins were more sincere than the Democrats whose evil slander they had absorbed. Immediately following the two failed assassination attempts, leading Democrats all offered thoughts and prayers to Trump. They said they were "glad" he was safe, or hoping for his quick recovery; they disavowed political violence. But wait a minute! If Trump were truly Hitler if they genuinely believed Trump was akin to Hitler then they should be celebrating the assassination attempt, as indeed some on the Left did. Their only regret should have been that the would-be killers missed. Thus, there is an unavoidable conflict between their premise (Trump is Hitler) and their conclusion (We are praying for Hitler to recover quickly). Either the premise is false or the conclusion is false. My view is that the Democrats never truly believed Trump is Hitler in fact, they know he isnt but they use that base slander to demonize and dispatch a dangerous political opponent. The danger Trump poses is not to liberty or to the republic but only to them and to their tyrannical schemes. We should take note not merely of the diabolical schemes to destroy Trump by locking him up for life, or outright killing him, but also of how Trump has largely foiled these schemes. It seemed impossible for a man facing 91 criminal charges and hundreds of years in prison to have the whole legal barrage deflected, turned back or tossed out, what podcaster Megyn Kelly calls the inside straight. Who else could not only plow through the barrage undeterred, but even (at least to date) prevail? Any other Republican any other politician facing 10 charges would exit the race, implode psychologically, and become a political nonentity and liability, never mentioned by his own side again. Trump, however, has shown he has the mettle to fight and to win. In a way Trump found a way to turn even his vices into political virtues. Consider, for instance, Trumps ego. Trump said in his early career that all successful people have a big ego. He doesnt regard his ego as a liability but, in a business sense, as a motivating asset. But now, in the political minefield, his ego serves a greater one might even say nobler purpose. In a weird way, Trumps ego has been a form of psychological self-protection through the political and legal trauma of the past several years. Trumps ego is his own personal wall, insulating him from the pressures that would surely debilitate, if not destroy, a normal person. Drawing on inner strength and creativity, Trump used the lawfare against him to put the legal system itself on trial, and he exposed the sham machinations of a whole procession of Democrat prosecutors, judges and juries, all acting at the direction and behest of the Biden-Harris regime. In a way, he vindicated his character through these cases, because he showed the American public that this is all they have on him, and if this is the best they can do, Trump must in fact be one of the cleanest, least corrupt figures on the whole landscape. Who else could withstand such extensive scrutiny and come out almost entirely unscathed? Only Trump! This man has lived his entire adult life in the public eye and, as it turns out, he has had very little to hide. Finally, even the assassination attempts proved to be to the benefit of Trump. For one, they showed that he was a person important enough to be targeted. Assassination, after all, is the sincerest form of flattery. Consider Biden or Harris, or even Romney or Paul Ryan. Who would want to assassinate them? It would be a waste of effort, and of ammunition. There is a reason no one ever attempted to assassinate Jimmy Carter. Trump joined a rare and illustrious list of presidents or would-be presidents who faced assassination: Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, JFK, RFK, Reagan. And even in this elite company, Trump showed his mettle by the instinctive way he responded to the assassins bullets. Here, a single moment, Trump showed his true greatness and proved he has more genuine virtue and character than all his critics combined. This article is adapted from Dinesh DSouzas new book, Vindicating Trump, published by Regnery. DSouzas movie of the same title will be in theaters nationwide on Sept. 27. Get movie tickets and pre-order books at vindicatingtrump.com. Image: Screen shot from Vindicating Trump website, by permission. Democrats were once the party of free speech. The ACLU and truth to power were part of the Democrat party truth brigade. Yet now Democrats and the left are stifling free speech so fast it would make George Orwells head spin. If Orwell was alive today, his sequel to 1984 would be 2024, replacing Winston Smith with Elon Musk or Telegram CEO Pavel Durov. Censorship, once popular in communist China, Hitlers Germany, and Maos China, is the new Converse sneakers, mom jeans, and cardigans, popular decades ago and now making a comeback. Brazil and the U.K. are leading the censorship charge, with the U.S.A. close behind. Speech is now free only if it is the right speech, politically correct, and not critical of the ruling class or its policies. Lets make Orwells Oceana and Big Brother great again. Screen shot The Last Refuge, by permission Aside from challenging the safe and effective COVID vaccine mantra, election integrity is another hot area of censorship. Challenge the ruling class and be castigated as a vaccine or election denier. Physicians lost their jobs, licenses, board certifications, and reputations for having the audacity to question or challenge the government narrative regarding COVID. Daring to question election integrity leads to the same scorn from the smart set in Washington D.C. and the media, leading to disbarment or worse. There is a website dedicated to these evil election deniers called electiondeniers.org. This is a project of States United Action, a nonprofit democracy center that apparently believe in a situational and conditional First Amendment. Their advisory board consists of Trump-o-phobes, including Michael Chertoff, Janet Napolitano, Tom Ridge, Michael Steele, Bill Weld, and Christine Todd-Whitman. Enough said. The election denier website asserts that election denial is dangerous while they are looking holistically at the environment around elections, whatever that means. One of their definitions of election denial is claiming former President Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election instead of the legitimate winner President Biden. Where were these upholders of election integrity when Al Gore claimed at the 2000 election: Actually, I think I carried Florida? Or when Hillary Clinton dismissed President Trump as an illegitimate president and suggested that he knows that he stole the 2016 presidential election? Or when Stacey Abrams denied 35 times her 2018 election defeat in Georgia? Instead, this new election denier website only applies to Donald Trump in 2020. There is much to question about the 2020 election, including a handful of battleground swing states in unprecedented fashion, stopping vote counting on election night, or so they say. Then tallying election returns to determine how many votes Joe Biden needed to eke out an Electoral College victory. And finding enough mail-in ballots after a few days, with perfectly filled in circles, without the folds or creases necessary to mail a ballot, and shazam! Biden wins by a nose three days later. That doesnt pass the smell test. If its all legitimate, then prove it. The majority of voters are skeptical and thats not a good thing if we are protecting democracy. According to a recent Heartland/Rasmussen poll, More than six in 10 likely voters nationally and in battleground states believe cheating will affect outcome of 2024 election. Today so-called election deniers face lawfare, disbarment, and/or criminal prosecution. Ask Tina Peters, Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, or John Eastman. Arizona election deniers were indicted. Two in Michigan were indicted. Yet Politico asks this excellent question: What happened to the Democrats who never accepted Bushs election? Answer nothing, reinforcing the fact that the entire election denial persecution is situational and political. Deny a Democrat loss and its 'meh.' Deny a Republican loss and be treated like a serial killer. Censorship is wrong and denies the First Amendment. This is made worse when it is applied politically based on who is exercising their free speech and against what. Fortunately, Donald Trump now has a powerful ally, RFK, Jr., in his quest to Make Free Speech Great Again. Otherwise, everyone would be wide to read or reread 1984 to prepare for whats ahead. 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. Image: The Last Refuge, by permission Ukraine does not want to win the latest battle with Russia (the war started in 2014), because this battle is too profitable for the Ukrainian elite. A real war with Russia (with real mobilization of personnel and industry) would cost the Ukrainian elite dearly (less American/EU aid money to steal). A real war would also require the kleptocratic Ukrainian government to give the Ukrainian peasantry a bit of freedom, similar to FDR pausing his New Deal to fight Hitler, Lenins New Economic Policy, or Putins current focus on mobilization instead of ransacking the Russian private sector. Ive spent a good part of the past two years in Ukraine (I speak fluent Russian and understand Ukrainian). I recently watched two Ukrainian blogger videos that really sum up perfectly the real war in Ukraine. In one video (use Google translate for English subtitles) Viktor Halasiuk professes his admiration for the Ukrainian deep state (the overwhelming majority of Ukrainians share his views). In another video Pavlo Sebastyanovich (the closest thing to a Ramaswamy/Milei Ukrainian of whom I know) refutes Viktors claims. (To understand the utterly corrupt kleptocratic socialist Ukrainian state, simply watch Pavlos channel regularly). You wont find such honest content about Ukraine in English. The Vast Majority of Ukrainians Are Diehard Socialists Viktor considers the views of a small minority of (truly patriotic) Ukrainians (he talks about Pavlo without naming him) who want to fire 80% of the massive Ukrainian government bureaucracy, as mistaken, infantile, and dangerous. Viktor uses Georgia (the country) and Japan as examples of why Pavlos ideas are crazy. Viktor says the success of Georgia was doubtful under Saakashvilli, who fired (Ramaswamy-style) 50% of government workers. Pavlo says Georgia made immense gains (Pavlo is telling the truth). Georgia is a landlocked country with Russia occupying two of its provinces (a situation similar to that of Ukraine). Even the imperial Japanese understood what the Soviets were, ending Japans WW2 savagery when the threat of Soviet occupation neared. As for Japan, Viktor makes the case that (post-WW2) Japan made massive gains in productivity because of a strong (handed) government with a lot of government industrial experts (I guess SpaceX is so successful because of government bureaucrats who know best how to build rockets). The role of Japans pre-WW2 successful industrialization and post-WW2 American occupation are downplayed. For Viktor the idea of just firing government workers is a trap, illusion, myth, an example of primitive inertial thinking, of infantilism. Viktor claims that the problem is not the size, but the performance of government (the solution being, of course, more money to improve their performance). He mocks businessmen who think they can run a country as having a kindergarten mentality, yet he is proud of his work in parliament where he says he rammed through 30 industrial laws that created $10 billion in new investment (investment, not kickbacks and bribes). He says he never once tried to tell a factory director how to run his own business. His job was to make doing business easy and more efficient (it was the private sectors job to execute). Viktor suggests that Ukrainian business has not given enough money (he never mentions anything about wartime bribes) to support economic research, think tanks, Ukrainian authors, and stipends for Ukrainian students. He says he has never found a successful country with a weak government and strong business (strong business does not mean a successful country?). He says success requires the synchronized efforts and interests of government, society, and business (isnt the governments only interest the good of business and the people?). I think Mussolini had a good name for such a system. In my experience, over 90% of Ukrainians would agree with the outlandish lies in Viktors video (they know none of its true). One reason is because so many have unrepentant communists in the family tree (even the American conservative hero Matt Walsh recently said that Tim Walzs brother should have kept quiet about Tim because family comes first, just like Vito and Michael said in The Godfather). The idea of drastically reducing the state (even in wartime) will always be met by these people with mockery. Ukraine Has Become Part of the Globalist Threat to America An amazingly polished Ukrainian PR campaign (undoubtedly financed by some big-time globalists) convinced Western nations to become active participants in a war with a nuclear power. The end goal has probably always been the globalist elite buying up Ukraine (and in their wildest dreams Russia) on the cheap, which would make Ukraines elite fabulously wealthy. (Zelensky also previously announced a patronage program with BlackRocks help, which would see investors taking ownership over Ukraines reconstruction.) A key aspect of the PR campaign has been Zelenskys constant spiel about The war against Ukraine is a war against morality. And the defense of Ukraine is, above all, the defense of morality. A very Western, woke way to talk about war. Globalists are using similar tricks to plunge America into chaos. 2030 million border criminals who operate (like the Ukrainians) by the laws of the jungle have been magically transformed into morally righteous undocumented migrants. They (like the Ukrainians) know that they owe everything to the Democrat party and the human trafficking network of the unelected bureaucratic state. MAGA America is the diametrical opposite of Putins Russia (I spent years in Russia), but has become, like Russia, a target for not selling out to the globalists (this is why Trump has been marked for elimination). The result is that Russia, the enemy of our enemy, is now our ally. Putin may be evil, but he is a very capable leader (not an incoherent senile puppet like Biden) who has no myths about the West or war. He has mobilized Russia for a real (long-term) war against Ukraine for the survival of the Moscow leech state (for similar reasons American/EU governments have mobilized against their own uncooperative fly-over territories). Moscow (like Washington/EU) survives by sucking the life blood of a massive empire and will (quite possibly) go nuclear if required to protect that empire. Kyiv will likewise continue its decades-long war against its own fly-over territory that has utterly decimated Ukraine. The small army of armed Ukrainian government workers (serving in the police, tax collection, customs, etc.) are all excluded from military service, so they will be at 100% readiness after the battle with Russia is over. The peasants who escaped military service (by paying a bribe or going into hiding) will all be back to as good as new after the war. That includes all the pro-war Ukrainian men I know personally who, without exception, demand total victory (but insist that others do the dying). They all hate the peacenik Trump. The valiant Ukrainian front-line fighters that survive, the best of Ukraine, will be quickly forgotten, condemned to a meager existence ($55/month pensions for war vets). After the battle with Russia is lost and the West stops making welfare payments, the Ukrainian kleptocrats could very well turn to Moscow. Which may not be all bad, since Russia could within a decade become a stabilizing force against a failing socialist/Islamic Western Europe. My Ukrainian friends will all blame Ukraines loss on America (especially the Trump half) and the EU. P.S. The day before I submitted this article to AT was another day, another Trump assassination attempt, and a new Pavlo video about how military units are asking Biden to send money for drones directly to them (bypassing the corruption of Kyiv). Sad. They still havent figured out that the most corrupt U.S. administration in history never gave a crap about them. Image: Public domain. (Authors Note: After the recent presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, the voting guidance offered herein should help to decide which candidate to choose. It is especially important for Christians to vote in the November 2024 election!) On September 8, 2024, Pastor Gary Hamrick of Cornerstone Chapel, Leesburg, Virginia, delivered an Election Day Sermon 2024, which is highly recommended viewing. In his message, Pastor Hamrick stressed that Americans need to vote for political candidates who most closely align with biblical values in the policies they espouse and will promote if elected to public office. Policies aligning with biblical values promote righteousness, are good for the nation, and honor God. Before beginning his main election message, Pastor Hamrick gave a brief history lesson about how, until relatively recently, Christians and the Christian church were intricately involved in the nations political process and governance prior to and after the establishment of Americas constitutional republic. There is no mention of separation of church and state in the U.S. Constitution or any other founding documents. Regarding religious liberty, the purpose of the First Amendment is to keep the government out of the business of the church, not the church out of the business of the government.* Pastor Hamrick stated that Americans, especially Christians, must vote to help protect the freedoms entrusted to the nation by God lest they be lost. If many Christians decide not to vote, then evil will rush into this vacuum. Pastor Hamrick presented three important factors for voting that Americans need to consider regarding the upcoming election: 1) God uses flawed, sinful people to be public servants to carry out Gods plans for humanity. Quoting the pastor, a nation will not thrive because of the righteousness of a leader, but will thrive because of the righteousness of the policies promoted by the leader. 2) People need to vote for policies, not personalities ; the likeability of a particular candidate must not overshadow his policies, which will live long after his political service. 3) Voting is not just a right; it is a duty. Of the estimated 90 million Christians living in America, roughly 55 million either do not vote or are not registered to vote! It is urgent that this situation change for the November 2024 election. Regarding voting for policies over personalities, Pastor Hamrick stated that there is no perfect political candidate. A candidates likeability should not be the determining factor in voting for him; what matters is that the candidate promotes righteous policies for the good of the nation. Pastor Hamrick listed seven important policy areas where voters need to determine if a particular candidate best aligns with biblical values. 1) Judges. Because righteous judges are biblical (Isaiah 1:26), voters should ask which candidate will appoint the best judges who will make rulings based on biblical values, such as sanctity of life, parental rights, etc. and also honor freedoms guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution. 2) National borders. Because national borders are biblical (Acts 17:26), voters should ask which candidate will best protect Americas national borders and national security. 3) Support for Israel. Because support of Israel is biblical (Genesis 12:3), voters should ask which candidate will best support the nation of Israel. 4) Biological sex. Because biological sex is designed by God in the womb, voters should ask which candidate will best protect Gods design of biological sex, versus a candidate who supports and promotes transgenderism and other alternative lifestyles. 5) Religious liberty. Because religious liberty and freedom of conscience are enshrined in the First Amendment, voters should ask which candidate will best preserve religious liberty and Americas conscience. 6) Family. Because parental rights are being severely challenged in many states, and children are being targeted by a progressive evil agenda, voters should ask which candidate best supports the rights of parents to teach, train, and raise their children without interference from government officials. 7) Life. The question to ask is, which candidate will best protect the life of the unborn? The current policy of the Democrat party is to support abortion up until the moment of birth, whereas the emerging policy of the Republican party is to support abortion up to 15 weeks of a pregnancy under limited conditions such as rape and incest. Pastor Hamrick challenged Americans to stem the tide of evil in our land until the Lord Jesus returns. He urged Americans to vote for candidates who most closely represent biblical values in the policies they will support and have supported in the past. Policies and actions are what truly matter, not a candidates likeability. In closing, Pastor Hamrick quoted Frederick Douglass: I would unite with anyone to do right and nobody to do wrong. * See article here for additional background on early Christian involvement in America and here for a short 15-minute video by Kirk Cameron and historian Dr. Marshall Foster about the important historical message of Americas National Monument to the Forefathers, dedicated in 1889 at Plymouth, Massachusetts. Paul S. Gardiner is a retired US Army officer, Vietnam veteran, and avid lover of America. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, University of Alabama, and the U.S. Army War College. Image: Darkmoon_Art via Pixabay, Pixabay License. On September 5, KamalaHQs Facebook account posted Our statement on JD Vance calling school shootings a fact of life. Donald Trump and JD Vance think school shootings are a fact of life and we have to get over it. Here is what Vance actually said about school shootings (emphasis is mine): I dont like that this is a fact of life ... [b]ut if you are a psycho and 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. This is exactly what Israel does. You have to go through a security checkpoint, manned by an armed guard, or you dont get in. There have been, as far as I know, no school shootings in Israel since the Maalot massacre in 1974, fifty years ago. Thats despite the much higher quality, if one wants to call it that, of the would-be shooters in Israel versus the ones over here. Those in Israel, or more likely Gaza, Judea, and Samaria, are organized and have paramilitary training along with genuine weapons of war, as opposed to what Harris and Walz call weapons of war. Those in the United States are generally lone-wolf bad actors with no terrorist organizations behind them, usually no training, and also no access to fully automatic weapons, rockets, suicide belts, or grenades. They nonetheless get into our schools, whereas the professional terrorists over there do not get into Israeli schools. Harris and Walz, much like cancer quacks who kill their patients with phony prescriptions, nonetheless argue for further restrictions on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens, as opposed to restrictions on violent criminals who actually misuse firearms. Most school shooters are first-time offenders with no felony records to deny them access to firearms; others, such as Adam Lanza, steal firearms. On the other hand, it doesnt matter what they have if they cant get into the school in the first place. The Lighthouse Academy in Northeast Pennsylvania has multiple layers of security. Southwestern High School in Shelbyville, Indiana is purportedly even safer, with cameras and smoke launchers in the hallways and classroom doors that lock to keep out active shooters. A red line in each classroom tells students where a safe zone is: If they there, a shooter in the doorway cannot bring them under fire under any circumstances. The bottom line is, however, that Harris is a liar. She is ultimately responsible for what KamalaHQ posts on social media, and KamalaHQ said falsely that Vance said we have to get over school shootings. In reality, Vance said that we must implement school security to make them virtually impossible. Israel proved it can be done even against well armed, well trained, and well organized aggressors with genuine weapons of war, so we should be able to stop individual losers who probably get their firearm training, if any, from videogames. Readers can meanwhile help expose Harris as a liar by circulating the truth on social media. Civis Americanus is the pen name of an American Thinker contributor who remembers the lessons of history and wants to ensure that our country never needs to learn those lessons again the hard way. Image via Pexels. Last week, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) launched an election integrity Hail Mary when he attempted to tie the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act to the latest government funding bill. In a nutshell, the SAVE Act would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections and states to remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters. The SAVE Act is not a controversial piece of legislation. Its primary intention is to guarantee that only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote in federal elections, which is currently the law of the land under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Unfortunately, Johnsons Hail Mary heave fell incomplete due to staunch Democrat opposition in both the House and Senate. Unsurprisingly, congressional Democrats have grossly misrepresented the bill, ridiculously calling it a modern poll tax. In reality, the SAVE Act would do nothing more than ensure that only American citizens are eligible to vote in federal elections. Under current election rules, states hold the power to register voters. While some states, such as Florida, have taken great pains to guarantee that only citizens are registered to vote in local, state, and federal elections, several other states have intentionally ignored this provision. In many blue states, non-citizens can easily register to vote because these states offer photo IDs such as driver licenses to non-citizens. Although one would assume that these states have measures to verify that only citizens can register to vote in federal elections, this is not the case. In my home state of Illinois, for example, non-citizens can register to vote in local elections. However, here is the rub: Once they are eligible to vote in local elections, there is nothing to stop them from voting in state and federal elections as well. Aside from the honor system, states like Illinois are simply hoping these non-citizens only cast votes for local officials while abstaining from voting for statewide and federal offices. The SAVE Act would solve this problem by making it illegal for non-citizens to cast votes in federal elections. Specifically, as Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) notes, First, it mandates that states must obtain documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and identity in person when registering an individual to vote in a federal election. Second, it requires the states to remove non-citizens from their existing voter rolls and gives states no-cost access to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration databases to do so. With less than two months before the 2024 election, the odds of the SAVE Act becoming law prior to Election Day are basically zero. But this does not mean that election integrity efforts should be abandoned. Because federal lawmakers have failed to ensure that only citizens can vote in federal elections, it is up to the states to rectify this problem. The good news is that some states, particularly Florida and Georgia, have been at the forefront of this issue. After the controversial 2020 election, both Florida and Georgia passed laws intended to address many of the concerns associated with the mass mailing of absentee ballots, ballot harvesting, unattended ballot drop boxes, non-citizens voting in federal elections, and outdated and inaccurate voter registration rolls. The Florida law, which many experts consider to be the cream of the crop when it comes to combating voter fraud, also created an investigatory unit solely dedicated to examining potential cases of voter fraud. Another measure taken by states in recent weeks to buttress election integrity is to purge their voter rolls of non-citizens. Already, weve witnessed states like Texas and Virginia rid their voter rolls of thousands of non-citizens. Make no mistake, public confidence in the veracity of elections is absolutely essential to a well-functioning nation. For more than two centuries, federal elections in the United States have generally been free and fair. However, this changed in 2020, when the pandemic was used as an excuse to transform how most Americans cast their ballots. In 2024 and beyond, we must return to our traditional, time-tested methods of election procedures. As such, it is incumbent upon the states to guarantee that non-citizens do not vote in federal elections while encouraging citizens to vote in person as close to Election Day as possible. It is not xenophobic to prevent non-citizens from voting in federal elections. Rather, it is the law of the land and ensures that American citizens are not disenfranchised by having their vote canceled per se by someone who is not eligible to vote in federal elections under current law. Chris Talgo (ctalgo@heartland.org) is editorial director at The Heartland Institute. Image: Eric Hersman You would think universities would have learned their lesson on their promotion of antisemitism on campus. After all, donors pulled huge endowments and top Jewish students went to other schools this past year as antisemitic protests engulfed elite universities. But not Cornell. They had a doozy of a Jew-hater on their professorial staff, and as campus tents went up, he went to town, spewing his thrill at the murder of 1,200 Jews by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7 to all the impressionable kiddies who were there to listen. According to the New York Post: The radical Cornell University prof who lauded the Hamas terror attack on Israel as exhilarating and energizing dodged any punishment and is now back teaching at the upstate Ivy League school. Shamed history Professor Russell Rickford was out for the past year on voluntary leave after widespread public outcry when he was recorded at an off-campus anti-Israel rally cheering Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, invasion that slaughtered 1,200 Israelis. It was exhilarating, it was energizing .I was exhilarated, Rickford said at the time before apologizing for applauding the mass murder of innocent civilians. They should put that word "history" in quotes. This is a freak who spews lies and calumnies. But they brought him back, after a "voluntary" leave of absence after his outburst, and the Post said the university would not confirm whether it was paid or unpaid. It's paid now, and he's made a disingenuous "apology" calling it a "horrible choice of words" that "did not reflect my values." Really? He seemed to be very clear when he made his diatribe at a venue full of college kids, and his rhetoric no doubt matched those of the other speakers. The university justified its act by saying it was done at a "private setting" rather than a university class, but that's a little disingenuous. Would they have done the same if the character in question was a klansman in a "private setting" or a full-blown Nazi? I don't think so. The Post describes the university and its campus affiliates as brimming with antisemitism. Guys like Rickman obviously throw lots of fat on that fire. Bringing him back suggests a lack of seriousness about addressing the antisemitism on campus. And as for the Jewish kids who go to Cornell, you wonder if they're going to feel "safe," given that the moral sewer Rickman and his fellow Jew-haters swim in is still flowing. They didn't even require a "struggle session" from him in order to come back, let alone "sensitivity training." They just let him back after he said he chose the wrong words. That's not exactly reassuring that anything over there is going to be different. Image: Twitter screen shot Temperatures will be warmer on Tuesday but still well below average for this time of year. Baron/Lynx UPDATED FORECAST: Heres where rare Bay Area September rain showers could hit A large atmospheric traffic jam across the Northern Hemisphere is having an impact on California weather this week. Several significant rises and dips in the jet stream are stuck in place, stretching from the North Pacific across Europe and Russia. This has resulted in whats known as a block in upper-level atmospheric circulation, leading to the unusual early September storm systems that impacted California this week. A large ridge of high pressure parked over the Gulf of Alaska has clogged up the typical west-to-east flow across the state, allowing for a few storm systems to quickly spin up and slide down the West Coast. This pattern has also triggered catastrophic flooding in Eastern Europe, a heat wave in the United Kingdom, and the sudden development of a tropical system off the coast of North Carolina, bringing heavy rain. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The upper level pattern shows a series of high pressure (red) and low pressure (blue) systems stuck in place across the Northern Hemisphere for the next few days. Tropical Tidbits The first of two systems passed through on Monday, giving the Bay Area one of its coolest days in months, with temperatures struggling to reach 70 degrees. Tuesday is expected to be similarly cool, with interior temperatures running 10 to 20 degrees below normal. Extensive cloud cover along the coast will keep San Francisco and bay-facing communities unseasonably cool as well. The blocked jet stream pattern will start to show signs of breaking down toward the end of the week, which should start a transition to warmer than average conditions for California to close out the month. Tuesday breakdown San Francisco: Its expected to be a dreary day for the western half of the city. Low clouds will blanket the area throughout the morning, with partial clearing expected downtown in the afternoon. However, there will be no such clearing west of Twin Peaks, where high temperatures will range from the mid- to upper 50s. Some afternoon sunshine may help downtown temperatures reach the low 60s, but a gusty west wind of 10 to 20 mph will make it feel cooler. Mostly cloudy overnight with a chance at some spotty showers and temperatures in the low 50s. Advertisement Article continues below this ad North Bay: After a cloudy start to the day, some partial clearing in the afternoon will allow temperatures to rise in the upper 60s to low 70s in San Rafael, Petaluma and Napa and temperatures should reach the low 70s in Santa Rosa, Fairfield and Vacaville. Mostly cloudy in the evening and overnight hours with a slight chance at some pockets of drizzle, especially along the elevated terrain in Marin County. Low temperatures will be in the upper 40s to low 50s. East Bay: Low clouds will linger west of the Berkeley Hills in the morning, with partly sunny skies developing by the afternoon. Highs will be in the mid- to upper 60s in Richmond, Oakland and Fremont. The interior East Bay will be mostly sunny, with highs reaching the low to mid-70s in Concord, Walnut Creek and Livermore. The night will be mostly cloudy with some drizzle in the hills and lows in the 50s. Mostly cloudy overnight with some drizzle in the hills and lows in the 50s. Pacific Coast and Peninsula: Much of the Pacific Coast will remain under cloud cover for most of the day, while the rest of the Peninsula will start out cloudy and see partial clearing in the afternoon, particularly east of Daly City. Highs will range from the upper 50s to low 60s in Half Moon Bay and Pacifica, and from the mid-60s to low 70s in South San Francisco and Redwood City. Winds will be gusty at times in the afternoon from the west at 10 to 20 mph. Mostly cloudy with some pockets of drizzle possible overnight and lows in the 50s. South Bay and Santa Cruz: Both the South Bay and Santa Cruz should see partly sunny skies by afternoon after morning clouds. Highs will reach the low to mid-70s in Santa Clara, San Jose and Santa Cruz. Mostly cloudy overnight with pockets of drizzle likely, especially in the Santa Cruz mountains and lows in the 50s. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been in an intense state of alert in recent weeks. Israel is anticipating a retaliatory attack from the Islamic Republic of Iran or from its proxy, Lebanese Hezballah, allegedly in response to last months elimination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezballahs chief of staff Fuad Shukr in Beirut. For Israel and Israelis, this is an unacceptable situation. The 24/7 alert has taken a particular toll among the Air Force reservist pilots and ground crews, who must be away from their families and jobs. The overall Israeli economy, including the agricultural sector, has also suffered enormously. And, most critically, the war and the anxiety over the hostages continues to seriously impact the national morale and the psychological well-being of many in Israel. As exhibited in previous situations, Israel would have launched a preventive strike against both Iran and Hezballah. However, in consideration of the Biden-Harris administrations demand that they avoid doing so for fear that an Israeli strike might trigger a wider regional war, Israeli leaders have refrained. The primary reason for Washingtons efforts to restrain Israel from acting is, first and foremost, the upcoming U.S. elections. The administration doesnt want American personnel in the Middle East coming back in body bags. The U.S. currently has 2,500 U.S. soldiers in Iraq and 900 stationed in the northeast area of Syria. Iraqi Shiite militias, under Iranian guidance, have already deployed rockets in an attack on the Al-Asad airbase in Iraqs Al-Anbar province, wounding several U.S. troops. Similarly, Shiite militias in Syria mounted drone attacks on American bases in the country. Secondly, the U.S. has been constraining Israel from a preventative strike against Iran for purely political purposes. Kamala Harris, as she assesses her run for the U.S. presidency, understands that she must appease the pro-Hamas progressive wing of the Democrat party, especially in Michigan, where the large Muslim community might abstain from giving the Democrat party their vote. That position holds true for a number of other swing states, such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. As far as the Biden-Harris administration is concerned, a regional war in the Middle East would work to the advantage of Russia and China. As the administration views it, attention on the Middle East is likely to divert attention from the war in Ukraine and enable Russia to become more aggressive. It might also encourage China to attack Taiwan. Moreover, arms that would go to Ukraine would have to be transferred to the Middle East. The question, then, is, why hasnt the administration pursued a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia? Although Israel is fully prepared and capable of inflicting an effective preventive strike against Hezballah in Lebanon, such a strike might be somewhat more complicated against Iran due to the distance and size of the Islamic Republic. To deal with Iran, Israel requires the active participation of the U.S. It is apparent that the administrations fear of a major war during an election season makes it equally unlikely that a Harris administration would participate in or endorse a preventive attack on Iran. Israel, in its current face-off with Hezballah, is dealing with a different reality. Whereas, in 2006, it was Israel versus Hezballah without the interference or participation of additional players, this time, the radical Shiite axis of evil is united and coordinated, and a full-scale engagement with Hezballah is certain to involve Iran, the Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria, and help from both the Assad regime and the Houthis in Yemen. Israel, nonetheless, is currently being attacked from Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, in addition to Iranian-inspired terror groups in Judea and Samaria and Gaza. In tying Israels hands and preventing it from launching a preventive attack on Iran and Hezballah, the U.S. is weakening Israels deterrence. Some would even argue that the Biden-Harris administrations insistence on a ceasefire in Gaza, and limited Israeli actions against Hezballah, is meant to stop Israel from achieving a victory. An IDF operation inside Lebanon that knocks out their four or five power stations will put the Land of the Cedars in darkness. Hezballahs leader, Hassan Nasrallah, will then have to deal with two fronts. There would be the domestic front, in which he would have to quell the massive demonstration of over 70% of the Lebanese population that would compel him to come to some sort of an agreement with Israel. And, with the northern Galilee emptied of its Israeli population for almost a full year due to Hezballahs rocket attacks, Israel cannot continue with the ping-pong exchanges with Hezballah. The people of Israel demand a resolution that enables the evacuees to return to their homes, and that would require decisive action against Hezballah. The U.S. Congress approved a $14.1-billion aid package for Israel earlier this year, but the Biden-Harris administration is using this carrot to force the Netanyahu government to comply with American interests in the region. The recent approval of $3.5 billion to be released to Israel is predicated on a hostage deal and ending the war in Gaza. As Israelis see it, ending the war in Gaza without the removal of Hamas from Gaza translates into a victory for Hamas. A significant number of congressional Democrats are seeking to withhold arms shipments to Israel. This is meant to force the Jewish state to end the war in Gaza, which would leave Hamas in place and provide them the opportunity to re-emerge once again as a threat to Israels civilian population. Israel mustnt expose itself to such dictates. It must end its dependency on the U.S. by becoming self-sufficient in arms production. The U.S.-Israel alliance must be based on mutual respect, regardless of the composition of the Israeli government. The U.S. and Israel are intimate allies who share democratic and human values, but Israel must also recognize that President Biden is probably one of the last Zionists, in his own words. The future Democrat party doesnt bode well for Israel, and hence, Israel must become self-reliant. Image via Pixabay. Interesting how hard Kamala and Joe supported vicious race hoaxes, like the Jussie Smollet fiasco, yet they paid no political price for it. Certainly, the media was happy to cover for them. Yet, Trump and Vance have rightfully highlighted the genuine mess Biden and Harris have made in the small town of Springfield, Ohio, but are treated as if it was all made up. Citizens there have been overrun by 20,000 or more recent Haitian arrivals. Almost none of them can safely drive an automobile, so we get events like the recent school bus manslaughter. The place does not have the jobs or resources to support such people, few of whom speak English or have any kind of education. Townsfolk are reporting Haitians taking waterfowl from the local parks, missing pets, and now there is a viral video of some kind of animals (chickens? cats?) being grilled in the Dayton backyard of some African migrants. The Ohio governor, a smarmy Kasich-type, Mike DeWine, has been at pains to say there is nothing to see here. Apparently, police in Springfield and Dayton just dismissed all reports, did nothing and are now content to say case closed. DeWine is however, sending in state troopers and millions in emergency aid. What took so long? And by the way, his insistence, along with the liberal media, that the Haitians are there legally, is simply untrue. That is like saying someone on trial for murder has been exonerated, simply because they are out on bail. The Ohio Haitians are here under two programs, neither of which they qualify for, but of course, that has not stopped Biden, Harris, and Mayorkas. The first program being legally misused is called Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Sec. Mayorkas announced this summer a whopping 300,000 illegal Haitian illegal immigrants, no matter how they got here, can apply for TPS status because there were rains and mudslides or something back in Haiti. Hmm, tropical island and rain/mudslides -- kind of goes with the territory. TPS was intended only for people here legally, whose return was delayed, if their homeland had suffered some unique disaster. Today, Democrats routinely use this law to import all manner of Third-World freeloaders. Back in 2017, Pres. Trump tried to stop this, pointing out about 400,000 illegals had been enjoying temporary status for an average of 20 years. The ACLU tied them up in court, then Biden reversed the order and gave up on the lawsuits. The other program Biden and Harris misuse is even worse -- urgent humanitarian parole. Under this provision, people who are otherwise inadmissible may come to the United States for critical medical care, to attend a sick relative, to donate an organ, or unfortunately, for a few more vague but important reasons. Again, Mayorkas tortured the language of this statute to fly in at least 400,000 illegals the last two years, maybe more. Texas and several states are suing to stop this but the case is only in its early stages on appeal. The only way Americas illegal immigration disaster gets fixed, is if Pres. Trump wins in November. He can simply close the border and end Team Bidens hocus-pocus to turn millions of illegals residing here into a forever limbo-status. I hope he also carries through on his threats to use the justice system against Biden people who have broken the law, and not let them off the hook, as Republicans normally do. He can start with Mayorkas. The new administration will have access to all his records, emails, et cetera; along with the legal memos and advice his subordinates have sent him explaining how to subvert the functions of his agencies. I suspect there is more than enough material there to prove contempt of Congress, obstruction and conspiracy. Frank Friday is an attorney in Louisville, KY. Image: Department of Homeland Security Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski, from Portage County, Ohio, is one based lawman. (For reference, Portage County is just east of Akron.) According to a report from Fox News, Zuchowski offers a unique approach to anyone asking how to prepare if Kamala Harris should win in November, a reality which would see the floodgates of the illegal invasion opened wider than ever beforewhile one might wonder how it could get worse than the rate thats seen more than 10 million foreigners pour in over the past four years, never underestimate the destruction that one Democrat can do. Per Zuchowski, Americans should get ahead of the curve and take note where the Harris yard signs are so we know where to direct the Haitians, and all the other foreign nationals from around the world, for a warm welcome from any Democrat who was apparently happy to welcome their presence with a vote. Heres what Zuchowski wrote on his social media page: As you can imagine, this has ruffled some feathers, because when Democrats vote to use the power of the government to force an invasion upon innocent people who dont want to be conquered, of course it should be someone else who pays... not them! What was even more ludicrous though was this persons sentiments, from the comments: Wow. I get it for sure and if my community changes for the worst [sic], I would really get it, but this does seem like a step too far. I dunno. Im torn. The illegal immigration has cost lives, loss of resources and services, exasperated the drug problem, and is literally costing up to a trillion dollars (and growing), and is going to impact our earned benefits invested in social security, Medicare and Medicaid. Hes got a point. Torn? Has this person never heard the expression about lying in the bed you make? As another commenter retorted, how can you be torn over human trafficking? Torn over Venezuelan gang members taking control of apartment units and turning them into seedy sex dens where minors are prostituted as a source of steady revenue? Torn over the fentanyl trade ravaging American communities? Torn over normal families like mine, and yours, being forced by threat of jail or the barrel of a gun to pay taxes to support this nonsense and these freeloading criminals? Torn over American children being robbed of safe neighborhoods? Torn over veterans who cant get medical care or housing, while illegal punks get free medical care, free food, and destroy the free hotels in which theyre living? Because those are all the things that progressives are supporting when they vote for Harris. Anyone conservative who thinks like this is also part of the problem, and just about as bad as someone who votes Democrat. To the Ohioans of Portage County I say keep up the good work, and keep Sheriff Zuchowski in office! Image: YouTube video screen grab, cropped. Where do President Trump and Sen. J.D. Vance go to get their apologies from the Trump-haters left and right? Turns out all the supposed "bomb threats" against schools and other establishments was the doing of a foreign actor, not right-wingers supposedly incensed by President Trump's words about migrants eating dogs and cats. The Trump words triggered a sea of memes, not bombs. But no matter. The Trump-haters confidently accused him of those bomb threats on Haitians, and the terror that created. They didn't like that Trump brought up problems with reports of migrants eating their neighbors' pets in Springfield, Ohio. But it sure as heck wasn't Trump or his supporters who were calling in the bomb threats. Turns out it was an overseas actor. According to the New York Post: Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine revealed Monday that a recent spate of bomb threats targeting the town of Springfield have all been hoaxes, with some originating from one particular country overseas. The 77-year-old governor told reporters Monday that law enforcement has responded to at least 33 separate bomb threats made against Springfield government offices, schools and medical centers since the town was thrust into the national spotlight over the influx of Haitian migrants. Thirty-three threats; Thirty-three hoaxes, DeWine said during a press conference in Springfield. I want to make that very, very clear. None of these had any validity at all. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine says there were 33 bomb threats against Springfield schools that all turned out to be hoaxes and originated from "overseas." Where do President Trump and JD Vance go to get their apology from the media who claimed they incited them? pic.twitter.com/NKyhUJZwrz Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 16, 2024 The threats were fake. But the hysteria and finger-pointing at President Trump, was perfectly real. Leftists and neverTrumps went out of their way to make political hay on these supposed Trumpian threats, claiming the usual canard, broken again and again, that Trump supporters are a violent bunch who would naturally make threats to innocent Haitian migrants after Trump condemned the bad impact of Joe Biden's and Kamala Harris's open border. The FBI even whipped out the hate-crime billlboards to ensure that a steady supply of complaints rolled in for this political purpose: NEW: The FBI is putting up BILLBOARDS written in HAITIAN CREOLE here in Springfield, Ohio encouraging people to report hate crimes THIS IS INSANE. Instead of handling the REAL, VIOLENT crime thats now running rampant in Springfield thanks to Kamalas illegals, the FBI is pic.twitter.com/R5gLft5Hcv Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 14, 2024 This is pretty much standard operating procedure for the Harris-Biden administration. Remember when they went on the great hunt for white nationalists embedded within the military? They didn't find much of any, but they certainly managed to smear the military as a redoubt of racist right-wingers and probably chased a lot of good fighting men out, to be replaced by wokesters with grievances. The same dynamic has obviously happened using the unvetted Haitians, whose numbers overwhelmed the city of 58,000, and who are creating a lot of problems in Springfield, including reports of pet-eating, wildlife-harvesting, bad driving, and crime in general, as a peg. Complain about that and any threats cast will automatically mean it's you making them. How quick they were to assume! According to neverTrump Kevin Williamson (whom I consider a friend, but cripes!), writing at The Dispatch (emphasis mine): The less people are willing to be forthright and voluminous about what is really happening, the more opportunity it creates for propaganda merchants, demagogues, social-media trolls, and conspiracy kookstwo of whom have a pretty good chance of becoming president and vice president in November. And they are really, really miffed that people think that theywith their kitty-carpaccio fantasiesare weird. Words are powerful. Words from powerful people are more powerful still. And the silence of the powerful is powerful, too. As of this writing, Springfields schools had been closed for two days in a rowbomb threats. City hall was evacuatedbomb threat. Other municipal buildingsbomb threats. An elementary schoolbomb threat. Two medical centersbomb threats. Meanwhile, Donald Trump is on Truth Social posting images of kittens holding a sign reading: Dont let them eat us, vote for Trump! There are also these characters, megaphoning it out mostly from the press: Conspiracy theorist @ananavarro: "There's been 33 bombing threats in Springfield, Ohio, that would not have happened, but for ... the vice presidential & prior presidential Republican candidate." pic.twitter.com/OyOKPXlIz5 Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) September 17, 2024 SIX BOMB THREATS - so far. Read @jaredlholt on how an idiot nothing story found new life after passing through Trump's lips and is now putting kids in danger. https://t.co/65F6xeScNz Emerson T. Brooking (@etbrooking) September 14, 2024 NBC News connects the second attempt on president Trump's life with him and JD Vance relaying the concerns of constituents in Springfield where 20,000 Haitian immigrants were dumped off by the Biden-Harris regime. They know how to Colorado!#copolitics #9News #HeyNext pic.twitter.com/DodEBX4ZD7 9MM NEWS (@News9mm) September 17, 2024 Let's not forget the Vindmans, who took an actual assassination attempt against Trump and decided to use it to link Trump to the bomb threats in Ohio: The convicted criminal @realDonaldTrump , who constantly incited political violence, while enjoying the security provided by his secret service protection details, gets far more consideration than those defenseless victims he encourages violence against. Where is the concern for Alexander S. Vindman (@AVindman) September 16, 2024 Donald @realDonaldTrump instigated attacks on legal immigrants resulting in bomb threats. His constant stoking of political violence doesnt receive enough scrutiny. And the violence he inspires doesnt receive enough condemnation. #WereNotGoingBack to that chaos. Alexander S. Vindman (@AVindman) September 16, 2024 Clark State College in Springfield, Ohio says it will "close all campuses" this week and move to online classes after receiving multiple threats. The threats came after Donald Trump and JD Vance spread lies about Haitian immigrants eating pets.https://t.co/kaAK3qAGiW Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) September 16, 2024 So Trump wasn't making the threats -- the self-vaunted @natsechobbyist missed that the actual national security threats, likely Iran or Russia, called in the threats. Oops, missed a national security threat! Maybe they aren't so good at figuring out national security threats. Why would these foreign powers call in these empty bomb threats? To throw mud on Trump and reduce the appeal of his campaign, maybe cutting into his poll numbers, the better to get weak Kamala Harris elected president. That's what foreign powers that hate us and want us dead and defeated are doing. They'll do anything they can to get Kamala in there and carry on with their plans to destroy us. They called in their bomb threats to create panic and disorder. They didn't even bother with bombs, because they got what they wanted without it, knowing that people like the press and the Vindmans would respond so predictably. Now it's out that Trump had nothing to do with these threats, just our enemies taking easy advantage of the situation laid out by the accusers. Maybe these jackasses ought to think before they accuse and gather evidence first. But that's too much to ask of them. They are dyed-in-the-wool Trump haters and it turns out foreign bad actors know how to play them like a fiddle as dupes. Where's your apology, Al? Where's your apology, Kev? Where's your apology, swamp press denizens? Apologize, or be forever known some crummy foreign power's dupes. Image: Twitter screen shot U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken and U.K. foreign secretary David Lammy hinted during their recent joint trip to Kyiv that the U.S. would lift restrictions on Ukraine using long-range missiles to strike deep into Russia. Still, when both men added that their bosses would have to make the final decision, no one doubted that it had already been made, and the only thing left to confirm was the specific list of Russian targets. Here we are on the eve of the final act of this tragicomedy, which is expected during the upcoming U.N. session in the last week of September 2024. This is when the odd couple of lame-duck and expired presidents of the U.S. and Ukraine will tell the world its fate. On one side, there will be Joe Biden, who, according to Robert Gates, former CIA head and secretary of defense in several Republican and Democratic administrations, has been wrong on nearly every major issue during his political career Next to him will be Volodymyr Zelensky, whose presidential term expired last May. The former comedian was catapulted to the presidency by corrupt oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky, whom the U.S. State Department has previously accused of using his political influence and power for personal benefit and who was sanctioned in March 2021 for his alleged involvement in corrupt acts that undermined the rule of law and the Ukrainian publics faith in their governments democratic institutions and public processes. Now lets review what this odd couple has done to bring humanity to the edge of the abyss, starting with the one whom his son called the Big Guy. After the end of the Cold War, every U.S. president, starting with Bill Clinton, has contributed in one way or another to closing the short historical window of opportunity for integrating Russia into the West. Of course, many pragmatics and idealists in the U.S. government, congressional, media, or public circles have been trying to promote this integration. Regrettably, they lost to more powerful forces, often called the Deep State, who, for their political, economic, or ideological reasons, preferred to have Russia as a foe rather than a friend. However, no one has done as much damage to the U.S. and the world as Joe Biden during his eight years in the White House as vice president and president with his Ukrainian project. It is not just close to $200 billion taken out of U.S. taxpayers pockets or using his son Hunter to make millions abroad for his family, but also provoking the war in Ukraine and preventing its end that might bring us to Armageddon. Here are three key dates to remember (there were other important dates, but I believe that these three were crucial): February 2014 coordinated the regime change coup in Ukraine to replace an administration that preferred the countrys neutral status with a pro-NATO one December 2021 rejected Russias call for strategic stability negotiations based on Ukraines neutral status that could have prevented the February 2022 war April 2022 derailed, with the help of British prime minister Boris Johnson, Istanbul peace negotiations that took place in the weeks after the start of the war, from February to April of 2022, and prevented resumption of these negotiations since then The second participant, Zelensky, should be credited with taking his popular but provincial comedy show 95th Quarter, funded by the above-mentioned criminal Kolomoisky, onto the world stage, with the audience representing Whos Who in the West and others. To achieve such huge success, he paid with hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian lives, millions of wounded and refugees, destruction of the countrys infrastructure, the ruin of its economy, and selling off the remaining Ukrainian wealth to BlackRocks sharks. Now he wants to do what he did to Ukraine to the rest of the world by involving the U.S. and NATO in a direct military confrontation with nuclear Russia, basically plagiarizing the classic Barry Levinson story Wag the Dog. Actually, the Russia-West war is already on, when the West is training Ukrainian troops, supplying them with weapons, advisers, intelligence, and mercenaries, but so far not the regular military. It looks as though no one cares about killed mercenaries, while Ukraine, in the words of John Wight, is merely a convenient and blood-soaked proxy a cats paw whose manhood has been and is being sacrificed on the altar of U.S.-led Western hegemony. Many in the U.S. and Europe understand what is happening and, like John Wight, are unafraid to speak out. However, their voices have not been heard widely, due to unprecedented censorship in the Western media. As a result, the threat of nuclear war is not the main subject bothering the electorate, including the one in the U.S., where elections are very close. We are lucky that so far, Moscow has exercised strategic patience, but do we want to keep poking the bear in the eye and check when his patience runs out? Such a way exists, and Russia is ready to negotiate with Ukraine based on the Istanbul agreements mentioned above. Moscow has never refused a diplomatic solution to the crisis. We cannot precisely tell on which terms, but why not find out? Public Domain Pictures. " captext="Public Domain Pictures" src="https://images.americanthinker.com/imported/2024-02/252248_640.jpeg" /> Image via Public Domain Pictures. The Hejaz railway that ran from Damascus to Medina, through the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia, was one of the principal railroads of the Ottoman Turkish Empire and a vital route across the desert. The railway was built in 1900 at the behest of the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II and was supposed to extend all the way to Mecca in order to facilitate pilgrimage to the Holy city. But its primary motive was to strengthen the empires control over the most distant provinces of the empire. The railway reached only as far as Medina, some 400 kilometers short of its destination, when the First World War broke out and all construction works came to a grinding halt. When the Arabs, led by the strategic British officer T.E. Lawrence, better known as the Lawrence of Arabia, rose up in revolt against Turkish domination, the railway became the principal target. Today, large sections of the railway lie abandoned in the desert with tracks swallowed up by the sand, and carriages and engines toppled over and overgrown with shrubs. Photo credit: devillp/Flickr Even before World War, the Bedouins of the adjacent desert areas frequently attacked the railway because it challenged their control over the pilgrims route to the holy places. For centuries, the old Arab tribes had guided and guarded the pilgrims across the harsh desert. Travelling on caravans and on camels back, the journey took from forty days to up to two months to complete. When the railway opened in 1908, the arduous two-month journey was reduced to a comfortable and cheaper four-day trip. As word spread, thousands of pilgrims from Russia, Central Asia, Iran and Iraq converged on Damascus to take the train. By the year 1912 the railway was transporting 30,000 pilgrims a year, which swelled to 300,000 passengers by 1914. Meanwhile, attacks on the railway became more and more frequent, and it wasnt long before the train journey became more perilous than the two-month trek across the hot and scorching desert. The railways final undoing came during the Arab Revolt of 1916-18, when the Turkish army began to use the railway as its chief mode of transport for troops and supplies. This gave the Arabs an opportunity to turn their vengeance on the railway. Guerrilla forces commanded by British officers successfully blew up large sections of the tracks including a moving locomotive for the first time in history. Later T.E. Lawrence joined in on the attack and destroyed countless bridges. After the First World War, the railway was abandoned although several attempts were made to revive. In fact, some parts of the Hejaz Railway are still functioning, such as the line from Amman, in Jordan, to Damascus, in Syria. Another set of tracks operate from phosphate mines near Ma'an to the Gulf of Aqaba. Fascinatingly, the railway uses many of the original carriages and locomotives running on steam and coal. The oldest locomotive still in service was built in Germany in 1898! The disused section of the Hejaz Railway lies south of Amman in Saudi Arabia, where railway enthusiasts will find a number of abandoned stations, round houses and rusting locomotives and cars. Photo credit: Richard Desomme/Panoramio Photo credit: Thomas Ritter/Panoramio Photo credit: project.scta.gov.sa/Panoramio Abandoned railway station. Photo credit: Hamadraza/Panoramio Photo credit: Angus Hamilton Haywood/Flickr Photo credit: unknown/Wikimedia Photo credit: Alex Brey/Flickr Construction of the Hejaz Railroad. Ballasting the Rail Tracks. 1906. Photo credit: Library of Congress Ottoman military conscripts building the roof of Muazzam station, taken in 1908. Photo credit: The British Museum Sources: Wikipedia / The British Museum / nabataea.net / Britannica Google may continue relying on TSMC, and use its 2nm fabrication process, for its Tensor G6 chipset. The Taiwanese companys foundries are ready to mass-produce the Google Tensor G5. Google to tap TSMCs 2nm fab platform for Tensor G6 SoC Google launched the Pixel 9 series of flagship Android smartphones a few days ago. The lineup includes the Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The Google Tensor G4 SoC (System on a Chip) powers all these devices. The next generation of the Pixel smartphones would have the Tensor G5 chipset. Google has reportedly partnered with the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company or TSMC for this SoC. Several reports have suggested Google severed ties with Samsung Foundry and shifted production of the Tensor G5 over to TSMC. A new report claims Google would continue relying on TSMC for the Tensor G6 as well. If Google collaborates with TSMC, it could take a considerable amount of time before they return to Samsung for production. Improving yield rates to prove product performance is the best course of action, Business Korea reported, TSMCs gain is Samsungs loss? Google initially relied on Samsung to manufacture the Tensor chipset. However, Samsung Foundry has been struggling with yield. Some experts have suggested Samsung is struggling with low yield on its production of 3nm chips, which may be as low as 20%. Google has reportedly designed the Tensor G5 from the ground up. The company may have optimized the chipset to be manufactured by TSMC. TSMC is expected to fabricate the Tensor G5 on its second-generation 3nm process node (N3E). The company has already perfected its latest advanced chip-production technology for the upcoming iPhone 17 series, which will be 2nm. TSMC could start shifting production of some chips by late next year. Simply put, Samsung appears to have lost Googles business. The company has hinted it working on improving its production yield but it would certainly take time to improve yields. Incidentally, the Google Pixel experience isnt dependent on the highest clock speeds. Buyers acquire a Pixel smartphone for its clean Android OS and Googles innovative features. Hence, it would be interesting to see how well the TSMCs 2nm chips work in the upcoming Pixel devices. Lawyers for TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, are gearing up for a critical court battle with the Justice Department. This legal clash will unfold on Monday in a Washington courtroom, where a three-judge panel from the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia will deliberate on TikToks fate. The dispute centers on a law that could ban the popular video app, used by 170 million Americans, starting January 19. TikTok is gearing up for battle with the DOJ The legal battle focuses on a new law that forces ByteDance to sell its US assets or face a ban. TikTok and ByteDance argue that the law breaks constitutional rights. They call it a radical departure from Americas tradition of an open internet and claim it violates free speech rights. The law, passed overwhelmingly by Congress in April, emerged from concerns that TikTok, under Chinese ownership, might pose a national security threat. Lawmakers worry that China could exploit TikTok to access American users personal data or influence their information consumption covertly. The Justice Department has emphasized the seriousness of these concerns, asserting that the threat posed by TikTok is substantial. The upcoming court hearing could significantly impact TikToks future. President Biden has the option to extend the January 19 deadline by three months if ByteDance shows substantial progress toward divesting TikTok. However, this legal uncertainty comes at a critical time, coinciding with the final weeks of the presidential campaign. Republican candidate Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, both active on TikTok, have leveraged the platform to engage younger voters. While Trump previously attempted to ban TikTok in 2020, he has recently stated that he would not support a ban if re-elected. In contrast, the White House remains focused on ending Chinese ownership of TikTok but is wary of an outright ban. Legal and technological challenges ByteDance has claimed that divesting TikTok is technologically, commercially, and legally unfeasible. The company argues that without a court ruling, the implementation of a ban would be unprecedented and detrimental. TikTok and the Justice Department have requested a ruling by December 6, allowing time for the U.S. Supreme Court to review any potential appeal before the ban takes effect. The outcome of this case will decide the apps future in the US. The TikTok Justice Department US ban could set a key precedent for balancing national security with personal freedoms in the digital age. The daughter of a BBC commentator had been tied up in an incident which saw her and her sister shot with a crossbow and their mother suffer multiple injuries in a stabbing, a court has heard. Kyle Clifford was remanded in custody at Westminster Magistrates Court and then at the Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday afternoon following the incident in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on July 9. He has been charged with three counts of murder, false imprisonment and two counts of possession of offensive weapons namely a crossbow and a 10-inch butchers knife. Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of BBC racing commentator John Hunt, and two of their daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found fatally injured at the family home in Ashlyn Close. The court heard that Louise had been found tied up when officers attended the property. Louise and Hannah Hunt had been shot with a crossbow and their mother Carol had been stabbed with a knife and suffered multiple injuries, the court was told. The court heard Hannah called the police and told them she feared she was going to die as she had been shot along with her sister and mother. Pictures left on floral tributes at Ashlyn Close after the deaths (PA) The Chief Magistrate, district judge Paul Goldspring, remanded Clifford in custody ahead of a hearing at the High Court on Tuesday afternoon. The judge told the defendant: You face three charges of murder and two charges in relation to weapons and one in relation to false imprisonment. He said the charges of murder and false imprisonment are matters which can only be heard at the crown court and that the charges of weapon possession are related. I am duty bound to send the case to the crown court. The judge continued: I do not have the power to consider bail in this court. I therefore send your case to the Central Criminal Court sitting at the Royal Courts of Justice where you will appear later today. You will be remanded in custody. Kyle Clifford, 26, appeared in court charged with three counts of murder (Hertfordshire Police/PA) The defendant later appeared in front of High Court judge Mr Justice Johnson via videolink where no trial date was set because of inquiries being made about a suitable court for him to be tried in as a wheelchair user. Clifford is charged with murdering Hannah Hunt, Carol Hunt and Louise Hunt on July 9 in Ashlyn Close, Bushey. He is also charged with two counts of possession of an offensive weapon one a 10-inch butchers knife and the other a compound crossbow. The final charge faced is of false imprisonment, which alleges Clifford assaulted and unlawfully and injuriously imprisoned Louise Hunt and detained her against her will. Police were previously unable to speak to the suspect while he received treatment for an injury in hospital. Clifford, of Rendlesham Road, Enfield, north London, has been under arrest since July 10, Hertfordshire Police said. Mr Hunt and his third daughter Amy previously issued a statement following the incident, which said: The devastation we are experiencing cannot be put into words. More than 10,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel since Labour won the general election. Home Office figures show 65 migrants made the journey in two boats on Monday, taking the provisional total for the year so far to 23,598. The latest crossings mean 10,024 arrivals have been recorded since Sir Keir Starmer became Prime Minister on July 4. The total for 2024 to date is 1% lower than this time last year (23,940) and down 21% on the same period in 2022 (29,783). PA Graphics The figures come in the wake of Channel deaths over the weekend and as Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced 75 million would be used to boost the number of border security officers amid the Governments bid to crack down on people smugglers, using money redirected from the scrapped Rwanda deportation plan. The cash will also pay for hidden cameras and better monitoring technology as the Home Office sets up its new Border Security Command, led by a former police chief, as it aims to speed up investigations and increase the likelihood of successful prosecutions. Earlier this year, it was also announced that an extra 100 specialist investigators will be allocated to the National Crime Agency (NCA) as part of efforts to curb Channel crossings. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said during a visit to Rome that he is very interested in Italys efforts to curb levels of irregular immigration. The dramatic reductions in the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea into Italy is something the Government wants to understand, he added, amid Labours efforts to crack down on criminal gangs involved in people smuggling. But border and security minister Dame Angela Eagle said his meeting with the Italian Prime Minister should not be seen as an endorsement of all her immigration policies, telling Sky News: But we are meeting a G7 country and a fellow Nato member to see how we can co-operate across border to deal with some of these vile people smuggling gangs. Sir Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held a joint press conference on Monday (Phil Noble/PA) The UK will see whether Italian plans to process asylum seekers in Albania works before deciding whether to pursue a similar policy, she suggested. Firstly we dont know whether it will work yet, because it hasnt started. Much of this has been portrayed currently as if its already a success but the fact is that it hasnt started. We will see how it works. But what we have said is that any scheme that we deal with for offshore processing or anything else has to be workable, it has to be cost-effective, and it also has to be in line with international law, she told Times Radio. The latest deaths in the Channel came as more than 1,000 made the journey over the weekend. The French coastguard said 53 migrants were on board a boat which crashed into rocks overnight on Saturday into Sunday off the coast of Ambleteuse in the Pas-de-Calais region of northern France. Most of the group were rescued, with six people including a 10-month-old baby who had hypothermia taken to hospital, but eight men died. More than 200 people were rescued from the Channel in a 24-hour period between Friday to Saturday, according to the French coastguard. The tragedy is less than two weeks after another boat was ripped apart as it made its way across the Channel, claiming the lives of 12 people including a pregnant woman and six children. Downing Street said the Government was tackling the crossings on all fronts and immediate work has been taking place. This includes starting to process asylum cases again where people have been sat in hotels without their cases being looked at and 3,000 migrants being returned over the summer, a spokeswoman added. BBC director-general Tim Davie has said he cant see Huw Edwards ever working for the corporation again after the former presenter admitted accessing indecent images of children as young as seven. Speaking at the Royal Television Society (RTS) London conference, Mr Davie said Edwards crimes were appalling crimes and said that the BBCs reputation was impacted. He said: Theres no doubt that an affair like this impacts our reputation, and I dont know yet in terms of just the direct impact on trust. Tim Davie said he cant see Huw Edwards working for the BBC again (Lucy North/PA) What I would say is we track it very carefully, were very mindful that with people, trust in the BBC is essential, and I hope we do the right things. I dont think the public is stupid, they can see when were taking actions, acting in good faith, and trying to get through things in a calm and fair manner. And in the end, I think people are smart and theyll make their judgments, and Ill see what we do, and I think overall, theres no doubt about it, these things impact your reputation, but you can maintain trust by doing the right thing. Presenter Amol Rajan then asked Mr Davie why Edwards pay continued after the BBC was made aware of charges against the 63-year-old. He replied that we decided that pay continues until someone is charged and added: I think it was the right decision based on current policy. Rajan then asked Mr Davie if Edwards would ever work for the BBC again, he replied: I cant see that. For obvious reasons, this man has has just been convicted of appalling crimes, and its pretty straightforward in my mind that I cant see him working at the BBC. He was also asked how the BBC was getting back Edwards 200,000 salary. He replied: We want the money back and weve asked for it back, and were waiting to hear back. Mr Davie said: Theres been discussions between legal teams, and I believe thats as far as we can go at this point. He was also asked what will happen to archived content of the presenter, and said the BBC has never completely banned and ripped someone out of the archive and added weve got a lot of experience in this. The director-general said: There may be a documentary, a contextual piece, where were seeing images from people who are no longer working with us (who) have been, frankly, disgraced. Thats how it operates, so well have the editorial control of that. Im not seeing a scenario in which any Huw Edwards material is used in day-to-day programming or anything else. But I think its wrong of a media organisation or the BBC, with its archive, to say you will never see an image of an individual again. Mr Davie said victims families are the primary concern and said that young people who raised concerns over Edwards were taken seriously at the time allegations were made. The director-general said: The primary concern is for victims, families or a family. Its really important that we dont get wholly internally driven on these things. And the secret life this guy was leading was shocking. Now there comes the point, when The Sun did their work and we suspended, to be fair, we suspended immediately, it was quick. And then we said, OK, what we do need to look at, is there anything else out there? And at that point, you get people coming in who dont think they were, everyone is listened to, everyone is taken seriously. He added: Were just shocked, and theres a lot of upset because across the BBC, weve got great teams, good people and they feel deeply, deeply let down. Rajan then asked Mr Davie about the corporations report into allegations of abuse on Strictly Come Dancing, which he replied was pretty close to the end. He was then asked if it would have been useful to report it before the new Strictly series started. Mr Davie replied: Many things in life would be useful, but we have to do the process. Mr Davie added that he thought it was unfair to say that the talent in the television industry got indulged and excused. He said he was optimistic that the BBC is changing and added that the BBC was now 50% over-50 women. Mr Davie said: I think the environments different, I think this is why it hurts so much when these things happen, but we have to prove were only as good as our actions. So you have to get on with it. Mr Davie went on to say that the BBC World Service needs to be funded outside the licence fee. But he said the corporation would still continue to fund the World Service at the level its at. He said: Ill be very clear that the World Service needs to be funded outside the licence fee. Mr Davie was then asked how it would be funded instead, to which he replied: We will continue to support the World Service at the level its at, which you know the Government put in 104 million as well. So youre nearly at 300 million, that is enough to (be) just holding on. My view is, if you look what Chinas investing, Russia, 6 billion to 8 billion now. Voice Of America does a good job, about 900 million. I think the Government and all of us, have a real choice around soft power and the UK mojo abroad. Pagers used by hundreds of members of the militant group Hezbollah exploded near simultaneously in Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday, killing at least nine people including an 8-year-old girl and wounding several thousand, officials said. Hezbollah and the Lebanese government blamed Israel for what appeared to be a sophisticated, remote attack. Among those wounded was Irans ambassador to Lebanon. The mysterious explosions came amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, which have exchanged fire across the Israel-Lebanon border since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that sparked the war in Gaza. The pagers that blew up had apparently been acquired by Hezbollah after the groups leader ordered members in February to stop using cellphones, warning they could be tracked by Israeli intelligence. A Hezbollah official told The Associated Press the pagers were a new brand, but declined to say how long they had been in use. At about 3:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, as people shopped for groceries, sat in cafes or drove cars and motorcycles in the afternoon traffic, the pagers in their hands or pockets started heating up and then exploding leaving blood-splattered scenes and panicking bystanders. It appeared that many of those hit were members of Hezbollah, but it was not immediately clear if others also carried the pagers. The blasts were mainly in areas where the group has a strong presence, particularly a southern Beirut suburb and in the Beqaa region of eastern Lebanon, as well as in Damascus, according to Lebanese security officials and a Hezbollah official. The Hezbollah official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press. The Israeli military declined to comment. The explosions came hours after Israels internal security agency said it had foiled an attempt by Hezbollah to kill a former senior Israeli security official using a planted explosive device that could be remotely detonated. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the United States was not aware of this incident in advance and was not involved. At this point, were gathering information, he said. Experts said the pager explosions pointed to a long-planned operation, possibly carried out by infiltrating the supply chain and rigging the devices with explosives before they were delivered to Lebanon. Whatever the means, it targeted an extraordinary breadth of people with hundreds of small explosions wherever the pager carrier happened to be that left some maimed. One online video showed a man picking through produce at a grocery store when the bag he was carrying at his hip explodes, sending him sprawling to the ground and bystanders running. At overwhelmed hospitals, wounded were rushed in on stretchers, some with missing hands, faces partly blown away or gaping holes at their hips and legs, according to AP photographers. On a main road in central Beirut, a car door was splattered with blood and the windshield cracked. Lebanons health minister, Firas Abiad, told Qatar's Al Jazeera network at least nine people were killed, including an 8-year-old girl, and some 2,750 were wounded 200 of them critically by the explosions. Most had injuries in the face, hand, or around the abdomen. It appeared eight of the dead belonged to Hezbollah. The group issued a statement confirming at least two members were killed in the pager bombings. One of them was the son of a Hezbollah member in parliament, according to the Hezbollah official who spoke anonymously. The group later issued announcements that six other members were killed Tuesday, though it did not specify how. We hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression that also targeted civilians, Hezbollah said, adding that Israel will for sure get its just punishment. Iranian state-run IRNA news agency said that the countrys ambassador, Mojtaba Amani, was superficially wounded by an exploding pager and was being treated at a hospital. Previously, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had warned the groups members not to carry cellphones, saying they could be used by Israel to track and target them. Sean Moorhouse, a former British Army officer and explosive ordnance disposal expert, said videos of the blasts suggested a small explosive charge as small as a pencil eraser had been placed into the devices. They would have had to have been rigged prior to delivery, very likely by Mossad, Israels foreign intelligence agency, he said. Elijah J. Magnier, a Brussels-based senior political risk analyst, said he spoke with Hezbollah members who had examined pagers that failed to explode. What triggered the blasts, he said, appeared to be an error message sent to all the devices that caused them to vibrate, forcing the user to click on the buttons to stop the vibration. The combination detonated a small amount of explosives hidden inside and ensured that the user was present when the blast went off, he said. Israel has a long history of carrying out deadly operations well beyond its borders. This year, separate Israeli airstrikes in Beirut killed Saleh Arouri, a senior Hamas official, and a top Hezbollah commander. A mysterious explosion in Iran, also blamed on Israel, killed Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas supreme leader. Israel has killed Hamas militants in the past with booby-trapped cellphones and its widely believed to have been behind the Stuxnet computer virus attack on Irans nuclear program in 2010. The pager bombings also likely stoke Hezbollah's worries about vulnerabilities in security and communications, as Israeli officials are threatening to escalate their monthslong conflict. The near daily exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah have killed hundreds in Lebanon and several dozen in Israel, and have displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the U.N. special coordinator for Lebanon, deplored the attack and warned that it marks an extremely concerning escalation in what is an already unacceptably volatile context. On Tuesday, Israel said that halting Hezbollahs attacks in the north to allow residents to return to their homes is now an official war goal. Israeli Defense Minister Gallant said this week the focus of the conflict is shifting from Gaza to Israels north and that time is running out for a diplomatic solution with Hezbollah, saying the trajectory is clear. ___ This story has been updated to correct the name of the Hezbollah lawmakers son killed by a pager blast. ___ Associated Press writers Hussein Malla, Hassan Ammar, Fadi Tawil and Sarah El Deeb in Beirut, Jon Gambrell in Dubai, Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Michael Biesecker in Washington, Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report. There have been encouraging noises that the Government is engaging over the future of Belfast shipyard Harland and Wolff, DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said. The East Belfast MP said the mood music is good surrounding interest in the operations of the historic firm following the announcement that its holding company is to be placed into administration. The firm said between 50-60 immediate redundancies are expected but that staff employed at its four shipyards are not affected. Harland and Wolff, which famously built the Titanic, has four shipyards one in Belfast, two in Scotland (Methil on the Firth of Forth and Arnish on the Isle of Lewis) and one in England (Appledore in north Devon). DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the mood music over the future of the Belfast shipyard is positive (Liam McBurney/PA) It is the second time the business has been placed in administration in five years. The administration process will be confined to the holding company, Harland & Wolff Group Holdings PLC, and the operational companies which run the yards are expected to continue trading. Mr Robinson told the BBCs Good Morning Ulster programme: I heard some more encouraging noises yesterday to say that Government is keeping a close eye on this, that they are engaging with the company. But I think I would have been, and the unions would have liked to have been reassured by a greater interest over the last number of months. But the mood music is good about the interest in Harland and Wolff. The whole of the company is not in administration, though the London office is. The Belfast yard is pivotal to the future. He added: The Belfast yard and the achievement in securing, as we did, an MoD contract worth 1.6 billion to build fleet support ships is the asset, is the thing which is creating the interest in the sales process. Operations at the Belfast shipyard will not be affected by the administration (Liam McBurney/PA) Insolvency practitioners Teneo will act as administrators and shares will be delisted. The company is part of a consortium that landed a major contract to build new fleet solid support ships for the Royal Navy. It had applied for a 200 million loan guarantee from the Government as part of efforts to restructure its finances. However, the Government decided in August not to act as a guarantor on the lending while also ruling out direct funding to maintain the companys liquidity. In terms of finding a new owner for the Belfast operation, Mr Robinson said Spains state-owned shipbuilder Navantia was the most obvious candidate. He said: I met with Navantia at the time that Harland and Wolff and Navantia got into a consortium. I have had discussions as they advance to achieve the order and clearly they have a unique financial interest in Belfast particularly given the contract that is there and the knowledge to proceed with that contract. Meanwhile, Harland and Wolff interim executive chairman Russell Downs has said there is a strong case for keeping the companys four shipyards under a single owner. He told the BBCs Today programme that keeping the yards together was sensible from an operating perspective. He added: Some yards may be owned by one owner with other yards owned by another, so well just have to see where the process gets to. Members of the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service patrol along the Ukraine-Moldova border in Odesa region By Alexander Ratz and Alexander Tanas CHISINAU (Reuters) -Support for Ukraine guarantees the survival of neighbouring Moldova, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Tuesday at a conference to address concerns about broadening Russian interference in the region. "Everything that we do to support Ukraine also means fostering stabilisation with regards to Moldova," Baerbock said. "It is clear what the greatest concern of the people here is: that if Ukraine falls, Moldova is the next country in line." Baerbock was visiting Chisinau for the Moldova Partnership Platform, together with her counterparts from France, Romania, Poland, the Netherlands and Lithuania. Germany, one of Kyiv's main military supporters in Europe, initiated the platform after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, painting it as part of broader efforts to stabilise Moldova's economy and shield it from Russian disinformation. Moldova, which has a Romanian-speaking majority and large Russian-speaking minority, has alternated between pro-Russian and pro-Western governments since the fall of the Soviet Union, and now has a strong Western-oriented administration. Moscow has troops stationed in a region where pro-Russian separatists broke from Chisinau's control in a short war in the early 1990s. Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who has accused Russia of trying to overthrow her government, said Moldova still faces serious challenges and urged partners to increase their support. "Russia's war against Ukraine, which we condemned from the very first day, has caused enormous damage to our economy," Sandu said. "The uncertainty caused by the war continues to seriously hinder our economic development and will continue to hinder it as long as the war lasts," she added. Within the framework of the platform, agreements were signed to provide Moldova with more than 300 million euros ($334 million) in loans and 80 million euros in grants, the government's press service said. Allies also welcomed Moldova's efforts to join the European Union. Under Sandu, Moldova, which lies between Ukraine and NATO and EU member Romania, hopes to join the bloc by 2030. France, Germany and Poland voiced their "unwavering and continuous support for Moldova" in its bid to join, according to a draft resolution seen by Reuters following a meeting of the three countries' top diplomats. The countries, known as the Weimar Triangle, also promised support to the Moldovan armed forces to defend the country, both bilaterally and as EU partners. In May, Moldova signed a security and defence partnership with the EU, the first country to agree such a deal with the bloc. ($1 = 0.8982 euros) (Reporting by Alexander Ratz and Alexander Tanas in Chisinau, Writing by Rachel More, Editing by Angus MacSwan) Disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwells appeal against her sex trafficking conviction has been rejected by a US court. The 62-year-old was found guilty in December 2021 of luring young girls to massage rooms for paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein to molest between 1994 and 2004. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison at the federal court in the southern district of New York (SDNY) in June 2022. Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of luring young girls to massage rooms for Jeffrey Epstein to molest (US Department of Justice/PA) On Tuesday, judges on the second circuit in the SDNY upheld her five convictions including sex trafficking minors, conspiracy to entice a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, and conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The court also concluded Maxwells sentence was procedurally reasonable. Her lawyers argued in March that she should never have been prosecuted due to a weird agreement drafted more than 15 years ago. Three judges dismissed her arguments, concluding that the non-prosecution agreement drafted in Florida does not bind the United States Attorneys Office for SDNY. The judgment also dismissed Maxwells claims that she did not have a fair trial after it emerged one of the jurors, Scotty David, failed to disclose he had been sexually abused in his pre-trial questionnaire. It read: The district court determined that Juror 50s erroneous responses during voir dire were not deliberately incorrect and that he would not have been struck for cause if he had provided accurate responses to the questionnaire. In fact, as the district court noted, Maxwell did not challenge the inclusion of other jurors who disclosed past experience with sexual abuse, assault, or harassment. This is enough the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Maxwells motion for a new trial. During her three-week trial, jurors heard prosecutors describe Maxwell as dangerous, and were told details of how she helped entice vulnerable teenagers to Epsteins various properties for him to sexually abuse. US government lawyers previously said Maxwells appeal arguments fall far short of establishing that sentencing judge Alison Nathan abused her discretion in her decision not to overturn the jurys verdict. They have also said her sentence was not unfair and that her arguments to the contrary are so cursory and undeveloped that they should be dismissed. The three judges Jose Cabranes, Richard Wesley and Raymond Lohier, Jr said of the length of Maxwells sentence: With respect to the length of the sentence, the district court properly discussed the sentencing factors when imposing the sentence, and described, at length, Maxwells pivotal role in facilitating the abuse of the under-aged girls through a series of deceptive tactics. The District Court recognised that the sentence must reflect the gravity of Ms Maxwells conduct, of Ms Maxwells offence, the pivotal role she played in facilitating the offence, and the significant and lasting harm it inflicted. And the district court explained that a very serious, a very significant sentence is necessary to achieve the purposes of punishment. In sum, the district court did not err by failing to adequately explain its sentence. Maxwell has been incarcerated since July 2020, despite numerous attempts from her defence counsel to have her released on bail. Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. The death was ruled a suicide. Sir Ed Davey has said he hopes Kamala Harris defeats Donald Trump when Americans go to the polls in November. The Liberal Democrat leader listed the looming spectre of a second Trump presidency, as well as the war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East, as he called for decency, compassion, community, respect for the rule of law. To finish his speech on Tuesday, marking the end of the four-day party conference in Brighton, Sir Ed told activists and delegates: Lets show people we are different. Lets show them our values. Lets show them we care. Lets keep earning their trust. Confetti falls as Sir Ed Davey finishes his keynote speech in Brighton (Gareth Fuller/PA) Lets offer real hope. Lets build a brighter future. And lets keep on winning, so we can make it happen. With his partys MPs behind him on stage, Sir Ed danced to Neil Diamonds Sweet Caroline when the speech ended. He had earlier described people of all races, all religions and none who picked up binbags and brooms and cleared up their communities after riots throughout the UK in the summer. Sir Ed added: You are the true patriots in our country: decent, kind, united. Conference, we will never stop applauding our patriots in our country. Conference, these are the values our politics needs now, more than ever, to resist the rise of the extremists not just at home but around the world too. With Vladimir Putin waging his brutal war in Ukraine, with the terrible humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, Hamass terrorist atrocities on October 7, hostages still held captive, the continuing illegal occupations, and the threat of regional escalation, with the looming spectre of a second Trump presidency. How I hope and pray to see Kamala Harris defeat him this November. At a time of such instability and uncertainty, it is our values that must prevail: decency, compassion, community, respect for the rule of law. Disorder broke out throughout England after a fatal stabbing in Southport, Merseyside. The party leader described the deaths of three girls Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine as a horrifying crime and a heartbreaking tragedy in his speech. Election day in the US is on Thursday November 5. Johnny Marr has said he turned down the chance of a reunion tour with The Smiths. The guitarist and co-songwriter also said he stepped in to protect the legacy of the bands name in a trademark row as he denied claims made by the bands frontman Morrissey. In a statement released on Tuesday by Marrs management team, the 60-year-old said: To prevent third parties from profiting from the bands name, it was left to me protect the legacy. This I have done on behalf of both myself and my former bandmates. As for the offer to tour, I didnt ignore the offer I said no. Morrissey (Andy Butterton/PA) The comments came in a response headlined Recent statements by Morrissey on his website regarding the trademark of The Smiths name are incorrect. The Manchester band had a string of hits in the 1980s with songs including Heaven Knows Im Miserable Now, This Charming Man and There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, and split in 1987. Morrissey, 65, said in August that Marr had turned down a reunion tour. Claims were also made that the guitarist had successfully applied for 100% trademark rights without any consultation with Morrissey. Marrs management said: In 2018, following an attempt by a third party to use The Smiths name and upon discovery that the trademark was not owned by the band Marr reached out to Morrissey, via his representatives, to work together in protecting The Smiths name. A failure to respond led Marr to register the trademark himself. It was subsequently agreed with Morrisseys lawyers that this trademark was held for the mutual benefit of Morrissey and Marr. As a gesture of goodwill, in January 2024, Marr signed an assignment of joint ownership to Morrissey. Execution of this document still requires Morrissey to sign. In the statement, Marr denied speculation that a tour is planned with a different frontman for The Smiths, saying: There are no such plans. He also confirmed that he turned down the chance of doing another greatest hits compilation with Warner Music Group, saying there are already a number in existence. More strikes by junior doctors are not off the table in the future, a leading medic has said. It comes as junior doctors in England voted to accept a Government pay deal worth 22.3% on average over two years, bringing their long-running dispute to an end. The British Medical Associations (BMA) junior doctors committee in England has accepted the Governments pay offer, with 66% of junior doctors voting in favour of the deal. But Dr Vivek Trivedi, co-chairman of the BMAs Junior Doctors Committee, said the journey is not over. And committee co-chairman, Dr Robert Laurenson, said that junior doctors would be expecting an above-inflation pay rise next year. Dr Trivedi told BBC Breakfast: This is the first step towards restoring pay, which is all that doctors have wanted since the beginning of this campaign. As youll know, weve had a huge pay cut since 2008 but this marks a change in that trajectory. Doctors who were being paid just over 15-an-hour before this offer will now be paid a little over 17-an-hour, so it does mark an improvement, but the journey is not over. Junior doctors in England have taken industrial action 11 times in the past 22 months (Jordan Pettitt/PA) He added: We want to hold on to our doctors, we want medicine to be an attractive profession so that they dont escape to places like Canada and Australia and New Zealand. And this offer does not do everything in one go, but weve never asked for everything in one go, so as long as we continue on that journey, then we can inspire confidence for doctors to stay and to build back up our workforce so that we can bring healthcare back to a high quality system that it used to be. Dr Trivedi continued: We will expect pay uplifts each and every year, as we have done in the past. And if those pay uplifts dont occur in a timely fashion and at the pace that our members have asked for to restore our pay, then thats when well be going to the Government, well be going to Mr Streeting and saying: you wanted to inspire confidence in this process, this hasnt inspired confidence in this process, what can we do to alleviate that? Junior doctors in England, thank you for voting in the referendum and making your voices heard. The votes are tallied and 65.97% of you voted to ACCEPT the Governments offer. Your committee met this evening to ratify the result. Well be in touch soon about what happens next. pic.twitter.com/IwRD36yjBD Junior Doctors (@BMA_JuniorDocs) September 16, 2024 And if those communications break down, then we will be thinking about going back into dispute and striking again if we need to, but thats always a last case resort, and something we dont want to have to do. Dr Laurenson said that a third of junior doctors who voted in the ballot felt that the deal fell short, adding: The sentiment on the ground, from what Ive been hearing, is that there is no security or certainty for the future. Our doctors need that security and that certainty for the future, which is why well be having to look at April next year, the beginning of the new financial year, towards the pay review bodys recommendation to make sure that we maintain that pace towards pay restoration. If the pay review body does its job and respects and understands that medicine is no longer an attractive career, as it once used to be, and that it begins to try to fix the retention issues that we have, then there will be no need for further strike action. But if, as we see over the last 14 to 15 years, theres more pay erosion, with real-terms pay cuts, Im afraid well have no option but to go back into dispute, because Mr Streeting would have overpromised and under-delivered. Co-chairmen of the British Medical Associations junior doctors committee, Dr Vivek Trivedi (left) and Dr Rob Laurenson (James Manning/PA) Asked what junior doctors would expect, he told LBC radio: Well, it would have to be an above-inflation pay rise. He added: I think the Governments come into position, into power, where theyve got themselves in a pig-headed aptitude (sic), where they think that theyre making tough decisions rather than the right decision. The Government needs a period of time to understand the ramifications of their decisions, and that this deal, because it has no security for the future, it wont solve the retention crisis. What were saying is that if the Government doesnt make significant progress towards pay restoration, then we need to be in a position to hold them accountable. Junior doctors in England have taken industrial action 11 times in the past 22 months, with their last strike just days before the general election. BREAKING: Junior doctors have voted to accept the pay offer agreed with @TheBMA in July. This brings an end to strikes which have cost patients 1.5M cancelled appointments and taxpayers 1.7Bn. This is the first step in our mission to cut waiting lists and reform the NHS. pic.twitter.com/OnmoFtG4Xz Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) September 16, 2024 Their last strike, which took place from June 27 to July 2, affected 61,989 appointments, procedures and operations. The deal will see junior doctors pay rise by between 3.71% and 5.05% averaging 4.05% on top of their existing pay award for 2023/24. This will be backdated to April 2023. Each part of the pay scale will also be uplifted by 6%, plus 1,000, as recommended by the Review Body on Doctors and Dentists Remuneration (DDRB), with an effective date of April 1 2024. Both rises mean a doctor starting foundation training in the NHS will see base pay increase to 36,600, up from about 32,400. A full-time doctor entering specialty training will have basic pay rise to 49,900 from about 43,900. Outside the pay negotiations, the Government has agreed that from September 18, junior doctors across the UK will be known as resident doctors to better reflect their expertise, the BMA said. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he was pleased the Governments offer had been accepted (Jeff Moore/PA) Asked about the change in name, Dr Trivedi said: (The term) junior denotes many things, and I think people get the wrong impression and think, sometimes were students, sometimes were not fully qualified. And junior as we will be known until tomorrow can represent any doctor from the year one of graduating, after five to six years of university, all the way up to 10 plus years in a specialty these are people who might be doing cardiac surgery, brain surgery, seeing patients in complex cancer clinics for example, the work theyre doing is anything but junior. And so, (the term) resident doctor helps denote their expertise. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said on Monday he is pleased the BMA has accepted the Governments pay deal. He said: We inherited a broken NHS, the most devastating dispute in the health services history, and negotiations hadnt taken place with the previous ministers since March. Things should never have been allowed to get this bad. Thats why I made ending the strikes a priority, and we negotiated an end to them in just three weeks. I am pleased that our offer has been accepted, ending the strikes ahead of looming winter pressures on the NHS. This marks the necessary first step in our mission to cut waiting lists, reform the broken health service, and make it fit for the future. Sir Keir Starmer has repeated his vow to Dame Esther Rantzen to make time for a debate and free vote on assisted dying after the broadcaster issued a direct plea to him to make it come true. The Prime Minister said he had given the Childline founder who is living with terminal cancer his word on the issue earlier this year before entering Number 10 and that he meant it. Dame Esther last week urged the Labour leader to follow through on his vow for parliamentary debate on the current cruel law. He was asked by reporters if a vote on assisted dying will take place in the House of Commons before Christmas. He said: I gave her my word that we would make time for this with a private members bill and I repeat that commitment. I made it to her personally and I meant it, and we will. Labours Jake Richards previously signalled his intention to introduce a private members bill after he secured one of the top 20 spots to introduce a proposal to the Commons. Dame Esther Rantzen is living with terminal cancer (Jonathan Brady/PA) Sir Keir said should a Bill come forward we wont block it in a sense of talking it out or some of the other manoeuvres that are sometimes used. He added: I gave my word as to what we would do and Ill stick to it. Itll be a free vote but I repeat the commitment I made to Esther Rantzen on this. Sir Keir has previously said he is personally in favour of changing the law and supported a change the last time the issue was voted on in the Commons nine years ago. Asked again whether he supported it, he said: I will look at the legislation first. In principle, I think theres a case to be made for changing the law. But he said he would want to see what safeguards are proposed. Lord Falconer of Thoroton has introduced the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill in the House of Lords (Hannah McKay/PA) Speaking to Sky News last week, Dame Esther said: Please, Sir Keir, remember our conversation and lets make time for this. It really is a matter of life and death. She said she was reminding the Prime Minister just gently, you know, nothing bossy, just quietly. She asked if he could possibly recall your kind words to me and make it come true? Assisting someone to end their life is currently a criminal offence in England and Wales. Labour former justice secretary Lord Falconer of Thoroton has introduced the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill in the House of Lords, which is expected to be the subject of a debate in mid-November. Last week it was revealed that a majority of members on a so-called citizens jury said assisted dying should be permitted in England. A final vote was cast by 28 jury members, with 20 agreeing the law should change after eight weeks of deliberation. Stopping pain and giving people dignity were among the top reasons for support, although it was stressed that anyone using an assisted dying service should be terminally ill and have the capacity to make the decision to end their life. Campaigners opposed to a change in the law have argued that assisted dying could put pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives for fear of being a financial, emotional or care burden, and argue that the disabled, elderly, sick or depressed could be especially at risk. Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity In Dying, said: The Prime Minister could not be clearer that he will honour his promise to Dame Esther Rantzen and the British people to make time for an assisted dying bill to be fully and fairly debated, with a free vote. With real appetite from MPs across the political spectrum to grip this issue and deliver an assisted dying law for this country, its critical that a private members bill gets the time, attention and scrutiny it needs in Parliament. Labour could and should make this year the last winter crisis in our NHS, Sir Ed Davey has said in his autumn conference keynote speech. Speaking in Brighton on Tuesday, the Liberal Democrat leader made his plea as he vowed to be the responsible opposition to Labour in Government, and he titled the Conservative leadership contest Strictly Come Pandering and The Great British Blame Off. Sir Eds party also announced it would campaign for a new Winterproof NHS Taskforce, which would manage a 1.5 billion budget to build resilience across hospital wards, accident and emergency departments, ambulance services and patient discharging. His deputy Daisy Cooper also spoke about the NHS in her speech on Monday, when she described being told she had just four days to live after her Crohns disease diagnosis. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey was giving his keynote speech at the partys autumn conference (Gareth Fuller/PA) The Government could and should make this year the last winter crisis in our NHS, Sir Ed said, with his MPs behind him. So I urge Labour: do not make the same mistakes the Conservative Party did. Be more positive. Act now. Show the ambition and urgency this moment demands and save our NHS for good. The party leader, on the fourth and final day of the conference, later said: We will urge the Government to act faster and be much bolder, because the challenges we face cannot be solved by burying our heads in the sand and pretending they dont exist like the Conservatives do. But nor can they be solved with the pessimism and defeatism were hearing from Labour. They will be solved the way Britain has always done in the past, by rising to our challenges with guts, determination, and hope. So we will cut through the Governments doom and gloom with our ambition for our country. We will scrutinise their plans carefully, and strive to improve them, and we will oppose them if we think theyve got it wrong, like their decision to strip the winter fuel payment from millions of struggling pensioners, just when energy bills are set to rise again this winter. Together we can build a country where fairness, opportunity, and community come first. With 72 MPs, were fighting for a fair deal, a stronger NHS, and a brighter future. We'll continue to show our true values, earn your trust, and keep offering real hope. pic.twitter.com/ypu5C095tx Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) September 17, 2024 But where ministers act in the national interest to solve such problems and improve peoples lives we will support them. According to Liberal Democrat analysis of NHS figures, ambulances across England collectively spent a total of 112 years waiting outside hospitals to hand over patients last winter, and between November 2023 and March 2024, 732,000 patients faced A&E waits of over four hours to be admitted. Party sources claimed a task force backed by 1.5 billion over four years would build resilience and free up resources in NHS trusts and boards, so they could plan their budgets to prevent winter crises. It will fall to us to be the responsible opposition that any government needs an essential role in our democracy, and a role that todays Conservative Party simply cannot fulfil, Sir Ed told party activists. Sir Ed Daveys wife Emily Gasson, centre right, was listening to her husband address delegates (Gareth Fuller/PA) Just look at the quartet heading to Birmingham in a fortnight to audition for the job of Conservative leader. They really are scraping the bottom of the barrel with these new TV reality shows, arent they? I hear theyre planning to call it Strictly Come Pandering, or maybe The Great British Blame Off, or maybe just Pointless. Isnt it funny how, after years sitting round the Cabinet table, these four suddenly think they have the solutions to our countrys big challenges? Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat are in the running to become the next Conservative Party leader, after former prime minister Rishi Sunak announced his intention to step down after the general election earlier this year. Tory MPs and activists are set to meet in Birmingham from September 29. Conservative Party chairman Richard Fuller said in response: This confirms that Ed Davey will not hold this Labour Government, his pen pals, to account. The Liberal Democrats are supposed to be an opposition party, but all their MPs do is agree with everything that Labour want to do. Sir Ed Davey played tennis with deputy leader Daisy Cooper earlier in the day (Gareth Fuller/PA) Only the Conservative Party will provide an effective opposition to the Labour Government. Speaking on Monday, Ms Cooper told delegates about her experience of being rushed to hospital and how she later sobbed at the prospect she might have to give up work as a result of Crohns disease. From a personal point of view, I wanted to share the story, but also from a political point of view we Lib Dems are now saying we want the Budget thats coming up to be a Budget to save our NHS and care, she told the PA news agency after her speech. Fifteen banking hubs have been announced as new rules to support cash access in communities take effect. The hubs are spaces shared by several banks, where personal and business customers can access basic banking services and cash. They have a counter service operated by the Post Office, and staff from major high street banks operate on a rotating basis to provide support to customers on more complex matters in a private space. Deposit services provide small businesses with facilities to access and pay in banknotes and coins. Once cash access and ATM network Link has recommended a new banking hub or deposit service, in the majority of cases these will be delivered by a bank-owned company called Cash Access UK. To date, Cash Access UK has opened 81 banking hubs across the country. Plans for the hubs were announced as new access to cash rules overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) come into force. Under the rules, banks and building societies must assess whether changes to local services, such as closing branches or cash machines, leave local communities lacking ways to take out or pay in cash. Additionally, residents, businesses, local representatives and charities who feel there is a gap in cash access can request a review. Link will be carrying out community assessments in accordance with the new rules. The organisation said it will be able to recommend banking hubs where there is still one bank or building society branch in town, where it might not meet the needs of businesses and consumers. Adrian Roberts, deputy CEO of Link, said: Today is an important moment for the millions of people across the country who either rely on or prefer to use cash on a regular basis. The new rules that have come into effect today are great news for consumers and businesses and will ensure that access to cash continues to be available on our high streets for years to come. Link has reassessed 182 previously announced bank closures, where the branch has not yet closed its doors, under new the rules in force from Wednesday. It said that, as a result, the following communities will have a banking hub delivered: Sidcup, London Normanton, West Yorkshire Hailsham, East Sussex Frome, Somerset Sheerness, Kent Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear Rugeley, Staffordshire Newquay, Cornwall Market Harborough, Leicestershire Thetford, Norfolk Monmouth, Monmouthshire, Wales Morecambe, Lancashire As a result of community requests received and assessed under the new rules, the following communities will have a banking hub delivered: Harpenden, Hertfordshire Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland Yeadon, West Yorkshire A man died from a blood clot after having an adverse reaction to a Covid-19 jab he was wrongly given, a review has found. Jack Last, 27, died in hospital in April 2021 after he was given the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine, which he was invited to receive a month earlier. But a report commissioned by NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) found Mr Last was only invited because he had been incorrectly classified as living with his parents on records held by the Suffolk GP Federation. The report, published on Tuesday, also found there was a missed opportunity to give Mr Last the appropriate X-rays and treatment while he was at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds. It was known at the time of his jab that the AstraZeneca vaccine, in rare cases, could have side effects on those in his age group, including blood clots in veins and arteries. The report concluded Mr Lasts death was a consequence of a combination of system shortcomings, human error, and tragic unfortunate timing. A previous illness diagnosed to one of Mr Lasts parents years before the vaccination programme, which was not active at the time, also remained on the GP record of the Suffolk GP Federation. This meant he was included among those deemed eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine as their clinical condition was described as at-risk. An error that classed Mr Lasts own telephone number as that of his parents landline gave him household contact status, which also made him eligible for the vaccine. Mr Last received the AZ vaccine on March 30 2021, shortly before guidance on giving the jab changed and alternative vaccines were recommended for his age group. The report said: If Jack had not been invited to have the AZ vaccine early, he would have been in a much later cohort (starting June 8 2021), by which time people under 30 were to be offered Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Mr Last began to feel unwell a week later and had severe headache, vomited and was sensitive to light. After going to West Suffolk Hospital, he was reported by a radiologist as having no brain abnormalities after he underwent a plain CT head scan. However, a review demonstrated there were slight abnormalities that were missed which could have identified a blood clot in his brain. A further scan the following day clearly identified a blood clot, meaning there was a delay in treatment of approximately 15 hours. This was unlikely to have changed Mr Lasts outcome but was a missed opportunity to have started the correct treatment sooner, the report found. He was then transferred to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, with the report finding the treatment he received there to be appropriate and of a high standard. Mr Lasts condition deteriorated and he died of vaccine-induced thrombocytopenia on April 20 2021. Medical director of the Suffolk and North East Essex ICB, Dr Andrew Kelso, said: Our thoughts remain with the family of Jack and have been throughout this very tragic case. On behalf of all system partners, we are truly sorry for what has happened and for the loss, heartbreak and distress they must be experiencing. Due to the seriousness of what happened, we immediately commissioned an independent review to fully understand what led to this tragedy and to identify learning. We also wanted to give the family all the answers to their questions. This independent review allowed the system to look at the incident from beginning to end, without the restrictions of organisational boundaries and without prejudice. As Sri Lanka heads towards its presidential election on September 21, the political climate is highly uncertain, with no clear frontrunner in sight. The nations leading English medium newspapers have weighed in on the situation, scrutinizing the candidates backgrounds, the hurdles they face, and the potential consequences for the countrys future. Here are key takeaways from the editorials of Colombos major English-language weeklies: Sunday Island, Sunday Times, Sunday Observer, and Sunday Morning. Almost 17 million of the 22 million Sri Lankans are eligible to vote in September [File: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters] Sunday Islands editorial examines the primary candidates: President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and NPP/JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Wickremesinghe is acknowledged for restoring stability after the post-Aragalaya turmoil, despite the contentious nature of his ascent and the economic strife during his early tenure. The decline of the UNP and Wickremesinghes ties to the Rajapaksa party remain contentious issues. Premadasa is noted for his split from the UNP and the formation of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), which has garnered significant backing. Yet, the influx of SLPP defectors into both the Wickremesinghe and Premadasa camps raises doubts about their electoral strength. The NPP/JVP is credited for its robust campaigning and organizational might but remains tainted by its violent history. Sunday Timess editorial underscores the unpredictability of the election, marked by a fragmented political field and a third force diluting the traditional opposition vote. President Wickremesinghes economic stabilization efforts post-2022 are highlighted, but his dependence on the SLPP attracts criticism for perceived corruption. Premadasa is portrayed as striving to reclaim the UNPs leadership, styling himself after his father. The JVP/NPPs rebranding has appealed to younger voters unfamiliar with its violent past. The editorial calls for voter discernment, reminding them of the pitfalls of empty campaign promises. Sunday Observer focuses on the need for an overhaul of Sri Lankas bloated public service, which employs over 1.5 million individuals in a nation of 22 million, despite critical staff shortages in key sectors like education and health. The election places public servants in the spotlight, given their electoral significance. However, the feasibility of candidates promises of salary hikes and benefits is questioned amid the countrys shaky economic recovery. The editorial criticizes perks like duty-free car permits for public servants, contrasting them with the heavy taxes on the general populace. It stresses the urgency of reforming State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), plagued by inefficiency and corruption, advocating for joint ventures and privatization. It concludes by advocating for a balanced economic approach that avoids the extremes of socialism and capitalism. Sunday Morning emphasizes the gravity of the upcoming election, framing it as a critical juncture for Sri Lankas future. It urges voters to make informed, rational decisions based on careful evaluation of the candidates policies, past performances, and support teams, given the fragile state of the nations economy and governance. The editorial criticizes the electorates historical tendency to trade votes for short-term gains, resulting in a cycle of discontent and protest. It calls for stricter laws to ensure a significant portion of electoral promises are fulfilled, underscoring the need for accountability, transparency, and justice in recovering stolen assets. Highlighting the nations dire economic situation, it stresses that Sri Lanka cannot endure another failed presidency, portraying this election as pivotal to the countrys recovery. The upcoming presidential election is depicted as a decisive moment for Sri Lanka, with far-reaching implications for its governance, economy, and future trajectory. The editorials collectively call for a discerning, well-informed electorate capable of making choices that transcend personal biases and emotional impulses. Northern Irelands education minister has expressed concern that a Government plan to introduce VAT to private school fees will have an impact on some grammar schools in the region. While there are a very small number of fully private schools in Northern Ireland, Paul Givan said the move may also affect some grammar schools. He said he has significant concerns about the wording of draft legislation which he has contended will capture all schools whether private or not that charge a fee. Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly during questions for his department, Mr Givan said in Northern Ireland that will include 21 grant-aided grammar schools which charge capital, boarding or preparatory department fees. Whilst grammar schools in Northern Ireland are grant-aided for their day to day running costs, they are likely to be treated by this Labour Government as private schools by HMRC for VAT purposes if they charge fees, he told MLAs. Impacted schools will be compelled to register for VAT and to charge VAT on their fees. My officials and I have been engaging with the Treasury in respect of this issue, to highlight our concerns around the draft legislation and we will continue to make representations on behalf of schools. DUP MLA Cheryl Brownlee asked about the implications for affected schools. Mr Givan responded: Undoubtedly it will have a significant increase in cost to those families whose children will be impacted by this decision. File pic of DUP MLA Cheryl Brownlee. (PA) He referred to a decrease in the number of grammar school preparatory departments in Northern Ireland in recent years, and said that also has an impact on the public purse. Where the private fee-paying parent withdraws their children from those establishments, it is the public sector and the taxpayer who then has to make sure that there is provision for those children and young people, he said. There will be implications for this, but I assure the Member, I am making representation to the Labour Government about this particular issue but I am very concerned that to date our representations are not being received effectively by London, and so I would encourage all Members, where they can raise these issues to join me in making the case for those schools that will be negatively impacted by this change. Guy Moore at his home in Leichhardt in Sydney. Moore resisted when his agent tried to make him use the payment app MyTenant and took his agent to Ncat. He was annoyed by the potential fee as well as privacy risks. Photograph: Blake Sharp-Wiggins/The Guardian For almost two years, Tim* has paid an extra $4.83 a month to pay the rent. That recently climbed to $5.10 when the rent went up. The real estate agency that manages their home in Melbourne moved its tenants over to a payment app called Ailo in late 2022. Since then, they have paid a service fee worked out as a percentage of their rent to set up a recurring bank transfer on the platform. Tim was annoyed at having to pay money for basically nothing but was afraid to say anything to their property manager. You dont want to risk [being] on one of their blacklists for being a difficult tenant. Related: Revealed: criminals and unlicensed agents operating across Australias real estate sector Created by the great-grandson of real estate giant Ray White, Ailo does offer a free option to pay rent a method without a fee is required by law in many states but its not automated like paid options, and renters have to enter their bank details anew each month. Ailo is not the only rent-tech platform that makes renters jump through hoops: on the OurProperty app, the fee-free option is paying rent in cash at Australia Post. Australia is in the midst of a rent-tech boom. By some estimates, there are almost 60 products on the market that aim to help tenants pay rent more smoothly, screen potential renters, book maintenance appointments and apply for bond loans. But while the goal may be extra convenience, critics say these apps often clip the ticket and put the burden on tenants to hand over personal details and extra cash in a tight rental market where they have little power to say no to their landlords or agents. Even applying for a property can come with extra costs although there is pushback in some states. While not mandatory, popular rental application apps like Snug and Ignite advertise background checks to increase the appeal for landlords for $19.95 and $29, respectively. Show you are a trusted quality renter, Snugs website states. What frustrates me is these companies have this spiel [that they are] for renters but they are very much for landlords, said the executive director of Better Renting, Joel Dignam, speaking generally about the rent tech sector. A lucrative market Around one-third of Australian households now rent and there has been a rush for customers among new rent-tech startups. Property managers report getting a deluge of cold calls, direct mail and emails. Theres a phone call every day, one Sydney agent said. The market can be lucrative and some big players offer a near-complete ecosystem applying for a property, paying rent, moving in and out. Several have tight links to large real estate franchises. Many of these companies are seeking to capture the entire renting life cycle, said Monash Universitys Samantha Floreani, who is researching the rent-tech market. Rent.com.au offers features aimed at tenants such as RentPay, RentBond and Renter Resume. According to its 2023 annual report, its renter products revenue of $1.4m far outstripped fees it earned from agents and landlords or even advertising sales. The companys chief executive, Greg Bader, said very roughly,there was now a 50% split between advertising and renter products. Related: The symbiotic relationship that makes selling a house in Australia so damn expensive Paying to pay rent has kicked off a rent-tech backlash and a run of bad press for the sector. The chief executive of property management software Kolmeo, Scott Bateman, said if there are costs, they should be borne by the agency that is getting the direct benefit. There is no case to be made that charging renters fees to pay their rent is fair, he said. Kolmeo is owned by Paul Little, the owner of the real estate agency Little Real Estate. The chief executive of the NSW Tenants Union, Leo Patterson Ross, said one concern he has about these products is how little choice tenants often have. A 2023 Choice survey of more than 1,000 renters found 41% said they were pressured to use a third-party platform by their agent or landlord. Its not that you get to choose which of the various rent payment platforms you might think is suitable, Patterson Ross said. Its the one that the agent or landlord chooses. But the president of the Proptech Association Australia, Kylie Davis, believes the platforms are putting more options in the hands of renters, as well as helping smooth the backend for time-poor property managers. What the current debate ignores is that the time of renters is also highly valuable, she said. Just because youre renting it doesnt mean your time is free to give away to inefficient, manual processes that are the legacy of former decades. Guardian Australia has seen instances where payment apps are written into the rental contract. Sam* in Melbourne used to have an automatic transfer set up to pay his households rent, but in late 2023, his agent informed them that everything would be switched to Ailo. He and his housemates initially tried to ignore the request and continued paying rent by bank transfer. Then when their lease renewed, only Ailo was ticked in the preferred payment section. We would have preferred not to do this because its also another application [that collects] our personal data, Sam said. They fill out their bank details manually to avoid the service fee. An Ailo spokesperson told Guardian Australia: A lot of what the Ailo platform does to help improve the renter experience is behind the scenes, adding that approximately 40% of all rent payments facilitated through the platform are fee-free to the renter. It also helps property managers stay on top of their inbox and manage money, the spokesperson said. OurProperty did not respond to a request for comment. In cases where tenants have refused to move on to a payment app, they can still find themselves in trouble. Sydney renter Guy Moore refused to move on to a payment app because he had concerns about extra fees and data privacy, but was advised his old way of paying rent would be unavailable. He says the delay meant it looked as if he was in rental arrears and he took his real estate agent to the NSW civil and administrative tribunal in 2023. The matter was settled and orders were made that he be compensated $1,600 over his right to quiet enjoyment, among other issues. Certainly, it took a bit of bravery to refuse, he said. You worry that theyll find a way to kick you out, or that youll get blacklisted Youre very vulnerable when youre a renter. A 2023 decision in the NSW civil and administrative tribunal also found that a tenant had been wrongly reported in arrears after he declined to move on to Kolmeo. Instead, the landlords agent only receipted rent as having been paid after they transferred it from their trust account into Kolmeo a process that often took three to four days. Kolmeo declined to comment on the case. The start of a debt spiral Some of the major rent tech players are also promoting or moving into credit products, while several payday lenders have created bond loan products a situation that concerns some tenant advocates amid growing rental stress. Amelia Klein, a credit and debt solicitor at Redfern Legal Centre, said they see clients struggling to repay bond loans among a range of financial challenges in a horribly tight rental market. Many are unaware of interest-free bond loan options offered by state governments. If people cant afford to pay a bond, they cant afford to pay the interest and the fees that come with these bond loans, they said. That can be the start of a debt spiral. At the companys 2023 AGM, Rent.com.aus Bader said its bond loan product RentBond was the largest provider of bond finance in the country. Offered by payday lender Fair Go Finance, it is interest-free for 21 days but rates can then climb to 29.9%. Rent.com.au earns a fee for each approved loan. Bader said in a perfect world RentBond would not need to exist. We have a thorough assessment process that takes into account a persons financial position and affordability, he said. We only approve around 10% of all applicants. Rent.com.au also advertises a Safetynet loan, which offers a week of rent that is later repaid in instalments, and a product called Scorebuilder through its RentPay platform. Scorebuilder says it helps renters build their credit score as they pay rent although the importance of a good credit score to securing future loans in Australia is a matter of debate. Both services are provided with another third-party company, One Card Credit owned by SkyCredit, which is also behind Fair Go Finance. In February 2023, Asic issued an interim stop order on One Card Credits Scorebuilder and Safetynet loan product because of what it called deficiencies in its target market determination (TMD), which is meant to exclude consumers who may not be able to afford the loan due to financial hardship. A significant proportion of consumers had missed at least one repayment, according to the order, which was lifted just after it was issued after the company amended its TMD. Asic was particularly concerned as the loan targets consumers looking to use credit to pay their rent, the notice said. Consumers seeking to use credit to pay rent, a basic cost of living, are at a heightened risk of being financially vulnerable. Bader said the company worked with Asic to address the issue, and that some of the wording on our TMD needed to be tidied up. It was disappointing but the Scorebuilder product is something the AU market had never seen before, he said. Were trying to work out a way that your time renting will count for something. We do see ourselves as advocates for the 32% of the population that rents. When Matt* moved into a new house in Perth a few years ago, he and his wife were desperate for a place. The agent told them to do everything through the RentPay app, and they didnt question it. We just went, fine, lets just get it done, he said. When he was setting up the app, he noticed the Scorebuilder feature and signed up. At the time he thought every little bit can help, given he was hoping to buy his own house in the future. He assumed it worked like paying a utilities bill if you pay your bills on time, your credit score might improve. Related: Australians pay more than anyone in the world to sell their homes online When they went to get a loan for a new car, the broker said they had a problem. There was something called One Credit Card listed under his name. None of the banks were interested in touching us because we had this credit provider listed, he said. It looked like an open credit card. He went hunting for where the credit product had come from. As he discovered, Scorebuilder was in fact a credit product and had opened an account in his name with One Credit Card. RentPay discloses the relationship on its website but Matt said he didnt realise when he signed up on the app. Bader said he believed the product descriptions provided by Scorebuilder were clear and all relevant information is in the FAQ section of its website. We have had great take-up of the product with very few instances of confusion, he said. Meanwhile, Matt is increasingly unhappy to be using a third-party platform just to pay rent. I hate dealing with doing financial things away from the bank, he said. Its frustrating. Patterson Ross said while there are genuine efforts across the rent-tech sector to make products that are in the interest of renters, some companies effectively tenant-wash their products. Were certainly not against the idea that tech can make the renting experience better, he said. But the reality often doesnt stack up, and thats because they are still operating within an unfair renting system. The landlords actually do have power, because they can go to another real estate agent, Tim said. They go for the soft target, which is the tenants. * Interview subjects asked to use their first name only for privacy reasons. Do you have a story about rent-tech, bond loans or bond replacement products? Email ariel.bogle@theguardian.com A member of the Red Cross assists a child migrant in El Hierro - Gelmert Finol/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Migrant children held on Spanish holiday islands have been kicked, headbutted and locked up in vastly overcrowded camps where nightclub bouncers are being drafted in to help with security, it has been claimed. Children were allegedly assaulted by staff in facilities across the Canary Island currently housing 5,293 children, which is almost 2,000 above capacity. Some have also been held in warehouses previously used to breed pigeons. The overcrowding is the result of a major surge in migrants travelling the dangerous route from West Africa to Spain along the Atlantic before arriving in Europe on small boats. Many of the children arrive unaccompanied and must be cared for by island officials, while adults travel further into the continent or seek unofficial employment as the processes for deportation or asylum play out. The crisis has caught politicians off guard and sparked a row with the mainland, which is refusing to take a share of the minors. Politicians were left bickering over a solution as human rights groups said children at the centres were suffering because of inadequate security. Rescued migrants arrive at La Restinga port on the Canary Island of El Hierro - Gelmert Finol Vania Oliveros, a Tenerife lawyer specialising in immigration law, told The Telegraph: The centres need security personnel and there arent trained workers on the islands so they use nightclub bouncers. We have seen cases in which children have been slapped, headbutted and even slammed against the wall. The people doing this job should have proper training but this is often not the case, she added. Ms Oliveros is one of a group of lawyers compiling a dossier of alleged infractions of migrant minors human rights, which they have begun to share with public prosecutors in the Canary Islands. One former worker from a centre in Tenerife described an adolescent boy being restrained by two former nightclub bouncers for refusing to get in a bath. His legs were kicked from underneath him to force him into the water, and he hit his head on the side of the bathtub. I asked him if he wanted me to help him to report the crime, but he said it would be worse for him because he didnt have ID documents. These children are afraid, said the former teacher, who did not wish to be named. I have seen them grab a boy and put him in a chokehold until he fainted, said another former worker from the same centre. Migrants arriving on the Canary island of El Hierro are assisted by Red Cross workers - Antonio Sempere Ms Oliveros also said children being temporarily housed in a hotel in Puerto de la Cruz were being locked alone in rooms used as isolation cells. The usual amount of time they are shut in is three to four days, the lawyer said. They dont understand why they are being punished; these children all say they want to study and to work. A further 300 children sleep on bunk beds in the windowless hangar of a building once used to breed homing pigeons, one of several facilities run for the Canary Islands government by an NGO called Quorum Social 77. Quorum Social 77 and Juana de la Rosa, the director general of the Canary Islands child protection authority, declined to comment when contacted by The Telegraph. Ms de la Rosa stressed in recent statements that the archipelago could not cope with the number of migrant children arriving and said other regions of Spain should help. We cannot keep on doing this alone, she told newspaper El Pais. Only 50 children have been flown to the mainland for housing in 2024, according to the Canarian government. Fernando Clavijo, the Canarian president who leads the authority, blamed the Spanish government for abandoning the islands in a year where the number of migrant arrivals by boat is set to break records. More than 25,000 people have made the crossing so far in 2024, including close to 3,500 minors. Mr Clavijo has hinted that his administration will soon refuse to care for migrant minors. This week, he passed a new protocol under which children must be identified and registered in Spains national child registry before the regional government will accept them. With existing bottlenecks in the processing of new arrivals likely to worsen, the Canarian government began installing a large tent for child migrants arriving on El Hierro, which has become the focus of a new route for the skippers of migrant boats. Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish president, blames the main opposition Peoples Party for previously refusing to back legislation that would have triggered obligatory transfers of migrant minors between regions in such instances of localised saturation. Cinnamon the capybara has been a popular attraction at the Telford zoo - Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World A capybara is on the loose in Shropshire after escaping from a zoo last week, prompting a thermal drone search. Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World warned on social media that Cinnamon, its beloved capybara, had gone missing and had last been seen on a nearby road on Saturday night. The family-run zoo in Telford urged the public to report any sightings of the large rodent, but warned them against approaching it. The zoo wrote on Facebook: On Friday our beloved capybara, Cinnamon, escaped from her habitat and entered the woodlands within the zoo grounds. Cinnamon and her brother Churro were born at the zoo around one year ago - Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World Unfortunately, we havent had any further sighting of Cinnamon since Saturday evening, despite having teams working around the clock to locate her. It wrote that under no circumstances should a member of the public try to capture the animal by themselves, adding that, although capybaras were generally friendly and inquisitive animals, Cinnamon could become unpredictable if alarmed or cornered. The zoo said: Cinnamon has a fantastic bond with her keepers and it is likely that she can be encouraged back to her habitat with no physical intervention. Living her best life Will Dorrell, who owns the zoo, said he believed Cinnamon had made it to the nearby Humber Brook river, where shes probably living her best life. He told the BBC: Right opposite us theres loads of marshland and riverways, thats why we strongly suspect that shes there. In the wild theyre fantastic swimmers and theyll live on river banks, then whenever they feel threatened they just run into the water and can stay in there for hours at a time. Were working round the clock at the moment trying to find her. In a later update on Tuesday, the zoo wrote: We have received some very useful information from local residents and now believe that Cinnamon is likely living in and around the Humber Brook on our northern border. The zoo said it would conduct a mass search of that area, with the help of a thermal camera drone operator. Capybaras, native to South America, are the largest rodents in the world and typically live near bodies of water in savannahs and dense forests. They are highly social animals and usually live in groups of 10 to 20. Cinnamon was born at the zoo with a brother, Churro, and is now around one year old. The zoo said it had reported the escape to the council in line with the conditions of its licence. Shropshire Council was contacted for comment. Coast Guard officers guard the waterfront of Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. Photograph: Cristobal Herrera/EPA In comments to Fox News Digital on Monday, Donald Trump blamed Democrats for the repeated attempts on his life. Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country and they are the ones that are destroying the country both from the inside and out, he said. Also on Monday, the former president released a list of quotes that the campaign described as incendiary. At the top of that list was a quote from Kamala Harris saying: Trump is a threat to our democracy and fundamental freedoms. The election is seven weeks away. Though Democrats want to place the threat of a repeat of political violence such as the January 6 attacks at the center of their political argument, Trump can adopt the language of victimhood, because he is a victim in this case the target of a second apparent assassination attempt in less than two months. Democrats face a dilemma about how to effectively campaign against a candidate who has been the target of violence and who continues to claim that the other sides rhetoric is inciting that violence. Democrats still talk about Trump as a threat to democracy. But they dont lead with it any more. Instead, Trump is weird. Project 2025 is nightmarish and unpopular. Abortion will be illegal. Its harder for Trump to allege that Democrats are inciting violence when theyre talking about unpopular policies. Related: Suspect charged as Trump accuses Biden and Harris of incitement Leaders can also effectively reinforce social norms against violence, said Lilliana Mason of Johns Hopkins University, who studies political violence in the US electorate. It can be pretty simple. You can just say political violence has no place in a democratic election, she said. Make it very clear, and often a very simple rejection of violence will make people step back. Joe Biden delivered just that message Monday, condemning political violence in remarks in Philadelphia at the National HBCU Week Conference. There is no place for political violence in America none. Zero, Biden said. In America, we resolve our difference peacefully at the ballot box, not at the end of a gun. Violence solves nothing. It just tears the country apart. We must do everything we can to prevent it and never give it any oxygen. Anti-violence political messaging is most effective when it comes from the political perspective of those who have committed violence, Mason said. The problem with these attempts on Trump is that its really perpetrators who are not clearly from one side or the other. Such is the apparent case with Ryan Wesley Routh, a 58-year-old entrepreneur from Hawaii who had donated to Democrats and supported Ukraines war against Russia, but also voted for Trump in 2016 and advocated for Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy to win the Republican nomination. Louisville mayor Craig Greenberg remembers how people reacted when a gunman shot at him in his campaign headquarters as he was running for office two years ago. There was an outpouring of support from both Democrats and Republicans, he said. I think extremists on all sides need to turn down the heat of their rhetoric, Greenberg said. I think antisemites and racists have no place in political discourse. Quintez Brown, a social justice activist running for the Louisville metro council, walked into Greenbergs office on Valentines Day and shot at him six times. One bullet passed through Greenbergs sweater before staffers could barricade the door. Support for Greenberg was bipartisan, though the rhetoric wasnt always nonpartisan. I think candidates and elected officials should be held to the highest standards and encourage civil discourse that does not fan the flames of hatred and violence, Greenberg said. This often happens, sometimes directly, more often indirectly, with dog whistles and metaphors and tweets. Still, some see the need for Democrats to tread carefully as unnecessary, given Trumps history of inciting violence. The idea that Trump after the events of January 6 and recent fabrications about the conduct of Haitian refugees that have led to school closures amid threats could offer criticism on incitement raised the rancor of David Brand, a Democratic activist and operative in Atlanta. We have strongly condemned in the strongest possible term what he did, what this individual did and called for swift justice, Brand said. It is ironic also that he is being prosecuted by a Haitian American immigrant who will be protecting Donald Trumps civil rights. Donald Trump never gave Paul Pelosi the same respect that we are giving again, and the same respect for the rule of law. But Trumps campaign described criticism of this contradiction as itself an incitement. But concerns among Democrats about how to effectively campaign may be short-lived. The most surprising thing about political violence right now is how quickly people move on, Greenberg said. Whether its with the assassination attempts now on President Trump or other acts of political violence or violence in general, he said. I mean, just look at Georgia two weeks ago. [A] horrible school shooting. I know I shouldnt be surprised, but how quickly people seem to forget how much gun violence is impacting our country. Self Portrait: (Circa 1979), 2022, by Derek Boshier. Photograph: Courtesy of Gazelli Art House and Derek Boshier In Ken Russells 1962 documentary Pop Goes the Easel, a quartet of young British artists are filmed dabbling in popular culture: they buy comics at a street market, ride dodgems, dance the twist. One, tall, blond and in a neatly pressed shirt and tie, pours milk into a bowl of cornflakes. Thats where the infiltration of American culture begins, he says, gloomily. At breakfast. This was Derek Boshier, who has died aged 87. Boshier was then 24, and in his last year as a graduate student at the Royal College of Art in London. Among his contemporaries were RB Kitaj, Patrick Caulfield and David Hockney. The RCA class of 62 would define second-generation British pop art. Where Richard Hamiltons 1956 show This Is Tomorrow had celebrated consumerism, these younger artists would cast a more critical eye. In the days of Aldermaston and civil rights marches, that eye would also often be anti-American. Thus Boshiers 1961 painting Special K. Featuring Kelloggs trademark letter about to gobble up a spoonful of cereal, the canvas is less jolly than it looks. To one side are shadowy newspaper headlines and an intercontinental ballistic missile; the red of the Ks left leg is smeared, as if bloody. A year later, Boshier would paint Englands Glory, the depiction of a box of the eponymous matches with an American flag creeping across it. Nelsons exhortation to his men to do their duty is pushed aside by an image of Yogi bear. Boshiers concern with the Americanisation of British culture may have come from his father. Walter Boshier served in the Royal Navy for 28 years, and was absent for most of his sons Portsmouth childhood. After the second world war, he and his wife, Winifred (nee Harvey), moved to Sherborne in Dorset, where Walter worked as a school caretaker and Derek went to primary school. A poor student, he surprised his headteacher by passing the 11-plus. (He said he thought my name had got on the list by mistake, Boshier claimed later.) This allowed him to go to grammar school and then to the Yeovil School of Art (1953-57) for a national diploma in design. Studying part-time at Guildford College of Art while doing his national service, he went to the Royal College in 1959. With Hockney and the rest, Boshier was an RCA star. What he did next, though, was typically unpredictable. Rather than applying for a travel grant to New York or Paris, he went instead to Calcutta (now Kolkata). After a year there, he returned to London to paint shaped canvases that married pop to hard-edged abstraction. Pop artists were meant to produce pop art: the results, shown in the 1964 New Generation show at the Whitechapel Gallery in London, were greeted with puzzlement. Boshiers determination not to be bound by labels or markets often dismayed his admirers. When he gave up painting for film-making in the early 1970s, he recalled, some guy came up to me and just said, You. Fucking. Traitor. Underpinning all this was a belief that for an art to be truly popular, it had to use popular mediums. That pop should be in paint was not set in stone. Ive always shifted about, Boshier said. Pop was finished for me in 1962. I use the medium that best suits the idea. Its as simple as that. In a 2022 interview with the Press Association, he said: It was a period of my work. Im not a pop artist. Im a populist artist. This belief also underlay his engagement with musicians. In 1979, Boshier curated a show called Lives at the Hayward Gallery. This caused alarm among critics by including the work of non-fine artists such as cartoonists and stamp designers, but it also caught the eye of David Bowie. Bowie asked the photographer Brian Duffy to introduce him to Boshier. The two would be friends until the musicians death in 2016, Boshier designing the cover to his 1979 album, Lodger, which shows Bowie having apparently fallen from height to a floor. Both men were fascinated by the figure of Icarus. Boshier also made work for the Clash, its founder and lead vocalist, Joe Strummer, having been taught by him at the Central School of Art in the early 70s. Having not seen his ex-student since, Boshier bumped into him in Oxford Street in 1978, hailing him by his old nickname of Woody. He dragged me into a shoe shop and hissed, Im not called that any more, a laughing Boshier remembered. Strummer invited him to design the groups second songbook which published the groups lyrics and pictures later that year. What excited me about working with David [Bowie] and the Clash was that I was able to make work that reached out beyond the art world, to the world that my subject matter came from, Boshier said. Despite his earlier antipathy to the US, he was to spend half of his life there. In 1980, he took a one-semester teaching job at the University of Houston. He would stay in Texas for 13 years. Like his RCA contemporary and friend Hockney, he would end up in Los Angeles, and spent his last two decades in the city. As before, his art constantly reinvented itself, dotting back and forth between mediums. Having returned to painting in the 90s, he went back to film-making in 2016, with works such as the documentary I Never Knew the World Was So Beautiful (2019). His last show of paintings, a series called Strange Lands, was held at the Los Angeles Night Gallery in April. Featuring zombies and centaurs, these married abstract shapes to details from El Lissitzky and Brueghel. Boshier claimed that the strongest influence on his art and life had been his working-class roots. Ive learned a lot from that and Im proud of being working class, he said. He also remained unabashedly English, retaining his British citizenship while living in the US. I spent my teenage years in Sherborne, Dorset, surrounded by beautiful village names such as Bradford Abbas and my favourite, Ryme Intrinseca, he told the Oldie magazine, weeks before his death. The first thing I do when arriving in London from Los Angeles is to buy a pork pie. In 2016, he was made an honorary fellow of the Royal College of Art. Boshiers first marriage, to the Colombian artist Patricia Gonzalez, ended in divorce. Their two daughters, Rosa and Lily, survive him, as does his second wife, Thelma Gaskell. Derek Boshier, artist, born 6 June 1937; died 5 September 2024 Experiencing or witnessing sexual harassment by a patient can have a lasting and profound impact on mental health. Photograph: ER Productions Limited/Getty Images Your report on the sexual harassment faced by doctors around the world is disturbing, yet sadly it is a reality for many working in the NHS (Almost half of doctors sexually harassed by patients, research finds, 9 September). Perhaps even more disturbing is the notion that this kind of abuse is something that doctors feel they should just put up with. Becoming desensitised to sexual harassment may mean incidents are not reported and that the doctor is not seeking appropriate support. Experiencing or witnessing sexual harassment by a patient can have a lasting and profound impact on mental health, and this can be damaging for the individual as well as for patient care. It can also result in doctors needing to take time off or leaving the healthcare profession altogether. The zero-tolerance policy to abuse must be rigorously enforced right across the NHS so that all healthcare workers feel their safety is a priority and they report all abusive behaviour. More broadly, there is a growing need to ascertain the additional training requirements for NHS staff for dealing with abuse and harassment be it sexual, physical or verbal. The prevalence of sexual harassment in healthcare is an issue we are discussing at the Medical Protection Society, to see how we can best support those affected. Prof Jane Dacre President, Medical Protection Society Do you have a photograph youd like to share with Guardian readers? If so, please click here to upload it. A selection will be published in our Readers best photographs galleries and in the print edition on Saturdays. The study found an increasing number of young people who have never worked. Photograph: Mixmike/Getty Images The UK has suffered the biggest contraction in its workforce since the 1980s, costing the public finances at least 16bn a year in lost tax receipts, according to a study. Hundreds of thousands of people have quit the labour market since the pandemic and never returned, undermining the strength of the economy and leaving the government out of pocket, according to the Institute for Employment Studies. The participation crisis is shown by the 1.5 percentage-point fall in the share of people aged 16 and over either in work or looking for work since the eve of the pandemic equivalent to about 800,000 fewer people in the labour force and representing twice the contraction seen after the 2008 financial crisis. Had the UK maintained the same proportion of the population in a job as there were before the pandemic, the economy would be 25bn larger and thousands more workers would be paying tax, equating to 16bn in extra tax receipts. The report, based on the findings of a two-year commission on the future of employment support, and funded by abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, shows that several distinct groups of workers have swelled the ranks of people who are no longer looking for work. Many people who were out of work before the pandemic have remained jobless, when they would previously have retrained and found work again. Meanwhile, there is a growing band of young people who have never worked, often staying out of the jobs market after leaving school or college because they suffer from ill health. Tony Wilson, the institutes director, said the UK was an outlier in the developed world where workers had returned to the labour market since the pandemic, often in even larger numbers than before the crisis. This situation has parallels with the one Britain found itself in during the 1980s, when deindustrialisation pushed many people to the margins, he said. The closure of coalmines, steelworks and large sections of the UKs manufacturing industry 40 years ago left many towns and cities coping with mass unemployment and damage to local economies. Much of the blame for the post-pandemic increase could be pinned on the last government and its employment reforms, which introduced strict conditions on people of working age, preventing them from receiving support and unemployment benefits, Wilson said. A strict conditionality regime is pushing people away from finding work. It is so draconian, people wont engage in it. The new rules were introduced without any thought for the consequences, Wilson added. That was always going to be the reaction, and we are living with the consequences today. The government plans to overhaul the employment support service and local jobcentres in line with recommendations in the report. The employment minister, Alison McGovern, who is speaking at the launch of the report on Wednesday, is expected to say that the state needs to offer encouragement and a helping hand to those out of work and fewer sanctions. The report found that: The UK is one of the only countries in the developed world to have seen employment fall post-pandemic: slipping from having the eighth-highest employment rate in the world to 15th. The reduction can be blamed on fewer people entering work in recent years rather than more people leaving it, with 90% of the growth in economic inactivity due to more people off work for at least four years or who have never worked at all. The solution to the crisis could include reforming employment support to guarantee help for those who need it; ending the compliance culture in jobcentres; and creating new Labour Market Partnerships to meet local priorities and join up delivery. It said: This participation crisis is in stark contrast to the rest of the developed world, where employment is growing strongly and often setting new records up by on average 1.3 percentage points across the OECD [Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development] group of developed nations. A spokesperson for the department of work and pensions said: Spiralling inactivity and millions of people being denied the support and opportunities they need is holding the country back and stifling the economy. Growth is our number mission, and were going to deliver the change the country is crying out for by overhauling jobcentres and giving power to local areas to tackle inactivity, so more people can find full and fulfilling work. An ambulance in Beirut after pagers exploded across Lebanon, killing at least nine people and wounding thousands. Photograph: Mohamed Azakir/Reuters For American diplomacy in the Middle East, the extraordinary attack in Lebanon that simultaneously detonated hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah members could not have come at a less auspicious moment and may still spark an escalation that the US had been seeking desperately to avoid. A day before the coordinated sabotage, Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser to Joe Biden, was in Israel urging Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials against an escalation in Lebanon. The US defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, and the Israeli defence minister, Yoav Gallant, had also warned that time was running out to find a negotiated settlement between Israel and Hezbollah. What remains to be seen is whether the pager attack is a prelude to a broader operation by Israeli forces that could now take advantage of the hundreds, or perhaps even thousands, of Hezbollah operatives who have been maimed and injured. The attacks have probably disrupted the organisations communications. The pagers were obtained as a low-risk alternative to mobile phones, allowing the group to communicate remotely without opening itself up to drone strikes as part of Israels campaign of targeted assassinations of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. Israeli media reports suggest the operation was the result of a supply-chain hack, allowing the Mossad operatives to plant explosives into the pagers before they were sold on to Hezbollah. One video shot from southern Lebanon on Tuesday showed young men with eye injuries and large body wounds in an overflowing hospital corridor. Having shown its hand, the Israeli military may now decide to take advantage of Hezbollahs disarray before the organisation has a chance to reconstitute itself. The Israeli government last night announced that it would broaden its war aims to include the return of tens of thousands of civilians to its border with Lebanon, potentially handing Netanyahu a casus belli if he decides to launch a ground invasion into Lebanon, as some Israeli and US officials fear he will. Related: Lebanon pager explosions: what we know so far And while US officials have said that the basis for a peace along Israels northern boundary with Lebanon would come through a ceasefire in Gaza, that agreement has proven elusive and appears no closer to fruition. The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, travelled to the Middle East on Tuesday to discuss the deal with Egypt, an intermediary to Hamas, but will bypass Israel as the latest iteration of the deal was not ready yet, a spokesperson said. The US also faces losing a key intermediary in Gallant, who has been critical of Netanyahu. His potential replacement as defence minister is Gideon Saar, the leader of the rightwing New Hope party, who is seen as more radical. The White House had hoped that a period of quiet around Israel would allow for ceasefire negotiators to achieve a breakthrough, as intermediaries shuttle between Hamas and Israel to thread the needle of both sides complex demands regarding a hostage exchange and territorial claims. That period of quiet has now been shattered with a breathtaking act of subterfuge and Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate. With both Hamas and Hezbollah under extraordinary pressure, the US has now warned the groups backer Iran against escalation. We would urge Iran not to take advantage of any incident to try to add further instability and to further increase tensions in the region, said the state department spokesperson, Matthew Miller. Thousands were reported injured - Wael Hamzeh/Shutterstock On Monday, Israeli officials announced they had uncovered a Hezbollah plot to assassinate a former security official with a remotely operated bomb. On Tuesday, hundreds of Hezbollah operatives were maimed and injured as their pagers simultaneously exploded. The exact details of what happened in Beirut and its surrounds will be pored over for years to come but innovation aside it is really just another chapter in the oldest book. Its power politics through terror; communication through slaughter; a modern and grossly lopsided version of the Biblical idiom an eye for an eye. If you are in the neighbourhood and let on that you are repulsed by it, youll be told to toughen up. Or, as it was put to me recently: You white boys dont get it. Strength is the language of the Middle East. The only language they understand. You hear the same message from both sides. Some think that Tuesdays pager attack is a prelude to all-out war. Israel and Hezbollah have been trading blows for nearly a year across the Israel-Lebanon border and there is no doubt things have been hotting up, with strikes on both sides increasing in intensity and reaching ever deeper into each others territory. Losses are also mounting. Hezbollah has lost some 600 fighters, while casualties on the Israeli side are much lower at 46, but the country has lost a large chunk of land. Since the start of the war on Oct 7, it has had to evacuate more than 60,000 people from an area of about 650 square kilometres along the Lebanon border because of Hezbollahs rockets. Within Israel, this is causing Benjamin Netanyahus government extreme discomfort. How could a leader who promised absolute victory in the wake of Oct 7 preside over the loss of about 3 per cent of the countrys most productive land? In recent days, it has been reported that Mr Netanyahu was plotting the sacking of Yoav Gallant, his defence minister, so that Israel could launch a land invasion of southern Lebanon. Mr Gallant, it was said by the prime ministers people, had long opposed such an action, while Mr Netanyahu was all for it. A crowd gathers outside a hospital in Beirut following Tuesdays pager blasts, which killed at least nine people - ANWAR AMRO/AFP It is unclear how much, if any of this is true. It was previously thought that Mr Gallant was the hawk when it came to Lebanon and Mr Netanyahu the dove. Indeed, Mr Gallant is said to have argued for war to be declared on Hezbollah in the immediate aftermath of the Oct 7 attack. Mr Netanyahu, on the other hand, is regarded by the Israeli defence establishment as an operations guy someone who prefers a quick mowing of the lawn to all-out war which comes with much greater military and geo-political risks, as he has found in Gaza. In this context, the pager strike seems more likely to have been ordered by Mr Netanyahu, not as a prelude or provocation for a war in the north, but as an alternative to it; an operation that satisfies both the perceived military need to respond to Hezbollahs assassination plot and his own need to please his increasingly warlike core. The first major survey of Israeli and Palestinian attitudes post-Oct 7 published last week found that 45 per cent of Israeli Jews would prefer entering a full-scale regional war, including Iran, than agree to a peace deal that includes an independent Palestinian state. The pager attack, which according to Lebanese health ministry data killed at least nine people and injured around 2,750, will certainly go some way to satiating that desire for robust action for the time being at least. In Lebanon, on the other hand, it will only increase pressure for revenge, and perhaps a full-scale Hezbollah attack on Israel. The imagery circulating on social media is extreme, much of it involving innocent bystanders, including children. People with limbs and genitals blown off; others with eyes and even entire faces missing. Will it prove a provocation too far and cause Iran to finally unleash its Lebanese proxy? Who knows. The only thing you can say for certain is that the cycle of violence in the Middle East is not going to end any time soon. IMF official: China-Africa cooperation contributes to Africa's modernization drive 10:11, September 17, 2024 By Cui Yige ( People's Daily Online Photo shows IMF's senior resident representative in China Steven Alan Barnett. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee) The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was held in Beijing from Sept. 4 to 6. In a written interview with People's Daily Online, Steven Alan Barnett, IMF's senior resident representative in China, lauded the fruitful results of China-Africa trade cooperation and said that China's development experience will be conducive to Africa's high-quality development. China is the largest investor in Africa among developing countries and has been the continent's leading trade partner for 15 successive years. According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs, from 2000 to 2023, trade between China and Africa skyrocketed from less than 100 billion yuan ($14.05 billion) to 1.98 trillion yuan, registering a 17.2 percent annual increase on average, exceeding the 4.6 percent annual average growth of China's trade in goods in the same period. China has become an increasingly important partner in Africa's development over the last few decades. The strong economic and financial ties that have developed between Africa and China over the last decades will foster the continent's further development in the period ahead, said Barnett. China has been cooperating with African countries through various means, helping them improve their infrastructure, enhance their independent development capabilities, and achieve sustainable development. To date, Chinese contractors have built or renovated over 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, nearly 1,000 bridges, nearly 100 harbors, 66,000 kilometers of power transmission and transformation lines, and 150,000 kilometers of backbone communication networks in African countries. Helping Africa improve its infrastructure is key, as Barnett noted that improving infrastructure is critical for expanding connectivity across the continent, which is helpful in reaping the gains of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Applying digital technologies across African economies is vital for innovation, job creation, and inclusion. As one of the leading digital innovators in the world, China is well-placed to make a critical difference in supporting Africa's digital transformation, said Barnett. China-African cooperation can help African countries increase their resilience to climate change and unlock opportunities in the green economy, helping them realize sustainable development goals, said Barnett. In terms of human capital development and capacity building, Barnett said China could continue to support training initiatives and promote knowledge transfers, including vocational education. China's economic development over the past several decades has been remarkable. Pro-market reforms allowed for an improved allocation of resources, which propelled growth, said Barnett. He added that opening up led to China's rapid integration into the global economy, which made it more competitive. He suggested that African countries learn from China's experience, strengthen their institutional, legal, and macroeconomic frameworks to foster healthy competition, invest more in education, and promote broader wellbeing. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Zhong Wenxing) by Our Diplomatic Affairs Editor The Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in New Delhi, which also oversees matters related to Sri Lanka, has issued a statement addressing recent publications in the Sri Lanka Guardian concerning the ongoing situation involving the vessel Asian Majesty, currently moored in the Bay of Riga. The vessel, which contains a valuable cargo of mineral fertilizer, is set to head to Sri Lanka to offload its shipment soon. [File Photo: Port of Riga, Latvia] The Embassys statement addresses inaccuracies in two articles published on September 4 and September 10, 2024, which alleged that Latvia was blocking the shipment. The Embassy categorically refutes these claims, stating that they are unfounded and do not reflect the reality of the situation. According to the Embassy, Latvia has been actively facilitating the shipment and has not taken any actions to delay the vessels progress. Latvias commitment to this process dates back to a decision made on December 6, 2022, following a request by the UN Secretary General. In response to the challenges arising from Russias invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, the Latvian government supported the donation of the fertilizer to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). Latvia has since ensured that all necessary permits were made available to support the donation process. The removal of the vessel Asian Majesty, which contains approximately 55,000 tons of fertilizer, has been deemed a top priority due to the potential environmental risks associated with its prolonged stay in the Gulf of Riga. Currently, the United Nations is working with Sri Lanka on the logistical aspects of transferring the fertilizer from Riga to Sri Lanka. This process is expected to conclude soon, allowing the vessel to set sail for its destination. Latvia has reiterated that it will be the first to celebrate when Asian Majesty departs the Bay of Riga. In a broader context, the Embassy criticized the narrative that attributes global food and fertilizer shortages to sanctions. According to the statement, these shortages are a direct result of Russias invasion of Ukraine. The Embassy emphasized that EU member states are collaborating with the United Nations, particularly the WFP, to ensure that fertilizers in EU ports, including those owned by Russian companies, are delivered to the countries where they are most needed. On Tuesday, Kamala Harris was interviewed by a panel of three National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) members, during which the vice-president talked about the anti-immigrant sentiment toward Haitians in Springfield, Ohio; Israels war in Gaza; domestic economic issues; gun violence; and reproductive rights. The conversation was one of the few interviews Harris has done since becoming the Democratic nominee, and it served as an opportunity for her to reaffirm policies. When asked about where [she] sees the line in terms of aggression and defense in regards to the war, she said that she supported the Biden administrations one-time pause on the delivery of 2,000lb bombs to Israel as leverage that they have had and used, but that achieving a deal was the real means to ending the war. We have to agree that not only must we end this war, but we have to have a goal of a two-state solution because there must be stability and peace in that region, she said, inasmuch as our goal must be to ensure that Israelis have security and Palestinians in equal measure have security, self determination, dignity. When asked what mechanisms the US has to support Palestinian self-determination, and whether or not it was even possible, as Israels ally, to support such a goal, Harris responded saying that she believed that it was. She described meetings with Israeli and Arab leaders to talk about how we can construct a day-after scenario. She said that her goals are that there be no reoccupation of Gaza, no changing of the territorial lines in Gaza and an ability to have security in the region for all concerned in a way that we create stability. Harris was also asked about the false and racist tropes that Donald Trump and JD Vance have espoused about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, which has resulted in bomb threats and lockdowns in the city. Its a crying shame. I mean, my heart breaks for this community, Harris said. There were children, elementary school children, [for whom] it was school photo day. Do you remember what thats like, going to school on picture day? Dressed up in their best, got all ready, knew what they were going to wear the night before. And had to be evacuated. Children. Children. Harris described a whole community put in fear, and harkened back to her career as a prosecutor, during which she said she learned the importance of power. When you have these positions, when you have that kind of microphone in front of you, you really ought to learn how much your words have meaning, she said. I learned at a very young stage in my career that the meaning of my words could impact whether someone was free or in prison When you are bestowed with a microphone that is that big, there is a profound responsibility that comes with that. Harris said elected officials, particularly the president, have been bestowed with public trust. I know that people are deeply troubled by what is happening to that community in Springfield, Ohio, and its gotta stop, she said. Weve gotta say that you cannot be entrusted with standing behind the seal of the president of the United States of America engaging in that hateful rhetoric that, as usual, is designed to divide us as a country. The conversation shifted to young Black male voters who, according to polling, are considering voting for Trump as they see him as better for the economy. What is your message to young Black male voters who feel left out of this economy, and how can your economic policies materially change their lives? one journalist asked. I think its very important to not operate from the assumption that Black men are in anybodys pocket, Harris replied. Black men are like any other voting group you gotta earn the vote. So I am working to earn the vote, and not assuming Im going to have it because I am Black, but because the policies and perspectives I have understand what we must do to recognize the needs for all communities. In regards to economic opportunity for Black men, Harris acknowledged that many Black male entrepreneurs lack the relationships and capital necessary to see their ideas come to fruition. As vice-president, she said, she has worked to increase access to funding for small businesses. In what she called her opportunity economy, Harris said she would extend small-business tax deductions to $50,000. She also said that she would work to alleviate the consequences of medical debt for Black voters. One in four Black families or individuals is more likely to carry medical debt than others, so part of my perspective, and as vice-president, part of the work that we have done, is to say that were going to eliminate medical debt from being on your credit score, she said. Related: Black journalists were right about Trump. NABJ ignored them | Shamira Ibrahim On HB40, a bill that would create a commission to examine US slavery, Harris said that she would not make an executive order, and that she would leave such a decision to Congress, but that we need to speak truth about the generational impact of our history in terms of the generational impact of slavery, the generational impact of redlining, of Jim Crow. These are facts that have had impact. Harris again highlighted her opportunity economy, which she said would help address explicitly the obstacles that historically and presently exist, including student loan debt, medical debt, bias in home appraisals and Black maternal mortality. Though she said she didnt minimize the importance of executive orders, Harris said Congresss ability to substantially and publicly handle the conversation around US history was vital. Last month during its annual conference, NABJ hosted Trump for a live panel conversation, where the ex-president insulted the organization and its members and made false claims about Harriss racial identity. The pager attack is said to have injured thousands of people - Wael Hamzeh/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Hezbollahs pagers were meant to be safety measures, secure from Israeli eavesdropping. Instead, they were a deadly Trojan horse. After suffering a series of assassinations of top operatives during months of low-level war with Israel, this summer Hezbollah ordered its fighters to ditch their mobile phones. They were too easy to track and too readily compromised by Israels fearsome military hackers. If youre looking for an Israeli agent, look at the phone in your hand, Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollahs chief, warned his men. Instead, communications would be confined to more old-fashioned means: couriers delivering messages by word of mouth. Telecoms would be limited to 1980s-style pagers, with none of the vulnerabilities of smartphones, Hezbollah sources told Reuters in July. Thousands of the latest and most secure models were duly procured and distributed to top fighters, officials and allies. On Tuesday afternoon, that was revealed as a terrible blunder. At 3.45pm local time, thousands of pagers in thousands of pockets simultaneously exploded. By early evening, at least nine people had been confirmed killed and a staggering 2,750 injured. The wounded reportedly included civilians as well as Hezbollah fighters although the reports could not immediately be verified. Irans ambassador to Lebanon was also seen being taken to hospital. In one greengrocers store, a middle-aged man had reached the grape counter when a puff of smoke leapt from his midriff. He fell, screaming to the floor, badly wounded by the explosion from his pocket, bag or belt. The young man serving him leapt instinctively away. The nearest bystander, after understandably making sure he himself was unhurt, simply stood over the screaming man, as he writhed on the floor, at a loss as to what to do. They were not alone in being non-plussed. Ahmad Ayoud, a butcher from the Basta neighbourhood in Beirut, told The New York Times that he was in his shop when he heard explosions and saw a man in his 20s fall off a motorbike. We all thought he got wounded from a random shooting, Ayoud said. Then, a few minutes later, we started hearing of other cases. All were carrying pagers. Within minutes, ambulances were rushing through Beirut. Many of the wounded, screaming in pain, were rushed to hospital on motorbikes. Doctors reported patients with bloodied hands, faces, and eyes. People in the street were seen screaming in pain after their devices exploded Irans Fars news agency said Mojtaba Amani, the Iranian ambassador in Beirut, had suffered superficial injuries and was under observation in hospital. Ziad Makary, Lebanons information minister, said that the government condemned the detonation of the pagers as an Israeli aggression. Hezbollah blamed Israel for the pager blasts and said it would receive its fair punishment. Israeli officials declined to comment. One Hezbollah official, speaking to Reuters, described it as the biggest security breach the group had suffered in a year of conflict with Israel. That does not appear to be hyperbole. The questions remain about the mechanism of the attack. Lebanese internal security forces said a number of wireless communication devices were detonated across the country, especially in Beiruts southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold. The attack has shaken Lebanon - Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty Images In todays tech-obsessed world, the idea of some kind of mass cyber attack causing the pagers batteries to overheat or malfunction in some way sounds believable. It would fit with the current dystopian zeitgeist to learn that our mobile devices are not only destroying our attention spans but could also be turned into bombs. Fortunately, from the point of view of ordinary pager and electronics users not to mention their manufacturers that does not seem to be what happened. Alan Woodward, a cyber security expert at the university of Surrey, said: Ive heard of Lithium ion batteries spontaneously igniting but to make it happen on demand is a different matter entirely. Lithium battery fires and explosions are a general problem but this looks a bit more than this, agreed Hamish de Bretton Gordon, a retired British Army chemical weapons expert. There must be some sort of accelerant to make them combust in such a violent fashion probably some form of high explosive, possibly 10 grams of HMX. HMX, also known as octogen, is a widely used military explosive. Mr Woodward guessed the attack might have used C4, another common military explosive. That would imply a supply chain attack in which the perpetrators and although they are not commenting, that almost certainly means the Israeli security services had physical access to the devices to embed the explosive. The impacted devices appeared to have included rugged pagers developed by the Taiwanese company Gold Apollo, according to reporters at Bellingcat. Security sources told Reuters that the devices had been procured in recent months. The charge could be set to trigger on receipt of a particular message or even simply timed to explode with an old-fashioned timer, said Mr Woodward. Ken Munro, the founder of the cyber security company Pen Test Partners, said: Im leaning hard towards a supply chain attack, as to remotely cause a battery to explode in such a fashion would be extremely challenging. Intriguingly, the attack came hours after Israels domestic security agency said that it had foiled a similar though much smaller-scale plot by Hezbollah. Shin Bet said in a statement it had seized an explosive device attached to a remote detonation system, using a mobile phone and a camera that Hezbollah had planned to use to kill a former Israeli military official in Tel Aviv. It said the group had planned to operate the device remotely from Lebanon. The attack comes a day after Israels defence minister said that the country would take military action to return civilians to the north of the country, stoking fears of an all-out Israel-Hezbollah war. It follows nearly a year of low-level but intensifying conflict, and came a day after the Israeli government made returning evacuated 60,000 civilians to their homes in the north of the country an official war goal. The fighting began when Hezbollah launched strikes following Israels attack on Hamas in Gaza in response to the Oct 7 terrorist attacks. The conflict has mostly been concentrated along the Lebanon-Israel border, but it has also seen Israeli air strikes across Lebanon and Hezbollah rocket strikes deep into Israel. Although so far both sides have shied away from attacks on a scale likely to spark a full-scale war, thousands of civilians have fled from both sides of the frontier. Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defence minister, told Amos Hochstein, a visiting US envoy, this week that the window for a negotiated end to the fighting with Hezbollah was closing. It meant that the only way left to ensure the return of Israels northern communities to their homes will be via military action. Blower cartoon - 17th September 2024 Sir Keir Starmer was in Italy yesterday purporting to learn from the government of Giorgia Meloni how to reduce the number of asylum seekers arriving across the Channel. The Italians have cut the traffic from north Africa over the Mediterranean by two thirds. Better border checks and international agreements with countries like Tunisia and Libya are said to be behind the drop. Italy has struck deals similar to the UKs 490 million pact with France to pay for extra police and Border Force officers to stop boats leaving north Africa. Nonetheless, some 44,000 people have made the perilous crossing in the past six months. An agreement with Albania to take asylum seekers for processing has yet to be implemented, so has not been an obvious deterrent so far. Labour has claimed that its policy to boost the Border Force and seek international partnerships will emulate Italys success. But there is one factor they do not mention, which is the hostile environment towards irregular migrants. The Italians detain asylum seekers for up to 18 months and have imposed strict controls on the numbers that non-state ships can pick up at sea. The five-year agreement with Albania foresees disembarking 36,000 migrants a year at the port of Shengjin. Sir Keir and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, passionate opponents of the Tory Rwanda policy, say they are now open to off-shoring the processing of asylum seekers. In the end, the only way of stopping the traffic is to make the risk no longer worth taking because migrants will not get to stay or will be detained. Is Labour really prepared to follow Ms Meloni and take the tough decisions necessary? Victorian MP Moira Deeming with barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC outside the federal court in Melbourne. Deeming is suing the state Liberal leader, John Pesutto, for allegedly falsely portraying her as a Nazi sympathiser. Photograph: Con Chronis/AAP Ousted Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming agreed her views on transgender and gender-diverse people were controversial within the party, as she began giving evidence in a high-stakes defamation battle. Deeming is suing the state Liberal leader, John Pesutto, for allegedly falsely portraying her as a Nazi sympathiser after she spoke at the March 2023 Let Women Speak rally that was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis. She was expelled from the party less than two months later after initially being suspended. During cross-examination in the federal court on Tuesday, Pesuttos barrister, Matthew Collins KC, asked Deeming if she understood her views of transgender and gender-diverse people to be controversial in the Liberal party. She replied: yes. Related: Moira Deeming v John Pesutto: as the defamation battle begins, how did we get here? Deeming also told the court that when media reports in early 2023 characterised her views as extreme, she requested Pesutto correct this characterisation, which he did not. The court also heard that Deeming paid for sound equipment and security guards for the rally and was in contact with the co-organiser of the event, UK gender-critical activist Kellie-Jay Keen, for two months before the event. The courtroom was shown social media messages and emails between Deeming and Keen, where the MP offered advice and assistance about hosting the rally. Earlier in the day, the court was played audio from a secretly recorded meeting that took place a day after Deeming spoke at the rally, during which she repeatedly told Pesutto and members of the partys leadership team she was not a Nazi. Deeming defends herself in the recording of the 19 March meeting the day after the rally. Very obviously, Im not a Nazi and I dont support Nazis, she said. Deeming said she had only became aware that group of men, dressed in black, were Nazis when police escorted them from the steps of parliament. Theres no evidence against me, she said in the recording. They just turned up. In the recording, Deeming told the Liberal leadership team she was willing to condemn everything, including Nazism, and was eager to do so. The states deputy Liberal leader, David Southwick, told Deeming in the recording that a tweet by Angela Jones, a co-organiser of the rally, was offensive to Jewish people. The tweet read: Nazis and women want to get rid of paedo filth, why dont you? Related: Only gets worse from here: court hears Victorian Liberal leaders texts about Moira Deeming before he tarred her with the Nazi brush Deeming said in the recording she believed the tweet was condemning paedophilia. Pesutto also told Deeming she could not hang out with these people and raised Katherine Deves, a former Liberal candidate who ran for the seat of Warringah in the 2022 election, attending the Let Women Speak rally. We could find Daniel Andrews robbing a 7-Eleven but if you bring Katherine Deves down, everyones going to go dont care about that, he said. Deemings barrister, Sue Chrysanthou SC, said the MPs never put evidence to Deeming that Deves had Nazi-links and argued what Pesutto was really talking about was sex-based rights. What theyre doing throughout this meeting is changing the goal posts, she said. Deeming and Pesutto sat within metres of each other, behind their barristers, as the recording was played to the courtroom on Tuesday. In it Pesutto told Deeming there was a very concerning perception out there that we are associated with Nazis. Its going to be toxic to us, he said. The existence of the audio, recorded by Southwick, was revealed in the courtroom on Monday. At the end of the recording, Pesutto told Deeming he would move a motion to expel her from the parliamentary party and that she has the option to resign. Deeming was among the speakers at the rally, which she also helped to organise, on the steps of Victorias parliament on 18 March 2023. The event was co-organised by Keen, also known as Posie Parker, as part of her tour of Australia and New Zealand in which it was claimed that the push for transgender rights was silencing, and discriminating against, women. On Monday the court heard that Pesutto had considered expelling Deeming from the party on the day of the rally, with text messages between him and Southwick and Louise Staley, a former Liberal MP, shown to the court. Deeming alleges that Pesutto defamed her in media releases, press conferences and interviews he gave after the rally. In his defence document, Pesutto argued that he repeatedly and unequivocally acknowledged publicly that he does not believe Deeming to be a neo-Nazi, a white supremacist, or anything of similar substance or effect. He admitted to conveying some imputations, including that Deeming associated with speakers at the event who had known links with neo-Nazis and white supremacists. In court documents, Pesutto said he would rely on the defences of honest opinion, contextual truth, public interest and qualified privilege. The defamation trial is expected to run for three weeks. Kamala Harris addresses members of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) in Philadelphia - Reuters/Piroschka Van De Wouw Kamala Harris has suggested she would be open to exploring reparations for slavery if she wins the White House. The US vice president said the country needed to speak truth about the generational impact of our history, citing the legacy of redlining policies and Jim Crow laws as well as slavery. Ms Harris made the comments during an interview with reporters from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) in Philadelphia, an organisation Donald Trump also addressed last month. Asked if she would use the executive powers of the presidency to create a commission to study reparations, she signalled her support for the idea. We need to speak truth about the generational impact of our history, in terms of the generational impact of slavery, the generational impact of redlining, of Jim Crow law, she said. I think that part of that is studying it to figure out exactly what we need to do. However, she said it was ultimately a task for Congress to take up. Here is Kamala Harris' full answer when asked if she would support executive action on creating a commission to study reparations: pic.twitter.com/ADMYExLIJr philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) September 17, 2024 She said: Im not discounting the importance of any executive action, but ultimately Congress [will have to] because if youre going to talk about it in any substantial way, there will be hearings, there will be a level of public education and dialogue. I think that was part of the spirit behind the Congressional action thus far, she added, to ensure that everyone can participate in this conversation in a way that elevates knowledge about history and the reference points that have, that are the impetus of this conversation. Reparations is a broad umbrella term that does not necessarily imply direct financial compensation for the ancestors of enslaved people. While Ms Harris has previously said she supports some form of reparations in the past, she has not been explicit in what form that might take so far during the 2024 campaign. The reparations debate has led to some states, such as New York, Illinois and California, making moves to address social inequalities stemming from decades of discrimination. Some Harris allies have argued that backing reparations could help the Democrat win back black voters, who polls suggest are abandoning the party. But others fear it would alienate more voters than it would energise, given the glaring racial divide over the issue. A Washington Post poll last year found that 75 per cent of black Americans support federal reparations, but just 15 per cent of white Americans and 36 per cent of Hispanic Americans agree. Ms Harris, the first black woman to top a major partys presidential ticket, has largely avoided engaging in identity politics debates. Trump, by contrast, has repeatedly focused on Ms Harris dual heritage, claiming in his own interview with the NABJ that she had only recently happened to turn black. Polls suggest the Republican had been gaining ground with black men in particular prior to Mr Bidens exit from the race. Asked if she would be able to win more votes among the bloc, Ms Harris told the NABJ: I think its very important to not operate from the assumption that black men are in anybodys pocket. Black men are like any other voting group, youve gotta earn their vote. So Im working to earn the vote, not assuming Im going to have it because I am black. Drinking as a young adult can have significant long-term costs both to the individual and the wider community. Photograph: Phanie/Sipa Press/Alamy While teenagers will always want to get drunk, we as responsible adults should be doing everything in our power to prevent this (Teenagers will always get drunk so why dont we just serve them in pubs?, 10 September). We know that drinking as a teen alters brain structure, is damaging to the developing brain and is a predictor of lifelong issues with alcohol. Delaying alcohol consumption reduces these risks. Young adults are not as good at making safe decisions and alcohol further reduces this capacity, so they are more likely to be involved in life-changing injuries to themselves or others or death. Therefore drinking as a young adult can have significant long-term costs to individuals and the wider community for example, the strain on the NHS from binge drinking and the societal and economic cost of alcohol-use disorder. I dont believe legislation requiring ID is about emulating the US, but I do think, as a trainee health psychologist, that the current legislation is far too lenient. The US requires a minimum age of 21. I suggest this should also be implemented in the UK. Its not about being a party pooper or assuming guidance will be followed or not, its about being made fully aware of the serious long-term health implications of alcohol consumption. Legislation on this for under-21s does exactly that. It is not safe for children or young adults to drink any quantity of alcohol. Doran Lamb New Alyth, Perth and Kinross The fair question Zoe Williams poses might perhaps be better framed as Why dont we serve teenagers in pubs in order that they dont get drunk? Current licensing law allows for 16- and 17-year-olds to drink wine, beer or cider in pubs if accompanied by an adult and eating a meal. Ergo, take your teenagers to pubs for a meal. This will help the hospitality industry while hopefully encouraging sensible drinking on a full stomach. Tim Bennett-Goodman London A total of 52 Labour MPs did not vote with government on winter fuel payments cut. Photograph: Reuters Labour MPs who missed a controversial vote on removing the winter fuel payment from most pensioners have been stripped of potential privileges and warned about their future conduct, the Guardian has been told. While the sanctions have caused some anger, with one of the MPs calling the whips behaviour feudal, the overall response to the rebellion has been seemingly less severe than in July, when seven MPs lost the Labour whip for rebelling. Those MPs had the whip suspended for six months for voting in favour of an amendment to scrap the two-child benefit limit. However, the one Labour MP who voted in favour of last Tuesdays opposition-forced motion to block the change to winter fuel payments, Jon Trickett, appears to have kept the party whip. Neither Trickett nor the government whips office has commented since the vote. However, he is still listed on the official parliamentary website as a Labour MP, meaning any sanction against him was apparently less stringent. A total of 52 Labour MPs did not vote on the winter fuel payment motion, but government sources said that all but 12 of these had been given prior permission to miss the vote. The whips response to those who failed to vote without permission has been, in several cases, to send a letter saying their future behaviour would be monitored and that they would be denied privileges, such as help to get places on select committees. The rebels were told they should raise any future worries with the whips office or ministers. It has emerged that whips also warned Labour MPs that they were not allowed to discuss the winter fuel vote and its aftermath with journalists. The scale of Labour disquiet over the decision to block the annual winter fuel payment of either 200 or 300, depending on age, to all pensioners except those with the lowest incomes, is known to be significantly wider than the 12 MPs who abstained without permission. A number of backbenchers who had publicly opposed the policy were given permission to miss the vote, with some saying whips had even encouraged them to find a reason to be absent. Some cabinet ministers had also privately expressed significant concerns about the decision to remove the payment from all pensioners who do not claim income-based benefits such as pension credit, which was announced by Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, in July. One MP who received the whips letter said they felt it had misjudged the depth of feeling over the issue: Quite frankly, the letter is feudal and completely misplaced when people are abstaining to protect very vulnerable people. After the vote, Downing Street said that the decision over the payment had been made without a specific impact assessment on repercussions such as the potential effect on illness and death rates among older people. A No 10 spokesperson said government departments were not obliged under law to carry out specific impact assessments of policies that cost less than 10m to implement. A more limited equalities assessment, which is required under law, was released by the government on Friday evening. It said that about 780,000 older people in England and Wales were expected to not claim the benefits they are entitled to, and thus also miss out on the winter fuel payment. The government whips office and Trickett were contacted for comment. Lady Starmer (front row, third from right) was at a London Fashion Week catwalk event earlier on Monday - Shutterstock /Ben Perry Lady Starmer skipped a Downing Street event to celebrate London Fashion Week on Monday night, amid a row over free clothes she had received from a Labour donor. The Prime Minister attended the event, which was held to celebrate and promote the British fashion industry. Senior figures from the world of fashion had expected his wife to attend, with two of them planning to refer to her in their speeches. But in the end only Sir Keir was in attendance at the British Fashion Council event. Lady Starmer stayed away, despite having attended a London Fashion Week catwalk event earlier in the day. She had been pictured in the morning at the show by designer Edeline Lee, who lent her a polka dot outfit for the occasion. Sir Keir Starmer attended the No 10 London Fashion Week event along with other Labour figures such as Sir Chris Bryant (second right) - Reuters/Jordan Pettitt Downing Street said the Prime Minister and his wife had both attended an event at the Holocaust Education Trust on Monday night. A government source said the British Fashion Council had made a mistake by suggesting Lady Starmer would be there. It follows the row over 5,000 worth of high-end clothes, personal shopping and garment alterations given to the Prime Ministers wife by the Labour donor Lord Alli. The donation was not declared to the parliamentary authorities within the 28 days required in rules for MPs. The Downing Street event, hosted by Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of London Fashion Week. Among the guests were Naomi Campbell, the supermodel, Sir Paul Smith, the designer, David Gandy, a male model, and June Sarpong, the TV presenter. Naomi Campbell was one of a host of British fashion icons who were greeted by Sir Keir at No10 - 10 Downing Street /Tim Hammond Lady Starmer had been sitting next to Ms Sarpong at the catwalk event earlier in the day. A copy of a speech by David Pemsel, the British Fashion Council chairman, released in advance of the event, began: Thank you, Prime Minister and Mrs Starmer for welcoming us to No 10 today. Given everything thats going on in the world, we genuinely appreciate your hospitality and time. Caroline Rush, the chief executive, had planned to begin: Prime Minister, Mrs Starmer, designers, colleagues, and friends. Both their comments suggested they expected Lady Starmer to attend. On Monday, Sir Keir defended accepting gifts from Lord Alli, who was later given a pass to access Downing Street. The Prime Minister suggested he would continue to take gifts from him despite a row over some of his donations not being declared in line with parliamentary rules. The Labour peer has given Sir Keir tens of thousands of pounds to spend on suits and spectacles, on top of the gifts given to his wife. The Prime Minister only declared the gifts to Lady Starmer, thought to have to be received both before and after he entered Downing Street, last week after initially believing they did not need to be added to the register. Lady Starmer is one of a number of Prime Ministers wives to have worn clothes by British designers to showcase the countrys fashion industry. She has also worn dresses by the British brand Me+Em. Ed Davey delivers his keynote speech on the fourth day of the Liberal Democrat autumn conference - Carl Court/Getty A Liberal Democrat member has been arrested after he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman on the final night of the partys conference. A 57-year-old man was arrested by Sussex Police in Brighton on Tuesday following a complaint made to the force relating to an event the previous night. Liberal Democrat activists had gathered in The Grand Hotel on Monday night for Glee Club, a popular annual singalong where attendees join in with political parodies of popular songs. Sir Ed Daveys party said it was horrified this has happened and that the man had been suspended. According to the Politico website, which first reported the allegations, a woman complained that she had been touched on the backside during Glee Club. Politico went on to report that the 57-year-old, who is from Bristol, was escorted out of the hotel in the early hours of Tuesday and arrested later in the day. Suspicion of sexual assault A spokesman for Sussex Police said: We have arrested a 57-year-old man from Bristol on suspicion of sexual assault by touching in relation to an incident which took place at The Grand Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton at around midnight on Tuesday. A Liberal Democrat spokesman said: We are horrified this has happened, we assisted the police in identifying and arresting the suspect and have suspended him from the party. Party officials said they were aware of the incident and had offered to provide support to the woman who made a complaint. All political parties have faced accusations of inappropriate sexual behaviour in recent years, with victims speaking out against alleged perpetrators in what has become known as the Pestminster scandal. In 2022, Imran Ahmad Khan, a former Tory MP, was jailed for 18 months for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy. Crispin Blunt, a former MP, lost the Conservative whip last year after he was arrested in connection with an allegation of rape and possession of a controlled substance claims that he denied. Delays in dealing with internal sexual assault allegations have prompted criticism of Parliaments independent complaints and grievances scheme. The Liberal Democrats were accused of hushing up a rape allegation in 2017 after it took three months to suspend a party member who had been accused of sexual assault. Chief whip led Truss song The Glee Club event has become notorious for its often sweary parody songs, which this year included a rewritten Mary Poppins song with lyrics including b-----ks to Brexit. Wendy Chamberlain, the Liberal Democrats chief whip, led attendees in singing a song about Liz Truss called Lettuce Liz, to the tune of Let It Be by the Beatles. It mocked the tenure of Ms Truss, the shortest-serving British prime minister, who governed for 49 days after a backlash to her tax-cutting policies. On Tuesday, Sir Ed, the Liberal Democrat leader, closed the party conference with a celebratory speech in which he lauded the party for returning a record 72 MPs at the election. The gathering marked the start of party conference season, with Reform UK holding its own event on Friday and Saturday, followed immediately by the four-day Labour conference. The Conservatives will gather in Birmingham at the end of September, where the final four leadership candidates who hope to replace Rishi Sunak will seek to win over the party faithful. Researchers found that water anoles cold remain submerged for longer without moisturiser on their skin that prevented the nostril bubbles from forming properly. Photograph: Lindsey Swierk Pencil-long lizards that plunge into streams to evade their predators survive underwater by breathing through a bubble that forms on their nostrils, researchers say. Water anoles live around rocks and plants near streams and waterfalls in Central and South America and are preyed on by birds, snakes and other lizards, making life in the forest an often short affair. But the ever-present risk of being eaten alive has driven the lizards to evolve several escape strategies. When camouflage and scarpering for shelter fail, the lizards launch themselves into streams, where they remain submerged until the threat has passed. Scientists knew that water anoles produced bubbles over their nostrils when diving for cover, but whether the bubbles helped them stay underwater for longer and so improved their odds of survival was far from clear. We know that they can stay underwater for a really long time, said Dr Lindsey Swierk, who studies anoles at Binghamton University in New York. We didnt know whether there was actually any functional role for this bubble in respiration. When water anoles take the plunge, they exhale to produce a bubble that covers their nostrils. But tiny bubbles form naturally on the lizards hydrophobic, or water-repellent, skin and these join up with the larger bubble, potentially raising the amount of oxygen available to breathe. To see whether anoles used their bubbles to breathe underwater, Swierk recorded how long the lizards remained submerged with and without moisturiser smeared on their skin. The moisturiser prevented the bubbles from forming properly. Writing in Biology Letters, Swierk describes how water anoles stayed underwater 32% longer without the moisturiser to disrupt their bubbles. When they are prevented from forming regular rebreathing bubbles, they cant dive quite as long, Swierk said. While the anoles stayed underwater for only a few minutes in the study, they can be submerged for about 20 minutes in the wild. Water anoles are so heavily predated that Swierk calls them the chicken nuggets of the forest. Their first line of defence on spotting a predator is to freeze and hope their camouflage conceals them. If the predator pursues them, the next option is to make a dash for a crack in a rock. Diving into streams is the last resort, not least because it can lower their body temperature and make them sluggish. At least to their human pursuers, like us researchers, diving is by far the most effective means of escape, Swierk said. Once underwater, theyre very hard to detect through the moving stream surface. Helvetica Property / Key word(s): Funds/Personnel Philipp Good joins Helveticas Board of Directors, adding to its expertise in the field of sustainable real estate investment 17-Sep-2024 / 06:30 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Press release (PDF) Portrait Philipp Good (JPG) Zurich, September 17, 2024 Helvetica is pleased to announce the election of Philipp Good to its Board of Directors. Philipp Good has extensive expertise in the fields of asset management and sustainability. The General Meeting of Shareholders has elected Philipp Good (48) as a member of the Board of Directors of Helvetica Property Group AG and the fund management company Helvetica Property Investors AG. He is joining the board of both the Group and the fund management company, which consists of Peter E. Bodmer (Chairman), Dr. Hans Ueli Keller (Deputy Chairman), Dr. Franziska Blindow-Prettl, Theodor Hartsch and Herbert Kahlich. Herbert Kahlich will be stepping down in spring 2025 after ten years on Helveticas Board of Directors, and will not be standing for re-election on account of his age. Philipp Good has many years of experience in the fields of asset, portfolio and product management, in handling pension fund investments, and in investment products that specialize in sustainability. With his wealth of expertise relating to the development and implementation of sustainable investment strategies that take environmental, social and economic criteria into consideration, he represents a valuable addition to Helveticas Board of Directors. Philipp Good has held senior positions in the field of asset management for the last 20 years, and has a masters degree in corporate finance from Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. His proven experience in the field of sustainable investment solutions will help equip and position Helveticas real estate funds for the future, in order to generate returns for our investors that are stable and attractive in the long term, said Peter E. Bodmer, Chairman of Helveticas Board of Directors, and we warmly welcome Philipp Good to the Helvetica Board of Directors. Philipp Good has expressed enthusiasm regarding his election: Im looking forward to contributing my knowledge and network in the field of sustainable investments, and working with the rest of the board to help develop Helvetica and its real estate funds. My goal is to create innovative and responsible investment solutions that facilitate both commercial success and a positive impact on society. All press releases can be found under Helvetica.com Helvetica Swiss Commercial Fund (HSC Fund) Listing SIX Swiss Exchange; ticker symbol HSC; Valor 33 550 793; ISIN CH0335507932 Media contacts Peter E. Bodmer Chairman of the Board of Directors T +41 43 544 70 80 peter.bodmer@helvetica.com Marc Giraudon Group-CEO T +41 43 544 70 80 marc.giraudon@helvetica.com About Helvetica Helvetica Property Investors AG, founded in 2006, is a leading real estate fund and asset management corporation regulated by FINMA. We offer institutional investors and private investors lasting value through long-term ownership of stable real estate assets with solid returns. With our fully integrated real estate asset platform, we cover the entire value chain, develop customer-specific investment solutions, and provide standardized investment products: The listed HSC Fund for commercial property, the HSO Fund for special commercial property, and the HSL Fund for residential property invest in attractive locations across Switzerland with good transport connections to regional economic centers. Our commitment to a sustainable future takes into account ESG requirements along the entire real estate life and investment cycle, and is formally integrated at fund level. Helvetica.com Disclaimer This media release does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of Art. 35 et seq. of the Federal Act on Financial Services or Art. 27 et seq. of the Listing Rules of SIX Swiss Exchange Ltd, nor a basic information sheet. It does not constitute an offer or a recommendation to subscribe for or redeem fund units but is intended solely for information purposes. This media release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to uncertainties and risks and may change. Historical performance is no guarantee of current or future performance. The performance data do not take into account any commissions and costs charged on the subscription and redemption of units. The documents that are solely relevant for an investment decision, the prospectus with integrated fund contract as well as the current annual report can be obtained free of charge from the fund management company. This media release is not addressed to persons resident and/or domiciled outside Switzerland. In particular, this media release may not be made available or handed over to US persons within the meaning of the US Securities Act or US tax regulations, nor may it be distributed in the USA. In case of doubt, the German version shall prevail. End of Inside Information The neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester hospital in Chester. Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPA The mother of a baby girl murdered by Lucy Letby has demanded an apology from the hospital for dozens of failings that allowed her daughter to be preyed on by the nurse. The Thirlwall inquiry was told on Tuesday that Child D, a premature newborn girl, was in a good condition before she was attacked three times by Letby overnight at the Countess of Chester hospital in 2015. Letby, 34, is serving a whole-life prison term after being convicted of murdering Child D and six other babies, and attempting to murder seven others, following two trials at Manchester crown court. The mother of Child D told the inquiry into the killings that her life crumbled when her two-day-old daughter died on the hospitals neonatal unit in the early hours of 22 June 2015. Giving evidence on Tuesday, she described how she felt she was losing her mind as she demanded the medical notes and pushed for investigations into her daughters death. My husband was extremely worried because I was asking too many questions and requesting notes and I was investigating and going to the police and I felt I was losing my mind, she told the inquiry chair, Lady Justice Thirlwall. Months after Child Ds death, the witness said, a review concluded she should have been provided with antibiotics earlier but that this might not have changed the outcome for her daughter. A postmortem examination had attributed the newborns death to acute pneumonia. Child Ds mother said she kept pushing for answers, including writing to the coroner to request a full inquest into her daughters death, because it just didnt match up. She said she felt dismissed and very upset after being fed rubbish by the hospital and its medical director, Ian Harvey. She accused Harvey of lying to the public when he claimed in a BBC News article in February 2017 that investigations had concluded into the increased rate of neonatal deaths and that families could now be fully informed. She said that even three months later she was getting nothing, no answers. It was only on the morning that Letby was arrested, in July 2018, that she learned of any police involvement despite their investigation beginning more than a year earlier, she told the inquiry. She added: We had to piece the whole picture together pretty much during the trial. Thats when we were finding out information and thats when things started to make sense. But to me if I wasnt failed in the first place by the Countess in dozens of ways and all against the protocol and guidelines they should have followed my daughter wouldnt have ended up in intensive care, I wouldnt end up poorly and destroyed, and she wouldnt end up in a place where someone is preying on babies. She said the Countess of Chester hospital NHS foundation trust should apologise to all the families who have suffered. The Countess of Chester hospital said in its opening statement that it was profoundly sorry for the families suffering. Harvey and other senior managers have said they were deeply sorry for failures in communicating with the bereaved parents. In hindsight, we should have communicated far better than we did, they said in a written statement published last week. Child Ds mother said she felt very uneasy in Letbys presence before her daughter became seriously unwell, recalling how she told her husband she felt uncomfortable with the nurse just watching with apparently no other reason to be in the room. With the benefit of hindsight and what I know now [and] I had what some would call instinct, I felt very uneasy in her presence. The report says that, despite police chiefs promising change, little progress has been made and failings within police forces are systemic. Photograph: Britpix/Alamy Male police officers accused of domestic abuse were promoted into positions tackling rape and violence against women, rather than being punished, according to a new report. The report from the Centre for Womens Justice is based on the testimony of more than 200 women who allege attacks by their police officer partners. It concludes that, despite promises from police chiefs of change, little progress has been made and failings are systemic. Almost half of the women were police employees, with the vast majority reporting incidents and failings in the last four years. One victims alleged abuser was promoted to the rank of chief inspector, despite having two separate rape allegations against him from two women. Another male officer with two separate allegations from two women was later placed in his forces anti-corruption department. In another case it is alleged that an abuser helps lead his forces efforts protecting women against violence. His victim, who was also a police officer, was placed on compassionate leave while her alleged attacker continued to work. She has now left that force. The report from the CWJ follows its super complaint four years ago. It says little has changed, despite a flurry of initiatives. The report says: There is still ample evidence to show that there are still far too many police officers escaping sanction, despite multiple allegations of abuse, with some rising through the ranks and even promoted to roles with responsibility for policing rape and domestic abuse. Forty-five per cent of the women who came forward are themselves police officers or staff and frequently report victimisation if they dare to report a fellow officer. Police chiefs vowed to change after the super complaint and the pressure intensified after a series of revelations that police failings left two officers free to attack women with catastrophic consequences. The Angiolini inquiry found that Wayne Couzens should never have been a police officer but vetting failures and the bungling of sex attack claims against him led him to be an elite Metropolitan police officer entrusted with a gun. He kidnapped and murdered Sarah Everard in March 2021. David Carrick survived in the Met despite multiple complaints against him, before being convicted of 85 serious offences including 48 rapes. The CWJ report says the police are still failing victims: They are still having to battle against a lack of independence in investigations, minimisation of offending behaviour by investigating officers, a disproportionate response to counter-allegations, failures to pursue misconduct investigations and poor data collection, so connections are not made, even where there are multiple allegations. The report includes harrowing case studies. One woman, only named as Suzanne, a serving police officer, said that she and her ex-husbands subsequent wife made allegations of domestic abuse against him but no action was taken. The male officer continues to work in a frontline role which brings him into contact with vulnerable victim/survivors, the report says. The Met police, the largest force in the UK, faced 16 allegations in the report, the most of the 43 forces in England and Wales. Devon and Cornwall faced 15 allegations and is being sued for failings by women including those who served in its ranks. The CWJ found men used the system to take revenge against those they allegedly attacked. Farah (not her real name) reported her police officer partner for attacking her and photographed her injuries. Officers from the same station where her partner worked investigated, and no action was taken. The report says: Three days after doing so, she was arrested on counter-allegations of harassment. She was 20 weeks pregnant at the time and was detained in a police cell for an entire day. She was subsequently released on bail, but was required to return for questioning on three separate occasions. The third occasion was just three days after she had given birth The case against her was only discontinued when the CPS became involved. Farah was also accused of contacting her alleged attacker in breach of her bail conditions, when she called 101 to leave a message that she had given birth to their child. The report says police chiefs are formulating plans without the experience of victims being at the centre of shaping them. Harriet Wistrich of the CWJ said: The stories we are seeing are alarming and we are yet to see the transformation taking place, despite the initiatives and announcements that have been made. Maggie Blyth, a deputy chief constable and deputy CEO at the College of Policing, said: We know change hasnt been quick enough, and much more needs to be done to ensure women and girls feel safe. We have made improvements to root out those who are not fit to wear the uniform, and ensure our workforce upholds our code of ethics and meets the very highest standards. We will ensure criminal and misconduct investigations are carried out impartially, and it is crucial we listen, support, and adopt a victim-first approach. Sir Mark Rowley will say in a speech that his officers must be given the resources they need in order to take the fight to criminals Metropolitan Police officers are struggling to fight crime because of a shortfall in the forces budget worth hundreds of millions of pounds, Sir Mark Rowley will warn on Wednesday. Financial pressures are making it difficult for the countrys biggest force to invest properly in the new technology and staffing needed to tackle crime, he will say. Sir Mark and Dame Lynne Owens, his deputy, will tell an audience at the Police Foundation, a think tank, that policing protests has also had a huge impact on the Mets ability to concentrate on making London safer. He will warn that it is the lack of long-term investment in policing, along with recent unforeseen hits to the forces budget, that has made his task of reforming the Met such a challenge. In March, the Telegraph revealed that 60 murder detectives across London were being axed as the Met grappled with a 400 million funding shortfall. Since then the force has also had to pay a 80 million fine for failing to meet recruitment targets and been left massively out of pocket because of a lower-than-expected settlement from the National and International Capital City Grant which compensates the Met for having to meet the extra responsibilities that come with policing a capital city. Scotland Yard has been relying heavily on financial reserves to mask the budget shortfalls in recent years but those funds are beginning to run low. Sir Mark Rowley (left) and Dame Lynne Owens, his deputy, will speak to the Police Foundation think tank on Wednesday - Kirsty O'Connor/PA Archive Sir Mark has appealed to the Government and City Hall for more money but, in the meantime, every department in Scotland Yard has been told to make savings and find efficiencies. In his speech, he will reflect on his first two years as Commissioner and will highlight the progress made including in rooting out corrupt officers. He will praise his staff for their bravery in constantly running towards danger, including during the deadly Hainault machete attack in May, in which two police officers were seriously wounded. However, he will warn that in order to take the fight to criminals his officers must be set up to succeed and given the tools and resources they need. Sir Mark will also use the speech to call for reforms to the accountability system, which he will warn is impacting the morale and motivation of those on the front line. Earlier this year a review of police accountability recommended raising the threshold at which cases are referred to the Crown Prosecution Service and ordered that disciplinary investigations were speeded up. However, Sir Mark said the Government needed to go further to reassure officers on the front line who were losing confidence to use force. A diver at site of Mike Lynchs wrecked superyacht - Italian Coastguard/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Italian navy divers are reportedly racing to retrieve Mike Lynchs personal hard drives from the wreck of the Bayesian, amid speculation they contain material of interest to intelligence services. Seven people, including the British tech entrepreneur and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, died when the superyacht sank in bad weather off the coast of Sicily last month. Investigators from Palermo said that no personal items had yet been recovered from the shipwreck, but Italian special forces divers have brought up potentially crucial video equipment which could explain how the Bayesian sank. The Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported that Mr Lynch kept two encrypted hard drives in a safe because he did not trust the cloud with controversial documents. The Italian media outlet claimed that the tech entrepreneur counted MI5, the US National Security Agency and the Israeli secret service as clients, heightening the interest in his personal hard drives. The tech tycoon Mr Lynch died when his superyacht sank - Simon Dawson/Bloomberg Sources close to Mr Lynchs family downplayed the claims, suggesting there was no evidence he had access to intelligence material. Darktrace, the cybersecurity company that he co-founded, employed many ex-intelligence officers, which has prompted speculation that the company still held some ties to spying agencies. Mr Lynch founded Darktrace with Stephen Huxter, who had been a high-ranking official in MI5s cyber defence team, and later bolstered its advisory board with Jonathan Evans, the former head of MI5, and Andrew France, a GCHQ veteran. Mr Lynchs company also hired Jim Penrose, who had previously worked for the National Security Agency in the US, and Dave Palmer, who worked at MI5 and GCHQ. However, Mr Lynch had not been involved in running the business for several years. Rescue workers plan their recovery operation - VIGILI DEL FIOCO/AFP The tech entrepreneurs first business endeavour, the fingerprint recognition company Cambridge Neurodynamics, did hold contracts with the UK intelligence agencies. Speaking to Wired magazine in 2002, Mr Lynch said: They have the most interesting problems. A big James Bond fan, the tech entrepreneur named conference rooms in his companys headquarters after villains such as Dr No and Goldfinger. He even installed a fish tank full of piranhas in the reception of tech company Autonomy, the subject of fraud charges of which he was cleared in San Francisco, as an ode to You Only Live Twice. The search of Bayesian continues after six divers, from an Italian navy unit akin to Britains Special Boat Service, recovered video surveillance systems, computers and hard drives which will be sent to specialised labs, a source close to the investigation told Reuters. It is hoped that, if the equipment was recovered intact, it may help investigators find out what happened on the night of the sinking. Italian Coastguard at Porticello during the search for those on the yacht - JONATHAN BRADY/PA La Repubblica reported that the only hard drives brought to the surface so far are part of the ships own IT equipment. It has been suggested that the yacht was hit by a meteorological phenomenon known as a downburst. Fifteen people, including Mr Lynchs wife, Angela Bacares, survived the disaster after being rescued by a nearby yacht. The other victims of the Aug 19 tragedy were Recaldo Thomas, the ships Antiguan-Canadian chef; Jonathan Bloomer, the Morgan Stanley International bank chairman, and his wife, Judy; and Chris Morvillo, a Clifford Chance lawyer, and his wife, Neda. The Bayesian will be raised from its depth of 165ft and brought to shore as part of the investigation into how it sank off the fishing town of Porticello. James Cutfield, 51, the New Zealand skipper of the Bayesian, is under investigation for multiple manslaughter and causing a deadly shipwreck, along with two British crew members: Tim Parker Eaton, 56, and Matthew Griffiths, 22. The Princess confirmed, in a video released last week, that she had completed her cancer treatment - Will Warr/AFP The Princess of Wales has returned to work for the first time since starting cancer treatment with a meeting about her early childhood project. Catherine appeared in the Court Circular, the official record of the Royal familys activities, for a meeting at Windsor Castle as she begins easing back into a handful of engagements over the coming months. It comes after she confirmed, in a video released last week, that she had completed her treatment. The entry, published in The Telegraph, reads: The Princess of Wales, Joint Patron, The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, this afternoon held an Early Years Meeting at Windsor Castle. She is understood to have been joined by members of her team at the Centre for Early Childhood, as well as Kensington Palace staff. It is the first meeting noted in the Court Circular this year since the Princess withdrew from public life, first for major abdominal surgery and then for chemotherapy. Earlier this month, she released a video explaining that she had finished her course of preventative treatment and looked forward to returning to work in a limited capacity. Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus, she said on Sep 9. 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. The Princess is expected, health permitting, to attend a Remembrance Sunday service in support of the Royal family, veterans and their families. She is also planning to host her annual carol concert at Westminster Abbey in December. No other engagements have been confirmed, allowing her to make last-minute decisions based on how she is feeling and what her doctors recommend. She is said to have been kept updated on her early years project throughout her illness, when she has been well enough to work from home. The appearance in the Court Circular will be considered a major step back towards normality. The Princess last appeared in its pages for a meeting in an entry from Dec 12, which read identically: The Princess of Wales, Joint Patron, the Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, this morning held an Early Years Meeting at Windsor Castle. The Prince and Princess live with their children in Adelaide Cottage, in the grounds of Windsor Home Park near the castle. She has appeared in the Court Circular on two other occasions this year, for Trooping the Colour and Wimbledon. Sources have indicated that she will be undertaking engagements when she can, describing it variously as a light programme of work and a handful of pencilled-in engagements. They pointed out that, as with any patient who has just finished chemotherapy, it is hard to plan for the future. Ive been a food writer for 20 years and judged in countless food awards, so I thought Id put Jamie Olivers new range to the test - Russell Sach So, Jamie Oliver, the TV chef who persuaded us to cook tasty and nutritious meals from scratch, has launched his own frozen food range. Hes right, of course, when he argues that many of us lack the time and inspiration to ensure every meal is homemade. But how healthy are frozen ready meals? And how does Olivers range compare in terms of nutritiousness and taste to similar products in the freezer aisle? First up, the health bit: frozen ready meals are often more nutritious than chilled versions. Thats because the food once harvested or prepared is frozen very quickly and there is little time for nutrients to be lost, compared to the timescales involved in putting fresh food on the shelves, says Rupert Ashby, the chief executive of the British Frozen Food Federation. For example, frozen foods retain much more vitamin C than those kept in the chilled section. Freezing food is also a natural preservative, so theres no need for additives to be included to increase the shelf life, as is sometimes done with chilled ready meals, Ashby says. However, some frozen ready meals do contain additives, and count as ultra-processed foods (UPFs), the kind were encouraged to steer clear of for the sake of our health. But how delicious and healthy are they overall? Ive been a food writer for 20 years and judged in countless food awards, so I thought Id put Jamie Olivers new range to the test alongside similar products in the frozen section. Which brands come out on top? Lasagne Enriched with tasty beef stock and herbs, this has good flavour and comes out of the container cleanly. But theres too much pasta versus meat for my taste, and the pulled beef is so finely ground the dish has no texture. With 3.3g of salt and 10.2g of saturated fat, one serve contains more than half the recommended daily limit of both (6g and 20g respectively). However, the saturated fat content is the lowest of the brands tested. Technically this counts as UPF (yeast extract) but contains no colourings, flavourings, emulsifiers or preservatives, and has the lowest sugar content of the lasagnes tested. Available from Iceland now and Waitrose from October 4, 4 Contains significantly more meat than other lasagnes tested, although the flavour is a let-down; strangely sweet but otherwise bland, with an unpleasant aftertaste and grainy bechamel. Comes out of the container cleanly. Although quite salty, this product contains the least amount of salt of the lasagnes tested (2.3g) and similar levels of saturated fat (10.7g) to Jamies. Counts as a UPF (modified maize starch and the pancetta is loaded with additives and preservatives). Available from Iceland 5 (serves two) Looks and tastes homemade with nutmeg notes in the bechamel sauce and visible tomato and onion in the rich beef and pork ragu. Comes out of the tray neatly. Disappointing that herbs slightly overpower the meat flavour. Contains quite a lot of salt at 2.58g (although less than Jamies), significantly more sugar (13.5g) and not far off the entire daily recommended intake of saturated fat (17.9g) in one serve. Not UPF but quite high in calories. Available online, Cook stores and some Co-op supermarkets 5.95 This looks appetising with a rich tomato sauce and herb-flecked top and the beef not too finely ground, so has a decent texture. Pleasant to eat and comes out of the tray neatly. The highest in salt and sugar of the lasagnes tested, the second highest in saturated fat (16.8g), and the most calories per serve. Contains flavouring and counts as UPF. Available at Tesco, 4 Moussaka The star of this product is the well-flavoured lamb stock and the aubergines taste appealingly fried (what there are of them). However, the dish mostly tastes of potato and herbs. Quite sloppy and hard to serve neatly. Its the lowest in salt of the moussakas tested at 2.2g per serve but it contains quite a lot of sugar (12.7g). It technically counts as UPF (yeast extract) but contains no colourings, flavourings, emulsifiers or preservatives. Available from Iceland now and Waitrose from October 4, 4 A runny, almost soup-like product thats virtually impossible to serve neatly. It has pleasant notes of mint but its lacking flavour and aubergines. Its the highest in saturated fat at 15.6g but lowest in sugar (6.8g) of the moussakas tested. At the higher end of the calorie range, too, and technically counts as UPF (yeast extract). Available at Tesco, 3 This tastes like authentic moussaka, with lovely notes of cinnamon and oregano, and nutmeg sings in the rich bechamel. But its quite potato-heavy I would welcome more aubergine. Its the lowest in saturated fat and calories, but the highest in sugar (12.9g) of the moussakas tested. It counts as UPF as it contains emulsifiers and flavourings. Available online at Cook stores and some Co-op supermarkets, 5.95 A tale of two halves: the rich bechamel sauce is nicely spiked with nutmeg, but the aubergines are bland and under-seasoned, the potatoes watery. Overall, the taste was not great. Its the highest in salt (2.4g) and calories of the moussakas tested, and this product is also relatively high in saturated fat (14.7g) with almost three-quarters of the daily recommended intake in one serve. It counts as UPF (yeast extract, modified maize starch) but no colourings, flavourings, emulsifiers or preservatives. Available at Iceland, 3.75 Cottage Pie I counted just five pieces of beef in the gravy, but they were chunky and the flavour of the good stock and red wine shone through. Crunchy breadcrumbs on top added welcome texture. This product was tricky to serve, as it stuck to the bottom of the container, and is quite salty. At 3.2g per serve, this is the saltiest cottage pie tested and the saturated fat (10.1g) accounts for more than half the recommended daily intake. Technically a UPF (yeast extract) but contains no colourings, flavourings, emulsifiers or preservatives. Available from Iceland now and Waitrose from October 4, 4 This tastes the least like a ready meal of any of the products I tested. The flavour is delicious: the meat and sauce rich with wine and herbs, the mash buttery. It came out of the container cleanly, and the layers held together. This contains significantly less saturated fat than Jamies (8.7g) but about the same amount of salt and sugar. A pity about the flavourings and additives that make it UPF. Available at Cook stores and online, and some Co-op supermarkets 4.60 The least appealing of the products tested, the meat and sauce were gelatinous and devoid of flavour. The mash needs seasoning, and has a powdery, grainy texture. It contains the lowest amount of salt, sugar and saturated fat of all the cottage pies tested, and also the fewest calories. Technically counts as UPF (yeast extract) but no flavourings, colourings or preservatives. Available at Asda, 4.50 (serves four) One of the sloppier products tested it was hard to tell the difference between the meat and potato in consistency. It lacked flavour and seasoning, and left a fatty aftertaste. This is the highest in saturated fat of the cottage pies tested (13.6g) but contains much less salt and sugar than Jamies. Technically counts as UPF (yeast extract, modified maize starch) but no colourings, flavourings or preservatives. Available at Iceland, 5 (serves two) Teresa Ribera will be tasked with ensuring Europe remains on track during the green deal to restore biodiversity and mitigate climate breakdown. Photograph: Martin Divisek/EPA Spains deputy prime minister, the outspoken Socialist Teresa Ribera, will take charge of Europes clean transition and antitrust enforcement, in a powerful role at the heart of the next European Commission. Ribera is to become one of six executive vice-presidents in the incoming EU executive led by Ursula von der Leyen, which is expected to start work at the end of the year. The French president Emmanuel Macrons close ally Stephane Sejourne, another vice-president pick, gets a sprawling portfolio in charge of industrial policy, while the Italian far-right leader Giorgia Melonis choice, Raffaele Fitto, will oversee funding for Europes poorer regions. Von der Leyen, the first woman to lead the commission, outlined the choices for her team of 26 top officials in Strasbourg on Tuesday. After weeks of wrangling with national capitals that nominate candidates, the final list was a careful balancing act of geography, party affiliation and gender. It was also a show of strength by von der Leyen, who strong-armed some governments into providing female candidates. She oversaw the departure of some of her sternest critics, including Frances Thierry Breton, who was expected to serve a second-term in Brussels until his shock resignation on Monday, when he criticised questionable governance at the commission. The decision to award Fitto a vice-presidential post is already proving controversial in the European parliament, however, especially among Green and Socialist MEPs whose support was crucial to von der Leyens successful reelection in July. Defending the move, the commission president noted that two of the European parliaments 14 vice-presidents came from Fittos ECR faction. Italy is a very important country and one of our founding members and this also has to reflect in the choice, she said. It was perhaps a tacit admission that while all member states are equal under the EU treaties, some carry more weight than others. The co-leader of the Green group Terry Reintke said Fittos nomination to a vice-presidency was a big concern for our group and could endanger the pro-democratic majority in the European parliament that voted for Ursula von der Leyen in July. Ribera, a veteran advocate of climate action, has been tasked with leading the EUs clean industrial deal to promote green companies that von der Leyen promised to publish in the first 100 days of her next mandate. Ribera, von der Leyen said, would make sure Europe remains on track during the European green deal. The climate emergency is the major backdrop of all we are doing, von der Leyen said, while adding that security and Europes competitiveness had also emerged as dominant themes in setting the priorities for her incoming commission. The former Italian prime minister Mario Draghi last week warned that Europe needed an 800bn spending boost plus deep-rooted reforms to avert a slow and agonising decline. Citing the Draghi report, von der Leyen also tasked Ribera with leading the work to bring down European energy prices and end dependency on fossil fuels. In an unprecedented move, Ribera has also been designated competition commissioner, traditionally one of the most powerful jobs in Brussels. She will be following in the footsteps of Margrethe Vestager, the high-flying Danish politician who ordered Apple to repay 13bn in underpaid taxes during a decade-long crusade against aggressive tax planning. Four of the six vice-president nominees are women, while the overall team of EU commissioners is 40% female. While this falls short of von der Leyens aim of achieving a gender-balanced commission, it is an improvement on a few weeks ago, when barely one-fifth of the candidates were women. Von der Leyen told reporters that she had been on track for 22% women and 78% men, which was completely unacceptable, so I worked intensively with the member states and we were able to improve the share. For the first time there will be EU commissioners for defence (Lithuanias former prime minister Andrius Kubilius) and housing (Denmarks Dan Jrgensen, who is also in charge of energy policy). Croatias Dubravka Suica the only woman to return to the commission for a second term, apart from von der Leyen, gets the new job of commissioner for the Mediterranean. Another returnee, the Netherlands Wopke Hoekstra, will be commissioner for climate, net zero and clean growth and is expected to represent the bloc in international negotiations on the climate crisis. On paper, he and Jrgensen are more junior to Ribera. Luxembourg MEP, Christophe Hansen, has been appointed farming commissioner. A member of the centre-right European Peoples party, Hansen and Hoekstra are seen as balancing Ribera, whose appointment to a big climate role has unnerved some centre-right politicians. Ribera is not afraid to speak her mind. In the run-up to the European elections, she criticised von der Leyen for refusing to rule out working with Melonis hard-right European Conservatives and Reformists faction. The EPP celebrated having 14 of the 27 places at the commissions top table, including von der Leyen, cementing its dominance as Europes strongest political force that has won every European election for 25 years. EU commissioners are akin to government ministers: they are responsible for drafting and enforcing EU laws on climate and nature protection, the single market, economy technology, energy, as well as overseeing the blocs foreign policy and negotiating trade deals. Each EU member state sends a commissioner to Brussels, who is meant to represent the common European interest, rather than national positions. All commissioner candidates will be questioned in the European parliament in hearings expected to take place in October. MEPs typically reject two or three commissioners, before voting on whether to approve the entire commission. Hungarys nominee, Oliver Varhelyi, picked for a second term, is seen as especially vulnerable. EU officials expect the new commission to take office on 1 December. Members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stand guard at a rally in Tehran - Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images On October 7 last year, Hamas terrorists invaded Israel and brutally murdered more than 1,200 men, women, and children. They kidnapped another 250, to prolong their suffering. For many, this was a catastrophe that occurred far, far away. Understandably, the massacre, and ensuing war between Israel and Hamas, is not a daily priority for most people here in Britain. But what if I was to tell you the threat is much closer to home? What if I told you that Hamas, a brutal terrorist organisation, has some of its agents walking our streets? And that its masters in Iran work to sow division in our communities, operating from buildings in the UK where we know they are plotting attacks on British residents. This is the reality. Iran, with its malevolent ayatollahs in Tehran screaming that the UK is Little Satan to Americas Great Satan, seeks to undermine our way of life. Demonstrators burn British and US flags in Tehran to protest at strikes against the Houthis - Vahid Salemi/AP The worlds chief sponsor of terror, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), uses its 5 billion budget to spread chaos, not just across the Middle East, but here in the UK too. They control armies of terrorists who even threaten the shipping lanes we all rely on for goods and food we have here in Britain. To the far south, the Houthis in Yemen, fire rockets at our ships as they approach the Suez Canal. Only last week, we learnt that Iran has sent 200 ballistic missiles to Russia for the dictator Vladimir Putin to rain down on our allies, the people of Ukraine. In return, our intelligence agencies suspect Russia is sharing nuclear secrets with Iran, a regime set on building a nuclear bomb to wipe Israel off the map. Making up this axis of autocracy is China, the economic superpower bankrolling Russia and Iran by buying large quantities of their oil they cannot sell elsewhere. All the while, China grows in power, threatening not just Taiwan, but the values of freedom and equality we share in the West. President Xi Jinping continues to pick off weaker nations with loans that can never be repaid, seizing ports and territory with economic blackmail. Sir Keir Starmer has only been Prime Minister for a couple of months. In that time its difficult to even begin solving some of these bigger problems we face. But already he is making serious mistakes which are setting our country on a dangerous path. David Lammy has previously told how Labours government would ban the IRGC - Frank Augstein/PA In the face of Chinese hostility, his Government cowers, refusing to call them a threat to our national security despite MI5 warning that Chinese espionage is taking place on an epic scale. Labour carelessly talks once again of the UK handing over the Chagos territory, strategic islands in the Indian Ocean, which both we and our allies rely upon for projecting power. The plan is to give the islands to Mauritius, a tiny nation over which China exerts great influence. In government we blocked this. We must hope Labour does not buckle. Vital protections for free speech at our universities have been reversed, reportedly to placate Beijing. In the face of Russian aggression, Sir Keir has delayed a critical increase in defence spending. And on Iran, Labour dithers. In opposition Sir Keirs party repeatedly made a virtue of their promise to proscribe, or ban, the IRGC, designating it a terrorist organisation. David Lammy told how Labours government would ban the IRGC, again and again. Now, he tells us climate change is a bigger threat than terrorism. Try to explain that to the victims of terror attacks. Instead of forking out 11 billion for overseas climate aid, he should be prioritising spending on our under-powered military and increasing defence spending to three per cent of GDP. As a minister in government, I consistently argued behind the scenes for proscription of the IRGC. Alongside colleagues, including staunch campaigner on this issue Sir Iain Duncan Smith, I brought a backbench motion to ban the IRGC. Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are part of axis of autocracy - Sergei Bobylev/Sputnik Sadly we did not win the argument within government, in large part because of a Foreign Office orthodoxy that sought to block all these moves, with vague reports of the brilliant access we gained by not banning the Iranian Guards. But now Labour must hold true to their promise, for the safety of our people and the world. On our streets we know that the IRGC has supported groups sowing division with attacks on Jewish people and Israel, which I visited in the aftermath of the Oct 7 attacks. They support mosques, charities and schools to radicalise people in our communities against our British way of life. And they use criminal gangs and thugs to intimidate people on our streets, forcing journalists out of our country last year. MI5 and police revealed they had foiled 15 Iranian assassination plots over a year against UK residents who the regime wants rid of. Proscribing the IRGC would allow UK authorities to crack down much more tightly against groups linked to the Iranian regimes terror sponsors. This is vital for our security. It will send a clear signal that the IRGCs actions in the UK, and around the globe, are a threat to our way of life, and that we draw a clear line that must not be crossed. We cannot be pushovers. Because to lack confidence now, to fail to stop Iran in its tracks, only stores up bigger problems for the future. Its a lesson the world has learnt to its cost before. And one that we must not forget. Thames Water has more than 15 billion of debt, and said in July that it only had enough money to continue trading until the end of May - Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg Sir Keir Starmer is planning to allow water bills across the country to be raised to pay for a Government bailout of Thames Water. New legislation will let the Government charge all water companies the full 10 billion cost if ministers decide to take over the struggling company. These charges would probably be passed on to consumers in the form of higher bills. It comes after the Governments decision to scrap the winter fuel allowance for the vast majority of pensioners, cutting them off from help with their energy bills. On Tuesday night, ministers said the new powers were a last resort and would only be used if the Government could not find a buyer for the company who would agree to absorb the costs. Thames Water has more than 15 billion of debt, and said in July that it only had enough money to continue trading until the end of May next year. In August, Thames Water said it needed to raise customer bills by nearly 60 per cent by 2030, despite Ofwat, the regulator, saying increases should be capped at 23 per cent. It is the largest water company in the country, supplying 16 million people. Critics say that Ofwat is making the company uninvestable, meaning it is more likely the Government will have to step in to take it over. It is believed such a bailout would cost 10 billion over a decade. An industry source said: In seeking these new powers, ministers are stepping up preparations to take over the running of Thames Water, with all bill-payers in England set to pay the price. Letting Thames enter into special administration would defeat the stated purpose of Ofwats hardline approach, which is to protect consumers from higher bills. Under Labours current plans, households all over the country stand to lose out in this scenario. Although the Government has ruled out nationalising Thames Water, ministers could be forced to step in through a special administration regime (SAR) if the company fails to attract the investment it needs to stay afloat. Analysis this month found that taking over Thames Water would cost the Government a third more than it has saved by cutting the winter fuel allowance 10 billion compared with 7.5 billion over five years. New powers in the Water (Special Measures) Bill will give ministers the power to pass the costs of the intervention on to other water companies. Supporting documentation makes it clear that the powers apply to all water companies, not just those taken into special administration. The new policy was not highlighted when the legislation was unveiled last week by Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary. It means that, unless a private sector solution is found for Thames Water, the new powers could be activated within months. A source in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the powers to pass costs on to the companies would be a last resort. The source said that, in the unlikely event that the Government could not get the full cost of the company in a private sale, it would consult on how to raise the money to pay for the shortfall. Passing the cost to water companies would only be one option, and it would be up to the company to decide whether to pass on the costs to consumers through their bills. If the full 10 billion cost of intervention was fully transferred to bill payers, more than 200 could be added to the average bill over the five-year period. Many residents in the North already pay more than Thames Water customers. The industry source said: People in the rest of the country will be furious to discover they could start effectively subsidising lower bills in London. This can be avoided, and more money put into the sector, if Ofwat adjusts its approach to unlock private sector investment. The policy statement that accompanied the Bill states: Its likely that Government funding would be required to fund a water company SAR Broadly speaking, the funding provided by Government is recouped from the proceeds at the exit of a SAR (for example, selling the company to new owners). However, there may be a risk that taxpayers money is not fully recovered from the proceeds of a SAR This additional power will give flexibility to the Secretary of State to recover any shortfall in funding in a manner appropriate to the circumstances. For example, they will be able to decide if they want to use this power and whether losses are recovered from a single company, some or all water companies. Insiders believe there is no guarantee that serious equity offers will come forward for Thames Water in special administration without the regulatory framework changing to offer a sustainable pathway to recovery for the company. This would leave the Government running Thames Water on the public balance sheet, along with any other companies that enter SAR for years to come. A Defra spokesman said: In the unlikely event of Special Administration Regime, these new measures in the Water Bill will protect taxpayers. This Government will always act to protect customers and the public. Donald Trump has drawn attention to the plight of Springfield, Ohio - Luke Sharrett /Getty Springfield, Ohio, is a small midwestern town of fewer than 60,000 residents. Its also host to a sudden influx of as many as 15,000 refugees from Haiti. The shock to schools, hospitals, welfare services, and the availability of housing from the immigrant surge is staggering. It would be hard enough for a larger city to absorb such numbers in just a short time. To the citizens of places as small as Springfield, it can feel like being colonised. The refugees are almost certainly not eating pet cats and dogs. Yet by alluding to such wild rumors Donald Trump succeeded in getting the national media to talk about Springfields transformation. It took a myth to bring the truth to light. And it took Trump to put small-town Ohio on the political map. His voters are driven not by fear of immigrants but by outrage at the way their own lives have been upended by policies made far away in Washington, DC or indeed in foreign capitals from Port-au-Prince to Beijing. Without Trump, the discontented citizens of Springfields across America go unheard. There are local businesses that welcome a new Haitian workforce. Small-town politicians, in turn, want the growing tax revenue that comes from the businesses, as well as state and federal aid dollars doled out in support of the immigrants. These economic incentives, however, are anti-democratic, separating the interests of local elites from those of the ordinary citizen who has to deal with overcrowded hospitals and roads made more hazardous by immigrants without drivers licenses. Springfield was a scene of tragedy last year when an immigrant driving without a license plowed his car into a school bus, killing an 11-year-old boy. These costs dont appear on the balance sheets of those who say mass immigration is only beneficial. There are as yet no credible reports of immigrants in Springfield eating anyones pet. But in Springfield and elsewhere wildlife can suffer. Geese and ducks that residents enjoy feeding in the park are treated like livestock by outsiders. In Manlius, New York earlier this year an 18-year-old of Burmese immigrant background pleaded guilty to animal cruelty in connection to the killing and eating of Faye, a mute swan that had been donated to the village in 2010. The young mans lawyer claimed the incident was a clash of cultures. In New York City, animal rescuers in Queens this month noted a sharp rise in abuse linked to sacrificial rituals involving Guyanese and Indo-Caribbean communities. Many other cultures simply do not have the same respect for certain animals, whether wild or domestic, that Americans typically have. And the residents of Springfield or Manlius have no way of knowing what Haiti or Burma considers an acceptable catch. Concern for family cats and dogs is a natural response to being confronted with such violent behavior toward other animals Americans are used to treating kindly. Yet the citizens of towns who dont want America to adopt Haitian norms are ignored by elite liberals often even by elite businessmen and politicians in their own neighborhoods until Trumps hyperbolic rhetoric draws attention to their concerns. Then those concerns are denounced in the elite media as so much racism fueled by misinformation. Trumps critics brand him a threat to democracy. The truth is that Trump reintroduces a modicum of democracy into what is otherwise a closed discourse. There is a Springfield in virtually every state in the country. (This is why the hometown of Homer Simpson is a Springfield it could be anywhere in America.) Mass immigration and refugee resettlement programs are changing the lives of Springfielders in every way without their consent. Millions of these voters see Donald Trump, for all his loose talk, as their only hope for reclaiming self-determination. At least he hears what they have to say about immigration. September 16, 2024: Over a year ago it was obvious that drones were dominating the battlefield in Ukraine. In July 2024 a senior Ukrainian defense official once more confirmed this and observed that the dominance of drones in combat was increasing. Since the war began in early 2022 drone use has increased at the expense of traditional artillery. The reasons are obvious. Drones are more flexible, cheaper and come in many different models. Drones can be controlled by nearby operators and sent after targets over a thousand kilometers distant using GPS guidance and several backup systems if electronic jamming of GPS signals is encountered. This situation began once Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022 and both sides quickly lost most of their conventional offensive weapons in combat. These losses included armored vehicles, especially tanks for the Russians. Longer range weapons, like artillery, which delivered most of its fire power to targets 30 kilometers distant and a smaller number of guided missiles, which could reach targets over a hundred kilometers distant, tended to survive the heavy losses suffered by armored vehicles that fought at close range. The Ukrainians quickly ran out of artillery ammunition, were the first to adopt drones because they had to, and the Russians are still trying to catch up. The Russians lost most of their tube artillery in 2023 by burning their tube liners out. By the second half of 2023 both sides had turned to drones, which were cheaper, easier to obtain and provided more flexible alternatives. It was soon discovered that drones had a seemingly endless number of new capabilities. One of the more crucial qualities was the ease of obtaining drones and modifying them or building larger or smaller versions. The technology required for current drone warfare evolved over the last few decades as the commercial quadcopters and hobbyist fixed wing remotely controlled aircraft achieved a degree of maturity in design and reliability. This made it possible for users or developers to confidently and quickly modify existing drones t0 meet their needs. Most of the resulting drones were short range models operating no farther than ten kilometers from their user. This meant the combat zone was a much more dangerous place than it ever had been in the past. The surveillance was constant and round the clock. More expensive drones with night-vision sensors, usually based on a combination of object and heat detection and interpretation, provided adequate surveillance at night or in fog or misty conditions. Then there are logistical considerations. Reusable drones have to be recharged or refueled between missions. Drones built as single-use weapons have to be checked out before actual use. This is especially true for the long-range attack models. These fixed-wing drones go after targets a thousand kilometers or more distant and tend to use a single diesel or gasoline fueled engine. These engines must be sturdy and reliable because everything depends on a reliable propulsion system. Another critical component is the navigation and target acquisition system. Resistance to electronic jamming is essential. Electronic jamming technology is constantly evolving to deal with improved guidance systems that make earlier jammers ineffective or less effective. This makes every new drone design likely to be compromised and obsolete in short order. With the inexpensive technology drones use, rapid evolution is easier to achieve and the ability to quickly develop ways to disrupt new tech is essential. A major limitation was the need for trained drone operators. They need over a hundred hours of training before they are able to start operating these drones, and another hundred hours of actual use before they are able to make the most out of the system. These drones are difficult to shoot down until they get close to the ground and the shooter is close enough, as in less than a few hundred meters, to successfully target a drone with a bullet or two and bring it down. Troops are rarely in position to do this, so most of these drones are able to complete their mission, whether it is a one-way attack or a reconnaissance and surveillance mission. The recon missions are usually survivable and enable the drone to be reused. All these drones are constantly performing surveillance, which means that either side commits enough drones to maintain constant surveillance over a portion of the front line, to a depth, into enemy territory, of at least a few kilometers. The Ukrainians penetrate farther they often have effective drone coverage 20 kilometers into Russian-held territory. This makes it extremely difficult for the Russians to supply their front-line troops, even with drinking water. This massive use of FPV (First Person Viewing) armed drones has revolutionized warfare in Ukraine and both sides are producing as many as they can. Not having enough of these to match the number the enemy has in a portion of the front means you are at a serious disadvantage in that area. These drones are still evolving in terms of design and use and becoming more effective and essential. Ukraine has created a new branch of their military, the Drone Force. This is in addition to the Ukrainian Air Force that consists of manned aircraft. The Drone Force does not control the drones Ukrainian forces use regularly, but does contribute to developing new drone models and organizing mass production for those new models that are successful. Drones have been an unexpected development that had a huge impact on how battles in the Ukraines current war are fought. Drones were successful because they were cheap, easily modified, and expendable. Both Russian and Ukrainian forces were soon using cheap, at about $500 each, quadcopter drones controlled by soldiers a kilometer or more away using FPV goggles to see what the day/night video camera on the drone can see. Adding night vision at least doubles the cost for each drone, so not all of them have that capability. Each of these drones carries half a kilogram of explosives, so it can instantly turn the drone into a flying bomb that can fly into a target and detonate. This is an awesome and debilitating weapon when used in large numbers over the combat zone. If a target isnt moving or requires more explosive power that the drones can supply, one of the drone operators can call in artillery, rocket, or missile fire, or even an airstrike. Larger, fixed wing drones are used for long range, often over a thousand kilometers, operations against targets deep inside Russia. Armed FPV drones have revolutionized warfare in Ukraine and both sides are producing as many as they can. Earlier in the Ukraine War Russia used Iranian Shahed-136 drones that Iran sold for about $200,000 each. Ukraine demonstrated that you could design and build drones with similar capabilities at less than a tenth of what the Shahed-136. The Iranian drone was more complex than it needed to be. Even the Russians soon realized this and turned from the Shahed-136 for more capable drones they copied from Ukrainian designs or ones Russians designed. Ukrainian drone proliferation began when many individual Ukrainians or small teams designed and built drones. The drones served as potential candidates for widespread use and mass production. This proliferation of designers and manufacturers led to rapid evolution of drone capabilities and uses. Those who could not keep up were less successful in combat and suffered higher losses. Military leaders in other nations have noted this and are scrambling to equip their own forces with the most effective drones. Not having enough of these to match the number the enemy has in a portion of the front means you are at a serious disadvantage in that area. These drones are still evolving in terms of design and use and becoming more effective and essential. One countermeasure that can work for a while is electronic jamming of the drones control signal. Drone guidance systems are constantly modified or upgraded to cope with this. Most drones have flight control software that sends drones with jammed control signals back to where they took off from to land for later use. The jammers are on the ground and can be attacked by drones programmed to home in on the jamming signal. Countermeasures can be overcome and the side that can do this more quickly and completely has an advantage. That advantage is usually temporary because both sides are putting a lot of effort into keeping their combat drones effective on the battlefield. Air forces have ceased to be dominant when it comes to influencing the war on the ground. This is despite efforts to maintain their ability to bomb targets in direct support of ground operations. Air forces traditionally have blind spots in tactical air reconnaissance which hurts their overall effectiveness. Blame this on a bad attitude towards BDA (Bomb Damage Assessment). This is the business of figuring out what to bomb, and what the impact on the enemy is after you bomb. The problem of the air force leaders being deceived by the people on the ground being bombed began during World War II. This was when air forces used large scale aerial bombing for the first time. Right after that conflict, the U.S. did a thorough survey of the impact of strategic bombing on Germany and Japan. It was discovered that the impact was far different from what air force BDA during the war had indicated. The U.S. air force vowed to do better next time. But as experience in Korea (1950-3), Vietnam (1965-72), Kuwait (1991) and Kosovo (1999), Iraq (2003), the war on terror (since 2002) demonstrated, the enemy on the ground continued to have an edge when it came to deceiving the most energetic BDA efforts. Starting in 2022, the Ukraine War revealed the BDA situation had changed, because of the constant drone presence. Before drones, the only proven technique for beating the BDA problem was to have people on the ground, up close, checking up on targets, while the fighting was going on. Those with powerful air forces do not want to do this because of the risk of some of their commandos getting killed or captured, and because the intel and air force people were sure that they knew what enemy was up to down there. After 2022 FPV drones solved that problem. During the early 21st century, when the U.S. developed persistent drone surveillance, the irregular forces they were facing proved capable of reducing the effectiveness of the drone effort. This spotlights another useful fact; airpower can be useful on the ground but that happens over time and not quickly. Small drones changed that by providing continuous surveillance and the ability of drones to attack anything an FPV drone could detect. Despite being a successful high-tech operation, American air forces, especially the Navy and USAF, frequently have trouble adjusting to changes they do not agree with. When the Cold War ended in 1991 the air force was still largely thinking about continuing to operate as they had done in the Cold War, but the technology and tactics of warfare were changing. The post-Cold War enemy no longer consisted of large, organized forces spread over huge areas. The enemy was increasingly irregulars who were harder to spot from the air. The air force reluctantly adapted, in part because the army and CIA adopted new reconnaissance and surveillance techniques like drones and persistent surveillance. This pattern is returning as the air force reorganizes after the decade of heavy combat and big budgets the war on terror produced. Now the air force is turning its attention to a near-peer opponent in the form of a rapidly expanding and modernizing Chinese military. Unexpectedly the Ukraine War emerged first with Russia and Ukraine fighting each other. Ukrainians had the advantage of material and intellectual support from NATO countries. Ukraine was the first to develop and use small, innovative drone designs. These often came from civilians, who were seeking to assist friends of family members in the army. Building drones in homes or garages became a major source of drones for Ukrainian troops. Russia adapted to their disadvantage in drone development by concentrating on electronic jammers, as well as building a lot of drones, often copying successful Ukrainian drones. By rapidly upgrading their jammer technology, Russians can disrupt a lot of new Ukrainian drone tech for a while. This disruption is becoming more important for the Russians because Ukraine has developed several generations of long range that are increasingly reaching their targets deep a thousand or more kilometers inside Russia. That means Russian economic and military facilities far from Ukraine are suddenly under attack. These targets include refineries and fuel storage sites as well as weapons development, manufacturing, and storage facilities. In 2023 these attacks destroyed about fifteen percent of Russian refining capacity, reducing, for months, the amount of vehicle fuel available for commercial and military users. Air bases and ballistic missile storage or launch sites are also under attack. Targets as distant as the Russian Northern Fleet bases around Murmansk are under attack. This has caused a shortage of anti-aircraft systems that can intercept some or all of the drones depending on how many drones and air defense systems are involved. To deal with this Ukraine has increased production of drones considerably and the objective for 2024 is two million new drones built, mostly armed ones. Halfway through 2024, the production goal is being met. These numbers are comparable to artillery ammunition production, which for Russia is estimated to be three million rounds a year. Hundreds of armed drones used in single attacks are seen as more effective than conventional tube artillery, which is now seen as a poor substitute for drones. Factories for manufacturing drones are often established in underground facilities to avoid Russian missile attacks. Nearly all the components needed for drone production are available commercially and can be purchased from European or American suppliers and imported. Custom components are manufactured locally in well protected installations. Drone quality and quantity are a Ukrainian advantage they do not want to lose. Russia is also increasing drone production, in part because they lost their few A-50 surveillance aircraft in 2023 and since then depended on drones for surveillance. Another Russian disadvantage is their reliance on larger and more expensive surveillance and attack drones. The Russians have been quick to adapt and copy Ukrainian drone designs whenever they obtain a new one that had crash landed intact. Often all it takes is a description of a new Ukrainian drone. Russian drone manufacturers have become adept at copying Ukrainian drone designs based on minimal information. Because of this both Ukrainian and Russian troops face the same drone threat. An NHS member of staff looks at the results of a lung scan. The study calculated that between April and July 2020, diagnosis of lung cancer dropped by 16%. Photograph: NHS England/PA The UK can expect a tsunami of missed cancers, leading experts have said, after an international study found that diagnoses fell sharply during the pandemic. Preliminary figures from the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership, presented to delegates at the World Cancer Congress in Geneva, compared data on the instance and stage of cancer diagnosis in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway and the UK, before and during the pandemic. The results showed that UK nations had the biggest and most sustained falls in the diagnosis of lung, breast, colorectal and skin cancers during 2020. Particular data for Northern Ireland and Wales showed how badly they did compared with other countries studied. (Data for England and Scotland was still being collated but was expected to be as bad as the other UK nations.) Related: Young and old: how the Covid pandemic has affected every UK generation While all countries reported a drop in cases diagnosed at the peak of the pandemic, most had caught up again within the year. In contrast, Wales and Northern Ireland still had not recovered their diagnosis rates by the end of 2020. The study calculated that between April and July 2020, breast diagnoses dropped by 35% in Northern Ireland and Wales, compared with 24% in Norway and 14% in Denmark. For lung cancer, over the same time period the decline was 16% in Northern Ireland and Wales, compared with 10% in Norway or 1% in New Zealand. For the most affected month, 44% of breast cancer cases and 30% of lung cancer cases were missed in Northern Ireland and Wales. There were also sharp declines in colorectal cancer diagnoses. The decline in cases diagnosed was largest for early stage cancers, partly due to the suspension of screening programmes. In Northern Ireland and Wales, stage 1 breast cancer diagnoses declined by 44% and 51%, respectively. Cancer experts said that as a result of such large drops in diagnoses, they are expecting to see many more patients presenting with more advanced, late stage cancers. These data are a shocking wake-up call, providing the key evidence that the UK can expect a tsunami of missed cancers and a potential shift in stage that may lead to more aggressive cancers that are more difficult to treat, said Mark Lawler, professor of digital health at Queens University Belfast and chair of the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership. And the fact we are still way off meeting the 62-day target to treat cancer can only compound the issue. A leading oncologist and co-founder of the Catch up with Cancer campaign, Prof Pat Price, said: These figures are a timely and devastating confirmation of the colossal cancer crisis. Without urgent action, we will see more patients diagnosed at a later stage and more patients facing delays to treatment. We were at the bottom of the cancer league tables before the pandemic, and as this study shows, weve simply not recovered from the backlog in diagnosis. However, it does not have to be this way, as Lord Darzis new NHS report highlights. If ever there was a time to deliver and implement a dedicated cancer recovery plan it is now. Naser Turabi, director of evidence and implementation at Cancer Research UK, said: These findings suggest the UK health system lacks resilience in comparison with countries such as New Zealand, leaving it more vulnerable to the impact of Covid. This could have serious consequences for cancer patients who faced delays to diagnosis as a result of over-stretched services. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: While we recognise the additional pressures placed on the NHS during the pandemic, it is unacceptable that so many people had to wait too long for a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Lord Darzis report laid out how severe the delays for patients waiting for a cancer diagnosis continue to be. This government is determined to change that as we create the 10-year plan to reform the NHS and make it fit for the future. We will get the NHS catching cancer on time, diagnosing it earlier and treating it faster so more patients survive this horrible set of diseases, and we will improve patients experience across the system. Photographs published online appear to show the mans body with a sword impaled in his chest A Ukrainian prisoner of war was executed with a sword inscribed with the words for Kursk, according to officials in Kyiv. Photographs published online appear to show the mans body lying on a road against a backdrop of damaged armoured vehicles and a building with broken windows. The corpses arms are seen held above its head while its chest is impaled with a sword. The Russians executed an unarmed Ukrainian prisoner of war with a sword. His hands were bound with tape, Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraines human rights commissioner, wrote on social media. The level of barbarism and bloodthirstiness is impossible to comprehend, he added. Ukraines prosecutor generals office said it had established that the image was taken in the city of Novohrodivka in the Donetsk region. However, authorities in Kyiv were unable to say where and when the man was killed. Neither did they reveal the identity of the alleged victim. The city where the body was photographed is less than two miles from the current front line in the fighting between Ukraine and Russia, according to the Deep State website, which maps changes on the battlefield. The Telegraph could not independently verify the photographs. Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraines human rights commissioner, said the alleged execution was impossible to comprehend - Global Images Ukraine/Getty Images Europe Andriy Kostin, Ukraines prosecutor general, said: The criminal regime continues its purposeful policy of destroying everything Ukrainian, demonstrating to the whole world its monstrous cruelty and cynically disregarding any values and norms of the civilised world. Our goal is to find and punish everyone involved in these crimes. The world must see the atrocities of the occupiers and respond decisively to each such case. Only by joint efforts can we punish this evil. Ukrainian officials also said they had launched an urgent investigation into the alleged war crime. Mr Lubinets said he had informed the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, and urged them to record the alleged execution as a war crime. Ukraine has reported numerous incidents of prisoners of war being executed by Russian soldiers, often with graphic footage shared on social media afterwards. The prosecutors office has opened 28 criminal investigations into the alleged executions of 62 Ukrainian prisoners of war. Earlier this month, Mr Lubinets reported the alleged killing of a captured Ukrainian soldier who was told to say the last word, pray before dying before being shot three times with a rifle. One of the most notable killings of a Ukrainian soldier by Russians was of Oleksandr Matsievskiy, who was filmed standing alone, smoking a cigarette, in a wooded area in eastern Ukraine. Footage of the final seconds of his life shows him saying slava Ukraini a generations-old Ukrainian war motto meaning glory to Ukraine before gunfire is heard ringing out and he is seen slumping to the ground. Supporters of India's opposition Congress party at an election rally in Dooru, Jammu and Kashmir. Turnout at the regions first election since 2014 is expected to be unusually high. Photograph: Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock For the first time in almost 40 years, Bashir Ahmad Thokar, a 75-year-old apple farmer, cannot wait to cast his vote. In the Himalayan valleys and mountains of the Indian region of Kashmir, elections have long been deemed a tainted affair, marred by rigging, boycotts and violence. But as Kashmiris go to the polls on Wednesday to vote for their first regional assembly in a decade, this time there has been a palpable buzz. This is the first time since 1987 that the people of Kashmir are excited about the elections, says Thokar. The election, which will continue in phases until 1 October, is being described as the most significant in the region for years. It is not only the first time since 2014 that Kashmiris will be able to vote for their own regional representatives, but is also the first vote since the region was stripped of its statehood by prime minister Narendra Modi. It was August 2019 that Modi unilaterally revoked Article 370 which had given Kashmir its own special form of autonomy since independence and brought it under the complete control of the central government. A lengthy and oppressive crackdown followed. Thousands of additional troops were brought in; hundreds, including prominent politicians, were jailed; and the internet was cut for over 18 months, the longest blackout ever recorded. Related: Hi-tech, strategic: new wave of Kashmir militant attacks before elections stuns Indian forces For Modis Bharatiya Janata party (BJP), taking full control of Kashmir had been a central pledge of their Hindu nationalist agenda for years, and it was celebrated by many in the establishment. But while Kashmiris on the ground opposed the move, few were able to protest or openly criticise it. Anyone seen to be involved in dissent was routinely harassed and detained by police, often under draconian anti-terrorism laws, and the freedom of the local press was systematically crushed, with many journalists among those detained. A crossroads in our history Voters in the state described the upcoming polls as an opportunity to finally get back their voice, after years of having their democratic rights silenced. The Modi government had resisted holding the polls but it was finally mandated by the supreme court earlier this year, with a September deadline. The BJP had initially claimed they would sweep the election yet widespread resentment has left them contesting less than a third of the 90 assembly seats, mostly focused in the only Hindu-majority area of Jammu, and they are expected to win fewer than in the 2014 polls. This election is important because there is utter disillusionment amongst people, said Iltija Mufti, daughter of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, whose party was once in alliance with the BJP. We are at a crossroads in our history, people have not felt such deep alienation before. They feel disempowered and dispossessed. Historically, Kashmiris have reason to be wary of local elections. The region has been disputed between India and Pakistan since 1947, when the two countries gained their independence, and three wars have been fought over it. Each side currently governs part of it while China controls a portion in the east. Related: Bulldozer politics: Modis demolition drive fuels Muslims fears in Kashmir It was in 1987 that the Indian government, fearful of the sensitive region falling into the hands of those sympathetic to Pakistan, was accused of meddling in Kashmirs elections to prevent pro-independence candidates from taking power. In response, a coalition of popular parties boycotted the elections. Several leaders crossed the border into Pakistan, where they went on to launch an armed revolt against India. It plunged the region into waves of violence and militancy from the 1990s onwards that continue to this day. This time, however, the election has not been met with calls for boycotts, even by separatist and terrorist outfits. Instead, candidates from a multitude of parties, including those who favour greater independence for Kashmir, are taking part and many believe it could be the highest turnout in years. Political rallies have been packed, with many people turning up to demand that family members detained under authoritarian laws since 2019s crackdown are released. New Delhi has been projecting the enthusiasm as a vindication of their policies and an indication that Kashmiris have given up their aspiration for independence. The way people are coming forward in huge numbers, aspiring to cast their vote, speaks about the success of Indias democracy and Indias constitution, said Nirmal Singh, senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister of the region. We have been able to finish terrorism What could not be done in seventy years has been achieved in the last five years under the vision of prime minister Narendra Modi. A vote against Modis assault on Kashmiris Yet on the ground in the villages and towns, another narrative has been playing out. Many fear that the Modi government is trying to change the Muslim-majority demography of Kashmir, after changes brought in after 2019 allowed outsiders to buy property and invest in the region for the first time. Many also argue that the promised investment and prosperity have yet to materialise, with opponents alleging unemployment remains at a 45-year-high. The Modi governments claims to have crushed the militancy and brought peace to the region have been undermined by a recent surge in attacks carried out by a new tranche of highly trained militants purportedly from Pakistan which have killed almost 200 security personnel and over 350 civilians since 2020. On the one hand, Modi has been treating the higher voter turnout as a referendum for his decisions of 2019, but on the other hand, local parties also see it as a vote against his policies, says Sheikh Showkat Hussain, a Kashmiri political analyst. People feel that by voting they may finally be able to put up some barriers to the onslaught that has been unleashed upon them since 2019. Mohammad Rafiq, 45, a shopkeeper in the town of Bijbehara, was among those intending to vote for the first time, to send a direct message to the Modi government. In the autumn of 1993, his brother was among the 51 civilians who were killed by Indias border security force after they opened fire on protesters. When I saw the bloodied body of my brother, I promised that day to myself that I would never participate in these sham elections, said Rafiq. But now there is such a major assault on our identity that I am going to vote to keep the BJP away. Voters appear to be rejecting the traditional parties, some of whom once aligned with the BJP, in favour of independent candidates or those aligned with groups that have been critical of New Delhis Kashmir policies. Analysts believe the BJP has allowed this flurry of independent candidates in a bid to undermine support for the opposition coalition, which includes Indias main opposition Congress party and Kashmirs oldest regional party, National Conference. One of the most prominent independent voices has been Abdul Rashid Sheikh popularly known as Engineer Rashid a firebrand politician who had been held in Delhis Tihar jail since August 2019 on terror-funding charges. He already won a parliamentary seat, contested from behind bars, during the national elections in June and is now fielding several independent candidates in the assembly polls. After the courts granted him bail in September, thousands of supporters have thronged to his rallies. People are coming out in huge numbers to protest against Modis policies. Their vote is against BJPs assault on Kashmiris, said Rashid, who is not only promising to get Kashmirs autonomy restored but to solve the Kashmir issue once and for all. Speaking at an election rally on the weekend, Modi boasted that the changes in the region in the last decade are nothing short of a dream. Yet at the surrounding village gatherings and political meetings, the same fiery slogans raised by Kashmiris for years are once again being heard. In response to the rallying cries of hum kya chaahte? [What do we want?], there is just one response: Azadi [freedom]. The rights of all those people will be determined by whos in power the day after the election. Illustration: Marcus Peabody/Guardian Design Since Kamala Harris launched her presidential bid in July, Democrats have showered her campaign with cash. Last month alone, the vice-president raised $361m, tripling Donald Trumps fundraising haul of $130m for the month. According to Harriss campaign, she brought in $540m in the six weeks after Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race. Democratic congressional candidates appear to be benefiting from this financial windfall as well, as Republicans sound the alarm about their fundraising deficit in key races that will determine control of the House and Senate in November. Related: Its such a dramatic contrast: Harris turns North Carolina into a toss-up But in one crucial area, Republicans maintain a substantial cash advantage over Democrats: state legislative races. In recent years, Republicans have controlled more state legislative chambers than Democrats, giving them more power over those states budgets, election laws and abortion policies. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), which supports the partys state legislative candidates, has raised $35m between the start of 2023 and the end of this June, the committee told the Guardian. In comparison, the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) which invests in an array of state-level campaigns, such as supreme court races, in addition to legislative campaigns has raised $62m in the same time period. That resource gap is now rearing its head in key battleground states, the DLCC says. In Pennsylvania, a crucial state for the presidential and congressional maps, Republican state legislative candidates have spent $4.5m on paid advertisements, compared with $1.4m for Democratic candidates. When we think about the context of whats at stake, we think about more than 65 million people being covered by our target map this year, said Heather Williams, president of the DLCC. And that means that the rights of all those people will be determined by whos in power the day after the election. A race to fill the funding gap Democratic party leaders seem aware of the high-stakes surrounding state legislative races. Earlier this month, the Harris campaign and the Democratic National Committee announced a transfer of $25m in funds to help down-ballot candidates, including $2.5m for the DLCC. Williams said the transfer represented the partys largest investment to date focused solely on winning state legislative chambers. The underlying story here is that the Harris campaign, our federal officials [and] the party believe that we need to win up and down the ballot, Williams said. We know that our freedoms are on the line, that democracy is on the line in the states, and so investing in state legislatures is really an emerging cornerstone of Democrats strategy to protect against Maga [Make America great again] extremism. But the $2.5m investment, while significant, does not come close to closing with DLCCs resource deficit against the RSLC. Democratic-aligned outside groups, such as the States Project and the Super Pac Forward Majority, are trying to help close that gap: Forward Majority is now on track to spend $45m this election cycle on promoting Democratic state legislative campaigns, the group announced on Wednesday. The States Project has also announced plans to spend $70m this cycle, after investing heavily in state legislative races two years ago. This level of the ballot is critically important Leslie Martes, Forward Majority Forward Majority formed in 2017, after Republicans notched significant victories up and down the ballot in 2016. At the time, Democrats controlled 31 legislative chambers compared with Republicans 68. In the years since, Democrats have chipped away at that disadvantage, now controlling 39 chambers. It was incredible in that decade or so to see people pay more attention to it, to recognize this level of the ballot is critically important, said Leslie Martes, chief strategy officer at Forward Majority. Despite that progress, Martes warned against complacency, as Republican-aligned groups have shown a willingness to invest heavily in state legislative races as well. During the legislative races in Virginia last year, the conservative Pac Americans for Prosperity spent $2.2m, which represented the largest contribution of any outside group. We cant let the Republicans flood the zone with late money, Martes said. They have access to it, and we can never underestimate their ability to come in late. Post-Roe momentum Democrats had a good year in 2022 when it came to state legislative elections. They flipped the Minnesota senate and both chambers of the Michigan legislature, giving them governing trifectas in both states thanks to the Democratic governors there. Some of that momentum was attributed to Democratic voters increased focus on state legislatures after the supreme court overturned Roe v Wade in Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization. Of the 22 states that currently enforce an abortion ban of some kind, 19 of them are fully controlled by Republicans. (A judge struck down North Dakotas abortion ban on Thursday, but the law had not yet been enjoined as of Friday afternoon.) Meanwhile, several states controlled by Democrats including California, Minnesota and New Jersey have expanded abortion rights since Roe was overturned. That contrast has enlightened many voters on the importance of state elections, Martes argued. I think most people did not believe that Roe was going to fall, she said. And I think its been incredibly impactful for people to now know its up to the states I think thats really helped people focus in on state legislatures. Williams hopes that greater awareness will translate into electoral success down ballot, as Democrats look to sustain the trifectas they won in 2022 and flip more legislative chambers. Its going to take one vote at a time and one legislative win over and over in all of these states Heather Williams, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee The DLCCs to-do list for November is long. Democrats want to keep their control of the Michigan house and the Pennsylvania house, where they repeatedly defended their slim majority through several special elections since 2022. The party also hopes to break a Republican supermajority in North Carolina, where the state legislature was able to override the Democratic governors veto of a 12-week abortion ban. And in Arizona, Republicans have only one-seat majorities in both chambers, giving Democrats an opportunity for their first governing trifecta in the state since 1966. It is no coincidence that much of Democrats state legislative map overlaps with their presidential and congressional maps, Martes said. The key to winning back Congress also runs through a path of picking up state legislative seats and protecting important incumbents, Martes said. While leaders of both political parties are fond of saying that every vote matters, the truism is particularly relevant when it comes to state legislative races. Because the voting pool is smaller compared with a congressional or presidential race, a couple hundred votes often separate the winner from the loser in state legislative elections. In one stunning case that arose in 2018, a tied Virginia legislative election was decided by pulling a name out of a bowl, and the lucky Republican winner gave his party control of the house of delegates. While the narrow margins of such races may seem daunting, they can also be motivating, Williams argued. Its going to take one vote at a time and one legislative win over and over in all of these states, Williams said. I think were at such a moment where those efforts seemingly small efforts will make a huge difference. And well be able to protect the rights of millions of people across the country. Goods at a food bank. The Womens Budget Group said: We cant have a healthy economy when millions of people are forced to rely on food banks to feed their families. Photograph: Andy Buchanan/PA Rachel Reeves should announce a significant uplift in public spending in next months budget, or risk women bearing the brunt of continuing austerity, a group of campaigning economists argue. Analysis by the Womens Budget Group (WBG) suggests the living standards of the poorest women will have declined by a staggering 21% between 2010 and 2027-28, if Labour sticks to Jeremy Hunts spending plans. As well as earned income, they take into account changes to the welfare safety net since the Conservative-led coalition came to power in 2010, and the declining standard of public services. Related: What personal tax rises might Rachel Reeves introduce to ease UK deficit? By 2027-28, they calculate that the average woman would be a cumulative 9.4% worse off than in 2010, equivalent to 3,162 a year, while the average man would be 5.8% worse off, or 2,395 a year. Ignacia Pinto, the senior research and policy officer at the WBG, said: We know that after 14 years of reckless underinvestment in our public services and punitive changes to benefits, this is a dire inheritance for the new government. While fixing the foundations is the right approach, this starts with investing in the people and the public services that keep our economy running. We cant have a healthy economy when millions of people are forced to rely on food banks to feed their families and more and more children are growing up in poverty. The WBG is calling for increased spending on public services and welfare, including the abolition of the two-child limit and the benefits cap. It suggests funding these changes through fairer taxes, including equalising capital gains tax and income tax, and introducing a wealth tax. Repeated freezes in working age benefits have been a key driver in the decline in living standards since 2010, the WBG argues, with lone parents hit particularly hard. Sarah Lambert, the head of policy at the single-parent charity Gingerbread, said, If our government is serious about its commitment to tackle child poverty it must take action now to transform our social security system so that it provides an effective safety net for those who need support. Keir Starmer has insisted his government will make no return to austerity, but Reeves has consistently argued that the previous Conservative administration left the UK with a 22bn black hole in the public finances. Labour ruled out most broad-based tax rises during the general election campaign, including increasing income tax, national insurance, corporation tax or VAT. The chancellor will set out spending plans for the coming year in her budget on 30 October, before carrying out a three-year spending review in the spring. She is expected to review the way public debt is measured, potentially paving the way for the Treasury to boost investment without busting its fiscal rules, but she has also repeatedly stressed the importance of taking the tough decisions. Lord Darzis report on the NHS last week, which highlighted the damage done by years of underinvestment, appeared to signal an increase in health spending, which the government has insisted must be matched by reform. The WBG analysis comes amid growing debate about the governments tax and spending plans, last weeks vote in parliament to limit the winter fuel allowance to those pensioners on income-related benefits. The former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane has cricitised Reeves approach of choosing to outline the dire state of the public finances in a statement to the House of Commons in July, then leaving most decisions to next months budget. The black hole event was unnecessary and probably unhelpful economically, he told Sky News last week, adding that it had generated a fear and foreboding and uncertainty. A government spokesperson said: Improving economic growth and tackling inequality go hand in hand. That is why the chancellor has vowed to improve the economic opportunities available to women and close the gender pay gap once and for all. That includes strengthening rights at work, investing in childcare and improving equal pay. Lord Darzi has a policy vision for a new approach to public health - Julian Simmonds/Getty Images The number of workers on long-term sick leave is set to rise by more than 50 per cent in the next five years, experts have warned. A cross-party commission on Tuesday is calling for radical measures, including a slew of so-called sin taxes, to force Britain to get healthy. The report by think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) calls for levies on unhealthy food, gambling, alcohol, tobacco and vapes, saying Britains worklessness crisis is being fuelled by poor health. Unless current trends are changed, more than 4.3 million people will be economically inactive because of sickness by the end of this Parliament, up from 2.8 million today, researchers found. This would mean 9.5 per cent of the working-age population would be off sick, from just under 7 per cent today. One in every three deaths and a third of the UKs disease burden are caused by the combined impact of tobacco, bad food and alcohol, the researchers said. The Commission on Health and Prosperity was chaired by surgeon Lord Darzi, a former health minister, who last week warned that the NHS was in a critical condition, and Dame Sally Davies, who was the chief medical officer of England from 2010 to 2019. Writing for The Telegraph, Dame Sally suggests that draconian measures were the only way to save the economy and ease pressure on the NHS. Dame Sally said sickness was among the greatest living threats to our national economy - Paul Grover/The Telegraph As former chief medical officer, I know that even the best public health efforts are regularly met with the same old arguments about the nanny state taking over. With the new Labour government set to beef up efforts on prevention the outdoor smoking ban, workplace health checks this debate is set to play out once again, she writes. Public health measures are popular with the public once in place. But they prove divisive in the media. And yet, arguments about the impact on civil liberties always miss the crucial point: that tolerating avoidable sickness is no path to greater freedom. Dame Sally said Britains status as the literal sick man of Europe is among the greatest living threats to our national economy. The commission calls for the rollout of extra taxes on chocolates, biscuits and other unhealthy foods, as well as levies on alcohol, gambling, smoking and vaping, saying they could raise 10 billion a year while reducing the burden of disease. It proposes a 10 per cent tax on non-essential, unhealthy food categories including processed meat, confectionery, cakes and biscuits which would raise almost 4 billion by the end of the Parliament. Other ideas include the reintroduction of an alcohol duty escalator, scrapped a decade ago, to increase tax by three per cent a year until harms fall significantly. Record absence from the workplace The report will be launched on Wednesday by Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, who has already said he will study the ideas closely. The IPPR said the health challenges facing the nation had now reached historic proportions, fuelling record absence from the workplace. The study found 900,000 more workers were off because of long-term sickness compared with what would have been expected had pre-2020 trends continued. This amounted to about 5 billion in lost tax receipts in 2024. If the rate of growth continues at the same pace, the total would reach 4.3 million by 2029, up from 2.8 million today. The study found that about 70 per cent of heart disease, 40 per cent of all cancers and almost all cases of type 2 diabetes were preventable. The report says that taxing health polluters such as manufacturers of unhealthy foods and cigarettes and gambling firms could bring in 10 billion which could fund subsidies for fresh fruit and vegetables, cutting their price by a fifth. The Treasury has held discussions about such levies. Last week, Mr Streeting said there was no plan for a salt or sugar tax, adding that he would be reluctant to introduce such moves during the cost of living crisis The report warns that Britains lifestyle is rapidly deteriorating, with deaths from alcohol up by almost one-third since 2019. Ahead of the October Budget, the Left-wing think tank makes the case that the Government could bring in billions of pounds by ensuring that the polluter pays. While reformulation [of foods] is a central aim of our proposal, we do not shy away from the potential revenue-raising power of these levies. In the current fiscal context, it is likely the Government will need to turn to new tax bases in the future, it notes. The report proposes taxing most forms of gambling, apart from bingo and pools, capping tobacco manufacturers profits at 10 per cent and introducing extra taxes on e-cigarettes. It suggests a right to try working for a guaranteed period without any risk to benefit levels if it does not work out. It also calls for a drive to build more swimming pools and create more green spaces in deprived areas, the rollout of neighbourhood health centres, a one-stop-shop for diagnostics, primary care, mental health and prevention of ill-health. Mr Streeting has already said the Government will pilot a similar idea. The commission also suggests the NHS app could follow schemes offered by health insurers which reward customers with vouchers in return for step counts achieved. A new beginning for childhood health is promoted with the rollout of universal free school meals and a boost to funding for Sure Start programmes. The report highlights research which found that 60 per cent of childrens calories now come from ultra-processed foods, along with evidence of stunted growth, with five-year olds an average of 7cm (2.7in) shorter than European counterparts. Almost 1,600 fewer infants would have died between 2020 and 2022 if improvements in infant mortality had continued at the same rate as between 2001 and 2015, it says. Add 10 years to life expectancy The overarching goal for its proposed health creation system would be to add 10 years to healthy life expectancy by 2055. Lord Darzi said: Our commission was among the first to identify rising sickness as a major and immediate post-pandemic fiscal challenge. Now, as the Government sets up its health mission, our final report provides a ready-made policy vision for a new approach to public health. Mr Streeting said: I have valued engaging closely with the Commission on Health and Prosperity. I want to make DHSC [the Department of Health and Social Care] a department for economic growth, because we wont build a healthy economy without a healthy society. The IPPR is at the forefront of this approach, and I look forward to studying their ideas closely. Lord Bethell, a former Conservative health minister and one of the commissioners, said disease and bankruptcy would beckon if the country carried on with an unthinking approach of more of the same. Chris Thomas, the head of the Commission on Health and Prosperity, said: We are not the first generation to face a reckoning with our health. Indeed, one of Britains proudest legacies is its history of bold action on health crises. The Victorians answered infectious disease outbreaks with sanitation, slum clearance and worker rights. Post-war, we answered rising acute need by extending universal healthcare coverage. In 2024, we face a health crisis just as pronounced with unthinkable human and economic cost. We have set out to find an answer just as bold as those that came before it. Founding a health creation system is a way to fundamentally re-imagine health policy fit for the 21st century. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has criticised the previous Conservative government as climate dinosaurs as he gave his first major speech since being appointed to the position. Mr Lammy said the Tories had run a fossil fuel government in a renewable era, as he said that tackling the issue would become a key part of his work as head of the Foreign Office. Speaking inside the Temperate House at Kew Gardens, west London, he said: They became climate dinosaurs crashing offshore wind, blocking onshore wind, moving the goalposts on electric vehicle targets, doubling down on oil and gas, leaving British wildlife in crisis, our biodiversity declining at an unprecedented rate, our precious national parks in decline, our rivers, lakes and seas awash with toxic sewage. Blind (to) the opportunities of the energy transition, a fossil fuel government in a renewable age. He later added: Im committing to you that while I am Foreign Secretary, action on the climate and nature crisis will be central to all that the Foreign Office does. This is critical, given the scale of the threat, but also the scale of the opportunity, the chance to achieve clean and secure energy, lower bills, and drive growth for the UK, and to preserve the natural world around us, on which all prosperity ultimately depends. Foreign Secretary David Lammy was speaking in the Temperate House at Kew Gardens, west London (Frank Augstein/PA) Mr Lammy announced the creation of the global clean power alliance to improve renewable energy coverage worldwide. He added that the Government would end the era of do as I say, not as I do climate diplomacy, and it would appoint a new UK special representative for climate change and nature. The alliance would be focused on increasing global investment, Mr Lammy said, and widening the production and supply of minerals needed for batteries and green technology, including lithium, cobalt, and copper. But he cautioned that the highest environmental standards were needed when mining them. No members of the alliance were announced during the speech on Tuesday morning. He said: Despite several other valuable initiatives pushing forward the energy transition, there is no equivalent grouping of countries at the vanguard of the transition, reaching across the global north and global south together. Mr Lammy said the alliance would focus on increasing global investment (Frank Augstein/PA) He added: My argument to you today is that demands for action from the worlds most vulnerable, and the requirements of delivering security to British citizens are fundamentally aligned the threat may not feel as urgent as a terrorist or an imperialist autocrat, but it is more fundamental. It is systemic, it is pervasive and accelerating towards us at pace. The Labour MP for Tottenham cited the impact caused to the Caribbean by Hurricane Beryl in June and July this year, in which 70 people were killed and billions of pounds worth of damage was caused. He said: I saw on day one of this job, the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl, the earliest-falling category five hurricane on record, and in places like the Sahel, South Sudan, Syria, rising temperatures are making water even scarcer. These are not random events delivered from heavens. These are failures in politics, failures of regulation and frankly failures of international co-operation. And these failures pour fuel onto existing conflicts and regional rivalries, driving extremism, displacing communities, and increasing humanitarian need. It would be a further imagination to hope that they will stay from our shores, that we can keep them away. The Foreign Secretary hinted that the US election result may see the diplomatic dynamics shift for tackling climate change but said he hoped the Government was looking to a decade-long plan for tackling the issue. As I look around the world, particularly in democracies, there are some democracies depending on which way their elections go which might move away from this agenda, he said. Which is why its so important here in the UK, now we look to have stability I hope for at least a decade on this agenda. Responding to Mr Lammys speech, shadow energy security and net zero secretary Claire Coutinho said: Under the Conservatives, the UK built more offshore wind than any other country bar China and became one of the first countries to come off coal. Were already a global leader in tackling climate change, but heaping costs on families in Britain wont want to make other countries follow our lead. Businesses, energy experts, and the unions have said that Labours ideological approach to energy will raise bills and send businesses abroad to countries with higher emissions. Thats worse for the British economy and worse for climate change overall. The chief executive of ScottishPower has urged the Government against a proposed reform of the energy industry which could see the price of electricity set differently across the country. Keith Anderson said that while a regional pricing model makes sense in theory, it risked deterring and slowing investment in the UKs energy industry at a key time in the green transition. He told the PA news agency: If you propose something really radical, the risk you run is that you delay investment. You slow the process down. If you start a conversation now to say youre going to bring in zonal pricing even in five years people will say, Hang on. Explain to me exactly how its going to work. Regional pricing was a leading proposal in a major consultation carried out under the last Government, the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (Rema). The system, which has gathered momentum among some industry bosses in recent months, would see people living near wind farms or other clean power projects pay less for electricity. Some experts think it would cut prices for everyone because it would make the transmission system more efficient. A 2023 study for Ofgem by FTI Consulting claimed it could save bill payers 51 billion by 2040. The wholesale energy market is currently based on a national pricing system. Industry figures are increasingly looking for ways to change how the market works, following a period of sharp price hikes to consumer bills driven by the soaring cost of gas in recent years. Greg Jackson, the boss of rival Octopus Energy, described regional pricing as the critical thing we need to do in a recent interview. But Mr Anderson said that while the reform would be quite sensible in a stable environment, the UK is part way through revamping the energy system towards clean power. He added: Trying to radically change the wholesale power system its maybe not a great time to do it. Mr Anderson was speaking shortly after giving a speech at Energy UKs annual conference. At the same event, Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband indicated that the Government would seek to maintain stability in its policymaking, though he did not address the prospect of regional pricing. He said the starting point for the Government in trying to attract investors to the UKs energy sector has got to be: dont change policy every five minutes. Mr Miliband said: Uncertainty is the enemy of investing. If you have no sense of the strategic frame of the Government, and if you have no sense from one week to the next of whether its going to stick with that strategic frame, then how can you possibly, as an investor, have the confidence to invest? The Duchess of Edinburgh is visiting Tanzania to celebrate collaboration between the UK and the African nation on health, agriculture and womens empowerment. Sophie delivered a message from the King during a reception on Tuesday evening. The duchess, global ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), is visiting Dar es Salaam, and will move on to Zanzibar and Arusha this week to see the work of international organisations Sightsavers, Uniting to Combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and the Alliance of Bioversity and International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). She will meet the president of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, and the president of Zanzibar, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, as well as healthcare providers and members of local communities. On the first day of her visit, Sophie visited Magomeni Health Centre in Dar es Salaam, a primary health facility offering essential sexual health and family planning services. She later visited the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Protection Unit, meeting investigators, prosecutors and social welfare practitioners to hear about efforts to tackle child abuse in Tanzania and the care given to victims. During a reception on Tuesday evening celebrating health collaboration, the duchess delivered a speech recognising progress made in Tanzania to rid the country of trachoma an infectious and blinding eye disease and the work still to be done. Sophie set an ambition for the elimination of trachoma across the Commonwealth by 2030 and delivered a message from the King commending the efforts. The message said: As patron of one of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindnesss members, Sightsavers, and knowing that the Duchess of Edinburgh is with you today in Tanzania, I particularly wanted you all to know how full of admiration and gratitude I am for your passion and devoted efforts in treating and preventing neglected tropical diseases, especially trachoma. Your constant dedication and hard work will lead us to a world where inclusion and equality can be realised across our Commonwealth. I send you all my warmest good wishes and heartfelt encouragement for the much-needed success of your gathering. In Zanzibar, the duchess will observe the efforts of the Ministry of Health, Uniting to Combat NTDs and Unlimit Health to combat lymphatic filariasis (LF), including a celebration of the 12 billionth Albendazole drug treatment for the disease. At the end of the week, in Arusha, Sophie will learn about collaborative work between the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, and visit female Tanzanian farmers to see how women are being empowered through science and entrepreneurial opportunities in agriculture and food systems. She will also celebrate the launch of the UKs new horticulture export accelerator programme, developed in collaboration with the Tanzania Horticultural Association, which will help Tanzanian businesses working with the UKs developing countries trading scheme. Stormont ministers have been urged to go directly to the Prime Minister over the future of Belfast shipyard Harland and Wolff. The historic shipbuilder has announced that its holding company is to go into administration. The firm said between 50-60 immediate redundancies are expected but that staff employed at its four shipyards are not affected. Harland and Wolff, which famously built the Titanic, has four shipyards one in Belfast, two in Scotland (Methil on the Firth of Forth and Arnish on the Isle of Lewis) and one in England (Appledore in north Devon). The Harland and Wolff cranes in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) It is the second time the business has been placed in administration in five years. The administration process will be confined to the holding company, Harland & Wolff Group Holdings PLC, and the operational companies which run the yards are expected to continue trading. The matter was raised in the Assembly by way of an urgent question to Economy Minister Conor Murphy on Tuesday by East Belfast DUP MLA David Brooks. Infrastructure Minister John ODowd took the question in the absence of Mr Murphy who is currently in North America on a mission aimed at strengthening economic ties and promoting dual market access. He read a statement from Mr Murphy describing the development as disappointing news and also noting news reports that a number of parties have expressed interest in the company with submission of first bids to close this week. Stormont Infrastructure Minister John ODowd (Niall Carson/PA) He said Mr Murphy has written to Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn and spoken to a number of government ministers and senior officials to highlight the importance of Harland and Wolff to the region and the importance of the British Governments continued support. Mr Brooks described Harland and Wolff as not just a large employer within his constituency but an iconic industry for the whole of Northern Ireland. Mr ODowd said he could assure him that Mr Murphy and his department are focused on doing everything they can to secure the future of the yard. UUP MLA Steve Aiken asked for assurance that a contract for the Royal Navy will still come to Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) UUP MLA Steve Aiken asked for assurance that a contract to build support ships for the Royal Navy will still come to Belfast, and urged that Mr Murphy, through First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, makes an approach to go directly to the Prime Minister around the contract. Because without that, shipbuilding is finished, he said. Mr ODowd responded: I dont think we should be as definitive in terms of the finishing of shipbuilding in Belfast as the result of a, b or c, but I certainly will make sure that his comments and call are passed on to Minister Murphy for him to engage as he feels fit with the First and deputy First Minister. Earlier, East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson said the mood music is good surrounding interest in the operations of the historic firm. DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the mood music over the future of the Belfast shipyard is positive (Liam McBurney/PA) Mr Robinson told the BBCs Good Morning Ulster programme: I heard some more encouraging noises yesterday to say that Government is keeping a close eye on this, that they are engaging with the company. But I think I would have been, and the unions would have liked to have been reassured by a greater interest over the last number of months. But the mood music is good about the interest in Harland and Wolff. The whole of the company is not in administration, though the London office is. The Belfast yard is pivotal to the future. He added: The Belfast yard and the achievement in securing, as we did, an MoD contract worth 1.6 billion to build fleet support ships is the asset, is the thing which is creating the interest in the sales process. Insolvency practitioners Teneo will act as administrators and shares will be delisted. The company is part of a consortium that landed a major contract to build new fleet solid support ships for the Royal Navy. It had applied for a 200 million loan guarantee from the Government as part of efforts to restructure its finances. However, the Government decided in August not to act as a guarantor on the lending while also ruling out direct funding to maintain the companys liquidity. In terms of finding a new owner for the Belfast operation, Mr Robinson said Spains state-owned shipbuilder Navantia was the most obvious candidate. He said: I met with Navantia at the time that Harland and Wolff and Navantia got into a consortium. I have had discussions as they advance to achieve the order and clearly they have a unique financial interest in Belfast particularly given the contract that is there and the knowledge to proceed with that contract. Meanwhile, Harland and Wolff interim executive chairman Russell Downs has said there is a strong case for keeping the companys four shipyards under a single owner. He told the BBCs Today programme that keeping the yards together was sensible from an operating perspective. He added: Some yards may be owned by one owner with other yards owned by another, so well just have to see where the process gets to. September 16, 2024: Ukraine has been a strange war, especially when it comes to the relationship between Russian and American defense officials. The Russian defense minister often calls his American counterpart to complain about something he thinks the Americans are involved with in Ukraine. The Americans are open to the Russian defense minister about such matters. This is because the Americans and Russians are not at war and both countries want to keep it that way. Despite the fighting in Ukraine and the substantial support Ukraine received from the United States, the Russians want to remain in touch. The Americans are often asked if they are involved in secret Ukrainian operations against Russia and the response is usually a shrug or a denial. Early in the war the Ukrainians discovered that they could ignore the many prohibitions the Americans had placed on the use of American weapons. By just denying they had done something, the Americans accepted that and were similarly uninformative to complaints about it from the Russian defense minister. Officially, the Ukrainians are not supposed to fire Americans missiles into Russia. Unofficially the Americans dont question Ukrainian denials about such use of U.S. weapons. The Ukrainians have built their own long range attack drones and used them against targets deep inside of Russia. The Americans cant complain about that. So when the Ukrainians fire a U.S. missile into Russia, the Ukrainians just tell the Americans it was another Ukrainian missile and that the Russians are lying. Given the long history of Russian deceptions and lying to the United States, the Ukrainians know what the Americans will think about Russian complaints. A recent example of this was Russian threats to attack American targets in Europe using saboteurs or mercenaries. There were some Russian sabotage operations inside Europe, but when the Europeans complained and threatened to increase their support for Ukraine, the Russians backed off. The new First Minister of Wales has pledged to cut NHS waiting lists and create green jobs, as she revealed her priorities for the next two years. Eluned Morgan, who took over as the leader of Welsh Labour last month, set out the four areas her Government will focus on ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections. Addressing the Welsh Parliament in Cardiff Bay on Tuesday, she said the priorities had been drawn up after a summer listening exercise which has taken her around the country, with promises to boost educational standards in schools and better connect communities. However, opposition groups criticised the statement, saying it included nothing that had not been promised before. Baroness Morgan said: We will cut NHS waiting times, including for mental health, well improve access to social care, and well improve services for womens health. Secondly, alongside the UK Government, we will focus on green jobs and growth. Well create jobs that not only tackle the climate crisis but help make families better off and restore nature. And well accelerate planning decisions to grow our Welsh economy. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan during a visit to a clean energy site in South Wales (Ben Birchall/PA) We will boost standards in our schools and colleges and provide more homes for social rent, ensuring that every family has the chance to succeed. And we will be connecting communities. We will transform our railways and deliver a better bus network. But no timeframes for delivering the promises were given, with the First Minister saying a comprehensive list of what can be delivered will be developed over the next few weeks. She said the Welsh Government must be honest and realistic, accepting that tough decisions lie ahead and that she was appointing a minister for delivery to help drive change. Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies (Geoff Caddick/PA) Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, criticised Baroness Morgans statement, branding it the lightest First Ministers statement Ive seen at an opening of a Senedd term. He said: What does the First Minister believe, in her role as First Minister, she can do to push those waiting times down that she couldnt do when she was health minister? Because weve heard it all before, First Minister. Time and time again Labour ministers have come to this chamber to say that waiting lists are the priority. Well, the proof is in the pudding. The waiting lists are going up here in Wales. Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ian West/PA) Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, said the statement doesnt give one much confidence that the Welsh Government was being ambitious. He also criticised her for not appointing a permanent government until last week, calling it time wasted. He said: The result of the exercise, as weve been told today surprise, surprise was that health and education and the economy were the top priorities. Goodness me, if a party thats been leading Welsh Government for 25 years hadnt realised that those were the priorities, then were in deeper trouble with Labour than I thought. A new COVID variant that could be more contagious has emerged. (Getty Images) (Getty Images) A new COVID variant has begun spreading across parts of Europe, including the UK, and scientists say it could become the dominant type this winter. The variant, called XEC, was first detected in Germany in June, but has since been found in 13 other countries. Experts are concerned that this new variant has mutations that might help it be more contagious. However, vaccines can still help prevent severe cases and the NHS is offering free booster shots for vulnerable populations who are at risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has not yet released data on how many people have contracted the XEC variant in the UK, but said it is normal for viruses to mutate and change. Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA Deputy Director, told the BBC: "It is normal and expected for viruses to genetically change over time. "UKHSA continues to monitor all available information relating to emerging COVID variants in the UK and internationally, and to publish our data regularly. "Vaccination provides the best protection against serious illness from COVID-19, and we urge those who are contacted by the NHS to come forward to receive their autumn vaccine." How can I avoid catching COVID XEC? Washing your hands with soap and water regularly is important to avoid catching and spreading disease. (Getty Images) (Getty Images) While the early pandemic days of lockdowns and isolation are hopefully a thing of the past, there are a number of measures you can take to avoid catching and spreading COVID. COVID-19 spreads easily through close contact with people who are infected with the virus. You are more likely to catch it indoors and in crowded places, which, as the colder weather draws in, become more common scenarios. In order to reduce your risk of COVID-19, the NHS recommends: Wash your hands with soap and water regularly Use hand sanitiser regularly Open windows and doors if meeting people inside Stay at least two metres away from people, particularly when indoors or in crowded places Wear a face covering when its hard to stay away from other people Working from home can also reduce the risk of catching COVID-19. You can also speak to your employer about how they can help reduce your risk at work. There are also things you can do to avoid passing COVID-19 on to other people. These include: Covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing Regularly cleaning surfaces you touch often (like door handles and remote controls) Staying away from other people if you have symptoms or test positive Avoiding indoor or crowded places, including public transport or large gatherings Wearing a face covering Symptoms of COVID XEC The symptoms of the XEC variant are similar to previous variants of COVID-19, including: Fever Sore throat Headaches Cough Loss of sense of smell Loss of appetite Body aches What have scientists said about COVID XEC? Scientists have expressed concern that the XEC variant could become a challenge this winter. However, Dr Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in California, told the LA Times that it could take "many weeks, a couple of months, before it really starts to take hold and starts to cause a wave". Meanwhile, Professor Francois Balloux, director of the Genetics Institute at University College London, told BBC News that it is possible for XEC to become the dominant subvariant over the winter. However, despite XEC having a "slight transmission advantage" over other recent variants, vaccines should still offer good protection. People across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who are eligible for a free Autumn Booster COVID vaccine include: Adults aged 65 and over Adults living in a care home for older adults Anyone between the ages of six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group Frontline NHS, care home and social care workers The UKHSA said: "Current vaccines provide good protection against severe disease and hospitalisation. UKHSA surveillance data relating to last autumns programme shows that those who received a vaccine were around 45% less likely to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19 from 2 weeks following vaccination, compared to those who remained unvaccinated." Read more about health and wellness: Two former New York City Fire Department chiefs became the latest high-ranking city officials to be named in a series of federal investigations plaguing Mayor Eric Adams' administration. Anthony Saccavino and Brian Cordasco, former Bureau of Fire Prevention Chiefs who are both retired, were arrested on charges of bribery, corruption and false statements alleging they solicited and received these bribes from 2021 through 2023, according to court records. The Bureau of Fire Prevention Chiefs regulates the installation of fire safety and suppression systems throughout the city and ensures that fire safety regulations are obeyed across New York. By allegedly selling priority access to the BFPs services, which are vital to preventing New York City businesses and homes from fire-related incidents, Saccavino and Cordasco undermined the public trust and put their own greed above the interests of the taxpayers they swore to serve, said Damian Williams, deputy U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Robert Tsigler, founding attorney for the law firm representing Saccavino, said the allegations against the former chief run counter to Saccavino's life-long commitment to the fire department. Chief Saccavino is a life-long public servant, hes dedicated his life to the FDNY, Tsigler said. We want the truth will come out, we believe it's going to come out in the appropriate time and the appropriate form. Federal investigations continue to swirl around some of New York Citys highest officials, with the Mayor's office and other top deputies under the microscope. In the indictment of the retired fire chiefs obtained by USA TODAY, a mention of a City Hall List is found. Investigators believe this list was used to track requests submitted to the Bureau of Fire Prevention in order to give these projects priority. Cordasco himself also raised concerns internally about the ethics of using a list to prioritize projects, according to the indictment. Cordasco sent an internal FDNY email complaining that attempts by the Mayor's Office to expedite a major midtown development project were extremely unfair to the applicants who have been waiting at least 8 weeks for their inspection. Industry opposition will include questions as to why certain projects are advanced while others need to be canceled and pushed back?, court records said. In a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker said the FDNY would collaborate with the investigation. The Department will fully cooperate with any ongoing investigations, Tucker said. Statement from FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker on the arrests of former Deputy Assistant Chief Brian Cordasco and former Assistant Chief Anthony Saccavino. pic.twitter.com/A9MXmWSAQz FDNY (@FDNY) September 16, 2024 Federal investigations into NYC As previously reported, last week, New York Citys police commissioner, Edward Caban, stepped down as federal corruption investigations targeted Mayor Adams and his top aides. As part of the investigation, authorities seized Cabans mobile phones as well as other top Adams aides and confidantes. These include Deputy Mayor for Criminal Justice Philip Banks III, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, and Schools Chancellor David Banks. Earlier this year as well, investigators seized Adams' own electronic devices as part of an investigation of illegal Turkish funding of his 2021 mayoral campaign. There was no mention of the Turkish investigation in the most recent indictment against the two former fire chiefs. Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FDNY chiefs Anthony Saccavino, Brian Cordasco arrested in FBI probe A 6-year-old Virginia student took a gun to school Monday and investigators are trying to figure out how the child got ahold of the weapon, according to authorities. The incident happened at Orange Elementary School, about 29 miles northeast of Charlottesville, the Orange County Sheriff's Office shared on Facebook Monday afternoon. A school staff member contacted an Orange County Sheriffs Office School Resource Officer at 12:50 p.m. that day about a loaded firearm found inside the school. The school was then placed in safe school mode, the sheriffs office shared online. The sheriffs office said the firearm was found inside a backpack, so the school resource officer and a school administrator took the backpack. Investigators announced later that afternoon that the 6-year-old student brought the firearm to school, where an instructional assistant found the gun. No one was hurt, and no threats were made, the sheriffs office said. The Orange County Sheriffs Office is still investigating but said no arrests have been made so far. The safety and security of our students and school staff remain our top priority, the sheriffs office said. Out of an abundance of caution we will have additional law enforcement at the school for the remainder of today and tomorrow. School shooting investigation: 911 calls from Georgia school shooting released Superintendent says situation was handled in a swift, professional manner Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools Dan Hornick released a statement to community members online, calling the ordeal distressing. It is important to recognize and appreciate the swift, professional, and thorough steps taken by the staff members and administrators at Orange Elementary School, Hornick wrote in his statement. Their diligence prevented the situation from escalating. He also thanked the sheriffs office for working with the school. Later in his statement, Hornick said he wanted to note how the school system could grow in situations like this. According to the superintendent, the school went into Safe School Mode, where classrooms are secured, and law enforcement and school administrators investigate. The goal during Safe School Mode and other school status changes is to let parents and guardians know whats going on as soon as possible, Hornick said. Unfortunately, this type of notification was not sent to the OES community today, he said, adding that he wanted to apologize for the error. Similar situations have arisen throughout the country this past year, including a Sept. 4 shooting in Georgia where a student killed four at Apalachee High School. Hornick, the superintendent of Orange County Public Schools, asked that in light of recent events across our country all parents and guardians exercise even greater diligence in ensuring that students do not bring weapons or other dangerous items to school. He added that he has two children attending schools in Orange County and said he plans to check his own childrens bags more frequently and talk to them more about school safety. By working together, we can provide the safe and dynamic learning environment our students deserve, he said. Thank you for your continued support, even under difficult circumstances. Contributing: Jeanine Santucci Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Loaded gun found in 6-year-old's backpack at Virginia school At least nine civilians are dead and over 2,750 were injured after pager devices owned by a large number of members in various Hezbollah units and institutions exploded on Tuesday, according to Lebanese officials and the group. Hezbollah blamed Israel for the attack and vowed it would respond. The apparent attack comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. "We hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression, which also targeted civilians and led to the deaths of a number of martyrs and the injury of a large number with various wounds," Hezbollah said in a statement. "This treacherous and criminal enemy will certainly receive his just punishment for this sinful aggression, whether he expects it or not." PHOTO: Ambulances arrive to American University of Beirut Medical Center as more than 1,000 people, including Hezbollah fighters and medics, were wounded when the pagers they use to communicate exploded across Lebanon, in Beirut, Sept. 17, 2024. (Mohamed Azakir/Reuters) The dead and injured included people who are not members of Hezbollah, such as a 10-year-old girl killed in the eastern village of Saraain, according to Hezbollah-owned Al-Ahed News. Hezbollah said 11 of its members were killed Tuesday, though, as is typical in its statements, did not specify how they died. "These explosions, the causes of which are still unknown, led to the martyrdom of a girl and two brothers, and the injury of a large number of people with various injuries," Hezbollah said in a statement. MORE: Israeli defense officials at odds with Netanyahu over Hamas, Hezbollah cease-fire conditions About 200 of the injuries are critical, meaning they needed surgery, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. Most of the injuries were to the face, hand or abdomen, officials said. The Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was among those who had one of the pagers and was injured due to an explosion Tuesday, according to Iranian state TV. Amani said in a phone call after the incident that he was "feeling well and fully conscious," according to Iranian state TV. At least 14 people were also injured in targeted attacks on Hezbollah members in Syria, according to the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. PHOTO: People gather outside the American University hospital after the arrival of several people who were wounded by exploded handheld pagers, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sept. 17, 2024. (Bassam Masri/AP) The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said it condemned the alleged Israeli attack and has begun preparing a complaint to the Security Council. The Lebanese Council of Ministers collectively condemned "this criminal Israeli aggression, which constitutes a serious violation of Lebanese sovereignty and a crime by all standards," adding that "the government immediately began making all necessary contacts with the countries concerned and the United Nations to place it before its responsibilities regarding this continuing crime." The United Nations special coordinator for Lebanon condemned the attack on Lebanon, calling it an "extremely concerning escalation in what is an already unacceptably volatile context," in a statement released by the U.N. Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary General. Hezbollah said it is conducting a "security and scientific investigation to determine the causes that led to these simultaneous explosions." There have also been high-level contacts between the U.S. and Israel prompted by Tuesday's incidents in Lebanon, according to a U.S. official. The U.S. said it had no role in the apparent attack on Hezbollah and no warning that it would happen, according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. He also declined to offer an assessment on who could be behind it, saying only that the administration was "gathering information" on the incident. PHOTO: Civil Defense first-responders carry a wounded man whose handheld pager exploded at al-Zahraa hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, Sept. 17, 2024. (Hussein Malla/AP) Miller wouldn't say whether the administration had any information to doubt Hezbollah's claim that Israel was behind the explosions and only said that he didn't want to offer an assessment "one way or the other." The Israeli government has declined to comment on the matter. The White House also said it was not aware the attack was going to happen ahead of time and would not speculate on who was behind it, according to press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. This attack comes as U.S. diplomats have been working intensely to avoid escalation at Israel's northern border and amid fears that a full-blown war between the country and Hezbollah, which sits on a vast trove of missiles, could engulf the entire region. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is, coincidentally, on his way to the region and scheduled to land in Egypt on Tuesday night. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke again on Tuesday after speaking on Monday. The latest conversation was intended "to touch base regarding ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the threats facing Israel, to include the Houthi missile attack over the weekend," according to Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder. Ryder said America's focus was to ensure tensions in the region do not escalate. "We strongly believe that the way to reduce tension along the Israel-Lebanon border is diplomacy," he said. MORE: What is Hezbollah? Lebanon's militant group has long been one of Israel's biggest foes Iran and Hezbollah are likely to retaliate for the attack, but it could take them time to do so while they assess what happened, according to a U.S. official. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health has issued a statement Tuesday instructing all hospitals in various regions of Lebanon to be on maximum alert and raise their level of readiness to meet the rapid need for emergency health services. The ministry noted that preliminary information indicates "the injuries were related to the explosion of wireless devices that were in the possession of the injured." The ministry also asked all citizens who own pagers to throw them away immediately. PHOTO: An ambulance arrives to American University of Beirut Medical Center as more than 1,000 people, including Hezbollah fighters and medics, were wounded when the pagers they use to communicate exploded across Lebanon, in Beirut, Sept. 17, 2024. (Mohamed Azakir/Reuters) The Lebanese Red Cross said it has deployed "more than 30 ambulances" to help treat and evacuate "the wounded as a result of multiple explosions in the South, the Bekaa and the southern suburbs of Beirut," according to a post on its official X account. The group also added "50 more ambulances and 300 Emergency Medical Technicians [are] on standby to assist in the evacuation of victims." About 100 hospitals took in the wounded, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said. The agency said hospitals in Beirut and its southern suburb are full and began directing patients to ones outside the region. Schools across Lebanon will be closed on Wednesday, Lebanese state media reported, citing the country's Minister of Education. Schools and offices closed include public and private schools, high schools, technical institutes, the Lebanese University and private higher education institutions, Lebanese state media reported. Back in February, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had urged members to stop using mobile phones, saying, "I call for dispensing with cellphone devices at this stage, which are considered a deadly agent." ABC News' Luis Martinez, Shannon K. Kingston and Anne Flaherty contributed to this report Thousands injured, several dead after pagers explode across Lebanon: Health officials originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A few spring breaks ago, I got up in the pre-dawn darkness, put on a thick wetsuit, and motored out to the middle of a crystal-clear river in central Florida to await the lumbering passage of a giant aquatic potato. Yes, I went swimming with manatees, and it was magical. These slow, gentle creatures can be found crowding the springs and rivers of Florida every winter, devouring sea grass, keeping warm, and charming tourists who come to watch these adorable, harmless, and entirely charming sea cows. If only Id seen a baby like this one. In this video, a kayak guide on a Florida river introduces us to the cutest little nugget of a manatee calf youve ever seen. Manatee babies, it turns out, are pretty much just like any other mammal baby a smaller, cuter, more rambunctious version of their adult species. And given how cute manatees already are, its pretty dar adorable. All About Baby Manatees Poor manatee moms are pregnant for twelve to fourteen months before giving birth to their calves, who weigh about seventy pounds at birth. Like all marine mammals, learning to swim well is vital to their survival from the very start, as they need to regularly ascend to the surface and breathe. As you can see in this video, mantle babies may struggle to swim at first, and need boosts from their mom to get where they are going. Manatees nurse for a year or two and stay very close to their mother during this time, learning swimming, foraging, and even migratory routes. Manatees, like all mammal, produce milk for their young, and in their case its distributed through glands found in their armpits i.e. beneath their forelimbs. All throughout this video you can see this baby manatee swimming her little flat tail off and her mom coming in to make sure she gets where she needs to go. Its good to see this manatee is doing well, especially as she seems to have already sustained a serious injury along her back. Dangers Facing Manatees Most manatees you meet in Florida rivers have scars along their long, oblong bodies, souvenirs from boating accidents where the giant but extremely slow-moving creatures collided with speedboats in Florida rivers. Sometimes these injuries are minor, and sometimes they result in the animals death. Even this tiny baby has a scar, though the person making this video doubts its the result of a boating accident, as the baby manatee is probably too small to survive a collision like that. Rather, it may just have been a collision with a rock or sharp stick in the river, because, just like a human toddler, the baby manatee isnt always sure where shes going. Thats why experts advise boaters to wear polarized sunglasses to help them see below the waters surface as well as to keep to moderate speeds whenever they are boating in rivers that manatees frequent. Manatees cluster in the rivers and springs of Florida during the winter months because they are extremely sensitive to cold water. Thats why winter is such a great time to take out small paddle boats like kayaks and check out these gentle and majestic creatures. 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. Joe Bidens national security advisers have no imminent plans to present the president with an updated proposal in the Israel-Hamas war ceasefire negotiations, two senior administration officials told CNN the latest indication that talks to end the conflict have seriously stalled. Some US officials had indicated in recent weeks that a so-called bridging proposal was being finalized for Bidens approval before being shared with the other mediators involved in the ceasefire talks, such as Qatar and Egypt. However, according to these senior officials, the presidents advisers first want to have confidence that Hamas would be willing to eventually get to a yes on such an updated agreement and they do not believe that desire exists. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is the latest senior American official to travel to the region, returning to Egypt on Wednesday. But in an indication of how unlikely it appears that his trip will yield a major breakthrough on a ceasefire agreement, the trip will mark the first time since Hamas October 7 attacks that he will visit the Middle East without going to Israel. A major sticking point in the negotiations has to do with the issue of the Palestinian prisoners who would be released in exchange for the hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7. Hamas recently demanded that life-sentence prisoners be released in return for civilian hostages a change from an earlier iteration of the talks, when the parties discussed such prisoners being released only in exchange for Israeli soldiers, those officials said. US officials are largely pointing the finger at Hamas and its leader, Yahya Sinwar, for the impasse, saying it is unclear that he is interested in reaching an agreement at all. The recent execution of six hostages in Gaza including one Israeli American infuriated administration officials who have been intimately involved in the talks. Meanwhile, there has also been growing skepticism in Washington about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus political willingness to end the war. He has been emphatic about the deployment of Israeli troops along the Philadelphi Corridor once a ceasefire agreement goes into effect, even prompting some US officials to say that his insistence that Israel maintain control of the key land strip that runs along the Egypt-Gaza border has not been constructive. Facilitating an end to the Israel-Hamas war before he leaves office is one of the most important foreign policy priorities for Biden. But as CNN previously reported, despite months of feverish work, there has been growing skepticism within the administration about whether a deal can be struck before the end of the presidents term in January. Still, officials insist they are holding out hope and will continue to engage in negotiations, however dim the prospects of a ceasefire may appear at the moment. Speaking to reporters last week, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby declined to predict when the so-called bridging proposal might be ready but insisted the administration is working diligently to make progress. The conversations are continuing, Kirby said. Whats not clear to us, certainly in the wake of the execution of those six hostages, is whether were going to be able to get there. Whats not clear to us is whether Hamas will ever be able to come to the table in sincerity and sign on to something. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com 30,000 Boeing workers voted to go on strike on Friday after rejecting a new labor contract. Stephen Brashear/Getty Images Boeing is "eliminating" first and business-class travel for executives, per a memo seen by BI. The aviation giant is battling to cut costs after thousands of workers went on strike. Boeing is also freezing hiring and considering furloughs, amid fears the strike could cost it billions. Boeing's executives have been barred from flying business class as the company battles to cut costs amid an ongoing strike. In a memo to employees on Monday, which has been viewed by Business Insider, Boeing CFO Brian West laid out the actions that the company is taking to preserve cash as thousands of its workers go on strike. West said the company would eliminate all firstand business-class travel for workers, including executives. He also said the company has implemented a hiring freeze and would consider furloughing some workers. It comes after more than 30,000 of its workers in the US rejected a new pay offer and voted to strike on Friday. The planemaker said it's also pausing pay increases for managers and execs and asking suppliers to halt shipments of parts for some planes. Boeing is even stopping all non-customer-related catering services at its offices, per the memo, with West warning that Boeing's business is entering a "difficult period." Previous strikes have badly hit Boeing's bottom line, costing the aviation giant billions and delaying plane deliveries. A research note from investment bank TD Cowen cited by The New York Times predicted that a strike of the same length as Boeing's last walkout in 2008, which lasted nearly two months, would cost the company as much as $3 billion. It's unclear whether Boeing's restrictions on executive travel extend to private jet usage. BI previously reported that Boeing's fleet of corporate planes spent around 4,500 hours in the sky last year at a cost of about $14 million in fuel. The strike is a further blow to Boeing, which is facing scrutiny over safety and an ongoing federal investigation following the midair Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 door plug blowout in January. Boeing referred to West's comments and declined to comment further. Read the original article on Business Insider Kelly Ortberg came out of retirement to right the ship, but Boeings new CEO first needs to put out a massive fire. As more than 33,000 factory workers go on a strike that analysts say could cost the company $3.5 billion, the company announced sweeping cost cutting measures Monday, including a hiring freeze, significant reductions to supplier spending, and a pause on purchase orders for most of its commercial jetliners. The measures are a temporary stopgap at best, however, as rating agencies consider downgrading the company's debt to junk and the stock continues to falter. Back in June, Fortunes Shawn Tully called Boeing's looming dispute with its workforce Americas most important labor negotiation in decades. So far, it's been a disaster. Late last week, Boeing and union representatives reached a deal that would have raised pay 25% over four years. Almost 95% of voting workers rejected the contract, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said, with 96% agreeing to go on strike. Boeing shares have fallen 4% since early last week, hitting a 52-week low of $154.02 on Monday before rising slightly to sit above the $155 mark at close. The stock is down 38% from the start of a year that began with a panel of one its 737 Max planes famously blowing off during an Alaska Airlines flight in January. Then it got worse, with the company's operating loss in Q2 more than tripling from last year to $1.4 billion. Boeing workers don't forget past increases in CEO pay, BofA says Ortberg might have been brought in to turn things around, but his last-ditch outreach to workers, which included a warning that a strike would put our shared recovery in jeopardy, didnt work. Bank of America senior Ronald Epstein credits the former Rockwell Collins CEO for trying, but two decades of well-documented missteps appear to have taken their toll. During [former CEO Dave Calhouns] tenure his total compensation increased 54.8% from 2021 to 2024, Epstein wrote in a note last week, while [Boeing's] share price has declined 20% vs. the S&P up 40% in the same time frame. Many of Boeing's workers are calling for a 40% increase in wages after years in which their pay hikes lagged well behind the rest of the industry. Boeing COO Stephanie Pope told workers the 25% hike was a big move for a company carrying roughly $60 billion in debt, Epstein noted. However, given that Calhouns compensation climbed to be 273 times higher than that of the median Boeing employee, he wrote, hes not surprised that line has proved a hard sell. We also see [Boeing] management as out of touch with their labor base given the expectation the union should take the long-term view when management has overly focused on short-term financial targets for so long," said Epstein. While Ortberg has made clear he wants to get back to the negotiating table as soon as possible, a deal may take significant time. Epstein found that, over the last eight decades, strikes at Boeing have lasted just short of 60 days on average. Previously, Epstein noted, Boeing aimed to produce 42 of its 737 planes this month. The company is now in a particularly weakened position amid the strike, he said, having just pushed that monthly goal out to March. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Brazils extreme drought is continuing to fuel arid conditions that have resulted in record wildfires in the Amazon. The flames of tens of thousands of fires have torn over millions of acres this summer, making this year the worst for Amazon fires in nearly a decade, according to Rainforest Foundation US. A staggering 7.4 million acres burned within the first half of this year, a 122 percent increase over last year, the nonprofit said. A firefighter works to put out fires earlier this month in Brazils Brasilia National Forest. The nonprofit Rainforest Foundation US says as many as 7.4 million acres burned within the first half of the year ((AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)) There have been more than 180,000 fires this year in Brazil, according to the countrys satellite agency. Data from the National Institute for Space Research shows that over 38,000 fire hotspots were recorded in the region in August alone. Thats the highest number in the past 14 years. And, more than 8.6 million acres were torched in the Brazilian Amazon by August 30, according to records from the Environmental Satellite Applications Laboratory. Christine Halvorson, the program director for Rainforest Foundation US, told The Independent on Monday that she was in neighboring Peru last week and the city of Pucallpa was covered in smoke, which has been caught in currents in the air. The sky was just hazy all the time. The sun was red, she recalled, noting that it was like New York and California in recent U.S. wildfire seasons. And, its probably getting worse. Peruvians, Halvorson said, were freaking out, but none were wearing masks to protect themselves from particulate matter. A person walks down a highway in Brazils Amazonas state, navigating through thick smoke from a nearby forest fire. Smoky condtions have threatened air quality in major citities ((AP Photo/Edmar Barros, File)) While cities have largely been spared the brunt of the impact, air quality has deteriorated in recent weeks. Conditions in Sao Paulo had cleared up a bit on Monday. The citys Pinheiros River turned a shocking green thanks to an algae bloom that grew from the drought. The combination of evaporation from warmer air temperatures reducing water levels and increasing salt content can lead to the release of toxins in the water, creating a hospitable environment for marine algae. The country is experiencing its worst drought since measurements began. Much of western Brazil is under stress and the Amazon basin rivers are registering at historic lows. Boats have been stranded on sandbanks, with people forced to transport goods on foot. River dwellers carry water gallons near the Madeira river, bringing them to an isolated Amazonas state community earlier this month. The drought has sent river levels plummeting to record levels. (REUTERS/Bruno Kelly) The rivers are at the lowest level in decades, if not forever. You know, its the worst fire season in the past 19 years, worst drought in 40 years and perhaps the worst ever, Halvorson said. So, its just going to get worse before it gets any better. Brazils Supreme Court authorized lifting spending restrictions on the environmental disasters in the Amazon and Pantanal regions over the weekend, Reuters reported on Sunday. The massive blazes have forced rescue operations for animals native to the area, from baby marmosets to majestic jaguars, and the fires have ripped through Brazils national parks. The remains of a fish are seen in a dry part of the Solimoes River this weekend. On Sunday, Brazils Supreme Court authorized lifting spending restrictions on the environmental disasters in the Amazon and Pantanal regions, according to Reuters (REUTERS/Bruno Kelly) The Amazon is home to around two-thirds of the worlds largest rainforest, which has served as a major carbon sink for the planet absorbing carbon from Earths atmosphere. But, that role is under threat thanks to a confluence of factors, including the fires. The wildfires have been caused by climate changes and human intervention. Fires often spark on cattle ranches as workers clear forests into pastures or farmlands. Trees are often chopped down to clear out areas, and fires are set to burn up excess vegetation. But, dry and hot weather has led to riskier burns, with fires scorching faster and more intensely. Deforestation has also reduced rainfall in the rainforest, hampering the trees ability to release the moisture they soak up. Smoke rises, earlier this month, from fires spreading through the Brasilia National Forest in Brazil. Scientists have said that between 10-47 percent of Amazonian forests are at risk of collapse by 2050 under climate and deforestation stress ((AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)) Its kind of a bad feedback loop where increased deforestation leads to drier conditions both locally as well as more generally. And then, that, in turn, allows for fires to take place, Halvorson explained. Helga Correa, a conservation specialist at the World Wildlife Foundation in Brazil, said in an initial assessment of the August data last week that the fires were driven by a combination of weather, climate change and human actions, according to Reuters. The group wrote in a social media post last weekend that the fire was largely not occurring in recently deforested areas, but those containing Brazils biodiversity. A bird sits in front of the sun, obscurbed by smoke from wildfires in Brasilia National Park, Brazil, on Sunday. Smoke has choked cities while record wildfires and drought have ravaged the region. But, conditions are expected to worsen before they get better (REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino) This reading reinforces suspicions that forest fires are a degradation tool, the organization said. The foundation previously warned that an already bad situation could get worse. The impact on the environment is already unprecedented, but the consequences of wildfires dont stop there. Our health, the productivity of the country and the whole climate also suffer. Deforestation is second to the burning of fossil fuels as the leading sources of the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Although deforestation has reduced in Brazil in recent years, the group said that in the last half-century the Amazon has lost around a fifth of its forest cover. A drone view shows smoke rising from wildfires in Brasilia National Park on Sunday. The dry season is not close to being over in Brazil (REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino) Scientists have said that between 10-47 percent of Amazonian forests are at risk of collapsing by 2050 under climate and deforestation stress. But reversing land clearance could ultimately reduce emissions. I think its clear that the increase in intensity of the fires and dry season is due to the climate crisis, said Halvorson. With reporting from The Associated Press The Independent will be revealing its Climate100 List in September and hosting an event in New York, which can be attended online. September 17, 2024: Iran is disturbed and unnerved by the continuing assassinations of Iran backed Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. This is in addition to the numerous key scientists, engineers and managers associated with the Iranian effort to build a nuclear bomb. Meanwhile, Iran is trying to salvage something from the losses Hamas is suffering in Gaza and, to a lesser extent, the West Bank. So far this year, the Israeli government has only pretended to try eliminating Hamas in Gaza. Its problem is purely political and self-inflicted. Israeli officials cant agree on how to rule Gaza after eliminating Hamas. Israeli choices are all bad, worse and horrible. Israel is slow rolling the elimination of Hamas. This dithering has caused many problems in and for the United States, and for Israel in the United Nations. Most Palestinians live in or immediately adjacent to Israel. Two million of Israels 9.8 million population are Palestinians. The Gaza Strip contains 365 square kilometers of territory and 2.1 million Palestinians. The West Bank contains 5,655 square kilometers and 4.1 million Palestinians. Gaza has had many rulers over the last century. A century ago Gaza was administered by British officials and occupied by British troops. After 1945 Gaza was ruled by Egyptian officials. In 1956 a war between several Arab states and Israel was won by the Israelis, who also captured Gaza but then withdrew. The 1967 Arab Israeli war saw Gaza once more captured by the Israelis and administered by them until 2005 when, after an 11 year process, Israeli forces withdrew and a local Palestinian government, initially Al Fatah, which also ruled the West Bank, took over Gaza. In 2006 Hamas, a radical Palestinian group that had taken refuge in Egypt, won Palestinian elections for a united Palestinian government. The West Bank Palestinian leaders refused to accept Hamas rule and there was fighting between Fatah and Hamas factions. Israel did not want this violence to spread into Israel and blockaded Gaza, only letting people in or out who were unarmed and had a good reason, like medical care or visiting relatives the Israeli knew about. Hamas continued to recruit Palestinian men to join their force. Hamas armed these new recruits with weapons from Iran, via Egyptian smugglers who could get the guns into Gaza, for a price. Hamas completely took over in Gaza in 2007 while Fatah remained in control of the West Bank. By 2023 Hamas forces in Gaza had ground to about 30,000 men though there were also other rival armed Palestinian and non-Palestinian terrorist groups, and there had been several mini-wars between Hamas and Israel since 2007. In October 2023, 3000 of the armed Hamas fighters, and an equal number of Gaza civilians and non-Hamas terrorists, attacked Israel. About half of the 3,000 attacking Hamas fighters were killed while attacking Israeli forces. The IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) lost 376 troops while 767 civilians died as well. As of early September, 97 hostages remain in Hamas captivity, or are dead. Israel has to take Hamass word for it that any of these hostages are still alive. Surviving Hamas gunmen stayed in Gaza because they failed to advance. In Gaza Hamas waged a guerilla war against the IDF. Hamas also took 251 Israeli civilians and soldiers captive and is trying to bargain with Israel to get thousands of imprisoned Palestinians freed in return for their Israeli captives. So far Israel is not willing to release thousands of convicted Hamas and other Palestinian killers to get 251 soldiers and civilians back. Instead IDF forces have been searching for the hostages and fighting Hamas gunmen who are guarding them. Hamas has been much less of a problem in the West Bank where Fatah security forces, with some assistance from the IDF, have kept most Hamas fighters out. Hamas leaders, especially Ismail Haniyeh, have lived in the Persian Gulf state of Qatar for several years and control $11 billion dollars donated to Hamas by various western and charitable groups and Arab governments as well several hundred million dollars a year from Iran. In theory this money should be used to make life easier, or at least bearable, for Palestinians living in Gaza. That does not happen because Hamas steals the money as well as foreign aid from Western countries. Israel sends food aid, accompanied by a military escort that fights armed Hamas members seeking to steal the aid. As of mid-2024, this remains the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A former Memphis police officer, who pleaded guilty last month to federal charges in the 2023 death of Tyre Nichols, testified Monday that officers had "exaggerated" Nichols' behavior and that Nichols posed no threat to officers during a traffic stop that quickly escalated into a violent beating. Emmitt Martin III was called to testify Monday in the federal trial of his three former colleagues Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith Jr. who are accused of violating Nichols' civil rights after a traffic stop. Nichols, 29, who was Black, was pulled over on Jan. 7, 2023, and beaten by five now-former officers with the Memphis Police Department. The three defendants in the case are charged with using excessive force, deliberate indifference, conspiracy to witness tamper, and witness tampering. The two other defendants, Martin and Desmond Mills Jr., pleaded guilty to using excessive force and conspiracy to witness tamper ahead of the trial. As part of their plea deals, Martin and Mills are testifying against the other defendants. Martin's testimony was the first time jurors heard from one of the officers involved in the beating, in which he detailed the events that preceded Nichols being pulled over. Graphic video footage from the traffic stop showed officers attacking Nichols using pepper spray, a Taser, and a baton while also punching and kicking him. Nichols was heard crying for his mother as officers continued to strike him. The footage later showed the officers propping him up as he repeatedly slumps to the ground. Nichols was hospitalized in critical condition and died three days after the incident. The five former officers were fired shortly after Nichols' death. The case drew national attention, sparking widespread protests and calls for police reform leading to a U.S. Department of Justice probe into the city of Memphis and its police force. When the officers are Black: Tyre Nichols' death raises tough questions about race in policing Former Memphis officer testifies that felony stop was 'exaggerated' During a brief testimony on Monday, Martin said the SCORPION unit officers "exaggerated what they did" in order to "justify what we did." Martin and his former colleagues were members of the now-disbanded SCORPION unit, a specialized police unit that patrolled "hot spots" for crime in Memphis. The former officers would often overplay suspects' actions during incidents to justify their use of force, according to ABC24 Memphis and The Associated Press. Martin, the officer who initially called in Nichols' vehicle, said he was at a stop light when he saw Nichols speed up to beat a red light. Nichols then "took off fast" and was changing lanes without a signal, according to Martin. He said he ran Nichols' plates because beating the red light gave him probable cause. Federal prosecutor Kathryn Gilbert asked Martin what the result of the license plate search was. "It was clean," he replied. Martin said he followed Nichols with his police car lights on and called the SCORPION unit's private radio frequency, in which Haley told Martin to "let him take care of it." Martin said he did not say what offenses Nichols had committed, but told Haley that Nichols was "getting small on him," meaning that Nichols was fleeing from Martin. Fleeing in a vehicle would be a felony offense, according to Tennessee state law. Haley then pulls over Nichols and leaves his unmarked police vehicle with his gun out, which Martin said spurred him to pull his own gun out. The two officers approached Nichols' car and Haley said: "Get the f out the car," Martin testified. Gilbert asked why Haley and Martin surrounded Nichols' car the way they did. Martin said it was "because of the type of stop it was." "What type of stop was it?" Gilbert asked. "A felony stop," Martin replied. "Was it a felony stop?" Gilbert asked again. "No, it was not," Martin said, adding that he had "exaggerated" it. After Haley told Nichols to get out of the car, Martin said Haley "snatched him out the car," not giving Nichols time to comply. 'He wasn't a threat' Earlier in his testimony, Gilbert asked Martin what was valued on the SCORPION Unit. Martin said "stats," such as felony arrests along with confiscating guns, drugs, and money, were valued most. Martin said he had not made any arrests that night and that he was "angry." In the months preceding Nichols' beating, Martin said he was on desk duty because he was hit by a car. He was cleared to return to the field on Jan. 3, 2023, and said he was nervous and "seeing red." "I was angry, I wanted some kind of revenge," Martin said. Martin's testimony also shed more light on the "run tax" that Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Rogers mentioned during her opening statement last week. Rogers had said the beating Nichols received was known as "the run tax" by Memphis police. "You get your a beat," Martin said when asked what happens when someone runs from officers. He added that he knew of the consequences, but did run taxes anyway. Martin also provided additional context to the training he received when putting someone in handcuffs. According to Martin, "If one officer had hands on him, we all need to have hands on him." In describing Nichols that night, Martin said he was "passive" even as he pulled his hands away from other officers. "He wasn't a threat," Martin said. Contributing: Rick Jervis and Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Tyre Nichols case: Former officer says felony stop was exaggerated During the much-anticipated Glowtime event, Apple unveiled its new products, including the latest iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. But what the tech giant demonstrated was a renewed focus on health, boasting two groundbreaking features on the new Apple Watch and AirPods Pro 2: sleep apnea detection and hearing aid features. These new features expand across products, bringing informative and powerful ways to support users in their sleep and hearing health for conditions that impact billions globally, according to Apples press release. If youre intrigued by whether Apples new tech can help you optimize your health, heres what you need to know about how the new features will work. Sleep apnea detection Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can cause you to snore loudly, not feel well-rested even after a full night of sleep, and may lead to serious health problems such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues. Apple hopes to help users of its newest Apple Watches (Series 10, Series 9, and Ultra 2) recognize if they may have sleep apnea through a feature called Breathing Disturbances. It works by using the accelerometer in the watch, which detects small movements at the wrist that could be signs of interruptions to normal respiratory patterns during sleep, Apple explains in the press release. Every 30 days, users can check the Health app to see breathing disturbance data, which notify you with consistent signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea. After that, you can decide whether or not to talk to your doctor about next steps to address it. The breathing disturbances feature can double as a metric of how restful your sleep is, Apple says. Sleep quality can be impacted by things like napping too late or too long, alcohol or caffeine consumption, or racing thoughts. The Health app will show nightly breathing disturbances picked up by the Apple Watch, which can reveal trends over time. You can export a PDF of your breathing disturbances data to show your doctor, especially if youre concerned about sleep apnea. Apple says the sleep apnea notification algorithm was developed using advanced machine learning technology paired with an extensive data set of clinical-grade sleep apnea tests. Apple then validated the feature in a clinical study, in which every participant identified by the algorithm was found to have at least mild sleep apnea. This is a major step forward in improving public health, Dr. Sairam Parthasarathy of the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center for Sleep, Circadian, and Neurosciencess professor and director in Tucson, Arizona, said in the release.. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration just gave clearance to Apples sleep apnea detection devicesa step toward approval. A clinical-grade hearing aid Hearing loss is frustrating for anyone, especially when youre trying to use hearing aids that can be counterintuitive or uncomfortable. With the new generation of AirPods Pro, users can employ a hearing aid capability supposed to be on par with over-the-counter hearing aids, Apple writes, best for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. After taking Apples five-minute hearing test at home with the AirPodsfound in the Health appthe headphones technology can transform AirPods Pro into a clinical-grade hearing aid, according to the press release It takes into account your personal hearing test results, enabling personalized dynamic adjustments based on your hearing needs in the environment youre in to boost audio in real time. The hearing aid feature can also be set up with an audiogram from a professional. Apple says people with little to no hearing loss can benefit from the hearing test as well, as the test profile will enable specific audio adjustments at individual frequencies. Hearing health is a cornerstone of overall wellbeing. Protecting and preserving our hearing enhances our quality of life both in the short-term and long-term, said Rick Neitzel, professor at University of Michigan School of Public Health and principal investigator of the Apple Hearing Study. For more on health tech: This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Former MoviePass CEO Mitch Lowe in "MoviePass, MovieCrash." HBO Documentary Films Former MoviePass CEO Mitch Lowe has pleaded guilty to securities fraud conspiracy. Lowe's actions as CEO helped push MoviePass and its parent company into bankruptcy in 2020. Lowe faces up to five years in prison. Mitch Lowe, the former CEO of MoviePass, has pleaded guilty to securities fraud conspiracy, Variety reported on Monday. Lowe, whose actions as CEO helped drive the popular movie-ticket-subscription app into bankruptcy, admitted to conspiring to deceive the public and investors. Lowe, 72, faces up to five years in federal prison. "Mitch is a good man who is looking to move forward with his life," Margot Moss and David Oscar Markus, Lowe's lawyers, said in a statement to Business Insider. "He has accepted responsibility for his actions in this case and will continue to try to make things right." Lowe became the CEO of MoviePass in the spring of 2016, taking the reins from cofounder Stacy Spikes. A year later, Helios and Matheson Analytics (HMNY) became the parent company of MoviePass. Lowe and HMNY CEO Ted Farnsworth launched a $10-a-month plan that brought huge popularity to the service. As subscriptions soared into the millions, HMNY's stock skyrocketed. However, the $10 plan which allowed subscribers to see a movie a day in theaters was not sustainable, and the company burned through hundreds of millions of dollars. By 2020, both MoviePass and HMNY went bankrupt. MoviePass CEO Mitch Lowe and Helios and Matheson Chief Executive Ted Farnsworth. MoviePass/Reuters Lowe and Farnsworth were charged in a securities fraud case in 2022 by the Department of Justice. The DOJ alleged that Lowe and Farnsworth "engaged in a scheme to defraud investors through materially false and misleading representations relating to HMNY and MoviePass's business and operations to artificially inflate the price of HMNY's stock and attract new investors." Farnsworth, whose bail was revoked in August 2023, is currently in Florida prison awaiting his trial in March. Spikes, who was ousted by Lowe and Farnsworth from MoviePass in 2018, bought back the company in 2021. MoviePass under Spikes' leadership is currently available nationwide. The story of the rise and fall of MoviePass is chronicled in the documentary "MoviePass, MovieCrash," which was released in May and is based on BI's award-winning reporting. Read the original article on Business Insider LOS ANGELES We already have something of a lying situation, even before Joan Vassos steps up to star in the TV history-making "The Golden Bachelorette" Wednesday (8 EDT/PDT). Vassos, 61, says her four grown children were supportive when they learned the private school administrator from Rockville, Maryland, would be ABC's Golden Bachelorette the first senior woman to seek love with 24 similarly aged male candidates, following last year's hit inaugural season of "The Golden Bachelor." However, the Vassos clan collectively (and unfairly) demanded the grandmother of three could not kiss anyone on TV, and they vetoed Fantasy Suites nights, a franchise staple. "You have to kiss some frogs to find your prince," Vassos tells USA TODAY. "So I promised them I wouldn't, knowing that I was lying the whole time. They don't know, and I'm not telling them." 'Golden Bachelorette' premiere: Joan Vassos to meet Kelsey Anderson's 'Hot Dad' Mark, who is already a star Joan Vassos, a 61-year-old grandmother and school administrator from Rockville, Maryland, stars as ABC's first "Golden Bachelorette." That's a definite pass for Vassos, who was a brief ray of sunshine among 22 candidates on "Golden Bachelor." Vassos, whose husband of 32 years died in 2021, bonded with widower Gerry Turner over the loss of their respective longtime spouses during an emotional but romantic Episode 3 dinner. Then she tearfully withdrew (or "self-eliminated") from the reality show the next morning due to a family emergency. While painful at the time, Vassos believes that Bachelor Nation applauded her move to leave the Bachelor mansion to take care of her daughter, who was recovering from a difficult childbirth. "You have a lot of responsibilities at this age my kids, my mother is 92, my mother-in-law," says Vassos. "Self-eliminating from the show really resonated with people." Joan Vassos, a 61-year-old grandmother and school administrator from Rockville, Md., stars in the ABC reality television series "The Golden Bachelorette" premiering on Sept. 18, 2024. Vassos believes that her sad early TV departure was a big reason she received a surprising call from three show producers asking her to take a second shot at TV love in "Golden Bachelorette." "There were people that made it far longer in the show that maybe were more deserving," says Vassos. "But that was a good call to get." 'Golden Bachelorette' Vassos felt 'pressure' after 'Golden Bachelor' split There were downsides to agreeing to the high-profile TV dating experience. As fans know, the wheels fell off the initially exuberant "Golden Bachelor" season, exacerbated by the Nov. 29 Hollywood Reporter expose of Turner's "not-so-golden past," which claimed the Indiana-based widower had misled viewers about his romantic life and professional qualifications. Turner, who declined to discuss the report, married Theresa Nist in a Jan. 4 wedding, which aired live from Palm Spring, California. However, the couple announced their divorce during an April 12 "GMA" interview just three months later. The experience left the "Golden" brand tarnished. Vassos remains respectful to Turner and the couple's "journey," as such romances are unfailingly known. "We all saw that it didn't work out," she says. "And I applaud them for saying it's over now, and that we're young enough to still find love in our life." Still, Vassos admits the disappointing reality show aftermath raises the stakes for her "Golden Bachelorette" season. "I feel like it put a little pressure on me; I'm not going to lie," says Vassos. "I wish I could say that I thought, 'No, I'm going on my own journey.' But there was a part of me that thought, 'I need to be the redemption.' And that if this season doesn't go as everybody wants, this may be the end of the 'Golden' franchise." She relaxed upon meeting the new crop of 24 eclectic men, which includes Mark Anderson, the hunky father of "Bachelor" alum Kelsey Anderson. "Yeah, I felt pressure, but once I met the guys, I was like, 'This is all gonna be fine,'" says Vassos, who is keeping her already taped ending top secret. "I'm dying to tell you because the journey was so incredible. People will love the show, and love the men." One clue she will volunteer: Vassos, who professes to be "on the serious side," needs an outgoing guy, like her late husband John Vassos. He lit up every room before dying after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Daughter Kelsey Anderson introduced her father, Mark, to Joan Vassos in the first episode. But he handled it from there. Vassos admits she struggled with guilt about appearing on a TV dating show after losing her beloved husband. "I was a little worried that I won't be honoring his memory," she says. "And I know that people will be like, 'Well, if you were so in love, how in the world could you go on that show?'" But she says she found the experience emotionally healing. She talked about the loss with other widows in the "Golden Bachelor" house which was "the group therapy I needed. And when I got out I was good afterward." She's moved past the notion that "Golden Bachelorette" would in any way disrespect John's memory. After all, he was the major reality show fan of the two, watching "Real Housewives" and "The Bachelor." "When I told a friend I felt guilty, she was like, 'Oh, that's so stupid!'" says Vassos. "She said that John is going to be looking down from heaven saying, 'That's my wife down there.' He will be celebrating this and loving it, I still do believe. I feel like he's with me, honestly." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Golden Bachelorette Joan Vassos on pressure from Gerry Turner's season FILE - A Burmese python is held during a safe capture demonstration at a media event for the 2022 Florida Python Challenge, June 16, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) Its official, the Florida Python Challenge this year has a winner. The $10,000 grand prize went to Ronald Kiger, who removed 20 Burmese pythons from the Florida Everglades during the 10-day hunt, which was meant to bring awareness to the threat that these pythons pose to the ecosystem. Last year, he was the direct runner-up to the grand prize winner. Representatives from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Kigers win in a Tuesday morning meeting in Duck Key. This year, more than 800 people from 33 states and Canada participated in the challenge, and hunters removed 195 Burmese pythons from the wild. The rest of the prize money was divided amongst competitors in the contests three categories: novice, professional and military. Donna Kalil was one python away from a tie with Kiger. Kalil, a contractor with the South Florida Water Management District, got a $2,500 prize for catching 19 pythons in the professional category. Also in the professional category, Marcos Rodriguez caught 16 pythons for the prize of $1,500, and Quentin Archie won a $1,000 prize for catching the longest python in this category at 8 feet 11 inches (2.7 meters). Thomas Hobbs won $2,500 for leading the novice category by catching 16 Burmese pythons, while Dennis Krum caught the longest python in this category and also in the entire competition, at 9 feet 11 inches (3 meters). Jeff Lince caught five pythons, winning $2,500 in the military category, and Antonio Ramos won $1,000 for catching the longest python in this group at 9 feet 7 inches (2.9 meters). The challenge occurred in mid-August. Hunters were tasked with humanely killing the Burmese pythons and turning in the carcasses to any of the contests three check stations in South Florida. The challenge wasnt just meant for hunters to win the share of about $25,000 in prizes. It also served to raise awareness about the dangers of Burmese pythons, like how they affect native snakes, can spread diseases amongst native animals and have high mercury levels that are dangerous for human consumption. Over 14,000 pythons have been successfully removed by FWC and South Florida Water Management District contractors since 2017, said Rodney Barreto, chairman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in a news release. This collective effort continues to have a direct positive impact on the Everglades and our native wildlife through removal and awareness. This years competition was a little bit smaller compared to last year. In 2023, more than 1,000 hunters participated and 209 pythons were removed. Hunters contracted with the states wildlife commission and the South Florida Water Management District work year-round to remove the invasive pythons from the wild. A female python can lay about 50 to 100 eggs at a time, which is why the competition is held during hatching season in August. According to the wildlife agency, about 22,000 pythons have been removed from the state since 2000. Tel Aviv Gal Hirsch, Israel's coordinator for hostages and the missing, has broadened a cease-fire offer from the Israeli government to Hamas leader Yahyah Sinwar. "I think we will be able to provide safe passage to him, his family, whoever he wants to take with him. If [he wants] to take ten, take ten. Thousands! I don't care," Hirsch told CBS News. In return, he said Hamas would have to relinquish control of the Gaza Strip and allow the return of the remaining 101 hostages. "It would be the end of the war, as [the hostages] will be recovered," Hirsch said. Of the remaining 101 hostages currently held by Hamas, Israeli intelligence believes 64 are still alive. Israel insists both the living and the dead must be returned. Sinwar has not replied to Hirsch's proposal since the Israeli negotiator first floated a more limited version of it last week. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, seen in a file photo from March 22, 2017. / Credit: Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto/Getty The Hamas leader has been in hiding, presumed to be somewhere in the labyrinth of tunnels under Gaza, since the group launched its Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel, killing some 1,200 people, taking about 250 others hostage, and sparking the ongoing war in Gaza. According to Israeli officials, Sinwar was last sighted in a video they say came from a Hamas security camera, recorded just days after the Oct. 7 massacre. The grainy black and white pictures only show him from behind, following his wife and children into a tunnel. Sinwar was named the overall head of Hamas on Aug. 6, about a week after Israel assassinated the group's long-time political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran's capital, Tehran. Sinwar did issue a public message this week, thanking his Houthi allies in Yemen after one of their missiles reached Israel on Sunday. There was no suggestion in his message that he was open to accepting an Israeli offer of safe passage out of Gaza. On the contrary, he signalled that with the help of the Houthis and Hamas' powerful Hezbollah allies in Lebanon, his group was ready to hold out for eventual victory over Israel. "We have prepared ourselves for a prolonged war of attrition that will break the enemy's political will," he said. Hirsch also signalled in his interview with CBS News that there could be some wiggle room in one of Israel's key conditions for a cease-fire agreement with Hamas. Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was accused by Hamas of suddenly introducing a new term in the negotiations. He was said to have moved a goal post in the drawn-out dialogue, insisting that after the war, Israeli troops would have to remain in the Philadelphi Corridor, the area along Gaza's southern border with Egypt, to make sure Hamas could not smuggle weapons into the Palestinian Territory that way. For Hamas, any enduring Israeli military presence in Gaza has always been a non-starter in the negotiations. Hirsch has now hinted that there could be room for a compromise. "I'm dealing with the hostages and the missing," he said. "The Philadelphi road is a very important asset for negotiations." Various senior Israeli military figures believe surveillance of the alleged smuggling route could be carried out electronically, with help from international partners, but without Israeli boots on the ground. Asked whether Israel could rely on underground sensors instead of troops to detect smuggling, Hirsch said the details of the IDF deployment which troops are stationed where "is part of the negotiation." "The Philadelphi road, the prisoners in Israeli prisons, humanitarian support - these are all assets we can negotiate with to bring our hostages back home," he said. Prosecutor explains charges against Sean "Diddy" Combs "Michigan's Secret Weapon:" Greg Harden | 60 Minutes Archive Senate to vote on federal IVF protections Vice President Kamala Harris criticized what she called "harmful" attacks from former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, on Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, during a National Association of Black Journalists panel in Philadelphia on Tuesday where she delivered her most extensive comments on the controversy and on race more largely, a topic she has shied away from this cycle. "It's a crying shame," Harris said when asked about Trump and Vance spreading the unsubstantiated claims that Haitian migrants in the small city were stealing and eating neighbors' pets. "I mean, my heart breaks for this community." A spokesperson for the city of Springfield told ABC News the claims are false, and that there have been "no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals in the immigrant community." MORE: Trump says Biden-Harris 'rhetoric' to blame for Florida assassination attempt Harris' comments on Tuesday marked her harshest rebuke of the unfounded claims about Springfield's Haitian migrants. Despite being asked multiple times by reporters about them, Harris had previously declined to comment. She called the former president's comments about migrants in Springfield "exhausting" and "harmful." "I think most people in our country, regardless of their race, are starting to see through this nonsense and to say, 'You know what, let's turn the page on this,'" she said. "This is exhausting and it's harmful and it's hateful and grounded in some age-old stuff that we should not have the tolerance for." PHOTO: Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during National Association of Black Journalists forum at WHYY in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (Matt Rourke/AP) The vice president said Trump's comments about the migrants in Springfield have lost him the public's trust. "When you are bestowed with a microphone that is that big, there is a profound responsibility that comes with that, that is an extension of what should not be lost in this moment, this concept of the public trust to then understand what the public trust means," she said. "It means that you have been invested with trust to be responsible in the way you use your words, much less how you conduct yourself, and especially when you have been and then seek to be again, president of the United States of America." She called on Trump's "hateful rhetoric" to stop. "I know that people are deeply troubled by what is happening to that community in Springfield, Ohio, and it's got to stop," Harris told the panel. "And we've got to say that you cannot be entrusted with standing behind the seal of the president of the United States of America, engaging in that hateful rhetoric that, as usual, is designed to divide us as a country, is designed to have people pointing fingers at each other." MORE: More threats in Springfield, Ohio: College closes campus as fear grips community A rash of bomb threats have targeted schools, government buildings and elected officials' homes in Springfield, forcing evacuations and closures. Harris noted that some children in Springfield had to evacuate their schools because of bomb threats on what was picture day for them. "Children. Children. A whole community put in fear," she said. PHOTO: A parishioner walks back to his pew after taking Communion during a service in support of the Haitian community at St. Raphael Catholic church in Springfield, Ohio, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Luis Andres Henao/AP) The panel comes just days after an apparent assassination attempt on Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club. The White House said Harris had a "cordial" call with the former president on Tuesday. "I checked on to see if he was OK, and I told him what I have said publicly, 'there is no place for political violence in our country,'" Harris said of the call. "I am in this election, in this race, for many reasons, including to fight for our democracy and in a democracy, there is no place for political violence. We can and should have healthy debates and discussion and disagreements, but not resort to violence to resolve those issues." Asked if she felt Secret Service could keep her and her family safe, Harris said, "I do." "But I mean, you can go back to Ohio, not everybody has Secret Service, and there are far too many people in our country right now who are not feeling safe." MORE: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis launches state investigation into apparent Trump assassination attempt Harris' comments on race The panel discussion also featured Harris's most extensive remarks on race since launching her presidential bid over the summer. So far, Harris' 2019 campaign put a larger focus on race compared to her current run for president. She tied many of her economic proposals to the Black community, including her small business tax credit, saying "part of what I also know is that our young Black men, our Black men, just like any group of people ... are really the backbone of our economy overall. And when they do better economically, we all do better." But in the time since she got into the race, at a similar NABJ panel interview in July, Trump got into a fiery back-and-forth with reporters and falsely questioned Harris' race. "So I've known her a long time, indirectly, not directly, very much, and she was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage," Trump said during that heated exchange. "I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. So I don't know, is she Indian or is she Black?" PHOTO: Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event, Sept. 13, 2024, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) MORE: Trump falsely questions Harris' race in NABJ interview, says VP pick 'does not have any impact' Harris -- the child of an Indian mother and Jamaican father, both immigrants to the United States -- has not directly responded to Trump's comments. In an August interview with CNN, after being asked to comment on the personal attacks Trump has lobbied at the vice president surrounding her racial identity, Harris dodged. "Same old, tired playbook," she told the network. "Next question, please." And when asked to comment on the same attacks during ABC News' debate last week, instead of speaking about her own racial identity, Harris chose a more generic answer. "I think it's a -- a tragedy that we have someone who wants to be president who has consistently over the course of his career attempted to use race to divide the American people," she told ABC News' David Muir. MORE: READ: Harris-Trump presidential debate transcript Harris is not new to people falsely questioning her "Blackness." During her presidential run in 2019, Harris faced questions about whether she was Black enough to identify as a Black candidate. "I'm Black, and I'm proud of being Black," Harris said on "The Breakfast Club" radio show in February of that year. "I was born Black. I will die Black, and I'm not going to make excuses for anybody because they don't understand." At the NBC debate in 2019, Harris strong-armed her way into the opportunity to take on then-Vice President Joe Biden on efforts to desegregate public schools, specifically school busing programs. "As the only Black person on this stage, I would like to speak on the issue of race," Harris said, interjecting as the moderators were moving on to someone else. During that debate, Biden brought up his ability to work with politicians across the aisle, fondly recounting his relationship with segregationist Sens. James O. Eastland of Mississippi and Herman E. Talmadge of Georgia. Harris, who directly benefited from busing programs, jumped in to respond. "It was not only that, but you also worked with them to oppose busing," Harris continued. "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." In another departure from her time as a candidate in 2019, as vice president, and as Biden's running mate during his bid for reelection, Harris hardly mentions one of her top issues: Black maternal mortality. In 2020, Harris had a section on her website's issues page devoted to "Health Justice For Black Communities," with a commitment to "fight to end the Black maternal mortality crisis." Now, her website only says she'll "combat maternal mortality" more generally. She introduced the Maternal CARE Act to tackle the issue while in the Senate. The bill mentioned "Black women" 10 times. ABC News has reached out to the Harris campaign for comment on the shift between her two presidential campaigns, and whether this is part of political calculation ahead of the general election. They did not respond by the time of publication. 'It's a crying shame': Harris slams 'harmful' attacks on Haitian migrants in NABJ interview originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The militant group Hezbollah said Tuesday that pagers belonging to its members had blown up across Lebanon, killing at least eight and injuring more than 2,700, according to the countrys Health Ministry. Iran-backed Hezbollah pinned the blame for the widespread and seemingly simultaneous blasts on Israel, without providing evidence for its claim. Israel did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the accusations and the pager explosions. More than 200 people were in critical condition after the blasts, Public Health Minister Dr. Firas Abiad told reporters. Amid what was developing into a nationwide health emergency, Lebanese officials ordered the public to avoid using handheld communication devices. Mojtaba Amani, Irans ambassador to Lebanon, was among those injured, according to the countrys embassy. In an post on X, it described his injuries as superficial, and added that Amani was in a good condition. An ambulance can be seen in the city of Sidon after Hezbollah members were wounded on Tuesday. Hezbollah said in its own statement that explosions had killed "a girl and two brothers." It added that the blasts had come from pagers belonging to employees in various Hezbollah units and institutions. Hezbollah says it has handed out pagers to members, many of whom stopped using cellphones out of fear that Israel could use the devices to track and monitor them. The ministry requests all citizens who own wireless communication devices to stay away from them until the truth of what is happening is revealed, the National News Agency quoted the Health Ministry as saying. It was unclear whether the explosions were part of a coordinated attack, which would represent a significant security breach for Hezbollah. Lebanon's Red Cross said it deployed 130 ambulances to respond to explosion injuries, with an additional 170 vehicles on standby. The country's civil emergency authority urged citizens to donate blood at hospitals "as soon as possible," state news reported. The news agency Reuters reported that dozens of Hezbollah members were seriously wounded in Lebanons south and in the southern suburbs of the countrys capital, Beirut. A Reuters journalist saw 10 Hezbollah members bleeding from wounds in the Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, the agency said. It was unclear how many civilians had been affected. As of late Tuesday afternoon local time, no one had taken responsibility for the explosions, some of which appeared to have been captured on CCTV video and shared on social media. In a second statement, Hezbollah said it had reviewed all the facts and information and held Israel responsible for the explosions, which occurred a day after Israel announced a new war objective, fueling fears of a new military offensive in Lebanon. Israel also warned the U.S. that military action would likely be the only way to address mounting hostilities with Hezbollah. Late Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office announced that his security Cabinet had updated its list of war objectives to include the safe return of residents who have been displaced from their homes near the northern border due to months of fighting with Hezbollah. Israel will continue to act to implement this objective, the prime ministers office said. Thousands of people have been displaced on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border in the months since Israel began an offensive in Gaza began following the Hamas-led Oct. 7 terrorist attacks. Hezbollah has vowed to continue attacks until Israels assault on Gaza ends. Israeli tensions with Hezbollah, a powerful militia and political party that formed in 1986 and rose to power after Israel invaded southern Lebanon in pursuit of Palestinian Liberation Organization fighters, spiralled during the war in Gaza. Last month, Israel struck Lebanon with what it said were pre-emptive strikes to prevent plans by Hezbollah to launch a widespread assault across the countries' shared border. The attacks came weeks after a top Hezbollah commander, Fouad Shukur, was assassinated by Israel. Hezbollah sought revenge in by launching a drone attack on Israel's Glilot base, which is near Tel Aviv. International diplomats, particularly those from the U.S. and France, have been working for months to de-escalate the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in an effort to contain the war in Gaza. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is trying to get his party behind a funding bill. WASHINGTON Speaker Mike Johnson said the House will vote Wednesday on a six-month stopgap funding bill linked to legislation requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote the same package he abruptly pulled off the floor last week amid growing GOP opposition. Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, spent the weekend calling members and trying to flip GOP defections to the yes column. But given Republicans narrow 220-211 majority, and some members blanket opposition to short-term bills known as continuing resolutions, or CRs, its highly unlikely Johnson can push the package through the House. The federal government is set to shut down at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 1 unless Democrats and Republicans can agree on a funding bill. Johnson's plan calls for a half-year CR tied to the Donald Trump-backed SAVE Act, though the package would be dead on arrival in the Democratic-led Senate and faces a veto threat from President Joe Biden. Congress has an immediate obligation to do two things: responsibly fund the federal government, and ensure the security of our elections. Because we owe this to our constituents, we will move forward on Wednesday with a vote on the 6-month CR with the SAVE Act attached, Johnson said in a statement Tuesday. I urge all of my colleagues to do what the overwhelming majority of the people of this county rightfully demand and deserve prevent non-American citizens from voting in American elections, he said. As he opened the House floor, Johnson told reporters he'll be having more conversations with GOP holdouts Tuesday and Wednesday before the vote but made no promises the package would pass. "We'll see what happens. I really hope we can do it," Johnson said, vowing to stick with his strategy. "I'm not having any alternative conversations. That's the play, it's an important one, and I'm going to work around the clock to get it passed." The White House, congressional Democrats and some Republicans are pushing for an even shorter-term bill that keeps the government open past the election, into December. That would buy bipartisan negotiators more time to strike a deal on fiscal year 2025 funding. In a floor speech Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., praised Johnson for offering a CR that sticks to the fiscal 2024 funding levels that the two leaders agreed to earlier this year. But he panned the speakers CR and SAVE Act strategy as unworkable and urged him to abandon it. At this point in the process, the only way we can prevent a harmful government shutdown is by both sides working together to reach a bipartisan agreement, Schumer said. Speaker Johnson is reportedly going to hold a vote on his six-month CR tomorrow. But the only thing that will accomplish is make clear that hes running into a dead end. We must have a bipartisan plan instead," he said. Trump has urged congressional Republicans to shut down the government if Congress doesn't pass the SAVE Act. But on Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., warned that a shutdown would be politically harmful for Republicans. "The one thing you cannot have is a government shutdown," McConnell told reporters after Senate Republicans' weekly lunch. "It would be politically beyond stupid for us to do that right before the election because, certainly, we'd get the blame." At least eight people were killed and more than 2,700 injured, many of them Hezbollah fighters, when the handheld pagers they use to communicate exploded, Lebanon's health minister said Tuesday. Firass Abiad said the blasts took place in several suburbs of Beirut, according to Lebanon's National News Agency. He said many of the victims had injuries to their faces, hands and stomachs. He said one of those killed was an 8-year-old girl. The direct cause of the explosions, which appeared to take place simultaneously at 3:30 p.m., was not immediately clear, though Hezbollah quickly blamed Israel for what it called its "sinful aggression." The Shia militant movement said Israel would get "its fair punishment." A Hezbollah official told the Reuters news agency that the detonation of the pagers was the "biggest security breach" the group had been subjected to in nearly a year of war with Israel. Mojtaba Amani, Iran's ambassador in Lebanon, was also injured in the incident, though not seriously, according to Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency. Hezbollah is materially and financially backed by Iran. There was no immediate comment from Israel's military. People gather outside a hospital, as more than 1,000 people, including Hezbollah fighters and medics, were wounded on Tuesday when the pagers they use to communicate exploded across Lebanon, in Beirut on Sept. 17, 2024. Spiking West Bank violence: another front to Israel's collection of conflicts Still, the incident comes just hours after Israel's security Cabinet released a statement vowing to return tens of thousands of displaced residents of Israel's northern areas to their homes. Hezbollah, long Israel's enemy, has repeatedly fired missiles at Israeli territory since Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks, causing many residents to flee south. A pager is a small electronic device that can be worn or fit in a pocket that beeps or vibrates when someone is trying to contact you. It displays the phone number or sometimes a short message. Pagers can usually only receive information, not transmit it, making their location hard to track. Small bombs on both pagers and cellphones can be detonated remotely. Israel has for months warned that it could launch a military operation to drive Hezbollah away from its border. Orna Mizrachi, a former Israeli national security official, said in a call with reporters that the pager attack could signal that Israel is about to change its war strategy, in which it has been fighting Hamas in Gaza for almost a year, and move its main front to the north to fight Hezbollah. "I think we are closer than we were before to a full-scale war" with Hezbollah, said Mizrachi, now a senior research fellow at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies. Still, hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, are not new. They have been clashing and exchanging fire along their shared border since the mid-1980s. They fought a major war in 2006. Hezbollah says it has upped its attacks on Israel as part of its support for Hamas in Gaza. But they are also connected to a broader regional commitment to oppose and pressure Israel. Lina Khatib, an expert on the Middle East at London think tank Chatham House, noted recently that Hezbollahs fight with Israel may not ultimately be about helping Palestinians, or even Hamas, but about self-preservation. "The group could have intervened on a large scale in October before Israel significantly weakened Hamas military capability, but it did not," Khatib said. "Hezbollah would only engage in all-out war with Israel if the group felt it was facing an existential threat of its own (which, currently, it does not). It will not sacrifice itself for Palestine." Rose Kelanic, who runs the Middle East program at Defense Priorities, a Washington think tank, said that if it's confirmed the operation was carried out by Israel, the message is clear: "The Israelis just told Hezbollah that they've got their number, quite literally, by exploding these pagers." Kelanic said the pagers could have been detonated through purely cyber means by a computer virus or "worm." The Israelis are believed to have done similarly when Iranian nuclear centrifuges were destroyed by making them spin so fast, they broke. Or the pagers could have been physically sabotaged at some point along the supply chain. In one instance, closed-circuit surveillance video carried by regional broadcasters showed a person paying at a grocery store as what appeared to be a small handheld device placed next to the cashier exploded. The New York Times reported that Israel hid explosive material in the Taiwan-made Gold Apollo pagers before they were imported to Lebanon, citing American and other officials briefed on the operation. The material was implanted next to the battery with a switch that could be triggered remotely to detonate. The Palestinian militant group Hamas, which is waging war with Israel in Gaza, said the pager blasts were an "escalation" that will only lead Israel to "failure and defeat." Contributing: Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hezbollah pagers explode, with 8 dead and thousands more injured Edward Snowden's disclosures in 2013 shook the internet and technology sectors, which exposed the downsides of widespread monitoring and cast doubt on the idealistic notion of a linked society. Google, Facebook, and Apple were implicated in the worldwide discourse about government monitoring and privacy violation by Snowden. William Fitzgerald, a Google employee in Hong Kong who was instrumental in defending Snowden, was a significant character in this narrative. After Snowden's revelations, the world is increasingly conscious of privacy, encryption, and the continuous conflict between government control and individual liberties. Former CIA and military contractor employee Edward Snowden had the guts to reveal the NSA's monitoring methods. He divulged how the NSA, FBI, and GCHQ used tools like PRISM to spy on Americans and hack foreign computers. The motivation for Snowden's activities was his ethical concerns over how intelligence organizations were using the information of private persons. But the NSA chief at that time, Keith Alexander, doubted him. Eventually, the US government revoked his passport and charged him with breaching the Espionage Act, according to NPR. Efforts To Help Snowden After learning about Snowden's revelations, Google employee William Fitzgerald in Hong Kong contacted reporter Glenn Greenwald to offer his assistance in keeping Snowden safe, according to The Guardian. Fitzgerald gained Greenwald's confidence and significantly impacted the events by connecting Greenwald with a human rights attorney in Hong Kong despite having no legal training. Fitzgerald left Google in 2018 to start The Worker Agency, an advocacy and communications agency, after seeing cultural changes at the company, including a lessened focus on openness and personnel changes. William Fitzgerald said he founded the company after 10 years in public policy and corporate communications at Google. He noted that during his Google tenure, he got "personally involved" with several campaigns in Ireland, Hong Kong, and the United States, wherein he realized a lot of undersized advocacy groups conducting "inspiring transformational work" with little support from bigger organizations. He continued by saying that The Worker Agency was established to promote these admirable initiatives and ensure they get significant media attention. Every oppression narrative deserves to be told, and we want to promote progressive activism by sparking debates on social media, in the news, and by building alliances. The IT community has been divided over government requests for user data and censorship since Snowden's disclosures. While some claim that tech firms have caved into governmental pressure, others credit them for fortifying their legal defenses against such demands. The Aftermath of The Snowden Revelation Nevertheless, the controversy led to the rise of encryption technology. Non-profit digital rights groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) also became well-known, which boosted awareness and encryption use. According to Snowden, 2016 was a turning point for encryption since most internet traffic moved from a specialized to a mainstream position. Remarkable story. I wonder how the internetand worldwould look now, ten years on, if big tech had elevated more courageous people dreaming of freer futures, and fewer of the sort of miserable bureaucrats that compete for ever-higher "compliance scores." https://t.co/wZLXdZwQDG Edward Snowden (@Snowden) June 18, 2023 The public has become more aware of the schemes of governments and tech companies in gathering data through the Internet. Thanks to Snowden's disclosures, which have led to more substantial usage of encryption. However, as of present reporting, Snowden's case is still pending as a daily reminder of the unsolved conflicts between concerns for national security and individual privacy rights. He became a naturalized citizen of Russia, according to Euronews. In Arizona, residents must provide proof of citizenship to vote in state and local elections. A top election official in Arizona said filed a suit Tuesday that could bar almost 100,000 residents from voting in state and local races this fall, claiming they have not provided citizenship documents required under state law. The suit from Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer is related to a specific part of Arizona election law that requires residents to provide documents that prove citizenship to vote in state and local elections. Such documents are not required for Arizona residents to register to vote or cast a ballot in federal elections. As is the case with many other states, Arizona requires that U.S. citizenship must be sworn to to participate in federal elections. Under Arizona law, residents who fail to submit documentary proof of citizenship or whose U.S. citizenship cannot be verified via their driver's license registration records or other record in the statewide voter registration database may only vote in federal elections. In a lengthy post on X, Richer, who helps oversee elections in the battleground state's largest county, said his office had discovered a flaw in the way state officials and systems verify citizenship via driver's license registration records that resulted in 97,000 people who have sworn that they are U.S. citizens not having had provided documented proof of citizenship. All of these people have attested under penalty of law that they are U.S. citizens. And, in all likelihood, they [are] almost all U.S. Citizens, Richer, a Republican elected official, wrote. But they have NOT provided documented proof of citizenship. As a result, if those 97,000 people failed to provide such documentation, they wont be able to vote in state and local races this fall, Richer said. The suit, which will be filed to the state Supreme Court, comes as Republicans nationally have sought to crack down on noncitizen voting. Former President Donald Trump and his allies have portrayed it as a widespread problem, even though it is illegal and rarely occurs. Richer, however, is an outspoken defender of the swing states election process who has forcefully pushed back against the unfounded voter fraud claims that spread after the 2020 and 2022 campaigns. He lost his GOP primary in July to Justin Heap, a critic of Maricopa County elections who has dodged questions about whether the 2020 election was fraudulent. Regardless of the suits outcome, the affected group of voters will still be able to vote in Arizona's key presidential and Senate races this year. But it remains possible they could be barred from casting ballots in competitive elections further down the ballot, including state legislative races and a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to enshrine abortion access. At a press conference Tuesday, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes positioned the legal battle as one designed simply to get a quick ruling on an ambiguous issue. There are no fights in fact and there are no fights in process, Fontes said. Were just taking differing legal positions, so we can get the rule, he said. He predicted the state Supreme Court would rule this week, as mail-in ballots are scheduled to be sent out in some counties to some military voters as early as Thursday. Asked by NBC News whether the situation could spur new election conspiracy theories, Fontes replied that this has already spurred new conspiracy theories about this election. But those conspiracy theories are just as good as all of the other conspiracy theories are, Fontes said. We have the facts. We are bringing them forward in a very transparent way, some might argue, a little too transparent, and were making sure that people understand that we are working on this diligently." Earlier Tuesday, after news of the suit first broke, Trump ally and right-wing activist Laura Loomer claimed on X that "Arizona may have just illegally registered 100,000 illegal aliens to vote!" She added that, "The plot to steal 2024 is already underway." Loomer has spread false conspiracy theories about undocumented immigrants registering to vote and about mass shootings helping Democrats get elected. Fontes, during his press conference, added that one reason the legal question had to be settled so quickly and crucially in the first place was because weve got policies that are being driven by conspiracy theories, and we have for a long time. It has never been the case in the United States of America or in Arizona that noncitizen voting has been anything other than vanishingly rare, Fontes said. Since 1996, Arizona has required residents to provide proof of citizenship to obtain a drivers license. Starting in 2004, the vast majority of voter registration applicants have satisfied their documented proof of citizenship requirements for voter registration purposes by having this proof on file with the Motor Vehicle Division, Richer explained. To confirm this, the voter registration simply runs a check with MVD to make sure the voter got his license after 1996, he wrote. But Richers office discovered a flaw that made it so a specific group of residents who received a license prior to 1996 and who later received a replacement one were automatically deemed by the statewide voter registration system and the Motor Vehicle Department to have had documented proof of citizenship on file with the MVD when none had actually been provided. Richer said he had been working with state officials, including the offices of Gov. Katie Hobbs and Fontes, both Democrats, to fix this moving forward. A news release from Fontes' office said that: Since 2004, these requirements have tightened significantly. Recently, officials found that some long-term Arizonans, who were registered under less strict rules, had not been asked to meet the new standards due to a coding oversight. To resolve this, the state has taken legal steps to ensure these mostly Republican voters can fully participate in the 2024 election. Fontes office said he will ask the state Supreme Court to allow all affected voters to receive full ballots and that voters will be allowed to provide the required documents before Election Day. In a statement, Hobbs said her "team identified and fixed an administrative error that originated in 2004, and affects longtime residents who received a drivers license before 1996." Hobbs said her office would implement "an independent audit to ensure that MVD systems are functioning as necessary to support voter registration." At least eight people have been killed, including a young girl, and thousands of Hezbollah members wounded after their electronic pagers suddenly exploded in Lebanon and Syria, officials said. The Lebanese health minister Firas al-Abyad suggested that eight people had been killed and around 2, 750 injured, 200 of whom were critically wounded, as a result of the explosions. He told The Independent that an eight-year-old girl was among the dead. In a statement, Hezbollah claimed that three people had been killed, including a girl and two brothers. Irans military-affiliated media site Saberin News also claimed that seven people had been killed in Syria, where many Hezbollah members are based. The outlet said they had been killed in the Damascus neighbourhood of Seyedah Zeinab, a few miles from the Iranian embassy. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that a number of casualties had arrived in hospitals around Damascus. They said 14 people had been wounded. The Independent could not immediately verify these claims. Another Hezbollah official from the group said the son of one of their prominent legislators, Ali Ammar Mahdi, was killed when the device he was carrying exploded. Troops line the street in Beirut as an ambulance rushes wounded people to hospital (AFP/Getty) Mr al-Abyad, speaking at an emergency press conference in the Lebanese capital of Beirut, reported that around 100 hospitals have received casualties from Tuesdays attack. The majority of those injured so far have suffered wounds to the face or arms, he added, and in some cases the abdomen. A Hezbollah official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the detonation of the pagers, which took place at 3.30pm local time, was the biggest security breach the group had been subjected to in nearly a year of war with Israel. In one video, a man could be seen falling to the floor after a sudden blast while he was picking fruit in a busy market as people fled the area. The Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was injured by one of the blasts, Irans Mehr news agency reported. In a second statement, Hezbollah said they placed full responsibility for the attack on Israel, without providing evidence. They also vowed to respond to the alleged attack. The pagers that detonated were the latest model brought in by Hezbollah in recent months, three security sources said. Friends and relatives of those injured rush to check on their loved ones (EPA) There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which has been exchanging fire with Hezbollah since last October in parallel with its war with Hamas, who control the Gaza Strip. The explosions come after Israel claimed it had killed top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in an airstrike in the Lebanese capital of Beirut in July. Several other senior officials were killed on strikes on the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital of Damascus. Hezbollah, which controls southern Lebanon, forms part of Irans so-called axis of resistance, which opposes Western and Israeli influence in the region. The group opened a second front against Israel a day after the war in the Gaza Strip began, triggered by a Hamas attack inside Israel on 7 October. Hamas, also backed by Tehran, killed around 1,200 people, with another 251 taken hostage. In response, Israel has bombarded Gaza from the air and ground. A wounded man is carried onto an ambulance after his pager exploded (AP) More than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in the offensive, health officials in the strip have said. It has displaced nearly 90 per cent of the territorys 2.3 million population. On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said the safe return of its citizens to their homes near the border with Lebanon had been added to the governments formal war aims. The Security Cabinet has updated the objectives of the war to include the following: Returning the residents of the north securely to their homes. Israel will continue to act to implement this objective, a statement said. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced from towns and villages on both sides of the border by near-daily exchanges between the Israeli military and Hezbollah. Thousands are reported to have been injured in the wave of explosions (EPA) Israel has said it would prefer a diplomatic solution that would see Hezbollah moved farther back from the border. However, Hezbollah, which also says it wants to avoid all-out conflict, says that only an end to the war in Gaza will stop the fighting. Gaza ceasefire efforts are deadlocked after months of faltering talks mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States. The axis of resistance comprises a group of violent proxies across Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon and Palestine, coordinated by Irans Quds Force, the foreign arm of the IRGC. The Quds Forces aim is to export Irans 1979 Islamic revolution abroad. The US assassinated the former head of the Quds Force, Qassem Solemaini, in January 2020. Hezbollah, the most powerful group in the axis, boasts 100,000 fighters. FIRST ON FOX -- Some American universities have claimed they would eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) ideology but instead opted to rebrand the polarizing practice, according to CriticalRace.org. CriticalRace.org, which monitors CRT curricula and training in higher education, has cataloged over 700 institutions of higher education to examine activities on campus. The group says that out of 26 universes where legislative efforts have been implemented to phase out DEI, 10 have simply replaced them with new offices that have similar programming and/or personnel, as lawmakers face an uphill battle to uproot DEI ideology from public institutions. "These findings highlight how deeply embedded CRT and DEI concepts are in higher education, with entrenched ideological commitment that is resistant to change," William A. Jacobson told Fox News Digital. MANY TOP COLLEGES TRAINING A CADRE OF POLITICAL COMMISSARS THROUGH DEI CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS: WATCHDOG The group says that out of 26 universes where legislative efforts have been implemented to phase out DEI, 10 have simply replaced them with new offices that have similar programming and/or personnel. "The efforts to excise CRT and DEI from universities will take time to see real impact," Jacobson continued. "Higher education has little desire to reform itself, and only a sustained long-term effort will move universities back to the central mission of education, and away from ideological indoctrination." Jacobson, Clinical Professor of Law at Cornell Law School and founder of the Legal Insurrection website, founded CriticalRace.orgs sprawling database that has also examined elite K-12 private schools, America's top undergraduate programs, military service academies, medical schools and others. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP CriticalRace.orgs latest project was to examine the states where states want to eliminate DEI from college campuses. Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, and North Dakota have taken legislative action to eliminate DEI practices, but CriticalRace.org found that new offices such as the "Office of Access and Engagement" and the "Division of Access, Opportunity, and Diversity" will replace former DEI offices at many institutions. "Many education groups have moved on from CRT/DEI to other issues because the politics also have shifted to other topics such as gender theory. At CriticalRace.org we are keeping our focus on CRT/DEI precisely because others have lost their focus, and because CRT/DEI poses a threat to our core rights to equality and equal protection of the laws," Jacobson said. "At our EqualProtect.org project we take legal action to remedy discrimination done in the name of DEI based on our research findings at CriticalRace.org," Jacobson added. "We urge the public to send us tips as to discriminatory programs and scholarships." CRITICAL RACE THEORY-RELATED IDEAS FOUND IN PROGRAMS AT 108 OF 155 TOP AMERICAN MEDICAL SCHOOLS Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives have been the subject of heated opinions of praise and rebuke. CriticalRace.org. details the exact curricula and training at each school, along with contact information and an overview of every university. University of Alabama, Florida State University, University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa, Oklahoma State University, South Dakota State University, University of South Dakota, University of Tennessee (System-wide), University of Utah and Utah Valley University have all rebranded their DEI efforts, according to CriticalRace.org. "For example, the University of Alabama disbanded its DEI office and launched the Division of Opportunities, Connections, and Success; however, the new division is led by Dr. Christine Taylor, who was the Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion," CriticalRace.org wrote in its findings. "Florida State University took a similar approach by changing title names and reclassifying positions of employees who were already working in DEI to give them different roles; the approach circumvented the University laying anyone off," the report continued. "The Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance and Engagement was activated in October 2023 to replace the DEI office." CRITICAL RACE THEORY TAUGHT TO FUTURE MILITARY LEADERS AT U.S. MILITARY ACADEMIES, ACCORDING TO NEW STUDY CriticalRace.org, which monitors CRT curricula and training in higher education, has cataloged over 700 institutions of higher education to examine DEI activities on campus. CriticalRace.org managing editor Kemberlee Kaye isnt surprised. "We predicted a year ago after the Supreme Court affirmative action ruling that DEI would not disappear on college campuses but would move underground in a variety of ways. Our research findings confirm our analysis that one time legislative efforts are not sufficient and sustained action is necessary," Kaye told Fox News Digital. "This research is imperative to understanding that legislative efforts halting the funding and/or proliferation of DEI/CRT on campus are a solid first step, but they're not a one-stop solution," she added. More than a dozen additional states have pending legislation related to DEI ideology. CriticalRace.org is a project of the Legal Insurrection Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to campus free speech and academic freedom, which also runs the Equal Protection Project. Fox News Digital has reached out to the schools listed for comment. The University of Alabama provided Fox News Digital with the following statement: "The University of Alabamas Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was closed, and initiatives, programs and responsibilities across campus that are not in compliance with applicable state and federal laws are being discontinued. UAs Division of Opportunities, Connections and Success is a new organization with a new mission and programs that will promote success for everyone in the UA community. It is not a rebrand, and it will operate in compliance with Alabama Act 2024-34 that takes effect Oct. 1." Utah Valley University said the school is "following the Utah law and the guidance of the Utah System of Higher Education," and the University of Utah directed Fox News Digital to a Salt Lake Tribune report on the situation. An Oklahoma State spokesperson told Fox News Digital that "OSU is committed to compliance with the governors executive order." Original article source: American universities are rebranding DEI departments instead of eliminating them, study finds By Gerry Doyle and Mike Stone SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The United States is amassing an arsenal of abundant and easily made anti-ship weapons as part of American efforts to deter China in the Indo-Pacific region and gear up U.S. forces there. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has pushed U.S. thinking toward a new philosophy - "affordable mass," as one missile industry CEO put it, speaking on condition of anonymity, referring to having plenty of relatively cheap weapons at the ready. "It's a natural counter to what China has been doing," said Euan Graham, a senior analyst with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute think tank, referring to the Chinese arsenal of ships and conventional ballistic missiles including those designed to attack vessels. The Pentagon and China's Ministry of Defence did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The United States has ramped up testing of its QUICKSINK weapon, an inexpensive and potentially plentiful bomb equipped with a low-cost GPS guidance kit and a seeker that can track moving objects. The U.S. Air Force used a B-2 stealth bomber during a test last month in the Gulf of Mexico to strike a target ship with QUICKSINK. China will still have a large advantage in sheer numbers of anti-ship missiles, according to experts, and can base them on its home territory. But increasing U.S. production of QUICKSINK would narrow that gap by putting China's 370 or so warships at more risk during any future conflict than they have faced since before Beijing leaned into modernizing its military in the 1990s. QUICKSINK, still in development, is made by Boeing, with a seeker from BAE Systems. QUICKSINK can be used with the hundreds of thousands of Joint-Direct Attack Munition tail kits - systems that can be dropped from U.S. or allied warplanes and cheaply turn "dumb" 2,000-pound (900-kg) bombs into guided weapons. The U.S. military's Indo-Pacific Command wants thousands of the QUICKSINK weapons - and has for years - according to an industry executive, who declined to reveal the precise figure because it is classified. With enough "affordable mass" weapons aimed at them, Chinese ship defences would be overwhelmed, according to this executive, speaking on condition of anonymity. In such a scenario, the U.S. military would use Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM) or SM-6 missiles to damage a Chinese warship and its radars, then bombard the vessel with lower-cost weapons such as QUICKSINK. A VARIETY OF WEAPONS The United States has been amassing a variety of anti-ship weapons in Asia. In April, the U.S. Army deployed its new Typhon mobile missile batteries, which were developed cheaply from existing components and can fire SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles against sea targets, to the Philippines during an exercise. Such weapons are relatively easy to produce - drawing on large stockpiles and designs that have been around for a decade or more - and could help the United States and its allies catch up quickly in an Indo-Pacific missile race in which China has a big lead. Although the U.S. military has declined to say how many will be deployed in the Indo-Pacific region, more than 800 SM-6 missiles are due to be bought in the next five years, according to government documents outlining military purchases. Several thousand Tomahawks and hundreds of thousands of JDAMs are already in U.S. inventories, the documents showed. "China's game is to restrict the movement of U.S. Navy assets in the Western Pacific and First Island Chain," Graham said, referring to the closest major archipelagos from the coast of East Asia. "This is a sort of like-minded response to make life difficult for the PLAN." PLAN is short for the People's Liberation Army Navy, China's maritime service branch. Placing anti-ship weapons in locations such as the Philippines would put them within reach of much of the South China Sea. China claims 90% of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory, but is opposed by five Southeast Asian states and Taiwan. Collin Koh, a scholar at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said, "In a way it is like levelling the playing field." Koh cited the example of Iran-aligned Houthi forces using low-tech anti-ship weapons against civilian traffic in the Red Sea, which forced the United States and others to deploy costly weapons to defend against them. "If you look at the case of the Red Sea, clearly the cost equation (of anti-ship missiles) doesn't fall on the side of the defender," Koh said. "Even if you have a smaller arsenal of such offensive missile systems, you can still project some deterrence." (Reporting by Gerry Doyle in Singapore and Mike Stone in Washington; editing by Chris Sanders and Will Dunham) By Francois Murphy VIENNA (Reuters) - Deadly floods prompted Austrian political parties to cancel or postpone election events scheduled on Monday in what the conservative chancellor called a "pause" in campaigning, though seasoned observers said there was no such thing. Heavy and sustained rain since Friday has caused the worst flooding in two decades in several central European countries. The hardest-hit part of Austria has been the province of Lower Austria, which surrounds Vienna and borders the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Three people have been killed there so far. "There is now a pause in the election campaign! We must devote all our energy and attention to disaster management and helping those affected by the storms!" Chancellor Karl Nehammer posted on social media platform X on Sunday afternoon. With the Sept. 29 parliamentary election less than two weeks away, various parties' campaign events were cancelled, and televised election debates were postponed. Nehammer, however, has remained in the public eye. He has visited Lower Austria and chaired emergency meetings in Vienna overseeing the crisis response, regularly posting pictures of himself on social media. "Of course the election campaign continues, only now it's focused on this issue, and he's trying to turn that to his advantage," political analyst Thomas Hofer said. Other party leaders have also been active on social media. Herbert Kickl of the far-right Freedom Party, which is leading in the polls, posted a video from a bare room thanking the emergency services. Andreas Babler of the opposition Social Democrats (SPO), who is also mayor of the town of Traiskirchen in Lower Austria, posted videos of himself with emergency services in action there. At a joint news conference with Nehammer on Monday, Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig of the SPO demonstrated that there was no political truce. In the 1970s and 1980s the city dug a massive channel along the Danube to prevent it flooding, which has proven effective. The main source of flooding there this weekend was the usually tiny Vienna River. Without naming Nehammer's People's Party, Ludwig reminded voters that it put up "fierce political resistance" to the Danube flood protection at the time. "We have come through this situation well because we expanded flood protection massively very early on, many years ago," Ludwig said as Nehammer stood next to him. (Reporting by Francois Murphy; Editing by Christina Fincher) Julia Alvarez, a bestselling Dominican writer, was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2013 by President Barack Obama. Her father was a chief surgeon, which gave her family financial comfort. But their political exile to Queens, New York, in 1960 would have a profound effect on her upbringing. Now, a PBS documentary premiering Tuesday will show how bestselling author Julia Alvarez, who was born in New York and lived the first 10 years of her life in the Dominican Republic, became one of the country's most influential Latina writers and carved a path for other authors. If youre at the margins of a world, it abuts another world. So you have double perspective, Alvarez said in a video interview with NBC News. And I see now that without that experience, I would never have become a writer. Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined takes viewers back to her childhood in the Dominican Republic and follows her footsteps in the U.S. as she develops into an acclaimed poet and author President Barack Obama awarded her the National Medal of Arts in 2013. The documentary covers her breakout semi-autobiographical novel How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents (1991) and her second novel, the searing bestseller In the Time of the Butterflies (1994), which chronicles the true story of the Mirabal sisters who rebelled against Dominican dictator Gen. Rafael Trujillo. "Once we came to this country and once Papi (Dad) felt that he could talk because everyone was afraid, he told the stories of the Mirabal sisters," Alvarez said. "They were killed two months after we escaped. They were four sisters and three gave their lives to create a free country, depose the dictator, and we were four sisters, too. So we were the four sisters who had made it to safety, and I always felt the long shadow of those four sisters. ... So there was a sense of a connection there, a connection to their story." I originally set out to write nonfiction, a historical account of the Mirabal sisters, she said. But I became interested in character. And character is the province of novels. Alvarez published her latest novel, "The Cemetery of Untold Stories," at age 74. Alvarez reflected on how it took her a while to understand the traumas of a dictatorship through her parents. "They were always so afraid of us speaking up, and always suspicious, and it helped me to understand them and their generation," she said. "The trauma, even after the dictator dies, a people is traumatized; the dictator stays in their imagination. So, it helped me to understand them and their generation, which has been called la generacion perdida (the 'lost generation') because so many in that generation lost their lives." The documentary ends with her most recent novel, The Cemetery of Untold Stories, which Alvarez published this year at age 74. The book is about a veteran novelist who creates a graveyard for unfinished stories and characters. Alvarez said that after arriving in Queens, she felt that her family had lost everything. But in spite of feeling like an outsider, poetry helped her find a new home. I think when I came into English as a 10-year-old, one of the reasons that I was attracted to poetry was that it was so rhythmic in cadence and it reminded me of Spanish, she said. It felt like a way that I could speak Spanish in English. Alvarez explained that she came from an oral culture in the Dominican Republic. I wasnt really a reader, she said. We didnt really have that many books around, but we had that oral rhythmic culture of recitations, and little poems and ditties. 'All-American' includes southern Americas One of the poems that inspired Alvarez once she was in the U.S. was I, Too by the Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes. In the poem, Hughes wrote: Tomorrow, Ill be at the table when company comes. Nobodyll dare say to me, Eat in the kitchen, then. Alvarez recalled how reading that verse felt like Hughes was making a promise she too could someday sit at the table of mainstream America. This would later inspire her to write I, Too, Sing America, a take on Hughes' poem, where she defines herself as truly an all-American writer. I really am an all-American citizen, including all of the southern Americas that we sometimes leave out when we say America. So, I think of myself very much as permeable, she said, those skills of really connecting over the artificial hurdles that people create of us and them, and identity that has to be set, is something that you learn to shed when youre writing. And with more than three decades as a published author, Alvarez still uses poetry to boil down her writing to essential truths. I begin each writing day by reading poetry, even when Im writing prose because for me that sort of sets a high bar for what language can also do, she said. In poetry you strip all the unessential away. Chronicling a dictatorship, through a female lens When examining Alvarezs legacy, the documentary establishes her as one of the most significant voices in Latina literature. Julia has carved a path for young women and their voices to break into the American mainstream, Cuban American filmmaker Adriana Bosch said in a phone interview. She produced and directed Julia Alvarez: A Life Reimagined. Bosch explained that Alvarezs writing shifted the lens from male-dominated stories to female-dominated stories. She wanted to tell the story of migration from a female point of view. And I think she hits this idea on all cylinders with In the Time of the Butterflies, she said. Alvarez is widely considered one of the most influential contemporary Latina writers. Bosch noted that Latin American literature has a long tradition of writing about dictatorship from a male point of view. But when Alvarez decided to write her second book about the Trujillo regime, she told it from the female point of view what was happening to women under the dictatorship. This is a new way at looking at history, putting the female viewpoint front and center, she said. And this is very empowering for young readers, young women, because they can see themselves and their conflicts. When asked what type of writer Alvarez could have become if she had stayed in the Dominican Republic, the author explained that it would have been a different experience. I would have been growing up in a dictatorship where writers were suspect, where books, people that read and thought and spoke about ideas were dangerous, she said. I think in our countries, just the act of writing is a political statement. You are opening doors and windows and thats already a kind of freedom fighter. Yet growing up as an outsider in the U.S. sparked another type of fighting spirit, Alvarez reflected. Truthfully, I think not being embedded in the culture allowed me to see things about it that I might not have seen if I were in it, she said. This, she concluded, made her an activist through art. For more from NBC Latino, sign up for our weekly newsletter. About four months after the UNC System Board of Governors repealed the public university systems diversity, equity and inclusion policy, we got our first look last week at the changes colleges have made to comply with the new version of the policy. By Sept. 1, chancellors at each of the 17 campuses were required to submit a report to system President Peter Hans detailing the changes undertaken by their universities to comply with the new restrictions. System officials did not make the reports public until 10 days after that deadline, despite requests from reporters. Instead, they posted the 17 documents online as a Board of Governors committee discussed them in a committee meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The reports showed widespread variation in changes across campuses, as my colleague Kyle Ingram and I reported last week. For instance: UNC-Chapel Hill eliminated the most DEI-related jobs, at 20 positions. The next-most was at UNC Charlotte, which eliminated nine positions. Some campuses, including Western Carolina University and UNC Pembroke, eliminated just one or two positions. Other campuses, including the UNC School of the Arts, UNC Greensboro and Fayetteville State University, did not eliminate any positions. NC State University realigned the most positions, at 29, followed by UNC-Chapel Hill at 27. Other campuses reported realigning just a handful of positions. Some of those variances could be a result of the differences in size and operations across the campuses, as UNC System general counsel Andrew Tripp told the Board of Governors last week. The larger campuses had more work to do, he said. The smaller campuses, less so, but there was plenty of work to be done. In all, campuses reported more than $17 million in savings from implementing the new policy. That money, per the policy, should be redirected toward student-success initiatives. Our focus here, from the beginning, has been to get back to basics, which is our student success, Hans told reporters last week. And by reinvesting that $17 million in support for all students, regardless of background and belief, is the outcome, I believe, the board hoped to achieve. But plenty of questions still remain about the reports and the changes detailed in them. And so far, answers from university leaders havent provided much clarity. Welcome to Deans List, a roundup of higher education news in the Triangle and across North Carolina from The News & Observer and me, Korie Dean. In this weeks edition, I share what UNC System leaders have said so far about DEI changes, a new inclusive education program at NC State and more. Lets get started. UNC leaders answer questions about DEI changes Perhaps the biggest question that remains unanswered is whether any employees lost their jobs or were laid off from their respective universities as a result of the changes. In some cases, jobs that universities eliminated were vacant at the time of the change, meaning no employees were terminated when the job was cut. That was the case at Western Carolina, for instance, where the now-eliminated chief diversity officer position had not been filled for more than a year. But the fate of other eliminated positions and the employees who held them are less clear. For instance, UNC-Chapel Hill closed the School of Medicines Office of Rural Initiatives and eliminated several positions in the department, including its director role. That position, which appears to have been filled prior to the DEI changes, is not listed in the universitys report as a job that was realigned making it unclear what became of the employee who held the role. Asked last week why the office was closed and what might happen to its employees, UNC Vice Provost Leah Cox who formerly served as the universitys chief diversity officer prior to these changes said it doesnt look like it was closed yet, and some of the programs that you may see in the report may be being reworked, refocused, reallocated in different ways or moved to different reporting structures. Such changes to the Office of Rural Initiatives, if they are happening, were not detailed in the universitys report. Other university leaders, including Hans, have generally characterized job changes resulting from the policy by saying that most affected employees were offered new jobs at their campuses. Still, it remains unclear how many employees accepted those positions or how many were not offered new positions. I cant speak to individuals, and I dont know that one would be allowed to do so under various employment laws, Hans said Thursday when asked if any employees were laid off. But most of the people most directly affected here were reassigned to open student-success positions. Asked if he anticipated more positions to be eliminated as campuses continue to implement the new policy, Hans did not directly address the question, instead directing reporters to read the reports from campuses, which he said have a great deal of detail in there. The system will continue to operate transparently as we proceed, he added. University leaders have continued to emphasize that diversity remains an important value of individual campuses and across the system. Diversity is a reality in North Carolina. Diversity is a reality in the UNC System. Its a strength. We celebrate it, Hans told reporters. We dont have a singular, narrow ideological focus on it. We want to welcome and support things of all backgrounds and all beliefs. Ill continue to cover the fallout of this policy change in the coming months. If you have tips or suggestions from your campuses, dont hesitate to reach out at kdean@newsobserver.com. NC State inclusive education program taking applications NC States new inclusive education program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is now accepting applications for its first class of students. Housed in the universitys College of Education, Elevate will offer educational credentials, such as certificates, to North Carolina residents with IDD. The program focuses on five pillars of success: academics, employment, personal development, independent living and social engagement. Elevate is a new opportunity for young adults with IDD to come to college, continue to grow intellectually, and explore and find careers that align with their passions, Elevate program director Tamira White said in a news release. They will have access to the rich resources at NC State and in the surrounding communities. We will use cutting-edge technology to provide each Elevate student an opportunity to grow academically and socially, and prepare them to launch their successful careers. To be eligible for Elevate, students should be North Carolina residents who are at least 18 years old and are identified as having IDD or have previously been eligible for special education services through an individualized education program (IEP) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. A great candidate for Elevate is a young person who is motivated to come to college to learn and grow and who is highly motivated to work, White said. Elevate is going to be a transformational experience related to academics, employment and connections to the community. The program will begin in the spring 2025 semester with commuter students before residential options become available next fall. More information about Elevate, including application information, is available here. Higher ed news Im reading A UNC-Chapel Hill police captain remains on the force despite multiple accusations of violence toward protesters, The Daily Tar Heel reports. Applications and enrollments are soaring at historically Black universities around the country, one year after the end of race-conscious affirmative action, Inside Higher Ed reports. See you next week Thanks for reading this weeks Deans List. I hope to see you right back here, in your inbox, next week. Gerda Philipsborn left her home in Germany to dedicate her life to serving the people of Jamia [Family of Muhammad Mujeeb] In a Muslim graveyard in Delhi, a tombstone stands out. It has an inscription written in the Urdu language, but beneath it lies the name of a German-born Jewish woman - Gerda Philipsborn - followed by the epithet 'Aapajaan' or 'elder sister'. This is an unusual sight as the graves of the founders of Jamia Millia Islamia - a top Muslim university rooted in India's independence movement rest here. Its students have upheld this legacy of political activism, including protests against a controversial citizenship law introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in 2019. So, how did a German Jew come to be invested in a place so distant and disconnected from her homeland? The answer lies somewhere between friendship and a woman's search for meaning, says Margrit Pernau, author of Jamia's Aapa Jaan: The Many Lifeworlds of Gerda Philipsborn. Pernau, who has spent a decade researching Jamia, says that though she had come across Philipsborn's name several times during her research, her life was shrouded in mystery. Even today, not many students know about Philipsborn and her contribution to the university. Syeda Hameed, a prominent activist and historian, says there's a need for writings on her to be translated and made available to students "for their benefit and the benefit of future generations". Philipsborn's journey from being a German memsahib - a term of respect for white European women in colonial India - to becoming Jamia's Aapa Jaan began in 1933 when she traveled to India after forging an unlikely friendship with three Indian men, Zakir Husain, Muhammad Mujeeb, and Abid Husain, who had gone to Berlin to study. The men would go on to become the main founders of Jamia and also play important roles in India's political history, with Zakir Husain becoming the country's third president in 1967. Philipsborn's grave in the Jamia graveyard [Margrit Pernau] In the 1920s and 30s, it was uncommon to find cross-national friendships, let alone close, platonic relationships between three men and a woman. The men, who were involved in the freedom movement, often spoke to Philipsborn about their plans to build an institution that would contribute towards India's fight for freedom. At the time, there were very few universities in British India, and even fewer ones that were not funded by the government. The men wanted Jamia to be a place where Muslim boys and girls could educate themselves, so that they could take up an active role in India's freedom struggle. They also wanted the institution to promote unity between Hindus and Muslims and love for the motherland. These altruistic plans had a deep impact on Philipsborn. Born into a wealthy family in 1895, she had seen her life, and the world around her, change due to war, industrialisation and a wave of anti-Semitism. She understood what it felt like to be oppressed, to long for freedom and to be driven by the desire to become an instrument of change, Pernau writes. And so, shortly after her friends left Berlin to dedicate their lives to building Jamia, Philipsborn followed them to India. But moving from a bustling, modernised Berlin to a country mired in poverty was not an easy decision. Pernau sheds light on the many times Zakir Husain forbade Philipsborn from making the journey. "More than once she had offered to join him [in India], and more than once he had proffered 'advice, warnings, and admonitions not to come'," Pernau writes. Meanwhile, Muhammad Mujeeb wondered how a "still young, unmarried and unaccompanied woman would fit into Jamia, whose women at this time still observed purdah [the seclusion of women from the sight of men or strangers, practiced by some Muslims and Hindus]," she writes. But Philipsborn made the journey despite these calls for caution. Within months, she managed to make friends with the people of Jamia and even began teaching in the university's primary school. Like the rest of the teaches there, she worked for minimal wage and agreed to dedicate her life to serving the institution. She used the knowledge she had gained teaching at kindergartens in Germany to make education enjoyable and approachable for her students. When she was appointed the warden of a hostel for children, she took on the role of an Aapa Jaan for them, Pernau writes. She did menial tasks like washing and oiling their hair and kept them close to her, emotionally and physically. "When the little children under her care fell sick, she attended to them with such devotion that they didn't miss their mother," Pernau says. Philipsborn with staff and students in Jamia [Payam-e ta'lim] Philipsborn also encouraged Jamia's girls and women to play a more active role in society. When she joined the editorial team of Payam-e Ta'lim, Jamia's children's journal, she contributed articles that spotlighted the hobbies and interests of women and encouraged girls to write for the journal. Apart from her work with the children of Jamia, Gerda also helped its founders raise funds for the university, prepare speeches and often acted as their sounding board for all matters related to teaching and politics. But seven years after she arrived in India, her work hit a roadblock. Amid Britain's war with Germany, German citizens in British India were viewed with suspicion, leading to their arrest and internment in camps where they endured harsh conditions, including inadequate water, blankets and food. Philipsborn was taken to one such camp in 1940. Her internment made her fearful for her life as there was the possibility of authorities deporting her to Germany, where Hitler was persecuting the Jews. But even in the camp, she did her best to serve her inmates by organising small events to cheer them up and looking after those who had taken ill. But a couple of months after being brought to the camp, Philipsborn developed a gastric ulcer. She was taken to a hospital for treatment and then moved back to the camp, where she stayed for a whole year. After being released, she went back to Jamia and continued her work, but struggled to perform with the same gusto as her ulcer turned cancerous. She became increasingly weak, but tried to connect with children through her articles in the Payam-e Ta'lim. In April 1943, Philipsborn died and was buried in the graveyard for Jamia families. "She died miles away from her family, but was surrounded by the people who loved her," says Hameed about Gerda's death. And long after her death, her legacy as "Aapa Jaan" lives on in the corridors of Jamia, with a hostel and day care centre named after her. By Niklas Pollard STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -The Finnish government is happy for Sweden to lead the establishment of NATO land forces in Finland to boost defences against neighbouring Russia, the two Nordic countries said on Monday. Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 sparked a historic policy U-turn in previously militarily non-aligned Finland and Sweden, which joined NATO in 2023 and 2024 respectively. NATO has boosted its presence in the eastern part of the alliance by building multinational battlegroups from the Baltics to the Black Sea, and has said it will develop a presence in Finland, which shares a 1,340 km (830 mile) border with Russia. "The Swedish government has the ambition to take on a role as framework nation for forward land forces in Finland," Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson told a joint press conference with his Finnish counterpart Antti Hakkanen in Stockholm. The process was still in an early phase, the ministers said, adding that the appointment of a nation to lead the effort to establish so-called forward land forces (FLF) will be made by NATO collectively. "I envisage that FLF Finland could be in place in one to two years," Jonson later told Reuters on the sidelines. Decisions have yet to be made on the composition and extent of the NATO presence in Finland. Finland's defence minister said the country was not looking for the same kind of permanent multinational force as in, for example, the Baltic countries given the considerable size of its own forces. "But if the security situation gets worse or something like that we can increase exercises with certain countries' troops," Hakkanen said. The two neighbouring countries are seeking to improve their cross-border mobility for military purposes, removing technical, administrative and legal obstacles, Jonson told Reuters. "It can also cover infrastructure in all its various components, not least roads and railways," he said. (Reporting by Niklas Pollard, writing by Terje Solsvik, editing by Essi Lehto, Editing by William Maclean) ROME (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday stressed the importance of a fighter jet programme with Italy and Japan after speculation that his new government could axe its participation in the scheme in a defence review. Starmer met Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni for talks in Rome on Monday, which covered defence issues including the two countries' participation in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), known in Britain as Tempest. "We agreed the vital importance of our collaborative defence programmes, including GCAP, for our shared national security interests and respective defence industrial capabilities, and we welcome the continued progress we are making," the leaders said in a joint declaration after the meeting. Amid speculation that Britain's involvement in GCAP could be axed in a defence review, Starmer in July emphasised the programme's importance but didn't guarantee continued involvement. Starmer said on Monday that the project came up "a number of times today" as he also met the chairman of defence firm Leonardo, which is involved in the GCAP fighter jet project and which during the trip announced an investment of 435 million pounds ($574.50 million) in its UK business. "GCAP is a very important project and I had the opportunity to make that clear, both publicly and here in private," Starmer told reporters shortly before he left Italy. "Obviously, we have a strategic defence review. But that's not focused on any particular capability. GCAP is important and I've been able to make that clear today." Defence firms including Leonardo and BAE Systems involved in delivering GCAP have said that the project is progressing and they expect it to continue under the new government. ($1 = 0.7572 pounds) (Reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Catarina Demony and Leslie Adler) Tech Times never fails to deliver the most important and interesting technological stories that rouse readers' curiosity every week - from the latest trends and cybersecurity topics to technological breakthroughs. Now, here's a rundown of the most captivating stories from the world of technology from last week: Applied Materials Sues Chinese-owned Competitor for Stealing Trade Secrets Leading US supplier of chipmaking equipment Applied Materials has filed a lawsuit against Mattson, a Chinese-owned rival, accusing them of a 14-month-long scheme to steal priceless trade secrets. The complaint clarifies issues with China's attempts to circumvent US restrictions and create its own successful semiconductor sector. According to Bloomberg, Applied Materials said in court documents that Mattson stole semiconductor equipment designs and poached employees. The action, which had not previously been publicized, brought attention to the mounting worries over China's attempts to get under US restrictions and establish its top-tier semiconductor sector. For a year, according to Applied Materials, Mattson recruited 17 of its most senior engineers, including a senior department manager and longtime collaborators, with access to confidential data, including chipmaking procedures and technological roadmaps. According to the March 2022 filing by Applied Materials, "many" documents include highly secret technical knowledge, such as trade secrets and know-how, that might provide Mattson with a significant competitive advantage in developing its invention. Mattson, a Fremont, California-based firm owned and controlled by Beijing E-Town Dragon Semiconductor Industry Investment Center, denies the accusations of its rival. China's Green Light on Thorium Molten Salt Reactor Advances Clean Nuclear Energy Chinese regulators' approval of the commissioning of the "Thorium Molten Salt Reactor-Liquid Fuel 1" (TMSR-LF1) marks a breakthrough in China's development of clean and effective nuclear energy. The reactor's success shows thorium's potential as a uranium substitute, per Interesting Engineering. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, thorium, an abundantly present silvery element in nature, is gaining attention owing to its benefits over more traditional nuclear fuels like uranium-235. China takes a significant step in nuclear technology with the authorization of its first thorium molten salt reactor. The TMSR-LF1, currently under construction, has the potential to revolutionize the utilization of thorium-uranium cycle. https://t.co/jh5BX8G5uT Interesting Engineering (@IntEngineering) June 17, 2023 Russia-Linked Ransomware Gang Lists Victims of Mass-Hacks, Mostly in the United States Clop, a Russian ransomware organization, has released a list of victims of mass hacking. The organization compromised several prestigious financial institutions, colleges, and businesses by taking advantage of a severe security flaw in MOVEit Transfer, a commonly used corporate file transfer program. Although the precise number of victims is unknown, the attack's scope shows how urgently cybersecurity measures are required, according to Tech Crunch. The list, which was made public on Clop's dark web leak website, included well-known banking firms, including 1st Source and First National Bankers Bank, Boston-based investment management company Putnam Investments, Dutch energy giant Landal Greenparks, and UK's Shell. A non-profit offering benefits, GreenShield Canada, was initially identified as one of the victims of the breach but was later taken off. The attack also affected Datasite, a financial software provider; The National Student Clearinghouse, an educational non-profit; United Healthcare Student Resources, a student health insurance provider; Leggett & Platt, an American manufacturer; OKK, a Swiss insurance company; and the University System of Georgia (USG). Numerous MOVEit servers that can be found, mainly in the US, suggest that additional victims may soon be identified. Clop exploited the MOVEit vulnerability for over two years, according to researchers. Related Article : Hackers Threaten Reddit with Data Leak and Ransom Demand Following Breach By Humeyra Pamuk and Simon Lewis WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Israel's initial findings on the killing of U.S. citizen Aysenur Ezgi Eygi do not exonerate Israeli security forces, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday, warning that Washington would consider other measures if it is not satisfied with the results of a full Israeli probe. Israel acknowledged that its troops shot 26-year-old Eygi, who is also a Turkish citizen, on Sept. 6 while she took part in a protest against settlement expansion in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but said it was an unintentional act during a demonstration that turned violent. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week described Eygi's killing as "unprovoked and unjustified" and demanded an overhaul of Israeli military conduct in the West Bank. Speaking at a regular press briefing on Monday, Miller said her killing should never have happened. "I hear people ... hold the initial findings up as if they somehow exonerated Israeli security forces. They very much do not, at least in our point of view," he said. The United States will be waiting for the results of the full investigation, which it expects to be prompt, thorough and transparent, Miller said. If those results aren't satisfactory, Washington could take its own action, he added, without saying what that would be. "If the first investigation plays out. ... and we are not satisfied, we will of course look at whether any other measures are appropriate," Miller added. In a statement, the Israeli military said its commanders had conducted an initial investigation into the incident and found that the gunfire was not aimed at her but another individual it called "the key instigator of the riot." Miller declined to say if Israeli security forces had assured American officials that they would make demanded changes in their rules of engagement. A surge in settler assaults on Palestinians in the West Bank has angered Western allies of Israel, including the United States, which has imposed sanctions on some settlers. Tensions have heightened over Israel's war against Hamas militants in Gaza. Israel has occupied the West Bank of the Jordan River since the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians envisage it as the core of a future independent state. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis and Costas Pitas; Editing by Mark Porter and Howard Goller) Editors note: This story is part of Whats Your KCQ?, a collaboration between The Star and Kansas City Public Library focused on answering readers questions and sharing stories from local history. Readers who have walked the Riverfront Heritage Trail sometimes write in to ask about some of Kansas Citys more obscure public art pieces, such as West Pennways miniature Mayan pyramid or the I-670 pedestrian bridges iron birds. One piece, however, stands above the rest as an object of reader intrigue: the Hereford Bull atop a 90-foot pillar in Mulkey Square Park. The Hereford Bull in Mulkey Square Park For more than 20 years this massive bull has stood guard by the old FBI Kansas City Field Office at 14th and Summit. But the statue has a longer history. It was an iconic feature of Kansas Citys skyline long before ground was broken on the FBI building and, indeed, even before I-670 and I-35 carved Mulkey Square into the island it is today, in the southwest corner of the downtown loop. The mighty Hereford first adorned the horizon in 1954, fewer than 800 feet to the northeast of his present position. He was conceived as the capstone to the new headquarters of the American Hereford Association, a million-dollar project announced in early 1951, four blocks west and three times larger than its previous headquarters at 300 W. 11th St. The American Hereford Association had its headquarters on 11th Street. The rise of the Hereford The expansion was long overdue. Between 1920 and 1950, annual registrations of Herefords had more than quadrupled, totaling 5.5 million new cattle over 30 years. Tasked with maintaining these pedigrees, the AHA had likewise exploded from 15 to 135 employees. A site for the new headquarters was selected atop a high bluff at 11th and Jefferson streets with a commanding view of the West Bottoms. The buildings design was taken on by renowned Kansas architect Joseph Radotinsky, himself a Hereford farmer, who envisioned the statue as integral to the building. Radotinskys drawing of the new AHA headquarters shows the bull facing west in 1951 Early renderings accentuate the statue but also contain a slight discrepancy the bulls direction. In some renderings he faces west, overlooking the railyards, while others have him facing south, maximizing his visibility from the Stockyards. This discrepancy would not be resolved for several years, but in the moment, crafting the statue itself posed significant challenges. A model of Radotinskys design shows the bull facing south. Around the time the new headquarters plan was announced, AHA field man Bud Snidow accompanied a team of sculptors from the firm of Rochette and Parzini to a farm in Queen Annes County, Maryland, to visit a very special Hereford. Hillcrest Larry IV, a 3-year-old, 1,900-pound bull who had just sold at auction for a record-breaking $70,500, stood as a testament to the profitability of the Hereford breed and made an auspicious model for the AHAs totem. The Hereford Bull statue in Kansas City was modeled after a 1,900-pound bull named Hillcrest Larry IV, who had just sold for more than $70,000. The creation of the bull statue Radotinsky passed the photographs, measurements, and miniature model of Larry to the Colonial Neon Company, a New Jersey manufacturer of advertising signs that agreed to build the bull after two competitors deemed the project impossible. Those doubts were not unwarranted. The statue was planned to be made of 39 sections of molded fiberglass-reinforced polyester plastic surrounding a steel frame. Not only did the statue need to resemble a real-life Hereford, but it also needed to withstand rain, hail, 110 miles-per-hour winds, and temperatures from -40 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, like all good advertising signs, it needed to glow. This last feat was accomplished with over 700 linear feet of high-intensity cold cathode tubing. Inside the Hereford Bull statue Unsurprisingly, the fabrication of a 5,500-pound three-times-lifesize bull using relatively new materials took longer than expected, and by summer 1953, the bull was only half-finished. The timing was unfortunate. President Dwight D. Eisenhower had already accepted an invitation to Kansas City that October to participate in the American Royal and dedicate the also incomplete AHA headquarters. Ike likes Herefords. In 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower dedicated Kansas Citys bull statue before it was completed and installed. It was not until October 1954 that the completed statue made the 5 1/2 day trip from North Bergen, New Jersey, to Kansas City atop a lowboy trailer. On Oct. 12 the bull was towed out of storage to AHA headquarters and hooked up to a crane, ready to be hoisted. The only thing left to do was decide which direction he would face, a question which, up to that moment, the group was still debating. The 90-foot rectangular pylon had been built with a north-south orientation, making a westward view impossible. And so, like many difficult decisions, it was put to a cointoss. The completed AHA headquarters in 1954 AHA Secretary Jack Turner flipped a nickel, which came up heads. Two men each bearing a 10-gallon hat approached. The hats read head and tail, and from the former Turner drew a slip of paper reading north. The bull was thus given a commanding view of the Missouri River and the Municipal Airport. The AHA building was officially opened later that week with a ceremony featuring a video message from Eisenhower followed by the first public lighting of the bull. Sunsetting the Hereford Bull Over the following decades the statue came to embody Kansas Citys Cowtown image, making him a point of pride for some and embarrassment for others. For the latter group, the statue was little more than a kitschy blemish on the skyline. Calvin Trillin, the Kansas City-born journalist, took it upon himself to defend the bull against such attacks in the pages of The New Yorker. Trillins impassioned defenses, though, could not stem the AHAs slow decline. Maintenance work is performed on the bull in 1986. By 1984, the organization no longer required such a large space, and soon left the building and bull behind. DST Systems, the new tenants of 715 Hereford Drive, vowed that they saw no reason to move the bull. The truth, though, was that he had already largely slipped from public consciousness. After Mid-Continent International later Kansas City International replaced the Municipal Airport as the regions primary air hub in 1972, the bull fell from the view of the passengers and pilots who had nicknamed him El Toro. In 1994, Bartle Halls Sky Stations, the citys most imposing pylon-based art piece, further eclipsed him. The bull was replaced atop its perch after its 1986 makeover. The final blow came in 1999 when HNTB Corporation, the old headquarters new tenant, announced plans for a vast remodel of the structure. The national design firms vision for their new headquarters did not include a 5,500-pound plastic Hereford. The AHA headquarters sat near Mulkey Square Park, seen to the south. For all the fanfare that attended his arrival, news of the statues looming descension made few waves excepting, of course, The indefatigable Trillin in the pages of The New Yorker. When the bull was finally dethroned and placed in cave storage in late 2000, The Star made no mention. A new era for the bull The statues hibernation was brief. In late 2002, he was placed upon a newly built pylon in Mulkey Square Park, the result of a collaboration between the AHA, KC Parks and Recreation, and MC Real Estate Services. His new post is undoubtedly of less prominence and visibility than his last, but his view still includes the Downtown Airport and the Missouri River, as well as the pylon that supported him for over 45 years. The Hereford Bull presides over I-35 This month marks the bulls 70th year in Kansas City. The FBI offices to his south have been vacated, so he stands alone on his forested summit. He no longer glows at night, and the surrounding trees now shield him from southbound I-35 traffic. But visitors to Mulkey Square Park might consider taking a moment to stop and marvel at Kansas Citys storied bull and wishing him well on his platinum jubilee. A first-of-its-kind collab we never saw coming! Adobe/Allrecipes Oreo has been on another level with its launches lately. So far this year, its mostly been about the mint chip flavor of the iconic cookieeven bringing it to the cereal aislebut we cant forget about the Star Wars cookies and the (slightly unhinged) Sour Patch Kids release from the spring. But, if you thought a Sour Patch Kids-flavored Oreo was wild, just wait until you hear about Oreos latest collab. Oreo and Coca-Cola have joined forces for what might be the biggest partnered release of the year so far. Oreo & Coca-Cola Team up for First-Of-Its-Kind Release This month, there are two new products on shelves: an Oreo-inspired Coca-Cola soda and a Coke-inspired Oreo cookie. Seriously, the iconic brands teamed up to create the perfect snacking duo using one anothers flavors. Oreo/Allrecipes The Coca-Cola Oreo Zero Sugar pop has the same crisp and refreshing flavors you love from the OG Coke, but with the sweet addition of flavors inspired by Oreos. The new Coke draws from both the chocolatey cookies and sweet creme for the soda. The Oreo Coca-Cola Sandwich cookies have the classic cookies and cream flavor mixed with sweet Coke. Oreos new limited-time flavor will feature one classic chocolate cookieinfused with Coca-Cola syrupand one red-colored golden cookie sandwiched with traditional white-colored creme. The chocolate cookie is stamped with the Oreo embossment, while the red cookie is embossed with the Coca-Cola logo. Both cookies will also have popping candies in them to simulate the fizzy carbonation of an ice-cold Coke. You can find the Coca-Cola Oreo Zero Sugar Limited Edition soda and the Oreo Coca-Cola Sandwich Cookie at retailers nationwide. In addition to the new Oreo cookies and Coca-Cola flavor, the fan-favorite brands are also releasing all-new merch to celebrate the launch. The retailer Forever21 will sell new Bestie Mode apparel, bags, drinkware, and notebooks starting in mid-September. This might just be the strangest yet most exciting collaboration weve seen in 2024. So, of course, we had to get our hands on both new products. Here's our review. We Tried the Coca-Cola Oreo Zero Sugar and the Oreo Coca-Cola Sandwich Cookies Courtney Kassel We tried both the Oreos and Cokebecause what better way to wash down Coca-Cola-flavored Oreos than with Oreo-flavored Coca-Cola? When you open the Oreo packet, you're blasted with the unmistakable smell of sweet, syrupy Coke. The cookies themselves are where the soda flavor lives, with the classic Oreo creme in the middle. Because the Coca-Cola syrup is only infused in the chocolate cookie and the other cookie is just a Golden Oreo dyed red, the Coke flavor isn't as powerful as it smells. The flavor is still there, but between the sweet creme and popping candies, it gets a little lost. I wish the Coca-Cola syrup was used in both cookies to give more of a soda flavor profile. The Oreo-flavored Coke, on the other hand, is spot on. Allrecipes news editor, Courtney Kassel, describes it "as if they dropped some Oreos in a Coke to soak before straining them out." It's a cookies and cream-flavored Coke to a T. "They should give these flavor scientists who worked on this a raiseand a job offer at NASA," Kassel says. And she's right. Not only is this collab out of the box enough to stir up excitement, but it's also a hitso we can understand why customers are running to the store to try it out because we are right there with them. Read the original article on All Recipes. A pipeline fire that began after an SUV struck a valve for a liquid natural gas pipeline near Houston continues burning Tuesday after damaging houses, melting vehicles, and leading to the evacuation of 100 homes, officials said. The huge plume of flames appeared to have decreased in size Tuesday as the fire burns itself out, which is the safest way to manage the incident, said pipeline owner Energy Transfer. We are seeing a significant decrease in pressure within the line, and the situation is steadily improving, the La Porte, Texas, Office of Emergency Management said in a statement Tuesday. Authorities and Energy Transfer said Tuesday that no air quality issues have been reported. Harris County hazmat officials are expected to conduct an investigation once the flames have diminished, officials said. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a Facebook post that once the fire is extinguished, first responders will need to confirm the pipeline is clean and that no more natural gas can reignite. Residents will likely not be allowed to return to their homes until the immediate area cools down, she added. A firefighter directs a line of water around a fire on a pipeline carrying liquified natural gas in La Porte, Texas. - Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle/Getty Images The 20-inch pipeline caught fire just before 10 a.m. Monday in La Porte, about 25 miles southeast of Houston, authorities in La Porte and nearby Deer Park said. An SUV drove through a fence bordering the parking lot of a nearby Walmart store and struck an above-ground pipeline valve, according to Deer Park officials. An initial investigation suggests it was not terroristic activity, they noted. Neither the driver nor the vehicle were identified by officials. Deborah Gamel, 69, was in her home with her husband Carl, 63, directly across from the playground next to the pipeline when the fire erupted. Within minutes of the fire starting, the heat inside the house was so intense it was like being in an oven, Gamel said. By the time Carl managed to get outside to their vehicle, their garage door had melted, as had the tailgate and back lights of his truck, she said. He managed to drive it around to their backyard to pick up his wife and drive them to safety. An estimated 100 homes within a half-mile radius are impacted by the pipeline fire, according to Jamie Galloway, emergency services director for the city of Deer Park. Galloway estimates four or five homes have been damaged from the radiant heat and access is cut off to about 100 houses because theyre so close to the flames. The families who live in the homes have evacuated, he added. Firefighters are monitoring the fire and doing everything they can to keep the fire from spreading to more homes, Galloway said. Four first responders, all believed to be firefighters, suffered heat-related injuries and were treated at the scene, he added. For hours, dozens of firefighters poured water into nearby homes and a park that caught fire. Officials said the pipeline had been isolated but as for the fire, it will be a while before it goes down. Firefighters take a break from battling a fire at a pipeline carrying liquified natural gas in La Porte. - Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle/Getty Images Energy Transfer, in a statement to CNN, said there was an incident at one of its valve stations. The line has been isolated so that the residual product in the line can safely burn itself out. We have no timeline at this point on how long that process will take, but we are working closely with local authorities, the company said. On top of the evacuations, the fire has led to power outages and closures in the area, Deer Park Police Assistant Chief Frank Hart said. CenterPoint Energy, a Houston-based utility company, showed several outages in the area Monday morning. The company said it was monitoring the incident, which it noted was unrelated to the companys natural gas operations or equipment. When it is safe to do so, our electric crews will go into the area to assess the damage to our transmission and distribution power lines, poles and equipment and begin restoring service to impacted customers as safely and quickly as possible, the company said in a statement to CNN. Some schools in the area, including the central campus of San Jacinto College, issued a shelter-in-place order because of the fire and later canceled classes and activities. Geselle Melina Guerra, a 25-year-old who lives in a mobile home within the evacuation area, told The Associated Press she was having breakfast when she heard the explosion. All of a sudden we hear this loud bang and then I see something bright, like orange, coming from our back door thats outside, said Guerra. I was just freaking out, pacing around the living room, not really knowing what to do or what was happening. I thought maybe it was an airplane that had crashed down by our house, Guerra added. CNNs Melissa Alonso contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Sean "Diddy" Combs is being held without bail after he was charged with sex trafficking by force, transportation to engage in prostitution and racketeering conspiracy, alleging he ran an "enterprise that he engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor or, kidnapping, arson and other crimes," according to the indictment unsealed Tuesday. Federal prosecutors said Combs "abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct" from 2008 to now. The allegations mirror 11 civil complaints filed against him since 2023. Combs, wearing a black T-shirt and gray sweatpants, made his first appearance in a New York City federal courtroom on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty. MORE: Lawsuits and allegations against Sean 'Diddy' Combs: Timeline Combs, with help from Combs Enterprise associates, is accused of transporting commercial sex workers across state lines and internationally, the indictment said. Combs allegedly "manipulated women to participate in highly orchestrated performances of sexual activity with male commercial sex workers," the indictment said, and he allegedly coerced the women into participating by giving them drugs, "controlling their careers, leveraging his financial support and threatening to cut off the same, and using intimidation and violence." "Sometimes unbeknownst to the victims, Combs kept videos he filmed of victims engaging in sex acts with commercial sex workers," federal prosecutors said. The music mogul's lawyer suggested the sex trafficking charge is an example of government misjudging consensual conduct. Sean 'Diddy' Combs in August 2023 (Paras Griffin/Getty Images) Combs is accused of verbal, emotional, physical and sexual abuse, the federal indictment said. The indictment alleges Combs' victims were enmeshed in a web of control through "physical violence" and the promise of career advancement, with Combs "granting and threatening to withhold financial support, and by other coercive means, including tracking their whereabouts, dictating the victims' appearance, monitoring their medical records, controlling their housing, and supplying them with controlled substances." When Combs didn't "get his way, he was violent," Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said at a news conference Tuesday. Federal prosecutors mention the 2016 hotel surveillance video that showed Combs allegedly physically assaulting his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. When a hotel security worker intervened, Combs tried to bribe the worker with a "stack of cash" to keep the incident quiet, Williams said. Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo suggested Tuesday that the video of Combs assaulting Ventura wasn't evidence of sex trafficking, but of a relationship deteriorating. He said, before the assault which was caught on surveillance video, Ventura hit Combs with his phone while he was sleeping, because she discovered text messages from other women. PHOTO: Music mogul and entrepreneur Sean 'Diddy' Combs arrives at the Billboard Music Awards, May 15, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, FILE) Combs is accused of carrying guns to intimidate or threaten witnesses, Williams said. In a search at Combs' Miami home, police found three AR-15 rifles and a drum magazine, prosecutors said. Agnifilo asserted the guns belong to Combs' private security. Combs was arrested at the Park Hyatt hotel in Midtown Manhattan Monday night and he spent the night in federal custody, sources told ABC News. Agnifilo said Combs has anticipated federal charges ever since the March raids on his homes in Florida and California. Combs' spirits are good, Agnifilo said, adding, "He's dealing with this head on the way he has dealt with every challenge in his life." PHOTO: Attorney Marc Agnifilo arrives at United States Court in Manhattan after music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs was arrested by federal agents, Sept. 17, 2024, in New York. (Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters) At Combs' court appearance Tuesday, several of his children and his sister looked on from the gallery, as did attorneys for some of the victims who have filed civil lawsuits. Assistant U.S. attorney Emily Johnson told the court Combs "is a serial abuser and a serial obstructor." Johnson said prosecutors have interviewed at least a dozen witnesses who could testify to seeing women injured as a result of violence Combs inflicted, Johnson said. At court on Tuesday, Judge Robyn Tarnofsky ordered Combs detained pending trial, saying, "My concern is that this is a crime that happens behind closed doors." The judge noted the "power imbalance" between Combs and the alleged victims, and she mentioned Combs' alleged drug use and violence. MORE: Trump Arlington cemetery incident still under investigation: Sources Federal prosecutors wanted Combs detained, arguing in a letter to the judge that he's "dangerous" and poses an ongoing threat to the community. "The defendant also poses a significant risk of obstructing justice," prosecutors said. "During the course of the charged conduct, the defendant has attempted to bribe security staff and threatened and interfered with witnesses to his criminal conduct. He has already tried to obstruct the Government's investigation of this case, repeatedly contacting victims and witnesses and feeding them false narratives of events." "There are simply no conditions that would ensure that the defendant's efforts to obstruct and tamper with witnesses will stop," prosecutors said. Combs' attorney is appealing the decision to hold him without bail. The appeal hearing is set for Wednesday. Agnifilo had urged the judge to release Combs on a $50 million bail package, saying his client is not the flight risk prosecutors portrayed. The lawyer said Combs arrived in New York on Sept. 5 and "came here to face it." Agnifilo said Combs is trying to sell his private plane. Agnifilo said he took possession of his client's passport and those of five of his relatives. He also argued that when Combs took two trips -- to a graduation party for one of his children and a whitewater rafting trip -- "we told the government where he was going." "Trust has to be earned and we have earned it," he told the judge. Agnifilo also mentioned that Combs is receiving "treatment and therapy" in New York. Agnifilo said in an earlier statement, "We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Sean 'Diddy' Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community." "He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal," Agnifilo said. "To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide." Williams said at his news conference that no one is above the law. "A year ago, Sean Combs stood in Times Square and was handed a key to New York City. Today, he's been indicted and will face justice in the Southern District of New York," he said. Williams stressed that the investigation is ongoing and he encouraged anyone with information to come forward. Combs has been under investigation for the better part of a year since Ventura came forward with allegations in a civil lawsuit. At least 10 additional lawsuits followed. Combs has denied the allegations in all of them. In March, when Combs' Los Angeles and Miami homes were raided by federal agents, a Homeland Security Investigations spokesperson said the raid was executed as part of an "ongoing investigation." Law enforcement sources told ABC News in March that federal agents seized a number of electronic devices as part of the court-authorized searches of Combs' two properties in the federal sex trafficking investigation. Homeland Security Investigations, the lead agency that was responsible for investigating the allegations against Diddy did so, because they are the agency that primarily focuses on human / sex trafficking and smuggling, child exploitation, cybercrimes, narcotics, terrorism and national security threats, transnational crimes, financial crime, global trade and public safety, according to the agency's former executive director. "Homeland Security Investigations is not new to high-profile cases, as they lead the investigations into R. Kelly, El Chapo, Anna Sorkin and Jenn Shah," former HSI Acting Executive Director Steve Francis told ABC News. Francis said this case, while he cannot comment on specifics, "it is very similar in nature to the R.Kelly case HSI worked where special agents were responsible for a myriad of investigate actions including collecting evidence related to a wide ranging sex trafficking enterprise." Sean 'Diddy' Combs charged with sex trafficking in sprawling indictment, held without bail originally appeared on abcnews.go.com This combination of images shows a portrait of Steve Sando, left, and cover art for Sando's "The Bean Book: 100 Recipes for Cooking with All Kinds of Beans, from the Rancho Gordo Kitchen." (Kim Serveau via AP, left, and Ten Speed Press via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) NEW YORK (AP) Stop by Steve Sando's house for dinner and, if you're lucky, he might hand you a shot glass with a warm, murky liquid topped with a little onion, oregano and lemon juice. Bottoms up! You've just knocked back some bean broth. If youve cooked beans, you already have a sort of free soup, says Sando from his home in Napa, California. It's just this little hot thing to start the meal. Its like youre starting out on a good foot. Sando is something of a bean evangelist and has found a flourishing national appetite for his dried heritage beans, which are preserved in the Americas and passed down through generations. They are favored for their flavor, variety and even the broth they kick off. Once a niche market, sacks of his heirloom beans fetch up to $8 a pound and have attracted 30,000 people on a waitlist to get quarterly shipments via his company, Rancho Gordo. Its a secret that was right under our nose," he says. "Im the one who got obsessed about it, but beans have always been here. I mean, every culture, every civilization, has some kind of legumes. Sando's latest cookbook, The Bean Book, with Julia Newberry, shows off the versatility of the little guys, from a Moroccan Chickpea Tagine to a Cheesy Black Bean and Corn Skillet Bake to a Clay-Baked Cod Gratin with Onions and White Beans. The flavors incorporate tastes from Tunisia, Costa Rica, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Iran and, of course, New England. It's a mind-blowing experience to anyone familiar only with cans of black beans or chickpeas from the supermarket, bland fingernail-sized beans that have been soaked and canned and whose juice is quickly poured down the drain. I prefer heirloom beans that have been lovingly grown, he says. I try not to judge people after buying commodity beans because theyre still pretty fabulous. How to cook them Beans are the ultimate slow food and Sando recommends soaking them for 26 hours, sauteeing garlic or some onion in a pot before adding the soaked beans and simmering for at least 2 more hours. You can tell if the beans are ready to eat if you remove one, blow on it and the skin wrinkles. Adding chicken broth or a hunk of pork into the pot as the beans simmer is a no-no until you've enjoyed the heirloom beans for what they are. Adding meat just turns it into a meat dish, he argues. I just think theres this a-ha moment you have when you have a killer bowl, he says. And you have to work so hard to mess up a pot of beans. The Bean Book, with contributions from chefs like Staffan Terje and Faith Kramer, is a place to celebrate the more obscure varieties Sando curates, ones with fabulous names like Eye of the Goat, Whipple and Scarlet Runner. Some are strikingly beautiful, like Christmas Lima or Snowcap, almost begging to be put in a glass jar as a countertop decoration. Where beans belong: just about everywhere Beans in the book have a way of ending up in all sorts of places, from salads and sauces to braises and on toast, as supporting players or the spotlight. Sando even finds a place for them in a dish of clams and Spanish chorizo, assembling all three main ingredients only in the final moments. The chorizo starts to render its own fat into the bean broth, and its like it becomes something even better than it was where it had been sitting for hours, he says. I actually think taking separate components and only letting them get to know each other for a few minutes is better. Sando also enters the heated debate over whether or not proper chili should contain beans. He respects Texans' aversion to beans in their chili, but suggests adding big, beefy runner beans instead of meat to a dish with red chili powder, oregano, cumin, zucchini and corn. Im proud of that recipe more than almost any of them, because it really took a lot of work and it took many, many tries, he says. I understand their concerns, but I think I really took the spirit of chili to heart with this one. Sando says he'll never forget the thrill he felt in 2001 after growing and then eating a bowl of simply cooked heirloom Rio Zapes, a pinto-like bean with a velvety texture that has trace flavors of coffee and chocolate. As someone who lives in Napa, where every obscure corner of European wine is known and European culture is quite well explored, I thought, Well, these are actually indigenous to the Americas. And why does the average home cook not know what a Rio Zapes is? Because beans take so long to be ready, Sando suggests the home cook prepare a pot of them and use them all week, maybe serve them with chicken thighs one day and then in a salad for the next and later puree them for a third dish. He's also not against swapping one kind of bean for another in his dishes: You can interchange them, he says. You dont want to get too hung up on I can only make this because I have this. You can experiment a little bit. A potential tropical system brought rain totals usually not seen in hundreds of years to parts of southeastern North Carolina Monday, weather officials said, including "life-threatening flash flooding." The towns of Carolina Beach, Boiling Springs Lakes and Southport received more than a foot of rain in the first 12 hours of Monday, a weather event that on average occurs once every 200 years, according to the National Weather Service's office in Wilmington, North Carolina. The 18-plus inches in half a day that dropped on Carolina Beach occurs "once every 1000 years!'' the office said. The North Carolina Department of Transportation exhorted people in affected areas to avoid driving if possible on Monday, posting a photo of a collapsed and mostly submerged section of a street in Southport as the storm flooded dozens of roads. The system, known as Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight, is forecast to move north across the Carolinas toward the Mid-Atlantic over the next day or so, according to the NWS, with "persistent showers and thunderstorms" expected across portions of North Carolina and the southern Mid-Atlantic on Tuesday, and locally heavy rainfall could result in "isolated to scattered instances of flash flooding." Flood watches are in effect Tuesday for portions of southeastern Virginia and North Carolina, with precipitation coverage and density expected to decrease on Wednesday. "By Thursday, this system will begin to shift offshore into the Atlantic and high pressure will build behind it," the NWS said Tuesday morning. Rare meteorological feat: A once-in-200-years event: NC towns get a foot of rain in 12 hours National Hurricane Center tracking Tropical Depression Gordon, three additional tropical waves The National Hurricane Center said Tuesday morning it is continuing to track Tropical Depression Gordon, which is currently located about 925 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands. The NHC said the depression is moving west, however it is expected to take a turn to the north Tuesday, following by a turn toward the north-northeast on Wednesday. Gordon currently has sustained winds near 35 mph, with higher gusts, and it could gradually re-intensify into a tropical storm again later this week, the NHC said. The hurricane center is also tracking three tropical waves in the Atlantic, forecasters said Tuesday morning. An eastern Atlantic tropical wave is along 27W, south of 20N, and moving westward at 5-10 knots, the NHC said. Additionally, a central Caribbean tropical wave is "enhancing the scattered showers and thunderstorms" over northern Colombia and south-central portions of the Caribbean Sea, according to the NHC. Lastly, a tropical wave is extending from southern Yucatan to Guatemala and into the Eastern Pacific, with the NHC noting a few showers near this system. Tropical Depression Gordon tracker Tropical Depression Gordon spaghetti models Spaghetti model illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The Hurricane Center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts. Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Storm tracker: NC flooding, Tropical Depression Gordon path As the 2024 election hits its stretch run, an organization supporting Donald Trump is betting big that swing-state voters will recoil from the truth about Kamala Harris immigration record. Make America Great Again Inc. has made a $48 million ad buy in Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania where 46 electoral votes are up for grabs with $6.1 million being spent in the Grand Canyon State, $9 million in the Peach State and a whopping $32.9 million in the Keystone State. The spot, launched Tuesday, starts off with a female narrator warning that safety in our streets and justice in our courtrooms are under attack because of Harris dangerous liberal values. A new campaign ad for former President Donald Trump claims that safety and justice are under attack if Vice President Kamala Harris is elected. MAGA Pac The ad highlights Harris supporting a bail fund for rioters in Minneapolis in 2020. MAGA Pac The ad includes a callback to one of Harris most infamous , a 2020 plea to chip in now to the Minnesota Freedom Fund to help post bail for those protesting in the ground on Minnesota, a euphemistic reference to the rioters in the streets of Minneapolis after George Floyds death. Yet it wasnt just protesters who got Harris help. It was also some of the sickest members of our society, who were using a moment of national chaos as cover. Among those bailed out, the ad notes: a registered sex offender charged with terrorizing, raping and threatening an 8-year-old girl. Local reporting corroborated this at the time. The ad then references one of Harris more recent remarks the claim that her values have not changed despite positions that have since her first campaign for president and her insistence that she understands the importance of safety. The spot shows a register sex offender released on bail due to the fund Harris supported. MAGA Pac The ad quoted Harris saying her values havent changed. MAGA Pac No, she doesnt, the narrator retorts, calling Harris dangerously liberal and still dangerous for America. The ad, which runs through Election Day, attempts to capitalize on momentum in these states against illegal immigration the Biden-Harris administration fostered, with the most potent example being in the Southwest. In Arizona, arguably hardest hit by cross-border traffic, voters are on track to approve Proposition 314, a ballot measure that would allow police to do what the feds wont clamp down on illegal immigration. The ad claimed that Harris is dangerous for America. MAGA Pac A recent poll found 77% of Republicans, 57% of independents and 53% of Democrats are on board. CNN polling this month found Trump is more trusted in the battleground states on the issue of immigration, with a 17-point advantage in Arizona and a 9-point edge across the swing-state map. In short, its an issue that plays to the former presidents strengths and the vice presidents weaknesses and could lead to peril for Harris in November. NEW YORK (AP) For all the debate about just how rich former President Donald Trump is, one thing is clear: His ownership stake in Trump Media & Technology Group makes him a billionaire. The company behind the Truth Social platform is worth more than $3 billion on Wall Street, and Trump owns more than half of it. So far, Trump and other insiders in the company known as TMTG have been unable to cash in because a lock-up agreement has prevented them from selling any of their shares since TMTG began trading publicly in March. Trumps lock-up deal looks set to expire later this week. But if he sells, Trump risks sending a negative signal to other shareholders and prompting them to dump their shares. For now, Trump says hes not selling. Heres a look at what the end of the lock-up could mean and what Truth Social actually does: Whats the latest? Trump on Thursday will be free to start selling his shares of TMTG as long as they dont close below $12 before then. They closed Tuesday at $16.14. Trump entered into the lock-up agreement in March, when TMTG merged with a shell company named Digital World Acquisition Corp. and took its place on the Nasdaq stock market. Trump does not run TMTG. Its CEO is Devin Nunes, the former Republican U.S. Representative from California. But Trump is the biggest draw for its Truth Social network, posting his truths on the social-media platform. How much of the company does Trump own? Trump owned 57.3% of all the companys shares, as of Aug. 15. Based on the companys total market value of $3.23 billion, that made Trumps stake worth $1.85 billion. What is Truth Social? Trump launched Truth Social, in February 2022, after he was banned from major sites such as Facebook and the platform formerly known as Twitter following the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Hes since been reinstated to both and endorsed by X owner Elon Musk but he still mostly posts on his own platform. While the platform sought to capitalize on the outrage over Trumps social media bans to attract a broad audience, Truth Social, much like fellow right-leaning social media platforms Gettr and Parler, has not been able to move much beyond an echo chamber of conservative political commentary. Truth Social is marketed as the antidote to mainstream social media apps, which Trump and his supporters say discriminate against their views and limit free expression, said Roxana Muenster, a doctoral student at Cornell University who studies the far-right and digital communication. Its audience, she added, is mainly Trumps MAGA base. There is also a lot of hate speech and extremism on the platform due to their lax approach to content moderation. As part of an agreement that runs until February 2025, Trump has agreed to wait six hours after posting on Truth Social before he can post any non-political communications on other social media platforms However, this is at the former presidents sole discretion, and as the company notes in a regulatory filing, as a candidate for president, most or all of President Trumps social media posts may be deemed by him to be politically related. How does TMTG make money? The company said in a recent regulatory filing that it relies on advertising for all of its revenue. That revenue is miniscule it took in just $836,900 in its most recent quarter, down 30% from $1.2 million a year earlier. For the three-month period that ended June 30, the company posted a loss of $16.4 million. About half of that was legal expenses related to its merger with Digital World. In its latest quarter, Trump Media said it also incurred $3.1 million of technology consulting and software licensing expenses, mainly related to its software licensing agreement to power its new TV streaming service called Truth+. Unlike more mainstream social media platforms, Truth Social does not release information about certain measures of performance, such as signups and average revenue per user. This can make it more challenging for investors to determine how the companys business is doing. How has the stock been performing? Poorly, for the most part. After sitting above $60 in March, it has tumbled toward $16. A stocks price is supposed to rise and fall with its prospects for making money, but critics say TMTGs stock has instead tended to move with investors expectations for Trumps re-election chances. Its also been incredibly volatile, diving and soaring through pulse-raising swings day to day if not hour to hour. The stock has had 15 days since the start of April where its jumped or dropped more than 10%. Has Trump commented about the decline in the stock? At a press conference on Friday, he suggested it may be because of fears that he would sell his own shares. Its different if I leave, he said. Is that a legitimate fear? The stock market works on supply and demand, and if many shares of any stock were suddenly to become available because a shareholder wanted to sell, that would likely hurt its price. Beyond that, though, Trump is a huge draw for TMTGs stock himself. A stock is generally worth whatever the latest and the next buyer will pay for it. Investors would likely be less willing to pay higher prices for TMTG stock if its main draw were selling his own shares of the company. Has Trump said what he will do with his shares? At the Friday press conference, he said he would not sell when the lock-up lifts. He said he does not need the money. No, Im not selling, he said. No, I love it. I use it as a method of getting out my word. That caused a mini-rally for the stock of 11.8%. If Trump were to sell, would he have to tell anyone? Yes. Major investors who own more than 10% of a company must report their sales of its stock to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within two business days. How often do companies see big investors flood the market with their shares immediately after a lock-up period ends? When there will be a lot of selling, companies often arrange for a follow-on offering, an organized sale where underwriters can find buyers for the shares rather than just dumping them into the market, according to Jay Ritter, an expert on initial public offerings at the University of Floridas Warrington College of Business. With founders or large shareholders, such as Donald Trump, it is common for them to sell a modest fraction of their shares in order to diversify, Ritter said. It is unusual for them to sell a large fraction of shares as soon as they can. Does this situation look usual? No, says Ritter, who believes TMTGs stock price is too high relative to how much money the company is making and looks set to make. Ritter said the stock could drop more than 80%. Because of this probable large percentage decline, existing shareholders have a greater incentive than usual to sell now rather than wait, he said. That could push other big shareholders, such as CEO Nunes, to sell a lot of their shares quickly, whether or not Donald Trump sells any of his shares. U.S. Army soldiers were deployed to the remote Shemya Island in Alaska last week, as part of a training exercise that follows recent flights of Russian and Chinese aircraft near American airspace in the region. Soldiers of the 11th Airborne Division, as well as the 1st and 3rd Multi Domain Task Forces, deployed to Shemya Island, part of the vast Aleutian Islands archipelago, on September 12. Shemya Island, located 1,200 miles west of Anchorage and less than 300 miles from the Russian coast, is home the Eareckson Air Station, an early-warning radar installation that can track ballistic missiles and other objects. As the number of adversarial exercises increases around Alaska and throughout the region, including Junes joint Russian-Chinese bomber patrol, the operation to Shemya Island demonstrates the divisions ability to respond to events in the Indo-Pacific or across the globe, with a ready, lethal force within hours, Maj. Gen. Joseph Hilbert, the commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division, said in a statement. Watch: Army Ranger rescues fellow soldier trapped in car as it becomes engulfed in flames A summer of close calls with Russian and Chinese aircraft In July, U.S. and Canadian jets intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bomber aircraft that were flying within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), an area of international airspace where aircraft are required to identify themselves to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). The training exercise also came just a day after NORAD reportedly detected and tracked two Russian military aircraft operating in the ADIZ. As reported by Stars and Stripes, this summer has also seen numerous flights by Russian and Chinese military aircraft around the Pacific, including an incident last week in which a Russian military aircraft circled the island of Okinawa, where the U.S. maintains a large military presence, a flight by Chinese military aircraft into Japanese airspace on August 26, and a July flight by two Russian military bomber aircraft between Japan and South Korea. The U.S. training exercise, which was expected to last several days, involved paratroopers, artillery, and radars based in Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington. An Army press release also described it as an important step in maintaining a U.S. presence in the Arctic, as it becomes more accessible with the accelerating impacts of climate change. Max Hauptman is a Trending Reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached at MHauptman@gannett.com This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Army sends troops, conducts training on Shemya Island near Russia Few possess the inherent courage and tenacity to steer their careers toward a cause that demands not only mental prowess but also empathetic dedication. One such individual is Sarath Chandra, an alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology in Madras, India, specializing in mechanical engineering and energy technology. The world wasn't the same after his graduation. It promised infinite possibilities, not only for him but also for the multitude of patients, doctors, and medical professionals he would devote his career to assist. Sarath understood that technology and medicine are not merely allied but interlaced, paving the path for the future of healthcare. His vision is to develop groundbreaking products demonstrating the intricate synergy between these two fields. His post-graduate journey began at the Indian School of Business as a Research Associate. He applied his intellect to optimize healthcare delivery systems in low-resource geographies. Sarath's exceptional work led to designing a scalable medical supply chain for treating pulmonary tuberculosis, a prime cause of mortality in rural India. This venture expanded healthcare access and introduced advanced medical equipment, improving tuberculosis diagnosis across rural India. In the process, Sarath realized the profound effect of inadequate healthcare for chronic conditions, which galvanized him to devote his career to improving healthcare accessibility, affordability, and outcomes. To augment his technical proficiency and diversify its application in medical settings, Sarath relocated to New York City. He pursued Operations Research and Information Engineering at Cornell University, a challenging master's program that fortified his expertise to address contemporary healthcare challenges using machine learning, entrepreneurship, and product development. Upon acquiring a robust technical and entrepreneurial skillset, Sarath embarked on various projects with the intent of leaving an indelible mark on the healthcare industry. His first entrepreneurial endeavor was co-founding SkinLens, an AI-based prognosis tool for skin-related ailments. This tool, powered by an algorithm utilizing panoptic segmentation on PyTorch, achieved diagnostic accuracy levels comparable to trained clinicians. It was integrated into three Indian hospitals, assisting a thousand patients weekly. At Evernorth, he furthered his journey as a Senior Full Stack Advisor (AI/ML Platform) where he supervised machine learning systems powering a wide array of models. In a mere span of three years, he revolutionized the patient and provider experience across diverse healthcare domains, such as disease progression, patient health risk, and underwriting. Furthermore, he was instrumental in developing state-of-the-art cloud infrastructure to support these models. In this process, Sarath was able to provide affordable and personalized care to millions of patients seeking care in the US and understood the significance of technology in improving the population's health at scale. Presently, Sarath is part of the founding team of ISHI, a virtual heart failure care enablement company revolutionizing the current standard of heart failure care. The vision behind ISHI is to deliver quality and equitable care for heart failure patients across socioeconomic strata. As an integral part of the team, Chandra's main challenge was to design a state-of-the-art engineering system while developing intuitive software and machine learning products. These innovations address the complexities involved in delivering personalized heart failure care at scale, ensuring reliability, accessibility, and equity across various geographies. As a leader of a talented team comprising software developers, cloud architects, data scientists, UI/UX designers, and project managers, Chandra is helping create a user-friendly care ecosystem that caters to the demands of the various stakeholders involved in heart failure care. ISHI has already partnered with medical device giants like Abbott and numerous heart failure clinics in the US, forging a path for evidence-based care. Sarath Chandra's journey is a testament to his relentless efforts to make healthcare more equitable and efficient. Just a few years after completing his studies, Sarath's work isn't just changing lives; it's saving them. His work truly embodies the inseparable bond between technology and medicine. The UK has shown great interest in Italys migration deal with Albania, Giorgia Meloni said, as Sir Keir Starmer claimed his Government would make a return to British pragmatism on border control. The Italian premier also brushed aside humanitarian concerns about the agreement as completely groundless while the British Prime Minister praised Romes remarkable progress in curbing irregular arrivals by sea. Migration was top of the agenda when Sir Keir visited the Italian capital on Monday to meet his counterpart as he seeks to reset relations with the UKs nearest neighbours and study the countrys model of border control. The Meloni governments response to small boat crossings has seen a drop of more than 60% in arrivals by sea over the past year but critics have argued its agreements with some other countries could put asylum seekers at risk. It has recently brokered a deal with Tirana which will see irregular migrants who have entered Italy processed in the Balkan nation under Italian jurisdiction, which Ms Meloni said she had discussed with Sir Keir during bilateral talks on Monday. The UK Government has shown great interest in this agreement, she told a press conference at the Villa Doria Pamphilj. Ms Meloni said they both want to enhance this very good relationship between Italy and the UK, and increase co-operation with the EU while of course respecting the post-Brexit rules. The Prime Minister stopped short of explicitly endorsing the offshore processing scheme, which is expected to come into force later this year, insisting he was interested in Italys immigration policies more widely. He later suggested the countrys reduction in unauthorised migrant numbers was more likely attributable to the work that the prime minister (Ms Meloni) has done upstream than in the Albanian deal. I have always made the argument that preventing people leaving their country in the first place is far better than trying to deal with those that have arrived in any of our countries. I was very interested in that, he said. In a sense, today was a return if you like to British pragmatism. As part of these efforts, Italy has paid north African countries where people depart for Europe to boost border security and coastguard capability, which Sir Keir said seemed to have had a profound effect. The Prime Ministers emphasis on pragmatism comes after discontent among his back benches over the show of close collaboration with Ms Melonis national-conservative administration. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Villa Doria Pamphilj in Rome, Italy (Phil Noble/PA) The visit also comes as the countrys deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini faces charges of kidnap and dereliction of duty over a decision in 2019 to stop a migrant boat from docking. He denies the allegations. Kim Johnson, the Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, told the Guardian it was disturbing to see the Prime Minister seeking to learn lessons from a neo-fascist government. Asked what his message would be to critics who are concerned to see a Labour Government taking inspiration from an administration linked to alleged human rights abuses, Sir Keir told reporters travelling with him on the trip: Italy is an ally. Its a G7 member, its a Nato ally. We share a long history, weve got strong bilateral relations Weve got a common challenge and I think the more we can collaborate and co-operate with our partners on a shared challenge, the better. Asked about human rights concerns in relation to Italys immigration policies, Ms Meloni told the press conference: I dont know what human rights violations youre referring to, to be totally frank. This accusation, I think its completely groundless. She added that migrants sent to Albania would be dealt with under Italian jurisdiction. The UK is expected to give some 4 million to an initiative called the Rome Process, an Italian government scheme to tackle the root causes of irregular migration, following the meeting of the two leaders. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hold a joint press conference at Villa Doria Pamphilj in Rome, Italy (Phil Noble/PA) Meanwhile, in an effort to renew trade bonds, Italian companies are set to make investments into the UK worth almost 500 million. Defence, aerospace and security company Leonardo will invest 435 million in 2024 to be spent at their Yeovil site and in technology and research schemes across the UK, according to Downing Street, supporting 8,000 jobs. Steel manufacturer Marcegaglia will invest 50 million in Sheffield to build a new clean steel electric arc furnace, creating 50 new jobs. On Monday morning, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper hinted at a British interest in the Italy-Albania deal and insisted it was not the same as the Rwanda plan. First of all, this is Italian processing taking place in Albania. It has UNHCR oversight, so it is being monitored to make sure that it meets international standards, she told BBC Breakfast. Responding to criticism of Italys migration policy, the Home Secretary added: Weve always had a history of working with governments that have different political parties that are not aligned. That is a sensible thing for any government to do. We have to work with democratically-elected governments, particularly those who are our nearest neighbours, and particularly those where we have shared challenges that we have to face. Sir Keir announced he was axing the previous Tory administrations Rwanda deportation policy as one of his first moves in office and declared ahead of his visit to Italy there would be no more gimmicks to curb migration. The Prime Minister and Ms Cooper have since introduced a new border security command with the aim of rooting out people-smuggling gangs responsible for facilitating small boat crossings through the use of counter-terror style tactics and intelligence sharing with European neighbours. 'Vaccine fatigue' blamed as roughly half of people in US will skip COVID and flu shots this year A growing number of U.S. adults are hesitant to get recommended vaccines this fall, a new survey found. The poll, which included 1,006 people, found that only 43% of respondents have gotten or plan to get the COVID vaccine. Only a slight majority (56%) of adults said they have gotten or plan to get the flu shot this fall. COVID VACCINE DISTRUST GROWING AMONG AMERICANS, SURVEY FINDS: SHOULD BE A PERSONAL CHOICE The poll also found that 37% of those who have gotten vaccines in past years plan to skip the shots this season. A growing number of U.S. adults are hesitant to get recommended vaccines this fall, a new survey found. Around one-third of respondents also said they dont believe they need the vaccines mentioned in the survey flu, COVID, RSV or pneumococcal pneumonia. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Vaccine hesitancy tends to skew younger, as adults aged 65 and older are the most likely to get the recommended immunizations. The nationwide survey was conducted by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in mid-August 2024. NEW COVID VACCINES GET FDA APPROVAL FOR 2024-2025 SEASON These findings come just weeks after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved updated COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer for the 2024-2025 season. "Were at the start of respiratory virus season, when you have the triple threat of flu, COVID-19 and RSV," said Nora Colburn, MD, medical director of clinical epidemiology at Ohio States Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital, in a press release. Around one-third of respondents also said they dont believe they need the vaccines mentioned in the survey flu, COVID, RSV or pneumococcal pneumonia. "Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about vaccinations, but the reality is that they are safe and highly effective in preventing serious illness and death," she went on. "Older adults, people with certain chronic medical conditions, and those who are pregnant are especially at risk during respiratory virus season." Dr. Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a San Francisco biotechnology company, reacted to the polls findings. "Its obviously not surprising that 37% of people said they had been vaccinated in the past but werent planning to this year," he told Fox News Digital. RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COVID VACCINE IDENTIFIED IN STUDY "We just had a vaccine mandate a couple of years ago, and furthermore, childhood vaccines are very broadly administered, so those 37% are people who wouldnt be getting a vaccine normally anyway." The reported rate of 56% for the flu shot is a little above average, Glanville said, as it tends to hover at around 50%. "Coronavirus vaccination rates are a little lower than for the flu," he noted. Adults aged 65 and older are the most likely to get the recommended immunizations. This could be due to lack of clarity with the public over how COVID should be treated post-pandemic, according to Glanville. "Its also fatigue due to the COVID vaccines not being particularly effective at preventing symptoms, which causes people to believe that they are not effective (although they do protect against severe illness)," he added. Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center , said he finds the polls findings concerning. "Both vaccines wane over six months, so a yearly booster makes sense for high-risk groups," he told Fox News Digital. Siegel estimates that this years flu season will be similar to last years, which was "moderate," with 25,000 deaths and 400,000 hospitalizations. "The flu shot decreases severity and number of hospitalizations by about a quarter, and helps to provide community immunity," he added. FIRST CASE OF HUMAN BIRD FLU DIAGNOSED WITHOUT EXPOSURE TO INFECTED ANIMALS, CDC SAYS For COVID, Siegel warned that the virus activity is still fairly high "especially in the western U.S." The doctor also warned of a new variant circulating in Europe, which he expects will soon be in the U.S., known as the XEC subvariant. Everyone 6 months and older is advised to get vaccinated against influenza, according to the CDC. "It seems to be more contagious it causes congestion, cough, loss of smell and appetite, sore throat and body aches," he told Fox News Digital. "The new vaccine should provide at least some coverage." Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center and an attending physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, told Siegel that very young children are being hospitalized at a greater rate "likely because they haven't been vaccinated with the primary series." "I recommend a yearly booster for the elderly, immunocompromised and those with chronic illness, along with anyone who is at risk for long COVID or has had it previously," Siegel said. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued the following vaccine recommendations. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Flu: Everyone 6 months and older is advised to get vaccinated against influenza. COVID-19: The latest version of the COVID vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. The latest version of the COVID vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older. RSV: The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine is recommended for everyone aged 75 and older, as well as those aged 60 to 74 who have certain chronic medical conditions, such as lung or heart disease, or who live in nursing homes, as they are at a higher risk of severe disease. Pregnant women are also advised to get the vaccine during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy. Pneumococcal: Everyone younger than 5 years and age 65 and older is advised to get the pneumococcal vaccine, along with those who are at increased risk of severe disease. For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health Fox News Digital reached out to the OSU research team for comment. Original article source: 'Vaccine fatigue' blamed as roughly half of people in US will skip COVID and flu shots this year These include Novoplan, Gentrack and Maximo, which support automating repetitive processes like notifications and data updates. Atturras Cloud Business Solutions team designed the development portal powered by the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Experience Platform. Previously, Unitywater was reliant on multiple tools to manage applications. ARN understands this project was designed to replace the previous manual process of siloed and outdated applications, email chains and spreadsheets. Previously, there were a lot of manual steps needed to manage application processing, which was taking up a lot of admin time and had issues with errors and data quality/reliability, a spokesperson for Atturra said. Unitywater also wanted to provide self-service capabilities for developers, including payments and to have a way to collect accurate data for analytics purposes. The utility company initiated the project in late 2022 when it invited a small number of Microsoft-recommended partners to participate in the procurement process. Atturra has worked with the utility company in the past but this is the first time the IT service providers cloud business solutions has been tapped to provide its services. Unitywaters executive manager Katherine Gee said the improvements implemented together have laid the foundation for more significant system improvement. Were facing high levels of growth in our region and the new system provides a foundation for delivering more approvals to enable this growth, she added. Phase two of Atturras work at Unitywater will involve further enhancements and functionality to enrich the user experience for developers and certifiers. Privacy and security measures are not keeping up with the threats facing Australians personal information and addressing this must be a priority, Australian Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind said. The report also showed that while 63 per cent of data breaches affected 100 or fewer people. However, shortly after the reporting period in July, medical script provider MediSecure told the Australian government that it suffered a data breach that affected 12.9 million Australians more than half a year earlier in November. Breached information may have included personal and health information relating to prescriptions, as well as healthcare provider information. This was the second breach recorded to affect more than 10 million Australians and was one of the highest number of individuals affected by a breach since the Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme came into effect in 2018. Multi-party data breaches The incident highlighted the risk of outsourcing personal information handling to third parties, the report said. Multi-party data breaches also highlight the risks that exist beyond an entitys immediate third-party suppliers, as well as the impact of delays in notifications to affected individuals. In the reporting period, the OAIC received 34 notifications relating to data breach incidents involving more than one entity. Additionally, the agency proactively made inquiries with 35 entities impacted by multi-party data breach incidents to ensure compliance with the NDB scheme obligations. The Notifiable Data Breaches scheme is now mature, and we are moving into a new era in which our expectations of entities are higher, Commissioner Kind added. As connectivity is restored, the extent of the devastation becomes clear. The dioceses of Taunggyi and Kengtung (Shan State) are completely cut off. Local sources say the countrys military junta lacks the resources to deal with the situation and people are left to fend for themselves. Meanwhile, the Fondazione PIME has reactivated its Myanmar Emergency fund. Yangon (AsiaNews) As the clock ticks away, the extent of the devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi in Myanmar becomes clearer, even more since the country has been on its knees for over three years due to its ongoing civil war. Given the situation, Myanmar's ruling military junta has asked the international community for help in coping with the consequences of the calamity, which has hit much of Southeast Asia, killing several hundred people. Myanmars military rulers, who power in a coup in February 2021, reported just over 200 deaths and more than 300,000 displaced, but the real numbers are much higher, local sources say. The most affected states are in the east, in particular Kachin, Shan, and Kayah, where hundreds of thousands of people have already been displaced by the civil war, along with the Bago and Magwe regions. Phone services were restored only today, local sources say, but there is still no power in many areas. In the past week, as the typhoon punched its way across the country, flooded areas, like the dioceses of Taunggyi and Kengtung, in Shan State, found themselves completely cut off. The real extent of the damage is just emerging. Landslides hit Taunggyi, which is located on higher ground, but the areas with the most damage are those in the lowlands near Inle Lake. "Families have lost everything, the carcasses of dead animals are left, and children are beginning to get sick, especially with diarrhoea" due to stagnant water, sources say. It is estimated that at least 260,000 hectares of cropland have been devastated, leaving local communities without the means to survive amid the civil war, which has been raging for three years. According to Radio Free Asia, since last Wednesday, at least 20,000 people from 170 villages have fled their homes around Inle Lake, with one resident saying that they had never experienced "such a severe flood before." Meanwhile, hundreds of people have turned to the parishes asking for food and aid. The situation is different in Yangon, where the water level of rivers has risen, but this is normal. In the outskirts, homes have been flooded because they are made of bamboo and there is no type of infrastructure," report some local aid workers. "Now we are waiting for water to drain southwards. Dozens of young people continue to reach the city, especially children of displaced families who had abandoned their villages because of fighting. The military junta has no resources, neither financial nor human, to cope with the disaster and this has exposed the fragility of the system and highlighted that the people of Myanmar are, once again, essentially left to fend for themselves," others lament. Although the emergency was announced, the military "do not know whom to send to help the population because they are all already engaged in the fighting". This probably explains why the head of the military junta, General Min Aung Hlaing, felt compelled to appeal to the international community. "It's not just a matter of lack of will, financial resources are depleted," sources add. Many fear a repeat of what happened after cyclone Mocha in Rakhine State in May last year, when the military blocked access to flooded areas, preventing the arrival of aid. That said, it would be difficult for the same situation to be repeated in Taunggyi, where there are also militias close to the army." The Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M), a group of experts monitoring the situation in the country since the outbreak of the conflict, has urged Myanmars neighbours to open their borders to allow aid in. It also asked international cooperation agencies to work with resistance forces, who, in addition to having control over several parts of Myanmars territory, have experience in administering humanitarian assistance to people in their areas. The military junta, by contrast, lacks the capacity to ensure aid is delivered to the majority of those in dire need," the Council says. Given the huge devastation caused by this catastrophe, the Fondazione PIME is reactivating its Myanmar Emergency fund, which has been supporting war victims through local channels for three years. It is possible to donate to meet the new needs created by the flood. Click here for online and other methods of payment. by Dario Salvi Two years on from the murder of the young Kurdish woman at the hands of the morality police, the authorities still impose silence and censorship. Her family, confined to house arrest, iis threatened with mprisonment in the case of public ceremonies. Fragility and divisions in the opposition favour the ayatollahs. The new president promises more freedom on the internet and hijab. Milan (AsiaNews) - Record numbers for executions, with an increase of up to 80% compared to the recent past; arrests of protesters and relatives of victims of government repression; parents being prevented from paying their respects at their daughter's grave, while dozens of female prisoners launch a hunger strike to keep her memory alive. Two years after she was killed on 16 September 2022 as she exited a Tehran metro at the hands of the morality police, who had stopped her because she was not properly wearing the hijab, the obligatory veil, the memory of Mahsa Amini is still alive. And of the movement that arose in the wake of the 22-year-old Kurdish woman's death, that popular uprising to the cry of Woman, Life, Freedom that the ayatollahs tried to stifle, but which remains a source of inspiration, in a battle for freedom and rights that unites a large segment of the population. A popular uprising, quelled in blood but not wiped out, which finds in the hijab the symbol and instrument of female oppression, as underlined by the Evin prison where the Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi is imprisoned. The struggle, writes the activist in a message that has gone viral, is not only to claim the right of women to dress as they wish, but also to oppose the tyranny of the theocratic dictatorship. There is no democracy without women's rights'. Primacy in executions In 24 months, so much has passed since the killing of the young Kurdish woman - and little or nothing has changed with the death in a helicopter crash of the ultraconservative President Ebrahim Raisi and the election of the moderate Masoud Pezeshkian - Iran confirms its position at the top globally for the use of the executioner. A systematic use of capital punishment not only in drug offences, but also to repress internal dissent with a record 80% growth in two years and the highest documented per capita rate worldwide. Activists and movements linked to civil society, in fact, link the trend to a broader strategy adopted by the Islamic Republic to instil fear, while the verdict is often the outcome of trials where transparency is lacking and international standards are not met. The group Iran Human Rights (Ihr) reports that from October 2022 to September 2024, at least 1,452 people were hanged, a significant increase from 779 in the two years prior to the 2022 protests. According to Human Rights Watch (Hrw), most death sentences are the outcome of summary trials or with very vague charges (and evidence). In August 2023 alone, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported at least 93 executions, although Ihr and Hrana suggest the figure is well over 100. Some months of 2023, such as May, saw exceptionally high numbers, with 145 convictions followed. More than 410 executions have been recorded since January 2024, with a further escalation. Dissent, repression and impunity The general anger over the death of Mahsa Amini, which resulted in the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, has been the greatest challenge to the Islamic Republic and the ayatollahs' regime since its founding in 1979. The ensuing repression was just as bloody, with more than 550 victims including dozens of children, more than 22,000 arrests and at least 10 protesters falling into the hands of the executioner. In recent days, the young woman's father, Amjad Amini, has claimed the right of his family - as well as others who mourn the killing of relatives at the hands of the State - to honour her memory in secular or religious ceremonies. However, the authorities have responded by using an iron fist and trying to nip in the bud any attempt at commemoration, forcing the young woman's relatives, primarily her parents, to remain confined to house arrest under threat of arrest and transfer to prison. While Iranians abroad, from Europe to the United States to Australia, have promoted demonstrations and protests, at home there are attempts at strikes - immediately blocked - in at least 11 cities in western Azarbaijan and Kurdistan. In the days leading up to the anniversary, security and intelligence forces picked up activists and relatives of the victims, as well as tightening controls in Mahsa's hometown of Saqqez, with checkpoints and plainclothes officers patrolling the streets. Scenes similar to those of last year, on the first anniversary of the death, with the family under arrest amid fears of new popular uprisings. In a report, the UN-backed Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran warns that Tehran has intensified its efforts to ... crush the residual initiatives of women's activism. The methods used amount to crimes against humanity, although no leader has so far been held accountable or held responsible. Two years after the demonstrations, the leaders of the Islamic Republic have not restored the status quo ante, nor have they recovered their lost legitimacy, accuses Roya Boroumand, co-founder of the US-based Abdorrahman Boroumand Centre. The hope of a people The issue of women's rights and, more specifically, the issue of the veil were the focus yesterday of Pezeshkian's first press conference since taking office in July. The president assured that the morality police will no longer harass women, following up - at least in words - on promises he made during the election campaign in which he said he was against patrols stationed in streets and squares to check women's clothing. He also promised a relaxation of internet and social media restrictions, considering it among his government's priorities. Words - and announcements - that fuel Iranians' hope for a future of greater rights and freedom, and which have therefore been widely circulated on the web in recent hours. Analysts and experts point out that one of the most significant results of the protests linked to the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, at least in its first phase, was to unify the Iranian people against a violent, retrograde and repressive leadership. The demonstrations touched more than 160 cities from metropolises such as Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Tabriz and Sanandaj to smaller urban centres, to border villages in the south-east with Pakistan or in the extreme Kurdish north. Demonstrations joined by students, workers, members of ethnic and religious minorities, with women, the protagonists in this battle for freedom. If, on the one hand, the wave of dissent and protest has undermined the ayatollahs' regime, which has, however, been able to react, compact itself and stiffen even more, on the other, it has highlighted the internal divisions of an opposition that, on a political and institutional level, remains fragile and inconsistent. The real problem, in fact, is the lack of internal alternatives to the current theocratic leadership, which can thus remain firmly in power, as the scholar Arash Azizi, author of the book Ce que veulent les Iraniens, points out. Nevertheless, he adds that he believes that Iran will not return to the situation as it was before 2022 and in the short to medium term will experience radical upheavals. In an interview granted to IranWire under a pseudonym, a leading figure in the country's cinema and culture emphasises that unity remains the fundamental value to be able to influence choices: If we do not remain united, we will fall one by one. For this reason, he continues, it may have only been two years since the night when the women of Tehran gathered outside the hospital in Kasra or since the women of Saqqez took off their veils at the cemetery in Aichi, but for us - for all those who have become us under a rain of bullets, in the shadow of batons, fleeing from plainclothes agents, resisting interrogations - it seems like a lifetime. A hard life, but - he concludes - full of hope'. GATEWAY TO THE EAST IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO THE MIDDLE EAST. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY TUESDAY? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE. Pope Francis released his message for World Youth Day, which the Church will celebrate in every diocese on 24 November, a few weeks before the start of the Jubilee. [T]he Lord is opening a highway before you, and he invites you to set out on it with joy and hope, writes the pontiff. Vatican City (AsiaNews) The Vatican Press Office today released the message Pope Francis wrote for World Youth Day 2024. In it, the pontiff says that nowadays young people pay "the highest price" for the wounds of the world. Yet, even to this generation, which is called to live through difficult times, the Church wants to bring the Gospel message of hope. The message, whose title is inspired by the biblical verse those who hope in the Lord... will run and not be weary (Is 40:31), lays out the event that will be celebrated in each diocese on Sunday, 24 November, the Solemnity of Christ the King. The observance comes a few weeks before the opening on Christmas night of the Holy Year 2025, centred on the theme of hope. Pope Francis looks to this horizon in his message to young people. Referring to the context of the verse taken from the Book of Isaiah which follows the end of the exile of the people of Israel in Babylon the pontiff notes that even Today, we too live in times marked by dramatic situations that generate despair and prevent us from looking to the future with serenity: the tragedy of war, social injustices, inequalities, hunger and the exploitation of human beings and the natural environment. Often the ones who pay the highest price are precisely young people. You sense the uncertainty of the future and are not sure about where your dreams will lead. In this way, you can be tempted to live without hope, as prisoners of boredom, depression and even be drawn to risk-taking and destructive behaviours. For this reason, dear young people, I would like the message of hope to come to you, as was the case with Israel in Babylon. Today too, the Lord is opening a highway before you, and he invites you to set out on it with joy and hope. This road is not easy to travel. For Francis, anxiety is generated by the social pressures young people face, the temptation to boredom or seeking refuge in one's own comfort zone [. . .], seeing and judging the world from a distance, without ever dirtying their hands with problems, with other people, with life itself. Instead, Francis prefer[s] the tiredness of those who are moving forward, not the ennui of those who stand still with no desire to move! [. . .] If a beautiful goal exists, if life has an ultimate meaning, if nothing of what I dream, plan and accomplish will ever be lost, then it is worth the effort to keep walking, exerting ourselves, overcoming obstacles and fatigue, because the ultimate prize is magnificent beyond measure! Times of crisis, the pontiff notes, are not wasted or useless: they can become important times of growth. They are moments when hope is purified! In his message, Pope Francis goes on to urge young people to rediscover "the great gift of the Eucharist" as a sustaining force on this journey, citing the example of the young Italian Blessed Carlo Acutis, who is expected to be canonised in coming months. The pontiff also expressed hope that many young people from all over the world will be able to travel to Rome for the Jubilee or in any case experience the Holy Year in their own dioceses. I encourage you to approach this experience with three fundamental attitudes. First, thanksgiving, with hearts open to praise God for his many gifts, especially the gift of life. Then, a spirit of seeking, as an expression of our hearts unquenchable thirst to encounter the Lord. And finally, penance, which helps us to look within, to acknowledge the wrong paths and decisions we have at times taken and, in this way, to be converted to the Lord and to the light of his Gospel. In this coming Holy Year of Hope, I invite all of you to experience the embrace of our merciful God, to experience his pardon and the forgiveness of all our interior debts, as in the biblical tradition of the jubilee years. Thus, embraced by God and born again in him, you too can become open arms to embrace your many friends and peers who need to feel, through your welcome, the love of God the Father. May each of you give even just a smile, a warm gesture of friendship, a kind look, a ready ear, a good deed, in the knowledge that, in the Spirit of Jesus, these can become, for those who receive them, rich seeds of hope, and thus become tireless missionaries of joy. Facebook, now under its company Meta, banned Russian state media claiming that the latter is engaging in misleading techniques in order to help spread Russia's propaganda. Early reports say that this move comes as part of the actions in Meta which has sought to fight covert influence operations originating from Russia. This action elicited a swift reaction from the Kremlin, which called the action wrong. Meta Goes After Russian State Media Meta, the parent company of Facebook threatened to block all Russian media outlets on its platforms. These outlets, the company says, have been twisting content to spread propaganda espousing the Russian Federation's views and their war against Ukraine. According to ABC News, the ban will come into force within the next few days, which will take effect in Meta's efforts to fight fake news. The social media giant's move comes after a series of sanctions by the US administration against Russia's state-funded media, which has been accused of playing a role in Russia's military action and spreading of propaganda. These schemes aim to destabilize democratic administrations in various world regions, with a focus on Europe, Africa, and South America. "After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets: Rossiya Segodnya, RT, and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity," Meta said in a prepared statement. Related Article : Russian Court Convicts Meta Spokesperson in Absentia Over Terrorism Justification Kremlin's Backlash: Moscow Vents over Meta's Action Meta's announcement was met with an instant response from the Kremlin, The actions were described as 'unacceptable.' The spokesman for the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov expressed his disapproval towards Meta saying that such selective actions 'discredit' it. This, according to Peskov, will complicate relations between Russia and Meta going forward. U.S. Sanctions and Allegations Against Russian Media Meta's move comes after the US government enhanced its investigations on Russian media outlets. On the previous week, the US authorities unveiled a new batch of restrictions against RT which simultaneously accused the outlet of constituting a part of Russia's military-industrial complex. Some of these officials alleged that RT not only broadcasts fake news that is friendly to the Kremlin but also engages in fundraising for Russia's military operations, including offering sniper rifles and body armor to Ukrainian soldiers. Also, the US authorities reported that RT websites, which were disguised as credible news outlets, were playing the role of propagandists in the international arena. This year in June, two employees of RT were accused of providing a content creation company in Tennessee with $1.25 million; the company allegedly specialized in producing English language material popularising Kremlin-oriented messages. Previous Attempts Made by Meta to Combat Russian Propaganda Meta has been actively seeking to restrict Moscow's internet presence for a couple of years. Since the year 2020, it has flagged content from state-funded media organizations such as RT and Sputnik. The app maker has shut down Russian state media from advertising for their pages and has reduced their content's share in the feed in 2022. Meta also denied access to RT's channels for EU audiences together with other similar platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Meta's latest move is in line with its efforts to curtail Russian disinformation channels. A Russia-based network that posted fake news about the invasion of Ukraine was dismantled by Meta in 2022. Russia Labels Meta an 'Extremist Group' However, Meta tried to fight this by banning Russian State media from its platforms; in response to this Moscow declared the company an 'extremist' organization in March 2022, right after Russia invaded Ukraine. In turn, Facebook and Instagram were banned in Russia. The two, among other social media platforms, as well as Elon Musk's X which used to be called Twitter, were some of the most commonly used in the country before the ban. Now, such platforms are only available for Russians practically with the help of a VPN connection. Today's news: more than 500 people have died in the storms that are sweeping through Southeast Asia; Israel places return of displaced people from the North among the targets of the war, a further step towards an offensive in Lebanon; India condemns Ali Khamenei's statements on the treatment of Muslims in the country; First 2024 case of monkeypox in Malaysia. NORTH KOREA - CHINA North Korea, in violation of international sanctions, sent 500 workers to China for the first time since the pandemic, Radio Free Asia reported. The 500 workers were sent at the end of August. The postings - to countries such as Russia and China - were supposed to end at the end of 2019, with UN Security Council Resolution 2397 aimed at pushing Pyongyang to end its nuclear programme. MYANMAR - SOUTH EAST ASIA The number of people killed in Myanmar by Typhoon Yagi has risen to more than 220, with nearly 80 still missing. The storm passed through northern Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar last week, killing more than 500 people across the region. The UN has also warned that more than half a million people in Myanmar are in urgent need of food, drinking water, shelter and clothing due to the war. ISRAEL Under pressure from Netanyahu, the Israeli security cabinet has included among the objectives of the war the return of displaced people to their homes in northern Israel, abandoned under Hezbollah rocket fire. This is a step that brings the start of an Israeli offensive in Lebanon even closer. In the meantime, increasingly insistent rumours claim that the exit of Defence Minister Gallant is imminent, and that he will be replaced by former Likud member Gideo Sa'ar, in a move that would mark Netanyahu's victory over the Israeli army leadership in the clash that has been going on for weeks over the management of the war. INDIA - IRAN India condemned Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's comments on the treatment of Muslims in the great South Asian country, calling his remarks uninformed and unacceptable. We cannot consider ourselves Muslims if we are unaware of the suffering a Muslim is enduring in Myanmar, Gaza, India or anywhere else, Khamenei had in fact stated in a social media post on Monday. The Indian Foreign Ministry said it strongly deplores the comments. MALAYSIA Malaysia today reported the first case of mpox (monkeypox) in 2024 after a man tested positive for the less severe clade II variant. The case was detected yesterday in a man who had been experiencing symptoms such as fever, sore throat and cough since 11 September. The patient, a Malaysian national, had not travelled abroad in the 21 days prior to the onset of symptoms, the ministry added. Since July last year, Malaysia has detected a total of 10 cases of mpox, all of the clade II variant. ARMENIA - JAPAN Armenia's Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan paid a visit to Japan, meeting in Tokyo with his counterpart Takeo Akiba, discussing regional and international issues in light of the Crossroads of Peace project proposed by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pasinyan to open economic, political and cultural borders. RUSSIA Among the many measures to tighten conditions for migrants in Russia, the Moscow Duma has proposed changes to the law on citizenship, whereby every new citizen of the country must automatically be placed on military conscription lists, under penalty of being deprived of their newly received passport, and several new measures have been announced. ...: ... 17 September 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Azerbaijan enjoys robust cooperative relations with Central Asian countries, underpinned by shared values including historical, cultural, and root connections. Enhancing and broadening these partnerships is a central focus of Azerbaijan's foreign policy. The nation sustains significant engagements with Central Asian states across both conventional and alternative energy sectors. These collaborative efforts were a key topic at the recent meeting of the energy ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), held on September 16 in Bishkek. During this meeting, the ministers addressed the advancement of energy cooperation and the joint execution of regional projects. Parviz Shahbazov, Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy, who spoke at the meeting, noted that energy cooperation with the Turkic states is not only growing but also stimulating new projects and regional initiatives. In this context, the "green energy" corridor projectsnamely, "Caspian-Black Sea-Europe," "Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan," and "Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Europe"will position the Turkic states as key players in supplying clean energy and advancing energy transition in Eurasia. These corridors aim to connect the rich energy resources and electricity systems of our countries and to create a unified "green energy platform" that facilitates exports to Europe via Azerbaijan and Turkiye," said the Minister of Energy. The "Caspian-Black Sea-Europe," "Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan," and "Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Europe" green energy corridor projects are ambitious initiatives designed to enhance energy connectivity, promote sustainable energy sources, and strengthen regional cooperation. Here's a detailed overview of each project, particularly focusing on their implications for Nakhchivan, an autonomous republic of Azerbaijan: Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor The "Caspian-Black Sea-Europe" corridor is envisioned as a major green energy route connecting the Caspian Basin with Europe via the Black Sea. The corridor aims to facilitate the transfer of renewable energy resources, such as wind, solar, and hydropower, from the Caspian region to European markets. - Renewable Energy Focus: This corridor focuses on integrating renewable energy sources from countries bordering the Caspian Sea and transporting them to European countries. - Infrastructure: The project involves developing pipelines, power lines, and other infrastructure necessary for the transmission of green energy. - Strategic Importance: Nakhchivan, located near the Caspian Basin and the Black Sea, could play a significant role in this corridor as a transit hub or energy source. Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Green Energy Corridor The "Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan" corridor is designed to create a regional green energy network linking Azerbaijan with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. This corridor aims to boost energy trade and cooperation among these Central Asian countries by leveraging their renewable energy resources. - Energy Trade: This corridor facilitates the exchange of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, among Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. - Infrastructure Development: It includes the construction of transmission lines and other infrastructure to support the efficient flow of energy. - Role of Nakhchivan: Nakhchivan, strategically situated in the South Caucasus, could serve as a transit point or even a renewable energy producer contributing to this corridor. Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Europe Green Energy Corridor The "Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Europe" corridor is a major green energy route connecting Azerbaijan with Europe through Turkiye. This corridor aims to transport renewable energy from Azerbaijan and potentially other Central Asian countries to European markets. - Energy Export: Azerbaijan's role as a major energy producer is crucial, and this corridor will help export its renewable energy resources to Europe. - Infrastructure: Key infrastructure includes pipelines, electrical grids, and storage facilities necessary for energy transmission and storage. - Significance of Nakhchivan: Given its geographic location, Nakhchivan might be involved in facilitating energy flow between Azerbaijan and Turkiye or serve as a link in the broader European energy market. Nakhchivan's Role in Green Energy Corridors Nakhchivan, an autonomous republic of Azerbaijan located at the crossroads of several key regions, stands to gain significantly from these green energy corridors. Its strategic location can potentially make it a central hub in energy transit and distribution. Additionally, the development of green energy infrastructure in Nakhchivan could spur local economic growth, create jobs, and enhance energy security for the region. Overall, these projects are part of a broader effort to enhance energy connectivity, support sustainable energy development, and foster regional cooperation in the context of global energy transitions. At the same time, the minister spoke about the green energy projects planned for joint implementation with the Turkic states. Parviz Shahbazov noted that the "Intergovernmental Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Field of Green Energy Development and Transmission between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan" is expected to be signed soon. It is important to highlight that this agreement will focus solely on trilateral cooperation and will not impact existing bilateral agreements and activities between the parties. The document will address topics such as renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, hydrogen, energy infrastructure, and the establishment of a steering committee and working group. Additionally, Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy mentioned that cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in the field of renewable energy is also on the agenda. He added that hosting the Energy Transition Investment Forum for Central Asian countries during COP29 will present another opportunity for advancing green energy goals. The minister emphasized that the clear strategic vision and decisive policies of the heads of state, aimed at achieving success by protecting the rich natural resources, energy, and transport corridors across a vast geographical space from Central Asia to Europe, have strengthened the status of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). He highlighted the significance of the Garabagh Declaration, adopted at the informal summit of the OTS in Shusha. On July 6, the Garabagh Declaration was signed at the informal summit meeting of the Organization of Turkic States in Shusha. The declaration, which focuses on developing stable and multifaceted relations between the Turkic states, leverages their full potential in political, economic, transport, defense, humanitarian, educational, and cultural fields. Minister Parviz Shahbazov recalled President Ilham Aliyevs call for the 21st century to be the "century of the Turkic world" and noted that efforts to integrate Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the Caspian regions into a cohesive geopolitical entity reflect the evolving nature of Azerbaijans relations with the Turkic states. He reported that Azerbaijan's trade turnover with member and observer countries of the organization exceeded $9 billion last year, with these countries investing $18.2 billion in Azerbaijan's economy, while Azerbaijan invested $20.3 billion in them. Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are members of the OTS, while Hungary, Turkmenistan, and Northern Cyprus hold observer status. Valuing energy cooperation as a strategic pillar of relations among the Turkic states, the Minister highlighted that, in addition to the BTC pipeline, significant contributions from the Azerbaijan-Turkiye energy partnership include Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum, TANAP, and the Southern Gas Corridor. These projects ensure energy security for many countries, including Turkiye. Last year and during the first eight months of this year, 41 million tons of oil and 37 billion cubic meters of gas were supplied to Turkiye and global markets through these pipelines. This year, Turkiye is expected to receive 9.8 billion cubic meters of gas out of Azerbaijan's 25 billion cubic meters in total exports, with an additional 12.5 billion cubic meters going to Europe. The agreement for transporting 2 million tons of Kazakh oil via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and the gradual increase in these volumes underscore Azerbaijans role in connecting Central Asia, Turkiye, and Europe. Following the discussions, a Joint Communique was signed, outlining the results of the meeting. The communique supported the establishment of the OTS's Energy Coordinating Committee, the Regional Center for Technology and Green Initiatives, and green energy corridors. It also reflected the Turkic states' readiness to actively participate in COP29's Energy Day, scheduled to be held in Baku on November 15. In conclusion, the recent meeting of the energy ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) highlighted the growing collaboration between Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries in the realm of green energy. Key projects, including the "Caspian-Black Sea-Europe," "Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan," and "Azerbaijan-Turkiye -Europe" green energy corridors, are set to enhance energy connectivity and promote sustainable practices across Eurasia. Nakhchivan's strategic location positions it as a crucial player in these initiatives, potentially boosting its role in energy transit and local economic growth. Furthermore, the anticipated Intergovernmental Agreement among Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, along with ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with Kyrgyzstan, reflects a robust commitment to advancing green energy goals. The recent Garabagh Declaration and the establishment of new energy platforms underscore the OTS's unified vision for a sustainable energy future, with forthcoming initiatives like the COP29 Energy Day in Baku further reinforcing the region's dedication to clean energy. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 September 2024 13:33 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Azerbaijan, a determined advocate for the rights of small and vulnerable nations, has consistently challenged global neo-colonial practices. As a former chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, Baku has used its leadership to spotlight issues often neglected in the political mainstream. Even then, Baku continues to show its dedication to this mission. In its commitment to defending the sovereignty and independence of nations affected by neocolonialism, Azerbaijan continues to stand firm against modern colonial tactics, particularly in the Caribbean. This idea was recently reinforced by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), which condemned the Netherlands' ongoing colonial policies in its territories. In recent decades, Western countries have continued to employ colonial strategies under new guises. While political control is often disguised as "administration," the consequences of these policies extend far beyond governance. From resource exploitation to the violation of fundamental human rights, neo-colonialism remains a grave injustice in todays world. France, for example, retains control over 13 overseas territories and interferes heavily in the internal affairs of its former colonies, perpetuating de facto colonialism. However, France is not the only nation guilty of this; the Netherlands is also deeply embedded in such practices. In accordance, Baku Initiative Group (BIG) has condemned the new program presented by the Dutch government to the country's parliament, which the group claims continues the Netherlands' colonial control over its Caribbean territories. The new Dutch Cabinet's program asserts that legislative and strategic initiatives will be implemented in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba, allegedly aimed at improving their welfare. However, the BIG has blasted this move, arguing that these territories, while supposedly autonomous, are fully dependent on the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Furthermore, these territories have been removed from the UN list of non-self-governing territories, raising concerns about premature and unjust exclusions from decolonisation efforts. BIG has requested the Dutch government to respect the freedom and self-determination of the Caribbean islands and not to impede their pursuit of independence. Note that regarding a similar issue, Azerbaijan hosted an international conference not long ago in August 2023 titled Bonaires Pathway From Baku Through UN General Assembly to Self-Determination. During this event, it was revealed that the island of Bonaire, along with other territories, plans to submit a draft resolution to the UN General Assembly in October, aiming to be re-listed for decolonisation. This seemed to put pressure on the Netherlands to fully decolonise the islands under its control. But it seems while traditional colonialism has receded, neo-colonialism still thrives in the Netherlands. The removal of regions like Bonaire from the UNs list of non-self-governing territories not only raises questions, it also denies all the significant institutions of the United Nations. Since the establishment of the Special Committee on Decolonisation in 1961, the UN has been a crucial player in advancing the decolonisation agenda. The 1960 Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples remains a key document in the UNs fight against colonialism, calling for the end of foreign domination over dependent peoples. BIG's efforts to relist these islands are in line with the UNs longstanding advocacy for complete decolonisation. Therefore, the relevance of highlighting this problem and countering neocolonial practices should be a priority for many countries. As Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated in his inaugural speech, Azerbaijan provides and will provide support in order to completely wipe out neo-colonialism and its factors left over from this ugly history from the face of the Earth. In a nutshell, Baku continues to set a precedent for countries to confront these challenges head-on, shining a light on the hidden realities of neo-colonialism. The UN, BIG, and Azerbaijan's continued collaboration will be vital in securing autonomy and freedom for all peoples who are still shackled by the remnants of colonial rule. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 September 2024 12:20 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Azerbaijan will take part in the Tashkent International Tourism Fair (TITF), scheduled for November 21-23 in Uzbekistan, Azernews reports, citing the State Tourism Agency. The event will showcase Azerbaijans tourism potential and opportunities to a broader international audience. It is also worth noting that as part of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Uzbekistan on August 22-23, several agreements were signed between the two countries, including the "Action Plan for 2024-2026 in the Field of Tourism between the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Tourism Committee under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan." From January to August this year, nearly 30,000 tourists from Uzbekistan visited Azerbaijan, marking a 20.9% increase compared to the previous year. The significant increase in Azerbaijani tourists visiting Uzbekistan in the first half of 2024 highlights a growing trend in cross-border travel between the two countries. This rise reflects not only the appeal of Uzbekistan as a destination for leisure and family visits but also its growing attractiveness for business and other purposes. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 September 2024 15:14 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The COP29 presidency has presented new initiatives within its "Action Program" to accelerate the fight against climate change, Azernews reports. COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev informed all participating countries and interested parties about this in a letter. The letter outlines the COP29 presidency's action package designed to boost ambitions and strengthen climate action, and details how global stakeholders can support these initiatives. The COP29 Action Program encompasses a wide range of participants in the fight against climate change. It aims to address pressing climate challenges, revisit overlooked priorities, and engage diverse stakeholders. This program reflects the significance of hosting the COP conference in the Caucasus region for the first time and highlights Azerbaijans contribution to climate action. It presents ambitious initiatives across key areas such as energy, finance, agriculture, cities, human capital, and the global climate nexus. Some initiatives within the program, such as the Baku Climate Finance and Investment Initiative (BICFIT) and the Cross-Sector Action Program for Sustainable Cities (MAP), create synergies between different sectors. At COP29, governments and non-governmental organisations will discuss steps to enhance collective action in response to the climate crisis. The COP29 presidency will present draft documents for consultation and feedback to ensure a transparent and inclusive process. The final texts will be published on the official conference website. Through these initiatives, the COP29 presidency aims to create platforms, partnerships, and programs for proactive action before, during, and after the event. Financing, a key element in combating climate change, is central to this concept, with special attention given to securing funding for climate action. The COP29 Action Program was developed in collaboration with international organisations, national governments, and non-governmental organizations, including the UNs COP29 Implementation Task Force. Speaking at the opening of the program, Babayev expressed Azerbaijan's pride in the global trust placed in the country to host COP29. "Therefore, it is impossible to solve the climate crisis alone. We urge each participant to take action and remind that even the smallest contribution is important," he added. Nigar Arpadarai, the senior UN representative on climate, emphasised that the time has come for all parties involved in the climate process to become more active. "This is your chance to contribute to COP29," she said. The main initiatives of the COP29 presidency are: - Action Fund for Climate Finance (CFAF): Stimulating investments for mitigation, adaptation, research, and emergency response in developing countries. - Baku Climate Finance and Trade Initiative (BICFIT): A platform to support green economy and investments. - Commitment to Green Energy Zones and Corridors: Attracting investments in sustainable energy infrastructure. - COP29 Hydrogen Declaration: Development of a global clean hydrogen market. - Baku Harmony Climate Initiative for Farmers: Strengthening cooperation in agriculture and supporting communities. - Baku Global Climate Transparency Platform (BTP): Helping developing countries prepare climate action transparency reports. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 September 2024 11:19 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more COP29 President and Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev met with Sameh Naguib Vahba, World Bank Regional Director for Sustainable Development for Europe and Central Asia, and Rolande Price, Regional Director for the South Caucasus, Azernews reports citing official COP29 account's update on "X". During the discussions, they addressed ongoing and planned World Bank programs in Azerbaijan, particularly in the water and agriculture sectors, as well as preparations for COP29. It should be noted that the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will be held in Azerbaijan this November. The decision was made at the COP28 plenary session in Dubai on December 11 of last year. Baku, which will become a global focal point, is expected to host about 70,000 to 80,000 foreign guests. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, signed in June 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, aims to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The abbreviation "COP" stands for "Conference of the Parties," which is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. The convention has 198 parties. Unless otherwise agreed, COP meetings are held annually. The first COP took place in Berlin in March 1995, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. COP29 President-Designate held a productive meeting with Mr. Sameh Naguib Wahba, the World Bank Regional Director for Sustainable Development for Europe and Central Asia, and Ms. Rolande Pryce, Regional Director for the South Caucasus. The discussions focused on the World Banks pic.twitter.com/06JyrWCQhl COP29 Azerbaijan (@COP29_AZ) September 17, 2024 --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 September 2024 12:51 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The partnership between Azerbaijan and the World Bank was discussed during the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Azernews reports citing the Ministry of Economy. According to the information, Minister Mikayil Jabbarov met with the Bank's Regional Director for Sustainable Development for Europe and Central Asia, Sameh Naguib Wahba. During the meeting, satisfaction was expressed with the progress of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the World Bank. It was emphasized that joint projects contribute to the diversification of the economy, development of the private sector, infrastructure, solid waste management, agriculture, and other areas in the country. Potential cooperation areas with the Bank, priority projects for the coming years, renewable energy projects underway in Azerbaijan, steps taken to support employment, and research conducted by the Bank to support state-owned enterprises were reported. Partnership opportunities were also discussed within the framework of COP29. The parties exchanged views on joint actions within the "Green and Sustainable Cities" project, the restoration of Baku's water supply and sewage systems, smart solutions in agriculture and irrigation systems, and the Country Partnership Framework document for 2025-2029. This document outlines investment programs and technical assistance tailored to national priorities. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 September 2024 14:12 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The 3rd International Trade Fair of Azerbaijan Chinese Companies has started today at the Baku Expo Center, Azernews reports. More than 70 Chinese companies, producing a range of products including consumer goods, household appliances, car parts, as well as repair and construction tools and materials, are participating in the exhibition, which will run until September 19. The main goal of the exhibition is to create conditions for Chinese entrepreneurs to enter the Azerbaijani market. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vugar Zeynalov, Vice-President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations (ACE), noted that such events help to strengthen trade and economic relations between Azerbaijan and China. They also provide a favorable platform for business interaction and the exchange of experience between companies from the two countries. Hikmet Mammadov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency under the Ministry of Economy, highlighted that such measures reflect the strong relations between Azerbaijan and China. We hope that contracts will be concluded between companies during the bilateral meetings of business structures within the framework of the exhibition, he said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 September 2024 15:52 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more "Mother's Field" is a touching narrative by the outstanding Kyrgyz writer and playwright Chinghiz Aitmatov about the fate of a simple Kyrgyz woman, whose great strength helped her overcome all the misfortunes that befell her. Inspired by this work, the Baku Municipal Theater presented a performance on the stage of the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theater, marking the opening of the new theatrical season, Azernews reports. The staging of the play was organized with the support of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation. At the opening, a minute of silence was observed in honor of the martyrs. The Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Azerbaijan Maksat Mamytkanov emphasized the special significance of brotherly relations with Azerbaijan and noted that the countries and peoples are connected by historical and cultural roots, which provide a solid foundation for further development and strengthening of ties. The plot centers around old Tolgonai, an indefatigable worker, wise and deeply humane, who, in her later years, holds conversations with the land and her beloved field. The land, labor, and family were the sources of her joy. The war took away her most precious belongings. The old woman, a mother, lost her husband and sons in the war and suffered severe injuries from bandits, yet she did not lose her spirit; she remained a person with a big, open soul. She continues to fight against injustice, defending the right to life and the happiness of her grandchildren and other children. The heroes of the work are modest workers of Kyrgyzstan, passionate patriots connected by thousands of threads to the past, present, and futurenot only of themselves but also of their people. By telling the world about the Kyrgyz, the writer reveals the soul of his native people and makes it understandable and close to all. The director is the People's Artist Marakhim Farzalibayov, the set designer is the Honored Cultural Worker Ilham Asgarov, the choreographer is the Honored Artist Bakhruz Vagifoglu, the head of the musical part is the Honored Cultural Worker Nazim Abidov, the lighting designer is Tarlan Alakbarli, the costume shop director is Leyla Akbarova, and the designer-decorator is Elnur Ekhtiramoglu. The work of Chinghiz Aitmatov was translated into Azerbaijani by Teymur Elchin. The lead role was played by the Honored Artist Khusniya Murvatova. The cast includes Honored Artist Samaya Sadigova, Rashad Kesemenli, Tural Akhmed, Namig Javadof, Elchin Muradov, Ulviya Rza, Ismail Atakishiev, Zulfiya Mamedova, Gunel Ghamidova, Aynur Abbasova, and Arzu Aghayeva. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 September 2024 13:12 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more The International Mugham Center has signed Memorandums of Cooperation with two higher education institutions in Uzbekistan, Azernews reports. The agreements, signed with the Uzbekistan National Institute of Musical Arts and the Samarkand State University, focus on cooperation in the areas of scientific and cultural exchange, research activities, and the organization of mutual concerts and cultural projects, as well as master classes. "The development of international cooperation is one of the priority directions in the development strategy of the International Mugham Center. It should be noted that the Center is signing its fourth cooperation document with Uzbekistan. Earlier, in June of the current year, the Uzbek State Institute of Arts and Culture and the IMC signed a memorandum of cooperation, and in March a memorandum of cooperation was signed with the National Center for Makom Arts of Uzbekistan. Joint cooperation will contribute to increasing mutual experience exchange, strengthening mutually beneficial cultural ties between institutions, widely promoting Azerbaijani national music, and implementing a number of interesting projects in the future," the statement says. The International Mugham Center is an iconic institution dedicated to preserving and promoting Azerbaijan's musical legacy. Since 2008, the center has successfully demonstrated the art of mugham, a unique form of traditional Azerbaijani music that holds deep historical roots. The design of the building was based on the elements and shapes of the tar, an Azerbaijani musical instrument used in performing mugham. The center was built with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The Mugham Center regularly organises large-scale music festivals and concerts by highly acclaimed cultural figures. The Center also takes important steps towards bolstering cultural ties with Turkiye, Poland, Brazil, Uzbekistan, Morocco, and other countries. The International Mugham Center is determined to further expand its work and promote Azerbaijani musical culture. ---- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 September 2024 12:37 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more The arrival of Garabagh University students in Khankendi will continue until September 22, Azernews reports. The process of students arriving in Khankendi has already begun. Since yesterday, the registration of students by the working group and their accommodation in the dormitory has been carried out. Additionally, an informational tour has been organized for students to get acquainted with the city of Khankendi and the university. The process of students arriving in Khankendi will continue in phases until September 22. Note that Garabagh University has been established as one of the largest and most significant universities in Azerbaijan. It offers various faculties and programs for students, including engineering, medical, economic, and social sciences. The language of instruction is Azerbaijani, but given the university's central role and capacity, teaching in different languages is possible. Garabagh University also plays a special role in preserving and restoring the history, culture, and traditions of Garabagh. It is expected that students studying here will be informed about and help sustain Garabagh's cultural heritage. This is carried out through research projects, conferences, and training as part of the educational process. In addition to the education sector, Garabagh University also focuses on the development of scientific research and innovation. This is demonstrated through various scientific activities, projects, and research. The establishment and operation of the university reflect the profound social, cultural, and scientific impact of the Garabagh conflict. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz People's congress system a proven cornerstone of Chinese democracy Xinhua) 11:10, September 17, 2024 BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Zhou Hongyu, who had served as a national lawmaker for 20 years, saw many of his 200-plus proposals adopted and implemented. Among these proposals was free compulsory education in all urban and rural areas in China. Such input in shaping national policies and laws is made possible by China's foundational political system -- the system of people's congresses. This system, established in 1954, has evolved over 70 years into a more functional and efficient institution, underpinning China's rapid economic development and long-term stability. Observers note that the political order existing in China stands in stark contrast with the political disorder found in the West, as it integrates the diverse interests of over 1.4 billion people into national decision-making, governance and oversight, ensuring that power remains with the people through China's unique democratic practices. REPRESENTATION: FROM 8:1 TO 1:1 Zhou, a professor in the field of education, was elected as a deputy to China's National People's Congress (NPC) in 2002. In 2003, after conducting research in rural schools, he proposed a fully free compulsory education system for rural areas, outlining its necessity and a detailed implementation plan. During his first decade as an NPC deputy, Zhou submitted numerous proposals, primarily focusing on education, including free vocational education, schooling for migrant children, and school bus safety, with around 70 percent of his suggestions adopted. By 2012, China had extended free compulsory education nationwide. Zhou attributes his success to passion, perseverance, rationality, a people-centered perspective and his professional expertise. "Unlike full-time Western lawmakers, China's part-time NPC deputies are deeply connected to their fields, offering authentic insights into key issues." In September 1954, the first session of the first NPC convened, marking the formal establishment of China's people's congress system. The system features a multi-tiered structure, with the NPC at the top and congresses at provincial, municipal, county and township levels. Deputies are elected at each level every five years to represent the people's interests. Of the 2.77 million deputies in service now, 94.7 percent are from the county and township levels, and they are elected on a one-person-one-vote basis. China's election of people's congress deputies, the world's largest democratic election involves over a billion voters. The election system has evolved over the decades, moving from an 8:1 rural-to-urban population ratio in 1953 to equal representation in 2010. Women and grassroots workers, including migrant workers, are increasingly represented in the NPC. In 2007, a minimum threshold of 22-percent women deputies was introduced and the proportion exceeded 26 percent in 2023. The number of migrant worker deputies had grown from three in 2008 to 56 in 2023. "Chinese democracy is not a formality, nor a 'one-time' show. Deputies to various levels of people's congresses are accountable to the public," said Zhang Shuhua, head of the Institute of Political Science, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. LEGISLATION: FROM "EXIST OR NOT" TO "GOOD OR NOT" In Weidong Village, Guangdong Province, accessible facilities like ramps, toilet handrails and blind-friendly pathways can be easily found, largely due to suggestions from Wu Tengxin, a village shopkeeper with leg disability. His proposal to enhance barrier-free facilities in rural areas was incorporated into a national law governing the development of barrier-free environments. At the entrances to multiple special schools in Shanghai, new devices with crossing prompts have been installed to help students safely navigate the pedestrian crossings. This initiative stemmed from a teacher's contribution during a legislative consultation meeting last year, with the teacher suggesting the standardizing of crossing prompt sounds and Braille available on traffic signal facilities near special schools. Over the past 70 years, China's legislation has shifted from addressing basic and urgent needs to creating a more holistic legal system that includes laws catering to the specific needs of disadvantaged groups. As China's highest state organ of power, the NPC and its Standing Committee exercise legislative authority. On July 1, 1979, the second session of the fifth NPC adopted seven laws, including the criminal law and the law on Chinese-foreign equity joint ventures, putting the country back on the track of effective legislation. Over the next 30-plus years, China developed a socialist legal system with unique characteristics. China has since accelerated its legislative processes and enhanced the quality of its laws, most notably with the enactment of its inaugural Civil Code in 2020. In 2024, a significant milestone is expected with the development of an environmental code. This year, the top legislature plans to advance this environmental code, integrating and revising existing laws and regulations pertaining to the environment. The aim is the creation of a high-quality draft for deliberation by year-end, reflecting the theories, systems and practices of ecological civilization. China has more than 300 laws in effect, 35 of which specifically address environmental issues, making the compilation of the environmental code a mature endeavor. A key reform resolution adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee in July has set clear guidelines for legislative reforms, specifying key objectives including the formulation of laws to support private sector development, finance, ethnic solidarity and progress, and combating transnational corruption, alongside amendments to existing oversight laws. "The focus of these reforms is on the effectiveness and quality of legislation, not merely its existence," said Shen Chunyao, director of the top legislature's Legislative Affairs Commission. He compared this pursuit to leading an Olympic race, where higher standards and greater responsibilities are paramount. To enhance national development and support major reforms, Shen underlines better alignment between legislative decision-making and reform efforts to ensure that the rule of law facilitates development and innovation across all sectors. POOLING WISDOM: FROM STOOLS TO GREAT HALL Every Saturday morning, residents in Mengyuan Community in the eastern Chinese city of Jining gather around Wu Hansen, a local district people's congress deputy, for their weekly "meeting on stools." "A streetlight is out." "Some residents walk their dogs without leashes." "Cooking fumes of a restaurant often seep into residential buildings." Seated on stools, they discuss pressing community issues such as these. Wu records these concerns and promptly advocates for solutions, often inviting local authorities, including police, law enforcers, community workers and property managers to join in discussing more complex matters. Over the past year, more than 140 issues have been resolved through these meetings. This grassroots initiative exemplifies how China's people's congresses engage with the public. Across the country, residents voice concerns to deputies through various platforms, ranging from in-person gatherings like those in tea-houses and under banyan trees to online forums. As an important institutional vehicle for realizing whole-process people's democracy, people's congresses provide platforms for the people to amplify their voices and participate in decision-making processes concerning both everyday matters and state affairs. At the national level, thousands of NPC deputies meet every year at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to review laws, shape development plans, and oversee the country's administrative, supervisory, adjudicatory and procuratorial organs. On this platform of China's highest state power, key laws like the Civil Code and the Foreign Investment Law were introduced. Over the past decade, the creation and expansion of legislation outreach offices have brought ordinary people closer to the top legislature. Iranian trader Hamid Dehghani, operating a company in the bustling city of Yiwu in eastern China, has been actively engaged in the legislative process of the country, contributing suggestions for law drafts alongside other foreign residents. During a community meeting held by a legislation outreach initiative, he suggested that restaurants should provide free packaging services to their customers, when discussing the draft law on combating food wastage. "I find it incredible that they allow foreigners to give suggestions on a Chinese law draft," Hamid said. "Chinese democracy is highly authentic. Even the smallest voices are heard and conveyed to the top legislative body." Since 2015, outreach offices have expanded nationwide, reaching out from major cities to remote areas, snow-covered plateaus, and ethnic communities, allowing individuals, including foreign residents like Hamid, to contribute to law drafts. Currently, China has 45 national and over 7,300 provincial and municipal outreach offices, while more than 3,200 ideas collected via national legislation outreach have been incorporated into over 180 law drafts and revisions. Proposals from NPC deputies and national advisors at last year's annual sessions have led to in excess of 2,000 government policies, such as recruiting more graduates in rural health centers and building electric vehicle charging stations. The Chinese people value the effectiveness of democracy more than the form it takes, believing true democracy leads to good governance. According to the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer, China has the highest trust index among all surveyed countries. Stephen Perry, president emeritus of Britain's 48 Group Club, noted that China has a sound system for hearing and responding to its people, calling it simpler than what is prevalent in the West. "The people's congress system provides a convenient channel for the public to participate in decision-making on public affairs, ensuring that the people are the masters of their own country," said lawyer Fang Yan, an NPC deputy. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Zhong Wenxing) 17 September 2024 13:59 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more Unfortunately, the Dutch side on another occasion has been demonstrating a biased approach vis-a-vis Azerbaijan and the post-conflict situation in the region, Azernews reports, citing Aykhan Hajizada, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as he respond to the local media inquiry regarding the claims in the International Security Chapter of the Government Program of the Kingdom of the Netherlands published on 13 September 2024. First and foremost, it is unacceptable that this country has identified the liberation of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan as a takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh. Garabagh region has always been an integral part of our country and was under the illegal occupation of Armenia for nearly 30 years. Turning a blind eye by the Netherlands to this illegal act of Armenia is regretful. Azerbaijans measures to liberate these territories were a solemn right of our country based on the norms and principles of international law that could not be misjudged this or another way. Moreover, we resolutely reject the misnaming of the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan with fake names as Nagorno-Karabakh. This is just another blatant manifestation of the territorial claims of Armenia against Azerbaijan. We once again reiterate that there is no administrative or geographic unit in Azerbaijan called as Nagorno Karabakh, and every state and organization has to refer to the geographic names in the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan standardized by the relevant authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan that is also accepted within the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names. We call on the Dutch side to put an end to such statements that further undermine the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the Netherlands and hinder the future development of the region based on respect for the norms and principles of international law. It should be noted that on September 13, 2024, the government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands presented to the public its program reflecting plans for the current term. In the "International Security" section, which addresses increasing conflicts, the liberation of Azerbaijani territories is portrayed as the "seizure of Nagorno-Karabakh." --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 September 2024 09:00 (UTC+04:00) Kazakhstan and Germany signed several strategic agreements within the Business Forum in the Kazakh capital of Astana, Azrnews reports, citing Akorda. Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz exchanged the documents signed within the forum: 1. Roadmap for the Kazakh-German initiative to cooperate in the field of technical regulation between the Kazakh Industry and Construction Ministry and the Eastern Committee of the Germany Economy; 2. Memorandum of cooperation in the field of studies regarding the project Green hydrogen between the Kazakh Science and Higher Education Ministry and Svevind Energy; 3. Strategic memorandum of mutual understanding between Kazakhstans Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry, Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Ministry and Siemens; 4. Agreement on strategic partnership between Samruk Kazyna and Siemens Central Asia; 5. Framework agreement on mutual implementation of a project for joint construction of an international cargo and passenger airport between the Kazakh Transport Ministry and SKYHANSA; 6. Agreement on cooperation between Baiterek National Management Holding and HORSCH Maschinen GmbH; 7. Memorandum of mutual understanding between Baiterek Holding and KfW Bankengruppe; 8. Memorandum of mutual understanding between Baiterek Holding and CLAAS Global Sales GmbH; 9. Memorandum of intent between Kazakhstans National Center of Technology Foresight and the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR); 10. Mandate letter between Kazakhstan Development Bank and Deutsche Bank; 11. Memorandum of mutual cooperation on the project for construction of a potassium salt and boric acid processing and production complex near the Satimola deposit in West Kazakhstan region between Qazaq Kalium Ltd. and KfW Bankengruppe, Euler Hermes Group; 12. Agreement to implement a project for joint production of Condor seed drills in Kostanay region between Agromashholding and Amazonen-werke h. Dreyer Se & Co.Kg. During the visit of the German delegation, 23 more documents between different central and local government bodies and business structures of the two countries were signed. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 September 2024 12:12 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more A criminal case has been opened against former lawyer Elman Pashayev in Russia, Azernews reports, citing Russian Investigative Committee. The former Azerbaijani lawyer has been detained. A case has been opened against Pashayev under Article 159, Part 4 of the Russian Federation's Criminal Code (large-scale fraud). According to the investigation, in February 2024, Pashayev convinced businessman Aleksey Blinovski that in exchange for a large sum of money, he could secure the release of Blinovski and his wife, Yelena Blinovskaya, from criminal liability. After reaching an agreement, Pashayev received a large amount of money from Blinovski. The issue of choosing a pre-trial detention measure for Elman Pashayev is under consideration. Under the article with which the former lawyer is charged, he faces a fine of 1 million rubles and up to 10 years in prison. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 September 2024 14:29 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented her list of 27 Commission members on Tuesday, Azernews reports. Key nominations for the upcoming term are: Stephane Sejourne , currently French Foreign Minister, has been nominated as Vice-President of the European Commission, responsible for prosperity and the EU's industrial strategy. , currently French Foreign Minister, has been nominated as Vice-President of the European Commission, responsible for prosperity and the EU's industrial strategy. Teresa Ribera of Spain will take on the role of Vice-President of the European Commission, focusing on competition issues. of Spain will take on the role of Vice-President of the European Commission, focusing on competition issues. Kaja Kallas from Estonia is set to become the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, effective November 1. from Estonia is set to become the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, effective November 1. Rafael Fito from Italy has been offered the position of Vice-President of the European Commission, responsible for reforms. from Italy has been offered the position of Vice-President of the European Commission, responsible for reforms. Andrius Kubilus of Lithuania is proposed for the new role of European Commissioner for Defence and Space. Von der Leyen said the list was about 40% female, dashing her hopes for an even split. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 17 September 2024 19:54 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more There are many pro-Armenian and anti-Azerbaijan politicians in the US Congress who reveal just how "strong" US-Armenia relations really are. The claims made by US officials about being ideal mediators between Azerbaijan and Armenia and their attempts to participate in negotiations highlight just how "neutral" Washington can actually be, as shown by the statements of many members of Congress. For instance, US Congressman Frank Pallone and Senator Ed Markey, known for their attempts to accuse Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev of "genocide policies," have initiated a bicameral call for the US to exert pressure on Azerbaijan regarding human rights ahead of the COP29 summit in Baku. They are also demanding the release of what they refer to as Armenian "hostages" in Azerbaijan. BREAKING: @FrankPallone + @SenMarkey lead bicameral call for US to pressure Azerbaijan on human rights & demand release of Armenian hostages, prior to #COP29 climate summit in Baku. Ask your Members to co-sign this letter:https://t.co/WAuTB0BECn ANCA (@ANCA_DC) September 16, 2024 It is important to recall that the individuals they describe as "hostages" are separatist Armenians who committed crimes on Azerbaijani lands, attempted to establish a breakaway state, and carried out provocations. During counter-offensive operations that began in September 2020, the Azerbaijani army not only liberated Garabagh but also repeatedly called for the surrender of these separatist elements. However, even after the Second Garabagh War, some of these separatists tried to escape through secret routes, while others continued to illegally supply arms and ammunition into the Azerbaijani territory. In light of all this, Azerbaijan did not go back from its humanist approach even towards those Armenian invaders, repeatedly addressing international organisations and exposing the inhumane actions of the Armenian side through the media. Yet, it seems that popular pro-Armenian figures like Frank Pallone and Senator Ed Markey turned a blind eye to these facts, considering only Armenian rights as human rights. It is also worth noting that the fate of around 4,000 Azerbaijanis from the First Garabagh War remains unknown. Armenia continues to deny responsibility for these individuals, even though their captivity has been proven through videos and photos. Yet, for members of the US Congress, this likely holds little significance. However, in one sense, the statements from these figures are commendablethey clearly expose the close cooperation between major US institutions and the Armenian lobby, as well as how international law is manipulated to serve specific interests. What is particularly unacceptable is their intention to use a significant event like COP29 as a platform for such political motives. Recall that Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, will host the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP29) for the first time in the region from November 11 to 22, 2024. This decision was made at the plenary session of COP28 on December 11. Azerbaijan participated successfully in COP28, held last year in Abu Dhabi. Azerbaijan will take the opportunity to bring together heads of state and government, civil society organisations, businesses, and international institutions in the South Caucasus to discuss climate change, measures to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement, and a focus on long-term climate strategies and goals. It is worth noting that Azerbaijan has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030, with plans to increase this target to 40% by 2050. Fulfilling the commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement and actively working towards these goals are top priorities for the Azerbaijani government. Attempting to cast a shadow on Azerbaijan's progress in both traditional and green energy sectors by ignoring these facts is shameful for the US Congress. Nevertheless, US officials should be even more courageous. When defending the rights of criminals who attempted to establish roots on Azerbaijani lands, Congress members should not hesitate to admit that they are defending actually Armenian rights, not human rights. Defending human rights requires fair actions without discrimination based on race, religion, or gendersomething that remains out of reach for pro-Armenian Congress members who have remained silent in the face of thousands of Islamophobic, racist, and discriminatory acts in their own country. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz LOBAMBA Senators have criticised The Nation Magazine Editor, Bheki Makhubu, for the manner in which he addressed the Prime Minister (PM), Russell Dlamini. The senators said inasmuch as the editor, who is also a member of the Eswatini Editors Forum, was not happy with how the PM was responding to questions, he could have addressed his dissatisfactions with respect. The senators said Makhubus behaviour was not only disrespectful to the PM, but to the authority that appointed him as well. The issue was brought up by Senator Chief Prince Gcokoma yesterday during a Senate sitting. The senator rose on Standing Order 63 and stated that he had a burning issue that he felt needed to be addressed in the presence of the PM, who was also part of the sitting. The PM was in Senate to deliver the Government Policy Statement. The PM stayed throughout the session. Proceedings I want to address this before the PM leaves. I am struggling to even follow the proceedings, because there is a lot of noise made that is affecting the nation regarding what happened on Friday. It is unSwati to attack and ridicule the PM and his Cabinet for the sake of your profession or exercising freedom of expression or freedom of rights, he said. The senator did not mention Bheki Makhubus name, but it is public knowledge that on Friday, during the third Editors Forum meeting with the PM, there was a showdown between Makhubu and the PM, where Makhubu also told the PM that in the history of PMs, he is the worst. The senator said regardless of what may have happened, the PM is the head of government and deserves respect. I love the PM and his Cabinet, because they work very hard, he said. The chief urged the media to respect and uphold buSwati and be constructive, rather than to destroy. The senator said if the PM had somehow upset the media or anyone, the correct way to address it could be to visit him and iron out issues rather than ridiculing each other in public. Words The senator added that inasmuch as the issue was addressed publicly, the choice of words that were used in a circulating video was uncalled for. I heard someone saying; Who the hell do you think you are, directing it to the PM, he said. The chief said even if the individual who uttered those words disrespected the PM, there was no need to utter that phrase as he took it too far. He said it was important for people to mind their language, no matter how upset they might be and not lose respect.Kuyadzingeka kutsi lulwimi lwakho ulucole, kutoba liciniso lotokusho kepha lenhlonipho imicokwa (It is important not to have a loose tongue, no matter the message you are communicating), he said.He said the manner in which the PM was addressed would follow him everywhere he goes and that is unacceptable, especially for a head of government. The senator said he noted in disbelief that there were people who were applauding this individual. He said the PM did not deserve to be addressed in the way it occurred on Friday and the media needed to conduct some introspection. Duties The Senate President, Lindiwe Dlamini, applauded the chief for raising the issue and said that was one of the duties of chiefs. Dlamini said what occurred on Friday is foreign, as they only see it in other countries and never thought it would happen in Eswatini. EmaSwatis upbringing is rooted in respect and manners. The issue surprised everyone in the country. Siyakuncesitela Mhlonishwa Ndvunankhulu, solo ngitsi singemaSwati (sorry for what happened to you PM), she said. The Senate president referred to Paragraph 22 of the Government Policy Statement, which speaks to national identity, heritage and family values. Dlamini alluded to the chief and said: You can say anything in Eswatini, as long as it is said with respect, it is okay. We respect the authority that appointed you to that office. The King appointed the PM at Sibaya for emaSwati. In the few months you have been appointed there was nothing that you could have done to deserve such humiliation. We condemn such behaviour and our children should not emulate such behaviour, he said. She urged men to lead the country and homes with integrity. Dlamini also urged the media at large never to prioritise respect. Respect whoever you talk to or write about, because they might have children and other people who look up to them, she said. MAKHUBU RESPOPNDS One of the attributes that make a great journalist is having listening skills and getting the context right in order to feed the public with proper information. One would expect that anyone who exercises public power and whose views shape a countrys policies, such as politicians, would also have such qualities as a matter of course. If anyone listens to what I said, you will hear that I had asked the PM, who he thought he was, after pointing out to him that even King Mswati III had never treated journalists with the patronising contempt we have experienced with Russell ever since we started interacting with him early this year. Statement If I was wrong by pointing this out to him, then I do not want to be right. My reading of the shock at my statement seeks to suggest that King Mswati IIIs tolerance and generosity towards journalists and the media was always wrong and, therefore, Prime Minister (PM) Russell Dlaminis behaviour is actually the correct one. I vehemently disagree. King Mswati III has been on the throne for 38 years and should be credited for his astuteness as a Monarch and senior Statesman not just in this country, but also in Africa and the world. PM Russell has only been in his lesser office for nine months. This difference should count and he could learn a lot from the King about public discourse. Or is that not helpful to Eswatini, because the PM knows better, as is being suggested by the senators? Now that Kamala Harris has been coronated the Democratic Socialist designee for nomination as their candidate for President of these United States, after that political party's contrived primary process "democratically" elected Joseph R. Biden: What are your feelings about this party's progressive posture within their self-styled exercise of "Saving Democracy for America," and how truly critical the outcome of this presidential election will be? 8.7% I am ecstatic that this "Democracy's" First partially Black, First partially Indian, First female Co-Parent, and this nation's primary necessity is to her elect our First woman president.26.09% I really do not care about all these "Firsts." I will continue to pray, and work for this Representative Republic to elect someone competent, and brilliantly patriotic to be our next president.65.22% I will never vote for any politician that "first" does not have the core values to understand how dire this Constitutional Republic's situation has become. The California Department of Public Health sent a letter to hospitals last week defining the scope of practice for certified registered nurse anesthetists, The Modesto Bee reported Sept. 16. The letter comes after months of confusion with respect to guidance over the role of CRNAs in anesthesia services and surgical procedures.In a Sept. 6 letter addressed to all general acute care hospitals, the health department clarified that the use of CRNAs in acute care hospitals must be approved by administration and must be at the discretion of physicians. The letter also said CRNAs may administer anesthesia medications ordered by physicians and are not authorized to practice medicine. The letter contradicted claims by nurse advocates that California allows CRNA-only independent practices. In the report, a spokesperson for the California Association for Nurse Anethesiology said there is no evidence CRNA services are less safe for patients who receive services from physician anesthesiologists. Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai has terminated a physician's staff membership and clinical privileges following allegations regarding misconduct towards patients, the health system confirmed to Becker's. Cedars Sinai told Becker's the health system received and investigated concerning complaints about OB-GYN Barry Brock, MD. Cedars Sinai reported the allegations to the state medical board and terminated the privileges of Dr. Brock, who worked in private practice during the investigation and is not employed by Cedars Sinai. Written complaints and other records submitted to the state medical board and police include inappropriate remarks, unnecessary physical examinations and a botched medical procedure, among other allegations, according to the Los Angeles Times. "The type of behavior alleged about Dr. Brock is counter to Cedars-Sinai's core values and the trust we strive to earn every day with our patients," the health system said. "We are here to serve our community, and we remain committed to that sacred healing mission." Dr. Brock told the Times he denied the allegations and that they did not reflect his skills or "character that I have shown day-in and day-out in my practice and in the delivery room for 46 years." Dr. Brock, who was issued a medical license in California in 1978, left Cedars-Sinai's physician network in 2018 but kept privileges at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. According to the Times, he worked in private practice at Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Rodeo Drive Women's Health Center and moved to a different private practice in Beverly Hills several years ago. "The board declines to comment regarding any investigation against Dr. Brock as records of complaints and investigations are confidential," the California medical board shared in a statement with Becker's. "Dr. Brock's California medical license is currently active with no disciplinary action taken." International medical graduates who come to the U.S. for residencies primarily do so via J-1 visas. Physicians who enter the U.S. on a J-1 visa must return to their home country for two years before applying for H-1B visa status or permanent residency. According to a Sept. 5 blog post in The National Law Review, Congress passed the Conrad 30 bill in 1994, which created an exemption to this rule. The bill grants each state and the District of Columbia 30 positions for physicians to serve in areas with low access to healthcare for three years, focusing on primary care needs. These international medical graduates would then have their two-year home residency requirement waived. Most states open their application windows on Oct. 1 of each year, while others open in September or accept applications on a rolling basis. Application windows are often extended if programs still have open spots. The blog post recommended that employers and physicians interested in hiring through Conrad 30 should begin gathering early documents and information about the specific needs of the underserved area in which they work, including patient Census data. Here are five states that have passed, or are considering, colonoscopy or colorectal cancer screening legislation, according to the American College of Gastroenterology: California: A proposed state senate bill would require insurers to cover CRC screening that is assigned an A or B grade by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force or an equivalent recommendation from another certified agency, such as the ACG. Kentucky: Starting Jan. 1, 2025, insurers will be required to cover CRC screening or tests that are consistent with national clinical guidelines. Screenings will be covered without cost-sharing or utilization management requirements. Illinois: Starting Jan. 1, 2026, insurers will be required to cover any "medically necessary" colonoscopy with no patient cost-sharing. Illinois previously only required coverage of a colonoscopy conducted as a follow-up to an initial screening. Nebraska: Starting Jan. 1, 2025, insurers will be required to cover any service that is an "integral part" of a CRC screening, such as polyp removal, pathology examinations, bowel preparation medications and anesthesia, all without cost-sharing. Vermont: Starting Jan. 1, 2025, insurers will be required to cover CRC screenings under USPSTF guidelines for average-risk individuals, with no patient cost-sharing. Vermont previously only required screenings for those 50 years and older, but the new law will not need to be changed each time screening recommendations are updated. Camarillo, Calif.-based gastroenterologist Jack Rotenburg, MD, has died at 78, according to a Sept. 14 obituary published in the VCStar. Dr. Rotenburg attended UCLA School of Medicine before moving in 1976 to Camarillo, where he co-founded Ventura County Gastroenterology Medical Group and maintained the independent practice until his retirement in 2015. Over the course of his career, Dr. Rotenburg served as chief of staff at Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo and president-elect of the medical staff at St. Johns Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, Calif. He was also an active member of both the American Medical Association and the California Medical Association, including serving as the president of the latter's Ventura County chapter. MBABANE Directors of three different companies have been arrested for tax evasion, amounting to over E11 million. The directors are from Yati Media (Pty) Ltd/a Yati Marketing Consultancy, Three Kay Kay Investments (Pty) Ltd and Copy-Cat Eswatini (Pty) Ltd. Four directors in Mfundo Mavimbela, Mathokoza Mavimbela, Silindile Mavimbela and Dumsile Fakudze were charged for the offence under Yati Media (Pty) Ltd/a Yati Marketing Consultancy. However, only Mfundo appeared at the Mbabane Magistrates Court yesterday. According to the charge sheet, the company (Tati Media (Pty) Ltd) is accused of deducting employees tax and unlawfully using or applying the amounts so deducted or withheld by it for purposes other than the payment of such amounts to the commissioner general of Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS). The alleged act of the directors is in contravention of the Income Tax Order, 1975. It is alleged that the directors used the modus operandi between 2019 and 2023, resulting in the ERS losing a sum of over E8 million. The directors of the company are also accused of failing to pay Value Added Tax (VAT) to the ERS between 2018 and 2019. Mfundo has been remanded out of custody until October 15, 2024 for trial. On the other hand, eight directors were charged for evading tax from Three Kay Kay Investments (Pty) Ltd. They are Shuja Atif, Zia-Udin Shafqat, Ejaz Mohammed, Ali Abas, Birdal Hifzal, Ejaz Shamsa, Raza Muhammad and Muhhamad Shahzad. However, only Birdal Hifzal and Raza Muhammad appeared at the Mbabane Magistrates Court.The Crown submitted that the other directors were reportedly in South Africa, where they operated some of the business branches. Allegations Muzi Nxumalo, who is representing the Crown, said the directors were still wanted to answer on the allegations levelled against them. However, Nxumalo said the Crown had decided to try the other directors separately once located. The directors of the company are accused of having failed to file or neglected to file or submit pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) returns as required by ERS from 2013 until 2022. The directors are also alleged to have attempted to evade payment or collection of tax amounting to E425 676.11 on three different occasions. They are facing 11 counts in total. They both pleaded guilty to the charges. Mitigating on the sentences through their Lawyer Sinakekelwe Mhlanga, the duo pleaded for the courts leniency, stating that they pleaded guilty to the charges and thus not waste the courts time. They implored the court to consider the fact that they took the charges seriously and hired a lawyer to represent them. May the court consider that my clients have paid all the outstanding debts with ERS, submitted Mhlanga. The debt settlement was also confirmed by the Crown. It means your clients want to be arrested before they can pay the tax, said Magistrate Innocent Motsa who presided over the matter. The directors were sentenced to nine years imprisonment with an option to pay a fine of E10 000 in each of the first nine counts. They were sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option to pay a fine of E10 000 in each of the two counts. However, the counts were made to run concurrently. This means that they parted with E10 000 to gain their liberation. Magistrate Motsa highlighted that the duo escaped over E100 000 as the penalty clause for each count was E10 000. Meanwhile, Copy-Cat Eswatini (Pty) Ltd Director Cassim Suleman is alleged to have claimed that the company had not received a gross amount yet it received an amount of E2 483 946.08. It is further alleged that the director under declared the companys gross amount of 497 360.1 6. Saleman has since been remanded out of custody until November 28, 2024 for continuation. Approximately 44.2 million people in the U.S. live more than 60 miles away from the nearest cardiac positron emission tomography center, according to a study published Aug. 28 in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging. Researchers from the Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center used 2021 CMS and U.S. census tract data to calculate the number of cardiac PET centers in each state per 1 million residents and the median travel distance to those centers for state residents. Here are seven things to know: Pittsburgh-based UPMC and the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Integrated Service Network No. 4, or VA HealthcareVISN 4, are expanding a nurse liaison program that improves health outcomes and care for veterans. The VAUPMC community nurse liaison program offers care coordination, better hospital admission and discharge planning, improves inpatient experience, and coordinates continued care after discharge, according to a Sept. 16 system news release. The program will be expanded to eight more UPMC hospitals UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Montefiore, and UPMC Passavant in Pittsburgh, UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pa., UPMC Harrisburg, Pa., UPMC Community Osteopathic in Harrisburg, Pa., UPMC West Shore in Mechanicsburg, Pa., and UPMC Altoona, Pa. These hospitals will work with their local VA medical centers to provide care. "This statewide rollout is an exciting expansion that will benefit countless veterans and help them more easily navigate the healthcare system to ensure they get the right care and utilize their VA benefits fully," Timothy Liezert, network director of VA HealthcareVISN 4, said in the news release. The first-of-its-kind program first launched at three UPMC hospitals in August 2022. Over two years, the program identified veterans who present to a non-VA hospital on the same day, increased the number of inpatient transfers to VA inpatient units, decreased length of stay and improved collaboration with patient aligned care teams. Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora has selected Jennifer Roth, MSN, RN, to serve as its next chief nursing executive and senior vice president of patient care services. As CNE, Ms. Roth will continue advancing on workforce planning, capacity management and care delivery redesign efforts that she oversaw in her most recent role as vice president and associate chief nursing officer of acute care and clinical services, according to a Sept. 11 news release. She joined Children's Colorado in 2003 as a pediatric nurse and has since served in various leadership roles. Ms. Roth's promotion follows the planned retirement of the current CNE, Pat Givens, BSN, who has held the role for the past eight years. Greg Lowe is stepping in as CEO of HCA Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., succeeding Chad Patrick, who will return as CEO of another HCA hospital in Florida, a spokesperson for Mission Health confirmed to Becker's Sept. 16. "Mission Hospital CEO Chad Patrick has recently accepted an opportunity to return to lead HCA Florida's Orange Park Hospital as CEO," Nancy Lindell, a spokesperson for Mission Health, said in a statement. "Chad previously held this role and he and his family have strong ties to the community there. We thank Chad for his service and wish him the very best as he returns to Florida." Mr. Lowe, HCA North Carolina Division President, first shared news of the change in a Sept. 16 email to staff, according to an internal email obtained by the Asheville Watchdog. "This change will allow us to achieve our objectives to: Streamline our executive structure to better support Mission Hospital; Provide easier access to HCA Healthcare resources and support; and facilitate more direct communication between leadership, medical staff and colleagues," Mr. Lowe, who will also maintain his responsibilities as division president, wrote in the email to staff. Mr. Patrick has led Mission Health since 2019, when Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare acquired it for $1.5 billion. It's unclear when the leadership changes become effective, though Ms. Lindell said Mr. Lowe would be relocating his office to Mission Hospital over the next few weeks. In his email to staff, Mr. Lowe described the move as a "restructuring," adding it would be a "significant step towards ensuring increased transparency across Mission, driving action-oriented responses to feedback and providing direct access to the vast resources and support of HCA Healthcare," according to the Asheville Watchdog. Over the past year, HCA has faced growing criticism from state officials, clinicians and community advocates who claim the quality of care has declined since the for-profit system purchased Mission Health.The for-profit system is also facing a lawsuit from North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, which alleges HCA breached its purchase agreement of the hospital by cutting emergency and cancer care services. Mission Hospital's chief medical officer, Anthony Spensieri, MD, resigned in February. Cedars-Sinai has terminated an OB-GYN's medical staff membership and clinical privileges after allegations surfaced regarding the physician's behavior toward patients, the Los Angeles-based health system confirmed in a statement to Becker's. According to the health system, Cedars-Sinai received and investigated "concerning complaints from patients" about Barry Brock, MD, who worked in private practice at the time of the termination and is not employed by Cedars-Sinai. As a result of the investigation, Dr. Brock's privileges were terminated, and the allegations were reported to the state medical board. "The type of behavior alleged about Dr. Brock is counter to Cedars-Sinai's core values and the trust we strive to earn every day with our patients," the health system stated. "We are here to serve our community, and we remain committed to that sacred healing mission." The behavior alleged in written complaints and other records including those submitted to the state medical board and police includes inappropriate remarks, unnecessary physical examinations, a botched medical procedure, and pressuring a patient to undergo a vaginal birth when she sought a cesarean section, according to the Los Angeles Times. In conversation with the publication, Dr. Brock denied any wrongdoing or sexual misconduct. He also told the Times that the "few anonymous allegations" did not reflect his skills or "my character that I have shown day-in and day-out in my practice and in the delivery room for 46 years." Additionally, he alleged that he surrendered his privileges at Cedars-Sinai without any "fact-finding" or "hearing on the merits" of the claims. The health system did not immediately respond to those assertions, according to the Times. Dr. Brock was issued his medical license from California in 1978, the state medical board website shows. In 2018, Dr. Brock left Cedars-Sinai's physician network while retaining delivery privileges at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He worked in private practice at Rodeo Drive Women's Health Center in Beverly Hills, Calif., and moved to a different private practice in Beverly Hills several years ago, the Times reported. The state medical board shared a statement with Becker's: "The board declines to comment regarding any investigation against Dr. Brock as records of complaints and investigations are confidential. Dr. Brock's California medical license is currently active with no disciplinary action taken." According to the Times, Dr. Brock emailed current and former patients in August, after his privileges at Cedars-Sinai were suspended amid a probe into the allegations, indicating he was retiring from medicine. Read the full Times report here. Pioneering surgeon and Holocaust survivor George Berci, MD, died Aug. 30 at age 103. Born in Hungary in 1921, he survived the Holocaust and earned his medical degree after World War II. He moved to Australia in the late 1950s, where he began to experiment with small cameras that could project internal images of body cavities onto a screen, according to a Sept. 4 news release from Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai, where Dr. Berci worked. He would go on to collaborate with others to create laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical instruments that could project light into the body during surgery, according to an obituary published Sept. 13 in the The Washington Post. Dr. Berci joined the department of surgery at Cedars-Sinai in 1967 and remained there until his death from COVID-19 complications. At the time of his death, Dr. Berci was the senior director of surgical endoscopy and innovation research at the health system. "His profound legacy lives on in the hundreds if not thousands of medical students and surgeons influenced by his innovations and ideas," Edward Phillips, MD, executive vice chair of the Cedars-Sinai surgery department, said in the release. The MD program at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine will be expanded by 40% in the next five years to address healthcare workforce demands. Admissions to the program will increase from 163 to 232, according to a Sept. 13 news release from the Oklahoma City-based university. The state ranks 48th in active physicians per capita. Half of physicians who graduate from OU practice in the state, the release said. The university's board of regents also recently approved the creation of the department of emergency medicine and the department of molecular genetics and genome sciences in the College of Medicine. The department of emergency medicine will allow the university to train emergency room physicians for the first time in over 30 years, the release said. In addition, for the third consecutive year, the Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing has accepted all qualified patients to its baccalaureate nursing program, which has allowed the college to double its number of annual graduates. More than 600 will join the workforce this fall, compared to about 300 in 2021, the release said. Honolulu-based Hawaii Pacific Health's Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children has imposed a lockout of nurses represented by the Hawaii Nurses Association after the group's one-day strike Sept. 13, the Honolulu Star Advertiser reported. Nurses attempting to return to work Sept. 14 were met by Troy Branstetter, the hospital's vice president of general services, and told they could not return because of the lockout. Union President Agas-Yuu received a letter from Kapi'olani CEO David Underriner on the evening of Sept. 13 informing the union of the lockout, according to the report. The hospital shared its lockout plans with media outlets, including Becker's, on Sept. 6. The nurses have gone on strike twice this year amid contract negotiations. The nurses' last contract with the hospital expired Nov. 30. The medical center has enlisted a temporary workforce during the lockout. "Kapi'olani remains fully staffed and our hospital is running as it always has," Kapi'olani COO Gidget Ruscetta, RN, said in a statement shared with Becker's. "We remain committed to reaching an agreement with our nurses and are scheduled to meet with the Hawaii Nurses Association again on Thursday." "As the only women's and children's specialty hospital in Hawai'i, this lockout impacts the health of families across our state," the Hawaii Nurses Association said in a statement shared with Becker's. "Instead of bargaining in good faith, HPH has continued its heavy handed approach to its nurses and the community they are supposed to serve with this indefinite lockout." Editor's Note: This article was updated Sept. 18 at 12:50 pm CST. Nurses from Framingham (Mass.) Union Hospital, part of Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, have filed complaints with state and federal agencies regarding alleged jeopardized patient safety stemming from staffing, hospital policy and technology allocation issues. The Massachusetts Nurses Association, which represents the Framingham nurses, filed complaints with the state Department of Public Health, The Joint Commission and CMS, according to a Sept. 13 news release from the union. The complaints are based on reports from nurses within the past nine months that were shared with Framingham Union and the MNA. It referenced issues that allegedly violate health department, Joint Commission and CMS standards and caused treatment delays and preventable patient complications, the release said. Technology issues mentioned in the complaint include malfunctions of the hospital's phone system, which allegedly led to critical care team members being unable to hear pages for a response needed in critically ill patients. Staffing and patient handoff protocols are mentioned in the complaint. In one instance, a patient experiencing chest pain and tightness was admitted from the emergency department and was not seen for two hours because of a lack of handoff communication to the receiving nurse, who was not aware of the patient's arrival to their unit, according to the complaint. "MetroWest Medical Center remains focused on continuing to provide high-quality care," a spokesperson from Saint Vincent Hospital & MetroWest Medical Center, which includes Framingham Union Hospital and Leonard Morse Hospital, said in a statement shared with Becker's. "We are grateful for the dedicated physicians, nurses and staff who prioritize patient care every day. We do not condone the MNA's actions to try to discredit our high-quality organization." The complaints against Framingham Union come after the MNA filed similar complaints against Tenet's Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, Mass. The Joint Commission found Saint Vincent Hospital to be non-compliant with CMS conditions in March, the release said. In April, the health department cited the hospital for not providing appropriate telemetry boxes, which are essential in monitoring patients admitted for serious cardiac conditions. Omaha-based Nebraska Medicine has signed a new five-year, multimillion-dollar deal with data analytics company Palantir to predict hospital bed necessity, manage the supply chain and make staffing recommendations. Nebraska Medicine started working with Palantir in January and became the fastest-ever health system to adopt its platform, the company said. The system has already experienced a 2,000% increase in discharge lounge utilization and sent more than 1,200 artificial intelligence-generated appeal letters to payers. "The technology allows our staff to work smarter, and for more of our patients to leave the hospital as soon as they're able," Nebraska Medicine President and COO Michael Ash, MD, said in a Sept. 17 statement. "Most exciting for us this is just the beginning of the innovations we'll discover together and lead the way for other hospitals." Palantir's other health system clients include Cleveland Clinic, Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, and Tampa (Fla.) General Hospital. The company declined to specify the dollar amount of the deal to Becker's. MBABANE The councillors who challenged the appointment of Gciniwe Fakudze as CEO yesterday bit the dust in their bid to set aside her selection. The High Court found that the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Appolo Maphalala, acted within his powers when he instructed the Municipal Council of Mbabane to appoint the best-ranked candidate. Fakudze ranked highest among the candidates. The judgment means that Fakudze can now begin her duties as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the MCM. Judge Nkosinathi Maseko dismissed with costs the entire application filed by the MCM at the High Court after Fakudzes appointment. They wanted the court to declare the directive of the minister, dated February 7, 2024, directing the municipal council to engage Fakudze for an employment contract to beyond his powers as conferred by the Urban Government Act No.8 of 1969, and, therefore, unlawful. Correction They also sought a review, correction and setting aside the decision of the minister to appoint Fakudze as Town Clerk/CEO. The councillors prayed that the court should order or be compel the minister to approve the appointment of Fiksile Dlamini, the lowest-ranked candidate, as the town clerk/CEO, among other prayers. The municipal council was represented by Mangaliso Nkomondze of Nkomondze Attorneys. Assistant Attorney General Mbuso Simelane appeared for the minister. In the judgment, Judge Maseko stated that Fakudze scored the highest points, 175, and was designated as the best candidate on the list, which was submitted to the municipal council. The municipal council, in turn, decided to appoint the third-ranked candidate, Fiksile, who scored 98.5 points, ignoring its laid down policies - being Article 8 of the Governance Performance Assessment of the Urban Local Government, which dictates that the CEO is appointed on the basis of merit and the points obtained during interviews. This means that the best-ranked candidate shall be appointed by the municipality, according to the court. The court heard that when the applicant (MCM) submitted Fiksile as its preferred candidate, who was the lowest-ranked, to the minister, he declined to approve their choice on the basis of Section 48 (3) of the Act. The minister insisted that the municipal council appoints the best-ranked candidate, as dictated by Article 8 of the Governance Performance Assessment and also supported by the consultants report. The court noted that it was common cause that the applicant failed, refused or neglected to carry out the 1st respondents instruction. The question then becomes, did the first respondent (Minister Maphalala) act ultra vires (beyond) the powers conferred upon him by the Act when he eventually appointed Fakudze? My view is that the first respondent acted within his powers when he instructed the applicant to appoint the best-ranked candidate in accordance with the consultants report and in compliance with Article 8 of the Governance Performance Assessment of the Urban Local Government. The first respondent acted lawfully and within his statutory powers as conferred upon him by Section 47 (4), read together with Section 48 (3) of the Act. Appoint The first respondent did not appoint any person who is not in the consultants report, nor did he instruct the applicant to appoint the second ranked candidate, instead he instructed the applicant to comply with Article 8 of the Governance Performance Assessment of the Urban Local Government by appointing on merit the best-ranked candidate, being the second respondent (Fakudze), reads the judgment. Judge Maseko also stated that it must be borne in mind that the minister was never involved in the appointment of the consultant, SNG Grant Thornton, which conducted the recruitment exercise. The minister, according to the court, was also not involved in the advertisement, and during the shortlisting of the candidates, as well as the interviews on January 20, 2024. He was only furnished with the consultants report, minutes of the ad hoc committee and minutes of the special council meeting in a letter dated January 31, 2024. Upon perusal of same, he then addressed Annexure MMC 5 on February 7, 2024, directing the applicant (MCM) to comply with the consultants report because he found no plausible reason as to why they deviated from the consultants report, which placed the second respondent as the best ranked candidate, further reads the judgment. Judge Maseko said it was, therefore, unfair for the municipal council to allege that the minister acted beyond his statutory powers when he was calling the applicant to order and to comply with the laid down policies. The judge said even the Acting CEO, Bongani Dlamini, had advised the council that the Governance Performance Assessment of the Urban Local Government dictates that the best-ranked candidate must be appointed to the position of CEO. However, his advice was not heeded. Unreasonable The actions of the first respondent can never be said to be unreasonable, unlawful and ultra vires his statutory powers in these circumstances. The first respondent sought to enforce transparency, fairness and integrity in the recruitment process of the CEO, by ensuring that the best-ranked candidate is appointed as CEO on the basis of merit. The first respondent acted in a fair and procedural manner. He afforded the applicant the opportunity to correct its improper actions by complying with the consultants report as well as complying with the Urban Local Government - Governance Performance Assessment, in particular Article 8. However, the applicant did not comply with his advice. The first respondent was pushed by the applicant to invoke Section 47 (4) when the applicant refused to comply with the first respondents lawful instructions to appoint the second respondent, who is the best ranked candidate in terms of the SNG Grant Thorntons report, said the judge. Efforts to get comment from Fakudze, hit a snag, as her phone rang unanswered, the last call was made at 8:43pm. Hospitals have become safer for patients in the past few years, but there is a long way to go, according to three health system leaders. On Sept. 17, executives at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, MedStar Health in Columbia, Md., and Prisma Health in Greenville, S.C., shared recent wins at a patient safety forum hosted by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Last September, the council outlined steps to improve patient safety. A year later, leaders in the healthcare industry spoke to a theme of hope. Patient safety means the application of safety science methods to achieve trust in healthcare delivery, according to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. It also minimizes the incidence and impact of and maximizes recovery from adverse events, such as hospital-acquired infections and life-threatening medication errors. For more than 32,000 employees at Prisma Health, patient safety goals were manifested into a new clinical operating system called Pulse, which launched during the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated economic and workforce turmoil. Pulse has led to 30% fewer serious safety events and a safety culture 20 percentage points above the national average, according to Jonathan Gleason, MD, Prisma's executive vice president and chief clinical officer. Greta S. Harper, MD, vice president and chief medical officer of acute care at Prisma, said anonymous reporting was over 50%. A year after Pulse launched, this hesitance to share their names fell to 13%. Despite these successes, the system is "not where we want to be," Dr. Gleason said. Rollin J. "Terry" Fairbanks, MD, MedStar's senior vice president and chief quality and safety officer, and Stephen Muething, MD, Cincinnati Children's Hospital's senior advisor of strategic partnerships, echoed his comment. At Cincinnati Children's, for example, 365 days have passed since the last serious safety event for a child. Dr. Muething called this "not good enough." The market for radiopharmaceuticals has the potential to grow to "tens of billions" if the drugs prove to be effective, according to a Sept. 16 report from CNBC. Companies including Bristol Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly have invested billions in radiopharmaceutical drugs, which target cells containing specific cancer markers with radioactive material, the report said. "If we can be successful in expanding the target and tumor type repertoire, this could be a very big class of medicines," Jacob Van Naarden, president of oncology at Eli Lilly, told CNBC. Guggenheim Securities biotech analyst Michael Schmidt, PhD, told CNBC he believes the market could grow from $5 billion to "as much as tens of billions," depending on the number and types of cancers the drugs are proven to treat. Edison, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health is launching 24/7 virtual primary care in the hopes of increasing access to healthcare in its market. HMH 24/7 will go live this fall via a partnership with digital health company K Health. The platform uses an artificial intelligence chatbot for intake and data entry before connecting the patient with a virtual provider. "There is a significant population that does not have a primary care physician that they identify with," Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Robert Garrett told Becker's. "So we're always looking for ways to provide better access to primary care." Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai started a similar platform with K Health last fall. In the first eight months, that health system experienced a 15% increase in primary care patients, according to K Health. The virtual-only primary care providers are employed by (and accept the same insurance as) Hackensack Meridian Medical Group. Patients can keep the same clinician throughout their virtual treatment. "From the healthcare consumer's perspective, when they see HMH 24/7, our brand is what they will be accessing," Mr. Garrett said. "It's not being branded under some other name. It's totally integrated into the Hackensack Meridian Medical Group, which I think was an important feature as to why we chose this K Health model." It is another way Hackensack Meridian Health is partnering with a tech company to expand primary care. The health system is also collaborating with Amazon's One Medical to open primary care offices in New Jersey. Mr. Garrett said K Health's success with other health systems made it attractive and allowed Hackensack Meridian Health to not have to spend the time and resources to develop its own platform. "At the end of the day, we felt that sometimes it is good to build your own, but other times, why reinvent the wheel if the product is so superior and it fits into our mission," he said. "In terms of digital health transformation, we're certainly open to these kinds of partnerships." The app also has a Spanish-language version, an important factor in a market where around a quarter of the population speaks Spanish. Mr. Garrett said the return on investment comes from attracting and retaining patients who will hopefully stick with the health system. "The ROI really comes through that continuity of care," he said. "The key for any health system to grow is through a primary care network. And then, of course, if those patients require any other services, any other specialty care, we would hope they would stay within the Hackensack Meridian Health network, like any other patient who would access our medical group." The California Department of Public Health has stepped in amid an ongoing debate between physicians and certified registered nurse anesthetists about CRNAs' role in hospitals, The Modesto Bee reported Sept. 16. In a Sept. 6 letter to hospitals, the health department outlined state and federal requirements for using CRNAs to provide anesthesia services. The department clarified that CRNAs are not permitted to practice medicine or surgery but can perform certain medical functions, such as administering treatments, drawing blood and responding to health changes, under standardized procedures developed in collaboration with physicians and health systems. The letter also states that: Anesthesia care must be provided under the direction of a qualified physician. Use of CRNAs must be approved by hospital administration. CRNAs can administer anesthesia drugs only when ordered by a physician. Contracted CRNAs are subject to the bylaws of hospitals where they are administering anesthesia. The health department's guidelines seek to resolve confusion over CRNAs' roles and come after two hospitals in Modesto were cited for deficiencies related to care provided by CRNAs. The California Society of Anesthesiologists applauded the state's letter, saying it corrects inaccurate suggestions that CRNAs can replace anesthesiologists under the state's Medicare "opt-out" provision. In 2010, the state obtained an exemption from the federal rule requiring the physician supervision of CRNAs for Medicare participation. "CRNAs play a vital role in the anesthesia care team in California, but it's important to recognize that physician leadership remains essential to ensure patient safety and compliance with state and federal regulations," California Society of Anesthesiologists Division Chair Todd Primack, DO, said in a Sept. 13 statement. Both the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology and its California chapter have pushed back on the claim that CRNAs must be supervised by physicians or be part of physician-led care teams. While CRNAs are permitted to provide care only within their scope of practice, they are not legally required to be supervised by a physician in California, the association said in response to the state letter. AANA President Janet Setnor, MSN, CRNA, said nurse anesthetists have practiced independently in California since 2010 under the state's Medicare "opt-out" provision, "delivering high-quality, cost-effective care, particularly in rural and underserved areas." "It's a dangerous and a malicious lie when you put out information like that to scare the public," Ms. Setnor told Becker's. "We don't need to have this head-butting contest of who is better than whom. If we could just figure out a way to work collaboratively together, that would be the most successful and advantageous for our patients." The association has defended the quality of CRNA care, citing studies that show no evidence of CRNA services being less safe than those provided by physicians. A young female who claimed she was abused on numerous occasions by her Army Cadets leader said that whilst she loved being a cadet, her leaders actions made it hell. A woman who snatched a one-year-old child at a west Belfast shopping centre has been given a two-year probation order. The sentence was imposed on Noeleen Creen, 38, for abducting the infant inside the Park Centre before his alarmed mother managed to grab him back. A parade led by the Pride of Ardoyne Flute Band passes the Ardoyne Shops on the Crumlin Road on 12 July 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott) A residents group in north Belfast has accused the Parades Commission of "rewarding the Orange Order for walking away from a voluntary peacekeeping agreement. The Crumlin Road and Ardoyne Residents Association (CARA) has called for an urgent review of a Parades Commission decision to allow an Orange Order march in the flashpoint area this weekend. The parade, to mark Orange Heritage Week, is set to take place on Saturday morning, moving from the junction of Woodvale Parade and Woodvale Road along the Crumlin Road to Ligoniel Orange Hall with some restrictions. Orange parades have been allowed to proceed along the road passing the Ardoyne shops on the morning of July 12 each year, but not allowed to stage a return parade in the evening. Some 150 participants, including one band, have been notified as taking part in the parade on Saturday. The Parades Commission published the decision on Monday, describing a "carefully considered and finely balanced judgment" and a "fair balance between the needs of the community and the rights of the individual". A member of the Orange Order speaks with a PSNI officer (PA) CARA has applied to hold a protest, and is seeking a review of the decision to allow the march, as the group believes the Parades Commission determination is based on misleading and inaccurate information. It has contended the parade is in breach of an agreement reached in 2016, and "could result in real difficulties, including the potential for negative impact on relations and disorder". Speaking to The Belfast Telegraph, a conduit for CARA said the agreement that was reached nearly a decade ago is a deal that the Orange Order and local residents signed up to in good faith. They continued: Its a deal that suited the Orange Order at that time and it now appears to be a deal that they no longer wish to honour. Theyve been rewarded, if you like, for breaking the deal that we sat down and discussed for over three years to reach. The Orange Order said they would be making no further comment on the matter. The Parades Commission confirmed that it received a request for a review of its determination issued on 16 September 2024, in respect of the Ligoniel Combine parade notified to take place on 21 September 2024. A spokesperson said: This request will be considered by the Commission at its meeting on 18 September 2024. The request will be considered in light of the Commissions legal and policy framework, including its Procedural Rules issued in accordance with section 4 of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998. The deal was to allow for five morning parades per year that would pass by Ardoyne shop fronts uncontested and in reciprocation, the Orange Order wouldnt apply for a return parade. In June, the Order claimed the CARA had weaponised engagement and accused them of bad-faith dialogue. Talks to maintain the agreement broke down and a march past Ardoyne shops was sought to take place on the evening of the Twelfth this year. However, the Parades Commission turned that application down and ruled that the parade must stop at Woodvale Road before reaching the flashpoint on its return leg. It passed off peacefully, and the parade stopped well short of the designated end point before dispersing. The spokesperson for CARA added that for further new parades to take place, there had to be evidence of a change of circumstances, and why this would be beneficial to the people of Ardoyne, and the overall residents of north Belfast; not simply the Orange Order. For us, we were hoping the Parades Commission would take into account all of the residents. We feel that in the past number of years, there has been a significant change in north Belfast, where we havent had significant incidents of sectarian attacks or anything along those lines in at least a year. They claimed that the Ligoniel Lodges behind Saturdays event want to continue with the parade irrespective of whether its good for the community or not. North Belfast DUP MLA Brian Kingston said earlier: Party colleagues and I have been working with Orange Order and community representatives on this matter since last June, including in meetings with the Parades Commission. We welcome this decision by the Parades Commission as a positive step forward. We are always seeking to normalise relations between the communities in North Belfast. There have been a number of shared events in the area this summer and we will always encourage tolerance between the communities." TUV deputy leader Ron McDowell said he has no doubt that the three lodges involved will behave impeccably and with the short parade set to both begin and conclude early on Saturday morning any suggestion of disruption to anyones life is a myth. This has been a long running sore in Belfast. It is fitting that a resolution will mark the end of Orange heritage week. The Orange Order declined to comment. A Belfast estate agent who chased a client for his fee after a sale fell through has been given a conditional discharge, suspended for 12 months. Belfast Magistrates Court heard Desmond McGranaghan had pursued a woman for 250 plus VAT, after she pulled the sale of her property due to her dissatisfaction with the service provided. The court also heard the 59-year-old had used a debt collection company in a bid to recoup his money, despite failing to inform the complainant his agency was a member of the Property Redress Scheme (PRS) at the time of signing the agreement and at the point they received a formal complaint. In the case, brought by the Trading Standards Service (TSS), McGranaghan, trading as McGranaghan Estate Agents.com, of 151 Andersonstown Road, Belfast, pleaded guilty to one offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. All estate agents in Northern Ireland are required by law to be a member of an approved redress scheme. Its main purpose is to resolve or settle unresolved complaints from consumers who have suffered a loss as a result of the actions of the member. Jeffrey Farrell of the TSS said: Buying and selling a home is likely to be the most expensive transaction that consumers will ever make, and is unlikely to be a frequent occurrence. "Consumers therefore put their trust in the professionalism of the estate agents that they engage to guide them through this process. "It is vitally important that consumers are able to complain and seek redress through a fair and independent process when required. "TSS remains committed to investigating those traders that fail to comply with the law. News Catch Up - Tuesday 17th September Police at the scene of a previous alert at the ground. Police at the scene of a security alert following the discovery of a suspicious object at playing fields in the Church Road area of east Belfast on 18 September. Image: Pacemaker A second security alert in east Belfast has come to an end after a suspicious object was examined and declared a hoax. Its after an incident at the playing fields on Church Road, the home of East Belfast GAA just hours after another security alert at the same location had ended. The alert began after a report was made to police shortly after 1pm on Wednesday afternoon of a suspicious object. A public safety operation was implemented, which involved closing Church Road between Manse Road and the Ballygowan Road. Ammunition Technical Officers attended and examinations were carried out on the object, which has now been declared a hoax and taken away for further forensic examination. Church Road has fully re-opened. Inspector David McKinley said: We understand the disruption this incident caused and I want to thank everyone impacted for their patience and co-operation while the scene was made safe. An investigation is underway and I would appeal to anyone with any information in relation to this incident to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 764 18/09/24." A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/ The previous alert was earlier declared to be nothing untoward. In an earlier statement, police said: Police received a report at around 4:05pm on Tuesday 17th September, of a suspicious object located at playing fields in the area. Officers attended alongside ATO, and the object, which has been declared as nothing untoward, has been removed. The playing fields and a number of roads were closed. Officers have now left the scene, the roads have fully re-opened and police would like to thank the local community for their understanding. Enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and anyone with any information is asked to contact Police on 101, quoting reference number 1158 17/09/24. A report can also be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/ . A local councillor earlier described a concerted campaign against the club as utterly depressing with numerous security alerts since it was formed in 2020. Green Party councillor Brian Smyth said its utterly depressing" that the club is being targeted by a person or group of people. Its having a massive impact on the area, he said, theres an integrated school and an integrated nursery and people that live around there. It is hugely disruptive. The vast majority of people in Belfast and east Belfast want nothing to do with those who are responsible. He explained that the council is planning on increasing security measures by installing CCTV cameras and increased lighting. Im hopeful that when it happens it will put an end to this. The club has every right to stay there, this is up at Henry Jones and out of the way, not slap bang in the middle of the Newtownards Road. Its literally at the top of a very windy hill in the Castlereagh area. A lot of people back the club and the CCTV is planned for this month so we hope it will now end it for good. Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey also strongly condemned the latest appalling security alert. I am appalled at yet another disgraceful security alert at Henry Jones Playing Fields, which are used by East Belfast GAA, the South Belfast MLA said. Every one of these appalling incidents are an attack on the entire community, and are not welcome in todays modern, inclusive Belfast. Gaelic Games is flourishing in all corners of our city and at every level of society, we will not allow a minority to drag us back and bring our community down. I would call on all community and political leaders to make it clear that there is absolutely no place for this kind of behaviour. News Catch Up - Tuesday 17th September A community playgroup in Co Londonderry has resorted to fundraising, for fear that it will have to close its doors permanently otherwise. Magilligan Playgroup is located in a rural peninsula at the entrance to Lough Foyle, and Deborah Doherty, who leads the pre-school, said that while Magilligan is a small community, its a mighty community. However, the community has been asked to help the playgroup raise 15,000 for the coming year, as funding from Northern Irelands official education authorities has not kept up with the rising costs of running the group, Deborah explained. Funding is per head in the door from the Education Authority (EA), so we had 10 pre-schoolers last year and now have five - our funding is essentially cut in half, she told the Belfast Telegraph. It means that we still have two members of staff because we need that for safeguarding, and we need to pay two members of staff even though we are down to half our funding. There is no leeway with the EA over that. Prior to summer, we had applied to three sorts of substantial grants, but theres such a shortfall across the early years sector anyway. Everyone is applying for the same grants, for running costs. Its really diluted in who was able to get that funding. Two have come back as unsuccessful and we are still waiting on one, but we cant hold back on making decisions because of that. If it comes back as unsuccessful over the next couple of months, then youre looking at closing the doors mid-year, which is not what you want to do to young kids who are just getting settled in. From what the playgroup organisers have calculated regarding their running costs per annum, they have predicted that they will be in a 15,000 deficit. Deborah added: We are in a low socio-economic area, theres not the money there to automatically be able to cover that deficit. You wouldnt expect parents to do it either; children are entitled to a free preschool place. We need 15,000 to get us through to June, and the GoFundMe was really quickly supported. We also started getting lots of phone calls from other people in the community, who were asking what they could do to help. The community itself is aware that once things start to go theyre gone, because if the playgroup goes, its gone. While the playgroup has opened this month due to the hard work of the villages local supporters, there is the worry that such initiatives and help will be needed every year. The EA does not commit to how much they are going to give you or when that funding might come. We cant rely on that being enough to keep the playgroup open, Deborah continued. The funding never rises at the same rate that everything else rises. Our wages have to rise with minimum wage. Our utility rates are still going up, at the same rate as everybody else's/ The committee is left to make up the deficit by fundraising but youre also fundraising in a small community where everyones costs are going up. Magilligan has always been really good at supporting us, but they cant raise it all the time when theres no extra money for anyone at the minute. The EA administers the Pre-school Education Programme which aims is to provide a funded pre-school education place for every child whose parents/carers wish to avail of a place. A spokesperson for the authority said: Funded places are allocated to non-statutory playgroups on the basis of local need, parental preference and capacity within the playgroup. The number of funded places fluctuates from year to year, depending on local need. In some years the birth rate in an area can drop and this reduces the demand for places which in turn reduces the amount of funding allocated. Playgroups which are in financial deficit mid-year can apply to the EA for consideration of additional financial support through the Strategic Support Fund. Playgroups can contact the EAs Pre-school Education Programme team for more information on the criteria for this fund and for support with the process. The Department of Education sets the overall budget for pre-school education programmes. A spokesperson stated: The Department is providing additional funding to all non-statutory pre-school settings participating in the Pre-School Education Programme (PSEP) through the payment of a one off non-consolidated stabilisation payment of 100 per pupil. Magilligan Community Playgroup has also received annual allocations from the Departments Pathway Fund since 2016. This funding contributes to the overall costs of the Magilligan Community Playgroup Pathway project, contributing to the salary of a playgroup assistant and other essential operating costs. You can find the GoFundMe page here. Northern Irelands Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald has called for a funding pause on city and growth deals to be lifted (Jordan Pettitt/PA) The UK Government should immediately lift a funding pause on city and growth deals for two Northern Ireland regions, Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald has said. Ms Archibald said the deals covering Causeway Coast and Glens and the Mid South West would be the catalyst for economic growth and jobs creation. The minister met with Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn on Monday night. She said: The Executive and indeed elected members from right across the Assembly Chamber are united in our message that the pause must be lifted immediately for the Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid South West growth deals. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones (Jordan Pettitt/PA) The whole of Northern Ireland is covered by four city and growth deals worth a total of 1.7 billion. A Westminster Government decision to pause funding until its upcoming spending review was met by widespread anger from local politicians when it was announced late on Friday. Over the weekend it was clarified that two of the deals Belfast regions, and Londonderry City and Strabane will not be affected by the suspension. Ms Archibald had previously said she would be seeking clarity on the future of the deals for Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid South West. The deals, which advance investment and infrastructure projects in specific areas, involve bespoke funding arrangements between the Treasury, the Stormont Executive and local partners. The Belfast regions deal has already been signed by the Government and the Derry/Strabane deal is set to be signed this week. The other two deals, which are subject to the funding pause, are not as far forward in development. In an update, Ms Archibald said she had made it clear there should be no disparity in how the four deals are treated. She said: Local government and deal partners have invested considerable time, effort, commitment and enthusiasm into their deals, which will be a catalyst for economic growth and creating good jobs. I made clear to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury last night that there can be no disparity in treatment of the deals and that these regions should not have to wait until the spending review for clarity. I am determined to continue engaging with the British Government to make the case on the importance of these deals in delivering economic growth across the north. A Co Down care home has paid tribute to one of their nurses who passed away suddenly following childbirth, describing her as someone who was always smiling. The Carnalea Care Home in Bangor said Mary who was originally from the Philippines had a son and new born daughter and said the fundraiser would help her partner Homer with funeral arrangements and transport back home to the Philippines. They added: We are so deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our Fetherston Nurse Mary. I'm sure a lot of you would have seen her in the unit, Mary was always smiling and she will be sorely missed, we as a family in Carnalea want to help Mary's family in any way we can. It was confirmed Mary arrived in Northern Ireland two years ago to work as a nurse alongside her partner Homer and son Hermes. The fundraiser added: They grew a life here and made real connections, Mary fell pregnant again in January and they welcomed beautiful baby girl Hera this September. "Unfortunately a few short days after Hera was born Mary suffered complications following childbirth and sadly Mary passed away on 13.09.24, at the age of 34, leaving her partner Homer and their two beautiful children. Due to these unforeseen circumstances this has left Homer having to cope financially and to afford funeral costs while also looking after his 6-year-old son and new born baby. As a family here at Carnalea we want to help Homer in any way possible towards funeral costs and to ease their financial burden, including their flights home, so please if you can make any small donation its greatly appreciated. So far almost 9,000 has been raised for the family. News Catch Up - Tuesday 17th September Photo of First and deputy first ministers and finance minister signing the heads of terms for the Causeway Coast and Glens Growth Deal in April. Leaders from the five main parties at Stormont have written to the Treasury to insist that all growth deals are restored in Northern Ireland. There are four deals in Northern Ireland: the Belfast City region, Derry City and Strabane, Mid South West region, and Causeway Coast and Glens. All four were cast into doubt after it emerged on Friday that the UK government had paused funding ahead of a spending review. However, it has since emerged that the Belfast and Derry & Strabane deals are safe, with financial sign-off for the north west deal happening tomorrow at the Guildhall. Two that remain in doubt are growth deals for Causeway Coast and Glens and the Mid South West. In the letter, the leaders said: We are writing following your meeting with the Finance Minister last night during which Dr Archibald urged you to reconsider the appalling decision to pause the Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid South West Growth Deals until the Spending Review. The Executive and indeed elected members from right across the Assembly are united in our message that the pause must be lifted immediately for these Deals. In particular, there is considerable anger and frustration that a two-tier system is now operating between cities and rural regions. Your Government has spoken of its desire to spur economic growth and how key it is to improve prosperity. Local government and deal partners have invested considerable time, effort, commitment and enthusiasm into their Deals which will be a catalyst for economic growth and creating good jobs. The letter has been signed by Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill, DUP leader Gavin Robinson, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, UUP leader-elect Mike Nesbitt and Colum Eastwood, outgoing leader of the SDLP. Their statement continued: These Deals will bring vital investment to towns right across Northern Ireland. If you are serious about your manifesto commitment, then this pause must be ended immediately. It should be recognised that City and Growth Deals are long-term funding packages spanning 10-15 years and the majority of the spend for these Growth Deals will not fall within the next Spending Review period. Therefore, it is not appropriate to take such a short-term view of longer-term financial investment that will have a positive impact on the economic growth of these regions and Northern Ireland as a whole. This short-sighted decision could risk private sector confidence in the investment, a key objective of the Deals, and cause lasting damage. Even a short pause will lead to loss of confidence and momentum. It has already resulted in considerable anger among local communities. The Causeway Coast and Glens Growth Deal, which signed Heads of Terms in April has nine projects across the borough, from Dungiven to Bushmills regeneration projects, exciting tourism projects, as well as three exciting food, pharmaceutical and business innovation centres which were due to be funded by the UK Governments contribution. The Mid South West Growth Deal has completed Strategic Outline Cases for its suite of projects, which were due to be announced this Autumn in a Heads of Terms Signing event. Included within these projects funded by UK Government are a Robotic automation Packaging Innovation Centre, an Agri-Bio Innovation Centre, Innovation programme and Green Energy Pilot. We urge you to reverse the pause on these Deals and honour the commitments made to these Deals which will bring hope and prosperity for our citizens, communities, businesses and future generations. People enjoy the sun and good weather at Seapark beside Holywood, Co. Down. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye People enjoy the sun and good weather at Seapark beside Holywood, Co. Down. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye The spell of good weather looks set to continue for the rest of the week in Northern Ireland, according to the Met Office. This week has brought unusually warm weather for this time of year with people out enjoying the sunshine. The average temperature for Northern Ireland at this time of year is around 15C or 16C. The Met Office described the current temperatures as quite significantly above the average. A large area of high pressure across the UK is contributing to the rise. Coming in from the east, it means that western areas of NI are experiencing the best of the weather. The warmest temperature on record for September was recorded last year when it peaked at 28C in Castlederg. The highest temperature on Monday was 21.8C at Derrylin in Co Fermanagh. On Tuesday it has been warmer again, with the Met Office saying it is likely to be the warmest day of the week. The highest temperature recorded so far is 23.7C at Magilligan. Meteorologist Becky Mitchell said: There has been no cloud cover, just pure sunshine so it definitely feels quite hot. In the next few days were looking at highs of 20 and 21 degrees for Wednesday. More western areas like Derry, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Armagh, those locations will see the highest temperatures. Eastern coastal areas will be a bit cooler with temperatures around 15C and 16C. The further west you go the hotter it will get essentially. Looking to Thursday Ms Mitchell expects the highest temperature to be 21C and 20C on Friday, with temperatures dropping slightly at the weekend but remaining in the high teens. There will be really lovely clear blue skies for many, with some mist and fog patches overnight when itll turn quite chilly. Saturday looks like it should stay dry. There is a slight chance of showers on Sunday. News Catch Up - Tuesday 17th September Eamonn Holmes has ticked another item off his bucket list after being pictured with a new famous friend. The GB News and former GMTV presenter was snapped with Hollywoods Kate Beckinsale and spoke glowingly of their encounter. Posting on social media, he said: After years of being SM [social media] friends an ambition fulfilled tonight with the wonderful actress Kate Beckinsale. Holmes is seen with his arm around Beckinsales shoulder while she leans towards him smiling. 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 It comes as Holmes has reportedly returned to the UK after a luxury Mediterranean cruise with his girlfriend Katie Alexander. Now back to reality, he could be set for divorce proceedings, with Metro reporting that his ex, Ruth Langsford, has hired a lawyer. Holmes married Langsford in 2010 and they have a son, Jack. It was reported in May that the two were separating. Holmes was pictured at Heathrow Airport on Monday with Alexander, using his wheelchair. Before leaving on their cruise, Holmes and Alexander were seen in Barcelona struggling with the wheelchair as they prepared to board the liner. The pictures showed the health issues that Holmes is continuing to face as he prepares to return to GB News as their main breakfast show anchor. Why is Eamonn Holmes using a wheelchair? Holmes, 64, has been battling ill health for some time. In 2016, he underwent a double hip replacement operation lasting three-and-a-quarter hours after living with acute pain for many years. Things worsened in 2021 when he slipped three discs in his back, causing him to lose mobility. And last year, his back surgery went wrong, leaving him in need of a wheelchair ever since. Holmes has spoken of his fear that he might never regain mobility but he has seen some progress in recent times. On July 8, he posted a photo of himself standing without assistance. And then on July 24, he demonstrated to his Instagram followers how he was using a special treadmill to try and regain his walking ability. So this gives me a certain amount of freedom and the idea is that I build up muscle memory and y'know things will happen, hopefully in the future, he said. After some fans noticed his absence from GB News, he reassured his 1.1 million followers that it was all due to something as simple as a summer holiday, writing: People seem unfamiliar with the concept of Summer Holidays. He dismissed any concern and added: See you next week! News Catch Up: Monday 16th September UK Supreme Court to hear challenge to right to wild camp on Dartmoor The former finance minister said it was the first time the country had held the portfolio (Gareth Chaney/PA) Former finance minister Michael McGrath has said his nomination as the EUs next Commissioner for Justice is an indication of Irelands standing as a country. Taoiseach Simon Harris said Mr McGrath had been given a strong and influential appointment. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen revealed the portfolios for the new team of commissioners in Strasbourg on Tuesday morning. The appointment of the new commissioners still has to be ratified by the European Parliament. Mr McGrath was awarded the Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law portfolio. He said: I am honoured to be proposed for the Justice portfolio by President von der Leyen and I look forward to engaging with the European Parliament ahead of the hearings for the new commission in the weeks ahead. The portfolio is a vitally important one for Europe: protecting our democratic values, rule of law and the rights of our citizens is fundamental to the future development of the EU and of the single market. It is the first time that Ireland will hold this portfolio and is a recognition of our standing as a country with a strong democratic and open society. He added: In addition to the core justice elements of my portfolio, I am very pleased to be given responsibility for the protection of consumer rights across the EU. I welcome this opportunity to apply my skills to new areas of responsibility and I am grateful for the confidence placed in me by the Government and by President von der Leyen. The Commissioner for Justice is responsible for leading the EUs efforts to tackle breaches of the rule of law by member states. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the new team of EU commissioners on Tuesday (Joe Giddins/PA) The commissioner is also responsible for enforcing legislation such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Ms von der Leyen said: I have entrusted him (Mr McGrath) with the responsibility to take forward the European Democracy Shield. He will also lead our work on the rule of law, anti-corruption and consumer protection. She added: Michael McGrath has an excellent track record, and he has experience in a leading ministry. So, working his way through political questions, the commissioners are not technical experts. They are political leaders. Mr Harris said: I have worked closely with President Ursula Von der Leyen in recent weeks and todays announcement is a vote of confidence in Irelands candidate. Anti-corruption and consumer protection will be amongst his many powers and duties, as well as the wide-ranging justice portfolio. I have worked with Michael at Cabinet and he has the skill set and the work ethic to make a massive impact in this brief. Meanwhile, Tanaiste Micheal Martin congratulated Mr McGrath on his appointment. 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 He said: I have no doubt Michael will serve on the EU Commission with great energy and diligence in this significant role, protecting the rights of consumers, the rule of law and tackling corruption. It was important that the Irish Government nominated a commissioner of the highest calibre, and Michael will no doubt bring all of his experience in government here to his new job in Europe. Mr McGrath stepped down as finance minister several weeks ago to become Irelands EU commissioner nominee. The nomination to become Irelands next EU commissioner was the choice of the Fianna Fail party under the terms of an agreement between the three parties forming Irelands coalition Government. Fianna Fail MEP for Dublin, Barry Andrews, said the role would call on Mr McGraths significant political skills. He added: Enforcement of the EU treaties is not just a matter for Hungary but for all member states and commissioner-designate McGrath will hopefully take a leading role over the course of this mandate. His financial acumen will not be wasted as he will be able to contribute to policy discussions on the new multi-annual financial framework (2027-2034) which are likely to kick off during next summer. Sir Ed Davey on the final day of his partys autumn conference (Gareth Fuller/PA) Sir Ed Davey has said he hopes Kamala Harris defeats Donald Trump when Americans go to the polls in November. The Liberal Democrat leader listed the looming spectre of a second Trump presidency, as well as the war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East, as he called for decency, compassion, community, respect for the rule of law. To finish his speech on Tuesday, marking the end of the four-day party conference in Brighton, Sir Ed told activists and delegates: Lets show people we are different. Lets show them our values. Lets show them we care. Lets keep earning their trust. Confetti falls as Sir Ed Davey finishes his keynote speech in Brighton (Gareth Fuller/PA) Lets offer real hope. Lets build a brighter future. And lets keep on winning, so we can make it happen. With his partys MPs behind him on stage, Sir Ed danced to Neil Diamonds Sweet Caroline when the speech ended. He had earlier described people of all races, all religions and none who picked up binbags and brooms and cleared up their communities after riots throughout the UK in the summer. Sir Ed added: You are the true patriots in our country: decent, kind, united. Conference, we will never stop applauding our patriots in our country. Conference, these are the values our politics needs now, more than ever, to resist the rise of the extremists not just at home but around the world too. With Vladimir Putin waging his brutal war in Ukraine, with the terrible humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, Hamass terrorist atrocities on October 7, hostages still held captive, the continuing illegal occupations, and the threat of regional escalation, with the looming spectre of a second Trump presidency. How I hope and pray to see Kamala Harris defeat him this November. At a time of such instability and uncertainty, it is our values that must prevail: decency, compassion, community, respect for the rule of law. Disorder broke out throughout England after a fatal stabbing in Southport, Merseyside. The party leader described the deaths of three girls Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine as a horrifying crime and a heartbreaking tragedy in his speech. Election day in the US is on Thursday November 5. Peter Tobin was suffering from cancer at the time of his death (Danny Lawson/PA) Serial killer Peter Tobin was suffering from cancer at the time of his death, which had gone undiagnosed for years as he refused medical tests, a fatal accident inquiry heard. Tobin, 76, died on October 8 2022 in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, a month after a fall in his jail cell in HMP Edinburgh where he was serving three life sentences for the murders of young women who vanished between 1991 and 2006. His death occurred 16 years and a day after his first appearance in Glasgow Sheriff Court on October 9 2006, for the murder of Polish student Angelika Kluk, 23, whose body was hidden under St Patricks Church in Glasgow, where convicted sex offended Tobin worked as a handyman. In July 2007, Tobin was charged with murdering Vicky Hamilton, 15, who vanished in 1991. Tobins victims, left to right, Angelika Kluk, Vicky Hamilton and Dinah McNicol (Police handout/PA) Her remains were found under the patio of his former home in Margate, Kent, in November of 2007. Also found in the same location were the remains of Dinah McNicol, 18, a hitchhiker who disappeared in 1991 after leaving a rave in the Home Counties. A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the death in custody, heard that Tobin was diagnosed from dementia in December 2020, and suffered from a litany of health problems, including strokes, dizziness and chest pains. He used a walking stick and wheelchair. The court heard that cancer had been suggested as long ago as 2016 but Tobin was unwilling to undergo testing. Serial killer Peter Tobin who died in 2022 (Undated Police Scotland handout/PA Wire). Procurator fiscal depute Richard Brown said: On September 8 2022, Mr Tobin was being held in HMP Edinburgh, his cell was opened by a prison officer to allow him to collect medication. Mr Tobin had taken steps without a walking stick, he was reminded he didnt have a walking stick, and he fell and landed on his side. The prison officer reported he was in pain but okay, and a nurse and prison officer helped him onto his bed. Tobin was admitted to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and the following day underwent surgery for a fractured right hip. Tests also established he was suffering from metastatic prostate cancer and delirium, as well as hospital-acquired pneumonia. Police at the former home of Peter Tobin in Margate, Kent, where the bodies of two missing teenagers were found in 2007 (Gareth Fuller/PA). Tobin was warned he was unlikely to survive and he died less than a month after the operation, the hearing was told. GeoAmey staff reported that he was speaking incoherently shortly before his death which was confirmed at 5.45am on October 8. Mr Brown said: Mr Tobin was seen by the palliative care team and effort was made to make his condition comfortable. Mr Tobin was told it was unlikely he would be discharged from hospital. He had a Do Not Resuscitate Order which meant medical staff could not restart his heart. He was monitored at all times by officers from GeoAmey. He added: Mr Tobin was in bed and was described as breathing heavily in the early hours. He was speaking incoherently. An officer guarding Tobin went to alert a nurse due to concerns at about 4.35am and death was confirmed an hour later. On October 12 2022, a post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of death as bronchial pneumonia in a man with a fractured right neck of femur (surgically treated on September 9 2022), generalised vascular disease and prostate cancer. A review was carried out to see if areas of learning could be established. Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss said: I will be issuing my determination as soon as possible. FILE IMAGE A memorial for the Robb Elementary School victims in 2022, taken in the days after the massacre (Eric Gay/AP) A former school police chief in the US made his first court appearance on Monday, accused of failing to take sufficient action during a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022. Pete Arredondo pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of child endangerment and abandonment more than two years after the Robb Elementary School massacre that left 19 children and two teachers dead. The 2022 attack was one of the worst school shootings in US history, with the police response heavily criticised for having cascading failures in training, communication and leadership among the officers who waited outside while victims lay dying and begging for help. Former police chief for schools in Uvalde Pete Arredondo (Uvalde County Sheriffs Office via AP) Lawyers for Arredondo have since filed to have the charges against him dismissed, arguing that the former Uvalde school district police chief should not be held responsible for actions he did not take on May 24, 2022. Arredondo claims he has been scapegoated in the aftermath of the massacre, during which nearly 400 officers from federal, state and local agencies waited more than 70 minutes before acting. The indictment against Arredondo alleges that the Texan man did not follow his active shooter training and made several critical decisions that actually slowed down police response time. Meanwhile, 18-year-old gunman Salvador Ramos went from classroom to classroom at his old elementary school, hunting down his victims. Former Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District police officer Adrian Gonzales (left) (Eric Gay/AP) The judge did not make a ruling on the motion on Monday. A federal review from the US Customs and Border Protections Office of Professional Responsibility released on Thursday found similar breakdowns in communication and command among Border Patrol agents. The former schools police chief and Adrian Gonzalez, another former Uvalde school police officer who was indicted on 29 similar counts of endangerment and abandonment, are the only two officers facing criminal charges. An Israeli army flare is seen over the Israeli-Lebanese border (AP Photo/Leo Correa) Israel has announced that halting Hezbollahs attacks in the north in order to allow its residents to return is now an official war goal, as the country considers a wider military operation that could ignite an all-out conflict. Israeli officials have repeatedly threatened to take heavier military action to halt the near-daily attacks, which began shortly after the outbreak of the nearly year-long war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Israel has regularly launched airstrikes in response and has targeted and killed senior Hezbollah commanders. As recently as last month it appeared a full-blown war was imminent. An Israeli firefighter works to extinguish a fire burning in an area, following an attack from Lebanon, as Hezbollah and Israel trade near-daily attacks (AP Photo/Leo Correa) The tit-for-tat strikes have displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border. Hezbollah has said it would halt the attacks if there is a ceasefire in Gaza, but those talks have repeatedly bogged down. The United States has pressed for restraint even as it has rushed military aid to Israel, warning its close ally that a wider war would not achieve its goals. Israeli media has meanwhile reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering firing defence minister Yoav Gallant and replacing him with a politician seen as far more hawkish. That would be the biggest leadership shakeup in Israel since Hamass October 7 attack triggered the war in Gaza and set off wider regional tensions. The announcement on Lebanon came after Israels security Cabinet met late into the night. It said the Cabinet has updated the objectives of the war to include safely returning the residents of the north to their homes. Israel will continue to act to implement this objective, it said. US envoy Amos Hochstein, who has made several visits to Lebanon and Israel to try to ease tensions, met with Mr Netanyahu on Monday. Mr Hochstein told the prime minister that intensifying the conflict with Hezbollah would not help achieve the goal of returning Israelis to their homes, according to a US official. Mr Hochstein said Mr Netanyahu risked sparking a broad and protracted regional conflict if he moved forward with a full-scale war in Lebanon and said the Biden administration remained committed to finding a diplomatic solution in conjunction with a Gaza ceasefire or on its own, the official said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to be considering his defence minister Yoav Gallant (Abir Sultan/Pool via AP) Mr Netanyahu told Mr Hochstein that residents cannot return without a fundamental change in the security situation in the north, according to a statement from the prime ministers office. It said that while Mr Netanyahu appreciates and respects US support, Israel will do what is necessary to safeguard its security. Mr Gallant has meanwhile said the focus of the conflict is shifting from Gaza to Israels north. He told US defence secretary Lloyd Austin this week that time is running out for an agreement with Hezbollah, saying the trajectory is clear. Hezbollah has said that while it does not want a wider war, it is prepared for one. Raed Berro, a member of Hezbollahs parliamentary bloc, said that the militant group is ready for confrontation and has a lot in its pocket to deter the enemy and protect Lebanon in case Netanyahu thinks of expanding the war. Ceasefire talks are still ongoing but have been bogged down by both sides (AP Photo/Leo Correa) The war in Gaza began when Hamas launched a surprise attack into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking another 250 hostage. Militants are still holding around 100 captives, a third of whom are believed to be dead, after releasing most of the rest during a ceasefire last year. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not specify how many were fighters but says just over half were women and children. The Israeli bombardment and ground invasion have devastated large areas of the densely populated enclave and driven around 90% of its 2.3 million residents from their homes. Iran supports Hamas, Hezbollah and other militant groups across the region, which have carried out strikes on Israeli and US targets in solidarity with the Palestinians. A missile launched by Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Sunday set off air raid sirens in central Israel without causing casualties. Israel has hinted at a military response. Israel and Iran traded fire directly for the first time in April, and Iran has threatened to avenge the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in an explosion in its capital in July. The targeted killing was widely blamed on Israel, which has not said whether it was involved. The United States, Qatar and Egypt have spent most of this year trying to broker an agreement in which Hamas would release the hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. President Joe Biden endorsed the framework of the agreement in May and the UN Security Council backed it days later. But since then, both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of making new and unacceptable demands, and the talks appear to be at an impasse. 7 killed in paramilitary shelling of displaced persons camp in western Sudan: Official 08 Oct 2024 | 8:27 AM Khartoum, Oct 8 (UNI) At least seven people were killed and 59 others wounded in an artillery strike by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a displaced persons camp in El Fasher, western Sudan's North Darfur state, a local health official confirmed Monday. see more.. Tunisian Prez Kais Saied re-elected: Preliminary results 08 Oct 2024 | 8:22 AM Tunis, Oct 8 (UNI) Preliminary results showed that Tunisian President Kais Saied has been re-elected for a second term, after winning 90.69 percent of the vote in Sunday's presidential election, the country's Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) said here Monday. see more.. Jordan evacuates 44 nationals from Lebanon 08 Oct 2024 | 7:52 AM Amman, Oct 8 (UNI) A group of 44 Jordanians was evacuated from Lebanon on Monday aboard a plane from Jordan's military forces. see more.. Hezbollah fires 5 rockets at central Israel: Army 08 Oct 2024 | 7:52 AM Jerusalem/Beirut, Oct 8 (UNI) Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon fired about five rockets at central Israel on Monday night, setting off sirens around Tel Aviv but causing no casualties, according to Israeli authorities. see more.. 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. GREAT BARRINGTON The company that owns Cumberland Farms says patrons of five Western Massachusetts stores should check their bank accounts for fraud. Particularly, patrons should be on alert if they made purchases between Sept. 4 and Sept. 13. Those are the days in which credit card skimmers were found inside payment machines at the stores. Stores that had skimmers installed at the register were in Great Barrington, Pittsfield, Southampton, Williamsburg and Amherst, wrote a spokesperson for EG America, the chain's parent company, in response to questions. The Eagle had reported on Friday that police were called about a skimmer found at registers at the Great Barrington and Pittsfield stores. There were also unconfirmed reports of skimming devices found at a store in North Adams. Skimmers are illegal devices that are attached to point-of-sale devices, including at gas station pumps and ATMs. They can read and transfer card information by Bluetooth that allows criminals to steal the credit card data. EG America said it is working closely with local law enforcement to investigate this further. The safety of our guests is our top priority, the spokesperson wrote, and we will remain vigilant to ensure our stores are a secure place for all. The company did not answer questions about whether it had launched an internal investigation into how the skimmers were successfully installed. Great Barrington Police, who said in a Facebook post they had found the device on Sept. 12, said they are currently investigating, and reminded people to be vigilant of your bank/credit card accounts and report any fraudulent activity to the police department. The officer investigating did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Pittsfield Police also issued a statement last week, saying, "If you used your credit/debit at the store from Sept. 4 until today, we would advise you to immediately contact your card provider to have a new card issued. We would also advise those folks to check their transactions to see if any suspicious charges are found." The FBI's website provides information about how skimmers work and ways to protect ones financial information. Signing up for push notifications for account activity is one suggestion. Another is to check payment machines to see if they look out of alignment. People can report card skimming on the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. PITTSFIELD Two months after a Pittsfield student apparently drowned during a school-run summer program, authorities have provided little information about the circumstances that led to her death. Earl Giver Essien was on a trip on July 17 to Beartown State Forest in Monterey when she and her Herberg Middle School peers who were taking part in the 21st Century Learning Program went swimming in Benedict Pond. Essien, 12, went underwater, though a lifeguard was present. It's not clear how long she was beneath the surface before the adults and students noticed she was missing. At some point, Essien was found unresponsive in the water. Essien, who moved to the Berkshires from Ghana months before her death, is set to be laid to rest at Anibil Cemetery in Ghana. She has been remembered by peers and educators as a curious, kind and knowledge-seeking student whom Superintendent Joseph Curtis previously referred to as "a seeker of justice." The tragedy prompted an investigation by state police attached to the office of Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue, a probe that continues two months later. "The complex investigation remains ongoing," Julia Sabourin, a spokesperson for Shugrue's office, said in an email to The Eagle on Monday. Sabourin declined to answer several questions, including about whether authorities have yet determined the official cause of Essien's death and the status of the investigation. "When the investigation is complete we will be able to answer many more of your questions," she wrote. Curtis did not respond to requests for comment. In a written update to the school community about Essien's death on July 26, Curtis said the district will "fully cooperate" with the DA office's probe. He also wrote that the district is "postponing any internal investigation and not answering any questions publicly as there is an ongoing active investigation." Meantime, questions also remain about what responsibility the district had to ensure students were capable swimmers prior to allowing them to enter Benedict Pond. Regulations implemented in the wake of a child's 2007 drowning death mandates that camps test minors for their swim proficiency before allowing them to swim at a beach. The regulation, known as "Christian's Law," also requires programs to provide flotation devices to nonswimmers and "at-risk" swimmers. "Christians Law applies to all licensed recreational camps for children and municipal recreation programs," said a spokesperson for the state Department of Public Health when asked via email whether the regulations apply to all camp programs for minors. "Together, these would generally include all 'summer camps for minors.'" The program Essien was taking part in was funded by a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, a federally funded grant administered by state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The program was required to follow "district developed" health and safety protocols, according to DESE spokesperson Jacqueline Reis. It's still unclear what those protocols contained, and who developed them. Reis added that the Pittsfield school district notified the state about Essien's death, and reiterated that state police is the agency handling the investigation. Asked whether a swim proficiency test was included in the districts safety plan, and whether districts are required to submit those plans to the state for approval, Reis directed The Eagle to the Department of Public Health for general information about Christian's Law. Asked about the district's responsibilities pursuant to Christian's Law, the DPH spokesperson said "the local health authority can speak more specifically about the 21st Century Learning Program." Andy Cambi, the city's director of public health, said the health department issues the permits required to operate recreational camps for children. But, he wasn't familiar with the requirements for permits that are run through the public schools, he said. He said his department didn't have a hand in enforcing any regulations for the program during which Essien died. Stay up to date on Berkshires news with Berkshires in Brief, our free daily newsletter SAVOY Old Main Road No. 2 is getting some attention right about now, in the form of a reclamation. That road, which cuts a corner between Route 8A and Route 116, isnt heavily traveled, but it will play a starring role as an alternate route when the state fully closes a bridge on Route 116 near the Savoy fire station. The 13.3 foot long town-owned bridge was reduced to a single lane at the recommendation of the state Department of Transportation following a March 15 inspection. Savoy has asked the state to close that section of Route 116 entirely until the bridge, built in 1959 of a prestressed concrete slab, can be repaired. Weve done engineering on the Route 116 bridge, said Todd Krutiak, Savoys highway superintendent. Its just got to get situated with the state. When the state gives the OK to close that stretch of Route 116 entirely, the resulting detour will shunt traffic onto Old Main Road No. 2. To prepare for the additional use, the town is currently reconstructing the road, adding 3 inches of binder or blacktop. It started about two weeks ago with cleanup of the edges of the road and ditches. Paving will start Tuesday. It's one of three road projects Savoy is undertaking this season with about $300,000 of Chapter 90 money. The other two are Griffin Hill and River roads. Town highway workers are doing some of the work on Old Main Road No. 2, with Allstate Paving Co. of Westford and Peckham Industries of Brewster, N.Y., handling paving. I pulled all the paperwork that I had to do, and the towns happy that its getting done, Krutiak said. Nobody said anything negative yet. SHEFFIELD Town officials are closing the Kellogg Road bridge indefinitely for safety reasons after a recent state inspection found decay. The Select Board ordered the bridge to be shut down by 8 a.m. Friday. It is the second bridge spanning the Housatonic River to be shut down in recent months because its deterioration posed a safety hazard. A routine inspection by the state Department of Transportation found corrosion of three of the five girders on the east end" of the Kellogg Road bridge, the town said in a news release. The inspection report recommended the bridge be closed to all traffic." The shutdown of this span over the Housatonic will reroute drivers 2.7 miles south on Route 7 to Maple Avenue, where they can head east. It is the same detour road for drivers affected by the shutdown of the Brookside Road bridge in Great Barrington the next bridge upstream for similar reasons in May. Officials in Sheffield and Great Barrington urged motorists who are detoured by the Brookside Bridge shutdown to avoid the quicker Kellogg Road detour due to the condition of that bridge. To those residents, who live in the Brookside and Brush Hill road neighborhoods, Great Barrington Town Manager Mark Pruhenski sent an email Monday night notifying them of the Kellogg Road closure. GPS driving directions routes some drivers to Kellogg Road despite the official route being Maple Avenue. Maple Avenue also has a bridge that the state has rated in "fair" condition as of the February inspection. Sheffield officials apparently decided to wait before making the decision to close the Kellogg Road bridge. That inspection was on May 29, according to the DOT. It isnt the only bridge thats in trouble. Out of 37 bridges in Sheffield, six are in poor condition, including Kellogg, according to DOT data. All but one of those are owned by the town. The Kellogg Road bridge is made of steel and was built in 1963, according to the DOT. Another 19 bridges in town are in fair condition. The rest are in good condition. The DOT last year placed the Kellogg bridge in its preliminary design phase for superstructure replacement and substructure preservation/rehabilitation as needed. The cost of that is estimated at $6.4 million to be paid by a combination of state and federal taxpayer money. The bridge is on the states Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) for replacement, the towns release said, and that process could take several years. It is unclear how long it will take for the bridge to be reopened. DOT officials consider a host of variables that include how frequently the bridge is used. The most recent estimate for completion of the Brookside Road bridge in Great Barrington is eight years. Sheffield town officials say they had no choice but to close Kellogg. The Select Board and the Town Administrator are working with an engineering firm to develop a design for a bridge replacement, the statement said. While the Board recognizes the inconvenience that this may create for members of our community and others using the road, the Boards decision was based on solely on safety and called for closing the bridge until further notice. By closing the bridge and sending a preliminary engineering study to the state as soon as possible, the statement said, it will help raise the priority of the bridge project on the TIP list for infrastructure improvements. The TIP list is long for bridges across the state. The National Highway System rates bridge conditions and ranks Massachusetts bridges as the fourth worst in the nation, according to a February DOT report. "I am undamaged by the challenged books I read this year or have read over the decades," writes Eagle columnist Ruth Bass. "Most of them gave me an insight into worlds I dont live in and the lasting pleasure of meeting good books and good writers." Had highly productive meetings with PM Modi, President Murmu: Maldives President 07 Oct 2024 | 11:11 PM New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Monday said he had highly productive meetings with both Prime Minister Modi and President Murmu and he is pleased with the in-depth discussions on enhancing development cooperation. see more.. Rajnath exhorts pvt sector to move from imitative to innovative tech 07 Oct 2024 | 11:02 PM New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday exhorted the private sector to move ahead from imitative to innovative technology so as to cater to the futuristic needs of the Armed Forces. see more.. India provides cash-strapped Maldives with major financial aid package as both sides reset ties 07 Oct 2024 | 10:38 PM New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) In a reset of bilateral ties that were on the verge of turning frosty, India and the Maldives on Monday adopted a vision document for Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, even as New Delhi provided its cash-strapped Indian Ocean neighbour with a much-needed $400 million and Rs 30 billion financial aid package. see more.. Land-for-jobs case: Lalu, sons get bail in Delhi court 07 Oct 2024 | 7:22 PM New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) Rashtriya Janata Dal chief and former railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and his sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav were on Monday granted bail by a Delhi court in the land-for-jobs money laundering case. see more.. When we think about some of the most vital parts of the human body, the heart is at the top of the list. Seeing a heartbeat in an ultrasound confirms life in the womb, and having a heart stop beating confirms death. It is no surprise that in battle, it is key for soldiers to wear breastplates to protect their hearts. Today we will study why it is so significant for us to be spiritual warriors, equipped with the breastplate of righteousness. Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints (Ephesians 6:10-18). Our focus verse this week will be Ephesians 6:14b, which says righteousness like armor on your chest. (Many versions use: breastplate of righteousness.) What Is a Breastplate? Websters Dictionary shares different definitions of a breastplate: a usually metal plate worn as defensive armor for the breast; a vestment worn in ancient times by a Jewish high priest and set with 12 gems bearing the names of the tribes of Israel. The first definition is more obvious to us; a breastplate is a protective metal plate that guarded the heart of a soldier. However, the second definition reveals something amazing. In Jewish culture, the breastplate was worn by the high priest. Bethany Verrett shares, Once a year, the High Priest would be able to enter the Holy of Holies, which no one else could do because it was where the presence of God came to rest on the Ark of the Covenant. Before he could enter, he had to atone for his own sinsThe High Priest would atone for all the sins of the people, and intercede on their behalf, and God would forgive. The high priest had a service position that was well-respected because he was to be a man above reproach and faithfully honoring the Lord. He was called to a life of holiness. However, only Jesus, the Ultimate High Priest, could live a sinless life. All of the other high priests had sins that needed to be forgiven by God. Within the armor of God, I find it no accident that the breastplate is paired with righteousness. A high priest wore a breastplate and was supposed to be a symbol of living a life honoring to the Lord. We as believers in Jesus are actually called the royal priesthood in 2 Peter 2:9. We too are invited to live in the power of the Holy Spirit and guard our hearts to live holy lives for His glory. The Breastplate of Righteousness for a Fallen Heart? Have you ever noticed how when the Bible mentions the heart, it is described as sinful (Genesis 6:5), deceptive (Jeremiah 17:9-10), a decision maker (Proverbs 4:23), failing us (Psalm 73:26), and troubled (John 14:27). However with the help of Christ, the heart can be pure (Matthew 5:8), it can meditate on things above (Psalm 19:14), and God removes our hearts of stone and gives us new hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). As we intentionally ponder the breastplate of righteousness, it is important we know that our hearts, apart from Christ, are evil and sinful. However, He has made us righteous and holy. There may no longer be a war for our spiritual eternity, but there is a war for our holiness, and we are to be an example to those around us. The enemy wants us to follow our fleshly hearts instead of being armed with the breastplate of righteousness. He wants us to fall into temptation and sin. He wants to destroy our reputation, cause others to think that we are hypocritical Christians, and separate God-honoring friendships, marriages, families, and church communities. We must be on our guard. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23). First, we put on that belt of truth, standing firm on the gospel and Bible. Then, we connect our breastplate of righteousness by living by the Spirit and not our flesh, and staying guarded and watchful to areas of sin in our lives. We must be aware that we all have vulnerable places that are important to guard on behalf of our testimonies, families, and the body of Christ. Jesus Models the Breastplate of Righteousness Jesus models the breastplate of righteousness in so many ways. He was fully human, but without sin. He spent intentional time in prayer (Matthew 14:23), He was honorable in His lifestyle, and He lived to always glorify the Father. Jesus guarded His heart on a daily basis because He lived a holy life. Warren Buffet famously said, It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, youll do things differently. The fact that Jesus built His life on holiness and never once followed a sinful desire reveals that He was God. Only God has a perfect heart. Jesus never made one mistake that gave others true reason to place Him in jail or kill Him. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth (1 Peter 2:2). You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin (1 John 3:5). Jesus did what we could not do and now His Spirit in us can help us live like Him and be protected from our own sinful hearts and the spiritual battle. Am I a Spiritual Warrior with the Breastplate of Righteousness? Is there a sin that I am falling into by living out my fleshly heart? What are ways (with the help of Christ and community) that I can guard my heart with the breastplate of righteousness? In what ways is Satan attacking the church as a whole to not be able to live holy lives? How can I pray for the body of Christ to put on the breastplate of righteousness? Related article The Belt of Truth The Shoes of Peace Photo credit: Getty Images/Estellez BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. Spotlight on the increasing need for growth-stage capital to support biotech startups The Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA), in collaboration with the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), hosted a pivotal roundtable at Global Bio-India 2024, held in New Delhi from 12th to 14th September. The roundtable convened 20 leading biotech experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to explore emerging trends and investment opportunities in Indias burgeoning biotechnology sector. The discussion, chaired by Vishwajeet Sahay, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Department of Biotechnology, India & co-chaired by Dr Manish Diwan, Head - Biofoundry, NCR Biotech Cluster & IVCOL at BIRAC, Mission Director - Make In India Biotech sector, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, spotlighted the increasing need for growth-stage capital to support biotech startups with longer gestation periods. Investors emphasised that co-investment strategies and mobilising domestic capital pools are critical to scaling biotech ventures in India. Commenting on the outcomes of the roundtable, Dr Manish Diwan said, Private equity and venture investments in biotech innovations are growing. TThe recent approval of India's BioE3 policy by the Union Cabinet is very timely and will catalyse the much-needed infrastructure growth and attract investments for bio-innovations and bio-manufacturing. Private and corporate investors are critical partners in supporting this growth momentum for 'Viksit Bharat'. Thr roundtable saw the launch of the Fund Of Funds (AcE Funds) Booklet, highlighting the successful performance of the initiative since its inception in FY 2017-18 with a corpus of Rs 150 crore. The roundtable underscored the importance of strengthening mentoring programmes, with investors and incubators supporting biotech startups. Initiatives like BIRACs Entrepreneurship in Residence (EIR) and the DBTs i3c BRIC-RCB Ph.D. Programme aim to build a highly skilled talent pool in biosciences. This new business unit aims to lead antimicrobial stewardship in India with innovative solutions Orchid Pharma, Chennai-based company, has announced the formation of Orchid AMS (Antimicrobial Solutions), a dedicated division focused on helping address the critical challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in India. This strategic move aims to address the growing threat of AMR in India and globally through innovative products, comprehensive support programmes, and digital solutions. Orchid AMS will spearhead the companys efforts to combat AMR through a comprehensive approach encompassing innovative product development, robust support programmes, and advanced digital solutions. The new entity aims to partner with over 2,500-3,000 hospitals and healthcare institutions in the next two to three years, to implement effective antimicrobial stewardship programmes (AMSPs). To mark this significant initiative, the company is hosting a series of sessions aimed at providing a platform for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and industry experts to engage in crucial discussions on AMR and the role of antimicrobial stewardship. In the first phase of its outreach, Orchid AMS will cover Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Vishakhapatnam, Coimbatore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Ahmedabad, Pune, Jaipur, Chandigarh. Orchid AMS will take lead in Antimicrobial Resistance wholistically through innovative solutions bucketed under five initiatives: United Nations, Sep 17 (UNI) A Chinese envoy on Monday urged the United States to take tangible actions to push Israel to cease its military operations in the Gaza Strip without delay. "We urge the United States to show a responsible attitude, use the significant influence it holds over the party, and take tangible actions to push Israel to cease its military operations without delay, as demanded by the Council resolutions, to give the long-suffering Palestinian people a chance to live," Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. Geng noted that over the past year, despite strong joint international calls for a ceasefire and the cessation of killings, Israel has not halted its military operations in Gaza, which have led to the death of over 41,000 Palestinian civilians. "This is alarming. This is past belief," the ambassador stressed. Geng pointed out that as the analysis point out, had the United States not stood in the way on all those occasions, the Security Council could have adopted a resolution demanding a ceasefire early on after the conflict erupted, and had the United States not shielded one side time and again, multiple resolutions of the Security council would not have been flagrantly rejected and defied. "China supports further actions on the part of this Council to put out the flames of war, mitigate the humanitarian disaster, and bring peace to the region as soon as possible," he said. UNI/XINHUA ARN Govt accords approval for NPCIL-NTPC JV to take up Nuclear Power Generation New Delhi, Sep 17 (UNI) In a major development for power PSUs, the Government has accorded approval to the Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Ltd. (ASHVINI), a Joint Venture (JV) of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited NPCIL (51%) and NTPC Ltd. (49%) to Build, Own & Operate nuclear power plants in India in accordance with provisions of the Atomic Energy Act. Additionally, the Government of India has also approved transfer of Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP) 4x700 MWe based on indigenous PHWR technology, from NPCIL to the JV Company ASHVINI, NTPC said in a release. The Government has also approved exemption to NPCIL to invest more than Rs.500 Crore and exemption to NTPC to invest more than Rs.5000 Crore in a single JV/Subsidiary Company. This will enable adequate financing for accelerated Nuclear Power capacity addition in India. In addition to MBRAPP, ASHVINI shall also pursue other Nuclear Power Projects in different parts of the country, the release said. This will pave the way for pooling of resources from both NTPC & NPCIL, in terms of finances, technology & project expertise for the rapid expansion of nuclear power productivity in the country to meet the targets of Net Zero by 2070. Department of Atomic Energy has formally handed over the Government approval to CMD, NPCIL and CMD, NTPC on 17.09.2024. UNI SKB CS2030 BBC director-general Tim Davie has said he cant see Huw Edwards ever working for the corporation again after the former presenter admitted accessing indecent images of children as young as seven. Speaking at the Royal Television Society (RTS) London conference, Mr Davie said Edwards crimes were appalling crimes and said that the BBCs reputation was impacted. Advertisement He said: Theres no doubt that an affair like this impacts our reputation, and I dont know yet in terms of just the direct impact on trust. Tim Davie said he cant see Huw Edwards working for the BBC again (Lucy North/PA) What I would say is we track it very carefully, were very mindful that with people, trust in the BBC is essential, and I hope we do the right things. Advertisement I dont think the public is stupid, they can see when were taking actions, acting in good faith, and trying to get through things in a calm and fair manner. And in the end, I think people are smart and theyll make their judgments, and Ill see what we do, and I think overall, theres no doubt about it, these things impact your reputation, but you can maintain trust by doing the right thing. Presenter Amol Rajan then asked Mr Davie why Edwards pay continued after the BBC was made aware of charges against the 63-year-old. He replied that we decided that pay continues until someone is charged and added: I think it was the right decision based on current policy. Advertisement Rajan then asked Mr Davie if Edwards would ever work for the BBC again, he replied: I cant see that. For obvious reasons, this man has has just been convicted of appalling crimes, and its pretty straightforward in my mind that I cant see him working at the BBC. He was also asked how the BBC was getting back Edwards 200,000 salary. He replied: We want the money back and weve asked for it back, and were waiting to hear back. Mr Davie said: Theres been discussions between legal teams, and I believe thats as far as we can go at this point. Advertisement He was also asked what will happen to archived content of the presenter, and said the BBC has never completely banned and ripped someone out of the archive and added weve got a lot of experience in this. Advertisement The director-general said: There may be a documentary, a contextual piece, where were seeing images from people who are no longer working with us (who) have been, frankly, disgraced. Thats how it operates, so well have the editorial control of that. Im not seeing a scenario in which any Huw Edwards material is used in day-to-day programming or anything else. But I think its wrong of a media organisation or the BBC, with its archive, to say you will never see an image of an individual again. Mr Davie said victims families are the primary concern and said that young people who raised concerns over Edwards were taken seriously at the time allegations were made. The director-general said: The primary concern is for victims, families or a family. Its really important that we dont get wholly internally driven on these things. And the secret life this guy was leading was shocking. Now there comes the point, when The Sun did their work and we suspended, to be fair, we suspended immediately, it was quick. And then we said, OK, what we do need to look at, is there anything else out there? And at that point, you get people coming in who dont think they were, everyone is listened to, everyone is taken seriously. He added: Were just shocked, and theres a lot of upset because across the BBC, weve got great teams, good people and they feel deeply, deeply let down. Rajan then asked Mr Davie about the corporations report into allegations of abuse on Strictly Come Dancing, which he replied was pretty close to the end. He was then asked if it would have been useful to report it before the new Strictly series started. Mr Davie replied: Many things in life would be useful, but we have to do the process. Mr Davie added that he thought it was unfair to say that the talent in the television industry got indulged and excused. He said he was optimistic that the BBC is changing and added that the BBC was now 50% over-50 women. Mr Davie said: I think the environments different, I think this is why it hurts so much when these things happen, but we have to prove were only as good as our actions. So you have to get on with it. Mr Davie went on to say that the BBC World Service needs to be funded outside the licence fee. But he said the corporation would still continue to fund the World Service at the level its at. He said: Ill be very clear that the World Service needs to be funded outside the licence fee. Mr Davie was then asked how it would be funded instead, to which he replied: We will continue to support the World Service at the level its at, which you know the Government put in 104 million as well. So youre nearly at 300 million, that is enough to (be) just holding on. My view is, if you look what Chinas investing, Russia, 6 billion to 8 billion now. Voice Of America does a good job, about 900 million. I think the Government and all of us, have a real choice around soft power and the UK mojo abroad. Elon Musks Dublin-based Twitter International UC has lodged an appeal against a ruling that it must pay out an Irish record unfair dismissal award of 550,131 to a former executive. In the ruling last month at State watch-dog, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), Adjudicator, Michael MacNamee found that Twitter International UC - now known as 'X' - unfairly dismissed the companys former Director Source to Pay, Gary Rooney in December 2022 after he failed to respond to Elon Musks Fork in the Road email. Advertisement On Tuesday, solicitor for Mr Rooney, Barry Kenny of Kenny Sullivan Solicitors in Bray, confirmed that an appeal of the WRC ruling and award has been lodged by Twitter International UC with the Labour Court. Asked to comment, Mr Kenny said: I am confident that the WRC ruling will be upheld and in fact I would expect the Labour Court may decide to increase the amount awarded by the Adjudicator in the WRC. Mr Kenny said: I would expect a hearing date before Christmas." At the WRC, Twitter International UC fully contested Mr Rooneys claim over five days of hearing contending that he had resigned voluntarily. Advertisement In his findings, Mr MacNamee found that Mr Rooney was dismissed because he did not click yes to Elon Musks Fork in the Road email and for that reason alone. On November 16th 2022, Mr Rooney and the Twitter workforce received an email from Mr Musk who said: Going forward, to build a breakthrough Twitter 2.0 and succeed in an increasingly competitive world, we will need to be extremely hardcore. This will mean working long hours at high intensity. Only exceptional performance will constitute a passing a grade.[....] Mr Musk said: If you are sure that you want to be part of the new Twitter, please click yes on the link below. After Mr Rooney opted not to click yes on the link, three days later on November 19th, 2022, Mr Rooney received a further company email which stated that it is to acknowledge your decision to resign and accept the voluntary separation offer. Advertisement The email stated that Mr Rooneys last working day was Thursday, November 17th and that his access to Twitter systems was deactivated the same day. On November 26th 2022, Mr Rooney - with the company since 2013 - emailed his employer to outline that at no time have I indicated to Twitter that I am resigning my position, nor have I seen any separation agreement let alone accepted one. In evidence, Mr Rooney told the WRC that prior to the change of ownership he loved his job. On receiving Mr Musks Fork in the Road email, Mr Rooney said his first reaction was disbelief, and he was initially afraid even to open it for fear that it was spam or malware. Advertisement On November 17th 2022, Mr Rooney messaged a colleague on the companys internal SLACK messaging system saying I need to step away for my own sake. I'm deeply troubled by what's going on here these days. In a message to another colleague later that day, Mr Rooney said: Twitter 2.0 wont be for you and me. Twitter International UC's Senior Director of Human Resources, Ms Lauren Wegman told the hearing that Mr Musks 'Fork in the Road' email was sent to 270 employees in Ireland which was the balance of workers not affected by redundancies and 235 clicked yes. In relation to the remaining 35 employees, Ms Wegman said We accepted their resignations. Advertisement Ms Wegman said the mood amongst workers at the time was mixed with some excited about Twitter 2.0 while others were more negative and wanted out of the company. In his findings in the 73-page decision, Mr MacNamee stated that "the SLACK messages have no relevance to the question as to what brought about the termination of the Complainants employment". The record 550,131 award was made up of Mr Rooneys remuneration losses of 350,131 from January 2023 to May 2024 and estimated future remuneration losses of 200,000. The remuneration losses were based on Mr Rooneys Twitter remuneration of 323,560 made up of 151,225 in pay and 172,335 in deferred cash consideration. Mr Rooney secured a new role with an employer in the banking sector in September 2023 on a total remuneration of 129,897. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday named Ireland's former finance minister Michael McGrath as the new EU Commssioner for Justice. The commissioner for justice is responsible for leading the EUs efforts to tackle breaches of the rule of law by member states, such as Hungary and previously Poland under its populist former government. The commissioner is also responsible for enforcing legislation such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The role is currently held by Didier Reynders, a Belgian politician. Advertisement The Government has always stated it would push for Mr McGrath to be given a finance-related commission portfolio. Irelands current EU commissioner, Mairead McGuinness, holds the role responsible for financial services, so the justice job will be seen as a sideways move. Mr McGrath stepped down as minister for finance in late June after the Cabinet agreed to nominate him as Irelands pick for its next EU commissioner. Among the other appointments to her new Commission, Ms von der Leyen appointed Spain's ecological transition minister Teresa Ribera as the EU's next antitrust commissioner while Estonia's Kaja Kallas will be in charge of foreign policy. Lithuania's Andrius Kubilius will become the EU's first defence commissioner - a new role designed to build up European military manufacturing capacity in the face of Russian aggression in Europe's eastern flank. Advertisement Other names on the list of EU Commissioners include French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne in charge of industrial strategy, while Slovakia's Maros Sefcovic will oversee trade policies. The Commission is the European Union's most powerful institution. It has the power to propose new EU laws, block mergers between companies and sign free trade deals. Each EU member state will have one seat at the Commission's table, a role comparable to a government minister, although its political weight varies greatly depending on the portfolio. All candidates will undergo hearings with lawmakers in the European Parliament who have to sign off on their nomination. Advertisement Ribera will need to fill the footsteps of Denmark's long-serving antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager, who in recent years stepped up the pressure on Big Tech to allow fair competition on its platforms. She will also oversee the EU's stance on foreign subsidies, another hot-button issue as companies in key sectors like electric vehicles and energy production are struggling to defend their business models against cheap competition from abroad, particularly from China. All commissioners will report to German conservative von der Leyen, who this summer was handed a second term as EU chief executive by member states after her political camp won the most votes in EU elections. The next EU Commission is expected to take office by the end of the year, meaning one of its first tasks will be fielding the outcome of the U.S. presidential election in November. Advertisement A second Trump presidency could sharply alter Western unity on supporting Ukraine against Russia's invasion and up-end EU trade relations with the world's biggest economy. There was some drama on Monday on the next Commission's line-up, when France picked Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne as its new candidate after the incumbent, Thierry Breton, abruptly quit with tough words for von der Leyen. - Reuters A Limerick man has been charged with possession of cocaine for sale or supply as well as possession of the drug. Owen Treacy (28), with an address at St Senans Street, St Marys Park, Limerick, was refused bail after appearing before Limerick District Court on Tuesday, September 17th. Advertisement It comes after gardai seized 35,000 worth of the drug during a planned Garda operation targeting the sale/supply of drugs in Limerick, on Sunday, September 15th. Nearly six in 10 people in Ireland are either very or extremely concerned about the availability of nursing home care in their local communities. The research, commissioned by Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI), showed an increase in public anxiety about access to nursing home care, as increasing operational costs and the pressures on the Fair Deal scheme have resulted in the closure of at least 77 nursing homes since 2018. Advertisement Last year, 10 homes were forced to shut, with a further seven this year, contributing to the loss of more than 2,600 beds. Of the 57 per cent who said they were concerned about the issue, 26 per cent said they were extremely concerned and 31 per cent said they were very concerned. Some 47 per cent of the 1,000 respondents to the survey strongly disagree (15 per cent) or disagree (32 per cent) that nursing home care is adequately funded by the Irish Government. An 'ageing population' In the next 20 years, the number of people aged over 65 is projected to rise by 66 per cent, with the population of those over 85 expected to more than double. Advertisement NHI chief executive, Tadhg Daly, said consequences of inaction will be "profound" as Ireland's ageing population increases rapidly. "This is not just a healthcare issue; it is a challenge for society as a whole. We need to save our nursing homes and ensure that they remain a vital part of our communities," he said. "The sustainability of the nursing home sector must become a priority for all - government, families, and local communities. Planning now will prevent heartbreak later." Ireland Hospital overcrowding: 462 patients waiting for be... Read More Daly urged policymakers to act and encouraged collaboration across sectors. "We are hosting our Annual Conference on September 19, where we will discuss these wider issues in depth. We are calling on policymakers, government officials, and the entire healthcare sector to meet the challenges of caring, together," he said. "The projected growth in the number of older people in Ireland means we cannot afford to delay. "Its vital that we take collective responsibility and put the necessary supports in place to ensure nursing home care is available for all who need it. We must act now before it is too late." An Bord Pleanala has proposed lifting controversial restrictions on night-time flights at Dublin Airport which will extend its normal operating hours by two hours. In a draft decision, the board has upheld a decision by Fingal County Council in August 2022 to sanction a relaxation of limits on the use of the airports North Runway at night-time which had been imposed under the original grant of planning permission for the new runway. Advertisement It rejected an appeal against the council's decision by numerous individuals, the St Margarets and The Ward Residents Group as well as the Friends of the Irish Environment. The proposal will allow for the removal of the cap on the number of flights permitted between 11pm and 7am and its replacement with an annual night-time noise quota between 11.30pm and 6am. It will also allow for flights to take off and land on the North Runway for an additional two hours from 11pm to midnight and between 6am and 7am. The board said its draft decision was based on the assessment that subject to compliance with a number of planning conditions, the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of property in the vicinity by reasons of excessive noise disturbance at night. Advertisement The proposed change to the original condition of the planning permission for the North Runway is that it shall not be used for take-off and landing between midnight and 5.59am except in cases of safety, maintenance considerations, exceptional air traffic conditions, adverse weather, technical faults in air traffic control systems or declared emergencies at other airports. In addition, it can also be used during such hours where the length of the North Runway is required for a specific aircraft type. The proposal will also allow for a change in the original planning condition which restricted the average number of night-time aircraft movements at Dublin Airport to 65 per night between 11pm and 7am. Advertisement DAAs proposals have been supported by airlines including Ryanair. Photo: PA Archive/PA Images In its place, An Bord Pleanala has proposed the introduction of a night-time noise quota which would operate between 11.30pm and 6am as well as a noise insulation grant scheme for eligible dwellings. The board said its proposed action was not seeking to amend any planning condition which is not specific to the nighttime use of Dublin Airport including the cap of 32 million passengers which was imposed as part of the planning application for the development of both terminal buildings at the airport. In its draft ruling, the board said environmental reports had concluded that the project was unlikely to give rise to significant effect on protected EU habitats and that the increased number of flights were low enough that changes in air quality would also be small. However, it said the proposed development would give rise to significant direct or indirect impacts on the population and human health and minor impacts on climate change without additional operational restrictions or mitigation measures. Advertisement An environmental impact assessment concluded it would result in increases in the number of people categorised as highly annoyed and highly sleep disturbed although the board said limits on aircraft movements can ensure additional awakenings are minimised and the impact on sleep disturbance is mitigated. Conditions Among the conditions in the draft decision are that the North Runway shall be used for departures only between 6am and 8am. The board has also proposed a condition that there should be a limit of 13,000 flights between 11pm and 6.59am per annum with a cap of 9,100 during the summer period to allow for extra flights during the busy holiday season. DAA has claimed that the existing planning conditions on the use of the runway were onerous. Advertisement Fingal County Council had postponed its ruling in the case to allow a regulatory decision to be made by the newly-established Aircraft Noise Competent Authority which ruled in June 2022 that existing conditions on the use of the runway at night-time could be eased. It also recommended the introduction of a voluntary sound insulation scheme for all residences that would be exposed to aircraft noise above 55 decibels. DAAs proposals have been supported by airlines including Aer Lingus and Ryanair who claimed a restriction on night-time flights could damage the competitiveness and connectivity of Dublin Airport as well as the Irish Aviation Authority. Leading business organisations including IBEC, Chambers Ireland, the Irish Exporters Association and Enterprise Ireland as well as the IAA had also backed the easing of restrictions on the use of Dublin Airport during night-time hours. In addition, cargo operators claimed their operations would be disproportionately affected if they were unable to fly at night. Opponents of the easing of restrictions on night-time flights claimed nothing had changed since the original grant of planning permission for the North Runway to justify changing the conditions imposed at the time. The Revenue Commissioners believed they could save up to 1.7 million every year by moving their work-from-home employees away from laptops to a desk-based computer system. In an internal discussion paper, Revenues IT team said the use of so-called thin client computers in the homes of staff would not only save money but help avoid any potential embarrassment from lost or stolen laptops. Advertisement The thin client computers link directly to the Revenue Commissioners central systems allowing staff to do all their work online without needing to save data at home. In a paper analysing options, IT staff said the continued provision of laptops to all staff at a cost of just over 1,600 per person would cost up to 2.25 million annually. However, using thin client machines at a cost per staff member of around 589, would cut the yearly bill to just 577,000 per annum. It said the new desk-based computers were also likely to last at least seven years while a laptop might typically have a lifespan of five to six years. Advertisement The Revenue options paper said the thin client computers were extremely secure and that there was no risk of taxpayer data being stored on the device. It said that all laptops were encrypted before being issued to staff. However, the paper added: Lost or stolen laptops, even with encryption technology, require reporting to the Data Protection Officer and may attract media attention, despite there being no risk of the data loss. It said this had previously proved embarrassing when masked raiders broke into an office at Ashtown Gate in Dublin to steal Revenue laptops in 2011. Advertisement The analysis also said that laptops required regular updates to combat viruses and malware as well as software to manage USB ports to prevent data being copied to external media. IT officials said the thin client computers allowed staff to use a large monitor, or two monitors at once, for viewing documents instead of being limited by the screen size of a laptop. The options paper did say however, that proper desk space was needed while a laptop was by its nature more mobile. It added: Staff engaged in outdoor work that require access to central records while out of the office need a laptop and Wi-Fi connectivity. Advertisement Additionally, staff that regularly need to work while off their broadband network while travelling are best facilitated with a laptop. The paper was prepared as the Revenue Commissioners dealt with the almost overnight switch from office-based staff to work-from-home or blended arrangements during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In August this year, the Revenue Commissioners wrote to work-from-home staff saying they were aware some were still doing work using a personal device. An email said that while this type of access was still allowed, only limited support could be provided by IT staff. The message said thin client desk-based computers were recommended for all employees who had successfully applied for blended working. It said: This equipment meets all health and safety requirements and is the most secure method of accessing Revenue desktops. Asked about the records, a spokesman said: [We] extended the thin client model to accommodate remote working as this is the most secure and the most cost-effective method identified in providing a desktop service in the new blended working era. Stormont ministers have been urged to go directly to the Prime Minister over the future of Belfast shipyard Harland and Wolff. The historic shipbuilder has announced that its holding company is to go into administration. Advertisement The firm said between 50-60 immediate redundancies are expected but that staff employed at its four shipyards are not affected. Harland and Wolff, which famously built the Titanic, has four shipyards one in Belfast, two in Scotland (Methil on the Firth of Forth and Arnish on the Isle of Lewis) and one in England (Appledore in north Devon). The Harland and Wolff cranes in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) Advertisement It is the second time the business has been placed in administration in five years. The administration process will be confined to the holding company, Harland & Wolff Group Holdings PLC, and the operational companies which run the yards are expected to continue trading. The matter was raised in the Assembly by way of an urgent question to UK Economy Minister Conor Murphy on Tuesday by East Belfast DUP MLA David Brooks. UK Infrastructure Minister John ODowd took the question in the absence of Mr Murphy who is currently in North America on a mission aimed at strengthening economic ties and promoting dual market access. Advertisement He read a statement from Mr Murphy describing the development as disappointing news and also noting news reports that a number of parties have expressed interest in the company with submission of first bids to close this week. Stormont Infrastructure Minister John ODowd (Niall Carson/PA) He said Mr Murphy has written to Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn and spoken to a number of government ministers and senior officials to highlight the importance of Harland and Wolff to the region and the importance of the British Governments continued support. Advertisement Mr Brooks described Harland and Wolff as not just a large employer within his constituency but an iconic industry for the whole of Northern Ireland. Mr ODowd said he could assure him that Mr Murphy and his department are focused on doing everything they can to secure the future of the yard. UUP MLA Steve Aiken asked for assurance that a contract for the Royal Navy will still come to Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) Advertisement UUP MLA Steve Aiken asked for assurance that a contract to build support ships for the Royal Navy will still come to Belfast, and urged that Mr Murphy, through First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, makes an approach to go directly to the Prime Minister around the contract. Because without that, shipbuilding is finished, he said. Mr ODowd responded: I dont think we should be as definitive in terms of the finishing of shipbuilding in Belfast as the result of a, b or c, but I certainly will make sure that his comments and call are passed on to Minister Murphy for him to engage as he feels fit with the First and deputy First Minister. Earlier, East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson said the mood music is good surrounding interest in the operations of the historic firm. DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the mood music over the future of the Belfast shipyard is positive (Liam McBurney/PA) Mr Robinson told the BBCs Good Morning Ulster programme: I heard some more encouraging noises yesterday to say that UK Government is keeping a close eye on this, that they are engaging with the company. But I think I would have been, and the unions would have liked to have been reassured by a greater interest over the last number of months. But the mood music is good about the interest in Harland and Wolff. The whole of the company is not in administration, though the London office is. The Belfast yard is pivotal to the future. He added: The Belfast yard and the achievement in securing, as we did, an MoD contract worth 1.6 billion (1.8 billion)to build fleet support ships is the asset, is the thing which is creating the interest in the sales process. Insolvency practitioners Teneo will act as administrators and shares will be delisted. The company is part of a consortium that landed a major contract to build new fleet solid support ships for the Royal Navy. It had applied for a 200 million loan guarantee from the Government as part of efforts to restructure its finances. However, the UK Government decided in August not to act as a guarantor on the lending while also ruling out direct funding to maintain the companys liquidity. In terms of finding a new owner for the Belfast operation, Mr Robinson said Spains state-owned shipbuilder Navantia was the most obvious candidate. He said: I met with Navantia at the time that Harland and Wolff and Navantia got into a consortium. I have had discussions as they advance to achieve the order and clearly they have a unique financial interest in Belfast particularly given the contract that is there and the knowledge to proceed with that contract. Meanwhile, Harland and Wolff interim executive chairman Russell Downs has said there is a strong case for keeping the companys four shipyards under a single owner. He told the BBCs Today programme that keeping the yards together was sensible from an operating perspective. He added: Some yards may be owned by one owner with other yards owned by another, so well just have to see where the process gets to. A judge has rejected an application by former Trump staffer Mark Meadows to have so-called fake elector charges moved out of state to a federal court. Meadows was the chief of staff to former US president Donald Trump and is one of many accused of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election result in favour of Mr Trump. Advertisement Meadows faces charges in both Arizona and Georgia and has now been denied in both states to have the case escalated to a federal court. Booking photo of Mark Meadows for charges pertaining to an alleged scheme to subvert the will of voters after Trump lost in 2020 (Fulton County Sheriffs Office/AP) Meadows claims his actions were whilst he was working in the capacity of the US presidents chief of staff and therefore as a federal official. but prosecutors say his electioneering efforts were not part of his official White House duties. US district judge John Tuchi on Monday mirrored this in his ruling against Meadows, stating he had not proven his actions fell within the remit of a federal official. or presidential staffer. Advertisement Justice Tuchi also said Meadows had already missed the deadline to have the case moved either way. In all, 18 Republicans were charged in late April in Arizonas fake electors case. Defendants include 11 Republicans who had submitted a document falsely claiming Mr Trump had won Arizona, another Trump aide and five lawyers connected to the former president. A supporter wearing a US presidential election t-shirt spruiking Donald Trump (Charlie Neibergall/AP) Advertisement Meadows and his fellow defendants are seeking a dismissal of the Arizona case, with some already successful. Others have been rather less successful, with Republican activist Loraine Pellegrino becoming the first person to be convicted in connection to the scandal in Arizona. Meadows and his fellow remaining defendants have pleaded not guilty to the forgery, fraud, and conspiracy charges with the Arizona indictment stating Meadows confessed to a White House staffer that Trump had lost the 2020 election. Prosecutors also allege Meadows had arranged meetings and calls with state officials to discuss the fake elector conspiracy. Advertisement Meadows lawyers, however, told the Associated Press that nothing he has been accused of could be considered tantamount to criminal activity. They said the indictment consists of allegations that he received messages from people trying to get ideas in front of Trump, or seeking to inform Mr Meadows about the strategy and status of various legal efforts by the presidents campaign. Trump was not charged in Arizona, but the indictment does refer to him as an unindicted coconspirator. Phil Kings Regal Partners has made a scrip-based bid for Platinum Asset Management, which would almost double its funds under management to $29 billion. Kings Regal Partners, which has offered 0.274 of its shares for every Platinum share, has been patiently stalking the latter for two years. It was in 2022, when King first flagged Regals interest in Platinum, declaring the funds management group was ripe for takeover because of its poor performance. Back then, he said: Its been a big dog for a long period of time. In 2022, Phil King, co-founder of Regal Partners, was critical of Platinums performance: Its been a big dog for a long period of time, he said. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos Since then, Regal Partners, which was co-founded by King, has led consolidation in the funds management and alternative investment sectors, doing a handful of deals that have included acquiring Paul Moores PM Capital, private credit group Merricks Capital, and stakes in Taurus Funds Management and agricultural private investment manager, Argyle Group. Presiding over that consolidation has also been Regals chair, Mike Cole, who spent almost 13 years as Platinums chairman, before joining Regal in 2020. Cole knows Platinums co-founder Kerr Neilson well, as the two also worked together at Bankers Trust before Platinum. New Delhi, Sep 17 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the US from September 21-23, during which he will take part in the Fourth Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, being hosted by US President Joe Biden on Sep 21. Following the request of the US side to host the Quad Summit this year, India has agreed to host the next Quad Summit in 2025, a statement said. At the Quad Summit, the leaders will review the progress achieved by the Quad over the last one year and set the agenda for the year ahead to assist the countries of the Indo-Pacific region in meeting their development goals and aspirations. Interestingly, the adjacent first hole in the program, just 200m to the east of the second, also produced a composite sniff of 5m at 0.28g/t gold from 69m from the same transition zone, but deeper. Management formed the view that both hits could represent gold anomalism at or near end-of-hole (EOH) drill refusal, possibly related to a combination of downward leaching and accumulation of gold in the transition zone between weathered and fresh rock. The 10m teaser was subsequently re-split to its component intervals and re-assayed, delivering an infinitely more interesting 2m at 1.85g/t gold. A second round of drilling in May this year then saw the company drill a further 18 AC holes at 100m spacing for a total of 1470m to test the south-eastern portions of the Bunjarra licence area. It focused on possible northerly strike extensions of a structural corridor evident in aeromagnetic data in third-party ground to the south, which hosts fresh-rock gold mineralisation. Composite sample results from the May drilling returned gold anomalism including a near-EOH result of 5m at 0.87g/t from 77m, about 850m north of the headline intercept and in an identical structural situation on the same interpreted arcuate magnetic trend. That composite was also split and re-assayed, yielding 1m at 4.49g/t gold. The stronger May results bolstered Solstices view that EOH gold anomalism in multiple locations at Bunjarra could indicate the potential for a regional structural gold target hidden below shallow transported soil cover. The geology at the site is covered by a blanket of shallow transported alluvial material that has limited the effectiveness of previous exploration. Both the original hole and the hole featuring the headline hit bore through the same mineralisation within mere metres of each other. The original vertical hole runs to EOH at 40m depth, terminating about 10m above the later headline hit, which runs from 41m to 51m downhole, ending at 56m. At this stage, the companys inferred bedrock potential is screaming out to be tested and early future work is also likely to explore not only below the headline hits, but also the structural relationship with the May hit of 1m at 4.49g/t gold. Solstice says its latest results have elevated Bunjarras profile as a priority and it expects the prospect will join its other more advanced targets in the region in line for reverse-circulation (RC) drilling towards the end of this year. Bunjarra sits on the eastern side of the interpreted eastern margin of the highly-prospective Keith-Kilkenny Tectonic Zone (KKTZ) a deep crustal structural lineament that boasts many mineral prospects and projects, including the areas Cosmo mineral occurrences such as Porphyry, 55km to the south, and Northern Stars Carosue Dam, some 115km to the south. The three successive phases of work represent a good example of economical exploration through composite sampling and analysis, with successful outcomes from disciplined re-assaying of individual intervals of interest. Peel Mining Wagga Tank project 130km south of Cobar, NSW Hit: 2m at 6.45 per cent copper, 3000g/t silver and 0.78g/t gold from 112m. Peel recently completed 15 vertical RC drillholes for 2240m, targeting potential supergene/oxide gold and copper mineralisation at its 87-square-kilometre, 100 per cent-owned Wagga Tank project near Cobar in NSW. Copper-gold mineralisation at the site is related to primary stockwork/feeder mineralisation that occurs throughout the Wagga Tank-Southern Nights mineral system, which is believed to represent a major polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS)-style play. It is endowed with a combined indicated and inferred mineral resource of 6.83 million tonnes at 3.92 per cent zinc, 1.52 per cent lead, 0.24 per cent copper, 62g/t silver and 0.3g/t gold, making it an important part of Peels South Cobar project. In 2016, the companys drilling at Wagga Tank confirmed historic results and provided data that led to its 2017 discovery of the Southern Nights deposit, just 1km to the south. In the past June quarter, a review of Wagga Tanks historic drilling drew attention to supergene and oxide copper and gold mineralisation sitting immediately up-dip of the existing resource. The review concluded that zone was only thinly-tested and could represent a classic supergene zone related to weathering and alteration of typical VMS-style mineralisation at depth and that it warranted further drilling. It then undertook about 2100m of RC drilling in late July and to date, assay results have come back only for the headline drillhole, which features significant supergene and sulphide mineralised intercepts. Results are pending for the balance of the program, including final silver analyses for the headline hole due to its unexpectedly high-grade 3000g/t silver response that exceeds the upper detection limit for the analytical method employed and requires re-assaying. The upside there is that the big silver hit could point to more high-grade responses as the drilling progresses, especially as the headline geochemistry denotes a zone of shallow, supergene-style polymetallic base metal mineralisation. More significantly, that shallow zone is followed by a deeper interval of intermixed massive sulphides, sulphide veining and quartz that returned 66m at 6.01 per cent lead, 3.73 per cent zinc, 0.98 per cent copper, 74g/t silver and 0.48g/t gold from 114m to end of hole at 180m. That broad zone of mineralisation also contains a high-grade interval including 6m at 20.14 per cent lead, 16.23 per cent zinc, 0.33 per cent copper, 194g/t silver and 0.45g/t gold from 164m. The new mineralisation is open along strike to the north-east where there has been only minimal historic drilling, implying possible resource extension potential in that direction. Significantly, considering the extension objectives of the program, the sulphide mineralisation in the headline hole sits about 20m west of and outside the current Wagga Tank-Southern Nights resource model and appears to be unconstrained along strike to the north. That theory is inferred from and supported by existing geophysics that highlight continuity of induced-polarisation (IP) anomalism, supporting possible mineralisation extension to the north. The Wagga Tank and Southern Nights mineralised zones are connected by a thinly-tested link zone and together, the entire north-east/south-west extent of historic and Peel drillhole collars stretches over a distance of about 2.4km. The intercepts feature some of the highest-grade mineralisation returned to date from Wagga Tank and lie outside its existing mineral resource. Peel was initially attracted to the Cobar region in 2010 by its endowment of world-class, high-grade, long-life base and precious metals-rich deposits such as those representing the CSA, Peak and Elura/Endeavor mines. Since the companys entry into the Cobar district, it has assembled more than 3000sq km of tenure and defined significant mineral systems at its Mallee Bull, Wirlong, Wagga Tank-Southern Nights and May Day prospects. In that period, it has completed more than 334km of drilling across its Cobar holdings, including about 289km of diamond and RC drilling. The bulk of the drilling, totalling about 249km of diamond and RC drilling, was committed to the general area of the South Cobar project mineral resource estimates. Including the Wagga Tank-Southern Nights projects, Peels total combined mineral resource estimate for its South Cobar group of projects totals 19.75 million tonnes at 1.09 per cent copper, 0.76 per cent lead, 1.63 per cent zinc, 35g/t silver and 0.32g/t gold in both inferred and indicated categories. Peel Mining holds more than 3400 square kilometres of NSW exploration tenure within the Cobar Basin one of Australias richest polymetallic regions. Sun Silver Maverick Springs project Nevada, USA Hit: 13.72m at 137.9g/t silver and 0.34g/t gold from 231.65m (166.65g/t silver equivalent) Sun Silver recently reported an exceptional intercept of 88.39m at 61.7g/t silver and 0.21g/t gold (79.6g/t silver equivalent) from 211.84m from a vertical extensional drillhole that intersected long, mineralised runs in the north-west part of its Nevada property. The run included the headline hit that also included 1.52m at 508g/t silver and 0.16g/t gold (521.52g/t silver equivalent) from 289.56m. The drillhole is part of Sun Silvers inaugural 7500m Maverick Springs drill program to evaluate a thick, high-grade zone in the north-west of the property beyond the existing mineral resource boundary. The hole terminated in almost twice the thickness of mineralisation as exists in its nearest neighbour about 120m away and remains open at depth. The intercept confirms the companys model that suggests thick, high-grade mineralisation could extend to the north-west beyond the limits of its recently-upgraded 423 million ounces at 67.25g/t silver equivalent mineral resource. Assay results are yet to be returned for two more holes that also intersected high-grade mineralisation as initially determined by pXRF readings. Sun Silver says that in addition to the silver and the accompanying gold credits, anomalous antimony readings up to 238.78 parts per million also continue to be returned as part of its lab assays. Management says its latest results have proven its theory that wide, high-grade mineralisation extends to the north-west of the current resource area and provides strong momentum for the remainder of its extensional drilling program, with the results feeding into future mineral resource updates for Maverick Springs. Cauldron Energy Yanrey project 100km south of Onslow, WA Hit: 5.9m at 374ppm uranium equivalent from 73.76m. Cauldons headline hit included 1.2m at 789ppm uranium equivalent from 75.48m. A second hole also hooked 4.12m at 622ppm uranium equivalent from 61.48m including 2.24m at 908ppm from 62.02m. The company says its first four AC drillholes have all intersected high-grade uranium mineralisation at its Manyingee South project that comprises a thick mineralised zone along a continuous 1.5km strike length, which currently remains open in all directions. Further drilling to test extensions of the identified mineralisation is in progress. Cauldrons 100 per cent-owned Yanrey uranium project covers an area of about 1270sq km, some 100km south of the WA town of Onslow. It encloses more than 80km of Cretaceous-age sedimentary coastal units of the North Carnarvon Basin that are believed to be regionally-prospective for sedimentary-hosted uranium deposits in shallow unconsolidated sands (less than 100m). Yanrey lies within a highly-prospective, mineral-rich region that contains multiple known economic uranium deposits, including Paladin Energys neighbouring Manyingee deposit featuring an estimated 25.9 million pounds of uranium-oxide from 13.8 million tonnes at 850ppm uranium equivalent. The project hosts multiple prospective paleochannel systems that have their source in uranium-bearing granitoid uplands to the east. Cauldrons Manyingee South (Target 15), about 4.5km south of Paladins Manyingee deposit, is considered a high-priority target. Additionally, the companys ground also hosts its more advanced Bennet Well uranium deposit that contains 30.9 million pounds of uranium-oxide from 38.9 million tonnes at 360ppm uranium equivalent. It puts Bennet Well into the class of a globally-significant project and metallurgical testwork has confirmed that its mineralisation is amenable to in situ leaching (ISL). And much of Cauldrons Yanrey ground remains untested, with 22 high-priority targets identified for drilling. Interestingly, logging of Cauldrons drillholes points to strong analogues of its sedimentary units to those at Paladins adjacent Manyingee deposit. Of further significance to the overall extension potential in the region is that uranium mineralisation in Cauldrons ground is interpreted as lying in a separate palaeochannel running parallel to the one that hosts Paladins resource. With the biggest tenement holding in the region, Cauldron is well placed to explore for and identify further uranium deposits as it continues to assess prospective palaeochannel systems. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au The first real-world test of the securities came last year, when Credit Suisse suffered a liquidity crisis as depositors and bond holders scrambled for the exits. The Swiss authorities, panicked at the prospect that one of their two global banks might fail, hastily arranged a forced merger with Credit Suisses great domestic rival UBS. Loading They offered hundreds of billions of dollars in liquidity support, cover for writedowns, litigation and restructuring costs, indemnity for losses and the write-off, rather than conversion, of all $US17.3 billion worth of Credit Suisses CoCo bonds. Perversely, given that bondholders are supposed to rank ahead of shareholders, they also offered Credit Suisse shareholders $US3.25 billion of equity in the merger-expanded UBS. There was momentary panic in the market for AT1 bonds, with regulators elsewhere rushing to reassure investors until it was recognised that the Credit Suisse predicament appeared unique. The prospectus for the issuance of the banks hybrids gave the bank the discretion to zero their value if it were deemed essential to prevent its insolvency. Trading and issuance of CoCos quickly got back to normal. The Credit Suisse experience, however, prompted APRA regarded as one of the more conservative prudential regulators in the world to reappraise its attitude towards hybrids. The proposed phasing out of the bonds, it said last week, drew on the lessons of last years banking turmoil, where US and European banks either failed or needed to be resolved quickly, with governments intervening to minimise the risks of contagion and systemic instability. In the US, a number of regional banks failed or had to be merged. APRA released a discussion paper on the bonds last year and said it had looked at three options. It could have maintained the status quo; redesigned the securities; or replaced them with more reliable forms of capital. It has chosen the latter. At the moment, forced conversions of Australian hybrids would occur if the banks ordinary regulatory capital ratio falls below 5.125 per cent of risk-weighted assets. What is a hybrid? Hybrid securities, as the name suggests, have characteristics of both debt (bonds) and equity (shares). Also known as contingent convertible bonds (CoCos), hybrids are listed on the ASX and pay franked income to investors - which can make them attractive from a tax perspective. If the bank faces severe stress, it can decide not to pay income to hybrid investors, or to convert hybrids to shares. With international experience demonstrating that banks with higher trigger points have still failed, that wasnt a sensible option, and the regulator is clearly uncomfortable with the status quo. So, APRA plans to phase out the hybrids by 2032, which is the last date at which any of the banks can force redemption, and replace them within its capital adequacy requirements with a mix of more common equity and subordinated debt, with a lot more subordinated debt (an additional 1.25 per cent of risk-weighted assets) than equity (0.25 per cent). The changes will come at a significant cost for the four major banks. APRAs base case is that it will add $70 million a year to their funding costs, but that it could add as much as $260 million. Smaller banks could modestly lower their funding costs. By replacing quasi-equity that can only be called by the issuing bank with proportionately more debt than equity, the debt levels of the major banks would also increase, which doesnt necessarily fit with the ambition that led to the creation of the hybrids increasing banks capacity to absorb losses by forcibly converting debt that can only be redeemed by the issuer to equity. Loading Substituting the bonds with pure equity, as some in the sector have argued, might have been a cleaner (albeit more expensive in terms of banks cost of capital and shareholder returns) option. It would be simpler and less likely to produce the unintended consequences feared at the outset, and which Credit Suisses implosion demonstrated. APRA describes its plan as proposed changes to its prudential framework for banks, which implies that the phasing out of the hybrids isnt a done deal yet. It has invited submissions from the industry and other interested parties, with a deadline of November 8 and final consultations on the specific changes it plans next year. If securities designed to help resolve a banking crisis, or at least provide breathing space for regulators to sort things out, might fail to perform as designed and could contribute to the momentum of a crisis, then they are more of threat than a safeguard. In Australia, with its unusually high proportion by global standards of retail investors self-managed super fund investors and retirees exposed to the hybrids and representing a political force that might complicate efforts to resolve or ameliorate a bank crisis by bailing the hybrids in, there is another stream of complexity and risk. Loading Neither APRA nor its political masters would want to be blamed for imposing billions of dollars of losses on retirees, which might inhibit the ability of the securities to perform as designed in a future crisis. It is understandable that APRA would take a close look at hybrids after the events offshore last year, and its conclusion that they should be phased out is defensible. Wyatt, who previously ran ANZ Banks energy trading desk, said carbon credits fill a small bridging role in climate policy and called for greater government regulation to reduce emissions across the broader economy. He said the fossil fuel industry should not be blamed for emissions. Its not a problem they [the fossil fuel industry] created, he said. Its a problem thats been created by us choosing to live the lifestyle that we do, which has resulted in the consumption of a large amount of fossil fuels. Weve all benefited from that lifestyle, but its created a problem. But to point to the energy producers and say, youve created this problem, is a very narrow framing. Wyatt was not comfortable answering questions about what benefits Shells shareholding delivered for the petrol giant, but conceded the company may achieve cheaper outcomes and secure volumes of carbon credits. A Shell spokesperson said offsets are used only where emissions cannot be avoided and that part-owning Corporate Carbon allowed it to maximise quality and integrity of projects that deliver wider benefits to the environment and local communities. Shell has invested in nature-based solutions and projects around the world, the spokesperson said. Shell fully acquired another carbon company, Select Carbon, in 2020. Land titles obtained by this masthead show ASX-listed oil and gas giant Woodsides subsidiary, Woodside Energy Carbon Services, owns 72 property titles in NSW and 41 titles in Western Australia to run offset projects. Loading It has nine carbon projects registered with the CER, using the reforestation method which involves planting native trees. These projects have been issued more than 840,000 carbon credits since 2013. Dozens of other polluters have registered carbon projects, including Santos, Inpex and Tokyo Gas Australia. A spokesperson for Woodside said its carbon business was established in 2018 to better manage the cost and integrity of our carbon credits and it was open to considering an investment in a carbon developer but is pleased with our carbon business capability today. Woodsides priority is avoiding and reducing emissions, the spokesperson said. However, Woodsides decarbonisation strategy has been routinely rejected by investors as undermining international climate agreements. A historic 58 per cent of shareholders voted against the plan in April over concerns the company was expanding gas projects, relying too heavily on offsets and failing to cut key emissions. International conglomerates are also players in the local carbon market. Mitsubishi bought a 40 per cent stake in Australian Integrated Carbon in 2021, and Mitsui invested in Climate Friendly in 2022. A former staff member at Climate Friendly, who declined to be named because they feared retribution, quit last year after becoming uncomfortable with the influence of Mitsui and private equity firm Adamantem. The shift went from mum-and-dad farmers, helping those people into the scheme, to maximising profits for shareholders [asking] How do we grow the business to make sure Adamantem are happy? The staff member questioned the companys leadership about the new investors and was told Mitsui helped Climate Friendly by establishing connections with fossil fuel industry customers, both in Australia and abroad. What does Climate Friendly get out of it? Its the relationships, they said. Within the industry, you need to know who is buying and selling. To sell that volume of ACCUs [carbon credits] you need the relationship. It was millions of dollars of trades. The employee said these relationships paid off and there was an unprecedented rise in Climate Friendlys trading volumes after the Mitsui investment. The trades were massive, like nothing we had seen before ... Thats fine for a one-off, then it started happening more frequently. And I was like: Is this going to be the trajectory of the business? Climate Friendly co-executive officers Skye Glenday and Josh Harris released a joint statement saying the companys purpose had not changed from profit-for-purpose and tackling climate change through supporting carbon farming. They said Adamantems investment had allowed staff to increase from 30 to 100 people and scale up our positive climate change impacts and said Mitsui had a strong decarbonisation plan that had no influence on the company strategy. Our driving purpose is to decarbonise Australias land sector, which is responsible for about 20 per cent of the nations greenhouse gas emissions, they said in a joint statement. Our staff are clear on Climate Friendlys purpose and mission, and are united by the urgent need to scale up carbon farming in line with the International Panel on Climate Changes call for the world to rapidly expand carbon sequestration. This masthead can also reveal the Australian Academy of Sciences (AAS) raised concerns with the CER in 2022 that the $4.5 billion taxpayer-backed Emissions Reduction Fund had become too focused on supporting the growing carbon industry rather than abating emissions. Over the decade of the [Emissions Reduction Funds] operation, the scheme has become less of a climate policy instrument and more of an industry policy mechanism, according to an internal CER email obtained by this masthead under freedom of information, summarising key take-outs from the Academys review. There is a need to reinforce that the ACCU [Australian Carbon Credit Unit] scheme is fundamentally for the removal, and avoidance, of greenhouse gas emissions. The scientists identified several concerns or limitations with two of the most common methods, avoided deforestation and human-induced regeneration (HIR), which rely on counterfactuals and unreliable data that makes the scheme vulnerable to integrity accusations and accusations of doing little to prevent carbon leakage. What is human induced regeneration (HIR)? HIR projects were designed to allow trees and shrubs to regrow in areas that were previously cleared. This did not require tree planting, but could include building fences to keep out pests or removing cattle to help vegetation grow. ANU research has asserted many of these projects are fraudulent and fail to reduce emissions, which was rejected by the Chubb review. HIR projects are among the cheapest carbon credits on the market and make up roughly half of all registered projects. The main method for these carbon projects expired last year, and work is under way to introduce a new method called Integrated Farm and Land Management, which ANU academic Don Butler says is being strongly supported by industry, but opposed by scientists. Killin said these projects dominate the market because they were cheap to run, reducing costs for polluters while boosting profits for the carbon gatekeepers that own most projects and make money from trading credits. Weve got a cartel running the industry in Australia, said Killin. Weve had fossil fuel companies running climate policy in this country for decades. Carbon is no different. Loading In an unpublished submission to the Chubb review, Killin said barriers to entry and poor policy had made it excruciatingly painful to run small-scale projects that use robust methods, such as tree planting and savannah burning. He called for carbon companies to split up and for fossil fuel investment in supply to be banned. I am a well-informed industry insider who knows how the market really runs, rather than the sweetness and light that are regularly portrayed to the public, the submission states. We need real carbon abatement policy and actual carbon market development that encourages direct participation and minimises intermediary benefits. Killin called for a complete overhaul to address the market failure that has seen vested interests suppress the price of carbon and resulted in low transparency for participants and poor-quality projects. All of this has conspired to create a cosy Carbon Club in Australia. Voices of dissent and other internal criticism that do not fit the industrys vacuous view of itself are ignored repeatedly, he said. Killin was critical of government interventions to reduce the cost of carbon credits, pointing to the governments cost containment policy that caps credits at $70 for companies captured by the safeguard mechanism, when robust tree planting projects can cost up to $100 per credit. Its not a real market. If there is high demand, the price should go up. But every time the price goes up, the government intervenes to bring the price down, he said. The polluters should be made to pay. University of Sydney chair of political economy Dr Gareth Bryant said governments globally had intervened in carbon offset markets because high prices were political poison. Bryant said the elegant economic reasoning of market-based emissions reduction always came second to industry interests, and politicians were quick to carve out special consideration policies to avoid hurting fossil fuel profits. Thats the contradiction of carbon offsetting. Attempts to create a profitable industry around carbon offsetting are always coming up against interests which see carbon offsets as a get-out-of-jail-free card for the fossil fuel industry. In that battle, usually its the fossil fuel industry that has won, globally. Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen declined an interview request and did not answer detailed questions on record, but a spokesperson highlighted the governments increased and legislated emissions reduction target, and said the safeguard mechanism and renewable energy plan meant Australia was now on track for at least 42 per cent emissions reduction by 2030. Advertisement Eating outFood The Star has a new contender for Brisbanes best Japanese restaurant From Korea to Dublin, Sydney, Melbourne and now Brisbane, two-hatted chef Alex Yu continues to push himself out of his comfort zone. Matt Shea September 17, 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 Yes. Thats the only English word Korean-born Alex Yu knew when he arrived at a Camphill Communities social care farm outside of Dublin in 2007. I was young and thought Id just be happy doing anything, Yu says. The first day, they asked, Hey, Alex, what would you like to do here? I couldnt understand the question. They asked me again, super slow. And all I said was, Yes. Alex Yu in the kitchen at the newly opened Sokyo Brisbane. Markus Ravik After that they didnt really speak to me. They just put me in the farm, and I was milking in the morning 5am, 6am which was fine by me. Advertisement The 40-year-old Yu laughs when remembering this story but that word, yes, has come to define his career then as a social worker, now as a chef and his willingness to place himself outside his comfort zone. Fast-paced, affordable Italian arrives on the James Street of the CBD Yu started cooking in Ireland when a Japanese coworker baked him a chocolate cake for his birthday from scratch, something he found shocking at the time. Fascinated, he started to teach himself how to cook. I realised I should change my career and move to Australia, he says. [Here], I started at very local Japanese shops, working a lot, because I had a lot to catch up on. I was happy working 100 hours a week. Sokyo Brisbane has a much lighter interior design treatment than its celebrated Sydney counterpart. Markus Ravik Advertisement Yu rose through the ranks, eventually landing at Sokyo in Sydney in 2014, working under chefs such as Chase Kojima, Brian Logan and Sano Takashi. He would go on to become sous chef of that restaurant. After eight years he felt too comfortable so he moved cities again to take up a head chef role at Melbournes Yugen, which had a broader menu with Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese influences. Yu helped that restaurant earn two chef hats. I thought, change city, change the company, change the cuisine, Yu says. I was very lucky. There was an excellent team. A lengthy sushi bar is one of the key design elements of the restaurant. Markus Ravik Now, Yus moved again, landing in Brisbane as executive chef at Sokyo Brisbane, one of the first restaurants to open at the blockbuster Queens Wharf complex. I was missing doing fully Japanese food in Melbourne, so when The Star contacted me and said, were opening a Sokyo in Brisbane, I said, absolutely. Because I know the Sokyo brand, I really love it. So that made me come. Advertisement Sokyos menu is split into starters, tempura and proteins cooked on the robata grill, and traditional sushi items such as nigiri and sashimi. Markus Ravik But Brisbane is a new experience, like Melbourne, which surprised me at the time. What people want and need in each city is different, and its the same here I need to study the local diners, the local suppliers. Everything. Sokyo Brisbane certainly looks different to the dark and moody Sokyo Sydney. Design firm Hassell has given the 160-seat restaurant a lighter and brighter treatment that makes the most of its floor-to-ceiling windows that look across the expressway to the river to South Bank beyond. Its all light timber screens and detailing, the two signature elements a swank circular private dining room and a lengthy sushi bar backed by black tiling. A sashimi platter at Sokyo Brisbane. Markus Ravik Its a fitting canvas for Yus by now celebrated artistry with sushi and sashimi. Advertisement Sokyos menu is split into starters, tempura and items cooked on the robata grill on the one hand, and traditional sushi items on the other, including nigiri, sashimi, and signature nigiri and sushi rolls. Starters include a kingfish miso ceviche with green chilli, crispy potato and lime, a Hokkaido scallop served with wagyu bresaola, salsa, coriander, bonito and sesame dressing, and A5 wagyu with egg yolk, garlic chips and gold leaf. The go-to play, though, is a chefs selection 24-piece sashimi platter, artfully presented in a style befitting Yus moniker as the sashimi florist. Aburi nigiri at Sokyo Brisbane. Markus Ravik For tempura, you can order snapper with a coriander salad and tarragon ponzu, squid with ichimi salt, black pepper and chilli vinegar, and Moreton Bay bugs with a grapefruit salad and pickled ginger mayo. Cooked on the robata theres Marra lamb loin with umeboshi (salted Japanese plums) and mint, a nine-score Stockyard Kiwami flank steak with a shio koji marinade, wasabi and lime, and king prawns served with a yuzu butter and lemon. Advertisement Theres also an Essential section that includes miso-glazed toothfish served with Japanese salsa and pickled cucumber, and a nine-score Kiwami scotch fillet grilled over bincho and served with a Japanese shiso chimichurri. Wollemi duck breast with brussels sprout. Markus Ravik The signature nigiri and sushi roll selections include ocean trout nigiri with an umami sansho paste and lime, salmon belly aburi nigiri with spicy daikon, sesame and chives, a scallop aburi nigiri with spicy mayo and chilli dressing, a Queensland spanner crab roll with spicy aioli rolled in soy paper, and a tuna roll with tenkatsu and spicy truffle mayo. Theres also a Sokyo signature tasting menu, a banquet set menu and a vegetarian set menu. For drinks, theres a signature cocktail list, and a sake menu that includes sparkling sake. The wine list runs to about 110 bottles and favours local producers, but includes a lengthy selection of champagne. Advertisement Sokyo Brisbane is located on the ground floor of The Star Brisbane. Markus Ravik No one knows me in Brisbane Yu says. So there is pressure, but all I can do is my best. I try to build a really good relationship with suppliers and the community, and just be more honest never lie to the guest, never lie to the supplier, and never compromise on quality. Open Wed-Sun 5pm-10pm The Star Brisbane, William Street, Brisbane, 1800 888 899 sokyodining.com.au Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Lauren Eldridge has swapped the tranquillity of Berowra Waters for the buzz of Sydneys inner west to join Australia Streets incoming vegetarian restaurant Flora, seafood venue Mister Grotto and an Italian 50-seater Osteria Mucca. Pastry chef Lauren Eldridge was taught to roll a croissant by prominent French chef Guy Savoy, and worked at the three-Michelin-star Le Cinq in Paris and Italian restaurateur Massimo Botturas Osteria Francescana in Italy. Her next stop? The back streets of Newtown. Eldridges last position was at iconic waterfront fine-diner Berowra Waters Inn. From this week shell ply her trade at Paisano & Daughters, the group behind Continental Deli, which is opening three restaurants in January on Newtowns Australia Street. Ill be taking a lot of my inspiration from what the [individual] chefs do: Lauren Eldridge. Chris Pearce The buzz of the inner west appealed to the chef after the tranquillity of Berowra Waters, as did the inner wests really strong sense of their own community. Eldridge will be head of pastry across the deli, incoming vegetarian restaurant Flora, oyster-shucking seafood venue Mister Grotto and an Italian 50-seater Osteria Mucca. The queen of honeycomb and cultured cream promises Continental Delis punny tinned desserts (like Flan in a Can) are safe. Theres also Can-Accota, she says. The idea that your nails need to breathe is a myth, says Dr Chris Adigun, a dermatologist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, who specialises in nail disorders. Your nails dont have lungs, she says. However, there are some signs that your nail polish, or the way you remove it, may be causing changes to your nails that should prompt a break, experts says. And its important to inspect your nails between polishes so you can spot any potentially worrisome shifts that might be occurring underneath the colour, Adigun says. Heres what to watch for. When Helen Chik matched with a New Yorker on Bumble before her US vacation, she wasnt expecting much. But by the end of her 10-day trip, she had spent nearly every day with him, going to local haunts and learning everything there was to know about the Big Apple. I always say, nothing ventured, nothing gained, says the 34-year-old content creator and author of Sex, Swipes & Other Stories. [Dating abroad] is new, its something different to what youre otherwise used to. And coupled with being in a foreign city, it just makes everything more exciting. This was not a one-off for Sydney-based Chik, who has been on dates around the world, including in Paris and Shanghai. Im still friendly with most of my dates who Ive met from travels, she says. I actually met my first husband in Shanghai, and we did long-distance for six months. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Helen Chik has been on dates around the world. Credit: Janie Barrett She isnt the only one dating across borders. According to Bumble research, one in three users is open to relationships with people who are not living in their current city. In fact, nearly 10 per cent said they actually find it easier to date when in another country. And a recent Tinder survey found 74 per cent of Australian users between 18 and 25 would be interested in befriending a local before going overseas. And now to Victoria, where ExxonMobils proposal to use one of its empty offshore gas wells as a carbon-capture and storage facility has cleared a major hurdle. In a statement, Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny said Esso (a wholly owned subsidiary of ExxonMobil) would not be required to submit an environmental effects statement for the onshore component of the project. ExxonMobils Marlin B platform in Bass Strait, which was traditionally the mainstay of Victorias gas supply but whose fields are now depleting rapidly. Credit: ExxonMobil According to its referral to the minister, Esso plans to compress, dehydrate, transport and store carbon dioxide (CO) into the Bream oil and gas reservoir, which ceased production in 2020. Esso says that, over time, its network of depleted oil and gas reservoirs off the coast of Gippsland could become a scalable carbon capture and storage (CCS) hub in the region. Loading Kilkenny acknowledged the project had the potential for adverse effects but said without giving reasons that these were unlikely to be complex, and could be addressed through existing statutory mechanisms. Residual effects on other environmental values (such as noise, air quality and traffic) and Aboriginal cultural heritage are also unlikely to be significant and can be readily addressed via respective existing statutory requirements, she said. Environment Victoria, which lodged a submission with the federal government opposing the project which also extends into Commonwealth waters off the coast of Gippsland expressed dismay at Kilkennys decision. Senior climate and energy adviser Kat Lucas-Healey said carbon capture and storage was unproven technology that prolonged the burning of fossil fuels. The project presents unmanaged risks to locals and will lock in decades of seismic blasting if it goes ahead, she said. If the project goes ahead, it will likely require seismic surveys over decades to monitor the storage for carbon dioxide leaks Seismic surveys are one of the biggest threats to endangered marine species including the pygmy blue and southern right whales, which migrate and forage off Gippsland. The federal government will now consider the proposal. But for almost a decade, police claim he has allegedly been the enabler-in-chief of the criminal gangs looking to profit off Australias insatiable hunger, and deep pockets, for drugs. Among his nearly 400 current domestic customers, police claim, are Australias home-grown bikie gangs, but also Middle Eastern organised crime groups, Italian crime families and Korean gangs. They have used Ghost to orchestrate the money laundering, violent crimes, including extortion and threats to kill, that follow the illicit drug trade. The Administrators only indulgence is his black high-end Mercedes, like the one pictured here. But six months ago, the AFP found a way in to the impervious network allegedly through Jungs own computers. Police allege that each time he sent out an update, a back-up of the messages was copied to the AFP, leaving more than 125,000 exchanges from the last six months now in the hands of law enforcement. About 50 lives have been saved, police say, after plots to use extreme violence against rival gangsters, their associates and families were uncovered in the Ghost messages. By the end of Tuesday, 38 people had been arrested: 23 in NSW, 13 in Victoria, and one each in SA and WA. More than 200kg of drugs, $1.2m in cash and 25 weapons were seized. Inside Ghost The Administrator was just 23, the AFP claims, when he launched the Ghost network and began building what are known as dedicated encrypted communications devices (DECDs). DECDs are smartphones built with customised hardware and software to keep law enforcement from intercepting or breaching messages. One of the arrests from the AFP raids that swept through Sydney on Tuesday. Credit: AFP They are a cut above the consumer-grade encrypted technology available through the likes of WhatsApp or Signal, and their price reflects that. Over the last nine years, the young man has allegedly sold the DECDs for about $2350 through eight hand-picked lieutenants known as resellers. The resellers, police allege, are either experienced criminals or have insights into gangs and are tasked with vetting new users before they can be sold a Ghost phone. The difficulty of obtaining a Ghost phone, through a shadowy reseller, the steep price, and the high-end encryption meant criminals are the only users of the devices. There are more than 600 active Ghost phones around the world, about 400 of those in Australia. The remainder are spread across Italy, Sweden, Ireland and Canada, reflecting the global connections required to run major drug supply chains into Australia. Ghost bragged about security, describing itself as an encrypted communication service of the future. Crucially, it was running on decentralised networks with post-quantum encryption in simple terms, law enforcement could not hack into Ghost. Added layers of security, auto-deleting messages, voice disguises, pseudonym usernames and remote-wiping meant even seized phones could be of little use. The young man is alleged to have stored profits from the phones in cryptocurrency. The AFP expects to seize millions of dollars in the coming days from online wallets. He was allegedly motivated by money, police say, and the intellectual pursuit. Other than a financial motive, the AFP is not aware of why he allegedly created or administered the platform, a statement reads. Ghost phones came with a six-month subscription which entitled users to a type of tech support, and police claim the Administrator personally interacted with his criminal customers. So as the Administrator allegedly walked gangsters through their tech problems, police say he became acutely aware of the havoc his creation was causing on the streets of Sydney, Melbourne and beyond. Ghost goes mainstream Today the Administrator is 32 and, despite his unassuming lifestyle, has allegedly become the IT guy for gangs including the Comancheros, Finks, Mongols and Hells Angels not to mention the infamous Italian mafias in Victoria and Middle Eastern gangs of Sydney. His rise can be partly attributed to the decline and fall of a host of competitors in the DECD black market. When Ghost was in its infancy, encrypted Blackberry phones were being modified by a company called Phantom Secure throughout Canada and Australia. There were about 20,000 users at its zenith, but the AFP and Canadian Royal Mounted Police dismantled Phantom Secure in 2018. Over the following years more major DECD players, including EncroChat, Sky ECC, and Ciphr, were either all destroyed or blocked to Australians following major busts. Without doubt, the AN0M platform has made the most international headlines. The AFP and FBI in 2018 secretly developed their own DECD, and used human sources in the underworld to effectively sign criminals on to a flawed system. Millions of messages were intercepted over three years until 2021, when global raids netted more than 800 suspects in 16 countries. Murders, drug deals and countless other crimes were prosecuted by authorities with the information criminals had unwittingly provided to law enforcement across the world. The fall of AN0M meant those who escaped the arrests were skittish about DECDs and returned to the old ways of doing business. For some that no doubt meant meeting in person, patting each other down, checking for police wiretaps. But for the global drug traders, who need long-distance communication, it meant returning to tried and true services including Ghost. Throughout the lifetime of Ghost, administrator records show, more than 1700 devices were sold. Hacking the unhackable Global law enforcement has long been aware of Ghost, which turned up on phones during arrests in Australia and abroad for years. The European Unions law enforcement arm, Europol, set up a taskforce to bring down the network, and in 2022 alerted the AFP that the Administrator appeared to be in Sydney. But to infiltrate Ghost the AFP, launching Operation Kraken, had to engineer a virus-like program and get it into the Administrators computers. The AFP are hesitant to share details of how they reached the Administrators systems, but once they did, the covert program sat dormant until he sent updates to Ghost phones. The AFP was able to modify those updates, which basically infected the devices, enabling the AFP to access the content on devices in Australia, a briefing statement reads. Since March 2024, messages were landing in law enforcement hands, but the users continued to share brazen plans and incriminating photographs. Among them, sources say, are photographs of designer dogs sitting on piles of cash, expensive watches, guns pressed against heads, and even selfies and intimate dick pics. Secret arrests The Administrator is not the first person arrested by Kraken investigators. AFP sources say they have intervened in about 50 threats to life, which meant arresting both potential attackers and victims from the criminal world. Others, too, have already been hauled before the courts on other charges, including drug trafficking. In May, a meth lab was knocked over in Mount Druitt, leading to the arrest of three men. One of the men, Brandon Lamb, appeared in Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday. Investigators allegedly found four plastic bags containing cocaine in a designer handbag in his Oran Park home. Lamb allegedly used Ghost to discuss a so-called dummy run where 3 kilograms of sea salt would be imported, the AFP said in a briefing statement. Lambs lawyer told the court there was no sign he was a member of organised crime, but conceded drug importations often come with the territory. He was granted bail on a charge of cocaine trafficking. On Tuesday more arrests followed across Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. In Melbourne, three men were expected to face courts for separate plots to import cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine in commercial quantities. Two years ago, still wearing a honeymoon glow, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese followed his address to the Business Council of Australias (BCA) annual dinner by offering a few lucky CEOs a ride on his private plane Toto One to Canberra for the governments jobs and skills summit. Times have changed now a politically battered Albo is stumbling toward an election, big business is a lot crankier with federal Labor, and the BCA is facing questions about whether its influence has become too anaemic. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black (left) and president Geoff Culbert on Tuesday night. Credit: Wolter Peeters Fresh from getting roasted by the Minerals Council of Australia last week, the PM copped it again from BCA chief Bran Black, whose speech about Australia losing its way because of workplace relations laws was dropped to the media ahead of time. It was a fairly lukewarm address, truth be told, but somehow hot enough to trigger the fire alarm, which sounded as Black wound up. Paris, Sep 17 (UNI) The National Assembly of France, the parliament's lower house, will consider a resolution on the impeachment of President Emmanuel Macron, put forward by the left-wing La France Insoumise group on Tuesday. The party came forward with this initiative after the French leader ruled out the participation of the left in the government being formed, despite the victory of their coalition in the parliamentary elections. The proposal was put forward in accordance with Article 68 of the French constitution, which provides for the possibility of removing the president from power in the event of his violation of his duties. The resolution was supported by 81 parliamentarians from the left-wing New Popular Front bloc, including 72 lawmakers from La France Insoumise, as well as the Greens and a number of other parliament members from the Left Democrats and Republicans group. The Bureau, the highest collegial body of the lower house of parliament, where 12 of the 22 members currently represent the left parties, must decide on the admissibility of the resolution. At the same time, the Socialist Party refused to support the initiative of the party founded by Jean-Luc Melenchon. Former President and current National Assembly member Francois Hollande and the leader of the Greens Marine Tondelier publicly spoke out against it. If this stage is passed, the text of the resolution must then be approved by the legislative commission of 73 lawmakers, where the left hold only 24 seats, after which two-thirds of the National Assembly (385 parliamentarians) must vote for it within two weeks. The last two stages must also be passed in the upper house of parliament, the Senate, where the left do not have a majority. However, if the text is approved by the Senate (232 votes), both chambers will meet in a joint session, and the resolution must be supported by 617 of the 925 parliamentarians of both chambers. In this case, the president's resignation is immediate. In 2016, the Bureau of the National Assembly declared a similar resolution on the impeachment of Francois Hollande unacceptable. In the snap parliamentary elections in July, the left-wing bloc won the majority of votes, receiving 182 seats out of 577. Macron's presidential coalition Together for the Republic came in second, receiving 168 seats in the National Assembly. The right-wing National Rally party with its allies from the Republican Party became the third force in parliament with 143 mandates. Thus, no political force received a majority to form a new government. The composition of the new French cabinet under Prime Minister Michel Barnier is expected to be announced this week. UNI SPUTNIK GNK Australian children are being subjected to sexual approaches online and should gain stronger protection under federal law, a leading researcher has declared in a new call to ban young people from social media. The warning counters claims that the federal government will face legal and technical challenges to its contentious move last week to protect children online, sparking a row over the new rules for Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and other platforms. Childlight says 300 million children were affected by online child sexual exploitation and abuse last year. Credit: Shutterstock Michael Salter, the Australasian head of global child safety institute Childlight, said the global research proved the need to act on the problem despite claims from tech companies that they were already working on the issue and that age assurance was too complicated to put into practice. The Childlight global index found 12.5 per cent of children had been sexually solicited online over the past year and 3.5 per cent were subject to sexual extortion. 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 A secret recording of a tense 70-minute meeting between Victorian Liberal leaders and now-ousted party room member Moira Deeming was aired in Federal Court, as her defamation case against Opposition Leader John Pesutto heated up on Tuesday. Moira Deeming (left) and her barrister Sue Chrysanthou arrive for day two of the high-profile defamation case on Tuesday. Credit: AAP Why was the secret recording played? The recording of the meeting on March 19, 2023 the day after the Let Women Speak rally that was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis was handed to Deemings lawyers a week ago. On Monday, Deemings lawyer Sue Chrysanthou, SC, told the court the recording would show Pesutto had given false statements. Deeming was expelled from the Liberal party room in May last year for her role in the rally. She remains a crossbench MP in the Victorian upper house and a broader member of the Liberal Party. John Pesutto and his wife Betty arrive at the Federal Court on Tuesday. Credit: Con Chronis/AAP Advertisement She is suing Pesutto, alleging the Liberal leader defamed her as a Nazi sympathiser, which Pesutto rejects. Youre not going to find a single shred of evidence obviously Im not a mind reader, maybe theres some secret Nazi somewhere. Moira Deeming That meeting ended with the leadership team telling Deeming they would seek to expel her. How the meeting unfolded is a key plank in Deemings case. Who was there? John Pesutto, opposition leader David Southwick, deputy Liberal leader Georgie Crozier, leader of the Opposition in the Upper House Former MP Matt Bach, who was deputy leader of the upper house at the time Pesuttos then-chief of staff Rodrigo Pintos-Lopez, a Havard-educated lawyer Moira Deeming, who was a Liberal MP in the Upper House at the time What happened? With dinging Melbourne trams rattling along Spring Street in the background, the audio opened with Pesutto explaining the implications of Deemings attendance at the rally that was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis. Advertisement Pesutto: Theres this very concerning perception out there that we are associated with Nazis. Im getting clobbered. Deeming asked Pesutto why she was being blamed for some random horrible people showing up. Deeming: Very obviously, Im not a Nazi. And I dont support Nazis. Moira Deeming addresses the Let Women Speak rally in Melbourne in March last year. Credit: Youtube Pesutto then moved the discussion on to the rally organisers and sought an assurance that none of the people Deeming had associated with including those she celebrated with after the event had links to the neo-Nazis. Deeming replied that there were no links she could have reasonably known about. Youre not going to find a single shred of evidence obviously Im not a mind reader, maybe theres some secret Nazi somewhere, she said. Advertisement Pintos-Lopez, who had only been in the job a few days, can then be heard going through some basic research he compiled on UK anti-trans rights activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull. Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull outside Parliament House in Canberra last year. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen There was also a discussion about a tweet from Melbourne woman Angela Jones who Deeming celebrated with after the rally and who has attended court this week as an observer that said: Nazis and women want to get rid of pedo filth, why dont you? Southwick told the meeting that, as a Jew, the language in the tweet was seriously offensive to Jewish people. For you to go and have a little champagne with them, Southwick said a reference to footage of Deeming celebrating with rally organisers after the event. They have been itching for something to clobber me with and this is it. John Pesutto The leadership team expressed their fears just months out from the 2022 election that Labor would weaponise Deemings attendance at the rally. Pesutto: They have been itching for something to clobber me with and this is it. Advertisement Loading He said it was the perfect weapon: [Nazism] is like the most toxic acid that can run through any political party, and its running through us. Deeming said she wanted to fix it and was open to suggestions. Crozier could then be heard expressing her disappointment and anger at Deeming, arguing that the opposition had the Andrews government on the ropes, particularly on integrity matters. I am beyond furious because of the work we have done, the time we have put in, she said. Pesutto then raised the prospect of Deeming potentially becoming an independent MP. Pesutto seemed particularly annoyed with her association with Katherine Deves, with whom she also celebrated with after the rally. A year earlier, Deves, then the federal Liberal candidate for Warringah, had been found to have compared her anti-trans activism to resistance against the Nazis. Advertisement Kaaawa, Hawaii: Ryan Wesley Routh portrayed himself online as a man who built housing for homeless people in Hawaii, tried to recruit fighters for Ukraine to defend itself against Russia, and described his support and then disdain for Donald Trump even urging Iran to kill him. You are free to assassinate Trump, Routh wrote of Iran in an apparently self-published book in 2023, Ukraines Unwinnable War, which described the former president as a fool and buffoon for both the 2021 Capitol riot and the tremendous blunder of leaving the Iran nuclear deal. Ryan Wesley Routh takes part in a rally in central Kyiv, Ukraine in 2022. Credit: AP Routh wrote that he once voted for Trump and must take part of the blame for the child that we elected for our next president that ended up being brainless. The 58-year-old was arrested after stalking Trump while he played golf in West Palm Beach, Florida. He had an AK-47-style rifle in an apparent assassination attempt thwarted by the Secret Service. He was charged with two gun-related crimes on Tuesday (AEST) . Originally launched in the US in 2002, the company expanded to Australia in 2008. Capify has continued to innovate, offering a suite of financing options that support small and medium businesses through economic changes. Johnson brings with him over four decades of experience in banking and finance, having worked extensively in Australia, Asia, and New Zealand. His appointment will add strategic depth to the banks leadership team. Col Dutton (pictured above), UDIA national president, pointed out that housing supply has shown no significant recovery across any Australian jurisdiction. The report also notes that the March and June 2024 quarters recorded the lowest index levels in the history of the series. With the help of the strong women in my team, Ive been able to grow a company built on empathy, understanding, and integrity. Together with my team, were committed to making a difference in our industry and empowering more women in finance. A Texas medical school has suspended its body donation program after an investigation revealed that many bodies were used without consent of the deceased or their families. The investigation by NBC News found that since 2019, Dallas and Tarrant counties had sent over 2,350 unclaimed bodies to the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth. Some of these bodies were also shipped to medical device manufacturers, other universities and the Army. "These recipients leased the body parts for hundreds of dollars apiece $900 for a torso, $341 for a leg so that doctors could practice medical procedures," the probe discovered. In response, the university announced on Friday that it would halt its body donation program, permanently shut down its BioSkills Lab, and fire the program's leadership while conducting an internal investigation. NBC News also reported that death investigators in the counties often failed to contact family members before declaring bodies unclaimed. Many families only learned what happened to their loved ones months or even years later. "It's like a hole in your soul that can never be filled," Brenda Cloud, the sister of Army veteran Victor Honey, whose body was dissected and leased, said. "We feel violated." The arrangement between the medical school and the counties saved about $500,000 annually in burial costs for the counties, while the school earned approximately $2.5 million each year from selling body parts to medical and tech companies. Several recipients of these body parts, including major entities like the U.S. Army and Johnson & Johnson's DePuy Synthes, were allegedly unaware that they were receiving unclaimed remains. This has prompted several companies to review their policies in response. "The findings shared with our Office are deeply concerning and an immediate review of every aspect of the program is underway. Every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, both in life and in death. Nothing else is acceptable," the Office of Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare said in a statement earlier this month. Both counties plan to discuss the recent findings this week. Avaada Group, which operates in the renewable energy sector, has proposed to invest Rs 5,000 crore in Madhya Pradesh. The group officials made this proposal during a one-to-one conversation with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday. The Chief Minister was in Gandhinagar to participate in the three-day Renewable Energy Investors Meet, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Avaada Group focuses on the development of large-scale projects for solar modules, renewable energy production, green hydrogen, green methanol, green ammonia, and sustainable aviation fuel. The Wind Power Association urged the Chief Minister to develop wind parks in the state on the lines of solar parks. Torrent Power requested the formulation of a policy for pump hydro storage projects in the state, while Sembcorp Group expressed interest in investing in the proposed Morena and Neemuch solar projects. Borosil Group showed interest in setting up a glass production unit for solar panels in the state. Gaurs Group has roped in finance, tax and legal consultants to prepare for the IPO. Realty firm Gaurs Group is planning to launch its Initial Public Offering ( IPO) in the next 18 months as it looks to expand business amid strong consumer demand, its CMD Manoj Gaur said on Tuesday. Byoued by the successful launch of its luxury housing project in Ghaziabad clocking Rs 3,100 crore sales in three days, Gaur said the company has set a target to expand its business of development of housing projects across the Delhi-NCR market. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp He said the company will also develop commercial assets, including malls, hotels, office spaces and schools/colleges to generate stable rental income. "We are planning to launch our IPO in the next 18 months. Internally, we have started the preparation to get listed on the stock exchanges," Gaur told PTI. He noted that both property and stock markets are performing well. "We strongly believe that demand in the real estate market will continue to be strong. So, there is a huge potential for expansion and growth," said Gaur, who is also Chairman of realtors apex body CREDAI. He said the company has a land bank for the development of real estate projects and is continuously exploring to add more land parcels in its portfolio. Gaurs Group has roped in finance, tax and legal consultants to prepare for the IPO, but has not yet appointed merchant bankers. With a legacy spanning over 3 decades, Gaurs Group (formerly Gaursons India Ltd) has developed over 65 million sq ft and delivered 65,000 units. The Group has also ventured into allied verticals of shopping malls, schools, hotels, solar plants and construction. The Group has delivered 3 townships till date out of which the notable one is Gaur City in Noida Extension which is home to almost 30,000 families currently. Earlier this month, Gaur said the company launched a 12 acre luxury housing project at Ghaziabad comprising around 1,200 units and the entire project was sold in three days with a total sales value of Rs 3,100 crore. He said the company will invest around Rs 1,600 crore to develop this new luxury housing project 'Gaur NYC Residences' in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Gaur highlighted that there was a huge demand for this project and the company received more than 3,000 expressions of interest from customers who wanted to purchase. The demand for residential properties, especially luxury homes, has surged post-COVID pandemic. Builders having a decent track record of executing projects are witnessing huge demand for their properties. According to data analytic firm PropEquity, housing sales in Delhi-NCR rose to 10,198 units during April-June this year from 9,635 units in the year-ago period. This funding aims to support the companys efforts to accelerate clean energy public transportation. Representative Picture JBM ECOLIFE Mobility, a subsidiary of JBM Auto Limited, has secured $100 million in funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The funds will be used to supply and operate approximately 650 electric buses across several Indian states under the gross cost contract model. This funding aims to support the companys efforts to accelerate clean energy public transportation in both urban and semi-urban areas. "The investment will help India transition to more sustainable mobility solutions," JBM stated. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp JBM currently operates over 1,500 electric buses across 10 states and more than 15 major airports in India. With an order book exceeding 6,500 buses, the company is one of the key players driving India's e-mobility shift. Nishant Arya, vice chairman and managing director of JBM Group, emphasized that the funding would bolster the companys commitment to sustainable development and align with Indias Net Zero 2070 target. Our electric buses will continue to lead Indias e-mobility momentum, bringing clean public mobility solutions to the grassroots level, Arya said. JBM's Banchari plant in Palwal, Haryana, is recognised as the worlds largest dedicated electric bus manufacturing facility outside China, with a production capacity of 20,000 buses annually. Suzanne Gaboury, director general of ADBs Private Sector Operations Department, noted that ADBs partnership with JBM Group would contribute to building a clean, safe, and inclusive public transport network in India. Established in 1966 and headquartered in Manila, Philippines, the ADB promotes economic growth and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, providing financial assistance, technical expertise, and policy advice to reduce poverty, improve infrastructure, and foster sustainable development. Similarly, Najeeb Haider, director general of Global Project and Corporate Finance at AIIB, described the project as transformative, with a focus on accelerating the adoption of green energy solutions for public transportation. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Beijing, AIIB focuses on financing infrastructure projects, such as transportation, energy, water supply, and telecommunications, to enhance social and economic outcomes in Asia. Shares of JBM Auto Limited were trading at 2,014.45 on the NSE, down by 0.56 per cent at 2:05 pm. In its latest quarterly results, JBM Auto reported a consolidated net profit of 33.54 crore for the first quarter ended June 30, marking an 11 per cent year-on-year increase. The company also highlighted its strong order book, valued at 45,000 crore, which is expected to drive growth in FY25, particularly through its original equipment manufacturer and tool-room divisions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced on Thursday a $120 million settlement with Navient, one of the largest student loan servicers, after years of allegations involving illegal practices. Navient was accused of misleading borrowers about income-driven repayment plans, damaging borrowers' credit reports and miscalculating payments. Under the terms of the settlement, Navient is permanently banned from servicing federal student loans. "For years, Navient's top executives profited handsomely by exploiting students and taxpayers," CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in a statement. "By banning the notorious student loan giant from federal student loan servicing and ensuring the winddown of these operations, the CFPB will finally put an end to the years of abuse." Navient has denied the allegations brought forward by the CFPB, but as part of the agreement, $100 million will be used to compensate affected borrowers. An additional $20 million will be allocated to the CFPB's civil penalty fund. This settlement could lead to compensation for hundreds of thousands of borrowers who experienced issues under Navient's management. While the CFPB has not provided specific details about who will qualify for these payments, individuals affected by the settlement could include those who were charged late fees and accrued interest following botched payment processing, or were not properly informed of repayment options. It could also affect veterans and disabled individuals whose credit scores were damaged despite receiving a discharge on their federal student loans. Borrowers do not need to apply for this relief, as eligible recipients are expected to be identified automatically. The CFPB has warned consumers to be cautious of scams, emphasizing that it will never request payment or additional information before issuing redress checks. Budget airline SpiceJet on Tuesday revealed that it did not pay statutory dues amounting to nearly Rs 427 crore between April 2020 and August 2024 due to its constrained financial position. The unpaid dues include Rs 219.8 crore in tax deducted at source (TDS), Rs 71.33 crore in goods and services tax (GST), and Rs 135.47 crore towards provident fund (PF) contribution. The cash-strapped airline also disclosed that 36 of its 58 aircraft are grounded, primarily due to alleged default in payments to aircraft lessors, financial difficulties affecting aircraft maintenance, and the unavailability of components and spare parts. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp These revelations were part of SpiceJets preliminary placement document, submitted to the BSE to raise up to Rs 3,000 crore through a qualified institutional placement (QIP) process at a floor price of Rs 64.79 per share. In addition to the statutory dues, SpiceJet said it owed Rs 118.9 crore to its employees as on September 15, 2024, which it plans to clear using funds from the QIP. The airlines airport dues stood at Rs 290 crore as on September 15, of which Rs 150.3 crore shall be settled from the money raised. It also intends to allocate Rs 370 crore to expand its fleet. Ajay Singh, SpiceJets promoter, and related entities hold a 47.01 per cent stake in the airline. Shares of the company declined 5.23 per cent to close at Rs 73.72 apiece on the BSE on Tuesday. When contacted, a SpiceJet spokesperson said: "As a listed company, SpiceJet operates with full transparency, and all relevant financial information, including statutory dues, is available in the public domain. Due to financial constraints, we have had delays in payment but we are fully committed to clearing our dues as soon as possible. The QIP document submitted already outlines how the funds raised will be utilised, including towards clearing statutory dues." Legal experts told Business Standard that failing to remit GST is a serious offence because the tax has already been collected from customers but not paid. Non-payment of GST might be treated as a criminal offence and could lead to a minimum 60-day jail term, they said. Unpaid TDS, however, can be paid later with interest. Penal provisions are strict. Some of these are taxes which have been collected and need to be paid, such as the GST. These cannot be pocketed by the company, said Abhishek Rastogi, founder of Rastogi Chambers. Subhash Chandra Garg, former finance secretary, highlighted the potential legal consequences, noting that penalties and interest could be imposed on those responsible. There are provisions of imposing penalties and interest costs, and also taking action against key management (personnel) responsible for it (such infractions). I suppose the central authority of GST would have initiated the action whenever dues were not paid. About outstanding PF dues, Mukesh Chand, senior counsel at Economic Laws Practice, explained: "If a company fails to make PF payments under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, it faces penalties, including interest on delayed payments, damages of up to 100 per cent of the unpaid amount, and legal action. The company's responsible officers may face imprisonment of up to 3 years and fines, if there are willful defaults. Persistent non-payment may also result in prosecution by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). SpiceJet in its filing with the BSE admitted there are further disputed statutory dues from previous years, including service tax, TDS, GST, and Customs duties. Of the QIP proceeds, Rs 601.5 crore will be used to settle statutory dues, Rs 750 crore will go towards clearing liabilities to lessors and vendors, and Rs 410 crore will be spent on maintaining and ungrounding aircraft and to buy spare parts. Ameya Joshi, an aviation researcher and founder of aviation blog Network Thoughts, commented: Statutory compliance is negative, but SpiceJet can overcome this issue unless authorities bar the airline from conducting flight operations. However, any large entity investor looking to invest in SpiceJet may wonder about the possibility of these issues recurring, Joshi said. The airline in its filing mentioned about the resignation of its former chief financial officer, Ashish Kumar, in July, and said a replacement has yet to be found. As on June 30, 2024, SpiceJet employed 7,824 full-time staff but reported negative retained earnings (or accumulated deficit) of Rs 7,728 crore and a negative net worth of Rs 5,022 crore. We have incurred liability on account of alleged delays in repayment/non-payment to our creditors, inability to comply with the terms of leasing arrangements, non-payment of statutory dues, and irregularity in complying with the regulations or guidelines, it mentioned. It further noted that there have been instances of notices, warnings and action being initiated against the airline on account of certain lapses in regulatory compliances. For instance, the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has put us on enhanced surveillance on August 24, 2024, pursuant to their audit findings. In this regard, we may be subject to penalties and regulatory actions including suspension of our business operations, it added. Sonam Chandwani, a partner at KS Legal & Associates, noted that the airline could face legal challenges over unpaid dues and operational difficulties. Lessors and lenders could approach the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and other legal forums to recover their dues. Additionally, the government might start exerting pressure for recovery, along with lenders and lessors. SpiceJet will need to take immediate steps to negotiate and raise funds to avoid further escalation, she said. Last month, the cash-strapped airline announced it had temporarily furloughed 150 cabin crew members for three months due to a lean travel season, a reduced fleet, and for the long-term stability of the organisation. The airline has struggled with losses for the past six years and has faced challenges in paying staff salaries. The countrys largest electric car maker Tata Motors has started working with used car marketplaces to facilitate resale and exchange for electric vehicle (EV) owners. A company spokesperson told Business Standard, We have been working on opportunities for facilitating EV resale / exchange for those owners who are looking to upgrade to a new EV. Our plans are currently at an early stage, and we are piloting at a small scale with used car online marketplaces. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The company has the largest car park in EVs in India, estimated to be around 170,000 units. As a pilot, the company has already started work with used online car marketplace Spinny. While both Tata Motors and Spinny declined to comment on the matter, used Tata Nexons are on sale on the platform. A 2021 Nexon EV XZ Plus is available in Mumbai for Rs 11.61 lakh on the platform. A new Tata Nexon EV is available for Rs 12.49-16.49 lakh. Dealer sources said that typically EV prices reduce in line with their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts. This is around 25 per cent in the first year, and thereafter, it depends on usage (kms travelled and battery life). A Tata Motors spokesperson said the used EV market is likely to closely mirror the new EV market with a lag of 3-4 years. The used EV market is likely to closely mirror the new EV market with a lag of 3-4 years, as early adopters upgrade to longer-range and more advanced EVs. Major volumes of EVs are from 2021-22. And so, we will see the initial lot of upgraders in 12-24 months, the spokesperson said. Two Mumbai-based dealers of Tata Motors confirmed that they have already started seeing customers who wish to exchange a Tiago or a Nexon EV for a new Tata EV. We are trying to do our best when exchange demands come up. It would be great if the company ties up with used EV buying marketplaces as rate standardisation remains a challenge in this category, said a dealer based in the eastern suburbs of Mumbai. A used car marketplace executive said the benefit of buying from a marketplace is that there would be a warranty on this used EV. Several people who are value or cost conscious are now opening up to buying used EVs, as warranties on the batteries are for 8-10 years. These batteries can last for far more than that depending on charging cycles. Up to 2,000-3,000 charging cycles are possible. Even if one charges once a week, it works out to 52 charges a year. Or a 3-4 year old EV would have probably been charged hardly 200 times, said another executive. The cells can be replaced, if needed, and the EV is good to go. One major challenge for EV adoption is the cost of acquisition. Used EVs can be the answer, the person felt. Tata Motors spokesperson told Business Standard that used EVs will continue to have a strong value proposition for those who would prefer to try a lower-cost EV. This will help people understand their use case benefits better before buying a new EV. Budget-constrained customers with high running use cases will also opt for them for their inherent low-running cost and assurance of the residual powertrain warranty period, he added. Tata Motors has been working to bring in more pricing parity between its EVs and ICE vehicles. Earlier in September, Vivek Srivatsa, chief commercial officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, said, Our singular purpose at Tata.ev is to mainstream EVs by breaking barriers and making EVs more accessible to regular car buyers. With these special, limited-period prices, we are breaking the high acquisition cost barrier for EVs. We are bringing their prices closer to similar petrol and/or diesel-powered vehicles. Srivatsa was talking about festival discounts on Tata cars, including EVs. As such, FY25 has been tough for EV sales for the company. In Q1 FY25, while overall Tata Motors PV wholesales were down 1.1 per cent, EV volumes (at 16,600 units) fell steeply by 13.9 per cent due to sharp decline in the fleet segment. Shailesh Chandra, managing director (MD), Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, had said that the EV sector was affected by the broader industry trend and the impact of significant preponement of fleet sales in Q4 FY24. This is due to the expiry of the FAME II subsidy in March 2024. Consequently, while the personal segment retails have grown slightly, there was a sharp decline witnessed in the fleet segment, which is expected to recover in the coming quarters, he had said. The company has also started bundled plans with Tata Power for EVs and solar rooftops that ensure zero running costs for the buyer. A company spokesperson told Business Standard, As more people start installing solar rooftop panels, owning an EV will become even more beneficial. As such, other players like Maruti Suzuki, which are planning to bring in EVs, have said they plan to offer a 'holistic' EV ecosystem to the customer. Partho Banerjee, senior executive officer of marketing & sales at Maruti Suzuki India said last week, We have done some basic research. We are not just going to launch the product. We are going to provide a complete ecosystem to customers who are going to be a part of this EV family. The three big concerns are range anxiety, EV charging infrastructure and residual value of the EV after five years of usage. No one knows today what is going to be the residual value of an EV. Premium carmakers like Mercedes Benz offer a guaranteed residual value to their EV customers. For example, the newly launched EQS SUV will fetch a 60 per cent residual value after three years, and 45,000 km. by Eric Feigenbaum Singaporeans call it The Moment of Anguish when their founding prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew broke down in tears announcing the independence of Singapore. There are relatively few surviving recordings of the actual event a non-televised press conference on August 9, 1965 with international correspondents but the still images of Singapores Founding Father with tears in his eyes, dabbing himself with a handkerchief is a key moment in the small island nations self-narrative. Unlike most countries, Singapores independence was not greeted with celebration. It was not the result of a long-time struggle at least not directly. At the time, Singaporeans including Lee himself saw independence as a failure and a moment of existential crisis. You see, Singapore had navigated its anti-colonial struggle with Britain along with British Malaya, which in turn became the Malaysian Federation. Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak joined the federation envisioning a single nation of related peoples. Only fractures emerged that caused the Malaysian Federation to cast out Singapore shortly before full Malaysian independence. The issue: ethnic equality. Put simply, Singapore wanted all people to have the same rights, whereas Malaysia put the rights of ethnic Malays first giving them extra privileges and status. Before going further, it helps to understand what Malaysian and Singaporean even mean and to do that it helps to rewind. For at least 800 years, Singapore had been intermittently populated by different ethnic groups within its region and then lightly used by the Portuguese 1500s. After 1613 when the Portuguese destroyed Malay settlements on Singapore, it was left essentially unpopulated for more than 200 years before Sir Stamford Raffles identified the island at the tip of the Malay Peninsula as his ideal for a British trading port and naval base which came to full fruition in 1867 when Britian officially took Singapore by treaty. The British essentially started with a tabla rasa and much like they did with Bombay, took the if you build it, they will come approach to a port. And it worked. Groups of Malays came down from Johor and other part of the Malay Peninsula while untold Chinese particularly from Fujian Province escaping famines, poverty and political instability showed up looking for work and opportunity. Meanwhile, the British needed people they could rely on and brought groups of Indians from Tamil Nadu to take on both skilled and unskilled labor with a special emphasis on civil service roles. These three ethnic groups with no common history, culture, language or belief system ended up populating an island together. Meanwhile, In the Straits Settlement cum British Malaya just above it, Chinese and Tami immigrants began arriving to traditionally Malay populated and ruled areas. It was this inverted population composition that created the rub. Singapore had and still has a predominately ethnic Chinese population with roughly equal numbers of Malay and Tamils minorities, while the rest of the Malaysian Federation was predominately Malay with a few enclaves of strong Chinese minority particularly in places like Penang and Kuching and an even smaller Tamil presence. To the dominant United Malays National Organization (UMNO) party that has governed Malaysia from its inception, Malaysia was a country for Malays, with minorities allowed to coexist, particularly in regions they had traditionally dominated again, like the Chinese in Penang. Naturally, to Chinese dominated Singapore, putting Malays first sounded like a bad deal. So it was that during the two years Singapore walked the path from British colony to independence as part of the Malaysian Federation, Singapores leaders clashed regularly with Malaysian leadership until Singapore was finally expelled from the Federation. At a 1965 press conference, Lee Kuan Yew said of the newly independent Singapore: I make this promise: this is not a Chinese country. Singapore is not a Chinese country nor a Malay country nor an Indian country. That is why we said before that a Malaysian Malaysia is not a Malay country; that was why I was not satisfied. This is not a Chinese country. And after this, in the Chinese language I am going to say this is not a Chinese country. And my friends are not people who have come from China they are the sons of the soil. I cannot be responsible for Malaysian citizenship now. But regarding Singapore citizenship, I made this promise: you will be of equal status with me. And I promise you your special position. Of course, as any American knows, the idea of equality is one thing and making it a universal reality is quite another. Singapores founders had enough examples of multi-ethnic, heterogenous countries in the world to observe and take lessons from their successes and failures. And those founders had little time to lose once Singapore separated from Malaysia. So much needed to be done to become a functioning independent country with a robust enough economy for survival, let alone success. Seeing one another as Singaporeans, rather than a collection of peoples was essential for cooperation and collaboration. But how does one turn a lump of coal into a diamond in a heartbeat? Singapore set out to engineer integration to facilitate if not force a sense that people once seen as other were really just variations of Singaporeans. Like so many Singaporean solutions, it involved a multi-prong approach. Government built Housing Development Board condo blocks could have no more than 70 percent of any one ethnicity. People were forced to shift into neighborhoods that werent traditionally their own ethnicity. The government helped finance the development of places of worship so long as those places were in neighborhoods that werent traditionally associated with their religions. In other words, the government would fund a mosque in a historically Chinese neighborhood and a Taoist temple in a traditionally Indian one. The idea was to force people to cross into each others territories and understand that in essence, people arent so different from one another. English became the medium of instruction in public schools so that no ethnicitys language dominated over the others but mother tongue classes were required by all. Eventually, Singapore loosened the rules so students could study a mother tongue that wasnt their own such as a Chinese ethnic learning Malay or a Tamil Indian ethnic learning Mandarin. No one is exempt from national military service all young men irrespective of ethnicity and background must serve. Everyone risks their lives for their country. These methods began a slow, but steady process of change especially when mixed with frequent speeches and government messaging about integration. At the same time, Singapore draws a distinction between equal rights and functional equality. The Constitution of Singapore starts with the premise that a majority has a social and political advantage and that in Singapores case, Chinese ethnics are the inherently advantaged population. It actually builds a form of affirmative action into the Singaporean system. 152.(1) It shall be the responsibility of the Government constantly to care for the interests of the racial and religious minorities in Singapore. (2) The Government shall exercise its functions in such manner as to recognise the special position of the Malays, who are the indigenous people of Singapore, and accordingly it shall be the responsibility of the Government to protect, safeguard, support, foster and promote their political, educational, religious, economic, social and cultural interests and the Malay language. As one of the framers of the Constitution, Lee Kuan Yew explained to Parliament in a 2009 speech: We explicitly state in our Constitution a duty on behalf of the Government not to treat everybody as equal. It is not reality, it is not practical, it will lead to grave and irreparable damage if we work on that principle. So this was an aspiration. As Malays have progressed and a number have joined the middle class with university degrees and professional qualifications, we have asked Mendaki to agree not to have their special rights of free education at university but to take what they were entitled to; put those fees to help more disadvantaged Malays. So, we are trying to reach a position where there is a level playing field for everybody which is going to take decades, if not centuries, and we may never get there. Singapore takes a stance many Americans would find a paradox enshrining equal rights under the law because in one sense, we are all equal and enshrining obligations of care for segments of the population with less privilege and political power. Perhaps another way to discuss in more modern parlance is Singapore recognizes the need for both equality and equity. Being treated as equal citizens under the law is equality and making sure everyone has the opportunity for success voices that are heard despite minority status is taking an interest in equity. For what is often labeled a conservative country, Singapores attempt to balance equality and equity is exceedingly progressive in the current American political spectrum. This is a difficult view for many Americans to adopt. In a land whose Declaration of Independence declares all men are created equal but whose constitution stated slaves were to be counted for census as three-fifths of a person we have yet to reconcile our various and conflicting views on what equality means, whether it exists and how it is achieved. Even more complicating is the term equity is often co-opted by the American political left making it somewhat taboo in more center and right political circles, even if were it presented another way those same people might appreciate the concept. After all, we dont label people inferior or lacking for having poor eyesight we consider it a parental, medical and social responsibility to get them corrective lenses so all can read, learn and work as productive members of society. Perhaps we can all consider Mr. Lees words on the subject: The way that Singapore has made progress is by a realistic step-by-step forward approach. It may take us centuries before we get to a similar position as the Americans. They go to wars the blacks and the whites. In the First World War, they did not carry arms, they carried the ammo, they were not given the honor to fight. In the Second World War, they went back, they were ex-GIs those who could make it to university were given the GI grants but they went back to their black ghettos (in 1945) and they stayed there. And today there are still black ghettos. These are realities. The American Constitution does not say that it will treat blacks differently but our Constitution spells out the duty of the Government to treat Malays and other minorities with extra care. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is set to meet Lieutenant-Governor VK Saxena at 4.30 pm on Tuesday to formally submit his resignation, clearing the way for the selection of a new Delhi CM. While leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have stayed silent on the matter, speculation is rife about who will succeed Kejriwal for the remaining duration of his administration. Prior to Kejriwals meeting with the LG on Tuesday, AAP legislators are scheduled to convene at 11.30 am to deliberate on the next Chief Minister. On Monday, Kejriwal met with his former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia at his residence to discuss possible candidates for the role. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The discussions continued later with the partys Political Affairs Committee (PAC) holding a meeting to review potential leadership choices. Following the meeting, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said, Today (Monday), he (Kejriwal) sought time from the LG to submit his resignation, and he has got the time to meet him tomorrow. Today, he called a meeting of the PAC, which was attended by senior leaders and all ministers of the existing (State) Cabinet. The CM talked one-to-one with all leaders who attended the meeting about the new CM and took their feedback. The LG has approved the scheduled meeting for Tuesday. On Sunday, Kejriwal declared his intention to resign as chief minister within 48 hours, also calling for early Assembly elections. He stated that these elections would give Delhis citizens the chance to decide if the AAP government has maintained its integrity. The Delhi CM had said, I will not sit on the CMs chair until the people of Delhi give their verdict. I will resign after two days. Arvind Kejriwals resignation: Top updates 1. Kejriwal held discussions with senior party members, such as former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha, regarding the selection of the partys chief ministerial candidate. 2. The AAP is set to hold a legislative party meeting at 11.30 am to finalise its choice for the chief ministerial position. 3. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that Kejriwals resignation as Chief Minister was a result of compulsion rather than being motivated by principle. 4. Reports indicate that Delhi ministers Atishi, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot, and Saurabh Bharadwaj are leading contenders for the Chief Minister position. 5. Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to meet the lieutenant governor on Tuesday, and is likely to submit his resignation. He has pledged not to resume the Chief Ministers role until he receives a certificate of honesty from the people. (With agency inputs) Mumbai: 'Mumbaicha Raja' being carried for the immersion at the end of the Ganesh festival, in Mumbai, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (Photo: PTI) Processions for the immersion of Lord Ganesh idols began in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday morning amid tight security and fanfare as the 10-day festival drew to a close. The 'Ganesh Chaturthi' festival, which began on September 7, is concluding with 'Anant Chaturdashi' on Tuesday. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp In Mumbai's Lalbaug area, famous for celebrating the festival with grandeur, the procession of the idol of Tejukaya mandal started amid the chants of 'Ganapati bappa morya, pudhchya varshi lavkar ya' (come soon next year Lord). The procession of the famous Lalbaugcha Raja idol, which attracts maximum number of devotees, celebrities and prominent personalities during the festival, is also set to begin. Processions from various parts of Mumbai, including Fort, Mazgaon, Byculla, Dadar, and Chembur, will make their way towards the Arabian Sea and other water bodies for the final immersion, marking the end of this year's festivities. Devotees thronged the streets, especially on the main road leading to the Girgaon beach, in large numbers as they are eager to catch a final glimpse of the elaborately adorned idols of the elephant-headed god when they are taken out of pandals for their journey to immersion sites. There is also a large gathering of people at Lalbaug's Shroff building to witness 'pushpa vrushti' (showering of flowers) on the Ganesh idols. More than 24,000 police personnel have been deployed in Mumbai to thwart any untoward incident during processions, officials said. Thousands of household and 'sarvajanik' (public) Ganesh idols will be immersed at 204 artificial ponds across the city, along with 69 natural water bodies like Girgaon, Dadar, Juhu, Marve and Aksa beaches. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said it has deployed more than 12,000 officials and staffers, and set up 71 control rooms to manage the processions. It has posted 761 lifeguards and deployed 48 speed boats at the city beaches as a safety measure and the citizens have been advised to avoid entering the deep sea. It has also cautioned citizens about the presence of marine species such as 'blue button jellyfish' and 'stingrays' along Mumbai's coastline during this season and advised immediate first aid in case of fish stings. According to the Mumbai police, drone surveillance will be in place at important immersion sites such as Girgaon Chowpatty, Dadar, Bandra, Juhu, Versova, Powai Lake, and Madh Island, along with a network of more than 8,000 CCTVs. Besides the local police deployment, State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) platoons, quick response teams (QRT), riots control police (RCP), delta, combat, home guards, and Maharashtra Security Force have also been roped in, the officials said. More than 2,500 traffic police personnel will ensure smooth movement of vehicles across the city during immersion processions. Entry to some roads will be restricted, and some routes will be made one-ways, while some will have diversions, they said. To coordinate efficiently, 192 control rooms have been established across various administrative divisions, and 66 observation towers erected to monitor key areas. To promote eco-friendly celebrations, the BMC has introduced a QR code system providing information on nearby artificial ponds. Citizens can scan the code or visit https://portal.mcgm.gov.in for directions to these ponds via Google Maps. The immersion of thousands of Lord Ganesh idols in water bodies, following the conclusion of nine-day Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, also began in Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana. An estimated one lakh idols have been set up for worship this year in the city. The Telangana government has made elaborate arrangements for the immersion of the idols. The 'Shobha Yatra' of the 70 ft-tall Ganesh statue of the famous pandal at Khairatabad here, a major attraction during the Ganesh Chaturthi in the Telangana capital, also began on Tuesday morning and the immersion of the giant statue in the Hussain Sagar lake is likely to take place by noon. The auction of the laddus offered as 'prasadam' in the pandals is another attraction in the festivities. Procuring the laddu in the auction is believed to bring prosperity to the successful bidder. Media reports said the laddu 'prasadam' at a pandal at Bandlaguda Jagir was auctioned for a whopping Rs 1.87 crore. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday held a review with senior officials, including police, on the arrangements for the immersion and directed that special supervision be made at the Tank Bund of Hussain Sagar lake and other water bodies, an official release said. At the meeting, the police officials told the CM that the immersion in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits would be supervised with 733 CCTV cameras. GHMC Commissioner Amrapali Kata said a total of 15,000 personnel, including sanitation, engineering and others, would work in three shifts for 24 hours for the immersion event. As many as 468 cranes have already been set up for the immersion. Around 25,000 police personnel would be deployed as part of the security arrangements for the Ganesh festival. The Hyderabad traffic police put in place traffic restrictions for the smooth conduct of the 'visarjan' of idols, which is expected to go on for 24 hours. by Tim Sommers Imagine a slave in ancient Rome with a very generous master. A master so, generous, in fact, that this slave lives their entire life doing as they choose and their master never once interferes with them. The liberal view of liberty, enshrined, for example, in the U.S. Constitution, is that liberty, or at least the most fundamental kind of political liberty, is the right to not be interfered with, especially by the government. This freedom not to be prohibited from or impeded in doing what one will is often called negative liberty as opposed to positive liberty which implies the will (autonomy/self-directedness) and the means (money, for example) and not just the absence of interference. The point of the generous master hypothetical is that the slave seems to be free, in the negative, liberal sense; that is, free from interference, specifically, from their master. Yet surely, as a slave, even as the slave of a very, very generous master, one is not free. There must be something wrong, then, with the liberal idea that freedom is simply freedom from certain kinds of outside interference. Political philosopher Phillip Pettit, who formulated this hypothetical, says, and it is hard to argue with him, that the slave is not free since the master could have interfered at any point even though they didnt. This kind of unfreedom he calls domination and, so, his account of freedom he calls liberty as non-domination or the republican theory. Over the last twenty years, Pettit has been attempting to resuscitate, he says, the republican viewpoint as a political philosophy. Hes been developing a neorepublicanism which he thinks is founded on a significant theoretical difference between the republican and liberal views of political freedom. Pettit thinks that his hypothetical generous master shows that the master and slave have a hierarchical relation, even if the dominant party never exercises their power. Arguably, the master still oppresses the slave without ever interfering with them. The generous master hypothetical could provide one way of understanding the claim, most commonly made by those on the left, that some injustices (patriarchy, white supremacy, etc.) are structural. Roughly, that some injustices are not the result of the specific actions of particular individuals, but of how the social system works differentially for, or on, different groups over time. (The most pernicious kind of racism, on this view, might be racism without racists.) But Pettit is thinking more of Ancient Rome and America in the 18th Century, than structural injustice or relational egalitarianism (the currently ascendant view that relational equality is more important than distributive equality). Petitt is thinking of a republic as a democracy with a constitution plus maybe a few other well-known structural features like the separation of powers, the rule of law, and federalism. The fact that Petitt calls his pet view republican or neorepublican can be confusing, however, for two interconnected reasons. One reason is that, here in the U.S. one of the two major parties is called the Republican party. But, at this point in history, the label Republican is just a label with no solid connection, or special claim on, philosophical republicanism, any more than the other party the Democrats have dibs on democracy (even though at this moment, they do, in fact, have dibs on democracy.) Thats one confusing thing. Heres the other. For decades now, politicians and pundits the U.S. have defended antidemocratic, or antimajoritarian, policies by claiming that America is a republic and not a democracy. Since there is no widely agreed on definition that draws a sharp line between a democracy and a republic, it doesnt advance any policy debate, from either direction, to just point out that a particular policy is more or less majoritarian. When I discussed this in an earlier 3QD article, I left out Pettits neorepublicanism. Thats because the republican/liberal dispute is about liberty, while the republican/democracy distinction is about, maybe democracy, but really (on my view) the republican/democracy dispute is about nothing. I also seriously doubt that Mike Lee, Mike Johnson, or other republicans who have recently deployed the this is not a democracy dodge are thinking of Pettits theory. But since Pettits view is interesting in its own right, lets go back to it and say more about liberty. Like justice, everybody loves liberty in the abstract. It gets more complicated when one gets down to cases. As mentioned above, many political philosophers following Isaiah Berlin thought the important fissure was between negative liberty as noninterference and positive accounts of liberty. Berlin, classical liberals, libertarians and other defenders of the negative view argue that everyone should be allowed to do whatever they want as long as they dont interfere with others. One problem with this is that almost anything anyone ever wants to do interferes with others, directly or indirectly. Another problem, is that everything depends on what you mean by interfere. You could develop a more positive account of liberty in various ways. You could focus more on the need for people to learn to be autonomous in order to be free. Some recent feminists have argued, for example, for the need to educate to autonomy to teach self-directness and choosing as a skill. Or you could develop a positive account by focusing on the material basis of freedom. Its hard to care too much about liberty on an empty stomach. More to the point, does a right to free speech only protect one from government interference, as opposed to, say, big tech algorithms and content moderation? Doesnt free speech require, even in the era of social media, at least some minimum material support? Freedom of the press is guaranteed, A.J. Liebling famously said, only to those who own one. Berlin, et al objected to attempts to defend positive liberty as essentially a communist trick. Self-development provided by the state is not freedom, its inculcating an ideology. And having some of Elon Musks money makes you freer, but it does so by violating Musks liberty. Gerald MacCullum said the problem is this bivalent (negative/positive) thinking and we need to see freedom as having three parts. Any liberty, John Rawls said paraphrasing MacCullum, can be explained by a reference to three items: the agents who are free, the restrictions or limitations which they are free from, and what it is that they are free to do or not to do. This is fractally complicated, however, in real life. What counts as a restriction or limitation, for example? If standup comedy is forbidden by the government, obviously thats a restriction on my freedom to become a standup comedian. But what if its not illegal, but there are tons of people who are going out of their way to prevent comedians from doing stand-up including protests at shows? Or what if most people just dont care for it anymore? What if YouTube wont show clips of stand-up bits or Netflix standup specials? Does my own inability to make people laugh, count as a restriction? If I cant afford to support myself as a comedian when I am starting out, is that an obstacle to my free choices? What if the reason I cant support myself is that the vast majority of people live in deep poverty? Substitute the word obstacle for restriction and ask if, in a free society, are there is any collective obligations to assist people with certain obstacles? The moral is that there is no value free, or neutral, account of free speech or freedom in general. Any claim about the presence or absence of freedom, in any given situation, will make certain claims about what counts as an agent, especially an autonomous agent, what counts as a restriction, constraint, obstacle, or limitation on their freedom, and what counts as a purpose that the agent can be described fairly as either being free or unfree to carry out. So, recall, the generous master never tells his slaves what to do, but he oppresses them. How? Well, he has the power to compel the slave, even if he doesnt compel him. But if Superman (or Dr. Manhattan) really existed, on this account, he would be oppressing everyone all the time. After all, he could basically interfere with anybody (with the possible exception of Lex Luther), anywhere, at any time, and make them do what he wants (even Luther eventually). But it doesnt seem right to say that Superman oppresses us by his very existence. (On the other hand, maybe, it does. Allan Moore says superheroes are essentially fascist.) One response is that whats crucial to the republican view is not the physical ability to compel someone, but the existence of social relations (and roles) that put some under the power of others by giving, and defending, them a certain social role. The fact that the generous master occupies this social role is problematic, no matter how they act. Consider, however, this variation on the generous master hypothetical discussed by Frederick Hayek and Berlin. Am I free if I live under a dictatorship, as long as the dictator, for whatever reasons, happens to never interfere with me? I think this fails as an objection to the liberal view in an illuminating way. Liberals can consistently say, yes, I am free if I am never interfered with, but society is not free. Its a dictatorship. The question is how to set up a society which is free, not one under which, if you are very, very lucky, you might be free. Perhaps, liberals can bite the same bullet in the generous master hypothetical and say, yes, the slave is free, but just by luck. However, of course, the master and slave dont stand in relation to each other as free and equal. The reason for that is going to be in the background social circumstances which make one a master and another a slave. The real question for Pettit is what kind of background conditions from a neorepublican point of view are required to make society free in his domination sense? Pettit mentions democracy, constitutionalism, and the separation of powers. This, to me, is a little disappointing as a proposal for a novel vision of liberty; i.e., its not novel. It suggests that behind non-domination might be liberal liberty in drag. It remains to be seen, political philosopher Ian Carter says, whether the republican concept of freedom is ultimately [even] distinguishable from the negative concept, or whether republican writers on freedom have not simply provided good arguments to the effect that negative freedom is best promoted, on balance and over time. So, maybe, Pettit has pretty much the same problem as other defenders of republicanism. Its not clear what the difference between republicanism and liberal democracy is supposed to be. The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to halt the live streaming of proceedings in the suo motu case regarding the rape and murder of a postgraduate medical student at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. The top court asserted that the case holds significant public interest and that the public deserves to be informed of courtroom developments. The bench, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, reviewed a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) report and expressed concerns that revealing certain details could hinder the ongoing investigation. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal government, had earlier urged the court to stop the live streaming, citing threats of acid attacks and rape faced by female lawyers involved in the case. The court reassured Sibal that it would intervene if any threats materialised. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Kolkata rape case: Case background and investigation The case began after the victims body, bearing severe injuries, was discovered on August 9. The following day, a civic volunteer was arrested by the Kolkata Police in connection with the incident. The investigation was transferred from the Kolkata Police to the CBI by the Calcutta High Court on August 13, and the CBI commenced its inquiry on August 14. During earlier hearings, the Supreme Court criticised the Kolkata Police for the delay in registering a case concerning the unnatural death of the doctor, describing the events as extremely disturbing. The court also questioned the polices procedural handling of the case, particularly the absence of a challan (a document forwarding the victims body for post-mortem). On September 9, the court voiced further concerns over the state of the investigation and asked the West Bengal government for a detailed report. The ongoing case has sparked nationwide protests and led to significant unrest among junior doctors in the state. Doctor protests and govt response Doctors across West Bengal have been protesting for over 38 days, with a cease work agitation severely affecting healthcare services at government-run hospitals. Junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College, where the incident occurred, have been leading these protests, demanding justice for the victim and enhanced security measures for healthcare professionals. On Monday night, after several failed attempts to engage in dialogue, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met with the agitating doctors. Banerjee announced the transfer of key officials from the Kolkata Police and the state health department, including Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal. Additionally, the Chief Minister ordered the removal of senior health officials, including the director of medical education and the director of health services, for their alleged mishandling of the case. The minutes of this meeting, signed by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and a delegation of 42 doctors, also documented the governments decision to sanction Rs 100 crore for the improvement of hospital infrastructure and safety measures for medical professionals. The minutes outlined the formation of a special task force to oversee hospital security, as well as the establishment of a grievance redressal system for healthcare workers. Despite this, doctors at RG Kar Medical College have expressed cautious optimism. While they acknowledged a partial success following their meeting with Banerjee, they indicated that they would continue their protest until they witnessed concrete changes on the ground. They also remained concerned about the future postings of the transferred officials, suggesting that these assignments could influence their decision on whether to call off the protest. Junior doctors protests continue As the protests continued into Tuesday, junior doctors maintained their sit-in at the Swasthya Bhawan, the West Bengal health department's headquarters. While they await the results of the Supreme Court hearing and further government action, they stressed that their ultimate goal is to ensure justice for their slain colleague and to see meaningful reforms in the states healthcare system. The Supreme Court has constituted a 10-member National Task Force to develop a protocol for the protection of doctors and healthcare workers. The court, which has termed the case horrific, also sharply criticised the West Bengal government for its delay in filing a first information report (FIR) and the mismanagement of public unrest at RG Kar Medical College, where thousands of protesters had vandalised the facility. (With agency inputs) The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit a status report on its ongoing probe into the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The court's intervention follows troubling revelations in the investigation of financial irregularities at the hospital and concerns about the overall safety measures in West Bengal's healthcare institutions. The court also ordered Wikipedia to remove the victim's name and questioned the progress of the investigation. Very disturbing details in CBI status report: SC During the hearing, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud commented on the CBI's recent findings, stating that the status report presented before the court contained details that were very disturbing. The Chief Justice emphasised the gravity of the matter, adding that disclosing the specifics of the investigation at this stage would "jeopardise the line of investigation," and urged the public to remain patient as the probe continues. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp CBI investigation delayed over 'five-day gap' The CBI said that it had encountered delays due to a "five-day gap" between the crime and the commencement of the probe, which has hampered progress. Despite this, the agency has made several key arrests, including the hospital's principal and the local Station House Officer (SHO). More arrests and findings are anticipated as the investigation advances. Concerns over post-mortem procedures One area of concern highlighted by the CBI is whether the statutory post-mortem procedures were properly followed. Investigators are also examining whether there was any tampering with the crime scene or attempts to destroy crucial evidence. Chief Justice Chandrachud acknowledged that the father of the victim had offered leads that could help guide the investigation, and the CBI has been encouraged to consider these inputs. Hiring contractual staff In addition to the criminal investigation, the Supreme Court also raised questions about the safety measures in place for doctors and staff at hospitals in West Bengal. The court criticised the West Bengal government for its decision to hire contractual staff for hospital safety, questioning the efficacy of such measures and whether this approach adequately protected healthcare workers. Wikipedia directed to remove victim name Furthermore, the court directed Wikipedia to remove the victim's name from its platform to protect her privacy. The order came after the top court was informed that the website had used the trainee doctor's name and created an image depicting the victim, despite the ongoing state of the investigation. Withdrawal of 'Rattierer Saathi' programme SC dismisses plea seeking Mamata's resignation The Supreme Court dismissed a plea demanding the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee following the rape and murder of a postgraduate medical student at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The bench further reprimanded the lawyer for presenting the plea, stating that the court did not have the authority to pass such an order. The court emphasised that it is not a political platform and that the plea fell outside its jurisdiction. The Supreme Court had earlier raised concerns that the policy, part of the state's "Rattierer Saathi" programme. The state government was asked to withdraw its notification limiting duty hours for women doctors under the programme, which prescribes avoiding night shifts. The court warned that such policies could hinder the careers of women doctors and create unequal working conditions in hospitals. The West Bengal government, represented before the court, has indicated that it will withdraw its controversial notification. The bench further clarified its role in the matter, stating, "We are not here to see what you feel about a political functionary. We are dealing with the specific grievances of the doctors. If you ask me to direct that the Chief Minister should resign, that's not part of our remit." Investigation continues As the investigation continues, the Supreme Court remains cautious about revealing too much information at this stage, mindful that premature disclosure could impede the discovery of crucial evidence. Chief Justice Chandrachud reiterated that the courts primary concern is to ensure that the "absolute truth" comes to light. The CBI has been asked to submit an updated status report as the investigation unfolds, and the court will monitor further developments in the case closely. Meanwhile, the West Bengal governments policies regarding hospital staffing and safety remain under scrutiny as the case progresses. The investigation, which was initiated suo motu (on the court's own motion), seeks to unravel the circumstances surrounding the rape and murder of the trainee doctor. Alongside the criminal investigation, the CBI is also looking into potential financial irregularities at the hospital. On the occasion of his 74th birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Odisha and launch several important welfare programmes, such as the "Subhadra Yojana. To mark his birthday on Tuesday, Modi will also inaugurate 26 lakhs PM Awas houses at Gadakana in Bhubaneswar. Shopkeepers, municipal authorities, and other supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are choosing various ways to commemorate his birthday, calling it a "Seva Pakhwada" to provide exclusive discounts. Here are the main events in PM Modi's birthday schedule for those who are curious about how he would celebrate. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Happy birthday Modi! Narendra Damodardas Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in the town of Mehsana, Gujarat. He is currently the prime minister, leading the nation for the third time, and has also been the chief minister of the Gujarat state for three consecutive terms (20012014). Not only is Modi the longest-serving non-Congress Prime Minister of the nation, but he has also led an elected government for the longest period of time, including more than 12 years as Gujarat's Chief Minister. In a Morning Consult survey, PM Modi secured the highest approval rating among elected world leaders. As per the 'Global Leader Approval Rating Tracker' of a US-based consultancy business, 76 per cent of people are in favour of PM Modi's leadership, compared to 18 per cent who are against it and 6% who have no view. Happy Birthday Modi: Sneak peek! On his 74th birthday, Prime Minister Modi will visit Odisha and launch several important social programmes, such as the "Subhadra Yojana." In addition, on Tuesday he would inaugurate 26 lakh PM Awas houses in Gadakana, Bhubaneswar. After landing at the airport in Bhubaneswar, PM Modi is expected to visit the Gadakana slum region, which is close to Sainik School in Bhubaneswar, according to Police Commissioner Bhubaneswar Sanjeev Panda. The BJP will introduce "Seva Pakhwara" or "Seva Parv" on Tuesday as part of PM Modi's birthday celebrations, just like they do every year and so much more. Happy Birthday Modi: What is Odisha visit? At 1:15 pm., PM Modi would leave Odisha for Delhi. According to PTI, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Odisha around 10.50 am. He would next go to Gadkana village to meet with PM Awas Yojana beneficiaries. He will spend a brief time in the village before traveling to Janata Maidan at around 12 o'clock. The news agency, which cited authorities, said that PM Modi would also inaugurate highway projects worth Rs 1,000 crore and railway projects worth Rs 2,871 crore in addition to the Subhadra program. The routes from the airport to Janata Maidan and Gadakana have been designated as 'no-fly' zones ahead of PM Modi's visit to the city. On Tuesday, September 17, PM Modi will also showcase a number of infrastructure projects in addition to the opening of the Subhadra plan. What is the Subhadra plan? The eagerly anticipated program for women will launch on September 17, which is also PM Modi's birthday. The plan bears the name Subhadra, after Lord Jagannath's sister, and was one of the key projects made by the BJP prior to the elections. For a period of five years, the financial support scheme will give Rs 10,000 annually to nearly one crore poor women in two equal instalments. A financial aid program that would give Rs 10,000 to more than 1 crore poor women annually. Happy birthday Modi: Highlights Although PM Modi's birthday is still celebrated like any other workday, it also serves as a tag for the BJP's annual "Seva Parv" celebration, which lasts for two weeks and honors his dedication to the welfare of all people. "Seva Parv" will still be the main point of the BJP's celebrations this year, but two events in particular are probably going to get a lot of attention. Swachhata Abhiyaans and blood donation camps will be held all throughout the nation as part of this campaign. Hospitals, schools, and other public places will host cleanliness programs run by party workers and volunteers. On PM Modi's birthday, the well-known Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan is going to serve 4,000 kilos of vegetarian langar. On September 17, a number of companies in Surat, Gujarat, announced discounts on their products that ranged from 10% to 100%. The discounts and subsidies will be available in a number of industries, including as hotels, markets, transport services. by Claire Chambers The writer Tabish Khair was born in 1966 and educated in Bihar before moving first to Delhi and then Denmark. He is the author of various acclaimed books, including novels The Thing About Thugs, How to Fight Islamist Terror from the Missionary Position, and Just Another Jihadi Jane. He has also published poetry collections such as Where Parallel Lines Meet and Man of Glass. Khairs academic writing includes studies of alienation in contemporary Indian English novels, the postcolonial gothic, and the new xenophobia. In addition is Quarantined Sonnets, a sequence about Covid-19 published soon after the virus went global. In this slim volume, Khair rewrites Shakespearean sonnets with humour as well as pathos in order to examine ageing, sexuality, and other subjects. Twenty-one Shakespearean sonnets are reinterpreted to reflect the changing face of love and mortality amid health disaster. Above all, the poetry collection examines how economies are impacted by the virus, and satirizes rampant capitalism against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic. Khair does something similar in his most recent novel The Body by the Shore, for which I wrote a Readers Guide and so I will not say too much about it here. In both his poetic and fictional works he sends shots across the bow against materialism, corporate greed, and social inequality. Similarly, at least two stories from Khairs 2023 collection Namaste Trump, Shadow of a Story and, especially, Namaste Trump, have coronavirus as a fulcrum. The narrator of Shadow of a Story is angered by Indias plight amid the 2021 catastrophe of pyres burning, bodies floating down the Ganges during the pandemic (167). The titular tale Namaste Trump is set earlier on, around the time of the American presidents state visit to India in February 2020, and examines the onset of Covid. The story centres on a young servant with physical and mental disabilities, employed under near-feudal conditions by a wealthy Hindu Right family. As Prime Minister Narendra Modis migrant labour crisis escalates, the family sends the boy back to his village in Bihar. Disconnected from his supposed home and attached to the metropole, Chottu flees to live among marginalized city-dwellers. Eking out an existence in a nearby dump, he contracts the virus there and goes on to die from it. Khairs portrayal of the deep divisions between rich and poor exposed by Trumps visit resonates with this chilling analogy made by the novelist and activist Arundhati Roy in 2021: The precise numbers that make up Indias Covid graph are like the wall that was built in Ahmedabad to hide the slums Donald Trump would drive past on his way to the Namaste Trump event that Modi hosted for him in February 2020. Grim as those numbers are, they give you a picture of the India-that-matters, but certainly not the India that is. In the India that is, people are expected to vote as Hindus, but die as disposables. Khairs Namaste Trump takes a gothic turn in examining the India that is. Accordingly, the disposable Chottu returns as a vengeful ghost, haunting his exploitative employers and reminding them of the ethical consequences of their neglect. Khair now lives in a village off the town of Aarhus, a locale that looms large in both How to Fight Islamist Terror and The Body by the Shore. He describes himself as part of a long, complex and obscured history of small town cosmopolitanism. Two specific minor cities feature in this thinking: not only Aarhus on the eastern coast of Denmark, home of the Jyllands Posten newspaper and its cartoons affair of 2005, but also Gaya in Indias eastern province of Bihar. He has encountered parochialism and prejudice in these small, sometimes small-minded places, which provide material for his fiction. Khair nonetheless avows that cosmopolitanism does not have to entail living in the worlds biggest and most multicultural cities. This is because, the author believes, reading takes you to other realms, creating brave (new and old) words. In a chapter, The Making of a Muslim he wrote for an essay collection edited by Caroline Herbert and me nearly a decade ago, Khair describes being a young writer who had just left Gaya and was trying to make a living as a journalist in Delhi. He sparked healthy debate with his fellow Muslims at that flashpoint moment in the late 1980s by subjecting Salman Rushdies The Satanic Verses to nuanced evaluation. However, he soon faced greater backlash from the Hindu Right for criticizing the Mahabharata TV serial. After writing a further article about Islam in India, Khair incurred local hostility in Gaya, but his father, a religious Muslim, intervened and defused the situation. Later, after moving to Denmark, a reporter there distorted his story so as to sensationalize Muslim blowback against Khairs qualified praise for Rushdie. Instead of highlighting the entanglement of local conservatism with global issues, the Danish journalists report bore the misleading headline: Budding Indian writer pays dearly for supporting Rushdie. These were some of the novelists early encounters with what he calls fundamentalist approaches to literature. Rushdie pops up again, along with Amitav Ghosh (about whose writing Khair and I have written in the same volume) in the pandemic-inflected tale Shadow of a Story. Its frame narrative features a speaker who seems semi-autobiographical of Khair, given that he recalls his early zeal for Rushdiean seas of stories while researching a PhD in Gaya. Once Covid-19 comes to Indian shores, however, this narrator has to grapple with friends faith in consuming and bathing in cow dung [] as a cure or a protection. Confronted with misinformation, he loses his faith in narrative, thinking: Stories are also terrible things, like God, who, after all, is the greatest story of all! The narrators equation of religion with fake news implies an atheism which will be modified in Khairs own theorizations into agnostic criticism. His new nonfiction work is really a short literary manifesto. Literature Against Fundamentalism argues that literature counters both religious and political extremism by promoting complex reading and critical thinking. Fundamentalists of all stripes, including new atheists like Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins, simplify texts, missing subtleties and smoothing out uncertainties. Such fundamentalism, whether Muslim, Christian, Marxist/Leninist, corporatist, or atheist, insists on authoritative readings, authoritative iterations of the text, totally ahistorical or narrowly historical contextualization of the text, controls over translations, a narrow priesthood-scholarship of accredited commentaries. Learning to read closely fosters understanding and combats such reductive mindsets prevalent in society. The antidote to fundamentalist interpretations, according to Khair, lies not in conveying alternative messages but teaching literary skills. Khair further contends that literature demands an agnostic approach to reading. Building on Edward W. Saids idea of secular criticism, Khairs modification is one that encompasses doubt, engages with both language and reality, and recognizes the fluidity and contingency of both. As he writes: The position adopted is, once again, that of an agnostic: it rests on the assumption that one has to both trust and distrust, believe and not believe, empathize and judge, and one has to come to a contextualized conclusion through such a process of reading. His language here is reminiscent of Rushdies offhand instructions Believe, dont believe from Midnights Children. Such a dual lens of credulity combined with scepticism, essential to truly understanding literature, extends beyond the text itself and becomes a crucial mode for interpreting the world. Rather than countering extremism with equal but opposite arguments, Khair posits that agnostic engagement with texts is vital for human existence. Such an approach necessitates an active excavation on the part of the reader. Excavating and co-creating empowers readers to decipher coded language and tackle gaps and silences within both oral and textual stories. It is in relation to gaps and silences that Khairs analysis chimes with Jacques Rancieres theorization of the paradox of mute speech. The French scholar defines this as a resonant silence that through the music of its muteness eloquently attests to wisdom mere words cannot convey. Rather than corralling the texts muteness, its gaps and incongruences, Khair holds that agnostic reading readily embraces them. Yet this way of reading does not accept false claims, instead encouraging readers to probe alternative facts in a post-truth, digitalized world. By pushing the limits of language and metaphor, literature teaches us to at once trust and question ideas relying on neither-both thinking, in Khairs vivid terminology. This leads to the word contextualiz[ation] which rounds off the block quote and which is pivotal to Khair s vision. He takes pains to stress, however, that contextualized criticism does not entail a relativist framing of the world. Championed by some postmodernists and poststructuralists, such a philosophical stance also veers into extremism. Its proponents sometimes go as far as intimating there is no reality outside of subjective thought, language, and the text. Relativism often rests on my truth, whereby the individual observer becomes the truth, as if their observation is beyond any context. By contrast, contextualization entails an awareness of the differences in perception caused by viewers various standpoints. Agnostic reading fosters open-minded contextual thinking without getting stuck in the intellectual cult-de-sac of extreme relativism. Literature Against Fundamentalism is deeply concerned with science as an important adjacent paradigm to the arts. In one of the most interesting sections of the volume, which departs from its usual canonical preoccupation with Anton Chekhov, William Shakespeare, Emily Bronte, and Mark Twain, Khair examines writing by the plant scientist Merlin Sheldrake and ecological storyteller Robert Macfarlane. These authors work on fungi and mycorrhizal networks illuminates cooperative, non-hierarchical relationships that exist in nature. The Danish-Indian novelist acknowledges Macfarlanes influence on his own writing, praising Underworld: A Deep Time Journey as admirable for the way it press[es] language to the utmost. Khair also mentions Sheldrake, describing a walk the biologist went on with the nature writer in Epping Forest, about which Macfarlane writes in Underworld. Sheldrake and Macfarlane affirm that it is the job of authors to bend language into non-anthropocentric representations of the nonhuman, and Khair understands the assignment. In The Body by the Shore he takes it as his task to depict those networks of sustenance that exist between trees and are facilitated by fungi. Khairs references to roots and shoots in this novel enable plant-based perspectives on hidden subterranean networks, while hinting at the possibility of transformed models to address Covids metamorphoses. Khairs newest works The Body by the Shore, Namaste Trump, and Literature Against Fundamentalism reinforce his longstanding commitment to defying the simplistic narratives that undergird both extremism and corporatism. By advocating for an agnostic approach to reading, Khair encourages us to engage critically with texts as well as the reality that is out there but impossible for a single individual to grasp. In doing this, a flexible contextual specificity that thwarts rigid interpretations is vital. In each of his published texts, Khair addresses the limitations of language, striving to push its boundaries and amplify silences that speak volumes. His writing urges readers to question, and ultimately to peer beyond surfaces into what Sheldrake is quoted as calling the understoreys understory. This makes literature a sharp tool against the forces of extremism, cutting through the polarizing fog of our post-pandemic world. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now. Union Home Minister Amit Shah with Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw at the release of a special booklet on achievements of first 100 days of the government during PM Narendra Modi's third term, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (Photo: PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which addresses the management, preservation, and misuse of Waqf properties, will be passed in Parliament in the coming days. Addressing a press conference on the first 100 days of the third term of the PM Modi government, Shah said, "Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is committed to the management, preservation and misuse of Waqf properties. It would be passed in the Parliament in the coming days." Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Earlier, the Lok Sabha Secretariat, in an official statement, said that a meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, will be held on September 18, 19 and 20 at the Parliament House Annexe in the capital city of New Delhi. During the meeting on September 18, representatives from the Ministry of Minority Affairs will record oral evidence before the committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. On September 19, the committee will hear the views or suggestions of some experts and stakeholders, such as Prof Faizan Mustafa, Vice Chancellor, Chanakya National Law University, Patna; Pasmanda Muslim Mahaaz and All Indian Muslim Personal Law Board, on the bill. On September 20, the Joint Parliamentary Committee will hear the suggestions of All India Sajjadanashin Council, Ajmer, Muslim Rashtriya Manch, Delhi and Bharat First, Delhi, on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Earlier this week, a group of Muslim Social Workers and Islamic Scholars during a meeting in Delhi expressed their support to the government, emphasising that doubting the government's intentions is not appropriate. Speaking to ANI, Islamic Scholar Mufti Wajahat Qasmi said that a meeting was called to remove the confusion created by some political parties against the government, saying that the land of Muslims will be snatched away. "The meeting was called regarding the amendment of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. We called the meeting to remove the confusion created by some political parties against the government, saying that the land of Muslims will be snatched away. The meeting was conducted peacefully. We are standing with the government and we should not doubt the intentions of the government. The government is thinking for the needy and poor Muslims. With this bill, Waqf will flourish, Muslims will flourish and so will the country," he said. A wildlife hospital was inaugurated in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district on Tuesday to mark the second anniversary of the arrival of cheetahs at the Kuno National Park (KNP) as part of an ambitious reintroduction program. State Forest Minister Ramniwas Rawat inaugurated the hospital for cheetahs in Palpur area, constructed at a cost of Rs 2.29 crore. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp That 12 cheetah cubs were born on Indian soil over the last two years testifies to the project's success, claimed the minister, speaking at the function at Sesaipura village. However, the project has also seen setbacks with eight adult cheetahs and five cubs dying during the same period. All surviving cheetahs are currently in enclosures. The Indian government is aiming to revive the cheetah population in the country after the species, the fastest land animal, became extinct in the wild decades ago. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his birthday on September 17, 2022, released eight cheetahs imported from Namibia -- five females and three males -- into enclosures at KNP. In February 2023, another 12 cheetahs were translocated to the Park from South Africa. The newly-built hospital has facilities including an operation theatre, a digital microscope and sonography equipment, among others, officials said. Speaking at the function, minister Rawat said the project has given global recognition to Sheopur district, and attributed its success to the KNP employees and local people. 'Cheetah Mitra', a group of volunteers who create awareness about the project, are playing an important role, he said, after felicitating a few volunteers and chatting with them. Rawat also released the annual report of the project and a documentary on the cheetahs. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests V N Ambade said the area of KNP has been expanded to 1,777 sq km from the earlier 1,235 sq km. PhillipCapital has initiated coverage on the newly listed Bajaj Housing Finance with a 'Buy' call. The brokerage has given a target price of Rs 210 and sees a 27 per cent upside from Monday's closing price of Rs 165 per share. "We would look favourably at Bajaj Housing Finance for its acute focus on salaried home loans, steady expense ratio, and benign credit costs, manifesting strong return ratios. We value Bajaj Housing Finance at 6.5x Sep-26 BV," the report read. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Analysts at PhillipCapital believe that Bajaj Housing Finance has a higher return ratio than its peers as it sources around 40 per cent of its home loans from its parent company, Bajaj Finance's customers. Additionally, Bajaj Housing gives around 90 per cent of its home loans to salaried customers which reduces costs leading to a lower expense ratio in the medium term and augments its risk-adjusted spreads. Meanwhile, Bajaj Housing Finance, as per PhillipCapital, stands out from its peers as the company offers top up home loans in addition to the original home loan, which boosts its yield in this highly competitive market. Bajaj Housing Finance is scaling up its Assets Under Management (AUM) per branch and is closing in on its competitor LIC Housing Finance. Meanwhile, its AUM per employee is at par with Can Fin Homes. "Bajaj Housing's borrowing cost is better than Can Fin Homes', and its risk-adjusted spreads are lower, reflected in Return on Equity (RoE)," the report read. Further, Bajaj Housing is in a league of its own as per analysts at PhillipCapital, as it has a ticket size of Rs 0.5 crore for many home loan aspirants with around 65 per cent of home loan originations in India. Meanwhile, they peg Bajaj Housing's balance sheet at over Rs 2 trillion in three years. "The company's increasing focus on Lease Rental Discounting (LRD), a high-yield segment that provides operating leverage with scale. The CF (construction finance) book will be range-bound at 8-10 per cent of its total book," the report read. The company's near-term credit costs are believed to remain benign with its focus on building a low-risk balance sheet with a return on asset (RoA) and Return on Equity (RoE) of more than 2 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively, in FY25-27. Moreover, PhillipCapital is confident that with scale, Bajaj Housing has scope to improve its expense ratios, implying an improvement in return ratios. Newly listed Bajaj Housing Finance shares soared 10 per cent in the morning deals hit the upper circuit at Rs 181.48 per share. The stock made a strong debut on the bourses on Monday, September 16, doubling investors' money on the issue price. At around 9:48 AM, shares of Bajaj Housing Finance were up 8.13 per cent at Rs 178.4 per share. BSE Sensex at around the same time traded 7.46 points lower at 82,981.32. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp On Monday, Bajaj Housing Finance shares were listed at Rs 150 on the BSE, and the National Stock Exchange (NSE), surging 114.28 per cent above the IPO issue price of Rs 70. Also Read: Bajaj Housing Finance gets first 'Buy' call; PhillipCapital sees 27% upside By close, the share commanded a market price of Rs 165 per share, a staggering 137 per cent surge over its issue price. Its market-cap stood at Rs 1.37 trillion. Brokerage PhilipCapital initiated coverage on Bajaj Housing Finance with a 'Buy' rating. The brokerage sees an upside potential of 27 per cent from Monday's closing and gave a target of Rs 210 per share. Analysts at PhillipCapital believe that Bajaj Housing Finance has a higher return ratio than its peers as it sources around 40 per cent of its home loans from its parent company, Bajaj Finance's customers. Additionally, Bajaj Housing gives around 90 per cent of its home loans to salaried customers which reduces costs leading to a lower expense ratio in the medium term and augments its risk-adjusted spreads. READ MORE Bajaj Housing Finance is a subsidiary of Bajaj Finance one of the most diversified NBFCs in the Indian market. Headquartered in Pune, Bajaj Housing Finance offers finance to individuals as well as corporate entities for the purchase and renovation of homes or commercial spaces. It also provides loans against property for business or personal needs, as well as working capital for business expansion purposes. Bajaj Housing Finance also offers finance to developers engaged in the construction of residential and commercial properties, as well as lease rental discounting to developers and high-net-worth individuals. Reliance Infrastructure shares surged as much as 8 per cent and logged an intraday high of Rs 232.8 on the BSE on Tuesday's trading session. The courter saw buying after the company announced the schedule of a board meeting to discuss raising long-term funds. At around 11:11 AM, shares of Reliance Infrastructure were up 6.28 per cent at Rs 229.3 per share. The BSE Sensex, at around the same time, was trading 28.32 points higher at 83,017. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Reliance Infrastructure, through an exchange filing on Monday after market hours, said that a meeting will be held on September 19 to discuss the fundraising. "We wish to inform you that a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company has been convened on Thursday, September 19, 2024, inter alia, to consider and approve raising of long term resources," the filing read. The company has not disclosed the mode of fundraising, nor the amount the company is looking to raise, or its reasons. Reliance Infrastructure Q1FY25 results Reliance Infrastructure narrowed its losses by 65.2 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) in the quarter ended June 30, 2024, to Rs 233.74 crore, compared to a loss of Rs 672.86 crore in the year-ago period. The company's total income for the quarter stood at Rs 7,256.21 crore, compared to Rs 5,645.32 crore a year ago. Total expenses for the quarter stood at Rs 6,799.3 crore, compared to Rs 6,372.4 crore in the year-ago period. As of March 31, the Engineering and Constructing (E&C) division of the company had a total order book of Rs 1,974.64 crore. Reliance Infrastructure is a constituent of the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group. The company is engaged in the business of providing Engineering and Construction (E&C) services for power, roads, metro rail, and other infrastructure construction. Reliance Infrastructure is also engaged in the implementation, operation and maintenance of several projects in the defence sector and infrastructural areas through its special purpose vehicles. It has executed the Mumbai Metro line one project. Further, the company is also a leading utility company, with a presence spread across the value chain of energy businesses. In the past one year, shares of Reliance Infrastructure have gained 17.7 per cent, compared to the BSE Sensex's rise of 22.33 per cent during the same period. Shares of Aarti Surfactants (ASL) hit a two-year high of Rs 909.90 on the BSE on Tuesday as they surged 18 per cent in the intraday trade. In two days, the stock of the specialty chemicals has zoomed 42 per cent from a level of Rs 641.40 on Friday, September 13. It is trading at its highest level since September 2022. The stock surpassed its previous high of Rs 854.20 touched on January 1, 2024. It had hit a record high of Rs 1,856.65 on August 6, 2021. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp ASL is engaged in the manufacturing of ionic and non-ionic surfactants and specialty products serving the home and personal care (HPC) industry. Its product portfolio includes surfactants, mild surfactants, rheology modifiers, pearlising agents, UV filters, soap bases, and conditioning agents. ASL supplies surfactants, including concentrates for shampoo, hand wash, dish wash, and oral care. Apart from India, ASL also exports its products to USA, Europe, and Southeast Asian countries with exports accounting for 25 per cent of the sales in FY24. ASL is a preferred supplier to Hindustan Unilever, Proctor & Gamble, Patanjali, and Dabur. Increasing demand for eco-friendly and biodegradable surfactants driven by consumer preference; rapid urbanisation and rising disposable incomes in emerging markets like India, China, and Southeast Asia are boosting demand for personal care, home care, and industrial products. The management said the company has observed a growing demand for sustainable and bio-based surfactants driven by consumer and regulatory preferences for environmentally friendly products. The increasing demand for personal care and home care products, fueled by changing lifestyles and rising disposable incomes has led to enhance the company's product offerings and optimise production capabilities, ASL said. With the automotive industry shifting towards electric vehicles (EVs), it is transforming the market for metalworking fluids (MWFs) and lubricant additives. As the manufacturing process of EVs requires less oil, it has declined the demand of MWF, while simultaneously increasing the need for low-foaming systems and non-ionic emulsifiers suited for electric car production. With the increasing popularity of e-commerce platforms, the packaging industry has significantly benefited from the rising demand, especially segments such as adhesives, inks and flexible packaging options. Additionally, in emerging economies such as India and Southeast Asia, there is a notable shift from plastic to board packaging materials, further fuelling demand for surfactants. As the agricultural sector is transitioning towards adopting sustainable agriculture practices, it is increasing the usage of biopesticides, driving the demand for environmental-friendly surfactants such as alkyl polyglucosides and fatty alcohol ethoxylates, ASL said in its FY24 annual report. Going forward, CARE Ratings expects the ASL's revenue to grow by 10-15 per cent p.a. over the next two years with profit before interest, lease rentals, depreciation and taxation (PBILDT) margin sustaining above 10 per cent p.a. driven by focus on increasing export market share, new product development, and expected stability in raw material prices. The revenue from operations has grown at a healthy compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of ~16 per cent in the last four years till FY24 to Rs 590 crore driven by steady volume growth. While the company's revenue marginally declined in FY24 owing to correction in realisations considering reduction in input costs, the same contributed to better profitability with Ebitda margin growing by ~290 bps Y-o-Y to 10.7 per cent in FY24. The contribution of export sales has remained in the range of 25-30 per cent over the last three years, the rating agency said. Going forward, CARE Ratings expects the company's scale of operations to continue to grow through increase in wallet share from existing domestic clients, addition of new clients with a focus on export markets and new product development, translating into steady operating profitability over the medium term. To no ones surprise, negotiators meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, failed to reach a consensus on financial commitments by member countries under a set of goals known as the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance. With just two months to go for the 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change under the Azerbaijani presidency, agreement on the new finance goal and who should pay for it looks unlikely. The meetings, held between September 9 and 12, were a continuation of talks this year in Colombia and Germany in April and 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 The central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday (September 17) marked 100 days in office for its third consecutive term, coinciding with the PMs 74th birthday. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) resumed office for its third term with Modis swearing-in on June 9, alongside the Union Cabinet members. Despite forming the government with a narrower majority compared to 2014 and 2019 and depending on allies such as Janata Dal (United) and the Telugu Desam Party, the first 100 days of this term have been marked by significant policy introductions and notable reversals. Key changes include the withdrawal of the Broadcast Bill, the elimination of the indexation benefit on property transactions, a halt on lateral hiring for government positions, and the referral of the Waqf Amendment Bill to a parliamentary select committee. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp As the government looks ahead to the rest of its five-year term, here are the key policies announced so far: Infrastructure development outlay With Sabka Vikas as the foundation of PM Modis governance, projects worth Rs 3 trillion were approved in the first 100 days, focusing on roads, railways, ports, and aviation. Among these, Maharashtras Wadhavan Mega Port, costing Rs 76,200 crore, is expected to be one of the top 10 ports globally. The government approved the construction or upgrade of 62,500 kilometres of roads and bridges, connecting 25,000 villages, with Rs 49,000 crore in central assistance. An additional Rs 50,600 crore was approved for enhancing Indias road network, including eight National High-Speed Road Corridor projects covering 936 kilometres. The foundation stone for the Shinkhun-La Tunnel, linking Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, was also laid. Meanwhile, eight new railway lines were sanctioned, creating 4.42 crore man-days of employment. The Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi will be developed, and new civil enclaves at Bagdogra in West Bengal and Bihta in Bihar were approved. Airstrips in Agatti and Minicoy in Lakshadweep were also greenlit, along with expansion plans for the Bangalore Metro (Phase 3), Pune Metro, and Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project. Announcements for farmers welfare In one of its early actions post-re-election, the government disbursed Rs 20,000 crore to 9.3 crore farmers under the 17th instalment of the Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi. According to government data, Rs 3 trillion has been distributed to 12.33 lakh farmers so far. Additionally, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Kharif crops in 2024-25 was increased, benefiting around 12 crore farmers by Rs 2 trillion. The Polavaram Irrigation Project in Andhra Pradesh received Rs 12,100 crore in funding, and seven major schemes were launched with a total allocation of Rs 14,200 crore. Other initiatives include drafting a new National Cooperative Policy, scrapping the Minimum Export Price (MEP) on onions and Basmati rice, lowering the export duty on onions from 40 per cent to 20 per cent, approving a Rs 2,000-crore Mission Mausam to build climate resilience, and launching the Agrisure fund to support agricultural startups and rural businesses. Mixed Budget for the middle class In its initial days, the Modi 3.0 government expanded the income tax bracket from Rs 3-6 lakh to Rs 3-7 lakh. The standard deduction for salaried employees opting for the new tax regime was increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000, and the family pension exemption limit was raised to Rs 25,000. A Unified Pension Scheme was also introduced, allowing employees with 25 years of service to receive 50 per cent of their average basic salary as a pension. The government also sanctioned three crore houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and installed solar energy systems in over 2.5 lakh homes between January and August this year. Ease of doing business for startups The government abolished the 31 per cent angel tax, which had burdened startups since 2012, and reduced corporate tax for foreign companies from 40 per cent to 35 per cent. Additionally, a Rs 1,000-crore venture capital fund was established for space-sector startups. The MUDRA loan limit was increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, a credit guarantee scheme for MSMEs was launched to provide collateral-free loans, and e-commerce export hubs for traditional artisans were announced. Bharatiya Nyay Samhita and other govt policies Modis government also introduced three new laws Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyamto replace outdated colonial criminal laws. The National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES) was approved, with a budget of Rs 2,254 crore over five years (2024-29) to improve the criminal justice system. Women and youth empowerment A package of Rs 2 trillion was approved to increase youth employment and skill development during the full Budget for FY25, with the government targeting one crore youth for internships at top Indian companies. For first-time employees under the EPFO, the government will provide an incentive of up to Rs 15,000 in three instalments. For women, the government allocated Rs 2,500 crore to the Community Investment Fund to support 48 lakh members of 4.3 lakh Self Help Groups. The MUDRA loan limit was also raised to Rs 20 lakh. Strengthening healthcare system Expanding the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, the government last week announced free insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh to citizens above 70 years of age. Customs duty exemptions were also granted for three cancer medications. Controversies of Modi 3.0 However, the Modi 3.0 administration encountered significant challenges during its initial 100 days. Critics have expressed concerns over issues of infrastructure and corruption, citing failures in 56 key projects, including airports and statues. Additionally, there have been security lapses, with 26 terror attacks resulting in the deaths of 21 soldiers. The administrations performance has been scrutinised amid these ongoing challenges. Questions have also been raised about economic performance, citing record-high unemployment, declining foreign direct investment, and allegations involving the Prime Ministers associate, Adani. Moreover, the handling of issues in Manipur and Ladakh, as well as crimes against women, has come under scrutiny. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the fourth Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) leaders summit in the United States as part of his three-day visit later this week. On Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Modi's visit, beginning September 21, will also include an address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The Quad Summit is being held in Wilmington, in US President Joe Biden's home state of Delaware. Following the request of the US side to host the Quad Summit this year, India has agreed to host the next Quad Summit in 2025, the MEA said. At the Quad Summit, the leaders will review the progress achieved by the Quad over the last year and set the agenda for the year ahead to assist the countries of the Indo-Pacific region in meeting their development goals and aspirations. On September 23, Modi will address the UNGA, which is meeting this year under the theme of Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow. A large number of global leaders are expected to participate in the summit. "On the sidelines of the summit, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders and discuss issues of mutual interest," the MEA said. While in New York, the Prime Minister will address a gathering of the Indian community on September 22. He will also interact with CEOs of leading US-based companies to foster greater collaborations between the two countries in the cutting-edge areas of AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, and biotechnology. Modi is also expected to interact with thought leaders and other stakeholders active in the India-US bilateral landscape. New Delhi: MP Swati Maliwal speaks to the media on party leader Atishi succeeding Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi CM, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (PTI Photo) Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Swati Maliwal openly criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) following its decision to appoint Atishi as the new Chief Minister of Delhi. Maliwal raised concerns about Atishis family background, claiming that her parents had previously opposed the hanging of convicted terrorist Afzal Guru. Atishi chosen as new Delhi Chief Minister Atishi was chosen by the AAP as Delhis new legislative leader during a meeting of the partys MLAs on Tuesday, which followed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals announcement that he would step down from his position. Kejriwal, who was recently granted bail in the Delhi liquor policy case, stated he would not return as Chief Minister unless re-elected by the people. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Swati Maliwal calls Atishi a dummy CM Maliwal, who has had a falling out with the AAP, expressed her disappointment with the partys choice on social media. Today is a very sad day for Delhi, she wrote, adding that Atishis parents had signed a mercy petition to stop Afzal Gurus execution in 2013. Guru was convicted for his involvement in the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament and was executed in 2013. In her post, Maliwal wrote, A woman whose family fought a long battle to save terrorist Afzal Guru from being hanged is being made the chief minister of Delhi. She referred to the mercy petition signed by Atishis parents, Vijay Singh and Tripta Wahi, which urged then-President Pranab Mukherjee to halt Gurus execution, arguing that he had been framed as part of a political conspiracy. Maliwal warned that Atishis appointment could pose a risk to national security, writing, This issue is related to the security of the country. May God protect Delhi! She also described Atishi as a dummy CM, implying that her leadership might be symbolic rather than substantive. Atishis response to Afzal Guru remarks Atishi had previously addressed the controversy surrounding her parents stance on Gurus execution in 2019, distancing herself from their views. In an interview with vernacular daily Amar Ujala, she said, I am not responsible for any political decisions made by my parents. The responsibility and accountability for those actions lie with them. Atishi made it clear that she did not support her parents position on the issue. AAP calls for Swati Maliwals resignation The AAP has responded strongly to Maliwals comments, calling for her resignation from the Rajya Sabha. Senior party leader Dilip Pandey accused Maliwal of aligning herself with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) despite being elected to the Rajya Sabha by the AAP. Swati Maliwal takes Rajya Sabha ticket from the AAP but takes the script to react from BJP, Pandey said, adding that she should resign if she has even a little shame. VIDEO | "Swati Maliwal is such a person who takes ticket of Rajya Sabha from Aam Aadmi Party and takes script to speak from Bharatiya Janata Party. I would say that if she has even a bit of shame left then she must give up AAP Rajya Sabha seat and should go to Rajya Sabha from pic.twitter.com/pVZgCmnECd September 17, 2024 Maliwals criticisms come amid an ongoing rift between her and the AAP. The tension was exacerbated by her allegations that Kejriwals aide, Bibhav Kumar, assaulted her at the chief ministers residence. This feud has further strained her relationship with the party, culminating in the current controversy over Atishis appointment. Atishis new role as Chief Minister is a significant moment for the AAP, which is facing pressure on multiple fronts, including the recent arrest and subsequent bail of Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case. The war between Russia and Ukraine, now stretching into its third year, has left a devastating mark on both nations. What began as a conflict over borders has spiralled into a human catastrophe, with the toll of dead and wounded surpassing a staggering one million, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. This staggering figure comes as both nations, already grappling with shrinking populations before the conflict, face long-term consequences. The report claimed that although accurately counting the number of casualties in this war has proven difficult. Both Russia and Ukraine have been reluctant to release official data, and when they do, their numbers are often met with scepticism. Citing a confidential estimate from Ukraine earlier this year, the report suggested that 80,000 Ukrainian soldiers had died, while 400,000 had been wounded. Meanwhile, Western intelligence estimates suggest Russian losses range from 200,000 dead to around 400,000 wounded. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Keeping war casualties a secret Both Russia and Ukraine have kept their war casualties confidential. In February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that around 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed. However, former political and security officials believe this figure underplays the true scale of losses in order to maintain public morale and continue recruitment efforts. While the civilian toll remains unknown, some specific tragedies have come to light. For example, Russias capture of the southeastern port city of Mariupol in 2022 reportedly claimed over 8,000 lives, according to estimates from Human Rights Watch. Ukraine's struggle with mobilisation Ukraine has resisted fully mobilising men aged 18 to 25, a group that typically forms the backbone of a nations military force. This decision stems from concerns about the country's demographic future, as these men have yet to start families. Citing military officials, the report added that the average age of Ukrainian soldiers has now risen to over 43, as the country resorts to partial mobilisation, even recruiting small numbers of convicts and foreigners to bolster its forces. Ukraine faces greater demographic strain in the conflict While Russia struggles with poorly trained soldiers in its offensive in eastern Ukraine and a recent Ukrainian advance into the Kursk region, Ukraine faces even more severe challenges. With a population only a quarter the size of Russia's, these losses are far more damaging to Ukraines long-term prospects, WSJ said. Both nations were already grappling with population declines due to economic instability before the conflict. The war has only worsened this trend. For Ukraine, the loss of millions of citizens to Russian occupation and displacement, either as refugees or under Russian control, has further eroded its population base. Experts estimate that Russia's attempts to annex Ukrainian territories and absorb their populations are part of President Vladimir Putins larger plan to bolster Russias demographic strength. Putin has long emphasised the need to address Russia's population decline. Following the annexation of Crimea in 2014, which added around 2.4 million people to Russias population, the Kremlin has pushed efforts to Russify newly occupied Ukrainian territories. This includes policies aimed at pressuring Ukrainians to adopt Russian citizenship and large-scale child abductions. Devastating effects on Ukraine's population Ukraines population has suffered greatly since the conflict began. From 48 million in 2001, it had already fallen to 40 million by the start of 2022, prior to the full-scale invasion. The war has driven over six million Ukrainians to flee the country, with further territorial losses to Russia. Ukrainian government estimates suggest the population in Kyiv-controlled regions has now dwindled to between 25 and 27 million. Decline in birth rate and future prospects for Ukraine In addition to military casualties, Ukraine's birthrate has plummeted to record lows. In the first half of this year, deaths outnumbered births by a three-to-one margin. The country recorded about 250,000 deaths compared to just over 87,000 births during this perioda 9 per cent decline compared to the previous year, the report added. The demographic outlook for Ukraine remains bleak as the war drags on. Russias strategy also involves making life in Ukraine increasingly difficult. Missile and drone attacks have severely damaged Ukraines energy infrastructure, threatening to drive even more Ukrainians abroad this winter if power and heating shortages persist. Intel shares rose 6.4 per cent to $20.91 Monday on the news. The stock remains down 58 per cent this year | Photo: Bloomberg By Mackenzie Hawkins Intel Corp. said on Monday that its eligible to receive as much as $3 billion in US government funding to manufacture chips for the military, confirming earlier reporting by Bloomberg. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The effort, called the Secure Enclave, aims to establish a steady supply of cutting-edge chips for defense and intelligence purposes. The award is separate from a possible $8.5 billion grant from the 2022 Chips and Science Act that would support Intels commercial factories across four US states. In a separate statement Monday, Intel said that those projects continue to make progress. Intel shares rose 6.4 per cent to $20.91 Monday on the news. The stock remains down 58 per cent this year. Lawmakers set aside $3.5 billion in March for the military programme as part of the Chips Act, which aims to boost the American semiconductor industry and reduce reliance on Asia. The $3 billion agreement with Intel covers Secure Enclave funding appropriated to the Commerce Department for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, which started July 1. Commerce is responsible for the broader Chips Act grant programme, but the Defence Department will actually handle the Secure Enclave award, according to a joint statement from the two agencies. That money will be disbursed in two phases, a US official said. The remaining $500 million for Secure Enclave will be appropriated to Commerce in fiscal year 2026, according to bill text from March. Intel has long been the sole intended beneficiary of the programme, as Pentagon officials have insisted on getting advanced chips from an American supplier. In reaching the agreement announced Monday, Commerce relied on the Defence Departments assessment that Intel is uniquely qualified to achieve the programmes aims and requirements, said the official, who asked not to be identified because the deliberations were private. Todays announcement highlights our joint commitment with the US government to fortify the domestic semiconductor supply chain, Chris George, president and general manager of Intel Federal, a subsidiary of Intel focused on government work, said in a statement. The Departments of Defense and Commerce said in a joint statement that the award will build on Intels work with the DoD and will further strengthen our national security. Representative Image: The war has caused vast destruction and displaced about 90 per cent of Gaza's population of 2.3 million. (Photo: Bloomberg) Palestinian officials say Israeli airstrikes killed 16 people in the Gaza Strip on Monday, including five women and four children. A strike flattened a home in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, killing at least 10 people there, including four women and two children. The Awda Hospital, which received the bodies, confirmed the toll and also said 13 people were wounded. Hospital records show that the dead included a mother, her child and her five siblings. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Another strike on a home in Gaza City killed six people, including a woman and two children, according to the Civil Defense, first responders who operate under the Hamas-run government. Israel says it only targets militants and accuses Hamas and other armed groups of endangering civilians by operating in residential areas. The military rarely comments on individual strikes, which often kill women and children. Gaza's Health Ministry says more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in the territory since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack triggered the Israel-Hamas war nearly a year ago. The ministry does not differentiate between fighters and civilians in its count but says a little over half of those killed were women and children. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The war has caused vast destruction and displaced about 90 per cent of Gaza's population of 2.3 million. US official warns Netanyahu of risk to spark broader conflict if he moves to full-scale war in Lebanon WASHINGTON, DC White House senior adviser Amos Hochstein told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials that intensifying the conflict with Hezbollah on the Israeli-Lebanon border would not help achieve the goal of getting Israelis forced to evacuate back in their homes, according to a U.S. official. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the private talks, said Hochstein stressed to Netanyahu during Monday's talks that the Israeli leader risked sparking a broad and protracted regional conflict if he moved forward with a full-scale war in Lebanon. Hochstein also underscored to Israeli officials that the Biden administration remained committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the tensions on Israel's northern border in conjunction with a Gaza deal or on its own, the official said. Netanyahu told Hochstein that it would not be possible to return our residents without a fundamental change in the security situation in the north. The prime minister said Israel appreciates and respects US support but will do what is necessary to maintain its security and return the residents of the north to their homes safely. - Aamer Madhani UN humanitarian official says more must be done to protect civilians in Gaza UNITED NATIONS The top UN humanitarian official for Gaza says more must be done to protect civilians. Time is slipping away as a man-made humanitarian crisis has turned Gaza into the abyss, Sigrid Kaag, the UN senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, told the UN Security Council. Kaag said humanitarian operations are impeded by lawlessness, Israeli evacuation orders, fighting and operating conditions for aid workers. She cited Israeli denials of access, delays, a lack of safety and security, and poor logistical infrastructure. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon insisted the country's humanitarian efforts during the war in Gaza are unparalleled. He told the council over 1 million tons of aid have been delivered via more than 50,000 trucks. Kaag told reporters after the briefing that the question isn't the number of trucks but how many can be retrieved and how much aid can be distributed given the conditions. She pointed to recent attacks on humanitarian convoys and schools and health facilities. It's not about trucks. It's about what people need as human beings, she stressed. We're way, way off what people need, not only daily, but also what we would all consider a dignified human life. Israeli protesters gather after reports that Netanyahu will fire his defense minister Tel Aviv, Israel Hundreds of Israeli protesters have reportedly gathered in central Tel Aviv in a show of anger following reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to fire his popular defense minister. Israeli media reported Monday that Netanyahu is set to dismiss Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and replace him with opposition lawmaker Gideon Saar. Gallant, a gruff retired general, has emerged as Netanyahu's biggest rival in the Cabinet. In recent weeks, the pair have clashed over Gallant's call for Israel to reach a temporary cease-fire with Hamas and to seek a diplomatic solution to end daily fighting with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Israeli media reports said hundreds of demonstrators gathered near Saar's home in central Tel Aviv. Protesters held signs that said, Saar, values before politics, as they marched through the streets. A grassroots group representing hostage families said dismissing Gallant would hurt efforts to bring their loved-ones home. Saar is a former Netanyahu ally who became a fierce rival after quitting the ruling Likud Party four years ago. However, he has struggled as leader of a small party in parliament. Saar has held a number of senior Cabinet posts but has little military experience. Netanyahu's office said that reports of negotiations with Saar were incorrect. But Israeli media said the pair were close to a deal. White House envoy meets with Israeli leaders Tel Aviv, Israel A key White House Mideast envoy is meeting with Israeli leaders in hopes of lowering tensions between Israel and Lebanon. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah began striking Israel shortly after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack ignited the war. Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging blows daily while avoiding an all-out war. The fighting has displaced tens of thousands of civilians on both sides of the border. During his meeting with US envoy Amos Hochstein, Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that time is running out for a political settlement and that Israel is moving toward taking tougher action against Hezbollah. Gallant warned the only way left to ensure the return of Israel's northern communities to their homes will be via military action, his office said. Hochstein in 2022 brokered a maritime border deal between Lebanon and Israel. The two countries have formally been at war since Israel's independent in 1948. Hamas leader says Yemen rebels' missile attack sent a message Sanaa (Yemen) -- The leader of Hamas Yahya Sinwar has told Yemen's Houthi rebels that their recent missile attack has sent a message to Israel. Yahya Sinwar's letter to Abdul-Malek al-Houthi was published by the Houthis' al-Masirah news channel Monday, a day after a missile fired by the Iran-backed rebels landed in an open area in central Israel and triggered air raid sirens at its international airport. I congratulate you for succeeding in making your missile reach the depth of the enemy's entity after surpassing all defense systems, Sinwar's letter read, according to al-Masirah. Sinwar added that the Yemeni missile attack sent a message that that attempts to contain Hamas have failed and that the back-up fronts by Iran-backed groups are becoming more effective. Sinwar said that Hamas carried out the October 7, attack on southern Israel and has since been fighting a defensive war that has exhausted the enemy. He added that Hamas had prepared for a long war of attrition that will break Israel's political will. Shortly after the Israel-Hamas war started, Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq have claimed responsibility for scores of attacks against Israel saying they are backing their allies in Hamas. Israeli settlers storm a West Bank school and beat staffers, Palestinians say. Israeli troops later arrest school's principal and 2 others Ramallah (West Bank) Palestinians say Israeli settlers wielding sticks stormed a Palestinian school in the occupied West Bank, beating staff members and tying up the principal. The Israeli military said Palestinians had attacked an Israeli nearby, inflicting a head injury, before fleeing to the school on Monday. It said a group of Israelis followed the attackers and a confrontation ensued in which a number of Palestinians were hurt. Hassan Malihat, a Palestinian lawyer who at the time was visiting the school near the city of Jericho, said the settlers entered at around 8 am. He says the Israeli army arrived about two hours later and arrested three staff members, including the principal. The military said soldiers and police were dispatched to the school, ended the confrontation and arrested a number of suspects. The Palestinian Red Crescent rescue service says seven Palestinians were wounded in the confrontation. Settler violence has surged across the West Bank since Hamas' October 7 attack ignited the war in Gaza. In some cases, Israeli settlers have stormed Palestinian villages setting cars and properties ablaze. There has also been a rise in car-ramming, stabbing and shooting attacks carried out against Israelis by Palestinian militant groups and lone attackers. Israel captured the West Bank, along with Gaza and east Jerusalem, in the 1967 Mideast war lands the Palestinians want for a future state. The 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank live under Israeli military rule, with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority exercising limited autonomy in some areas. Over 500,000 settlers with Israeli citizenship live in well over 100 settlements considered illegal by most of the international community. Turkish autopsy indicates American-Turkish activist killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank died from a gunshot wound to the head Ankara (Turkey) Initial findings from an autopsy by Turkish authorities indicate that Turkish-American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi who was killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank died from a gunshot wound to the head. The eight-page report, signed by four forensic doctors and a forensic technician, was made available to The Associated Press on Monday. It described details such as skull fractures caused by the gunshot and brain tissue damage, noting that a toxicology report and tissue sample analysis are still pending. The 26-year-old activist from Seattle, who held dual U.S. and Turkish citizenship, was killed on Sept. 6 during a demonstration against Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Her funeral and burial took place in the Turkish Aegean coastal town of Didim on Saturday. The Israeli military stated last week that Eygi was likely shot indirectly and unintentionally by Israeli forces. Turkey is conducting its own investigation into her death. A UN agency says polio campaign in Gaza has reached 90 per cent of the children targeted Jerisalem -- The UN agency for Palestinian refugees says the first round of a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza ended successfully by reaching 90 per cent of the children it targeted. UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said in a post on the social media platform X, that Israel and Palestinian militants had largely observed humanitarian pauses to allow the campaign to proceed. The vaccination drive showed that when there is a political will, assistance can be provided without disruption, Lazzarini wrote on Monday. UNRWA is the main provider of humanitarian assistance in the coastal enclave. Health workers plan to administer a second dose of the vaccine at the end of this month. The campaign was launched after the detection of Gaza's first polio case in 25 years and sought to reach some 640,000 children under the age of 10. Health workers faced a host of challenges, including damaged roads, gutted health facilities and ongoing fighting nearly a year into the Israel-Hamas war. Israeli defense minister says time is running out for agreement with Hezbollah to halt fighting along Israel-Lebanon border Jerusalem Israel's defense minister has told his US counterpart that time is running out for an agreement with Hezbollah to halt the fighting along the Israel-Lebanon border. Yoav Gallant told Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that the possibility for an agreed framework in the northern arena is running out as Hezbollah continues to tie itself' to Hamas. The trajectory is clear, Gallant added, according to a statement released from his office on Monday. Hezbollah began firing rockets and drones into northern Israel after the outbreak of the war in Gaza, which was ignited by Hamas' October 7 attack. Both armed groups are allied with Iran, and Hezbollah says it is acting in solidarity with the Palestinians. Israel has responded to the attacks with airstrikes and the targeted killing of Hezbollah commanders. It has threatened a wider operation, raising fears of another all-out war. Hezbollah has said it will halt its attacks if there is a cease-fire in Gaza, but months of talks brokered by the United States, Qatar and Egypt have repeatedly stalled. Hamas has demanded a lasting cease-fire and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza as part of any agreement to release the scores of hostages it still holds from the October 7 attack. Gallant told Austin that in any possible scenario, Israel's defense establishment will continue to operate with the aim of dismantling Hamas and ensuring the return of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza by any means. ADCs are targeted cancer drugs that in recent years have become some of the most promising treatments for everything from breast to lung cancers | Photo: Bloomberg By Ashleigh Furlong The Japanese cancer drug powerhouse Daiichi Sankyo Co. has its sights on the next generation of targeted oncology drugs, and this time it might not need a partner to get it over the line. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Were in a place now where weve got a lot of the capabilities that we didnt have five years ago, so I think the bar for us to consider bringing in a partner gets higher and higher, Ken Keller, chief executive officer of Daiichis US subsidiary, said in an interview at the European Society for Medical Oncology. AstraZeneca Plc and Daiichis breast cancer drug Enhertu is based off of Daiichis antibody-drug conjugate platform DXd, and was the top-selling ADC globally in 2023. ADCs are targeted cancer drugs that in recent years have become some of the most promising treatments for everything from breast to lung cancers. They work by ferrying the active ingredient directly to the cancer cells and spare healthy ones. ADCs have been transformative for many patients and investors are betting on Daiichis continued success, with its share price up 122 per cent in the last five years. Drugmakers like Daiichi and Roche Holding AG have reaped the benefits from ADCs, and they are seeing more competition. Last year, Pfizer Inc. bought ADC heavyweight Seagen Inc. for $43 billion after AbbVie Inc. acquired ImmunoGen Inc. for $10.1 billion to secure its ADC drug. Its a very competitive space, said Mark Rutstein, Daiichis head of global oncology clinical development, in an interview at the conference. Our scientists that built that innovative DXd platform, they are already far into working on next generation platforms. An ADC from these new platforms was presented over the weekend at the conference, with early stage trials showing promising clinical activity in patients with advanced solid tumors that express a particular gene, Daiichi said in a statement. And Daiichis scientists are working on a platform that goes beyond the two the drugmaker has publicly disclosed, Rutstein said, though he would not disclose specifics. ADCs have three components: an antibody, a linker and a payload. The latter is the toxic part that kills the tumor cells, while the antibody is what ensures that the payload gets to the right cell. Rutstein said a potential area of interest for Daiichi was technology that would target more than one antigen on a tumor at a time, as well as potentially having more than one toxic payload, though he wouldnt say which option was being pursued. Meanwhile, Daiichis early stage ADC drug thats showed promising results is not being developed in partnership with another pharma company. But Keller said that if the drug target has the potential to have dozens of indications, Daiichi would need to assess whether it could execute the trials and get the drug to patients in a reasonably fast time without a partner. By Catherine Thorbecke Australias government wants to ban children up to age 16 from social media, and is spending millions of dollars to figure out how. Im willing to wager it wont take long for tech-savvy teens who grew up on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to figure out how to log back on. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The promised regulation, currently sparse on details, comes at a time when policymakers and parents around the globe are grappling with the negative consequences these platforms can have on developing minds. This global debate has raged for years, reaching a fever pitch in 2021 after former Facebook (now Meta Platforms Inc.) employee Frances Haugen leaked documents showing the company was aware its products were harmful to girls mental health. Years later, US lawmakers are still sputtering on federal regulation to keep the powerful Big Tech companies accountable for harms to young users. Australia is taking matters into its own hands. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised to introduce new laws that set age limits this year, saying that the government was considering a range between 14 and 16 for the cutoff. In a video posted on X for the mums and dads, Albanese said he wants children off their devices and onto the footy field. Surveys indicate most Australians support a social-media age limit, and the idea has broad political support. But even Albanese acknowledges that they are still trying to figure out how this would actually work. The government doesnt identify what social media platforms the youth ban would apply to (Can children message their parents on WhatsApp? Or watch Khan Academys Algebra tutorials on YouTube?). It also doesnt offer specifics on enforcement (Big Brother-esque digital IDs? Further criminalizing children, this time for opening TikTok?). And in the absence of substantive policies, its hard not to see this as a soundbite-y proposal to signal concern to voting parents on a popular issue ahead of an election year without actually accomplishing anything to keep children safe. Thousands of miles away from Silicon Valley, Australia has been leading the charge in efforts to rein in the dominance of Big Tech. Separate proposed legislation aimed at cracking down on digital misinformation has even drawn ire from Elon Musk, who last week labeled the government fascists. (The government has sued Musks X, formerly known as Twitter, over a violent video of a terrorist attack but lost in court.) The nation has also been engaged in a years-long battle to force tech titans to pay for news content. At a time when other jurisdictions have struggled with taking on such powerful companies, Australias multi-faceted attacks are admirable. But research has shown that age limits for social media arent the most effective way to protect teens from its potential harms. Young people have shown remarkable prowess for finding workarounds even those under the age of 13 whom most platforms already prohibit. The American Psychological Association has argued that using social media is not inherently beneficial or harmful to teens, but strict age limits ignore individual differences in adolescents maturity levels. In other words, turning 16 doesnt instantly make you more competent at navigating the digital world than a mature 14-year-old. The process of enforcing broad age verification online raises a slew of privacy concerns, ranging from how identifying information about young users could be stored to cutting off their ability to freely browse the internet while maintaining digital anonymity. Completely shutting off access to digital communities can also sever lifelines for some young people, especially those from marginalized groups. TikTok, in particular, has emerged as a popular platform for Indigenous Australians, allowing them a space where they share everything from budget-friendly recipes to relatable responses to racism. Indigenous youth in remote areas who may not see their stories reflected in traditional media can feel less isolated. LGBTQ+ advocates in Australia have raised similar concerns about a potential loss of connections for vulnerable queer teens if the ban takes effect. More broadly, tech researchers warn that excluding young people from social media platforms will just drive them to darker, even less regulated corners of the web. Still, a growing body of evidence points to a minefield of harms young people can encounter, as much as company executives like to deflect any links. Its absolutely critical that lawmakers take action to protect children from these risks, but selling quick fixes for complex, global problems distracts from the harder policy work required to come up with effective real-world solutions. Simply banning young people from participating in digital life comes a generation too late. The reality is teens today are very much growing up online, a trend accelerated by the pandemic. So much so that the United Nations has said that children have the right to get information from the internet, but adults have a responsibility to make sure it isnt harmful. Policymakers need to focus on holding social media companies accountable for the harms, especially for young users, embedded within their services. They can start by demanding that platforms offer more transparency about how their algorithms work and allowing more outside researchers to look under the hood to identify risks. Without sharing data on how their services are designed, its hard for mental health experts and officials to recommend solutions that address the dangers. Lawmakers must also focus on requiring social media companies, which go to great lengths to understand their users, to create and enforce more guardrails for young people. Without putting the onus on tech companies to reduce risks on their platforms, raising the age limit by a couple of years doesnt keep the next generation safe. Instead of bucketing out floodwater, policymakers in Australia and beyond should turn off the spewing faucets. The appeal came from an adviser to the campaign of Edmundo Gonzlez, who represented the Unitary Platform coalition in the July 28 election, and his main backer, Maria Corina Machado | Photo: X@EdmundoGU Venezuela's main opposition coalition on Monday called on the US to cancel the licenses that allow Chevron and other energy companies to operate in the South American country to pressure President Nicols Maduro to negotiate a transition from power. The appeal came from an adviser to the campaign of Edmundo Gonzlez Urrutia, who represented the Unitary Platform coalition in the July 28 election, and his main backer, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Gonzlez and Machado claim their campaign won the vote by a wide margin, contradicting the decision of national electoral authorities to declare Maduro the winner. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp We want them cancelled this is a lifeline to the regime, adviser Rafael de la Cruz said in reference to the licenses during a panel discussion hosted by a Washington-based think tank. We want all the oil companies to go to Venezuela. So, it's not about the companies. It's about the situation that is impoverishing the country so badly that practically the whole population wants this regime gone. California-based Chevron is the largest company to have received an individual permission from the administration of US President Joe Biden to do business with Venezuela's state-owned oil company Petrleos de Venezuela S.A., better known as PDVSA. The Treasury Department sanctioned PDVSA in 2019 as part of a policy punishing Maduro's government for corrupt, anti-democratic and criminal activities. Chevron's licence was issued in 2022 after Maduro and the opposition coalition jumpstarted a negotiation process. In October, the Treasury Department granted Venezuela a broad reprieve from sanctions after Maduro and the opposition agreed to work to improve electoral conditions ahead of the 2024 presidential contest. But as hopes for a democratic opening faded, the Biden administration clawed back the relief. The White House left open the possibility for companies to apply for licences exempting them from the restrictions, which could attract additional investment to the country with the world's largest proven oil reserves. European companies have benefitted from individual licenses. De la Cruz said the Gonzlez-Machado campaign wants to find common ground with oil companies. But, he said, their presence in Venezuela at the moment give Maduro the ability to try to normalize de facto dictatorship that he is trying to set up in Venezuela. Chevron did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from The Associated Press. Venezuela's electoral authorities declared Maduro the victor hours after polls closed on July 28 but unlike previous presidential elections they never released detailed vote tallies to back up their claim, arguing that the National Electoral Council's website was hacked. To the surprise of supporters and opponents, Gonzlez and Machado shortly afterward announced not only that their campaign had obtained vote tallies from over two-thirds of the electronic voting machines used in the election but also that they had published them online to show the world that Maduro had lost. Global condemnation over the lack of transparency prompted Maduro to ask Venezuela's high court, stacked with ruling party loyalists, to audit the results. The court reaffirmed his victory. After the disputed election, legislation was introduced in the US Congress to prohibit American investments in Venezuela's oil sector and to impose visa restrictions on current and former Maduro government officials. Resolutions recognizing a Gonzlez victory were also introduced in the House and Senate. Gonzlez, a former diplomat, earlier this month departed for exile in Spain after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with an investigation into the publishing of the vote tally sheets. Last week, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions against 16 allies of Maduro, accusing them of obstructing the vote and carrying out human rights abuses. Those targeted included the head of the country's high court, leaders of state security forces and prosecutors. The World Bank on Tuesday said that it could mobilise an additional $2 billion in financing to Bangladesh in this fiscal year to support critical reforms, flood response, better air quality and health. World Bank Country Director Abdoulaye Seck pledged the new assistance when he called on interim government's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Tuesday. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Seck said that the World Bank "is committed to increasing lending to Bangladesh in this fiscal year to help the reform agenda of the Interim Government," the chief adviser posted on X. "Seck informed that the World Bank can mobilise about $2 billion new financing in this fiscal year to support critical reforms, flood response, better air quality and health," Yunus said in another post on X. Seck's remarks came days after the US Agency for International Development (USAID)-Bangladesh on Sunday said it would provide $202.25 million in aid to Bangladesh to advance development, empower youth, strengthen democracy, improve health and expand trade and economic opportunities to people in the South Asian country. Seck's meeting with Yunus came over a month after Yunus, known for his deep relations with Washington, was installed Bangladesh's Chief Advisor following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina who fled the country on August 5 amidst student-led mass protests. "We would like to support you as fast as possible and as much as possible," Seck was quoted as saying by the state-owned BSS news agency. He added that the bank would support the critical financial needs of the country. In addition to the new commitments, he said, the global lender would repurpose about an extra $1 billion from its existing programmes in consultation with the government in response to the calls for support by the Chief Adviser to all development partners of Bangladesh, the news agency reported. Seck said the extra lending would raise the amount of soft loans and grants the World Bank would be giving to Bangladesh this fiscal to about $3 billion once the funds from the existing projects are repurposed. He said the completion of the reforms would be "critically important" for Bangladesh and its young people, including the two million people who are joining the job market every year. During the meeting, Yunus told the World Bank official that the bank must have flexibility to fund Bangladesh's reforms and help restart a new journey after 15 years of "extreme misgovernance." "Out of these ashes, we have to build new structures. We need a big push, and we have to focus on the dreams of the students," he said. "I will suggest, help us. Be a part of our team," said the Chief Adviser. Yunus asked the World Bank to lend its technical support to recover billions of dollars of stolen assets siphoned off from Bangladesh by corrupt individuals during Hasina's 15-year-long rule. "You have the tech to bring back stolen assets," he said, adding Bangladesh would also need the bank's expertise to build "a zero-corruption Bangladesh". The World Bank country chief agreed to help Bangladesh bring back the stolen money. "We are happy to help you," Seck said. He said the global lender would also like to help Bangladesh with data transparency, data integrity, digitalisation of tax collection, and financial sector reforms. Yunus said Bangladesh cannot afford to lose this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fix its institutions and undertake major reforms. "Once we lose it, it will never come back," he said. Friday, September 13, 2024 at 11:50AM Stray | Photo: Annapurna Interactive Following a breakdown in talks for spinning off Annapurna's game division, the staff of Annapurna Interactive resigned. "All 25 members of the Annapurna Interactive team collectively resigned," former president Nathan Gary and staffers told Bloomberg. "This was one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make and we did not take this action lightly." Annapurna Interactive is a game company known for publishing independent hits like Stray, Outer Wilds, Gorogoa, Neon White, What Remains of Edith Finch, and many more. Gary tried to negotiate a deal with Annapurna Pictures lead Megan Ellison to turn it into an independent developer. But a week before its latest negotiations, the co-heads of Annapurna Interactive, Deborah Mars and Nathan Vella, along with Gary, announced their departure. There was hope that Annapurna Pictures could reach an agreement with the workers who stayed at Annapurna Interactive. But the consolidation with the TV and Film team didn't happen. Gary and 25 of the creative employees left the company on September 12, shutting down its operations. Hector Sanchez, Gary's replacement as Annapurna Interactive president, assured developers working on projects for the company that the employees who left will be quickly replaced. However, it is unclear how this will affect the quality of these ongoing projects. Source: 1 + 2 Sean McCarthaigh A former commodore of a yacht club in Dublin drowned after falling into the water at a marina on the River Liffey while trying to get onto a boat after a social event last year. An inquest at Dublin District Coroners Court heard the body of John Wedick (78) a well-known figure in sailing circles and a senior member of the Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club was found floating in the water at the clubs marina on Pigeon House Road, Ringsend on the morning of November 19, 2023. The widower and father of five from Camolin, Co Wexford, who had been commodore of the club on several occasions, had attended a social function to mark its 50th anniversary on the previous evening. The deceaseds son, John Wedick Junior, who gave evidence of formally identifying his fathers body to gardai, told the coroner, Clare Keane, that his father was in good health and spirits when he last saw him, which was the day before his death. He described how his father was looking forward to attending the event at the yacht club as the anniversary celebrations had been delayed for a number of years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr Wedick said the deceased would have known the area around the marina and the yacht club well, and he had also grown up in the area. In reply to a question from the coroner, he said the area around the marina was relatively well lit. The inquest heard that Mr Wedick was due to stay the night on board his sons boat which was moored at the clubs marina. The deceaseds son said he understood that his father slipped while getting into the boat and fell in the water. He confirmed to Dr Keane that his father was able to swim. In a written statement, a bar manager at the yacht club said Mr Wedick had attended a private members function in the clubhouse and was in great form and did not appear in any way upset or distressed when leaving the event sometime after 1am. Garda Paul Fay of Donnybrook Garda station, gave evidence of being alerted to the discovery of a body in the River Liffey at the Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Clubs marina at around 9am on November 19th, 2023. Garda Fay said he saw a body laying face down in the water between a pontoon and rocks when he arrived at the scene. He also recalled noticing a large cut on the victims forehead. The inquest heard the victims body was recovered from the water by Dublin Fire Brigade personnel and brought ashore at the Jeanie Johnston marina where Mr Wedick was formally pronounced dead at 9:27am. Garda Fay said CCTV footage from the yacht club had caught the deceaseds last moments and showed him going through a gate that led to a pontoon in the marina before going to his sons boat. He described how the footage did not show Mr Wedick falling into the river but that his body was visible in the water afterwards. Garda Fay said the victim looked fine as he was walking to the boat and did not look unsteady on his feet. He also confirmed that the weather was dry at the time. The deceaseds son pointed out that his father would generally wear sailing shoes when he was in the marina but was wearing dress shoes on the night because he was attending a black tie event. Im not sure what grip they had, he observed. Although two other people had gone into the marina around the same time, Garda Fay said they had gone in a different direction on the pontoon and he was satisfied there was no third party involvement in Mr Wedicks death. It just looks like a tragic accident, the garda remarked. Dr Keane said postmortem results showed he had sustained some abrasions on his scalp but it had not been possible to determine how they had been caused. The coroner said there was some evidence of chronic heart disease but she did not regard it as a contributory factor in his death. Dr Keane said Mr Wedick had mild alcohol intoxication, but the levels were certainly not at the high end. Returning a verdict of accidental death, she said the deceased had died as a result of drowning. She offered her condolences to members of Mr Wedicks family who attended the inquest and acknowledged how traumatising such an out of the blue and unexpected death was for them. Mr Wedick, who was known as Johnny, was also a founding member of the Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Club and was involved in the restoration of a 50-foot fishing vessel, The Bracan Lass, which had been docked in a dilapidated state in Grand Canal Dock for many years. His love affair with sailing was formed in his youth where he grew up in his grandmothers house in Ringsend and he joined the local sea scouts at the age of 10. A former chef who set up his own wholesale meat distribution business, Mr Wedick moved from his home in Artane to Wexford in his retirement but remained actively involved in the Ringsend club until his death. Tom Tuite A Dublin man described as a loner after being charged with threatening to kill Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald in a viral social media video has lodged a fresh High Court bail application. Richard McGreevy, 28, of Whitechurch Place, Rathfarnham, is accused of making threats to kill or cause serious harm to the Sinn Fein leader. The offence allegedly occurred on July 16th at his home. He was refused bail in the District Court on July 19th and was remanded in custody, but a new application was initiated in the High Court in Cloverhill, Dublin. The case was listed on Tuesday but did not proceed, and it has been put back for a week. The prosecution follows a complaint by Ms McDonald after footage of a man in a balaclava was shared on social media platforms. Officers from the Special Detective Unit (SDU), which investigates subversive, terrorist and organised crime and threats to the State, arrested him at his south Dublin home. Detective Sergeant Gareth Kane told his District Court hearing that Mr McGreevy made no reply to the charge. The detective sergeant objected to bail based on witness intimidation or interference concerns. On conviction, the offence carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence, the court heard. According to the SDU officer, the evidence in the case was strong. He said gardai had seized all devices used to post the video. Admissions were said to have been made in Garda custody. Cross-examined by defence solicitor Kevin Tunney, it was likely that the case would be sent forward to the Circuit Court. The solicitor had said his client had memory problems, and Detective Sergeant Kane agreed with Mr Tunney when he stated his client was a young man who had a difficult childhood. The solicitor told the court Mr McGreevys father died when he was a child, and his mother abandoned him when he was aged three, and the garda said, I believe it was chaotic. The defence solicitor submitted that his client had two dogs which had to go into a pound; he also told the court his client was in social housing, which he could lose if he went into custody for a lengthy period. He argued that his client could be subject to conditions, sign on daily at a garda station and stay off social media. Asked if that would ease his fears, Detective Sergeant Kane said, No, but it is in the courts hands, and he did not alter his objection to bail. Detective Sergeant Kane claimed the accused broadcast on TikTok that he was going to kill a TD, and he incited violence against the commissioner of the garda and other gardai. Mr Tunney suggested his client was a loner, and Detective Sergeant Kane agreed that he was not a member of any organisation or gang. Holcim Argentina acquires first electric quarry vehicle ICR Newsroom By 17 September 2024 Holcim Argentina has announced the addition of an electric truck to its vehicle fleet, contributing to reducing carbon emissions in line with the companys sustainability strategy. The company added in a statement, This is the first electric truck to be used in a quarry within the country, a breakthrough that represents a clear transformation of the construction industry towards a future with more innovation and sustainability. Through this New Pure Electric Mining Trick model, of the XGMT brand, Holcim Argentina will avoid the emission of more than 225t of CO 2 per year, equivalent to removing 53.6 cars from circulation or the same CO 2 absorbed by a forest with a surface area of more than 7.5 times the Central Park of Mendoza. In addition, a significant reduction in operating costs and an improvement in the uniformity of the raw material are expected. Holcim Argentinas decarbonisation project required a total investment of more than US$300,000 for the acquisition of the truck, installation of a loading station and the adaptation of existing infrastructure. The truck is to be incorporated at the Capdeville plant in the province of Mendoza. Marilina Moro, head of decarbonisation at Holcim Argentina, said, Sustainability is at the core of our strategy, and as part of this path we aim to reduce our impact on the planet. That means transforming each of our processes throughout the companys value chain. The electrification of our internal fleet is one of the key objectives on our path towards the decarbonisation of our quarries, an area in which progress is being made worldwide and in Argentina we are the leading sector. With a capacity of 45m3, the truck can transport up to 72t, making it a key part of Holcims quarrying operation. Weighing 43t, this truck is both robust and innovative in terms of energy efficiency and operational safety. It features an energy recovery braking system, which allows the battery to be charged during braking, reducing energy consumption and improving operational efficiency. The truck also incorporates an automatic gearbox and a panoramic video system for assistance in reversing manoeuvres, ensuring safer and more precise handling in daily operations. Published under The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga announced that Dr. Ethan Carver has been appointed associate provost for academic affairs and dean of the Graduate School, effective immediately.Dr. Carver, who has worked closely with graduate programs and the Graduate School since 2016first as assistant dean and then as associate deanhad been serving as interim dean since January.Dr. Jerold L. Hale, UTC provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, announced the appointment.Dr.Carvers transition from interim to permanent dean comes as a result of his exceptional leadership over the past eight months, Dr. Hale said. Since he stepped into the interim role in January, UTC has seen a notable increase in graduate enrollments compared to last year. His ability to assemble an outstanding team for the Graduate School and address key vacancies has been instrumental in this success.Its a natural progression to lift the interim designation and let him continue to do the work that needs to be done.Dr. Carver has 20 years of faculty and administrative experience at UTC, and his research background includes stints at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California and the Jackson Laboratory in Maine.Im honored to serve in this position, and Im looking forward to continuing my interactions with graduate students, faculty, staff and programs to help elevate graduate education, Dr. Carver said. Our unit has been working to introduce new professional development opportunities for all graduate students. Weve been working with programs to bolster their enrollments and to find areas that we can contribute more to their success.Dr.Carver first came to UTC as an undergraduate, receiving a bachelors degree in biology in 1991. He later earned a Ph.D. from the UT-Oak Ridge Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.In 2005, he returned to UTC as an assistant professor of biologyand was promoted to associate professor in 2011 and professor in 2017. Since 2013, he has been the Lewis and Robert Collins Professorship for Distinguished Teaching in Biological and Environmental Sciences.When I first started with the UTC faculty, I was hopeful to learn more about administration, and I was lucky enough to find my way to the Graduate School, Dr. Carver recalled. The dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Joanne Romagni, turned out to be a wonderful mentor and friend who helped me move forward, recognize potential and start building up my professional and leadership skills. Dr. Romagni was a key player in positioning me to succeed, and I view her as an ongoing mentor and a cherished friend.Highlights of Dr. Carvers time at UTC have included serving on six masters student committees, 28 undergraduate Honors student committees, as chair of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and in an oversite role for all graduate programsleading graduate recruitment and marketing efforts.As I move into this new role, I want to continue that trajectory to highlight, uplift and assist graduate education across UTC, he said. I want everybody on campus to know that the Graduate School is here to support student endeavors and faculty work programs. Our door is always open and we want to help. Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) has awarded approximately 1,200 certificates through the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3), an organization established to train and educate future skilled workers for productive careers. Last fall, GNTC was named the first NC3 Leadership School in the State of Georgia. Becoming an NC3 Leadership School provides GNTC with the opportunity to provide nationally recognized certifications to our students, making them ready for the workforce, Dr. Elizabeth Anderson, vice president of Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness at GNTC, said. Not only are our students completing a program to enter a high-demand career, but in specific programs, students are also being provided with the opportunity to obtain a nationally recognized industry certification. GNTC also boasts having three of NC3s 55 Master Instructors on its faculty: Jon Byrd, executive director of Aviation at GNTC and Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) state aviation advisor; Scottie Carter, program director, assistant dean and instructor of Electrical Systems Technology at GNTC; and Zachary Fager, program director and instructor of Aviation Maintenance Technology. NC3 awards the Master Instructor title to individuals who are experts in their respective fields, serve as mentors and guides, and champion NC3s global network of education and industry leaders, according to NC3. Eleven additional current GNTC faculty members have NC3 certifications. They are Salvador Arreguin, program director and instructor of Diesel Equipment Technology; William Bannister, instructor of Aviation Maintenance Technology; Cody Holloway, instructor of Industrial Technology; Pete Lute, program director and instructor of Automotive Technology; Philip Moore, instructor of Aviation Maintenance Technology; Eric Nelson, instructor of Aviation Maintenance Technology; Will Peranteau, instructor of Industrial Systems Technology; Wesley Runyon, Instructor of Industrial Systems Technology; Bill Scoggin, instructor of Industrial Systems Technology; Dick Tanner, program director and instructor of Instrumentation and Controls; and Kevin Van Der Horn, instructor of Industrial Systems Technology Dual Enrollment. There are lots of opportunities as a Leadership School to enhance our instructors skillsets and pass that knowledge on to our students, Byrd said. Leadership School status provides industry networking connections since major industry partners have a direct pipeline to the curriculum used in the certification kits, lectures and projects. Being an NC3 Leadership School opens the doors for GNTC not only to lead by example in the State of Georgia, but also gives our students an advantage in their chosen career fields and opens up opportunities for NC3, secondary and post-secondary administrators and faculty to visit our campuses during NC3 national events, Byrd explained. Leadership Schools can host NC3 Train-the-Trainer events, for example, which attract industry executives for networking and recruiting students, Byrd said. GNTC currently offers NC3 certifications through Daniels Manufacturing Corporation (DMC), Greenlee, RIDGID, Snap-on and Starrett and is working to add FESTO. GNTC offers more than 30 NC3 certifications, and some of the certification kits have multiple certifications within that area/skill set. For example, Snap-On and Starretts Precision Measuring Instruments kit has six different certifications associated with it; Snap-Ons Mechanical and Electronic Torque certification kit offers up to five certifications; the Hand Tool ID and Safety kit has five certifications associated with it, Anderson said, adding that Introduction to Electricity and Electronics, Multimeter, Precision Electrical Termination and Structural Sheet Metal Assembly are all single-certification kits. For my program, certifications have always been a supplement to the curriculum students are already learning, Carter said. They provide a sense of accomplishment throughout the semester and give students something to be proud of. Some students have shared that their families celebrate or have a special dinner when they receive their certificate, Carter said. These certifications not only instill pride and accomplishment, but also boost students confidence in their ability to succeed in the electrical field, Carter said. Employers are often impressed with the knowledge they gain. Carter said he is pleased with GNTCs partnership with NC3 and their corporate sponsors, and he hopes that these industry credentials set his students apart and put them ahead in their career path. GNTC is also taking a lead role and demonstrating to other educational institutions how to leverage industry partnerships and optimize industry-recognized credentials to develop opportunities for students. Anderson, Byrd, Fager and Jennifer Loudermilk, associate vice president of Academic Affairs at GNTC, presented Optimizing Partnerships and Making a Difference for Students at the NC3 Annual Leadership Summit on July 23-25 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. NC3 certifications can be used across various career and technical education (CTE) program areas including aviation, construction science and energy efficiency, digital literacy, health and safety, horticulture, manufacturing, transportation and welding. NC3 certifications also include STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs. According to NC3, the NC3 certification or stamp of approval is nationally recognized as the standard for certifications and workforce development. NC3s global memberships include secondary and post-secondary institutions, as well as business and industry members. NC3 has supported 330,000 students and completed more than 607,000 industry-driven stackable certifications. Certifications can be used in workforce development and training, as well as fast track training. NC3 stackable certifications are designed to integrate into an existing technical program, stand-alone and/or be utilized for workforce development training, according to NC3. Students are introduced to kinesthetic learning opportunities and industry-valued competencies while they learn relevant job-ready skills. Certiport, Copeland, Daniels Manufacturing Corporation, Dremel, Festo, Greenlee, Kubota Tractor Corp., Lincoln Electric, Palmer Hamilton, RIDGID, Snap-on Inc., L.S. Starrett Co., Swift, Test Products International Inc., 3M, Thermo King, Tormach and Trane are global industry partners partnering with NC3. The organization also partners with the American Association of Community Colleges; American Technical Education Association; Association for Career and Technical Education; Aspen Institute; Federal Aviation Administration; Manufacturing Skill Standards Council; National Association of Manufacturers; National Association of Workforce Boards; National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers; National Rural Education Association; Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation; SkillsUSA; SME Education Foundation; TechForce Foundation and US FabLab Network. NC3 was established to help build a workforce prepared to meet the needs of todays and tomorrows industries by connecting employers and educational institutions in synergistic partnerships that foster effective training, elevation of skilled careers, and employment opportunities. In fulfilling its mission, NC3 builds deep industry-educational partnerships and develops, implements and sustains industry-recognized portable certifications built on national skills standards. The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga will transform into a hub for civic participation Tuesday as the campus celebrates National Voter Registration Day. From 9 a.m.-4:00 p.m., voter registration booths will be set up across campus at Guerry Honors College, Heritage Plaza, Chamberlain Field and the University Center, to give students, faculty and staff the opportunity to register to vote and learn more about upcoming elections.This event brings together multiple organizations dedicated to increasing voter participation, including the Tennessee Democracy Network, the United By Change Coalition, Chattanoogas League of Women Voters, Empower to Motivate Community Change (E2MC2), the UTC Department of Political Science and Public Service, the UTC Department of Women, Gender and Sexualities Studies, the UTC Student Government Association, UTCs Political Science Club, UTC's Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, UTC's Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and UTC's Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.Were excited to make registering to vote simple and accessible for UTC students, said Kayla Jones, president of the Tennessee Democracy Network.National Voter Registration Day is about building a stronger democracy, and that starts with empowering young people to use their vote and participate.Event Highlights: Voter registration booths at Guerry Honors College, Heritage Plaza, Chamberlain Field, and the University Center throughout the day. Information tables offering resources about voting rights, local elections, and nonpartisan civic engagement. Giveaways and freebies for students. Campus-wide celebration featuring music, snacks, and opportunities to meet with local and statewide civic organizations.This is more than just a voter registration eventits about activating our campus community to create the world they want to live in, said Ms. Jones. Were encouraging students to use their voices and vote in the upcoming elections, and reminding them that their vote does matter. The Photographic Society of Chattanooga will hold its annual open house on Thursday, Oct. 17, with special guest Nye Simmons. Mr. Simmons has been photographing for over 50 years. His photography has been heavily weighted to the Smokies and Blue Ridge Parkway since moving to Knoxville in 1986. Starting with calendar and magazine submission, he progressed to self-publishing and released the Smoky Mountains Photographers Guide (with Bill Campbell) in 2003. Since then, Mr. Simmons has published more books and calendars. He is now offering photographic field workshops in the Smokies, Blue Ridge Parkway and beyond, as well as Photoshop instruction. His emphasis in his workshops is helping his participants develop their own sense of photographic vision. Mr. Simmons program will be Photographing Natures Extremes: Death Valley to Caddo Lake, in which he will be discussing what makes each of these places special, and techniques, equipment and safety tips to capture the beauty of these places. Social time will begin at 6 p.m. and the presentation will begin at 7 p.m. Visitors are welcome. Refreshments will be served during the social hour. There will be gift bags for attendees and drawings will be held for door prizes. Berrie Smith will be on site to clean camera sensors and perform lens calibrations for a fee (sensor cleaning $40/camera, lens calibrations $25 per lens/body combo, $50 for one lens/two bodies, $75 for three lenses/one body). To make reservations for Mr. Smiths services, please email Bill Mueller at shooter@epbfi.com by Oct. 15 to get a place in line. The club will be holding fundraising activities with a GotSneakers.com shoe drive and spare change bucket. The presentation will be at the St. John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Dr. For more information call 344-5643 or e-mail Myra Reneau at president@chattanoogaphoto.org. For more information about the Photographic Society of Chattanooga, visit https://chattanoogaphoto.org. The Tennessee Occupant Protection Center and the Tennessee Highway Safety Office will honor Lindsay Smith, BSN, RN, Pediatric Trauma Injury Prevention & Outreach coordinator, and Childrens Hospital at Erlanger with the Dr. Robert Sanders Leadership and Service Award on Wednesday.This award recognizes extraordinary advocacy for child passenger safety, leadership, dedication and innovation in injury prevention. The event will also raise awareness for Child Passenger Safety Week (Sept.1622), a time dedicated to educating families about proper child passenger safety.Officials said, "Lindsay Smith and the pediatric trauma and injury prevention team at Childrens Hospital at Erlanger have played a critical role in reducing child passenger injuries and fatalities through education and community partnerships. Their work includes injury prevention programs and car seat check-up events, all designed to keep children safe in Hamilton County and the surrounding areas."The Dr. Robert Sanders Leadership and Service Award recognizes individuals or teams that demonstrate leadership and dedication to child passenger safety and make a long-term, positive impact on their communities. This year, Childrens Hospital at Erlanger is being recognized for its outstanding commitment to keeping kids safe through its Safe and Sound program and other injury prevention efforts." During our commemoration of Constitution Week, Sept. 17-23, it often is appropriate to remember that the United States Constitution was not our first form of government following the Revolutionary War and the Treaty of Paris, 1783 which established an independent nation. In fact, our first government under the Articles of Confederation was a dismal failure. While there were some steps forward crafted by the Confederation Congress, there were inherent problems that mandated a new approach to governing the former colonies. So, why did the representatives of the 13 colonies draft a document that created a weak government? Personal experience. Having lived as a part of the British Empire, governed by a king and a parliament that did not recognize the rights of those in the colonies, the founding patriots were fearful of creating a new government that would once again rob the people of their fundamental rights. It is important to remember that the patriots were well aware of English tradition - - the Magna Carta, habeas corpus, the English Bill of Rights and other rights of English citizens that had been denied to the colonists. The revolutionary cry of no taxation without representation was grounded in that tradition and the patriots were determined to protect the rights of the individuals and the states that would form the union. While the Articles of Confederation were drafted by the Second Continental Congress - - the Congress that declared independence via the Declaration of Independence - - it took them five years to agree on the first draft of a government they believed would be effective post-independence. Interestingly, most of the positive actions occurred during war-time; it was within the framework of the Articles that war was waged and the Treaty of Paris was negotiated. It was the Articles that created the concept of reciprocity that each former colony, now state, would recognized the laws of other states. Citizens could travel freely from state to state. Criminals who fled from one states jurisdiction would be returned for trial. Marriages and birth/death records from one state would be valid in another state. Each of those provisions seems logical today but, prior to the revolution, those actions were not assured. Arguably, the Articles of Confederation governments greatest accomplishment was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, legislation that had an impact beyond its own time. With its passage, people in the northwestern lands, the future Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and a portion of Minnesota, had the right to organize their own governments and then, after meeting basic requirements of population, apply for statehood. Equally far-reaching was the fact that the Northwest Ordinance provided for public education, forbade slavery and guaranteed settlers the rights to freedom of religion, the right to trial by jury and basic due process of law. Cue the celebration for personal liberties and more! However, there were some glaring problems with the Articles that made the resulting national government ineffective. What were those problems: 1) Congress had no money and could only dependent on voluntary contributions from the states based upon agreement of fair share apportionment. Remember that whole no taxation without representation battle cry? The new states argued forcibly about fair share and, as a result, there was no treasury. 2) The Confederation Congress turned a blind eye to acts of discrimination by the states. Some states refused to pay Loyalists for property seized during the revolution while other states honored those debts. 3) Congress had no power to make a state government obey a resolution passed in the Congress. 4) Any action taken by Congress had to have the consent, approval and cooperation of the states. Any new legislation required a vote for passage and any change to the Articles themselves required unanimous approval. 5) There was no executive office to enforce legislation. When Shays Rebellion, a revolt staged by Massachusetts western farmers who could not pay their taxes during an economic decline and faced confiscation of their lands, the government knew it was in trouble. The revolt spread. Courts were shut down, halting the sale of lands for back taxes. When Daniel Shays and his followers stormed an arsenal in search of weapons and the government had no ability to raise an army, fund the action or maintain law and order. A new form of government was needed and Virginia stepped forward with a call to a meeting in Annapolis, Maryland to discuss revising the Articles of Confederation. From five states sending representatives to Annapolis came the recognition that perhaps a more drastic revamping of government was required. Next stage: The Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Watch for the next chapter in the story Linda Moss Mines, the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Historian, is a retired educator who has spent 52 years sharing the stories of the republic and the vision of a nation of liberty, equality and justice. * * * Linda Moss Mines, Sincere thanks for your piece in yesterdays edition. You are still the Rock Star Ive known for years. You expounded on information that is not taught in our schools today, but indeed the foundational work leading to a Constitution, one which has survived for over 200 years now. It did take our forefathers several years to figure things out, which they did. Articles like this need to be discussed in classrooms today. We have to stop ignoring our childrens, our futures, and teach history. Again, thank you for your article and I cant wait to read part two. J. Pat Williams Cynthia Elizabeth Cates Cowan passed away peacefully at home while under the care of Hospice of Chattanooga. Cynthia was born on May 3, 1947, to William Paul Cates and Mary Pearl (Hicks) Cates. She was raised in Memphis, and graduated from East High School before attending the University of Chattanooga (which later became University of Tennessee Chattanooga). After graduating with a major in chemistry, she went to work for DuPont as a laboratory chemist. After a few years she decided to go back to college and get a degree in education, and began teaching the gifted students, first in Dade County, and later in Hamilton County. At age 62 she retired and started volunteering for the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum as a conductor on the trains which she loved very much. Finally due to health concerns, she had to quit the most loved job of her life. She was a longtime member of Hixson United Methodist Church and the Cornerstone Sunday School Class. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Lynn Cowan and three children, Benjamin (Amelia) Cowan, Mary (Jared) Lomax and Seth (Erin) Cowan and eight grandchildren. She is also survived by her stepson, Jason Cowan. A special thank you to Hospice of Chattanooga and especially Ashley and Christy for all their care. There will be no public visitation at the funeral home. A graveside service and interment will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23, at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with Reverend Chuck Starks of Hixson United Methodist Church officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum or your favorite charity. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343. The City Council will vote next week on allowing applicants as young as 18 for jobs in the Chattanooga Fire Department. Applicants now have to be at least 21. Chief Phil Hyman boosted the move, saying it gives the department additional hiring options. He said when he joined the fire department, "there were hundreds of applicants, but that is no longer the case." Concerning the issue of maturity levels, Chief Hyman said he was confident that the young firefighters can be properly trained and mentored. He said currently "we have to tell high school graduates that they will have to wait three years to apply. Very few are going to wat that long to join the Fire Department." Chief Hyman said state law allows 18-year-old firefighters, and many large departments have them, including Memphis, Boston and Chicago. Officials said there should be negligible effects on the fire pension program. Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new way to break down a dangerous subgroup of PFAS known as PFOS. With the help of nanoparticles and ultrasound, piezocatalysis could offer an effective alternative to existing processes in the future. What do firefighting foam, non-stick cookware, water-repellent textiles and pesticides all have in common? They all contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS human-made chemicals that dont break down naturally. Its no wonder, then, that PFAS are now contaminating soil and water and can also be detected in the bodies of humans and animals. The dangers are well known: these forever chemicals can damage the liver, trigger hormonal disorders and cause cancer, to mention just a few of their effects. Researchers in the group under Salvador Pane i Vidal, Professor at ETH Zurichs Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, have developed a new method to break down a subgroup of PFAS called perfluorooctane sulfonates, or PFOS. Due to their toxicity, PFOS are now severely restricted or even banned. The main problem is that the molecules consist of long carbon chains surrounded by fluorine atoms. This carbon-fluorine bond is so strong that you need a lot of energy to break it, says Andrea Veciana, a doctoral student of Pane i Vidals. Breaking down molecules with ultrasound and nanoparticles To break up the PFOS molecules and thus degrade them in water, the researchers used piezocatalysis for the first time. Piezo refers to piezoelectricity, an electrical charge that is generated during mechanical deformation, and catalysis means accelerating a chemical reaction with suitable substances. Weve developed nanomaterials that are piezoelectric. To the naked eye, this material looks a bit like sand, Veciana says. In the ultrasonic bath, these particles become electrically charged and act as a catalyst. Pane i Vidal adds: Its this electrical charge that sets the whole chain of reaction in motion and breaks down the PFOS molecules piece by piece. Thats why the nanoparticles are called piezoelectric. To measure the PFOS concentration in their samples, the researchers worked with Samy Boulos, analytical specialist from the Laboratory of Food Biochemistry. Using a mass spectrometer, the researchers were able to prove that 90.5 percent of the PFOS molecules were degraded. However, we should point out that we were working with a very high concentration of 4 milligrams per litre, Veciana says. In the natural world, such as in lakes and rivers, the PFOS concentration is less than 1 microgram per litre. And the lower the concentration, the longer it takes for the PFOS to degrade. Some of the technologies currently in development first concentrate the water and then destroy the PFOS. This would also be a key step in the piezocatalysis, one that would have to be implemented in a specific application such as a chemical industry effluent. Better than previous methods The potential of the new method becomes clear when considering the existing options for degrading PFAS. One method is thermal decomposition, but that requires a temperature of over 1,000 degrees Celsius, which makes it highly energy intensive, Veciana says. PFAS can also be degraded by photocatalysis. This process is similar to piezocatalysis but uses light for activation of the catalyst instead of mechanical energy. The main problem with this method is that in practice, the objective is to treat wastewater, and since wastewater is cloudy, there is a low light penetration. Veciana mentions a third method: Theres also absorption, where you use a kind of sponge to soak up the pollutants from the water. But this merely shifts the problem from one place to another; now you need a solution for the PFAS-permeated sponge. The disadvantages of the existing methods were one of the reasons the ETH researchers went looking for a new way to break down PFAS. Piezocatalysis has the advantage of being able to work with different sources of mechanical energy. If water has to be purified in wastewater treatment plants and theres already turbulence in the water, that energy could perhaps be harnessed to break down the PFAS in it, Veciana says. Combating PFAS together Unfortunately, what the researchers have achieved in the laboratory with water samples of 50 millilitres hasnt yet been transferred into practice. The scalability of our method is one of the biggest challenges, Pane i Vidal says. However, weve succeeded in showing that piezocatalysis works as a method for degrading PFOS and has advantages over previous methods. Furthermore, their method can not only be used on PFOS, but on any other PFAS and micropollutant. ICIS has announced the ICIS Top 100 Chemical Companies, a global ranking of the leading chemical producers worldwide based on 2023 sales. Germany-based BASF is again the world's largest chemical company, with sales of $76.1 billion in 2023, down 21.1% year on year. Rounding out the Top 5 are China-based Sinopec with $71.3 billion in chemical sales, followed by US-based Dow with $44.6 billion, US-based LyondellBasell with $41.1 billion and US-based ExxonMobil with $40.7 billion. Most chemical companies saw significant sales declines in 2023 on weak global demand exacerbated by an extended period of customer destocking. "Many companies experienced the longest stretch of destocking in memory through 2023, exceeding levels during the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-2009. Chemical companies are seeing some improvement thus far in 2024 but far from a meaningful recovery," said Joseph Chang, global editor of ICIS Chemical Business. "Companies across the sector from commodity to specialty manufacturers were impacted by weak demand, destocked supply chains, and energy and logistics woes. China demand did not bounce back from COVID shutdowns as everyone hoped," said Nigel Davis, senior executive at ICIS. The ICIS Top 100 Chemical Companies ranking compiles sales, operating profits, net income, total assets, capital expenditures and R&D spending for the world's leading producers. Home News Can God forgive the 'worst sin' of abortion? John Piper answers Theologian and Pastor John Piper weighed in on a question from a listener struggling with guilt after having an abortion in an episode of his podcast "Ask Pastor John" and encouraged her to embrace God's grace, as no sin is beyond His forgiveness. The listener, an anonymous young woman, expressed feelings of unworthiness, questioning whether God could ever forgive her for what she describes as her "very worst sin." The woman wrote, Dear Pastor John, I had an abortion. That is the one and only thing I knew I would never, ever do. But I did it. I cannot begin to detail here the grief and damage it has caused me, and I know I deserve every bit of it. I feel as though I will always be a low-class Christian because of what Ive done. 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 Listen to the "Ask Pastor John" podcast on Edifi here Piper, chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota, first introduced the concept of "gutsy guilt," a term he uses to describe a way of dealing with sin that combines acknowledging wrongdoing with a persistent hope in God's forgiveness. Drawing from the Old Testament prophet Micah, Piper highlighted a passage that underscores the possibility of redemption even in the face of divine judgment. "Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me," he quoted from Micah 7:89. While the young woman should acknowledge the gravity of her sin, she should also embrace the Gospel's promise of forgiveness, the 78-year-old pastor said. "Abortion and every other sin is something we should always be punished for. And there is a universe of difference between should be punished for and will be punished for. Gutsy gospel guilt says, I am guilty. I should be punished now and forever. That is the very meaning of sin and justice. And gutsy gospel guilt says, But I will not be punished. I will not be punished because Jesus bore my punishment for me, and I have forsaken all my self-reliance, and I throw myself wholly on his mercy. The woman's letter also touched on her sense of not belonging in church due to her actions. In response, Piper stressed that the Church is meant for people who recognize their need for grace. "If the only people who belong at church are those who deserve to be with Gods people in his presence, worshiping and growing in him, nobody would belong to church. Nobody would go to church," he said. He cited 1 Corinthians 6:911, reminding listeners that the church is composed of people who have been transformed by God's grace. Regarding her feelings of disgust with herself, Piper acknowledged that such a response to abortion is understandable and even healthy. However, he encouraged the woman to move through her self-disgust into a place of hope and reliance on God's grace. To look back on abortion and not be disgusted would be a sign of sickness. To see it with disgust is a sign of health. Unless there is gutsy disgust, youll collapse. Gutsy gospel disgust is not paralyzed. It gives up on self and walks into the power of grace. All of us are disgusting and we should not run from it but through it, into Gods grace, he said. Piper emphasized that seeking forgiveness because of a desire for God is not selfish but rather what believers are called to do. "If you want forgiveness because you want God, thats not selfish. Thats what you were made for," he stated. And it honors God, not you. It honors God. God is glorified when you want to be satisfied in God. Piper concluded by affirming that God's invitation to forgiveness and new life is open to all, referencing Revelation 22:17. "If youre thirsty for God, he invites you. He wants you. And when you come to him, he has plans for you," he said. A 2023 study from the Family Research Council's Center for Biblical Worldview found that one out of every six regular churchgoers in the United States has had, paid for or encouraged an abortion. Additionally, seven in 10 women who have had an abortion identify as a Christian, according to a 2015 Lifeway Research study. David Closson, director of FRC's Center for Biblical Worldview, wrote in an op-ed that the FRCs survey's findings on churchgoers' views on abortion merit attention and show an "ongoing need for instruction in a biblical worldview, particularly on abortion and the value of human life." If Americas most devout Christians are confused about abortion, there is little hope for the pro-life movement. Thus, as pro-lifers chart the path forward post-Roe, pastors must take the lead in shaping the conscience and moral imagination of their people, he wrote. Home News Israeli dancing dog act advances to finals on 'Americas Got Talent' A dog trainer from Tel Aviv and her Border Collie impressed both the judges and the audience in the Americas Got Talent (AGT) competition earlier this year. Since then, Roni Sagi and her dancing dog Rhythm have captured many hearts and received a standing ovation and advanced to the finals with their performance to the popular song, What a Feeling, from the iconic movie Flashdance. Sagi, who spoke to Channel 12 News on Saturday, said she wore a yellow ribbon in solidarity with the remaining Israeli hostages who are being held by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip after 11 months of war. 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 So proud of you for dedicating this performance to the hostages, our brothers and sisters who were taken brutally from their home, said Sagis sister, Sol, in a video post of the dancing dog performance. AGT judge Heidi Klum described the act as a winning performance, calling it spectacular. Klum also praised Sagis patience in training Rhythm. Veteran judge and show creator Simon Cowell praised the Israeli dancing act, stressing that it was worthy of earning a 10 out of 10 score if it were the Olympics. That was better than anything Ive seen before, said Cowell, who is known for his sometimes brutal honesty in criticizing less impressive acts. An overjoyed Sagi wants her interaction with Rhythm to serve as a source of inspiration for individuals from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. I think its about being able to show that you can speak two different languages and still connect, and I hope this is the message that people will take, not just for this kind of show, but for living in general, she said. Couldnt be more proud of my best friend who showed how beautiful the relationship between dogs and humans can be. Watching him so happy as we do our thing on the biggest stage in the world made me the happiest person in the world, and to know that all the people at home could see his joy and feel it along with us is the most incredible feeling, Sagi stated after advancing to the final competition. In June, Sagis act with Rhythm went viral when the video from the competition became one of the top 10 videos trending online. When you said your dog can dance, he actually dances better than human dancers weve had on, Cowell said at the time. Many years of hard training went into the well-choreographed act that lasted just a few minutes. Sagi danced for nine full years before she decided to switch to 'dog dancing.' Since then, she has become increasingly popular in Israel. In 2021, she appeared with her other dog, Pesach, on the KAN public broadcasting network during an international competition in the Czech Republic. Sagi and Rhythm are scheduled to perform in the AGT finals on Tuesday night. This article was originally published by All Israel News. Home News Megachurch founder IV Hilliard says I love my wife after she reveals bruised head Megachurch Pastor I.V. Hilliard, who co-founded New Light Church in Houston, Texas, urged his congregation Sunday not to trust the "tabloid, online stuff" and declared that "I love my wife" after she shared "disturbing posts" online, including a photo of a hematoma she says was caused by bumping her head on a shower door. The public debate about the health of his wife, Pastor Bridget Hilliard, was triggered by the recent posting of the photo of her bruised head on Instagram. The original post about the "traumatic incident" she suffered on Aug. 18 has since been deleted, but screenshots of the post are still being shared online. "In [a] situation like this, I want to thank everybody for [your] prayers. Don't try to trust the tabloid, online stuff for your information. That's just speculation. You've got to trust the proven voices that you've heard over the years. Let me say it again. I love my wife," Hilliard told the congregation that he passed on to his daughter, Pastor Irishea Hilliard, in 2018. 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 "I know, the family loves Bridget. And we know the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much. So we know we'll get through this, and we see victory on the other side," he said. "I want to say, don't let the devil make you think you got to take sides. You don't have to take sides. There's no side to take because you don't have enough information." In the initial post made by Bridget Hilliard, she revealed that after she suffered a "traumatic incident" on Aug. 18, she was advised by her therapist to travel to a home in Florida on Sept. 7. She was accompanied by four women "who witnessed the traumatic incident to see if any severe excruciating debilitating pain would occur." Bridget Hilliard, 68, further noted that she is now "a permanent resident of Florida." Her sudden decision to make Florida her permanent home, as well as the timing of the traumatic incident, occurred around the same time that New Light Christian Center listed an estate spanning 24 acres and six separate homes, and served as the founders' residence, with a price tag of $15 million. Some people, like well-known black church blogger Ann Brock, speculated that Bridget Hilliard's post could be a sign of domestic abuse, while others, such as online talk show host Larry Reid of "Larry Reid Live," have speculated she was struggling with mental health issues. Before his public statement to the church on Sunday, Hilliard wrote an internal email to New Light Church pastors that was shared online by "Larry Reid Live" claiming that his wife is struggling with an issue that is both medical and spiritual in nature. "I'm writing to share that we, the family, have concerns about Pastor Bridget's well-being. We are actively and prayerfully seeking both medical assistance and spiritual intervention to help her during this challenging time. I am equally alarmed by the disturbing posts that are totally out of character for her," Hilliard claimed in the letter. "As a result of the posting, many of you have reached out to me and others," he said before asking them to join him on a period of seven days of prayer and fasting. A link to a video on YouTube that Bridget Hilliard shared along with her initial post about the hematoma "dispelling the lies that have been told" has also been removed. She suggested in the initial post that since the "traumatic incident," she has gotten help to manage both anxiety and physical pain. "I never thought I needed a therapist; however, I thank God for Dr. Dre, he taught me how to verbalize the traumatic incident without reliving it," Bridget Hilliard said. "I did an updated CT scan (Thursday September 5, 2024) to rule out a concussion, and the ER on call Dr. was amazed at the scan and says you have a perfect brain for research, it looks like the brain of a 40 year old." In his comments on Sunday, Hilliard said he wrote a letter to the congregation prior to the service to provide additional context. "I wrote the letter so everybody could kind of get an understanding. We are in a situation where [we are] under spiritual attack, but we understand how to fight. All my life I never thought I'd be in this kind of fight, but we win," Hilliard said. "Now when we say we win, I'm not talking about I win, but we win. Our family comes together. That's what our prayer is." When The Christian Post reached out to the church on Monday and asked for additional context, a spokesperson who did not disclose her identity said the church would not provide any additional comment. It is unclear how many members the 38-year-old megachurch still has, but in 2018, New Light Church boasted more than 20,000 members. I.V. Hilliard claimed the struggle his family is facing is complex and asked members to continue supporting the church led by his daughter. "There's a lot of layers to this that we can't publicly talk about. There are a lot of layers to this that right now, we just have to handle them in an organized way. When you're in the state, and you're under the laws, you have to do things in a certain way. You just can't haul off," he said. "What we all need to do now to whip the devil is to rally around the vision of this church and the vision of our pastor," he said to cheers. "Whatever personally is going on in my life has nothing to do with our pastor and nothing to do with the assignment on the church." Home News Ancient Christian mosaic containing one of the earliest references to Jesus' divinity unveiled WASHINGTON An ancient mosaic located near what's believed to be the site of the prophesied battle of Armageddon in Israel contains a reference to Jesus as God, providing insights into early Christian worship during a time when the Roman Empire still persecuted followers of Christ. The Megiddo Mosaic, which decorated one of the oldest Christian prayer halls, is now on display at the Museum of the Bible as part of an exhibition that runs through July 2025. The mosaic bears images of a fish, a symbol of early Christianity, and a Greek inscription that reads "To God Jesus Christ." Israeli archeologists discovered the mosaic in 2005 during a salvage excavation conducted as part of the planned expansion of the Megiddo Prison. The showing at the Museum of the Bible is the first public presentation of the mosaic, as due to its location on prison grounds, the mosaic was not accessible to the public. In addition to the inscription recognizing Jesus as God, the Megiddo Mosaic memorializes the names of several women, perhaps highlighting the role women played in early Christian communities. The mosaic also features the name of the Roman officer who paid for it to be made. During a reception celebrating the exhibit's Sunday opening, Museum of the Bible CEO Carlos Campo said the staff believes the mosaic conveys the "transformative power of the Bible." He urged people attending the exhibit's opening to "take a step back" and see the mosaic. "Because as I step back, I learn more about the power of this object and what it's trying to say to me about ancient history, about the history of Christianity, about the place there at Megiddo in Israel, and so much more," Campo said. "And so, that's what we've come together today to celebrate, that this object really is a way for us to come together, a way for us to see that these tiny little tesserae, these tiny little chips, these beautiful pieces, when placed together, they tell a remarkable story of unity," the Museum of the Bible CEO continued. " "A remarkable story of a place that brought people in from many different areas, and yet they shared enough in common to understand that they were people who could celebrate, worship, and come together in peace," he said. "And it's what we come together to celebrate today." 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 During an interview with The Christian Post, Campo said the museum partnered with the Israel Antiquities Authority to bring the mosaic to the U.S. The process of moving the mosaic involved separating parts of the tiles without damaging the composition. Experts put the pieces of the mosaic together within a few weeks of its arrival. According to Campo, anywhere from 50 to 75 staff worked on piecing the mosaic together; however, he acknowledged that there are countless others who worked on the project in an ancillary fashion. The Museum of the Bible dedicated an exhibit to the Megiddo Mosaic because it's one of the earliest artifacts that refer to Jesus as divine, according to Campo. He also noted that the mosaic appears to indicate that many converts to Christianity were present after Jesus' death, highlighting the names of the women and the Roman soldier featured on the mosaic. "Some people would posit that, well, after Jesus died, there was this dark phase where almost no one was following Christ," he said. "Well, this mosaic says that that's not true, that there were people even under persecution, which they certainly had, who were faithful followers of Jesus Christ." Home News Christian widow beaten by mob, charged with blasphemy without evidence in Pakistan A Christian widow and mother of two in Pakistan has been accused of blasphemy, beaten and arrested. On Aug. 7 in Kathore, Tehsil Gojra, Faisalabad, a neighbor claimed that 35-year-old Saima Farhad discarded torn and burned pages of the Quran in a sack outside her home, sparking mob violence and leading to her assault. Farhads family has denied the accusations, calling them false and motivated by a personal grudge. They are seeking justice from the authorities. 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 Albert Masih, Farhads cousin, said the blasphemy charges stem from a housing dispute. Her neighbor, Mudassar, allegedly placed an iron beam on the wall of her house during a construction project on his property. Farhad urged him to remove it, stating the action was illegal and could compromise the structural integrity of her home. She also sought financial compensation for the placement of the beam. In response, Mudassar and the tenant family living on his property harassed and pressured Farhad to vacate her home. The blasphemy accusation soon followed. Masih explained that Madussar threatened to stab Farhad with a knife and attempted to attack her as a mob gathered around her house. A local Christian man in the crowd intervened, pushing Mudassars arm away, which allowed Farhad to flee to a nearby field. However, despite her efforts to hide, the crowd discovered her and assaulted her while she lay helpless. The police eventually arrived, dispersed the crowd and took Farhad into custody. Police saved her from the mob but arrested her and filed a blasphemy complaint without any evidence, Masih said. Her two children, who were at home during the incident, were left traumatized and frightened. They have since been taken in by Saimas family while she remains in custody. Masih added that Saima has been working in the healthcare industry to support her children since the death of her husband two years ago. Farhads attorney, Nasir Abbas, stated that no evidence has been presented to substantiate the claim that Farhad desecrated the Quran. He called the accusations false and baseless, arguing that the entire case was fabricated. He said the accusers were frustrated by Farhads refusal to comply with their demands and have sought to exploit her vulnerability as a widow. "In the preliminary arguments, I challenged the prosecutor to present any evidence proving Saima's involvement in blasphemy, said Abbas. So far, nothing has been presented in court that proves her guilty of the alleged offense. With Gods help, Saima will be granted bail in the final arguments." Even after Christians accused of blasphemy in Pakistan are granted bail and released, they often face significant challenges, including stigmatization, further exploitation by their accusers, and societal rejection. Home News Oregon city to pay $400K after restricting church's homeless feeding ministry An Oregon city will have to pay over $400,000 in legal fees and other costs after stopping a church's homeless ministry that provides free meals several days a week from serving the local needy population amid complaints from neighbors. Last week, the City of Brookings agreed to a settlement with St. Timothy's Episcopal Church that includes repealing a local ordinance that restricted the congregation's homeless ministry. As part of the settlement, the city will have to pay the legal group Stoel Rives LLP $375,000 and the Oregon Justice Resource Center $43,000, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. 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 certainly didn't have to come to this, but we had to stand up for our religious freedoms," said Father Bernie Lindley of St. Timothy's, according to OBP. "We're really glad that the whole thing's over with and we can get back to getting to the needs of the marginalized in our community without the distraction of this lawsuit." Brookings City Council Member Clayton Malmberg said at a meeting last week that it was "unfortunate that things have gone this far." "It all kind of stemmed from not being a good neighbor, in my opinion, and not working with your community to find a path forward and address the needs while minimizing the impacts," Malmberg continued, as quoted by OPB. He added that the issues neighbors in the residential community the church is located in have with the ministry's operation are still there. In 2021, Brookings unanimously passed Ordinance 21-O-795, which required food providers to get a conditional use permit to operate in a residential zone. The new ordinance restricted permit holders to providing food twice a week, interfering with St. Timothy's ability to do their outreach in the community. The ministry was launched in 2009 and eventually expanded to several days a week. Brookings City Manager Janelle Howard told OPB in 2021 that the ordinance came after residents said the food ministry had negatively impacted them. "They were looking for some relief because it was becoming an impact to their particular neighborhood, whether they mentioned trespassing, littering, noise," Howard said. "They were asking for some kind of relief from the city." Howard also argued that city officials had the authority to institute the restrictions on the ministry because the church is located in a residential zone instead of a commercial zone. "If they were in commercial zones, there would be no limitations to the frequency, or the hours, or the number of days a week," Howard added at the time. In 2022, the church filed a lawsuit, arguing that the ordinance violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which bans land-use regulations that burden religious exercises. "Plaintiffs now face the decision of whether to exercise their core religious beliefs or face enforcement action by the City," read the lawsuit. "Plaintiffs do not intend to restrict their religious exercise to two days or fewer per week because the community need is greater than serving meals only twice per week." The church received the backing of the U.S. Department of Justice, which filed a statement of interest in the case last November, siding with the homeless ministry. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division said in a statement at the time that the department is "committed to enforcing federal civil rights laws to ensure that all religious groups can freely exercise their religious beliefs." "Many churches and faith-based organizations across the country are on the front lines serving the critical needs of people experiencing hunger and homelessness," stated Clarke. "Discriminatory zoning restrictions that burden and limit religious organizations' use of their land violate federal antidiscrimination laws." In March, Magistrate Judge Mark Clarke of the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon ruled against the ordinance, writing that "there can be no genuine question that St. Timothy's feeding ministry is a sincerely held religious belief." He added that the ordinance violated RLUIPA because it "substantially burdens [Plaintiffs'] feeding ministry, which is an exercise of Plaintiffs' religion" and was "not the least restrictive means to achieve" a compelling state interest. Home News 4 non-Jews who helped establish the modern State of Israel, protected Jewish lives The Friends of Zion museum in Jerusalem is utilizing technology to bring to life the story of the Jewish peoples historic homeland and the non-Jews who helped establish what would one day become the modern State of Israel, along with those who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. According to its website, the museum opened in 2015 and exists, in part, to combat antisemitism and the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to end international support of Israel. The museum boasts seven interactive exhibits, each offering an immersive experience for visitors about the lives of historical figures. The first exhibit, Land of the Promise," features a dynamic topographic map that takes visitors on a virtual tour through Israel. 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 next set of exhibits following the first are The Founders, the Hall of Dreamers, the Hall of Visionaries and Lights in the Darkness, concluding with the Hall of the Brave and the Grand Finale in The Promised Theater. Each exhibit highlights the stories of Christian Zionists who supported the promise of Israel, as well as multiple non-Jews who risked their lives to save Gods chosen people. Here's a list of four non-Jews who helped establish the modern State of Israel or sacrificed themselves to protect the Jewish people. Home News Trial begins for father facing charges over silent prayer near abortion clinic buffer zone A father and army veteran is lamenting the state of free speech in the United Kingdom as he faces a trial for silently praying outside an abortion clinic. The trial of Adam Smith-Connor, a pro-life activist charged with violating a Public Space Protection Order by silently praying in front of an abortion clinic in Bournemouth, England, is taking place this week. The trial began Tuesday and is expected to continue through Thursday. The Public Space Protection Order prohibits people from protesting, namely engaging in an act of approval/disapproval, with respect to issues related to abortion services, by any means including graphic, verbal, or written means, prayer or counseling within a certain distance of the abortion facility. Critics of the Public Space Protection Order contend that the legislation is ambiguous and amounts to a violation of free speech rights. 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 law firm ADF UK is representing Smith-Connor as litigation surrounding the matter continues. It is unfathomable that in an apparently free society, I am being criminally charged on the basis of my silent thoughts, in the privacy of my own mind, Smith-Connor said in a statement released ahead of the trial. Its no different than being tried for a thoughtcrime. Smith-Connor noted that he had served for 20 years in the British Army Reserve, including a tour in Afghanistan, to protect the fundamental freedoms this country is built upon. He added, I continue that spirit of service as a health care professional and church volunteer. It troubles me greatly to see our freedoms eroded to the extent that thoughtcrimes are now being prosecuted in the U.K. In permitting the prosecution of silent prayer, we are sailing into dangerous waters regarding human rights protections in the U.K., commented ADF UK Legal Counsel Jeremiah Igunnubole. He denounced the Public Space Protection Order implemented by the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council that governs Bournemouth as an unconstitutional censorship zone. Igunnubole chastised censorship zones as inherently wrong because they engender unhelpful legal confusion regarding the right to free thought. He insisted that both domestic and international law have long established freedom of thought as an absolute right that must not ever be interfered with by the state. Igunnubole expressed concern about a report published in The Telegraph suggesting that Ministers are considering naming silent prayer as a crime in their buffer zones guidance that would limit the ability to protest outside an abortion clinic throughout the whole country. He warned that to do so would not only be a great legal error, it could open up the floodgates to human rights violations similar to those experienced by Adam Smith-Connor. Smith-Connor was confronted by law enforcement in November 2022 as he silently prayed outside the abortion facility. Video footage of the encounter shows police officers asking him why he was there, prompting the Army veteran to respond, Im praying. When the law enforcement officials informed Smith-Connor about the Public Space Protection Order, he indicated that he was aware of it. Im praying for my son, he replied. One of the officers requested that Smith-Connor elaborate on the content of his prayer and asked if it was pertinent to the area where he was standing. After Smith-Connor explained that his son is deceased, the officer told him that he was in breach of the Public Space Protection Order. According to ADF UK, Smith-Connor had paid for an abortion for his ex-girlfriend in the past and was praying about his experience, about the child whom he lost, and for the men and women facing difficult decisions about abortion today. The law firm maintained that Smith-Connor, who now regrets his role in aborting his child, prayed with his back to the facility to avoid any impression of approaching or engaging with women using the facility. While the officers who confronted Smith-Connor as he silently prayed outside the clinic in November 2022 insisted that he was breaking the law, a separate pair of law enforcement officials who encountered him as he prayed outside the clinic five days earlier had reached a different conclusion. Video footage of the previous encounter, shared by ADF UK on X, shows an officer telling Smith-Connor Weve discussed the fact that you stood behind the tree so most of the time youre out of sight of the clinic, youre not approaching anybody, youre not overtly praying, protesting, anything like that. What youre doing now, you can do, the officer added. I cant make you leave because its a public place and youre allowed to stand here and do what youre doing. ADF UK has reported that the BCP Council has incurred more than 34,000, the equivalent of $44,853.94, in legal fees to prosecute Smith-Connor for an offense that carries a maximum penalty of 1,000, the equivalent of $1,319.23. Smith-Connor is not the first person in the U.K. to face prosecution for engaging in silent prayer outside an abortion clinic. Pro-life activist Isabel Vaughan-Spruce was arrested and confronted by law enforcement in both 2022 and 2023 for praying silently outside an abortion clinic in Birmingham. Last month, the West Midlands Police awarded Vaughan-Spruce a settlement equivalent to nearly $17,000 as part of what ADF UK described as an acknowledgment of her unjust treatment. Ryan Routh's Trump Assassination Attempt, MA Parents Battle LGBT Education, Former Trans Child Shares Story link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:14 06:14 Top headlines for Tuesday, September 17, 2024 In this episode, we delve into the story of Ryan Wesley Routh, the suspect in an assassination attempt on former President Trump. We also explore a significant Supreme Court appeal by parents on LGBT educational content, Erin Brewer's journey from trauma to faith, and the remarkable release of California pastor David Lin after nearly two decades in a Chinese prison. ?Follow Us on Social Media ?Get the Edifi App ?Subscribe to Our Newsletter ?Links to the News Home Opinion 'Freethinking' vs. faith: Which one brings true freedom? Freethinking sounds liberating and sophisticated. It is the practice of thinking independently of authority or tradition. Dictionary.com defines a freethinker as a person who forms opinions on the basis of reason, independent of authority or tradition, especially a person whose religious opinions differ from established belief. By definition, a freethinker should make up ones own mind independently of authority and tradition by utilizing reason. I believe that freethinking, however, has sadly become a cultural ideology that keeps people from a rational consideration of discovering genuine freedom in Christian faith. There are variations in the nuancing of freethinking even among liberal thinkers. Some stress the concept of individualism whereby each person has the right to pursue their own flourishing, independent of collective and societal impositions. Nevertheless the principle of freethinking continues to stress thinking that will consider almost anything except theism. This authoritative presupposition restricts freethinking and in cultural thought the presupposition has become a non-negotiable. Thus freethinking is not truly unfettered. Christopher Hitchens was a prime example of a cultural freethinker who promoted freethinking as the opposition to faith. In The Portable Atheist, he introduced the anthology by noting that, It is often unconsciously assumed that religious faith is somehow conservative and that atheism or freethinking are a part of the liberal tradition.[1] His choice of essays for nonbelievers fueled this cultural divide by encouraging people to read literature that was strictly skewed toward skepticism. As Hitchens said, It is in the hope of strengthening and arming the resistance to the faith-based, and to faith itself, that this anthology of combat with humanitys oldest enemy is respectfully offered.[2] In other words, freethinking is still worth nurturing because the faith-based continue to require resistance. 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 Such rhetoric is typical of the persisting cultural narrative that the Christian faith (in particular) must be debilitated of any legitimacy in the public square. Reason is massaged to shape cultural thought and the ensuing narrative is encouraged as the standard position in pedagogy. This is how freethinking has become a particular brand in Western culture rather than a process of genuine reasoning. Moreover, it subconsciously intimidates society to comply with its authority. In culture, Christian faith is now largely assessed by these intimidating forces, and yet the Good News continues to invite, challenge, convict, and compel people. For centuries, Christian thought has tolerated and engaged every hard question in the highest academic circles. Lets be reminded that the worlds most famous university was founded by committed Christians. They wanted students to experience academic excellence while considering Christian faith. In Finding God at Harvard, we read: From the beginning, Harvard had the good liberal sense not to require Christian faith of its students but to nurture their freedom for the search. The foremost historian of Harvard, Samuel Eliot Morison, wrote: Our founders knew from their English experience that oaths were powerless to bind conscience.[3] The founders knew that authority or tradition could not be imposed to produce genuine Christian faith. Even so, reason was promoted as a tool to help students think and hopefully arrive at a personal ownership of the Christian faith. A motif that runs throughout the Bible is humanitys freedom to think and choose the Lord for itself. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve (Josh. 24:15). After a teaching session of Jesus, many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, do you want to go away as well (John 6:66-67)? Simon Peter replied, we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God (John 6:69). This coming to know, or knowingness, is a rational process that arrives at conviction by thinking, learning and experiencing. Cultural freethinkers would have us believe that Christian faith is a blind commitment to tradition and authority, and when placed under the scrutiny of reason it crumbles. This thinking couldnt be any further from the truth. At Harvard Medical School, a student committed to atheistic thought was offered Christian faith by some of his peers. In his own words, I grew up an atheist ... During my first semester at Harvard Medical School, at the suggestion of Christian friends and acquaintances, I began to examine the Bible and to investigate the Christian faith. It was a reasonable request ... I saw the distortions and misquotations of those who argued against the Christian faith, and I saw the philosophical and historical evidences for Christianity ... In turning my life over to Christ, I had experienced what Christians call the miracle of the new birth ...[4] Evidently, civil conversation is possible and unfettered freethinking should welcome invitations to think about Christian faith for oneself and to establish ones own convictions. The offer to investigate the grace of God continues to be roadblocked by cultural misinformation. Excuses are made in the name of rationality, evidence, and scientific exploration, but ironically these are often satisfied when Christian faith is genuinely explored. The reality is that cultural freethinking has come to believe that such an exercise is not worth the risk of losing ones autonomy. In these times of rising emotional unrest, hopelessness and more questions than answers, a cultural freethinker should be accepting the offer to think personally about the promises of Jesus: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matt. 11:28). Independent thinking from cultural freethinking may discover peace, joy and ultimate fulfillment in the grace of God. Jesus did promise that, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36). 1. Selected essays by Christopher Hitchens, The Portable Atheist: Selected Readings for the Nonbeliever (Philadelphia: Da Capo Press, 2007), xxiv. Italics are mine. 2. Ibid., xxvi. 3. Kelly Monroe, Ed. Finding God at Harvard: Spiritual Journeys of Thinking Christians (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996), 14. Italics are mine. 4. Ibid., Michael Yang, M.D., Ph.D., He Sent His Word and Healed Them, (122-127). Home Opinion Why Christianity is key to overcoming todays victimhood discourse In July, Joe Biden blamed jet lag and a really bad cold for his poor debate performance against Donald Trump. Soon after, the former President blamed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for security failures after he was shot at in Pennsylvania. Before that, he blamed Joe Biden and his thugs for his indictments, and Joe Biden blamed Donald Trump for sinking his Ukraine bill. And so the list goes on. You get the picture. The media, and indeed our culture, are awash with victim-blaming. It is positively unfashionable in 21st century America for our politicians to not blame something on someone, or someone for something, and for the media to not jump on it. This is now the case even in cases where its self-evident that the someone had nothing to do with the something and is clearly a transparent attempt to cover up our politicians mistakes. Victimization, victim-blaming, and victim-thinking have become the political capital of the modern age on both the left and the right. Instead of looking at our shared values and common denominators, we focus on our differences and areas of opposition. Victimhood makes us think that we are always losing, and our oppressors are always winning. 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 goal of political parties has to some extent therefore become only our party can save you from the oppressors. It is no coincidence that the title of Donald Trumps third book is Save America, and that Joe Biden claimed his resignation was to save democracy from Donald Trump. It is also no coincidence that American society has become more polarized and tribal as a result. Victimization is the soil from which the vitriol, division, hatred, tension (whether political, racial, ethnic, gender, etc.) grows, and the Church has not escaped unscathed either. It was in the early 80s when politicians recognized the Christian movement as a voting bloc. And as we became subject to the political system, we lost the spiritual and moral high ground. Since the death of Martin Luther King Jr., the Church has not clearly defined what spiritual and moral truth looks like, which is partly why ideologies such as BLM, critical race theory, and transgenderism have risen to try and fill the gap. And as they have, these movements have been seen by many to be our moral replacements particularly on the political left as much of the Church has become increasingly associated with the right. I grew up in the 80s in Alabama, where I initially went to an all-black school, and it was not until my third-grade year when some of us black students were bused to the white side of town to be integrated into a majority white school that I regularly saw white kids and white teachers. The narrative I grew up with was that black people were Democrats and white people were Republicans. But after being there for just a few months, it dawned on me that people with white skin werent stopping me from succeeding. I recognized there was no such thing as white supremacy the moment I stopped believing in black inferiority. Jesus does not need politicians more than politicians need Jesus, and God is neither Republican nor Democrat. In Joshua 5:13-14, Joshua went up to the angel and asked, are you for us or for our enemies?, and the angel replied neither. The idea that Christianity is only right leaning has no basis, and is merely a reflection of how we have weaponized politics. De-coupling the Church from being defined by politics and overcoming the victimhood mindset would lead America to the greatest cultural revival it has ever experienced. Zero victim thinking begins with humility and repentance in our churches and elevating Biblical Truth above politics. But two things remain necessary to break free from victimhood thinking. The first is the centrality of faith. We still have not understood that there is a consequence for Godlessness. Whenever a society moves away from faith in God it creates a spiritual and moral vacuum. There is a consequence to getting God out of schools, governance, and mainstream society. We must have a level of hope beyond what we can see and experience to pull us out of the pit of victimization. People have to believe that their circumstances can improve. We can affect things, were not just affected by them, and were not alone in going through them either. Organizations such as Hope for the Heart have created resources on hundreds of topics to support those who feel hopeless and dont know where to turn. The second is mindset changes. Romans 12:2 talks about being transformed by the renewing of our minds. This mindset renewal process helps us to change our perspectives and narratives about life and look at the world through fresh eyes, instead of being captured by a particular ideology. It may sound like a cliche but showing the power of love and forgiveness works against the victimization mindset. The more we move toward God the more we move toward the framework of love which gives us the power to overcome victimhood, which I cover in my book Zero Victim. The world is perfectly designed to make victims out of each of us. Its not about what we face or how we try to avoid it, its about how we go through it. We can rise above it if we are intentional about it, but it begins with a new attitude and a new perspective one that is centered around faith, forgiveness, and the renewing of our minds. To hear me speak more about this topic at Hope for the Hearts Hope Together Conference in September this year, sign up to attend at: https://hopetogether.com/ Christians asked to pray as Labour government prepares conversion therapy proposals The Christian Institute has asked church leaders to put their congregations on 'prayer alert' as the Labour government prepares to publish draft legislation aimed at banning so-called conversion therapy. A ban was first promised by the Conversvative government under Theresa May in 2018. In the run-up to the election, Labour promised to introduce "a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices, while protecting the freedom for people to explore their sexual orientation and gender identity". The proposed ban was included in the King's Speech at the start of this parliamentary session. The Scottish government recently shelved its plans to bring in a separate ban for Scotland, saying that it wanted to avoid a judicial review and would instead back Westminster legislation. The Christian Institute (CI) said that the U-turn on conversion therapy bans in Scotland, Ireland and Sweden, among other places, showed that it was possible to persuade politicians of the problems with such proposals. The CI had threatened to seek a judicial review into the Scottish government's "deeply repressive" plans. After years without a ban coming into effect in the UK, CI Deputy Director Simon Calvert urged Christians not to be complacent. "For several years now there has been talk amongst politicians across the UK and Ireland of legislating for a 'conversion therapy' ban," he said. "We've been fighting them every step of the way and they have found the issue much more complex and riskier than LGBT groups make out. "The can has been kicked down the road many times. There is a danger that Christians might stop praying, and stop contacting their politicians. But now is not the time to take our eye off the ball." According to official figures, record numbers of people in the UK are applying to change their legal sex, with 1,397 applications submitted between 2023 and 2024, of which over three quarters were approved. Legal advice to the CI from several KCs has concluded that parenting, pastoring and prayer could be criminalised under conversion therapy bans. "Whilst every Christian is against the coercion or abuse of gay or trans people, there are long-standing concerns that, rather than outlawing abuse, a conversion therapy ban would outlaw harmless discussions within churches and families over sexuality and gender," said Mr Calvert. A prayer movement to stop a conversion therapy ban from coming into force was launched by the CI in October 2021. The CI said that a ban was not necessary as verbal and physical abuse are already illegal in the UK, and that attempts to introduce a broad law "would put the UK in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights". "Nonetheless, activists will continue to put pressure on the Government to push forward with a ban," said Mr Calvert. "We would be very grateful if church leaders would put their churches on 'prayer alert' over these issues, and ensure that church members are made aware of important developments in the areas of sexuality and gender." US Pastor David Lin returns home after 17-year wrongful detention in China (CP) California Pastor David Lin has been released from a Chinese prison after nearly two decades and has returned to the United States, the State Department said Sunday, ending a case that sparked an international outcry from free speech advocates and U.S. officials who say he was wrongfully detained. "We welcome David Lin's release from prison in the People's Republic of China," the State Department said, Politico reported, adding that the 68-year-old pastor "now gets to see his family for the first time in nearly 20 years." Lin's daughter, Alice Lin, told the outlet that the State Department notified her on Saturday that Chinese authorities had released her father from prison and that he would arrive in San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday. "No words can express the joy we have we have a lot of time to make up for," she said. Lin, a U.S. citizen, was working to establish a Christian training centre in Beijing in 2006 when he was first questioned by Chinese authorities and barred from leaving the country. He was later detained and charged with fraud under unclear circumstances. In December 2009, Lin was sentenced to life imprisonment. He has denied all charges. After several sentence reductions, he was set to be released in 2029. Lin was active in China's underground house church movement, which involves discreet religious gatherings often held in private homes and not connected to state-sponsored religious organizations. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has noted that this movement "has long faced hostility from Chinese authorities" and participants often face "intimidation, harassment, arrest, and harsh sentences." Although Lin has staunchly maintained his innocence, he did not raise the attention of his case because he felt as though his imprisonment was a God-ordained mission field, his daughter said in a 2019 interview on the Washington Watch radio programme. She added that her father told the family that officials forged documents and even tried to get him to sign a confession something he would not do because he "didn't do anything wrong." "What we do know is that he was in China because he had this huge burden for the unchurched in China. He had the vision to build a church and a Christian training centre," she explained, adding that he was imprisoned because of his faith. "His last message to us as a free man ... he told us, 'Don't worry, God knows what He is doing. It is God's wish that I am here. There are many people inside that need to hear God's Word. Please don't worry, but only pray for me. I will be back in the U.S. soon.' That was 10 years ago." Several U.S. politicians voiced their support for Lin on Sunday and called for the release of other Americans detained abroad. "I am extremely glad to hear David Lin was freed," Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said Sunday in a statement posted on X. "His capture, like so many others, marks a rising trend of hostage diplomacy by authoritarians around the world." The Dui Hua Foundation, a California-based nonprofit advocating for detainees in China, welcomed Lin's release but said there are more than 200 Americans "under coercive measures" in China, including 30 who are barred from leaving the country. China ranks as one of the worst countries in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USA's World Watch List. China's crackdown on nongovernment-sanctioned house churches over the last several years has led to the arrest of countless worshipers and the destruction of churches, along with stringent regulations and enhanced digital surveillance specifically targeting house churches. ChinaAid President Bob Fu previously told The Christian Post that "the top leadership is increasingly worried about the rapid growth of the Christian faith and their public presence, and their social influence. It is a political fear for the Communist Party, as the number of Christians in the country far outnumber the members of the party." China's government wants to "Sinicize" religion, meaning it wants to promote and guide religion that is Chinese in orientation, he said. In March, Beijing freed Pastor John Cao, who was sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of "organizing illegal border crossing." Authorities had arrested Cao and his colleague, Jing Ruxia, in March 2017 and charged him with illegally crossing the border between Myanmar and China. Before crossing the border, Cao, from North Carolina, built 16 schools that serve 2,000 impoverished minority children in Myanmar's northern Wa state. In August, a court in Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province in China, sentenced Elder Zhang Chunlei of a house church to five years in prison for "subversion of state power" and "fraud." The sentencing reportedly occurred in a closely regulated proceeding that limited public attendance. The Christian Post Press Release September 17, 2024 "Huwag pahirapan ang mga mahihirap" -- Bong Go scrutinizes DSWD's validation of beneficiaries; voices support for its social welfare programs Senator Christopher "Bong" Go raised concerns during the Senate Committee on Finance deliberations on the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) budget on Monday, September 16, about the accuracy and efficiency of the department's efforts to validate beneficiaries of their social programs. As one of the Vice Chairs of the Senate Finance Committee, he questioned if intended beneficiaries of DSWD's programs, especially the poor and the vulnerable, are given needed attention and immediate action by the department to help them overcome poverty, crises and economic challenges. Go made it clear that he remains a staunch supporter of the DSWD's initiatives to uplift the marginalized sectors of society as long as such programs are implemented properly without politics and delays. "I want to express my support to the programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which play a crucial role in uplifting the lives of the marginalized and vulnerable sectors in our society," Go said, acknowledging the DSWD's efforts under previous and current administrations. "Even during the time of former President (Rodrigo) Duterte, sinusuportahan talaga natin ito at lalo-lalo na nakatutulong sa mga mahirap nating kababayan na mga programa," Go remarked in his opening statement. However, he pointed out that DSWD must ensure that these programs and assistance reach those who need government attention the most. One of the major points raised by Go during the hearing was regarding the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. Go questioned the department on the proper utilization of the budget and remove any unnecessary hardships for individuals seeking aid. Go shifted the discussion to issues with cash availability, particularly in disaster-stricken areas, where the need for immediate assistance is critical. "Kumusta naman 'yung cash ninyo ngayon? Parati natin narinig na walang cash dun sa mga lugar na... maraming regions doon na walang cash. 'Yung may mga bagyo na regions, walang cash. Pero 'yung mga walang bagyo, may cash," he pointed out. In response, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian explained that the lack of cash availability in certain areas was not due to a shortage of funds but rather the absence of Special Disbursing Officers (SDOs). He clarified that these officers, who are responsible for withdrawing and distributing cash, are limited by the department's plantilla positions. This explanation, however, was met with skepticism by both Go and Marcos, with Marcos highlighting that despite the presence of manpower in NCR, there are still persistent complaints about delays in fund disbursement in the region. Gatchalian assured the committee that the department is working to address these issues and that funds will be made available in disaster-stricken areas. Another critical point Go raised was the follow-up on the validated list of beneficiaries from the previous year's hearing, specifically those affected by the 2023 typhoons. Go expressed frustration at the delays in providing aid to these qualified individuals, stating that nearly a year had passed without a resolution. He recalled how Gatchalian had assured the Senate in September 2023 that payouts for qualified beneficiaries would be made promptly. Gatchalian acknowledged the delays but explained that the department had faced challenges in validating the lists provided by various LGUs. Go pressed Gatchalian on this issue, urging the department to ensure that assistance reaches qualified beneficiaries without further delay. "Basta qualified naman po. Kayo naman po nakakaalam. 'Di naman tayo nakikialam d'yan sa listahan kung sinong pagbibigyan n'yo ng tulong. Basta qualified po, mga mahirap," Go emphasized. Go further stressed that it is the DSWD's responsibility to ensure that qualified individuals receive assistance they need to overcome challenges. "Ako, sinusuportahan ko talaga 'yung programa ng DSWD ever since po at sa mga nakakatulong sa mga mahirap. Pero pakiusap lang, alamin po ninyo kung sino 'yung mga mahirap, at huwag pahirapan. Sigurado po kayo na lahat ng nabibigyan ay mahihirap?" Go asked firmly. Go emphasized that he supports the DSWD's programs, provided that they are executed properly and without political influence. He reiterated that the department's primary mission is to assist poor Filipinos, and any delays in distributing aid could have severe consequences for those who direly need government assistance. "Mandato po ng DSWD na tulungan po ang mga mahirap nating kababayan. Unang-una, pera po ito ng taong bayan. Dapat po ibalik po ito sa kanila," Go stated. Go also pointed out his efforts to institutionalize programs like AICS through legislation. He mentioned Senate Bill No. 2638, which he filed to ensure the proper and timely implementation of the AICS program by institutionalizing it if enacted into law. "Unahin po natin 'yung mga mahirap nating kababayan. 'Yan naman po ang ginagawa noon ng DSWD. Sana po panindigan niyo po ang inyong sinasabing 'Bawat Buhay Mahalaga' po sa DSWD," Go appealed to Gatchalian and the DSWD team. Furthermore, Go also underscored the importance of ensuring that the department's programs are free from political influence, urging the DSWD to stay true to its mandate of helping the marginalized and crisis-stricken communities. "Ibalik n'yo po sa kanila. At DSWD po ang may kakayahan na departamento na ibalik po sa kanila. At walang halong politika. Do not be selective," Go firmly concluded, expressing his hope that the DSWD would continue its work to support Filipinos in need. In the heart of Brazil, Hospital Nipo-Brasileiro stands as a beacon of excellence in patient care. The hospitals mission is to provide top-notch, value-based care that prioritizes patient outcomes. Leading this mission is Chief Technology Officer, Rafael Sousa, whose dedication to leveraging innovative technology has earned him widespread recognition and respect in the healthcare community. Rafael and his team are transforming healthcare challenges into opportunities through Avayas innovation without disruption approach, enhancing operational efficiency, optimizing savings, and improving patient satisfaction. A mission of excellence in healthcare With the global outlook on quality of patient care dismally low, Hospital Nipo-Brasileiro is committed to delivering exceptional healthcare services. The hospitals mission is not only to treat illnesses but to enhance the overall patient experience by integrating advanced technological solutions. Rafael has been instrumental in driving this mission forward, navigating the complexities of Brazils slow adoption of digital healthcare systems with a clear vision and strategic planning. Rafael understands that the first step to improving Hospital Nipo-Brasileiros health system is to understand how its performing. Communication and customer experience were two sore spots, making the integration of innovative communications and contact center solutions a must. Integration of communications systems: By integrating communication systems in multiple commonly used languages, the hospital ensures a fluid and efficient patient experience. This allows patients to easily schedule appointments, ask questions, and obtain information about their treatment. Strategically leveraging new tech: The Avaya Experience Platform and its contact center capabilities have vastly improved the hospitals service efficiency. The system manages a large volume of calls efficiently, reducing waiting times and improving patient satisfaction. Avayas IP telephony solution also provides support via telephone, increasing accessibility and availability of care. Ensuring continuity of service: Redundancy and availability are essential, ensuring the hospital can continue operating even during system failures or service interruptions. Avaya guarantees that patients can always contact the hospital, when necessary, without interruptions in care. These investments in innovation have significantly streamlined internal and external communication, resulting in a more connected and efficient experience for patients, families, and medical staff. Overcoming challenges with vision and resilience This journey to modernization has not been without its challenges. One of the main hurdles was integrating the Avaya Experience Platform and its contact center capabilities with the hospitals existing systems. This required meticulous coordination between IT teams and technology providers to ensure a smooth transition and minimize disruptions to patient care something Avayas experts are expertly equipped to do even for clients with the most stringent security, compliance, and operational requirements. Another challenge was ensuring the entire team was familiar and comfortable with the new technologies and processes. Rafael is big on team training, ensuring that staff can effectively use new systems to improve patient care and operational efficiency. Otherwise, innovation efforts become a non-starter. Measuring impact and driving results The impact of these innovations is evident. The implementation of Avayas solutions has led to: Reduced wait time: Intelligent call routing and increased efficiency in patient routing have significantly reduced waiting times. Patients receive timely care, enhancing their overall experience. Supercharged productivity: Avayas solutions have improved call management, resulting in a more equitable distribution of workload among hospital employees. This has led to fewer missed calls, better patient follow-up, and more fluid communication across all sectors of the hospital. The future of innovation at Hospital Nipo-Brasileiro Rafaels focus remains on enhancing patient care through continuous innovation. The hospitals gradual implementation strategy, supported by Avayas innovation without disruption approach, ensures that tech advancements are integrated smoothly without compromising patient care. This strategic approach allows the hospital to skillfully navigate the complexities of digital transformation while maintaining high standards of service and care. Rafael Sousas work at Hospital Nipo-Brasileiro exemplifies the power of combining technological innovation with a patient-centric approach. Through Avayas solutions, the hospital has transformed its operations, enhancing both patient care and operational efficiency. Rafaels dedication to innovation and his strategic vision ensure that Hospital Nipo-Brasileiro continues to provide exceptional healthcare services, setting a benchmark for other institutions in the healthcare sector. As Hospital Nipo-Brasileiro continues its journey of digital transformation, its commitment to seamless innovation remains a guiding principle. By leveraging advanced technologies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, the hospital is well-positioned to meet future challenges and provide high-quality care for years to come. See how your healthcare organization can innovate without disruption, and learn more about HNIPOs story here. 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. OSCR, the Scottish charity regulator, is engaging with a conservation charity that protects Highland landscapes like Ben Nevis as it faces criticisms about its operations from a former staff member. In a blog published on 12 September, the John Muir Trusts former communications editor and media manager Alan McCombes made several allegations about its leadership, working culture and finances. The Trust, which is a major landowner in the Scottish Highlands, said in response that the allegations were not new and made by someone with a personal agenda beyond the interest of the charity or wild places. McCombes allegations follow an investigation into the Trusts CEO, David Balharry, which exonerated him, and the charity making several redundancies earlier this year. An OSCR spokesperson said: We remain in the process of engaging with the charity and cannot comment any further at this time. Staff morale plummeting fast Chief among McCombes allegations was that Balharry had mismanaged the Trust and led to increasingly low staff morale since being appointed to the position in 2020. McCombes alleged that Balharrys abrasive and divisive management style; micromanagement tendencies, and hostility to the charitys flagship John Muir Award led to staff morale that was already plummeting fast by 2022. Balharry was exonerated in November following an independent investigation into unspecified allegations of misconduct. He had been suspended and placed on leave for five months last year while the investigation took place. McCombes also alleged that as a result of Balharrys management, along with the charitys recent financial troubles, there has been a mass exodus of staff and trustees. Of the 66 employees of the Trust in July 2023, only 23 (34%) were still there a year later, the blog reads. That exodus of two-thirds of the staff was further supplemented by another eight employees who came and went during that year, bringing the total number leaving the Trust to 51, which is 11 more than the current staff total. The blog also added: Annual staff surveys and exit interviews reveal evidence of a serious loss of confidence and trust in the senior leadership of the Trust. Between spring 2021 and spring 2022, the percentage of staff responding positively to the question would you recommend the Trust as a place to work? dropped from 97% to a mere 30%. McCombes also said that there has been a mass compulsory redundancy programme of one-third of the charitys workforce over the last year. Trusts financial challenges The blog went on to detail the financial troubles in which the trust has found itself in recent years. In December 2022, the board of trustees allegedly approved a 2m deficit budget for the year 2023. McCombes blog states that reckless spending had led to what he described as a growing cash flow crisis. In March 2024, the charity told staff and members that more than a quarter of jobs were at risk as it faced this financial deficit. McCombes claimed that these events had led to deteriorating relationships between the Trust and local communities and suspensions of a number of its initiatives and flagship John Muir Award scheme. John Muir Trust: Concerns raised are not new Responding to the allegations, the Trust issued a statement yesterday. In the opinion of the board, those making claims have a personal agenda beyond the interest of the charity or wild places. The trustee board is driving the need for change, and the desire to ensure that charitable funds are spent effectively and against charitable purposes. As is often the case, those driving change can be the target of complaints. As a charity, we recognise our responsibilities to OSCR, staff, members and supporters. We welcome discussion and scrutiny and ensure that complaints are fully and rigorously investigated in an open and transparent way. The concerns raised in the press are not new. Following a difficult period, the board commissioned two reviews into events of the past 18 months. These reviews contain recommendations and lessons learned that have either been implemented or are in the process. It added: The board is satisfied that all issues which have received press attention in the past week have been fully investigated. Should other concerns arise the board will ensure they are investigated in line with the Trusts policies and procedures. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, An Oregon judge has overturned a $260 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson in a lawsuit brought by a woman who said she got mesothelioma, a deadly cancer linked to asbestos exposure, from inhaling the companys talc powder, the company said on Monday. Judge Katharine von ter Stegge of the 4th Judicial District Circuit Court in Portland, Oregon, granted J&Js motion to toss the verdict and hold a new trial in the case at a hearing late on Friday, according to a spokesperson for the company. Von ter Stegge is expected to issue an opinion explaining her order in the coming days. Related: Johnson & Johnson Adds $1.1B to Proposed Talc Settlement Erik Haas, J&Js worldwide vice president of litigation, said the original verdict was the direct result of numerous egregious errors committed by the plaintiffs lawyers and had no basis in the law or science. A lawyer for the Oregon woman, Kyung Lee, who sued the company along with her husband, did not immediately comment. Related: J&J in Talks with Holdouts to $6.5 Billion Talc Settlement J&J is facing more than 62,000 plaintiffs claims that its baby powder and other talc products were contaminated with asbestos and caused cancer. Most of the lawsuits are over ovarian and other gynecological cancers, with a small minority over mesothelioma. J&J has said that its talc is safe, does not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer. Lee was diagnosed with mesothelioma last year at age 48. She alleged that she inhaled asbestos-tainted talc over more than 30 years, beginning when her mother used it on her when she was a baby and later when she used it herself as a deodorant. Related: J&J Eyes Texas as Venue for Next Round of Baby Powder Fight A lawyer for J&J said at trial that Lees illness was likely caused by exposure to asbestos used at a factory near where she grew up. Fridays decision comes as J&J is preparing to have a subsidiary file bankruptcy in order to settle the ovarian and other gynecological cancer lawsuits for about $9 billion. The company has said it has secured support for the deal from well over 75% of claimants, the legal threshold for a judge to approve the kind of bankruptcy settlement J&J has proposed. The bankruptcy filing and settlement would not affect mesothelioma cases like Lees. (Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Leslie Adler) Marine insurance markets face significant risk from the growth of a shadow fleet of ships hauling oil from sanctioned producers like Russian and Iran, an industry group said. The opaque nature of the ownership of those vessels makes it hard to identify who would be at fault in the event of a collision, Ilias Tsakiris, chair of the hull committee of the International Union of Maritime Insurers. This so-called dark fleet presents significant risks for marine insurers, he said at the organizations annual conference on Wednesday. These ships are often operated by questionable entities and their lack of transparency makes it difficult to assess liability in case of accidents or pollution. This is a growing concern for marine insurers. Russia assembled a shadow fleet of about 700 vessels in order to help keep its oil exports moving in the aftermath of western sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine. Danish pilots that board such ships have described them as old piles of junk, underscoring the risk they pose to the wider environment. Top photo: Bulk carriers offshore from Singapore, on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024. Singapore must be prepared for a more challenging trade environment going forward regardless of who wins the US presidential election in November as the city-state seeks a place in what its top trade official described as a supply chain new order. Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. CLEVELAND, Ohio The Guardians will be without their leadoff hitter and Gold Glove left fielder for at least the next week, but a familiar face is returning to Clevelands clubhouse to take his place. Steven Kwan is heading to the 10-day injured list with inflammation in his mid-back, the club announced prior to Tuesdays game against Minnesota. Taking Kwans spot on the roster will be outfielder Myles Straw, who is set to make his return after spending the entire 2024 season with Triple-A Columbus. Kwan, who appeared in his first All-Star Game in July, injured his back while diving back to first base on a pickoff attempt last week. He has not appeared in a game since Sept. 12 when he went 1 for 2 with a pair of walks against Tampa Bay. Cleveland announced Kwans move to the injured list is retroactive to Sept. 14. It marks the second stint on the injured list for Kwan this season after he missed 23 games from May 5-30 with a left hamstring strain. Kwan hit .351 with a .934 OPS to go along with six home runs and 16 RBI in 37 games after returning to the lineup. He was selected to start for the American League in left field at the 94th All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas. But in 51 games after the All-Star break, Kwans batting average dropped dramatically. He hit .201 with a .305 on-base percentage over his last 224 plate appearances prior to going on the IL. Myles Straw has been added to Cleveland's roster as Steven Kwan heads to the injured list.AP Straw, 29, was designated for assignment at the end of spring training after spending 2 1/2 seasons as Clevelands primary center fielder. Acquired at the trade deadline in 2021 from Houston in a trade that sent pitcher Phil Maton and catcher Yanier Diaz to the Astros, Straw hit .280 over the final two months that season and won a Gold Glove Award for the Guardians in 2022. Straw hit .238 with a .301 on-base percentage in 2023 while batting mainly in the No. 9 spot in Clevelands lineup for 147 games. He accepted an outright assignment to Columbus after the Guardians broke camp in March, hitting .240 with 62 runs and 47 RBI in 434 at-bats over 123 games. Carlos Carrasco struck out 1.394 batters in parts of 12 seasons with Cleveland.Getty Images To make room for Straw on the 40-man roster, Cleveland designated veteran right-hander Carlos Carrasco for assignment. Carrasco, 37, was 3-10 with a 5.64 ERA in 21 starts after signing a minor league contract with a spring training invite and making the opening day roster. Carrasco had been on the injured list since Aug. 8 with a left hip strain. A fan favorite for parts of 12 seasons with Cleveland, Carrasco joined the organization at the trade deadline in 2009 along with Jason Donald, Lou Marson, and Jason Knapp in a deal that sent Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco to Philadelphia. He re-signed with Cleveland in February after spending three seasons with the Mets as part of the January 2020 deal that sent Francisco Lindor to New York. Carrasco ranks fourth in club history with 1,394 strikeouts. He led the AL with 18 wins in 2017 and finished fourth in Cy Young voting. He missed out on Clevelands World Series run in 2016 after he was struck by a line drive on Sept. 17 in a game against Detroit. Known by his nickname, Cookie, the Venezuela native was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in 2019, but worked to return to the mound in September of that year. Carrasco was honored with the Roberto Clemente Award for his community efforts in Venezuela, Cleveland and Tampa. UPDATE: See why the GOP-controlled Ohio Supreme Court (mostly) sided with Republicans on redistricting reform ballot language COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Ballot Board must make minor revisions to language that will appear on general election ballots as voters consider a proposal to reform the states redistricting process, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled Monday. The Republican-controlled court ruled in favor of the ballot board on challenges to six of eight points brought by the amendments backers, a bipartisan coalition seeking to remove politicians from the decennial process of redrawing state legislative and congressional lines. Republicans on the ballot board last month wrote the language summarizing a 17-page amendment into 10 bullet points as Issue 1 for the general election ballot. Citizens Not Politicians, the group that collected more than 400,000 signatures to put the amendment on the ballot, said the language was written to persuade voters against the amendment. The backers sued to force changes to the language that will appear on ballots that soon will be available to voters. Early voting begins in earnest on Oct. 8, but overseas and military voter ballots will go out this week. In a 4-3 ruling issued late on Monday, the court wrote that the language is largely consistent with the amendment. But the court ordered revisions on two sections: one describing when a lawsuit can be filed to challenge a redistricting plan, and another about the publics ability to give input to mapmakers. All of the courts Republicans joined in the ruling: Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy and Justices Patrick Fischer, Patrick DeWine and Joseph Deters. Three Democrats -- Justices Michael Donnelly, Jennifer Brunner and Melody Stewart -- dissented. The majority opinion noted that the court cannot rule the language invalid unless it is written to mislead, deceive, or defraud the voters. It applied that standard in assessing each of Citizens Not Politicians challenges, including whether the amendment would require gerrymandering, the practice that backers say they want to ban. The ballot board, led by Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose, must reconvene to rewrite portions of the language the court said didnt meet state requirements. The court did not order the board to adopt specific language. LaRose said in a statement late on Monday that he would reconvene the ballot board at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday to make adjustments. This decision is a huge win for Ohio voters, who deserve an honest explanation of what theyre being asked to decide. The courts opinion reinforces that this proposed amendment does in fact require the gerrymandering of Ohios legislative and congressional districts, and thats something the dark money foreign billionaire behind this bad idea has consistently tried to deny, LaRose said. Citizens Not Politicians spokesman Chris Davey said in a prepared statement that the campaign disagreed with much of the courts decision but agreed with its repudiation of the ballot board for writing defective language about portions of the amendment. Everyone knows whats happening here. Citizens are going to fire politicians and lobbyists from drawing maps by voting Yes on Issue 1, and the politicians hate that. So politicians are lying and doing everything they can to confuse voters. But its not working, and it wont work. Ohioans across the political spectrum Republicans, Independents, Democrats want to end gerrymandering. Thats why theyre voting yes on Issue 1: to reject the politicians lies, to get politicians and lobbyists out of the map-rigging business, and to end gerrymandering. On to November, he said. Republican Ohio Auditor Keith Faber said in a prepared statement from the opposition to the amendment: The Court was thoughtful in its approach and they got it right. The ballot language is now clear: Issue One will force gerrymandering into the state constitution while destroying the anti-gerrymandering reforms Ohio voters approved by more than 70%. Issue One hurts Ohio. What would the redistricting amendment do? Citizens Not Politicians amendment would replace the Ohio Redistricting Commission, a panel of seven elected officials thats currently controlled by Republicans, with a 15-member citizens panel made up of equal parts Republicans, Democrats and political independents. Politicos, including elected officials, party operatives and lobbyists, and their immediate family members, would be barred from serving on the new commission. Retired judges from both political parties would select commission members. The commission would have to conduct its map drawing in public, and would draw its first congressional and state legislative district maps for use in the 2026 elections. The amendment lays out a bipartisan process to screen and select redistricting commission members. It also describes requirements the maps must meet, including requiring that the district lines favor each party to win seats in proportions that closely correspond to the preferences of voters, as measured by the results of the previous six years worth of statewide partisan general elections. It lays out other factors for the commission to consider, including giving racial, ethnic and language minorities a chance to elect their candidates of choice and preserving communities of interest. It describes factors the citizens commission would consider, like a demonstrated history of broadly shared interests and representational needs, when deciding which townships, cities, counties or school districts would be kept intact in a single district. This would be a change from the current Ohio Redistricting Commission, which is composed of the governor, secretary of state, state auditor and four state legislative leaders, including the minority leaders in the state House and Senate. The current redistricting commission has more strict rules about splitting cities and counties, and while it has similar language describing political proportionality, Republicans have argued the existing proportionality requirements are optional. The current system has produced historic supermajorities for Republicans in the Ohio Statehouse and a massive advantage in the states congressional delegation, even though Republicans won about 56% of the vote between 2014 and 2022, according to court records. There is not yet any formal opposition campaign. But many top state Republicans, led by Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman, have spoken against the amendment, saying it would permit gerrymandering in favor of Democrats. And state records show a prominent Republican political firm founded a campaign PAC in October called Ohioans for Fair Districts the same name used by a redistricting reform campaign a decade ago tied to the Democratic Party although the PAC suspended operations last month without accepting any contributions or spending any money. Andrew Tobias contributed reporting. In a Monday interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer, Broadcom CEO Hock Tan detailed why the semiconductor company hiked up its guidance for artificial intelligence revenue during its earnings report earlier this month, saying huge enterprises are invested in the products. "We are in a segment of the market in AI where we are addressing several hyperscalers," he said. "And these hyperscalers have very strong incentive, ambition to towards building continually, investing in large language models to basically create models that are smarter and smarter." Broadcom beat Wall Street's expectations for revenue and earnings, and it guided for $12 billion in AI sales for fiscal 2024, up from a previous estimate of $11 billion. The company designs and develops a number of semiconductor and infrastructure software products that have been in demand as Big Tech ramps up production of data centers and new AI technology. According to Tan, the AI boom is far from over, as some investors fear. Megacap tech companies will continue to need Broadcom's technology, he said, because each newer, smarter generation of large language model will require more and more "compute" each time. He said the need for these semiconductors is not a "one-year phenomenon," but a "very urgent journey" for Big Tech. He also addressed a weak spot in the quarter sales of legacy semiconductors and claimed that the category is on its way to recovery. Tan claimed that Broadcom has suffered from a "typical hangover" that comes with the upcycle the company saw during Covid. "We reached bottom about a couple quarters ago, early part of fiscal 2024, and we have since seen, seen sequential growth of our revenue from that bottom," he said. "We're well on the way to recovery, and 25, 26 will be an upcycle for non-AI semiconductors." Starbucks said on Monday that its North America CEO, Michael Conway, had decided to retire after about 11 years at the coffee chain. The move comes amid newly-appointed Chief Executive Officer Brian Niccol's turnaround plan focusing on Starbucks' operations in the U.S. Conway assumed the role as North America CEO in April this year as the company was grappling with weak demand for its pricey lattes in the U.S. Niccol, who took over from Laxman Narasimhan in a surprise appointment last month, said in an open letter that he would initially focus on ensuring the U.S. stores deliver drinks and food on time, as well as re-establishing the coffeehouse culture at its outlets. Starbucks will not backfill the role of North America CEO upon Conway's retirement, and the company's North America retail operations head, Sarah Trilling, would report directly to Niccol. Conway would stay on as an executive adviser through the end of 2024, Starbucks said in a post on its website. Prior to becoming North America CEO, Conway was the group president of Starbucks' international and channel development. He also served as the president of the company's Canada business, as well as its licensed stores segment for the U.S. and Latin America, among other roles. Artificial intelligence is expected to transform the way companies do business, including those in financial planning and investment management. That means financial advisors need to get onboard or risk being left behind. "They have to realize an AI apocalypse is coming," said Craig Iskowitz, CEO and founder of Ezra Group, a strategy consulting firm to asset managers and broker-dealers. Of course, financial advisors have been using some technology, like financial planning software, for years. Others are now embracing AI to help with operational workflows, such as meeting summaries and emails. Yet experts expect a dramatic shift as AI eventually becomes more entrenched in the day-to-day investment process. "Large language models, such as OpenAI's GPT and Anthropic's Claude, can deliver significant productivity gains because they can process vast amounts of text data, such as annual reports, debt documentation, news articles, or broker research, much faster than humans," Vincent Gudsdorf, head of AI analytics and digital finance research at Moody's Ratings, wrote in a report earlier this month. "These models can automate the creation of documents like earnings reports or market commentaries and generate investment ideas," he added. Right now, AI is still in its infancy as infrastructure is built out, said Leo Kelly, founder and CEO of private wealth advisory firm Verdence. His firm has just under $4 billion in assets under management. "There are applications but they are very rudimentary and people don't know how to use them yet," he said. Those he calls "deniers," who don't want to embrace AI, will be fine in the early stage, Kelly said. But "the light at the end of the tunnel is a freight train [aiming] for them." There are also early adopters, who may be rushing into the technology and could see challenges down the road, and those who are thinking strategically and building out their technology, he said. The latter will be the most successful, said Kelly, whose firm is currently rebuilding its technology stack. "We are basically getting our arms around our data and organizing and structuring our data in a way that it is clean and precise," he said. "Then you can take AI and start applying applications and those applications will be highly effective if you have taken your time." It is a massive commitment, he noted. "The payoff will be huge if you do it right," he added. AI 'wealth whisperers' Eventually, regulators will get their arms around AI and understand that the data is protected, predicted certified financial planner Timothy Welsh, president of wealth management consultancy Nexus Strategy. Then, the conversation among investors will go from "who is your money manager" to "which AI are you using?" he said. "If you think about creating asset allocation and picking stocks, bonds [and] mutual funds [financial advisors] are relying on intelligence from the asset managers of the world," he said. "But that research is the core stuff that AI can do more than humans." Still, AI will help financial advisors do their jobs better not necessarily put them out of work. Welsh envisions advisors having more time to talk with their clients. "Therapist kind of stuff," he said. "Those skills are way more in demand." AI tools can also dramatically enhance background searches, data analysis, portfolio analysis and risk analysis for financial professionals, Kelly said. "All of this work they can do radically faster than they used to," he said. "They can take in more data and make better decisions." Iskowitz at Ezra Group sees AI leveling the playing field in what he calls the "democratization of EQ," or emotional intelligence. All the data now available on the internet, like social media posts, will help advisors learn more about their clients and therefore help them relate better, he predicts. "The real golden ticket is going to be in gathering terabytes of data and sifting through it intelligently and coming up with pattern matching," he said. "That's called machine learning, but doing it much quicker and over much more unstructured data emails, notes, social media, posts, videos that AI can quickly review and then drill down and distill the exact insights for each prospective client." AI can also help managers analyze which clients to pursue and how to speak with them based on their backgrounds, he said. In about two years, Iskowitz predicts a chatbot will be able to provide full financial plans directly to clients, interact with them and give them the option to open accounts with the click of the mouse. "[It] will do all the work for you, put you in the right models, adjust it all and go," he said. "These AIs are going to be like wealth whisperers." What to do Nexus Strategy's Welsh believes financial advisors should begin getting comfortable with current AI capabilities. "Get started today. This is something you can get ahead of," he said. "Just keep it in the box right now operational efficiencies. There is no issue with that." For Verdence's Kelly, the first thing advisors should do is ask themselves who they are an early adopter, a denier or a strategic thinker. "Don't try to fool yourself into that answer," he said. "If you want to change things, you have to change." They should then evaluate where they are in the marketplace what are their competitive advantages and disadvantages. After that, decide if you need to invest in the people and technology, partner with a larger firm or, if you work at a big bank, decide if you want to leave since the big banks have to also manage risk and the capability of these AI tools, he said. Those who run small mom and pop firms managing their own portfolios should start thinking about partnering with a larger financial advisor firm or technology company, Kelly said. Otherwise, "AI is going to monetize you out of business," he said. Iskowitz suggests advisors branch out and also go into areas like alternative investments, tax and estate planning, more advanced retirement planning, insurance and annuities. They can also use more visual tools, like an asset map that does a visualization of a client's financial life, he said. Advisors should have regular conversations with their technology vendors, who are already hard at work deploying AI features, he advises. "Don't go and buy anything new. It's already coming to you. Just wait," he said. "Your financial planning software is launching AI functionality. Your meeting organization tools are launching a functionality." Also, make sure you train your internal staff and let them know no one is getting fired, he advised. Anyone whose work is being replaced can be moved elsewhere in the company, he said. "It's a learning curve. Like any software, you need to spend time to train your staff and train them in the ways that they feel comfortable," he said. "AI can help you." The world's super rich club expanded significantly over the past 10 years, with China leading the charge, according to the latest report from New World Wealth and investment migration advisor Henley & Partners. The number of centimillionaires surged 54% worldwide over the past decade to 29,350, particularly in China and the U.S., according to the report. Centimillionaires are ultra-high-net-worth individuals with investable wealth of $100 million or more. "America and China have experienced what can only be described as a centi-millionaire boom, significantly outperforming their European counterparts," said Juerg Steffen, chief executive officer of Henley & Partners. "China's ascent has been the most dramatic, with its centi-millionaire population expanding by 108% over the past 10 years outpacing even the stellar performance of the U.S., whose super-wealthy ranks swelled by 81% over the same period," the report observed. China's growth was driven in large part by the emergence of tech centimillionaires and industrial titans, Steffen said. There are currently 2,350 centimillionaires living in China. But the country's economy has stalled in recent years, dragged down by an embattled property sector, sticky unemployment and weak domestic consumption. Most of China's centimillionaire boom happened between 2013 to 2020, Andrew Amoils, wealth analyst at New World Wealth, told CNBC. Since 2020, the number of ultra-rich has only risen about 10%, he added. In this article NVDA Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Illustration of the China and U.S. flag on a central processing unit. Blackdovfx | Istock | Getty Images U.S. sanctions over the years on China's semiconductor industry has forced Beijing to ramp up efforts to boost its domestic chip sector. The boom of artificial intelligence and foundational models has only spurred on China's goal of playing a leading role in the chip industry. So far, it is American firm Nvidia with its graphics processing units, or GPUs, that has garnered the headlines, as it designs the key piece of hardware required to train up huge AI models, such as the likes seen from OpenAI that underpins ChatGPT. While Nvidia can ship certain chips to China, Washington has shown its willingness to cut its tech rival off from the most cutting-edge semiconductors and tools needed to make them. This has renewed focus on China's homegrown efforts to rival Nvidia and create semiconductors that can underpin the world's second-largest economy's own AI industry. CNBC spoke to two analysts who identified some of the leading Chinese competitors to Nvidia. Huawei Huawei is one of China's tech champions with a business that spans telecommunications infrastructure to consumer electronics and cloud computing. Its chip design unit is called HiSilicon. The Shenzhen-headquartered company designs the Ascend series of data center processors. Huawei then sells these chips as a part of servers that go into data centers to train AI models. Its AI servers are under the brand name Atlas. The firm's current generation of chip is called the Ascend 910B, and the company is gearing up to launch the Ascend 910C, which could be on par with Nvidia's H100 product, according to a Wall Street Journal report in August. In its annual report earlier this year, Nvidia explicitly identified Huawei, among other companies, as a competitor in areas such as chips, software for AI and networking products. "It is not just about the hardware, but about the overall ecosystem, tools for developers, and the ability to continue to evolve this ecosystem going forward as the technology advances. Here, Huawei holds a lot of advantages, and is attempting to build a software ecosystem around its Ascend series of datacenter processors," Paul Triolo, a partner at consulting firm Albright Stonebridge, told CNBC. Alibaba and Baidu Alibaba and Baidu both buy Nvidia chips but they are also designing their own semiconductors for AI processes. Baidu, one of China's biggest internet companies, designs its own chips for the use in servers and autonomous cars under the brand name Kunlun. Alibaba's semiconductor design unit called T-Head, has developed an AI inference chip called the Hanguang 800. Inference is the process that follows the training of AI models, as it refers to the actual application of AI in the real world, such as a chatbot responding to user queries. "Alibaba's AI inference chip has already been deployed to accelerate its recommendation system on its e-commerce platform. Baidu has integrated its Kunlun chip into its data centers and autonomous driving sector," Wei Sun, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, told CNBC. Biren Technology Like Nvidia, Biren Technology designs a general purpose GPU and has a software development platform to build applications on top of the hardware. These chips form part of Biren's Bili series of products designed to be used in data centers for AI training. Last year Biren was added to a U.S. blacklist known as the Entity List, which restricts its access to certain American technology. Cambricon Technologies Cambricon Technologies designs various types of semiconductors from those designed to train AI models to those that can run AI applications on devices, rather than in data centers. However, the company has continued to report significant losses and reportedly laid off workers last year, according to the South China Morning Post. Cambricon Technologies is also on the U.S. Entity List. Moore Threads Moore Threads, founded in 2020, is developing GPUs designed to train large AI models. MTT KUAE is the company's data center product containing its GPUs. The company's mission is to become a "global GPU leader," according to a statement on its website. It also has big brand names backing it. TikTok-owner ByteDance is an investor alongside big venture capital firms including Sequoia and GGV Capital. Moore Threads is also on the U.S. Entity List. Enflame Technology Coca-Cola just ordered another round in the booming canned cocktail market. It is going with another classic, launching a canned rum and coke in collaboration with Bacardi Limited. The two brands on Tuesday announced plans to release the ready-to-drink cocktail in several international markets, starting with an initial launch in Mexico and select European markets in 2025. The company is also evaluating a U.S. launch of the drink for 2025, a spokesperson confirmed with CNBC. The Coca-Cola Company 's latest move reflects continued explosive growth in the canned cocktails market. Premixed cocktails were the fastest-growing spirit category in the U.S. in 2023, growing 26.7% to $2.8 billion in revenue, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S.' annual economic report. Spirit sales in the U.S. have remained at the top of the alcoholic market, beating out wine and beer for the second straight year in 2023, according to the Spirits Council report. Vodka brought in the most revenue out of all spirits with about $7.2 billion. The new drink is not Coke's first entry into the premixed cocktail market. The company joined with beer giant Molson Coors to debut Topo Chico Hard Seltzer in 2021, and joined with Brown-Forman 's Jack Daniels whiskey to can another popular bar drink, Jack and Coke. Those cans hit the U.S. market in 2023. Later that same year, Coca-Cola brand Sprite partnered with Pernod Ricard's Absolut Vodka for two versions of a premixed cocktail, one with Sprite and the other with Sprite Zero Sugar. "We are continuing to develop our portfolio as a total beverage company, including in the growing alcohol ready-to-drink market," said James Quincey, CEO of Coca-Cola, in a press release. The entire ready-to-drink alcohol market is showing heady signs for the future. Hard seltzers, which often contain malt-based alcohol, showed signs of falling off in 2022 as category-wide sales lagged, leading Boston Beer to throw away excess supply of its hard seltzer brand Truly. But the U.S. hard seltzer market grew from $13.2 billion to $18.97 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow steadily into 2030, according to Grand View Research. Tech companies have been capitalizing on the artificial intelligence boom, driving the development of products and services in that area. That also means that AI data centers are growing fast as is the demand for them. Data centers house vast amounts of computing power needed for AI workloads. That in turn is set to drive up the demand for cooling systems for data centers. "AI proliferation makes heat dissipation attractive. We believe the demand for liquid cooling for AI data centers should sustain for the following 5-10 years, driven by continuous iteration of AI chips and rising heat dissipation requirements," Jefferies said in a Sept. 10 report. Cooling services have been said to improve power efficiency in data centers and, by extension, cost efficiency. Jefferies estimated that given this cost efficiency, the total addressable market for global liquid cooling is set to rally from $997 million in 2023 to $27.8 billion in 2030. That represents a 61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), it said. In China, the development of liquid cooling has "fallen behind," Jefferies said. But it expects two factors to drive it this and next year. The first is the stricter power usage efficiency requirement put in place by China's government. Second, Chinese digital communications giant Huawei's graphics processing unit capacity should more than double in 2025 and 2026, according to the investment bank. Cloud solution providers' capital expenditure in China should also recover, said Jefferies. That should cause the data center cooling solutions' total addressable market's CAGR to grow 13% between 2023 and 2030. Of that, liquid cooling should deliver 66% CAGR in the same period, said Jefferies. Stock picks Jefferies named three global buy-rated stocks that are set to benefit from the cooling trend and more within the data center space. Schneider Electric : Jefferies said it expects the French firm to be the "biggest beneficiary" of AI or data center-driven demand of all European firms in this segment. "Given its comprehensive portfolio, benefiting from demand for all kinds of products in the space, we think Schneider's data centre business should clearly grow from these levels," Jefferies wrote, adding that the firm has "among the most comprehensive" products in the data center space. Envicool Technology : Jefferies expects data center cooling sales in Southeast Asia to contribute one-third of such sales for the Chinese firm. It predicts the firm will deliver 56% earnings per share growth, up from 42% previously. Megmeet Electrical: Megmeet is one of four qualified power supply unit suppliers for Nvidia's servers, Jefferies noted, adding that it expects the Chinese firm to receive PSU (power supply unit) orders for Nvidia servers by end-2024 and to start delivery in 2025. Sales of the firm's AI server PSUs could be worth 2 billion yuan ($2.8 million) in the long run, Jefferies said. CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report. SpaceX's Polaris Dawn Falcon 9 rocket sits on Launch Complex 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center as it is prepared for another attempt to liftoff in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Sept. 9, 2024. Elon Musk said SpaceX will sue the Federal Aviation Administration for "regulatory overreach" after the agency planned to fine his defense contractor for issues with two launches last year. Musk's threat of litigation, in a post on social media platform X on Tuesday, came after the FAA announced it would levy fines amounting to $633,000 against SpaceX because the company had purportedly failed to comply with a variety of licensing and safety-related regulations during those launches. The FAA said SpaceX used an "unapproved rocket propellant farm" for its EchoStar XXIV Jupiter mission in July 2023. For its launch a month earlier from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, SpaceX had modified its communication plans and used a new and unapproved launch control room, the FAA said. According to a "notice of proposed civil penalty," the FAA clearly informed SpaceX on June 16, 2023, two days before the launch, that the agency "would not issue a modification" to the SpaceX license. SpaceX went ahead anyway. Musk and a spokesperson for SpaceX did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for additional information on the focus of the company's complaint. Musk also posted comments on X, characterizing the FAA's latest proposed civil penalties as "lawfare." "NASA puts their faith in @SpaceX for all astronaut transport to and from the [International Space Station], but somehow [FAA] leadership thinks they know better," he wrote in a post to his almost 200 million followers. In another post, Musk said, "I am highly confident that discovery will show improper, politically-motivated behavior by the FAA." The FAA did not respond to CNBC's request for comment. In a recent blog post, SpaceX complained about "difficulties launch companies face in the current regulatory environment," specifically pertaining to "launch and reentry licensing." Last year, the FAA said it would fine the company $175,000 for failure to submit required data ahead of a Falcon 9 launch in 2022. SpaceX had paid that fine in full by last October. In August, the FAA had to scuttle an approved SpaceX Starship Super Heavy environmental review because Musk's company failed to disclose that it had received multiple enforcement actions from Texas state and federal environmental authorities. The FAA's latest proposed civil penalties highlight the agency's difficulties obtaining required information from SpaceX in time to review and authorize launches and reentries. As CNBC previously reported, the federal Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality found that SpaceX had repeatedly violated the Clean Water Act and failed to obtain proper permits for industrial wastewater discharges at its Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. In addition to taking on the FAA and environmental regulators, Musk has clashed with the National Labor Relations Board. He filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the NLRB is unconstitutional in its structure, and that its administrative processes violate the concept of the separation of powers. A version of this article first appeared in CNBC's Healthy Returns newsletter, which brings the latest health-care news straight to your inbox. Subscribe here to receive future editions. Good afternoon! Roche is one of several drugmakers hoping to join the booming weight loss drug market, which Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are currently dominating. But can the Swiss company develop drugs that can compete with that duopoly? The answer isn't clear yet. We need to see more data from longer and larger clinical trials, which will likely take years for Roche to conduct. But the company last week presented more early-stage data more early-stage data on its experimental obesity injection and pill, which some analysts said raised concerns about how competitive those products can be if they enter the space. Some analysts said the new results showed that both drugs which Roche acquired through its nearly $3 billion acquisition of Carmot Therapeutics in December caused a higher rate of side effects than expected. "Investor excitement for Roche's obesity franchise may now take a pause, in our view, given both acquired [drugs] showed higher-than-anticipated [gastroinsteinal] side effects," Jefferies analysts said in a note on Wednesday, noting that the trials aggressively increased patients' dosages of the drug. For example, Roche on Wednesday unveiled tolerability data from a phase one trial on its oral drug, CT-996, which is being developed to treat obesity and diabetes. The drugmaker previously said the once-daily obesity pill helped patients lose up to 7.3% of their weight within four weeks compared to 1.2% among those who received a placebo. That "competitive" weight loss appears to be driven by "rapid" dose increases, which caused a high frequency of gastrointestinal side effects, according to the Jefferies analysts. But they noted that those side effects could be mitigated by a more gradual dosage ramp-up. "The true competitive profile [of the drug is] not yet visible until the presentation of data" from larger phase two trials, the analysts wrote. JPMorgan analysts were less optimistic in a Wednesday note: "We are concerned about the ability to titrate away the high rates" of gastrointestinal side effects, they wrote. The analysts said a group of patients who eventually received the lowest maximum dose of the pill 90 milligrams still saw high rates of nausea "with limited weight loss efficacy." Another group of patients who took the highest maximum dose of the drug 120 milligrams with slightly lower dose increases over time had nausea rates of 83%, vomiting of 33% and diarrhea of 50%, according to the JPMorgan analysts. The tolerability of the drug under that dosing approach "looks uncompetitive," they said. The analysts said those rates are significantly higher than those seen with Novo Nordisk's oral semaglutide, the active ingredient in the weight loss drug Wegovy, and Eli Lilly's experiment obesity pill, orforglipron. But the "whole point" of the study on the pill was to "fail fast" and determine whether unexpected safety or efficacy issues exist, Manu Chakravarthy, Roche's head of product development for cardiovascular, renal and metabolic, said on CNBC's "Fast Money" on Thursday. That's why the company went "a little bit quicker in the titration scheme than you normally" do in later-stage trials, he noted. He added that the rates of gastrointestinal side effects are "very much in line" with other drugs of the same class as Roche's pill, which mimics a hormone in the gut called GLP-1 to suppress appetite and regulate blood sugar. "So nothing unexpected that we saw in safety, which actually gives us a lot of confidence tomove the program forward into phase two," Chakravarthy said, noting that Roche plans to start mid-stage studies in 2025. He added Roche doesn't believe slowing down titration will make the company's injection or pill less effective. That's because both products showed similar weight loss trajectories, even with slower or lower dose increases, according to Chakravarthy. "If anything, when we slow down the titration, we would expect the accountability to be even further improved," Chakravarthy told CNBC. In May, Roche said its injection, CT-388, helped patients with obesity lose 18.8% more weight compared to those who received a placebo after 24 weeks in the phase one trial. The company hopes that the drug will eventually demonstrate 25% weight loss in late-stage trials, Chakravarthy told Fierce Biotech on Wednesday. Feel free to send any tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to Annika at annikakim.constantino@nbcuni.com. Miami Beach, Florida, Manolo, restaurant, employees at bakery counter. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Jeff Greenberg | Universal Images Group | Getty Images Latinas are making substantial contributions to the U.S. economy. The female Hispanic population contributed $1.3 trillion to gross domestic product in 2021, an increase from $661 billion in 2010, according to a recent report funded by Bank of America. That marks a real GDP growth rate of 51.1% between 2010 and 2021, meaning an economic contribution that's 2.7 times that of the non-Hispanic population. The total output of U.S. Latinas in 2021 was also larger than the entire state of Florida that year, the report noted, citing data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In fact, only those from California, Texas and New York, respectively, were larger that year. Despite those large figures, some economists think that U.S. Latinas could be contributing more to GDP than the report's figure. Belinda Roman, an associate economics professor at St. Mary's University, said that there's activity in various areas that the data may not be capturing. Child care is one of those. "A lot of that is uncompensated care," she said in an interview with CNBC. "Interestingly, there are a lot of Latinas in that space that you're not going to see in these numbers, so I think to some extent it may not be big enough actually." Economist Monica Garcia-Perez also believes the figure could be bigger, saying that some of Latinas' "unmeasured" contributions such as being a stay-at-home mom that's providing care for other neighbors' kids, for example allow "other groups to participate in the labor market." She also pointed to the occupational positions they hold more generally as posing some difficulty when assessing their contributions. "This group is very sensitive to shocks, and it could be related to their presence in sectors where there's a lot of mobility or turnover," the Fayetteville State University economics professor said. She added that they tend to be concentrated in care and service industries, such as health care, retail and hospitality. This is what makes them a "moving piece" in economic cycles. In the case of a recession, for instance, Garcia-Perez said Latinas are "likely to lose their job much faster being in the sectors they're in," as seen during the Covid-19 pandemic. "But they also may be more likely to be reincorporated in the market because the cost of entry and the type of positions they enter at have lower barriers." A growing force When it comes to labor force participation, Latinas are outpacing other groups, the BofA report showed. From 2000 to 2021, the participation rate for Latinas rose 7.5 percentage points. On the other hand, the participation rate of the non-Hispanic women in the same period was flat. The group has also been more resilient than others. Although labor force growth slowed overall in 2020, the growth rates for Hispanic men and women were still positive. Conversely, the non-Latino labor force growth rate was negative that year, meaning that more people left the labor force than entered it. Beyond that, Latina GDP grew more than five times the rate of non-Latino GDP between 2019 and 2021, gaining 7.7% compared to 1.5%. Meanwhile, the GDP of Hispanic men grew nearly four times the rate of non-Latino GDP in those years at 5.9%. These contributions are notable given that Latino households were some of the hardest hit by the pandemic. "When the economy broadly is most in need, that's actually when we see the most dramatic contributions of U.S. Latinas," said economist Matthew Fienup, the report's co-author and executive director of the Center for Economic Research and Forecasting at California Lutheran University. "Whereas all Latinos are a source of economic strength, Latinas are drivers of vitality that the economy needs." "If Covid-19 couldn't stop this growth, it's hard to see what would," said David Hayes-Bautista, report co-author and director of the Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture at the School of Medicine at UCLA. Drivers of change Since the late 1970s, the share of Latinas with a job has grown. Specifically, the employment-to-population ratio for the group has surged from 41.6% in December 1978 to 56% in December 2023, per data from the Economic Policy Institute. By comparison, the ratio for Black women who alongside Latinas experience the most severe wage gaps relative to white, non-Hispanic men has advanced 11.9 percentage points. The metric for women overall has climbed by 8.8 percentage points in that period. "Some of this is an expansion of opportunities for women," said Elise Gould, a senior economist at EPI. Part of this is also due to a lack of wage growth for typical workers over the past few decades, she said. "Because it can be hard to get ahead, households may have had to put in more work hours to do better." That seems to be paying off to some extent. The growth in labor force participation as well as a rise in educational attainment are resulting in income gains for the group, notably about 2.5 times that of non-Hispanic women from 2010 to 2021, the BofA's report co-authors found. Brooklyn Puerto Rico Day Parade on June 13, 2021 on Knickerbocker Avenue in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Andrew Lichtenstein | Corbis News | Getty Images Tech stocks may have had a volatile past few weeks , but one chief investment officer is still bullish. Albion Financial Group's Jason Ware says that's thanks in part to the capital expenditure of large tech companies like Amazon , Microsoft , Nvidia and Alphabet 's Google that's "providing a bit of growth support as the economy begins to slow." These are three stocks he's buying: Nvidia, Oracle and Broadcom . Nvidia This artificial intelligence darling continues to make headlines, with the stock up 141% over the year to date, despite falling around 9.7% in the last three months. Its shares picked up last Wednesday after CEO Jensen Huang's comments on the company's innovation plans and the future of AI. That followed the sell-off after its quarterly results announcement on Aug. 28 . "We did swing the bat and pick up some Nvidia [shares] ... and then we got another opportunity just about a week ago and we added to that position," Ware told CNBC's " Street Signs Asia " on Sept. 12. "We are trying to build what we think is a sensible position for our clients. Over both the medium and long term, we still like Nvidia the business is doing well [and] there's major drivers in AI," he added. The chief investment officer believes Nvidia's stock is "reasonably valued," based on its two to three-year outlook. The stock is trading at around 30 times forward price-to-earnings, which he says is "sustainable over the next couple of years." There might be a "margin plateau" in Nvidia's stock in the next three to four years, Ware says, adding that investors "want to make sure you're this right in terms of valuations." "We've been doing that, and we've been pretty happy with the price we've been getting," he added. According to FactSet data, of the 63 analysts covering the stock, 59 give it a buy or overweight rating, while just four have a hold rating. Analysts' average price target is $149.49, giving it 25.5% potential upside. Broadcom Chipmaker Broadcom is another popular stock that Ware likes. "We've owned this in our dividend strategy for a number of years since 2020 because it pays a decent yield," he said. Ware said he bought more of the stock "on the dip" when its price fell below $140. That happened on Aug. 7 and again on Sept. 6, according to FactSet. The stock may have "less of a good current yield now," but he continues to like it for its dividend growth, which came in at over 20% in the past two decades. He says he likes that Broadcom is well positioned for the AI boom, adding that it's the "second best player in the chip complex." Its fiscal third-quarter results surpassed Wall Street's expectations with adjusted earnings per share coming in at $1.24, better than the $1.20 expected, while its revenue was $13.07 billion, higher than the $12.97 billion penciled. With earnings growth exceeding 20% and a price-to-earnings multiple of 22 times, Ware says, he sees promise in the stock. Broadcom shares fell 7% in extended trading following its results announcement, but remain up close to 47.5% year-to-date. Of 46 analysts covering the stock, 40 give it a buy or overweight rating, while the remaining six have a hold call, according to FactSet data. The stock's average price target of $191.94 gives it upside potential of 16.6%. Oracle Corporation Ware sees potential in database software maker, Oracle. Calling it a "dinosaur," the CIO considers it a good play even though it isn't part of the so-called "Magnificent Seven," which includes Alphabet , Amazon , Apple , Meta Platforms , Microsoft , Nvidia and Tesla . "The reality is that's been a fabulous growth story as they transition from relational databases [and] the legacy databases over to cloud," he said. Though it was late to jump onto the cloud, the segment now accounts for around 20% of Oracle's business, Ware noted. Its forward price-to-earnings of 22 times makes it a cheap stock, he said. It has "growing, accelerating growth, and we think AI is a nice little kicker on their infrastructure cloud. So it's still a name we like, we're quite overweight, and we like the company," Ware added. The company raised its fiscal 2026 revenue forecast to at least $66 billion, more than the $64.5 billion LSEG analysts were expecting. Oracle's shares rose about 6% in extended trading last Thursday after the announcement and are up nearly 53.1% year-to-date. Nineteen of 33 analysts covering the stock give it a buy or overweight rating, according to FactSet data. The average price target of $171.69 gives it upside potential of 6.4%. CNBC's Kif Leswing and Jordan Novet contributed to this report. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella speaks during the company's Build developer conference in Seattle on May 21, 2024. Microsoft and BlackRock are part of a group of companies collaborating to pull together up to $100 billion to develop data centers for artificial intelligence and the energy infrastructure to power them. The companies are part of the Global Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Investment Partnership, or GAIIP, which was announced in a press release on Tuesday. The other participants are Global Infrastructure Partners, or GIP, an infrastructure investor that is being acquired by BlackRock, and MGX, a tech investor in the United Arab Emirates. "We are committed to ensuring AI helps advance innovation and drives growth across every sector of the economy," said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, in a statement. He said the initiative brings "together financial and industry leaders to build the infrastructure of the future and power it in a sustainable way." The group aims to assemble $30 billion of initial capital, with a future goal of bringing in up to $100 billion, including from debt financing. Tech companies have been racing to build data centers full of Nvidia graphics processing units, or GPUs, that can run generative AI models such as those enabling OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot. Those GPUs consume serious power, and soaring demand has created a bottleneck for standing up new facilities. Microsoft's investment comes on top of the capital expenditures needed to support infrastructure expansion for its Azure public cloud, which supplies OpenAI and other AI customers. Microsoft said in July that fiscal fourth-quarter capital spending, including assets acquired under finance leases, totaled $19 billion. In January, BlackRock announced its intent to acquire GIP for $3 billion in cash and around 12 million shares of BlackRock common stock. BlackRock said last week that it expects the deal to close Oct. 1. MGX was launched in March, with Abu Dhabi's Mubadala and AI firm G42 as founding partners. The video was seen millions of times across social media but some viewers were suspicious: It featured a young Black woman who claimed Vice President Kamala Harris left her paralyzed in a hit-and-run accident in San Francisco 13 years ago. In an emotional retelling from a wheelchair, the alleged victim said she "cannot remain silent anymore" and lamented that her childhood had "ended too soon." Immediately after the video was posted on Sept. 2, social media users pointed out reasons to be wary. The purported news channel it came from, San Francisco's KBSF-TV, didn't exist. A website for the channel set up just a week earlier contained plagiarized articles from real news outlets. The woman's X-ray images shown in the video were taken from online medical journals. And the video and the text story on the website spelled the alleged victim's name differently. The caution was warranted, according to a new Microsoft threat intelligence report, which confirms the fabricated tale was disinformation from a Russia-linked troll farm. The tech giant's report released Tuesday details how Kremlin-aligned actors that at first struggled to adapt to President Joe Biden dropping out of the race have now gone full throttle in their covert influence efforts against Harris and Democrats. It also explains how Russian intelligence actors are collaborating with pro-Russian cyber "hacktivists" to boost allegedly hacked-and-leaked materials, a strategy the company notes could be weaponized to undermine U.S. confidence in November's election outcome. The findings reveal how even through dramatic changes in the political landscape, groups linked to America's foreign adversaries have redoubled their commitment to sway U.S. political opinion as the election nears, sometimes through deeply manipulative means. They also provide further insight into how Russia's efforts to fight pro-Ukrainian policy in the U.S. are translating into escalating attacks on the Democratic presidential ticket. The report builds on previous concerns the U.S. has had about Russian interference in the upcoming election. Earlier this month, the Biden administration seized Kremlin-run websites and charged two Russian state media employees in an alleged scheme to secretly fund and influence a network of right-wing influencers. Russia-linked actors have spent several months seeking to manipulate American perspectives with covert postings, but until this point, their efforts saw little traction. Notably, some of the recent examples cited in the Microsoft report received significant social media engagement from unwitting Americans who shared the fake stories with outrage. "As the election approaches, people get more heated," Clint Watts, general manager of the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center said in an interview. "People tend to take in information from sources they don't really know or wouldn't even know to evaluate." Tom Cruise is no stranger to big Hollywood paydays, but his latest role came free of charge. The actor stole the show during the closing ceremonies of the Paris Olympics, performing a stunt during the symbolic handoff to host-city-in-waiting Los Angeles. Speaking on a panel during CNBC x Boardroom's Game Plan Summit, president of the Los Angles Olympic Organizing Committee Casey Wasserman said that getting the A-lister to participate was always his top priority, but he was skeptical of how much time he'd be able to get on Cruise's calendar. "We were like 'There's no way we're getting this much. We're going to have four hours of filming time [with him]. We'll do the thing in LA with the Hollywood sign, he'll hand the thing off and he's done. The rest will be just a stunt double,'" Wasserman recalled. But the 62-year-old Cruise quickly surprised the Organizing Committee with his enthusiasm and interest in their pitch. "About five minutes into the presentation he goes 'I'm in, but I'm only doing it if I get to do everything,'" Wasserman said. Wasserman said Cruise "got more involved and engaged" as planning for the closing ceremony stunt got underway. The stunt would see him rappel down from the roof of the Stade de France and accept the Olympic flag from Simone Biles and Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass. Cruise would then ride off on a motorcycle and the feed would cut to pre-taped footage of him riding onto a waiting plane which would fly him to Los Angeles, at which point he would skydive down onto the Hollywood sign. Wasserman said Cruise was true to his word, arranging a jam-packed travel day in order to film everything that was needed. "He finished filming 'Mission: Impossible' at six o'clock in London, got right on a plane and landed in LA at 4 a.m.," Wasserman explained. "He filmed the scene where he pulls onto the military plane in LA. He did two jumps out of the plane. Then he helicoptered from Palmdale to the Hollywood sign, filmed from one until five, helicoptered to the Burbank airport and flew back to London at six o'clock." And despite the lengths he went to in order to fit the shoot into his schedule, Cruise "did it all for free." Watch Cruise's Closing Ceremony stunt here. Want to master your money this fall? Sign up for CNBC's new online course. We'll teach you practical strategies to hack your budget, reduce your debt, and grow your wealth. Start today to feel more confident and successful. Use code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off, now extended through September 30, 2024, for the back-to-school season. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life. The Keir Starmer-led UK government recently unveiled its plans to overhaul the non-visa entry requirements for visitors from 2025. In a major step towards digitising the UK border and immigration system, the UK government has set out new implementation dates for the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme. The latest change is expected to affect millions of visitors once the scheme rolls out in phases. What the UK government said? The UK's Interior Ministry stated that visitors, who do not require a visa to travel to Britain, will be required to have an ETA from April 2, 2025. "Everyone wishing to travel to the UK except British and Irish citizens will need permission to travel in advance of coming here. This can be either through an ETA or an eVisa," read the statement from the Home Office. What does ETA mean? ETA is a permit that is digitally linked to the traveller's passport. It is for those people, who are entering or transiting the UK, without any visa or legal residence rights, AFP reported. Costing 10 (or $13), an ETA will permit multiple journeys to the UK, allowing stays for up to six months at a time over a two-year period or until the passport of a person expires whichever is sooner. The eligibility for the same depends on the nationality, while suitable travellers can apply for it with the help of the UK ETA app. Who needs ETA? Earlier, most of the visitors having valid passports could arrive at a British airport and enter the country without a visa. However, the policy started changing in November last year when the then government introduced ETA, starting with Qatari nationals. This year, the scheme was further extended and at present includes people from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and the UAE. Who are affected? UK Interior Minister Yvette Cooper has said that all nationalities, except for Europeans, will be able to apply for an ETA starting from November 27 onwards. These people will need one trip to the UK from January 8 next year. Later, the scheme will be extended to eligible Europeans as well. They will be required to have an ETA from April 2, 2025, while the application process for them will be from March 5. As per reports, the eligible travellers will need an ETA even if they are just arriving in the UK to connect to an onward flight abroad. Who doesn't need one? British and Irish passport holders as well as people with passports for a British overseas territory will not be required to have an ETA. Also, travellers visiting the UK with a visa do not need to acquire an ETA as well as people with permission to live, work or study in the country. This includes people who are settled under the EU Settlement Scheme. ETA restrictions People who get an ETA will be able to visit the UK for up to six months for tourism, meeting friends and family members, business or for a short-term study. However, it must be noted that these people cannot get married, reside in the UK through frequent visits, claim benefits or take up work as a self-employed person. According to the UK's Home Office, ETAs are "in line with the approach many other countries, including the US and Australia. Indian citizens will not be required to have ETA to visit the UK as it only applies to non-European visa-exempt nationals from Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Before travelling to the UK, Indians have to follow the existing visa process. 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. Are you a current print subscriber to Columbia Gorge News? If so, you qualify for free access to all content on columbiagorgenews.com. Simply verify with your subscriber id to receive free access. Your subscriber id may be found on your bill or mailing label. Casa Bonita just might be the most famous restaurant on the planet right now, thanks to the South Park episode that made it look like a pink paradise on Earth, as well as the upcoming, critically acclaimed documentary, which chronicles Trey Parker and Matt Stones Kitchen Nightmares-esque efforts to restore the tragically shuttered Colorado institution. The famed Mexican eatery re-opened its doors back in 2023, but its technically been in a beta-testing phase this whole time, meaning that those wanting to wolf down tacos while watching cliff divers had to try and score an invite via a lottery system, in which names were randomly selected from a lengthy waitlist. Kind of like scoring a golden ticket to Willy Wonkas chocolate factory, but without all of the child endangerment. Don't Miss But it was recently announced that reservations would finally be made available to the public beginning today, Monday, September 16th. So far, not everybodys happy. While the reservations wont be available until 3 p.m. Mountain Time for the general public, earlier this morning, Casa Bonitas Founders Club members were given priority access to book tables. Unfortunately, some prospective diners found themselves in a virtual lineup behind more than 50,000 others. Casa Bonita ended up having to cut off the queue after selling out all of their priority reservations, understandably frustrating those who had been waiting for more than two hours. Advertisement Advertisement Somehow securing reservations to this Colorado novelty restaurant has become as difficult as landing tickets to Taylor Swifts The Eras Tour, or the Oasis reunion shows, or, well, literally any event being ticketed by Ticketmaster, I guess. Advertisement Advertisement Part of the reason why the quest for reservations remains so competitive is because Casa Bonita is only offering them for October and November, meaning that theres a limited number of spaces available. But obviously the biggest problem is that the demand for reservations vastly outnumbers the number of available spots, which isnt all that surprising, considering that, back in March, head chef Dana Loca Rodriguez estimated that between 400,000 to 600,000 people were still on the waitlist. Considering that Parker and Stone have reportedly sunk $40 million into this project, theyll need as many diners as they can get just to break even. Seeing as the Founders Club members likely only account for a fraction of those looking for reservations, you can expect the public release to be even more competitive and/or tedious. If youre unable to snag a reservation for yourself, you can always check out the documentary when it hits theaters later this month or try and recreate the experience by bringing a bag of Taco Bell takeout to your local indoor swimming pool. You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this). Ever notice that there hasnt been a live-action Dr. Seuss movie in more than 20 years? Sure, there are plenty of animated adaptations, but real actors making Seuss magic were officially forbidden by Audrey Geisel, the wife of the late Theodore, more popularly known as Dr. Seuss. The reason for the ban can be summed up in two words: Mike Myers. The problem was 2003s The Cat in the Hat, the critically reviled adaptation that starred Myers. He wasnt the first choice for the role (a Tim Allen movie, believe it or not, was in the works), but once he signed on, the project took on his adolescent sense of humor, including the Cat shaking what his mama gave him in a coconut bra. I never saw Austin Powers, but I knew Yeah, baby! and I didnt want Yeah, baby! at all, Audrey Geisel told Today in 2004 while imitating Myers character in disgust. (She passed away in 2018.) Don't Miss Myers was responsible for some decidedly non-Seussian humor in the film, according to Instagram account Did You Catch This?. In one deleted scene, Thing 1 and Thing 2 cooked up a scheme to keep the childrens mother from returning to the house. Its a simple plan Thing 1 drinks a mountain of bottled water. The resulting torrent of Thing urine floods the town, keeping Mothers car from crossing a bridge back to her home. Hop on Pop, this aint. He was (my) last choice (to play the Cat), Audrey told San Diego Magazine in 2004. He did just what I thought he would do. I know exactly where he came into it and said, Lets do this, and Lets do that. And its just recently I feel Im getting my Cat out of the litter box. Advertisement That wasnt always the plan. On the day the original film was released, Myers announced that he hoped to star in a sequel based on Dr. Suess The Cat in the Hat Comes Back. No thanks, said the family. While it was open to animated adaptations like Horton Hears a Who (which did get made), there would be no more Mike Myers. It couldnt have helped that Myers was a pain in the ass on the set as well. It was just a horrible, nightmarish experience, costar Amy Hill told A.V. Club. I dont think he got to know anybody. Hed just be with his people and walk away. There was a guy who held his chocolates in a little Tupperware. Whenever he needed chocolate, hed come running over and give him a chocolate. Thats what divas are like, I guess. Or people who need therapy. The whole experience soured Audrey Geisel on Hollywood. I dont think were going to do another live-action, she sniffed at the prospect of working with Myers ever again. Bowen Yang didnt have much time to relish the announcement that hed been hired as a Saturday Night Live featured player in 2019. Within hours, the internet was sharing podcast clips of Yangs new castmate Shane Gillis making homophobic jokes and using Asian slurs. As SNLs first Chinese-American comic and an openly gay man, Gillis words put Yang smack in the middle of a conversation that he didnt start. He was napping when the news broke, he told The New Yorker. He woke to texts from his agent: Im so sorry. ... Are you awake? ... Im so sorry. Lorne Michaels tried to get ahead of the scandal, calling Yang to make sure he knew what was erupting in front of them. I dont need you to be the poster child for racial harmony, Michaels assured him. Don't Miss Getting ahead of it himself, Yang texted Gillis. That prompted a call back from Gillis, who apologized to Yang for the furor. I ended the call by saying, I guess Ill just see you at work, Yang says. He laughed and said, Sure, and hung up. Then they announced that he was fired. It was the first time that Yangs tenure on Saturday Night Live left him feeling incidental to this big national story about cancel culture, but it wouldnt be the last. A few seasons later, internet sleuths (okay, Cracked was on the case as well) were inspecting Yangs posture and placement on stage when embattled Dave Chappelle showed up for a surprise visit. While Yang undeniably appeared disgruntled that night, I was just uncomfortable on other peoples behalf, he said. It wasnt this big protest. A month later saw the return of Gillis, inexplicably the host of the show that fired him for his hateful rhetoric. (Gillis growing popularity, at least in part, resulted from disgruntled fans protesting political correctness in comedy.) Once again, says The New Yorker, social media scrutinized Yang for signs of uneasiness or distress. Again, he felt like a character in a culture-war pageant: the woke scold. Advertisement That makes Yang a singular presence in SNLs history. Its taught me about my place on the show being kind of strange and unique, he said. I never expected to be a Nora Dunn being furious that an Andrew Dice Clay is there. (Dunn famously sat out Clays hosting effort. I was very familiar with his work, she said in SNL oral history Live From New York. He had a routine about sticking a womans head in the toilet, fucking her up the ass and then telling her to make some eggs. Wheres the joke? Dunn believes her protest was the reason she wasnt asked back for the following season. I was very hurt by it, she said. I felt betrayed.) Despite all of the controversies, none of his own making, Yang still appreciates his SNL experience. I hope this is not the Stockholm syndrome talking, he says, but it is still a great place to work. Jason Reitmans SNL origin story, Saturday Night, hasnt even hit movie theaters yet, but its already sparking an explosion of online opinions. Most recently, Muppet devotees have been wading into the discourse, due to the films depiction of Jim Henson, as played by Cousin Greg from Succession, who, confusingly, also plays Andy Kaufman in the film. Over on the Muppets subreddit, fans have been responding to a recent Slate article that makes mention of the films dismissive treatment of Henson. One user noted that this news is disappointing if true. Another Muppet fan pointed out that it makes no one look good to treat Muppets as badly as (the SNL cast and crew) apparently did. Good biopics should capture the magic of their target. But others defended the film, suggesting that the Muppet SNL skits are probably the worst thing Henson ever did, and reminding everyone that its pretty well known that the SNL writers hated the Muppet segments. Don't Miss Its true that the SNL cast and crew didnt love facilitating Hensons Land of Gorch sketches. John Belushi complained about those mucking fuppets, and head writer Michael ODonoghue bitterly proclaimed, I dont write for felt. Famously, ODonoghue expressed his dissatisfaction by tying a Venetian blind cord around the neck of a Big Bird stuffed toy. He was lynching Big Bird. And thats how we all felt about the Muppets, claimed writer Alan Zweibel. But this incident actually occurred in ODonoghues office, not in Hensons dressing room as Saturday Night would have you believe. Advertisement Despite playing fast and loose with the details, Saturday Night does represent the basic truth of this creative friction. The problem is more in the nuances of the portrayal of Henson himself, whos viewed purely from the perspective of Lorne Michaels and his collaborators. I recently caught Saturday Night at the Toronto International Film Festival, and its take on Jim Henson may have been the most irksome element of the entire film for me. Henson really only exists as a punchline in the film. His over-the-top cartoonish squareness, in comparison to the hip, freewheeling SNL gang, is repeatedly played for laughs. Advertisement The audience I saw the film with was howling at the goody-two-shoes characterization of Henson. Were repeatedly invited to laugh at Hensons complaints about his mistreatment, as do the characters. After Henson earnestly protests to Michaels that the crew re-positioned his Gorch characters in compromising positions, Michaels keeps a straight face until finally guffawing in a nearby stairwell. Advertisement As a long-time fan of Hensons work, I may be slightly biased here, but this seems pretty unfair for a several reasons. For one thing, while he may have neglected to use profanity, Henson was hardly the buzzkill the movie makes him out to be. This is a guy who experimented with LSD, once tried to launch a psychedelic nightclub and was deeply embedded in the counterculture of the 1960s, as evidenced by his documentary and non-narrative films. Henson, I would argue, was a true genius. Whether or not Michaels deserves that rarified designation is debatable. Hensons Saturday Night Live contributions may not have been the highlight of his career, but that doesnt mean that he deserved to become Saturday Nights go-to comedic foil. Advertisement Moreover, while The Land of Gorch didnt last for too long, Henson is one of the reasons that SNL even existed in the first place. Hensons involvement with the show was one of NBCs non-negotiables during contract talks with Michaels. In fairness, Saturday Night also does a disservice to George Carlin, and really lays into Milton Berle although that one may be more deserving. You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this). Challenges to be solved on the path to European digital identity With much of the practical work still to be done, it is clear that there is still a long way to go. Gonzalez summarizes the main challenges: Guaranteeing the security and privacy of data. On a more technical level, managing interoperability between the systems of the different Member States also entails its complexity. Finally, there is the challenge of getting citizens and companies to adopt the system, which will depend on the confidence they generate in terms of its security and ease of use. Lamo delves into this last topic. I am convinced that there will be some more reticent, more denialist sector that is going to say: This is to keep an eye on us. The objective is not that, or at least the original idea is not to control the citizen, but to try to improve your life with technology. To face this line of thought, his recipe involves a lot, a lot of pedagogy, explaining very well what this is for and the advantages it has. Showing off this advice, he reiterates them: Make your transactions simpler, make your life less complicated, be more digitalized. Moving towards the future and also in a very secure way, guaranteeing that in this way you are not going to share unnecessary data. Gonzalez points out: Citizens will be able to prove their identity, share documents and access digital services in a simple, secure and recognised way throughout the EU, from their mobile phone. For example, accessing public services (such as applying for a birth certificate), opening a bank account or applying for a place at a university in any Member State. Pedagogy will also be necessary to overcome the reluctance of the population when it comes to sharing their personal information, no longer because of a matter of control, but because of a greater sensitivity to data theft. It is about centralizing in a secure way and guaranteeing the citizen that at all times they will only give the necessary data, says Lamo. We have to give confidence, he reiterates, explain that this digital identity is not mandatory, of course, but each person, if they want it, can use it; that it will be to make their lives easier and that it is not a carte blanche to give the data to everyone. Press Release September 17, 2024 Bong Go pushes for prioritizing social pension funding for qualified indigent senior citizens During the deliberations of the Senate Finance Committee on Monday, September 16, on the budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Senator Christopher "Bong" Go called for immediate action to address the significant number of indigent senior citizens who are still on the waitlist for the social pension program. Go started his remarks by emphasizing the increase in the budget for the social pension program for the elderly, "For next year, the budget for the social pension for indigent senior citizens is PhP49.8 billion. This reflects the increase in monthly pension from 500 to 1,000. Under Republic Act No. 11916, which I also co-authored and co-sponsored here in the Senate," said Go. Go, speaking to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and other officials present, underscored the importance of such pension, especially to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who often inquire about their entitlements upon returning to the Philippines. He shared a common concern voiced by elderly OFWs, saying, "Alam niyo po, Secretary Rex, 'pag nasa abroad tayo, nakakausap natin 'yung mga OFWs na matatanda na. Unang tanong nila: Meron ba tayong pension na mauuwian sa Pilipinas. May matatanggap ba sila?" While acknowledging the increase in funding, Go raised a critical concern: the significant number of senior citizens who may be eligible for the pension but remain on the waitlist. According to Go, approximately 466,000 indigent senior citizens are currently on the waitlist, and this number is expected to rise to 600,000. Go also mentioned the PhP5.8 billion allotted in unprogrammed appropriations, specifically intended to address the backlog of senior citizens waiting for their pensions. "Ano na ang status nito at napondohan na ba itong unprogrammed appropriations na PhP5.8 billion?" he asked. In a related point, Go raised that there are excess funds in PhilHealth worth PhP89.9 billion that the executive plans to transfer to the National Treasury. Go asked if these funds would be used to help cover the unprogrammed budget for senior citizens' pensions. "Since alam n'yo naman siguro, 'yung PhilHealth, 'di ba? 'Yung pera ng PhilHealth na PhP89.9 billion na dapat po para sa health... ay winalis para ilipat sa National Treasury, binalik 'yung pondo, dahil sobra daw po 'yung pondo ng PhilHealth," Go stated. "Pwede ba'ng gamitin ito doon? Kasi itong mga senior citizens, napakalaking bagay na po para sa kanila ito," he asked. This suggestion was met with affirmation from Director Sofia Abad of the Department of Budget and Management. Go pressed further on the status of the DSWD's efforts to ensure that the 600,000 senior citizens on the waitlist would be immediately validated for the social pension program. "Pwede ba, mabigyan n'yo ito ng priority sa unprogrammed funds? Kung sakaling nakakuha kayo ng mga extra funds or collections ng national government, pwede bang mauna mabigyan po itong mga senior citizens para mabawasan ang inyong waitlist?" Go asked. In response, Abad confirmed that the provision for the waitlisted senior citizens is included in their unprogrammed appropriations, but its implementation is subject to the availability of excess revenue collections. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian confirmed that the department had already made a formal request to the DBM to fund the additional senior citizens on the waitlist. However, he clarified that the department does not control the release of unprogrammed funds. "I'm sure we agree with the senator and we've already made the request to DBM. So we will keep on following up para mauna ho sila. We've already made the request," Gatchalian assured. He further explained that if the department is granted a portion of the unprogrammed funds, they would be able to cover 490,000 senior citizens, which is the number already provided for under the current year's allocation. However, he acknowledged that the remaining 600,000 seniors would still need additional funding. Go reminded the officials that the financial well-being of senior citizens should be treated with urgency. "Baka pwede pong mabigyan ng priority po... 'yung mga senior citizens natin sa unprogrammed funds... Since naghahanap naman kayo ng pondo, kinuha na nga 'yung pondo ng PhilHealth... Unahin n'yo po ito," urged Go. "Malaking bagay po 'yun. Bawat piso, bawat sentimo po sa ating mga senior citizens. Napakahalaga sa kanila nun. Aanhin mo pa 'yung damo kung patay na 'yung kabayo, hindi na mapapakinabangan," he added. FILE - Sean "Diddy" Combs arrives at the LA Premiere of "The Four: Battle For Stardom" at the CBS Radford Studio Center on May 30, 2018, in Los Angeles. Duanesburg lawmakers extended a pair of moratoriums on green energy facilities last week amid growing concerns around the technologies. The Town Board, in a 4-0 vote, extended by six months moratoriums on wind energy and battery energy storage facilities with capacity greater than 600 kilowatt hours. Supervisor William Wenzel was not in attendance for the Sept. 12 meeting. Both moratoriums were adopted for a period of six months back in April, when lawmakers approved local laws temporarily blocking the development of the systems for the purpose of gathering information on the technologies and drafting new regulations. Each law included language allowing lawmakers to extend the moratoriums for an additional six months by passing a resolution. Extension of the moratoriums comes as safety concerns around battery energy storage systems, which store excess energy collected by solar arrays and other green energy systems, continue to grow throughout the region. Last year, Gov. Kathy Hochul convened a working group to examine the safety of the systems and develop new regulations after fires broke out at battery energy storage facilities in Jefferson, Orange and Suffolk counties. The Interagency Fire Safety Working Group handed down a series of recommendations in July for regulating the systems that include requiring industry-funded independent reviews of certain installations, requirements that all facilities have an emergency response plan and local fire departments have site-specific training, and that all battery energy storage systems have fire detection systems in place to ensure timely response. Public comments on the proposed regulations are being collected through Sept. 24. Battery energy storage systems are a key component of the states clean energy goals laid out in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, a 2019 law that calls for 70% renewable energy generation by 2030 and a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. Battery storage is a key element to building a green economy here in New York, and we have taken comprehensive efforts to ensure the proper safety standards are in place, Hochul said in a statement when the proposed regulations were released. With updating fire codes, were ensuring that New Yorks clean energy transition is done safely and responsibly. But Duanesburg is not the only municipality that has taken steps to temporarily block battery energy storage systems. The town of Athens in the Hudson Valley adopted a similar moratorium on battery energy systems back in March, and the nearby town of Amsterdam in Montgomery County is currently weighing a proposal to ban the systems over safety concerns. In Rotterdam, lawmakers also have moratoriums in place on battery energy storage systems and wind facilities. Its not the first time that the Duanesburg Town Board has sought to address concerns around green energy systems in recent years. The town adopted an extensive law regulating solar arrays last year following a moratorium that was extended on several occasions. At one point, officials considered outright banning solar energy systems, but opted instead to try and regulate their development over concerns such a move would encourage developers to bring forward larger arrays that the town would have no control over. State law allows developers to circumvent the local permitting process for solar arrays 25 megawatts or larger. With the extension, both moratoriums are now set to expire in April 2025. ALBANY A Michigan man and a company both pleaded guilty recently to conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act in a case linked to a Fultonville company, federal prosecutors said Tuesday. Pleading guilty were Kyle Offringa, 33, of Caledonia, Michigan, and Highway and Heavy Parts, LLC., prosecutors said. The two were indicted earlier this year, accused of deleting emissions control hardware on their heavy-duty diesel trucks, significantly increasing pollution emitted, prosecutors said. They admitted that between June 2017 and March 2019, they conspired with Highway and Heavy Parts customers, including coconspirators Fultonville-based DAIM Logistics and Patrick Oare, of Fultonville, to tamper with the emission control devices on numerous diesel vehicles. Offringa reprogrammed the devices to bypass monitoring functions in exchange for a fee of between $1,000 and $1,500, officials said. Highway and Heavy Parts is to be sentenced in December, Offringa in January. The company would pay a $25,000 fine, Offringa $100,000. He also faces up to 5 years in prison, officials said. Oare and DAIM previously pleaded guilty to similar charges and are to be sentenced in October. The United States Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigations Division is investigating, with help from the FBI and New York State Department of Environmental Police. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting. More indictments in Fultonville emissions device tampering case (6/2024) ALBANY A Michigan-based diesel parts supplier and one of its workers have been indicted on charges of conspiring with a Fultonville trucking Johnstown woman's 2008 disappearance remains unsolved JOHNSTOWN Kellisue Ackernechts disappearance has puzzled the Johnstown Police Department for 16 years. - State Supreme Court Judge Rebecca Slezak on Monday tossed out a lawsuit from Democratic County Executive Robert Purtell to effectively bump his GOP opponent out of the race for his position over a technicality. Slezak determined that Purtell, represented by Schenectady-based attorney Patricia Rodriguez, shouldve requested an election-specific proceeding instead of filing a petition against the county Board of Elections to force a ballot modification on the Republican line. You had a remedy under [Article] 16-102 and you failed to follow 16-102 in the time frame outlined in 16-102 to bring this action, she said. Article 78 does not lie here. The dispute stems from Vroman forfeiting a GOP bid for Canajoharie town supervisor over the summer. In question was the filings timing, July 29. That was both the last day to send a declination notice on the state political calendar and 10 days past the window required to do so post-nomination, per election law. Purtell filed a BOE complaint conveying the latter to get Vroman off the ballot on Aug. 1. GOP county Election Commissioner Shawnna Weaver and Democratic Commissioner Terry Bieniek ultimately reached a split decision over the issue along party lines. Bienieks attorney, John Della Ratta, told the court that Weaver had derelicted her duty by not taking state law into consideration when she issued her decision. Had the commissioner of elections done her duty realized the fatal defect we wouldnt be before your honor, Della Ratta said. Throughout the nearly two-hour proceeding, Slezak pointed out that Vroman went against a state statute by filing a late declination notice. At the same time, the judge also said that she is limited in forcing Weaver to shift her discretion as a commissioner. At one point, Della Ratta stressed that the case shouldnt be complicated. He said that there are no facts in dispute from his side. Its very, very simple and thats why were here under Article 78, said the Schenectady-based attorney. I am making a lot out of this case because although simple in your respect the consequences are enormous, Slezak responded. Had Purtell won the case, Vroman would only appear on the ballot for supervisor in the village and town of Canajoharie. The Democratic candidate would be unopposed on the ballot in his own race to fill a one-year unexpired term. The court appearance came 50 days before Election Day and 40 days before the start of early voting. Purtell filed a lawsuit on Sept. 9 due to challenges getting counsel and working to get documents from Weaver, according to Rodriguez. Weaver was represented by Michael Burger, an election law attorney from Rochester, and Vroman was represented by Buffalo-based attorney Joe Burns, who regularly takes on Republican clients. Burns called Purtell an improper objector based on Weavers previous decision that the incumbent resides in the town of Amsterdam and therefore has no jurisdiction over putting Vroman back on the Canajoharie town ballot. Bieniek disagreed with that decision. Youre here because apparently [Purtell] believes hes a proper objector, Burns said to Slezak. The defense argued that voters should decide the county executive race and the plaintiffs contended that Vroman was seeking to disenfranchise voters by failing to go forward with his petition-driven bid for town supervisor. As a result of Republican Matthew Ossenfort abruptly stepping down from his longtime post as county executive on April 30, party officials were forced to take control of the nomination process in lieu of petitioning. Purtell was appointed to the position until the election by the Montgomery County Legislature in May. The will of the voters is the main point, as my adversary said, Burger noted. And the will of the voters here will be best done by letting the voters have an opportunity. After the court session, when asked about filing for an appeal, Della Ratta said: Likely, but dont know yet. Bieniek said that hes not certain yet, either. GOP counterparts of Vroman and Weaver, including Montgomery County Republican Committee Ronald Barone relished in a victory after Slezak dismissed the decision. I mean, if its bogus in the beginning, Itll be bogus in the end, Barone said about a possible attempt to appeal. - Not long ago, I spoke to a woman whose father was a prolific child abuser. To spare you nightmares, I wont go into the sickening details of what he forced her to endure, other than to say that he liked to invite other men to take photographs of the abuse, that they could then, in the pre-internet era, sell on for profit. Such depravity almost beggars belief doesnt it? Even in an age now dominated by the ready availability of every form of pornography via the internet, most of us try to tell ourselves that such things only happen on the very margins of our society. Alas, as a campaigner against sexual violence, I know differently and all the heartbreaking stories I have heard over the years from the victims of child abuse immediately flooded into my mind when I learned that the former BBC news presenter Huw Edwards had been given a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to making indecent images of children. Huw Edwards leaves court yesterday with a suitcase, which he won't now need Indecent is the word used in the legal definition of the crime, of course. I would use others to describe the dozens of images that the 63-year-old paid to receive many of which were categorised by the police who found them on his computer as of the worst kind, meaning they showed sadistic abuse of minors. Not so much indecent as degrading, debasing and thoroughly horrifying. And yet, nonetheless, apparently not serious enough to warrant a custodial sentence. It makes me furious. The files Edwards looked at show children abused by the sick individual who created the image in the first place, then doomed to be abused time and time again by the anonymous men, and it is usually men, around the globe deriving pleasure from those pictures. These men may not have been present when the abuse was carried out, but they are facilitating it; part of the grim carousel of supply and demand in which Huw Edwards has played his loathsome part. Nonetheless, there appears to be a disconnect in the minds of our judiciary, who, it seems to me, do not see the exchange of images as real abuse. Time and again, those convicted of possession or sharing of indecent images escape prison. Only last August, Labour councillor Tom Dewey found by a National Crime Agency investigation to have downloaded more than 1,500 images involving the sexual abuse of children was given a 12-month suspended sentence. In March, Alex Williams, the 25-year-old paedophile who supplied Edwards with his images, was also given a 12-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to possession and supply offences. Julie Bindel has heard heartbreaking stories over the years from the victims of child abuse I could go on: Ive seen so many men involved in this heinous illegality walk out of the doors of court while their victims are condemned to have images of themselves on the internet for ever. Where is the deterrent for other abusers when a man with a public profile like that of Huw Edwards is seen walking out of court effectively a free man, his punishment a sex offenders course that I will warrant is entirely meaningless. Yes, our prisons are overcrowded and our justice system on its knees. But in a world where the sexual exploitation of children online is nothing less than a public health emergency research by the child safety institute Childlight estimates that in the UK alone 1.8million people are involved in this hideous industry and that it affects more than 300million children globally every year this crime, surely, deserves a jail term. Perhaps Paul Goldspring, the Chief Magistrate for England and Wales, should have had those distressing numbers in his head when Edwards appeared before him in the dock. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and this one taken at the White House last Friday and published in The Mail on Sunday is proof of that. It is extraordinary. Sue Gray, Keir Starmers controversial chief of staff, poses alongside Joe Biden, whose arm is resting casually on her shoulder. It isnt the oversized jacket in the style of haute scruff she seems to favour that caught my eye, but her confident smile and the body language as the President of the United States pulls her towards him for the shot. And Starmer? Presumably hes somewhere behind them both, possibly carrying her handbag. Sue Gray displays a confident smile and body language as the President of the United States pulls her towards him for the shot, writes Nadine Dorries This image reveals everything you need to know about the power and reach of Sue Gray after decades in Whitehall. Who, I wondered, is the Prime Minister and who is the bag carrier? Gray and Biden acted like old friends and no doubt they had plenty to talk about. He, like Gray, is of Irish descent and proud of his roots. At the height of The Troubles in the 1980s, she famously took time out from her high-flying civil service career to run a pub in Newry, as you do, in the heart of Republican bandit country. It has long been rumoured she was a spy for British intelligence or perhaps even a double agent something she has denied. But the rumours wont go away, and with every week that passes the intrigue deepens. As The Mail on Sunday revealed, she now faces new questions over her more recent dealings with senior Sinn Fein politicians, including Conor Murphy, a former IRA member. Astonishingly, hes claimed that in Gray, Republicans have a friend in Court, so we can certainly have access directly to Downing Street. When asked by reporters at the weekend if Sue Gray had become the story amid the new concerns and earlier reports, also revealed by The MoS, of a power struggle in No 10 between Gray and Labours strategy chief Morgan McSweeney, the Prime Minister replied that most of the rumours about Sue Gray are wrong. Note that most. Sue Gray (right) with political leaders including Joe Biden (third from left) Sir Keir Starmer (centre right) and Foreign Secretary David Lammy (fourth from right) in the Blue Room at the White House Then, just hours later, Westminster was reeling at the news that Gray will be attending meetings of the National Security Council. Established by David Cameron in 2010, the Council is made up of those who hold the most senior positions in the land among them, the chancellor, deputy PM and foreign and defence secretaries. The heads of the intelligence services and chief of the defence staff attend as and when. Now their number includes someone who quit her top job in the (allegedly) impartial civil service to work for Labour and who is regarded by a member of Sinn Fein as a friend! Unelected, unaccountable, the woman dubbed Sue Gray Area by former civil service colleagues is notorious for never leaving a paper trail. It was she who taught government special advisers how to permanently delete emails using the double deletion method. She once told Michael Gove, a close ally and friend, that he should use private emails for government business. Following a complaint, that decision was promptly overturned by the information commissioner. Already firmly at the heart of No 10 its claimed she has even intervened to stop security briefings for the PM, urging officials to tell [her] instead she has now moved seamlessly into national security. Sue Gray is used to getting what she wants by one means or another. Just yesterday, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said he could not guarantee government funds for the multi-million-pound redevelopment of the Casement Park Stadium in Belfast a place synonymous with the brutal murder by an IRA mob of two British soldiers in 1988. It was a project Gray had lobbied hard for a possible venue for Euro 2028 matches but she angered ministers by personally dominating negotiations in what they claim was a constitutionally improper way. But last week there was also an out-of-the-blue announcement that the Government had ordered a public inquiry into the murder, 35 years ago, of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane, after claims British security forces aided his killers. Number 10 refused to say whether Gray was involved in the decision, but I did wonder if it was a sop from Benn to appease her after the stadium disappointment. Well never know, but if I was Hilary, Id watch my back! Today's literary gem 'He who wishes to be obeyed, must know how to command.' Machiavelli Advertisement Given all this and so much more I have a question for the Prime Minister: What is it about Sue Gray that made you think she was a suitable candidate to attend the National Security Council? Was it simply because she asked? Former Tory cabinet minister Oliver Letwin famously observed that it took him two years in power to realise, that Sue Gray runs Britain. Nothing happens unless Sue Gray says so. A new shadow minister recently said: You dont say no to Sue Gray. As the woman who has played various roles in the departures of two PMs Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak she has now reached the pinnacle of power and influence. How satisfied she must have felt flying back from the US, the warmth of the Presidents hand lingering on her shoulder as she steels herself for the challenges ahead. She has a country to run, after all. It took some brass neck for Lady Starmer to turn up at London Fashion Week for the Edeline Lee show after being loaned one of the designers stunning creations given recent revelations. Labour peer and donor Lord Alli paid for clothes and a personal shopper for the PMs wife in what has been dubbed Wardrobegate. I think what Lady Starmer did yesterday was show two fingers to her critics. But thats what happens when you give Labour a whopping majority they laugh in the face of us all, not just the pensioners. The Jackson 5 were the soundtrack to my teenage years and I remember the joy of crowding around our red and grey Roberts radio to listen to Alan Freeman present Pick Of The Pops. So I felt slightly broken when I heard that Tito, a founding member of the group, had died aged 70. I was 12 when I Want You Back reached the top five in the UK. Yesterday I played it as I wrote this column its still a great number. A smart move by the royals to wish Harry a happy 40th birthday on Sunday. Theyre being a reasonable and loving family, holding out the hand of friendship to the Prodigal Son. Will he respond with the same grace and forgive the perceived wrongs he harbours? You know what to do, Harry. Life comes at you fast. Ten weeks ago, Sir Keir Starmer led his party to a historic majority, winning more than 400 seats. Now, the two latest polls show Labours lead at just four per cent. All Oppositions pretend that governing is easy; but Labour came to believe its own claim. Not only its young and idealistic base, but many of its MPs seem genuinely to have convinced themselves that Britains problems were caused by having Bad People in charge. Replace those Bad People with Good People compassionate types who cared about the poor and all would be well.Immigration is where Labours pre-election conceits are collapsing fastest. Starmer had talked himself into thinking that the Rwanda scheme was both immoral and ineffective, and that he would find some humane alternative. He cancelled it on taking office, despite evidence that it was already serving as a deterrent, even before coming into effect. No one, from first principles, would want to send asylum-seekers halfway around the world. Apart from anything else, it is expensive. Starmer had talked himself into thinking that the Rwanda scheme was both immoral and ineffective, cancelling it despite evidence it was a serving as a deterrent, writes DANIEL HANNAN Migrants gather to board a dinghy to cross the Channel in France. While sending asylum seekers halfway around the world is expensive, the logic to the policy still holds Though some of the money would be recouped as fewer illegal migrants tried their luck at the Channel, the up-front costs are significant. But the logic that led the last government to Rwanda still holds. If those without papers cant be returned to their home countries, nor to the last safe country through which they have passed (usually France), then they have to go to a third country such as, oh, I dont know, Rwanda. The only alternative is to remain permanently in Britain, advertising to every other illicit migrant that this is the country to reach, because it wont deport you. The irony is that the rest of the EU is moving towards Rwanda-type schemes. At a recent political summit, Labour MPs were shaken to find that not only German conservatives, but Social Democrats, too, were pressing them for details of how it would work. The German government is reported to be looking into taking over the facilities in Rwanda that Britain paid to build. Meanwhile, scratching around for alternatives and trying to show that hes taking the problem seriously, Starmer named Martin Hewitt, the former chair of the National Police Chiefs Council, who oversaw the UKs enforcement of lockdown laws during the Covid pandemic, as the commander of the border security command. And yesterday he was in Italy, which has seen a 64 per cent reduction in illegal boat crossings so far this year under its no-nonsense prime minister Giorgia Meloni. How did Meloni pull it off? Partly by picking a third country (Albania rather than Rwanda) to process asylum-seekers and partly by paying north-African countries like Libya and Tunisia to do more to stop migrant boats from leaving a strategy in which Sir Keir had shown great interest, Ms Meloni said. But the logic that led the last government to Rwanda still holds. If those without papers cant be returned to their home countries or their last safe countries, than they have to go to a third country. Pictured: The Hope Hostel in Kigali ready to accept asylum seekers All of which raises an interesting question. If Italy can return people to Libya, why cant Britain return them to France which is, after all, much safer than Libya? Both Italy and France are largely under EU jurisdiction for purposes of migration and asylum policy, so how does Brusselsmanage to have it both ways, deporting its own illegal migrants, but refusing to take ours? As the former director general of the border force, Tony Smith, puts it: If Starmer is to learn anything from Meloni, it will be that the EU policy on maritime interventions is at best inconsistent, and at worst disingenuous. The plain fact is that the EU should stop pretending that maritime interdiction and returns of UK-bound migrant boats to France is not an option. Since Starmer is plainly not going to challenge the EU, and since he has cancelled the only viable alternative using a safe third country we can reasonably assume that illegal migration will continue to rise.Legal migration, contrary to widespread belief, is currently falling, as the rules pushed through by James Cleverly under the Tory government on family reunifications and student visas take effect. Government is not about meaning well. It is about making trade-offs, taking hard decisions.In its ten short weeks, Labour has made some decisions. It has decided to put up taxes and cut pensioners allowances in order to make large public-sector pay awards. Germany's government, led by Olaf Scholz is reported to be looking into taking over the facilities in Rwanda that Britain paid to build It has decided to let convicts out of prison so as to make space for people who post nasty things online under its new laws on hate speech. It has decided to advertise its compassion by scrapping the Rwanda scheme and declaring an effective amnesty for illegal migrants, and is now rushing about trying to findan alternative. Oh, and Starmer, who made such a fuss about wallpaper during Boris Johnsons time in Downing Street, decided to have his glasses and some of his wifes dresses paid for by someone else. Its almost as if the real problems in this country are not caused by Bad People, but by short-termism, double standards, political cowardice and an unwillingness to make, as opposed to talking about, tough choices. Whod have thought it? An influencer has revealed five designer shoes that she hates - and why she would never, ever repurchase them. The insight was shared in a new video this week made by London-based content creator Amelia Liana, who boasts over half a million followers on TikTok. Liana shockingly began the clip by calling out a popular style of Chanel shoes - their sling back heels, which are a classic piece worn by the likes of Nicky Hilton and Vanessa Hudgens. 'I was recently wondering why I never wear these, and I was speaking with a friend recently, and she agreed with me that they don't flatter that legs,' Liana admitted about the $1,100 shoes. 'For some reason, on me and her, who have very different body types, we've both found that they are really unflattering,' she continued. Liana has a large collection of designer shoes, which she has showed off on her TikTok page She said the shoes also don't give your legs a 'lift' and are reminiscent of what moms would wear. However, strangely enough, the fashion blogger admitted that the flat sling backs from Chanel were much more flattering, and that she's a big fan of those. Next on her list was a pair of the trendy, sky-high Valentino Tan-go platform pumps. The designer shoes, which retail for over $1,000, were made popular last year by both celebrities and influencers alike. Stars like Lizzo, Beyonce, Gigi Hadid and Morgan Stewart all rocked the shoes, which come in a variety of colors like nude and hot pink, on the red carpet and beyond. Liana herself owns a pair in black patent leather, but has a few qualms with the pricey pumps. 'I love the look of them, they are firstly about fifty [pounds]... I can't walk, I need someone to help me walk, I've fallen over every time I've worn these and I haven't even been drunk,' she shared. 'And, I can't even pack these in my suitcase because they're so heavy,' she concluded. Liana admitted that she wasn't a fan of the Chanel heeled sling backs, but did like their regular flats in that style Top five designer shoes Amelia 'hates' Chanel sling back heels, $1,100 Valentino Tan-go platform pumps, $1,400 Gianvito Rossi Plexi 105 Denim And Pvc Pumps, $815 Saint Laurent mules, $845 Advertisement 'They're so uncomfortable,' Liana admitted to viewers. She said that her Christian Louboutin Pigalle stiletto heels, which she described as 'death to the feet,' were more comfortable than the ones by Gianvito Rossi. 'Even if I wear these in the car to dinner, and get out of the car and get back in the car again, I have blisters,' she shared of the heels. And, finally, for shoes four and five, she named the popular Saint Laurent mules, which retail for around $945 and feature a cut out at the toe. She confessed that she should have bought the Christian Louboutin Me Dolly mules instead. Liana held up two pairs of the shoes - one in white leather, and another in a leopard-print pattern. 'They're just not that sexy on the feet,' she said of the YSL shoes. 'The Louboutins are very sexy on the feet.' 'You know what I think about these?' she continued. 'They almost need to give you more sexy toe coverage, and they don't, they're a bit too conservative.' However, in the comments section, fans were left divided over her analysis - especially about the Chanel slingbacks. @amelia.liana my thoughts on some shoes * no offence to any mums (sorry mum love you) original sound - Amelia Liana The other two shoes that Liana wasn't a fan of were the Gianvito Rossi Plexi 105 Denim And Pvc Pumps (left) and the popular YSL mules (right) In the comments section of the video, fans were left divided over her analysis - especially about the Chanel sling backs 'The Chanel slingbacks are so flattering! I love mine,' one person wrote. Another agreed, 'I love the Chanel slingbacks. Just wear with pants.' 'I LOVE the slingbacks! I tend to wear them with pants and midi dresses. They get SO painful after a few hours though,' someone else shared. Others disagreed. 'Chanel slingbacks are so uncomfortable. I cant wear mine' a commenter pointed out. Another echoed, 'Ive alwayssssss said that about the Chanel sling backs. They are so unflattering!!!!!' 'Yes!! My Chanels do not stay on my feet it drives me insane and the Valentinos Ive neveeeer worn they are so painful and make me fear for my life!!!' a TikToker seconded. Inspiration is a starting point for artists. Fashion designers draw inspiration from a wide range of things when creating their latest collections - from people to places, art and music. 'Paris and Nicky (Hilton) were my muses,' alice + olivia designer Stacey Bendet told Daily Mail. 'Throughout my career they've been my best friends, and they have this sort of ladylike vixen vibe to them. 'They're so sexy and so sensual but also so ladylike and elegant and that's what i wanted throughout the whole collection.' 'Paris and Nicky (Hilton) were my muses,' alice + olivia designer Stacey Bendet told Daily Mail 'My mother once told me that I dream in dresses. The collection is an ode to both imagination and what I call wearable couture,' said Stacey The alice + olivia spring/summer 2025 presentation took place at New York's Highline Stages. Guests were invited to step into Hotel Imagination, a fantastical world that highlights the brand's latest collection. The presentation featured music by Isan Elba who played hits from Paris Hiltons new album Bad Bitch Academy. Paris was on hand in an alice + olivia all-black lace look, while Nicky donned a snake print trench coat dress. 'I wanted romance again, and I want women to see clothing as art,' alice + olivia CEO and Creative Director The showcase was made up of fantastical vignettes, each featuring a different aesthetic that transported viewers to another place. From the fashions to the set design, each vignette represented a signature print or embellishment. The included a lace library, a fantasy floral salon, a decoupaged dinette, and a chambre de l'etoile. The show notes read: 'My mother once told me that I dream in dresses. The collection is an ode to both imagination and what I call wearable couture. 'I wanted romance again, and I want women to see clothing as art,' CEO and Creative Director Stacey Bendet says. The designer tapped into the retro silhouettes of the fifties and sixties. 'Its all about a nod to the past while ushering in the future. Women want clothes that are wearable and expressive. I want to make clothes that always feel unique and make a woman feel her most beautiful.' For the Simkhai SS25 collection, Jonathan took inspiration from his mothers wedding dress For the SIMKHAI SS25 collection, Jonathan took inspiration from his mothers wedding dress. The dress was crafted from an embroidered silk tulle created by SIMKHAI's late grandfather in their family owned lace mill in Iran. The cascade of silk tulle embroidery with tiny silk florals acted as a starting point for SIMKHAI's spring collection featuring three-dimensional floral applique, hand-crocheted metallics, laser-cut leather, and fin pleating techniques across dresses, suiting, and knitwear. The showcase was unveiled at Edge at Hudson Yards, to a front row of guests including Taraji P. Henson, Molly Sims, Suni Lee, Alexandra Raisman and Charlotte Lawrence. SS25 show notes read: For SIMKHAI, his mom's wedding dress has always been a staple of family lore, often recounted in the same breath as tales of growing up and falling in love. SIMKHAI hopes to celebrate it and with her approval, breathe new life into that memory for her and his family, allowing the essence of her dress and time to bloom anew. The dress was crafted from an embroidered silk tulle created by SIMKHAI's late grandfather in their family owned lace mill in Iran The cascade of silk tulle embroidery with tiny silk florals acted as a starting point for SIMKHAI's spring collection featuring three-dimensional floral applique, 'This season felt like falling into an evening fantasy dream, centered around the idea of dark, romantic glamour,' said Christian Siriano. 'This season felt like falling into an evening fantasy dream, centered around the idea of dark, romantic glamour,' said Christian Siriano. The spring/summer 25 showcase took place at The Pierre Hotel. 'Im always inspired by fairy tales - from vintage folklore of a dark forest coming alive at night, to Grimms Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel or The White Snake,' said the designer. Adding, 'These worlds offer an escape, one that I wanted to emulate through a collection that balances power and strength with a sense of whimsy and elegance. 'The palette mirrors a night sky that is moody with touches of muted pastels, featuring textures like intricate floral-tattooed lace, laser-cut vegan leather beaded to imitate bark on a tree, and an abstract sequined gown that feels like modern wings.' 'Im always inspired by fairy tales - from vintage folklore of a dark forest coming alive at night, to Grimms Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel or The White Snake' 'These worlds offer an escape, one that I wanted to emulate through a collection that balances power and strength with a sense of whimsy and elegance' Jonathan Cohen is always inspired by music. For his spring/summer collection 'Synesthesia', the designer took his passion one step further with the help of science and the five senses. Synesthesia is a neurological phenomenon that causes sensory crossovers, such as tasting colors or feeling sounds. Cohen dove deep into the world of synesthesia and its many variations, including Chromesthesia - a sound-to-color connection where sounds involuntarily create a relationship with colors. Jonathan Cohen is always inspired by music, but for his spring/summer collection dubbed Synesthesia, he takes his passion one step further with the help of science and the five senses Show notes read: 'In one particular reading a woman described her experience at the orchestra. As the music began the woman was hit with rays of white light that slowly transitioned into pinks, followed by darker reddish hues which transcended into many shades of blue until the crescendo hit and a beaming supernova of colors exploded in front of her eyes. Finally, the concert concluded and she sat surrounded by darkness. Inspired by this vivid account, Cohen began designing his Spring/Summer 2025 collection. In this seasons floral prints, Cohen tried to encapsulate this color journey, creating three distinct prints that represent her experience at the orchestra. The collections additional two color stories approach the womans orchestral Synesthesia experience from a macro perspective. Both the colorful tweed and the diagonal tie dyes are designed with colors that bleed into one another similarly to how the woman described the colors in front of her eyes warping and blending from one to the next as the musical notes change.' The Dutch Royal Family put on a glamorous display as they attended one of the Netherlands' most ceremonious celebrations on Tuesday. Today marks Prince's Day (Prinsjesdag), the opening day of the Dutch parliament, which takes place every year on the third Tuesday in September - and sees the royals take to the balcony of Noordeinde Palace to wave to crowds below. King Willem-Alexander, 57, Queen Maxima, 53, and their daughters, Crown Princess Alexia, 19, and 20-year-old Crown Princess Amalia - who's heir to the throne - donned their finery for the prestigious occasion. It's thought the King and Queen's youngest daughter, Crown Princess Ariane, 17, is away studying at the Italian school she attends, UWC Adriatic. For the outing, Princess Amalia looked gorgeous in a green cape dress from London-based fashion brand Safiyaa. The floor-length gown was recently worn by Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. The Dutch Royal Family put on a glamorous display as they attended one of the Netherlands' most ceremonious celebrations on Tuesday. Pictured, Princess Amalia, left, and Princess Alexia, right Adding a touch of glitz to her look, the princess donned a golden headband, as well as matching earrings, bracelets, rings and strappy heels. Keeping with her metallic theme, the royal - who styled her blonde locks in loose curls - completed her glamorous ensemble with a gold clutch bag. Her sister looked equally radiant in a red floor-length frock, featuring a cinched waist, a V-neckline and sheer arms, as well as a billowing pleated skirt. She paired her bold look with cream gloves, a matching clutch bag and a pair of shimmering drop earrings. Their mother, Maxima, meanwhile, commanded attention in a figure-hugging gown, boasting a giant statement bow on one of her shoulders. Sporting a complementing hat, the Dutch Queen opted for silver accessories, including earrings and strappy heels as she joined her husband at the event. Her elegant look was completed with a smattering of glamorous makeup and a stylish up-do hair style. The royals attended the Prinsjesdag 2024 celebrations at the Noordeinde Royal Palace before driving to the Royal Theater, where King Willem-Alexander delivered the throne speech to the members of the Upper and Lower Chamber. Today marks Prince's Day (Prinsjesdag), the opening day of the Dutch parliament, which takes place every year on the third Tuesday in September - and sees the royals take to the balcony of Noordeinde Palace to wave to crowds below. Pictured, Queen Maxima King Willem-Alexander , 57, Queen Maxima , 53, and their daughters, Crown Princess Alexia, 19, and 20-year-old Crown Princess Amalia (pictured) - who's heir to the throne - donned their finery for the prestigious occasion For the outing, Princess Amalia (pictured right) looked gorgeous in a green cape dress from London-based fashion brand Safiyaa. The floor-length gown was recently worn by Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York Princess Alexia looked equally radiant in a red floor-length frock, featuring a cinched waist, a V-neckline and sheer arms, as well as a billowing pleated skirt. The royal paired her bold look with cream gloves, a matching clutch bag and a pair of shimmering drop earrings Maxima, meanwhile, commanded attention in a figure-hugging gown, boasting a giant statement bow on one of her shoulders Adding a touch of glitz to her look, Princess Amalia donned a golden headband, as well as matching earrings, bracelets, rings and strappy heels Maxima's elegant look was completed with a smattering of glamorous makeup and a stylish up-do hair style The Dutch equivalent of the State Opening of Parliament, Prinsjesdag sees the monarch give details of the government's programme for the next financial year, as well as budget allocations King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, Princess Amalia, Princess Alexia, Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien on the palace balcony King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima wave to crowds gathered outside the palace The King looked impeccably smart, wearing a a black suit jacket with tails for the government address as well as a light grey waistcoat. He finished off the outfit with a pair of grey trousers and a white shirt and grey tie. Typically the pair are joined by other members of the royal family for the event, and this year was no different with King Willem-Alexander's younger brother Prince Constantijn and his wife Princess Laurentien in attendance. After arriving at the Royal Theater, a suited and booted Willem-Alexander solemnly delivered the speech written by Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof's government. The Dutch equivalent of the State Opening of Parliament, Prinsjesdag sees the monarch give details of the government's programme for the next financial year, as well as budget allocations. Sporting a complementing hat, the Dutch Queen opted for silver accessories, including earrings and strappy heels as she joined her husband at the event The royals attended the Prinsjesdag 2024 celebrations at the Noordeinde Royal Palace before driving to the Royal Theater, where King Willem-Alexander delivered the throne speech to the members of the Upper and Lower Chamber Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien waving to the crowds of people from the balcony at Noordeinde Palace The King looked impeccably smart, wearing a a black suit jacket with tails for the government address as well as a light grey waistcoat. He finished off the outfit with a pair of grey trousers and a white shirt and grey tie Typically the pair are joined by other members of the royal family for the event, and this year was no different with King Willem-Alexander's younger brother Prince Constantijn and his wife Princess Laurentien in attendance The top Aldi Australia products of 2024 have been revealed after the annual People's Picks awards - and it's all about budget dinners and tea-time snacks. As Australians continue to battle the cost of living crisis, households have come up with creative and cheap ways to feed their families. More than 312,000 votes were cast by shoppers for their favourite must-have grocery items from chicken to feed the whole family to a stain-removing laundry detergent and budget lunchbox snacks. There were a mix of returning winners and newcomers that made the number one spot across the categories. Simple snacks have been popular with shoppers this year - with thousands reaching for Blackstone Gourmet's Truffle and Olive Oil potato chips ($3.49) and Snackers Market's Colby cheese and crackers ($3.99). Seasons Pride's potato gratin ($4.99) has also been a top pick - with the easy dish ready after just minutes in the air fryer. A lot of time-poor Aussies have taken to buying pre-made meals they can pop in the oven or microwave to cut down on prep time. Returning favourites include household must-haves Di-San pre-wash stain remover ($2.09) and Di-San laundry soaker ($3.49). The top Aldi Australia products have been revealed after the 2024 People's Picks awards Taking out the BBQ Boss award was the Ready, Set, Cook! Marinated Steaks which is perfect for those looking for quality meat for their summer barbecue The popular pair has been at the top of Aussie shopping lists for years - with many going into a frenzy every time the buys sell out. Returning favourites include household must-have Di-San laundry soaker ($3.49) Earning the number one spot in the Socialite category was the $8.99 Urban Eats Greek Spinach & Cheese Spanakopita. The delicious dish is perfect for family dinners or weekend get-togethers. Taking out the BBQ Boss award was the Ready, Set, Cook! Marinated Steaks which is only $25.99 per kg and perfect for those looking for quality meat for their summer barbecue without breaking the bank. What are the winners of Aldi Australia's 2024 People's Picks Awards: Best Newcomer: Blackstone Gourmet Snack Co. Black Edition Deli Style Potato Chips Truffle & Olive Oil 175g ($3.49) Certified Gold: Di-San Pre Wash Stain Remover 750ml ($2.09) The BBQ Boss: Ready, Set Cook! Marinated Lamb Leg Steaks ($25.99/kg) The Socialite: Urban Eats Greek Spinach & Cheese Spanakopita 750g ($8.99) Aussie Made Fav: Broad Oak Farms RSPCA Approved Chicken Thigh Bulk ($12.99/kg) The Lunchbox Legend: Snackers Market Colby Cheese & Crackers 4pk 100g ($3.99) The Time Lord: Seasons Pride Potato Gratin 4pk 400g ($4.99) Partner in Grime: Di-San Laundry Soaker 1kg ($3.49) Australian pet lovers are rushing to their nearest Kmart to get their hands on a $24 'must have'. Olivia, from Perth, recently purchased the retailer's portable pet steps to help her 12-year-old cat get up and down her bed. While her pet was previously able to bounce around the house, her old age and arthritis has made her less mobile. 'POV (point of view): your cat is getting too old to jump on your bed so these $24 pet steps from Kmart was the best purchase you've ever made,' Olivia shared in a video. The buy has hundreds of five-star reviews online. 'My 10-month-old puppy loves it,' a shopper said. 'I was worried about him jumping off the bed and hurting his leg so I bought one.' 'Great mobility aid,' another added. 'My dog can easily use this to get up and down off the bed.' 'Just perfect for our tiny dog to confidently access chairs and couches that are too tall for her. We no longer need to be lifting her up and down,' a woman said. Olivia recently purchased Kmart's portable pet steps to help her 12-year-old cat Shoppers should keep in mind that the steps can only support up to 35kg - which makes it ideal for small and medium-sized pets The portable steps can be easily folded up and stored. Shoppers should keep in mind that the steps can only support up to 35kg - which makes it ideal for small and medium-sized pets. Another popular buy is the self-warming pet bed ($35) - with many raving about the affordable high-quality option. 'It'll keep [your dog or cat] cosy and warm all day and all night,' a young woman revealed in a video of her poodle. 'My dog didn't leave his bed all day,' she said. Another Aussie also gave it a glowing review: 'My dog has one of these and he loves it. Five stars.' The unique bed features a thermal lining that reflects your pets body heat back up to them - and thousands claim it's even better than an electric heating pad because of the minimised risk. The bed has a removable and washable cover that you can easily clean. The bed's soft faux fur will provide your furry friend with a soft, comfortable spot to relax in. Many revealed the 'pet' bed served other purposes as well. 'I bought three and use them for sleeping on in my car when I go camping,' a man revealed. 'They are so comfortable.' 'I might get one for my toddler,' a mum said. Australian pet lovers are rushing to their nearest Kmart to get their hands on the $35 pet bed Tom took some time off work but was hassled by his boss about a problem A boss has been slammed for texting an employee about a non-essential work issue while he was on holidays. Tom felt instantly stressed after reading the message from his boss explaining the Area Manager wasn't impressed with the team's performance. British career expert Ben Askins was sent the text messages and read out the conversation in a video. 'Hi Tom, hope you're having a great time on your holiday. No need to reply right now but I just wanted to keep you in the loop,' the boss wrote. 'We had a visit from the Area Manager and he's pissed about our figures. I think we're going to have to have some really tough meetings when you're back.' Feeling confused, Tom replied: 'Just seen this [sic] and it's got me a little concerned. Shall we have a call?' But the boss refused and encouraged him not to think about it. 'Like I said, I don't want to worry whilst you're on your break. There is nothing you can do about it but wait until you're back. But it's a real s*** show, he's in a bad mood and I really don't know how it's going to be when you get back,' the boss replied. British career expert Ben Askins (pictured) was sent the text messages and read out the conversation in a video 'Again, nothing you or I can do now, just wanted to give you a heads up. Just relax and enjoy your time off,' the boss continued. Ben was shocked by the text message exchange and dubbed it as 'bad boss' behaviour. 'I almost think the most depressing thing about this is he's almost thinking he's doing the right thing,' Ben said. 'He's sort of going, "Okay I'm just going to give you the heads up", but he's on holiday! All you've done is ruin his holiday.' However, Ben said if the situation was an emergency it could be justified. 'Seriously, all you've done is [made him] panic for the rest of the week and then he has to deal with the s*** show,' Ben continued. 'So what on earth were you playing at there? That is just not good enough.' The short video has since been viewed more than 66,000 times and others agreed. 'He absolutely wanted him to worry and he's a bad boss for that,' one wrote. Another agreed and said: 'He just wanted to ruin the guy's vacation.' 'Just start applying at new positions now, have interviews lined up now,' a third wrote. Someone else said: 'He may have had good intentions, but the timing was terrible.' 'This is why you ignore it. I always had boss try to make you worry but just ignore. Start applying for another jobs. It change my stress level when I start to ignore this type of things,' another person wrote. Nearly half of NHS hospitals in England aren't meeting basic standards set by healthcare watchdogs, a shocking analysis has revealed. A total of 49 per cent ranked as either 'Inadequate' or 'Requires Improvement' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the data shows. These rankings mean a service is 'performing badly' or 'not performing as well as it should' respectively. According to an analysis by medical negligence specialists Patient Claim Line hospitals in Uxbridge, Hull, York and Blackpool were among the six worst. In contrast, 22 hospitals achieved the CQC's rating of 'Outstanding' about seven per cent of the total NHS hospitals in England. The six worst performing hospitals in England were The Hillingdon Hospital in Uxbridge, The York Hospital in York, The Barkantine Birth Centre in London , Blackpool Victoria Hospital in Blackpool and Corbett Hospital in Stourbridge The remainder, some 44 per cent, were ranked as 'Good' meaning they were meeting expectations. CQC inspectors found 'Inadequate' hospitals has issues with hygiene, care delays, staff not cooperating and a lack of leadership, among other things. At The Hillingdon Hospital, Uxbridge, one of the worst, inspectors wrote: 'There was deterioration in infection prevention and control'. They 'found inconsistencies in hand hygiene practice amongst staff' and also noted there was a 'poor recognition of sepsis' a reaction to infection than can quickly kill at the hospital. At Hull Royal Infirmary's maternity ward, inspectors found problems with the care of mothers and babies. 'Systems, processes, and risk in the antenatal day unit/triage department were not well managed which led to long delays in women being seen and a chaotic environment which was not fit for purpose,' they wrote. At The Hillingdon Hospital specifically, inspectors wrote: 'There was deterioration in infection prevention and control' and they 'found inconsistencies in hand hygiene practice amongst staff' At Hull Royal Infirmary's maternity ward, inspectors noted issues with the care of mothers and babies For Blackpool Victoria Hospital's urgent and emergency services unit, inspectors said that 'at times the department felt chaotic and we had concerns about the lack of oversight the leadership team had of the risks' Inspectors added that: 'Staff did not always work well together across the different units and some staff spoke about unkindness between staff.' At Blackpool Victoria Hospital's urgent and emergency services unit, inspectors said that 'at times the department felt chaotic and we had concerns about the lack of oversight the leadership team had of the risks'. Patient Claim Line trainee solicitor Nermeen Salahuddin said their findings were 'deeply concerning'. 'These ratings highlight serious issues in patient safety, care quality, and hospital management,' she said. 'As solicitors that represent individuals affected by medical negligence, we see firsthand the devastating impact that substandard care can have on patients and their families. It is imperative that immediate steps are taken to address these deficiencies and ensure that all patients receive the safe, high-quality care they deserve.' The report come after Health Secretary Wes Streeting issued an extraordinary warning to Brits earlier this year about the CQC's rating of hospitals. Your browser does not support iframes. Corbett Hospital in Stourbridge was ranked 'inadequate' by inspectors which means 'the service is performing badly and we've taken action against the person or organisation that runs it' The Barkantine Birth Centre in London was another NHS hospital inspectors found to be 'inadequate' He said a bombshell review showed the CQC was 'rotting' and described some of its ratings as 'invented'. Mr Streeting added it had been a decade since some hospitals, GP surgeries and care homes had been checked. He also said there was evidence that some of the ratings had been 'effectively manufactured and invented using partial views and inspections combined with historic ratings and judgments'. He even urged members of the public checking ratings on the CQC website to 'take them with a pinch of salt'. The report also comes just days after the 160billion-a-year NHS was described as 'broken' by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. He warned it must 'reform or die', vowing to undertake the 'biggest reimagining' of the dishevelled system since its birth in the 1940s. His comments followed a damning report by Lord Darzi, a pioneering surgeon and former Labour health minister, which concluded the NHS is in a 'critical condition'. A 'fit and healthy' man died from a blood clot on the brain after being mistakenly given a controversial Covid 19 vaccine due to an administrative error. Jack Last, 27, was only offered the Oxford AstraZeneca jab because records incorrectly listed him as living with his 'at risk' parents, a report has revealed. The engineer from Stowmarket, Suffolk, complained of suffering headaches after being inoculated on March 30, 2021. He died three weeks later on April 20. Just a week after he got the jab, Government health advisers urged people under 30 to have an alternative vaccination to the AstraZeneca jab due to an increased risk of fatal blood clots. A new report released by Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board found Mr Last was only given the jab as he was wrongly identified as living with his parents. Jack Last, 27, died at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge on April 20 2021 just a few weeks after getting the Oxford AstraZeneca jab His sister Jasmine previously described Jack as 'an amazing uncle' to his nephew Reggie She also described her brother as an 'adventurer', and said: 'He did so much with his life' His medical record mistakenly had the same landline number as his parents, who met the criteria for an at-risk age group. But he had actually moved into his own home in 2018 and updated his contact details but his parents' number had incorrectly remained on his record. Mr Last was administered his first jab on March 30, 2021, days before new guidance would be issued offering the alternative Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for people under 30. The report also found that his death was the consequence of 'system shortcomings, human error, and tragic unfortunate timing'. A family statement said it was 'heartbreaking' to learn of the errors which led to him being invited to receive the vaccination early. They previously detailed how he had been surprised to be offered his first dose of a Covid vaccine so soon because he didn't have any underlying conditions. One day before Mr Last received his text on March 20, it was agreed to expand the criteria of those eligible for the vaccine to those living with eligible patients. Searches were carried out by matching individuals to landline numbers and Mr Last was invited due to his records showing he was listed as 'co-habiting' with his parents. He first started feeling ill on April 5 and he contacted the NHS 111 for advice on April 9. Mr Last was later told by a clinical adviser to visit West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds. In 2016 Mr Last spent six months working with the British Antarctic Survey in Antarctica (pictured in his uniform), where he drove a traverse system to drop off scientific equipment Later 2018, he got his US Pilot's Licence, and travelled to California, where he flew over the Golden Gate Bridge, past the Hollywood sign (pictured) A scan was performed on Mr Last by an out of hours service outsourced to a separate company. The radiologist reported on the CT scan that there was no acute abnormalities in his brain. This was later found to be inaccurate. The report says: 'It would also have been advisable to send Jack straight away to another hospital or centre that could provide the CT venogram he needed, rather than waiting until the next day.' A CT venogram was performed the following day and demonstrated a blood clot, delaying treatment by 15 hours. The report concluded while this delay was unlikely to have changed the outcome for Mr Last, it was still a missed opportunity. When his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. Medical Director of the Suffolk and North East Essex ICB, Dr Andrew Kelso, said: 'Our thoughts remain with the family of Jack and have been throughout this very tragic case. The AstraZeneca jab was the most widely used in the UK during the initial rollout of the vaccination programme - before it was linked to a risk in blood clots Researchers believe the rare side effect occurs due to the modified cold virus lurking in the jab having an adverse effect on platelets in the blood, triggering clotting 'On behalf of all system partners, we are truly sorry for what has happened and for the loss, heartbreak and distress they must be experiencing. 'Due to the seriousness of what happened, we immediately commissioned an independent review to fully understand what led to this tragedy and to identify learning. 'We also wanted to give the family all the answers to their questions. 'This independent review allowed the system to look at the incident from beginning to end, without the restrictions of organisational boundaries and without prejudice.' An inquest into Jack's death in 2022 ruled that he had died as a 'direct result' of the vaccination. The AstraZeneca jab which has been effectively withdrawn was eventually discovered to carry a very rare risk of triggering potentially fatal blood clots. This side effect missed in clinical trials simply because of how rare it was, is called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), or alternatively vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). Only officially spotted in March 2021, the complication causes people to suffer blood clots along with a low platelet count. Platelets typically help the blood to clot. These clots can go on to cause death and disability. Some people suffered injuries to their brains whilst others have had to have limbs amputated. The complication is exceedingly rare, given the millions of doses dished out during the roll-out. The risk is thought to be in the region of one in 50,000, though some estimates put it even lower. Clotting cases were first spotted in the EU. Several nations on the continent went on to slow or even suspend their rollout of the jab. Britain eventually followed its European neighbours, first stopping the jabs being used for people under 30 and then weeks later under 40. Experts based this on younger groups being at less risk of Covid, meaning the benefits of being jabbed weren't worth the risk. Some 50 families and persons killed or disabled as result of the rare side effect are pursing AstraZeneca in the courts for compensation arguing its 'defective' jab claiming it was to blame for their injuries and deaths of loved ones. If successful, it will be the British taxpayer that foots the bill, which lawyers have estimated could amount to upwards of 250million under a deal struck between the pharma giant and ministers in the darkest days of the Covid lockdown. The deal was to shield jab makers from the risk of being sued for any extremely rare adverse side effects missed in clinical trials to ensure the vaccines could be rolled out in the UK as soon as possible and end the paralysing lockdowns. TTS is thought to be linked to at least 81 deaths in the UK, according to figures collated by UK drug watchdog, the MHRA. Not all are proven, however, and not every family is seeking legal action. In Search Of the Perfect Peach by Franco Fubini (Chelsea Green Publishing 20, 224pp) In Search of the Perfect Peach is available now from the Mail Bookshop Born in Argentina to a German mother and an Italian father, Franco Fubini had a peripatetic childhood. But no matter where in the world he was, the local food always fascinated him. There were 'insane' mangoes in Egypt, which his mother made into delicious chutney. In Italy he discovered the perfect sandwich filling, a combination of succulent Parma ham, mozzarella and tomatoes, while in Holland he fell in love with Gouda cheese. Fubini went on to found Natoora, which works with small-scale growers to source the finest fruit and veg for restaurants in London, Paris and New York. During lockdown, the company, which has a royal warrant, diversified into home deliveries of veg boxes and now also has a handful of bricks-and mortar stores in London. His greatest joy still comes from discovering the most flavour some produce. He found his favourite tomato, which tastes 'meaty, dense, rich, fleshy', growing at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. He waxes lyrical about 'the world's sweetest onion', cultivated in Lombardy using labour-intensive farming techniques that date back to the 10th century. Franco Fubini, founder of Natoora In a market in Milan he spotted a peach with a skin colouration he'd never seen before. 'Biting into it was like taking off on a rocket ship a flavour so intense and magical that it blew my mind,' he writes. It took him three years to track down the grower of this peach, a variety called Greta. It is now one of his company's most popular products, 'a work of pure edible art'. Although he now lives in Britain, he hates the way we eat because, he says, so much of what British consumers buy is flavourless and insipid. We have lost sight of what food should taste like and 'the sad reality is that our palates and knowledge are evaporating'. Supermarkets, which account for more than 80 per cent of the food sold in the UK, demand fruit and veg that is 'bland, uniform, alien-looking'. No apple or pear, however delicious, will make it on to the supermarket shelves if it's knobbly or scarred. Those rows of identical peppers may look pretty, he says, but they will not be the most nutritious or delicious. Poll Would you pay more for your fruit and veg if it meant it would taste better? Yes No It would depend on how much more I would have to pay Would you pay more for your fruit and veg if it meant it would taste better? Yes 10 votes No 0 votes It would depend on how much more I would have to pay 2 votes Now share your opinion As consumers, Fubini laments, we are simply not prepared to pay enough for quality food. We no longer value good food and have lost sight of seasonality, expecting to find strawberries, peaches and asparagus right through the year. Inevitably, his proposed solution involves paying more for our food - those hand-hoed onions don't come cheap. Fubini is a persuasive advocate for the benefits of better food but his message isn't nearly as radical as he seems to think: people such as Jamie Oliver, Michael Pollan and Chris van Tulleken have all banged the same drum over the years, without our eating habits changing much. This book is a passionate rallying call for a change of mindset 'that will deliver the flavour-first food system we so desperately need', but is the cash-strapped British consumer ready to listen? New rules to protect access to cash for consumers and small businesses will come into force on Wednesday. The Financial Conduct Authority authority announced in June it had been handed fresh powers by the Government to ensure reasonable access to cash withdrawal and deposits. Under the new rules, banks and building societies will have to weigh up whether local communities lack access to cash services, like branches and ATMs, and provide additional services where they find 'significant gaps'. A significant gap includes small towns in a remote areas where the last bank branch shut and there is a long distance to travel to the next town to visit a branch. Banks and building societies will have to assess local gaps in access to cash From Wednesday, banks and building societies will have to assess cash access and understand if additional services to provide access to cash are needed when changes are being made to local services such as a bank branch closing. Banks and building societies will be required to respond to local residents, community organisations and representative groups, who will be able to request an assessment of whether there are gaps in local cash access. Where significant gaps are found, the banks and building societies will have to deliver reasonable additional cash services. The FCA said gaps in cash access could be filled with a range of measures, including banking hubs, ATMs (including deposit ATMs) and Post Office facilities. The progress and compliance with the rules will be overseen by the FCA. Banks and building societies will be responsible for delivering additional services required by their assessments in access to cash gaps. If a bank closes a branch before alternative provision is in place, or there are unreasonable delays to providing the required cash access services, they will be in breach of FCA rules. Where the FCA identifies serious or persistent breaches of the rules, it will use its full range of powers to tackle them. There will also be a requirement put on a bank which announces the closure of the last bank in a town where cash machine network Link recommends a hub. Where a bank branch is due to shut but is the last bank branch in town, it won't be able to close its doors until a banking hub is open and up and running. This way no town should be left without access to cash services whether it is through a bank or building society or a banking hub. A banking hub is a shared centre where customers of most major banks can go to withdraw and deposit cash and get banking support and advice. They were created in response to widespread branch closures, with 6,000 bank branches having shut their doors since 2015. Labour has pledged to roll out 350 banking hubs in towns and villages across Britain over the next five years. 15 locations to receive banking hubs Link, will also announce on Wednesday 15 locations where new banking hubs will be launched. Harpenden in Hertfordshire and Whitley Bay in Tyne and Wear are among the towns set to receive a banking hub. The banks which fund the hubs set up through the non-profit company called Cash Access UK will change the rules on where a banking hub can be located. Currently, a banking hub can only be set up in a town that has lost its last bank. They were also ruled out in towns where Nationwide still had a branch. Nationwide has its own branch promise in place, meaning that everywhere there is a Nationwide branch that branch will remain in place until at least the start of 2028. Most of the 15 banking hubs to be announced on Wednesday will now be in areas where Nationwide has a branch. More than a third of small business owners said 2024 has been the slowest year for business that they have seen for the past five, with the smallest firms struggling most. Companies with fewer than 10 employees have struggled the most, according to data from VistaPrint, with many reporting a lack of access to finance was one of the main things preventing expansion. In fact, a third of all small business owners said access to finance was one of the biggest challenges they have faced so far this year. Stifled growth: Small business owners say the cost of living has impacted their ability to grow While the cost of materials was also highlighted as a hurdle to growth by 39 per cent, 72 per cent of business owners said the cost of living was one of the main challenges. The research by VistaPrint comes as it launches its 'Realising the Remarkable' funding programme, offering 20 3,000 grants to firms with less than ten employees. VistaPrint said just one per cent of small businesses receive grants to support their growth, with three quarters having no choice but to self-fund their enterprises. Some 10 per cent of owners are relying on their family for financial support, with 30 per cent of younger owners turning to their parents. We previously reported that business owners are asking their family for an average of 6,4000 to help with costs. Katie Eldred, UK country manager of VistaPrint, said: 'Small business owners are the backbone of the UK economy. 'With limited access to external funding cited as a key barrier to growth, our grant programme with Enterprise Nation is designed to provide small business owners with the financial support and expert guidance they need to unlock their growth potential and demonstrate their incredible value to our country. 'We encourage small business owners from all across the nation to apply and realise their remarkable.' The winners of the grants will also receive a raft of VistaPrint benefits, including a subscription to its graphic design software. Despite recent struggles, 56 per cent of small business owners said they would still encourage friends and family to set up a business, rising to 83 per cent among Gen Z entrepreneurs. Some 66 per cent said the enthusiasm for running their own firm is due to their work-life balance, while 29 per cent said it allows them to pursue their passion. Emma Jones, founder of small business support platform Enterprise Nation, said: 'Small businesses have faced a number of challenges this year, but what this research demonstrates is that they are staying strong and remain wonderfully optimistic about the future.' A couple who were blasted for saying they left their two toddlers alone in their cruise cabin while they dined at the ship's restaurants have broken their silence on the controversy. Abby and Matt Howard, who run a popular parenting podcast, sparked backlash after revealing they went to dinner while their sons, Griffin, two, and August, one, slept in their cabin on their seven-night cruise. 'We ended up taking them for five nights and it became apparent that they weren't enjoying it and therefore we weren't either,' Abby said in a now expired Instagram story. 'So, then we switched our dinner time to after their bedtime and FaceTimed the monitors while we ate. And that worked out much better for everyone.' In Abby's original post, she said that the baby monitors the couple had brought with them didn't work on board so they used FaceTime to watch the pair sleep. TikTok famous couple Abby and Matt Howard have broken their silence after facing extreme backlash online for admitting to leaving their two twins in a cruise cabin alone while they enjoyed dinner Social media users who follow the couple quickly blasted them over the move and made reference to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, who vanished from her family's holiday apartment in Portugal in 2007. One Reddit user posted: 'It's literally common sense that you do not leave a baby alone unsupervised. 'If it was socially and morally acceptable to leave babies unsupervised by an adult, then baby sitting services would not be a thing. 'Are they seriously that f****** dumb? Do they not watch the news, have they not seen what happened to Madeline McCann? The couple have been together since high school and host 'The Unplanned Podcast' about relationships and family. They have more than 5.3million followers on TikTok more than seven million subscribers on YouTube. On Monday night they released a TikTok claiming a family member was always with the children while they were at dinner. 'We take our roles as parents extremely seriously and we love our children more than anything in the entire world, and we're very protective of our kids,' Matt started off. The couple have been together since high school and have over seven million subscribers on YouTube 'We had someone with our children at all times on this boat. Period,' Matt said, adding that the speculation surrounding them is 'completely untrue.' His wife then chimed in and said: 'I can see where my story did lead to misunderstanding which is why I ended up deleting it several hours after posting it because I could see that it was causing concern and misunderstanding.' Abby then thanked everyone online for being 'concerned about the safety and well- being' of their children. 'As their parents, that is our first and foremost main concern.... So, thank you. 'But I do want to clarify that we have not, would not, will not ever leave our children unattended. We would would never, ever want to put them in harms way in anyway,' she added. They said they take their roles as parents 'extremely seriously' and that the speculation about them is 'extremely untrue' The mother said her family would 'tag team' to help the couple out with watching their children and added how 'thankful' they are to them for doing that. TikTok's have since appeared showing the now expired story with what Abby had said, seen here Viewers quickly started to speculate about their statement as one said: 'I hope this is the truth.' 'Thanks for the clarification because it did come off like the boys were alone- context is everything,' wrote another. 'I'm actually baffled with how irresponsible these two are. If they're comfortable enough to leave their babies unattended on a cruise ship, have they done this before at home?' While another added: 'For them to post about it like it's some genius parenting hack is just wild. 'They are irresponsible teenagers in adult bodies.' In December of 2022, Abby told Raising Arizona Kids that the couple wanted the focus of their content to be on them handling parenting. She said: 'We never want to sacrifice our relationship or our family for [social media fame]. That was one of my biggest concerns going into this. The couple have been together since high school and have over seven million followers on YouTube 'Through constant conversation and always prioritizing us and our family is how we keep doing this. 'We want the focus to be us and how we are handling parenting rather than just focusing all on Griffin.' While Matt added: 'If you would have told me this would be our life three years ago, I would have laughed. 'We used to dream about one day working together and now we get to and it's the best thing ever.' Taylor Swift's former schoolmate has been driven off the internet and questioned by fans for claiming she was sent home for being pregnant while a TV crew filmed the star - after online sleuths noted details in her story didn't stack up. Leanne Mahoney alleged she was forced to stay home for four to six weeks while TV crews filmed the then-budding popstar because they didn't want a pregnant teenager in the background in a viral, since-deleted TikTok video this week. She also accused liberal Swift of backflipping on her political opinions since high school, claiming the then 14-year-old 'didn't believe in abortion' in September of 2004. But Swifties were quick to point out elements of Mahoney's story didn't add up. That prompted her to post a follow-up clip adjusting her claims, before locking down her TikTok and deleting her X account altogether. In the initial post that caused the most controversy, Mahoney claimed she was a pregnant classmate of Swift in 2004, aged 16, when a film crew arrived to capture her early days of fame. 'I was sent home because the school didn't want a pregnant teen to be seen on TV with Taylor,' she claimed. 'They even moved my lunch period so they crew wouldn't ask questions or create negativity that could affect her future or the school's image.' Swift was 14 in September of 2004 - two years younger than Mahoney. There is no record of any film crew attending Hendersonville High School in 2004. Leanne Mahoney made the extraordinary claims in a viral, since deleted TikTok video this week At the time Swift had signed a developmental deal with Sony/ATV, but her meteoric rise to stardom didn't start until 2005, or pick up pace until 2006, when she released her first single, Tim McGraw. Mahoney was adamant the incident occurred in September 2004. Her son was born in March 2005, so the film crews who followed Swift at the school in 2005 and 2006 could not have been the ones she was referring to. Mahoney, an outspoken Trump supporter and employee within Tennessee's Sumner County government, accused Swift of being complicit in 'denying my high school education so Taylor could pursue fame'. She later backtracked and said 'if' Swift knew about how she was treated, she should speak out and apologize. A relative of Mahoney's has since told DailyMail.com she removed her social media accounts and is now in hospital after struggling with the hate she received while simultaneously battling depression and anxiety. She accused Swift of backflipping on her political opinions since leaving high school, claiming that the then 14-year-old 'didn't believe in abortion' in September of 2004. Pictured: Swift as a teenager at the school, when film crews visited in 2005 In September of 2004, Mahoney would have been no more than three months pregnant, and Swift would have just arrived at the school after relocating with her family. While her initial video laid blame squarely at Swift's feet for her treatment, she shared another story almost 24 hours later singing a softer tune. In the second video, she recalled being sent her home 'for four to six weeks, without explanation' and accepted she did not 'know all the ins and outs that actually took place behind closed doors.' 'I'm not going to completely point the finger at Taylor, our high school, or the camera crew from all the different shows who were there recording her,' she said. 'My thing is, if she knows what was going on and what was happening, it's time to come forward and say something. Be honest and just tell the truth.' She said the school sent her home 'for four to six weeks, without explanation' She also faced intense criticism from legions of Swifties who questioned how 14-year-old Swift was responsible for the school allegedly sending her classmate home. Swift is pictured in 2006 Mahoney received support from fellow Trump supporters in the comment section of her initial video, with people hashtagging #MAGA and posting pro-Trump remarks while saying they, too, hated Taylor Swift. The video was posted shortly after Donald Trump spoke out against Swift on social media, sharing a comment which read: 'I hate Taylor Swift.' He did so after Swift announced she was backing Kamala Harris in November's presidential election. Mahoney is an outspoken Trump advocate and veteran who is urging her followers to vote Republican at the upcoming election. In her video criticizing Swift, she said: 'When I enrolled in the military I swore to an oath, to protect the freedoms of the American people and the constitution of the United States. Whether I'm still serving or not, until my last breath I will continue fighting.' But she also faced intense criticism from legions of Swifties who questioned how 14-year-old Swift could ever be responsible for the school allegedly sending her classmate home. Others noted that Mahoney in 2015 repeatedly asked Taylor Swift to donate to a GoFundMe account, appealing to the popstar that they were once classmates. 'We went to high school together. Could you please share this veteran's GoFundMe account,' she wrote on July 24, 2015, tagging Swift. And on June 15 that year, she wrote: 'As a fellow classmate at HHS with you, this is a GoFundMe account that's actually worth donating to...' Mahoney in 2015 repeatedly asked Taylor Swift to donate to a GoFundMe account, appealing to the popstar that they were once classmates She has since deleted the X account where she made the public appeals to Swift, and has locked down her TikTok after the videos amassed millions of views. Mahoney later said she 'never expected' the video to gain as much traction as it did. Mahoney's video appears to be a response to Swift's recent endorsement of Democrat Kamala Harris for president. Swift said she was impressed particularly by Harris' running mate Tim Walz for his long term commitment to 'standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF and a woman's right to her own body.' The pop star has in the past criticized the decision to overturn Roe v Wade - the landmark ruling which guaranteed women the right to an abortion in the US. And in 2019, Swift outright revealed she was 'obviously pro-choice.' Prior to that, Swift had a long-held policy not to publicly share her political opinions. Swift said she was impressed particularly by Harris' running mate Tim Walz for his long term commitment to 'standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF and a woman's right to her own body' By 2006, she'd released her first single, Tim McGraw, and began her meteoric rise to the top - where she remains today, 18 years later In September 2004, Swift had recently arrived in Tennessee and signed a record deal with Sony/ATV. She was performing in small Nashville venues, but didn't get her real big break until 2005, when she signed with Big Machine Records. By 2006, she'd released her first single, Tim McGraw, and began her meteoric rise to the top - where she remains today, 18 years later. There are references to Swift being interviewed at Hendersonville High School in both 2005 and 2006, but there are no records of Swift being interviewed on camera at the school in 2004. Authorities released video that appears to show Javion Magee, a black man found dead last week in North Carolina under a tree with a rope around his neck, buying rope from a Walmart a day before his body was discovered. The video was taken on September 10 and showed Magee, a 21-year-old truck driver from Illinois, walking up to a self-checkout station with a bundle rope in his hand, police said. The young man was found dead the next day, sitting down near the base of a tree with rope wrapped around his neck and the other end attached to the tree, CBS 17 reported. Content creators on social media have steered massive publicity to the case by labeling his death a 'lynching'. While Magee's family hasn't called his death a lynching, they have drawn on the existing cultural awareness surrounding Emmett Till, who was killed in 1955 by two white men for supposedly whistling at a white woman. Police previously insisted Magee 'wasn't lynched' as the case gained increasing attention last week. The Vance County Sheriff's Office released footage showing Javion Magee buying a bundle of blue rope in a Walmart located in Henderson, North Carolina Magee is seen here pulling out a card to pay for the rope Magee tosses the rope in the air as he walks out of the store. He would be found dead the next day about six miles away from the Walmart The new video shows Magee paying for the blue rope with a card before walking out of the store. Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame told ABC 11 that his office believes the rope he bought was used in his death, but Magee's family is still not satisfied with the investigation. 'There's been information put out there that there's a lynching, there is not a lynching,' Brame said earlier. 'The young man was not dangling from a tree. He was not swinging from a tree. The rope was wrapped around his neck. It was not a noose. There was not a knot in the rope, so therefore, it was not a lynching here in Vance County.' DailyMail.com has contacted the sheriff's office multiple times for more information about the circumstances of Magee's death. No cause of death had been determined as of Monday. A spokeswoman for the Magees, Candice Matthews, told DailyMail.com that the family still has questions. Matthews said Magee dropped off a load from his truck to a Walmart distribution center before buying the rope, adding that the rope he bought could have had another purpose. 'The family still believes that this video doesn't prove nothing because as a truck driver, this is part of the trucking equipment that's used for tying down loads,' Matthews said. 'But the question still remains, is this the same rope that he was hung from?' The family also has questions about the timeline. The video shows Magee buying the rope during the day on September 10. His body was discovered on September 11 around six miles away from the Walmart near a tractor repair business, CBS 17 reported. Candice Matthews, left, has become the spokesperson for the Magee family. Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame, right, has sought to quiet rumors that Magee was lynched 'The family still feels that the sheriff's department is not being transparent and not being clear. They feel that it's foul play that has happened to their loved one, and they want answers. They want transparency. They want accountability, and they want justice,' Matthews said. Magee's family has retained the counsel of national civil rights attorneys Harry Daniels and Lee Merritt. 'As of today, the authorities haven't shown us anything proving that this young man with no history of mental illness took his life,' Daniels said in a statement. Magee's family and their lawyers insist that he didn't have any kind of mental illness A banner is hung near the University of Illinois in Chicago on September 14, days after his death This case gained attention on social media after one of Magee's cousins posted a video on TikTok slamming the sheriff's office for not being transparent and 'not allowing his mom to identify the body' because of Covid-19. The sheriff's office told DailyMail.com that Magee's mother was never denied the opportunity to identify her son's body. The cousin's original video on the subject has gotten nearly 5 million views on TikTok. In a subsequent video, she doubled down on her belief that Magee didn't die by his own hand. 'We didn't feel that [the case] was getting a thorough investigation, and [we were] given the run-around,' she said. 'I didn't say the police did anything, I didn't say any specific person did anything, but somebody did something. We don't believe that he did this to himself. So, we have every right to feel how we feel as a family.' Even from many metres away in the crowded passageway of my local bazaar I could hear the voices of the Taliban. Clad in their traditional robes and wielding automatic weapons, they were pulling people aside and questioning their business there, one of the arbitrary spot checks aimed at rooting out those who dare to break their oppressive rules. I was accompanied by my brother my mahram, or guardian for single women like me are unable even to shop for groceries without a male chaperone. As Taliban rules also demand, I was covered from head to toe in my burka despite the stifling 30c heat. Nonetheless, I still nudged my brother and gestured with a nod to him that we should quickly return home the only way I could communicate with him as a new law introduced last month has banned women from speaking in public. When we dare to step outside the confines of our homes, there must not be a single bit of our body or face visible apart from our eyes For encountering the Taliban is not worth the risk: however much you think you have complied with their evermore stifling demands, they find ways to brutalise you. We know of a woman who was sent to prison, and her husband tortured, because when they were stopped and questioned about what they had for lunch that day they gave different answers. Even buying medicine for your sick child is no armour against their cruelty. Desperate for medicine for her sick son, a widowed friend was caught at the bazaar alone. She was given a draconian fine, and told that next time she would be physically punished. This is the reality of life in Afghanistan in 2024. A world where women have lost all their basic human rights and freedoms since the Taliban took control three years ago. We are banned from schools, offices, public baths, parks, and gyms. When we dare to step outside the confines of our homes, there must not be a single bit of our body or face visible apart from our eyes through a mesh covering and we must be accompanied by our husband or a male family member. Reduced to nothing more than domestic chattels, we find the boundaries of our lives shrunken to the four walls of our family home. Banned from looking directly at men we are not related to by blood or marriage, we have now even been robbed of the one thing left to us our voice. As the new law tells us: Whenever an adult woman leaves her home out of necessity, she is obliged to conceal her voice, face and body. Those who do disobey risk being fined if they are lucky and flogged or jailed if they arent. It is why the internet is the only way left for us to communicate, the predominant emotion among Afghan women young and old is fear and despair. The older generation weep for their daughters who in turn see no hope for the future after being abandoned by Western democracies which have stood by while everything has been taken from us. This is why I am speaking out, although I must disguise my story, as anyone who dares to exposes the reality of life under the Taliban regime will feel the full weight of their punishment. Earlier this year, the Taliban spies managed to track down a woman who gave an anonymous interview to an American television network. She has since disappeared. I can say I am a woman in her mid-twenties who, before the Taliban returned to power, had a happy life in my small city. I worked in IT, and my salary helped support my extended family. I still lived at home and while I did not have a sweetheart, I hoped, even assumed I would marry for love. In the meantime, I enjoyed many of lifes simple pleasures: picnics in the park, meeting friends in cafes. How could I have known how quickly these freedoms would be taken from us when the Taliban swept back again? My mother knew: I remember her choking sobs as we huddled around our television set and watched their fighters riding through the streets of Kabul. My sister and I clung onto hope; over WhatsApp groups, we speculated feverishly this time would be different. We thought perhaps just a few small things would change, that we could continue to work and go to school. Not once did we think it would be even worse, and today I could weep at that astonishing naivety, for it took only weeks to realise that the Talibans intention was to slowly erase women, systemically stripping them of their rights. What they want of us is to stay home, cooking and cleaning for a husband who may have many wives, raising their children and obeying their every instruction. Since the Taliban returned to power, they have issued nearly a hundred mandates restricting our freedoms, banishing us from the workplace and education. Last year, they ordered the closure of all beauty salons, one of the only remaining ways for women to earn an income. I know of a widow in another city who has no choice but to work surreptitiously in neighbours houses, leaving her home under cover of darkness. Is it any wonder we feel like caged birds? Our days rest heavy on us, trapped in our homes She has no other way of feeding her five children, but lives in fear of being caught. The torment is constant, she told me in a text message. It is all I have, the anxiety of not knowing if well have enough to eat tomorrow, or if my secret attempts to work will bring harm to my family. The financial consequences of womens abolition from the workplace cannot be overstated. In my home, only my brother is now able to work, without the income that I and my sister brought in, we have had to make a strict timetable to make every tiny bit of food last as long as possible. Gone are the cakes and any other small luxuries. Now we exist on rice and other basics, and cannot eat every day. In a country where there is a chronic shortage of food, all of us have become used to the feeling of an aching empty stomach. Even men have found their livelihoods affected. One of my friends husbands is a shopkeeper, but his income has plunged since the women who could once pop in while passing can now not enter his shop without a mahram to ask for goods by pointing rather than speaking. The Taliban have visited him more than once to warn him that if they hear that a woman has come in alone they will close his shop. Another friend who was at university and who dreamed of opening her own business has retrained as a midwife, the only job left to women in Afghanistan, although it pays very little. She has no interest in the work, but told me that it at least allowed her to help her family, as well as leave the house and mingle with other women although she must be careful: earlier this year three female health workers were detained because they were traveling to work without a male chaperone. But then, the Talibans dreaded morality police are everywhere. They conduct spot checks on our homes, to make sure we are living under their laws, while random checkpoints spring up overnight. If you answer questions the wrong way, you can be sent to jail, and men who are considered to not have their women under control are tortured. It takes so little to be a dissident, and anyone who once worked for the infidels, as any western business or agency is seen, remains a target. A friend who once worked for a European NGO was told by a Taliban fighter that her disloyalty could only be compensated for by marrying him. When she refused, her brother was brutally beaten at a Taliban checkpoint, and she was run over by a car in the street leaving her hospitalised for a month. Terrified, she went into hiding until some contacts in the UK helped her and her family to escape. Escape is not possible for most people though. Fathers must stand by as their daughters some barely teenagers, are sold into marriage to older men who repulse them. In the past few months I have seen it happen to two family friends, young girls both married to men they had never even set eyes on before they exchanged vows. On her wedding night, one of them was beaten by her new husband because she had cried. I know her father cried, too: her marriage was the price he paid for one less mouth to feed. For both girls, the best they can hope for is that their husbands do not tire of them. Earlier this year, the Taliban also announced the reintroduction of the public flogging and stoning of women for adultery, and they are only too aware that as a mans word is prized over that of any woman, they do not have to do anything wrong to find themselves cast out to their deaths. As one friend told me: Even when I can go out with my husband, I do not want to. I feel frightened the moment I step out of my house. Is it any wonder we feel like caged birds? Our days rest heavy on us, trapped in our homes. We try to keep busy with domestic chores or reading and even then only approved books but there are too many hours in the day. Now that under the new rules our voices are also deemed to be instruments of vice, we cannot even speak freely indoors. If a passing Taliban hears singing, or loud reading, this too is an offence. We must speak softly at all times, even when reciting the Quran. It means the sound I hear most in my home is not laughter, or excited chatter, but soft crying, because we cannot see any way out. Our only lifeline is our WhatsApp groups, although we are careful what we say, because we cannot be sure the Talibans spies are not monitoring them somehow. I know that more than one teenage girl has tried to take her own life rather than face a future in which she has no hope. It is the lack of hope that is hardest, in fact. The West remained silent when they banned our education, silent as they took away all our other freedoms, too. Now we have lost our voice, and again the West does not raise theirs. It means there is nothing left for us. Britain came close to running out of prison places during the summer riots, Keir Starmer has revealed. Describing his 'anger' at the scenes of jubilant prisoners celebrating their early release last week, the Prime Minister said he had been left with no choice but to let out hundreds of criminals. Around 1,700 prisoners were released early last week, including robbers, drug dealers and even killers. Thousands more are due to be let out early in the coming months to ease prison overcrowding. In sickening scenes last week, prisoners celebrated outside jails, with some thanking Sir Keir personally for their release. Speaking to reporters while travelling in Italy the PM said the decision had left him 'angry'. 'I spent five years prosecuting and putting people in prison and being forced to release people who should be in prison makes me angry,' he said. The Prime Minister said he had been left with no choice but to let out hundreds of criminals. Pictured: Keir Starmer meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni The PM said ministers were now working to accelerate the provision of new prison places although early releases are expected to continue for at least 18 months (stock image) 'But the choice was pretty simple. We'd got to the point where prisons were so full we had the choice between releasing people in the way that we've done it, or not being able to arrest people and put them in prison. 'You can imagine the impact on law and order in this country if we'd reached a place where police could not make the necessary arrests day by day, and you'd be having some pretty hard questions for me if we'd got to that stage.' Sir Keir said that during the summer riots, which led to hundreds of arrests, he had stood in the government's emergency Cobra room 'literally having to plot how many prison places we had, in order to assess whether we could contain the disorder'. He added: 'No prime minister should be in that position.' The PM said ministers were now working to accelerate the provision of new prison places although early releases are expected to continue for at least 18 months. The Labour government let 1,700 prisoners out early to ease record overcrowding and prevent the criminal justice system from seizing up entirely due to a lack of cells Prisoners celebrated outside jails, with some thanking Sir Keir personally for their release. Pictured: Jason Hoganson seen outside HM Prison Durham 'What we've got to do about it now, we've obviously got to take this measure which I didn't want to take, we are going to change the planning laws to make sure where we need prisons we can get them built much more quickly,' he said. 'We've already fast-tracked or tried to move forward some of the projects in play, but we're doing everything we can to try to make sure we've got the capacity, but to be put into a position where it's a choice because prisons are so overcrowded that it's a release scheme the likes of which we had to go down, or a point where the police say we cannot carry out our basic functions, is not a position I should have been put in.' Sir Keir blamed the last Tory government for the crisis, claiming that Rishi Sunak had been warned repeatedly to act on prison overcrowding. But Tory sources point out that the details of the early release scheme were decided by Labour and accuse ministers of exaggerating the situation. One of three teenagers who was gang-raped by a trio of men celebrating a bucks party has revealed she was 'terrified to face the world' after the sexual assault. Maurice Hawell, 30, Andrew David, 30, and Marius Hawell, 23, rented an Airbnb on Parry Street in Newcastle, north of Sydney, for a weekend in February 2022 to celebrate Maurice's coming wedding. The rental home became the setting of a horrific nightmare for two 18-year-old women and a 19-year-old woman who were gang raped by the trio over two nights. David and Marius faced the NSW District Court on Tuesday for a sentence hearing before they faced judgment for sexually assaulting the three teens. Maurice will face a similar hearing on Wednesday. The trio were found guilty of engaging in a joint criminal enterprise to sexually assault the women after a weeks-long trial in the NSW District Court earlier this year. The 19-year-old victim told the court that she was 'terrified to face the world' after she was sexually assaulted by Maurice and David in a dark room while Marius watched. She told the court that she was 'left feeling vulnerable', 'experienced panic attacks' and was 'unable to leave my home alone' in the months that followed. 'From being constantly surrounded by friends to wanting to be left alone, I felt I deeply lost myself,' the victim said. Maurice Hawell, 30, (pictured) Andrew David, 30, and Marius Hawell, 23, rented an Airbnb on Parry Street in Newcastle, north of Sydney, for a weekend in February 2022 to celebrate Maurice's upcoming wedding Maurice Hawell (pictured right) was found guilty of sexually assaulting three women 'I began to blame myself for allowing it to happen.' The woman said she had countless sleepless nights thinking about what she could have done differently to prevent the traumatic gang rape. During the trial, she testified she had been approached on the street by Maurice, who used a fake name as he persuaded her to come up to the Airbnb for pre-drinks. Instead of giving her a drink, she said Maurice pushed her onto a bed and asked her to have a threesome with him and David. Despite her refusal, the 19-year-old said David knelt on her shoulders and forced his penis into her mouth while Maurice raped her. The court was told the woman put her pants on backwards in her haste to leave the apartment afterwards and she was 'sobbing'. One of the 18-year-old victims said the gang rape on the Friday night had taken a 'massive emotional toll' on every aspect of her life. Marius Hawell, 23, (pictured) has also been convicted of sexually assaulting the women at the bucks party She and a friend testified they were pinned down to beds and violated when they went into a bedroom to retrieve their phones as they tried to leave the Airbnb. 'This event has made me stop trusting the people around me,' she said. 'I was unable to trust any man around me.' The 18-year-old said she had constant flashbacks and felt guilt about the traumatic incident, which had affected her way of viewing the world. During the trial, she told the court she was raped by a man she couldn't see while another man knelt on her arms and thrust his penis into her mouth. At the same time, the other 18-year-old recalled being held down on a neighbouring bed and stripped naked by a 'swarm' of men before being sexually assaulted. Although the teens could not see their assailants, the jurors found David, Maurice and Marius were responsible for the gang rapes. All three men continue to maintain their innocence, with Maurice and David claiming the sexual activity was consensual, while Marius argued he hadn't engaged in any sex acts during the bucks weekend. They have been in custody for two months since the jury returned guilty verdicts. A young Aussie who was expelled from eight different schools has opened up about how he turned his life around as he celebrates earning his first million. David Chahine, 27, from Western Sydney, was told by his teachers he'd never amount to anything and admitted his behaviour left his parents 'heartbroken'. But when he was 13, Mr Chahine was enrolled in The Waratah Centre in Telopea, a school dedicated to helping students with behavioural and emotional disorders. 'I remember one teacher told me if I continued to behave like this, I'm probably going to end up being a garbage cleaner,' Mr Chahine said. Mr Chahine said his life turned around when teachers offered him the chance to go on a school trip to the snow - but only on the condition he changed his behaviour. 'So, we had this program at the school where they would do activities... and one of them was going to the snow,' Mr Chahine said. 'That was just my dream at the time to go to the snow. I remember that all I had to do was just behave and I did.' With help from his parents and The Waratah Centre, Mr Chahine was able to refocus and succeed. Owner of glazing business Primal Glass Replacement David Chahine, 27, has celebrated making his first million dollars despite being expelled from eight different schools In 2020 Mr Chahine launched his company Primal Glass Replacement, which is now on track to make $1million in revenue this financial year He credited the snow trip as the catalyst for turning his life around. 'I went to the snow, and that completely changed my life,' Mr Chahine said. 'The trip to the snow showed me that if you do listen, and you do behave and follow the rules, that life will open up for you.' Mr Chahine started a glass repair business straight out of school, and after years of building a clientele across western Sydney, business is booming. The business, Primal Glass Replacement, is now raking in more than $5,000 a week and recently earned its first million. With his newfound success, he even bought himself a BMW M3. 'It makes me feel proud of myself, it makes me think that anything is possible. I now realise that if you put your head down, work hard and do it with all your heart, dreams come true,' he said. Mr Chahine wants to inspire other children who are struggling at school and has visited returned to The Waratah Centre to encourage students to 'find something they enjoy' David Chahine, who owns Primal Glass Replacement, was told he'd never amount to anything at school and is now making $5,000 a week He now wants to inspire other children who are struggling at school and has visited The Waratah Centre to encourage students to 'find something they enjoy'. 'Just find something that you can picture yourself doing. Make sure you're enjoying it, because you are going be doing it every day for the rest of your life,' Mr Chahine said. He also shared some important pieces of advice. 'Have a passion about it and make sure it's a set of skills that you can find yourself. You know, learning and acquiring and keeping. 'Never giving up. That's one of the most important things. That's what I found worked for me.' David Chahine with the principal of the Waratah Centre, Greg Fuchs David Chahine with students from the Waratah Centre at the snow Principal Greg Fuchs remembers David arriving as a 13-year-old. 'David was this bright big ball of energy,' he said. 'He came in with a smile on his face every day, but he was cheeky, he was disobedient, he was oppositional, refused to do his schoolwork in the beginning, refused to sit down at his desk. But you know, this was all part of his journey. 'Seeing David's success and seeing him come back to the school in his fancy car, brings a smile to my face because we were part of that journey, and we had a lasting effect on him and what he's become.' Details of Daniel Andrews' wife's car crash, which left a teenage cyclist seriously injured, were covered up by police to 'avoid implicating a political figure', a bombshell review has found. Ryan Meuleman was 15-years-old and riding his bike in Blairgowrie on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula when he was struck by the Andrews' family SUV being driven by Catherine Andrews on January 7, 2013. Mr Meuleman was airlifted to The Royal Children's Hospital with life-threatening injuries including a punctured lung, broken ribs, a ruptured spleen and internal bleeding. The former premier has insisted his wife came to a 'complete stop' and 'turned right from a stationary position' moments before Mr Meuleman T-boned the Ford Territory. Police closed the case without pressing charges, and officers were later cleared of any wrongdoing by the corruption watchdog. But more than a decade later, a bombshell review of the crash found the police investigation that supported the Andrews' version of events was 'deeply flawed'. The 36-page assessment, conducted by the state's former Assistant Commissioner for Traffic and Operations, Dr Raymond Shuey, asserted the SUV struck the teen after 'travelling at speed' and on the wrong side of the road. 'The statements from both Daniel and Catherine Andrews that their vehicle stopped at Melbourne Rd are not consistent with impact consequences, nor the report by (witness) Brad Morgan of the squeal of tyres prior to impact,' Dr Shuey wrote. Ryan Meuleman was 15-years-old and riding his bike in Blairgowrie on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula when he was struck by the Andrews' SUV on January 7, 2013 'The effective vehicle stopping distance of 19.2m following impact is indicative of a speed of 45km/h prior to impact. 'The version as provided by Catherine and Daniel Andrews is considered improbable and implausible. The truth is still outstanding. 'It is most probable that the vehicle undertook a sweep turn at speed, cutting the corner and still on the incorrect side of the roadway in Ridley Street, 27 metres from Melbourne Road when the collision occurred.' The report, commissioned by Mr Meuleman's lawyers as part of ongoing Supreme Court damages proceedings into the crash, found the 'propagation of a lie' started when police recorded the driver's name. In a Traffic Incident System (TIS) report made by police hours after the crash recorded the driver's name as 'Catherine Louie Kesik' - Mrs Andrews' maiden name. The report found the name was contrary to that recorded in the investigation notes, TAC reports statements and 'contemporaneous notes' made by police. It asserted that the 'irregularity' with Mrs Andrews' name would be a 'standout' for supervisors, insurance, and legal reviewers. 'It is my opinion that this deception is part of a course of conduct and a component of an overt cover-up to avoid implicating a political figure in a life-threatening crash,' Dr Shuey wrote. 'Failure by supervisors and reviewers to identify this or seek explanation is inexcusable.' Dr Shuey added that Victoria Police did not show a competent professional practice as they failed to follow a 'rudimentary examination' of evidence in the investigation, which was demonstrated in their 'hasty and illogical conclusion'. The review explained the police report lacked critical information including photographs, measurements and professional interview techniques. Dr Shuey said investigators failed to account for the available evidence and labelled their conclusion as 'baseless and unsupported'. He added the 'negligent approach' undermined the integrity of the investigation and also jeopardised the 'pursuit of justice'. Police also repeatedly refused to provide Mr Meuleman's family with details of the driver, despite it being the duty of police to do so. A bombshell review asserts details from Daniel and Catherine Andrews' crash with the teen cyclist was covered up 'to avoid implicating a political figure' Premier Daniel Andrews' Ford Territory car after the crash with Ryan Meuleman. Police reported Mrs Andrews as being behind the wheel at the time of the accident Dr Shuey claimed the decision to not provide the family with the driver's details was 'designed to conceal the identity of those involved'. It also questioned why Mr Andrews to drive his car away with a smashed windscreen. 'If police, it is a dereliction of duty, if Daniel Andrews, it is the removal of evidence and in any event dangerous/careless driving at a minimum,' it said. But they later changed the documents to state that no test was given, citing that Mrs Andrews 'did not smell of intoxicating liquor'. The review concludes that another significant oversight was the police's failure to verify the identity of the driver of the government vehicle involved in the serious crash. 'Witness Jane Crittenden states she viewed Catherine Andrews in the passenger seat after the crash,' it asserts. 'In my opinion, this investigative failure is a deliberate omission. It leaves the question of who was driving unresolved and in dispute,' the review says. The Shuey review was based on analysis of FOI documents, witness statements and his own reconstruction of the incident. Dr Shuey died in August, just days after completing the report, following a health battle linked to Agent Orange from the Vietnam War. A now-adult Mr Meuleman is suing law firm Slater & Gordon, which represented him after the crash, for allegedly failing to act in his best interest when it negotiated an $80,000 compensation settlement with the Transport Accident Commission. Slater & Gordon denies the claims and will defend the proceedings. The trial is scheduled for May, 2025. In July, Mr and Mrs Andrews' were forced to hand over their phone and credit card details from the day of the crash following a Supreme Court Order. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest any wrongdoing by Mr or Mrs Andrews. Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia a 'thorough investigation' was conducted and its findings were consistent. 'As has been previously stated, Victoria Police conducted a thorough investigation into this matter, as did IBAC, and all findings were consistent,' Victoria Police said. 'We have no further comment to provide on the matter.' The Commonwealth Bank has come under fire for integrating artificial intelligence into its systems with a union leader labelling the move 'disrespectful and tricky'. The bank is currently conducting a trial of a ChatGPT-style platform, known as Hey CommBank, on staff members who are also customers. The platform assists customers with their inquiries with the move raising fears local call centre staff could be replaced, the Australian Financial Review reported. Daily Mail Australia understands the bank has no intentions of replacing its call centre staff. Commonwealth Bank has also been using AI to monitor calls - replacing the older method of recording them so staff could listen and offer training. Finance Sector Union assistant secretary Nicole McPherson claimed the plans were beneath Australia's largest financial institution. 'Once again, AI is being introduced into the workplace without any consultation with workers or customers,' she said. A CBA spokesman told Daily Mail Australia the bank had a 'consistent track record of investing in technology and our people'. The Commonwealth Bank has come under fire for integrating artificial intelligence into its systems with a union leader labelling its move 'disrespectful and tricky' (stock image) 'We are using AI as a complementary technology to assist with time consuming, manual tasks to free up our people to help our customers with more complex needs,' he said. 'The combination of our people's expertise and AI tools is providing better service outcomes for our customers while enhancing the skills and responsiveness of our people who serve them. 'We value and continue to invest in our people and we are committed to discussing in advance any future changes that may impact them.' The bank is the first company to use an 'AI factory', implemented in collaboration with Amazon Web Services. CBA chief data and analytics officer Andrew McMullan said customers would become 'so familiar with using ChatGPT-style services that it becomes the way that they interact with the bank as well, through our digital channels'. 'We are trying to understand what the engagement is like, how those agents would interact with customers, and are making sure that we're very responsible,' Dr McMullan said. He said the bank is implementing 'safety guardrails' to ensure customers are protected. Dr McMullan said an example of how customers could use Hey CommBank would be to calculate the amount required in savings to buy a property in a particular postcode. He said customers would receive conversational ChatGPT-style answers. CBA has already implemented AI, trialling Microsoft's generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) chatbot, Copilot, with staff using it to summarise text and market research, among other tasks. AI is used in CBA's internal service desks to handle IT issues. The bank is also using AI to monitor the 50,000 daily customer calls to its local call centres instead of recording them. Dr McMullan said AI can provide a transcript of a customer call in 1.2 seconds and judge whether the caller had a satisfactory experience dealing with the bank. Currently CBA has over 2,400 call centre employees, who interact with customers by instant messaging and over the phone. The mother of a teenager 'groomed' by Huw Edwards has questioned if there are more victims out there, after the fallen BBC star avoided prison but his phone was never examined. Edwards, 63, was sentenced yesterday at Westminster Magistrates' Court having admitted having 41 indecent images of children, which had been sent to him by a paedophile on WhatsApp. The images included seven category A images, the most serious classification, with two involving a child aged around seven to nine in the vile picture collection. But he was spared jail, receiving six months in prison suspended for two years instead - to the anger of many. However, this is far from unusual. The disgraced BBC News star's remorse, mental health issues and prison overcrowding could have been considerations that counted in his favour. But the furious mother of a young man who Edwards paid 35,000 for sexually explicit pictures - which is separate from the offences for which he was sentenced - said she wanted him to be locked up and slammed the police for missing the chance to look through his phone. Edwards, 63, was sentenced yesterday at Westminster Magistrates' Court having admitted having 41 indecent images of children, which had been sent to him by a paedophile He made no comment as he walked into the modern courthouse Edwards made his way through the media melee before being driven away in a black Mercedes when at court on July 31 The disappointed mother told The Sun: 'I'm devastated Edwards hasn't gone to prison for the things he did. He's exploited young children for his own sick ends and should have been jailed. 'People have been jailed for years for rioting yet paedophiles sharing pictures of young children being sexually abused somehow doesn't warrant the same punishment?' She also slammed the police for being slow to act and missing the chance to examine Edwards' phone and laptop. She said: 'It's shocking that police didn't recover the phone he was using to receive the child abuse images. It makes me think, how many more victims are there?' Her sons stepfather has written to his MP demanding to meet Tim Davie in person, too. He said: The BBC should have put him on suspension without pay from day one. The police should have done something a lot quicker. They missed a chance to look at his phone and laptop then. Liam Kotrie, a criminal defence solicitor at Mary Monson Solicitors who has dealt with 'hundreds' of sex abuse image cases, said first time offenders were very rarely jailed. However, he said it was 'very rare' for someone like Edwards who had received a Category A image - the most serious category - not be sentenced in crown court or receive a sexual harm prevention order. 'I've never heard of a case of possession of category A images that stayed in magistrates court for sentencing, it's very unusual. I've never had that and I've done hundreds of them,' he told MailOnline. 'And the fact that he didn't receive a sexual harm prevention order is very rare. Welsh police uncovered the broadcaster's crimes during a separate probe into a sex offender in Wales. Edwards is pictured in court Alex Williams, 25, shared indecent images with Huw Edwards that led to the newsreader's downfall. Williams is pictured here as a teenager on a family trip to a Welsh beauty spot Westminster Magistrates' Court heard on Monday how Huw Edwards had replied 'yes xxx' when asked if he wanted a set of indecent images of children (note: This is not the actual text message exchange) It was also told that Edwards had told Williams that ages 'can be deceptive' when told one of the subjects in an image was 'quite yng looking', before asking if he had 'any more? (note: This is not the actual text message exchange) 'I had a case where someone had a handful of Category C images where someone managed to convince a judge not to give them a sexual harm prevention order, but they are almost always given for these cases. Yesterday, the disgraced news anchor stared down at the ground as he left court with his life in tatters. Edwards held his hands together and leaned forward throughout his sentencing hearing. He then let out a 'small sigh' as he was handed six months' imprisonment, suspended for two years. He smiled broadly as he left the courtroom accompanied by a member of his legal team - carrying the same small suitcase he had brought with him, possibly in anticipation of being jailed. He later walked onto the street with his legal team before being driven away in a black Mercedes. A mugshot released of the presenter showed him staring at the camera - dead eyed and gaunt - with silver stubble across his face. But his BBC ex-colleagues are disgusted by his crimes and believe he should have been sent to prison and forced to give back the 200,000 he was paid by their bosses after his arrest. Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of former BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court Edwards was previously anchor of News at Ten and one of Britain's most prominent newsreaders A BBC spokesperson said after its former broadcaster Huw Edwards was sentenced: 'We are appalled by his crimes. He has betrayed not just the BBC, but audiences who put their trust in him.' Director General Tim Davie is yet to comment but one former colleague told MailOnline today: 'He should be in prison. He was chatting with a paedo for four years who then sent him child porn. And he didn't go to the police. Yet he's in court trying to suggest he is a victim. It would be laughable if it wasn't so abhorrent'. Another insider said that Edwards' crimes were 'so sick'. The 63-year-old sent hundreds of pounds to Alex Williams, who in turn sent him porn, some of which he called 'amazing'. The disgraced broadcaster had also told the convicted paedophile 'go on' when asked if he wanted 'naughty pics and vids' of somebody described as young. Edwards also wrote 'yes xxx' when he was asked by Williams if he wanted sexual images of a person whose 'age could be discerned as being between 14 and 16'. He was also sent two pornographic videos of a child aged between seven and nine-years-old. Edwards, who resigned from the BBC in April, has been asked to repay the 200,000 salary he has received since his arrest. A mocked up version of a reported Instagram message exchange between the BBC star and a teenager Edwards, who was born in Bridgend and brought up in Llangennech, Carmarthenshire, joined the BBC as a trainee in 1984. Pictured on the six o'clock news in 1999 He has so far refused and will also keep his pension. BBC staff have described being 'warned' about 'thin-skinned' Edwards when they started working there - and said that he should be put in prison for what he has done. MailOnline revealed there is great animosity towards him at the Beeb, who have been rocked by yet another child sex scandal after Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris. One BBC staffer said: 'He still hasn't repaid his salary and dragged us through the mud again. 'Many at the BBC want him to pay for what he has done. He has played the system'. A former colleague said: 'Huw had huge talent and presence but has always been very prickly and thin-skinned'. And Zoe Lambourne, chief operating officer at child safety data institute Childlight, said the case is sadly far from unusual. 'We're in the grip of a hidden pandemic, with an estimated 1.8 million UK people involved in sexually abusing and exploiting children online,' she said. 'This public health emergency is too big for law enforcement to counter alone but crucially, it is preventable through joint action to ensure child safety is always paramount.' The NSPCC's Rani Govender added: 'Online child sexual abuse is at record levels and offenders like Edwards who fuel this crime should be in no doubt about its severity and the impact it has on victims. 'Companies must also act by putting technology in place that can identify and disrupt child abuse images being shared on their messaging services so victims can be safeguarded and offenders prosecuted.' Lynn Perry, of children's charity Barnardo's, said: 'Tens of thousands of children are sexually exploited or groomed online every year. 'We urge tech companies to take action to make sure abuse material can't be shared on their platforms. 'When children are abused, and images of this are shared online, they must receive urgent, specialist support something that is sadly unavailable to many children nationwide.' Speaking to The Times about the difference in sentencing between Edwards and the rioters, Toby Young - the director of the Free Speech Union - said: 'It's hard not to conclude we have a two-tier criminal justice system in which Islamophobia is punished more severely than paedophilia.' On the eve of Amazon Prime's screening of Emily Maitlis's account of her demolition of Prince Andrew, she claims Charles approved of the interview which directly led to his brother's banishment from royal duties. Maitlis, executive producer of A Very Royal Scandal, tells the Radio Times: 'One month after the interview aired, I was taken aside by someone close to [then] Prince Charles and told somewhat cryptically that 'HRH was not unhappy with the interview'. 'Was I being told that the man who would ascend to the throne just three years later as our King was perhaps relieved that this exchange had taken place? 'That he could use the opportunity to reorder the monarchy in a way that befitted these times and the public perception of what it should be?' Deep waters, Emily. Ruth Wilson and Michael Sheen as Emily Maitlis and Prince Andrew in A Very Royal Scandal One of the eve of the programme airing, Maitlis Charles approved of the interview which directly led to his brother's banishment from royal duties The produce of A Very Royal Scandal, Maitlis implied that the King relished the opportunity to reorder the monarchy 'in a way that befitted these times and the public perception of what it should be' King's reaction to Harry's birth While the King wished his estranged son Prince Harry a happy 40th birthday, Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell delights in offering an unflattering account of his birth in 1984. He claims Charles informed Diana he was 'off to the theatre' with then-mistress Camilla just hours after Harry's arrival. Diana's former butler Paul Burrell has claimed that Charles left for the theatre with his then mistress Camilla just hours after Harry was born Publicity-ravenous Burrell claims: 'He [Charles] said, 'I'm delighted. I now have an heir and a spare... my work is done.' Does gabby Burrell make it up as he goes along? New play implies Dahl resented his star illustrator When Roald Dahl wrote The Witches, many credited its initial success to the Quentin Blake's brilliant illustrations. Before he died in 1990, Dahl described Quentin as 'the finest illustrator of children's books in the world'. Roald Dahl in Tales of The Unexpected. A new play implies the author resented his star illustrator Quentin Blake Now a play at London's Royal Court theatre, Giant, implies Dahl resented Blake. It features Dahl grumbling about the share of the book's revenues that went to Quentin. The artist joins a long queue. His publisher, the late Tom Maschler, declared: 'Roald fell out with everybody.' Ruth Wilson shines light on playing Emily Maitlis As Emily Maitlis in A Very Royal Scandal, did Ruth Wilson, pictured, go beyond the call of thespian duty to portray the pushy ex-Newsnight Madonna? 'She's clumsy,' Wilson tells Radio Times. Ruth Wilson says Emily Maitlis was 'clumsy' and that the journalist gave her her military-style jacket used in the Andrew interview 'She has ink everywhere, on her clothes, on her mouth, because she chews her pens. She also gave me one of her handbags and the lining was covered in pen ink. I wanted to put 'Ruth was here'. I used that bag on set. She gave me the military-style jacket [used in the] interview; I could smell Emily on me.' Churchill's daughter in-law's link to Princess Diana Pamela Harriman's biographer, Sonia Purnell, unearths a macabre link between Princess Diana and Winston Churchill's grande horizontal daughterin-law. Pamela, Bill Clinton's Paris envoy, died aged 76 after suffering a brain haemorrhage in the pool at the Ritz in 1997. Pamela Harriman (pictured) died of a brain haemorrhage in a pool at the Ritz - and was fished out by Henri Paul, who drove Diana from the hotel to her death And who fished her out? Employee Henri Paul, who seven months later drove Diana from the Ritz to her death. Sir Keir Starmer appeared to chuckle as racegoers booed him at the St Leger Festival in Doncaster Prime Minister booed in Doncaster Sir Keir Starmer appeared to chuckle as racegoers booed him and chanted insults at Doncaster on Saturday. Surely the PM couldn't have thought the punters were calling him a 'banker'? Councils will soon be barred from issuing controversial ticketless parking fines in a move described as a victory for 'common sense'. NSW Finance Minister Courtney Houssos will legislate the ban of ticketless parking fines this month after councils collected $155million from tickets last year. The move follows years of complaints from drivers who argued they had no opportunity to contest the fines until it was too late. The current fine system, introduced under former premier Gladys Berejiklian in 2020, allowed rangers to issue digital fines which drivers would only learn of weeks later. The gap in time meant drivers were unable to collect evidence - like a photo of their parked vehicle - immediately after receiving the ticket. Drivers also struggled to recall the details of their parking spot from weeks earlier, meaning they were less likely to contest the infringement. 'Frustration among drivers and community members about the ticketless parking system is high - and that's fair enough,' Ms Houssos told the Daily Telegraph. 'The ticketless parking fine system was introduced by the previous government without regard for the impact on drivers and families.' New South Wales Finance Minister Courtney Houssos will legislate the effective ban of ticketless parking fines this month (stock image) Recent data showed councils issued 822,310 ticketless parking fines last financial year, up almost 50 per cent from the year prior. The new laws will require parking rangers to leave a physical note informing drivers they have been fined. Supporters of the ticketless system claimed it would reduce confrontation between drivers and rangers. Rangers will still be allowed to issue a fine without a physical notice in very limited circumstances, including the installation of new warning signs. NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury described the move away from ticketless fining as a way to improve the public's trust in councils. 'Ticketless parking fines removed transparency and made it almost impossible for motorists to contest their fine if they felt they had a legitimate case,' he said. Sydney concreter Phillip Foglin was an outspoken critic of the system after he received a fine in the mail three weeks after the act. Recent data showed councils issued 822,310 ticketless parking fines last financial year, up almost 50 per cent from the year prior (stock image) When he requested the council provide photographic evidence he was illegally parked, the fine was dropped. 'It's frustrating because I came and went within the hour limit and felt like I had done nothing wrong, yet they could just issue the fine without proof or evidence,' Mr Foglin said. A bitter battle between the two children of a restaurateur who left a multi-million-dollar empire after she died from brain cancer has been decided in the son's favour. Amy Chant built the Chat Thai restaurant chain from one venue in Darlinghurst in Sydney's CBD 35 years ago to eight across the city at the time of her death in 2021. Ms Chant, who was feted as the 'Queen of Thai', left two wills - one written in NSW and the other in Thailand - which divided her empire between her children Palisa Anderson and Pat Laoyont. However, the two siblings have waged a bitter court battle over the past two years about their mother's capacity to execute the Thai will due to her illness. Under both wills, Palisa received part ownership of a farm near Byron Bay and a property in Mosman in Sydney's Lower North Shore, while Pat was given real estate in Thailand. The NSW's split shares of the restaurant chain's parent company, the CT Group, between the two siblings equally, with Pat receiving the Chat Thai CBD restaurant. However, the Thai will gave Pat all the shares in the restaurant chain's parent company, in addition to the rest of the estate. The feud ended up in the Supreme Court, with Palisa appealing a judgement which found in her brother's favour. Amy Chant (pictured) built the Chat Thai restaurant chain from one venue in Darlinghurst in Sydney 's CBD 35 years ago to eight across the city at the time of her death in 2021. Ms Chant, who was feted as the 'Queen of Thai', left two wills - one written in NSW and the other in Thailand - which divided her empire between her children Palisa Anderson (pictured) and Pat Laoyont The court heard that the two siblings did not see 'eye to eye in relation to the operation of the Chat Thai business', a fact which concerned their mother. However, Amy's brother Bob told the court that the creation of the Thai will was partly in response to a lack of 'trust' with her daughter's son-in-law, Matthew Anderson. 'I trusted Pat,' Bob reported Amy saying, the judgement noted. 'He will run this business the same way I want. I also wanted him to look after my estate that I intended to give to my grandchildren [referring to Palisa's children] once they grow up as adults. I don't trust Matt.' The court heard this sentiment was echoed by a Thai lawyer, responsible for drafting the new will, who also gave evidence at the hearing. The lawyer told the court he had asked Amy why she wanted to change her will and she responded, saying: 'I believe he [referring to her daughter's husband] wants to take control of all of my business'. Palisa had argued that her mother was exhibiting 'scatter-brained behaviour' around the time she changed the will. The Chat Thai business has expanded from one restaurant to a chain around Sydney Palisa had argued that her mother was exhibiting 'scatter-brained behaviour' around the time she changed the will (pictured: mother and daughter together) However, the court of appeal upheld the original judgement, finding that Ms Chant had a 'clear understanding' of what she was doing. 'Amy had been a successful businesswoman,' the judgement noted. 'She considered that her daughter was successful in her own right, and, on the evidence which the primary judge accepted, did not want her son in law to have a continuing role in the business. 'That was her prerogative but it was more than just a question of taste or even cultural or personal prejudice: the primary judge referred to Matts candid agreement that, "by the end of 2019, he had formed the view that the Chat Thai business model was outdated, ineffective and unproductive and that he raised those sorts of matters with Amy". Amy disagreed.' The appeal was dismissed, meaning Pat will inherit the majority of the estate. A person died after two planes collided mid-air at a Nevada airport on Monday. The aircrafts crashed into each other around 9.47am at Minden-Tahoe Airport, almost a month after another collision claimed someone's life during takeoff at the same landing strip. Authorities responded to the scene after one of the single-engine planes landed at the airport, 'while the other crashed into a field' near Highway 395, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. The Federal Aviation Admiration (FAA) said one of the aircrafts, a Globe GC-1B, had one passenger on board, while the other, a Cessna 206, had two. The pilot and passenger in that plane were reported safe without injuries while the single passenger died after crashing in a nearby field. Those involved have not yet been identified. It is unclear what caused the fatal crash. One person died after two single-engine planes crashed mid-air near Minden-Tahoe Airport on Monday morning in Nevada. One of the planes is seen crashed in a nearby field The Federal Aviation Admiration (FAA) said one of the aircrafts, a Globe GC-1B, had one passenger on board, while the other, a Cessna 206, had two. (pictured: Authorities at the scene of the crash) Witnesses reported that the Globe GC-1B caught on fire in the air before crashing, according to Sheriff Dan Coverley. The aircraft was still engulfed in flames when emergency personnel arrived, Coverley added. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have taken over the investigation. The NTSB told News 4 an investigator will examine the aircraft and document the scene. The agency will also request weather information, radar data, the pilot's medical records and maintenance records. The preliminary report of the crash is expected to be available in 30 days while a final report will be completed in 12-24 months. Witnesses reported that the Globe GC-1B caught on fire in the air before crashing, according to Sheriff Dan Coverley (pictured) The Minden-Tahoe Airport closed after the crash but has since re-opened. DailyMail.com contacted the FAA, National Transportation Safety Board and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office for comment. Another person died at the airport on August 20 around 8.19am after an experimental plane with two people onboard crashed during takeoff, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. The aircraft was an amateur-built Lockwood AirCam, the NTSB said at the time. The airport was closed after the crash and the cause of the collision is unknown. The deceased passenger has not been identified. On September 8, 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. That aircraft was still engulfed in flames when emergency personnel arrived Those involved have not yet been identified. It is also unclear what caused the fatal crash 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 residents of Connecticut. The plane left Connecticut's Windham Airport around 8:30am 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 eaten. 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 told cops how the girl had been receiving flying lessons from Pelletier, while Rodriguez, a pilot as well, was there to accompany them. It remains unclear who had been piloting the four-person craft. Labour has defended plans to give British workers French-style rights including thee right to 'switch off' and ignore their bosses while at home, claiming the reforms will boost productivity. Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds will publish an employment rights bill next month which, if passed, will give British workers more protections from day one, ban 'exploitative' zero-hours contracts and make flexible working a default right. While businesses up and down the country have raised serious concerns over the proposals, Reynolds insisted they would be a net benefit. He told The Times: 'It does contribute to productivity, it does contribute to [staff] resilience, their ability to stay working for an employer. 'Good employers understand that their workforce, to keep them motivated and resilient, they do need to judge people on outcomes and not a culture of presenteeism.' He claimed that businesses had responded well to the proposals. Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds (pictured) will publish an employment rights bill next month which, if passed, will give British workers more protections from day one While businesses up and down the country have raised serious concerns over the proposals, Reynolds insisted they would be a net benefit (File image) 'These are popular changes, both with the public and actually with businesses themselves. 'Every time we have a session with business where we are able to talk candidly, they are reassured by what we are saying and actually they support it'. The shift in policy stands in stark contrast to the Tories' approach to work, with Reynolds lambasting the approach taken by his predecessor, Jacob Rees-Mogg, as 'bizarre.' 'Jacob Rees-Mogg made this big thing as business secretary [in] declaring war on people working from home. 'That's pretty bizarre given the economic position the country was in and the real business agenda that needs to be pursued.' Shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake previously told the Mail the proposals would mean business closures and job losses. Making flexible working the default and requiring employers to accommodate it is a work from home charter but also, and very significantly, it switches the decision on how and where people work from the employer to the worker, he said. More red tape from a classic socialist, big state government, which will stifle economic growth and lead to business closures and job losses. Former Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg said: The UK has had a productivity problem for 30 years made worse by the move to working from home. Employers will not risk creating new jobs if Labour creates an idlers charter which will reduce opportunities for all workers. Tom Clougherty, director of the Institute of Economic Affairs, said the stack of new regulations on the labour market will reduce flexibility and increase structural unemployment. MailOnline has contacted the Labour Party for comment. Lib Dems dashed from their hotel breakfasts Ill stick to the prunes, Derek an ageing buffet-goer had said at the Holiday Inn but not for the reason you might think. The days first debate was on proportional representation. For Lib Dems, 9am on a Monday doesnt get more exciting than that. There was a slow-motion stampede for the conference hall, the halt and lame, wonkish and weird hobbling down the sea front, trousers flapping, walking sticks clacking like castanets as they hastened to the big event. By the time I fought my way to the hall Christine Jardine, MP for Edinburgh West, was complaining that the worst thing about Britain was that nobody quite understands the DHondt principle except in this room perhaps. That drew knowing clucks from the audience of electoral reform connoisseurs. The DHondt method is a complicated system of dishing out parliamentary seats. It is named after a 19th century Belgian mathematician, Victor DHondt, who may have been the Carol Vorderman of Victorian Ghent. Outside, sunbathers enjoyed a beautiful day, children ate ice creams and a middle-aged man with a Mohican hairdo was having a devil of a time with the seaside breezes. You can always spot punk-rockers from coastal towns. Their Mohawks bend at an angle like clifftop blackthorn bushes. Lib Dem leader Ed Davey. For Lib Dems, 9am on a Monday doesnt get more exciting than that. There was a slow-motion stampede for the conference hall the conference hall, the halt and lame, wonkish and weird hobbling down the sea front The conference hall heard that overseas voters should have their own MPs imagine being the Hon Member for the Algarve and that there should be another referendum on proportional representation Sir Ed giving his party speech. One former parliamentary candidate disclosed that she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, so badly shaken was she by our leaving the EU While all this cheerful life was happening by the beach, those of us inside the conference hall were being subjected to a tooth-grinding discussion about alternative vote plus, single transferable votes and top-up components. We heard that overseas voters should have their own MPs imagine being the Hon Member for the Algarve and that there should be another referendum on proportional representation. Nick Clegg lost one in 2011 but Lib Dems do not let that stop them boring on about the issue. Same with Brexit. A former parliamentary candidate disclosed that she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, so badly shaken was she by our leaving the EU. Every time she sees Nigel Farage on the television she presumably grabs a tin helmet and jumps into the nearest foxhole. Instead of having one MP we should have two, suggested a Cheshire member. A woman from Runnymede thought MPs should be called local champions. A chap from Enfield, bald head as flat as Table Mountain, cried that this debate on voting methods was the most Lib Dem moment of my life. Whereupon the MP for Hazel Grove, Lisa Smart, told them to stop being such massive nerds. She said it again. Lets stop being such nerds. Were they offended? Dont be daft. They took it as a compliment. Tim Farron, former party leader, arrived to conduct a review of the last election. My names Tim, he said, faux modest. Christine Jardine (pictured), MP for Edinburgh West, was complaining that the worst thing about Britain was that nobody quite understands the DHondt principle except in this room perhaps. That drew knowing clucks from the audience of electoral reform connoisseurs Current deputy leader Daisy Cooper (pictured), who spoke about health, mainly her own. She disclosed that she nearly died from Crohns disease 12 years ago. The hall listened with sympathetic interest. Ms Cooper is today a picture of toothy fitness, exhaustingly positive A succession of local Lib Dem agents and organisers made mini speeches. They were Radio 4 to a tee: prosperous, pukka, white. In an earlier age theyd have been church wardens of the damper Anglican variety. Now they belong to the Church of Tim and Ed. Single-syllable Christian names an advantage. There was fretting about the Greens, who have wiped out the Lib Dems in some city centres. Greens are younger, less wall-eyed, even more socialist. We need to pivot now and oppose Labour, offered a poshie from Oxfordshire, but that found little favour. Lib Dems like Labour; but they are scared of those feral Greens. Two possible future-leader pitches came from Layla Moran in the Gaza debate she was a chilly as a bowl of gazpacho and current deputy leader Daisy Cooper, who spoke about health, mainly her own. She disclosed that she nearly died from Crohns disease 12 years ago. The hall listened with sympathetic interest. Ms Cooper is today a picture of toothy fitness, exhaustingly positive. She tried to work some outrage about the NHS into her speech but it did not fly. You cant denounce opponents if you keep smiling. It was like being told off by a Pilates instructor. Did YOU witness the crash? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk A pedestrian has lost a leg in a horror 'hit-and-run' crash in Bradford where a severed limb was left in the road. The incident reportedly took place on Halifax Road, near to the Tesco in Buttershaw, Bradford, at around 8pm on Monday. A horrifying video, seen by MailOnline, showed a casualty lying in the middle of the road with their arms outstretched as a group of men gathered around. The grisly footage then showed a severed lower leg just metres away. Video footage showed a grisly clip of a severed leg lying in the middle of the road following the incident Photographs posted to 'X', formerly known as Twitter showed a police cordon in place around a Pelican crossing near the supermarket. Police officers could be seen gathered inside the cordon, while debris including a shoe, lay in the road. Local residents described the high-speed impact crash as 'horrendous', according to the media company. Video footage showed a Forensic Collision Investigation team arriving at the scene on Monday Footage also showed a Forensic Collision Investigation team arriving at the scene. Halifax Road remained closed on Monday following the collision. West Yorkshire Police has been contacted by MailOnline for comment. A furious Aldi shopper has slammed the supermarket after he discovered a pack of meat weighed less than what was advertised. The customer uploaded a video to social media platform X after he bought a pack of three star beef mince. 'I Just bought some mince from Aldi, labelled 500g on the packet,' he said. He then showed the chunk of meat on top of scales. The display on the scales revealed the meat actually weighed 412g. The shopper wasn't impressed and expressed his displeasure. 'What the hell Aldi?' he said. Many social media users were left outraged with some calling to boycott the supermarket. The Aldi shopper uploaded a video to reveal a 500g of beef mince weighed much less that was it was meant to be (pictured) 'Australia, boycott Aldi,' one wrote. Some were quick to point out a minor detail on the label that supermarkets don't have to specify how much a product weighs. 'The magic e indicates the actual weight will be less than advertised. Theoretically, it means the weight could be either under or over,' one wrote. 'The 'e' next to the weight designates 'estimate'. They [major supermarkets] all do it,' another person wrote. Internationally, the mark is used to certify that the contents of the package 'comply with specified criteria for estimation'. Others thanked the shopper for checking the actual weight while others expressed their shock. 'No way Aldi - almost 100g difference,' one wrote. Customers have raised the issue of the weight labels when they purchased packs of meat from other supermarkets. The furious customer revealed the item actually weighed 412g (pictured), but commenters on social media were quick to point out that the label on the pack was an estimate One Woolworths shopper previously shared a photo of their $7.50 lean beef mince weighing 262g - rather than the 500g it was meant to be. Daily Mail Australia understands that Aldi's supplier partner has systems that weigh their products and any systems that do not meet their standards are rejected. Consumers are advised that they can return products they are not satisfied with for a full refund or alternatively a replacement. Keir Starmer yesterday signalled he is ready to pay foreign countries millions of pounds to help tackle the migrant crisis as he hailed Italy's success in curbing illegal crossings. The Prime Minister, who scrapped the last government's Rwanda scheme, said he was now willing to embrace 'British pragmatism', including looking at an Italian scheme which involves sending migrants to Albania. Speaking at a press conference alongside Italian PM Giorgia Meloni in Rome, Sir Keir said was eager to learn from Italy's 'dramatic' success in cutting illegal arrivals across the Mediterranean by 62 per cent this year. Ms Meloni said Sir Keir had shown 'great interest' in Italy's new plan to send thousands of migrants to Albania to have their asylum claims processed. She told reporters at 17th-century Villa Doria Pamphili that both leaders believed 'new, brave options' were needed to tackle the 'massive' problem of illegal migration. Sir Keir Starmer shaking hands with his Italian counterpart Georgia Meloni during a visit to Rome on Monday The Prime Minister said he was willing to embrace 'British pragmatism', including looking at an Italian scheme which involves sending migrants to Albania, to tackle the small boats crisis. Migrants arriving at the Port of Dover on Monday The scheme is different to the Tory government's Rwanda scheme as those whose claims are approved will have the right to settle in Italy. But the Italian PM said she believed sending people abroad for processing would create 'the element of deterrence' to those considering making the crossing. She said the 'world is watching' the success of the scheme, which is due to start in the coming weeks. Ms Meloni confirmed the two leaders had discussed the Albanian deal, adding: 'The UK Government has shown great interest in this agreement.' Sir Keir suggested he was also interested in Italy's deals with countries like Tunisia and Libya, which have been paid millions of pounds to help prevent migrants leaving their shores for Italy. Government sources said ministers were interested in exploring similar arrangements with countries like Vietnam, Turkey, Iraq and other countries from which thousands of migrants set off in search of a new life in the UK. Sir Keir said he was particularly interested in Ms Meloni's work to tackle 'upstream' issues in migrant's countries of origin. He added: 'That is why I am interested in the upstream work, which on the face of it, appears to have had quite a profound effect on numbers. 'I have always made the argument that preventing people leaving their country in the first place is far better than trying to deal with those that have arrived in any of our countries. 'I was very interested in that. In a sense, today was a return - if you like - to British pragmatism.' The Italian government has faced criticism from humanitarian groups about its deals with Albania and its wider approach to migration, including claims it has frustrated groups trying to rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. But Ms Meloni told reporters in Rome: 'I don't know what human rights violations you're referring to, to be totally frank. This accusation, I think it's completely groundless.' Sir Keir defended his decision to forge closer relations with Ms Meloni, who some in Labour have branded 'far right', saying that Italy was an 'important ally'. 'I don't think anybody will think it's sensible for us not to continue with that strong bilateral approach on those really important global issues which is what we discussed today,' he said. 'Italy's an ally and we work with our allies.' Sir Keir was accompanied by former police chief Martin Hewitt, who was confirmed yesterday as the UK's new 'Border Security Commander'. The pair toured a centre in Rome dedicated to tackling illegal migration. Last night ministers announced an extra 75 million funding for the new Border Security Command to help pay for extra equipment and staff. Tory shadow home secretary James Cleverly said: 'All we heard today from Starmer was more words in place of action. Meetings, press conferences, and roundtables won't stop the people smugglers. Sir Keir defended his decision to meet Meloni, saying that Italy was a an 'important ally' Tory leadership candidate James Cleverly said that Sir Keir had produced 'more words in place of action' 'They have finally appointed a border commander but the job itself remains a mystery.' The UK will give some 4 million to an initiative called the Rome Process, an Italian government scheme to tackle the root causes of irregular migration, following the meeting of the two leaders. In an effort to renew trade ties, Italian companies are meanwhile set to make investments into the UK worth almost 500 million. Defence, aerospace and security company Leonardo will invest 435 million in 2024 to be spent at their Yeovil site and in technology development and research programmes across the UK, according to Downing Street, supporting 8,000 jobs. Steel manufacturer Marcegaglia will invest 50 million in Sheffield to build a new clean steel electric arc furnace, creating 50 new jobs. King Charles is selling his own brand of gin to tourists visiting the Sandringham Estate. The monarch, a reported fan of the spirit, is offering guests at the Norfolk property drinks created with produce grown on the estate. Guests are being offered cocktails with raspberry and apple flavoured gin or 'Celebration Gin' for just 6.50. The Celebration Gin is made with persimmons, along with myrtle grown from a cutting from the wedding bouquet at King Edward VII and Queen Alexandras marriage in 1863. The apple and raspberry gin, meanwhile, is made by steeping the fruit in distilled spirit. Guests can also buy raspberry and gin preserve for 6.99, as well as gin-flavoured chocolates for 14.99. The monarch, a reported fan of the spirit, is offering guests at the Norfolk property drinks created with produce grown on the estate Last year, the King showed off his wild side after being filmed sipping straight gin while visiting Malton in Yorkshire Last year, the King showed off his wild side after being filmed sipping straight gin while visiting Malton in Yorkshire. Wearing a smart camel coat as he picked up the shot glass of gin, the King, 74, had a quick sniff of the spirit as the bartender explained it was 'London dry'. When the staff member asked if the King wanted 'a little bit of tonic water', he replied: 'I'll just take this please', much to the delight of others in the room. Queen Camilla was among those laughing at her husband's quip as she gave someone out of shot a knowing look, while the King sipped on the gin. With the glass still half-full, he put it back on the bar and the bartender topped him up with a little bit of tonic - but the King requested 'just a drop'. Following his tasting, His Majesty asked about the flavour profile of the spirit, and the 'botanical' taste he had picked up. A business owner was left financially crippled after scammers stole $50,000 despite his warning to the bank to pause the cash transfer. Wade Brown received a panicked late-night phone call one Friday night in 2022 after his staff noticed $50,000 was missing from the bank account for his business Pure Glass WA - which is located at Margaret River, south of Perth. The money was sent to a bank account with AMP titled 'Pure Glasses' with the description 'Invoice 21745'. Mr Brown quickly called his bank, Bankwest, and froze his account. He claimed the bank staff promised to alert AMP of the fraudulent transfer, which it did within 35 minutes. However, Mr Brown still felt uneasy so called AMP himself to ensure the funds would not clear. AMP reportedly told him the transfer would remain pending until Monday. Despite the reassurance from both banks, the $50,000 was successfully transferred to the AMP account and into the hands of the scammer. Mr Brown has spent the past two years desperately trying to get his money back, but to no avail. Wade Brown (pictured) lost $50,000 in 2020 after a scammer tricked an employee at his business, Pure Glass WA Mr Brown quickly called his bank, Bankwest, and froze his account. He claimed the bank staff promised to alert AMP of the fraudulent transfer 'It almost crippled us. $50,000 is a lot in any small business,' he told news.com.au. The business owner claims Bankwest told him in 2022 his business was liable for the scam, not the bank, and refused to reimburse him. Mr Brown then launched a complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). AFCA also concluded the fault lay with Pure Glass WA and that Bankwest was not responsible for reimbursing the business. While Mr Brown admits the scam 'could have been a lot worse', he feels as though the banks cheated him. He is still trying to piece together how the hackers were able to successfully enter his Bankwest account. It's understood the day before the scammer called, Pure Glass suffered an internet outage. Subsequently, the scammer called pretending to be a Telstra employee investigating issues with the business' modem. One of Pure Glass' employees fell for the scam as the criminal was able to provide details of the business' modem. Mr Brown claimed the scammer should not have been able to access his bank account to make the two transfers (pictured) Bankwest claims the employee was then convinced to download software onto the business' computer, which gave them remote access to Pure Glass' systems. Mr Brown claimed even if the scammer did have access to Pure Glass' computer, they would not be able to access its banking processes because a code must be entered before any transaction is approved. That code is generated by a dongle kept in a locked room and changed every few minutes. 'I tried to do two transactions without a security code - it's impossible,' Mr Brown said. Bankwest claimed the scammer was able to obtain the token code by sending it to a registered mobile number. A Bankwest spokesman would not comment directly on Mr Brown's case to the outlet but said keeping customers' funds secure 'is a priority'. It added it is 'accelerating investment' into its scam-detection technology and claimed it 'does everything it can to prevent or recall funds lost to scams'. An AMP spokeswoman said 'this does seem like a case that would benefit from further investigation' and urged Mr Brown to make contact again. 'AMP recognises our important role in working with regulators and other banks to help protect the community from fraudulent activity, and like other organisations, we've uplifted and improved our own systems and practices to protect consumers,' she said. Daily Mail Australia has contacted both banks for further comment. At least two people are dead and entire villages have been evacuated as thousands of firefighters battle raging wildfires in Portugal. About 5,000 firefighters were battling fires across the country, with 1,100 in the northwestern Aveiro district where one forest blaze reached the outskirts of the town of Albergaria-a-Velha. The European Union has been asked to send more water-bombing aircraft to douse the infernos. Authorities said they had deployed 12 water-bombing aircraft in that district and were fighting at least 20 fires across the country. Also, police have shut a stretch of the main highway between Lisbon and Porto due to thick smoke. A silhouette of a firefighter is pictured during a wildfire at Ribeira de Fraguas, Albergaria-a-Velha in Aveiro Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire in Canas de Senhorim, Portugal, September 16 Firefighters fight a forest fire in Zimao, Vila Pouca de Aguiar as thousands of emergency workers descend on the scene People walk amid smoke from a wildfire in Penalva do Castelo. A major motorway was shut due to smoke A firefighter speaks on his wlakie-talkie as a wildfire approaches the houses at Ribeira de Fraguas People watch a wildfire in Canas de Senhorim. Sadly, at least two people are dead so far Firefighters run to help villagers during a wildfire at Ribeira de Fraguas A villager tries to extinguish a wildfire with a hose at Ribeira de Fraguas Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire in Canas de Senhorim. The government has asked for more aircraft A Kamov 32A11BC firefighting helicopter drops water over the wildfire in Ancede Firefighters combat a wildfire in Busturenga. Two people were in hospital with serious injuries, according to the civil protection service Two people have been confirmed dead, so far, after the remains of a man who apparently worked for a forestry company were discovered and in the same area, another person died of a heart attack as the fire approached. Two people were in hospital with serious injuries, according to the civil protection service. Albergaria-a-Velha Mayor Antonio Loureiro told reporters the fire had burned down four houses and was threatening 20 more as it raged in the industrial and residential perimeter of the town of around 25,000 people. The government requested eight more water-bombing aircraft from the European Commission under the EU civil protection mechanism known as RescEU. Two arrived from Spain, and two were expected from France while Greece said it would send two Canadair CL-415 planes. The situation is likely get worse amid unusually dry conditions and wind gusts of up to 43 mph, national emergency and civil protection commander Andre Fernandes said. Mr Fernandes also planned to maintain the current special red alert status across mainland Portugal. Temperatures topped 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) across the country over the weekend and Monday, and were expected to stay high into Tuesday. Portugal and neighbouring Spain have recorded fewer fires than usual after a rainy start to the year. But both remain vulnerable to the increasingly hot and dry conditions that scientists have blamed on global warming. The migrant influencer who showed other illegal immigrants how to squat in US homes will not be deported back to Venezuela, despite being ordered out of the country due to a diplomatic spat. An Ohio judge ordered Leonel Moreno, 27, to leave the United States on September 9, the New York Post reports. But earlier this year, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro stopped accepting deportation flights from the US and Mexico after Washington reimposed economic sanctions. The Biden administration said at the time that Maduro's authoritarian regime failed to restore diplomatic order as agreed upon last October, and the almost weekly deportation flights from the US to Venezuela came to a halt in late January, according to the Wall Street Journal. There are also no direct commercial flights from the United States to Venezuela after the federal Department of Transportation suspended them in 2019, citing reports of unrest and violence. Mexican authorities also said they would not deport Venezuelans on commercial flights, the Journal reports. Leonel Moreno, who gained notoriety over a video in which he encouraged migrants to squat at US homes, will not be deported back to Venezuela Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro stopped accepting deportation flights from the US and Mexico after Washington reimposed economic sanctions Moreno is instead being held in federal custody at the Geauga County Jail in Ohio, after Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested him for violating the terms of his probation - which he was put on for illegally entering the US on April 23, 2023. He later gained notoriety after posting a TikTok video advising his followers on how to 'invade' American homes and invoke squatter's rights. Moreno claimed in the video that under United States law, 'if a house is not inhabited, we can seize it'. He was referring to squatter's rights, or adverse possession laws - a common law principle that allows an illegal inhabitant to acquire ownership of a property based on continuous occupation without the legal owner's consent. Moreno posted videos encouraging migrants to take advantage of US benefits He traveled to the US with his wife and young daughter, whom he frequently features in his clips It later emerged that Moreno may have been a sergeant of the Venezuelan general directorate of military intelligence prior to crossing the border at Eagle Pass, Texas. He traveled to the US with his wife and young daughter, whom he frequently features in his clips. The family had reportedly been given $350 a week from the federal government, with Moreno at one point flashing $100 bills in a video encouraging other migrants to collect government handouts. 'I didn't cross the Rio Grande to work like a slave,' he said in the clip. Some of his other videos showed him claiming that he was begging for money on the streets with his baby daughter. Moreno is now being held at the Ceauga County Jail in Ohio Moreno was finally arrested in March. He had been wanted by ICE officials, who said he enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention program - which lets migrants on parole go free while officials track them until their next court date. But Moreno didn't show up for his court date in Miami in November 2022, and was listed as an 'absconder' from the program, leading to his detention. Moreno may also be on the hook for gun charges, after he was seen in one of his videos brandishing a large firearm in a gun store and asking his followers which weapon they like best. The video was flagged to Immigration and Customs Enforcement by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. He may face gun charges, after he was seen in one of his videos brandishing a large firearm in a gun store and asking his followers which weapon they like best Any further charges would 'escalate' the case against Moreno, former ICE field office director John Fabbricatore told the Post. But following his arrest, Moreno claimed he was a victim of persecution. 'I am in danger of death in the US! I need protection! I am being persecuted! My account has been blocked!' he told his followers in a video, as he visibly sobbed. 'My people, I need you to pay attention to what's happening because my family is on danger. They erased my TikTok accounts. I have received threats from powerful people. Help!' In another video he added: 'My people, they have gotten what they wanted! The envy has reached my family! Everything that's happening is because of your evilness! 'They want to silence me!' In another video from the Ohio prison, Moreno was heard complaining about his conviction. 'I came here to the United States because of persecution in my country...But they're doing the same thing to me in the United States-- persecuting me,' Moreno said. 'It's all misinformation in the media about me. They're defaming me, They're misrepresenting me in the news... I am a good father, a good son, a good person, humble, respectful to people who respect me.' An asylum seeker who has been waiting years for an Australian visa has blasted a Labor MP over immigration laws, complaining he doesn't want to be sucked into a life of crime but the government won't let him work or study. Footage of the conversation between Julian Hill, the Labor assistant minister for citizenship and multicultural affairs, and a foreign national was captured at a protest outside Mr Hill's Dandenong office, in south-east Melbourne, on Monday. The protest has been running for about 65 days and was orchestrated by refugee groups, some of whom say they have been waiting more than 12 years for the government to make a decision about their residency status in Australia. In the video, which was shared on TikTok, Mr Hill was on his way to lunch when he started talking to a male protester who expressed extreme frustration over the visa scheme. The protester is not shown in the footage. Mr Hill said: 'I'm pretty in touch with the community around here and talk to people ... I'm aware of the issues. Labor MP Julian Hill is pictured speaking with protesters outside his office in Dandenong 'The government has granted 19,000 permanent visas to people who are on [temporary protection visas] and [safe haven enterprise visas].' He explained 'a couple of thousand' people have moved from the bridging visas queue to the resolution of status queue, which means they have been granted permanent residency. The protester said he was grateful to the government for granting those visas, but said many people who were rejected in the former government's fast-track program are 'just sitting in limbo'. The fast-track process was an attempt by the Coalition to streamline the process, but ultimately meant individual cases were not properly reviewed, the definition of a refugee was altered, and the application was 60 pages and only available in English. In the video, the man said: 'Personally, I have no right to work and no right to study ... So the thing is, how am I going to survive? I don't want to go over to crime.' Protesters have been outside Mr Hill's office for about 64 days Mr Hill interjected, telling the protester criminal activity would reflect badly on his visa application: 'Don't do that, that'll give you character problems.' He replied: 'That's the thing - I'm trying to do the right thing and the government is penalising me.' In the video, the man explained he was in the audience during an episode of the ABC's Q&A on September 2, when Mr Hill was a panelist and said Labor was trying to ensure all refugee cases were resolved as quickly as possible. His comments were in response to a question by a Tamil refugee, who said three people in her community had taken their lives in the Dandenong region within the last six weeks because they were facing deportation due to the fast-track process. Julian Hill (pictured in Parliament) is the assistant minister for citizenship and multicultural affairs 'With 8500 people affected by the previous government's fast-track process and denied a future here, why can't the Labor government grant us permanent visas after 12 to 15 years in Australia?' she asked. Mr Hill thanked her for her question and said he was deeply sorry for the loss of those three community members. He said: 'It hasn't been politically popular, and it hasn't been without controversy from Peter Dutton, that we've now granted permanent protection visas to this country to 19,000 people who were stuck in limbo for ten years. 'It does our community, it does our society, and it does our country no good to have permanently temporary migrants who have been found to be genuine refugees and owed protection by Australia.' He said there are about 1000 cases left to process, which have lagged behind because there are complicated identity questions. 'But more are being granted each week,' he continued. 'Of those people on bridging visas ... there's a lot of misinformation on social media about this, there's about 200 people still in merits review in the tribunal, there's about 4500 who are still in the courts in judicial review process. 'We've allocated more resources to the courts to speed up those decisions, there's now about 2000 people who were on bridging visas who were now able to apply for permanent visas who are now also in the queue. Mr Hill explained there are about 2500 people who are not genuine refugees, some of whom were part of the former government's fast-track process. A young British tourist has warned travellers to be careful when passing through Outback Australia after sharing a 'horror story' about her friend's experience. In a TikTok titled 'PSA for anyone planning an Australian road trip', Ash said she had been extra cautious while visiting a remote part of Western Australia. Speaking directly to the camera, Ash recounted how a friend had stopped at a service station in Fitzroy Crossing, a small town in the Kimberley region, 400km east of Broome. Ash said her friend was waiting in the car while her partner went to pay, 'and some kid came up to the window and tried to break into the car'. 'We're being super cautious and I have literally locked myself in the car,' Ash said in response to the story, holding the keys up to the camera. 'But it's to the point where every single person we've spoken to said if you're travelling Broome-Derby all the way through to Darwin, if you're stopping anywhere, just be super careful.' Fitzroy Crossing is a popular stop-over destination as it is one of only two towns on the well-travelled 1,000km highway stretch between Broome and Kununurra. Social media users said they had not encountered problems in the region, though they were extremely careful. British tourist Ash (pictured) recounted how a friend had a terrifying incident at a service station in Fitzroy Crossing Fitzroy Crossing is a small Outback town in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, 400km east of Broome. It is a popular stop-over destination on the well-travelled 1,000km highway stretch between Broome and Kununurra 'Omg halls creek was pretty scary driving through tbh,' one wrote. 'I'm so glad you didn't have any issues, especially travelling completely by yourself!' Ash responded. 'We actually ended up driving for about 11 hours straight from Derby to Kununurra in the end!' she wrote. Ash replied to another comment, 'We didn't have any trouble thankfully, but good to be careful.' Earlier this year there was a major outbreak of violence in Halls Creek, three hours drive from Fitzroy Crossing. Police were called to the scene of the out-of-control gathering to discover around 40 people fighting. WA Police say some were armed with knives, stones, sticks, metal bars and bricks. Officers broke up the brawl after deploying backup from Broome, Kununurra and Fitzroy Crossing. Liquor stores in Halls Creek were ordered to close to help stop alcohol-fuelled violence. The troubled town has become infamous as a crime hotspot. In 2022, unruly teenagers stole cars, destroyed property and caused havoc on the streets of Halls Creek - leaving residents too scared to leave their homes. An Ohio sheriff is asking residents to write down the addresses of homes that show support towards Kamala Harris in the presidential campaign, suggesting they could be forced to house illegal immigrants that are deluging the state in the future. Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski of Portage County, southeast of Cleveland, has suggested locals look out homes displaying lawn signs for the Democratic presidential candidate and in particular for Harris/Walz. 'When people ask me... What's gonna happen if the Flip - Flopping, Laughing Hyena Wins??' Zuchowski wrote, referring to the current vice president. 'I say...write down all the addresses of the people who had her signs in their yards! 'Sooo...when the Illegal human 'Locust' (which she supports!) need places to live... We'll already have the addresses of the their new families... who supported their arrival!', Zuchowski stated in a post to Facebook using anti-immigrant rhetoric. Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski of Portage County, is warning anyone who shows support towards Kamala Harris in the currently presidential campaign could be forced to house illegal immigrants that arrive in the state Sheriff Zuchowski of Portage County has suggested people write down the addresses of homes they come across showing support for the Democratic presidential candidate Zuchowski has been sheriff in Portage County since 2021 but has worked in law enforcement for almost 30 years. An estimated 15 to 20,000 Haitian immigrants have arrived in Springfield, Ohio in the last few years putting a strain on local services Zuchowski has suggested Trump supporters write down the addresses of homes where they see campaign lawn signs favoring Harris Zuchowski has been sheriff in Portage County since 2021 but has worked in law enforcement for almost 30 years. In comments under his Facebook posting, which has been shared hundreds of times, one supporter replied, 'I'll add that name to the list,' while another commented, 'Making a list and checking it twice.' Zuchowski faces a Democratic challenger to his re-election bid in November. In the 2020 election, Portage County voted 55 percent for Trump while 43 percent chose Biden. But not everyone agrees with Zuchowski, including Republican Portage County Commissioner Tony Badalamenti. 'I just thought it was pretty ignorant. Once it goes on Facebook, nobody really cares where it came from. If it's you, it's you,' Badalamenti said to Fox 8. 'Everyone has their own thought process on how they should represent their party. I disagree with that behavior. '[Zuchowski] posted that we should all copy down the addresses of the people that display political signs which are different from our beliefs. 'It scares people. It's called bullying - from the highest law enforcement official in Portage County.' The posting by Zuchowski comes as Ohio has been in the headlines over the sudden influx of tens of thousands of Haitian migrants to the city of Springfield in the southwest corner of the state, about 200 miles from Portage county. Portage County, Ohio, Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski is seen with VP candidate J.D. Vance Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski is seen with wife Mandy at a Trump rally Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski is seen with Vivek Ramaswamy, left, his wife Mandy and General Mike Flynn, right, at Trumps in March 2024 Zuchowski is encouraging friends and supporters to write down the addresses of people with Democratic yard signs Zuchowski is the highest law enforcement official in Portage County but is encouraging Trump supporters to note the addresses of Kamala supporters suggesting they might house migrants Locals living in the town of just 60,000 say the infrastructure cannot cope with with the arrival of so many at once and now residents say that crime is fast becoming an issue. 'It's like living in a dystopian nightmare. You hope you wake up and it's 2019 again, and then you realize it's 2024, and it's the same thing over and over again, day after day. It's hard sometimes to get up in the morning and hear residents that I've known for years struggle,' Springfield resident Diana Daniels told Fox News. 'This is a paycheck-to-paycheck kind of town working class. The citizens that depend on our social services like health care, going down to the SS office for benefits are waiting in line, and not getting the services they need.' Springfield suddenly found itself at the center of a storm after Ohio Senator JD Vance claimed on X that people have had their 'pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn't be in this country.' Springfield found itself at the center of a storm after Ohio Senator JD Vance claimed on X that people have had their 'pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn't be in this country.' Trump claimed during last week's presidential debate how Haitian refugees had been 'eating the dogs, the people that came in, they're eating the cats.' The claim was turned into a meme Trump won Ohio with 53.27% of the vote, defeating Biden who received 45.24% of the vote in the 2020 election The claim was then repeated during Trump's presidential debate with Kamala Harris while speaking on the issue of immigration and border security. Trump went further to claim how Haitian refugees had been 'eating the dogs, the people that came in, they're eating the cats. 'They're eating the pets of the people that live there, and this is what's happening in our country, and it's a shame,' Trump said in the response. Local officials have said there is no truth to the claims. Springfield Mayor Rob Rue has said 'a lie' is tearing apart the city of nearly 59,000 residents. '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 added in a statement. Corporate Australia will take a vicious swipe at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese by accusing his new industrial relations laws of taking the nation backwards. Business Council of Australia (BCA) chief executive Bran Black is set to tell Mr Albanese in a speech on Tuesday night that leaders of many major companies 'feel we are losing our way' economically under Labor. 'Instead of taking the big steps on the things that matter, we are taking incremental but noticeable steps backwards,' Mr Black will tell attendees at a dinner put on by the lobby group, which Treasurer Jim Chalmers will also attend. 'I've spoken to many CEOs who have said they are far more cautious about hiring after the government's raft of recent workplace changes.' Mr Black will take aim at Labor's sweeping new industrial relations laws that will see the return of sector bargaining for wages and conditions. The new laws also include a controversial 'right to disconnect' or ignore bosses' calls after work hours. This will put jobs at risk, according to Mr Black. 'For a good job to be well-paid, it has to exist first,' he will tell the Prime Minister. 'Abolishing multi-employer bargaining must be seen as a priority in this regard. Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black (pictured) is set to tell Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that the nation is taking 'step backwards' under his government 'We must get back as quickly as possible to having employers and employees reach agreements for their workplaces that reflect the fact that every business is unique, rather than seeing more top-down, one-size-fits-all approaches to policy.' Mr Black will warn that Australia is being weighed down by red tape with public spending and debt threatening to swamp future prosperity. 'Nothing we have seen seriously proposed by any side of politics in recent times would significantly alter that projection,' he will say. 'We're past the opportunity for incremental steps, and so the only thing that will matter is bold steps in policy. 'We're steadily increasing, not removing, regulation making it harder to run a business.' The CEO will also take aim at the Coalition over a Nationals-led push to break up Australian companies, such as forcing Qantas to divest budget carrier Jetstar. 'We see ideas on the table to force our best-performing companies to divest, notwithstanding review after independent review says this is the wrong way to go,' Mr Black will say. 'And we've seen so-called Robin Hood proposals to impose even greater taxes on our success. All of this reduces our competitiveness as a nation. 'And the upshot is best illustrated by the fact that I now have members major employers who are now actively choosing to invest overseas rather than in Australia.' When asked about the speech, Mr Albanese (pictured with his partner Jodie Haydon) stressed the points his government has in common with the Business Council of Australia Mr Black will also outline five key areas of concern for the BCA that it wishes to see parties committed to addressing during the federal election next year. They are the high cost-of-living, the housing crisis, targeting net zero CO2 emissions, the cost of aged care and the ongoing skills shortage. When asked about Mr Black's comments on Tuesday, Mr Albanese stressed that the BCA and his government had the same five priorities. 'That's a good thing, that we're in sync on what the priorities are,' he said. Mr Albanese said his government had created over one million jobs and supported higher wages, 'continued growth,' and a 'continued rise in business investment'. Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth accused business groups of 'posturing' ahead of next year's federal poll. She said the government was 'working with business across the board' to enhance productivity but fairness to workers was a key part of this equation. 'We have actually ensured that there's balance there when it comes to negotiating pay and conditions, and what we've actually seen is industrial action down and wages up,' she told Channel Nine ahead of Mr Black's speech. 'That's a good thing for workers, but it's also a good thing for business.' The BCA represents many of Australia's largest companies including BHP, Hancock Prospecting, the big four banks and accounting firms, Wesfarmers, Coles, Woolworths, Telstra, Atlassian and Qantas. Australian wives and children of Islamic State killers have pleaded to be allowed back into the country after years of being locked in a Syrian detention camp. A group of 12 women and 22 children - aged between five and 56 - who left Australia to join male partners who were fighting for ISIS have been kept in the al-Roj detention camp in north-east Syria for up to four years. They claim they are trapped in a 'living hell' with no sign of respite after the Islamic terrorist organisation was militarily defeated in 2019. Their husbands have all been killed or jailed in the wake of ISIS's defeat. Eight Australian children were repatriated by the Morrison government in 2019, and 13 more and four mothers were allowed home by the Albanese government in October 2022. But those left behind see no hope of a return, and insist the uncertainty is torture. 'We were told we were all going home,' said one of two Australian women in the camp who spoke to the Sydney Morning Herald. 'But over the last two years, we haven't been given any explanation as to why we were left behind when the others are now healing and moving on with life. 'This is just a form of indefinite torture.' A group of 12 Australian women and 22 children, aged between five and 56, are sitting ducks in the al-Roj detention camp in north-east Syria, where many of them have been for four years (pictured is al-Roj camp in September, 2020) The camp, which is near the Iraqi border, consists of dozens of tents set up on a field of dirt and gravel, enclosed by a metal fence. Al-Roj is home to around 2,600 detainees from 55 countries, many of them ISIS brides and their children. The camp is guarded by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and conditions are abysmal. Fresh food and clean water are hard to come by and the camp's location in the Syrian desert brings with it both scorching hot and freezing cold temperatures. Poll Do you think ISIS brides and their children should be repatriated to Australia? Yes No Do you think ISIS brides and their children should be repatriated to Australia? Yes 49 votes No 762 votes Now share your opinion 'We are left in the dark and brushed under the carpet like we aren't living, breathing human beings,' one of the women told the publication, communicating through retired lawyer Robert van Aalst. She added that everyone in the detention camp was sick and securing medication was a daily struggle. Boys as young as 10 have reportedly been separated from their mothers and siblings and taken to adult detention facilities in other camps. One of the Australian women detained said her son bites his fingernails until they bleed and has night terrors out of fear of being removed from his family. Beatings and gunshots are also reportedly common occurrences. The ISIS brides say they prefer to educate their children themselves, out of fear the school in the al-Roj camp could radicalise them. 'Our children want to go to school, make friends and go to a park that's not caged in by a fence and soldiers,' one woman said. The camp, which is near the Iraqi border, consists of dozens of tents set up on a field of dirt and gravel, enclosed by a metal fence In November last year, the Federal Court dismissed an application from charity Save The Children Australia (STCA) for the Australian government to repatriate the women and children still detained. The charity appealed against the decision which was knocked back again by the Federal Court in June this year. The court found the Australian government did not have control over the detention of the women and children but conceded if the government did want to repatriate the detainees, it would be 'a relatively straightforward exercise'. The STCA has now been granted special leave to appeal the matter to the High Court, with oral submissions to be heard on September 23. The charity's CEO Mat Tinkler said the ISIS brides and children were 'living in sweltering desert heat without reliable electricity or access to suitable healthcare or education'. 'Their situation is getting worse by the day,' he said in a statement. 'Australian citizenship must mean something, and we urge the Federal Government to end their suffering by immediately repatriating these families back home to safety in Australia. This would stop this legal action in its tracks. 'These are innocent Australian kids who have experienced immense trauma and suffering but are left to languish in desert camps, where they are rapidly losing hope. Al-Roj is home to around 2,600 detainees from 55 countries, many of them ISIS brides and their children (pictured, a woman in the al-Hol camp in Syria's northeast) Many of those living in the camp are unable to secure fresh food, clean water and medicine (pictured, a child hides at al-Roj in 2023) 'What I find difficult to comprehend is that the Australian Government could end their suffering right now by bringing them home and providing the chance for a real life, but our political leaders are choosing not to act. 'Just last month, the US, Canada, the Netherlands and Finland repatriated women and children from the camps, showing once again that repatriations are possible. 'Despite the ruling, we appeal to the government to end this relentless limbo and finish what they started almost two years ago, by repatriating the remaining children and their mothers before it is too late.' The Australian government in late 2022 announced plans to bring home 16 women and 42 children from the camp, but no further progress on the potential repatriation has been made. Many of the children were born in Syria and have never seen Australia, while their mothers say they were forced, tricked or coerced into marrying ISIS fighters. The Home Affairs department said it 'remained concerned about the remaining Australian-linked women and children in the internally displaced persons camps'. The department added assistance from the government was 'severely limited due to the extremely dangerous security situation and because we do not have an embassy or consulate in Syria'. A Florida middle school student's incredible cache of weapons has been revealed after the 11 year old allegedly bragged about his kill list and threatened to shoot up two schools. Carlo 'Kingston' Dorelli, of Port Orange, has been charged with making a written threat of a mass shooting - a felony - after he threatened to shoot up either his school, Creekside Middle School, or nearby Silver Sands Middle School, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office announced Monday. Authorities said they received a tip from other students that Dorelli showed off his collection of weapons in a FaceTime call, along with a list of targets. Some said they could not tell if the weapons were real or fake, WESH reports. 'He had written a list of names and targets,' Sheriff Mike Chitwood wrote on Facebook. 'He says it was all a joke.' Carlo 'Kingston' Dorelli, of Port Orange, has been charged with making a written threat of a mass shooting - a felony - after he threatened to shoot up either his school, Creekside Middle School, or nearby Silver Sands Middle School During an ensuing search of the boy's room, authorities found a large amount of airsoft rifles, fake ammunition, swords, knives and throwing stars - which the sheriff's office splayed out on a table like a drug bust. Officials also found a paper in his room with several names that appeared to have stab marks next to them. The child later admitted to showing his friends his collection of airsoft rifles and some of his knives, but could not remember if he told them that 'the airsoft rifles were not real, functioning firearms,' according to an affidavit obtained by Spectrum News 13. He said the other students 'began to discuss how [he] was going to complete a shooting,' but said he had 'no intention of causing any of the listed individuals harm,' according to WSVN. Dorelli was then taken into custody, as deputies filmed him being handcuffed and perp walked into the Volusia Family Resource Center for processing before he would be transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice. Deputies filmed him being handcuffed and perp walked into the Volusia Family Resource Center for processing before he would be transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice Authorities also revealed the wide range of weapons the child had Volusia County School District officials later told WESH that 'safety is our top priority, and this situation exemplifies how the security measures in place at our schools, as well as our partnership with law enforcement, ensures the safety of our students and staff. 'Thank you to the students who spoke up and submitted a tip when they heard something suspicious,' school officials said. 'We take all reports extremely seriously and work with law enforcement to ensure they are thoroughly investigated,' they added. 'We continue to encourage our students that if they see or hear something, they should inform an adult immediately or submit a tip to Fortify Florida.' Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood vowed to hold any child accountable who makes fake threats to shoot up schools Dorelli's arrest came just days after Chitwood vowed to hold any child accountable who makes prank threats amid a flood of bogus tips following the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia. Florida authorities had received 54 phony tips of an impending school shooting in a single night following the tragedy, costing the department about $20,000 in taxpayer money, Chitwood said. 'Every time we make an arrest, your kids photo is going to be put out there, and if I can do it, I'm going to perp walk your kid so that everyone can see what your kid's up to,' Chitwood vowed. 'For the little bastards out there who think this is funny, ha ha ha, you want to get on social media: You ain't that smart... You're getting caught,' he added. Andrew O'Keefe is lucky to still be living and jail might be the best place for him 'if he wants to stay alive', he has been told in a stern rebuke from a magistrate. The troubled former TV personality was back before the courts on Tuesday after being charged with drug possession and breaching his bail conditions, two days after being hospitalised following a heroin overdose. 'I shake my head,' magistrate Jacqueline Milledge said as O'Keefe's matter was called inside Waverley Local Court. The former Deal or No Deal host was treated by paramedics after overdosing at his Vaucluse unit early on Saturday morning. Emergency services raced to the Old South Head Rd home about 3.40am responding to a concerns-for-welfare call. The 52-year-old was taken to St Vincent's Hospital where he was treated and later released. 'He's lucky to be alive,' Ms Milledge said as she read the court papers on Tuesday morning. Police launched an investigation into the circumstances that led to the emergency call and O'Keefe was put under formal arrest at Rose Bay Police Station on Monday. Andrew O'Keefe was arrested after overdosing on the weekend. Picture: NewsWire/Max Mason-Hubers Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge (pictured) described his case as 'absolutely tragic' and 'absolutely sad' Police have alleged that during the search of a nearby vehicle they discovered prohibited drugs, which have been sent away for further analysis. According to court documents, O'Keefe is alleged to have been in possession of crystal methamphetamine. He was charged with breach of bail conditions and possessing a prohibited drug , and was refused bail to appear at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday. O'Keefe was not present in court and his solicitor did not make a new application for bail on Tuesday, meaning the TV star would remain remanded in custody. 'If he wants to stay alive that's the best thing to do,' Ms Milledge said. The court was told he may make a bail application, to be released into a rehabilitation facility, when he returns to court on October 10. But Ms Milledge noted 'he's done all that' and described his case as 'absolutely tragic' and 'absolutely sad'. 'He walks in that door, he's a frequent flyer, he's just so used to it,' Ms Milledge said in noting the many charges he had answered, further applications to deal with charges on mental health grounds and releases into rehabilitation. She said they had 'all been tried and tested and failed'. 'God help him, and it's a shame he doesn't have an epiphany,' Ms Milledge said. The breach of bail charge relates to allegations he threatened a man at a Point Piper address shortly before he was stopped while driving and found to allegedly be in possession of a crack pipe. In August, he pleaded not guilty at Waverley Local Court to charges of intimidation, entering enclosed lands without permission and breaching an AVO. Those matters will be heard alongside the fresh bail and drug charges on October 10. He appeared before Waverley Local Court on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire/Gaye Gerard The overdose happened just six days after O'Keefe successfully overturned a drug conviction, but failed to overturn domestic violence convictions, at the Sydney Downing Centre District Court last week. The former Channel 7 star and one-time domestic violence prevention ambassador was found guilty and sentenced to a 12-month and three 18-month community corrections orders in January after the magistrate ruled he had inflicted a 'frightening and degrading' attack on a woman. Last Monday, Judge John Pickering dismissed his appeal, after he had argued the victim had been untruthful. The former host of The Chase also successfully appealed his conviction for possessing an illegal drug mephedrone, known as 'meow meow'. Judge Pickering found there was reasonable doubt about whether O'Keefe had any knowledge of the drug being stored inside his apartment. He upheld the appeal and quashed the drug conviction. Three black friends who spend half a million dollars annually at Louis Vuitton are suing the luxury brand after receiving a shocking email banning them from the store over false claims they use 'drug money' to purchase items. Tracy Renne Williams, her daughter Brandi Williams and a friend, Kristopher Enoch, filed a race-based discrimination lawsuit against Louis Vuitton on Friday in California federal court. The plaintiffs have accused the high-end company of banning them from their stores for 'shopping while black' and telling them they would be arrested if they returned, according to the lawsuit. Tracy - a 'VIP' customer of the brand - preordered $50,000 in merchandise to be delivered to her home from the Louis Vuitton store in Costa Mesa, California in September 2022. She soon received an appalling email from the brand saying it could 'no longer' do business with her. But when Tracy sent her white assistant to purchase the same items she wanted, he was treated 'respectfully' and 'was not threatened with arrest,' the lawsuit said. Tracy Renne Williams (pictured), her daughter Brandi Williams and a friend, Kristopher Enoch, filed a race-based discrimination lawsuit against Louis Vuitton on Friday in California federal court The plaintiffs have accused the company of banning them from their stores for 'shopping while black' and telling them they would be arrested if they returned, according to the lawsuit. (pictured: Exterior of Costa Mesa store) The email to Tracy read: 'Dear Mrs. Tracy Williams: It has come to our attention that Louis Vuitton has been unable to satisfy your needs. 'Please be advised that Louis Vuitton is no longer prepared to do business with you and we ask that you no longer patronize our boutiques or attempt to order our products via telephone, online, or in person at any Louis Vuitton store. 'Please do not make further attempts to contact the stores. Any further attempts to communicate with Louis Vuitton should be directed to our Legal Department in writing to: Attn: General Counsel, Louis Vuitton Americas, 1 East 57th Street, New York, New York 10022.' After receiving the scathing correspondence, Tracy visited a Louis Vuitton store in Beverley Hills and was told by a white manager 'that she was no longer welcome to shop at the store and that she would be arrested if she stayed or returned,' the lawsuit said. After failing to receive the products or a refund for her order, Tracy sent her white assistant to the same store where he was treated drastically different than her, the suit detailed. 'To the contrary, Louis Vuitton staff treated him respectfully and, even when the assistant stated he would (and did) pay for the items with several thousand dollars cash, he was not otherwise prevented from making the purchase,' according to the document. When Brandi (pictured) entered a Louis Vuitton store in Chicago in July 2023, a white store manager who 'recognized' her soon 'refused to allow her to shop' there The lawsuit recognized Tracy as a 'VIP' customer for the brand, which gives her access to exclusive events and sales and 'dedicated Louis Vuitton concierges' who 'tend to her customer service needs.' After allegedly being 'blacklisted' from the company, the lawsuit claims Tracy, who once had a 'lucrative social media presence' showcasing her extravagant finds, has lost about $40,000 in revenue. Last year, Tracy attempted to purchase nine pairs of limited edition Nike Air Force 1 sneakers at $2,300 a pair, but couldn't because of the alleged ban, per the lawsuit. Instead, those custom sneakers were sold at auction to the public for $176,400-$352,800 a pair. Those same shoes have since been re-sold for more than $1million a pair, the lawsuit stated. According to the legal filing, her daughter Brandi also 'suffered discrimination' from the brand while shopping at a Chicago store in July 2023. During her interaction, a white store manager who 'recognized' her soon 'refused to allow her to shop' there, the lawsuit said. The manager also 'baselessly' accused Brandi of 'spending drug money' during her shopping spree, according to the lawsuit. Brandi then sent her 'non-black friend' in to the same store to purchase the desired items with a gift card under her name, but was soon contacted by an employee that the purchase was 'illegal' after discovering it was for her, the lawsuit claimed. The store also demanded that she return the purchased items, according to the legal filing. Tracy's friend Kristopher was also denied from purchasing a jacket at a Louis Vuitton store in Beverly Hills, California in September 2022 Brandi went on to enter a Louis Vuitton store in New Orleans and was again told to leave 'or she would be arrested,' the lawsuit said. Tracy's friend Kristopher also experienced a similar interaction while shopping at a Louis Vuitton store in Beverly Hills in September 2022. At the time, Kristopher grew fond of a jacket that a 'non-black customer' wasn't interested after an store associate presented it to them, the suit claimed. Kristopher told staff that he wanted to purchase the jacket for Tracy, but the employees told him 'it was not available' without a clear explanation from the store manager, the lawsuit stated. Following both Brandi and Kristopher's interactions, they 'received materially identical messages' that Tracy did from the luxury brand, according to the lawsuit. After each of them experienced their bizarre interactions with the brand, Tracy 'attempted to resolve' the issue at hand, the suit said. The three plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial and are suing the company for race discrimination under the Unruh Civil Rights Act, business discrimination, tortious breach of contract, and theft. (pictured: Inside Costa Mesa store) According to the filing, the Beverly Hills and Costa Mesa store placed blame on each other for the situations. She even got in touch with the vice president of the company, who told him 'he could do nothing about it' and directed her to the brand's legal team, the lawsuit said. Tracy has not heard back from the brand's legal representatives, the lawsuit claimed. The legal filing went on to reference Oprah Winfrey's 'experience with invidious race-based discrimination' with Louis Vuitton when the store refused to sell her a handbag in 2015. 'This bag is for the Italian people; its only for the Italian people,' the talk show host, who addressed about the situation in a video, recalled an Italian sales clerk saying to her at the time. The three plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial and are suing for race discrimination under the Unruh Civil Rights Act, business discrimination, tortious breach of contract, and theft, according to the lawsuit. DailyMail.com contacted Louis Vuitton for comment. A five-year-old girl smashed the window of a New York City school van after she was trapped inside for hours when the driver abandoned her. Queens resident Mahtabul Bhuiyan told WABC his daughter was picked up by a private van around 7am on Thursday to be taken to the Al-Ihsan Academy in South Ozone Park. However, the driver failed to check if there were any students remaining inside after drop off and drove 10 minutes away to Richmond Hill for a doctors appointment, locking the sleeping kindergartener inside. The little girl was frightened when she woke up, but was able to use her hard-bottom shoes to break one of the windows and gave her father's phone number to a stranger who called for help. 'It was like 82 degrees yesterday outside. And the minivan was fully sealed windows. From 7 [a.m.] to 10:30 [a.m.]. So she could have died. She could have died,' Bhuiyan told PIX11. A five-year-old girl (pictured) was trapped inside her school van on Thursday after she was picked up to be taken to the Al-Ihsan Academy and fell asleep The kindergartener was able to use her hard-bottom shoes to break one of the windows (pictured) 'Three hours stuck in that minivan. And she's not unconscious. I'm really proud of her because she was really brave. I can't imagine how she handled this situation.' The father said his daughter became hot while she was trapped in the van so she started to take off her uniform and drank her entire water bottle. According to AccWeather the high temperature in New York City on Thursday was 80 degrees Fahrenheit. 'The van was totally dark, nobody can see from outside, tinted. She opened her dress, and water drink, she drink all of the water because of too much heat inside. She could've died inside,' Bhuiyan said. Al-Ihsan Academy is a private Islamic school that costs $6,250 annually for grades K-8. Included in the fee is the school provided private transportation that costs $175 per student for each month. That school van driver, a man named Faruk, told PIX11 that he forgot to check the backseat. Her father Mahtabul Bhuiyan (pictured) said his daughter became hot while she was trapped in the van so she started to take off her uniform and drank her entire water bottle Al-Ihsan Academy (pictured) is a private Islamic school located in South Ozone Park that costs $6,250 annually for grades K-8 'No, no. I don't know. Because she sleeping,' he said. 'Yeah, it was mistake. Mistake. Inshallah. I will do it, inshallah. Sometimes me forget, like sometimes. You understand?' The school released a statement saying calling the incident 'unfortunate' and offered their support to the parents. 'This unfortunate incident deeply saddens us. The driver has been suspended. We met with the parents and will continue to offer support to them,' Al-Ihsan Academy said. On average, 37 children under the age of 15 die each year from heatstroke after being left in a vehicle, according to the National Safety Council. So far in 2024, 32 deaths have been reported and more than 1,000 kids have died in these incidents over the last three decades. A family from Texas have been left devastated over their pet dog who was euthanized after the animal wandered away from their home. Gunner, a 13-year-old Labrador, went missing last Tuesday in a rural area of Denton County, north of Dallas. The family own eight acres and usually allow their four dogs to roam the property's grounds freely. But it was only after Gunner was called in for his dinner and he didn't respond that the family began to panic. 'At that point, I'm starting to freak out, so I jump in my car and I drove around for nearly five hours,' Gunner's owner John Gilcrease told KTVT. A family from Texas say they are devastated after their pet dog was euthanized after the animal wandered away from their home Gunner, a 13-year-old Labrador, went missing last Tuesday in a rural area of Denton County, north of Dallas He was able to find Gunner had been taken in at a nearby shelter, the Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center. 'He's at a safe place. They're gonna feed him. He's gonna be happy to see me in the morning,' Gilcrease said he thought to himself. However, the shelter was closed on Wednesday, so Gilcrease was asked to come and pick his dog up on Thursday morning - but he was too late. When Gilcrease returned to pick Gunner up as arranged, he had already been euthanized, despite the shelter having a 72-hour hold on stray animals. Gilcrease explained how initially the shelter would not give him a straight answer as to what had happened to his beloved pet. Eventually, the director of the shelter admitted to euthanizing the pet. John Gilcrease, pictured with his wife, says that he and his family are devastated Gilcrease is trying to drum up attention to bring animal cruelty charges against the shelter The shelter explained they decided to waive their usual 72 hour policy to 'alleviate animal suffering' and euthanized Gunner, much to the surprise of his family In a statement the shelter tried to justify its actions saying Gunner was found to be 'geriatric, had severe mobility impairment, and no control over his bladder and bowels,' so he was put down. The shelter explained they decided to waive their usual 72 hour policy to 'alleviate animal suffering.' Gilcrease believes that any perceived medical issues the shelter found on Gunner were down to fear. He claims they said: 'Your dog was old. He had arthritis. He can barely stand up. He pooped and peed himself,' and I said "because he's scared",' Gilcrease said. 'My children are damaged. I'm damaged. I can't stop crying.' Gilcrease claims he wasn't even given an apology for what happened and was given Gunner's body in a plastic bag to take away Adding to the trauma, Gilcrease claims he wasn't even given an apology for what happened and was given the dog's body in a plastic bag to take away. 'I think Gunner's last moments were, "I'm scared. Somebody picked me up, somebody brought me to a place I don't know. Where is my dad? And why am on this cold table? And why are they killing me?"' Gilcrease said, who is now pushing for animal cruelty charges to be filed against the shelter. The City of Denton has asked the shelter to review its policies and processes with the findings to be shared with the community. The father of the teenage cyclist who was hit by an SUV driven by Daniel Andrews' wife has called for the case to be reopened following a bombshell new report that claimed police covered up the real circumstances of the crash. Peter Meuleman, the father of Ryan Meuleman, said the new report sheds 'a whole new light on what happened' to his then 15-year-old son back in 2013. Mr Andrews was state Labor and opposition leader when the SUV he, his wife and their three children were travelling in hit the teenage cyclist near Blairgowrie, on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, on January 7, 2013. The review by former police assistant commissioner Dr Raymond Shuey, who was commissioned by Meulemans' lawyers, found the Andrews' crash was covered up 'to avoid implicating a political figure'. Mr Meuleman said Dr Shuey's report 'contravenes the police report of what happened and contravenes Daniel and Catherine Andrews' version of events'. 'We are hoping Victoria Police will reopen the case and re-investigate the case thoroughly,' he told Melbourne radio station 3AW on Tuesday. 'The report really does contradict a lot of what is in the original police report. We do not believe the initial police investigation was thorough at all.' Although Mr Meuleman said a 'lot of old wounds have mostly healed' in the 13 years since the crash, the family felt at the time they 'did not really get justice'. Peter Meuleman (pictured in July) wants the investigation of the 2013 accident involving his son Ryan and Dan Andrews' family reopened following a bombshell new report 'We were dealt a bad hand,' Mr Meuleman said. 'With the new evidence and the new witnesses and the new reports we feel that we can get a bit more justice out of it.' Mr Meuleman said Dr Shuey's conclusions - that the SUV struck the teen after 'travelling at speed' and on the wrong side of the road - 'aligned more with Ryan's injuries' and also a report by Victoria's Traffic Accident Commission (TAC). Following the accident Ryan was airlifted to The Royal Children's Hospital with life-threatening injuries, including a punctured lung, broken ribs, a ruptured spleen and internal bleeding. Mr Meuleman said Ryan lost 90 per cent of his spleen but while many of the other injuries had healed the most 'devastating and long-lasting effect' of the crash has been the 'mental trauma'. 'We are just tying to protect him (Ryan) and trying to help him get on with his life and lead as normal a life as he possibly can,' he said. Mr Andrews has always insisted his wife came to a 'complete stop' and 'turned right from a stationary position' moments before the teenager T-boned the Ford Territory. Police closed the case without pressing charges, and officers were later cleared of any wrongdoing by the corruption watchdog over failing to breath test the driver. Ryan was 15-years-old and riding his bike in Blairgowrie on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula when he was struck by the Andrews' SUV on January 7, 2013 In his 36-page assessment of the investigation Dr Shuey found the evidence did not back Mr and Ms Andrews' account of what happened. 'The statements from both Daniel and Catherine Andrews that their vehicle stopped at Melbourne Rd are not consistent with impact consequences, nor the report by (witness) Brad Morgan of the squeal of tyres prior to impact,' Dr Shuey wrote. 'The effective vehicle stopping distance of 19.2m following impact is indicative of a speed of 45km/h prior to impact. 'The version as provided by Catherine and Daniel Andrews is considered improbable and implausible. The truth is still outstanding. 'It is most probable that the vehicle undertook a sweep turn at speed, cutting the corner and still on the incorrect side of the roadway in Ridley Street, 27 metres from Melbourne Road when the collision occurred.' The report, commissioned as part of ongoing Supreme Court damages proceedings into the crash, found the 'propagation of a lie' started when police recorded the driver's name. In a Traffic Incident System (TIS) report made by police hours after the crash recorded the driver's name as 'Catherine Louie Kesik' - Mrs Andrews' maiden name. The report found the name was contrary to that recorded in the investigation notes, TAC reports statements and 'contemporaneous notes' made by police. Andrews' Ford Territory car after the crash with Ryan Meuleman. Police reported Mrs Andrews as being behind the wheel at the time of the accident It asserted that the 'irregularity' with Mrs Andrews' name would be a 'standout' for supervisors, insurance, and legal reviewers. 'It is my opinion that this deception is part of a course of conduct and a component of an overt cover-up to avoid implicating a political figure in a life-threatening crash,' Dr Shuey wrote. 'Failure by supervisors and reviewers to identify this or seek explanation is inexcusable.' Dr Shuey added that Victoria Police did not show a competent professional practice as they failed to follow a 'rudimentary examination' of evidence in the investigation, which was demonstrated in their 'hasty and illogical conclusion'. The review explained the police report lacked critical information including photographs, measurements and professional interview techniques. Dr Shuey said investigators failed to account for the available evidence and labelled their conclusion as 'baseless and unsupported'. He added the 'negligent approach' undermined the integrity of the investigation and also jeopardised the 'pursuit of justice'. Police also repeatedly refused to provide Mr Meuleman's family with details of the driver, despite it being the duty of police to do so. Dr Shuey claimed the decision to not provide the family with the driver's details was 'designed to conceal the identity of those involved'. The report also questioned why Mr Andrews decided to drive away with a smashed windscreen. A bombshell review asserts asserts the investigation of Daniel and Catherine Andrews' crash with the teen cyclist was covered up 'to avoid implicating a political figure' 'If police, it is a dereliction of duty, if Daniel Andrews, it is the removal of evidence and in any event dangerous/careless driving at a minimum,' the report stated. But they later changed the documents to state that no test was given, citing that Mrs Andrews 'did not smell of intoxicating liquor'. The review concludes that another significant oversight was the police's failure to verify the identity of the driver of the government vehicle involved in the crash. 'Witness Jane Crittenden states she viewed Catherine Andrews in the passenger seat after the crash,' it asserts. 'In my opinion, this investigative failure is a deliberate omission. It leaves the question of who was driving unresolved and in dispute,' the review says. The Shuey review was based on analysis of FOI documents, witness statements and his own reconstruction of the incident. Dr Shuey died in August, just days after completing the report, following a health battle linked to Agent Orange from the Vietnam War. A now-adult Mr Meuleman is suing law firm Slater & Gordon, which represented him after the crash, for allegedly failing to act in his best interest when it negotiated an $80,000 compensation settlement with the Transport Accident Commission. Slater & Gordon denies the claims and will defend the proceedings. The trial is scheduled for May, 2025. In July, Mr and Mrs Andrews' were forced to hand over their phone and credit card details from the day of the crash following a Supreme Court Order. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest any wrongdoing by Mr or Mrs Andrews. Victoria Police have told Daily Mail Australia a 'thorough investigation' was conducted and its findings were consistent. 'As has been previously stated, Victoria Police conducted a thorough investigation into this matter, as did IBAC, and all findings were consistent,' Victoria Police said. 'We have no further comment to provide on the matter.' Daily Mail have sought further comment from Victoria Police. A business owner who makes a staggering $200,000-a-year has singled out Gen Z workers claiming they are unreliable. The Gold Coast man revealed managing younger workers was one of the hardest things to do while operating his roofing and cladding company. 'With the generation that's younger than me, everyone is unreliable,' he told job app Getahead in a TikTok video. He said the best part about working for himself is the 'freedom' to do what he wants because he is the boss. The man also revealed he never did a business degree and said he worked his way up after he got a job working a trade. 'You go out there and your mentality is your either driven or you not,' he said. 'If you're not driven, you want to work for someone else. If [you are driven], you work for yourself'. He also encouraged people who want to start their own business not to 'be scared' and 'just do it'. The man, who lives on the Gold Coast (pictured) slammed the younger generation as unreliable workers Dozens of social media users agreed that owning a business does have benefits. 'Working 100 hours so you dont have to work 38 for someone else,' one person wrote. 'I feel this deep to my core as a business owner,' another person wrote. Others said there are plenty of people who apply themselves to their jobs even though they are not self employed. 'Working for someone else doesn't mean you aren't driven,' one wrote. A young construction company owner previously told Daily Mail Australia apprentices these days aren't willing to work hard to achieve long term success. Corey Tomkins blamed social media for presenting a false view of how easy it is to succeed. 'Influencers peddle get-rich-quick schemes that get 'in the heads of these apprentices - and it almost creates a point of entitlement,' he said. 'It's not even the one per cent of people that have those Lambos, have those mansions, have all those nice things that pump it across social media.' A young construction company owner previously told Daily Mail Australia apprentices these days aren't willing to work hard to achieve long term success (pictured tradies) The average salary of roofers in Australia is between $80,000 to $100,000 according to online job website Seek. The salary for entry level positions start at $74,603 while experienced workers can earn as much as a massive $108,680 a year. But concedes that in the race to cover news 'mistakes are certainly made' ABC News boss Justin Stevens has lambasted unrelenting critics of the public broadcaster's star reporters, describing them as 'bullies' with 'ideological, personal or commercial' axes to grind. His comments come amid growing furore against the taxpayer-funded broadcaster following claims it published 'doctored' vision of an Australian soldier to make it appear as though he was repeatedly firing at an unarmed civilian. Forensic digital audio expert James Raper told Channel Seven's Spotlight the sound of six gunshots had been 'copied and pasted' into footage included in a 2022 ABC report about alleged war crimes to make it appear more sinister. The ABC has since launched an investigation into how the footage was manipulated before it appeared in the online news report by the ABC's investigations unit Mr Stevens has fiercely defended the award-winning star journalists behind the investigative series - Jo Puccini, Mark Willacy and Josh Robertson - saying they had 'no role in the production and editing' of the clip and and that it had been 'immediately' removed once questions were raised about its veracity. The manipulated vision has sparked a furious backlash against the broadcaster, with some critics accusing the ABC of deliberately denigrating the nation's war heroes. Mr Stevens addressed the offending footage while delivering a speech on media trust and transparency at the Melbourne Press Club on Tuesday, saying the error 'shouldn't have occurred' but any suggestion it was knowingly 'doctored' was untrue. He said the ABC was 'prepared to listen to good faith criticism' and respond accordingly, acknowledging that in the race to cover major stories 'mistakes are certainly made'. ABC News boss Justin Stevens has accused the public broadcaster's media rivals of launching targeted, personal attacks against its journalists for ideological and commercial reasons 'Mis-steps sometimes happen. And we must admit when we can do better,' Mr Stevens said in the speech. 'Just last week it was brought to our attention by Channel Seven that a video clip in an online story from two years ago had an error. 'A preliminary inspection suggests a section of audio was incorrectly edited. 'We removed the video and are still looking into how this happened. Once we have the full facts we will determine the appropriate response. 'Until we have clarity on how it occurred, I won't be making further comments about it, so as to not pre-empt that.' He then returned fire on the public broadcaster's most outspoken and unrelenting critics and accused them of being 'bullies' intent on waging a malicious war on ABC journalists' personal reputations. The ABC has defended ABC investigations editor Jo Puccini following claims fake gunshots were added to footage of an Australian soldier firing at Afghans to make it appear more sinister The public broadcaster said award-winning investigative journalist Mark Willacy was unaware of the error in the online news report before it was raised by Seven's Spotlight program 'We expect scrutiny on the ABC to be rigorous and thorough and I dont shy from that when its warranted,' he said. 'But sometimes whats called "scrutiny" is really an agenda-driven attack motivated by ideological, personal or commercial interests, often directed at specific journalists with the goal of denting their reputations. 'This trend across social media and from some media outlets and lets be honest and call it what it often is: bullying is about more than just the ABC. 'Spurious attacks on SOME journalists can potentially erode the reputation of ALL journalists. And that feeds the public's crisis of trust. 'This is why the scale of unfair attacks on ABC journalists, whether by social media trolls, commentators or our media competitors, should be called out. 'Disturbingly, we disproportionately see women, First Nations and culturally diverse journalists being targeted.' Mr Stevens also accused social media 'activists' of amplifying erroneous criticism and creating 'vicious pile-ons' of the ABC's highest paid stars. Mr Stevens said the ABC's biggest star journalists - such as Patricia Karvelas (pictured) - were always prepared to give public figures with opposing views 'a platform' to debate ideas 'Activists on X, for example, rarely go a day without piling on the ABCs respected National Political Lead and Insiders host David Speers,' he said. 'Davids track record and work over decades is exemplary. 'Make no mistake: hes a target of this vicious pile-on because a noisy cohort dont want an impartial journalist in a role like his. 'They want somebody who barracks for their side. David has the ABCs full support and respect.' He said the principle of 'impartiality' among the ABC's journalists was often 'misunderstood and oversimplified' before delivering another broadside to the broadcaster's media rivals. 'Impartiality does not mean journalists dont have feelings or opinions. Being human, of course they do. In fact, humanity is a grace note of the finest journalism,' he said. ABC News boss Justin Stevens says award-winning ABC star David Speers (pictured) would always have the public broadcaster's full support and respect 'It isnt only ABC audiences who have the right to expect impartiality. 'Any credible media organisation should ensure their journalism is accurate and fair, and they should have training and processes in place to support that. 'Just as importantly, we dont ask journalists to seek false balance to fall into reductive "both sides" reporting. 'In ABC content, we expect to see a diversity of perspectives where there is genuinely unresolved debate.' Mr Stevens maintained the ABC's journalists never shied away from offering 'a platform' to individuals of significant public interest - regardless of whether they personally agreed with their views or not. 'I cant imagine a Patricia Karvelas or a Michael Rowland ever going easy on anybody,' he said. ABC News Breakfast host Michael Rowland (pictured) was always up for a contentious debate, according to his boss 'The best political interviewers have their reputations because they hold all comers equally accountable. 'The audience is unable to discern any agenda for an interview other than getting to the bottom of matters. 'We reject suggestions that we shouldnt "platform" people with particular political views. 'We dont "platform" people, we report on them interview them, challenge them, scrutinise them. Again, so the public can make up their own minds. 'We dont aim to appease any side or audience segment. 'We reject any approach that selects and censors who we can report on, on the basis of an approved ideology.' The mother of a baby who had scalding coffee poured over him in a public park is struggling to leave the house since the attack as a crime expert warned that the perpetrator may never face justice. Nine-month-old Luka had been on a picnic with his mother in Hanlon Park, Brisbane, when the man approached them at about midday on August 27. Luka has undergone seven surgeries since the random attack three weeks ago. He has been left with severe burns to his chest, neck and face after a full thermos of near-boiling coffee was allegedly poured over him by a foreign national who immediately fled the scene. His mother, who can't be named for legal reasons says that her life will never be the same again and that she still struggles to leave the house. 'I went out by myself yesterday for the first time since, to do something for me and I was just having a panic attack and upset the whole time,' she told ABC. 'Luka might not remember, but we all certainly will.' A specialist in international law at Australian National University, Professor Donald Rothwell, told the publication that the 33-year-old suspect may be 'difficult to locate' after he fled the country within days of the incident. The mother of a baby who had a scalding how thermos of coffee poured over him has said that she now struggles to leave the house without having a panic attack Nine-month-old Luka had been on a picnic with his mother in Hanlon Park, Brisbane , when the man approached them at about midday on August 27 The main suspect, a 33-year-old foreign national, was able to flee the country on August 30 Professor Rothwell warned that the case may never be resolved because the foreign national flew out of Sydney Airport the day before police identified him on August 31. 'If someone doesn't want to be found and often they don't want to be found because they've fled Australia, because they are a suspect or a fugitive in this type of matter they can also be very difficult to locate,' Professor Rothwell said. He added that unless the man voluntarily hands himself in then, there could be nothing investigators can do to have him extradited back to Queensland. Professor Rothwell added that numerous factors such as the man's notoriety and his current location might become obstacles to the 'legal and a political process that needs to be followed'. The extradition process 'could be challenging and lengthy' for police, he added. If the suspect has fled to a country that does not have an extradition treaty with Australia, this also 'could create an additional set of challenges'. As the manhunt for perpetrator continues, Luka's mum revealed that the family's lives have been changed forever. Luka suffered life-threatening injuries and remains in Queensland Children's Hospital. His mother said that the recovery has been complicated because of his young age. Doctors told his family that if the same thing happened to an adult, they would have been able to offer skin grafts immediately which cannot easily be done on a baby. Detective Inspector Paul Dalton said the main culprit fled the country less than 12 hours before police were able to identify him. Officers are unwilling to specify which country the man escaped to for fears that it may jeopardise their ongoing investigation. Luka has been left with life threatening burns to his chest, neck and face and has thus far undergone seven surgeries at the Queensland Children's Hospital CCTV footage caught the man running through several suburbs during his escape Luka's mother told the publication that the thought of her son's attacker never facing justice left her feeling 'sick'. The 'callous and unprovoked' attack has changed her family's lives 'forever' and they will be 'furious' if the man is never caught, she said. CCTV footage captured the suspect fleeing on foot across several Brisbane suburbs immediately after he allegedly poured out his thermos as Luka's mother remained in the park screaming for help. It important that the culprit is caught because 'it's not fair that he gets away with this and can go and live a normal life after he's affected ours forever', the mother added. A lot of Luka's childhood will now be preoccupied by scar management but his mother hopes that Tuesday's surgery will be Luka's last. Doctors may still need to graft skin from Luka's thigh in the near future. A former private school principal accused of possessing child exploitation material has died unexpectedly hours before he was due to court. Paul Whitehead, who was principal of Bold Park Community School in Perth for almost a decade, was scheduled to appear in Midland Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. His lawyer Carole MacKay told the court on Tuesday morning that the 56-year-old had died on Monday, the West Australian reported. The charges were discontinued. They included one count of possessing child exploitation material, failing to obey an officer and unlawfully possessing a controlled or prescription drug. The circumstances of Whitehead's death were reportedly not considered suspicious. He had been on long service leave from the school for the past six months and was arrested and charged earlier this month. At the time, police seized electronic devices from Whitebrook's Ellenbrook home which allegedly had child exploitation material on them. Paul Whitehead (pictured), a former school principal accused of possessing child exploitation material, has died suddenly hours before he was due to face court The alleged offences occurred while Whitehead was school principal, but there was no evidence any student from the school was depicted, police said. Acting principal Felicity Kinsella confirmed the school had been advised of Whitehead's death. 'This news has come as a shock, and our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends during this difficult time,' she said. 'As always, the safety and wellbeing of our children is our priority, and we will continue to ensure a nurturing environment here at our school.' Paul Whitehead led Bold Park Community School (pictured) for almost a decade Counselling has been offered to members of the school community. 'Our Bold Park Community School spirit has always been resilient, and together, we will navigate this challenging period with care and unity,' Ms Kinsella said. Whitehead started at the school in 2010 and became principal in 2014. Lifeline: 13 11 14, Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Disgraced former BBC presenter Huw Edwards was spared jail yesterday after admitting accessing indecent images of children as young as seven. The 63-year-old previously admitted three charges of 'making' indecent photos after he was sent 41 illegal images by a convicted paedophile over WhatsApp. The case at Westminster Magistrates' Court has now concluded with Edwards being handed six months' imprisonment, suspended for two years. But a series of unanswered questions remain - including why the BBC waited so long to reveal the news of his arrest, and whether he will repay any of his salary. Here, MailOnline looks at the outstanding issues following the sentencing: Do more messages exist on other platforms? Huw Edwards admitted three charges of 'making' indecent photographs after he was sent 41 illegal images by convicted paedophile Alex Williams over WhatsApp. The former BBC presenter's offending came to light after South Wales Police seized Williams's phone and discovered their WhatsApp conversations. But the only evidence of their discussions comes from Williams's phone because the handset used by Edwards was never found and its whereabouts are still unknown. Edwards and Williams communicated over various platforms, but the only chat that could be recovered was the WhatsApp conversation found on Williams's phone. The court heard the WhatsApp messages indicated that a number of social media platforms were used for sharing images, and the men also met in person once. Now, the mother of a teenager 'groomed' by Edwards has questioned whether there could be more victims, given the broadcaster's device was not seized or examined. The woman of the man to whom Edwards paid 35,000 for sexually explicit pictures - which is separate from the indecent image offences - said that because police did not recover Edwards's phone, 'it makes me think, how many more victims are there?'. Former BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday Why did the BBC keep Huw Edwards's arrest secret? Huw Edwards was arrested on November 8 last year after South Wales Police discovered that images of children were shared with him on a WhatsApp chat. On July 31, after Edwards pleaded guilty, the BBC revealed that it had known in November that Edwards had been arrested on suspicion of 'serious offences'. BBC News, which is editorially independent when reporting on the BBC, said it was not aware of the arrest nor charges against Edwards until they were made public. After Edwards pleaded guilty, the corporation said it had been 'made aware in confidence' in November last year that Edwards 'had been arrested on suspicion of serious offences and released on bail whilst the police continued their investigation'. 'At the time, no charges had been brought against Mr Edwards and the BBC had also been made aware of significant risk to his health,' the statement added. The BBC also suggested that Edwards was not dismissed while he was still employed by the corporation because he had not been charged. It said: 'If at any point during the period Mr Edwards was employed by the BBC he had been charged, the BBC had determined it would act immediately to dismiss him. In the end, at the point of charge he was no longer an employee of the BBC.' Edwards resigned on April 22, leaving the BBC 'on the basis of medical advice from his doctors', according to the corporation. The BBC Board met last month to look at what was known in the lead up to Edwards being charged and the BBC's handling of complaints and investigations into him. A statement from the board issued on August 9 said the BBC's decisions were 'based on taking into account a range of factors including: the BBC's legal and contractual obligations; the knowledge the BBC had at the time; duty of care concerns; and, due regard for the accountability that the BBC has for public money'. Court artist's sketch of Huw Edwards in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday Will Huw Edwards repay his salary? The BBC has asked disgraced presenter Huw Edwards to hand back the 200,000 salary he earned after being arrested for accessing indecent images of children. The corporation knew the 62-year-old presenter had been arrested last November but continued to pay his salary until he resigned on medical advice this April. Edwards had been the BBC's highest-paid newsreader, with its accounts putting him in a pay bracket of between 475,000 and 479,999 for 2023/24. This was a 40,000 pay rise from 2022/23, when he was paid between 435,000 and 439,999. And the veteran broadcaster, who joined the BBC in 1984, was estimated to have received more than 200,000 pre-tax after his bosses knew of the allegations. Last week, BBC director-general Tim Davie gave an update on recovering pay from Edwards, in front of the House of Lords' Communications and Digital Committee. Mr Davie said: 'We've made the formal request, and I can't go into too much detail, but discussions are under way, but I've got no further news, apart from the BBC's position is clear, the money should be returned, and we made the request.' When asked if he had set a deadline, Mr Davie told the committee: 'I don't believe we set a deadline but we do expect to make progress and get an answer.' Edwards has not yet made any public comment on whether he will return the money, and the issue was not discussed at Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday. A BBC Board statement on August 9 said: 'The board has authorised the executive to seek the return of salary paid to Mr Edwards from the time he was arrested in November last year. Mr Edwards pleaded guilty to an appalling crime. 'Had he been up front when asked by the BBC about his arrest, we would never have continued to pay him public money. He has clearly undermined trust in the BBC and brought us into disrepute.' Mugshot of Huw Edwards who was given six months' imprisonment, suspended for two years Will the BBC take legal action against Huw Edwards? Tim Davie told the House of Lords' Communications and Digital Committee that the BBC will 'explore' the legal process if Edwards refuses to hand back his pay. But the corporation has not confirmed whether any action could actually be taken, and legal experts suggested this could prove extremely complex. A&O Shearman employment partner Kate Pumfrey said that if Edwards refuses to repay the money, the BBC could look at taking legal action to recover it. But she continued: 'It's unlikely that the BBC would have a contractual right to such repayment and clawback claims are difficult to bring. 'This is likely why the BBC at this stage have not confirmed whether legal proceedings would be initiated if Edwards refuses make the payments voluntarily.' Michael Nadin, employment partner at DFA Law LLP, said that because Edwards' employment continued until April - when he resigned - the BBC 'would have no automatic right to recoup any payments made to him up to this point'. He said an exception would be if there was a 'clause in his employment contract which allowed recovery in these circumstance' - but this 'seems very unlikely'. The BBC said Edwards 'betrayed not just the BBC, but audiences who put their trust in him' Will Huw Edwards keep his BBC pension? It is thought that Edwards could still retire on a BBC pension paying more than 300,000-a-year - giving him financial security despite his criminal record. The former presenter is said to have been entitled to a pension paying two thirds of his final salary from the age of 60 - provided he never left the scheme. Dawn Robertson, an employment law specialist from Scottish firm BTO Solicitors, said she cannot see any legal basis for the BBC trying to recoup Edwards's pension contributions, unless there is something in the contract entitling them to. She pointed out that the issue of pensions has been highlighted in some high profile police misconduct cases, and there is a specific provision for police pensions which permit forfeiture of the pension in certain cases. One was Wayne Couzens, the police officer who kidnapped and murdered Sarah Everard, who was stripped of his Metropolitan Police pension after the Home Office was requested to withhold it by the Mayor of London. The cases include when a pension scheme member has been convicted of treason or of offences under the Official Secrets Acts 1911 and 1939 and has been sentenced to at least ten years in jail. Another possibility is where a pension scheme member has been convicted of an offence committed in connection with his or her service as a member of a police force, which is certified by the Home Secretary either to have been gravely injurious to the interests of the state, or to be liable to lead to a serious loss of confidence in the public service. But Ms Robertson added: 'I am not however aware of any similar provisions for non-police employees.' The lead engineer of the Titan submersible that imploded on its way to the wreck of the Titanic has told a hearing into the tragedy that he felt pushed to get the vessel ready to dive, and that it was struck by lightning during a test mission. Tony Nissen, OceanGate's former engineering director, said he '100 per cent' felt pressure to get the submarine into the water at the hearing in South Carolina. He also said he refused to pilot the Titan years ago because he didn't trust the operations staff, and that he stopped the submersible from going to the Titanic in 2019. 'I'm not getting in it,' Mr Nissen said he told Stockton Rush, co-founder of the OceanGate, adding that the Titan was 'not working like we thought it would.' However, he added that the Titan did undergo additional testing before it made later dives to the Titanic. Images of the titan wreckage shown at the hearing in South Carolina yesterday Tony Nissen, head engineer for OceanGate, leaves after his testimony at the US coastguard hearing yesterday Debris from the Titan is recovered from the ocean floor near the wreck of the Titanic on June 28 last year Pictured: The Titan submersible beginning a descent to the ocean floor Mr Nissen was the first witness to testify at what is expected to be a two-week U.S. Coast Guard hearing in North Charleston, South Carolina. He said he was fired from OceanGate five years ago after he would not sign off on a damaged hull for the 2019 Titanic expedition. The Titan imploded on June 18 last year killing all five people onboard, including Mr Rush and clients Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman. The submersible's unconventional design subjected the Titan to scrutiny and the tragedy set off a worldwide debate about the future of private undersea exploration. M Nissen said at the hearing Mr Rush could be difficult to work for and was often very concerned with costs and project schedules, among other issues. He said Mr Rush would fight for what he wanted, which often changed day to day. He added that he tried to keep the clashes between the two of them behind closed doors so that others in the company wouldn't be aware. 'Most people would eventually just back down to Stockton,' he said at the hearing in North Charleston, South Carolina. Nissen also noted that the Titan was struck by lightning during a test mission in 2018, and that might have compromised its hull. When asked if there was pressure to get the Titan into the water, he responded, '100%.' Pictured: Stockton Rush, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of OceanGate, who was killed in the disaster Pictured: Businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman who died on the vessel Tony Nissen, head engineer for OceanGate, waits for board members to return during a recess in a Coast Guard investigatory hearing But when questioned on whether he felt the pressure from Rush compromised safety decisions and testing, Nissen paused, then replied, 'No. And that's a difficult question to answer, because given infinite time and infinite budget, you could do infinite testing.' The submersible was left exposed to the elements while in storage for seven months in 2022 and 2023, and the hull was also never reviewed by any third parties, as is standard practice, Coast Guard representatives said in their initial remarks on Monday. One of the last messages from the Titan's crew to the support ship Polar Prince before the submersible imploded stated, 'all good here,' according to a visual re-creation the Coast Guard presented earlier in the hearing. The crew lost contact after an exchange of texts about the submersible's depth and weight as it descended. The Polar Prince then sent repeated messages asking if the Titan could still see the ship on its onboard display. OceanGate, based in Washington state, suspended operations after the implosion. The company's former finance and human resources director, Bonnie Carl, also testified on Monday that she was aware of safety concerns about the Titan, and that the company's operations director, David Lochridge, had characterized it as 'unsafe.' Mr Lochridge is scheduled to testify at the hearing today. The titan submersible pictured in June 2021 in an image provided by OceanGate Debris from the Titan submersible, recovered from the ocean floor near the wreck of the Titanic, is unloaded from a ship on June 28 last year Tym Catterson, a contractor who worked with the company, told the marine board on Monday that 'training and operations at sea could have been better.' Among those not on the witness list is Rush's widow, Wendy Rush, the company's communications director. Asked about her absence, spokesperson Melissa Leake said the Coast Guard does not comment on the reasons for not calling specific individuals to a particular hearing during ongoing investigations. She said it's common for a Marine Board of Investigation to 'hold multiple hearing sessions or conduct additional witness depositions for complex cases.' Also scheduled to appear later in the hearing are OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein and former scientific director, Steven Ross, according to a list compiled by the Coast Guard. Numerous guard officials, scientists, and government and industry officials are also expected to testify. OceanGate has no full-time employees currently but will be represented by an attorney during the hearing, the company said in a statement. The company has been fully cooperating with the Coast Guard and NTSB investigations since they began, the statement said. The Titan had been making voyages to the Titanic wreckage site going back to 2021. Last year, the submersible lost contact with its support vessel about two hours after it made its final dive. Tony Nissen, head engineer for OceanGate, pictured during the hearing yesterday US Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick speaks to reporters about the search efforts for the Titan submersible on June 21 last year Pictured: The Titan submersible developed by company OceanGate When it was reported overdue, rescuers rushed ships, planes and other equipment to an area about 435 miles south of St. John's, Newfoundland. The search for the submersible attracted worldwide attention, as it became increasingly unlikely that anyone could have survived the implosion. Wreckage of the Titan was subsequently found on the ocean floor about 330 yards off the bow of the Titanic, Coast Guard officials said. The time frame for the investigation was initially a year, but the inquiry has taken longer. The ongoing Marine Board of Investigation is the highest level of marine casualty investigation conducted by the Coast Guard. When the hearing concludes, recommendations will be submitted to the Coast Guard's commandant. The National Transportation Safety Board is also conducting an investigation. 'There are no words to ease the loss endured by the families impacted by this tragic incident,' said Jason Neubauer of the Coast Guard Office of Investigations, who led the hearing. 'But we hope that this hearing will help shed light on the cause of the tragedy and prevent anything like this from happening again.' Two vulnerable schoolgirls are missing after they failed to come home last night. Masoumeh, 15, and Leah, 14, are believed to have disappeared together in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, yesterday evening. Police have launched an urgent appeal to try and find the two girls. Leah is missing along with her friend after they failed to come home from school on Monday Masoumeh is described as being of southeast Asian heritage and around 5ft 7in tall Leah is described as white, about 5ft 3in tall, with blonde hair featuring dark roots up to her shoulders. She was last seen wearing a blue spaghetti strap dress and a beige cropped puffer coat, according to North Yorkshire Police. Masoumeh, of southeast Asian heritage, is approximately 5ft 7in tall, slim, with long straight black hair. She was last spotted in a black dress carrying a grey bag. Enquiries and searches are ongoing in Harrogate. They also have connections in the Malton, Leeds, and Bradford areas and usually travel by bus and train. Huw Edwards should have been jailed for possessing child porn and the 'sickening' decision to let him walk free shows the system is completely broken, one of the UK's leading experts declared today. Jim Gamble, a former police officer who was head of UKs child exploitation and online protection command, has urged Sir Keir Starmer to show he is 'serious' about tackling child abuse by changing the law. Edwards was given a suspended sentence despite being sent 41 indecent images of children by a convicted paedophile. The disgraced BBC newsreader called some of them amazing and begged for more. Mr Gamble says that the only proper way to protect children from offenders like Edwards is to make prison sentences mandatory for possessing child abuse images and video. He said: 'The reason we are not deterring people from offending is that sentencing is too soft. Anyone who makes, possesses or distributes a video of a child being raped should go to prison. No ifs, no buts. MailOnline research has revealed that today just under 20 per cent of people caught with child porn in the UK are sent to prison. In the US it is 99.1 per cent. In Britain the average sentence for a first time offender is around a two-year suspended sentence. Across the Atlantic it is approximately eight-and-a-half years in prison. Huw Edwards leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court after being spared jail UK stats on possession of child porn shows how suspended sentences were once the least likely - and is now the most likely In the UK around 19% of offenders caught with child porn are jailed. In the US it is almost all of them In Britain the most common is a prison sentence suspended for two years. In the US it is more than eight years in prison Yesterday Edwards was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and must attend a 40-day Sex Offender Treatment Programme despite telling a paedophile that a folder of sick child abuse images was amazing. Edwards also asked for more after receiving a video of a child aged between seven and nine engaged in a sex act, the court was told. Yet he was spared jail at Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday. A mugshot released of the presenter by Scotland Yard showed him staring at the camera Jim Gamble said: Lets prove were serious about it by when people are caught, send them to prison. With drink driving there is no ifs, buts and maybes about taking someones licence. You know there is an absolute consequence. We have to get to that point. The fact is that if the public saw one of the videos of a child being raped everyone who possesses or shares them would go to prison. Less than 20% of those convicted of this type of offence go to jail. The reason this case is getting so much attention is because of his [Edwards'] profile. 'Its sickening, because everyone of these cases is about the sexual assault, rape and re-victimisation of a child. We have got our priorities all wrong. Lets send people who use images of our children being abused to prison its the least we can do to deter others'. Sir Keir Starmer said he was really shocked and appalled by Edwardss crimes - but is being urged to go further and put more men like the broadcaster behind bars. 'We've got to begin in the government, most definitely, by leading by example. And that is making sure there's an absolute consequence if you download one of these images, you are going to go to prison. And that's where we need to begin', Mr Gamble said. Yesterday Edwards was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and must attend a 40-day Sex Offender Treatment Programme despite telling a paedophile that a folder of sick child abuse images was amazing. Edwards also asked for more after receiving a video of a child aged between seven and nine engaged in a sex act, the court was told. Yet he was spared jail at Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday. Huw Edwards' BBC ex-colleagues are disgusted by his crimes and believe he should have been sent to prison and forced to give back the 200,000 he was paid by their bosses after his arrest, MailOnline revealed yesterday. The ex-newsreader was spared jail after admitting three charges of 'making' indecent photographs after he was sent 41 illegal images by convicted paedophile Alex Williams over WhatsApp. The 63-year-old sent hundreds of pounds to Williams, who sent him porn, some of which he called 'amazing'. The disgraced broadcaster had also told the convicted paedophile 'go on' when asked if he wanted 'naughty pics and vids' of somebody described as young. Edwards also wrote 'yes xxx' when he was asked by Williams if he wanted sexual images of a person whose 'age could be discerned as being between 14 and 16'. He was also sent two pornographic videos of a child aged between seven and nine-years-old. A BBC spokesperson said after its former broadcaster Huw Edwards was sentenced: 'We are appalled by his crimes. He has betrayed not just the BBC, but audiences who put their trust in him.' Director General Tim Davie is yet to comment but one former colleague told MailOnline: 'He should be in prison. He was chatting with a paedo for four years who then sent him child porn. And he didn't go to the police. Yet he's in court trying to suggest he is a victim. It would be laughable if it wasn't so abhorrent'. Another insider said that Edwards' crimes were 'so sick'. Edwards, who announced the death of the Queen, has been slammed by the BBC and colleagues. Director general Tim Davie has not yet commented Edwards held his hands together and steadied himself as Chief Magistrate, district judge Paul Goldspring, spared him jail A well-placed source with links to the BBC and ITV has said that the evidence that emerged in court yesterday against Edwards is so shocking he will never work again. 'He is over', he said, adding: 'The BBC must be broken up' due to the way bosses handled the scandal and his suspension. He said that yet another abuse scandal after Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris is 'killing its legacy'. Edwards, who resigned from the BBC in April, has been asked to repay the 200,000 salary he has received since his arrest. He has so far refused. And will also keep his pension. BBC staff have described being 'warned' about 'thin-skinned' Edwards when they started working there - and said that he should be put in prison for what he has done. Culture and Media Editor Katie Razzall said that when she joined the corporation, she was given specific advice about how to handle the disgraced newsreader. 'You can be funny', they said. 'But don't be funnier than Huw',', adding: 'You can be clever, but don't be too clever',' Ms Razzall revealed. MailOnline can reveal there is great animosity towards him at the Beeb, who have been rocked by yet another child sex scandal after Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris. One BBC staffer said: 'He still hasn't repaid his salary and dragged us through the mud again. 'Many at the BBC want him to pay for what he has done. He has played the system'. A former colleague said: 'Huw had huge talent and presence but has always been very prickly and thin-skinned'. Edwards had stared down at the ground as he left court with his life in tatters after being handed a six-month suspended sentence for accessing sex abuse images of children as young as seven. The 63-year-old previously admitted three charges of 'making' indecent photographs after he was sent 41 illegal images by convicted paedophile Alex Williams over WhatsApp. At Westminster Magistrates' Court, Edwards held his hands together and leaned forward throughout his sentencing hearing. He then let out a 'small sigh' as he was handed six months' imprisonment, suspended for two years. Edwards smiled broadly as he left the courtroom accompanied by a member of his legal team - carrying the same small suitcase he had brought with him, possibly in anticipation of being jailed. He later walked onto the street with his legal team before being driven away in a black Mercedes. A mugshot released of the presenter showed him staring at the camera - dead eyed and gaunt - with silver stubble across his face. Westminster Magistrates' Court heard Edwards told Williams 'go on' when asked if he wanted 'naughty pics and vids' of somebody described as 'yng (sic)'. The court also heard Edwards paid Williams hundreds of pounds after he sent him pornographic images, but his defence barrister Philip Evans KC said the broadcaster did not make payments to Williams in order to receive indecent images of children. The prosecution said Williams asked Edwards for a 'Christmas gift after all the hot videos'. Prosecutor Ian Hope said: 'Alex Williams says he wants some Air Force 1 trainers that cost around 100, and Mr Edwards offers to send him 200.' Of the indecent images he received, the estimated age of most of the children was between 13 and 15, but one was aged between seven and nine. Defence barrister Philip Evans KC said Edwards was 'truly sorry' and 'recognises the repugnant nature' of the images sent to him. The journalist claimed alcohol and the decline in his mental health played a part in the sick chats. The BBC said following the sentencing: 'We are appalled by his crimes. He has betrayed not just the BBC, but audiences who put their trust in him.' Neighbours of Alex Williams, the paedophile who sold Huw Edwards child pornography said both men should have been locked up for their 'depraved' crimes. Edwards, 63, was sentenced yesterday at Westminster Magistrates' Court having admitted having 41 indecent images of children, which had been sent to him by Williams on WhatsApp. The vile picture collection included seven category A images, the most serious classification, with two involving a child aged around seven to nine. A mother-of-two young children, who lives close to where Williams lived at the time of his arrest, said: 'It's disgusting, they should both be behind bars. 'What they did, buying and selling pictures of innocent children is absolutely vile. Anything other than a prison sentence is wrong.' Neighbours of Alex Williams, the paedophile who sold Huw Edwards child pornography said both men should have been locked up for their 'depraved' crimes Edwards, 63, was sentenced yesterday at Westminster Magistrates' Court having admitted having 41 indecent images of children, which had been sent to him by a paedophile Disgraced BBC News presenter Edwards was spared jail, receiving six months in prison suspended for two years- to the anger of many. He sent more than 1,000 to Williams, who in turn sent him porn, some of which he called 'amazing'. University graduate Williams, 25, was living with his mother and step-father at a housing association property in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, at the time of his arrest. He later pleaded guilty to seven offences of possessing and distributing indecent offences but escaped with a 12-month suspended sentence. Neighbours said they have not seen Williams at his mother's address since it was revealed he had sold child pornography to the BBC anchorman. A second mother, who lives in the area, said: 'I knew Edwards would get off, they couldn't jail him if they didn't jail Williams for selling him the pictures. They are both as depraved as each other. 'What worries me is that they have been let off prison because they didn't find that many pictures compared to other paedophiles.' Edwards told Williams 'go on' when asked if he wanted 'naughty pics and vids' of somebody described as young. The former newsreader also wrote 'yes xxx' when he was asked by the convicted paedophile if he wanted sexual images of a person whose 'age could be discerned as being between 14 and 16'. Westminster Magistrates' Court heard on Monday how Huw Edwards had replied 'yes xxx' when asked if he wanted a set of indecent images of children (note: This is not the actual text message exchange) It was also told that Edwards had told Williams that ages 'can be deceptive' when told one of the subjects in an image was 'quite yng looking', before asking if he had 'any more? (note: This is not the actual text message exchange) Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of former BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court He was also sent two pornographic videos of a child aged between seven and nine-years-old. Edwards, who resigned from the BBC in April, has been asked to repay the 200,000 salary he has received since his arrest. He has so far refused and will also keep his pension. BBC staff have described being 'warned' about 'thin-skinned' Edwards when they started working there - and said that he should be put in prison for what he has done. MailOnline revealed there is great animosity towards him at the Beeb, who have been rocked by yet another child sex scandal after Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris. One BBC staffer said: 'He still hasn't repaid his salary and dragged us through the mud again. 'Many at the BBC want him to pay for what he has done. He has played the system'. A former colleague said: 'Huw had huge talent and presence but has always been very prickly and thin-skinned'. And Zoe Lambourne, chief operating officer at child safety data institute Childlight, said the case is sadly far from unusual. 'We're in the grip of a hidden pandemic, with an estimated 1.8 million UK people involved in sexually abusing and exploiting children online,' she said. 'This public health emergency is too big for law enforcement to counter alone but crucially, it is preventable through joint action to ensure child safety is always paramount.' The disgraced BBC News presenter made no comment as he walked into the modern courthouse Edwards made his way through the media melee before being driven away in a black Mercedes when at court on July 31 Edwards was previously anchor of News at Ten and one of Britain's most prominent newsreaders The NSPCC's Rani Govender added: 'Online child sexual abuse is at record levels and offenders like Edwards who fuel this crime should be in no doubt about its severity and the impact it has on victims. 'Companies must also act by putting technology in place that can identify and disrupt child abuse images being shared on their messaging services so victims can be safeguarded and offenders prosecuted.' Lynn Perry, of children's charity Barnardo's, said: 'Tens of thousands of children are sexually exploited or groomed online every year. 'We urge tech companies to take action to make sure abuse material can't be shared on their platforms. 'When children are abused, and images of this are shared online, they must receive urgent, specialist support something that is sadly unavailable to many children nationwide.' Speaking to The Times about the difference in sentencing between Edwards and the rioters, Toby Young - the director of the Free Speech Union - said: 'It's hard not to conclude we have a two-tier criminal justice system in which Islamophobia is punished more severely than paedophilia.' Officers from the National Crime Agency are being sent to Austria and Romania to 'disrupt and dismantle' gangs who are smuggling migrants through the countries on their way to Britain. Both nations are in the Schengen free movement area and are common stop-off points for criminals moving people and equipment from Italy, Greece, the Balkans and eastern Europe to the coast of northern France. The foreign deployment is part of a 70million cash injection diverted from the scrapped Rwanda scheme into the new Border Security Command (BSO), which is central to Labour's bid to reduce Channel crossings. The unit, which will be led by Martin Hewitt - the police chief formerly responsible for enforcing Covid lockdowns - will bring together hundreds of officers from the NCA, M15, Border Force and the Crown Prosecution Service. On a visit to Rome yesterday to meet Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, Sir Keir Starmer said he was particularly interested in her work to tackle 'upstream' issues, including in migrants' countries of origin. Sir Keir Starmer on a visit to Rome yesterday for a summit to discuss ways to tackle illegal migration Sir Keir yesterday signalled he is ready to pay foreign countries millions of pounds to help tackle the migrant crisis as he hailed Italy's success in curbing illegal crossings (seen yesterday) The NCA already has a presence in Bulgaria, where officers have intercepted 40 small boats and engines in recent weeks. File photo He added: 'That is why I am interested in the upstream work, which on the face of it, appears to have had quite a profound effect on numbers. 'I have always made the argument that preventing people leaving their country in the first place is far better than trying to deal with those that have arrived in any of our countries. 'I was very interested in that. In a sense, today was a return - if you like - to British pragmatism.' The NCA already has a presence in Bulgaria, where officers have intercepted 40 small boats and engines in recent weeks, which could have been used by up to 2,400 people to cross the Channel. Austria has become a major destination for asylum seekers, with the number of asylum applications it has received nearly doubling in the past two years. Romania is a hub for people smugglers, with 19 suspected members of a migrant smuggling gang arrested by an operation supported by Europol earlier this month. Last week, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the recruitment of an additional 100 specialist NCA investigators to 'disrupt people smuggling globally'. The government says there has been a 50 per cent increase in the number of NCA officers stationed within the EU working on organised immigration crime. Sir Keir yesterday signalled he is ready to pay foreign countries millions of pounds to help tackle the migrant crisis as he hailed Italy's success in curbing illegal crossings. The Prime Minister, who scrapped the last government's Rwanda scheme, said he was now willing to embrace 'British pragmatism', including looking at an Italian scheme which involves sending migrants to Albania. Speaking at a press conference alongside Ms Meloni in Rome, Sir Keir said was eager to learn from Italy's 'dramatic' success in cutting illegal arrivals across the Mediterranean by 62 per cent this year. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Ms Meloni said Sir Keir had shown 'great interest' in Italy's new plan to send thousands of migrants to Albania to have their asylum claims processed. She told reporters at 17th-century Villa Doria Pamphili that both leaders believed 'new, brave options' were needed to tackle the 'massive' problem of illegal migration. The scheme is different to the Tory government's Rwanda scheme as those whose claims are approved will have the right to settle in Italy. But the Italian PM said she believed sending people abroad for processing would create 'the element of deterrence' to those considering making the crossing. She said the 'world is watching' the success of the scheme, which is due to start in the coming weeks. Ms Meloni confirmed the two leaders had discussed the Albanian deal, adding: 'The UK Government has shown great interest in this agreement.' Sir Keir suggested he was also interested in Italy's deals with countries like Tunisia and Libya, which have been paid millions of pounds to help prevent migrants leaving their shores for Italy. Government sources said ministers were interested in exploring similar arrangements with countries like Vietnam, Turkey, Iraq and other countries from which thousands of migrants set off in search of a new life in the UK. The Italian government has faced criticism from humanitarian groups about its deals with Albania and its wider approach to migration, including claims it has frustrated groups trying to rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. But Ms Meloni told reporters: 'I don't know what human rights violations you're referring to, to be totally frank. This accusation, I think it's completely groundless.' Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Sir Keir defended his decision to forge closer relations with Ms Meloni, who some in Labour have branded 'far right', saying that Italy was an 'important ally'. 'I don't think anybody will think it's sensible for us not to continue with that strong bilateral approach on those really important global issues which is what we discussed today,' he said. 'Italy's an ally and we work with our allies.' Sir Keir was accompanied by new Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt, with the pair touring a centre in Rome dedicated to tackling illegal migration. Tory shadow home secretary James Cleverly said: 'All we heard today from Starmer was more words in place of action. Meetings, press conferences, and roundtables won't stop the people smugglers. 'They have finally appointed a border commander but the job itself remains a mystery.' The UK will give some 4million to an initiative called the Rome Process, an Italian government scheme to tackle the root causes of irregular migration, following the meeting of the two leaders. Yesterday, shocking new figures analysed by MailOnline revealed people smuggling gangs are packing larger numbers of migrants onto flimsy boats. Sir Keir was accompanied by new Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt, with the pair touring a centre in Rome dedicated to tackling illegal migration On average, gangs are squeezing an average of 52 migrants on each boat - increasing the danger for those making the hazardous crossing. Almost 1,100 migrants arrived in the UK over the weekend. So far this year, at least 39 migrants have died while making the crossing - with eight losing their lives on Saturday. In July, during the trial of Albanian national Eglantin Doksani, 24, it emerged that his smuggling gang were charging migrants 3,000 for a seat on a boat. Since January 1, some 23,544 migrants have crossed the English Channel on board 447 boats. In 2018, 499 migrants arrived in the UK on 43 small boats - an average of almost 7 people per vessel. Close to 21,000 Carpetright customers are owed nearly 8million for outstanding orders but most of them will not receive refunds. The flooring chain went into administration in July and saw 273 shops closed, leading to 1,500 job losses while its remaining 53 stores were bought by its main competitor Tapi. It owes millions to customers for unfulfilled orders and the majority will not get refunds, according to the directors' statement of affairs. However sources claim the amount owed is likely to be 'considerably higher', The Times has reported. Close to 21,000 Carpetright customers are owned nearly 8million for outstanding orders but most of them will not receive refunds The flooring chain went into administration in July and saw 273 shops closed, leading to 1,500 job losses while its remaining 53 stores were bought by its main competitor Tapi It owes millions to customers for unfulfilled orders and the majority will not get refunds, according to the directors' statement of affairs Carpetright was owned by Nestware Holdings, whose owner is British hedge fund Meditor that is run by asset manager and poker player Talal Shakerchi. Shakerchi has faced criticism over the decision to transfer Carpetright brand and intellectual property rights to Nestware in December for 12million. Tapi later bought the intellectual property rights from Nestware for 5million. But sources close to Carpetright and Tapi have been critical of the retailer's owner for not using some of the money to pay customers and creditors. An executive said it was 'disappointing' and added that 'controversial' restructuring deals should not be allowed to happen in the UK as they allow companies to 'leave customers, employees and suppliers out of pocket'. While a second senior source asked why Shakerchi had not used some of his winnings from poker to pay creditor debts. He earned $3.25 million from the Triton Poker Super High Roller Main Event last year and poker publications believe he has made more than $18 million in live tournament earnings. Which? consumer rights expert Gurpreet Chhokar said it is 'shocking that Carpetright customers could still be owed 7.6 million after the business fell into administration over the summer'. Lord Harris of Peckham (pictured in 2000) founded Carpetright when he opened a single shop in east London in 1988 Demand has also slowed due to the shift from bricks-and-mortar shops to online. Pictured: A Carpetright store She added: 'Many of these customers will have been saving for months to make these home improvements and at a time of huge cost of living pressures, it may be impossible for them to get the funds together quickly to go ahead with a different firm.' But she revealed that customers who paid more than 100 on their credit card for flooring can claim it back under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act if the item is faulty or not delivered. The total debt owed to unsecured creditors, including customers, suppliers, landlords and floor fitters, has increased to 373million, according to newly filed documents. Landlord creditors, which total 298, are owed 148million and the amount owed to trade creditors adds up to 226million. Nestware is owed 175million but sources say it hasn't received any cash and is unlikely to ever do so. Carpetright's notice of administration came amid the slumping of sales in the furniture and retail industry as consumers have been hit by the cost-of-living crisis. The primary problem facing the company had been slowing customer demand across the furniture and homeware industry. Mediator and Shakerchi were contacted for comment. A child sex abuse campaigner today branded the justice system 'ludicrous, absurd and embarrassing' after Huw Edwards was spared jail for viewing sick images of youngsters as young as seven. The ex-newsreader was handed a six-month suspended sentence after admitting three charges of 'making' indecent photographs after he was sent 41 illegal images by convicted paedophile Alex Williams. The 63-year-old wired hundreds of pounds to Williams, who sent him porn, some of which he called 'amazing'. The disgraced broadcaster had also told the convicted paedophile 'go on' when asked if he wanted 'naughty pics and vids' of somebody described as young. Edwards wrote 'yes xxx' when he was asked by Williams if he wanted sexual images of a person whose 'age could be discerned as being between 14 and 16'. He was also sent two pornographic videos of a child aged between seven and nine-years-old. Emma-Jane Taylor, who founded the Not My Shame social media movement last year, claimed the sentence Edwards' received could encourage other abusers. Huw Edwards leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court after being spared jail yesterday Edwards held his hands together and steadied himself as Chief Magistrate, district judge Paul Goldspring, sentenced him yesterday Emma-Jane Taylor, who founded the Not My Shame social media movement last year, claimed the sentence Edwards' received could encourage other abusers She told Good Morning Britain: 'This potentially green lights another more serious situation for a child. It puts children at risks because abusers will look at this and think ''actually, this guy's got off, he's gone home, I'll give it a go''. 'The justice system in the UK is ludicrous. It's absurd, embarrassing and it's not going to protect children.' Edwards' former BBC colleagues are disgusted by his crimes and believe he should have been sent to prison, MailOnline revealed yesterday. A BBC spokesperson said after its former broadcaster Huw Edwards was sentenced: 'We are appalled by his crimes. He has betrayed not just the BBC, but audiences who put their trust in him.' Director General Tim Davie is yet to comment but one former colleague told MailOnline yesterday: 'He should be in prison. He was chatting with a paedo for four years who then sent him child porn. And he didn't go to the police. Yet he's in court trying to suggest he is a victim. It would be laughable if it wasn't so abhorrent'. A well-placed source with links to the BBC and ITV has said that the evidence that emerged in court against Edwards is so shocking he will never work again. 'He is over', he said, adding: 'The BBC must be broken up' due to the way bosses handled the scandal and his suspension. He said that yet another abuse scandal after Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris is 'killing its legacy'. Edwards, who resigned from the BBC in April, has been asked to repay the 200,000 salary he has received since his arrest. He has so far refused. And will also keep his pension. BBC staff have described being 'warned' about 'thin-skinned' Edwards when they started working there - and said that he should be put in prison for what he has done. Culture and Media Editor Katie Razzall said that when she joined the corporation, she was given specific advice about how to handle the disgraced newsreader. 'You can be funny', they said. 'But don't be funnier than Huw',', adding: 'You can be clever, but don't be too clever',' Ms Razzall revealed. A mugshot released of the presenter by Scotland Yard showed him staring at the camera MailOnline can reveal there is great animosity towards him at the Beeb, who have been rocked by yet another child sex scandal after Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris. One BBC staffer said: 'He still hasn't repaid his salary and dragged us through the mud again. 'Many at the BBC want him to pay for what he has done. He has played the system'. A former colleague said: 'Huw had huge talent and presence but has always been very prickly and thin-skinned'. At Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday, Edwards held his hands together and leaned forward throughout his sentencing hearing. He then let out a 'small sigh' as he was handed six months' imprisonment, suspended for two years. Edwards smiled broadly as he left the courtroom accompanied by a member of his legal team - carrying the same small suitcase he had brought with him, possibly in anticipation of being jailed. He later walked onto the street with his legal team before being driven away in a black Mercedes. A mugshot released of the presenter showed him staring at the camera - dead eyed and gaunt - with silver stubble across his face. Westminster Magistrates' Court heard Edwards told Williams 'go on' when asked if he wanted 'naughty pics and vids' of somebody described as 'yng (sic)'. The court also heard Edwards paid Williams hundreds of pounds after he sent him pornographic images, but his defence barrister Philip Evans KC said the broadcaster did not make payments to Williams in order to receive indecent images of children. The prosecution said Williams asked Edwards for a 'Christmas gift after all the hot videos'. Prosecutor Ian Hope said: 'Alex Williams says he wants some Air Force 1 trainers that cost around 100, and Mr Edwards offers to send him 200.' Of the indecent images he received, the estimated age of most of the children was between 13 and 15, but one was aged between seven and nine. Defence barrister Philip Evans KC said Edwards was 'truly sorry' and 'recognises the repugnant nature' of the images sent to him. The journalist claimed alcohol and the decline in his mental health played a part in the sick chats. The BBC said following the sentencing: 'We are appalled by his crimes. He has betrayed not just the BBC, but audiences who put their trust in him.' Huw Edwards leaving Westminster Magistrates' Court with his legal team following his sentencing yesterday He did not make any comment to journalists before being driven away in a black Mercedes after his sentencing Edwards pictured with his wife Vicky Flind in London in 2018. She named him as the high-profile presenter as the centre of a sexual pictures scandal Alex Williams, 25, shared indecent images with Huw Edwards that led to the newsreader's downfall. Williams is pictured here as a teenager on a family trip to a Welsh beauty spot Sentencing Edwards, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told the broadcaster: 'Perhaps it does not need saying but you are of previous good character.' The judge said he accepted the journalist had been of 'exemplary' good character 'having enjoyed a very successful career in the media'. 'It's obvious that until now you were very highly regarded by the public,' he continued, adding that Edwards was 'perhaps the most recognised newsreader-journalist'. What does 'making' indecent images mean? Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to three counts of 'making' indecent images of children in July. The Crown Prosecution Service says it can include: opening an email attachment containing an image downloading an image from a website to a screen storing an image on a computer accessing a pornographic website in which an image appears in an automatic 'pop-up' window receiving an image via social media, even if unsolicited and even if part of a group or live-streaming images of children A court must also decide whether an offence calls into the category of possession, distribution or production. Advertisement 'It is not an exaggeration to say your long-earned reputation is in tatters,' the judge said. He also told Edwards he would be subject to 25 rehabilitation sessions and be placed on the sex offender treatment programme for 40 days. Edwards was also ordered to pay 3,000 in prosecution costs. The judge continued: 'I am of the clear view that you do not present a risk or danger to the public at large, specifically to children. There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.' He declined to make a sexual harm prevention order against Edwards. The final indecent image was sent in August 2021, a category A film featuring a young boy, with convicted paedophile Williams telling the newsreader the child was 'quite young looking' and that he had more images which were illegal. Mr Goldspring said he accepted that Edwards had no memory of which images he viewed due to a mental disorder at the time of his offending and suggested the former BBC man had been facing 'a perfect storm' at the time. The magistrate quoted a report by a psycho-sexual therapist who said Edwards had a risk of taking his own life and is a 'complex individual' due to factors in his childhood, including a complex relationship with his 'puritanical' father. Edwards nodded as this reference to his personal history was read out. Outlining the evidence against the veteran broadcaster earlier, prosecutor Ian Hope said: 'It is clear from the face of the WhatsApp chat recovered that a deal of the chat between Alex Williams and Mr Edwards was sexual in nature. 'It is also clear that Mr Edwards was paying not insignificant sums of money - low hundreds of pounds on an occasional basis - to Alex Williams which Mr Williams directly asked for on several occasions, as gifts or presents, apparently off the back of sending pornographic images to Mr Edwards, about which images they chatted. 'Alex Williams has stated that the money was more generally to support him at university and amounted to around 1,000 to 1,500.' Edwards made no comment as he left court wheeling the same black case he arrived with The shamed former BBC star was accompanied by members of his legal team Mr Hope continued: 'From that chat in December 2020, Alex Williams said that he had 'a file of vids and pics for you of someone special'. 'Mr Edwards immediately queried who the subject was and was then sent three images of seemingly the same person, from two of which images the subject's age could be discerned as being between 14 and 16. 'These two were category C indecent images of children in which the child was exposing his penis.' A bag thief who was run over and killed by an Italian socialite was a known criminal who police had previously tried to deport, it has emerged. Businesswoman Cinzia Dal Pino, 65, took brutal revenge after the man identified as Moroccan national Nourdine Naziki, 52, grabbed her handbag from the open window of her car. Shocking CCTV footage leaked to local media shows the moment Dal Pino then chased down Naziki and ran him over four times with her Mercedes SUV. In a bizarre twist, rather than calling police or paramedics, Dal Pino then calmly returned to the restaurant where she had been dining with friends before the attack to bring back an umbrella she had borrowed, local media reports. Naziki's family in Morocco has now spoken of their horror at the incident, saying that justice must be served and slamming Italian authorities for placing Dal Pino under house arrest rather than in jail. Businesswoman Cinzia Dal Pino, 65, is under house arrest after being charged with voluntary homicide Dal Pino, a well known socialite in the Italian coastal city of Viareggio, was identified through her Mercedes SUV's number plate Naziki's family in Morocco has spoken of their horror at the incident, and have called for 'justice' Dal Pino admitted to police she had chased after him and had only wanted to get her bag back 'Not even an animal is killed in this way,' his sisters told Moroccan channel Chouf TV, adding: 'We ask for justice for our brother, Cinzia Dal Pino must remain in prison.' Dal Pino has been charged with voluntary homicide and is wearing an electronic ankle tag as she remains under house arrest. Her lawyer Enrico Marzaduri said that his client is agonising over what happened and did not intend to kill Naziki, and had only wanted to stop him making off with her bag and belongings. 'She didn't want to kill,' he said, adding that what happened 'went beyond her wishes. She feared that the man could have used her house keys and documents in her bag.' He added that she worried that her keys and personal information would be used by the robber to carry out more crimes against her. Police had been monitoring Naziki in the lead up to his death and had wanted to repatriate him, but authorities had not responded to their requests, meaning he had remained at large in Viareggio. Dal Pino, a well known socialite in the Italian coastal city, was identified through her SUV's number plate and arrested by police just hours later. In video of the ramming attack, Naziki is seen walking past a shop front when Dal Pino's vehicle suddenly appears and slams into him at speed. The car then reverses back and forwards four times before Dal Pino - in high heeled shoes - is seen calmly getting out of her car, picking up her bag and driving away. Paramedics were called to the scene and Naziki was rushed to hospital but he later died from his injuries. Businesswoman Cinzia Dal Pino, 65, (pictured) took the law into her own hands Nourdine Naziki, 52, grabbed Dal Pino's handbag from the open window of her car Dal Pino admitted to police she had chased after him and had only wanted to get her bag back. She told police: 'He had threatened to kill me with a knife. I was scared. I didn't mean to kill him I just wanted my belongings back. 'There were important documents in my bag and I couldn't call the police because my phone was in there.' Officers later revealed no knife had been found on Naziki and Dal Pino was initially held in jail on suspicion of manslaughter before being freed under house arrest. Her lawyer Enrico Marzaduri dismissed the video and said: 'I understand from the autopsy that it was certainly the initial impact that proved fatal and there are no tyre marks on the body. She told police: 'He had threatened to kill me with a knife. I was scared. I didn't mean to kill him I just wanted my belongings back' In shocking CCTV leaked to local media, Naziki is seen walking past a shop front when Dal Pino's vehicle suddenly appears and rams into him at speed 'She just wanted to stop him and was aiming for his legs. She is suffering for what she did and is feeling remorse for what happened.' But the local archbishop monsignor Paolo Giulietti said: 'Other than self-defence, the video shows astonishing behaviour. 'How do you drive your car over a person's body several times? How could we think that a quiet and esteemed lady, a capable entrepreneur, could carry out such an action? 'Evil wins when it makes us evil: those who rejoice because this episode would be an episode of self-defence demonstrate how evil wins. 'I say, let's not rejoice, this is not self-defence, and it is not justice. Nothing, absolutely nothing can justify murder. 'Not just because we live in a state of law. But because every person, in every situation they find themselves in, has the right to live.' Dal Pino admitted to police she had chased after him and had only wanted to get her bag back Naziki's family in an interview with Moroccan TV demanded 'justice' Italy's deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini took a different view and wrote on Facebook: 'This drama is the consequence of a crime. If the man who lost his life hadn't been a delinquent this wouldn't have happened.' Naziki's family said of the 52-year-old, who had lived in Italy for 24 years: 'He was a good man and we want justice. Everyone who knows him will tell you that. She ran over him four times and then just calmly drove off when he was dying and didn't even ask for help.' Meanwhile a banner has appeared on a building site in Viareggio that read: 'Who has money has power, the law is not equal for everyone.' The 'Monster of Avignon' stunned the courtroom in his closely watched trial today as he admitted to drugging his wife and allowing multiple strangers to rape her. Dominique Pelicot, 71, spoke for the first time about his crimes on Tuesday morning after a period of absence from his trial due to sickness. 'I am a rapist, like everyone else in this courtroom,' he admitted today during a trial that has captured the world's attention for its scale and horror. 'I recognise the facts in their totality'. Mr Pelicot stood in the dock at the Vaucluse Criminal Court, in Avignon as he faces trial alongside 50 other men, all accused of 'aggravated rape' of his wife Gisele Pelicot, also 71, over a period of ten years. He faces 20 years in prison if found guilty. Bravely facing her former husband in court, Ms Pelicot said: 'It is difficult to hear it. 'For fifty years, I lived with a man who I would never have imagined for a single second that he could do these acts. I had complete confidence in this man.' In a courtroom sketch, Mr Pelicot appears at the courthouse in Avignon on September 11 Dominique Pelicot is accused of recruiting men online to assault his wife repeatedly over 10yrs Gisele Pelicot arrives at the criminal court in Avignon, southern France, September 17 In turn, Dominique Pelicot then pleaded for sympathy, saying: I am guilty of what I did. 'I subjected my wife, my children, my grandchildren to this. I regret what I did. I ask for forgiveness even if it is not forgivable. Madame Pelicot looked on impassively at her former husband as he shuffled into court using a cane to support himself. The courtroom was stunned as Mr Pelicot returned to the court from a period of absence to confess to his crimes. 'Today, I maintain that, with the obligations we all have, I am a rapist, like everyone in this room. They cannot say otherwise,' he told the court. Mr Pelicot also focused on alleged crimes he had allegedly suffered as a child, saying he was raped as a nine year old, and then forced to witness another sex attack when he was 14. Discussing his assessment by psychiatrists, Mr Pelicot maintained that he 'was not born perverted'. He had previously claimed that he was sexually abused as nine year old in hospital and told the court: 'It was in the dark, I had a bandage and a headache. A guy came and said to me: 'My name is Basile, do you want some candy?' 'There were caresses, I felt a moustache, a great deal of pain, I didn't understand what was happening to me.' 'I only remember shocks and traumas from my youth. She did not deserve this. I admit it,' he added. 'We are not born perverts, we become them. I think that what I have experienced is preponderant in my story. 'Even if it is paradoxical, I have never considered my wife as an object. As for pedophilia, I have never wanted that.' Mr Pelicot faced his wife in court on Tuesday, telling how his life only began to turn around when he met her as a teenager. 'I was very happy with her,' said Mr Pelicot. 'She was the opposite of my mother, who was completely rebellious. 'We had three children, and grandchildren, whom I never touched.' He said Gisele Pelicot 'did not deserve this.' At the end of the short statement, Ms Pelicot lowered her head, putting her sunglasses on. Mr Pelicot previously told psychologists that his wife was to blame for his actions because she refused to go swinging with him. Psychologist Annabelle Montagne told the court in Avignon that she interviewed Mr Pelicot 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. Dominique Pelicot, 71, who is on trial for organising the rape of his wife To the court, Ms Pelicot said the topic had come up at a nightclub, but she said she 'didn't want to get involved'. Bravely facing her former husband in court on Tuesday as he expressed remorse, Ms Pelicot said: 'It is difficult to hear it. 'For fifty years, I lived with a man who I would never have imagined for a single second that he could do these acts. I had complete confidence in this man.' Mr Pelicot then pleaded for sympathy, saying: 'I am guilty of what I did. 'I subjected my wife, my children, my grandchildren to this. I regret what I did. I ask for forgiveness even if it is not forgivable.' As the cross-examination continued on Tuesday, the defendant insisted he 'still loves' his ex-wife. 'I loved her well for 40 years and loved her badly for 10 years,' said Pelicot. 'I ruined everything, I lost everything. I should never have done that.' Mr Pelicot claimed he also 'still loves' his three adult children, saying: 'They are in my heart.' He even praised his daughter, Caroline Darian, for founding a protest group against so-called 'chemical submission' the drugging of rape victims. Pelicot also admitted that videoing the crimes against his wife was 'a part of the pleasure', but he was glad that most of the men who had sex with his wife had been identified. 'There is also a measure of reassurance, since today, thanks to [the videos], we can find all those who participated in what went on,' he said. Other defendants in court were visibly angry as Pelicot criminalised them all. 'He manipulated us,' one shouted. Caroline Darian (C) arrives for the trial of her mother's former partner on September 11 Gisele Pelicot arrives at court in Avignon, France on day eight of the trial Dominique Pelicot can be seen in this court sketch on the right Mr Pelicot's candid testimony had been delayed until Tuesday after a bout of illness brought on by a kidney stone and urinary infection. He appeared in court in a wheelchair to finally confront his actions, and accused the dozens of men alleged to have assaulted his wife with him of complicity. "Today I maintain that, along with the other men here, I am a rapist," Dominique Pelicot told the court. "They knew everything. They can't say otherwise." Defendants looked visibly angry as Mr Pelicot attributed blame to them. Detectives have listed a total of 92 rapes committed by 72 men, 51 of whom have been identified. Of the 83 men involved in the campaign of abuse, 51 aged between 26 and 73 were identified and arrested by the police. One, still at large, will be judged in absentia. Mr Pelicot has been on remand since 2020, when he was first arrested on suspicion of gassing and then raping Ms Pelicot, while inviting men he contacted online to do the same. Madame Pelicot has told the court that she had to get tested for HIV as 'one man who came [to rape me] six times was seropositive'. Mr Pelicot is facing a jail sentence of up to 20 years, along with all the other defendants. Last week, psychologists described Mr Pelicot as a 'Jekyll and Hyde' character who appeared like a normal husband during the day, and then drugged his wife so strangers could rape her at night. All the attacks took place in the couple's marital home in the town of Mazan, south of France, between 2010 and 2020, police say. His daughter, Caroline Darian, 46, last week told the court that he was 'one of the greatest sexual predators' of recent years. She said he secretely photographed her in the nude, along with her two sister-in-laws. Mr Pelicot was first arrested in September 2020 for secretely filming up women's skirts at a supermarket in Carpentras. His devices were searched, and there were hundreds of pornographic videos and photos of women. It was while in custody that Mr Pelicot reported a hard drive, hidden under a printer, which contained a file called 'Abuses'. Police uncovered sickening pictures of Ms Darian, and Mr Pelicot's two daughters-in-laws, in a haul some 200,000 images and videos. The folder contained the nicknames and telephone numbers of other alleged 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. Mr Pelicot's sex ring involved advertising on a site for 'partners' on a now-deleted 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. One, still at large, will be judged in absentia. Mr Pelicot is said to have sedated his wife by putting a powerful anxiolytic into her evening dinner. Caroline last week said Pelicot was 'one of the greatest sexual predators' of recent years Abuse took place in the town of Mazan, south of France, and was only uncovered after the man was caught up-skirting women in a local supermarket prompting officers to search his home 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 is due to last until December 21. Fourteen of the other defendants have also admitted rape, while the rest deny any wrongdoing. Mr Pelicot had been expected to be cross-examined at the Vaucluse Criminal Court in Avignon last week. But his legal team insisted on Thursday morning that was not well enough to give evidence because of abdominal pain and a suspected bladder infection. He briefly appeared in court on Wednesday morning, but defence barrister Beatrice Zavarro confirmed on Thursday that he was still ill and would not be showing up. Mr Pelicot had been vomiting and fainting in his prison cell, where he has been on remand since 2020, in between visits to hospital for treatment and tests. Last Wednesday, the court heard how another man on trial, named only as Jean-Pierre, 63, allegedly learned from Mr Pelicot how to drug and rape his own wife. The 'disciple' is not among the 51 men on trial for attacking Mrs Pelicot. The former lorry driver was claimed to have spoken to Mr Pelicot in an online chatroom called 'Against her knowledge'. Mr Pelicot is then alleged to have provided sedatives for 'Jean-Pierre' to drug his wife, before travelling to rape her himself. A black and white facial reconstruction of a younger Dominique P is seen in this handout image Police found a file in Pelicot's computer labelled 'My Daughter Naked'. Pictured: Caroline Darian (left) at the courthouse during the trial of her father A court drawing shows Madame Pelicot taking the stand, facing her husband and the 50 others accused of raping her Mr Pelicot is alleged to have met Jean-Pierre in the now defunct chatroom, before agreeing to visit him to deliver sedatives and rape his wife with him. 'Each time that [Pelicot] travelled [there], he provided him with the medication for the next time,' lead investigator Stephan Gal told the court. Mr Pelicot's lawyer said he had supplied Jean-Pierre with the drugs as many as four times. Jean-Pierre's 32-year-old son from another marriage said he felt it a 'certainty' his father had been manipulated by Pelicot. 'I have the firm conviction that had he not met this person, there would never have been any of this,' he said. A hospital worker has died in a 'catastrophic' incident after catching a deadly bout of chickenpox. The staff member's death is currently being investigated by Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) after a major mix-up. The trust said it could not determine whether the employee, who died within the last year, contracted chickenpox at the Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital in Nottingham, but the worker was deemed to be in a 'higher risk location'. Its records wrongly showed that the staff member was immunised against the disease, which was incorrect, board papers show. NUH described it as a 'tragic event' and said it had put together an improvement plan to address 'gaps in the system'. A hospital worker at the Queen's Medical Centre University Hospital in Nottingham, pictured, has died after catching a deadly bout of chickenpox Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH), who runs the hospital, described the death as a 'tragic event' Chickenpox is a mild disease but can be fatal in very rare cases, particularly in people who are immunocompromised, pregnant, or babies. The incident was included in the trust's 2023/24 health and safety annual report, which was put before the board on Thursday. It was categorised as a 'catastrophic' incident under its reporting systems. 'The catastrophic incident related to the death of a staff member who contracted Varicella (chickenpox),' the report says. 'Whilst it has not been possible to determine a definite causal link to work or through community acquisition; the member of staff's immunisation record showed the person had immunisation, which was incorrect. 'As the member of staff worked in a higher-risk location, the decision was taken to report the incident under RIDDOR. A full investigation has been undertaken and an improvement plan is being worked through to address gaps in the systems.' Danielle Petch, chief people officer at NUH, said: 'The death of one of our employees is always a tragic event and our condolences go out to their loved ones. At this stage, unfortunately, we are unable to comment further.' Nottinghamshire Live understands an inquest will be taking place into the death. The incident was the only one categorised as catastrophic under Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). A total of 78 incidents were reported, including three with severe harm and 45 with moderate harm. The incidents related to things such as staff being assaulted, tripping over objects and slippery floors and being hit by a ceiling hatch. NUH is obligated to report RIDDOR incidents to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), however it said none of those were followed up. A 'heavily intoxicated' Sydney mum on her way to school pick-up almost crashed into a police car before she allegedly returned a breath test reading almost six times over the legal limit. Kirsten Samuel, 43, was charged with high range drink driving after she allegedly attracted the attention of just 100 metres from her Baulkham Hills home on September 9. Highway officers were patrolling the streets when they allegedly spotted a silver Toyota Camry coming out of a driveway on Conie Avenue which then narrowly missed a police vehicle. Samuel was pulled over and it 'quickly became clear that she was heavily intoxicated' police allege. She was breath-tested at the scene and allegedly returned a reading of 0.371, more than seven times over the legal limit, telling police she was on her way to school pick-up, the Daily Telegraph reported. Sydney mum Kirsten Samuel (pictured) was on her way to a school pick-up when she almost hit a police car and allegedly returned a breath test reading almost six times over the legal limit NSW Traffic and Highway Command posted this photo on social media after Samuel's arrest Samuel was arrested and taken to Castle Hill Police Station, where she was breath-tested a second time and returned a reading of 0.269, still almost six times above the legal limit. She was charged with high-range drink driving and had her car keys confiscated. Samuel's licence was also suspended on the spot. Her initial reading was later shared by the NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol command on Facebook as a reminder for motorists to not drink and drive. Samuel is due to appear in Parramatta Local Court next month. It's understood it's the first time she has been charged with a drink driving offence. Kirsten Samuel (pictured) had her car keys confiscated and licence suspended She is yet entered a plea to the charge. Samuel declined to comment when approached by the publication. A Labour minister floundered today as she was grilled on whether Keir Starmer should be paying for his own spectacles. Border security minister Angela Eagle blanked questions over the row about donations to fund the wardrobe of the PM and wife Victoria, insisting she did not 'have an opinion'. In a toe-curling interview on Times Radio, Dame Angela accused presenter Stig Abell of 'ranting' and said he would have to quiz Sir Keir directly. Sir Keir defended taking freebies last night as he hinted he would continue accepting lavish gifts - such as high-end clothing - from Labour peer Lord Alli. Angela Rayner had an opinion when Boris Johnson was getting money from donorsnow you've got someone who has a luxury glasses habit who's taking money from pensioners. Okay youve had your rant. Dame @AngelaEagle avoids answering questions on the PMs new glasses. pic.twitter.com/p8QTtCqiIW Times Radio (@TimesRadio) September 17, 2024 Border security minister Angela Eagle blanked questions over the row about donations to fund the wardrobe of the PM and wife Victoria, insisting she did not 'have an opinion' Sir Keir (pictured at a London Fashion Week event in Downing Street last night) defended taking freebies as he hinted he would continue accepting lavish gifts However, there has been a backlash over why the PM, who had a stellar legal career before entering politics, seemingly cannot fun his own clothes despite earning 166,000 a year in Downing Street. Speaking to reporters on a visit to Italy, the PM insisted there was a 'massive difference between declarations and corruption' as he faced questions over his alleged failure to register clothing given to Lady Starmer by the multimillionaire businessman within a designated time limit. The Tories have demanded a probe by Parliament's watchdog, but according to No10 this has been rejected. Sir Keir argues that he 'proactively' inquired whether he should register the donations. During a round of broadcast interviews this morning, Dame Angela said the PM had been 'transparent' and 'the rules have clearly been followed'. But Abell said: 'Why shouldn't the Prime Minister - he earns 166 grand a year - why shouldn't he buy his own glasses?' Dame Angela replied: 'Well why don't you ask him?' The journalist said: 'Well, he's not here. You're here for the government.' She shot back: 'I am, but I'm afraid I'm not responsible for decisions the PM makes...' Abell said: 'Should he not buy his own glasses? You're wearing a pair of glasses now you presumably pay for them yourself. 'I'm wearing a pair of glasses now I pay for them myself. Why shouldn't the Prime Minister?' A clearly irate Dame Angela said: 'Well, the Prime Minister's had his say on that, and next time you interview him, you could ask him yourself. In a toe-curling interview on Times Radio, Dame Angela accused presenter Stig Abell of 'ranting' and said he would have to quiz Sir Keir directly The Tories said Labour MPs were 'not even bothering' to defend Sir Keir 'I don't have an opinion on what the PM does in these instances... ' Abell pointed out that deputy PM Angela did have an opinion when Boris Johnson was being supported in similar ways by donors. He said: 'You've got someone who has a luxury glasses habit, who's taking money from pensioners. 'People are going to have an opinion on that.' Dame Angela said icily: 'Okay, you've had your rant.' But the presenter insisted: 'Is that a rant? I'm asking a question.' Russian soldiers executed a Ukrainian prisoner of war with a medieval-style sword in revenge for the incursion into Kursk, Kyiv has claimed. Sickening pictures appear to show an unarmed Ukrainian soldier lying in a pool of blood after being stabbed with the primitive weapon by his Russian captors. 'The level of barbarity and bloodthirstiness is impossible to comprehend,' said Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian parliament's commissioner for human rights. The sword is seen embedded in the torso of the Ukrainian fighter, whose hands have been bound with tape, with his body evidently left out as a macabre warning. The words 'For Kursk' are daubed on the weapon - referring to Ukraine's surprise incursion into the Russian border region which has humiliated Vladimir Putin. A censored image shows the sword plunged into the body of a Ukrainian soldier Lubinets has reported the alleged evidence of war crimes to the United Nations and International Committee of the Red Cross. 'Another war crime - the Russians executed an unarmed Ukrainian prisoner of war with a sword with his hands bandaged with tape,' said the ombudsman. 'Such actions are a gross violation of the Geneva Convention relating to the treatment of prisoners of war. 'How much longer will the world watch as Russia openly demonstrates disregard for any norms and laws?' He added: 'I would like to emphasise separately that such demonstrative executions are aimed at demoralising Ukrainian society. The words 'For Kursk' are daubed on the weapon - referring to Ukraine 's surprise incursion into the Russian border region 'However, seeing such actions, we must become even more determined in the fight against the aggressor.' Some reports say that the appalling killing was in Russian-occupied Donetsk region in or near Novogrodivka. The sword appears to be ceremonial or decorative. Ukrainian Andryushchenko Time channel reported: 'The Russians executed our prisoner in a particularly cynical manner. 'Judging by the amount of blood, the sword was driven into the still alive fighter. Tape is visible on the wrists.' The report vowed: 'Retribution will find every Russian criminaldo not forget and do not forgive. Rage. Just Rage.' Meanwhile some Russian channels have openly approved of the barbarity. Spetskurs, a Russian pro-war activist running paramilitary camps for children, declared: 'Well deserved.' Ukrainian soldiers have captured large numbers of prisoners during their incursion into Kursk Russian tanks fire at Ukrainian military positions in the Kursk region in Russia. The Russian Ministry of Defence released the footage on September 10 The hardline Rosich, based in St Petersburg, declared: 'Whoever comes to us with a sword will perish by the sword.' While the weapon used in the killing is particularly barbaric, such horrific killings have become a disturbing feature of the war. Last month a Russian fighter boasted that his battalion had 'blown the heads off' Ukrainian servicemen. Grim video showed the soldier allegedly posing with a severed head impaled on a pole. The footage was reported as a war crime to the UN by the Kyiv authorities, and was seemingly made at a Russian border point in the Belgorod region. Dmytro Lubinets has reported the alleged evidence of war crimes to the United Nations Also in August, a suspected Ukrainian prisoner of war was pictured with his head, arms and legs dismembered. Videos have shown executions of unarmed and bound PoWs. In June, the severed head of a Ukrainian defender was allegedly placed on a war-damaged armoured vehicle by Russian invaders. Ukraine launched its surprise offensive in Russia's Kursk region on August 6, with Kyiv claiming to have taken control of some 100 Russian settlements and almost 1,300 sq km of territory by the end of last month. The invasion, which has been highly embarrassing for the Kremlin, marked the first time a foreign army has taken control of parts of Russia since World War II. Russian and Ukrainian sources both confirmed last week that Kyiv's troops had started losing their grip on some of the ground they seized during the blistering offensive, with Moscow launching a major counter-offensive. BBC star Jay Blades arrived at court today to face a driving offence - just days after being charged with controlling and coercive behaviour against his estranged wife. The Repair Shop host is accused of using his mobile phone while driving in Wombourne, Staffordshire, in April last year, which he previously denied. The 54-year-old arrived at Cannock Magistrates Court this morning wearing a black suit and his trademark flatcap as he clutched a bottle of water. On Friday, the furniture restorer attended Kidderminster Magistrates Court to face a charge of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship. The charge relates to his wife Lisa Zbozen, a fitness instructor, who revealed on social media in May that their relationship had come to an end. Jay Blades arrived at Cannock Magistrates Court this morning wearing a black suit and his trademark flatcap as he clutched a bottle of water The Repair Shop host (pictured outside Cannock Magistrates Court) is accused of using his mobile phone while driving in Wombourne, Staffordshire, in April last year, which he previously denied West Mercia Police launched an investigation after they were called to an address the day after Ms Zbozen's post on Instagram. Dad-of-three Blades will appear at Worcester Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on October 11. Following his first charge, he resigned from the King's Foundation, which he supported as an ambassador. Blades also resigned from his role as chancellor at Buckinghamshire New University. He previously won daytime BAFTA TV award for a Repair Shop special which had featured the King, who was Prince of Wales at the time. Blades left school at 15 with no qualifications but got back on track studying for a degree in criminology and philosophy at Buckinghamshire New University from 2001. BBC star Jay Blades arrived at court on Tuesday to face a driving offence Blades has pleaded not guilty to the alleged offence Following his first charge, Blades resigned from the King's Foundation, which he supported as an ambassador Blades left school at 15 with no qualifications but got back on track studying for a degree in criminology and philosophy at Buckinghamshire New University from 2001 Blades appeared in a Channel 4 documentary last month about his friendship with actress Dame Judi Dench, called 'Dame Judi and Jay: The Odd Couple' In 2022, a special one-off episode to mark the BBC's centenary saw Jay Blades and the repair team visit the King, when he was still the Prince of Wales, at Dumfries House in Scotland Following his graduation, Blades co-founded the Out of the Dark charitable social enterprise that recycled and revamped furniture to train, educate and employ young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. And he found fame on the BBC restoration programme The Repair Shop which sees members of the public take worn-out family heirlooms to be restored by a team of experts starring on the show since its launch in 2017. In 2022, a special one-off episode to mark the BBC's centenary saw Blades and the repair team visit the King, when he was still the Prince of Wales, at Dumfries House in Scotland. Lawyers clashed today over the decision to spare Huw Edwards a prison sentence for viewing vile sex abuse images of children. The former BBC News presenter was handed a six-month suspended sentence after admitting three charges of 'making' indecent photographs after he was sent 41 illegal images by convicted paedophile Alex Williams. The decision followed extensive mitigation submitted on Edwards' behalf by his defence barrister, Philip Evans KC, including his mental health struggles, guilty plea and other personal factors including a strained relationship with his father. Grace Gwynne, a barrister specialising in family law, called both the sentence and the mitigation provided by the broadcaster's team ' a joke'. 'Not only was he not blocking - he was actively seeking these images and he was asking for them, he said ''yes'' to images of young people. So his offending behaviour was seeking that type of material,' she told Good Morning Britain. Liam Kotrie, a criminal defence solicitor, and Grace Gwynne, a barrister specialising in family law, appearing today on Good Morning Britain Huw Edwards was handed a six-month suspended sentence after admitting three charges of 'making' indecent photographs after he was sent 41 illegal images by convicted paedophile Alex Williams A mugshot released of the presenter by Scotland Yard showed him staring at the camera 'I think the mitigation put on his behalf was a joke as well. He was diagnosed with a major depressive disorder based on the fact that he didn't get into Oxford, but also he had daddy issues. 'I don't think we're in the realm of paranoid schizophrenia. I have never been in a paedophile case where they haven't raised mental health as an issue, so for me it's a cop out and a discredit to those who genuinely suffer from mental health issues. 'And also it's outrageous to say that just because he has mental health issues it was effectively a gateway into him becoming a paedophile. I think it's absolute nonsense.' Liam Kotrie, a criminal defence solicitor, said he was 'surprised' the case stayed in magistrates' court for sentencing rather than going to crown court, which 'could have sent more of a message'. And while he did not give a view on whether Edwards' should have been jailed, he argued that the mitigation offered on his behalf had to be considered as part of the context of his offending. 'There was very extensive mitigation put forward. I'm not sure I would have mentioned everything that this barrister did, but we all have our own techniques,' he told GMB. 'However, all these things have to be put into the context of offending. He's pleaded guilty and that's the important thing. This isn't a get out of jail free card - psychiatric reports don't mean he was not guilty of the offence, but it's context.' Mr Kotrie said he had dealt with 'hundreds' of cases where someone had been convicted of possessing indecent images of children and had found these people rarely reoffend. 'People who commit these offences rarely commit them again after they've been convicted,' he said. Ms Gwynne disagreed and claimed viewing indecent images was often a gateway behaviour that led to physical abuse. But Mr Kotrie said: 'I've dealt with hundreds of these cases, and it's very rare in fact that people who have committed physical sex abuse of children have also been convicted of the possession of indecent images. 'You might find that strange, but it is in fact the case.' Edwards held his hands together and steadied himself as Chief Magistrate, district judge Paul Goldspring, sentenced him yesterday A court sketch of Edwards in the dock at Westminster Crown Court listening to his sentence Edwards pictured with his wife Vicky Flind in London in 2018. She named him as the high-profile presenter as the centre of a sexual pictures scandal Wendy Joseph, a former Old Bailey judge, accepted that there was plenty of legitimate 'frustration' about the sentence Edwards had received. 'You don't have to be a judge to feel that frustration, you just have to be a human being,' she told Sky News. 'If it was your family or your child you must feel that it's a very strange world, but the laws are made by Parliament for the running of society as a whole, and these are the rules that are laid down. 'As far as I can see, all the magistrate has done is apply the laws that are there.' Edwards was sentenced at a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday. What does 'making' indecent images mean? Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to three counts of 'making' indecent images of children in July. The Crown Prosecution Service says it can include: opening an email attachment containing an image downloading an image from a website to a screen storing an image on a computer accessing a pornographic website in which an image appears in an automatic 'pop-up' window receiving an image via social media, even if unsolicited and even if part of a group or live-streaming images of children A court must also decide whether an offence calls into the category of possession, distribution or production. Advertisement The chief magistrate, district judge Paul Goldspring, said: 'Perhaps it does not need saying but you are of previous good character, I accept positive exemplary character, having enjoyed a very successful career in the media. 'It is obvious that until now you were very highly regarded by the public for your dedication and professionalism, you were perhaps the most recognised news reader/journalist in the UK. 'It is not an exaggeration to say your long-earned reputation is in tatters.' The judge also said that the financial and reputational damage Edwards suffered was 'the natural consequence of your behaviour which you brought upon yourself'. He told the court: 'I make clear that the loss of your distinguished career and the financial and reputational damage caused are not, in my view, significant mitigating factors, but rather natural consequences of your behaviour which you brought upon yourself.' Judge Goldspring said it is 'obvious that these are extremely serious offences', quoting the author of the pre-sentence report who wrote: 'The continued distribution of child abuse images perpetuates a cycle of abuse to fulfil the demand for the sexualisation of children. 'Victims may be aware that their images may be or are still circulating on the internet, and this can lead to feelings of on-going traumatisation. 'The impact of child sexual abuse involving imagery can be severe and lifelong, with the potential for children to be re-victimised each time images are viewed. They may feel guilt, shame, and self-blame, and be vulnerable to further sexual abuse.' He highlighted the young ages of children involved in two of the Category A images, in which one child is aged around seven to nine, as a 'significant aggravating feature'. The judge accepted that Edwards did not make payments in order to pay for images to be sent. 'I agree with the prosecution analysis, this appears to be by way of an apparent 'thank you', but not 'purchasing' images in a way more often seen in such cases,' he said. Alex Williams, 25, shared indecent images with Huw Edwards that led to the newsreader's downfall. Williams is pictured here as a teenager on a family trip to a Welsh beauty spot The chief magistrate said the medical evidence appears to confirm that Edwards had no memory of viewing any particular image because of his mental health at the time, and accepted that the former broadcaster did not store or send the images or gain any gratification from them. The court was taken through details of Edwards's mental health history, with reference made to one report by a consultant psychiatrist and neuropsychiatrist that recorded Edwards took two months of sick leave 'following an anonymous denunciation' in 2018. The same psychiatrist concluded Edwards was at 'considerable risk of harm from others' and the risk of taking his own life was 'high and significant' if he was imprisoned. Another medical report, by a forensic psychosexual therapist, said: 'The feelings of being desirable and unseen alongside Mr Edwards' unresolved sexual orientation created a perfect storm where he engaged in sexual infidelities and became vulnerable to people blackmailing him.' The judge said he believed the former broadcaster's remorse was genuine and that his mental health at the time of the offences could have impaired his decision-making. On Edwards' risk of reoffending, the judge said: 'I am of the clear view that you do not present a risk or danger to the public at large, specifically to children. There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.' He declined to make a sexual harm prevention order against Edwards. A charge of using his mobile phone at the wheel against BBC star Jay Blades was dismissed this morning after the Crown offered no evidence against him. The Repair Shop star Blades, 54, - who was charged last week with the physical and emotional abuse of his wife had previously denied a separate allegation of using his phone while driving in Wombourne, Staffordshire, in April last year. But during a brief hearing over that matter before Cannock magistrates, sitting at Walsall, prosecutor Zulqarnain Saeed said the officer in the case was not available and therefore the Cown would offer no evidence. At the end of the two-minute hearing sitting Presiding Justice Neil Ravenscroft told Blades: 'You're free to go' to which the TV star, of Claverley, Shropshire, replied: 'Thank you Sir.' Blades left court wearing a black cap and black suit. Jay Blades left Cannock Magistrates Court this morning wearing a black suit and his trademark flatcap as he clutched a bottle of water The Crown said it was offering no evidence in the case, meaning the charge was dropped and the presenter (pictured leaving court) cleared The Repair Shop host (pictured outside Cannock Magistrates Court) had previously denied a separate allegation of using his phone while driving in Wombourne, Staffordshire, in April last year Blades appeared before Kidderminster magistrates on Friday charged with 'controlling and coercive behaviour' over a 20-month period. The single charge relates to his fitness instructor wife Lisa Zbozen, 43, who announced on Instagram on May 2 that she had walked out of the marriage. The following day, West Mercia Police began an investigation after officers were 'called to an address' and Blades was arrested. Court documents allege that he 'repeatedly or continuously engaged in behaviour which was controlling or coercive, namely physical and emotional abuse, towards Lisa Zbozen'. The alleged behaviour towards his wife 'had a serious effect on her' and Blades 'knew, or ought to have known, that the behaviour would have a serious effect on her', according to the charge. The couple married in November 2022 in Barbados, but in May Ms Zbozen announced that she had walked out on him in an Instagram post in which she said she was 'very broken'. The TV star (pictured leaving court) replied 'Thank you Sir' when told by Presiding Justice Neil Ravenscroft that he was free to go BBC star Jay Blades arrived at court on Tuesday to face a driving offence Blades has resigned from the King's Foundation, which he supported as an ambassador Blades left school at 15 with no qualifications then studied for a degree in criminology and philosophy at Buckinghamshire New University from 2001 Jay Blades (left) has been charged with offences against his estranged wife Lisa Zbozen (right) Jay Blades and Lisa Zbozen married at a beachfront villa in Barbados on November 22, 2022 Blades appeared in a Channel 4 documentary last month about his friendship with actress Dame Judi Dench, called 'Dame Judi and Jay: The Odd Couple' In 2022, a special one-off episode to mark the BBC's centenary saw Jay Blades and the repair team visit the King, when he was still the Prince of Wales, at Dumfries House in Scotland Last Thursday, a day before Blades appeared in court over the alleged abuse of his wife, The Repair Shop's social media account announced 'an exciting new live tour' featuring Blades and other experts from the show. The 40-a-ticket show, The Repair Shop - Secrets From The Barn is due to tour the country in February. After being charged with the coercive control of his wife, Blades resigned as an ambassador for the King's Foundation. The furniture restorer won a daytime Bafta TV award along with other members of the BBC programme last year for a special featuring the King, who was at the time the Prince of Wales. An episode of Blades' show with actor Sir David Jason - David & Jay's Touring Toolshed - was axed from BBC1's Friday night schedule, following news of his court appearance. Blades has also since resigned as a chancellor of Buckinghamshire Bew University, where he studied criminology and philosophy. A teenager left to die on the sofa was exposed to her mother having sex with random men after her bedroom door was removed and not replaced, an inquiry heard. Mother Sharon Goldie, 49, thought her 13-year-old daughter Robyn was 'exaggerating' and just had a stomach bug so she refused to let her go to the hospital in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, in 2018. She left her on the sofa to watch TV while she went to the pub but returned to find her unresponsive on the sofa. Robyn died after developing peritonitis and a perforated duodenal ulcer. An inquiry into her death heard Goldie had been 'entertaining men at home drunk', some of whom behaved 'inappropriately' towards Robyn. Robyn's bedroom door had also been removed and never replaced, with the schoolgirl suspected of having been exposed to her mother's sexual activity. Robyn Goldie, 13, (left) became unwell at her home in Scotland but rather than get her help, her mother Sharon Goldie (right) went out to the pub Maggie Mellon, an independent social worker who compiled a report on the case, told the inquiry there was 'disturbing' evidence about what Robyn was experiencing. Mellon, 70, said: 'The biggest question was whether she could safely stay in her mother's care and it was thought she could be made safe through advice and guidance. 'There was some disturbing evidence being known such as that Robyn did not have a bedroom door which had been taken off by Sharon and had never been put back again. 'Her mother had been entertaining men at home drunk and Robyn had been exposed to her mother's sexual activity and there were adult men in the house behaving inappropriately towards Robyn in the home.' Mellon also revealed Goldie told social workers that she did not want to look after Robyn following her return to live with her. She added: 'I'm conscious that she was very stressed and didn't want to look after her because of the stress it was causing her.' Mellon said she was unsure how much Goldie, who suffered a brain injury in the 1980s, was aware of how ill Robyn was before she died. Mellon said: 'I think Sharon might not have known how ill Robyn was because she was being told to be firm, have boundaries and be there for her daughter but I'm not sure how much Sharon understood and clearly she did not understand that Robyn was critically ill.' Goldie was jailed for three years and six months in 2020 after admitting willful ill treatment and neglect between July 2017 and July 2018. She also admitted failing to provide Robyn with adequate food, clothing or heating, hitting her and permitting her to smoke cannabis and drink alcohol. She pleaded guilty to exposing her daughter to unhygienic living conditions including cat urine and cat faeces which led to her getting fleas. The inquiry into Robyn's death was called by Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC, after ruling the circumstances of Robyn's death gave rise to 'serious public concern'. It will examine the circumstances in which Robyn died, to see what reasonable precautions could have been taken, and could be implemented in the future, to minimise the risk of other deaths in similar circumstances. The inquiry will have particular focus on the interactions with social work services. Procurator Fiscal Katrina Parkes, who leads on death investigations for COPFS, said: 'The Lord Advocate considers that the death of Robyn Goldie occurred in circumstances giving rise to significant public concern and as such a discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiry should be held. 'An FAI will allow a full public airing of all the available evidence at which interested parties will be represented. The evidence will be tested in a public setting and be the subject of an independent judicial determination.' The inquiry heard Robyn had told social workers she had caught her mother engaging in sexual activity. Goldie admitted wilful ill treatment and neglect of her daughter between July 2017 and July 2018 and was jailed for three years and six months in October 2020 The information had been passed on to staff at her school who had flagged it up as causing concern for her welfare. The fatal accident inquiry at Hamilton Sheriff Court heard concern mounted about Robyn's safety after she returned to Goldie's care after staying with her grandmother for eight years. The probe had earlier heard Goldie told Robyn not to report an alleged rape as it would lead to her being examined by doctors and having to go to court. Hamilton Sheriff Court was told Goldie failed to disclose full details of the alleged attack despite being told to by council staff. Social worker Brian McNott, 39, told the inquiry: 'Robyn had made an allegation of rape and Sharon's response to that I found to be really concerning. 'I felt it was a really underwhelming response to something that her daughter had said she had gone through and she spoke Robyn down from seeking police intervention. 'We had to direct Sharon to get Robyn a doctor's appointment and we found out that she didn't give full information in respect of the allegation of rape to the doctor. 'That was a real concern of her ability to make sure Robyn was safe and to get her medical intervention if required.' McNott said Goldie and Robyn had 'significant challenges' living together after she had returned from staying with her gran for eight years. He added there was a 'lack of boundaries' and they had a 'sister relationship' instead of mother and daughter. He said: 'Robyn and Sharon had significant challenges living together and there were a number of police concerns about them. 'We felt we had a handle on that but although it was challenging for all involved, there was a significant turning point at the way the rape allegation was handled by Sharon. 'There was also verbal conflict, physical conflict and that led to a really challenging environment for Robyn to live in at the time.' McNott added: 'This case in particular has had an impact on me that will last my entire life.' The inquiry before Sheriff Linda Nicolson continues. Sadiq Khan ignited a huge row today after the Government gave the Labour Mayor new powers to force through a 150million pedestrianisation of Oxford Street. Mr Khan wants work to start within two years to remove all vehicles from the famous shopping street - despite warnings it could become a crime-ridden 'no-go area'. The proposal is part of a wider regeneration project which Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner claimed will give the popular shopping district 'the boost it needs'. But industry leaders are calling for 'strong safety measures' to accompany the plans, given there are fears it could increase crimes such as shoplifting and pickpocketing. There are calls for more 'adequate policing' and improved public transport access, with evening revellers and particularly women possibly more at risk from no passing traffic - given regular buses and taxis can act as a deterrent to criminal activity. Oxford Street has suffered from big name exits in recent years, leaving boarded-up storefronts and a proliferation of tacky US-style sweet shops - but there are hopes it is finally bouncing back with the reopening of HMV and a forthcoming new Ikea. The scheme aims to improve one of the world's busiest shopping zones for workers, residents, shoppers and tourists in an area which has about 500,000 daily visitors. Mr Khan wants to pedestrianise a 0.7-mile stretch between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, with the potential for further changes towards Tottenham Court Road. London Mayor Sadiq Khan today issued an artist's impression of a pedestrianised Oxford Street based on plans drawn up in 2017. These are representative of the type of initial scheme that could be implemented - rather than being the actual plans for the redevelopment Christmas shoppers walk along the pavement on a busy Oxford Street on December 23, 2023 Groups of young people run away from police on Oxford Street during disorder in August 2023 An empty retail unit on Oxford Street, which is one of Europe's busiest shopping regions Oxford Street has seen a proliferation of US-style sweet shops popping up in recent years The Mayor hopes to reboot plans for a 'traffic-free pedestrianised avenue' similar to Times Square in New York, the Champs-Elysees in Paris and Barcelona's Las Ramblas. How a monorail and flyover have previously been proposed to solve Oxford Street gridlock A series of plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street have been proposed in previous decades but none have ever got off the ground. One of the most unusual was a monorail which would have run on a track 50ft above shoppers. The idea was drawn up in 2012 by engineers KBR for a system to run the mile-length of the street and link it with Piccadilly Circus. A monorail in Sydney, pictured in 2003 Lord Rogers, the Mayor's leading architectural adviser at the time, presented the idea to business leaders and said a similar system had worked well in Sydney. But it was never taken forward - and the Sydney monorail ceased operating in June 2013. Another plan for Oxford Street unveiled in 2008 by former mayor Ken Livingstone was a 200million tram system, which would have also seen the road pedestrianised. Mr Livingstone wanted the system in place by 2018, but it never went forward amid a series of issues including concerns over overcrowding and insufficient space for the construction of a tram depot. A further unusual proposal to pedestrianise the street was a plan in 1982 to build a flyover for buses and taxis which would dip down to street level at Oxford Circus. The scheme, which was estimated to cost 47million in 1982 prices, would have avoided having to divert vehicles onto side streets but concerns were raised about its viability and it never happened. Going even further back, a report in the 1960s suggested dropping the road slightly into a shallow depression and raising the shopping level up by 20ft. But the study, by Professor Sir Colin Buchanan, concluded that it was already too late for such a major reconstruction of the street and the plan only ever remained at the idea stage. Advertisement But a previous 43million attempt by Mr Khan to ban traffic from Oxford Street was blocked by then-Conservative-run Westminster City Council in 2018 amid opposition from locals who feared traffic gridlock on the surrounding streets. The local authority, seized by Labour in 2022, remains staunchly opposed to pedestrianising the street - and only found about the new plans last Thursday. Some cabinet members were said to have been 'apoplectic' about Mr Khan's announcement, with the council already having 'shovel ready' plans for a 150million transformation including 89million on the street and 25million at Oxford Circus while 'maintaining vehicular access'. The impact on cyclists of Mr Khan's plan is not yet clear, with more detail on the plans awaited. But the redevelopment is set to require 16 bus routes to be removed or diverted - including the 98 and 390 which run the full length of Oxford Street. Restrictions already in place mean between 7am and 7pm vehicular access to parts of Oxford Street is limited to taxis and buses, except on Sundays. Steve McNamara, general secretary of the London Taxi Drivers' Association, raised concerns about crime, saying his members had 'lost all confidence' in the police's ability to keep Oxford Street safe. He told the Daily Telegraph: 'Of course, that's compounded by the level of street crime that they witness on a daily basis. 'The big thing that our members witness on a daily basis is phone snatches in London. And so they're thinking, well, what's the point in me ringing up and reporting that when nobody's doing anything about it?' Concerns have also been raised about the impact on disabled people, with Inclusion London spokesman Laura Vicinanza saying: 'Fully pedestrianising Oxford Street would make it extremely difficult for disabled people, particularly people with mobility impairments to travel safely and independently.' Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said his group supported the pedestrianisation plan, telling MailOnline that it has the 'potential to boost the daytime, evening, and night-time economy by creating a safer, more enjoyable environment for shoppers, residents, and visitors'. But he added: 'The success of this scheme depends heavily on addressing key elements such as robust infrastructure, enhanced public transport, and strong safety measures, particularly as criminality continues to be a pressing concern for late-night businesses. 'To truly revitalise Oxford Street and restore its status as a global destination, it is essential that plans accommodate the needs of the night-time economy. 'This must include extending operating hours, improving public transport access, and ensuring adequate policing to support a thriving after-hours scene.' Also today, Nickie Aiken, the former Conservative MP for the Cities of London and Westminster, took to social media to accuse the Mayor and Government of trying to 'take away local democracy and railroad decisions local people do not support'. Another artist's impression of a pedestrianised Oxford Street from plans released in 2017 An artist's impression of a night-time view of Oxford Street if it were to be pedestrianised She urged the council to 'stand up to this bullying and bring a judicial review', adding that Mr Khan should instead be focusing on launching a pedicab licensing scheme. Poll Should Oxford Street be pedestrianised? Yes No Should Oxford Street be pedestrianised? Yes 401 votes No 611 votes Now share your opinion Tim Barnes, a former Conservative councillor and parliamentary candidate for the same constituency, warned residents in Marylebone, Mayfair, Soho and Fitzrovia would oppose pedestrianisation. He told the Standard: 'If they're going to resuscitate the 2018 plan, that Frankenstein's monster of a proposal, by shooting electricity through it to bring it back from the dead, I can see no reason to think they will be more successful in 2024 than they were six years ago. 'It gets very complicated very quickly. You end up cutting off access for the people who need it most.' And the council's chief executive Stuart Love said: 'Westminster City Council has spent the last two years working closely with businesses and resident groups to develop detailed proposals to redesign and improve Oxford Street. A police officer wrestles with a young man on Oxford Street in London in August 2023 Chaos in Oxford Street in August 2023 was triggered by an online push to 'rob JD Sports' 'These plans are shovel ready, have had the support of retailers and the local community and were intended to deliver significant economic growth whilst also securing a successful future for our thriving neighbourhoods in the West End. 'The latest pedestrianisation proposal from the Mayor of London was only shared with us last Thursday. It will be important to receive further details about what is planned, including how long it could take to be delivered and how the concerns of local residents and users of the street will be addressed.' Julie Redmond from the Marylebone Association group warned pedestrianising Oxford Street would have 'several negative impacts on residents in the surrounding areas'. She told of an 'increase in traffic congestion on nearby residential streets, more noise and air pollution in quieter areas, affecting the quality of life for those living there'. Ms Redmond added that the 'influx of more visitors and shoppers will lead to overcrowding and more crime', while 'elderly residents, people with disabilities and families will also face reduced access to their homes'. People cross the road at Oxford Circus today, after pedestrianisation plans were announced Shadow Transport Minister Greg Smith told Playbook that the plans are 'yet another move by the Mayor of London to drive people out of London.' He added: 'He may as well put up a sign saying 'don't come here, your money isn't welcome in our shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants'.' The project is expected to cost around 150million, with City Hall officials hoping it could be paid for by a combination of local businesses, new revenue streams and private funders. Among the businesses Mr Khan wants to be involved are those that belong to the New West End Company business improvement district. And Dee Corsi, the group's chief executive, said: 'New West End Company has long championed the transformation of Oxford Street, navigating various challenges and proposals over the years. Taxis, buses and cyclists travel along Oxford Street today after the proposals were unveiled 'We're encouraged by the renewed commitment to bring this vision to life and support the government's drive for economic growth. 'Given the history of past schemes, it is essential that we move swiftly to deliver this project.' She added that the group would be working closely with the Mayor, Government and council but also warned that the 'devil will be in the detail'. The plans have divided shoppers and road users, with pedestrian safety and accessibility for less mobile visitors seen as key issues. Simon Weir, 50, who has worked in an office on the adjoining Regent Street for eight years, said he thought Oxford Street should 'definitely' be pedestrianised which would have a positive impact on safety and attract more visitors. The Oxford Street redevelopment is set to require 16 bus routes to be removed or diverted He said: 'I think if you pedestrianise it, get rid of some of the stores on there that are just terrible and bring back the sort of stores that are going to bring people in, then it becomes a proper shopping destination.' Mr Weir said he had seen many 'near-misses' between pedestrians and traffic on the street. 'If you think about the kids but also the fumes,' he added, 'If you stand out here, it's just not good.' Shaf, 40, who drives buses on the number 55 route which goes down Oxford Street and did not want to give his surname, agreed that the plans would improve safety for tourists. He added: 'They don't know whether to look left or right, so half the time they step out in front of you. In the afternoon rush, it's crazy.' Kaylee Southward, 23, who lives in London and travels to the area regularly to shop and work, also said she thought the plans would 'make life easier' and the road safer. Taxis, buses and cyclists travel along Oxford Street today after the proposals were unveiled She said: 'I think there's so much traffic here and the walkways are so busy that I think it would make it safer in general to have it pedestrianised, easier to get around. 'When it's busy, it's so busy you can't walk down the pavement - so if there's extra space, that would just make life easier,' she added. Richard Lycett, 70, said that current traffic restrictions, including removal of bus stops near Selfridges, meant it was 'a lot of work' to get around the area but that this had not made him less likely to visit. He added: 'Taxis, buses, they're fundamental to London - for getting around London, so if you closed off Oxford Street, pedestrianised it totally, how would you get from one end to the other?' London cab driver Ben Mann, 48, said the plans would have a negative impact on those who are less mobile and would increase traffic congestion on nearby streets. London Mayor Sadiq Khan speaks to the media on Oxford Street in November 2017, when plans to pedestrianise the western section of the popular shopping area were first unveiled Speaking at a nearby taxi rank, Mr Mann, who has been driving black cabs in London for 21 years, added: 'What about access? I work this rank quite a lot and I would say seven out of 10 people are elderly people who still come shopping here. 'They're not capable of walking about - it's a long street. What about if you're in a wheelchair?' Announcing the plans, Mr Khan said: 'Oxford Street was once the jewel in the crown of Britain's retail sector, but there's no doubt that it has suffered hugely over the last decade. 'Urgent action is needed to give the nation's most famous high street a new lease of life. 'I am excited to be working with the new Government, and local retailers and businesses, on these plans that will help to restore this famous part of the capital to its former glory, while creating new jobs and economic prosperity for the capital and the country. Debenhams on Oxford Street shut in 2021 but is becoming a new retail and office complex 'I want Oxford Street to once again become the leading retail destination in the world. 'The transformation of Oxford Street will be a leading example of how working together - City Hall and the new Government - we can build a better London for everyone.' Mr Khan's latest proposal depends on him obtaining permission from Ms Rayner in her role as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to establish a new Mayoral Development Corporation, which would provide planning powers. This request can only be made following a statutory period of consultation and consideration by the London Assembly. Ms Rayner said: 'Oxford Street is a world-renowned shopping destination and we want it to stay that way. By working with the mayor and local leaders, we can ensure it gets the boost it needs. The HMV music store returned to Oxford Street last November following a four-year absence 'This plan to revitalise Oxford Street will drive growth by creating new jobs, generating economic activity, and giving a much-needed boost to London's night-time economy.' A press release issued by Mr Khan also quoted the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, saying: 'I fully support Mayor Khan's visionary plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street. 'In Paris, we have seen firsthand how transforming our iconic streets into pedestrian-friendly areas has revitalised the city, reducing pollution and enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.' And Barcelona's Mayor Jaume Collboni was quoted as saying: 'Barcelona stands with London in its bold efforts to reimagine its urban spaces. 'Like our own transformation of Las Ramblas, this project will enrich the city's cultural life, create a more comfortable and friendly space for pedestrians, and inspire cities around the world to follow suit.' Ikea is preparing to open a new store on Oxford Street, which is set to launch next spring A further statement within the press release came from Peter Ruis, executive director for John Lewis, who said: 'Oxford Street has been home to the first ever John Lewis store since 1864. 'We're extremely proud of our place on the street and are investing significantly in our flagship, next month opening one of the country's biggest Beauty Halls and welcoming Waterstones. 'We're delighted to see the plans announced today to transform 'the nation's high street' and look forward to welcoming even more visitors to London's West End.' And a quote from John Dickie, chief executive of the BusinessLDN group, said: 'We look forward to engaging with the new Mayoral Development Corporation as well as Westminster City Council, the London Borough of Camden, the New West End Company and other stakeholders to help to make Oxford Street an even more vibrant and attractive place to visit.' Traffic congestion on Oxford Street (pictured on April 1, 1931) has been a problem for decades There was also a statement from Barbara Stoll, director of the Clean Cities Campaign, who said: 'This is fantastic news and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to boost the West End's economy while tackling London's air quality crisis. 'Cities worldwide have shown that pedestrianisation increases foot traffic, boosts sales, and reduces retail vacancies benefiting both local businesses and residents. 'This move will reinvigorate central London and will reinforce the city's role as a global leader in effectively tackling climate change whilst making urban life better for everyone.' This is the moment an actor claimed he was pepper-sprayed and kicked by police officers in front of his crying mother. Reece Richards, who played Eugene in the hit Netflix show Sex Education, accused the Met Police of 'racial profiling' and claimed he was the 'victim of an unlawful arrest' just yards from his home in Fulham, West London, on September 4. The drama unfolded after Mr Richards witnessed a car crash while returning home from performing in Hairspray the Musical in Milton Keynes. Three men jumped out of the vehicle as police gave chase. However, when Mr Richards apparently tried to tell the officers which way the men ran off, he was mistaken for one of the suspects. Footage shared on Instagram appears to show the actor being told to 'stay where you are' as he is allegedly threatened with pepper spray. He then claims to have been 'kicked' and 'handcuffed' by officers who briefly detained him. He was then dearrested shortly after when it became clear he was just a bystander. The force confirmed it had received a complaint over the arrest which was being investigated by its Professional Standards department. However, no officers have been suspended or taken off duty over the incident. Reece Richards claims he was pepper sprayed and had his legs kicked from under him by police during an 'unlawful arrest' Mr Richards, who played Eugene on the hit Netflix show Sex Education (pictured above), accused the Met Police of 'racial profiling' The actor appeared to be told to 'stay where you are' by an officer threatening him with pepper spray in in footage captured nearby and later posted to Instagram Mr Richards (pictured) said the incident left him 'confused' as he said he was 'treated like a criminal' In a statement posted on social media, Mr Richards said: 'I was confused, unable to understand why I was suddenly being treated like a criminal. Calmly, I explained that I was a performer returning from a show, but one officer yelled, "Get to the floor or I'll pepper spray you". 'They pepper-sprayed me, kicked my legs out from under me, threw me to the ground, and handcuffed me. 'In a flash, I was face-down on the pavement with multiple officers holding me down, forcing my head into the ground. 'I was already injured from the show, but having four officers on top of me worsened my injuries to my back, ribs, and stomach. 'I couldn't see anything, but I could hear my mum nearby, screaming and crying, begging them to let me go.' The actor says he was placed under arrest after telling officers which way the men involved in the crash ran off The Met Police confirmed it had received a complaint over the arrest which was being investigated by its Professional Standards department. However, no officers have been suspended or taken off duty over the incident The official Hairspray UK Tour has said it stands in 'full support and solidarity' with Mr Richards While under arrest he asked his mother to call family-friend Brenda Edwards, the director of Hairspray and well-known TV host. He claimed that after Ms Edwards arrived at the scene around 20 minutes later the officer's attituded shifted 'immediately'. Mr Richards added: 'That feeling of helplessness will never leave me. 'I've been stopped and searched before, but never have I been arrested or treated like this.' Posting to social media, Ms Edwards said: 'Reece Richards who is currently playing one of the leads in my production and has never been in trouble with the law, was racially profiled and violated, just after getting back to London from me watching him and the fabulous cast in Milton Keynes. 'He told the police that he had just performed in Milton Keynes so it couldnt be him and the fact he had a massive suitcase with him and the cast on FaceTime was totally ignored. 'This was such a distressing experience to witness. Conversations sadly still need to be had.' Mr Richards described the experience as 'embarrassing, deeply upsetting, and exhausting'. He added: 'It has left me questioning everything I thought I knew about justice. Suddenly, my understanding of right and wrong feels completely upended.' A statement from the official Hairspray UK Tour said: 'We stand in full support and solidarity with Reece Richards, a valued member of our cast who was wrongfully targeted by the Met Police whilst making his way home after a performance of Hairspray The Musical. 'We strongly condemn any form of racism and discrimination. 'We are in close contact with Reece and are offering him our full support during this difficult time.' Describing the incident, Mr Richards said: 'That feeling of helplessness will never leave me' A spokesperson for the Met Police told MailOnline: 'We are aware of a video circulating on social media of a man being detained in the Fulham area. 'Officers often find themselves in dynamic, challenging situations and have to make split-second judgements on which course of action to take. 'Officers had been pursuing three men who had run out of a car that had crashed in Fulham Palace Road after it failed to stop for police. 'It is clear the man shown in the footage was an innocent bystander and he was dearrested as soon as this was established by officers at the scene. 'All officers know any use of force must be proportionate and reasonable and they understand their actions will be scrutinised. 'A complaint has been received in relation to his arrest. 'This is currently being assessed by officers from the Mets Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS), along with other material including the officers body worn video footage. 'None of the officers involved are subject to restrictions at this time.' The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has said that it is not aware of any referral made to them. Tensions there could turn violent on 'little notice' Aussies warned not to travel New Caledonia Aussies planning a South Pacific holiday in New Caledonia have been advised to reconsider due to ongoing tensions and crime on the island nation. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade updated its advice on Tuesday, urging to Aussies to to unnecessary travel to the French archipelago as arson attacks and carjackings continue amid civil unrest. Political protests planned in the coning days could turn violent at short notice, the department warned. 'Demonstrations and protests may increase leading up to a national public holiday on 24 September,' the department's updated Smartraveller site read. The warnings come despite an increased police and security presence in the region. The nationwide nightly curfew will be increased between September 21 and 24, and will be enforced between 6pm and 6am The current curfew is 10pm to 5am. The department urged Aussies currently in New Caledonia to avoid demonstrations and public gatherings, and to follow the advice of local authorities. Holidaymakers have been warned to 'reconsider' their need to travel to New Caledonia Island paradise was plunged into protests and riots in May following a French electoral plan DFAT fears tensions sparked in May could become dangerous in the lead up to a national day 'Reconsider your need to travel to New Caledonia due to ongoing civil unrest and travel disruptions,' the site warned. Historical political tensions between the indigenous Kanak people and the governing French authority came to a head in May after French President Emmanuel Macron planned voting reforms in the territory. The government had aimed to extend provincial voting rights to French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for more than 10 years. It would have given 24,000 people the right to vote in the territory, nearly 40 per cent of the territory population is Kanak. However, the government's since-suspended ambitions upset locals who believed the move would allay the Kanak vote. Many feared the New Caledonian Independence movement would be hindered by the plan, plunging the island into a state of chaos and protest. In May activists clashed with police, beginning civil unrest that is yet to completely come to an end. Homes, cars and public buildings were set alight amid lengthy riots, further inflamed by the arrests of pro-independence leaders. The French government sought to reform electoral processes in the territory sparking riots Ten people have reportedly been killed in the conflicts and tourists have largely deserted the islands. Australian tourists were among those stranded in May when a state of emergency was declared in New Caledonia and commercial flights were paused in May. New Caledonia's Chamber of Commerce estimates some $1 billion in losses and damages on the island since the beginning of the crisis. Somesuburbs have seen residents maintain hastily-constructed barricades on their streets. Diane Abbott has accused Sir Keir Starmer of trying to 'humiliate' her as part of efforts to 'clear out' the Left from Labour. The veteran MP, a close ally of former party leader Jeremy Corbyn, hit out at the Prime Minister and claimed he treated her as a 'non-person'. In a fresh round of Labour infighting, Ms Abbott, 70, issued a blast at Sir Keir's behaviour during a row over racist comments made about her by a Tory donor. She told the BBC's Newsnight that Sir Keir 'never reached out to me personally and did treat me as a non-person' following remarks by businessman Frank Hester. Earlier this year, Mr Hester was reported to have said Ms Abbott, the first black woman to be elected to Parliament, made him want to 'hate all black women' and that she 'should be shot'. Ms Abbott said: 'If somebody was threatening to have you shot, you would have felt your party would have offered you more support, giving you advice on safety and security, even kind of commiserated with you. And none of that happened.' Diane Abbott has accused Sir Keir Starmer of trying to 'humiliate' her as part of efforts to 'clear out' the Left from Labour In a fresh round of Labour infighting, Ms Abbott, 70, issued a blast at Sir Keir's behaviour during a row over racist comments made about her by a Tory donor The veteran MP, a close ally of former party leader Jeremy Corbyn, hit out at the Prime Minister and claimed he treated her as a 'non-person' The Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP also criticised Sir Keir for his handling of her suspension from Labour in April last year. She claimed she had been targeted as 'one of the last leading left-wingers in the Parliamentary Labour Party'. 'Keir Starmer is always saying, 'It's the new Labour Party' and how could you make it look more new than by getting rid of Diane Abbott?,' she added. The former shadow home secretary was suspended after she used a letter to a Sunday newspaper to suggest Jewish people don't suffer racism. The Labour whip was eventually restored to Ms Abbott just weeks before the general election in July, amid a huge row over whether she would be allowed to stand as a party candidate. She told the BBC: 'I think that Keir Starmer wanted to finish his clear-out of the left in the Parliamentary Labour Party and by writing a very ill-advised letter, I gave him the opportunity to move against me. 'And I think what they were trying to do was to string out and string out the investigation. 'So when a general election is around the corner, they could just move me out of the way as a Labour candidate because I wouldn't be in the Parliamentary Labour Party, and they would parachute in someone else.' Ms Abbott also claimed she had been offered a deal through a 'third party' that would have seen her stand down as an MP in exchange for having the whip restored. 'I think the idea was that they would restore the whip in the morning,' she added. 'And then I would stand down in the afternoon; not the next day, not the next week, but in the afternoon. And I felt that was designed to humiliate me.' A Labour Party spokesperson said: 'Keir Starmer has great respect for Diane Abbott and she continues to be an inspiration to many. 'There is no doubt that she has received the most abuse of any MP just because of her gender and the colour of her skin, and that is completely reprehensible and wrong. 'The party, including Keir Starmer, vocally condemned Frank Hester's vile comments and reached out to Diane at the time to offer support. 'It's simply wrong to say that there was any plan being pushed by the leadership to force her out. We continue to value Diane's significant contribution to public life.' Darr, 39, admitted to three counts of misconduct in public office Muhammed Mustafa Darr has been jailed for three years and four months The face of a Metropolitan Police officer who rummaged through the pockets of two dead men to steal their bank cards has been revealed after he was sentenced to more than three years in prison. Muhammed Mustafa Darr, 39, took the cards when he was called out to deal with the two sudden unexplained deaths. Darr grabbed one from Howard Smith in December 2018 then another from Alasdair Burnside six months later. The crooked cop also took a laptop and a Louis Vuitton bag from a suspect's vehicle. Darr began abusing his position just six months into the job and accessed the police database to pass on information to three different people outside of the police force. The Metropolitan police officer who rummaged through the pockets of two dead men to steal their bank cards has been unmasked as the Met release his mug shot Southwark Crown Court heard he used Mr Smith's card to buy a Fitbit watch from John Lewis, then returned to spend 637 on Apple products from the department store. He used Mr Burnside's account to buy an iPad and other products, and attempted to make two more purchases but the card was declined. Darr, who has since resigned, admitted three counts of misconduct in public office. Mr Burnside's sisters attended the hearing at Southwark crown court and gave victim impact statements. Julia Burnside said: 'Muhammed Mustafa Darr violated our brother's body, stole his property, his identity and his good name. 'We trusted the Metropolitan Police to respect our brother's body and his belongings. 'It is chilling to reveal how vulnerable Alasdair was, with Muhammed Mustafa Darr in his flat. 'We have completely lost confidence in the Metropolitan Police. Former Met Officer Muhammed Mustafa Darr (pictured covering his face outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in April 2023) also stole a laptop and a Louis Vuitton bag from a suspect's vehicle 'Muhammed Mustafa Darr and the Metropolitan Police must be held responsible. 'This must never happen again.' Kirsty Burnside said in her statement: 'Following my brother's untimely death, I remain feeling completely horrified and disgusted at the actions of Muhammed Mustafa Darr. 'I am aware that Mr Darr was left alone in my brother's address. 'Mr Darr had no respect for my brother's dignity. 'Mr Darr queried why my brother's eyes looked 'weird and funny.' 'At this point I thought maybe this might be the first dead body he had seen. 'He kept describing the eyes as funny.' Ms Burnside asked him not to do so but he continued and went on to describe Mr Burnside's decomposing legs. 'He callously continued, I found this particularly distressing and cold-hearted,' Ms Burnside said. 'I witnessed him opening the evidence bag that had my brother's front door keys, which he did hand over.' The family wanted to have Mr Burnside's phone back, as it contained photos, but Darr claimed the phone was lost and said: 'These things happen.' It has never been recovered. Muhammed Mustafa Darr was sentenced to three years and four months in prison at Southwark Crown Court (pictured) Kirsty Burnside said: 'Mr Darr had no interest, he was unprofessional and could not even look me in the eye. 'We never got his phone back and never heard from Mr Darr again. 'We never got any response, I feel disgusted about this. 'I felt completely violated, horrified and disgusted. 'His actions were cold hearted, opportunist and calculated.' Passing sentence, Judge Sally-Ann Hales said: 'Two of Mr Burnside's sisters have given statements on the impact your offending that had on them and their families. 'Their statements are relevant to the courts statement of harm caused by your conduct. 'Kirsty describes your behaviour towards her as disrespectful, unprofessional, callous and rude. 'When she later found out you had used her brother's bank details, she felt horrified, violated and disgusted. 'The fact you met them knowing you had their bank details and used them a week later demonstrated to her you had no remorse. 'Ms Burnside's sister Julia said you violated her brother's body and his good name. 'She described it as a desecration. 'Count three concerns your theft of a laptop from a car that had been stopped by police. 'The car had been involved in a road traffic collision, you had been called to the scene but were stood down. 'At 2:30am you drove a police car to the scene, searched the car and stole a Louis Vuitton bag and laptop. 'You did admit to taking the bag, you said the last few months had been a whirlwind for you and your wife, because you had just had a baby. Former Met Officer Muhammed Mustafa Darr (pictured outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in April 2023) admitted to three counts of misconduct in public office 'You offered to return the bag and apologised for not doing so before. 'You abused your position within six months of joining the police. 'You used the bank details of two deceased men to financially enrich yourself and did so with a degree of sophistication. 'You passed on information to others. 'Whilst I acknowledged your lack of previous convictions, in a case like this, it has little weight. 'Your offending was a gross breach of trust, it is offending which betrays the trust of colleagues across the police service. 'You shamelessly exploited the deaths of two people and you stole from a third while he was in police custody. 'These offences are so serious that only a custodial sentence is appropriate.' Barr, of Walthamstow, admitted three counts of misconduct in public office. He was jailed for a total of three years and four months. He must also pay 690 to Mr Burnside'e estate and 1,630 prosecution costs, within 28 days. Addressing Mr Burnside's two sisters the judge added: 'It only remains for me to express my condolences for the family of Mr Smith, who are not present, but particularly to the family who are here of Mr Burnside. 'I hope the conclusion of these proceedings at least gives some relief.' Russia is 'fully ready' to detonate a nuclear bomb in the Arctic at 'any moment', it was revealed today as Vladimir Putin presses on with drills unseen since the Cold War. The director of an old Soviet test site first in the Novaya Zelmlya archipelago insisted that testing facilities are ready and can be used immediately 'if the order is given'. Rear Admiral Andrei Sinitsyn said: 'The test site is ready to resume full-scale testing activities... The laboratory and testing facilities are ready. The personnel are ready.' Sinitsyn claimed 'foreign intelligence' was monitoring the site, 'likely sign of a concern over nuclear tests', speaking to the state-owned Rossiyskaya Gazeta. 'We are constantly ready to repel all types of threats, including the penetration of sabotage and reconnaissance groups onto the island,' he said. A Russian nuclear-capable Iskander-M missile launching, undated The old Soviet test site first in the Novaya Zelmlya archipelago was retired for use in 1990 Rear Admiral Andrei Sinitsyn spoke to Rossiyskaya Gazeta about the developments Russian special forces training to repel the invasion of sabotage groups in Novaya Zemlya Mr Sinitsyn said that 'the 'Central Test Site of the Russian Federation' would be used for 'conducting and providing non-nuclear explosive experiments'. He said the tests were 'in the interests of state security'. But pressed on whether the site was ready to 'if necessary, resume nuclear testing', he said: 'The testing ground is ready to resume full-scale testing activities. Ready in full.' If an order is given by Vladimir Putin, a test may still go ahead. The site has not been used for nuclear testing since October 1990, after which the ailing USSR ruled out future tests, maintained by Russia. Images obtained by the Middlebury Institute for International Studies last year showed an uptick in construction at the remote island location, RFE reported at the time. A comparison of imagery from July 2021 and June 2023 showed large trucks, construction cranes, shipping containers and building supplies brought in to the settlement for its expansion. Mr Sinitsyn said the main priorities, and raison d'etre for the site, were to deter perceived aggressors through the 'readiness' of testing ground infrastructure. He said this included maintaining a 'laboratory' and 'experimental base', both of which are 'ready'. 'The testing ground has the appropriate staff, weapons, equipment, that is, everything that is necessary for our activities,' he said. The warning came days after MP Andrei Kolesnik said Putin should authorise a nuclear bomb test as a warning to the West. 'We need to carry out a nuclear explosion somewhere, at some testing ground,' demanded Andrei Kolesnik, who represents the ruling United Russia party. 'Nuclear tests are currently prohibited in our country. 'But maybe people should see what all this actually leads to, they should hear. 'If we lift the moratorium, maybe humanity will think twice.' Russian president Vladimir Putin warned this week that allowing long-range strikes into Russia 'would mean that Nato countries... and European countries are at war with Russia' Andrei Kolesnik said Putin should authorise a nuclear bomb test as a warning to the West Ukrainian servicemen fire mortars towards Russian positions in the Donetsk region, Ukraine Ukrainian servicemen operate a tank on a road near the border with Russia, in the Sumy region of Ukraine, on August 14, 2024 Parliament speaker Vyachelsav Volodin warned today that in the event of strikes on Russian cities with Western missiles, 'more powerful weapons are at the ready' to hit back. Russia today reinforced its preparations for nuclear war by staging drills involving giant Yars missile launchers in Ivanovo region. Footage showed the hulking road-mobile missile systems carrying out marches to a distance of up to 100 kilometres [62 miles] and are practicing deploying units simultaneously changing and equipping their field positions, camouflaging and guarding them, said the Russian defence ministry. The Yars missiles are currently the main ground-based component of the Russian strategic nuclear force. The Mach 25 missiles have a range of up to 7,500 miles, enabling a strike on the US. Yars is due to be overtaken by Sarmat - or Satan-2, the largest missile in Putins nuclear arsenal, described as an unstoppable 208-ton intercontinental silo-launched 15,880mph rocket, the size of a 14-storey tower block. At the beginning of August, Russian troops practiced installing dummy warheads onto launchers in another series of publicised nuclear weapons drills intended as a threat to the West over its support for Ukraine. A Russian nuclear-capable Iskander-M missile fired from a mobile launcher, undated Russian armed forces carry out drills involving a MiG-31 aircraft and missiles The missiles are capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads The drills aim to prepare the army and air force for the combat use of nuclear weapons Footage showed a military unit armed with Iskander-M operational-tactical missile systems carrying out the third stage of exercises ordered by Vladimir Putin. The Russian Defence Ministry said the drills would prepare the army and air force for the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons. This includes equipping launch vehicles with missiles 'and covertly advancing to designated position areas in preparation for conducting electronic launches'. And in July, Putin's forces carried out nuclear drills with hulking Yars mobile missile launchers, each carrying warheads with a force six times the strength of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. Naval forces carried out similar drills, practicing 'hitting the button' on a warship believed to be in the Baltic Sea. A GP's son who set up a live online link-up with mothers in the Philippines so he could 'virtually' abuse their children has been jailed for six and a half years. Jonathan Kumar, 38, logged onto paedophile websites so he could communicate with women living 6,600 miles away before engaging in sordid sex activity with them and their daughters. During warped exchanges from his bedroom in Bolton, Greater Manchester, Kumar simulated intercourse with youngsters as they were forced to virtually take part over a web cam between September 2022 and August 2023. He was arrested in August 2023 after police investigating the websites discovered an Internet Protocol address linked to him. Officers seized various electronic devices and found a recording in which he told the mother of a nine-year-old girl: 'Why is she angry baby? I'm going to rape her'. The paedophile then carried out a sex act as the youngster simulated taking part in sexual activity. Another girl exposed herself and was instructed to carry out sex acts. Jonathan Kumar (pictured) logged onto paedophile websites so he could communicate with women living 6,600 miles away before engaging in sordid sex activity When quizzed by police Kumar said: 'Yes I've been stupid.' A total of 20 movies or images were found of which ten were recorded by him. None of the eight victims involved in the abuse who aged between eight and 13 could be traced. At Bolton Crown Court, Kumar - whose late father worked as a doctor in the town - admitted inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity and making indecent pictures. He claimed he had been 'lonely' at the time due to being kept at home by the Covid-19 lockdown. Miss Tara Riley prosecuting said: 'A number of devices were seized from his home including two Samsung phones and a Dell laptop and they were all examined after the defendant provided the PIN numbers. 'One phone showed indecent images and movies of children which were taken by the handset's owner. There were social media chats in which the handset's owner was in communication with the children and parents of the children. 'In one moving image a child was seen removing her clothing showing her breasts and genital area. Another showed a picture of a child of 12 holding her nipples. 'There was a recording of video call in which the defendant speaks to the mother of a child aged between nine and 11. The mother says the child is angry and the defendant asks: "Why is she angry baby - I'm going to rape her". 'The period of the abuse was between September 2022 and August 2023. The children were particular vulnerable and were subjected to the abuse in the presence of their mothers. They were likely to be involved in commercial exploitation.' Kumar who had a previous conviction for drink driving from 2009 faced up to 10 years jail under sentencing guidelines. Rachel White mitigating said: 'He is a much loved member of his family and there is a different side to him. Although he was involved in quite persistent online communication, no money was ever exchanged. He fully accepts the disgusting nature of the offences which are shocking and extremely harmful. 'He is an individual who comes from a loving supportive family and he has been successful in his education and work. But his father became ill and for a three year period he cared for his father until he died in 2012. At Bolton Crown Court (pictured), Kumar admitted inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity and making indecent pictures 'He has a close relationship with his mother, who is now 80, and initially he continued to live with her - and when he bought his own property would regularly visit her. 'But the pandemic caused a complication in the personal circumstances of Mr Kumar and he was on his own at home and was restricted from visiting his mother. 'He became increasingly lonely and began to communicate with women online for sexual purposes. 'That behaviour escalated as he candidly admits when he became somewhat removed or disassociated with what he was doing because these were people in a foreign land appearing via a screen. 'He now fully appreciates these were very real children and that his behaviour will have impacted significantly upon them when he made the unspeakable requests that he did. 'He is ashamed and disgusted at what he did and he says no child deserved to experience this type of abuse. He became visibly upset when talking about these matters to probation officers.' Sentencing Kumar Judge Abigail Hudson told him: 'The reality is these are children being defiled for your own sexual gratification. Their care givers are likely to be desperate or abusive people who are unwilling or unable to protect those children. 'They are therefore extremely vulnerable and the damage you have caused them is immeasurable. 'You are from a relatively wealthy background and had all the opportunities you could have wished for in life including a devoted and supportive family. But you put yourself in the position you are in today because you did not seek help and engaged in this behaviour. 'You knew it was wrong but did not seek help. You are extremely fortunate that your family see the other side of you and they continue to love and support you.' Kumar was also ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register for life and will have to abide by the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Anthony Albanese has pushed back against accusations his government is strangling Australian businesses with red tape, telling a corporate dinner that Labor is 'proudly pro-business and pro-worker.' The Prime Minister was welcomed like a fish in a sea of sharks at the Business Council of Australia's (BCA) annual dinner in Sydney on Tuesday night, with both BCA's chief executive and president saying the federal government was regulating businesses into the ground. Pockets of lacklustre clapping broke out across the dimly lit ballroom as Mr Albanese entered the ornate hall. Despite the tense atmosphere, Mr Albanese struck a cordial tone in his address, telling them he was 'optimistic that government and business' could address economic challenges together. 'By recognising each other's strengths, respecting each other's views and valuing each other's contribution,' he said. 'We have different responsibilities that demand different approaches, so it is inevitable we will have occasional differences of opinion.' Anthony Albanese sat through a scathing speech from the Business Council of Australia chief Geoff Culbert The Prime Minister said that 'points of disagreement have never defined or diminished' engagement between his government and the business community because Labor 'serves all Australians.' 'We are proudly pro-business and pro-worker,' he said. 'And we don't see this as a point of tension, we see it as a matter of logic.' Among the executives seated at the Prime Minister's table were Atlassian's Mike Cannon-Brookes, Commonwealth Bank's Matt Comyn and Shell Australia's Cecile Wake. Seated next to Mr Albanese was BCA president Geoff Culbert, who made scathing remarks about the government in an address shortly before the Prime Minister's speech. Mr Culbert pointed to the government's move to cap international students as part of a plan to tighten rules in the international education sector, one of Australia's largest biggest export markets. Business Council of Australia president Geoff Culbert lasted the Albanese government's move to cap international students The proposal is intended to stop the upward spiral in real estate prices and rents, with the vast number of students - many of whom never leave - being a significant part in soaring demand which causes the price spiral. However the business community is enriched by real estate price rises and other increases in consumer demand brought out by mass migration, and Mr Culbert spoke out against restrictions on student numbers. 'Over the past two decades our university sector has built a product that is truly world-class and is now our second biggest export market behind mining and resources,' he told dinner attendees. 'But rather than celebrate that success and support our most globally competitive industries we seek to slow them down. 'To paraphrase Ronald Reagan the narrative for doing business in Australia cannot be, 'If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidise it.' 'But that is the direction we're heading.' Mr Culbert's remarks echoed comments by BCA chief executive Bran Black, who too said 'many CEOs feel we are losing our way' and 'taking incremental, but noticeable, steps backwards.' He said chief executives around the country had told him 'they are far, far more cautious about hiring after the government's raft of recent workplace changes.' 'And this underlines the point that for a good job to be well-paid, it has to exist first,' Mr Black said. 'Instead, we're steadily increasing, not removing, regulation, making it harder to run a business.' The Coalition has vowed to repeal some of the Albanese government's workplace changes if they win next year's election, including the recently enforced 'right to disconnect' which prevents bosses expecting staff to be monitoring work communications outside working hours. But Mr Albanese said his government understood job security and decent wages depended on businesses performing well, just as it understood productivity gains were dependent on 'skilled workers and safe workplaces'. He said his government had 'stood against some pretty extreme anti-business policies' emanating from the crossbench, in a thinly veiled shot at the Greens. 'We've stood up for some of Australia's biggest employers, when others have attacked you for holding a view different to their own,' Mr Albanese said. He went on to say there was 'room for everyone's views' in democracy, as well as an onus on those views 'to stand on their merits and withstand public scrutiny.' 'You have to be prepared to make the case, answer for your priorities and demonstrate how the propositions you are advancing will benefit the lives of people whose support you are seeking,' Mr Albanese said. Atlassian chief Mike Cannon-Brookes was on Mr Albanese's table 'Because economic and social change is not delivered via ultimatum, it's built by consensus and strengthened by the mandate of the people.' The Prime Minister said he was not at the dinner to 'demand' the BCA advocate for his agenda like 'many' of his predecessors. 'Tonight, I encourage you: keep advancing yours,' he said. Mr Albanese's remarks on democracy appeared to target the BCA president, who earlier warned of a 'growing danger of populism.' Mr Culbert said populism was undermining 'trust and respect for the institutions that lead our country', a problem facing countries across the Western world. 'I don't think I would be alone in saying I'm concerned about the state of democracy in western countries,' he said. 'You only have to look around the world to understand what I'm talking about.' Mr Culbert said he wished he could share in the 'popular thinking' that troubles seen in other parts of the world would never reach Australian shores, but that 'what we're seeing around the world provides an important lesson in how quickly unity can fragment when self-interest trumps national interest, and populism takes hold.' 'Robust and respectful debate is essential,' he said. 'It's the cornerstone of functional democracies. No one would disagree with that. 'But the purpose of that debate must be to come up with solutions that are in the long-term interests of the country. 'We cannot let ourselves get trapped in an endless cycle of short-term thinking and blame-shifting.' Manifestation at the Senate inquiry on human trafficking, other illegal activities linked to POGOs By Senate Majority Leader Francis 'Tol' Tolentino Siguro, an advice to counsel [and] resource persons here. While you are aware of the rules of the Senate just mentioned by the good chairperson, attorneys present, you should be aware of the Canons of Professional Responsibility in this jurisdiction, especially Canon Number 10, I quote, "a lawyer owes candor, fairness, and good faith to the investigating body." Which would mean that a lawyer, when dealing with an investigating body such as the Senate Committee, a lawyer must act with truthfulness, honesty, and should not mislead the investigating officers. This includes avoiding any false representations withholding information or engaging in other deceptive tactics. Further, a lawyer shall always exert effort and consider his duty to assist in the speedy and efficient administration of justice. Siguro maliwanag naman yan, just for the record. Investigators are examining the body of a billionaire bio-tech magnate who was found dead in a lake on his sprawling and secluded Washington estate. Police were called after Daniel Reiner, 72, disappeared from his home north of Spokane on the evening of August 30, but a search was quickly abandoned as night fell. Cadaver dogs were drawn to the lake when the search resumed at first light and the 72-year-old's body was found in the 200ft deep waters at 3pm on August 31. 'We of course look if there are any signs of obvious trauma or anything along those lines that would be obvious to say there is foul play involved,' said Pend Oreille County Sheriff Glenn Blakeslee. 'We didn't see any in this case, so then we rely on the medical examiner in the coroner's office to give us a manner and cause of death.' Daniel Reiner, 72, made billions from investments in biotech and computer hardware His body was found floating in the 95 acre private lake on his remote Washington estate The Pepperdine University graduate made his name as CEO of Optical Devices Inc which was eventually sold to Marquette Electronics for $300 million in 1993. Five years later he moved into the mansion on his 1,837 acre estate near the Canadian border and bought into the Spokane-based computer hardware company World Wide Packets which was sold to Ciena Corp for $290 million in 2008. Pend Oreille County Sheriff Glenn Blakeslee 'Dan was very involved in the success, growth and exit of World Wide Packets,' said Tom Simpson who secured his investment in the company. 'I first met Dan in the late '90s when he moved to Spokane and was trying to get acclimated to the local community,' he added. 'At the time, he had already been a very successful entrepreneur and company builder.' But Reiner was about to make a fortune from Stemcentrx, a San Francisco-based biotech company he founded in 2008 and which developed experimental cancer treatments including the small cell lung cancer drug Rova-T. He had studied post-graduate courses in genetics and biochemistry at Wayne State University and the University of California, San Diego, and he sold his start-up for $5.8 billion eight years later. The deal with the Chicago-based AbbVie Inc also saw Reiner granted stock options worth up to $4 billion. In 2019 he joined the board of Harvest Health and Recreation as the company began capitalizing on the wave of cannabis decriminalization sweeping the country to become one of the biggest suppliers in the US. 'He was just a remarkable individual and probably one of the best deal makers I have ever met,' Simpson told spokesman.com. 'Despite his success, if you saw Dan walking around downtown Spokane, he would have just blended in,' Simpson said. 'He was a very down-to-Earth individual. 'He was a mentor to me and a mentor to a lot of people.' Reiner's home was one of dozens he owned clustered next to the lake on his 1,837 acres 'Everything that goes on the property is pretty much not visible,' said Sheriff Blakeslee Dozens of buildings belonging to Reiner and his wife Rhonda, 70, sit on the shore of the 95-acre Trout Lake where his body was found on August 30. The estate off Fertile Valley Road is on the edge of the Colville National Forest and is accessed by a private road named 'Reiner Lane'. 'He owns a large piece of property there, so everything that goes on the property is pretty much not visible,' said Sheriff Blakeslee. 'There's such a distance to any neighbors from the lake itself or from any of the structures that he has there.' He said that deputies spoke to family members when they arrived on the scene after receiving a missing person's report at 8pm on the night of Reiner's disappearance. They have concluded his disappearance was not suspicious but are now awaiting the results of an autopsy by the Pend Oreille County Coroner which was carried out on September 5. 'We assume all deaths are suspicious unless evidence shows otherwise,' Blakeslee said. 'He went swimming and just didn't come back.' A notorious child disappearance that's baffled cops for 24 years likely ended in the nine year-old victim being murdered, cop say. Nine year-old Asha Degree packed her book bag and left her North Carolina home during a ferocious storm in the early hours of Valentine's Day 2000. Hairs found in that bag - which were recovered a year after Asha vanished - belong to AnnaLee Dedmon, who was 13 at the time - and a man called Russell Underhill, cops say. Underhill has since died. Investigators believe Asha was killed and her body concealed. But they have not found her remains - and are still unable to say who killed her and why she was murdered. Chillingly, investigators have also seized a vintage green sedan from AnnaLee Dedmon's home that matches the description of a car Asha was seen getting into the night she vanished. Asha Degree, who was nine when she disappeared, is believed to have been killed and her body concealed by a family and an associate Several items were seized from one of the addresses last week, including an older green vehicle that resembled a car wanted in connection with Degree's disappearance Asha left her home in Shelby, North Carolina, in the early hours of February 14 2000 during a ferocious storm and was never seen again. The youngster, a well-behaved and well-adjusted little girl who came from a good family, packed her book bag and sneaked out of her house for reasons unknown. She left her home during extreme weather and was seen by passing motorists shortly after, but vanished into a wooded area when they stopped to help her. Last week, cops executed search warrants for multiple properties linked to AnnaLee Dedmon and Russell Underhill. The book bag containing their DNA samples was found sealed in black plastic bags and close to the scene of Asha's disappearance in early 2001. Authorities say that Degree's backpack was discovered a year after disappearing 'wrapped in two sealed black plastic garbage bags' along Highway 18 Cops say the fact AnnaLee Dedmon was just 13 at the time suggests she had adult help, if she was involved in Asha's disappearance. She had two sisters aged 15 and 16, with cops saying AnnaLee's parents Connie and Roy Dedmon as possible accomplices. It is unclear if AnnaLee and her sisters knew Asha. Asha's decision to leave her home on a stormy winter's night is the detail that has most puzzled investigators and crime sleuths in the 24 years since the little girl vanished. Roy Dedmon's home, which is located just a few miles from Degree's last known location, was searched last week by law enforcement. Multiple items were seized from the address including an older green vehicle that resembled a car previously flagged in connection with Asha's disappearance. Authorities believe that Asha had entered a 1970's-era green vehicle on the night she disappeared, similar to one that was seen being towed last week. In 2016 the FBI said they had been looking for a 70s era green Ford Thunderbird or Lincoln Mark IV. The vehicle last week was an AMC Rambler. A variety of computers, laptops, cellphones and records were also recovered from the home, as well as a human tooth - according to search documents. The case had baffled investigators who have been probing the case for two decades. Locals are seen here in 2000 looking for the Degree Law enforcement executed search warrants at multiple properties including an address in Shelby, an assisted living facility in Vale, and a home in Charlotte A variety of computers, laptops, cellphones and records were also recovered from the home, as well as a human tooth - according to search documents Another property searched included an assisted living home which is owned by Roy and Connie Dedmon. Russell Underhill, the second DNA match, had lived in at least two facilities owned by the couple at the time Degree disappeared, according to officials. He died in 2004. The connection between Underhill and the family remains unclear but investigators say he 'knew and associated with Roy Dedmon'. While AnnaLee Dedmon Ramirez's home in Charlotte was also raided by officials, they reported seizing a Blackberry phone. Investigators have since discovered that Roy Dedmon had used his daughters to 'transport patients in an unreliable vehicle' to and from Broughton Hospital in nearby Morganton. Investigators say that at the time of Asha disappearing, Highway 18 was the 'most logical route to travel'. They say that Roy Dedmon would send his daughter, who was 16 or 17 at the time, and not AnnaLee. The locations are owned and lived in by members of the Dedmon family, with the warrants requested after DNA samples linked the missing girl with a AnnaLee Dedmon Ramirez At a press conference last week, attorney David R. Teddy, who is representing Roy Dedmon, denied any connection between his client with the disappearance of Asha. The attorney confirmed that the properties belong to Dedmon, who is in his 80s, and asked the local community to jump to any conclusions. Teddy seemed to allude to Underhill saying that he might be the one who knows what happened to the young girl. Authorities have reportedly interviewed the elder Dedmon and have not made any arrests in connection with the case. Degree's parents Iquilla and Harold told WBTV last year that they still believe their daughter, who would be 32, is still alive. Iquilla told the outlet: 'I never thought it would be 23 years. She was a happy kid, she was quiet, she liked everybody.' The last time they saw their daughter was when she went to sleep on the night of February 13. More than 10,000 migrants on small boats have arrived in the UK since Labour were elected in July, official figures show. There were 65 people in two boats who made the dangerous journey yesterday, bringing the total since the election on July 4 to 10,024 in 178. This followed a deadly weekend that saw eight people lose their lives and more than 1,000 people make it safely to the UK. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, French officials launched a rescue mission after passengers got into difficulty. Sources confirmed 20 people had been rescued from one boat, with the rest of the migrants continuing toward the British coast. French officials chose not to remove the additional people as it would have posed too great a risk to their safety. More than 10,000 migrants on small boats have arrived in the UK since Labour were elected in July, official figures show. Pictured: Sir Keir Starmer meeting with Georgia Meloni in Rome on Monday, to learn how her government has cut the number of migrants arriving in boats There were 65 people in two boats who made the dangerous journey yesterday, bringing the total since the election on July 4 to 10,024 in 178. Pictured: Migrants arriving at the Port of Dover on Monday Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Since the start of the year, 23,598 people in 450 boats have successfully made the perilous crossing. During this time, at least 43 people have lost their lives in the Channel, including 20 in September alone. Since the tragic loss of life in the Channel over the weekend, the Home Office have renewed their pledge to 'smash the gangs'. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security. 'As we have seen with so many recent devastating tragedies in the Channel, the people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay. 'We will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice. 'We are making progress, bolstering our personnel numbers in the UK and abroad. 'Our new Border Security Command will strengthen our global partnerships and enhance our efforts to investigate, arrest, and prosecute these evil criminals.' Former police chief Martin Hewitt was recently appointed as the new Border Security Command leader, tasked with reducing small boat migration. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'No more gimmicks. This government will tackle the smuggling gangs who trade the lives of men, women and children across borders. 'Martin Hewitt's unique expertise will lead a new era of international enforcement to dismantle these networks, protect our shores and bring order to the asylum system.' Your browser does not support iframes. It comes after a deadly weekend that saw eight people lose their lives and more than 1,000 people make it safely to the UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced 75 million would be used to boost the number of border security officers amid the Government's bid to crack down on people smugglers, using money redirected from the scrapped Rwanda deportation plan. The cash will also pay for hidden cameras and better monitoring technology as the Home Office sets up its new Border Security Command, led by a former police chief, as it aims to speed up investigations and increase the likelihood of successful prosecutions. Earlier this year, it was also announced that an extra 100 specialist investigators will be allocated to the National Crime Agency (NCA) as part of efforts to curb Channel crossings. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said during a visit to Rome that he is 'very interested' in Italy's efforts to curb levels of irregular immigration. The 'dramatic reductions' in the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea into Italy is something the Government wants to understand, he added, amid Labour's efforts to crack down on criminal gangs involved in people smuggling. But border and security minister Dame Angela Eagle said his meeting with the Italian Prime Minister should not be seen as an endorsement of all her immigration policies, telling Sky News: 'But we are meeting a G7 country and a fellow Nato member to see how we can co-operate across border to deal with some of these vile people smuggling gangs.' The UK will see whether Italian plans to process asylum seekers in Albania works before deciding whether to pursue a similar policy, she suggested. 'Firstly we don't know whether it will work yet, because it hasn't started. Much of this has been portrayed currently as if it's already a success but the fact is that it hasn't started. 'We will see how it works. But what we have said is that any scheme that we deal with for offshore processing or anything else has to be workable, it has to be cost-effective, and it also has to be in line with international law,' she told Times Radio. Russia is boosting its army size to 1.5 million active soldiers due to perceived 'threats' along its borders, including hostility in the West, the Kremlin announced today. President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday boosting the number of active troops by 180,000 to 1.5 million, making the Russian army the second largest in the world by active troop size, according to Russian media - after China, on 2 million. 'This is caused by the number of threats that exist for our country along the perimeter of our borders,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. 'It is caused by the extremely hostile situation on the western borders and instability on the eastern borders,' he added. The increase marks the third time Putin has ordered troop increases since the start of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, and as almost 700,000 troops fight in Ukraine, according to Putin's estimate in June. Russian Arctic special forces training to repel the invasion of sabotage groups in the Arctic Russian servicemen march on Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 9 Under Putin's orders, Russia's army will swell to become the second largest in the world Putin signed a decree boosting the number of active troops by 180,000 to 1.5 million (File) Ukrainian soldiers cover their ears during the mortar fire in the direction of Toretsk, August 17 Ukrainian soldiers of the 41st brigade stand in a trench near the frontline in January Ukrainian soldiers train with members of the UK Armed Forces in the East Midlands, 10 Sep In the past six weeks, Russia has scrambled troops to halt a Ukrainian cross-border offensive in its Kursk region, and also ramped up its offensive in east Ukraine. Neither side regularly publishes data on military casualties, but independent estimates point to tens of thousands of dead and wounded on both sides since the conflict began in 2022. Russia has long complained of threats on its borders, mostly from NATO enlargement. NATO says it is a defensive alliance and does not seek confrontation with Moscow, arguing Russia's 'aggressive behaviour' towards its neighbours is to blame for rising tensions. Britain and the United States are expected to discuss next week whether or not Ukraine should be allowed to use long-range missiles within Russia in a bid to deter the invasion and change the tide of the war. 'It's important that as allies supporting Ukraine, we have a shared strategy to win going forward,' Mr Lammy told Laura Kuenssberg on BBC1 on Sunday. 'We've been discussing this with the United States and with other key allies, but of course, we head to the UN general assembly, where we will all meet with in just under 12 days' time.' Despite opposition within the United States, it is expected the US will back the plan at the UN general assembly in New York next week. Keir Starmer and Joe Biden held talks in the Blue Room of the White House on Friday to discuss strategy on how to bring the war in Ukraine to an end, including whether to hand over Storm Shadow missiles to Zelensky. Disappointingly for both parties, John Kirby, a spokesman for the US national security council, announced afterwards that there would be 'no change to our policy' on letting Ukraine use long-range missiles. Vladimir Putin also warned the West would be at war with Moscow should this change, with many of his air bases and logistics hubs vulnerable to Ukrainian attacks if the restrictions were lifted. According to US sources, Mr Biden has not yet made a final decision. But with tensions heating up, Russia insisted it was 'fully ready' to resume nuclear testing at an old Soviet site in the Arctic. Russian troops take part in drills close to the Chechnya border in 2015 Ukrainian servicemen drive Soviet-made T-64 tanks in the Sumy region on August 11 Ukrainian servicemen fire mortars towards Russian positions in the Donetsk region, Ukraine Storm Shadow missiles are seen attached to the hardpoints of a Eurofighter Typhoon Foreign Secretary Mr Lammy has been part of intensive UK-U.S. diplomatic talks in Kyiv and Washington in the past week which have so far failed to produce a decision. The director of the site on the Novaya Zelmlya archipelago insisted that testing facilities are ready and can be used immediately 'if the order is given'. Rear Admiral Andrei Sinitsyn said: 'The test site is ready to resume full-scale testing activities... The laboratory and testing facilities are ready. The personnel are ready.' Sinitsyn claimed 'foreign intelligence' was monitoring the site, 'likely sign of a concern over nuclear tests', speaking to the state-owned Rossiyskaya Gazeta. 'We are constantly ready to repel all types of threats, including the penetration of sabotage and reconnaissance groups onto the island,' he said. Pressed on whether the site was ready to 'if necessary, resume nuclear testing', he said: 'The testing ground is ready to resume full-scale testing activities. Ready in full.' If an order is given by Vladimir Putin, a test may still go ahead. The site has not been used for nuclear testing since October 1990, after which the ailing USSR ruled out future tests, maintained by Russia. Despite Vladimir Putin's threats that Western interference - specifically the use of supplied long-range missiles - would be tantamount to direct action against Russia from the UK, former defence officials and an ex-Prime Minister have urged the government to press on with the plan. Under the Tories, Lord Cameron - then Foreign Secretary - suggested it was up to Ukraine to determine how its missiles were used. He said in May: 'In terms of what the Ukrainians do, in our view, it is their decision about how to use these weapons, they're defending their country, they were illegally invaded by Putin and they must take those steps. 'We don't discuss any caveats that we put on on those things. But let's be absolutely clear, Russia has launched an attack into Ukraine and Ukraine absolutely has the right to strike back at Russia.' French President Emmanuel Macron even entertained the possibility of sending French troops to Ukraine to help defend the country if needed. Soon after, Russia reopened its counter-offensive in Kharkiv. The assault was Russia's biggest gain in 17 months, the Telegraph reported, swallowing up 250sq-km. Russian troops made it six miles before Ukraine stabilised the situation. Russian president Vladimir Putin has warned that allowing long-range strikes 'would mean that Nato countries, the United States, and European countries are at war with Russia' Prime Minister Keir Starmer and David Lammy, Foreign Secretary, speak as they prepare for a meeting with US President Joe Biden on Friday Ukrainian servicemen operate a tank on a road near the border with Russia, in the Sumy region of Ukraine, on August 14, 2024 The Foreign Secretary said talks were continuing with the US and allies about giving Kyiv permission to use UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to hit Russian airbases and military sites which are being used to launch attacks on Ukraine. The sudden incursion invited the US to concede the restrictions it had placed on only using its supplied weapons on Russian targets within Ukraine. 'The hallmark of our engagement has been to adapt and adjust as necessary, to meet what's actually going on on the battlefield, to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs, when it needs it,' US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the time. So far, the US has allowed Kyiv to use American-provided weapons only in a limited area inside Russia's border with Ukraine. Soon followed Ukrainian attacks with foreign missiles over the border, drawing outrage from Putin and his cronies - and threats of nuclear annihilation towards Ukraine's western backers. Ukraine was able to launch an offensive back into Russia in early August, taking scores of villages in Kursk and Belgorod oblasts. But momentum has waned in recent days, with Russia mobilising to halt the attack. BBC boss Tim Davie has defended the decision to continue paying Huw Edwards for months after his arrest but confirmed the shamed presenter will not work for the broadcaster again following his appalling child-abuse crimes. Mr Davie claimed the reason Edwards was not sacked upon being arrested was due to BBC guidelines. 'We wrestled with this - it was an extremely tough decision,' he said. 'We decided that, you know, pay continues until somebody's charged. No one knew that gap was going to be so long.' He added it was the 'right decision' but said the organisation would continue to pursue Edwards to pay back the money paid while he was suspended. Mr Davie was immediately asked about the Edwards affair during his 25-minute discussion with BBC journalist Amol Rajan at the Royal Television Society (RTS) London conference. BBC boss Tim Davie has defended the decision to continue paying Huw Edwards for months after his arrest but confirmed the shamed presenter will not work for the broadcaster again following his appalling child-abuse crimes Mr Davie claimed the reason Edwards was not sacked upon being arrested was due to BBC guidelines Mr Davie, wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt and trainers, said: There's no doubt that an affair like this impacts our reputation. I think people are smart, and they'll make their judgments. I think, overall, there's no doubt about that - these things impact your reputation, but you can maintain trust by doing the right thing. Asked if Edwards would work for the BBC again, Mr Davie said: I can't see that for obvious reasons. Pushed to expand, he added: This man has just been convicted of appalling crimes. It's pretty straight-forward in my mind - its not a difficult question. Mr Davie said: The secret life this guy was leading was shocking. Edwards avoided jail on Monday after being given a suspended six-month prison sentence for three counts of making indecent images of children. The youngest victim was as young as seven. The 63-year-old former face of the BBC - who announced Queen Elizabeth's death to the nation two years ago - gave up to 1,500 to convicted paedophile Alex Williams who sent him dozens of awful images. Edwards avoided jail on Monday after being given a suspended six-month prison sentence for three counts of making indecent images of children. The youngest victim was as young as seven Westminster Magistrates' Court heard on Monday how Huw Edwards had replied 'yes xxx' when asked if he wanted a set of indecent images of children (note: This is not the actual text message exchange) It was also told that Edwards had told Williams that ages 'can be deceptive' when told one of the subjects in an image was 'quite yng looking', before asking if he had 'any more? (note: This is not the actual text message exchange) The BBC said in a statement that Edwards had betrayed not just the corporation but millions of viewers who had put their trust in him. Edwards' offending came to light after South Wales police seized Williams' phone and discovered his WhatsApp conversations with the former BBC anchorman. Edwards was arrested on November 8 last year. The investigation was unrelated to allegations reported in July 2023 that Edwards had paid a teenager more than 35,000 for sexual images. He was also ordered to pay 3,000 in prosecution costs. It remains unclear whether he will have to pay back the 200,000 he was paid by the BBC between his arrest and his resignation in April. Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of former BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court Edwards was previously anchor of News at Ten and one of Britain's most prominent newsreaders Corporation director general Mr Davie confirmed that a formal request for the money to be returned has been made to Edwards, who was in a pay bracket of between 475,000 and 479,999 for 2023/24. Mr Davie told the conference: We want the money back and we've asked for it back, and we're waiting to hear back. There are discussions between the legal teams. Mr Davie said that victims' families are the primary concern and said that young people who raised concerns over Edwards were taken seriously at the time allegations were made. He said: We're just shocked, and there's a lot of upset because across the BBC, we've got great teams, good people and they feel deeply, deeply let down. A female police officer has been accused of carrying out two sex attacks on a woman she met on Tinder and allegedly told her: 'I know the law, you need to say yes'. Police Constable Fiona Anderson, 32, of Exeter, is accused of sexually assaulting the woman while she was naked, the court heard. Prosecutor Mike Curry told Cardiff Magistrates' Court that she displayed controlling behaviour towards the woman. Mr Curry said that the assault in 2018 involved the 'touching of naked genitalia' and there was a 'degree of intoxication.' Anderson was arrested and bailed last year over two alleged sexual assaults which took place in Cardiff between April and September in 2018. Police Constable Fiona Anderson, 32, of Exeter, has pleaded not guilty after being accused of twice sexually assaulting a woman she met on Tinder PC Anderson was not on duty with Devon and Cornwall Police at the time of the alleged offences. She has been suspended from duty by the force since her initial arrest. Anderson, of Exeter, Devon, pleaded not guilty to the two sexual assault charges on the woman who cannot be identified. District Judge Stephen Harmes said the case should go to the crown court. Anderson will next appear at Cardiff Crown Court on October 14. She was remanded on conditional bail. Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'An officer is due to appear before Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. 'Police Constable Fiona Anderson, aged 32 and from Exeter, is charged with two counts of sexual assault. 'The charges relate to two incidents reported to have taken place in Cardiff in 2018; PC Anderson was not on duty at the time. 'PC Anderson was initially arrested and bailed in March 2023. She has remained suspended from duty since her initial arrest.' A Canadian woman has been charged with assault after she accidentally sprayed her neighbor with a water gun. Wendy Washik, 58, of Simcoe, Ontario, was playing with some children while attending a barbeque to celebrate the Labor Day weekend on September 1. 'I was trying to figure out how the water gun was working. Its not like I play with water guns at my age,' she told CTV News. 'I was going through the gate and it accidentally hit the neighbor that was maybe three feet away, cutting his grass.' The neighbor, who has allegedly had multiple issues with residents on the street, then phoned the police and claimed he had been a victim of physical assault. When a Norfolk County officer turned up at her door, she claimed they would not listen to her side of the story and instructed her husband to 'bring your wife out of the backyard'. The educational assistant was later charged with assault with a weapon. Wendy Washik, 58, of Simcoe, Ontario, was charged with assault after she accidentally sprayed her neighbor with a water gun. A Norfolk County officer allegedly told Washik's husband to 'bring your wife out of the backyard' when they turned up at the couple's home The Ontario Provincial Police told DailyMail.com in a statement that 'every situation is unique' and 'everyone has a right to a safe environment.' 'The OPPs role is to investigate the circumstances in the full context of the call for service and determine the best course of action in accordance with its legislated responsibilities,' the spokesman said. 'It would be inappropriate for the OPP to comment on specific details to protect the integrity of the investigation and any ensuing court processes,' he added. Washik said she had tried to apologize the neighbor as soon as the incident occurred. 'I've cried myself to sleep many nights,' she told the outlet. 'They didn't ask me one single question,' she added. 'It just blows my mind that this has happened to me.' Another neighbor, Kirk Stewart, told CTV News that other locals have had problems with this particular man calling the police on them. Washik has temporarily been put on leave at her job due to the incident and does not believe she will be able to resume work until after the case has concluded Washik said she had tried to apologize the neighbor as soon as the incident occurred. 'Hes had numerous issues on the street, [with] lots of neighbors. Police called on them and theyre constantly here,' Stewart told the outlet. Another neighbor, Michael MacConnachie, said the man calls police frequently for small issues. 'Its been a recurring issue on the street, police being at his house for very, very minor issues,' he told CTV News. 'We all get along fine, were not calling the police on our other neighbors. Its always the one individual whos calling the police.' A third local resident, named Bobbi, said she and her son avoid the man's house when possible and limit who can come to their house over fears the police will be called, she told CTV News. Washik is now facing financial stress after being put on leave from her job. She does not believe she will be able to resume work until after the case has concluded. The family has hired a lawyer to help defend her and set up a fundraising website to help cover the costs. However, the GoFundMe started by her daughter Randi Washik has since been taken down after collecting around $12,000 CAD ($8,820 USD). The fundraising site shut down the campaign due to it 'technically [being] a criminal charge,' Randi said. But the family did receive the money raised so far, Randi told the outlet. The Washik's have since started a GiveSendGo campaign to help with legal fees. It has garnered more than $2,000 CAD ($1,600 USD). A Change.org campaign has also been set up and has collected more than 300 of its 500 signature goal as of Tuesday morning. Washik is expected to appear in court on September 24. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Washiks and GoFundMe for comment. The 'Monster of Avignon' returned to court today to tell judges how he was forced to take part in gang-rape, suffered sexual assault by a nurse as a child and witnessed his father abusing a girl as he confessed to allowing strangers to rape his drugged wife. Dominique Pelicot, 71, sobbed in court as he spoke for the first time about his crimes on Tuesday morning after a period of absence from his trial due to sickness. Expressing remorse for his campaign of abuse, in which dozens of men were alleged to have assaulted his wife over a period of ten years, he tried to explain how events in his childhood had perverted him. 'One is not born a pervert, one becomes a pervert,' Mr Pelicot said in his much-awaited testimony, telling judges: 'I am a rapist, like everyone else in this courtroom. I recognise the facts in their totality.' Mr Pelicot stood in the dock at the Vaucluse Criminal Court, in Avignon as he faces trial alongside 50 other men, all accused of 'aggravated rape' of his wife Gisele Pelicot, also 71, over a period of ten years. He faces 20 years in prison if found guilty. Defendant Dominique Pelicot, 71, testifies in court on Tuesday, in a court sketch Dominique Pelicot is accused of recruiting men online to assault his wife repeatedly over 10yrs Ms Pelicot arrives on Tuesday for the trial that has shocked and gripped the country, and raised new awareness about sexual violence A French prison van parked at the trial on Tuesday as Mr Pelicot testified Gisele Pelicot's daughter Caroline Darian arrives flanked by her mother Gisele Pelicot at the Avignon courthouse on Tuesday Mr Pelicot, sometimes in tears, recounted being raped by a male nurse in hospital when he was 9 years old and then being forced to take part in a gang rape at age 14. He also spoke of the trauma endured when his parents took a young girl in the family, and witnessing his father's inappropriate behavior toward her. 'My father used to do the same thing with the little girl,' he said. 'After my father's death, my brother said that men used to come to our house.' At 14, he said, he asked his mother if he could leave the house, but 'she didn't let me.' 'I don't really want to talk about this, I am just ashamed of my father. In the end, I didn't do any better,' he said. 'I still have the smell of semen in my nose,' he told the court. 'But I still had a normal life. A wife, three wonderful children, several grandchildren. And I never touched any of them.' Asked about his feelings toward his wife, Pelicot said she did not deserve what he did. 'From my youth, I remember only shocks and traumas, forgotten partly thanks to her. She did not deserve this, I acknowledge it,' he said in tears. Gisele Pelicot, standing across the room, faced her former husband across a group of dozens of defendants sitting in between them, and put her sunglasses back on as he spoke. Later, Dominique Pelicot said, 'I was crazy about her. She replaced everything. I ruined everything.' Mr Pelicot's candid testimony had been delayed until Tuesday after a bout of illness brought on by a kidney stone and urinary infection. He appeared in court in a wheelchair to finally confront his actions, and accused the dozens of men alleged to have assaulted his wife with him of complicity. 'Today I maintain that, along with the other men here, I am a rapist,' Mr Pelicot told the court. 'They knew everything. They can't say otherwise.' Defendants looked visibly angry as Mr Pelicot attributed blame. Detectives have listed a total of 92 rapes committed by 72 men, 51 of whom have been identified. Of the 83 men involved in the campaign of abuse, 51 aged between 26 and 73 were identified and arrested by the police. One, still at large, will be judged in absentia. Dominique Pelicot, 71, who is on trial for organising the rape of his wife Beatrice Zavarro (R), lawyer of Dominique Pelicot, speaks to the press on Tuesday Caroline Darian (C) arrives for the trial of her mother's former partner on September 11 Gisele Pelicot arrives at the criminal court in Avignon, southern France, September 17 In a courtroom sketch, Mr Pelicot appears at the courthouse in Avignon on September 11 Discussing his assessment by psychiatrists, Mr Pelicot maintained that he 'was not born perverted'. He had previously claimed that he was sexually abused as nine year old in hospital and told the court: 'It was in the dark, I had a bandage and a headache. A guy came and said to me: 'My name is Basile, do you want some candy?' 'There were caresses, I felt a moustache, a great deal of pain, I didn't understand what was happening to me.' 'I only remember shocks and traumas from my youth. She did not deserve this. I admit it,' he added. 'I destroyed everything and lost her,' he said, weeping. 'We are not born perverts, we become them. I think that what I have experienced is preponderant in my story. 'Even if it is paradoxical, I have never considered my wife as an object. As for pedophilia, I have never wanted that.' Mr Pelicot faced his wife in court on Tuesday, telling how his life only began to turn around when he met her as a teenager. 'I was very happy with her,' said Mr Pelicot. 'She was the opposite of my mother, who was completely rebellious. 'We had three children, and grandchildren, whom I never touched.' He said Gisele Pelicot 'did not deserve this.' At the end of the short statement, Ms Pelicot lowered her head, putting her sunglasses on. Mr Pelicot previously told psychologists that his wife was to blame for his actions because she refused to go swinging with him. Psychologist Annabelle Montagne told the court in Avignon that she interviewed Mr Pelicot 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. To the court, Ms Pelicot said the topic had come up at a nightclub, but she said she 'didn't want to get involved'. Bravely facing her former husband in court on Tuesday as he expressed remorse, Ms Pelicot said: 'It is difficult to hear it. 'For fifty years, I lived with a man who I would never have imagined for a single second that he could do these acts. I had complete confidence in this man.' Mr Pelicot then pleaded for sympathy, saying: 'I am guilty of what I did. 'I subjected my wife, my children, my grandchildren to this. I regret what I did. I ask for forgiveness even if it is not forgivable.' As the cross-examination continued on Tuesday, the defendant insisted he 'still loves' his ex-wife. 'I loved her well for 40 years and loved her badly for 10 years,' said Pelicot. 'I ruined everything, I lost everything. I should never have done that.' Mr Pelicot claimed he also 'still loves' his three adult children, saying: 'They are in my heart.' He even praised his daughter, Caroline Darian, for founding a protest group against so-called 'chemical submission' the drugging of rape victims. I destroyed everything and lost her. Pelicot also admitted that videoing the crimes against his wife was 'a part of the pleasure', but he was glad that most of the men who had sex with his wife had been identified. 'There is also a measure of reassurance, since today, thanks to [the videos], we can find all those who participated in what went on,' he said. Other defendants in court were visibly angry as Pelicot criminalised them all. 'He manipulated us,' one shouted. Dominique Pelicot is depicted in an earlier court sketch, on the right The shocking trial has inspired demonstrations of support for sexual abuse survivors Protestors gather in Rennes on September 14. A placard reads: Our bodies are not objects. We are all Gisele Gisele Pelicot (C), flanked by her lawyers Stephane Babonneau (R) and Antoine Camus (L), exits the criminal court in Avignon, southern France, on Tuesday Ms Pelicot receives flowers from a member of the public during her former husband's rape trial Mr Pelicot's testimony is the most important moment so far in a trial that has shocked and gripped the country, and raised new awareness about sexual violence. Many also hope his testimony will shed some light - to try to understand the unthinkable. Shuffling into court today, he finally told judges: 'Today, I maintain that, with the obligations we all have, I am a rapist.' While he previously confessed to investigators, the court testimony will be crucial for the panel of judges to decide on the fate of some 50 other men standing trial alongside him. Many deny having raped Gisele Pelicot, saying they were manipulated by her then-husband or claiming they believed she was consenting. Mr Pelicot has been on remand since 2020, when he was first arrested on suspicion of gassing and then raping Ms Pelicot, while inviting men he contacted online to do the same. She has told the court that she had to get tested for HIV as 'one man who came [to rape me] six times was seropositive'. Asked today by the judge whether she had noticed anything over the period of abuse, she said: 'No. But one time I didn't wake up until 6pm and I had no idea what had happened the day before.' Mr Pelicot is facing a jail sentence of up to 20 years, along with all the other defendants. Last week, psychologists described Mr Pelicot as a 'Jekyll and Hyde' character who appeared like a normal husband during the day, and then drugged his wife so strangers could rape her at night. Mr Pelicot is said to have sedated his wife by putting a powerful anxiolytic into her evening dinner. All the attacks took place in the couple's marital home in the town of Mazan, south of France, between 2010 and 2020, police say. On Tuesday, he said the campaign of abuse began after he met a nurse who allegedly advised him on which drug to give to his wife. 'He gave me the dosage,' said Pelicot. 'I saw photos of his wife. That was the moment it started. I think about it.' His daughter, Caroline Darian, 46, last week told the court that he was 'one of the greatest sexual predators' of recent years. She said he secretely photographed her in the nude, along with her two sister-in-law. Mr Pelicot was first arrested in September 2020 for secretely filming up women's skirts at a supermarket in Carpentras. His devices were searched, and there were hundreds of pornographic videos and photos of women. It was while in custody that Mr Pelicot reported a hard drive, hidden under a printer, which contained a file called 'Abuses'. Police uncovered sickening pictures of Ms Darian, and Mr Pelicot's two daughters-in-law, in a haul some 200,000 images and videos. The folder contained the nicknames and telephone numbers of other alleged attackers, together with some 3,800 photos and videos of Gisele Pelicot being raped, between 2011 and 2020. Gisele Pelicot (C), escorted by her lawyers Stephane Babonneau (R) and Antoine Camus (L), exits the criminal court in Avignon, southern France, 16 September Gisele Pelicot arrives at court in Avignon, France on day eight of the trial Caroline last week said Pelicot was 'one of the greatest sexual predators' of recent years Abuse took place in the town of Mazan, south of France, and was only uncovered after the man was caught up-skirting women in a local supermarket prompting officers to search his home 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 is due to last until December 21. Fourteen of the other defendants have also admitted rape, while the rest deny any wrongdoing. Mr Pelicot had been expected to be cross-examined at the Vaucluse Criminal Court in Avignon last week. But his legal team insisted on Thursday morning that was not well enough to give evidence because of abdominal pain and a suspected bladder infection. He briefly appeared in court on Wednesday morning, but defence barrister Beatrice Zavarro confirmed on Thursday that he was 'still ill' and would not be showing up. Mr Pelicot had been vomiting and fainting in his prison cell, where he has been on remand since 2020, in between visits to hospital for treatment and tests. Last Wednesday, the court heard how another man on trial, named only as Jean-Pierre, 63, allegedly learned from Mr Pelicot how to drug and rape his own wife. The 'disciple' is not among the 51 men on trial for attacking Mrs Pelicot. The former lorry driver was claimed to have spoken to Mr Pelicot in an online chatroom called 'Against her knowledge'. Mr Pelicot is then alleged to have provided sedatives for 'Jean-Pierre' to drug his wife, before travelling to rape her himself. A black and white facial reconstruction of a younger Dominique P is seen in this handout image Police found a file in Pelicot's computer labelled 'My Daughter Naked'. Pictured: Caroline Darian (left) at the courthouse during the trial of her father A court drawing shows Madame Pelicot taking the stand, facing her husband and the 50 others accused of raping her Mr Pelicot is alleged to have met Jean-Pierre in the now defunct chatroom, before agreeing to visit him to deliver sedatives and rape his wife with him. 'Each time that [Pelicot] travelled [there], he provided him with the medication for the next time,' lead investigator Stephan Gal told the court. Mr Pelicot's lawyer said he had supplied Jean-Pierre with the drugs as many as four times. Jean-Pierre's 32-year-old son from another marriage said he felt it a 'certainty' his father had been manipulated by Pelicot. 'I have the firm conviction that had he not met this person, there would never have been any of this,' he said. Dunkin' lovers can find the cheapest prices for their favorite drinks and treats, thanks to an innovative Tufts University student. After noticing higher-than-expected Dunkin' prices at a Boston airport, Jack Burton wondered whether or not costs were different at every location of the franchise. The junior undergraduate student studying computer engineering investigated the phenomenon and found his inklings were correct: different Dunkin' locations - even those close to each other - have differently priced items. Burton used his expertise to create a program that helps customers locate the Dunkin' closest to them with the best prices. He told the Boston Globe: 'I just wanted to put the power in the hands of the people.' Jack Burton, a Tufts University junior studying computer engineering, developed DunkinScout, a program that helps customers find the best prices Dunkin' prices vary from location to location because the stores are franchises Two Dunkin' stores within half of a mile of each other have a 30-cent price difference between their small cold brew coffees The coder from Houston explained that many people in Boston - the city just five miles from Tufts University - live within half of a mile of three or four Dunkin' stores. If someone buys something everyday, 'those costs will add up over time.' DunkinScout, the tool Burton made, takes Dunkin' pricing data and allows users to search for their desired order. Since the data comes directly from Dunkin', new menu items are automatically available in the program. Users have to enter their latitude and longitude coordinates, the distance they are willing to travel and the exact name of the item they are looking for. The program uses this information and reveals the closest location with the lowest price. Burton noticed two Dunkin' stores just on opposite sides of a hill on Tufts University's campus have different product costs. To buy a small black coffee, there is a 36-cent price gap between two other Boston Dunkin' locations less than half of a mile apart. He told the Boston Globe: 'I was like, "Oh, wow. Its like, 50 cents to $1 more for certain things at this one location versus the other."' These discrepancies are not unique to Boston. For example, Manhattan Dunkin' locations just blocks away from each other have different prices. DunkinScout users can enter their location, how far they can travel and what item they want to find the location where it is sold the cheapest Two Manhattan Dunkin' locations within half of a mile of each other have a 20-cent price difference between their small frozen pumpkin coffees A small cold brew coffee is priced on the Dunkin' app at $4.19 at 52 E 8th street and $4.49 at store located at 208 E 14th street. Meanwhile, the viral frozen pumpkin coffee costs $4.69 at the 8th street location - which had the cheaper cold brew - and 20 cents less at the Dunkin on 14th street. But Burton's tool is still in its early stages and he admits there are still some kinks to work out. DunkinScout cannot be accessed through a regular website browser. Dunkin' fans looking for convenient price comparison have to use Python - the computer program Burton used to create the tool - or a similar program. The highest number of results, regardless of distance range, is 60 locations and the exact name of an item must be used or else an 'error' message will appear. He wants someone to take his code, which he made public on Github, and create a version easier for people to access and use. Outside of this Dunkin'-centered project, Burton is Cybersecurity Intern at Schneider Electric, according to his LinkedIn profile. Dunkin' spokesperson Jack DAmato explained why price differences between stores are so common. Dunkin' fans have complained about price increases in previous years He told the Boston Globe in an email: 'As independent business owners, Dunkin franchisees have the flexibility to set their own pricing, which may vary based on local market conditions.' Dunkin' fans have experienced outrage over past price-hikes. In 2022, costumers were shocked about an alleged 8 percent price rise, according to The US Sun. But some prices are fixed regardless of location, even if it is just for a limited time. The new $6 value meal, for example, debuted in August. Ed Miliband today vowed to take on NIMBYs and build more wind turbines and solar farms across Britain. The Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary claimed boosting the country's supply of clean energy was a matter of 'national security'. Speaking at an Energy UK conference in London, Mr Miliband hailed how the price of onshore wind and solar power had fallen by more than a third over the past decade. 'Cheap, clean renewables offer us price stability that fossil fuels simply cannot provide,' he said. 'That means that if we are serious about energy security, family security, economic security and national security, we need the greater energy independence that only clean energy can give us.' Ed Miliband today vowed to take on NIMBYs and build more wind turbines and solar farms across Britain The Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary claimed boosting the country's supply of clean energy was a matter of 'national security' Speaking at an Energy UK conference in London , Mr Miliband hailed how the price of onshore wind and solar power had fallen by more than a third over the past decade Labour has vowed to decarbonise the electricity grid by 2030 - despite critics claiming this could cost more than 100billion and even risk blackouts. Since winning power in July, the Government has already formed a new state energy investment firm, GB Energy, to help boost renewables. Ministers are also consulting on reforms to the planning system designed to make it easier to upgrade the power grid and build clean energy projects. Mr Miliband claimed 'the faster we go' to achieving a decarbonised grid 'the more secure we become'. 'Every wind turbine we put up, every solar panel we install, every piece of grid we construct helps protect families from future energy shocks,' he added. 'This is an argument that we need to have as a country... because the converse is also true. 'Every wind turbine we block, every solar farm we reject, every piece of grid we fail to build makes us less secure and more exposed. 'Previous governments have ducked and dithered and delayed these difficult decisions, and here is the thing: it is the poorest in our society who have paid the price. 'My message today is we will take on the blockers, the delayers, the obstructionists, because the clean energy sprint is the economic justice, energy security and national security fight of our time.' Mr Miliband's speech came weeks before energy bills are due to get more expensive again this winter, partly as a result of rising gas prices. Regulator Ofgem said the average household bill is set to increase by 149 from October after it increased the quarterly price cap for the winter months. Labour is continuing to face a fierce backlash over scrapping winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners. Under plans announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in July, winter fuel payments will be restricted to those receiving pension credit, meaning around 10 million people will lose out this winter. About 11.5 million people used to receive the benefit. Mr Miliband did not address the controversy, but said that as long as the UK is 'stuck on the rollercoaster of volatile international markets' the country 'simply won't have control of our energy bills'. A Miami judge handed down an uncompromising order of no bond to an Instagram influencer who killed two people after crashing while high. Maecee Marie Lathers, 24, made the irrational decision to drive while under the influence of a party drug known as 'tuci' - a new designer drug that comes in a pink powder form that contains a mix of psychoactive substances. That choice would result in the tragic deaths of Abraham Molina and Jesus Rubio after she crashed her Mercedes into their car at almost 80mph on August 10. Miami-Dade judge Teresa Mary Pooler ruled on Monday the glamorous influencer would stay in jail. Footage from WPLG Local 10 inside the court room showed Lathers visibly distraught with her head in her hands once she heard the order. Maecee Marie Lathers, 24, made the irrational decision to drive while under the influence of a party drug known as 'tuci' - a new designer drug that comes in a pink powder form that contains a mix of psychoactive substances Footage from WPLG Local 10 inside the court room showed Lathers visibly distraught with her head in her hands once she heard the order of no bond from Miami-Dade Judge Teresa Mary Pooler Pooler said 'I think she's extremely dangerous' and said it was easy for someone on house arrest to cut off their ankle monitor and run This came after Lathers' defense attorney, Martez Gordon, asked that she be released on house arrest again after he argued the defense felt the state did not present new evidence at Monday's hearing, NBC 6 reported. She had previously been granted this after posting bond but was sent back to jail on September 10. Pooler said in regards to her order: 'I think she's extremely dangerous. 'As much as I respect house arrest, if someone wants to go they can go. It's a simple matter of cutting that bracelet off and leaving.' Pooler's office didn't immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. In court on Monday, state prosecutors showed body cam footage of the aftermath of the crash to the court. In the footage, Lathers is heard telling officers that she was on 'tuci.' Prosecutors tacked on two more manslaughter charges to the already extensive list of charges she faced - a total of 10 felonies. Lathers wasn't even supposed to be behind the wheel on that fateful day as her license had been suspended since January. Lathers had previously been granted house arrest after posting bond, but was sent back to jail on September 10 Juana Hernandez's life partner was Abraham Molina. She was also in the crash but survived. In court on Monday, Hernandez said: 'The judge did the right thing' PICTURED: Abraham Molina (left) and Juanita Hernandez (right) Juana Hernandez's life partner was Abraham Molina. She was also in the crash but survived. In court on Monday, Hernandez said: 'The judge did the right thing.' Her GoFundMe campaign to support Molina's family had raised $17,104. Hernandez wrote that the money would go to Molina's 16-year-old son and his mother in Nicaragua who suffers from Parkinson's disease. Unhappy shoppers took to X to vent about the 'unacceptable' situation Furious Ocado customers were left hungry after the online grocery retailer cancelled deliveries at the last minute this week. The cancellations came after an Ocado Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) in Kent had to be evacuated following a fire at a nearby factory. Ocado apologised to affected customers and said it will resume deliveries 'as soon as we can'. In an email sent to customers, Laura Harricks, Chief Customer Officer at Ocado Retail, said: 'We're very sorry, but we're unable to deliver your Ocado order. Of course, you won't be charged for this order.' She added: 'You can rebook the same order if you like. Just log in to ocado.com as normal and select 'Rebook' to choose a new date and time. Ocado customers have been left hungry after their orders were cancelled this week, due to a fire near an Ocado Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) in Kent 'To make it up to you, here's a 20.00 voucher. It's valid until 16/12/2024. Thank you for your understanding. Sincerest apologies.' Despite the apology, disgruntled customers took to social media to vent about the inconvenience. Karen Garner said on X: 'Order cancelled at short notice tonight for 6am delivery. Not much notice.' 'Shops shut so cannot go out now. When I wanted to cancel at short notice you were not understanding at all - going to be charged for the items that had not even left the depot. Double standards.' She added: 'When I had a crisis, Ocado were not understanding to me and and would not let me cancel.' Darren J said: 'Very disappointed in you Ocado, you cancelled my order as well. Will need to go shopping in town now!!! How do I refund my Smartpass I paid for?? 20.00 compensation very poor.' He added: 'Very disappointed Ocado are getting worse than Tesco.' Meanwhile, Mark Woollard commented: 'Really reassuring that your IT issue of last week continues with a 10.00 voucher sent out to me tonight as way of apology to a completely different person and of the opposite sex. By way of example of customer service cancel my order and offer 20.00 voucher.' Karen Garner took to X to complain of Ocado's 'double standards' Ms Garner said Ocado were 'not understanding' when she needed to cancel her order previously Darren J said he was 'very disappointed' in Ocado, adding that he will 'need to go shopping in town now!' Darren J said on X that Ocado are 'getting worse than Teso' Mark Woollard also came to X to complain about his customer experience with Ocado Lizzie Charlton said: 'My delivery for today was just cancelled with only three hours notice. No slots until Wednesday. I'm not at all happy, and 20 compensation is not adequate for the inconvenience.' Another X user wrote: 'F***ing hell. My Ocado shop has been cancelled due to a warehouse fire. Which is inconvenient because I'm not allowed to drive or do any strenuous activity, and because I've lost my bank card. But I'll survive, especially as they've sent me a 20 voucher to use. Karen Sullivan said: 'You've cancelled my order TWICE in twelve hours, now nothing until Thursday, which is too late. What is going on?? This is not OK.' Upon being informed of the fire, she said: 'Yes, I see that. Not good, and obviously an emergency. 'Issue is that they cancelled one and encouraged me to rebook, and then cancelled that one, too. So no time for me to make contingency plans. ' Brendan Clarke said on X: 'I got a notice that delivery couldn't be achieved for today at 6 30 am. 'I rebooked for 7pm tonight and received confirmation as attached. Now I've received another cancellation and automatic rebooking for tomorrow at 7am. What is going on? Unacceptable! Nick Bailey posted: 'Ocado cancelled this mornings order and can't book another slot! What is going on?! 'When I then have to go and shop elsewhere for the goods, taking time out of work, I assume you will reimburse me?' Lizzie Charlton said she is 'not at all happy', branding the 20 voucher 'not adequate for the inconveniece' One Twitter user resorted to expletives to express their frustration Karen Sullivan's order was cancelled twice in 12 hours Ms Sullivan complained that he had 'no time' to make contingency plans Brendan Clarke told Ocado on X that his multiple cancellations were 'unacceptable' Nick Bailey said he would have to take time out of work to shop elsewhere Kate Evans wrote: 'Our delivery has now been cancelled twice with no explanation. Is it safe to re book for later in the week, or should I give up and try Waitrose instead?' Gill added: 'So was told last yesterday eve that this morning's early order was cancelled. So rebooked for this evening; now been told that is cancelled. 'Looked to rebook but nothing available until Thursday evening. What is going on ?' And Debra Bensted-ford wrote: 'Ocado booked for Monday, they cancelled. Rebooked for today, just had text cancelling again. I've rebooked 3rd time now, will it arrive?!' Kate Evans said her delivery was cancelled twice 'with no explanation' Gill also faced multiple cancellations, asking: 'What is going on?' Brenda Bensted-ford questioned whether her 3rd booked delivery would even arrive A spokesperson for Ocado told the Retail Technology Innovation Hubt (RTIH) that it had been asked to evacuate its CFC in Erith, Kent, following a fire at a nearby factory. They said: 'Due to an incident at another factory in the retail park, all businesses in the local area have been told to evacuate their sites as a precaution. 'As a result, we've had to cancel orders going out from Erith CFC. 'We apologise to customers who've been affected and we'll resume deliveries as soon as we can.' The incident is ongoing, with Ocado waiting to hear from the authorities about next steps and when it will be able to return to the warehouse. Advertisement Coast Guard officials continued to probe why the Titan submersible imploded during the second day of the highly-anticipated hearing into the tragedy. The experimental Titan submersible was destroyed in June 2023 during a dive to the ruins of the Titanic, killing all five people on board, including OceanGate founder Stockton Rush. Ten former OceanGate employees have been called to give testimony in the hearing in North Charleston, South Carolina, which is probing whether any criminal activity led to the tragedy tragedy. Witnesses scheduled to testify include David Lochridge, an employee who had branded the submersible 'unsafe' prior to its last voyage. The former operations director will testify a day after witnesses painted a picture of a troubled company that was impatient to get its unconventionally designed craft into the water. The accident - caused by extreme water pressure crushing the hull of the submersible - set off a worldwide debate about the future of private undersea exploration. Scheduled to appear later in the hearing are OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein and former scientific director, Steven Ross. Our live coverage has now ended but for a full recap see below. Republicans stepped up pressure on President Joe Biden's national security adviser Tuesday, giving Jake Sullivan seven days to arrange to answer questions about the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan or face a subpoena to appear before Congress. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul believes Sullivan was chief architect of the hurried exit. He has been pushing for Biden's top foreign affairs adviser to appear before his investigation to explain whether he hid dire military assessments about the stability of the Kabul government from the public. And he accuses Sullivan's National Security Council of going beyond its role of advising Biden to taking operational control that should have been the preserve of the State Department. 'Mr. Sullivan must testify before this committee, not because of his title, but because of the power he wielded,' writes McCaul in a letter sent to the White House on Tuesday and obtained by DailyMail.com. House Republicans are demanding that President Joe Biden's National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan appear at a public hearing to answer questions about the Afghanistan withdrawal The letter gives Sullivan until Tuesday, September 24, to arrange an appearance for a public hearing of face a 'compulsory process.' Democrats accuse McCaul of using the subpoena threat as a political stunt to discredit Biden and Kamala Harris, his vice president, during an election year. Biden came to power promising to end America's longest war after 20 years. But the 2021 withdrawal triggered a rapid Taliban advance across Afghanistan. The hardline movement's fighters swept into Kabul in August before U.S. troops had completed their exit. Without their allies, Afghan government forces simply melted away. The result was pandemonium. More American troops had to fly into the country to secure the capital's airport, where tens of thousands of terrified foreigners and Afghans sought safe passage out. Tragedy struck on August 26, when a suicide bomber killed 13 U.S. personnel and about 170 Afghans. The withdrawal cast a long shadow over Biden's presidency. And last week, McCaul published the results of his investigation, which concluded that the administration failed to plan for the inevitable collapse of the Afghan government because it picked 'optics over security.' Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote to the White House today setting a seven-day deadline for Sullivan to arrange to appear Pandemonium unfolded at Kabul airport on Monday as thousands of people ran on to the runway in a desperate attempt to escape Taliban rule, fearing bloody reprisals by the Islamists He wrote to Sullivan last month asking for him to give testimony 'As I explained in my letter dated August 23, 2024, the National Security Council (NSC), led by Mr. Sullivan, served as the nerve center for critical decision making for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan,' McCaul writes in his letter. 'In so doing, Mr. Sullivan systematically exercised powers delegated to the Department of State, and critical questions remain that only he can answer.' He goes on to say that his 355-page report reveals how hundreds of witnesses and documentary references put Sullivan at the center of the withdrawal operation. 'Should Mr. Sullivan refuse this request, my next step will be compulsory process,' writes McCaul. He says Sullivan was the chief decision-maker of the inter-agency process that led to Biden's April 2021 'go-to-zero' order and he remained in that position through the withdrawal. And he says the national security adviser 'materially misled the American public' with rosy security assessment. McCaul, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has spent the past 18 months investigating the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan His letter sets a September 24 deadline for Sullivan to arrange a public appearance Taliban forces took control of Kabul on August 15, 2021, triggering a haphazard evacuation of foreign nationals and vulnerable Afghans. And it meant US forces had to rely on Taliban help That came to a head on Aug. 31, 2021, when White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said: 'I don't think anyone assessed [the Afghan government and forces] would collapse as quickly they did.' McCaul writes: 'My report revealed Ms. Psaki's statement to be falsesenior military advisors predicted a rapid collapse during meetings with the NSCand my report also established Mr. Sullivan was responsible for Ms. Psaki's press briefings.' The White House has not so far made Sullivan available for testimony. Sharon Yang, spokesperson for oversight and investigations, said the U.S. was stronger for ending the nation's longest war. 'When it comes to the chairman's inquiry into the withdrawal from Afghanistan, as we have said before, the administration has taken extraordinary measures to be cooperative, including making senior officials available for hearings, providing briefings for members and staff, making 18 current and former officials available for transcribed interviews, and producing tens of thousands of pages of documents,' she said. 13 Americans died in the blast at Kabul's international airport: (left to right, starting with top row) Cpl. Daegan W. Page - Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo - Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover - Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza - Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum - Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui - Cpl. Hunter Lopez - Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz - Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss - Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez - Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak - Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola - Sgt. Nicole L. Gee Your browser does not support iframes. 'Weve previously responded directly to the chairman regarding this request, and we will continue to do so.' The top Democrat on the foreign affairs committee has accused McCaul of weaponizing his investigation for political theater. 'It has been made abundantly clear throughout this committees Afghanistan investigation that House Republicans have no interest in any facts that they cant spin into an attack on the Biden Administration, especially when those facts contradict their paper-thin and partisan narrative,' said Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, when McCaul first warned Sullivan that he could be compelled to testify. The bodies of the Bayesian yacht disaster victims, including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah, have been flown back to their families from Sicily. Seven people were killed when the Bayesian, a 30 million superyacht owned by the Darktrace founder, sank last month in just 16 minutes after it was hit by a violent downburst. Mr Lynch, 59, and his 18-year-old daughter lost their lives alongside Morgan Stanley International president Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judith, as well a New York lawyer Chris Morvillo and his partner Neda and of the chef Recaldo Thomas. They have now been repatriated on private planes, with their funerals expected to be held in each of their home countries over the coming days, Italian media reports. Post-mortem examinations were carried out on the victims over recent days in Sicily, with preliminary results suggesting all but one had been trapped below deck when they died. Pictured: Hannah with her father Mike Lynch who both died on the yacht A handout photo made available on August 19 by Perini Navi Press Office shows the 'Bayesian' sailing boat, in Palermo, Sicily, Italy Autopsies carried out on Morgan Stanley boss Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy reveal they 'suffocated' in an air bubble and didn't drown, reports claim Fifteen of the 22 passengers and crew survived the wrecking of Bayesian last month by clambering on to an inflatable life raft. Autopsies carried out on victims at Palermo's Policlinico hospital earlier this month revealed that they had no water in their lungs, Italian media reported, adding to fears that they may have been conscious as the yacht sank. While their bodies have now been returned home, doctors in Palermo are continuing to investigate whether their deaths were caused by drowning or lack of oxygen in the cabin. All the victims in the disaster were passengers except for the yacht's chef Recaldo Thomas. His body, which was found in the sea close to where the Bayesian sank, was the first to be recovered. The other victims apart from Hannah who was found in her cabin were in another room. Italian media last week claimed that it was Hannah's mother and Mr Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, who had gone below deck to wake them and inform them the vessel was about to go down. The first autopsies were carried out on lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda (both pictured) were also found to have no water in their lungs in post-mortems conducted earlier this week Recaldo Thomas, chef on the Bayesian, was the first person to be recovered after the yacht sunk British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah both died in the Bayesian tragedy when the superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily She is said to have been woken by the fierce storm and gone onto the bridge where she found several crew members. Ms Bacares, who was barefoot, then went back below deck to warn the others but cut her feet on glass that had fallen onto the floor. As prosecutors investigate the deadly incident, it was revealed last week that a water rescue team had recovered crucial video surveillance equipment from the vessel. Six elite divers from the Italian Navy who made repeated trips down to the wreckage more than 160ft below the water's surface found computers and hard drives, according to a report. Search teams at the site of the Bayesian sinking as they prepared to continue looking for Hannah Lynch on August 23 The electronic equipment will now be examined to see if any data can be extracted, or if there is video footage showing how the yacht sank that may solve the mystery of why and how the vessel went down last month. Three members of the crew including New Zealand skipper James Cutfield, 51, British chief engineer Tim Parker Eaton, 59, and conational Matthew Griffiths, 22, are now being investigated for causing a disaster and manslaughter. However, this does not necessarily mean that charges will follow, and it will be up to an investigating magistrate to decide if a full trial will take place and that will be after the probe is closed. Ohio state police will help protect schools in a city at the centre of a political furore over Haitian migrants, the governor announced Monday, amid increased threats following President Donald Trump's false claims about pet-eating. Springfield City Hall and several schools were forced to evacuate last week after receiving bomb threats. At least 33 separate bomb threats were made in recent days, all of them hoaxes, State governor Mike DeWine said, adding that some of the threats came from overseas. Governor DeWine, a Republican, denounced the debunked rumours that spread online before Trump amplified them at last week's presidential debate, saying there is no evidence of it. He said at a news conference in Springfield on Monday that dozens of members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol will be stationed in city schools starting Tuesday following a series of threats across the city, sweeping each building every morning before the arrival of faculty or students. Security cameras have also been stationed at strategic spots in the city, and a bomb-sniffing dog will be in the city and available round-the-clock. 'We know that people are very, very concerned,' DeWine said. 'But we've moved resources into Springfield. People have the right to feel safe as well as being safe.' Ohio state police will help protect schools in Springfield amid increased threats following Donald Trump's comments about pet-eating migrants Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine holds a news conference Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, at city hall in Springfield, Ohio Trump last week repeated claims that Haitian migrants in Springfield were eating people's pets Welcome to Springfield signage is displayed along Spring Street on September 16, 2024 in Springfield, Ohio 'The people who are doing this are doing this to sow discord in our community,' said Andy Wilson, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. 'We just can't let them do that. We can't let them do that. We have to keep providing the services that the citizens of Springfield and Clark County expect.' Springfield has been the focus of intense attention in recent days after Trump, his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, and the Republican presidential campaign repeated false claims about Haitian immigrants eating domestic pets and waterfowl. President Joe Biden, appearing in Philadelphia at the National HBCU Week Conference on Monday, addressed the situation in Springfield, condemning what he called the 'lies and hate.' 'It's wrong. It's simply wrong. And it must stop,' he said. Springfield cancelled its annual celebration of diversity, arts and culture in response to the threats. The city's two-day CultureFest had been scheduled to begin September 27 but was called off 'in light of recent threats and safety concerns,' Springfield officials announced Monday. 'We deeply regret having to cancel CultureFest, as we know it is a beloved event for our community,' City Manager Bryan Heck said in a statement. 'However, the safety of our residents and visitors must come first.' Two colleges in Springfield held classes virtually on Monday. Wittenberg University said it received two threats over the weekend, 'both of which were targeted toward members of the Haitian Community.' Clark State College said it would operate virtually through Friday 'due to recent events in Springfield.' The city itself seemed quiet on Monday. Among the diners at a Creole restaurant were friends Bill Teager and Paul Gomia, who had driven more than an hour to help support a Haitian-owned business. 'We've both just been incensed over the last week of what has happened to this town nationally and even locally,' Teager said. Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a presidential debate with US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 2024 Trump's Hispanic support crashed after the debate A U.S. flag is displayed on September 16, 2024 in Springfield, Ohio Thousands of Haitian immigrants have settled in recent years in the predominantly white, blue-collar city of about 60,000, about 45 miles (70 kilometres) from the state capital of Columbus, where they have found work in factories and warehouses that had been struggling to fill job openings. The sudden influx has strained schools, health care facilities and city services and driven up the cost of housing. DeWine acknowledged that Springfield has challenges but said that it's a 'city that frankly, is on the move. If you look where Springfield was 15 years ago, ten years ago, even five years ago, we're moving.' He declined to criticize Trump, saying the Biden administration's record on immigration is a legitimate topic for debate. But he pointed out that the Haitians in Springfield are there legally under a federal program that allows them to remain in the country temporarily because conditions in Haiti are considered unsafe for them to return. 'The companies hire them because they needed the help and they needed the support,' DeWine said. 'These are people who care about their families. These are people who value education. They are hard workers. And I think we should we should respect that.' He added: 'These... people who are spreading the hate need to move on. They need to go away. They need to stop it.' An alleged sexual sadist and his wife lured au pairs to their home where they were subjected to months of BDSM torture, a court has heard. The couple kept two women in a small windowless cage for up to 15 hours a day in their glamorous home in the Andelfingen region, near Zurich, Switzerland, a court has heard. The man, 46, and his Filipina wife, 32, kept a 22-year-old women from the Philippines and another from Brazil, aged 30, as 'house slaves' after luring them in online by promising training and a residence permit, Swiss newspaper Blick reports. The Swiss IT manager admitted to regularly tying up the 22-year-old with handcuffs, leg irons and a waist belt, which he would sometimes connect to each other, while she was trapped in the cage. Judge Thomas Keller called it a 'setting with BDSM elements' and said that by controlling the woman, the man 'satisfied a sadistic sexual inclination'. During her time as a 'house slave' for the couple, the husband 'tested' the Filipina with exams in the catering trade he was 'training' her in. If she did well, she was rewarded with restaurant or zoo visits - but if she performed badly, punishments included shortening the chain connecting the handcuffs and leg irons, a longer period of confinement in the cage, wearing very tight gloves and further restrictions on the use of a phone. The couple kept two women in a small windowless cage for up to 15 hours a day in their glamorous home in the Andelfingen region, near Zurich, Switzerland, a court has heard (pictured: the district court in Andelfingen) The Swiss man has confessed to first locking up the 22-year-old in the house he lived in with his Filipina wife from July 2018 to April 2019 after starting to recruit the victim online in December 2017. She had to do housework six days a week and had to be at the couple's beck and call around the clock, which equated to more than 45 hours of work per week, for which the woman earned just 800 francs (about 715) a month. On her 'day off', she was locked in the windowless cage of just 20 square feet, which only had a bucket as a toilet, a small bed, stuffed animals and a surveillance camera watching the woman sitting behind the metal bars. It also featured an emergency key box, according to the accused, who told the court: 'There was one of those little red boxes where you have to break the window.' She was also tied with hand- and leg cuffs connected to a leather collar every day, unless it was a special occasion like Easter, her birthday and New Year's Day. The young woman could hardly move while wearing the restraints, which the man told her were a 'school requirement', the court has heard. 'I thought that the cage and the bondage were part of the training,' the wife told the court, adding that she did not know the culture and customs in Switzerland and just believed her husband. She even said she helped the victims put the shackles on sometimes. Even when her husband wasn't home, the 22-year-old woman was in the cage, but the wife - who also said she lets her husband tie her up in bed - claims she usually closed the cage herself and tied herself up. 'When she was tied up, she couldn't use the toilet,' the wife told the court. In the contract drafted on June 29, 2018, it says that the 22-year-old is to be locked in 'a room' - not a cage - without a toilet at night, but makes no mention of any additional restraints. Other terms include dress codes - like wearing white underwear and a maid's costume while working in the house - as well as comprehensive camera surveillance. File image of agricultural fields with gravel road at village of Andelfingen, canton Zurich, on a sunny summer morning She ended up signing the contract under pressure after being picked up by the husband in Ticino, southern Switzerland, after she had travelled to Italy. The man also showed the Filipina fake applications to the immigration office to convince her that he had applied for her to get a residence permit. When the 22-year-old said that she didn't want to sleep in the cage anymore, the man threatened her with the police, telling his victim that officers would deport her from Switzerland. 'I had to lie in the cage as if I were dead,' the woman told the court. The man claims the relationship between him and the woman was 'not just one of coercion', adding that he gave her holidays. The IT manager, who currently has a salary of 150,000 francs (135,000) and his wife had promised the young woman an apprenticeship at the 'International Maids School' - which doesn't exist - as well as a residence permit for coming to work for them Switzerland. The first employment contract, which the woman rejected, included caged confinement as one of the terms, which she didn't want to accept. Instead, she allegedly asked him to 'enter into a sham marriage', the man told the court. When the woman finally managed to escape after ten months after she said she 'realised that there was no school', the couple allegedly recruited yet another 'house slave'. The Brazilian woman came to Switzerland to learn German and was lured to the couple's home by the husband, who promised her 'German lessons at the highest level'. She was kept as a 'house slave' by the couple from June to mid-July in 2019, when she was freed by police who had received a report by the Filipina 'at some point' after she escaped. The man used the pseudonym 'Gustav Wohlenweber' to send the 30-year-old pictures of the family home with a pool. The man claims that the women agreed to the 'setting' of being locked in a cage at night and being tied up by signing their 'work' contract. Instead of offering her hotel training like the first victim, the man lured her in promising German lessons, which she received from his wife. Pictured above is Andelfingen Castle with a mill in the foreground She was also subjected to tests and if she didn't do well, she was tied up, locked up for a longer period of time or handcuffed. He also threatened her with a ban on jogging. The wife acknowledged to reading the possible punishments on a German test for the Brazilian woman, but said that she assumed it was part of the agreement between her husband and the woman. Before arriving at the house, the man had shown her a small room with a table and told her that she would be locked in - but she 'had not seen the cage', she told the court. She said that she agreed to sleeping in the cage because it was 'the only possibility', as there was no other place to sleep than the two cages in the house. The 30-year-old victim never received any wage payments, which the man explained to the court by his accounts being blocked while he was in custody. The 'sexual sadist' is accused of human trafficking, false imprisonment, forgery, aiding and abetting illegal entry as well as the illegal employment of foreigners and has confessed to the charges. The prosecutor has asked for a partially suspended prison sentence of 36 months for the man, which his defence agreed to. He would only have to serve nine of these months, but since he has already been in custody for five, he would probably only face another four. The man has also paid 16,000 francs (14,300) to the two women in compensation. Meanwhile his wife, who has not received a deal from the prosecutor's office, could be forced to leave Switzerland and faces a suspended prison sentence of ten months for multiple counts of aiding and abetting the deprivation of liberty of the woman. She claims that all she knew about the two women's responsibilities in the house were 'cleaning and studying'. She also admitted that the women were locked into the cage for a large part of the time with her and her husband, but added that they were not locked in for 24 hours. The Filipina told the court that she was 'manipulated' by her husband. The Swiss court is due to announce its verdict tomorrow afternoon, on September 18 around 3pm local time. Greggs staff say desperate shoplifters have set up a 'black market' for sausage rolls and doughnuts and sell them for 50p a pop on one crime ridden high street. Guards at two Croydon outlets say they are regularly raided by thieves either down on their luck or high on drugs and looking to make quick cash. Supplies of stolen sausage rolls, sandwiches and doughnuts are then flogged to passers by in the rundown North End district of the crime-ridden south London town. It comes as the bakery announced earlier this year an increase the price of its iconic sausage rolls and other treats in a 'sneaky' change to cover higher wages for staff. Last night a source at Greggs said: 'This area is very dangerous in terms of shoplifting. A former serviceman was hired as a bouncer at Greggs earlier this year to protect against shoplifters Footage shows shoplifter wiping the shelves clear at a Greggs store in London as fellow customers were stunned into silence by his brazen act 'The shoplifters come and take everything from every shop. If we try and stop them, they want to fight us. 'We have the two types of shoplifters those who are genuinely hungry or in need and drug addicts looking to make quick cash. 'They steal our sausage rolls and sell them to people passing by on the street outside. 'It is a big black market. Croydon is heaven for shoplifters. 'At our other store in West Croydon they wait for the security guard to go on a break before running in and stealing everything. 'The police come but it is too late by the time they get there.' In May, Greggs hired a former serviceman as a bouncer to protect against shoplifters at one of its London bakeries. A guard on duty at the company's flagship Leicester Square store is reportedly a former member of the world renowned Gurkha regiment, according to LBC. The Greggs source added: 'They sell stuff for as little as 50p. We sell four sausage rolls for 3 then they sell them outside for 2. 'If they steal six packs and sell them for 2 each, they make 12. 'They don't take one or two, they take five, six or seven.' Chief executive, Roisin Currie, revealed in July that Greggs has increased the prices of some items on its menu by 5p and 10p. In 2021, a sausage roll cost just 1. But at the start of 2022 the price rose to 1.05, then 1.10 in May 2022, 1.15 in October 2022 and 1.20 by January 2023. A MailOnline graphic showing the increase in price of Greggs' sausage rolls from 2021 to 2023 A shoplifter empties the shelves of a Greggs store in south east London into a giant holdall back in June Chief executive, Roisin Currie, revealed in July that Greggs has increased the prices of some items on its menu by 5p and 10p in recent weeks. Ms Currie said the group took action to offset higher pay for its 32,000-strong workforce, having raised salaries earlier this year ahead of the increase in the National Living Wage. And the now Greggs face the problem of a 'black market' being set up for baked goods in a time Britain's shoplifting crisis is even worse than official figures suggest. Almost 444,000 crimes were recorded by forces in England and Wales in the year to March, up from 342,428 in the previous 12 months. This is the highest figure since records began in 2003, according to the Office for National Statistics. But industry figures say underreporting means shoplifting is even more endemic than currently thought, with many store owners not bothering to report offences to overwhelmed police and criminal gangs operating without any fear of being caught. Last year it was reported a bank branch just yards from the same Greggs outlet we spoke to was forced to shut early due to knife-wielding yobs. Halifax made the move because employees said they were too afraid to go home in the dark. The plan was in place just 100 yards from where Elianne Andam, 15, was stabbed to death last month on her way to school. Almost 444,000 shoplifting offences were recorded by forces in England and Wales in the year to March, up from 342,428 in the previous 12 months Hassan Sentamu, 18, has pleaded not guilty to her murder and will go on trial in November. In November it was also reported Greggs was removing its doughnuts from display boxes and putting them behind the till to stop thieves pinching them. Customers only got their hands on the treats and cakes after paying at the bakery's East Ham store in East London. It comes after a North London store recently locked its drinks fridges after a spate of thefts. Graham Wynn, the assistant director of business and regulation at the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said 1.8bn a year was lost to shop theft. He added: 'Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. 'Retailers are forced to spend 1.2bn a year on anti-crime measures such as CCTV, security personnel, and anti-theft devices.' Greggs has more than 2,400 stores across the UK and has grown into a 3billion empire with bold promises to build a Greggs in 'every town in Britain', but it started out in 1939 as a humble bread delivery service for mining families in Newcastle. The first official Greggs store opened in Gosforth, Newcastle in 1951. And just last month, MailOnline asked our readers which high street bakery chain they preferred - Greggs or Gail's? This comes following a mid a recent revolt against Gail's - with critics suggesting the bakery opening a new outlet is a sure-fire indicator the area is being gentrified amid fears it could put independent eateries out of business. Greggs secured a landslide victory coming out on top as the nation's sausage roll sweetheart, with 72 per cent of readers voting for it as their favourite while Gail's received a mere 28 per cent of votes. Your browser does not support iframes. Gail's was founded in 2005 with the first opening on north London's upmarket Hampstead High Street and has been dubbed the 'middle-class Greggs. Last year, Gail's chairman called for a crackdown on aggressive shoplifters and abusive customers. Mr Johnson, ex-chairman of Pizza Express, said prosecutions were the only way to tackle the problem. This trend towards widespread, really widespread aggression, abuse and shoplifting is a new and scary phenomenon, he added. Greggs head office and the Met Police were contacted for comment. This video is no longer available This video is no longer available Two chilling theories have emerged 14 years after a young apprentice tradie was found dead on the side of a road after a night out in a popular resort town. A reward of $1million has been offered for information that helps catch Joshua Warneke's killer. The body of Mr Warneke, 21, was discovered on Old Broome Road, in Broome in Western Australia's Kimberley region, on February 26, 2010, shortly after he had left a nightclub. He had a black mark on his arm. As an inquest into his final moments began this week, taxi driver Philip Nordfelt denied that he bumped the tradie with his car in a McDonald's car park 30 minutes before Mr Warneke was found dead less than a kilometre away. The second theory is that the young tradie was murdered with a sharp weapon. The inquest also heard on Tuesday that the crime scene may have been unintentionally contaminated, The West Australian reported. Mr Nordfelt, who was one of the last people to see Mr Warneke alive, confirmed that he had seen the young tradie at McDonald's but insisted that he 'definitely did not touch him'. It's been 14 years since Josh Warneke was found dead on the side of a road after a night out The young tradie was captured on CCTV in a McDonald's car park 30 minutes before he was found dead He also said he could not remember a passenger in his taxi saying 'please don't hit him'. 'I'm positive that I didn't,' Mr Nordfelt told journalists outside the Coroner's Court after his testimony, the ABC reported. 'I know that my vehicle came within a foot of him, but I never touched him.' The black mark on Mr Warneke's arm has led to the hit-and-run theory that he could have been hit by a car earlier in the night. But Linley Cilia, the St Johns ambulance officer who was first on scene, told the inquest that she saw no evidence of a hit-and-run. Ms Cilia told the inquest she had attended hundreds of scenes involving people hit by a car, but in this case, did not see the telltale tyre marks that would be caused by heavy braking, or 'shrapnel or anything like that'. An inquest into Josh Warneke's death began in Broome this week The police later allowed Ms Cilia to put a white sheet over Mr Warneke's body to preserve his dignity. In response, Mr Warneke's mother Ingrid Bishop said: 'I'm hoping that there was no contamination of the forensic evidence at the scene because obviously it's extremely important.' Ms Cilia was quizzed as to whether the scene could have been interfered with. 'No we were told it's been treated as a crime scene and to try to preserve it as intact as possible,' she told the inquest. She also recalled seeing a taxi driver and passengers who were 'very shaken' by the scene. A reward of $1million has been offered for information that helps catch Joshua Warneke's killer The hearing also heard testimony from friends and other witnesses who were in the Bungalow Bar in Broome on the night of Mr Warneke's death. The witnesses said he had been in a good mood and did not appear to be affected by alcohol that night. Colleague Graham Cockman described Mr Warneke' as a "good kid" who was rarely angry or aggressive. The inquest will continue in Broome on Wednesday before it resumes in Perth next week Nine people, including two young girls, were killed and thousands left injured across Lebanon this afternoon after pagers used by Hezbollah fighters to communicate exploded. The wave of sudden and unexpected detonations, which began around 3.45pm local time (1345 GMT) and lasted roughly an hour, maimed over 2,750 Hezbollah members and civilians, giving way to widespread panic and chaotic scenes across Beirut's southern suburbs, the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon. In neighbouring Syria, 14 people were injured by the blasts, according to Britain-based war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Victims were seen sporting horrific wounds as they lay on the ground surrounded by terrified bystanders in images shared to social media and broadcast by Lebanese and Israeli networks. Yet more harrowing clips taken inside Lebanese hospitals showed how some unfortunate victims sustained massive head injuries, gaping wounds in their legs and abdomen, or had their hands blown off by the powerful explosions. At least two Hezbollah fighters - one of whom is the son of Lebanese parliament member Ali Ammar - were confirmed dead by multiple security sources and a family member, according to AFP. An eight-year-old girl from the the Bekaa Valley, and a 10-year-old daughter of a Hezbollah member, were also killed in the explosions. A spokesperson for the group has since said that Hassan Nasrallah, the group's chief, was not harmed in the blasts, though Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, sustained injuries. Hezbollah says that Israel is 'fully responsible' for the simultaneous explosion, warning that the nation would be punished. The brutally effective detonations appear to have been triggered by a small amount of high explosive charge inserted into the pagers prior to their delivery to Hezbollah - and then activated remotely. The stunning incident saw scores of Hezbollah members severely injured throughout southern Lebanon and in its capital Beirut This is the moment a pager exploded in a supermarket, blowing its owner (bottom left) to the ground and causing significant injuries An image grab taken from a UGC video posted on social media on September 17, 2024, shows men covered in blood in Beirut's southern suburbs after dozens of Hezbollah group members were injured when their pagers exploded Pagers used by Hezbollah members for vital communications exploded this afternoon, injuring hundreds A police officer inspects a car in which a hand-held pager exploded, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 Police officers inspect a car inside of which a hand-held pager exploded, Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 The remnants of what is believed to be a pager carried by a Lebanese militant that detonated earlier today Lebanese soldiers and Hezbollah members gather outside a hospital where injured people were being transported, following an incident involving Hezbollah members' wireless devices in Dahieh, Beirut, south Lebanon, 17 September 2024 How could the explosions have been triggered? There are currently two main theories as to how the detonations happened. One suggests that the pagers were filled with explosives, and set off by remote access. David Kennedy, a former US National Security Agency intelligence analyst, told CNN: 'It's more likely that Israel had human operatives in Hezbollah The pagers would have been implanted with explosives and likely only to detonate when a certain message was received. The second main theory is that a cybersecurity breach caused the pagers' lithium ion batteries to overheat and explode. While lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in consumer electronics, they can overheat and catch on fire - even exploding violently in some cases. Advertisement 'We hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression,' Hezbollah said in a statement, adding that Israel 'will certainly receive its just punishment'. A second statement said: 'After examining all the facts, current data, and available information about the sinful attack that took place this afternoon, we hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression that targeted civilians too.' It added it would continue to support 'Palestinian resistance' and that the 'treacherous and criminal enemy will certainly be punished for this aggressive act.' The Lebanese government, meanwhile, condemned the pager explosions as 'criminal Israeli aggression.' Prime Minister Najib Mikati said in a cabinet meeting today, following the incidents, that the attack was 'criminal Israeli aggression, which constitutes a serious violation of Lebanese sovereignty and a crime by all standards.' Information minister Ziad Makary said the government has contacted the United Nations to 'hold them accountable for this continuing crime.' UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric has since described the developments across Lebanon as 'extremely concerning', adding: 'We deplore the civilian casualties that we have seen. We cannot underscore enough the risks of escalation in Lebanon and in the region.' A Lebanese security source told CNN that the pagers that exploded had been purchased in recent months, though did not provide any information as to their exact model. Very small explosive devices may have been built into the pagers prior to their delivery to Hezbollah, and then all remotely triggered simultaneously, possibly with a radio signal. By the time of the attack, 'the battery was probably half-explosive and half-actual battery,' said Carlos Perez, director of security intelligence at TrustedSec. A former British Army bomb disposal officer explained that an explosive device has five main components: A container, a battery, a triggering device, a detonator and an explosive charge. 'A pager has three of those already,' explained the ex-officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he now works as a consultant with clients on the Middle East. 'You would only need to add the detonator and the charge.' The Lebanese government condemned the pager explosions as 'criminal Israeli aggression' Lebanese citizens have swarmed around hospitals for hours following the incident Friends and relatives of injured people arrive at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) after an incident involving Hezbollah members' wireless devices in Beirut, Lebanon Earlier this year, Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah urged members of his organisation to revert to using a new brand of pagers for vital communications, reasoning that modern smartphones would be more susceptible to cyber attacks by Israeli forces. Lebanese military sources have suggested that the devices were detonated as part of an Israeli attack. The most likely explanation is that a small amount of explosive was inserted into the pagers prior to their delivery to Hezbollah. After security camera footage appeared on social media Tuesday purporting to show one of the pagers explode on a man's hip in a Lebanese market, two munitions experts offered opinions that corroborate an official statement from the US that the blast appeared to be the result of a tiny explosive device. 'Looking at the video, the size of the detonation is similar to that caused by an electric detonator alone or one that incorporates an extremely small, high-explosive charge,' said Sean Moorhouse, a former British Army officer and explosive ordinance disposal expert. This signals involvement of a state actor, Moorhouse said. He adds that Israel's foreign intelligence agency, the Mossad, is the most obvious suspect to have the resources to carry out such an attack. A man donates blood under a tent in Beirut's southern suburb on September 17, 2024 following the series of explosions across Lebanon Lebanon's crisis operations centre, which is run by the health ministry, asked all medical workers to head to their respective hospitals to help cope with the massive numbers of wounded coming in for urgent care The Lebanese Red Cross said more than 50 ambulances and 300 emergency medical staff were dispatched to help in the evacuation of victims Earlier speculation suggested an Israeli hack could have overloaded the lithium ion batteries powering the pagers, which can burn up to 590 degrees celsius (1,100 F) when ignited. It is possible that Israeli forces or some other actor could have hacked these devices and remotely overcharged the battery, triggering a thermal runaway. But Edward Snowden, infamous for leaking classified material from the US' National Security Agency, said he believed the incident was 'not a hack.' 'As information comes in about the exploding beepers in Lebanon, it seems now more likely than not to be implanted explosives, not a hack', he said on X. He added: 'Why? Too many consistent, very serious injuries. If it were overheated batteries exploding, you'd expect many more small fires & misfires.' Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) said 'tens of injured have been taken to hospital after the handheld pagers system was detonated using advanced technology' and relayed urgent calls from hospitals in the country's south for people to donate blood. At Mt. Lebanon hospital, a Reuters reporter saw motorcycles rushing to the emergency room, where people with their hands bloodied were screaming in pain. Similar scenes were captured by photographers outside the American University of Beirut Medical Centre. The head of the Nabatieh public hospital in the south of the country, Hassan Wazni, told Reuters that around 40 wounded people were being treated at his facility. The wounds included injuries to the face, eyes and limbs. Lebanon's crisis operations centre, which is run by the health ministry, asked all medical workers to head to their respective hospitals to help cope with the massive numbers of wounded coming in for urgent care. It also stressed that health care workers should not use pagers. The Lebanese Red Cross said more than 50 ambulances and 300 emergency medical staff were dispatched to help in the evacuation of victims. Lebanese citizens have begun donating blood in their droves, with pop-up blood drives being seen near Beirut's main hospitals. The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between Lebanon and Israel. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Israeli forces have been clashing near-daily for more than 11 months against the backdrop of war between Israel and Hezbollah ally Hamas in Gaza. The clashes have killed hundreds in Lebanon and dozens in Israel and displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border. On Tuesday, Israel said that halting Hezbollah's attacks in the north to allow residents to return to their homes is now an official war goal. Israel has killed Hamas militants in the past with booby trapped cellphones and it's widely believed to have been behind the Stuxnet computer virus attack on Iran's nuclear program in 2010. The sudden explosions across southern Lebanon this afternoon come hours after an Israeli strike on Lebanon killed three people, the health ministry said. Israeli forces have traded near-daily fire with the Iran-backed Lebanese group since its ally Hamas launched the October 7 attacks on Israel, triggering the war in Gaza. The health ministry said an 'Israeli enemy strike' on the border village of Blida killed 'three people and wounded two', without specifying if they were fighters or civilians. Israel's military said its air force 'eliminated three terrorists' from Hezbollah who were at a 'terrorist infrastructure site' in the Blida area. Hezbollah did not immediately announce any fighters had been killed, but claimed a series of attacks on Israeli troops and positions near the border on Tuesday. The sudden and unexpected detonations gave way to widespread panic and chaotic scenes in images shared on social media and broadcast by Lebanese and Israeli outlets Civil Defence first-responders carry a wounded man whose handheld pager exploded at al-Zahraa hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 Ambulances arrive to American University of Beirut Medical Centre in the wake of the explosions Doctors and bystanders await the arrival of victims injured by exploding pagers People gather outside a hospital, as more than 3,000 people, including Hezbollah fighters and medics, were wounded on Tuesday when the pagers they use to communicate exploded across Lebanon, according to a security source, in Beirut, Lebanon September 17, 2024 Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike on the village of Blida in southern Lebanon, as seen from an undisclosed location in the Upper Galilee, northern Israel, 17 September 2024 The Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept an attack from Lebanon over the Galilee region, near Kiryat Shmona, as seen from the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 BREAKING via Reuters Hundreds of members of Hezbollah were seriously wounded on Tuesday when the pagers they use to communicate exploded. Here is one video of one of the pager explosions. pic.twitter.com/UDepHvkkEe Yashar Ali (@yashar) September 17, 2024 The NNA reported several Israeli attacks in the south of the country. The latest deaths came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the political-security cabinet had 'updated the goals of the war' to include 'the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes'. Almost a year of cross-border violence has displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Monday that 'military action' was the 'only way left to ensure the return of Israel's northern communities'. The violence has killed some 627 people in Lebanon, including at least 141 civilians. On the Israeli side, including in the annexed Golan Heights, authorities have announced the deaths of at least 24 soldiers and 26 civilians. Hezbollah has repeatedly said that only a ceasefire in Gaza will put an end to its attacks, and diplomatic activity in recent months has sought to avert all-out war. A judge today praised the 'determined' mother of a baby girl murdered by Lucy Letby for 'never giving up' trying to find out why her daughter died. Lady Justice Thirlwall told the sobbing woman she had 'done everything' for her child, who was the third baby murdered by the neo-natal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital in two weeks in June 2015. During almost three hours of emotional testimony, the mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, described how she contemplated suicide and thought she was 'losing her mind' because 'nothing made sense' about her newborn's sudden collapse and death. She fought to access her daughter's medical notes, rejected doctor's explanations for her cause of death and wrote to the coroner demanding an inquest - so determined was she to get to the bottom of what happened to her daughter. She even enlisted the help of a solicitor and suggested police be called in, but was initially told it was not a criminal matter. Lucy Letby (pictured) is serving 15 whole-life orders after she was convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others, with two attempts on one of her victims Lady Justice Thirlwall, who is heading an inquiry into Letby's crimes at Liverpool Town Hall, told the sobbing mother: 'When all this began you looked for answers and explanations about what happened to your daughter. 'At great personal cost you have never given up, and your evidence to the inquiry leaves everyone listening in no doubt of your determination and persistence on behalf of your daughter and for you and your husband. 'You have done everything you could have done. I do know just how hard this process has been for you and your husband and I would like to thank you both for all you have done for the inquiry.' The hearing was told that the couple's baby, known as Baby D, was born three weeks early, weighing 6lbs 14oz. She was being treated on the unit for an infection when Letby attacked her three times over the course of a single night shift, finally killing her with an injection of air. Baby D's mother said she never had a conversation with Letby, but described feeling 'very uneasy' in her presence and that she 'stood out' as being 'odd.' Lady Justice Thirlwall, pictured last Monday, is chairing the inquiry at Liverpool Town Hall A court artist's sketch of Lucy Letby giving evidence at Manchester Crown Court on July 24 On the night her daughter died, she said she remembered Letby 'doing nothing useful' as medics fought desperately to save her, adding: 'She was just looking at us crumbling and crying.' She also described how the doctor trying to revive her daughter had a phone to his ear while he was performing CPR and she later found out that staff had mistakenly believed it was Baby B who had collapsed, not Baby D, and her mother had been called in error. Letby had attacked twins Baby A and Baby B a week earlier, killing Baby A. Baby D's mother said she now believed this was not a mistake but suggested it had been done 'maliciously' by Letby. After her daughter died, Baby D's mother said things just 'didn't add up' and she became obsessed with finding out the truth. She said doctors had told them Baby D was responding to antibiotics and getting better, so when her cause of death came back as due to an overwhelming infection she refused to accept it was correct. Lady Justice Thirlwall at Liverpool Town Hall on Monday last week ahead of the hearings 'Nothing made sense, so to try and get myself together, it was impossible, so psychologically hard,' she said. 'I know my husband was worried because I was asking too many questions, I was requesting notes, I was talking about investigating and going to the police. I thought maybe I was losing my mind and I didn't think people understood why I was pushing. 'I just didn't know if what I was doing was right but I kept thinking, 'this is my daughter's voice, I can't give up here, so I will carry on even if I am on my own.' 'Any energy and strength I had was going into pushing, reading the notes, getting clued up and everything else was getting drained in my emotions, I was just losing myself, I was no longer a friend, or a daughter or a wife, that was my sacrifice.' She accused the hospital of deliberately hiding information from the coroner and failing to share information about their reviews and investigations into Baby D's death. Body worn camera footage from Cheshire Constabulary of the arrest of Lucy Letby in 2018 'It was clear they were not being open and honest and they were trying to cover something up,' she said. The inquiry has heard that copies of a report carried out by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health that were eventually sent to parents, in April 2017, but sections relating to Letby had been removed. Baby D's mother said that, if she had known that suspicions about a member of staff had been raised, she would have gone to the police herself. 'I would have gone to the police, regardless of what anyone advised,' she said. 'When I first mentioned involving the police everyone thought, 'this is bonkers, it's not criminal, there's nothing more to it. It's sad, but your baby passed because she was poorly.' 'If I had known everything, I would have gone myself.' The investigation at Liverpool Town Hall (pictured last week) is examining how Letby was able to attack babies on the Countess and Chester Hospital's neo-natal unit in 2015 and 2016 Eventually, a police investigation was launched, in May 2017, but Baby D's mother said she had no clue a nurse was under suspicion until Letby was arrested a year later, in July 2018, almost three years after her daughter's death. She said it was only during the trials that she and her husband finally began to understand exactly what happened to their daughter and for that they, and the families of all Letby's victims, were owed an apology from the Countess. 'If I wasn't failed in the first place by the Countess, my daughter wouldn't have ended up in intensive care, I wouldn't have ended up poorly and destroyed, and she wouldn't have been in a place where someone was preying on babies. 'As a strict minimum they owe us an apology, the babies an apology and all the families that have suffered, apologies.' Police have arrested one person A teenager has been rushed to hospital after he was allegedly attacked with a machete at a busy train station in Melbourne's west. Police allege the boy was approached by a group of people at Melton train station just after 5pm on Tuesday. The teen suffered a laceration to his hand from what police believe was a machete. The alleged offenders then fled on foot. The teen was taken to Royal Children's Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A teenager was allegedly attacked with a machete at the Melton train station on Tuesday Police have since arrested one person while investigations remain ongoing. No charges have been laid Anyone with information is urged to come forward. Shamed BBC News presenter Huw Edwards spent an estimated 200,000 on legal fees, according to a legal costs expert. The former newsreader, 63, avoided jail on Monday after being given a suspended six-month prison sentence, after he admitted to having 41 indecent images of children. The vile picture collection included seven category A images, the most serious classification, with two involving a child aged around seven to nine. Edwards, who commissioned BCL Solicitors to work on his criminal defence, is estimated to have spent 600 an hour for his barrister plus an extra 6,000 a day in court, legal costs expert Paul Fulcher told MailOnline. Fulcher, head of The Legal Costs Experts, added that Edwards' legal fees over the duration of the case could total more than 200,000. Shamed BBC News presenter Huw Edwards spent an estimated 200,000 on legal fees, according to a legal costs expert The former newsreader, 63, avoided jail on Monday after being given a suspended six-month prison sentence, after he admitted to having 41 indecent images of children It comes as the BBC battles to recover the salary Edwards was paid for months after he was arrested. BBC boss Tim Davie defended the decision to continue paying him but confirmed the shamed presenter will not work for the broadcaster again following his appalling child-abuse crimes. Mr Davie claimed the reason Edwards was not sacked upon being arrested was due to BBC guidelines. 'We wrestled with this - it was an extremely tough decision,' he said. 'We decided that, you know, pay continues until somebody's charged. No one knew that gap was going to be so long.' He added it was the 'right decision' but said the organisation would continue to pursue Edwards to pay back the money paid while he was suspended. Mr Davie was immediately asked about the Edwards affair during his 25-minute discussion with BBC journalist Amol Rajan at the Royal Television Society (RTS) London conference. Wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt and trainers, he said: There's no doubt that an affair like this impacts our reputation. I think people are smart, and they'll make their judgments. I think, overall, there's no doubt about that - these things impact your reputation, but you can maintain trust by doing the right thing. Asked if Edwards would work for the BBC again, Mr Davie said: I can't see that for obvious reasons. Pushed to expand, he added: This man has just been convicted of appalling crimes. It's pretty straightforward in my mind - its not a difficult question. Mr Davie said: The secret life this guy was leading was shocking. Edwards, who commissioned BCL Solicitors to work on his criminal defence, is estimated to have spent 600 an hour for his barrister plus an extra 6,000 a day in court, legal costs expert Paul Fulcher told MailOnline It was the 'smooth and 'unflappable' defence barrister Philip Evans KC from the QEB Hollis Whiteman chambers who put Edwards' defence to magistrates Westminster Magistrates' Court heard on Monday how Huw Edwards had replied 'yes xxx' when asked if he wanted a set of indecent images of children (note: This is not the actual text message exchange) It was also told that Edwards had told Williams that ages 'can be deceptive' when told one of the subjects in an image was 'quite yng looking', before asking if he had 'any more? (note: This is not the actual text message exchange) Edwards - who announced Queen Elizabeth's death to the nation two years ago - gave up to 1,500 to convicted paedophile Alex Williams who sent him dozens of awful images. The BBC said in a statement that Edwards had betrayed not just the corporation but millions of viewers who had put their trust in him. Edwards' offending came to light after South Wales police seized Williams' phone and discovered his WhatsApp conversations with the former BBC anchorman. He was arrested on November 8 last year. The investigation was unrelated to allegations reported in July 2023 that Edwards had paid a teenager more than 35,000 for sexual images. Edwards told Williams 'go on' when asked if he wanted 'naughty pics and vids' of somebody described as young. The former newsreader also wrote 'yes xxx' when he was asked by the convicted paedophile if he wanted sexual images of a person whose 'age could be discerned as being between 14 and 16'. He was also sent two pornographic videos of a child aged between seven and nine-years-old. Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of former BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court Edwards made his way through the media melee before being driven away in a black Mercedes when at court on July 31 Edwards was ordered to pay 3,000 in prosecution costs. It remains unclear whether he will have to pay back the 200,000 he was paid by the BBC between his arrest and his resignation in April. Corporation director general Mr Davie confirmed that a formal request for the money to be returned has been made to Edwards, who was in a pay bracket of between 475,000 and 479,999 for 2023/24. Mr Davie told the conference: We want the money back and we've asked for it back, and we're waiting to hear back. There are discussions between the legal teams. Edwards has so far refused and will also keep his pension. Mr Davie said that victims' families are the primary concern and said that young people who raised concerns over Edwards were taken seriously at the time allegations were made. He said: We're just shocked, and there's a lot of upset because across the BBC, we've got great teams, good people and they feel deeply, deeply let down. Ghislaine Maxwell's 2021 conviction for helping the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls has been upheld by a US appeals court. The decision was issued by the Manhattan-based 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday. Maxwell, 62, has been serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted on five charges for having recruited and groomed four underage girls for Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 2004. She was described as 'dangerous' during her trial as jurors were told details of how she helped entice vulnerable teenagers to Epstein's various properties. Judge Alison Nathan said at sentencing that Maxwell was 'central' to Epstein's heinous crimes, not a 'proxy.' 'Ms Maxwell worked with Epstein to select young victims who were vulnerable and played a pivotal role in facilitating sexual abuse,' the judge said. Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell pictured together in New York in 2005 Ghislaine Maxwell with Jeffrey Epstein pictured in a photo shown to the court during her sex trafficking trial 'Judge Alison Nathan said at sentencing that Maxwell was 'central' to Epstein's heinous crimes, not a 'proxy MailOnline previously reported that Maxwell was 'focused and motivated' for her appeal. The disgraced socialite has been incarcerated since July 2020, despite numerous attempts from her defense counsel to have her released on bail. Maxwell's appeal focused on a 2007 non-prosecution agreement between Epstein and federal prosecutors in southern Florida, which she said barred her from being prosecuted in Manhattan 13 years later. Her lawyer argued that references in Epstein's agreement to the 'United States' signaled the government's intent to bar prosecutions nationwide of 'potential co-conspirators' including four named in the agreement. Maxwell was not among them. A prosecutor countered that the mention of the United States was a throwaway reference, and Epstein's agreement was intended to bind only prosecutors in southern Florida. In addition, Maxwell argued in her appeal that prosecutors scapegoated her because Epstein was dead and the public demanded that someone else be held accountable. She also said her trial was tainted because one juror did not disclose that he had been sexually abused as a child. Maxwell, began her 20-year sentence at FCI Tallahassee in 2022 after being found guilty of sex trafficking in 2021 Maxwell kisses Epstein while on a trip to Europe In January, DailyMail.com revealed that Maxwell had been telling her fellow inmates in prison to ignore reports on the case and instead promised she would write memoir giving 'the truth'. A source claimed that Maxwell, who was a close associate of Epstein for years, claimed 'the documents in the news are all false or misinformation' and 'the truth will only come out when her book does.' The insider said: 'She's bragging about how great it will be but it sounds like the same old lies she has told a thousand times. 'She really thinks she hasn't done anything wrong and that her charges will be dropped when people read it.' In a self-serving prison interview last year, she denied knowledge of the dead financier's crimes, insisting she regretted ever meeting him and had no idea he was 'capable of evil.' But hundreds of documents made public in January, relating to a long-settled defamation case filed against Maxwell by Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre, made a mockery of her claims of innocence. Pictured: The former home of Jeffrey Epstein in Palm Beach Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to a Florida state prosecution charge and served 13 months in jail, an arrangement now widely considered too lenient Pictured: The former Florida residence of Jeffrey Epstein Epstein died by suicide at age 66 in 2019 in a Manhattan jail cell, five weeks after being arrested and charged with sex trafficking. He ultimately pleaded guilty in 2008 to a Florida state prosecution charge and served 13 months in jail, an arrangement now widely considered too lenient. His victims have since recouped hundreds of millions of dollars from his estate and from banks accused of handling transactions that financed his sexual misconduct. The scandal has stained or destroyed the reputations of former friends including Britain's Prince Andrew and onetime Barclays CEO Jes Staley. Maxwell, who was once Epstein's girlfriend, has been serving her sentence in a low-security prison in Tallahassee, Florida. She is eligible for release in July 2037. Traces of radioactive Cesium-137 have been measured along Norway's border with Russia, it was revealed today. The radiation levels are 'clearly' higher than normal, authorities have said, and the cause of the mysterious spike is unknown. One fear is that it could relate to Russia's Pankovo test site for the Burevestnik - a nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile - on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. The experimental weapon, known as Vladimir Putin's 'Flying Chernobyl', is intended to be capable of remaining in the air for days or even weeks as it probes weaknesses in Western defences. However, there may be other reasons for the radioactive spike, reports the Barents Observer. Russia's Pankovo test site for the Burevestnik - a nuclear-powered cruise missile - is based on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago (general view) The Russian state news agency in 2019 released a video claiming to show a test of the Burevestnik missile (pictured) The Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) confirmed the levels are above the norm but remain 'very low'. 'The levels are clearly higher than normal, but pose no risk to humans or the environment,' said Bredo Mller, of the DSA's Emergency Preparedness unit at Svanhovd. The radioactive Cesium-137 appeared between September 9 and 12. Norway shares a 121 mile border inside the Arctic Circle with Russia's highly militarised Murmansk region. The media outlet highlighted that there has been top secret activity at the Burevestnik test site in recent weeks. 'There are no official reports that the Burevestnik is tested, but indications can be seen by studying daily updated satellite images from the Arctic archipelago. 'The Barents Observer has in the course of the summer seen several cargo-ships and special purpose vessels in the waters outside Pankovo and over the last few weeks, Rosatom's two large Il-76 transport planes have periodically been parked at the airport in Rogachevo at Novaya Zemlya. 'The blue-coloured aircraft are believed to conduct operations connected to the Burevestnik testings.' Yet there are also 'a few nuclear-powered icebreakers' moored around Murmansk, Putin's Arctic capital, and numerous maritime reactors onboard submarines in the region, home of Russia's Northern Fleet. File image shows Norwegian servicemen near the border with Russia Filters from Viksjfjell and Svanhovd in Norway - close to the Russian border - are analysed once a week. The amount of Cesium so far 'poses no risk for humans or the environment.' The Observer reported that 'it is unlikely that such releases are coming from a naval reactor in operation at sea. 'Small leakages of Cesium-137 are more likely to appear during start-up or maintenance of a reactor or from handling spent nuclear fuel.' More than a dozen tests of Burevestnik are deemed to have failed. A 2019 test led to the deaths of seven people who attempted to salvage the crashed top secret missile. Putin dubbed them 'national heroes' without explaining details of their deaths. Filters from Viksjfjell and Svanhovd in Norway - close to the Russian border - are analysed once a week (general view) The Burevestnik is viewed by the Russian dictator as a game-changing 'doomsday' weapon with an unlimited range. It is seen by the Kremlin as a low-flying 'stealth' cruise missile incapable of interception by existing Western air defences and delivering nuclear warheads anywhere around the globe. Putin has called it 'a radically new type of weaponry' with 'unlimited range and unlimited ability to manoeuvre'. A report by the Nuclear Threat Initiative - a nonprofit arms control group - said Russia had conducted 13 known tests between 2017 and 2019, all of which were unsuccessful. A 2019 test led to the deaths of seven people who attempted to salvage the crashed top secret missile. Putin dubbed them 'national heroes' without explaining details of their deaths Putin went public with the weapon in 2018, one of five game changing missile systems he claimed were superior to Western models. The Moscow Times said the Burevestnik had been nicknamed the 'Flying Chernobyl'. 'Previous launch attempts ended unsuccessfully,' said the news outlet. 'According to American intelligence, the rocket never managed to fly more than 35 km [22 miles], its longest flight lasted only two minutes.' The seven who died in 2019 were all from Sarov, a closed nuclear city from which foreigners are banned. The missile is believed to be launched by a solid-fuel rocket motor. Then a small nuclear reactor activates in flight, which potentially allows it to stay aloft threatening Western countries almost indefinitely. The sister of trailblazing ballerina Michaela DePrince has shared a heartbreaking tribute to the dancer and her adoptive mother after their shock deaths. The ballerina, who was born Mabinty Mangura, died aged just 29 from unknown causes on September 10. Only a day later her adoptive mother, Elaine DePrince, died during a 'routine procedure in preparation for a surgery,' the family revealed. The deaths were 'completely unrelated,' a spokesperson for the family said - adding that the mother was unaware her adopted daughter had died and was 'spared the pain' of experiencing the loss of a fourth child. Michaela's sister Mia DePrince took to Instagram after the two tragedies to share moving childhood memories of her sister, adding that she was 'truly in a state of shock and deep sadness.' 'From the beginning of our story back in Africa, sleeping on a shared mat in the orphanage, Michaela and I used to make up our own musical theater plays and act them out. We created our own ballets. She would choreograph, and I was the composer and conductor,' she began her post. Michaela DePrince, who was born Mabinty Mangura, died on September 10 at the age of 29 from unknown causes Her sister, Mia DePrince, (left) recalled making up musical theater plays with her sister Michaela (right) when they were children 'When we got adopted, our parents quickly poured into our dreams and arose the beautiful, gracefully strong ballerina that so many of you knew her as today,' she continued. 'She was an inspiration. Whether she was leaping across the stage or getting on a plane and flying to third-world countries to provide orphans and children with dance classes, she was determined to conquer all her dreams in the arts and dance. Michaela (Mabinty) has left her footprints in the sand and on so many stages across the world. She will be truly missed. 'I love you, my beautiful Butterfly,' she concluded. A family spokesperson said Michaela's 'passion and impact on the dance world' would be missed, alongside her 'gorgeous smile.' The ballerina is survived by her sisters Mia, Beelee, Jaye, Mariel, Amie, and her brothers Adam and Erik. The Sierra Leonean ballerina's final Instagram post showed her in all-black ensemble and was captioned with a peace sign emoji. A day after Michaela's passing, her adoptive mother, Elaine DePrince, (pictured together) died during a 'routine procedure in preparation for a surgery,' the family revealed Elaine was unaware her daughter had passed prior to surgery, a fact the family is grateful for as it 'spared [her] the pain of experiencing the loss of a fourth child' The deaths were 'completely unrelated' and the family said what they were going through was 'truly unimaginably painful' Michaela rocketed to stardom aged 17 when she appeared on Dancing with the Stars, and was best known for her leading role in Beyonce's 'Lemonade' music video. When announcing her death on Friday, DePrince's spokesperson said her 'artistry touched countless hearts and whose spirit inspired many, leaving an indelible mark on the world of ballet, and beyond.' 'Her life was one defined by grace, purpose, and strength. Her unwavering commitment to her art, her humanitarian efforts, and her courage in overcoming unimaginable challenges will forever inspire us,' the statement read. 'She stood as a beacon of hope for many, showing that no matter the obstacles, beauty and greatness can rise from the darkest of places. 'Though her time with us was far too brief, her brilliance and legacy will continue to shine in the hearts of all who were touched by her story, for generations to come. Love and prayers go to her chosen family, friends, and those who loved her.' In an interview with the Associated Press in 2012, DePrince recalled the moment she realized she wanted to be a dancer while at the oprhanage. She said she spotted an image of a ballerina on a magazine cover, and 'all I can remember is she looked really, really happy.' From that moment, she vowed 'to become this exact person.' Explaining her backstory, she told the outlet: 'I lost both my parents, so I was there [at the orphanage] for about a year and I wasn't treated very well because I had vitiligo [a skin condition].' 'We were ranked as numbers and number 27 was the least favorite and that was my number, so I got the least amount of food, the least amount of clothes and what not.' In lieu of flowers, DePrinces family has asked people to donate to War Child, an organization supported by the famed ballerina. The 'Monster of Avignon' clashed with his daughter in court today as he made the explosive confession before judges that he had solicited dozens of men to rape his drugged wife at their family home in a campaign of abuse spanning years. Dominique Pelicot appeared in court in Avignon, southeast France on Tuesday to give his much-awaited testimony following a period of absence from the trial due to sickness. The 71-year-old told judges he and some 51 men alleged to have taken part in the rape of Gisele Pelicot were culpable, before trying to explain his actions with accounts of abuse in his childhood. In a shocking admission, Mr Pelicot claimed he had begun inviting strangers, some with venereal diseases, to their home in Mazan to assault his wife as she slept because he was 'utterly idle' in retirement. After expressing remorse for the crimes, he insisted he had never drugged or assaulted his only daughter, Caroline Darian - against her claims of being plied with substances and subjected to naked photoshoots. Defendant Dominique Pelicot, 71, testifies in court on Tuesday, in a court sketch Gisele Pelicot's daughter Caroline Darian arrives flanked by her mother Gisele Pelicot at the Avignon courthouse on Tuesday Gisele Pelicot (2-R), her daughter Caroline Darian (R) and her lawyers Stephane Babonneau (2-L) and Antoine Camus (L) walk towards the criminal court today Dominique Pelicot is accused of recruiting men online to assault his wife repeatedly over 10yrs Ms Pelicot arrives on Tuesday for the trial that has shocked the country, and raised new awareness about sexual violence Facing her father in court on Tuesday, Ms Darian insisted that she was also drugged by him, before he took nude photos of her. In a dramatic flurry he replied: 'Caroline, I never drugged you or raped you. It's not possible to say that. I never did that.' As he spoke Caroline Darian looked at him and shook her head. Last week she had given evidence against her father in which she said she believed she had been 'drugged and photographed naked'. Ms Darian is convinced that like her mother she was routinely drugged so that her father could attack her. The court heard how photos of her were found in a file entitled 'Around my daughter, naked', and apparently showed Ms Darian, now 46, asleep. Ms Darian, who uses a pen name, has written a book called 'And I Stopped Calling You Daddy'. In it, she insists that her father drugged her, and has launched a pressure group called 'Don't Send Me To Sleep,' to raise awareness about 'chemical submission.' Despite denying the central claims in the book, Mr Pelicot said: 'She was right to write this book even if I haven't read it.' Referring to Caroline and her two sons, Mr Pelicot said: 'Today I still love them as much as ever. Caroline was right to create her pressure group.' When Mr Pelicot was first arrested in September 2020, his devices were searched, and there were hundreds of pornographic videos and photos of women. It was while in custody that Mr Pelicot reported a hard drive, hidden under a printer, which contained a file called 'Abuses'. Police uncovered sickening pictures of Ms Darian, and Mr Pelicot's two daughters-in-law, in a haul some 200,000 images and videos. Mr Pelicot used his testimony on Tuesday to take responsibility for the abuse and implicate other men alleged to have assaulted his wife under invitation. 'I am a rapist, like everyone else in this courtroom,' he admitted earlier in the trial today. 'I recognise the facts in their totality.' He denied he was doing anything heroic in trying to bring the other alleged rapists to justice. I dont consider myself a superhero, he said. Im not the one pursuing these men in court. Im just telling the truth. Asked by a defence lawyer how it felt to have picked up dozens of strangers, Pelicot said: I didnt pick anyone up, they came and got me themselves. They asked me and I said yes. They agreed and came to my home. I didnt handcuff anyone to my home. He said there was a tripod and camera in the bedroom, for all to see. I trusted these men who knew why they were coming, said Pelicot. He also claimed he considered suicide at one point, after learning that his wife was having an alleged affair. I got into the car, and drove intending to crash into a row of trees but lacked the courage to go through with it, said Pelicot, adding: Maybe I should have done. Mr Pelicot depicted appearing at the courthouse in Avignon on September 11 Abuse took place in the town of Mazan, south of France, and was only uncovered after the man was caught up-skirting women in a local supermarket, prompting officers to search his home Ms Darian insisted that she was also drugged by him, before he took nude photos of her Gisele Pelicot (C), flanked by her lawyers, receives flowers from a member of the public during her former husband's rape trial, at the criminal court in Avignon today During his appearance today, Mr Pelicot tried to explain how the conditions of his upbringing had resulted in him 'becoming a pervert'. He spoke of the trauma endured when his parents took a young girl in the family, and witnessing his father's inappropriate behavior toward her. 'My father used to do the same thing with the little girl,' he said. 'After my father's death, my brother said that men used to come to our house.' At 14, he said, he asked his mother if he could leave the house, but 'she didn't let me.' 'I don't really want to talk about this, I am just ashamed of my father. In the end, I didn't do any better,' he said. 'I still have the smell of semen in my nose,' he told the court. 'But I still had a normal life. A wife, three wonderful children, several grandchildren. And I never touched any of them.' Asked about his feelings toward his wife, Mr Pelicot said she did not deserve what he did. 'From my youth, I remember only shocks and traumas, forgotten partly thanks to her. She did not deserve this, I acknowledge it,' he said in tears. Gisele Pelicot, standing across the room, faced her former husband across a group of dozens of defendants sitting in between them, and put her sunglasses back on as he spoke. Later, Dominique Pelicot said, 'I was crazy about her. She replaced everything. I ruined everything.' Mr Pelicot's candid testimony had been delayed until Tuesday after a bout of illness brought on by a kidney stone and urinary infection. He appeared in court in a wheelchair to finally confront his actions, and accused the dozens of men alleged to have assaulted his wife with him of complicity. 'Today I maintain that, along with the other men here, I am a rapist,' Mr Pelicot told the court. 'They knew everything. They can't say otherwise.' Defendants looked visibly angry as Mr Pelicot attributed blame. Detectives have listed a total of 92 rapes committed by 72 men, 51 of whom have been identified. Of the 83 men involved in the campaign of abuse, 51 aged between 26 and 73 were identified and arrested by the police. One, still at large, will be judged in absentia. A court drawing shows Madame Pelicot taking the stand, facing her husband and the 50 others accused of raping her Beatrice Zavarro (R), lawyer of Dominique Pelicot, speaks to the press on Tuesday Dominique Pelicot is depicted in an earlier court sketch, on the right Mr Pelicot's testimony is the most important moment so far in a trial that has shocked and gripped the country, and raised new awareness about sexual violence. Many also hope his testimony will shed some light on how the harrowing events came to pass. Shuffling into court today, he finally told judges: 'Today, I maintain that, with the obligations we all have, I am a rapist.' While he previously confessed to investigators, the court testimony will be crucial for the panel of judges to decide on the fate of some 50 other men standing trial alongside him. Many deny having raped Gisele Pelicot, saying they were manipulated by her then-husband or claiming they believed she was consenting. Mr Pelicot has been on remand since 2020, when he was first arrested on suspicion of gassing and then raping Ms Pelicot, while inviting men he contacted online to do the same. Discussing his assessment by psychiatrists, Mr Pelicot maintained that he 'was not born perverted'. He had previously claimed that he was sexually abused as nine year old in hospital and told the court: 'It was in the dark, I had a bandage and a headache. A guy came and said to me: 'My name is Basile, do you want some candy?' 'There were caresses, I felt a moustache, a great deal of pain, I didn't understand what was happening to me.' 'I only remember shocks and traumas from my youth. She did not deserve this. I admit it,' he said of his former wife. 'I destroyed everything and lost her,' he said, weeping. 'Even if it is paradoxical, I have never considered my wife as an object. As for pedophilia, I have never wanted that.' Mr Pelicot faced his wife in court on Tuesday, telling how his life only began to turn around when he met her as a teenager. 'I was very happy with her,' said Mr Pelicot. 'She was the opposite of my mother, who was completely rebellious. 'We had three children, and grandchildren, whom I never touched.' Under further questioning Mr Pelicot also denied he was bisexual after being asked about a video said to show him receiving oral sex from another man. He stormed: 'I am heterosexual and nothing else.' The Hairspray tour has released a statement 'strongly condemning racism' after a black actor in the production was allegedly pepper-sprayed and kicked by police officers as he was wrongfully arrested. Reece Richards, who played Eugene in the hit Netflix show Sex Education, accused the Met Police of 'racial profiling' and claimed he was the 'victim of an unlawful arrest' just yards from his home in Fulham, West London, on September 4. The drama unfolded after Mr Richards witnessed a car crash while returning home from performing in Hairspray the Musical in Milton Keynes. Three men jumped out of the vehicle as police gave chase. However, when Mr Richards apparently tried to tell the officers which way the men ran off, he was mistaken for one of the suspects. A statement from the official Hairspray UK Tour said: 'We stand in full support and solidarity with Reece Richards, a valued member of our cast who was wrongfully targeted by the Met Police whilst making his way home after a performance of Hairspray The Musical. The official Hairspray UK Tour has said it stands in 'full support and solidarity' with Reece Richards Mr Richards claims he was pepper sprayed and had his legs kicked from under him by police during an 'unlawful arrest' Mr Richards, who played Eugene on the hit Netflix show Sex Education (pictured above), accused the Met Police of 'racial profiling' The actor appeared to be told to 'stay where you are' by an officer threatening him with pepper spray in in footage captured nearby and later posted to Instagram 'We strongly condemn any form of racism and discrimination. 'We are in close contact with Reece and are offering him our full support during this difficult time.' While under arrest the actor asked his mother, who was with him at the time, to call family-friend Brenda Edwards, the director of Hairspray and well-known TV host. He claimed that after Ms Edwards arrived at the scene around 20 minutes later the officer's attituded shifted 'immediately'. Posting to social media, Ms Edwards said: 'Reece Richards who is currently playing one of the leads in my production and has never been in trouble with the law, was racially profiled and violated, just after getting back to London from me watching him and the fabulous cast in Milton Keynes. 'He told the police that he had just performed in Milton Keynes so it couldnt be him and the fact he had a massive suitcase with him and the cast on FaceTime was totally ignored. 'This was such a distressing experience to witness. Conversations sadly still need to be had.' Footage shared on Instagram appears to show the actor being told to 'stay where you are' as he is allegedly threatened with pepper spray. Ms Edwards arrived at the scene around 20 minutes and has described it as a 'distressing experience to witness' The actor says he was placed under arrest after telling officers which way the men involved in the crash ran off Mr Richards (pictured) said the incident left him 'confused' as he said he was 'treated like a criminal' He then claims to have been 'kicked' and 'handcuffed' by officers who briefly detained him. He was then dearrested shortly after when it became clear he was just a bystander. The force confirmed it had received a complaint over the arrest which was being investigated by its Professional Standards department. However, no officers have been suspended or taken off duty over the incident. In a statement posted on social media, Mr Richards said: 'I was confused, unable to understand why I was suddenly being treated like a criminal. Calmly, I explained that I was a performer returning from a show, but one officer yelled, "Get to the floor or I'll pepper spray you". 'They pepper-sprayed me, kicked my legs out from under me, threw me to the ground, and handcuffed me. 'In a flash, I was face-down on the pavement with multiple officers holding me down, forcing my head into the ground. 'I was already injured from the show, but having four officers on top of me worsened my injuries to my back, ribs, and stomach. 'I couldn't see anything, but I could hear my mum nearby, screaming and crying, begging them to let me go.' Mr Richards went on to describe the experience as 'embarrassing, deeply upsetting, and exhausting'. He added: 'It has left me questioning everything I thought I knew about justice. Suddenly, my understanding of right and wrong feels completely upended.' The Met Police confirmed it had received a complaint over the arrest which was being investigated by its Professional Standards department. However, no officers have been suspended or taken off duty over the incident Describing the incident, Mr Richards said: 'That feeling of helplessness will never leave me' A spokesperson for the Met Police told MailOnline: 'We are aware of a video circulating on social media of a man being detained in the Fulham area. 'Officers often find themselves in dynamic, challenging situations and have to make split-second judgements on which course of action to take. 'Officers had been pursuing three men who had run out of a car that had crashed in Fulham Palace Road after it failed to stop for police. 'It is clear the man shown in the footage was an innocent bystander and he was dearrested as soon as this was established by officers at the scene. 'All officers know any use of force must be proportionate and reasonable and they understand their actions will be scrutinised. 'A complaint has been received in relation to his arrest. 'This is currently being assessed by officers from the Mets Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS), along with other material including the officers body worn video footage. 'None of the officers involved are subject to restrictions at this time.' The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has said that it is not aware of any referral made to them. A Kentucky homeowner was forced out of his house after his 'friends' moved into his garage while they fixed their broken-down car and then they refused to leave. 'I was just trying to be kind', said homeowner Daniel Toma after he allowed a friend, Amy Davis, and her boyfriend, Tyler Sencuk, into his home in Louisville, Kentucky. The pair were visiting him during the summer when their car broke down. He offered his garage as a place for them to stay while they worked on it. 'Working on the car for days in the driveway, I didn't want to throw them out on the street. I was trying to be kind,' he said. But in mid-July, the couple brought a mattress into the garage, set up a Spectrum box and then changed the locks. They eventually started getting mail and refused to leave, telling Toma they had 'squatter' rights. Homeowner, Daniel Toma, has been barred from his home in Kentucky after 'friends' moved into his garage Tyler Sencuk and girlfriend Amy David were allowed to stay following car troubles, but ended up squatting for three months and changing the lock on Toma's garage Toma, however, received no rent payments, the couple had no lease, and the homeowner didn't want them there. 'I asked them to go, my roommates asked them to go, they wouldn't leave.' 'We tried to tell them to leave.' Around Labor Day, Toma put up a 30-day eviction notice which further escalated tensions among the tenants. Sencuk and one of Toma's roommates got into a fight, resulting in Sencuk filing for an emergency protective order against Toma. Once this was granted, Toma was forced to stay 500 feet away from them or his house, reported Fox 19. But rather than Sencuk being thrown out, Toma was told he had to go. The protective order claimed Toma was Sencuk's roommate. He had told the judge he did pay rent in the form of 'maintenance' and the judge took his word for it. Sencuk, with Toma's dad and sister watching, finally moved out. 'I feel like I have no power. I feel like I have no rights,' said Toma, who has an upcoming court date to challenge the protective order, 'I just want to sleep in my own bed.' Researchers in Michigan have lifted the lid on the epidemic of loneliness gripping America's youth, with nearly a fifth of parents saying their child has no friends or not enough of them. Experts at the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital say parents are scared their Gen Alpha kids aren't forging relationships at school, and attribute this to everything from shyness to social media. They also warned that America's culture wars are making it harder for children to make buddies, with political and religious divisions acting as a barrier between families. Hospital researcher Sarah Clark says too many kids lose out on friendships that would otherwise boost their 'health and development, emotional well-being, self-esteem and social skills.' They can end up feeling 'isolated and lonely, which impacts their quality of life and mental health,' she adds. A staggering 90 percent of parents of Gen Alpha children say their kid should have more friends Nearly a fifth of parents say their child has no friends at all, or not enough of them The research comes amid a series of dire warnings about family life in America. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has warned of the dangers social media poses to young people, and recently flagged how parents are struggling to raise kids amid economic turbulence and a mental health crisis. Many parents of Gen Alpha children, who were born from 2010-2024, know this all too well. Some take to social media to air their concerns about children spending too much time alone or glued to a cell phone or games console. In a series of recent posts, moms and dads on TikTok discussed 'social anxiety' preventing young friendships from blooming and how the landscape for making friends has changed in recent decades. 'I have two kids, and they have no friends,' posted one concerned dad. 'Kids today grew up differently. We had to socialize, we had to talk to people, we had to go find our own adventures and misadventures. Socialization changed.' For the hospital study, Ipsos surveyed 1,031 parents with at least one child age 6-12 across the US last month. Some 19 percent of parents said their child had no friends or not enough classmates, and fully 90 percent said they wanted to help their child make more. More than half of them said their child struggled to make friends because of a specific problem ranging from shyness, to a disability, or because they did not have enough time or places to socialize with other kids. Nearly three quarters said they had tried to help their child make friends most often by arranging play-dates and giving their child tips on making friends. Some even bought products that would help their youngster 'fit in' with classmates. Researchers also revealed a lesser-known problem that is getting in the way of young friendships the culture wars. Nearly two thirds of parents say it is important that their child's friends come from families similar to their own. Not only do these parents seek out families with similar parenting styles to their own, but they also favor those with similar religious or political views. Experts at the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, say parents are worried Parents actively arrange playdates to help their children build friendships 'Parents should be cautious about this approach,' the researchers warned. 'Limiting a child's friends to only those from similar backgrounds may hamper the child's ability and comfort in navigating diverse networks and working with a broad group of peers in the future.' The report comes on the heels of the latest in a series of warnings from Dr Murthy about the decline of the family. America's top doctor last month declared a public health emergency among struggling moms and dads. The surgeon general said parents are under dangerous levels of stress and loneliness and may be passing mental health problems to their children. In his report, Dr Murthy cited American Psychological Association research saying nearly half of parents report feel overwhelming stress most days, compared to 26 percent of other adults. And research shows they are lonelier, too. Dr Murthy's paper highlighted surveys showing around two-thirds of parents are lonely, compared to 55 percent of those without kids. Last year, Dr Murthy famously warned that social media presents a 'profound risk of harm' for children and called for 'immediate action to protect kids now'. The surgeon general said the country is experiencing 'a national youth mental health crisis' and pointed towards social media as one of the main culprits. Evidence has mounted for years that social media is detrimental to youths, due to highly sophisticated algorithms which can promote self-harm and other dangerous content to young users. A pair of Texas police officers are being hailed as heroes after saving the lives of two children from a blazing housefire with only minutes to spare. Heart-stopping video footage showed the two Vidor Police Department officers, Michael Stephenson and Ashton Moss, pushing in an air conditioning unit before pulling two young brothers out of the window and away from the flames. Stephenson's bodycam video showed him running from his patrol car toward the mobile home, which at the time was completely engulfed in flames on one side. In a panic, the boys' mother told the officers that her two children were still inside - a 7-year-old boy and a 9-year-old boy. A 7-year-old boy and a 9-year-old boy were rescued from a housefire after a pair of Vidor police officers were able to push an air conditioning unit out and pull the children to safety through the window Officers Michael Stephenson and Ashton Moss are being deemed heroes after saving the two young boys from the mobile home with just minutes until disaster She said that her children were in the front bedroom of the mobile home, which was 'fully engulfed in flames'. The boys had no way to escape the home without being completely swallowed by the fire. The door to the bedroom they were in was closed and flames took residence of the rest of the house. In the video, Stephenson rushed to the window that the mother pointed out and appeared to struggle removing the air conditioner. 'When I got there, I saw everything was just one big ball of fire. I saw Stephenson try to open the window, so I just ran over to him,' Moss told 12News. 'She told me it was screwed shut. I couldn't hear them. The fire was loud. It was right there. So we were just trying to get that open because that was our only way in,' Stephenson added. But in just 21 seconds, he managed to shove the unit into the room containing the children. 'Come on out, guys,' he yelled inside before a pair of arms reached outside the window which was illuminated by the glow of flames that engulfed the home. The officers were racing against time. In only 34 seconds, both children were pulled out from the window and onto the road outside, safe. 'Luckily the kids were right there just inside the window,' Moss told 12News. 'We were able to pull them out and rush them out to the road.' Although the family is safe, the house was heavily damaged due to extreme fuel load and everything was lost in the blaze Stephenson, a father-of-two, was one of the first officers on the scene and said that his instincts kicked in to save the children and put his own life at risk After making sure that everybody inside the burning home was safe, the officers made their way over to the boys and their mother who were clearly shaken up from the ordeal. 'Thank you for saving me,' the 9-year-old boy told Stephenson. Stephenson proceeded to ask the boys if they were OK and if they were able to breathe after being trapped inside a home that was filling up with thick smoke by the second. 'I know you bumped your head, but you're all OK, right?' Stephenson asked the 9-year-old child while rubbing his head. 'Yes, sir. I don't care about that,' the boy responded. Less than a minute after the boys were rescued, flames could be seen coming through the same window that was just used to pull the boys out. The officers put the two boys into their patrol car and caught their breath as the sound of fire trucks shrieked in the background. Stephenson and Moss were the first to arrive on the scene early Tuesday morning after a fire was reported at 1:49 am. Both boys were able to be rescued in the knick-of-time before flames were seen erupting out of the same window they were saved from less than a minute later Both boys were able to be rescued in the knick-of-time before flames were seen erupting out of the same window they were saved from less than a minute later Because of Stephenson's father-like instincts, he was able to heroically take charge of the situation and find a way to bring the boys to safety. 'As a parent, you just want what's best for your kids all the time. They were good once they got out to the road,' the father-of-two added. Moss reiterated the statement, adding: 'You definitely think about your kids in times like that and you'd want to save them by any means necessary.' Two minutes after the children were outside safe, Orange County ESD One firefighters arrived at the scene, which at the time was a 'heavily involved structure fire with a vehicle also burning', according to a Facebook post by the Orange County FD. Due to extreme fuel load, the home was heavily damaged, the post added. An ambulance took the two boys to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont where they were treated for smoke inhalation and thankfully released a short time later, according to 12News. Without the officers quick-thinking, the children may have never been able to make it out of the home alive. Another reason for their safe rescue may have been the fact that their bedroom door was closed. According to the post, the closed door helped prevent smoke, heat and other toxic gases from overcoming the children. Although the family is safe, everything was lost in the fire. Vidor police are now trying to help raise money to help the family with basic needs, 12News added. Orange County FD also urged families in the Facebook post to 'please remember to have working smoke detectors to wake you up in the event of a fire'. Facebook owner Meta has said it's banning Russian state-owned media outlets from its social media platforms over the alleged use of deceptive tactics to amplify Moscow's propaganda. The company, which also owns WhatsApp and Instagram, said late on Monday that it will roll out the ban over the next few days in an escalation of its efforts to counter Russia's covert influence operations. 'After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets: Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity,' Meta said in a statement. The announcement, however, drew a fierce rebuke from the Kremlin on Tuesday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the action against Russian media was 'unacceptable' and that Meta are 'discrediting themselves'. Russia's President Vladimir Putin presents flowers to editor-in-chief of Russian broadcaster RT Margarita Simonyan on May 23, 2019 Meta has said it's banning Russian state-owned media outlets from its social media platforms over the alleged use of deceptive tactics to amplify Moscow's propaganda (stock photo) RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan waits before a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at his election campaign headquarters in Moscow in January 'We have an extremely negative attitude towards this. And this, of course, complicates the prospects for normalizing our relations with Meta,' Peskov told reporters during his daily conference call. RT was formerly known as Russia Today and Rossiya Segodnya is the parent company behind state news agency RIA Novosti and news brands like Sputnik. 'It's cute how there's a competition in the West - who can try to spank RT the hardest, in order to make themselves look better,' RT said in a statement. Rossiya Segodnya did not respond to a request for comment. Meta's actions come days after the United States announced new sanctions on RT, accusing the Kremlin news outlet of being a key part of Russia's war machine and its efforts to undermine its democratic adversaries. US officials alleged last week that RT was working hand-in-hand with the Russian military and running fundraising campaigns to pay for sniper rifles, body armor and other equipment for soldiers fighting in Ukraine. They also said RT websites masqueraded as legitimate news sites but were used to spread disinformation and propaganda in Europe, Africa, South America and elsewhere. Earlier this month, the Biden administration seized Kremlin-run websites and charged two RT employees of covertly providing millions of dollars in funding to a Tennessee-based content creation company to publish English-language social media videos pushing pro-Kremlin messages. US Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks at the beginning of a meeting of the Justice Department's Election Threats Task Force at the Justice Department in Washington US officials alleged that RT was working hand-in-hand with the Russian military (stock photo) The US indicted two employees of Russia's RT and imposed sanctions on top editors of the state-funded news outlet, accusing them of seeking to influence the US presidential election Moscow has denied the allegations. Meta had already taken steps to limit Moscow's online reach. Since 2020 it has been labeling posts and content from state media. Two years later, it blocked state media from running ads and putting their content lower in people's feeds, and the company, along with other other social media sites like YouTube and TikTok, blocked RT's channels for European users. Also in 2022 Meta also took down a sprawling Russia-based disinformation network spreading Kremlin talking points about the invasion of Ukraine. Meta and Facebook 'already blocked RT in Europe two years ago, now they're censoring information flow to the rest of the world,' RT said in its statement. Moscow has fought back, designating Meta as an extremist group in March 2022, shortly after sending troops into Ukraine, and blocking Facebook and Instagram. Both platforms - as well as Elon Musk's X, formerly known as Twitter, which is also blocked - were popular with Russians before the invasion and the subsequent crackdown on independent media and other forms of critical speech. The social media platforms are now only accessible through virtual private networks. A female teaching assistant working at a Las Vegas high school was arrested for allegedly taking an underage male student on several dates and making out with him - getting so turned on that she could barely control herself. Jerusalem Garcia, 20, was booked into Nevada's Clark County Detention Center in on August 23 and charged with one count of contacting or attempting to contact a minor 'for the purpose of sex,' according to court records. Police said Garcia, who's been employed at Eldorado High School since 2021, admitted to going on dates with the boy and making out with him in secluded areas. Garcia also told police that while kissing the student, she became aroused to the point that she wanted to have sex, but didn't because of his age, according to an arrest report obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Jerusalem Garcia, 20, was arrested and and charged with one count of contacting or attempting to contact a minor 'for the purpose of sex' Garcia told police she was in a 'loving relationship' with the boy and said she wanted to pursue it further even after being arrested. She was allegedly still messaging him after she gave her witness statement. Garcia has been placed on leave, with Clark County School District Police Lieutenant Bryan Zink saying there is 'no indication of sexual contact' between the teacher and the student. The investigation was spurred by an anonymous tip from a student who claimed her ex-boyfriend was in a relationship with Garcia, KLAS 8 reported. The alleged victim told police he was in a relationship with Garcia since May 2024, adding that he met her at a party and exchanged Instagram usernames so they could direct message one another, according to the report. He said he went on 12 to 15 dates with her over the last three months and confirmed they made out with each other. It was her decision to meet in hidden places so they wouldn't be caught, according to the student. Their first date was at a mall in June, and their latest scheduled outing was set for the second week of August at Sam's Town Casino, police said. According to the arrest report, Garcia and the underage male planned to go to Sam's Town Casino in Las Vegas Garcia has been employed at Eldorado High School (entrance pictured) since 2021 and was placed on leave after her arrest 'Garcia knew when [the student] became aroused because he seductively grabbed her buttocks by squeezing them with his hands,' police wrote in the arrest report. 'Garcia would allow this to happen until she became aroused and in the mood for sex. She then would have urges to have sexual intercourse with [the student] but refrained due to [the student]'s age.' The two are said to have lied in a bed while cuddling and rubbing each other's backs and shoulders. Some of Garcia's text messages to the student included: 'I love you,' 'I'm scared of the relationship' and 'I'll stick with you forever.' Garcia posted bail and awaits her first court date on September 30. A Maine-based hunter celebrated the biggest bear catch of the year in the Pine Tree State last week. Nate Mooers, 24, proudly smiled next to a 535-pound bear he shot after it fell into a trap he and his father left at a bait site. Mooers shot the bear with a Hornady-manufactured 7mm PRC rifle. 'I've been around bears my whole life and I've never seen anything like it,' Mooers told the Bangor Daily News. Mooers, who owns Howe Brook Guide Service in Hammond Plantation, has participated in multiple hunts this year since bear hunting season on August 25. Nate Mooers, 24, proudly smiled next to a 535-pound bear he shot after it fell into a trap he and his father left at a bait site Mooers spotted the bear on camera footage taken from his bait sites. However, the 24-year-old did not see any bears at the sites during the day. Mooers said the bear may have been nocturnal and that it only showed up on his bait sites once a week. The bear's bait site inconsistency also played a part in why Mooers and his father decided to set up a trap. Mooers had already been helping hunters catch bores of their own before the bear fell into his and his father's trap. 'It's the biggest one I've ever laid eyes on, dead or alive,' Mooers said. The next biggest bear Mooers has seen in Maine in 2024 was a 270-pounder that one of his clients caught. Despite Mooers' bear being the biggest this year, it's nowhere near the 699-pound state record set in 2012. Mooers spotted the bear on camera footage taken from his bait sites before he and his father laid out their trap Once Mooers was finished taking pictures with the bear carcass, he brought it to Tapley's Processing for butchering and packaging. Cody Gould of Crown of Maine Taxidermy is creating a shoulder mount which displays an animal's head, neck, and shoulder. Mooers plans to hang the shoulder mount in his guide service lodge once it's finished. He also sent a bear tooth over to the state of Maine, hoping to find out how old the bear was. Mooers did not confirm what he planned to do with the meat, but he told the Bangor Daily News that he enjoys creating breakfast sausage with bear meat. Mooers plans to hang a shoulder mount of the bear's head and neck hanging in his guide service lodge Bear hunting in Maine is extremely popular, and over 13,000 permits were given to hunters during last year's season. State officials believe this year will be more successful than 2023 with an increase in bear harvestation. Bears are most common in northern, western, and eastern, Maine, but hunters have a chance of harvesting a bear while deer hunting in central and southern parts of the state. Maine's 13-week bear hunting season will end in late November, and it coincides with the last day of regular firearms season for deer. The mother of a maniac who gunned down ten people inside a supermarket has said her son is 'sick' and denies knowing of his plan. Ahmad Alissa, 35, carried out the horrific massacre inside a King Soopers grocery store in the college town of Boulder, Colorado in March 2021. His mother Khadija Ahidid repeatedly said at the trial on Monday that her son, who was diagnosed after the shooting with schizophrenia, was sick. She said she last saw her son when he came to breakfast looking 'homeless' and she offered to give him $20 to get a shave or a haircut. Hours later, he shot and killed 10 people in the gun rampage at the supermarket. Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 35, opened fire inside a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colorado, in March of 2021, killing ten people When one of Alissa's lawyers, Kathryn Herold, was introducing her to the jury, Herold asked how she knew him. Ms Ahidid responded 'How can I know him? He is sick,' she said through an Arabic interpreter in her first public comments about her son and the shooting. Alissa, who emigrated from Syria with his family as a child, began acting strangely in 2019, believing he was being followed by the FBI, talking to himself and isolating from the rest of the family, his mother said. His condition declined after he got Covid several months before the shooting, she said, adding he also became 'fat' and stopped showering as much. There was no record of Alissa being treated for mental illness before the shooting. After the shooting, his family later reported that he had been acting in strange ways, like breaking a car key fob and putting tape over a laptop camera because he thought the devices were being used to track him. Some relatives thought he could be possessed by an evil spirit, or djinn, according to the defense. Armed police officers are seen outside broken windows at King Soopers on Table Mesa Drive in Boulder after reports of shots fired on Monday, March 22, 2021 King Soopers employees are led away from the massacre at the grocery store in March 2021 No one, including Alissa's lawyers, disputes he was the shooter. Alissa has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the shooting. The defense says he should be found not guilty because he was legally insane and not able to tell the difference between right and wrong at the time of the shooting. Prosecutors and forensic psychologists who evaluated him for the court say that, while mentally ill, Alissa knew what he was doing when he launched the attack. They point to the planning and research he did to prepare for it and his fear that he could end up in jail afterward to show that Alissa knew what he was doing was wrong. Alissa mostly looked down as his mother testified and photographs of him as a happy toddler and a teenager at the beach were shown on screen. There was no obvious exchange between mother and son in court but Alissa dabbed his eyes with a tissue after she left. Alissa poses for a county jail booking photograph in Boulder, Colorado, U.S. March 23, 2021 The psychiatrist in charge of Alissa's treatment at the state mental hospital testified earlier in the day that Alissa refused to accept visitors during his over two year stay there. When questioned by District Attorney Michael Dougherty, Ahidid said her son did not tell her what he was planning to do the day of the shooting. She said she thought a large package containing a rifle that Alissa came home with shortly before the shooting may have been a piano. 'I swear to God we didn't know what was inside that package,' she said. Dougherty pointed out that she had told investigators soon after the shooting that she thought it could be a violin. After being reminded of a previous statement to police, Ahidid acknowledged that she had heard a banging sound in the house and one of her other sons said that Alissa had a gun that had jammed. Alissa said he would return it, she testified. She indicated that no one in the extended family that lived together in the home followed up to make sure, saying 'everyone has their own job.' 'No one is free for anyone,' she said. A swath of East Coast beaches have been forced to shut down after medical waste including used needles, pill bottles and tampons mysteriously washed up on shore. Swimmers were warned to stay out of the ocean in Maryland, Virginia and Delaware - with President Joe Biden's favorite vacation spot in Rehoboth also impacted. 'For your safety, we advise visitors leave the beach and refrain from swimming at this time,' the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) said in a Facebook post. The waste has appeared as far north as Ocean City, Maryland, and as far south as Chincoteague, Virginia, near Washington. Officials have 'no idea where it's coming from' and are investigating, Ocean City Town Manager Terry McGean told WBAL. Beaches across Maryland , Virginia , and Delaware - including President Joe Biden's favorite vacation spot in Rehoboth - have been shut down due to the waste (pictured: Ocean City, Maryland) 'It's very concerning. I mean, it's not healthy,' Harry, who is visiting Ocean City, told WBAL. Beachgoers are being asked to stay out of the water at some locations, while others have completely shut down. For those still walking or sunbathing on the sand, beachgoers have been urged to report any debris they find and avoid picking it up. 'We saw a lady come up to the lifeguard and say she had found a syringe,' Ilene McBride, who is visiting Ocean City, told WBAL. 'I'm not quite sure where they're coming from. I am surprised that there's needles out there in the ocean,' said another visitor, Becky Bettes. Meanwhile, LaToya Thomas, of California, told WGAL: ' I mean, you know, just coming to the beaches is a safe place, you would think, especially for families and just wanting to lay back and have fun and just to know that, you know, something like that is even possible with the waste and then the dangerousness of the needles.' 'We're all just really shocked about the whole thing, honestly,' resident Brienne Lower told the outlet. Among the waste found were tampon applicators, used needles (pictured), and pill bottles Officials have 'no idea where it's coming from' and are investigating (pictured: waste found at the beach) Officials banned swimming, wading, and surfing at Assateague State Park Sunday morning after Maryland Park Service rangers found several needles and needle caps, feminine hygiene products, and cigar tips along the beach, Maryland Department of Natural Resources spokesperson Gregg Bortz said in an email to AP. A few more needles were found Monday and the ban on swimming in the ocean continued at the park, he said. There have been no reports of injuries or people encountering these items while swimming, Bortz said. The department was working with other local, state, and federal agencies to determine when its safe for people to enter the water. All of Assateague Island National Seashore's ocean-facing beaches in Maryland and Virginia were closed to swimming and wading. Marylands Department of Emergency Management raised its state activation level to 'partial' in support of the incident. The waste has appeared as far north as Ocean City, Maryland, (pictured) and as far south as Chincoteague, Virginia, near Washington Beachgoers were asked to stay out of the water at some beaches, while other locations have completely shut down (pictured: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware) In Ocean City, Maryland, the beach patrol temporarily banned swimming on Sunday after discovering medical waste on town beaches. Emergency Services Director Joe Theobald stressed in a statement that the situation was serious and said town officials were working with the Worcester County Health Department to investigate the source. 'Until we are confident that the situation is under control, we recommend wearing shoes on the beach and avoiding the ocean entirely,' he said. On Monday afternoon, Theobald said the amount of debris had 'significantly decreased.' The town was continuing to monitor the situation, particularly as the next high tide cycles approached Monday evening and Tuesday morning. Delawares DNREC advised beachgoers to leave the beaches from the Indian River inlet to Fenwick Island Sunday afternoon and to refrain from swimming after reports of waste washing ashore on nearby Maryland beaches, the agency said in a statement. The department confirmed only minimal waste on Delaware beaches, including plastic caps and a single needle found near Dewey Beach. 'Despite the low level of waste observed, DNREC is taking the situation seriously and advising caution,' the agency said in a statement. The department maintains Delawares two state park beaches, but decisions about municipal beaches are up to town officials. Delawares Dewey Beach temporarily barred swimming in the ocean on Sunday. In an update on Monday, the town said it was continuing to address the issue. Fenwick Island officials closed the beach for swimming on Sunday and said in a statement that beaches would be inspected again late Monday and on Tuesday morning before a decision would be made on reopening. This is the moment a booby-trapped Hezbollah pager received a deadly message that sparked explosions across the Middle East. For over an hour today, wireless communication devices carried by Hezbollah fighters detonated unexpectedly. Nine people have been confirmed dead, including two children. More than 2,750 people were injured across Lebanon, with more than 200 people in a critical condition. Widespread panic and chaotic scenes were seen across Beirut's southern suburbs, the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon, while in neighbouring Syria 14 people were injured by the blasts, according to Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Hezbollah's low-tech solution to Israeli eavesdropping was meant to provide the terror group with a clean and simple way to carry out its work. But the pagers, not seen in popular use since the 1980s, were the terror group's undoing. It's not currently clear exactly how the explosions happened. Two main theories are being bandied about by security experts. Some believe Israel, through its shadow Mossad intelligence agency, managed to send out a mass cyberattack that overheated the lithium ion batteries of the pagers. Others believe Mossad was able to slip into Hezbollah's supply chain, sneaking explosive material into the pagers as they were manufactured, which would later be triggered by a mass message to the devices. Video footage from inside a Beirut supermarket appears to show the moment Israel sent out its deadly message. A Hezbollah attacker was seen confusedly lifting his shirt up at a supermarket after getting a message on his pager, which lit up. Video footage from inside a Beirut supermarket appears to show the moment Israel sent out its deadly message A pager was seen exploding in this CCTV footage from a Beirut supermarket A part of this man's abdomen was missing following the attack This is the moment a pager exploded in a supermarket, blowing its owner (bottom left) to the ground and causing significant injuries He stared at it for a second before it detonated, collapsing him in an instant as supermarket workers and fellow shoppers panicked and fled. Though Israel may have intended to take out Hezbollah fighters, nearly 3,000 people, many of whom are civilians, were grievously injured in the spate of explosions. Harrowing video footage taken inside medical institutes in the country's capital, Beirut, has revealed the severe consequences of the simultaneous explosions, which Hezbollah and Lebanon's government have blamed Israel for. One horrifying video opened with a man, covered head to toe in his own blood, with four of his fingers and his right eye missing. The video then pans over to another man sitting in a wheelchair with several fingers missing and blood across his face. The video then shows a man lying on a gurney with a large chunk of his abdomen missing, before showing a man carrying an unconscious child through the hospital. Beirut's hospitals have been overrun with thousands of injured patients maimed in after pagers belonging to Hezbollah fighters unexpectedly exploded across Lebanon today Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) said people 'have been taken to hospital after the handheld pagers system was detonated using advanced technology' A Lebanese army soldier gestures to an ambulance rushing wounded people to a hospital in Beirut on September 17, 2024 One horrifying video opened with a prostrate man, covered head to toe in his own blood, with four of his fingers and his right eye missing Another video showed patients writhing on the floor in agony as medical staff try desperately to treat them. White bandages can be seen wrapped around the limbs of people inside a hospital, with doctors' white coats covered in blood as they try to get through the throng of people inside the medical institution. Men, women and children can be heard howling in agony, while doctors and nurses try to shout over the noise to communicate with each other. One man, barely conscious, was seen being carried by two others through the hospital, as paramedics bring through another set of patients to treat. Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) said people 'have been taken to hospital after the handheld pagers system was detonated using advanced technology' and relayed urgent calls from hospitals in the country's south for people to donate blood. At Mt. Lebanon hospital, a Reuters reporter saw motorcycles rushing to the emergency room, where people with their hands bloodied were screaming in pain. Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) said people 'have been taken to hospital after the handheld pagers system was detonated using advanced technology' People gather outside a hospital, as more than 1,000 people, including Hezbollah fighters and medics, were wounded on Tuesday when the pagers they use to communicate exploded across Lebanon, according to a security source, in Beirut, Lebanon September 17, 2024 Civil Defence first-responders carry a wounded man whose handheld pager exploded at al-Zahraa hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 Similar scenes were captured by photographers outside the American University of Beirut Medical Centre. The head of the Nabatieh public hospital in the south of the country, Hassan Wazni, told Reuters that around 40 wounded people were being treated at his facility. The wounds included injuries to the face, eyes and limbs. Lebanon's crisis operations centre, which is run by the health ministry, asked all medical workers to head to their respective hospitals to help cope with the massive numbers of wounded coming in for urgent care. It also stressed that health care workers should not use pagers. The Lebanese Red Cross said more than 50 ambulances and 300 emergency medical staff were dispatched to help in the evacuation of victims. Lebanese citizens have begun donating blood in their droves, with pop-up blood drives being seen near Beirut's main hospitals. The stunning incident saw scores of Hezbollah members severely injured throughout southern Lebanon and in its capital Beirut Lebanon's crisis operations centre, which is run by the health ministry, asked all medical workers to head to their respective hospitals to help cope with the massive numbers of wounded coming in for urgent care A man donates blood under a tent in Beirut's southern suburb on September 17, 2024 following the series of explosions across Lebanon Friends and relatives of injured people arrive at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) after an incident involving Hezbollah members' wireless devices in Beirut, Lebanon Hezbollah says that Israel is 'fully responsible' for the simultaneous explosion, warning that the nation would be punished. 'We hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression,' the group said in a statement, adding that Israel 'will certainly receive its just punishment for this sinful aggression'. The terror group said in a second statement: 'After examining all the facts, current data, and available information about the sinful attack that took place this afternoon, we hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression that targeted civilians too.' It added it would continue to support 'Palestinian resistance' and that the 'treacherous and criminal enemy will certainly be punished for this aggressive act.' The Lebanese government, meanwhile, condemned the pager explosions as 'criminal Israeli aggression.' Prime Minister Najib Mikati said in a cabinet meeting today, following the incidents, that the attack was 'criminal Israeli aggression, which constitutes a serious violation of Lebanese sovereignty and a crime by all standards.' Information minister Ziad Makary said the government has contacted the United Nations to 'hold them accountable for this continuing crime.' And Hamas has reaffirmed their 'full solidarity' with Hezbollah in a statement. They said: 'We appreciate the struggle and sacrifices of our brothers in Hezbollah and their insistence on continuing to support and back our Palestinian people in Gaza, and we affirm our full solidarity with the Lebanese people and our brothers in Hezbollah.' Israel have not directly commented on the incident, but wared its citizens to be 'alert and vigilant' after Hezbollah vowed retaliation. Police officers inspect a car inside of which a hand-held pager exploded, Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 Pagers used by Hezbollah members for vital communications exploded this afternoon, injuring hundreds Lebanese citizens have swarmed around hospitals for hours following the incident 'The Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi held a situational assessment this evening with the participation of the General Staff Forum, focusing on readiness in both offence and defence in all arenas,' the military said in a statement. 'At this time there is no change to the Home Front Command defensive guidelines. The public is asked to remain alert and vigilant, and any change in policy will be updated immediately.' Air France and Lufthansa have now cancelled all flights with Beirut and Tel Aviv until Thursday over security concerns, in a statement late on Tuesday. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric has described the developments across Lebanon as 'extremely concerning', adding: 'We deplore the civilian casualties that we have seen. We cannot underscore enough the risks of escalation in Lebanon and in the region.' The United Nations' special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, sad today she 'deplores today's attack.' She added that 'all concerned actors' ought to 'refrain from any further action, or bellicose rhetoric, which could trigger a wider conflagration that nobody can afford.' Lebanon's health minister Firas Abiad told the BBC tonight that most of the injuries suffered were to people's hands and faces. Most 'appear to be to the face and especially to the eyes, and also the hand with some amputations, whether it's in the hands or the fingers,' he said adding that the 'vast majority' of people in Lebanon's emergency rooms were in civilian clothing. Though this does not necessarily mean they are not Hezbollah, he admitted it made it 'very difficult to discern whether they belong to a certain entity like Hezbollah or others. 'But we are seeing among them people who are old or people who are very young, like the child who unfortunately died, and there are some of them who are health care workers.' The shocking incident constitutes the single largest intelligence breach in the militant outfit's history, an official said, with speculation mounting that the technology was somehow hacked or sabotaged by Israeli security services. One source close to Hezbollah told AFP the incident came as a direct result of an 'Israeli breach' of its communications. A person is carried on a stretcher outside American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) as people, including Hezbollah fighters and medics, were wounded and killed when the pagers they use to communicate exploded across Lebanon Hospitals in Lebanon have been overwhelmed by the explosions Edward Snowden, infamous for leaking classified material from the US' National Security Agency, said he believed the incident was 'not a hack' A different official told AP on condition of anonymity that the cause of the explosions was likely the lithium batteries that power the pagers, which can catch on fire when overheated. 'Pagers belonging to employees of various Hezbollah units and institutions exploded,' an official statement from the Iran-backed militant group said, adding that the blasts 'killed a girl and two of our brothers'. Earlier this year, Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah urged members of his organisation to revert to using a new brand of pagers for vital communications, reasoning that modern smartphones would be more susceptible to cyber attacks by Israeli forces. The US has denied involvement in the attack, with State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller telling reporters that the US was investigating the incident. Edward Snowden, infamous for leaking classified material from the US' National Security Agency, said he believed the incident was 'not a hack.' 'As information comes in about the exploding beepers in Lebanon, it seems now more likely than not to be implanted explosives, not a hack', he said on X. He added: 'Why? Too many consistent, very serious injuries. If it were overheated batteries exploding, you'd expect many more small fires & misfires.' The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between Lebanon and Israel. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Israeli forces have been clashing near-daily for more than 11 months against the backdrop of war between Israel and Hezbollah ally Hamas in Gaza. The clashes have killed hundreds in Lebanon and dozens in Israel and displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border. On Tuesday, Israel said that halting Hezbollah's attacks in the north to allow residents to return to their homes is now an official war goal. Israel has killed Hamas militants in the past with booby trapped cellphones and it's widely believed to have been behind the Stuxnet computer virus attack on Iran's nuclear program in 2010. Hamas, which has close ties to Hezbollah, has condemned the wave of pager explosions, saying in a statement: 'We appreciate the struggle and sacrifices of our brothers in Hezbollah, and their insistence on continuing to support and back our Palestinian people in Gaza, and we affirm our full solidarity with the Lebanese people and our brothers in Hezbollah.' The sudden explosions across southern Lebanon this afternoon come hours after an Israeli strike on Lebanon killed three people, the health ministry said. Israeli forces have traded near-daily fire with the Iran-backed Lebanese group since its ally Hamas launched the October 7 attacks on Israel, triggering the war in Gaza. The health ministry said an 'Israeli enemy strike' on the border village of Blida killed 'three people and wounded two', without specifying if they were fighters or civilians. Israel's military said its air force 'eliminated three terrorists' from Hezbollah who were at a 'terrorist infrastructure site' in the Blida area. Hezbollah did not immediately announce any fighters had been killed, but claimed a series of attacks on Israeli troops and positions near the border on Tuesday. The NNA reported several Israeli attacks in the south of the country. The remnants of what is believed to be a pager carried by a Lebanese militant that detonated earlier today An image grab taken from a UGC video posted on social media on September 17, 2024, shows men covered in blood in Beirut's southern suburbs after dozens of Hezbollah group members were injured when their pagers exploded The latest deaths came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the political-security cabinet had 'updated the goals of the war' to include 'the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes'. Almost a year of cross-border violence has displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Monday that 'military action' was the 'only way left to ensure the return of Israel's northern communities'. The violence has killed some 627 people in Lebanon, including at least 141 civilians. On the Israeli side, including in the annexed Golan Heights, authorities have announced the deaths of at least 24 soldiers and 26 civilians. Hezbollah has repeatedly said that only a ceasefire in Gaza will put an end to its attacks, and diplomatic activity in recent months has sought to avert all-out war. Passengers told of 'popping noises and smoke' as an EasyJet plane descended into panic today after a bag with a vape inside exploded on the London-bound flight. An emergency evacuation took place on a runway in Greece when an explosion took place in Heraklion, on an aircraft scheduled to fly to London Gatwick. A power bank and e-cigarettes in a passenger's bag are thought to be the cause of the explosion which occurred shortly before take-off. The doors of the plane opened and evacuation slides were activated, with passengers describing 'a very large red flash and flame followed by thick black smoke'. An emergency evacuation took place on a runway in Greece when an explosion took place in Heraklion, on the craft scheduled to fly to London Gatwick tonight A power bank and e-cigarettes in a passenger's bag (pictured next to the plane and emergency services) are thought to be the cause of the explosion which occurred shortly before take-off A power bank and e-cigarettes in a passenger's bag started smoking before the explosion Passengers were safely off the plane within 'minutes' but the flight to London was cancelled. Instead, the 236 travellers - reportedly including two children - were forced to take another plane this evening. A passenger told MailOnline they heard someone asking 'what is that what is that' as she took her seat, seconds before the explosion occurred. Passengers were 'screaming bomb and clattering to get out' as panic broke out, with some saying a 'lady with a vape in her bum bag was waving it around as smoke started to come out'. One said the woman with the bag was British and tried to leave the plane, asking people to get out of the way. But as her bag caught fire, she dropped it in the aisle as people were still trying to take their seats. 'Fire and acrid smoke billowed from the bag, popping exploding noises, smoke filled the cabin around the bag,' an eyewitness said. There was a fire scorch mark left on floor, but travellers were later allowed back on plane to collect belongings. MailOnline understands no customers suffered burn injuries from the explosion, but one passenger suffered a friction burn from the evacuation slide. The doors of the plane opened and evacuation slides were activated, with passengers describing 'a very large red flash and flame followed by thick black smoke' MailOnline understands no customers suffered burn injuries from the explosion 'EasyJet have kept us up to date with the replacement flight, which we are boarding now, they gave us a voucher to get food,' another said. 'All the staff have been very helpful and it was as painless as it could be given the circumstances.' Police forces rushed to the scene to investigate the incident. A spokesperson told MailOnline: 'easyJet can confirm that flight EZY8216 from Heraklion to London Gatwick was evacuated during boarding prior to departure, due to a fire in a passenger's cabin bag. 'Fire services attended the aircraft and cabin crew evacuated the aircraft in line with procedures. 'Customers are currently being looked after in the terminal and a replacement aircraft and crew have been arranged to fly customers home later today. Safety is our highest priority.' As Sadiq Khan announces plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street, we look at some of the past failed proposals including a monorail and a free tram loop. The London Mayor has doubled down on plans to pedestrianise the famous shopping zone, with critics worried it will turn the area into a crime haven. Mr Khan wants work to start within two years to remove all vehicles from Oxford Street as part of a wider regeneration project. But industry leaders are calling for 'strong safety measures' to accompany the plans, given there are fears it could increase crimes such as shoplifting and pickpocketing. Mr Khan first proposed the idea in his 2016 mayoral manifesto, but he certainly wasn't the first. The London Mayor Sadiq Khan (pictured) has doubled down on plans to pedestrianise the famous shopping zone An artist's impression of a pedestrianised Oxford Street based on plans drawn up in 2017. These are representative of the type of initial scheme that could be implemented - rather than being the actual plans for the redevelopment One of the most unusual ideas was a monorail which would have run on a track 50ft above shoppers, based on a similar system in Sydney, Australia. (A monorail in Sydney, pictured in 2003) There have been several concepts for banning traffic in central London's polluted shopping avenue before, but none have ever got off the ground. One of the most unusual was a monorail which would have run on a track 50ft above shoppers. The idea was drawn up in 2012 by engineers KBR for a system to run the mile-length of the street and link it with Piccadilly Circus. Lord Rogers, the Mayor's leading architectural adviser at the time, presented the idea to business leaders and said a similar system had worked well in Sydney. But it was never taken forward - and the Sydney monorail ceased operating in June 2013. Another plan for Oxford Street unveiled in 2008 by former mayor Ken Livingstone was a 200million tram system, which would have also seen the road pedestrianised. Mr Livingstone wanted the system in place by 2018, but it never went forward amid a series of issues including concerns over overcrowding and insufficient space for the construction of a tram depot. Boris Johnson spiked the plans, but he also looked into partially pedestrianising Oxford Steet towards his tenure as Mayor of London in 2016. An artist's impression of a night-time view of Oxford Street if it were to be pedestrianised Christmas shoppers walk along the pavement on a busy Oxford Street on December 23, 2023 Another artist's impression of a pedestrianised Oxford Street from plans released in 2017 Carnaby Street banned traffic which resulted in a 30 per cent increase in footfall. (Pictured, London's Carnaby Street during the turning on of the 2023 Christmas lights) Poll Should Oxford Street be pedestrianised? Yes No Should Oxford Street be pedestrianised? Yes 401 votes No 611 votes Now share your opinion A further unusual proposal to pedestrianise the street was a plan in 1982 to build a flyover for buses and taxis which would dip down to street level at Oxford Circus. The scheme, which was estimated to cost 47million in 1982 prices, would have avoided having to divert vehicles onto side streets but concerns were raised about its viability and it never happened. Going even further back, a report in the 1960s suggested dropping the road slightly into a shallow depression and raising the shopping level up by 20ft. But the study, by Professor Sir Colin Buchanan, concluded that it was already too late for such a major reconstruction of the street and the plan only ever remained at the idea stage. Sadiq Khan announced plans in 2022 for the stretch of Oxford Street between Great Portland Street and John Prince's Street to be turned into a piazza - but these too were cancelled. This time around, Mr Khan may be more successful as the City of Westminister, which oversees Oxford Street, is now under a Labour majority. The plan has support from the Government with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner saying: 'This plan to revitalise Oxford Street will drive growth by creating new jobs, generating economic activity, and giving a much-needed boost to Londons night-time economy.' Whatever the latest plans are, they will come with a huge range of challenges such as where to divert traffic and bus routes. But there have been successful pedestrianisation experiments in London before as in 1973, Carnaby Street banned traffic which resulted in a 30 per cent increase in footfall. Several residents of Mexico shared shocking video footage of a UFO seemingly hovering to the ground, drawing a mixed response. Videos on social media captured what appeared to be an oval-sized object hovering over the western city of Zitacuaro on September 8. The footage shows the UFO-like figure hovering near a tree while a second recording captured it slowly moving in front of the overcast skies. The alleged flying saucer sightings were reported in the neighborhoods of El Naranjo and Manzanillos. Residents in Mexico debated whether they had spotted a UFO in the western city of Zitacuaro last week. Some believe that it was just one of the many sky lanterns that are seen floating across the country A flying object that reportedly resembled a UFO was spotted flying over El Naranjo and Manzanillos, two neighborhoods located in the western city of Zitacuaro Following the videos, some users took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their belief that aliens had made their way to Mexico. 'That's that eye diamond UFO shape,' one person commented. '(Must) be some kind of organic ship.' 'Spectacular video, contact between humans and alien races is getting closer and closer,' another X user chimed in. 'Anyone who continues to believe that it is a balloon, a drone, a hologram or something else is either blind or does not want to see reality.' However, others were quick to dispel the claims, pointing out that it was most likely just one of the many sky lanterns that float across the Mexican skies during the Globos de Cantoya festival. A large sky lantern floats towards a mountain outside of Paracho, a city in the western Mexican state of Michoacan, during the annual Globos de Cantoya festival 'It may have been a test of a hot air balloon, as these balloons are very common in central Mexico and from a distance they can be confused with other objects,' another user explained. One X user questioned the quality of the video but conceded that life probably exists outside our solar system. 'So much technology, cell phones with too many mega pixels and images like that,' they said. 'I do believe that there is life on other planets, but some tests like this don't help much.' Some found humor in the alleged UFO sighting. 'They went searching for atoles,' another X user said, referring to the traditional Mexican beverage that is made with water, masa (corn flour), piloncillo, (unrefined cane sugar), cinnamon and vanilla. 'We will see more and more UFOs. And the government will make contact with them,' another person joked. 'We will obey in fear as always. But we will never see them.' A thief has been jailed after being caught on camera stealing five hoovers from a supermarket. Michael King, 44, was captured on CCTV carrying out five hoover raids on five separate days - July 9, 23,25, 27 and 29. He snuck into Sainsbury's in Ely, Cambridgeshire and went straight for the devices. Video footage shows him carrying out a large white box containing the electrical item on his first raid on July 9. He is seen looking shiftily over his shoulder as he scuttles out of the branch with one of the household devices. A man has been jailed after stealing five hoovers from Sainsbury's on five separate occasions Michael King, 44, shown on the clip leaving the store with a large white box containing the domestic appliances on his first raid He also stole groceries from a BP in Witchford Road and Waitrose on six occasions between June 9 and August 4. The total value of the stolen items was 1,948. At Cambridge Magistrates' Court on Tuesday September 10, King, was sentenced to 32 weeks in prison after pleading guilty to 11 counts of shoplifting. His conviction activated a previous suspended sentence. PC Skye Woodhouse, who investigated, said: 'King has caused misery to businesses across Ely. 'We hope this sentence will provide some respite to shops impacted by his offending and allow him the opportunity he needs to get support and stop shoplifting.' It comes amid the worsening shoplifting epidemic across Britain, as stores arm their security guards with bodycams, while advising employees to not risk taking on criminals. The thief is shown briefly glancing behind him as he exits the store in Ely, Cambridgeshire Concerns are mounting that the wave of petty crimes is being further driven by the perception that shoplifting is risk-free, as more and more thieves are let off the hook. Just 431 shoplifters in the year to March received fixed penalty notices - the lowest form of punishment for goods under 100 - down 98 per cent from 19,419 a decade ago. The use of cautions has also plummeted by 87 per cent since 2014. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged to remove the 200 threshold for crimes and tighten laws to ban repeat offenders from town centres. Almost 444,000 shoplifting offences were recorded by forces in England and Wales in the year to March, up from 342,428 in the previous 12 months - the highest figure since records began in 2003. Netflix has signed a new deal with Baby Reindeer's Richard Gadd despite a 129million lawsuit, it has been revealed. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos praised Gadd as a 'brilliant storyteller' while speaking at the Royal Television Society (RTS) London Conference and said his story was something that was 'unique to the times that we live in'. The 60-year-old was responding to a question from presenter Kirsty Wark, who asked if Netflix needed a 'stronger editorial grip' on the programme over how truthful it was. Sarandos replied: 'We are facilitating storytellers to tell their stories, this is Richard's true story. 'And I could also give you a bit of news this morning, actually. 'We actually finished our first look deal with Richard Gadd to do his next work at Netflix. Performing a version of what happened to him has enabled him to have 'ownership' of the trauma, Richard Gadd says Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos praised Gadd as a 'brilliant storyteller' while speaking at the Royal Television Society (RTS) London Conference Richard Gadd, 35, was visibly emotional as he reflected on his own struggles and battle with mental health issues as his Netflix hit show Baby Reindeer won four Emmys Baby Reindeer is the drama written by comedian Gadd (who also plays the lead character) based on his real-life experiences with a female stalker, played by Jessica Gunning 'I think he's a brilliant storyteller, he told an incredible story, and I think the path of bringing Baby Reindeer to the world, from just a few years ago to a complete unknown storyteller, telling a story at Fringe in Edinburgh, to an international sensation, is something that is so unique to the times that we live in, and so unique to Netflix. 'Frankly, that we're able to do that, I'm very proud of Richard and proud of the story he told, and we told it, and it is his true story.' He added: 'Baby Reindeer is (Gadd's) story and he told his story, and it's not a documentary and there are elements of the story that are dramatised. 'We're watching it performed by actors on television, we think that it's abundantly clear that there is dramatisation involved. 'It is interesting too, I would point out that it's a fairly uniquely British debate, this debate is not happening anywhere else in the world.' Baby Reindeer was among the big winners at this year's Emmy Awards, taking home four gongs, with Gadd collecting three of the awards for writing, producing and starring in the series. Martha actress Gunning, 38, won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie prize for her role as the crazed fan of Gadd's Donny Dunn and the show also triumphed in the Outstanding Limited or Anthology series category The series was a hit and became one of Netflix's most watched shows ever. But the dark comedy thriller has came under fire from those who claimed to have been depicted by the series Gadd would turn his stalking ordeal into Baby Reindeer which debuted at Fringe in 2019 The show, said to be inspired by his real-life experiences of stalking and sexual assault, made headlines after a woman who claimed to be the inspiration behind the character Martha filed a lawsuit against Netflix and accused the story of being inaccurate. In a statement about the new deal, Gadd added: 'I'm beyond thrilled to be continuing my creative journey with Netflix. 'They took a chance on me when I wasn't proven in the television space, for that I will always be grateful. 'I look forward to the years ahead with Netflix, ideas with Ted, Bela, Anne, Peter and all the amazing staff who work at the company.' The successful show was embroiled in drama when the streaming service was hit with legal action from a woman who claims to be the real stalker Martha. Fiona Harvey came forward claiming to be the inspiration behind Martha, alleging the story was inaccurate, and filed a lawsuit against Netflix. At the beginning of the first episode, text appears on the screen which says: 'This is a true story.' Gadd first met his stalker after he offered 'a crying stranger a cup of tea' when she came into the bar where he worked The Netflix series sees Martha given a prison sentence for her offences but Gadd hasn't divulged the fate of his real-life stalker Ms Harvey said: 'The problem for Richard Gadd and now for Netflix is that Baby Reindeer is not a true story at all. 'I am not a convicted stalker' Sarandos opened the conference with a speech saying Britain is 'one of the best places in the world for TV'. He said he had 'always thought of the UK as the birthplace of prestige television' and said the streaming service invested more in the UK than anywhere else in the world outside the US. Sarandos said: 'I have seen first hand the scope and ambition of British-made shows and films, this wealth of talent is a great British success story. 'I say that because it did not happen by accident, it happened because you have great public service broadcasters and institutions here that nurture British talent and creativity, institutions like RTS, the oldest television society in the world.' Gadd, 35, struggled to hold in his emotions as his smash hit Netflix show based on his harrowing experiences won four Emmys at a glitzy ceremony in LA. Piers Morgan with Fiona Harvey, said to be the inspiration for Martha, in May where she gave a bombshell interview on his YouTube show Uncensored Gadd was visibly emotional as he won the awards for Writing for a Limited or Anthology series or Movie and Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology series or Movie. During a tear-jerking speech, he urged others going through a tough time to 'persevere'. 'This is the stuff of dreams,' the kilt-wearing comedian said on stage. 'Look, 10 years ago I was down and out. I never ever thought I'd get my life together. 'I never ever thought I'd be able to rectify myself what had happened to me and get myself back on my feet again, and then here I am, just over a decade later, picking up one of the biggest writing awards in television. 'I don't mean that to sound arrogant. I mean it as encouragement for anyone who's going through a difficult time right now to persevere. 'I don't know much about this life, I don't know why we are here, none of that, but I do know that nothing lasts forever, and no matter how bad it gets, it always gets better. 'So if you're struggling, keep going keep going and I promise you things will be okay.' Actress Jessica Gunning, 38, who played his stalker Martha Scott, won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie prize for her role. The show is a semi-autobiographical comedy drama which told the story of standup comedian Donny Dunn who is harassed and stalked by Martha, sending him 41,000-plus emails, and bombarding him with texts and calls. It included traumatic scenes of sexual assault and drug taking. Gadd previously opened up about filming episode four, in which his character is sexually assaulted by a male TV writer who takes struggling comedian Donny under his wing. A Florida surfer is on life support after he smashed into a pier in Daytona Beach, Florida, on September 13. Jorge Alvarado, 49, was surfing on the south side of the Sunglow Pier in Daytona Beach at 9 am when the accident happened. Alvarado may have struck a sandbar and then became tangled with a piling under the pier, the director of Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue Tamra Malphurs said. A witness said they saw Alvarado go head first into the piling before going under. It took surfers several minutes to free Alvarado which let rescuers perform life-saving measures before he was taken to the hospital. Jorge Alvarado, 49, struck a sandbar and then became tangled with a piling under the pier on September 13. PICTURED: Jorge Alvarado surfing with his son Gabriel A witness said they saw Alvarado go head first into the piling before going under. It took surfers several minutes to free Alvarado which let rescuers perform life-saving measures before he was taken to the hospital Malphurs told The Daytona Beach News-Journal that it's possible a current that pushed him into the pier after he hit his head. The late surfer's daughter Emily Alvarado asked on her Facebook for 'prayers for my daddy.' Emily did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com. His friend Justin Gore organized a GoFundMe campaign that's raised $11,675 to 'take care if him and his family during this difficult time.' Gore also posted a heartfelt thank you video on his Facebook once the campaign hit it's $10,000 mark. He said: 'It's going to be a long road to recovery.' 'You got this brother keep fighting.' There's been only one fatality in Daytona Beach's surf zone this year from a rip current, according to the National Weather Service. His friend Justin Gore organized a GoFundMe campaign that's raised $11,675. He also posted a heartfelt thank you video on his Facebook once the campaign hit it's $10,000 mark saying 'It's going to be a long road to recovery.' Maphurs said beach safety rarely sees seasoned surfers in accidents aside from if it involves a shark bite. She also said surfers aren't supposed to be within 150 feet from the pier but was unsure how close Alvarado was PICTURED: Jorge Alvarado (center), Dylan Alvarado (right) and Emily Alvarado (right) Maphurs said beach safety rarely sees seasoned surfers in accidents aside from if it involves a shark bite. She also said surfers aren't supposed to be within 150 feet from the pier but was unsure how close Alvarado was. This incident is only two months after a Pennsylvania couple on a vacation in Florida got caught in a rip current and drowned in front of their six children. Brian Warter, 51, and his girlfriend Erica Wishart, 48, were at the beach behind the Marriott Hotel on Hutchinson Island, north of West Palm Beach, on July 18 when tragedy struck. Two of the teens had also been caught up in the current but managed to get to the shore. They tried to help their parents but could not get to them as they current had become too dangerous. A 12-year-old boy who threw stones at police officers after rioting erupted outside a mosque in Southport has been given a 12-month referral order. He is believed to have become the youngest person in England to be sentenced following the violent disorder this summer. CCTV footage caught the boy throwing stones at police officers during the disorder on July 30, before riding off on a bicycle. The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared at Liverpool youth court on Tuesday afternoon. He was also given a three-month curfew between 9pm and 7am, while his father was handed a six-month parenting order and ordered to pay 200 in compensation on the boy's behalf, to go to Southport mosque. The court was told the boy had no previous convictions and has had a difficult home life. In a statement read to the court, the chief constable of Merseyside police, Serena Kennedy said 'the level of aggression that I witnessed, that was directed at my officers' including on the night in question was 'unprecedented,' The Guardian reported. Police stand in riot gear next to the mosque on St Luke's road, Southport on July 30 Violent disorder broke out in Southport after three children were killed at a dance class on July 29 The court heard how the boy handed himself into police after his mother recognised him when the force circulated images of people they wanted to speak to in connection with the riots. The Guardian reported that a statement was read from a mosque leader who was trapped inside with worshippers when the building was targeted by a mob. He compared it to 'being under attack in a war' and said 'I was very scared and worried'. Judge Lloyd told the boy: 'You have had a complicated and in many ways sad young life. 'But what you did that night was very wrong. It really was a horrible situation and you made it more horrible by engaging in throwing stones.' He is a few months younger than another 12-year-old boy who was sentenced earlier this month in connection with rioting in Manchester. The second boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder after he was involved in two separate incidents of rioting over two days and was sentenced to a 12-month intensive referral order at Manchester Youth Court on September 11. Kingswood Homes workers rebuild a wall outside the Southport Islamic Centre Mosque in Southport Rioting was fuelled by the killing of three young girls in a horrifying stabbing rampage in Southport at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. Civil unrest first erupted outside a mosque in Southport over misinformation online that the attacker was a Muslim aslyum seeker who had arrived in the UK on a small boat. Riots then spread across other parts of the country, with far-right thugs seen launching bricks at officers, torching police cars and targeting hotels housing asylum seekers. Sir Keir Starmer warned that rioters would face the 'full force of the law' and many are continuing to face justice as the government fast-tracks cases thorough the courts to send a message. The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) confirmed that, as of August 30, 1,280 people had been arrested for their involvement in the riots, with 796 people charged. It also said police had 'identified hundreds more suspects in connection with the disorder', suggesting further arrests and charges will follow. On September 2, the government said 570 people had been brought before the courts. The editor-in-chief of conservative magazine National Review found himself in hot water after he was accused by some of uttering a racial slur during a Sunday appearance on Megyn Kelly's SiriusXM show. The editor, Rich Lowry, claims it was a slip of the tongue and that he meant to say 'migrants,' which is the word he appeared to garble. It occurred while he and Kelly were discussing JD Vance's recent appearance on CNN, where Donald Trump's vice presidential pick defended the former president's unsubstantiated comments about Haitian migrants eating cats and dogs. As part of his explanation, Vance said: 'If I have to create stories so that the American media pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then that's what I'm going to do.' Vance clarified his comments after host Dana Bash seized on the phrase 'create stories,' saying he meant that he 'created the actual focus' on what's going on in Springfield, Ohio, a town that has seen 15,000 or so Haitians move there over the last four years. While agreeing with Vance's explanation, Lowry said that Springfield police have found Springfield residents calling to complain about migrants taking geese from ponds. Megyn Kelly, left, invited National Review editor-in-chief Rich Lowry on her show Sunday. The two talked about the 'cats and dogs' story out of Springfield, Ohio, that Donald Trump gave fuel to during the presidential debate last week During this discussion, many on social media believe Lowry's apparent mispronunciation of the word 'migrants' sounded like the N-word In this sentence, Lowry stumbled over the word 'migrants' - and some are saying his initial pronunciation sounded like the N-word. Madeline Peltz, who works for the left-wing group Media Matters, was the first person to draw attention to the sound bite. 'Having a hard time coming to any conclusion besides the obvious one about what Rich Lowry catches himself blurting out here,' she wrote in a post on X. One user replied to Peltz's post by including a video of the moment in slow motion, emphasizing the pronunciation. Another user added: 'I wonder how much you have to say that word for your brain to default to it?' Some were of the opinion that Lowry didn't 'almost' say it, but completed the word. Andy McCarthy, a fellow editor at National Review, jumped in to defend his colleague against the onslaught of racism allegations. Andy McCarthy, a fellow editor at National Review, jumped in to defend Lowry against the onslaught of racism allegations. Lowry reposted his colleague's explanation and agreed Kelly also defended Lowry amid the backlash Kelly took the opportunity to speak highly of Lowry's character amid the backlash. 'This is so disgusting and obviously leveled by someone that doesnt know @RichLowry at all. A finer, more gracious man of good character you will never meet,' she wrote in response to McCarthy. A pregnant mother and her husband have drowned while on vacation in Hawaii, leaving their 18-month-old son orphaned. Ilya, 25, and Sophia, 26, Tsaruk, of Snohomish, near Seattle, Washington, were believed to be snorkeling off the coast of the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve in Maui when they ran into difficulty on Saturday. The Maui Fire Department was dispatched to the area after a report of 'swimmers/snorkelers in distress,' according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Sophia was pregnant with a baby girl, according to Andrey Tupikov, who has set up a GoFundMe to raise money for the their funeral expenses and shared a photo of the couple with their son on the page. Her Instagram profile picture showed the would-be mother-of-two cradling her pregnant stomach. The couple leave behind an 18-month-old son, Logan, who was staying with his aunt and uncle when the tragedy occurred. Ilya and Sophia Tsaruk, of Snohomish, Washington, were believed to have been snorkeling off the coast of the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve in Maui when they reportedly drowned Sophia, 26, was pregnant with a baby girl. The 26-year-old was found unresponsive and she was pulled from the water approximately 100 to 150 yards offshore When rescuers arrived at the scene at midday, they found the 26-year-old woman unresponsive and pulled her from the water approximately 100 to 150 yards offshore. Ilya was later found on the ocean floor and brought back to shore. CPR was administered to both victims, but rescue crews' efforts were unsuccessful and they were pronounced dead by Emergency Medical Services. The fire department said the surf conditions were relatively calm that day and the area is not known for riptides. The area the couple was swimming in is unguarded, with the nearest lifeguard station located in Makena State Beach Park, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Fire Department spokesperson, Chris Stankil, believes the couple must have been snorkeling based on the location they were found in, but could not be certain. Ilya, 25, was found on the ocean floor and brought back to shore. CPR was administered to both victims, but rescue crews' efforts were unsuccessful and they were pronounced dead (pictured: Ahihi-Kinua Nature Reserve) The area the couple was swimming in is unguarded with the nearest lifeguard station located in Makena State Beach Park (pictured: Ahihi-Kinua Nature Reserve) However, he said the incident report does not mention the couple being found with equipment when Ocean Safety officers picked them up. In a tribute to the couple on the GoFundMe page, Tupikov said they were active in the church and that 'Sophia had the voice of an angel, and together with Ilya, they sang in a worship group in their church.' 'The Kovalevich and Tsaruk families are grieving today, and this pain will not pass soon, but we continue to pray and lean on the Lord,' Tupikov wrote. 'We are blessed to have had both of them in our lives and are left now with the sweet memories and moments that we shared together with them.' The fundraiser has exceeded its $100,000 goal, collecting nearly $105,000 as of Tuesday afternoon. The money will go toward funeral expenses, as well as bringing the couple's bodies back to Washington, according to Tupikov. A friend of teenage dancer Emily Gold put a consoling hand on her shoulder as AGT judge Howie Mandel prepared to deliver his withering verdict on their troupe's performance a month before her suicide. The team from Los Osos High School in California was eliminated from the quarter-final show last month despite a rapturous standing ovation from the audience at Pasadena's Civic Auditorium - though it is unknown if this was at all related to her decision to end her life. The program paid tribute to Gold, 17, on Tuesday hailing her as a 'bright young soul' after she was found dead under a bridge on 210 Highway just before midnight on Friday. Judge Simon Cowell had joined the audience's standing ovation and hailed the team's performance as an 'event', but Mandel was unmoved by their efforts as he offered his scathing dismissal. 'The 'event' was a half-time high school show,' he remarked. 'I would love it more if my granddaughter was in it.' A friend laid a reassuring hand on Emily's shoulder as AGT judge Howie Mandel sat with his arms crossed ahead of his withering verdict Mantel, however, was roundly booed as he warned them they were about to be eliminated from the competition Emily's parents said they have a 'hole the size of the universe' as they broke their silence falling her sudden death on Friday. 'With sadness beyond measure we must tell you all that we lost our beautiful Emily on September 13th, our hearts have a hole the size of the universe right now,' Dad Steven wrote on Instagram. 'The outpouring of love and support we are receiving shows us how many lives that angel touched and lifted, and it is what will help us through the most difficult time of our lives.' Emily was a member of both the cheer squad and the varsity dance team at her school in Rancho Cucamonga. The school was buzzing with excitement as the dance team sailed through the AGT auditions in May. 'It was absolutely brilliant,' Cowell told his fellow judges. 'What I loved about this was first of all the energy. I think what I just saw is everything a great school should be doing, which is encouraging talent and friendship. 'It reminded me of seeing the High School Musical movie and thinking 'every kid should go to a school like that'.' Mandel dismissed the audience as biased, warning: 'The bar has been raised this season and when you see dancers on this million-dollar stage you want to see at least one move that makes you go 'Oh my God'.' Simon Cowell (right) had joined the standing ovation for the troupe's performance but Mandel (left) was unmoved as the crowd booed his scathing remarks Emily was in the front row as they prepared to hear the judges remarks Judge Sofia Vergara said she had never heard the audience react so well to a performance Cowell hailed a 'gigantic step up' when the group returned for the quarter-finals, and fellow judge Heidi Klum struggled to be heard above cheers from the crowd. 'I'm totally here for you, I love you guys,' she told them before turning round in astonishment at the noise. 'Oh my god!' she muttered. 'I've never seen this theatre go so crazy, it's amazing to me,' said judge Sofia Vergara. But Mandel insisted 'I still think the same thing' as he sat with his arms crossed and predicted their elimination. 'The reason it sounds so wild in here is because the families are out here,' he claimed as the audience's boos rang in his ears. 'You'll see. The people at home.' Emily showed no sign of taking the criticism to heart and posted a happy picture of her senior sunrise celebration to her Instagram account three days later. Interviewed by People immediately after the show, she spoke of the effort that had gone into her routine. 'When I'm performing, I'm really thinking about all the corrections because we get corrections up until five minutes before we go on stage,' she told the website. 'So to really just think about all those so that we apply them is my biggest priority on stage.' Asked about the challenge of juggling her dancing and her schoolwork she said: 'It's definitely tough to balance it all, but we make it happen.' Emily's friends in the dance troupe issued their own tribute to the 'beautiful, loving and kind' varsity dance captain yesterday. 'Emily has always embodied every aspect of our core team values through her strength, commitment, kindness, compassion and the most humble heart,' they wrote. And Emily's devastated twin brother Alex paid a tribute of his own to his 'baby sis' on social media with a photo montage of their childhood together. 'The times we spent together won't ever be enough,' he wrote. 'You were my whole childhood and the memories we made together and all the places we've been and seen together will always stay with me. 'You really broke my heart Em. 'I'll always stay up for you and live life for you.' Emily was a member of both the school's Varsity Dance Team and its Varsity cheer squad Parents Brandy and Steven Gold said they have a 'hole the size of the universe' in their hearts after the sudden death of their daughter on Friday night Emily's twin brother Alex paid his own moving tribute to his 'baby sis' Emily in her final Instagram post four weeks ago In a post on its Facebook page, the NBC show said it 'sends out our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and team members of Emily Gold. She was a bright young soul and will be deeply missed'. Mandel, who joined the talent show's panel in 2019, did not mention Emily's death when he spoke earlier today about the lasting appeal of AGT. The veteran Canadian comic said he thought America would 'never tire' of what he described as the most relatable show on television. Emily Gold was found dead on the eastbound 210 Highway in Rancho Cucamonga on Friday night, a month to the day after competing on America's Got Talent 'We all have dreams, we all have aspirations,' he told Hollywood Outbreak, 'We all think that these dreams and hopes may not come true for us. 'So if they don't come true for us it's fun to watch somebody who maybe has talked about being locked up in their room their entire life, nobody has ever seen them do this or they've never been heard before. 'They step on that X and then 'boom!' their lives change for ever.' Dailymail.com has reached out to Mandel for comment. If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741 Delta Airlines passengers were left with burst eardrums and bleeding noses after their flight suddenly lost pressure and plummeted on Tuesday. Passengers aboard a flight from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Portland, Oregon, felt the cabin lose pressure before the plane rapidly descended, according to KSL. The plane experienced the issue at 10,275 feet in the air. Over the course of four and a half minutes, the plane descended from 33,975 feet to 25,075 feet, falling roughly 33 feet per second. The Boeing 737-900 aircraft with 140 passengers had to make an emergency landing in Salt Lake City because of pressurization issues, Delta Airlines wrote in a statement. The emergency landing happened 30 or 40 minutes after the plane departed, according to Newser. 'I looked over at my husband, and he had both of his hands over his ears, you know, kind of leaning forward,' flier Caryn Allen told the outlet. Allyn added that she 'looked about a row behind me, over on the other side of the aisle, and there was a gentleman that clearly had a very bad bloody nose, and people were trying to help him.' Delta passengers were left injured after a Sunday flight experienced pressure issues Another fellow passenger Jaci Purser told KSL it felt like her ear was being stabbed from all of the pressure in the cabin, revealing that she 'grabbed my ear, and I pulled my hand back, and there was blood on it'. The plane started experiencing issues at 8:14am landed at 8:27am local time on Sunday and paramedics were waiting to treat those who were hurt. Ten people needed medical treatment or evaluation from the paramedics when they got off the flight. Purcer added that once the flight landed, she was diagnosed with a ruptured eardrum. Paramedics gave her antibiotics, nasal spray steroids and decongestants. In a statement, Delta Air Lines said the aircraft was put back into service on Monday. The airline said: 'We sincerely apologize to our customers for their experience on flight 1203 on September 15. 'The flight crew followed procedures to return to SLC where our teams on the ground supported our customers with their immediate needs.' Retired Delta pilot Valerie Walker told KSL that flights usually maintain cabin pressure. The Portland-bound plane was forced to do an emergency landing at about 8:30am in Salt Lake City The Boeing 737-900 flying from Utah to Portland had to return to Salt Lake City when the pressure dropped She told the outlet: 'It's an automatic thing the airplane does, and we monitor it to see if it's not doing what it should be doing. 'I suspect they saw the cabin pressurization problem and heard it, asked air traffic control to go out over the Great Salt Lake because it was visual, where they had time and they had safe clearance to go through our emergency procedures and try to find out what was wrong.' Walker told the outlet that she has had similar experiences before, but never as severe as on Sunday. The Federal Aviation Administration is planning to investigate the incident, according to WPTV. The cause of this issue was not announced. The daughter of a Tennessee congressman accused by his wife of having an affair in a blistering message to his colleagues on Capitol Hill slammed her father as his divorce turns sour. Catherine Green, the daughter of Republican Mark Green, spoke out after her mother, Camilla, revealed his alleged affair to other congressmembers last week, accusing him of becoming 'intoxicated with power and adoration.' Camilla sparked a media storm after misidentifying his alleged mistress, later apologizing for the mistake. Now, his daughter is saying the actual affair began last fall, blaming Washington, DC power circles. 'Over the last year-and-a-half, two years, we've really noticed a difference in him,' she told Nashville Banner. Camilla Green, the wife of Tennessee Congressman Mark Green (pictured together), apologized after misidentifying her husband's alleged mistress in a blistering message to his Capitol Hill colleagues Green, the Homeland Security Committee chairman who is up for re-election in November, was slammed by his wife for 'pushing God out of his life' and having a tryst with a younger woman 'Who knows if thats just the toxic environment that is DC, but something has changed. We've all had to basically grieve the loss of the person that we thought was our father,' she continued. She described her father as 'self-centered' aloof, saying he became particularly disinterested with family life around Christmas. 'My dad sells himself in politics as being a Christian, conservative family man. His actions in the last, whatever, year have not been that,' she added. It comes after Green's wife Camilla apologized after misidentifying his alleged mistress in a blazing message sent to GOP member of Congress. Camilla Green pointed the finger at a 32-year-old reporter with the news outlet Axios, describing her as a 'predator' and saying 'Satan has rewritten our marriage in his mind.' She added that her husband drifted away from her as he spent time with colleagues 'having affairs and getting divorces, drinking, parties - all while hosting a weekly Bible study in the basement of our home.' After the message circulated widely throughout Washington, DC, Camilla apologized, saying in a statement to Politico: 'I want to correct the record, because I misidentified someone in that message. 'My husband has never had a relationship with a reporter from Axios, and I regret having said that.' Catherine followed up that her mother was 'very overwhelmed right now because she made a mistake about the job of this particular woman... She's had lawsuits threatened against her.' Green was accused by his wife of falling 'head over heels in love with' a 32-year-old woman, who was misidentified as a reporter with the online news outlet Axios Camilla, pictured with her three-term congressman husband, admitted she pointed the finger at the wrong woman in her message, saying she 'regrets having said that' When Camilla sent her message, she warned that her husband was 'living life greatly deceived.' Camilla alleged that Green was cheating on her with a 32-year-old woman who he 'fell head over heels in love with,' to the extent that 'he wanted to marry her and start a new family.' 'I have offered reconciliation, and he wants nothing of it and has insisted on a divorce,' she wrote. An attorney with Axios reportedly sent Camilla a cease-and-desist letter after the misidentification, saying it was taking 'this matter extremely seriously.' It was claimed that one reporter came under scrutiny from her colleagues because of her age and proximity to Green in her work, which the attorney said 'has not only caused this reporter considerable emotional distress, it has harmed her professional reputation.' Green, a leading conservative Republican who was in the running for Speaker of the House last year, was accused of 'having affairs and getting divorces, drinking, parties - all while hosting a weekly Bible study in the basement of our home' This led the woman involved in the alleged affair to come forward to Politico to clear the reporter's name, as she described her relationship with Green as on-again-off-again. She told the outlet: 'It is no secret that Mark is going through something personal, and I want to respect his privacy, but in the interest of making sure there is no collateral damage, I want to make sure people know that any rumors or claims of a relationship with a reporter are abjectly false.' In response to the allegations, Green did not directly deny that he had an affair, telling Politico that he was 'currently going through divorce proceedings' and 'will continue to serve [his] district with all Ive got.' Green was elected in 2019, rising to the position of Homeland Security Committee chairman. He previously announced plans to retire earlier this year but reversed course weeks later at the request of Donald Trump. He is currently up for re-election. He filed for divorce in August, saying in his statement that his divorce 'is a difficult time for my family and me' and asking for privacy. A second attempt by Democrats to pass legislation protecting access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other fertility treatments was blocked by Senate Republicans. The vote occurred as lawmakers put the fight over reproductive access front and center 49 days before the upcoming general election. Senate Democrats led by Chuck Schumer on Tuesday forced a repeat vote on the Right to IVF Act after Republicans blocked a first attempt to pass the legislation in June. A 60-vote threshold was needed to advance the bill, but it failed 51-44 with all Democrat-caucused senators voting for the legislation. Ahead of the vote, Republicans slammed the effort by Democrats to pass the bill that would protect and expand access to fertility treatment nationwide. Senate Democrats led by Chuck Schumer on Tuesday forced a repeat vote on the Right to IVF Act after Republicans blocked a first attempt to pass the legislation in June Former President Trump called on Alabama to find a solution following the ruling and said he supports the availability of IVF treatment. Democrats say the AL ruling is the direct result of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade with the addition of three justices he appointed 'Here we go again with more time-wasting show votes intended to prop up vulnerable Democrats ahead of an election,' said Senator GOP Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi in a statement ahead of the procedural vote. Smith, who chairs the Pro-Life Caucus, said she supports IVF but called the legislation flawed and blasted the vote claiming 'a better use of time might be to consider truly critical legislation like appropriations bills or the National Defense Authorization Act.' Democrats renewed their effort to pass the legislation as the issue has been a major focus on the campaign trail. They have long been calling for reinstating Roe v. Wade as well as protecting IVF. Trump just weeks ago announced he wants the government to pay for or ensure insurance covers all costs associated with IVF treatment, signaling Republicans are vulnerable on the issue. 'President Trump has said he wants to make it easier for mothers and fathers to have babies, including supporting IVF in every state,' his campaign stated. It's a more progressive line on IVF that has some Republican divided on it ahead of the election. Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Katie Britt, R-Ala., have their own version of a bill to provide IVF and fertility services, but the Democrats say it doesn't go far enough. Britt and Cruz attempted to move their own bill forward again claiming it was on only one that could protects IVF access 'while safeguarding religious liberty' but the bill was blocked again. Cruz accused Democrats of caring more about the election than protecting IVF. But after Republicans tanked the latest effort to pass Senate Democrats' legislation, Democrats seized on it, slamming their Republican colleagues. 'Despite Donald Trumps claims that he wants IVF to be covered, Senate Republicans just blocked my Right to IVF Act for the second timelegislation that would have done exactly that,' Senator Tammy Duckworth, who introduced the bill, wrote. The fight over IVF protections erupted earlier this year after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos are children. The decision sparked outrage across the country - from both Republicans and Democrats - and put thousands of families trying to have children through IVF in limbo. A month later, Alabama Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed a law protecting access to IVF following the outcry. In June, lawmakers held a similar vote just hours after the Supreme Court upheld access to the abortion pill mifepristone and rejected a lawsuit that would have impacted abortion access nationwide. Embryo selection for IVF shown under a light micrograph - the treatment is overwhelmingly popular with Americans It was the conservative court's first major decision on reproductive rights since it overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to an abortion nationwide in 2022. Mifepristone is used in more than half of abortions in the United States and has been used by more than 5.6 million women since its approval in 2000. The National Republican Senatorial Committee previously told DailyMail.com that none of their candidates support a ban on IVF. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has also said that he supports IVF treatment. But he along with 124 other House Republicans backed the Life Begins at Conception bill last year. It does not include a carveout for IVF treatment, though it does state nothing in the bill should be 'construed to authorize the prosecution of any woman for the death of her unborn child.' Donald Trump admitted that he lost the 2020 election in the days after the vote took place, a new documentary claims. 'Stopping the Steal' says the former president was watching Joe Biden on TV while in the White House when he said: 'Can you believe I lost to this f**king guy?' The claim in the documentary, by director Dan Reed, will likely cause fresh embarrassment for Trump, who became embroiled in an argument earlier this month for admitting he lost in 2020. Trump said in early September that Biden beat him 'by a whisker', sparking desertions from his MAGA supporters and a sharp U-turn from the former president. Stopping the Steal, which is out on Tuesday on HBO, (and releases for UK viewers as Trump's Heist: The President Who Wouldn't Lose on Channel 4 on Wednesday), describes the events leading up to the January 6 insurrection at a time when Trump's allies are trying to move on from it due to the election on November 5. Donald Trump during a speech very late on election night 2020 claimed to be the victim of election fraud. 'Frankly, we did win this election,' he claimed Stopping the Steal, which is out on Tuesday on HBO , describes the events leading up to the January 6 insurrection The film includes stinging criticism of Trump from his Attorney General Bill Barr who says the former president's conduct that day was 'despicable'. In a brutal put-down, Barr says that when he saw the fringe lawyers Trump turned to after losing the election, he thought they looked like a 'barroom scene from Star Wars'. Reed's previous films include Finding Neverland, the bombshell documentary about Michael Jackson, and The Truth vs Alex Jones about the defamation trials brought against the Infowars host that led to a $1.5 billion judgment against him. This time, Reed focuses on Trump's refusal to admit defeat in 2020 and the event which led to a mob of his supporters storming the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Among those interviewed in Stopping the Steal is Alyssa Farah Griffith, the Trump White House director of strategic communications. She says it was a 'very odd time' when a sitting president loses an election but did not concede and called the result a fraud. In the documentary, she says: 'My office is just right around the corner from the Oval Office. 'I remember popping my head in and he's (Trump) watching Fox News and Joe Biden's on and he says: "Can you believe I lost to this effing guy?" Alyssa Farah Griffith, the Trump White House director of strategic communications, claimed Trump told her 'Can you believe I lost to this effing guy?' Farah Griffith did not give an exact date for when Trump said this, but in the timeline of the film it appears to have been within a few days of the vote Farah Griffith did not give an exact date for when Trump said this, but in the timeline of the film it appears to have been within a few days of the vote. Trump repeatedly denied he lost in 2020 but earlier this month told podcaster Lex Fridman that Biden 'beat us by a whisker', adding that it was a 'terrible thing'. The documentary debuts on HBO Max on Tuesday His comments sparked fury among hardcore Trump supporters including white nationalist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes. Fuentes ranted on his podcast: 'So, why did we do Stop the Steal? Why did anyone go to January 6? Why did any one go to jail?' He said Trump should have made his admission publicly 'before 1,600 people got charged' with crimes related to the insurrection. Fuentes accused Trump of a 'tremendous betrayal' and a 'callous indifference to the sacrifices that his supporters made on his behalf'. Following the uproar, Trump claimed his comments were meant 'sarcastically' and that he didn't lose. Stopping the Steal includes vivid descriptions of election night in 2020 from people like Stephanie Grisham, the Trump White House communications director. She says that by 2am when Fox News called Arizona for Biden and it looked like he was going to win, the White House was a mess. Trump repeatedly denied he lost in 2020 but earlier this month told podcaster Lex Fridman that Biden 'beat us by a whisker' The documentary focuses on Trump's refusal to admit defeat in 2020 and the event which led to a mob of his supporters storming the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 Grisham says: 'The president was standing in the middle of this crowd of people and it was just chaos 'Everyone's yelling, Trump's waving a piece of paper in his hand, he's very angry. When he's pissed you don't want to even get in his line of vision. 'All of a sudden it was like a light switch, everybody started heading downstairs for him to speak'. Trump claimed in his speech he had been the victim of fraud, and said: 'Frankly, we did win this election'. Grisham says: 'When he started down that road of "frankly we won" I was devastated. 'I was so disappointed in my president. I thought how could you do this to the country and leave everyone hanging like this. I started to cry, I was pissed.' Stopping the Steal includes vivid descriptions of election night in 2020 from people including Stephanie Grisham, the Trump White House communications director Grisham said she was devastated when Trump declared on election night that he was the victim of fraud Barr describes Trump's comments as 'very dangerous', one of many blunt comments about his former boss. In the weeks following the election Barr investigated dozens of Trump's increasingly outlandish claims of fraud but couldn't find any evidence to back them up. Barr told Trump it was 'bulls**t' but Trump ignored him and turned to people like Sidney Powell and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, who both indulged in baseless conspiracy theories about communist plots from Venezuela. During a notorious meeting at the White House in December 2020, Powell, Trump and others discussed using the military to seize voting machines. Looking around at the people Trump was associating with, Barr tells the documentary they were so outlandish that they looked like a 'barroom scene from Star Wars'. Barr also describes Trump's fury after he put out a statement saying that he couldn't find any evidence of election fraud. 'I went down to the Oval Office, the president was as mad as I've ever seen him,' he says. The film includes stinging criticism of Trump from his Attorney General Bill Barr who says the former president's conduct that day was 'despicable' Barr describes Trump's comments as 'very dangerous', one of many blunt comments about his former boss 'He was flushed, he was breathing heavily. He said why did you say this? 'I said because it's the truth. He said: "You pulled the rug out from under me, this is killing me. You must hate Trump". '(I said) I don't hate you Mr President... you wheeled out this clown car, you wasted five or six weeks on this bulls**t theory. People just shoveling this s**t out to the American people'. With a laugh, Barr, who quit soon after the meeting, adds that Trump was 'very resentful'. Turning to January 6 itself, Barr says he is 'completely outraged' by the fact Trump watched events unfold on TV for two hours but did nothing. 'I felt he did precipitate the whole affair, that was outrageous,' Barr says. According to Barr, Trump's pressure campaign on his Vice President, Mike Pence, to stop the certification of the vote in Congress was 'despicable'. 'The president's behavior was a betrayal of his supporters. What he did was irresponsible and shameful,' he says. Among the others to criticize Trump is Rusty Bowers, the former speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives. Among the others to criticize Trump is Rusty Bowers, the former speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives Bowers gave evidence to the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the US Capitol alongside Georgia officials Brad Raffensperger and Gabe Sterling He recalled being called by Trump and Giuliani, who was working as Trump's personal lawyer at the time, who asked to reject the vote that showed Biden winning the state narrowly. When Bowers asked Giuliani for proof he said he would get it to him - but it never came. Recounting the conversation, Bowers says: 'The dude (Rudy) is straight up asking me to throw the election'. Bowers refused and was subjected to an onslaught of abuse and threats from Trump supporters, who turned up at his home and called him a pedophile. Ten years on from the historic independence referendum, Scotland is in a sorry state of disrepair and disunity. Since 2014, the endless debate about so-called independence - or breaking up the United Kingdom to be exact - has sapped the nations soul and inflicted wounds that will take many years to heal. A wasted decade of political purgatory has cost our country dear and left our economy and public services in a desperate mess. This only happened because SNP politicians - starting with Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney - arrogantly refused to accept the decisive outcome of Scotlands biggest ever democratic exercise. In 2014, I was a journalist who kept my political views to myself. But the damage being inflicted on our country by nationalist politicians was a major motivation in my decision to become a Scottish Conservative MSP. The No voters won on the day but the SNP has never accepted the result In the immediate aftermath of the referendum, and without pause ever since, narcissistic nationalists have refused to take No for an answer and instead squander the Scottish Parliaments precious time and far-reaching powers in pursuit of their endless obsession of breaking up Britain. In autumn 2015, they held a worthless Holyrood debate on Scotlands Future and two years later there was more posturing with one about Scotlands Choice. On and on they continued, barely stopping for breath, with similar pointless pontificating in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 and this year too. Throughout this time, virtually every utterance from Sturgeon and other senior nationalists contained no regard or respect for the express view of the majority of Scots who understand and value the clear benefits of the Union. At First Ministers Questions, Sturgeon, Yousaf and now Swinney kept banging the same broken drum. If only the Edinburgh parliament had absolute control of the economy, taxation, security, defence and other reserved matters, they would have us believe that Scotland would become a tartan Nirvana. Their fantasy being untroubled by hard facts. Where did all that get us? Nowhere. In that time, the SNP advanced their case not one inch. No solutions were found or even, in truth, sought. The economic case for separation is even more fatally flawed than it was a decade ago. Meanwhile, Scotland remained trapped in a doom loop, with the SNP presenting independence as the only solution to every ill and issue of the day. All that time was wasted, which should have been spent reforming our NHS so that getting a GP appointment is not an ordeal, rebuilding our education system so that aspiration is encouraged, and fixing a broken property market that gives too few young people the opportunity to own their own home. None of that was attempted by SNP leaders who have failed our country with their non-stop nagging. Just imagine the difference to the renewable energy sector if the Scottish government chose to focus on its development, rather than on taxpayer-funded policy documents about independence. Or think how our islanders could be served by a modern and efficient ferry fleet if only the SNP had prioritised delivery instead of droning on about another referendum. How many more lives would have been saved if SNP First Ministers made tackling the drugs crisis a genuine public health emergency, and not as an aside to their real interest of constitutional blather. After a decade, it is clear that increasing numbers of folk across Scotland are sick fed up with it. Even many ardent nationalists now accept that independence is finished for the foreseeable future. The public wants change, but they have resoundingly rejected independence as the vehicle for that change. Theres a deep desire to build a new Scotland rooted firmly within the UK. So we now have the opportunity to have a frank discussion about what should be done differently in our country. Not framed around pie-in-the-sky proposals that cannot be delivered, but based on the practical realities of where the economy stands, the systemic failings in public services, and the everyday difficulties facing hard-working Scots. Under my leadership, the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party would seek to lead that debate. I will not be a bystander, meekly observing the left-wing consensus at Holyrood, which regularly puts fringe issues at the top of the agenda. We need to put forward our own positive and compelling Conservative vision of a new Scotland where aspiration, opportunity and ambition are encouraged and rewarded. With just 19 months before the next Holyrood election, the hard work to build our own case must begin now. We cannot afford to waste time turning inwards. We need to resolve to do what the Nationalists could not these past ten years - provide real solutions that deliver tangible benefits in the interests, hopes and needs of people the length and breadth of Scotland. Lets learn from the SNPs monumental mistakes by committing to working diligently on the bread-and-butter issues that people really care about. A Costco-bound truck filled with more than half of a million frozen shrimp was stolen in Middlesex, New Jersey, on September 5. The crustacean cargo was worth about $300,000, according to NBC, but the shrimp wasn't the only thing the truck driver lost during the heist. The driver, who did not want to be identified because the thieves have not been caught, told NBC: 'It's only me and my truck, now I don't have a job for a week. I've tried to make applications, I need to keep waiting.' Surveillance footage showed the thieves driving the truck, meant to reach its destination at a Costco in Monroe, out of an industrial parking lot on the morning of September 5. The thieves also pried open four other trailers in the same lot, Middlesex police told NBC. Unidentified thieves stole a truck full of over half of a million frozen shrimp on September 5 The shrimp-filled truck was supposed to be delivered to a Costco in Monroe, New Jersey The truck driver said this robbery has left him without a job. Pictured: The area where the truck driver's shrimp haul was stolen Frozen fish can only last one or two days outside of a freezer - meaning the unidentified thieves could have 25,000 pounds of spoiled shrimp to deal with. It is unknown if the thieves knew what was inside the truck or if the theft was unplanned. Detective Sergeant Sean Flanagan of the Middlesex Police Department told NBC: 'It's definitely unusual, we haven't had something like this before here in Middlesex borough.' A similar incident occurred in Philadelphia on September 4. The truck had over $300,000 worth of shrimp inside when it was stolen It is unknown if the culprits knew what was inside the truck when they stole it or what they did with all the shrimp Six men stole boxes of frozen crab meat from a South Philadelphia truck, according to Truckers News. The truck driver was asleep in the front seat while the goods, worth $42,000, were being stolen. A study done by the supply chain risk management company Overhaul, incidents of cargo theft increased by nearly 50 percent in the first half of 2024 from the same period in 2023. New video surveillance footage showed the moments after a social media model crashed her car into two other vehicles in downtown Miami, allegedly killing two people. In the haunting footage, social media influencer, Maecee Marie Lathers, 24, who claimed to be on party drugs at the time, walked away from the scene with her hoodie up covering her face as a group of concerned witnesses ran toward the scene in an attempt to help. She stopped and turned around, joining a group of people as they headed in the direction of the accident. She was then arrested back at the scene of the crash. The video also showed Lathers speeding down the road in her white Mercedes. Video footage captured Lathers stumbling away from the scene after she caused a crash while driving high that killed two people Lathers is facing 15 felony charges including vehicular homicide, reckless driving and DUI manslaughter for the August 10 crash Despite walking away, bystanders later confronted the model for allegedly fleeing the scene, according to NBC Miami. Previously released police bodycam footage showed a topless Lathers face down on the ground while screaming as first responders arrived. Officers urged Lathers to stay a certain way on the ground because she was vomiting at the scene before she was put in an ambulance. Arrest records said that she was traveling at approximately 57mph five seconds before the crash with the accelerator at 100 percent. The car increased speed to 78mph at the moment it crashed into the other vehicle, NBC added. Lathers stopped and fell to the ground after trying to flee the scene She then about-turned, walking back towards the crash behind some joggers Lathers had previously been granted house arrest after posting bond, but was sent back to jail on September 10 Police body camera footage shows Instagram model Maecee Marie Lathers screaming as she rolling around on the ground after she allegedly caused a deadly car crash while high Lathers told police she was on 'tuci' - a new designer drug that comes in a pink powder form that contains a mix of psychoactive substances. The party drug is also labeled as 'pink cocaine' and is usually made of ketamine and other substances. Lathers is now facing 10 charges that include vehicular homicide, reckless driving and driving with a suspended license and causing injury. A Miami judge, Teresa Mary Pooler, handed down an uncompromising order of no bond to the Instagram model and ruled on Monday that the influencer would stay in jail. Footage from WPLG Local 10 showed Lathers visibly distraught with her head in her hands once she heard her fate inside the court room. Footage from WPLG Local 10 inside the court room showed Lathers visibly distraught with her head in her hands once she heard the order of no bond from Miami-Dade Judge Teresa Mary Pooler Maecee Marie Lathers, 24, made the irrational decision to drive while under the influence of a party drug known as 'tuci' - a new designer drug that comes in a pink powder form that contains a mix of psychoactive substances This came after Lathers' defense attorney, Martez Gordon, asked the court that she be released on house arrest. Gordon argued that the defense felt the state did not present new evidence at Monday's hearing, NBC added. She had previously been granted house arrest after posting bond but was sent back to jail on September 10. Although the defense pushed for house arrest, Judge Pooler seemed to believe that Lathers was not only a danger to others, but a danger to aborting her in-home arrest if given to her. 'I think she's extremely dangerous,' said Pooler. 'As much as I respect house arrest, if someone wants to go they can go. It's a simple matter of cutting that bracelet off and leaving.' Police said Lathers was driving with a suspended license when she sped through a stoplight at nearly 80 mph The Instagram influencer had a license that had been suspended since January and was never supposed to be behind the wheel to begin with. Juana Hernandez's life partner was Abraham Molina. Although she was in the crash, she miraculously survived. 'The judge did the right thing,' said Hernandez in court on Monday. Hernandez organized a GoFundMe to support Molina's family. So far, $17,229 has been raised in the fundraiser that has a $20,000 goal. Hernandez wrote that the money would go to Molina's 16-year-old son and his mother in Nicaragua who suffers from Parkinson's disease. A missing army veteran was airlifted to safety yesterday after using his skills to survive several days in the wilderness. Paul Conway got lost on his 30-mile trek from Glenfinnan viaduct to Inverie on the Knoydart peninsula in Lochaber after setting off last Tuesday. The 67-year-old, who survived outside in heavy rain and strong winds, lost mobile signal but managed to make it to the southern shores of Loch Morar in the remote Highland area to call for help yesterday afternoon. A major land and air search operation, involving police, coastguard and mountain rescue teams, was launched on Friday when the grandfather failed to arrive in Inverie as planned. Paul Conway, 67, went missing while walking in a remote corner of the Highlands but used his military skills to survive in the Scottish wilderness Inverie (above) is Britain's most remote mainland community population 111, no roads in or out, accessible either by a 40km (24-mile) hike over wild mountainous terrain or a six-mile journey by ferry from Mallaig The nearest village to Inverie is Glenfinnan, a two-day walk away In a heartfelt message just hours before he was found, his son Chris Conway feared the worst and said dead or alive I need him found. But last night Mr Conway Jnr said his father, who served with the British Armys 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment for 11 years, was in good health and good spirits. And he thanked everyone who helped find the pensioner and bring him to safety. Iain Murray, leader of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, hailed it a brilliant result for him and for all the many people who looked for him. He said: It is also a tribute to Pauls survival skills for he had faced some challenging weather to say the least - as did the people who searched for him. Met Office spokesman Dan Stroud said an active weather front was moving across Scotland on Saturday so he would have had to deal with a lot of rain and strong gusty winds. He said Sunday was better, with sunny spells, but there would still have been some blustery and frequent showers for him to contend with. Given the amount of time spent outdoors Mr Conway, who also served with Northumbria Police for 30 years, was taken to hospital as a precaution but was otherwise uninjured. The good news came after his son Chris posted on social media earlier that the grandfather had failed to sign in to the second bothy on his trek from Glenfinnan viaduct to Inverie on the Knyodart peninsula. He was expected to arrive at the remote village on Friday afternoon where he intended to stop off for a free pint at the village pub - the remotest one in the UK. He travelled by train from Newcastle and contacted family when he arrived at Glenfinnan around 6.40pm last Tuesday. But they raised the alarm when he failed to inform them he had arrived in Inverie three days later. Missing walker Paul Conway had fancied a drink at the remote Old Forge Pub in the village of Inverie (pictured) Mr Conway got lost on his 30-mile trek from Glenfinnan viaduct to Inverie, on the Knoydart peninsula The village, which sits on the northern edge of Loch Nevis, is not connected to any roads and is only accessible by boat from nearby Mallaig. In an earlier appeal, his son said: The dafty is 67 but still thinks he is 21 and can do anything. Which he cant. He went on to explain that Mr Conway signed the book of the first of three bothies on his route. But he failed to sign into the next two. The son added he believed his dad may have lost his route, has injured himself or has succumbed to something, adding: Dead or alive I need him found. Its been a torturous few days. Mr Conway was equipped for the trip having set off wearing a waterproof jacket and walking boots. He also had his supplies in a dark Bergen-style bag and his walking poles. Inspector Ross McCartney of Fort William Police Station said he was delighted that the walker had reunited safe and well with his family. He added: This was a challenging and protracted search involving a number of partner agencies and specialist police resources. These included Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, the RAF Mountain Rescue Team, Search and Rescue Dog Association, HM Coastguard and the Police Scotland Mountain Rescue Team. We are grateful to everyone involved in the search for their efforts in bringing about this positive outcome. J.D. Vance said it would be a 'national scandal' if the whistleblower claim is true that ABC News gave Vice President Kamala Harris a leg up in her debate against Donald Trump earlier this month. The Ohio senator told DailyMail.com, however, that he will still participate in his upcoming debate with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz hosted by CBS - even if he thinks it won't be a fair showdown. An affidavit citing a whistleblower claims that the hosting network provided questions to Harris ahead of the debate on September 10 and agreed to a series of preconditions. 'If it happened, it's disgraceful,' Vance said when speaking under the wing of Trump Force Two in Michigan on Tuesday. 'It should be a national scandal.' Ohio Sen. Tim Walz told DailyMail.com that he will still participate in his debate with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz next month even if he thinks it won't be a fair showdown Vance is set for a face-off with Harris' running mate on October 1 in a debate hosted by CBS News in New York City. But even if the network cheats and leaks information to Gov. Walz, Vance is committed to the debate. 'You know, on my own debate, the attitude that I take and I know President Trump takes is we should go anywhere, we should talk to everybody,' Vance told DailyMail.com. 'And if that means that there's going to be a slightly biased debate, I don't care,' he added. 'That's the price of doing business.' 'And if that means that there's going to be a slightly biased debate, I don't care,' he added Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance speaks during a campaign stop at Apple Valley Events in Sparta, Michigan, on Tuesday Vance was in Sparta, Michigan on Tuesday for a rally at a barn where he aired the campaign's grievances about the ongoing Democratic rhetoric leading to another assassination attempt on Trump over the weekend. He told reporters on the tarmac in Sparta that the main issue with Democrats is that they keep calling Trump a 'threat to democracy.' White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre did so again on Tuesday. Democrats 'haven't learned a damn thing' he said at his rally with a few hundred MAGA supporters in the key swing state. 'I think it's time to say to the Democrats cut it out or you're going to get somebody killed,' the Republican vice presidential candidate said in his remarks. Vance will debate Walz in their one and only showdown on October 1. It will be moderated by CBS Evening News anchor Norah O'Donnell and Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan. The ABC News whistleblower document in question is allegedly a sworn statement penned by a staffer at the network. It was first published Sunday by an X account with the name 'Black Insurrectionist.' The unverified document, said to be a sworn affidavit signed by a notary public on September 9, has sparked controversy as it has spread online Pictured are some of the purported agreements reached by the two parties The document, said to be a sworn affidavit signed by a notary public the day before the debate, says the network gave Harris questions ahead of time while agreeing to a series of other preconditions to give the vice president an advantage over Trump. Prohibited at the debate were inquiries about Harris' stint as California Attorney General, as well as any questions involving her brother-in-law, Tony West, according to claims made in the document. It includes several other stipulations, as well as redactions protecting the whistleblower's identity. 'ABC News followed the debate rules that both campaigns agreed on... No topics or questions will be shared in advance with campaigns or candidates,' the network said in a statement where it did not address the specific claims. The whistleblower said in the affidavit: 'I have worked for ABC news for over 10 years in various technical and administrative positions. The alleged staffer, who says they do not support Donald Trump, claims they 'observed significant transformations in the nature of news reporting at the organization' within that span, as well as a 'shift from unbiased reporting to a model influenced by external factors.' They state the intent of the affidavit is solely to 'address concerns regarding perceived biases within news reporting within my employer's debate.' The daughter of a retired academic who died in a fire started by the pensioner's mentally ill teenage grandson today accused the authorities of repeatedly missing opportunities to prevent the tragedy. Karin Ronen complained her mother Vera Croghan, 89, had been denied justice after a coroner failed to highlight failings that led to her 'horrific death'. Mrs Croghan was said to be petrified of Chanatorn Croghan, known as Marco, who started the blaze in a cupboard shortly after police decided he presented no danger to her and refused to detain him. The 19-year-old's father, Richard Croghan, feared for his mental health and asked for an intervention team to see him but was told an appointment would not be possible for several days. Hours before Marco started the fire, Mr Croghan called 999 over what he believed was a psychotic episode which he thought would lead to his son killing him. Vera Croghan, 89, (pictured) suffered burns in the blaze and died from smoke inhalation Mrs Croghan was a former lecturer in Swedish and Scandinavian studies at the University of East Anglia Mrs Croghan was said to be petrified of Chanatorn Croghan (pictured) known as Marco Karin Ronen (pictured) complained her mother had been denied justice after a coroner failed to highlight failings that led to her 'horrific death' Three officers arrived and found the teenager under his duvet and speaking in a 'monosyllabic' way but took no further action. They advised Mr Croghan to barricade himself in his room at the 750,000 detached Edwardian house in Norwich, Norfolk, but he fled to his partner's house nearby and Marco started the fire in his absence. Mrs Croghan, a former lecturer in Swedish and Scandinavian studies at the University of East Anglia, suffered burns in the blaze and died from smoke inhalation. Marco was later diagnosed with schizophrenia and was given an indefinite hospital order in October 2022 after admitting manslaughter by diminished responsibility. Norfolk area coroner Yvonne Blake today recorded a conclusion that Mrs Croghan was unlawfully killed but declined a request by the family to highlight failings by the authorities, saying there was no evidence the teenager had posed a threat to his grandmother or father. Ms Ronen, a nurse who lives in Norwich, said afterwards: 'We believe there were multiple opportunities across the adult safeguarding team, mental health services and the police to identify risk, all of which were either ignored, dismissed or dealt with in isolation. 'Mum's case is an example of a systemic failure to reflect and learn from mistakes made. We are deeply disappointed that the coroner has not highlighted this within the conclusion.' Marco grew up in Thailand, where his mother came from, and had a history of mental health issues. Ms Ronen, a nurse who lives in Norwich, said the case showed 'systematic failures' Mrs Croghan, a mother-of-four and grandmother-of-ten, was found dead on her bedroom floor Norfolk area coroner Yvonne Blake today recorded a conclusion that Mrs Croghan was unlawfully killed. (A general view of Norfolk Coroner's Court) He moved to the UK aged 16 after his mother complained he was 'aggressive and unmanageable' and was sent to a boarding school in Norfolk before becoming an undergraduate at the University of Manchester. His father, who worked in the oil exploration industry, had moved in with Mrs Croghan to look after her and arranged for him to stay with them during the school holidays. Marco punched his father at the house in May 2020 and forced his way into a neighbour's house because he believed noises were coming from the property, the inquest in Norwich heard. He was sectioned as a result and detained for two weeks at Southern Hill mental health clinic in Norwich. Staff discharged him after deciding he was 'relaxed and stable' and presented a 'low risk' of being violent. Mr Croghan became increasingly concerned about his son as he repeatedly changed his university course and then suddenly turned up in Norwich on December 9, 2020. Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust's early intervention team were unable to provide an emergency appointment, and Mr Croghan told the hearing his son had a 'serious relapse' the following day when he started demanding his father's phone. 'He appeared blank, expressionless. It was like talking to a cat,' he said. 'He didn't understand or ignored everything. It was about 10pm or 11pm. I called the police just before midnight.' Police outside the home of Swedish academic and retired university Lecturer Vera Croghan after she died in a fire Richard Croghan said, in a victim impact statement, that her death had caused 'seismic ripples that have ripped our family apart' When the police officers arrived, Mr Croghan asked for them to detain his son but they 'could not do anything as no crime had been committed'. He was advised to barricade himself in his room if he thought his safety was threatened but he instead went to his partner's house. He switched off his phone, meaning he didn't hear alerts from his mother's alarm pendant when it went off in the early hours of December 11. Firefighters were called to the house after a passerby saw smoke at 6.30am and Mrs Croghan, a mother-of-four and grandmother-of-ten, was found dead on her bedroom floor. Marco had left the property and was sectioned when he returned later that day. Concluding the inquest, Ms Blake said: 'If Mr Croghan had stayed at the house, he would have heard the fire alarm go off and things might have been different. 'But he obviously didn't think his mother was in any danger and I believe him.' Leanne Devine, a partner at law firm Leigh Day, said afterwards: 'It has become apparent through the evidence presented at this inquest that there was a clear lack of multi-agency co-ordination to protect and elderly and vulnerable member of the community.' Ms Ronen, who said her mother once arrived at her house with a suitcase because she feared what Marco might do, added her nephew remained a 'very dangerous person' who was 'not safe to be free'. Mrs Croghan's son Mike said in a victim impact statement at the criminal case at Norwich Crown Court that her death had caused 'seismic ripples that have ripped our family apart'. He added: 'Chanatorn stole our mother from us and for that I will never forgive him.' Hillary Clinton described Melania Trump as looking like a 'little kid' when she met up with the former first lady at Rosalynn Carter's memorial service. Trump, Clinton, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, and First Lady Jill Biden put aside their differences in November 2023 to remember Rosalynn, a member of their exclusive club of presidential spouses. 'Melania had a look on her face very smiley but uncertain that reminded me of the little kid at the birthday party who doesn't know anyone and is waiting at the edge of the circle, hoping people are going to be nice,' Clinton wrote of the encounter in her book 'Something Lost, Something Gained.' Melania Trump leads Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton into Rosalynn Carter's memorial service in November 2023 She revealed she hadn't known Trump was going to join the other former first ladies in honoring Rosalynn. 'If anybody at the White House or on Bill's or my Secret Service detail had been briefed on Mrs. Trump's plan to attend, they didn't tell me,' Clinton noted. She described how she walked into the waiting area and saw Melania Trump chatting with Laura Bush. She said all the politicians there were all 'nice' to Trump, whose husband had been critical of all of them. 'We all went up to her,' Clinton said of the group of former first ladies. President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton also attended the service and joined the conversation. Former presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama were invited but did not attend. 'Jill air-kissed her cheek, and Michelle Obama gave her one of her signature big hugs,' Clinton wrote. She added that Bill Clinton 'tried to make conversation, asking her how she was, but he was met with a smile and few words. I reached out, shook her hand, and said, 'Hello, Melania, it's nice to see you.'' 'I can appreciate how awkward it must have been, not knowing what kind of reception she would get after all her husband's insults directed at us Bushes, Bidens, Obamas, and Clintons alike,' Clinton added. Clinton has been on a book tour to promote her new tome, which came out on Tuesday. The first ladies seated in the front row at Rosalynn Carter's service, Melania Trump is seated next to Michelle Obama and in front of Kamala Harris Your browser does not support iframes. In November 2023, Melania Trump made the surprise decision to join the ceremony. During the funeral service, Rosalynn Carter's grandson Jason noted it was important to his grandmother that the former first ladies show their unity in the troubled political times. 'Thank you all for coming and acknowledging this remarkable sisterhood you share with my grandmother,' he said. 'And thank you all for your leadership you provided for our country and the world.' Drawing laughter from the audience he added: 'Secretary Clinton and Dr Biden, we also welcome your lovely husbands.' It's traditional for all living first ladies to attend the memorial service for a predecessor. Melania Trump attended Barbara Bush's funeral service in April 2018 along with her predecessors in the White House. The memorial service was a rare public appearance from Melania Trump, whose husband Donald Trump had been highly critical of Jimmy Carter's time in office. At the time, Donald Trump had announced he was seeking another term in the White House. She stood out from her counterparts. Trump opted to wear a distinctive gray tweed coat, which she teamed with black shoes and leather gloves, while the others donned muted all-black ensembles. She sat next to Michelle Obama at the service. And she sat directly in front of Vice President Kamala Harris. Kimberly Guilfoyle is flaunting her glitz and glam side as rumors of fiance Donald Trump Jr's cozy rendezvous with a Palm Beach socialite continue to swirl. The former Fox News host, 55, was seen all dolled up in a sexy purple dress in photos shared on her Instagram story just two days after DailyMail.com's story showed Don Jr enjoying an intimate lunch with 18-years-younger Bettina Anderson last month. Guilfoyle, who has been dating the former president's son since 2018, is yet to comment publicly on the pair's curious lunch date, but shrugged off the rumors in an apparent subtle dig at her beau. The former San Francisco prosecutor took to social media to repost a series of glam shots posted originally by friends Cameron Patrick Neth, a jeweler, and fashion designer Oscar Lopez. Kimberly Guilfoyle was seen all dolled up in a sexy purple dress in photos shared on her Instagram story just two days after DailyMail.com's story In one video, she is seen seductively blowing a kiss at the camera and showing off her exposed back in the flashy purple gown In one video, she is seen seductively blowing a kiss at the camera and showing off her exposed back in the flashy purple gown. In another clip she can be seen posing in another, elaborate, embellished yellow dress and twirling around with its attached cape. Lopez, the winner Project Runway in 2013 who has previously dressed fellow Trump wife, Lara Trump, showed his support for Guilfoyle in the caption, writing: 'Sexy 4 Ever....#bossbabe #strong #unique #wife #mom.' Later on Tuesday, she continued with her regular campaign posts, sharing photos of her and Don Jr.'s recent appearance in Kentucky over the weekend, but remains tight lipped on his rumored dalliance. Earlier, DailyMail.com reported that Bettina Anderson was seen in new video schmoozing with the former president's son, his ex-wife and their daughter - with Kimberly nowhere in sight. Sources close to the couple insist Kimberly was invited but had a speaking engagement. 'Don and Kimberly are very happy and very much together, totally focused on helping elect President Trump,' the source said. Friends told DailyMail.com on Monday that Kimberly had been 'blindsided' by the photos of her beau with another woman, but admitted that she had turned a blind eye to rumors and whispers about her fiance's alleged wandering eye. In another clip she can be seen posing in another, elaborate, embellished yellow dress and twirling around with its attached cape The former San Francisco prosecutor took to social media to repost a series of glam shots posted originally by friends Cameron Patrick Neth, a jeweler (right) The insider said: 'Kimberly either didn't know about Bettina or didn't want to know. Did she hear whispers that Don Jr. was fooling around with someone else? Probably. 'She's no fool but it's easy to deceive yourself when you're so committed to someone and believe he's committed to you.' Sources told DailyMail.com that Don Jr's dalliance with Anderson is an open secret in the ritzy Florida town and they have been spotted enjoying each other's company frequently. That includes the lunch where DailyMail.com's photos were taken with the pair seen kissing several times during the meal at The Honor Bar which sits inside the upscale Royal Poinciana Plaza shopping center. The source added: 'Don Jr. is not one to account for what he does not to Kimberly or anyone except maybe his father. A photo obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com shows Don Jr. having brunch with Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson, 37, in mid August with fiancee Kimberly Guilfoyle nowhere in sight 'He's pretty bold and, as smart as she is, Kimberly looked the other way.' Despite Don Jr.'s apparent openness about his association with Anderson, the insider says this doesn't necessarily spell the end of his engagement to Guilfoyle. The friend told DailyMail.com: 'What happens now is anyone's guess. Will she stick? Will he dump her? 'She has been so entrenched in the campaign it would look bad to humiliate her. But you could see the writing on the wall at the convention. 'Sure, she was given a platform but the vibrations in the former president's box were not good ones between her and Don. She seemed odd woman out.' The couple first got together in 2018, three months after Don Jr's ex-wife Vanessa filed to divorce the dad-of-five. At 55, the San Francisco-born former prosecutor is nine years older than Don Jr, 46, had has previously been married twice. Guilfoyle was seen at her fiance's side on Saturday just hours before DailyMail.com exclusively published the pictures of Don Jr. lunching with Bettina Anderson The intimate outing came just a few months after Don Jr. gushed over fiancee Kimberly Guilfoyle in an Instagram post celebrating their six-year anniversary as a couple in May Her first marriage to Newsom collapsed in 2005 after he cheated on her with Ruby Rippey-Tourk, the wife of his then-campaign manager and former deputy chief of staff, Alex Tourk. Three months after her divorce from Newsom was finalized in February 2006, Guilfoyle married again this time to furniture heir Eric Villency. Their son Ronan was born in October that same year but the marriage was to prove short-lived with the couple divorcing in November 2009. Since becoming an item with Don Jr, Guilfoyle has become an increasingly high-profile member of the Trump campaign with the mom-of-one frequently delivering speeches at his rallies and appearances. Until now, the pair had appeared loved up with Don Jr gushing over their six-year anniversary in an Instagram post four months ago. He wrote: 'Happy 6 year anniversary @kimberlyguilfoyle thanks for always being there no matter what the haters are throwing our way. I love you.' Guilfoyle responded: 'You are my best friend and my soulmate. Here's to us and out incredibly blessed life we share together. Looking forward to creating new memories and enjoying more adventures together.' Vice President Kamala Harris reacted Tuesday to the news that public schools had closed in Springfield, Ohio, in reaction to over 30 bomb threats called in to local officials. Harris was asked about the growing controversy in Springfield as she attended a question and answer forum held by the National Association of Black Journalists in Philadelphia. 'It's a crying shame. I mean my heart breaks for this community,' she said, recalling that the schools were closed on 'school photo day.' Harris recalled being a child in school on 'picture day' expressing further sadness that the event was disrupted. 'You remember what that's like?' Harris asked, demonstrating what it was like to get dressed up for a special occasion by swaying her shoulders back and forth. 'Going to school on picture day? Dressed up in their best, got all ready, knew what they were going to wear the night before?' Vice President Kamala Harris denounces Donald Trump's comment about migrants eating pets during an event with the National Association of Black Journalists The controversy in Springfield was sparked after former President Donald Trump claimed during the presidential debate last week that some migrants were 'eating the dogs,' 'cats,' and 'pets' in the community. Trump was accused of making 'baseless' accusations after the claims when viral on social media, even as his supporters portrayed him as a champion of protecting their pets by sharing cat memes generated by AI. Harris blamed Trump for the bomb threats, even though Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine described them as not credible and came mostly from overseas. 'They had to be evacuated. Children. Children,' she lamented. 'A whole community put in fear.' DeWine ordered additional state troopers to the schools to help protect public schools in the community. 'We know that people are very, very concerned,' DeWine said. 'But weve moved resources into Springfield. People have the right to feel safe as well as being safe.' Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) speaks at a press conference at Springfield City Hall Alimemby Estimable, 19, talks about being Haitian in Springfield, Ohio, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. Harris stressed the need for public officials like Trump and his running mate JD Vance to understand the power of their words and the impact it would have on communities. 'When you are bestowed with a microphone that big, there is a profound responsibility that comes with that,' she said referring to the 'public trust' of a president to be responsible for how they speak. She criticized Trump for using 'age old' tropes to describe immigrants to 'divide' the United States. 'This is not new,' she said. 'This is not new in terms of these tropes.' Harris said she believed that Americans were seeing through Trump's divisive attempts that they were no longer willing to tolerate. 'Let's turn the page and chart a new way forward and say you can't have that microphone again,' she said. The Attorney General is facing calls to review Huw Edwards' sentence after the disgraced BBC presenter was spared jail time. Shadow security minister Tom Tugendhat has written to the Government's top legal advisor to raise concerns about the television anchor escaping a prison sentence, the Mail can reveal. Edwards walked free from court on Monday with a suspended prison sentence after he admitted accessing indecent images of children as young as seven. The punishment has prompted questions over whether it was appropriate for his crimes and whether he should be behind bars. Yesterday, Mr Tugendhat wrote to Lord Richard Hermer KC to ask him to formally review the decision under the Unduly Lenient Sentences scheme. Huw Edwards leaving Westminster Magistrates' Court with his legal team following his sentencing on Monday Attorney General Lord Richard Hermer is being urged to review the decision under the Unduly Lenient Sentences scheme A mugshot released of the presenter showed him staring at the camera - dead eyed and gaunt - with silver stubble across his face Shadow security minister Tom Tugendhat has written to the Government's top legal advisor - Lord Richard Hermer He said the decision appeared to be 'inconsistent' with the guidelines for Edwards' offence, which usually carries custodial time. 'It is crucial that sentences serve as a deterrent and reflect the serious nature of these crimes,' he said. 'As a national household name, the country have been shocked by the criminal activities of Mr Edwards. I am sure that they will be looking to the Government to lead by example and ensure that heinous crimes are punished swiftly and appropriately,' he added. 'I urge you to formally review this case under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. A reassessment would not only address public concern but also reinforce our commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and upholding justice.' The Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme allows anyone to ask for sentences to be reviewed by the Attorney General's Office if they think the sentence is not tough enough. The review is usually conducted by the Attorney General and if they consider the sentence unduly lenient, they can ask the Court of Appeal to review it. The development came as BBC boss Tim Davie yesterday defended paying Edwards 200,000 in wages even after he was arrested on child-abuse allegations. The disgraced former newsreader was flanked by members of his legal team as he walked into the courthouse A court sketch of Edwards in the dock at Westminster Crown Court listening to his sentence The 63-year-old looked haggard while passing a throng of the world's media on his way into Westminster Magistrates' Court What does 'making' indecent images mean? Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to three counts of 'making' indecent images of children in July. The Crown Prosecution Service says it can include: opening an email attachment containing an image downloading an image from a website to a screen storing an image on a computer accessing a pornographic website in which an image appears in an automatic 'pop-up' window receiving an image via social media, even if unsolicited and even if part of a group or live-streaming images of children A court must also decide whether an offence calls into the category of possession, distribution or production. Advertisement The Director General said the BBC remains determined to claw back the taxpayers' money Edwards was paid in salary while suspended for half a year before eventually being sacked when he pleaded guilty in court. Mr Davie said he could not see the 63-year-old anchorman back on the BBC again, but said it would not be appropriate to wipe long-serving Edwards from the corporation's vast archives. He told the Royal Television Society's London convention: 'The secret life this guy was leading was shocking.' Mr Davie said the decision made by himself and members of a senior team not to sack Edwards upon being arrested in November last year was due to BBC guidelines. He said: 'We wrestled with this it was an extremely tough decision. 'We decided that, you know, pay continues until somebody's charged. No one knew that gap was going to be so long. 'I think it was the right decision.' And he said the 'overwhelming' majority of people who have spoken to him about the issue understood the decision. Mr Davie said: 'I'm interested in what we can always learn from these things. 'But I think we acted in good faith and did the right thing. 'Anyone in this organisation who's managed businesses - and I have overwhelmingly had people come up to and go: we understand the decision you made. Edwards at the pinnacle of his career picking up a television award for Best Live Event for covering the late Queen's funeral in June 2023 Huw Edwards shaking hands with Queen Elizabeth II during a royal visit to BBC Studios in London in June 2013. He enjoyed a glittering career until the scandal came to light Edwards is seen on screen for what would be the last time before the scandal became public, when he covered King Charles' visit to Scotland last July Huw Edwards' fall from grace Huw Edwards was made anchor of the BBC's flagship 10pm news bulletin in 2003. As well as the funeral of the late Queen, Edwards narrated the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton and has hosted UK general election coverage. But the father-of-five's professional life began to unravel in July 2023 when he was suspended by the BBC following allegations in The Sun that a high-profile TV star had paid a young person 35,000 for explicit images. Edwards did not comment publicly on the allegations, but his wife released a statement confirming it was her husband at the centre of the scandal and that he was 'suffering from serious mental health issues' and receiving 'in-patient hospital care'. The Met Police did not find any crime had been committed. But in an unrelated probe, it was revealed earlier this year that Edwards had been charged with 'making' indecent images of children. Edwards was first arrested in November 2023 and charged in June, but the case was only revealed publicly in late July a couple of days before he appeared in court to admit the counts. The Welsh presenter had resigned from the BBC in April on 'medical advice' after 40 years with the broadcaster. The BBC, whose brand is built on public trust, has admitted being made aware by police of the arrest and has been criticised for paying Edwards a salary for six months afterwards. Advertisement 'We are a public organisation and we knew that decision we would have to be accountable for.' He said the BBC was looking into whether it would be possible for an employee's salary to be paid into a separate pot and released upon them being cleared, but withheld if they were convicted. Mr Davie told the conference: 'We want the money back and we've asked for it back, and we're waiting to hear back. 'There are discussions between the legal teams.' He conceded the scandal had likely affected public trust in the BBC. Mr Davie said: 'There's no doubt that an affair like this impacts our reputation. I think people are smart, and they'll make their judgments. 'I think, yeah, overall, there's no doubt about that, these things impact your reputation, but you can maintain trust by doing the right thing.' Mr Davie, asked if Edwards would work for the BBC again, said: 'I can't see that... for obvious reasons.' He said the BBC would decide on a 'case-by-case' basis whether Edwards who announced the death of Queen Elizabeth two years ago - would ever appear in archive footage rebroadcast. He said: 'I would never say never. There may be a documentary, a contextual piece, where we're seeing images from people who are no longer working with us as being, frankly, disgraced. 'That's how we will operate. We'll have the editorial control of that.' Edwards avoided jail on Monday after being given a suspended six-month prison sentence for three counts of making indecent images of children. The youngest victim was as young as seven. The former face of the BBC gave up to 1,500 to convicted paedophile Alex Williams who sent him dozens of awful images. Edwards' offending came to light after South Wales police seized Williams' phone and discovered his WhatsApp conversations with the former BBC anchorman. Edwards was arrested on November 8 last year. The investigation was unrelated to allegations reported in July 2023 that Edwards had paid a teenager more than 35,000 for sexual images. He was also ordered to pay 3,000 in prosecution costs. Edwards was in a pay bracket of between 475,000 and 479,999 for 2023/24. Sir Keir Starmers new borders chief has admitted he cannot stop the boats without a deterrent. A Whitehall source said Martin Hewitt has told the Prime Minister his plan to smash the gangs will not be enough on its own to halt migrants. The source claimed the new Border Security Commander believed deterrence was always going to be part of the overall picture to end the crisis. That view is in line with the stance taken by the National Crime Agency, which has consistently told ministers the issue cannot be solved without a Rwanda-style removal strategy. But it places Mr Hewitt on an early collision course with Sir Keir, who opposed the previous Conservative governments policy to deport illegal arrivals to Rwanda. Sir Keir Starmer's borders chief has warned that his plan to 'smash the gangs' will not be enough to stop the boats on its own Martin Hewitt, the new Border Security Commander, believes a deterrent is needed to stop the crisis, sources say Total number of migrants who have crossed the English Channel since the general election The new PM scrapped that scheme in his first days in power, describing it as a gimmick, and he has yet to propose an alternative. Yet the number of migrants crossing the Channel since Sir Keir became PM in July topped 10,000. Senior Tories said Mr Hewitts warning showed that Labours plans were doomed to fail. Shadow home secretary James Cleverly said: The need for a deterrent to stop the people smugglers is obvious. We know it, the NCA knows it, and now we hear Labours new border commander knows it. It is becoming increasingly clear that Labours cancellation of our plan, with no replacement, wont cut it. Tough talk but doing less isnt a plan, its smoke and mirrors, and they are being found out. Fellow Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick said: It sounds like Sir Keirs new borders chief has taken this job only to tell him his plan to stop the boats wont work. Its no surprise the NCA has always been clear we cant arrest our way out of this challenge and that we need a deterrent to break the business model. Thats why I warned Labour not to scrap the Rwanda deterrent but strengthen it. Its now clear Sir Keir is utterly clueless and the boats are still coming. Unless Labour introduces a deterrent, well still be in this position come the next election. Migrants being escorted to the Port of Dover on Monday. The number of asylum seekers crossing the Channel since Sir Keir became PM in July has topped 10,000 Your browser does not support iframes. The NCA, in an internal memo last year, said no amount of law enforcement activity can halt the smuggling gangs unless accompanied by measures to deter migrants from trying to reach the UK and remove those who get here. The PM, while travelling in Italy this week, said the Governments actions to break up the gangs, coupled with an emphasis on speeding up the processing of asylum claims would act as its own deterrent. But critics claim this could even act as a pull factor for those considering making the journey. Mr Hewitt was announced this week as head of the new Border Security Command and will take up the 200,000-a-year role in the coming weeks. The number of migrants arriving since the general election is 10,024 with 23,598 so far this year and at least 45 deaths in the Channel. Dan Andrews and his wife have slammed a report by a former police commissioner as 'appalling conspiracy theories' after it questioned their version of events over a car crash that severely injured a teen cyclist. Mr Andrews was the Victorian opposition leader when the SUV he, his wife and their three children were travelling in collided with Ryan Meuleman, 15, near Blairgowrie, on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, on January 7, 2013. M Andrews insisted his wife, who was driving at the time of the crash, came to a 'complete stop' and 'turned right from a stationary position' moments before Mr Meuleman T-boned the Ford Territory. However, a bombshell review, conducted by the state's former Assistant Commissioner for Traffic Operations Dr Raymond Shuey, asserted the SUV struck the teen after 'travelling at speed' and on the wrong side of the road. Police closed the case without pressing charges, and officers were later cleared of any wrongdoing by the corruption watchdog. The 36-page review, commissioned by Meuleman's lawyers as part of an ongoing court case, claimed the investigation was 'deeply flawed' and the Andrews' crash was covered up 'to avoid implicating a political figure in a life-threatening crash'. Mr Andrews and his wife issued a joint statement in response to the report, which was first published on Tuesday by the Herald Sun. The couple blasted the outlet for publishing 'conspiracy theories dressed up as journalism' and claimed they 'did nothing wrong'. Former premier Dan Andrews and his wife have slammed a report into their car crash which injured a teen cyclist as 'appalling conspiracy theories'. He is pictured with wife Catherine 'This so-called report was commissioned by lawyers on behalf of their clients who are seeking money through the courts by suing their former lawyers,' the couple wrote. 'We are not a party to this legal action. We did nothing wrong. This matter has already been comprehensively and independently investigated and closed by Victoria Police and integrity agencies. 'We will not dignify these appalling conspiracy theories by commenting further at this time.' A now-adult Mr Meuleman is suing law firm Slater & Gordon, which represented him after the crash, for allegedly failing to act in his best interest when it negotiated an $80,000 compensation settlement with the Transport Accident Commission. The Supreme Court damages proceedings into the crash is due to be heard in May 2025. The report could potentially be presented to the court, however it is unclear whether the judge will give the findings much weight as Dr Shuey died in August - just days after completing the report - and can no longer be cross-examined. In his report, Dr Shuey asserts the Andrews' SUV could not have come to a complete stop before turning onto Ridley street due to the distance Mr Meuleman was thrown from the car. 'The statements from both Daniel and Catherine Andrews that their vehicle stopped at Melbourne Rd are not consistent with impact consequences, nor the report by (witness) Brad Morgan of the squeal of tyres prior to impact,' Dr Shuey wrote. 'The effective vehicle stopping distance of 19.2m following impact is indicative of a speed of 45km/h prior to impact. 'The version as provided by Catherine and Daniel Andrews is considered improbable and implausible. The truth is still outstanding. 'It is most probable that the vehicle undertook a sweep turn at speed, cutting the corner and still on the incorrect side of the roadway in Ridley Street, 27 metres from Melbourne Road when the collision occurred. 'It was definitely not a low-speed vehicle impact'. Ryan Meuleman was 15-years-old and riding his bike when he was struck by the Andrews' family SUV being driven by Catherine Andrews on January 7, 2013 Mr Meuleman was airlifted to The Royal Children's Hospital with life-threatening injuries including a punctured lung, broken ribs, a ruptured spleen and internal bleeding. Dr Shuey also took issue with Victoria Police investigators claiming they did not show a competent professional practice as they failed to follow a 'rudimentary examination' of evidence, demonstrated in their 'hasty and illogical conclusion'. He claimed the 'propagation of a lie' started when police recorded the driver's name. In a Traffic Incident System (TIS) report made by police hours after the crash recorded the driver's name as 'Catherine Louie Kesik' - Mrs Andrews' maiden name. The report found the name was contrary to that recorded in the investigation notes, TAC reports statements and 'contemporaneous notes' made by police. It asserted that the 'irregularity' with Mrs Andrews' name would be a 'standout' for supervisors, insurance, and legal reviewers. 'It is my opinion that this deception is part of a course of conduct and a component of an overt cover-up to avoid implicating a political figure in a life-threatening crash,' Dr Shuey wrote. 'Failure by supervisors and reviewers to identify this or seek explanation is inexcusable.' The review explained the police report lacked critical information including photographs, measurements and professional interview techniques. Dr Shuey said investigators failed to account for the available evidence and labelled their conclusion as 'baseless and unsupported'. The report, commissioned by Meuleman's lawyers as part of an ongoing case, asserted Andrews' version of events were 'improbable and implausible'. (pictured, Ford Territory car after the crash) He added the 'negligent approach' undermined the integrity of the investigation and also jeopardised the 'pursuit of justice'. Police also repeatedly refused to provide Mr Meuleman's family with details of the driver, despite it being the duty of police to do so. Dr Shuey also noted that officers failed to breathalyse those at the scene - which is a breach of standard operating procedures. The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission cleared police of any wrongdoing in December 2017. Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia a 'thorough investigation' was conducted and its findings were consistent. 'As has been previously stated, Victoria Police conducted a thorough investigation into this matter, as did IBAC, and all findings were consistent,' Victoria Police said. 'We have no further comment to provide on the matter.' A woman who was working at a Brooklyn laundromat was stabbed in the neck by an irate customer after she told him his clothes weren't ready to be picked up. The 50-year-old female worked at a 24-hour super laundry on Bath Avenue in Brooklyn. The suspect dropped his clothes off in the morning on Monday and when he returned later that evening, he was told it wasn't ready before flying into a rage. Witnesses said he allegedly slashed the woman's neck and arms before 2pm. A 50-year-old woman who was working at a Super laundry on Bath Avenue in Brooklyn was stabbed in the neck by an irate customer after she told him his clothes weren't ready to be picked up. PICTURED: Super laundry in Brooklyn Police arrived around 1.39pm, but the suspect had already fled the scene. He was wearing gray shirt and white sneakers and was seen heading north on north on 21st Avenue toward Benson Avenue The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information told DailyMail.com the woman was brought to NYU Langone hospital in Brooklyn and didn't identify her. But the unidentified woman told the New York Post she recognized her attacker as an infrequent customer and that his mother lives across the street from the laundromat. Police arrived around 1.39pm, but the suspect had already fled the scene. He was wearing gray shirt and white sneakers and was seen heading north on north on 21st Avenue toward Benson Avenue DCPI told DailyMail.com that no arrests have been made. This follows only a month after a Jewish man was slashed by a suspect screaming 'Free Palestine' right by a local synagogue. The suspect, 22-year-old Vincent Sumpter, was charged with assault as a hate crime. He left 33-year-old Yechiel Dabrowskin hospitalized following a heated altercation on the streets of Brooklyn. It happened on August 11, as the Israeli, who had come to the US to study religion, walked home from a Shabbos meal near the Chabad Headquarters in Crown Heights. BBC staff have been forced to defend themselves against being 'paedo protectors' in the wake of the Huw Edwards scandal which rocked the under-fire corporation. The Welshman, who was previously the BBC's glittering star presenter, smiled as he was spared jail at Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday. The 63-year-old previously admitted three charges of 'making' indecent photographs after he was sent 41 illegal images by convicted paedophile Alex Williams over WhatsApp but was handed six months' imprisonment, suspended for two years. His punishment has been criticised by lawyers and activists as being too lenient, with one child sex abuse campaigner branding the justice system 'ludicrous, absurd and embarrassing' as a result. It is the latest in a long line of damning controversies for the broadcaster, as public trust in the news company which employed Jimmy Savile plummets. Staff at the BBC even admitted they face accusations of being 'paedo protectors' while out filming and slammed a culture of protecting 'top talent' where they feel unable to raise grievances at the risk of their career, The Times reported. Huw Edwards leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court after being spared jail yesterday A mugshot released of the presenter by Scotland Yard showed him staring at the camera Staff at the BBC admitted they face accusations of being 'paedo protectors' while out filming and slammed a culture of protecting 'top talent' where they feel unable to raise grievances Alex Williams, 25, shared indecent images with Huw Edwards that led to the newsreader's downfall. Williams is pictured here as a teenager on a family trip to a Welsh beauty spot Westminster Magistrates' Court heard Edwards begged convicted paedophile Alex Williams to 'go on' when asked if he wanted 'naughty pics and vids' of somebody described as 'yng (sic)'. The court also heard Edwards paid Williams hundreds of pounds after he sent him pornographic images, but his defence barrister Philip Evans KC said the broadcaster did not make payments to Williams in order to receive indecent images of children. The prosecution said Williams asked Edwards for a 'Christmas gift after all the hot videos'. Prosecutor Ian Hope said: 'Alex Williams says he wants some Air Force 1 trainers that cost around 100, and Mr Edwards offers to send him 200.' Of the indecent images he received, the estimated age of most of the children was between 13 and 15, but one was aged between seven and nine. But less than 20 per cent of paedophiles convicted of accessing child abuse images get locked up. According to The Sun, an ex-mayor, an actor, a secondary school teacher, an academic and a sex offender who later set up a paedophile ring were all spared jail following similar convictions. The National Crime Agency estimates 830,000 adults in the UK pose a risk of 'sexual menace' to young people. The BBC said following the sentencing: 'We are appalled by his crimes. He has betrayed not just the BBC, but audiences who put their trust in him.' And his BBC ex-colleagues are disgusted by his crimes and believe he should have been sent to prison and forced to give back the 200,000 he was paid by their bosses after his arrest. One former colleague told MailOnline: 'He should be in prison. He was chatting with a paedo for four years who then sent him child porn. And he didn't go to the police. Yet he's in court trying to suggest he is a victim. It would be laughable if it wasn't so abhorrent'. Edwards held his hands together and steadied himself as Chief Magistrate, district judge Paul Goldspring, sentenced him yesterday Westminster Magistrates' Court heard on Monday how Huw Edwards had replied 'yes xxx' when asked if he wanted a set of indecent images of children (note: This is not the actual text message exchange) It was also told that Edwards had told Williams that ages 'can be deceptive' when told one of the subjects in an image was 'quite yng looking', before asking if he had 'any more? (note: This is not the actual text message exchange) Another insider said that Edwards' crimes were 'so sick'. The horror felt by colleagues was illustrated at by Clive Myrie as he covered the story in the News at Ten bulletin, hours after the sentencing of the former news anchor. He said: 'The BBC says that Edwards betrayed the folks here quite frankly, including his colleagues in the news division,' gesturing at the desks of staff working behind him. Others told The Times that the ensuing destruction of trust in the corporation has made it more difficult to do their jobs. One high-profile presenter said: 'People are fuming. It just makes everyone trust us less.' Another told the newspaper that there was widespread dismay at the details that emerged in court, with many 'disgusted to learn the details' and 'incredulous' at the idea Edwards felt he was an outsider at the BBC. The court heard Edwards blames his fragile ego, alpha-male father, his repressed sexual interest in men and depression for engaging with the paedophile. Huw Edwards arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London with a wheelie suitcase Edwards made his way through the media melee before being driven away in a black Mercedes Edwards is seen on screen for what would be the last time before the scandal became public, when he covered King Charles' visit to Scotland One report highlighted how Edwards had been psychologically damaged by his upbringing with a 'monstrous' father, and how he felt like an 'outsider in the BBC' after failing to get into Oxford or Cambridge university and ended up 'at Cardiff instead'. Alan Collins, a partner in the sex abuse team at Hugh James law firm, said: 'Rarely does such a prosecution bring closure, because the criminal case is often perceived to be about the offender as opposed to the survivor. 'This is why some victims choose to bring their own civil claims this is often what brings them a sense of closure. 'Compensation is aimed to restore the victim to where they were before the abuse, and so can be extremely important. 'For example, this can help pay for necessary treatment to help victims to gain closure and move forward with their lives. 'Amounts received in compensation are not determined by the sentence but by the nature and extent of the harm suffered. 'We prefer not to think about these crimes, but in the age we live in we know there is a market for images. 'For our children and young people there is a normalisation whereby there is some kind of expectation to take and share intimate images. 'Very young children are given access to devices which renders them especially vulnerable and leads to a normalisation of what is clearly wrong and often a criminal offence.' Presenters at the corporation have reported 'feeling sick' by the ordeal, with one telling the BBC: 'For staff, particularly those who worked alongside him, it's been a difficult year. 'There have been so many twists and turns, it has felt like a blow every time another horror has been unveiled. It has felt unending.' BBC chair Samir Shah told the House of Lords' communications and digital committee that he, among other colleagues, 'feel angry and betrayed'. When sending an email to staff after Edwards had been charged and pleaded guilty, he branded the ex-presenter 'the villain of this piece'. A journalist at the BBC told The Times that staff are 'afraid' of reporting bad behaviour against someone 'who is regarded as talent'. 'You mark yourself out as a troublemaker and it will affect your career.' The Edwards scandal is the latest of many to rock the broadcaster, with similar disturbing stories stretching back decades as flagship faces including Jimmy Savile and Stuart Hall hid a secret dark side. Prince Harry will return to the UK later this month to attend a high-profile charity event in London. It has been announced that the Duke of Sussex will be a guest at the annual WellChild Awards in his role as the charity's patron. The national charity for seriously ill children is one of the few UK-based organisations that the prince kept links with after his acrimonious departure from royal duties and move to the US. He chose to remain in the position, which he has held for 16 years, when his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, asked him to step down from his other royal patronages as a now non-working member of the family. Prince Harry and Meghan seen during their visit to Colombia on August 15 Last September he attended the WellChild Awards at the Hurlingham Club in London (above), after having missed the previous year as it fell on the same day the Queen died The official X, formerly Twitter account of the Royal Family, posted a birthday greeting to the Duke of Sussex, as Harry celebrated his 40th birthday across the Pond Prince Harry also received a surprise birthday message from Prince William and Kate just a few hours after the King and Queen posted the message There was no mention of his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, accompanying him. According to some reports she has vowed never to set foot in the UK again, and when she flew into the UK earlier this year when the couple visited Nigeria she didn't even set foot outside the airport. On Monday the Daily Mail revealed that Harry may travel to the UK to attend the awards, after both Buckingham and Kensington Palace's chose to wish him happy 40th birthday on their social media channels. With the King currently based in Scotland but returning to London regularly for his ongoing cancer treatment, it could give an opportunity for father and son to actually meet in private. However the King has a major engagement in Scotland just two days before Harry's when he and Queen Camilla visit the Scottish Parliament to mark its 25th anniversary. This suggests he could well remain north of the border while his son is in the country. The last time they saw each other was in February when it was announced that the King had cancer and the prince flew from the US to see him briefly. When he returned again in May, however, the King was too busy to meet, although His Majesty did offer him alternative accommodation in one of the royal properties, contrary to reports. Harry chose to stay in a hotel instead. It has recently been made clear by sources close to the Sussexes that the prince is keen to find a way to reconcile with his father. The Mail revealed on Saturday that he also wants to find a way to return to the UK more regularly, but his insistence on taking the Home Office to court over their decision to withdraw his full-time security detail when he stepped down is a sticking point. Trust has also been at a low point after Harry's score-settling memoir and regular leaks coming from his own camp about private conversations with family members, most notably the King. The Duke of Sussex has been a patron of the organisation for 16 years. Pictured at the WellChild Awards 2023 The WellChild Awards was always one of the highlights of Prince Harry's calendar when he was a working royal and celebrate the inspirational qualities of children and young people living with serious illnesses or complex medical needs, as well as honour the dedication of family and carers. In its announcement WellChild said Harry had provided 'invaluable help' in raising awareness and financial contributions over the years. He has attended the WellChild Awards on twelve previous occasions and will spend time with each winner and their families at a pre-ceremony reception. He will also be in the audience at the ceremony and present the Award for Inspirational Child (aged 4-6) and deliver a speech. In a statement he said: 'I am once again honoured to attend this year's WellChild Awards celebrating the remarkable courage and achievements of children living with complex medical needs. These incredible young people, along with the dedicated caregivers, nurses, and professionals who tirelessly support them, inspire us all. It is a true privilege to recognise such extraordinary individuals.' WellChild Chief Executive, Matt James commented: 'Across the UK, an increasing number of children and young people are living with long-term, complex medical needs. Trust has also been at a low point after Harry's score-settling memoir 'Alongside their families, they navigate extraordinary challenges each day. Through the WellChild Awards 2024, in association with GSK, we aim to highlight the immense difficulties they face and to celebrate their remarkable resilience and spirit. 'This event also offers an opportunity to honour the selfless dedication of those who support them whether it be siblings, parent carers or professionals who have gone above and beyond to give these children the best possible chance to thrive.' It comes after The Prince and Princess of Wales joined the King and Queen in wishing Prince Harry a happy birthday on social media, posting messages to mark the Duke of Sussex's 40th birthday. The last time the royals shared a public greeting for Harry's birthday was back in 2021, suggesting that relations have improved in more recent months. The official X, formerly Twitter, account for the Royal Family, posted the birthday wishes to Prince Harry around 8:30am UK time, and William and Kate's official account shared a similar greeting mid morning. While tensions between William and Harry remain, it was uncertain whether Prince William would make a public gesture to acknowledge his brother's milestone birthday. The surprise greeting could be seen as an olive branch that could help to smooth relations between the warring siblings. Earlier, the King and Queen's simple message, marked with a birthday cake emoji read: 'Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!' The Princess of Wales has hosted her first official work meeting in more than nine months as she begins her slow and measured return to public duties. Catherine, 42, who last week revealed she had finished a course of preventative chemotherapy following major abdominal surgery in January, held a meeting at Windsor Castle today for her 'Early Years' project. She was joined by members of her household team as well as representatives from her Centre for Early Childhood at Kensington Palace. Kate Middleton is pictured at The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in 2023, which provides support to families with young children. The Princess held a meeting at Windsor Castle yesterday of her 'Early Years' project Catherine last week revealed she had finished a course of preventative chemotherapy following major abdominal surgery in January The Princess of Wales held an Early Years Meeting at Windsor today (pictured) It was formally recorded in the Court Circular, the official record of royal engagements, which read: 'The Princess of Wales, Joint Patron, The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, this afternoon held an Early Years Meeting at Windsor.' It was the first meeting noted in the Court Circular since the princess held a round table of her Royal Foundation on December 6 last year. She hosted her annual carol service two days later and attended the annual family Christmas at Sandringham but was taken into hospital just weeks later for surgery. Although she has worked from home a little, keeping in touch with her 'passion projects' and staff, as well as attending the men's finals at Wimbledon and Trooping the Colour, yesterday marks a significant step forward in Catherine's recovery. It is unsurprising that she chose her Early Years project as her first major work event given how important it is to her personally. Her Centre for Early Childhood looks at how the impact of what happens to children between the ages of birth to five has a direct link with some of today's hardest social challenges, such as addiction. She has vowed to highlight importance of the issues for the rest of her working life. In an uplifting video message, the Princess of Wales revealed she has finished her course of 'preventative chemotherapy' The Princess of Wales helps out putting books and toys on shelves ready to be collected for Christmas presents during her visit to Sebby's Corner in north London last year The Princess vowed to highlight importance of the issues for families with young children for the rest of her working life It is unsurprising that she chose her Early Years project as her first major work event given how important it is to her personally. She is pictured last year putting books and toys on shelves ready to be collected for Christmas presents for children Last week the princess revealed that she had finished her course of 'preventative chemotherapy' and plans to undertake a 'light programme' of public engagements over the coming months, However she also warned that it will be a slow return to full public duties as 'doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus' and admitted it has been a 'scary and unpredictable' time for her family. Although future public engagements have yet to be announced, she does hope to attend Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph. She will not accompany her husband to his Earthshot Prize awards in Cape Town in November. Also in the court circular is a private visit Prince William undertook to 22 Special Air Service Regiment to meeting some of those who have been deployed on recent operations. No further details can be given due to the secretive nature of the SAS work and missions. Vice President Kamala Harris struggled with a question on how to best reduce the number of handguns on the streets, which are responsible for a wide majority of murders in the United States. Harris was asked about handguns during an event with the National Association of Black Journalists in Philadelphia, where moderator Tonya Mosley noted that handguns were used for 59 percent of murders in the United States, and that her proposed assault weapons ban was only a small part of the problem. 'I also have been adamant for years and in fact I myself have protested at a gun show probably 10-15 years ago about the gun show loophole and the need to close that,' Harris said, struggling for an exact response. The vice president did not share exact details of her protest, but according to a local 2007 report, Harris, then the district attorney of San Francisco, joined a protest with fellow Democrats about a gun show that would take place two days later. Kamala Harris struggled to answer a question about handguns during an event with journalists The majority of community gun shows require all gun dealers to perform background checks for their customers, but gun control advocates warn of people who bring their personal weapons to gun shows can sell them to fellow attendees without a background check. Harris said she would try to enact universal background checks on people buying all guns, but had no specific response to the prevalence of handguns available to criminals in the United States. She began recalling homicide cases she prosecuted during her career in California reminding the audience that mothers of slain children insisted they would 'only talk to Kamala' about their cases. 'We must take it seriously in every way understanding it's not just about a soundbite, it's about a comprehensive approach that deals with the tragedy of, your point, every day gun violence in America,' she said. Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris Vice, left, is interviewed by National Association of Black Journalists members Gerren Keith Gaynor, far right, Eugene Daniels, second from the right, and Tonya Mosley. When pressed by the moderator on specific actions to control guns, Harris recalled that she and Biden's administration had passed more funding for mental health professionals in public schools. Harris has long supported a strict ban on assault rifles, specifically a mandatory government-sponsored gun buyback program for weapons already owned by American citizens. The vice president reminded the audience she was a gun owner and had no intention of taking American guns away, despite supporting a ban on assault weapons like AR-15s and AK-47s. Sir Keir Starmer was last night urged to 'come clean' over who paid for a series of statement dresses worn by his wife Victoria. As the 'Wardrobegate' backlash raged, the Tories said the Prime Minister 'owes it to pensioners' to be honest about who is funding the outfits. No 10 refused to say who had bought a number of Lady Starmer's dresses, although it insisted that everything has been declared as required. Sir Keir said before the election that his wife 'doesn't want to push herself into the limelight', but she has worn a number of designer dresses at high-profile events in recent weeks. Some items were loaned to her, but No 10 yesterday refused to clarify whether the other outfits were part of a 5,000 gift of high-end clothes from Labour donor Lord Alli. Sir Keir, who earns more than 166,000 a year as PM, was accused of failing to declare on time the donation from Lord Alli, the former chairman of the online fashion retailer ASOS. Sir Keir said before the election that his wife 'doesn't want to push herself into the limelight', but she has worn a number of designer dresses at high-profile events in recent weeks - Sir Keir pictured here with Lady Victoria following his general election victory Lady Starmer was absent from the No10 reception on Monday night despite having attended a separate London Fashion Week event in central London earlier in the day The PM's wife wore a polka dot Edeline Lee top and trouser ensemble and navy jacket to the brand's catwalk show Lord Alli, who was already at the centre of a No 10 access scandal, has also given Sir Keir suits and spectacles worth some 18,000. Last night a Tory source said: 'Labour must come clean on just who is paying for Lady Victoria's outfits. 'They owe it to the millions of pensioners who Labour have been left choosing between heating and eating to be honest about their choices if the millionaire Starmers are having to get donor handouts to pay for their outfits. 'Let's hope every time the Starmers open their wardrobe they remember what's inside could have heated a pensioner's home for an entire year.' Yesterday, a Labour minister floundered as she was grilled on the row - insisting she did not 'have an opinion' on whether Sir Keir should pay for his own spectacles. The Tories said the Prime Minister 'owes it to pensioners' to be honest about who is funding the outfits. The Prime Minister and his wife Victoria board a plane at Stansted Airport in Essex as they head to Washington DC to attend a Nato summit In a toe-curling interview on Times Radio, Home Office minister Dame Angela Eagle said presenter Stig Abell would have to quiz Sir Keir about the issue directly. Dame Angela said the PM had been 'transparent' and 'the rules have clearly been followed', but when pressed said she was 'not responsible for decisions the PM makes'. Mr Abell then asked: 'Should he not buy his own glasses? You're wearing a pair of glasses now you presumably pay for them yourself. I'm wearing a pair of glasses now I pay for them myself. Why shouldn't the Prime Minister?' But an irate Dame Angela responded: 'Well, the Prime Minister has had his say on that, and next time you interview him, you could ask him yourself. I don't have an opinion on what the PM does in these instances.' Lady Starmer's statement dresses: Lady in Red: Victoria wears an Edeline Lee red 'Dada' dress, worth 1,200, worn at the Labour Party conference last October on the occasion of her husband's speech. What the designer says: 'She has only ever loaned from the brand.' What Number 10 says: No comment. Winner: At No.10 after the election. Me+Em midi dress, 275, and Russell & Bromley 'Snipped' slingbacks, 275. What the designers say: Me+Em: 'The dresses were not loans.' Russell & Bromley: 'She may have purchased them.' What Number 10 says: No comment. Fashion stakes: Sandown Park Racecourse on July 6. Me+Em green flower print 'Lantana' maxi dress, 325. What the designer says: 'The dresses were not loans.' What Number 10 says: No comment. White House visit: In Washington DC on July 9. Needle & Thread white lace knit dress, 450. What the designer says: 'Our press office didn't loan the style so we believe Lady Starmer purchased this dress.' What Number 10 says: No comment. Spot difference: Front row at London Fashion Week on Monday. Edeline Lee polka dot trousers, blouse, white court shoes and navy Edeline 'Tammy' jacket, 1,200. What the designer says: 'She has only ever loaned from the brand.' What Number 10 says: The items were loaned. Support for the Union has increased since the decisive No vote in the independence referendum, a ten-year anniversary poll shows. The definitive result demonstrates that even more Scots would reject the SNPs bid to break up Britain if the vote were to be rerun today. The YouGov survey found 56 per cent of Scots would now vote No, with only 44 per cent saying they would vote Yes. It means the margin in favour of the Union has grown since 2014, when there was a 55-45 split. The poll comes as opposition politicians said a decade of division must now come to an end in order to let Scotland heal. Pro-Union parties also said the next Holyrood election gives voters the chance to get rid of the SNP from power and close the book on this divisive period in our politics. Yes supporters commiserate in Glasgow's George Square in 2014 as it becomes clear Scotland voted No. Pro-Union supporters celebrate at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh as the results roll in Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: On the tenth anniversary of the independence referendum, its time for the SNP to end a decade of division and finally let Scotland heal. The Nationalists insisted before the poll in 2014 that it was to be a once-in-a-lifetime vote on Scotlands future and yet they have spent every day since agitating for another one. Scotland has been stuck in a state of paralysis for ten years precisely because the SNP have refused to accept the result. They have failed to move on and focus on the day job. It is little wonder Scotlands public services are on their knees, drug and alcohol deaths are at record levels and our economy is toiling under high taxes when the party in charge has been fixated on breaking up the UK. He said that in this years general election, when the SNP slumped from 48 seats to just nine, the party had put independence front and centre and the public delivered a damning verdict. Mr Hoy added: Its time to say enough is enough. John Swinney should mark this anniversary by acknowledging the will of the Scottish people and finally shelving his crusade for separation. YouGovs latest poll of 1,063 people, carried out between August 29 and September 3 and published yesterday, found that 56 per cent of respondents would vote No in another independence referendum, while 44 per cent would vote Yes. Opposition to independence has increased by two percentage points since its last survey in June. The survey also found that 51 per cent of voters said there should not be another referendum in the next five years, compared with 37 per cent who said there should be another vote in that timescale. Only 10 per cent of respondents thought Scotland was likely to become independent in the next five years, compared with 80 per cent who said this was unlikely. Scotlands top pollster, Professor Sir John Curtice, yesterday said the independence vote led to a longer-term bounce in support for Yes. But he added: Some people say the argument about independence is dead. I think a more accurate characterisation is to say it is stuck in neutral and the challenge to those on the Nationalist side is to begin to get it into gear once more. In a message to mark the referendum anniversary, Alastair Cameron, chairman of pro-UK campaign group Scotland in Union, said: It now feels like this is a time for greater hope but it is not a time for complacency. We need to continue to make the positive case for the UK, and to work to reduce the influence of the Nationalists, particularly ahead of the May 2026 Holyrood election. Lets look forward with hope and optimism to when nationalism is once again at the margins of Scottish politics. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said Scotland has endured a decade of turbulence, division and decline in our politics but insisted a different future is possible. He said: Scots should not have to put up with a failing government that is bad with your money, bad with your public services and bad with the economy. Lets work together so we can deliver the change we all need and usher in a decade of national renewal for Scotland. At the Liberal Democrat conference in Brighton yesterday, Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said the Holyrood election in 2026 gives voters the chance to close the book on this divisive period in our politics. He said the SNP has been in power for too long, breaking rules, taking people for granted. Mr Cole-Hamilton said: Its time we were rid of them. First Minister John Swinney is due to make a speech in Edinburgh this morning to mark the ten-year anniversary of the referendum. He will say he is in no doubt that Scotlands independence referendum has left an overwhelmingly positive legacy on our country adding: We have had a long, dark decade a decade of austerity, of Brexit, of a cost of living crisis and a global pandemic. As a nation, we cant just regret the things that we cannot do. It is time for us to start focusing again on the things that we can... It starts by reawakening the sense of optimism, of hope and of possibility that was so prevalent throughout Scotland in 2014. Meanwhile former First Minister Alex Salmond, who quit after leading the Yes campaign to its 2014 defeat, said: I think well be independent in ten years time. I think well be looking back saying, thank goodness we had a second chance. After all, everybody deserves a second chance, every person and every nation. Writing in the Daily Record, Nicola Sturgeon said she was as confident as ever that Scotland will split from the UK. She said: In all manner of things, progress can sometimes feel glacial until suddenly it is not. 'I believe the same will be true of Scotlands journey to independence. I am as confident as ever that we will get there, and sooner than might seem likely right now. Ms Sturgeon acknowledged the campaign was not all sweetness and light. She said: While for Yes voters, the referendum was an opportunity to win something that felt precious the independence of our nation for No voters, it represented a threat to the Union they cherished. The stakes were high and tensions sometimes rose to meet them. Furious tech workers at the New York Times are threatening to strike on Election Day unless bosses meet their lengthy list of outlandish demands. Requests from the union members include a four-day work week for increased pay, unlimited sick leave and paid time off for pet bereavements, Semafor reports. Employees are also demanding trigger warnings around discussions of the news, banning scented products in break rooms and well as job security for foreign employees on visas in the event of layoffs. Last week the Times Tech Guild's vote to authorize the strike passed with 95 percent approval. Around half the union's members cover election critical programs. The union, which represents around 600 tech staff at the Times, said the timing of the strike is 'no accident' and is designed to inflict maximum disruption. Tech union workers at the New York Times are threatening to strike on election day unless bosses meet their lengthy list of demands The dispute has been rumbling on for the last two years, with the NYT asserting that some of the guild's more than 60 proposals in that time could violate employment laws. The average union member earns $190,000 a year including salary, bonuses and restricted stock options. The NYT stated the demands would cost the paper more than $100 million over the proposed three-year contract. Danielle Rhoads Ha, a spokeswoman for the outlet told DailyMail.com that many of the demands are atypical from collective bargaining agreements. 'Since July 2022, bargaining has been focusing on a broad range of non-economic proposals from the TechGuild such as pet bereavement leave, unscented cleaning products, and banning machine learning among many other topics that are typically not part of collective bargaining agreements,' She said. 'The TechGuild recently submitted their economic proposals. We look forward to working with the group to reach a fair contract, that takes into account that they are already among the highest paid in the Company and journalism is our top priority.' The average salary of an NYT tech worker is around $40,000 more than their editorial colleagues, according to the outlet. The Times Tech Guild, headed up by chair Kathy Zhang, is demanding a four day work week, unlimited sick leave and job security in the face of AI developments among other things The company also highlighted several benefits already in place including surrogacy and fertility funding, cab fare home and wellness programs. But union members say they are still underpaid by industry standards. 'Times management likes to compare the journalists to the Tech Guild only when it suits them,' a Tech Guild spokesperson told Semafor. 'In terms of salaries, wages vary widely across both unions but we are happy to discuss executive compensation relative to workers at the Times.' The spokesman added the union is seeking assurances that workers will be protected from the incursion from AI and machine learning. The Guild also wants negotiations to focus on rectifying the gender pay gap, as well as disparities between white and non-white employees. However, the NYT asserts that the company has found 'no evidence of discrimination' following a large-scale audit. The guild told Semafor that it wants the collective bargaining agreement to rectify pay disparities between white employees and non-white employees as well as between men and women. Bosses at the outlet say their demands are too outlandish and may even violate employment law Rhoades Ha disputed the guild's assertion, saying that the company did a large-scale analysis and found 'no evidence of discrimination.' 'The Tech Guild leadership's claims about gender and racial pay differences are connected to their methodology, which doesn't compare the pay of employees performing similar work,' Rhoades Ha said. She also said that proposals from the union to 'decline work based on advertisers' and the 'right to request letters to the editor not be published' should not be part of the collective bargaining agreement. The paper is reportedly concerned that the union, largely composed of software engineers, is attempting to exert editorial control. DailyMail.com has contacted the New York Times Tech Guild for comment. Ed Miliband has been challenged to reveal the cost of his green policies after he vowed to fight the nimbys to generate more renewable power. The Energy Secretary says he will 'take on the blockers, the delayers, the obstructionists' to reach the net-zero target by the end of the decade. His remarks have raised fears that communities will have energy pylons and wind farms inflicted on them as well as soaring bills to pay for them. Conservative energy spokesman Claire Coutinho said: 'Ed Miliband's rush to net-zero for the sake of ideology will leave us in the worst of all worlds with higher bills, jobs sent abroad and ever more reliance on China. 'He must set out a full systems costs immediately so that British billpayers know how much all of this will cost them. Ed Miliband (pictured) has been challenged to reveal the cost of his green policies after he vowed to fight the nimbys to generate more renewable power His remarks have raised fears that communities will have energy pylons and wind farms inflicted on them as well as soaring bills to pay for them (stock) Conservative energy spokesman Claire Coutinho (pictured) said: 'Ed Miliband's rush to net-zero for the sake of ideology will leave us in the worst of all worlds with higher bills, jobs sent abroad and ever more reliance on China.' The Energy Secretary says he will 'take on the blockers, the delayers, the obstructionists' to reach the net-zero target by the end of the decade 'At Energy UK's conference in London yesterday, Mr Miliband vowed to end the UK's reliance on fossil fuels by building more green energy infrastructure. 'The faster we go, the more secure we become,' he said. 'Every wind turbine we put up, every solar panel we install, every piece of grid we construct helps to protect families from future energy shocks.' This is an argument we need to have as a country because the converse is also true. Every wind turbine we block, every solar farm we reject, every piece of grid we fail to build makes us less secure and more exposed.' Mr Miliband did not repeat Labour's vote-winning election pledge to save families 300 a year on their heating bills. He made no mention of the figure that he, Sir Keir Starmer and others used during the election campaign about the benefits of Labour's GB Energy project. Following the election, Labour reversed the decade-long ban on onshore windfarms, approved four of the UK's largest solar farms and set up green power company GB Energy, with8billion of funding. Mr Miliband's plans have raised concerns that the growing number of onshore energy projects will require a huge increase in pylons and overhead lines to connect them to the grid. A family-of-five have miraculously escaped injury after a masked gunman fired six shots into their house in the early hours of the morning. Two adults and their three children were asleep inside their home on St Michaels Drive, in Tarneit, in Melbourne's west, at about 3am on September 3 when they were woken by gunshots. CCTV captured a man, who was wearing a balaclava and dark hoodie, walk down the street, stop by a nearby parked ute before opening fire on the house. He then quickly fled the scene and remains on the run. A man opened fire into a house in Tarneit, in Melbourne's west, in the early hours of September 3 Nobody inside the house was injured. The man who lives in the house is reportedly known to police. Victoria Police released CCTV of the incident on Wednesday. Anyone who witnessed the incident, has footage or any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. They were photos of a shy and blushing kindergarten teacher that captivated the world. Lady Diana Spencer, the new girlfriend of Prince Charles, was seen with some of the young children in her care in a park near the Young England Kindergarten in Pimlico. In one particularly iconic image, the woman who would go on to enrapture millions as the Princess of Wales stood with one youngster on her hip and another nervously clutching her hand. The bright sun shone through her skirt, revealing for the first time her famous legs. The pictures, first revealed 44 years ago today on September 17, 1980, showed off the woman who, it had recently emerged, was dating the future King. Lady Diana Spencer seen near the Young England Kindergarten in Pimlico, London, with two of the children in her care, 1980 Lady Diana Spencer with two youngsters who were in her care at the Young England Kindergarten Until then, there had been very few pictures of Lady Diana. One or two showed her walking from her flat in Earls Court to her car. There was also one other of her taken a few days before at Balmoral in Scotland. Diana was dressed as a man while Prince Charles was fishing in the River Dee. Diana hid behind a tree when she spotted photographers and used the mirror on her compact to try to see where lensmen were. But the pictures that were taken were nothing like those taken in Pimlico, which were of course taken with the Princess's permission. The story behind those iconic pictures has become as fascinating as the images themselves, which led to her being known for some time as Shy Di. Two journalists from rival newspapers were told by their editors to find out more about the young 19-year-old. They decided to join forces and knew she worked for a nursery somewhere in Pimlico. So, they set about hitting the phones and eventually struck lucky at the Young England Kindergarten. A deal was agreed that in return for her posing for a picture, she and the kindergarten would be left in peace. Around half a dozen photographers and a few reporters turned up and Diana went with them to a nearby park. Lady Diana Spencer perches on the edge of a bench outside the Young England Kindergarten, 1980 The 19-year-old posed for the images after her romance with Prince Charles became public knowledge Diana Spencer, who would go on to become the Princess of Wales, kneels on the grass with two youngsters at the Young England nursery in Pimlico, 1980 Lady Diana Spencer holds a young child in her arms and holds another by the hand Lady Diana Spencer with two children at the Young England Kindergarten at St George's Square, Pimlico Lady Diana Spencer walks hand in hand with two children at the Young England Kindergarten in Pimlico, 1980 Lady Diana Spencer walks with her arms behind her back at the Young England Kindergarten, September 1980 Lady Diana Spencer seen kneeling on the grass at the Young England Kindergarten with two youngsters But she insisted that she took two of her charges with her. As she posed, one of the photographers asked her to turn round and face in the opposite direction as the sun was shining on her face. She duly agreed and turned round. One must remember at this point that there were no digital cameras in those days. They only shot film which had to be sent back to the office to be developed. And so it was that Diana stood there wearing a sleeveless pullover over her blouse and her flowing dress. What no one realised at the time that the sun now behind her had lit up her legs like a spotlight through the dress. She was not wearing a petticoat. The photo session with the amazing silhouette picture lasted no more than two or three minutes. Photographers could only speculate what the picture would be like until they got back to their offices and hey presto, they had all managed to get that great picture which was splashed over all the front pages the following day. But when Diana saw the picture the following day she was appalled and moaned to Prince Charles: 'I don't want to be known as the girlfriend with no petticoat.' In the run up to Prince Charles and Diana announcing their engagement, in February 1981, speculation had been rife about the future King's love life as he entered his thirties still a bachelor. The couple of course went on to marry on July 29, 1981, in a ceremony in St Paul's Cathedral that was watched by an estimated 750million people in 74 countries. They would divorce 15 years later. In the run up to Prince Charles and Diana announcing their engagement, in February 1981, speculation had been rife about the future King's love life as he entered his thirties still a bachelor. Above: The couple outside Buckingham Palace after announcing their upcoming marriage But Diana's gradual transformation into 'the people's princess' eventually helped improve the public perception of the monarchy. Diana allowed herself to be photographed holding sick infants. She hugged people who had AIDS and touched leprosy patients. That is why her death in a Paris car crash on August 31, 1997 left so many people bereft. She had bloomed from a shy young bride into a strong, outspoken woman not afraid to fight her corner. She experienced 'love at first sight' with Prince Pavlos, heir to the Greek throne. However, Marie-Chantal of Greece's luxurious lifestyle began long before her royal marriage. Her billionaire father, Robert Miller, is renowned for founding the Duty Free Shopping chain. She is also a successful clothing designer with a celebrity clientele, including Kate Middleton, and has recently collaborated with the popular homeware brand, Mrs Alice. The Greek royals, with homes in New York and London, are well-known for their opulent parties and luxurious holidays around the globe. So it's highly likely that Marie-Chantal will celebrate her 56th birthday with an extravagant affair. Marie-Chantal of Greece's luxurious lifestyle began long before her royal marriage - her billionaire father, Robert Miller, is renowned for founding the Duty Free Shopping chain Born in London on September 17, 1968, to Mr Miller, now 89, and his Ecuadorian-born wife Maria Clara Pesantas, 84, Marie-Chantal spent her early years in Hong Kong before attending boarding school in Switzerland from the age of nine. Her father, Robert, originally made his fortune as a pioneer in duty-free shopping, establishing the DFS, or Duty Free Shopping, chain. He later expanded into investment ventures, further increasing his and his family's wealth. Marie-Chantal is the middle of three sisters, Pia, 58, and Alexandra, 51, who are also best known for their well-connected marriages. In the 1980s, she attended a bilingual school in Paris before transferring to the Masters School in New York for her senior year of high school. Marie-Chantal has long been associated with the rich and famous - before marrying into royalty, she worked for Andy Warhol. In 1993, she began a degree in History of Art at New York University, where she first met Prince Pavlos, 57. Their meeting was a blind date arranged by their mutual friend, New York investment banker Alecko Papamarkou, who was confident they would be a great match. 'We clicked,' the Princess told Vanity Fair in 2008. 'It was love at first sight. I knew that he was the person I would marry.' Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece and Marie-Chantal Miller's 1995 wedding marked the largest royal gathering in London since Queen Elizabeth's wedding to Prince Philip in 1946, with 1,250 guests, including the royal families of Britain, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Romania, Jordan and Bulgaria Marie-Chantal has long been associated with the rich and famous; before marrying into royalty, she worked for Andy Warhol Marie-Chantal spent her early years in Hong Kong before attending boarding school in Switzerland at the age of nine The couple had their firstborn Olympia in Manhattan, before moving to London in 2002 so their children could have a European education The couple became engaged in 1995 after a romantic proposal in the Swiss ski resort of Gstaad. Their July wedding that year marked the largest royal gathering in London since Queen Elizabeth's wedding to Prince Philip in 1946, with 1,250 guests, including the royal families of Britain, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Romania, Jordan and Bulgaria. The couple moved to Manhattan, where Marie-Chantal continued her studies in art history and Pavlos worked as an investment consultant. It was here they had their firstborn Olympia, before moving to London in 2002 so their children could have a European education. The couple now have five children: daughter Olympia, 28, and four sons: Constantine, 25, Achileas, 24, Odysseas, 19, and 16-year-old Aristidis. In 2000, Marie-Chantal launched her eponymous luxury childrenswear brand, which is stocked in boutiques around the world. Her successful designs have garnered attention from celebrities and royals alike, including Kate Middleton, who dressed her daughter, Princess Charlotte, in a Marie-Chantal scarf for her first day of school. This summer, the princess has collaborated with tableware brand Mrs Alice on a selection of exquisite tablewear and accessories, including hand-painted crockery and rattan placemats. Speaking of the collection, she told Vogue: 'I love the mix of all the different materials and textures, from bamboo bud vases and rattan lanterns to hand-painted china. It is the small details that make a table so special, and I adore the colour palette of blue and pink.' Marie-Chantal (right) and her daughter Olympia (centre) enjoy front row seats at the Valentino show during Paris Fashion Week L-R: Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece and Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece, attend the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in 2023 Although Greece hasn't had an official monarchy since the 1970s, Marie-Chantal and her husband are still referred to as Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess The family enjoys a lavish lifestyle, dividing their time between their luxurious Upper East Side New York home and holidays around the globe. Pictured: Marie-Chantal and her daughter Olympia Prince Pavlos and Marie-Chantal have five children: daughter Olympia, 28, and four sons: Constantine, 25, Achileas, 24, Odysseas, 19, and 16-year-old Aristidis According to the mother-of-five, the key to raising successful children lies in teaching them the value of good manners and courteous behaviour, regardless of financial status The Greek royals have lived between New York and London since 2004, with Marie-Chantal running her clothing line from the UK. The family enjoys a lavish lifestyle, dividing their time between their luxurious Upper East Side New York home and holidays around the globe. Besides their New York residence, the Greek royals own four other properties worldwide, including a house in London, a Cotswolds estate, a holiday home in the Bahamas, and a country retreat in Yorkshire. In 2020, Marie-Chantal published Manners Begin at Breakfast: Modern Etiquette for Families, in which she claims that parenting principles are simple and not affected by wealth. According to the mother-of-five, the key to raising successful children lies in teaching them the value of good manners and courteous behaviour, regardless of financial status. 'It's statistically proven that children who have beautiful manners do better in life,' she explained in an interview with Hello! magazine. 'That child will be remembered for being polite.' In her interview with Hello!, she emphasised the importance of teaching children these lessons from a young age. 'I believe children should be taught from a young age how to behave in a caring and mindful way. They need to be taught to be aware of others and to be instilled with these simple values when they are still so sponge-like. 'Once children are older the lessons are much harder to just accept. I certainly like to think Olympia has taken it all on board,' she said, referring to her eldest. Although Greece hasn't had an official monarchy since the 1970s, Marie-Chantal and her husband are still referred to as Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess - and their children hold these titles as well. While King Constantine and his son, the Crown Prince, no longer have official duties, they remain active in European royal circles. The family has strong ties with the British royals, as Constantine is Prince William's godfather. Prince Charles hosted a gala at Highgrove to celebrate King Constantine's 60th birthday in 2000. A new DNA analysis of a Neanderthal nicknamed Thorin is making experts rethink what they know about early humans. In 2015, researchers discovered the remains of the short-statured Thorin in a cave in southern France. He was named after the character in J.R.R. Tolkien's famed book 'The Hobbit' who was the last of the dwarf kings. But a new investigation of Thorin's DNA suggests he belonged to a previously unknown lineage of Neanderthals that was isolated for 50,000 years, despite living in close proximity to other members of their species. Paleoanthropologist Ludovic Slimak, who co-led the new study, said: 'How can we imagine populations that lived for 50 millennia in isolation while they are only two weeks' walk from each other? All processes need to be rethought.' DNA analysis of Thorin's remains revealed that he belonged to a previously unknown group of Neanderthals that remained isolated for 50,000 years Scientists believe Thorin lived roughly 42,000 years ago, around the time that our closest human relatives disappeared. This discovery complicates the story of how modern humans came to be, and raises new questions about when and why Neanderthals disappeared. Slimak - of the Center for Anthropobiology and Genomics of Toulouse, France - first discovered Thorin's remains nearly 10 years ago at the entrance to the Grotte Mandrin rock shelter in the Rhone River valley of France. Since then, only some additional pieces of his skull have been recovered. In a new study led by Slimak, researchers used these bone fragments to analyze Thorin's genome and gain a clearer picture of his lineage. Slimak and his team performed three sequential DNA extractions on the root of one of Thorin's molars to generate a whole-genome sequence. From this, the team determined the remains belonged to a male Neanderthal that was part of a previously unknown lineage. Their analysis also revealed that Thorin had high 'genetic homozygosity,' which is often indicative of recent inbreeding. They published their findings Wednesday in the journal Cell Genomics. Thorin's remained were first discovered at the entrance of a cave in France in 2015 A team of researchers used the root of one of Thorin's molars to determine that he was male and to generate a whole-genome sequence Genetic homozygosity is when an an individual inherits the same version of a gene from both of their biological parents. What's more, the researchers found no evidence of interbreeding with Homo sapiens, or modern humans. The team also used a variety of techniques, including radiocarbon dating and assessment of the geological layers in the cave, to determine that Thorin died between 52,000 and 42,000 years ago. But additional evidence uncovered in 2023 suggested that his death was likely closer to 42,000 years ago - which would make him one of the last Neanderthals. The study seems to confirm a theory that Slimak proposed about 20 years ago, when he noticed differences between the stone tools recovered at Grotte Mandrin and those found at other contemporary archaeological sites. The isolation of this Neanderthal group complicates our understanding of how these early humans disappeared and ultimately were replaced by modern humans. Like Thorin, a character from J.R.R. Tolkien's famed book 'The Hobbit,' this Neanderthal was among the last of his kind Based on this observation, Slimak posited that Thorin and his relatives were isolated from classical Neanderthal populations, as they did not adopt the new tool-making style seen elsewhere. Now, Thorin's DNA has provided new evidence to support Slimak's theory. 'It turns out that what I proposed 20 years ago was predictive,' Slimak told Live Science in an email. 'The population of Thorin had spent 50 millennia without exchanging a single gene with the classical Neanderthal populations.' The isolation of this Neanderthal group complicates our understanding of how these early humans disappeared and ultimately were replaced by modern humans. Prior to this discovery, scientists believed Neanderthals vanished from ancient Europe as Homo sapiens began arriving in the continent between 40,000 and 45,000 years ago. 'Neanderthals were thought to be part of a single, genetically homogeneous population, spread across Spain, France, Croatia, Belgium, and Germany,' Slimak wrote in an article for The Conversation. For years, studies supported this theory. But the recovery and subsequent analysis of Thorin's remains throws this narrative into question. 'Everything must be rewritten about the greatest extinction in humanity and our understanding of this incredible process that will lead Homo sapiens to remain the only survival of humanity,' Slimak said. 'How can we imagine populations that lived for 50 millennia in isolation while they are only two weeks' walk from each other? All processes need to be rethought.' READ MORE: 'Apple's biggest upgrade' arrives - but is YOUR iPhone eligible Millions of Apple fans have rushed to update their iPhones with iOS 18, Apple's new operating system, which was released on Monday. However, it seems that many are regretting their decision already. Several users have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to complain that the latest update is draining their battery life. One user said they'd updated to iOS 18 and their battery 'is dying before my eyes', while another simply called the battery life on iOS 18 'f****** horrible'. Another posted a GIF of an exploding car with the caption: 'my iphone 11 with 75% battery health after i update it to iOS 18'. Since Apple launched its eagerly anticipated iOS 18 update on Monday, millions of eager iPhone users have rushed to download it One affected user posted a GIF of an exploding car with the caption: 'my iphone 11 with 75% battery health after i update it to iOS 18' Yet another user posted: 'anyone having battery issues with ios 18?' while someone said: 'God iOS 18 is absolutely killing my battery !!!!' Someone else posted: 'I updated my software to IOS 18 and my battery percentage has dropped so fast.' They continued: 'It's been an hour since I charged it at 80% and didn't used it that much at this time yet my phone percentage now is at 67%.' However, others revealed that their device is working fine with the update, with one calling it 'great' with 'no battery drain'. Someone else said: 'thanks to the ios 18, my battery has performed waaaaaay better :)' iOS 18 is supported on the new iPhone 16 models which are released later this month, as well as older models. Pictured, iPhone 16 (L) and 16 Plus One user found their iPhone battery dropped 'so fast' after updating - from 80 per cent to 67 per cent in an hour without much use Complaints have taken X (formerly Twitter) by storm over the past 24 hours, as users allege that the latest update has ruined their device's battery One user said they'd updated to iOS 18 and their battery 'is dying before my eyes', while another simply called it 'f****** horrible The highly anticipated iOS 18 includes advanced home screen customization, messages upgrades, a new passwords app and more iOS 18: Key features Advanced home screen customization New passwords app Improved Photos app More options in Messages Redesigned control centre Note: Apple Intelligence will start rolling out next month with iOS 18.1 Advertisement Although Apple is yet to comment, it is actually normal to experience battery drain in the aftermath of a power-intensive update. Sometimes it can take hours and even days for software changes to finalise, which means that battery health can fluctuate in the meantime. 'Installing a new OS on an iPhone triggers a lot of stuff to go on in the background, from indexing to recalibrating the battery, and this can go on for hours or even days,' Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, a researcher at ZDNet, previously explained. 'Not only does this consume power, but the battery recalibration can give the impression that the battery is draining more rapidly when in fact it isn't.' However, if issues last for longer, it may be a good idea to check your phone battery's maximum capacity. An iPhone's capacity to hold charge lowers as the battery chemically ages, which may result in fewer hours of usage and worse performance between charges. The highly anticipated iOS 18 includes advanced home screen customization, messages upgrades, a new passwords app and more Others revealed that their device is working fine with the update, with one calling it 'great' with 'no battery drain' Sometimes it can take hours and even days for software changes to finalise, which means that battery health can fluctuate in the meantime The maximum capacity is located in the Battery tab found within the Settings menu on an iPhone's home page. If your battery needs replacing, an 'important battery message' will pop up indicating that its health has significantly degraded. Users should also check if Wi-Fi Assist setting is switched on, which keeps devices connected to the inert when the Wi-Fi connection is poor but can drain battery too. Finally, Apple advises that users can take a number of other steps to maximise their battery life. Keeping your device away from extreme temperatures higher than 35C (95F) is a must for preserving battery life. Certain phone cases should also be removed while charging a device if they generate excess heat, to avoid unexpected device shutdowns. With iOS 18, Apple is finally ditching the app grid and letting users place app icons wherever they want on the home screen. Users can also change the size and colour of the icons For those not phased by the battery issues, iPhone users can downloaded iOS 18 by going to Settings, clicking General and then Software Updates to follow the on-screen instructions. Released worldwide on Monday, iOS 18 includes advanced home screen customization, messages upgrades, a new passwords app and more. It's available on iPhone XS (released in 2018) and newer models, including iPhone 11, iPhone SE (second and third generation) and the new iPhone 16. Apple's much touted suite of AI features know as Apple Intelligence will only arrive with iOS 18.1, which is set to be available from next month. Generally, Apple releases a major software update each autumn to accompany a new iPhone model (for example, iOS 18) but adds incremental updates throughout the year (e.g., 18.1, 18.2). With teenagers spending so much time on social media, it's only natural for parents to worry about who they might interact with online. Today, concerned parents will be happy to learn that Instagram is tightening up its teen policy with new 'Teen Accounts'. All under-16s joining Instagram in the UK, US, Canada and Australia will automatically be transferred to Teen Accounts, with existing accounts to follow in the next 60 days. Parents and guardians will be able to see who their teenager is messaging and control when and how they can use the app. The Meta-owned social media giant says that it will implement more age verification requirements to prevent teens from simply lying about their age. From today, Instagram will tighten up its teen policy by introducing 'Teen Accounts' (pictured) which place strict limits on how under-16s can use their accounts What are Instagram Teen Accounts? From September 17, all under-16s joining Instagram will be transferred to a Teen Account. Existing accounts will be transferred to Teen Accounts in the next 60 days. These accounts will place strict limitations on how the app can be used, including: Private Accounts : Teens will need to accept new followers. Their content will be hidden from strangers. : Teens will need to accept new followers. Their content will be hidden from strangers. Messaging Restrictions : Teens can only recieve messages from people they already follow or are connected to. : Teens can only recieve messages from people they already follow or are connected to. Content Restrictions : Instagram will limit what sensitive content is visible in Explore or Reels. Hidden Word filters will remove offensive phrases from teens' comments and DM requests. : Instagram will limit what sensitive content is visible in Explore or Reels. Hidden Word filters will remove offensive phrases from teens' comments and DM requests. Time Limits : Parents will be able to set how long teens can use the app and block Instagram during certain times. : Parents will be able to set how long teens can use the app and block Instagram during certain times. Parental Supervision : Parents will be able to see who their teens are messaging and what topics they have chosen to view. Advertisement Instagram says the new policy is designed to address parents' biggest concerns including who their children are talking to and how they spend their time. By default, all Teen Accounts will be set to private, which means they will need to approve new followers. People who haven't been approved to follow the account won't be able to see any posted content or interact with them. Under-16s will also face a new series of strict controls to limit who they can interact with. Teen Accounts will be set by default to the tightest messaging restrictions so they can only be messaged by people they follow or are already connected to. In addition, teens on the app won't be able to be tagged or mentioned by people they don't follow. This follows Meta's decision earlier this year to completely ban teenagers under the age of 18 from getting messages from strangers across Instagram and Facebook. The introduction of Teen Accounts adds a number of features designed to restrict what kinds of content teenagers can access. Instagram will turn on the most restrictive version of the 'Hidden Words' feature by default for all Teen Accounts. This will automatically filter out 'offensive words and phrases' from teen's comments and DMs. Under-16s' accounts will be automatically placed in the most restrictive settings of 'sensitive content control' which limits what can be seen in places like Explore and Reels. Teen Accounts will automatically feature restrictions on what content they are able to see, with strict Sensitive Content filters and Hidden Words features For example, teenagers will no longer be able to see content showing people fighting or promoting cosmetic procedures. Teen Accounts will be able to specifically select the topics they want to see on their Explore page and recommendations. This latest update will take these restrictions a step further by handing over many of the privacy controls to the parents. Parents will be able to use the 'supervision feature' to adjust specific safety features. By default, teen accounts will be set to the strictest safety settings and will only be able to lessen or adjust these restrictions with their parent's permission. Parents and guardians will be able to decide how much time and when their teen is able to use Instagram. Teen accounts will be able to set up a parent or guardian as a supervisor who can control their account privacy settings Using the supervision feature, parents can set a daily time limit for how much time can be spent on the app or block teens from using Instagram during specific periods. This update gives parents the option to activate 'Sleep Mode' which mutes notifications between 10 PM and 7 AM and sends auto-replies to DMs. Parents and guardians will be able to see the topics their teen has chosen to view and who they have messaged in the past seven days - although parents will not be able to read their teen's messages. To set up these new parental controls, the teen or parent will need to send an invitation for supervision. To do this, click on 'More' in the bottom left corner of the app and select settings. Supervising parents or guardians will be able to limit how much time their teenager spends on Instagram (left) and see who they have been messaging (right) Under the option 'Supervision' click 'Create invitation' in the left menu and copy the invitation link to share with the parent or teenager. While parents can supervise more than one teen account at a time, a teen can only have one supervisor. Once accepted, the teenager won't be able to change any of their Teen Account settings without their supervisor's permission. If a teen does try to change a setting, their parent will receive a notification asking them to approve or reject the change. Dr Rachel Rodgers, associate professor of applied psychology at Northeastern University, says: 'Instagram Teen Accounts reflect the importance of tailoring teens' online experiences to their developmental stages, and implementing appropriate protections. Teenagers will be given the option to specifically select what content they see in their Explore and recommended pages Teen Accounts will not be able to change any of their restrictions without approval from their supervising parent or guardian 'Younger adolescents are more vulnerable as their skills are still emerging and require additional safeguards and protection.' Naturally, teenagers will be tempted to lie about their age in order to bypass these controls but Instagram says it is taking measures to limit this. The platform will require teenagers to verify their age when they first make an account or if they try to make a new account with an adult birthday. In addition to uploading a picture of their ID, Instagram is testing the use of video selfies which will use AI to estimate the user's age. Users may also be able to have a mutual follower to vouch for their age provided that the user is over 18. Instagram says that it is 'building technology to proactively find accounts that belong to teens and automatically place them in protected, age-appropriate settings.' This technology will supposedly be able to detect teenagers' accounts even if they list an adult birthday. Testing of this technology will begin in the US early next year. Teen Accounts will initially only be activated in the UK, US, Canada and Australia but will roll out to the EU later this year and worldwide in January. READ MORE: Inside the night Vincent van Gogh sliced off his ear with a razor Vincent Van Gogh's 'The Starry Night' is one of the most famous paintings in the world, recently voted by Brits as the greatest artwork of all time. Painted in 1890, the painting's legendary swirling backdrop has long been interpreted as a reflection of the artist's state of mind. But a new study suggests the post-impressionist masterpiece held at the Museum of Modern Art in New York actually has more scientific merit than history has given it credit. Researchers in China and France say it's an accurate reflection of a windy night, showing 'hidden turbulence' swirling masses of air that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Today, 'The Starry Night' is considered as his magnum opus, but Van Gogh referred to the painting as a 'failure' months after he created it. Pictured is Vincent van Gogh's famous oil-on-canvas artwork 'Starry Night', which the Dutch painter created in June 1889 THE STARRY NIGHT Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist famous for his psychedelic landscapes and self-portraits. He painted The Starry Night in 1889, inspired by the view outside of his asylum in Southern France, where he was being treated for a string of nervous breakdowns. One of his most famous works, The Starry Night now hangs in New York's Museum of Modern Art Advertisement Lead study author Yongxiang Huang, a PhD candidate at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said the art 'reveals a deep and intuitive understanding of natural phenomena'. 'Van Gogh's precise representation of turbulence might be from studying the movement of clouds and the atmosphere or an innate sense of how to capture the dynamism of the sky,' the academic said. The Starry Night is a famous oil-on-canvas paining created by Vincent van Gogh in June 1989 a year before his death at the age of 37. At the time, the Dutchman was in an asylum in Saint-Remy-de-Provence in Southern France, having voluntarily admitted himself in the aftermath of his ear mutilation the previous winter. The iconic painting is a depiction of his view out of the window, featuring bright stars and a crescent moon in the night's sky, with the addition of an imaginary village to complement the scene. The sky is an explosion of colours and shapes, each star encapsulated in ripples of yellow and white. Meanwhile, gusts of wind, invisible to the naked eye, are visualized as elaborate swirls which the researchers call 'hidden turbulence'. When he made 'The Starry Night', the Dutchman was in an asylum in Saint-Remy-de-Provence in Southern France. Pictured, Self-Portrait, c.1887, Art Institute of Chicago Van Gogh voluntarily admitted himself to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole lunatic asylum in May 1889, housed in a former monastery (pictured)in the south of France The painting was purchased from a private Dutch collection around 1941 by the Museum of Modern Art in New York where it is still on display (pictured) Van Gogh's brushstrokes create an illusion of sky movement so convincing it led atmospheric scientists to wonder how closely it aligns with the physics of real skies. For their study, the experts analysed a high-resolution digital image of the painting to unravel the 'hidden turbulence' in the painter's depiction of the sky. Specifically, they looked at the paintings 14 main whirling shapes and the spacing between the whirling brush strokes that convey a sense of air movement from one point to another. According to the researchers, the painting supports a physical theory called 'cascading energy theory'. This is where air moves from a larger circular current of air (an 'eddy') to a smaller circular current of air. It also supports Russian mathematician Andrey Kolmogorov's theory of turbulence, which describes how energy moves and behaves in a fluid when it flows in a chaotic or turbulent manner. The results suggest Vincent van Gogh had an 'innate understanding of atmospheric dynamics' as he captured them with 'surprising accuracy'. The authors measured the spacing of the whirling brush strokes in 'The Starry Night' along with differences in luminance of the paint, to see if the laws that apply in the physics of real skies apply in the artists depiction. The results suggest van Gogh had an innate understanding of atmospheric dynamics In their new paper, published in Physics of Fluids, the authors conclude the Dutchman made a 'very careful observation' of turbulent winds. 'He was able to reproduce not only the size of whirls/eddies, but also their relative distance and intensity in his painting,' they write. It's unclear if the authors are suggesting van Gogh had an awareness of atmospheric physics that we have all been unaware of until now, or whether its just good fortune that the painting aligns with 'real-world physics'. Ultimately interpretations about the famous work a scene which van Gogh recreated from memory because he wasn't allowed to paint in his bedroom will continue. At the very centre of the painting is its largest swirl, which has been interpreted not as hidden air turbulence but another galaxy. American artist and photographer Michael Benson claimed in 2015 that 'The Starry Night' is a drawing of the Whirlpool Galaxy, officially called M51a. The Whirlpool Galaxy is about 23 million light-years away and is roughly the size of the Milky Way at about 60,000 light-years in diameter. But we know 'The Starry Night' is not a totally accurate representation of the scene, as the village consisting of houses and a church with distinctive steeple was a product of creative licence. Records also suggest the moon was going through its waning gibbous phase at the time the artwork was made, meaning it would have looked bigger than the crescent depicted in the top-right corner. For as long as pubs have been pouring beer, the pint has been the universally accepted serving size. But now, woke scientists from the University of Cambridge want to do away with the humble pint to curb the nation's boozing. In the first trial of its kind, researchers convinced 12 pubs to ditch their pint glasses in favour of two-thirds servings for four weeks. With the biggest serving size now a third smaller, pub-goers drank almost 10 per cent less beer and cider compared to when pints were on the menu. However, should this recommendation become policy, the study found that bars could face falls in revenue of to 9.6 per cent. Scientists want to shrink the size of your pint in order to cut down Britain's boozing habits after a study found that smaller serving sizes reduce alcohol consumption Although Britain's beer consumption has fallen off in recent years, health experts are still worried that the UK's drinking habits could be damaging our health. As the researchers point out in their paper, published in PLOS Medicine, cutting down alcohol consumption reduces the risks of seven common cancers and diseases. Lead researcher Professor Theresa Marteau, director of the Behaviour and Health Research Unit, told MailOnline: 'Alcohol harms health, increasing the risk of over 200 different diseases and injuries including bowel, breast and liver cancers. 'In England it is the fifth largest contributor to early death, disease and disability, and the leading risk factor for those aged 15 to 49.' Since increasing the price of drinks or placing restrictions on beer sales would prove extremely unpopular, concerned scientists are keen to find other ways of slowing drinkers down. In this study, researchers asked pubs to get rid of the pint serving for beer and cider and replace this with a two-thirds glass. The idea is that, since people tend to have a set number of drinks rather than a specific volume of beer, making those drinks smaller should encourage people to drink less. Researchers found that by swapping out the 568ml imperial pint for a smaller 379ml two-third pint serving, pub-goers drank 10 per cent less beer than they otherwise would have. Although, slightly more wine was sold than before Your browser does not support iframes. The study took place over three four-week periods, first selling pints as normal, then switching to smaller servings, and finally returning to business as usual. And, as the researchers had predicted, the mean volume of beer sold fell noticeably in the four weeks when pints weren't available. On average, the 12 venues in the study sold just under five fewer pints (2.77 litres) of beer and cider per day when pint glasses were removed. While the researchers had anticipated that customers would be extremely hostile to the change, the venues involved reported very few complaints. The amount of wine sold during the trial period did increase slightly, rising by 7.2 per cent on average, but almost half of this increase was from one venue which also acted as a restaurant. Professor Marteau and her co-authors write: 'Removing the offer of pints in 13 licensed premises for 4 weeks reduced the volume of beer sold. Your browser does not support iframes. 'This is in keeping with the emerging literature showing that smaller serving sizes help us drink less and presents a novel way of reducing alcohol consumption and improving population health.' While the researchers argue that this could be an effective way of reducing the health impacts of drinking, they acknowledge that pubs are unlikely to be keen on the idea. Despite being offered 3,000 to compensate for the losses and all of the smaller glasses needed, less than one per cent of venues contacted about the trial agreed to participate. During the trial period, the venue's mean daily revenue fell by five per cent due to the drop in beer sales The total drop in weekly revenue varied from just 3.70 to 146.60 depending on the venue. And, when the trial was complete, none of the bars involved kept their maximum serving size at two-thirds. Since pubs are unlikely to adopt this measure voluntarily, the researchers therefore suggest that the regulation would be needed to ban the pint. Data gathered by the World Health Organization and compiled by Oxford University-backed platform Our World in Data, found that the UK's beer consumption has been steadily falling since the 1980s. Researchers think further reductions could help ease the health impacts of alcohol consumption Professor Marteau says: 'Removing the one pint serving size would need to be enforced by changes to alcohol licensing regulations which stipulate the sizes in which alcohol is served.' However, with many pubs struggling to stay open, many may be concerned about any legislation designed to bring down sales. A spokesperson for the British Beer and Pub Association told MailOnline: 'Measures to reduce alcohol consumption must be carefully thought through as this study showed a decrease in beer volume was accompanied by a slight increase in the purchase of higher strength alcoholic drinks.' Ash Corbett Collines, vice-chairman of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), told MailOnline: 'With less than 1% of venues approached for the study agreed to trial the smaller measure, and none of the 12 pubs who did take part choosing to keep the change, the on-trade's verdict is clear. Since people tend to order a set number of drinks, rather than a specific volume, swapping a pint for a two-thirds glass (pictured) means that drinkers consume less alcohol (stock image) 'The removal of the British Pint from pubs would not encourage drinkers to embrace the sociable and supervised environment of the pub, which fosters moderate drinking. Instead, it would push people toward drinking at home.' Likewise, Andy Slee, chief executive of the Society of Independent Brewers, told MailOnline: 'It should be down to publicans, brewers and beer drinkers to decide the best way to enjoy a local beer.' However, despite the obvious resistance to the introduction of the policy, the researchers maintain that their findings should be included in consideration for new regulations. Professor Marteau says: 'There is a trade-off to be made between improving population health by reducing alcohol consumption through effective alcohol control policies and the health of the alcohol industry.' Six states will plunge into cooler temperatures this week as a 'strong cold front' moves across the western United States. Parts of Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana can expect to see below-average temperatures over the next six to 10 days, with some areas seeing a drop of more than 10 degrees. Salt Lake City will see the most drastic temperature change, with Tuesday's high of 67 being 20 degrees cooler than Monday's high. And four other states - California, Oregon, Colorado and New Mexico - have a smaller but still significant chance of below-average temperatures too. The National Weather Service is predicting below-average temps, high winds and storms for six western states this week 'A change in the weather is coming,' the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Salt Lake City posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday. 'A cooldown will arrive across Utah and SW Wyoming beginning with a strong cold front on Tuesday, with odds favoring below average temperatures continuing for the following several days.' The sudden dip in temperatures should come as a relief to people in southwestern states, and particularly in California, as a recent heatwave shot temperatures into the triple digits. The cold front and the associated winds are related to a low-pressure system moving eastward through California. This weather system will plunge California into cooler temperatures and likely bring the first substantial snowfall to Yosemite National Park, where several inches are expected to accumulate through Monday. The cold front comes on the heels of a heatwave that has scorched southern California and neighboring parts of Nevada and Arizona since the first week of September, which sent high temperatures into the triple digits. This week, temperatures in the Los Angeles region will fall to the mid-70s and 80s when it typically sits in the mid-80s. In Nevada, chilly, blustery weather has already arrived in the Las Vegas region as of Monday. In a statement posted on X, the city's local NWS office stated that a wind advisory was in effect due to 'gusty south-southwest winds between 35 and 45 mph.' If you live in Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana, you can expect more fall-like temperatures this week NWS Las Vegas also stated that temperatures dropped more than 10 degrees below average and will remain below-average through the week. Average September temperatures in this region typically range from 71 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Highs this week will be in the upper 80s, climbing into the 90s by this weekend. But lows will plummet to the mid-60s for the first half of the week before steadily climbing into the low 70s. This cold front also delivered high winds to the Salt Lake City region Monday, with windspeeds up to 66 mph blasting some areas, according to NWS Salt Lake City. 'An approaching fall storm will bring some changes to the weather,' the office posted on X on Monday. 'Behind it, highs Tuesday will be up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than today.' Tuesday is expected to be Salt Lake City's coldest day this week with a high of 67 degrees. Average September highs in this region are around 81 degrees, NWS senior meteorologist Monica Traphagan told Newsweek. In Arizona, wind and blowing dust advisories are currently in effect for the western half of Imperial County, with 40 mph gusts to cause 'areas of blowing dust' that could locally reduce visibilities to less than one mile,' according to NWS Phoenix. On Monday, the high in Phoenix was 102 degrees, adding another day to the streak of consecutive triple-digit high temperatures that this region has seen since May 27. But the local NWS office predicts that Tuesday could break this streak when highs fall to the mid-90s. Next week, below-average temps will become less widespread, focusing around Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Utah and Wyoming Cooler temperatures and thunderstorms rolled into Boise on Monday, with Tuesday's daytime highs forecasted to be about 15 degrees below normal for this time of year, according to NWS Boise. Thunderstorms hit the Boise metro area around 8:45 pm Monday, bringing roughly 30 minutes of heavy rain, wind gusts up to 50 mph, and pea-sized hail. Cheyanne is under a severe weather warning Tuesday as this cold front increases the chance of a Derecho - a widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. This region hasn't seen a Derecho since June 2020, according to NWS Cheyanne. 'Damaging winds over 70 mph are the primary severe threat today,' the office said in a statement posted on X. Cooler temperatures will settle in behind this storm, with afternoon highs dropping to the 50s and 60s and a brisk wind likely to linger into Wednesday. Average temperatures in Cheyanne for September range from 49 degrees to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The Billings region is also under a severe thunderstorm warning Tuesday due to this cold front. Wind is the biggest risk, but there's a possibility that the region will see hail too, according to NWS Billings. In Billings, lows will dip into the high 40s this week, slightly below the region's September average of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Below-average temps will become less widespread throughout the western US next week, affecting parts of Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Utah and Wyoming, according to the most recent NWS six to 10 day temperature outlook, which is valid for September 22 through 26. As for the rest of the US, the vast majority of states can expect above average temperatures next week, with the exception of East Coast states from northern Florida to southern Massachusetts, where temperatures will be near normal. It's one of the most famous shopping streets in the world. But London's Oxford Street could look very different by 2026 - if Sadiq Khan's new plans are approved. The Labour Mayor ignited a huge row today after the Government gave him new powers to force through a 150million pedestrianisation of Oxford Street. Mr Khan wants work to start within two years to remove all vehicles from the famous shopping street - despite warnings it could become a crime-ridden 'no-go area'. So, what would a traffic-free Oxford Street look like? MailOnline asked AI for its predictions. What would a traffic-free Oxford Street look like? MailOnline asked AI for its predictions We asked ChatGPT to create an image of a pedestrianised Oxford Street. Our prompt to the bot was simply: 'Create an image of what London's Oxford Street would look like if it was pedestrianised.' ChatGPT's image shows a central cobbled bank running through the middle of Oxford Street, with bike lanes on either side. This central bank and the pavements are dotted with trees, chairs and tables, where people can be seen enjoying al-fresco dining. Mr Khan has also released an artist's impression of what a pedestrianised Oxford Street could look like. Mr Khan has also released an artist's impression of what a pedestrianised Oxford Street could look like The proposal is part of a wider regeneration project which Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner claimed will give the popular shopping district 'the boost it needs. Poll Should Oxford Street be pedestrianised? Yes No Should Oxford Street be pedestrianised? Yes 401 votes No 611 votes Now share your opinion Unlike ChatGPT's image, Mr Khan's image does not show any cyclists - with more details on plans for bikes awaited. The proposal is part of a wider regeneration project which Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner claimed will give the popular shopping district 'the boost it needs'. But industry leaders are calling for 'strong safety measures' to accompany the plans, given there are fears it could increase crimes such as shoplifting and pickpocketing. There are calls for more 'adequate policing' and improved public transport access, with evening revellers and particularly women possibly more at risk from no passing traffic - given regular buses and taxis can act as a deterrent to criminal activity. Another artist's impression of a pedestrianised Oxford Street from plans released in 2017 Oxford Street has suffered from big name exits in recent years, leaving boarded-up storefronts and a proliferation of tacky US-style sweet shops - but there are hopes it is finally bouncing back with the reopening of HMV and a forthcoming new Ikea. The scheme aims to improve one of the world's busiest shopping zones for workers, residents, shoppers and tourists in an area which has about 500,000 daily visitors. Mr Khan wants to pedestrianise a 0.7-mile stretch between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, with the potential for further changes towards Tottenham Court Road. But the redevelopment is set to require 16 bus routes to be removed or diverted - including the 98 and 390 which run the full length of Oxford Street. The Mayor hopes to reboot plans for a 'traffic-free pedestrianised avenue' similar to Times Square in New York, the Champs-Elysees in Paris and Barcelona's Las Ramblas. Florence, Dublin, Venice, Milan, Dubrovnik. The consensus? They're top city-break destinations. Worthy of crossing the globe to visit. But try telling that to the travellers on Reddit contributing to a thread about Europe's worst cities. They hurled critiques at the aforementioned destinations and more besides in response to poster 'friendlyflee' asking: 'What cities in Europe are not worth coming back to?' One city is derided as being a 'shadow of its former self', another as a 'pensioner's dream' and one renowned spot is, apparently, a 'tourist trap'. Read on for more... Bratislava, Slovakia Reddit users have been sharing the cities they'd never go back to. One traveller describes Bratislava (pictured above) as 'the most boring city I've ever been to' Bratislava has a striking bridge with an observation deck that looks like a UFO. Despite this, many Redditors were left unimpressed by the capital of Slovakia. One contributor described it as 'the most boring city I've ever been to', and user 'Blue1994a' wrote: 'The UFO bridge looks unusual but isnt worth a special trip for.' 'Bkittred' remarked: 'Had a two-hour tour. It was 1.5 hours too long.' 'ConfidentLem0n' replied: 'Agree! Also the people were really cold and everyone looked a bit angry or depressed.' However, 'OneNo7285' pleaded for understanding, commenting: 'That is just how Slovakian people are. Don't take it personally. We love holding grudges.' It might be the centre of Europe's fashion world, but it wasn't the right fit for Reddit user Rustywings, who remarked: 'Milan was fairly underwhelming. I wouldnt rush back other than as a gateway to the lakes.' Venice, Italy The Floating City didn't float user NArcadia11's boat, who said: After spending five days in Venice, I see no need to go back. 'Its an incredibly beautiful, unique, architecturally artistic city and Im so glad I saw it. But also its incredibly annoying to get around, the food is not as good as in other parts of Italy and its a little too "fake touristy" for me. Oslo, Norway Oslo, Norway's capital (pictured above), was described as 'not that spectacular' by one traveller While there is plenty of love for Norway in the thread, its capital city, Oslo, is widely disliked. User Schlawiner says: 'While I am a big fan of Norway, I found Oslo to be very boring. No interesting architecture, small, not much to do. The nature around it is also not that spectacular compared to other places in Norway. 'SingleBackground437' concurred, stating that the city is 'underwhelming', with Norwegian 'Coolbeans_97' chiming in with 'could not agree more'. Barcelona, Spain It might be Spain's top tourist destination but Barcelona's not for everyone. One traveller, 'SSG669', says: Beautiful city and amazing food but just filled with street hustlers and the constant harassment was a damper on the trip. Another tourist, 'dont_fwithcats', writes: Gave it two chances and still feel the same way. Overpriced and very gimmicky. The locals also dont want tourists there right now - cant blame them, everything is expensive and some tourists are just a******s - so just go literally anywhere else in Spain. Basel, Switzerland Basel (above) in Switzerland was slammed as 'very expensive' with 'nothing to do' It's situated on the banks of the Rhine River, but Basel didn't make a splash with 'Lumpy-Rub-9125', who said: Although the landscape is pretty, its a very boring city. 'Its like a pensioners dream relaxing location. Dead after 8pm, not allowed to have music in suburban areas after 8 or 9pm. Also very expensive - nothing to do. Dublin, Ireland An Emerald Isle gem? Not for Reddit user 'Queenoftheducks_', who wrote: Modern day Dublin is a shadow of its former self. Its charm has been so heavily diluted by the amount of office blocks and multinational corps that its not much different from so many European cities. Modern day Dublin is a shadow of its former self,' said one traveller Even domestic tourists aren't impressed, with 'Major-_-Funk' saying: Im Irish, live in Ireland and really dont like Dublin. The Guinness in the storehouse is some of the worst Guinness I drank, surprisingly. Dubrovnik, Croatia Dreaming of Dubrovnik? It's a nightmare, according to user 'Auximines_minotaur', who commented: Boring. Expensive. Mediocre food. Crammed with cruise ship tourists and tour guides with flags. 'No locals actually live there. And half the locations from Game of Thrones dont even exist because they used CGI for most of it.' Athens, Greece Athens is 'overpriced' according to one traveller, who added that you can see everything interesting in the city 'in a couple of days' Greece's capital isn't worth more than a weekend trip, according to one visitor, 'Gzrfox', who writes: Dirty, hot, overcrowded, everythings overpriced and the few points of interest you can get to in a couple of days. Andorra la Vella, Andorra It's the capital of one of Europe's smallest countries - and failed to turn the tables and make a big impression on one Redditor, who remarked of Andorra la Vella: 'Quite possibly the most boring place Ive ever been and Ive been to some really dull places. 'We went in summer so there was absolutely nothing to do except shop (duty free so great if you want an expensive watch or something). No cultural sites, museums, or architecture of note. There weren't even any restaurants open until Spanish dining hours [typically post-9pm], and we were on a day trip. Florence, Italy Florence, one of Italy's most popular destinations, is a 'tourist trap' according to one traveller The consensus is that Florence is one of Europe's top cultural destinations. But the consensus meant nothing to user 'Goin_Commando_' , who remarked: The Ponte Vecchio has to be the most utterly and completely overrated tourist trap in Europe. Its filled with about 50 yards of gold vendor kiosks and then youre across it. The Statue of David is worth seeing. For maybe five minutes if youre really stretching it. I do enjoy art. And the stunning talent that goes into it. But you can view it all online, including virtual tours. Brussels, Belgium Belgium's capital wasn't a capital spot for 'Queenielauren', who wrote: Brussels. Lots of garbage on the streets, lots of construction work everywhere and lots of beggars and scammers. Tourist 'Coffeewalnut05' added: Came to say Brussels. There are aspects I like, such as the central architecture, the excellent public transport and the food is so good (especially the desserts). But I felt unsafe all the time and I had to stick to a few streets in the centre in order to not feel on-edge.' Uber-stylish cabins, sexy gold kimonos and pampering perks. Welcome aboard the Mekong Serenity, a new 88-passenger deluxe river ship by family-run Australian travel group APT that can dock in fabulously remote destinations thanks to its bijoux size. APT has been offering cruises along the 2,700-mile-long Mekong River for many years, but the Mekong Serenity is the very first river ship that it owns and custom-built from scratch. This five-deck vessel has only recently started sailing and I was excited to hop on board near Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and capture the cruise on camera. The video starts by exploring Mekong Serenity's top decks where, unusually for a river ship, the stunning outdoor pool is big enough for a swim 100 lengths takes half an hour. Jo Kessel steps aboard the new 88-passenger, five-deck Mekong Serenity on a sailing from Vietnam to Cambodia - and captures the cruise on camera. The picture above shows the vessel after a recent paint job that transformed it from grey to white Jo is pictured here holding two of the ship's cocktails - the signature 'Rusty Nail' (right) and an espresso martini (left) There's also an expansive sun terrace that has a wraparound jogging track as well as seats to relax on after a visit to the ship's gym. Talking of relaxing drinks are included and one of the signature cocktails is a 'Rusty Nail'. Not an overly appetizing name, but how would it taste? Delicious, that's how! Turns out that brandy mixed with lemon and orange juice is a winner. At 92 metres the ship has an elongated look that's hard to capture in one shot. But in contrast to its boxy exterior, the interior is swish and stylish, with sweeping staircases, teak panelling and beautifully appointed cabins. Jo says: 'Unusually for a river ship, the stunning outdoor pool [above] is big enough for a swim 100 lengths takes half an hour' Jo describes the interior of Mekong Serenity as 'swish and stylish, with sweeping staircases, teak panelling and beautifully appointed cabins' Above is Jo's suite on the Mekong Serenity. There are 44 in total, which come with balconies and river views There are 44 of them in total, all 'suites' with balconies and river views. Better still, the cabins come with sexy gold kimonos instead of bath robes and a perk that makes a real difference: two free items of laundry a day! Next the footage focuses on excursions, with every activity offering something exciting and unique. In Vietnam, Tuk Tuks transport guests to markets and villages where locals live in riverside stilt houses - we're even invited into their homes. And two days later we cross the border into Cambodia, where we discover giant gold Buddhas, cheeky macaques and monks who shower us with petals at an exclusive Buddhist blessing ceremony. We overnight in capital Phnom Penh, which is close to the country's Killing Fields. This is where the Khmer Rouge's dictator, Pol Pot, massacred a quarter of his own country's population in the late 1970's (two million people) in a horrific genocide. This is an emotionally intense visit bones still protrude from the ground - but it's the best way to fully understand the horrors this country has endured and how it is now re-emerging. Jo is pictured above in the 'sexy gold kimono' that comes with her cabin The ship boasts an 'expansive sun terrace that has a wraparound jogging track as well as seats to relax' Jo describes every meal on the ship as a 'fine dining experience with both Asian and Western dishes on the menu'. Above is the specialty restaurant Indochine 'Every meal is a fine dining experience,' writes Jo. Lemongrass restaurant's buffet is pictured above Yum's the word: Mekong Serenity meals Mekong Serenity offers a welcome sanctuary and the film moves onto its many indulgences, from nuts (the wasabi peas are dangerously addictive) to massages (at $45 an hour these are a steal) to cuisine. Every meal is a fine-dining experience with both Asian and Western dishes on the menu and one dinner dedicated to Cambodian specialities. The fish filet in coconut milk (featured in the video) and Taro ice-cream with fried banana chips (Taro is a local potato) are superb. There's even a specialty restaurant called Indochine that serves a once-a-voyage five-course set meal that includes roast pork belly and tea-smoked duck. Occasionally, we're treated to local dance recitals, cooking demonstrations and fruit tastings. Green mangoes are in season and the chef prepares slices alongside a salt and chilli dip. The combination of sweet with savoury and spice is an unexpected hit. It's sad to say goodbye to Mekong Serenity, but soon it's time for our final ship excursion in Kampong Cham, home to the longest bamboo bridge in the world. This is an unbelievable structure which, despite being made of natural fibres, straddles the river and can hold the weight of hundreds of people and even cars. The Mekong Serenity is pictured here docked in Kampong Cham, Cambodia Jo says every excursion on the ship offers 'something exciting and unique'. Pictured here are stilt houses along the Mekong River in Vietnam that she visited Jo is pictured at the Killing Fields on an excursion from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, which she describes as an 'emotionally intense visit' but the 'best way to fully understand the horrors this country has endured' Jo says most travellers 'bookend their cruise with pre and post-land stays'. She's pictured here at the ruins of Ta Promh in Siem Reap, Cambodia For most travellers this is not the end of the trip, however, and that's because they've bookended their cruise with pre and post-land stays. My journey had begun with a couple of nights in Vietnam where a Tai Chi lesson in Ho Chi Minh City was a highlight. Next, it's the voyage's finale in Cambodia's Siem Reap. This is the gateway to the Unesco World Heritage site of Angkor Wat, a Hindu Temple built in the 11th century that's considered the 8th Wonder of the World. Its most evocative ruins are Ta Promh, where tree roots have taken hold of the ancient remains Angelina Jolie famously filmed scenes from Tomb Raider here. For an extraordinary journey from start to finish this packs an almighty punch. Even the Asian sun plays its part, rising and setting with a fiery intensity. It's been an adventure cruise like no other. Qatar Airways has launched a huge sale to celebrate 15 years of service in Australia. The airline has slashed airfares to a number of its most popular destinations including London, New York, Lisbon, Seychelles and Nice. The sale is on now and runs until September 30 on flights between October 1 and June 10 2025. The Doha-based airline has reduced prices for both economy class and business class seats. Aussies can snag economy seats from Sydney to London from as little as $1849 while an business class upgrade starts from $8189. Seats on flights linking Melbourne and Nice are selling from $1849 in cattle-class and $8099 in business. A seat on the Qatari airline's A380 from Brisbane to New York can be purchased for as little as $1839 in economy, and $7859 up the front. The prices include taxes, fees and airport surcharges. Qatar Airways have flown in Australia for 15 years and have launched a sale to commemorate Aussies flying to New York from Brisbane can snare airfares as little as $1839. Pictured are passengers on a Qatar Airways flight Qatar connects Australians to more than 49 destinations across Europe and the UK, 29 in Africa, 33 in the Middle East and 13 across the Americas. The airline took out the annual Skytrax's World Airline Awards for 'World's Best Airline' in June this year. 'This is a proud moment for Qatar Airways. I am honoured to share this award with my dedicated team,' Qatar Airways group chief executive officer, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said at the Skytrax event. 'This award is a testimony to our relentless commitment to providing unparalleled service and innovation. The company won a record-breaking eighth 'World's Best Airline' award earlier this year 'We look forward to continuing to serve our customers with the highest level of excellence.' It's the eighth time Qatar Airways has snatched the top spot. The airline took home a bundle of other awards, including 'World's Best Business Class', 'World's Best Business Class Airline Lounge' and 'Best Airline in the Middle East'. 90 Day Fiance star 'Big' Ed Brown is off the market once again, getting engaged to 29-year-old Porscha Raemond just 24-hours after they met. The 59-year-old reality star was in Plantation, Florida for a meet-and-greet at a sandwich shop called Capriotti's, where he met Raemond over the weekend. Not even 24 hours later, while at dinner, Big Ed decided to propose using a paperclip from the restaurant as an impromptu ring, just months after he opened up about his regret over dumping Liz Woods. Despite the unconventional proposal, sources tell TMZ the engagement is in fact real, with Ed himself saying, 'It was love at first bite.' There is no indication yet when the wedding may happen, though she was featured briefly in one of Big Ed's videos from the sandwich shop over the weekend. 90 Day Fiance star 'Big' Ed Brown is off the market once again, getting engaged to 29-year-old Porscha Raemond just 24-hours after they met Despite the unconventional proposal, sources tell TMZ the engagement is in fact real, with Ed himself saying, 'It was love at first bite' The video is a collage of footage taken from his appearance at Capriotti's, which features an Instagram story post from Raemond, who deleted her Instagram at some point after meeting Ed. The Instagram story post showed two photos Raemond with Ed, one where they're both smiling for the cameras with her arm around him. The second photo showed her kissing Ed on the cheek, adding in the caption, 'You're even better in person,' with a heart emoji. He also posted another one of her Instagram stories where she shared the autographed photo he signed for her along with pink heart emojis. Less than a day after meeting, they went out for dinner, with Brown said to be 'feeling it' so much that he dropped to one knee and popped the question. He stunned the dinner party, onlookers and his future wife with the impromptu proposal, though sources insist the proposal is, 'definitely real.' Raemond will be Brown's second wife, following his first marriage to Sandra Heckman from 1990 to 1992, with the exes sharing daughter Tiffany. They split after just two years of marriage after Ed was unfaithful, which he has called in the past a, 'stupid mistake.' He also posted another one of her Instagram stories where she shared the autographed photo he signed for her along with pink heart emojis He stunned the dinner party, onlookers and his future wife with the impromptu proposal, though sources insist the proposal is, 'definitely real' He stunned the dinner party, onlookers and his future wife with the impromptu proposal, though sources insist the proposal is, 'definitely real' He travelled to the Philippines on the show to be with his girlfriend Rose Vega (above), though the relationship crumbled before they got to the altar He then participated in the spin-off 90 Day: The Single Life, where he met Liz Woods (above) in the first season He was first introduced to TV audiences in 2020 when he appeared on Season 4 of 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days. He travelled to the Philippines on the show to be with his girlfriend Rose Vega, though the relationship crumbled before they got to the altar. He then participated in the spin-off 90 Day: The Single Life, where he met Liz Woods in the first season. After a whopping 15 break-ups and reconciliations, they finally split for good in Season 8. Big Ed has not addressed the engagement on his Instagram just yet, where he boasts over 593K followers. An iconic TV star looked unrecognisable as they returned to their iconic BBC show 29 years after their debut as a child actor. In two upcoming episodes of the second series of the Beeb's The Famous Five, original cast member Jemima Rooper, who played George in the 1995 version, is set to make an appearance. The series is based on Enid Blyton's 21 stories and follows the adventures of a group of young explorers Julian, Dick, Anne, George and their dog Timmy. Actress Jemima, 42, is set to take on the role of Angela Clutterbuck, a guest staying at a peculiar hotel during two final 90-minute episodes. She looks worlds away from her time on the show nearly 30 years ago as her curly short brown tresses are now styled into chic long bob and bangs. An iconic TV star looked unrecognisable as they returned to their infamous BBC show 29 years after their debut as a child actor In some upcoming episodes of the second series of the Beeb's The Famous Five, original cast member Jemima Rooper (Second from the right), who played George in the 1995 version, is set to make an appearance She has ditched her signature tomboy-inspired ensembles and is typically seen sporting a classy black dress or skirt. Since her time on the iconic show, Jemima has kept busy in showbusiness as she has starred in some British classics. Jemima has since starred in shows including Atlantis, Father Brown, Death in Paradise, Midsomer Murders and One's The Hex. In the latest adaptation of The Famous Five, George is played by Diaana Babnicova, who is reprising the role for series two. For the return of the latest adaptation are the rest of the Five - Elliott Rose as Julian, Kit Rakusen as Dick, Flora Jacoby Richardson as Anne and Kip, the Bearded Collie Cross as Timmy the dog. Also returning for the upcoming series are James Lance as Uncle Quentin, Ann Akinjirin as Aunt Fanny and Jack Gleeson as Thomas Wentworth. The new series debuted on CBBC in 2023, following previous TV iterations in 1978 and 1995. The show's creator and executive producer, Nicolas Winding Refn, said the return of The Famous Five 'fills his inner child with pure content'. The series is based on Enid Blyton's 21 stories and follows the adventures of a group of young explorers Julian, Dick, Anne, George and their dog Timmy Actress Jemima, 42, is set to take on the role of Angela Clutterbuck - a guest staying at a peculiar hotel And she looks worlds away from her time on the show nearly 30 years ago as her curly short brown tresses are now styled into chic long bob and bangs In the latest adaptation, George is now played by Diaana Babnicova (Middle right), who is reprising the role for series two (Pictured: L to R Flora Jacoby Richardson as Anne, Elliott Rose as Julian, Kip the dog and Kit Rakusen as Dick) He added: 'It is an adventure to manifest the youthful fantasies of my imagination and watch these characters, essentially my lifelong friends, continue to blossom and evolve. 'This second season is sure to inspire and elicit unadulterated elation!' Cast member James Lance said: ''I am delighted to be back playing Uncle Quentin in The Famous Five. This series is a gem. 'It is a privilege to be working with our wonderful cast with the sweetest co-star, dear Kip, who plays Timmy the dog as we follow him on these magical adventures.' Despite the first two adaptions being a huge success, the latest version left viewers furious earlier this year. The new BBC adaptation of Enid's Famous Five series was criticised by some fans of the classic books for its costume design and electronic music score, which they claimed was 'all over the place'. The series, which aired in January, began with The Curse of Kirrin Island, but viewer reaction to the show was mixed, with particular criticism coming in for some of the stylistic choices. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one said: 'Seeing in 2024 with the new BBC adaptation of The Famous Five. 'I love the music BUT it just doesn't work with the story or period. It's Tubular Bells, Jean-Michel Jarre but not Dick and Fanny. And the story, scripts, the costumes [and] acting is all out of place.' 'Flipped over to BBC's Famous Five and it's, ya know, fine but it's got a super ambient electronic score that feels like it's from a totally different film which is a hell of a bold choice. I can't decide if it elevates the whole thing or feels completely out of place.' 'Watching Famous Five on BBC - don't suppose anyone knows what lenses were used during filming? There's a soft-focus vignette on (seemingly random) shots and it's distorted and oddly distracting.' The series had been pitched as a 'reimagining' of the beloved children's franchise by director Nicolas Winding Refn, who said he was 'bringing the iconic stories to life for a progressive new audience.' In the past, the controversial Danish director has been called 'sadistic,' 'creepy' and 'ultraviolent' for choices in his films. The series had been pitched as a 'reimagining' of the beloved children's franchise Fans slammed some of the costume design in the latest adaptation of the beloved book series The series has been singled out for criticism online following the broadcast Famous Five fans hit out at the show's costume design and electronic music score (pictured are the stars of the programe) This includes one scene in his film Neon Demon which includes audio depicting a 13-year-old girl being raped. When it debuted at Cannes critics openly booed with some even leaving the screening due its graphic nature and cannibalism theme. Patricia Hidalgo, Director BBC Children's and Education, said: 'Bringing these books to life with a new reimagining of The Famous Five is a real treat for BBC audiences and a celebration of British heritage. 'These stories are loved around the world and bringing families together is a key part of our strategy so we hope it introduces a new generation of viewers to these wonderful adventures.' Kin may have been hailed 'the best Irish drama series in years', but now a police soap, Red Rock, has come to give the BBC and Netflix hit a run for its money. The 2016 hit drama, created by Kin's Peter McKenna, has released all 117 episodes free to stream on STV Player. The show's executive producer is former EastEnders producer John Yorke, who has overseen some of the show's biggest-ever storylines, including Who Shot Phil? The new programme is set in the fictional Irish seaside town of Red Rock. Red Rock focuses on the day-to-day lives of officers at the busy local Garda station, as well as the colourful characters who live in the town. Kin (pictured) may have been hailed 'the best Irish drama series in years', but now a police soap, Red Rock, has come to give the Netflix hit a run for its money The 2016 hit drama has released all 117 episodes free to stream on STV Player and was created Kin's Peter McKenna (pictured: Red Rock) The show kicks off with a dramatic opener when local man Darren Kiely is found badly beaten on the pier and CCTV implicates Michael Hennessy. Red Rock's feuding families the Kielys and Hennessys have a bitter history, but the attack seems puzzling as the Gardai had believed the rivalry between the two clans had died down. And when new recruit Garda Sharon Cleere trawls the CCTV for more clues, she's shocked to discover footage that suggests one of her superiors is in a relationship with an underage schoolgirl. John is not the only Albert Square connection, as a later episode of the series is penned by Shaun Williamson - most notable for playing Barry Evans between 1994 and 2004. The first episode of the Irish crime drama series Red Rock aired on Virgin Media One on January 7, 2015. The series ran for three seasons and ended on January 8, 2020. And viewers cannot get enough of the show as they are excited that it has been picked up on STV Player. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan penned: 'I think I was the only person flying the flag for the Sharon and Paudge ship, but since we're all talking about Red Rock again now that it's been picked up on STV Player, hopefully they'll get more recognition and love' The show's executive producer is also former EastEnders producer John Yorke (pictured in 2019), who has overseen some of the show's biggest-ever storylines, including Who Shot Phil? Red Rock focuses on the day-to-day lives of officers at the busy local Garda station, as well as the colourful characters who live in the town The first episode of the Irish crime drama series Red Rock aired on Virgin Media One on January 7, 2015. The series ran for three seasons and ended on January 8, 2020 Managing Director of Digital at STV, Richard Williams said: 'From the incredible response we've had to relaunching Brookside, we know our viewers love a brilliantly written drama with multi-dimensional characters, unpredictable plotlines and just the right combination of grit and warmth, so STV Player is the perfect home for Red Rock in the UK.' EVP Strategic Development at All3Media International, Gary Woolf said: 'We've seen phenomenal success in the soap genre with STV Player through the ongoing success of Brookside and we're excited to now give audiences the chance to lap up the stories from Red Rock shore.' STV Player can be found across the UK on all major platforms, including Sky Q, NOW, Virgin Media, Amazon Fire TV and Freeview Play. Kin star Emmett J Scanlan has sparked fresh hope that the BBC and Netflix flick will return for a third season. During Tuesday's installment of This Morning, the actor, who plays Jimmy Kinsella in the first two seasons, teased show hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shepard that there was a 'bidding war' for the show. The gritty Irish drama quickly became a fan favourite after the BBC acquired the rights to the show in 2023 - two years after it debuted on RTE in September 2023. The show, which won four Irish Film and Television Awards in 2022, revolves around the Kinsellas, a close-knit Irish family entangled in organised crime in Dublin. And now Emmett has fans on the edge of their seats as he dangled the possibility of the show's return. Kin star Emmett J Scanlan has sparked hope that the BBC and Netflix flick will return for a third season During Tuesday's installment of This Morning, the actor, who plays Jimmy Kinsella, teased show hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shepard that there was a 'bidding war' (Pictured with Kara Tointon) He told the presenters: 'I don't know if there's going to be a season three, it hasn't been green lit yet. 'There is a little bit of a, I don't know if I'm stepping out of line when I say this, but there's maybe even a bidding war. There is a lot of interest.' 'I hope it comes back again, I'd love to take on the role of Jimmy again. I loved it.' Official confirmation is yet to be made. When it first hit streaming platforms, fans could not get enough of the series as the multi-award winning show was hailed as 'the best Irish drama series in years'. Kin has casted the likes of Charlie Cox (Michael Kinsella), Clare Dunne (Amanda Kinsella) and Emmett J. Scanlan (Jimmy Kinsella), during the first two seasons. The show scored an impressive 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Halle Berry left Gayle King lost for words after proudly declaring that her vagina is 'juicy like a peach' after the menopause during an appearance on Tuesday's CBS Morning. The 58-year-old Hollywood A-lister was being interviewed by Gayle, 69, when she made the unfiltered remark and burst into laughter before later opening up on her 'horrific' experience with the condition. Oscar-winning actress Halle made the admission when Gayle said: 'The other thing that I love that you're talking about menopause because most people think menopause is dry vaginas, and you're all done'. Halle then cheekily quipped: 'It did mean that for a minute. Now I'm juicy like the peach!' She then burst into a fit of giggles as Gayle took the show to an ad break. Halle Berry proudly declared that her vagina is 'juicy like a peach' after the menopause The award-winning actress, 58, made the candid comment during an interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. It typically affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier. After the break, Halle shared that she had discovered she was menopausal in the 'most horrific way'. She said: 'I was diagnosed with herpes instead of a menopausal symptom, you know, and that got me awakened to the idea that if I had this little information, I wonder what millions of other women don't have. 'And then it just started snowballing and I realized that only we, women, can destigmatize this by talking about it, making it okay, talking about it with our husbands, our partners, our sons, our co-workers. 'We have to give them permission to talk about it also.' Halle has been very vocal about her experience and even held a speech at Capitol Hill in May in which she asked for legislation to fund better research and education for it. 'This is my favorite subject,' she told host, Robin Roberts on GMA when asked why she went to Capitol Hill. Halle - who went through the menopause at 54 - burst into a fit of giggles after making the unfiltered comment Presenter Gayle, 69, laughed at her guest's admission before taking the show to a break 'But what got me there was realizing that I was in perimenopause and had no idea.' She recalled: 'I was 54 years old, and no doctor that I had dared to talk to me about it. It was as if this never happened to me.' Halle then revealed that at the time, she had received a 'misdiagnosis of herpes' and added it was 'not an easy thing to hear.' However, three days later, doctors discovered she did not have herpes, but still could not diagnose her symptoms. 'And that is what got me so riled up.' Hollywood A-lister Halle has been very vocal about her experience of the menopause Halle's longtime custody battle with ex Olivier Martinez is still continuing 'I thought, "Wow, if I have one of the best doctors...I have one of the best doctors in California and he didn't really understand what this was." That made me realize there must be millions of women that don't understand this.' Elsewhere in her interview with Gayle, Halle was asked about her ongoing custody battle with her ex-husband Olivier Martinez over their son Maceo, 10. Halle said: 'I'm just a strong mother. I'm going to fight for my kids until my death. 'I'm going to always be here fighting for what I think is right for my kids.' Gayle replied: 'I'm team Halle always.' Halle was married to the French actor from 2013 to 2016. Married At First Sight UK was dealt a brutal blow after its ratings dropped to an all-time low while rival show My Mum, Your Dad stormed ahead with double its viewers. MAFS UK returned to E4 on Monday night for a new series, airing at 9pm - the same time as the Davina McCall-fronted ITV rival. However its comeback fell flat after ratings showed it had pulled in its lowest number of viewers ever for its debut episode, of 570,000 - compared to last year's 718,000. Meanwhile, season two of My Mum, Your Dad, which aired on ITV at the same time as the E4 show, bagged a whopping 1.3million viewers on Monday night. Taking to social media, one fan suggested that MAFS UK's ratings drop could be because people chose to watch My Mum, Your Dad instead. Married At First Sight UK (pictured) was dealt a brutal blow after its ratings dropped to an all-time low while rival show My Mum, Your Dad stormed ahead with double its viewers Season two of My Mum, Your Dad (pictured), which aired on ITV at the same time as the E4 show, bagged a whopping 1.3million viewers on Monday night MAFS UK returned for its new series on Monday and saw a bride on the new series of Married At First Sight UK break down in tears after discovering a bombshell revelation about her new husband. Kristina, 31, who's a dog walker from East Sussex, married Geordie Kieran, 28, during Monday night's launch episode but was left devastated when she learned about the mechanic's full-time living arrangements. Kieran had already shocked Kristina by wearing a set of false teeth as they met for the first time at the altar, putting his new bride's sense of humour to the ultimate test. But Kristina couldn't hold back her emotions after being told on her wedding day that Kieran resides in a static caravan, sobbing as she digested the detail about her new partner. MailOnline's exclusive clip showed Kieran being interrogated by his mother-in-law who questioned whether he owned a house or a flat, with the Newcastle native replying: 'Wouldn't you like to know' Kristina's mother asked Kieran: 'Do you live with your parents?' before he replied: 'I live on my own I have got my own place.' Keen to know more details, she probed: 'A house or a flat or a bedsit?' Kieran said: 'Don't tell her I've told you this please because I want to try and keep it a bit of a secret not because I live in a static caravan in the middle of a woodland.' A bride on the new series of Married At First Sight UK broke down in tears after discovering a bombshell revelation about her new husband Kristina couldn't hold back her emotions after being told on her wedding day that Kieran resides in a static caravan, sobbing as she digested the detail about her new partner Speaking to camera, Kieran explained: 'Kristina doesn't know I live in a caravan and I don't really know what she's going to think, there's not many lasses out there that would actually love to live in a caravan in the middle of a woods, a lot of them think it's creepy.' Kristina's mother Karen asked: 'Are there lots of other people?' before Kieran replied, 'No, no, it's just me.' Reflecting on Kieran's revelation, Karen added: 'Talking to him and finding out more information and you learn more about them everyone's different aren't they?' Kieran admitted: 'I'm really nervous about Kristina finding out that I live in a caravan, she might hate it.' And Kieran was right to feel apprehensive, with Kristina exclaiming 'Does he actually?' as she cried into the palms of her hands. Kieran and Kristina married after meeting for the first time at the altar on the E4 reality series. Kristina, who's a dog walker from East Sussex, married Kieran during Monday night's launch episode but was left devastated when she learns about the mechanic's living arrangements Wearing a joke set of false teeth, Kieran pranked his bride to test her character. They appear to be a match made in heaven before Kristina discovers Kieran's living situation and breaks down, throwing their romance into doubt. The show's new series, which began on Monday at 9pm, follows couples that have agreed to marry after being matched by relationship experts Paul Brunson, Charlene Douglas and Mel Schilling, who oversee the dating experiment. Jenna Bush Hager is no stranger to divulging details about her personal life live on air, and Tuesday was no different as she shared a rather intimate bedroom habit that belongs to husband Henry. During Tuesday's episode of Today with Hoda & Jenna, the mother-of-three and her cohost, Hoda Kotb, were discussing Kourtney Kardashian's recent comments about co-sleeping with her kids, and Jenna decided to share her thoughts on the topic. 'I will say, I like sleep so much. I love sleeping so much that there is a certain type of sleep you can only get without a child,' the 42-year-old admitted, before referencing her husband of 16 years. 'Because my husband has been trained, after many years, to stay on his side. And unless I invite him over... formal, usually in a letter form that he receives with a courier, he stays nice... over,' Jenna joked, as she held her arms out in front of her. 'And if he doesn't, in the middle of the night, I give him the old shove!' she admitted as Hoda, 60, burst out laughing and Jenna added: 'You don't shove your children [though].' Jenna Bush Hager divulged a rather intimate detail about her personal life on Tuesday's episode of Today with Hoda & Jenna The 42-year-old revealed that her husband, Henry Hager, 'has been trained' to stay on his side of the bed Mom-of-two Hoda replied: 'No you don't,' before suggesting: 'I do think there is nothing better than getting into a cold... I don't like cold weather except for in my bedroom... when you're under those crisp sheets and you just put your head down on the pillow and you can feel your body relaxing for the first time all day long.' The former First Daughter then revealed: 'You know, I sometimes get in my pajamas before the sun goes down, like 7pm,' as Hoda replied: 'I love that feeling. Do you take a shower first? Or you just get right into the PJs?' Jenna replied: 'Well, I take a bath sometimes. But I put on my pajamas and then people will sometimes come around and I'm like, "Hey, I know it's weird."' 'I love that feeling, and there's nothing better than going to bed early and having to have the blackout shades,' Hoda claimed, as Jenna added: 'And you know you're getting a good 10 hours!' Referring to her oldest child, Jenna then said: 'Mila sometimes will ask if she can sleep over if Henry is traveling for work, and she did on Saturday night. We went to dinner and she slept over. 'I said, "Mila, I love you but I'm gonna give you the same rules that I give dad and I want you to just give me a little space," and then the next morning she said, "I think I have something with you where my body just wants to come close to you, I couldn't help it."' Jenna's comments come months after she admitted that she and Henry still sleep on the same mattress they bought on a layaway when they got married 16 years ago. During an episode of Today with Hoda & Jenna in February, she recalled how the mattress was their 'biggest investment' after they wed at her family's Prairie Chapel Ranch near Crawford, Texas, on May 10, 2008. Hoda Kotb giggled as Jenna admitted she would give Henry 'the old shove' if he came over to her side of the bed without being invited Henry and Jenna pictured with their three children: Mila, 11; Poppy, nine; and five-year-old Hal Earlier this year, Jenna revealed that she and Henry still sleep on the same mattress they bought 16 years ago 'By the way, we bought a bed, Henry and I, the first year we got married,' she told Hoda. 'It was a Tempur-Pedic, it was called "The Celebrity Bed." We've had it since we got married. That's almost 20 years.' 'But aren't the indentations too deep?' a stunned Hoda asked, to which Jenna replied: 'It probably is, but it was our biggest investment of whatever year it was. 'We paid it off on layaway. Henry got a pay plan for our mattress.' Robert Irwin has snagged another TV gig. After co-hosting I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here with Julia Morris this year, the 20-year-old conservationist appeared on Have You Been Paying Attention? as a guest host this week, filling in for regular host Tom Gleisner. And many viewers were impressed with the Wildlife Warrior's performance. Fans of the comedy panel show took to social media site X to gush about Robert's hosting abilities. 'I thought Robert Irwin absolutely smashed it as guest host tonight. Much better than Grant Denyer last week. Irwin has charm and treats the panellists well,' wrote one viewer. Another remarked, 'How good was Robert Irwin? Knocked it out of the park like a champion while they absolutely poured the gas on him.' 'Banger panel and guest host, Robert Irwin is killin' it,' someone else said. 'Awesome guest host effort, Robert. Ripper of an ep, guys,' another X-user said. Robert Irwin appeared on Have You Been Paying Attention? as a guest host this week, filling in for regular host Tom Gleisner One more social media comment remarked on Robert's ability to rein in the chaos of the comedians on the panel. 'Well done, you handled the rabble well,' the X-user wrote. It comes after it was confirmed Robert would be returning as host for Channel 10's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! alongside Julia Morris in 2025. And many viewers were impressed with the Wildlife Warrior's performance A Ten insider told Daily Mail Australia: 'Stylists and makeup artists have been booked and the pair have been rehearsing their banter which is set to take centre stage - as Network Ten packs a few surprises in their line-up for next year. 'The Gold Logie double nomination for these two was really what had the duo locked and loaded.' It comes after it was confirmed Robert would be returning as host for Channel 10's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! alongside Julia Morris in 2025 According to the insider, Julia was unsure for a long time if the show would return, but has been delighted in telling friends the gig is back on her slate in 2025. However, there were some concerns about securing Robert back for the series which had the Queensland native requesting two months off from Australia Zoo to headline the celebrity series yet again. 'There was a lot of back and forth getting the contract right and there are a few movie star requests that prove this isn't just any old TV presenter,' the insider adds. But the deal was the right decision for the youngest Irwin to return to South Africa for another wild series with Julia. 'The opportunity to put Julia back with Robert was something the network could not afford to be a one-off,' says the source. 'Network Ten doesn't have anyone else to be the face of the network and these two know how to sell a whole slate of shows to media buyers and advertisers, which is why the pair have been signed up to launch the network's plans in 2025.' Angelina Jolie's son Pax was in a horrific e-bike accident in late July in Los Angeles. And now DailyMail.com has learned Jolie got some of the best doctors to tend to her son. One of those doctors was a plastic surgeon who carefully looked over the large cut on his forehead. 'Angie wanted to make sure Pax did not have a terrible scar on his face so she asked a top plastic surgeon in Los Angeles to look at him and take care of it,' said a source. 'She is a very hands on mother and does whatever she can for her kids. She made the call herself and was there during the consultation.' This comes after Pax was seen with Angelina on the red carpet for the premiere of Without Blood at TIFF Lightbox during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, on September 8. He worked as an Assistant Director on her new film Without Blood that stars Salma Hayek. Angelina Jolie 's son Pax was in a horrific e-bike accident in late July in Los Angeles. And now DailyMail.com has learned Jolie got some of the best doctors to tend to her son. Seen September 8 One of those doctors was a plastic surgeon who carefully looked over the large cut on his forehead The 20-year-old adopted child of the movie star was wearing sunglasses but the red scar over his left eye could still be seen. Pax appeared to be in good spirits as he smiled alongside his movie star mom who was stunning in a black dress and opera gloves. He has also worked on her first Kung Fu Panda, Maleficent and First The Killed My Father. And he worked as an AD on her new film Maria as well. Jolie reportedly raced to be by Pax's side when he was hospitalized following his crash at around 5pm on July 29 when he was on Los Feliz Boulevard in Los Angeles. A source told Page Six he was 'stable' after the crash, adding Angelina 'is by Pax's side at the hospital as he recuperates'. Law enforcement sources told TMZ Pax smashed his electric bicycle into a stopped vehicle at a congested intersection when a traffic light turned red. The driver reportedly hopped out of the car to check on Pax before first responders were called. Pax said not to have been wearing a helmet at the time of the incident reportedly suffered a head injury and was left with hip pain and was then rushed to hospital for treatment. Page Six said even though paramedics were worried that Pax was experiencing minor brain bleeding, it is understood he was 'doing better' soon after. The cut is over his nose and on top of his left eye but looks to be healing well weeks after the crash in LA 'Angie wanted to make sure Pax did not have a terrible scar on his face so she asked a top plastic surgeon in Los Angeles to look at him and take care of it,' said a source 'She is a very hands on mother and does whatever she can for her kids. She made the call herself and was there during the consultation,' it was added (L-R) Salma Hayek, Jorge Antonio Guerrero, Pax, Jolie, Patricio Jose, Demian Bichir attend the premiere of Without Blood in Toronto Along with Pax, Angelina has five other children with her 60-year-old Fight Club actor ex Maddox, 22, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, and 16-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne. Angelina and Brad started dating in 2004 and married 10 years later but split in 2016 and have been since been embroiled in bitter battles over child custody and ownership deals linked to their French vineyard. Brad initially won a 50-50 custody agreement that was sealed for privacy in 2021 but overturned later the same year. The exes were declared legally single in 2019. Last week Hayek said she was impressed by Jolie's 'serious' and 'professional' sons Maddox and Pax on the set of Without Blood. Jolie (R) and Embeth Davitz attend the Telluride Film Festival on September 1 in Telluride, Colorado Angelina wrote and directed the movie and her boys Maddox, 23, and Pax landed jobs in the assistant director department serving as a liaison between the director and the other departments - and the movie's star Salma was happy to work alongside the boys on set because they were so dedicated to their jobs. She told PEOPLE: 'They work hard. [Angelina was] very professional with them ... She's demanding. They got the respect of the crew, and they were good with the crew, and they were very in their place. 'They were not treating me like they treat me outside of there. ... They work hard. They are very serious about what they do.' Salma went on to add: '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'.' On September 20 it will be eight years since Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt; seen in 2013 Angelina's sons also worked in the AD department on the set of her movie Maria - which was directed by Pablo Larrain - and she admitted the work is good for them. She told The Hollywood Reporter: 'They've done that quite a few times, and I think that's good for them. Pax tends to do stills and he gets brought in, and Pablo was wonderful and recognised that he was good at it'. The actress was also grateful to have her sons around to support her because playing opera start Maria Callas was so emotionally exhausting. She added: 'It really meant a lot that my boys were with me on Maria. When I would have really heavy times, they would come over and just give me a hug or a cup of tea. 'That was probably one of the more intense things was that - usually when I'm expressing that much pain, it's not in front of my children. You really try to hide from your children how much pain and sadness you carry. 'And so for them to be with you when you're expressing it at such a level, I think it was the first time they ever heard me cry like that. That's usually for the shower.' Jackie 'O' Henderson turned the streets of New York City into her own personal catwalk on Monday. However, the radio star, 49, admitted even she 'can't unsee' one hilarious detail from her latest Sex and The City-esque photoshoot. In the questionable image, Jackie strutted down a street in trendy Brooklyn neighbourhood Dumbo in a black T-shirt, white stiletto heels and an eye-popping statement mini skirt. The leggy blonde kept her accessories and the rest of her ensemble minimal so as not to clash with the skirt's multicoloured optical illusion chunky patterned belt. But one observer saw something very different in the skirt's intricate pattern. 'Looks like your pad has slipped out,' wrote the fan, along with a couple of laugh-crying emojis. On closer inspection, the thigh-skimming Emilio Pucci skirt does feature two sections of white stripes, which are placed on a diagonal angle unfortunately near to the underwear region. 'And now I can't unsee it,' Jackie responded in her characteristically good humour and laugh-crying emojis in return. Jackie O, 49, admitted even she 'can't unsee' one hilarious detail from her latest Sex and The City-esque photoshoot in New York City (pictured) Not all the comments were critical of the outfit, however. 'Hot hot hot, wish I was there,' Jackie's stylish pal and newly re-instated Ksubi Creative Director, Pip Edwards, commented. 'Hot in the city,' famous personal trainer Michelle Bridges wrote, adding flame emojis. 'So beautiful,' glamazon TV presenter and Gold Logie winner Sophie Monk added. A slew of comments from fans showered the KIIS FM radio star with praise, writing, 'iconic', 'a vibe', and 'killing it' and 'Queen'. A slew of comments from fans showered the KIIS FM radio star with praise, writing, 'iconic', 'a vibe', and 'killing it' and 'Queen' In the second picture from her travels, Jackie poses with her head resting on friend Damien Dirienzo's arm at a cafe. In the comments, she told a follower that KIIS FM producer Brooklyn Ross' fiance is pretty handy with a lens and 'lucky for [her]', he likes to take lots of pictures. 'Where's Kyle?' one fan asked, while another noted they'd woken up to the KIIS FM station playing a repeat of an old show on Tuesday. Jackie O wanders the streets of NYC wearing a white linen dress by Henne and Dior sunglasses, while carrying an oversized Pucci bag Jackie and Damien Dirizio (pictured left with Jackie) cuddle up for a picture while sipping espresso martinis Jackie revealed that she'll be meeting up with her co-host Kyle Sandilands in Las Vegas Jackie revealed that she'll be meeting up with her co-host in Las Vegas. In the meantime, she's playing tourist in New York with Brooklyn and Damien, and holidaying during the radio ratings off-period back in Sydney. The group travelled together on a long haul flight from Sydney to the U.S on September 14. Jackie appeared to be in jovial spirits as she flashed a huge smile while arriving at Sydney Airport for the morning flight. She was joined by her longtime co-star Kyle, 53, his wife Tegan Kynaston and their son Otto, two, as they all jetted off to the U.S. ahead of the iHeartRadio music festival in Las Vegas. It came after a hectic end to the week for the newly-minted podcast host and memoir author, who admitted she keeps a list of men she's slept with on her phone on-air. Jackie dropped the bombshell on Friday morning's Kyle and Jackie O Show amid a discussion about star signs. 'Have you ever slept with a Gemini?' asked co-host Kyle Sandilands. Jackie then began looking at her phone, with Kyle suggesting it contained a list of all the men she'd bedded. 'Have you got a bang list?' Kyle asked, before pressing her as to what details it included about the men. 'It's just [their] birthdays,' said the mother-of-one. Anna Delvey's attorney is responding to criticism leveled against his client on The View earlier this month, after she joined the cast of Dancing With the Stars. The 33-year-old Delvey (born Anna Sorokin) is best known for defrauding wealthy New Yorkers and other institutions of over $275K between 2013 and 2017. She served nearly four years in prison and has paid back all of the funds she stole from various victims, though she took issue with The View criticizing her joining DWTS, following showing off a bejeweled ankle bracelet. She was granted permission by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to appear on DWTS, which Whoopi Goldberg complained about on The View. During Monday's episode of The View, host Alyssa Farah Griffin issued an on-air apology during Monday's episode, with Delvey's lawyer Duncan Levin issuing a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. Anna Delvey's attorney is responding to criticism leveled against his client on The View earlier this month, after she joined the cast of Dancing With the Stars During Monday's episode of The View, host Alyssa Farah Griffin issued an on-air apology during Monday's episode, with Delvey's lawyer Duncan Levin issuing a statement to The Hollywood Reporter During the September 5 broadcast of The View, Goldberg wasn't the only host to express her disappointment with Delvey's casting. Sunny Hostin said, 'I like a come-up, but when are there consequences to peoples actions?' The host that Delvey and her lawyer took the most issue with was Alyssa Farrah Griffin, who said, 'She still owes people money. Con artists tend to remain con artists.' Delvey took to X (formerly Twitter) the next morning, stating, 'While you are entitled to your own opinions, you should at least get your facts straight. I served my time and paid everyone back in full 3+ years ago. Looking forward to your on-air correction.' On Monday, The View hosts revealed they were contacted by Levin, with Griffin reading a correction statement to the camera. 'We recently discussed Anna Delvey, the convicted fraudster, noting she will be on Dancing With the Stars and questioning the fairness of her being on the show as it is an opportunity that most other convicted criminals and immigrants seeking asylum simply do not have,' Griffin began. 'After that discussion, we heard from Ms. Delveys lawyer, who strongly objected to our saying that, quote, "She still owes people money,"' Griffin added. 'He argued that statement falsely suggests she still owes restitution to her fraud victims. And he provided a document from the Office of Victim Services that he says proves, quote, "All of Miss Delveys restitution has been repaid in full and all the victims have been fully compensated," end quote,' she added. Delvey took to X (formerly Twitter) the next morning, stating, 'While you are entitled to your own opinions, you should at least get your facts straight. I served my time and paid everyone back in full 3+ years ago. Looking forward to your on-air correction' On Monday, The View hosts revealed they were contacted by Levin, with Griffin reading a correction statement to the camera After The View's on-air correction, Levin issued a statement of his own, thanking The View for their statement Griffin concluded, 'We are all looking forward to the new season of Dancing With the Stars premiering tomorrow night right here on ABC.' After The View's on-air correction, Levin issued a statement of his own, thanking The View for their statement. 'We are thankful that The View has corrected their false and defamatory statements about Ms. Delvey,' Levin's statement began. 'Like so many others, Anna has made mistakes and, most importantly, she has made amends by serving both time in prison and repaying all her debts in full. Anna deserves a second chance and accepts The View's apology,' Levin concluded. Scott Peterson's former mistress Amber Frey is heavily featured in the new Netflix documentary American Murder: Laci Peterson. Frey, a massage therapist from Fresno, California, was unknowingly Scott's mistress for weeks before he killed his heavily-pregnant wife Laci on December 24, 2002. Prosecutors believed she was a motivating factor for Scott to commit the double murder of Laci and his unborn son Conner. Frey, 49, helped the California police secretly compile evidence against Scott by recording conversations with him and was the key witness in his murder trial. After being found guilty on two counts of the murder of Laci and his son Conner, Scott was sentenced to death by lethal injection in 2004. The California Supreme Court overturned his death sentence in 2020.. Since the murder trial that gripped the world, Frey was been keeping a low-profile and still lives in Fresno, California. She married American police officer Robert Hernandez in 2006, according to Yahoo, and divorced two years later. Scott Peterson's former mistress Amber Frey is heavily featured in the new Netflix documentary American Murder: Laci Peterson. Pictured together in 2002 Amber has two children, daughter Ayiana and son Justin, with an unknown partner, who were born before her relationship with Peterson. In 2007, Frey opened up a day spa in a suburb of Fresno. She enjoys staying fit and keeping active and has a public Instagram page, where she frequently shares photos of herself working out. She recounted her experiences with the wife killer in a 2005 tell-all book called Witness, in which she discussed how she became involved with Scott and later helped the police arrest him. The blonde beauty was said to be uncomfortable with the level of fame she received after the trial and worked hard to return to a relatively normal life. Frey told the US Today Show in 2015 that while her decision to help the police arrest Scott forever changed her life, she didn't regret doing it. 'I'm still very recognisable, it's never gone away in that sense. It changed my life. My children's,' Frey began. 'I don't regret anything. As crazy as it sounds, I would do it all over again. It wasn't about me. Theres a missing woman carrying a child. If I had something to say that would help, yeah, without question.' Frey, a massage therapist from Fresno, California, was unknowingly Peterson's mistress for weeks before he killed his heavily-pregnant wife Laci on December 24, 2002 Since the murder trial that gripped the world, Frey was been keeping a low-profile and still lives in Fresno, California In 2007, Frey opened up a day spa in a suburb of Fresno. She is pictured heading to work in Clovis, California last month She recounted her experiences with the wife killer in a 2005 tell-all book called Witness, in which she discussed how she became involved with Scott and later helped the police arrest him Frey recently returned to the public eye by appearing in two episodes of the Netflix true crime documentary American Murder: Laci Peterson, where she discussed her experiences with Scott. She cunningly kept her relationship going while helping police nail him as the suspect in the chilling murder case. Peterson had been married to Laci for five years when she disappeared on December 24, 2002, after taking their dog for a walk. Frey recently returned to the public eye by appearing in two episodes of the Netflix true crime documentary American Murder: Laci Peterson, where she discussed her experiences with Scott Frey, who was a single mum to her young daughter at the time, revealed she had just finished school in California when one of her friends told her that there was this 'handsome guy' who was looking to 'meet the one,' and introduced her to Peterson. Speaking on Netflix's new series, Amber said of her blossoming new relationship with Scott: 'We started talking on the phone. I thought he was handsome, he had a really nice smile, he had a good head on his shoulders.' During their courtship, which she said started around November 2002, Amber asked Scott if he had ever been married - and he said no. When she asked if he wanted kids in the future, Amber recalls he said that her own daughter Ayiana 'would be enough.' Halle Berry put on a radiant display in an eye-catching ensemble as she attended the world premiere of Never Let Go in New York City on Monday. The Catwoman star, 58 - who recently opened up about her 'zero sugar' wellness routine - joined other celebrities at the glitzy event held at Regal Times Square, such as RHONY alum Bethenny Frankel. Berry took on a leading role in the upcoming, suspenseful horror flick - which is slated to hit theaters later this month in the U.S. on September 20. The actress wowed in a halter-styled gown that clung to her frame and contained striped hues of gold, tan, orange and silver. The fabric of the dress sparkled under the bright lights and was held up with chain-like details that wrapped around her neck. Halle Berry, 58, put on a radiant display in an eye-catching ensemble as she attended the world premiere of Never Let Go in New York City on Monday Halle's locks were parted in the middle, and effortlessly flowed down in voluminous curls to nearly brush the tips of her shoulders. She accessorized the look for the evening by adding chunky, gold bands on each of her wrists, as well as a few rings. Berry's makeup was glammed up, and comprised of a layer of mascara to her lashes as well as light shadow around her eyes. A warm blush was added to her cheekbones while a nude-colored, glossy tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch. The beauty struck a variety of poses upon arriving to the venue to flaunt her ensemble as well as her fit frame ahead of the special screening. During a recent interview with Marie Claire earlier this month, Halle got candid about why she is not afraid when it comes to aging. 'Age is just a number that they stick on us at birth.' 'As women, we get defined by it way more than men do and sometimes it can debilitate us. It can trick us into thinking what we're supposed to do.' She also told the outlet, 'I've always known that I've been more than this face and more than this body.' The actress wowed in a halter-styled gown that clung to her frame and contained striped hues of gold, tan, orange and silver Halle's locks were parted in the middle, and effortlessly flowed down in voluminous curls to nearly brush the tips of her shoulders She accessorized the look for the evening by adding chunky, gold bands on each of her wrists, as well as a few rings Berry's makeup was glammed up, and comprised of a layer of mascara to her lashes as well as light shadow around her eyes 'So, when that starts to go, maybe for the first time in my life, people will focus on the other aspects of me that I think are way more interesting.' Berry added, 'It might feel good to have everybody look at you, but it's always been a hollow win for me because I had nothing to do with how I came here looking.' Halle recently took on the role of a mother in Never Let Go - which was directed by Alexandre Aja. The premise follows, 'A family that has been haunted by an evil spirit for years. Their safety and their surroundings come into question when one of the children questions if the evil is real,' per an official IMDB synopsis. Alongside Berry, other stars that were cast in the project include Percy Daggs IV, Anthony B. Jenkins, Matthew Kevin Anderson, Stephanie Lavigne and Christin Park. While recently talking to Screen Rant, the actress discussed what drew her to the role and the film. 'Well, I always love playing a character where I get to disappear into a role and play something so far away from myself that people wouldn't expect me to do it.' Berry continued, 'Sometimes I wouldn't expect me to do it. The challenge of that is what I live for...' During a recent interview with Marie Claire earlier this month, Halle got candid about why she is not afraid when it comes to aging. 'Age is just a number that they stick on us at birth'; seen earlier this month in NYC The premise follows, 'A family that has been haunted by an evil spirit for years. Their safety and their surroundings come into question when one of the children questions if the evil is real,' per an official IMDB synopsis Alongside Berry, other stars that were cast in the project include Percy Daggs IV, Anthony B. Jenkins, Matthew Kevin Anderson, Stephanie Lavigne and Christin Park Berry was also supported by her boyfriend, Van Hunt, who accompanied the star to the screening in the Big Apple on Monday The couple were seen outside the theater as the actress linked her arm through the musician's while strolling towards their next destination And during the premiere on Monday, Halle was seen joining other co-stars on the red carpet, such as William Catlett, Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins. Later in the evening, Alexandra Aja also joined the cast during the festivities. Aja is known for directing other films such as The Hills Have Eyes (2006) and Horns (2013). Berry was also supported by her boyfriend, Van Hunt, who accompanied the star to the screening in the Big Apple on Monday. The couple were seen outside the theater as the actress linked her arm through the musician's while strolling towards their next destination. Hunt kept it casual in a short-sleeved, black shirt as well as a pair of denim jeans and black boots. Other celebrities also made an appearance at the premiere in NYC, such as TV personality Bethenny Frankel. Other celebrities made an appearance at the premiere in NYC, such as TV personality Bethenny Frankel She slipped into a pair of closed-toed, shiny gold heels and carried a rectangular-shaped clutch bag in her hand Frankel's long, dark locks were parted in the middle, and cascaded down straight past her shoulders Bethenny accessorized her outfit with a chunky gold necklace as well as a pair of mini gold earrings and flashy bracelets The star put on a classy display in a fitted, black ruched dress that was held up with thick straps that wrapped around her shoulders. She slipped into a pair of closed-toed, shiny gold heels and carried a rectangular-shaped clutch bag in her hand. Frankel's long, dark locks were parted in the middle, and cascaded down straight past her shoulders. Bethenny accessorized her outfit with a chunky gold necklace as well as a pair of mini gold earrings and flashy bracelets. Given their rekindled affection and imminent tour, it was hoped the Gallagher brothers would be among the guests at yesterdays Burberry show not least because Liams son, 25-year-old Lennon, modelled in last years presentation. But it was Britpop royalty of a different kind that took a prime seat at the London Fashion Week event Blur frontman Damon Albarn, Oasiss arch nemesis. Whether the legendary Blur v Oasis feud has been passed down through the generations is unclear, but perhaps to be on the safe side, Albarn and his daughter, Missy, were seated far away from any Gallagher guests. These included Noels daughter, Anais, Liams daughter, Molly, and his sons Lennon and Gene. Lennons mother Patsy Kensit was also in attendance, and looked chic in black ankle boots and a belted black Burberry trench coat. From left to right: Molly Moorish-Gallagher, Lennon Gallagher, Anais Gallagher and Gene Gallagher. Whether the legendary Blur v Oasis feud has been passed down through the generations is unclear It was Britpop royalty of a different kind that took a prime seat at the London Fashion Week event Blur frontman Damon Albarn (pictured), Oasiss arch nemesis The Gallaghers werent the only guests to make it a family affair. Also in attendance were Jerry Hall (left) and her daughter Elizabeth Jagger (right) Despite recently falling out of the FTSE 100 index of British companies after shares hit a 15-year low, Burberry adopted a no expense spared approach to its VIP guest list. Celebrities of stage, screen and sport joined luminaries from the music industry to watch the unveiling of a spring/summer 2025 collection that Daniel Lee, the brands chief creative officer, will be counting on to reverse its fortunes. The Gallaghers werent the only guests to make it a family affair. Also in attendance were Jerry Hall and her daughter Elizabeth Jagger as well as husband and wife duo Rio and Kate Ferdinand. They were joined by models Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Iris Law, David Gandy and Poppy Delevingne, actors Olivia Colman, Barry Keoghan, Jodie Turner-Smith and even royalty in the form of Lady Amelia Windsor. Team GB Olympic gold medallist Keely Hodgkinson was also spotted, dressed in an eye-catching orange biker jacket. Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour showed her support by swapping her US election Harris-Walz 2024 scarf for a Burberry one. Should these stars wish to attend next summers Oasis reunion too, they should have no shortage of inspiration for what to wear. The collection was a tour de force of outerwear that looked ideal for a soggy English summer. Longtime Burberry model Lily Donaldson led the charge in a pale blue parka with an embellished hood, while another familiar Burberry face, Edie Campbell, wore a similar cropped version. Lennons mother Patsy Kensit was also in attendance, and looked chic in black ankle boots and a belted black Burberry trench coat Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour showed her support by swapping her US election Harris-Walz 2024 scarf for a Burberry one Earlier in the day Anais was looking chic in highstreet, teaming a Nobody's Child trench coat with a cosy patterned knit Rainwear came in various iterations, including capelets, belted safari jackets, bomber jackets and blousons, in a washed-out pastel palette of pale green, tangerine and lilac, offset with neutral earthy tones. Trench coats the cash cows of the brand ever since Thomas Burberry created them in 1879 were reimagined for spring in a delicate daisy print, as well as appearing in more traditional neutral hues. Fabrics were light, and included cotton, silk poplin and bonded linen. The collection borrowed heavily from the Nineties, with mesh polo shirts, zippered combat pants and cagoules all making an appearance, worn with the decades stalwart, the clog. As for whether it will prove strong enough to boost the brands ailing sales, the verdict is definitely maybe. Like the British weather for which this collection was designed, fashion is notoriously fickle. Sean 'Diddy' Combs was arrested Monday night in New York City following an indictment from a grand jury. A person familiar with the indictment confirmed the legal action against the 54-year-old musical impresario, according to The New York Times; but it was not immediately clear what the charges were in his indictment. Combs was arrested by Homeland Security officials at the Park Hyatt hotel in midtown Manhattan late Monday, law enforcement sources told TMZ, and transported to the FBI's Manhattan field office. Authorities had planned on arresting Combs on Tuesday, but 'something happened' that caused federal officials to take him into custody earlier than planned, an official told the outlet. Sean 'Diddy' Combs was arrested Monday night in New York City following an indictment from a grand jury. Pictured in September 2023 Combs was pictured hours before his arrest on a walk in midtown Manhattan with his son Christian Combs, 26, Monday U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said Combs was apprehended in connection with a Southern District of New York-issued sealed indictment - but federal officials said they will ask a judge to unseal the indictment today. Combs, also known as Diddy and Puff Daddy, has been in the limelight for most of the past year after he settled a lawsuit from his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in November of 2023, in which she claimed he engaged in sex trafficking and abused her. A video of him attacking her in 2016 in a Los Angeles hotel room circulated this past May, leading him to say that he'd 'hit rock bottom' and made 'no excuses' for his 'inexcusable' conduct depicted in the clip, adding that he takes 'full responsibility.' Adria English, who sued Diddy for $50 billion and filed a criminal complaint accusing him of sex trafficking, hailed his arrest on Tuesday. 'We are happy to see one step towards justice being taken by the federal government in their arrest and indictment of defendant Combs today,' her lawyer said. 'We look forward to seeing the outcome of this case and having our own day in Court against defendant Combs.' Prior to being taken into custody, Combs was seen relaxing in New York's Central Park before walking the streets of the Big Apple alongside his son Christian Combs. Sean 'Diddy' Combs was spotted hanging out in Central Park the day before his arrest The rapper, 54, appeared relaxed, sitting on a knoll while park goers meandered in the sun, seemingly unbothered by the swirling controversy Monday evening's indictment comes less than six months after the music mogul's homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by federal authorities March 25. Officials pictured in Miami Beach Combs swiftly settled a lawsuit from his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in November of 2023, in which she claimed he engaged in sex trafficking and abused her Diddy's attorney Marc Agnifilo released a statement to DailyMail.com which read: 'We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney's Office. 'Sean 'Diddy' Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community. 'He is an imperfect person but he [is] not a criminal. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Agnifilo added: 'Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.' Diddy was staying at Park Hyatt in midtown in Manhattan Monday evening's indictment comes less than six months after the music mogul's homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by federal authorities March 25. (TMZ noted that Monday's high-profile arrest had been apparently connected to the probes). Federal officials also conducted a thorough search of the hotel room in which they apprehended Combs, according to TMZ. Combs, then known as Puff Daddy, was at the center of the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop battles of the 1990s as the partner and producer of the Notorious B.I.G., who was shot and killed in 1997. But like many of those who survived the era, his public image had softened with age into a genteel host of parties in Hollywood and the Hamptons, a fashion-forward businessman, and a doting father who spoiled his kids, some of whom lost their mother in 2018. But a different image began emerging in November, when his former protege and girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie, became the first of several people to sue him for sexual abuse with stories of a steady stream of sex workers in drug-fueled settings where some of those involved were coerced or cajoled into sex. A Beverly Hills mansion owned by the musical mogul was raided nearly six months back A video of him attacking Cassie in 2016 in a Los Angeles hotel room circulated this past May He said after the release of the clip that he'd 'hit rock bottom' and made 'no excuses' for his 'inexcusable' conduct depicted in the clip, adding that he takes 'full responsibility' In her November lawsuit, Cassie alleged years of abuse, including beatings and rape. Her suit also alleged Combs engaged in sex trafficking by 'requiring her to engage in forced sexual acts in multiple jurisdictions' and by engaging in 'harboring and transportation of Plaintiff for purposes of sex induced by force, fraud, or coercion.' It also said he compelled her to help him traffic male sex workers Combs would force Cassie to have sex with while he filmed. The lawsuit was settled with staggering speed - within 24 hours. The terms of the agreement were kept confidential, with Combs declaring in a statement: 'We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love.' But just days later, two more women accused Combs of sexual abuse in lawsuits filed on the eve of the expiration of the Adult Survivors Act, a New York law permitting victims of sexual abuse a one-year window to file civil action regardless of the statute of limitations. The lawsuits, filed by Joi Dickerson and another woman who was not named, alleged acts of sexual assault, beatings and forced drugging in the early 1990s by Combs, then a talent director, party promoter and rising figure in New York City's hip-hop community. The allegations caused Combs to lose lingering allies and supporters. Combs posted a social media video apologizing, saying 'I was disgusted when I did it' and 'I'm disgusted now' Cassie's lawsuit was followed by at least a half-dozen others in the ensuing months. In February, a music producer filed a lawsuit alleging Combs coerced him to solicit prostitutes and pressured him to have sex with them. Another of Combs' accusers was a woman who said the rap producer raped her two decades ago when she was 17. One woman who filed a lawsuit, April Lampos, said she was a college student in 1994 when she met Combs and a series of 'terrifying sexual encounters' with the rapper and those around him began that lasted for years. Combs and his attorneys have denied nearly all of the lawsuits' allegations. But the rapper's legal woes compounded in March when Homeland Security Investigations served search warrants in early morning raids on his homes in Los Angeles and Miami in a sex-trafficking investigation. Combs was at one of his homes in Miami at the time. His two sons, at his home in Los Angeles, were also handcuffed during the search. The music mogul lost lingering allies, supporters and those reserving judgment when CNN in May aired a leaked video of him punching Cassie, kicking her and throwing her on the floor in a hotel hallway. That video prompted Combs' first real acknowledgement of wrongdoing since the stream of allegations began. He posted a social media video apologizing for beating Cassie, saying 'I was disgusted when I did it' and 'I'm disgusted now.' Prior to his fall from grace, the musical artist was pictured at the 2023 VMAs Combs had been presented with the Global Icon Award at the event in Newark, New Jersey Combs pictured at the Met Gala in May of 2023 in NYC Combs' roles in his businesses beyond music - including lucrative private-label spirits, a media company and the Sean John Fashion line - took major hits when the allegations arose. Pictured in Atlanta in August of 2023 As the founder of Bad Boy Records, Combs became one of the most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the past three decades. Along with the Notorious B.I.G. he worked with a slew of top-tier artists including Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112. Combs' roles in his businesses beyond music including lucrative private-label spirits, a media company and the Sean John Fashion line took major hits when the allegations arose. The consequences were even greater when the leaked beating video emerged. Howard University cut ties with him, and he returned his key to the city of New York at the request of the mayor. Demi Moore looked years younger than her true age when she appeared alongside her three daughters at the Los Angeles premiere of her new film The Substance on Monday. The 61-year-old actress was joined on the red carpet Directors Guild of America Theater by her daughters Rumer, 36; Scout, 33; and Tallulah, 30. The oldest and youngest daughters, Rumer and Tallulah, both looked stunning in black dresses, but Scout who was a dead ringer for her mother put on a particularly racy display in a semi-sheer brown dress that left little to the imagination. The quartet led a bevy of stars at the premiere, including Demi's co-lead in The Substance, Margaret Qualley. Demi's youthful visage was appropriate for her appearance to promote her new body-horror film The Substance, in which she plays a TV aerobics instructor who, after being fired, learns of The Substance, a secret serum that creates a separate, alternate version of herself (played by Margaret Qualley) that will allow her to exist in a younger body. Demi Moore looked years younger than her true age when she appeared alongside her three daughters Rumer, 36; Scout, 33; and Tallulah, 30 at the Los Angeles premiere of her new film The Substance on Monday Demi set temperatures soaring in a black-and-red patterned dress that was reminiscent of stained glass and hinted at floral designs But the substance requires the two personalities to switch back and forth between their bodies, and Demi's character discovers there are some stomach-churning side effects when she takes too much of The Substance in hopes of living in the younger body long term. Demi set temperatures soaring in a black-and-red patterned dress that was reminiscent of stained glass and hinted at floral designs. The figure-hugging look was strapless and reached to the ground. She complemented the dress with her long, lustrous raven hair, which reached down to her midriff in delicate waves. Her middle daughter Scout paid tribute to some of her racier past look with a semi-sheer brown dress that was ruched around her midriff. She went bra-free in the revealing gown, which featured an irregular, plunging top. Scout wore a matching cape over her shoulders that fanned out behind her dramatically. Her long brunette locks reached almost down to her waist. Rumer looked glamorous in her long black gown, which featured horizontal straps over her upper arms and an unusually rising neckline that highlighted her diamond necklace. She also had on studded hoop earrings, along with a simple nose ring, and sahe wore her long pin-straight hair dyed blond. Tallulah opted for an strapless mini dress as she posed with boyfriend Justin Acee. She had bright red hair that complemented the burgundy scarf he wore tied around his neck. Demi plays an aging TV host who begins taking The Substance, which lets her coexist with a separate but connected younger self (Margaret Qualley). But when she tries to stay in the younger body too long, it causes stomach-churning side effects for her older body Demi's figure-hugging look was strapless and reached to the ground. She complemented the dress with her long, lustrous raven hair, which reached down to her midriff in delicate waves Her middle daughter Scout paid tribute to some of her racier past look with a semi-sheer brown dress that was ruched around her midriff. She went bra-free in the revealing gown, which featured an irregular, plunging top Scout wore a matching cape over her shoulders that fanned out behind her dramatically. Her long brunette locks reached almost down to her waist Her other daughters Rumer (R) and Scout (second to left) were both dress in all black Rumer looked glamorous in her long black gown, which featured horizontal straps over her upper arms and an unusually rising neckline that highlighted her diamond necklace. Tallulah opted for an strapless mini dress as she posed with boyfriend Justin Acee The motherdaughter quartet posed on the red carpet Demi's costar Margaret Qualley looked angelic in a multicolored halter dress that contrasted her red-and-black look. Her dress featured undulating strands of white beads with shades of pink and blue in the background over her trim bodice. The dress expanded with a tulle skit featuring multiple layers of pale pink and white material, along with a short train. Margaret completed her look with brilliant white open-toe shoes, and she wore her short raven tresses tied back. She and Demi posed for a group photo with their costar Dennis Quaid and The Substance's director, Coralie Fargeat. Dennis stood out in a grayblue satin paisley shirt with black corduroy pants and blue monk strap shoes. Coralie made a splash in a revealing black dress with a long skirt and a major cutout that exposed half her midriff. Gillian Anderson went in a more reserved direction with a sleeveless graygreen dress decorated with floral designs. The X-Files star wore simple black-frame glasses with the dress which conveniently boasted pockets and she stood tall in black open-toe heels. Demi's costar Margaret Qualley looked angelic in a multicolored halter dress that contrasted her red-and-black look Her dress featured undulating strands of white beads with shades of pink and blue in the background over her trim bodice. The dress expanded with a tulle skit featuring multiple layers of pale pink and white material, along with a short train Margaret completed her look with brilliant white open-toe shoes, and she wore her short raven tresses tied back Margaret and Demi posed for a group photo with their costar Dennis Quaid and The Substance's director, Coralie Fargeat Dennis stood out in a grayblue satin paisley shirt with black corduroy pants and blue monk strap shoes Coralie made a splash in a revealing black dress with a long skirt and a major cutout that exposed half her midriff Gillian Anderson went in a more reserved direction with a sleeveless graygreen dress decorated with floral designs The X-Files star wore simple black-frame glasses with the dress which conveniently boasted pockets and she stood tall in black open-toe heels The filmmaker Gia Coppola, the only child of the late Gian-Carlo Coppola and granddaughter of Francis Ford Coppola, served up a chic, minimalist look with semi-sheer short-sleeve blouse and a long black skirt. Titanic and Unforgiven actress Frances Fisher showcased her gorgeous natural gray hair while looking effortlessly cool in a blue-and-orange patterned dress with black boots and a black leather biker jacket. Back To The Future star Lea Thompson added some flair to the premiere in a playful floral-print coat, which she wore over a black mini dress. The model Alexis Ren highlighted her hourglass figure in a black bodycon dress with a small train. Tia Carrere highlighted her stunning figure in a sheer black lace halter dress that hugged her curves. The Haunting Of Hill House actress Kate Siegel was dressed in a stylish dark green double-breasted suit with tastefully voluminous pants and pointy black pumps. She was joined by her husband, filmmaker Mike Flanagan, who has cast her in several of his film and television projects. That '70s Show star Kurtwood Smith went casual in a navy jacket and a black polo shirt, which he paired with dark pants and black sneakers. He was joined by his wife Joan Pirkle, who wore a smart black pinstripe sport coat with a black blouse and slacks and eye-catching silver shoes. Joanna Cassidy wore a western wearinspired ensemble with a black shirt with breast pockets and lace over her midriff, along with black slacks. The model Soo Joo Park brightened up the premiere with her fuzzy white suit featuring a long skirt, which contrasted her dark blue hair and slim black clutch. The filmmaker Gia Coppola, the only child of the late Gian-Carlo Coppola and granddaughter of Francis Ford Coppola, served up a chic, minimalist look with semi-sheer short-sleeve blouse and a long black skirt Titanic and Unforgiven actress Frances Fisher showcased her gorgeous natural gray hair while looking effortlessly cool in a blue-and-orange patterned dress with black boots and a black leather biker jacket Back To The Future star Lea Thompson added some flair to the premiere in a playful floral-print coat, which she wore over a black mini dress The model Alexis Ren highlighted her hourglass figure in a black bodycon dress with a small train Tia Carrere highlighted her stunning figure in a sheer black lace halter dress that hugged her curves The Haunting Of Hill House actress Kate Siegel was dressed in a stylish dark green double-breasted suit with tastefully voluminous pants and pointy black pumps She was joined by her husband, filmmaker Mike Flanagan, who has cast her in several of his film and television projects That '70s Show star Kurtwood Smith went casual in a navy jacket and a black polo shirt, which he paired with dark pants and black sneakers. He was joined by his wife Joan Pirkle, who wore a smart black pinstripe sport coat with a black blouse and slacks and eye-catching silver shoes Joanna Cassidy wore a western wearinspired ensemble with a black shirt with breast pockets and lace over her midriff, along with black slacks The model Soo Joo Park brightened up the premiere with her fuzzy white suit featuring a long skirt, which contrasted her dark blue hair and slim black clutch The actress Lesley-Ann Brandt highlighted her knockout abs in an otherwise-modest long-sleeve black dress with a floor-length skirt. It featured triangular cutouts over her sides, and she brightened up her ensemble with a sparkling silver handbag Stranger Things actor Brett Gelman arrived in a fragmented ensemble featuring a multicolored sheer short-sleeve shirt featuring a painting of Kobe Bryant's jersey over his stomach The actress Lesley-Ann Brandt highlighted her knockout abs in an otherwise-modest long-sleeve black dress with a floor-length skirt. It featured triangular cutouts over her sides, and she brightened up her ensemble with a sparkling silver handbag. Stranger Things actor Brett Gelman arrived in a fragmented ensemble featuring a multicolored sheer short-sleeve shirt featuring a painting of Kobe Bryant's jersey over his stomach. He paired it with distressed acid wash jeans and black boots, along with white-frame sunglasses with amber lenses. Woman Tragically Killed by Abortion Pills Kamala and Media Blame Everyone But the Abortion Industry NEWS PROVIDED BY Operation Rescue Sept. 17, 2024 WICHITA, Kan., Sept. 17, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- On August 19, 2022, Amber Nicole Thurman was killed by abortion less than one month before her 29th birthday. As with so many other mothers who tragically succumb to abortion complications, Amber's death was senseless. Complications from an elective procedure killed three human beings that day, as Amber was pregnant with twins. "Amber was a single mother and medical assistant who must have been convinced that her life would return to normal after ingesting Mifepristone to end the lives of her growing preborn twin children," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "The media and abortion cartel regularly paints this picture for vulnerable, young women acting as though dangerous, abortion-inducing drugs are the equivalent to popping a couple of aspirin and then 'getting a period.'" Amber was nine weeks pregnant when she traveled from Georgia to North Carolina for a pill abortion. Pill abortions use Mifepristone to kill the child, and then Misoprostol to expel the child. Amber chose abortion less than a month after Georgia's LIFE Act took effect on July 20, 2022, a law protecting innocent, preborn humans after a heartbeat is detectable. "The abortion cartel is blaming this young woman's death on the Georgia law that protects mothers and children with beating hearts," said Newman. "But the blame falls flatly on the abortionist and the abortion facility that received her money, and then callously sent her off to another state to bleed and die offering no continuity of care." The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a Patient Agreement Form that informs the patient of risks associated with the drugs and indicates patients may require emergency care. The FDA label warns of the deadly complications that killed Amber: infection and sepsis. For this reason, the FDA-approved consent form states: "I know that, in some cases, the treatment will not work. This happens in about 2 to 7 out of 100 women who use this treatment." (Emphasis added.) "If I need a surgical procedure because the medicines did not end my pregnancy or to stop heavy bleeding, my healthcare provider has told me whether they will do the procedure or refer me to another healthcare provider who will." (Emphasis added.) The FDA admitted in 2022 that 32 women had died after taking Mifepristone. The agency has not provided an update since. Operation Rescue has tracked abortion-related maternal deaths for years. "Though our list is extensive, it is only a small representation of the senseless deaths occurring because of a cruel, elective procedure that purposely takes an innocent life," said Newman. "This is what abortionists do every day. They are not healthcare providers. They are murderers." "No state law, including Georgia's heartbeat law, prevents physicians from treating a woman in a medical emergency. It is common sense that when a physician removes the remains of an already-deceased child, that is not an abortion. There is no excuse for the hospital staff to have delayed her treatment." Newman is asking other important questions: "Why do we not know who the abortionist was in this grievous case? Why do we not know what North Carolina abortion facility failed this young woman so miserably? Amber's family deserves answers. You can be assured that Operation Rescue will find the truth and inform the public concerning this senseless death of a vibrant, young woman who took care of others for a living." Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the U.S. Our goal is to expose abortion abuses, demand enforcement, save innocent lives, and build an Abortion-Free America. Click here to support Operation Rescue. SOURCE Operation Rescue CONTACT: Troy Newman, President, 316-683-6790 ext. 111 Anne Reed, Senior Policy Advisor, 316-683-6790 Sarah Neely, CEC For Life, 910-303-2601 Press Release September 17, 2024 Opening Statement of Senator Cynthia Villar during the Public Hearing/Inquiry, In Aid of Legislation On the Oil Spill From M/T Terra Nova In Limay, Bataan 17 September 2024 (Tuesday), 10:00 a.m. Sen. Pecson Room, 2nd Floor Senate of the Philippines Again, good morning everyone. This is the Committee's second hearing on Proposed Senate Resolution No. 1084 directing this Committee to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the oil spill from M/T Terra Nova in Limay, Bataan on July 25, 2024, which is detrimental to the marine ecosystem, biodiversity, health, food security, and livelihood of the people in affected areas, filed by Senator Francis "Tol" N. Tolentino. Related to this incident is the capsizing of MT Jason Bradley and MV Mirola 1. Subpoenas were issued to the owners of M/Tkr Jason Bradley, Mr. Romnick Ponestas, and MV Mirola 1, Ms. Mary Jane Ubaldo, to require their presence in today's hearing. To recap, during our first public hearing held a month ago on August 14, 2024, the Committee asked to be enlightened as to the cause of the oil spill. Commandant Admiral Gavan and Captain Marfil gave an overview on the incident and their strategies. MARINA, through Administrator Malaluan, gave a report on MT Terranova's vessel documents, and the actions that MARINA has taken. Both PCG and MARINA could not explain in detail the cause of the incident because their joint investigation was still on-going then and would take six months to complete. However, they committed to submit to the Committee a preliminary report for today's hearing. On other hand, NBI, who was conducting a parallel investigation, has committed to submit a progress report within two weeks. In addition, the Committee also asked about the impact of the oil spill and the relief efforts to the communities greatly affected. In response: 1. The DENR, through Secretary Loyzaga, and the EMB, through Director Caancan, reported on their incident command system, water quality and air quality assessment, biodiversity management, and initial mitigation measures, which include the placement of oil spill booms. 2. The DA-BFAR, though Assistant Director Atty. Encarnacion, reported on the effects of the oil spill on the fisheries based on sensory evaluation. 3. The DOLE, through Secretary Laguesma, reported on the assistance given to residents affected by the oil spill through its emergency employment program or the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program in Bataan, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tarlac. 4. The DSWD, through Undersecretary Cajipe, reported on the progress of its distribution of family food packs and financial assistance in Bataan and Cavite. 5. The DOTr, through Undersecretary Sarmiento, explained about the Oil Tanker Pollution Coordination Committee, where all claims relative to oil pollution damage under Republic Act 9843, or the Oil Compensation Act shall be coordinated. 7. The DND-OCD, through Director Idio, manifested that it ensures the application of the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in addressing concerns, not only for the oil spill incident, but also for other disasters. 8. The DOJ, through Atty. Ganchoon, discussed the sufficiency of the existing legal framework with respect to compensation for oil pollution damage. 9. OCEANA, through Atty. Gloria Ramos, manifested the need for better coordination and transparency among government agencies to prevent incidents like this from happening again, and emphasized a fossil-free future, and 10. Greenpeace, through Mr. Chua, pointed out the need to strengthen accountability mechanisms to hold polluters liable, and raised concerns on the rolling out of compensation for affected communities in Oriental Mindoro. The owner of MT Terranova and its management, through Atty. Del Rosario, likewise assured that they will compensate the damage to the livelihood of fisherfolks and the communities affected. For this purpose, they have been coordinating with the LGUs for the creation of the claim centers. During the course of the hearing, the following documents were asked to be submitted: 1. From the PCG and MARINA: - Its joint safety investigation report. 2. From MARINA: - Copies of the show cause orders against the owner, the ship manager, master mariner, and classification society. 3. From the NBI: - Its investigation report. 4. From the DENR: - The list of facilities transporting or treating hazardous waste products or oil debris. 5. From the DOTR: - Its report on the processing of claims and the amounts of claim during the Mindoro oil spill. 6. From the DA-BFAR: - Its sensory evaluation reports in connection with the fish and shellfish samples. 7. From Atty. Del Rosario of Porta Vaga Ship Management Inc.: - Its registration papers of the following vessels: a) MT Terra Nova, b) MT Leola Micaela, c) MT Aleya Louis, d) MT Alysa Isabel, e) MT Helen Marie, and f) MT Melissa Rae. - A report on the comparison of the claims or settlement during the Mindoro and Bataan oil spill, and - A write-up on the "current buster" device. This Committee notes your submission and will provide the members copies thereof. Again, the oil spill has caused extensive economic and environmental damage, posing threats to marine ecosystem and biodiversity, and the livelihood of fisherfolks and coastal communities. We echo Senator Tol's sentiment that this is result of the government's neglect, which causes misery to our fisherfolks, and which needs to be properly addressed. Thus, as we begin this hearing, the Committee reiterates its objectives: to determine the cause of the oil spill, address its impact, assess the effectiveness and sufficiency of the response efforts, and illicit the truth to the oil smuggling allegations. Thank you and I would like to hear the results of the investigation of PCG, MARINA, and the NBI. Incoming Big Brother host Mel Tracina has revealed the latest iteration of the reality series will be going 'old school'. The beloved reality show, which sees housemates compete to stay in the house to win prize money, found roaring success on Channel Ten in the early 2000s. Since then, the show has changed networks several times - first going over to Channel Nine before a revamped version at Channel Seven. Appearing on Nova's Jase and Lauren on Tuesday, Mel, 34, revealed that the show would, once again be relying heavily on live elements that were eschewed in later iterations. She added that while the upcoming series will take many format queues from the original, there will also be some modern touches. 'I can tell you that it will be live nominations, live evictions and we're streaming,' Mel said. 'They're taking it back to old school, what we fell in love with Big Brother.' 'So what we didn't have back in the day with dial up, we now have, thank you, NBN roll out.' Mel added that fans of the show will be in reality heaven having constant access to the housemates. Incoming Big Brother host Mel Tracina (pictured has revealed the latest iteration of the reality series will be going 'old school' 'We will be able to watch the contestants practically 24/7, so I'm so excited,' she said. 'It'll be like six nights a week of live TV, hosted by yours truly, who is petrified. This is going to be interesting for everyone watching, myself included.' Mel also revealed to the hosts that she was a huge fan of the show growing up, adding that she was not allowed to watch it's raunchy cousin Big Brother Up Late. 'I remember how much of a juggernaut it was when it came to Aussie TV, how obsessed we were,' she said. 'I can tell you that it will be live nominations, live evictions and we're streaming,' Mel said. 'They're taking it back to old school, what we fell in love with Big Brother.' Pictured are former Big Brother host Gretel Killeen and contestant Reggie Bird 'We're just watching people living in a house, and that's what it was. In 2001 when it started, people were doing housework. Do you remember that? Proper, just living in a house. 'I wasn't old enough to watch Up Late, so mum would always make sure that I was in bed. Host Lauren Phillips added that she was in the same boat but she did not heed her parents' advice. 'Neither was I, but I did, I watched it,' she said. 'It was really sexy.' At the peak of the show's popularity, contestants such as Reggie Bird, Sara-Marie Fedele, and even a contestant nicknamed 'Hotdogs' experienced nationwide fame. 'I remember how much of a juggernaut it was when it came to Aussie TV, how obsessed we were,' Mel added Big Brother Australia's original run on Ten ran for nine seasons from 2001-2008. It averaged an astonishing 1.4million viewers per episode back in the 2000s, where it remained one of the network's tentpoles. Big Brother was no stranger to courting controversy during it's on-air tenure, but the infamous 'turkey slap' incident would have to take the cake. Michael Cox and Michael Bric were kicked off the show after Michael Cox was accused of rubbing his crotch in housemate Camilla Severi's face while Michael Bric held her down. The incident made it all the way to Parliament House with then Prime Minister John Howard calling for the reality show to be pulled off the air. Furious Green Day fans have taken to social media to slam Ticketmaster's pricing for the punk rock band's upcoming Australian tour, with prices rising to $500 a ticket. Last week, the American rock band announced they will bring their Saviors stadium tour Down Under in March 2025 after promising to return to the country a year ago. However, fans are not happy with Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing model, which sees the costs of tickets rise in accordance with consumer demand. The cheapest tickets to the show cost $112, while getting a seated spot at the venue is currently priced at $500. Unhappy Australian fans took to social media on Tuesday to voice their frustration. 'Shameful and elitist,' one person sniped, while a second added: 'dynamic pricing is outrageous.' 'The government needs to make this stop,' a third person chipped in. 'Green day, red flag,' another furious fan wrote. Furious Green Day fans have taken to social media to slam Ticketmaster's pricing for the punk rock band's upcoming Australian tour, with prices rising to $500 a ticket. Pictured: The band performing in July Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool, who last performed here in 2017, will kick off the Aussie leg of their tour in Melbourne at the Marvel Stadium on March 1. They will then jet off to Engie Stadium in Sydney on March 3 and CBUS Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on March 5. Green Day will celebrate 20 years since their breakthrough album Dookie, which was followed up 10 years later in 2004 by their hit punk rock opera American Idiot. Last week, the American rock band announced they will bring their Saviors stadium tour Down Under in March 2025 after promising to return to the country a year ago However, fans are not happy with Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing model, which sees the costs of tickets rise in accordance with consumer demand 'Australia has always been a big stop for us,' bassist Dirnt told The Daily Telegraph on Thursday. 'I feel like you guys really understand rock 'n' roll, and it's great to be around people that celebrate rock 'n' roll and have so many great heroes to its name.' The Vodafone and CommBank MasterCard pre-sale opened on Tuesday at 10am for Gold Coast, 11am for Melbourne, and 12pm for Sydney. Jason Momoa was seen for the first time since he was accused of mistreating the crew on his upcoming film A Minecraft Movie. The 45-year-old Aquaman star was spotted on Monday performing with his band, Oof Tatata, at Gramps in Miami. During the band's stop to promote his Meila Vodka brand, Momoa, who plays both bass and guitar, took a swig from a cocktail glass onstage. Dressed in a black tank top that highlighted his action-hero physique, the star completed his look with a black fedora and cargo pants, energetically gesturing to the crowd. The concert took place just two days after YouTuber Rachell Marie Hofstetter, better known as Valkyrae, revealed that her cameo appearance in A Minecraft Movie was marred by a negative experience due to Momoa's alleged behavior. Jason Momoa was seen for the first time since he was accused of mistreating the crew on his upcoming film A Minecraft Movie The 45-year-old Aquaman star was spotted on Monday performing with his band, Oof Tatata, at Gramps in Miami Valkyrae, 32, appeared Friday in a Hot Ones-inspired segment opposite fellow YouTuber JasonTheWeen, where she was asked about the worst celebrity experience she's had. Valkyrae, whose real name is Rachell Marie Hofstetter, replied, 'So, Minecraft movie - I have a cameo in the Minecraft movie that's coming out - I would have to say Jason Momoa.' Valkyrae claimed that she saw Momoa, who plays the role of Garett 'The Garbage Man' Garrison in the movie, 'mistreat some of the crew' during production of the motion picture. 'It was pretty disappointing,' Valkyrae said. 'It was after a very intense scene - and it was a very emotional scene - so maybe he was still in character, I dont know. I was just surprised about how he treated some of the crew.' The Aquaman leading man 'was just really mad at them that they werent doing something right in setting up the shot and stuff,' Valkyrae said in the interview, adding Momoa 'was just angry, really mad, and yelling.' Valkyrae said the Honolulu-born star's conduct made for a toxic workspace. 'I was like man, this is not a good work environment, I would not be happy working under these conditions, Valkyrae said. 'I would have to say that was the worst celebrity thing I've seen.' The concert took place just two days after YouTuber Rachell Marie Hofstetter, better known as Valkyrae, revealed that her cameo appearance in A Minecraft Movie was marred by a negative experience due to Momoa's alleged behavior Valkyrae said the Honolulu-born star's conduct made for a toxic workspace A number of Twitter users appeared to give Momoa the benefit of the doubt in their reactions to the segment. 'Valkyrae should understand at times one can have a bad day in the office,' said one user. 'You can't [condemn] or pass judgement based on that day. 'Have we seen any of his staff or crew member coming up complaining of mistreatment? Let's be factual at times..' Another said, 'She saw one moment of frustration and called it a bad working environment.' Said one user: 'Not the Minecraft movie having a toxic working environment.' One user said that Valkyrae's public condemnation of Momoa was not an astute career move on her behalf. 'She's barely in the movie industry and shes already talking drama with one of the biggest stars ... they definitely not calling her back to a set after this,' the user said. Another said that Valkyrae, with her background as a streaming personality, did not understand the pressure on Momoa as the face of the high-profile film. A number of Twitter users appeared to give Momoa the benefit of the doubt in their reactions to the segment 'I mean honestly Jason has a stressful job, Valkyrae wouldn't understand as she sits on a chair all day streaming,' the user said. One user joked, 'Id be mad if I had to be in this movie too.' Stars joining Momoa in the cast of the motion picture, directed by Jared Hess, include Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Sebastian Hansen, Emma Myers and Danielle Brooks. Dailymail.com has reached out to Momoa's reps for comment on the story. Naomi Campbell has announced she's joining forces with PrettyLittleThing founder Umar Kamani for a huge new business venture. The model, 54, revealed she's opening her own talent and partnerships agency, KC Global Partnerships. The agency aims to revolutionise the talent and brand collaboration landscape in the Middle East and beyond, and will focus on driving innovation and culture through partnerships between talents, brands, celebrities, industry leaders, and experts. The agency's headquarters is set to open in September 2024 and will be strategically located in Dubai. Speaking about the new venture, Naomi said: 'Dubai has become a global hub for talent, brands, and innovation. Naomi Campbell has announced she's opening her own talent and partnerships agency, KC Global Partnerships, in Dubai The model has joined forces with PrettyLittleThing founder Umar Kamani for the new agency, which aims to revolutionise the talent and brand collaboration landscape in the Middle East 'Throughout my career, I've experienced firsthand the power of meaningful relationships in driving success and creating opportunities. 'It's not just about who you know; it's about bringing the right people together at the right time. That's what we're doing with KC Global Partnerships, but on a much larger scale.' Kamani, who co-founded KC Global Partnerships and founded PrettyLittleThing.com, brings his strong business acumen and innovative approach to the venture. 'In Dubai and across the region, we see immense potential to transform how talent and brands interact,' he explained. 'Our vision goes beyond facilitating mere transactions. Our platform is designed to nurture authentic, long-term partnerships, creating real value for everyone involved. 'KC Global Partnerships isn't just about connecting people it's about fostering a collaborative ecosystem that will spark innovation, fuel business expansion, and promote cross-cultural interchange throughout Dubai and beyond.' Joining the pair will be Amy Simon as a Partner and Director of PR and Talent, after eight years managing global influencers as Global Head of PR and Talent for PrettyLittleThing. She said: 'I am so excited to be joining Umar and Naomi on their exciting new business venture. Naomi previously collaborated with PLT in 2023 to launch a 90-piece collection, and in an interview with MailOnline at the time, vowed to ignore the snobbery towards 'fast fashion' 'Having worked alongside Umar for 8 years and watched the exponential growth of PLT globally, this was a natural progression for me. 'I am excited to be moving to the Middle East to help expand our team and bring together some exciting brand and talent partnerships to Dubai.' Sufeena Hussain will also join as a Partner and takes on the role of Partnerships Director, after previously leading PLT's debut in major Middle East territories. She added: 'I am thrilled to be collaborating with Naomi, as well as reuniting with Umar and Amy. 'The UAE has been profoundly rewarding for me both professionally and personally, and I can't wait for KC Global Partnerships to contribute to this dynamic region. 'KC Global Partnerships offers a diverse range of services, and with our combined experiences, we are poised to deliver exceptional value and innovation to the market.' Naomi previously collaborated with PLT in 2023 to launch a 90-piece collection, and in an interview with MailOnline at the time, vowed to ignore the snobbery towards 'fast fashion.' Naomi, who has worked with prestigious fashion houses such as Prada, Burberry and Yves Saint Laurent, revealed a major factor behind the surprise deal with PLT was her desire to design her own clothes, claiming fashion brands don't usually give models the opportunity, favouring celebrity names instead. When her collaboration, which is priced between 10 to 150 and comes in sizes 4-30, was announced, she was hit with a negative reaction from critics who claimed she was putting her reputation on the line by fronting a campaign for the brand which often emulates designer looks at a cheaper cost. The mother-of-two said working with PLF was an empowering experience following decades of wearing the designs of other fashion houses as she becomes the changing face of a new era. She added: 'I have worked for years for everybody else. It's nice to do something for me. 'Whenever they think of working with someone, they never come to the actual models, they usually go to the celebrities. 'There are a few other models that have done fast fashion, and they were totally praised and adored and are loved. 'I don't think about other people when I say yes to something. If I understand it and I see what it can be then that's how I commit to the things I do.' He was Britain's most notorious serial killer - murdering five women and terrorising London in 1888, but was never caught. But Gemma Collins believes she has discovered the identity of Jack the Ripper and is convinced she is related to him. The former TOWIE star, 43, has been delving into her family tree while filming for an upcoming episode of BBC show Who Do You Think You Are? And she soon discovered that she has ancestors who lived on Dorset Street in East London, where the infamous killer left some of his victims' mutilated corpses. The body of Mary Jane Kelly - who is thought to be the final Ripper victim - was discovered in a property on the street in November 1888. Gemma Collins believes she has discovered the identity of Jack the Ripper and is convinced she is related to him after delving into her family tree while filming for an upcoming episode of BBC show Who Do You Think You Are? The former TOWIE star, 43, discovered that she has ancestors who lived on Dorset Street in East London, where Britain's most notorious serial killer left some of his victims' mutilated corpses in 1888 But Gemma doesn't think it's a coincidence her relatives lived on same street, as she believes the notorious butcher was none other than her great-great-grandfather, William Williams. Speaking to The Daily Star, she explained: 'My great great grandfather worked in a workhouse and died there. I think thats the reason they cant find Jack The Ripper because it was him. 'The writing is on the wall. It could only happen to me. It would be my luck that he would be one of my relatives.' Gemma further laid out her theory to BBC News, as she insisted: 'No-one knows who the ripper was, but we lived next door to where a lot of his victims were being killed. You just don't know. 'I think I was related to him... It's just bizarre, isn't it? Could it be my family? Could he be alluded to be my family?' However, the thought of being related to the brutal killer doesn't faze the reality star, as she admitted she was 'ecstatic' by the possibility and said it could explain parts of her personality. She told the Star: 'Im ecstatic. I always knew there was more to me and my family. The macabre of it I just think its a hilarious story. Obviously the murders were terrible and I get that. 'But how could it be that my family were on the same street as Jack The Rippers victims? You just couldnt make it up. Youve got The GC and Jack The Ripper. Im an unusual character and thats definitely come from somewhere.' But Gemma doesn't think it's a coincidence her relatives lived on same street, as she believes the notorious butcher was none other than her great-great-grandfather, William Williams However, the thought of being related to the brutal killer doesn't faze the reality star, as she admitted she was 'ecstatic' by the possibility and said it could explain parts of her personality Jack the Ripper's bloody crime wave took place between August 31 and November 9, 1888, with five women all brutally hacked to death (1891 engraving of murder) Gemma now plans to use her psychic powers to get in touch with the Ripper's ghost via a seance, to learn more. Jack the Ripper's bloody crime wave took place between August 31 and November 9, 1888, with five women all brutally hacked to death. The victims - Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly - all worked as prostitutes and had their throats slashed, with three of them also having their organs removed. From one of the women, half a kidney was removed and sent to police officers along with a series of notes, signed off from the Ripper. But mistakes were made during initial inquiries into the murders, with no fingerprinting being able to distinguish the difference between even human and animal blood, let alone the differences between people. This means the true identity of Jack the Ripper could never be revealed, leaving it as one of the world's unsolved cold cases. There are many theories as to who the infamous serial killer was, from Queen Victoria's surgeon Sir John Williams, who had a surgery in Whitechapel at the time, to her Grandson Prince Albert Victor who was taken to an asylum and died in 1892. Gemma's episode of Who Do You Think You Are? also sees her reunite with her mother's cousin, Christine, who the family had lost touch with. Gemma's episode of Who Do You Think You Are ? also sees her reunite with her mother's cousin, Christine, who the family had lost touch with (pictured with mother and brother) She also learned more about her biological grandparents, as her mother Joan (pictured) had been fostered as a child and said it had been 'very cathartic' for her mum to get answers She said it was 'unbelievable' to learn that Christine only lived 20 minutes away from their house, and added: 'What a shocker its been for them in their life to wake up and be told "Youre related to the GC".' She also learned more about her biological grandparents, as her mother Joan had been fostered as a child. Historians discovered that Joan's mother hadn't abandoned her, but was likely taken from her by the state. Gemma admitted it was 'bittersweet' to discover the details, but that it had been 'very cathartic' for her mother to get answers she'd been looking for. Gemma's Who Do You Think You Are episode airs Thursday 26 September at 9pm on BBC One. AFL WAG Tayla Damir begged her followers for answers on Monday about shock markings she found on her legs recently. The former Love Island star, 27, who is married to footy star Nathan Broad, took to Instagram after doctors sent her home with 'no answers'. She shared screenshots of web pages she had been scrolling through in search of a diagnosis for the irritated looking marks which suddenly appeared on her skin. 'I'm in deep!' she captioned one grab of a Reddit thread she found, written by someone with similar markings who was stung by a jellyfish. 'Still no real answers. I saw a doctor today and she Dr Googled it. After 30 minutes and $90, she sent me home with no answers. Not even a blood test.' She then shared another screenshot of a webpage which suggested she could have 'post-phytophotodermatitis discolouration' - a stage of plant dermatitis. Tayla has given no update on her skin issues since making the posts to her Stories. It comes after Tayla took a nasty tumble down the stairs last month, leaving her in pain as she suffered a shock injury to her back. AFL WAG Tayla Damir, 27, (pictured) begged her followers for answers on Monday about shock markings she found on her legs recently - after doctors sent her home with 'no answers' The popular AFL WAG posted an image to Instagram of the damage done, lifting her shirt to reveal a graze along her spine and the beginning of a large bruise. In the caption of the painful looking photo, the former Love Island star said she hurt her 'hips, tailbone, ribs and spine'. Tayla's first post about the incident included a photo of a heated waist belt she just received as a PR package moments before she fell down a set of stairs. She shared screenshots of web pages she had been scrolling through in search of a diagnosis for the irritated looking marks which suddenly appeared on her skin 'The timing of this is impeccable. My period just graced me and I fell down a set of stairs straight onto my back half an hour ago. So let's see how good this is,' she said. The next image she shared to her Stories revealed the extent of the injury to her back, as she wrote: 'This is what falling down a staircase looks like. 'RIP my hips, tailbone, ribs and spine. Pain is at an all time high and have the Myer Ball tonight. If you see me limping, this is why.' Tayla shares her daughter Samara, nine months, with her AFL star husband Nathan, 31, who she tied the knot with in October 2022. She previously admitted she was a surprise fan of the presenter thanks to a hilarious New Year's Eve snap. And after being 'social media friends' for many years, Kate Beckinsale finally got to meet her idol Eamonn Holmes, with the pair posing for a beaming snap together on Monday. The actress, 51, who has battled a series of health issues in recent months, crossed paths with the GB News star at an event. In the image, Eamonn, who recently returned from a holiday with his new partner Katie Alexander, posed with arm around Katie, with the Resident Evil star dressed in a fun black and white mini dress. Posting the snap on his Instagram, Eamonn captioned the post: 'After years of being SM friends an ambition fulfilled tonight with the wonderful actress @KateBeckinsale.' After being 'social media friends' for many years, Kate Beckinsale finally got to meet her idol Eamonn Holmes, with the pair posing for a beaming snap together on Monday The actress who has battled a series of health issues in recent months, crossed paths with the GB News star at an event This is not the first time that Kate had showed her appreciation for Eamonn, with the star also appearing in a fun snap, where she pretended to lick a mask of his face. Eamonn himself reposted the image on New Year's Day, with the caption: 'Looks like the secret is out about @katebeckinsale and me. 'But I can't deny it was a great NYE Party!!!! Well at least my 2024 got off to a great start.' Eamonn arrived back in the UK on Sunday with his girlfriend Katie Alexander, after the couple spent the last week on a luxury romantic break together. The GB News presenter and the relationship counsellor weren't shy about showing off their new romance, with the pair spotted engaging in PDA during the trip. On Friday evening, the broadcaster was even seen cheekily grabbing her bottom as they headed on a night out in Ibiza. The getaway reportedly left Ruth shocked, with the holiday occurring just four months after the former golden couple announced they were divorcing after 14 years of marriage. Ruth has hired a 'fierce' divorce lawyer amid her bitter split from Eamonn. This is not the first time that Kate had showed her appreciation for Eamonn, with the star also appearing in a fun snap, where she pretended to lick a mask of his face It comes after reports Ruth has hired a 'fierce' divorce lawyer amid her bitter split from Eamonn after 14 years of marriage (pictured in 2021) The Sun revealed Catherine Costley has been called up by the star who seeks to end her 14-year marriage to Eamonn with a financial settlement. Costley is known for her fierce approach to divorce settlements and has said all women should have a 'go bag' fund when exiting a relationship, according to The Sun. The divorce lawyer was once an apprentice of 'Steel Magnolia' Baroness Fiona Shackleton, Britain's highest-profile divorce lawyer who famously represented Charles in his split from Diana in 1996. Baronness Shackleton has also worked with A-list stars including Paul McCartney, Liam Gallagher and Madonna, and was once doused with water in court by a furious Heather Mills while representing the Beatles legend during the couple's divorce in 2008. Ruth's team declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline. Their fathers are best known for their decades-long feud. But Lennon and Anais Gallagher have proven that Noel and Liam aren't the only members of their family to have buried the hatchet, as the two cousins posed for snaps together at the Burberry Show on Monday. The pair were among a slew of stars who attended the show during London Fashion Week, years after Lennon, 25, famously mocked Anais, 24, for sharing a post complaining she 'needs a boyfriend.' Lennon cut a casual figure in a black jumper with branding from the legendary designer, while Anais, 24, opted for a zipped fleece boasting Burberry's famous print. Back in 2017, Lennon appeared to poke fun at her cousin after she shared a post on X complaining about her single status. Lennon and Anais Gallagher have proven that Noel and Liam aren't the only members of their family to have buried the hatchet, as the cousins attended the Burberry Show on Monday She wrote: 'I need love today. I'm feeling super fragile and basically need a boyfriend. But keep reminding myself I'm too embarrassing to get one!' Quick to share his savage response, Lennon left the one-word comment: 'Really?' with many users quickly comparing him to his dad, who is no stranger to a social media quip. It was Britpop royalty of a different kind that took a prime seat at the London Fashion Week event Blur frontman Damon Albarn, Oasis's arch nemesis. Whether the legendary Blur v Oasis feud has been passed down through the generations is unclear, but perhaps to be on the safe side, Albarn and his daughter, Missy, were seated far away from any Gallagher guests. These included Noel's daughter, Anais, Liam's daughter, Molly, and his sons Lennon and Gene. Lennon's mother Patsy Kensit was also in attendance, and looked chic in black ankle boots and a belted black Burberry trench coat. Despite recently falling out of the FTSE 100 index of British companies after shares hit a 15-year low, Burberry adopted a 'no expense spared' approach to its VIP guest list. Celebrities of stage, screen and sport joined luminaries from the music industry to watch the unveiling of a spring/summer 2025 collection that Daniel Lee, the brand's chief creative officer, will be counting on to reverse its fortunes. The pair were among a slew of stars who attended the show at London Fashion Week , years after Lennon famously mocked Anais for sharing a post complaining she 'needs a boyfriend' Lennon cut a casual figure in a black jumper with branding from the designer, while Anais opted for a fleece boasting Burberry's print (pictured with Lennon's mother Patsy Kensit) Back in 2017, Lennon appeared to poke fun at her cousin after she shared a post on X complaining about her single status The Gallaghers weren't the only guests to make it a family affair. Also in attendance were Jerry Hall and her daughter Elizabeth Jagger as well as husband and wife duo Rio and Kate Ferdinand. They were joined by models Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Iris Law, David Gandy and Poppy Delevingne, actors Olivia Colman, Barry Keoghan, Jodie Turner-Smith and even royalty in the form of Lady Amelia Windsor. Team GB Olympic gold medallist Keely Hodgkinson was also spotted, dressed in an eye-catching orange biker jacket. Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour showed her support by swapping her US election Harris-Walz 2024 scarf for a Burberry one. Should these stars wish to attend next summer's Oasis reunion too, they should have no shortage of inspiration for what to wear. The collection was a tour de force of outerwear that looked ideal for a soggy English summer. Longtime Burberry model Lily Donaldson led the charge in a pale blue parka with an embellished hood, while another familiar Burberry face, Edie Campbell, wore a similar cropped version. Lennon's mother Patsy Kensit was also in attendance, and looked chic in black ankle boots and a belted black Burberry trench coat Rainwear came in various iterations, including capelets, belted safari jackets, bomber jackets and blousons, in a washed-out pastel palette of pale green, tangerine and lilac, offset with neutral earthy tones. Trench coats the cash cows of the brand ever since Thomas Burberry created them in 1879 were reimagined for spring in a delicate daisy print, as well as appearing in more traditional neutral hues. Fabrics were light, and included cotton, silk poplin and bonded linen. The collection borrowed heavily from the Nineties, with mesh polo shirts, zippered combat pants and cagoules all making an appearance, worn with the decade's stalwart, the clog. As for whether it will prove strong enough to boost the brand's ailing sales, the verdict is 'definitely maybe'. Like the British weather for which this collection was designed, fashion is notoriously fickle. The Home and Away cast returned to set on Tuesday to begin filming some more episodes of the beloved Channel Seven soap. Lynne McGranger, Shane Withington and Ada Nicodemou posed up a storm for Instagram while taking a break between scenes which they shot in a car. Ada, 47, was all smiles in the front seat wearing a bright green shirt as Shane, 66, stuck his tongue out at the camera. Meanwhile, Lynne, 71, leaned over from the backseat, wrapping her arm around Shane who pretended he was being choked. 'So happy to be back with these lunatics!' Lynne captioned the photo on her Instagram page. Shane shared the same image to his own account along with laughing emojis as he wrote: 'These two idiots are always a hoot.' Meanwhile, Ada posted a video of Shane on her Instagram Stories, showing the actor garbed in a yellow shirt as they sat in the car waiting for the cameras to roll. The soap star, who plays lifeguard John Palmer on Home and Away, revealed he had just started an Instagram account and said he was posting a lot of 'snakes'. The Home and Away cast members Lynne McGranger, Shane Withington and Ada Nicodemou (all pictured) returned to set on Tuesday to begin filming more episodes of the beloved soap It comes after veteran Aussie actress Rachael Carpani made her debut on the series, with her character already straining one iconic couple's relationship. The McLeod's Daughters star, 44, plays the villainous Claudia who arrived in Summer Bay with a bang, as she threatened to sue Justin's (James Stewart) garage for installing faulty brakes on her car. Her fiery arrival has already put a strain on Justin's marriage to Leah, played by real life lovebirds James Stewart and Ada Nicodemou. The trio took to Instagram with a series of photos and video shot behind the scenes as they waited for the cameras to begin rolling again Fans have taken to social media to speculate about what the firebrand character could mean for the beloved character's already shaky marriage. 'I can see this lady is going to come between Justin and Leah's marriage real quick,' one fan wrote. 'Is her character here about to break up Justin and Leah's marriage?' a second person asked. Another person suggested the sneaky Claudia may make a very inappropriate request of Justin in exchange for dropping legal proceedings: 'Does this insinuate to anyone it appears this woman asks Justin to sleep with her in return for not suing?' Celebrity Big Brother UK star and Australian-born photographer Darryn Lyons is set to put his risque collection of art up for sale later this month. The 58-year-old former paparazzi who now lives in Italy announced he was flogging off his prized bounty after confessing he had no plans to return Down Under. The coming auction will see 246 items, worth thousands of dollars, go under the hammer including a glamorous 'throne' which once had the eye of a famed pop star. '[The throne] was part of a pair and Michael Jackson had bought the other one,' Lyons told the Herald Sun on Saturday. 'Still to this day I can't work out why he bought one and not the pair.' Lyons said he bought the elaborately decked out show piece, dubbed the 'Bling King Throne, in the 1990s when he was based in London. It is now valued at $4,000. 'I am decluttering in a massive way in terms of assets, I am simplifying my life,' he said of his decision to sell off his collection. Other items up for grabs in Lyons collection include a racy poster of 60s pinup Raquel Welch seen 'nailed' to a crucifix and wearing only skimpy bikini. Celebrity Big Brother UK star and Australian-born photographer Darryn Lyons (pictured) is set to put his risque collection of art up for sale later this month There's also a large collection of erotic art including a famed nude Playboy 'playmate' photo of 50's superstar Marilyn Monroe worth $1200. The former Geelong mayor, who has been acquiring art works his whole life, said he was selling off his prized collection so others could he 'enjoy' the works. Elsewhere in the chat he revealed that he was currently enjoying time travelling and that his life had changed since both of his parents have passed away. He left his Queensland home in June and said he has no plans to come back to Australia. The coming auction will see 246 items, worth thousands of dollars, go under the hammer including a glamorous 'throne' which once had the eye of a famed pop star Michael Jackson. It was part of a pair and Michael Jackson had bought the other one Lyons told the Herald Sun on Saturday. Pictured: The throne which is currently valued at $4,000 Another of Lyons art works dubbed 'Mr. Papparazzi' which is worth $400 It comes after Lyons leased out his amazing Sydney apartment for a whopping $3500-per-week in July. Located in fashionable Darlinghurst, the two-bedroom, two-bathroom high-rise apartment comes fully furnished. Situated in the famed Horizon building, the pad features an eye-popping pink colour scheme, risque artwork and lavish fittings. Lyons bought the luxury flat off the plan in 1998 for $604,000, reported The Wentworth Courier. According to the publication, Lyons, who was mayor of Geelong from 2013-2016, is currently enjoying a sojourn in upscale St. Tropez on the French Riviera and has rented out the apartment at least three times since 2010. The last time the flat was on the market was in 2022 for $1150. Lyons, who is known for his eccentric style, has fashioned his Sydney pad with a number of stunning features including a standalone see-through Perspex pink tub. One featured artwork features a nude, tattooed model wearing a wimple. Another matching portrait hung nearby shows the same model in a similar pose fully clothed in a nun's habit. Lyons has been reported to having earned millions of dollars selling images of the late Princess Diana. Princess Diana suffered fatal injuries and died along with her boyfriend Dodi Fayed and her driver and security guard Henri Paul on August 31, 1997. Lyons has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother U.K. in 2011 (pictured) An inquest, which Lyons gave evidence in, was held in London and ended in 2008. It found Princess Diana died unlawfully, blaming negligent driving by Henri Paul affected by paparazzi, which contributed to the crash. Darryn's photographer in Paris, Laurent Sola, took photos of the late princess dead in her car, which he still owns. However the one time reality star said he has not sold the photos and never will despite once being offered a quarter of a million pounds ($444K AUD) by British and American news publications. Lyons has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother U.K. and Top Gear U.K. in 2011. Coldplay have announced six new UK shows set to take place next summer as they extend their record-breaking Music Of The Spheres World Tour. The band, will be playing Londons Wembley Stadium and Craven Park Stadium in Hull - with a limited number of 20 tickets made available. They are the only UK/European cities where the band will perform next year with 10% of the proceeds being donated to Music Venue Trust in support of grassroots venues across the country. Fans can get exclusive first access to tickets by ordering the bands upcoming album, Moon Music, set for release October 4, from the official Coldplay Stores. Fifty percent of the tickets for the Hull shows - the bands first ever concerts in the city - will go to local fans (with HU, YO, DN or LN postcodes), via Ticketmaster on September 26 at 6pm. Coldplay have announced six new UK shows set to take place next summer as they extend their record-breaking Music Of The Spheres World Tour The band, will be playing Londons Wembley Stadium and Craven Park Stadium in Hull - with a limited number of 20 tickets made available The general sale for both Wembley and Hull will begin at 9am BST on Friday, September 27 with presale, for those who have pre-ordered the album, the day before. The band will play Hull on August 18 and 19 2025 before Wembley on August 22, 23, 26, 27, 30 and 31. Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust said: 'Coldplay are the perfect example of a UK band who came through the grassroots circuit on their way to worldwide stadium-filling success. Coldplay UK tour dates for 2025 August 22 - Hull Craven Park Stadium August 23 - Hull Craven Park Stadium August 26 - London Wembley August 27 - London Wembley August 30 - London Wembley August 31 - London Wembley Advertisement 'It's fantastic to see them celebrating their own pathway to Wembley by giving back to the grassroots music venues that supported them and recognising the artists and promoters that are struggling more than ever to build their own careers. 'Through our partnership with Save Our Scene - who introduced us to Coldplay last year - this money will go directly into work that ensures communities right across the country will continue to have access to great live music on their doorstep. 'The bands support really will stop venues closing, make tours happen and bring the joy of live music to thousands of people. 'After months of discussing Coldplays potential support around these UK shows with them, were so happy and grateful that the news is finally out there!' Coldplay are reportedly paying a seven-figure sum to their former manager Dave Holmes, after he sued the band for 10 million. The band will play Hull on August 18 and 19 2025 before Wembley on August 22, 23, 26, 27, 30 and 31. The band parted ways with Dave back in 2022 after over two decades, sparking a dramatic and lengthy legal battle. In 2023, Dave claimed he was owed 10million in unpaid commission for Coldplays tenth and eleventh albums, which are both yet to be released. However, the band, led by frontman Chris Martin, countersued for 14million, claiming Holmes lost control of budgeting for their Music of the Spheres tour, and overspent by 17.5million. Documents filed at London's High Court, obtained by The Sun, stated that Coldplay agreed an undisclosed seven-figure settlement to prevent private details being made public in court. A source added: 'Chris and the band are happy theyve drawn a line in the sand but it has come at a price. The settlement cost them millions. They just want to move on.' Since Dave's departure, Chris' best friend, Phil Harvey, who helped fund their first recording and was then known as the bands fifth member, has stepped in to lead their management team. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Coldplay for comment. Last year, Coldplay's legal battle with their former manager took a dramatic turn, when Dave accused the band of 'making up' tales of mishaps and 'ethical lapses.' Coldplay are reportedly paying a seven-figure sum to their former manager Dave Holmes, after he sued the band for 10 million The band parted ways with Dave (pictured far left in 2011) back in 2022 after over two decades, sparking a dramatic and lengthy legal battle Holmes told MailOnline that he believe the British group led by Chris Martin 'knew they were in trouble,' after the countersued for 14 million. Hitting back at the writ, a spokesman for Mr Holmes told MailOnline in October: 'Coldplay knows they're in trouble with their defence. 'Accusing Dave Holmes of non-existent ethical lapses and other made-up misconduct will not deflect from the real issue at hand: Coldplay had a contract with Dave, they are refusing to honour it and they need to pay Dave what they owe him'. Coldplay believed that its tour suffered spiralling costs due to Mr Holmes. Emily Blunt has broken her silence on reports that a long-awaited sequel to The Devil Wears Prada is finally in the works. Rumours have swirled for weeks that the actress, 41, is set to reprise her role as the acid-tongued assistant Emily Charlton, with Meryl Streep also set to return as Runway's battleaxe Editor-In-Chief Miranda Priestley. Speaking to PEOPLE while attending the American Institute for Stuttering 18th Annual Gala on Monday, Emily was asked about the news that sequel has been greenlit. Quipping: 'What sequel?' she added: 'Oh my god I can't tell you anything!' Referencing her character's flawless appearance in the film, she added: 'Gonna get some good eye makeup going again right?' Emily Blunt has broken her silence on reports that a long-awaited sequel to The Devil Wears Prada is finally in the works She then went onto joke about how she'll be getting back into character, with a reference to Emily's battle with stomach flu, which helped her slim down to attend Paris Fashion Week. 'I've gotta get a stomach flu and some eye makeup in there. I'm hoping for that!' the star added. Disney has brought on screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna, who adapted the original 2006 film from the 2003 novel of the same name by Lauren Weisberger, according to Variety. While the original cast hasn't been confirmed to return yet, the reported plot description hints that both Meryl Streep (Miranda Priestley) and Emily Blunt (Emily Charlton) would be back. The news of a sequel comes just days after a musical adaptation debuted its first preview performance on London's West End, with Vanessa Williams as Miranda Priestley and featuring brand new music from Elton John. The sequel's story will follow Priestley and her career in present day as traditional magazine publishing is on the decline. She squares off with Charlton, who is said to be a high-powered executive for a luxury group, as Priestley is chasing that company's ad dollars. None of the reports have mentioned if Anne Hathaway would return as Andrea 'Andy' Sachs, or if other supporting cast members would return such as Stanley Tucci, Simon Baker, Adrian Grenier, Gisele Bundchen and Tracie Thoms. Rumours have swirled for weeks that the actress is set to reprise her role as the acid-tongued assistant Emily Charlton , with Meryl Streep also set to return as Miranda Priestley Speaking at the American Institute for Stuttering 18th Annual Gala on Monday, Emily quipped she would have to hone her eye-makeup skills to play the character again The original film was adapted from the novel of the same name by Weisberger, which is loosely based on her time as an assistant to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. The story follows Andy, a Northwestern grad who somehow lands a job as a junior personal assistant to Miranda Priestley, the editor-in-chief of Runway Magazine. She tries to use this experience to pave the way for better journalism opportunities but has a hard time fitting in, though she proves more than up for the challenge. The film, directed by David Frankel, was a surprise blockbuster hit, taking in $124.7 million domestic and $326.7 million worldwide from just a $35 million budget. Streep won a Golden Globe for her performance and scored an Oscar nomination as well. Wendy Finerman, who produced the original, will also return to produce, though no director has been attached yet. There has been talk of a sequel for years, with Weisberger writing a sequel novel Revenge Wears Prada in 2013. However, the stars of the original have all said they wouldn't be interested in making that adaptation as a sequel. Both Blunt and Hathaway recently interviewed each other for Variety's Actors on Actors series, with Blunt opening up about how much fun they had. 'We just had a joy bomb of a time on that movie. I dont know if any of us knew it was going to become what it did. Its quoted to me every week. It will be the movie that changed my life,' she said. Zoe Foster Blake's skincare brand Go-To has come under fire after dropping a new, bedazzled pink bottle of their popular Face Hero oil. The $80 Extra special edition, which has already sold out online, retails for $80 - more than the $45 standard issue. But some fans of the range were disappointed by the non-refillable bottle and rhinestone coating, raising environmental concerns. Leading the charge was one post from PR professional Adriana Glass who critiqued the brand for selling single-use plastics, calling it 'nonsense that ends up in landfill'. Others commented underneath a post on Go-To's Instagram page, with one person writing, 'What happened to the commitment to sustainability?' Another person said: 'It's a no from me boo. Time for a face hero refill, not just new bottles.' Others said the bottle was 'ugly' and questioned why it cost almost double the usual version did. 'Refills please please please. I go through gallons of this stuff!' said someone else while another said, 'We want refills!!!' Zoe Foster Blake's (pictured) skincare brand Go-To has come under fire after dropping a new, bedazzled pink bottle of their popular Face Hero oil The brand was quick to respond: 'We've been closely monitoring our existing refills and taking on your feedback. 'From there, we can make an assessment on what products would benefit from refills. We're we can offer refills that truly make a difference, we will! Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Go-To for comment. Earlier this year, Zoe broke her silence on buying back her stake in her skincare brand Go-To after beauty company BWX went into administration. The Australian author, 43, first sold her 51.5 per cent stake of her beauty brand to the ASX listed beauty conglomerate for $89million in 2021. Just two years later, Zoe and Go-To co-founder Paul Bates bought back their controlling stake in the business for a fraction of the price at $21.8million after BWX collapsed into administration in April 2023. The $80 Extra special edition (pictured), which has already sold out online, retails for $80 - more than the $45 standard issue Reflecting on the turbulent time, Zoe admitted she felt 'deeply out of her depth' with the deal because there is no 'handbook' for finding the perfect business partner and investor. 'How did you know when it was the right time? How did you know they were the right partner? Because there's no handbook,' she told the Financial Review. ' The wife of comedian Hamish Blake said she felt 'maternal' towards Go-To and did everything she could to save the business after the BWX deal unraveled. 'There's nothing like seeing your baby in trouble to get you going, I was like, 'I'm here, I'll protect my baby at any cost', I felt very maternal, nothing has fortified me like this has,' she said. 'Thinking that I might be out of the company next year [as per the original BWX deal] is now unfathomable, I'm swinging way back in,' she added. Zoe also discussed her thriving career as a businesswoman, admitting she was never a child with big business ambitions and she is the advert for learning as you go as she discussed overcoming the recent hurdles. Some fans of the range were disappointed by the non-refillable bottle and rhinestone coating, raising environmental concerns The brand was quick to respond: 'We've been closely monitoring our existing refills and taking on your feedback. From there, we can make an assessment on what products would benefit from refills. We're we can offer refills that truly make a difference, we will!' She said she put everything into her decision to buy back her shares to make sure she did the right thing for her brand, admitting: 'I couldn't live with myself if I f**ked it.' Despite the turbulent time, Zoe is celebrating Go-To's tenth anniversary this year and hosted a party to commemorate the incredible achievement. In an Instagram post, Zoe gushed over her brand's 'brilliant team' as she celebrated a decade of her 'thriving' business with a low-key at-home party. 'It's a true delight and privilege to look after your skin. I love this company, this community, and this adventure. Here's cheers to ten years,' she wrote. For the drinks party, which she held at her home, she cut a glamorous figure in a gorgeous peach satin gown as she pulled out all the stops for the celebration. Last year, Zoe bought back her stake in Go-To Skincare for $21.8million, after selling it to BWX for $89million two years earlier. 'This is an incredible brand and business, with a deeply passionate team and an incredibly loyal and supportive customer,' she told The Australian Financial Review at the time of buying back her shares. Earlier this year, Zoe broke her silence on buying back her stake in her skincare brand Go-To after beauty company BWX went into administration 'It is my joy and privilege to give both my full focus and attention [to Go-To].' Zoe, who founded the brand in 2014, had continued as chief creative officer and director of Go-To after first selling her shares to BWX, and is now full force back into running her business. BWX suffered losses of $335million in the 2021-2022 financial year, with mining magnate Andrew Forrest stepping in to bail the company out. Go-To had distanced itself from BWX, saying it is operationally independent despite BWX owning 51 per cent of shares. BWX revealed in February 2023 that it had bled another $100million in the first half of the financial year with the company's chief executive Rory Gration stepping down. In April, BWX was placed into voluntary admission. KPMG was appointed to handle its collapse. Chef Nadiya Hussein has revealed she has not watched the show that launched her career - The Great British Bake Off - in five years. Nadiya, 39, won the sixth series of the Channel 4 programme in 2015, when the competition was still on BBC One. The Great British Bake Off sees 12 amateur bakers battle it out over two months under a marquee and in the presence of professional bakers. Because of Nadiya's success on the show she was able to host cooking programmes of her own, write bestselling books, and bake the late Queen's 90th birthday cake. But, she told Heat magazine in September: 'I don't watch Bake Off. Chef Nadiya Hussein, 39, has revealed she has not watched the show that launched her career - The Great British Bake Off - in five years Nadiya won the sixth series of the Channel 4 programme in 2015, when the competition was still on BBC One (pictured on Tuesday) Because of Nadiya's success on the show she was able to host cooking programmes of her own, write bestselling books, and bake the late Queen's 90th birthday cake 'I stopped watching it about five years ago as it has changed so much since I was on it. It's a different show now, but I do love that Alison Hammond is the host.' When Nadiya won in 2015, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins were hosting and Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood were judging. Just two years later, all the central cast had been replaced bar Paul Hollywood. In 2017, Mel and Sue departed and were replaced by Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig and Mary was replaced by Prue Leith. Since then, the judging team has remained the same, but the presenting team has changed a further two times: Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas from 2020 to 2022 and now Noel and Alison. This revelation comes after Nadiya revealed her grandfather was racially abused by thugs and was 'left for dead three times' earlier in September. Nadiya is a second-generation Bangladeshi and grew up in Luton, Bedfordshire. Though her upbringing was relatively peaceful, the same was unfortunately not true for her grandfather. But Nadiya has said: 'I stopped watching it about five years ago as it has changed so much since I was on it' Nadiya recalled to Radio Times: 'When my grandad came to the country he was abused really badly by racists, and he was left for dead three times.' 'But he refused to leave because he could see that his children and grandchildren would have a better life here than in Bangladesh. 'And he made that sacrifice, despite knowing that he wasn't welcome. I know he would be so proud of me because he now has a granddaughter with an MBE, and it would signify belonging.' Nadiya shares three children - Musa, 17, Dawud, 16, and Mariam, 13 - with her husband Abdal, 43. Eva Mendes has revealed she is hesitant to return to the big screen as she reached a 'career high' when she worked alongside her husband Ryan Gosling. The 50-year-old star and her partner of 13 years Ryan, 43, fell in love while working on the 2012 movie, The Place Beyond The Pines. Eva has since focused on other business ventures after the pair became parents to Esmeralda Amada, nine, and Amada Lee, eight, and it appears she has no plans to return get back on movie sets any time soon. During an interview with Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos on Tuesday, the Hitch actress explained: 'I don't know [when I'll return]. If there's interesting roles. I left at a time where... it was ten years ago... I kind of felt like I did it, you know?' She then noted that her final film project with Ryan was a moment she didn't think she could top. Eva Mendes has revealed she is hesitant to return to the big screen as she reached a 'career high' when she worked alongside her husband Ryan Gosling The Hollywood couple fell in love while acting together in the 2012 movie, The Place Beyond The Pines (pictured) She continued: 'I was like, "I just worked with Ryan gosling, who is the best". It was such a high off my career to work with him and what we created together that I was like, "This is a good time to Seinfeld it and just walk out." So who knows?' In the decade since she last graced the screen, Eva has worked on fashion and homeware collaborations - as well and writing her new children's book, Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worries. Earlier this year, the Ghost Rider star revealed that she and Ryan has somewhat of a 'non-verbal agreement' when it came to her giving up acting and being a 'full-time mom' to their two young daughters. The Canadian actor has continued to make movies since welcoming his children, while Eva has taken a backseat. When asked what it was like going from acting to being a full-time parent she previously told Today: 'It was like a no brainer. I'm so lucky, and I was like, if I can have this time with my children... and I still worked, I just didn't act because acting takes you on locations, it takes you away.' Referring to how she made the decision with Barbie star Ryan, Eva continued: 'It was almost just like a non-verbal agreement that it was like, "Okay he's going to work and I'm going to work, I'm just going to work here."' Eva has previously praised the way Ryan works on set, claiming she has 'never experienced anything like that.' 'The way he works, his commitment to his craft, how he wants to make everything as best as it can be, and that means making his costars as best as they can be,' she said. 'But unfortunately - or fortunately - there is only one Ryan!' In the decade since she last graced the screen, Eva, 50, has worked on fashion and homeware collaborations and her new children's book, Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worries The star has chosen to be a 'full time home' mom to their daughters Esmeralda Amada, nine, and Amada Lee, eight, while Ryan, 43, continued to make movies Eva said: 'It was such a high of my career to work with him and what we created together that I was like, "This is a good time to Seinfeld it and just walk out"' Eva previously spoke about the reason why she doesn't do red carpet events with the Oscar-nominee after a fan begged her to join Ryan on the awards circuit for Barbie. 'You're the best! What a cool comment; thank you,' she wrote. 'But we don't do those things together... Like these photos I've been posting, I'm only comfortable posting because it's already out there.' She added that they only posed together on the red carpet once while promoting their 2012 film The Place Beyond the Pines. Fans were delighted to get a glimpse of their family during the Olympic Games in Paris this summer. The Hollywood couple turned heads as they made their way to their seats to watch the Dressage Individual Grand Prix Freestyle at the Chateau de Versailles. The doting parents were spotted holding hands with their daughters before the couple later headed to the Bercy Arena to watch the women's gymnastics uneven bars final. Milan Fashion Week's Spring/Summer 2024 showcase kicked off in style on Tuesday, with some of the industry's biggest names heading to the Fendi Show to see its latest range of looks. Leading the glamorous arrivals was Shanina Shaik, who showed off her famous model physique in a tight nude mini dress, teamed with knee-high black leather boots. The Australian fashion star, 33, showed off her chic sense of style in the fitted knitted mini dress, teamed with a ruched neckline, and accessorised her look with a matching taupe bag. Amelia Gray Hamlin also displayed her casual fashion sense in a white crop top, teamed with an oversized black jacket. The model, 23, accessorised her look with loose-fitting black jeans and black boots, showcasing her effortless fashion sense as she arrived for the show. Shanina Shaik showed off her chic sense of style in a nude knitted mini dress as she joined Amelia Gray Hamlin (left) at the Fendi Show on the first day of Milan Fashion Week The Fault in Our Stars actress Shailene Woodley was also in attendance and wore a long fitted grey dress with Fendi's new Peekaboo Soft purse - a re-imagined version of the brand's iconic bag Hayley Atwell also cut a casual figure in a stylish grey shirt and loose-fitting navy blue trousers as she exited her hotel to head to the show. The Mission Impossible star accessorised her look with an oversized blue clutch bag and black pointed-toe stiletto heels. Shailene Woodley was also in attendance and wore a long fitted grey dress with Fendi's new Peekaboo Soft purse - a re-imagined version of the brand's iconic bag. Milan Fashion Week will run from Tuesday, September 17, to Monday, September 23, and will feature a total of 57 shows and 69 presentations. Some of the biggest names in the industry are expected to showcase their latest looks, including Prada, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Emporio Armani and Versace. Noticeable absentees include Giorgio Armani, who instead unveiled their newest range in New York, and Tom Ford, which will hold a presentation instead of a show, following the departure of Peter Hawkings and in anticipation of new creative director Haider Ackermann's AW25 debut. Speaking about the upcoming range of shows, Vogue Italia contributor Giorgia Feroldi told Vogue Business: 'Being in Milan during fashion week always means having very little time to rest and process what you've seen, as it's always the most packed calendar out of the ''big four''.' 'But with less big debuts ahead and a day added to the schedule in search of some relief, the mood feels slightly more relaxed compared to other seasons. I hope this can benefit younger designers.' Moschino's Adrian Appiolaza will present his second womenswear collection for the house, after a well-received menswear show in June. Leading the glamorous arrivals was Shanina Shaik, who showed off her famous model physique in a tight nude mini dress, teamed with knee-high black leather boots The Australian fashion star showed off her chic sense of style in the fitted knitted mini dress, teamed with a ruched neckline, and accessorised her look with a matching taupe bag Sweeping her glossy raven tresses into a sleek bun, Shanina showcased her first glamorous look at this year's Fashion Week She cut a sophisticated figure as she headed to the Fendi show Shailene added dark shades to her look and toted the brand's latest iteration of the Peekaboo bag Milan Fashion Week will run from Tuesday, September 17, to Monday, September 23, and Fendi's runway show ensured the event was kicked off in style Some of the biggest names in the industry are expected to showcase their latest looks, including Prada, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Emporio Armani and Versace Amelia Gray Hamlin also displayed her casual fashion sense in a white crop top, teamed with an oversized black jacket The model accessorised her look with loose-fitting black jeans and black boots, showcasing her effortless fashion sense as she arrived for the show Finishing her look with narrow-framed sunglasses, Amelia opted for a more laid-back look Hayley Atwell also cut a casual figure in a stylish grey shirt and loose-fitting navy blue trousers as she exited her hotel to head to the show The Mission Impossible star accessorised her look with an oversized blue clutch bag and black pointed-toe stiletto heels Also among those who took their place on the front row was actress Shailene Woodley The actress beamed as she joined a slew of stars on the front row She wore her blonde tresses in loose waves over her shoulders It was a packed front row Josephine Skriver strutted her stuff in a grey minidress and black knee high boots She joined Shanina as they headed to the show The models giggled as they chatted to one another Josephine showed off her model figure in the structured dress Brigitte Chartrand, VP of womenswear buying at Ssense, offered insight into some of the key trends expected to take centre stage in Italy. She said: 'Our SS25 buy will take shape as we go, but we'll always come prepared with insights from the last season for example, cool micro-trends that we think more designers will pick up on next season. 'What does that mean for spring? We're looking for pieces that are playful but feminine; think contrasting materials, layering, sheerness, embroidery and embellishments. 'On the flip side, we're also looking for that stronger, empowering tomboy look and we're hoping to see a lot of neckties.' Joan Vassos admitted on Tuesday to feeling unfaithful to her late husband John as she began to fall for suitors while starring on The Golden Bachelorette. The TV personality, 61 whose husband of 32 years passed of pancreatic cancer in early 2021 got candid with People about being a widow and learning to re-navigate life after her husband's tragic death. 'My husband passed away during COVID and I really didn't embrace the whole mourning thing,' she told the outlet. 'I was in charge of being strong. I just buckled down and ignored it.' Trying to accept her devastating loss, the mother-of-four tried attending group therapy but struggled due to the pandemic. And when she found herself catching feelings for other men on the show, she knew she 'had to face it.' She said of her grief: 'It was in my face that I was feeling really guilty, honestly, about having feelings for somebody else. I almost felt like I was cheating on John, which is crazy because he's passed away.' Joan Vassos admitted on Tuesday to feeling unfaithful to her late husband John as she began to fall for suitors while starring on The Golden Bachelorette; seen in September 2020 She said of her grief: 'It was in my face that I was feeling really guilty, honestly, about having feelings for somebody else. I almost felt like I was cheating on John, which is crazy because he's passed away'; seen in 2024 Joan explained that prior to her husband's death, he told her that he didn't want her 'to be alone' and heartbreakingly suggested she find love again one day. 'I want you to find somebody. You are the greatest wife in the world. I don't want you to be alone. I want you to find somebody,' she recalled John's words. The school administrator from Maryland told the outlet she initially felt 'uneasy' about moving on after 32 years of being in a loving marriage, but psychiatrists of The Golden Bachelorette helped her. 'They said, "You don't have to let go of John. Picture it like this: you have two balloons, one in each hand, and John is in a balloon in this hand, and your potential person that you're going to fall in love with in this hand. You don't have to let go of him from this hand to pick this one up and have a life with this one,"' she explained. 'It was such a good lesson,' the starlet added. And she found it easy to talk about her late husband with her potential suitors on the show. She admitted: 'You're trying to establish a relationship with somebody else, you don't want to talk about your deceased spouse, but keeping his memory alive didn't seem like I was being weird 'I felt comfortable finally doing it. I talked about how funny he was and stuff like that, and I feel like the guys really appreciated that.' And she likes to recount her memories of her late husband to pay tribute to him. 'Putting his name on a bench or planting a tree, none of these things are good enough. So I said, you know what I think he would like the most? Is that you don't forget him. Tell me stories. It doesn't hurt me anymore; it makes me happy,' she explained. Nonetheless, Joan feels that starring on The Golden Bachelorette 'cured' her and was her therapy. Joan explained that prior to her husband's death, he told her that he didn't want her 'to be alone' and heartbreakingly suggested she find love again one day; John seen in his 2021 obituary photo The school administrator from Maryland told the outlet she initially felt 'uneasy' about moving on after 32 years of being in a loving marriage, but psychiatrists of The Golden Bachelorette helped her; seen in 2024 And she likes to recount her memories of her late husband to pay tribute to him; seen in 2024 Joan is the first Golden Bachelorette in franchise history after vying for Gerry Turner's heart on the very first season of The Golden Bachelor last year; seen in 2023 '[The show] cured me,' she shared. 'This journey made me open to love. And I figured it out partway through the journey that I really wasn't there when I came, but I got there.' Joan is the first Golden Bachelorette in franchise history after vying for Gerry Turner's heart on the very first season of The Golden Bachelor last year. The Golden Bachelorette is slated to kick off on Wednesday, September 18 on ABC. Dua Lipa has criticised musicians who 'use their private life to attract attention' and fans think it's a thinly-veiled dig at Taylor Swift. Taylor, 34, is known to reference her past relationships in her lyrics, most recently appearing to elude to her breakup with ex boyfriend Joe Alwyn on her album The Tortured Poets Department. Her fans went wild predicting digs at her famous exes after the track list was revealed back in February, with the record following in April. Speaking in a new interview on on 60 Minutes, Dua, 29, addressed why she avoids singing about her private life. The musician explained: 'Some people are just so ruthless with their own private life that they decide to put it all out in a song because they know that its going to attract peoples attention.' Dua Lipa has criticised musicians who 'use their private life to attract attention' and fans think it's a thinly-veiled dig at Taylor Swift (pictured in June at Glastonbury) Taylor, 34, is known to reference her past relationships in her lyrics, most recently appearing to elude to her breakup with ex boyfriend Joe Alwyn on her album The Tortured Poets Department. Dua added: 'For me, it was always important to make music that people really loved, not because I was putting someone on blast or not because Im doing it for clickbait at someone elses expense.' Sharing their thoughts on X, fans wrote: 'Yah Im gonna go out on a limb and say that this was a thinly veiled, albeit harmless, shot at Taylor Swift'; 'Def is. And its a fair statement. I say this as a Swift fan'; 'Bwa ha ha! Not thinly veiled whatsoever. Ill be glad when Swift crashes and burns. Take a look at Madonna - thats Swifties future.' 'Wait, how did she manage to get away with that without a backlash from the Swifties'; 'Nothing thinly veiled here. Shot over the bow'; 'Hasn't Dua Lipa always been about showing veiled disrespect towards Taylor Swift? I would say she's the Katy Perry 2.0 in the Swiftverse.' Last week, Dua announced her new global 2025 tour for her latest album Radical Optimism. The three times Grammy winning and seven times BRIT award winner is set to jet across the world with over 40 new dates across Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe, and the UK next year. As the pop powerhouse's career continues to grow from strength to strength her latest tour follows her highly anticipated debut headlining the Pyramid Stage at the 2024 Glastonbury Festival earlier this summer. After wowing crowds on the Friday night the BBC praised her performance as they gushed: 'Dua hit every mark with the precision of someone who had been preparing for this moment for years.' Following her electric Glastonbury set, she immediately sold out two consecutive nights at London's iconic Wembley Stadium set for June 2025. Sharing their thoughts on X, fans wrote: 'Yah Im gonna go out on a limb and say that this was a thinly veiled, albeit harmless, shot at Taylor Swift' Dua is set to jet across the world with over 40 new dates across Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe, and the UK next year The Radical Optimism Tour will kick off this fall with previously announced shows in Asia, including stops in Singapore, Jakarta, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur. It will then wrap up on Thursday December 5 in Seoul, Korea at Gocheok Sky Dome. The 2025 dates then begin March 20 in Melbourne, Australia at Rod Laver Arena, and include performances in Sydney, Auckland, Madrid, Hamburg, Paris, Amsterdam, London, Dublin. She will then head to Toronto, Chicago, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and many more before concluding in Seattle on October 16 at Climate Pledge Arena. Prior to the tour kickoff in Asia, Dua will headline Austin City Limits in Austin, TX on October 5 and October 12. Halle Berry turned heads as she sauntered down a sidewalk in New York City on Tuesday. The actress, 58, who stunned at the premiere of her latest film Never Let Go on Monday night, stepped out in a cream toned off the shoulder mini-dress with curve-enhancing ruching. She contrasted the light color of the dress with some leg elongating black and brown animal print heels with a pointed toe and ankle strap. The leading lady reddish brown hair was styled in a bob with natural curls. She accessorized with hoop earrings and a diamond and gold necklace. Halle Berry nearly stopped traffic as she sauntered down a sidewalk in New York City on Tuesday in a cream toned off the shoulder mini-dress with curve enhancing ruching and leg elongating animal print heels with an ankle strap The actress also spoke about her 'favorite new topic,' menopause, a topic that is often difficult for women to discuss. 'I decided I'm going to stand up for me and if I stand up for me, I know I'm going to help other people,' she explained Earlier in the day, the Oscar winner stopped by the CBS News studios for a chat with Gayle King on CBS Mornings to promote her new film. In Never Let Go, she plays a mother of two young sons who is convinced that a mysterious evil force has taken over the world. Of the plot, Berry said the psychological thriller is 'complex. It's about generational trauma and love and fear,' she explained. In the story, Berry's character is the mother of two young sons, played by Anthony B. Jenkins, 12, and Percy Daggs IV, who start to question whether their mom is okay mentally. 'What I loved about this mother is that it's a different version of a mother and she is a darker version of herself,' she explained. 'But, this is a mother dealing with her own trauma that was passed on to her, so... she's doing the best she can, but the love is there, but the dysfunction is there at the same time.' The actress also spoke about her 'favorite new topic,' menopause. 'I found out I was in menopause in the most horrific way,' explaining she received a misdiagnosis of herpes, when it was actually what is often referred to as 'the change.' Berry hopes to help destigmatize menopause. 'We have to decide to grow old gracefully and naturally and stop trying to diminish ourselves and stay forever young,' she said. 'It's just not possible' Earlier in the day, the Oscar winner stopped by the CBS News studios for a chat with Gayle King on CBS Mornings to promote her new film. In Never Let Go, she plays a mother of two young sons who is convinced that a mysterious evil force has taken over the world Berry the psychological thriller is 'complex. It's about generational trauma and love and fear' 'That got in interested in that, if I had this little information, millions of other women don't have [it].' she explained. I decided I'm going to stand up for me and if I stand up for me, I know I'm going to help other people and and it just started snowballing. I realized that only we, women, can destigmatize this by talking about it, making it okay, talking about it with our husbands, out partners, our sons, our co-workers. We have to give them permission to talk about it also.' The actress with Van Hunt at AMC 42nd theater on September 16 in New York City 'As we age, we have to stop believing that we have to stay eternally 30. We're turning into monsters trying to stay eternally 30. We have to realize that we're greater than the shell that we're walking around in,' she declared. 'When men age, they become wise, they become silver foxes, we just get old,' describing the mindset among many. 'We have to change that though, as women. We have to decide to grow old gracefully and naturally and stop trying to diminish ourselves and stay forever young,' she said. 'It's just not possible.' Never Let Go opens in theaters Friday September 20. Kendall Jenner went on College Tour with her brand 818 Tequila this week. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians veteran was visiting the Shiner Park and Good Bull Icehouse bars in College Station, Texas as a part of her brands third college bar tour. The 28-year-old reality TV star showed off her newly blonde hair which she wore back in a chic bun with curtain bangs. The Calvin Klein model added an 818 gray-and-white T-shirt with short sleeves and tight blue denim jeans. The star seemed to be in a friendly mood as she posed with college students then flashed a peace sign. Kendall Jenner went on College Tour with her brand 818 Tequila this week The older sister of Kylie Jenner also signed autographs for fans. And the on-again girlfriend of Bad Bunny held up a bottle of her 818 Tequila in front of a bar that had a sign above which read Howdy in lights. For the third time, 818 has embarked on its annual college bar tour as they offer consumers an 'influencer-like experience,' the brand told DailyMail.com. Jenner and the 818 Tequila team was also in Colorado. And there are even more stops to come, DailyMail.com has learned. Since its launch three years ago, 818 Tequila has become one of the fastest-growing brands in both the tequila and overall spirits categories in the US. It has grown 21% compared to 2% of the industry. The star debuted her lighter locks last week in a New York City studio. The model gazed down towards the camera to take a quick selfie as her new lighter hair was pushed back away from her face with a black headband. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians veteran was visiting the Shiner Park and Good Bull Icehouse bars in College Station, Texas as a part of her brands third college bar tour The 28-year-old reality TV star showed off her newly blonde hair which she wore back in a chic bun with curtain bangs The runway model added an 818 gray-and-white T-shirt with short sleeves and tight blue denim jeans Kendall wore a plain, black shirt as well as a pair of high-waisted, denim jeans and a black leather blazer. Other images showed her standing in front of windows that offered a scenic view of New York City as the sun began to set. She also posed while sitting on a chair underneath bright lights to better show off her blonde hair color. In the caption of the Instagram carousel, Kendall simply wrote to her 291 million followers: 'Blonded.' Social media users flocked to the comment section to share their thoughts on the star's latest look, such as new mom Hailey Bieber who wrote: 'Exactly.' Kim Kardashian - who is no stranger to sporting platinum blonde hair - commented: 'You did it!!! .' She debuted her new hair college earlier with this Instagram post Married At First Sight UK star Erica Roberts has revealed the real reason behind her split from 'husband' Jordan Gayle earlier this year. At the time of their break-up, Erica, 26, took to her Instagram at the time to announce the news and insisted there was no 'bad blood' between them. However, she has now revealed that their break up wasn't quite as amicable as she first made out as she detailed his 'insane behaviour' in the lead up to their split. Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Erica said: 'It was a long time coming. I just completely started losing myself, trying to look after him. 'I feel like I very much took that role in the relationship. He needed a lot from me and I think he really put a lot of pressure on me to be his sole support system. And that's too much for one person.' Married At First Sight UK star Erica Roberts has revealed the real reason behind her split from 'husband' Jordan Gayle earlier this year At the time of their break-up, Erica, 26, took to her Instagram at the time to announce the news and insisted there was no 'bad blood' between them 'I want to be your partner and your lover, not your therapist and your mum. It just got too much for me.' Claiming the relationship got too much for her, Erica added that their relationship was not 'balanced'. Erica and Jordan appeared on the Channel 4 show last year and met for the first time at the altar on their wedding day. They were an 'intruder' couple, as they joined the show late and seemed to be one of the most loved-up pairings. However, during the explosive reunion show, Erica and Jordan's co-star Laura Vaughan claimed that the couple were arguing non-stop while living with her. But the breaking point came on Jordan's 27th birthday when Erica surprised him with a trip to Scotland where she lives. Erica said that even thought she had booked him a special trip, because she couldn't also come to a ten-pin bowling evening in Sheffield with his mother he was furious. However, she has now revealed that their break up wasn't quite as amicable as she first made out as she detailed his 'insane behaviour' in the lead up to their split Erica revealed that he told her that her efforts had been the 'bare minimum', despite the fact she claimed he had never even taken her out for dinner. The TV star admitted that she felt she 'couldn't do this anymore' and that it was 'insane behaviour' from her former flame. Erica went on to reveal that there were a lot of 'red flags' early on in their relationship. The couple also reportedly had a row on the last night of their honeymoon in Antigua which caused Erica to start having doubts, however, this was not shown on TV. She claimed that on their wedding day, he would interrupt her or flip the conversation back on to him whenever she would speak about herself. She also confessed that it continuously happened on their honeymoon too. Admitting that their relationship wasn't at all how it seemed on screen, Erica said that a 'lot of things went on' that viewers did not see. She also added that when she tried to discuss with him her feelings about his dismissiveness it led to him having a 'meltdown'. Speaking exclusively to The Sun , Erica said: 'It was a long time coming. I just completely started losing myself, trying to look after him' The star then said she knew from that moment that his communication skills were 'non-existent' at that point. She revealed that she would have to 'comfort him' because he was upset at how he had made her feel. Admitting that it was the 'common theme' throughout their entire relationship, Erica claimed looking back on their time together, she can see the 'warning signs' were there from 'day one'. After the couple split, Erica claimed most of her co-stars congratulated her on finally ending their relationship. She claimed that they were all like 'Well done you got rid of him' and said the breakup was a 'long time coming'. Erica and Jordan appeared on the Channel 4 show last year and met for the first time at the altar on their wedding day. However, the pair split in February Despite initially saying he was 'heartbroken' by the split, Jordan has since moved on with Melissa Golik, an emergency nurse from Australia The star also revealed the reason she stayed with Jordan for so long was because there were some good moments throughout the relationship. Erica told The Sun that she did 'really like him and wanted to make it work' as they had 'so much fun with each other'. But she admitted coming off the show she felt pressure around them as a couple to make it work for the fans. However, Erica claimed that she would have ended up 'needing therapy' if she were to continue the relationship. Despite initially saying he was 'heartbroken' by the split, Jordan has since moved on with Melissa Golik, an emergency nurse from Australia. After three hugely successful series, two BAFTA nominations and even a baby, the fourth series is set to bring more love and drama than ever, as a fresh batch of brave singles prepare to say 'I do' to a complete stranger. Charlie Hunnam will play his darkest role to date as murderer and necrophile Ed Gein in season 3 of Ryan Murphy's Monster. Murphy, 58, announced the Sons of Anarchy star, 44, will take on the terrifying role during a promotional event in LA for Monster Season 2, which focuses on the Menendez brothers' murder of their parents, per Variety. The first season of the Netflix anthology series detailed serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer's atrocities with Evan Peters starring. Gein, who was known as the Butcher of Plainfield and the Plainfield Ghoul, was a murderer and body snatcher who exhumed corpses from graveyards to make a 'skin suit' from the bones and skin of the dead. He told police after his arrest in 1957 that he used the skin suit to 'become' his dead mother. Charlie Hunnam will play his darkest role to date as murderer and necrophile Ed Gein in season 3 of Ryan Murphy 's Monster Gein's life has inspired a number of horror characters including Norman Bates from Alfred Hitchcock's classic film Psycho, Leatherface in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Buffalo Bill in the Silence of the Lambs. Edward Theodore Gein, the second son of George Philip Gein and Augusta Wilhelmine Gein, was born on August 27, 1906 in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. His father was an unemployed alcoholic and his mother was a highly religious Lutheran who held a domineering presence in Gein's life and tried to preach to her children about the dangers of drinking and women, who she believed were tools of the devil. Gein, a shy boy, only left the farm to attend school and teachers later remembered him as being strange and prone to random bursts of laughter. His mother would punish him for making friends with 'sinners.' Gein's father died of heart failure on April 1, 1940 so he and his brother Henry started taking jobs around town to help bring money into the family, including babysitting for local families. After Henry's death, Augusta had a paralyzing stroke and Gein, the 'town fool,' was tasked with taking care of her as her health quickly deteriorated. She died on December 29, 1945. Gein was devastated by his abusive mother's death and felt like he had 'lost his only friend and one true love,' biographer Harold Schechter noted. He continued to live and work on the farm but boarded up his mother's rooms while the rest of the home fell to ruin. The first season of the Netflix anthology series detailed serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer's atrocities with Evan Peters starring Gein started to become fascinated with the concepts of cannibalism and began visiting local cemeteries in just two years after her death to start his 10-year grave robbing spree, according to a biography by Judge Robert H. Gollmar - who presided at Gein's trial. Despite all of his notoriety as a serial killer, Gein has only been confirmed to have murdered two victims while robbing the graves and desecrating the bodies of nine others. Gein's first victim, tavern owner Mary Hogan, was killed in 1954 nearly 10 years after the death of his mother. Nobody linked Gein to her disappearance when she vanished from work leaving nothing but blood at the scene. The second murder victim, Bernice Worden, owned a hardware store in Plainfield and disappeared on the morning of November 16, 1957. Her son Frank Worden, a deputy with the local sheriff's office, found the store's cash register open and blood stains on the floor around 5pm that day. Gein was arrested while the Waushara County Sheriff's Department searched his farm and found the woman's decapitated body in his shed. Worden's body had been hung upside down to a wooden crosspiece and was 'slit open from vagina to sternum,' biographers noted in Obsession. Inside the house, officers found human skulls attached to the posts of Gein's bed and Worden's heart in a saucepan on the stove. Hunnam played Jackson 'Jax' Teller on FX series Sons of Anarchy for seven seasons between 2008-2014 Despite all of his notoriety as a serial killer, Gein has only been confirmed to have murdered two victims while robbing the graves and desecrating the bodies of nine others Cops also found a trash can made of human skin, human skin covering several chair seats, bowls made from human skulls, a corset made from a female torso and leggings made from human leg skin. Other items included the genitals of nine women in a shoe box, masks made from the skin of female heads, Mary Hogan's face in a paper bag and her skull in a box, a belt made from female human nipples, and a lampshade made from the skin of a human face. Despite the filth and horror in most of the farmhouse, however, authorities discovered a blocked-off, dusty yet tidy area: Augustas bedroom, which had been kept by Gein as a virtual shrine to his dead mother. The amount of human trophies found in Geins home seemed to indicate that he had killed far more people than just Worden and Hogan. He admitted to both of these murders, though he claimed each was accidental. Gein insisted he had not killed any other women, and instead studied death notices so he could engage in grave robbing. He told investigators that he made as many as 40 grave robbing trips in the middle of the night to exhume recently buried bodies of middle-aged women he thought looked like his mom. Gein provided investigators with a list of graves he had dug up and they were found to be either empty or containing mutilated remains. Despite admitted to killing Hogan and Worden after his arrest in 1957, Gein was initially found unfit to stand trial. He was sent to a mental health facility and was judged fit to stand trial in 1968, and was later found guilty of murdering Worden. However, he was also found legally insane and returned to the psychiatric institution. He died at Mendota Mental Health Institute of respiratory failure on July 26, 1984. Hunnam recently starred in Rebel Moon Part One: A Child of Fire and will star in upcoming series Criminal at Amazon. Waushara County Sheriff Art Schley, left, escorts Gein of Plainfield, Wisc. into Central State Hospital for the Criminally Insane Nov. 23, 1957, in Milwaukee A photo shows a close-up of a chair upholstered with human skin found in the home of murderer and body snatcher Ed Gein in Plainfield, Wisconsin in November 1957 A photo shows a squalid room in the home of murderer and body snatcher Ed Gein in Plainfield, Wisconsin in November 1957 He played Jackson 'Jax' Teller on FX series Sons of Anarchy for seven seasons between 2008-2014. He was the original choice to play Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey film series - but dropped out weeks before filming began -and was replaced by Jamie Dornan. Dahmer Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story chronicled the shocking murders of 17 young men and boys at the hands of the Milwaukee killer between 1978 and 1991. Season 1 - which starred Peters and Niecy Nash-Betts - scored record ratings and was critically-acclaimed but faced backlash, as viewers hit out at Netflix for adding an LGBTQ tag to the series. Many called out the streaming platform - who have now removed the tag - saying they were 'gobsmacked' and 'disgusted' at the choice. The true crime series has also been at the center of criticism over the continued commercial success of the true crime genre, and the traumatic impact it might have on survivors. The sister of Dahmer victim Errol Lindsey, Rita Isbell, speaking with Insider Sunday, said that Netflix never reached out to her about the series, calling it harsh and careless. 'I feel like Netflix shouldve asked if we mind or how we felt about making it,' she said. 'They didnt ask me anything. They just did it. But Im not money hungry, and thats what this show is about, Netflix trying to get paid.' Olivia Wilde looked stunning as she arrived for the annual Through Her Lens: The Tribeca Chanel Women's Filmmaker Program Luncheon in New York City on Tuesday. The actress and director, 40, who was a favorite guest during New York Fashion Week, was turned out in a salmon and peach ensemble for the gathering at Locanda Verde in Tribeca. The Don't Worry Darling filmmaker was styled in a double breasted tweed jacket over a white T-shirt with several pictorial graphics. The jacket was paired with wide leg pants in a larger weave. The Emmy winner wore beige flats with a black pointed toe and carried a small square salmon toned shoulder bag with a gold chain as she had on Ray-Ban sunglasses. Olivia Wilde looked stunning as she arrived for the annual Through Her Lens: The Tribeca CHANEL Women's Filmmaker Program Luncheon in New York City on Tuesday At one point, she was seen with her arm around Beanie Feldstein who has starred in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising and Lady Bird. The luncheon served as the kickoff for three days of workshops as well as mentoring and networking for women and non-binary filmmakers in the US. One participant will win an $80,000 grant short film with support from Tribeca Studios. Four others will receive $5,000 development prizes. Wilde will sit on the jury, along with Joanna Calo, Feldstein, Lucy Liu and DaVine Joy Randolph. Wilde has her fingers in several pies as she increases her experiences as a producer, actress and director. She has completed work on a short film called Clay Bodies, in which she and her daughter Daisy, seven, will star. Wilde is also in pre-production for I Want Your Sex, in which she will play a sexual muse. The movie co-stars Charli XCX and Cooper Hoffman. The actress and director, 40, was styled in a salmon and peach double breasted tweed jacket over a white T-shirt with several pictorial graphics with a pair of wide leg pants in a larger weave Wilde will sit on the jury of the annual gathering for women and non-binary filmmakers, along with Joanna Calo, Beanie Feldstein, Lucy Liu and DaVine Joy Randolph Wilde put her arm around Beanie as they stood inside Locanda Verde Ballerina Misty Copeland flashed some leg on the left and This Is 40 actress Leslie Mann was spotted on the right The Independent Spirit Award winner will direct and executive producer the Kerri Strug biopic Perfect, starring Thomasin McKenzie as the gold medal winning gymnast. She also worked as an executive producer the short film After Annecy. Besides Perfect, Wilde has signed to helm Avengelyne, about an angel who is kicked out of heaven and redeems herself by defending humanity. She has also agreed to direct Naughty, a holiday comedy about a woman who asks Santa to testify for her in a custody issue. Diddy was mocked by longtime nemesis 50 Cent again on Tuesday in the wake of the rapper's indictment on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. Among the most shocking claims is how federal agents seized 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant from his Miami and Los Angeles homes during raids earlier this year. They were used in 'freak offs' - 'elaborate and produced sex performances' that Diddy allegedly arranged and participated in - with 'baby oil' quickly trending worldwide and stunned fans posting memes. 50 Cent - a longtime troll of Diddy's - quickly took aim at the star by posting a snap of himself with Drew Barrymore. The barbed caption read: 'Here I am keeping good company with @thedrewbarrymoreshow and I dont have 1,000 bottles of lube at the house' before tagging his companies @bransoncognac @lecheminduroi.' Diddy was mocked by longtime nemesis 50 Cent again on Tuesday in the wake of the rapper's indictment on sex trafficking and racketeering charges Fans quickly inundated the post with comments, including: 'Who else ran to his page?', 'We were all waiting on you', 'Why did we all wait for 50 to post.' Others wrote: 'I got here as quickly as I could', 'I know Im not the only one who has been waiting on 50 to post' and 'I been waiting all morning for this post.' 50 Cent - real name Curtis Jackson - and Sean 'Diddy' Combs have bad blood stemming back at least 18 years , as 50 Cent in 2006 put out a song titled The Bomb hurling insults at his longtime rap rival, implying that Diddy was aware of the identity of the person who killed Notorious B.I.G. in 1997. 50 Cent has filmed a documentary about the sex assault allegations surrounding Diddy which has been sold to Netflix after what was described as 'a massive bidding war.' The bidding war update came days after a 2016 clip of Diddy beating his ex-girlfriend Cassie was released in a video by CNN. Diddy admitted that he beat his ex-girlfriend Cassie in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was 'truly sorry' and his actions were 'inexcusable.' 'I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. Im disgusted now,' the music mogul said in a video statement posted Sunday to Instagram and Facebook . After Diddy's apology video, 50 Cent expressed his skepticism of Diddy trying to navigate through what looks to be a career-ending crisis. The barbed caption read: 'Here I am keeping good company with @thedrewbarrymoreshow and I dont have 1,000 bottles of lube at the house' by tagging his companies @bransoncognac @lecheminduroi' Fans quickly showed their delight at 50 reacting to the indictment In May a 2016 clip of the rapper beating his ex-girlfriend Cassie was released in a video by CNN 50 Cent, whose hits include Candy Shop, P.I.M.P. and If I Can't, initially reacted to the circulation of the clip He wrote: 'Now Im sure puffy didnt do it, he is innocent this proves nothing! 'This is what his lawyers are gonna say, God help us all,' he added. 'This is not going to work, who is advising him right now?' the Grammy-winning rap artist said on the social media platform. 'SMH bad move.' 50 Cent, whose hits include Candy Shop, P.I.M.P. and If I Can't, initially reacted to the circulation of the clip Friday, saying, 'Now Im sure puffy didnt do it, he is innocent this proves nothing! This is what his lawyers are gonna say. God help us all.' 50 Cent led the initial charge of Hollywood stars reacting to raids on Diddy's homes in March. He was quick to repost footage of the investigation, writing: 'S*** just got real. The Fed's in all the cribs, d*** they got the kids in cuffs.' He subsequently turned his attention toward his ex-girlfriend Daphne Joy, who was alleged to be a 'sex worker' in a lawsuit filed by producer Rodney 'Lil Rod' Jones Jr. against Diddy. Joy has adamantly denied the accusation, calling it 'character assassination.' On, March 28, just days after 50 Cent publicly mocked Diddy over his alleged involvement in the sex trafficking scandal, Joy accused him of rape, physical abuse and of being an absent father to their son Sire. Meanwhile, 50 Cent joked about a seemingly fake docuseries about the allegations dogging Diddy titled Diddy Do It?, though it has since been revealed that he has a real documentary in the works. The feud between Diddy and 50 Cent expanded to include the mogul's son Christian 'King' Combs, who released a diss track aimed at 50 Cent, though the veteran rapper returned to mock Christian for bringing up the raids on his father's mansions again. After Diddy's apology video, 50 Cent expressed his skepticism of Diddy Diddy has been charged with three crimes - racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. On Tuesday Diddy, formerly known as Puff Daddy, appeared in front of a federal judge and pleaded not guilty to the charges. His lawyers offered $50M in assets as collateral, which the judge denied. An indictment unsealed this morning revealed revolting details of his alleged behavior - but did not name the many people accused of helping him perpetuate the vile abuse. Among the most sordid revelations was that more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lube were seized from his homes. Combs was also accused of making women have sex with male prostitutes until they were so worn out they required IV drips. The star was arrested overnight in New York after traveling voluntarily to the city, according to his attorney. Over the past year, Combs has been sued by people who say he subjected them to physical or sexual abuse. He has denied many of those allegations and his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, called the new indictment an 'unjust prosecution.' He is now headed to jail to await trial after a judge denied bail. Howard Stern said he finds the proliferation of celebrity podcasts done from one's home 'aggravating' amid his own rough and tumble ascension to the top of the airwaves decades back. The shock jock, 70, appeared on an edition of the SmartLess podcast with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett recorded last month and uploaded Monday. He opened up on his disenchantment with the seemingly-easier path to success modern podcasters have in comparison to his earlier days in the cutthroat radio business. The King of All Media - who has broadcast a considerable number of shows remotely since the coronavirus pandemic struck in 2020 - groused that 'everyone has got a f****** microphone in their house' and 'everybody is on the radio.' The Private Parts star mused on the 'brutal' radio landscape he faced as an up-and-coming broadcaster, marked by his feuds with radio rivals such as the late Don Imus, John 'The Zookeeper' DeBella, Erich 'Mancow' Muller and the defunct duo of Gregg 'Opie' Hughes and Anthony Cumia. Howard Stern, 70, said he finds the proliferation of celebrity podcasts done from one's home 'aggravating' amid his own rough and tumble ascension to the top of the airwaves decades back. Pictured in 2019 in LA Stern recalled a discussion he had with Bateman, 55, at his home that rubbed him the wrong way about the paths that have opened up for podcasters. Pictured in NYC earlier this month Stern recalled a discussion he had with Bateman at his home that rubbed him the wrong way about the paths that have opened up for podcasters in recent years. 'You three, you want to hear the most aggravating thing? Jason was over at my house, and I have mad respect for Jason,' Stern said. 'I'm talking to Jason and I'm feeling very good about my own career and everything.' 'And Jason goes, "You know man, it's crazy, we like, started this thing out of our basement, like a radio show."' Stern continued: 'I'm like, "Oh here we go, cool" and he goes, "Yeah, we started this thing and it's just the three of us sitting around and we talk and we just crack each other up and everything. I don't know what's going to happen with it man, but they are telling me it's like the biggest thing ever."' Bateman retorted, 'Bull**** I didn't say that' while Stern mused on the difficult path to broadcasting relevance he faced en route to unprecedented success marked by national syndication and later a lucrative deal with SiriusXM. 'Oh this is great, I spent my life begging people to put me on the radio,' Stern said. 'You had to work on your voice this and that, you had to work on the content, you had to make sure you get people - he's clowning around!' Stern - who shot to fame flanked by a crew consisting of Robin Quivers, Fred Norris and Gary Dell'Abate, as well as former contributors such as Jackie Martling, Artie Lange and John Melendez, opened up about the rough terrain he conquered en route to radio stardom. 'When I was on the radio it was brutal,' he said. 'In order to get an audience and to maintain an audience, every 15 minutes they would take the ratings. It isn't like this where you go, you know, we have a lot of people listening.' The Private Parts star was pictured in NYC last November at a SiriusXM event The King of All Media - who has broadcast a considerable number of shows remotely since the coronavirus pandemic struck in 2020 - groused that 'everyone has got a f****** microphone in their house' and 'everybody is on the radio' Stern, who authored books such as Private Parts, Miss America and Howard Stern Comes Again, added, 'There could be three people listening to this, nobody knows, nobody cares. 'But you are on the radio and every 15 minutes they take ratings and what are you going to do to hold people's attention?' Stern's appearance on the SmartLess podcast with Bateman, Arnett and Hayes came during an August 17 outing at the Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, New York, according to Newsday. Stern appeared with the trio to commemorate their debut on Sirius XM, with the trio saying in a joint statement, 'It's a Sirius honor for us three jesters to interview the King of All Media.' For even the occasional airline traveler, it makes sense to join a loyalty program. But navigating the complexities of earning and redeeming airline reward miles can be a tough as getting through LAX or JFK when it's a holiday. It involves credit card choices, mileage accumulation strategies and finding the best way to spend miles. But help is at hand. Point.me - a service that helps people plan and book their travel using air miles - has released a comprehensive global ranking of the 62 biggest airline rewards programs. Clearly out in front was Air France-KLM, the sister airlines that merged in 2004. The top US airline was United in third, behind second-placed Air Canada. Air France-KLM's FLying Blue was rated the best airline loyalty. Passengers use the KLM lounge in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Lounge access is one of the best perks of airline loyalty programs. This is a Delta lounge American was six - beaten by UK-based carriers British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Alaska Airlines - which is in merger talks with Hawaiian - Qatar Airways, JetBlue, and Avianca were highly ranked in the top ten. The third of the big US airlines Delta was down in 19th place. The report - using 55 of the site's experts and years of data - considered factors such as redemption rates, booking ease, customer service, and change fees. Scroll down for a the full list, which can be searched by the name of both the airline and the loyalty program. 'Getting real value from airline loyalty points is often significantly harder for passengers than it needs to be,' said Adam Morvitz, CEO of Point.me. 'These rankings reflect our team's extensive travel knowledge and in-depth data analysis.' Air France and KLM's Flying Blue rewards program, scoring 93 out of 100, was recognized for its straightforward booking process and low redemption costs. Currently, Flying Blue is offering a 15,000-mile reward ticket from New York (EWR) to several European destinations. Your browser does not support iframes. The Chelsea Lounge at New York's JFK, which is jointly run by American Airlines and British Airways It was also rated highly for the ability to book flights on partner airlines within the SkyTeam alliance - the alliance that Delta belongs to, along with Virgin Atlantic and Korean Air. But Delta - despite its loyal following - barely made it into the top third, and its SkyMiles scored a lowly 49. Delta has a loyal fanbase and has risen to the US's biggest carrier. But in the summer Delta warned it may have to cut some flights as many were leaving empty. The lowest-rated US-based carrier reward programs were Spirit Airlines Free Spirit, Frontier Airlines Frontier Miles, and Sun Country Airlines Sun Country Rewards. These programs were rated as being restrictive in redemption, or expensive to use. The release of this report comes amid ongoing scrutiny by the Department of Transportation, which is investigating US airlines for potential unfair practices in their loyalty programs. Tupperware, the iconic American brand known the world over for its plastic food containers, is on the brink of bankruptcy. The 78-year-old company has been battling for years to revive its fortunes. Amid debts of more than $700 million, it could file for bankruptcy as soon as this week, according to Bloomberg. Tupperware was founded in 1946 by chemist Earl Tupper - whose airtight plastic containers helped food last longer for families still struggling after the war and the Great Depression. Tupperware's popularity exploded in the 1950s by selling its products at parties thrown by suburban housewives. It still relies on direct sales from its army 300,000 army of local agents who will be hit if the company goes under. For many it is a vital source of income. But its products are also sold in major stores like Walmart and Target. An employee at Tupperware's factory in Hemmingway, South Carolina Tupperware warned in March its business may not survive due to waning demand for its plastic containers and mounting debt. Then in June it announced that it is closing its last US factory and laying off 150 workers. It is moving the work to Mexico to take advantage of cheaper wages there. The factory in the small town of Hemingway in South Carolina has produced billions of the kitchen-cabinet staples since it opened 48 years ago. The closure - which will take effect later this year - is a huge blow to the 148 workers at the Williamsburg County plant. Production will be moved to Lerma in Mexico, where the company says it already makes items for the US and Canada. Tupperware opened the South Carolina factory in April 1976 to meet demand east of the Mississippi River as the company rapidly grew. By 1993, the 900-000 square food plant was producing 173 million tubs and containers made of Tupperware's trademark colorful plastic. But as big box retailers offered their own versions, sales dipped and there were layoffs - 300 in 1996 and 250 in 2005. Rise and fall of Tupperware After Earl Tupper founded the company in in 1946, its products soared in popularity throughout the 1950s. This was thanks in part to its iconic 'Tupperware parties', in which a salesperson would visit somebody's home to demonstrate and sell the containers. Those parties have captured the popular imagination ever since. For example, Dixie Longate is a drag queen persona known as 'Tupperware Lady'. She is played by the actor Kris Andersson and known for her comic skits in which she sells the plastic wares. The small town of Hemmingway will be hit by the factory's closure Production will be moved to Tupperware's factory in Mexico Dixie Longate aka the Tupperware Lady performs in Westwood, California Tupperware Brands has indicated its business may not survive in an SEC filing on Friday A group of unspecified women attend a Tupperware party, some wearing hats fashioned from Tupperware products, in around 1955 The Covid-19 pandemic provided a boost in Tupperware sales as families stayed indoors and cooked more meals at home. Since then, the company has suffered from poor sales and accrued increasing debt, causing its share price to slide to its lowest-ever levels. In June, it had fallen to $1.50, down from a high of almost $100 in 2013. On Monday, when news of the bankruptcy emerged it fell from $1.20 to 50 cents. Tupperware is the latest household name to consider bankruptcy this year. India's exports to China dipped by 22.44 per cent to USD 1 billion, while imports rose by 15.55 per cent to USD 10.8 billion in August, according to the commerce ministry data. Cumulatively, in the April-August period this fiscal, exports to the neighbouring country dipped by 8.3 per cent to USD 5.8 billion while imports grew 10.96 per cent to USD 46.65 billion, leaving a trade deficit of USD 35.85 billion, the data showed. The country's exports to the US, the UAE, Singapore, Bangladesh, Australia, South Africa, France, Nepal, Belgium, and Turkey also declined during the month under review. Also, imports from the UAE, Switzerland, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan, recorded growth. According to the data, India's exports to the US declined 6.29 per cent to USD 6.55 billion while imports from that country dipped by 6.3 per cent to USD 3.82 billion in August. Cumulatively, during the April-August 2024-25, exports to the US increased 5.72 per cent to USD 34 billion, while imports grew 3.72 per cent to USD 19 billion, leaving a trade surplus of USD 15 billion. Similarly, the country's imports from Russia dipped by about 40 per cent to USD 2.57 billion in August. During April-August 2024-25, imports grew by 6.39 per cent to USD 27.35 billion, due to crude oil imports. In 2023-24, the US was India's largest trading partner, followed by China. India and the UK are expected to hold the next round of talks for a proposed free trade agreement in October to resolve the pending issues and close the negotiations, a senior official said on Tuesday. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said the officials of the UK are briefing their new ministers about the proposed free trade agreement (FTA). The two sides have already taken stock of the progress of talks at secretary and minister levels. "The briefings are going on in the UK...They are briefing their new ministers and based on that, the negotiations will start. We are hoping that in October, the negotiations should resume," Barthwal told reporters here. He also said India is progressing on all FTAs, but there are certain things which are not in control of anyone. The India-UK talks for the proposed FTA began in January 2022. The 14th round of talks stalled as the two nations stepped into their general election cycles. Due to the elections in India and Britain, both the countries lost that period. There are pending issues in both the goods and services sectors.The Indian industry is demanding greater access for its skilled professionals from sectors like IT and healthcare in the UK market, besides market access for several goods at nil customs duty. On the other hand, the UK is seeking a significant cut in import duties on goods such as scotch whiskey, electric vehicles, lamb meat, chocolates and certain confectionary items. Britain is also looking for more opportunities for UK services in Indian markets in segments like telecommunications, legal and financial services (banking and insurance). The two countries are also negotiating a bilateral investment treaty (BIT). There are 26 chapters in the agreement, which includes goods, services, investments and intellectual property rights.The bilateral trade between India and the UK increased to USD 21.34 billion in 2023-24 from 20.36 billion in 2022-23. The Labour Party's election manifesto for the recent polls also committed to clinching the deal. A virtual meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Jonathan Reynolds, UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade was held on July 11 to discuss next steps on the pact. Talking about the trade agreement with Australia, the secretary said that the two sides are looking at ways to conclude the negotiations before December. Beneath Kejriwal's impassioned speech lay contradictions, omissions, and questionable parallels aimed at swaying the electorate Kejriwals expertise in political charade was on show when he spoke to his party members on 15th September, two days after being released from Tihar jail on interim bail granted by the Supreme Court subject to stringent, limiting conditions. He made this out to be an acquittal when it was only a reprieve and an initial indictment.He started with Vande Mataram, Bharat Mata ki Jai, and Inqalab Zindabad, invoking Hindutva, patriotism, and the anti-government revolutionary sentiment of our freedom struggle. He likened himself to Bhagat Singh by quoting from his diary and drawing parallels with the legendary freedom fighter. He sought the sympathy of the electorate by making out the Central Government to be more cruel than the British rulers and to be wanting to destroy him and AAP. He made himself out to be the Messiah of Democracy trying to save the Constitution, which is why, he claimed, he had not resigned earlier. The coup de grace was his announcement that over the next two days, he would quit as Delhis CM and not sit on the CMs chair until and unless the public judges him to be honest. He reminded his audience of the Agnipareekshathat Sita had to undergo, after Lord Ramas 14 years-long exile, to prove her innocence. He was, he said, willing to undergo a similar trial-by-fire to prove his innocence by seeking the publics mandate. Not even once, did he name the BJP or Modi; both were subsumed in the innocuous pronoun they.It was a masterly performance of demagoguery. In the hoodwinking of the Indian masses, Kejriwal is miles ahead of other politicians. He evokes emotions and obscures facts, sometimes even twisting them. Consider these omissions and contradictions.If Kejriwal wanted the peoples verdict, to assuage his conscience, he should have resigned much earlier, when he was sent to Tihar. Why do it after the SC has severely limited your powers as CM? Bhagat Singh was fighting for the countrys independence and was accused of sedition, Kejriwal for his political survival after being found prima facie guilty of corruption by court. Bhagat Singh was hanged by the British rulers. GoI is unlikely to do that with Kejriwal. The parallel drawn was specious, the basis given of the undelivered letter to LG crafty. He boasted of the freebies he has been able to give because of his uncorrupted government free electricity and free bus travel for women unmindful of the burden that the honest taxpayer has to bear to fund his vote-buying spree and the damage it does to the national capitals exchequer. His claim of improved medical care and better government school education would be contested by many Delhi-ites. His mohallaclinics are ministered to by unqualified doctors who visit on an ad hoc basis. Many government schools are short of teachers and have poor infrastructure.As always, he appealed to the emotions of the gullible electorate of the slums, announcing that he would not sit on the CMs chair unless and until the public judges him to be honest by voting him into power in the next assembly elections. Surely, he would have known that, given the serious corruption charges against him, his honesty would be judged not by the common man on sentiment but by erudite judges, well-versed in law, based on concrete evidence admissible in law. (The writer, a former banker, has turned in his mellow years to column-writing out of his love for nonviolence, social harmony and universal brotherhood; views are personal) For the first time, the military junta is losing ground to a powerful alliance of Ethnic Armed Organisations and the People's Defence Force On 3 September, the palace in Mandalay,( HQ Central Command ), the second biggest city in Myanmar after Yangon, faced its first rocket attack. The Southwest Rakhine state could fall shortly with two strategic ports overlooking the Bay of Bengal- Sittwe leased to India and Kyaukphu leased to China- and Manaung left in Juntas possession in Rakhine. Military coups in the past have not failed in Myanmar. It has the biggest military in southeast Asia not unfamiliar with coups. Thailand holds the dubious record of 32 coups since 1932. More than nearly four years later, Gen Min Aung Hlaing-led Junta in Myanmar is fighting a losing battle but this time not against Buddhist monks and civil society but against a well-coordinated alliance of Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAO), local militia and the new Peoples Defence Force born out of ousted Aung San Suu Kyiis National League for Democracy which is calling itself the National Unity Government (NUG). They are the Resistance. The junta had so far managed rebels and revolts seeking autonomy/independence through ceasefire agreements. The junta is a formidable triservice force adept in counter-insurgency. For it to be flailing is surprising. Battlefield losses have been unprecedented in both territory and manpower through battle fatigue and fighting its people has been taxing on the psyche of soldiers and Generals. An implosion is no longer fanciful. Reliable sources place 70 per cent loss of territory. The Resistance does not control all the territory that the Junta retreated from as it does not have holding capability. But it does control key sectors along the borders that the junta ceded due to surrender/desertions. Stretched for troops Junta has followed a scorched earth policy: indiscriminate bombings by artillery, helicopters and aircraft to avenge defeat that UNHRCs Volcker Tolker(?) has called genocidal. This has led to nearly 400,000 IDPs with many having crossed over into neighbouring Bangladesh, India, China and Thailand. Junta has had to abandon trade routes to China in the northern Shan state; along the Karenni National Army-controlled border with Thailand at Myawaddy; in Rakhine state with Bangladesh and parts of Mizoram in Chin state and in Sagaing region opposite all of Manipur except Ukhrul and Moreh that PDF controls. The Kuki-Zo-Chin people in Chinland are ethnically similar to Mizos. Chinese have had active links with the Arakan Army in Rakhine state which traverses Indias Multi-Modal Kaladan river connectivity project originating in India-operated Sittwe Port in Rakhine, the key to Indias Act East policy. So, with the Junta forced out of Chin, Rakhine, Sagaing and Magwae, contiguous with the Indian border, New Delhi must engage these new power wielders. But it is dithering which could lead to Chinese fishing in troubled waters in a region where Manipur is breaking into a new dangerous phase of inter-ethnic conflict. Earlier in September embattled Gen Hlaing warned civilians in territory captured by Resistance that it will soon counterattack to regain ground. He also declared the Three Brotherhood Alliance in Shan state as a terrorist organization. It is these groups including the Arakan Army, that have captured the prestigious Armys North East Command at Lashio and in Shan state and now Mandalay.s Central Command headquarters, is threatened. How much longer the junta can fight on multiple fronts is unclear even as Gen Hlaing has continually extended the emergency while advocating holding of election which is most unlikely. He is disinclined to use the good offices of pro-Junta countries in ASEAN like Laos, its current chair, Cambodia and Thailand to start a dialogue which the PDF and EAOs will reject as they see the balance of advantage with them. With the economy in grave distress, this war cannot go on indefinitely. China has and continues to play a crucial role in supporting the Junta and selected EAOs in the north and west. China and Russia are the juntas main sources of military hardware though India too has provided non-lethal military equipment. Army tanks, artillery and small arms are Chinese. So are most of the transport and fighter aircraft. The same goes for the Navy though India has provided Coast Guard vessels. Russian MiG 29 and Su30 aircraft have been serviced by HAL and India has provided aviation fuel which is a sanctioned item. New Delhi has called for a ceasefire and a return to a democratic process but its support for the Junta is undiminished as it burnt its fingers two decades ago in supporting NLD in preference to the Junta which led to Chinese ascendency. Although the Junta has a love-hate relationship with Beijing it is forced to take its support due to its proximity and domination of the economy. Still, India must review its policy due to the changed ground reality and engage the forces that control the border areas. A working relationship with the Arakan Army and Chinland authorities is essential to restore stability to troubled Manipur. It should also consider establishing humanitarian corridors to provide succour and relief to people bombed out of their habitat.India can keep reciting the import of its Act East policy to Asian neighbours but its implementation is contingent upon the operationalisation of connectivity projects like the trilateral highway through Myanmar to Thailand and the Multi-Modal Kaladan river project from Sittwe Port to Paletwa and on to Mizoram. Indias eastern and western flanks are both vulnerable especially the east which is sandwiched between Bangladesh and Myanmar. A triangulation of threats from Pak-China-Bangladesh can not be ruled out. (The writer, a retired Major General, was Commander, IPKF South, Sri Lanka, and founder member of the Defence Planning Staff, currently the Integrated Defence Staff. The views are personal) Renowned model and social media influencer Richa Mehta, known for her substantial social media presence, exchanged vows with Debashish Kalita in a private ceremony on September 12, 2024. The intimate wedding, held at The Roseate in New Delhi, set a new trend that prioritises meaningful celebration over extravagance. The couple chose to keep their special day private surrounded by close family members. This decision allowed them to focus on the essence of their union and the people who matter most in their lives. The ceremony beautifully blended tradition with personal touches. One of the most poignant moments was Richa's entrance holding a cherished photo of her late father, honouring his memory in this significant life event. She was accompanied by her brother on the left. Richa Mehta and Debashish Kalita's union is a testament to love transcending societal norms. As an inter-caste couple with a six-year age difference where the bride is older, they have shown that a relationship knows no boundaries. The celebration included a traditional Milni ceremony, a ring exchange and garland ceremony at the lake deck, and the sacred Pheras. The evening concluded with indoor performances, featuring a special dance by the bride. Richa Mehta shared her thoughts on the celebration "Our wedding day was a beautiful reminder of what truly matters love, family, and building a future together. It's about the love you share and the promises you make. Debashish and I are excited to start this new chapter of our lives, focusing on our bond and the values we hold dear." The newlyweds shared their first post as a married couple on September 12th, revealing their journey to their fans and followers. Richas radiant bridal look was crafted by renowned MUA Leena Bhushan, known for her expertise in creating timeless, elegant bridal makeup. Richa Mehta has captured the hearts of many through her work and social media presence. Debashish Kalita, employed at Ernst & Young, is known for his professional excellence and sporting achievements. The couple's wedding hashtag, #DEBGOTRICH, encapsulates their union and the joy of their celebration. This intimate wedding serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health and well-being, especially in the context of social pressures surrounding weddings. Richa and Debashishs wedding celebration emphasises that the true essence of a wedding lies in the love shared between the couple and their closest family members. Multiplex chain PVRINOX Pictures has curated a film festival to celebrate the 25 years of Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan in cinema. Titled "PVRINOX celebrates 25 Years of Kareena Kapoor Khan Festival" is coming soon, the multiplex chain said. Kareena, who made her debut in 2000 with JP Dutta's cross-border love story "Refugee", shared the announcement on her official Instagram page on Monday night. "The blood in my veins, the magic on screen my job I love the fire within here's to the next 25. Thank you to @pvrcinemas_official & @inoxmovies for curating this beautiful festival so humbled," she wrote. A black-and-white montage of the actor's films such as "Chameli", "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...", "Omkara", "Asoka", "Jab We Met", and her latest release "The Buckingham Murders" was also shared on social media. Kareena, granddaughter of veteran filmmaker Raj Kapoor, also has films such as "Talaash: The Answer Lies Within", "Udta Punjab", "3 Idiots", "Bajrangi Bhaijaan", "Golmaal 3", "Veere Di Wedding" and "Crew" to her credit. She will next be seen in "Singham Again", slated to be released on Diwali. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the Government is talking to both the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur to ensure lasting peace and has begun fencing the countrys border with Myanmar to check infiltration. He also said the BJP-led NDA Government will implement the one nation, one election within its current tenure. Addressing a press conference here on the achievements of the 100 days of the Modi 3.0 Government, Shah said barring three days of violence last week, the overall situation in Manipur has been calm and the Government has been working to restore peace in the restive Northeastern State. Shah, flanked by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, said apart from the three days of violence, no major incidents were reported in the last three months. Asked about the possible visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Manipur, Shah said, when he visits the State, it will be known to everyone. There was peace in the last three days and I am hopeful that we will be able to control the situation. We are talking to both communities. It was ethnic violence and unless there is dialogue between the two communities, no solution could be found. We are talking to the Kuki and Meitei groups. We have prepared a roadmap and will take all possible steps (to ensure peace), he said. Shah said the Government has successfully completed the deployment of Central Reserve Police Force personnel at strategic locations across Manipur. Home Minister said in the first 100 days of the Modi 3.0 Government, work on fencing the India-Myanmar border, which is the root cause of the problem, has begun. Fencing work in 30 km has been completed. Besides the Government of India has approved the budget for fencing along the over 1,500 km border, he said. The Home Minister said the Government has already scrapped the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR), which allows people residing close to the border between the two countries to venture 16 km into each others territory without any documents. To check the infiltration, we have ended the special arrangement (FMR) with Myanmar under which free movement of the people of both countries was allowed. Now people can cross into each others territory only with a visa. We brought a law in this regard, he said. Shah said the Government has also ended the security lapses which existed earlier along the international border. The 1,643 km long India-Myanmar border, which passes through Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, had the FMR that was implemented in 2018 as part of Indias Act East policy. Ethnic violence has been going on in Manipur since May 3 last year after a tribal solidarity march in the hill districts of the State to protest against the majority Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Since then, over 220 people belonging to both the Kuki and Meitei communities and security personnel have been killed in the continuing violence. Amit Shah claimed that the Modi Government will implement One Nation, One Poll in the current tenure.We plan to implement one nation one poll within the tenure of this Government, he said. One nation, one election is one of the key promises made by the BJP in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections. A high-level panel headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind in March this year recommended simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies as the first step followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days. Home Minister Amit Shah said the Government will very soon make an announcement for carrying out the census in the country. We will announce it very soon, Shah said in response to a question on conducting the decadal census of the Indian population which has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will make all the details public when we announce the census, the Union Home Minister said to questions on the caste census. India has conducted the census every 10 years since 1881. The first phase of this decades census was expected to begin on April 1, 2020 but had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is all set to vote, for the first time in the last 10 years, in the first phase of the maiden Assembly polls after the Abrogation of Article 370 for 24 Assembly segments spread across seven district headquarters on Wednesday. These are also the first Assembly elections in J and K after the delimitation exercise in 2022. Over 23.27 lakh voters will decide the fate of 219 candidates, including 90 independents. Over 35,000 Kashmiri Pandits are also eligible for voting in the first phase. Elaborate security arrangements have been made by the Election Commission of India to provide a conducive atmosphere to the electorate. More than 14,000 polling staff have been deputed on duty for the 1st phase of polling. Out of 24 Assembly seats, 16 fall in the Kashmir province and eight in Jammu. Four districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam will witness voting in Kashmir valley. In Jammu, voters across three districts of Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban will exercise their right to vote. The main parties in the fray are the The The major parties in the fray are National Conference (NC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP). The last Assembly polls were conducted in November 2014 recording a voter turnout of 65.5 per cent. Jammu and Kashmir recorded the highest voter turnout in a Lok Sabha election in 35 years this time. The overall turnout for the five Lok Sabha seats of the Union Territory was 58.46 per cent. The region witnessed high-voltage campaigning in the run-up to polling day. While the Bharatiya Janata Party is harping on its development agenda and showcasing its report card during the campaigning, on the other hand, the PDP and Omar Abdullahs NC have promised to restore Article 370 and statehood to J and K. The BJP has also promised to reinstate J and Ks statehood, which is a big issue in these elections. The Congress which is fighting the polls in an alliance with the NC is aiming to improve its tally. The party vowed to bring back J and K statehood but remained silent about the UTs loss of special status. The participation of even separatist leaders in the polls shows the shift in the political narrative in Kashmir. Candidates fighting elections from the Kashmir division include 37-year-old Iltija Mufti, daughter of PDP Chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti from Bijbehara-Srigufwara constituency on Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket, Afroza Bano as an independent from Kulgam and Sakeena Masood Itoo from D H Pora constituency on National Conference ticket. The political parties have deployed a large number of women cadres to reach out to the women voters in their respective constituencies. Candidates contesting from the Jammu division include Shagun Parihar from Kishtwar on a BJP ticket, Meenakshi Bhagat on Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) from Bhaderwah, Meenakshi Kalra an independent candidate from Doda West, Pooja Thakur from Padder-Nagsani on NC ticket. 29-year-old Shagun Parihar is challenging former Minister Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo of the National Conference while Pooja Thakur of NC is contesting against BJPs organisation secretary Sunil Sharma. Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party has fielded its youth leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra from the South Kashmir constituency of Pulwama. He is fighting against Mohammad Khalil Band of the National Conference. Parra unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha polls in May 2024. Another constituency of Pahalgam is witnessing a triangular contest between Altaf Ahmad Wani of the National Conference, Shabir Ahmed Sediqui of the PDP, and Rafi Ahmed Mir of JKAPNI. From Kulgam, CPI (M) leader Mohd Yusuf Tarigami is defending his turf for the fifth time in a row. Tarigami has won all four previous Assembly elections of 1996, 2002, 2008 and 2014. This time he is facing a tough challenge from an Independent candidate Sayar Ahmad Reshi supported by the banned Jammat-e-Islami. The Kokernag Assembly segment, reserved as an ST category seat, is also witnessing an interesting contest between Zafar Ali Khatana of the National Conference and Haroon Rashid Khatana of the PDP. BJP has also fielded its candidate Roshan Hussain Shah Gojar. Six independent candidates are also in the fray from the reserved seat. As the Modi Governments ambitious Cheetah reintroduction project at Madhya Pradeshs Kuno National Park marks its second anniversary on Tuesday, its progress has led to mixed reactions: Government officials praising the initiative for its breeding success, while activists criticising the prolonged confinement of the big cats in enclosures and raising doubts about their survival instinct in the wild. Of the original 20 imported cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa, only 12 adults remain, and of 17 births, 12 cubs have survived at the Kuno Park translocated in phases since September 17, two years ago. All of them remain confined in the enclosure, meaning they are not hunting on their own, which experts say is a key indicator of the success of any wildlife translocation effort. Undeterred at the flak, the Governments plan is underway to introduce a new batch of cheetahs to the expansive Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Northern State. At the same time, a conservation breeding Centre is also on the platter in Gujarats Bunni grasslands. Moreover, all of them are still confined to enclosures rather than roaming freely in the wild, they said. While wildlife activists pointed out that all of the big cats are yet to inhabit the wild and might be facing significant stress due to their confinement, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav acknowledged the challenges faced over the past two years, highlighting that numerous obstacles-from habitat adjustments to ensuring the cubs survival in the wild-have been overcome. He took to the social media platform X, praising the project which he said was envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as a pioneering global effort aimed at restoring lost wildlife populations and ecosystems. It hasnt been an easy road. Numerous challenges, from habitat adjustments to ensuring the cubs survival in the wild, were overcome, Yadav posted. Today, as the world watches these cheetah cubs thrive in their natural habitat, we celebrate not just their survival but the resilience and dedication of all involved in these enormous efforts, he added, stressing that this marks just the beginning of restoring ecological balance, with many milestones yet to come. On September 17, the Prime Minister on his birthday, released the Cheetahs brought from Namibia into their enclosures. However, wildlife activists are not excited at the projects progress. They cautioned that it may be premature to celebrate, given that of the original 20 imported cheetahs, only 12 adults remain, and of 17 births, 12 cubs have survived. Moreover, all of them are still confined to enclosures rather than roaming freely in the wild. Ravi Chellam, CEO of the Metastring Foundation and Coordinator of the Biodiversity Collaborative, echoed concerns that releasing these cheetahs, particularly the captive-born cubs, might not be advisable due to their prolonged captivity. Incidentally, a day ago, a report by the Accountant General of Madhya Pradesh flagged concerns over the management of the project at the park, stating a lack of coordination between central and State Government departments as well as issues regarding expenditure. The concerns were raised in a sample audit of records - from August 2019 to November 2023 - that was made public Monday in response to an RTI filed by wildlife activist Ajay Dubey. As per reports, there is shortage of field staff in Kuno National Park, which may affect forest and wild animal conservation. This has been revealed in the inspection report of Kuno. There is shortage of forest ranger, deputy forest ranger, forester etc, said Dubey. Lions were supposed to be brought according to Supreme Court judgment, Project Cheetah was brought in a rush, he told a media house. The wildlife activist minced no words as he said, Cheetah Project had actually turned into a captive breeding Centre and accountability should be fixed on officials for deaths of the royal predators. On the tourism front, the project is yet to catch fancy among the tourists. Visitor footfall has been very slow from 1,459 in 2022-23 to 3,172 in 2023-24. The reason for poor tourist footfall is that cheetahs remained inside enclosures and far away from public view, according to reports. With the onset of festive season, Amazon India is bringing an extraordinary interactive experience to the heart of Bhopal from September 14 to 18. The "Amazon Festive Box", a larger-than-life installation that celebrates Bhopal's vibrant spirit and culture through stunning art, while giving customers a fun way to engage with Amazon's upcoming Great Indian Festival sale. At this one-of-a-kind activation, installed at the Aura Mall, in Arera Colony, Bhopal, the audience can "make a wish" and share what they would love to gift their loved ones. This initiative is a perfect blend of Bhopal's uniqueness and Amazon's biggest annual celebration. Amazon Business - the B2B store, completes 7 years in India The festive season preparations also coincide with the 7th anniversary of Amazon Business, the B2B store of Amazon.in, in India. Since 2017, Amazon Business has been at the forefront of transformation for many Indian businesses. Amazon Business has witnessed significant growth outside metro areas, particularly in Bhopal, where it has seen a 2.4X YoY increase in new customers. Mitranjan Bhaduri, Director, Amazon Business, said "Bhopal holds a special place for us, given the flourishing business environment. The festive season is a crucial time for businesses, not only for driving sales but also for cultivating deeper relationships with employees and partners. At Amazon Business, we understand the significance of this moment. As we mark our 7th anniversary in India, our commitment to empowering businesses of all sizes across the country is stronger than ever. We're focused on delivering exceptional support to our sellers and innovative solutions to our business customers. Our aim is to make this festive season unforgettable with our unparalleled selection, value, convenience, and innovation." Delhi BJP on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister designate Atishi by calling her a puppet Chief Minister and stating that by proposing her name for the post, Arvind Kejriwal has pushed Delhi towards anarchy and communism. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said, Delhi citizens, who are already suffering under a corrupt government, will now have to endure an anti-national one. History shows that Atishi has held anti-national and anti-social views on various issues, from the Kargil War to others. She has even said, Vote for goons, but not for the capable (BJP). Over Atishis remark stating Delhi has only one Chief Minister and his name is Arvind Kejriwal, Sachdeva claimed that by admitting that Kejriwal will remain the real Chief Minister, Atishi has revealed herself to be a Puppet CM. The only question now is whether Kejriwal or Sisodia will hold the remote control, he alleged, adding that AAP will not be able to hide the black stains of corruption, incompetence, and chaos. The Delhi BJP chief remarked that Kejriwal has been and will continue to be guilty in the eyes of Delhis people. Further, New Delhi BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj remarked, Today is an unfortunate day for Delhi, as the full stop that the Delhi government has placed on developmental works remains unchanged, no matter the face. Atishi's own statement reveals her disappointment with the situation. She alleged that while Atishi will be the face, Kejriwal will hold the power. Kejriwal is not fighting to save democracy but to kill it, and now Atishi has joined him in this endeavor, she asserted, adding that Atishis statement has set back womens empowerment by 1,000 years with her words. Bansuri said, Kejriwal holds all the powers without any accountability. Attacking the Delhi government, South Delhi BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said that making Atishi the new Chief Minister of Delhi will not wash away the sins of the Kejriwal government. The AAP government will have to answer for the condition of Delhi due to corruption, short-sightedness and inefficiency in the last ten years. As a minister, Atishi is equally responsible for it, he claimed. He stated that AAP had to put Atishi in Kejriwals place because the Supreme Court had imposed restrictions on him, who is surrounded by corruption, from working as the Chief Minister. Vice President of Delhi BJP Kapil Mishra claimed that while the AAP is busy with propaganda and corruption, the BJP is consistently working on the ground. The Lieutenant Governor has signed an order that will give people ownership rights over ancestral properties, which will be a reality soon. The people of Delhi are now determined to bring the BJP to power to transform the city's future, he said. Staff Reporter n New Delhi Delhi BJP on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister designate Atishi by calling her a puppet Chief Minister and stating that by proposing her name for the post, Arvind Kejriwal has pushed Delhi towards anarchy and communism. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said, Delhi citizens, who are already suffering under a corrupt government, will now have to endure an anti-national one. History shows that Atishi has held anti-national and anti-social views on various issues, from the Kargil War to others. She has even said, Vote for goons, but not for the capable (BJP). Over Atishis remark stating Delhi has only one Chief Minister and his name is Arvind Kejriwal, Sachdeva claimed that by admitting that Kejriwal will remain the real Chief Minister, Atishi has revealed herself to be a Puppet CM. The only question now is whether Kejriwal or Sisodia will hold the remote control, he alleged, adding that AAP will not be able to hide the black stains of corruption, incompetence, and chaos. The Delhi BJP chief remarked that Kejriwal has been and will continue to be guilty in the eyes of Delhis people. Further, New Delhi BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj remarked, Today is an unfortunate day for Delhi, as the full stop that the Delhi government has placed on developmental works remains unchanged, no matter the face. Atishi's own statement reveals her disappointment with the situation. She alleged that while Atishi will be the face, Kejriwal will hold the power. Kejriwal is not fighting to save democracy but to kill it, and now Atishi has joined him in this endeavor, she asserted, adding that Atishis statement has set back womens empowerment by 1,000 years with her words. Bansuri said, Kejriwal holds all the powers without any accountability. Attacking the Delhi government, South Delhi BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said that making Atishi the new Chief Minister of Delhi will not wash away the sins of the Kejriwal government. The AAP government will have to answer for the condition of Delhi due to corruption, short-sightedness and inefficiency in the last ten years. As a minister, Atishi is equally responsible for it, he claimed. He stated that AAP had to put Atishi in Kejriwals place because the Supreme Court had imposed restrictions on him, who is surrounded by corruption, from working as the Chief Minister. Vice President of Delhi BJP Kapil Mishra claimed that while the AAP is busy with propaganda and corruption, the BJP is consistently working on the ground. The Lieutenant Governor has signed an order that will give people ownership rights over ancestral properties, which will be a reality soon. The people of Delhi are now determined to bring the BJP to power to transform the city's future, he said. Traditional artisans from hajong tribe of Assam are renovating the traditional habitat of the tribe present in Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS), Bhopal. The house was built by artists from the same village in year 2010. The Hajong Tribes are a small tribal group spread across the north east India. A small number of Hajong Tribes live in Assam. Other than the two hill districts several Hajong villages are dotted over the plains in the Brahmaputra valley in Assam. Hajong Tribes also inhabit in Arunachal Pradesh. As per their traditional belief, they originally occupied the Hajo area of present Kamrup district and the 'Haj paragana' Hajong Tribes are divided into five clans, Doskina, Meshparia, Sosongia, Barohazari and Korebari. The Hajongs follow a matrilineal family structure but the line of descent is traced through the father. The father is regarded as the head of the family and all the decisions of the family are taken by him. The Hajongs do not support marriages between the members of the same clan. Marriage is also not allowed outside the community. The Hajong villages are located on elevated grounds close to wet paddy lands. They build their houses in clusters in the courtyard of the village headman called 'Adhikari'. The house of the Adhikari is the only important house in the village.The traditional houses comprise separate buildings with the walls made of split bamboo and plastered with cow dung. The floors are made of mud. PM Modi to address rally in Sonepat on Sept 26 Chandigarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a rally in Sonepat on September 26, his second for the BJP in the State Assembly elections, BJP 's State unit chief Mohan Lal Badoli said on Tuesday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah would release the party's poll manifesto for Haryana on Wednesday, he said while exuding confidence that the BJP would retain power in the state. Prime Minister Modi ji will address a rally under Sonepat Lok Sabha on September 26, he told reporters in Rohtak, adding that the PM would address a couple of more rallies in the days to come, including one under the Hisar Lok Sabha seat. Senior BJP leader Virk joins Congress Chandigarh: Ahead of the Assembly elections, senior BJP leader and former Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) Bakhshish Singh Virk on Tuesday joined the Congress in the presence of state party president Udai Bhan and former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda in New Delhi. Virk was denied a ticket for the upcoming elections, causing discontent among his supporters. His step is seen as a major boost for the Congress, particularly in the Assandh Assembly segment, where Congress candidate Shamsher Singh Gogi is contesting. Virk, a prominent Sikh leader, had earlier expressed his disappointment after being denied the BJP ticket, but had maintained that he would remain in the party and not contest the election. However, after consultations with his supporters, he has decided to align with the Congress. Virk was first elected from the Assandh constituency in 2014 during the Modi wave. He had won the seat by a margin of 4,608 votes. Meanwhile, JJP district spokesperson Yashkaran Rana also joined the Congress in Delhi on Tuesday. He had recently resigned from the post and started campaigning for Congress candidates in Karnal and Gharaunda. Statewide seizures of illegal liquor, narcotics & valuables worth Rs 26.82 crore so far: Hry CEO Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal on Tuesday said that from August 16 to September 16, 2024, a total of Rs. 26.82 crore worth of illegal liquor, narcotics, cash, and valuable items have been seized in the state. To prevent voters from being influenced by any form of inducement, the Commission is maintaining a rigorous stance, and various agencies are closely monitoring the movement of illegal liquor, narcotics, and cash in the state. Agarwal said that Haryana Police, along with other agencies, is continuously maintaining strict vigilance. Since the Model Code of Conduct came into effect, actions have been taken by the Police Department, Income Tax Department, Excise and Taxation Department, State Goods and Services Tax, Railway Protection Force, and Narcotics Control Bureau. Agarwal further informed that over Rs. 4.73 crore in cash have been seized by the police, Income Tax Department, and State Goods and Services Tax departments. In addition, various agencies have seized more than 3.26 lakh litres of illegal liquor worth over Rs. 9.82 crore. This includes over 2.39 lakh litres of illegal liquor worth more than Rs. 7.80 crore seized by the Haryana police, and over 86,121 litres worth more than Rs. 1.96 crore seized by the Excise and Taxation Department. Apart from this, other agencies have seized 725 litres of illegal liquor worth over Rs. 4 lakh. Over 29,000 police personnel and 225 paramilitary companies to be deployed in Hry Assembly Polls: DGP Kapur Chandigarh: Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur on Tuesday said that the State Police is fully prepared to ensure the smooth, free, fair, and peaceful conduct of the Assembly elections scheduled for October 5. More than 29,000 police personnel, along with 225 paramilitary companies, will be deployed across the state, with 70 paramilitary companies already stationed in various regions. The police are maintaining a strict vigil to ensure adherence to the Model Code of Conduct. Kapur further said that each aspect of maintaining law and order during the election process has been meticulously examined. He informed that a total of 20,629 polling booths will be set up at 10,495 polling locations across the state, where an adequate police presence will be maintained. Among these, 3,460 polling booths have been classified as critical, and 138 have been deemed vulnerable, necessitating additional security measures. DGP Kapur further highlighted that 155 interstate and 143 intra-state checkpoints have been established, where police teams will monitor movements closely. To maintain law and order and ensure compliance with the Model Code of Conduct, the state has also formed 480 flying squads, 419 static surveillance teams, and 32 quick response teams. Additionally, 1,128 patrolling parties are actively monitoring the situation day and night. Regarding licensed arms, DGP Kapur shared that a total of 1.32 lakh arms licenses have been issued in the state, of which 1.05 lakh licensed weapons have been deposited at police stations in view of the elections. So far, 52 licensed arms have been confiscated for violations of the Model Code of Conduct, and 1,080 arms licenses have been revoked. INLD, JJP & HLP are B team of BJP: Bhupinder Hooda Chandigarh: Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Tuesday said that INLD, JJP and HLP are the B team of BJP. Their Jugalbandi has also become public in Sirsa. All the opposition parties of Congress are helping each other. These parties have also distributed tickets accordingly and are now doing the drama of withdrawing nominations, he said. Sirsa BJP candidate Rohtash Jangra on Monday withdrew his nomination from Sirsa Assembly seat and said that he has extended his support to Haryana Lokhit Party chief Gopal Kanda. Talking to reporters, the senior Congress leader said, But now, no matter how many conspiracies BJP and its allies make, all communities of the state have made up their mind to bring Congress to power with a huge majority. Soon there will be big rallies of senior Congress leaders in the state and on October 8, the mandate will come in favor of the party. When the Congress government is formed, we will give a pension of Rs 6,000 per month to the elderly, domestic gas cylinder for Rs 500, one lakh permanent jobs in the first year, 300 units of free electricity to every family, Hooda added. Punjab Water Resources Minister Inspects Bhakra Dam, Emphasizes Optimal Water Use Chandigarh/Nangal: Punjab Water Resources and Soil and Water Conservation Minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra on Tuesday conducted an inspection of Bhakra Dam on Tuesday to evaluate its maintenance and current water levels. He emphasized the State Government's commitment to conserve groundwater by maximizing canal water usage for drinking, irrigation, and industrial purposes. The Minister closely reviewed the dams maintenance procedures, interacted with the officials, and provided key directives for improving canal water utilization. He stressed that timely repairs and enhancements to the canal system are a top priority to ensure efficient water distribution across the state. During a media briefing, Jouramajra reaffirmed the State Governments dedication to fulfilling its obligations within the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), including completing the recruitment of Punjab's share of posts in BBMB. The Minister also toured various facilities at the dam, including the power generation unit, infrastructure, and the modern museum. His visit concluded with a symbolic tree-planting ceremony, underscoring the governments focus on environmental sustainability. Heavy rainfall was witnessed as the monsoon system remained strong in the state on Tuesday and due to its impact it rained in more than 24 districts. In 9 hours between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm, Rewa received the maximum rainfall of 4 inches. Due to this, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had to virtually launch the Swachhata Hi Seva program. He joined the program virtually from Dumna Airport in Jabalpur. According to the scheduled program, the CM was to come to Chakghat in Rewa at 2.30 pm today. The program was held here in the Krishi Upaj Mandi premises. People did attend it, but due to bad weather, the CM's helicopter could not fly from Jabalpur to Rewa. In such a situation, CM and Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla addressed virtually. On Tuesday, 3 inches of rainfall was recorded in Sidhi, 2 inches in Satna, 1.25 inches in Sagar, 1 inch in Mandla, 45 inches in Gwalior and Narsinghpur. About half an inch of rainfall was recorded in Damoh and Jabalpur. Heavy rain occurred in Bhopal at around 7 pm. Similarly, rain continued in Dhar, Guna, Shivpuri, Chhindwara, Khajuraho, Seoni, Tikamgarh, Umaria, Balaghat districts. In Balaghat, 7064 cusecs (200 cumecs) of water is being released by opening two gates of Bawanthadi Dam. The weather department has predicted rain in many districts at night. However, the system will move ahead from Wednesday. This will stop the heavy rain. On Tuesday, Rewa received 4 inches of rain in 9 hours. The CM had to postpone his visit. In Balaghat, water is being released by opening two gates of Bawanthadi Dam. More than 200 out of about 282 dams in Madhya Pradesh have been filled this time. The gates of many dams including Indira Sagar, Omkareshwar, Madikheda, Kerwa, Kaliyasot, Kolar, Bhadbhada, Tawa, Bargi, Mohanpura, Halali, Atal Sagar, Tighra, Bansujara, Johila have been opened. In the state capital after light drizzle and sunshine throughout the day, heavy rainfall started in Bhopal in the evening, drenching many areas of the city, power supply was disrupted of over more than 50 colonies. The Meteorological Department had also issued an alert of heavy rain today, but the weather was sunny and humid since morning. There was also drizzle in some areas in the afternoon, but it was not giving relief from heat and humidity. At 5 pm, the weather changed and cold winds started blowing. At 6:15 pm, rain started in many areas including MP Nagar, Ayodhya Bypass, Raisen Road, MP Nagar, Tulsi Nagar, New Market, Karond. After 4 days, there has been some relief from humidity due to heavy rain. The Meteorological Department has predicted that the weather will remain the same at night as well. Last year, 18% less rain than normal, that is, 82% (30.9 inches), while this year 49.5 inches of rain has fallen. That is, 18.6 inches more rain has been recorded than last year. On the other hand, this time 31% more water has been recorded than normal. The rain quota in September is 7 inches. This time, 7.7 inches of water has been recorded so far. That is, more rain has fallen than the quota. There was good rainfall in September, 65 years ago, in the year 1961, there is a record of 30.2 inches of rain in the entire month. Last year, 12.8 inches of rain was recorded in September. AAP convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal resigned from his post on Tuesday, submitting his formal resignation to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. The resignation was submitted to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena at 4.30 pm. Kejriwal was accompanied by his cabinet colleague, Saurabh Bharadwaj, as he arrived at the LG Secretariat. AAP leader Atishi, selected earlier in the day as his successor during a legislature party was also present alongside him. Up next, the LG will forward Kejriwal's resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu for her acceptance. He will also send Atishi's letter to form a new government for the president's nod, an official said. Once the resignation is accepted, the LG will invite Atishi to form government and give a date for the oath taking ceremony, the official said, adding that the process may take a few days. Kejriwal announced on Sunday his decision to resign from the post of chief minister of Delhi. He had said that he would only sit on the CM's chair when people give him a "certificate of honesty". Kejriwal is a politician who probably likes to catch people unawares. Two days after he was released from Tihar Jail in the excise policy graft case, Kejriwal took everyone by complete surprise when he announced he would resign as chief minister and return only if people give him a "certificate of honesty" in the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls. Ever the politician with an eye on theatrical effect, he also sought early polls in the city. Clever politics or foolish overreach. The jury will be out on whether Kejriwal played his cards wisely or miscalculated the risk till elections, due in February, are held. But the 55-year-old, is someone who clearly enjoys doing the unexpected. According to AAP leaders, Kejriwal is likely to focus on galvanising the AAP cadre and rebuilding trust among the people before the assembly polls. The AAP cadre has "weakened" due to Kejriwal's prolonged arrest on corruption charges, they added. Kejriwal, who is also the AAP convener, is going to hold a massive poll campaigning in Haryana, where the election is scheduled on October five. He may also hold road shows in places where the party hopes to do well in Jammu and Kashmir where the elections are happening in three phases till October one, the functionary said. According to a senior party leader, massive door-to-door campaigning ward wise has been planned for Kejriwal in the national capital. "Delhi may witness assembly elections in February, 2025. Before that, the party has four months to make strategies and rebuild the trust among the voters of AAP. The party's national convener has the potential to do so," the leader said on the condition of anonymity. A bureaucrat-turned-politician, Kejriwal is known for his knack for influencing people by his grassroots politics and activism. The party sources said Kejriwal will also tour Punjab to meet the functionaries there to regain trust. The party has planned his road shows and rallies in Haryana. He may also travel to Jharkhand and Maharashtra where the Election Commission postponed the elections due to the inclusion of polls in Jammu and Kashmir. In December 2013, he took oath of office as chief minister for the first time. Just 49 days later,on February 14, 2014, he quit in a blaze of headlines after AAP's alliance partner Congress opposed his pet project "Janlokpal Bill". That dramatic resignation was preceded by visuals of him sleeping in his blue Wagon R in the cold Delhi winter as he staged his protest. Kejriwal was not born into politics and chose not to join an established party but form his own from the ground up. In Delhi, the AAP rode the Kejriwal popularity wave to come back to power in Delhi in 2015 and 2020 winning 67 and 62 seats respectively, practically obliterating the opposition BJP and Congress in assembly polls. In March 2022, the party swept Punjab, winning 92 of the 117 assembly seats. Governor Mangubhai Patel has said that cleanliness begins at home. The first school of cleanliness is our home. Therefore, imparting the values ??of cleanliness to children has to start from our home itself. Learning from Mahatma Gandhi we must include cleanliness in our daily routine. Governor Patel was addressing the Swachhta Hi Seva fortnight program organized at Kushabhau Thackeray Auditorium. The Swachhta Hi Seva Fortnight 2024 and Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras were launched in 50 district hospitals in a program organized at Kushabhau Thakre Auditorium with Governor Patel as chief guest Chief Minister Mohan Yadav presided over. The Governor and the Chief Minister inaugurated the exhibition on the awards received by Madhya Pradesh in the field of cleanliness. Governor Patel and Chief Minister Dr. Yadav launched a film on Swachhta Hi Seva campaign in Madhya Pradesh. A short film of the Central Government on the outline of the Swachhta Hi Seva Campaign was screened. A short film based on the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras being started in the district hospitals was also screened. Placards were presented to Patel and Chief Minister Dr. Yadav by the Indian Red Cross Society. The Governor and the Chief Minister honored the Safai Mitras and distributed incentive amount and cleanliness kits. Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, and State President and MP V.D. Sharma were present. Patel congratulated Indore City for leading in cleanliness for 7 consecutive years. He praised the tireless and continuous hard work of the sanitation workers of Indore for this achievement. The Governor congratulated the people of Indore for their habits of cleanliness and enthusiastic participation in cleanliness-related activities. Patel said that Jan Aushadhi Kendra is a special initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the poor. On the occasion of the birthday of Prime Minister Modi, he congratulated the people of the state on the inauguration of Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras in all 50 district hospitals of the state. Patel said that due to minimum prices and quality medicines, these Kendras will benefit the poor. Governor Patel appealed to people to make people aware of generic, affordable medicines and financial savings available at Jan Aushadhi Kendra to the poor and needy around them. He also asked the doctors to inform the patients about the facilities and benefits of Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras while treating them. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav has said that providing facilities to make the lives of people easier is the most memorable gift to Prime Minister Modi. Launching the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in 50 hospitals on his birthday will improve the standard of living of the common man. The state government is also committed to the welfare of Safai Mitras. The work being done for the common man is a birthday gift for Prime Minister Modi. Chief Minister Yadav also announced to provide funds to the Safai Mitras working in the urban bodies as an incentive for their contribution. In the Swachhta Survekshan-2024, funds will be provided to Safai Mitras based on garbage-free city-star certification to the urban bodies. An amount of Rs. 1,000 per star in their ranking will be given to all Safai Mitras working in the urban body, that is, Rs. 1,000 will be given to all Safai Mitras of the urban body with one star. Municipal bodies can get a ranking of up to seven stars. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday and lauded him as Indias true Amritkaal Ka Sarthi. Taking to Instagram, CM Yogi posted, Heartiest congratulations to the worlds most popular politician, the visionary behind Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat, and the guide to all of us, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji. Every moment of your life is imbued with the sacred spirit of Nation First and is dedicated to the pledge of Antyodaya. Your dedication to uplifting 140 crore Indians and achieving the goal of a Viksit Bharat-Atmanirbhar Bharat is an inspiration to us all. Under your leadership, the marginalised have been given priority and care. Highlighting the countrys growing strength under PM Modis guidance, CM Yogi remarked, Today, India is moving towards becoming the growth engine of the world, and our democracy is getting stronger day by day. You are the true Amritkaal Ka Sarthi of India. He concluded by offering prayers for PM Modis long life and health, saying, On behalf of 25 crore residents of Uttar Pradesh, I pray to Lord Shri Ram that you may continue to guide us for many more years. In another social media post, CM Yogi outlined some of the key achievements of PM Modis leadership, particularly in the first 100 days of the NDA Government 3.0. He praised PM Modis focus on public welfare, highlighting milestones such as providing health coverage for senior citizens above 70, the distribution of Rs 20,000 crore to 9.3 crore farmers under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, the empowerment of women through certificates to 11 lakh new Lakhpati Didis, the creation of jobs for crores of youth through plans for 12 new industrial cities, the launch of over 15 Made-in-India Vande Bharat semi high-speed trains, and setting new benchmarks of public welfare and development by approving development projects worth Rs 15 lakh crore. With the mantra of Speed, Scale, and Reflection, PM Modi continues to set new benchmarks in public welfare and development, CM Yogi noted, adding, May Lord Shri Ram bless you with long life and good health. Punjabs real estate market witnessed a significant boost as the states development authorities collectively amassed a staggering Rs 2,945 crore in a single day from an e-auction of various properties. The auction, held on September 16 (Monday), is being hailed as a testament to its investor-friendly policies by the government, which has been actively promoting development and creating opportunities for citizens. The e-auctions, which began on September 6, featured a wide range of properties including group housing, multiplexes, commercial chunks, residential plots, and small commercial establishments like booths and shops. The Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) and several regional authorities, such as Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Ludhiana, and Bathinda Development Authorities (BDA), facilitated the auction, which saw enthusiastic participation from individuals and businesses alike. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann praised the publics overwhelming response and highlighted the governments efforts in creating an investor-friendly environment. The massive turnout for these auctions reflects the people's faith in our pro-development policies. Every penny generated from these auctions will be reinvested into infrastructure projects to further improve the quality of life in Punjab, Mann said. The auction results were particularly impressive, with GMADA alone contributing Rs 2,505 crore to the state's coffers by successfully auctioning two commercial chunks of Sector 62 one each situated in Eco City-1 and Aerocity; three group housing sites located in Sector 66, Ecocity-2, and Medicity respectively; besides 16 SCOs and 12 booths situated in different sectors of Mohali. PUDA, which conducted the sale of 162 optimum Utilization of Vacant Government Lands (OUVGL) properties, earned Rs 224 crore; while GLADA brought in Rs 108 crore by auctioning 32 properties. The remaining revenue came from BDA, ADA, PDA, and JDA, all of which successfully auctioned several plots. As per information shared, BDA was able to auction 23 properties, ADA and JDA found bidders for 34 and 22 properties respectively and PDA auctioned 17 properties. Mann said that the successful bidders would be allotted the sites on depositing the 10 percent payment and possession would be handed over to them on payment of 25 percent of the total bid amount. Officials lauded the smooth and transparent auction process, attributing its success to the professionalism and dedication of the staff involved. These properties are expected to attract further investment and spur economic growth in the region. The Punjab Government has made a stride towards fulfilling its commitment to the farming community by drafting the much-awaited State Agriculture Policy. The draft, shared with the farmer unions and agriculture experts, invited suggestions from all stakeholders, particularly the farmers, to ensure a more inclusive and robust policy for the future of agriculture in Punjab. The draft encompassed several progressive reforms aimed at addressing the multifaceted issues faced by the agricultural sector. One of the key highlights of the policy is the proposed legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops, providing much-needed security to farmers. The move sought to stabilize farm incomes and mitigate the uncertainties in the pricing of agricultural products. It also aimed at empowering farmers by ensuring that they receive a fair price for their produce, thus preventing exploitation by middlemen. Another major feature of the policy is the introduction of pension benefits for small and marginal farmers, especially those with less than five acres of land, as well as farm labourers. Farmers above the age of 60 will be eligible for pensions, thereby offering financial support during their senior years. This provision is seen as a step towards improving the welfare of Punjabs farming community, which has long struggled with financial insecurities due to fluctuating incomes and high input costs. Additionally, the draft policy recommended the launch of the Pani Bachao Paise Kamao scheme, which incentivizes the farmers to save electricity and water. Given the critical depletion of groundwater in the State, this initiative promotes the use of efficient irrigation practices, while simultaneously offering farmers financial rewards for saving water and electricity. The policy also pushed for more sustainable agricultural practices by encouraging organic farming and crop diversification. It emphasized the importance of moving away from water-intensive crops like paddy and promoting crops such as cotton, maize, sugarcane, and horticultural crops such as fruits and vegetables, which consume less water. The policy draft also suggested prohibiting the cultivation of long-duration paddy varieties in 15 critical groundwater-depleted blocks, where water withdrawal exceeds 300 percent of the replenishment rate. The goal is to reduce water consumption in these areas and prevent the further depletion of groundwater resources. The policy advocated for transitioning these regions to alternative crops like cotton, maize, sugarcane, vegetables, and orchards to safeguard the land from becoming barren in the future. To make this transition attractive, the policy proposed compensating farmers in these blocks to ensure they earn more from growing alternative crops than they would from paddy cultivation. Despite these innovative suggestions, the draft is notably silent on one of the most politically sensitive issues subsidized electricity for farmers. However, it does proposed a roadmap to gradually reduce power subsidies by up to 35 percent. This would be achieved by implementing micro-irrigation systems, solarization of farm pump sets, and encouraging the use of canal water for irrigation instead of groundwater. The policy suggested that over time, traditional water-guzzling techniques should be phased out, and renewable energy options should take precedence. With a strong focus on water conservation, the draft policy envisioned reducing the states total water demand by at least 30 percent, saving approximately 20 billion cubic meters (BCM) of water annually. This ambitious goal is deemed crucial to avert a looming water emergency in Punjab, which heavily relies on agriculture for its economy. A member of the committee drafting the policy, requesting anonymity, told The Pioneer that there is dire need for immediate action to avert a water crisis. Punjab is staring at a water emergency, and the government must set a policy goal to save at least 30 percent of the states total water demand. If steps are not taken now, we risk rendering large swathes of Punjab barren, he said. The policy also called for reforms in the Public Distribution System (PDS) to ensure better delivery and access to food grains, particularly for the underprivileged. It recommended that the Punjab Government take these concerns to the Central Government to seek further improvements to the PDS system. For small farmers, the policy suggested measures like loan waivers to ease the financial burden. While Punjab has long grappled with farmer indebtedness, the policy aimed to mitigate this issue by providing debt relief to farmers who own less than five acres of land. Additionally, the draft policy promoted womens empowerment by exploring ways to grant land ownership rights to women and prioritizing female farmers when leasing out village common lands. To further encourage the shift toward crop diversification, the policy proposed establishing 13 centers of excellence (CoEs) for various crops across the State, which would focus on horticulture and promote the cultivation of crops such as potatoes, pulses, sugarcane, lemons, pears, peas, and chilies. By growing crops in their natural agro-climatic zones and organizing progressive farmer groups, the policy envisioned better management of resources and higher yields. In case of price volatility after harvest, the policy recommended creating a price stabilization fund to protect farmers from losses. Addressing wheat cultivation, the draft suggested cultivating variety-specific and nutrient-rich wheat varieties, such as PBW 1 Chapati, PBW RS1, and WHD 943. These high-quality varieties would be processed and marketed under various consumer-specific brands, providing farmers with better access to niche markets and increasing their profits, stated the policy. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who recently held extensive consultations with the protesting farmers, had promised that the draft agriculture policy would be released before September 30. The policy reflected months of engagement with farmer groups and experts, aiming to tackle long-standing issues in Punjabs agrarian economy. In light of the widespread protests led by organizations like the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), Ekta-Ugrahan, Mann assured the farmers that their input would be crucial in shaping the final policy. The draft policy is now open for suggestions, and the government is keen to receive feedback from farmers and agricultural experts to fine-tune it before implementation. Recommendations in Draft Agri Policy Legal Guarantee for MSPfor all crops Pension benefits for small and marginal farmers with less than 5 acres of land and farm labourers Pani Bachao Paise Kamao scheme to incentivize farmers to save electricity and water through a rewards scheme Promote organic farming practices and crop diversification Ban cultivation of long-duration paddy varieties in 15 groundwater-depleted blocks Replace paddy cultivation in critical blocks with crops like cotton, maize, sugarcane, and vegetables Gradually reducing electricity subsidies by up to 35% through micro-irrigation systems, solarization of farm pump sets Aim to reduce states total water demand by at least 30% Improve delivery and access to food grains via PDS Debt relief and loan waivers for farmers owning less than 5 acres of land Explore ways to grant land ownership rights to women Prioritize female farmers for leasing village common lands. Establish 13 Centers of Excellence (CoEs) for horticulture and crop diversification Create Price Stabilization Fund to protect farmers from price volatility The Congress is back on square after an initial offensive against Mohan Yadav regime in Madhya Pradesh. MPCC chief Jitu Patwari seems unsettled due to his seniors making some statements and Digvijay Singh and Kamal Nath trying to overshadow the MPCC chief. There is utter confusion relating to Kamal Nath's future role in state politics. Jitu's initial aggression against the State government had cornered the ruling BJP which was forced on back foot. In recent past State Congress in the leadership of PCC chief Jitu Patwari had been on roads attacking the State government on different issues including crimes against women, poor condition of peasants, soyabean MSP at Rs 6,000 per quintal, deteriorating law and order situation in the State. More than two dozen agitations have taken place in last one month at State capital and at different divisions. The agitation by the State unit of the Congress left an impact on the government and the State government and the ruling BJP leaders were forced to reply to the Congress' allegations. Now, the MPCC is at back foot as the statement of Congress leader against reservation given in United States is out. The Madhya Pradesh Congress leaders are not in a position to counter the statement. On the contrary, the ruling BJP in Madhya Pradesh that was already engaged in Sangathan Parv under its membership drive, has decided to take up the issue and agitate against the statement of Rahul Gandhi. State BJP Spokesperson Rajneesh Agrawal told The Pioneer that Congress is completely being guided by the anti-national forces. It is going on the lines of leftists now, he said, adding that Congress leaders are out to create dispute among castes and create differences in the society. In fact, Congress wants to abolish the reservation for Dalits and to give it to the Muslims, he claimed. Madhya Pradesh Congress Media In-charge Mukesh Nayak claims that Rahul Gandhi is fighting for the reservation. He is not against it. It is BJP that is misinterpreting his statements and misleading the public. "We are working on it and clarifying in the public, the intentions of the BJP. This attempt of the BJP will not stand longer," he added. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav launched the Swachhta Hi Seva campaign at a function organized at Chakghat in the district's Teonthar assembly constituency. The Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of construction works worth Rs 33.68 crore in the ceremony. Due to heavy rains and adverse weather, Chief Minister Yadav addressed the function virtually from Jabalpur and gave many gifts. Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla and Minister of State for Urban Development Pratima Bagri also participated in the ceremony virtually from Jabalpur. Addressing a crowd of thousands of people in Chakghat virtually amid heavy rains, Chief Minister Yadav said that with all resources available, Vindhya is ready for development. The investors' meeting to be held in Rewa next month will establish new dimensions of development in the Vindhya region. The Investors Meet will provide employment opportunities to thousands of youth along with huge investments in minerals, tourism, and agro-based industries. He said that Rewa is becoming a model of development. The Chief Minister said that today is the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also the birth anniversary of Late Assembly Speaker Shriyut Srinivas Tiwari. Today is Lord Vishwakarma Jayanti. I wanted to come to Chakghat to pay my respects to all of them, but due to incessant heavy rains, I could not come. I am very happy to connect with the people of Teonthar. Today Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated Jan Aushadhi Kendras in all the districts of the state for which I heartily thank Prime Minister Modi. The general public will get cheap quality medicines from Jan Aushadhi Kendras. New schemes will be started soon to provide self-employment opportunities to women and youth. To increase milk production, bonuses will also be given to dairy farmers. Chief Minister Yadav said that all possible assistance will be provided for the development of Vindhya. An airport is being inaugurated in Rewa soon. This will give impetus to the development of industries. A stadium will be constructed on five acres of land in Teonthar. An estimate of Rs 507 lakh has been approved for the renovation of the Loni dam and its canals. This will provide irrigation facility in 1656 hectare area. Funds have also been sanctioned for the Teonthar Left Canal Link Project. With this, irrigation facility will be available in 1400 hectares. An industrial development center will be constructed on 400 acres in Teonthar area. I have a special attachment for Rewa. The Chief Minister appealed to the general public to plant saplings in the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign and extended best wishes for the upcoming festivals. Addressing the function virtually, Deputy Chief Minister Shukla said that Chief Minister Yadav has undertaken many historic works in his short tenure of 9 months. The Chief Minister has sanctioned Rs 4,000 crore for irrigation projects in Rewa, due to which the irrigation facility in the district will increase from 3 lakh acres to 9 lakh acres. Rewa Airport is going to be inaugurated soon. Due to the efforts of Chief Minister Yadav, Narmada river water will soon reach Satna district also. Tenders have been approved for the construction of the much-awaited road at Chaura Ghat. Its construction will start soon. Chief Minister said that like wheat and paddy farmers, now dairy farmers will also be given bonus amounts. He said that if 400 acres of land becomes available in Rewa, an industrial park will be built there. Protect yourself in heavy rain Chief Minister Yadav said that people should protect themselves during heavy rains and also take care of everyone's safety. If any problem arises, get help from the district administration. He said that the Cleanliness fortnight will run from 17th September to 2nd October. In this, ensure your participation in cleanliness-related activities. In his address, Dr. Yadav assured to take all possible measures for the welfare of women and remove all difficulties in their lives and take appropriate measures for the employment of the youth. Quick action by police officers prevented a tragic incident involving one of their own in Aligarh. On Monday night, Sub-Inspector Sachin Kumar from Bannadevi police station was found on the railway tracks, apparently intent on taking his own life. Thanks to the swift response of police station in-charge Pankaj Kumar Mishra and his team, Kumar was persuaded to return safely. Kumar reportedly acted on a sense of grievance stemming from alleged mistreatment by a local magistrate. The sub-inspector accused the magistrate of improper conduct during the remand proceedings of individuals arrested for bike theft. The SP (City) has ordered a high-level investigation into these allegations. Earlier, Kumar, along with Crime Inspector Bijendrapal Rana and teams from the anti-vehicle theft and criminal intelligence wings, apprehended four accused involved in bike theft at District Malkhan Singh Hospital. The accusedAdeeb from Haddi Godown, Mandir Wali Gali in Jhalkari Nagar, Faiz from Khwaja Chowk, Arbaaz from Junglegarhi Transformer Wali Gali, and Aamir from Sarai Miyanwere found with four stolen bikes, including an Activa, two scooters without number plates, and a bike with an erased chassis number. They confessed to stealing two scooters from locations on Agra and Gular roads. The stolen vehicles were allegedly stored at a shop owned by another accused, Shakir, who was also arrested. During the court proceedings, Kumar claimed the magistrate treated him disrespectfully and made him wait from 4 pm to 10 pm without granting the requested remand. This alleged mistreatment drove Kumar to attempt suicide. The local police intervened in time to prevent the tragedy and assured Kumar that his complaints would be addressed. SP (City) Mrigank Shekhar Pathak confirmed that Kumars written complaint is under investigation, and appropriate action will be taken. In a separate incident, an eight-year-old boy named Vimal lost his life in Achnakapur village, Kannauj district, after a memorial plaque honouring freedom fighters collapsed on him. The child, son of local farmer Dharampal Rajput, was playing near the plaque at a primary school when it fell, causing fatal injuries. Despite efforts by local residents to rescue him, Vimal succumbed to injuries. Sub-Inspector Neeraj Sharma, who is handling the case, has initiated an investigation. The body has been sent for autopsy, and further action will be based on the investigations findings and the post-mortem report. Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started the PM Swanidhi Yojana for the economic strength of the urban poor. All the bodies of the state should boost their credibility by working with a spirit of welfare in the interest of the urban poor through this innovative scheme. He said that by performing well in this scheme, Madhya Pradesh has brought pride to the state across the country. Urban Development Minister Vijayvargiya was addressing the PRAISE Award Ceremony under the PM-Swanidhi Yojana at Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre in Bhopal today. Minister of State for Public Health and Family Welfare Narendra Shivaji Patel was also present on this occasion. Under the PM Swanidhi Yojana, the street vendors of the urban area are provided the facility of working capital loan in three installments. Digital transactions are also being encouraged in the PM Swanidhi Yojana. Minister Vijayvargiya said that during the Corona period, the poor people living in the cities had faced a huge financial crisis. In view of these difficulties, Prime Minister Modi started the PM Swanidhi Yojana. He appealed to the officials and bankers to make joint efforts and provide financial help to the urban poor. Minister Vijayvargiya also rewarded the bankers and bodies doing excellent work on this occasion. Bhopal Mayor Smt. Malti Rai, Principal Secretary, Urban Development and Housing Neeraj Mandloi, Commissioner Urban Development Bharat Yadav and departmental officers were present in the program. On this occasion Minister Vijayvargiya awarded the urban bodies and bankers doing outstanding work in PM Swanidhi Yojana. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday lashed out at the Congress, alleging that the party has an agenda with the National Conference to release all terrorists after the elections in Jammu and Kashmir and bring back Article 370. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should make it clear whether scrapping Article 370 in J&K was good or bad thing, Shah said while addressing his first rally in Loharu in Bhiwani district for the October 5 Haryana polls. BJP leader J P Dalal is the party candidate from Loharu seat. The Union home minister also claimed that the Congress and its leader Gandhi are playing politics over the Agnipath scheme. He also attacked the Congress over the 'One Rank One Pension' scheme and said it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who implemented it. While referring to J&K polls, Shah said Gandhi and NC leader Omar Abdullah have an agenda to release all terrorists after the elections and also hold talks with Pakistan. "We are having elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Rahul Baba went there. He made a settlement with Omar Abdullah. What is their agenda? They will release all terrorists after the elections and hold talks with Pakistan. They will also remove the ban on organisations which have been banned in connection with terrorism, he further said. "Rahul Baba, listen to me. Narendra Modi is sitting there (running the govt at the Centre). You have not formed the government (in J&K). Jab tak Bharatiya Janata Party hai, Kashmir ke upar aankh uthakar koi dekh nahi sakta' (Till the BJP is here, nobody can dare look at Kashmir)," he said. He asked the gathering whether abrogation of Article 370 was good or bad. "They want to bring back Article 370. (Congress leader Bhupinder Singh) Hooda Sahib, people of Loharu are asking what will you tell about Article 370? Be it Hooda ji or Rahul ji, no matter how hard you try, have trust in Modi ji, the Article 370 will never return. "Rahul Gandhi, our party is such which agrees that 'Pakistanwala' Kashmir (POK) is also of India," he said. "Thousands of Haryana's jawans laid down their lives protecting Kashmir. And these people want to bring terrorism back in Kashmir," Shah alleged as he was referring to the Congress. The Congress should reply on this issue, he said. Regarding the Agnipath short-term military recruitment scheme, Shah accused the Congress and Rahul Gandhi of playing politics over it. He said that the Congress is spreading rumours about it. Shah said the Home department and state police forces gave 20 per cent reservation to the Agniveers and they will get pensionable job. He also said Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini assured that Agniveers in the state will be given government jobs. "I want to tell Haryana's youth that 'Hooda and company' is spreading lies. They (Congress) are saying that what will happen to the Agniveers later," he said. "What I say, I do it, he asserted. "What Modi ji points out, it also happens." "If any Agniveer of Haryana returns, he will not be without a job and the BJP takes responsibility of this," said Shah. He came down heavily on Rahul Gandhi for his remark on reservation during his recent US visit where he said the Congress would think of "scrapping reservations" when "India is a fair place", which he said is not the case right now. "Rahul Baba, you said this in Kashmir also...till the time BJP is there, we will not allow anyone to touch reservation," Shah said. Rahul Gandhi "jhooth bolne ki ek machine hai", he can speak lies in any language, he said. He lauded Haryana farmers for their contribution in making the country self-sufficient in foodgrains and praised its sportspersons for bringing laurels for nation at the Olympics and other games. "Haryana gave 'dhakad' (strong) and 'veer' (brave) jawans and 'dhakad' players," he said. He also remembered Chaudhary Bansi Lal on this occasion. Gandhi had said in Parliament that the Samajwadi Party candidate became MP from Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, Shah recalled. "Now he says they defeated the objective in Ayodhya. What was our objective? Babur had demolished Ram Mandir and it was to be built again. "Should we build it or not," he asked the gathering. Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed 'bhoomi pujan' and the 'pran pratishtha' (consecration) at the Ram temple, he said. "And Rahul Baba could not digest it. Whether you like it or not Rahul Baba, it was the voice of countrymen that Ram temple should be built in Ayodhya," he said. Shah also attacked the previous Hooda government in Haryana. "I want to ask Hooda Sahib...he also ruled for a long time. He should tell how much purchase on MSP was made during his regime. How many crops you used to purchase?" he asked. "On MSP, only four crops were included during the Hooda regime as against 24 crops procured by the Saini government," he said, while adding the Saini government will procure every single grain. He also said before the BJP government came to power in Haryana, jobs were given on "kharchi and parchi" (corruption and favouritism) basis. "During the BJP rule, the 'kharchi and parchi' system has been ended. Now a postman comes and hands over letter at your home," said Shah emphasising that jobs are now given on merit basis. Shah, whose arrival here got slightly delayed, during his speech also waded into Congress' infighting in state unit. "I got late at Delhi airport. In between, I received phone call from a journalist who asked whether I was going to Haryana. He said the Congress' fight in Haryana is not with BJP, which surprised me. He said Congress' fight is with Congress, as its every leader wants to become chief minister and defeat each other," said Shah. "The party which has decided to fight among itself...can that party win an election," asked Shah. "...I want to ask Hooda Sahib, when you were in power for 10 years, what did you give to Haryana," he asked. The Union home minister then spelled out several steps which the BJP government has taken for welfare of various sections including farmers in Haryana and development which has taken place during the past 10 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled railway and national highway projects worth over Rs 3,800 crore on Tuesday, marking 100 days of the NDA government 3.0. Addressing a gathering here, Modi also launched the Odisha governments Subhadra Yojana, a financial assistance scheme for women, while asserting that their empowerment will be the key to the states development. Besides, he released the first instalment of assistance to nearly 10 lakh beneficiaries under PMAY-G across 14 states, took part in 'Griha Pravesh' celebrations for 26 lakh beneficiaries under the housing scheme, and launched Awaas+ 2024 App for a survey of additional households for the same programme. PM Modi's visit to Odisha on his 74th birthday would be the first after he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on June 12. I am happy that the Odisha government started its major work by announcing Subhadra Yojana for women. Womens empowerment will be the key to Odisha's development, he said The Prime Minister noted that Odisha has everything that is required for a developed state. It has a talent pool of youth, the strength of women, natural resources, opportunities for industries, immense possibilities of tourism, Modi said. While participating in the Griha Pravesh celebrations, Modi visited Sabar Sahi slum in Bhubaneswar where he interacted with the beneficiaries. The PM inaugurated the homes of 20 beneficiaries under the PMAY there. Accompanied by the chief minister, Modi visited the home of Antaryami Nayak, a beneficiary of the housing scheme, and savoured the traditional Odia sweet dish, 'kheeri', prepared at his residence. Sharing his experience after he was offered 'kheeri' by a tribal family on the occasion of his birthday in Bhubaneswar, Modi said, When my mother was alive, I used to visit here and seek her blessing on my birthday. She used to give me jaggery. Today, I got the blessings of a tribal mother who offered me 'kheeri'. The happiness of tribals gives me strength to work for them. The Odisha governments Subhadra Yojana, billed as the largest programme for women, will cover more than 1 crore beneficiaries. Under the scheme, Rs 10,000 will be provided to each beneficiary every year in two equal instalments for a period of five years. After the launch, the prime minister initiated the fund transfer into the bank accounts of more than 10 lakh women. He said that the promises made by the BJP during the elections were being fulfilled at a rapid pace. Listing the promises fulfilled so far, he said all the four gates of the Jagannath temple in Puri were thrown open to the public and the 12th-century shrine's Ratna Bhandar (treasury) was also reopened in July after 46 years for making an inventory of valuables and repairing of its structure. Noting that Tuesday is special as the present NDA government at the Centre completed 100 days, the prime minister said several major decisions have been taken for the welfare of the poor, farmers, youth and women. During these 100 days, decisions were taken to build 3 crore pucca houses for the poor, a PM package worth Rs 2 lakh crore for the youth, the addition of 75,000 seats in medical colleges and approval to connect 25,000 villages with pucca roads. The prime minister also said that during the past three months, the government has made budget allocation for tribals has almost been doubled, a special project for the development of around 60,000 tribal villages announced, a new pension scheme for government employees introduced and income tax for professionals, business owners and entrepreneurs reduced. This apart, several major decisions have been taken for oilseed and onion farmers, import duty on oil produced abroad has been increased to encourage Indian farmers, export duty on Basmati rice has been reduced to boost exports and MSP has been hiked on crops thereby benefiting farmers by about Rs 2 lakh crore. Modi said that Odisha has always been a priority for the Centre in the last 10 years. Odisha now gets thrice the funds from the Centre as compared to those 10 years ago. People of Odisha will now get the benefit of Ayushman Yojana while citizens above 70 years would be treated for free up to Rs 5 lakh, irrespective of income levels, he said. The Prime Minister said Dalits, deprived and tribal communities living in Odisha are the biggest beneficiaries of the campaign against poverty. A separate ministry was created for the welfare of the tribals, the community was given rights over their water, forests and land, a tribal woman from Odisha was made the countrys President, he said. PM Modi claimed that many tribal areas and groups in Odisha were deprived of development for many generations. He spoke about the PM Janman Yojana would support the most backward among tribes and 13 such communities have been identified in Odisha. A campaign is also being run to free the tribal areas from sickle cell anaemia. In the last 3 months, more than 13 lakh people have been screened under this campaign, he added. Modi said the states mineral and natural resources should be its strength. In the next 5 years, we have to take Odisha's road and rail connectivity to new heights, he said. The Prime Minister said that work on Puri to Konark railway line and the high-tech 'Namo Bharat Rapid Rail' will start soon and the modern infrastructure will open new doors of possibilities for Odisha. Tsuruha Holdings Inc. (OTCMKTS:TSUSF Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 110,400 shares, a decline of 18.5% from the August 15th total of 135,500 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently days. Tsuruha Price Performance OTCMKTS TSUSF opened at $58.94 on Tuesday. Tsuruha has a 1-year low of $58.94 and a 1-year high of $58.94. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $58.94 and its 200-day simple moving average is $68.74. Get Tsuruha alerts: About Tsuruha (Get Free Report) Further Reading Tsuruha Holdings Inc operates drugstores in Japan. It sells pharmaceutical, cosmetic, miscellaneous goods and food products. The company was founded in 1929 and is headquartered in Sapporo, Japan. Receive News & Ratings for Tsuruha Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tsuruha and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. B2Gold Corp. (NYSE:BTG Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the six brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, one has given a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $3.75. BTG has been the topic of a number of research reports. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of B2Gold from $3.50 to $3.75 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. Scotiabank cut shares of B2Gold from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. CIBC upped their target price on B2Gold from $3.40 to $3.50 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. StockNews.com raised B2Gold from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, August 17th. Finally, Cibc World Mkts raised B2Gold from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Get B2Gold alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on BTG B2Gold Price Performance BTG opened at $3.33 on Tuesday. B2Gold has a 1-year low of $2.34 and a 1-year high of $3.46. The firm has a market cap of $4.35 billion, a PE ratio of -111.00, a P/E/G ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 1.14. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $2.85. The company has a current ratio of 2.93, a quick ratio of 1.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01. B2Gold (NYSE:BTG Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $0.06 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.08 by ($0.02). B2Gold had a negative net margin of 7.44% and a positive return on equity of 8.01%. The firm had revenue of $492.57 million during the quarter. Research analysts expect that B2Gold will post 0.27 EPS for the current fiscal year. B2Gold Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 23rd. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 10th will be paid a $0.04 dividend. This represents a $0.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.80%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 10th. B2Golds dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -533.33%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On B2Gold A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Point72 DIFC Ltd grew its position in shares of B2Gold by 16.6% during the 2nd quarter. Point72 DIFC Ltd now owns 21,471 shares of the companys stock valued at $58,000 after buying an additional 3,053 shares during the last quarter. KPP Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of B2Gold by 53.6% during the second quarter. KPP Advisory Services LLC now owns 35,250 shares of the companys stock valued at $95,000 after purchasing an additional 12,300 shares during the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its holdings in shares of B2Gold by 80.0% during the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 7,450,283 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,957,000 after purchasing an additional 3,311,970 shares during the last quarter. AXA S.A. raised its position in shares of B2Gold by 546.4% during the 2nd quarter. AXA S.A. now owns 374,901 shares of the companys stock worth $1,012,000 after purchasing an additional 316,901 shares during the period. Finally, Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. boosted its position in B2Gold by 9.8% during the 2nd quarter. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. now owns 203,709 shares of the companys stock valued at $550,000 after purchasing an additional 18,125 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.40% of the companys stock. About B2Gold (Get Free Report B2Gold Corp. operates as a gold producer company. It operates the Fekola Mine in Mali, the Masbate Mine in the Philippines, and the Otjikoto Mine in Namibia. The company also has an 100% interest in the Gramalote gold project in Colombia; 24% interest in the Calibre Mining Corp.; and approximately 19% interest in BeMetals Corp. Read More Receive News & Ratings for B2Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for B2Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Capstone Wealth Management Group LLC cut its stake in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF (BATS:INDA Free Report) by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 25,710 shares of the companys stock after selling 325 shares during the period. iShares MSCI India ETF makes up approximately 0.9% of Capstone Wealth Management Group LLCs holdings, making the stock its 27th largest holding. Capstone Wealth Management Group LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI India ETF were worth $1,434,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. boosted its position in iShares MSCI India ETF by 4.7% in the 2nd quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. now owns 66,697 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,720,000 after buying an additional 2,992 shares during the last quarter. City of London Investment Management Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF in the second quarter worth about $4,128,000. Abound Wealth Management purchased a new position in iShares MSCI India ETF in the second quarter valued at about $28,000. Seven Mile Advisory acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI India ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $224,000. Finally, J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. grew its stake in iShares MSCI India ETF by 22.1% during the 2nd quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 11,249 shares of the companys stock valued at $627,000 after purchasing an additional 2,033 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI India ETF alerts: iShares MSCI India ETF Stock Up 0.5 % Shares of INDA opened at $58.13 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $10.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.95 and a beta of 0.51. The businesss 50 day moving average is $56.68 and its two-hundred day moving average is $54.19. iShares MSCI India ETF has a 52-week low of $30.57 and a 52-week high of $38.21. About iShares MSCI India ETF The iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI India index, a market-cap-weighted index of the top 85% of firms in the Indian securities market. INDA was launched on Feb 2, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding INDA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI India ETF (BATS:INDA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI India ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI India ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Centerra Gold Inc. (TSE:CG Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the seven research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$11.77. CG has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Canaccord Genuity Group raised their price target on shares of Centerra Gold from C$11.50 to C$12.50 in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Cibc World Mkts downgraded shares of Centerra Gold from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. National Bankshares increased their price objective on shares of Centerra Gold from C$11.25 to C$12.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, June 10th. Finally, CIBC cut shares of Centerra Gold from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and increased their price objective for the stock from C$11.00 to C$13.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Get Centerra Gold alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on CG Centerra Gold Stock Down 0.2 % Shares of TSE CG opened at C$9.35 on Thursday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$9.34 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$8.92. The company has a market capitalization of C$1.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.40, a P/E/G ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 3.79 and a quick ratio of 3.24. Centerra Gold has a 1 year low of C$6.07 and a 1 year high of C$10.25. Centerra Gold (TSE:CG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported C$0.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.22 by C$0.09. The business had revenue of C$386.27 million during the quarter. Centerra Gold had a net margin of 10.69% and a return on equity of 7.98%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Centerra Gold will post 0.844358 earnings per share for the current year. Centerra Gold Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 29th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 15th were given a dividend of $0.07 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $0.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.99%. Centerra Golds payout ratio is currently 34.15%. About Centerra Gold (Get Free Report Centerra Gold Inc, a gold mining company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of gold and copper properties in North America, Turkey, and internationally. The company explores for gold, copper, and molybdenum deposits. Its flagship projects are the 100% owned Mount Milligan gold-copper mine located in British Columbia, Canada; and the Oksut gold mine located in Turkey. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Centerra Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Centerra Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Get Free Report)s share price rose 0.9% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $58.63 and last traded at $58.20. Approximately 2,228,305 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 85% from the average daily volume of 14,754,954 shares. The stock had previously closed at $57.66. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms have recently issued reports on CMG. StockNews.com lowered Chipotle Mexican Grill from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 4th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $57.00 to $55.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Stifel Nicolaus restated a buy rating and set a $70.00 target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $74.00 to $62.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Finally, Wedbush reissued an outperform rating and set a $58.00 price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Thursday, August 29th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $62.36. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: View Our Latest Report on Chipotle Mexican Grill Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance The firms 50-day simple moving average is $54.26 and its 200 day simple moving average is $81.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $80.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 61.86, a PEG ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 1.25. Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The restaurant operator reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.32 by $0.02. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 44.01% and a net margin of 13.23%. The business had revenue of $2.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.94 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $12.65 earnings per share. Chipotle Mexican Grills revenue was up 18.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Transactions at Chipotle Mexican Grill In other news, insider Curtis E. Garner sold 17,394 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.68, for a total transaction of $951,103.92. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 358,300 shares of the companys stock, valued at $19,591,844. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, insider Curtis E. Garner sold 15,750 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.02, for a total transaction of $866,565.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 473,514 shares of the companys stock, valued at $26,052,740.28. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Curtis E. Garner sold 17,394 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.68, for a total value of $951,103.92. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 358,300 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,591,844. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 34,934 shares of company stock worth $1,918,589. Company insiders own 1.02% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Chipotle Mexican Grill Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. bought a new position in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Riverview Trust Co boosted its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,900.0% in the 2nd quarter. Riverview Trust Co now owns 400 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 392 shares in the last quarter. RiverPark Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,900.0% in the 2nd quarter. RiverPark Advisors LLC now owns 400 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 392 shares during the last quarter. Archer Investment Corp acquired a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Finally, Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group lifted its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,900.0% during the 2nd quarter. Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group now owns 400 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 392 shares during the last quarter. 91.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Chipotle Mexican Grill Company Profile (Get Free Report) Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Featured Articles 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. Oxford Industries (NYSE:OXM Free Report) had its target price cut by Citigroup from $92.00 to $65.00 in a research note published on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a sell rating on the textile makers stock. Several other equities research analysts have also recently commented on OXM. Telsey Advisory Group cut their price target on Oxford Industries from $110.00 to $86.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. UBS Group lowered their price target on Oxford Industries from $101.00 to $91.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, September 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $90.40. Get Oxford Industries alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on OXM Oxford Industries Stock Performance NYSE:OXM opened at $84.55 on Friday. Oxford Industries has a 52 week low of $74.95 and a 52 week high of $113.88. The company has a market cap of $1.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.23 and a beta of 1.53. The company has a quick ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $92.48 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $100.71. Oxford Industries (NYSE:OXM Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, September 11th. The textile maker reported $2.77 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.00 by ($0.23). Oxford Industries had a net margin of 1.92% and a return on equity of 21.93%. The business had revenue of $419.89 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $438.16 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.45 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Oxford Industries will post 7.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Oxford Industries Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 1st. Investors of record on Friday, October 18th will be issued a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.17%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 18th. Oxford Industriess payout ratio is 108.50%. Institutional Trading of Oxford Industries Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Pacer Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Oxford Industries in the 2nd quarter valued at about $54,882,000. Millennium Management LLC raised its stake in Oxford Industries by 254.1% during the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 266,412 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $26,681,000 after purchasing an additional 191,185 shares during the period. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Oxford Industries in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $10,040,000. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Oxford Industries in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $9,682,000. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its position in Oxford Industries by 21.7% during the second quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 496,092 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $49,684,000 after acquiring an additional 88,345 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.16% of the companys stock. About Oxford Industries (Get Free Report) Oxford Industries, Inc, an apparel company, designs, sources, markets, and distributes products of lifestyle and other brands worldwide. The company offers men's and women's sportswear and related products under the Tommy Bahama brand; and women's and girl's dresses and sportswear, scarves, bags, jewelry, and belts, as well as children's apparel, swim, footwear, and licensed products under the Lilly Pulitzer brand. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Oxford Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oxford Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Virtu Financial LLC increased its stake in shares of Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares (NYSEARCA:TZA Free Report) by 51.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 376,167 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 127,940 shares during the period. Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares accounts for about 0.5% of Virtu Financial LLCs holdings, making the stock its 27th biggest position. Virtu Financial LLC owned about 1.79% of Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares worth $6,982,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Jane Street Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares by 5,734.5% during the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 801,718 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $13,461,000 after buying an additional 787,977 shares in the last quarter. Optimum Investment Advisors purchased a new stake in Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares in the 1st quarter worth approximately $40,000. Headlands Technologies LLC raised its holdings in Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares by 28.7% in the 1st quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC now owns 12,940 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $217,000 after acquiring an additional 2,884 shares during the last quarter. Choreo LLC lifted its stake in shares of Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares by 132.4% during the 2nd quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 123,897 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,354,000 after purchasing an additional 70,585 shares during the period. Finally, IMC Chicago LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares by 1,098.4% during the first quarter. IMC Chicago LLC now owns 752,442 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $12,634,000 after purchasing an additional 689,657 shares during the last quarter. Get Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares alerts: Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares Trading Down 1.0 % Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares stock opened at $14.39 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $15.42 and a 200 day moving average price of $17.59. Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares has a 52 week low of $12.70 and a 52 week high of $40.22. Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares Profile Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares (the Fund) seeks daily investment results of 300% of the inverse (or opposite) of the price performance of the Russell 2000 Index (the Small Cap Index). The Small Cap Index measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the United States equity universe and consists of the smallest 2,000 companies in the Russell 3000 Index, representing approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Direxion Daily Small Cap Bear 3X Shares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wulff Hansen & CO. raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 90,438.0% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 937,068 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 936,033 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company comprises approximately 4.5% of Wulff Hansen & CO.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest holding. Wulff Hansen & CO.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $848,403,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI grew its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 34.1% during the second quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI now owns 53,087 shares of the companys stock worth $48,064,000 after buying an additional 13,488 shares in the last quarter. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.6% in the 2nd quarter. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,030 shares of the companys stock valued at $932,000 after purchasing an additional 26 shares during the last quarter. One Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 17.1% in the 2nd quarter. One Capital Management LLC now owns 1,953 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,768,000 after purchasing an additional 285 shares during the last quarter. Menard Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter. Menard Financial Group LLC now owns 744 shares of the companys stock valued at $674,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Planning Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter worth $2,347,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.53% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth LLY has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating and issued a $1,106.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Tuesday, August 27th. Barclays raised their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $913.00 to $1,025.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Guggenheim upped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $884.00 to $1,030.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,050.00 to $1,100.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,001.00 to $1,101.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 9th. Three equities research 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.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $977.35. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 210,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 sale, the insider now directly 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 can be accessed through this link. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 451,900 shares of company stock worth $418,732,178. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 0.0 % NYSE:LLY opened at $924.05 on Tuesday. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12-month low of $516.57 and a 12-month high of $972.53. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $897.24 and its 200-day simple moving average is $835.09. The firm has a market cap of $878.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 136.09, a PEG ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.42. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $3.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.64 by $1.28. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 18.86% and a return on equity of 67.52%. The firm had revenue of $11.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.83 billion. Equities analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 16.49 EPS for the current year. Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 15th were given a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.56%. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is currently 76.58%. Eli Lilly and Company Profile (Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity. See Also 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. EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 11,900,000 shares, a growth of 24.5% from the August 15th total of 9,560,000 shares. Approximately 2.1% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,820,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.2 days. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have recently issued reports on EOG. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on EOG Resources from $134.00 to $132.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a $147.00 price objective on shares of EOG Resources in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on EOG Resources from $143.00 to $135.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, September 12th. Susquehanna lowered their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $159.00 to $158.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price objective on EOG Resources from $166.00 to $167.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 20th. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $143.58. Get EOG Resources alerts: View Our Latest Report on EOG EOG Resources Price Performance EOG Resources stock opened at $121.67 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.89, a current ratio of 2.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $125.85 and its 200 day simple moving average is $126.39. EOG Resources has a 52 week low of $108.94 and a 52 week high of $139.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $69.93 billion, a PE ratio of 9.61, a P/E/G ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 1.28. EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The energy exploration company reported $3.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.98 by $0.18. EOG Resources had a net margin of 30.33% and a return on equity of 25.42%. The company had revenue of $6.03 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.07 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.49 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that EOG Resources will post 12.2 EPS for the current fiscal year. EOG Resources Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 17th will be issued a $0.91 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 17th. This represents a $3.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.99%. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.75%. Insider Activity at EOG Resources In other EOG Resources news, EVP Michael P. Donaldson sold 11,037 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.50, for a total value of $1,429,291.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 74,250 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,615,375. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Charles R. Crisp sold 6,500 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.60, for a total value of $816,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 60,892 shares in the company, valued at $7,648,035.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Michael P. Donaldson sold 11,037 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.50, for a total transaction of $1,429,291.50. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 74,250 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,615,375. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 21,537 shares of company stock worth $2,751,612. 0.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of EOG Resources Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Riverview Trust Co purchased a new position in EOG Resources in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in EOG Resources during the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Gladius Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in EOG Resources in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Sachetta LLC acquired a new position in EOG Resources in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, Triad Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of EOG Resources during the 2nd quarter worth $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.91% of the companys stock. EOG Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report) EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas primarily in producing basins in the United States, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and internationally. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company. See Also Receive News & Ratings for EOG Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EOG Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Excalibur Management Corp raised its holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 1.9% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,830 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 198 shares during the period. Excalibur Management Corps holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $1,097,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Luts & Greenleigh Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Philip Morris International during the second quarter worth about $847,000. Wulff Hansen & CO. boosted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 10,033.0% during the second quarter. Wulff Hansen & CO. now owns 1,039,646 shares of the companys stock worth $105,347,000 after buying an additional 1,029,386 shares during the period. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI boosted its position in Philip Morris International by 18.3% during the second quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI now owns 14,281 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,447,000 after purchasing an additional 2,205 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in Philip Morris International by 9.6% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,126,834 shares of the companys stock valued at $316,849,000 after purchasing an additional 274,872 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its position in Philip Morris International by 79.3% during the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 5,878,158 shares of the companys stock valued at $595,634,000 after purchasing an additional 2,599,684 shares during the last quarter. 78.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Philip Morris International Trading Up 0.3 % Shares of NYSE PM opened at $125.99 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $195.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.55. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1-year low of $87.23 and a 1-year high of $128.22. The businesss 50 day moving average is $116.78 and its 200-day moving average is $103.89. Philip Morris International Increases Dividend 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 analysts consensus estimates of $1.57 by $0.02. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 113.32% and a net margin of 9.41%. The firm had revenue of $9.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.60 EPS. The companys revenue was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.45 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 26th will be paid a dividend of $1.35 per share. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.29%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 26th. This is a positive change from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 101.56%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Philip Morris International news, insider Massimo Andolina sold 9,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.35, for a total value of $1,038,150.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 85,629 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,877,305.15. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Philip Morris International news, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.01, for a total value of $2,260,200.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 158,447 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,906,095.47. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Massimo Andolina sold 9,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction 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 in the company, valued at approximately $9,877,305.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts recently commented on the company. StockNews.com raised Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on Philip Morris International from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Philip Morris International from $120.00 to $138.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. UBS Group upped their price objective on Philip Morris International from $95.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research note on Monday, September 9th. Finally, Bank of America upped their price objective on Philip Morris International from $125.00 to $139.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $117.05. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on PM 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. Recommended Stories 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. Shares of Excelerate Energy, Inc. (NYSE:EE Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the six brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has issued a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $22.00. A number of research analysts recently commented on EE shares. Stephens reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $21.00 target price on shares of Excelerate Energy in a research report on Tuesday, July 9th. Northland Securities increased their target price on shares of Excelerate Energy from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company downgraded shares of Excelerate Energy from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and dropped their target price for the company from $20.00 to $19.00 in a research report on Friday, August 30th. Get Excelerate Energy alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Excelerate Energy Hedge Funds Weigh In On Excelerate Energy Excelerate Energy Price Performance Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. New York State Teachers Retirement System acquired a new position in Excelerate Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. nVerses Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Excelerate Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new stake in Excelerate Energy in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in Excelerate Energy in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $118,000. Finally, BOKF NA boosted its holdings in Excelerate Energy by 5.8% in the 1st quarter. BOKF NA now owns 12,700 shares of the companys stock valued at $201,000 after purchasing an additional 700 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 21.79% of the companys stock. Shares of EE opened at $19.32 on Thursday. Excelerate Energy has a twelve month low of $13.38 and a twelve month high of $20.66. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $19.09 and its 200-day simple moving average is $17.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.13 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a current ratio of 3.43, a quick ratio of 3.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. Excelerate Energy (NYSE:EE Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $0.26 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.32 by ($0.06). Excelerate Energy had a net margin of 3.40% and a return on equity of 1.68%. The firm had revenue of $183.33 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $259.14 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.23 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Excelerate Energy will post 1.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. Excelerate Energy Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 5th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 21st were given a $0.025 dividend. This represents a $0.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.52%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 21st. Excelerate Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.90%. Excelerate Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report Excelerate Energy, Inc provides flexible liquefied natural gas (LNG) solutions worldwide. The company offers regasification services, including floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs), infrastructure development, and LNG and natural gas supply, procurement, and distribution services; LNG terminal services; and natural gas supply to-power projects. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Excelerate Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Excelerate Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Frisch Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 12.1% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 2,423 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 262 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company makes up approximately 0.7% of Frisch Financial Group Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest position. Frisch Financial Group Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $2,194,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Tidemark LLC acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Core Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 188.2% in the 4th quarter. Core Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 49 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. Lynx Investment Advisory acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. LGT Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance Shares of LLY opened at $924.05 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $878.22 billion, a PE ratio of 136.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.42. Eli Lilly and Company has a one year low of $516.57 and a one year high of $972.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 0.87. The companys fifty day moving average price is $897.24 and its 200 day moving average price is $835.09. Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $3.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.64 by $1.28. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 18.86% and a return on equity of 67.52%. The company had revenue of $11.30 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.83 billion. As a group, analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 16.49 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 15th were issued a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.56%. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 76.58%. Insider Transactions at Eli Lilly and Company In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 17,229 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $902.38, for a total transaction of $15,547,105.02. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 97,556,910 shares in the company, valued at approximately $88,033,404,445.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 451,900 shares of company stock worth $418,732,178. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets LLY has been the subject of several analyst reports. Barclays boosted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $913.00 to $1,025.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and set a $1,106.00 price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Tuesday, August 27th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,001.00 to $1,101.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,050.00 to $1,100.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday. Finally, Bank of America upped their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,000.00 to $1,125.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 9th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $977.35. Get Our Latest Stock Report 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. Featured Stories 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. Greggs plc (LON:GRG Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The company traded as high as GBX 3,202 ($42.30) and last traded at GBX 3,182 ($42.03), with a volume of 130623 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 3,176 ($41.96). Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Shore Capital reissued a hold rating on shares of Greggs in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. Berenberg Bank raised their target price on Greggs from GBX 3,340 ($44.12) to GBX 3,600 ($47.56) and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Get Greggs alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on Greggs Greggs Trading Up 0.2 % Greggs Cuts Dividend The firm has a market capitalization of 3.23 billion, a PE ratio of 2,386.57, a P/E/G ratio of 3.39 and a beta of 1.43. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 3,054.49 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 2,900.31. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 66.19. The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 5th will be given a GBX 19 ($0.25) dividend. This represents a yield of 0.65%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 5th. Greggss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 4,850.75%. About Greggs (Get Free Report) Greggs plc operates as a food-on-the-go retailer in the United Kingdom. It offers a range of fresh bakery products, sandwiches, and drinks. The company sells products to franchise and wholesale partners for sale in their own outlets. It is also involved in the property holding, non-trading, and trustee businesses. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Greggs Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Greggs and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF (NYSEARCA:CRBN Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $191.89 and last traded at $191.82, with a volume of 2791 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $191.17. iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF Trading Down 0.4 % The company has a 50 day moving average of $186.42 and a 200 day moving average of $181.65. The firm has a market cap of $990.50 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.64 and a beta of 0.95. Get iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cetera Investment Advisers acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $4,629,000. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its stake in iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF by 2,271.0% in the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 14,629 shares of the companys stock worth $2,686,000 after purchasing an additional 14,012 shares in the last quarter. Aspiriant LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF by 13.0% during the first quarter. Aspiriant LLC now owns 98,109 shares of the companys stock worth $17,610,000 after purchasing an additional 11,277 shares during the last quarter. Sunpointe LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF in the second quarter valued at $1,998,000. Finally, Stonehearth Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF by 25.0% in the second quarter. Stonehearth Capital Management LLC now owns 17,914 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,283,000 after buying an additional 3,578 shares during the last quarter. iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF Company Profile The iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF (CRBN) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target index. The fund tracks an index of stocks from global firms selected for a bias toward lower carbon emissions. CRBN was launched on Dec 9, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock. See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Janus Henderson Group plc (NYSE:JHG Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of Hold from the nine research firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $33.33. Several equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on shares of Janus Henderson Group from $36.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Janus Henderson Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, August 16th. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on Janus Henderson Group from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 8th. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on Janus Henderson Group in a report on Thursday, September 12th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $37.00 price objective for the company. Finally, UBS Group raised Janus Henderson Group from a sell rating to a neutral rating and lifted their target price for the company from $33.00 to $37.00 in a research note on Monday, September 9th. Get Janus Henderson Group alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Janus Henderson Group Insider Activity Institutional Inflows and Outflows In other news, CAO Michelle Rosenberg sold 7,651 shares of Janus Henderson Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.51, for a total value of $279,338.01. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 89,048 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,251,142.48. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . In related news, CAO Michelle Rosenberg sold 7,651 shares of Janus Henderson Group stock in a transaction on Monday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.51, for a total value of $279,338.01. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 89,048 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,251,142.48. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Also, CFO Roger Mj Thompson sold 9,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.38, for a total value of $318,420.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 139,171 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,923,869.98. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last 90 days, insiders bought 492,997 shares of company stock worth $1,667,418 and sold 25,651 shares worth $918,158. Insiders own 19.60% of the companys stock. Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Versant Capital Management Inc purchased a new position in Janus Henderson Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $34,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Janus Henderson Group by 39.7% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,299 shares of the companys stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 369 shares in the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its position in Janus Henderson Group by 401.6% in the 2nd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 1,249 shares of the companys stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Janus Henderson Group by 41.9% during the 1st quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,420 shares of the companys stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 419 shares during the period. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings in shares of Janus Henderson Group by 159.6% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,440 shares of the companys stock valued at $82,000 after acquiring an additional 1,500 shares in the last quarter. 87.94% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Janus Henderson Group Stock Performance Shares of NYSE JHG opened at $36.87 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.67, a current ratio of 4.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The firms 50-day moving average price is $35.96 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $33.86. Janus Henderson Group has a 52-week low of $22.17 and a 52-week high of $39.11. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.91, a P/E/G ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.51. Janus Henderson Group (NYSE:JHG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported $0.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.74 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $588.40 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $568.79 million. Janus Henderson Group had a return on equity of 10.76% and a net margin of 21.02%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 13.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.62 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Janus Henderson Group will post 3.23 earnings per share for the current year. Janus Henderson Group Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 28th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 12th were paid a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.23%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 12th. Janus Henderson Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 58.87%. About Janus Henderson Group (Get Free Report Janus Henderson Group plc is an asset management holding entity. Through its subsidiaries, the firm provides services to institutional, retail clients, and high net worth clients. It manages separate client-focused equity and fixed income portfolios. The firm also manages equity, fixed income, and balanced mutual funds for its clients. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Janus Henderson Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Janus Henderson Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nabors Industries Ltd. (NYSE:NBR Get Free Report)s share price was up 6.2% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $68.32 and last traded at $68.09. Approximately 166,067 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 36% from the average daily volume of 260,332 shares. The stock had previously closed at $64.13. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages recently commented on NBR. Citigroup downgraded shares of Nabors Industries from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $110.00 to $75.00 in a research note on Friday. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $114.00 price target on shares of Nabors Industries in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $104.50. Get Nabors Industries alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Nabors Industries Nabors Industries Stock Up 6.3 % The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.01, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 1.82. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $79.97 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $77.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $729.34 million, a P/E ratio of -4.93 and a beta of 2.12. Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The oil and gas company reported ($4.29) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($1.77) by ($2.52). The business had revenue of $742.98 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $737.91 million. Nabors Industries had a negative return on equity of 28.10% and a negative net margin of 4.73%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned ($2.26) EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Nabors Industries Ltd. will post -11.98 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Nabors Industries Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Quadrant Capital Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Nabors Industries by 202.4% in the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 750 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $61,000 after purchasing an additional 502 shares during the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its position in Nabors Industries by 2,022.2% during the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 764 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $67,000 after acquiring an additional 728 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in Nabors Industries by 29.1% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,474 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $127,000 after acquiring an additional 332 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Nabors Industries during the 2nd quarter worth about $159,000. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its position in shares of Nabors Industries by 5.3% in the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 3,567 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $254,000 after acquiring an additional 181 shares in the last quarter. 81.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Nabors Industries Company Profile (Get Free Report) Nabors Industries Ltd. provides drilling and drilling-related services for land-based and offshore oil and natural gas wells in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: U.S. Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. It provides tubular running services, including casing and tubing running, and torque monitoring; managed pressure drilling services; and drilling-bit steering systems and rig instrumentation software. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Nabors Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nabors Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Plancorp LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV Free Report) by 0.2% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 273,165 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 596 shares during the period. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF accounts for 0.6% of Plancorp LLCs holdings, making the stock its 22nd biggest position. Plancorp LLC owned 0.09% of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF worth $14,489,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of EFV. Stock Yards Bank & Trust Co. boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 1.4% in the second quarter. Stock Yards Bank & Trust Co. now owns 51,344 shares of the companys stock worth $2,723,000 after acquiring an additional 724 shares in the last quarter. Luts & Greenleigh Group Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $749,000. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $225,000. One Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 93.9% during the second quarter. One Capital Management LLC now owns 14,161 shares of the companys stock worth $751,000 after buying an additional 6,858 shares during the period. Finally, Williams Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the second quarter worth $222,000. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Price Performance BATS EFV opened at $56.84 on Tuesday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $54.99 and its 200 day moving average price is $54.44. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 1 year low of $49.15 and a 1 year high of $59.57. The company has a market cap of $17.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.89 and a beta of 0.70. About iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF 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. Recommended Stories 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. Moors & Cabot Inc. raised its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM Free Report) by 18.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 27,321 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,245 shares during the period. Moors & Cabot Inc.s holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $4,749,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Olistico Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. NewSquare Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the second quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, First Community Trust NA acquired a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the second quarter worth about $33,000. 16.51% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have issued reports on TSM. Susquehanna restated a positive rating and set a $250.00 price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Barclays raised their price objective on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $150.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 5th. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $150.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, June 20th. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $130.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC lifted their price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $168.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, July 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $200.00. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Trading Down 2.0 % NYSE:TSM opened at $169.08 on Tuesday. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a 12-month low of $84.01 and a 12-month high of $193.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 2.47 and a quick ratio of 2.21. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $168.29 and a 200 day simple moving average of $157.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $876.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 1.14. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The semiconductor company reported $1.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.11. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 37.85% and a return on equity of 25.54%. The company had revenue of $20.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.33 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.14 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 34.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited will post 6.45 EPS for the current year. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.4871 per share. This represents a $1.95 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.15%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 12th. This is a boost from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings payout ratio is 37.71%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Profile (Free Report) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TransUnion (NYSE:TRU Free Report) had its price target lifted by Barclays from $80.00 to $105.00 in a research note published on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. Barclays currently has an equal weight rating on the business services providers stock. Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on TransUnion in a research report on Tuesday, July 9th. They set a peer perform rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of TransUnion from $85.00 to $106.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of TransUnion to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 13th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of TransUnion from $96.00 to $103.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, September 12th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their price target on TransUnion from $94.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $92.00. Get TransUnion alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on TRU TransUnion Stock Up 0.8 % Shares of NYSE:TRU opened at $101.17 on Friday. TransUnion has a 52-week low of $42.09 and a 52-week high of $101.43. The firm has a market cap of $19.65 billion, a P/E ratio of -70.75, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 1.62. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $88.54 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $80.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 1.66 and a current ratio of 1.66. TransUnion (NYSE:TRU Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The business services provider reported $0.99 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.86 by $0.13. TransUnion had a negative net margin of 6.11% and a positive return on equity of 15.03%. The company had revenue of $1.04 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.02 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.76 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that TransUnion will post 3.44 EPS for the current fiscal year. TransUnion Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 9th. Investors of record on Friday, August 23rd were paid a $0.105 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 23rd. This represents a $0.42 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.42%. TransUnions dividend payout ratio is presently -29.37%. Insider Activity at TransUnion In other TransUnion news, CAO Jennifer A. Williams sold 405 shares of TransUnion stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.58, for a total transaction of $38,709.90. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 7,186 shares of the companys stock, valued at $686,837.88. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other TransUnion news, CFO Todd M. Cello sold 12,865 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total transaction of $1,029,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 101,426 shares in the company, valued at $8,114,080. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CAO Jennifer A. Williams sold 405 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.58, for a total value of $38,709.90. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 7,186 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $686,837.88. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 32,200 shares of company stock valued at $2,665,257. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Capital International Investors purchased a new position in TransUnion during the 4th quarter valued at $663,001,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its stake in TransUnion by 32.2% in the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 16,339,762 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,211,757,000 after buying an additional 3,977,595 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its stake in TransUnion by 51.8% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 6,755,729 shares of the business services providers stock worth $539,108,000 after buying an additional 2,306,596 shares in the last quarter. CCLA Investment Management lifted its holdings in TransUnion by 104,813.6% in the first quarter. CCLA Investment Management now owns 1,947,196 shares of the business services providers stock worth $153,454,000 after buying an additional 1,945,340 shares during the period. Finally, Meritage Group LP grew its holdings in shares of TransUnion by 56.5% during the 4th quarter. Meritage Group LP now owns 5,030,424 shares of the business services providers stock worth $345,640,000 after acquiring an additional 1,815,540 shares during the period. TransUnion Company Profile (Get Free Report) TransUnion operates as a global consumer credit reporting agency that provides risk and information solutions. The company operates through U.S. Markets, International, and Consumer Interactive segments. The U.S. Markets segment provides consumer reports, actionable insights, and analytic services to businesses, which uses its services to acquire new customers; assess consumer ability to pay for services; identify cross-selling opportunities; measure and manage debt portfolio risk; collect debt; verify consumer identities; and mitigate fraud risk. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for TransUnion Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TransUnion and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wells Fargo & Company restated their overweight rating on shares of Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. Wells Fargo & Company currently has a $97.00 price objective on the ride-sharing companys stock. Several other equities research analysts also recently commented on the company. Melius Research began coverage on Uber Technologies in a report on Monday, July 22nd. They set a hold rating and a $77.00 target price on the stock. JMP Securities lifted their price target on shares of Uber Technologies from $75.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $90.00 price target on shares of Uber Technologies in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Loop Capital raised their price objective on shares of Uber Technologies from $83.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 3rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Uber Technologies from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirty-one have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $87.60. Get Uber Technologies alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Uber Technologies Uber Technologies Stock Performance Uber Technologies stock opened at $71.52 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 1.21. Uber Technologies has a 12 month low of $40.09 and a 12 month high of $82.14. The company has a market cap of $149.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 115.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.33. The stocks 50-day moving average is $69.42 and its 200-day moving average is $70.83. Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The ride-sharing company reported $0.47 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.16. Uber Technologies had a net margin of 5.02% and a return on equity of 17.06%. The firm had revenue of $10.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.57 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.18 earnings per share. Uber Technologiess revenue was up 15.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Uber Technologies will post 1.06 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Transactions at Uber Technologies In other news, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi sold 500,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.91, for a total value of $35,955,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,266,114 shares in the company, valued at approximately $91,046,257.74. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 3.84% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Uber Technologies Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Uber Technologies by 34.8% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 167,629,367 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $10,320,940,000 after purchasing an additional 43,275,830 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Uber Technologies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,415,778,000. Edgewood Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Uber Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at $783,401,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in shares of Uber Technologies by 37.8% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 36,425,981 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $2,804,437,000 after acquiring an additional 9,996,508 shares during the period. Finally, GQG Partners LLC grew its holdings in Uber Technologies by 74.1% in the first quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 22,423,451 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $1,726,381,000 after purchasing an additional 9,541,366 shares during the period. 80.24% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Uber Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Uber Technologies, Inc develops and operates proprietary technology applications in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia excluding China and Southeast Asia. It operates through three segments: Mobility, Delivery, and Freight. The Mobility segment connects consumers with a range of transportation modalities, such as ridesharing, carsharing, micromobility, rentals, public transit, taxis, and other modalities; and offers riders in a variety of vehicle types, as well as financial partnerships products and advertising services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Uber Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Uber Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Virtu Financial LLC raised its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report) by 1,403.0% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 49,373 shares of the restaurant operators stock after purchasing an additional 46,088 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLCs holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $3,093,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in CMG. Swedbank AB purchased a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 1st quarter valued at about $53,979,000. Transform Wealth LLC grew its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,760.7% during the 2nd quarter. Transform Wealth LLC now owns 9,527 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $597,000 after purchasing an additional 9,331 shares during the last quarter. First Hawaiian Bank lifted its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,731.0% in the second quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 17,150 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,074,000 after purchasing an additional 16,795 shares during the last quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,747.7% during the second quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 20,409 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,279,000 after buying an additional 19,988 shares during the period. Finally, MJP Associates Inc. ADV grew its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 5,588.0% during the second quarter. MJP Associates Inc. ADV now owns 12,798 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $802,000 after buying an additional 12,573 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.31% of the companys stock. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Insider Activity In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, insider Curtis E. Garner sold 17,394 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.68, for a total transaction of $951,103.92. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 358,300 shares of the companys stock, valued at $19,591,844. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Curtis E. Garner sold 15,750 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.02, for a total transaction of $866,565.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 473,514 shares of the companys stock, valued at $26,052,740.28. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Curtis E. Garner sold 17,394 shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was 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 approximately $19,591,844. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 34,934 shares of company stock valued at $1,918,589 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 1.02% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on CMG shares. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $57.00 to $55.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Stephens reissued an equal weight rating and set a $61.00 price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. Argus lifted their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $73.36 to $77.76 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 18th. Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and set a $69.00 price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Finally, Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $65.00 to $59.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Chipotle Mexican Grill currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $62.36. Check Out Our Latest Report on CMG Chipotle Mexican Grill Trading Up 2.7 % Shares of NYSE CMG opened at $57.66 on Tuesday. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 12-month low of $35.37 and a 12-month high of $69.26. The firm has a market capitalization of $79.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 61.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 1.25. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $54.26 and a 200 day moving average of $81.12. Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The restaurant operator reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.32 by $0.02. The firm 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 revenue for the quarter was up 18.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $12.65 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.08 EPS for the current year. About Chipotle Mexican Grill (Free Report) Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC Get Free Report) has received an average rating of Moderate Buy from the eight brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $184.71. A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on WESCO International from $195.00 to $172.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Stephens reissued an overweight rating and issued a $190.00 price target on shares of WESCO International in a research report on Monday, August 5th. KeyCorp lowered their price target on WESCO International from $205.00 to $195.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Loop Capital lowered their price target on WESCO International from $200.00 to $190.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. Finally, Baird R W lowered WESCO International from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 29th. Get WESCO International alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on WESCO International WESCO International Price Performance WESCO International stock opened at $163.94 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.65, a PEG ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 2.03. WESCO International has a 52-week low of $122.30 and a 52-week high of $195.43. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $161.74 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $165.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a current ratio of 2.28. WESCO International (NYSE:WCC Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The technology company reported $3.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.48 by ($0.27). WESCO International had a return on equity of 14.44% and a net margin of 3.30%. The business had revenue of $5.48 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.55 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.71 earnings per share. WESCO Internationals quarterly revenue was down 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that WESCO International will post 12.17 earnings per share for the current year. WESCO International Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a $0.4125 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $1.65 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.01%. WESCO Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 13.74%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WCC. Rise Advisors LLC bought a new position in WESCO International in the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. boosted its position in shares of WESCO International by 71.1% during the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 166 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of WESCO International by 65.4% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 253 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of WESCO International during the 2nd quarter valued at about $152,000. Finally, TimesSquare Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of WESCO International during the 1st quarter valued at about $463,000. Institutional investors own 93.76% of the companys stock. About WESCO International (Get Free Report WESCO International, Inc provides business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Electrical & Electronic Solutions (EES), Communications & Security Solutions (CSS), and Utility and Broadband Solutions (UBS). Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for WESCO International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WESCO International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A County Derry prison received a total of 1425 complaints from prisoners in the last year, according to new data. The data provided to the County Derry Post from a Freedom of Information request to The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS), covering the period of 1/8/2023 and 31/7/24 in HMP Magilligan, along with ongoing complaints at the time of publication. Complaints regarding property and cash were the most common, with over 212 complaints made by prisoners. Of the 212 complaints, eight of them were closed and discharged, while 52 were closed after an internal investigation was completed and 152 closed after not being escalated. Closed after an internal investigation was completed and closed with no escalation refer to complaints that have been resolved internally and therefore not progressed further. In total, there were 39 different complaints made by prisoners in HMP Magilligan. Complaints made about staff were second highest on the list, with 196 total complaints made by prisoners. Three of the complaints were closed and discharged, while there were 37 closed with a completed internal investigation, and there were 155 closed after not being escalated, while there is currently one case currently open. Accomodation received the third most amount of complaints from prisoners; 153 of them were closed and not escalated, 26 of them closed with an internal investigation, and two of them were closed and discharged. This means there were a total of 181 complaints regarding accommodation. Only complaints about links received over 100 from prisoners in HMP Magilligan with 104. Currently there is a case ongoing, while five complaints have been closed and discharged, with seven of them closed after a completed internal investigation, meaning 91 complaints were closed after not being escalated. There are currently five open complaints, including one complaint each about staff, links, and in a foreign language, while there are currently two ongoing complaints about pre-release. From the 1425 complaints made by prisoners at HMP Magilligan, 32 of them were closed and discharged. This includes complaints made about food, home leave, tuckshop and visits. Meanwhile, there were a total of 252 complaints closed after an internal investigation was completed, including 11 for work allocation, 11 about complaint procedure, and 12 for adjudication. There were 1136 complaints that were closed after not escalating from the total of 1425 complaints. This includes 13 complaints about education, 22 complaints about another inmate, and 29 about the programmes in HMP Magilligan. A NI Prison Service spokesperson said: On any given day over the past year, Magilligan Prison held approximately 500 men in custody. Awareness of and access to an open and transparent complaints procedure is an important way for prisoners to raise their concerns and have them dealt with in a timely manner. This approach allows for early resolution of issues, the evidencing of completed actions, and is beneficial to those who live and work within the prison, supporting the Prison Service to continue to improve services for people in their care. The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr, has been in Washington, D.C. in recent days, where she was invited to speak at the 53rd annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Legislative Conference. The theme of this years event, From Vision to Victory: Amplifying Black Voices focused on critical issues impacting education, health, technology, civic engagement, and equity. One of the key topics of discussion was the growing attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The CBCF Annual Legislative Conference, held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, is a premier gathering of policymakers, thought leaders, activists, and community members dedicated to advancing the global Black community. The agenda included a National Town Hall on equal economic opportunity, as well as diverse panels aimed at securing and sustaining progress for Black people across the globe. Mayor Seenoi Barr was among a number of international delegates invited to speak at this high-profile conference. In addition to addressing key issues affecting the Black community, this years discussions challenged rising authoritarianism, global anti-Blackness, and explored pioneering legislative and policy solutions. In the lead-up to the conference, Mayor Seenoi Barr participated in a series of meetings with officials from the U.S. State Department, the Irish Embassy in Washington, and various members of Congress. These engagements provided an opportunity to advocate for economic opportunities in Derry City and Strabane district, with a focus on tourism, trade, and investment. Speaking after the conference, Mayor Seenoi Barr said: I was honoured to be invited to address the Annual Legislative Conference. It was a fantastic platform to highlight Derry and Strabanes efforts in promoting racial equity and inclusion, and to showcase some of the incredible work being done to connect communities and address inequality. I also had the opportunity to engage with some visionary academics, politicians, policymakers, and potential investors, making the case for Derrys economic growth through tourism and trade. The CBCFs mission to advance the global Black community by cultivating leadership and informing policy resonates strongly with Mayor Seenoi Barrs vision for inclusive economic growth. She emphasised, As someone who believes in shared growth and economic prosperity for everyone, I know that by supporting the most vulnerable in society, we ensure benefits for all. I look forward to building on the connections made during this trip to further our goals of racial equity and economic development for Derry and Strabane." "The Annual Legislative Conference is more than just a conference; it is a catalyst for change," said a CBCF spokesperson. "Our mission is to uplift, empower, and advance the Black community by cultivating leadership, informing policy, and educating the public." Pictured above, left to right, Helen McLaughlin, Age NI Engagement Manager, Wilma Stewart, Age NI Consultative Forum, Linda Robinson, Age NI CEO, Alderman Darren Guy, Deputy Mayor Derry City and Strabane District Council, Hilary McDowell, Age NI Trustee, Ann Murray, Age NI Consultative Forum, Anne Murray, Age NI Consultative Forum and Paschal McKeown, Age NI Charity Director. Age NI, the leading charity for older people in Northern Ireland, held its Consultative Forum residential meeting last week at the City Hotel in Derry. The two-day event brought together 30 members from across Northern Ireland to discuss key issues related to ageing and the environment under the theme "Healthy Ageing, Healthy Planet." The event was attended by Deputy Mayor, Alderman Darren Guy. The Age NI Consultative Forum plays a vital role within the organisation, representing the voices of older people across Northern Ireland. Through regular meetings, the forum members contribute their insights, shaping the direction of Age NI and influencing decisions that impact older people's lives. The forum is instrumental in advocating for the inclusion of older people's perspectives in decision-making processes involving government departments, health trusts, and service providers. The theme of "Healthy Ageing, Healthy Planet" underlined the close connection between personal well-being and environmental health. Older people must be able to live with dignity, independence, and purpose. At the same time, they acknowledged that a sustainable environment is key to achieving these goals. Age NI CEO, Linda Robinson said, Its brilliant to be in the North West this week hosting the Age NI consultative forum residential and fantastic to welcome the Deputy Mayor along to get involved. We believe that fostering healthy ageing goes hand-in-hand with nurturing a healthy planet. Our commitment is to ensure that future generations can thrive in a sustainable world. Deputy Mayor, Alderman Darren Guy said, It is essential that we continue to integrate these two vital aspectsensuring that our efforts to promote healthy ageing go hand in hand with our responsibility to protect and sustain our planet. Your discussions and insights on these matters will undoubtedly contribute to shaping a future where older people can thrive in a healthy and sustainable environment. Research shows that older people are among the first casualties of climate change with increased risks of health complications from issues like extreme heat and air pollution. The meeting was an opportunity for the forum to strengthen its resolve in promoting the well-being of older people and the sustainability of the planet, with a focus on creating a healthier, more inclusive society for all generations. A Derry-based organisation which has supported thousands of men and their families over three decades has had to suspend services due to a lack of funding. Last month, Mens Action Network (MAN) announced that it had to suspend new referrals and was at risk of having to close its doors due to a funding crisis. Mens Action Network also raised concern that, despite requests from all five Foyle MLAs, the Health Minister Mike Nesbitt declined to meet with the charity. In a statement, chairperson John McAtamney said: It is with deep regret that we announce the suspension of services at Mens Action Network (MAN) after 30 years of providing support within our community. This decision was not made lightly, as we fully understand the vital role our charity plays in supporting men and families in our community. For nearly 30 years, MAN has been a beacon of hope for men in need, including victims of male domestic abuse who often have limited options for specialized support. We remain committed to our mission and are determined to return in the future, stronger and better equipped to continue this invaluable work. We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff and volunteers whose tireless efforts have been the cornerstone of our charity. We also extend our thanks to those who have voiced their sorrow and anger over our closure. Your support and encouragement highlight the profound need for our services and reinforce our commitment to finding a path forward. He continued: We are especially concerned that, despite requests from all five Foyle MLAs, two successive Health Ministers declined to meet with our charity. These meetings were crucial for exploring potential support that could have sustained our operations. According to our business case, every 1 invested in MAN saves 10 of the public purse, demonstrating the significant value of our work not only in terms of financial savings but also in alleviating pressure on the NHS, which regularly refers individuals to our services. Our charitys absence leaves a significant gap in support for men, particularly those experiencing domestic abuse. We know that many will be left wondering where to turn now, and we urge other community organisations and stakeholders to step in where possible. Concluding, John said: The value of MANs nearly 30 years of work is recognised as invaluable and irreplaceable by numerous organizations and politicians, highlighting the uniqueness of the services we have provided. We are profoundly disappointed by the lack of governmental support that has contributed to this outcome, but our resolve to serve our community remains undiminished. To all those who have used our services, we thank you for your trust and courage. "While MAN may be temporarily closing its doors, we encourage you to continue reaching out to other available resources in our community for help and supportyou are not alone. As we navigate this challenging period, we remain hopeful and are actively exploring all options to rebuild and relaunch MAN. Our goal is to return stronger, ready to once again provide the critical support that our community so desperately needs. Thank you for standing with us and for your belief in the importance of our work. Together, we can continue to strive for a future where all individuals have access to the help they need. Sinn Fein MLA Padraig Delargy has said every effort must be made to restore life saving services at Derry mental health charity Mens Action Network (MAN). The Foyle MLA said: News that Derry based mental charity Mens Action Network (MAN) have suspended services due to the loss of funding is deeply concerning. I have worked with MAN for several years and have seen first-hand the impactful and life changing work their incredible staff do in our city. They have been providing life-saving mental health support to people from all communities for over 30 years. I have requested to meet with the Health Minister to discuss what funding can be put in place to ensure Mens Action Networks doors can stay open. Its deeply frustrating that he has not yet agreed to meet with us, but I will continue working to ensure every effort is made to restore services at this vital charity. A protest titled "Get Angry and Come Outside" is scheduled to take place on September 19 at 8:00 PM in Freedom Square, Tbilisi. The rally is being organized by the civil movement Talgha in response to recent remarks made by Bidzina Ivanishvili regarding the 2008 conflict with South Ossetia.The protest comes after Ivanishvili's controversial speech in Gori on September 14, where he stated, "After the October 26 election, we must find the strength within ourselves to apologize for the actions of the treasonous National Movement, which in 2008 engulfed our Ossetian brothers and sisters in flames."The organizers of the protest urged citizens to gather at Freedom Square around the Saint George Monument, stating, "Get angry and come outside! Join Talgha on Thursday, September 19, at Freedom Square."The demonstration aims to express opposition to Ivanishvili's comments, which many see as an attempt to shift responsibility for the conflict.Giorgi Shanidze, who was arrested during protests against the controversial Foreign Agents Law has been sentenced to four years in prison. The decision was handed down by Judge Mikheil Jinjolia.A protest is currently taking place outside the Tbilisi City Court in response to the verdict.Shanidze was charged under two articles of the Georgian Criminal Code. The first charge, under Article 187, involves the damage or destruction of another person's property that caused significant harm. The second charge, under Article 265, relates to the cultivation of narcotic substances (cannabis), which was added to his case at a later stage.Shanidze's sentencing has sparked further protests, with demonstrators criticizing the harsh penalties imposed on activists involved in anti-government protests. Stroke survivors and campaigners including Derry native Clodagh Dunlop, handed over a Stroke Association NI petition calling on the Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to make the stroke treatment thrombectomy available 24/7 in Northern Ireland. In April 2015, Clodagh had a brain stem stroke which initially left her with locked-in syndrome. This led her to become completely paralysed and she was only able to communicate by using her eyes. She received the stroke treatment thrombectomy, which she says saved her life as she most likely would have died had doctors not been able to act as quickly as they did to save her life. Speaking on handing over the petition to the Health Minister, Clodagh said: Today is a hugely important day and it gives me optimism for the future. The charity says it is vital that the procedure is available for everyone who needs it no matter when they have their stroke. Thrombectomy is a revolutionary procedure where clots are plucked from the brain and it can save patients from severe disability or death and is most effective within six hours. However, it is currently only available between 8am and 6pm which means that anyone admitted outside of these hours would have to wait until the following morning. Every minute a stroke is left untreated 1.9 million brain cells die, so the delay could have devastating consequences. The charitys 3,500 name petition handed in at Stormont calls on the Health Minister to deliver on the Department of Health Stroke Action Plan commitment to make thrombectomy available 24/7 by the end of this year. Alasdair OHara, Northern Ireland Director at the Stroke Association, said: Thrombectomy is an extremely cost-effective procedure that leads to huge cost savings due to a significant reduction in disability and long-term costs to healthcare systems. So clearly it is an investment worth making. We are calling on the Health Minister to honour the Governments commitment to deliver 24/7 thrombectomy for everyone who needs it. More than 3,500 people have signed this petition because they know thrombectomy saves brains, saves money and saves lives. Sunday marked the 2,000 day anniversary of the initial commitment to expand thrombectomy in reshaping stroke care. It is now time to make stroke a priority and deliver this commitment. Paula Bradshaw MLA, Chair of the All-Party Group on Stroke, said: The Department of Health previously committed to delivering a 24/7 service for Northern Ireland by the end of 2024, but it now says that that is unlikely to happen. This is unacceptable and will lead to more serious disabilities and, unfortunately, death in some cases. Now is the time to make thrombectomy treatment for stroke patients a priority. Failing to do so will have devastating consequences for so many lives. A man who assaulted a man waiting on a taxi in a city centre assault has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrate's Court today. Martin Anthony O'Connor (29) of Northland Road in Derry admitted a series of offences that occurred on February 3 2024. The court heard that police were alerted by CCTV to an ongoing fight in the William Street area where a large crowd had gathered. They restrained the defendant who was described as being 'very aggressive' and lashed out at police. Police were told the injured party had been waiting for a taxi with his daughter when there was a verbal alteration with a friend of the defendant who also joined in. The injured party was kicked to the ground and O'Connor was seen kicking him. The court heard that the defendant told police he was 'ashamed' of his behaviour. Defence counsel Sinead Rogan said that her client had pleaded guilty at an early opportunity. She said that the incident was fuelled by drunkenness and this was not 'normal behaviour' for O'Connor. The defendant was sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for three years and ordered to pay 500 in compensation to the officer he assaulted. A man has appeared at Derry Magistrates Court charged with assault, criminal damage and making threats to kill his uncle and his uncle's dog. David Baranowski (33) of Broighter Road in Derry was arrested after police were called by his uncle following an alleged altercation after Baranowski was said to have complained that his uncle's dogs were too loud. Baranowski was then said to have threatened to kick and shoot the dogs, allegedly claiming that he had a pipe bomb. Police objected to bail as Baranowski has 81 previous convictions, including ten for criminal damage and a number of assaults. He also had seven suspended sentences and fourteen previous breaches of bail. An officer said police believed there was no chance the defendant would abide by any bail conditions. Defense solicitor Seamus Quigley said that the incident began over a noise complaint about his uncle's dogs and subsequently turned nasty, adding that Baranowski's uncle had given a body worn account to police and made a statement. District Judge Barney McElhom granted bail, telling Baranowski that he was giving him 'one chance' but that he 'fully expected' that he wouldn't take it. He will appear again on October 10. The family of Arlene Arkinson say they are 'gutted' at the ending of a major search and dig operation for her remains in a remote Glenfin forest. Gardai scoured Ballybobaneen Forest near Cloghan in an attempt to find fresh clues that might lead them to the body of the 15-year-old Castlederg girl who went missing following a night out in Bundoran in 1994. Over a dozen gardai, including local detectives and uniformed officers, were involved in a meticulous comb of the wooded area following a tip-off. A crawler excavator and a search dog, Charlie, were also used by gardai. On Saturday, the search was called off. It was the second such operation in County Donegal this year following a similar search in the Castlefin area in May. We are gutted, Arlene's sister Kathleen told Donegal Live. I am sad, but I still won't give up hope. It was amazing to see them all out searching for Arlene again. They are amazing. I had very good hope again, but I was still afraid because it is a wild let down. Some of the Arkinson family, including Kathleen and her sister Paula, and their solicitor, Des Doherty, visited the remote site last week. Gardai kept the site under constant watch as they carried out the painstaking search. It lifted the heart a wee bit, Kathleen said. I thought that definitely this is it and she was there. It just seemed like an ideal area. It was a full month since we had the 30th vigil so it all seemed to be rolling into it. We went over, but every five minutes was precious to them so we didn't stay too long. We can't thank the people enough. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to them. It was a big operation that had to be planned. We definitely take good heart that Arlene has not been forgotten and we won't give up the fight for Arlene. She has to be somewhere. It's sad when you see people there searching for your wee sister. It's sad to look at grown people looking for a wee girl because those people all have hearts too. They are all just ordinary people with families. You don't want it to end. You want to carry on, but then you just know that they couldn't do any more. The guards are taking it very seriously and they are determined. Gardai search at Ballybobaneen Forest near Cloghan. (North West Newspix) Several searches have taken place in the years since Arlene was last seen in August 1994. Arlene was last seen in a car driven by serial killer Robert Howard on August 14, 1994, and her body has never been found. It was ruled at an inquest in 2021 Arlene was abducted and murdered by Howard, a native of County Laois who died in prison in 2015, aged 71. Robert Howard, a violent sexual offender, and the last person to be seen with Arlene in the early hours of August 14th, 1994, was responsible for her death. The mechanism of death is unknown, the coroner, Brian Sherrard, said at Omagh courthouse. Howard was previously charged with Arlene's murder in 2002, but acquitted in 2005. He died in hospital while in the custody of an English prison, HMP Frankland, in 2015. At the time, he was serving a life sentence for the rape and murder of Hannah Williams, a 14-year-old from London whose body was found in 2002. The Arkinson family still hope that the body of their beloved Arlene can be found despite their latest false dawn. Search took place at the Arkinson home in 1996 while there have also been searches of the Killen area in County Tyrone in 2016 having searched an apartment in Castlederg in 2012. In 2018, a body exhumed in Grange, County Sligo as part of a search operation was found to not be hers. Arlene is in my thoughts every day, Kathleen said. I want to thank everyone who sent nice messages and prayers and lit candles during the search. It was so thoughtful of people. There are good people out there. I just hope that anyone who might have information might come forward. It might feel like it's something small to them, but it could be massive. I am just appealing to people who have anything or know anything at all. It could be significant to our search. We just want to find Arlene. I do believe that she will be found. The UK Government should immediately lift a funding pause on city and growth deaths for two Northern Ireland regions, Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald has said. Ms Archibald said the deals covering Causeway Coast and Glens and the Mid South West would be the catalyst for economic growth and jobs creation. The minister met with Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn on Monday night. She said: The Executive and indeed elected members from right across the Assembly Chamber are united in our message that the pause must be lifted immediately for the Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid South West growth deals. The whole of Northern Ireland is covered by four city and growth deals worth a total of 1.7 billion. A Westminster Government decision to pause funding until its upcoming spending review was met by widespread anger from local politicians when it was announced late on Friday. Over the weekend it was clarified that two of the deals Belfast regions, and Londonderry City and Strabane will not be affected by the suspension. Ms Archibald had previously said she would be seeking clarity on the future of the deals for Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid South West. The deals, which advance investment and infrastructure projects in specific areas, involve bespoke funding arrangements between the Treasury, the Stormont Executive and local partners. The Belfast regions deal has already been signed by the Government and the Derry/Strabane deal is set to be signed this week. The other two deals, which are subject to the funding pause, are not as far forward in development. In an update, Ms Archibald said she had made it clear there should be no disparity in how the four deals are treated. She said: Local government and deal partners have invested considerable time, effort, commitment and enthusiasm into their deals, which will be a catalyst for economic growth and creating good jobs. I made clear to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury last night that there can be no disparity in treatment of the deals and that these regions should not have to wait until the spending review for clarity. I am determined to continue engaging with the British Government to make the case on the importance of these deals in delivering economic growth across the north. A new draft five-year plan will help set the direction of policing in Northern Ireland, PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has said. A public consultation has been launched on the draft Policing Plan 2025-2030 published by the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the PSNI. The plan sets three outcomes for policing: the PSNI will be victim-focused, Northern Ireland will have safe and engaged communities with confidence in policing, and the force will have a representative, valued and enabled workforce. An online consultation has opened and a number of engagement events will be held across Northern Ireland between now and the end of the consultation period on December 10. Board vice chair Brendan Mullan said: Both the board and the Chief Constable have spoken at great length about the challenges facing policing over the last five years. This plan gives us an opportunity to turn our attention to the future, and how we hope policing and police oversight will serve the people of Northern Ireland and help create safe and engaged communities. We also need to make sure that the PSNI as an organisation is properly resourced and enabled to deliver on the outcomes set so that the community can have confidence in the service being delivered. He added: This plan focuses on the positive changes we can make to enable PSNI to deliver the service that the public expect and deserve. The Policing Plan is an important part of delivering a safer community in Northern Ireland, but it is not the only part. We must continue to work in partnership across all levels of society, to create the future we want. Mr Boutcher, who has consistently raised concerns about a budget crisis facing the force, said the new plan sets out what the PSNI wants to achieve in the next five years. He said: It reflects our strategic direction, what we are going to do and how we are going to do it. As we do the job of keeping people safe and tackling crime we will be focused on outcomes in three key areas: supporting victims, making communities safer and enabling and supporting our workforce. We cannot deliver effective policing without the support of the public and our partners. Particularly now, against the backdrop of increasingly limited resources and growing demand, it is crucial that everyone takes this opportunity to shape our plans for the future of policing. I urge anyone with an interest in making Northern Ireland a safer place to live and work to take this opportunity to engage and share their views. A delivery group tasked with developing a new management authority to support the controlled schools sector has been announced. The sector comprises almost half the schools in Northern Ireland including nursery, special, primary, secondary, grammar, integrated and Irish medium, directly controlled by the Education Authority through school boards of governors. A number of other school sectors have their own managing authorities. Education Minister Paul Givan told the Stormont Assembly earlier that he felt the Education Authority had failed the controlled sector. Responding to a question from DUP MLA Maurice Bradley, Mr Givan said: I do regret that I believe in many respects, the Education Authority has failed controlled schools. As a result of the structures that exist, they have become the poor relations within education and that needs to change. They need equitable, effective support. He paid tribute to the work of the Controlled Schools Support Council with limited resources and no statutory powers. The recent Independent Review of Education report highlighted the complicated systems for school management which are in particular, sub optimal for the controlled sector and proposed that sectors should be supported with greater consistency and equity, he said. Mr Givan later announced the establishment of a delivery and implementation group to lead in the development of a management authority to support the controlled schools sector. It is to be chaired by Mark Baker, currently chief executive of the Controlled Schools Support Council, and will also include Richard Pengelly, chief executive of the Education Authority as well as Ronnie Armour, deputy Secretary at the Department of Education. Mr Givan said in the statement: Controlled schools are a core part of our education system, comprising almost half of all school categories across Northern Ireland including nursery, special, primary, secondary, grammar, integrated and Irish medium schools. I am committed to working collaboratively with schools, the Education Authority and the Controlled Schools Support Council to deliver effective and equitable support and management for the sector in both the short and long term. I want this work to commence without delay and I have asked Mark Baker to report back to me with proposals by the end of December 2024. A teachers trade union has asked Mr Givan to explain further his comments. Justin McCamphill, NASUWT national official said it was shocking to hear the minister tell the Northern Ireland Assembly today that in many respects the Education Authority has failed Controlled Schools. It is now incumbent on the Minister to set out how exactly he believes the Education Authority has failed controlled schools and the precise impact that this has had on children and young people. Even if true, the answer to the alleged failure cannot be to create further duplication in the education system. Mr McCamphill called for the establishment of a single overarching employing body. He said that would improve industrial relations, reduce wasteful duplication, promote operational efficiency and ensure the release of funding to support the improvement of front-line service delivery, a more developed non-teaching school workforce and a greater focus on enabling teachers to focus on teaching and learning. The Guaranteed Irish Business Awards were launched last week and are looking for entries in Louth. This year the awards will showcase the best of Irish enterprise, honouring companies that continue to make a big impact in our economy, in communities, and within the Guaranteed Irish ecosystem. Following the success of the awards held in March of this year, which coincided with Guaranteed Irishs 50th anniversary, the momentum will be kept going into 2025. With over 2,500 members, these awards are all about recognising those who go above and beyond to support local jobs, and each other, whatever the sector. Read Next: Louth TD welcomes Dundalk FC development The awards to be held in The Round Room at The Mansion House, Thursday 20th March '25, will be shining a spotlight on excellence across a range of categories including Sustainability, Construction, Food & Beverage, Technology, Pharmaceuticals and Leadership. A panel of industry leaders will have the tough job of selecting the finalists and overall winners, who wont just take home an awardtheyll also be invited to join the prestigious Guaranteed Irish CEO Alumni network. This year will be extra special for one Guaranteed Irish member business. They have the chance to win a 50,000 communications package for a company with over 50+ employees. Guaranteed Irish are offering marketing and communications support to a company who employs 50+ people, putting them in the spotlight and ramping up their marketing efforts for 2025 across Ireland. It covers a host of platforms including National & Regional Radio, Print, Digital and PR, totalling a value of 50,000. The competition is open to licensed members of Guaranteed Irish in 24/25. The good news is businesses who are not members can still join today and avail of this unique opportunity. The ongoing issues facing Early Years and School Age Care settings in Louth can only be addressed with long-term planning and higher investment, according to Early Childhood Ireland. Ahead of the Dail reopening tomorrow, the leading sector organisation is calling for a new investment target for Early Years and School Age Care with a five-year plan, to guarantee that it is achieved. Frances Byrne, Director of Policy at Early Childhood Ireland, said, Budget 2025 is the last chance for this government to deliver for the estimated 5,278 children who attend settings in Louth and make a lasting difference for future generations too. The current government can rightly claim that it has already doubled investment in Early Years and School Age Care, but as Ireland remains at the bottom of the international funding table, much more needs to be done, starting with a new financial target, Ms Byrne added. According to the latest OECD report, Ireland ranks among the lowest in government funding for Early Years. The Education at a Glance report, published last week, highlights Ireland's allocation of just 0.1% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to Early Yearsa stark contrast to countries like Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, where over 1.5% of GDP is dedicated to this critical area. Its clear that Ireland has a long way to go if we want to guarantee access to high-quality Early Years provision which is easily available to children and their families in other wealthy countries, said Ms Byrne. There is broad political support for higher investment in Early Years and School Age Care. Now is the time for the government to propose a plan bridging the forthcoming Budget and the following years, outlining the level of funding which will be made available each year, and the yearly priorities. The Taoiseach recently announced that his Party will deliver an action plan for Early Years in Ireland. While we welcome this commitment, this plan must be long-term and inclusive of all young children from birth. It needs to look at the system as a whole, including Family Leave, capacity planning and staffing." Early Childhood Ireland proposes a five-year plan and believes that the first year should focus on improving terms and conditions for the 30,000 staff who work in 4,483 Early Years and School Age Care settings in Ireland. Staff recruitment and retention is undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges our 83 member settings in Louth are currently grappling with, Ms Byrne said. According to the latest Pobal Annual Early Years Sector Profile, a significant number of children under the age of three are on waiting lists for an Early Years service in Louth. The organisation urges the government to implement a national and local planning system with two-year and five-year cycles to ensure we have enough places for children in every community. Parents shouldnt have to put their childs name down for a creche before theyve even arrived in the world. We have the data on how many children are born each year, and its time for the government to act and set up a proper system to meet their needs and rights, Ms Byrne commented. Ahead of Budget 2025, Early Childhood Ireland has set out 4 Asks for Children calling for a sustained and sustainable workforce, improved capacity planning, a five-year plan with a new investment target, and increased Family Leave. There is also a final and urgent ask which is for high-level, visible and persistent political leadership. Ireland needs a visionary government that will set out what the first five years of childrens lives should look like and lead the way in achieving it, Ms Byrne concluded. Irelands former minister for finance Michael McGrath has been announced as the EUs next Commissioner for Justice. Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he had no doubt Mr McGrath would serve on the commission with great energy and diligence. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen revealed the portfolios for the new team of commissioners in Strasbourg on Tuesday morning. The appointment of the new commissioners still has to be ratified by the European Parliament. Mr McGrath was awarded the Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law portfolio. The Commissioner for Justice is responsible for leading the EUs efforts to tackle breaches of the rule of law by member states. The commissioner is also responsible for enforcing legislation such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Ms von der Leyen said: I have entrusted him with the responsibility to take forward the European Democracy Shield. He will also lead our work on the rule of law, anti-corruption and consumer protection. She added: Michael McGrath has an excellent track record, and he has experience in a leading ministry. So, working his way through political questions, the commissioners are not technical experts. They are political leaders. Mr McGrath had been given a strong and influential appointment, the Taoiseach has said. In a statement, Simon Harris said: I have worked closely with President Ursula Von der Leyen in recent weeks and todays announcement is a vote of confidence in Irelands candidate. Anti-corruption and consumer protection will be amongst his many powers and duties, as well as the wide-ranging justice portfolio. I have worked with Michael at Cabinet and he has the skill set and the work ethic to make a massive impact in this brief. Meanwhile, Mr Martin congratulated Mr McGrath on his appointment. He said: I have no doubt Michael will serve on the EU Commission with great energy and diligence in this significant role, protecting the rights of consumers, the rule of law and tackling corruption. It was important that the Irish Government nominated a commissioner of the highest calibre, and Michael will no doubt bring all of his experience in government here to his new job in Europe. Mr McGrath stepped down as finance minister several weeks ago to become Irelands EU commissioner nominee. The nomination to become Irelands next EU commissioner was the choice of the Fianna Fail party under the terms of an agreement between the three parties forming Irelands coalition Government. Fianna Fail MEP for Dublin, Barry Andrews, said the role would call on Mr McGraths significant political skills. He added: Enforcement of the EU treaties is not just a matter for Hungary but for all member states and commissioner-designate McGrath will hopefully take a leading role over the course of this mandate. His financial acumen will not be wasted as he will be able to contribute to policy discussions on the new multi-annual financial framework (2027-2034) which are likely to kick off during next summer. Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said he is not yet convinced that the new Labour Government will fully repeal the previous administrations controversial Act to deal with the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles. Mr Martin said that there had to be a new framework to deal with legacy which included an investigative as well as an information retrieval arm. He also backed calls by the family of murdered GAA official Sean Brown for a public inquiry into his death. Labour has said that it will repeal the Legacy Act which was introduced by the Tories and which halted scores of civil cases and inquests into Troubles deaths. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has said he will restore inquests and civil cases but has also pledged to retain the the truth recovery body established by the Act the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). The establishment of the Commission was criticised by the families of Troubles victims and political parties in Northern Ireland. Last week, Mr Benn announced that a public inquiry would be established into the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane, who was shot dead in front of his family at their Belfast home in 1989. However, he rejected a call for a similar inquiry into the murder of Mr Brown in 1997 and has advised the family to speak to the ICRIR. Mr Martin told RTEs Morning Ireland programme that he wanted to see a public inquiry into the killing. He added: I see the dilemmas generally in relation to legacy. I think we lost about four years with the British Conservative governments decision to unilaterally develop a new Legacy Act. The current government is saying it is going to repeal and replace that. Ive entered into discussions with Hilary Benn on that. Mr Martin said: I am backing the (Brown) family, and Im also backing a stronger Legacy Act, which would have an investigative arm to it as well as an information retrieval arm. Thats the key issue, because theres many people out there, there are many victims of Provisional IRA violence, that have had absolutely no closure in 25 years, (victims) of loyalist paramilitaries that have no closure and of state collusion. He added: So, what Im pushing for with Hilary Benn is once and for all can we get a legacy act, can we get a legacy framework. Mr Martin was asked if he was convinced Labour would repeal the Legacy Act. He said: Im not convinced yet. I think the discussions we have had suggest that theyre mulling over the nature of the reforms of the ICRIR, which is the body that has been created in the last Act, which many victims groups have concerns about. The Irish Government has brought an interstate legal case against the UK, claiming the new legacy laws breach the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Mr Martin said: It (the legal challenge) is still active. The British government has indicated that they will be bringing forward legislation to amend the act and to also put flesh on the bone of the proposals that theyve already announced. 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. 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Siptu sector organiser John McCamley said the union is urgently seeking engagement with NAS management. There are deep concerns about how many shifts will be lost by not providing overtime arrangements as they currently exist, and were calling on management to properly staff and resource the services in the Cork and Kerry area, he said. It is our absolute concern that the planned cuts will have a detrimental effect on the service, and we have identified 15 shifts, at 14 bases across the two counties, that will be lost if the cuts come in, and that can only have a negative effect on waiting times. According to Siptu estimates, the lost shifts affect 14 bases, including: Mallow, Millstreet, Macroom, Kanturk, Fermoy, Castletownbere, Skibbereen, and Clonakilty in Cork; and Tralee (two shifts), Dingle, Listowel, Killarney, Kenmare, and Cahirsiveen in Kerry. In a statement to The Echo, a HSE spokesperson said: The National Ambulance Service, in consultation with our trade union partners, are currently reviewing the best use of all available staffing hours in the South West [Cork and Kerry] within our approved resource level. This is to ensure that staffing hours are effectively deployed to cover all forms of leave and that the approved level of service for NAS can be maintained during all leave and training arrangements without relying on excessive overtime, which can be detrimental to staff wellbeing. This is being done on a phased basis over September and October, but please be assured that the NAS service level in the South-West has not been reduced below our approved resource level. Labour Party councillor for Mallow, Eoghan Kenny, said any reduction of services would have a detrimental impact on local communities. Joe Lynch, Sinn Fein councillor for Cork City South West, said it was important to note that ambulances respond to calls far beyond their base and can be called anywhere, so the loss of an ambulance in Macroom on a given day is the loss of ambulance right across Cork city and county. I am calling on for this plan to be shelved, and for there to be proper engagement with workers and their representatives to ensure no community in Cork suffers a loss of service, he said. Becky Kealy, Aontus Cork North West representative, said she was very concerned for staff and patients in the region. Proofpoint has announced plans to create 250 jobs in Cork in a move that has been described as providing a significant boost for the region. The cybersecurity and compliance company is to expand its global presence with a new Leeside office which will serve as Proofpoints international hub. The company said that more than 250 jobs will be created as a result of the development in the next two years with plans for ongoing, active recruitment and continued investment in the region. Proofpoint chief financial officer Remi Thomas said that the companys expansion into Ireland is critical to its international growth and its ability to protect European organisations. Enterprise Minister Peter Burke described the creation of more than 250 jobs in the coming years as a significant boost for the region. We look forward to seeing Proofpoint thrive and contribute to Irelands dynamic tech ecosystem, he said. CEO of Cork Chamber Conor Healy said that Proofpoint is a great addition to the thriving cybersecurity cluster in Cork. With global headquarters in Sunnyvale in California, and offices worldwide, Proofpoint helps companies around the world stop targeted threats, safeguard their data, and make their users more resilient against cyberattacks. Proofpoints growing European headquarters in Cork will be home to a number of key business functions, including engineering, research and development, customer support, finance, and marketing, said Mr Healy. Cork is already well-established as a great place to live, work, and do business in, and offers an exceptional talent pool for innovative firms like Proofpoint. [The] announcement serves to further strengthen Corks rich offering as a location for cutting-edge businesses to grow and flourish. Sinn Fein TD for Cork South-Central Donnchadh O Laoghaire described the companys expansion decision as a vote of confidence in the city and said that Cork could be the fastest-growing city in Ireland, but that more needs to be delivered in terms of infrastructure to achieve the citys full potential. [Although] business leaders and political representatives can see the potential Cork has, and clearly that includes Proofpoint, a great deal is needed to build momentum further, to sustain the growth in Cork and build on it, he said. This was echoed by Sinn Fein TD for Cork North-Central, Thomas Gould, who said while he welcomed the news, it also highlighted the need to consolidate and strengthen Corks economy by prioritising housing, further investment in ending dereliction and vacancy, and increasing infrastructure through reliable public transport. I am delighted that Proofpoint has made this commitment to our wonderful city, said Mr Gould. Todays good news underlines just how much potential there is in Corks economy and just how important regional counterbalancing is, he said. We have a skilled and well-trained workforce who are determined and diligent. It is time for a government that unlocks their potential. People want to live and work in Cork, companies want to invest in Cork, and we need to make sure that we are giving them the best possible chance at success. Cork North-Central People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Mick Barry said that while it is good to hear news of 250 new jobs for Cork, for-profit housing and childcare isnt going to provide the services a growing city needs. The city clearly needs public investment in public service infrastructure on a scale not seen before, he told The Echo. IDA Ireland CEO Michael Lohan said Proofpoints choice to select Cork for its new international hub emphasises the critical importance of regional investment and showcases the South-Wests established cybersecurity cluster and available talent. Tanaiste Micheal Martin has welcomed the appointment of Michael McGrath as European Unions next commissioner for justice and the rule of law. The appointment was announced by European Commission president Ursula von der Lyon today. The commissioner for justice is responsible for leading the EUs efforts to tackle breaches of the rule of law by member states, and is also responsible for enforcing legislation such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Commissioners are put forward by each EU country and Ireland had made no secret of its hope that Mr McGrath, who previously held both the ministry of finance and the ministry of public expenditure, would be given a prominent financial portfolio. Mr McGrath stepped down as finance minister in June after the Cabinet agreed to nominate him as Irelands next EU commissioner. Speaking to The Echo this morning, Mr Martin offered his best wishes to his Cork South Central constituency colleague. I would like to congratulate Michael McGrath on his appointment as the new EU commissioner for justice, the Tanaiste said. I have no doubt Michael will serve on the EU Commission with great energy and diligence in this significant role, protecting the rights of consumers, the rule of law and tackling corruption. It was important that the Irish Government nominated a commissioner of the highest calibre, and Michael will no doubt bring all of his experience in Government here to his new job in Europe, Mr Martin said. Mr McGrath was first elected to Dail Eireann in 2007, having previously served as a member of Passage West Town Council from 1999 to 2007, and a member of Cork County Council for the Carrigaline local electoral area from 2004 to 2007. Fine Gael Senator Tim Lombard served on Cork County Council with Mr McGrath, and he said he was very happy for his former colleague. The justice portfolio in European politics is hugely important and gives us great scope to be influential in European policy, so its a really good day for Ireland, Mr Lombard said. Former lord mayor of Cork Deirdre Forde also served with Mr McGrath in the county council, having known him since his time in UCC, and she said she had always thought highly of him. The justice portfolio is exceptionally important given the state of affairs in Europe at the moment, and I know he will serve it with distinction, the former Fine Gael councillor said. Its great to see that a Cork man has received such an elevation. Another former council colleague is Ballincolligs Derry Canty, who said he was delighted for Mr McGrath. I wish him well, working with him in Cork County Council we were both friends, we came in at the same time, and we always worked together with no animosity, whether he was Fianna Fail and I was Fine Gael, or Independent at the time, Mr Canty said. I wish him all the best, because he worked hard to get into the position he is in at the moment, and I know that in that position he wont forget Ireland. Michael McGrath will lead the EUs work on anti-corruption, Ursula von der Leyen has said. She said: I have entrusted him with the responsibility to take forward the European Democracy Shield. He will also lead our work on the rule of law, anti-corruption and consumer protection. Commissioner-designate McGrath said: "I am honoured to be proposed for the Justice Portfolio by President von der Leyen and I look forward to engaging with the European Parliament ahead of the hearings for the new Commission in the weeks ahead. "The portfolio is a vitally important one for Europe: protecting our democratic values, rule of law and the rights of our citizens is fundamental to the future development of the EU and of the single market. "It is the first time that Ireland will hold this portfolio and is a recognition of our standing as a country with a strong democratic and open society. "In addition to the core Justice elements of my portfolio, I am very pleased to be given responsibility for the protection of consumer rights across the EU. I welcome this opportunity to apply my skills to new areas of responsibility and I am grateful for the confidence placed in me by the Government and by President von der Leyen." Thousands of Gaelscoil and Gaelcholaiste pupils in Cork schools will have to wait even longer for help to master the Irish language, due to a delay in approving a plan which would see Cork city gain Gaeltacht service city status. The chief executive of national Irish language organisation Glor na nGael told The Echo that it stands ready to recruit Irish language assistants or cuntoiri teanga who would be able to provide language support services to new pupils entering Irish-medium primary schools or those leaving English-medium primary schools to attend a second-level Irish-medium school. The blockage on appointing the Irish language assistants to the 11 primary-level Gaelscoileanna and five second-level Gaelcholaisti in Cork city is down to a lengthy delay in getting the Gaeltacht service status for Cork. Cork is named as a possible Gaeltacht service city in legislation which was enacted in 2012, but it took until September last year for a plan which would deliver on this to be compiled under the auspices of the Cork city-based Gael-Taca organisation. This was submitted to Foras na Gaeilge, the all-island cross-border body, and from there to the Department of the Gaeltacht in February of this year. The plan, which was completed, contains 160 pages of measures aimed at increasing the level of Irish in the city through improved and more prevalent signage, projects involving businesses, and other iniatives to support schools. The language assistants are viewed as a support resource for towns or cities which are recognised as having Gaeltacht service status, said Glor nan Gael chief executive Lorcan Mac Gabhann. Were available and willing to recruit and administer a scheme for Irish language assistants in Cork city. Gael-Taca secretary, and principal of Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers, Adrian Breathnach, said he had contacted the department, which informed him that the plan was now being considered by a language planning unit within the department. Mr Breathnach said that Gael-Taca had co-ordinated the compilation of the plan and had recruited people to carry out research and to draft the plan with input from the Irish language education sector in the city. In response to a query from The Echo, a spokesperson for the Department of the Gaeltacht said that they were actively investigating the next steps regarding language planning in Cork city at present. It is hoped that a decision will be reached about a language plan for the city shortly so progress can be made on different aspects of language development in the city, the matter of language assistants in the schools included, said the spokesperson. A young crew member fell off a ladder on board a fishing vessel fracturing his upper neck causing cardiac arrest and instant death, an inquest has heard. The Coroners Court in Bantry, Co Cork heard that Desmond (Des) Hurley (29) lost his balance whilst on a ladder in the accommodation deck of a family owned fishing vessel, the Breizh Arvor II, on December 14, 2023. Des, his brother Mark and other crew members had been fishing at the Porcupine Bank off the south west coast of Ireland when the accident occurred. Coroner Frank OConnell said that unfortunately it was a case of lightning striking leading to a one in a million death. Mark Hurley, who is a brother of the deceased, said that he asked Desmond to take over at the wheelhouse at close to midnight on December 13, 2023. Desmond went downstairs to change his jumper. Mark went looking for his brother when he didnt come back up from accommodation deck in a matter of minutes. He went looking for Des in the accommodation deck. He saw his brother lying on the floor. Mark told the Coroner that he and another crew member administered CPR on Des but to no avail. We could see Des was gone but we had to try. Mark said that Des had sustained a mark on his forehead. Mark, in his role as skipper, instructed the crew to haul in their nets so that they could return back to shore. Mark contacted Valentia Coastguard. He then called Medico to speak to a nurse. Crew member Haralambie Floren said that he had experience in first aid and assisted Mark with CPR on Des. He stated that the administering of CPR was difficult because of sea swells. Poignantly, the inquest heard that the crew members didnt want to leave Des lying on the floor as they made the journey back to Castletownbere. They made a decision to lift him to his bunk bed to give him dignity in death. Sgt Stephen OSullivan who was on duty at Castletownbere Garda Station on December 14 of last year said that they were informed that a death had occurred at sea. The fishing vessel returned to Castletownbere that evening. He said that having accessed the scene his opinion was that Des probably slipped on a step as he made his way back up the timber stairs of the accommodation deck having retrieved his jumper. He stated that Des possibly hit his head off the door frame of the room. Scenes of crimes investigators assessed the scene. However, this was only a formality as there was no suggestion of anything untoward having happened. The Marine Casualty Board and the HSE were contacted as a matter of course. Postmortem Dr Margaret Bolster carried out a postmortem on the body of Mr Hurley at the morgue in Cork city. She said that Des sustained a fracture of the upper neck bone. She stated that injuries of this type can lead to cardiac arrest. Dr Bolster reassured family members of the deceased that death would have occurred very quickly. She indicated that the injury had caused Dess heart to stop. In conclusion, the Coroner Frank OConnell noted that there was strong circumstantial evidence that Des lost his footing on the ladder, sustained a neck injury and suffered cardio respiratory failure. He offered his heartfelt condolences to the Hurley family and said that the death had occurred as a result of extreme bad luck. He acknowledged that the passing of Des was a terrible blow to the family. Inspector Triona OMahony and the foreman of the jury also offered their sympathy to the relatives of the deceased. The foreman said that what had happened to Des was unimaginable. Meanwhile, the town of Kinsale came to a standstill on December 18, 2023 for the funeral of Mr Hurley. Des who was from Eltins Wood in Kinsale, is survived by his parents Jimmy and Noreen, his siblings Chris, Mark, Jemma and Vikki, his grandparents Christy and Eileen and partner Larissa. He was a past pupil of Kinsale Community School. He also studied at the BIM fisheries college. He was laid to rest at St Eltins cemetery following a funeral mass at St John the Baptist Church in Kinsale. The cortege stopped off at the pier in Kinsale on the day of the funeral amid poignant scenes. His family did a large amount of fundraising for the emergency services in the months following his death. A cannabis campaigner advanced his cause by planting the herb at locations across Cork city including spots outside Mayfield Garda Station, City Hall, and the Bridewell. There was perhaps an inevitability about the man being prosecuted for its cultivation: Far from making a secret of it, he planted it in the middle of the day, recorded his actions, and posted video clips online. His videos formed part of the prosecution case at Cork District Court where Judge John King was shown a series of videos under the banner, Martins World, in which he hunkered down, dug a hole, took a cannabis plant from a pot and planted it. Throughout each video he commented on why he was doing this. "It is laughable really that this is a crime, Mr Condon said to Judge King in the course of one video of him planting cannabis. In Cork District Court after several gardai gave evidence in the case and the videos were shown by Inspector Clodagh OSullivan, defence solicitor Aoife Buttimer called the man, Martin Condon, to give his own evidence in defence of his actions. Mr Condon wore a brightly-coloured tracksuit imprinted with cannabis leaves. He said from the witness box, Basically, all of the evidence is of me holding a civil disobedience protest. I felt frustrated, I suppose, with the dead ends met when trying to obtain cannabis as a patient. He said he suffered from epilepsy a condition which is worsening and preventing him from keeping up the level of activism shown in the video recorded incidents of planting cannabis which were undertaken between April and September 2021. CAMPAIGN Mr Condon of Kinvara Close, Ballyvolane, Cork, told Judge King that he was part of an organisation that campaigned for access to cannabis for patients who need it. The defendant, who has an honours degree in herbal science, testified, The cannabis plants I planted were all of the genus cannabis but they were all hemp that would have got nobody high. They would have intoxicated no person. A lot of the plants were male versions. The risk to the public from these plants was next to non-existent. I was the only person at risk by my actions. He said his hope was to trigger a national conversation which he said he had succeeded in doing and also wanted to have his day in court. At the outset of the cross-examination, Insp OSullivan asked the accused how he was, to which Mr Condon replied, I wish I didnt have to be here. The inspector said, It is an offence to cultivate cannabis without a licence and you dont have a licence. Mr Condon repeated, One has a moral duty to disobey unjust laws. On six counts of cultivation of cannabis, Judge John King convicted Martin Condon on five counts. One was dismissed because the plant was simply left at the scene rather than planted. Ms Buttimer said the 35-year-old father-of-four is a man strong political views on the medicinal use of cannabis. There was nothing sophisticated about the offending. He didnt try to conceal it. He refers to it as civil disobedience protest, Ms Buttimer said. Judge King asked if the behaviour had stopped. Mr Condon said he was unable to engage in activism because of his worsening epilepsy. Judge King adjourned sentencing until November 25 and directed the preparation of a probation report on the accused. A new online taskforce and a 1m education campaign to develop a public health response to harms caused to children and young people by certain types of online activity has been established by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly. At the launch of the Online Health Taskforce, Mr Donnelly said it is his belief that harms to young people as a result of online interactions constitute a public health crisis. He added: I think the partnership approach is over. I wouldnt suggest the partnership approach with tobacco companies. Im not suggesting a partnership approach with online platforms. The Minister affirmed that children are encountering violent, misogynistic and other mentally distressing content online. The taskforce will provide recommendations of radical actions Ireland can take to keep young people safe, Minister Donnelly said, adding that he wants Ireland to be a leader in the area of online safety and enforcement. The taskforce has been asked to consider the range of social, mental health, physical health and sexual harms and to recommend strategic responses to address these harms. While this initiative to produce recommendations to mandate to protect children from harmful content online is overdue and very welcome, prioritisation of legislation to keep childhood free of online marketing of junk food must also be robustly addressed. The 12 members of the taskforce include experts in public health, data analytics, digital media, mental health, human rights, education and behavioural science. The failure to include an expert in childhood obesity on the taskforce could result in this key issue being overlooked in a bid to protect childrens wellbeing in other areas. That would be a real shame. Levels of childhood obesity remain alarmingly high. Safefood research estimates over 85,000 - or one in 20 - children in Ireland will die prematurely due to overweight or obesity. Every child has the right to grow up free from the undue influence of advertising for products likely to be detrimental to their health. But, for the first time in history, we are raising a generation of children that are expected to live shorter lives than their parents. In 2016, the World Health Organisation (WHO)s Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity (ECHO) concluded that evidence was unequivocal that marketing of unhealthy food and sugar-sweetened beverages was related to childhood obesity. The WHO argued that global regulation is either absent or relies on ineffective self-regulatory pledges. In the few countries where legally binding regulation has been introduced, the rules are generally too narrow in scope to protect children effectively from exposure to unhealthy food marketing. Food marketing changes what children want and do. It changes their attitudes to food - what they want to eat and their preferences. It changes what they ask their parents to buy. It influences what they buy themselves when they get pocket money. And, of course, it massively influences what they eat. Advertising is not just about getting you to buy something - its also about the image. How cool you are or how you respond to emotion. Children are falling prey to endless marketing exposure - to unhealthy foods, prompts and cues. The Irish Heart Foundation, in their campaign Stop Targeting Kids, maintain that unhealthy food and drink marketing has become a wallpaper in childrens lives; an insidious background and environment that children are faced with where they live, where they go to school, where they play and when they travel. Junk food companies have become increasingly sophisticated in their targeted approach to online food marketing. This includes designing branded games and apps for young children; paying influencers popular with children to promote unhealthy products on social media; designing their own content on social media that children can engage with and share with friends; or running ads on social media that appear when children are online. To date, the government has relied on self-regulation developed by the food, drinks and advertising industry. But if we want to have a real impact on childrens prospects for a healthy life, Government must introduce mandatory requirements to regulate advertising and marketing, and be much more proactive than they have been to date. The Irish public agrees. An IPSOS IHF Childhood Obesity Research survey (2019) found nearly three out of four people want a ban on the marketing and promotion of unhealthy food to children. Most digital marketing takes place completely under the radar of parents, policymakers and health professionals. Unlike television, where ads can be monitored and analysed, online marketing including influencer marketing enables brand promotion and marketing to be woven seamlessly into young peoples digital and everyday experiences. The research backs this up. Australian researchers found that children see three online ads every ten minutes. Canadian research confirmed that kids are exposed to nearly 6,000 food adverts a year on apps such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and YouTube; whereas under 16s in the UK were exposed to over 15 billion online junk food ads in 2020. In terms of online marketing of junk food to children, the IHF has made specific recommendations: The Irish Government must regulate to protect children from unhealthy food marketing and policy development must be protected from the food and advertising industries efforts to influence it; Policy must be informed by the best available evidence from public health organisations and academia - the lack of a clinical or public health obesity expert on the Online Taskforce is a cause for concern in this regard; Legislation must be comprehensive and future-proofed - effective regulation must apply to all marketing techniques and technologies now and into the future. This includes marketing on social media, video streaming or gaming platforms (influencer, brand owned, sponsored and shared content), branded mobile applications, games and websites and programmatic or display advertising. Regulation must prevent the use of marketing that appeals to children - including childrens games and apps, and cartoons on packaging. Finally, under the present mechanisms, even when the rules have been broken the consequences are minimal. Name and shame or post removal are used, as opposed to significant sanctions for non-compliance, including financial penalties. This is an enormous ask, but also an immense opportunity to protect childrens health. The IHF robustly sum up what is needed by saying that Ireland must put our childrens health above the processed food industrys profits. Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies of Childhood and Youth, The Open University, Mimi Tatlow Golden, summarised the impact on children succinctly at a Safefood All Island Obesity Forum Webinar in 2020: Online platforms have very extensive data on all of us in all domains of our lives. Its a fundamental power inequality that weve allowed to evolve in society. It affects childrens lives in many, many ways, through marketing - in the ways their thoughts and feelings and behaviours are being shaped and we as societies, as parents have no control over that unless we manage to persuade regulators to say enough is enough. This Online Taskforce has a huge job of work and presents a massive opportunity to make robust recommendations to protect the online lives of children. Regulation of social media is a key priority, but the role of online marketing of junk food at a time of unprecedented levels of childhood obesity must not be forgotten. Dr Catherine Conlon is a public health doctor in Cork and former director of human health and nutrition, safefood By Jonathan McCambridge, PA There have been encouraging noises that the Government is engaging over the future of Belfast shipyard Harland and Wolff, DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said. The East Belfast MP said the mood music is good surrounding interest in the operations of the historic firm following the announcement that its holding company is to be placed into administration. The firm said between 50-60 immediate redundancies are expected but that staff employed at its four shipyards are not affected. Harland and Wolff, which famously built the Titanic, has four shipyards one in Belfast, two in Scotland (Methil on the Firth of Forth and Arnish on the Isle of Lewis) and one in England (Appledore in north Devon). DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the mood music over the future of the Belfast shipyard is positive (Liam McBurney/PA) It is the second time the business has been placed in administration in five years. The administration process will be confined to the holding company, Harland & Wolff Group Holdings PLC, and the operational companies which run the yards are expected to continue trading. Mr Robinson told the BBCs Good Morning Ulster programme: I heard some more encouraging noises yesterday to say that Government is keeping a close eye on this, that they are engaging with the company. But I think I would have been, and the unions would have liked to have been reassured by a greater interest over the last number of months. But the mood music is good about the interest in Harland and Wolff. The whole of the company is not in administration, though the London office is. The Belfast yard is pivotal to the future. He added: The Belfast yard and the achievement in securing, as we did, an MoD contract worth 1.6 billion to build fleet support ships is the asset, is the thing which is creating the interest in the sales process. Operations at the Belfast shipyard will not be affected by the administration (Liam McBurney/PA) Insolvency practitioners Teneo will act as administrators and shares will be delisted. The company is part of a consortium that landed a major contract to build new fleet solid support ships for the Royal Navy. It had applied for a 200 million loan guarantee from the Government as part of efforts to restructure its finances. However, the Government decided in August not to act as a guarantor on the lending while also ruling out direct funding to maintain the companys liquidity. In terms of finding a new owner for the Belfast operation, Mr Robinson said Spains state-owned shipbuilder Navantia was the most obvious candidate. He said: I met with Navantia at the time that Harland and Wolff and Navantia got into a consortium. I have had discussions as they advance to achieve the order and clearly they have a unique financial interest in Belfast particularly given the contract that is there and the knowledge to proceed with that contract. Meanwhile, Harland and Wolff interim executive chairman Russell Downs has said there is a strong case for keeping the companys four shipyards under a single owner. He told the BBCs Today programme that keeping the yards together was sensible from an operating perspective. He added: Some yards may be owned by one owner with other yards owned by another, so well just have to see where the process gets to. 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. Fields and roads flooded in the village of Prinzersdorf in Lower Austria on Sept. 16, 2024. Christoph Reichwein / picture alliance via Getty Images Flooding from Austria to Romania has killed at least 17 people, with thousands evacuated after days of torrential rain caused rivers to overflow their banks. Downpours from low-pressure system Storm Boris led to some of the most serious flooding in almost three decades across Central and Eastern Europe. Austria, Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic have all been experiencing extreme rainfall. A state of emergency has been declared by the Polish government, reported CNN. According to Polish news agency PAP, Prime Minister Donald Tusk has secured $260 million in emergency funding for the countrys hardest hit regions. The electricity and hot water were cut off for thousands in the Czech Republic when authorities closed heating plants due to the floods. Near the countrys border with Poland, 280,000 residents in Ostrava were left with no hot water, CNN Prima said. Please evacuate your belongings, yourselves, your loved ones. It is worth getting to the top floor of the building immediately, because the wave may be several metres high. This means that the whole town will be flooded, wrote Kordian Kolbiarz, the mayor of Nysa, a Polish town of 44,000, as BBC News reported. Seven people have died in Romania in the past few days. On Sunday, a firefighter was killed in Austria and on Monday two men died when they became trapped inside their homes, Lower Austrias state government told CNN. According to local police, three people were killed by the storms in the Czech Republic, while floods in Poland took the lives of four others. We are still under immense pressure, as the situation remains highly critical, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, governor of Lower Austria, said at a press conference, as reported by CNN. Mikl-Leitner said the region is still in a state of crisis. Flooding in the village of Prinzersdorf in Lower Austria forced evacuations at a cabinetmakers workshop, seen on Sept. 16, 2024. Christoph Reichwein / picture alliance via Getty Images Global heating has been fueling extreme weather events in Europe, the fastest-warming continent in the world. The deadly and damaging floods reminded some of another series of disastrous flooding in the region during the summer of 1997, when more than 100 people were killed and thousands were driven from their homes, The New York Times reported. This was a very traumatic one for Poland the one that is remembered, said Hubert Rozyk, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate and Environment in Poland. And in some places, the situation is even worse than in 1997. With the risk of more flooding later this week, Budapest said roads near the Danube River would be closed, reported BBC News. With the river continuing to rise more than three feet every 24 hours, the mayor of Budapest offered a million sandbags to residents. The Danube flooded the Old Town area of the Slovakian capital of Bratislava, with water levels rising to higher than 30 feet, local media said. Hungary is also expecting more flooding, with flood warnings along 310 miles of the river. But the highest total rainfall amounts have been in the Czech Republic. Jesenik, a town in the northeast, has seen 19 inches of rain since Thursday morning. Thats five times the average for a month. Floodwaters after heavy rain in Jesenik, Czech Republic on Sept. 15, 2024. Gabriel Kuchta / Getty Images More rain has fallen in Austrias St. Polten than in the wettest autumn ever recorded, in 1950. If you were here, you would cry instantly, because people are desperate, their whole lives work is gone, there were people who were left with just the clothes they had on, said Mayor of Slobozia, Romania, Emil Dragomir, as BBC News reported. More rain is forecast through Monday and Tuesday in the Czech Republic, Austria and southeast Germany, which could get an additional nearly four inches. Flooding on the Elbe in Saxony, Bad Schandau, Germany on Sept. 16, 2024. Jan Woitas / picture alliance via Getty Images The weather is predicted to dry out by midweek in central Europe, though it could take days for floodwaters to subside. Storm Boris will then move south into Italy, where it is forecast to intensify again, bringing more heavy rain, particularly to the Emilia-Romagna region. While atmospheric pressure caused Storm Boris to crawl across the continent, a number of factors contributed to Central Europes record rainfall, including climate change. When the atmosphere is warmer, it holds more moisture, scientists say, which leads to more intense rain. Warming oceans also cause more evaporation, feeding storm systems. For every one degree Celsius increase in the global average temperature, Earths atmosphere can hold roughly roughly seven percent more moisture. California has given the go-ahead to a landmark AI bill to protect performers' digital likenesses. On Tuesday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2602, which will go into effect on January 1, 2025. The bill requires studios and other employers to get consent before using digital replicas of performers. Newsom also signed AB 1836, which grants similar rights to deceased performers, requiring their estates permission before using their AI likenesses. AB 2602, introduced in April, covers film, TV, video games, commercials, audiobooks and non-union performing jobs. Deadline notes its terms are similar to those in the contract that ended the 2023 actors strike against Hollywood studios. SAG-AFTRA, the film and TV actors union that held out for last years deal, strongly supported the bill. The Motion Picture Association first opposed the legislation but later switched to a neutral stance after revisions. The bill mandates that employers cant use an AI recreation of an actors voice or likeness if it replaces work the performer could have done in person. It also prevents digital replicas if the actors contract doesnt explicitly state how the deepfake will be used. It also voids any such deals signed when the performer didnt have legal or union representation. The bill defines a digital replica as a computer-generated, highly realistic electronic representation that is readily identifiable as the voice or visual likeness of an individual that is embodied in a sound recording, image, audiovisual work, or transmission in which the actual individual either did not actually perform or appear, or the actual individual did perform or appear, but the fundamental character of the performance or appearance has been materially altered. Meanwhile, AB 1836 expands Californias postmortem right of publicity. Hollywood must now get permission from a decedent's estate before using their digital replicas. Deadline notes that exceptions were included for satire, comment, criticism and parody, and for certain documentary, biographical or historical projects. The bill, which protects not only SAG-AFTRA performers but all performers, is a huge step forward, SAG-AFTRA chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland told the The LA Times in late August. Voice and likeness rights, in an age of digital replication, must have strong guardrails around licensing to protect from abuse, this bill provides those guardrails. AB2602 passed the California State Senate on August 27 with a 37-1 tally. (The lone holdout was from State Senator Brian Dahle, a Republican.) The bill then returned to the Assembly (which passed an earlier version in May) to formalize revisions made during Senate negotiations. On Tuesday, SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher celebrated the passage, which the union fought for. It is a momentous day for SAG-AFTRA members and everyone else, because the A.I. protections we fought so hard for last year are now expanded upon by California law thanks to the Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom, Drescher said. The company's new board now has the power to pump the brakes on new AI model launches. OpenAI has announced significant changes to its safety and security practices, including the establishment of a new independent board oversight committee. This move comes with a notable shift: CEO Sam Altman is no longer part of the safety committee, marking a departure from the previous structure. The newly formed Safety and Security Committee (SSC) will be chaired by Zico Kolter, Director of the Machine Learning Department at Carnegie Mellon University. Other key members include Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo, retired US Army General Paul Nakasone, and Nicole Seligman, former EVP and General Counsel of Sony Corporation. This new committee replaces the previous Safety and Security Committee that was formed in June 2024, which included Altman among its members. The original committee was tasked with making recommendations on critical safety and security decisions for OpenAI projects and operations. The SSC's responsibilities now extend beyond recommendations. It will have the authority to oversee safety evaluations for major model releases and exercise oversight over model launches. Crucially, the committee will have the power to delay a release until safety concerns are adequately addressed. This restructuring follows a period of scrutiny regarding OpenAI's commitment to AI safety. The company has faced criticism in the past for disbanding its Superalignment team and the departures of key safety-focused personnel. The removal of Altman from the safety committee appears to be an attempt to address concerns about potential conflicts of interest in the company's safety oversight. OpenAI's latest safety initiative also includes plans to enhance security measures, increase transparency about their work, and collaborate with external organizations. The company has already reached agreements with the US and UK AI Safety Institutes to collaborate on researching emerging AI safety risks and standards for trustworthy AI. An attack in Lebanon reportedly killed eight people and injured over 2,700. Hundreds of pagers belonging to Hezbollah members detonated simultaneously on Tuesday, leading the Iran-backed militant organization to blame Israel. The New York Times reported that Israel was behind the attacks and conducted it by hiding explosive material inside the pagers. A second wave of attacks, these targeting handheld radios used by Hezbollah members, was reported on Wednesday by The Washington Post. A day after Israeli leaders warned of escalating its military campaign against Hezbollah, pagers belonging to the Lebanese groups members exploded at once. Witnesses reported seeing smoke emanating from the victims pockets, followed by sounds reminiscent of fireworks or gunshots. Lebanons health minister said 200 of the injured were in critical condition. He added that many victims had facial injuries, especially to the eyes. Hand and stomach injuries were also common, according to the health minister. Among those wounded was Mojtaba Amini, Irans ambassador to Lebanon, according to Iranian state media. A second wave of attacks across different areas of Lebanon on Wednesday reportedly killed one person and injured over 100 others. The latest attacks reportedly targeted wireless devices. One of the explosions, triggered by a handheld radio, was reported at a funeral for four victims of Tuesdays blasts. Anyone who has a device, take out the battery now! The Washington Post reported that Hezbollah security members yelled at the mourners. Turn off your phones, switch it to airplane mode! Israel hasnt commented on the attacks. But NYT reports that officials (including American ones) briefed on the operation said Israel was behind them. They claim as little as one to two ounces of explosive material were planted next to each pagers battery, along with a switch allowing for remote detonations. At 3PM in Lebanon on Tuesday, the pagers received a message (appearing to be from Hezbollah leadership) that triggered the coordinated explosions, according to officials. The devices allegedly beeped for several seconds before detonating. The Washington Post reports that the logo of Taiwanese pager maker Gold Apollo was seen on the sabotaged pagers. However, Gold Apollo claimed the devices were entirely handled by a Hungarian company, BAC Consulting Kft, which was authorized to use Gold Apollos branding in some regions. That product isnt ours, Gold Apollos founder and president, Hsu Ching-Kuang, told The New York Times. They just stick on our company brand. Officials speaking with NYT claimed the devices were tampered with before reaching Lebanon. Most were Gold Apollos AR924 model, which the company displayed an image of on its website before removing them on Wednesday. The attacks sparked a wave of fear of using mobile devices. NYT reports some in Lebanon were scared to use their phones after Tuesdays attacks, with one resident crying out, Please hang up, hang up! to their caller. The Times reports that Hezbollah, long suspicious of cellphone use near the Israeli border due to the devices geolocation capabilities, recently switched from mobile phones to pagers. In February, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah reportedly warned the group that their phones were dangerous and could be used by Israel as spy tools. He advised the group that they should break or bury them. Experts reportedly dont yet know precisely how the pagers were distributed to Hezbollahs members. They say that Iran, given its history of supplying Hezbollah with arms, tech and other military aid, would have been pivotal to their adoption and delivery. Update, September 18, 2024, 11:48AM ET: This story has been updated to add new details about Tuesdays attacks and the second wave of reported blasts on Wednesday. After years of scrutiny over its handling of teen safety on its platform, Meta is introducing a new type of account that will soon be required for all teens under 16 on Instagram. The new teen accounts add more parental supervision tools and automatically opt teens into stricter privacy settings that can only be adjusted with parental approval. The changes are unlikely to satisfy Metas toughest critics, who have argued that the company puts its own profits ahead of teens safety and wellbeing. But the changes will be significant for the apps legions of younger users who will face new restrictions on how they use the app. With teen accounts, kids younger than 16 will be automatically opted into Instagrams strictest privacy settings. Many of these settings, like automatically private accounts, the inability to message strangers and the limiting of sensitive content have already been in place for teenagers on Instagram. But younger teens will now be unable to change these settings without approval from a parent. And, once a parent has set up Instagrams in-app supervision tools, theyll be able to monitor which accounts their kids are exchanging messages with (parents wont see the contents of those DMs, however) as well as the types of topics their children are seeing posts about in their feeds. Parents will also have the ability to limit the amount of time their kids spend in the app by setting up sleep mode which will mute notifications or make the app inaccessible entirely or reminders to take breaks. Meta The changes, according to Meta, are meant to give parents greater oversight of their teens experiences. While the company has had some parental supervision features since 2022, the features were optional and required teens to opt-in to the controls. Teen accounts, on the other hand, will be mandatory for all teens younger than 16 and the more restrictive settings, like the ability to make an account public, arent able to be adjusted without parent approval. The company says it also has a plan to find teens who have already lied about their age when setting up their Instagram account. Beginning next year, the company will use AI to detect signs an account may belong to a teen, like the age of other linked accounts and the ages on the accounts they frequently interact with, to find younger users trying to avoid its new restrictions. The app will then prompt users to verify their age. In the meantime, Meta will start designating new accounts created by 13 to 15-year-olds as teen accounts beginning today. The company will start switching over existing teens into the accounts over the next two months in the US, Canada, UK and Australia, with a wider rollout in the European Union planned for later this year. Teen accounts will be available in other countries and on Metas other apps beginning in 2025. It appears Eve has beaten the odds of achieving success as a female rapper contrary to what Jay-Z may have estimated. While promoting her new memoir, "Who's That Girl?", the legendary rap queen spilled details on the book's contents with the 'The Times,' where she reflected on the misogyny in the music industry. In the memoir, the former "Ruff Ryders" group member recalled when her 1999 album, "Let There Be Eve...The Ruff Ryders First Lady," went on to sell 213K copies the first week, per 'HotNewHipHop,' and over 2 million units to date. The Philadelphia born star alleged Jay-Z called to congratulate her at the time, but also told her to diminish her expectations because female rappers "don't really do that well," per the outlet. The rap star turned actress real name Eve Jihan Jeffers-Cooper went on to far surpass those expectations, ultimately becoming a multi-platinum-selling and Grammy Award-winning artist. Eve reveals that Jay Z called her the day she dropped her debut album to congratulate her, and also to warn her not to get her hopes up because female rappers dont really do that well : https://t.co/0JptbWenk3 pic.twitter.com/qE66x6SZXR Female Rap Room (@FemaleRapRoom) September 15, 2024 If that wasn't enough, "I've written a f***ing book. It's crazy," she recently boasted to 'The Times' regarding her book. "I was nervous initially about putting all this stuff out there, but I wanted to be open and vulnerable." That said, the 45-year-old did just that. The 'Barbershop' franchise star also expressed details regarding the "uphill fight" she faced while in male-dominated board rooms with higher ups and music execs. "Back then, you had to physically go out and build your audience and just going into these rooms, which were very male-dominated, completely male-dominated," Eve said. "It was very frustrating," the musician admitted. "I faced an obstacle because I wanted Gwen on that record, and I had a few people say, 'That's never gonna work. People are not going to believe this.' And I was just like, 'Believe what? We are two artists,' " she said of No Doubt's Gwen Stefani, who joined her on the 2001 single "Let Me Blow Ya Mind." The newfound book writer also expressed her gratitude for an old A&R who called her up to apologize for not listening to her more throughout her career. "It actually helped me," she said. Eve, who has been married to Maximillion Cooper since 2014 and is the mother of one, released three more studio albums after her 1999 debut: 'Scorpion' (2001), 'Eve-Olution' (2002) and 'Lip Lock' (2013). The former 'The Talk' co-host, who divides her time between London, Los Angeles, and New York, is looking forward to celebrating the 25th anniversary of her debut album, "Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady." Chrishell Stause feels like a new person after addressing a health concern related to her "vintage" breast implants. "Earlier this year, I had a full body scan and learned both of my breast implants were ruptured," the 'Selling Sunset' star shared on Instagram on Sunday, September 15. The 43-year-old admitted that her initial reaction was fear, as she worried about surgery and possible complications. Stause chose plastic surgeon Josef Hadeed to handle her surgery on June 27, where her ruptured implants were replaced. "They were able to remove all of the silicone and replace my 15-year-old vintage implants," she confirmed. In a video explaining her experience, Stause pointed out that she had no symptoms leading up to the scan. "The scary part is that I didn't feel anything," she said, emphasizing that many others might be unaware they have a similar issue. However, the surgery went much more smoothly than she had anticipated. The 43-year-old stressed that "plastic surgery is a personal choice," and she isn't advocating for others to change their bodies. Instead, Stause emphasized the importance of staying on top of health checks. In a Q&A with her followers, Stause shared a picture of the damaged implants and reiterated that she felt great after a "super smooth recovery." Later, Stause humorously documented her post-surgery experience, sharing a clip of her spouse, G Flip, driving her home while she was on pain meds. In the video, she joked, "New tits, who dis?!" while G Flip, 30, playfully teased her for speaking Spanish. "ShxtsNGigs" podcast hosts James and Fuhad are apologizing for laughing at racist jokes made by Andrew Schulz during a resurfaced clip of the comedian appearing on their popular podcast. In the episode, Schulz, a comedian of Scottish, Irish, and German descent, engaged in a conversation with James and Fuhad about the "Black girlfriend effect." They discussed the popular TikTok trend of showing men who date Black women typically becoming more attractive and stylish afterwards. Schulz then stated men "shave their hair because they start losing it because they're stressed being around a Black girl who complains...all the time." He also suggested these same men grow beards "because there's more cushion when they get slapped." James and Fuhad laughed at the jokes playing to stereotypes about Black women, and plenty of their fans felt betrayed and took offense to this. One social media user suggested the hosts fire whoever booked them on a show with Andrew Schulz. @shxtsngigs you should fire whoever booked you to be on any platform with Andrew Schultz. #racist Isabella Baumfree, M. Ed. (@mybellmichell) September 16, 2024 Another was shocked that James and Fuhad were "just laughing along." Andrew Schultz is funny sometimes but watching this clip makes me upset. A joke at the expense of black women is not a good joke in any context. Painting black women as violent and crazy as a white man is wild. No way these guys are just laughing along https://t.co/qNzZxWDlCa (FOOLY URAMESHI) (@ChrissaSJE) September 14, 2024 One user on X called the duo "straight weirdos" for allowing Schulz to make his comments. Oh Its getting real tired. I never liked Andrew Schulz to begin with so this isnt surprising to me at all but for the life of me I will never understand the black men who continuously let white folks talk down on us and participate. Just straight weirdos. pic.twitter.com/B5GKszsmjT JadaJ11 (@jadaj_11) September 15, 2024 James and Fuhad offered up an apology on Monday by stating that there is no excuse for their actions. "Fight or flight is a real thing... when you're in there, you're in shock, and all you want to do is move on," James said, attempting to explain their reactions to Schulz's jokes. Fuhad agreed, adding, "There were so many different topics, we said 'just move on.'" James shared that the duo thought they were going to have a "bros chat," but "it ended up being something that has really, really hurt people who look to us for support and look to us to be protected." The "ShxtsNGigs" hosts then discussed how important their community is to them, adding that an incident like this one is "not going to happen again." "When you're part of a community, you don't realize that you can hurt your own communityunintentionally," James said. James and Fuhad discussed the irony of the situation given that their intention on the podcast was "to show how much we love and support our community." The duo closed the video by reiterating that they've learned from their mistake and do not condone or want to appease Schulz's behavior. "We hold our hands up. We apologize. You learn from your mistakes, and we hope we don't let our community down again because ultimately we do this for you guys... We don't want to let you guys down," Fuhad said. YSL Woody is sharing a prayer for jailed rapper Young Thug and his YSL RICO co-defendants after he appeared to "snitch," according to fellow YSL Co-founder, YSL Mondo. Woody real name Kenneth Copeland has reportedly been cooperating with law enforcement in the viral RICO case against Young Thug and his YSL associates. Mondo also took to social media to voice his frustration when he reposted a screenshot of Woody at the 'V-103' radio station saying: "ATLANTA IS DISGUSTING!! This is DISGUSTING!!! Y'all are really glorifying a F***IN SNITCHHHHHH." Although Woody was a key witness in the case, he has admitted to "lying" on the stand multiple times, telling the prosecution whatever they wanted to hear in order to get the heat off himself, per the Hollywood media outlet. When Woody was on the stand last month, he was asked about an incident which occurred outside ATL's Cascade skating rink. Woody admitted that he navigated the situation intentionally to get "them off him." "Ok, so this [is] what happened. The police kept locking me up for whatever they could and they kept bringing up Thug's name. So, what I did was, to get them off of me, I said Thug did this and Thug did that because I knew he didn't do it. I knew in my mind that the police were never going to mess with him. So, it was easy for me to try to throw the blame onto him and get them off of me," he admitted, per 'Hollywood Unlocked.' Per the outlet, he continued: "But, guess what I was doing? From all these years I don't remember what I told them in the past but, my whole motive was Thug did it because I knew he didn't do it and they couldn't lock him up, but they kept talking about, 'Thug, Thug, Thug.' So, guess what I'mma tell them? 'Yeah, yeah. What else [do] you want me to tell? He killed this person? Yeah, he did that.' Even right now. If I walk out this thing and the police stop me now and say, 'Hey, man. Give me something about Thug.' [...] I'm about to make something up about him again." Lil Woody has a warrant out for his arrest, that is unrelated to the YSL case and is allegedly for a hit and run incident involving his four wheeler. pic.twitter.com/oJMx6zobiw Rap Updates Tv (@RapUpdatesTv) September 16, 2024 Now, Woody is praying on social media, asking God to "touch the wicked" and "change their heart" in a social media post. He wrote about mistreatment in the justice system, corruption, and asked God to take over the situation in a post shared Sunday. "I ask for forgiveness every day and I refuse to sit by and continue to watch us hurt each other. It has to stop at some point. So, Father, in Jesus' name, we pray that you take over this situation and protect us all from these wannabe Gods. #FREEJEFFERY," he wrote in the caption next to a picture of a smiling Young Thug, 33. "Father God we need you now more than ever I pray that you answer our prayer and free Jeffery & co-defendants. The world has seen the treatment our justice system has done to us lock us up forced us to tell untruthful stories. The mistreatment is crazy. Wrong is wrong we have sympathy for all the victims and their families as kids bad choices are made and punishment is acceptable but this is a different story this is corruption this is madness and very personal," Woody added. "They have family that loves them and need them this isn't about justice it's about power and I pray that those who think they have more power than God realize the pain and suffering they are causing as well. In the latest news regarding the trial, Lil Dee real name Quindarius Zachary was arrested last week on a material witness warrant, per 'Fox 5 Atlanta.' Per the news outlet, Zachary was allegedly involved in a 2015 drive-by shooting alongside Damekion Garlington, a defendant in the YSL RICO trial. "90 Day Fiance" star Ed "Big Ed" Brown has gotten engaged for the fourth time. Big Ed popped the question to Porscha Raemond on Saturday night -- just 24 hours after meeting her at a Florida sandwich shop where he held a meet-and-greet for fans. The 59-year-old reality star announced their engagement Monday, telling TMZ "it was love at first bite" for him and his new lady love. "I met her at Capriotti's in Plantation on Friday where I was doing a Big Ed Meet & Greet," he said in an interview with Page Six. RELATED: 'Bachelorette's' Devin Strader Reveals Real Reason Why He Ended Jenn Tran Engagement Big Ed went on to quip, "They serve the most delicious subs I have ever tried and everyone should know you could meet the next love of your life there!" After meeting for the first time at Capriotti's, Big Ed asked Raemond out, and they had dinner together at YOLO in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday night. During their dinner date, he surprised onlookers when he got down on one knee and proposed to Raemond. In photos obtained by Page Six, Big Ed and Raemond could be seen exchanging a sweet kiss after she said yes to his proposal. RELATED: Katy Perry Breaks Silence On Year-Long Orlando Bloom Split: 'I Can't Do This Anymore' Raemond also showed off the makeshift "ring" the TV personality used for his unplanned proposal. "He was feeling it, so in the moment he took a paperclip from the restaurant manager and fashioned a ring out of it!" an unnamed insider told the outlet. Big Ed was previously married to Sandra Heckman, with whom he shares daughter Tiffany. The marriage ended in divorce in 1992 after he cheated on Heckman. Big Ed then got engaged to Rosemarie "Rose" Vega on "90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days" Season 4 in 2020. However, they called off the engagement after he hid his vasectomy from Vega and asked her to get an STD test. The TLC star went on to meet Liz Woods in the "90 Day Fiance" spinoff, "90 Day: The Single Life," but they also failed to make it to the altar. Sean "Diddy" Combs latest unsealed federal indictment revealed Combs often manipulated women into "freakoffs," a term that implies used force to cause victims to engage in extended sex acts with male commercial sex workers. He's currently facing three felony chargesracketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. "For decades, the defendant abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct," the first line read according to the Southern District of New York. The indictment goes on to state, "Combs manipulated women to participate in highly orchestrated performances of sexual activity with male commercial sex workers... Combs ensured participation from the women by... obtaining and distributing narcotics to them...using intimidation and violence." Combs is expected to appear before a federal judge on Tuesday following his arrest the day prior. Marc Agnifilo, Diddy's attorney, arrived at the Manhattan federal court and spoke briefly to reporters outside. "He came to New York to basically engage the court system and start the case, and it will start today, and he's going to plead not guilty," Agnifilo said. "He's going to fight this with all of his energy and all of his might and the full confidence of his lawyers." The arrest comes nearly six months after federal authorities raided his Los Angeles and Miami homes. The indictment detailing the charges is expected to be unsealed Tuesday morning, according to U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. The rapper is facing multiple sexual assault allegations. In November 2023, ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit against him, accusing him of rape, sex trafficking, and physical abuse. An undisclosed settlement was reached the next day, however; several women have since come forward alleging sexual misconduct at the hands of the Combs, including his former music producer Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones. Murda Beatz was involved in a serious car accident while visiting Japan, but thankfully, he seems to have walked away unharmed. On Sunday, September 15, the renowned producer posted a picture on X, formerly Twitter, of himself standing near a wrecked Lamborghini that had crashed into a pole. In the caption, the 30-year-old reassured his followers, "I'll be ok." Murda Beatz, whose real name is Shane Lee Lindstrom, had only been in Japan for a couple of days when the incident occurred. While the specifics of the crash remain unclear, it doesn't appear that anyone else was involved, though no official details have been confirmed, per 'Hip Hop DX.' I'll be ok pic.twitter.com/wb2xEPgxlZ MURDA ON THE BEAT (@murdabeatz) September 15, 2024 Read more: Meek Mill has 3 questions for Kamala Harris to clear up rumors he heard about her Similarly, rapper Meek Mill also had a close call earlier this year but escaped without any major injuries. In April, Meek shared a video on X showing the aftermath of a serious car crash he experienced. He clarified that the vehicle in question wasn't a Tesla Cybertruck, which has faced a recall for safety concerns. The 37-year-old described his harrowing experience in a series of posts, revealing that shortly after purchasing the car, it malfunctioned. "First day I bought this car no air bags ... brake pedal came off ... with door open no safety effects ... no laser censor working ... this knocked me out bad, I was in park and the car started pulling off! I had this car for 4hrs maximum," he wrote, explaining that the car started moving on its own while he was parked. First day I bought this car no air bags brake pedal came off with door open no safety effects no laser censor working this knocked me out bad, I was in park and the car started pulling off! I had this car for 4hrs maximum pic.twitter.com/dxm11kyUzu MeekMill (@MeekMill) April 19, 2024 In a follow-up post, Meek Robert Rihmeek Williams added that it wasn't the first time he had experienced issues with a non-Tesla electric vehicle. "Wassup with these cyber trucks because I had another brand electric car 'not Tesla 'do the same thing I crashed and got hurt bad.... The air bags didn't even come out in a totaled car! Tesla has always been safe for me I tried some new shit and it almost killed me the first day!" he explained. Wassup with these cyber trucks because I had another brand electric car not Tesla do the same thing I crashed and got hurt bad. The air bags didnt even come out in a totaled car! Tesla has always been safe for me I tried some new shit and it almost killed me the first day! MeekMill (@MeekMill) April 19, 2024 Fortunately, despite the malfunction, Meek was able to walk away from the crash. A few weeks before sharing these details, the "Dreams and Nightmares" emcee posted a photo of the smashed-up front end of his car on Instagram, adding a caption that hinted at a deeper message: "God telling don't crash out for the bustas." A popular IVF clinic used by A-list celebs including Kim Kardashian, Chrissy Teigen, and Paris Hilton is reportedly being sued after the facility was accused of tossing precious embryos in the trash. According to 'TMZ,' patients claim after the facility reportedly threw their embryos in the trash, they may now be unable to have children, per the lawsuit. The Los Angeles fertility clinic in question is called Reproductive Partners Medical Group, and the facility is being sued by Marissa Calhoun and Stephen Castaneda. In documents obtained by the Hollywood media outlet, the couple claims Marissa had her eggs retrieved, frozen, and stored by RPMG back in 2021 and 2022. Its storage took a turn for the worse when the clinic made a massive error. The couple claims it was October of 2023 when they decided to fertilize Marissa's eggs which were stored with the IVF clinic under the advice of Dr. Andy Huang. Later that month, the clinic informed them that their eggs had indeed been fertilized and would be placed in an incubator to grow into viable embryos. To Marissa and Stephen's dismay, Dr. Huang informed the couple that RPMG had discarded and destroyed all of their embryos. Now, the two are seeking damages in a lawsuit. It was reported that the couple demanded the company's records to help understand how this could have happened, but the clinic provided incomplete sets of records a total of three times. It was reported the records stopped before embryos were tossed out. They also allege that the clinic failed to offer policies, procedures, and adequate training for employees to ensure all embryos placed into incubators would be labeled and handled properly. Dr. Huang is known for his celebrity clientele and has made multiple appearances on the hit show 'The Kardashians.' The doctor has also treated SKIMS' founder Kim Kardashian resulting in her pregnancy with Saint West, and Good American boss, Khloe Kardashian resulting in her pregnancy with baby Tatum via surrogacy. Khloe Kardashian shares Valentines Day photos with Tatum and True pic.twitter.com/XiqUUNBbvh KKD | Khloe Kardashian Daily (@KhloeDaily) February 15, 2024 "What makes this case so outrageous is that RPMG not only failed to label Marissa and Stephen's embryos, but then threw away those unlabeled embryos without any thought or concern," Adam Wolf, partner at Peiffer Wolf, told 'TMZ.' "... RPMG gaslighted Marissa and Stephen. This is no way to treat any patient, let alone people who trusted you to start their family." While Hampton's socialite Candice Miller is mourning the death of her husband by suicide, she's now being asked to pick up nearly $200,000 in financial responsibilities. In a report by 'Page Six,' the former "Mama + Tata" lifestyle blogger is allegedly being sued for owing $194,881.89 on a lofty 4,382-square foot residence. The Park Avenue, New York City apartment features five bedrooms and seven and a half bath. Per the media outlet, the 42-year-old reportedly failed to pay $47,000 in rent in April and May before skipping an additional $49,000 in payments for the months of June and July. She's also reportedly being billed $2,000 for an outstanding balance she allegedly accrued back in August, in addition to an $800 plumbing invoice. Documents obtained by the outlet claim Candice "agreed to surrender" the property by the end of August and she kept her end of the deal. That said, she allegedly never took care of the enormous bill before upholding that end of the deal. Rather than handle all those zeros in reported accrued expenses, the blogger reportedly ditched and high-tailed herself to Miami in a reported attempt to start a new life down south. That said, it never stopped her bills from finding her location. "She's over in New York," an insider told 'Page Six' back in August. "She's moving to Miami before school starts and has enrolled her kids in a Miami school." The media outlet was able to back that with a report stating that the move was made possible by her wealthy friends who lent a hand, as she was dealing with the death of her husband. It was reported that her late husband left the lifestyle blogger with two kids and $8,000 in the bank. "Candice was blindsided by Brandon's death, but she has some very supportive friends and family who have all stood by her and are helping her financially and in any other ways they can," a source at the outlet claimed. Now, the mom of two is trying to sell her $15 million dollar Hamptons home. Her late husband, real estate star Brandon Miller, was found unresponsive in a vehicle. His cause of death was revealed by 'PEOPLE' as carbon monoxide poisoning. Per the media outlet, Brandon had been struggling with extensive financial pressures, including millions in loans and mortgages, and had also taken out life insurance policies. He died July 3. Former British TV presenter Huw Edwards, the long-time face of the BBC's flagship news program, was given a suspended sentence at a London court for charges involving indecent images of children. Germany reintroduced temporary border checks including at its frontiers with France and the Netherlands as part of efforts to combat irregular migration and cross-border crime. SALEM, Ohio A judge for the U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio issued a temporary restraining order against the popular Mt. Hope Alternative Animal Auction in Millersburg, Ohio, a multi-day-long auction where over 200 different species of domestic and exotic animals are sold, citing the auctions violation of the Animal Welfare Act. A preliminary complaint filed on Sept. 6 cited numerous and repeated violations of the law, spanning from inadequate veterinary care and unsafe housing of animals in enclosures, to improper animal handling, inaccurate record keeping and sales of animals from unlicensed sellers. This years auction, which was set to take place Sept. 19-21, was canceled, according to the auctions website, due to the temporary restraining order. In a statement online and on their Facebook Page, Mt. Hope wrote, We are very sorry to do this so close to the auction but do not feel comfortable attempting to hold the sale. We apologize to all of our customers but feel this is the best decision at this time. Mt. Hope Auction President Thurman Mullet declined to comment pending further litigation. The complaint According to the complaint, since 2022, Mt. Hope has been cited by USDA for neglecting to provide 39 different animals at its facility during the Alternative Animal Auctions with proper veterinarian care. The court provided a detailed account of events that took place at Alternative Animal Auctions with photographs, including government inspectors discovery in September 2022 of a small, dead ram in the facilitys main sale barn. The inspectors concluded that the auction staff had not carried out enough daily observations to notice the dead ram or to determine that it required veterinary care before it died. On the last day of the September 2023 auction, inspectors saw a calf lying down with its back legs splayed. A member of the public reported that the calf, which was later found to be unable to walk, had been in the same position since the day before. More animals in the fall 2023 auction, including two nilgai, a kind of Asian antelope, and several cattle, were discovered to be malnourished with ribs, scapula, pelvic bones and individual vertebrae exposed. The complaint said that although Mt. Hope Auction has made clear that buyers and sellers are responsible for the animals they consign, the auction has not ensured that there are enough staff members on duty to effectively monitor the health and welfare of the thousands of animals at the auction each day and to promptly report any problems to the attending veterinarian. The lack of diligence regarding the health and well-being of the thousands of animals that are part of the Alternative Animal Auctions has caused many animals to suffer, and will continue to do so unless (Mt. Hope) and its attending veterinarian alter their practices in compliance with the AWA, the complaint reads. The USDA conducted 11 inspections of Mt. Hope Auction in the last two years, all of which have identified multiple violations of the AWA and its regulations and standards, for a total of 69 AWA violations in less than two years. Thirteen of these violations were classified as critical or direct, the two most serious types of AWA citation. Despite written inspection reports and oral exit interviews after every inspection, as well as an Official Warning from USDA, (Mt. Hope) has been unable or unwilling to come into compliance with the AWA, showing a disregard for the applicable laws, the well-being of the animals that come to the Auctions and the safety of the public, the complaint reads. PETA The temporary restraining order follows numerous complaints and reports issued from PETA, the animal rights organization, about alleged abuses and other incidents occurring at the Mt. Hope Alternative Animal Auctions. PETA reporting dating back to 2022 includes numerous incidents of alleged cruelty at the Mt. Hope Alternative Animal Auctions, some of which are also included in the court order as evidence of poor conditions at the auctions. Mt. Hope auctions off sick, injured and neglected animals for scofflaw sellers who cant be bothered to provide them with basic, needed veterinary care or even adequate food and water, said PETA Foundation Senior Director of Captive Animal Welfare Debbie Metzler in a press release the organization issued in July in response to a February USDA inspection report at Mt. Hope. Next steps In addition to ensuring that all animals present at its Alternative Animal Auctions are provided with adequate veterinary care, including daily observations to assess their health and well-being and the use of appropriate methods to prevent, control, diagnose and treat diseases and injuries, U.S. District Court Judge John Adams ordered Mt. Hope to begin keeping complete veterinary records of all animals evaluated or treated at Alternative Animal Auctions, including those that die. The order also requires establishing a safe distance and/or barriers between animals and people and that USDA inspectors be able to access Mt. Hope facilities and records without interference or harassment. Mt. Hope was given two weeks from the date of the order to comply. The government has been urged to negotiate a new deal with the EU as post-Brexit 'veterinary failures' are costing the industry millions of pounds per year. Inconsistency and inaccuracy in veterinary controls are 'crippling' the UK meat industry, the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has warned. The UKs largest trade body, which represents all parts of the meat and poultry sector, said the situation 'is untenable'. The failure of consistency in veterinary controls and the inaccuracy of certification processes have left UK firms "at risk of economic loss, waste, and an increasingly unmanageable burden of bureaucracy". Jason Aldiss, head of external affairs at AIMS, has called on the new government to negotiate a veterinary agreement with the EU as an urgent priority. We are seeing a complete failure in the consistency of veterinary controls, which is compounded by the inaccuracy of the manual, outdated export certification system," he said. "Errors in veterinary certification are causing substantial losses for the industry, and without immediate action, these inefficiencies will continue to destabilise the meat sector. Since Brexit, the UKs Border Control Posts (BCPs) have exhibited wide variability in how veterinary controls are applied, with individual veterinary decisions creating inconsistent outcomes, AIMS said. This has exposed importers to unnecessary risks, with different standards being enforced across BCPs, the body explained. It warned that this inconsistency is not only adding complexity but also causing financial harm, as delays and rejections at the border lead to product spoilage and significant waste. A single wrong decision at a BCP can result in millions of pounds in lost revenue, placing both small and large meat processors in a precarious position. Furthermore, the additional paperwork and compliance costs for each lorry carrying an export load can be up to 1,500 whilst UK importers are being charged up to 870 per truck in customs fees, even when only 2% of consignments are inspected. The inconsistencies in veterinary decision-making across the country and at BCPs exacerbate these issues, AIMS said, leading to further inefficiency, supply chain disruptions and possibly avoidable food spoilage. Mr Aldiss noted that inaccurate veterinary certification is another ongoing issue, with the manual 'antiquated' system in place for export health certificates (EHCs) also prone to human error. We are regularly hearing of incorrect documentation that results in shipment rejections," he said, adding that these mistakes are costly to businesses and contribute to waste. AIMS view is that veterinary agreement with the EU is urgently needed - it would address these critical issues by aligning veterinary standards, removing the need for EHCs, and ensuring that veterinary controls are applied uniformly. This would dramatically reduce costs, prevent delays, and restore the efficiency that existed before Brexit." Mr Aldiss concluded: It is essential that the UK government acts now. Inconsistency and inaccuracy in veterinary controls are crippling our industry." Northern Irish farm leaders have raised concerns about the lack of future financial support for the region's fragile sheep sector. The Sheep Industry Taskforce, which is made up of industry groups, met with the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee to raise the concerns. They highlighted that the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) makes up the majority of sheep farms' income, with the sector having one of the lowest incomes. Sheep farming is part of the fabric of Northern Irish agriculture, with almost 4 in 10 farm businesses contributing to sheep production. And last year, the sheep sector contributed 109 million to the Northern Irish economy. But UFU deputy president, Glenn Cuddy warned that the sector is set to lose out on 18% of the BPS, with no way to make up for the shortfall. Many farms are also on severely disadvantaged land, he explained, which aren't suitable for growing crops or raising cattle. "Therefore, they cant benefit from the Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme or the Suckler Cow Scheme, and Areas of Natural Constraint payments ended in 2017," Mr Cuddy said. We came away from the meeting having made it very clear that sheep support needs to be added into future agriculture support." The UFU and sheep industry reps have planned a meeting with NI Farming Minister Andrew Muir in the coming weeks to discuss the matter further. Sean Fitzpatrick, of the NI Agricultural Producers Association, who attended the meeting, said sheep farmers have some of the lowest incomes while having to deal with a wide range of challenges, such as weather, land quality and age demographics. The sheep industry contributed 109m in 2023 to the NI economy, but how can anyone expect our sheep farmers to maintain this when their income is getting significantly cut?" he asked. "If support is not provided for sheep businesses to help them manage challenges, it has the potential to put many farm families out of business. "The impact of which would ripple into rural communities, impact the environment and the supply chain." Intensive livestock farming methods could increase the risk of new pandemics, British researchers have warned. The study, led by the University of Exeter, examined the effect of social and economic factors often overlooked in traditional assessments. It found that the effects of intensifying agriculture 'are at best uncertain and at worst may contribute to EID (emerging infectious disease) risk'. Researchers highlighted the expansion of intensive farming and the resulting environmental degradation as factors which could raise EID risks. It also said intensification led to a 'mixed landscape' with a variety of farming practices and types which created the 'worst of all possible worlds in terms of EID risk'. Lead author Professor Steve Hinchliffe, from the university, said the Covid-19 pandemic had reignited interest in EIDs, especially zoonotic viruses. The risks of emergence and transmission depend on multiple factors, including contact between humans and animals, and how we use land," he explained. Livestock farming plays a potentially significant role in those risks, shaping landscapes and providing hosts that can act as the source or amplifiers of emerging pathogens. While such risks are usually assessed in terms of microbiological, ecological and veterinary sciences, the new study highlighted the need to consider social, economic and political factors. Prof Hinchliffe said: The founding myth in intensive farming is that we separate livestock from wildlife and thereby shut off the risk of diseases passing between them. But these farms exist in the real world so buildings and fences can get damaged, wildlife like rats or wild birds can get in, and workers move around. In short, there will always be accidents. Once social, economic and political factors are taken into account, the pandemic risk posed by intensive farming is concerning. On biosecurity, the research said some farm businesses found the costs 'debilitating', while regional variations also had an impact. For example, European farm buildings can be old and costly to maintain, while large US farms tend to be open-air concrete structures with netting to avoid the need for air conditioning. In subtropical areas, biosecurity is often balanced against the need to reduce overheating of animals. The result is a far from bio-contained environment, the study's researchers concluded. Microplastics have been found in the human brain for the first time. Microplastics have been found in the human brain A study has revealed that plastic fibres and particles - which are thought to have originated from clothing, bottles and food packaging - were discovered in the brains of people who had passed away, leading scientists to conclude that the harmful particles are being breathed in. Scientists conducted the study on samples taken from the brains of 15 people from Sao Paulo, Brazil, finding traces of polypropylene in eight of them. The results from this research add to the growing evidence that plastics could play a key role in the development of health conditions such as cancer and dementia. Professor Thais Mauad, lead researcher from the University of Sao Paulo, said: "This study finds that the olfactory pathway is a potential major entry route for plastic into the brain, meaning that breathing within indoor environments could be a major source of plastic pollution in the brain. "With much smaller nanoplastics entering the body with greater ease, the total level of plastic particles may be much higher. "What is worrying is the capacity of such particles to be internalised by cells and alter how our bodies function." Artem Chigvintsev has requested spousal support from Nikki Garcia. Artem Chigvintsev has requested spousal support The 40-year-old TV star recently filed for a divorce from Artem, and the 42-year-old dancer has now responded by requesting spousal support and asking for Nikki's ability to receive the same financial support to be terminated. In court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Artem has also asked Nikki - who was known as Nikki Bella during her time in the WWE - to pay his attorney fees. Nikki filed for divorce earlier this month, and in her own petition, she requested the court terminate spousal support for both parties. The former WWE star requested a divorce after Artem was arrested by the Napa County Sheriffs Office on suspicion of felony corporal injury to spouse or cohabitant. Audio of a 911 call obtained by TMZ featured a dispatcher saying the dancer had alleged his spouse had thrown her shoes at him. The clip featured the dispatcher saying Artem's call "initially came in as requesting medical, but now he is stating he got into an argument with his wife and his wife threw shoes at RP [reporting party]. There is a child on scene. Medical en route. There's an active 415 [disturbing the peace] in the background responsible." But the dancer subsequently stated he no longer needed medical assistance, with the dispatcher confirming: "RP is stating no medical is needed now." Artem was booked on a charge of corporal injury to a spouse and released later in the day on $25,000 bond. The celebrity duo met on 'Dancing With the Stars' back in 2017, but they didn't start dating until the following year, after Nikki split from John Cena. They got engaged in January 2020 and married in Paris in August 2022. Brie Larson is set to make her West End debut in 'Elektra. Brie Larson is heading to London's West End early next year The Oscar-winning star will make her debut in poet Anne Carson's adaptation of the Sophokles play helmed by Tony Award-winner Daniel Fish. She said: I couldnt be more excited to perform in this Greek drama, or in better company collaborating with Daniel Fish and Anne Carson. Storytelling has always been the way I organise life, feelings and experiences. I look forward to sharing space with the wonderful West End audience while we explore this timeless story. The plot follows Elektra and her long-lost brother Orestes who seek justice following the murder of their father Agamemnon by Clytemnestra and their stepfather Aegisthus. Daniel commented: What is ancient and what is contemporary? Carsons translation explodes this question. It is a thrilling challenge to work on Sophokless tragedy, by way of Carsons words, and on the beautiful stage of The Duke of Yorks with Brie Larson." The show will receive its premiere at the Theatre Royal Brighton from January 13 to Saturday 18 January 2025, before heading to the Duke of Yorks Theatre in London for an 11-week run starting on January 24. Sign up for priority booking at www.ElektraPlay.com. Tickets go on general sale on Wednesday 2 October 2024. Brie won acclaim for her performance in 2015's 'Room' and has since starred as Carol Danvers in Marvels first female-led superhero blockbuster 'Captain Marvel'. The 34-year-old actress won her Academy Award for her portrayal of a kidnapping victim in 'Room' and later admitted she struggled to shake off the "dark" role for more than a year afterwards. Taking part in one of The Hollywood Reporter's roundtables earlier this year, she said: "I basically havent done anything as dark as 'Room' since 'Room', because it took me a year to get out of it. And it was really scary. It took me a long time to be able to just do basic things that I used to enjoy in my life. "So, yeah, you hope that you have the grace of a line producer whos scheduled it so that there are moments where you can offload." As excitement rises for the upcoming action-thriller Yudhra, director Ravi Udyawar has given fans a glimpse into the most challenging scene of the movie: an adrenaline-pumping bike chase. The film, starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Malavika Mohanan, is already creating buzz with its high-octane trailers and catchy songs. The highlight of the movie is its intense bike chase, which, according to Udyawar, was shot in a single take with no cuts. "We brought in three professional superbike riders from Portugal to handle these extreme high-speed stunts," Udyawar shared. The action scene was not only physically demanding but also shot across Mumbai's iconic landmarks, including the new sea link and express flyovers, making it a visual treat for audiences. Udyawar further revealed, This sequence is more than just an action scene its a cinematic experience, combining heart-pounding speed with the stunning backdrop of Mumbais skyscrapers and streets. Yudhra, slated to release on September 20, is directed by Ravi Udyawar, with a story written by Farhan Akhtar and Sridhar Raghavan. With a strong supporting cast and edge-of-the-seat action, the film promises to be a memorable action-packed experience. Edwards Lifesciences today announced the launch in Europe of the SAPIEN 3 transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation (TPVI) system with Alterra adaptive prestent, expanding minimally invasive treatment options to a broader range of patients with congenital heart conditions. Edwards' SAPIEN 3 TPV system with Alterra adaptive prestent (SAPIEN 3 with Alterra) recently received CE mark1 for use in the management of patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation. This new system has been designed to address a wider range of anatomies, bringing the excellent clinical outcomes and performance of the SAPIEN 3 transcatheter pulmonary valve2 to more patients and broadening treatment options over the lifetime of patients. "Patients with congenital heart conditions often undergo multiple invasive surgical procedures, significantly impacting their quality of life," said Professor Damien Kenny, consultant congenital cardiologist at Crumlin Hospital and the Mater Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. "The addition of the innovative Alterra adaptive prestent to the SAPIEN 3 pulmonic platform means that we can now offer minimally invasive therapy to a wider range of pulmonic patients, and delay their potential need for future open-heart surgeries." The proven SAPIEN 3 transcatheter valve is combined with the Alterra adaptive prestent, building on generations of valve technology and innovation. The innovative Alterra prestent addresses variations in size and morphology of the right ventricular outflow tract to provide a stable landing zone for the SAPIEN 3 valve3. The specifically designed Alterra delivery system offers smooth tracking to the pulmonary artery, and the unique ability to recapture and reposition if needed. "Patients requiring pulmonic heart valve replacement are a diverse group with complex challenges, including adolescents and adults with Tetralogy of Fallot or other congenital heart valve defects," said Gregory Servotte, senior vice president of transcatheter heart valves EU at Edwards. "I am proud of the advancement of the SAPIEN 3 with Alterra and in the dedication of our team here at Edwards focused on developing lifesaving innovations to address the significant needs of patients with structural heart disease." Notes to Editors 1. The 29mm Edwards SAPIEN 3 TPV system with Alterra adaptive prestent is indicated for use in the management of patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation who have a native or surgically-repaired right ventricular outflow tract and are clinically indicated for pulmonary valve replacement. 2. Lim DS, et al. Congenital Pulmonic Valve Dysfunction Treated with SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter Heart Valve (from the COMPASSION S3 Trial). Am J Cardiol 2023 Mar 1;190:102-109. 3. Shahanavaz S, et al. Alterra Adaptive Prestent and SAPIEN 3 THV for Congenital Pulmonic Valve Dysfunction: An Early Feasibility Study. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2020 Nov 9;13(21):2510-2524 About Edwards Lifesciences Edwards Lifesciences is the leading global structural heart innovation company, driven by a passion to improve patient lives. Through breakthrough technologies, world-class evidence and partnerships with clinicians and healthcare stakeholders, our employees are inspired by our patient-focused culture to deliver life-changing innovations to those who need them most. Discover more at www.edwards.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X. Edwards, Edwards Lifesciences, the stylized E logo, Edwards SAPIEN, Edwards SAPIEN 3, Alterra, SAPIEN and SAPIEN 3 are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240916488217/en/ Contacts: Rowan Unsworth, +41 (0)79 564 20 82, rowan_unsworth@edwards.com Gold Mountain Mining Corp. ("Gold Mountain" or the "Company") (TSX:GMTN)(OTCQB:GMTNF)(FRA:5XFA) is pleased to report its financial and operating results for the three months and six months ended July 31, 2024 ("Q2 2025"). The Company's Financial Statements, Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A"), are available for download on SEDAR and the Company's website. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars ("$") unless otherwise noted. Highlights for the three months ended July 31, 2024 Gold sales of 114oz from 3,877 tonnes delivered grading at an average of 1.25 g/t The Company recorded revenue of $105,012 at an average realized gold price 1 of $897 (US$658) per ounce of gold sold Mine operating loss of $1,167,618 Net loss of $2,171,099 or $0.00 per share (basic) during Q2 2025 Adjusted EBITDA 1 of ($1,337,101) Total Cash Costs 1 per ounce sold of $10,041 The strip ratio of 22.8 in Q2 2025 Summary of Operational Results Q2 2025 Q2 2024 6MO 2025 6MO 2024 Ore mined (t) 3,877 7,675 11,307 16,179 Waste mined (t) 88,385 551,033 234,142 957,735 Total mined (t) 92,262 558,708 245,449 973,914 Ore delivered (t) 3,449 8,597 11,403 16,391 Average ore grade delivered - gold (g/t) 1.25 4.01 1.79 6.07 Strip ratio waste/ore 22.8 71.8 20.7 59.2 Gold ounces sold (oz) 114 965 523 2,763 Operational Update During Q2 2025, the Company mined a total of 3,877 tonnes of ore and 88,385 tonnes of waste, all of which came from the Siwash North Pit. The average ore grade delivered was 1.25 g/t gold, resulting in total gold ounces sold of 114 and a strip ratio of 22.8. During Q2 2024, the Company mined a total of 7,675 tonnes of ore and 551,033 tonnes of waste from the Siwash North Pit. The average ore grade delivered was 4.01 g/t gold, resulting in total gold ounces sold of 965 and a strip ratio of 71.8. The lower strip ratio in Q2 2025 was result of implementing a more targeted methodology, which led to reduced dilution and minimized mine loss. The Company is looking to strategically increase its production outputs as the improvements to mine methods, grade control, ore processing and sampling are realized. We recognize that a large increase in production prior to the improvements may be at a significant loss in potential earnings. Summary of Financial Results Q2 2025 Q2 2024 6MO 2025 6MO 2024 Revenue $ 105,012 $ 2,202,855 $ 993,560 $ 6,371,231 Cost of sales (1,272,630 ) (2,500,421 ) (4,578,657 ) (5,076,421 ) Mine operating income (loss) (1,167,618 ) (297,566 ) (3,585,097 ) 1,294,810 Net loss and comprehensive loss (2,171,099 ) (977,547 ) (9,998,543 ) (16,938 ) Net loss per share - basic and diluted (0.00 ) (0.01 ) (0.02 ) (0.00 ) Adjusted EBITDA1 $ (1,337,101 ) $ (709,513 ) $ (4,900,193 ) $ 596,203 Average realized gold price1 ($/oz) $ 897 $ 2,246 $ 1,867 $ 2,280 Total Cash Costs1 per ounce sold ($/oz) $ 10,041 $ 2,385 $ 8,196 $ 1,682 For Q2 2025, the Company recorded a net loss of $2.1 million compared with a net loss of $1.0 million for Q2 2024. Lower metal sales volumes due to low production, combined with lower realized prices for gold, resulted in a decrease in revenue to $0.1 million from $2.2 million for Q2 2024. Mine operating income for Q2 2025 was an operating loss of $1.2 million compared with a mine operating loss of $0.3 million for Q2 2024. Corporate Update The Company's mining contractor and partner, Nhwelmen Construction Limited Partnership ("Nhwelmen"), renegotiated its accumulated debts by converting $1,250,000 into Company common shares, and placing the remaining balance of the $6,534,851, on a medium-term loan. As a sign of good faith and trust, both parties have executed a General Security Agreement ("GSA") with respect to the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Elk Gold Mining Corp. Once the accrued amount has been paid down, the GSA will be terminated. During the six months ended July 31, 2024, Nhwelmen also agreed to convert the $5,000,000 of the secured debt into a secured Debenture. The Debenture bears interest at the rate of 12% per annum with a maturity date of 4 years from the date of issuance. The Debenture is convertible into common shares of the Company at a conversion price of $0.08 per share of the Company, at any time immediately preceding the maturity date. The Company worked with its primary contractor and partner, Nhwelmen to revisit the mine plan and mine operational plan, to expand its operations, and to provide the operational security and capital the Company requires to move forward. Subsequent to the Q2 closing at July 31, 2024, the Company did secure operational funding in the amount of $6.5 million by way of a convertible debenture The Debenture bears interest at the rate of 10% per annum with a maturity date of 10 years from the date of issuance. The Debenture is convertible into common shares of the Company at a conversion price of $0.08 per share of the Company, at any time immediately preceding the maturity date. Subsequent to the Q2 closing at July 31, 2024, the Company has resumed expanded operations as planned. Primary focus for Q3 2025 includes refining the block model, optimizing pit design, and enhancing mine operational planning to increase production in September. The Company is engaged with surrounding Indigenous Communities to proactively address any community concerns respecting the future mining plans. The Company is aware of and acknowledges each respective Indigenous Nation's decision-making process that will continue independently from the federal and provincial regulatory regimes. Qualified Person The foregoing technical information was approved by Ron Woo, P.Eng., a Qualified Person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and the Chief Executive Officer for the Company. About Gold Mountain Gold Mountain is a British Columbia based gold and silver production, exploration and development company focused on the development of the Elk Gold Mine, a producing mine located 57 kilometers from Merritt in South Central British Columbia. Additional information is available at www.sedar.com or on the Company's new website at www.gold-mountain.ca . For more information, please contact: Gold Mountain Mining Corp. Calvin Cheung, Chief Financial Officer Email: IR@gold-mountain.ca Website: www.gold-mountain.ca Twitter: www.twitter.com/goldmtnmine Forward Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation regarding final approval of the Convertible Debenture, the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern, the impact of the raising of funds pursuant to the Convertible Debenture on the Company and the results thereof, including that it will allow the Company to address its significant working capital deficiency and provide operating capital to the Company so that it can go forward as a viable going concern, receipt of the final TSX approval and the ability for the Company to restart the mine, thereby significantly improving the Company's financial situation. Forward-looking statements include statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release and are not purely historical including any information relating to statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future and often, but not always, use words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; the price of gold; and the results of current exploration. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Gold Mountain disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this News Release. The Company has included certain non-IFRS measures in this document, as discussed below. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") is a non-IFRS financial performance measure. For a full definition and reconciliation of this non-IFRS financial performance measure, refer to the Company's MD&A for the three and six months ended July 31, 2024, a copy of which is available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com . Total Cash Cost per ounce sold is a common financial performance measure in the gold mining industry but has no standard meaning under IFRS. The Company reports total cash costs on a sales basis. For a full definition and reconciliation of this non-IFRS financial performance measure, refer to the Company's MD&A for the three and six months ended July 31, 2024, a copy of which is available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com . Average realized price per ounce of gold sold is used by management to better understand the price realized in each reporting period for gold sales. This metric is intended to provide additional information only and does not have any standardized definition under IFRS. For a full definition and reconciliation of this non-IFRS financial performance measure, refer to the Company's MD&A for the three and six months ended July 31, 2024, a copy of which is available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com . SOURCE: Gold Mountain Mining Corp View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 16, 2024) - Hybrid Power Solutions Inc. (CSE: HPSS) (OTCQB: HPSIF) (FSE: E092) ("Hybrid" or the "Company") would like to provide an update on the status of the filing of its annual financial statements, accompanying management's discussion and analysis and related CEO and CFO certifications for the year ended May 31, 2024 (collectively, the "Annual Filings"). The current auditors of the Corporation have recently informed the Corporation that due to the delayed receipt of certain information, as a result of the Corporation transitioning from using primarily external accounting service providers to internal accountants who will administer the accounting of the Corporation and delayed payment to the auditors for services rendered, it is unlikely that the auditors will be able to compile and complete the necessary audit work in order to file the Annual Filings by the prescribed filing deadline of September 30, 2024 pursuant to Parts 4 and 5 of National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations and National Instrument 52-109 - Certification of Disclosure in Issuer's Annual and Interim Filings (the "Filing Deadline"). The Company intends to continue to work diligently and expeditiously with its auditors and expects to file the Annual Filings as soon as possible, and in any event no later than October 31, 2024. Other than as previously disclosed by the Company and herein with this press release, the Company confirms that there have been no material business developments since the date of its last financial statements that were filed. Management Cease Trade Order Application In light of the delay in filing of the Annual Filings prior to the Filing Deadline, the Company is providing this default announcement in accordance with National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203"). The Company has made an application to the British Columbia Securities Commission (the "BCSC"), as principal regulator of the Company, for a management cease trade order ("MCTO") under NP 12-203 in respect of the anticipated default regarding the Annual Filings. The granting of the MCTO is at the discretion of the British Columbia Securities Commission and there is no guarantee that this will be granted. The issuance of the MCTO will not affect the ability of persons who have not been directors, officers or insiders of the Company to trade in their securities. In the event that the MCTO is granted, it will be in effect until the default is remedied. The Company intends to follow the provisions of the Alternative Information Guidelines set out in NP 12-203, including the issuance of bi-weekly default status reports in the form of news releases, for as long as the Company remains in default. Marketing Update Further to the Company's press release dated July 12, 2024 regarding the renewal of the marketing agreement with MIC Market Information & Content Publishing GmbH ("MIC"), the Company has decided to suspend indefinitely any further marketing activities by MIC pursuant to this agreement and approximately CDN $350,000, of the approximately CDN $480,000 provided to MIC pursuant to the agreement, has been returned to the Company. 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/223572 SOURCE: Hybrid Power Solutions Inc. BANGALORE, India, Sept. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pallet Four-Way Shuttle Market is Segmented by Type (Load 1t and Below, Load 1-1.5t, Load 1.5t and Above), by Application (Pharmaceutical, Chemical Industry, Food Industry, Electronics and Semiconductors, Cold Chain): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2030. The Global Pallet Four-Way Shuttle Market was valued at USD 151.8 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 772.8 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 28.3% during the forecast period 2024-2030. Get Free Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-30A12311/Global_Pallet_Four_way_Shuttle_Market_Research_Report Major Factors Driving the Growth of Pallet Four-Way Shuttle Market The Pallet Four-way Shuttle market is growing rapidly, driven by the increasing need for efficient material handling solutions in industries such as retail, e-commerce, and manufacturing. These automated systems enable the seamless movement of pallets in warehouses, optimizing both vertical and horizontal storage space. Four-way shuttles improve warehouse productivity by reducing manual labor and enhancing the speed of storage and retrieval operations. The surge in e-commerce, combined with the rising adoption of automation in logistics, is further fueling the demand for these shuttles. Additionally, sectors like food and pharmaceuticals, where precise and efficient storage is crucial, are contributing to market growth as they increasingly adopt automated storage systems. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-30A12311/global-pallet-four-way-shuttle TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE PALLET FOUR-WAY SHUTTLE MARKET The rising demand for load capacities between 1 and 1.5 tons is a key factor in driving the Pallet Four-way Shuttle market. This capacity range is highly suited for handling medium-sized products, making it a popular choice across industries like retail, e-commerce, and manufacturing. These shuttles streamline warehouse operations by efficiently transporting pallets, speeding up storage and retrieval processes while minimizing manual labor. As companies prioritize optimizing their supply chain and logistics management, shuttles within this load capacity have become integral in boosting productivity and operational efficiency in warehouses and distribution centers. The food sector plays a vital role in the growth of the Pallet Four-way Shuttle market, particularly because of the need for efficient solutions in temperature-controlled environments. In food processing and distribution, products must be moved quickly to maintain freshness and meet safety standards. Four-way shuttles enhance the efficiency of cold storage facilities by expediting pallet handling and optimizing storage space. With the increasing demand for frozen and packaged foods, the adoption of automated storage systems that reduce product spoilage and enhance turnover rates is accelerating, driving growth in this market. The pharmaceutical industry is significantly contributing to the expansion of the Pallet Four-way Shuttle market, driven by strict requirements for the storage and handling of medical supplies and medications. The need for automated systems that can manage pallets in controlled environments has increased, as precision and hygiene standards in pharmaceutical warehousing become more stringent. Pallet four-way shuttles meet these demands, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards while improving efficiency and reducing errors. The growing trend toward automation in pharmaceutical logistics is further propelling market growth in this sector. The rapid growth of e-commerce is a major driver of the Pallet Four-way Shuttle market. As online retailers and logistics providers look to optimize supply chain operations, these shuttles offer an effective solution for managing high volumes of palletized goods in warehouses. Four-way shuttles enable faster movement of pallets in multi-tier storage systems, enhancing order fulfillment speeds and reducing labor costs. The shift towards omnichannel retailing and increasing customer expectations for faster delivery are compelling companies to adopt advanced warehousing technologies like pallet shuttles to stay competitive. The need for space optimization in warehouses is a crucial factor driving the adoption of Pallet Four-way Shuttles, especially as warehouse rental costs continue to rise. These shuttles allow businesses to maximize vertical and horizontal storage capacity, making them ideal for high-density storage environments. By facilitating pallet storage in narrow aisles and at greater heights, four-way shuttles help companies utilize warehouse space more efficiently, reducing the need for costly expansions. This is particularly beneficial for industries such as retail, automotive, and manufacturing, where efficient space usage is essential for minimizing costs and improving operations. The global shortage of skilled labor in logistics and warehousing has accelerated the adoption of automation, including Pallet Four-way Shuttles. These systems reduce dependence on manual labor for repetitive tasks such as pallet handling, addressing rising labor costs in many regions. By automating key warehouse processes, companies can lower operational expenses, increase throughput, and reduce the risks associated with manual labor, such as injuries. This trend is making four-way shuttles a cost-effective and valuable investment for businesses looking to optimize warehouse operations while mitigating labor challenges. Buy Now: https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-30A12311&lic=single-user PALLET FOUR-WAY SHUTTLE MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS The Pallet Four-way Shuttle market exhibits varied growth across regions, with North America and Europe leading due to their strong adoption of automation in sectors like retail, automotive, and e-commerce. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region is experiencing rapid market growth, driven by increasing industrialization, the rise of e-commerce, and a focus on optimizing logistics. Countries such as China, India, and Japan are spearheading market expansion in this area. Additionally, emerging markets in Latin America and the Middle East are seeing growth due to infrastructure development and rising investments in automation technologies. Key Companies: Nanjing Inform Storage Equipment (Group) Co HWA CHANG Damon Technology Group Corp Bluesword Ssi Schaefer Maxrac (Speedlog) LISEN Automation HLD Itelligent Equipment Shanghai Yinfeng Robot Co SURAY Information Technology INTPLOG (upedge) Niuyan Intelligent Logistics Equipment (Suzhou) Co Moffett Storage Lonlink Smart Storage Solution (Shanghai) Co Nanjing Huaruide Logistics Equipment Co (FAST) Jingxing Logistics Equipment Engineering Co Megvii Robotics Jiangsu EBIL Intelligent Storage Technology Co Purchase Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/request/chaptercost/QYRE-Auto-30A12311/Global_Pallet_Four_way_Shuttle_Market SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS! - Four Way Shuttle System Market - Pallet Shuttle Market - Four-way Pallet Truck market was valued at USD 2895.8 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 4838.9 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Pallet and Box Shuttle market was valued at USD 573 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 1287.5 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 12.8% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Pallet Shuttle Vehicle Market - Corrugated Pallets market is projected to grow from USD 627.5 Million in 2024 to USD 979.2 Million by 2030, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.7% during the forecast period. - The global Pallet Stretch Wrapping Machines market is projected to grow from USD 636.9 Million in 2024 to USD 787.5 Million by 2030, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.6% during the forecast period. - Pallet Type Storage System Market - Pallet Pooling System Dental Industry DISCOVER OUR VISION: VISIT ABOUT US! 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Valuates Reports sales@valuates.com For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valuatesreports6753 https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese https://valuatesreportspanish.blogspot.com/ https://valuateskorean.blogspot.com/ https://valuatesgerman.blogspot.com/ https://valuatesreportjapanese.blogspot.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/pallet-four-way-shuttle-market-size-to-grow-usd-772-8-million-by-2030-at-a-cagr-of-28-3--valuates-reports-302249039.html New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - September 16, 2024) - As a leading NY unpaid wage & overtime specialist, Langeland Law has been protecting New York employees for decades. The firm is celebrating over 23 year-long fight against wage abuse and is reaffirming its pledge to offer comprehensive support to unjustly treated workers and employees nationwide. Langeland Law Celebrates 23 Years of Defending Clients from Unpaid Wage and Overtime Abuse To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/223426_252df75ad4dfbbbd_002full.jpg Langeland Unpaid Wage & Overtime Lawyers, helmed by Eric Langeland as its head attorney and founder, have been providing legal assistance and representation to American employees nationwide and continue to contribute to uplift the bar justice, fairness, and transparency in the legal sector. From its first stages as an aspiring law practice focused on overtime and wage violations to joining the upper echelons of New York's unpaid wage attorneys serving clients nationwide, Langeland Law is celebrating over two decades of growth, evolution, and service. In the past 23 years, Langeland Law Attorneys have worked on numerous cases, building a robust portfolio encompassing practice areas beyond minimum wage and overtime areas. As the practice grew, so did its eclectic suite of legal services, which now includes breach of contract, identity theft, biometric privacy, Employment Retirement Income Security Act violations (ERISA), and more. Eric Langeland, a graduate of Boston College Law School and Chief Attorney at Langeland Law underpins that his commitment to backing American workers in their fight for fair wages and overtime hours has been the focal point of his career, and that his practice is still committed to ensuring clients have a reliable team of experts to lean on: "For more than twenty-five years, we have represented clients in individual litigation and class actions," Eric said. To date, we have recovered millions of dollars of back wages for our clients." New wage and overtime laws and amendments are frequently passed, creating a unique dynamic that individuals with no legal background or expertise find difficult to follow. Some employers capitalize on the lack of knowledge in this field and omit paying their employees their owed minimum wages and overtime. Langeland Law New York Unpaid Wage & Overtime Lawyers have been fighting against such cases for over 23 years and continue to providing clients with exemplary legal counsel, representation, and protection. Langeland Law experts boast decades of combined experience in employment law, wage violations, minimum wage and overtime, breach of contract, discrimination, and numerous adjacent legal branches. Unrivaled expertise and commitment to excellence make Langeland Law uniquely poised to continue fighting for its clients' minimum wage and overtime rights as the industry's dynamics continue evolving through new laws and litigations. More information about Langeland Law is available on the company's official website. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223426 SOURCE: Plentisoft Erinnern Sie sich, als Moderna und BioNTech von unbekannten Unternehmen zu globalen Marktfuhrern wurden und fruhzeitige Investoren reich belohnt haben? Die Branche steht vor einem erneuten Innovationsschub von bahnbrechenden Medikamenten bis hin zu revolutionaren Therapien. Warum sollten Sie dabei sein? Sie sollten jetzt in Biotech-Aktien einsteigen, weil wir am Beginn einer neuen Ara der medizinischen Innovation stehen konnten! Gen- und Zelltherapien, personalisierte Medizin und bahnbrechende Technologien konnten das Gesundheitswesen revolutionieren und die Aktienkurse in die Hohe schieen lassen. Die nachste Erfolgsgeschichte im Biotechbereich warten nur darauf, entdeckt zu werden. Wer jetzt investiert, hat die Chance, von gigantischen Durchbruchen und enormen Renditen zu profitieren. Warten Sie nicht, bis es zu spat ist - der nachste Biotech-Superstar konnte morgen schon durchstarten! Verpassen Sie nicht diese Chance! Fordern Sie sofort unseren brandneuen Biotech-Spezialreport an und erfahren Sie, welche 3 Biotech-Aktien das riesige Potenzial haben, Ihren finanziellen Erfolg zu sichern. Dieser Report ist komplett kostenlos und zeigt Ihnen zukunftstrachtige Investments im Biotech-Sektor. Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report! UK Financial Services employees are the most satisfied with their hybrid working arrangements with 65% of employees expressing their delight 41% of UK employees would be interested in a 4-day work week, if it was hybrid While in the office, employees spend 63% of their time at their desks LONDON, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Financial Services sector in the UK is the most satisfied with their hybrid working arrangements, as cited by 65% of employees. The findings are highlighted in its latest global study From Restrictions to Resilience of over 10,000 employees and employers by global workplace strategy, design and construction experts Unispace. "It's interesting how employees and employers are finding a mutually beneficial middle ground on hybrid working. CommentedRob Frank, EMEA CEO for Unispace."The search for top talent continues in the booming UK Financial Services sector, which is driving employers to think widely about working policies and the total benefits package they offer. Employees are not solely motivated by a salary -flexibility and the overall physical working environment play a huge part in attracting, engaging, and retaining happy hybrid employees," The 2024 Unispace study highlights how quickly working patterns are evolving. In 2023, their research found 58% of UK employees were reluctant to return to the office. Just one year later, with more hybrid working policies in place and offices being restructured to suit their changing needs and functions, workers are more content to return to offices three days a week. Plus, 41% of UK employees would be interested in a 4-day week if it was hybrid. When in the office, employees are spending most of their time at their desks (63%) as they want to 'feel more productive', however they find it hard to concentrate due to constant interruptions. A factor that continues to be an issue, on par with 2023 findings, where 63% of employees said they struggled to complete their main work in the office because of distractions. Unispace EMEA CEO, Rob Frank observed; "where we work and how we work is changing rapidly. This study highlights employees are finding it hard to be productive in the office due to how the workplace environment is structured. The better the experience employees can have in an office, the better the work is produced and the more comfortable they will feel with being in the workplace. It's vital that businesses realise the potential to positively impact their people-and bottom-line-by making alterations to the workplace and taking onboard these insights." 2024 - 2025 Unispace Global Workplace Insights Report 'From Restrictions to Resilience' Research was conducted in partnership with Opinium Research. The survey respondents included 8,000 employees and 2,700 business leaders in companies (with 50+ employees) from 13 countries worldwide. Care was taken to ensure that the geographic and demographic characteristics of the populations surveyed were properly represented. About Unispace We are a global strategy, design, and construction leader, creating experiential spaces that deepen connections, foster a sense of belonging, and propel success. We believe spaces should spark brilliance in people who use them. With 5,500 projects completed, a presence across 26 countries, and 800+ employees worldwide, Unispace Group's portfolio of brands creates spaces that enhance human experience across workplace, life sciences, branded experiential environments, hospitality, and retail.? Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2505962/Unispace.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2505961/4912537/Unispace_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/uk-employees-and-employers-agree-three-days-in-the-office-creates-happy-hybrid-workers-302248498.html 97% accuracy rate in detecting cotton fields, over 80% accuracy in determining organic status Stuttgart, Germany, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a pioneering move that could reshape sustainable agriculture, the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and AI firm Marple have unveiled the results of their revolutionary Satellite Cotton Monitoring Project in India, demonstrating a 97% accuracy rate in detecting cotton fields and over 80% accuracy in determining their organic status. Addressing critical challenges in the industry, this innovative project aims to increase organic cotton availability and secure fibre integrity, building on GOTS's existing robust measures. Global Standard is a trailblazer, solution provider and thought leader in the voluntary sustainability standards space, and the Satellite Cotton Monitoring Project continues this tradition of innovation and creative thinking. How it Works Co-financed by Global Standard, the non-profit behind GOTS, and the European Space Agency's (ESA) Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme, the project leverages the Cotton Cultivation Remote Assessment (CoCuRA) software developed by Marple. Field teams visited over 6,000 fields in India, across the states of Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, collecting data on crops, soil types and cultivation status. This data was then used by Marple to refine the CoCuRA algorithm for cotton specifics in India. Once the algorithm was trained, it was applied to the entire agricultural area of India, covering a staggering 2.7 million square kilometres. Within seconds, CoCuRA detected all organic and conventional cotton fields with remarkable accuracy. A project of this magnitude is only possible with CoCuRA with no other comparable project or data in existence. Enhancing Organic Cotton Availability The technology's ability to pinpoint cotton fields where farmers use near-organic or uncertified organic methods can ensure a steady increase in certified organic cotton by facilitating their certification process. Jeffrey Thimm, organic production specialist at Global Standard, said, "This technology identifies farmers who use sustainable methods that meet organic standards but lack certification. By integrating these farms into conversion projects, it boosts organic cotton supply, promotes sustainable farming practices and enables farmers to access premiums on their supplies." Securing Organic Fibre Integrity Building on GOTS's robust integrity measures, the CoCuRA software integrates AI technology with satellite data to verify cultivation practices meticulously. The data collected also contributes to Global Standards' Global Fibre Registry, consolidating comprehensive data on raw material production before entering the GOTS value chain, further adding to fraud detection and prevention. Sustainability in Textiles Global Standard is recognised for its comprehensive approach to sustainability. From promoting human rights along the value chain to banning harmful chemicals in certified textiles, GOTS sets a benchmark for integrity and sustainability. In addition, GOTS certification is a powerful tool that helps companies comply with legal requirements globally. "For over 20 years, we have been pioneering solutions to help the industry on its journey towards sustainability," said Claudia Kersten, managing director of Global Standard. "This project is a game changer, combining satellite technology with AI to meet the growing demand for genuine organic cotton. In addition, this eye in the sky will prevent fraud by allowing us to crosscheck locations and field sizes in a very cost-efficient way. It's a win-win-win situation: farmers have an incentive to grow organic and improve their lives, the industry can secure its supply and meet its sustainability goals, and consumers have a greater choice of organic textiles." Future Prospects and Global Impact Following the successful pilot in India, the project aims to expand globally. Daniel Lanz, managing partner at Marple, said, "India faces unique challenges in the satellite-based detection of agricultural fields. Firstly, the country is extremely large and spans several climate zones. Secondly, field sizes are very small, and thirdly, field boundaries are often indistinguishable, with one field merging into the next. Despite these challenges, CoCuRA has achieved astonishing accuracy in detecting cotton fields and assessing their cultivation methods. This breakthrough provides a pioneering overview of cotton production in India that would be impossible to achieve on the ground. CoCuRA will help protect the integrity of organic farmers and may facilitate more smallholders transitioning to organic farming by simplifying the certification process." Guillaume Tuan Prigent, a business developer and partnership officer in ESA's Applications Projects and Studies Division said, "The potential impact of the solution lies in its ability to be scaled and this is exactly what we are working on. We are looking to deliver a solution that could have a global impact for the benefit of all. " Global Standard is eager to see this technology extend to other regions and additional fibres, which could revolutionise how crops are monitored. Watch a short videoabout the project and find a media kit with images and videos here. Read this press release in German / Deutsche Pressemitteilung (https://global-standard.org/images/press/SCMP 2024/GOTS hebt Bio-Zertifizierung auf eine neue Ebene_German.pdf) Read this press release in Chinese / ????? (https://global-standard.org/images/press/SCMP 2024/PR_SatelliteCottonMonProj gong guan gao_wei xing yao gan jian ce you ji mian xiang mu_CN.pdf) ### About Global Organic Textile Standard GOTS. About Marple Marple, a German startup established in 2021, specializes in developing advanced machine learning models for earth observation. Their projects encompass a wide spectrum of applications, including automated detection of cars and delivery traffic, pinpointing the warmest spots in cities, and identifying areas experiencing water stress. Request more info on Marple's projects at www.marple.info. About ESA Business Applications and Space Solutions . Attachments San Diego, California--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Feldman Immigration Lawyers is marking 15 years of providing legal expertise in US immigration, solidifying its position as a trusted partner for individuals and families navigating the complex immigration landscape. Feldman Immigration Lawyers Marks 15 Years of Legal Excellence in US Immigration Landscape To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/223586_2fd86443b4e02967_002full.jpg The team, composed of San Diego Immigration Lawyers, has commemorated the company's big milestone this month following several months of helping numerous clients gain entry, residency, or citizenship. Lynne Feldman, a founding partner with more than 35 years of experience as an immigration attorney, lauded the team for helping thousands of clients achieve their goals of gaining entry, residency, or citizenship in the United States this year alone. "In the last 15 years, we've put in hard work for many clients who continuously show us how important family is," explains Lynne. "We recognize that solving every immigration issue will have a profound impact on every family's future. That's why we never take that responsibility lightly," added Lynne. Jason Feldman, also a founding partner who has helped hundreds of foreign nationals from all over the world achieve their dreams of living and working in the US, says he knows how important each person's immigration case is to them. "It is the difference between being allowed to live and work in the US and being deported," explains Feldman, a top-rated Immigration attorney, who, just this year alone, assisted clients with marriage green cards, non-immigrant visas, US citizenship, green cards, permanent residency, and labor certification. As the firm celebrates this milestone, Jason says the company is now focusing its efforts on expanding its services in the USA and maintaining its reputation as a leading immigration law firm in San Diego. Jason also expressed his gratitude to the clients who have trusted the firm over the years, stating, "It's about being responsive and generous. Each case is a matter of life and death for many individuals. That's why we continue to upskill our skills and be attentive to every client case." For more information, contact Feldman Immigration Lawyers today or visit their website. The law firm invites individuals facing immigration challenges to reach out and schedule a consultation. About Feldman Immigration Lawyers: Feldman Immigration Lawyers is a leading immigration law firm in San Diego. The firm's attorneys have a combined 70 years of experience and have successfully handled over 10,000 cases, demonstrating their expertise and dedication to achieving positive outcomes. It offers a wide range of immigration services, including Derivative and Family-based green cards, Employment visas for businesses seeking to hire foreign workers (H-1b, L-1, labor certification), Investor Visas (EB-5 and E-2), Extraordinary Ability Green Cards and National Interest Waivers, O-1 and P-1 visas, and I-9 Audits. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223586 SOURCE: Plentisoft Azerbaijan enjoys robust cooperative relations with Central Asian countries, underpinned by shared values including historical, cultural, and root connections. Enhancing and broadening these partnerships is a central focus of Azerbaijan's foreign policy. The nation sustains significant engagements with Central Asian states across both conventional and alternative energy sectors. These collaborative efforts were a key topic at the recent meeting of the energy ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), held on September 16 in Bishkek. During this meeting, the ministers addressed the advancement of energy cooperation and the joint execution of regional projects. Parviz Shahbazov, Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy, who spoke at the meeting, noted that energy cooperation with the Turkic states is not only growing but also stimulating new projects and regional initiatives. In this context, the "green energy" corridor projectsnamely, "Caspian-Black Sea-Europe," "Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan," and "Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Europe"will position the Turkic states as key players in supplying clean energy and advancing energy transition in Eurasia. These corridors aim to connect the rich energy resources and electricity systems of our countries and to create a unified "green energy platform" that facilitates exports to Europe via Azerbaijan and Turkiye," said the Minister of Energy. The "Caspian-Black Sea-Europe," "Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan," and "Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Europe" green energy corridor projects are ambitious initiatives designed to enhance energy connectivity, promote sustainable energy sources, and strengthen regional cooperation. Here's a detailed overview of each project, particularly focusing on their implications for Nakhchivan, an autonomous republic of Azerbaijan: Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor The "Caspian-Black Sea-Europe" corridor is envisioned as a major green energy route connecting the Caspian Basin with Europe via the Black Sea. The corridor aims to facilitate the transfer of renewable energy resources, such as wind, solar, and hydropower, from the Caspian region to European markets. - Renewable Energy Focus: This corridor focuses on integrating renewable energy sources from countries bordering the Caspian Sea and transporting them to European countries. - Infrastructure: The project involves developing pipelines, power lines, and other infrastructure necessary for the transmission of green energy. - Strategic Importance: Nakhchivan, located near the Caspian Basin and the Black Sea, could play a significant role in this corridor as a transit hub or energy source. Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Green Energy Corridor The "Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan" corridor is designed to create a regional green energy network linking Azerbaijan with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. This corridor aims to boost energy trade and cooperation among these Central Asian countries by leveraging their renewable energy resources. - Energy Trade: This corridor facilitates the exchange of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, among Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. - Infrastructure Development: It includes the construction of transmission lines and other infrastructure to support the efficient flow of energy. - Role of Nakhchivan: Nakhchivan, strategically situated in the South Caucasus, could serve as a transit point or even a renewable energy producer contributing to this corridor. Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Europe Green Energy Corridor The "Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Europe" corridor is a major green energy route connecting Azerbaijan with Europe through Turkiye. This corridor aims to transport renewable energy from Azerbaijan and potentially other Central Asian countries to European markets. - Energy Export: Azerbaijan's role as a major energy producer is crucial, and this corridor will help export its renewable energy resources to Europe. - Infrastructure: Key infrastructure includes pipelines, electrical grids, and storage facilities necessary for energy transmission and storage. - Significance of Nakhchivan: Given its geographic location, Nakhchivan might be involved in facilitating energy flow between Azerbaijan and Turkiye or serve as a link in the broader European energy market. Nakhchivan's Role in Green Energy Corridors Nakhchivan, an autonomous republic of Azerbaijan located at the crossroads of several key regions, stands to gain significantly from these green energy corridors. Its strategic location can potentially make it a central hub in energy transit and distribution. Additionally, the development of green energy infrastructure in Nakhchivan could spur local economic growth, create jobs, and enhance energy security for the region. Overall, these projects are part of a broader effort to enhance energy connectivity, support sustainable energy development, and foster regional cooperation in the context of global energy transitions. At the same time, the minister spoke about the green energy projects planned for joint implementation with the Turkic states. Parviz Shahbazov noted that the "Intergovernmental Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Field of Green Energy Development and Transmission between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan" is expected to be signed soon. It is important to highlight that this agreement will focus solely on trilateral cooperation and will not impact existing bilateral agreements and activities between the parties. The document will address topics such as renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, hydrogen, energy infrastructure, and the establishment of a steering committee and working group. Additionally, Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy mentioned that cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in the field of renewable energy is also on the agenda. He added that hosting the Energy Transition Investment Forum for Central Asian countries during COP29 will present another opportunity for advancing green energy goals. The minister emphasized that the clear strategic vision and decisive policies of the heads of state, aimed at achieving success by protecting the rich natural resources, energy, and transport corridors across a vast geographical space from Central Asia to Europe, have strengthened the status of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). He highlighted the significance of the Garabagh Declaration, adopted at the informal summit of the OTS in Shusha. On July 6, the Garabagh Declaration was signed at the informal summit meeting of the Organization of Turkic States in Shusha. The declaration, which focuses on developing stable and multifaceted relations between the Turkic states, leverages their full potential in political, economic, transport, defense, humanitarian, educational, and cultural fields. Minister Parviz Shahbazov recalled President Ilham Aliyevs call for the 21st century to be the "century of the Turkic world" and noted that efforts to integrate Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the Caspian regions into a cohesive geopolitical entity reflect the evolving nature of Azerbaijans relations with the Turkic states. He reported that Azerbaijan's trade turnover with member and observer countries of the organization exceeded $9 billion last year, with these countries investing $18.2 billion in Azerbaijan's economy, while Azerbaijan invested $20.3 billion in them. Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are members of the OTS, while Hungary, Turkmenistan, and Northern Cyprus hold observer status. Valuing energy cooperation as a strategic pillar of relations among the Turkic states, the Minister highlighted that, in addition to the BTC pipeline, significant contributions from the Azerbaijan-Turkiye energy partnership include Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum, TANAP, and the Southern Gas Corridor. These projects ensure energy security for many countries, including Turkiye. Last year and during the first eight months of this year, 41 million tons of oil and 37 billion cubic meters of gas were supplied to Turkiye and global markets through these pipelines. This year, Turkiye is expected to receive 9.8 billion cubic meters of gas out of Azerbaijan's 25 billion cubic meters in total exports, with an additional 12.5 billion cubic meters going to Europe. The agreement for transporting 2 million tons of Kazakh oil via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and the gradual increase in these volumes underscore Azerbaijans role in connecting Central Asia, Turkiye, and Europe. Following the discussions, a Joint Communique was signed, outlining the results of the meeting. The communique supported the establishment of the OTS's Energy Coordinating Committee, the Regional Center for Technology and Green Initiatives, and green energy corridors. It also reflected the Turkic states' readiness to actively participate in COP29's Energy Day, scheduled to be held in Baku on November 15. In conclusion, the recent meeting of the energy ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) highlighted the growing collaboration between Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries in the realm of green energy. Key projects, including the "Caspian-Black Sea-Europe," "Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan," and "Azerbaijan-Turkiye -Europe" green energy corridors, are set to enhance energy connectivity and promote sustainable practices across Eurasia. Nakhchivan's strategic location positions it as a crucial player in these initiatives, potentially boosting its role in energy transit and local economic growth. Furthermore, the anticipated Intergovernmental Agreement among Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, along with ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with Kyrgyzstan, reflects a robust commitment to advancing green energy goals. The recent Garabagh Declaration and the establishment of new energy platforms underscore the OTS's unified vision for a sustainable energy future, with forthcoming initiatives like the COP29 Energy Day in Baku further reinforcing the region's dedication to clean energy. Coon Rapids, Minnesota--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law, a premier law firm in Minnesota, is pleased to share that its founding attorney Jerry W. Sisk has been selected as the top-rated workers' compensation attorney in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, in this year's Super Lawyers list. This annual list recognizes the top 5% attorneys across the US states. Third Consecutive Year: Mottaz & Sisk Work Injury Lawyers Named 2024's Top Workers' Compensation Attorneys in Coon Rapids, Minnesota by Super Lawyers To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/223585_c2da73b8d43329b0_002full.jpg With this recognition for the third consecutive year, Mottaz & Sisk Work Injury Lawyers' standing as top-rated Minnesota work injury lawyers has once again been confirmed. Jerry said that the award recognizes not just his personal achievements but the remarkable contributions of the larger Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law team, as well as the services they provide to their clients. "It's an honor to be recognized among such highly respected lawyers in Minnesota," he said. "This award is a testament to the quality of our services, a recognition of our world-class team of work injury lawyers, and a celebration of our clients who have shown great confidence in us over the years." A representative of Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law commented on the selection, saying, "We are thrilled to see our founding attorney, and in extension, all Mottaz & Sisk work injury lawyers, recognized by Super Lawyers. It is a reflection of our firm's unwavering commitment to being our clients' voice throughout the legal proceedings." Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law has one of the best teams of Minnesota work injury lawyers in Coon Rapids. With decades of experience championing injured workers' rights, the firm provides counsel in a range of practice areas, including personal injury, workers' compensation, brain injury, wrongful death benefits, mental injury, back injury, and chronic pain. The firm's impressive track record is marked by its dedicated service and deep knowledge of the complexities of the legal landscape. Mottaz & Sisk work injury lawyers prioritize client success and therefore focus on not just offering them legal representation but also becoming true partners. Beyond offering legal counsel and representation, Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law is also widely recognized for actively empowering Coon Rapids' residents through education on injury law. The firm invests in ensuring everyone knows their legal rights under Minnesota law to help them efficiently and successfully navigate the complexities of workers' compensation claims. The firm's representative explained that Mottaz & Sisk Injury Law is committed to protecting workers' rights, and the awards its lawyers have received over the years are particularly special because they continue to affirm the teams' efforts. "We recognize our clients' need for reliable and empathetic legal representation in the face of an injury. This is why we tirelessly strive to be the best work injury and personal injury attorneys in Minnesota." "It is a privilege for us to be able to work with our clients on matters that make a difference in their lives and be recognized for it. Thank you to Super Lawyers for recognizing our contributions in injury law," Jerry concluded. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223585 SOURCE: Plentisoft Conshohocken, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Davis Bucco & Makara has once again emerged as a top law firm in construction and real estate as one of their own, Paul Bucco, won the 2024 Super Lawyers Selection. This year marks the 8th year in a row that Davis Bucco & Makara lawyers have been selected as Super Lawyers. Davis Bucco & Makara Lawyers Continue Streak of Winning the Super Lawyers Selection for Eight Consecutive Years To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/223584_313f2044349d384f_002full.jpg This consistent recognition of Davis Bucco & Makara lawyers by the Super Lawyers Selection is a stamp of approval of the law firm's exceptional legal services and excellence in the commercial real estate sector. Since 2017, the firm's renowned Pennsylvania real estate lawyers, specializing in commercial litigation, transactions, and construction matters, have continued to be recognized for their expertise and outstanding client service. Paul Bucco, the Super Lawyers Selection recipient and Managing Partner, said the award is a testament to the firm's longstanding commitment to excellence. "We are honored and proud that our law firm continues to excel and further solidify its place in the industry," he said. "This was our goal when we founded Davis Bucco & Makara and even now, more than 35 years later, we still remain committed to maintaining our growing reputation as a top partner for small and large commercial businesses across Pennsylvania." Since its founding in 1990, Davis Bucco & Makara's Pennsylvania real estate lawyers have increasingly been credited as leaders in their specialties. The firm boasts a team of lawyers who are well-versed in construction and real estate law and possess significant experience in commercial industry operations. Hence, Davis Bucco & Makara is frequently celebrated for its attorneys' dedication to delivering the highest quality legal services. The firm recognizes that its continued success depends on the talent, hard work, and dedication of its lawyers. Therefore, besides laying a solid framework for its clients, Davis Bucco & Makara also believes in steadily recognizing the efforts of its team of attorneys who have made this and many other achievements possible. Davis Bucco & Makara's strategic and pragmatic approach to clients' legal needs has gained recognition in the industry. Using its decades of knowledge and experience, the firm's lawyers focus on helping clients establish objectives that match available resources to avoid problems. Moreover, the firm takes pride in offering clients unmatched accessibility. Beyond its offices in Conshohocken, Lehigh Valley, Reading, and Philadelphia, clients can call on the firm's assistance during nights and weekends. "Our commitment to our clients transcends transactional support," added Paul. "We aim to be available to our clients when they need us and to bring them tangible value by handling their disputes and offering complete coverage for their real estate transactions." Davis Bucco & Makara has the benefit of being involved in commercial litigation and transactions in construction and real estate from the very beginning. With its team's professional excellence continuing to draw attention across the industry and a proven track record of success for its clients, the firm has sufficiently demonstrated its unmatched understanding of the complexities of commercial, transaction, and construction law. See how else Davis Bucco & Makara's Pennsylvania real estate lawyers have maintained their eight-year win streak in the Super Lawyers Selection. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223584 SOURCE: Plentisoft Atlanta, Georgia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Scriber Law Group, Atlanta Estate & Trust Lawyers, proudly announces that its firm has been selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for the fourth consecutive year. This prestigious recognition certifies that Scriber Estate & Trust Law Group is committed to excellence and integrity in providing continued top-tier service and further cementing its position as a leading law firm in the community. Celebrating Success: Scriber Law Group Selected as Super Lawyers Rising Stars for the 4th Year in a Row To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/223589_4719af3a54118a34_002full.jpg For over three decades, Super Lawyers has been a resource center designed to aid those needing professional attorneys for legal cases. The platform recognizes the top attorneys nationwide across various practice areas and firm sizes using a patented process of independent research and peer input. Super Lawyers Rising Stars is a designation for attorneys under 40 or with less than ten years of practice. The platform says that no more than 2.5% of the eligible attorneys in the state receive this, making it highly desirable. This designation recognizes emerging talent and high-achieving professional attorneys. Being recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Stars for four continuous years in review is a great milestone for the Scriber Estate & Trust Law Group, setting it apart and distinguishing it from other companies as an industry leader. "We are extremely grateful to be Super Lawyers Rising Stars recipients for the fourth year. This is indeed a huge honor for our firm," states Stephen Scriber, founder of Scriber Law Group and a top-rated estate planning and probate attorney in Atlanta, Georgia. "This prestigious rating is a reflection of our team's commitment to providing outstanding legal service to the highest principles." With many years of experience, Stephen Scriber has led the team at Scriber Law Group in providing excellent services to clients across a wide array of legal needs. Based in Atlanta, the firm supports its clients with their wills, trusts, estate planning, and probate law through the most trying times in life. Fueled by a mission of personalized and highly effective counsel delivery, Scriber Law Group is better placed to support clients in safeguarding assets accrued over a lifetime and securing legacies. The firm takes an all-inclusive approach toward seeing that each client receives customized legal representation giving them peace of mind in some of the most crucial life choices. Through their commitment to excellence, Scriber Law Group has gained a reputation for integrity and excellent outcomes that make them a trusted name in estate and probate law throughout Atlanta. The distinction of Super Lawyers Rising Stars for four years running can be a testament to both the experience and commitment of the Scriber Law Group under the leadership of Stephen Scriber. As the firm grows, it remains committed to providing exceptional legal services to clients in estate planning, wills, trusts, and probate law. For more information about Scriber Estate & Trust Law Group or for legal advice, please get in touch with the team directly for a complementary consultation. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223589 SOURCE: Plentisoft Los Angeles, California--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - The Injury Law Office of Gerald Marcus has been recognized in Super Lawyers 2025, marking the 11th consecutive year the firm has received this honor. Law Office of Gerald Marcus Selected to Super Lawyers 2025 for the 11th Year Running To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/223587_5cbb4b741420493f_002full.jpg Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas with a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. Attorneys who are selected to Super Lawyers have shown excellence in their practice and a commitment to upholding the highest standards in the legal profession. According to Attorney Gerald Marcus, this award underscores the firm's continued commitment to providing excellent legal representation and achieving favorable client outcomes. "The Super Lawyers award is a recognition that we dedicate to the families of those who continue to support and trust us. It also serves as a benchmark for prospective clients who want proven expertise and results in personal injury law," said Marcus, who was recently selected to the 2021-2023 list of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel's "Nation's Top Attorneys." Attorney Marcus himself is a trusted advocate for residents in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. He has represented over 17,000 clients and obtained more than $400,000,000.00 in settlements, arbitration awards, and jury verdicts for his clients. For this year alone, the Law Office of Gerald Marcus has handled hundreds of cases and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for clients. "We continue to serve the Greater Los Angeles area. While the recognition is proof of our team's hard work and dedication to our clients, it serves as an inspiration as we beef up efforts to fight for accident victims and ensure they receive the compensation they deserve," added Marcus. The firm's Los Angeles Slip and Fall Lawyers handle complex legal matters across Los Angeles County. This includes areas like Long Beach, Palmdale, Calabasas, and Santa Clarita. The attorneys' diverse backgrounds and skill sets enable them to assist clients in various cases, from automobile accidents to medical malpractice. For more information about the Law Office of Gerald L. Marcus or to schedule a consultation, visit https://www.geraldmarcuslaw.com. About the Law Office of Gerald L. Marcus: The Law Office of Gerald L. Marcus is a leading personal injury law firm based in Los Angeles. The firm has handled more than 17,000 cases since 1987, helping clients obtain more than $400 million in settlements and verdicts. Its experienced attorneys negotiate on behalf of clients with the insurance companies so they can concentrate on healing from their injuries. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223587 SOURCE: Plentisoft Topic: During our recent roundtable, Rubean provided an update on current operations as well as a promising outlook until year end and beyond. Here are our key takeaways: Product roll-out in full swing. With 50k terminals live in Germany and Spain, Rubean is now the market leader in both countries. In those countries, but also abroad, Rubean is serving 1) logistic companies (CoD - Cash on Delivery) such as Correos, GLS, dpd and SEUR, 2) retailer such as REWE, Deichmann and snabble, 3) hospitality companies such as CTS eventim, Gewinnblick, Ordermann and Waldbuhne Berlin as well as 4) banks and acquirers such as Sparkasse, BBVA, Global Payments and emerchantpay. As recent customer wins just start to materialize, we expect a strong sales ramp-up going forward, even without new customer wins that we consider as very likely. Strong Pipeline of more well-known potential customers. As Rubean is currently in negotiations with potential customers in dozens of countries not only in Europe, but also in LATAM & US, we expect further major customer wins within the next weeks and months, additionally carrying sales growth beyond 2024. Huge TAM and SOM. While the European Mobile POS Market is growing at 15% CAGR 2024-28e (according to Statista), Rubean's TAM in Europe should be at around 1.4bn ARR, while the SOM (Serviceable Obtainable Market; within 3 years) is seen at 144m in ARR (according to management). Based on the current roll-out, the strong pipeline as well as the enormous market potential in the mPOS space, management is confident to grow sales in FY24 to 2.2-2.5m (+135% yoy at midpoint), in line with our estimates of 2.5m. As Rubean is seen at the forefront of the rapidly growing market for mobile payment acceptance systems we further expect Rubean to achieve profitability within FY25 and consider managements mid-term vision of 10+m in sales and 40+% EBIT-margin by FY27 as reasonable. In order to finance further growth initiatives, especially in LATAM & US, Rubean is currently looking for strategic investors that are willing to buy 1.22m new shares at a price of 6.00 per share, which we would consider fair. BUY with a unchanged PT of 8.50, based on our DCF. ISIN: DE0005120802 Carbonmark and EcoRegistry have announced their technology integration, enabling a complete range of features, including carbon credit lifecycle transparency, automated transactions via API, a simplified customer experience, and secure, interoperable solutions for the environmental commodity market. This collaboration is designed to improve transparency, accessibility, and efficiency in carbon markets by facilitating real-time transactions and retirements of carbon credits. DUBAI, ARAB EMIRATES / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / Carbonmark and EcoRegistry have integrated their platforms so buyers can access projects listed on EcoRegistry.com, improving market dynamics and fostering a stronger trading environment. Carbonmark's cutting-edge digital technology and EcoRegistry's robust platform enable direct, immediate transactions crucial for scaling carbon markets. EcoRegistry_Carbonmark_Integration EcoRegistry_Carbonmark_Integration Carbonmark specializes in delivering secure and interoperable solutions for environmental commodity market participants. It simplifies inventory management across environmental asset registries and provides APIs to integrate these assets into third-party applications, establishing itself as a central aggregation hub for the market. Complementing this, EcoRegistry has developed a platform that leverages technology to support the issuance of environmental assets and track units once issued, preventing double counting. Their system allows interaction between multiple stakeholders during the origination process, safeguarding all information and supporting evidence for the issuance process. Once issued, the units are tracked using a distributed ledger technology (DLT) based implementation to enhance market integrity. "The market needs participants willing to bring down barriers between supply and demand and generate new opportunities and markets for the project owners. Carbonmark is implementing innovative methodologies to deploy, receive feedback, and adapt to the market's needs," said Juan Duran, CEO of EcoRegistry. Together, these two companies offer a comprehensive solution that streamlines the entire lifecycle of carbon credits, from issuance to trading. They provide the necessary infrastructure to scale and improve the efficiency of carbon markets. The integration with EcoRegistry provides Carbonmark users access to impactful carbon projects, including community-based afforestation and reforestation projects, conservation projects, methane abatement projects, and renewable energy projects crucial to our transition to a more sustainable future: Proyecto Conservacion ARLEQUIN REDD+ in Colombia. The project protects 82,626 hectares of tropical rainforest and focuses on reducing deforestation by reforesting degraded areas. Proyecto REDD+ PAZcifico Sur in Colombia. The project aims to reduce deforestation and forest degradation emissions and focuses on conservation, enhancement of carbon reservoirs, and community empowerment. Drew Bonneau, Director of Carbonmark, said, "We're proud to integrate with a technologically advanced player like EcoRegistry that has spearheaded innovation in the voluntary carbon market. Projects certified under the ICROA-endorsed Cercarbono standard will now be available across our diverse client base." To learn more about the impact of integration, join us on September 18th, 2024, for a webinar titled "Integrated Carbon Market: From EcoRegistry to Spherity's Battery Passport via Carbonmark API." We will explore the seamless integration and interoperability of carbon markets, emphasizing the interconnected supply chain and the importance of transparency. Discover how technologies transform how carbon credits are tracked, verified, and utilized across industries. Contact Information Daria Frangopoulos Marketing Manager daria@carbonmark.com SOURCE: Carbonmark View the original press release on newswire.com. 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! Der Goldpreis haussiert und schwingt sich von Hoch zu Hoch. Getrieben von geopolitischen Unsicherheiten sowie der Aussicht auf eine lockere Geldpolitik der FED gehen Experten aktuell von weiter steigenden Notierungen bis sogar in den Bereich von 3.000 US-Dollar je Unze Gold aus. Im Schatten des Basispreises notieren Goldproduzenten aus der zweiten Reihe sowie Explorationsunternehmen noch weit weg von ihren historischen Hochststanden entfernt und bieten dadurch erhebliches Aufholpotential. In diesem kostenlosen Report geben wir Ihnen Favoriten an die Hand, die aufgrund von Sondersituation die Chance auf eine Kursvervielfachung besitzen. Handeln Sie Jetzt! Fordern Sie jetzt den brandneuen Spezialreport an und profitieren Sie von dem weiter steigenden Kurs des Edelmetalls. Sichern Sie sich jetzt Ihren kostenfreien Report. Unique Chip-on-Cell Technology with C-SynQ Improves Performance, Safety, Scalability and Longevity of Next Generation Batteries and Supports Battery Passport Regulations EDINBURGH, Scotland, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dukosi Ltd, the technology company revolutionizing the performance, safety and sustainability of battery systems, announced the Dukosi Cell Monitoring System (DKCMS) for safety critical, next generation battery systems is ready for production. DKCMS Core hardware has gone through extensive qualification testing adhering to AEC-Q100, meeting the stringent requirements and lifetime expectations of electric vehicles (EV) and stationary battery energy storage systems (BESS). Dukosi's unique chip-on-cell technology and proprietary C-SynQ communication protocol transform the way batteries are designed and monitored. The DKCMS on-cell monitoring and nonvolatile embedded memory also provide lifetime traceability, enabling customers' products to be compliance-ready for upcoming regulations like the EU Battery Passport. Dukosi's novel contactless solution overcomes the limitations of traditional wired and far field wireless systems and frees physical design constraints to provide greater safety, design flexibility and scalability. DKCMS Core is a unique contactless battery cell monitoring solution that consists of the DK8102-AQ-25 Cell Monitor chip, DK8202-AR-25 System Hub chip, the Dukosi API and C-SynQ. A Cell Monitor mounted directly onto each cell provides accurate monitoring of key operating parameters such as voltage and temperature along with necessary cell balancing functionality and diagnostics. The System Hub manages the bidirectional data transfer between all of the Cell Monitors and the BMS Host using Dukosi's proprietary C-SynQ via a single bus antenna. C-SynQ provides highly secure and extremely robust and reliable communication, with predictable latency and synchronizes all Cell Monitor measurements for optimal pack performance. Commenting on Dukosi's market leading battery cell monitoring solution, Silvana Rulet, Best Practices Research Analyst, Frost & Sullivan, said: "With its chip-on-cell sensing platform, Dukosi addresses an unmet market need ahead of competitors. The solution provides insights into each battery cell through embedded software, onboard processing, and memory. Moreover, this technology allows for accurate, contactless, and synchronous communication between cells and the main battery management system, enabling organizations to monitor the status, health, and performance of every cell in real-time." The market for Dukosi's solution is substantial and fast growing. At one Dukosi Cell Monitor per cell in a typical battery, there is an opportunity for 2 billion ICs in 2025 based on published EV and BESS sales forecasts which grow at 14.8% per year over the following decade.[1][2] "It is an extremely exciting time for Dukosi as we release the first DKCMS chips into production, putting real intelligence on every cell," said Mark Pinto, CEO of Dukosi. "We've been investing in all our global locations, growing our talent and presence to better serve our expanding market opportunities worldwide. We have multiple customers and partners with DKCMS designed into their next generation batteries and BMS designs, underscoring our shared philosophy of technology innovation and success through collaboration." About Dukosi Dukosi develops revolutionary technologies that dramatically improve the performance, safety, and efficiency of battery systems, and enable a more sustainable battery value chain. The company provides a unique cell monitoring solution based on chip-on-cell technology and C-SynQ communications protocol for electric vehicles (EV), industrial transportation and stationary energy storage markets. Headquartered in Edinburgh, UK, Dukosi has a global footprint with locations in USA, Asia and Europe. For more information, please visit www.dukosi.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2503171/4906323/dukosi_Logo.jpg [1] https://about.bnef.com/blog/electric-vehicle-sales-headed-for-record-year-but-growth-slowdown-puts-climate-targets-at-risk-according-to-bloombergnef-report/ [2] https://about.bnef.com/blog/global-energy-storage-market-records-biggest-jump-yet/ View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/dukosis-cell-monitoring-chipset-for-optimizing-battery-systems-is-ready-for-volume-production-302246442.html Original-Research: Rubean AG - from NuWays AG 17.09.2024 / 09:01 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Research, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this research. The result of this research does not constitute investment advice or an invitation to conclude certain stock exchange transactions. Classification of NuWays AG to Rubean AG Company Name: Rubean AG ISIN: DE0005120802 Reason for the research: Update Recommendation: BUY from: 17.09.2024 Target price: EUR 8.50 Last rating change: Analyst: Frederik Jarchow Roll-out in full swing & new customers in the pipeline Topic: During our recent roundtable, Rubean provided an update on current operations as well as a promising outlook until year end and beyond. Here are our key takeaways: Product roll-out in full swing. With 50k terminals live in Germany and Spain, Rubean is now the market leader in both countries. In those countries, but also abroad, Rubean is serving 1) logistic companies (CoD - Cash on Delivery) such as Correos, GLS, dpd and SEUR, 2) retailer such as REWE, Deichmann and snabble, 3) hospitality companies such as CTS eventim, Gewinnblick, Ordermann and Waldbuhne Berlin as well as 4) banks and acquirers such as Sparkasse, BBVA, Global Payments and emerchantpay. As recent customer wins just start to materialize, we expect a strong sales ramp-up going forward, even without new customer wins that we consider as very likely. Strong Pipeline of more well-known potential customers. As Rubean is currently in negotiations with potential customers in dozens of countries not only in Europe, but also in LATAM & US, we expect further major customer wins within the next weeks and months, additionally carrying sales growth beyond 2024. Huge TAM and SOM. While the European Mobile POS Market is growing at 15% CAGR 2024-28e (according to Statista), RubeanZs TAM in Europe should be at around EUR 1.4bn ARR, while the SOM (Serviceable Obtainable Market; within 3 years) is seen at EUR 144m in ARR (according to management). Based on the current roll-out, the strong pipeline as well as the enormous market potential in the mPOS space, management is confident to grow sales in FY24 to EUR 2.2-2.5m (+135% yoy at midpoint), in line with our estimates of EUR 2.5m. As Rubean is seen at the forefront of the rapidly growing market for mobile payment acceptance systems we further expect Rubean to achieve profitability within FY25 and consider managements mid-term vision of EUR 10+m in sales and 40+% EBIT-margin by FY27 as reasonable. In order to finance further growth initiatives, especially in LATAM & US, Rubean is currently looking for strategic investors that are willing to buy 1.22m new shares at a price of EUR 6.00 per share, which we would consider fair. BUY with a unchanged PT of EUR 8.50, based on our DCF You can download the research here: http://www.more-ir.de/d/30799.pdf For additional information visit our website: www.nuways-ag.com/research Contact for questions: Die Analyse oder weiterfuhrende Informationen zu dieser konnen Sie hier downloaden www.nuways-ag.com/research. Kontakt fur Ruckfragen NuWays AG - Equity Research Web: www.nuways-ag.com Email: research@nuways-ag.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuwaysag Adresse: Mittelweg 16-17, 20148 Hamburg, Germany ++++++++++ Diese Meldung ist keine Anlageberatung oder Aufforderung zum Abschluss bestimmter Borsengeschafte. Offenlegung moglicher Interessenskonflikte nach 85 WpHG beim oben analysierten Unternehmen befinden sich in der vollstandigen Analyse. ++++++++++ The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com 1989233 17.09.2024 CET/CEST R3 and Quant, alongside DXC Technology and Coadjute are technology partners to the UK RLN LONDON, Sept. 17, 2024, the infrastructure platform building digital solutions for financial markets, and Quant, the digital finance pioneer, announce the publication of the results of UK Finance's UK Regulated Liability Network. The reportwhich follows work with UK Finance with eleven of its members1 and partners2 on a new experimentation phase. This is a new type of financial market infrastructure that can deliver new capabilities for payments and settlement, including tokenisation and programmability. R3 and Quant were selectedby the UK RLN, alongside DXC Technology and Coadjute, as technology partners in exploring a number of use cases and in particular the technology workstream which delivered a multi-issuer DLT-based Tokenisation Platform, a comprehensive API for interaction with all forms of money, and an Orchestration Layer. Implementation of the Orchestration Layer seamlessly connected the Tokenisation Platform to different ledgers and integrated with existing systems (e.g. Open Banking, Project Rosalind, and simulated RTGS). Together with other participants, R3 and Quant reviewed and worked on various technical, legal and business case questions surrounding the development of an RLN and the main conclusions are: Such a platform, in collaboration with other important initiatives such as Open Banking, could deliver economic value and support innovation in the market. New functionality, such as programmable payments and locking/unlocking of funds, could be delivered across a range of use cases. It could provide new and innovative firms with a single, common point of access to enable them to interface with established institutions, and enhanced payment and settlement systems. The legal and regulatory framework of the UK is sufficiently flexible to support the implementation of an RLN. R3 has brought its ability to deliver complex pioneering projects for regulated markets whilst providing the critical distributed ledger capability, via Corda, its leading open permissioned DLT platform, powering the tokenisation of assets and currencies connecting global markets. Quant enabled programmability and interoperability across different forms of money by delivering the orchestration and API layer to the project with its Overledger platform. Jana Mackintosh, Managing Director of Payments, Innovation and Operational Resilience at UK Finance, said: "Every year, over 11 trillion worth of payments are processed in the UK, powering the economy. The success of the RLN experiment shows the potential of technology to transform the customer experience and deliver economic value and benefits for society. "The Experimentation Phase demonstrated the power of industry collaboration to deliver a platform for innovation in the UK. The private sector wants to invest in the future of commercial bank money but needs a partnership with regulators to do so." Kate Karimson, R3 Chief Commercial Officer, said: "We're proud to be a part of this pioneering effort where the UK finance industry has operated across retail, wholesale, technology and legal workstreams in a collaborative manner. R3 is committed to progressing financial markets and to enabling an open, trusted and advanced digital economy. The success of the RLN experimentation phase and the publication of a roadmap for the UK economy to harness the potential for the benefits of tokenisation demonstrates our advanced technology implementation capability." Gilbert Verdian, Founder and CEO at Quant, said: "The RLN isn't just about enhancing the efficiency of our current payment infrastructure; it's about creating different forms of money that will transform the way value and assets are moved and managed. Programmability is at the heart of the transition to digital finance. As the project has proven, programmability brings new functionality across payments and settlement that are inconceivable under the current system. Implementing programmability will be key to cementing the UK's leadership position in digital finance and futureproofing our capital markets for the decades to come. As the digital economy evolves, we're excited to continue working with other project participants in delivering further innovation across payments." Media enquiries Eterna Partners for R3 R3@eternapartners.com Aspectus for Quant Quant@AspectusGroup.com 1 Barclays, Citi, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Mastercard, NatWest, Nationwide, Santander, Standard Chartered, Virgin Money and VISA. 2 EY and Linklaters and a technology team of R3, Quant, DXC and Coadjute. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Goldshore Resources Inc. (TSXV: GSHR) (OTCQB: GSHRF) (FSE: 8X00) ("Goldshore" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on resource expansion targets at the Moss Deposit. The identified targets are located within the top 200m from surface and are within, or directly adjacent to, the conceptual open pit shell defined in the Company's current mineral resource estimate ("MRE") (Figure 1). Collectively, there are five targets that have been defined that represent three avenues for potential mineral resource expansion (collectively, the "Expansion Targets"): Strategic infill to increase drill density in locations where mineralized drill intercepts are currently too widely spaced to be included in the inferred mineral resource category; Extending known mineralized shear zones laterally along strike; and Extending mineralized shear zones intersected at depth at the Moss Deposit towards surface where no shallow drilling has occurred (Figure 2). Michael Henrichsen, CEO of Goldshore commented, "We are very pleased with the mineral resource Expansion Targets that have been delineated which represent an opportunity to not only increase the ounce profile of the Moss Deposit, but to also reduce the overall strip ratio in a potential mining scenario. We view the drilling of these targets as a critical step to potentially improving the economic performance of the deposit on the back of the PEA, currently in progress with G Mining Services, being released as we continue to look to add ounces in the top 200m from surface." The Company is finalizing a conceptual program of approximately 15,000 meters that would test the Expansion Targets outlined with the combined goals of expanding the MRE within the top 200m through increasing drill density, extending known mineralization, and reducing the strip ratio within the conceptual open pit. A summary of the targets is presented below: The Superion and QES Up targets represent an opportunity to add ounces by extending mineralization toward surface in the top 200 m over a roughly 1.5 km and 1 km strike length respectively within and immediately adjacent to the conceptual open pit. The Southern Main target is similar to the QES Up target where drilling in the top 50 - 200 m from surface will aim to extend mineralization over an area of 400 m by 100 m The Southwest Infill and QES extension targets focus on areas spanning 800 meters and 400 meters, respectively, where drill density was insufficient for inclusion in the current mineral resource estimate. Figure 1. Proposed winter drill holes within Moss pit. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8051/223573_e1a2da06145279e5_002full.jpg Figure 2. Section through Superion target and QES Up target highlighting waste in pit that may convert to mineralized shears To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8051/223573_e1a2da06145279e5_003full.jpg Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have no demonstrated economic viability. There is no guarantee that any part of the mineral resources discussed herein will be converted to a mineral reserve in the future. The estimate of mineral resources may also be materially affected by geology, environment, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. Qualified Person Peter Flindell, PGeo, MAusIMM, MAIG, Vice-President, Exploration, of the Company, and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. About Goldshore Goldshore is a growth-oriented gold company focused on delivering long-term shareholder and stakeholder value through the acquisition and advancement of primary gold assets in tier-one jurisdictions. It is led by the ex-global head of structural geology for the world's largest gold company and backed by one of Canada's pre-eminent private equity firms. The Company's current focus is the advanced stage 100% owned Moss Gold Project which is positioned in Ontario, Canada, with direct access from the Trans-Canada Highway, hydroelectric power near site, supportive local communities and skilled workforce. The Company has invested over $60 million of new capital and completed approximately 80,000 meters of drilling on the Moss Gold Project, which, in aggregate, has had over 235,000 meters of drilling. The 2024 updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate ("MRE") has expanded to 1.54 million ounces of Indicated gold resources at 1.23 g/t Au and 5.20 million ounces of Inferred gold resources at 1.11 g/t Au. The MRE only encompasses 3.6 kilometers of the 35+ kilometer mineralized trend, remains open at depth and along strike and is one of the few remaining major Canadian gold deposits positioned for fast track through this development cycle. For more information, please visit the Company's SEDAR+ profile at (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company's website (www.goldshoreresources.com). Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements". Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to expectations regarding the exploration and development of the Moss Gold Project, potential mineral resource expansion drill targets, timing and completion of a mineral resource expansion drill program, the impact of an expansion drill program on reducing the strip ratio, the targeted expansion of the deposit along the Superion target, the targeted increase in the ounce profile of the Moss Deposit, and the release of an updated preliminary economic assessment and other statements that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: the foregoing exploration and development goals of the Company may not occur on the timetable anticipated or at all; the preliminary economic assessment may not be completed on the timetable expected or at all; the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; risks related to compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company's business and results of operations; and the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company's securities, regardless of its operating performance. The forward-looking information in this news release is based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions, including that the Company's business and financial position and general economic conditions will not be adversely affected; that the expansion drill program will be completed and on the timetable expected; and that the preliminary economic assessment will be completed on the timetable anticipated. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223573 SOURCE: Goldshore Resources Inc. Joy Sioufi Joins Technology Group as a Managing Director Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI), the global investment bank, announced today that Joy Sioufi has joined the firm as a Managing Director in its Technology Group. Based in Paris, Mr. Sioufi will focus on the French software market, further strengthening the firm's global and EMEA coverage in this sector. Mr. Sioufi joins the firm from GP Bullhound, where he spent eight years and co-founded the Paris office. During his tenure, he built a team and managed, as a dealmaker and later Partner, more than 60 cross-border M&A transactions across various technology subsectors, including software, FinTech, digital services, and digital media. Prior to this, Mr. Sioufi led the strategic planning team at Criteo, contributed to the launch of the European Tech Group at Lazard, and worked at Nomura, advising on M&A and financing transactions for clients in the technology, media, and telecom sectors. "Joy's unique connectivity within the French technology ecosystem, combined with the depth of his sector knowledge and expertise in navigating complex cross-border transactions, will be invaluable as we continue to expand our pan-European industry expertise in the software sector," said Sascha Pfeiffer, Head of European Technology and Global Co-Head of Software at Houlihan Lokey. "Bringing on board someone of Joy's caliber, with his nuanced understanding of the dynamic and constantly evolving nature of the software landscape, exemplifies our commitment to delivering exceptional client outcomes." "Houlihan Lokey is renowned for integrating its specialized sector expertise with a global brand, extensive network, and deep market relationships to deliver market-leading advisory services," said Mr. Sioufi. "The firm's commitment to achieving outstanding results through a truly client-centric approach resonates strongly with my own values, providing an ideal platform to address the increasingly complex needs of clients in the software space. I look forward to working alongside my new colleagues and utilizing my own experiences to contribute to the firm's continued success." With more than 165 financial professionals worldwide, Houlihan Lokey's Technology Group has earned a global reputation for providing superior service and achieving outstanding results in M&A advisory, capital-raising, restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory services. Its clients range from early-stage businesses and midsized companies to large, publicly traded corporations. In 2023, Houlihan Lokey was ranked as the No. 1 investment bank for all global technology transactions, with 89 deals, according to LSEG (formerly Refinitiv). About Houlihan Lokey Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) is a global investment bank with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory. Houlihan Lokey serves corporations, institutions, and governments worldwide with offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. Independent advice and intellectual rigor are hallmarks of the firm's commitment to client success across its advisory services. The firm is the No. 1 investment bank for all global M&A transactions, the No. 1 M&A advisor for the past nine consecutive years in the U.S., the No. 1 global restructuring advisor for the past ten consecutive years, and the No. 1 global M&A fairness opinion advisor over the past 25 years, all based on number of transactions and according to data provided by LSEG (formerly Refinitiv). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240916501409/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations +1 212.331.8225 IR@HL.com Media Relations +44 (0) 20 7747 1480 PR@HL.com LONDON, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- There are currently 29,350 individuals worldwide with liquid investable assets of USD 100 million or more, according to the Centi-Millionaire Report 2024 released today by wealth and investment migration advisors Henley & Partners. This exclusive club has grown globally by 54% over the last decade, with America and China experiencing a centi-millionaire boom, significantly outperforming their European counterparts. China's ascent has been the most dramatic, with its centi-population expanding by 108% over the past 10 years - outpacing even the US, whose super-rich ranks swelled by 81% over the same period. In contrast, Europe's centi-millionaire growth has been anemic, increasing by only 26% over the past decade. Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, says the lethargic performance is due to slow growth in major markets such as the UK, Germany, and France. "Pockets of dynamism exist, with smaller European markets such as Monaco, Malta, Montenegro, and Poland seeing their centi-millionaire populations surge by 75% or more. The geography of extreme affluence is shifting. As this elite group continues to grow and migrate, its influence on global economics, politics, and society is likely to be profound and far-reaching." America's dominance hangs in the balance The report reveals that one-third of the world's centi-millionaires reside in 50 key cities across the world. The US continues to dominate the centi-city landscape, claiming 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in the Top 50 Cities for Centi-Millionaires, and boasting a total of 15 metropolises on the elite list. New York City reigns supreme with 744 resident centi-millionaires, followed closely by the Bay Area with 675, and Los Angeles with 496 super rich residents. However, as David Young from the US think tank The Conference Board points out, "existing centi-millionaire growth and migration trends will depend largely on the upcoming US presidential elections where we anticipate drastic differences in fiscal, monetary, economic, and social policies. The results may cause a shift from North America being so attractive, as centis turn to countries that provide greater economic and political security". Dr. Steffen adds that wealthy Americans have become the firm's single largest client cohort, with a five-fold increase in investment migration enquiries this year. "We are witnessing a fascinating paradox. On one hand, the US remains the world's top wealth hub, accounting for over 30% of global liquid investable wealth - a massive USD 67 trillion. Yet, on the other hand, we're seeing an unprecedented surge in affluent Americans seeking alternative residence and citizenship options." Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris recently endorsed the tax increases proposed by President Biden in his fiscal year 2025 budget - including a new idea that would require taxpayers with net wealth above USD 100 million to pay a minimum tax on their unrealized capital gains. However, as Director of Tax Services at Henley & Partners, Peter Ferrigno, warns, "any proposal that deviates too far from accepted international tax principles of only taxing realized income would lead to people looking very carefully at the US as a place to invest in. Taxing an unrealized gain on the way up looks great, but the optics of handing billionaires tax refunds in the following year when those unrealized gains reverse, looks terrible. Handled poorly, this can look like a bailout for the rich when their stock prices fall." Asia's rising influence as Europe falls behind Four Asian cities and territories are now among the world's Top 10 centi-millionaire hotspots. Beijing sits in 5th position worldwide with 347 centis, while Singapore follows closely in 6th place with 336. Shanghai is in 7th place with 322 centi-millionaires and Hong Kong ranks 8th, boasting 320 ultra-wealthy residents. Both Singapore and Hong Kong are forecast to enjoy exceptionally high centi-millionaire growth rates of over 100% in the next decade and a half (to 2040). However, London, once considered the financial capital of the world, now ranks just 4th in the Top 50 Cities for Centi-Millionaires with 370 super-rich residents and a lackluster forecast of less than 50% when it comes to centi growth over the next 16 years (to 2040). Finally. Paris claims the10th spot on the latest centi-rich city index with 286 ultra-wealthy residents. Centi city hotspots to watch Looking ahead to 2040, several Asian and Middle Eastern cities are poised for explosive growth, with Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Taipei, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi projected to see increases of over 150% in their centi-millionaire communities. Emerging markets are also set to make their mark. Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and Bengaluru in India are both forecast to enjoy growth of over 150% in their centi-populations over the next 16 years. Read the full Press Release View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/centi-millionaire-boom-america-and-china-dominate-the-super-rich-club-302245454.html LONDON, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Carolina Winterliv has been honoured with two prestigious accolades at the 2024 Business Worldwide Magazine CEO Awards. The Deputy CEO of Card Group International was named 'CEO Innovator of the Year - Franchise Industry' and 'Digital Transformation CEO of the Year - Sweden'. The Business Worldwide Magazine CEO Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of C-level executives across various sectors worldwide. Unlike many awards focusing on company success, the awards shine a light on the individual leaders driving corporate excellence, using their examples to inspire others to achieve similar success. Carolina Winterliv's path to becoming a distinguished Deputy CEO is both remarkable and inspirational. Her leadership journey began early when she became a gymnastics instructor at just 12 years old, leading her team to numerous victories. Her diverse experiences, including a stint as an international model, enriched her global perspective before she joined the family business at Card Group International. Today the company has grown from a Swedish greeting card company into a global franchise powerhouse, operating in over 40 countries. Under the visionary leadership of Carolina, her father and sister, the company has embraced digital transformation, transitioning from traditional processes to a fully digitised system. This shift has streamlined operations, enhanced efficiency, and positioned Card Group International as a leader in innovation within the franchise industry. Carolina's leadership style emphasises open communication, collaboration, and empowerment, reflecting the family-oriented ethos of the company. As Chair of the Swedish Franchise Association and Vice President of the European Franchise Federation, Carolina's influence extends beyond her company. She is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and sustainability, championing initiatives that drive positive change within the industry. "I feel so lucky. I get to work with amazing, interesting people full of brilliant ideas. I learn from them every day, and for me, learning is the key to success," Carolina shares. For more information about Card Group International's work, franchise opportunities, and environmental initiatives, visit www.cardgroup.com. Further information about the Business Worldwide CEO Awards can be found at https://www.bwmonline.com/2024-ceo-awards-winners/ About Business Worldwide Magazine Business Worldwide Magazine is the leading source of business and dealmaker intelligence throughout the world. Our quarterly magazine and online news portal enables an established audience of corporate dealmakers to track the latest news, stories and developments affecting the international markets, corporate finance, business strategy and changes in legislation. This readership includes CEO/CFO - Banks, Corporate Lawyers and Venture Capital/Private Equity Companies to name a few. Contact David Jones Awards Department E: david@bwmonline.com W: www.bwmonline.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/card-group-internationals-deputy-ceo-wins-two-leadership-awards-from-business-worldwide-magazine-302249325.html One Trading is the first MiFID II trading venue for perpetual futures in the EU and is the first regulated derivatives exchange in Europe accessible to retail clients Existing investor MiddleGame Ventures increased its stake in One Trading, while Valar and SpeedInvest also participated AMSTERDAM, Sept. 17, 2024, a leading European crypto-asset exchange. As part of this round, existing investor MiddleGame Ventures increased its stake in One Trading, while Valar and SpeedInvest also participated. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. "As a major, multinational bank with a commitment to innovation, SC Ventures is dedicated to driving digital assets market infrastructure. We welcome them as an investor in the company and believe they can add a lot of value to One Trading and our clients," said Joshua Barraclough, Founder and CEO of One Trading. One Trading will use the investment to support launching the first crypto perpetual futures in the European Union (EU) as a MiFID II trading venue. The MiFID II is a regulatory framework the EU rolled out in 2018 to increase transparency and improve investor protections across European financial markets. In July 2024, the Dutch financial market regulator granted One Trading an Organised Trading Facility (OTF) License, which establishes One Trading as a MiFID II trading venue. First regulated derivatives exchange in Europe accessible to retail clients With the OTF License approval, One Trading is the only crypto perpetual futures trading venue in the EU and the first cash-settled perpetuals platform in Europe, including the UK. One Trading is also the first regulated derivatives exchange in Europe which will be accessible to retail clients. The OTF license approval marks a milestone in One Trading's multi-year journey with the Dutch Financial Markets Authority (AFM) and the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) to revolutionize derivatives trading and bring crypto futures onshore in the EU. Strategic partnerships "Financial innovation should not come at the cost of consumer protection, that's why we are glad to see One Trading receiving the OTF License. We congratulate the team on becoming the first MiFID II trading venue for crypto perpetual futures in the EU," said Alex Manson, CEO of SC Ventures. "We look forward to One Trading providing much needed infrastructure to all participants in the EU and further afield." "We saw the potential for One Trading early in its journey and we are delighted to be participating with SC Ventures and others in this investment. We are happy to support One Trading to become the undisputed leading onshore, licensed and institutional trading venue the digital assets market has been clamouring for," said Pascal Bouvier, Managing Partner, MiddleGame Ventures. Media Contacts Eterna Partners for One Trading eternapartners@onetrading.com +447762943498 press@onetrading.com +447795433650 SC Ventures SC Ventures is a business unit that provides a platform and catalyst for Standard Chartered to promote innovation, invest in disruptive financial technology and explore alternative business models. For more information, please visit www.scventures.io and follow SC Ventures on LinkedIn . Standard Chartered We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world's most dynamic markets and serving clients in a further 64. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good. Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges. For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com . Follow Standard Chartered on X , LinkedIn , Instagram and Facebook . The National Retail Federation and Paris-based event organizer Comexposium today announced that the Paris Retail Week annual conference and exhibition is being rebranded beginning in 2025. The inaugural NRF 2025: Retail's Big Show Europe will be held Sept. 16 18, 2025, at the Paris Porte de Versailles Pavilions 4 6. It is expected to draw thousands of retailers and business partners from across Europe. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240916040288/en/ "NRF is proud to represent the largest global retail brands in the world, and we are excited to expand our award-winning educational experiences into new markets, complementing the annual Big Show in New York City and Retail's Big Show Asia Pacific," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. "Every single day, successful retailers are exploring new tools, new approaches and new innovations to remain relevant to loyal shoppers and new customers alike. For nearly 110 years, NRF has embraced the same culture of change in order to build and grow our first-in-class programming." NRF has participated in Paris Retail Week for several years, and this past June NRF and Comexposium jointly hosted the inaugural NRF Retail's Big Show Asia Pacific. The sold-out inaugural event convened more than 6,000 business leaders and 300 technology providers for three days in Singapore. Now, the two organizations are broadening their partnership and bringing their collective expertise to one of the world's greatest trendsetting and dynamic consumer-driven cities in the world. "As one of the leading global event organizers, Comexposium built Paris Retail Week from the ground up. We are now committed, in partnership with NRF, to ensuring our combined experience will result in one of the most dynamic, sought after and highly attended retail events in Europe," Comexposium Managing Director Laurent Noel said. "Paris Retail Week is a major event for European retailers. For more than 10 years, we have been bringing together more than 350 exhibitors each year, covering the entire value chain of omnichannel commerce. Paris Retail Week also features more than 200 conferences in plenary sessions and workshop rooms, covering all retail-related business issues. By joining forces with NRF, which shares our goal of helping retailers meet their business development challenges, we are bringing the best of both worlds to the market through a new event of unrivalled scope in Europe." The marriage of NRF Retail's Big Show and Paris Retail Week to create Retail's Big Show Europe will attract industry-leading speakers and premier content and innovations from across Europe. For more information, please visit nrfbigshoweurope.nrf.com. About NRF The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation's largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies. nrf.com About Comexposium The Comexposium Group is one of the leading event organizers worldwide, creating events that bring communities together to discover and explore businesses, passions and interests. Comexposium organizes more than 150 professional and general public events, connecting 48,000 exhibitors and 3.5 million visitors, 365 days a year. Comexposium is present in the retail sector with market-leading brands such as Paris Retail Week, Siec, One-to-one events in France and Monaco, Franchise shows in the US, and ad.Tech and iMedia in Asia-Pacific. www.comexposium.com About Retail's Big Show Europe Retail's most important event in Europe takes place in Paris from 16 18 September 2025. Be inspired by the biggest retail leaders across Europe in one of the world's most dynamic and consumer-driven markets. Retail professionals from around the globe can experience three days of educational programming and an all-encompassing Expo featuring the latest retail solutions, as well as an Innovation Lab and Startup Zone featuring breakthrough technologies in Europe's retail sector. nrfbigshoweurope.nrf.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240916040288/en/ Contacts: Mary McGinty (855) NRF-PRESS press@nrf.com PERMALINK Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Vortex Metals Inc. (TSXV: VMS) (FSE: DM8) (OTCQB: VMSSF) (" Vortex" or the" Company ") is pleased to announce results from the recent surface sampling program conducted at the Illapel Copper Project in Chile. The program, executed during the month of July, 2024, focused on evaluating mineralization across several key areas within the project concessions. Program Highlights Dr. John Larson, Director of Vortex Metals and former Manager of Latin America Exploration for BHP and BHP Billiton, led the fieldwork at Illapel. Dr. Larson and his team collected 13 surface samples, which were subsequently sent to ALS Laboratories in Santiago for multi-element analysis. Preliminary results indicate significant copper mineralization, with 8 out of the 13 samples revealing significant copper mineralization above 1.0% copper. Notable findings include: Sample 1021 : 0.62 grams per ton (g/t) gold and 1.33% copper. Sample 1019 : 75.2 g/t silver, and 4.31% copper. Sample 1029: 32.6 g/t silver, 0.21 g/t gold, and 5.85% copper. These results suggest that the Illapel project has the potential to host high-grade copper and precious metal deposits, highlighting its economic viability. Fig 1. Location of samples collected in July, 2024, Illapel project. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2778/223511_7b51aef61403e8c5_001full.jpg Table 1. Selected elements analyzed in the 13 surface samples. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2778/223511_7b51aef61403e8c5_002full.jpg In addition to copper, gold and silver, the program identified elevated levels of associated elements such as iron, molybdenum, and cobalt, providing further insight into the style of mineralization within the project area. The results confirm that the Illapel concessions have the potential to host at least two distinct styles of mineralization: Mantos - Predominantly Cu-Ag mineralization. Epithermal Vein Systems - Characterized by Cu-Au mineralization. The Company has also collected bulk samples to produce standards for quality control in future drill-core analysis, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of exploration results. Photo 1,2,3. Sample 1021, quartz barite vein - Sample 1028, specularite and oxidized copper veins, with malachite - Sample 1018, andesite agglomerate. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2778/223511_image.jpg Qualified Person / Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC) Juan Carlos Fernandez, P. Geo., is a qualified person ("QP") as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release. About Vortex Metals Inc. Vortex Metals Inc. is a copper focused exploration and development company with a diversified portfolio of exploration projects in Chile and Mexico. Vortex holds an option to acquire up to 80% interest in the brownfield Illapel Copper Project in Chile and through its Mexican subsidiary Empresa Minera Acagold, S.A. de C.V., it owns 100% interest in two drill-ready high-potential copper-gold volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) properties, Riqueza Marina and Zaachila, in Oaxaca, Mexico. The company emphasizes responsible exploration, community engagement, and environmental stewardship to meet the rising global demand for copper. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are made as of the date hereof and are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions which involve risks and uncertainties associated with our business, including permitting approvals, any private placement financings, the uncertainty as to whether further exploration will result in the target(s) being delineated as a mineral resource, capital expenditures, operating costs, mineral resources, recovery rates, grades and prices, estimated goals, expansion and growth of the business and operations, plans and references to the Company's future successes with its business and the economic environment in which the business operates. All such statements are made pursuant to the 'safe harbour' provisions of, and are intended to be forward-looking statements under, applicable Canadian securities legislation. Any statements contained herein that are statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution readers of this news release not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as several factors could cause actual results or conditions to differ materially from current expectations. Please refer to the risks set forth in the Company's most recent annual MD&A and the Company's continuous disclosure documents that can be found on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not intend, and disclaims any obligation, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Company cautions that mineralization on, or production from, neighbouring properties is no guarantee of the existence of similar mineralization or a guarantee of future production from the Illapel Project. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223511 SOURCE: Vortex Metals Inc. Vertical Aerospace Ltd. ("Vertical" or the "Company") (NYSE: EVTL; EVTLW), a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering zero emission aviation, announces it will hold an Extraordinary General Meeting ("EGM") at 10:00 a.m. (GMT) on September 30th 2024 at the offices of the Company: 4th Floor, United House, 9 Pembridge Road, London W11 3JY, United Kingdom. This follows the Company's receipt of a shareholders' requisition dated 30 August 2024, issued by Stephen Fitzpatrick, in his capacity as the holder of greater than 10.0% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of the Company, requesting the directors of the Company to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting ("EGM") for the sole purpose of considering and, if thought fit, passing a number of resolutions to amend the Company's Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (the "Articles"). Among other things, the proposed amendments would remove the requirement for any of the directors Mr. Fitzpatrick is entitled to appoint under the Articles to be independent (subject to NYSE minimum independence requirements), and introduce the ability for shareholders of the Company holding a majority of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares to remove any director by written instruction. The Company has furnished a circular to its shareholders, providing notice of the EGM, and including a form of proxy card in connection with the proposals sought to be adopted by the EGM, which is attached as an exhibit to a current report on Form 6-K, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on 17 September, 2024. Notes to Editors About Vertical Aerospace Vertical Aerospace is a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation. Vertical is creating a safer, cleaner and quieter way to travel. Vertical's VX4 is a piloted, four passenger, Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with zero operating emissions. Vertical combines partnering with leading aerospace companies, including GKN, Honeywell and Leonardo, with developing its own proprietary battery and propeller technology to develop the world's most advanced and safest eVTOL. Vertical has 1,500 pre-orders of the VX4 worth $6bn, with customers across four continents, including Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL and Bristow. Headquartered in Bristol, the epicentre of the UK's aerospace industry, Vertical was founded in 2016 by Stephen Fitzpatrick, founder of the OVO Group, Europe's largest independent energy retailer. Vertical's experienced leadership team comes from top tier automotive and aerospace companies such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus, GM and Leonardo. Together they have previously certified and supported over 30 different civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that relate to our current expectations and views of future events. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbour provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Any express or implied statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the announced extraordinary general meeting, design and manufacture of the VX4, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, as well as statements that include the words "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," "project," "forecast," "estimate," "may," "should," "anticipate," "will," "aim," "potential," "continue," "are likely to" and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. Forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, without limitation the other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 14, 2024, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240917279421/en/ Contacts: Justin Bates, Head of Communications justin.bates@vertical-aerospace.com +44 7878 357 463 Exclusive partnership brings Verily's innovative wastewater surveillance technology to the United Kingdom Today, Verily, a precision health technology company, announced a significant expansion of its wastewater surveillance program into the United Kingdom through an exclusive partnership with Bangor University. This collaboration will leverage the university's wastewater-based public health surveillance program capabilities and main testing lab. Bangor University's wastewater monitoring capabilities are market leading in the U.K. for environmental bio-surveillance and the university's lab serves as the research and development hub for the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The Bangor University lab, led by Davey Jones, Ph.D, a noted Professor of Environmental Science Public Health and Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor at Bangor University, will adopt Verily's advanced wastewater testing technology to deliver high-quality public health data, crucial for tracking virus transmission and bolstering research and development efforts across both the public and private sectors. With this collaboration, the lab will extend its testing service capabilities to a wide range of human pathogens, including Norovirus, Influenza viruses, MPXV, SARS-CoV-2, antimicrobial resistant bacteria, and fungi. The lab will also accelerate new capability development, including environmental testing. Prof. Jones and his team will continue to lead operations in the Bangor University laboratory, in partnership with Verily. Since its inception in 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangor University's wastewater lab has become a leader in environmental bio-surveillance in the U.K. Utilizing Verily's high-throughput, state-of-the-art wastewater lab automation to optimize efficiency, Bangor University will further establish itself as a world class wastewater surveillance facility capable of serving all regions of the U.K. and Europe broadly, and meeting current and emerging public health needs. "Our partnership with Bangor University is an exciting advancement in Verily's mission to establish an international pathogen monitoring network as we expand our capabilities to Europe," said Andrew Trister, MD, PhD, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at Verily. "This collaboration enables our combined expertise to unlock assays more quickly and monitor for new pathogen targets that protect public health and foster safer, healthier communities worldwide." "Verily's wastewater solutions and expanded pathogen coverage will amplify our ability to monitor for and respond to public health threats effectively," said Prof. Davey Jones. "Together, we are integrating world-class science with advanced technology to deliver critical public health data to the U.K. and beyond." As a leader in the laboratory science behind wastewater-based epidemiology, Verily's wastewater program offers logistics and surveillance to test for pathogens present in wastewater, allowing for timely monitoring and detection to inform faster and more precise public health actions. Verily currently collaborates with leading U.S.-based public health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and WastewaterSCAN, to provide wastewater testing services to track the presence of over 15 pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, Influenza and the H5 sub-type, and MPXV (formerly known as monkeypox virus) in wastewater samples from hundreds of sites across the United States. This new partnership signifies Verily's entry into the European market and reinforces its commitment to global public health surveillance. Currently, Verily and Bangor University are working to onboard customers, including governments and life science companies, for both wastewater testing and generating unique insights from wastewater data. About Verily Verily is an Alphabet health technology company focused on research, care, and health financing to deliver on the promise of precision health and help people live healthier lives. We are uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology, data science, and healthcare to create tools to accelerate evidence generation, products to enable more personalized care, and approaches to make costs more predictable. For more information, please visit: verily.com. About Bangor University Wastewater Lab Bangor University is a research-led, entrepreneurial, bilingual institution in North Wales. Sustainability underpins the work of the University which is ranked in the top 30 in the UK for the societal impact of its research in the UK Research Excellence Framework, published in 2022. Established in 1884, the University has a long tradition of academic excellence and a strong focus on delivering a world-leading student experience. For over 15 years, the cutting-edge laboratory at Environment Centre Wales, Bangor University, has been at the forefront of using wastewater analysis to monitor public health and environmental quality. Initially focused on human viral pathogens, the lab has since expanded its research to encompass a wide range of indicators that offer valuable insights into human wellbeing. The laboratory's expertise gained international recognition when it led the development of the wastewater-based COVID-19 surveillance programme for England and Wales. Building on this success, the team recently applied their innovative approach to produce a comprehensive state-of-the-nation report on antimicrobial resistance prevalence and other respiratory pathogens. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240917307959/en/ Contacts: Steven Cooper Head of Media Relations, Verily sjcoop@verily.com BELLEVUE, Wash., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyperproof, a leading governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) management platform, is proud to announce its official expansion into the European market. This strategic move comes as Hyperproof recognises the increasing demand for robust compliance solutions amidst Europe's sophisticated regulatory environment. Meeting Europe's Compliance Challenges Head-On Europe is home to some of the most advanced and intricate regulatory frameworks, including the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These regulations have set high data protection and operational resilience standards, creating significant challenges for businesses operating in the EU. Hyperproof is uniquely positioned to address these challenges, offering the most comprehensive support for EU frameworks and the most enterprise-ready platform on the market. With a growing base of European customers, Hyperproof's innovative features - including unique capabilities to support complex teams and the unique risks and compliance challenges they face - are designed to support multi-national companies, ensuring seamless compliance management. "We have seen a strong interest in Hyperproof from European companies who are seeking out highly flexible compliance solutions that can keep pace with their growing regulatory burdens. We are thrilled to expand our services, product, and teams to the EU, a group of markets that require these services now more than ever," says Craig Unger, CEO and Founder of Hyperproof. Hyperproof's Offerings in Europe As part of its European expansion, Hyperproof is introducing several key initiatives to better serve the region: EU instance and data centre: Hyperproof has developed an EU instance of its platform, supported by a new EU-based data centre so EU customers can ensure data sovereignty and compliance with local regulations. Hyperproof has developed an EU instance of its platform, supported by a new EU-based data centre so EU customers can ensure data sovereignty and compliance with local regulations. Local technical support: Hyperproof has established a dedicated European support team that offers local support hours and a deep understanding of regional compliance requirements. Hyperproof has established a dedicated European support team that offers local support hours and a deep understanding of regional compliance requirements. Expanded strategic alliances: Hyperproof has strengthened its network of strategic alliances with leading firms like Accenture, Grant Thornton, and BDO. These partnerships integrate best-in-class services with Hyperproof's enterprise-ready platform, enabling unparalleled service delivery to the European market. Hyperproof has strengthened its network of strategic alliances with leading firms like Accenture, Grant Thornton, and BDO. These partnerships integrate best-in-class services with Hyperproof's enterprise-ready platform, enabling unparalleled service delivery to the European market. Comprehensive framework library: Hyperproof boasts the most extensive library of EU-centric frameworks on the market, including NIS2, DORA, the EU Privacy Framework, The Spanish National Security Scheme, HDS France, GDPR, SOX, UK Cyber Essentials, and more. Hyperproof boasts the most extensive library of EU-centric frameworks on the market, including NIS2, DORA, the EU Privacy Framework, The Spanish National Security Scheme, HDS France, GDPR, SOX, UK Cyber Essentials, and more. Flexible per-framework reporting: Hyperproof's platform eliminates the manual effort required to generate compliance reports for EU-specific frameworks, offering flexible reporting tailored to each framework's unique requirements. With this expansion, Hyperproof is poised to support European companies in navigating the complexities of compliance and risk, helping them achieve operational resilience and regulatory adherence with confidence. Media Contact: Erin Nelson Sr. SEO & Content Marketing Manager, Hyperproof erin@hyperproof.io About Hyperproof Hyperproof is a security compliance management software company focused on bringing trust to life for its customers. The Hyperproof platform empowers compliance, risk, and security teams to stay on top of all compliance work and manage organizational risks (including vendor risks) continuously. Hyperproof is disrupting the GRC space by tackling a pressing problem ignored by others: helping compliance pros gain control over and effectively manage their ever-growing compliance workload. Industry-leading companies like Motorola, Instacart, Reddit, Red Hat, OVO Energy, Nutanix, and Fortinet trust Hyperproof to help them manage their security, compliance, and risk efforts. To learn more about Hyperproof, visit https://hyperproof.io . Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2343737/Hyperproof_Logo_2024.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hyperproof-expands-operations-to-europe-addressing-growing-compliance-needs-302248202.html To enhance digital capabilities, improve automation, refine data, and embed further AI capabilities LONDON, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Metro Bank, the UK's community bank, has entered into a long-term collaboration with Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, to enhance some of its IT and support functions, while digitally transforming the bank's business operations. The collaboration supports the bank's ongoing efficiency and cost saving efforts. Collaborating with a global leader like Infosys will allow Metro Bank to enhance its digital capabilities, improve automation, refine data, and embed further AI capabilities, leveraging Infosys Topaz, an AI-first offering using generative AI technologies, to deliver a simpler more consistent customer experience for its FANS. Infosys' vast experience and capability will help Metro Bank continue to build a more agile bank, poised for meaningful growth. Daniel Frumkin, Metro Bank Chief Executive Officer, said, "This collaboration with a world class provider like Infosys builds on the solid foundations we have already laid, unleashing our true potential, and creating a sustainably profitable and scalable organization that is fit for the future. At the end of this transformation, we will be a very different business, but the true essence of Metro Bank will remain the same - a high-quality service organization putting customers centre-stage. "Metro Bank expects to deliver 80m of annualized cost savings this year across multiple initiatives, as it progresses towards the target of reaching mid-to-high teen Return on Tangible Equity by 2027. Our vision for Metro Bank in 2025 and beyond, places our store network firmly at its heart, as we continue with our plans to open new stores and bring the Metro Bank experience to the north of England." Dennis Gada, EVP and Global Head of Banking and Financial Services, Infosys, said, "Metro Bank's strategic vision and unique business model, combined with Infosys' global expertise in driving growth and enhancing efficiencies for mid-sized banks, will significantly contribute to creating value and establishing a top-tier, customer-centric bank. We are excited to collaborate with Metro Bank in driving this transformation by leveraging advanced digital and AI capabilities, banking domain experience, as well as modernization and automation focus through Infosys Topaz. Our shared goal is to continually enhance customer engagement, community focus, and the integration of physical and digital experiences, thereby accelerating growth and value creation for Metro Bank." About Infosys Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses and communities. We enable clients in more than 56 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by cloud and AI. We enable them with an AI-first core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace. Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE, BSE, NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next. Safe Harbor Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, or our future financial or operating performance, are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the execution of our business strategy, increased competition for talent, our ability to attract and retain personnel, increase in wages, investments to reskill our employees, our ability to effectively implement a hybrid work model, economic uncertainties and geo-political situations, technological disruptions and innovations such as Generative AI, the complex and evolving regulatory landscape including immigration regulation changes, our ESG vision, our capital allocation policy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity, capital resources, our corporate actions including acquisitions, and cybersecurity matters. Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/4364085/Infosys_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/metro-bank-forges-strategic-collaboration-with-infosys-to-accelerate-digital-transformation-302250152.html OSLO, Norway, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Photocure ASA (OSE: PHO), the Bladder Cancer Company, announces that its partner Asieris Pharmaceuticals (SSE: 688176) has communicated today that international multicenter Phase III clinical trial data for its non-surgical treatment for cervical HSIL (High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion) product candidate Cevira (APL-1702) have been accepted for oral presentation by the International Photodynamic Therapy & Photodiagnosis Update Conference in Germany on September 17, 2024, focusing on the efficacy data related to the regression of the histological grade of cervical precancerous lesions. The Phase III trial is a prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, multi-center clinical study, which has reached its primary efficacy endpoint and exhibited good safety. Additionally, the study found that at 6 months after the first treatment, the regression rate (RR) in the APL-1702 group was significantly higher than that in the placebo group (47.0% vs. 29.5%, p < 0.01). Subgroup analysis data also showed that in all HPV-negative, HPV16-positive, and HPV18/others-positive subgroups, the APL-1702 group demonstrated favorable rates of histological regression comparing to placebo (64.7% vs. 25.0%, 37% vs. 25.4%, 60.0% vs. 36%). At 6 months after first treatment, the improvement rate for the two groups were 54% and 36%, respectively (p < 0.01). Among them, 38% of the subjects had cervical tissue restored to normal tissue at 6 months in the APL-1702 group, while only 19% had restoration to normal tissue in the placebo group. In the APL-1702 group, 79.1% of subjects had no disease progression, compared to 67.4% in the placebo group (p = 0.0171). Read Asieris' full media release here: https://asieris.com/asieris-unveils-results-for-the-first-time-at-2024-pdtpd-conference-the-efficacy-data-of-non-surgical-treatment-of-cervical-hsil-with-apl-1702-in-reducing-the-histological-grade-of-cervical-preca/ Note to editors: All trademarks mentioned in this release are protected by law and are registered trademarks of Photocure ASA. This press release may contain product details and information which are not valid, or a product is not accessible, in your country. Please be aware that Photocure does not take any responsibility for accessing such information which may not comply with any legal process, regulation, registration or usage in the country of your origin. About Cevira Cevira (APL-1702) is a photodynamic drug-device combination product in development. Based on the principles of photodynamic therapy, the Cevira product aims to use a photosensitizer in combination with light activation to produce a therapeutic effect as a non-surgical treatment of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) in patients aged 18 years and above, excluding carcinoma in situ. Photocure developed Cevira through Phase I and Phase II trials, and the global rights for development and commercialization were out-licensed to Asieris Meditech Co., Ltd in 2019. In November 2020 Asieris initiated the phase III clinical trial for APL-1702 (Cevira) which achieved its primary endpoint in September 2023, Clinical trial number: NCT04484415. The new drug application for APL-1702 was accepted by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in May 2024. About Photocure ASA Photocure: The Bladder Cancer Company delivers transformative solutions to improve the lives of bladder cancer patients. Our unique technology, making cancer cells glow bright pink, has led to better health outcomes for patients worldwide. Photocure is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: PHO). For more information, please visit us at www.photocure.com About Asieris Asieris Pharmaceuticals(688176.SH), founded in March 2010, is a global biopharma company specializing in discovering, developing and commercializing innovative drugs for the treatment of genitourinary tumors and other related diseases. For further information, please contact: Dan Schneider President and CEO Photocure ASA Email: ds@photocure.com Erik Dahl CFO Photocure ASA Tel: +4745055000 Email: ed@photocure.com David Moskowitz Vice President, Investor Relations Photocure ASA Tel: +1 202 280 0888 Email: david.moskowitz@photocure.com Media and IR enquiries: Geir Bjrlo Corporate Communications (Norway) Tel: +47 91540000 Email: geir.bjorlo@corpcom.no This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/photocure/r/cevira--apl-1702-photocure-partner-asieris-unveils-efficacy-data-of-non-surgical-treatment-of-cervic,c4038445 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/17498/4038445/3004763.pdf Release View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cevira-apl-1702-photocure-partner-asieris-unveils-efficacy-data-of-non-surgical-treatment-of-cervical-hsil-at-the-2024-pdtpd-conference-302250170.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Heliostar Metals Ltd. (TSXV: HSTR) (OTCQX: HSTXF) (FSE: RGG1) ("Heliostar" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it commenced a 5,000 metre diamond drill program at its Ana Paula Project in Mexico ("Ana Paula"). The two stage drill program will test the east, west and down dip extensions of the High Grade Panel and the Parallel Panel targets. Phase one will consist of seven drill holes totalling 2,600 metres and phase two consists of eight drill holes totalling 2,400 metres. Heliostar CEO, Charles Funk, commented, "We are confident that Ana Paula can continue to grow beyond our 2023 resource update. The Company aims to expand the resource this year and next, ahead of a Feasibility Study that the Company is planning to complete in late 2025. Drilling will include some large step outs. They follow a newly identified geochemical corridor that may point to the source of gold mineralization at the deposit. Heliostar has entered a period of significant catalysts including closing the Argonaut acquisition, reporting gold production, laying out production guidance, publishing a PFS for La Colorada, and reporting drill results from multiple properties." Figure 1: A cross section with the resource model from 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate highlighting the High Grade Panel (clipped to greater than 2g/t resource blocks). Planned holes from current program shown in black where they cut the section. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7729/223568_88a928c4b4aedbbb_003full.jpg Figure 2: A cross section highlighting the Parallel Panel Target (clipped to greater than 2g/t resource blocks). Planned holes from current program shown in black where they cut the section. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7729/223568_88a928c4b4aedbbb_004full.jpg Drill Program The Phase 1 drill program, currently underway, will focus on extending the High Grade Panel and Parallel Panel to the west. It will also test the downdip extension of the High Grade Panel while infilling the Parallel Panel target. The program will consist of seven drill holes totaling 2,600 metres. Two drill holes will step out approximately 70 metres to the west along a corridor of elevated potassium:calcium (K:Ca) geochemistry that extends west and down-plunge from the High Grade Panel. These two holes have the potential to significantly add high-grade ounces to the resource. The remaining five drill holes will test the down-dip extension of the High Grade Panel while also defining the Parallel Panel target. These holes will also convert inferred ounces to indicated and increase the measured ounces in the High Grade Panel. Phase 2 drilling consists of eight drill holes totaling 2,400 metres. This program targets the eastern and western extents of the High Grade Panel, the Parallel Panel target and the downdip extension of the High Grade Panel. Three holes along the edges of the High Grade Panel have the potential to add high-grade ounces to the panel by extending to the east and west. The five holes targeting the Parallel Panel, High Grade Panel and the down dip extension will better define the resources. The data will assist in converting inferred ounces to indicated and indicated to measured. The program also has a strong potential to add new gold ounces to both panels. The Company completed two drill holes of the program to date and expects to report results from October 2024. Incentive Plan Rewards The Company announces that, pursuant to the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, it has granted 4,675,000 stock options ("Options") at an exercise price of $0.42 and 1,180,000 restricted share units (each, an "RSU") to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company. The Options are exercisable for a period of five years and will vest over the next two years. The RSUs will vest in three equal annual instalments commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date. Advisory Agreements The Company also announces that it has entered into an advisory agreement with TSCG Capital Group ("TSCG"), pursuant to which the Company engaged TSCG to provide financial advisory services to the Company. On completion of the Offering, and upon receipt of approval of the TSX-V, the Company will issue to TSCG warrants to acquire 696,000 Shares at a price of $0.42 per share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. The Company announces that it has entered into an advisory agreement with 3L Capital Inc. ("3L"), pursuant to which the Company engaged 3L to provide financial advisory services to the Company. Upon receipt of approval of the TSX-V, the Company will issue to 3L warrants to acquire 113,000 shares at a price of $0.42 per Share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. Statement of Qualified Person Stewart Harris, P.Geo., a Qualified Person, as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. About Heliostar Metals Ltd. Heliostar aims to grow to become a mid-tier gold producer. The Company is focused on developing the 100% owned Ana Paula Project in Guerrero, Mexico and has recently entered into an agreement to acquire a portfolio of production and development assets in Mexico. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: 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. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things, the intended use of proceeds of the Working Capital Facility and the Transaction Closing Facility, closing of the Acquisition, exploration and development of the Company's projects and potential cash flow and production from the Company's projects. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information relating to the terms and completion of the Facility, any future mineral production, liquidity, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the receipt of necessary approvals, price of metals; no escalation in the severity of public health crises or ongoing military conflicts; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; and the Company's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms. These statements reflect the Company's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in foreign jurisdictions; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding exploration and mining activities; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of public health crises; the economic and financial implications of public health crises, ongoing military conflicts and general economic factors to the Company; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's public disclosure documents. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223568 SOURCE: Heliostar Metals Ltd. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / Legend Power Systems Inc. (TSXV:LPS)(OTCQB:LPSIF) ("Legend Power" or the "Company"), a global leader in commercial electrical system solutions, announces that CEO Randy Buchamer will be presenting and participating in 1x1 meetings at the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VANCOUVER 2024 in association with Small Cap Discoveries. Mr. Buchamer will present on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 10AM PT / 1PM ET and host investor meetings during the conference. "Legend Power Systems is leading the way in active power management for commercial properties and continues to gain momentum across the United States, highlighted by a recent $3 million Letter of Intent from the Department of Defense, bringing our total order visibility to $5.5 million," said Mr. Buchamer. "In our most recent quarter, we achieved a 50% gross margin, a significant improvement. I'm excited to update our current investors and connect with new prospects at the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VANCOUVER 2024." To access Legend Power's live presentation at Planet MicroCap Showcase: VANCOUVER 2024 in association with Small Cap Discoveries: Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2024 Time: 10AM PT / 1PM ET Webcast: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/3056/51048 If you can't make the live presentation, all company presentations "webcasts" will be available directly on the conference event platform on this link under the tab "Agenda": https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/agenda To book a 1x1 meeting with Legend Power Systems CEO Randy Buchamer: If you would like to book 1x1 investor meetings with Legend Power Systems and to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VANCOUVER 2024, please make sure you are registered here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/signup 1x1 meetings will be scheduled and conducted in person at the conference venue: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver. About Planet MicroCap Planet MicroCap is a global multimedia financial news, publishing and events company focused on news dissemination, providing information, data and analytics for the MicroCap investing community. We have cultivated an active and engaged audience of folks that are interested in learning about and to stay ahead of the curve in the MicroCap space. If you would like to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase, please register here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/signup About Legend Power Systems Inc. Legend Power Systems Inc. (https://legendpower.com/) provides an intelligent energy management platform that analyzes and improves building energy challenges, significantly impacting asset management and corporate performance. Legend Power's proven solutions support proactive executive decision-making in a complex and volatile business and energy environment. The proprietary and patented system reduces total energy consumption and power costs, while also maximizing the life of electrical equipment. Legend Power's unique solution is also a key contributor to both corporate sustainability efforts and the meeting of utility energy efficiency targets. For further information, please contact: Jonathan Lansky, Director +1 416 417 7664 lansky.j@icloud.com Sean Peasgood, Investor Relations + 1 647 503 1054 sean@sophiccapital.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This Press Release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities and operating performance of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities or performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such risks, uncertainties and factors are described in the periodic filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including the Company's quarterly and annual Management's Discussion & Analysis, which may be viewed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results to not be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements other than as may be required by applicable law. News Compliments of Accesswire SOURCE: Legend Power Systems Inc. via Planet MicroCap View the original press release on accesswire.com TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / Aclara Resources Inc. ("Aclara" or "Company") (TSX:ARA) is pleased to announce that the Chilean government has unveiled a comprehensive "Industrial Strengthening Plan" for the Biobio region. This plan highlights the Penco Module as one of the key projects selected to bolster the region's future economic growth. The Industrial Strengthening Plan aims to revitalize the Biobio economic landscape, which has faced challenges due to slow economic activity and lack of consistent new investments over the past two decades. Key objectives include accelerating private investment and enhancing the capabilities of institutions responsible for investment approvals. Aclara's Penco Module is among 25 large-scale projects featured, representing a combined potential investment of US$ 6.8 billion and the creation of up to 5,000 jobs during their operational phases, significantly advancing regional development. Aclara's CEO, Ramon Barua, commented: "This announcement reaffirms the strategic nature of our Penco Module project for the Biobio region and the Chilean government. Aclara, in partnership with CAP, remains fully committed to the economic growth of the Biobio region and working closely with local communities and regional authorities to progress the development of the Penco Module. We remain focused on advancing the permitting process and are dedicated to working collaboratively with the SEA throughout the assessment and review process." About Acara Aclara Resources Inc. (TSX:ARA) is a development-stage company that focuses on heavy rare earth mineral resources hosted in Ion-Adsorption Clay deposits. The Company's rare earth mineral resource development projects include the Penco Module in the Bio-Bio Region of Chile and the Carina Module in the State of Goias, Brazil. Aclara's rare earth extraction process offers several environmentally attractive features. Circular mineral harvesting does not involve blasting, crushing, or milling, and therefore does not generate tailings and eliminates the need for a tailing's storage facility. The extraction process developed by Aclara minimizes water consumption through high levels of water recirculation made possible by the inclusion of a water treatment facility within its patented process design. The ionic clay feedstock is amenable to leaching with a common fertilizer main reagent, ammonium sulfate. In addition to the development of the Penco Module and the Carina Module, the Company will continue to identify and evaluate opportunities to increase future production of heavy rare earths through greenfield exploration programs and the development of additional projects within the Company's current concessions in Brazil, Chile, and Peru. Aclara has decided to vertically integrate its rare earths concentrate production towards the manufacturing of rare earths alloys. The Company has established a U.S.-based subsidiary, Aclara Technologies Inc., which will focus on developing technologies for rare earth separation, metals, and alloys. Additionally, the Company is advancing its metals and alloys business through a joint venture with CAP S.A., leveraging CAP's extensive expertise in metal refining and special ferro-alloyed steels Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including statements with regard to, among other things, the strategic nature of the Penco Module and the EIA evaluation process. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated as of March 22, 2024 filed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile. Actual results, timing, performance, achievements or future events or developments could differ materially from those expressed or implied herein. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward-looking information contained in this news release is provided as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws. For further information, please contact: Ramon Barua Costa Chief Executive Officer investorrelations@aclara-re.com SOURCE: Aclara Resources Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Sudbury, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Magna Mining Inc. (TSXV: NICU) (OTCQB: MGMNF) (FSE: 8YD) ("Magna" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the successful completion of its Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") by SGS Geological Services (SGS) on its 100% owned Crean Hill Project (the "Project") located in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The PEA envisions an underground only mining operation, with Life of Mine ("LOM") potentially mineable resource being sold to a third-party existing mill in Sudbury. Underground mining would be initiated with a 15-month Advanced Exploration ("AdEx") program followed by a 12-month pre-production ramp-up period and 13 years of commercial production. Initial mining will be done with ramp access via a new surface portal with the eventual rehabilitation and re-establishment of the historic #2 shaft for personnel access and hoisting as mining progresses deeper. Note: All dollar values are reported in Canadian Dollars unless otherwise stated. 2024 PEA Highlights Low pre-production capital cost of $27.7M following AdEx period; Payback of pre-production period capital within the first year of commercial production, and payback of all capital including AdEx period capital within the second year of commercial production; Underground average production rate of 2,200 tonnes per day ("tpd") consisting of 1,650 tpd of higher-margin primary feed and 550 tpd of lower grade, incremental feed; Pre-tax NPV (8%) of $265.3 million and an Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") of 142% at conservative metal prices. Magna Mining COO Jeff Huffman commented: "This updated Preliminary Economic Assessment focuses efforts on a high margin, underground-only mine plan. A low capital approach of establishing a new surface portal will provide quick access to the resource, allowing us to offset capital costs with early revenues. This PEA also benefits from increased certainty on third party processing terms. The project timeline has been derisked by having environmental permits approved and in-hand, as well as more detailed stope planning and sequence optimization. The PEA metal pricing assumptions have been updated to reflect a more conservative long term nickel price. We are excited and encouraged by the results of this PEA and look forward to continuing to advance the Crean Hill Project". The primary feed is designed to ensure rapid payback and minimize upfront capital requirements while simultaneously mitigating the potential impact of low metal prices. The lower cut-off grade of incremental material allows more complete extraction of the resource and the two-pronged nature of the mining sequence facilitates lower-cost extraction of the incremental material. Financial Analysis The Crean Hill PEA uses metal prices of US$ 8.50/lb nickel, US$ 4.00/lb copper, US$ 13.00/lb cobalt, US$ 900/oz platinum, US$ 1000/oz Palladium, US$ 2,150/oz gold, and a 1.35 C$/US$ exchange rate as outlined in Table 2. The Base Case generates a pre-tax NPV (8%) of $265.3 million and an Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") of 142%, after-tax NPV (8%) is $194.1 million, with an IRR of 129%. See Table 1 for a summary of PEA results. Table 1: PEA Summary Units Total Total Resource Mined tonnes 10,688,606 Mine Life years 13 Average Production Rate tpd 2,193 Operating Cost $/tonne 158 Advanced Exploration Bulk Sample* $M 32.1 Pre-Production Capital $M 27.7 Sustaining Capital $M 212.8 Ni in Resource Sold M lbs 195.5 Cu in Resource Sold M lbs 169.5 Co in Resource Sold M lbs 6.8 Pt in Resource Sold koz 313 Pd in Resource Sold koz 359 Au in Resource Sold koz 117 Average NSR $/tonne 240 Average Annual Pre-Tax Cash Flow $M 40.5 Payback Period (overall) years 1.5 Pre-Tax NPV (8%) $M 265.3 Pre-Tax IRR % 142 Post Tax NPV (8%) $M 194.1 Post Tax IRR % 129 Note: AdEx Bulk Sample revenue is not included in PEA economics. Table 2: Metal Prices and Exchange Rates Item Units Base Case Pricing Nickel $US/lb 8.50 Copper $US/lb 4.00 Cobalt $US/lb 13.00 Platinum $US/oz 900 Palladium $US/oz 1000 Gold $US/oz 2150 Exchange Rate CAD:USD 1.35 USD:CAD 0.74 Capital and Operating Costs The Study was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators (NI 43-101). The capital and operating cost estimates for the Advance Exploration, Pre-Production and Production phases of the Project are summarized below in Tables 3-5. Capital costs are based on planned development of a ramp from surface to the bottom of the orebody and the rehab of #2 shaft to the mid-shaft loading pocket. The company is planning on commencing an AdEx bulk sample underground to confirm resource grade, continuity and dilution impacts in an effort to de-risk the project. It is envisioned that positive results from this program will lead to a pre-feasibility study and continued development of the Crean Hill Project. Table 3: AdEx and Pre-Production Cost and Revenue Summary Item Units AdEx Pre-Production Capital Cost $M 48.5 27.7 Operating Cost $M - 62.9 Revenue $M 16.4 78.3 Total Cost Net Revenue $M 32.1 12.3 Table 4: Capital Costs by Period - Detail Item Units Pre-Production (Initial Capital) Production (Sustaining Capital) Total Capital Cost Development $M 12.8 143.5 156.3 Infrastructure $M 14.5 58.7 73.1 G&A and Indirects $M 0.4 4.8 5.2 Closure $M - 5.8 5.8 Total Capital Cost $M 27.7 212.8 240.5 Table 5: Operating Costs by Period - Detail Item Units Pre-Production Production Average Operating Cost Per Resource Tonne Mined ($/t) Mining $M 40.3 894.7 $87.47 Crushing, Haulage and Processing $M 17.3 635.7 $61.09 G&A $M 5.3 92.9 $9.19 Total Operating Costs $M 62.9 1623.3 $157.75 Figure 1: Life of Mine Pre-Tax Cash Flow To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8002/223536_ff141bcd34c969fb_001full.jpg Mining and Infrastructure Previous mining activity at the Crean Hill site makes this project particularly favorable for revitalization. The site is located near the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately 35km from Sudbury with access to a well-established supply and service sector focused on the mining industry. The PEA is based on underground mining only. A new ramp will allow rapid access to initial, near-surface, mining areas and dewatering will be carried out from the historic #2 shaft. As mining proceeds beyond 700m depth, rehabilitation of the existing shaft and key infrastructure will be completed. This capital expenditure will allow hoisting and personnel access via the #2 shaft and will enable ramp-access mining to continue at depth. Operating costs assumptions are based on use of a mining contractor during the advanced exploration phase, and owner operated equipment during the pre-production and operation phase for all mine development and production. Underground production mining will be completed utilizing conventional longhole stoping methodology with hydraulic backfill. Power lines capable of supporting mining activities are in close proximity to the project and heating requirements will be met using propane. On-site crushing and sampling activities will occur before the ore is shipped to the local processing facility. Water treatment will be managed through a service agreement with the existing third-party treatment facility. Figure 2 illustrates the historical mining and PEA mine plan. Figure 3 illustrates the LOM production profile and Table 6 summarizes the mine production statistics. Figure 2: Crean Hill Mine Longitudinal Section Showing Historic Mining, Planned Development and Future Stoping To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8002/223536_ff141bcd34c969fb_002full.jpg Table 6: PEA Production Statistics Item Units Primary Incremental Base Case Resource Mined tonnes 7,996,761 2,691,845 10,688,606 Average NSR $/tonne 258 148 240 NiEq Cut-off Grade % 1.20 0.90 - Ni Grade % 0.92 0.56 0.83 Cu Grade % 0.79 0.50 0.72 Co Grade % 0.03 0.02 0.03 Pt Grade g/t 1.01 0.63 0.91 Pd Grade g/t 1.16 0.70 1.04 Au Grade g/t 0.38 0.21 0.34 Figure 3: Life of Mine Production Profile To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8002/223536_ff141bcd34c969fb_003full.jpg Permitting The Crean Hill project is a brownfield site with an existing footprint and a Closure Plan that has been filed by Vale. Vale retains surface rights to the property and holds key permits including an Air Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) for air emissions and a Sewage ECA for the wastewater management system. Additional surface infrastructure for new operations will be authorized by an amended Closure Plan. Other permits that would be required for mine development are an amended Air ECA, amended Sewage ECA, amended Permit to Take Water for mine dewatering and an additional sewage ECA for a domestic sewage system. There are no requirements for a federal or provincial environmental assessment. Permits for the commencement of AdEx at Crean Hill have been received. Mineral Resources The PEA potentially mineable resources are a subset of the current Crean Hill Mineral Resource Inventory (Table 7). Appropriate mining dilution and recoveries were applied to the design stopes depending on mining method used. Allan Armitage, Ph.D., P. Geo. of SGS Geological Services is an independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and is responsible for the current Crean Hill MRE. Table 7: Crean Hill Project Underground Mineral Resource Estimate, April 15, 2024 Classification Cut-off Grade Tonnes Cu (%) Ni (%) Co (%) Pt (g/t) Pd (g/t) Au (g/t) NiEq % Indicated 1.1% NiEq 18,444,000 0.87 1.01 0.035 0.98 1.12 0.37 1.96 Inferred 1.1% NiEq 989,000 0.53 0.70 0.026 0.98 1.66 0.29 1.56 Please see notes on Mineral Resource assumptions, at the end of this release, including metal prices and recoveries used. The underground cut-off grade of 1.10% NiEq considers metal prices of $8.50/lb Ni, $3.75/lb Cu, $17.00/lb Co, $950/oz Pt, $1100/oz Pd and $1,950/oz Au, metal recoveries of 78% for Ni, 95.5% for Cu, 56% for Co, 69.2% for Pt, 68% for Pd and 67.7% for Au, a mining cost of US$80.00/t rock and processing, treatment and refining, transportation and G&A cost of US$42.50/t mineralized material. Crean Hill Project Economic Sensitivities The Crean Hill Project is most sensitive to metal market prices and least sensitive to project capital cost. Operating costs and exchange rate sensitivities fall between metal prices and capital costs and display similar sensitivities. Table 8: Crean Hill Project Sensitivities - Pre-Tax NPV(8%) ($M) Variance Metal Price Exchange Rate Capex Opex -20% -42 595 294 445 -10% 113 411 280 355 Base 265 265 265 265 10% 423 149 251 175 20% 578 50 236 85 Figure 4: Crean Hill Project Sensitivities - Pre-Tax NPV(8%) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8002/223536_ff141bcd34c969fb_004full.jpg Table 9: Crean Hill Project Sensitivities - Metal Price Comparison Units 3 Yr Trailing Average 2023 PEA Base Case Spot Price July 20, 2024 Nickel $US/lb 9.96 9.50 8.50 7.30 Copper $US/lb 4.06 3.50 4.00 4.20 Cobalt $US/lb 19.89 22.00 13.00 12.45 Platinum $US/oz 971 1000 900 965 Palladium $US/oz 1622 1800 1000 923 Gold $US/oz 1915 1700 2150 2401 Pre-Tax NPV (8%) $M 491.6 481.7 259.3 181.6 Pre-Tax IRR % 200 185 90 58 Post-Tax NPV (8%) $M 348 341.2 189.2 135.1 Post-Tax IRR (%) % 182 168 82 53 Qualified Person The following Qualified Persons (QPs) oversaw the completion of the work in preparation of the PEA and are responsible for the contents: Independent QP for Geology and Mineral Resource Estimates Mr. Allan Armitage, Ph.D., P.Geo., of SGS Geological Services. Mr. Armitage conducted personal inspection of the site on May 25-26, 2022, July 25, 2023, July 02, 2024 and July 25, 2024. Independent QP for Underground Mining and Financial Analysis Mr. Henri Gouin, P.Eng., of SGS Geological Services. Mr. Gouin last conducted a personal inspection of the site on May 13, 2024. Independent QP for Underground Mining, Financial Analysis, Permitting and Environmental Mr. William van Breugel, P.Eng., B.A.Sc. Geological Engineering, P.Eng., Associate Engineer of SGS Geological Services. Independent QP for Processing and Recovery Mr. Dominic Fragomeni, P.Eng., Frago-Met Solution Ltd. Technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by David King, M.Sc., P.Geo. Mr. King is the Senior Vice President, Exploration and Geoscience for Magna Mining Inc. and is a qualified person under Canadian National Instrument 43-101. Crean Hill Property Mineral Resource Estimate Notes: The effective date of the Crean Hill Property Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) is April 15, 2024. This is the close out date for the final mineral resource models and mine out models (as-builts). Allan Armitage, Ph.D., P. Geo. of SGS Geological Services is an independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and is responsible for the current Crean Hill MRE. Armitage conducted multiple site visits to the Crean Hill Property including on May 25-26, 2022, July 25, 2023, July 02, 2024 and July 25, 2024. The classification of the current MRE into Indicated and Inferred mineral resources is consistent with current 2014 CIM Definition Standards - For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate and numbers may not add due to rounding. The mineral resource is presented undiluted and in situ, constrained by 3D grade control resource models, and are considered to have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. The mineral resource is exclusive of mined out material. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that most Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. The Crean Hill mineral resource estimate is based on a validated drill hole database which includes data from 4,646 surface and underground diamond drill holes completed between 1951 and March 2024. The drilling totals 739,448 m. The resource database totals 103,952 assay intervals representing 290,253 m of data. The mineral resource estimate is based on a three-dimensional ("3D") resource model of the main mineralization and a broader dilution envelope. 3D models of mined out areas were used to exclude mined out material from the current MRE. Grades for Ni, Cu, Co, Pt, Pd, Ag and Au are estimated for each mineralization domain using ~2.0 m capped composites assigned to that domain. To generate grade within the blocks, the inverse distance squared (ID2) interpolation method was used for all domains. Specific gravity values were assigned to each block based on a regression formula defined by a database of 32,592 samples. SG=(0.2057xNi%+2.88). Based on the size, shape, and orientation of the Crean Hill Deposit, it is envisioned that the deposits may be mined using both bulk and selective mining methods including Longhole Stoping. The MRE is reported at a base case cut-off grade of 1.10% NiEq. The mineral resource grade blocks are quantified above the base case cut-off grade and within the constraining mineralized wireframes (considered mineable shapes). The underground cut-off grade of 1.10% NiEq considers metal prices of $8.50/lb Ni, $3.75/lb Cu, $17.00/lb Co, $950/oz Pt, $1100/oz Pd and $1,950/oz Au, metal recoveries of 78% for Ni, 95.5% for Cu, 56% for Co, 69.2% for Pt, 68% for Pd and 67.7% for Au (Ag is not considered), a mining cost of US$80.00/t rock and processing, treatment and refining, transportation and G&A cost of US$42.50/t mineralized material. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. About Magna Mining Inc. Magna Mining is an exploration and development company focused on nickel, copper and PGM projects in the Sudbury region of Ontario, Canada. The Company's flagship assets are the past producing Shakespeare and Crean Hill Mines. The Shakespeare Mine is a feasibility stage project which has major permits for the construction of a 4,500 tonne per day open pit mine, processing plant and tailings storage facility and is surrounded by a contiguous 180km2 prospective land package. Crean Hill is a past producing nickel, copper and PGM mine with a technical report dated August 2022. Additional information about the Company is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on the Company's website (www.magnamining.com). For further information, please contact: Jason Jessup Chief Executive Officer Or Cautionary Statement This press release contains certain forward-looking information or forward-looking statements as defined in applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and are subject to several risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control, including statements regarding the production at the Shakespeare and Crean Hill Mines, the economic and operational potential of the Shakespeare and Crean Hill Mines, potential acquisitions, plans to complete exploration programs, potential mineralization, exploration results and statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions of the Company. Resource exploration and development is highly speculative, characterized by several significant risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223536 SOURCE: Magna Mining Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Endurance Gold Corporation (TSXV: EDG) (OTC Pink: ENDGF) (FSE: 3EG) (the "Company") is pleased to announce preliminary assay results from the first six (6) diamond drill holes completed in the Imperial and Diplomat Zones at its Reliance Gold Project. The planned 2024 drilling program consists of up to 10,000 metres ("m") of diamond drilling designed to expand the gold zones discovered within the 2-km long Royal Shear structure. To date, eleven (11) drill holes have been completed for over 3,500 m. Highlight assay results from the Imperial Zone DDH24-083 through DDH24-088 include: 2.19 gpt gold over 12.1 m ; including 11.95 gpt gold over 0.6 m and 7.92 gpt gold over 1.1 m ; including and 5.41 gpt gold over 4.1 m ; including 11.15 gpt gold over 1.2 m ; including 1.94 gpt gold over 12.3 m ; including 7.53 gpt gold over 1.0 m and 5.11 gpt gold over 2.0 m ; including and 6.80 gpt gold over 4.3 m ; including 13.70 gpt gold over 2.0 m ; including 3.26 gpt gold over 4.3 m 2.98 gpt gold over 4.7 m; including 6.72 gpt gold over 1.0 m "The Reliance Gold Project continues to deliver exciting drill results that demonstrate a strong gold system. The current drilling is expanding the Imperial, Eagle, Crown and Diplomat zones hosted within the 2-km long Royal Shear" stated Robert T. Boyd, CEO of Endurance Gold Corporation. "Assay results from these step-out holes indicate that the gold system is still open to expansion along strike and to depth. We look forward to additional results as we test the northwest extensions of the Eagle Zone and the undrilled gap between Eagle and Imperial that includes the Crown Zone". The Imperial Zone has been expanded along strike for over 100 m to the northwest where it remains open to expansion. In addition, these drill holes also intersected the Diplomat Zone which is now confirmed with several intersections to be a secondary deeper mineralized zone in the footwall that underlies and is parallel to the Imperial Zone echoing a similar structural relationship as seen at the Eagle Zone. All drill hole results reported are over 10 gram-metre, exceeded the company's minimum requirement to report as a significant intersection which must include at least 3.0 m of consistent gold mineralization. A complete list of assay results is reported in Table 1. All results are reported as core length intervals. True composite widths are estimated at 70% to 100% of core length. Highlighted intervals are shown on the Royal Shear longitudinal section in Figure 1, and drill collar location for these holes identified on the Royal Shear plan map in Figure 2. Drilling is now progressing on the fifth additional hole in the 600 m undrilled gap between the Eagle and Imperial Zones with the four other unreported holes testing for deeper mineralization at the Eagle Zone and Crown Zone areas. Assay results are expected in mid-October for these additional drill holes. In the Crown Zone area, located on structural trend to the northwest of the Eagle Zone, prior drilling by the Company has intersected numerous mineralized quartz veins with two instances of visible gold (VG) previously reported. The fully funded drilling program is expected to continue until the end of 2024. Endurance Gold Corporation is a company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of highly prospective North American mineral properties with the potential to develop world-class deposits. ENDURANCE GOLD CORPORATION Robert T. Boyd, President & CEO Diamond drill core was logged and evaluated on the Property and samples designated for assay analysis under the supervision of a geologist at the property. Drilling was completed with HQ and NQ size tools capable of collecting 6.35 and 4.76 centimetre diameter core (respectively). Drill core was cut using a diamond saw with one half of the core sent for analysis and the remaining kept for future studies. All drill core samples have been submitted to ALS Global in North Vancouver, BC, an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratory, where they are crushed to 70% <2 mm then up to 250 gram pulverized to <75 microns. Samples are then submitted for four-acid digestion and analyzed for 48 element ICP-MS (ME-MS61) and gold 30g FA ICP-AES finish (AU-ICP21). Over limit samples returning greater than 10 parts per million ("ppm") gold are re-analyzed by Au-GRA21 methodology and overlimit antimony returning greater than 10,000 ppm Sb are re-analyzed by Sb-AA08 methodology. Endurance Gold monitors QA/QC by inserting blanks, certified standards and pulp duplicates into the sample stream. The work program is supervised by Darren O'Brien, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration for the Company and the qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101. Mr. O'Brien has reviewed and approved this news release. 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. This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on assumptions and judgments of management regarding future events or results that may prove to be inaccurate as a result of factors beyond its control, and actual results may differ materially from the expected results. Figure 1: Reliance - Royal Shear Longitudinal Section - 2024 Update & Active Drilling Areas To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4976/223583_0dcac2214431da3f_002full.jpg Figure 2: Reliance Property Plan Map - 2024 Drill Hole Location To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4976/223583_0dcac2214431da3f_003full.jpg Table 1 - 2024 Reliance Drill Hole Results - September 17, 2024 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4976/223583_0dcac2214431da3f_004full.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223583 SOURCE: Endurance Gold Corporation EQS-News: North Peak Resources Ltd. / Key word(s): Miscellaneous North Peak Intersects 2.9 g/t Au over 18.3m (60ft) and 2.0 g/t Au Over 13.7m (45ft) in Final Holes of Phase 1 at Prospect Mountain North; Second Phase of Drilling Commences 17.09.2024 / 13:30 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - North Peak Resources Ltd. (TSXV: NPR) (the "Company" or "North Peak") announces assay results from final holes 23-27 of the recently completed 27-hole surface drilling program from the Prospect Mountain North area within its Prospect Mountain Property (the "Property") in Eureka, Nevada. Three of these holes targeted the historic Wabash mine area while two holes were on the east side of the Property ridge (see Figures 1 and 2 below). The Wabash holes strategically followed up on drilling results of the 94-hole program carried out in 1998/1999 by European American Resources (EPAR). "These 3 holes at the Wabash mine area in Prospect Mountain North have extended mineralization to the SW, NE, and NW," said Brian Hinchcliffe, Company CEO. "The consistent results from our phase 1 drilling both in terms of grade and virtually continuous wide mineralization has prompted a phase 2 drill program to start right away." Highlights PM24-025 extends Silver Connor shaft surface mineralization westwards and intersected 18.3m (60ft) @ 2.9 g/t Au from surface, including 1.5m (5ft) @ 7.0 g/t Au; this hole was drilled NW from the same set-up as hole PM24-004 which intersected from surface 126.49m (415ft) @ 1.06 g/t Au which included 12.19m (40ft) @ 4.20 g/t Au (see the Company's August 14, 2024 press release). PM24-024 intersects new zone parallel to the main zone at Wabash and intersected 13.7m (45ft) @ 2.0 g/t Au including 3.1m (10ft) @ 4.1 g/t Au, plus 13.7m (45ft) @ 0.7 g/t Au including 1.5m (5ft) @ 2.0 g/t Au; this hole was drilled 15.2m (50ft) down-dip from hole PM24-016 at the SW edge of drilling (hole PM24-016 intersected 18.3m (60ft) @ 3.92 g/t Au (which includes 10.7m (35ft) @ 5.01 g/t Au ), from 71.6m (235ft), within 42.1m (135ft) @ 1.89 g/t Au, from 70.1m (230ft). PM24-023 confirms continuity of the Silver Connor shaft surface mineralization northwards and intersected 50.3m (165ft) @ 1.1 g/t Au (with a 1.5m void @ 0 g/t Au) from surface, including 3.1m (10ft) @ 4.0 g/t Au and 1.5m (5ft) @ 4.1 g/t Au and 1.5m (5ft) @ 2.7 g/t Au; this hole was drilled NE from the same set-up as hole PM24-022 which intersected 27.4m (90ft) @ 7.0 g/t Au (with a 1.5m void @ 0 g/t Au) from surface, including 6.1m (20ft) @ 23.1 g/t Au and 1.5m (5ft) @ 56.4 g/t Au and 161.0 g/t Ag. Some of the initial observations from phase 1 drilling at the Wabash/Williams area are: Two zones of mineralization, Williams and Wabash, have both been confirmed and extended by our first phase of drilling and remains open along strike and to depth. High grade gold is present (up to 56.4 g/t Au and 161 g/t Ag over 1.5m (5ft), see hole PM24-022 in the September 4, 2024 press release) of a similar style to historic mining and is still present in the area. Mineralization is more Carlin like in this area, with high silver arsenic antimony and lower lead and zinc compared to classic CRD mineralization elsewhere on the Property. North Peak's re-interpretation of the Wabash and Williams mineralization as steeply dipping, more continuous zones along structures, has been confirmed by the recent drilling. Historic vertical holes by EPAR are not ideal for steeply dipping structures and North Peak's angled holes are helping to demonstrate better continuity within the mineralization envelope. Twin holes have confirmed zones encountered in the historic drilling are present though high grade gold correlation is poor (nuggety gold - the correlation is very good of best grades to best grades). Initial indications (e.g. Hole PM24-004) suggest the Wabash and Williams zones connect at depth and open up the size potential of the deposit. The Wabash/Williams areas are one small part of the Property with many other targets still to test. Geophysical targets, rock chip targets, and areas with previous good drilling still remain to be tested across the Property. Wabash/Williams/Chicago Area - Three (3) holes are reported and discussed here from the 20 holes drilled to date in this west side area. Extreme topography has restricted the drilling to four pads on the west side of Prospect Mountain: PM24-024 intersected two zones with the deeper zone of 13.7m (45ft) @ 2.0 g/t Au opening up in width and grade below a second deeper zone in hole 16 and may line up with a zone in hole PM24-004 at 105ft - 125ft at 6.1m (20ft) @ 2.6 g/t Au that is 109m (358ft) to the NE. PM24-025 was drilled at -43 degrees to the NW almost in the opposite direction of hole PM24-004 which intersected from surface 126.49m (415ft) @ 1.06 g/t Au which included 12.19m (40ft) @ 4.20 g/t Au ; the intersection adds to the width of the main Wabash zone. The hole was aimed at another known zone of mineralization noted in the old Wabash mine to the west that has not been drilled to date. The hole is not drilled from an ideal location due to the extreme topography and did not intersect the deeper target. PM24-023 which intersected 50.3m (165ft) @ 1.1 g/t Au (with a 1.5m void @ 0 g/t Au) from surface was drilled at -43 degrees to the NE; it is offset by 22m (72ft) from hole PM24-006 that was drilled parallel in the opposite direction. PM24-006 intersected the surface gossan zone, drilling 35.05m (115ft) of mineralization @ 1.38 g/t Au, 26.3 g/t Ag, before crossing a 4.57m (15ft) stope or cave East Side of Property Ridge - Two holes are reported from the east side of the Property ridge and targeted the historic Duke mine and Duke fault and numerous associated surface workings: PM24-026 and PM24-027 intersected only low values along the Duke Fault in the vicinity of the Duke Mine. See the Technical Report (defined below) for full details of the historic EPAR drill results referenced in this press release. See Tables 1 and 2 below set out full results and information for these 5 holes of the 2024 Reverse Circulation (RC) drill program at Prospect Mountain North. Figure 1: Plan of Prospect Mountain North drill area (West & East ridge) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9875/223577_5d10968cb4b5797c_002full.jpg Figure 2: Section View of Wabash Southwest area: looking North East To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9875/223577_5d10968cb4b5797c_003full.jpg Table 1: Assay Results Hole ID From To Intercept From To Intercept Au Ag Cu Pb Zn (m) (m) (m) (ft) (ft) (ft) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) (%) PM24-023 0.0 50.3 50.3 0 165 *165 1.09 13.3 0.3 0.7 0.00 50.30 48.80 0 165 **160 1.12 13.3 0.3 0.7 incl. v 0 18.3 18.3 0 60 60 2.22 23.6 0.3 0.1 0.6 incl. 3.0 6.1 3.0 10 20 10 4.03 9.4 0.1 0.5 incl. 9.1 10.7 1.5 30 35 5 2.68 29.9 0.5 0.9 incl. 15.2 16.8 1.5 50 55 5 4.10 63.3 1.1 0.2 1.3 incl. v 21.3 22.9 1.5 70 75 5 1.07 15.1 0.3 0.4 incl. v 38.1 39.6 1.5 125 130 5 1.29 33.3 0.4 1.6 PM24-024 0.0 1.5 1.5 0 5 5 0.23 2.6 79.3 93.0 13.7 260 305 45 0.72 3.1 0.2 incl. 80.8 82.3 1.5 265 270 5 2.01 6.4 0.2 0.4 incl. v 80.8 82.3 1.5 265 270 5 2.01 6.4 0.2 0.4 103.6 108.2 4.6 340 355 15 0.27 2.4 118.9 132.6 13.7 390 435 45 1.96 5.5 0.1 0.2 0.2 incl. 125.0 128.0 3.0 410 420 10 4.11 11.4 0.2 0.4 0.4 incl. v 121.9 129.6 7.6 400 425 25 3.19 8.6 0.2 0.3 0.3 146.3 147.8 1.5 480 485 5 0.20 1.6 149.4 152.4 3.0 490 500 10 0.21 1.3 PM24-025 0.0 18.3 18.3 0 60 60 2.88 60.6 0.1 0.1 0.2 incl. 12.2 13.7 1.5 40 45 5 7.00 167 0.2 0.2 0.3 incl. v 0 16.8 16.8 0 55 55 3.10 65.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 PM24-026 4.6 7.6 3.0 15 25 10 0.22 10.5 0.3 38.1 39.6 1.5 125 130 5 0.40 29.8 0.2 112.8 114.3 1.5 370 375 5 0.45 25.7 0.1 0.1 PM24-027 1.5 3.0 1.5 5 10 5 0.63 44.8 0.9 0.9 Notes: v = 1 g/t cut-off; * includes "0" grade for voids / ** leaves out voids; Composite intersections are calculated using a 0.2 g/t cutoff for gold with 10m internal dilution for the lower grade intervals. Higher grade intervals included within the lower grade intervals use a 1 g/t Au cutoff with 5m internal dilution; included are intervals >double 0.2 cut-off intersection. True widths are unknown due to uncertainty around orientations of mineralized zones. Table 2: Drill Hole Coordinates Hole ID Azimuth Dip Easting Northing Elevation Total Depth (m) Total Depth (ft) NAD83 m, Nevada East grid. EPSG: 32107 PM24-023 43 -45 164701 8524514 2526 60.96 200 PM24-024 132 -76 164660 8524492 2519 152.4 500 PM24-025 276 -44 164714 8524548 2520 137.16 450 PM24-026 300 -48 164881 8524285 2600 120.4 395 PM24-027 191 -50 164883 8524288 2593 152.4 500 Review by Qualified Person, Quality Control and Reports Mr. Mike Sutton, P.Geo., a director of the Company, is the Qualified Person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, who reviewed and approved scientific and technical disclosure in this press release. The Qualified Person has not reviewed the mineral tenure, nor independently verified the legal status and ownership of the Property or any underlying property agreements. Drilling and Sampling: Drilling was carried out using a Canadian built tracked MPD1500 RC drilling unit, the rig has jacks and a blade and is capable of working on small pads on steep ground to minimise ground prep. It is capable of drilling to 455m (1,500ft) using 4-inch pipe and a 51/4 inch bit. Holes were cased down to 25-80ft with 8-inch steel casing drifted in using a tricone bit. RC drilling uses a hammer, that is not face sampling but samples 4ft away from the hammer. A face sampling hammer was also trialed to compare efficiency. Under Nevada law dry sampling is not allowed due to dust restrictions so RC drilling is done wet, with water actively pumped down the hole mixing with pulverised sample and coming through the cyclone to an 8-compartment rotary fan wet splitter. Each compartment can be shut off giving control of the amount of split material. Rotary splitter was setup with 1:4 split, with the quarter split going into two calico bags housed in buckets, for an assay sample and a field duplicate for permanent reference. The remainder of the sample falls to the ground and runs into the sump. Each assay sample is for a 1.52m (5ft) interval. The splitter and cyclone are flushed every 4 samples or on noticing a change in colour. Chips were collected from the splitter reject and put into chip trays for reference. Calico bags are pre-labelled with hole number and footage, with an FD for field duplicate added to the sample number for the field duplicate. The drilling team are responsible for changing the bags and the clearly labelled footage intervals on the bags avoids sample mix-ups. Filled sample bags are laid on the ground in order so a visual check can be easily performed when collecting samples. Samples are loaded into a plastic crate and dispatched daily to the ALS Global prep-lab in Elko Nevada. A standard, a blank and a field duplicate were inserted after every 20 samples, for a QA/QC rate of 15%. Six standards from CDN Resource Laboratories were rotated through the samples. The standards had gold values ranging from 0.433 to 7.34 ppm. Samples are dried crushed and pulverised and assayed for gold with a 30g fire assay and a 44 element ICP MS suite. Overlimit samples for gold, silver, lead, zinc and copper are automatically re-assayed by suitable methods. About Prospect Mountain The Property lies in the Battle Mountain Eureka trend, in an area known as the Southern Eureka Gold Belt, where three styles of mineralization have been identified, gold, silver Carlin style mineralization, Carbonate Replacement gold, silver, lead, zinc mineralization (CRD) and carbonate hosted Porphyry Related Skarn lead, zinc and gold mineralization associated with cretaceous intrusions. At the Property, the CRD mineralization is heavily oxidized to depths of at least 610m (2,000ft) below the top of the ridge line. A Plan of Operations is in place which covers part of the Property (totalling 81 acres) and entitles an operator to pursue surface exploration, underground mining of up to 365,000 tons per annum and certain infrastructural works. It includes a permit to extract water from a well and to build water containment facilities. A more complete description of Prospect Mountain's geology and mineralization, including at the Wabash area, can be found in the NI 43-101 Technical Report (the "Technical Report") on the Prospect Mountain Property, Eureka County, Nevada, USA dated and with an effective date April 10, 2023, prepared by David Pym (Msc), CGeol. of LTI Advisory Ltd. and Dr Toby Strauss, CGeol, EurGeol., of Merlyn Consulting Ltd., which has been filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the profile of the Company and on the Company's website. About North Peak The Company is a Canadian based gold exploration and development company that is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "NPR". The Company is focused on acquiring historical sites, with low cost producing gold and other metals properties, with near term production potential and 8+ year mine life in the northern hemisphere. The Company recently acquired an initial 80% interest in the Prospect Mountain Mine complex in Eureka, Nevada (see the Company's May 4 and 23, 2023 and August 25, 2023 press releases). The Company can give no assurances at this time that its properties and interests will fulfil the Company's business development goals described herein. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. For further information, please contact: Brian Hinchcliffe, CEO Phone: +1-647-424-2305 Email: info@northpeakresources.com Website: www.northpeakresources.com Chelsea Hayes, Director Phone: +1-647-424-2305 Email: info@northpeakresources.com CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, timing and completion of any drilling and work programs on the Property, estimates of mineralization from drilling, sampling and geophysical surveys, geological information projected from drilling and sampling results and the potential quantities and grades of the target zones, the potential for minerals and/or mineral resources and reserves, and statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Property and the Company that may be described herein. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, accuracy of assay results, geological interpretations from drilling results, timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services, future operating costs, and the historical basis for current estimates of potential quantities and grades of target zones, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the quarter ended June 30, 2024, available at www.sedarplus.ca , many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223577 Click on, or paste the following link into your web browser,to view the associated documents http://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223577 News Source: North Peak Resources Ltd. 17.09.2024 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.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! Ultra High-Grade Unconformity-Hosted Uranium Mineralization Is Within Zone of 9.30% eU3O8 over 16.2 metres Multiple Ultra High-Grade Uranium Intersections on Adjacent Section Confirm Pike Zone Extension; Target Remains Open Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. (TSXV: CVV) (OTCQX: CVVUF) (FSE: DH7) ("CanAlaska" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the summer diamond drill program at the Pike Zone on the West McArthur Joint Venture project (the "Project") in the eastern Athabasca Basin. Multiple drillholes, highlighted by WMA082-12 which intersected 9.30% eU3O8 over 16.2 metres, including 13.61% eU3O8 over 10.9 metres and WMA082-11 which intersected 4.77% eU3O8 over 25.9 metres, including 6.30% eU3O8 over 16.3 metres have confirmed high-grade unconformity-associated uranium mineralization along the first step out drill fence to the east. These drillholes, combined with previously reported WMA082-8 which intersected 6.87% eU3O8 over 16.9 metres, including 11.62% eU3O8 over 9.3 metres in the basement, indicate the potential for significant extensions of high-grade uranium mineralization at the Pike Zone. The West McArthur project, a Joint Venture with Cameco Corporation, is operated by CanAlaska that holds an 83.35% ownership in the Project (Figure 1). CanAlaska is sole-funding the 2024 West McArthur program, further increasing its majority ownership in the Project. Figure 1 - West McArthur Project Location To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2864/223564_e886959a5459b8b3_002full.jpg CanAlaska CEO, Cory Belyk, comments, "The continued intersection of ultra high-grade uranium mineralization at Pike Zone this summer is an amazing result for CanAlaska, our shareholders, and the Joint Venture. Unconformity mineralization is now repeatable along strike from the original discovery holes and remains open in all directions including within the basement rocks below the unconformity. The results of the summer program clearly indicate the tier 1 potential of the Pike Zone along what is fast becoming a very prolific uranium mineralizing corridor which already includes the high-grade Fox Lake uranium deposit. I look forward to announcement of further drill results from the summer program in the context of an improving uranium market and return of investor interest." Figure 2 - L85E Drill Fence Results To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2864/223564_e886959a5459b8b3_004full.jpg L85E Summary Drillholes reported within this release, combined with previously reported drillhole WMA082-8 (See News Release Dated July 16th, 2024), represent drilling to date along a new section (L85E) stepping out to the east at the Pike Zone. WMA082-11 and WMA082-12 extend the ultra high-grade unconformity-associated uranium mineralization from the L70E fence (WMA082-4/-5/-6/-7) to the east. WMA082-9, WMA082-14, and WMA082-8 extend the high-grade basement-hosted uranium mineralization down into the basement along the controlling structures. WMA082-13 overshot the basement wedge due to a significant unconformity elevation difference of approximately 15 metres caused by fault offset along the C10S corridor. This structural offset is indicative of post-Athabasca Basin re-activation along the C10S corridor and represents an important control for fluid movement and trap for mineralization along the unconformity. The ultra high-grade unconformity target at the Pike Zone remains open. Table 1 - Radiometric Equivalent Uranium Grades DDH From (m) To (m) Length (m)4 Average Grade (% eU3O8)5 WMA082-91,2 799.6 800.5 0.9 0.23 WMA082-91,2 810.1 810.4 0.3 0.14 WMA082-91,2 816.0 818.3 2.3 0.99 including3 817.2 817.6 0.4 2.59 WMA082-91,2 822.6 825.3 2.7 0.90 including3 823.0 823.5 0.5 2.96 WMA082-91,2 826.6 827.3 0.7 0.13 WMA082-91,2 844.4 846.2 1.8 0.26 WMA082-111,2 795.9 821.8 25.9 4.77 including3 796.9 813.2 16.3 6.30 including3 814.5 818.4 3.9 3.79 including3 820.2 821.3 1.1 3.40 WMA082-121,2 797.0 813.2 16.2 9.30 including3 801.1 812.0 10.9 13.61 WMA082-141,2 838.8 840.4 1.6 1.45 including3 839.2 839.8 0.6 3.17 WMA082-141,2 843.3 846.8 3.5 1.12 including3 843.7 844.2 0.5 4.28 WMA082-141,2 848.0 848.6 0.6 0.37 WMA082-141,2 878.9 880.4 1.5 0.35 WMA082-9, WMA082-11, WMA082-12, and WMA082-14 were all drilled at an azimuth of 295 with an inclination of -79.3, collared at 477,345 mE / 6,396,525 mN, 605 m A.S.L. (UTM NAD83 Z13N) as daughter holes from WMA082. Intersection interval is composited above a cut-off grade of 0.1% eU3O8 with a maximum of 1.0 m of internal dilution. Intersection interval is composited above a cut-off grade of 2.0% eU3O8 with a maximum of 1.0 m of internal dilution. All reported depths and intervals are drill hole depths and intervals, unless otherwise noted, and do not represent true thicknesses, which have yet to be determined. Radiometric equivalent ("eU3O8") derived from a calibrated gamma downhole probe. Drillhole Details: WMA082-9: The lower sandstone column of WMA082-9 is strongly bleached with limonite alteration extending over 60 metres above the unconformity. Within the lower sandstone column, multiple metre-scale fault zones were intersected and are characterized by broken and blocky core, zones of quartz dissolution, hydrothermal dravitic breccias, and clay gouge that are locally associated with grey sooty pyrite alteration. One interval of unconformity-associated uranium mineralization was intersected within the grey altered sandstone (Figure 2; Table 1). The unconformity contact between the Athabasca sandstone and underlying basement rocks is interpreted to be at 801.7 metres down hole. Several intervals of basement-hosted uranium mineralization were intersected throughout the graphitic pelitic rocks (Figure 2; Table 1). These zones are characterized by structurally controlled, disseminated, and foliation-controlled uranium mineralization. The basement is strongly clay and chlorite altered as a broad halo around the basement-hosted uranium mineralization with multiple re-activated fault zones throughout the interval. Figure 3 - WMA082-12 Core Photograph To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2864/223564_e886959a5459b8b3_005full.jpg WMA082-11: The lower sandstone column of WMA082-11 is strongly bleached with limonite alteration extending over 80 metres above the unconformity. Within the lower sandstone column, multiple metre-scale fault zones were intersected and are characterized by broken and blocky core, zones of quartz dissolution, large hydrothermal dravitic breccias, and clay gouge. The unconformity contact between the Athabasca sandstone and underlying basement rocks is interpreted to be at approximately 803.0 metres down hole. WMA082-11 contains one main interval of unconformity-associated uranium mineralization characterized by massive to semi-massive mineralization associated with strong sooty pyrite, dark red hematite, and intense grey clay replacement alteration immediately around the unconformity contact (Figure 2; Table 1). The lower portion of the unconformity-associated uranium mineralization is structurally controlled, with localized intervals of semi-massive, blebby, and foliation-controlled mineralization within the graphitic pelite rocks (Figure 2; Table 1). Within the mineralized interval, isolated intervals of core loss were recorded due to intense alteration and quartz dissolution. The basement is strongly clay and chlorite altered as a broad halo around the high-grade uranium mineralization with multiple re-activated fault zones throughout the interval. WMA082-12: The lower sandstone column of WMA082-12 is strongly bleached with limonite alteration extending over 100 metres above the unconformity. Within the lower sandstone column, multiple metre-scale fault zones were intersected and are characterized by broken and blocky core, zones of quartz dissolution, large hydrothermal dravitic breccias, and clay gouge. The unconformity contact between the Athabasca sandstone and underlying basement rocks is interpreted to be at approximately 803.0 metres down hole. WMA082-12 contains one main interval of unconformity-associated uranium mineralization characterized by massive to semi-massive, blebby, disseminated, and structurally controlled mineralization associated with strong sooty pyrite, bright red hematite, and intense grey clay replacement alteration immediately around the unconformity contact (Figure 2; Figure 3; Table 1). Within the mineralized interval, isolated intervals of core loss were recorded due to intense alteration and quartz dissolution. The basement is strongly clay and chlorite altered as a broad halo around the high-grade uranium mineralization with multiple re-activated fault zones throughout the interval. WMA082-13: The lower sandstone column of WMA082-13 is strongly bleached with limonite alteration extending over 100 metres above the unconformity. Within the lower sandstone column, multiple metre-scale fault zones were intersected and are characterized by broken and blocky core, zones of quartz dissolution, large hydrothermal dravitic breccias, and clay gouge. In the lower sandstone column, these fault zones are associated with strong grey sooty pyrite alteration. The unconformity contact between the Athabasca sandstone and underlying basement rocks is interpreted to be at approximately 821.8 metres down hole. The upper basement of WMA082-13 is clay and chlorite altered. WMA082-13 overshot the basement wedge due to a significant unconformity elevation difference of approximately 15 metres caused by the controlling structures along C10S corridor. WMA082-14: The lower sandstone column of WMA082-9 is strongly bleached with limonite alteration extending over 30 metres above the unconformity. Within the altered lower sandstone column, metre-scale fault zones are concentrated around the unconformity and are characterized by broken and blocky core with associated quartz dissolution and clay gouge that contain grey sooty pyrite alteration. The unconformity contact between the Athabasca sandstone and underlying basement rocks is interpreted to be at 797.8 metres down hole. Several intervals of basement-hosted uranium mineralization were intersected throughout the graphitic pelite rocks (Figure 2; Table 1). These zones are characterized by structurally controlled, disseminated, and foliation-controlled uranium mineralization. The basement is clay and chlorite altered as a broad halo around the basement-hosted uranium mineralization with multiple re-activated fault zones throughout the interval. Summer Drill Program The summer drill program on the West McArthur project is currently ongoing and the Company is on track to achieve approximately 15 unconformity target intersections. The Company is continuing to use downhole mud-motor deviation technology for increased drilling efficiency and targeting capability. The primary objective for the summer drilling program is delineation and expansion of the ultra high-grade Pike Zone uranium discovery at the unconformity and within the upper basement. A secondary objective is Pike Zone extension testing along the C10S corridor searching for additional zones of ultra high-grade uranium mineralization. The Company expects to complete the summer portion of the 2024 exploration program in September. Geochemical assays from the summer portion of the 2024 exploration program are pending. Geochemical Sampling Procedures and Use of Radiometric Equivalent Grades All drill core samples from the program will be shipped to the Saskatchewan Research Council Geoanalytical Laboratories (SRC) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in secure containment for preparation, processing, and multi-element analysis by ICP-MS and ICP-OES using total (HF:NHO3:HClO4) and partial digestion (HNO3:HCl), boron by fusion, and U3O8 wt% assay by ICP-OES using higher grade standards. Assay samples are chosen based on downhole probing radiometric equivalent uranium grades and scintillometer (SPP2 or CT007-M) peaks. Assay sample intervals comprise 0.3 - 0.8 metre continuous half-core split samples over the mineralized intervals. With all assay samples, one half of the split sample is retained and the other sent to the SRC for analysis. The SRC is an ISO/IEC 17025/2005 and Standards Council of Canada certified analytical laboratory. Blanks, standard reference materials, and repeats are inserted into the sample stream at regular intervals by CanAlaska and the SRC in accordance with CanAlaska's quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures. Geochemical assay data are subject to verification procedures by qualified persons employed by CanAlaska prior to disclosure. During active exploration programs drillholes are radiometrically logged using calibrated downhole GeoVista NGRS and TGGS (Triple GM) gamma probes which collect continuous readings along the length of the drillhole. Preliminary radiometric equivalent uranium grades ("eU3O8") are then calculated from the downhole radiometric results. The probe is calibrated using an algorithm calculated from the calibration of the probe at the Saskatchewan Research Council facility in Saskatoon and from the comparison of probe results against geochemical analyses. At extremely high radiometric equivalent uranium grades, downhole gamma probes may become saturated, resulting in the probe being overwhelmed, which in turn can create difficulties in accurately determining extremely high-grade radiometric equivalent uranium grades, and a cap may be applied to the grade. The equivalent uranium grades are preliminary and are subsequently reported as definitive assay grades following sampling and chemical analysis of the mineralized drill core. In the case where core recovery within a mineralized intersection is poor or non-existent, radiometric grades are considered to be more representative of the mineralized intersection and may be reported in the place of assay grades. Radiometric equivalent probe results are subject to verification procedures by qualified persons employed by CanAlaska prior to disclosure. All reported depths and intervals are drill hole depths and intervals, unless otherwise noted, and do not represent true thicknesses, which have yet to be determined. About CanAlaska Uranium CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. (TSXV: CVV) (OTCQX: CVVUF) (FSE: DH7) is a Canadian based exploration company and holds interest in approximately 500,000 hectares (1,235,000 acres) in Canada's Athabasca Basin focused on exploration and discovery of high-grade unconformity uranium deposits. The Company is actively advancing the Pike Zone discovery - a new high-grade uranium discovery on its West McArthur Joint Venture project in the eastern Athabasca Basin. In addition, the Company has several other uranium-focused exploration programs. CanAlaska deploys a hybrid project generator model, focusing on the acquisition and sale of prospective projects, while also executing exploration programs on CanAlaska's most strategic land holdings. The Company's extensive portfolio has attracted international mining companies, including Cameco Corporation and Denison Mines as active partners. CanAlaska is led by an experienced team of professionals with a proven track record of discovery. The Company's head office is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada with a satellite office in Vancouver, BC, Canada. For further information visit www.canalaska.com. The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is Nathan Bridge, MSc., P. Geo., Vice-President Exploration for CanAlaska Uranium Ltd., who has reviewed and approved its contents. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Cory Belyk" Cory Belyk, P.Geo., FGC CEO, President and Director CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. 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 information All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223564 SOURCE: CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Hiru Corporation (OTC Pink: HIRU) $HIRU www.otchiru.com, www.hirumining.com, Sheikh Khalid Nasser Al Thani, Member of the Royal Family of Qatar, Chairman & CEO of Hiru Corp. has decided to immediately start funding the co with another round of $3 to $5 million dollars thus increasing his stake ownership in the mine. The investment will be made directly into the company where the company will be able to purchase additional equipment and resources to speed up the development of the operations. Sheikh Khalid Nasser Al Thani, Chairman & CEO stated "We repeat we are well funded to carry the mining operations. The 5-year projection was based on current resources available to the company. Obviously with this new cash infusion the company can acquire the equipment needed and start immediately speeding up the start date." More updates will follow shortly. About Hiru Corporation: Hiru Corporation (OTC Pink: HIRU) is a mining company headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with a focus on copper and other essential metals. The company's flagship operation, the Balfour Project, is located in north-western Tasmania, Australia. Hiru is committed to ethical mining practices and is actively exploring new opportunities in resource-rich regions across the globe. Disclaimer Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements that we make may constitute "forward-looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include information concerning future strategic objectives, business prospects, anticipated savings, financial results (including expenses, earnings, liquidity, cash flow and capital expenditures), industry or market conditions, demand for and pricing of our products, acquisitions and divestitures, anticipated results of litigation and regulatory developments or general economic conditions. In addition, words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," and future or conditional verbs such as "will," "may," "could," "should," and "would," as well as any other statement that necessarily depends on future events, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees, and they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although we make such statements based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. We caution investors not to rely unduly on any forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223593 SOURCE: Hiru Corporation Novostia, a pioneering medical technology company, specializing in the development of a disruptive heart valve prosthesis, at clinical stage, today announces a leadership transition alongside the successful completion of a CHF 5.6 million fund raise to further accelerate the company's development efforts and advance its clinical evidence base. The Board of Directors appoints Mrs. Soad El Ghazouani as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, succeeding Mr. Alain Barbal who will join the Board of Directors. Appointment of New CEO With over 25 years of global experience, more specifically in the development and marketing of breakthrough innovations in the cardiovascular field, Soad brings an extensive experience and a proven ability in leading innovative companies through rapid development and growth phases. She recently co-founded and served as CEO of T-Heart. Prior to this, Soad held several executive and senior management positions in various MedTech companies ranging from start-ups to multinational corporations. Soad holds an MBA in international business and a biomedical engineering degree. "I am honored to join Novostia at such a pivotal time for our company. The company's groundbreaking TRIFLO Heart Valve has already demonstrated immense potential to transform patient care, and I am eager to guide our talented team as we continue to push the boundaries of innovation and deliver exceptional values to patients, employees and shareholders." Successful Fundraising of Additional CHF 5.6 million to Fuel Clinical Phase and Bridge to Series B Novostia is also pleased to announce that it has successfully raised additional CHF 5.6 million in 2024. The funds will be instrumental in accelerating the company's ongoing development efforts, advancing clinical studies, and preparing for the next financial round. This financing reflects the confidence investors have in Novostia's innovative solutions, and the significant progress made in the development and on-going PILATUS clinical trial of the TRIFLO Heart Valve, with the early results presented at the EACTS (European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery) in October 9-12, 2024, in Lisboa, Portugal. These milestones represent a strong endorsement of Novostia's vision and strategic direction. The Board of Directors has full confidence that this leadership transition, coupled with the fresh capital injection, will ensure the continued success of Novostia. "We are immensely grateful to our investors and partners for their unwavering support," said Alexander Valkenberg, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "The successful fundraising and the arrival of Soad come at a pivotal moment for Novostia, we remain committed to our mission of improving patient outcomes and are confident that these developments will drive us closer to that goal." About Novostia Novostia is a privately held medical device company incorporated in 2017 and based at Biopole in Lausanne, Switzerland, developing an innovative artificial heart valve. The proprietary TRIFLO valve is currently undergoing human clinical trials. For more information, please visit www.novostia.com. Caution: Novostia technology is an investigational device not yet approved for sale. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240917697431/en/ Contacts: NOVOSTIA SA Mrs. Soad El Ghazouani, Chief Executive Officer info@novostia.com Enhanced connectivity and streamlined IT estate drive cost efficiency and boost engineering collaborations. GTT Communications, Inc., a leading global provider of secure cloud networking solutions to multinational organizations, has announced that setec, a global leader in multidisciplinary engineering, has partnered with GTT to transform its network in France, reshaping its communications and connectivity while streamlining operations. "Collaboration is at the heart of our success in the multidisciplinary engineering and construction projects we undertake," said Laurent Cuny, group CIO at setec. "By working with GTT as our trusted partner to upgrade our network and implement SIP Trunking, we have not only achieved a 15% reduction in total cost of ownership and a 12- to 100-fold increase in bandwidth per site, but also greatly enriched the quality and speed of communication and cooperation between our engineers, staff and customers around the world." Working with GTT, setec has shifted from traditional telephony installations to running its voice services over internet connectivity, enhancing infrastructure efficiency across more than 1,000 telephone numbers. GTT SIP Trunking ensures setec's critical voice traffic is routed seamlessly to the rest of the world using GTT's global, fully redundant and robust SIP-based network with voice Session Border Controllers across 4 continents supporting a comprehensive footprint of local DIDs, emergency calling, number porting and toll-free numbers. GTT has furthermore delivered a reliable, flexible, high-speed networking solution to setec. Each location features a primary WAN link to support all critical internal data flows, complemented by a secondary Dedicated Internet or broadband link for backup. This has allowed setec to move to a centralized data processing structure, consolidating servers from across its 20 sites to just five data centers. "We are proud to be the catalyst for setec's digital transformation journey," said Tom Homer, president, Europe Division, GTT. "Working alongside one of the world leaders in multidisciplinary engineering, we've focused on delivering solutions that not only meet its immediate needs but also future proof the company's operations. Our goal is to empower businesses like setec to simplify technology and how they can leverage it for efficiency and growth." For detailed information on how setec achieved this digital leap with GTT, read the full case study here. About GTT GTT is a leading global provider of secure cloud networking solutions for multinational organizations. We design and deliver solutions that leverage advanced cloud, networking, and security technologies. We complement our solutions with a suite of professional services and exceptional sales and support teams in local markets around the world. We serve thousands of national and multinational companies with a portfolio that includes SD-WAN, security, Internet, voice, and other connectivity options. Our services are uniquely enabled by our top-ranked, global, Tier 1 IP backbone, which spans more than 260 cities on six continents. The company culture is built on a customer-first service experience reinforced by our commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement in our business, environmental, social and governance practicesFor more information, visit gtt.net. About setec Setec, a French multidisciplinary engineering company, realises complex and innovative construction projects throughout the world, thanks to the technical skills and know-how of more than 3 800 talented employees located all around the world. Setec aims to meet the major challenges of our century. Climate change and environmental protection demand a powerful reaction: engineering must propose solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality in the construction, transport and energy sectors, and limit the effects by promoting the resilience of territories and their adaptation to change. For more information, visit setec.com. Press releases can be downloaded from gtt.net. Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and YouTube. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240917676987/en/ Contacts: GTT Media Inquiries: Americas: MaryLynn Heath, GTT +1-646-214-4078 MaryLynn.Heath@gtt.net Europe: Siria Nielsen, GTT +31-6-2835-4259 Siria.Nielsen@gtt.net GTT Investor Relations: Charlie Lucas, GTT +1-571-388-5154 InvestorRelations@gtt.net OTTAWA, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. (TSXV:CMI)(OTCQB:CYSNF) a leading global provider of commercial grade mobile auto-deploying satellite antenna systems, today announced that it will be presenting and participating in 1x1 meetings at the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VANCOUVER 2024 in association with Small Cap Discoveries on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 11:30 AM PT. Dr. Leslie Klein, President and CEO of C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. will be hosting the presentation and answering questions at the conclusion. To access the live presentation, please use the following information: Planet MicroCap Showcase: VANCOUVER 2024 in association with Small Cap Discoveries Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2024 Time: 2:30 PM Eastern Time (11:30 PM Pacific Time) Webcast URL Link: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/3056/51145 If you would like to book a 1x1 investor meetings with C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. and to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VANCOUVER 2024, please make sure you are registered here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/signup 1x1 meetings will be scheduled and conducted in person at the conference venue: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver. The Planet MicroCap Showcase: VANCOUVER 2024 website is available here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/ If you can't make the live presentation, all company presentations "webcasts" will be available directly on the conference event platform on this link under the tab "Agenda": https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/agenda News Compliments of Accesswire About C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. is a pioneer and a leading global designer, developer, and manufacturer of transportable and mobile satellite-based antenna systems. The Company has developed proprietary, auto-acquisition controller technology for rapid antenna pointing to a satellite with just the press of a button, enabling Broadband Internet via Satellite across a wide range of market applications worldwide, including regions unserved or underserved by terrestrial access technologies. C-COM has sold more than 10,000 antenna systems, in over 100 countries, through a dedicated dealer network that provides service to a wide range of vertical markets such as Oil & Gas Exploration, Military Communications, Disaster Management, SNG, Emergency Communications, Cellular Backhaul, Telemedicine, Mobile Education, Government Services, Mobile Banking, and others. The Company's iNetVu brand is synonymous with high quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. C-COM is in late-stage development of a potentially revolutionary Ka-band, electronically steerable, modular, conformal, flat panel phased array antenna. C-COM is engaged in the design of this unique multi-orbit antenna with the intent of providing low-cost, high-throughput mobility applications over satellite for land, airborne and maritime verticals over LEO, MEO and GEO satellite constellations. Another significant project underway at C-COM is the Analog Beamforming Integrated Circuit development, which is progressing well and is expected to enter testing phase by the end of this year. For additional information please visit www.c-comsat.com iNetVu is a registered trademark of C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. The Company is publicly traded on the Canadian Venture Exchange (TSXV:CMI) and on the US OTC Exchange (OTCQB:CYSNF). # # # 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. About Planet MicroCap Planet MicroCap is a global multimedia financial news, publishing and events company focused on news dissemination, providing information, data and analytics for the MicroCap investing community. We have cultivated an active and engaged audience of folks that are interested in learning about and to stay ahead of the curve in the MicroCap space. If you would like to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase, please register here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/signup Investor Relations C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. Tel: (613) 745-4110 ext. 4950 Fax: (613) 745-7144 lklein@c-comsat.com SOURCE: C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. via Planet MicroCap View the original press release on accesswire.com KALO GOLD CORP. ("Kalo", "Kalo Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of field exploration at its 100% owned Vatu Aurum Project (the "Project") located in the Republic of Fiji. Field exploration work completed over the past 30-plus years has been part of a year-long compilation program led by the SGDS Hive Team and has resulted in a significant and improved understanding of the geological setting of the epithermal gold mineralization at Vatu Aurum and its district-scale gold potential. The compilation by the SGDS Hive Team, led by Andy (Andrew) Randell, P.Geo. focused on developing a geological model of Vatu Aurum by integrating and interpreting all the existing exploration data. The identification of widespread sinters (paleo-surface expression of epithermal systems) will provide an important vectoring tool for potential new gold discoveries. The exploration work will focus on the identification of hydrothermal fluid vent sources, determine structural controls of the gold mineralization, and establish an updated and comprehensive geological and exploration model to identify new epithermal systems with the objective to expand the existing historical gold resources (see news releases dated March 10, 2021 and February 15 and 26, 2024). Exploration work will initially focus on the Qiriyaga and Vuinubu Ridge Gold Deposits and the Vuinubu Ridge to Namalau Trend. The Namalau Trend is a >2,000 meter ("m") northeast trending priority epithermal gold target located along the deep seated Nubu Graben Fault. Field work to date indicates that less than 20 meters of the epithermal system has been eroded and it is interpreted that trenching and shallow drilling has intersected only the upper portion of the epithermal system. Terry L. Tucker, P.Geo., Kalo Gold President and CEO stated "Over the past 30 plus years, exploration by Placer Dome, Camelot, TVI Pacific and Kalo Gold have collected well in excess of CAD$30M of exploration data. A compilation of this work, by the professional team at SGDS Hive and in particular Andy Randell, P.Geo., has led to the start of this new and exciting field exploration program with the SGDS Team and Kalo Team, including myself, now in the field to advance Vatu Aurum." ABOUT SGDS HIVE SGDS Hive, stands as a premier geological consultancy, boasting over a decade of distinguished mineral exploration industry experience. Their expertise extends across global projects, from greenfield exploration to pre-feasibility studies, supported by a team of award-winning and professionally accredited geologists. Their specialists are recognized for their proficiency in epithermal, sedimentary, structural and basin-scale geological models. With a robust background in gold, silver, copper, and rare earths, SGDS Hive provides tailored insights and innovative solutions to meet the unique demands of each project. In addition to their geological expertise, they offer comprehensive support in permitting, land management, indigenous relations, community engagement, corporate presentations, media relations, GIS and data management. ABOUT KALO GOLD CORP. Kalo Gold Corp, a gold exploration company, is focused on exploration for low sulphidation epithermal gold deposits on the Vatu Aurum Project located on the island of Vanua Levu (North Island) in the Republic of Fiji. Kalo holds a 100% interest in two Special Prospecting Licenses, covering 367 km2 that hosts a regional scale back arc basin, the Nubu Graben, and several volcanic arc related calderas. Historical exploration work concentrated on the Qiriyaga Hill and Vuinubu Ridge Gold Deposits and resulted in the identification of numerous priority epithermal gold exploration targets. Both Viti Levu, (South Island), and Vanua Levu are on the prolific Pacific "Ring of Fire", a trend that has produced numerous large deposits, including Porgera, Lihir, Grasberg, Martha Mine in New Zealand and on Viti Levu (South Island), the exceptional Vatukoula Gold Mine. The Vatukoula Gold Mine has produced more than 7 million ounces of gold since 1937 and continues operations today. The island of Viti Levu also hosts the fully permitted Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project, where a high-grade underground gold mining operation has been fast tracked to production. Qualified Person The technical disclosure in this news release has been approved by Terry L. Tucker, P.Geo. a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Kalo Gold Corp. Terry L. Tucker, P.Geo President and Chief Executive Officer and Kevin Ma, CPA, CA Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Director For more information contact, please write to info@kalogoldcorp.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Forward Looking Statements Disclaimer Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which are statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include statements relating to the Company's intention with the use of proceeds and the Company's plans for future exploration on the Vatu Aurum GoldProject. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements that involve 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. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, the Company's inability to raise the necessary capital to be fully able to implement its business strategies, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's filing statement dated February 9, 2021 and latest interim Management Discussion and Analysis filed with certain securities commissions in Canada. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements herein may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect, and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by Canadian securities law. SOURCE: Kalo Gold Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com Highlights: Newly-acquired district scale aeromagnetic and focused / deep penetrating IP survey data conducted by Phoenix Geophysics and Dr. Phil Hallof (Canadian Mining Hall of Fame), and Scintrex Geophysical Survey in the 1970s. Geochemical survey data and interpretations from 2,300 rock chip, and 850 soil samples conducted previously by Austral Oil (1970). High yielding copper geochemical assays in and around the known polymetallic CRD mineralization, with historic assays exceeding 1,000 ppm, and Polarization and resistivity anomalies, trending deep beneath and adjacent to the known polymetallic CRD mineralization, and Recent acquired historical drill data, including a 500-foot thick interval exceeding 100 ppm molybdenum in hole DDH 5-5 - adjacent to the Texas Mineralized Zone, along with anomalous copper intervals. Boise, Idaho--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc. (OTCQB: THMG) (TSXV: THM), (the "Company" or "THMG") is pleased to report recently acquired induced polarization ("IP") and airborne magnetic geophysical survey data, along with a copper in soils geochemical survey ("Geochem") at the South Mountain Project ("South Mountain" or "South Mountain Project" or the "Property") in southwestern Idaho, U.S.A. This newly acquired IP and geochemical data supports the conceptual model that suggests that the system responsible for the high-grade zinc, silver, copper, and gold mineralization in the carbonate units is driven by a copper - molybdenum porphyry beneath or adjacent to the high-grade mineralized zones. 2,300 rock chip and outcrop samples were analyzed, along with 850 soil samples from a grid covering the suspected porphyry. With this data, the Company has also discovered that a diamond drill hole drilled by Austral Oil in the 1970s returned 500 feet of continuous anomalous molybdenum. Figure 1. Location of South Mountain Project To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8664/223570_fefbd83d4483b883_001full.jpg "We're excited to advance our exploration efforts with this IP, Aeromagnetic, and Geochem data, exposing new targets into what could be a very large system," Eric T. Jones, President and CEO of the Company commented. "Recent review of the data suggests the potential of up to three copper and moly bearing porphyry intrusions, as suggested by Dr. Richard Sillitoe and others from previous visits to the property. We are now focused on expanding and testing these new anomalies, using confirmational Geochem and also extending the IP geophysical lines and adding Magnetotelluric (MT) coverage to look much deeper into the system. We are also looking at extending the down plunge polymetallic CRD and skarn zones that we have explored and developed underground." Eric T. Jones added, "Oligocene felsic intrusive host rocks are big in Idaho as evidenced by Thompson Creek in central Idaho. However, our current model at South Mountain is more analogous towards the Battle Mountain Complex and the Phoenix Deposit in northern Nevada. It is still our belief that South Mountain has the potential to be one of the lowest cost producers of silver, gold and zinc in north America, and the possible porphyry copper - molybdenum association increases the excitement associated with these recently re-discovered exploration data sets." DETAILED HIGHLIGHTS: Historical Geochemical Data: In 1970, Austral Oil Co. recovered 2,300 rock-chip outcrop samples from the South Mountain Mine area which were assayed for gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, antimony, arsenic, mercury, molybdenum, and tungsten, with occasional assays of nickel, chrome and manganese. This data was entered digitally into the Austral Oil database and interpreted in their technical report on plates that are currently being reproduced by THMG. 850 soil samples in a grid were taken at South Mountain, some of which were sampled for copper, molybdenum, and mercury. These data are also recorded and displayed in the Austral Oil report. The results and findings of this work show "substantial geochemical anomalies which coincide very nicely with the geology at South Mountain". Some of the uniformly gridded samples resulted in assays in excess of 1,000 ppm copper anomalies, and molybdenum anomalies of over 500 ppm, also coinciding with an I.P. anomaly. Several gossans were mapped at that time. These gossans are enriched with oxides derived from pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, with occasional anomalous assays in gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc. Geophysical Data: Regional and detailed Induced Polarization and Resistivity (IP) data acquired by Phoenix Geophysics in the late 1970's under the direction of Mr. John Reynolds, currently with Durango Geophysical Operations, and interpreted by Dr. Phil Hallof, President of Phoenix Geophysics, have been digitized and entered into current State-of-the Art 2-D & 3-D IP modeling and display technologies not available in the late 1970's. The deeper IP data show depth extensions to the existing delineated CRD / skarn mineralization extending beneath the current levels of exploration drilling. Shallow IP data identify several near surface possible mineralized CRD / skarn polarization responses that should be targeted and drill tested. Deeper IP data (~1,000 feet to ~1,500 feet depth of investigation) indicates at least one possible center for the source of these mineralizing fluids. Also discovered was an extensive and detailed Aeromag survey, and airborne Electromagnetic Survey ("EM"), both conducted by Austral Oil Company. These data sets significantly add to the exploration program and will be instrumental in the planning and execution for the upcoming field exploration operations during the remainder of 2024. Figure 2: Cross Section from the Inversion Modeling looking northeast along strike of the Laxey Marble. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8664/223570_fefbd83d4483b883_002full.jpg Figure 3: Re-processed IP chargeability data at 450 meters true depth To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8664/223570_fefbd83d4483b883_003full.jpg Historical Drilling: Historical drill logs were recovered and analyzed from 8 angled core holes drilled in 1971 by 2 E.J. Longyear Company core rigs. The deepest hole was 1,996 feet, and all of the holes were chosen based upon the I.P. Survey results. The most notable intersection from the drilling was a 500-foot-thick interval exceeding 100 ppm molybdenum in hole DDH 5-5 - adjacent to the Texas Mineralized Zone, along with anomalous copper intervals. Figure 4: South Mountain Project Geologic Model. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8664/223570_fefbd83d4483b883_004full.jpg Qualified Person(s) Statement for the Technical Data in this Release The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Tyson Forbush, C.P.G., consulting Project Geologist with GeoTech LLC, and a "Qualified Person" as defined by the U.S. SK-1300 regulations, and Mr. Dale Moore, a consulting Geologist with Tamarack Geological Services, a "Qualified Person" as defined by U.S. Regulation SK-1300 and National Instrument 43-101 (Canada) standards. The 2-D Geophysical Modeling was completed by Durango Geophysical Operations and the 3-D visualization of these data sets was preformed by Mr. Dale Moore of Tamarack Geological Services using Leapfrog Geo Software version 2023.2.1. Planned Exploration and Development for South Mountain Project Area THMG has a planned, multi-faceted exploration program for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025 at South Mountain. This Program consists of regional structural geologic studies, focused on porphyry copper-molybdenum geologic mapping and sampling, and an extension to the existing IP data set focusing on deeper investigation of the existing polymetallic CRD / skarn mineralization at South Mountain. Additionally, a Magnetotelluric (MT) exploration program is planned that will focus on locating the potential deep seated porphyry mineralization centers. These programs and their timelines are contingent upon financing. In addition to Company Management, the THMG Advisory team consists of: John Reynolds - Durango Geophysical Operations: John will over see the geophysical data acquisition and processing of the planned deeper IP data and the MT data acquisition program. John is credited with the geophysical based discovery of the Las Colinas/Los Planes ore deposit located in Baja California Sur (~1.6 million ounces Au) and the 2003 geophysical based discovery of the Boa Esperanca Copper Cobalt deposit in the Tucuma region of Para, Brazil. Rich Leveille - Consulting Exploration Geologist- Rich will over-see the porphyry-focused copper-molybdenum geologic mapping and sampling. Rich has an impressive exploration track record including boots on the ground 1st recognition of the Penasquito ore deposit (VP Exploration for Kennecott), leading the discovery team for the Sossego-Sequeirinho IOGC deposits in the Carajas region of Para, Brazil (VP Exploration - South America for Phelps Dodge), and more recently Rich was Senior VP Exploration for Freeport-McMoRan. Rich and Team have added 54 billion tons of copper to reserves and is credited with the Chukarui Peki discovery in Serbia which earned Rich has a shared 2016 PDAC Thayer Lindsley International Mineral Discovery Award. Dr. Stephen J. Reynolds - President's Professor, Emeritus, Arizona State University: Steve will oversee the structural geology aspects of the exploration program at South Mountain focused on expanding the existing known silver/gold/zinc/copper resources down dip and along strike and with regional porphyry copper-molybdenum exploration. Steve's successful exploration experience ranges from porphyry copper, precious metals, and rare-element resources throughout the western U.S. and Mexico. Steve is credited with recognizing and changing the exploration model for the southern Baja California disseminated gold-bearing systems of Paredones Amarillos and Las Colinas by recognizing that the gold-bearing fluids were the result of late stage, near vertical, brittle structures, a reinterpretation that went against the existing geologic model that had been mistakenly followed for over 12 years. Dale Moore - Tamarack Geological Services: Dale provides integral geological, geochemical, and geophysical modeling support via the Leapfrog program to aid in the 3-D definition of potential deeper resources. Dale has been credited with being an integral part of the Americas Gold and Silver Galena GIP exploration program that added over 100 million silver equivalent ounces to the Galena Resources. Karen Christopherson - Chinook Geoconsulting - Karen will focus on the interpretation of the geophysical data sets, in particular the Magnetotelluric (MT) data which will aid in the identification of potential deep-seated porphyry copper-molybdenum mineralized systems utilizing State-of-the-Art MT data processing algorithms and 2-D / 3-D computer modeling and interpretation programs. The South Mountain Project The South Mountain Mine is a polymetallic development project containing high-grade zinc, silver, gold, and copper, and is located on private land approximately 70 miles southwest of Boise, Idaho (See Figure 1 above). The Project is on private land, permitting has been, and should continue to be a clear-cut process. The Project was intermittently mined from the late from 1940s to the late 1960s, most notably by Anaconda Mining, with over 4,000 feet of underground developmental workings that that have been rehabilitated, re-engineered, and MSHA compliant. Thunder Mountain Gold Inc. purchased and advanced the project from 2007 through Present, with expenditures into the project of approximately US$25 million. Historic test mining and processing at the Project has mostly come from high-grade CRD and skarn zones that remain open at depth and along strike. According to historical smelter records, approximately 53,642 tons of mineralized material have been mined and direct shipped to the smelter, with average grades; 14.5% Zn, 10.6 o.p.t. Ag (363.42 g/t Ag), 0.058 o.p.t. Au (1.98 g/t Au), 1.4% Cu, and 2.4% Pb were realized (See SK-1300 Technical Resource Statement, and NI 43-101 Technical Report: Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the South Mountain Project, dated December 31, 2023, and December 15, 2023, respectively. More details are available on the Thunder Mountain Gold Inc. website and at www.SEC.gov, and www.sedar.com). Regarding Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc. Thunder Mountain Gold Inc., a junior exploration company founded in 1935, owns interests in base and precious metals projects in the western U.S. The Company's principal asset is The South Mountain Mine, a historic former Anaconda Mining development of zinc, silver, gold, lead, and copper, located on private land in Owyhee County Idaho. Thunder Mountain Gold also owns 100% of the Trout Creek Project - a gold exploration project located along the western flank of the Shoshone Mountain Range in the Reese River Valley, adjacent to and surrounded by Nevada Gold Mines, a Barrick and Newmont Gold, Inc. joint venture. For more information on Thunder Mountain Gold, please visit the Company's website at www.Thundermountaingold.com. OTHER COMPANY NEWS: The Company has reserved December 10, 2024, for its annual shareholder meeting. Further details will be distributed to shareholders in the upcoming Proxy Statement. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect the Company's current expectations. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "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" or the negative connotation thereof. The forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions which could change materially in the future. By their nature, forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Investors should refer to THMG's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q reports, for a more detailed discussion of risks that may impact future results. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required in accordance with applicable laws. Cautionary Note to Investors This news release is intended for release in the United States only. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange, the OTCQB, nor either of 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. For further information, please contact: Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223570 SOURCE: Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc. Laboratory results from JSHG's July sampling program confirm gold, copper, cobalt, and silver mineralization, as previously delineated by explorers, with some unexpected findings. Similar to the nearby Norstar gold mine, Tecumseh's sulphide-bearing quartz veins show high-grade gold, along with copper, cobalt, and silver. MMI soil results also indicate anomalous copper, cobalt, silver, and gold in a new unexplored area. Woodstock, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Joshua Gold Resources Inc (OTC Pink: JSHG) is pleased to announce that it has received laboratory results from its July 2024 ground sampling program at its northern Ontario Tecumseh gold prospect property in Davis Township. Gold-only preliminary results were recently reported, along with a compilation of historical sampling on the property. New laboratory results have identified some very high-grade assays, confirming many of the gold findings from previous site explorations, along with several positive surprises - including possible significant lateral extensions to known vein systems, and potentially a new structure that may host previously undetected mineralization. 2024 Rock and Soil Sampling Highlights Two "A Shaft" sample results returned 96.6 g/t (2.8 oz/t) and 5.05 g/t (0.15 oz/t) Au. Three samples from the E and F vein trends also returned high-grade results of 37.8 g/t (1.1 oz/t), 51.4 g/t (1.5 oz/t), and 54.3 g/t (1.58 oz/t) Au. Of 66 quartz vein samples collected between 2011 and 2024, the Tecumseh property has an average gold grade of 15.1 g/t (0.44 oz/t). New ICP results, in line with historical samples, indicate the presence of significant copper, cobalt, and silver which indicate significant potential by-product credits. MMI analysis detected anomalous copper (up to 4930 ppb), cobalt (up to 302 ppb), silver (up to 30.6 ppb), and gold (up to 0.6 ppb) Soil results may indicate a significant extension to the known vein sets, potentially doubling their currently known strike extent. Soil results may also point to a new zone of mineralization along the gabbro-greywacke contact. The JSHG Tecumseh property lies just 2 kilometers north of the historic Norstar gold-copper mine which produced a total of 63,000 tons of ore at a grade of 7.2 g/t gold (0.21 oz/t) and 0.9% copper. Although relatively small, the high-grade Norstar mineralization exists along a faulted contact between Nipissing gabbro and Huronian sediments similar to the makeup of JSHG's Tecumseh property. This indicates the potential for mineralizations in comparable host rocks in the area, such as on the 1,100-meter (or about 1,200 yards) eastern gabbro/greywacke contact that trends through JSHG's Tecumseh property. Two of JSHG's July 2024 rock samples (9253 and 9254) taken from Tecumseh's "A Shaft" area located in the northern part of the property returned 96.6 g/t (2.8 oz/t) and 5.05 g/t (0.15 oz/t) Au from the rubble around the shaft area (Table 1). This area was largely overlooked by explorers, who keyed in on the better-exposed E, F, and G vein systems in the southern part of the property. As a result, the "A Shaft" area remains largely unexplored by modern methods and these promising samples warrant further exploration. Sample 9254: Gossanous and vuggy quartz vein "A Shaft" rubble sample which assayed 96.6 g/t (2.8 oz/t) Au. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6845/223595_f2f1cb4c9451d86e_001full.jpg Additional high-grade gold values were also confirmed from the E and F vein systems. Three of the new samples returned 37.8 g/t (1.1 oz/t), 51.4 g/t (1.5 oz/t), and 54.3 g/t (1.58 oz/t) Au. The gold's nuggety nature is again indicated by nearby samples taken from the E, F, and G vein systems. These samples returned gold values from less than the detection limit of 0.03 g/t (0.0008 oz/t) to a maximum of 9.26 g/t Au (0.27 oz/t). A similar analysis of historical results informed by the July 2024 sample results shows an average (uncut) gold grade of 15.1 g/t (0.44 oz/t) based on 66 quartz vein grab samples collected from 2011 to 2024 (Table 1). In line with previous findings, new ICP analysis results from the rock samples show significant copper (up to 0.66%), cobalt (up to 0.024%), and up to 28.8 g/t (0.84 oz/t) of silver, along with the high-grade gold (Table 1). Scatter plots of 14 recent rock samples versus their composition show a high correlation to gold and silver. This may make them good pathfinders for gold in surface and subsurface environments (e.g. for soil sampling). Additionally, 19 soil samples taken from a small area were also analyzed and returned anomalous levels of copper, cobalt, silver, and gold. Sample 9262: Sulphide mineralized blue-grey quartz from the F vein trend relative to an approximately 15-centimeter (6-inch) hammer. The sample shows large clots of pyrite and chalcopyrite (54.3 g/t or 1.58 oz/t Au). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6845/223595_f2f1cb4c9451d86e_002full.jpg Compilation of Historic Exploration Data Ongoing analysis of historical results has revealed that drill hole GM-4-86 returned multiple encouraging gold assays. GM-4-86, the furthest SE hole completed on the F Vein trend (see location on Map 1), and beyond the area of historical trenching and drilling, returned numerous assays with greater than 0.2 g/t Au (0.006 oz/t), including highlights of 5.03 g/t (0.147 oz/t) over 1.2 meters, 2.16 g/t (0.063 oz/t) over 1.5 meters, 6.34 g/t (0.185 oz/t) over 0.9 meters, 21.71 g/t (0.634 oz/t) over 0.1 meters, and 2.47 g/t (0.072 oz/t) Au over 0.4 meters, with 10 additional intervals of 0.4 to 1 meter each assaying between 0.2 (0.006 oz/t) to 1 g/t (0.03 oz/t) Au. Significantly, except for the narrow blue-gray quartz vein that hosts the 21.71 g/t (0.634 oz/t) Au intercept, the other assay intervals are from alteration zones interleaved throughout the gabbro, over a downhole breadth of 140.48 meters, starting at 19.45 meters and ending at 159.93 meters (2.47 g/t Au or 0.072 oz/t sample), just before the end of the hole at 162.76 meters. These results indicate that the hole may have approached, but fell short of discovering a new wider gold-bearing zone beneath the untested area. As with the anomalous soils, this finding indicates strong potential for further exploration on this trend. These new rock and soil sampling results, along with the ongoing compilation of historic exploration data on the property and records from the nearby historic Norstar gold mine will help shape the company's continued exploration strategy at the Tecumseh property. A follow-up soil sampling and prospecting visit to the Tecumseh property intends to investigate the potential vein extensions, as well as the potential for mineralization along the gabbro-greywacke contact. Together, these results and future findings will pave the way for exciting new opportunities for JSHG and will help to provide a foundation for potential trenching and drilling programs at the site. Tecumseh Property Historic Highlights: Compilation of all previously reported surface quartz vein grab samples at the property from 2011 to 2020 averaged 14.1 g/t Au (uncut, n = 52, g/t = grams per tonne) or 0.41 oz/t Au, with 54% of samples returning greater than 1 g/t Au (0.03 oz/t), and 23% of samples greater than 10 g/t Au (0.29 oz/t), with a maximum value of 209 g/t Au (6.1 oz/t). Au (uncut, n = 52, g/t = grams per tonne) or 0.41 oz/t Au, with 54% of samples returning greater than 1 g/t Au (0.03 oz/t), and 23% of samples greater than 10 g/t Au (0.29 oz/t), with a maximum value of 209 g/t Au (6.1 oz/t). Eight large composite grab samples (roughly 9 to 10 pounds each) collected from the trenches by local prospector R. Cyr in 1996 averaged 39.7 g/t Au (1.16 oz/t). (1.16 oz/t). Historical drill hole GM-4-86 returned several promising gold assays, with a highlight of up to 21.71 g/t (0.63 oz/t) Au over 0.1 meters (or about 4 inches) and additional significant concentrations over approximately 140 meters (or about 153 yards). The results suggest the drill hole may have approached an undiscovered gold zone, attesting to the strong potential for further exploration on the trend. The historic Norstar gold mine, located approximately 2 kilometers from JSHG's Tecumseh property, produced 63,000 tons of ore with a grade of 7.2 g/t (0.21 oz/t) Au and 0.9% Cu. Matt Rees, formerly the Chief Geologist at IAMGOLD Corp. is leading the geological team and comments, "It is very encouraging to see high-grade gold results continue to be returned from additional sampling, confirming the very fertile nature of the mineralizing system. The anomalous soil results are also very interesting in that they may be an early indication of the potential expansion of the mineralizing system over significantly longer strike lengths, or into brand-new hosting structures, both of which were previously unexplored." Ben Fuschino, President and CEO of JSHG further comments: "Based on these new results, it is clear that our Tecumseh property continues to demonstrate its gold potential. We are excited to get our team back to the site, and are looking forward to analyzing the results of that exploration." More About the JSHG Tecumseh Property: The roughly 0.88 square kilometer (or 217-acre), four-cell Tecumseh site is a long-held property within the JSHG portfolio. It is located approximately 42 kilometers (26 miles) east-northeast of Sudbury, Ontario, and about 82 kilometers (51 miles) by easily accessible road. The site has attracted the interest of numerous operators since the 1920s, while its mineral potential remains overwhelmingly unrealized (in part due to the limitations of the exploration methods used at the time). Following its most recent sampling program, JSHG is enthusiastic about the opportunity to leverage the cutting-edge analytical techniques available and use modern exploration methods to unlock the full potential of this historically promising site. For more information on the Tecumseh property, please visit the Joshua Gold Resources website. Map 1: Location of quartz vein grab samples collected on the property since 1996 (as listed in Table 1) by operator, including those collected during the July 2024 sampling program, as well as the location and copper results from the MMI soil orientation "grid". The dashed white line indicates the largely inferred location of the gabbro-greywacke contact, and BPC = Beaver Pond Chain. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6845/223595_f2f1cb4c9451d86e_003full.jpg Table 1 - Analytical results for surface grab samples collected by various operators from 1996 to 2024. RC = R. Cyr (1996), TC = Trueclaim Exploration (2011), VE = Vision Exploration (2019), JSHG1 = Joshua Gold Resources (2020); JSHG2 = Joshua Gold Resources (2024); OS = oversized sample (9-10 pounds each), VG = visible gold reported in the sample, SM = Screen Metallics, g/t = grams/tonne: Sample No Easting Northing Au g/t Ag g/t Co ppm Cu ppm Sampler Comment E654 536233 5170016 37.715 11.3 80 8100 RC OS E1A 536252 5169907 69.464 5.8 380 1300 RC OS E1 536221 5169938 39.086 8 100 7200 RC OS E 536262 5169885 18.24 4.4 120 4300 RC OS F 536283 5169830 56.16 4.6 130 3100 RC OS O 536158 5169914 60.412 5.2 110 1900 RC OS M na na 25.372 4 60 1800 RC OS M1 536234 5169847 11.452 2.7 80 1900 RC OS Z061738 536225 5170090 0.035 1 19 596 TC Z061739 536188 5170060 1.025 0.5 53 162 TC Z061740 536235 5170022 0.007 0.5 22 70 TC Z061741 536235 5170022 0.002 0.5 30 91 TC Z061742 536233 5170013 0.273 1 24 396 TC Z061743 536240 5170007 0.051 0.5 34 1318 TC Z061744 536238 5170010 0.361 3 22 1414 TC Z061745 536227 5170004 37.141 10 33 9873 TC VG Z061746 536225 5169977 0.017 0.5 63 191 TC Z061747 536216 5169977 2.708 0.5 20 291 TC Z061748 536216 5169977 0.975 0.5 11 146 TC Z061749 536208 5169952 0.979 0.5 28 197 TC Z061750 536216 5169977 2.041 0.5 34 783 TC Z061751 536216 5169977 0.055 0.5 2 81 TC VG Z061752 536208 5169952 22.471 12 14 732 TC Z061753 536235 5169903 16.318 4 40 3098 TC Z061754 536264 5169890 0.009 0.5 4 77 TC VG Z061755 536278 5169880 0.706 0.5 34 924 TC Z061756 536223 5169908 15.42 1 3 24 TC Z061757 536218 5169918 0.251 0.5 45 515 TC Z061758 536216 5169912 2.31 0.5 19 113 TC Z061759 536185 5169912 82.518 5 152 818 TC VG Z061760 536195 5169912 0.273 2 11 117 TC Z061761 536195 5169912 9.887 1 48 248 TC Z061762 536195 5169912 17.107 2 27 178 TC Z061763 536195 5169912 2.914 0.5 16 90 TC Z061764 536175 5169839 0.046 0.5 2 10 TC Z061765 536181 5169821 0.012 0.5 2 9 TC Z061766 536250 5169816 1.073 0.5 5 95 TC Z061767 536222 5169797 0.023 0.5 17 17 TC Z061769 536299 5169744 0.002 0.5 12 20 TC Z061770 536268 5169794 7.619 0.5 10 43 TC Z061773 536208 5169916 59.063 2 61 1697 TC Z061774 536311 5169787 0.194 1 29 892 TC Z061775 536312 5169774 0.364 0.5 42 106 TC Z061776 536327 5169801 46.35 1 26 154 TC Z061777 536323 5169824 4.299 2 65 3128 TC Z061778 536300 5169828 11.132 9 284 15255 TC VG Z061780 536272 5169844 11.114 3 62 465 TC Z061781 536030 5169564 0.072 3 133 2085 TC Z061782 536007 5169602 0.982 4 102 2965 TC Q203001 536228 5170081 0.359 na na na VE Q203003 536187 5170063 1.3 na na na VE Q203004 536242 5170001 1.78 na na na VE Q203005 536233 5169935 209 na na na VE Q203006 536216 5169949 3.48 na na na VE Q203007 536237 5169868 5.73 na na na VE 378444 536232 5169934 140 10.3 20.3 6120 JSHG1 SM 378445 536217 5169939 0.35 0.15 13 466 JSHG1 SM 378446 536213 5169911 8.27 4.5 66 4380 JSHG1 SM 378447 536220 5169950 2.22 0.3 59 799 JSHG1 SM 378448 536262 5169894 4.49 1.6 78 1450 JSHG1 SM 9253 536145 5170345 5.05 1 82 1260 JSHG2 SM 9254 536145 5170345 96.6 28.8 236 3660 JSHG2 SM 9255 536164 5170177 0.36 0.15 8 67 JSHG2 SM 9256 536318 5169735 0.015 0.15 2 22 JSHG2 SM 9257 536334 5169827 0.015 0.15 5 36 JSHG2 SM 9258 536334 5169827 0.015 0.15 0.5 10 JSHG2 SM 9259 536334 5169827 0.96 0.15 14 247 JSHG2 SM 9260 536315 5169832 0.85 0.15 27 70 JSHG2 SM 9261 536271 5169839 9.26 1.4 104 1470 JSHG2 SM 9262 536283 5169842 54.3 10.3 80 3800 JSHG2 SM 9263 536283 5169842 0.65 0.15 33 360 JSHG2 SM 9264 536283 5169842 51.4 6.6 37 6600 JSHG2 SM 9265 536282 5169885 2.07 0.15 46 204 JSHG2 SM 9266 536279 5169890 37.8 8.1 82 6190 JSHG2 SM Matt Rees, M.Sc., P.Geo (ON) is a professional geologist and a "Qualified Person" and is responsible for the technical information contained in this news release. Joshua Gold Resources Inc. (OTC Pink: JSHG) is a publicly traded American gold exploration company headquartered in Canada, engaged in the exploration of highly prospective properties. Joshua Gold's focus is to pinpoint mineral opportunities in Northern Ontario, Canada, a mature and friendly jurisdiction for exploration and mining companies. Northern Ontario is home to the two- to three-billion-year-old Canadian Shield which contains a wealth of minerals from nickel, gold, and copper, to cobalt, chromium, and lithium. For more on JSHG, please go to http://www.joshuagoldresources.com/. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223595 SOURCE: Joshua Gold Resources Inc. Collaboration Marks Significant Advancement in Privacy-Compliant Advertising for Brands and Publishers on the Open Web NEW YORK, NY, and PARIS, FRANCE / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / Collective Audience, Inc. (OTCQB:CAUD), a leading innovator of audience-based performance advertising and media, announced that through its newly-acquired BeOp subsidiary that specializes in cookieless, conversational advertising, the company has launched a strategic partnership with ID5, the leading identity provider for addressable advertising. The collaboration includes integrating ID5 ID, a next-generation, privacy-by-design identifier, into BeOp's software development kit (SDK). BeOp's conversational formats provide brands and publishers new avenues for engaging and converting audiences on premium media. Augmented by the ID5 ID solution, BeOp's SDK now facilitates seamless and privacy-centric user targeting across external DSP. "Our new partnership with ID5 underscores our commitment to pioneering the most effective and privacy-compliant advertising solutions on the market today," stated BeOp CPTO, Sebastien Robert. "Our customers can now benefit from powerful solutions that respect user privacy yet optimize advertising performance like never before." ID5's robust identity framework empowers advertisers to achieve meaningful, measurable, and profitable omnichannel campaigns while sustaining the free internet ecosystem. By leveraging the unique power of ID5 ID, BeOp can deliver more precise and scalable addressable advertising with greater audience engagement and monetization. According to ID5 co-founder and CEO, Mathieu Roche: "ID5's partnership with BeOp allows us to integrate our identity solutions into the AudienceCloud infrastructure and become an integral part of a new advertising format for the open web. This will enable ID5 to reach a wider range of premium publishers and advertisers. Together, we are enhancing the advertising ecosystem with solutions that prioritize user privacy while improving targeting efficiency." Collective Audience CEO, Peter Bordes, commented: "We are thrilled to launch our ID5 collaboration as our first major infrastructure integration following our recent acquisition of BeOp. We see this as the first of many, as we continue to build out our global cloud infrastructure for advertising on the open web. This infrastructure empowers our partners with bespoke solutions, cookies, cookieless, all audience data and ID solutions on a single, unique platform. So, wherever the market goes or shifts, our partners will always have the best-of-kind infrastructure that enables them to reach, monetize and transact." BeOp's media customers include more than 200 premium global publishers across the UK, Europe, North America and Australia, with more than 50 million unique visitors per month. Its expert teams, based in France (Paris/Montpellier) and New York City, dominate the French market, working with more than 90% of France's premium publishers. BeOp's premium publishers include Forbes, Le Monde, Amaury Media, Reworld Media, Prisma Media, McClatchy and Bauer Media UK. Top agency clients include Havas, Publicis, GroupM, Dentsu and Mediabrands, and top advertisers include Yoplait, L'Oreal, Club Med, International Olympic Committee, Paramount, and the government of France. BeOp's conversational approach to advertising and marketing creates new communication possibilities for brands and media, enabling them to engage and convert consumers based on their personal interests. Featured examples of such conversational ad experiences BeOp has created for leading brands, including Range Rover, Tommy Hilfiger and Samsung, can be experienced here. BeOp's leading-edge technology and services have been recognized with numerous industry awards, including the Innovation Competition by BPI France in 2018 and Cas d'Or du Conversationnel competition in 2022, and it was a finalist in the Start & Pulse by Sofinco competition in 2021. About ID5 ID5 was created to improve online advertising for consumers, media owners, and advertisers, with the ultimate goal of helping publishers grow sustainable revenue. ID5 provides the advertising ecosystem with a transparent, scalable, and privacy-compliant identity infrastructure. Its solutions enable user recognition across media properties and devices, bringing addressability across all digital advertising channels. This enables media owners to better monetize their audiences, advertisers to run effective and measurable campaigns, and platforms to maximize the value of data and inventory for their customers. Created in 2017 by seasoned ad tech professionals, ID5 services clients globally. For more information about ID5 and its solutions, visit www.id5.io About BeOp BeOp, a whole-owned subsidiary of Collective Audience, offers MarTech and AdTech solutions that deliver cookieless, conversational advertising on premium media. BeOp's conversational approach opens up new communication opportunities for brands and media. To learn more, visit beop.io. About Collective Audience Collective Audience is [re]imagining digital advertising for the open web. Its innovative AudienceCloud is one of the leading audience-based advertising and media cloud infrastructure platforms for brands, agencies and publishers on the open web. Its modular suite of data driven applications eliminates many inefficiencies from the traditional digital ad buyer and seller supply path, and the process for brands, agencies and publishers. It empowers partners with all the advanced tools and audience data they need on a single cloud platform, and drives focus on increased performance metrics, brand reach, traffic and transactions. For the AdTech providers and media buyers who come onto Collective Audience's platform, they will be able to leverage audience data as a new asset class, powered by AI as an intelligence layer to guide decision making. To learn more, visit collectiveaudience.co. Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes certain statements that are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "plan," "predict," "potential," "seem," "seek," "future," "outlook" and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this press release, regarding the company's future financial performance, as well as the company's strategy, future operations, estimated financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of the management of Collective Audience and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Collective Audience. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; unanticipated conditions that could adversely affect the company; the overall level of consumer demand for Collective Audience's or BeOp's products/services; general economic conditions and other factors affecting consumer confidence, preferences, and behavior; disruption and volatility in the global currency, capital, and credit markets; the financial strength of Collective Audience's and BeOp's customers; Collective Audience's and BeOp's ability to implement their business strategy; the ability to successfully integrate BeOp into Collective Audience's operations; changes in governmental regulation, Collective Audience's exposure to litigation claims and other loss contingencies; disruptions and other impacts to Collective Audience's business, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and government actions and restrictive measures implemented in response; Collective Audience's ability to protect patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights; any breaches of, or interruptions in, Collective Audience's information systems; changes in tax laws and liabilities, legal, regulatory, political and economic risks. More information on potential factors that could affect Collective Audience's financial results is included from time to time in Collective Audience's public reports filed with the SEC. If any of these risks materialize or Collective Audience's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that Collective Audience presently knows, or that Collective Audience currently believes are immaterial, that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Collective Audience's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. Collective Audience anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause their assessments to change. However, while Collective Audience may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Collective Audience specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Collective Audience's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. Collective Audience Contact: Peter Bordes, CEO Collective Audience, Inc. Email contact Investor & Media Contact: Ron Both CMA Investor & Media Relations Tel (949) 432-7566 Email contact SOURCE: Collective Audience View the original press release on accesswire.com Trans Canada Gold Corp. (TSX-V:TTG)(OTCQB:TTGXF) ("Trans Canada" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has successfully placed the second newly drilled multilateral well on production. The second multilateral well was just successfully drilled in August and September and all legs were successfully drilled in the GP reservoir. The Operator has finished battery construction and successfully completed the well. The well started production on September 7th and is currently recovering drilling fluid with increased oil recovery percentage. The Company encountered oil in the GP reservoir target zones of interest and oil production rates will be released shortly once production has stabilized. The Company has an 18.75% interest in the well and Area of Mutual Interest (AMI). Croverro Energy Ltd., under the terms of the agreement, is the Operator. Precision Rig 145 Second Multilateral Well Placed on Production: Trans Canada Gold has successfully placed its second drilled multilateral well in the GP reservoir on production as of September 7th, 2024. The well is currently recovering drilling fluid with increasing oil recovery. Oil production rates will be released once the well stabilizes. The Company has acquired additional lands inside the Area of Mutual Interest ("AMI"), which will allow additional opportunity for multilateral wells. The lands are contiguous with our existing lands. The newly acquired lands, together combined with our existing lands have the oil resource potential in both the Sparky and GP producing zones. Commented President & CEO Tim Coupland, "We have now successfully drilled our second multilateral well, showcasing both drilling and production expertise in both the Sparky and GP reservoir sands in Lloydminster area. We will be releasing the new well's daily production rates shortly once the rates have been established and stabilized. The Croverro Team has again demonstrated proficiency and efficiency of an experienced oil and gas technical team that has consistent, proven oil production success with multi-lateral wells under their supervision and operation." ABOUT TRANS CANADA GOLD CORP. - OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION/REVENUE PRODUCING WELLS The Company is a discovery focused Oil & Gas Resource Development and Mineral Exploration Company that is currently focused on developing and drilling its' production of conventional heavy oil exploration properties, increasing production capabilities, and increasing future oil production revenues through responsible exploration. The Company identifies, acquires and finances with its working interest partners, the ongoing development of oil and gas assets primarily situated in Alberta Canada. The Company has qualified Senior exploration management and Geological teams of professionals, seasoned in exploration production, field exploration and drilling. The Company currently works with Croverro Energy Ltd., who has demonstrated proficiency, expected of an experienced oil and gas technical team that has proven oil production, and revenue success with large multi-lateral wells currently under their supervision. The Company has the necessary manpower in place to develop its natural resource properties and manage its production properties. The Company is committed to minimizing risk through selective property acquisitions, and responsible exploration drilling, and maximizing long term petroleum and natural gas resource assets. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Tim Coupland, President and CEO Trans Canada Gold Corp. Tel: (604) 681-3131 astar@telus.com www.transcanadagold.com or Christian Timmins, Director Trans Canada Gold Corp. Tel: (403) 597-3410 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider, (as the term is defined in the Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Trans Canada Gold Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Aftermath Silver Ltd. (TSXV: AAG) (OTCQX: AAGFF) (the "Company" or "Aftermath") is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of up to 14,285,714 (the "Units") to be sold at a price of $0.35 per Unit for total gross proceeds of up to $5,000,000. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one transferable Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable by the holder thereof to acquire one additional Common Share (a "Warrant Share") for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance at a price of $0.45 per Warrant Share. The Company intends to use the net proceeds to for geological, metallurgical and engineering studies at the Company's Berenguela Silver-Copper-Manganese project in southern Peru ("Berenguela"), and for general working capital purposes. 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a corporation beneficially owned and controlled by Mr. Eric Sprott, intends to subscribe for the entire amount of the Private Placement, being 14,285,714 Units for an aggregate purchase price of $5,000,000. The participation by 2176423 Ontario Ltd., and the participation of other insiders of the Company, if any, in the Private Placement, will be considered a related party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Private Placement will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the securities issued to related parties nor the consideration for such securities will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. All securities issued with respect to the Private Placement will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws. Closing of the Private Placement is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the TSX Venture Exchange. None of the securities sold under the Private Placement have been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no such securities may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news 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 the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The ownership percentages of Common Shares described above are based on the Company having 234,579,088 Common Shares issued and outstanding as of the date of this news release and 248,864,802 Common Shares outstanding upon completion of the Private Placement. All currency in this news release is denominated in Canadian dollars. A 3% finders fee will be payable to Canal Front Investments Inc. Berenguela Project: Background The Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest in Berenguela through a binding agreement with SSR Mining. Berenguela hosts a potentially open- pittable silver-copper-manganese Mineral Resource close to Santa Lucia in Puno province, southern Peru. Silver, copper and manganese have crucial industrial applications in the clean energy and battery spaces. Copper and manganese have been designated critical metals by the US government and the European Union. The project is less than 6km from road, rail and power lines and 4 hours from Arequipa by sealed road. Aftermath published a resource estimate in March 2023 based on over 300 core and RC holes. Metallurgical test work is underway adding to historic work, with the goal of producing silver and copper metal and a commercial battery-grade or fertilizer-grade manganese product. Qualified person Michael Parker, a fellow of the AusIMM and a non-independent director of Aftermath, is a non-independent qualified person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Parker has reviewed the technical content of this news release and consents to the information provided in the form and context in which it appears. About Aftermath Silver Ltd. Aftermath Silver Ltd. is a leading Canadian junior exploration company focused on silver, and aims to deliver shareholder value through the discovery, acquisition and development of quality silver projects in stable jurisdictions. Aftermath has developed a pipeline of projects at various stages of advancement. The Company's projects have been selected based on growth and development potential. Challacollo Silver-Gold project. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Challacollo silver-gold project. A NI 43-101 Mineral Resource was released on December 15, 2020 (available on SEDAR+ and the Company's web page). The Company is currently completing environmental permitting in anticipation of an upcoming drill program. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Challacollo silver-gold project. A NI 43-101 Mineral Resource was released on December 15, 2020 (available on SEDAR+ and the Company's web page). The Company is currently completing environmental permitting in anticipation of an upcoming drill program. Cachinal Silver-Gold project. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Cachinal Ag-Au project, located 2.5 hours south of Antofagasta. On September 16, 2020, the Company released a CIM compliant Mineral Resource and accompanying NI 43-101 Technical Report (available on SEDAR+ and on the Company's web page). ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 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 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, including the completion and anticipated results of planned exploration activities, the ability of the Company to complete the Private Placement on the proposed terms or at all, the anticipated use of proceeds from the Private Placement, the receipt of regulatory approvals with respect to the Private Placement and the insider's participation in the Private Placement. 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, including among others, that the Company will be able to complete the Private Placement on the terms as anticipated by management, that the Company will use the proceeds of the Private Placement as anticipated, that the Company will receive regulatory approval with respect to the Private Placement and that the insider will participate in the Private Placement as expected. 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. 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 plans or expectations include the risk that the Company will not be able to complete the Private Placement on the terms as anticipated by management or at all, that the Company will not use the proceeds of the Private Placement as anticipated, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain necessary regulatory and TSXV approvals of the Private Placement and insider participation, risks relating to the actual results of current exploration activities, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, and regulatory changes. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION ONLY IN CANADA AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES, OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR IN THE UNITED STATES OR IN THE UNITED STATES. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223566 SOURCE: Aftermath Silver Ltd. Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Aeternum (aeternuminc.com), a game-changing newcomer in the B2B events domain, officially unveils its operations today in UAE & India with a mission to uplift future-tech leaders and carve out a niche in the evolving business landscape of emerging technologies. Aeternum, meaning "eternal", reflects the company's dedication to fostering lasting connections through its thoughtfully designed B2B event platforms. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8840/223594_549dba75845c8833_001full.jpg Aeternum addresses a crucial need in the market for events that are relationship-defining. They believe that the success of any business lies at the epicenter of relationships between businesses, and the desire to maintain that over a period of time. To facilitate this platform that creates and sustains long-term relationships, Aeternum plans to gather early adopters & pioneers of emerging tech, leading & entry-level entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to bridge the gap between tomorrow's possibilities and today's realities. According to the latest findings by the Custom Market Insights (CMI) team, the global B2B Events Market is set for substantial expansion, with a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.2 per cent from 2023 to 2032. The market is anticipated to grow to USD 929.29 Billion by 2032, propelled by the rising demand for events. To further its objectives, Aeternum is introducing the Aeternum Innovation Council (AIC), a strategic advisory group bringing together visionary tech leaders, experts, early adopters, consultants, government officials, and leading academicians. By leveraging this collective intellect, AIC will drive innovation, facilitate knowledge sharing, and push growth within the future-tech domain. This collaboration will significantly enhance tech gatherings hosted by Aeternum. "We're thrilled to launch Aeternum and create a space where the next generation of tech leaders can connect and shape the future," said Sharath Kumar, Founder and CEO of Aeternum. "Our platform is designed not only to inspire innovation but also to help companies achieve their goals by fostering strategic partnerships and unlocking new growth opportunities in the constantly evolving future-tech landscape." Aeternum provides a comprehensive suite of services, including flagship events, bespoke events, lead/demand generation, industry workshops, investor matchmaking, and consulting & advisory services. Through its dynamic networking events, interactive sessions, and distinguished speakers, Aeternum serves as a platform for emerging technology leaders to present their latest innovations, technologies, and services. In the coming years, Aeternum aims to shape, build, and disrupt technologies majorly under Web 3.0, such as Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, FinTech, and Gaming & Esports, to name a few. Rohit Harindra, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Aeternum, added, "Our focus is on curating content that truly matters. We don't just plan events - we bring together influential voices driving industry change. The speakers on our stages today are future leaders, sharing insights usually reserved for insiders. Our commitment is to deliver events where every interaction deepens your understanding of the trends shaping the future, ensuring attendees leave with actionable strategies, not just ideas." "At Aeternum, we're creating a hub where the brightest minds in tech come together to push the boundaries. Our goal is to fuel innovation, build lasting partnerships, and lead the charge in shaping the future of business and technology," said Krunal Makwana, Co-Founder and Chief of Marketing, Aeternum. About Aeternum Consulting Ltd: Aeternum organizes business-to-business events in the emerging tech space, provides strategic consulting, and tailored services to a diverse range of clients, from corporations to governments and startups to individuals. Aeternum specializes in crafting impactful B2B platforms that foster meaningful connections, drive business growth, and facilitate knowledge sharing through conferences, exhibitions, and bespoke networking opportunities. For more information visit: aeternuminc.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223594 SOURCE: BlockWoods BELLEVUE, Wash., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Accelalpha, a premier consulting firm renowned for solving critical business challenges and driving improved business performance through insight and technology, is proud to announce that it has once again been awarded the prestigious Great Place to Work certification in the United States for the sixth consecutive year. This year also marks a significant milestone as Accelalpha has earned this esteemed recognition in both the United Kingdom and, for the first time, India. In addition to the Great Place to Work certifications, Accelalpha has earned Fortune's Best Medium Workplaces, Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services, and Great Place to Work's, Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services in the United Kingdom. This announcement coincides with Accelalpha's 15th anniversary, underscoring the company's sustained success and growth over the years. Their unwavering commitment to creating an exceptional workplace culture, fostering trust, respect, and camaraderie among employees, underpins this recognition. The award is based on rigorous analysis and confidential feedback from employees about their experiences at work, encompassing elements such as leadership trustworthiness, fairness, and team camaraderie. "Receiving the Great Place to Work certification in multiple countries along with the recognition from Fortune is a significant milestone for Accelalpha. It reflects our unwavering commitment to creating an environment where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered," said Rebecca Erickson, Global Human Resources Director. "We believe that a strong workplace culture is essential for delivering exceptional results for our clients, and this recognition reinforces our dedication to our people." About Accelalpha: Accelalpha is a dynamic consulting firm that excels in addressing complex business challenges through a blend of industry insights, specialized domain expertise, and cloud application proficiency. They assist companies in building resilient supply chains, optimizing sales and commerce operations, modernizing procurement processes, and leveraging cloud technology to achieve their goals. As a trusted Oracle partner, Accelalpha collaborates with clients across various industries, delivering customized solutions that drive tangible results efficiently. About Great Place to Work: Great Place to Work is the global leader in evaluating workplace culture, helping organizations create high-trust, high-performance workplaces that drive better business results. Their comprehensive assessments provide insights into employee experiences, focusing on aspects like leadership trust, fairness, and team dynamics. Through their certification programs and Best Workplaces lists, they recognize organizations that cultivate outstanding work environments. Media Contact: Julian Troake julian.troake@accelalpha.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2498026/Accelalpha_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/accelalpha-celebrates-sixth-great-place-to-work-certification-and-five-additional-awards-302250330.html The launch represents TNS Communications Market first AI Lab in Europe Transaction Network Services (TNS) today announced the continued expansion of its AI capabilities with the launch of AI Labs Poland. The investment and opening of a new office in Lodz, Poland will strengthen TNS' expertise in machine learning development, targeted at helping to restore trust in communications. Following TNS' launch of AI Labs last year in the US and India, the team behind the award-winning initiative has predominantly focused on researching and developing new solutions, including voice biometrics, predictive call analytics, generative AI and AI SMS detection, to help carriers and enterprises better protect their customers from the use of AI voice cloning scams by bad actors. "TNS selected Central Europe and more specifically, Poland, for this next phase of expansion in our advanced AI capabilities due to the talent and expertise in machine learning and deep learning," said Greg Bohl, Chief Data Officer of TNS Communications Market. "We are delighted to welcome Michal Sosnowski who will oversee the AI team in country." With more than 20 years' experience in AI, machine learning and communications, Sosnowski joins TNS from HARMAN International where he was the Department Lead for automotive, advanced driver-assistance system and AI software. This latest appointment takes the total number of AI Labs employees with PhDs in the US, India and Poland to six. "TNS has pioneered advanced call analytics and management technologies to support carriers and enterprises," added Sosnowski. "I am looking forward to working with the new team in Poland as well as with the AI teams in the US and India to expand the use of AI for existing and new products, with a focus on accelerating machine learning capacity." TNS Communications Market has over 30 years' experience in call identification through its flagship solutions TNS Call Guardian, TNS Enterprise Authentication and Spoof Protection, TNS Enterprise Branded Calling and TNS AI Labs. For more information, visit tnsi.com/solutions/communications/tns-ai-labs. About TNS: TNS, a market leader in call identification and robocall mitigation, provides an end-to-end ecosystem for protecting and restoring trust in voice calling. TNS addresses the full needs of wireless and wireline operators globally with TNS Call Guardian, the industry-leading call analytics solution that protects subscribers from high risk and nuisance robocalls. In addition, its Enterprise product suite, including TNS Enterprise Authentication and Spoof Protection and TNS Enterprise Branded Calling, is taking the next step in enriching consumer engagement, making the voice channel an integral part of an omnichannel customer experience program. TNS analyzes over 1.5 billion call events across more than 500 operators every single day, enabling enterprises to protect their brand and consumers, and carriers to identify more unwanted robocalls. For additional information visit: https://tnsi.com/resource-center/communications/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240917009955/en/ Contacts: Company Contact: Clare Cockroft/Bronte Saulle 703-814-8065 pr@tnsi.com Or Media Contact: Bluetext for TNS Thomas Walter 646-265-3144 tns@bluetext.com Retained executive search firm Caldwell (TSX:CWL)(OTCQX:CWLPF) is pleased to announce the promotion of five consultants to the role of principal: Kristyn Wallace and Geoff Keating in the Toronto office, Charlotte Croker and Joshua Bubbs in the New York office and Darren Buck in the Nashville office. "We are delighted to announce the promotion of five of our talented consultants to the role of principal," said Chris Beck, chief executive officer. "Kristyn, Geoff, Charlotte, Josh and Darren have each demonstrated excellence in executive search, delivering exceptional results across diverse sectors and geographies. At Caldwell, we believe in investing in our people and rewarding their success, and these rising stars have shown leadership, innovation, and quality in their work. They've earned this recognition and we look forward to their continued growth." Kristyn Wallace is a member of Caldwell's Global Consumer, Financial Services, and Insurance practices. With more than 15 years of experience conducting executive searches, she will continue to leverage her deep industry acumen and extensive network of C-suite and senior-level executives when identifying, attracting and placing top talent. Taking a service-oriented approach, Kristyn is of counsel to her clients, always ensuring the delivery of a tailored search process and an exceptional experience for both clients and candidates. Before her career in executive search, she was a corporate recruiter in the industrial sector. Kristyn holds an Honours Bachelor of Administration from York University specializing in human resource management. Geoff Keating has more than 16 years of expertise and success in identifying, attracting and placing outstanding talent in the arts & culture/higher education, real estate, consumer and industrial sectors. In his new role, he will continue to focus on the recruitment of C-suite and other senior-level executives for high-profile clients across North America and internationally, with an emphasis on companies within real estate and the culture and not-for-profit sectors. Geoff holds a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Music (Hons.) from the University of Melbourne. With a decade of experience in the industry, Charlotte Croker brings a solid background in search to her new role. She joined Caldwell's Professional Services Practice in 2023 and immediately distinguished herself as a savvy recruiter with a discerning eye for talent. Her principal focus is on the recruitment of C-suite and other senior-level executives for global, Am Law 200 and rapidly expanding law firms. Charlotte grew up in London and graduated from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom with a Bachelor of Arts in modern languages (French, Spanish, and German). Joshua Bubbs has significant experience across financial services, bringing expert knowledge and an understanding of the distribution of financial products that enables him to be a trusted advisor to clients and candidates alike. He joined Caldwell in 2022 from Bramshill Investments, where he was an executive director in business development/investor relations. Previously, he provided personal planning services to clients across the investment community, and began his career at a boutique investment firm, marketing to both institutional and retail investors. Josh holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Union College. Darren Buck has over 17 years of experience recruiting senior leaders within private equity-backed healthcare services, medical device, healthcare systems and healthcare technology organizations across multiple functions, including CEO, CFO, and COO, as well as sales leadership roles. He joined Caldwell's Life Sciences and Healthcare Practice as a consultant in 2019 after successful leadership roles within Fortune 50 organizations and leading a regional firm as managing partner for over seven years. He holds a business management degree from Middle Tennessee State University. Darren is active with the Nashville Healthcare Council, Leadership Healthcare, American College of Healthcare Executives, Healthcare Financial Management Association, and Association for Corporate Growth. ??About Caldwell Caldwell is a leading retained executive search firm connecting clients with transformational talent. Together with IQTalent, we are a technology-powered talent acquisition firm specializing in recruitment at all levels. Through the two distinct brands - Caldwell and IQTalent- the firm leverages the latest innovations in AI to offer an integrated spectrum of services delivered by teams with deep knowledge in their respective areas. Services include candidate research and sourcing through to full recruitment at the professional, executive and board levels, as well as a suite of talent strategy and assessment tools that can help clients hire the right people, then manage and inspire them to achieve maximum business results. Caldwell's common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:CWL) and trade on the OTCQX Market (OTCQX:CWLPF). Please visit our website at www.caldwell.com for further information. For further information, please contact: Caroline Lomot Vice President, Marketing & Communications Caldwell clomot@caldwell.com +1 516 830 3535 Forward-Looking Statements Forward-looking statements in this document are based on current expectations subject to the significant risks and uncertainties cited. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of statements that include phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "foresee," "may," "will," "likely," "estimates," "potential," "continue" or other similar words or phrases. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals also are forward-looking statements. We are subject to many factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward looking statement including, but not limited to, the impact of pandemic diseases, our ability to attract and retain key personnel; exposure to our partners taking our clients with them to another firm; the performance of the US, Canadian and international economies; risks related to deposit-taking institutions; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; competition from other companies directly or indirectly engaged in talent acquisition; cybersecurity requirements, vulnerabilities, threats and attacks; damage to our brand reputation; our ability to align our cost structure to changes in our revenue; liability risk in the services we perform; potential legal liability from clients, employees and candidates for employment; reliance on software that we license from third parties; reliance on third-party contractors for talent acquisition support; the classification of third-party labour as contractors versus employee relationships; our ability to successfully recover from a disaster or other business continuity issues; adverse governmental and tax law rulings; successfully integrating or realizing the expected benefits from our acquisitions, adverse operating issues from acquired businesses; volatility of the market price and trading volume of our common shares; technological advances may significantly disrupt the labour market and weaken demand for human capital at a rapid rate; affiliation agreements may fail to renew or affiliates may be acquired; the impact on profitability from marketable securities valuation fluctuations; increasing dependence on third parties for the execution of critical functions; our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to support our growth and fund any dividends; potential impairment of our acquired goodwill and intangible assets; and disruption as a result of actions of certain stockholders or potential acquirers of the Company. For more information on the factors that could affect the outcome of forward-looking statements, refer to the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Information Form and other public filings (copies of which may be obtained at www.sedar.com). These factors should be considered carefully, and the reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although any forward-looking statements are based on what management currently believes to be reasonable assumptions, we cannot assure readers that actual results, performance or achievements will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Management's assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Except as required by Canadian securities laws, we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf; such statements speak only as of the date made. The forward-looking statements included herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary language. SOURCE: Caldwell Partners International, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Duke Energy Foundation funds pay for training, lifesaving equipment and new technology to aid in disaster planning and recovery operations NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / Duke Energy By Ken Garfield | illumination Contributor A missing South Carolina man was reunited with his family thanks to the sharp eyes of a drone soaring above Spartanburg, S.C. Magno Alvarez Ruiz, 68, wandered away from home on July 28, prompting a 911 call that mobilized rescuers to find him. Ruiz has dementia, his family said, and was last seen in a blue shirt and black shorts. Under the supervision of Sgt. Dylan Davis of the Spartanburg Police Department, 40 officers from three agencies fanned out. Search-and-rescue canines were brought in. From up above, drones joined the search for the 5-foot-7-inch, 130-pound man. A drone was first to spot Ruiz, who'd lost his shoes navigating a heavily wooded area about a mile from home. "The cameras, the zoom, the clarity we were fortunate to get some of the best technology out there," said Robbie Swofford of Spartanburg County Emergency Services. "This was huge for us, thanks to Duke Energy." The emergency management coordinator was quick to share the news with the Duke Energy Foundation, whose $20,000 grant enabled the county to purchase not one but two drones in 2023. "Without your contribution, we would have struggled on numerous local and regional response efforts," he wrote in an email to Amanda Dow, Foundation director in South Carolina. "To hear that the drones helped save a man, that was icing on the cake," Dow said. "It was beyond words." Creating resilient communities Over five years, the Duke Energy Foundation has donated more than $17.6 million across North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky to enhance emergency preparedness and response. This funding covers the costs for things like training, lifesaving equipment and new technology that aids in disaster planning and recovery operations. In South Carolina alone, the Foundation has awarded 99 grants totaling $1.5 million over the past three years to help communities prepare for weather emergencies and bounce back when the storms come. In Cherokee County, a 2024 microgrant paid for additional cots that doubled Emergency Management's sheltering capabilities. Further south, the city of Sumter is using the funds to help employees prepare for potentially hazardous weather. "Being storm-ready is crucial for us," said Mayor David Merchant, "so that we, as a city, can best serve and protect our citizens and invest in equipment that will allow us to better serve the people of Sumter in a safe and timely manner." Swofford, too, is grateful for the two high-quality drones that Spartanburg County Emergency Services has used to pinpoint areas hit hardest by severe weather. The more they know, the faster emergency personnel can respond. Fast-growing Spartanburg County is home to 360,000 people about 75 miles southwest of Charlotte. Drones also maximize safety and efficiency because, in some instances, they can keep emergency workers from having to go up in a helicopter to do the same job. After Ruiz's rescue, Swofford said, "These drones can do a lot of things." Family thanks rescuers Speaking for her family, Luimar Alvarez is grateful to everyone who had a hand in bringing her father home. A native of Venezuela, Ruiz worked as an engineer in the oil industry. He came to the United States in 2021 to be with family in Spartanburg. He enjoys sitting in the backyard, watching his granddaughters jump on the trampoline. It was the first time he had wandered from home. In his mind, Ruiz had good reason. On the day he disappeared, his wife mentioned that the presidential election was underway in their native Venezuela. That's why he decided to walk to the school: to cast a ballot. Back home, they vote at a school. His daughter recounted their conversation after he was rescued. "I asked him, 'Did you vote?' He said 'No, I didn't find the school. But I enjoyed the adventure.' I told him that the next time he wants an adventure, tell me. We'll go together." View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Duke Energy on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Duke Energy Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/duke-energy Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Duke Energy View the original press release on accesswire.com Verified Market Research is excited to announce the launch of its latest comprehensive market research report on the "Smart Agriculture Market - Trends, Opportunities, and Forecasts". The report provides a detailed analysis of the rapidly evolving smart agriculture sector, offering actionable insights and trends for industry leaders looking to stay ahead in this fast-growing market. LEWES, Del., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Smart Agriculture Market Size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.30% from 2024 to 2031, according to a new report published by Verified Market Research. The report reveals that the market was valued at USD 17.74 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 38.86 Billion by the end of the forecast period. As the global agricultural landscape shifts towards precision farming and sustainable practices, smart agriculture technologies are at the forefront of this transformation. From advanced IoT sensors, automated machinery, and data analytics to AI-driven crop management systems, smart agriculture is reshaping traditional farming by improving efficiency, reducing resource consumption, and boosting yields. Key Features of the Report: In-depth Market Analysis : A thorough examination of the current market size, projections, and growth drivers shaping the smart agriculture sector. : A thorough examination of the current market size, projections, and growth drivers shaping the smart agriculture sector. Technological Innovations : Comprehensive coverage of the latest advancements in smart farming technologies, including IoT integration, drones, robotics, and data-driven farming solutions. : Comprehensive coverage of the latest advancements in smart farming technologies, including IoT integration, drones, robotics, and data-driven farming solutions. Regional Insights : Detailed analysis of key markets across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and other emerging regions. : Detailed analysis of key markets across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and other emerging regions. Competitive Landscape: Profiles of key industry players, market strategies, and their innovations driving the future of smart agriculture. Why This Report Matters: Agricultural leaders, technology providers, and investors are all seeking to harness the benefits of smart agriculture solutions to address the global challenges of food security, resource optimization, and sustainability. This report provides a roadmap for companies looking to capitalize on these opportunities, highlighting key market trends, investment potential, and strategic growth areas. Who Should Read This Report: Agribusiness Leaders : Looking to implement cutting-edge technologies for operational efficiency and sustainability. : Looking to implement cutting-edge technologies for operational efficiency and sustainability. Technology Providers : Offering smart solutions and tools for precision farming, irrigation systems, and automated equipment. : Offering smart solutions and tools for precision farming, irrigation systems, and automated equipment. Investors & Venture Capitalists : Seeking to identify high-growth opportunities within the agritech space. : Seeking to identify high-growth opportunities within the agritech space. Policy Makers & Regulators: Interested in understanding the evolving dynamics of sustainable agriculture practices. The Smart Agriculture Market Report is an essential resource for organizations looking to gain a competitive edge in this transformative industry. Don't miss out on key opportunities-equip your business with the insights you need to drive innovation and growth. For more information or to purchase the report, please contact us at: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample?rid=9635 Browse in-depth TOC on "Global Smart Agriculture Market Size" 202 - Pages 126 - Tables 37 - Figures Report Scope REPORT ATTRIBUTES DETAILS STUDY PERIOD 2021-2031 BASE YEAR 2024 FORECAST PERIOD 2024-2031 HISTORICAL PERIOD 2021-2023 UNIT Value (USD Billion) KEY COMPANIES PROFILED Deere & Company, Trimble, Inc., AGCO Corporation, Topcon Positioning Systems, Raven Industries, Bayer AG, CNH Industrial N.V., Kubota Corporation, Afimilk Ltd., AgJunction, Inc., AgeEagle Aerial Systems, Inc., DeLaval, ETwater, Gamaya, LumiGrow, Inc., and The Climate Corporation. SEGMENTS COVERED By Offering, By Agriculture Type, By Farm Size, By Application, and By Geography. CUSTOMIZATION SCOPE Free report customization (equivalent up to 4 analyst's working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope Global Smart Agriculture Market Overview Growing Need for Sustainable Farming Solutions: The Smart Agriculture Market is driven by the rising need for sustainable agricultural techniques. As global food demand increases, precision agriculture technologies such as IoT and AI enhance resource efficiency, augmenting yields while minimizing water and pesticide usage. Agritech enterprises can leverage the increasing trend towards sustainability to enhance revenue through creative solutions. Technological Advancements in IoT and AI: Technological advancements in IoT sensors, drones, and AI-driven data analytics are significant catalysts in the Smart Agriculture Market. These developments facilitate real-time surveillance and accuracy in crop management, soil health, and irrigation systems. Companies that incorporate these advanced technologies into their products are strategically positioned to satisfy the requirements of contemporary farmers, enhancing market adoption and ensuring long-term profitability. Rising Demand for Food Security: The global population is expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, making food security a paramount concern. The Smart Agriculture Market is driven by this need, as governments and agribusinesses engage in advanced farming practices to improve productivity. Solutions that provide predictive insights and enhance production cycles are crucial for firms aiming to penetrate this expanding market area. To Purchase a Comprehensive Report Analysis: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/select-licence?rid=9635 High Initial Costs of Implementation: A major obstacle to expansion in the Smart Agriculture Market is the substantial initial investment required for smart farming technologies. Advanced technology, like IoT sensors and automated machinery, necessitates substantial capital expenditure, which may dissuade smaller farming enterprises from embracing these advancements. Manufacturers and solution suppliers must present economical solutions or adaptable financing options to surmount this obstacle and enhance market penetration. Limited Awareness in Developing Regions: In underdeveloped regions, where agriculture is primarily traditional, knowledge and comprehension of smart farming technology are limited. The Smart Agriculture Market encounters obstacles in various domains owing to insufficient knowledge and technical proficiency. Enterprises focusing on these areas must emphasize training and capacity-building efforts to facilitate adoption, thereby unlocking new development prospects. Data Privacy and Security Concerns: With the expansion of the Smart Agriculture Market, worries over data privacy and cybersecurity are also increasing. Agricultural producers are becoming increasingly apprehensive about implementing technology that collect extensive sensitive data without sufficient security protocols. Solution providers must confront these issues by delivering comprehensive data protection and open policies to foster trust and promote the wider use of smart agriculture technologies. Geographical Dominance North America exhibits geographical preeminence in the Smart Agriculture Market, propelled by sophisticated technical integration, robust infrastructure, and significant expenditures in precision agriculture. The United States, notably, has a significant presence of pivotal stakeholders and governmental endorsement for sustainable agriculture efforts. This dominance propels market expansion by stimulating innovation, promoting collaborations, and establishing a standard for global smart agriculture practices in other countries. Key Players The "Global Smart Agriculture Market" study report will provide a valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are Deere & Company, Trimble, Inc., AGCO Corporation, Topcon Positioning Systems, Raven Industries, Bayer AG, CNH Industrial N.V., Kubota Corporation, Afimilk Ltd., AgJunction, Inc., AgeEagle Aerial Systems, Inc., DeLaval, ETwater, Gamaya, LumiGrow, Inc., and The Climate Corporation. Smart Agriculture Market Segment Analysis Based on the research, Verified Market Research has segmented the global Smart Agriculture Market into Offering, Agriculture Type, Farm Size, Application and Geography. Smart Agriculture Market, by Offering Hardware Sensing Devices Software Services Smart Agriculture Market, by Agriculture Type Precision Farming Livestock Monitoring Precision Aquaculture Precision Forestry Smart Greenhouse Others Smart Agriculture Market, by Farm Size Small Medium Large Smart Agriculture Market, by Application Yield Monitoring Weather Tracking and Forecasting Milk Harvesting Water Quality Management HVAC Management Smart Agriculture Market, by Geography North America U.S Canada Mexico Europe Germany France U.K Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Rest of Asia Pacific ROW Middle East & Africa Latin America Browse Related Reports: Global Farm Equipment Rental Market Size By Type (Agriculture Tractors, Agriculture Harvesters, Agriculture Plating Equipment, Irrigation & Crop Processing Equipment, Agriculture Spraying Equipment, Cultivation & Plowing Equipment, Cutter & Shredders Equipment), By Application (Land Development & Seed Bed Preparation, Sowing & Planting, Cultivation, Plant Protection, Harvesting & Threshing, Post-harvest & Agro-Processing), By Geography, And Forecast Global Agricultural Machinery Market Size By Machinery Type (Tractors, Harvesting Machinery, Equipment for Soil Preparation & Cultivation, Irrigation Machinery, Machinery for Haying & Forage, Other Types), By Automation Level (Traditional Agriculture Machinery, Semi-Autonomous Machinery, Fully Autonomous Machinery), By End User (Small-Scale Farms, Medium-Sized Farms, Large-Scale Farms), By Geography, And Forecast Global Regenerative Agriculture Market Size By Type of Regenerative Practices (Agroforestry, Holistic Planned Grazing, Cover Cropping, No-till Farming, Permaculture), By Crop Type (Cereals and Grains, Fruits and Vegetables, Oilseeds and Pulses, Cash Crops), By Livestock Type (Cattle, Poultry, Swine, Sheep and Goats), By Geography, And Forecast Global Digital Agriculture Platform Market Size By Type of Platform (Arm Management Software, Precision Agriculture Systems, Livestock Monitoring Solutions), By Farm Size (Small Farms, Medium Farms, Large Farms), By Application (Crop Monitoring, Yield Monitoring, Soil Management, Irrigation Management, Livestock Management), By Geography, And Forecast Top 9 Agricultural Equipment Manufacturers cultivating ideas for growth Visualize Smart Agriculture Market using Verified Market Intelligence -: Verified Market Intelligence is our BI Enabled Platform for narrative storytelling in this market. VMI offers in-depth forecasted trends and accurate Insights on over 20,000+ emerging & niche markets, helping you make critical revenue-impacting decisions for a brilliant future. VMI provides a holistic overview and global competitive landscape with respect to Region, Country, Segment, and Key players of your market. Present your Market Report & findings with an inbuilt presentation feature saving over 70% of your time and resources for Investor, Sales & Marketing, R&D, and Product Development pitches. VMI enables data delivery In Excel and Interactive PDF formats with over 15+ Key Market Indicators for your market. About Us Verified Market Research stands at the forefront as a global leader in Research and Consulting, offering unparalleled analytical research solutions that empower organizations with the insights needed for critical business decisions. 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Contact Us Mr. Edwyne Fernandes Verified Market Research US: +1 (650)-781-4080 US Toll Free: +1 (800)-782-1768 Email: sales@verifiedmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/ Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2015407/VMR_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/smart-agriculture-market-is-expected-to-generate-a-revenue-of-usd-38-86-billion-by-2031--globally-at-10-30-cagr-verified-market-research-302250292.html CHICAGO (dpa-AFX) - Aerospace giant Boeing Co. is planning various cost-cutting measures, including hiring freeze, cut in supplier spending and possible temporary furloughs, to meet the ongoing strike by machinists, reports said citing a company memo. Bloomberg reported that Boeing's difficult financial position puts its credit rating at risk of dropping below investment grade. The company's about 33,000 machinists union members last Friday had started a strike after majority of them voted to reject a proposed four-year contract by the aerospace and defence major. The first strike at the firm since 2008 hit the commercial airplane production of the aircraft manufacturer, which is already struggling with its various plane safety issues. In a memo to employees, Chief Financial Officer Brian West said the company is halting hiring at all levels, and is considering temporary layoffs for many employees to save cash during the strike. As per the reports, workers were informed of the necessary and immediate actions to support the company's recovery. The various planned steps also include a halt of non-essential travel, a pause in any pay increase associated with promotions, cutting back outlays for air shows and charitable donations, as well as significant reductions in supplier expenditures. Boeing will also stop issuing a majority of its supplier purchase orders for the 737, 767 and 777 jetliner programs affected by the walkout. West said, 'Our business is in a difficult period. This strike jeopardizes our recovery in a significant way and we must take necessary actions to preserve cash and safeguard our shared future.' On Friday, members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers or IAM, who build commercial planes, started their strike in airplane assembly at Boeing's factories in the Seattle area as well as in Portland, Oregon and in southern California. Boeing, after months of negotiations, had reached a tentative agreement on September 8 with IAM Districts 751 & W24, and the union also recommended acceptance of the deal, because they couldn't guarantee of achieving more in a strike. But, soon after, the union members started complaining that the proposal was not good enough, and rejected the deal recommended by union leaders, and voted to go on strike. In an update on the union's rejection of the contract, Boeing had stated that it remains committed to resetting its relationship with employees and the union and that it was ready to get back to the table to reach a new agreement. The latest strike by the union members is a major hit to the plane maker, which has been under severe scrutiny for the past few years amid safety concerns. The latest issues started with a January 5 incident, when a mid-cabin door plug on Alaska Airlines' Boeing 737-9 MAX airplane blew out in the middle of the flight, following which FAA grounded around 171 737 MAX 9 airplanes for inspections for several weeks. In April, the FAA announced an investigation into the emergency landing by Southwest Airlines' Boeing 737-800 flight after its engine cover fell off and struck the wing flap during take-off. Further, in mid August, the company paused flight tests for its new 777X jetliner and grounded the four-aircraft test fleet after finding damage in a plane's structure. Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 2024 AFX News New role will align IMA's research goals with the global academic community IMA (Institute of Management Accountants), the association of accountants and financial professionals in business, announced today the appointment of Todd Thornock, Ph.D., CMA, CPA, as its first Academic Research Fellow. Thornock is the first individual to hold this position and will work on representing IMA's mission and vision to the global academic research community. As IMA's Academic Research Fellow, Thornock will be responsible for working with the academic community and accounting and related associations, IMA staff, and IMA volunteers to guide IMA's academic research platform. This includes identifying and supporting research on topics of importance to the profession, supporting the development of IMA's Statements of Management Accounting, advocating for submissions from the academic community to IMA publications, and presenting research findings at academic conferences, seminars, and workshops. "IMA has a rich history of serving accounting and finance professionals and academics with research on emerging topics as the profession continues to evolve," said Mike DePrisco, president and CEO at IMA. "I am happy to welcome Todd to IMA where he will serve the important role of spearheading IMA's academic research and ensuring that it is beneficial for our membership and the larger business community." Thornock will continue to serve as an associate professor at the College of Business at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He holds a Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Texas at Austin, has published in many reputable peer-reviewed academic journals and articles, and earned many honors and awards including the IMA Lybrand Award Certificate of Merit in 2017, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business Distinguished Teaching Award Nominee in 2022 and 2023, and the Journal of Management Accounting Research Outstanding Reviewer Award in 2023, among others. "I am excited to take on this role for IMA. Having served as both an academic and practitioner, I understand the importance of having the most up-to-date information available to make critical decisions. Serving as IMA's Academic Research Fellow, I hope to facilitate growth of the profession's knowledge and insights," said Thornock. An archive of IMA's research reports is available on IMA's website. About IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) IMA is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA (Certified Management Accountant), CSCA (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis), and FMAA (Financial and Managerial Accounting Associate) certification programs, continuing education, networking, and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices. Twice named Professional Body of the Year by The Accountant/International Accounting Bulletin, IMA has a global network of about 140,000 members in 150 countries and 200+ professional and student chapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provides localized services through its six global regions: The Americas, China, Europe, Middle East/North Africa, India, and Asia Pacific. For more information about IMA, please visit www.imanet.org. Giuseppe Barone, IMA (201) 474-1681 giuseppe.barone@imanet.org Brian Sherry, Stern Strategy Group 908-325-3860 ima@sternstrategy.com SOURCE: IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) View the original press release on accesswire.com Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - OysterLink, a career platform for the restaurant and hospitality industry, has released a list of the highest-paying positions in restaurants, gathered from industry data and user feedback. Top-Paying Restaurant Jobs To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10722/223608_2beea4a7a4189a82_001full.jpg The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average yearly salary in full-service restaurants across the nation is $32,100 with some of the top-paying jobs reaching over $100,000 annually. The list highlights the roles that offer the most attractive average compensation and career opportunities: Sommelier: $73,000 Executive Chef: $64,000 Restaurant Manager: $51,000 Bartender: $48,000 Line Cook: $47,000 Pastry Chef: $47,900 Sous Chef: $45,000 Restaurant Server: $45,000 Host/Hostess: $43,000 Kitchen Manager: $58,000 "In 2023, the U.S. dining industry reached $997 billion in sales. By understanding today's trends and pay rates, job seekers can make informed decisions and fully benefit from this booming field, while hiring managers can easily assess market worth. At OysterLink, our goal is to empower candidates with the essential knowledge they need to thrive in their careers." - Adnana Pidro, Marketing Director of OysterLink. About OysterLink OysterLink is a job platform in the restaurant and hospitality industry. It features market trends and celebrity interviews to guide career growth. Currently, OysterLink attracts over 150,000 monthly visitors and is growing. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223608 SOURCE: OysterLink Partnership Helps Enterprises to Elevate Customer Engagement with Secure and Branded Messaging Solutions ATLANTA and STOCKHOLM, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinch (Sinch AB (publ) - XSTO: SINCH), which is pioneering the way the world communicates through its Customer Communications Cloud, has partnered with Singtel, Asia's leading communications technology group, to become the first provider to enable Rich Communication Services (RCS) for businesses in Singapore. Sinch and Singtel are now offering businesses an advanced platform to connect with customers through secure and branded messaging directly in their native mobile inboxes. "RCS brings branded, interactive messaging to the forefront, enabling businesses to engage with their customers in dynamic new ways," said Wendy Johnstone, Sinch's Executive Vice President, APAC. "With over 15 years of building the best super network and strong partnerships with Google and mobile operators globally, we are excited to usher in this new era of messaging. Apple starting the roll out of support for RCS with the release of iOS 18 this week only increases our excitement. Today marks the starting point for making RCS a global, ubiquitous, rich, conversational channel for businesses in Singapore to communicate with their customers and users, on all devices. What a week to announce this partnership with Singtel." RCS Business Messaging enhances traditional SMS with branded messages, rich and interactive features, and advanced analytics such as read receipts. Businesses can build trust with their customers thanks to messages coming from a verified sender agent over a secure channel. "Customers are used to personalized and interactive communication across mobile platforms and seek to engage businesses in the same way. With RCS messaging, enterprises can offer richer and more immersive experiences that integrate seamlessly into consumers' digital lifestyle which helps them to build a stronger relationship with their customers and their brand. Through this partnership with Sinch, we aim to help businesses in Singapore increase customer satisfaction, foster brand loyalty, and stay ahead in a competitive digital landscape," said Terence Lai, VP of Digitalization, Products and Partnerships at Singtel. Sinch's Customer Communications Cloud enables businesses to harness the full potential of RCS through its comprehensive APIs, intuitive RCS campaign builder, and integrations with platforms, including Salesforce Marketing Cloud and Zapier. For businesses looking to transition from SMS to RCS with minimal effort, Sinch offers RCS Upscale, a solution that offers an easy transition while maintaining SMS as a backup channel, ensuring uninterrupted communication. Singapore is the first South-East Asian country Sinch is offering RBM services to. Companies across various sectors such as banking, logistics, and retail in the United States, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil, India, and other countries are already leveraging Sinch's RCS Business Messaging solutions to enhance customer engagement. For more information about Sinch's RCS solutions and how they can benefit your business, please visit Sinch's website. For further information, please contact: Janet Lennon, Director of PR & Global Communications janet.lennon@sinch.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sinch-partners-with-singtel-to-launch-first-rcs-business-messaging-rbm-service-in-singapore-302250653.html Initial customer implementations demonstrate InvestorFlow AI powered by Einstein and Agentforce Agent Actions has the potential to accelerate fundraising, optimize capital deployment, and increase investor engagement MENLO PARK, Calif. and LONDON, United Kingdom, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InvestorFlow, the industry leading cloud-based platform powering alternative investment firms, today announced the next step in its collaboration with Salesforce, focused on delivering joint AI-powered solutions to fuel private markets. One of only 17 select ISV partners tapped to participate in Salesforce's early access Einstein AI SDK program, InvestorFlow is the sole ISV technology partner focused exclusively on the financial services industry. After extensive previews and initial deployment with select customers and services partners, InvestorFlow AI demonstrations will be featured at Dreamforce, Salesforce's marquee customer event starting today in San Francisco. "GenAI promises to fundamentally change how we engage with technology and allows us to reimagine workflows and processes at every level of an organization," said Todd Glasson, CEO of InvestorFlow. "Our initial efforts demonstrate how Einstein AI will expand InvestorFlow's capacity to synthesize knowledge across our platform including insights previously locked in meeting notes, email and documents and to automatically generate action including email communications to drive deal cycles. Einstein AI creates added incentives for users to increase their engagement with our applications built on Salesforce." Built on InvestorFlow's longstanding partnership with Salesforce to develop a customer relationship management offering optimized for private markets executives and deal professionals, InvestorFlow's out-of-the-box AI Agentforce actions powered by Einstein AI deliver several advancements across the entire solution suite and signal what will be possible in the future: Fundraising : AI enables firms to extract better insights into their investors' preferences. which enables smarter engagement while simplifying how fundraisers update pipeline records directly from meeting notes and email and automatically generating communications to drive deals forward. : AI enables firms to extract better insights into their investors' preferences. which enables smarter engagement while simplifying how fundraisers update pipeline records directly from meeting notes and email and automatically generating communications to drive deals forward. Deal Management : AI synthesizes 360 views of deal targets, combining content from documents, meeting notes, email and third-party data such as Pitchbook and Preqin into personalized tearsheets for every deal professional. AI also enables deal professionals to source, review and drive an unprecedented volume of investment opportunities. : AI synthesizes 360 views of deal targets, combining content from documents, meeting notes, email and third-party data such as Pitchbook and Preqin into personalized tearsheets for every deal professional. AI also enables deal professionals to source, review and drive an unprecedented volume of investment opportunities. Asset Management: AI enables InvestorFlow to aggregate data from a variety of sources to aid in valuation, reporting, and actions to optimize returns on capital invested. AI enables InvestorFlow to aggregate data from a variety of sources to aid in valuation, reporting, and actions to optimize returns on capital invested. Investor Services: AI is a force multiplier for client services personnel to provide visibility into current investments and customize information on new opportunities for their investors at scale, allowing them to step up to higher value-added work. AI is a force multiplier for client services personnel to provide visibility into current investments and customize information on new opportunities for their investors at scale, allowing them to step up to higher value-added work. Real-Time Reporting: AI can dramatically reduce the time it takes to generate accurate reports for internal and external stakeholders to drive tighter, more efficient execution. "Holland Mountain recognizes Salesforce Agentforce and Einstein as an industry-leading AI platform, and it's impressive to see how InvestorFlow has seamlessly integrated it into their fund cycle solutions, helping private capital firms enhance efficiency and scale their operations," said Barnaby Piggott, CEO of Holland Mountain, a leading specialist consulting firm to the private capital industry. "InvestorFlow leverages the full power of Salesforce and Einstein AI, giving deal professionals a single interface to create, assess, and progress deals far more efficiently, bring in essential metrics and data from industry standards like Pitchbook, and keep them moving forward with full support for mobile access," said Chuck Greiner, Partner, Customer Solutions at West Monroe, a global business and technology consulting firm. "The deal teams we work with are going to love this." InvestorFlow AI powered by Einstein and Agentforce Actions will be on full display at Dreamforce 2024, running September 17-19, 2024, at San Francisco's Moscone Center, in Exhibition Booth 1413 and be available for executive briefings with customer and partners in Executive Briefing Room 28. Salesforce, Dreamforce and others are among the trademarks of Salesforce, inc. About InvestorFlow InvestorFlow is the leading private markets industry cloud that turns relationships into capital, knowledge into investment opportunities, and collaboration into lasting partnerships. InvestorFlow is the only solution provider to integrate fundraising, deal management, reporting and investor services into one cloud-native platform. InvestorFlow serves over 250 clients including 25 of the top 50 alternative asset managers, with more than $6 trillion of assets, 3,500 funds and 290,000 Limited Partners on its platform. InvestorFlow is a privately held company based in Menlo Park, California with offices in New York City and London. To learn more, visit www.investorflow.com For press inquiries, contact: Miranda Harrington, Bloxspring NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / FedEx Corporation Originally published in FedEx's 2023 FedEx Cares Report Our opportunity $96b Greater Memphis GDP is $96b and growing faster than much of the U.S.1 50k Memphis aims to add 50k new quality jobs by 20302 5th Memphis' poverty rate of 21.4% is 5th highest in the nation among cities with 500k+ population3 Our strategy Our work is focused on helping more Memphians have an equal chance to participate in our city's education system and workforce to achieve financial stability. Alongside innovative nonprofits, we are investing in the inclusive economic growth we believe is essential to our city's future. Through the dedication of team member time and expertise, and focused efforts to address both short-term critical needs and long-term social challenges, we are committed to being a part of the solution for a more prosperous and equitable Memphis. 1 "Total Gross Domestic Product for Memphis, TN-MS-AR (MSA)." Federal Reserve Bank of St. Lous, (2023). 2 "Prosper Memphis 2030." Greater Memphis Chamber, (2023). 3 "While Overall Poverty in Memphis Dipped, Child Poverty Rates Remain Flat, New Data Shows." Commercial Appeal, September 21, 2023. Creating a safe place for young people to connect, raise their voices, and catalyze community change BRIDGES offers a safe haven for youth in Memphis to unite, advocate, and foster positive change in their community. Many young people in Memphis face limited access to life skills and opportunities to engage in community problem-solving. With support from FedEx, BRIDGES aims to cultivate capable leaders who reflect the city's rich diversity of cultural, religious, racial, and socioeconomic residents. Serving 3,000 students, BRIDGES emphasizes helping participants step out of comfort zones, embrace diversity, and develop skills like problem solving, decision-making, and communications. Breaking economic barriers: how Hire Local is reshaping futures for Memphians Hire Local is an innovative local workforce development program established by the Memphis Medical District Collaborative that connects Medical District employers seeking local talent to Medical District residents seeking employment opportunities. With one in three Memphians making less than a living wage, support for residents to access quality jobs is critical to fighting poverty in our headquarters city. With support from FedEx, Hire Local works with employers like Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and Baptist Memorial Hospital to provide participants with job shadowing and interviews for roles with a clear career path. In 2023, MMDC placed 43 Memphians in new hospital careers. I was in a low place in my life, feeling hopelessI completed this class feeling seen, heard, and proud of who I am. Terrica Hire Local Graduate FedEx earned the Volunteer Memphis Corporate Impact Award Leadership Memphis/Volunteer Memphis recognized FedEx for our commitment to volunteerism and to making a positive impact in our community. This award is given to organizations that exemplify excellence and those that create innovative volunteer programs to encourage employees and the public to donate their time to making a difference. Caring for one another with dignity and joy FedEx is proud to support Church Health, a Memphis-based nonprofit, that makes the highest quality health care accessible to more Memphians so everyone - regardless of income - can live their life with dignity and joy. For over 36 years, Church Health has offered medical, dental, eye care, and more to those facing economic challenges. In 2023, the organization aided 12,800 unique patients, conducted 2,300 nutrition classes, and performed 32,000 dental procedures, all made possible by a team of 1,000 volunteer medical professionals. Building a better tomorrow FedEx supports Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis to provide affordable housing in Shelby and Fayette counties. In 2023, FedEx volunteers contributed 1,537 hours (valued at $43,220) and helped construct four homes in the Memphis area. Team members also donated time to help organize merchandise and enhance operations at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, where sale of new and gently used items helps generate more funding to support Memphis Habitat's work. 1,537 hours of volunteer time Read more Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from FedEx Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: FedEx Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/fedex-corporation Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: FedEx Corporation View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Scorpio Gold Corporation (TSXV: SGN) (OTCQB: SRCRF) (FSE: RY9) ("Scorpio Gold", "Scorpio", or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it will be participating in the upcoming Metals Investor Forum in Vancouver on Friday, September 20th and Saturday, September 21st at the JW Marriot Parq Vancouver. CEO, Zayn Kalyan will be giving a 10-minute corporate presentation on September 20th at 10:40am PT, followed by a short Q&A. Scorpio will be presenting as part of newsletter writer, Chen Lin's panel of companies. Harrison Pokrandt, Vice President of Exploration, will also be available to meet with investors and answer questions. The conference agenda can be found here. We welcome the opportunity for attendees to reach out to management with any questions and review our updated corporate presentation, here. The Metals Investor Forum offers the chance to connect with some of the top management teams and companies in the industry. Each company is selected and invited by the conference's participating newsletter writers to ensure exhibitors are high-caliber - vetting the management, project, commodity, jurisdiction and financials. Registration is free so be sure to register here today. Dates: September 20-21, 2024 Time: Friday 9am-6pm PT | Saturday 9am-2:30pm PT Presenter: Zayn Kalyan, CEO and Director Shares for Debt and Marketing The Company also announces that the TSX Venture Exchange has approved two share for debt transactions and the Company has issued a total of 18,950,411 common shares to two parties, one of whom is an insider, to extinguish a total of $4,098,099 in debt. The shares are subject to a four month and one day hold period expiring January 12, 2024. There will be no new control person created as a result of these transactions. The Company also announces that it has engaged the Mining Stock Daily Podcast ("MSD"), based in Wheat Ridge, Colorado and owned by Trevor Hall, president of Clear Creek Digital, for priority dissemination and advertising services through MSD's network. Under the terms of the services agreement (the "MSD Agreement") with MSD, the Company will pay fees of US$6,000 per month to MSD for a 12-month period. Implementation of the MSD Agreement is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. The Company is at arm's length to MSD. About Scorpio Gold Corp. Scorpio Gold holds a 100% interest in two past producing mines, the Manhattan Mine and the Mineral Ridge Mine, both located in the Walker Lane Trend of Nevada, USA. Scorpio's Manhattan District comprises the advanced exploration-stage Goldwedge Project, with a 400 ton per day gravity mill. Adjacent to Goldwedge is the 4,300-acre Manhattan Project, centered on two past-producing pits, acquired from Kinross in 2021. The consolidated Manhattan District presents an exciting late-stage exploration opportunity, with over 100,000m+ of historical drilling, with significant resource potential, alongside valuable permitting. Scorpio Gold also holds a 100% interest in the Mineral Ridge gold project located in Esmeralda County, Nevada. Scorpio produced over 222,440oz of gold at Mineral Ridge between 2010 and 2020. With a proven and probable resource, valuable permits, water rights, infrastructure, and the recently acquired adjacent North Star exploration target, Mineral Ridge has significant near-term development potential. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF SCORPIO GOLD CORPORATION Forward-Looking Statements The Company relies on litigation protection for forward-looking statements. This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding: the Company's ability to continue creating shareholder value and build on the success of historical work at the Manhattan Mine; the Company's commitment to organic growth across its portfolio of assets, with a core focus on exploration at Manhattan and development and rerate opportunities at Mineral Ridge; the Company's ability to deliver accretive and meaningful shareholder value in coming months; the Company's plan to strength its management team; the Company's plans for exploration at the North Star target; the Company's focus for 2024 and the 2024 Program, including the scope and timing thereof; the Company's plan to update the resource estimate on the Manhattan Mine; potential updates to the 2018 feasibility study on the Mineral Ridge project; the effect of the amalgamation with Altus Gold; the potential to increase the resource at Mineral Ridge and leverage its established infrastructure and permitting; the Company's upcoming participation at marketing conferences; and the engagement of Matrix and the expected services to be derived from such engagement. There is significant risk that the forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate, that the management's assumptions may not be correct and that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements, including those risk factors outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis as filed on SEDAR+. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223670 SOURCE: Scorpio Gold Corp MSA Bristol Managed Services, Power of Data Featured at ESS PITTSBURGH, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Firefighters can face different challenges on the job every day and may need a variety of equipment to help keep them protected and safe on each call. From the gear they wear to the technology they use, MSA Safety, Inc. (NYSE: MSA) has the expertise and solutions to help firefighters and fire brigades protect themselves and their communities. These broad range of MSA Safety fire safety solutions will be on display at the upcoming Emergency Services Show (ESS) in Birmingham, held the 18 and 19 September. Featured this year at ESS will be MSA Bristol Managed Services, part of the MSA Safety Services & Solutions portfolio. An end-to-end solution helping to promote first responder safety, MSA Bristol Managed Services offers total management and logistical support for the care and maintenance of fire protective clothing (FPC) and firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE). Bristol Managed Services associates have developed intensive repair routines based on years of experience and proven results, while adhering to key standards covering cleaning and inspection in the United Kingdom. Providing care for more than 50,000 firefighters across the United Kingdom, Bristol Managed Services has three service centres and handles all services in-house, providing control and traceability throughout the entire cleaning and repair process. As a FPC manufacturer and service provider, having all operations in-house provides MSA Bristol with the unique ability to find solutions and quickly respond to unique situations or incidents in the fire service, helping to keep customers safe and their equipment functional. "We help to keep our customers and their teams safe, here in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe and the Middle East," said Dave Howells, President, MSA International. "We've been leading the way in driving advancements in safety solutions by focusing on customer-driven innovation. Throughout our history, this has been one of our main focuses. We remain committed to this and will continue working alongside our customers to help find or develop the solutions that address their challenges effectively." MSA Safety will have the full line of Bristol fire protective clothing on display at ESS this year, including: MSA Bristol Rescue Stretch: Bristol's newest style, it integrates one of the industry's latest innovations, the lightweight GORE-TEX CROSSTECH PYRAD stretch fabric, and is flexible, waterproof, wind proof, and has blood-borne pathogen protection; Bristol's newest style, it integrates one of the industry's latest innovations, the lightweight GORE-TEX CROSSTECH PYRAD stretch fabric, and is flexible, waterproof, wind proof, and has blood-borne pathogen protection; Bristol X4 Wildland Garment: Designed to be worn for longer periods of time in hot environments, it offers lightweight comfort to help firefighters in situations where wearing a structural suit could be too inefficient, and; Designed to be worn for longer periods of time in hot environments, it offers lightweight comfort to help firefighters in situations where wearing a structural suit could be too inefficient, and; Bristol X4 TRW-Hybrid Suit: Designed for the evolving demands of technical rescue teams and wildland firefighters alike, it can transition from technical rescue to wildland firefighting applications. ESS attendees will also see the latest enhancements to MSA's Connected Firefighter Platform, an ecosystem of hardware and software technologies that help fire departments better manage PPE and related data associated with use and maintenance. This includes the M1 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA); the MSA HUB, a wireless, cloud-connected gateway for on-scene and remote monitoring; and FireGrid software. MSA Safety will be highlighting the impact and value of the data that is available from the Connected Firefighter Platform and how data transmitted directly from the M1 SCBA to the cloud is integrated with FireGrid to help enhance safety, inform on-scene decision making, and make remote monitoring and post-event analysis easier. FireGrid Inventory Management capabilities will also be featured this year, showing how FireGrid can digitize tasks like equipment compliance checks and inspection schedules for SCBA and fire helmets. Inventory Manager can address equipment management challenges, eliminate paperwork and make information easily accessible in a fire department's FireGrid account. This helps departments better track equipment location and usage, and manage equipment cleaning, inspection and maintenance, which ultimately enhances equipment longevity. "With our Connected Firefighter Platform, we're continually working to provide valuable insights to firefighters and fire brigades without adding complexity or getting in the way," said Bob Apel, MSA Safety Executive Director of Fire Service and Digital Experience. "At ESS, we're looking forward to having conversations with our customers and showcasing how our solutions can help them make progress toward their safety goals and make compliance easier. We know the fire service market and environment are constantly evolving, and we are continually looking at ways to enhance our capabilities to bring innovative solutions to the fire service to help keep firefighters safe and ready to go." MSA Safety will also be featuring its Gallet brand of fire helmets at ESS, including the GALLET F2XR Rescue Helmet. Designed to meet a multitude of challenges, the GALLET F2XR rescue helmet is certified for wildland firefighting, technical rescue, urban search and rescue, climbing, and water rescue, providing firefighters a versatile option that can help to enhance their safety during operations. This year MSA is in Booth 5/G190. Keep up-to-date with the latest ESS happenings by visiting gb.msasafety.com/ess or following MSA Safety's social media platforms. About MSA Safety MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA) is the global leader in advanced safety products, technologies and solutions. Driven by its singular mission of safety, the Company has been at the forefront of safety innovation since 1914, protecting workers and facility infrastructure around the world across a broad range of diverse end markets while creating sustainable value for shareholders. With 2023 revenues of $1.8 billion, MSA Safety is headquartered in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania and employs a team of over 5,000 associates across its more than 40 international locations. For more information, please visit www.MSASafety.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2508018/GALLET_F2XR_Technical_Rescue_Hero.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2508019/MSA_Bristol_X4.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2508020/MSA_Bristol_Managed_Services_Racks.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2508021/MSA_Bristol_Managed_Services_Washing.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/479457/MSA_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/msa-safety-highlights-full-range-of-services--solutions-latest-connected-firefighter-enhancements-at-emergency-services-show-302250976.html Market allows local partners to "shop" for needed items OKLAHOMA CITY, OK / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / Feed the Children, a leading anti-hunger organization, held a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony today for the organization's first "Partner Market." Through this program, participating local nonprofit partners can stock their community pantries and programs with the items that will have the greatest impact on the families they serve including food, essential personal care, household products and more. Feed the Children representatives including Gary Sloan, Chief U.S. Operations Officer, board members Amanda Rodriguez and Rhonda Hooper and Chief Growth & Strategy Officer Colleen Ridenhour cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the Partner Market. The partners can choose the items needed for their community programs from Feed the Children's Oklahoma City distribution center. Through the Partner Market, Feed the Children aims to alleviate food insecurity in the community by providing shelf-stable food and essential items to support children and families. This model aims to drive impact on child hunger by testing distribution methods that provide more flexibility in the quantity and selection of product. Currently, one in five children in Oklahoma County experience food insecurity and more than 15 percent of local families live below the poverty line. For many in the community, hunger remains a serious issue and price hikes in food, housing and energy are stretching the budgets of families to the breaking point. "Feed the Children is committed to ending childhood hunger and each day we work to help create a world where no child goes to bed hungry," said Tamara Sandberg, Vice President of U.S. Program Development. "We are excited to launch this new program along with our incredible partners from across Oklahoma City. Together, we will be able to reach more families and serve more children right here in our own back yard." Feed the Children's Community Partner Development team oversees the partner application process to ensure all our partners align with Feed the Children's program standards to support the community. As part of the partner selection process, Feed the Children identified organizations that serve populations and/or geographic areas experiencing food insecurity based on a recent landscape analysis study. In the first year of the program, Feed the Children set a goal to include up to 10 participating community partners based on geographic area, population served, and capacity. Current partners include OK City Center, Sisu Youth Services, Light and Salvation Church, Pivot, City Care and the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic. Since the soft launch of the Partner Market in August, more than 8,500 pounds of food and 6,600 pounds of supplies, personal care items and children's books have been distributed. The nonprofit recently launched The Feed Initiative - OKC which represents a commitment to creating measurable and sustained impact on child food insecurity in Oklahoma's capital. As part of this initiative, Feed the Children will implement multiple programs that support children and their families with access to food and resources. This initiative will focus on designing and testing new, community-driven solutions to hunger. Feed the Children's Partner Market is the first program to launch as part of the Feed Initiative - OKC. About Feed the Children As a leading anti-hunger organization, Feed the Children is committed to ending childhood hunger. We provide children and families in the U.S. and around the world with the food and essentials kids need to grow and thrive.? Through our programs and partnerships, we feed children today while helping their families and communities build resilient futures. In addition to food, we distribute household and personal care items across the United States to help parents and caregivers maintain stable, food-secure households. Internationally, we expand access to nutritious meals, safe water, improved hygiene, and training in sustainable living. Responsible stewards of our resources, we are driven to pursue innovative, holistic, and child-focused solutions to the complex challenges of hunger, food insecurity, and poverty. For children everywhere, we believe that having enough to eat is a fundamental right. ? Learn how you can help create a world without childhood hunger at feedthechildren.org ### Contact Information Carrie Snodgrass Sr. Communications & PR Manager carrie.snodgrass@feedthechildren.org (405) 213-9757 Related Images Feed the Children representatives including Gary Sloan, Chief U.S. Operations Officer, board members Amanda Rodriguez and Rhonda Hooper and Chief Growth & Strategy Officer Colleen Ridenhour cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the Partner Market. Partners shop at Feed the Children's Partner Market in Oklahoma City. Local partners shop at Feed the Children's Partner Market in Oklahoma City. Partners shop at Feed the Children's Partner Market in Oklahoma City. SOURCE: Feed the Children View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Canterra Minerals Corporation (TSXV: CTM) (OTCQB: CTMCF) ("Canterra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company is participating in a live virtual corporate update hosted by Red Cloud Financial Services. The presentation will be given by Chris Pennimpede, Canterra's President & CEO, and will commence at 2:00 PM E.T. on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024. Details of the webinar: Description: On the back of the transformational acquisition that Canterra completed at the end of 2023, Canterra has consolidated the entire central Newfoundland Mining District, where they wholly own all 6 known deposits and the exploration ground that is adjoining and adjacent to Calibre Mining's Valentine Mine. The cornerstone asset of this acquisition is the past producing tier-1 Buchans Mine (Cu, Zn, Pb, Au, Ag) and that's where Canterra sees the real potential for the next major discovery in this prolific base metal belt, where this project could yield another high-grade base metal discovery. Registration : https://redcloudfs.com/events/rcwebinar-ctm/ There will be a Q&A session following the presentation and webinar registrants are encouraged to submit questions. Registrants who are unable to attend the live webinar will be sent a replay link. Management Change After years of dedication to the Company, CFO Harry Chan has decided to focus on other ventures. The Company is grateful for all of Mr. Chan's contributions over the years. Mr. Chan was instrumental in navigating the Company through four transactions since 2020 resulting in the Company becoming a dominant critical minerals explorer in central Newfoundland with 6 deposits under management. The Company wishes Harry all best in his future endeavors. Sara Hills joins the Company as its new Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Hills is a CPA, CA with over 20 years' experience in accounting and finance and has achieved increasingly senior roles in public mining companies including with KGHM International and Teck Resources. Ms. Hills started her career in public practice at BDO and KPMG and holds a BBA, and also holds roles of CFO, Corporate Secretary and provides consulting services for TSX Venture listed mining companies. As part of Sara's appointment, the Company has granted 200,000 incentive stock options at an exercise price of $0.05 for a period of five years from the grant date. "The Company would like to thank Harry Chan for his hard work and dedication to Canterra over the years, having overseen the successful completion of four acquisitions in four years. We wish Mr. Chan all the best in his future endeavors and look forward to working with Sara," commented Chris Pennimpede. About Canterra Minerals Canterra Minerals is a diversified minerals exploration company with a focus on critical minerals and gold in central Newfoundland. Canterra's projects include six mineral deposits located in close proximity to Calibre Mining's new Valentine gold mine, as well as the world-renowned, past producing Buchans mine and Teck Resources' former Duck Pond mine, primarily former producers of copper, zinc, lead, silver and gold. Several of Canterra's deposits support historical Mineral Resource Estimates prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves current at their respective effective dates (collectively the "Historical Resource Estimates"). Canterra's Historical Resource Estimates are deemed historical as they were prepared prior to their acquisition by Canterra. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF CANTERRA MINERALS CORPORATION Chris Pennimpede President & CEO 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 Information This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements with respect to estimated mineral resources, the opening of avenues for substantial discoveries within the belt, the Buchans Project being ripe for a modern approach with significant exploration potential for high grade VMS mineralization, the Company anticipating being strongly positioned to unveil the next mineral discovery in central Newfoundland. 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 discusses 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", "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. 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 TSX Venture Exchange, 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 possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects.; as well as those risks and uncertainties identified and reported in the Company's public filings under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223678 SOURCE: Red Cloud Financial Services Sudbury, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Magna Mining Inc. (TSXV: NICU) (OTCQB: MGMNF) (FSE: 8YD) ("Magna" or the "Company") issued a news release earlier today announcing the results of an Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") by SGS Geological Services (SGS) on its 100% owned Crean Hill Project located in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The September 17th news release contained two summary tables (Tables 1 and 9) outlining the Pre and Post Tax NPV and IRR's of the Crean Hill Project. Table 1 contained the correct numbers, while table 9 incorrectly understated the corresponding numbers. The correct numbers are as follows (as previously reported in Table 1). Crean Hill PEA Summary Pre-Tax NPV (8%) $M 265.3 Pre-Tax IRR % 142 Post Tax NPV (8%) $M 194.1 Post Tax IRR % 129 A technical report supporting the PEA will be filed by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory authorities within 45 days of this news release. The technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by David King, M.Sc., P.Geo. Mr. King is the Senior Vice President, Exploration and Geoscience for Magna Mining Inc. and is a qualified person under Canadian National Instrument 43-101. About Magna Mining Inc. Magna Mining is an exploration and development company focused on nickel, copper and PGM projects in the Sudbury region of Ontario, Canada. The Company's flagship assets are the past producing Shakespeare and Crean Hill Mines. The Shakespeare Mine is a feasibility stage project which has major permits for the construction of a 4,500 tonne per day open pit mine, processing plant and tailings storage facility and is surrounded by a contiguous 180km2 prospective land package. Crean Hill is a past producing nickel, copper and PGM mine with a technical report dated September 2024. Additional information about the Company is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on the Company's website (www.magnamining.com). For further information, please contact: Jason Jessup Chief Executive Officer or Cautionary Statement This press release contains certain forward-looking information or forward-looking statements as defined in applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and are subject to several risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control, including statements regarding the PEA, the production at the Shakespeare and Crean Hill Mines, the economic and operational potential of the Shakespeare and Crean Hill Mines, potential acquisitions, plans to complete exploration programs, potential mineralization, exploration results and statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions of the Company. Resource exploration and development is highly speculative, characterized by several significant risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223690 SOURCE: Magna Mining Inc. In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Firstposts Lachmi Deb Roy for Not Just Bollywood, Hansal Mehta talks about The Buckingham Murders, working with Kareena Kapoor who he believes has been under-used and more. read more Everybody has a different way of dealing with grief and so does Jass Bhamra (Kareena Kapoor Khan) and she has beautifully depicted it just through the expressions of her eyes. Immersive, engaging and edgy, The Buckingham Murders is a must watch not only for grieving parents, but for all. The best thing about Hansal Mehtas films is that he never fails to impress his audiences. Kareena Kapoor Khan film The Buckingham Murders teaches us that we shouldnt hurry with justice especially when there are kids involved. We all know that justice delayed is justice denied. But at the same time we need to understand that justice hurried is justice buried. And thats exactly what the film is about. In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Firstpost, Mehta talks about his experience of making the film. He believes that every filmmaker has a distinct voice. If you dont have a voice, if you dont have a signature with which you can recognize the director, then youre one among the crowd. Advertisement Edited excerpts from the interview: After such a successful streak on OTT with Scoop, Scam, and Lootere? What was it like? Why did you want to make The Buckingham Murders on a big screen? Well, you know, you make feature films for the cinemas, and you always want to see them on the big screen. For this, there were people who told us that maybe we should go directly to OTT and what not. But I think there was no doubt in our mind that we wanted to make this an experience at the cinema halls. And its a great feeling to have your film in the cinema halls. What was the thought process that went behind the making of The Buckingham Murders? Because its a very differently made movie, which we rarely get to see these days in theatres. I look at a story, and I find things that anchor me to them. You know, what hooks me? Whatever stories I tell, the characters need to resonate with me. Because the character of Jass was the first thing that sort of resonated with me when Aseem Arrora narrated this idea to me when we were shooting for, he was one of the writers Advertisement And when he narrated this idea to me, it just struck me because Ive never tried this genre before. And secondly, because I felt that there was a possibility of going beyond just modern history. I could look at immigrant life in the UK. The story gave me a lot of chances to explore. Do I feel that these characters, do I want to explore these characters? Do I want to explore their world? That was the primary motivation when I heard the story. We went through multiple iterations. Balaji came in around 2019. When they signed me on. And somewhere in 2020, Kareena joined the film. And, I think ultimately, we shot the film towards the end of 2022. Advertisement What was it like working with Kareena Kapoor? Ive always found her to be a phenomenal actor, and somebody who was waiting to sort of be explored further. I think she has been underutilized as an actor. And, I think this is just the beginning of Kareena Kapoor, the actor. That the world will discover how much she has to offer. You know, she is definitely a big star, which is why audiences go to the cinemas to watch her. But I think she is more than that, she is also a phenomenally gifted actor. Its a very instinctive, very instinctively response to the material, to the moment, to the environment. Advertisement The Buckingham Murders: Kareena Kapoors best performance so far And womens roles are changing. Like, when Kareena as youve said, was underutilized. She was more like an ornament so far in movies when she started. Now what do you have to say about this change? I dont know. I dont agree with that. You know, Geet was not an ornament. But very few. Chameli was not an ornament. In Talaash, she was not an ornament. So, I mean, we made these sweeping generalizations. Weve had, all but, I mean, I think we need to write more roles for actors of her caliber. We need to write more parts. We may need to make more films. We need to give the audience more of them, in various forms. You know, while you will see her in Singham Returns, you will see her in a Crew. I think the audience also deserves to see her in something like The Buckingham Murders. Advertisement Another thing I would say, see, the career of a woman in acting used to end quickly. Everybody is not SRK. What do you have to say about this change? Dont you think its a brilliant change with so many different narratives? Now shes playing her role. Shes a grieving mother. What do you have to say about this beautiful change? You said it. Theyre your views about it. Its difficult for me to answer this, to be honest, because I dont see actors based on their age. Theres a character that somebody has to play, and you will cast correctly for that character. So for me, age and all those things are a number. They dont matter. It is about correctly getting the correct actor to play the correct part. A still from The Buckingham Murders And, what was so different about The Buckingham Murders? The dealing with grief, that anger, yet not overdoing that bit. For me, I think it was about exploration. And, I made it in the way I make films, in the way I tell stories. Its got my own signature, my own style. And thats how I do it. Every filmmaker has a distinct voice. If you dont have a voice, if you dont have a signature with which you can recognize the director, then youre one among the crowd. And I dont see that either. It is just how I tell stories. And, you know, for me, beyond modern history and other things, it was about exploring human emotions. Its about exploring interrelations, how grief is manifested in your day to day life, how you try to cope with grief through what you do. Is it a problem in the UK about the thing that youve shown? What was the research that went behind? Its a communal thing, then the immigration problem, then its about addiction. Its happening all around us. I mean its not central. Its very prevalent in the UK and many European countries in the US. We read about it every day. Ive spent a lot of time here. There was a lot of research into making the fame local. Many people have remarked that when I showed it at the festival here, I thought that it was made by a British filmmaker. Then they thought I lived in the UK. I made Indian films while living in the UK. The film has toured several festivals. So is there anything different with the final theatrical cut or the acceptance from the audience? No. Its different, a slightly shorter film. I think its around 6 to 7 minutes less than the festival cut. And, there is a new background score. And theres a Hindi dubbed version also. But most of the halls will show the Hindi dubbed version. We saw the English version, but most of the cinema halls in and around Bombay and Delhi will be showing the Hindi version? No. I think there are more theatres showing the English version. I know that the English version is the one that I would prefer people see because thats the original language of the movie. And, Im actually on a break, Im in London. Im on a break. Im here to drop my daughter off at university. What was the Ranveer Brar connection? You and he have worked before in Modern Love. Hes a chef, but he always wanted to be an actor. What was the involvement? What made you get him into this project? When Mukesh Chhabra and I sit to cast, its very instinctive. We discuss the character, and then we try to find somebody that looks the part, not somebody who will add the film or make the film saleable and all that. And when we had that look, that of this Punjabi, conservative, NRI, we felt he was right, and thats it. And I always have faith in him as somebody who has the potential to be a very good actor. And, of course, the bonus is that he was with us for nearly 3 weeks through the shooting and he was cooking for us. The film has been received very well by the audience. Is there a sequel coming up to The Buckingham Murders? Well, its early days. I just want a slight little break. Ive had a very hectic year, and Im looking at taking a slight, small break before I get back to it. What next for you? Gandhi. Cant speak too much about it, it is currently under the thick of post-production. I mean, its something that I really want the world to see. According to reports, Meghan Markle terrifies her staff and hence he is called dictator in high heels. She reduces grown men to tears. read more Firstpost had earlier written how Meghan Markle is a control freak. As Harry celebrated his 40th birthday over the weekend, it has now been alleged that the Duchess of Sussex terrifies her staff, with a person calling her a dictator in high heels. Everyones terrified of Meghan She belittles people, she doesnt take advice a source close to the couple told The Hollywood Reporter. Her high strung behavior is under scrutiny. She is also clearly out of the royal picture. Advertisement The source also stated that both Harry and Markle are poor decision-makers. Harry is a very, very charming person - no airs at all - but hes very much an enabler. And shes just terrible, the source added. It has been also said that Meghan reduces grown men to tears. The source further said, Shes absolutely relentless She marches around like a dictator in high heels, fuming and barking orders. Ive watched her reduce grown men to tears, the person added. According to a report, it has been stated that Markles leadership style has led to high staff turnover, with former employees painting a bleak picture of life behind the scenes. Josh Kettler, the Santa Barbara-based consultant, resigned in August after just three months on the job. Before Kettler, Toya Holness was their global press secretary until 2022. Meghan Markle a control freak Prince Harry has no power; it is Meghan who takes the call. It is Meghan who wears the pant in the relationship. According to reports published in Express.co.uk, Prince Harry has no power in his marriage with Meghan Markle because she makes the decisions and he is outnumbered by his wife and mother-in-law, a royal expert has claimed. Meghan Markles mother, Doria Ragland has reportedly moved in with her and Prince Harry as the Duchess of Sussex aspires to work more in Hollywood. Sohum said he considers the triumvirate of Hindi cinema the last of the superstars and has learnt a lot from them read more Growing up in a small town in Rajasthan, Sohum Shah like millions of others wanted to become Shah Rukh Khan. That dream has changed he is still in awe of the superstar but wants to travel a journey all his own. In fact, the actor-producer thinks of Shah Rukh and his contemporaries Salman Khan and Aamir Khan more like his gurus. Sohum, who ran a real estate business in home town Sri Ganganagar before coming to Mumbai, has charted an extraordinary career path. He has acted and backed the cerebral Ship of Theseus and the horror film with a difference, Tumbbad, which re-released in theatres on September 13. He is also familiar to OTT viewers from his roles in Maharani and Dahaad. Advertisement I came to the industry after watching Shah Rukh Khan I am a big fan of Shah Rukh Khan but meri life ki journey alag hai . You realise that there can be only one Shah Rukh Khan, Sohum told PTI. He is beautiful and charming no doubt, but I am also somebody and god has created me with care. I have no complaints that I am not SRK. I dont even want to be. There is so much pressure on him. He has to come out of Mannat just to wave to his fans, the actor said with a laugh. Sohum said he considers the triumvirate of Hindi cinema the last of the superstars and has learnt a lot from them. Charm from one, sartorial style from the second and work ethic from the third. Though he has not directly worked with any of the three Khans, except for a small role in the Shah Rukh-produced OTT series Bard of Blood, the actor said he has been greatly influenced by them. They have been my three gurus Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, he said. From Shah Rukh sir, I learnt charm and the way a man should be Nobody can have charm like that of Shah Rukh Khan. Kisi aadmi me 5 per cent Shah Rukh Khan nahin hai to use jeene ka bhi haq nahin hai (If someone doesnt have 5 percent of Shah Rukh in them they dont have a right to live), he joked. Advertisement They have been my three gurus Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, he said. From Shah Rukh sir, I learnt charm and the way a man should be Nobody can have charm like that of Shah Rukh Khan. Kisi aadmi me 5 per cent Shah Rukh Khan nahin hai to use jeene ka bhi haq nahin hai (If someone doesnt have 5 percent of Shah Rukh in them they dont have a right to live), he joked. The Lagaan filmmakers work ethic has also benefited Sohum in his business ventures. I strongly believe in his philosophy that do a good job on whatever you are doing and success will be a by-product. It is such a simple philosophy, I dont know why people dont adopt it. Advertisement Sohum said he grew up on mainstream cinema with Amitabh Bachchans 1991 hit Hum being a particular favourite. He backs unconventional projects but his go to movies are still quintessential masala movies and comedies of all shapes. Advertisement Films like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Andaz Apna Apna, Hera Pheri, Welcome are some of my favourite films in the genre. I can watch any kind of comedy film and there is no other genre that I like very much And now there are not many left for me to watch. I have seen Golmaal, all of Basu Chatterjees movies. Sohum said his cinema education has become more varied, thanks to the people he has been closely associated with in the last decade. They have helped him develop an eclectic taste in movies. I got the opportunity to spend time with some good people and watch quality films which are very close to my heart. There is a French movie called Amour, about an old couple, talking about it still gives me goosebumps. Then there is an Iranian movie called A Separation. I watched that film 10 years ago and I still like it very much. Advertisement Similarly, there was a film called Decision To Leave. It is a very slow film and not many people around me were able to watch it. Its a love story and I liked it very much. I find it good when I get the chance to see or learn something different. But whenever I have to watch a movie with my kids, I crave for a comedy, Sohum said. The third BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government will complete 100 days in office on Tuesday the same day that Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 74. The Centre has announced a slew of initiatives across multiple sectors since June 9 when Modi was sworn in as prime minister for the third time. Lets take a look at closer look read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said his government had in the first 100 days of its third term tried to address every sector and factor to help the country make rapid progress. PTI On June 9, Narendra Modi was sworn as Prime Minister of India for the third time. On Tuesday, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government will complete 100 days in office on the same day that Modi turns 74. Modi on Monday said his government had in the first 100 days of its third term tried to address every sector and factor to help the country make rapid progress. In the first 100 days (of the Union governments third term) you can witness our priorities, speed and scale. We have tried to address every sector and factor which are required for rapid progress of the country, Modi said. Advertisement The prime minister was addressing the 4th edition of Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet and Expo (RE-INVEST 2024) in Gandhinagar. Indias diversity, scale, capacity, potential and performance are unique and that is the reason I say Indian solutions for global application, he added. India is preparing the base for development for the next 1000 years and the focus is not just to reach the top but to sustain the rank, Modi said. He added that the world feels that India is the best bet for the 21st Century. Lets take a look back at the Modi 3.0 report card: Infrastructure Infrastructure has been one of the top priorities of the Modi government. The BJP-led NDA government has approved infrastructure projects worth Rs 3 lakh crore with a focus on roads, railways, ports, and airways. Source in the government say increasing capital expenditure to Rs 11.11 lakh crore will lead to job creation. We must understand that employment doesnt mean govt jobs only as several long-duration projects are planned with a focus on creating jobs, a source told the newspaper. This includes linking 25,000 unconnected villages to road networks and building a mega port at Vadhvan in Maharashtra around 130 kilometres from Mumbai. Advertisement Modi in August laid the foundation of the Vadhvan port which he said would be among the top 10 ports in the world. The development came months after the Union Cabinet chaired by the prime minister approved the development of an all-weather greenfield deepdraft major port." The port, which will cost Rs 76,200-crore, will be built by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL) a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB). Representational image. CNBCTV18 Under the Prime Ministers Rural Roads Scheme-4 (PMGSY-IV), approval was granted to the construction/upgradation of 62,500 km of roads and bridges to connect 25,000 unconnected villages, with central assistance of Rs 49,000 crore. Many of these unconnected villages have a population of less than 100. Advertisement The government has also approved strengthening Indias road network with an investment of Rs 50,600 crore, This includes a go-ahead for eight National High-Speed Road Corridor Projects spanning 936 kilometres. Modi also carried out the first blast to mark the beginning of the construction of the Shinkhun-La Tunnel, to connect Ladakh with Himachal Pradesh. Five new districts have been created in Ladakh (Zanskar, Dras, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang), making a total of 7 districts (including Leh and Kargil) The government has approved eight new railway line projects for faster and convenient travel by train generating 4.42 crore human-days of employment. Advertisement In the civil aviation sector, the government approved the development of the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi and new civil enclaves at Bagdogra in West Bengal and Bihta in Bihar. New airstrips will also be built at Agatti and Minicoy in Lakshadweep islands. The government has also approved the expansion of Phase 3 of the Bangalore Metro, Pune Metro, and the Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project. The government has also launched the Purvoday Scheme a plan for the comprehensive development of Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh. Agriculture The Centre has also focussed on agriculture and improving the lot of farmers. Advertisement Modi began his third term by releasing the 17th installment of Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi wherein it distributed Rs 20,000 crore to 9.3 crore farmers. Thus far, Rs 3 lakh crore has been distributed to a total of 12 crore and 33 lakh farmers. The government increased the minimum support price for Kharif crops, removing the minimum export price on onions and basmati rice and hiking the duty on the import of crude palm, soybean and sunflower oils. It said an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Kharif crops for 2024-25 has benefitted around 12 crore farmers. The Centre has also focussed on agriculture and improving the lot of farmers. PTI The Centre has decided to remove the Minimum Export Price (MEP) on onions and basmati rice and reduce the export duty on onions from 40 per cent to 20 per cent which can likely benefit the farmers. The government has initiated several agricultural schemes and development projects worth Rs 3,300 crore in Jammu and Kashmir. During his first visit to Varanasi in June, PM Modi honoured 30,000 Krishi Sakhis from self-help groups for their role in agriculture. The Centre also approved Polavaram Irrigation Project in Andhra Pradesh at a cost of Rs 12,100 crore. The Centre has also approved seven major schemes with a total outlay of Rs 14,200 crore, including: Digital Agriculture Mission to enhance efficiency and productivity in the agricultural sector. The government has also launched a new fund named Agrisure, aimed at revolutionising the agricultural sector and supporting startups and rural enterprises. The Centre has said it is putting the finishing touches on a national cooperative policy. It had established a 48-member national level committee under the chairmanship of former Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu. The policy envisages establishment of new multipurpose PACS or primary dairy/ fishery cooperative societies covering all the uncoveredPanchayat/ villages ofthe country in the next five years, through convergence of various GOI schemes, including Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF), National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Fisheries & Aquaculture Infrastructure Fund (FIDF). The sources also mentioned that under a MoU between the National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) and the Uttarakhand Organic Commodity Board, the NCOL will purchase organic produce from Uttarakhands farmers at rates for farmers. An appropriate share of the profits will be directly deposited into the farmers accounts, they said. The conversion of cooperative sugar mills ethanol production units into multi-feed facilities will enable ethanol production from maize as well, the sources added. Empowerment of women and youth The Centre has established over 90 lakh self-help groups (SHGs) under the Deendayal Antyodaya YojanaNational Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) for women. This has helped 10 crore women to promote financial inclusion, digital literacy, sustainable livelihoods and social development measures. The government had released a Rs 2,500 crore Community Investment Fund that had benefitted 48 lakh members of 4.3 lakh SHGs and further approved bank loans worth Rs 5,000 crore, benefiting 25.8 lakh members of 2,35,400 SHGs. The Prime Minister has awarded certificates to 11 lakh new lakhpati didis. According to government figures now more than 1 crore lakhpati didis earn more than Rs 1 lakh per year. Those questioning the govt on jobs, the emergence of lakhpati didis in such a number is an answer to them, a senior government functionary told The Times of India. The MUDRA loan has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. The Centre says 1 crore youth will receive internships at top companies, along with allowances and one-time assistance. Moneycontrol The Centre also declared a package of Rs 2 lakh crore to promote employment and skill development among the youth. The goal is to benefit 41 million youth over the next 5 years. The Centre says 1 crore youth will receive internships at top companies, along with allowances and one-time assistance. The target is to skill 20 lakh youth, with improvements to 1,000 industrial training institutes. The central government has made over 15,000 new appointments. When you see the achievements across segments, you find a beautiful picture emerging, an official told The Tribune. Ease of Doing Business The Centre has improved the Ease of Doing Business by abolishing the angel tax for investors of all classes. The angel tax which refers to the income tax that the government imposes on funding raised by unlisted companies, or startups, if their valuation exceeds the companys fair market value was introduced in 2012 by the then UPA government. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had said the move would mainly help emerging sectors like deeptech, artificial intelligence, clean energy, among others, which require a large amount of capital at an early stage. The Centre also brought down the rate of corporate tax from 40 per cent to 35 per cent to attract foreign capital flow. It is setting up a Rs 1,000 crore venture capital fund for space sector startups. Approval has been given for the Gen-Next Support for Innovation Startups (GENESIS) program to support Start-Ups in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. The government by abolished the angel tax for investors of all classes. Representative Image/Pixabay The government has made 140 changes to the Goods and Services Tax to help businesses. The government will provide financial and tax incentives for startups and MSMEs. The government has also integrated the e-Shram portal and the development of 12 industrial nodes to promote new industries and create employment. Income tax reforms In benefits to the middle class, no tax will be levied on income up to Rs seven lakh and salaried individuals can save up to Rs 17,500 in taxes. The standard deduction increased to Rs 75,000 and the exemption limit for family pension was raised to Rs 25,000. A comprehensive review of income tax rules will be conducted within six months to make them concise, clear, and easy to understand. Benefits for employees For government employees, a Unified Pension Scheme has been implemented wherein employees with 25 years of service will receive 50 per cent of their average basic salary as a pension. For the first time, employees covered under the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will receive an incentive amount of up to Rs 15,000 that will be provided in three installments. Employees earning up to Rs 1 lakh will also benefit from the governments contribution to EPFO. The third iteration of the One Rank, One Pension scheme will be implemented for security forces and their families. Housing, energy and environment Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 3 crore houses were approved which include one crore houses under the urban scheme and two crore homes for construction in rural areas. Till date, 4.27 crore houses in both urban and rural areas have been built under the scheme. Under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, solar energy systems have been installed in over 2.5 lakh homes between June and August 2024. An environmentally-friendly public transport system will be developed through the PM-eBus Sewa scheme and approval has been given for the purchase of e-buses with assistance of Rs 3,400 crore. According to sources, the Centre has approved Rs 2,000 crore Mission Mausam to create a weather- and climate-resilient India. Healthcare The Union cabinet recently approved free health insurance of Rs 5 lakh for all senior citizens aged 70 and above under the the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). The AB PM-Jay is the worlds largest government-funded health insurance scheme. This benefit will be extended to citizens irrespective of income. Those aged 70 and above in families already covered by the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana would get a a top-up of Rs 5 lakh per year for themselves. We are committed to ensuring accessible, affordable and top-quality healthcare for every Indian. This scheme will ensure dignity, care and security to six crore citizens! Modi wrote on X. Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had said the decision would help 4.5 crore families in India. The Union Cabinet has approved health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of their income under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). Representational image/PTI The Centre has added 75,000 new medical seats. This will help make the healthcare system more effective and reduce dependence on foreign medical education. The National Medical Commission is preparing a National Medical Register to create a centralised repository of doctors in the country. Defence and security After three decades of violence, a peace agreement was made with NLFT and ATTF in Tripura. Under this, 328 armed cadres renounced violence and joined the mainstream of society. Disaster management The Centre has launched the Urban Flood Management and Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Risk Mitigation Projects. It has allocated Rs 6,350 crore for these projects. The government, introducing the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, had approved Rs 12,554 crore for states to combat natural disasters. Tribals Under the Prime Ministers Developed Tribal Village Campaign, 63,000 tribal villages will be developed. This will improve the socio-economic status of 5 crore tribals. As per India Today, the Centre has expanded its Namaste scheme to include waste pickers alongside sanitation workers. This will improve their social standing and empower them economically. Cybercrime A Samanvay platform has been introduced for all stakeholders dealing with cybercrime. In the next 5 years, 5,000 cyber commandos will be trained. The Cyberdost mobile app has been launched for reporting cybercrimes. In collaboration with banks and financial intermediaries, an advanced Cyber Fraud Mitigation Center (CFMC) has been established at I4C. A suspect registry has been created, including mobile. With inputs from agencies Zimbabwe, home to around 100,000 elephantsthe second-largest population after Botswanais facing an elephant overpopulation crisis amid a severe drought. As resources remain scarce, the authorities of the landlocked African nation have authorised plans to cull 200 giants to feed its hungry citizens read more With nearly half of its population facing the risk of acute hunger Zimbabwe has authorised a mass slaughter of over 200 elephants to feed its hungry citizens. AFP Zimbabwe is battling its worst drought in decades. With nearly half of its population facing the risk of acute hunger the landlocked African country has authorised a mass slaughter of over 200 elephants to feed its hungry citizens. Culling elephants is a tough but humane choice, Secretary for Information and Publicity Nick Mangwana wrote in a post on X. It protects from prolonged suffering from thirst, starvation. It maintains ecosystem balance and ensures remaining wildlife thrives. Advertisement Zimbabwe has more elephants than it needs, the environment minister Sithembiso Nyoni said in parliament on Wednesday as the country shall soon proceed with its first elephant cull in 40 years. Heres a closer look at the situation 200 elephants are just drop in the ocean Zimbabwe, home to around 100,000 elephantsthe second-largest population after Botswanais facing an elephant overpopulation crisis. Due to conservation efforts, Hwange, the countrys largest reserve, hosts over 65,000 animals, more than four times its capacity, according to Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks). Reiterating the same, Environment Minister Sithembiso Nyoni told the parliamentarians last week that Zimbabwe has more elephants than we need and more elephants than our forests can accommodate. She added that the overpopulation of elephants in the country causes a lack of resources for their sustenance, which is fuelling human-wildlife conflict. Due to conservation efforts, Hwange, the Zimbabwes largest reserve, hosts over 65,000 animals, more than four times its capacity, according to Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks). Reuters When there is an overpopulation of wildlife in a specific park, they will then seek to go outside the park to look for other resources such as water or greenery. When that happens, they will then come into contact with the humans and conflicts begin," Nyoni further stated. Advertisement Just last year, Zimbabwe lost 50 people to elephant attacks. Tinashe Farawo, a spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority told Reuters that the culling is part of the countrys efforts to decongest its parks. Its an effort to decongest the parks in the face of drought. The numbers are just a drop in the ocean because we are talking of 200 (elephants) and we are sitting on plus 84,000, which is big, he said. The director general of ZimParks, Fulton Mangwanya said the 200 elephants would be hunted in areas where they had clashed with humans, including Hwange. Zimbabwe is battling its worst drought Advertisement Zimbabwe has been battling its most severe drought in four decades, with an estimated 68 million impacted across the region. Like its neighbour Namibia, Zimbabwe is among a swathe of countries in southern Africa that have declared a state of emergency because of drought, a crisis exacerbated by El Nino a natural climate pattern that has resulted in very little rainfall in the region since the beginning of the year. It means there is little to eat in many areas as crops wither away and harvests dwindle. Drought in southern African countries of Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi has led to a food crisis. AP Environment Minister Sithembiso Nyoni told Voice of America that the country is mulling taking similar measures to Namibia, which culled 83 elephants, 30 hippos, 60 buffalo, as well as 50 impalas, 100 blue wildebeest, 300 zebra, and 100 elands last month to feed its hungry citizens. Advertisement We are having a discussion with ZimParks and some communities to do like what Namibia has done, so that we can cull the elephants and mobilise the women to maybe dry the meat, package it, and ensure that it gets to some communities that need the protein, she said. Future generations have right to see elephants The proposed elephant culls in Zimbabwe have sparked significant criticism. Farai Maguwu, head of the Center for Natural Resource Governance, expressed strong opposition on X, saying, Culling of elephants must be stopped. Elephants have a right to exist future generations have a right to see elephants in their natural habitat. Advertisement According to the World Wildlife Fund, Africas elephant population has dwindled to about 415,000 from millions in the early 20th century, making this cull a contentious issue. Experts and animal rights activists also warn that the cull could damage Zimbabwes image and deter tourists. Maguwu stressed, The government must have more sustainable eco-friendly methods for dealing with drought without affecting tourism, adding that alive, elephants are more profitable than dead. According to the World Wildlife Fund, Africas elephant population has dwindled to about 415,000 from millions in the early 20th century, making this cull a contentious issue. Image for Representation. Pixabay We have shown that we are poor custodians of natural resources and our appetite for ill-gotten wealth knows no bounds, so this must be stopped because it is unethical, he was quoted as saying in The Guardian. Magawu argues that Zimbabwe has always been pushing for the right to kill elephants as the real intention is economic. We all know when you look at how our natural resources are being plundered right now, like minerals, the whole idea is to sell ivory. Its not even about the communities there, told Voice of America. In response, Environment Minister Nyoni defended the cull, saying it is legally justified. If Zimbabwe had a way, we would sell our elephants for ivory yesterday, said Nyoni. The people who prevent us from selling our ivory are people who have already finished and killed off their own animals. They dont have elephants. And they dont have the experience of this human-wildlife conflict that we are facing, Nyoni added. With input from agencies Following his shock announcement to step down, Arvind Kejriwal picked Atishi as the new Delhi chief minister. Earlier, he had also called for early polls in the Capital in November. However, will the Election Commission heed his request? read more After walking out of Tihar Jail on Friday, Arvind Kejriwal dropped a bombshell of an announcement on Sunday that he would resign as Delhi CM and also called for early polls. File image/PTI All eyes are on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. After dropping a bombshell on Sunday (September 15) that he would be resigning from his post as chief minister, he has sought an appointment with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena at 4.30 pm today (September 17) where is likely to submit his resignation. On Sunday while making the announcement, just two days after he secured bail from the Supreme Court in a graft case linked to the alleged Delhi excise scam, Kejriwal said that he would resign two days later and also sough early polls in the Indian capital, vowing that he wouldnt sit in the CMs chair until people granted him a certificate of honesty. Advertisement I will only sit in the chief ministers chair after the people give me a certificate of honesty. I want to give agnipariksha (trial by fire) after coming out of jail When Lord Ram returned from his exile after 14 years, Sita Maiyya had to undergo agnipariksha. I have come out of jail and I am ready to undergo agnipariksha, he said. But will Delhi see early elections? Whats the procedure for it? Is the Capital ready for polls? We get you these answers. Kejriwals push for early polls On Sunday, after he walked out of Tihar jail in Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal made a bombshell announcement of stepping down as Delhi chief minister. Speaking from the AAP headquarters in the Capital, he said, I got justice from the legal court, now I will get justice from the peoples court I want to ask the people of Delhi, is Kejriwal innocent or guilty? If I have worked, vote for me. In his statement, he asked that Delhi hold early elections in November along with the state of Maharashtra. However, the term of the Delhi Assembly ends only on February 23, 2025. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal being blessed by his parents as he arrives at his residence after being released from Tihar Jail on bail, in New Delhi on Friday. File image/PTI Explaining his move, he told AAP workers, You must be wondering that he has just been released from jail, why is he resigning? The BJP has alleged that Kejriwal is a thief, Kejriwal is corrupt, Kejriwal has betrayed Bharat Mata. I did not come here to play this game of money from power and power from money, I came here to do something for the country. Advertisement Many poll pundits believe that Kejriwals move is an attempt to garner sympathy from the people. Its also an attempt to hit back at allegations that he is corrupt and enjoying the perks and privileges of a top post despite being named an accused in a crime. One party functionary told news agency PTI, This is a move to re-establish Kejriwals image as a crusader against corruption, committed to the people and the country. Following his announcement, Kejriwal on Monday held one on one meeting with party leaders during the Political Affairs Committee to discuss the name of a new Delhi chief minister. According to AAPs Saurabh Bharadwaj, Kejriwal sought feedback on each leader on his replacement. Advertisement And on Tuesday (September 17), AAP announced that Atishi would be the new chief minister of Delhi, after the party unanimously agreed on her name as his successor. Atishi will be new chief minister of Delhi, after all AAP MLAs unanimously accepted Kejriwals proposal forwarding her name. File image/PTI Law on early polls While Kejriwal has asked for early elections in the Capital, what does the law say on this matter? As per the Constitution of India, the job of conducting elections is vested with the Election Commission of India. The Constitution under Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, also states that an election cannot be notified less than six months before the end of the term of the Assembly unless the Assembly is dissolved before it completes its term. Advertisement The term of the Delhi Assembly ends only in February next year, giving the EC enough time to hold polls later in the year. Moreover, as Delhi is not a full state, Section 6(2)(b) of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 applies, which states that the Lieutenant Governor may from time to time dissolve the Assembly, even if a chief minister of Delhi recommends the dissolution of the Assembly, the final say is the Centres (through the LG). Notably, Kejriwal has not called for the dissolution of the Assembly; he only said he would resign and a successor to his post would be appointed. Advertisement A constitutional expert pointed out in an Economic Times report that the Kejriwal government would probably have to write to the poll body providing reasons for holding early elections but the decision will rest with the authority. Legally, the EC has the power to hold the Assembly elections in Delhi alongside Maharashtra. But on previous occasions, the polls in Delhi were held separately. The EC should have a reason to club Maharashtra and Delhi polls, said the expert. Speaking on the same, the Election Commission said that it saw no urgency in calling for early polls in Delhi, adding that no one party or government can dictate these terms. Additionally, the government in Delhi is stable and owing to this, theres no reason for the polls to be brought forward. The polling authority also added that even if the Assembly is dissolved, a caretaker chief minister can handle the governance and administration of the area until elections are held in February. Posters welcome Arvind Kejriwal after his release from jail on bail. File image/PTI Delhis preparedness for polls The ECs reasoning for not advancing the Delhi Assembly elections also has to do with the preparedness of the polling body. As of now, the EC is concentrating on conducting polls in Jammu and Kashmir, where voting in the first phase will take place on September 18. Moreover, Haryana elections are due on October 5. The next elections on their schedule are Maharashtra and Jharkhand where the Assemblies end in November and next January respectively. If the EC were to advance the Delhi polls, it would be a strain on the countrys security forces, which are required to ensure that voting is free and fair and without any violence. Theres also the matter of electoral roll revision, Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) checks that need to be done in order to hold early elections, rather than the tentative February schedule. With inputs from agencies Arvind Kejriwal has named Atishi, a prominent AAP member, the next Delhi CM after he announced his plans to step down. An Oxford graduate, she has risen to the top within the party and is the main brain behind the transformation of Delhis government schools read more Atishi has been named the new chief minister of Delhi, after all AAP MLAs unanimously accepted Arvind Kejriwal's proposal forwarding her name. File image/PTI Delhi has a new chief minister in Aam Aadmi Partys Atishi. After announcing on Sunday that he would be stepping down, Arvind Kejriwal proposed the Delhi ministers name as his successor in a meeting of the partys legislators in the countrys capital. While Atishi has been handed over the mantle of Delhis top post, Kejriwal is expected to submit his resignation papers to Delhi Lieutenant VK Saxena at 4.30 pm on Tuesday. Advertisement This is a huge jump for Atishi, the 43-year-old, who has been steadily rising within the ranks of her party. With her ascension, Atishi becomes the third woman chief minister of Delhi Sheila Dixit and Sushma Swaraj were CMs before her. Shortly after being named the Delhi CM, Atishi thanked her guru Arvind Kejriwal and said that he will remain the CM for the party and two crore people population of the national capital. I want to thank Delhis popular CM, my guru Arvind Kejriwal for giving me such a huge responsibility. It can happen only in AAP that a first-time politician can become the CM. I come from a normal family. If I would have been in any other party, I wont even have got a poll ticket. However, Arvind Kejriwal trusted me, made me an MLA, minister and today given me a responsibility to become the CM. I am happy that Arvind Kejriwal has shown so much trust on me, but more than that I am sad because my elder brother Arvind Kejriwal is resigning today. I want to say today on behalf of AAP MLAs and two crore people of Delhi that Delhi has only one CM and his name is Arvind Kejriwal, she said in a press conference. Heres a closer look at the new Delhi chief minister and her meteoric rise. Atishis early years Atishi was born on June 8, 1981, into a Punjabi and Rajput family to professors Vijay Singh and Tripta Wahi of Delhi University. Her parents gave her the middle name of Marlena a combination of Marx and Lenin. However, in 2018, after she joined politics, she dropped her middle name of Marlena and today, goes just by the name of Atishi. After completing her school education at Springdales School in New Delhi, she earned her bachelors degree in History from St. Stephens College. She later became a student at Oxford University, where she earned a Chevening scholarship and finished her masters in History in 2003. As a Rhodes scholar, she attended Magdalen College in Oxford in 2005. Advertisement Following her education, she began her career in grassroots organisations. It is said that it was during her work with non-profit organisation in Bhopal that she met the founding members of the Aam Aadmi Party, including Prashant Bhushan. A Moneycontrol report also says that Atishi and her husband, Praveen Singh, founded a commune in 2007. Delhis Atishi has been a key leader of the AAP since its inception. File image/PTI Atishis dive into politics In 2013, Atishi took a plunge into politics when she joined the Arvind Kejriwal-led party, AAP. According to the party, Atishi was a key member of the Manifesto Drafting Committee for the 2013 Delhi elections and she has played a crucial role in shaping the partys policies in the early stages of formation. Advertisement Interestingly, when Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav found themselves to be expelled from AAP, Atishi also found herself vulnerable owing to her proximity to the two leaders. At the time, she penned a letter in which she virtually declared a parting of ways with both of them. She had accused both Yadav and Bhushan of not trying to iron out differences with Kejriwal. Initially, Atishi was believed to be closer to former AAP leaders, Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav. However, in 2015, she sided with Arvind Kejriwal prior to the ouster of the two leaders. File image/PTI Following this, Atishi began working as an advisor to Manish Sisodia in the Education Department. During this time, she helped transform Delhis government schools an issue that the party continues to project as a success. During her time as advisor to Sisodia, the Happiness Curriculum and Entrepreneurship Mindset Curriculum were introduced in Delhi government schools, focusing on students emotional well-being and skill development. Advertisement However, in 2018, her stint as an advisor to Manish Sisodia in the education department came to an end when the Union Ministry of Home Affairs objected to the Delhi governments appointment of 10 advisors, saying that proper procedure was not followed. However, she continued working with the AAP. Her loyalty to Arvind Kejriwal paid off when, in 2019, she was fielded against Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Gautam Gambhir from East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency for the Lok Sabha elections. While she lost the polls by a huge margin more than 4.5 lakh votes she tasted victory in the 2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly elections after being fielded from the Kalkaji constituency of South Delhi. She defeated BJPs Dharambir Singh by at least 11,000 votes. Advertisement Atishi is credited with introducing policies which helped transform Delhis government school. She is responsible for the the Happiness Curriculum that has been introduced in Delhi schools. File image/PTI Integral part of AAP As the years rolled by, Atishi has become an invaluable asset to the AAP. She has been at the forefront of the partys communication and has taken the lead in addressing crucial issues such as the Delhi water dispute with other states. She has also been a face of the party when it comes to taking on the BJP and even the LG. In March 2023, she was inducted into the Delhi Cabinet following the resignation of Manish Sisodia in the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy case. She currently holds key portfolios of education and Public Works Department (PWD) in the Delhi government and has served as the public face of the party following Kejriwal and Sisodias legal challenges. She created buzz earlier in the year when she was appointed by Kejriwal to hoist the national flag for Independence Day celebrations. However, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena put a stop to the plans. Atishi the right choice for Delhi Why is it that the AAP chose Atishi over the other probables to be Delhis newest chief minister? It could do with the fact that that the 43-year-old as emerged as one of the key leaders in the party following the arrests of Kejriwal and Sisodia. While Kejriwal and Sisodia were behind bars during the Lok Sabha elections, she made numerous appearances on television, making her a well-known name. Officials perform medical check-up on Atishi during her indefinite fast over water crisis, in New Delhi in June. In a video message from her Jal Satyagrah venue at Bhogal in south Delhi, Atishi said she will not eat anything until Haryana releases more water for the people in the city. File image/PTI She is also known to be a good orator and has been able to go up against the BJP on every charge it has levelled with meaningful rebuttals. In June, she sat on an indefinite hunger strike against the Haryana government for not releasing 100 million gallons per day of water, creating a water crisis in the national capital. She had to be hospitalised after her health condition deteriorated. Theres also the fact that by choosing a female candidate, the AAP is trying to portray and project itself as being gender equal and providing equal opportunities to women. If so, this could help increase its voter base amongst the women. With inputs from agencies Atishi is set to take over the charge as Delhi chief minister after Arvind Kejriwal stepped down. The 43-year-old AAP leader is only the third woman to hold the coveted post read more Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi leaves after a meeting of the legislative party at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence, in New Delhi, September 17, 2024. PTI Aam Aadmi Partys (AAPs) Atishi will be Delhis new chief minister. Arvind Kejriwal, who is out on bail in the excise policy case, submitted his resignation to Delhi LG VK Saxena on Tuesday (September 17), paving the way for Atishi to become the third woman CM of the National Capital, after Congress Sheila Dikshit and the BJPs Sushma Swaraj. After being picked by the AAP MLAs as the new Delhi CM, she thanked her guru Kejriwal for trusting her. At 43, she will be the youngest chief minister of the National Capital. The ascension of the 43-year-old to the top post does not come as a surprise. After Kejriwals arrest in March, Atishi emerged as one of the most visible party leaders. Advertisement Heres a look at the meteoric rise of Atishi through graphics. Since assuming office in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on an ambitious global outreach mission. From diplomacy to trade, defence partnerships to climate cooperation, Modis foreign trips have played a major role in projecting India as a significant player on the global stage. As Modi 3.0 completes 100 days on his birthday, heres a quick recap read more Modis visits span the globe, from strengthening ties with traditional partners like the US, Japan, and Russia to forging new partnerships with nations in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. FIle image/ PTI Since assuming office in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on an ambitious global outreach mission, aimed at enhancing Indias international standing, fostering strategic alliances, and boosting economic ties. Modis visits span the globe, from strengthening ties with traditional partners like the US, Japan, and Russia to forging new partnerships with nations in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. From diplomacy to trade, defence partnerships to climate cooperation, Modis foreign trips have played a major role in projecting India as a significant player on the global stage. Advertisement PM Modi has travelled more actively than any other Indian PM. He has so far journeyed over 70 countries across six continents. In 2023, he surpassed the number of foreign visits made by his predecessor, Manmohan Singh, during his 10-year tenure. These extensive travels have not only enhanced bilateral relations but also bolstered Indias image as an emerging leader. As Modi 3.0 completes 100 days on his birthday, heres a quick recap at his foreign visits over the years On Prophet Muhammads birthday, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that one cant be oblivious to the suffering a Muslim is enduring in Myanmar, Gaza, India. This remark drew a sharp rebuke from New Delhi with the MEA terming it as misinformed and unacceptable read more India is not happy with Iran, especially with its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. On Monday (September 16), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the Iranian leaders remarks made on minorities in India, terming them as misinformed. This comes as the two countries India and Iran share old ties and remain partners. Tehran has been one of Indias major suppliers of crude but this has been hit by Western sanctions. Advertisement But what exactly did Ayatollah Ali Khamenei say? How did New Delhi react? And could this affect the India-Iran relations? We bring you the bigger picture. Irans Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks On September 16, to mark the occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, Prophet Muhammeds birth anniversary, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote on X, The enemies of Islam have always tried to make us indifferent with regard to our shared identity as an Islamic Ummah. We cannot consider ourselves to be Muslims if we are oblivious to the suffering that a Muslim is enduring in Myanmar, Gaza, India, or any other place. The enemies of Islam have always tried to make us indifferent with regard to our shared identity as an Islamic Ummah. We cannot consider ourselves to be Muslims if we are oblivious to the suffering that a Muslim is enduring in #Myanmar, #Gaza, #India, or any other place. Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) September 16, 2024 Speaking of Iran, he wrote, Ill-wishers have been fuelling religious differences in the Islamic world for a long time now, especially in Iran. Advertisement Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has made comments about Muslims in India in the past too. He had expressed concern in 2019 after India abrogated Article 370 for Jammu and Kashmir. File image/Reuters New Delhi responds However, Ayatollah Ali Khameneis latest remarks havent sat well with New Delhi. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal released a sharp statement, criticising Iran. It said, We strongly deplore the comments made regarding minorities in India by the Supreme Leader of Iran. These are misinformed and unacceptable. Countries commenting on minorities are advised to look at their own record before making any observations about others. Statement on Unacceptable Comments made by the Supreme Leader of Iran:https://t.co/Db94FGChaF pic.twitter.com/MpOFxtfuRO Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 16, 2024 Advertisement Coincidentally, the remarks and the subsequent rebuke came on the second anniversary of Mahsa Aminis death. For those who cant recollect, Amini was a 22-year-old Iranian woman, who died unexpectedly while in custody of Irans Gasht-e Ershad for improper clothing. Her death had sparked outrage in the country, with women protesting on the streets many of them even cutting their hair in public. The protests also led Iranian authorities to arrest several hundreds of women and activists. And on the second death anniversary of Amini, several Iranian women took a stroll on the streets of Tehran with their hair wide open, even after sunset, in defiance. Additionally, several women in the Evin prison in Tehran also undertook a hunger strike in memory of Amini. Advertisement Ayatollahs past comments on India Notably, this isnt the first time that Irans Supreme Leader has commented on Muslims in India and their condition in the country. When the Narendra Modi government abrogated Article 370, revoking special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the Ayatollah had expressed concern. He had then posted on X, We have good relations with India, but we expect the Indian government to adopt a just policy towards the noble people of Kashmir and prevent the oppression & bullying of Muslims in this region. The following year, 2020, Ayatollah Khamenei urged Indian authorities to confront extremist Hindus and stop the massacre of Muslims in the backdrop of the New Delhi riots. He had posted on X, using the hashtag #IndianMuslimsInDanger, writing, The hearts of Muslims all over the world are grieving over the massacre of Muslims in India. Advertisement Interestingly, Irans Supreme Leaders comments came shortly after the countrys then Foreign Minister Javad Zarif had condemned the riots, which had earned a rebuke from India. And prior to all of this, in 2017, in a speech Khamenei on Eid compared Kashmir to Bahrain and Yemen, asking the Muslim world to support people of these regions. The Muslim world should openly support the people of Yemen, Bahrain, and Kashmir and repudiate oppressors and tyrants who attacked [them], he had said. Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with PM Modi. The two countries share a relation dating back several years. File image/AP India-Iran ties It is highly unlikely that Ayatollah Ali Khameneis remarks will affect the larger India-Iran ties that the two countries share for long. As recently as May, the two countries signed a long-term contract for the operation of the Shahid Beheshti Port terminal at Chabahar in Iran. This contract marks the first time India will take over the management of an overseas port. India and Iran have relations dating back millennia. Contemporary relations are marked by high-level exchanges, commercial cooperation, connectivity paradigm and cultural and people-to-people ties. Additionally, trade and connectivity define New Delhis ties with Tehran. In 2022-23, Indias bilateral trade with Iran reached $2.33 billion. While New Delhis trade with Tehran had declined in recent years, it saw a 21.77 per cent uptick in 2022-23. With inputs from agencies In response to Russias invasion in Bucha, an all-female volunteer force, known as the Bucha Witches, has emerged to defend their skies. These women, aged 19 to 64, have taken up arms to shoot down Russian drones, employing century-old Maxim machine guns and advanced tactics read more Members of the female anti-drone mobile air defence unit "Bucha Witches" from military Volunteer formation of Bucha territorial community, attend exercises, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the town of Bucha in Kyiv region, Ukraine, August 3, 2024. File Image/Reuters The war in Ukraine has transformed ordinary citizens into defenders, and nowhere is this more evident than in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha. The town, which has reportedly become a symbol of Russian war crimes after the Moscows occupation of March 2022, has now given rise to a group of all-female volunteers known as the Bucha Witches. These women, many of whom have suffered personal losses in the war, have come together to form Ukraines first all-female air defence unit, dedicated to shooting down Russian drones and protecting their homeland. Advertisement How were the Bucha Witches formed? Russias invasion of Ukraine marked the largest conflict in Europe since World War II, with Bucha being one of the earliest and most tragic sites of Russian brutality. During the 33-day occupation, Russian soldiers reportedly killed more than 450 civilians, including men, women, and children. Members of the female anti-drone mobile air defence unit Bucha Witches from military Volunteer formation of Bucha territorial community, attend exercises, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, near the town of Bucha in Kyiv region, Ukraine, August 3, 2024. File Image/Reuters Thousands more were subjected to torture, rape, and robbery. In the aftermath, Bucha residents were left to pick up the pieces of their community, with many suffering from what could be described as collective post-traumatic stress disorder. Amidst this devastation, dozens of women have stepped forward, forming the volunteer air defence unit now known as the Witches of Bucha. Comprised of women aged 19 to 64, these volunteers have embraced a unique mission: shooting down Russian drones, particularly the Iranian-made Shahed and Russian Geran drones, that continue to target Ukrainian infrastructure. The women are not professional soldiers, but they have taken it upon themselves to defend their community from the skies. A member of female anti-drone mobile air defence unit Bucha Witches from military Volunteer formation of Bucha territorial community, trains to disassemble an assault rifle, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, during exercises near the town of Bucha in Kyiv region, Ukraine, August 3, 2024. File Image/Reuters Valentyna, a 51-year-old mother of three and one of the prominent members of the unit, reflects on her journey, telling Al Jazeera: My mum is happy that I found myself. And I did find myself here. Found friends, colleagues, brothers, and sisters. We have one heart for all. We have one purpose to speed up the victory and invest in the victory any way we can. She is one of nearly 100 women who have committed themselves to the cause. Advertisement What training do the Witches of Bucha receive? The training for these women is grueling, often taking place in a location nicknamed Mordor, a nod to the realm of evil in J.R.R. Tolkiens Lord of the Rings. Their male instructors are tough, often shouting commands and pushing them to their physical limits. Move your a** from the tree! or I shot you. Youre f****** dead! they bark during training drills, reports Al Jazeera. Despite the harshness, the women are determined to master the skills needed to bring down the drones. A member of female anti-drone mobile air defence unit Bucha Witches from military Volunteer formation of Bucha territorial community, attends exercises, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, near the town of Bucha in Kyiv region, Ukraine, August 3, 2024. File Image/Reuters When you put on a uniform, youre not a woman or a man. Youre a defender, explains their commander, Colonel Andriy Verlaty. He states that many of the women are just as capable if not more so than men in fulfilling their military duties. They even manage to wax their assault rifles, he adds, showing a blend of pride and admiration for their meticulous attention to detail. Advertisement The women train with century-old Maxim M1910 machine guns, a relic of earlier wars, now repurposed to shoot down drones flying at speeds of up to 150 kilometers per hour. These drones, filled with 50 kg (110 lb) of explosives, are dangerous and difficult to destroy, often flying in swarms. As Valentyna recalls, The drones are scary, very scary, but her determination remains unshaken. What is the women participation in Ukrainian military? Womens participation in Ukraines military has surged since the Russian invasion, with around 65,000 women currently serving, including 4,000 in combat roles. The Bucha witches are a part of this growing force, embodying the countrys resilience and determination. Many of these women are not only defenders but also mothers, professionals, and survivors of the occupation. Advertisement Members of the female anti-drone mobile air defence unit Bucha Witches from military Volunteer formation of Bucha territorial community, train to disassemble assault rifles, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, during exercises near the town of Bucha in Kyiv region, Ukraine, August 3, 2024. File Image/Reuters Kateryna, an art gallery owner from Kyiv, initially hesitated before joining. I was worried. Ive never touched a gun before, she admits, but like many of her peers, she quickly adapted to her new reality. Another volunteer, Natalya, fled Bucha with her children during the initial Russian invasion but has since returned to take up arms. Its better to take part than to watch from the sidelines, she tells Al Jazeera, summing up the motivation behind many of the volunteers decisions to join the unit. The unit is entirely voluntary, with members receiving no salary for their shifts. The Bucha community provides them with ammunition and weapons, but their motivation comes from a desire to protect their homes and loved ones. Advertisement Members of the female anti-drone mobile air defence unit Bucha Witches from military Volunteer formation of Bucha territorial community, attend exercises, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, near the town of Bucha in Kyiv region, Ukraine, August 3, 2024. File Image/Reuters My goal is to keep people safe and allow them to sleep peacefully, says Olena, another member of the unit who comes from a family with deep military roots. What is motivating the Bucha Witches? For many of the women, joining the unit is as much a form of therapy as it is an act of defiance. Valentyna, whose family narrowly escaped death during the occupation, says the experience left a deep impact on her. She recalls one terrifying moment when Russian soldiers stopped her car and pointed a gun at her sons head. That was such a shock and such a fear, she says, adding that the memory eventually led her to join the Bucha witches. The sense of unity within the group is palpable. Valentyna describes her team as having one heart for all, and her experience echoes that of many others who have found solace and strength in the community of female fighters. Members of female anti-drone mobile air defence unit Bucha Witches from military Volunteer formation of Bucha territorial community, train to disassemble assault rifles, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, during exercises near the town of Bucha in Kyiv region, Ukraine, August 3, 2024. File Image/Reuters The training, often described as a free outdoor gym, has become a source of physical and emotional empowerment for these women. Colonel Verlaty, who oversees the unit, is impressed by the womens commitment. Many of them were mothers and caretakers before this, but then those bastards came and destroyed their lives. They awakened a force that was better left untouched, he warns, adding, God forbid the Russians come back here! It wouldnt end well for them, because Ukrainian women are fiercer than men. What next? The Bucha Witches continue to patrol the skies, intercepting drones and proving that courage knows no gender. Some of the women have even signed contracts with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, with one becoming a fire support platoon commander. Every time we shoot down a Shahed, it brings me joy and motivates me, says Anhelina, whose fast driving earned her the call sign Fast & Furious. Members of the female anti-drone mobile air defence unit Bucha Witches from military Volunteer formation of Bucha territorial community, attend exercises, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, near the town of Bucha in Kyiv region, Ukraine, August 3, 2024. File Image/Reuters The women of Bucha are part of a larger movement of female empowerment in Ukraines defence forces. As Valentyna puts it, This war wont end without us. Its time to stop sitting at home in the kitchen. We can take up arms and defend our land, our community. The men go to the front, and we replace them. And we see that we are capable. With inputs from agencies The Hollywood Reporter released an expose about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on Friday. A close source spills the beans, saying the former actor is terrifying her colleagues and describing her as a dictator in high heels. While Harry may not receive as much criticism, he was been called an enabler and poor decision-maker read more Britain's Prince Harry sits with his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, as they meet with Colombia's Vice President Francia Marquez (not pictured), in Bogota, Colombia August 15, 2024. Reuters Ever since they left their royal duties in 2020, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been at the centre of relentless media scrutiny. The controversies surrounding Markle herself have only become worse, with allegations of bullying, her cold attitude behind the scenes, and continuous resignations from her employees. Now, a bombshell report calling her a dictator in high heels has further fuelled the flames. Lets take a closer look. Meghan A dictator in high heels Advertisement The Hollywood Reporter released the expose on Friday, and its certain to make Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, who is celebrating his 40th birthday this weekend, uncomfortable. The report claimed that a close source of the pair said the 43-year-old is terrifying her colleagues and has been described as a dictator in high heels. She belittles people, she doesnt take advice, and shes relentless in her demands, the source said, describing the Suits actors alleged brutal attitude. According to the most recent claims, the former Duchess actions might not have stopped when she left the palace. The source told The Hollywood Reporter, Ive watched her reduce grown men to tears. She marches around like a dictator in high heels, barking orders and fuming when things dont go her way. Harry The enabler Prince Harry hasnt been immune to scrutiny either. Despite being charming and easygoing, the same source claimed that Harry is more of a passive participant in the chaos. The source noted, Harry is very much an enabler. He changes his mind frequently and is complicit in their poor decision-making. Harry may not receive as much criticism, but his part in permitting Markles purported behaviour to continue is noticed. Advertisement The royal couples response The report did not skip Harry and Markles attention. According to Express UK, a source close to the couple said that the Sussex team has had enough of these types of articles and these are never true. Everyone is deeply concerned over the timing of the article because it was published just days before Harrys birthday, the source said. There are fears that there could be a disgruntled former member of staff who is putting out mistruths which are designed to make them look bad, the source added. Not the first time A total of 18 staff have either left or been fired by Harry and Markle, according to The Times of India. Advertisement In 2021, Samantha Cohen, Markles private secretary and Christine Weir Schirmer, their PR head, stepped down, followed by their global press secretary Toya Holness in 2022. Most recently, their chief of staff, Josh Kettler, resigned after just three months on the job in August 2024, adding to speculation that working with the couple is far from easy. The list also includes Keleigh Thomas Morgan, who used to represent Markle in Hollywood. The Archetypes podcast host is no stranger to being criticised for her behaviour toward her employees. In 2018, shortly after she got married to Prince Harry, two royal aides accused her of bullying, prompting Buckingham Palace to launch an internal investigation, according to The Statesman. Advertisement Though the findings of the investigation were never made public, Markle strongly denied the claims. She called it a calculated smear campaign designed to tarnish her reputation. The royal exit The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their shocking exit in January 2020. They cited the need for independence and the desire to escape the relentless media scrutiny as key reasons for their move. However, royal watchers speculated there was growing tension between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family, especially Prince William and his wife Kate. Things were intensified after the couple levelled some serious accusations in a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. Advertisement In the interview, Markle alleged that an unidentified royal made racists remarks about their son, Archie, even before he was born. The royal family, in response, released a brief statement noting that recollections may vary, adding that the matter was being addressed privately. Since leaving the palace, Harry and Markle, along with their five-year-old son, Prince Archie, and three-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet, have settled in the celebrity enclave of Montecito, near Santa Barbara on the US West Coast. The Duchess might not be entirely happy with her decision to move out, though. Kinsey Schofield, a royal specialist, claims that Markle might now regret how their royal farewell transpired. Speaking to Fox News, Schofield remarked, Meghan does regret certain statements she made. The reception she expected from the public and media didnt pan out, and several of her comments have backfired. With inputs from agencies PM Narendra Modi will launch the Subhadra Yojana and set the groundwork for more initiatives in Bhubaneswar today. The scheme provides financial assistance to the women of Odisha, ensuring their economic independence and overall well-being. The initiative will provide Rs 10,000 per year to more than one crore women in the state over five years read more Women voters during voting for the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Odisha, Saturday, May 25, 2024. PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi is celebrating his 74th birthday today, September 17. He is visiting Odisha to launch the Subhadra Yojana and set the groundwork for more initiatives. PM Modi will be arriving in Bhubaneswar at noon and shortly thereafter will present the state governments scheme for women beneficiaries. For the schemes introduction, a sizable gathering of women from all over the state has been organised at Bhubaneswars Janata Maidan by the Mohan Charan Majhi-led government, according to The Indian Express. Advertisement At the panchayat and block levels, plans have been made to broadcast the PMs programme live on television. All government ministries have been instructed to utilise the Subhadra logo in all official communications and social media handles, and awareness drives are being arranged throughout the state. What is Subhadra Yojana? Subhadra Yojana is a financial assistance to women of Odisha, ensuring their economic independence and overall well-being. The scheme is named after Lord Jagannaths younger sibling, Goddess Subhadra. Depicted as part of a trio of gods alongside Subhadra and their elder sister, Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath is very highly respected in the 90 per cent Hindu state, as per the report. The initiative will provide Rs 10,000 per year to over one crore women in the state over a period of five years, until 20282029. The transfers will be made in two installments of Rs 5,000 each, on Rakhi Purnima (Raksha Bandhan, which typically falls in August), and International Womens Day (March 8) every year. A woman voter in a wheelchair flashes her ink-marked finger after casting her vote for the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Odisha, Saturday, May 25, 2024. PTI Over 60 lakh women have already registered for the scheme, according to The Times of India. Those who have registered on or before September 15 will receive the first installment of Rs 5,000 on Tuesday. The Subhadra Yojana Awareness Rath, a chariot that will travel throughout Odisha to raise awareness of the initiative, was officially launched on Saturday by CM Majhi. Advertisement Majhi stated that the Subhadra Yojana will empower women throughout the state while accompanied by Deputy CM Pravatai Parida, who is also the minister for women and child development. The scheme would financially empower women and provide safety nets to them and their families and provide income support to eligible women thereby promoting their role as valuable members of society, said Deputy CM Parida. How will it work? A direct deposit of the funds will be made into the beneficiarys single-holder bank account with Aadhaar enabled. Advertisement The scheme requires e-KYC due to a government mandate, as per Hindustan Times. The recipients will also receive a Subhadra Debit Card. An extra incentive of Rs 500 will be given to the 100 beneficiaries who have the highest number of digital transactions in each gram panchayat and urban local body region. Who is eligible? Applicants must be native to Odisha, between the ages of 21 and 60, and fulfil specific income criteria to be eligible for the scheme. The scheme will not be available to women from wealthy families, government workers, or those who pay income taxes, as per Republic World. Women who receive support from any other government programme for at least Rs 1,500 per month (or Rs 18,000 per year) would likewise not be eligible. Advertisement There isnt a deadline for registering; the application process will go on until all qualifying beneficiaries have done so. How will this scheme be financed? According to official sources, the government has allocated Rs 55,825 crore for the five-year programme, which runs from 20242025 to 20282029. Amounts been aside for the scheme total Rs 10,000 crore for the current fiscal year (202425). The government will continue to focus on the initiative, according to officials in the state finance department, who said there wont be any financial restrictions. Why is the scheme critical for BJP? The Subhadra project was the main campaign promise made by the BJP before the Assembly and Parliament elections, which resulted in the party winning 20 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in the state and ending 24 years of BJD control. Advertisement Women activists greet Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief Naveen Patnaik after partys victory in Odisha assembly elections, in Bhubaneswar, Saturday, May 25, 2019. PTI For 24 years, women played a major role in the BJDs electoral triumph, particularly the 70 lakh members of the roughly six lakh WSHGs formed under Mission Shakti. Launched in 2001 to empower women through market access and finance, Mission Shakti has successfully built a dedicated female voter base for the BJD over the years. The BJP included a direct money transfer (DBT) plan in its election manifesto to counter the BJDs Mission Shakti initiative. It promised to provide each woman beneficiary with a Rs 50,000 voucher that could be redeemed in two years. Gathering womens details throughout the election campaign, BJP workers assured them that the initiative would be implemented as soon as the party won power. This promise gained a lot of momentum in the community, as per The Indian Express report. In just a few hours after taking office on June 12, the government approved the plans execution with a few modifications to its election promise. How does it compare to other womens schemes? The Subhadra Yojana is the latest in an increasing number of women-focused programmes in India. Similar initiatives include the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Scheme in Maharashtra, the Ladli Behna Yojana in Madhya Pradesh, and the Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana in Uttar Pradesh. Under the Ladli Behna Scheme in Madhya Pradesh, initially eligible recipients received Rs 1,000 per month, which was later increased to Rs 1,250. The initiative serves about 94 per cent of people who are 25 years of age and above, according to CNBC-TV18. The schemes main goal is to assist women who live in impoverished and rural areas. It seeks to increase their level of financial independence and meet their fundamental requirements. Similar benefits are provided by the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Scheme in Maharashtra. More than a crore women benefit directly from this plan, receiving Rs 1,500 each month. The initiative is designed for women who come from low-income families. The Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana in Uttar Pradesh provides Rs 15,000 in monthly installments to help girl childrens education and well-being. This programme spans a range of developmental phases, from infancy to higher education. With inputs from agencies PM Narendra Modi has a working birthday. From infrastructure boom to robust foreign policy, India has been on an accelerated path of development for the last 10 years. As the PM turns 74 today (September 17), heres a look at the various feats of his government read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said his government had in the first 100 days of its third term tried to address every sector and factor to help the country make rapid progress. PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi is celebrating his 74th birthday today (September 17). Programmes are being organised across the country to mark the occasion. For the PM, it will be a working birthday. As per News18 sources, he will start his day by offering prayers at the famous Vishwanath Temple in Uttar Pradeshs Varanasi. By afternoon, Modi will be in Odisha to launch a Subhadra Yojana in the capital Bhubaneswar. He is likely to conclude his birthday in Nagpur, the home to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters. Advertisement As PM Modi turns 74, heres a look at his governments achievements in the last 10 years. Infrastructure boom The Modi governments focus on infrastructure is commendable. Several new airports, ports and highways have come up in the last decade. The capital expenditure on national highways has increased over 4.5 times, from Rs 51,000 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 2.4 lakh crore in 2022-23, a written response to the Lok Sabha by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, last year revealed. The length of national highways has surged from 91,287 km in March 2014 to 1,46,145 km at present. The Centre has expanded the air travel network by building new airports. In January, the then civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that 75 new airports were constructed during the first two tenures of the Modi government. The Centre is also making efforts to modernise Indias railway network. Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with students in Vande Bharat Express after its flagging off, in Gorakhpur, July 7, 2023. File Photo/PTI This goal to upgrade Indias infrastructure has continued in the third National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. Modi 3.0, which has completed 100 days in office, has approved projects worth Rs 3 lakh crore in 100 days with an emphasis on roads, railways, ports, and airways. A government source told ANI that enhancing capital expenditure to Rs 11.11 lakh crore is expected to create jobs. Make in India PM Modi launched the Make In India initiative in September 2014 to facilitate investment, foster innovation and strengthen skill development. This was introduced to help establish India as a global manufacturing hub. Advertisement The government has taken steps to ramp up exports through several methods, including e-commerce and promoting ease of doing business. As per Financial Express, currently, Indias e-commerce exports are near $5 billion. This could reach $200-300 billion by 2030. India is also working towards making the defence sector self-reliant. The countrys defence exports broke records in the financial year 2022-23, touching nearly Rs 16,000 crore mark, according to the Ministry of Defence. The government has set a target to more than triple its annual defence exports to Rs 35,000 crores by 2024-25. Digital revolution The Modi government ushered in Indias digital revolution. Under the Digital India scheme, the Centre wants to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. Advertisement The digital boom in the country has seen billions in the country with smartphones availing cheap data plans. The introduction of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has helped India go cashless. This facilitates users to make real-time payments, with the money being directly transferred between the bank accounts of the sender and receiver. A startup culture has also developed in India in recent years. In 2016, the year when the Modi government launched Startup India, there were only 442 startups in the country. By May 14, 2023, the figures jumped to 99,371, as per the official data. Today, India has more than 100 unicorns (startups valued at over $1 billion). Advertisement Foreign policy PM Modi is known for his foreign policy. His bear hugs with global leaders are world-famous. The PMs craze among the Indian diaspora is worth noticing. Under Modi, India has enhanced outreach to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This has delivered dividends as well, with the Gulf monarchies deepening opposition to Islamist terrorism that continues to pose a threat to India, Ashley J Tellis, Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, wrote for Economic Times. India has enhanced its relationship with the US. Despite Western pressure, New Delhi did not strain ties with Russia. India continues to maintain its neutral stand in Russias war with Ukraine and has repeatedly called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict. Advertisement India emerged as the voice of the Global South as it hosted the G20 (Group of 20) Summit last year. Under Indias presidency, the African Union (AU) has become a permanent member of the grouping. Women empowerment Women have been at the centre of the Modi governments policies. The governments Beti Bachao Beti Padhao aims to improve the declining child sex ratio (CSR). It also wants to ensure the survival, protection and education of the girl child. Notably, the maternal mortality ratio has significantly fallen in the country. With its Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), the government has equipped rural and deprived households with concessional LPG connections. The scheme benefits women who use traditional methods of cooking that are detrimental to their health. About 17 crore LPG consumers have been added in the past nine years. The PMUY has helped in expanding the LPG coverage from 62 per cent in 2016 to 104.1 per cent in 2022. With inputs from agencies Following a six-hour meeting with protesting doctors, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced her decision to remove Vineet Goyal as the Kolkata Police Commissioner (CP). The IPS officer came under fire for mishandling the August 14 vandalism that erupted at the RG Kar Hospital during a march by junior doctors read more After days of intense protests following the shocking rape and murder of a postgraduate student at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College last month, the citys top cop, Vineet Goyal, has been removed from his position. Following a six-hour meeting with protesting doctors on Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced her decision to remove Goyal as Kolkata Police Commissioner (CP). The chief minister addressed the media following the meeting at her residence, stating that Goyal himself expressed his willingness to resign amidst the statewide stir and allegations against the Kolkata Police. Advertisement Given the demand of junior doctors, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal has said in the meeting that he is ready to resign, Banerjee explained. But who exactly is Kolkata CP Vineet Goyal, and why did the doctors insist on his removal? Lets take a closer look Who is Kolkata CP Vineet Goyal? The top cop is a 1994-batch IPS officer and an alumnus of both IIT Kharagpur and IIT Kanpur. He took charge as Kolkatas Police Commissioner in December 2021, succeeding Soumen Mitra. Throughout his career, Goyal has held various significant positions in the Kolkata Police, including deputy commissioner of police for the eastern suburban division, special branch, and headquarters. He also served as joint commissioner of police for the Special Task Force and Traffic, as well as additional commissioner of police. Goyal is a highly decorated officer, having received the police medal for gallantry twice, the police medal for meritorious service, and the Chief Ministers medal for outstanding service. His work has consistently been praised within the government. Both doctors and opposition parties claimed that the top cop was loyal to CM Mamata Banerjee.ANI However, In June, reports emerged that the Union Home Ministry began disciplinary action against Goyal and a Deputy Commissioner of Police for allegedly criticising the West Bengal Governors office. However, no action has been taken by the chief minister so far in the case. Recently, Goyal has also come under fire for his investigation in the gruesome RG Kar rape and murder case that led to his removal. Why did doctors demand Goyals removal The demand for Vineet Goyals removal from the post of Kolkata Police Commissioner arose following the rape and murder at a state-run hospital. Both doctors and opposition parties claimed that the top cop was loyal to CM Mamata Banerjee. Advertisement Following the August 14 vandalism at the RG Kar Hospital during a protest march by the junior doctors, Goyal has been facing the wrath of the protesting doctors. He was accused of mismanaging the situation when a mob allegedly stormed the hospital, allegedly for tampering with the evidence of crime. Vineet Goyals removal as Kolkata Police Commissioner became a central point in their five-point charter of demands placed by junior doctors. PTI The next day, Goyal, visibly frustrated, said that rumours and misleading facts spreading through social media campaigns have discouraged public trust in the police. Goyal admitted that despite sufficient security presence, the police did not expect the protesting crowd to turn violent outside the hospital premises and were initially caught off-guard when a deputy commissioner-ranked officer got hurt. Advertisement He further failed to address procedural lapses and defended the polices efforts, stating that they did their best to handle the rape and murder case of the young medic, which had sparked mass outrage and protests demanding justice. Junior doctors march towards Swasthya Bhawan during a protest over RG Kar Hospital rape and murder incident, in Kolkata, Tuesday, September 10, 2024. PTI He maintained that the police acted transparently and handed over all evidence, including a videographed post-mortem, to the CBI, which was ordered to investigate by the Calcutta High Court. We are not shielding anyone, and police tried to be as transparent as possible in our probe. We have handed over all evidence related to the case to the CBI. Have faith in the central probe agency, he said. Despite his defense, Goyals explanations failed to placate the protesting doctors. His removal became a central point in their five-point charter of demands, ultimately leading to his ouster. Demonstrations to continue until After a critical meeting with CM Minister Mamata Banerjee, it was announced that many of the demands made by the protesting doctors were accepted. Advertisement The CM confirmed the decision to transfer key officials, including top figures from Kolkata Police and the state health department, and requested the junior doctors to withdraw their cease-work. VIDEO | Kolkata rape-murder case: "They had four demands...first one was that they had mentioned three names including health secretary. We have decided to remove DME (Director of Medical Education) and DHS (Director of Health Services) as per their demands. They also demanded to pic.twitter.com/9kRhjyDgFE Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 16, 2024 Apart from Goyal, the Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police (North), who faces allegations of bribery from the victims family, will also be removed, Banerjee stated. In addition, Director of Medical Education Kaustav Naik and Director of Health Services Debashis Halder have been relieved of their duties. While a new Kolkata Police Commissioner is expected to be named later on Tuesday, the doctors, though welcoming Goyals removal, vowed to continue their protests. They emphasised that not all of their demands had been met, particularly the call for the Health Secretarys removal. Removal of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal our moral victoryour cease work, demonstration to continue till promises made by Bengal CM to fulfil our demands materialise, the doctors were quoted as saying by India Today. They added, It is a win for the agitation. It is a fact that the state administration has admitted to most of our demands. However, a discussion took place regarding the corruption case in the Health Department, and until it is resolved, we will not end the cease-work. With input from agencies The battle for control over Rupert Murdochs $14.9 billion media empire has escalated into a courtroom showdown, pitting Murdochs children against one another. The future of global media powerhouses like Fox News and The Wall Street Journal is at stake. The 93-year-old tycoon seeks to alter the family trust, granting his eldest son Lachlan greater control read more Media Mogul Rupert Murdoch (C) poses for a photograph with his sons Lachlan (L) and James as they arrive at St Bride's church for a service to celebrate the wedding between Murdoch and former supermodel Jerry Hall which took place on in London, UK, March 5, 2016. File Image/Reuters The future of Rupert Murdochs multi-billion-dollar media empire has become the focus of a high-stakes legal battle, pitting members of his own family against one another in a court case that could rival any drama. With a vast portfolio of influential newspapers and television channels at stake, as well as billions in assets, thousands of jobs, and major influence over the global media landscape, this case holds the power to reshape Murdochs legacy and the ideological direction of his companies. Advertisement The 93-year-old media moguls health and age have brought the issue of succession to the forefront, and tensions within the Murdoch family have surfaced over who will gain control of his empire, which includes iconic outlets like Fox News and The Wall Street Journal. Rupert Murdoch arrives at the court for the hearing on the contentious matter of succession of Murdochs global television and publishing empire, in Reno, Nevada, US, September 16, 2024, in this still image obtained from a video. Reuters The battle revolves around the Murdoch Family Trust, a $14.9 billion structure set up in 1999, and Ruperts desire to alter its terms to ensure one of his sons, Lachlan Murdoch, assumes full control over News Corp and Fox Corp after his death, a move fiercely opposed by some of his other children. What does Rupert Murdochs successor inherit? Rupert Murdochs media empire is a sprawling, globe-spanning conglomerate, encompassing some of the most powerful media brands. News Corp, one of Murdochs two main companies, owns prestigious publications such as The Wall Street Journal and The New York Post in the US, The Times and The Sun in the UK, and major Australian newspapers such as The Herald Sun and The Australian. News Corp also controls the publishing powerhouse HarperCollins and several Australian television networks. Fox Corp, the other arm of the empire, includes the conservative juggernaut Fox News, Fox Sports, and the streaming platform Tubi. Lachlan Murdoch, son of Rupert Murdoch, arrives at the court for the hearing on the contentious matter of succession of Rupert Murdochs global television and publishing empire, in Reno, Nevada, US, September 16, 2024, in this still image obtained from a video. Reuters With a roughly 40 per cent stake in voting shares of both companies, Murdoch has long exercised editorial control, notably using Fox News to champion right-wing political narratives, particularly in the United States. Advertisement The current struggle concerns who will inherit control of these powerful media entities, as the Murdoch Family Trust was originally set up to give equal voting shares to Ruperts four eldest children: Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James. However, recent court filings reveal Rupert Murdochs desire to change these arrangements, granting Lachlan greater control over the familys vast empire. What is the rift in the family? While Rupert Murdochs media empire has leaned heavily toward conservative politics especially through Fox News his children are not united in their political views. Lachlan, his eldest son, is seen as the heir most aligned with Ruperts right-wing ideology. Advertisement Lachlan currently serves as CEO of Fox Corp and chair of News Corp, roles in which he has championed his fathers conservative vision. In stark contrast, Lachlans siblings James, Elisabeth, and Prudence are considered more moderate. James, who resigned from the News Corp board in 2020, has been particularly vocal in his opposition to Fox News and its editorial stance. Prudence Murdoch, daughter of Rupert Murdoch, arrives at the court for the hearing on the contentious matter of succession of Rupert Murdochs global television and publishing empire, in Reno, Nevada, US, September 16, 2024, in this still image obtained from a video. Reuters He has criticised the companys role in spreading misinformation, particularly in the aftermath of the 2020 US Presidential election, when Fox News aired unsubstantiated claims of election fraud. James has endorsed Kamala Harris for President, noted _The Wall Street Journa_l, highlighting the political divide within the family. Advertisement James and his wife, Kathryn, have publicly expressed dismay over the Murdoch media empires climate change denial, particularly through its Australian outlets. They have even condemned the medias role in contributing to the January 6 Capitol insurrection, with James lamenting the spread of lies that led to the event, though he stopped short of naming Fox News directly. Elisabeth has privately shared her discomfort with being associated with Fox News. Prudence, the eldest, has generally remained more neutral, though she too is reportedly uneasy about the direction of the empire. Elisabeth Murdoch, daughter of Rupert Murdoch, arrives at the court for the hearing on the contentious matter of succession of Rupert Murdochs global television and publishing empire, in Reno, Nevada, US, September 16, 2024, in this still image obtained from a video. Reuters These ideological differences have raised the stakes in the court case, as Rupert Murdoch seeks to protect the conservative legacy of his empire by concentrating power in Lachlans hands. Advertisement The lack of consensus among my children would impact the strategic direction of both companies, Murdoch is reported to have said, according to court documents. This concern prompted him to seek an amendment to the trust, giving Lachlan permanent, exclusive control. What do we know about the court case? The case is being heard in private behind closed doors at the Washoe County Courthouse in Reno, Nevada, a decision that has sparked controversy. Major US-based media organisations, including The Associated Press, The New York Times, and CNN, filed petitions to make the proceedings public, arguing that the fate of such a vast and influential media empire is of significant public interest. However, the court rejected these pleas, with the judge ruling that the family trust, though linked to publicly traded companies, is a private legal arrangement and therefore exempt from public scrutiny. The ruling did little to quell interest in the case, which could potentially reshape the global media landscape. At the heart of the dispute is whether Rupert Murdoch can legally amend the trust, which was set up in 1999 during his divorce from his second wife, Anna Murdoch Mann, and was originally designed to be irrevocable. According to Nevada law, Murdoch can change the terms if he can prove that it would benefit all of his heirs. In a ruling earlier this year, Nevada probate commissioner Edmund Gorman stated that Murdoch could proceed with changes if he demonstrated that his actions were in good faith and for the benefit of the family. The billionaire is expected to argue that Lachlans leadership would ensure stability in the companies and prevent a power struggle that could lead to disunity or even a sale of the assets. Whats at stake? If Rupert Murdoch succeeds in altering the trust, Lachlan will continue to hold the reins of the media empire, securing his position as executive chair of News Corp and Fox Corp. This would likely preserve the conservative editorial stance of Fox News and other outlets under Murdochs control. Lachlans politics are far more conservative than his fathers, said Hollywood Reporter, implying that Fox News could maintain or even expand its right-wing approach under his leadership. However, if James, Elisabeth, and Prudence win the case, they could push the companies in a more moderate direction. They might use their voting power to challenge the political slant of Fox News and other properties, or even sell their stakes in the trust. James Murdoch, son of Rupert Murdoch, arrives at the court for the hearing on the contentious matter of succession of Rupert Murdochs global television and publishing empire, in Reno, Nevada, US, September 16, 2024, in this still image obtained from a video. Reuters A sale of Fox News, once unthinkable, is now a distinct possibility, as James has reportedly signaled interest in distancing the family from the networks controversial reputation. There have also been discussions of a buyout, where Rupert and Lachlan could purchase the shares held by the other siblings. Such negotiations have stalled in the past, likely due to the enormous financial sums involved, but they could be revived depending on the outcome of the court case. The Murdoch family: Prudence, Rupert Murdochs eldest child, is from his first marriage to Patricia Booker. His second marriage to Anna Mann, from 1967 to 1999, produced three more children: Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James. Grace and Chloe are daughters from his third marriage to Wendi Deng, which lasted from 1999 to 2013. In 2016, Murdoch married model Jerry Hall, but they divorced in 2022. Murdoch was engaged to former American radio host Ann Lesley Smith for two weeks in 2023. Recently, in June this year, Murdoch tied the knot with his fifth wife, Elena Zhukova. Murdoch also has a stepdaughter Dasha Zhukova. Murdoch has six children biologically and is grandfather to thirteen grandchildren. The Murdoch family has long been rumoured to be one of the key inspirations behind the hit HBO TV series Succession. Despite widespread speculation, the Murdochs have consistently declined to comment on any parallels between their real-life media empire and the fictional drama. With inputs from agencies Superbugs will kill nearly 40 million people over the next 25 years, according to a new global analysis. The study discovered that whereas drug-related mortality among very young children is on the decline due to advancements in immunisation and hygiene, the trend for their grandparents is the opposite read more MRSA is a drug-resistant "superbug", which can cause deadly infections. Reuters It kills millions annually, but little is known about the problem. Antimicrobial resistance or AMR will kill nearly 40 million people over the next 25 years, according to a new global analysis. The study discovered that whereas drug-related mortality among very young children is on the decline due to advancements in immunisation and hygiene, the trend for their grandparents is the opposite. The analysis has been billed as the first research to track the global impact of superbugs over time and estimate what could happen next. Advertisement Lets take a closer look. What is AMR? Antimicrobial resistance is the result of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolving defence mechanisms against drugs that are conventionally used to treat them. Some refer to the novel, resistant diseases as superbugs. It is a natural process that takes time, but excessive and needless use of medications, especially antibiotics, in humans, animals, and plants is speeding it up. This is because drug exposure trains germs how to resist them. The studys author, Dr Mohsen Naghavi, at the University of Washingtons Institute of Health Metrics (IHME), said in a statement, Antimicrobial medicines are one of the cornerstones of modern healthcare, and increasing resistance to them is a major cause for concern. How big is the problem? The study, published in the Lancet, was conducted by the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (Gram) Project. Researchers used data from 520 million individual records across 204 countries and territories to produce estimates of deaths from 1990 to 2021, and forecasts running through to 2050. They looked at 22 pathogens, 84 combinations of drugs and pathogens, and 11 infectious syndromes such as meningitis. More than a million people across the world died from the superbugs annually between 1990 and 2021, according to the study. Deaths among children under five from superbugs fell by more than 50 per cent over the last three decades, the study said, due to improving measures to prevent and control infections for infants. However, when children now catch superbugs, the infections are much harder to treat. Advertisement Deaths of over-70s have surged by more than 80 per cent over the same period, as an ageing population became more vulnerable to infection. AMR mortality decreased in 2021 compared to 2019, but the researchers noted that this was probably just a transitory drop brought on by fewer infections as a result of COVID-19 control measures. Deaths from infections of MRSA, a type of staph bacteria that has become resistant to many antibiotics, doubled to 130,000 in 2021 from three decades earlier, the study said. How will it be a global threat? The researchers used modelling to estimate that, based on current trends, the number of direct deaths from AMR would rise by 67 per cent to reach nearly two million a year by 2050. Advertisement It will also play a role in a further 8.2 million annual deaths, a jump of nearly 75 per cent, according to the modelling. Under this scenario, AMR will have directly killed 39 million people over the next quarter century and contributed to a total of 169 million deaths, it added. According to the analysis, the majority of deaths in the future are expected to occur in sub-Saharan Africa, southern and eastern Asia, and South Asian nations, including Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. These are some of the regions that have already experienced the most rapid rise of AMR and may gain the most from expanding access to antibiotics and enhancing overall infection treatment. Advertisement These findings highlight that AMR has been a significant global health threat for decades and that this threat is growing, Naghavi said in a statement. What can be done? Less dire scenarios are also possible. If the world works to improve care for severe infections and access to antimicrobial drugs, it could save the lives of 92 million people by 2050, the studys modelling suggested. There is an acute shortage of new antibiotics being developed. The assumption that any new antibiotic will preferably be used in small dosages presents a significant obstacle. Numerous governments are experimenting with different approaches to encourage the creation of innovative antibiotics. Advertisement Notably, the study was released ahead of a high-level AMR meeting at the United Nations scheduled for September 26. At the UN General Assembly in New York, world leaders will gather to talk about the problem of antimicrobial resistance. They are anticipated to restate a political declaration on intensifying efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance, which advocates anticipate will include a goal of a 10 per cent reduction in AMR-related mortality by 2030. With inputs from agencies First detected in Germany this June, the XEC variant is fast spreading across the world with infections recorded in 15 countries. A hybrid of the KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 variants, experts believe this could really take hold and start to cause a wave read more A child rides his scooter in front of a graffiti as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak continues. A new COVID variant known as XEC has begun spreading across the world, causing fear of a new surge. Representational image/Reuters The word variant was synonymous with mathematics. However, in 2020, variant became associated with COVID-19 as the virus kept mutating. Since then, many variants have come and gone, infecting thousands and thousands of people across the world. Now, years after COVID first struck, a new variant has emerged known as XEC and it is sparking concerns that it may cause a coronavirus surge in the next few months in Europe and the United States. Advertisement What is known about this new variant? Where has it been detected? What do experts say about it? Are its symptoms any different from the other COVID variants? Read on to find out more. Whats the XEC variant? The XEC COVID-19 variant is a sub-lineage of the deadly Omicron variant. Medical experts have found the XEC to be a hybrid of the KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 variants or as Forbes reported, it is the love child of the two existing variants. The KS.1.1 is a type of whats commonly called a FLiRT variant, which contributed to a surge in COVID cases across the world. Meanwhile, KP.3.3 is a type of FLuQE variant, in which the amino acid glutamine is mutated to gluatmic acid, making it more efficient in binding to human cells. Where has the XEC variant been detected? The XEC was first detected in Berlin, Germany, in June. Since then, it has been detected across the United Kingdom, US, Denmark and several other countries. As per a report, in August, 10 per cent of Slovenias COVID cases came from this variant. So far, over 500 samples from 27 countries, including Poland, Norway, Luxembourg, Ukraine, Portugal and China, have been found to contain XEC. In fact, Scripps Researchs Outbreak.info web page shows that the XEC variant, until September 3, has been detected in 15 countries and 12 US states. Fifteen countries, including 12 states in the United States, have recorded the XEC variant. Representational image/Reuters Scripps Research Translational Institute Director Eric Topol wrote on X, At this juncture, the XEC variant appears to be the most likely one to get legs next. He further added that it may take many weeks, a couple months, before it really takes hold and starts to cause a wave. Advertisement Even COVID data analyst Mike Honey found that XEC was quickly becoming the new dominant variant, with him noting that the XEC showed strong growth in Denmark and Germany with 17 per cent caseload and also in the UK and Netherlands with 11-13 per cent. Recombinant variant XEC is continuing to spread, and looks a likely next challenger against the now-dominant DeFLuQE variants (KP.3.1.1.*). Here are the leading countries reporting XEC. Strong growth in Denmark and Germany (16-17%), also the UK and Netherlands (11-13%). pic.twitter.com/rLReeM9wF8 Mike Honey (@Mike_Honey_) September 15, 2024 Advertisement Is the XEC variant fast spreading? While the XEC variant is not the dominant strain currently, experts believe that it does have the makings to be one. Experts using data point that it is spreading more readily than other variants, though the reason for it is yet unknown. However, some point to the fact that as it is a hybrid of KP.3.1.1, it could be fast-spreading. Earlier, the KP.3.1.1, led to a COVID surge in 80 countries, with some even calling it the Summer of COVID. Advertisement Mark Cameron, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, was quoted as telling _Womens Healt_h, Just like JN.1 emerged from BA.2.86 late last year to drive new COVID infections through last fall and winter, XEC may have similar potential. But we need to know more about the XEC variant and perhaps those still to come. Even Professor Francois Balloux, Director of the Genetics Institute at University College London has said that the XEC variant is more contagious. He was quoted as telling the BBC that the XEC has a slight transmission advantage and that it may become the dominant variant this winter. Advertisement What are the symptoms of the XEC variant? Those infected with the XEC variant will display symptoms resembling those of the Omicron variant. As per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, nausea or vomiting and diarrhoea. The NHS, UKs health agency, has also listed the same symptoms for those suffering from the XEC variant. A woman receives a coronavirus disease booster vaccine at Skippack Pharmacy in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, US. Experts note that vaccines will be effective against the new variant, XEC. File image/Reuters How can you stay safe? As per experts, the best way to protect ones self from the XEC variant is to vaccinate. The new vaccines, which have come out recently, are believed to be effective against KP.2, a predecessor of KP.3.1.1. Hence, experts note that it would be effective against the XEC variant too. Dr Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious diseases for Kaiser Permanente Southern California, told the Los Angeles Times that the new vaccines would provide some good protection against XEC because there is some overlap, because these are all sub, sub, sub-grandchildren of the original Omicron. So there is still going to be some level of protection there. Were not like in a new Greek letter theyre not that much different; its not like something completely new, Hudson said. The CDC has also asked people to practice good hygiene. With inputs from agencies Narendra Modis leadership in Gujarat reshaped the states economic, social and political landscape laying the foundation for his rise to national prominence read more Narendra Modis tenure as the chief minister of Gujarat, spanning over 12 years from 2001 to 2014, was a transformative period that significantly altered the states political, economic and social landscape. Stepping into leadership amid a challenging environment, Modis administration focussed on driving rapid industrialisation, infrastructure development and economic growth, often hailed as the Gujarat Model. His governance was marked by a remarkable acceleration in the states growth trajectory. As Modi transitioned from state to national politics, his leadership in Gujarat provided the foundation for his future rise to prime ministership. Here are 10 notable aspects that defined Modis governance in Gujarat: Advertisement 1. Economic growth and infrastructure development: Under Modis leadership, Gujarat witnessed unprecedented economic growth. The states industrial growth rate averaged 13 per cent and agricultural growth reached 10.7 per cent making Gujarat one of Indias fastest-growing states. Major infrastructure projects like the development of world-class ports, highways and power grids played a critical role in accelerating this growth, modernising both urban and rural areas. 2. Industrialisation and business-friendly policies: Modis pro-business stance led to Gujarat becoming a hub for industries. The Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit attracted foreign and domestic investments helping the state contribute 22 per cent of Indias overall exports. Key industries such as textiles, petrochemicals and automotive manufacturing flourished, thanks to a regulatory framework that was welcoming to businesses and investors. 3. Gujarat model of development: Modis approach to governance, dubbed the Gujarat Model, was based on public-private partnerships, minimal bureaucracy and efficient use of state resources. This model aimed at creating a conducive environment for private enterprises while ensuring the state government played a facilitative role. It became a benchmark for growth setting Gujarats development trajectory well above the national average. 4. Urban and rural development: Through initiatives like Jyotigram Yojana, which ensured 24-hour electricity for over 18,000 villages and major urban infrastructure projects like the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Economic Corridor, Modis government transformed both rural and urban landscapes. This dual focus boosted rural productivity while enhancing Gujarats urban trade and connectivity linking it with national and global markets. Advertisement 5. Education and health sector reforms: During Modis tenure, Gujarats literacy rate increased from 69.14 per cent in 2001 to 78.03 per cent by 2011. The state also witnessed an expansion of primary health centres from 888 in 2001 to over 1,100 by 2014. Innovative health schemes like Maa Amrutam, which provided affordable healthcare to over 55 lakh families, showcased Modis focus on human development alongside economic growth. 6. Handling of the 2002 riots: The 2002 Gujarat riots were a significant challenge during Modis tenure, attracting widespread criticism and allegations. Despite this, Modis administration managed to regain political and legal stability, with the Supreme Court acquitting him of all charges related to the riots. This period highlighted the challenges his leadership faced on the path to social and political consolidation. Advertisement 7. Agricultural policies and irrigation expansion: Modis government implemented several reforms to boost agricultural productivity focussing on improving irrigation infrastructure. By 2014, the state had expanded irrigation coverage from 31 per cent to over 50 per cent, enhancing the livelihoods of farmers and driving agricultural growth. These innovations led to a remarkable 10.7 per cent agricultural growth rate, far surpassing the national average. 8. Political strategy and consolidation: Modis political acumen and grassroots mobilisation efforts strengthened the BJP in Gujarat, ensuring successive electoral victories. His leadership and strategic vision were key to his nomination as the BJPs prime ministerial candidate in 2013, making him the first serving chief minister of Gujarat to rise to national prominence. Advertisement 9. Social welfare and inclusivity: Under Modi, Gujarat saw the launch of several social welfare programmes aimed at poverty alleviation, employment generation and womens empowerment. Schemes like Sujalam Sufalam and Mission Mangalam addressed water scarcity and provided micro-finance support to womens self-help groups. Modis administration strived to promote inclusive growth ensuring that Gujarats economic progress reached marginalised communities. 10. Promotion of Gujarats global image: Modi actively promoted Gujarat on the global stage through international forums and trade delegations. Under his leadership, Gujarats exports skyrocketed from Rs 64,000 crore ($13 billion) in 2001 to Rs 4.5 lakh crore ($90 billion) by 2014. Modis global outreach, coupled with improved diplomatic relations, enhanced Gujarats international profile, attracting investments and recognition from across the world. The Supreme Court has closed criminal proceedings against 30 Army personnel implicated in the 2021 killing of 14 civilians in Nagaland, citing the need for Central government sanction for prosecution under AFSPA. The courts ruling allows for potential future prosecution if sanction is granted and affirms that disciplinary actions within the Army can still proceed read more People attend a mass funeral of civilians who were mistakenly killed by security forces, in Mon district of the northeastern state of Nagaland, India, December 6, 2021. REUTERS The Supreme Court of India Tuesday closed criminal proceedings against 30 Army personnel implicated in the deaths of 13 civilians in a botched military operation in Nagalands Mon district in 2021. The courts decision came after petitions filed by the personnels spouses sought the dismissal of the case, arguing that state authorities lacked jurisdiction to prosecute under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). The Supreme Court, led by Justices Vikram Nath and P.B. Varale, ruled that while the criminal proceedings against the Army personnel are closed, the case may proceed if the Centre grants sanction for prosecution. The courts order will not preclude the Army from pursuing disciplinary measures against the implicated personnel. Advertisement The legal battle surrounding this case began after an Army team, mistakenly identifying a pickup truck carrying miners in Oting village as militants, opened fire on December 4, 2021. The initial attack resulted in the deaths of six civilians. The violence escalated when security forces allegedly fired upon locals who had gathered in protest, leading to the deaths of eight additional civilians. The ensuing unrest resulted in further casualties, including the death of an Army personnel. In April 2023, the Central government denied sanction to prosecute the Army personnel involved, citing the protections afforded under AFSPA, which grants immunity to the armed forces operating in designated areas. The Nagaland government, contesting this decision, argued that it had substantial evidence against the accused and challenged the denial in separate proceedings before the Supreme Court. The Nagaland Assembly, following the incident, unanimously demanded the repeal of AFSPA from the state, highlighting the widespread criticism and public outcry generated by the incident. In July 2022, the Supreme Court had stayed the prosecution of the Army personnel, responding to petitions from their wives who claimed that prosecution proceedings had commenced without obtaining the necessary sanction from the Centre. The Supreme Courts latest ruling concludes the criminal proceedings but leaves open the possibility for action should the Centre reconsider its stance on sanctioning prosecution. The courts decision also reaffirms that the Army retains the authority to undertake any necessary disciplinary action against the involved personnel. Advertisement With inputs from Agencies A 38-year-old man from Keralas Malappuram, who arrived from the UAE last week, has been admitted to Government Medical College hospital at Manjeri. His samples have been sent for testing and confirmation read more Mpox spreads through close skin to skin contact with someone who has been infected. It can also spread through contaminated surfaces, or through infected animals. Source: PTI. Another suspected case of mpox, or monkeypox, has been identified in India. A 38-year-old man from Keralas Malappuram district, who arrived from the UAE last week, has been admitted to Government Medical College hospital at Manjeri and has been isolated. His sample has been sent for testing to Kozhikode Medical College after which it will be confirmed whether the man has mpox or not. Kerala mpox suspect isolated himself Talking to reporters, Kerala health minister Veena George said that the man arrived from Dubai last week and showed up mpox symptoms. Advertisement Since he had developed symptoms, he initially went into a self-quarantine at home and stayed in a separate room with toilet facilities. He has taken precautions. He did not interact with others at home." Yesterday (September 16), he got admitted to the Medical College Hospital. His samples have been sent for testing. We are awaiting final confirmation. As soon as the results arrive, we will take further steps, the minister said in New Delhi where she was scheduled to meet Union health minister JP Nadda on Tuesday. In August, after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that the mpox outbreak in many African countries should be considered as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, Kerala had issued an alert against monkeypox. Mpox spread by the virus of the same family as smallpox. Common symptoms include skin rashes or mucosal lesion which can last between two to four weeks. Patients may also experience fever, flu-like symptoms, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes. Mpox spreads through close skin to skin contact with someone who has been infected. It can also spread through contaminated surfaces, or through infected animals. In some cases, the infection can be deadly. Advertisement There are two distinct clades 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. Earlier this month, a suspected case of monkeypox was confirmed in Delhi. The suspect, a 26 year old man from Haryana, tested positive for the virus after returning from abroad. With inputs from agencies. Slamming the Congress, Modi said power-hungry people who were dividing the society were also having problems with the Ganesh festival and compared the opposition party with Britishers read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit back at Congress over its criticism of him visiting Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachuds residence for Ganpati celebrations. PM Modi, who turned 74 today, said that Congress and its ecosystem were angry with him for participating in Ganesh Puja. Slamming the Congress, Modi said power-hungry people who were dividing the society were also having problems with the Ganesh festival and compared the opposition party with Britishers. Advertisement Modi was addressing a rally after launching the Odisha governments flagship programme Subhadra Yojana in Bhubaneswar. Ganesh Utsav is not just a festival of faith for our country. It played a very important role in the freedom movement, Modi told the rally. Even at that time, the British who followed the policy of divide and rule used to hate Ganesh Utsav. Even today, the power-hungry people, who are busy in dividing society are having problems with Ganesh Puja. You must have seen that the people of Congress and its ecosystem are angry because I participated in Ganesh Puja, Modi said. Possibly referring to the viral picture of a Ganesh idol being taken in a police van in Karnatakas Mandya following communal clashes in the district, PM Modi said, Lord Ganesh was put behind bars in Congress-ruled Karnataka by these people. The whole country is disturbed because of the picture, he said adding, We cannot let these hateful elements move forward. Last week, the Bharatiya Janata Party slammed Congress, blaming it for being hypocritical. It released a picture of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosting the then-CJI Balakrishnan for an iftar party in 2009, asking why no questions were being raised when the event happened. Advertisement With inputs from agencies From his early political roots in Rajkot in 2002 to his commanding presence in Varanasi in 2024, PM Modis rise to prominence has been nothing short of extraordinary read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi first entered the electoral arena in February 2002 with a by-election for the Gujarat Legislative Assembly from the Rajkot II constituency. Source: PTI. On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 74. The leader with the global presence has unyielding commitment to his vision, strategic acumen and a deep connection with the citizens of the country. These make him one of the most formidable leaders in contemporary Indian politics. On PM Modis birthday, we look at a remarkable journey that has spanned over two decades. From his early political roots in Rajkot in 2002 to his commanding presence in Varanasi in 2024, Modis rise to prominence has been nothing short of extraordinary. Advertisement Modi first entered the electoral arena in February 2002 with a by-election for the Gujarat Legislative Assembly from the Rajkot II constituency. Later that same year, he contested and won the Maninagar seat. Modi was re-elected from Maninagar in 2007 and 2012, holding the seat until 2014, when he assumed the role of Prime Minister of India. In the 2014 general elections, Modi ran for Lok Sabha seats in two constituencies Varanasi and Vadodara. He emerged victorious in both, defeating Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal in Varanasi and Madhusudan Mistry of the Indian National Congress (INC) in Vadodara. To adhere to regulations prohibiting a representative from holding seats in multiple constituencies, he chose to retain the Varanasi seat and vacated Vadodara. Modi was subsequently re-elected from Varanasi in 2019 and in 2024. Narendra Modis Early Triumph: Rajkot 2002 Narendra Modi made his initial foray into the electoral landscape in February 2002 with a by-election for the Gujarat Legislative Assembly from the Rajkot II constituency. Modi, then the Chief Minister of Gujarat, won the seat with a notable margin of 14,728 votes, solidifying his political standing and legitimacy. Advertisement In February 2024, Modi said: Rajkot will always have a very special place in my heart. It was the people of this city who put their faith in me, giving me my first ever electoral win. Since then, I have always worked to do justice to the aspirations of the Janta Janardan. Gujarat Legislative Assembly Election 2002: Maninagar Success Following his resignation and the dissolution of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly in July 2002, elections were held eight months ahead of schedule. Modi contested from the Maninagar constituency and won comfortably, defeating Congress candidate Yatinbhai Oza. This victory marked a significant step in his political career, reaffirming his position as Gujarats Chief Minister. Advertisement 2007 Gujarat Legislative Assembly Election: A Third Term In the 2007 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Modi, won 117 out of 182 seats a decrease of ten seats from 2002. Modi contested from Maninagar once again and secured a decisive victory, enabling him to assume the role of Chief Minister of Gujarat for the third time. 2012 Gujarat Legislative Assembly Election: Consolidating Power The 2012 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election saw Modis continued dominance, with the BJP winning 115 of the states 182 seats. Under his leadership, the BJPs performance was strong, while the INC, led by Shaktisinh Gohil, won only 60 seats. This further cemented Modis reputation as a formidable political leader. Advertisement 2014 Indian General Election: Ab Ki Baar Modi Sarkar The 2014 general elections were a turning point for Modi and the BJP. The party won 282 seats with 31 per cent of the vote, and, together with its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), secured a total of 336 seats. Campaigning under the slogan Ab Ki Baar Modi Sarkar, the BJP achieved a majority in the Lok Sabha for the first time. Modi won in both Vadodara and Varanasi, although he chose to retain the Varanasi seat and vacated Vadodara to comply with electoral regulations. 2019 Indian General Election: A Resounding Victory In the 2019 general elections, Modi led the BJP to another significant victory, with the party garnering 37 per cent of the vote the highest share for any political party since the 1989 elections. This victory allowed Modi to be sworn in as Prime Minister for a second term, reinforcing his dominance on the national stage. Advertisement 2024 Indian General Election: Third Term & Coalition Government On 7 June 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed the support of 293 MPs for Droupadi Murmu, the President of India. This election marked Modis third term as Prime Minister and his first experience leading a coalition government. Key allies in this coalition included the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of Andhra Pradesh and the Janata Dal (United) of Bihar, reflecting Modis ability to adapt and secure broad-based support. The Prime Ministers Office (PMO), which keeps a detailed biography of each PM of India, describes Modi as a dynamic, decisive and development-oriented leader read more Prime minister Narendra Modi is marking his 74th birthday on Tuesday (September 17). A career politician, PM Modi has already solidified his legacy as one of the rare individuals to be serving a third consecutive term as the head of the national government in India. The Prime Ministers Office (PMO), which keeps a detailed biography of each PM of India, has a lot to say on Modis life and journey. For PM Modi, the PMO starts with a grand statement: History was scripted in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan on the evening of 26th May 2014 as Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister of India". It says that he took on the position after a historic mandate from the people of the country. Advertisement The PMO describes Modi as a dynamic, decisive and development-oriented leader. His focus, as outlined by the PMO, has always been on development and improving the lives of the poorest in society. Modis life, as chronicled by the PMO, is one of modest beginnings in Vadnagar, Gujarat. Born on September 17, 1950, into a family of humble origins, he is noted as the first Indian Prime Minister born after India gained independence. The PMOs account cites unnamed friends to give insights into his childhood. His school friends remember that as a child also he was very industrious and had an affinity for debates and a curiosity to read books, it says. The website then sheds light on a phase of Modis life that is, without doubt, a well-documented narrative in mainstream media. The PMO says that at 17, Modi left home to travel across India. Upon returning, he was a changed man who, having formulated a clear aim of what he wanted to do in life, joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). where he developed into a skilled organizer. It is interesting to note that in 1970s, a young Modi joined the movement to restore democracy in India. His political rise continued when he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The PMOs account says that Modi ensured that the BJP was a close second to the Congress in the 1990 Gujarat Assembly elections. Five years later, in the 1995 Assembly elections, he was one of the leaders who oversaw the BJPs vote share in the state increase such that the party won 121 seats in the Assembly. Advertisement The PMO, documenting PM Modis time as Chief Minister of Gujarat, describes his leadership as a paradigm shift towards pro-people and pro-active good governance." His philosophy of Minimum Government, Maximum Governance is another central theme in the PMOs portrayal, with the idea of converging governance through his Pancha-Amrut framework. The Union home minister said that the problem in Manipur stems from the India-Myanmar border. To nip the problem in the bud, the centre has already completed the fencing of 30 km of the border and has deployed CRPF teams at key points to prevent infiltration read more Manipur is slowly limping back to normalcy after weeks of disturbance with schools reopening on Tuesday. The internet suspension has also been lifted in all the districts of the northeastern state. Earlier this month, the situation in Manipur deteriorated once again after the state witnessed one of its most widespread violence between the two ethnic groups, Meitei and Kuki tribes. From an indefinite curfew in a few districts to an internet ban, the Biren Singh-led government in Manipur tried to ensure that the crisis does not escalate like last year. Advertisement Two people, including a woman and an ex-serviceman belonging to the Kuki-Zo community, were killed in separate incidents. The deaths triggered massive protests by students in Manipur who clashed with police personnel in Imphal leading to unrest in the state. Centre in talks with Meitei, Kuki Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the BJP-led central government is in dialogue with the two fighting tribes Kuki and Meitei. He added that the government is also working on ways to control the violence in Manipur and has created a roadmap to resolve the issue. Recently, violence went on for three days, other than that, in the last 3 months, no major incident took place. We are hopeful to bring the situation under control. Because this is racial violence, there cannot be any solution until there is a dialogue between them. We are speaking to the Kuki groups and the Meitei groups, Shah said. The Union home minister said that the problem in Manipur stems from the India-Myanmar border. To nip the problem in the bud, the centre has already completed the fencing of 30 km of the border and has deployed CRPF teams at key points to prevent infiltration. He added, The central government has approved a budget to fence the whole 1500 km border. We have successfully deployed CRPF at strategic locations. To stop the infiltration, we have nullified the agreement between India and Myanmar which allowed the movement of the people, and now entry into India is allowed only by visa. Advertisement Centre offers affordable commodities in Manipur To bring normalcy back to the northeastern state, the BJP-led central government has also announced providing commodities at affordable prices to the people of Manipur. In addition to 21 existing Bhandars, 16 new facilities will be opened, announced Home Minister Shah, adding, that the eight centres among 16 will be in the hills. In line with PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's commitment, the MHA is launching an initiative to provide commodities to the people of Manipur at reasonable prices. Now the Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandars will be open for common people from September 17, 2024. In addition to 21 existing Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 16, 2024 Advertisement With inputs from agencies From the BJP to the National Conference, both national and regional parties are geared up to form the next possible government in the region after a hiatus of 10 years. Jammu and Kashmir is likely to flip a new page in its political affairs after October 8, the day results will be announced read more The first phase of elections will be contested by as many as 219 candidates from 24 assembly constituencies, 16 in Kashmir and eight in Jammu. PTI file After years of ambiguity, Jammu and Kashmir is all set to vote for its new government in the assembly elections. The region will go to polls on Wednesday in the first phase of the election. The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election is not only historical in many ways but will also be one of the major fights that political parties, be it BJP or Congress, will be facing after the Lok Sabha elections. Advertisement From the BJP to the National Conference, both national and regional parties are geared up to form the next possible government in the region after a hiatus of 10 years. Jammu and Kashmir is likely to flip a new page in its political affairs after October 8, the day results will be announced. The region, a strategic one due to its location and a treasure trove of resources, has been rife with tension both historically and in contemporary times. Delayed elections only exacerbated the situation after the region lost its statehood in 2019. The first phase of elections will be contested by as many as 219 candidates from 24 assembly constituencies, 16 in Kashmir and eight in Jammu. Heres everything that went down politically in the past 10 years. A divided election result The last time the region saw an assembly election was in 2014. While elections this year will be wrapped up in three phases, in 2014, the polls were held in five phases. While the Bharatiya Janata Party rose to power in India that year, it also made inroads into J&Ks political landscape but not without the help of a regional party. Back then, J&K was still a state and was governed by National Conferences Omar Abdullah. But during the elections, NC broke its alliance with Congress, costing it the elections. Advertisement Meanwhile, the BJP and Peoples Democratic Party made significant advancements in terms of winning seats, but not enough to form government alone. So, both parties pulled a shocker and allied. After losing the elections, Abdullah resigned from his post. But BJP and PDP had not yet decided on the chief ministerial candidate due to which the state was put under the Presidents rule for some time. In March 2015, PDPs Mufti Mohammad Sayeed took oath as the new chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir. His rule, however, was short-lived as he died the next year. Sayeeds daughter, Mehbooba Mufti, took over her fathers reins and was appointed as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir under the PDP-BJP government. Advertisement The collapse of PDP-BJP alliance Perhaps a BJP-PDP alliance was too good to be true. After months of internal struggle, the coalition finally broke off in 2018. The catalyst of this break-up might have been the death of Burhan Wani, a popular Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist commander, by Indian security forces in July 2016. His killing triggered widespread protests across Kashmir. The two allied parties were not on the same page about Burhans death as protests killed several people. There was also indifference within the PDP and BJP about the governments handling of the deadly protests. Finally, in 2018, the BJP pulled out of the coalition, forcing Mufti to resign from the CM post and paving the way to Governors rule. Advertisement This year, Mehbooba Muftis daughter Iltija Mufti is in a direct contest with BJPs Sofi Mohammad Yousuf in Srigufwara-Bijbehara. While in Jammu, PDPs Imtiyaz Shan will be facing BJPs Daleep Singh Pariha and NCs Pooja Thakur. Abrogation of Article 370 The most momentous moment in Jammu and Kashmirs politics possibly since its accession to India post-Independence was the abrogation of Article 370. Something that is being debated even today, BJP in 2019, did away with J&Ks special status, stripping it of its statehood and evoking strong reactions from across the world. The period after the abrogation of 370 was marked by arrests of political leaders including Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah, a communication blackout and widespread protests. Advertisement The topic has become a significant issue in this years elections too. Abdullah, on Tuesday, said that the abrogation of Article 370 was a parliamentary decision and not one taken by God, hinting that it can be reversed anytime. The election that hinted support for regional players To say that J&K has not seen any election since 2019 is inaccurate. In 2020, the region underwent the District Development Council (DDC) elections, the first major electoral process since the abrogation of Article 370. In 2019, as a result of the popular movement against the BJP-ruled central government, the regional parties, PDP, NC and others formed the Gupkar Alliance. This alliance won the DDC elections, signaling the publics support for regional parties. The BJP, however, emerged as the single largest party, primarily in the Jammu region. Delimitation process After the bifurcation of J&K and Ladakh into two Union Terretories came the Demarcation Process of 2022. As calls for holding the next assembly elections in the region rose, the Demarcation Commission submitted its report recommending ways to clearly delimit the two UTs. As a result, six more assembly constituencies were added to Jammu and one to Kashmir. In 2014, 87 assembly constituencies went to poll while this year 90 seats will be contested among candidates. Afzal Guru, the terrorist who was sentenced to death for his role in the 2001 Parliament attack, was hanged till death in 2013 read more Dissident Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Swati Maliwal has slammed the partys decision to name Atishi as the next Chief Minister of Delhi. Flagging Atishis parents support for convicted terrorist Afzal Guru, Maliwal said that it was a sad day for Delhi that such a person has been named as the chief minister whose family held Guru as innocent. She further called Atishi a dummy CM. In a post in Hindi on X (formerly Twitter), Maliwal said, Even though Atishi Marlena is a dummy CM, the matter is still related to the nations security. May God protect Delhi. Advertisement pic.twitter.com/SbllONqVP0 Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) September 17, 2024 Maliwal posted a clip of Atishis mother, Tripta Wahi, accusing the authorities of making Guru a scapegoat. The AAP on Tuesday decided to name Atishi as the next CM of Delhi. The decision came two days after Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced he would resign in the coming days and sought early elections. He made the announcement after walking out of jail on bail in the Delhi excise policy case. Guru was a Kashmiri separatist and terrorist who was sentenced to death for his role in the 2001 Parliament attack. He was hanged till death in 2013. On December 13, 2001, five terrorists stormed the Parliament complex and killed six security personnel, two parliament staffers, and one journalist before being gunned down by security personnel. In the Parliament attack case, five people were arrested by the investigators: Prof. SAR Geelani of University of Delhis Zaki Hussain College, Kashmiri separatist Afzal Guru, Shaukat Hussain, and Afsan Guru. Geelani, Guru, and Shaukat were sentenced to death in 2002. The next year, however, the Delhi High Court acquitted Geelani. In 2005, the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence of Guru but commuted Shaukats sentence to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. Advertisement In 2013, Guru was hanged till death after a dramatic campaign by a battery of top activists and academics. They sought repeated intervention in the Supreme Court and approached the President for mercy. Atishis mother, Tripta, was among those who publicly protested against Gurus execution. In a public letter to the President of India, which Tripta also signed, they said Gurus guilt was never established beyond reasonable doubt despite the Supreme Court upholding the conviction and death sentence. Maliwal and the AAP leadership have been at odds since she was allegedly assaulted by Kejriwals aide Bibhav Kumar. In May, Maliwal alleged that Kumar assaulted her at Kejriwals residence. Based on her complaint, the Delhi Police filed an FIR against Kumar and arrested him. He is currently out on bail. The AAP leadership, including Atishi, dismissed the allegations and alleged that Maliwals case was a political conspiracy at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). PM Modi will be visiting the US from September 21 to 23. During his three-day visit, he will be attending the fourth Quad Leaders Summit and will also be addressing the Summit of the Future at the UNGA in New York read more On September 21, PM Modi will attend the Quad Leaders' Summit which will be hosted by US President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware. Source: FILE/REUTERS. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the US from September 21 to 23 to attend the fourth Quad Leaders Summit. During his three-day visit, PM Modi will also be addressing the Summit of the Future at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. According to a release by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on September 21, PM Modi will be attending the Quad Leaders Summit which will be hosted by US President Joe Biden at his residence in Wilmington, Delaware. Advertisement Following the request of the US side to host the Quad Summit this year, India has agreed to host the next Quad Summit in 2025, the MEA said. The Quad, or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, comprises India, the US, Japan and Australia. As per the MEA, during the in-person Quad Summit 2024, the leaders Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Japans PM Fumio Kishida will review the progress achieved by the Quad over the last one year and set the agenda for the year ahead to assist the countries of the Indo-Pacific region in meeting their development goals and aspirations. On September 22, PM Modi will be in New York, where he will be addressing a gathering of the Indian community. PM Modi would also be interacting with CEOs of leading US-based companies to foster greater collaborations between the two countries in the cutting-edge areas of AI, quantum computing, semiconductors and biotechnology, the MEA said. The Prime Minister is also expected to interact with thought leaders and other stakeholders active in the India-US bilateral landscape. On the last day of his visit, on September 23, PM Modi will address the Summit of the Future at the UNGA in New York. The theme of the Summit is Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow. Advertisement As per the MEA, on the sidelines of the Summit, PM Modi would be holding bilateral meetings with several world leaders and discuss issues of mutual interest. PM Modi September 21-23 US visit schedule September 21: PM Modi to attend fourth Quad Summit at Wilmington in Delaware, US September 22: The Prime Minister will address a gathering of the Indian community in New York. He would also interact with CEOs of leading US-based firms September 23: PM Modi will address Summit of the Future at UNGA in New York. Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked his 74th birthday with a series of public welfare initiatives and infrastructure launches, including the Subhadra Yojana for women and major railway and highway projects. The occasion also saw the start of the Seva Parv festival, celebrating Modis dedication to public service read more Renowned sand sculptor Sudarsan Pattnaik extended birthday greetings to PM Modi with his this sand art. Source: X Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated his 74th birthday today, adding another year to his long-standing career in public service. Traditionally, his birthday is marked by his dedication to official duties, but it also heralds the beginning of the annual Seva Parv festival organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This event highlights the Prime Ministers ongoing commitment to public welfare and his philosophy of service to humanity. Upon arriving at Bhubaneswar airport, PM Modi will visit the Gadakana slum area near Sainik School, as confirmed by Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner Sanjeev Panda. During his visit, he will interact with beneficiaries of the PM Awas Yojana, which is his government most popular scheme on affordable housing and support for underprivileged communities. Advertisement Following this, the Prime Minister will proceed to Janata Maidan to officially launch the Subhadra Yojana. This scheme will provide Rs 10,000 annually to over one crore poor women in two instalments for five years. Named after Goddess Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath, the initiative was a significant promise in the BJPs Odisha election manifesto. In addition to the welfare schemes, PM Modi will unveil railway projects worth Rs 2,871 crore and highway infrastructure projects valued at Rs 1,000 crore, according to officials. On his 74th birthday, PM Modi received warm wishes from various leaders. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha praised Modi as a visionary leader and expressed hopes for his continued dynamic leadership. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde wished him good health and a long life, highlighting Modis role in driving India towards becoming an economic superpower. Renowned sand sculptor Sudarsan Pattnaik also extended birthday greetings to PM Modi. Pattnaik, known for his detailed sand art, dedicated a piece to the Prime Minister, celebrating his vision for a developed India. May Mahaprabhus blessings be with you always and your dreams of a Viksit Bharat be realized. Happy birthday, Hon Prime Minister @narendramodi ji. Please accept my good wishes through this sandart installation in New Delhi. Jai Jagannath! pic.twitter.com/tNu9q12dhl Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) September 16, 2024 Advertisement Born on September 17, 1950, in Mehsana, Gujarat, Narendra Damodardas Modi has risen from modest beginnings to become one of Indias most influential political figures. Serving as Gujarats Chief Minister from 2001 to 2014, Modis tenure was noted for economic growth and governance reforms. He became Prime Minister of India in 2014 and is currently in his third term. Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024. On this greatly achieved landmark, Azernews presents a detailed overview of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) project's legacy and the significant implications that lie ahead in the future. On September 20, 1994, Azerbaijan's government and a consortium of international oil companies signed the groundbreaking Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), also known as the Contract of the Century. This contract, which was extended in September 2017 until mid-century, marked the beginning of a transformative era for Azerbaijan, solidifying its position as a major energy supplier and catalysing significant economic growth. The 30th anniversary of ACG highlights its pivotal role in Azerbaijans oil and gas industry, celebrating a legacy of innovation and partnership. Key Facts about ACG: Since production began in November 1997 through the end of Q2 2024, ACG has produced approximately 593 million tonnes (about 4.4 billion barrels) of oil. Over 4.3 billion barrels of ACG oil have been exported globally via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. From 2006, 5,707 tankers carrying ACG oil have departed from the Ceyhan terminal. Approximately 57 billion cubic meters of associated gas have been delivered to Azerbaijan from the start of production through Q2 2024. By the end of Q2 2024, capital expenditure for the ACG project reached $45 billion. Since the inception of the ACG project in 1994, bp and its co-venturers have invested around $111 million in sustainable development projects in Azerbaijan. On September 14, 2017, the ACG PSA was extended until 2049, and a $6 billion development project, Azeri Central East (ACE), was sanctioned on April 19, 2019. The first oil from ACE was safely delivered on April 16, 2024. The ACG project saw the renovation of one platform (Chirag 1), construction of eight new platforms, development of a major oil and gas storage and processing terminal, and the installation of an extensive subsea pipeline network. As of the end of Q2 2024, ACG operated 144 production wells, with 45 used for water injection and eight for gas injection. The project has maintained an excellent safety record and conducted around 160 Environmental Impact Assessments and 280 monitoring surveys. The ACG project's three-decade journey stands as a testament to the enduring partnership and innovation in the energy sector, significantly contributing to Azerbaijans economic development and global energy markets. SOURCE: British Petroleum Azerbaijan Vineet Kumar Goyal, who was the Police Commissioner of Kolkata, has now been transferred as additional director general (ADG), Special Task Force read more West Bengal government has named Manoj Kumar Verma as the new Kolkata Police Commissioner. Source: ANI. In less than 24 hours after holding talks with the junior doctors, protesting against the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at state-run RG Kar Hospital, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has appointed Manoj Kumar Verma as the new Kolkata Police Commissioner. One of the five key demands of the protesting junior doctors was to sack Vineet Kumar Goyal, whom Verma has replaced on September 17. Following the first round of talks with a delegation of junior doctors at her residence in Kalighat, CM Mamata Banerjee, on Monday night, announced the removal of senior police and health officials, including Kolkata Police Commissioner Goyal. Advertisement Goyal, who had succeeded Soumen Mitra as the Kolkatas top police officer in 2021, was criticised for his handling of rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital on August 9. Goyal, who was of the 1994 batch, has been transferred as Additional Director General (ADG) and Inspector General of Police (IGP) of West Bengal Polices Special Task Force (STF). Verma, an officer of the 1998 batch, was the ADG and IGP (Law & Order) in the West Bengal Police in his last assignment. The Trinamool Congress-led West Bengal government, on Tuesday, also removed Dr Kaustav Nayak and Dr Debasish Halder from the position of Director of Medical Education (DME) and the Director of Health Services (DHS) respectively. On Monday, during the meeting, Banerjee had also promised the junior doctors that Nayak and Halder would be from their positions. As per the order issued by the state health department, Dr Swapan Soren has been appointed the new in-charge director of health services and Dr Suparna Dutta officer on special duty of medical education. , it added. Advertisement After meeting with the chief minister, the delegation of junior doctors said the talks were positive but they needed to hold discussions with their colleagues before taking a final call on resuming work. 5 demands listed by the protesting junior doctors include: 1 - Expedite investigation into RG Kar rape-murder case and punish the culprits without delay 2 - Suspend former RG Kar College and Hospitals ex-principal Dr Sandip Ghosh and all others directly or indirectly involved with tampering of evidence 3 - Removal of Vineet Kumar Goyal as the Commissioner of Kolkata Police 4 - Adequate security within hospital premises 5 - End threat culture prevalent in all healthcare facilities. Advertisement On Monday, Mamata Banerjee said: We tried listening to junior doctorswe have decided to change the DC (Kolkata Police Commissioner)he agreed to resign himselfin the health department, they demanded the removal of 3 persons and we agreed for 2. We have agreed 99 per cent, what else can we do?" She urged the doctors to return to work as most of their demands have been accepted. We have requested the junior doctors to come back to work so that the common citizens wont suffer, Banerjee said. She also assured that no punitive action will be taken against the doctors. With inputs from agencies. A paper by the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) to the Prime Minister, released on Tuesday, highlighted that in 2023-24, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu together accounted for approximately 30 per cent of Indias GDP read more West Bengal, which held the third-largest share of India's GDP at 10.5 per cent in 1960-61, now accounts for only 5.6 per cent in 2023-24. Southern states of India, which did not show exceptional performance before 1991, have emerged as the leading economic powerhouse following the economic liberalisation. Overall, the southern states together account for 30.6 per cent of Indias GDP in 2023-24, a paper by the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) to the Prime Minister, released on Tuesday, stated. In 2023-24, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu together accounted for approximately 30 per cent of Indias GDP, the EAC-PM paper further stated. Advertisement Authored by EAC-PM member Sanjeev Sanyal, the paper Relative Economic Performance of Indian States: 1960-61 to 2023-24 focused on the relative performance of states in terms of their share of the national economy and their per capita GDP as per cent of the national average since 1960-61. Karnataka & Telangana emerged as economic powerhouses As per the EAC-PM paper, in 1960-61, Karnatakas share in Indias GDP was 5.4 per cent, and it remained almost the same until 1990-91. However, Karnataka witnessed a rapid growth after the policy shift, with its GDP share rising to 6.2 per cent by 2000-01 and reaching 8.2 per cent by 2023-24. This growth has positioned Karnataka with the third-largest share of Indias GDP, it further said. Undivided Andhra Pradesh (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) now accounts for 9.7 per cent, an increase of 2.1 percentage points since 1990-91 with most of the increase in share accounted for by Telangana. After bifurcation, the share of Andhra Pradesh has remained broadly flat. Tamil Nadu also reversed its earlier pre-1991 decline by increasing its share from 7.1 per cent in 1990-91 to 8.9 per cent in 2023-24. Keralas share too had increased from 3.4 per cent in 1960-61 to a peak of 4.1 per cent in 2000-01, but has since drifted down to 3.8 per cent in 2023-24. Advertisement It is the only southern state that seems to be losing share, the paper said. West Bengal has seen consistent decline Meanwhile, West Bengal, which held the third-largest share of Indias GDP at 10.5 per cent in 1960-61, now accounts for only 5.6 per cent in 2023-24. It has seen a consistent decline throughout this period," the paper said. How states share in Indias GDP is calculated The states share in Indias GDP is calculated by dividing the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of the state by the sum of GSDP of all states. In 2004, Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, then Irans Supreme Leader, said that in his opinion, Victor Hugos Les Miserables is the best novel that has been written in history Les Miserables is a book of sociology, a book of history, a book of criticism, a divine book, a book of love and feeling. Two decades later, his successor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, seems to have completely immersed himself into George Orwells 1984, with a particular liking for the following sentences: War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. As he targets India in his latest social media post wherein he clubs Indian Muslims with those in Gaza, it seems Irans Supreme Leader has added one line of his own: Lie is truth! Advertisement On the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed on Monday, Khamenei posted a comment on X, saying: The enemies of Islam have always tried to make us indifferent with regard to our shared identity as an Islamic Ummah. We cannot consider ourselves to be Muslims if we are oblivious to the suffering that a Muslim is enduring in #Myanmar, #Gaza, #India, or any other place. The statement is a blatant, sinister lie. First, it projects India as an enemy of Islam. The truth is that while the minorities in most Islamic countries, including Iran, have almost disappeared, in India, the Muslim population has increased. India, the enemy of Islam, is today home to every 10th Muslim in the world, which is more than double the population of Iran. Second, Khamenei accuses India of persecuting Muslims. The fact of the matter is that Muslims in this country have so far enjoyed the first right to nations resources. They have always been equal, if not first among equals. One just needs to look at the Right to Education Act, the Waqf Act, the state control over Hindu temples whereas minorities are free to run their institutions the way they like, et al, and these anti-Muslim insinuations fall apart. Even under the current so-called Hindutva government, if numbers are to be believed, the minorities remain the biggest beneficiaries of the government-run socio-economic schemes in the country. Given Irans own pathetic record on democracy, religious freedom (in an Islamic country, a non-Muslim is a victim of state-sponsored, society-sanctioned discrimination), freedom of speech, and human and gender rights (if a UN report is to be believed, Tehran brutally executed more than 400 people in the last one year, with over a dozen being women), Khameneis charges are laughable and had it not come from a countrys Supreme Leader, it would have been brushed aside as being too frivolous to even get a rebuttal. But Indias Ministry for External Affairs (MEA) did come up with a response strong and scathing. We strongly deplore the comments made regarding minorities in India by the Supreme Leader of Iran, the MEA said in a statement, adding: These are misinformed and unacceptable. Countries commenting on minorities are advised to look at their own record before making any observations about others. Advertisement Interestingly, while Khameneis heart bled for Muslims in Myanmar, Gaza and India, he failed or maybe he dared not to mention the tabooed word in the Muslim word: Xinjiang. The Uyghurs, a Muslim ethnic minority numbering around 10 million in Xinjiang, are facing an existential crisis, with men being sent to jails in the name of re-educating them, while their women are being harassed, molested and raped by Chinese soldiers meant to guard them in their absence. As per an estimate, more than a million Uyghurs are under detention in re-education camps referred to as vocational training centres by Chinese authorities. Such is the level of Chinese interference with their religion that a Uyghur found with the Quran is termed an extremist, and about two-thirds of mosques in Xinjiang have been damaged or destroyed since 2017, according to an Australian think-tank report. And what has been left standing, they no longer look like mosques: As per a November 27, 2023, Financial Times report, the minarets of most of the still-standing mosques in not just Xinjiang but the whole of China have been removed, their domes replaced with pagoda-style cones and their Arab-style arches squared off. Advertisement Still, China is left alone by the global guardians of Islam. The sufferings of the Uyghurs never make them feel guilty about letting down their people. But in India, where the other day Muslims celebrated the birthday of the holy Prophet with enthusiasm and gusto in Varanasi, near the Kashi Vishwanath temple, for instance, where this author was present during the occasion, dozens of loudspeaker-stalled tempos and lorries, each with at least 30-50 Muslim men sitting on the top boisterously celebrating the occasion, constantly plying through the streets through the day with both religious as well as national flags flying atop these vehicles reminds them of their failure to protect the ummah. Advertisement Why this double standard? Is this the case of misinformation? The truth may be far more complicated. For one, Iran questions Indias credentials on the protection of its minorities because it knows it can get away with it. With China, theres always a danger of reprisal. In diplomatic and geostrategic circles too, you dont really offend the bully, more so if he is unpredictable. With India, you largely know what the reaction would be, what would be the follow-up action, and how the situation would be finally retrieved diplomatically. It allows them to fulfil the Islamic cause without inviting any reprisal. One former diplomat had an interesting story to share with this writer. He recalled asking his Arab counterpart about the West Asian tendency to invariably vote against India at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meet each time there was a debate on Kashmir despite having friendly ties with New Delhi. To this, the Arab diplomat said that the strong stand on Kashmir would not just let them satiate the popular feeling within the country, but also help them take up the leadership mettle among the Islamic nations. Advertisement For a country like Iran, poking at India has been a zero-risk diplomatic gambit, so far. And it has helped strengthen its credentials among Islamic states, with rival countries like Saudi Arabia and Turkey too vying for leadership roles. To add to it is the fact that Islamists and their patrons have always been alive both religiously as well as historically to their long-term objective, which they see as divinely ordained. Lawyer-author J Sai Deepak writes in India, Bharat and Pakistan how Syed Ahmad Barelvi (1786-1831), credited with laying the foundations for a pan-India Wahhabi network in a systematic manner, in 1826, visited Afghanistan and camped at the mausoleum of Mahmud of Ghazni, the plunderer and destroyer of Somnath. If Barelvi, who lived in the 18th-19th centuries, felt a kinship with Mahmud of Ghazni who lived eight centuries before him, todays Islamists and their supporters find a similar kinship with Barelvi. For those who are historically alive in Arab and West Asia, India has always aroused popular imagination, enmeshed with envy and anger, for being an unfinished task for Islam. Interestingly, in February 2019, when India conducted surgical airstrikes in Balakot in response to the Pulwama suicide bombing that had led to the killing of 40 CRPF jawans it in a way sent a strong message to Islamists and those historically alive to Islams unfinished agenda. Balakot, after all, had been and continues to be the epicentre of jihadi terror in Pakistan, if not the entire South Asian region, precisely because Barelvi fell in battle against the Sikhs in Balakot on May 6, 1831. Indias Balakot strikes were, thus, not just aimed at destroying the existing terror infrastructure there, but also sending a larger message: That India understands the true nature of jihadi terrorism emanating from Pakistan. Khameneis irresponsible statement should be an occasion to send a message that India cannot be a soft target for Iranians to both bolster their Islamist credentials and also gain the leadership position among West Asian nations. Tehran should be reminded matter-of-factly that Delhi stands with the Iranian regime even when the US-led world order seeks to isolate and overthrow it. Last but not the least, a message for left-liberals, who seem to get overboard with the Iranian friendship. Its time we realised that the notion of Islamic exceptionalism and the idea of India being an unfinished agenda for Islam would stop regimes in West Asia to come wholeheartedly in Delhis support. There will always be ifs and buts There will always be pressure to do more for Muslims in general (as if Muslims are second-class citizens) and Kashmir in particular, even when the reality may be just the opposite. We have to realise that when the next war comes knocking on Indias doors, it will again be Israel that will be providing all possible help, including arms and armament, and our West Asian friends would find one excuse or another to ask India to make its own arrangements. Maybe thats the limit of Indias diplomacy in West Asia. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. As the world continues to watch the war in Ukraine, Indias quiet diplomacy may just be the force for good that eventually brings it to an end read more Though the path to peace remains distant in the Russia-Ukraine war, Indias growing stature as a diplomatic broker is, in itself, a victory. Image courtesy: Agencies As the war in Ukraine grinds on, the prospect of a peaceful settlement seems far away and elusive. Yet, amidst the deepening conflict, India has quietly emerged as a potential mediator, subtly navigating the geopolitical maze with propositions of ceasefires and standstill agreements. Though these efforts have not yet yielded tangible results, Indias role as a neutral intercessor is significantits diplomatic reach extends from Moscow to Washington and Kyiv, positioning it as a force for good in an increasingly divided world. Advertisement In recent months, Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly mentioned India as a potential mediator, highlighting the political capital Moscow perceives in New Delhi. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that India could bridge the chasm between Europe and Russia. With such nods from global leaders and a bit of luck, Indias diplomacy has an outside chance. Indias mediation offers come at a critical juncture, with several potential pathways forward. A Standstill Agreement Freezing all territorial advances while negotiations unfold is one option. Such an agreement would prevent further destruction while allowing diplomacy to take the lead. It might sound appealing to war-weary Ukrainians and a Russia looking to solidify its gains, but the devil is in the details. Kyiv would hesitate to halt the fight while vast swathes of its territory remain occupied. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made it clear that any settlement without a full Russian withdrawal is a non-starter. Yet, war fatigue is a powerful driver. A second possibility is that Russia holds on to the territories it has captured, essentially formalising the status quo on the ground. This would enshrine Moscows current gains, including those in the Donbas region. However, such a solution is fraught with complications. Kyiv and NATO see this as an unacceptable concession, rewarding Russias aggression and creating dangerous precedents for territorial conflicts worldwide. Moreover, Ukrainian national pride, fuelled by substantial Western military support, would make such an agreement politically untenable for Zelenskyy. The alternativea credible military gain by Ukraine on the groundseems unlikely. A third option is the establishment of buffer zones as demilitarised regions that could separate Ukrainian and Russian forces. Such zones have been used successfully in other frozen conflicts, providing breathing space for diplomatic negotiations. However, this too would face resistance. Moscow, confident in its military advantage, may see little reason to agree to buffer zones that limit its reach. On the other hand, NATO and Ukraine would oppose anything that hints at legitimising Russian control. Advertisement The NATO Problem The delicate balance India is attempting to maintain could unravel if external powers constrain its position. For NATO, particularly the United States, Indias mediation is met with scepticism. Washington seeks a firm condemnation of Russian aggression, but New Delhi is unwilling to be drawn into binary choices. The Wests attempts to sway India risk backfiring, potentially driving one of the few neutral players away from meaningful involvement. Western capitals must recognise that Indias neutrality is its strength in this conflict, not a sign of weakness. Ironically, Moscow may also be in no hurry to embrace Indias peace proposals, precisely because of its growing success on the battlefield. With much of eastern Ukraine under its control, Russia may prefer to consolidate its gains before coming to the negotiating table. For Putin, any mediation that limits his territorial ambitions appears unacceptable at this juncture. Yet, the spectre of prolonged conflict, costly sanctions, and military overstretch could eventually push Moscow towards a diplomatic exit. Indias neutrality remains one of the few levers that could ease that processwhen the timing is right. Advertisement US Elections: Dark Clouds on the Horizon While Indias mediation efforts are a step in the right direction, they are unlikely to halt the trajectory of the war in the near term. With the US heading into a presidential election year, there is little appetite in Washington for scaling down support to Ukraine. Both Democrats and Republicans view backing Kyiv as essential, and any softening would be seen as political suicide. As a result, US military aid is likely to increase rather than diminish, emboldening Ukraine to continue its counteroffensive, further complicating efforts to broker peace. Indeed, the conflict may worsen before it improves, with more destructive battles likely as both sides dig in. This volatility only enhances Indias potential diplomatic value. Once the US election is over, the war could enter a new phase, where both Moscow and Kyiv, exhausted by a war of attrition, become more amenable to negotiations. At that point, Indias role as a mediator could transform from an abstract possibility into a concrete force for good. Advertisement Indias Diplomatic Tightrope For now, New Delhis strategy is one of patience. While the West leans on India to take a firmer stance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wisely resisted being drawn into overt condemnation of Russia. At the same time, India has avoided appearing too close to Moscow, carefully walking a tightrope between two nuclear-armed superpowers. In the long term, Indias diplomatic balancing act in this war could enhance its global standing, particularly in the eyes of the Global South. Many developing countries, wary of taking sides in the conflict, view Indias measured neutrality as a model for their own foreign policies. By positioning itself as a mediator, India can strengthen its reputation as a rising power capable of influencing global conflicts without succumbing to either Western or Russian pressures. Advertisement Though the path to peace remains distant, Indias growing stature as a diplomatic broker is, in itself, a victory. Whether through a standstill agreement, buffer zones, or a more innovative solution, New Delhis effortsif successfulcould reshape the global order in its favour. As the world continues to watch the war in Ukraine, Indias quiet diplomacy may just be the force for good that eventually brings it to an end. The writer is a senior journalist with expertise in defence. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. India, under the stewardship of Narendra Modi, is all set to become the third largest major economy in the world, behind the United States and China, besides being the leader of the Global South read more Narendra Modi, the only prime minister of India to secure a consecutive third term after Jawaharlal Nehru, has been among a few politicians in the history of independent India who never sat on Opposition benches, despite his presence in state and national politics. Once a provincial leader, Narendra Modi came to Centre with an absolute majority, the first time in 30 yearsa remarkable achievement for himself and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) that he heads. Advertisement Over the decade from 2014 to 2024, he has emerged as a charismatic, respected, and visionary global leader, much sought after in international forums, including BRICS, ASEAN, and many others. If India is invited routinely to the G7 gatherings as a guest, it is due in no small measure to Modis stature. Modi is counted as the leader not only of an India soon to become the third largest major economy in the world, behind only the United States and China, but also as a sponsor of the interests of the Global South. During the year-long presidency of the G20, India was instrumental in bringing in the countries of the African Union, more than 50 in number, into the G20. And this, with unanimous backing from the others. The G20 became the G21 thereafter, with a view to creating a more equitable world. The elevated stature for Narendra Modi has come without the backing of a rich and influential family. PM Modi marks his 74th birthday on Tuesday, with experience of 13 years as CM of Gujarat and a decade as PM at the Centre, all the while without the slightest taint of corruption. This is itself a rarity in the world of politics. He has consistently enjoyed popularity ratings in the 70 plus percentile, both while at state and at the Centre. This is a phenomenon perhaps no other global politician has matched. Advertisement Mao, Castro, and Stalin may have claimed such levels of popularity, or even higher, but they did not operate in or run democracies. Their God-like personality cults were manufactured by their own state machines. On his birthday Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi is working hard as usual. He is inaugurating 26 lakh PM Awas Yojana houses at the slum area of Gadakana in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. Odisha has recently elected the BJP to rule the state. After interacting with some of the beneficiaries there at Gadakana, he will go to the Janata Maidan in the city to officially launch the Subhadra Yojana, under which Rs 10,000 will be given to over one crore poor women every year, in two equal instalments, for a period of five years. Advertisement The Modis decade at the Centre is the phenomenon of direct benefit transfer, digitally, into millions of newly created bank accounts. A revolution has taken place in banking the unbanked and the consequent removal of middlemen and rent collectors. In addition, Prime Minister Modi will unveil railway projects worth Rs 2,871 crores and highway infrastructure projects worth Rs 1,000 crores today. Prime Minister Modi and his team, mainly National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar, are said to be working hard behind the scenes to bring about an end to the Ukraine-Russia War. Other interlocuters suggested by Russian President Vladimir Putin are Chinese President Xi Jinping, his staunch ally, and current chair of the G-21, the Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Advertisement But of the three heads of government, Prime Minister Modi enjoys the trust and backing of both sides, including President Joe Biden of America and Vlodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. Bringing about a cessation of hostilities in Europe will have profound consequences for the whole world. In addition, EAM S Jaishankar announced that 75 per cent of the border disputes with China have been resolved, with every expectation that the 25 per cent remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control will also be shortly resolved. This favourable development has been corroborated by the Chinese as well. There is an anticipation that the remaining 25 per cent of the border issues that China calls legacy issues from the time of the UPA government, including the encroachment within Indian territory in the Depsang Plateau, may be resolved by the time Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping meet at the BRICS Summit in October 2024. Advertisement Easing of border tensions with China will be nothing short of a diplomatic breakthrough, clearing the way to renewed engagement on multiple issues between India and China. It will also weaken the Pakistani threat and levels of terrorism it sponsors against India. The India-China standoff at the LAC has vitiated the atmosphere for the last decade, eroding trust between the two countries and resulting in other powers exploiting the situation for their benefit. With regard to China, many issues remain, of course, such as its attempt to dominate the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal in the immediate areas around peninsular India. There is also the belligerence displayed by China in the East and South China Seas and towards Taiwan. The attempt to dominate most of Southeast Asia on a near unilateral basis is also problematic. A change of policy may now be in the works because China is in considerable economic trouble. However, recent behind-the-scenes diplomatic initiatives with China may result in enhanced and visionary cooperation between India, China, and Russia, rewriting some aspects of geopolitics and multilateralism. One is already mootedan initiative in space to build a nuclear power plant on the moon for a future human lunar colony. Will North Korea join in too? An easing of India-China tension will not only increase Modi and Indias stature in the world but also afford PM Modi and his government greater leverage in negotiating with America and the West over various issues. These include trade, defence cooperation, and technology transfer. It might also reduce pressure and the subversion from the Western deep state to weaken Modis hold on power and corner India away from Russia and China. Other international initiatives include the efforts to create new transport corridors to Europe via West Asia as well as Iran and Russia. These promise greater ease of doing business despite temporary setbacks from the Israel-Gaza War, the troubles from Houthi/Somali pirate attacks in the Red Sea, and the bottlenecks at the Suez Canal. This after a ramping up of trade cooperation with the UAE, Israel, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. A number of free trade agreements (FTAs) are in the works in Europe, and one with non-EU Europe that includes Switzerland, has already been concluded. Prime Minister Modis 74th birthday coincides with 100 days of Modi 3.0 and the work that is ongoing. The continuity of three consecutive terms has provided stability and a commendable GDP growth rate of around 7 per cent per annum. Infrastructure development, defence, and aatmanirbhar armaments manufacturing, with exports to the US, Armenia, and the Philippines. There are new initiatives in electronics manufacturing and electronic chip-making with huge domestic consumption and export potential. More development of the automotive sector, improvement in agricultural practices, massive infrastructure development, indigenous nuclear power plants. These are just some of the benefits of the Modi decade as well as these 100 days. Work being done on the Waqf Bill, the Uniform or Secular Civil Code, and progress towards one nation, one election are all path-breaking in nature and will all see the light of day during this term till 2029. There is an enormous amount that needs to be tackled yet. The reform of the overburdened judiciary is a case in point. Religious tourism, probably the biggest driver of all kinds of tourism in India, has been set alight by the transformation of Ayodhya, which is receiving many more visitors than Varanasi now. Mathura, Ujjain, the Char Dhams, Vaishnodevi, and the ongoing renovations at Varanasi are all initiated for the first time. The endless visionary aspects of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are far ahead of his predecessors in the job. Combined with his extraordinary and single-minded appetite for work, it makes for an unstoppable combination. For the first time, most slogans, it is seen, turn into reality. It is entirely credible that India will be a prosperous, developed country of nearly 1.7 billion souls by 2047, our centenary year. The potential will be realised. If today our time has come to restore India to the glory it once had in ancient times, Modis leadership has a vital contribution in it. India is fortunate to have such a selfless and dedicated leader. India, that is, Bharat, owes Narendra Modi a debt of gratitude. The writer is a Delhi-based political commentator. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Whether Indiaa part of Americas Artemis programmecan also be a part of Russo-Chinese joint space habitat remains to be seen; however, the technological potential is huge and promising, and it is time for India to get going read more Russias Roscosmos and Chinas CNSA have signed MoU. There is also a proposal that India should be part of such a project, on lighter note, called the Putin-Xi-Modi nuclear project. Reuters Russia and China are teaming up to set up a nuclear power station on the lunar surface. The primary motivation behind this project is to provide a reliable power source for future lunar bases. This ambitious project is led by Russias state nuclear corporation, Rosatom. The small nuclear reactor on the Moon will be capable of generating up to half a megawatt of energy. That should be sufficient for most scientific apparatus being operated on the moon and also for a small human accommodation. More importantly, it will have many years of life and will operate even when there is no solar energy on the dark side of the moon for nearly half the month. Advertisement Russias Roscosmos and Chinas China National Space Administration (CNSA) have already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). There is also a proposal that India should be part of such a project, and on a lighter note, called the Putin-Xi-Modi nuclear project. Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev has been quoted by TASS, saying, China and India are eager to be involved in creating this ground-breaking lunar energy solution. We are trying to lay the foundation for several international space projects. It is time to understand the dynamics of Small Modular Reactors (SMR). Russia China MoU In March 2021, Russias Roscosmos and Chinas CNSA signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). As part of the project, China has plans to launch three missionsChange 6, Change 7, and Change 8to test mandatory technologies that will be required for setting up a robotic base for remote experiments. The first mission is planned for 2026, with project completion expected by 2028. It could then be a precursor for setting up a human habitation a few decades down the line. When India joins, the three countries will pool in financial and technological resources and share the risks. All three have fairly successful nuclear and space programmes having successfully mastered most relevant technologies. Currently, Russia targets to deploy the reactor by 2036. Indias plans were to set up a lunar base by around 2050. A nuclear reactor will be the first step for a space base. More nations could come on board as it goes along. Advertisement US Space Base Plan The US has an independent programme for space bases. In 2028, NASA plans on launching the Lunar Surface Asset, a small habitat to the surface of the Moon, on either an SLS Block 1B or through an Artemis Support Mission on a commercial launcher. This would be the first crewed lunar base. The Artemis crewed spaceflight programme will be carried out predominantly by NASA, US commercial spaceflight companies, and international partners such as the European Space Agency (ESA), Japans JAXA, and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) with the goal of landing the first woman and the next man on the Moon, specifically at the lunar south pole region by 2026. Advertisement NASA sees Artemis as the next step towards the long-term goal of establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon, laying the foundation for private companies to build a lunar economy, and eventually sending humans to Mars. The US-led Artemis Programme has scheduled several crewed landings, starting with Artemis 3 tentatively planned for 2026 and thereafter setting up five temporary base camps with the Human Landing Systems (HLS) until Artemis 8 is planned to set up the fixed Foundational Surface Habitat (FSH) of the Artemis Base Camp in the 2030s. India is the 27th country to sign the Artemis Accords. Early Small Nuclear Reactors for Submarines Advertisement The design, development, and production of nuclear marine propulsion plants started in the United States in the 1940s. The United States and Soviet Union have had nuclear-powered submarines since the early 1950s. The nuclear submarine is powered by a small nuclear reactor. The nuclear propulsion being independent of air frees the nuclear submarines from having to surface frequently, as required by the diesel-electric-powered submarines. The much more efficient power generation allows higher speeds. The submarine may not be refuelled for an entire operational life of typically around 25 years. Interestingly, even with the most advanced electric batteries, a modern conventional diesel submarine may remain submerged for a few days at slow speed and only a few hours at top speed. Marine-type reactors differ from land-based commercial electric power reactors in several respects. Advertisement Nuclear Powered Ships and Vessels Only the United States and France built nuclear aircraft carriers. The Soviet Union had a heavy nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser. The United States Navy (USN) also built similar cruisers, but all were retired before the year 2000. Russia has nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed unmanned underwater vehicles. In the 1960s, the US built a few experimental nuclear-powered civil merchant ships but did not pursue them as they were too small and expensive to operate economically. The 1988-built Russian vessel Sevmorput is one of only four nuclear-powered merchant ships ever built. After refurbishment in 2016, currently it is the only one in service in the world. The Soviet Union and now Russia have been using nuclear-powered icebreaker ships since the late 1950s. A few are still in service, and more are being built. The high cost of nuclear technology and maintenance means that very few military powers can afford nuclear submarines or ships. In 2020, the Pentagon issued contracts for mobile, small nuclear reactors that will provide nuclear power for American forces at home and abroad. Small Nuclear Power Reactors The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) defines small as under 300 MWe and up to about 700 MWe as medium. Small portable nuclear power reactors are required both military and civilian for use in remote locations. While small reactors require special technologies, they are less cost-intensive, especially for transmission. Experience from nuclear-powered submarines already exists, and therefore the challenges are fewer. Greater demand would also mean economy of scale. Modern small reactors are being designed to be modular. There are also very small units, which are about 15 MWe, especially for remote communities. Four types of small reactors that are evolving include light water reactors, fast neutron reactors, graphite-moderated high temperature reactors, and a few types of molten salt reactors. In the end, what matters is the smaller size, low technology risk, inherent safety, and longer unrefueled operations. Smaller reactors also require much less real estate. Another advantage of small reactors is the much lesser safety zone radius around them. They use low-enriched uranium (LEU) and require much less cooling water. They also produce lower radioactivity. Lower investment and sitting costs make them more attractive, even for captive corporate use. Decommissioning of such plants is much simpler. Yes, certification and licensing have issues. These reactors will also be well suited for very small countries or island nations. Arctic regions are also contenders for SMR. SMRs can be fabricated at a plant and then moved to the installation site. This saves time and on-site activity. Also, the overall cost is much lower because of standardisation and production scale. Modularity and commonality in design also hasten licensing. Additional modules can be added if the power requirement needs to be scaled up. Reverse could be true in the case of a scale-down of demand. A smaller reactor also reduces safety concerns, and containment in case of accident is easier. SMRs also have a greater variety of cooling options. In the case of SMR, the thermal energy can be used directly without conversion, like heating water, etc. Most SMRs can run without much supervision. Many SMRs have higher fuel burnup, reducing the quantity of waste. The initial setting up cost of the SMR manufacturing plants is fairly high, and therefore, to reduce the amortised cost, there may be a need to produce around 50 or more SMRs. Nuclear proliferation risk remains a concern for SMRs. Significantly reduced staffing reduces physical protection and therefore increases security concerns. Countries Working on SMR In the US, Westinghouse, Babcock & Wilcox, Holtec, and NuScale Power are some of the major players. China has some of the most advanced SMRs. China is also developing small district-level heating reactors to replace coal-based heating plants in northern parts. Indias 220 MWe pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) are also SMR. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) is offering both 220 and 540 MWe versions internationally. The Chinese 300-325 MWe PWR at Chashma in Pakistan (called CNP-300) is an SMR. The UK, Canada, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, and South Africa are also other players. Mini Nuclear Plants for Military For a long time, the US Army has been using mobile and static small reactors to power remote air/missile defence radar stations in Alaska, Greenland, and Antarctica and for providing electricity and heating. Mini Nuclear Power Plants (MNPP) would be portable and operate unrefueled for 10-20 years. Mobile SMRs would be ideal for rapid response scenarios. These would also be handy during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. The smaller ones could generate below 10 MWe for at least three years without refuelling, weigh less than 40 tonnes, and have volume less than enough to move on a truck, ship, or C-17 aircraft. US DoDs Project Pele is on track for full-power outdoor testing of a prototype mobile reactor in 2024. It will be ready for delivery by 2025. The project was listed as also relevant to lunar and Mars surface operations. During the Soviet Union, Pamir-630D truck-mounted small air-cooled 0.6 MWe nuclear reactors were built. These were discontinued later. Russia now has small transportable 2.5 MWe nuclear reactors. Russia is also developing small mobile nuclear power plants for the military in the Arctic air transportable by IL-76 aircraft and Mi-26 helicopters. Super small radioisotope thermoelectric generators were considered the answer. NASA reportedly uses some of these to power satellites and other spacecraft. In 2020, the Pentagon awarded three contracts for mobile small nuclear reactors. The 2-10 MWe range, small reactors could be available by 2024. They could be deployable by 2027. Security during the move of the reactor would have to be very high. Nuclear Propulsion for Satellites Nuclear power is being used in space for electricity and heat generation in extreme cold temperatures. Radioisotope thermoelectric generators have been used in long-distance space probes and on crewed lunar missions. Both the US and USSR had sent many nuclear-electric satellites into space. The more powerful TOPAZ-II reactor could produce 10 kilowatts of electricity. Nuclear power for space propulsion systems using ion thrusters greatly reduces the satellite size and options for alternative payloads. Also, propulsion is required to regain the drifted satellites position or to avoid collisions. New systems are under development. Way Ahead India Clearly, while environmental concerns are driving the switch from fossil fuel power generation to much cleaner alternative energy for electric power generation for civil use, the military and space need much smaller, lighter, and longer-lasting power sources for better mobility and at remote locations, including for planetary habitats. India has a well-established nuclear energy program. India has the third largest armed forces and very active borders spanning some of the highest mountains and remote jungles. Like the other major powers, Indian armed forces require small nuclear power plants for use on the move. Indias nuclear submarine program is still evolving, and India has yet to begin developing a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Whether Indiaa part of the Artemis programcan also be a part of Russo-Chinese joint space habitat remains to be seen; however, the technological potential is huge and promising, and it is time for India to get going. The writer is former Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The ban marks another significant step in Metas ongoing enforcement against Russian state media, with the company having previously limited their ability to run ads read more Before the ban, RT had amassed a significant following on Metas platforms, with over seven million followers on Facebook and one million on Instagram. Image credit: Reuters, Reuters Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, announced the global ban of the Russian state-controlled media outlet RT, along with other Kremlin-affiliated networks. This action was taken in response to allegations of deceptive influence operations and an attempt to evade detection. The ban marks another significant step in Metas ongoing enforcement against Russian state media, with the company having previously limited their ability to run ads. The decision to impose this ban followed charges by the US Department of Justice, which accused RT employees of funnelling approximately $10 million into an American company to promote content favourable to Russian interests. Advertisement This effort, the Department suggested, was intended to influence the American public ahead of the 2024 US presidential election. The company at the centre of this scheme, Tenet Media, is known for hosting several pro-Trump commentators, who have since claimed they were unaware of any involvement in the alleged Russian operation. RTs response to the accusations was dismissive, choosing to mock the claims rather than addressing the specifics of the charges. This reaction came despite the US Justice Departments ongoing crackdown on Russian state media. In a related move, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently criticised RTs leadership for reportedly using online fundraising to support military operations in Ukraine. Before the ban, RT had amassed a significant following on Metas platforms, with over seven million followers on Facebook and one million on Instagram. Metas move to block RT and related entities comes after a prolonged struggle with Russian state actors, which began in earnest following Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022. At that time, Meta had already restricted Russian state media from running ads on its platforms. As Meta continues its battle against foreign interference, tech leaders from Meta, Microsoft, and Alphabet are expected to testify before the US Senate Intelligence Committee. The focus will be on how these companies are tackling the challenge of foreign influence and protecting the integrity of US elections from external threats. Industries such as IT, defence, and financial services remain frequent targets, but the hospitality and retail sectors are also increasingly at risk, according to BTs study, which found the frequency of cyberattacks read more The increasing number of cyberattacks also mirrors trends across Europe, with officials attributing a rise in attacks to Russian-linked groups. The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), reported a doubling of cyberattacks originating from Russian-based groups between late 2023 and early 2024. AI Generated Image. The UKs largest telecommunications provider has revealed that its platforms detect approximately 2,000 potential cyberattacks every second, highlighting the increasing threats posed to businesses and essential services. According to BT Group, devices connected to the internet are scanned around 1,000 times per day by malicious entities, meaning cyber threats surface roughly every 90 seconds. BTs report underscores the seriousness of these threats, noting that over 75 per cent of the scans are far from harmless. These scans typically represent hackers actively probing for vulnerabilities in the online systems of companies across various sectors. Advertisement Industries such as IT, defence, and financial services remain frequent targets, but the hospitality and retail sectors are also increasingly at risk, according to BT. A key finding from the report is the widespread use of one-time-use disposable bots by hackers. These bots are designed to obscure the source of the cyberattacks, and BT registered a 1,234 per cent rise in new internet protocol (IP) addresses involved in scanning attempts over the course of a year. This suggests a sophisticated and growing effort to breach systems across a wide range of industries. BTs findings align with broader research showing that UK businesses are expected to increase their technology investments by 31 per cent in 2024. However, this growth has not been matched by equivalent improvements in cybersecurity measures. The telecommunications company warns that many businesses are expanding their networks and adding connected devices without adequately updating their cybersecurity strategies, leaving them highly vulnerable to attack. The increasing number of cyberattacks also mirrors trends across Europe, with officials attributing a rise in attacks to Russian-linked groups. Earlier this year, Juhan Lepassaar, head of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), reported a doubling of cyberattacks originating from Russian-based groups between late 2023 and early 2024. Lepassaar suggested these digital assaults are part of Russias broader aggression, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. While the physical conflict rages in Ukraine, Russia has been accused of waging a simultaneous digital war across Europe. As cyber threats continue to evolve and grow in scale, BTs findings highlight the urgent need for businesses to not only invest in technology but to also prioritise comprehensive cybersecurity measures. The growing complexity and frequency of cyberattacks suggest that organisations across all sectors need to remain vigilant and proactive in defending their systems from these persistent digital threats. Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen told reporters that the fires were started by human activity and that 22 of the 24 regions that make up the country have active outbreaks. He added that clouds, smoke and winds were hampering the operations of the aircraft available to fight the fires read more This handout picture released by the Peruvian Ministry of Defense shows members of Civil Defense, firefighters, and volunteers trying to extinguish a forest fire outbreak affecting the territory in the Amazon Region in northern Peru. AFP Wildfires in Peru have left at least 15 dead and more than 3,000 hectares (11.58 square miles) of cultivated land and natural areas scorched, authorities said Monday. Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen told reporters that the fires were started by human activity and that 22 of the 24 regions that make up the country have active outbreaks. He added that clouds, smoke and winds were hampering the operations of the aircraft available to fight the fires. Advertisement A Civil Defense report seen by The Associated Press indicates that since July at least 15 people have died and another 98 have been injured due to the fires. Of the fatalities, 10 died in the last two weeks and more than 1,800 people have been affected. The livestock sector was reported to have lost 334 animals. Perus National Forest and Wildlife Service, SERFOR, indicated that the effects of climate change intensify the conditions that facilitate the spread of fire. Extremely strong winds and prolonged droughts dry out vegetation, turning it into highly flammable fuel, said Romina Liza, a specialist in monitoring and management of forest Fires at SERFOR. This allows the fire to spread rapidly. Some of the most complicated fires are in the Amazon region, which borders Ecuador, the head of civil defense, Juan Urcariegui, told a local television station. Germans are looking ahead to next years vote at a critical time, as the countrys struggles to integrate large numbers of refugees and migrants and as the major European economy weakens read more Chairman of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz walks at the lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, in Berlin, Germany September 10, 2024. Source: REUTERS German conservative leader Friedrich Merz on Tuesday announced that he will run for chancellor in federal elections next year, saying that his candidacy is fully backed by the countrys centre-right. The decision of Merz, the leader of the Christian Democrat Union (CDU), sets up a stage for a possible faceoff between him and Olaf Scholz, the Social Democrat chancellor, who has already announced he will seek a second term in the federal election scheduled for September 2025. Advertisement Merz said the big issue for the elections next year would be the precarious state of the German economy. He went on to say that the CDU/CSU would focus on improving conditions for everyone, not allocating subsidies to the few, as he claimed the Scholz government was doing. 1 - Born in Brilon, Germany on November 11, 1955, Merz studied law at the University of Bonn from where he earned his doctorate in law. 2 - He grew up in a small western town as the eldest son of a judge. 3 - Merz began his political career in the 1990s serving as a member of the Bundestag, Germanys federal parliament. 4 - Before entering politics, Merz worked as a commercial lawyer and was a prominent partner at the law firm Mayer Brown. 5 - He served as the Chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group from 2000 to 2002, a role that made him one of the leading figures in German politics at the time. 6 - Merz was defeated by Merkel in 2002 during the CDU parliamentary leader election. 7 - After losing the power struggle, Merz in 2009 left the Bundestag and took a long hiatus from active politics to focus on his career in the private sector. 8 - He returned in 2018. The 68-year-old became chairman of CDU in 2022 after the departure of Merkel. Advertisement 8 - Merz is widely considered a polar opposite in both style and policy to Merkel who led Germany for 16 years. 9 - Merz, as the opposition leader, has championed harder policies on migration, including turning back asylum seekers at the border. 10 - He is known for his advocacy towards a revival of Christian values. 11 - Merz is a father-of-three, married to a judge. He is an amateur pilot and in 2018, had disclosed he was earning around 1 million euros ($1.1 million) a year. 12 - He has worked on the advisory and supervisory boards of several major companies from Commerzbank to BASF. Merz was also chairman of the German arm of BlackRock, the worlds biggest fund manager. Advertisement 13 - Merz, a protege of the late CDU stalwart Wolfgang Schauble, secured the role of party leader through persistence and by resonating with grassroots members who were disillusioned with what they perceived as Merkels betrayal of core CDU principles, according to Alexander Clarkson, a lecturer in German studies at Kings College London. Apart from Schauble, Winston Churchill is the politician who inspires him the most. 14 - He is the author of 2008 book Dare more capitalism. 15 - Merz wants to simplify Germanys notoriously complex tax system. With inputs from agencies. Devastating floods have hit the central European nations of Romania, Poland, and Czech Republic read more A view of a damaged house, in the aftermath of flooding following heavy rainfalls, in Jesenik, Czech Republic, September 16. (Photo: Reuters) Residents of several areas of Poland and the Czech Republic rushed to evacuate on Monday as others in central Europe began cleaning up after the worst flooding in over two decades left a trail of destruction and a rising number of deaths. Border areas between the Czech Republic and Poland were hit hard over the weekend as heavy rain that has fallen since last week and surging water levels collapsed some bridges, forced evacuations and damaged cars and houses. Advertisement At least 17 people have died in flooding from Romania to Poland in the past few days. On Monday afternoon, the mayor of Nysa, a town of more than 40,000 people in southern Poland, called on residents to evacuate immediately after a nearby floodbank was damaged. In the northeastern Czech city of Ostrava, a broken barrier on the Odra river at its confluence with the Opava river caused flooding of the citys industrial area including the BorsodChem chemical plant, coking plant OKK Koksovny and others. Hundreds of people were being evacuated from more residential areas as well. In the Czech town of Litovel, 70 per cent of which was submerged by water up to a metre deep (3.2 feet) on Monday, residents described their fear as waters rose quickly over the weekend. I was just very, very afraid I ran away because the water was rising very quickly near the house, said Renata Gaborova, 39. Apocalypse Polands government announced a state of natural disaster in affected areas and said that it had set aside 1 billion zlotys ($260 million) to help victims. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he was in touch with the leaders of other affected countries and that they would ask the European Union for financial aid. Szymon Krzysztan, 16, standing in the town square of Ladek Zdroj, described losses from the floods as unimaginable. Advertisement Its a city like in an apocalypse Its a ghost town, he said. Reuters footage showed the town strewn with debris and mud. Armageddon It literally ripped out everything because we dont have a single bridge. In Ladek, all bridges have disappeared. We are practically cut off from the world, Jerzy Adamczyk, 70, told Reuters. In Jesenik, a Czech town across the border that was inundated on Sunday, a clean-up was starting after waters receded to show damaged cars and debris on the streets. There were two metres of water that ran through the street There are many, many destroyed cars, said resident Zdenek Kuzilek. Telephones are not working, there is no water, no electricity. Advertisement In eastern Romania, where villages and towns were submerged over the weekend, Emil Dragomir, mayor of Slobozia Conachi, told Romanian television some people had been left with just the clothes they had on. Preparation While water was receding in some areas, others, including Wroclaw, a Polish city of some 600,000 people, were shoring up defences for floodwaters heading their way. In Romania, the flooding killed seven people over the last few days. An Austrian firefighter died on Sunday. In the state of Lower Austria that surrounds Vienna, two men aged 70 and 80 were found drowned in their homes, a police spokesperson said on Monday. Advertisement Polish police said four people died as a result of floods in Poland, and in the Czech Republic three have died, a police official said. Slovakias capital Bratislava and the Hungarian capital Budapest were both preparing for possible flooding as the River Danube rose. Hungarian Interior Minister Sandor Pinter said efforts were focused on keeping the river and its tributaries within their banks and said up to 12,000 soldiers were on standby to help. In Austria, the levels of rivers and reservoirs fell overnight as rain eased but officials said they were bracing for a second wave as heavier rain was expected. The death toll, reported in the state-run Myanma Alinn, was almost seven times Fridays initial total of 33, with strong prospects of it continuing to rise read more Floods and landslides in Myanmar triggered by last weeks Typhoon Yagi and seasonal monsoon rains have claimed at least 226 lives, with 77 people missing, state-run media reported Tuesday. The death toll, reported in the state-run Myanma Alinn, was almost seven times Fridays initial total of 33, with strong prospects of it continuing to rise. The counting of casualties has been slow, in part due to communication difficulties with the affected areas as Myanmar is wracked by civil war. Advertisement Typhoon Yagi earlier hit Vietnam, northern Thailand and Laos, killing almost 300 people in Vietnam, 42 in Thailand and four in Laos, according to the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance. Indian and American officials held the US-India 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue in New Delhi, addressing key issues like the Indo-Pacific region, Ukraine, and Gaza. The discussions aimed to advance defense cooperation, space collaboration, and clean energy initiatives ahead of the Modi-Biden meeting read more Indian and American officials held the US-India 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue on Monday during which they discussed matters related to the Indo-Pacific region, Ukraine and Gaza, the State Department said here. The interaction, held in New Delhi, comes ahead of the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden. The US delegation was co-chaired by Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asia Donald Lu and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah P. Royal, the State Department said. Advertisement The Indian delegation was co-chaired by Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary for the Americas Nagaraj Naidu along with Indian Ministry of Defense Joint Secretary for International Cooperation Vishwesh Negi. According to the State Department, the dialogue advanced shared priorities, including defence cooperation, space and civil aviation collaboration, clean energy cooperation, and industrial and logistics coordination. The officials discussed a range of issues, across the Indo-Pacific and worldwide, including support for a just and durable peace in Ukraine, as well as support for a ceasefire and humanitarian assistance in Gaza, the State Department said. Assistant Secretary Lu and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Royal reiterated the United States commitment to further enhancing ongoing partnerships and expanding people-to-people ties, it added. The Israeli Opposition and Israels Business Forum Prime Minister on Tuesday urged Benjamin Netanyahu not to go ahead with reported plans to fire Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, warning that it will further harm the security and economy of the country read more The Israeli Opposition and Israels Business Forum Prime Minister on Tuesday urged Benjamin Netanyahu not to go ahead with reported plans to fire Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, warning that it will further harm the security and economy of the country. According to a Times of Israel report, accusing Netanyahu of security recklessness, the National Unity chairman Benny Gantz on Tuesday slammed the reported deal between Netanyahu and New Hope part head Gideon Saar, alleging that what Netanyahu is doing at the moment endangers Israels security in the most tangible way that I can remember having been done by a prime minister during a war and in general. Advertisement Gantz said swapping out the minister of defence ahead of a possible campaign in the north that has the possibility of spreading into a regional conflagration constitutes security recklessness. Doing so in order to promote a law that would enshrine an exemption from conscription is also moral abandonment, he was quoted as saying, adding that human lives and the future of the nation are at stake. This is the painful dictionary definition of petty politics, at the expense of national security. When we joined the emergency government, we put politics aside for the sake of the war, and now Netanyahu and Saar are putting the war aside, for the sake of politics, Times of Israel quoted Gantz as saying. Gantz also criticised the government for adding a fourth objective to the security cabinets goals for the ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza: The safe return of residents in the north to their homes. This move is half a year late but better late than never, Gantz said. Meanwhile, the Israels Business Forum, which consists of 200 heads of Israels largest companies that employ many private sector workers, said Netanyahu should stop messing around with petty politics during a war. It is clear that replacing the defense minister in exchange for a political deal regarding legislation that allows exclusion [of most ultra-Orthodox men] from military service, will exacerbate the gap in equally sharing the burden, Times of Israel quoted the forum as saying in a statement. Advertisement It will dramatically increase the frustration among the public who bear the burden of the (military) service, and the economic burden, added the statement. The Prime Minister knows better than anyone that all the economic indicators show that Israel is deteriorating into an economic abyss and is sinking into a deep recession, the forum further said, adding, The last thing Israel needs at this time is the firing of a defence minister - which will continue to shock the country. Israels leading television channels and news websites have reported that Netanyahu, under pressure from far-right coalition partners, was contemplating firingGallant and replacing him with a former ally turned rival, Gideon Saar, who is currently a member of the opposition. Advertisement Netanyahu, however, has denied that he was in negotiations with Saar, though he did not refer to his plans for Gallant. Saar, meanwhile, denied that he was negotiating with some members of the coalition, according to Reuters. With inputs from agencies Song Wu, the indicted Chinese national, works at the sanctioned Chinese aerospace company AVIC, which is one of the largest defence contractors in the world read more The software that Chinese agent Song Wu was trying to steal could be used in missile systems. (Photo: A F-16 fighter plane takes off in Germany, Credit: Reuters) The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has indicted a Chinese national for trying to hack NASA, US Air Force, and other US aerospace organisations. The DoJ on Monday said that Chinese national Song Wu has been indicted for yearslong spear-phishing campaign to hack the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and branches of the US military to steal dual-use software. Song worked for the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), a Chinese state-owned aerospace giant, which is one of the largest defence contractors in the world. Advertisement The spear-phishing refers to cyberattack in which someone targets a specific person, group, or an organisation to trick them into sharing sensitive data or granting entry into their systems by pretending to be someone they trust. Song faces 14 counts of wire fraud and 14 counts of aggravated identity theft. For each count of wire fraud, Song faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years, meaning she could potentially face over 100 years in jail maximum or at least over a decade at least if convicted. For several years, China has been accused of stealing technology of Western companies and governments for the growth its enterprises. Amid rising aggression in every sphere, China has ramped up its espionage, both industrial and governmental, in recent years and it has forced Western governments to devote more resources to counter-intelligence purposes. Grave threat to national security A US official said that Songs alleged crimes posed a grave threat to the US national security. Song created email accounts to impersonate US-based researchers and engineers and approached US government officials, university researchers, and private aerospace executives to trick them into sharing or making available source code or software they had access to, according to the DoJ. The government agencies targeted included NASA, Air Force, Army, Navy, and FAA. The software that Song were seeking was specialised and proprietary used for aerospace engineering and computational fluid dynamics, which could be used for both industrial and military applications, such as development of advanced tactical missiles and assessment of weapons, as per the DoJ. Advertisement US Attorney Ryan K Buchanan said that even though Song posed a grave threat to our national security, the indictment demonstrated the ability to thwart such plots by bad actors. The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, said, Once again, the FBI and our partners have demonstrated that cyber criminals around the world who are seeking to steal our companies most sensitive and valuable information can and will be exposed and held accountable. As this indictment shows, the FBI is committed to pursuing the arrest and prosecution of anyone who engages in illegal and deceptive practices to steal protected information. A new UN report has revealed that governments failure to invest in women and girls is costing the global economy $10 trillion annually read more Of the 120 countries where data is available, 67 dont have laws that prohibit discrimination against women. Image Courtesy: UN A new UN report has revealed that governments failure to invest in women and girls is costing the global economy $10 trillion annually. According The Guardian report, citing this years Gender Snapshot report from UN Women agency, low- and middle-income countries face a potential $500 billion loss over the next five years if the gender gap in internet access remains unaddressed and that, at current rates, child marriage could persist until 2092. Advertisement The report also highlights how improving support for female farmers could boost global GDP by $1 trillion. The cost of not achieving gender equality is just way too high but at the same time, the potential returns of doing so are also too high to ignore for societies, The Guardian quoted Papa Seck, head of UN Womens research and data section, as saying. The annual report also revealed that 47.8 million more women than men face severe food insecurity, extreme poverty for women could persist for another 137 years, and climate change may push 158 million more women and girls into poverty compared to men and boys. Governments must start investing hard cash into women and girls, said Seck, and make non-negotiable changes to their laws to better protect them. The report also found that no country has a complete set of laws to fully prohibit discrimination, prevent gender-based violence, ensure equal rights in marriage and divorce, guarantee equal pay, and provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health access. Of the 120 countries with available data, 67 lack anti-discrimination laws for women, and 28 have not implemented equal marriage and divorce rights. Only 41 countries are close to meeting gender equality targets. Also over half impose at least one restriction on women performing the same jobs as men, and half do not define rape as a crime of non-consent, added the report. Advertisement According to a snapshot report, published on September 7, an extra $360 billion is needed annually to achieve gender equality by 2030. The report warns that the world is way off track to meet gender targets in the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) set for 2030. Deep-rooted biases hinder progress, including unequal access to sexual and reproductive health, political representation, economic opportunities, and legal protections. Rachel Saunders from Nottingham University told The Guardian that the UK government must enforce laws requiring employers to disclose salaries and inform women of local sex offenders. She said that existing laws, like the Equality Act 2010, are poorly implemented, with the gender pay gap persisting and inadequate parental leave policies. Advertisement Jemima Olchawski, CEO of the Fawcett Society, criticised the widespread complacency towards gender disparities, describing them as ghosts from a past when women lacked rights and an assumption that progress would occur naturally over time. That is absolutely not the case, The Guardian quoted Olchawski as saying. We are consistently and constantly perpetuating and even creating new inequalities for women and girls, she added. Olchawski said that women still face absolutely horrendous situations, such as the Talibans ban on Afghan women working, studying, or speaking in public. Im not at all surprised to see that, sadly, she said. Were just not seeing progress. Ezel Buse Sonmezocak from Women for Womens Human Rights urged governments to fund feminist movements. Advertisement When you [do], you build a defense against backsliding, she was quoted as saying. She added that the snapshot should be a call to hold on to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and be more ambitious. With inputs from agencies The teen accounts will be private by default. Private messages are restricted so teens can only receive them from people they follow or are already connected to. Sensitive content, such as videos of people fighting or those promoting cosmetic procedures, will be limited read more Instagram is making teen accounts private by default as it tries to make the platform safer for children amid a growing backlash against how social media affects young peoples lives. Beginning Tuesday in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, anyone under under 18 who signs up for Instagram will be placed into restrictive teen accounts and those with existing accounts will be migrated over the next 60 days. Teens in the European Union will see their accounts adjusted later this year. Advertisement Meta acknowledges that teenagers may lie about their age and says it will require them to verify their ages in more instances, like if they try to create a new account with an adult birthday. The Menlo Park, California company also said it is building technology that proactively finds teen accounts that pretend to be grownups and automatically places them into the restricted teen accounts. The teen accounts will be private by default. Private messages are restricted so teens can only receive them from people they follow or are already connected to. Sensitive content, such as videos of people fighting or those promoting cosmetic procedures, will be limited, Meta said. Teens will also get notifications if they are on Instagram for more than 60 minutes and a sleep mode will be enabled that turns off notifications and sends auto-replies to direct messages from 10 p.m. until 7 a.m. While these settings will be turned on for all teens, 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to turn them off. Kids under 16 will need their parents permission to do so. The three concerns were hearing from parents are that their teens are seeing content that they dont want to see or that theyre getting contacted by people they dont want to be contacted by or that theyre spending too much on the app, said Naomi Gleit, head of product at Meta. So teen accounts is really focused on addressing those three concerns. Advertisement The announcement comes as the company faces lawsuits from dozens of US states that accuse it of harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms. In the past, Metas efforts at addressing teen safety and mental health on its platforms have been met with criticism that the changes dont go far enough. For instance, while kids will get a notification when theyve spent 60 minutes on the app, they will be able to bypass it and continue scrolling. Thats unless the childs parents turn on parental supervision mode, where parents can limit teens time on Instagram to a specific amount of time, such as 15 minutes. Advertisement With the latest changes, Meta is giving parents more options to oversee their kids accounts. Those under 16 will need a parent or guardians permission to change their settings to less restrictive ones. They can do this by setting up parental supervision on their accounts and connecting them to a parent or guardian. Nick Clegg, Metas president of global affairs, said last week that parents dont use the parental controls the company has introduced in recent years. Gleit said she thinks teen accounts will create a big incentive for parents and teens to set up parental supervision. Parents will be able to see, via the family center, who is messaging their teen and hopefully have a conversation with their teen, she said. If there is bullying or harassment happening, parents will have visibility into who their teens following, whos following their teen, who their teen has messaged in the past seven days and hopefully have some of these conversations and help them navigate these really difficult situations online. Advertisement US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said last year that tech companies put too much on parents when it comes to keeping children safe on social media. Were asking parents to manage a technology thats rapidly evolving that fundamentally changes how their kids think about themselves, how they build friendships, how they experience the world and technology, by the way, that prior generations never had to manage, Murthy said in May 2023. Top US diplomat Richard Verma stated that China and Russias apprehension about the growing India-US relationship stems from its promotion of inclusivity, peace, and the rule of law. He praised the partnership as a defining relationship of the century and highlighted the significance of the upcoming Quad leaders summit hosted by President Biden read more China and Russia are concerned about the strengthening India-US relationship because it promotes inclusivity, peace, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, along with valuing diverse voices in society, a top US diplomat said Monday. Frankly, why do you think China and Russia are so concerned about this partnership? Because we bring a way of life to the rest of the world, that is about inclusivity, about peace, about the peaceful resolution of disputes, about the rule of law, and its about hearing everyones voice in a society, Richard Verma, the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources said at the prestigious Hudson Institute, in response to a question, after he delivered remarks on India-US relationship. Advertisement Verma said the relationship between India and US is a very different mode than how some of the adversaries of the latter operate. The diplomat noted that this uniqueness is why President Joe Biden has described the relationship between both countries as the defining relationship of this century. He recalled that nearly 20 years ago, when he stood with then-Senator Biden and staff director Tony Blinken in the Senate, Biden had remarked that if the US and India were the closest friends and partners by 2020, the world would be a safer place. Not just because we have two big militaries, not just because we have two big economies, but because we actually stand for something that matters to people in their daily lives across the world, Verma said. In response to a question on QUAD, Verma said it aims to promote peace, security, stability and prosperity. I look at what the Quad has, the kinds of statements and pronouncements its made on technology, for example technology for good, not to harass, not to surveil, not to misinform, laying out a set of key principles, going even further on some of our work on quantum computing and cybersecurity, he said. When I look at what the Quad has said and done on energy transition, trade, rule-based order, I dont think it has to take on a military character. Indians are not supportive of that. Frankly, I dont think we need that. I think there are other venues to deal with core military issues, he said. Advertisement I think this is about like-minded countries, two of which are treaty allies of the United States, coming together in a different form, in a different architecture, bringing in the most populous country in the Indo-Pacific to actually chart some new territory that we hadnt charted before, Verma said. I think it has positive impact to security without being a treaty-based security organisation. Theres great promise and excitement in the QUAD. I think this weekends meeting will be quite significant. Itll be historic. QUAD will continue to just build in many ways, said the top American diplomat. US President Joe Biden will host the fourth in-person Quad leaders summit at his Delaware residence next week, in a rare gesture for his counterparts from Australia, India and Japan, a presidential spokesperson announced Thursday. Advertisement India, which was scheduled to host QUAD this year, would host the summit next year. QUAD leadership summit is an initiative of Biden and is one of the key foreign policy legacies for the outgoing American president. It is clear what the greatest concern of the people here is: that if Ukraine falls, Moldova is the next country in line, said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at a conference to address concerns about broadening Russian interference in the region read more Support for Ukraine guarantees the survival of neighbouring Moldova, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Tuesday at a conference to address concerns about broadening Russian interference in the region. Everything that we do to support Ukraine also means fostering stabilisation with regards to Moldova, Baerbock said. It is clear what the greatest concern of the people here is: that if Ukraine falls, Moldova is the next country in line. Baerbock was visiting Chisinau for the Moldova Partnership Platform, together with her counterparts from France, Romania, Poland, the Netherlands and Lithuania. Advertisement Germany, one of Kyivs main military supporters in Europe, initiated the platform after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, painting it as part of broader efforts to stabilise Moldovas economy and shield it from Russian disinformation. Moldova, which has a Romanian-speaking majority and large Russian-speaking minority, has alternated between pro-Russian and pro-Western governments since the fall of the Soviet Union, and now has a strong Western-oriented administration. Moscow has troops stationed in a region where pro-Russian separatists broke from Chisinaus control in a short war in the early 1990s. Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who has accused Russia of trying to overthrow her government, said Moldova still faces serious challenges and urged partners to increase their support. Russias war against Ukraine, which we condemned from the very first day, has caused enormous damage to our economy, Sandu said. The uncertainty caused by the war continues to seriously hinder our economic development and will continue to hinder it as long as the war lasts, she added. Within the framework of the platform, agreements were signed to provide Moldova with more than 300 million euros ($334 million) in loans and 80 million euros in grants, the governments press service said. Advertisement Allies also welcomed Moldovas efforts to join the European Union. Under Sandu, Moldova, which lies between Ukraine and NATO and EU member Romania, hopes to join the bloc by 2030. France, Germany and Poland voiced their unwavering and continuous support for Moldova in its bid to join, according to a draft resolution seen by Reuters following a meeting of the three countries top diplomats. The countries, known as the Weimar Triangle, also promised support to the Moldovan armed forces to defend the country, both bilaterally and as EU partners. In May, Moldova signed a security and defence partnership with the EU, the first country to agree such a deal with the bloc. The head of Russias nuclear testing site said on Tuesday his secretive facility was ready to resume nuclear tests at any moment if Moscow gave the order, in rare comments likely to fuel concerns that the risk of such a step is rising read more A view shows a model of a nuclear test at the museum of the Semipalatinsk Test Site, one of the main locations for nuclear testing in the Soviet Union, in the town of Kurchatov in the Abai Region, Kazakhstan, on November 7, 2023. Reuters File The head of Russias nuclear testing site said on Tuesday his secretive facility was ready to resume nuclear tests at any moment if Moscow gave the order, in rare comments likely to fuel concerns that the risk of such a step is rising. Moscow has not conducted a nuclear weapons test since 1990, the year before the fall of the Soviet Union, but some Western and Russian analysts say President Vladimir Putin could order one to try to send a message of deterrence to the West if it lets Ukraine use its long-range missiles to strike Russia, something that is under discussion. Advertisement A nuclear test by Russia could encourage others such as China or the United States to follow suit, starting a new nuclear arms race between the big powers, which stopped nuclear testing in the years after the Soviet collapse. Russias testing site, located on the remote Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, was where the Soviet Union conducted more than 200 nuclear tests, including the detonation of the worlds most powerful nuclear bomb ever in 1961. It is closely watched by Western spy satellites for activity amid signs of construction work last summer shown in open-source satellite images. Rear Admiral Andrei Sinitsyn, the head of the facility, gave a rare interview to Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the Russian governments official newspaper, which was published on Tuesday, days after Putin warned the West it would be directly fighting with Russia if it allowed Ukraine to strike Russian territory with Western-made long-range missiles and spoke of retaliation. The test site is ready for resumption of full-scale testing activities. It is ready in its entirety. Laboratory and testing facilities are ready. The personnel are ready. If the order comes, we can start testing at any moment, said Sinitsyn. Pictured in his naval uniform alongside a cabinet holding a book about Putin and a giant white porcelain polar bear, Sinitsyn painted a picture of a facility kept in a high state of readiness that was protected by elite troops. Advertisement The most important thing for us is not to disrupt the implementation of state tasks. If the task of resuming tests is set, it will be accomplished within the time frame stipulated, he said. Demonstrative test Putin, in charge of the worlds largest nuclear power, signed a law last November withdrawing Russias ratification of the global treaty banning nuclear weapons tests, a move he said was designed to bring Russia into line with the United States, which signed but never ratified the treaty. Russian diplomats said at the time that Moscow would not resume nuclear testing unless Washington does. Putin said in June Russia could test a nuclear weapon if necessary, but saw no need to do so at the present time. Advertisement The United States last tested in 1992. Only North Korea has conducted a test involving a nuclear explosion this century. A senior member of a Russian think-tank whose ideas sometimes become government policy suggested in May that Moscow consider a demonstrative nuclear explosion to cow the West. In an article for Profil, a business magazine, Dmitry Suslov said Russia needed to act to dissuade the West from crossing a red line. The political and psychological effect of a nuclear mushroom cloud, which will be shown live on all TV channels around the world, will hopefully remind Western politicians of the one thing that has prevented wars between the great powers since 1945 and that they have now largely lost - fear of nuclear war, Suslov wrote. TEPCO has suspended the operation to remove a sample of highly radioactive material from Fukushimas stricken nuclear plant due to a technical issue with the remote cameras. The delay adds to the challenges of decommissioning the facility, which has faced multiple setbacks since the 2011 tsunami disaster read more The operator of Japans stricken Fukushima nuclear plant said on Tuesday it has suspended an operation to remove a sample of highly radioactive material because of a new technical problem. Extracting the estimated 880 tons of highly radioactive fuel and debris inside the former power station remains the most challenging part of decommissioning the facility, which was hit by a catastrophic tsunami in 2011. Radioactivity levels inside are far too high for humans to enter and earlier this month engineers began inserting an extendable device to try and remove a small sample. Advertisement However, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) had to halt the procedure on Tuesday after noticing that remote cameras on the apparatus were not beaming back images to the control centre. We are investigating the cause of the problem, TEPCO spokesman Tatsuya Matoba told AFP. We need to find out the cause of the trouble before resuming, he said. TEPCO originally planned to start on August 22, aiming to collect three grams (0.1 ounces) for analysis, but technical problems caused a delay. Three of Fukushimas six reactors went into meltdown after a tsunami triggered by Japans biggest earthquake on record swamped the facility in one of the worlds worst atomic accidents. Japan began last year releasing into the Pacific Ocean some of the 540 Olympic swimming pools worth of reactor cooling water amassed since the catastrophe. China and Russia banned Japanese seafood imports as a result although Tokyo insists the discharge is safe, a view backed by the UN atomic agency. In a TEPCO initiative to promote food from the Fukushima area, swanky London department store Harrods began selling peaches grown in the region this month. Volleys of gunfire interspersed with explosions began at around 5:00 am and black smoke could be seen rising from an area near the airport read more This video grab taken from an AFPTV video on September 17, 2024 shows a plume of smoke rising in Bamako as shots and detonations were heard. AFP Gunmen attacked a military police base early Tuesday in the Malian capital Bamako where gunfire and explosions were heard and the airport was closed, sources, witnesses and an AFP correspondent said. This morning armed men attacked at least one military police base in Bamako. They have not been formally identified, a police source told AFP on condition of anonymity. Volleys of gunfire interspersed with explosions began at around 5:00 am and black smoke could be seen rising from an area near the airport. Bamako airport is temporarily closed due to events, an airport official said without saying how long the closure would last. A witness said he and other worshippers were stuck in a mosque near the area during early morning prayers. Advertisement The French high school Liberte announced it would remain closed due to external events and staff at the United Nations mission in Mali received a message urging them to limit (their) movements until further notice. Mali has been ruled by a military junta since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021. A number of armed rebel groups are active in the West African country including separatists and jihadists linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group but until now the capital has been spared. After the Malian coup, military juntas also seized power in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger. Under junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita, Mali broke a long-standing alliance with European partners and former colonial power France, turning instead to Russia and its Wagner mercenary group for support. The military leaders have pledged to regain control of the entire country. Their offensive against rebels in the north has given rise to numerous allegations that the army and its Russian allies have committed abuses against civilians since 2022, charges they deny. Replacing IDF chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi is part of the deal reached between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and New Hope chairman Gideon Saar, though it is not yet clear if they intend to wait for Halevi to resign or force him out, according to a report read more Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and New Hope chairman Gideon Saar have reportedly agreed to jointly choose a new IDF chief of staff as part of a deal, according to a report. According to Times of Israel report, citing Haaretz daily and Ynet, replacing IDF chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi is part of the agreement though it is not yet clear if they intend to wait for Halevi to resign or force him out. Advertisement The development comes amid reports suggested that Netanyahu was considering firing Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and replacing him with a former-ally-turned rival Saar, who is currently a member of the opposition. The report also quoted sources as saying that the prime minister is laying the foundation for Gallants ouster by spreading rumors that the defence minister opposes an operation in the north. Seemingly, seeking to debunk those claims, Gallant on Monday asserted that only military action against Hezbollah will enable the return of tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis to their homes. For months, Netanyahus cabinet members have been pushing for Gallants dismissal. Their dissatisfaction stems from several issues, including his opposition to a government-supported ultra-Orthodox military enlistment bill and his public disagreements with the prime minister over a proposed hostage deal and control of the Philadelphi Corridor in Gaza. According to Channel 12, if Saar is not appointed as defence minister, he might be assigned the role of foreign minister, with Israel Katz stepping in for Gallant. The report also suggested that New Hope MKs Zeev Elkin and Sharren Haskel could be offered ministerial positions. According to Times of Israel report, as part of the deal, Netanyahu will likely give Saar a veto over moves related to the controversial judicial overhaul. Advertisement Saar would be given the authority, effectively stymying Justice Minister Yariv Levins efforts to revive the initiative, which was largely frozen after October 7, reported Times of Israel, citing the Walla news site. However, Netanyahu will not need Saars consent for other aspects of his judicial overhaul, such as appointing or dismissing individuals. With inputs from agencies As election season approaches in the US, authorities are taking extensive measures to ensure both the safety of election workers and the security of the voting and ballot-counting process. The focus on safety comes amid a rise in political violence across the country, making the need for heightened security more critical than ever. Heres what election officers are doing differently this year read more As election season approaches in the US, authorities are taking extensive measures to ensure both the safety of election workers and the security of the voting and ballot-counting process. AP As election season approaches in the US, authorities are taking extensive measures to ensure both the safety of election workers and the security of the voting and ballot-counting process. With political violence on the rise, the need for heightened security has become even more critical. Just over the weekend, former President Trump faced a potential assassination attempt, only weeks after another threat against his life. In Cobb County, an Atlanta suburb set to be a key battleground in the presidential race, the election director recently held a five-hour training session. Advertisement However, this wasnt a typical election training. The session focused on collaboration between election staff and law enforcement, mapping out strategies to ensure the elections run as safely as possible. Heres a deeper dive into their preparations. Threats, guns & fentanyl In preparation for Election Day on November 5, local election directors across the country are boosting security measures to protect poll workers and ensure the safety of polling places, while also safeguarding ballots and voting processes. AP Tate Fall, the election director for Cobb County, felt compelled to take action after one of her poll workers shared a disturbing experience. During Georgias presidential primary in March, the worker was confronted by an agitated voter who was visibly carrying a gun. Though the situation didnt escalate, it left the poll worker shaken. That made it really real for me that its so easy for something to go sideways in life, period, let alone the environment of Georgia and elections, Fall told AP. I just cant have someone being harmed on my conscience. In preparation for Election Day on November 5, local election directors across the country are boosting security measures. Their fears are far from hypothetical. Since the 2020 presidential election, election offices and officials have faced harassment and even death threats, primarily from individuals influenced by former President Donald Trumps claims of widespread election fraud and rigged voting machines. Advertisement In the past year alone, a gun was fired at the window of an election office in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Additionally, letters containing white powder, sometimes testing positive for fentanyl, were sent to election offices in five states. Swatting incidentsbogus 911 callstargeted top election officials in Georgia, Maine, Michigan, and Missouri, putting them in potentially dangerous situations. This is one of the things that I have to say is just crazy, outrageous to me the election threats to workers of both parties and their families, the bullying, the harassment, said Jen Easterly, director of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, during a recent online event. Advertisement These folks, they are not doing it for pay. Theyre not doing it for glory. Theyre doing it because they believe its the right thing to do to defend our democracy. Whats different this time? The US Cybersecurity director revealed that her agency has conducted over 1,000 voluntary physical security assessments for election offices since early 2023. Election officials have utilised these assessments to identify vulnerabilities and secure funding from local governments for necessary upgrades. Additionally, a 2022 decision by the US Election Assistance Commission allowed federal funds to be used for security enhancements like badge readers, cameras, and protective fencing. For the upcoming election, Los Angeles County in California and Durham County in North Carolina will have new offices equipped with significant security upgrades. Advertisement In Durham County, a key feature of the new office is a mail processing room with a separate exhaust system designed to handle potentially hazardous mail substances. Image for Representation/ Reuters These improvements include bulletproof glass, security cameras, and badge-access doors. New procedures for handling mail will also be implemented nationwide, with election workers receiving Narcan kits to manage accidental overdoses. In Durham County, a key feature of the new office is a mail processing room with a separate exhaust system designed to handle potentially hazardous mail substances. We have countless reasons why this investment was critical, Durham Countys election director, Derek Bowens told AP, citing threats to election officials in Michigan and Arizona, as well as suspicious letters sent to offices in several states. Bowens and others who have worked in elections for years said their jobs have changed significantly. Threats and harassment are one reason why some election officials across the country have been leaving. In some places, election workers are being trained in de-escalation techniques and how to respond to an active shooter. Advertisement Security to this extent wasnt on the list before. Now it is, said Cari-Ann Burgess, the chief election official in Washoe County, Nevada. We have drills that we work through, we have emergency plans that we have prepared. We are a lot more cautious now than we ever have been. In Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, about four hours from where Trump was targeted in July, officials estimate that security now consumes around 40 percent of their time. They work closely with local law enforcement and emergency managers, conducting regular training to address any potential disruptions to voting or ballot counting. Its very volatile, and Luzerne County reflects what is going on across the country, said County Manager Romilda Crocamo. It seems that people are very emotional, and sometimes that emotion escalates. Panic buttons, canine teams & more County Manager Romilda Crocamo is considering installing panic buttons for poll managers at about 130 voting locations on Election Day. While Pennsylvania law prohibits law enforcement from entering polling places, Crocamo and her team are working with local officials to ensure emergency responders with radios are nearby in case of an incident. Many local officials have increased law enforcement presence at election offices, especially on election night when poll workers transport ballots and other materials. Additional law enforcement is also planned for the period after Election Day, during the vote canvassing and result certification. In Michigan, four years ago, a large crowd of Trump supporters created chaos outside Detroits ballot counting operation, demanding to Stop the count! and banging on windows. This year, Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey has enhanced preparations with more cameras, armed security, and bulletproof glass. File Image/ AP In Los Angeles, law enforcement canine teams will scan incoming mail ballots for suspicious substances. This is part of a broader security upgrade involving a new $29 million election office that consolidates operations previously scattered across the county. Dean Logan, who oversees elections for Los Angeles County, emphasised that security is a top priority. He noted social media posts suggesting methods to damage ballot drop boxes and disrupt mail voting, highlighting the importance of ensuring these disruptions do not occur. The office will feature round-the-clock security and additional staffing from the county sheriffs department for the November election. Its important to me that we can tell voters they dont have to be worried about the security of their ballots," Logan said. Weve taken steps to keep them safe. Election officials are working to balance security with maintaining welcoming polling places and providing access to ensure public trust in the process. In Michigan, four years ago, a large crowd of Trump supporters created chaos outside Detroits ballot counting operation, demanding to Stop the count! and banging on windows. This year, Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey has enhanced preparations with more cameras, armed security, and bulletproof glass. Observers will now be screened by security before entering the large room used for counting ballots at the citys convention center. My biggest concern was to protect the staff and the process, Winfrey said. And in doing so, our building it may look the same, but its not the same. With input from AP Elections Canada said that with 100% of the votes counted in LaSalle-Emard-Verdun, Liberal candidate Laura Palestini had been beaten into second place by the separatist Bloc Quebecois candidate, Louis-Philippe Sauve read more Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau casts his vote during the election of a new speaker in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on October 3, 2023. Reuters File Canadas ruling Liberal party lost a once-safe seat in a Montreal parliamentary constituency, preliminary results showed on Tuesday, a result likely to put more pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to quit. Elections Canada said that with 100% of the votes counted in LaSalle-Emard-Verdun, Liberal candidate Laura Palestini had been beaten into second place by the separatist Bloc Quebecois candidate, Louis-Philippe Sauve. Palestini received 27.2% of the vote compared to 28% for the Bloc and 26.1% for the New Democratic Party candidate. The election was held to replace a Liberal legislator who quit. Advertisement The result will put more focus on the political future of Trudeau, who has become increasingly unpopular after almost nine years in office. Trudeau insists he will lead the party into an election that must be held by the end of October 2025, but some Liberal legislators have broken ranks to call for change at the top. Alexandra Mendes, a Liberal lawmaker who represents a Quebec constituency, said last week that many of her constituents wanted Trudeau to go. In the 2021 general election, the Liberals won the Montreal seat with 43% of the vote, ahead of the Bloc Quebecois on 22% and the NDP on 19%. Trudeau had suggested voters may react to anger over elevated prices and a housing crisis. Polls suggest that the Liberals will lose badly to the right-of-center Conservatives of Pierre Poilievre in the next federal election. A Leger poll last week put the Conservatives on 45% of public support, a level of national support rarely seen in Canada, with the Liberals in second place on 25%. Trudeaus popularity has sagged as voters struggle with a surge in the cost of living and a housing crisis that has been fueled in part by a spike in arrivals of temporary residents including foreign students and workers. Poilievre is promising to axe a federal carbon tax he says is making life unaffordable and last week vowed to cap immigration limits until more homes could be built. Liberals concede the polls look grim but say they will redouble efforts to portray Poilievre as a supporter of the Make America Great Again movement of former US President Donald Trump as an election approaches. Advertisement Poilievre, an acerbic career politician who often insults his opponents, also says he would defund CBC, Canadas public broadcaster. In April he was ejected from the House of Commons after he called Trudeau a wacko. In her opening remarks at a press conference in Geneva, she asked Western journalists and media to stop dehumanising people and spreading disinformation read more Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, slammed Western countries for their hypocrisy and western media for their coverage of the wart in Gaza. File image/Reuters A United Nations expert on Monday (September 16) slammed the Western media for their coverage of the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. During a press conference in Geneva, Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on the rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said that, too often, media has disseminated disinformation which has served to justify the crimes being committed by Israel is Gaza and the entirety of Palestine. This coverage has contributed to dehumanise Palestinians and twist public perception, undermining accountability, she said. Advertisement Albanese, an Italian lawyer, went on to make an emphatic appeal to the them. As a Western citizen myself, I ask Western journalists among you: If you really resent and repent our past, if you really resent and repent what Western countries have done to millions during colonialism, including during Nazi fascism in Europe, stop dehumanising Palestinians. Do your job, she said. Giving an update on the situation on the ground in Gaza, she said that for nearly a year now, Israels genocidal assault has devastated entire families, erased neighbourhoods, and destroyed essential infrastructure including roads, water, and electricity provisions in Gaza. This violence has gone unpunished and continues unabated. Nearly 2 million people over 90 per cent of Gazas population are forcibly displaced and many have been relocated multiple times [] Evacuation orders continue to be issued to a population that has nowhere to go. They are just waiting for their death, Albanese, who had joined virtually from Tunis, said. She said that the world continues to remain silent in the face of this unimaginable suffering of Palestinians. She further hit out at UN member states, saying most member states remained inactive at best, or actively aiding and assisting Israels criminal conduct. She also made it clear that she was referring to Western countries as well as some Gulf nations. Albanese also said she believes it is unavoidable for Israel to become a pariah on the global stage in the face of its continuous, relentless, vilifying assault of the United Nations, on top of millions of Palestinians. Advertisement It is important to note that although the rapporteurs are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, they do not speak on behalf of the UN. On Monday, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal called for India to have its own Silicon Valley. But how did the place in Californias San Francisco, once best known for its fruit orchards, become home to the biggest tech companies in the world and the byword for innovation and progress? read more Silicon Valley is located in the Bay Area of San Francisco. Image courtesy: Coolcaesar. Wikimedia Commons Piyush Goyal wants India to have its own Silicon Valley. The commerce and industry minister on Monday called for India to set up a township for entrepreneurs and start-ups. We should be aspiring to go beyond. We should be aspiring to have our own Silicon Valley. I know Bengaluru is the Silicon Valley of India. But I think its time we also start thinking in terms of maybe tying up with National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited and creating a whole new township dedicated to entrepreneurs, startups, innovators, and disruptors, Goyal said. Advertisement The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) has been tasked with implementing the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme an ambitious infrastructure plan aiming to develop new industrial cities as smart cities. NIDC is developing nearly two dozen townships in different parts of the country, including Bihar, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. Goyal, addressing startup firms during the launch of Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR) Portal in the National Capital, said, Can we create a society, or a whole 200 (or) 100 (or) 500 acre area land see whether we can create some ecosystem whether its somebody coming from a very far-off place with an idea, who does not know where and whom to connect with can land up there (in the township) like once upon a time people used to come to Mumbai. But what do we know about Silicon Valley? How did it begin? And how did it boom? Lets take a closer look: What is it? Silicon Valley is located in the Bay Area of San Francisco. It is part of the Santa Clara Valley in Northern California. Around the world, it is famed for being a hub for progress and innovation. Silicon refers to the production of semiconductors in which silicon chips are used. Advertisement The term itself was first used by Electronic News in 1971 in a three-part series from journalist Don Hoefler on the history of semiconductors. But Hoefler did not come up with the term. He borrowed it from his friend and businessman Ralph Vaerst. Silicon Valley is spread across 4,800 square kilometres. Around three million people live there. Over 30 multinational companies on the Forbes Fortune 1000 list have headquarters in Silicon Valley. These include giants such as Apple, Google, Meta, Netflix, Nvidia, Cisco Systems, Intel, Visa and Chevron. Though the prestigious Stanford University is Silicon Valleys biggest school, it is also home to several other institutions of learning. Stanford University, established by railway mogul Leland Stanford, played a crucial role in the early development of Silicon Valley. Image courtesy: Frank Schulenburg. Wikimedia Commons It is also home to a huge number of the super-rich 85 billionaires and 163,000 millionaires, as per Power and Beyond.com. Advertisement Little surprise then that Silicon Valleys median income is higher than that of San Francisco, California, and the United States. People in Silicon Valley earned an average of $149,588 per year compared to $136,692 and $91,551 in San Francisco and California in 2022. The US average, meanwhile, was $74,755, as per Investopedia. How did it all begin? Very slowly. According to Power and Beyond.com, till the 1890s, the Santa Clara Valley was best known for its fruit orchards cherries, pears, apricots, and French plums were produced here. The valley was responsible for producing 30 per cent of all the worlds prunes. Advertisement However, all that would change in 1891. This was when railway mogul Leland Stanford established Stanford University. Stanford University then gained fame in 1909 after then university president David Starr Jordan opened up the chequebook to help Lee de Forrest make his audion tube. The vacuum tube would magnify a weak electric signal which would prove to be a massive achievement in human history. However, others give the credit for Silicon Valley to Frederick Terman. Terman, a teacher at Stanford, was responsible for turning its electrical engineering department a top notch research lab. He is known as the father of Silicon Valley. However, students upon graduating Stanford kept searching for their fame and fortune elsewhere. Advertisement Terman decided to rectify this and did so by funding local businesses that would hire the students. One of the businesses Terman funded? A small company, by two Stanford students William Hewlett and David Packard, known as Hewlett-Packard, as per Power and Beyond. Many people pinpoint the opening of HP, in a Palo Alto garage, as the moment where Silicon Valley was born. The Palo Alto garage where Hewlett-Packard was born. Image courtesy: BrokenSphere. Wikimedia Commons In 1941, William Shockley, John Bardeen, and Walter H Brattain would come up with the first working transistor at Bell Labs. Today, we call this transistor a microprocessor. Shockley would leave Bell Labs and go on to found his own firm Shockley Semiconductors Laboratory in 1955. As per Business Insider, Shockley Semiconductors Laboratory, in Mountain View, would be the first firm to use silicon to build transistors. By then, Terman had established the Stanford Research Park a joint enterprise of Stanford University and Palo Alto city. In 1957, eight employees of Shockley Semiconductors Laboratory would resign. These employees, who Shockley nicknamed the Traitorous Eight, would team up with Sherman Fairchild and establish Fairchild Semiconductor. Robert Noyce and Jack Kilby, part of the Traitorous Eight would discover that every part of a circuit could be built using silicon. This would ultimately lead to the founding of the integrated circuit still used in every microprocessor. In 1961, ex-Fairchild backer Arthur Rock would form Davis & Rock Americas first venture capital firm. From now on, the funds to Silicon Valley would flow freely. Fairchild Semiconductor built its reputation by helping make computer parts for Nasas Apollo program. Members of the Traitorous Eight would go on to find their own success. Gordon Moore and Robert Noyce, for example, founded Intel in 1968. Other members also helped establish AMD and Nvidia. The boom In 1969, the Stanford Research Institute became home to one of four nodes of the government research project Arpanet. Arpanet, which would be used to connect government computers and help researchers share documents, would later transform into the internet. In 1970, Xerox would open its lab in Palo Alto. Xeroxs lab would be responsible for much of the early technology including ethernet computing and the graphical user interface. The decade saw heavyweights such as Atari, Apple, Microsoft and Oracle established in the Bay Area which became the place to go. The 1980s saw Adobe, Cisco and Sun Microsystems being established, while the 1990s saw the founding of Netscape, e-bay, Google, Yahoo, Amazon, PayPal, and Netflix are founded. Meta, X, Tesla and Uber are founded would be founded in the next decade. For anyone dreaming of success in Tech, Silicon Valley remains the place to be. With inputs from agencies Carlo Kingston Dorelli, an 11-year-old Florida-based school student, has been arrested after he allegedly bragged about his massive collection of weapons and plans to execute a kill list at two different schools. The arrest comes a few days after the county sheriff warned to hold any child accountable for making prank threats read more Hailing from Port Orange in Volusia County, the middle school student has been charged with making a written threat of a mass shooting a felony. Image Courtesy: @MikeChitwood/Facebook An 11-year-old boy has been arrested in the United States. The pre-teen boy was thrown in county lockup after he allegedly bragged about his massive collection of weapons and plans to execute a kill list at two different schools, a sheriff said. Heres all we know about him. About the kid arrested in Florida The 11-year-old has been identified as Carlo Kingston Dorelli. Hailing from Port Orange in Volusia County, the middle school student has been charged with making a written threat of a mass shooting a felony. Advertisement He threatened to shoot up either of his school, Creekside Middle School, or nearby Silver Sands Middle School, the Volusia County Sheriffs Office announced on Monday. In a Facebook post, Sheriff Mike Chitwood said, He had written a list of names and targets. He says it was all a joke. In addition, the department released a mugshot of the handcuffed youngster, a video of the cops escorting him into the jailhouse, and a picture of drug-bust style replica weapons, samurai swords, and throwing stars on a table. Showed off collection of weapons Authorities claimed to have received information from other students that Dorelli displayed his arsenal of weapons and a list of targets during a FaceTime chat. According to a Dailymail report, some claimed they were unable to determine if the firearms were real or fake. Authorities discovered a plethora of airsoft rifles, phoney ammunition, swords, knives, and throwing stars during the boys room search. A paper with multiple names on it that seemed to have knife marks next to them was also discovered by officials in his room. Advertisement As per an affidavit obtained by Spectrum News 13, the boy later acknowledged showing his friends his collection of airsoft guns and several of his knives, but he did not recall if he informed them that the airsoft rifles were not real, functioning firearms. He claimed he had no intention of causing any of the named individuals harm, but the other students began to discuss how (he) was going to conduct a shooting, according to WSVN. I can and will release the names and photos of juveniles who are committing these felonies, threatening our students, disrupting our schools and consuming law enforcement resources, Chitwood added. Advertisement Sheriff vows to perp-walk kids The arrest comes a few days after Chitwood warned to hold any child accountable for making prank threats. Following the Georgia school shooting incident, Florida authorities received 54 false tips about an imminent school shooting in one night, Chitwood said, costing the department around $20,000 in taxpayer funds. Every time we make an arrest, your kids photo is going to be put out there Were gonna come and get you. Were going to put you out for public embarrassment, Chitwood said in a press conference last week. For the little kids out there who think this is funny, ha ha ha, you want to get on social media: You aint that smart Youre getting caught, he added. Advertisement Similar arrests Numerous threats of school shootings have been issued outside of Florida as well. In Alabamas Foley last Friday, a teacher reportedly overheard a student discussing possession of a weapon, which prompted the authorities to place the school on lockdown. Later, the local police arrested two teenagers for making a terrorist threat on social media. WFYI Indianapolis reported that two teenagers, ages 12 and 15, were taken into custody in Indianapolis on the same day for allegedly making threats against their school district. In Texas last week, two 12-year-olds were arrested for similar threats. In the city, officials have already detained at least ten children for threats of school violence this year alone, according to My SanAntonio. Advertisement Georgia school shooting A 14-year-old boy has been charged with shooting four people dead at Apalachee High School in the southern state of Georgia earlier this month. Colt Gray is charged as an adult with four counts of murder, and District Attorney Brad Smith has said more charges are likely to be filed against him in connection with the wounded. Authorities have also charged his father, Colin Gray, alleging that he gave his son access to the gun when he knew or should have known that the teen was a danger to himself and others. The incident prompted US President Joe Biden to call for a complete ban on weapons. He said, Id like to say a few words about the school shooting yesterday. As a nation, we cannot continue to accept the carnage of gun violence. Im a gun owner. I believe strongly in the amendment. We need more than thoughts and prayers, CNN quoted the president as saying. With inputs from agencies The return, repair and reshipment of spare parts will be transferred from U.S. Government stock, the State Department said in a statement, adding that Taiwans military will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces read more The U.S. State Department said on Monday it approved a possible foreign military sale to Taiwan of spare parts valued at about $228 million, which Taiwans military said will help maintain combat readiness in the face of Chinas grey zone intrusions. The return, repair and reshipment of spare parts will be transferred from U.S. Government stock, the State Department said in a statement, adding that Taiwans military will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces. Advertisement The United States is Taiwans most important supporter and arms supplier, despite its lack of formal ties with the island. Taiwans defence ministry expressed its thanks for the arms sale package which it said it expected to become effective within a month. The Chinese Communists routineised grey zone intrusions have constricted the training space and response time in our air space and maritime areas, it said in a statement. The repair and return of the aircraft parts and accessories agreed to be sold by the United States will help maintain the combat readiness and safety of various types of aircraft equipment of the air force. China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, has ramped up military and political pressure over the past five years to assert its claims, which Taipei strongly rejects. China has been stepping up grey-zone warfare, using tactics that stop short of actual combat to test and pressure Taiwanese forces, including regular coast guard patrols near the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen islands that sit within view of China. The latest scare comes as early voting has begun in several states less than two months ahead of the high-stakes elections for president, Senate, Congress and key statehouse offices around the nation, causing disruption in what is already a tense voting season read more The Oklahoma State Election Board Office inside the state Capitol in Oklahoma City, was one of at least five states in the U.S. which election officials received suspicious packages. AP Suspicious packages were sent to election officials in at least six states on Monday, but there were no reports that any of the packages contained hazardous material. Powder-containing packages were sent to secretaries of state and state election offices in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Tennessee, Wyoming and Oklahoma, officials in those states confirmed. The FBI and U.S. Postal Service were investigating. It marked the second time in the past year that suspicious packages were mailed to election officials in multiple state offices. Advertisement The latest scare comes as early voting has begun in several states less than two months ahead of the high-stakes elections for president, Senate, Congress and key statehouse offices around the nation, causing disruption in what is already a tense voting season. Several of the states reported a white powder substance found in envelopes sent to election officials. In most cases, the material was found to be harmless. Oklahoma officials said the material sent to the election office there contained flour. Wyoming officials have not yet said if the material sent there was hazardous. The packages forced an evacuation in Iowa. Hazmat crews in several states quickly determined the material was harmless. We have specific protocols in place for situations such as this, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said in a statement after the evacuation of the six-story Lucas State Office Building in Des Moines. We immediately reported the incident per our protocols. A state office building in Topeka, Kansas, was also evacuated due to suspicious mail sent to both the secretary of state and attorney general, Kansas Highway Patrol spokesperson April M. McCollum said in a statement. Topeka Fire Department crews found several pieces of mail with an unknown substance on them, though a field test found no hazardous materials, spokesperson Rosie Nichols said. Several employees in both offices had been exposed to it and had their health monitored, she said. Advertisement In Oklahoma, the State Election Board received a suspicious envelope in the mail containing a multi-page document and a white, powdery substance, agency spokesperson Misha Mohr said in an email to The Associated Press. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, which oversees security for the Capitol, secured the envelope. Testing determined the substance was flour, Mohr said. State workers in an office building next to the Wyoming Capitol in Cheyenne were sent home for the day pending testing of a white substance mailed to the secretary of states office. Suspicious letters were sent to election offices and government buildings in at least six states last November, including the same building in Kansas that received suspicious mail Monday. While some of the letters contained fentanyl, even the suspicious mail that was not toxic delayed the counting of ballots in some local elections. Advertisement One of the targeted offices was in Fulton County, Georgia, the largest voting jurisdiction in one of the nations most important swing states. Four county election offices in Washington state had to be evacuated as election workers were processing ballots cast, delaying vote-counting. The letters caused election workers around the country to stock up the overdose reversal medication naloxone. Election offices across the United States have taken steps to increase the security of their buildings and boost protections for workers amid an onslaught of harassment and threats following the 2020 election and the false claims that it was rigged. Mark Zuckerbergs Meta has said its banning RT and other Russian state-run media outlets on its platforms for running Russias covert influence operations read more After Meta announced the ban on Russian state-run media outlets, Sputnik India asked why Mark Zuckerberg should decide what Indians watch. The Zuckerberg-owned Meta, which controls Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, announced on Monday that its banning RT and other Russian state-run media organisations, including Sputniks parent organisation Rossiya Segodnya, from its platforms for running Russian governments influence operations. Following Metas announcement, Sputnik India said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), that Meta has banned its Instagram account for foreign interference activity. Advertisement In the same post, Sputnik India called Zuckerberg a puppet of the United States. Separately, there has also been a report that the United States had also approached India to ban Russian state-run media organisations, but that the Indian government refused to do it. Last week, The Hindu reported that US officials approached the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to join the US crackdown against what they called Russian disinformation by revoking accreditations and designating Russian outlets journalists under the Foreign Missions Act. The Indian government did not join the US crackdown and Indian officials told the newspaper that the debate on sanctions is not relevant to India. Even as the Indian government reportedly did not join US efforts, the British and Canadian governments joined in the crackdown. The newspaper quoted sources as saying that the matter had been discussed at a meeting between US embassys officials and MEA in Delhi in the past fortnight. While the MEA did not comment on the record on the matter, an official was quoted anonymously as saying that the matter does not pertain to India as it is not Indias policy to follow unilateral sanctions not approved by the United Nations (UN). The Metas announcement came days after the United States announced new sanctions against Russian state-run media and said that RT, the flagship multilingual Russian state-run media outlet, was a full-fledged intelligence organisation of the Russian government, which had cyber capabilities and indulged in information operations, covert influence, and military procurement. BREAKING: Meta bans Sputnik Indias Instagram account citing foreign interference activity Our reels regularly generated millions of views, far outperforming Western rivals like BBC India. Why should Mark Zuckerberg get to decide what news content Indians watch? pic.twitter.com/ctuziKMvYY Sputnik India (@Sputnik_India) September 17, 2024 Advertisement Commenting on the development, strategic analyst Brahma Chellaney wrote on X, Mark Zuckerberg said last month that he bowed to Biden administration pressure and barred references to the COVID-19 lab-leak hypothesis from Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Now, he bows to US government pressure again by banning Russian media outlets including RT from his apps. Mark Zuckerberg said last month that he bowed to Biden administration pressure and barred references to the COVID-19 lab-leak hypothesis from Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Now he bows to US government pressure again by banning Russian media outlets including RT from his apps. Brahma Chellaney (@Chellaney) September 17, 2024 The United States also sanctioned Sputniks parent Rossiya Segodnya, Rossiya Segodnya Director General Dmitry Konstantinovich Kiselev, and TV Novosti. After the announcement at the WWDC back in June, Apple has started rolling out iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, tvOS 18 and macOS Sequoia for its devices globally. iOS 18 iOS 18 brings deeper customisation to the Home Screen and Control Center; the biggest-ever redesign to Photos, and major enhancements to Messages and Mail. Messages app now supports RCS for richer media and more reliable group messaging compared to SMS and MMS. The Phone app helps users stay organised with the ability to record and transcribe live calls. Passwords is a new app built on the foundation of Keychain that makes it even easier for users to access their passwords and see all their credentials like passwords, passcodes, and verification codes all in one place. iPadOS 18 iPadOS 18 brings incredible new features designed for the unique capabilities of iPad, making it even easier for users to get tasks done. With iPadOS 18, Calculator comes to iPad with Math Notes, along with new Smart Script handwriting tools in Notes all designed for Apple Pencil. Additionally, iPad users now have more ways to customise the Home Screen and Control Center, and users receive the biggest redesign of the Photos app ever, new ways to express themselves in Messages, and so much more. watchOS 11 watchOS 11 brings powerful health and fitness insights, along with even more personalisation, intelligence, and ways to stay connected, to the worlds most popular watch. Apple Watch now offers a feature to help identify signs of sleep apnea, and the new Vitals app allows users to quickly check in on key health metrics at a glance and gain better context on their health. The ability to measure training load helps users make more informed decisions when working out for improved fitness and performance, and Activity rings are even more customisable. Apple Watch and the Health app on iPhone and iPad also provide additional support for users who are pregnant. The Smart Stack and Photos face use intelligence to offer a more individualised experience, and Check In, the Translate app, and new capabilities for the double tap gesture come to Apple Watch for more convenience and ways to stay connected. tvOS 18 tvOS 18 introduces intelligent features like InSight, which displays timely information about actors, characters, and music from every live-action Apple TV+ movie and show onscreen in real time. Enhance Dialogue also gets smarter with tvOS 18, leveraging machine learning and computational audio to deliver greater vocal clarity. Subtitles now automatically appear at just the right moments, including when users mute, when they skip back while watching, or when the language in a show or movie does not match the device language. Additionally, tvOS 18 brings stunning new screen savers, like Portraits, to Apple TV 4K. macOS Sequoia macOS Sequoia brings exciting new features, including iPhone Mirroring, which expands Continuity by enabling access to and control of iPhone directly from macOS; big updates to Safari; a new Passwords app; and more. visionOS 2 visionOS 2 for Apple Vision Pro brings new spatial computing experiences to Apple Vision Pro users around the world. Existing photos can now be turned into spatial photos with remarkable depth and dimension, intuitive new hand gestures make navigating Vision Pro even faster and easier, and powerful enhancements to key visionOS apps and experiences take spatial computing to the next level. Compatible devices iOS 18 is available as a free update for iPhone Xs and later, same as the iOS 17. iPadOS 18 is available for several iPad models, including the iPad Pro (M4), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later), iPad Air (M2), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (7th generation and later), and iPad mini (5th generation and later). watchOS 11 is available for Apple Watch Series 6 and later, and requires iPhone XS or later running iOS 18. tvOS 18 is available for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD. visionOS 2 is available for Apple Vision Pro. macOS Sequoia is compatible with iMac 2019 and later, iMac Pro 2017 and later, Mac Studio 2022 and later, MacBook Air 2020 and later, Mac mini 2018 and later, MacBook Pro 2018 and later, and Mac Pro 2019 and later. Apple Intelligence Starting next month, iOS 18.1 will introduce Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system in beta compatible with the iPhone 16 series, iPhone 15 Pro series. iPadOS 18.1 beta on iPad with M1 and later will get Apple Intelligence. macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta will bring the Apple Intelligence to Macs. Additional features will be rolled out in the months following the initial release. The initial rollout is in U.S. English, with more languages and regions, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K., planned for December, and additional languages like Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish to follow next year. Treasury Sanctions Enablers of the Intellexa Commercial Spyware Consortium U.S. Department of the Treasury September 16, 2024 WASHINGTON -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned five individuals and one entity associated with the Intellexa Consortium for their role in developing, operating, and distributing commercial spyware technology that presents a significant threat to the national security of the United States. These designations complement concerted U.S. government actions against commercial spyware vendors, including previous sanctions against individuals and entities associated with the Intellexa Consortium; the Department of Commerce's addition of commercial spyware vendors to the Entity List; and the Department of State's visa ban policy targeting those who misuse or profit from the misuse of commercial spyware, subsequently exercised on thirteen individuals. "The United States will not tolerate the reckless propagation of disruptive technologies that threatens our national security and undermines the privacy and civil liberties of our citizens," said Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith. "We will continue to hold accountable those that seek to enable the proliferation of exploitative technologies, while also encouraging the responsible development of technologies that align with international standards." Today's action reaffirms the United States' commitment to countering the exploitation of Americans' sensitive data and digital authoritarianism, and aligns with a series of U.S. Government actions to counter the proliferation and misuse of commercial spyware, including the issuance of Executive Order (E.O.) 14093 to Prohibit U.S. Government Use of Commercial Spyware that Poses Risks to National Security; the Joint Statement on Efforts to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware; and the Guiding Principles on Government Use of Surveillance Technologies. These measures reflect the U.S. Government's commitment to use all available tools and authorities, including sanctions as well as export controls and visa restrictions, to counter the misuse of such sophisticated surveillance technology. targeting the global commercial spyware network The Intellexa Consortium is a complex international web of decentralized companies that built and commercialized a comprehensive suite of highly invasive spyware products, primarily marketed under the brand-name "Predator." The consortium was founded by Tal Jonathan Dilian (Dilian), an individual designated pursuant to E.O. 13694, as amended by E.O. 13757 ("E.O. 13694, as amended"). Predator spyware can be used to gain access to data stored and transmitted from the target's device, such as a cellphone, through one-click and zero-click attacks that require no user interaction for the spyware to infect the device.Successful Predator spyware attacks can provide the spyware's operators with access to sensitive information on the victim's device, including photos, geolocation data, personal messages, and microphone records. As a part of the growing commercial spyware industry, the Intellexa Consortium maintains operations around the world, and its clients include state-sponsored actors and governments. Past targets of the Intellexa Consortium's spyware products include government officials, journalists, policy experts, and opposition politicians. Felix Bitzios (Bitzios) is the beneficial owner of an Intellexa Consortium company that was used to supply Predator spyware to a foreign government client. Bitzios also acted as the manager of Intellexa S.A., a company in the Intellexa Consortium that was designated pursuant to E.O. 13694, as amended. Andrea Nicola Constantino Hermes Gambazzi is the beneficial owner of Thalestris Limited and Intellexa Limited, members of the Intellexa Consortium that were designated pursuant to E.O. 13694, as amended. Thalestris Limited holds distribution rights to the Predator spyware, and is the parent company to Intellexa S.A. Thalestris Limited has been involved in processing transactions on behalf of other entities within the Intellexa Consortium. Merom Harpaz is a top executive of the Intellexa Consortium, and acted as a manager of Intellexa S.A. Panagiota Karaoli is the director of multiple Intellexa Consortium entities that are controlled by or are a subsidiary of Thalestris Limited. Artemis Artemiou (Artemiou) is the general manager and member of the board of Cytrox Holdings Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag (Cytrox Holdings), a member of the Intellexa Consortium that was designated pursuant to E.O. 13694, as amended. Artemiou is also an employee of Intellexa S.A. Aliada GroupInc. (Aliada Group), a British Virgin Islands-based company and member of the Intellexa Consortium, has enabled tens of millions of dollars of transactions involving the network. The Aliada Group is directed by Dilian. The Aliada Group was associated with Intellexa S.A. and Intellexa Limited, and held shares in Cytrox Holdings. Felix Bitzios, Andrea Nicola Constantino Hermes Gambazzi, Merom Harpaz, Panagiota Karaoli, Artemis ArtemiouA and theAliada Group Inc.are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13694, as amended, for being responsible for or complicit in, or having engaged in, directly or indirectly, cyber-enabled activities originating from, or directed by persons located, in whole or in substantial part, outside the United States that are reasonably likely to result in, or have materially contributed to, a significant threat to the national security, foreign policy, or economic health or financial stability of the United States and that have the purpose or effect of causing a significant misappropriation of funds or economic resources, trade secrets, personal identifiers, or financial information for commercial or competitive advantage or private financial gain. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause U.S. persons to wittingly or unwittingly violate U.S. sanctions, as well as engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. sanctions, including the factors that OFAC generally considers when determining an appropriate response to an apparent violation. In addition, financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with the sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to an enforcement action. Prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here. Click here for more information on the individuals and entities designated today. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Withdrawal from Niger completed The U.S. Department of Defense and the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Niger announce that the withdrawal of U.S. forces and assets from Niger is complete. By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs , United States Africa Command Stuttgart, Germany Sep 16, 2024 The U.S. Department of Defense and the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Niger announce that the withdrawal of U.S. forces and assets from Niger is complete. This process began on May 19 following the mutual establishment of withdrawal conditions and continued with the withdrawal of U.S. forces and assets from Air Base 101 in Niamey on July 7, 2024, and Air Base 201 in Agadez on Aug. 5, 2024. Additionally, the U.S. Africa Command Coordination Element, consisting of a two-star General Officer and staff, has departed from Niger. The effective cooperation and communication between U.S. and Nigerien armed forces ensured that the safe, orderly, and responsible withdrawal was completed without complications, by the mutually decided date of September 15, 2024. Over the past decade, U.S. troops have trained Niger's forces and supported partner-led counterterrorism missions against Islamic State and al Qaeda in the region. The U.S. Department of Defense and the Nigerien Ministry of National Defense recognize the sacrifices made by both nations' forces. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address AFRICOM Leadership Visits Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti In a demonstration of U.S. commitment to regional stability and security, key leaders from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) visited Camp Lemonnier to engage with U.S. troops deployed in Africa. By Master Sgt. Chauncey Reed , Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Djibouti Sep 16, 2024 CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti -- In a demonstration of U.S. commitment to regional stability and security, key leaders from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) visited Camp Lemonnier to engage with U.S. troops deployed in Africa. The delegation, led by Gen. Michael Langley, commander of AFRICOM, included Maureen Farrell, deputy assistant secretary of defense for African affairs; Brig. Gen. Rose Keravuori, deputy director of intelligence (J2) at AFRICOM; and Maj. Gen. Claude K. Tudor Jr., director of operations (J3) at AFRICOM. The visit highlighted the vital role of the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) in promoting regional stability and supporting African partners. During the visit, Gen. Langley met with Maj. Gen. Brian Cashman, commander of CJTF-HOA, to discuss ongoing operations and collaborative efforts to advance security and humanitarian objectives across East Africa. "The operations conducted by Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa are crucial to ensuring stability and security in the region," said Gen. Langley. "Their efforts not only enhance our ability to address emerging threats but also strengthen our partnerships with regional allies. By working together, we bolster our collective resilience and advance our shared goals of peace and security in the Horn of Africa." While at Camp Lemonnier, Gen. Langley recognized outstanding service members for their exceptional contributions during a coining ceremony. This event celebrated the dedication and professionalism of U.S. troops, emphasizing their importance in achieving mission success and building strong partnerships across the continent. "What begets mission excellence is operational readiness," Gen. Langley said. "A foundational basis of standards and core values enables you. You have become a part of history in the Horn of Africa. I'm here to say thank you for serving your country and thank you for coming here." The visit provided an opportunity for senior leaders to engage with troops on the ground, offering insights into future operational strategies and reaffirming the U.S. commitment to a stable and secure Africa through enhanced interoperability, support for local partners, and response to emerging threats in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address AFRICOM Commander Visits Kenya By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs , United States Africa Command Stuttgart, Germany Sep 16, 2024 U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command visited Kenya to further cooperation and build on the strong relationship with the Kenyan Defence Force, Sept 11-13. The command's Director of Operations, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Claude Tudor, and Director of Intelligence, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Rose Keravuori accompanied Langley has he visited Nairobi and Manda Bay, Kenya. "The United States is grateful for Kenya's leadership in security both in the region and globally," said Charge d'Affaires Marc Dillard. "This visit by General Langley underscores our deep partnership and our continuing close cooperation." Langley met with General Charles Kahariri, Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces to discuss more ways to support efforts to counter terrorism and work to address regional challenges. The leaders also brought together their staffs to discuss Kenya's military enhancement programs, and upcoming operations. "Kenya stands as a beacon of progress on the African continent in terms of defense and security, demonstrating exceptional leadership in global security initiatives and regional security," said Langley. "Our partnership underscores the strategic importance of democratic values and collective resilience in addressing global challenges." Langley also had the opportunity to meet with alumni from Young African Leadership Initiative at the U.S. Embassy. They discussed their backgrounds, where they are at now in their various initiative and businesses and their hopes for the future. Langley prioritizes engagements like this as part of his effort learn more about Africa and hear from the youth. In addition to the regular visits, General Langley also visited the US Embassy bombing memorial in Nairobi, which serves as a solemn reminder of the tragic event that occurred in 1998, where 218 Kenyans and Americans lost their lives, and over 4,000 wounded. This visit not only honors the memory of those affected but also highlights the broader fight against terrorism that links this attack to the events of September 11, 2001. "Our engagement with Kenya is more than a diplomatic gesture; it's a strategic partnership grounded in mutual respect and shared goals," said Langley. "Together, we are enhancing our capabilities in health security and regional stability, ensuring a safer and more prosperous future for both our nations." Langley's visit to Kenya follows his recent meeting with Kenyan military leaders at the African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Botswana where they discussed regional security issues and strategies to bring about stability and peace in the region. The AFRICOM team also visited and toured the U.S. and Kenyan military facilities and outposts around Manda Bay to check on the troops stationed there. He spoke to the troops and recognized their hard work in countering terrorism in the region. Recently, U.S. Army Civil Affairs Forces in Kenya worked alongside a local NGO to participate in a Women and Youth Health initiative at three local schools. The team provided health related donations and promoting public health. They are similarly working with local government leadership to expand Emergency Operations Center capabilities and facilitate equipment donations for a new health center." U.S. Africa Command is one of seven U.S. Department of Defense geographic combatant commands. The command is responsible for all U.S. military operations, exercises, security cooperation, and conducts crisis response on the African continent in order to advance U.S. interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity. The visit highlights U.S. Africa Command's 3D approach, which leverages diplomacy, development, and defense collaboration. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address September 16, 2024 Transcript Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds an Off-Camera, On the Record Press Briefing Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SABRINA SINGH: Good morning, everyone. I have just a few things at the top and then happy to jump in and take your questions. Yesterday, Secretary Austin spoke by phone with Israel's Minister of Defense Gallant about the escalation of violence in northern Israel over the weekend, as well as the Iran backed Houthi ballistic missile attack against Israel on September 15th. During the call, Secretary Austin reaffirmed the United States' ironclad commitment to Israel's security and its right to self-defense. The secretary also reiterated the urgent need for a ceasefire and hostage deal. He stressed that Israel should give diplomatic negotiations time to succeed, noting the devastating consequences that escalation would have on the people of Israel, Lebanon, and the broader region. And a full readout will be posted on defense.gov. Switching gears, the DOD and the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Niger announced today that the withdrawal of US forces and assets from Niger is complete. This process began on May 19th following the mutually established withdrawal conditions. The effective cooperation and communication between the United States and Nigerien armed forces ensured that the safe, orderly and responsible withdrawal was completed without complications by the mutually decided date of September 15th, 2024. And last, over the weekend, you may have seen press releases from NORAD that Russian aircraft were spotted on multiple days operating in the Alaska Defense Identification Zone, or ADIZ. In all cases, the Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace. I want to echo what NORAD said in their releases, that these activities are not unusual and are not seen as a threat. And as you may recall, last week we briefed that Russia is scheduled to conduct a number of exercises in mid-September. The US has been tracking these planned exercises for some time, and they pose no threat to the US homeland or the NATO alliance. We'll continue to monitor, as evidenced by NORAD's activities over the weekend, and will remain in close communication with our NATO allies and partners. With that, I'm happy to take your questions. Tara? Q: Thanks, Sabrina. Just wondering if the department has seen any additional fallout from the Israeli raid in Syria about a week ago, and if, in his call with Gallant, that raid was brought up? MS. SINGH: I don't have more details to provide on the call other than what I provided at the top. I think the biggest thing that I can tell you, and reiterate, is that the secretary reiterated the need for a ceasefire deal. That is the best way for tensions in the region to subside, and of course to bring hostages home back to their loved ones. You know, we're coming up close to a year, so that was something that was discussed at length. Q: I don't remember if I've asked this before, but was the secretary given advance notice by Gallant about the raid? MS. SINGH: I don't have any details to provide for you on that. Q: Okay. MS. SINGH: Great. Hello? Q: A couple questions. So, first, there were some reports from Syria of drones being shot down in Hasakah by US forces yesterday. Do you have anything on that? MS. SINGH: I've seen some of that reporting. I don't. I'd refer you to CENTCOM on that. I'm sorry. I just don't have any details to provide. Q: And this may fall into the same category, but the Houthis are claiming this morning that they shot down multiple MQ-9s over the past week. Do you have any details? MS. SINGH: Saw that -- saw those reports as well. I'd refer you to CENTCOM. But it is something that we are looking into, so hopefully we'll have more to provide. But CENTCOM should be your first place to go for that. Q: And then lastly, what was the day of the -- or the specific date of the -- when the last US forces left there Niger? Was it yesterday? MS. SINGH: Yesterday, the 15th. The press release just went out on the 16th. But the last date for US forces to leave Niger was the 15th, and there is now just your standard embassy presence there. But for other US forces, the withdrawal was completed on the 15th. Q: Ok. Thank you. MS. SINGH: Konstantin? Q: Thanks, Sabrina. On Friday, I think it was, the Venezuelan government officials said they arrested a bunch of folks, including three Americans, and they say a Navy SEAL was among this group. There were reports, obviously, a few weeks ago of a Navy SEAL being detained. I guess, A, how many Navy SEALs are detained in Venezuela at this point? And can you respond to the allegations that they were leading a coup or an attempted coup? MS. SINGH: Yeah, I can definitely tell you that the US is not involved in any attempted coup, and I think the State Department has spoken pretty extensively on that. So, I'd refer you to State also for some of their comments. I am only tracking that there is one sailor currently in custody with Venezuelan authorities. I believe that is probably the individual that they are referring to as well, but aware that two other US citizens were also arrested and in custody. But, as you know, the State Department is in the lead for on this right now, so any other questions on their condition or any conversations, I'd refer you to State. Q: Thank you. MS. SINGH: Okay, go ahead. Yeah, Ellee? Q: I -- was there any other ISIS activity over the weekend? Any US -- any raids or strikes involving US forces against ISIS? MS. SINGH: You know, Ellee, I don't want to misspeak, so I think CENTCOM will have more. But we can take that question and come back to you. Yeah, Haley? Q: Thanks. On the NORAD Russian aircraft situation, you're saying is not unusual, but it seems like there has been multiple in the last week or two. MS. SINGH: Yeah. Q: Is this -- I mean, it seems like it's an uptick. Are you all seeing an uptick in this kind of activity? What is kind of the assessment there of why that's happening? MS. SINGH: I don't know that it's an uptick. I mean, last week we did brief that the Russians had scheduled, you know, more exercises in the mid-September range. And, you know, we're not seeing incursions into our own airspace or Canadian airspace. So, I don't know that it's an uptick. It's more just for awareness in that, you know, we're calling attention to it and so that folks aren't alarmed by this. But I -- for, like, a side-by-side comparison on how it, you know, tracks with other years, I'm sure NORTHCOM would have some of that, or NORAD would have more of that data. But I don't know that we'd see it as an uptick. But I would -- you know, I don't want to misspeak, so I'd refer you to them. Yeah. Waffa? Q: Sabrina, back to the Houthis attack yesterday, so what's your assessment today of the Houthis' capabilities? Are they capable to produce hypersonic missiles? They're claiming that they used hypersonic missile in yesterday's attack. And also, why do you think -- what's your assessment of how the Israelis couldn't intercept this attack? MS. SINGH: Well, what I would say is, we assess this to be a ballistic missile that was used. In terms of the interception, I think you've seen Israel intercept missiles that have either come from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen or from other regions, you know, surrounding the country, and they've been pretty successful at being able to engage those missiles. I don't exactly know -- you know, I've seen competing reports on how the missile was taken down. I think at the end of the day people were not injured, and that's what's important. But I'd refer you to the Israelis to speak more to how they brought down that missile. I think in terms of the Houthis, I mean, they certainly have advanced capabilities. And we're -- and that's not something that we've shied away from talking about. When they first started launching their attacks, you know, they were able to -- they have sophisticated ways of targeting, whether it be ships or targeting towards Israel. And that's why we take the threat of the Houthis very seriously. That's why, we -- Operation Prosperity Guardian is in response to some of the Houthi activity that we've seen, especially launched at commercial ships in the Red Sea. So, they have capabilities that are pretty significant. And you've seen us continue to conduct dynamic strikes. You know, I don't know if daily, but, you see those releases go out from CENTCOM, and then you have Prosperity Guardian also continuing to operate. So, we certainly understand the threat that the Houthis posed to the wider region and to our forces and to Israel as well. MS. SINGH: Yeah, of course. Yes, Ryo? Q: Thank you, Sabrina. My question is about the US-China dialog following the different policy coordination talks. And I think DOD expects PLA's southern theater commander will participate in the Chiefs of Defense Conference in Hawaii next week. So, what do you think of the participation of PLA commander in this conference, and what kind of discussions do you expect? MS. SINGH: You're talking about the one that's coming up? Q: Yeah. MS. SINGH: So, we certainly welcome -- you know, when it comes to mil to mil ties, we want to see that increase and increase communication between the PRC and the United States. I don't have anything more in terms of attendance. But, what I can tell you is from the very beginning of when the first summit happened that President Biden led in California, you've seen an increase in communications at all different levels between our government, and that's a good thing. So, I'm not going to get ahead of what's to come next week. But I certainly think that any type of ongoing communication in mil-to-mil channels or, you know, at the secretary's level or at other inter agencies, that is a good thing, and we want to see that continue. Phil? Q: Hi. Just back to the Houthis really quick. MS. SINGH: Sure. Q: So, I understood your response to mean that you don't believe that was a hypersonic missile. Do you believe that Iran actually has fully developed a hypersonic missile? MS. SINGH: So, I -- do I believe Iran - Q: Is that correct? MS. SINGH: Or Houthi? Q: Do they -- Iran and -- actually Iran. Do you believe Iran has a hypersonic missile that it could field to Houthis if it wanted to? And just to be clear, did you say then that it wasn't a hypersonic missile that was - MS. SINGH: Our assessment is that it was a ballistic missile. That's all I can give you on that. In terms of capabilities that Iran is developing I just don't have anything more to share at this moment. I can tell you that -- and you've seen Iran and their continued support not just for the Iranian backed militia groups, but also to Russia. They clearly have the means and capability to continue to provide very sophisticated weapons both on the battlefield that are being used in Ukraine and then also to their groups that operate, whether it be in Iraq or Syria or the Houthis, and of course Hezbollah. We have not shied away from talking about the threat of Iran and their ability to cause regional instability. And that's why you've seen the secretary make the decision that he did, of course, with, you know, the interagency, to move two carriers to the region. We obviously have the Georgia in the region. I think that just speaks to the fact that we take the threat of Iran very seriously. And that's what we're going to do to -- that's why we're doing what we're doing to protect our forces, but of course also stand in the defense of Israel if we need to. Great. Oren and then Luis? Q: How successful has the US been in stopping the flow of Iranian weapons to the Houthis? We've seen a few interceptions of stateless dhows with Iranian weaponry. How much of that is still flowing? MS. SINGH: I think it's fair to say that the Houthis are still continuing to see support from Iran. You know, I don't have a percentage to read out or how many -- like, how much -- how many other shipments we've been able to disrupt. I mean, as you mentioned, we did intercept a dhow that was delivering capabilities and support to the Houthis. I think it's fair to say that Iran continues to back their groups, whether that be through financial means or in tangible capabilities. We continue to do our job in disrupting their capability with, you know, whether it be dynamic strikes or protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea. But that's something that's an ongoing effort. And we never said that we were going to wipe all that capability off the map, but it's something that we continue to hold them accountable for. Luis? Q: Good morning. MS. SINGH: Good morning. Q: The Houthis are claiming they've shot down the MQ-9 Reaper, again. Any truth to those reports at all? MS. SINGH: You must have missed the first part. That's okay. No, I'm just kidding. We -- I'm aware of the reports and have seen those. I don't -- we're looking into that. I would refer you to CENTCOM for more details, but hopefully it's something that, you know, we'll have more to share. But I'm aware of that, that that's out there, and we're looking into it. Q: So, they seem to have been making, like, a claim that they've shot down a lot of these Reapers. I mean, in the overall, not just this incident, I mean, have you really lost so many of these Reapers, or is this just boasting on their part? MS. SINGH: I think they've put out claims before saying that they've hit ships that they did not. They've put out claims before that they've hit MQ-9s that they have not. They're -- you know, sometimes they do hit those ships and we do acknowledge that. And so, we're looking into this report. If there's truth to it, we'll certainly let you know. But that's something that -- you know, also CENTCOM is looking into those details, so I'd have to refer you to CENTCOM for that. But we have seen them use and, like, say things that are not always factually accurate. Q: And on Alaska -- I'm sorry. Again, I missed it. MS. SINGH: That's ok. Q: There were two incidents yesterday, is that correct? MS. SINGH: No incidents. NORAD was just monitoring. There was no incursion, I believe, into US airspace or Canadian airspace. What NORAD was doing was just highlighting that, you know, there was not -- that Russian aircraft remained in international airspace. It was just to highlight that. Q: So, there were two occurrences where they - MS. SINGH: Yeah, I believe they put up two or three press releases over the weekend. Q: Ok. MS. SINGH: Yeah. Q: And then could you speak about what happened in Shemya Island, the push forward by the 11th Airborne pushing -- yeah, it looked like it was a snap exercise in the Aleutians, you know, demonstrating far reach capability at short notice by -- I think by 11th Airborne. Do you have any information on that? MS. SINGH: I don't. Happy to take that question. Ellee? Q: Just very quick, have the Russians delivered any ballistic missiles to the Houthis? MS. SINGH: The Russians did? [Off mic] Not to my knowledge. Q: Ok. MS. SINGH: Sorry. I -- last week we put out some information about Iran delivering ballistic missiles to Russia. And I was -- I was getting my countries confused. No, not to my knowledge. Okay. All right. Thanks, everyone. https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3907410/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address September 16, 2024 Release Department of Defense & Department of Commerce Joint Statement: Announcement in Support of the Manufacture of Microelectronics and Advanced Semiconductors for National Security "The Biden-Harris Administration has awarded Intel Corporation up to $3 billion in direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act for a capability known as the 'Secure Enclave.' The funding will support the manufacturing of microelectronics and ensure access to a domestic supply chain of advanced semiconductors for national security. The award will be executed by the Department of Defense (DoD) per an agreement between the Department of Commerce and the DoD. The award builds on Intel's work with the DoD and will further strengthen our national security." https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3906926/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address September 16, 2024 Release Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant yesterday following the Iran-backed Houthi ballistic missile attack against Israel on September 15 and a barrage of rocket attacks into Northern Israel by the Iran-backed terrorist organization Lebanese Hizballah over the weekend. He reinforced the United States' ironclad commitment to Israel's security and its right to self-defense. Secretary Austin also reaffirmed the necessity of a ceasefire and hostage deal, and that Israel should give diplomatic negotiations time to succeed, noting the devastating consequences that escalation would have on the people of Israel, Lebanon, and the broader region. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3907047/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tsahkna to his Serbian counterpart: I expect EU candidate country Serbia to align with the EU's foreign and security policy Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 16.09.2024 Today 16 September, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna met with his Serbian colleague Marko juric to discuss Russia's aggression in Ukraine, security in Europe and European Union enlargement. Touching on Russia's aggression in Ukraine, Tsahkna recognised Serbia for its support to Ukraine and encouraged them to increase their aid. At the meeting, the Estonian foreign minister underlined that there can be no flexibility in contacts with the aggressor and no return to business as usual with Russia. "I condemn all efforts to normalise Russia's attempts to undermine European security and Ukraine's sovereignty." Tsahkna said it was important for Serbia, a EU candidate country, to align with the EU's common foreign and security policy, including with the sanctions imposed against Russia. Tsahkna said at the meeting that Russia was continuing its brutal aggression in Ukraine and hybrid actions against the West. "It is unacceptable to give a friendly handshake to Putin and his henchmen when their hands are covered in the blood of Ukrainian children. Instead, they must be held accountable for the crimes and aggression committed in Ukraine." "Russia's aim is to destroy Ukraine who is fighting for us and instead of us," Tsahkna added. "Russia is not stopping; therefore, Ukraine's victory is an existential issue for us." The ministers spoke about the security situation in the Western Balkans and the path of the Western Balkans into the EU. Estonia is steadfast in its support for the EU accession of all Western Balkan countries and is ready to share its experience of joining the EU. Tsahkna also expressed support for the continued EU-mediated dialogue aiming to normalise relations between Serbia and Kosovo. Additionally, the meeting included talks on boosting bilateral relations, including on IT and digital affairs. "Estonia is contributing to several projects in the Western Balkans, including on digital governance and cybersecurity," Tsahkna said, adding that the meeting explored options for closer cooperation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sweden announces ambition to take on role as Framework Nation in NATO enhanced forward presence to be established in Finland Finnish Ministry of Defence 16.09.2024 The governments of Finland and Sweden held a joint session in Stockholm on 16 September 2024. The purpose of the joint session was to further deepen cooperation between the two countries. In connection with the joint session, Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen met one-on-one with Swedish Minister for Defence Pal Johnson. They discussed armaments cooperation and the establishment of NATO forward land forces (FLF) in Finland, which NATO approved in the June meeting of allied defence ministers. The FLF model requires what is called a framework nation, which plays an important role in the implementation of the forward presence. "Since the spring, we have been discussing Sweden's possible role in NATO's Land Forces presence to be established in Finland. I am very happy that Sweden has today announced its ambition to assume the framework nation role in the enhanced forward presence to be established in Finland," said Minister of Defence Hakkanen. The matter is yet to be officially decided by the Swedish Government. "Finland and Sweden have a long history of close bilateral defence cooperation. This is a major new step in the defence relationship between our countries. Finland and Sweden are now allies. Together, we make NATO stronger and make a strong contribution to the development of NATO's collective deterrence and defence. We are also in discussions with other potential participant countries," said Minister Hakkanen. In its budget session held on 3 September 2024, the Finnish Government decided on an additional appropriation of EUR 67 million for needs arising from NATO membership. "Through determined efforts, we have gained support from our Allies for our goals in NATO. An enhanced forward presence in Finland combined with our robust national capabilities make for a strong overall deterrence and defence," Hakkanen said. At the joint session, the ministers held wide-ranging talks about cooperation between the two countries. At the end of the session, the countries will issue a declaration on the further development of bilateral cooperation. The previous joint session of the Finnish and Swedish governments was held in Hameenlinna in May 2009, during Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen's term in office. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM Netanyahu to US Envoy Amos Hochstein: It will not be possible to return our residents without a fundamental change in the security situation in the north Israel - Prime Minister's Office Press Releases The 37th Government 16.09.2024 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, at the Kirya in Tel Aviv, met with US Presidential Special Envoy Amos Hochstein. The Prime Minister made it very clear that it will not be possible to return our residents without a fundamental change in the security situation in the north. Prime Minister Netanyahu said that while Israel appreciates and respects the support of the US, it will - ultimately - do what is necessary to safeguard its security and return the residents of the north securely to thei homes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on September 9-15, 2024 Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2024-09-16 International cooperation | Security and defense policy On September 9-15 fighter aircraft of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Detachment were scrambled eight times to intercept aircraft of the Russian Federation violating flight rules in international airspace over the Baltic Sea. On September 9 fighter aircraft of the NATO Baltic Air Policing detachment were scrambled to intercept one IL-20 flying through international airspace from the mainland of the Russian Federation to Kaliningrad. The aircraft had no pre-filed flight plan, its onboard transponder was switched on and the crew was maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. On September 11 NATO air policing aircraft were scrambled to intercept one TU-142 which flew into international airspace out of mainland Russia and then returned. It had no pre-filed flight plan, the crew was not maintaining radio communication and kept the onboard transponder switched off. On the same day NATO fighter jets identified and escorted two SU-30SM that were flying from a location in Kaliningrad to another through in international airspace. The aircraft had no flight plans, their onboard transponders were switched off, the crews were not keeping radio contact. On September 11 NATO Air Policing fighter aircraft intercepted two TU-22M3 and two SU-35S flying in international airspace from one location in mainland Russia to another. They had no flight plans, the onboard transponders off, no contact with the regional air traffic control centre. On September 13 NATO fighter aircraft were scrambled to identify and escort one TU-142 and two SU-30SM heading from one location in mainland Russia to another through international airspace. The aircraft had no pre-filed flight plans, their onboard transponders were switched off, the crews were not maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. On September 13 NATO fighter jets identified and escorted one TU-142 and two SU-30SM. The TU-142 flew out of the mainland of the Russian Federation into international airspace and later returned, the flight had not been officially notified about, the aircraft onboard transponder was off and no radio communication was maintained. The two SU-30SM were flying between locations in Kaliningrad via international airspace without having pre-filed flight plans, not using the onboard transponders and without maintaining radio communication. On September 13 NATO air policing aircraft were scrambled to intercept two MIG-31 and two SU-30SM (specific determination of identity failed). The MIG-31 were flying through international airspace from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad, while the SU-30SM breached into international airspace flying from one allocation in mainland Russia to another. They had no pre-filed flight plans, the onboard transponders were switched off, no communication with the regional air traffic control was maintained. On September 13 NATO fighter aircraft were scrambled to intercept four aircraft deemed to be probably SU-30SM, and SU-35, all flying from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad via international airspace without any pre-filed flight plans, onboard transponders off, not maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. On September 15 NATO air policing fighter jets identified and escorted three MIG-31 flying in international airspace from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad without the flight plans, not using onboard transponders nor maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control. NATO air policing capability was also scrambled to intercept one AN-72 in international airspace on the way between mainland Russia and Kaliningrad. It had no flight plan, the crew was maintaining radio contact but kept the onboard transponders switched off. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address More budget for PCG vessel maintenance, crew welfare sought Philippine News Agency By Wilnard Bacelonia September 16, 2024, 1:36 pm MANILA -- Increasing budgetary support for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is crucial for providing adequate provisions, regular maintenance, and essential medical and welfare support for its crew, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said Monday. "We must address the logistical requirements of the Philippine Coast Guard to fully support their mission and assist in upholding our nation's territorial integrity," Estrada said in a statement following the return of BRP Teresa Magbanua from Escoda Shoal. He added that investments in technologies and equipment are necessary to ensure effective operations in adverse weather conditions. "Nararapat na bigyan natin ang ka-ukulang suporta ang PCG na hindi natitinag ang propesyonalismo at pagiging matatag na puwersa sa pagtatanggol sa ating maritime territories at pagprotekta sa ating pambansang interes (It is appropriate that we give due support to the PCG which has an unwavering professionalism and stable force in defending our maritime territories and protecting our national interests)," the chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation said. The BRP Teresa Magbanua returned to Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Saturday after more than five months in the West Philippine Sea. Despite facing challenges such as encirclement by intruders and limited supply, the crew persevered and was able to fulfill their duties, according to a statement by the National Maritime Council. The vessel's repositioning aims to address medical needs, conduct repairs, and allow the crew to rest and reunite with their families. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PH Navy: WPS patrols, surveillance flights continue Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno September 16, 2024, 11:31 am Updated on September 16, 2024, 1:50 pm MANILA -- Maritime and air surveillance patrols will continue in all Philippine-held features in the West Philippine Sea, a ranking Philippine Navy official said Monday. This came after the pullout of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) from the Escoda Shoal over the weekend. "Tuluy-tuloy naman ang maritime patrols ng Navy ships at air surveillance flights ng Air Force and Navy aircraft natin. Kailanman hindi humupa, bagkus dumami pa simula nung nag-implement tayo ng CADC (Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept) (The maritime patrols of the Navy ships and air surveillance flights of the Air Force and Navy aircraft will continue. These never stop and even increased when we implemented the CADC)," Navy spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a message to reporters. Even with the vessel's pullout, the Philippines will not lose any of its controlled features in the WPS, Trinidad assured. "Noon pa man, ang ating tuon ay sa mga features natin sa WPS na ang mga ito ay manatiling atin; kailanman ay hindi nawala at tinitiyak namin na hindi mawawala sa ating close monitoring ang Escoda at ang kabuuan ng WPS (since the beginning, we are focused protecting our features in the WPS, we are determined to see that it stays in our possession; these will not be taken from us and we assure the public that we will continue our close monitoring of Escoda Shoal and the rest of the WPS)," he added. On Sunday, the National Maritime Council said the BRP Teresa Magbanua was "compelled to return to port" due to unfavorable weather conditions and depleted supplies of daily necessities. The need to evacuate personnel aboard requiring medical care also prompted the ship to sail back to its homeport in Palawan province. The vessel also sustained structural damage from the Aug. 31 ramming incident by a China Coast Guard vessel. For his part, NMC spokesperson (ret.) Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez said there are other ways to monitor Escoda Shoal like technical capabilities and assistance from allied countries like US, Japan and Australia. "Hingi ng tulong (Ask assistance) from our allies how to go about these technicalities," Lopez said in an interview in Malacanang. He clarified there is nothing to worry following the return of the BRP Teresa Magbanua from Escoda to homeport in Palawan. "Hindi naman concern. Mali ang ganyan pananaw. Wala tayong ginigive up. Kahit wala ang Magbanua run, may iba naman paraan para mamonitor ang Escoda (It's not a concern. That is wrong perception. We are not surrendering anything. Even without Magbanua there, there other ways to monitor Escoda Shoal)," Lopez said. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cagayan troops feted for neutralizing NPA leader, 2 others Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno September 16, 2024, 10:08 am MANILA -- Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. lauded the soldiers in Cagayan province for neutralizing a ranking New People's Army (NPA) leader and two others. Brawner made the remark during his visit to the tactical command post of the 95th Infantry Battalion at Barangay Sisim, Penablanca, Cagayan on Sunday. "Gen. Brawner congratulated the unit for their successful operation that led to a recent encounter with the NPA in the area," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement Sunday night. Trinidad was referring to the encounter which led to the death of NPA leader Edgar Arbitrario, also known as "Karl", in Barangay Baliuag in Penablanca town on Sept. 11. Arbitrario, a Davao City native and the secretary of the NPA's Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan Valley, was also reportedly involved in several terrorist activities. Two other NPA members, "Ka Jorly" and "Ka Nieves," were also killed in the encounter. Recovered from the clash site were various firearms, ammunition and other military equipment. Brawner awarded the troops involved in the mission, emphasizing the AFP's commitment to fully complying with its campaign to end the insurgency. "I congratulate you on your outstanding performance in this mission. Your dedication and courage are crucial as we transition to territorial defense operations. Remember, a strong AFP means a strong nation," Brawner said. Brawner said the operation's success reinforces the military's strategic goals in eradicating insurgency. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen ready to send 1000s of trained fighters to Hezbollah: Ansarullah Iran Press TV Monday, 16 September 2024 11:42 PM Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement says the country is prepared to send "thousands of trained fighters" to Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement if necessary. Vice President of Ansarallah's Media Authority, Nasr El-Din Amer made the remarks to the Palestinian Shehab news agency on Monday. "We will support them (Hezbollah) in the same way that we support our brothers in the resistance in Palestine," he added. Yemen's Armed Forces have been carrying out numerous strikes against the occupied Palestinian territories since October 7, when the Israeli regime began waging a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah too has been staging hundreds of strikes both in support of the war-hit Gazans and in retaliation to the regime's intensified attacks against the Lebanese soil. The Ansarullah official's remarks came amid Tel Aviv's repeated threats to expand the attacks into a wholesale war on Lebanon. He also asserted, "We aim to expand our capability to strike any target across the entire territory of occupied Palestine and we are working on this at a fast pace." Amer also commented on a July strike by the Yemeni forces against Tel Aviv that saw them firing an unmanned aerial vehicle, dubbed the "Yafa drone," past the regime's interception systems towards the city. "The Yaffa drone will not be used for isolated strikes in response only. Rather, it will be part of ongoing operations until the aggression on Gaza stops," he said. His remarks echoed those that have been made repeatedly by the Yemeni forces, in which they have vowed to keep up their pro-Palestinian strikes until the regime ceases the genocide that has so far claimed the lives of at least 41,206 people, mostly women and children. The forces have also pledged to sustain their strikes until the regime lifted a crippling siege that it has been simultaneously imposing on Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas chief Sinwar hails Yemeni missile strike, says it sent clear message to Israel Iran Press TV Monday, 16 September 2024 6:42 PM The head of the political bureau of Hamas resistance movement has congratulated Yemeni Armed Forces for firing a ballistic missile deep into the occupied territories, stating that the launch sent a clear message to the occupying Tel Aviv regime. "We thank the Yemeni Ansarullah [resistance] movement for its sincere passion, rich emotions and strong willpower to fight off the Israeli oppression," Yahya Sinwar wrote in a message addressed to Ansarullah chief Abdul-Malik al-Houthi. "The Yemeni army's operation reaching the depth of the Zionist entity and hitting the positions of the enemy have breathed new life into Operation al-Aqsa Storm and dealt a new blow to the Tel Aviv regime's project in the region." The Hamas leader said the Yemeni army's unprecedented operation bypassed all interception layers and systems of the Israeli regime. "The Yemeni operation sent out a clear message to Israel that the schemes of containment and isolation have failed with pro-Palestine support fronts implementing a more effective and influential approach," Sinwar said. "The heroes of the beloved Yemeni army have improved their military capabilities. They have been able to increase the range of their missiles to reach the depth of the occupied Palestinian lands," he noted. The Hamas leader also saluted the Yemeni nation, stating that the people have been a staunch supporter of the Palestinians and their legitimate cause throughout history. Weekly pro-Palestine rallies across Yemen are an obvious manifestation of the nation's unwavering support for the Palestinian issue, he said. "I assure you that the Resistance is doing fine. We have prepared ourselves to fight a long battle of attrition that will break the enemy's political will, just as Operation al-Aqsa Storm broke its military will. "Our combined efforts with you and our brethren in the valiant Hezbollah resistance movement in Lebanon and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq will break this enemy and inflict defeat on it," Sinwar said. Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine's struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, after the territory's Palestinian resistance movements carried out surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity. The Yemeni Armed Forces have said that they won't stop their attacks until unrelenting Israeli ground and aerial offensives in Gaza end. So far, Israel has killed at least 41,220 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured more than 95,400 others. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sanitary conditions in Gaza 'worsening by the day', UNRWA warns Iran Press TV Monday, 16 September 2024 6:26 PM The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has raised the alarm over the deteriorating sanitary conditions in the Gaza Strip, amid the Israeli regime's ongoing war against Palestinians. In a post published on X on Monday, UNRWA said, "Sanitary conditions in #Gaza are worsening by the day. Insects and rodents can spread diseases, threatening people's health and well-being." "UNRWA teams are working to help displaced families in shelters stop them from invading people's already crammed living spaces," it added. Waste material piling up across Gaza after the Israeli regime seized control of the territory is another health hazard. The rubbish piling up creates an imminent or potentially serious risk to the health of any person in the area. The Israeli forces have seized control of the Gaza Strip's two main landfills, east of the cities of Khan Younis and Gaza City. The UN agency's chief said the first phase of the Gaza polio campaign had reached most of the children trapped in the besieged Gaza Strip. On September 1st, the United Nations with the help of Palestinian health authorities launched a campaign to vaccinate children in the Gaza Strip against the polio virus, which can lead to paralysis or even death in young children. UNRWA's chief, Philippe Lazzarini, said the first phase of the polio vaccination campaign in Gaza reached 90 percent coverage as hundreds of thousands of children received the initial dose of the oral vaccine. "Our next challenge is to provide children with their second dose at the end of September," Lazzarini wrote in a post on X. Lazzarini once more emphasized the urgency of an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian land which has been under ceaseless Israeli attacks for almost a year now. More than 400 Palestinians were killed and at least 900 were wounded during the 12 days of the vaccination campaign, according to figures from Palestinian health authorities. The World Health Organization says that the disruption of routine immunization campaigns in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Gaza, has played a vital role in the re-emergence of the virus. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Allegations of weapon transfers by Iran an insult to Yemenis: Araqchi Iran Press TV Monday, 16 September 2024 5:29 PM Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has once again dismissed claims that the country has supplied weapons to Yemen, saying Sana'a is capable of meeting its military requirements. "Accusing Iran of sending weapons to Yemen is an insult to the people of Yemen," Araghchi said in an interview with Yemen's al-Masirah television channel on Monday. He added that Yemen possesses the military technology and has become capable of strengthening its arsenal. The top Iranian diplomat emphasized that Yemen has become one of the key pillars in the Axis of Resistance and plays an exceptional role in supporting the Gaza Strip, which has been under brutal attacks of the Israeli regime over the past 11 months. Araghchi noted that Yemen makes its own decisions about using its weapons in a way it deems suitable. Earlier in the day, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian dismissed claims that Iran has provided Yemen with hypersonic missiles or the technology to manufacture the weaponry. He said, "We have the missile power but we do not give missiles to Yemen. Before the war [in Gaza], Yemen had acquired the technology to manufacture missiles and was producing them." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Palestinian Foreign Ministry censures 'settler terrorism' after school attack in West Bank Iran Press TV Monday, 16 September 2024 4:33 PM The Palestinian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned an attack on a Bedouins school carried out by Israeli occupation forces and local settlers in the occupied West Bank. In a statement released on Monday, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry called the attack an extension of the Israeli "crime of ethnic cleansing" against Palestinians, raising the alarm that the "settler's terrorism" will lead to more assaults on Palestinians. It added that such attacks reflect official Israeli policy supervised by "extremist ministers", including hawkish minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Separately, the Palestinian Education Ministry denounced the attack, condemning the Israeli forces and settlers for disrupting education and terrorizing Palestinian children. It called the attack a "recurring violation that reveals the ugly face of the Israeli occupation and its disregard for children's rights." Palestinian WAFA news agency, citing local sources, reported that settlers escorted by the regime forces stormed the Arab al-Kaabneh Elementary School in the Arab al-Mleihat area northwest of Jericho early Monday. Israeli forces arrested teachers as more settlers arrived at the scene. Students and staff were assaulted with crowbars. Video footage shows people being taken away in handcuffs as settlers sit nearby. Another footage showed the settlers entering the school with bats and crowbars, as people could be heard screaming in fear. A man filming the attack was seen being hit on his back by a settler with a crowbar. Israel's genocidal campaign in Gaza has already systematically and deliberately targeted the education sector with the intention of displacement and marginalization. The Palestinian Ministry of Education recently reported that nearly 80 percent of Gaza's schools have been damaged or destroyed. The last remaining university in the territory was demolished by Israeli forces in January. Israel has killed more than 10,000 students in Gaza and injured 15,000 since October. According to the ministry, 19,000 students have fled their residential areas. At least 400 teachers have also been killed in Gaza, the ministry said, adding that 39,000 Gaza students were unable to take their high school exams, and 58,000 children were denied starting their first grade. According to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), four out of every five school buildings in Gaza have been directly hit or damaged. This comes as the Israeli occupation forces have been conducting a series of military assaults in the northern West Bank for the past weeks, Violence by Israeli forces and settlers has surged in the West Bank since the start of the Israeli genocidal campaign in Gaza in early October 2023. Palestinians say such offensives are aimed at cementing Israel's seemingly open-ended military rule over the occupied territory. More than 700 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank alone since October 7. Rights groups have warned of escalating violence in the West Bank and the use of harsh tactics by Israeli forces that the world has witnessed in the regime's war on Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The 3rd International Trade Fair of Azerbaijan Chinese Companies has started today at the Baku Expo Center, Azernews reports. More than 70 Chinese companies, producing a range of products including consumer goods, household appliances, car parts, as well as repair and construction tools and materials, are participating in the exhibition, which will run until September 19. The main goal of the exhibition is to create conditions for Chinese entrepreneurs to enter the Azerbaijani market. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vugar Zeynalov, Vice-President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations (ACE), noted that such events help to strengthen trade and economic relations between Azerbaijan and China. They also provide a favorable platform for business interaction and the exchange of experience between companies from the two countries. Hikmet Mammadov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency under the Ministry of Economy, highlighted that such measures reflect the strong relations between Azerbaijan and China. We hope that contracts will be concluded between companies during the bilateral meetings of business structures within the framework of the exhibition, he said. Top Yemeni defense official dismisses Netanyahu's military threats Iran Press TV Monday, 16 September 2024 3:42 PM The Yemeni deputy defense minister has shrugged off Israel's military threats against the Arab nation after it fired a missile deep into the occupied territories, stressing that Yemen's Armed Forces are resolute to continue operations against the Tel Aviv regime. "[Israeli prime minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's threats will have no impact on Yemen. On the contrary, the threats will cement the Yemeni nation's determination to continue the path of resistance," Brigadier General Abdullah bin Amer wrote in a post published on the social media platform X. He added that those who did not know the Yemeni nation before will now start to get to know more about it, and the passage of time will prove such a fact. Bin Amer noted that various analyses on the launch of a new hypersonic ballistic missile that flew around 2,000 kilometers from Yemen to the central part of the occupied territories have highlighted Israel's failure to intercept the projectile. "The missile launch constitutes the biggest challenge that Israel has faced so far. It hastened the Zionist entity's downfall and shattered the myth of the deterrence that the regime had long been propagating," the senior Yemeni military figure stated. On Sunday, Netanyahu threatened that Yemen will pay a "heavy price" after a missile fired by the country's armed forces landed in the central side of the occupied lands in the early hours of the day. Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine's struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, after the territory's Palestinian resistance movements carried out surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity. The Yemeni Armed Forces have said that they won't stop their attacks until unrelenting Israeli ground and aerial offensives in Gaza end. So far, Israel has killed at least 41,220 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 95,400 others. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah: Yemen's retaliatory attack on Tel Aviv revealed 'weakness' of Israel at all levels Iran Press TV Monday, 16 September 2024 10:43 AM Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement has praised Yemen's recent attack that hit an Israeli targets near Tel Aviv in retaliation for the regime's genocidal war on Gaza. "The brave decision taken by the honorable leadership of Yemen to respond to the aggression is a true expression of the general and unified stance of the axis of resistance on all fronts to proceed with supporting the oppressed Palestinian people and their honorable and valiant resistance to lift the injustice and suffering of them, and to stop the criminal and genocidal war," Hezbollah said in a statement. The movement added that the "qualitative" operation conducted by the Yemeni forces "exposed the weakness of this temporary entity at all levels." The statement came as the Yemeni armed forces on Sunday struck a military target in Jaffa area, south of Tel Aviv, with a new hypersonic ballistic missile. Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the Yemeni army's spokesman, said the long-range advanced projectile "managed to reach its target, and the enemy's defense systems failed to intercept and confront it." Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, leader of Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement, said the recent Yemeni missile attack was part of the fifth phase of escalation against Israel. He stressed that anti-Israel operations will continue until the regime ends its genocidal war on Gaza. Since the onset of the war, the Yemeni forces have carried out scores of operations in support of the war-hit Gazans, striking targets throughout the occupied Palestinian territories, in addition to targeting Israeli ships or vessels heading towards ports in the occupied territories. Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians. The regime's bloody onslaught on Gaza has so far killed more than 41,206 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 95,337 others. Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under rubble. Hezbollah and Israel have also been exchanging fire since early October, shortly after the occupying regime launched its war on Gaza. The movement has vowed to keep up its retaliatory operations as long as the Tel Aviv regime continues its onslaught on Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sept. 15: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Iran Press TV Monday, 16 September 2024 10:37 AM By Press TV Website Staff Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 41,200 Palestinians so far, the majority of them children, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers. The major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Sunday, September 15, are as follows: Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Sept. 15: Confronted Israeli forces and engaged in fierce clashes with them in the Zaghoul neighborhood in Balata camp, north of the occupied West Bank, using machine guns. In a complex operation in the Al-Jneina neighborhood near the Abed Al-Rahman Mosque, east of Rafah city, targeted a D9 military bulldozer with an Al-Yassin 105 shell. Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Sept. 15: Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces using machine guns and explosive devices in Balata camp, occupied West Bank. Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces in the eastern neighborhood and Wadi Izz El-Din Axis of Jenin, occupied West Bank, using bullets and explosive devices. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on Sept. 15: Targeted positions of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles in the "Netzarim" axis with short-range 107mm rockets. Hezbollah's operations on Sept. 15: Targeted the headquarters of the armored battalions belonging to the 188th Brigade in the "Rawia" barracks with dozens of Katyusha rockets. Targeted a technical system at the "Malikiyah" site with a strike drone. Targeted a group of Israeli soldiers stationed at the "Metulla" site with a strike drone. Targeted espionage equipment of the Israeli military at the "Ruwaisat Al-Alam" site in the occupied Lebanese hills of Kfar Shuba with a guided missile. Targeted Israeli military positions in "Zaoura" with rockets. Targeted espionage equipment of the Israeli military at the Ramia site with a guided missile. Targeted the Samaqa site in the occupied Lebanese Kfar Shuba hills with rockets. Targeted buildings used by Israeli soldiers in the "Shlomi" settlement with appropriate weapons. Launched an aerial attack with a squadron of attack drones on the headquarters of the Combat Collection Battalion of the Golan Brigade in the "Yarden" barracks. Targeted Israeli military's artillery positions in "Dishon" with rockets. Islamic Resistance in Iraq's operations on Sept. 15: Targeted Israeli military sites in the occupied city of Haifa with a barrage of drones. Yemeni military's operations on Sept. 15: Launched a long-range missile that directly targeted Yaffa (Tel Aviv) in a qualitative military operation, penetrating all Israeli air defense systems. The operation was carried out with a new hypersonic ballistic missile that traveled a distance of approximately 2,040 km in 11 and a half minutes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas urges formation of national consensus govt. for administration of Palestine affairs Iran Press TV Monday, 16 September 2024 9:05 AM The Gaza Strip-based Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has called for formation of a "national consensus" government for administration of Palestinians' affairs. Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas's spokesman, said such a government has to "include all Palestinian groups," and administer the affairs of both Gaza and the occupied West Bank.. "We do not accept any discrimination between Gaza and the West Bank, and try towards [enabling] integrated administration of both territories by Palestinian groups," the official told Qatar's Al Jazeera Mubasher television network on Monday. Zuhri also said Hamas would be consulting with the representatives of other Palestinian groups during pending negotiations in the Egyptian capital of Cairo concerning the manner of Gaza's administration following conclusion of the Israeli regime's ongoing war against the coastal sliver. Back in January, the regime came up with a "day after plan" for Gaza that would hand its administration over to unnamed "Palestinian bodies," while giving Tel Aviv security control over the territory. Hamas, however, has repeatedly rejected the proposal. The movement's Deputy Political Bureau Chief Khalil al-Hayya asserted this earlier in September in remarks to Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and Egyptian General Intelligence Minister Abbas Kamel. Hamas rejects "any projects related to the post-aggression phase in the Gaza Strip," he told the officials, whose countries have been mediating negotiations aimed at potential conclusion of a truce agreement that could bring an end to the October-present war. "The management of the strip is a Palestinian internal affair to be agreed upon with a unified Palestinian vision," Hayya noted. Osama Hamdan, Hamas's senior representative in Lebanon, also said recently that Palestinian groups had agreed on formation of a national consensus government during reconciliation talks that were held in Beijing earlier in the year. The talks were partaken by representatives from Hamas and Fatah, another major Palestinian group, which operates offices in the West Bank. The groups have been at odds ever since Hamas scored a landslide victory in Palestinian elections in 2006. The factions agreed in April 2014 to end their grievances and reconcile. The move drew Israeli officials' ire, and the regime responded by suspending the so-called "peace" talks with the Palestinian Authority, which is led by Fatah. Following the agreement, the two sides formed a unity government, which Fatah unilaterally dissolved in June 2015, claiming that it was "weak," and that Hamas would not "allow it to work in Gaza." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nearly two dozen Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza as genocide rages on Iran Press TV Monday, 16 September 2024 8:56 AM At least 22 people, including women and children, have been killed in fresh Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, amid a genocidal war on the besieged Palestinian territory. On Monday, Israeli warplanes targeted a house belonging to the al-Qassas family at the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. WAFA news agency reported that the attack killed at least 10 Palestinians and injured 15 others. Also on Monday, Israeli jets conducted deadly air raids on Gaza City's Zeitoun and Sheikh Radwan neighborhoods. They further bombed the Abu Shaar family home in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, killing two Palestinians. The Palestinian Civil Defense said that it had recovered the bodies of the two victims and rescued many wounded people following the Rafah strike. Israel waged its brutal Gaza offensive on October 7, 2023, after the Palestinian Hamas resistance group carried out a historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. So far, the occupying regime has killed at least 41,206 Palestinians, mostly women and children, in Gaza and injured 95,337 others. Israel is currently on trial for genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the Gaza war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US base in northeastern Syria comes under rocket attack Iran Press TV Monday, 16 September 2024 7:44 AM A military installation used by the occupying American forces in northeastern Syria has been reportedly targeted by a barrage of rockets. Lebanon's al-Mayadeen television news network reported that the attack on the Kharab al-Jir base in Syria's Hasakah Province took place on Sunday. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the raid, according to the report. There were also no reports on any possible casualties or the extent of damage at the US base. Iraqi resistance forces have conducted dozens of strikes on the US-run military facilities in both Iraq and Syria amid growing anti-US sentiments in the region over Washington's support for Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza. There are nearly 2,500 American troops in Iraq and some 900 in Syria as part of what Washington claims to be a fighting force against Daesh. The US has maintained its presence in the two countries even though the Arab countries and their allies defeated the Takfiri terrorist group in late 2017. Sunday's attack came shortly after the US occupation forces conducted an airborne assault on the village of Shanina in Syria's northern Raqqah Province, killing four Syrian ranchers and injuring a woman. The United States regularly conducts airstrikes in Syria under the pretext of fighting terrorism. Damascus has written numerous letters to the United Nations, calling on the world body to put an end to US aerial assaults and its military presence in the Arab country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni missile attack exposes serious flaws in Israel's Iron Dome system: Report Iran Press TV Monday, 16 September 2024 7:42 AM The latest Yemeni retaliatory attack on Tel Aviv has exposed flaws in Israel's missile systems as the regime's air defenses failed to destroy the ballistic missile, an Israeli report says. Israeli newspaper Haaretz said on Sunday that "Israel's air defenses failed" to destroy the ballistic missile launched from Yemen earlier in the day, although it was an "anticipated" attack, considering that the Yemeni defense minister had issued a warning a day prior. The Yemeni Armed Forces on Sunday struck a military target in Jaffa area, south of Tel Aviv, with a new hypersonic ballistic missile. Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the Yemeni army's spokesman, said the long-range advanced projectile "managed to reach its target, and the enemy's defense systems failed to intercept and confront it." Israel's military spokesman claimed that "the missile exploded in the air," with its fragments falling in an open area near the moshav of Kfar Daniel. "The explosion itself - occurring only a few kilometers away from Ben-Gurion International Airport - may indicate flaws in Israel's defense systems and raises concerns," Haaretz said. A probe by the Israeli air force later confirmed the failure of the regime's interception systems. It found that "the interception was a partial one - one of the interceptors struck the missile but failed to destroy it." Haaretz warned that if the Yemeni forces "keep firing at the airport, it could exacerbate what is already an aviation and tourism crisis." It was the second time the Yemeni forces managed to strike targets deep inside the occupied territories. Back in July, a drone launched by Yemen hit an area near a US consular facility in Tel Aviv, killing one person and injuring 10 others as the Israeli systems failed to intercept the drone. Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the leader of Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement, said on Sunday the recent Yemeni missile attack was part of the fifth phase of escalation against Israel. He stressed that anti-Israel operations will continue until the regime ends its genocidal war on Gaza. Since the onset of the war, the Yemeni forces have carried out scores of operations in support of the war-hit Gazans, striking targets throughout the occupied Palestinian territories, in addition to targeting Israeli ships or vessels heading towards ports in the occupied territories. Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long campaign of bloodletting and devastation against Palestinians. The regime's bloody onslaught on Gaza has so far killed at least 41,206 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 95,337 others. Thousands more are also missing and presumed dead under rubble. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni forces shoot down another American spy drone, third in a week Iran Press TV Monday, 16 September 2024 5:31 AM Yemeni Armed Forces have shot 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 MQ-9 Reaper was struck in the airspace of Dhamar Province in western Yemen on Monday. The heavy aircraft, which is used for dual combat and spying purposes, is worth around $35 million. The drone was the third aircraft of the type to be brought down by the forces in the span of a week and the 10th one to face such a fate since October 7. The forces have been carrying out numerous strikes against the occupied Palestinian territories since that day, when the Israeli regime began the war on Gaza. Their most daring pro-Palestinian strike of the type came on Sunday, when they attacked an Israeli military site in Tel Aviv with a new hypersonic ballistic missile. Also on Sunday, leader of Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement once again underscored the country's support for Palestinians in the face of the Israeli genocide, saying the operations would continue until the regime ended the war and the siege. At least 41,206 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 United States has, on the other hand, been staging attacks against Yemen as means of trying to stop these operations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houthi: Yemen's anti-Israeli operations will continue until regime ends genocide in Gaza Iran Press TV Monday, 16 September 2024 2:10 AM The Leader of the Ansarullah resistance movement has once again underscored Yemen's support for Palestinians in the face of the Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip. Abdul-Malik al-Houthi made the remarks in a ceremony on Sunday marking the Birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Sana'a where thousands of Yemenis had gathered. He said the recent Yemeni missile attack was part of the fifth phase of escalation against Israel. Houthi stressed that anti-Israel operations will continue until the regime ends its Gaza genocide and the siege on the territory. "Our operations will continue as long as the aggression and blockade on Gaza persist. Our stance remains firm until Palestine is cleansed from the clutches of occupation," he said. In the early hours of Sunday, the Yemeni army attacked an Israeli military site in Tel Aviv with a new hypersonic ballistic missile. The Israeli military has confirmed the attack, admitting that its defense systems were unable to intercept the missile. "Muslims must remain steadfast and resilient in facing difficulties and challenges. Muslims should be upright, diligent, and swift in fulfilling their responsibilities," Houthi said. "We affirm our people's steadfast stance in their principled struggle against tyranny and arrogance," he stated. "Today's operation carried out with a high-tech missile, bypassed enemy systems and covered a distance of approximately 2040 km as part of the fifth phase of escalation," he said. "We continue to coordinate with the Axis of struggle and resistance, and what is coming is greater, Allah willing," he said. "Our forces continue their operations at sea against ships linked to the Zionist, American, and British enemies, and these operations are successful and highly impactful," Houthi said. "We remind our Islamic nation of the religious duty to support the Palestinian people," he concluded. In his remarks on Saturday, the Ansarullah leader condemned US-British airstrikes against Yemen, stating that two girls lost their lives and several others sustained injuries earlier this week when US and UK military aircraft carried out a strike against a school in the al-Jund area of At-Ta'iziyah district in Yemen's southwestern province of Ta'izz. He said the US-British coalition carried out at least 24 airstrikes across Yemen last week, hitting targets in Hudaydah, Ta'izz, Ibb, Sa'ada and Ma'rin provinces. Yemeni air defense units, in return, could intercept and shoot down two American MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles, Houthi said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Philippines says it did not surrender from Sabina Shoal Beijing claims it "has indisputable sovereignty" over the disputed South China Sea shoal. Jason Gutierrez for BenarNews 2024.09.16 -- Filipino officials tried to reassure the Philippine public Monday that they had not surrendered Manila's claim of sovereign rights over Sabina Shoal to China by withdrawing a coast guard ship from the disputed reef. The Philippine Coast Guard said it pulled its ship out from the shoal's waters over the weekend and sent it back to port because crew members needed medical care and repairs had to be done to the BRP Teresa Magbanua after a five-month deployment. Because of alleged harassment by Chinese ships at Sabina Shoal , the Philippine crew had to ration their food supply and eat rice porridge for weeks, a coast guard spokesman said. "We did not surrender [the Sabina Shoal]. It's wrong to say we surrendered it," said Commodore Jay Tarriela, the coast guard's spokesman on the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), in defending the coast guard's move. The Coast Guard plans to dispatch a ship back to Sabina Shoal as soon as possible in order to guard the South China Sea reef that lies within Manila's exclusive economic zone, he said. "The Philippine Coast Guard, together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, will never abandon our sovereign rights over these waters," he told a news conference. Both China and the Philippines have contending claims over the shoal, located about 140 km (76 nautical miles) from the Philippine island of Palawan and about 1,200 km (648 nautical miles) from Hainan island, the nearest major Chinese landmass. The Philippines has sovereign rights to explore Sabina Shoal for natural resources because of its location within Manila's 200-nautical mile EEZ. China refers to Sabina Shoal as "Xianbin Jiao" and the Philippines calls it Escoda Shoal. For Manila, the reef serves as a rendezvous point for resupply missions to nearby Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal), where the Philippines keeps a World War II-era ship to serve as a military outpost and territorial marker. The Teresa Magbanua, one of the coast guard's largest and most modern ships, was deployed to Sabina Shoal in April amid reports that China may be trying to reclaim land there. In response, Beijing accused Manila of "illegally grounding" the BRP Teresa Magbanua to "forcibly occupy" the shoal. In August, Manila claimed that Beijing had harassed its vessels at least five times in waters near the shoal. Tarriela declined to say if another vessel had been deployed or was about to be sent to replace the Teresa Magbanua at Sabina Shoal. Since last month, the coast guard had difficulty resupplying the ship since due to alleged Chinese harassment in area waters, he said. In addition to crew members having to eat rice porridge for weeks, the ship's desalination machine also broke down, forcing them to drink rainwater, according to Tarriela. "When there is no rain, they even have to gather water from their air-conditioning units. Then they're just going to boil it and that will be used for drinking," said Tarriela. Following Manila's pullout of the BRP Teresa Magbanua, Beijing's coast guard said on Sunday that China had "indisputable sovereignty" over Sabina Shoal. Shades of Scarborough Shoal? Some analysts believe that the Sabina Shoal situation is similar to what happened at Scarborough Shoal. The South China Sea atoll, approximately 222 km (120 nautical miles) west of the Philippine island of Luzon, is a rich fishing destination for Filipinos. China took possession of the shoal in 2012, forcing the Philippines to file a lawsuit before a world court. Four years later, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in Manila's favor and dismissed Beijing's sweeping territorial claims over the South China Sea. But Beijing has refused to acknowledge the ruling. Defense and security analyst Sherwin Ona said the government "should maintain a strong presence [in Sabina Shoal] to avoid a repeat of 2012." China is engaged in attrition, Ona told BenarNews on Monday. "They're severely damaging our ships to limit our operational capability. The de facto control of the [Sabina Shoal] is the main goal." "They know that our resources are limited. The ramming incidents [in August] show the intention to incapacitate our capital ships," said Ona, who teaches at Manila's De La Salle University. Security analyst Chester Cabalza, however, said it would be a mistake to describe the PCG's action over the weekend as a retreat. It was necessary, he said, to allow tired coast guard personnel to "recharge." "If it's a retreat for the Philippines, why would we dare to return?" said the analyst at International Development and Security Cooperation, a Manila think-tank, arguing that compared to 12 years ago, Manila could now read "Beijing's art of deception." BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news outlet. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Express Your Loyalty': Russian Speakers In Latvia Face Language Test -- Or Deportation By Marija Andrejeva September 16, 2024 Russian citizens who permanently reside in Latvia but have failed the required Latvian-language exam have started receiving letters warning them to leave within 30 days or face "forced deportation." The letters were issued by the Latvian migration service and are addressed to former citizens of the Soviet Union (mostly people over 60 years old) who came to Latvia during the Soviet era and, after Latvia regained its independence, decided not to obtain a Latvian passport but took Russian citizenship. They live in Latvia with a permanent residence permit, but, as a rule, do not speak Latvian and have little interest in Latvian culture. They receive their news from Russian media and are often pro-Russian. Latvians are not allowed to hold dual Russian citizenship. "I didn't take courses because I simply don't have the money," one Russian-speaking woman told Current Time outside a language testing center. "I receive a pension of 340 euros every three months. And they sent me a piece of paper from Riga saying that I have to pay 70 euros for this." "Most likely I didn't pass. I simply answered some questions," one elderly man said. "There is no sphere of communication, no place to communicate in Latvian." In 2022, after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Latvian parliament adopted amendments to the migration law. Now, in order to extend a residence permit in Latvia, holders of Russian passports must confirm their knowledge of the Latvian language at an everyday conversational level. But this exam has not been passed by many Russians living in Latvia. Some complain that it is difficult for them to learn a foreign language at their age, while others simply refuse to do so. According to various sources, more than a thousand Russians have failed the exam. Latvian law says that if the exam is not passed, the Latvian residence permit (including permits for permanent residence) is canceled and the person loses the opportunity to legally reside in the country. Over the past 12 months, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) has issued 63 orders for such people to leave Latvia. Latvian officials have forcibly deported people in nine cases, while another 632 people who failed the exam left the country voluntarily for Russia on their own, without waiting for an order from the PMLP. Another thousand or so people are currently in limbo: These are people who have never passed a language exam or submitted documents to extend their residence permits in Latvia. The PMLP is waiting for them to explain their reasons for failing to do so. "People give different explanations -- for example, they say that they did not receive letters from the Migration Service. But, of course, we have confirmation that warning letters were received," said Madara Puke, a PMLP spokeswoman. "People also say that they believed the politicians who assured them that the Constitutional Court would make a positive decision and that the new rules would not affect them. Many really believed until the last moment that this would not affect them, so there are many excuses." According to official statistics from 2024, Latvian inhabitants describe themselves as 63 percent ethnic Latvian, 23 percent Russian, 3 percent Ukrainian, 3 percent Belarusian, and 2 percent Polish. But according to official data from 2022, 62 percent of inhabitants spoke Latvian at home, while 35 percent spoke Russian. And when it comes to opinions regarding Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, views do split along ethnic lines to some degree. According to a series of surveys in Latvia during the last three years, at least 80 percent of Latvian speakers blamed Russia for the war. Among Russian speakers, that number was between 32 and 38 percent. But while the Kremlin has sought to portray Russian-speaking minorities in neighboring countries as oppressed by the majorities, many Russian speakers in Latvia have distanced themselves from the Kremlin's aggression. Latvia's Harmony party, which represents Russian speakers, was once widely seen as pro-Russian and had ties with the ruling United Russia party in Moscow. But the party has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and one of its members of parliament, Boris Cilevics, told the BBC: "[Modern Russia] is absolutely analogous of the policy of Nazi Germany -- the only chance for normalization is a military defeat for Russia." According to the PMLP, more than 85 percent of those Russians who fell under the new law have already completed all the necessary documents and have either already passed the exam or are learning Latvian and have received a temporary residence permit (valid until the exam is passed). But Russian state media and propaganda has run with the topic of deporting those who failed the exam and claim discrimination against all Russian speakers. For more than a year, Russian media have repeated stories of Latvia "forcibly deporting Russian-speaking pensioners." The Latvian government emphasizes that there is no discrimination against Russian speakers in the country: Latvia imposes exactly the same language requirements on all foreigners who want to obtain a residence permit. And those who fail the exam from other countries are also expelled. "In Latvia, many emigration orders are issued every year. There is a general procedure. I think that here, too, we should not expect any special treatment. At the moment, it is clear that some people have already left earlier, without reacting or contacting the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs," Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina said. "But Russian propaganda always chooses how to twist Latvian news in its own way." The changes to the migration law in Latvia affected approximately 25,000 people. Public debate within the country led to the Latvian parliament amending the law in September 2023: the language requirements remained, but people were given more time to learn the language and pass the exam. This applies to residents of the country who received Russian citizenship after May 2003, who have already tried to pass the test but failed the exam, or who did not attend the exam for valid reasons. "Amendments to the immigration law are needed," Latvian journalist Inga Springe told Current Time in September 2023. "I am sure that this law needs to include an age limit of up to 65 years. "Mostly these are older people with health problems and lower mental abilities," Springe added. "We ourselves, as a state, have choked on this piece and don't know what to do. Now we have 10,000 people who did not sign up for this exam at all. Many people need to retake it. And if now their residence permit expires, it is clear that no one will deport them. It is impossible to expel so many people from the country." A class-action lawsuit was also filed against the language requirements in Latvia's Constitutional Court, but it upheld the language requirements for Russian citizens as legal. "Citizenship is a serious concept. It shows the choice a person has made regarding which state he or she expresses loyalty and solidarity to," Aldis Lavins, the head of the Constitutional Court, said. "This particular case is related to former Latvian citizens and noncitizens who have decided that they want to link their loyalty to the Russian Federation. We must understand that in the current geopolitical situation, when the Russian Federation has unleashed a war in Ukraine and is taking unfriendly actions toward Latvia, by introducing such a requirement, the state is providing a mechanism to ensure that Russian citizens permanently residing here do not pose a threat to Latvian society." Meanwhile, Russian regional authorities have declared their readiness to accept Russian speakers deported from Latvia. The governor of Pskov, Mikhail Vedernikov, has already promised that the region will provide any deportees with all the necessary assistance: "The temporary accommodation center is practically ready." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-latvia-residents- deportation/33116047.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 U.S. Slaps New Sanctions On Georgian Government Officials, Dozens Of Others By RFE/RL's Georgian Service September 16, 2024 The United States has slapped sanctions on more than 60 Georgians, including two members of the government, who it said have "undermined" democracy and human rights in the country amid concerns in the West of Tbilisi's tilt toward Moscow. "The United States has imposed sanctions on two Georgian government officials...for their involvement in serious human rights abuse during the violent response to peaceful protests against the foreign influence law," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on September 16 in a statement. It identified the government officials as Interior Ministry Special Task Department chief Zviad "Khareba" Kharazishvili and one of his deputies, Mileri Lagazauri. "We are also sanctioning two Georgian leaders of a violent extremist group, Konstantine Morgoshia and Zurab Makharadze, for serious human rights abuse, including violent attacks on Georgians exercising their freedom of peaceful assembly." The ruling Georgian Dream party has come under fire from Georgia's Western allies following its move to introduce a "foreign agent" law that many fear will stifle media and independent voices. Georgia's parliament in May gave final passage to the law, overriding a veto by President Salome Zurabishvili, who has split with legislators and party leaders in support of protesters who took to the streets en masse. The Georgian Dream party insists the new law was needed to ensure transparency in the country's political scene and to protect its sovereignty, while the government has denied heavy-handed tactics were used against demonstrators. The law is modeled on a similar measure in Russia, which was initially passed in 2012 and has been gradually expanded and toughened to encompass civil society groups, human rights activists, media organizations, and others. The law has forced the closure of dozens of organizations and individuals in Russia, and forced activists and reporters to flee the country. In its statement, titled Promoting Accountability for Serious Human Rights Abuse And Anti-Democratic Actions In Georgia, the State Department said more than 60 others will also face new sanctions, including steps to impose visa restrictions on the individuals and family members "responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Georgia." The individuals include senior government and municipal figures "who abused their power to restrict the fundamental freedoms of the Georgian people, business leaders involved in corrupt practices, persons who have spread disinformation and promoted violent extremism, members of law enforcement who were involved in the beating of protesters, and members of parliament who played a critical role in advancing undemocratic legislation and restricting civil society." "The violence perpetuated...included the brutal beatings of many attendees of the nonviolent protests against the new foreign influence law, including Georgian citizens and opposition politicians," the State Department said. "Kharazishvili is well known for his punitive actions against political opponents and has been personally involved in the physical and verbal abuse of protesters," it added. The United States has said it is reviewing its bilateral relations with Georgia -- which has long received the support of Washington -- and the EU has also assailed the party's actions and has said moves such as the foreign agent law would negatively affect the country's hopes of joining the bloc. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/georgia-sanctions- kharazishvili-protests-foreign-agents/33122326.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 Orban Cancels Foreign Trips As Floodwaters In Central, Eastern Europe Wreak Havoc By RFE/RL's Hungarian Service and RFE/RL's Romanian Service September 16, 2024 Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he has canceled all of his "international obligations" as his country braces for floodwaters that have already ravaged much of Central and Eastern Europe, where several people have died in the wake of torrential rains from Storm Boris. Orban, who was scheduled to speak this week at the European Parliament, said in a social media post on September 16 that "due to the extreme weather conditions and the ongoing floods...I have postponed all my international obligations." Days of relentless rainfall have unleashed catastrophic flooding in the region, forcing mandatory evacuations and causing widespread devastation. Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony took to Facebook to warn residents that the largest floods in a decade were expected to reach the city during the week, triggering a breach of the capital's lower quays on September 17 as water levels on the Danube River jump. Emergency crews have been filling hundreds of thousands of sandbags to help protect the city from the rising water levels. In Romania, at least six people died and two more were missing as residents and authorities battled heavy rainfall and floodwaters over the weekend. Around 20 municipalities in eight Romanian counties were severely affected by the flooding, with thousands of homes damaged and tens of thousands affected or evacuated. Floodwaters in some areas were 3 meters high. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced temporary shelters for people endangered by the floodwaters during a visit to one of the northernmost affected counties, Galati. The government will hold an extraordinary meeting to decide on aid measures for those affected by the floods in Galati and Vaslui. Meanwhile, adding to the misery in Romania, the country was hit on September 16 by an earthquake measuring 5.2 on the USGS scale. The temblor was felt in the capital, Bucharest, although no injuries or damage have yet been reported. Water management officials in neighboring Moldova on September 16 instituted a Code Red from 6 p.m. local time due to the risk of major flooding. The Czech Republic and Poland have also seen rivers burst their banks over the weekend, with officials still warning of problems as they look to assess the damage. The Polish government was due to meet on September 16 when it is expected to announce a state of disaster. Towns along the Czech-Polish border have been particularly hard hit, with schools closed, tens of thousands of households left without electricity, and debris strewn about the streets. "We need bottled water and dry provisions, because we have also set up a point for flood victims evacuated from flooded areas," Michal Piszko, mayor of the Polish town of Klodzko along the Czech border, told private broadcaster RMF FM. Downstream from Klodzko, officials in the Polish city of Wroclaw, home to around 600,000 people, were still waiting for water levels to peak on the Oder River. With reporting by Reuters and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/orban- cancels-foreign-trips-as-flood-waters-in-central-and- eastern-europe-wreak-havoc/33121948.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 United States and Uzbekistan Sign MOU on Critical Minerals Partnership US Department of State Media Note Office of the Spokesperson September 16, 2024 Today, Ambassador Jonathan Henick and First Deputy Minister of Geology Omonullo Nasritdinxodjaev signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Uzbekistan on critical minerals. The signing ceremony took place in Tashkent, ahead of the Government of Uzbekistan's participation in MINExpo INTERNATIONAL, the mining industry's largest global event, taking place in Las Vegas. In line with the initiative announced by President Biden and the presidents of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan at the September 19, 2023, C5+1 Presidential Summit in New York, the MOU signifies the intention of the United States and Uzbekistan to diversify global mineral supply chains and advance the clean energy transition, while also protecting Central Asia's unique ecosystems. Critical minerals and rare earth elements play an increasingly important role in our economies. The United States and Uzbekistan are actively working to encourage private sector investment in Uzbekistan's mining sector. The MOU further reflects both sides' shared goal of strong environmental, labor, and governance practices in the global mining sector. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Treasury Sanctions Georgian Officials and Extremists for Serious Human Rights Abuse U.S. Department of the Treasury September 16, 2024 WASHINGTON -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned individuals who have undermined fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, in Georgia. Specifically, the Department of the Treasury sanctioned two Georgian government officials associated with brutal crackdowns on peaceful protestors and political opponents, and two private Georgian citizens that are responsible for or complicit in, or have directly or indirectly engaged in violently suppressing the exercise of the freedom of peaceful assembly of Georgians engaged in the democratic process and peaceful expression. All four individuals are being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse around the world. "Today's action underscores our concern about the consequences of anti-democratic actions in Georgia and efforts by key individuals to use violence and intimidation to achieve their aims," said Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith. "The United States remains committed to holding accountable those who seek to undermine the rights of the Georgian people." georgian government officials responsible for the violent SUPPRESSION of free speech in 2024 On May 28, 2024, despite weeks of mass protests against the proposed legislation, the ruling Georgia Dream party passed a law titled "On Transparency of Foreign Influence," known colloquially as the "foreign influence law," that Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated would stifle fundamental freedoms, including media freedom. It also runs counter to values which bind Georgia to Europe and the European Union. This law requires non-governmental organizations and outlets, including media organizations, that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from foreign sources to register as organizations "pursuing the interest of a foreign power." During the protests that occurred prior to passage of the law, security forces from the Ministry of Internal Affairs Special Task Department (Special Task Department) violently targeted Georgian citizens, political opposition leaders, journalists, and youth activists who were peacefully expressing their views. This violence was overseen by the Chief of the Special Task Department, Zviad Kharazishvili (Kharazishvili), and his Deputy, Mileri Lagazauri (Lagazauri). The violence perpetuated by the Special Task Department included the brutal beatings of many attendees of the non-violent protests against the new foreign influence law, including Georgian citizens and opposition politicians. Kharazishviliis well known for his punitive actions against political opponents and has been personally involved in the physical and verbal abuse of protestors. Kharazishvili and Lagazauri are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13818 for being foreign persons who are, or have been, leaders or officials of an entity, including any government entity, that has engaged in, or whose members have engaged in, serious human rights abuse related to the leader's or official's tenure. organizers of violent Attacks on Freedom of PEACEFUL Assembly Konstantine Morgoshia (Morgoshia) is a founder of Alt-Info, a media company which he used to amplify disinformation and spread hate speech and threats against marginalized communities. In July 2021 and 2023 he advocated for violent attacks against marginalized persons peacefully exercising their fundamental freedoms of expression and assembly and led hundreds of followers to break into non-governmental organization offices and attack journalists and police officers at the scene. Zurab Makharadze (Makharadze) is a media personality associated with Alt-Info and is one of the most vocal supporters of violence against peaceful demonstrators and marginalized Georgians. He directly encouraged violence against minority groups and journalists online prior to the violent attacks on marginalized communities and helped to direct, organize, and fundraise for the anti-human rights violence in 2021 and 2023. During the attacks, he led a group to clear out protestors from in front of the Georgian parliament and then instructed followers to go with Morgoshia to attack the non-governmental organization offices. Morgoshiaand Makharadze are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13818 for being foreign persons who are responsible for or complicit in, or have directly or indirectly engaged in, serious human rights abuse. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. U.S. persons may face civil or criminal penalties for violations of E.O. 13818. Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause U.S. persons to wittingly or unwittingly violate U.S. sanctions, as well as engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. sanctions, including the factors that OFAC generally considers when determining an appropriate response to an apparent violation. In addition, financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with the sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to an enforcement action. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here. GLOBAL MAGNITSKY Building upon the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, E.O. 13818 was issued on December 20, 2017, in recognition that the prevalence of human rights abuse and corruption that have their source, in whole or in substantial part, outside the United States, had reached such scope and gravity as to threaten the stability of international political and economic systems. Human rights abuse and corruption undermine the values that form an essential foundation of stable, secure, and functioning societies; have devastating impacts on individuals; weaken democratic institutions; degrade the rule of law; perpetuate violent conflicts; facilitate the activities of dangerous persons; and undermine economic markets. The United States seeks to impose tangible and significant consequences on those who commit serious human rights abuse or engage in corruption, as well as to protect the financial system of the United States from abuse by these same persons. Click here for more information on the individuals and entities designated today. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Humanitarian workers in Gaza must be allowed to carry out their work safely: UK statement at the UN Security Council Statement by UK Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Barbara Woodward, at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East. 16 September 2024 Thank you, President, and like others, I join you in thanking Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator Kaag and Executive Director Da Silva for your briefings. The UK strongly supports the UN's tireless efforts to scale up aid into Gaza and pays tribute to you and the whole UN community for your work under increasingly difficult circumstances. As you said, your briefing was sober and sombre. It couldn't be otherwise describing an intolerable humanitarian situation in Gaza. As we've heard, over 41,000 people have now been killed, tens of thousands more are injured. 17,000 children are without parents. And 101 civilians remain hostage in Gaza, subject to horrific and inhumane conditions for almost a year. We remain concerned too about the risk of wider regional escalation. We condemn the Houthi attack over the weekend, and we reiterate our demand for an immediate ceasefire and for Hamas to release all hostages. President, we welcome the news that the first round of the UN's polio vaccine campaign in Gaza has now concluded, facilitated by Israel's implementation of agreed tactical pauses. Despite the challenges - including the attack on a UN vaccination convoy last week - this shows that deconfliction can work where there is a political will. So, first, we now need to see this capacity for deconfliction applied to the wider humanitarian operation. Israel has committed to flood Gaza with aid: but this has not materialised. This is unacceptable. Second, President, mass Israeli evacuation notices and the use of heavy weaponry mean that nowhere is safe in Gaza. We join the Secretary-General's call for compliance with international law, especially the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution in attacks. We are horrified by the further killing of aid workers. Just last week, as colleagues have said, we heard reports of 18 people, including six UNRWA staff members as the Secretary-General reported, killed by an Israeli military strike on the al-Jaouni school-turned shelter. In total, 300 aid workers have been killed in this conflict. And we repeat our condolences to their families and their loved ones. And we reiterate that humanitarian workers must be allowed to carry out their work safely. Third, the UK will continue to play a leading role in addressing this humanitarian crisis - including through our renewed funding for UNRWA, and support for other aid agencies providing lifesaving relief, as well as continued advocacy. Colleagues, we are all rightly focussed on the immediate priority of securing a ceasefire and a hostage release deal. And we fully support US, Qatari and Egyptian efforts and call on both Israel and Hamas to take the deal on the table. But we must also consider what comes next. There will be an enormous task in helping those in Gaza to rebuild. Early recovery will include clearing unexploded ordinance and rubble and providing essential services. The rebuilding of Gaza must be accompanied by the rebuilding of hope. Hope for an end to this cycle of violence. Hope for long-term peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis alike. This can be achieved only with a two-state solution, which affords Palestinians their inalienable right to self-determination alongside security for Israel. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sanitary disaster in Gaza 'worsening by the day', warns UNRWA 16 September 2024 - Overcrowded shelters in Gaza, a lack of running water and the constant threat of disease are making conditions worse by the day for people in the enclave, the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, warned on Monday. In a new alert, UNRWA highlighted how Gazans' shelters have become a target for insects and rodents after more than 11 months of war - echoing deep concerns among humanitarians about the lack of basic hygiene items that have left families unprotected from communicable diseases. Echoing those warnings, top independent rights experts meeting at UN Geneva maintained that access to clean water for Gaza's 2.3 million people has been weaponized by Israel. Source of pain "Water is the main food we need...it is irreplaceable. But at the same time, if drinkability is not guaranteed, it becomes the most terrible vector of disease and death that exists in the world," said Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation. "So, in this case, this is clearly employed as a weapon in Gaza against [the] Palestinian civil population." Mr. Arrojo-Agudo, who reports to the Human Rights Council in his capacity as an independent rights expert, said that the population of Gaza now lives on an average of 4.7 litres of water, per person per day - well below the 15-litre minimum recommendation during emergencies from the UN World Health Organization (WHO). With a coastal aquifer the only natural source of fresh water for Gazans, "this huge population has been forced to pump three times more water than the aquifer receives through natural replenishment", resulting in sea water pollution during the Israeli blockade of Gaza, the Special Rapporteur maintained. "In addition, Israel has been blocking 70 per cent of the materials needed to build and operate sewage treatment plants as 'dual use' materials, preventing proper sewage treatment, which has led to progressive faecal contamination of ground water," Mr. Arrojo-Agudo insisted. Priced out In an update, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said that a 75 gramme bar of soap costs $10 in Gaza, while shampoo, detergent and washing-up liquid are no longer available in markets. This lack of hygiene items "disproportionately affects children, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems", said the WHO, which underscored that simple handwashing with soap is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of diseases linked to poor sanitary conditions, such as diarrhoea, respiratory infections, scabies and other skin infections. "It can protect approximately one in three children who suffer from diarrhoea and prevent the spread of germs to food, drinks, and surfaces," the UN health agency insisted, in support of appeals to allow a minimum of five trucks per day into Gaza from commercial vendors containing soap and basic hygiene supplies, both in the south and north. Civil society space obliterated Meanwhile, top independent human rights experts also said on Monday that there is "literally no place left" for civil society activists to work safely, after air strikes and ground attacks by the Israeli military. In recent months, the oldest human rights organization in Gaza, the Palestinian Human Rights Centre, has seen staff members killed and its offices damaged beyond repair during operations by the Israeli Defense Forces, said Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor and other experts who report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva in an independent capacity. Ms. Lawlor noted that two women lawyers from the Palestinian NGO were killed in February 2024 - Nour Abu al-Nour, who died with her two-year-old daughter, her parents and four siblings in an air raid on her house in Rafah - and Dana Yaghi, killed alongside 37 family members in an air raid on a house in Deir el-Balah. In a statement, Ms. Lawlor said that it was "a terrible tragedy that justice for these two women human rights defenders, their family members and their children, seems so far away" while human rights defenders who worked to keep hope alive for justice...are becoming victims themselves". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Time Slipping Away as Man-made Humanitarian Crisis Turns Gaza into the Abyss', Senior United Nations Official Tells Security Council Meetings Coverage Security Council 9725th Meeting (AM) SC/15821 16 September 2024 Israel Must Cooperate with Humanitarian Efforts, Demands Representative Underscoring that the only credible measure of progress is the actual condition on the ground in Gaza, the head of United Nations humanitarian efforts in the Strip told the Security Council today that sufficient political will is sorely needed to ensure effective humanitarian operations amid restrictions, security incidents and continued suffering. "Time is slipping away as a man-made humanitarian crisis has turned Gaza into the abyss," stressed Sigrid Kaag, Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, as she offered a "sober and sombre assessment" of the situation in the Strip. While the continued lack of effective protection for civilians in Gaza is "unconscionable", she nevertheless detailed the completion of the first phase of a two-round polio-vaccination campaign, which shows that even in the direst of circumstances "humanitarian action is possible" with sufficient political will. However, she stated that effective humanitarian operations require the right quality, quantity and range of goods to meet the daily needs of civilians in Gaza and "that goal is not being met". Calling for an immediate ceasefire, unconditional release of hostages and unimpeded humanitarian access to deliver aid at scale throughout the Strip, she emphasized that "the horrors of the past 11 months have made it painfully clear that a political solution is the only sustainable path forward". Without that, the cycle of suffering will continue. Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), echoed that, stating that the effective delivery of aid at the scale required will be impossible without political will, security guarantees and an enabling environment. Detailing UNOPS' mechanism for a single, comprehensive supply-chain-management system for humanitarian aid to Gaza, he reported that more than 22,000 metric tons of aid cargo have been delivered to the Strip. Thanking Member States that have contributed financially to UNOPS to support the mechanism, he added: "We cannot overemphasize the challenges of delivering a humanitarian response in Gaza right now." In the discussion that followed, many Council members echoed that sentiment as they condemned recent events involving humanitarian workers, including the obstruction of a UN team supporting the polio-vaccination campaign at a checkpoint in Gaza and an air strike on a school run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Nuseirat. Against that backdrop, they underscored the need for the 15-member organ to implement its own resolutions. "The repeated targeting and intimidation of the United Nations in Gaza is deeply concerning," stressed the representative of Malta, urging the Council to demand and ensure full implementation of its resolutions, adherence to international law and accountability. The organ must not, she added, "reduce itself to simply commenting helplessly on this catastrophe". The representative of Slovenia, Council President for September, spoke in his national capacity to concur: "It is time for the Security Council to ensure compliance with its resolutions." Joining others in underlining the immediate need for a ceasefire to achieve peace in Gaza and the wider region, Mozambique's representative pointed to the recent humanitarian pause allowing for polio vaccinations as an example that peace is possible if the warring parties prove willing to follow the path of mutual accommodation. "As Council members, we shoulder the obligation and responsibility to change the course of events," he stated. For its part, Israel must cooperate with rather than oppose humanitarian efforts, stated the representative of Algeria. "The stark reality is that daily aid deliveries have decreased significantly" since the Council adopted resolution 2720 (2023), he observed, adding that this is not a logistical shortcoming. Rather, it is a manifestation of a deeper political impasse. Calling for the prioritization of early recovery projects, he said that resolution 2720 (2023) requires not only a ceasefire, but also the restoration of stability and reconstruction in Gaza. It is a "miserable reality", stressed the representative of the Republic of Korea, that the volume of humanitarian assistance remains far below the minimum required to meet the needs of 2.3 million people in Gaza. As skin infections run rampant, it is concerning that even basic hygiene items such as soap are being denied entry into the Strip. "Israel must demonstrate to the rest of the world that they are actually doing their best to facilitate humanitarian aid to the Gazan people," he emphasized. Stressing that the UN must "stick to facts", Israel's representative said that 1 million tons of aid have been delivered to Gaza. Also spotlighting the ongoing polio-vaccination campaign, he said that over 500,000 Gazan children have been inoculated thanks to his country's cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). "Despite the slander, the noise, the panic," he said, Israel continues to cooperate with those agencies "who truly care about the welfare of civilians". No meaningful discussions can take place about Gaza's future and reconstruction with Hamas left in control of it, he added. "The only viable reconstruction plan is one that includes a road map to the two-State solution with the relevant security guarantees," stressed Guyana's representative. Noting that 96 per cent of Gaza's population faces acute food insecurity, she stated that there will be a deal for a ceasefire only when there is sincere concern for the protection of civilians including those taken hostage on 7 October 2023. "As of now, that concern is largely absent, despite narratives to the contrary," she pointed out. THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION Briefings SIGRID KAAG, Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza , offering a "sober and sombre assessment of the situation on the ground", reported that 101 hostages are still held in Gaza, denied humanitarian visits. All hostages, she stressed, must be released immediately and unconditionally and, for as long as they are held, must be treated humanely and allowed to receive visits and assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). "The essence of our common humanity is at stake," she underscored. Meanwhile, in Gaza, more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 93,000 have been injured. Recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 22,000 people have sustained "life-altering injuries" "a sad reflection of the tragedy of this war", she noted and the health infrastructure, already crippled, has been further decimated. She stressed: "Time is slipping away as a man-made humanitarian crisis has turned Gaza into the abyss." Calling for an immediate ceasefire, unconditional release of hostages and unimpeded humanitarian access to deliver aid at scale throughout the Strip, she said that the continued lack of effective protection for civilians in Gaza is "unconscionable". She nevertheless detailed the completion of the first phase of a two-round polio vaccination campaign, which shows that even in the direst of circumstances "humanitarian action is possible" with sufficient political will and real-time political commitment. However, systems in place today are not a substitute for the political will required to reach civilians and respond to their needs, she said, adding: "Systems do not save lives, nor provide dignity for those who have lost all." Effective humanitarian operations require the right quality, quantity and range of goods to meet the daily needs of civilians in Gaza, and "that goal is not being met", she stressed. Stating that the Council is "fully aware" of the humanitarian community's requests, she said that the scope of humanitarian items allowed entry remains "too restricted for effective humanitarian operations". Further, recent security incidents including shootings at humanitarian convoys demonstrate that agreed protocols and procedures still require comprehensive implementation. Welcoming the recent medical evacuation of 251 patients and family members to the United Arab Emirates "the largest so far" she nevertheless said that "much more is needed". Over 14,000 patients still require specialized treatment outside Gaza, and she urged Member States to host these individuals and their families. "Progress on the above becomes even more important as winter nears, and the humanitarian catastrophe deepens," she added. She went on to stress that the recovery and reconstruction of the Strip "should not wait", and that the Palestinian Authority must resume its full responsibilities in Gaza. Further, rebuilding Gaza offers the opportunity to involve all members of Palestinian civil society, and fostering an environment that enables the Palestinian business community to play its role is equally important. "The only credible measures of change and progress are the actual conditions on the ground in Gaza," she stressed, emphasizing that "the horrors of the past 11 months have made it painfully clear that a political solution is the only sustainable path forward". Without that, the cycle of suffering will continue. JORGE MOREIRA DA SILVA, Executive Director, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), recalling his January visit to Gaza, noted its "truly challenging environment" for humanitarian aid delivery. In December 2023, his office delivered a design of the mechanism that is meant to deliver a single comprehensive humanitarian aid supply change management system for Gaza, he said. The mechanism had to address the unpredictability of pipelines, delays and multiple inspections while also building confidence and transparency in the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Since May, the mechanism has been running the integrated database covering humanitarian consignments going through Cyprus, and since June those along the Jordan corridor. It has also captured consignments being sent from the West Bank and from inside Israel. "The database moves away from counting trucks and provides the capacity to look at actual supplies entering Gaza compared to the identified needs," he added. Since its activation, he said, 229 humanitarian aid consignments have requested clearance through the mechanism, of which 175 consignments have been approved, 101 have been delivered, 17 are pending clearance and 37 have been rejected. This translates into more than 22,000 metric tons of humanitarian aid cargo delivered to Gaza, he said, adding that "these figures are also publicly available on the mechanism's live dashboard which was launched earlier last week". The consignments were primarily delivered through the Jordan corridor, which was formalized under the mechanism, while a smaller portion of consignments were delivered through the Cyprus corridor. Noting that 14 international monitors have been deployed to those countries to verify the humanitarian nature of each consignment and track it from the point of origin to delivery, he echoed the call for more items and consigners to be allowed to enter Gaza. "Eleven of our international monitors are also ready to deploy inside Gaza in order to reinforce this important verification and tracking mechanism," he said. Over the past 11 months, he noted, the Egyptian route has served as a vital lifeline for delivering aid to the people of Gaza and UNOPS is working with that country's authorities to fully integrate this route. The Office is also procuring 280 trucks for the Jordan corridor, and is procuring 38 trucks for use by the humanitarian community inside Gaza, he said. Thanking Member States who have contributed financially to UNOPS in support of the mechanism, he added: "We cannot overemphasize the challenges of delivering humanitarian response in Gaza right now." The effective delivery of aid at the scale required will simply not be possible without political will, security guarantees and an enabling environment, he emphasized, also noting "the critical and irreplaceable role that UNRWA [the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East] plays in Gaza, as the key implementer of our collective will." Statements The representative of Switzerland said that hostilities in Gaza continue to cause civilian casualties, and that Israeli evacuation orders are adding further pressure on an already desperate population, many of whom are children. In addition, more than 100 hostages remain in captivity, she continued, reiterating calls for their immediate and unconditional release. Switzerland condemns all violations of international humanitarian law committed by all parties. She further condemned the incident at a checkpoint on 9 September affecting a UN team working on the vaccination campaign in Gaza. As the occupying Power, Israel, has an obligation to provide for the basic needs of the population under its control. The deliberate use of starvation as a method of warfare is a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The civilian population, infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, must not be the object of attack. The deadly consequences of Israeli military operations in areas where civilians have taken refuge are "intolerable". She welcomed implementation of the polio vaccination campaign, which shows what the United Nations and its humanitarian partners can achieve if the parties to the conflict respect their obligations to guarantee safe and unhindered access to the civilian population. The representative of Russian Federation called the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave horrific and said that the reason for this is the ongoing Israeli military operation, which Israel has been carrying out without any regard for international humanitarian law or resolutions and decisions of the Security Council. "Such arrogance emanates from the unconditional support for any of its actions by the United States, which has for nearly a year now been blocking any hint of a substantive reaction," he said. In the past week, Israeli strikes resulted in the deaths of nearly 100 civilians. There can be no justification for this. "Western parties" play mute when there's a need to provide a frank assessment about what is transpiring with the Palestinians. "For if we were talking about any other State, they would vociferously condemn such attacks," he said. If this situation continues, then these developments may result in the cessation of United Nations operations in Gaza, and in this case, more than 2 million Palestinians will face death. "This is a real prospect, and we cannot allow this to happen," he warned. In addition to polio, at any point there can be an outbreak of other communicable diseases in Gaza as "regular vaccines have virtually been depleted". Humanitarian workers are powerless and defenceless in the face of Israeli strikes, he added. The representative of France , demanding full and immediate implementation of resolutions 2712 (2023), 2720 (2023), 2728 (2024) and 2735 (2024), underscored that all parties must comply with international humanitarian law, guarantee protection for humanitarian workers and establish and implement deconfliction mechanisms - "which the smooth operation of the polio-vaccination campaign shows is possible". Further, he stressed that goods entering Gaza must "correspond to the reality of the needs" there, noting "far too many restrictions" in place. Humanitarian actors must be able to access the equipment that allows them to operate on the ground, a horizon must be restored for Gazans and an immediate, lasting ceasefire is "indispensable", he stressed. He also said that conditions for early recovery projects to restore basic services must be established in conjunction with regional countries. He added that neither a strictly humanitarian response, nor one based purely on security, will suffice. The representative of Sierra Leone highlighted the shortages of medical supplies in the Gaza Strip due to persistent obstacles to the entry of aid vehicles through the Kerem Shalom crossing and condemned the attack on the UNRWA school serving as a shelter in Nuseirat, that killed six Agency personnel. Full operationalization of Security Council resolution 2720 (2023) would require achieving an immediate ceasefire, and restoration of law and order "in a society now characterized, at the minimum, as a war crime scene", he said. Calling for an effective deconfliction mechanism and welcoming the timely delivery of polio vaccine, he said only an end to the current conflict will allow for the arduous but vital task of rebuilding Gaza and "make it habitable, a home to its people". Further, "the issue of humanitarian aid coordination and reconstruction must now be gleaned through the lens of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice", he stressed. The representative of Japan said that Gaza's agony continues as Israeli attacks in densely populated areas continue unabated. "The recent air strike on a school in Nuseirat killed six UNRWA staff members," he added, deploring the casualties of aid workers, who are tirelessly working to deliver the necessary relief supplies to the people of Gaza. This is totally unacceptable, and actions need to be taken to make real changes on the ground. A ceasefire in the Strip is the only path towards peace, security and stability in the region. He then extended his country's strong support to the diplomatic efforts by the United States, Qatar and Egypt that would lead to an immediate ceasefire, the release of the remaining hostages and the delivery of humanitarian aid at scale in Gaza. The representative of Malta , noting that the situation on the ground remains "beyond desperate", observed that military tactics are still being used to deny essential services to the Gazan population despite endless appeals from the international community. She also spotlighted recent attacks on humanitarian workers, pointing out that around 200 UN and humanitarian staff in Gaza have been killed in 2024 alone and stating: "The repeated targeting and intimidation of the United Nations in Gaza is deeply concerning." The Council must therefore demand and ensure full implementation of its resolutions, adherence to international law and accountability, she urged "not reduce itself to simply commenting helplessly on this catastrophe". Further, she stressed that "humanitarian assistance must never be up for negotiation", and that States providing military support must ensure that their armaments are used in a manner consistent with international humanitarian law. The representative of Algeria said the recent killing of six UNRWA staff members represents a "perilous erosion of international law". He also drew attention to UN data, according to which only 62 trucks entered Gaza daily during the first 10 days of September 2024, compared to 97 trucks in December 2023, and said: "The stark reality is that daily aid deliveries have decreased significantly since [Security Council resolution 2720 (2023)'s] adoption." This is not a logistical shortcoming but a manifestation of a deeper political impasse. Calling on the occupying Power to cooperate rather than oppose humanitarian efforts, he asked why 11 UNOPS staff members have not been allowed to enter Gaza. Highlighting the indispensable role of UNRWA, he called for prioritization of early recovery projects and stressed that Council resolution 2720 (2023) requires not only a ceasefire, but also the restoration of stability and reconstruction in Gaza. The representative of Mozambique said that the situation in Gaza continues to demand "our profound reflection and action, as this is one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our time". The conflict poses a permanent risk to any reconstruction effort. Residences, schools, hospitals, health wards and other places of refuge are a target of war and destruction. "As Council members, we shoulder the obligation and responsibility to change the course of events," he stressed. A cessation of hostilities and a ceasefire are urgent imperatives for peace in Gaza and the wider region. The recent humanitarian pause that has allowed polio vaccinations for children constitutes a good indication that ceasefire and peace are possible if the warring parties are willing to follow the path of mutual accommodation, he said. The representative of the United States said that her country will continue to raise the need for Israel to facilitate humanitarian operations and protect humanitarian workers and facilities such as the UNRWA school in Nuseirat recently targeted by the Israel Defense Forces. Washington, D.C., is also communicating to Israel that there is no basis "absolutely none", she repeated for opening fire on clearly marked UN vehicles. Stating that the Israeli military "knows well how to ensure that incidents such as these do not happen", she said that the United States therefore expects the Israel Defense Forces' leadership to implement "fundamental" changes including changes to rules of engagement and "steps to fix the obvious shortcomings in how deconfliction procedures are implemented". She added that Hamas is using civilian sites to conduct operations and pose an ongoing threat, calling on all sides to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians. The representative of Guyana , condemning the recent attack on the An Nuseirat Refugee Camp in Deir al Balah, pointed out that this war has become "the deadliest for the United Nations" with 224 of its personnel senselessly killed. Noting that 96 per cent of Gaza's population is facing acute food insecurity, she added that there will be a deal for a ceasefire only when there is sincere concern for the protection of civilians, including those taken hostage on 7 October 2023. "As of now, that concern is largely absent, despite narratives to the contrary," she pointed out. The destruction of Gaza is not because of a natural hazard, she said, highlighting Israel's consistent spate of military operations against the Gaza Strip prior to 7 October 2023. The pattern of financing and refinancing reconstruction in Gaza is unsustainable, she stressed, adding that "the only viable reconstruction plan is one that includes a road map to the two-State solution with the relevant security guarantees". The representative of the United Kingdom condemned the Houthi attack over the weekend and reiterated her country's demand for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for Hamas to release all hostages. "We welcome the news that the first round of the UN's polio vaccine campaign in Gaza has now concluded, facilitated by Israel's implementation of agreed tactical pauses," she said. Despite the challenges including the attack on a United Nations vaccination convoy last week this shows that deconfliction can work where there is political will. Israel has committed to flood Gaza with aid, but this has not materialized. Mass Israeli evacuation notices and the use of heavy weaponry mean that nowhere is safe. The United Kingdom calls on both Israel and Hamas to take the deal on the table. There will be an enormous task in helping those in Gaza rebuild. Early recovery will include clearing unexploded ordinance and rubble and providing essential services, she said. The representative of the Republic of Korea stressed that it is "unacceptable" that a UN convoy delivering polio vaccines, already approved by the Israel Defense Forces, was held at gunpoint for more than seven hours at a checkpoint in Gaza on 9 September. Calling on all parties to the conflict "especially Israel" to prevent similar incidents, he underscored that deconfliction and notification mechanisms must be respected. Further, it is a "miserable reality", he said, that the volume of humanitarian assistance into Gaza remains far below the minimum required to meet the needs of 2.3 million people, most of whom cannot afford commercial goods. As skin infections run rampant, it is concerning that even basic hygiene items such as soap are being denied entry into the Gaza Strip. "Israel must demonstrate to the rest of the world that they are actually doing their best to facilitate humanitarian aid to the Gazan people," he stressed. The representative of China , noting that, last week, the UN convoy supporting the polio vaccination campaign approved by Israel was detained for nearly eight hours during which shots were fired, said that in the same week, six UNRWA employees were killed in an air strike. Describing the Agency as "a pillar of strength", he commended it for not abandoning Gaza and called on Israel to investigate all attacks on humanitarian workers. That country must put humanity first, lift the blockade, open all crossings and scrap restrictions on humanitarian deliveries, he said. Pointing to 41,000 deaths among Palestinian civilians since the start of the war, he said "this is past belief". Had the United States not stood in the way, the Council could have adopted a resolution demanding a ceasefire early on, he said, calling on that country to use its significant influence to prevail upon Israel to cease its military operations and "give the long-suffering Palestinian people a chance to live". The representative of Ecuador said that political will is needed to allow for the delivery of aid in the quantity needed to alleviate the appalling situation of the civilian population in Gaza. Despite United Nations efforts, it has still not been possible for humanitarian aid to be provided and distributed at the necessary scale and without any obstacles in order to guarantee access in Gaza to food, water, sanitation, electricity, telecommunications and medical services. Ecuador calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and the delivery of sufficient aid to Gaza, as well as the guaranteed safety of humanitarian personnel. Until that happens, all parties must commit to allowing supplies to be delivered to civilians in need while also guaranteeing the safety of humanitarian workers. The representative of Slovenia , Council President for September, spoke in his national capacity to observe that today's briefing and the humanitarian catastrophe on the ground confirm that both political will and respect for international law "have been in very short supply during the whole duration of this sad conflict". Nothing can replace the absence of Israel's political will to ease or help ease the suffering of civilians in Gaza and, despite the Council's political will to alleviate that suffering through resolution 2720 (2023), the delivery of humanitarian aid at scale has not been achieved. "It is time for the Security Council to ensure compliance with its resolutions," he urged, detailing a "cascading" approach forward exert pressure to ensure a ceasefire that holds, rebuild life in Gaza, immediately begin a time-bound political process and implementation of the two-State solution, and finally, reconstruct the Strip. The representative of Israel , expressing concern that "there is hardly a mention of the hostages" in the statements delivered in the Council, added that the six executed hostages were kept in a tunnel whose "entrance was hidden beneath a child's bedroom". "We all must ask ourselves how much [aid] is stolen by the Hamas terror machine and never reaches the Palestinians," he said, adding that his country's humanitarian efforts during the war are "unparalleled for a country which underwent its most tragic day and has since been forced to go to war". Stressing that the United Nations must "stick to facts", he said 1 million tons of aid have been delivered, and 800,000 tons of food have passed into Gaza. Also highlighting the polio vaccination campaign that is under way, he said over half a million Gazan children have been vaccinated, thanks to his country's cooperation with WHO and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). "Despite the slander, the noise, the panic," he said, Israel continues to cooperate with those agencies "who truly care about the welfare of civilians". But, it will not work with those who only care to harm his country, he stressed, adding that "UNRWA Gaza has become nothing more than a cartel, fostering hatred and prolonging misery in Gaza". Israel has documented proof of UNRWA staff involvement in the Hamas-led atrocities of 7 October 2023, he said, adding that it provided more than 100 names to the Agency's Commissioner. "This list is part of an ongoing process and does not yet reveal the full extent of the infiltration of UNWRA Gaza," he said. No meaningful discussions can take place about Gaza's future and reconstruction, with Hamas left in control of it, he said. Israel's goal is to defeat Hamas, secure the return of hostages and "allow Gazans to take control of their own future", he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Allvin lauds Airmen for embracing, pushing forward efforts to reoptimize the force Published Sept. 16, 2024 Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin delivered a clear and unambiguous message about the future of the service during a high-profile keynote address, Sept. 16. Boiled down, his message to an overflowing crowd of several thousand at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference was this: Tangible progress is occurring on the vast, but still young, effort to reshape the Air Force to confront China and effectively compete in an era of Great Power Competition. Airmen, he said, "are moving out" to push reoptimization forward, understanding that adapting the Air Force to meet the demands of GPC must succeed. Competition in this era, which is focused primarily on China, demands organizational alignment, enterprise solutions, prioritization of mission over function, agility and adaptiveness, Allvin stated. "This is not an intellectual exercise. We are moving out," Allvin said while detailing notable progress surrounding 19 reoptimization efforts in just six months. He opined the threat environment has been analyzed sufficiently and now is the time for change to occur. The changes, he told the audience, fall into four broad categories - projecting power, generating readiness, developing people and developing capabilities. Allvin highlighted one key element in his speech - activation of the provisional Integrated Capabilities Command (ICC). The provisional command will immediately begin leading Air Force modernization prioritization efforts across several key investment areas, while continuing to develop the framework for the permanent ICC, which is expected to reach final operational capability as a new Air Force Institutional Command in 2025. "We have to integrate across different system centers," Allvin said. "We have to think with a systems focus, not a platform-centric focus." The idea, he said, is that integration must be a focus from the earliest moments, "We must be building (holistically) from the beginning ... not assembling everything at the end." And like Department of Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, who spoke to the same audience less than an hour earlier and stressed similar themes, Allvin said there is no time to lose. "The time is now and we have to get after it," Allvin said. China is aggressively expanding its military "to combat our way of war, changing the character of war with both speed and scale;" he later explained. While some of the reoptimization changes and policies are new, some are reminiscent of the last time the service faced an existential threat during the Cold War. Conducting large scale exercises is one example. Allvin spoke at length about the need - and benefits - of bringing large exercises back into regular rotation. "You have to do the thing to know if you can do the thing," Allvin said, explaining how large-scale exercises will identify strengths and weaknesses that must be understood in an era of Great Power Competition. The Air Force is planning to stress its systems through a service-level exercise in fiscal year 2025 that will focus on speed, scale, Agile Combat Employment operations, sustainment and operational command and control. This upcoming exercise will build on an exercise known as Bamboo Eagle, which Allvin attended earlier this year. With more than 3,000 service members from the joint force participating and over 20 units supporting, Bamboo Eagle afforded a combat-representative environment and employed more than 150 aircraft, enhancing interoperability and warfighting capabilities across a myriad of disaggregated locations. As the service evolves to confront today's dynamic strategic environment, Allvin reminded the crowd that the Air Force has historically adapted at key inflection points to best compete in emerging security landscapes. He mentioned the period after the fall of the Berlin Wall when the United States and its downsized military was the leader of a "unipolar" world. "That was what was appropriate for that environment," Allvin said. "That is what the country asked and that is what the Air Force delivered." More change came in response to the 9/11 attacks and the 20-year Global War on Terror that followed. The nation, and the U.S. Air Force, are now in a new and challenging "time of consequence" characterized by China's activities, as well as a smaller, but still considerable threat from Russia. Amid the change and reshaping, Allvin said one fact remains true above all others. "Make no mistake," he said. "If the United States Air Force is called upon to fight, we will fight, and we will win because we are the most dominant Air Force on the face of the Earth." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kendall highlights accomplishments, urgency to finish transitioning to Great Power Competition Published Sept. 16, 2024 Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) -- Conceding that his future as secretary is connected to the outcome of November's election, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall used a high-profile keynote address Sept. 16 to highlight achievements modernizing and reshaping the Air Force and Space Force while also emphasizing unfinished work and the urgency driving it. "What I'm not doing today is a farewell address," Kendall emphasized out of the gate, while noting that an election is fast approaching, and he serves at the pleasure of the president. "My hope is that I will have the opportunity to continue to serve, but if not, you can be certain that I will be working as hard as I can for as long as I can to prepare the Department of the Air Force for a conflict that is not inevitable, but may be becoming more likely over time," he said, repeating a line he has repeatedly voiced since becoming the Department's highest ranking civilian leader. Kendall's remarks came during a keynote at the annual conference sponsored by the Air and Space Forces Association. With that context, Kendall spoke at length on his now familiar priorities and analysis for how the Department is pushing forward to properly position itself to meet modern-day adversaries such as the People's Republic of China. "China continues to push boundaries of acceptable behavior with aggressive actions directed toward its neighbors," he said, again repeating a familiar refrain. "I have instructed our briefers to stop referring to the Chinese Communist Party and the People's Liberation Army as a 'future', or 'emerging', or 'potential' threat. ... It is a serious threat today," he said. Kendall focused attention on China's ambitions and advances. That government, he said, "continues to invest heavily in capabilities, organizations and operational concepts designed specifically to defeat the ability of the United States and its allies to project power in the Western Pacific." That effort extends into space where China is boosting its "space order of battle" as well as its "counter air capability," its prowess in cyber operations and increasing the size of its nuclear forces. "We can expect all these trends to continue," he said. Threats remain in the Middle East, he said, as well as from Russia. Despite being mired in its invasion of Ukraine, Kendall offered a warning and a dose of optimism: "Regardless of when, if, or how this war ends, Russia is likely to remain an acute threat," he said. "But while Russia will be weakened from years of war, NATO will be even more resilient." To show what that means in real life, Kendall noted a recent agreement with Norway "to share the costs of integrating the Norwegian joint strike missile on the F-35. This will significantly enhance our maritime strike capability and that of our Norwegian, Canadian and Australian allies," he said, adding, "This is integrated by design in action." Kendall spent the balance of his 35-minute speech on the ambitious efforts to dramatically reshape, retool and re-train the Air Force and Space Force to confront and, if necessary, prevail in today's environment. Most prominently, he spoke about his signature initiatives - the seven Operational Imperatives and Reoptimizing for Great Power Competition. Together those initiative are among the largest, most comprehensive shifts in a generation for how the services operate, train and posture themselves in defense of the country and its interests. On all fronts Kendall said progress has been made but much more work lies ahead. On "space order of battle," one of Kendall's main focuses, "we have started work on several distributed and resilient constellations to replace our vulnerable existing systems and to acquire new capabilities needed for great power conflict." Also in space, "We have received Quick Start authority to field additional low-cost GPS satellites to increase the resilience of the GPS system and have initiated that program. In the counterspace area, we are making good progress with a range of systems that at this point are still classified." There has been progress on updating command and control, battle management systems to meet the need of today's threats. "The Air Force and Space Force's modernized C3BM systems are taking shape, and early components have achieved initial operational capability," he said. "Maj. Gen. (Luke) Cropsey and his team spearheading this effort have been in place for roughly two years now, and their impact is becoming more visible, for both Air Force and Space Force advanced battle management." Progress on the next generation long-range bomber, the B-21 Raider, "continues to make good progress in the flight test program." Other important, new platforms are also progressing. "The overall family of systems, comprising Collaborative Combat Aircraft, or CCAs, the NGAD platform, and other associated programs, is moving forward aggressively," he said. "We are going full speed ahead on the first increment of CCAs." Kendall conceded that the ambitious NGAD program, which is focusing on designing and building state-of-the-art 6th generation "family of aircraft," is being reviewed and reconfigured to meet technological and budget constraints. "If we are ever going to make a change in the NGAD platform's requirements, now is the time to do so, before the next major contractual commitment of resources and the commitment to proceed to production," he said. He also made clear the desire to push forward with the program's central goal. "One thing I would like to make very clear," Kendall said. "We are not walking away from the core United States Air Force function of providing air superiority." He mentioned continued work and differing levels of success in developing a new generation of tanker, updating base defense to cope with the "full range of threats, cruise, ballistic and hypersonic." Similar progress can be measure on the far-reaching effort announced in February to "Reoptimize for Great Power Competition," which is known by the short-hand, GPC. "The short version of our progress on the 24 (GPC) decisions that we announced is that all of the actions required are well underway. A few are slightly late to the original schedule, but overall progress is excellent, and nothing is far enough off track to cause major concern," Kendall said. Even with the progress, Kendall laid down a blunt and clear warning to anyone thinking of slowing future progress because of "territorial" concerns. "We don't have time for petty parochial interests or arguments about turf," he said. He also repeated a warning to Congress that he has made often in past years. "The subject that I worry about the most, the adequacy of our resources," he said, making that statement amid uncertainty if Congress would be able to agree on a temporary budget to keep the federal government operating beyond the September 30 end of the fiscal year. Kendall praised the White House and Congress for the support to date but was direct about the needs going forward. "As I look out at our needs going forward, it is clear to me that more resources will be required," he said. Despite all the change, challenges and new thinking, Kendall noted that one constant remains. "I would be remiss indeed if I didn't spend a few minutes talking about our most critical asset, our people. You are simply awesome. You make me grateful to be part of this team every day," he said. "My promise to you is that whatever time I have left in public service, that I will spend it working as hard as I can to get the Department of the Air Force the resources it needs to successfully deter, and if needed achieve victory," Kendall said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Navy commissions USS New Jersey (SSN 796) US Navy 16 September 2024 From U.S. Navy MIDDLETOWN, N.J. -- The Navy commissioned the fast-attack Virginia-class submarine USS New Jersey (SSN 796) in a traditional ceremony held September 14, at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Middletown, New Jersey. The ceremony culminated a years-long process for commissioning the New Jersey, the third U.S. Navy ship named after the state of New Jersey, the most recent being the decorated battleship BB-62 which saw action during WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. New Jersey's commanding officer Cmdr. Steve Halle called the event "a truly historic moment" during his speech, praising all the distinguished guests, shipbuilders, and supporting organizations before addressing his crew. "To the crew, the plank owners, this ceremony... is about you" Halle emphasized. "You operate the most complex platform on the planet and you continuously strive for excellence. I'm amazed and humbled at what we have accomplished" he continued. "Our superior professionalism is enhanced by our crew integration and our diversity," Halle said of his crew being the first fully integrated fast-attack submarine. "We have exceeded expectations at every turn and overcome every obstacle set before us." Halle also spoke to the people of New Jersey stating "I know that the legacy we have inherited from the state of New Jersey and BB-62 will carry forward in our pursuit of greatness." "Today, we commissioned our ship, and she is the fastest, most advanced, fully integrated fast-attack to date," Halle said in closing. Susan DiMarco, New Jersey's sponsor and wife of former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, gave the crew the traditional order to "man our ship and bring her to life," after which New Jersey's sailors responded "aye aye ma'am" before ceremonially running aboard the submarine. Other speakers at the commissioning ceremony included New Jersey Governor Philip Murphy, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, Ms. Jennifer Boykin, president of Newport News Shipbuilding, and Mr. Larry Runkle, vice president of General Dynamics Electric Boat. Adm. William Houston, director of the Navy's Nuclear Propulsion program, served as the senior Naval officer and Submarine Force commander Vice Adm. Robert Gaucher as the presiding officer. Lt. Cmdr. Andrew Hutchison, the ship's executive officer, served as master of ceremonies. The submarine is 377 feet long, has a 34-foot beam and is able to dive to depths greater than 800 feet and operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots. New Jersey has a crew of nearly 135 Navy personnel. Fast-attack submarines are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities - sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence. They are designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare, and mine warfare. Fast-attack submarines project power ashore with special operations forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles in the prevention or preparation of regional crises. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Blinken to visit Egypt for talks on securing Gaza cease-fire By VOA News September 16, 2024 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Egypt on Tuesday amid efforts to engage key regional partners in the Middle East to present a revised proposal for a Gaza cease-fire. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters on Monday, "We continue to engage with our partners in the region, most specifically with Egypt and Qatar, about what that proposal will contain, and making sure or trying to see that it's a proposal that can get the parties to an ultimate agreement." The U.S. has not provided a timetable for the revised proposal, though officials have indicated that it will be presented soon. The proposal seeks to resolve key issues behind the monthslong impasse in talks mediated by the U.S., Qatar and Egypt, aiming to secure a truce between Israel and Hamas and the release of remaining hostages taken by the Hamas militants at the start of the war on October 7, 2023. In Cairo, Blinken will co-chair the opening session of the U.S.-Egypt Strategic Dialogue with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. Blinken will also meet with Egyptian leaders to discuss efforts to secure a cease-fire in Gaza, ensure the release of all hostages, alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and promote broader regional security, according to Miller. However, Blinken's 10th trip to the Middle East since the war began does not include a stop in Israel for talks with its leaders. Earlier on Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Yair Lapid, Israel's opposition leader and former prime minister. After the meeting at the State Department, Lapid told reporters that Israel needs a hostage deal and an end to the war in Gaza, emphasizing that no political process or turbulence should affect the deal. Lapid urged the U.S. not to let Hamas "skirt a hostage deal." "Israel as a nation will not heal unless we will bring [the remaining hostages] back home. This is essential to our existence," Lapid said. Humanitarian efforts At the United Nations Security Council, Sigrid Kaag, the U.N. senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, gave a bleak briefing on the situation of Palestinian civilians. "Time is slipping away as a man-made humanitarian crisis has turned Gaza into the abyss," she said. "It cannot be repeated enough: We need an immediate cease-fire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and unimpeded, continuous humanitarian access to deliver aid at scale throughout the Gaza Strip." She said relief operations are hampered by hostilities, lawlessness, and denials and delays by the Israeli authorities. Data from the U.N. office of humanitarian affairs shows that the number of aid trucks getting into Gaza each day has steadily decreased from a high in April of 169 trucks a day. That has dropped to 69 trucks a day in August, and 62 a day during the first nine days of September. Israel denies that it impedes aid deliveries. "We have gone above and beyond our obligations, aiming to improve the well-being of a civilian population embedded within the enemy," Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon said. Fighting Separately, Israeli airstrikes killed 16 people in the Gaza Strip early Monday, according to Palestinian officials, and took out 20 Hezbollah launchers and military infrastructure sites in southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces said. The Gaza airstrikes hit a home in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, killing at least 10 people and wounding 13 others. Six other people were killed in a strike on a Gaza City home, first responders who operate under the Hamas-run government told the Associated Press. The dead included four women and two children. The Israeli military reported that after sirens sounded in the area of the Upper Galilee, two suspicious aerial targets were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory and falling in the area of the northern Golan Heights. The air force struck "approximately 20 Hezbollah launchers and military infrastructure sites which posed an immediate threat to Israeli civilians" in the area of Jarmaq in southern Lebanon. Tensions are high along the Israel-Lebanon border. A senior U.S. envoy, Amos Hochstein, is reported to be back in the region Monday, meeting officials in Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the current situation along the Israeli-Lebanon border, where tens of thousands of people have been displaced, is not sustainable. "The existing situation will not continue. We will do everything necessary to return our residents safely to their homes," he said. On Sunday, Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen fired drones and missiles toward Israel that landed in an open area in central Israel. On Monday, Hamas leader Yehya Sinwar congratulated the Houthis, according to the rebel's media wing. Sinwar said that Israel's plans to destroy Hamas had failed. "I assure you that the resistance is fine," he said. "We have prepared ourselves to fight a long battle of attrition." Gerald Feierstein, retired ambassador and director of the Arabian Peninsula program at the Middle East Institute, told VOA on Monday that "the big issue is that clearly the Houthis' capability to undertake these strikes is a result of their cooperation with Iran." He added at some point, Israel may decide that striking back at the Houthis is not enough, and that they need to engage Iran directly. "These are the concerns keeping everyone on edge, as it raises the potential for a broader regional conflict beyond Gaza," Feierstein said. The Houthis are among several Iran-backed groups in the Middle East that have been drawn into the conflict triggered by Hamas' shock attack on southern Israel last October 7 that killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of 250 hostages. Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, a death toll Israel says includes several thousand militant fighters. Hamas has been designated a terror group by the U.S., the U.K., EU and other Western nations. VOA State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching, U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer, Kim Lewis and Natasha Mozgovaya contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Airstrikes in Gaza leave 16 dead, Palestinian officials say By VOA News September 16, 2024 Israeli airstrikes killed 16 people in the Gaza Strip early Monday, according to Palestinian officials, and took out 20 Hezbollah launchers and military infrastructure sites in southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces said. The Gaza airstrikes hit a home in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, killing at least 10 people and wounding 13 others. Six other people were killed in a strike on a Gaza City home, first responders who operate under the Hamas-run government told the Associated Press. The dead included four women and two children. Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported that after sirens sounded in the area of the Upper Galilee, two suspicious aerial targets were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory and falling in the area of the northern Golan Heights. The Israeli air force struck "approximately 20 Hezbollah launchers and military infrastructure sites which posed an immediate threat to Israeli civilians" in the area of Jarmaq in southern Lebanon. Earlier strikes from Lebanon On Sunday morning, the Israeli military said about 40 projectiles were fired from Lebanon toward Israel's Upper Galilee region and the annexed Golan Heights. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the current situation along the Israeli-Lebanon border, where tens of thousands of people have been displaced, was not sustainable. "The existing situation will not continue. We will do everything necessary to return our residents safely to their homes," he said. Also Sunday, Israeli police shot and killed a man who stabbed a border officer at a gate to Jerusalem's Old City in what police described as a "terror attack." "Border police officers engaged with the terrorist, neutralized him with gunfire, and concluded the attack swiftly and professionally," police said. The officer was evacuated and treated for his injuries, police said. Houthi missile lands in Israel Tensions throughout the region were heightened Sunday after a missile launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen landed in an open area in central Israel and triggered air raid sirens at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate, saying the Houthis "should have known by now that we charge a heavy price for any attempt to harm us." The Yemeni rebels have repeatedly fired drones and missiles toward Israel since the start of the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza last October, but nearly all of them have been intercepted over the Red Sea. In the latest attack, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, a military spokesperson for the rebels, said they fired a ballistic missile aiming at "a military target" in Jaffa, which is part of Tel Aviv. The Houthis are among several Iran-backed groups in the Middle East that have been drawn into the conflict triggered by Hamas' shock attack on southern Israel last Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of 250 hostages. Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, a death toll Israel says includes several thousand militant fighters. Hamas has been designated a terror group by the U.S., the U.K., EU and other Western nations. Natasha Mozgovaya contributed to this report. Information from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse was used in this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen's Houthis unveil new "hypersonic" missile following attack on Israel People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:11, September 17, 2024 ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group on Monday unveiled their new missile system, which they claimed possesses hypersonic capabilities, just one day after launching a missile attack deep into Israeli territory. The missile, dubbed "Palestine-2," was revealed through footage released by the Houthi-run al-Masirah channel, showcasing what the group asserted to be cutting-edge technology designed to challenge regional defense systems. The video depicted the "Palestine-2" missile being raised on what appeared to be a mobile launcher and swiftly ascending into the air, leaving plumes of white smoke in its wake. The missile's name is prominently displayed, accompanied by "Hypersonic" in bold red letters. The revelation of this Houthi weapon comes amid escalating tensions in the region and has drawn sharp responses from Israeli leadership. According to Houthi footage, the "Palestine-2" boasts an impressive range of 2,150 kilometers and is powered by solid fuel in two stages. They asserted that the missile can reach speeds of up to Mach 16 -- 16 times the speed of sound -- placing it well within the hypersonic category if verified. The Houthi group further claimed the missile is equipped with stealth technology and possesses maneuverability that allegedly surpasses even "the most sophisticated air defense systems globally, including Israel's renowned Iron Dome." These claims, if being substantiated, would represent a significant leap in the Houthis' missile technology and could potentially shift the balance of power in the region. However, it is crucial to note that these assertions have not been independently verified, and local Yemeni military experts often approach such claims with a degree of skepticism and caution. The unveiling follows a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. On Sunday, the Houthi group confirmed they had launched an attack deep into Israeli territory, claiming to have used a "new hypersonic ballistic missile." In a televised address broadcast via the al-Masirah channel on Sunday, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi stated, "Our operations will continue as long as the aggression and siege on Gaza continue." He further emphasized the group's commitment to their cause, asserting that the group is "moving to do more, and what is coming is greater." Al-Houthi also referenced ongoing maritime operations, describing them as "successful and highly effective" in targeting navigation associated with Israel and its allies. In response to the attack, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning on Sunday, stating that the Houthis would face a "heavy price" for their actions against Israel. "This morning, the Houthis launched a surface-to-surface missile from Yemen into our territory," Netanyahu told his cabinet ministers at the start of their weekly meeting. "Anyone who attacks us will not escape our wrath." Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar expressed gratitude to Yemen's Houthi group for their recent long-range missile attack against Israel through an official message reported by the al-Masirah TV on Monday. "I congratulate you on your success in reaching the depth of the enemy entity with your missiles, bypassing all Israeli air shields and defense systems," Sinwar stated in his message addressed to the Houthi leader. This recent development is part of a series of confrontations between the Houthi group and Israel. In July, the Houthis claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Tel Aviv, which led to retaliatory Israeli airstrikes on key Houthi-controlled areas and sites in Yemen, including the strategic port city of Hodeidah. The ongoing conflict has included multiple attacks by the Houthi group on targets in southern Israel and ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Central African Republic - Rwanda Relations Rwandas influence in the Central African Republic (CAR) has grown significantly, particularly through its involvement in peacekeeping and security efforts. Rwanda's role in CAR extends beyond military deployments and includes diplomatic and strategic partnerships with the CAR government. Rwandas influence in the Central African Republic is significant, particularly in terms of military and security contributions. Its role in stabilizing the country and protecting key political figures has given it a critical position in CARs peace efforts. Rwandas involvement underscores its growing regional power and its commitment to promoting peace and security across Africa. Rwanda has become a key player in the CAR, at the head of local offices of international organizations (World Bank, United Nations Development Program, World Food Program). The argument that Rwanda has too much influence in the Central African Republic (CAR) stems from its extensive military and political involvement in the country, which has led some to question the balance of power and sovereignty in CAR. While Rwandas presence has been crucial in stabilizing parts of the country, providing security, and countering rebel groups, its deep involvement raises concerns about the potential for overreach and dependency. There is a risk that CAR will not develop its own military or political institutions effectively if it continues to rely on Rwanda for security. This dependency may weaken CARs state-building efforts in the long term. Rwanda has one of the largest foreign military presences in the Central African Republic. This means Rwanda wields substantial control over the security apparatus of the country, potentially sidelining CAR's own military forces. Critics argue that Rwanda's military presence is so prominent that it risks overshadowing CAR's sovereignty. By heavily relying on Rwandan forces, CARs government might weaken its own army and internal security capabilities. Rwandas close relationship with President Touadera and his administration gives it significant political influence. Rwandan troops provide direct protection to President Touadera, alongside Russias Wagner group, reinforcing his power and helping him maintain control in a highly unstable political environment. This close relationship has led to accusations that Rwanda is propping up Touaderas regime in exchange for increased political and economic influence. The fact that Rwanda is so closely aligned with CARs central government could result in disproportionate influence on CAR's internal politics. Some critics argue that Rwanda may shape policies to its own benefit, rather than for the broader good of the Central African population. Rwandas extensive involvement in CAR has led some to question the sovereignty of the Central African Republic. While Rwandas presence has been a stabilizing force, particularly in the face of rebel insurgencies, there are concerns that CARs government may become too dependent on foreign forces for its survival. Some critics argue that Rwandas influence in CAR, particularly its role in ensuring the security of CARs president, amounts to undue foreign interference in CARs domestic affairs. If Rwanda's troops play a decisive role in shaping the country's political landscape, this could undermine CAR's ability to make independent decisions. Rwanda and the Central African Republic (CAR) share interactions, particularly in terms of peacekeeping efforts. Rwanda has been involved in peacekeeping operations in the Central African Republic through the United Nations' missions and other multilateral efforts. The involvement of Rwandan forces in the Central African Republic is part of Rwanda's commitment to regional peace and stability, as well as its active role in African Union and United Nations peacekeeping operations. Rwanda has contributed troops to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). This peacekeeping mission aims to stabilize the CAR, which has faced civil conflict and instability for several years. Rwanda has also deployed additional forces under bilateral agreements with the CAR government, helping to bolster security in the country. Rwandan troops have been known for their discipline and effectiveness in peacekeeping operations. Its forces have earned a reputation for professionalism, protecting civilians, government institutions, and key infrastructure. In addition to its contribution to the UN mission, Rwanda has sent troops under a direct bilateral agreement with the CAR government. This includes securing the capital, Bangui, and other strategic locations during periods of heightened conflict. Rwandan troops provide direct security for CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadera and other high-level officials, showcasing Rwanda's trusted role in safeguarding the central government. The Central African Republic has experienced prolonged instability, including civil wars and political strife. Rwanda, with its own history of recovery from genocide, has emerged as a regional player in peacekeeping and post-conflict stabilization efforts across Africa, including in the CAR. Rwanda's involvement in the CAR reflects its broader role in African security, peace, and stability initiatives. Rwandan forces have been praised for their significant contributions to stabilizing regions in conflict. Rwandan troops first deployed to CAR in January 2014. The Rwanda Defence Force is also one of the largest troop contributor to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) since 2014. By 2023 Rwanda had more than 2,000 soldiers serving in CAR under the UN Peacekeeping mission. Rwanda also maintained more than 1000 soldiers deployed in CAR under bilateral agreement. The Government of Rwanda deployed force protection troops to the Central African Republic in December 2020, under an existing bilateral agreement on defense. The deployment is in response to the targeting of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) contingent under the UN Peacekeeping force by rebels supported by Francois Bozize. Rwandan troops will also contribute to ensure a peaceful and secure general elections scheduled on Sunday 27 December 2020, twenty-two months after the peace agreement which was reached between the government and fourteen armed groups. Russia and Rwanda sent hundreds of troops into the country after an alleged coup bid that took place ahead of the presidential and parliamentary polls. On Saturday, the government of the CAR accused former president Francois Bozize of an attempted coup after three powerful rebel groups merged and started to advance on the capital Bangui. Rwanda confirmed the deployment, saying the move was in response to the targeting of its troops in the UN peacekeeping force by rebels supported by Bozize, who ruled the CAR from 2003 to 2013. Rwanda National Police (RNP) 10 November 2023, completed the rotation of Formed Police Unit Three (FPU3-1) contingent serving under the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The maiden Rwanda FPU3-1 contingent of 180 officers deployed in November 2022 in Bangassou, about 725kms from the capital Bangui, It was replaced by Rwanda FPU3-2. The Central African Republic on 24 November 2023 enrolled 512 new soldiers into the force after completing five months of basic military training undertaken by Rwanda Defence Force instructors. Among the new soldiers, 49 are women. The ceremony that took place at Banguis Camp Kassai was presided over by H.E Prof Faustin Archange Touadera, the President of Central African Republic and was attended by Maj Gen Wilson Gumisiriza, RDF Mechanised Division Commander on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff. In a statement to the media after the ceremony, President Touadera thanked his counterpart, H.E President Paul Kagame and Rwanda Defence for their support to stabilize Central African Republic. Speaking during the event, the Rwandan Bilateral Contingent Commander, Col Alphonse Gahima said that the new soldiers were trained to become professionals and change makers in their country. I want to point out that the discipline, bravery, enthusiasm and stamina you've shown throughout your training are very reassuring for the work you're about to do. For our part, as Instructors, we will continue to provide you with the support you need, to facilitate your learning and enable you to become professional soldiers worthy of the name, as requested by the leadership of FACA and RDF, said Col Gahima. Rwanda National Police (RNP) 20 April 2024, started the rotation of three peacekeeping contingents serving under the UN Multidimensional Stabilization Integrated Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Rwanda Formed Police Unit Two rotation Eight (RWAFPUII-8) operating in Kaga Bandoro was replaced by RWAFPUII-9. RWAFPUII-8 returned home safely later in the afternoon after successfully completing their one year tour-of-duty. The RDF Army Chief of Staff, Maj Gen Vicent Nyakarundi who was in the Central African Republic to visit Rwandan peacekeepers, on 08 August 2024 visited the Rwandan Peacekeepers under MINUSCA in Bossembele, Nana Mambele prefectures in the western part of CAR. He commended the peacekeepers for their efforts in protecting civilians and ensuring the free movement of people and goods along the main supply route (MSR 1) connecting Cameroon and the capital city Bangui - the Republic of Central Africa. The primary mission of Rwandan peacekeepers in Bossembele is to protect civilians and ensure the security of the main supply route connecting Bangui and Cameroon. The country's lack of direct access to a coastline means that the road to the port in Cameroon should be secured but for a long time, the road network was under the control of armed groups, particularly Return, Reclamation, and Rehabilitation (3R) and Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC). These armed groups frequently hindered the free movement of people and goods between Cameroon and CAR. Rwandan peacekeepers have managed to secure the main supply route to ensure free movement of people and goods. While interacting with Rwandan Peacekeepers, the ACOS conveyed the RDF high command's gratitude to Rwandan peacekeepers for the job they are doing in this area and continue to do. He emphasized the effectiveness of the Rwandan army wherever they are deployed, whether in Rwanda or in friendly countries for peacekeeping missions. He also informed the force that during his meeting with the SRSG and Deputy Force Commander, the MINUSCA leadership appreciated their commitment and professionalism in executing their mandate, even in a challenging environment. The ACOS urged the peacekeepers to continue to maintain that trust by executing their duties with professionalism. On 05 August 2024, 634 new soldiers, including 55 females, were enrolled in the Central African Republic Armed Forces (FACA) after completing seven months of basic military training. The new soldiers were trained by the Rwanda Defence Force in collaboration with FACA. This graduation marks the second battalion trained by military instructors from the Rwanda Defence Force, with the ultimate objective of preventing the activities of the enemies of peace. "I have no doubt that the skills acquired during this course will help in protecting the country and its people." Said the General Chief of Staff (FACA) Maj. Gen. Zephlin Mamadou. Rwandas military presence has been critical in stabilizing parts of the CAR that have been ravaged by internal conflict, rebel insurgencies, and political violence. By supporting the government forces, Rwanda helps maintain order and prevent the country from descending into further chaos. Rwandan forces have been instrumental in combat operations against armed groups, particularly during times of election-related unrest. Their presence in areas like Bangui has contributed to limiting the reach of armed rebels and securing major cities. Rwanda has developed a close political relationship with the government of CAR. The military support extended by Rwanda bolsters CARs regime and strengthens the ties between the two nations. Rwandas President Paul Kagame and CARs President Faustin-Archange Touadera have maintained a strong partnership, reinforcing Rwandas influence on CARs internal politics. Regional Leadership Role: By actively engaging in peacekeeping missions and providing military assistance in the CAR, Rwanda is seen as a leader in African peace and security initiatives. This aligns with President Kagames broader vision of Rwanda as a regional power and key player in Africas security architecture. Rwandas reputation for well-organized and disciplined forces has enhanced its soft power in the CAR. The success of Rwandan peacekeepers in maintaining security and engaging in humanitarian missions in conflict zones has led to an increase in Rwandas international standing. Rwandas own experience with post-genocide recovery has given it a unique moral authority in advising and assisting other countries dealing with post-conflict reconstruction, including the CAR. While Rwandas primary influence in CAR has been in the military and diplomatic spheres, there is potential for economic influence to grow, especially through reconstruction efforts or resource development. Rwandas expanding role in African regional security might eventually lead to deeper economic and trade ties. Rwandas influence in CAR also aligns with broader international objectives, particularly those of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations. Kigalis involvement enhances its relationship with international partners like France, the United States, and the European Union, who have stakes in CARs stabilization. While Rwandas involvement has been largely military and political, some have speculated that it could evolve into economic dominance. CAR is rich in natural resources, including diamonds, gold, and timber. Some critics suggest that Rwandas deep involvement could lead to favorable conditions for Rwandan businesses or interests to exploit these resources. This could echo patterns seen in other African countries where foreign military support is followed by economic advantages for the supporting country. As Rwanda strengthens its ties with CARs government, it could seek preferential treatment for Rwandan companies or access to CARs resources under favorable terms. While there is no concrete evidence of this yet, it remains a concern for critics wary of Rwandas increasing footprint in the country. Rwandas extensive influence in CAR has sparked concerns among regional actors and international observers. Some neighboring countries may view Rwandas growing role as an attempt to project its power beyond its borders, raising tensions in the region. Rwandas assertive role in CAR could shift the regional balance of power in Central Africa. Some nations might view this as an overextension of Rwanda's influence and could become wary of Kigalis intentions. While Rwandas role in peacekeeping has generally been praised, there are concerns that if its influence grows unchecked, it could lead to exploitation or political manipulation, leading to increased scrutiny from international bodies such as the African Union or the United Nations. In the long term, CARs heavy reliance on Rwanda for security could have negative consequences. As Rwanda provides a significant portion of security and stability, CARs own institutionssuch as its army, police, and judiciarymay not develop sufficiently. This could create a fragile state dependent on foreign intervention for its survival. If CARs population or political elite perceive Rwandas influence as excessive or exploitative, it could lead to resentment, potentially destabilizing the very peace Rwanda is trying to uphold. Rwandas involvement in the Central African Republic has been crucial in maintaining security and stabilizing the government in a time of crisis. However, critics argue that its influence is becoming too dominant, potentially undermining CARs sovereignty and long-term stability. While Rwandas role has brought short-term peace, the challenge will be ensuring that CAR can eventually stand on its own without excessive reliance on foreign forces, and that Rwandas involvement remains constructive rather than exploitative. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 16 September 2024 - Day 936 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 Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively thwart the Russian enemy's attempts to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, giving him an effective fire effect, exhaustion across the entire frontline. In total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 153 combat encounters. Russian zagarbniki made 63 air strikes on the territory of Ukraine, dropping 83 kabi. In addition, the Russians used 448 kamikaze drones to impress and carried out more than 2,900 shells on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces twice attacked the defensive borders of Ukrainian warriors near vovcans ka. In the Kupiansky direction, Russian forces carried out assaults ten times in the areas of Novoosinovoye, Sinkivka and Lozova. Ukrainian defenders repelled six attacks, four more are currently ongoing. In the Lyman direction during the day Russian zagarbniki 21 times attacked the positions of Ukrainians near Grekivka, Druzhelyubivka, Makiyivka, Nevsky, Novosadovogo, Lozovoi, Bilogorivka and in the Serebryans 21komu forest. Currently, four fights are being sharpened. In the sivers komu direction, Russian forces came in the areas of ivano-dar'ivka and pereiznogo. Defenders of the Ukrainian land stopped three attacks of Russians. In the Kramatorsky direction there is one confrontation near Vasyukivka, and five Russian attacks have already been repelled by Ukrainian defenders. In the Toretsky direction Russians 16 times attacked the Defense Forces near Nelipivka, Friendship, Toretsky and Iron. Ukrainian warriors have stopped 13 enemy attacks, three attacks continue. In the Pokrovsky direction since the beginning of this day, the Russian invaders have tried 40 times to break through Ukrainian defense near the settlements of Vozdvizhenko, Hrodivka, Novogrodivka, Marinivka and Krasny Yar. The two clashes are still ongoing. Russia suffers significant losses - today in this direction 188 Russian occupants were disarmed, 74 of them - irrevocably. Also destroyed a combat armored car and three vehicles. In addition, the BMP and the Russian enemy's car were damaged. In the Kurakhiv direction, Russia is also active-42 times attacked Ukrainian positions near Ukrainian, Tsukurinogo, Zelannogo First, George, Konstantinivka and Katerinivka. According to the information, four fights are continuing. In the vremivs komu direction, the Russian zagarbniki carried out offensive actions near vugledara, katerinivka, vodanogo and konstantinivka. During the three clashes, they were defeated, four assaults are still continuing. In the Orihivsky direction, one unsuccessful Russian attempt to advance in the direction of Ukrainian positions near Robotiny. In the Pridniprovsky direction Russian zagarbniki tried five times unsuccessfully to push out Ukrainian units from positions. In other directions, the situation has not changed significantly. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Liptsy and Volchansk directions, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of the 36th Marine Brigade, 125th and 127th territorial defence brigades near Liptsy, Izbitskoye, and Volchanskye Khutora (Kharkov region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 70 troops and two motor vehicles. Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the 43rd, 44th, 67th mechanised brigades of the AFU, 103rd, 110th, 117th territorial defence brigades, and Azov Special Operations Brigade near Staroverovka, Petropavlovka, Kucherovka, Novoosinovo, Kruglyakovka, Vishnyovoye (Kharkov region), Rozovka, Makeyevka, Nevskoye (Lugansk People's Republic), Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), and Serebryansky forestry. Eight counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the 14th, 63rd, 116th mechanised brigades, 3rd Assault Brigade of the AFU, and 1st National Guard Brigade were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 600 troops, one Kozak armoured fighting vehicle, 10 pickup trucks as well as UK-made 155-mm Braveheart self-propelled artillery system, a 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, and a 105-mm L-119 howitzer. Three electronic warfare stations and four field ammunition depots were destroyed. Units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and inflicted losses on formations of the 54th, 93rd mechanised brigades, 143rd, 144th infantry brigades, 5th Assault Brigade, 10th Mountain Assault Brigade, 77th Airmobile Brigade, 95th Air Assault Brigade of the AFU, 114th, 119th, 124th, and 125th territorial defence brigades near Seversk, Verkhnekamenskoye, Zvanovka, Pervomaysky, Nikolayevka, Predtechino, and Kurakhovo (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 550 troops, four motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, two 152-mm Msta-B howitzers, and three 152-mm D-20 howitzers. One electronic warfare station and two field ammunition depots were destroyed. Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces continued advancing to the depth of the enemy's defences and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the 23rd, 24th, 47th, 63rd mechanised brigades, 152nd Infantry Brigade, 68th Jaeger Brigade of the AFU, 122nd Territorial Defence Brigade, and 15th National Guard Brigade near Petrovka, Shcherbinovka, Dzerzhinsk, Nelepovka, Dimitrov, Krasnoarmeysk, Grodovka, Gnatovka, Selidovo, Lesovka, and Ukrainsk (Donetsk People's Republic). Nine counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the 30th, 32nd, 100th, 151st mechanised brigades, 25th Airborne Brigade of the AFU, 3rd and 12th national guard brigades, and Lyut Brigade of the National Police of Ukraine were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to more than 530 troops, three armoured personnel carriers, including one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, three pickup trucks, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. Units of the Vostok Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line and inflicted losses on formations of the 61st, 72nd mechanised brigades, 58th Motorised Infantry Brigade, and 118th Territorial Defence Brigade near Dobrovolye, Zolotaya Niva, and Uglesborochnaya railway station (Donetsk People's Republic). One counter-attack launched by an assault detachment of the 116th Territorial Defence Brigade was repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 115 troops, one tank, one armoured fighting vehicle, four motor vehicles, and one electronic warfare station. Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware clusters of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade of the AFU, 37th Marine Brigade, 121st, and 123rd territorial defence brigades near Novoaleksandrovka, Gavrilovka, Kamyshany, Pridneprovskoye, Veletenskoye (Kherson region), and Pyatikhatki (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 50 troops, two motor vehicles, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, one U.S.-made 105-mm M119 gun, and one field ammunition depot. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces delivered strikes at infrastructure of one military airfield, one UAV production workshop, four UAV depots, as well as engaged AFU manpower and hardware clusters in 144 areas. The Russian Aerospace Forces shot down one MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force. Air defence units shot down one French-made Hammer guided aerial bomb, 20 Czech-made Vampire MLRS projectiles, and 13 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, 646 airplanes, 283 helicopters, 31,622 unmanned aerial vehicles, 579 anti-aircraft missile systems, 18,150 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,454 MLRS combat vehicles, 14,658 field artillery guns and mortars, and 26,127 units of support motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are repelling an attack of the Armed Forces of Ukraine against the territory of the Russian Federation. In the course of offensive operations, units of the Sever Group of Forces liberated Uspenovka and Borki. Losses were inflicted on formations of the 22nd, 41st, 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 82nd Air Assault Brigade of the AFU, 1st National Guard Brigade, 112th and 129th territorial defence brigades near Lyubimovka, Novoivanovka, Daryino, Nikolo-Daryino, Tolsty Lug, Plekhovo, and Pokrovsky. Over the past 24 hours, units of the Sever Group of Forces repelled five enemy counter-attacks in the direction of Byakhovo, Bolshaya Obukhovka, Viktorovka, Lyubimovka, and Malaya Loknya. As a result, the AFU losses amounted to up to 40 troops killed and wounded; four armoured fighting vehicles were destroyed. Over the past 24 hours, with the support of Army Aviation and artillery fire, three attempts of the enemy to break through the border of the Russian Federation in the direction of Krasnooktyabrsky, Vesyoloye, and Medvezhye were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 50 troops killed and wounded; one tank and three armoured fighting vehicles were destroyed. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue reconnaissance and search operations in forestry areas to locate and eliminate enemy sabotage groups attempting to get to the depth of the Russian territory. Air strikes, artillery fire, and actions of the troops inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware clusters of the 22nd, 42nd, 61st, 115th mechanised brigades, 80th, 82nd, 95th air assault brigades, 112th and 129th territorial defence brigades near Bogdanovka, Guyevo, Daryino, Zeleny Shlyakh, Kruglenkoye, Malaya Loknya, Martynovka, Nikolo-Daryino, Novaya Sorochina, Novoivanovka, Pravda, Russkoye Porechnoye, and Yuzhny. Operational-Tactical Aviation and Missile Troops delivered strikes at concentration areas and reserves in Sumy region of the 22nd, 41st, 115th mechanised brigades, 82nd Air Assault Brigade, 92nd Assault Brigade of the AFU, 1st National Guard Brigade, 1004th Security and Service Brigade, 101st and 103rd territorial defence brigades near Bondaryovshchina, Belovody, Iskriskovshchina, Mazevka, Novaya Sloboda, Obody, Rechki, Rudnevo, Ryzhovka, Pavlovka, Khoten, Esman, and Yunakovka. Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to more than 350 troops and 13 units of armoured hardware, including two tanks and 11 armoured fighting vehicles, as well as two artillery guns, three mortars, two MLRS launchers, including one U.S.-made M270 MLRS launcher, and eight motor vehicles. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have lost more than 13,800 troops, 115 tanks, 44 infantry fighting vehicles, 91 armoured personnel carriers, 729 armoured fighting vehicles, 439 motor vehicles, 98 artillery guns, 28 MLRS launchers, including seven of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, eight SAM launchers, two transport-loading vehicles, 26 electronic warfare stations and seven counter-battery radars, two air defence radars, 13 engineering vehicles, including seven 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 Russo-Ukraine War - 17 September 2024 - Day 937 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 UK Ministry of Defence reported that the war in Ukraine has been a costly endeavour for Russia, especially in terms of military personnel. Since the start of the conflict Russia has likely suffered over 610,000 casualties (killed and wounded). Tactics based on mass infantry waves has required Russia to continuously replenish front line forces with a constant stream of new recruits. It is likely that Russian military recruitment rates in 2024 have decreased compared to rates achieved in 2023. Russian officials suggested in late 2023 that the Russian MOD was recruiting at a rate of around 1,600 daily. However, publicly cited figures this year put the rate at around 1,000 daily. These figures are themselves probably inflated to an extent. This has led the Russian MOD to increase sign on bonuses in August 2024, an increasingly expensive recruitment strategy for Russia. Estimates suggest military personnel payments amounted to around 8% of federal spending in the year to June 2024. Payment increases will nonetheless probably bolster recruitment levels for the remainder of the year. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in the Defense Forces give a decent detachment to the foreigners in all directions. The primary efforts of Ukrainian troops are aimed at disrupting the Russian occupiers' attack tasks and reducing the enemy's combat potential. Russia suffers significant losses in personnel and equipment. Over the current 24 hours, there have been 139 combat clashes, of which 34 are still ongoing. On the territory of Ukraine today, Russia made three missile strikes with the use of six missiles, 59 air strikes, dropping 84 kabi. In addition, Russian forces launched 494 kamikaze drones for strikes and carried out 3338 shelling at the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements using different types of weapons. In the Kharkiv direction Russian terrorists once stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of vovchansk. According to the information available at this time, Ukrainian defenders in the Kharkiv direction eliminated and wounded fifty-eight Russian occupiers, destroyed two artillery systems, 44 aircrafts, five car units and one special equipment unit, and five artillery systems, one car and two Russian special equipment units were also damaged. Thirteen times Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions in the Kupyansky direction near the settlements of Sinkivka, Novoosinove, Kruglyakivka, Andriyivka, Kolisnikivka, Petropavlivka and Lozova. Defense Forces units repelled 12 offensive actions. The situation is tense, ongoing one battle. In the Lyman direction a day Russian troops 12 times attacked Ukrainian defenders in the areas of Cherneshina, Druzhelyubivka, Makiyivka, Torsky and Nevsky. Also the Russian aggressor's aviation struck unguided aviation missiles on Tverdohlibovy. Russian forces twice tried to push Ukrainian defenders from positions in the Verkhnyokamiansky and Viimka areas with assault actions twice in the Siversky direction. Attacks repelled, the Russian opponent did not succeed. In the Kramators komu direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled six attempts of the Russian zagarbnikiv to advance near the Time Yar, Stupochok, Klishchievka and White Mountain. Eight attacks have been knocked off, one battle continues. In the Toretsky direction, the Russian invaders supported by aviation 14 times attacked Ukrainian positions near scherbinivka, Toretsky and Nelipivka. One confrontation is still ongoing. The main efforts of the Russian enemy concentrates on the Intercession direction. Here, during the day, Russian forces attacked 34 times in the areas of Grodivka, Novotoretsky, Orlivka, Mykolaivka, Ukrainian, Oleksandropol, Vozdvizhenko, Marinivka and Green Field. 30 attacks Ukrainian defenders have already fought, four more combat continues. Today, the Russian occupiers in this area lost more than 220 soldiers killed and wounded, four cars and one motorcycle destroyed. Also Ukrainian defenders significantly damaged the Russian tank and five vehicles. In the Kurakhiv direction at this time of the day, Ukrainian defenders repelled 43 Russian attacks of Ukrainian positions. Zagarbniki tried to advance near Tsukurinyo, Zelannoy First, Girnik, Katerinivka, Georgiyivka and Konstantinivka. Eleven fights are currently underway. The situation is under control. In the Vremivs komu direction today, Russian forces four times stormed the front edge of defense in the direction of Vugledar. Ukrainian soldiers have stopped three attacks of the enemy, at the moment one boezitkna. The settlement of Verbove in the direction of Gulyaipil was hit by NARAMA. Five clashes took place in the Orihivsky direction in the area of settlements Novodanilivka and Sherbaky, one clash is ongoing so far. In the Pridniprovsky direction, four Russian assault actions did not succeed. A loss of positions is not allowed. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Volchansk and Liptsy directions, the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of the AFU the 113th and 125th territorial defence brigades near Velikaya Pisarevka and Volchansk (Kharkov region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 85 troops, one 152-mm D-20 gun, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. The Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the 14th, 44th, 67th, 115th mechanised brigades, 3rd Assault Brigade of the AFU, and 104th and 119th territorial defence brigades near Kupyansk, Kovsharovka, Glushkovka, Novoosinovo, Kruglyakovka (Kharkov region), Rozovka (Lugansk People's Republic), and Terny (Donetsk People's Republic). Three counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 66th Mechanised Brigade were repelled. The enemy sustained losses of up to 600 troops, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, one 155-mm Bogdana self-propelled artillery system, two UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzers, U.S.-made 155-mm M777 and M198 howitzers, one 152-mm D-20 gun, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, two U.S.-made 105-mm M119 guns, one Anklav-N electronic warfare station, and one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar. The Yug Group of Forces seized more favourable lines and engaged the 24th, 28th, 93rd mechanised brigades, 46th Airmobile Brigade of the AFU and the 116th Territorial Defence Brigade near Chasov Yar, Grigorovka, Stupochki, Verkhnekamenskoye, Ostroye, Dyleyevka, Seversk, and Konstantinovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Five counter-attacks launched by the AFU 56th Motorised Infantry Brigade and 120th Territorial Defence Brigade were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 685 troops, one tank, seven motor vehicles, and a U.S.-made 105-mm M119 gun. The Tsentr Group of Forces goes on advancing into the depth of the enemy's defence. The Group's units inflicted fire damage on the 59th and 148th mechanised brigades, 95th Air Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and 118th and 119th territorial defence brigades and the Lyut Brigade of the National Police of Ukraine near Nelepovka, Dimitrov, Kurakhovo, Tsukurino, Mikhaylovka, Grodovka, and Novoekonomicheskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Eight counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 150th Mechanised Brigade, 142nd Infantry Brigade, and 25th Airborne Brigade were repelled. The enemy's losses amounted to up to 475 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, two pick-up trucks, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and three 122-mm D-30 howitzers. The Vostok Group of Forces seized more favourable lines and positions, and hit the 72nd Mechanised Brigade of the AFU and 118th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Levadnoye (Zaporozhye region). Four counter-attacks launched by assault groups of the 116th Territorial Defence Brigade were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 95 troops, one UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 gun, and one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system. The Dnepr Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the 37th Marine Brigade and the 121st Territorial Defence Brigade near Novoaleksandrovka, Tokarevka, Vesyoloye (Kherson region) and Stepnogorsk (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 20 troops, six motor vehicles, and one 152-mm D-20 gun. One AFU field ammunition depot was destroyed. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces delivered strikes at power facilities supporting the enterprises of the Ukrainian defence industry, depots storing munitions, ammunition, and materiel; and engaged clusters of AFU manpower and hardware in 145 areas. Air defence systems shot down one U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectile and 36 unmanned aerial vehicles during the day. In total, 646 airplanes, 283 helicopters, 31,658 unmanned aerial vehicles, 579 anti-aircraft missile systems, 18,157 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,454 MLRS combat vehicles, 14,708 field artillery guns and mortars, and 26,148 units of support motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Sever Group of Forces carrying on offensive actions inflicted damage on the 22nd, 41st, and 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 82nd air assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 1st National Guard Brigade and 112th and 129th territorial defence brigades near Lyubimovka, Malaya Loknya, Daryino, Nikolo-Daryino, Tolsty Lug, and Plekhovo. Over the past 24 hours, the Sever Group foiled four enemy attempts to launch attacks in the direction of Lyubimovka, Malaya Loknya, Olgovka, and Cherkasskaya Konopelka. As a result, the AFU losses amounted to up to 30 troops killed and wounded, three armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles. With support of army aviation and artillery, the Group's units repelled five AFU's attempts to break through the border of the Russian Federation in the direction of Vesyoloye and Medvezhye. The enemy's losses included up to 40 troops killed and wounded; two tanks, a Swedish-made CV-90 infantry fighting vehicle, four armoured fighting vehicles, and one counterobstacle vehicle were destroyed. Air strikes, artillery fire, and actions of the troops inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware clusters of the 22nd, 41st, and 61st mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 80th, 82nd, and 95th air assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 112th and 129th territorial defence brigades near Daryino, Kositsa, Kurilovka, Kruglenkoye, Zazulevka, Lyubimovka, Mirny, Makhnovka, Mikhaylovka, Malaya Loknya, Nikolo-Daryino, Novy Put, Novaya Sorochina, Novoivanovka, Orlovka, Pravda, Plekhovo, Russkoye Porechnoye and Tolsty Lug. Operational-Tactical Aviation and Missile Troops launched strikes against concentration areas and reserves in Sumy region of the 22nd, 41st, and 115th mechanised brigades, 82nd Air Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 1st National Guard Brigade, and 101st, 103rd, 106th, and 119th territorial defence brigades near Belovody, Gurinovka, Kruzhok, Katerinovka, Mazevka, Novaya Sloboda, Obody, Revyakino, Rechki, Rudnevo, Rossoshi, Pavlovka, Shalygino, Khoten, Esman, and Yunakovka. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy sustained losses of up to 400 troops and 19 armoured vehicles, including four tanks, a Swedish-made CV-90 infantry fighting vehicle, 14 armoured fighting vehicles, as well as five artillery guns, five mortars, six motor vehicles, and a counterobstacle vehicle. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have lost more than 14,200 troops, 119 tanks, 45 infantry fighting vehicles, 91 armoured personnel carriers, 743 armoured fighting vehicles, 445 motor vehicles, 103 artillery guns, 28 MLRS launchers, including seven of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, eight SAM launchers, four transport-loading vehicles, 26 electronic warfare stations, seven counter-battery radars, two air defence radars, 14 engineering vehicles, including eight 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 Pacific Islands Forum investigating cyberattack on networks PIF Sec. Gen. Baron Waqa wouldn't comment on reports Chinese state-sponsored hackers were behind the intrusion. By Harry Pearl for BenarNews 2024.09.16 -- The Pacific islands' peak diplomatic body is investigating a cyberattack on its networks, its top official said Friday while refusing to be drawn on reports that Chinese state-sponsored hackers were responsible for the breach. The attack on the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, which supports its 18 member countries and territories, occurred in February, Secretary General Baron Waqa said. "I can confirm that there was indeed a cybersecurity incident here this year," he said at a press conference in Fiji's capital Suva. "However, the forensic report is being finalized and until it is finalized, we don't know who the threat actor is." News of the cyberattack was first reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), which said an analysis by the country's cyber intelligence agency had concluded it was the work of Chinese state-backed actors. Australia sent cyber security experts to Suva, where the PIF Secretariat is headquartered, to help the organization deal with the problem. The "extensive" security breach was allegedly aimed at gathering information on the Secretariat's communications with member nations, the ABC reported. Waqa said the Secretariat's systems were back up and running. He would not, however, comment on who was responsible until the forensic report was finished. "Once that report is done, we will have to furnish it to all our members first and how we proceed after that will depend on their decision," he said without committing to its public release. The Chinese embassy in Suva dismissed the ABC report as a "purely a made-up story [that] has no basis at all," state news agency Xinhua said. Chinese state-sponsored hackers have been implicated in a growing number of attacks on government agencies, defense and high-tech companies around the world in recent years. In June, the Pacific archipelago of Palau, a diplomatic ally of Taiwan, accused China of stealing more than 20,000 documents soon after the government signed a 20-year economic and security deal with the United States. A month later, cyber-security agencies from eight countries, including Australia, New Zealand and the U.S., issued an advisory saying state-aligned hackers in China were responsible for multiple malicious attacks on government agencies and the private sector. The hacking of the PIF Secretariat comes against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical competition in the Pacific Islands, as the U.S. and allies like Australia push back against China's inroads in the region. That diplomatic wrangling was revealed at the 53rd meeting of PIF leaders in Tonga last month amid accusations of Chinese interference in the final communique. A reference affirming Taiwan's status as a development partner in the first official version was published online, then taken down and replaced with a second version with it missing. When asked about the matter on Friday, Waqa said Taiwan's status had been discussed at the final leaders' retreat, but reference to the self-governing island should not have been included in the final communique. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Albanese Government invests in Domestic Rocket Motor Program The Hon Pat Conroy MP Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Minister for International Development and the Pacific 16 September 2024 The Albanese Government is investing in a sovereign rocket motor program to help keep Australians safe, and generate well-paid, high-skilled jobs. The Government is seeking options from industry to establish a manufacturing complex that will enable production of rocket motors for some of the world's most advanced missiles in Australia. This is backed by an initial investment of $22 million over the next three years, which will help grow Australia's advanced high-tech manufacturing sector and boost longarange strike capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), making the nation safer. It is underpinned by the Albanese Government's Future Made in Australia agenda, which will improve the resilience of supply chains, provide for greater strategic sovereignty, enhance export opportunities, and deliver broad economic and employment benefits, particularly in regional Australia. Rocket motors are a critical component of missiles and required for most guided weapons, including Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) missiles, which under the Albanese Government will be made in Australia from next year. It's expected the rocket motor complex will begin production by the end of the decade. The rocket motor program is part of the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise which is backed by up to $21 billion over the decade through the 2024 Integrated Investment Program. The Albanese Government also announced today it will invest up to $60 million over the next five years to develop the next generation of guided weapon sub-systems and components, such as hypersonic and long-range strike. This will enable partnerships between industry and Defence and allow the next generation of guided weapon technologies to enter the supply chain of GWEO Strategic Partners. This investment will also deliver industry-manufactured prototypes of the critical seeker, fuse and warhead sub-systems and aligns with the work being done as part of the Advanced Rocket Motor Technology Demonstrator program, which has leveraged collaboration from Five Eyes science and technology partners. The rocket motor program and Advanced Rocket Motor Technology Demonstrator program are key to enhancing Australia's national security. They are part of the Albanese Government's ongoing commitment to delivering on the 2024 National Defence Strategy's recommendation to invest in and uplift Australia's domestic manufacturing capability. Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy: "Today's announcement represents a leap forward for the Australian defence industry and continues to deliver on the Albanese Government's commitment to providing the ADF with the capabilities it needs to make Australians safer and safeguard our national interests. "This is another investment in a future made in Australia and the more than 100,000 Australians, including in regional Australia, that are benefiting from the Government's commitment to grow our sovereign defence industry and sovereign industrial base. "This program is an endorsement of Australian ingenuity. Making solid rocket motors in Australia will build on Australia's proud history as a manufacturing nation and contribute to a future made in Australia." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address September 16, 2024 By Matthew Olay, DOD News Threat From China Increasing, Air Force Official Says Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall spoke about the growing threat that China poses to the Indo-Pacific region during a keynote address today at an Air & Space Forces Association convention just outside of Washington. "I've been closely watching the evolution of [China's] military for 15 years. China is not a future threat; China is a threat today," Kendall told a large in-person and remote audience composed predominantly of Air and Space Force personnel. The secretary went on to explain that the Chinese Communist Party continues to heavily invest in capabilities, operational concepts and organizations that are specifically designed to defeat the United States and its allies' ability to project power in the Western Pacific region, including weapons targeting U.S. land and sea assets like air bases and aircraft carriers. "In addition, China continues to expand its nuclear forces and its ability to operate in cyberspace," Kendall said. "We can expect all these trends to continue." Kendall further explained that, when traveling to the Indo-Pacific region over the past 15 years, he has seen a growing concern and, at times, alarm from other countries concerning China's growing capabilities and intentions. An example of such capabilities and intentions include China's moving toward larger and more sophisticated exercises tailored for an invasion and blockade of Taiwan, Kendall said. "I am not saying war in the Pacific is imminent or inevitable. It is not," Kendall said. "But I am saying that the likelihood is increasing and will continue to do so." Noting that the United States must be prepared for a potential future conflict, Kendall then listed numerous ways that the Air and Space Forces are working to do just that, including a massive modernization initiative to achieve operational imperatives. "To prevent conflict, we must be ready; [and] to prevail in conflict, we must be ready," Kendall said. Kendall's remarks also included updates about other parts of the world. Referencing the current conflict in the Middle East, Kendall said that Iran's attack on Israel in April failed thanks, in no small part, to defense provided by the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. "The efforts of our national security teams and our allies and partners across the world have been successful, so far, in limiting the scale of conflict," Kendall said. "That success has come as a direct consequence of the U.S. military, including a importantly a U.S. Air Force presence throughout the region." While addressing the war in Ukraine, Kendall said Russia will remain a threat in the region, despite if, when and how the war finally ends. "But while Russia will be weakened from years of war, NATO will be even more resilient," Kendall said, noting that NATO has become larger and stronger since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, with many NATO countries meeting their percentage of gross domestic product defense spending targets. "We're also deepening our partnerships with our traditional allies in Europe," Kendall said, giving an example of the recent ratification of an agreement between allied countries to share the cost of integrating the Norwegian Joint Strike Missile on the F-35 combat jet. "This will significantly enhance our maritime strike capability and that of our Norwegian, Canadian and Australian allies and partners," Kendall said. "This is integrated by design and action." Having noted earlier in his speech that he is an appointee who serves at the pleasure of the president, Kendall wrapped up his remarks stating that he will continue to serve in his role with maximum effort to accomplish as much as he can to benefit his branches of service. "My promise to you," Kendall told the crowd, "is that I will spend whatever time I have left in public service working as hard as I can to get the Department of the Air Force the resources that it needs to be successful, and to successfully deter our adversaries a if needed a to achieve victory." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China releases US pastor David Lin after 18 years in jail The timing of Lin's release could show Beijing is looking to ease tensions with the United States. By Qian Lang for RFA Mandarin 2024.09.16 -- An American pastor held by China since 2006 on what Washington has described as spurious charges has been freed after 18 years in prison, a U.S.-based rights group said on Sunday. David Lin, 68, was released from Beijing No. 2 Prison on Sept. 15, where he had been serving a jail term for "contract fraud," a charge frequently used to target the leaders of unofficial Protestant "house churches," the Duihua Foundation said in a statement on its website. Lin, who had been helping to plant churches in China at the time of his detention in 2006, later had the sentence reduced several times, but hadn't been scheduled for release until 2029. Lin was among several people whose families have been lobbying U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to push for their release. He had been on a priority list of three U.S. citizens, alongside Mark Swidan - sentenced to death in 2019 on drug charges - and Kai Li, listed as "wrongfully detained" in China by the State Department. Family members say their loved ones have been behind bars in China for years, often with little consular support or contact, Reuters reported in 2023. "We welcome the release of #DavidLin after 18 years of unjust detention and hope more releases are forthcoming," the Congressional-Executive Commission on China said in comments posted Monday on X. "The People's Republic of China wrongfully detains more Americans than any other country." It said the commission was scheduled to hold a hearing this week that would highlight other cases including those of Kai Li, Nelson Wells and Dawn Hunt. Tight control The Chinese Communist Party, which embraces atheism, exercises tight controls over any form of religious practice among its citizens. The country is home to an estimated 72 million Christians, including Protestants and Catholics, according to Pew Research. Churches are allowed to function if they are part of the government-backed Three-Self Patriotic Association. The three "selfs" refer to self-governance, self-support and self-propagation - essentially rejecting any foreign influence - and the "patriotic" refers to loyalty to the Chinese government. China has many unauthorized "house churches" across the country, which are frequently raided by authorities, and some "Three-Self" churches have also been targeted at times, too. Desire to ease tensions? Political commentator Zheng Shengqi said the timing of Lin's release comes after "China Week" in the U.S. House of Representatives, which saw the passage of 24 China-related bills in the space of a week, all of which are unfavorable to Beijing. "The fact that they let David Lin out at this point shows that the efforts of the Biden administration to return U.S. hostages overseas have been effective," Zheng said. "It also shows China's willingness to ease Sino-U.S. tensions." Bob Fu, who heads the U.S.-based Christian rights group ChinaAid, said Lin's release wouldn't be enough to demonstrate a change of heart towards Christians in Beijing, however. "I would like to remind people ... that the Chinese Communist Party entrapped David Lin and held him in prison for 18 years, turning him into a hostage for use in negotiations between the U.S. and China," Fu said. He warned American Christians not to travel to China unless absolutely necessary. The State Department welcomed Lin's release in comments quoted by several news organizations on Sunday. "We welcome David Lin's release from prison in the People's Republic of China," a State Department spokesperson said, adding that Lin "has returned to the United States and now gets to see his family for the first time in nearly 20 years." Targeting church leaders A lawyer who has defended Chinese Christians and gave only the surname Qi for fear of reprisals said the Chinese authorities frequently target church leaders with "fraud" and "illegal business operations" charges. "How can a pastor commit fraud? It's usually claimed in connection with donations or fund-raising operations," Qi said. "If you handle the money, they can say it's fraud." According to Qi, the crackdown on religious activities has gotten worse under ruling Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping, whose campaign to "sinicize" religious practice has seen much tougher controls on religious groups of all kinds. A pastor of a house church in the eastern province of Anhui who gave only the surname Zhou for fear of reprisals said he had heard about David Lin's arrest at the time, although the authorities had managed to stop the case from making the headlines. Zhou agreed that controls are far stricter these days. "The [state security police] are watching us much more closely," Zhou said. "They even come and ask me where I'm going when I buy a ticket to go to Beijing." He said there is ever-growing pressure on China's unofficial house churches to join the government-backed Three-Self Association. But he said his church would never give in to such pressure. "That's not going to happen," he said. "[Three-Self churches] have to sing the national anthem and raise the national flag under [government] control." "[The police] are now under a lot of pressure from higher up, so they are carrying out these orders," Zhou said. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Roseanne Gerin Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea sends 500 workers to China in violation of sanctions This is the first time North Korea has dispatched workers since the start of the pandemic. By Kim Jieun for RFA Korean 2024.09.16 -- North Korea has dispatched 500 workers to China - a violation of international sanctions - in the first such deployment since the pandemic, residents in China told Radio Free Asia. The 500 workers were sent at the end of August. Prior to the pandemic, North Korea routinely sent workers abroad to countries like Russia and China to earn foreign currency for its cash-strapped government. All of that was supposed to have ended in late 2019, when UN Security Council Resolution 2397 - aimed at pressuring North Korea to end its nuclear program - kicked in, saying that all North Korean workers were to return home and no new work visas for North Koreans were to be issued. But when the pandemic hit and North Korea shuttered all its borders, many of the overseas workers became stranded abroad. According to a report by the U.N. North Korea Sanctions Panel of Experts published earlier this year, approximately 100,000 North Korean workers are still earning foreign currency in some 40 countries, including China and Russia. Though Pyongyang ordered many of those workers home, this is the first time since the pandemic that it is sending out new workers. On Aug 28 and 29, the workers arrived by bus in the city of Hunchun, just across the Tumen river from North Korea's North Hamgyong province, a Chinese citizen of Korean descent told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for security reasons. "A clothing company in the garment industrial park ... hired 150 of the dispatched workers," the resident said. "The company is run by local Chinese people. North Korea will start sending workers on a large scale starting from now." According to the resident, among the 3,000 or so workers who returned from China to North Korea since 2022, most were recalled because they got sick or showed signs of mental illness. "They also repatriated those who caused problems during group living in China," he said. "They withdrew workers who could no longer earn party funds and sent new workers to China starting at the end of August." 'Huge demand' But many who have been there since before the pandemic are going to stay and work for the companies they are already contracted with, he said. "Currently, North Korean workers are dispatched to some companies here in Jilin Province, but it seems that they will gradually be dispatched throughout China," the resident said. "There is a huge demand in China for young workers who can live and work inside factories and increase productivity indefinitely." A resident of the Chinese city of Dandong, which lies across the Yalu River from North Korea's Sinuiju, told RFA that the 500 workers will be working in three different companies in Hunchun. "There are several clothing processing companies in Hunchun, including the Border Economic Cooperation Zone," he said. "About 200 North Korean workers were dispatched to Hunchun Rabboni Garment Co., Ltd. on August 29." Companies in China that utilize North Korean labor are relieved at the news, he said. They had been worried that once the workers return home, North Korea would not send new ones to replace them, but the new deployment is reassuring. "North Korea workers are initially dispatched to the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in Jilin Province, but they are expected to expand to many companies in all three northeastern provinces in the future," he said, referring to Jilin, Liaoning and Heilongjiang provinces, often referred to as China's Rust Belt due to recent decline of population and economic growth in what had been China's most vibrant industrial region. According to the Dandong resident, the region's manufacturing sector is experiencing a serious shortage of workers, as many young Chinese avoid employment in rural areas and factories. North Koreans cost less and can pick up the slack, he said. Translated by Claire S. Lee. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Our Brigade in Lithuania: Pistorius and Kasciunas sign mutual agreement Germany - Federal Ministry of Defence Sep 16, 2024 On 13 September 2024, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius met his Lithuanian counterpart Laurynas Kasciunas for talks at the Bendlerblock in Berlin. The subsequent signing of a mutual agreement marks another milestone on the way to the permanent deployment of a German Brigade in Lithuania. The agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Lithuania is evidence of intensified German-Lithuanian defence cooperation. It defines the necessary parameters for the Brigade in Lithuania and establishes a legal basis for the presence of the Bundeswehr on Lithuanian territory. This includes civilian support personnel and families. Since this is an agreement between governments, Tobias Lindner, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, and Jonas Survila, Lithuanian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, signed the document as well. The intergovernmental agreement between Lithuania and Germany on defence cooperation is to be ratified by Lithuania's parliament, the Seimas, on 26 September 2024. On this occasion, Defence Minister Pistorius will travel to Lithuania and address parliament. German forces in Lithuania: What the agreement defines The provisions of the agreement are intended to make the arrival of German personnel in Lithuania go as smoothly as possible, both on a professional and a personal level. While the NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) provides a set of fundamental rules governing the status of one NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization member's forces when stationed in another member state of the Alliance, it was adopted in 1951 and needs to be supplemented from today's perspective. The agreement between Lithuania and Germany supplements the NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization SOFA in terms of the presence of German personnel in Lithuania and promotes cooperation between the Bundeswehr and Lithuania's armed forces. The agreement provides legal certainty in a number of areas such as regulations governing residence, tax issues, the school system, public health supervision, traffic and transportation, and public security. Notably, it establishes a framework for the brigade's routine operations and training and provides incentives for people to come work in Lithuania. Here are some concrete examples: A certificate confirming legal status, or "status certificate", will make opening a bank account or renting accommodation in Lithuania easier for German personnel of the brigade. Recognition of professional qualifications is to help accompanying family members find work in Lithuania. A legal basis is established for the installation of German schools as well as early education and childcare facilities in Lithuania. Security regulations will facilitate close cooperation between German and Lithuanian military police as well as mutual support in protecting the personnel, bases and materiel of the German armed forces. Current status and way ahead for the Brigade in Lithuania Minister Pistorius said that after the signing of the roadmap in December 2023, the "Zeitenwende" omnibus act (Artikelgesetz) as well as the agreement on defence cooperation between Germany and Lithuania were both important milestones on the way towards a permanent deployment of our Brigade in Lithuania. The advance party of the German brigade has been deployed in Lithuania's capital of Vilnius since April of this year. The future Brigade Commander will come to Lithuania before the end of September 2024. Expansion into an activation staff of about 150 personnel will follow in October and November of 2024. In 2025, the focus will be on creating a brigade staff capable of command and control as well as of conducting exercises. From 2025, initial brigade forces will be stationed in Nemencine and Rokantiskes near Vilnius until the target infrastructure has been completed. This applies to elements of the headquarters and support company, the signals company and the logistic and medical forces, among others. The activation ceremony for the brigade is planned for the first half of 2025. Minister Pistorius said: "The objective we are ceaselessly working for under high pressure is to have an operational German brigade deployed in Lithuania by the end of 2027." The Brigade in Lithuania will comprise a total of 4,800 military personnel and 200 civilian members of the Bundeswehr. It will be deployed permanently in Lithuania - a deployment this large is a first in the history of the Bundeswehr. Author: Lara Finke NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pezeshkian: Iran ready to negotiate, will never bow to bullying Iran Press TV Monday, 16 September 2024 1:32 PM Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Tehran is ready to negotiate with the West and remains committed to all international regulations, but will never bow to pressure. He made the remarks on Monday while addressing Iranian and foreign reporters during his first press conference since he took office late August. "We are not in conflict with anyone," the Iranian president stated. He said that his administration will negotiate with the West on contentious issues and expand relations with neighboring countries to improve the economy and achieve long-term objectives. However, he added that the United States first needs to prove it is prepared to negotiate in good faith and is committed to its international obligations. The president noted that so far the Americans have "closed all avenues to us." Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran is committed to the agreements it signed with the US and Europe. "We do not seek atomic weapons, but they (the West) are threatening us and say Iran should not possess any missile." He said Iran will pursue every possible path leading to the removal of obstacles. At the first step, the president said, Iran will create common views and language with its neighboring countries to establish a region full of peace and tranquility. It is the foreign powers which are hindering the establishment of peace in the region by creating economic, cultural and ethnic conflicts, Pezeshkian said. He underscored the need for Iran to remain strong, saying, "We need defense power to maintain security of our people and country." Iran resolute on implementing 25-year partnership agreement with China Pezeshkian hailed Iran's relations with China and said Tehran is determined to implement the 25-year partnership agreement with Beijing. "We have very good relations with China and a large part of our relationship is with China, Russia and the neighboring countries." Iran and China signed the landmark 25-year partnership agreement in March 2021 in a bid to strengthen their long-standing economic and political alliance. The deal, which had been announced during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Tehran back in 2016, sets the outlines of Sino-Iranian cooperation in political, cultural, security, defense, regional, and international domains for the period in question. Pezeshkian said China took a "major step" in mediating between Iran and Saudi Arabia to resume mutual relations and creating coordination in the region. He said Iran's cooperation with regional countries via connecting corridors can improve the access of Iran and China to the respective markets through the Silk Road. The Iranian president described China as a "strategic" partner and vowed to further develop ties between the two countries. UN General Assembly 2024 The Iranian president said his attendance at the 2024 meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York will be "to defend the rights of our people because we do favor peace and not war." Asked about the possibility of his meeting with the US president, Pezeshkian said the United States must prove its sincerity in practice. The Iranian president said Tehran should see whether or not Washington is committed to its obligations. "Americans must show that they are not hostile to us. We did not set up bases around their country and did not impose sanctions on them. Rather, we are brothers with the American people," Pezeshkian stated. 'West knows Iran has not sent missiles to Yemen' Pezeshkian dismissed claims that Iran has provided Yemen with hypersonic missiles or the technology to manufacture the weaponry. "It will take one week for a person to go to Yemen. How did the missile go there [to Yemen] and no-one saw it? In Iran, we do not have the hypersonic missiles of the type used by Yemen's Ansarullah against Israel." Pezeshkian said it has been a gradual consolidation of Yemen's resistance and the Yemenis did not get where they are now over the past months of Israel's campaign of genocide in Gaza. "We have the missile power but we do not give missiles to Yemen. Before the war [in Gaza], Yemen had acquired the technology to manufacture missiles and was producing them." Iran and Yemen have a common stance in rejecting the Israeli regime, he said. The Iranian president slammed the West's inaction toward Israel's barbarism in Gaza and urged the international community not to allow one group, backed by super powers, to kill innocent people. Iran welcomes improvement of ties with Egypt Asked about Iran's policy on relations with Egypt, Pezeshkian said his administration will initiate contacts with senior Egyptian officials as soon as possible. "We will welcome relations with the friendly and brotherly country of Egypt." Pezeshkian underscored the importance of facilitating travel for people living in Muslim countries, which, he said, will lead to common viewpoints and the establishment of joint markets. Enhanced unity among Muslims will help defend their rights, the Iranian president noted. He also reaffirmed the need to settle differences between Iran and Saudi Arabia and said he welcomes any measure which will bring the two Muslim countries closer together. Muslims must foster unity to make the Israeli regime understand that it has no right to kill children, women and the elderly, the Iranian president said. "If we join hands, Israel will not dare to do this." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Air Defense Force announces key enhancements to advanced defense system Iran Press TV Monday, 16 September 2024 11:03 AM A ranking commander in the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force (IRIADF), a branch of the country's Army, has announced implantation of key enhancements to one of the force's advanced indigenous defense systems. Brigadier General Mohammad Yousefi Khoshqalb, IRIADF's deputy commander for coordination, announced the developments on Monday regarding the force's Rasoul (Messenger) air defense system. The system joined the country's integrated air defense network last December after undergoing relevant technical and operational tests. It operates IRIADF's Karrar (Striker) unmanned aerial vehicles, long-rage interceptor combat drones that are armed with the force's Majid air-to-air missiles. Addressing the enhancements effected in the system since its inauguration, the commander pointed to improvement of the drone's operational range, including altitude capability, as well as the range of the aircraft's radar system and its optical range. In addition, the aircraft has been made capable of integration with various defense systems, including the integrated air defense network's command and control system and other various radar and combat systems, he noted. According to Khoshqalb, the aircraft can also now be armed with multiple various missiles other than Majid that could be deployed in proportion to various operational and terrain circumstances. "We have increased both the variety and the number of the missiles in light of the needs and [varying] importance of different air defense zones," he said. Also on Monday, the IRIADF's commander, Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard, said the use of indigenous systems, which had been created amid decades-long sanctions imposed on the country by the West, was the superior factor in the country's air defense power. He asserted that the air defense force had become self-sufficient in the field of producing detection, surveillance, and signaling systems as well as training manpower. "The enemy is aware of the preparedness of the Islamic Iran's personnel and defense systems and knows that any mistake will be met with a resolute response," he, meanwhile, warned. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Indigenous systems 'superior factor' in Iran's air defense power: Commander Iran Press TV Monday, 16 September 2024 6:35 AM A senior Iranian commander says the use of indigenous systems, which were created amid decades-long sanctions by the West, is the superior factor in the country's air defense power. Commander of the Iranian Army's Air Defense Force Brigadier General Alireza Sabahi-Fard asserted that the country's air defense force has become self-sufficient in the field of producing the detection, surveillance and signaling systems as well as training manpower. "The busy skies of the Persian Gulf are under continuous monitoring by [Iran's] air defense," Sabahi-Fard said on Sunday. He highlighted the preparedness of Iran's southeast air defense zone given the high number of flights over the Persian Gulf, saying, "Today, with God's help, this zone enjoys a watchful and agile unit." 'Resolute response' "The enemy is aware of the preparedness of the Islamic Iran's personnel and defense systems and knows that any mistake will be met with a resolute response," the commander warned. In recent years, Iranian military experts and engineers have made remarkable breakthroughs in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient. Iranian officials have underscored that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities which are entirely meant for defense, and that Iran's defense capabilities will never be subject to negotiations. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has on numerous occasions called for efforts to maintain and boost Iran's defense capabilities. Back in August, Sabahi-Fard said Iran is the "absolute power" in the air defense force sector in the West Asia region and added that the country is not dependent on others and is in possession of equipment completely designed and manufactured by Iranian experts. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On Amini Death Anniversary, Iran's Jailed Nobel Winner Mohammadi Urges Action Against 'Gender Apartheid' By RFE/RL's Radio Farda September 16, 2024 Imprisoned Iranian Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi issued a plea on September 16 to coincide with the second anniversary of the death in police custody of Iranian-Kurdish student Mahsa Amini for international institutions and people to act to end the oppression of women in Iran and under other theocratic and authoritarian regimes. Mohammadi said in the letter from Tehran's notorious Evin prison -- published via her foundation -- that "on the second anniversary of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement, we reaffirm our commitment to achieving democracy, freedom, and equality and to defeating theocratic despotism." A mother of two and former journalist previously jailed for her criticisms, Mohammadi worked alongside fellow Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi at the Defenders Of Human Rights Center for years before a series of detentions and convictions beginning in 2010 and continuing through her current lengthy sentence and reports of further prosecution for activities while in custody. "I urge the United Nations to end its silence and inaction in the face of the devastating oppression and discrimination by theocratic and authoritarian governments against women by criminalizing gender apartheid," Mohammadi said in the statement. "The liberation of women from the grip of oppression and discrimination is essential for empowering the force that drives peace and democracy." In a joint statement issued on September 16 to mark the anniversary, the United States, Canada, Australia, Britain, and New Zealand said: "We stand with women and girls in Iran, and Iranian human rights defenders, across all segments of society in their ongoing daily fight for human rights and fundamental freedoms. "We call on the new Iranian administration to fulfil its pledge to ease pressure on civil society in Iran and to end the use of force to enforce the hijab requirement." During a news conference on September 16, Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian claimed he would use his authority to ensure that morality police do not "bother" women. "Morality police were not supposed to confront [women]. I will follow up so they don't bother" them, he said, although it remains unclear how much authority he would actually have to make changes. The 22-year-old Amini died on September 16, 2022, in a hospital after eyewitnesses and her family alleged she had been beaten while in police custody. Amini's death sparked some of the largest-ever street protests against Iran's clerical leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The Women, Life, Freedom movement has persisted, despite the jailings of critics like Mohammadi and a harsh clampdown on dissent. Sources close to Amini's parents told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that Iranian authorities had "surrounded" the family home in the town of Saghez ahead of the anniversary and ordered them to remain at home or face arrest, in addition to other reported measures to guard against public demonstrations of sympathy. Amini's father, Amjad Amini, on September 15 expressed gratitude for Kurdish, Iranian, and other efforts to mount labor strikes to mark the anniversary. Iranian authorities, who cracked down on the family and others a year ago, have sought to avoid public acknowledgement of the anniversary. "In these two difficult and agonizing years, although the wounds have left marks on the bodies of those exhausted and tormented by oppression, discrimination, and tyranny, and despite the challenging road ahead, we all know that nothing is as it was before," Mohammadi said in her statement. Family members of some of those killed in the state crackdown on the protests have been also arrested in recent weeks, and others, especially in Iran's Kurdistan, have been summoned by authorities. The Narges Mohammadi Foundation said on September 15 that 34 female prisoners at Evin went on hunger strike to commemorate Amini's death at the hands of the morality police and mark the birth of the related rights movement. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-mohammadi-nobel-amini- anniversary-women-rights/33122011.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 Iran's Pezeshkian Claims No Transfer Of Weapons To Russia Since He Took Office By RFE/RL's Radio Farda September 16, 2024 President Masud Pezeshkian claims that Iran has not transferred any weapons to Russia since he took office in late July and seemed to open the door for direct talks with the United States over nuclear issues, but only if Washington shows it is not "hostile" toward the Islamic republic. The 69-year-old Pezeshkian, deemed a relative moderate by some observers, on September 16 also took a belligerent tone, declaring that his country will never give up its controversial missile program, despite Western sanctions aimed at limiting such activities. Pezeshkian -- who assumed office on July 30 after winning an election to succeed hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi after his death in a helicopter crash in May -- was speaking in Tehran in his first official press conference. The nationally televised event came at a time of high tensions, both inside Iran and throughout the Middle East. Iran is facing major economic difficulties, much of it brought on by Western sanctions, and growing anger among citizens, led by women's groups, over human rights violations at home. A female journalist told Pezeshkian during the news conference that she had to take alternative routes to reach the event to avoid so-called morality police officers, who enforce strict conservative dress requirements for women, often using brutal measures and drawing sharp rebukes from rights groups. During the news conference, the president said he would use his authority to ensure that the morality police do not "bother" women. "Morality police were not supposed to confront [women]. I will follow up so they don't bother" them, he said, although it remains unclear how much authority he would actually have to make changes. Tehran has also faced Western condemnation and new sanctions over moves to send weapons to Russia that the Kremlin has used to attack Ukrainian forces and civilians, especially deadly Shahed drones. More recently, media reports have suggested that Tehran has provided the Kremlin with powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles. "It is possible that a delivery [of some weapons] took place in the past...but I can assure you that since I took office, there has not been any such delivery to Russia," he said. Asked whether Tehran would be open to holding direct talks with the United States to restart the 2015 nuclear deal with global powers, Pezeshkian said: "We are not hostile toward the U.S. They should end their hostility toward us by showing their goodwill in practice." "We are brothers with the Americans as well." As president, Donald Trump in 2018 unilaterally pulled the United States out of the landmark nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and also signed by China, France, Russia, Britain, and Germany. Trump also reimposed crippling financial sanctions against Tehran. President Joe Biden has sought to restart the agreement, although Washington and Tehran -- meeting through third parties -- have disagreed on terms. Pezeshkian insisted that Tehran was not seeking to enrich uranium at near-weapons-grade levels but that it was forced to by the U.S. withdrawal from the pact. "I think, we said many times, we don't want to do this at all. We want to solve our technical and scientific needs We are not looking for nuclear weapons," Pezeshkian said in response to a question by AP. "We adhered to the framework written in the [nuclear agreement]. We are still looking to maintain those frameworks. They tore them, they forced us to do something." Tehran and Washington have not had diplomatic relations since 1980, when U.S. President Jimmy Carter broke off ties amid the Iran hostage crisis. Pezeshkian claimed Iran will never give up its missile program, claiming it is needed for security in a troubled region and where, he said, Israel is able to "drop missiles on Gaza every day," referring to that country's war with Hamas movement, declared a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union. Pezeshkian also denied that Iran had sent hypersonic missiles to Yemen's Huthi rebels that have been used to target ships in the Persian Gulf and as of September 15 have been launched at Israel. With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pezeshkian-iran-russia-weapons- nuclear/33122205.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 Iranian Foreign Minister Sees Possibility to Resurrect JCPOA if West Negotiates on 'Equal Terms' Sputnik News 20240916 Noting that a number of provisions of the nuclear deal are outdated and need to be changed, Iran's foreign minister claimed the JCPOA still represents "an appropriate form that can direct us to a new agreement." TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Participants in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, may resume talks based on "trust in exchange for lifting sanctions" but progress depends on whether the two sides can negotiate on equal terms, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday. A new government headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian came to power in Iran in early August. Pezeshkian's cabinet includes the JCPOA authors: Mohammad Javad Zarif became vice president and Abbas Araghchi became the country's foreign minister. The latter, according to the ISNA agency, recently stated that the JCPOA in its current form could not be restored but did not rule out new talks on the deal, which would involve changing some parts of the agreement. "First, a suitable basis must be created to resume negotiations, then we will hold talks based on the formula applied in the JCPOA in the past. Building trust in exchange for lifting sanctions [imposed by the West]. We can return to this formula again," Araqchi said. Noting that a number of provisions of the nuclear deal are outdated and need to be changed, the foreign minister claimed the JCPOA still represents "an appropriate form that can direct us to a new agreement." However everything depends on whether the parties can find a platform for mutual understanding in order to resume negotiations on equal terms, Araqchi claimed. In 2015, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Russia, the United States, France, and Iran concluded a nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which allowed for the lifting of sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran's nuclear program. The United States under President Donald Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Tehran. In response, Iran announced a gradual reduction in its commitments under the deal, abandoning restrictions on nuclear research, centrifuges, and uranium enrichment levels. In December 2021 Iran voluntarily allowed the IAEA to reinstall cameras at the Karaj nuclear facility, but the agency was not given access to install surveillance cameras or confirmation that the facility had not resumed production of centrifuge rotor tubes and bellows. At the same time, Tehran said it would provide surveillance camera data from the Karaj nuclear facility only after all US sanctions were lifted. In early June Moscow, Tehran and Beijing said in a joint statement issued as part of the agenda of the sixth meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors that they were convinced that the time had come for Western countries to take steps to restore the nuclear deal agreement, with Russia, China and Iran being ready to do so. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Statement Two Years After Mahsa Zhina Amini's Death US Department of State Media Note Office of the Spokesperson September 16, 2024 The following is the joint statement released by the Secretary of State of the United States and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, on the second anniversary of the death of Mahsa Zhina Amini. Begin Text: Two years ago today, Mahsa Zhina Amini, a young Kurdish-Iranian woman, was killed while in police custody in Iran. Her death sparked a nationwide protest movement, led by women and girls, which was unwavering in its demand for a better future. We stand with women and girls in Iran, and Iranian human rights defenders, across all segments of society in their ongoing daily fight for human rights and fundamental freedoms. At least 500 persons died and over 20,000 were detained in the Iranian security forces' brutal crackdown on displays of dissent in 2022 and 2023. But the global "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement remains united. The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Iran, established by the United Nations Human Rights Council, has said that many of the human rights violations perpetrated against protesters amount to crimes against humanity. The Iranian government has yet to address these allegations and has not cooperated with this internationally recognized mandate. In daily life, women and girls continue to face severe repression in Iran. The renewed "Noor" hijab crackdown, which enforces Iran's law requiring women to wear headscarves, has spurred a fresh round of harassment and violence. The Iranian government has bolstered its surveillance infrastructure to arrest, detain, and in some cases torture women and girls for their peaceful activism. According to human rights organisations, Iran is one of the foremost executioners of women globally. We call on the new Iranian administration to fulfil its pledge to ease pressure on civil society in Iran and to end the use of force to enforce the hijab requirement. The recent surge in executions that have largely occurred without fair trials has been shocking, and we urge the Iranian government to cease its human rights violations now. We, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, will continue to act in lockstep to hold the Iranian government accountable and will use all relevant national legal authorities to promote accountability for Iranian human rights violators, including through sanctions and visa restrictions. End text. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Australia imposes more sanctions on Iran over human rights concerns By Phil Mercer September 16, 2024 Australia is imposing more sanctions on Iranian officials on the second anniversary of the jailing and death of Mahsa Jina Amini. The 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman was arrested in September 2022 for "improperly" wearing her hijab. Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said Monday that Australia stood in solidarity "with Iranian women and girls in their struggle for equality and empowerment." Wong announced financial sanctions and travel bans on senior security and law enforcement officials who have allegedly been involved in the "violent repression" of protests in Iran. She said the human rights situation in Iran was "dire" as female activists continued to be detained and handed death sentences. Wong told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that abuses by Iranian authorities have continued since the death of Amini two years ago. "We have sanctioned five Iranian security and law enforcement officials who have been involved in these law enforcement so-called activities, which are ultimately a repression - a violent repression - of the Iranian people," Wong said. Nikita White a campaigner with Amnesty International Australia, a rights group, told local media Monday that human rights have rapidly deteriorated in Iran. "The people who are being executed are being executed after facing horrifically unfair trials," White said. She said torture and and ill-treatment have been reported. Australia has now imposed sanctions on almost 200 individuals and organizations with links to Iran, including those associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It was listed by Canada as a terrorist group earlier this year following a similar move by the United States in 2019. In Canberra on Monday, opposition lawmaker and shadow foreign affairs spokesperson Simon Birmingham urged the Australian government to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization. Earlier this month, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi described sanctions announced by Britain, France and Germany as "economic terrorism." Araghchi has rejected U.S. claims that Tehran has sent ballistic missiles to Russia to help in its war with Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Top US diplomat, counterparts mark anniversary of Amini's death in Iran By VOA News September 16, 2024 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his counterparts from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement Monday marking the second anniversary of the death of the young Kurdish-Iranian activist Mahsa Amini. Amini died on September 16, 2022, just days after she was taken into police custody for allegedly violating Iran's law requiring women to wear a hijab. Amini's death sparked nationwide protests in Iran that persisted for months. Hundreds of people were killed in the protests, while thousands more were injured or arrested. The diplomats said human rights organizations report "Iran is one of the foremost executioners of women globally." The ministers' statement said a renewed hijab "crackdown" that requires women and girls to wear headscarves "has spurred a fresh round of harassment and violence" from the country's newly strengthened "surveillance infrastructure" that can "arrest, detain and in some cases torture women and girls for their peaceful activism." "We call on the new Iranian administration to fulfill its pledge to ease pressure on civil society in Iran and to end the use of force to enforce the hijab requirement," the diplomats said. The ministers said a "recent surge in executions that have largely occurred without fair trials has been shocking, and we urge the Iranian government to cease its human rights violations now." They warned that their countries "will continue to act in lockstep" to hold Iran accountable for its human rights violations. Actions against Iran could include sanctions and visa restrictions. The ministers said Amini's death "sparked a nationwide protest movement, led by women and girls, which was unwavering in its demand for a better future. ... We stand with women and girls in Iran, and Iranian human rights defenders across all segments of society, in their ongoing daily fight for human rights and fundamental freedoms." On Sunday, a group of at least 34 female prisoners in Tehran's Evin Prison initiated a hunger strike to mark the anniversary of Amini's death and the protests that followed. U.S. State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching and VOA's Persian Service contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Front-runner for next Japanese leader eyes better North Korean ties Shinjiro Koizumi stressed that he and Kim Jong Un are of the same generation. By Taejun Kang for RFA 2024.09.16 -- Shinjiro Koizumi, the front-runner in the race to become Japan's next prime minister, vowed to explore new opportunities to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un without preconditions, stressing they are of the same generation. Koizumi, 43, is the son of popular former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and a former environment minister. A survey last week showed he was the top choice for the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party, or LDP, out of nine candidates, to replace Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. "If I become prime minister, I would like to explore new opportunities to meet the North Korean leader without preconditions, without being bound by the approach taken so far, because we are of the same generation," said Koizumi during a press conference last Friday, without elaborating. Kim Jong Un's exact age has not been officially disclosed, but it is believed that he was born in 1984, making him 40 this year. Koizumi's remarks were in response to questions about the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea over the years to help it train its spies. The issue is hugely emotive in Japan and a significant obstacle to any effort to normalize ties between the neighbors. Japan says it has confirmed the abductions of 17 of its citizens by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s for language education for North Korean spies, and 12 are still in the North. But the North has said that of the 12, eight had died, and four never entered North Korea, insisting that there is no issue to be resolved. On other foreign policy issues, Koizumi said he would strengthen Japan's alliance with the United States and expand a cooperation network with other like-minded nations to deter China's growing influence. "I will inherit the basic direction of the Kishida administration's foreign and economic policies. Regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, we will continue to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance and deepen cooperation with Japan's partners and countries that share our values," he said without elaborating. Kishida has been able to build a close relationship with South Korea after years of fraught relations, resuming a "shuttle diplomacy" policy of holding meetings on the fringes of international conferences and visiting each other as needed. Their restored relations have also substantially enhanced trilateral security cooperation with the U.S., as all three of the allies warily watch North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and the missiles to carry them. Koizumi, known for his unconventional approach, has stood out as a fresh face in Japan's fractious politics. He has promised to change an "old-fashioned LDP" and accelerate reforms to revitalize Japan, including by making the job market more flexible, while supporting a revision of a 19th-century civil code requiring married couples to choose one of their surnames, which has led to most women adopting their husbands' surnames. Alongside Koizumi, leading the opinion polls is former Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba, 67, who is running in the leadership race for a fifth time. Ishiba, a security and defense expert, has proposed an Asian version of the NATO military alliance, while supporting democracy in Taiwan, which China views as its own territory. Ishiba promises to push for gender equality and measures to address Japan's declining population. The nine candidates and other LDP lawmakers will meet at the party headquarters in Tokyo for the vote on Sept. 27 to decide on its next president. Since the LDP holds a parliamentary majority, the next party leader will become prime minister. Edited by Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar's junta presses ahead with census before proposed election But opponents say the census will only count about half the population because rebels control so much territory. By RFA Burmese 2024.09.16 -- Myanmar's junta is trying to conduct a nationwide census to prepare for elections it says it intends to hold in November 2025, but because various rebel groups control big chunks of the country amid a three-year civil war, opponents say only half of the country's 55 million citizens will be counted. That's further indication that the promised elections won't be fair, say former civilian leaders of the National League for Democracy, or NLD, whose administration the military deposed in a 2021 coup. Armed rebel groups and members of a "shadow government" formed by former NLD leaders called the National Unity Government, or NUG, are staunchly opposed to any election organized by the junta because they say it would be a sham, allowing the military to legitimize its control over the country. The census, which the junta says it will complete by mid-October, will include only about 30 million people because only residents of major cities, which the junta still controls, are being counted, a former director of the NLD told Radio Free Asia on condition of anonymity for security reasons. Furthermore, there are no international observers in the country to verify the accuracy of the census, said Aung Thu Nyein, a researcher with the Institute for Strategy and Policy - Myanmar.. "It is difficult to verify the accuracy of the population under the ongoing situation in Myanmar," he said. "They [the junta] are starting the census this year. Who will recognize it? It would need to be recognized by the United Nations as well as the international community." 'No census will be accurate' In war-torn Rakhine state, the junta only controls the capital Sittwe and the townships of Ann, Taungup and Marn Aung, while remaining areas are under the control of the Arakan Army, or AA, which will never facilitate a census, a resident of Rakhine's Kyaukphyu township told RFA. "If the AA accepted the junta's plan for an election, the junta could carry out a census," said the resident, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons. "Otherwise, the junta can only take a census in its controlled areas." Bo Bo Oo, the vice president of the National League for Democracy in Yangon region's Sanchaung township, noted that amid Myanmar's economic turmoil, many people have migrated to other countries for work, making it impossible to get accurate population data. "As long as the country is at war, no census will be accurate," he said. Additionally, the junta's recent enactment of a military draft to shore up troop shortages has prompted thousands of draft-eligible men and women to join armed opposition groups or flee the country, further complicating efforts to get a precise count. Although the census has been set to end between Oct. 1 and 15, the junta has said that if it is not complete, they will "increase security and extend the date" to finalize it. At present, armed conflict is underway in 233 of Myanmar's 330 townships, the Institute for Strategy and Policy - Myanmar said in a July 15 report. The United Nations says about 3 million people have been forced from their homes by fighting between junta troops and those who oppose the military's coup, many since clashes surged at the beginning of the year. Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar junta arrests dozens for sending supplies to rebel zone The arrests come after the Arakan Army announced plans to seize last townships from junta control. By RFA Burmese 2024.09.16 -- Junta forces in Myanmar arrested and interrogated about 70 residents in the capital of Rakhine state on suspicion of being rebel sympathizers and trying to send supplies into rebel zones, residents told Radio Free Asia on Monday. The residents of Sittwe were targeted for trying to send goods and food to Arakan Army-controlled townships on Friday in violation of a junta blockade, residents said, adding that they had not been released as of Monday afternoon. "They dropped the goods off on the bank of the Kaladan River headed for Pauktaw and Mrauk-U townships," said one resident, who declined to be identified for security reasons, referring to two townships that the ethnic minority insurgents seized in recent months from forces of the junta that seized power in a 2021 coup. "Both the people who actually dropped the goods off and other people from the neighborhood were arrested, including women," the resident said. The identities and exact charges that the detained people faced were not known, he said. RFA tried to telephone Rakhine state's junta spokesperson, Hla Thein, but he could not be reached for comment. Another resident, who also asked not to be identified out of fear for their safety, said soldiers were holding the detainees at Sittwe Police Station No. 1, adding that the military had tightened security on Sittwe's roads to block shipments to areas under AA control. Junta forces have lost significant amounts of territory to the AA in Myanmar's western-most state since late last year and the guerrillas now control 10 of its 17 townships. Junta forces have for years battled insurgents with a so-called four-cuts strategy, cutting off rebels from food, funds, information and recruits. In Rakhine state, the military has tried to isolate the AA with transport blockades while rounding suspected sympathizers and setting up neighborhood militias to support the military. The AA, which draws its support from the state's Buddhist ethnic Rakhine community and is fighting for self-determination, announced its intention to capture the junta-controlled capital of Sittwe in March. On Friday, the AA said it was planning an offensive to capture the remaining seven townships under junta control, including Sittwe. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content September not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Delegation-level Talks between Pakistan and the United States Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, John Bass, today held delegation-level talks with Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides held wide ranging discussions on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including progress on the existing dialogue mechanisms on trade, energy, security, health, climate change and counter-terrorism. The Foreign Secretary noted the importance attached by Pakistan to its relations with the United States. She underlined the need to upgrade the bilateral mechanisms, especially in the economic and defence fields, and working towards building a broad based and meaningful bilateral relationship. Under Secretary Bass thanked the Foreign Secretary for the opportunity to engage substantively on issues of mutual interest. He said the US desires to partner with Pakistan in its efforts to strengthen and stabilize the economy. He expressed appreciation for the resilience shown by Pakistan in the face of recent challenges like floods and terrorist attacks. Under Secretary Bass also paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar. Islamabad 16 September 2024 163/2024 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address September 16, 2024 Release Readout of Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Ms. Cara Abercrombie's Travel to the Republic of Korea Department of Defense Spokesman Lt. Col. Garron Garn, USMC, provided the following readout: Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ms. Cara Abercrombie, returned from travel after participating in bilateral, trilateral, and multilateral meetings in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Last week, Ms. Abercrombie co-chaired the Defense Trilateral Talks with Japan and the ROK, where officials from the three nations held discussions on ways to deepen trilateral security cooperation. She also conducted bilateral engagements with senior ROK leaders, where she reaffirmed our ironclad extended deterrence commitment to the ROK. During the Republic of Korea-United Nations Command Member States Defense Ministerial Meeting, Ms. Abercrombie underscored the need to develop a positive future vision of the United Nations Command with current member states. Lastly, Ms. Abercrombie provided remarks at the Seoul Defense Dialogue, where she reinforced the importance of working with allies and partners on defense industrial cooperation, while strengthening technology security and the protection of critical technologies. She also held bilateral meetings with the Ministers of Defense of Finland and Mongolia. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3906623/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin orders military to boost troop numbers to 1.5 million Iran Press TV Monday, 16 September 2024 3:18 PM Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the country's military leaders to recruit more forces to increase its troop numbers to 1.5 million. The number of Russian soldiers will rise from 1.32 million to 1.5 million, according to Putin's decree, which will come into effect on December 1. Putin's decree, published on the official government website, will increase the overall number of Russian military personnel from 2.2 million to nearly 2.4 million (including 1.5 million troops). The presidential decree also orders the government to provide the necessary funding for the increase in the number of armed forces. The previous increase in Russian troop numbers came last December and before that in June, when Putin put the number of troops involved in the special military operation in Donbas in eastern Ukraine at nearly 700,000. Some 300,000 reservists were called in after Ukraine's counteroffensive in the fall of 2022. Military observers and analysts have noted that Moscow has been reluctant to call in more reservists, fearing domestic destabilization like what happened in 2022, when many draft dodgers fled Russia to avoid joining the armed forces. Russian authorities have been filling the ranks with volunteer soldiers, who have been attracted to high salaries. Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine's Donbas two and a half years ago with the main objective of liberating the Donbas region. Since then, Western countries have been supporting the former Soviet republic with diplomatic and financial backing, providing Kiev with arms and munitions despite repeated warnings by the Kremlin that such a policy would only prolong the war. The Ukrainian forces on August 6 invaded Russia in an attack on the Kursk region. The US-led Western countries backing Kiev have even supplied long-range missiles, tanks, and warplanes to Ukraine in spite of their initial reluctance to do so, turning the regional conflict into a full-fledged war with global ramifications. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's talks with Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty 16 September 2024 20:07 1706-16-09-2024 On September 16, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt Badr Abdelatty, who is in Moscow on a working visit. The ministers specifically discussed a wide range of issues related to further dynamic development of the traditionally friendly Russian-Egyptian relations. They also reaffirmed Moscow and Cairo's mutual commitment to establish comprehensive cooperation in accordance with the interstate Treaty on Comprehensive Partnership and Strategic Cooperation signed in Sochi in October 2018. The ministers noted the leading role of the Joint Russian-Egyptian Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation in increasing the volume of bilateral trade and expanding cooperation in industry, energy and agriculture. In this context, the implementation of large joint investment projects was highlighted, first of all the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Egypt, El Dabaa, and creation of a Russian industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. The Russian side reaffirmed its readiness to continue timely supplies of Russian grain products to Egypt. The ministers also discussed topical international and regional problems. Moscow and Cairo's mutual intention to maintain coordination at the UN, BRICS and other multilateral platforms was reaffirmed. It was noted that Russia and Egypt had similar approaches to resolving the ongoing crises and conflict situations in the Middle East and the African continent through political and diplomatic means in accordance with international law and the provisions of the UN Charter. Sergey Lavrov informed Badr Abdelatty in detail about Russia's fundamental assessments and considerations on the Ukrainian issue. When discussing the situation in and around the Gaza Strip, the foreign ministers highlighted that it was necessary to cease fire as soon as possible and provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the people in the enclave. They also emphasised that a comprehensive peaceful Palestinian-Israeli settlement on a generally accepted international legal basis, which provides for the creation of an independent State of Palestine within the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem, was a priority. The ministers reaffirmed Russia and Egypt's commitment to continue efforts aimed at prompt political settlement to the crisis in Libya, based on the principles of its unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Special focus was placed on preparations for the first ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum scheduled to take place in Sochi in November. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference following talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty, Moscow, September 16, 2024 16 September 2024 16:21 1705-16-09-2024 Ladies and gentlemen, My colleague, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty, and I have had extensive and productive talks. We expressed satisfaction with the level of traditionally friendly Russian-Egyptian relations which are advancing in accordance with the Treaty on Comprehensive Partnership and Strategic Cooperation signed by our respective presidents in Sochi in 2018 which entered into force in 2021 following ratification by our respective parliaments. The positive dynamics of trade and economic cooperation is quite inspiring. In 2023, bilateral trade exceeded the $7 billion mark, which is significantly more than the year before. We are committed to doing everything possible to maintain and reinforce this uptrend. In this regard, we praise the activities of the Joint Russian-Egyptian Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation and note its important coordinating role in strengthening our multifaceted ties. This morning, Minister Abdelatty had a meeting with Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov, who is also a newly appointed co-chair of the intergovernmental commission. We reviewed the progress of implementation of major joint investment projects, primarily the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant and a Russian industrial zone near the Suez Canal. We had an extensive discussion about Russia's grain supplies to the Egyptian market, and noted their stability. We both agreed that Egypt's accession to BRICS in January had given a strong boost to our partnership. We discussed preparations for the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan in October, and the BRICS ministerial meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York later this month. We had an in-depth discussion of current international and regional issues. We share common commitment to continuing close coordination at the UN and other multilateral platforms. We focused on the crisis situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone in light of the unprecedented escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip. We stand united with our Egyptian friends in calling for immediate ceasefire and providing urgent humanitarian assistance to the people of the enclave. We noted the importance of continuing uninterrupted collective efforts seeking to create proper conditions for advancing the political settlement process based on the UN-approved two-state formula, under which Palestine and Israel, as two independent and sovereign states, should coexist peacefully and securely which is crucial for ensuring sustainable peace for the peoples of Palestine and Israel. We highly appreciate Egypt's efforts to facilitate such agreements, particularly in terms of ceasefire. In turn, we keep working at the UN Security Council, but the stance adopted by the United States is preventing us from making sure Israel complies with the requirements put forward by mediators and Security Council members. We discussed in detail the situation in and around Libya. Like our Egyptian friends, we are committed to the concept of a comprehensive crisis settlement based on the principles of Libya's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. We emphasised the urgent need to appoint a new Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya, as this position has remained vacant for too long. We welcomed our Egyptian partners' commitment to expanding political dialogue with Syria. Cairo's constructive position was instrumental in deciding to restore Damascus' full membership in the League of Arab States. We hope that the process of restoring Syria's natural ties with its neighbours in the region will continue. This process will not only help overcome the consequences of the years-long crisis in that country, but will also create additional opportunities to strengthen security and stability in the Middle East as a whole. There are many other issues which directly affect Egypt's interests in the regions that lie next to the Arab Republic of Egypt, such as Sudan, Somalia, and the Red Sea. We believe all these issues should be addressed through direct dialogue between the parties involved with the support of neighbouring countries. We reviewed several practical issues related to the first ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, following the decision of last year's summit which was held in St Petersburg in July 2023. The ministerial session of the Partnership Forum will be held in Sochi on November 9-10. I expressed my gratitude to our Egyptian friends for their balanced and constructive stance on the situation in and around Ukraine. We exchanged views on how this issue is being discussed at various venues. I outlined our perspective on the emerging issues, including within the international community, and our vision of ways to overcome them based on the legitimate interests of the Russian Federation. We agreed to continue working together on all items on the bilateral agenda, as well as on international and regional matters. Question: What do Russia and Egypt plan to do in order to achieve Palestinian settlement? Sergey Lavrov: We mentioned the steps we are taking in our respective opening remarks. Along with several other countries, Egypt is striving to find recommendations that will be acceptable to both Israel and Hamas. We welcome all initiatives aimed at ending the bloodshed as soon as possible and ensuring a sustainable and permanent ceasefire. We are working towards this goal at the UN Security Council as well, acting in concert with our Egyptian friends. The problem is that the United States is unwilling to let pass the resolutions that would seriously imply an end to the bloodshed which is what everyone wants. They have vetoed several resolutions promoted by our Arab colleagues, other Security Council members, and us. Several months ago, in May, the Americans submitted their own draft resolution, a vague and non-specific document. However, they said it was enough, Israel agreed with this approach, and everything would be fine. We asked them to provide evidence. We asked our Israeli colleagues to confirm that they agreed with what was written in the American document, but Israel refused to do so. We were forced to abstain during vote on this resolution. Our Arab friends, including Palestine, asked us not to veto it, and to give a chance to this document that was so much touted by the Americans. We abstained, and the resolution was adopted. It was adopted on "empty paper," and has remained empty paper to this day. Not a single promise made by the United States has been acted upon. This does not mean we should stop doing what we are doing. If the mediation, which Egypt is energetically engaged in alongside a number of other Arab countries, bears fruit, we will be happy with that outcome. The UN Security Council cannot leave this issue unattended, since it is the key international issue, no matter how others may try to portray it. Second, we agreed that once the ceasefire is in place, humanitarian aid must be rushed in immediately. The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is catastrophic, and the situation on the West Bank is not much better. The most important thing is not to allow this conflict to remain "frozen" once again. We must press everyone who opposes it into complying with the UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions on creating a Palestinian state. This is no easy task, given the situation on the ground with a large number of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. We cannot go back on the decisions that have been made and supported by the overwhelming majority of the countries around the world. Those who are used to be the only ones to call the shots will eventually - sooner or later (preferably sooner) - have to heed the voice of humanity. Question: What do you think about the latest US sanctions on Russian news outlets, including the RT television channel? What can you say about US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's call to treat RT as an intelligence agency? This is a serious accusation. Sergey Lavrov: Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov and Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, as well as many other officials and politicians, have commented on this matter. I'm not going to go over it again. I can only add that George Orwell had rich imagination and great historical foresight. However, even he was unable to envision what a totalitarian state would actually look like. He outlined some of its attributes, but was unable to delve into the depth of the totalitarianism we are witnessing today under the "rules-based order." I have nothing else to add to that. The leaders in Washington suppress dissent and have upstaged even Orwell and his vision. This is unadulterated totalitarianism. McCarthyism was just a child's play by comparison. I hope independent observers who are closely watching international developments and the way the United States and its satellites are doing everything possible, impossible, and unimaginable to stop the objective process of forming a multipolar, just, and democratic world order are clear about that. They need democracy only to tell the countries how to go about their lives. But as soon as you propose discussing the democratisation of international relations, they clam up. It's all about the rules-based order. But all of that is doomed. Anyone can clearly see that. They are historically doomed. The course of history is accelerating. Question: What does TArkiye (a NATO country) willing to join BRICS mean? How may its prospective membership impact things? Sergey Lavrov: I'd be hard pressed to explain why the Turks submitted an application to join our organisation, but a few comments may be appropriate here. First, there is an objective, historical, and unstoppable process of forming a multipolar world order. Second, it's clear that with its rapidly growing global weight and reputation, BRICS is becoming one of the key engines and creators of the multipolar world order. BRICS has received more than 30 requests to establish relations or to join as a member. These are all well-known countries that play significant roles in their respective regions. Perhaps, leaders who are thinking about the future of their countries within the emerging multipolar world order are unwilling to be left behind. It is likewise important that BRICS is developing special mechanisms to enhance the role of its member states and their partners in addressing global governance issues, including reforming the Bretton Woods institutions, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. The acquisition of the necessary number of votes by BRICS countries and their like-minded partners in these institutions, which reflects their effective economic weight, is being artificially held back by the United States and its allies. The situation in the World Trade Organisation is similar. Special efforts are being made to hold back the reform, which would allow the actual economic performance and trade capabilities of each country to be properly evaluated. Without a doubt, against this backdrop, many are drawn by the fact that alternative payment platforms are being developed within BRICS which allow countries to trade, invest, and conduct other economic transactions without being dependent on those who have decided to weaponise the US dollar and the euro. No one wants to end up in that position. Everyone realises that anyone can be subjected to American or other Western sanctions. We are witnessing the collapse of entities that were once created as part of Western globalisation, where everyone was pressed into believing that eternal values include fair competition, the inviolability of property, and free market mechanisms, and that the US dollar was the world patrimony. Now, everyone knows this is by far not so and that these very levers and globalisation mechanisms, which were promoted primarily by Western countries, are being used in an unlawful policy of suppressing competitors by any means in an attempt to perpetuate their hegemony which is slipping away as the world is watching. I think if we objectively assess the positions of the countries applying to BRICS, we can say that all of this is important for the countries determining their future. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ocean 2024 CPX: Caspian Flotilla ships destroy air and surface targets 16.09.2024 Pacific Fleet's warships destroyed air and surface targets during the Ocean 2024 strategic naval drills and returned to their home port. During the Ocean 2024 strategic naval drills, the ships of the Caspian Flotilla destroyed air and surface targets of the mock enemy in the training areas of the Caspian Sea. Having detected mock air enemy, the military engaged the targets with the use of the 30-mm Palash anti-aircraft missile artillery systems. They also set decoy targets with the use of jamming systems to prevent the enemy from identifying the right maritime object. Su-24M fighter-bombers acted as enemy aviation. After eliminating the mock air enemy, the ship's artillery delivered massive strikes at surface targets with 76-mm artillery fire. After successful fulfilment of the Ocean 2024 strategic naval drills, all the warships and auxiliary vessels of the Caspian Flotilla returned to their home port. According the training plan of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, formations and units of the Russian Navy have started taking part in the Ocean 2024 strategic command post exercise, which is to last until 16 September 2024. The exercise, which is one of the most important operational and combat training events of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in 2024, is to be conducted in a bilateral format under the overall command of Admiral Aleksandr Moiseyev, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. More than 400 warships, submarines and support vessels, over 120 naval aircraft, some 7,000 units of weaponry, military and special hardware, and more than 90,000 personnel participate in the drills, which take place in the waters of the Pacific and Arctic oceans, Mediterranean, Caspian, and Baltic seas.The Ocean 2024 strategic command post exercise is aimed at checking the readiness of the senior staff of the Russian Navy to operate all-arms groups of forces in the areas of responsibility, to solve non-standard operational tasks, to make full use of high-precision weapons, advanced and modern weapons and military hardware in the practical part of the exercise, and to expand cooperation with the navies of partner countries to perform joint maritime missions. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ocean 2024 CPX: Pacific Fleet's Marines neutralise amphibious assault group in Primorye 16.09.2024 The Pacific Fleet's marine units, operating on a training ground in Primorsky region, trained in eliminating an amphibious assault group landing on an unequipped coast. First, under the cover of a smokescreen, the Pacific Fleet Marines retreated from the waterline to the concentration line, from where they engaged the offensive enemy. The Pacific Fleet's Marines were supported by Grad MLRS crews and T-80BV tanks, which were delivering strikes on the enemy. Having stabilised the situation, the Marines launched an offensive to push the enemy force back to the coast. They engaged targets with the use of man-portable anti-tank systems, anti-tank grenade launchers, and gunfire launched by BMP-3 IFV and BTR-82A APC. During the practical exercises, the Russian servicemen use the experience gained in the special military operation. According the training plan of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, formations and units of the Russian Navy have started taking part in the Ocean 2024 strategic command post exercise, which is to last until 16 September 2024. The exercise, which is one of the most important operational and combat training events of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in 2024, is to be conducted in a bilateral format under the overall command of Admiral Aleksandr Moiseyev, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. More than 400 warships, submarines and support vessels, over 120 naval aircraft, some 7,000 units of weaponry, military and special hardware, and more than 90,000 personnel participate in the drills, which take place in the waters of the Pacific and Arctic oceans, Mediterranean, Caspian, and Baltic seas.The Ocean 2024 strategic command post exercise is aimed at checking the readiness of the senior staff of the Russian Navy to operate all-arms groups of forces in the areas of responsibility, to solve non-standard operational tasks, to make full use of high-precision weapons, advanced and modern weapons and military hardware in the practical part of the exercise, and to expand cooperation with the navies of partner countries to perform joint maritime missions. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ocean 2024 CPX: Pacific Fleet and PLA Navy hold comprehensive missile and artillery live fires 16.09.2024 Warships of the Russian Pacific Fleet and the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, acting in a joint unit, have completed comprehensive live fires with the use of missile and artillery weaponry in the Sea of Japan during the Ocean 2024 strategic naval drills. Russia has dispatched more than 15 warships to participate in this episode of the exercise: the flagship of the Pacific Fleet missile cruiser Varyag, the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, the large anti-submarine ship Admiral Panteleyev, the corvettes Sovershenny, Rezky, Aldar Tsydenzhapov, and two diesel submarines. More than 10 naval aircraft of the Pacific Fleet and the Russian Aerospace Forces supported the naval group. The destroyers Xining and Wuxi, and the frigate Linyi were involved in the drills from the Chinese PLA Navy. During the training, a joint Russian-Chinese naval group eliminated an attack threat posed by uncrewed surface vehicles and FPV drones of the mock enemy. This mission involved Ka-29 assault helicopters, Grachonok anti-sabotage boats, and shipborne electronic warfare systems. The minesweepers Anatoly Shlemov and Yakov Balyayev provided mine countermeasures support for the operation. Tu-142 and Il-38 anti-submarine aircraft conducted long-range anti-submarine air patrol, while Ka-27P deck-based helicopters trained in anti-submarine search with the use of underwater hydroacoustic stations. The detected submarine of a mock enemy was hit with depth charged dropped from anti-submarine aircraft and with rocket depth charges fired from the RBU-6000 ASW launchers. As part of the exercise, the joint naval group repelled a mock air attack. Aerial targets were engaged with the use of shipborne artillery and Kinzhal surface-to-air missile system aboard the large anti-submarine ship Admiral Panteleyev. During a sea battle with the mock enemy's ship detachment, the crew of the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov launched an Uran cruise missile. The warships performed artillery live fires at naval shields imitating a mock enemy ship battle force. Moreover, the joint detachment performed joint tactical manoeuvring and signal drills. The actions of the Russian-Chinese warships were observed by 24 representatives of 10 countries aboard the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov. More than 400 warships, submarines and support vessels, over 120 naval aircraft, some 7,000 units of weaponry, military and special hardware, and more than 90,000 personnel participate in the drills, which take place in the waters of the Pacific and Arctic oceans, Mediterranean, Caspian, and Baltic seas.The Ocean 2024 strategic command post exercise is aimed at checking the readiness of the senior staff of the Russian Navy to operate all-arms groups of forces in the areas of responsibility, to solve non-standard operational tasks, to make full use of high-precision weapons, advanced and modern weapons and military hardware in the practical part of the exercise, and to expand cooperation with the navies of partner countries to perform joint maritime missions. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's Pacific Fleet, China's Navy Conduct Joint Drills in Sea of Japan Sputnik News 20240916 On Tuesday the formations and associations of the Russian Navy began the Ocean 2024 strategic command and staff exercises, which will last until September 16. MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian and Chinese warships conducted missile and artillery firing drills in the Sea of aaJapan as part of ongoing joint exercises Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry told reporters. "In the Sea of aaJapan, warships of the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy and the People's Liberation Army of China, acting as part of a joint detachment, worked out complex tasks with live firing of missile weapons and artillery as part of the Ocean 2024 strategic command and staff exercise," the ministry said. More than 15 Russian warships participated in the episode of the exercise, it added. "The actions of the naval forces were supported by more than 10 aircraft and helicopters of the Naval Aviation of the Pacific Fleet and the Russian Aerospace Forces. The destroyers Xining and Wuxi, as well as the frigate Lin Yi, participated from the Chinese side," the statement said. 24 representatives from 10 countries observed the exercises from the Marshal Shaposhnikov frigate. On Tuesday the formations and associations of the Russian Navy began the Ocean 2024 strategic command and staff exercises, which will last until September 16. The drills are being held in a bilateral format under the general leadership of Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Adm. Alexander Moiseyev. The maneuvers in the waters of the Pacific and Arctic Oceans and the Mediterranean, Caspian and Baltic Seas involve more than 400 ships, submarines and auxiliary fleet support vessels. Over 120 aircraft and helicopters of the naval aviation contingent of the Navy and Russia's Aerospace Forces are also taking part, making use of 7,000 units of weapons and military and special equipment as well as more than 90,000 personnel. Naval exercises under the codename Ocean were conducted by the General Command of the Soviet Navy in 1970, 1975, 1977, 1983 and 1985. The exercises were the largest operational and combat training events undertaken by the Soviet Navy in the post-war period and the largest in world history at the time. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkish-backed group besieges Syrian-Kurdish village after protest By By Nawroz Rasho, Sirwan Kajjo September 16, 2024 A village in northwestern Syria has been under siege by a Turkish-backed group of armed militants following a women-led protest against ongoing abuses carried out by the Syrian faction. The Kurdish village of Kakhira in Syria's Afrin district came under siege Sunday after fighters affiliated with the Suleiman Shah Brigade cut off internet access and set up additional checkpoints in and around the community, Kurdish news network Rudaw reported on Monday. The village and other parts of Afrin came under the control of Turkish military and Turkish-backed Syrian groups in March 2018 following a major military offensive against Kurdish forces. Many armed factions operating in the area, including the Suleiman Shah Brigade, are extremist groups that have imposed stringent restrictions on the local Kurdish population. International rights groups, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have accused these groups of carrying out violations against civilian residents of Afrin. The recent protest in Kakhira was sparked by the announcement of a new set of taxation against olive farmers and the subsequent arrests of several residents who had opposed the new levy, according to local sources. "The demonstrators were met with harsh beatings and live bullets by the armed group, leaving at least six people wounded, including four women," said Sozdar Rizgar, a former village resident who currently lives in a displacement camp elsewhere in northern Syria. She told VOA that the militiamen have restricted all access to and from the village. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights, which has researchers throughout the war-torn country, put the number of those wounded at eight. Another source inside Afrin, who insisted on anonymity for fear of retribution, told VOA that fighters linked to the Suleiman Shah Brigade have in recent weeks seized several properties belonging to Kakhira villagers. "The most recent example was last week, when the fighters confiscated a civilian house whose owner later died of a heart attack," the source said. Last year, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on the Suleiman Shah Brigade and another armed group called the Hamza Division for "serious human rights abuses against those residing in the Afrin region of northern Syria." In a report released last week, the U.N. Syria Commission of Inquiry said armed groups in northwest Syria use brutal torture tactics in their detention centers that are like those of the Syrian government. Ahmed Qitme, a researcher at the Paris-based advocacy group Syrians for Truth and Justice, said such international designations and condemnations have not deterred armed groups in Afrin from carrying out these abuses. "They act with impunity because they feel that nobody could stop them as long as they have the backing of Turkey," he told VOA. The Kurdish National Council in Syria, an opposition group based in northern Syria, has called on Turkish authorities to exert pressure on armed factions and put an end to rights violations in Afrin. The Turkish government has not publicly commented on the ongoing events in northwest Syria. Officials at Turkey's Foreign Ministry did not respond to VOA's requests for comment in time for publication. The Syrian National Army a an umbrella group for all armed factions in northwest Syria, including Suleiman Shah Brigade a also did not respond to VOA's request for comment. This story originated in VOA's Kurdish Service. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Premier Cho vows speedy review of Chinese boat incidents ROC Central News Agency 09/16/2024 07:48 PM Taipei, Sept. 16 (CNA) Premier Cho Jung-tai () on Monday assured the public that the government will promptly review several Chinese nationals recently caught entering Taiwan illegally by boat. Ensuring national security is the "unshakable responsibility" of the government, Cho told reporters at a Cathay United Bank event after another Chinese national was found arriving on a rubber dinghy in waters near New Taipei last week, following a similar incident in June. He said the government was closely following those incidents, adding that the Coast Guard and military personnel would fulfill their duties to ensure national security. According to Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA), the New Taipei Fire Department reported on Sept. 14 that a suspicious man in a rubber dinghy was spotted near the Houkeng River estuary in New Taipei's Linkou District. The individual was later identified as a 30-year-old Chinese national surnamed Wang (), who was about 100 meters from the shore when he was picked up by CGA personnel and then sent to a hospital as he was severely dehydrated. During subsequent questioning, Wang told the CGA that he was in debt in China and hoped to start a new life in Taiwan. Earlier in June, a Chinese man sailed a speedboat into the Tamsui River, and the CGA was only alerted of the matter after the former had collided with other vessels at a ferry terminal. At a press conference on Monday, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Tsai Yi-yu () said Taiwan's long coastline makes it difficult to rely solely on maritime patrols. Obtaining a larger budget for improved monitoring technologies that adopt artificial intelligence would be a huge plus for the coast guard, Tsai said, expressing hope for Cho's support. Meanwhile, Kuomintang (KMT) legislative caucus Secretary-General Lin Szu-ming () slammed the CGA for being slow to react to both incidents. Lin also criticized Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) Minister Kuan Bi-ling () for failing to put forth concrete solutions to secure the coast. Regarding last Saturday's illegal entry, Lin rebutted Kuan's earlier statement that there was no human error in the case, saying the CGA needed to purchase more advanced equipment for surveillance and reconnaissance. He said the lack of equipment had already been discussed before, but the OAC did nothing about it. (By Yeh Su-ping, Wang Yang-yu, Lin Ching-yin, Wang Cheng-chung and Ko Lin) Enditem/ASG NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan's RF-5 recon jets to stay in use through 2025 ROC Central News Agency 09/16/2024 03:27 PM Taipei, Sept. 16 (CNA) Taiwan's Air Force continues to allocate around NT$10 million (US$314,391) for 2025 to keep its RF-5 recon aircraft fleet operational until it receives new intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, a military source told CNA Monday. According to the Air Force's budget proposal for the fiscal year 2025, NT$10 million will be spent on logistics and technical support services to keep the RF-5s up and running. The proposal is still pending approval by lawmakers. The RF-5s were converted from some of the Air Force's F-5E jets that have been in service for nearly 50 years. Based in eastern Hualien Air Base, the plane's main mission is to conduct recon missions with F-16Vs and surveil Chinese forces. During natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods, the RF-5s also conduct recon missions to help gather information on the scale of the destruction. Taiwan's Air Force had around 50 F-5s that have mostly served as trainer jets. All of them were retired from service in late 2023 and replaced by Taiwan's indigenous advanced jet trainers (AJT), also known as the Brave Eagle. But the RF-5 reconnaissance version is to remain operational until the military receives new ISR capabilities with the future inclusion of MS-110 pods, MQ-9B drones and domestic drones in coming years, an unnamed source told CNA. Washington approved the sale of six MS-110s in October 2020 but Taiwan's military has yet to receive them. The delivery is expected to be completed in 2025. Taiwan's military is also scheduled to receive the first two MQ-9B "SkyGuardian" drones it purchased from the U.S. in 2026, and the other two in 2027. (By Matt Yu and Joseph Yeh) Enditem/ASG 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 2024/09/17 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1. 6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Monday to Tuesday, Sep. 16-17 2. PLA activitiesis 8 PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels and 2 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 4 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait. 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 Turkey's BRICS bid ahead of Russia summit plays both sides By Stephanie L. Freid September 17, 2024 Ahead of Russia hosting the 2024 BRICS Summit from Oct. 22-24, Turkey's application to join the group of major emerging economies is coming under scrutiny. The BRIC, or Brazil, Russia, India and China, platform was initiated by Russia in 2009 as an informal club to provide members with a conduit for challenging the world order dominated by the U.S. and its Western allies. South Africa joined in 2010, making them BRICS. While analysts say Turkey's membership bid is more about playing both sides than challenging its Western allies, some also voice concerns that Ankara is moving away from the West. "Turkey's BRICS bid is one more example of the country's drift away from the Transatlantic community," Asli Aydintasbas, visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution's Center on the United States and Europe, told VOA Mandarin. Turkey's formal application last week for membership in the BRICS bloc of emerging economies confirmed speculation of the plan after the Kremlin in June welcomed "Turkey's interest in the work of BRICS" and promised to support Ankara's aspirations to join it. Ankara's move marks the first time a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and a candidate to join the European Union has applied to join a group dominated by Russia and China. NATO is a political and military alliance of 32 countries created by the U.S. for collective security against the former Soviet Union. The body also serves as a medium for member-state consultation, cooperation, dispute resolution and crisis management. BRICS aims to challenge the political and economic dominance of mainly Western, developed nations. Critics say it struggles to accomplish much and is uniting authoritarian and corrupt governments that seek to silence opposition. In January 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates were formally added to the group. "There's a process of enlarging BRICS that China and Russia are engaged in," Gallia Lindenstrauss, a fellow at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies Turkey Policy Research, told VOA Mandarin. "This bid announcement is directly tied to the S-400 sales to Turkey, and it comes as a prelude to the upcoming October BRICS meeting in Russia." In 2020, the Trump administration slapped sanctions on Turkey for a $2.5 billion acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile system, which is said to pose a risk to the NATO alliance and to U.S. F-35 fighter jets. Despite the Russian missile deal, Turkey still has clear differences with the BRICS members and summit host concerning Moscow's war on Ukraine, a key NATO concern. While most BRICS members have taken a neutral or Russia-leaning stance on Moscow's invasion, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week expressed "unwavering" support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and said Russia must return annexed Crimea to Kyiv, prompting a mild rebuke from Moscow. "Turkey is going through an anti-Western mood at the moment," Aydintasbas says. "This is made worse by events in Gaza." Turkey, whose citizens are mostly Muslims, has been an outspoken critic of U.S. ally Israel's fight against Hamas in Gaza. The conflict began after Hamas' attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 and took as hostages 250 people. Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 42,000 Palestinians, according to the territory's health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. Analysts say Turkey's impatience over stalled negotiations to join the EU has also fueled its desire to form closer relations with BRICS. Ankara's EU bid launched in 2005 has been delayed by concerns about its crackdown on Turkish opposition. Muhdan Saglam, Ankara-based Russian Energy and Russia-Turkey relations commentator, told VOA Mandarin that Turkey's BRICS bid is a way to show it has different faces a one for the East and another facing West. "Erdogan is using this to show the West Turkey has alternatives," Saglam explains. "But BRICS is not an alternative and Western authorities know that. It is important, though, because not one NATO member has applied for membership in a different organization. In this case, the political impact may be more important than economic or defense implications." But Saglam says the BRICS bid is also a means for facilitating deals with business partners like China. BRICS member countries make up about 45% of the world's population and 28% of the global economy. BRICS countries produce more than a third of the world's crude oil. If Saudi Arabia joins the group, which it has indicated it may, BRICS nations would produce some 43% of global crude oil. But analysts note while Turkey's trade with China has grown, to more than $48 billion in 2023, the vast majority were imports from China while Ankara has a more balanced trade with its top partner a the European Union. "Turkey may ultimately be in BRICS," Lindenstrauss said. "But there's no practical serious meaning here in terms of trade partners and it doesn't change export/import trade factors." In June, Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, during a talk at London's Chatham House think tank, referred to BRICS as "a dialogue platform" versus a formal economic bloc like the EU. "The EU remains our core partner in terms of trade investments, tourism flows ... so we remain focused (on the EU), but that doesn't mean we do not look at alternatives if they present value," he told the forum. Aydintasbas, of the Brookings Institution, said Turkey's bid to join BRICS should not be dismissed. "BRICS membership may not mean much in practical terms and Turkey is still keen to retain its NATO membership. But it is gradually, inch-by-inch, drifting from the West a and that requires greater strategic thinking on the part of U.S. and other NATO allies, given Turkey's regional heft and geographic location. Is this an outcome we want?" The presidents of China and Iran have already confirmed they will attend the October summit in Russia. Although Russian and Chinse state media report the Turkish president has said he will attend the summit, Erdogan's office has to make an official confirmation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint statement between UK and Italy: 16 September 2024 Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni released a joint statement today. 16 September 2024 Today we, the Prime Ministers of Italy and the United Kingdom, meet in Rome to celebrate the deep friendship between our countries. Our countries are the closest partners and Allies. But we want to go further still. Today we agreed on our joint ambition to make this relationship count for even more, bilaterally and internationally. We believe that this strategic relationship between the UK and Italy is more important than ever. In a world of danger and uncertainty, it is vital that Britain and Italy stand together. Here in Rome we agreed some practical measures to make that strategic relationship stronger than it has ever been, in full accordance with Italy's membership of the EU and UK's relationship with the EU. The UK-Italy Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Cooperation gives us a strong foundation. But now we need to go further. Today we set out our ambition for the future: driving growth in both of our economies, and placing the defence and security of our people at the heart of all we do, including in support of Italy's current Presidency of the G7, as well as in the context of the UK's ambition to reset the relationship between the UK and the EU. We agreed on our determination to defend freedom and democracy. We discussed Russia's illegal war in Ukraine and the hybrid threats the Russian State poses to Europe more widely. We reaffirm our pledge to stand resolutely with Ukraine for as long as it takes. We are determined to contribute to Ukraine's reconstruction, look forward to the conference which Italy will host in 2025, and recalled the importance of delivering on the $50bn ERA loans the G7 agreed in Apulia. We discussed the conflict in the Middle East and the need for the release of all hostages, an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation on all sides, and for the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid. We reaffirmed our commitment to working closely together and with our European partners to address the new, destabilising, strategic environment. As NATO Allies we reaffirmed our full commitment to NATO and its missions and look forward to the Italian Navy and Italian Airforce participating in UK carrier operations in 2025 and the next meeting of the 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministers. We agreed the vital importance of our collaborative defence programmes, including GCAP, for our shared national security interests and respective defence industrial capabilities, and we welcome the continued progress we are making. We emphasised the importance of all European partners working together to strengthen European defence industrial resilience. This includes maximising mutual export opportunities, jointly promoting our complex weapons capabilities and supporting multinational initiatives aimed at strengthening NATO and Europe. Effective NATO and EU cooperation will be key in these regards. Both our countries, together with our European partners, share the same challenges from irregular migration. We will only make progress by working more closely together, including under the auspices of the Rome Process and with our multilateral partners, including the EU's global alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling and the G7 Framework. Within the context of the Rome Process we agreed to jointly promote migration partnerships with countries of origin and transit, whilst also deepening our cooperation through practical measures, such as voluntary humanitarian returns and to explore further areas of common action. We will significantly enhance our cross-border cooperation, including through the UK's new Border Security Command, to take down the criminal organisations who profit from putting lives at risk. To this end, we will promote enhanced bilateral cooperation on investigative capacities, engaging relevant authorities in countries of origin, transit, and destination. We will encourage and improve data exchanges. We will utilise a "follow the money" approach to enhance cooperation on asset freezing and confiscation, looking to develop a joint taskforce on combating illicit financial flows. We are committed to going further in dismantling the supply chains of maritime equipment that undermine the security of our borders. We will work together to take stronger prosecutorial action against those criminals behind this vile trade. We will also maximise the opportunities to bring European and global partners together, including where possible through Europol and INTERPOL, to tackle the shared problems of organised immigration crime. We also commit to collaborate on raising awareness and informing potential migrants on the risks associated with migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons, to deter them from embarking on perilous routes. We will leverage the Joint Strategic Security Committee and the Strategic Migration Partnership to keep working together on concrete follow-ups. We will also work together to cooperate on wider criminal justice matters, by rapidly taking forward consideration of a wider bilateral agreement on enhancing experience sharing and mutual learning across the full breadth of our criminal justice systems, including concluding negotiations on our Prisoner Transfer Agreement. Our trade relationship is flourishing, with bilateral trade flows worth A50 billion. New investment decisions, including the A485 million (a574 million) announced today, will boost jobs and growth and demonstrate our strong trade relationship. We have agreed that unlocking bilateral trade opportunities and promoting ease of doing business will be a priority for discussions between our Ministers and we look forward to a meeting of Italian and British CEOs in London in early 2025. We agreed to sign a wide-ranging Science MoU, as part of a UK-Italy Science, Innovation and Tech Dialogue, early next year. The ties between our peoples lie at the heart of the friendship between our countries. Over 600,000 Italians live in the United Kingdom and tens of thousands of British citizens in Italy, with millions more visiting each year. Today the first cohort of UK-Italy Young Leaders from our joint programme launched last year are meeting tech leaders, cultural organisations and business representatives in London. We intend to further enhance cooperation on strengthening people to people links, and we strongly support maximising the existing opportunities for high school students to visit and study in both our countries. Here today in Rome we commit together to opening an exciting and ambitious new chapter in the long and warm relations between Italy and the United Kingdom, full of promise and opportunity. We look forward to working closely together on this shared endeavour in the months ahead. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Switzerland hosts Ukraine Mine Action Conference 2024 in Lausanne Swiss Government Bern, 16.09.2024 -- On 17 and 18 October 2024, the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024) will be held at the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne. The aim of the conference, which is being co-organised with Ukraine, is to highlight the critical importance of humanitarian demining as part of the country's social and economic recovery. The conference by Lake Geneva will bring together representatives from governments, international organisations, humanitarian demining and civil society. Since the war began in February 2022, Ukraine has become one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. It is estimated that almost a quarter of its territory - an area more than three times the size of Switzerland - is contaminated by mines and other unexploded ordnance of war. Humanitarian demining is a priority for Switzerland, which has long worked at the diplomatic and humanitarian levels to facilitate the reconstruction of Ukraine. This approach is in line with the Lugano Principles, adopted at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in 2022. Responding to humanitarian needs and supporting post-war recovery are key elements in building a just and lasting peace in the country. People, partners, progress: the pillars of the Ukraine Mine Action Conference On 17 and 18 October at the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, the Ukraine Mine Action Conference will bring together high-level representatives from governments, international organisations, the private sector and the scientific community. The event, which Switzerland is co-organising with Ukraine, will focus on the global aspects of humanitarian demining, highlighting three pillars in particular: people, partners, and progress. The aim is to put the civilian population at the centre of the debate, to highlight the benefits of partnerships and to show how innovation makes mine action safer and more effective. The programme includes a high-level segment on Thursday 17 October, followed by a technical, expert-level segment on Friday 18 October. Switzerland will be represented by the President of the Confederation, Viola Amherd, who will open the conference, and by the head of the FDFA, Ignazio Cassis. UMAC2024 will also be attended by British photographer Giles Duley, a landmine survivor and the UN Global Advocate for persons with disabilities in conflict situations. His photo exhibition 'The Things They Carried: Objets d'Mort' opens the day before the conference begins, and aims to raise awareness of the devastating and long-term effects of war. The exhibition, supported by the FDFA, will be open to the public at Photo ElysAe in Lausanne's Plateforme 10 museum hub until 31 October. Swiss support for humanitarian demining in Ukraine and around the world Since February 2022, the federal government has implemented various measures to support those affected by the war in Ukraine and allocated around 3.7 billion Swiss francs. Last year the Federal Council approved 100 million francs for a period of four years, earmarked exclusively for humanitarian demining in Ukraine. Thanks to its long-standing presence on the ground, Switzerland can provide direct and effective support in cooperation with partners such as the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the Fondation suisse de dAminage (FSD). Humanitarian demining experts are currently active in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions, checking and clearing contaminated areas. Switzerland also supports an assistance programme for mine victims and smallholder farmers who are currently unable to work their fields. In line with its humanitarian tradition, Switzerland has particular experience in the field of mine action and has been engaged in mine clearance worldwide for over 30 years. Under the Action Plan on Mine Action for 2023-26, Switzerland supports the implementation of the relevant conventions, provides assistance and specialised personnel for the clearance of contaminated areas, and explores innovative approaches. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Invites UN, Red Cross Into Captured Russian Territory; Kremlin Dismisses Move By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and RFE/RL's Russian Service September 16, 2024 KYIV -- Ukraine on September 16 invited the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to visit territory it has captured in its six-week-old military incursion into Russia's Kursk region to demonstrate its adherence to humanitarian law, in a move the Kremlin called a "provocation" even as it ordered that Russia's army beef up its ranks. The Kremlin also expressed confidence through President Vladimir Putin's spokesman that the UN and the Red Cross would decline the Ukrainian invite. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry published the open invitation for the humanitarian missions to Kursk hours after Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said he had requested the invites during a weekend visit to the northeastern Sumy region, which borders Russia. "Ukraine is ready to facilitate their work and prove its adherence to international humanitarian law," Sybiha said. In an apparent attempt to contrast Ukrainian actions with accusations of widespread abuses by Russian troops since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Sybiha claimed that "[s]ince the first day of the Kursk operation, Ukraine's Defense Forces demonstrated full adherence to international humanitarian law as a professional army with high standards and values of freedom and human life. They ensured humanitarian assistance and safe passage to civilians." "We expect that such provocative statements will not be accepted by the addressees," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying. "This is a pure provocation." Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhiy countered that the Kremlin reaction "shows Russia's disregard for its own people and their humanitarian needs, as well as fear of allowing international observers to see the real situation. Quite telling." Since its incursion began in Kursk in early August, Kyiv claims to have gained control of more than 1,200 square kilometers of Russian territory. Kyiv has hinted that the operation was intended to better position it in the event of peace talks amid some calls for more intense efforts to end the war. On September 16, Kursk regional Governor Aleksei Smirnov ordered residents in two districts -- Ryisky and Khomutovsky -- to evacuate settlements within 15 kilometers of the Ukrainian border. Nearly 31 months into the full-scale invasion with Russian regular and mobilization forces reporting gains in eastern Ukraine and international debate mounting to better equip Ukrainian forces and lift restrictions on Kyiv's long-range attacks on Russian territory, Putin on September 16 reportedly ordered an increase in troop numbers in the Russian military by 180,000 individuals, to a total of 1.5 million soldiers. Ukraine's General Staff, in its late briefing on September 16, said fierce fighting was continuing in the Kursk region. Earlier on September 16, Ukraine's air force said it shot down 53 of 56 Russian drones it detected overnight that were targeting a handful of regions and said the "main direction" of a "massive" overnight bombardment was Kyiv that was the eighth attack on the capital this month. Kyiv's regional military administration head, Ruslan Kravchenko, said one woman was hospitalized after being injured by fragments of a downed drone. City military administration chief Serhiy Popko said Kyiv had been under attack for more than three hours overnight as air defenses shot down "almost two dozen enemy UAVs...around the capital." Farther east, Ukrainian officials said the body of a woman was found under rubble late on September 15 at the scene of a Russian air strike on the northeastern city of Kharkiv. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said before dawn on September 16 that rescue operations were ongoing at the scene in Kharkiv of the bombardment by at least four missiles or other explosives, which struck a multistory residential building. He said the latest information suggested 35 people were injured, including three children. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov has said that 42 people were injured. Ukraine's General Staff also said Russian forces were continuing their offensive operations in eastern Ukraine, pointing to the area around Kurakhove in the Donbas region and around Pokrovsk, which has been under assault for the past several weeks. "There have been more than a hundred battles since the beginning of the day. Most of them are in the Kurakhove direction, Pokrovsk," it said. In Russia, officials said eight residents of the southern Belgorod region that borders Ukraine were injured by shelling and drone attacks by Ukrainian forces. Belgorod regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov also said a gas pipeline was damaged during the shelling, which he said affected at least 10 settlements over the past 24 hours. RFE/RL cannot independently corroborate claims of battlefield developments by either side in areas of the heaviest fighting. Russia has bombarded Ukraine with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), rockets, and various kinds of missiles for much of the 36-month-old full-scale invasion. Many of the most recent attacks have targeted power and other infrastructure, but bombs have frequently also struck hospitals, schools, and residential buildings, despite Moscow's assertion that it is not targeting civilians. The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said on September 15 that Russia is seeking "to achieve a decisive victory in Ukraine by 2026 before likely medium- to long-term economic and force generation constraints begin to significantly degrade Russia's ability to sustain its war effort in Ukraine." It also said that, amid "growing challenges" in production and procurement of military equipment and munitions, "the Kremlin will likely become increasingly reliant on foreign partners to meet its materiel needs." Zelenskiy recently urged the United States and other allies to "promptly implement" agreements on weapons and other supplies to help fight the invasion, underscoring Western debates on the extent and current restrictions on military aid to Kyiv. Zelenskiy told CNN that he expects to present Joe Biden with a four-point plan to win the war when he meets with the U.S. president later this month. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on September 10 expressed hope for a second major peace summit to build on a similar gathering in Switzerland three months ago aimed at ending the war. Meanwhile, Ukraine's allies are seemingly growing more receptive to loosening restrictions on the use of long-range weapons to allow Kyiv to hit targets deep inside Russia. NATO, of which Ukraine is not a member, is also facing growing calls to do more to fend off Russian missiles and drone strikes, some of which have violated NATO members' airspace. Jens Stoltenberg, the outgoing NATO chief, on September 16 said any decisions on the use of such weapons are "for individual allies to make." "Allies have different policies on this," he told London radio. Asked about threats by Putin of retaliation, the NATO chief said there were "no risk-free options in the war." "But I continue to believe that the biggest risk for us, for United Kingdom, for NATO, will be if President Putin wins in Ukraine," he added. With reporting by Reuters and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-war-kyiv- drones-attack-russia/33121493.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 AFU attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region (16 September 2024) 16.09.2024 The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are repelling an attack of the Armed Forces of Ukraine against the territory of the Russian Federation. In the course of offensive operations, units of the Sever Group of Forces liberated Uspenovka and Borki. Losses were inflicted on formations of the 22nd, 41st, 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 82nd Air Assault Brigade of the AFU, 1st National Guard Brigade, 112th and 129th territorial defence brigades near Lyubimovka, Novoivanovka, Daryino, Nikolo-Daryino, Tolsty Lug, Plekhovo, and Pokrovsky. Over the past 24 hours, units of the Sever Group of Forces repelled five enemy counter-attacks in the direction of Byakhovo, Bolshaya Obukhovka, Viktorovka, Lyubimovka, and Malaya Loknya. As a result, the AFU losses amounted to up to 40 troops killed and wounded; four armoured fighting vehicles were destroyed. Over the past 24 hours, with the support of Army Aviation and artillery fire, three attempts of the enemy to break through the border of the Russian Federation in the direction of Krasnooktyabrsky, Vesyoloye, and Medvezhye were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 50 troops killed and wounded; one tank and three armoured fighting vehicles were destroyed. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue reconnaissance and search operations in forestry areas to locate and eliminate enemy sabotage groups attempting to get to the depth of the Russian territory. Air strikes, artillery fire, and actions of the troops inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware clusters of the 22nd, 42nd, 61st, 115th mechanised brigades, 80th, 82nd, 95th air assault brigades, 112th and 129th territorial defence brigades near Bogdanovka, Guyevo, Daryino, Zeleny Shlyakh, Kruglenkoye, Malaya Loknya, Martynovka, Nikolo-Daryino, Novaya Sorochina, Novoivanovka, Pravda, Russkoye Porechnoye, and Yuzhny. Operational-Tactical Aviation and Missile Troops delivered strikes at concentration areas and reserves in Sumy region of the 22nd, 41st, 115th mechanised brigades, 82nd Air Assault Brigade, 92nd Assault Brigade of the AFU, 1st National Guard Brigade, 1004th Security and Service Brigade, 101st and 103rd territorial defence brigades near Bondaryovshchina, Belovody, Iskriskovshchina, Mazevka, Novaya Sloboda, Obody, Rechki, Rudnevo, Ryzhovka, Pavlovka, Khoten, Esman, and Yunakovka. Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to more than 350 troops and 13 units of armoured hardware, including two tanks and 11 armoured fighting vehicles, as well as two artillery guns, three mortars, two MLRS launchers, including one U.S.-made M270 MLRS launcher, and eight motor vehicles. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have lost more than 13,800 troops, 115 tanks, 44 infantry fighting vehicles, 91 armoured personnel carriers, 729 armoured fighting vehicles, 439 motor vehicles, 98 artillery guns, 28 MLRS launchers, including seven of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, eight SAM launchers, two transport-loading vehicles, 26 electronic warfare stations and seven counter-battery radars, two air defence radars, 13 engineering vehicles, including seven 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 The Second Preparatory Meeting on the Creation of an International Compensation Mechanism Was Held in The Hague President of Ukraine 16 September 2024 - 10:41 Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Iryna Mudra, led Ukraine's delegation in The Hague at the second preparatory meeting on the international instrument for creating a claims commission for Ukraine. Representatives from 57 delegations from all continents, the EU, and the Council of Europe participated in the second meeting. They confirmed their agreement on the key principles of the future commission's work and conducted the first reading of the draft of this instrument. They also agreed on a plan for formal negotiations, which are expected to be completed next year with the signing of the agreement on establishing the relevant commission. In addition, Deputy Head of the Office of the President, Iryna Mudra, visited the International Criminal Court, where she had meetings with Registrar of the ICC Osvaldo Zavala Giler, Trust Fund for Victims Executive Director Deborah Ruiz Verduzco and Head of the Ukraine Unified Team Brenda J. Hollis. Iryna Mudra and the representatives of the ICC discussed Ukraine's ratification of the Rome Statute, participation in the upcoming Assembly of State Parties, cooperation with the Trust Fund for Victims and further steps to ensure accountability for international crimes, provide justice and support for victims of these crimes and increase cooperation between Ukraine and the ICC, as well as our state's efforts towards accountability for the crime of aggression. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia says it reclaimed control of two Kursk villages By VOA News September 16, 2024 Russia's military said Monday it reclaimed control of two villages in the western region of Kursk, as part of an offensive to push back an incursion by Ukrainian troops that began in early August. Russia said it retook Uspenovka and Borki, days after saying it took back control of 10 other villages. The situation in the area is difficult to independently verify. Kursk Governor Alexei Smirnov announced Monday the evacuation of villages in the Rylsky and Khomutovsky districts, which are located about 40 kilometers north of Uspenovka. The announcement, on Telegram, gave few specifics about the reason for the order other than saying it was to ensure security. Also Monday, Ukraine called on the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to send teams to areas of Kursk under Ukrainian control to evaluate the situation there. Russia quickly responded by calling Ukraine's action a "provocation." U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said later in New York that the U.N. is "ready to do it," but that it would need authorization from Russia to make such a visit. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered his military to expand its number of troops by 180,000, bringing the total to 1.5 million. Putin last called for a troop increase last December. Ukrainian officials reported Monday on the latest extensive Russian drone attack targeting Kyiv, saying the assault was the eighth against Ukraine's capital this month. Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said on Telegram that Ukrainian air defenses shot down nearly two dozen drones over Kyiv, but that there were no reports of damage or casualties. Across the country, Ukraine's military said Monday it shot down 53 of 56 Russian drones that attacked multiple regions. In addition to Kyiv, intercepts took place over the Cherkasy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Sumy, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, the Ukrainian air force said. The aerial attacks came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on allies to provide weapons systems and permission to use weapons in long-range strikes against targets inside Russia. Zelenskyy said in his nightly address Sunday that allowing long-range strikes would enable Ukraine's military to "destroy Russian aircraft at their bases." He said Ukraine expects decisions on the matter from the United States, France, Germany and Italy. Ukraine's military carried out its latest attacks Monday on regions along the Russia Ukraine border. Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of Belgorod, said Ukrainian shelling hit a house and several cars, injuring at least eight people. In Bryansk, officials said Russian air defenses shot down five Ukrainian drones. No casualties or damage were reported. Some information for this story was provided by Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine says Russian drone attack targeted energy sites in Sumy By VOA News September 17, 2024 A Ukrainian Navy missile strike demolished Russian ammunition depots near the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol, according to a statement on Tuesday from the Ukrainian navy. The statement said that its strike destroyed not only the tons of ammunition that the Russians had stockpiled but also the infrastructure containing the ammunition. The claims could not be independently verified immediately. Mariupol was the scene of a four-month seize by Russian forces at the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. An estimated 25,000 people were killed in the siege and the city was left in ruins. Meanwhile, Russia said it captured another town in the eastern Donetsk region, Ukrainsk, the Russian state-owned RIA news agency and pro-Russian bloggers reported. One of the bloggers said the town has been taken almost intact. Neither the Russian nor the Ukrainian defense ministries commented on the claim. Earlier, Russian drone attacks overnight targeted energy facilities in northeastern Ukraine, officials said Tuesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his daily address Tuesday that repair crews have been dispatched to the region. The attacks knocked out power in the Sumy region, where officials said Ukrainian air defenses shot down 16 of the drones. The assault on Sumy was part of a wider drone attack, during which Ukraine's military said it shot down a total of 34 of 51 Russian drones. Intercepts also took place over the Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv and Poltava regions. Russia's Defense Ministry said Tuesday it shot down 15 Ukrainian drones over the Bryansk region, where authorities reported no damage or casualties. Another Ukrainian drone targeted Russia's Kursk region. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Tuesday that Russia is boosting the size of its army due to "threats" along the country's borders. "It is caused by the extremely hostile environment on our western borders and instability on our eastern borders. This demands appropriate measures to be taken," Peskov said. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered his military to expand its number of troops by 180,000, bringing the total to 1.5 million. Putin last called for a troop increase in December. The move comes as Russian forces try to push out Ukrainian forces who moved into Russia's Kursk region in early August. Russia's military said Monday it reclaimed control of two villages in Kursk, Uspenovka and Borki. Kursk Governor Alexei Smirnov announced Monday the evacuation of villages in the Rylsky and Khomutovsky districts, which are located about 40 kilometers north of Uspenovka. The announcement, on Telegram, gave few specifics about the reason for the order other than saying it was to ensure security. Also Monday, Ukraine called on the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to send teams to areas of Kursk under Ukrainian control to evaluate the situation there. Russia quickly responded by calling Ukraine's action a "provocation." U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said later in New York that the U.N. is "ready to do it," but that it would need authorization from Russia to make such a visit. Some information for this story was provided by Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEW YORK, Sept. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm, is investigating potential claims against Doximity, Inc. (NYSE: DOCS) on behalf of long-term stockholders following a class action complaint that was filed against Doximity on April 17, 2024 with a Class Period from February 9, 2022, to April 1, 2024. Our investigation concerns whether the board of directors of Doximity have breached their fiduciary duties to the company. Doximity operates a digital platform that provides connections between, medical information to, and patient scheduling tools for medical professionals. The Class Period begins on February 9, 2022, when Doximity released its quarterly financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2022, after the market closed the night prior. During the accompanying quarterly investor earnings call afterhours on February 8, 2022, Defendant Anna Bryson, the Companys Chief Financial Officer, emphasized that marketers have been able to witness the value of running these digital programs and that it was this value thats the main reason were seeing this sustained demand from our customers and not new [COVID] variants. To this end, Defendant Bryson further assured investors that the Company was focused on . . . really building a business that can provide years of sustainable growth with high margins. The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants continued to tout the sustainability of the Companys business prospects while also downplaying the importance of customer upsell rates on the Companys financial performance. For example, during the Companys second quarter fiscal year 2023 investor earnings call on November 10, 2022, Defendant Jeffrey Tangney, the Companys Chief Executive Officer, reassured investors that pharmas doing quite well amid investor concerns that macroeconomic headwinds would substantially impact Doximity financial performance. Defendant Bryson similarly emphasized that the Companys sales pipeline has bigger dollar deals than weve seen before and, to alleviate investor concerns, explained that, while Doximitys upsell rates were a little below historical norms, customer upsells are not a significant portion of our revenue. Similarly, in February 2023, Defendant Bryson specifically noted that Doximity is less dependent on major upsell than prior years, and in May 2023, Defendant Bryson indicated that the Company was being conservative with its financial guidance to the market by assuming upsell rates of half of our historical [upsell] rate. The complaint further alleges that notwithstanding Defendants claims regarding the sustainability of Doximitys growth and profitability, investors began to learn the truth on August 8, 2023, when, after the market closed, Doximity reported its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, which ended June 30, 2023. While the Company exceeded its quarterly revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance for the first quarter, the Company provided disappointing guidance for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 and slashed its guidance for the full fiscal year 2024. Specifically, Doximity announced that it expected fiscal year 2024 revenue of between $452 million and $468 million (down from prior guidance of between $500 million and $506 million, and representing year-over-year revenue growth of only between 7.9% and 11.7%), and adjusted EBITDA of between $193 million and $209 million (down from prior guidance of between $216 million and $222 million, and representing year-over-year adjusted EBITDA growth of only between 4.9% and 13.6%). In conjunction with the disappointing guidance, Doximity announced that it would reduce its workforce by approximately 10%. The Company further noted that the workforce reduction is expected to cost approximately $8 million to $10 million. In explaining this about-face, Defendant Bryson admitted that the Companys major upsells have materially underperformed, and we expect this to continue in the near term. Defendant Tangney further explained that Doximity failed to close sales due, in part, to fewer face-to-face meetings with our clients. On this news, the price of Doximity common stock declined $7.49 per share, or nearly 23%, from a close of $32.79 per share on August 8, 2023, to close at $25.30 per share on August 9, 2023. Investors learned more about the unsustainability of the Companys revenue growth on April 1, 2024, when Jehoshaphat Research published a report alleging, among other things, that Doximitys underlying sales . . . are declining at a negative -3-6% rate, but that this decline has been masked through accelerated revenue recognition. On this news, the price of Doximity common stock declined $1.11 per share, or more than 4% over two trading-days, from a close of $26.91 per share on March 28, 2024, to close at $25.80 per share on April 2, 2024. The Complaint further alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts, about the Companys business and operations. Specifically, Defendants repeatedly touted the Companys business prospects and the sustainability of the Companys revenue growth and profitability, while downplaying the impact of competition and tightening macroeconomic conditions on the Company and Doximitys reliance on upselling products and services (such as additional advertising) to existing customers to sustain the Companys performance and future growth. If you are a long-term stockholder of Doximity, have information, would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Brandon Walker or Marion Passmore by email at investigations@bespc.com, by telephone at (212) 355-4648, or by filling out this contact form. There is no cost or obligation to you. About Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.: Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in New York and California. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in commercial, securities, derivative, and other complex litigation in state and federal courts across the country. For more information about the firm, please visit www.bespc.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Contact Information: VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westhaven Gold Corp. (TSX-V:WHN) announces that it has been made aware that its Chief Financial Officer, Shaun Pollard, has been charged with two counts of contraventions of the Securities Act (British Columbia) stemming from alleged misconduct in September 2018. The charges are not yet proven in a court of law nor has Mr. Pollard made any admissions of guilt. No allegations have made against the Company and the Company is not aware of any charges pending against any of its directors or other officers. Effective immediately, the Company has suspended Mr. Pollard from his duties as Chief Financial Officer pending the outcome of the charges. The board of directors has appointed Zara Boldt, a respected Canadian mining finance leader with +20 years expertise in public company finance, governance, and strategic business development, to act as the Companys interim Chief Financial Officer. The Company will provide further updates as more information becomes available. On behalf of the Board of Directors WESTHAVEN GOLD CORP. "Gareth Thomas Gareth Thomas, President, CEO & Director 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. About Westhaven Gold Corp. Westhaven is a gold-focused exploration company advancing the high-grade discovery on the Shovelnose project in Canadas newest gold district, the Spences Bridge Gold Belt. Westhaven controls ~60,950 hectares (~609.5 square kilometres) with four gold properties spread along this underexplored belt. The Shovelnose property is situated off a major highway, near power, rail, large producing mines, and within commuting distance from the city of Merritt, which translates into low-cost exploration. Westhaven trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol WHN. For further information, please call 604-681-5558 or visit Westhavens website at www.westhavengold.com Stuttgart, Germany, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a pioneering move that could reshape sustainable agriculture, the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and AI firm Marple have unveiled the results of their revolutionary Satellite Cotton Monitoring Project in India, demonstrating a 97% accuracy rate in detecting cotton fields and over 80% accuracy in determining their organic status. Addressing critical challenges in the industry, this innovative project aims to increase organic cotton availability and secure fibre integrity, building on GOTS's existing robust measures. Global Standard is a trailblazer, solution provider and thought leader in the voluntary sustainability standards space, and the Satellite Cotton Monitoring Project continues this tradition of innovation and creative thinking. How it Works Co-financed by Global Standard, the non-profit behind GOTS, and the European Space Agencys (ESA) Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) programme, the project leverages the Cotton Cultivation Remote Assessment (CoCuRA) software developed by Marple. Field teams visited over 6,000 fields in India, across the states of Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, collecting data on crops, soil types and cultivation status. This data was then used by Marple to refine the CoCuRA algorithm for cotton specifics in India. Once the algorithm was trained, it was applied to the entire agricultural area of India, covering a staggering 2.7 million square kilometres. Within seconds, CoCuRA detected all organic and conventional cotton fields with remarkable accuracy. A project of this magnitude is only possible with CoCuRA with no other comparable project or data in existence. Enhancing Organic Cotton Availability The technology's ability to pinpoint cotton fields where farmers use near-organic or uncertified organic methods can ensure a steady increase in certified organic cotton by facilitating their certification process. Jeffrey Thimm, organic production specialist at Global Standard, said, "This technology identifies farmers who use sustainable methods that meet organic standards but lack certification. By integrating these farms into conversion projects, it boosts organic cotton supply, promotes sustainable farming practices and enables farmers to access premiums on their supplies." Securing Organic Fibre Integrity Building on GOTS's robust integrity measures, the CoCuRA software integrates AI technology with satellite data to verify cultivation practices meticulously. The data collected also contributes to Global Standards Global Fibre Registry, consolidating comprehensive data on raw material production before entering the GOTS value chain, further adding to fraud detection and prevention. Sustainability in Textiles Global Standard is recognised for its comprehensive approach to sustainability. From promoting human rights along the value chain to banning harmful chemicals in certified textiles, GOTS sets a benchmark for integrity and sustainability. In addition, GOTS certification is a powerful tool that helps companies comply with legal requirements globally. "For over 20 years, we have been pioneering solutions to help the industry on its journey towards sustainability, said Claudia Kersten, managing director of Global Standard. This project is a game changer, combining satellite technology with AI to meet the growing demand for genuine organic cotton. In addition, this eye in the sky will prevent fraud by allowing us to crosscheck locations and field sizes in a very cost-efficient way. It's a win-win-win situation: farmers have an incentive to grow organic and improve their lives, the industry can secure its supply and meet its sustainability goals, and consumers have a greater choice of organic textiles." Future Prospects and Global Impact Following the successful pilot in India, the project aims to expand globally. Daniel Lanz, managing partner at Marple, said, "India faces unique challenges in the satellite-based detection of agricultural fields. Firstly, the country is extremely large and spans several climate zones. Secondly, field sizes are very small, and thirdly, field boundaries are often indistinguishable, with one field merging into the next. Despite these challenges, CoCuRA has achieved astonishing accuracy in detecting cotton fields and assessing their cultivation methods. This breakthrough provides a pioneering overview of cotton production in India that would be impossible to achieve on the ground. CoCuRA will help protect the integrity of organic farmers and may facilitate more smallholders transitioning to organic farming by simplifying the certification process." Guillaume Tuan Prigent, a business developer and partnership officer in ESAs Applications Projects and Studies Division said, The potential impact of the solution lies in its ability to be scaled and this is exactly what we are working on. We are looking to deliver a solution that could have a global impact for the benefit of all. Global Standard is eager to see this technology extend to other regions and additional fibres, which could revolutionise how crops are monitored. Watch a short video about the project and find a media kit with images and videos here. ### About Global Organic Textile Standard GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), managed by non-profit Global Standard, is the world's leading standard for organic textile certification. It sets strict environmental and social criteria for the entire textile value chain, from the harvesting of raw materials to the finished product. GOTS certification ensures the integrity of finished organic textiles and provides comprehensive solutions for the industry and assurance to consumers worldwide. For more information, visit www.global-standard.org. About Marple Marple, a German startup established in 2021, specializes in developing advanced machine learning models for earth observation. Their projects encompass a wide spectrum of applications, including automated detection of cars and delivery traffic, pinpointing the warmest spots in cities, and identifying areas experiencing water stress. Request more info on Marples projects at www.marple.info. About ESA Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) ESA Business Applications Space Solutions is the go-to place for great business ideas involving space in all areas of society and economy. Our mission is to support entrepreneurs in Europe in the development of business using satellite applications and space technology to improve everyday life, delivering environmental and societal benefits. To find out how ESA BASS can help your business please visit business.esa.int . Attachments Svitzer has contracted Uzmar shipyard to build a first of its kind battery-methanol tug for delivery in H2 2025. The 6MWh battery-powered tug will be deployed in Gothenburg and provide zero-emission services across a quarter of Svitzers operations in the port. Copenhagen, 17 September 2024: Svitzer, a leading global towage provider, has today announced that it has signed a contract with the Turkish shipyard Uzmar to build a world-first battery-methanol tug. The tug will be based on Svitzers innovative TRAnsverse tug design and feature a 6MWh battery supported by dual fuel methanol engines for back-up and range extension. The escort duty tug is expected to conduct more than 90% of its operations using its battery-electric powertrain and conduct up to 25% of Svitzers work in the port of Gothenburg. Svitzers innovative TRAnsverse tug design will allow the battery-powered tug to operate more efficiently than internal combustion engine powered tugs of a traditional design. Designed in collaboration with naval architect, Robert Allan Ltd, the tug will feature an overall length of 34.9 meters, providing substantial stability and capacity. It will deliver an impressive bollard pull ahead of 85 tonnes and utilise escort steering and braking forces rated at 150 and 200 tonnes, respectively, measured at 10 knots. With a gross tonnage of approximately 806 tonnes and powered by a 6MWh battery system, the tug will be capable of achieving speeds of up to 14 knots. Continuing developments in alternative power technologies convinced Svitzer that the combination of battery power and methanol engines can ensure both safe, efficient and reliable operations in a location with the right availability of these two power sources. With an aim to become the worlds most sustainable port, the Port of Gothenburg was considered the perfect location for the new tug. The port is making significant investments to provide the necessary shore power charging options, and methanol is already being bunkered at the port. As such, Gothenburg has all the ingredients for safe and stable operation of the tug for many years to come. Kasper Nilaus, CEO of Svitzer, said: Applications for battery solutions are constantly expanding, and we see it becoming an important power option in the sustainability transition. This battery tug will bring a new dynamic to our operations. There will not be a one-size-fits-all solution for us to meet our ambitious decarbonisation targets, and equipped with this new power technology we have yet another option for how to significantly reduce emissions across the many global ports and terminals we operate in. In this way, we continue to develop our strategies for fleet-wide decarbonisation while constantly ensuring sustainable, safe and reliable marine services to Svitzer customers. Gareth Prowse, Head of Decarbonisation at Svitzer, commented on the contract: The launch of a first-of-its-kind newbuild project with our partners at Uzmar Shipyard is a significant milestone for our decarbonisation ambitions. We are proud of the work we have done with our technology suppliers and engineering consultants to develop the tug to this point. The battery electric tug will mean we can deliver our services to customers in the Port of Gothenburg with significantly lower carbon emissions, and still to the highest operational and safety standards. A. Noyan Altug, CEO of Uzmar, commented: Our close working partnership with Svitzer on planning and developing this newbuild project will see our shipyard deliver one of the most advanced tugs in the global fleet using new technologies and specifications. At Uzmar, we recognise the importance of reducing carbon emissions in the maritime sector, and we are fully aligned with Svitzers ambitious decarbonisation strategy. This project represents a significant step forward in that journey. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices, we are not just building a tug; we are helping to shape the future of green maritime operations. For Svitzer, our expert team will continue to deliver sustainable building excellence. ENDS Notes to editors About Svitzer Svitzer is a leading, global towage and marine services provider. The core business is to assist large seaborne vessels in manoeuvring in and out of ports and terminals to berth and unberth. With more than 450 vessels, Svitzers services play a crucial role as part of critical port infrastructure. Svitzer was founded in 1833 and serves approximately 2,000 customers in more than 140 ports and 40 terminals across 37 countries. Read more on www.svitzer.com . For further information, please contact: Nick Orsmond BLUE Communications T: +44 77 825 55456 E: nick.orsmond@blue-comms.com Anders Crillesen Global Head of Communications, Svitzer E: anders.crillesen@svitzer.com Attachments MADRID, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN) today announced the launch of the firms Cybersecurity practice in Spain with the appointment of Oliver Gower as a Senior Managing Director. Mr. Gower joins FTI Consulting from Banco Santander, where he was Head of the Global Cyber Emergency Response Team, following earlier roles at the bank as Global Head of Cyber Investigations and Forensics and Global Head of Public-Private Partnerships. Whilst at Banco Santander, he built the first global response capability for cybersecurity, overseeing incident response, complex investigations, forensics, insider threat and cyber intelligence activities worldwide. In his role at FTI Consulting, Mr. Gower will support the development of the firms Cybersecurity practice in Spain and advise organisations and government bodies on a variety of cybersecurity issues, including incident response, regulatory compliance, investigations and the development of operational resilience strategies. The launch of our Cybersecurity practice in Spain reflects our ongoing investment in this strategic area, said Anthony J. Ferrante, Global Head of Cybersecurity at FTI Consulting. We are known for fielding expert teams with the strategic, intelligence and investigative experience to tackle the most critical cyber threats, and Ollie is the embodiment of this. His extensive expertise and intelligence insights will be a valuable asset to clients as we execute on our growth strategy in the Spanish market. With a background as a senior cybersecurity leader in UK intelligence and law enforcement agencies, Mr. Gower brings a wealth of cybersecurity expertise to FTI Consulting. He previously held several senior positions at the UKs National Crime Agency, including Deputy Director for Cyber, Head of the National Cyber Crime Unit and Head of Cyber Strategy, Intelligence and Prevention. Mr. Gower was instrumental in advising government ministers to shape the UKs strategic response to cybercrime. He collaborated with a variety of global agencies and law enforcement bodies to lead the national response to serious cyber threats at an operational level. He also implemented an investment programme that transformed cyber capacity and skills in policing and served as Chair of Europols EU Cyber Crime Taskforce. Earlier in his career, Mr. Gower worked at the UKs Home Office, leading the design and build of the first ever National Cyber Crime Unit. David Dunn, Head of EMEA Cybersecurity at FTI Consulting, said, Ollies arrival enables us to seamlessly extend our cybersecurity offering to clients in the Spanish market. He brings an impressive depth of expertise to the firm that will also help to solidify our market-leading reputation for cybersecurity resilience and response solutions globally. Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Gower said, Cybersecurity is a top priority for governments and organisations that face an increasingly complex threat landscape. I have dedicated my career to detecting and disrupting those threats, and I am excited to be part of FTI Consultings impressive global platform to continue this work and contribute to its growth journey in Spain. About FTI Consulting FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organisations manage change, mitigate risk and resolve disputes: financial, legal, operational, political & regulatory, reputational and transactional. With more than 8,000 employees located in 33 countries and territories, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges and make the most of opportunities. The Company generated $3.49 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2023. In certain jurisdictions, FTI Consultings services are provided through distinct legal entities that are separately capitalised and independently managed. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com. FTI Consulting, Inc. 200 Aldersgate Aldersgate Street London, EC1A 4HD Investor Contact: Mollie Hawkes +1.617.747.1791 mollie.hawkes@fticonsulting.com Media Contact: Helen Obi +44 20 7632 5071 helen.obi@fticonsulting.com TORONTO, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CANGURHU, a trailblazing new venture in the culinary industry, is poised to transform how people experience home-cooked meals. Founded by a passionate group of food enthusiasts and technology innovators, Cangurhu offers a unique platform that connects talented home cooks with hungry customers seeking delicious, homemade food as an alternative to expensive restaurant meals while getting unmatched originality, quality, and taste. Bringing Shared Economy Opportunities to Every Home Kitchen across the Globe The concept behind Cangurhu is simple yet innovative. Anyone with a home kitchen can cook from his home and sell to his neighbours. The platform serves as a bridge, connecting ordinary neighbours with unique cooking skills to individuals who crave wholesome, personalized meals prepared with passion and care at a very affordable price. This is an economic opportunity for anyone to generate extra income from his / her home kitchen. said Moses Ekra, the visionary behind the venture. Anyone can be either role: Cook, Courier, or Customer, all within one App. In the community, anyone registering as a Courier can deliver his neighbours' food by car, motorbike, bicycle, electric scooter, or even by foot. Customers can browse a wide variety of classic, regional, or ethnic cuisines and dishes, ranging from traditional family recipes to international delights, at affordable prices, all cooked from home kitchens. "We are thrilled to launch Cangurhu and provide a platform that showcases the incredible talent of home cooks," said the Founder and CEO. "Our goal is to not only offer customers delicious and personalized meals but also to empower ordinary neighbours who have kitchens at home, recognizing their skill and providing them with a means to share their passion with the world." Artificial Intelligence Assists in Ensuring Food Safety Cangurhu has implemented rigorous screening procedures and hygiene standards to ensure the highest quality and food safety. Cangurhu uses Google-powered vision Artificial Intelligence for the cook's hygiene vetting process and kitchen premises' cleanliness to guarantee compliance with Food Safety rules and regulations. "All our cooks are food safety certified," adds the Executive from Cangurhu, emphasizing that "Food hygiene is central to our business model. Compliance with food safety regulations of the countries we operate in is at the core of our service". Cangurhu's AI-engine has been trained using diverse food safety standards and regulations from Canada, US, UK, EU, Australia, and New Zealand. The Cangurhu platform is designed with flexibility for global scalability and localization to various countries, with the same rigorous approach to food safety. Cangurhu has debuted its services in Ontario, Canada, and has plans to expand its operations throughout Canada in the coming months. About Cangurhu Canada Ltd: Toronto-based Cangurhu is a food technology startup connecting neighborhoods home cooks with food customers by leveraging technology and fostering a sense of community. Cangurhu has been selected for innovative technology startup under the Google Inc / SADA Incubator program. For more information, check us out at https://cangurhu.com . Contacts: Moses Anoh Ekra CEO Cangurhu Canada Ltd Email: corporate@cangurhu.com Phone: +1 813 544 6214 https://cangurhu.com Video Link: https://youtu.be/DmKGbmfbLT0 A video accompanying this release is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d7e68d18-c6ad-46b9-ba21-9d84bfc56ea2 NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Notified, a globally trusted technology partner for investor relations and public relations professionals, is pleased to welcome Miranda Smith as Vice President, EMEA & Emerging Markets. In her new role, Smith will lead sales operations, spearheading growth and accelerating Notifieds expansion in these regions. For more than 20 years, Notified has operated regulatory filing services in 16 markets across Europe, with offices in France, Germany, Lithuania, Sweden and the UK, as well as presence in Italy, Netherlands and Denmark. It continues to expand its offerings with enhanced regulatory compliance, increased media exposure and heightened brand visibility for organizations distributing news across Europe with GlobeNewswire press release distribution. Miranda's leadership track record and talent for building high-performing teams make her the ideal fit for expanding our EMEA footprint, said Daniel Lotzof, Chief Revenue Officer at Notified. Her expertise and strategic insight will be pivotal in elevating our sales approach and furthering our growth ambitions. Smith brings more than 18 years of experience in commercial leadership roles within public relations and marketing. She most recently served as interim Chief Sales Officer at Onclusive, where she led transformative initiatives. Her background includes a decade in the Middle East, with executive positions at Acumen Media Intelligence, Carma, IT Governance and YouGov MENA. About Notified We are Notified, and your story goes here. It starts with GlobeNewswire, which for more than 30 years has been the globally trusted press release distribution and regulatory filing service to leading organizations. From there, gain deeper audience insights with our world-class media and social monitoring tools, and elevate shareholder confidence with our award-winning investor relations solutions, so that youthe modern PR, IR and marketing proare well-equipped to engage, educate and excite your audience. Notified is a part of West Technology Group, LLC controlled by affiliates of certain funds managed by Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE: APO). Media Contact Caroline Smith Caroline.smith@icrinc.com A photo accompany this release is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/529bc58e-013f-477f-b34b-bd0628c927e4 This press release was published by a CLEAR Verified individual. Paris, France September 17, 2024 Eviden, the Atos Group business leading in advanced computing today announces it has been awarded a 4-year multi-million euro contract to boost the performance of the Berzelius supercomputer at the Linkoping University (Sweden) for the second time. By integrating and deploying further NVIDIA- technologies into the supercomputer, the Eviden team will add an extra 512 PetaFlops of FP8 AI performance to the Berzelius. The increasing demand for computational power to support advanced AI calculations has reached unprecedented levels. To address this, the Berzelius supercomputera critical national infrastructure resource available to all researchers across Swedenplays a pivotal role in meeting these growing needs. This unique computational power has enabled significant advancements in various research areas, which now include material science, medical imaging, and visual perception. The Berzelius supercomputer will benefit from the addition of 16 NVIDIA DGX H200 systems, with 128 NVIDIA H200 Tensor Core GPUs to the NVIDIA DGX SuperPODTM, bringing its entire architecture up to 110 nodes and 880 GPUs for efficient accelerated computing. Additionally, the Eviden team will integrate the VAST Data Platform, to take advantage of VAST's NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD-certified enterprise NAS offering to help the Berzelius capabilities achieve higher sustainability, greater performance, and highly efficient data management. The national AI supercomputer Berzelius, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and installed at the Linkoping University, has already enabled breakthroughs in a number of disciplines. For example, the system has been used to train the large-scale Swedish language model GPT-SW3, accelerated research on protein folding, trained new systems for computer vision, and generated synthetic medical images for the training of doctors. Dr. Cedric Bourrasset, Head of HPC-AI and Quantum Computing, Eviden, Atos Group said We are honored by this new mark of trust from the Linkoping University, which relies once again on our teams to deliver a performance boost. Berzelius has been a key system in Europe to boost AI research since 2020 and this new upgrade will allow researchers to benefit from an expanded GPU architecture, helping to widen the possibilities of scientific breakthroughs. Prof. Anders Ynnerman, WASP1 Program Director, Professor of Scientific Visualization, Linkoping University said In the fast-moving area of AI it is crucial for researchers to have access to state-of-the-art resources for machine learning integrated in the national infrastructure for supercomputing. I am very impressed by the speed at which this upgrade of Berzelius has materialized and am looking forward to research results it will enable. *** About Eviden2 Eviden is a next-gen technology leader in data-driven, trusted and sustainable digital transformation with a strong portfolio of patented technologies. With worldwide leading positions in advanced computing, security, AI, cloud and digital platforms, it provides deep expertise for all industries in more than 47 countries. Bringing together 47,000 world-class talents, Eviden expands the possibilities of data and technology across the digital continuum, now and for generations to come. Eviden is an Atos Group company with an annual revenue of c. 5 billion. About Atos Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with c. 92,000 employees and annual revenue of c. 10 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 69 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea), and listed on Euronext Paris. The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space. About Linkoping University We all want to create a better world. At Linkoping University, LiU, we use boundary-breaking research and innovative education to get there. To solve the challenges of the day, we are in continuous and close contact with industry and society. International rankings show that LiU is among the worlds top universities. Our students are sought after in the labour market, and we are one of the most attractive employers in Sweden. We believe that all this stems from our courage to think freely and innovate in contexts large and small. LiU continues to give generations of curious individuals the opportunity to grow and contribute to a better world. We do this with the power of 40,400 students and 4,500 co-workers. Press contact Constance Arnoux constance.arnoux@eviden.com +33 6 44 12 16 35 Anders Ryttarson Torneholm anders.torneholm@liu.se - +49 13 28 68 39 1 Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program 2 Eviden business is operated through the following brands: AppCentrica, ATHEA, Cloudamize, Cloudreach, Cryptovision, DataSentics, Edifixio, Energy4U, Engage ESM, Evidian, Forensik, IDEAL GRP, In Fidem, Ipsotek, Maven Wave, Profit4SF, SEC Consult, Visual BI, Worldgrid, X-Perion. Eviden is a registered trademark. Eviden is a registered trademark. Eviden SAS, 2024. Attachments At the Extraordinary General Meeting of Jyske Bank A/S held today, the motions set out in the agenda were finally adopted. The candidates proposed by the Supervisory Board for new election to the Supervisory Board, CEO Lisbeth Holm, Vejle, and Consultant and Professional Board Member, Glenn Soderholm, Vejbystrand (Sweden) were both elected. In addition, the motion under item b of the agenda concerning the authorisation of the general meeting to the Supervisory Board to make such amendments as may be required by the Danish Business Authority was adopted. The Danish Business Authority is subsequently requested to register the adopted motions. Yours faithfully, Jyske Bank Contact person: CFO, Birger Krgh Nielsen, phone +45 89 89 64 44. Attachment Dublin, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Electrotherapy System Market, By Technology, By Therapy, By Application, By End User, Country Wise Market Analysis, Key Company Profiles, Trends and Recent Developments - Forecast to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global electrotherapy system market was valued at US$ 1.15 billion in 2023, and the market is poised to reach US$ 1.65 billion by 2030 Continuous technological advancements have led to the development of more sophisticated and user-friendly electrotherapy devices. These innovations make electrotherapy systems more accessible to both healthcare providers and patients, which helps in market expansion. For instance, in March 2023, BTL Medical, a leading provider of electrotherapy devices, announced the launch of its new Tens 9000 device. The Tens 9000 is a portable, wireless TENS device that offers a variety of treatment modes and intensities. The market is primarily driven by hospitals and clinics, which prefer electrotherapy systems for chronic disorder treatment. Rehabilitation centers also hold a significant market share, offering a less stressful environment for recovery. The demand in long-term care centers is expected to rise, particularly as the global population ages and the prevalence of chronic disorders increases. The Global Electrotherapy System Market is poised for significant growth across various segments, driven by advancements in technology, therapy innovations, and increasing demand for non-invasive treatment options. In 2023, the market was dominated by the transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation (TENS) segment, particularly for chronic pain management, a trend expected to continue. The spinal cord stimulation (SCS) segment also captured a significant market share, supported by the rising incidence of spinal cord injuries and musculoskeletal disorders. Additionally, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) are gaining traction, particularly in post-surgical rehabilitation and chronic pain management. From a therapeutic perspective, extracorporeal shock wave therapy led the market in 2023, especially for treating chronic musculoskeletal pain. Ultrasound therapy and magnetic field therapy are also significant contributors, with the latter expected to grow at a CAGR of around 6.5% through 2030. These therapies are becoming increasingly popular due to their effectiveness in treating a variety of conditions, including tendonitis and plantar fasciitis. In terms of application, pain management remains the dominant segment, leveraging electrotherapy systems for non-invasive, drug-free pain relief. Neuromuscular dysfunction and musculoskeletal disorders also represent substantial market segments, with the latter projected to grow at a CAGR of over 6.6% from 2024 to 2030. The use of electrotherapy in chronic wound healing is emerging as an advanced care method, facilitating faster wound closure and improved patient outcomes. North America led the global market in 2023, thanks to its advanced healthcare infrastructure, presence of key industry players, and growing geriatric population. Europe followed closely, with its market growth driven by the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and trauma cases. The Asia Pacific region is expected to experience the fastest growth, fueled by technological advancements, an improving healthcare infrastructure, and rising healthcare spending. Meanwhile, the Middle East and Africa, along with South America, are competing closely for market share, driven by similar trends in healthcare development and disease prevalence. Global Electrotherapy System Market - Key Company Profiles Abbott Laboratories AliMed, Inc. Body Clock Health Care Ltd. Boston Scientific Corporation BTL Industries Cionic DJO Global, Inc. (Acquired by Enovis) Dynatronics Corporation EME srl EMS Physio Ltd. Enraf-Nonius B.V. GBO Medizintechnik AG GymnaUniphy HMS Medical Systems Laborie Medical Technologies Corp. LivaNova PLC Medtronic PLC NeuroMetrix, Inc. Nevro Corporation Omron Healthcare PowerMedic ApS Pure Health RS Medical, Inc. STYMCO Medical, LLC TensCare Ltd Tone-A-Matic Xavant Technology Zimmer MedizinSys Zynex Inc. Global Electrotherapy System Market and Forecast (2018 - 2030) By Technology - Global Electrotherapy System Market and Forecast Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS) Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) Electronic Muscle Stimulator (EMS) Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PENS) Inferential Current (IFC) Electro-acupuncture (EA) Others By Therapy - Global Electrotherapy System Market and Forecast Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Ultrasound Therapy Magnetic Field Therapy Micro-Current Therapy Interferential Current Therapy (ICT) Others By Application - Global Electrotherapy System Market and Forecast Chronic Wound Healing Neuromuscular Dysfunction Pain Management Musculoskeletal Disorder Tissue Repair Physical Therapy Iontophoresis Others By End User - Global Electrotherapy System Market and Forecast Hospitals & Clinics Rehabilitation Centers Long Term Centers Others For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bonoa0 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. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- If the median Canadian family spent and borrowed like the federal government, they would already be $427,759 in debt and continuing to borrow, finds a new study published today by the Fraser Institute. If the median family in Canada spent and borrowed like the federal government, they would be in serious financial trouble, said Grady Munro, a Fraser Institute policy analyst and co-author of Understanding the Scale of Canadas Federal Deficit. The $39.8 billion deficit expected by Ottawa in 2024/25 represents the 17th consecutive annual federal deficit, with continued deficits expected into the foreseeable future, eventually resulting in higher taxes for Canadians. Continuous annual borrowing by Ottawa to finance increased spending has driven federal total debt from 53.0 per cent of the economy ($1.1 trillion) in 2014/15 up to an expected 69.8 per cent ($2.1 trillion) in 2024/25. To put this into perspective, the studys analysis offers an example of what a median familys household finances would look like if they were to spend and borrow like the federal government in 2024. The study found that the median Canadian family in 2024 would spend $109,982 while only earning $101,821, meaning that it would borrow $8,161 just to pay for its normal spending. This $8,000-plus in additional debt is on top of the $427,759 in existing debt the family would already hold based on previous borrowing. Illustrative of the burden of debt, $11,066 of the familys income, representing almost 11 per cent, would be spent on just the interest costs of existing debt. Unlike most households, where debt is often offset by assets such as a home or investments, the federal government has little in the way of assets to offset its enormous debt, said Jake Fuss, director of fiscal policy at the Fraser Institute and co-author. And its important to note that this government debt burden on Canadian families does not include the burden of provincial and municipal government debt, which depending on ones location, can be significant. MEDIA CONTACT: Jake Fuss, Director, Fiscal Policy Fraser Institute Grady Munro, Policy Analyst Fraser Institute To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact: Drue MacPherson, Fraser Institute (604) 688-0221 ext. 721 drue.macpherson@fraserinstitute.org Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter | Become a fan on Facebook The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Halifax, and Montreal and ties to a global network of think-tanks in 87 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being. To protect the Institutes independence, it does not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. Visit www.fraserinstitute.org Dublin, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Germany Big Data Analytics in Retail Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2019-2029F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Germany's Big Data Analytics in Retail Market was valued at USD 310 Million in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 638 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 12.63% during the forecast period. The market includes a range of solutions and services provided by technology vendors, analytics firms, and consulting companies that cater to the specific needs of retail businesses. As consumer expectations evolve and competition intensifies, the adoption of big data analytics becomes increasingly critical for retailers seeking to enhance customer experience, drive sales growth, and maintain a competitive edge. The continued expansion of digital commerce and the proliferation of data-generating touchpoints are expected to further fuel the growth and innovation within the Big Data Analytics in Retail market. Key Market Trends Growth of Omnichannel Retailing One of the prominent trends in the Germany Big Data Analytics in Retail market is the growing adoption of omnichannel retailing. As consumers increasingly expect a seamless shopping experience across various platforms - whether online, in-store, or on mobile devices - retailers are focusing on creating a unified customer journey that integrates all these touchpoints. Big data analytics plays a crucial role in enabling omnichannel strategies by providing a comprehensive view of customer behavior across different channels. Retailers can analyze data from e-commerce websites, physical stores, mobile apps, and social media platforms to gain insights into customer preferences, buying patterns, and engagement levels. This trend is driving the demand for advanced analytics tools that can aggregate and analyze data from multiple sources in real-time. For example, retailers are using big data analytics to track customer interactions and personalize the shopping experience, regardless of the channel. This might involve recommending products based on a customer's online browsing history during an in-store visit or providing consistent pricing and promotions across all channels. As the line between online and offline shopping continues to blur, the ability to leverage big data analytics for an integrated, omnichannel experience is becoming a key differentiator in the competitive German retail market. Increased Focus on Sustainability Analytics Sustainability has become a critical focus for retailers in Germany, reflecting broader societal concerns about environmental impact and ethical business practices. Consumers are increasingly making purchasing decisions based on the sustainability of products and the practices of the companies that produce them. In response, retailers are turning to big data analytics to monitor and improve their sustainability efforts. This involves analyzing data related to supply chain operations, energy usage, waste management, and product sourcing to identify areas where they can reduce their environmental footprint. Big data analytics enables retailers to track the carbon emissions associated with their supply chains, optimize logistics to minimize fuel consumption, and manage inventory more efficiently to reduce waste. Additionally, analytics can be used to ensure transparency in sourcing practices, allowing retailers to verify that products are sourced from ethical and sustainable suppliers. As sustainability becomes increasingly important to both consumers and regulators in Germany, the use of big data analytics to drive sustainable practices is expected to grow, making it a significant trend in the market. Expansion of Predictive Analytics Predictive analytics is becoming increasingly important in the Germany Big Data Analytics in Retail market as retailers seek to anticipate customer behavior and optimize their operations accordingly. By leveraging historical data, machine learning algorithms, and statistical models, predictive analytics helps retailers forecast demand, manage inventory, and improve pricing strategies. For instance, predictive analytics can be used to forecast sales for specific products based on past trends, seasonal factors, and external influences such as economic conditions or upcoming events. This capability allows retailers to optimize stock levels, reducing the risk of overstocking or stockouts, which can significantly impact profitability. Additionally, predictive analytics is being used to enhance customer retention by identifying patterns that indicate when a customer is likely to churn, allowing retailers to intervene with targeted offers or loyalty programs. The ability to predict trends and customer behavior with greater accuracy is becoming a crucial competitive advantage in the German retail market, driving the adoption of advanced analytics tools that support these capabilities. Regional Insights South-West Germany held the largest market share in 2023. South-West Germany, particularly the region encompassing major cities such as Stuttgart, Mannheim, and Karlsruhe, is a prominent hub in the Germany Big Data Analytics in Retail market. This region is known for its robust economic landscape, driven by a concentration of major industries including automotive, manufacturing, and technology. Home to global giants like Daimler and Bosch, South-West Germany benefits from a strong industrial base that fosters innovation and technological advancement. The presence of these leading companies creates a fertile environment for big data analytics solutions to flourish, as they drive demand for sophisticated analytics to optimize operations, enhance customer experiences, and maintain competitive advantages. Technological Ecosystem: South-West Germany boasts a well-established technological ecosystem, supported by a network of research institutions, universities, and technology parks. Institutions like the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the University of Stuttgart contribute to cutting-edge research and development in data analytics and artificial intelligence. This strong academic and research foundation provides a steady stream of talent and innovation, driving the advancement and adoption of big data technologies in the retail sector. The region's favorable business environment, characterized by supportive local government policies, a high level of digital infrastructure, and a culture of entrepreneurship, further supports the growth of the big data analytics market. The presence of numerous startups and established analytics firms in South-West Germany indicates a high level of industry activity and a strong market for big data solutions. The retail sector in South-West Germany is dynamic and diverse, with a significant number of retailers and e-commerce businesses looking to leverage big data analytics for competitive edge. The concentration of these businesses in the region amplifies the demand for analytics solutions, further establishing South-West Germany as a dominant player in the big data analytics market. Key Market Players IBM Microsoft Oracle SAP Amazon Web Services, Inc. Hewlett Packard Salesforce Cloudera Teradata Databricks Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 82 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $310 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $638 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 12.6% Regions Covered Germany Report Scope: In this report, the Germany Big Data Analytics in Retail Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below: Germany Big Data Analytics in Retail Market, By Deployment Mode: On-Premises Cloud Germany Big Data Analytics in Retail Market, By Organization Size: Large Enterprises Small & Medium Enterprises Germany Big Data Analytics in Retail Market, By Application: Social Media Analytics Merchandising & Supply Chain Analytics Others Germany Big Data Analytics in Retail Market, By Region: North-West Germany North-East Germany South-West Germany South-East Germany For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1nltll About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Dublin, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "List of the 1,000 Largest Architects & Architectural Offices Germany [2024]" database has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Contains the most relevant German architectural offices including contact details and names of management. Identification and classification of architects in cooperation with experienced architecture firm. Directory of the largest architecture firms in Germany This list of the most important architects in Germany offers the unique possibility to get access to the biggest architecture offices in Germany with just one click. You save yourself hours of research in the run-up to contacting them and can start directly with the approach. The overview includes industry giants such as Barkow Leibinger and Nickl & Partner and is regularly updated by an experienced research team. The list is popular with both industry experts and newcomers alike, because it ensures transparency in the architectural scene, which is difficult to navigate. Within one year after purchase, you will receive updates and extensions to the list free of charge by e-mail. Lead generation has never been so easy. What makes German architectural offices stand out? This list of the greatest architects in Germany was compiled in co-operation with an experienced architectural firm. Winning competitions, order volume, size of the office and other distinguishing features have been incorporated into the list. What the list is suitable for The list of top architects can be used in different ways. In general, the list is perfectly suited for gaining relevant contacts in Germany's architectural industry. Whether it is for announcing a competition, selling services or offering special building materials: the list of architects is the optimal starting point. The list is also a source of relevant contacts for service providers in the construction industry - such as PV installers or wallbox installers - as architects are usually in close contact with clients and contracting authorities. Architectural software can also be perfectly offered through the directory of major architects. The top 5 architecture firms in Germany: 1. Behnisch Architekten Partnerschaft mbB - architecture worldwide from Stuttgart Behnisch Architekten was founded in 1989 by Stefan Behnisch, the son of Gunter Behnisch, who designed the Munich Olympic site and the Olympic Stadium in the 1970s. In addition to its headquarters in Stuttgart, Behnisch Architekten has offices in Munich, Weimar, Los Angeles and Boston. The architectural firm employs around 100 people at its locations. The company is managed by Stefan Behnisch and his partners. Well-known Behnisch projects in Germany include the Marco Polo Tower and Unilever Haus in Hamburg's HafenCity and the Ozeaneum in Stralsund. Update 2023: The renowned architecture firm has recently been increasingly involved in projects in the education sector, designing the Ludwig Weber School (Frankfurt), the Franco-German School (Buc) and an elementary school in Munich's Creative Quarter, among others. 2. Bruckner & Bruckner Architects in Tischenreuth (Upper Palatinate) Bruckner & Bruckner Architekten is a real family business. In 1972 Klaus-Peter Bruckner founded an engineering office in Tischenreuth. Today, the company is continued as an architectural office by his sons Peter and Christian. With more than 60 employees, Bruckner & Bruckner Architekten plans and designs construction projects, mainly in Bavaria with a regional focus on the Upper Palatinate and Franconia. In addition to the main office, Bruckner & Bruckner Architekten has another office in Wurzburg. Conversions - partly with change of use - are a specialty of the office. Among others, the projects Kulturspeicher Wurzburg, Heizkraftwerk Wurzburg and Schloss Hohenkammer stand for this. Update 2024: The dilapidated "Sinnflut" thermal spa in Bad Bruckenau is to be closed; the red figures were too enormous. Now the renowned architectural firm Bruckner & Bruckner has presented the designs for the new thermal baths. The expected costs amount to around 30 million euros. 3. gmp International GmbH - architecture from Hamburg with a global focus gmp is a German architectural heavyweight. With almost 600 employees, the architectural firm is also one of the major international players. gmp stands for the two founders Meinhard von Gerkan and Volkwin Marg and their partners. Founded in 1965, gmp can now look back on almost 60 years of architectural history. Apart from Hamburg, gmp is represented in Berlin, Aachen, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hanoi. Infrastructure projects and commercial buildings are the focus of gmp's work. Well-known gmp buildings include the former Berlin-Tegel Airport, Berlin Central Station, the Tianjin Grand Theater and Munich's Isar Philharmonic Hall. 4. ingenhoven architects gmbh - architecture from dusseldorf In 1985, German architect Christoph Ingenhoven founded an architecture firm in Dusseldorf. He led the company's fortunes as owner until 2019, when he sold the office to the Swiss energy company BKW Energie AG. However, he continues to play a significant role at ingenhoven architects as managing director, chairman and design principal. The architectural firm employs around 100 people and has presented and realized numerous award-winning building concepts over more than three decades. Its best-known projects include the RWE Tower in Essen, the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg and the Marina One high-rise complex in Singapore. 5. Sauerbruch Hutton Gesellschaft von Architekten mbH in Berlin The architectural firm Sauerbruch Hutton was founded in 1989 in London by the British Louisa Hutton and the German Matthias Sauerbruch. Later they moved the headquarters to the German capital. The founding couple is still active as managing directors. In addition, the office is supported by a number of other partners and associates. Sauerbruch Hutton employs around 120 people. Prominent buildings under the direction of Sauerbruch Hutton include the Brandhorst Museum in Munich's Maxvorstadt district, the GSW high-rise in Berlin, the KfW Westarkade in Frankfurt/Main, the Federal Environment Agency in Dessau and the experimenta Science Center in Heilbronn. For more information about this database visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lswexn 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. MILWAUKEE, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Advanced Ionics, the developer of a new class of green hydrogen electrolyzers aimed at accelerating decarbonization, announced today that Shell International Exploration and Production Inc. (Shell), through its Shell GameChanger program, will sponsor a pilot project. Shell will test Advanced Ionics water-vapor electrolyzer technology to produce low-cost hydrogen. The project will support the scaling of Advanced Ionics second-generation, 800 cm2 stack, which is the next step toward commercialization. Shell will test this system at its targeted parameters to demonstrate the suitability and applicability for its renewable hydrogen needs and then potentially for ammonia production. The petrochemical industry will struggle to decarbonize without an economic path to producing and selling green hydrogen and derivatives such as green ammonia, said Chad Mason, CEO of Advanced Ionics. Through our partnership with Shell GameChanger, were proving a new way to decrease the cost of green hydrogen through more efficient, symbiotic operations. By 2050, global ammonia demand is expected to nearly quadruple from todays market size, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. To address the growing demand and keep up with the needs of hydrogen producers and consumers across various industries, Advanced Ionics developed the Early Access Program, which Shell is joining through this pilot project. The Early Access Program allows potential future customers to test out Advanced Ionics water-vapor electrolyzer for specific use cases and operating parameters while enabling a faster scale-up. Early Access customers will be the first customers in Advanced Ionics pipeline of commercial-scale units when available. Were excited to support Advanced Ionics through the Shell GameChanger program, said Ed Holgate, Principal, Shell GameChanger. Their innovative intermediate temperature technology, which utilizes available steam to reduce electricity consumption, promises to potentially enhance efficiency and sustainability in the petrochemical sector. Shell GameChanger is the perfect program to validate, de-risk, and nurture such groundbreaking solutions, providing the resources and expertise needed to bring them to market. Advanced Ionics Symbion Electrolyzer technology utilizes low-cost clean electricity and onsite process or waste heat to enable the production of green hydrogen for less than a dollar per kilogram. By harnessing process or waste heat, Advanced Ionics can produce hydrogen for 35 kWh/kg, up to 40 percent less electricity per kilogram of hydrogen produced than alkaline and PEM technologies. The technology also matches the low capital costs associated with incumbent electrolyzer technologies already in the market today. For hydrogen producers and users looking to learn more about Advanced Ionics Early Access Program, visit https://advanced-ionics.com/early-access-program/. For more information on Advanced Ionics, please visit www.advanced-ionics.com. ABOUT ADVANCED IONICS Advanced Ionics has created a green hydrogen platform that allows industrial hydrogen producers and users to achieve sustainability, without sacrificing profit. The companys Symbion Electrolyzer Technology works with process and waste heat to produce green hydrogen for less than a dollar per kilogram. Advanced Ionics is proudly headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For more information, please visit https://advanced-ionics.com ABOUT SHELL GAMECHANGER Founded in 1996, the Shell GameChanger program works with businesses on unproven early-stage ideas with the potential to impact the future of energy. It provides start-ups with support, expertise, and seed funding, but gives them independence to make their own decisions. To learn more, please go to https://www.shell.com/gamechanger Media Contact Nic Savo Silverline (203) 456-0843 nic@teamsilverline.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4fbac871-1e4a-4d7d-93aa-88102783d753 Fremont, CA, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading display market research firm, DSCC, a Counterpoint Research company, has released the full agenda for its AR/VR Display Summit taking place in Fremont, California on October 1st, 2024. The conference will include 16 speakers from companies across the value chain. Sponsored by Applied Materials, OptoFidelity and Qualcomm, this event will be a unique opportunity to meet and network with AR/VR industry leaders. The AR/VR Display Summit will be followed by the Display 360 Summit the following day, also hosted by DSCC. A special bundle that includes both days is available for a discounted price. To register, visit the DSCC website. AR/VR Display Summit October 1 at Fremont Marriott Silicon Valley 8:00 Registration and Coffee 8:20 Welcome and Introduction 8:30 Keynote Presentation Qualcomm Keynote Speaker TBD, XR & Spatial Computing 9:00 Market and Industry Trends Dr. Guillaume Chansin, Director of Display Research, DSCC Ajit Ninan, Senior Director AR/VR Display & Optics, Meta Flora Tang, Senior Analyst, Counterpoint Research 10:40 Display Requirements for AR/VR Murat Deveci, Director of Business Development and Global Sales, OptoFidelity Fenfei Liu, Director of Product Marketing XR, Goertek 11:25 Micro OLED Manufacturing and Testing Bruce Elliot, General Manager of N. America, Sidtek Co. LTD Kevin Lange, Technical Sales Engineer, Instrument Systems GmbH 13:30 Optics for AR Smart Glasses Satoshi Shiraga, CEO, Cellid Alastair Grant, SVP Optical Engineering, DigiLens Erin McDowell, Chief Revenue Officer, FlexEnable 15:10 Holographic and Laser Displays Mike Noonen, CEO , Swave Photonics Dr. Louahab Noui, Principal Optical Architect, TriLite 16:10 MicroLED Dr. Chen Chen, CEO and Co-Founder, Saphlux Michelle Chen, CTO, Q-Pixel Jay Fraser, VP of Business Development. Mojo Vision The agenda for the conference has been curated to cover a range of topics, including OLED on Silicon (Micro OLED), laser-based light engines, pixelated dimming, MicroLED, quantum dot color conversion and waveguide optics. Analysts from DSCC and Counterpoint Research will also present key findings from their AR/VR related and other display reports. The AR/VR Display Summit is aimed at professionals in the industry and will offer many opportunities for networking during the lunch, coffee breaks and evening reception. Companies across the supply chain are expected to attend, including display manufacturers, OEM/ODM, equipment and component suppliers. On October 2, the Display 360 Summit will cover the key market segments of the display industry, with insights on what lies ahead in 2025. Each session will be led by an analyst and will include invited speakers from leading companies in their field. In a parallel track, the AI 360 Summit will cover how AI is impacting the tech landscape, from semiconductors, devices and cloud infra through to the applications supporting and driving change. About DSCC, a Counterpoint Research Company DSCC is the leader in advanced display market research with offices across all the key manufacturing centers and markets of East Asia as well as the US and UK. It was formed by experienced display market analysts from across the display supply chain and delivers valuable insights, data and supply chain analyses on the display industry through consulting, syndicated reports and events. Its accurate and timely analyses help businesses navigate the complexities of the display supply chain. About Counterpoint Research Counterpoint Technology Market Research is a global research firm specializing in products in the TMT (technology, media and telecom) industry. It services major technology and financial firms with a mix of monthly reports, customized projects, and detailed analyses of the mobile and technology markets. Its key analysts are seasoned experts in the tech industry. Attachment Establishes European presence and will add approximately $1 billion in fee-paying assets under management Expands P10s global client base by over 1,300 LPs Expected to be modestly accretive to fully-taxed ANI per share in 2025 DALLAS, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- P10, Inc. (NYSE: PX) (P10 or the Company), a leading private markets solutions provider, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Qualitas Equity Funds SGEIC, S.A. (Qualitas Funds) for an initial purchase price of $63 million with the potential for additional earnout consideration. Qualitas Funds is a Madrid-based private equity investing platform that provides fund-of-funds, direct co-investing and NAV financing opportunities in the European lower-middle market to more than 1,300 limited partners across the ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW), family office, and institutional channels. The firm has approximately $1 billion in fee-paying assets under management (FPAUM) and a strong expected growth trajectory. The firm was founded in 2014 and is wholly owned by co-founders and co-managing partners, Eric Halverson and Sergio Garcia. The Qualitas Funds acquisition establishes a European presence and meaningfully grows P10s investor base, positioning us as a leading global, multi-strategy private markets firm focused on the middle and lower-middle markets, said Luke Sarsfield, P10 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Eric, Sergio, and their talented team have built an incredible firm with strong performance and a loyal investor base. Our strategy leaders have known and worked alongside the Qualitas Funds team for over a decade. They share our client-centric culture and dedication to serving clients with elite, access constrained investment opportunities in the middle and lower-middle markets. We are thrilled to join P10s diversified private markets ecosystem, said Halverson and Garcia. Luke and his team are building the preeminent global middle and lower-middle market private markets firm, and we look forward to working closely with them to generate accelerated growth and deliver continued value for our clients. Specifically, this transaction strengthens our existing relationships with RCP Advisors and Hark Capital as we seek to launch additional strategies and vehicles that meet the demands of global investors seeking to access a full range of opportunities in the middle and lower-middle markets. Transaction Overview P10 has agreed to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding equity interests of Qualitas Funds and 100% of its fee-related earnings. The transaction does not include any carried interest for legacy funds. The initial consideration of $63 million is composed of $42.25 million in cash and $20.75 million in P10 stock. The stock consideration is subject to a three-year lock-up period. Additionally, up to $35 million1 in earnout consideration may be payable based on the revenue associated with new funds Qualitas Funds raises after closing through December 31, 2027. The earnout consideration will be a mix of cash and P10 stock at the sellers election, with no more than 65% payable in cash. Qualitas Funds will continue to be managed by its current managing partners who will retain control of its day-to-day operations, including investment and investment committee processes, and there are employment agreements with each managing partner being put in place. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, including Spanish regulatory approval. For more information on the transaction, please visit the investor relations section of P10s website, where an investor presentation is available, or access the Companys filings on the SEC website. Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Perez-Llorca Abogados, S.L.P. are serving as legal advisors to P10. Cuatrecasas, Goncalves Pereira, S.L.P. is serving as legal advisor to Qualitas Funds. About P10 P10 is a leading multi-asset class private markets solutions provider in the alternative asset management industry. P10s mission is to provide its investors differentiated access to a broad set of investment solutions that address their diverse investment needs within private markets. As of June 30, 2024, P10 has a global investor base of more than 3,700 investors across 50 states, 60 countries, and six continents, which includes some of the worlds largest pension funds, endowments, foundations, corporate pensions, and financial institutions. Visit www.p10alts.com. About Qualitas Funds Qualitas Funds is a Madrid-based private markets investing platform that provides fund-of-funds and direct co-investing opportunities in the lower-middle market to more than 1,300 limited partners across the UHNW, family office, and institutional channels. As of June 30, 2024, the firm has approximately $1 billion in fee-paying assets under management. Visit www.qualitasfunds.com. P10 Investor Contact: info@p10alts.com P10 Media Contact: Taylor Donahue pro-p10@prosek.com Forward-Looking Statements Some of the statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as will, expect, believe, estimate, continue, anticipate, intend, plan and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements discuss managements current expectations and projections relating to our financial position, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance, and business. The inclusion of any forward-looking information in this release should not be regarded as a representation that the future plans, estimates, or expectations contemplated will be achieved. Forward-looking statements reflect managements current plans, estimates, and expectations, and are inherently uncertain. All forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors that may cause actual results to be materially different; global and domestic market and business conditions; successful execution of business and growth strategies and regulatory factors relevant to our business; changes in our tax status; our ability to maintain our fee structure; our ability to attract and retain key employees; our ability to manage our obligations under our debt agreements; our ability to make acquisitions and successfully integrate the businesses we acquire; assumptions relating to our operations, financial results, financial condition, business prospects and growth strategy; and our ability to manage the effects of events outside of our control. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. For more information regarding these risks and uncertainties as well as additional risks that we face, you should refer to the Risk Factors included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 13, 2024, and in our subsequent reports filed from time to time with the SEC. The forward-looking statements included in this release are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events, except as otherwise required by law. Key Financial & Operating Metrics Fee-paying assets under management reflects the assets from which we earn management and advisory fees. Our vehicles typically earn management and advisory fees based on committed capital, and in certain cases, net invested capital, depending on the fee terms. Management and advisory fees based on committed capital are not affected by market appreciation or depreciation. Ownership Limitations P10s Certificate of Incorporation contains certain provisions for the protection of tax benefits relating to P10s net operating losses. Such provisions generally void transfers of shares that would result in the creation of a new 4.99% shareholder or result in an existing 4.99% shareholder acquiring additional shares of P10. _______________________ 1 Based on EUR/USD exchange rate of 1.10278 as of 9/11/24 DENVER, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With new products and a new brand on the horizon, travel technology leader Hotel Engine today announced a $140M Series C growth investment led by Permira Growth Opportunities II, a fund advised by global private equity firm Permira. Hotel Engine will use the funding to support ongoing product development, including the launch of flight and rental car bookings to its platform. The new booking options will go live in October, making Hotel Engine an all-in-one solution for business travel. Alongside the new product release, Hotel Engine will change its name to "Engine" to reflect its expanded focus. Hotel bookings will always be in our DNA, but were out to transform the entire travel experience, said Hotel Engine CEO Elia Wallen. We want to become the engine of business travel. Our new name will reflect that, and with Permiras latest investment, well be better positioned than ever to turn our ambitions into reality. Denver-based Hotel Engine has quickly become a go-to option for business travelers thanks to its industry-leading tech and innovative features like consolidated invoices, coverage for incidentals, 24/7 customer support, whole-company trip insurance and free travel-management software to help customers save time and money. Hotel Engines contract-free approach with no minimums or agent-assist fees makes adoption easy for businesses of all types and sizes. Hotel Engine connects business travelers to a robust network of more than 750,000 hotels, 300 airlines and 40 rental car companies. Travel providers are also able to use Hotel Engines Partner Hub software platform for free which enables them to provide special offers to business travelers, manage reservations, create marketing campaigns and benchmark against competitors. We are proud to have built a platform that benefits everyone, Wallen said. In addition to the value we provide to businesses, we also help hotels raise their visibility and build relationships with business travelers worldwide through our Partner Hub platform. Its a winning strategy. Hotel Engine has used only $20M of outside capital to reach its current $2.1B valuation, up from $1.3B at its Series B in November of 2021. The company is profitable, experiencing 70% year-over-year revenue growth at scale, and is on track to book over 10 million room nights this year. Permira Principal Alex Melamud has joined Hotel Engines Board of Directors. Hotel Engine is a category leader in more ways than one, he said. Theyve figured out how to provide the benefits of managed travel without the downsides such as contracts, minimum spend requirements and extra support fees, and theyve also created a business that appeals to both travelers and suppliers like hotels, airlines and car rental companies. We are confident that Hotel Engine has miles of room to run, and were excited to be part of the journey alongside Elia and his team, commented Melamud. About Hotel Engine Hotel Engine, soon to be Engine, is radically simplifying business travel by providing software that saves companies time and money without the hassle of contracts, agent-assist fees or minimum spends. Its double-sided marketplace connects tens of thousands of active businesses to a robust network of more than 750,000 hotels, 300 airlines and 40 rental car companies to create a smarter and more rewarding business travel network. To learn more, visit www.hotelengine.com . Interested in using Hotel Engine to streamline your business lodging? Visit hotelengine.com/sign-up , or download our app on the App Store or Google Play . About Permira Permira is a global investment firm that backs successful businesses with growth ambitions. Founded in 1985, the firm advises funds across two core asset classes, private equity and credit, with total committed capital of approximately 80bn. Within private equity, Permira Growth Opportunities (PGO) backs disruptive technology and tech-enabled companies as they scale to the next level. The PGO funds have previously backed and helped scale some of the largest and fastest-growing internet and technology businesses globally, including AllTrails, BioCatch, Carta, Housecall Pro, FlixBus, Full Truck Alliance, G2, Klarna, Relativity and Sysdig. Permira employs over 500 people in 16 offices across Europe, the United States and Asia. For more information, visit www.permira.com or follow us on LinkedIn. Press Contact: Firebrand Communications for Hotel Engine hotelengine@firebrand.marketing 415-848-9175 Nina Gilbert / James Williams for Permira media@permira.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4513c8c2-b95a-4cb1-aaf1-0aba80b2200e WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rocket Software, a global technology leader in modernization software, today announced the findings from its survey, IT Modernization Without Disruption. Rocket Software commissioned Forrester Consulting in this survey of over 300 global decision makers, including CIOs, VPs and Directors, responsible for modernizing their companys IT environment to explore strategies and the value external partners provided. Key survey findings include: Modernization challenges are disruptive to businesses, with one-third (33%) of respondents reporting that these roadblocks led to reduced productivity. Successful IT modernization strategies are tied to both stronger technological and business outcomes, which is why many C-suite executives (42%) are championing these efforts, recognizing their transformative potential. For businesses, modernization is not just about staying relevant; its essential for staying agile and competitive. The key to successful transformation is how an organization strategically aligns their technology to their business and the context it operates in, whether that be healthcare, financial services, manufacturing or retail. Though it can be daunting, businesses are not backing down. Sixty-nine (69%) percent of respondents believe IT modernization is crucial for achieving their business goals over the next 12 months. However, these modernization journeys are not without roadblocks. Modernization challenges include costly and time-consuming application re-write projects, with over half of respondents (51%) attempting at least six re-write projects as part of their cloud migration strategy due to multiple failures. Rewriting applications can be a costly mistake for businesses, as it often leads to extended timelines, operational disruptions, and frequently fails to deliver the expected outcomes. Challenges also include concerns over security (41%), talent shortages/skills gap (38%), and inadequate tools (30%). These challenges are negatively impacting business 38% said modernization challenges have hurt their ability to recruit new talent, 35% stated that these challenges reduce their ability to compete, and 44% said that these obstacles have led to delayed timelines. However, the survey found that organizations who work with external partners (e.g., hyperscalers, managed service providers, trusted software vendors, system integrators, or external consultants) to supplement internal shortcomings reduce these modernization challenges. Modernization is an imperative for achieving both business and technology goals, yet it comes with a range of challenges, said Phil Buckellew, President, Infrastructure Modernization Business Unit, at Rocket Software. At Rocket Software, we are committed to supporting enterprises through this complex process, ensuring that modernization is seamless and effective. We recognize that modernization goes beyond technology upgrades - it involves a strategic transformation of an organizations entire operation. Our focus is on enhancing efficiency, improving customer experiences, and driving competitive innovation. The key to a successful modernization journey is partnering with a team that not only understands the intricacies of the process but also provides the solutions, expertise and personalized support to meet you at every stage of your journey. Additional survey findings include: Modernization is a continuous journey The survey found that priorities differ for organizations at different points in their modernization journeys. Fifty one (51%) percent of respondents who have been on their IT modernizing journey for more than one year selected improved ability to take advantage of cloud-native, scalable applications as a top desired outcome, compared to only 37% of those who are just starting out. Experienced IT modernization decision makers were also more likely to select competitive parity or advantage as a top outcome compared to beginners. These insights demonstrate how those with greater maturity are making IT modernization a more strategic advantage for their business. Every journey needs good company All respondents confirmed that they rely on a partner for their transformation journey. The right partnership can make IT modernization faster, less disruptive, and more aligned with business and IT goals. The capabilities respondents are looking for partners to offer include: Code and data modernization (83%) DevOps continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) (79%) Open-source compliance (78%) The destination makes it worth the trip Businesses are not modernizing for the sake of it. Theyre embarking on this journey to advance strategic business and tech initiatives to ultimately improve efficiency, optimize resources and reduce risks. The top outcomes that decision makers want to gain from modernization include: Improved ability to leverage the power of application integration (50%) Improved ability to take advantage of cloud-native, scalable applications (48%) Improved DevOps pipelines (i.e., better quality and faster velocity) (44%) Decision makers are evaluating the success of their modernization programs on: Improved operational efficiency (51%) Improved customer experience (45%) Reduced security, risk, and compliance issues (43%) Increased employee productivity (41%) Increased business and technology agility (40%) To download the full study, click here. Methodology In this study, Forrester conducted an online survey of 309 global decision-makers in charge of modernizing their companys mainframe to explore IT modernization strategies and the value provided by external partners. Survey participants included decision-makers in IT, IT security, operations and others. Respondents were offered a small incentive as a thank you for time spent on the survey. The study began in May 2024 and was completed June 2024. About Rocket Software Rocket Software is the global technology leader in modernization and partner of choice that empowers the world's leading businesses on their modernization journeys, spanning core systems to the cloud. Trusted by over 12,500 customers and 750 partners, and with more than 3,000 global employees, Rocket Software enables customers to maximize their data, applications, and infrastructure to deliver critical services that power our modern world. Rocket Software is a privately held U.S. corporation headquartered in the Boston area with centers of excellence strategically located throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Rocket Software is a portfolio company of Bain Capital Private Equity. Follow Rocket Software on LinkedIn and Twitter or visit www.RocketSoftware.com. Media Contact Lacey Darrow ldarrow@rocketsoftware.com Dublin, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Gene Therapy Market, 6th Edition: Industry Trends and Global Forecasts to 2035 - Therapeutic Area, Type of Vector, Type of Therapy, Type of Gene Delivery Method, Route of Administration, Geographical Region, Leading Market Players and Sales Forecast" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Gene Therapy Market is valued at USD 2.4 billion in 2024 growing at a CAGR of 19.25% during the forecast period 2024-2035. A diverse range of disorders arising from congenital abnormalities and inherited genetic mutations, including autoimmune disorders, genetic disorders, neurological disorders and oncological disorders significantly impacts individuals' health. These disorders are consequences of certain inherited genetic anomalies that disrupt the normal functioning of genes and adversely affect the process of translation. The statistics presented by the World Health Organization (WHO) states that 10 out of every 1,000 individuals are affected by genetic disorders, contributing to 70 million people globally. In addition, more than 40% of infant mortality globally is associated with various genetic disorders. Therefore, to address such challenges, gene therapies have emerged as a revolutionary approach and have proven to be a promising modality in treating a wide array of diseases, focused on delivering targeted therapies directly to affected organs or cells. The objective of gene therapy is to comprehend the underlying genetic cause of a disease, followed by either introduction of a healthy version of the mutated gene or by inactivation of the faulty / disease-causing genes in the body. It is worth noticing that in 2003, Gendicine (Sibiono GeneTech) became the world's first gene therapy to receive regulatory approval from the China FDA. In the past two decades, this has led to several breakthroughs related to the development of gene therapies. For instance, in December 2017, the USFDA approved Luxturna (Spark Therapeutics), the first gene therapy intended for the treatment of inherited retinal disorders. Additionally, in May 2019, the USFDA approved ZOLGENSMA (Novartis), the first gene therapy for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy in pediatric patients. It is noteworthy that the therapy received multiple designations, namely breakthrough therapy, fast track, orphan drug and priority review designations resulting in the accelerated approval of the drug in the US. Further, in 2023, five gene therapies received the USFDA market approval for various therapeutic indications. In addition, the month of April 2024 witnessed a significant increase in the number of active clinical trials (1,100 active clinical trials) for evaluating gene therapies across various phases of clinical studies. Moreover, three gene therapies have already received regulatory approval in 2024, and according to predictions made by USFDA in 2019, it is estimated that 10 to 20 would gain market access, each year, till 2025. It is noteworthy that the favorable results from ongoing clinical research initiatives have spurred investments from both government and private sectors to support the development of these therapeutic products. With the progressing domain, gene therapies are anticipated to be utilized for the treatment of more than 65.6 million patients suffering from a myriad of disease indications, by 2034. The rapidly evolving gene therapy product portfolio tends to attract an increasing number of startups and big pharma players, marking their presence in the gene therapy market. At present, 345 gene therapy companies are involved in the development of various early and late-stage therapies worldwide. The recent years have observed a significant increase in the integration of novel technologies, such as gene modification, genome editing, genome sequencing and manipulation technologies (molecular / gene switch), in conjugation with advanced gene delivery methods. Additionally, next-generation delivery platforms, including nanoparticles and hybrid vector systems, have been proven to facilitate an effective, precise and safe delivery of gene-based therapeutics, thereby enabling more targeted treatment approaches. With the integration of advancements in technology and growing preference for single-dose effective therapeutics, the gene therapy market is poised to witness substantial market growth during the forecast period. Key Benefits of Buying this Report The report offers market leaders and newcomers valuable insights into revenue estimations for both the overall market and its sub-segments. Stakeholders can utilize the report to enhance their understanding of the competitive landscape, allowing for improved business positioning and more effective go-to-market strategies. The report provides stakeholders with a pulse on the Gene Therapy Market, furnishing them with essential information on significant market drivers, barriers, opportunities, and challenges. Leading Market Companies Amgen Artgen Biotech BioMarin Pharmaceutical bluebird bio CRISPR Therapeutics CSL Behring Ferring Pharmaceuticals Kolon TissueGene Krystal Biotech Novartis Orchard Therapeutics Pfizer PTC Therapeutics Sarepta Therapeutics Shanghai Sunway Biotech Sibiono GeneTech Spark Therapeutics Key Topics Covered: INTRODUCTION Evolution of Gene Therapies Classification of Gene Therapies Routes of Administration Mechanism of Action of Gene Therapies Advantages and Disadvantages of Gene Therapies Challenges associated with Gene Therapies Introduction to Genome Editing GENE DELIVERY VECTORS Methods of Gene Transfer Viral Vectors for Genetically Modified Therapies Non-Viral Vectors for Genetically Modified Therapies REGULATORY LANDSCAPE AND REIMBURSEMENT SCENARIOS Regulatory Guidelines in North America Regulatory Guidelines in Europe Regulatory Guidelines in Asia-Pacific Reimbursement Scenario MARKET LANDSCAPE Marketed and Clinical Stage Gene Therapies: Market Landscape Preclinical and Discovery Stage Gene Therapies: Market Landscape DEVELOPER LANDSCAPE Gene Therapy: Competitive Landscape COMPANY PROFILES Gene Therapy Developers in North America Amgen BioMarin Pharmaceutical bluebird bio CRISPR Therapeutics Kolon TissueGene Krystal Biotech Pfizer PTC Therapeutics Sarepta Therapeutics Spark Therapeutics Gene Therapy Developers in Europe Artgen Biotech Ferring Pharmaceuticals Novartis Orchard Therapeutics Gene Therapy Developers in Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World CSL Behring Shanghai Sunway Biotech Sibiono GeneTech MARKETED GENE THERAPIES Gendicine (Shenzhen Sibiono GeneTech) Oncorine (Shanghai Sunway Biotech) Rexin-G (Epeius Biotechnologies) Neovasculgen (Human Stem Cells Institute) Imlygic (Amgen) Strimvelis (Orchard Therapeutics) LuxturnaT (Spark Therapeutics) ZolgensaT (Novartis) Collategene (AnGes) ZyntelgoT (bluebird bio) LibmeldyT (Orchard Therapeutics) KEY COMMERCIALIZATION STRATEGIES Successful Drug Launch Strategy: ROOTS Framework Successful Drug Launch Strategy: Product Differentiation Commonly Adopted Commercialization Strategies based on Phase of Development List of Approved Gene Therapies Key Commercialization Strategies Adopted by Gene Therapy Developers Strategies Adopted before Therapy Approval Participation in Global Events Collaborations with Stakeholders and Pharmaceutical Firms Indication Expansion Strategies adopted During / Post Therapy Approval Geographical Expansion Participation in Global Events Patient Assistance Programs Awareness through Product Websites Collaboration with Stakeholders and Pharmaceutical Firms LATE-STAGE GENE THERAPIES LUMEVOQ (GS010) OTL-103 PTC-AADC BMN 270 rAd-IFN/Syn3 beti-cel eli-cel lovo-cel SRP-9001 EB-101 ProstAtak D-Fi CG0070 Vigil-EWS Engensis VGX-3100 INVOSSA (TG-C) VYJUVEKT PF-06939926 PF06838435 PF-07055480 SPK-8011 AMT-061 VB-111 Generx ADXS-HPV AGTC 501 LYS-SAF302 NFS-01 AG0302-COVID-19 RGX-314 Hologene 5 PATENT ANALYSIS Gene Therapy: Patent Analysis Gene Editing Market: Patent Analysis Analysis by CPC Symbols Patent Benchmarking Analysis Patent Valuation Analysis Overall Intellectual Property Portfolio: Analysis by Type of Organization MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS FUNDING AND INVESTMENTS Types of Funding Gene Therapy: Funding and Investment Analysis CLINICAL TRIAL ANALYSIS Gene Therapy: Clinical Trial Analysis Analysis by Type of Sponsor / Collaborator Analysis by Prominent Treatment Sites Gene Therapy: Analysis of Enrolled Patient Population COST PRICE ANALYSIS START-UP VALUATION BIG PHARMA INITIATIVES Gene Therapy: List of Most Prominent Big Pharmaceutical Players Analysis by Therapeutic Area Analysis by Type of Vector Used Analysis by Type of Therapy Analysis by Type of Gene Delivery Method Used Benchmarking Analysis of Key Parameters Spider Web Analysis: Pipeline Strength Spider Web Analysis: Mergers and Acquisitions Spider Web Analysis: Funding and Investments Spider Web Analysis: Clinical Trials Spider Web Analysis: Technologies Spider Web Analysis: Patents Benchmarking Analysis of Big Pharmaceutical Players Spider Web Analysis: Novartis Spider Web Analysis: Takeda Pharmaceutical Spider Web Analysis: Roche Spider Web Analysis: Merck Spider Web Analysis: Pfizer Spider Web Analysis: Johnson & Johnson Spider Web Analysis: AbbVie Spider Web Analysis: Bristol Myers Squibb Spider Web Analysis: AstraZeneca Spider Web Analysis: Sanofi DEMAND ANALYSIS MARKET IMPACT ANALYSIS: DRIVERS, RESTRAINTS, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES GLOBAL GENE THERAPY MARKET GENE THERAPIES MARKET, BY THERAPEUTIC AREA GENE THERAPIES MARKET, BY TYPE OF VECTOR GENE THERAPIES MARKET, BY TYPE OF THERAPY GENE THERAPIES MARKET, BY TYPE OF GENE DELIVERY METHOD GENE THERAPIES MARKET, BY ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION GENE THERAPIES MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS GENE THERAPIES MARKET, BY LEADING PLAYERS GENE THERAPIES MARKET, SALES FORECAST OF THERAPIES Adstiladrin BEQVEZT CasgevyT Elevidys Gendicine Hemgenix IMLYGIC Libmeldy Luxturna LYFGENIAT Neovasculgen Oncorine RoctavianT SKYSONA StrimvelisT UpstazaT VYJUVEKT Zolgensma ZyntegloT Phase III Gene Therapies Market: Sales Forecast AAV-RPE65 ABO-102 (UX111) AGTC 501 (rAAV2tYF-GRK1-RPGR) Cretostimogene Grenadenorepvec (CG0070) Dirloctocogene samoparvovec (SPK-8011) DTx-301 DTx-401 Generx (Ad5FGF-4) Giroctocogene fitelparvovec (SB-525 / PF-07055480) Hologene 5 INVOSSAT (TG-C) LUMEVOQ NFS-01 (rAAV2-ND4) NTLA-2001 Olvi-Vec (Olvimulogene nanivacirepvec) ProstAtak pz-cel (prademagene zamikeracel / EB-101) RGX-121 RGX-314 VGX-3100 GENE THERAPY MARKET: EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES Gene Editing Technologies Emerging Gene Editing Platforms Gene Therapy Regulation Technologies (Gene Switch Technology) Other Emerging Technologies Technology Platforms for Developing / Delivering Gene Therapies VECTOR MANUFACTURING FOR GENE THERAPIES Viral Vector Manufacturing Process Mode of Vector Production Adherent and Suspension Cultures Unit Processes and Multiple Parallel Processes Cell Culture Systems for Production of Viral Vectors Culture Media Specifications Bioprocessing of Viral Vectors Challenges Associated with Vector Manufacturing Contract Manufacturing Organizations Involved in Viral Vector Production CASE STUDY: GENE THERAPY SUPPLY CHAIN Overview of Gene Therapy Supply Chain Implementation of Supply Chain Models Logistics in Gene Therapy Regulatory Supply Chain Across the Globe Challenges Associated with Gene Therapy Supply Chain Software Applications for Gene Therapy Supply Chain Management Recent Developments and Upcoming Trends EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS Orchard Therapeutics Vivet Therapeutics Kubota Pharmaceutical Eyevensys AGTC LogicBio Therapeutics AAVogen Hemera Biosciences Myonexus Therapeutics Arthrogen PlasmidFactory Delphi Genetics Vigene Biosciences Gene Biotherapeutics Milo Biotechnology For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/sqgdsw 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 US & Canada, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new comprehensive report from The Insight Partners, In the past decade, there have been numerous breakthroughs in the development of this terahertz technology for commercialization in various applications. Global Terahertz Technology Market Experiences Significant Growth Due to Rising Usage for Satellite Communication Major application areas for this technology include medical imaging, sensing, non-destructive testing, spectroscopy, and wireless communication. It is an important technology offering unique properties such as non-ionizing behavior, unlike X-rays. For instance, in January 2021, Samsung Electronics collaborated with the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) to demonstrate a 6G terahertz (THz) wireless communication prototype. This collaboration is formed to study the feasibility of using the THz spectrum for 6G wireless communications. Download Sample PDF Brochure: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100001364/ The report runs an in-depth analysis of market trends, key players, and future opportunities. In general, the Terahertz Technology market comprises of types and application which are expected to register strength during the coming years. Identify The Key Trends Affecting This Market - Download PDF Overview of Report Findings: Market Growth: The Terahertz Technology Market is expected to reach US$ 3,003.10 Million by 2030 from US$ 461.90 Million in 2022, at a CAGR of 26.4% during the forecast period. Terahertz and sub-terahertz bands encourage the development of 6G wireless networks by improving the existing wireless standards by offering a large bandwidth to alleviate the spectrum scarcity issues. Terahertz Communication for a 6G Future: in April 2024, NTT DOCOMO, INC.; NTT Corporation; NEC Corporation; and Fujitsu Limited together announced the development of a top-level wireless device to transmit data at ultra-high speeds of 100 Gbps in the sub-terahertz bands of 100 GHz and 300 GHz. All four companies have been jointly conducting R&D on sub-terahertz devices since 2021 in anticipation of the coming 6G era. Growing Use of Terahertz System in Semiconductor Industry: The semiconductor industry using terahertz provides a large potential market for growth; this technology and system are ideal for evaluating epitaxial wafers and interconnects in packaged chips. The terahertz waves can be used to non-destructively inspect semiconductor wafers for defects, such as cracks, voids, and impurities. This can help improve the yield of semiconductor manufacturing processes. Use of Terahertz Technology for Satellite Communication: Increasing focus on satellite networks for navigation, communication, and remote sensing purposes is boosting the market growth. Terahertz band communication is conceived as the key technology in meeting the need for high data rates. The broad availability of bandwidth at the terahertz band is expected to bring wireless terabit-per-second links into reality. Geographical Insights: In 2023, North America led the market, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. Europe is the second-largest contributor to the global Terahertz Technology market, followed by APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa. Obtain Analysis of Key Geographic Markets - Download PDF Market Segmentation: By Component (Terahertz Sources and Terahertz Detectors), By Type (Terahertz Imaging Systems, Terahertz Spectroscopy Systems, and Terahertz Communication System),. In 2023, the terahertz detectors segment held the largest share of the global Terahertz Technology market. In terms of application, the Terahertz Technology market is segmented into By Application (Medical & Healthcare, Defense & Security, Food & Agriculture, Industrial, Semiconductor, and Others). The medical and healthcare segment holds the significant market. Purchase Premium Copy of Terahertz Technology Market Growth Report (2023-2030) at: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPTE100001364/ Competitive Strategy and Development: Key Players: A few major companies operating in the Terahertz Technology market include Terasense Group, TeraView Ltd, Advantest Corporation, Toptica Photonics, Luna Innovations, Hubner GmbH, Menlo System, Advanced Photonics, Microtech Instruments, NTT Electronics. Trending Topics: Infrared and Terahertz Spectroscopy Market, Terahertz Imaging Detection Market, Terahertz Body Scanning and Others. Want More Information about Competitors and Market Players? Get PDF Global Headlines on Terahertz Technology: In April 2024, TERASENSE considerably expands its line of tunable THz wave sources "In January 2024, TOPTICA Photonics Strengthens its Presence in France with Direct Sales and Service Operations In Feb 2023, Luna Innovations Wins Major Order for THz Solutions for Battery Manufacturing in US "In 2023, Das-Nano technology has been chosen by the Volkswagen Group to measure the layer thickness of its car body coverings" Require A Diverse Region or Sector? Customize Research to Suit Your Requirement Conclusion: Increasing research and developmental activities in the field of terahertz technology have been highly observed in the institutions of North America. For instance, according to Jean-Michel Menard, a renowned professor at the University of Ottawa, optical instruments are developed to improve the spectral resolution or to access difficult-to-reach spectral windows. Terahertz (THz) photonics is an emerging field of study that focuses on developing visual tools to operate at 1 THz (about 300 m in wavelength). Thus, the growing demand for medical imaging, sensing, non-destructive testing, spectroscopy, and wireless communication is expected to create opportunities for the growth of the Terahertz Technology market during the forecast period. The report from The Insight Partners, therefore, provides several stakeholdersincluding component providers, system integrator, system manufacturers and otherswith valuable insights into how to successfully navigate this evolving market landscape and unlock new opportunities. Related Report Titles: About Us: The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Device, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials. Contact Us: If you have any queries about this report or if you would like further information, please contact us: Deerfield Beach, Fla, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JM&A Group, a leading provider of finance and insurance (F&I) and training in the automotive industry, announces the promotion of Kevin Hull to president of National Truck Protection Company (NTP). Wade Bontrager, whose career spans nearly 30 years in the insurance industry, will continue to support NTP as a key advisor while remaining on the board of directors. We look forward to seeing all Kevin and the team will accomplish together at NTP, said Scott Gunnell, president of JM&A Group. JM&A Group has been in the automotive industry for 46 years, so we are excited to leverage our experiences and help accelerate the growth of the trucking protection space. There is a true synergy between these businesses, and we see lots of opportunities to better support our dealer partners by leveraging our investments in both companies. Acquired by JM&A Group in 2022, NTP serves as a leading vehicle service contract provider in the medium-and heavy-duty commercial trucking industry. It is the leading aftermarket vehicle service contract provider in the light-, medium-, and heavy-duty commercial trucking industry, providing repair cost coverage on major equipment. Their two leading brands, NTP and Premium 2000, are available to single truck and small fleet owner operators across a variety of channels throughout the U.S. and Canada including OEM, independent dealerships, aftermarket truck resellers, agencies and direct-to-consumers. With this change, the business highlights its commitment to nurturing strong, lasting relationships with its partners and customers, recognizing that their success is an integral part of its own. Kevin is the perfect person to take the helm and steer our boat, an analogy Ive often used with our team, said Bontrager. He is sharp, energetic, inquisitive and excited about driving key initiatives we are currently developing while thinking about the next level of growth for NTPs future. Hes going to fit into our business and this industry very well. In his role, Hull will be responsible for the direction and execution of NTPs strategy and daily operations. Prior to his promotion, Hull joined JM&A Group in 2019 as the manager of Dealer Talent Services before he swiftly advanced to director of Sales and Training before assuming his most recent role as director of Strategic Planning. There he guided the senior leadership team and supported the ongoing execution of the companys long-term strategic plan. As I step into this new role, having Wade in my corner as a trusted advisor is invaluable, said Hull. We both recognize the tremendous amount of opportunity to best utilize the connection between NTP and JM&A Group to provide a better experience for our partners. The opportunities ahead are tremendous and with the tools and resources at our disposal, we can elevate NTP even further as a recognized leader in the market. About JM&A Group JM&A Group, a leader in the F&I industry for more than 40 years, serves more than 3,800 automotive dealerships nationwide. Comprised of Jim Moran & Associates, Inc. (JM&A), Fidelity Warranty Services, Inc. (FWS), Fidelity Insurance Agency, and Courtesy Insurance Company, it provides a variety of products and services such as F&I training and consulting, vehicle protection plans, used vehicle certification programs, pre-paid maintenance plans and GAP programs. Additionally, the company has more than 800 associates, including a dedicated sales force of 300+ associates who support process implementation for dealer operations and digital sales strategies. National Truck Protection Co. Inc., a division of JM&A Group, is the leading vehicle service contract provider in the commercial truck industry and serves customers across a variety of channels throughout the U.S. and Canada including OEM, independent dealer groups, aftermarket truck resellers, agencies and direct-to-consumer. For more information about JM&A Groups products and services, call 1-800-553-7146 or visit www.jmagroup.com.JM&A Group is a division of JM Family Enterprises, Inc., a privately held company with more than $20 billion in revenue and more than 5,000 associates, which is headquartered in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Interact with JM Family on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. About National Truck Protection National Truck Protection is home to North America's two largest and oldest commercial truck aftermarket equipment protection brands: National Truck Protection (NTP) and Premium 2000. Both brands offer a variety of vehicle service programs that cover major equipment repairs on Class 2 - 8 vehicles like engine, turbos, aftertreatment, water pump, transmission, HVAC, electronics, and more. NTP and Premium 2000 protection plans for new and used trucks are sold through thousands of major OEM, independent, and rental truck dealership locations in the US and Canada. Plans are also available for fleets, finance companies, insurance agencies, and available to current truck owners through NTP Direct Sales. NTP has a network of over 6,100 repair center partners, including over 500 Preferred Repair Partner (PRP) facilities. For more information contact Tim Ronan at tronan@ntpco.com, or visit our brand websites: ntpwarranty.com and premium2000.com. National Truck Protection is a division of JM&A Group, a leading provider of F&I services for automotive dealerships. Attachment Customers can now earn cash for sharing their pizza slices at the West LA and La Cienega Fat Tomato locations Los Angeles, CA, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thumzup Media Corporation ("Thumzup" or the "Company") (OTCQB: TZUP), an innovator in social media branding and marketing solutions, is excited to welcome Fat Tomato Pizza's West LA and La Cienega locations to its growing roster of partners on the Companys proprietary cash rewards platform. Fat Tomato, known for its original New York-style pizza, now offers customers the opportunity to earn cash rewards for sharing their pizza experience through the Thumzup app. This exciting partnership enables Fat Tomato fans to easily order their pizza slices from the West LA and La Cienega locations and get rewarded for promoting the brand on social media. We are always excited to expand our presence across Los Angeles, said Robert Steele, CEO and Founder of Thumzup. Fat Tomato's dedication to its customers is evident with these new locations, providing loyal fans with additional places to enjoy their favorite pizza. With our platform, customers can now earn rewards for their patronage, making dining at Fat Tomato even more satisfying. The Thumzup app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play . About Fat Tomato Pizza Fat Tomato Pizza is known for its authentic New York style pizza, made with the freshest ingredients. Its dough, sauce and dressings are made daily, with local, organic produce delivered each day and mozzarella cheese shredded in-house. To learn more about Fat Tomato, visit https://www.gofattomato.com/ . About Thumzup Thumzup Media Corporation (Thumzup) is democratizing the multi-billion dollar social media branding and marketing industry. Its flagship product, the Thumzup platform, utilizes a robust programmatic advertiser dashboard coupled with a consumer-facing App to enable individuals to get paid cash for posting about participating advertisers on major social media outlets through the Thumzup App. The easy-to-use dashboard allows advertisers to programmatically customize their campaigns. Cash payments are made to App users/creators through PayPal and other digital payment systems. Thumzup was featured on CBS News Los Angeles and is a publicly traded company (OTCQB stock ticker: TZUP). For more information, please visit https://www.thumzupmedia.com . Legal Disclaimer This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include, without limitation, statements about its potential growth, impacts on the advertising industry, plans for potential uplisting, and planned expansion. These statements are identified by the use of the words "could," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "may," "continue," "predict," "potential," "project" and similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these plans, objectives, expectations or intentions will be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience and present expectations or projections. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements and the trading price for our common stock may fluctuate significantly. Forward-looking statements also are affected by the risk factors described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Contact Info investors@thumzupmedia.com 800-403-6150 Attachment PERTH, AUSTRALIA, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Independent home brokerage Perth Home Brokers is excited to announce a new initiative to ease the financial burden for first home buyers. This program, launched on July 8, 2024, allows eligible first-time home buyers to secure their homes without paying out of pocket for the initial deposit. "Around 73% of first home buyers identified saving for a deposit as their biggest challenge. It's really hard to save money while you're paying rent, and many end up renting three to four years longer than they wish," shares Perth Home Brokers Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nitesh Jha, highlighting the challenges aspiring homeowners face in Australia. The government has introduced the First Home Owner Grant, which provides eligible first home buyers with a $10,000 grant and a stamp duty waiver for land priced under $300,000, resulting in savings of up to $18,500. However, the minimum deposit requirement for banks remains around $25,000 to $30,000, which many buyers struggle to fill. Perth Home Brokers has secured an exclusive arrangement with a non-profit organization to bridge this gap. "We know saving for a deposit is really tough, especially when you're paying rent. That's why we created this program to help first home buyers," shares Jha. This partnership provides an additional $15,000 grant on top of the existing $10,000 state government grant, allowing potential home buyers to claim up to $25,000 in total grants. This substantial financial support can be used directly as a deposit, easing the pressure on First Home buyers. "Our new initiative is designed to empower first home buyers by providing them with the financial assistance they need to enter the property market sooner," Jha explains, adding that combining government grants with additional support will make homeownership more accessible and achievable for many aspiring individuals. The Perth Home Brokers team guides customers through every step, from sorting out finances to choosing the right property. This way, the whole process is stress-free for clients. "It's amazing to see the joy on people's faces when they get the keys to their very first home. That's what drives us to keep finding new ways to help." For more information about Perth Home Brokers and the new program, visit https://www.perthhomebrokers.com.au/ . About Perth Home Brokers Perth Home Brokers specializes in house and land packages. The company offers comprehensive services, including financial planning, builder selection, and land acquisition, to help clients secure their dream homes. Contact Information Brand: Perth Home Brokers Contact: Nitesh Jha Email: info@perthhomebrokers.com.au Website: https://www.perthhomebrokers.com.au/ AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tiny Health , a pioneer in at-home microbiome testing for babies and families, announces the addition of two esteemed physicians to its leadership team: Dr. Elisa Song as Chief Medical Officer and Dr. Taylor Sittler as Board Director. These appointments come as Tiny Health accelerates its clinical research, announces groundbreaking new scientific capabilities, and deepens its engagement with health practitionersall in an effort to empower families and reduce risks of chronic conditions that affect nearly 1 in 2 children in the U.S. Dr. Elisa Song is a renowned Stanford-, NYU-, UCSF-trained integrative pediatrician with over 25 years of clinical experience and a strong commitment to holistic care to heal the root causes of sickness which often lie in the gut microbiome. Having served as Tiny Health's Medical Advisor since June 2023, she was instrumental in developing the company's clinical-grade PRO Gut Health Test . I am honored to step into the role of Chief Medical Officer, said Dr. Song. Chronic conditions are on the rise, and Tiny Health is equipping practitioners with cutting-edge microbiome science to meet the moment. By empowering families with practical, actionable microbiome insights, I believe we can make a real difference in children's health outcomes. Dr. Taylor Sittler is a UMass- and UCSF-trained and Board-Certified Pathologist, serial entrepreneur, and angel investor in Tiny Health. He is a pioneer in genetics through his work at Color Genomics, women's health at The Cusp, and metabolic health monitoring at Levels Health. He is passionate about using technology and machine learning to transform medical practice. Tiny Health has built the highest quality platform for assessment of the microbiome, an important emerging modality in root cause evaluation, particularly for young children and their families, Dr. Sittler said. Im excited to join Tiny Healths board at a time when the company is poised to deepen its impact in the clinical space. Since announcing its partnership with Rupa Health in June, Tiny Health's network has grown to over 1,000 health practitioners, with new clinicians joining every month to integrate the most advanced gut and vaginal testing available into their standard of care. The company is committed to educating and empowering families to address the root cause of chronic conditions that are often related to gut health functions, from the critical first 1,000 days of life through adulthood. Were excited to welcome Dr. Song and Dr. Sittler to the Tiny Health family, said Cheryl Sew Hoy, Founder and CEO of Tiny Health. Their expertise in conventional and integrative medicine is invaluable as we continue to innovate and expand. With our upcoming publication focused on C-section babies and new research initiatives with UCSF, their leadership strengthens our position as a trusted partner for practitioners and parents alike. As highlighted in a recent Washington Post article , Tiny Health is meeting a growing need for deeper insights through its microbiome tests, helping families who haven't found answers through conventional means. With Dr. Song and Dr. Sittler's leadership, Tiny Health is well-positioned to educate parents and practitioners on the gut-immune axiss role in preventing, reversing, and managing chronic conditions. In tandem with these leadership announcements, Tiny Health has introduced Pathogen Strain Tracking and Bacterial Toxin Genes capabilities to their tests, providing unparalleled detail in identifying and monitoring gut pathogens. No other stool testing technology offers this level of resolution, said Cheryl Sew Hoy. Our reports empower practitioners with the ability to distinguish between benign and pathogenic strains. By empowering them with data and critical clinical insights into bacterial activities, we hope to help them make more informed decisions and tailor interventions for their patients with greater precision. To learn how Tiny Health works with practitioners and digital health innovators to deliver better care and advance microbiome health, visit PoweredByTiny.com . About Tiny Health: Founded in 2020, Tiny Health is the first-ever at-home gut microbiome test developed for babies, empowering families to take control of their gut health to improve long-term health outcomes. Built by a team of microbiome scientists and early-life experts, our innovative tests educate consumers about the microbes in their bodies and provide evidence-based interventions to optimize overall well-being. Serving 25,000+ families across the U.S., Tiny Health offers gut health testing for every stage of life from the womb through adulthood. For more information and to try out Tiny Health, visit tinyhealth.com . Contact: Hannah Goering Tiny Health press@tinyhealth.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/887ce4a8-6485-4ff3-81e2-c5db441093f5 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/27547a40-1bd1-45c6-9bbf-f705e4d3c7db https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee2c19df-ef55-46ab-b5df-ea4161c620b3 TORONTO, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Humber River Health (Humber) is pleased to have ranked among the top five Ontario hospitals for every category of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) 2023 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP), an outcomes-based program that is used by hospitals around the world to measure and improve the quality of surgical care. Humber is the only hospital in the province to achieve this ranking in each category. Humber is recognized globally for leveraging technology to achieve high reliability and delivering safe, high-quality care. The NSQIP tracks the rate of post-surgical complications, such as morbidity, pneumonia, surgical-site infections and unplanned re-admissions, in randomized patient groups. The resulting data provides hospitals with a comprehensive view on surgery outcomes. Humbers Surgical Department regularly uses the NSQIP to identify ways to improve quality and patient experiences. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of surgical quality at Humber it is essential to our philosophy of patient care, comments Jhanvi Solanki, Vice President of Clinical Programs at Humber. The data provided by NSQIP helps us achieve this by informing where we can make continual improvements and apply new innovations this is what sets us apart and enables us to provide excellent care to our community. Humber continues to adopt innovative healthcare solutions that build on its capacity as a high-reliability hospital with recognized safety outcomes. This includes implementing leading surgical innovations, such as robotic technologies, to improve patient outcomes and reduce surgery wait times. The success of Humbers Surgical Department is proof that innovation and patient safety go hand-in-hand. By leveraging surgical innovations like the da Vinci Xi, the ROSA Knee System, and the Intellijoint HIP, Humber can treat more patients in less time and with greater benefits, such as less blood loss, reduced pain and swelling, and shorter hospital stays. In addition to its use of surgical innovations, technologies such as Humbers Command Centre, advanced training simulations, and automated drug dispensing units help reduce errors and increase patient safety. As the first of its kind in Canada, Humbers Command Centre orchestrates seamless patient care behind the scenes, addressing common issues like long wait times and poor patient flow, resulting in early interventions and responsible decision-making. The Command Centres innovative Early Warning Systems (EWS), notably the Clinical Deterioration tile, proactively detects and mitigates patient deterioration, leading to a significant reduction in critical events. The integration of the Command Centre and other various innovations has led to Humber having 66 per cent fewer cases of hospital harm than the provincial average, a 10 per cent year-over-year reduction in sepsis cases, a 40 per cent year-over-year decrease in code blues, and a medication error rate of 0.009 per cent. The entire team at Humber has worked incredibly hard to achieve our safety record not only in surgeries but across all our operations and departments, says Carol Hatcher, Humbers Executive Vice President, Chief Nursing Executive and Chief of Clinical Programs. Quality is a fundamental value for us. It is reflected in every decision we make, technology we adopt, and innovation we explore. I believe this is what has led us to being recognized by the ACS in this capacity. About Humber River Health: Humber River Health is one of Canadas largest community acute care hospitals, serving a population of more than 850,000 people in the northwest Greater Toronto Area. The multi-site hospital currently operates out of its Wilson Avenue acute care site, Finch, and Church Campus with over 4,000 employees, approximately 700 physicians, and over 500 volunteers. Humber River Health uses a custom combination of technology and clinical expertise to rebuild elements of care, making technology work for staff and physicians, giving them more time to spend with patients. With the support of its incredible teams, a strong will, and determination, Humber River Health is committed to Lighting New Ways in Healthcare. For more information, please visit hrh.ca. For media inquiries, please contact: Humber River Health Joe Gorman Director, Community Relations & Public Affairs jgorman@hrh.ca A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0d92ed5c-b0df-480b-a415-ece239912d66 Dublin, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Saudi Arabia Foodservice Disposable Packaging - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2024 - 2029)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Saudi Arabia Foodservice Disposable Packaging Market exhibits robust growth, with forecasts projecting the market size to escalate from USD 1.83 billion in 2024 to USD 2.46 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 6.13% during the period of 2024-2029. Key factors propelling this advancement include an increased demand for convenience foods, a surge in home deliveries, heightened environmental awareness, and sustainable packaging solutions. Furthermore, the flourishing coffee culture and emerging restaurant chains are creating a propelling demand for disposable packaging solutions. The foodservice industry's growth is closely aligned with the evolving consumer lifestyle that prioritizes convenience. Ready-to-eat meals, a surge in food delivery services, and outdoor dining experiences are contributing significantly to the increased demand for disposable packaging. With innovations that cater to convenience and sustainability, there is an evident rise in the production of biodegradable packaging to align with environmental sensibilities. Several international restaurant chains are undertaking strategic expansions within the Saudi market, contributing to the burgeoning demand for disposable containers and utensils. New restaurant openings and cloud kitchens are riding this wave of growth, with companies like Rebel Foods embarking on ambitious expansion plans that include increasing their internet restaurant presence significantly in the coming years. Government regulations aimed at reducing plastic waste represent both a challenge and an opportunity within the disposable packaging sector. The shifting regulatory landscape necessitates investment in new technologies and processes to support sustainability initiatives, which presents an obstacle for market players yet also drives innovation toward more eco-friendly packaging solutions. Segment Growth: Cups and Lids Dominate Market Share The disposable cups and lids segment is expected to occupy a substantial market share due to the rising consumption of hot and cold beverages, underscored by the expansion of coffee culture in the country. Disposable cups, preferred for their convenience and cost-effectiveness, play a major role in quick-service restaurants and social gatherings. Paper cups, in particular, are gaining traction over plastic ones due to environmental concerns and hygiene considerations. Significant Market Share Held by HoReCa The Hotels, Restaurants, and Cafes (HoReCa) sector is seeing pronounced demand for foodservice disposable products. The increase in food outlets, the popularization of fast food, and the growth in food delivery services are pivotal in driving market growth. The necessity for timely and safe food delivery reinforces the reliance on disposable packaging within this sector. Additionally, the expanding tourism industry significantly influences the demand for disposable packaging solutions. The Saudi foodservice disposable packaging market's potential remains vigorous, with industry players maneuvering strategic initiatives to stay competitive. A semi-consolidated landscape featuring players like Napco National Packaging, Hotpack Packaging Industries LLC, SAQR PACK, and Falcon Pack indicates a dynamic market where innovation and sustainability hold the keys to future growth and market dominance. Companies Featured Napco National Hotpack Packaging Industries LLC SAQR Pack Falcon Pack Prestige Packing Industry Packaging Product Company (PPC) Smart Pack Saudi Modern Packaging Co. Ltd Noor Carton & Packaging Industry Saudi Foam Trays Mfg. Co. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/q3y1az 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. Attachments LOS ANGELES, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InStride , a human capital management company providing workforce education solutions, today announced a strategic partnership with Ready to Hire , the skilled workforce development business of Cengage Group. Through this collaboration, Ready to Hires solution a comprehensive approach to attract, screen and train candidates will be available alongside InStrides workforce education programs, platform, and academic network. Combined, these solutions empower employers with added capabilities to effectively source and hire credentialed entry-level employees, while also upskilling and retaining their existing workforces. Ready to Hire empowers companies to create new talent pipelines for high-demand entry-level roles, particularly in healthcare, manufacturing and skilled trades, said Rya Conrad-Bradshaw, SVP, Cengage Work and General Manager, Ready to Hire. In healthcare, for instance, the program simplifies the placement of candidates in essential roles such as medical assistants, pharmacy technicians and phlebotomy technicians. Were thrilled to partner with InStride to help provide a steady pool of qualified candidates, across industries, who can more quickly and affordably fulfill the talent needs of InStrides corporate partners. Ready to Hire seamlessly integrates with InStrides existing human capital management solutions, providing ongoing support and certification opportunities to ensure new hires are equipped for success. Once hired by an InStride partner, new employees will then have access to their companys workforce education program, powered by InStride. Key benefits of Ready to Hire include: Cost efficiency: Companies can reduce hiring costs by up to 30% by utilizing Ready to Hire for sourcing, screening and conducting initial interviews. Companies can reduce hiring costs by up to 30% by utilizing Ready to Hire for sourcing, screening and conducting initial interviews. Diverse talent pipelines: The solution engages with local and diverse talent pools through workforce job boards, social media and Cengage Work's internal database, ensuring a diverse pool of candidates. The solution engages with local and diverse talent pools through workforce job boards, social media and Cengage Work's internal database, ensuring a diverse pool of candidates. Enhanced retention: With ongoing support throughout the first 90 days of employment, Ready to Hire promotes higher retention rates for newly hired employees across various industries. Additionally, candidates receive support to earn national or state certifications, ensuring long-term retention. "Ready to Hire empowers companies to fill entry-level roles with candidates who are prepared to succeed from day one, said Craig Maloney, CEO of InStride. By partnering with Ready to Hire, we provide a crucial on-ramp to employment and ensure that learning continues on the job, which aligns with our mission and delivers significant value to our partners. About InStride InStride is a human capital management company that delivers workforce education solutions in partnership with top academic institutions. InStride enables employers to provide career-aligned, debt-free education through a personalized, digital platform and a consultative service model. Empowering forward-thinking, talent-focused corporate partners such as Labcorp, Adidas, and Intermountain Health, InStride helps drive meaningful social and business outcomes by unlocking access to life-changing education. Visit instride.com or follow InStride on Twitter and LinkedIn for more information and up-to-date news. About Ready to Hire Ready to Hire, powered by Cengage Group, helps companies create and develop skilled talent pipelines for high demand roles through role-aligned training and upskilling products and services. Working directly with employers and a network of academic partners and workforce organizations, Ready to Hire helps employers build untapped candidate pipelines using scalable, technology-enabled services that identify and train new talent through train-to-hire programs, upskill current talent to earn certifications and professional skills with an on-site structured experience, and access local talent. For more information, visit https://www.readytohire.com/. About Cengage Group With more than 100 years serving learners, Cengage Group is a global edtech company that enables student choice. No matter how, where, when or why someone wants to learn, our portfolio of education businesses supports all students, from middle school through graduate school and skills education, with quality content and technology. Collectively, our three business units Cengage Academic, Cengage Work and Cengage Select help millions of students each year in more than 125 countries achieve their education and career goals and lead choice-filled lives. Visit us at www.cengagegroup.com or find us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Contact (InStride): Nick Greif, VP, Corporate Communications & External Affairs, nick.greif@instride.com, 323-363-8910 Contact (Cengage Group): Emily Featherston, Sr. Director, Corporate Communication, emily.featherston@cengage.com Dublin, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Saudi Arabia IoT In Healthcare Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2019-2029F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Saudi Arabia IoT In Healthcare Market was valued at USD 387.22 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to project steady growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 8.69% through 2029 The Saudi Arabia IoT in healthcare market is driven by several key factors. Increasing government initiatives and investments in digital health technologies, part of the country's Vision 2030 plan, are enhancing healthcare infrastructure and promoting the adoption of IoT solutions. The rising prevalence of chronic diseases and a growing aging population further fuels demand for connected health devices that enable remote monitoring and personalized care. Technological advancements in IoT, including improved data analytics and real-time monitoring capabilities, are also accelerating market growth by enhancing patient outcomes and operational efficiencies. The focus on improving healthcare accessibility and reducing costs through innovative technologies is contributing to the market's expansion. The convergence of these factors is creating a robust environment for IoT solutions in healthcare, positioning Saudi Arabia as a key player in the regional digital health landscape. Growing Demand for Telemedicine The increasing demand for telemedicine services in Saudi Arabia is having a profound impact on the IoT in healthcare market, transforming how healthcare is delivered and accessed across the country. Telemedicine, which allows patients to consult healthcare providers remotely, addresses significant challenges in a country characterized by a vast geographic area and varied levels of healthcare accessibility. IoT devices play a critical role in this evolving landscape by enabling remote monitoring, virtual consultations, and seamless data sharing between patients and healthcare professionals. In Saudi Arabia, where large distances and regional disparities in healthcare access can limit patients' ability to receive timely medical care, telemedicine offers a valuable solution. Through virtual consultations, patients can connect with healthcare providers without the need for extensive travel, making healthcare more accessible to those living in remote or underserved areas. This is particularly beneficial in a country with diverse geographical terrains and varying levels of healthcare infrastructure. Enhancements in Healthcare Data Analytics Advancements in healthcare data analytics are playing a crucial role in driving the adoption of IoT technologies in Saudi Arabia, significantly transforming how healthcare data is utilized to enhance patient outcomes and operational efficiencies. IoT devices, such as wearable health monitors, smart medical devices, and remote diagnostic tools, generate an immense volume of data that, when harnessed and analyzed effectively, offers profound insights into various aspects of healthcare. One of the primary benefits of integrating IoT data with advanced analytics platforms is the ability to make informed, data-driven decisions. In a healthcare setting, the data collected by IoT devices - ranging from vital signs and activity levels to detailed medical histories - provides a comprehensive view of a patient's health status. By employing sophisticated analytics tools, healthcare providers can synthesize this data to gain a deeper understanding of patient conditions, treatment responses, and overall health trends. Predictive analytics is a key component of this integration. It involves using historical data and statistical algorithms to forecast future health outcomes. Report Scope: Key Market Players Medtronic Saudi Arabia LLC IBM Middle East - FZ LLC Microsoft Arabia Team Yamama SolutionDots Saudi Arabia IoT In Healthcare Market, By Component: Medical Device Systems & Software Services Connectivity Technology Saudi Arabia IoT In Healthcare Market, By Application: Telemedicine Connected Imaging Inpatient Monitoring Remote Patient Monitoring Others Saudi Arabia IoT In Healthcare Market, By End User: Hospitals & Clinics Clinical Research Organizations Government and Defense Institutions Research Diagnostic Laboratories Saudi Arabia IoT In Healthcare Market, By Region: Western Region Central Region Southern Region Eastern Region Northern Region For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rpaf76 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 NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Real Estate Advisors (GREA), a full-service real estate advisory firm specializing in multifamily acquisitions and dispositions, is pleased to announce a series of strategic moves designed to fuel its next phase of growth. The company is expanding its East Coast presence with two new offices and welcoming Tiffany Wright as its new Chief Executive Officer. Expansion in Key Markets The addition of Ariel Property Advisors in New York City and Deaton Investment Real Estate in Raleigh, North Carolina, mark GREAs ongoing commitment to providing exceptional real estate expertise and service to clients in key markets across the country. The New York City office will expand GREA's platform by offering capital services and enhancing the companys affordable housing platform. In a dynamic real estate market, Ariel Property Group presents significant opportunities for growth. Shimon Shkury, President and Founder of Ariel Property Advisors said, "We are excited about Ariels partnership with GREA. Through our Capital Services Group, Ariel will provide mortgage and equity placement services to clients nationwide. Additionally, our Affordable Housing experts will share their capabilities with the entire GREA network, which will help ensure the development and preservation of quality affordable housing in communities throughout the country. The Raleigh office positions GREA for continued success in the rapidly growing Triangle region, a hub for technology, life sciences, and education. As one of the fastest-growing real estate markets in the country, this area offers significant opportunities. The addition of Deaton to GREAs network will enhance the firms ability to serve clients in this thriving market, providing comprehensive real estate services. This emphasis on collaboration is already evident in GREAs recent activities. The Raleigh office has demonstrated the power of cross-office collaboration by successfully closing two transactions with the Atlanta office and two deals with the Philadelphia office. This level of collaboration showcases GREAs ability to provide comprehensive real estate services and offer a truly connected platform across the country. "We are very excited to join the GREA National Sales Platform and have already seen the benefits to our clients of cooperation and collaboration with other GREA brokers, Steve Deaton said. Our sellers are getting huge exposure of their properties to an ever-expanding national pool of buyers and our buyers gain the benefit of working with a seasoned professional broker in whatever market they choose to enter next. As we continue to grow and expand the number of offices under the GREA umbrella, this has the potential to completely disrupt multi-family brokerage as it currently exists." GREAs continued expansion is part of a broader strategy to provide localized expertise while leveraging the companys nationwide platform to create a seamless experience for clients. With the New York and Raleigh offices now part of the network, GREA is even better equipped to meet the needs of its growing client base. New Leadership to Drive Growth In conjunction with this exciting expansion, GREA is proud to welcome Tiffany Wright as the companys new Chief Executive Officer. Wright, who brings 10 years of leadership experience in the real estate industry, will spearhead the companys growth strategy and enhance its market presence. As the first female CEO of GREA, Wrights appointment marks a significant milestone in the companys history, demonstrating its dedication to fostering diversity and leadership excellence. I am honored to join GREA at such a pivotal moment in our growth, particularly with the addition of the Aerial and Deaton offices, said Wright. We recognize that our greatest strength lies in the exceptional talent we have nationwide. By uniting this diverse expertise, we can deliver impactful results for our clients, grow our national reach, achieve economies of scale, and set a new standard for our industry. Our focus is on unlocking the full power of our people sharing knowledge, collaborating closely, and evolving continuously to ensure that every office thrives together and drives the next phase of our companys success. As GREA moves forward under Wrights leadership, the company is committed to fostering innovation, collaboration, and client-focused solutions across its platform. About GREA GREA offers a personal, hands-on, client-driven approach that understands how to tailor solutions to the needs of each investor. GREA aims to help its clients achieve their real estate goals by leveraging its local expertise with the network's global reach, knowledge, experience, expertise, creativity, and connections. For more information, visit www.grea.com. Contact: Julia Barwick 678.894.2231 press@grea.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9cffaf97-c285-4a2c-84a5-13713bad3f40 Dublin, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "India Stabilizers Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2020-2030F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The India Stabilizers Market was valued at USD 813.69 Million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1.31 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 8.16% during the forecast period. The India stabilizers market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the country's increasing demand for reliable and consistent power supply amidst frequent voltage fluctuations and power outages. This surge is largely attributed to the rapid urbanization and industrialization sweeping across the nation, which in turn has amplified the need for voltage stabilizers across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. One of the significant drivers of the market is the expanding middle class and the corresponding rise in the adoption of electrical appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and televisions, which are highly sensitive to voltage fluctuations. This consumer segment is increasingly investing in voltage stabilizers to protect their appliances from potential damage caused by inconsistent power supply. Additionally, the government's push towards electrification and rural development has opened new avenues for growth, with rural households gradually becoming significant contributors to the market. Technological advancements have also played a crucial role in shaping the India stabilizers market. Modern voltage stabilizers are now equipped with features such as digital displays, microcontroller-based designs, and smart connectivity, which not only enhance their functionality but also appeal to the tech-savvy consumer base. These innovations have allowed manufacturers to differentiate their products in a highly competitive market, thereby attracting a broader customer base. Moreover, the increasing awareness about energy efficiency and the growing emphasis on sustainable practices have further fueled the demand for energy-efficient stabilizers. Consumers and businesses alike are seeking solutions that not only safeguard their electrical equipment but also contribute to energy savings, aligning with the broader environmental goals. This trend is expected to continue, with manufacturers investing in research and development to introduce more eco-friendly and energy-efficient products. The presence of numerous unorganized players offering low-cost stabilizers poses a significant threat to established brands, particularly in price-sensitive rural markets. Additionally, the fluctuating raw material prices and stringent regulatory standards can impact the profitability and operational efficiency of manufacturers. Despite these challenges, the overall outlook for the India stabilizers market remains positive, supported by the continuous infrastructure development, increasing disposable incomes, and the rising demand for high-quality, reliable power solutions. Key Market Trends Rising Demand for Smart Stabilizers The demand for smart stabilizers is on the rise in the India stabilizers market, reflecting the increasing consumer preference for technologically advanced and connected home solutions. Smart stabilizers come equipped with features such as Wi-Fi connectivity, mobile app control, and real-time monitoring, allowing users to manage and monitor their stabilizers remotely. This trend is particularly prevalent among urban consumers who are increasingly adopting smart home technologies to enhance convenience and energy efficiency. The proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT) has significantly contributed to the popularity of smart stabilizers. IoT-enabled devices can communicate with each other, providing a seamless user experience and improving overall home automation systems. As a result, smart stabilizers have become an integral part of the modern household, ensuring the protection of sensitive electrical appliances from voltage fluctuations while offering additional benefits such as energy management and fault diagnostics. Manufacturers are capitalizing on this trend by investing in research and development to introduce innovative smart stabilizer models. For instance, some companies are integrating advanced sensors and AI algorithms to enhance the predictive maintenance capabilities of their stabilizers. These features not only help in preventing potential failures but also extend the lifespan of the appliances connected to the stabilizers. Expansion of Rural Markets The expansion of rural markets is a significant trend shaping the India stabilizers market. With the government's ongoing efforts towards rural electrification and infrastructure development, rural households are increasingly gaining access to electricity. This development has opened up new opportunities for stabilizer manufacturers to cater to the untapped potential of rural consumers. One of the key strategies employed by manufacturers is to establish strong distribution networks in rural areas. This involves collaborating with local retailers and distributors who have a better understanding of the rural market dynamics. Additionally, companies are investing in awareness campaigns to educate rural consumers about the benefits of using stabilizers, thereby driving adoption rates. Focus on Energy Efficiency Energy efficiency has become a focal point in the India stabilizers market, driven by the growing awareness about environmental sustainability and the need to reduce energy consumption. Consumers and businesses alike are increasingly seeking energy-efficient solutions that not only protect their electrical appliances but also contribute to overall energy savings. Manufacturers are responding to this trend by investing in research and development to develop innovative energy-efficient stabilizers. They are also focusing on creating awareness among consumers about the long-term cost savings and environmental benefits of using energy-efficient products. As energy efficiency continues to be a priority for consumers and businesses, the demand for energy-efficient stabilizers is expected to grow, driving the overall market. Growth in the Commercial and Industrial Sectors The commercial and industrial sectors are witnessing significant growth in the India stabilizers market, driven by the increasing need for reliable power solutions to ensure the smooth operation of critical equipment and processes. These sectors are highly susceptible to voltage fluctuations, which can cause substantial damage to sensitive machinery, leading to costly downtime and repairs. The increasing focus on infrastructure development, urbanization, and the establishment of new industrial corridors in India is further driving the demand for stabilizers in these sectors. Government initiatives aimed at boosting industrial growth and improving public infrastructure are expected to create additional opportunities for stabilizer manufacturers. As the commercial and industrial sectors continue to expand, the demand for stabilizers is anticipated to rise, making these segments key contributors to the overall growth of the India stabilizers market. Integration of Advanced Technologies The integration of advanced technologies is a notable trend in the India stabilizers market, as manufacturers strive to enhance the functionality and performance of their products. Innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and the Internet of Things (IoT) are being leveraged to develop smart stabilizers that offer superior protection and monitoring capabilities. The integration of advanced technologies not only improves the performance of stabilizers but also adds value for consumers by offering enhanced protection, convenience, and energy efficiency. As technology continues to evolve, the trend of incorporating advanced features into stabilizers is expected to drive the growth and innovation in the India stabilizers market. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 84 Forecast Period 2024 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $0.81 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $1.31 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 8.1% Regions Covered India Report Scope: Key Market Players V-Guard Industries Ltd. Microtek International Pvt. Ltd. Luminous Power Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Havells India Limited Servokon Systems Limited Schneider Electric Infrastructure Limited Voltas Limited Bajaj Electricals Limited Delta Power Solutions India Private Ltd Bluebird Power Controls Pvt. Ltd. Eaton Corporation Livguard Batteries Private Limited India Stabilizers Market, By Type: Single-phase stabilizers Three-phase stabilizers India Stabilizers Market, By Application: Mainline stabilizers AC stabilizers Refrigerator stabilizers TV stabilizers Washing machine stabilizers Others India Stabilizers Market, By Controller Type: Servo-controlled stabilizers Static stabilizers India Stabilizers Market, By End-User: Residential Commercial Industrial India Stabilizers Market, By Region: North India South India West India East India For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fiprc3 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 Newark, N.J., Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is launching a new, $10+ million initiative that will significantly advance the universitys strength in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and position NJIT to become a leader in both AI research and application in higher education. This augments already significant existing academic and research activity in AI and related programs. In 2023 alone, NJIT research related to AI totaled nearly $60 million. This new effort will leverage the universitys extensive expertise in machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and robotics, with the goal of becoming a major player in AI innovation. As part of the new investment, NJIT will establish the Grace Hopper AI Research Institute with support from an anonymous donor and matching funds that total $6 million. The Institute is named for American computer scientist, mathematician, and United States Navy rear admiral Grace Brewster Hopper, who was a pioneer of computer programming. The new institute will include existing initiatives, such as the Center for AI Research and the Institute for Data Science where faculty members and researchers, along with students, study topics such as data analysis and scientific computing and also will apply AI across diverse fields, such as architecture, biology, engineering, and management, ensuring that AI research benefits multiple sectors. Through collaboration with the New Jersey Innovation Institute, an NJIT corporation, the Grace Hopper AI Research Institute also will form partnerships with healthcare, defense, finance, and manufacturing industries, creating AI solutions for real-world challenges. An additional $4+ million investment by NJIT will support initiatives that include an expansion of the top-tier AI talent at NJIT and the creation of a Center for Educational Innovation Excellence, where experts will study AIs role in enhancing curricula and effective teaching/learning. NJIT is already well underway in equipping faculty to use generative learning, as part of an integrated partnership between the administration, instructional staff and the Office of Information Services & Technology. The expansion of NJITs AI prowess in research and application aligns perfectly with the universitys 2030 Strategic Plan, which calls for NJIT to become a nexus of innovation that is a physical and intellectual focal point for ideas, actions and people and brings together researchers, learners, entrepreneurs and partners from government, industry and the community to pursue innovation. The AI push will dramatically enhance learner advancement, faculty success, digital transformation and expansion of industry partnerships, all of which are areas of focus within that strategic plan. Generative AI is creating new opportunities for innovation and knowledge creation while also challenging the traditional models of R&D and operations, said NJIT President Teik C. Lim. At the same time, the development of intellectual property and the translation and commercialization of research requires dedicated investment. AI is arguably going to have the greatest effect on the creation and delivery of knowledge goods and services since the advent of the Internet and the smartphone. NJIT will focus its research enterprise on collaborative, large-scale, applied projects in areas of high impact. Attachment Phoenix, AZ, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. Nader Sanai, Director of the Ivy Brain Tumor Center, Chief of Neurosurgical Oncology at Barrow Neurological Institute, and the Francis & Dionne Najafi Chair in Neurosurgical Oncology, has been recognized as the 2024 Arizona Bioscience Researcher of the Year by the Arizona Bioindustry Association. He will receive the award at the 20th Annual AZBio Awards on Wednesday, September 18 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Dr. Sanai is being honored for his pioneering spirit and commitment to push beyond the status quo to discover new therapies for his brain tumor patients. The Ivy Brain Tumor Center at Barrow Neurological Institute was established in 2018. Since then, Dr. Sanai has built a team of the best and brightest minds from around the world, all focused on a singular goal to find a cure for brain cancer. In six years, under Dr. Sanais leadership, the Ivy Center has grown to 55 employees, engaged more than 50 biotech and biopharma partnerships, tested dozens of experimental therapies and launched a global Phase 3 clinical trial. As a neurosurgeon and principal investigator, Dr. Sanai pioneered the worlds largest Phase 0 clinical trials program where he facilitates early-phase drug studies in operating rooms and the laboratories. "Throughout his career, Dr. Nader Sanai has worked to find better solutions for patients faced with life-threatening conditions. His commitment to patients extends to pushing the boundaries in brain cancer research and treatment with cutting-edge, experimental studies never seen before in the field of neuro-oncology," says Joan Koerber-Walker, president and CEO of the Arizona Bioindustry Association, Inc. "For people living with brain tumors, speedy and effective treatment is essential. On behalf of those patients, and on behalf of our health innovation community, we are pleased to honor Dr. Nader Sanai as Arizona Bioscience Researcher of the Year." Dr. Robert F. Spetzler, a world-renowned neurosurgeon and former president and CEO of Barrow Neurological Institute, will introduce and present the award to Dr. Sanai at the AZBio Awards ceremony. Dr. Spetzler mentored Dr. Sanai when he served as Dr. Spetzlers skull base and cerebrovascular fellow in 2009, subsequently recruiting him to lead Barrows brain tumor program. I am so proud that Dr. Sanai has received the Arizona Bioscience Researcher of the Year award for he so exemplifies the physician-researcher that drives improvement in patient care, says Dr. Spetzler, Emeritus President of Barrow. With his brilliant clinical trials and tumor research in the Ivy laboratories leading to new and promising therapy for malignant brain tumors, his accomplishments are appropriately recognized with this prestigious award. Today, as one of the nations highest-volume brain tumor neurosurgeons, Dr. Sanai has completed more than 4,500 brain tumor operations, authored 300+ peer-reviewed research studies, and delivered more than 200 national and international lectures. Its an honor to be named the Arizona Bioscience Researcher of the Year, says Dr. Sanai. This award is a credit to not only the people who make the Ivy Center the success that it has become, its a testament to the unwavering support and collaboration of the Arizona bioscience industry. Thank you for this recognition and for encouraging and inspiring Arizona investigators like me to keep pushing towards scientific breakthroughs. ### About AZBio Founded in 2003, the Arizona Bioindustry Association, Inc. (AZBio) supports life science innovation and life science innovators in Arizona. A key component in Arizonas life science ecosystem, AZBio is the only statewide organization exclusively focused on Arizonas bioscience industry. AZBio membership includes patient advocacy organizations, life science innovators, educators, healthcare partners, philanthropists, and leading business organizations. AZBio members employ over 345,000 Arizonans. About the AZBio Awards Now in its 20th year, the AZBio Awards honors leaders from across the state of Arizona that illustrate the depth and breadth of our life science industry. The 20th annual AZBio Awards will take place at the Phoenix Convention Center on September 18, 2024. About Ivy Brain Tumor Center Ivy Brain Tumor Center at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, AZ, is a tertiary care and nonprofit translational research program that employs bold, early-phase clinical trial strategies to identify new treatments for aggressive brain tumors, including glioblastoma. Our leading experts in neurosurgical oncology, neuro-oncology, radiation oncology, neuroradiology, neuropathology and neuroscience nursing treat more patients annually than any other brain tumor center in the United States. The Ivy Centers Phase 0 clinical trials program is the largest in the world and enables personalized care in a fraction of the time and cost associated with traditional drug development. In addition, unlike conventional clinical trials focusing on single drugs, the Ivy Centers accelerated program tests therapeutic combinations matched to individual patients. We leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of hope and healing. Learn more at IvyBrainTumorCenter.org. Follow the Ivy Brain Tumor Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Attachments Dublin, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Saudi Arabia Wearable Medical Devices Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2019-2029F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Saudi Arabia Wearable Medical Devices Market was valued at USD 230.02 Million in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 396.78 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 9.47% The Saudi Arabia wearable medical devices market is being driven by several key factors. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions necessitates continuous health monitoring, which wearable devices effectively provide. Technological advancements, including improved sensors and connectivity, have enhanced the functionality and accuracy of these devices, making them more appealing to consumers. Rising health awareness and a growing emphasis on preventive care are encouraging more individuals to adopt wearable health technologies. Government initiatives supporting digital health and investments in healthcare infrastructure further boost market growth. The combination of these factors is fueling the demand for wearable medical devices, leading to a dynamic and expanding market in Saudi Arabia. Key Market Trends The ongoing development and enhancement of healthcare infrastructure in Saudi Arabia significantly bolster the growth of the wearable medical devices market. The Kingdom's strategic investments in modernizing healthcare facilities and expanding services play a crucial role in integrating advanced technologies, including wearable devices, into patient care. Improved healthcare infrastructure encompasses the construction of new hospitals, clinics, and specialized medical centers, as well as the upgrading of existing facilities. These advancements create a more conducive environment for the incorporation of wearable medical technologies. For instance, newly established and refurbished healthcare facilities are often equipped with the latest digital health tools, including wearable devices that monitor vital signs, track health metrics, and provide real-time data to healthcare providers. In June 2024, the Ministry of Health (MOH) awarded a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to Altakassusi Alliance Medical to enhance radiology and imaging services across seven hospitals, impacting over one million people. The MOH plans to privatize 290 hospitals and 2,300 healthcare institutions, increasing private sector involvement from 40% to 65%. This initiative will establish the nation's first collaborative network aimed at supporting hospital staff, thereby improving treatment quality in rural areas. These partnerships will facilitate the transfer of knowledge and skills, benefiting the local healthcare workforce through training programs and knowledge exchange. With better infrastructure, healthcare providers are increasingly able to integrate wearable medical devices into their practice. These devices offer the capability to remotely monitor patients, which is particularly beneficial for managing chronic conditions and ensuring continuous care. For example, wearable glucose monitors can track blood sugar levels in diabetic patients, while wearable ECG monitors can provide ongoing heart health data. The ability to monitor patients remotely not only enhances the quality of care but also reduces the need for frequent in-person visits, thereby streamlining healthcare delivery. The expansion of healthcare infrastructure also supports the broader adoption of wearable medical devices by making these technologies more accessible to both patients and healthcare professionals. Enhanced infrastructure often includes improved connectivity and data management systems, which facilitate the effective use of wearable devices. Healthcare providers can more easily collect, analyze, and utilize health data from wearable devices, integrating these insights into patient care plans. This data-driven approach allows for more personalized and proactive management of health conditions. Integration with Digital Health Ecosystems The integration of wearable medical devices with broader digital health ecosystems represents a pivotal driver for the growth of the wearable medical devices market. This integration creates a more interconnected and cohesive health management experience, significantly enhancing the utility and appeal of wearable technologies. Wearable medical devices, such as fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, and glucose sensors, are increasingly designed to interface seamlessly with mobile apps, cloud platforms, and electronic health records (EHRs). This connectivity enables users to synchronize their health data across multiple platforms, providing a comprehensive and real-time overview of their health status. For instance, a wearable glucose monitor can transmit blood sugar levels to a mobile app, which then updates the user's health profile on a cloud-based platform. This integration ensures that health data is continuously updated and accessible from various devices, making it easier for users to track their health metrics and manage their conditions effectively. The ability to share data seamlessly between wearable devices and digital health platforms facilitates remote monitoring and proactive health management. Healthcare providers can access up-to-date health information from their patients through EHRs, allowing them to monitor vital signs, track health trends, and make timely interventions. This remote monitoring capability is particularly beneficial for managing chronic conditions, as it enables continuous oversight without requiring frequent in-person visits. For example, a patient using a wearable heart rate monitor can have their data transmitted directly to their cardiologist, who can then assess the patient's condition and adjust treatment plans accordingly. Regional Insights Among the various regions in Saudi Arabia, the Central Region is currently the dominant player in the wearable medical devices market. This dominance is attributed to a confluence of factors including high population density, advanced healthcare infrastructure, and strategic investments in digital health technologies. The Central Region, which includes major cities such as Riyadh, is the economic and administrative heart of the country. Riyadh, being the capital city, serves as a hub for numerous healthcare initiatives and technological advancements. The presence of well-established hospitals specialized medical centers, and research institutions in Riyadh facilitates the adoption and integration of advanced medical technologies, including wearable devices. The region's robust healthcare infrastructure provides an ideal environment for the deployment and utilization of wearable medical devices, driving their widespread adoption. The Central Region benefits from significant government investments and healthcare projects aimed at enhancing the quality of care and improving health outcomes. The Saudi Vision 2030 plan emphasizes the development of digital health solutions and technological innovations, and Riyadh, as a central administrative and economic center, is at the forefront of these initiatives. The government's focus on integrating advanced technologies into healthcare systems aligns with the region's role in leading the market for wearable medical devices. Investment in health technology and infrastructure further accelerates the adoption of wearables in the Central Region. The high population density in the Central Region also contributes to its dominance in the wearable medical devices market. With a large and diverse population, there is a significant demand for healthcare solutions that can manage chronic diseases, monitor health conditions, and provide real-time data. Wearable medical devices, which offer continuous monitoring and health management capabilities, are particularly valuable in this context. The dense population ensures a substantial market for these devices, leading to their widespread use and integration into healthcare practices. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 80 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $230.02 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $396.78 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 9.4% Regions Covered Saudi Arabia Report Scope: Key Market Players Medtronic Saudi Arabia LLC Abbott Saudi Arabia Trading LLC VitalAire Arabia Zimmo Trading Co. Ltd. (OMRON Healthcare) Elite Health Care Co. Saudi Arabia Wearable Medical Devices Market, By Type: Diagnostics Therapeutic Saudi Arabia Wearable Medical Devices Market, By Products: Activity Monitors/Trackers Smartwatches Patches Smart Clothing Saudi Arabia Wearable Medical Devices Market, By Purpose: Heart Rate Physical Activities Blood Oxygen Saturation Body Temperature Others Saudi Arabia Wearable Medical Devices Market, By Application: General Health & Fitness Remote Patient Monitoring Home Healthcare Saudi Arabia Wearable Medical Devices Market, By Distribution Channel: Pharmacies E-Commerce Others Saudi Arabia Wearable Medical Devices Market, By Region: Western Region Central Region Southern Region Eastern Region Northern Region For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kaqx0o About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Dublin, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Saudi Arabia Over The Counter Drugs Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2019-2029F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Saudi Arabia Over The Counter Drugs Market was valued at USD 1.15 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 1.82 billion by 2029 with a CAGR of 7.84% The Saudi Arabia over-the-counter (OTC) drugs market is driven by increasing health awareness, a growing focus on preventive healthcare, and rising consumer preference for self-medication. The expanding middle-class population, coupled with higher disposable incomes, enables more individuals to access and afford OTC medications. Advancements in retail and e-commerce platforms have improved the availability and convenience of purchasing OTC drugs. The government's initiatives to enhance healthcare access and regulatory reforms supporting OTC drug sales also contribute to market growth. Increasing prevalence of common ailments, such as colds, allergies, and minor aches, further fuels demand for readily available OTC solutions. These factors collectively drive the expansion of the OTC drugs market in Saudi Arabia. Expansion of Retail and E-commerce Channels The expansion of retail and e-commerce platforms has significantly reshaped the over-the-counter (OTC) drugs market in Saudi Arabia. The rapid growth of online shopping has enabled consumers to conveniently purchase OTC medications from the comfort of their homes. This shift towards digital platforms has provided easier access to a broad range of OTC products, from common pain relievers and cold remedies to specialized health supplements. The increased availability and accessibility offered by online pharmacies and e-commerce sites have revolutionized the market, allowing consumers to compare prices, read reviews, and select products without the constraints of physical store inventories. The growth of brick-and-mortar retail chains has further enhanced market reach, making OTC drugs more readily available in various locations across the country. This dual expansion in both digital and physical retail environments has driven market growth by offering greater convenience and choice for consumers seeking OTC solutions. In December 2023, Chefaa, a pharmacy platform focused on patient needs, has secured USD 5.25 million in a significant funding round from both new and existing investors. The investment was co-led by Newtown Partners (South Africa) and Global Brain (Japan), with participation from GMS Capital Partners LLC (US), Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures (Nigeria), and M3, Inc. (Japan). This funding follows Chefaa's successful entry into the Saudi Arabia market, where it now operates across eight cities. The strategic capital will enable Chefaa to scale its digital supply chain models and enhance stakeholder engagement, thereby improving user experiences and treatment adherence. Chefaa's primary objective remains to drive the safe digital transformation of healthcare with a patient-focused, comprehensive approach. Innovations & New Product Developments Innovations and new product developments are pivotal drivers of growth in Saudi Arabia's over-the-counter (OTC) drugs market. Pharmaceutical companies are actively engaged in advancing the OTC sector by introducing new and improved products that cater to an expanding range of health concerns. These innovations encompass various aspects of drug development, including formulation improvements, advanced delivery mechanisms, and enhanced packaging solutions. Modern advancements in drug formulations have led to the creation of more effective OTC medications that provide targeted relief and greater efficacy. For instance, the development of fast-acting pain relievers, improved antihistamines, and more effective gastrointestinal remedies demonstrates how companies are addressing specific health needs with greater precision. Enhanced delivery mechanisms, such as extended-release formulations and dissolvable tablets, further improve patient compliance and convenience, ensuring that OTC medications are both effective and user-friendly. Innovations in packaging have made OTC products more accessible and practical for consumers. Child-resistant packaging, tamper-evident seals, and user-friendly designs contribute to safer and more convenient medication use. These packaging advancements not only enhance product safety but also help in preserving the efficacy and shelf life of OTC drugs. The continuous introduction of novel OTC products generates significant consumer interest and drives market growth by addressing evolving health needs. For example, the launch of new supplements, vitamins, and wellness products reflects a growing trend towards proactive health management and preventive care. Such innovations not only expand the range of available OTC solutions but also cater to emerging consumer preferences for natural and holistic health options. Advancements in product development often lead to the introduction of specialized OTC medications that address specific conditions or symptoms previously underserved by existing products. This expansion into niche areas of the market allows consumers to find tailored solutions for their health issues, thereby increasing demand and driving market growth. Regional Insights The Central Region stand out as the dominated area. This prominence is attributed to several key factors, including its economic significance, population density, and the concentration of healthcare facilities and retail outlets. The Central Region, encompassing Riyadh - the capital city of Saudi Arabia - serves as the political, economic, and cultural heart of the country. Riyadh's status as a major urban center means that it attracts a substantial portion of the population, which drives significant demand for OTC medications. The concentration of both residents and transient populations, such as business professionals and expatriates, further amplifies the market for OTC products. The city's large population and its role as a hub for administrative and commercial activities contribute to the high consumption of OTC drugs. The Central Region benefits from an extensive network of healthcare facilities and retail outlets. Riyadh and its surrounding areas host numerous pharmacies, supermarkets, and specialized retail stores that stock a wide range of OTC products. The presence of these retail channels ensures easy accessibility for consumers, fostering greater utilization of OTC medications. The high density of healthcare facilities, including hospitals and clinics, increases awareness and availability of OTC products, reinforcing their market dominance in the region. Economic factors also play a crucial role in the Central Region's dominance. Riyadh's economic prosperity, driven by its status as the financial and business center of Saudi Arabia, supports higher disposable incomes among residents. This economic affluence translates into greater spending capacity for health and wellness products, including OTC medications. As a result, consumers in the Central Region are more likely to invest in OTC drugs for managing health and maintaining well-being. The Central Region's strategic importance in the national healthcare infrastructure further supports its leading position in the OTC drugs market. Government initiatives and investments aimed at improving healthcare services are often concentrated in Riyadh and its vicinity, leading to enhanced healthcare access and the proliferation of OTC products. The region's focus on healthcare development aligns with the increased availability and consumption of OTC medications. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 80 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $1.15 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $1.82 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.8% Regions Covered Saudi Arabia Report Scope: Key Market Players Novartis Saudi Arabia Pfizer Saudi Limited Corporate Glenmark Saudi Arabia Sitco Pharma Co CAD Middle East Pharmaceutical Industries LLC Sudair Pharmaceutical Company Tabuk Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Co. Jamjoom Pharmaceuticals Co GSK Saudi Arabia AstraZeneca Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Over The Counter Drugs Market, By Product: Cough, Cold and Flu Vitamins, Mineral, and Supplements (VMS) Analgesics Gastrointestinal Products Dermatology Products Others Saudi Arabia Over The Counter Drugs Market, By Route of Administration: Oral Topical Parenteral Saudi Arabia Over The Counter Drugs Market, By Dosage Form: Tablets Capsules Liquids & Solution Creams/Lotions/Ointments Others Saudi Arabia Over The Counter Drugs Market, By Distribution Channel: Retail Pharmacy Hospital Pharmacy E-Pharmacy Saudi Arabia Over The Counter Drugs Market, By Region: Western Region Central Region Southern Region Eastern Region Northern Region For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nhfot2 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 The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) has developed a preliminary example of a "green taxonomy," Azernews reports that ?ahin Mahmudzade, CEO of the CBA, told in an update to the "Economy of Azerbaijan" Telegram channel. Mahmudzade detailed that the taxonomy, tailored to the characteristics of Azerbaijan's economy, underwent extensive analysis and research based on international practices. He explained, "For the taxonomy prepared taking into account the characteristics of the country's economy, we conducted deep analyses and research on international practices. In the current example, either bonds or loans aimed at 'green areas' are considered 'green investment' according to the classification. After the taxonomy is approved, it will be integrated into financial instruments." Mahmudzade also discussed the broader idea of developing a universal taxonomy for global "green finance." He noted ongoing discussions to create a Roadmap for harmonizing taxonomies, stating, "Currently, the classification of international investments is not the same. In other words, an investment that is considered 'green' for one country may not belong to the 'green' classification according to the criteria of another country. Harmonization of the taxonomy will support the identification of this classification, thus, the elimination of restrictions on international capital flows for the realization of the goals arising from the Paris Agreement. However, since each country has its own internal economic realities, this calls into question the effectiveness of applying a single taxonomy. Therefore, the development of a single taxonomy is not included in the list of issues on the sustainability agenda." Dublin, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Kids Scooter Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis, 2024-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global kids scooter market is anticipated to reach USD 92.2 million by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2024 to 2030. The increasing need to seek an alternative mode of transportation that is greener, cleaner, and cheap is a main factor fueling the demand for kids scooter. Non-government organizations such as Sustrans campaign to spread awareness related to health and physical exercise among the school children. Additionally, in order to increase adoption of these products, schools in developed countries including U.K. and Switzerland are providing customized storage units. For instance, more than 4 lakh children drive to school by a kids scooter. 3 wheel kids scooter held a leading market share in 2023. They are mostly popular among the preschooler and school children. These type of kid scooters are equipped with tow wheel in front and one in the rear for better stability. Companies including Razor USA LLC and Micro Mobility use aluminum alloys to improve weight carrying capacity and its anti-slip property helps children build balance. Offline distribution channel led the market and held more than 72.8% share of the global revenue in 2023. These scooters have high visibility in retail stores such as Amazon Store, Decathlon, and Walmart. Increasing presence of these stores across the globe is a main factor expected to fuel demand for kids scooter over the forecast period. For instance, according to a report, as of 2019, U.S. retail giant Walmart operates 23 Sam's Club stores across 19 Chinese cities. The company plans to open 40 Sam's Club stores by the end of 2020 in China. The online segment is anticipated to expand at the fastest CAGR of 4.20% from 2024 to 2030. Increasing product visibility at amazon.com, Flipkart, and snapdeal.com is a main factor driving sales of kids scooter through online channel. In addition, online portals provide 24*7 assistance, have a variety of products to choose from, and offer heavy discounts on branded products. Moreover, e-commerce retailers are expanding their presence in tier II and tier III cities and are focusing on improving delivery services. Most of the prominent companies also have their own sites, which contributes to the segment growth. Europe held a leading market share in 2023 owing to high product adoption and shifting consumer focus towards a healthy lifestyle in countries such as U.K, Germany, and Switzerland. The Asia Pacific market is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Increasing product availability in countries such as India and China on account of growing presence of e-retailers is a key factor expected to drive the market for kids scooter over the forecast period. Market Trends North America is anticipated to witness significant growth in the near future, due to increasing presence of companies such as Micro Mobility and Razor USA LLC, coupled with strategic expansion of retailers such as Decathlon and Amazon 2 wheel segment is projected to grow at significant CAGR during the forecast period Europe market held the largest market revenue share of 33.4% in 2023, owing to high product availability, especially in U.K., Poland, and Switzerland Online distribution channel is anticipated to expand at the fastest CAGR of 4.20% from 2024 to 2030, due to increasing presence of e-retailers in tier II and tier III cities Why should you buy this report? Comprehensive Market Analysis: Gain detailed insights into the global market across major regions and segments. Competitive Landscape: Explore the market presence of key players worldwide. Future Trends: Discover the pivotal trends and drivers shaping the future of the global market. Actionable Recommendations: Utilize insights to uncover new revenue streams and guide strategic business decisions. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 100 Forecast Period 2023-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $66.98 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $92.2 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.7% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope Chapter 2. Executive Summary Chapter 3. Global Kids Scooter Market Variables, Trends, & Scope 3.1. Market Introduction/Lineage Outlook 3.2. Market Size and Growth Prospects (USD Million) 3.3. Market Dynamics 3.3.1. Market Drivers Analysis 3.3.2. Market Restraints Analysis 3.4. Global Kids Scooter Market Analysis Tools 3.4.1. Porter's Analysis 3.4.2. PESTEL Analysis Chapter 4. Global Kids Scooter Market Consumer Behavior Analysis 4.1. Consumer Trends and Preferences 4.2. Factors Affecting Buying Decision 4.3. Consumer Product Adoption 4.4. Observations and Recommendations Chapter 5. Global Kids Scooter Market: Product Estimates & Trend Analysis 5.1. Segment Dashboard 5.2. Global Kids Scooter Market: Product Movement Analysis, 2023 & 2030 (USD Million) 5.3. 2 Wheel 5.4. 3 Wheel Chapter 6. Global Kids Scooter Market: Distribution Channel Estimates & Trend Analysis 6.1. Segment Dashboard 6.2. Global Kids Scooter Market: Distribution Channel Movement Analysis, 2023 & 2030 (USD Million) 6.3. Online 6.4. Offline Chapter 7. Global Kids Scooter Market: Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis 7.1. Global Kids Scooter Market Share, by Region, 2023 & 2030 (USD Million) 7.2. North America 7.3. Europe 7.4. Asia Pacific 7.5. Latin America 7.6. Middle East and Africa Chapter 8. Competitive Landscape 8.1. Recent Developments & Impact Analysis by Key Market Participants 8.2. Company Categorization 8.3. Company Heat Map Analysis 8.4. Company Profiles 8.4.1. Razor USA LLC 8.4.2. Micro Mobility Systems AG 8.4.3. Fuzion Pro Scooter 8.4.4. Swifty Scooters Ltd. 8.4.5. Globber 8.4.6. Smoby 8.4.7. Oxelo 8.4.8. iScootbike Ltd. 8.4.9. Pacific Cycle Inc. 8.4.10. Radio Flyer For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/es5k36 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Dublin, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "United Kingdom Online Recruitment Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2019-2029F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. United Kingdom Online Recruitment Market was valued at USD 2.10 Billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 3.10 Billion by 2029 with a CAGR of 6.57% The Online Recruitment market refers to the industry focused on leveraging digital technologies and platforms to streamline and enhance the process of recruiting and hiring candidates. This market encompasses a variety of online tools and services designed to facilitate the recruitment process, including job boards, recruitment software, applicant tracking systems, and social media platforms. Online recruitment solutions offer a range of functionalities such as job posting, resume management, candidate sourcing, and applicant tracking, enabling employers to efficiently identify, attract, and engage with potential candidates. These platforms often incorporate advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize candidate matching and improve recruitment outcomes. The market has witnessed significant growth due to the increasing adoption of digital solutions by businesses of all sizes and the growing need for remote and flexible hiring practices. Online recruitment not only reduces the time and cost associated with traditional hiring methods but also expands the reach of job postings, allowing employers to access a broader and more diverse talent pool. As technology continues to evolve, the Online Recruitment market is expected to further innovate and shape the future of talent acquisition. Rise of Artificial Intelligence and Automation Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation are increasingly shaping the United Kingdom Online Recruitment market. These technologies are transforming traditional recruitment processes by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and candidate experience. AI-powered tools are being used to automate repetitive tasks such as resume screening, job matching, and initial candidate assessments. This allows HR professionals to focus on more strategic aspects of recruitment. AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to identify the best candidates based on their skills, experience, and fit for the role. Machine learning models continuously improve by learning from past recruitment data, leading to more precise and relevant candidate recommendations. Automated chatbots and virtual assistants are also being deployed to engage with candidates, answer their queries, and provide updates on their application status, enhancing the overall candidate experience. Moreover, AI-driven analytics offer valuable insights into recruitment trends, candidate behavior, and market conditions. This data can help employers make informed decisions, optimize their recruitment strategies, and predict future hiring needs. The integration of AI and automation is not only streamlining the recruitment process but also enabling organizations to manage large volumes of applications efficiently and improve their ability to attract and retain top talent. As AI and automation technologies continue to evolve, their impact on the recruitment industry is expected to grow. Organizations will increasingly adopt these technologies to stay competitive and meet the demands of a dynamic job market. Increasing Use of Video Recruitment and Virtual Interviews The use of video recruitment and virtual interviews has become a prominent trend in the United Kingdom Online Recruitment market. Driven by advancements in technology and the growing need for remote work solutions, video recruitment has emerged as a key tool for conducting interviews and assessments. Video interviews offer several advantages, including convenience, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to reach candidates across different geographic locations. Employers can conduct interviews without the need for candidates to travel, reducing time and expenses associated with in-person meetings. Virtual interviews also allow for greater flexibility in scheduling, accommodating candidates from various time zones and reducing scheduling conflicts. Additionally, video recruitment platforms often include features such as real-time video conferencing, recording capabilities, and integration with applicant tracking systems. These features enhance the interview process by providing a more comprehensive view of the candidate's communication skills, presentation, and overall fit for the role. The shift towards video recruitment and virtual interviews has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has highlighted the need for remote hiring solutions. As organizations continue to embrace hybrid and remote work models, the demand for video recruitment tools is expected to remain strong. This trend is likely to drive further innovation in video recruitment technologies, making them an integral part of the online recruitment landscape. Regional Insights England held the largest market share in 2023. England, particularly Greater London, is the primary economic hub of the UK, hosting a vast number of multinational corporations, financial institutions, and high-tech companies. This concentration of businesses creates a high demand for recruitment services, as organizations seek to fill a wide range of roles across various sectors, including finance, IT, engineering, and professional services. The density of companies and job opportunities in England naturally drives a substantial portion of online recruitment activity. England benefits from its extensive infrastructure and advanced technological ecosystem. The region is home to a well-developed network of online recruitment platforms, applicant tracking systems, and recruitment agencies that cater to diverse industries and job functions. This infrastructure supports efficient and effective recruitment processes, making England an attractive destination for both employers and job seekers. Additionally, England's educational institutions produce a large number of graduates and skilled professionals each year, feeding a dynamic labor market. The high level of talent available in the region fuels the demand for online recruitment services, as companies seek to leverage digital platforms to identify and attract qualified candidates. The cultural and economic diversity of England contributes to its dominance in the online recruitment market. The region's diverse workforce and vibrant job market require sophisticated online recruitment solutions to address various hiring needs and match candidates with the right opportunities. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 85 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $2.1 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $3.1 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.5% Regions Covered United Kingdom Report Scope: Key Market Players Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. Sage Software, Inc Hays plc (Hays Group) Robert Half Inc. Adecco Group AG Purplelabs Search Private Limited Xpheno Private Limited Goodpsace.AI Private Limited United Kingdom Online Recruitment Market, By Type: Permanent Online Recruitment Part-Time Online Recruitment United Kingdom Online Recruitment Market, By Application: Finance Marketing Sales Engineering IT Hotel & Catering Others United Kingdom Online Recruitment Market, By Technology Type: Chatbot Candidate Relationship Management Platform Application Tracking System, & Video Interviewing (AI-based) United Kingdom Online Recruitment Market, By Region: Wales Scotland Northern Ireland England For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bav0xz 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 HOUSTON, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Radix, a global technology solutions company, at the forefront of industrial digital transformation, announces the launch of Radixs Leafcutter, an Intelligent Industrial Data Solution designed to empower organizations with the insights needed to achieve operational excellence. Leafcutter streamlines data management and integrates seamlessly with real-time process historian platforms, enabling significant benefits for asset-intensive industries. Radixs Leafcutter addresses a critical challenge that many organizations face: the efficient management and analysis of vast amounts of real-time machine data. Traditionally, the process of collecting, processing, and storing this data has been labor-intensive and fraught with siloes and complexities, often leading to inefficiencies and delays in real-time analytics. These challenges hinder organizations from making timely, data-driven decisions, ultimately affecting their competitive edge. "Leafcutter is a solution to a shared challenge that many industries are facing the need to efficiently leverage vast amounts of real-time machine data into cloud platforms, said Geraldo Rochocz, Chief Technology Officer at Radix. One of the standout features of Radixs Leafcutter is its seamless ability to gather data from existing data historians and make it readily and securely available in event hubs or message brokers on either a private cloud or on-premises environment. Leafcutter enables users to consume time series data on demand and in real-time, with a proven ability to stream upwards of 250,000 Pi tag, and AF Elements. As a leading oil and natural gas company, we have a vast amount of data coming in from the field, says Trey Lowe, Devon Energys Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. Leafcutter enhances our ability to integrate this data, enabling engineering and data scientists to optimize our performance." Leafcutter unlocks real-time data that can boost efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance insights across the board," said Justin V. Conroy, Vice President of Digital Product Portfolio at Radix. "This capability is not just about moving data; it's about empowering organizations to turn data into actionable intelligence, driving operational excellence." Leafcutter unlocks siloed data, whether its on-site or locked away by data storage vendors, making real-time process data accessible to data scientists and operational engineers. Unlike alternative solutions, which often come with unnecessary features, hefty price tags, or integration complexities, Leafcutter is designed to help organizations that face scalability and cost constraints and resource scarcity," added Stephen Janes, Digital Product Manager at Radix. "Were excited about the possibilities Leafcutter brings to asset intensive industries, and our teams are looking forward to sharing the customer value and use cases in October in Paris where Radix is proud to sponsor AVEVA World 2024." Radixs Leafcutter is poised to become an essential tool for organizations looking to harness the full potential of their real-time data, enabling them to stay ahead in a competitive landscape. About Radix Founded in 2010, Radix is a privately held global technology solutions company providing consulting, engineering, operations technology, and data and software technology solutions. Radix combines key capabilities and practices to empower customers to thrive along their digital transformation journey. Radix provides technology-based, data-driven solutions to industrial and non-industrial companies worldwide. Radix has experience leading projects in more than 30 countries and has more than 1,700+ employees around the globe, with North American headquarters in Houston, Texas, main headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, additional offices in Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte, and a presence in Singapore and Amsterdam. To learn more, visit www.radixeng.com. For more information: Citalouise Geiggar, Ph.D. citalouise.geiggar@radixeng.com Radix A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c8e1880e-b386-4278-b3e8-4b5ad3699dbf A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b33d5278-07a7-4cc3-a50b-91bd04d1a953 PRESS RELEASE 17 September 2024 RCI BANQUE: ISSUANCE OF EUR 800 MILLION FIXED RATE NOTES MATURING IN SEPTEMBER 2030 RCI Banque, operating under the commercial brand Mobilize Financial Services, announces the issuance of a 800m 6-year bond bearing a 3.875% coupon. The deal attracted more than 2 billion final order book coming from more than 200 subscribers. The success of this transaction demonstrates investors confidence in the financial strength of the company and their willingness to support its business. Contact Analysts and Investors Financial communication + 33(0) 1 76 88 81 74 contact_investor@rcibanque.com About Mobilize Financial Services Attentive to the needs of all its customers, Mobilize Financial Services, a subsidiary of Renault Group, creates innovative financial services to build sustainable mobility for all. Mobilize Financial Services, which began operations nearly 100 years ago, is the commercial brand of RCI Banque SA, a French bank specializing in automotive financing and services for customers and networks of Renault Group, and also for the brands Nissan and Mitsubishi in several countries. With operations in 35 countries and nearly 4,000 employees, Mobilize Financial Services financed more than 1,2 million contracts (new and used vehicles) in 2023 and sold 3,9 million services. At the end of June 2024, average earning assets stood at 54,9 billion euros of financing and pre-tax earnings at 553 million euros. Since 2012, the Group has deployed a deposit-taking business in several countries. At the end of June 2024, net deposits amounted to 29,4 billion euros, or 50 % of the company's net assets. To find out more about Mobilize Financial Services: www.mobilize-fs.com/ Follow us on Twitter: @Mobilize_FS Attachment PHILADELPHIA, PA, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Wistar Institutes President and CEO, Dario C. Altieri, M.D., and team have demonstrated the role of Parkin a protein implicated in Parkinson's disease in the bodys innate immune response to cancer. Parkin is not expressed in several cancers. Dr. Altieri and his team engineered cancer cells to re-express Parkin and found that Parkin contributes to the production of interferons, which activate and attract T cells to fight the tumor. The labs findings were published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation in the paper, Parkin activates innate immunity and promotes anti-tumor immune responses. Parkin has only recently been implicated for its role in cancer, so our study adds to the knowledge base being formed around that role. We are the first to demonstrate its dual role in suppressing tumor traits while activating innate immunity, said Altieri, president and CEO, director of the Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center and the Robert & Penny Fox Distinguished Professor at The Wistar Institute. Parkin is well known for its role in breaking down damaged and excess proteins, and the loss of Parkin expression due to genetic mutation in the PRKN gene is most commonly associated with Parkinsons disease. However, Parkin can also be epigenetically silenced in cancer and has been implicated in several types, including lung, ovarian, and breast cancer. Epigenetic silencing occurs when physical changes to the genome prevent certain genes from being turned into proteins or expressed. In the case of Parkin, cancers epigenetically silence the gene through DNA methylation, a process that attaches methyl molecules to DNA. To better understand the interplay between Parkin and cancer cells, Altieri, and an international team of collaborators began by reintroducing Parkin into tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. They found that in the presence of Parkin, interferons a group of cytokine proteins that aid in immune responses to threats were produced as a result of Parkin activation. The team followed up with an in vivo experiment where they restored PRKN expression in mice by using the approved demethylating agent decitabine, which removes the gene-silencing methyl groups from DNA. The drug treatment worked to restore Parkin expression and slow down tumor growth. By stimulating the production of interferons a key element of immune response the team found that Parkins interferon-signaling effects ultimately recruited anti-cancer T cells, which slowed tumor growth. To confirm this mechanism, the researchers expressed Parkin but cancelled interferon signaling, and then they expressed Parkin in immunocompromised mice. In both instances, the tumor-suppression effect was eliminated, even while Parkin was expressed ultimately proving that the immune systems anti-cancer response mediates the role Parkin plays in tumor reduction. We are excited to uncover a new mechanism of crosstalk between the immune system and tumor cells because we can only cure what we know, said Michela Perego, Ph.D., the papers first author. By reactivating Parkin, it may be possible to develop new treatment options and boost the immune systems ability to fight cancer. Co-authors: Michela Perego, Minjeong Yeon, Ekta Agarwal, Andrew T. Milcarek, Irene Bertolini, Jagadish C. Ghosh1, Hsin-Yao Tang, Andrew V. Kossenkov, Sarah Preston-Alp, Italo Tempera, Noam Auslander, and Dario C. Altieri from The Wistar Institute; Chiara Camisaschi from IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital; Nathalie Grandvaux from Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de lUniversite de Montreal, and Marcus Ruscetti from University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. Work supported by: National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants R35 CA220446 and R01 CA286080 (D.C.A.), P01 CA269043 (I.T.), T32 CA009171 (S.P.-A.), R50 CA221838 (H.Y.T), and R50 CA211199 (A.V.K.). Wistar Shared Resources are supported by P30 CA010815. The Thermo Q-Exactive HF-X mass spectrometer was purchased with NIH grant S10 OD023586. Publication information: Parkin Activates Innate Immunity and Promotes Anti-tumor Immune Responses, The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2024. Online publication. ### The Wistar Institute is an international leader in biomedical research with special expertise in cancer research and vaccine development. Founded in 1892 as the first independent nonprofit biomedical research institute in the United States, Wistar has held the prestigious Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute since 1972. The Institute works actively to ensure that research advances move from the laboratory to the clinic as quickly as possible. wistar.org. Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR Broad indication in HR+/HER2- stage II and III early breast cancer (EBC) at high risk of recurrence approximately doubles population eligible for CDK4/6 inhibitor adjuvant therapy 1 ,2 Kisqali (ribociclib) significantly reduced the risk of recurrence by 25% vs. endocrine therapy (ET) alone; consistent benefit and a well-tolerated safety profile seen across all subgroups in pivotal Phase III NATALEE trial, including patients with node-negative disease 3-6 (ribociclib) significantly reduced the risk of recurrence by 25% vs. endocrine therapy (ET) alone; consistent benefit and a well-tolerated safety profile seen across all subgroups in pivotal Phase III NATALEE trial, including patients with node-negative disease Late-breaking NATALEE data recently presented at ESMO provides additional confidence, with deepening of invasive disease-free survival benefit after completion of the three-year treatment period across all patient subgroups 7 People with stage II or III HR+/HER2- EBC face significant risk of recurrence often as incurable metastatic disease despite adjuvant ET and regardless of nodal involvement 8,9 Already a proven treatment in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer1,10-20, Kisqali is under regulatory review worldwide, including in the EU, for the EBC indication Basel, September 17, 2024 Novartis today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Kisqali (ribociclib) in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) for the adjuvant treatment of people with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) stage II and III early breast cancer (EBC) at high risk of recurrence, including those with node-negative (N0) disease1. The approval is based on results from the pivotal Phase III NATALEE trial, which showed a significant and clinically meaningful 25.1% (HR=0.749; 95% CI: 0.628, 0.892; P=0.0006) reduction in risk of disease recurrence in a broad population of patients with HR+/HER2- stage II and III EBC treated with adjuvant Kisqali plus endocrine therapy (ET) compared to ET alone, including those with high-risk N0 disease3-6. The invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) benefit was consistently observed across all patient subgroups3-6. The FDA approval of Kisqali for this early breast cancer population, including those with N0 disease, is a pivotal moment in improving our approach to care, said Dennis J. Slamon, M.D., Director of Clinical/Translational Research, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Chairman of the Board of Translational Research In Oncology (TRIO) and NATALEE trial lead investigator. Todays approval allows us to offer treatment with a CDK4/6 inhibitor to a significantly broader group of people as a powerful tool that, combined with endocrine therapy, can help further minimize their risk of cancer returning. In EBC, Kisqali is taken with or without food as a once-daily oral dose of 400 mg (two 200 mg tablets) for three weeks, followed by one week off treatment, in combination with four weeks of any AI1. Patients should take Kisqali for three years. The NATALEE trial showed the safety profile of Kisqali at the 400 mg dose was well tolerated, with discontinuations mainly driven by asymptomatic laboratory findings3. Adverse events (AEs) of special interest in the Kisqali + ET arm of the NATALEE trial include (all Grades, and Grades 3/4, respectively): neutropenia (62.5%, 44.3%), liver-related AEs (26.4%, 8.6%), QT interval prolongation (5.3%, 1.0%), and interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis (1.5%, 0.0%)4. An updated analysis from the NATALEE trial recently presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2024 reinforces the data analyzed by the FDA. Results showed a deepening benefit beyond the three-year treatment period and reduced the risk of recurrence by 28.5% (HR=0.715; CI 95% 0.6090.840; P<0.0001), compared to ET alone, in patients with stage II and III HR+/HER2- EBC7. Novartis will continue evaluating NATALEE patients for longer-term outcomes, including overall survival. Raising the bar for EBC survivors Approximately 90% of breast cancer cases in the US are diagnosed early (stages I-III) and treated promptly with curative intent sometimes with adjuvant ET21,22. In spite of this, people with stage II and III HR+/HER2- EBC remain at risk of cancer coming back in most cases, as incurable metastatic disease8,9. Recurrence remains a lifelong concern, though most tumors return within the first years, even in cases with no lymph node involvement8,23. Despite ET, 10% of people with high-risk N0 disease may face recurrence within the first three years after diagnosis24. "With this approval, we are redefining treatment options for a broader population of people impacted by breast cancer and facing the persistent risk of recurrence, said Victor Bulto, President, US, Novartis. We continue to transform cancer care with Kisqali, building on its established profile in the metastatic setting and now helping a wide range of people as they strive to stay cancer-free following an early-stage diagnosis. "Breast cancer treatment can take a toll on your physical and mental health, and you may worry about the risk of your cancer coming back. This risk is different for everyone, depending on many factors, but should not be underestimated," said Valarie Worthy, Co-Founder & Vice President of Community Outreach and Engagement, Touch, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance. "The FDA approval of Kisqali for more people with breast cancer is welcome news and empowers people diagnosed with early breast cancer with a new option to help manage and control their risk of cancer coming back. Novartis prioritizes patient access by offering the Novartis Patient Support program. This resource assists eligible patients in navigating treatment initiation, providing educational materials, clarifying insurance coverage, and identifying potential financial assistance options. For additional information, patients and healthcare professionals can call 1-800-282-7630. About NATALEE NATALEE is a global Phase III multi-center, randomized, open-label trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Kisqali (ribociclib) with ET as an investigational adjuvant treatment versus ET alone in patients with stage II and III HR+/HER2- EBC, being conducted in collaboration with TRIO25. The adjuvant ET in both treatment arms was a non-steroidal AI (NSAI; anastrozole or letrozole) and goserelin if applicable25. The primary endpoint of NATALEE is iDFS as defined by the Standardized Definitions for Efficacy End Points (STEEP) criteria25. A total of 5,101 adult patients with HR+/HER2- EBC across 20 countries were randomized in the trial25. About Kisqali (ribociclib) Kisqali (ribociclib) is a selective cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, a class of drugs that help slow the progression of cancer by inhibiting two proteins called cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6). These proteins, when over-activated, can enable cancer cells to grow and divide too quickly. Targeting CDK4/6 with enhanced precision may play a role in ensuring that cancer cells do not continue to replicate uncontrollably. Beyond todays FDA approval of Kisqali for EBC patients in the US, regulatory reviews for Kisqali as an EBC treatment are ongoing worldwide, including in the EU and China. Kisqali has been approved as a treatment for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients in 99 countries worldwide, including by the US FDA and the European Commission1,26. In the US, Kisqali is indicated for the treatment of adults with HR+/HER2- advanced or MBC in combination with an AI as initial ET or fulvestrant as initial ET or following disease progression on ET in post-menopausal women or in men1. In the EU, Kisqali is approved for the treatment of women with HR+/HER2- advanced or MBC in combination with either an AI or fulvestrant as initial ET or following disease progression. In pre- or peri-menopausal women, the ET should be combined with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist26. In MBC, Kisqali has consistently demonstrated statistically significant overall survival benefit across three Phase III trials10-20. The NCCN Guidelines for breast cancer recommend ribociclib (Kisqali) as the only Category 1 preferred CDK4/6 inhibitor for first-line treatment of people living with HR+/HER2- when combined with an AI, making Kisqali the preferred first-line treatment of choice for US prescribers in HR+/HER2- MBC27. Additionally, Kisqali has the highest rating of any CDK4/6 inhibitor on the ESMO Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale, achieving a score of five out of five for first-line pre-menopausal patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer28. Further, Kisqali in combination with either letrozole or fulvestrant has uniquely, among other CDK4/6 inhibitors, received a score of four out of five for post-menopausal patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer treated in the first line29. Kisqali was developed by Novartis under a research collaboration with Astex Pharmaceuticals. Please see full Prescribing Information for Kisqali, available at www.Kisqali.com About Novartis in Breast Cancer For more than 35 years, Novartis has been at the forefront of driving scientific advancements for people touched by breast cancer and improving clinical practice in collaboration with the global community. With one of the most comprehensive breast cancer portfolios and pipeline, Novartis leads the industry in discovery of new therapies and combinations in HR+/HER2- breast cancer, the most common form of the disease. Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as potential, can, will, plan, may, could, would, expect, anticipate, look forward, believe, committed, investigational, pipeline, launch, to reduce, remains, continue, transform, evaluate, likelihood, ensuring, updates, should, or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for Kisqali in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (AI), or regarding potential future revenues from such product. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that Kisqali in combination with an AI will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that Kisqali in combination with an AI will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding Kisqali in combination with an AI could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AGs current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Novartis Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend peoples lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide. Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at https://www.novartis.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X/Twitter and Instagram. References Kisqali (ribociclib) Prescribing information. East Hanover, New Jersey, USA: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; September 2024. Tarantino P, Rugo HS, Curigliano G, et al. Characteristics of real-world NATALEE and monarchE eligible populations: A US electronic health records database analysis. Poster presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress; September 13-17, 2024; Barcelona, Spain. Slamon D, Stroyakovskiy D, Yardley D, et al. Ribociclib and endocrine therapy as adjuvant treatment in patients with HR+/HER2 early breast cancer: primary results from the Phase III NATALEE trial. Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting; June 2, 2023; Chicago, USA. Hortobagyi G, Stroyakovskiy D, Yardley DA, et al. Ribociclib (RIB) + nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor (NSAI) as adjuvant treatment in patients with HR+/HER2- early breast cancer: final invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) analysis from the NATALEE trial. Presented at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS); December 8, 2023; San Antonio, USA. Slamon D et al. Ribociclib plus Endocrine Therapy in Early Breast Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2024;390:1080-1091. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2305488 Yardley D, Untch M, et al. Baseline (BL) characteristics and efficacy endpoints for patients (pts) with node-negative (N0) HR+/HER2 early breast cancer (EBC) in NATALEE. Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting; May 31, 2024; Chicago, USA. Fasching PA. Adjuvant Ribociclib (RIB) Plus Nonsteroidal Aromatase Inhibitor (NSAI) in Patients (Pts) With HR+/HER2 Early Breast Cancer (EBC): 4-Year Outcomes From the NATALEE Trial. LBA13. Proffered Paper presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress; September 16, 2024; Barcelona, Spain. Pan H et al. 20-Year Risks of Breast-Cancer Recurrence after Stopping Endocrine Therapy at 5 Years. N Engl J Med. 2017;377 (suppl 19):1836 846. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1701830 Wangchinda P, Ithimakin S. Factors that predict recurrence later than 5 years after initial treatment in operable breast cancer. World J Surg Oncol. 2016;14(1):223. doi: 10.1186/s12957-016-0988-0 Yardley DA, Yap YS, et al. Pooled exploratory analysis of survival in patients (pts) with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer (ABC) and visceral metastases (mets) treated with ribociclib (RIB) + endocrine therapy (ET) in the MONALEESA (ML) trials. Poster presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology Congress; September 9-13, 2022; Paris, France. Neven P, Fasching PA, et al. Updated overall survival (OS) results from the first-line (1L) population in the Phase III MONALEESA-3 trial of postmenopausal patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with ribociclib (RIB) + fulvestrant (FUL). Mini oral presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Breast Cancer Congress; May 4, 2022; Paris, France. Hortobagyi GN, Stemmer SM, Burris HA, et al. Overall Survival with Ribociclib plus Letrozole in Advanced Breast Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2022;386(10):942-950. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2114663 Hortobagyi GN, et al. Overall survival (OS) results from the phase III MONALEESA (ML)-2 trial of postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HR+/HER2) advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with endocrine therapy (ET) ribociclib. Proffered paper presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology Congress; September 16-21, 2021; Lugano, Switzerland. Im S-A, Lu Y-S, Bardia A, et al. Overall survival with ribociclib plus endocrine therapy in breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2019;381(4):307-316. doi:10.1056/nejmoa1903765 Slamon DJ, Neven P, Chia S, et al. Overall Survival with Ribociclib plus Fulvestrant in Advanced Breast Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(6):514-524. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1911149 Slamon DJ, Neven P, Chia S, et al. Overall survival (OS) results of the Phase III MONALEESA-3 trial of postmenopausal patients (pts) with hormone receptorpositive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor 2negative (HER2) advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with fulvestrant (FUL) ribociclib (RIB). Presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology Congress; September 29, 2019; Barcelona, Spain. Slamon DJ, Neven P, Chia S, et al. Updated overall survival (OS) results from the Phase III MONALEESA-3 trial of postmenopausal patients (pts) with HR+/HER2 advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with fulvestrant (FUL) ribociclib (RIB. Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting; June 5, 2021; Chicago, USA. Tripathy D, Im S-A, Colleoni M, et al. Updated overall survival (OS) results from the phase III MONALEESA-7 trial of pre- or perimenopausal patients with HR+/HER2 advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with endocrine therapy (ET) ribociclib. Presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; December 9, 2020; San Antonio, USA. Yardley D, Nusch A, Yap YS, et al. Overall survival (OS) in patients (pts) with advanced breast cancer (ABC) with visceral metastases (mets), including those with liver mets, treated with ribociclib (RIB) plus endocrine therapy (ET) in the MONALEESA (ML) -3 and -7 trials. Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting; June 2020; Chicago, USA. OShaughnessy J, Stemmer SM, Burris HA, et al. Overall survival subgroup analysis by metastatic site from the Phase III MONALEESA-2 study of first-line ribociclib + letroz21ole in postmenopausal patients with HR+/HER2 advanced breast cancer. Presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; December 7-10, 2021; San Antonio, USA. Iqbal J, Ginsburg O, Rochon PA, Sun P, Narod SA. Differences in breast cancer stage at diagnosis and cancer-specific survival by race and ethnicity in the United States [published correction appears in JAMA. 2015 Jun 9;313(22):2287]. JAMA. 2015;313(2):165-173. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.17322 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures. Published 2024. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2024/2024-cancer-facts-and-figures-acs.pdf. Accessed September 2024. Gomis R, Gawrzak S. Tumor cell dormancy. Mol Oncol. 2017;11(1):62-78. Curigliano G, Ciruelos E, et al. Meta analysis of ET control arms in adjuvant trials. Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting; May 31, 2024; Chicago, USA. Clinicaltrials.gov. NCT03701334. A Trial to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Ribociclib With Endocrine Therapy as Adjuvant Treatment in Patients With HR+/ HER2- Early Breast Cancer (NATALEE). Accessed September 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03701334 Kisqali. Summary of product characteristics (SmPC). Novartis Europharm Limited; 2017. Accessed September 2024. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/kisqali-epar-product-information_en.pdf. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) - Breast Cancer. NCCN Guidelines. Published March 2023. Available at: https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/breast.pdf. Accessed September 2024. European Society for Medical Oncology Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale Scorecard. Published April 20, 2020. Updated August 21, 2020. Available at: https://www.esmo.org/guidelines/esmo-mcbs/esmo-mcbs-scorecards/scorecard-158-1/. Accessed September 2024. European Society for Medical Oncology Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale Scorecard. Published March 29, 2022. Available at: https://www.esmo.org/guidelines/esmo-mcbs/esmo-mcbs-scorecards/scorecard-9-1/. Accessed September 2024. # # # After 18 months of rigorous validation and testing and countless hours running simulations and obtaining approvals, NUAIR and New York Power Authority (NYPA) are proud to deploy UAS remote operations technology to assist with vegetation management, tower inspections, and site security at the upstate hydroelectric power plant in Gilboa, NY. SYRACUSE, N.Y., Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In 2022, NUAIR unpackaged a newly released UAS dock that would enable regular remote operations without manual interference. The dock was acquired on behalf of the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to test and validate the operations and functionality of the hardware and uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) inside, and to investigate the impact of 24/7 weather exposure in Central New York to the dock and its components. Questions to answer during this testing included: Will the dock and aircraft inside be able to operate at the same level of proficiency and safety on day 100 as it did on day 1? How many hours per day/per week could this save in inspection and reaction times? How will heat, ice, fog, etc. impact the daily operations of the aircraft? Can it be trusted to run the anticipated mission day after day operated remotely beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS)? The outcome of these questions is evidenced by the installation of said dock and UAS at the Blenheim-Gilboa project site in July 2024. A foggy day with zero visibility met the NUAIR, Skydio, and NYPA teams in Gilboa on the day of the installation a day that was not a problem for a UAS with a robust navigational system to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and in variable conditions. The Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project is located about 60 miles from Albany and uses hydroelectric technology to generate up to 1,160,000 kilowatts of electricity to feed power to the grid at times of peak demand. The addition of remotely operated BVLOS drone operations at this power site adds another notch in the NYPA Robotics teams belt. With this additional tool in NYPAs belt, safety to both the power site and its personnel has increased. Efficiency with inspection time increased through safer, faster, and more detailed inspections completed remotely with the local UAS. Critical hours spent assessing and prioritizing repairs and management now expedited through routine detailed analysis. Were thrilled to see the hard work and dedication of both the NUAIR and NYPA teams come to fruition, said Nate Bazydlo, Director of Strategic Accounts at NUAIR. NYPA continues to prove its leadership in innovation through this latest deployment of remote UAS and NUAIR is grateful to collaborate to enable these operations. From here, we measure impact, shared Ken Stewart, President and CEO of NUAIR. Working with NYPA to prove out the safety and efficiency, was the first step. Now we get to truly start to witness how much this can improve operations. NYPA is no stranger to drone programs with an in-house team of UAS pilots deploying, researching, and testing new applications every day. The goal of our team as well as any UAS operation, is to innovate the safety and efficiency of operations while maintaining high standards of aviation professionalism and safety, shared NYPA Robotics Program Manager Peter Kalaitzidis. NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. About the New York Power Authority The New York Power Authority is the nation's largest state public power organization, with 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 70 percent of the electricity we produce is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA is a leader in promoting energy efficiency, new energy technologies and electric transportation initiatives. Our lower-cost power production and electricity purchases support hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout the state. Our business customers range from Fortune 100 giants competing in international markets to small manufacturing or service firms that are vital to local economies. We sell power to government agencies; to community-owned electric systems and rural electric cooperatives; to job-producing companies; to private utilities for resalewithout profitto their customers; and to neighboring states, under federal requirements. For more information, visit www.nypa.gov. About NUAIR NUAIR is a New York-based nonprofit driving economic development through innovations in UAS and Advanced Air Mobility to safely integrate into the national airspace. With guidance from inception to acceleration, we help you deliver advanced UAS commercial outcomes and build your aviation ecosystem on a proven network of systems from incubators to investors and customers to partners. Understand the harmonization needed to innovate airspace, advance aviation, and architect AAM in your community from theory to reality with our team of experts. With a rich history of 10+ years performing UAS testing and validation, investing in local and state economic development, and training public safety elite, the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance, Inc. (NUAIR) is proud to be the catalyst to not only New Yorks airspace innovation, but aviation advancement around the globe. NUAIR. Where Next Takes Flight. Media Contact: Megan Crout | Director of Marketing mcrout@nuair.org MANKATO, Minn., Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Minnesota State University, Mankato has announced a five-year agreement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) to support the opening of a unique Rural Behavioral Health Clinic later this year in a location adjacent to campus. The clinics full name will be the Rural Behavioral Health Clinic, located at Minnesota State University, Mankato, made possible by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. The health insurer has pledged $5 million in support of the facility, which will be located at 1600 Warren St. (Suite 6) in Mankato. The Blue Cross pledge follows a Minnesota Legislature allocation in spring 2023 of $1.5 million to establish the clinic, as well as $1 million in recently approved federal funding. The Rural Behavioral Health Clinic will initially provide in-person mental health counseling, case management and medication management to clients of all ages who are either enrolled in public programs, have commercial health insurance or are uninsured. The service area for the clinic encompasses Minnesotas southern central region, including Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Watonwan and Waseca counties. In addition to serving as a community-based outpatient mental health center, the clinic will act as an academic training center for students enrolled in the Universitys training programs in the fields of social work, counseling and student personnel, alcohol and drug studies, psychology and nursing. The Rural Behavioral Health Clinics dual role makes it unique in Minnesota, said Minnesota State University, Mankato President Edward Inch. There are no other academic training clinics in the state that are also specifically focused on providing integrated outpatient mental health services to rural Minnesotans, said Inch. We thank Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota for its commitment and for joining support from the Minnesota legislature and U.S. Senate to provide critical behavioral health care to our region. Patricia Marincic, dean of Minnesota State Mankatos College of Allied Health and Nursing, said the clinic will help meet regional workforce needs by allowing students to train side-by-side with experienced faculty and clinicians in preparation for careers as mental health professionals. The clinic intends to offer additional services over time, including psychoeducation evaluations and substance use disorder counseling, said Roy Kammer, interim associate dean for the College of Allied Health & Nursing at Minnesota State Mankato. Kammer also said that technology being installed in the clinic will allow for a future expansion of virtual face-to-face client services. Minnesota State Mankato is in the process of working with the Minnesota Department of Human Services on having the clinic licensed as an outpatient mental health clinic, with a long-term goal of becoming a certified community behavioral health clinic (CCBHC). Once licensed, the clinic can begin the respective credentialing and contracting processes by Blue Cross and other healthcare payers for network inclusion. The $5 million Blue Cross pledge for the clinic builds on Blue Cross long history of investing in communities and convening meaningful conversations at the local level on ways to maximize individual and public health, said Brett Hart, vice president of behavioral health and mental health parity at Blue Cross. Geography should not be a barrier to accessing mental and behavioral health services, said Hart. Far too often, especially in greater Minnesota, mental health needs far exceed available resources. Blue Cross wants to help change that. Our support of the Rural Behavioral Health Clinic goes beyond the financial. Blue Cross worked side-by-side with university leadership to make sure we were co-designing a model that would complement current mental health and social service offerings in and around Mankato. Blue Cross is proud to support Minnesota State University, Mankato and its ongoing commitment to train and develop the next generation of mental health professionals for greater Minnesota and other rural areas. This is the third pledge that Blue Cross has made to Minnesota State Mankato since 2021. In April 2023, Blue Cross pledged $600,000 to establish the operational structure and advance the growth of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Center for Rural Behavioral Health at the University. The Center opened in the fall of 2022 to improve access to behavioral health care for residents in greater Minnesota, to include residents of recognized reservations. In December 2021, Blue Cross pledged $500,000 to Minnesota State Mankato to establish a presidential scholarship program and provide annual support for the Universitys Health and Biomedical Sciences Summit and Undergraduate Research Center to help build more career pathways for health care practitioners and culturally competent care providers. The Rural Behavioral Health Clinic, located at Minnesota State University, Mankato, made possible by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, is part of the Universitys College of Allied Health and Nursing. About Minnesota State University, Mankato Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with 14,635 students, is part of the Minnesota State system, which includes 26 colleges and seven universities. About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota For more than 90 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (bluecrossmn.com) has supported the health, wellbeing and peace of mind of our members by striving to ensure equitable access to high quality care at an affordable price. Our 2.5 million members can be found in every Minnesota county, all 50 states and on four continents. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Blue Plus are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Jim McManus Director of Public Relations Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (651) 662-2882 jim.mcmanus@bluecrossmn.com Dan Benson Director of Media Relations Minnesota State University, Mankato (507) 389-6838 daniel.benson@mnsu.edu Smithtown, New York, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SMITHTOWN, NY, September 17, 2024 Americas VetDogs, a national nonprofit that provides service dogs to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities, is excited to announce a new partnership with technology and consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton as part of the corporate Puppy with a Purpose program. Through this collaboration, Booz Allen will sponsor and raise a black Labrador Retriever puppy named Astro, eventually helping to empower those who have served our nation. Over the next year, Astro will be raised by a dedicated Booz Allen Hamilton employee and volunteer puppy raiser, who will take on the important role of preparing him for his future career as a service dog. Under the guidance of Americas VetDogs, Astro will learn basic obedience, socialization skills, and good house manners, all while being integrated into Booz Allens corporate environment. Booz Allen is deeply committed to supporting the military community, and our partnership with Americas VetDogs is a testament to this commitment, said Rich Crowe, Executive Vice President and president of Booz Allens Civil Services Business. With almost 1/3 of Booz Allens workforce being veterans, we understand the importance of supporting those who have served. We eagerly anticipate watching Astros journey and the positive impact he will have on the life of a future veteran or first responder. Americas VetDogs launched the corporate Puppy With a Purpose program to provide companies with the opportunity to engage their employees in the impactful process of service dog training, while also giving back to veterans and first responders. Booz Allens involvement underscores the companys longstanding commitment to supporting military personnel and veterans. "We are thrilled to welcome Booz Allen into the corporate Puppy With a Purpose program and look forward to seeing Astro grow into his future role," said John Miller, president and CEO of Americas VetDogs. "This partnership not only supports our mission to provide life-changing service dogs to those in need but also allows Booz Allen employees to experience firsthand the profound impact these dogs will have on veterans and first responders." Americas VetDogs provides specially trained service and guide dogs to individuals with physical disabilities, PTSD, hearing and vision loss, and seizuresall at no cost to them. Sully, George H. W. Bushs former service dog, now a facility dog at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, was raised and trained by Americas VetDogs. Astro joins a distinguished group of Puppy With a Purpose pups, including the Washington Capitals Captain and Biscuit; the New York Islanders Jethro, Tori, and Radar; as well as the Houston Texans Blitz and the New York Mets Shea, Seaver and Buddy, all helping raise awareness for veterans and first responders with disabilities. To learn more about volunteer opportunities or how to apply, visit VetDogs.org. About Americas VetDogs For more than 20 years, Americas VetDogs (www.VetDogs.org) has trained and placed guide and service dogs to provide independence, enhanced mobility, and companionship to veterans with disabilities from all eras. In 2015, VetDogs opened its programs to first responders, including fire, police, and emergency medical personnel. Americas VetDogs is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded by the Guide Dog Foundation and serves clients from across the United States. VetDogs relies on contributions from generous individuals, corporations, service clubs, and foundations to fund its mission to help those who have served our country live with dignity and independence. It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but Americas VetDogs provides its services completely free of charge to the individual. Americas VetDogs has been accredited by both the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International. ### Attachment SAN DIEGO, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exactly a century after a small seaside hospital first opened its doors in 1924, health care workers and local leaders gathered today to celebrate Scripps Healths 100th anniversary. The regions longest-established health system marked the milestone outside Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla with birthday cake and remarks by Scripps Health President and CEO Chris Van Gorder, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and Scripps La Jolla Chief of Staff Ayana Boyd King, D.O. Today marks 100 years since the opening of Scripps Memorial Hospital, founded along with Scripps Metabolic Clinic by Ellen Browning Scripps, Van Gorder said. Scripps has grown and changed to meet the needs of the communities we serve. And while Miss Ellen may have never imagined how health care would evolve over the decades, she certainly would recognize our mission as the same as hers was so many years ago. Its a mission that has always placed people at its heart the people we care for and the people who provide that care. A glimpse at history Ellen Browning Scripps, part of a legendary American news media family, was recovering from a broken hip in 1922 when she learned about the need for a modern hospital in La Jolla. Her philanthropic support made possible Scripps Memorial Hospital on Prospect Street, which opened Sept. 17, 1924, as well as the Scripps Metabolic Clinic next door, which opened Dec. 11, 1924. The metabolic clinic was built to treat patients with chronic metabolic diseases such as diabetes, anemia and nephritis, as well as to conduct research to advance patient care. It was partly inspired by the early 1920s discovery of insulin to treat diabetes. Scripps expanded its hospital and clinic facilities on Prospect Street over the ensuing years, but San Diegos growing population created the need for more space. Scripps Memorial Hospital relocated to its current location on Genesee Avenue in 1964, while the former metabolic clinic renamed Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation moved to its current spot on the Torrey Pines Mesa in 1977. Other hospitals later joined the Scripps family, including San Dieguito Hospital in 1978 (now Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas); Bay Hospital Medical Center in 1986 (now Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista); Green Hospital in 1991 (now Scripps Green Hospital); and Mercy Hospital in 1995 (now Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego). The early foundations for Scripps Health were laid not only by Ellen Browning Scripps, but also by another visionary woman: Mother Mary Michael Cummings, who in 1890 founded a downtown hospital called St. Josephs Dispensary, which eventually moved to Hillcrest and evolved to become Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego. At the forefront of medicine Scripps has been at the forefront of many aspects of patient care, clinical research and physician education. For example, in the 1980s, Scripps started San Diego Countys first blood and marrow transplant program; created the regions first fellowship program to train doctors in Mohs surgery and dermatologic oncology; and worked with other hospitals to create the San Diego County trauma system. In the 1990s, Scripps-affiliated physicians performed San Diegos first successful liver transplant surgery and co-invented one of the first heart stents, which they later used to help save the life of Mother Teresa of Calcutta when she arrived at Scripps with a failing heart. In the 2000s, Scripps became the first health system in the United States to apply genotyping to improve heart care; launched the countys first inflammatory breast cancer clinic; and performed the regions first knee surgery using technology that enables the body to repair its own torn anterior cruciate ligament. And a Scripps-affiliated physician implanted the worlds first electronic knee prosthesis, which measures forces inside the knee and provides data to help improve knee implants and rehabilitation protocols. Physician training and research Beyond providing patient care, Scripps has a long history of offering graduate medical education (GME) programs that train physicians. Scripps launched its endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism fellowship training program in 1956 and its hematology and oncology fellowship in 1961. Today, Scripps residency and fellowship programs cover a wide range of areas, including family and internal medicine, emergency and surgical critical care, trauma and more. Last year, hundreds of medical residents and fellows were enrolled in graduate medical education programs at Scripps. Scripps also has deep roots in clinical research. Scripps-affiliated doctors and patients are participating in clinical trials that cover an array of new medications and devices for cardiac conditions, diabetes, cancer and chronic liver disease, among others. Scripps also is involved in discovery research, such as investigating the use of stem cells to engineer lab-grown tissue to repair various common joint injuries. Researchers also are testing a robotic arm developed in-house for bioprinting live tissue directly into the body. These discovery research efforts currently are in development in the lab, but carry potential to advance patient care in the future. Community and economic benefit As a not-for-profit health care system, Scripps provides a wide range of community benefit programs to help ensure access to essential health care services. These include free community health screenings for skin cancer, diabetes risk, blood pressure and cardiac conditions; free health education classes for topics ranging from effective parenting to healthy eating to fall prevention; and free support groups for neurological, cancer and weight management patients. Scripps also participates in blood drives, prescription drug take-back drives and health fairs. And the Scripps Medical Response Team has provided disaster relief for victims of local wildfires, as well as hurricanes and earthquakes around the country and world. The largest proportion of Scripps community benefit services which totaled $768 million in 2023 comes from absorbing the financial cost of providing charity care and under-compensated care for Medicare and Medi-Cal patients. Scripps Health also makes a significant impact on the local economy. With 17,000 employees, Scripps is one of San Diego Countys largest private employers, providing incomes that help families cover the cost of housing, transportation, retail spending and more. Specialty care facilities at Scripps In addition to its five acute-care hospital campuses and 30 outpatient centers and clinics, Scripps has added a wide range of specialty care facilities over the years. These include the Prebys Cardiovascular Institute at Scripps La Jolla; two free-standing Scripps Cancer Center facilities; the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute; Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine; Scripps Encinitas Rehabilitation Services; Scripps Center for Executive Health; Scripps Center for Voice and Swallowing; Donald P. and Darlene V. Shiley Musculoskeletal Center; and several ambulatory surgery centers and imaging facilities. Looking ahead Weve come a long way over the past 100 years, Van Gorder said. I wish I could be here to witness the next 100 years. Im sure it will be marvelous to see the amazing advances in patient care that technology will make possible. But I know what will never change: at the heart of Scripps mission will always be people the people we care for, the people who provide that care and the people who carry on Miss Ellens legacy through their generous philanthropy. ABOUT SCRIPPS HEALTH Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Health is a nonprofit integrated health care delivery system based in San Diego, Calif. Scripps treats more than 600,000 patients annually through the dedication of 3,000 affiliated physicians and more than 17,000 employees among its five acute-care hospital campuses, home health care services, 30 outpatient centers and clinics, and hundreds of affiliated physician offices throughout the region. Recognized as a leader in disease and injury prevention, diagnosis and treatment, Scripps is also at the forefront of clinical research and is the only health system in the region with two level 1 trauma centers. With highly respected graduate medical education programs at all five hospital campuses, Scripps is a longstanding member of the Association of American Medical Colleges. Scripps has been ranked seven times as one of the nations best health care systems by PINC AI, formerly known as Merative, IBM Watson Health and Truven Health Analytics. Its hospitals are consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report among of the nations best and Scripps is recognized by the Advisory Board, Fortune and Working Mother magazine as one of the best places in the nation to work. More information can be found at www.scripps.org. Attachment CAMARILLO, Ca., Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rodale Institute , the global leader in regenerative organic agriculture, has received $1M from Holdfast Collective, Patagonias non profit shareholder. The grant will serve as a catalyst in funding the Institutes work providing technical assistance, business planning services, and equipment stipends to historically underserved farmers and ranchers in Ventura County. The California Department of Food and Agriculture will provide an additional $1.5M to total a $2.5M investment as the organization continues to raise funds for these and other critical projects across the country. These grants allow Rodale Institute to work alongside some of the most innovative and community-minded farmers in America today, said Rodale Institute CEO Jeff Tkach, We look forward to collaborating with local growers, nonprofits, institutions, and individuals to build a more healthy and just food system. The California Organic Center in Camarillo will serve as the hub for demonstrations of regenerative organic practices in Ventura County. Rodale Institute agronomists will be consulting directly with farmers to help with crop selection, marketing coordination, as well as Organic and Regenerative Organic Certifications. Rodale Institute is filling a unique void that universities and agricultural extension offices are not currently providing for farmers who seek to transition to organic and Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) production, Tkach continued. Farmers are demanding practical science that improves regenerative organic methods in Ventura County, and Rodales campus in Camarillo is a trusted resource. With financial support from the Holdfast Collective and CDFAcoupled with Rodale Institutes expert guidance and technical assistanceVenturas producers will be empowered to successfully adopt organic practices and receive ROC certification. Rodale Institute and Patagonia, owned by Holdfast Collective, share similar values to Protect our home planet. Patagonia aims to work to reduce its impact, share solutions, and embrace regenerative practices while partnering with grassroots organizations and frontline communities to restore lands, air, and waters to a state of health. Rodale Institute is peerless, said Greg Curtis, Holdfast Collective Executive Director. Theyve just been around and they understand. Theyve got a reputation and a way of showing up that is important for us, because its incredibly important for whatever were funding to be effective. This investment contributes to Rodale Institutes mission to accelerate the regenerative organic movement through a unique, holistic approach that spans world-class scientific research, farmer education and training, and technical support for farmers and companies. The project began in June 2024 and will continue until May 2026. To learn more, contact california@rodaleinstitute.org. ### ABOUT RODALE INSTITUTE Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to growing the regenerative organic agriculture movement through rigorous research, farmer training, and education. The Institutes groundbreaking science and direct farmer support programs serve as a catalyst for change in farming and food production worldwide. Over its 77-year history, Rodale Institute has proven that organic farming is not only viable but essential to humanitys survival. ABOUT HOLDFAST COLLECTIVE The Holdfast Collective is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that owns 100% of Patagonias non-voting stock. The organization is committed to combating the environmental crisis, protecting nature and biodiversity, and supporting thriving communities. Attachment LOS ANGELES, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Legal Soft is excited to announce the launch of Bookkeeper Virtual Assistants , a specialized service offering U.S.-trained Virtual Bookkeeper Assistants (VAs) designed to support attorneys, solo practitioners, and large law firms. Our virtual bookkeepers handle critical financial tasks, freeing up valuable time so legal professionals can focus on practicing law. What are Bookkeeper Virtual Assistants? Legal Softs Bookkeeper Virtual Assistants provide tailored accounting solutions for the legal industry. Whether you are a solo attorney or managing a large law firm, our virtual bookkeepers assist with essential but often time-consuming tasks. From Billing & Collections to Financial Reporting, Account Reconciliation, Trust Accounting, and Accounts Payable, our VAs are ready to manage it all. Virtual Assistant Responsibilities Our Bookkeeping VAs offer a broad range of services, including: Billing & Collections : Streamlining cash flow by managing invoicing and collection processes. : Streamlining cash flow by managing invoicing and collection processes. Financial Reporting : Generating accurate financial statements and reports to keep your firms finances in check. : Generating accurate financial statements and reports to keep your firms finances in check. Disbursement : Ensuring timely and accurate payments to vendors and service providers. : Ensuring timely and accurate payments to vendors and service providers. Account Reconciliation : Balancing accounts to ensure every transaction is accounted for. : Balancing accounts to ensure every transaction is accounted for. Trust Accounting : Maintaining compliance with trust accounting regulations. : Maintaining compliance with trust accounting regulations. Accounts Payable: Managing payables to keep operations running smoothly. Hire a Bookkeeper Virtual Assistant for Your Law Firm Our Bookkeeping VAs are handpicked for their expertise in legal accounting and undergo a rigorous selection process. Trained in industry-leading software like QuickBooks, they manage your firms finances with precision and care. Why Choose Us Efficiency & Quality : Our VAs optimize financial departments without compromising quality or exceeding budgets. We offer more than bookkeeping; we offer peace of mind. : Our VAs optimize financial departments without compromising quality or exceeding budgets. We offer more than bookkeeping; we offer peace of mind. Vetted Bookkeepers : Each VA is carefully vetted, ensuring you work with experienced professionals who uphold the highest standards of integrity. : Each VA is carefully vetted, ensuring you work with experienced professionals who uphold the highest standards of integrity. Well-Trained : Our VAs are proficient in the latest bookkeeping software and trained to handle a wide range of financial tasks, ensuring your firms success. : Our VAs are proficient in the latest bookkeeping software and trained to handle a wide range of financial tasks, ensuring your firms success. Affordable & Scalable : Hiring a VA provides professional services without the overhead costs of full-time, in-house staff. You only pay for the services you need, allowing you to scale support as your firm grows. : Hiring a VA provides professional services without the overhead costs of full-time, in-house staff. You only pay for the services you need, allowing you to scale support as your firm grows. Fully Trainable & Versatile: Our VAs adapt to your specific needs, ensuring your firm benefits from personalized, effective support. Hamid Kohan, CEO of Legal Soft , expressed his enthusiasm: "Remote Bookkeepers are game-changers for law firms looking to enhance their financial management. Our virtual bookkeepers offer a combination of expertise, reliability, and affordability that is unmatched in the legal industry." About Legal Soft Legal Soft is a collection of Legal Industry Practice Experts who work with you to create a plan that aligns with your firm's goals and needs. We focus on Practice Setup, Practice Management, Custom Mobile Apps, and VAs. Today, a law firms success is directly linked to its ability to scale and expand. Whether you are looking for short-term or long-term staffing, you need a partner who understands legal staff recruiting. For media inquiries, please contact: Legal Soft Address: 21371 Ventura Blvd. Suite #100 Los Angeles, California Phone:(424) 341-4917 Email: kia@legalsoft.com CHICAGO, IL, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chief Outsiders, the nations largest provider of Fractional Executive Services to grow mid-market companies, is pleased to announce the promotion of Chuck Dushman to the role of Area Managing Partner. In this elevated position, Chuck will leverage his extensive experience and passion for driving growth to empower businesses across the U.S. to reignite their growth trajectories. With a mantra of "Accelerate Results," Chuck embodies the spirit of battle-tested strategic operators. As a seasoned Vistage Speaker and active member of the Association for Corporate Growth, he is uniquely positioned to connect with CEOs, private equity firms, and business leaders who are ready to tackle their most pressing growth challenges. I am honored to step into this role at Chief Outsiders, a firm that champions transformative growth for mid-sized businesses, said Chuck Dushman. I am excited to partner with dynamic leaders, uncovering opportunities that will not only drive revenue but also inspire their organizations to dream bigger and achieve more. As an Area Managing Partner, Chuck will focus on identifying, developing, and closing new business opportunities, helping companies achieve their growth vision. He will be one of the leaders within Chief Outsiders charged with building relationships with key decision-makers and serving as a trusted advisor to companies seeking to elevate their market presence and expand their capabilities. His role will also involve mentoring Chief Outsiders CMOs and CSOs, equipping them with the tools and strategies needed to excel in gaining new client engagements. Chuck has demonstrated his leadership as a founding member of the Chief Outsiders AI Tiger Team, creating trusted relationships with multiple Vistage Chairs, conducting workshops for hundreds of company leaders, and placing multiple CMOs and CSOs into client engagements, stated Art Saxby, CEO Founder and Principal, Chief Outsiders. Elevating him to an Area Managing Partner recognizes his contribution and commitment to client growth and Chief Outsiders business development. Chucks approach is rooted in a deep understanding of the business landscape, and he is committed to creating tailored solutions and identifying the right talent to address the unique challenges faced by each client. His dedication to thought leadership, market development, and client relationship management will play a pivotal role in advancing Chief Outsiders' mission to deliver exceptional value and results. Whether guiding a company through a complex market pivot or crafting a bold new go-to-market strategy, Chucks expertise and commitment make him a valuable partner for businesses ready to soar and take sales to the next level. For more information on how Chuck can help you or your colleagues reignite company growth, connect with him directly at cdushman@chiefoutsiders.com or visit chiefoutsiders.com. About Chief Outsiders Chief Outsiders, the nations leading Executives-as-a-Service firm, helps CEOs identify and deploy the fractional marketing and sales executives they need to accelerate growth. The firms cohesive team of more than 120 fractional executives act as Strategic Operators to achieve results. They blend insight, strategy, and execution to deliver revenue engines that drive long-term profitable growth for businesses. Chief Outsiders fractional executives drive growth strategy and execution plans by offering instant access to talent with highly customized and flexible engagements. Having served on the executive teams of more than 2,000 client companies, each Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Sales Officer has led marketing or sales at a diverse set of large corporations, including many Fortune 500 firms. Inc. Magazine has recognized Chief Outsiders for ten consecutive years as one of the 5,000 fastest growing privately held companies in the US. The company was also recognized as a Forbes Small Giant in 2019. The Growth Gears: Using a Market-Based Framework to Drive Business Success, is an Amazon #1 best-seller for business owners and CEOs co-authored by Chief Outsiders CEO Art Saxby and Principal Pete Hayes. For additional information about the companies and CEOs who trust Chief Outsiders as their premier source for business growth acceleration, visit us at www.chiefoutsiders.com. Attachment HOLLYWOOD, FL, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Healthy Choice Wellness Corp. (HCWC or the Company) (NYSEAM: HCWC), a holding company focused on providing consumers with healthier daily choices with respect to nutrition and other lifestyle alternatives, announced today the closing of its previously announced initial public offering of 400,000 shares of the Companys Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share, at an offering price of $10.00 per share, for gross proceeds of approximately $4.0 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses (the Offering). In addition, HCWC has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 60,000 shares of Class A common stock to cover over-allotments at the initial public offering price, less the underwriting discount. The shares of Class A common stock began trading on the NYSEAM on September 16, 2024, under the symbol HCWC. The Class B common stock will not be listed on an exchange and will be subject to a 90-day lock-up period from the date of the distribution. Upon the expiration of the lock-up period, such shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock. Maxim Group LLC acted as the sole book-running manager in connection with the Offering. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of this Offering for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, funding for working capital needs and potential strategic acquisitions. A registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-274435) relating to the Offering was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as last amended on September 13, 2024, and subsequently declared effective by the SEC on September 13, 2024. A final prospectus relating to the Offering was filed with the SEC on September 16, 2024, and is available on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov . The Offering is being made only by means of a prospectus forming part of the effective registration statement. Electronic copies of the prospectus relating to this Offering may also be obtained from Maxim Group LLC, 300 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Syndicate Department, by telephone at (212) 895-3745 or by email at syndicate@maximgrp.com . This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About Healthy Choice Wellness Corp. Healthy Choice Wellness Corp. is a holding company focused on providing consumers with healthier daily choices with respect to nutrition and other lifestyle alternatives. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, the Company operates: Adas Natural Market, a natural and organic grocery store offering fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, deli, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, health & beauty products and natural household items (www.Adasmarket.com). Paradise Health & Nutritions three stores that likewise offer fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins, and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, deli, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, health & beauty products and natural household items (www.ParadiseHealthDirect.com). Mother Earths Storehouse, an organic and health food and vitamin store in New Yorks Hudson Valley, which has been in existence for over 40 years (www.MotherEarthStorehouse.com). Greens Natural Foods eight stores in New York and New Jersey, offering a selection of 100% organic produce and all-natural, non-GMO groceries and bulk foods; a wide selection of local products; an organic juice and smoothie bar; a fresh foods department, which offers fresh and healthy grab & go foods; a full selection of vitamins & supplements; as well as health and beauty products. (www.Greensnaturalfoods.com). Ellwood Thompsons, an organic and natural health food and vitamin store located in Richmond, Virginia (www.ellwoodthompsons.com). GreenAcres Market, an organic and natural health food and vitamin chain with five store locations in Kansas and Oklahoma. GreenAcres Market is a chain of premier natural foods stores, offering organic and all natural products and vitamins from both top national brands as well as locally sourced specialty brand (www.greenacres.com). Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Healthy Choice Wellness, LLC, the Company operates a Healthy Choice Wellness Center in Kingston, NY and has a licensing agreement for a Healthy Choice Wellness Center located at the Casbah Spa and Salon in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The Company continues to seek out locations for new Healthy Choice Wellness Centers but there are not currently any agreements in place for the opening of any new locations. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Healthy U Wholesale, the Company sells vitamins and supplements, as well as health, beauty and personal care products on its website www.TheVitaminStore.com. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of that term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Additional written or oral forward-looking statements may be made by the Company from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or otherwise. Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are based on managements estimates, assumptions and projections and are not guarantees of future performance. The Company assumes no obligation to update these statements. Forward looking statements may include, but are not limited to, projections or estimates of revenue, income, or loss, exit costs, cash flow needs and capital expenditures, statements regarding future operations, expansion or restructuring plans, including our recent exit from, and winding down of our wholesale distribution operations. In addition, when used in this release, the words anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, intends, and plans and variations thereof and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. Factors that may affect our future results of operations and financial condition include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in demand for our products, the introduction of new products, our ability to maintain customer and strategic business relationships, the impact of competitive products and pricing, growth in targeted markets, the adequacy of our liquidity and financial strength to support its growth, and other information that may be detailed from time-to-time in our filings with the SEC. Contact Information Healthy Choices Wellness Corp. 3800 North 28th Way, Hollywood, FL 33020 305-600-5004 Email: ir@hcwc1.com VANCOUVER, Sept. 16, 2024 - Westhaven Gold Corp. (TSX-V:WHN) announces that it has been made aware that its Chief Financial Officer, Shaun Pollard, has been charged with two counts of contraventions of the Securities Act (British Columbia) stemming from alleged misconduct in September 2018. The charges are not yet proven in a court of law nor has Mr. Pollard made any admissions of guilt. No allegations have made against the Company and the Company is not aware of any charges pending against any of its directors or other officers. Effective immediately, the Company has suspended Mr. Pollard from his duties as Chief Financial Officer pending the outcome of the charges. The board of directors has appointed Zara Boldt, a respected Canadian mining finance leader with +20 years expertise in public company finance, governance, and strategic business development, to act as the Company's interim Chief Financial Officer. The Company will provide further updates as more information becomes available. On behalf of the Board of Directors WESTHAVEN GOLD CORP. "Gareth Thomas" Gareth Thomas, President, CEO & Director 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. About Westhaven Gold Corp. Westhaven is a gold-focused exploration company advancing the high-grade discovery on the Shovelnose project in Canada's newest gold district, the Spences Bridge Gold Belt. Westhaven controls ~60,950 hectares (~609.5 square kilometres) with four gold properties spread along this underexplored belt. The Shovelnose property is situated off a major highway, near power, rail, large producing mines, and within commuting distance from the city of Merritt, which translates into low-cost exploration. Westhaven trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol WHN. For further information, please call 604-681-5558 or visit Westhaven's website at www.westhavengold.com Vancouver, September 17, 2024 - Endurance Gold Corp. (TSXV: EDG) (OTC Pink: ENDGF) (FSE: 3EG) (the "Company") is pleased to announce preliminary assay results from the first six (6) diamond drill holes completed in the Imperial and Diplomat Zones at its Reliance Gold Project. The planned 2024 drilling program consists of up to 10,000 metres ("m") of diamond drilling designed to expand the gold zones discovered within the 2-km long Royal Shear structure. To date, eleven (11) drill holes have been completed for over 3,500 m. Highlight assay results from the Imperial Zone DDH24-083 through DDH24-088 include: 2.19 gpt gold over 12.1 m; including 11.95 gpt gold over 0.6 m and 7.92 gpt gold over 1.1 m 5.41 gpt gold over 4.1 m; including 11.15 gpt gold over 1.2 m 1.94 gpt gold over 12.3 m; including 7.53 gpt gold over 1.0 m and 5.11 gpt gold over 2.0 m 6.80 gpt gold over 4.3 m; including 13.70 gpt gold over 2.0 m 3.26 gpt gold over 4.3 m 2.98 gpt gold over 4.7 m; including 6.72 gpt gold over 1.0 m "The Reliance Gold Project continues to deliver exciting drill results that demonstrate a strong gold system. The current drilling is expanding the Imperial, Eagle, Crown and Diplomat zones hosted within the 2-km long Royal Shear" stated Robert T. Boyd, CEO of Endurance Gold Corporation. "Assay results from these step-out holes indicate that the gold system is still open to expansion along strike and to depth. We look forward to additional results as we test the northwest extensions of the Eagle Zone and the undrilled gap between Eagle and Imperial that includes the Crown Zone". The Imperial Zone has been expanded along strike for over 100 m to the northwest where it remains open to expansion. In addition, these drill holes also intersected the Diplomat Zone which is now confirmed with several intersections to be a secondary deeper mineralized zone in the footwall that underlies and is parallel to the Imperial Zone echoing a similar structural relationship as seen at the Eagle Zone. All drill hole results reported are over 10 gram-metre, exceeded the company's minimum requirement to report as a significant intersection which must include at least 3.0 m of consistent gold mineralization. A complete list of assay results is reported in Table 1. All results are reported as core length intervals. True composite widths are estimated at 70% to 100% of core length. Highlighted intervals are shown on the Royal Shear longitudinal section in Figure 1, and drill collar location for these holes identified on the Royal Shear plan map in Figure 2. Drilling is now progressing on the fifth additional hole in the 600 m undrilled gap between the Eagle and Imperial Zones with the four other unreported holes testing for deeper mineralization at the Eagle Zone and Crown Zone areas. Assay results are expected in mid-October for these additional drill holes. In the Crown Zone area, located on structural trend to the northwest of the Eagle Zone, prior drilling by the Company has intersected numerous mineralized quartz veins with two instances of visible gold (VG) previously reported. The fully funded drilling program is expected to continue until the end of 2024. Endurance Gold Corporation is a company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of highly prospective North American mineral properties with the potential to develop world-class deposits. ENDURANCE GOLD CORPORATION Robert T. Boyd, President & CEO Diamond drill core was logged and evaluated on the Property and samples designated for assay analysis under the supervision of a geologist at the property. Drilling was completed with HQ and NQ size tools capable of collecting 6.35 and 4.76 centimetre diameter core (respectively). Drill core was cut using a diamond saw with one half of the core sent for analysis and the remaining kept for future studies. All drill core samples have been submitted to ALS Global in North Vancouver, BC, an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratory, where they are crushed to 70% <2 mm then up to 250 gram pulverized to <75 microns. Samples are then submitted for four-acid digestion and analyzed for 48 element ICP-MS (ME-MS61) and gold 30g FA ICP-AES finish (AU-ICP21). Over limit samples returning greater than 10 parts per million ("ppm") gold are re-analyzed by Au-GRA21 methodology and overlimit antimony returning greater than 10,000 ppm Sb are re-analyzed by Sb-AA08 methodology. Endurance Gold monitors QA/QC by inserting blanks, certified standards and pulp duplicates into the sample stream. The work program is supervised by Darren O'Brien, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration for the Company and the qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101. Mr. O'Brien has reviewed and approved this news release. 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. This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on assumptions and judgments of management regarding future events or results that may prove to be inaccurate as a result of factors beyond its control, and actual results may differ materially from the expected results. Figure 1: Reliance - Royal Shear Longitudinal Section - 2024 Update & Active Drilling Areas To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4976/223583_0dcac2214431da3f_002full.jpg Figure 2: Reliance Property Plan Map - 2024 Drill Hole Location To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4976/223583_0dcac2214431da3f_003full.jpg Table 1 - 2024 Reliance Drill Hole Results - September 17, 2024 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4976/223583_0dcac2214431da3f_004full.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/223583 COLORADO SPRINGS, Sept. 17, 2024 - Barrick Gold Corp. (NYSE:GOLD) (TSX:ABX) - Barrick is projecting a 30% growth in the production of gold-equivalent ounces from its existing assets by the end of this decade1 while it continues to unlock the value embedded in its portfolio, says president and chief executive Mark Bristow. Speaking at the Gold Forum Americas, Bristow said while Barrick was alert to potentially value-accretive opportunities generated by the consolidation of the industry, it had the rare luxury of doing so from an asset base that would support organic growth well into the future. "Five years ago, we set out to build a sustainably profitable gold and copper business focused on world-class assets. We did not have to buy them at a premium: they were embedded in the merged portfolio of Barrick and Randgold and we just had to unlock their value," he said. "We have six Tier One2 gold mines with more in the making and our long-term plans are based on quality orebodies with industry-leading grades that drive improving cost profiles. Alongside our peerless gold portfolio, we are also building a substantial copper business, both to feed the rising demand for this strategic metal and because it enhances our growth optionality to include copper-gold porphyries." Bristow listed three world-class gold opportunities, all in Nevada, which he described as the world's premier mining jurisdiction. The recently commissioned Goldrush is ramping up to a targeted 400,000 ounces per annum by 2028.3 Bordering on Goldrush is the 100% Barrick-owned Fourmile, which is returning grades double those of Goldrush and is another Tier One mine in the making.4 Still in Nevada, the 14-million-ounce Leeville project is developing into a major growth driver that could double or triple Carlin's reserves, extending its life beyond 2045.5 On the copper side of the business, two transformative projects are on track for first production in 2028. The Reko Diq copper-gold project in Pakistan is designed to produce 400,000 tonnes of copper and 500,000 ounces of gold per year in the second phase of its development.4 The Lumwana Super Pit project in Zambia will double the mine's production over a +30-year life.4 "Mining is a consumptive industry which requires constant replacement of the ounces it depletes. Barrick leads the industry in orebody expansion and has more than replaced the gold reserves it has mined over the past five years.6 Even more significantly, the ounces that have been added are at the same or better grade than the reserves that were mined," Bristow said. He noted that since 2019, Barrick had also built an industry-leading balance sheet, reducing net debt by $3.5 billion, investing $11.2 billion in +10 year life-of-mine plans for its key mines and returning more than $5 billion to shareholders. Its strong operating cash flows would provide the financial flexibility to fund its growth projects. "Considering all this, it's extraordinary how undervalued Barrick's shares are. Based on analysts' consensus net asset value calculations, the value of just our interest in Nevada Gold Mines and our copper portfolio almost exceeds our current market capitalization.7 This means that the rest of our business is only valued at $3.3 billion, and that includes our interest in three Tier One gold mines outside Nevada, the world-class Fourmile project, and the development projects in the pipeline.7 It also does not take into account our exploration teams' unparallelled success in discovering new ounces. At our current share price, the case for investing in Barrick should be compelling," he said. Barrick enquiries Investor and media relations Kathy du Plessis +44 20 7557 7738 Email: barrick@dpapr.com Website: www.barrick.com Technical Information The scientific and technical information contained in this presentation has been reviewed and approved by Craig Fiddes, SME-RM, Lead, Resource Modeling, Nevada Gold Mines; Richard Peattie, MPhil, FAusIMM, Mineral Resources Manager: Africa and Middle East; Simon Bottoms, CGeol, MGeol, FGS, FAusIMM, Mineral Resource Management and Evaluation Executive (in this capacity Mr. Bottoms is also responsible on an interim basis for scientific and technical information relating to the Latin America and Asia Pacific region); John Steele, CIM, Metallurgy, Engineering and Capital Projects Executive; and Joel Holliday, FAusIMM, Executive Vice-President, Exploration-each a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. ? All mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates are estimated in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Unless otherwise noted, such mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates are as of December 31, 2023. Endnotes 1 Scenario assumes an indicative production profile for Reko Diq and Lumwana, both of which are conceptual in nature. Does not include Fourmile. Refer to the below table for the complete list of Barrick's outlook assumptions. Key Outlook Assumptions 2024 2025 2026+ Gold Price ($/oz) 1,900 1,300 1,300 Copper Price ($/lb) 3.50 3.00 3.00 Oil Price (WTI) ($/barrel) 80 70 70 AUD Exchange Rate (AUD:USD) 0.75 0.75 0.75 ARS Exchange Rate (USD:ARS) 800 800 800 CAD Exchange Rate (USD:CAD) 1.30 1.30 1.30 CLP Exchange Rate (USD:CLP) 900 900 900 EUR Exchange Rate (EUR:USD) 1.10 1.20 1.20 Gold equivalent ounces calculated from our copper assets are calculated using a gold price of $1,300/oz and copper price of $3.00/lb. Barrick's ten-year indicative production profile for gold equivalent ounces is based on the following assumptions: Barrick's five-year indicative outlook is based on our current operating asset portfolio, sustaining projects in progress and exploration/mineral resource management initiatives in execution. This outlook is based on our current reserves and resources and assumes that we will continue to be able to convert resources into reserves. Additional asset optimization, further exploration growth, new project initiatives and divestitures are not included. For the company's gold and copper segments, and where applicable for a specific region, this indicative outlook is subject to change and assumes the following: new open pit production permitted and commencing at Hemlo in the second half of 2025, allowing three years for permitting and two years for pre-stripping prior to first ore production in 2027; Tongon will enter care and maintenance by 2027; and production from the Zaldivar CuproChlor Chloride Leach Project (Antofagasta is the operator of Zaldivar). Our five-year indicative outlook excludes: production from Fourmile; Pierina, and Golden Sunlight, both of which are currently in care and maintenance; and production from long-term greenfield optionality from Donlin, Pascua-Lama, Norte Abierto and Alturas. Barrick's ten-year indicative production profile is subject to change and is based on the same assumptions as the current five-year outlook detailed above, except that the subsequent five years of the ten-year outlook assumes attributable production from Fourmile as well as exploration and mineral resource management projects in execution at Nevada Gold Mines and Hemlo. Barrick's five-year and ten-year production profile in this presentation also assumes an indicative gold and copper production profile for Reko Diq and an indicative copper production profile for the Lumwana Super Pit expansion, both of which are conceptual in nature. 2 A Tier One Gold Asset is an asset with a $1,300/oz reserve with potential for 5 million ounces to support a minimum 10-year life, annual production of at least 500,000 ounces of gold and with all-in sustaining costs per ounce in the lower half of the industry cost curve. Tier One Assets must be located in a world class geological district with potential for organic reserve growth and long-term geologically driven addition. 3 Refer to the Technical Report on the Cortez Complex, Lander and Eureka Counties, State of Nevada, USA, dated December 31, 2021, and filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov on March 18, 2022. 4 Indicative production profiles from Fourmile and Lumwana and recovered production profiles from Reko Diq are conceptual in nature and subject to change following completion of Fourmile's pre-feasibility study, Lumwana's feasibility study and Reko Diq's updated feasibility study, respectively. Fourmile is currently 100% owned by Barrick. As previously disclosed, Barrick anticipates Fourmile being contributed to the Nevada Gold Mines joint venture, at fair market value, if certain criteria are met. 5 "14 million ounce Leeville project" refers to total historical gold production of the Leeville Complex from 2005 to 2023 of 8.5 million ounces (100% basis) plus estimated year-end 2023 probable mineral reserves of the Leeville Complex of 5.4 million ounces of gold (100% basis). Estimates of Leeville Complex mineral reserves as of December 31, 2023 on a 100% basis: Probable mineral reserves of 20 million tonnes grading 8.48g/t, representing 5.4 million ounces of gold. Currently, no proven mineral reserves are reported for Leeville Complex. Leeville Complex comprises: Pete Bajo: Probable mineral reserves of 2.0 million tonnes grading 7.39g/t, representing 0.47 million ounces of gold? Rita K: Probable mineral reserves of 3.5 million tonnes grading 6.26g/t, representing 0.70 million ounces of gold? Leeville: Probable mineral reserves of 14 million tonnes grading 9.17g/t, representing 4.2 million ounces of gold? 6 Proven and probable reserve gains calculated from cumulative net change in reserves from year end 2019 to 2023. Reserve replacement percentage is calculated from the cumulative net change in reserves from year end 2019 to 2023 divided by the cumulative depletion in reserves from year end 2019 to 2023 as shown in the table below. Year Attributable P&P Gold (Moz) Attributable Gold Acquisition & Divestments (Moz) Attributable Gold Depletion (Moz) Attributable Gold Net Change (Moz) 2019a 71 - - - 2020b 68 (2.2) (5.5) 4.2 2021c 69 (0.91) (5.4) 8.1 2022d 76 - (4.8) 12 2023e 77 - (4.6) 5 2019-2023 Total N/A (3.1) (20) 29 Totals may not appear to sum correctly due to rounding. Attributable acquisitions and divestments includes the following: a decrease of 2.2 Moz in proven and probable gold reserves from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020, as a result of the divestiture of Barrick's Massawa gold project effective March 4, 2020; and a decrease of 0.91 Moz in proven and probable gold reserves from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021, as a result of the change in Barrick's ownership interest in Porgera from 47.5% to 24.5% and the net impact of the asset exchange of Lone Tree to i-80 Gold for the remaining 50% of South Arturo that Nevada Gold Mines did not already own. All estimates are estimated in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects as required by Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Estimates as of December 31, 2019, unless otherwise noted. Proven reserves of 280 million tonnes grading 2.42 g/t, representing 22 million ounces of gold and Probable reserves of 1,000 million tonnes grading 1.48 g/t, representing 49 million ounces of gold. Estimates as of December 31, 2020, unless otherwise noted. Proven reserves of 280 million tonnes grading 2.37g/t, representing 21 million ounces of gold and Probable reserves of 990 million tonnes grading 1.46g/t, representing 47 million ounces of gold. Estimates as of December 31, 2021, unless otherwise noted. Proven mineral reserves of 240 million tonnes grading 2.20g/t, representing 17 million ounces of gold and Probable reserves of 1,000 million tonnes grading 1.60g/t, representing 53 million ounces of gold. Estimates as of December 31, 2022, unless otherwise noted. Proven mineral reserves of 260 million tonnes grading 2.26g/t, representing 19 million ounces of gold and Probable reserves of 1,200 million tonnes grading 1.53g/t, representing 57 million ounces of gold. Estimates are as of December 31, 2023, unless otherwise noted. Proven mineral reserves of 250 million tonnes grading 1.85g/t, representing 15 million ounces of gold. Probable reserves of 1,200 million tonnes grading 1.61g/t, representing 61 million ounces of gold Barrick Market Capi ? ? $36.5bn? ? Analyst Consensus NAVii? Market Based? P/NAV Multiple? Implied ? Valueiv? Nevada Gold Mines (61.5% share)? $13.1bn? 1.86xiii? $24.4bn ? Barrick Copper Assets (including Reko Diq 50% share & Lumwana expansion)? $8.0bn? At Least 1.1xv? At least $8.8bn? Combined Implied Value of NGM & Copper Assets? ? At least $33.2bn? Implied Value of Rest of Barrick? ? 0.21x? $3.3bn? i. Per CIBC Mining Comps as of September 13, 2024.? ii. Per CIBC Mining Comps as of September 13, 2024, corporate adjustments apportioned across assets proportional to NAV.? iii. Based on Agnico's P/NAV multiple, per CIBC Mining Comps as of September 13, 2024.? iv. Implied value equal to analyst NAV times the market based P/NAV multiple?. v. In line with the copper peer average of 1.1x, per CIBC Mining Comps as of September 13, 2024. Data sources: Company Disclosure, Fraser Institute and S&P CapitalIQ. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information Certain information contained or incorporated by reference in this presentation, including any information as to our strategy, projects, plans or future financial or operating performance, constitutes "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words "expect", "strategy", "target", "guidance", "ramp up", "design", "project", "continue", "additional", "growth", "potential", "future", "focus", "on track", "developing", "scheduled", "in the making", "will", "can", "could" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this presentation contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, with respect to: Barrick's forward-looking production guidance, including our five and ten year outlooks, and anticipated production growth from Barrick's organic project pipeline and reserve replacement; the estimated net asset value of our portfolio, including Reko Diq and the Lumwana Super Pit expansion, and the market based P/NAV multiples at which these assets would trade and implied value; the financial performance of the Lumwana Super Pit expansion; the potential to increase reserves at Carlin two to three times from exploration and the ability to extend its life of mine; estimates of future costs and projected future cash flows, capital, operating and exploration expenditures and mine life and production rates; material increases in production volumes at Pueblo Viejo, Porgera and Lumwana; our ability to convert resources into reserves and replace reserves net of depletion from production; mine life and production rates; our plans and expected completion and benefits of our growth projects, including the ramp up at Goldrush, timing for the pre-feasibility study decision and anticipated gold production at Fourmile, anticipated annual production, targeted first production and completion of the feasibility study at Reko Diq, the Pueblo Viejo plant expansion and the anticipated timeline for the completion of a feasibility study and first production for the Lumwana Super Pit and its ability to extend its life of mine; estimated copper production at Reko Diq and from the Lumwana Super Pit expansion, including projected mining rates; estimates of future costs and projected future cash flows, capital, operating and exploration expenditures and mine life and production rates; the potential for Reko Diq, Lumwana and Fourmile to become Tier One assets and the potential for Lumwana to become a top 25 copper asset; Barrick's global exploration strategy and planned exploration activities; Barrick's copper strategy; our pipeline of high confidence projects at or near existing operations; potential mineralization and metal or mineral recoveries; joint ventures and partnerships; Barrick's strategy, plans, targets and goals in respect of environmental and social governance issues; and expectations regarding future price assumptions, financial performance and other outlook or guidance. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions including material estimates and assumptions related to the factors set forth below that, while considered reasonable by the Company as at the date of this presentation in light of management's experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the potential to convert all or part of the mineral resource for the Super Pit expansion into a mineral reserve following the completion of the feasibility study; risks related to competition in the mining industry; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, copper or certain other commodities (such as silver, diesel fuel, natural gas and electricity); risks associated with projects in the early stages of evaluation and for which additional engineering and other analysis is required; risks related to the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, that quantities or grades of reserves will be diminished, and that resources may not be converted to reserves; risks associated with the fact that certain of the initiatives described in this presentation are still in the early stages and may not materialize; changes in mineral production performance, exploitation and exploration successes; risks that exploration data may be incomplete and considerable additional work may be required to complete further evaluation, including but not limited to drilling, engineering and socioeconomic studies and investment; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; lack of certainty with respect to foreign legal systems, corruption and other factors that are inconsistent with the rule of law; disruption of supply routes which may cause delays in construction and mining activities, including disruptions in the supply of key mining inputs due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and conflicts in the Middle East; risk of loss due to acts of war, terrorism, sabotage and civil disturbances; risks associated with artisanal and illegal mining; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and/or changes in the administration of laws, policies and practices; expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in Canada, the United States or other countries in which Barrick does or may carry on business in the future; risks relating to political instability in certain of the jurisdictions in which Barrick operates; timing of receipt of, or failure to comply with, necessary permits and approvals; non-renewal of or failure to obtain key licenses by governmental authorities; failure to comply with environmental and health and safety laws and regulations; increased costs and physical and transition risks related to climate change, including extreme weather events, resource shortages, emerging policies and increased regulations relating to greenhouse gas emission levels, energy efficiency and reporting of risks; Barrick's ability to achieve its sustainability goals, including its climate-related goals and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets; the liability associated with risks and hazards in the mining industry, and the ability to maintain insurance to cover such losses; damage to the Company's reputation due to the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, including negative publicity with respect to the Company's handling of environmental matters or dealings with community groups, whether true or not; risks related to operations near communities that may regard Barrick's operations as being detrimental to them; litigation and legal and administrative proceedings; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities, including geotechnical challenges, tailings dam and storage facilities failures, and disruptions in the maintenance or provision of required infrastructure and information technology systems; increased costs, delays, suspensions and technical challenges associated with the construction of capital projects; risks associated with working with partners in jointly controlled assets; risks related to disruption of supply routes which may cause delays in construction and mining activities; risks associated with Barrick's infrastructure, information technology systems and the implementation of Barrick's technological initiatives, including risks related to cybersecurity incidents, including those caused by computer viruses, malware, ransomware and other cyberattacks, or similar information technology system failures, delays and/or disruptions; employee relations including loss of key employees; availability and increased costs associated with mining inputs and labor; and risks associated with diseases, epidemics and pandemics. In addition, there are 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, flooding and gold bullion, copper cathode or gold or copper concentrate losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks). Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. All of the forward-looking statements made in this presentation are qualified by these cautionary statements. Specific reference is made to the most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities for a more detailed discussion of some of the factors underlying forward-looking statements and the risks that may affect Barrick's ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this presentation. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Pirelli tyres not good enough in 2024 says Russell George Russell has aimed fire at the quality of Pirelli's Formula 1 tyres. George Russell, Azerbaijan GP 2024 Mercedes The Italian company became the sport's exclusive tyre supplier back in 2011, and last year the relationship was extended for a further period until 2027 - with an option for another year beyond that. The quality of the tyres has often come under scrutiny in Formula 1, but Mercedes driver Russell says he is noticing alarming issues with the consistency of the product in 2024. The first half of the race, we were 1.5 seconds off the pace, the Briton, who doubles as a senior director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), said after last weekend's Azerbaijan GP. In the last 20 laps, I was then a second faster than Oscar (Piastri) and Charles (Leclerc) and three tenths faster than Max (Verstappen), Checo (Perez) and Carlos (Sainz), Russell is quoted as saying by France's Auto Hebdo. "Same circuit, same driver, same car, all I did was go from a yellow tyre to a white tyre. Honestly, it's quite maddening that it changes so much. And it's not just Mercedes, it's all the teams and all the drivers. One session you're fast, the next you're not. And there is only one thing that changes, he charged. I think even the people who make the tyres don't understand them, Russell continued. "We all need a serious conversation about what's going on, because we've got 2000 people working like crazy to deliver the fastest car. For 20 laps of the race we had a car that could fight for the win, for the other 20 laps we had a car that probably shouldn't have been in the points and the only difference is the tyres. And that's not good enough, really. (GMM) Verstappen's father may have agreed handshake deal Red Bull has good reason to worry about keeping Max Verstappen at the team. Max Verstappen, Azerbaijan GP 2024 Red Bull The triple world champion is under contract through 2028, but the deal is littered with reported performance and exit clauses that probably give him an 'out' at the end of 2025. Verstappen's management, led by his father Jos and Raymond Vermeulen, have been openly flirting with Mercedes' Toto Wolff throughout the past several months. A website is now reporting that a handshake agreement has even been made between Jos Verstappen and Wolff, regarding a move for the 26-year-old driver for 2026. But another potential option for Verstappen has just emerged, as Red Bull loses its technical 'genius' Adrian Newey to Aston Martin for 2025 and beyond. The Silverstone based team's works Honda power in 2026 may also be ultra-attractive for the Verstappen camp, given that all three of his Red Bull titles were won with the Japanese manufacturer. When asked about the new Aston Martin link, Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko told Osterreich newspaper: I have no idea where that comes from. It has even been suggested that Verstappen may try to take his mentor Marko with him - potentially reuniting the 81-year-old Austrian with an Aston Martin company car. I have to admit, the Aston Martin was a fun car, Marko, 81, smiled, "but that's not the deciding factor for me. Every sensible team boss has to be interested in Max, he added. And he always wants to sit in the car in which he can become world champion. Marko does admit that Newey will probably find renewed success in green. Even when he joined us, Newey had the know-how to become world champion, he said. He started with very specific demands and ideas. Nowadays you need a much bigger team, but he will probably get that. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, however, insists that Verstappen is still fully committed to the energy drink-owned team. He's working with the engineers and explaining very clearly where the problems with the car lie, said the Briton. He's putting a lot of time and effort into this process, and has been on many Zoom calls and in the simulator over the last couple of weeks. (GMM) These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Following its siblings, the S25 Ultra and vanilla S25, today it's time for the Galaxy S25+ to be portrayed in the first ever leaked renders. These are CAD-based so fine details may be inaccurate, keep that in mind, but the overall gist of the design is what we're going to get come January. And it's definitely boring. Sure, it's instantly recognizable as a Samsung, which is good for the Korean company's brand recognition, but the problem (which isn't new at all) is that it looks just like any Samsung. Maybe the flagship line shouldn't share design cues with phones costing $200? Samsung definitely doesn't agree. What we're looking at is mostly the same design, just improved here and there. The bezels are thinner, the camera rings are slightly different, undoubtedly the colors will change, maybe the texture on the back is going to be different, the frame is flatter, and that's it. This is definitely not one for those who prefer outlandish, never-before-seen designs. According to a previous rumor, the S25+ will also share its battery with its predecessor, stuck at 4,900 mAh so as not to infringe upon the almighty Ultra which itself is stuck at 5,000 mAh. The S25+ will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 SoC which is due to be announced in October. Some markets may get Samsung's Exynos 2500 instead (or not). The phone should get 12GB of RAM and maybe even 256GB of base storage. Fingers crossed. It's going to have the same display size as the S24+. The S25+ will measure 158.4 x 75.7 x 7.3 mm, which makes it marginally less tall, less wide, and thinner than the S24+. According to the source of these renders, the S25 family won't be made official before January 10, and the unveiling will happen at some point around mid-January. Source Public forums have been scheduled to discuss a proposal to list 10 species of Guam giant clams or hima under the Endangered Species Act, making it illegal to harvest or possess them, among other things. The Guam Department of Agriculture, through its Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources, invites the public to attend the community forums. The proposal, announced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, could have far-reaching implications for Guams culture, economy, and environment, the Guam Agriculture said. The purpose of the forums is to provide detailed information on NOAAs proposed rule to list these species under the ESA, explore the potential impacts on Guams local community, including carvers, artisans, researchers, and businesses, and offer a platform for residents to express their concerns and contribute to the federal decision-making process, the local agency said in a press release. NOAAs Protected Resources Division will hold an initial public engagement session on Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Pacific Islands Club in Tumon. However, understanding that this timing and location may not be convenient for many, Guam Agriculture has organized additional sessions to better accommodate the community: Sinajana Mayors Office Learning Resource Center: Oct. 4, from 5 to 9 p.m. Inalahan Mayors Office: Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a crucial opportunity for the people of Guam to have their voices heard, Guam Agriculture said. The listing of giant clams could impact various sectors, from traditional crafts to emerging aquaculture initiatives, making it more important than ever for the community to engage. Attendees will be encouraged to submit public comments, which could influence the final decision on the proposed rule. For more information, contact Guam Agriculture Director Chelsa Muna at (671) 300-7965 or Chelsa.Muna@doag.guam.gov. Haiti - DIGICEL : Failure detected on an international submarine cable, against a backdrop of litigation "Digicel informs that since Saturday, September 14, a fault has been detected on the international submarine cable of our provider 'Cable and Wireless', crossing the Kaliko Beach Club Hotel. Our technicians went to the scene immediately but were denied access to carry out assessments and repairs. Faced with these facts, our technical teams have put in place temporary measures to ensure the continuity of essential services. We are aware of the impact that this situation has on our customers who deserve to remain connected as well as on our operations. We have taken note of the open letter from Paret Hospitality Group S.A. published on September 15, mentioning a debt from Digicel to them. Digicel wants to be clear : We have no debt to Paret Hospitality Group S.A. We inform the population that there is a legal action pending on this case since 2021, which has not yet been the subject of a court decision. Pending a judgment, Paret Hospitality Group S.A. cannot unilaterally demand financial compensation. It is regrettable that a person can disrupt access to an essential public service, especially in a context of insecurity where communication is crucial. In addition, it should be noted that this cable is used by all operators in the country who are also affected. Digicel thanks its customers, partners, the press and the general public for their patience and support. We keep our teams mobilized on site and continue to seek the support of the competent authorities to quickly restore all services and continue to serve the population. Finally, we hope that Mr. Paret, who addressed his 'fellow citizens' in his open letter, will show solidarity with them. Digicel acknowledges the defamation campaign of Mr. Fritz Emmanuel Paret, and reserves the right to take all legal action against his allegations. " In his open letter dated September 15, Emmanuel Fritz Robert Paret, owner of Paret Hospitality Group S.A and the Kaliko Beach Club hotel, claims that since 2019 Digicel has owed his company $2.5 million for using its property as a cable entry point. He states that he has tried several times to settle this matter amicably, without success, and deplores the fact that the debt has never been paid. He announces that he can no longer support Digicel's operations without receiving the compensation he is owed, and his lawyers are currently engaged in steps to assert his rights in court. Breaking News : The National Telecommunications Council (CONATEL) has reportedly filed a lawsuit to allow Digicel access to the Kaliko Beach property to carry out repairs to its fiber optic cable connection, ensuring that the population should not be the victim of this dispute HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - DR : 7 Haitian fishing boats seized by the Dominican army 7 boats (sloops) from Haiti that were practicing illegal fishing in the Dominican territorial areas of Manzanillo and Montecristi, were intercepted and seized in recent days by the Dominican Navy. About fifteen Haitian fishermen-poachers were also arrested. In a report, the Dominican Navy reiterates its firm commitment to protecting Dominican territorial waters, avoiding and thwarting the entry of foreigners with the intention of carrying out illicit actions. The last two boats were detected on Sunday near Loa Cayos, Los Siete Hermanos de Montecristi, where five Haitians were arrested fishing illegally in Dominican waters. The seven boats are under the protection of the Dominican Navy in Montecristi, while the arrested Haitian nationals were handed over to the immigration authorities to be expelled to their country. Let's recall that the general command of the navy has considerably increased the presence of naval units on the northwest coast, with a view to increasing the protection and surveillance of territorial waters and guaranteeing national sovereignty. The navy is not only confronted with illegal fishing, but also with drug trafficking by sea, smuggling of goods, trafficking in human beings and firearms and the fight against damage caused to flora and fauna. S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Commissioner Lyvenson Gauthier, in detention Commissioner Lyvenson Gauthier was placed in detention with three other people including a divisional inspector whose identity has not been revealed. He rejected out of hand the accusations that he had participated in a summary execution, according to his lawyer Mario Delcy. The alleged events allegedly took place in the area of the Petit Freres et Surs hospital in Tabarre. Antonio Guterres deplores... UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres deplores the lack of funding for the Mission in Haiti and declared. "When there is a war, we find money [...] when there is a financial crisis and banks need to be saved, we find money. When a people are suffering in such a desperate situation, and we only need a relatively small amount of money, I think it is totally unacceptable that this money is not available." CEP : Final deadline The Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) has given itself until Wednesday, September 18 to complete the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP). In the meantime, the members of the CPT propose to meet with the sectors that are having difficulty agreeing on the choice of their representative to the CEP in order to help them find a compromise. France engaged with the PNH On Monday, September 16, Rameau Normil, Acting Director General of the Haitian National Police (PNH) met with the French Ambassador to Haiti, Antoine Michon, at the premises of the PNH General Directorate. Normil took the opportunity to discuss with the Ambassador the strategic visions of the PNH as well as the priorities relating to the strengthening of the operational capacity of the police institution. "I confirmed France's support in equipment and training of specialized units. We will remain committed alongside the Haitian police officers in their mission, which they carry out with courage," declared the French Ambassador. BNC : new summons for confrontation The Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) summoned by bailiff Raoul Pierre-Louis, the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Credit Bank, via his law firm, to appear this Tuesday, September 17, 2024 before the commission of inquiry to confront the three presidential advisers accused of corruption https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42866-haiti-flash-3-presidential-advisers-in-turmoil-scandal-or-conspiracy.html , after having been conspicuous by his absence during a first summons, on September 12. In this summons, the ULCC recalls that the law provides for a penalty ranging from one year to three years of imprisonment against any person who obstructs the proper functioning of justice... Mexico : 214th Independence Day Monday, September 16, 2024 at the El Rancho Hotel, Presidential Advisors Leslie Voltaire, Regine Abraham, Frinel Joseph and Prime Minister Garry Conille as well as some members of the Government were present to celebrate the 214th anniversary of Mexico's independence. HL/ HaitiLibre Apple Intelligence will not yet be active with the release of the iPhone 16 in its four versions next Friday. Instead, Apple is planning a (very) gradual rollout of its AI system, which will by no means be completed with iOS 18.1. Instead, it will probably take until spring 2025 or even longer for all the announced features to be available. In Europe, however, things look even worse: Here, due to Apple's fear of being regulated by the Digital Markets Act (DMA) at Apple Intelligence, not even a rough release schedule has been set. Anzeige Step by step outside the EU First of all, Apple will present iOS 18.1 in October and thus the first version of iOS with the first Apple Intelligence functions. This means that anyone who buys an iPhone 16 in the USA will not get the AI system from the start and will have to wait for the update. iOS 18.1 includes new writing tools for rewriting, correcting or summarizing text, reply suggestions in the Messages and email app and summaries of notifications in Mail, Messages and third-party apps. A new "Clean Up" tool for the Photos app is included, as well as the recording and transcription of phone calls in English. Also announced are new AI-based "reviews" in the Photos app, a new focus mode that will automatically display only important messages and summaries in Safari's reading mode. The voice assistant Siri will only receive some of the features promised by Apple, including the new animation and (better) understanding of follow-up questions and the option to correct questions. iOS 18.2 to 18.4: The big AI finale is still to come iOS 18.2 is expected later this year, probably in December. This will include the image generator functions that Apple announced back in the summer. This refers to the so-called Image Playground, which can be used to create illustrations and comic-like images via text prompts and from photo templates, as well as the Genmoji function, which allows you to create your own emojis via a prompt. If iOS 18.2 remains this year and no further updates are released, ChatGPT support for Siri, which has been announced for this year, will probably also be released at this time. This will be followed by iOS 18.3 and 18.4, which are expected between the beginning of the year and spring. It is unclear whether iOS 18.3 will contain new AI features iOS 18.4 should, however, finally contain the real "new Siri". This means that it will be able to recognize the personal context, i.e. understand system-wide searches, read the screen and control apps to a greater extent. New languages for Apple Intelligence are also not expected before 2025. So far, Apple has only announced French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese and Chinese There is not even any mention of German for Switzerland, which should officially receive Apple Intelligence with iOS 18.1. Anzeige Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt Mit Ihrer Zustimmmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen. Preisvergleiche immer laden Preisvergleich jetzt laden (bsc) ORGANISERS of the Wargrave and Shiplake Regatta are upset after one of their boats went missing. Tony Drew, a white Dory, was suspected stolen between August 16 and 18 from a riverside property in Wargrave. The 15-year-old boat is used by the Wargrave Boating Club and Wargrave Triathlon as a marshal boat and used during the villages annual Rag Regatta. Carlton Barnard, who chairs the Wargrave and Shiplake regatta, said the working boat could cost thousands of pounds to replace if it is not found or returned to them. A report was made to Thames Valley Police on August 25, a week after its disappearance. It was thought to have been spotted in Wallingford but was a false alarm. Mr Barnard said: Weve gone out to all the groups on the river and notified them and the lock-keepers know about it but we still havent found it. The person who has taken it would have had to somehow start it as well because none of the keys were with it. Obviously, theyve forced something on it to take it. Were going to have to replace it but we dont know how well finance it yet because its our work boat. Its used as the marshal boat for the practices. We do all our practices two weeks beforehand and its used as a work boat throughout the regatta and the lead up to the regatta as well. We use it to tie all our boats up for when theyre stored. Stuart Stubbs, a committee member, said its disappearance is frustrating as the committee cant run future regattas without it. Mr Stubbs, who runs a YouTube marketing agency in London, said: Were giving it time to see if it will turn up somewhere. We always hold out hope. For the regatta, its incredibly frustrating. We will need another boat to help run it next year. Its an incredibly important part of it and it umpired the traditional punting races. We use it if were teaching. We do training sessions for the schools and we need it for that to make sure theres a marshal boat out. Its very frustrating. Its a real shame that its happened but weve got to be pragmatic about these things. The boat had originally been a gift to the regatta after it was donated from a residents estate. Mr Stubbs said: The regatta is all run by volunteers and weve all got lives and families and work and the thought of having to go and source one of these, whether its new, whether its second hand, its going to take a lot of effort. The frustrating thing is that weve now got to go and find something similar. We dont know if that same boat exists. Im not sure the person who stole it probably knew that it was anything to do with a regatta. I genuinely think if somebody was in the village and had stolen it, then they would know its value or its purpose. Its probably been seen and taken on a chance. The boat had also been stolen two years ago but members recovered it themselves after it was dumped at Marsh Lock in Henley. Mr Stubbs said he had searched both stretches of the river on either side of where the regatta was held but to no avail. He said: Ive been up and down the river. Ive been up and down to the other side of Henley and Ive been up to Sonning. Ive been up both stretches either side of the regatta of the Wargrave stretch. Theres just been no sighting of it. The lock-keepers have been fantastic. Theyve put it out on their groups and theyve all been keeping an eye out for it. Theyve got photos of it. However, the chances of ever finding it were going to be pretty slim. The hope is that it will turn up on an auction site or something like that. Whether insurance can cover the cost of finding a second-hand or replacement boat, we are yet to see and we have no idea on that front. If we have to raise money then it will be an absolute challenge to raise that kind of money to get another boat. Today the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through its Administration for Community Living (ACL), delivered to Congress a progress report on federal implementation of the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. The strategy presents a vision, establishes goals, and provides recommendations for ensuring that family caregivers have the support and resources they need. The strategy also includes commitments from 15 federal agencies to nearly 350 actions to implement these recommendations. Today, nearly all these actions have been completed or are in progress, and federal agencies have committed to almost 40 new actions since the strategys release. With the actions described in this report, we have created new initiatives that directly support family caregivers, strengthened existing programs, and improved coordination across the federal government, said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. These accomplishments represent real change and real improvement in the lives of family caregivers. They reflect the Biden-Harris Administrations commitment to strengthening the care infrastructure, which is an important component of the Administrations broader strategy to strengthen the U.S. economy, reduce health care costs, and improve the health and well-being of Americans. Without the support family caregivers provide, millions of people would not be able to continue living and participating in their communities. Ensuring they have the support they need is a critical issue that affects everyone, said Alison Barkoff, who leads the Administration for Community Living. Achieving the goals described in the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers requires a comprehensive, coordinated approach, with contributions from every level of government, every sector, and each of us. The accomplishments detailed in this report illustrate the federal commitment to that national effort. Each year, more than 53 million Americans provide a broad range of assistance to support the health, quality of life, and independence of an older adult or person with a disability. In addition, millions of grandparents - and an unknown number of other kinship caregivers - open their arms and homes each year to children who cannot remain with their parents. The number of family caregivers continues to increase as the populations of disabled people and older adults grow and as the opioid crisis and other issues create thousands of new grandfamilies each year. Family caregivers are the backbone of the nations system of long-term care - replacing the support they provide with paid services would cost an estimated $600 billion each year. But when they do not have training, support, and opportunities for rest and self-care, their health, well-being, and quality of life often suffer. Their financial future can also be put at risk; lost income due to family caregiving is estimated to be a staggering $522 billion each year. And if caregivers are unable to continue to provide care, the people they support may have no option but to move to nursing homes or other facilities or, for children, to enter foster care. This deprives the person receiving support of their right to live in their community and often results in poorer health, usually at an increased cost to public programs. The National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers was released in 2022 as a first step in a coordinated national effort to address this issue. It was developed by the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE)Family Caregiving Advisory Council and the Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren(SGRG), with extensive input from family caregivers and the people they support. The strategy describes the most pressing needs as identified by family caregivers and the people they support - and defines a framework for meeting those needs. In addition to the federal commitments, the strategy also includes more than two dozen recommendations for legislative and policy changes and more than 150 recommendations for actions that can be implemented by anyone. The Administration for Children and Families continues to partner with ACL in our shared goal of supporting grandfamilies and kinship families, both to prevent unnecessary involvement in the child welfare system and to maintain connection to kin when intervention is necessary, said ACF Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Jeff Hild. Family caregivers play a pivotal role in supporting the health and well-being of millions of Americans, said Health Resources and Services Administration Administrator Carole Johnson. At HRSA, we are committed to empowering caregivers by expanding access to resources and strengthening the health care workforce to ensure they have the support needed to deliver person-centered care and improve health outcomes across the country. "Family caregivers are the backbone of long-term care provided in peoples homes, said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Mandy K. Cohen. CDC data shows caregiving can lead to physical, emotional, and financial strain, with 1 in 5 caregivers reporting fair or poor health, according to CDC data. CDC invests in 43 state and local partners to support and enhance the health and well-being of caregivers through the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimers Act. Caregivers are a vital part, and frankly the backbone, of our health care system in doing things like helping with medication management, transportation to appointments, food shopping, bathing and dressing, and getting around the house, said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. Todays report to Congress on federal progress in implementing the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers demonstrates the accomplishments the Biden-Harris Administration has made in strengthening caregiver support. While its important to recognize and commemorate our progress - there is more work to be done. We will continue to build upon the strides made for caregivers. We have worked to make sure that in fulfilling our mission to deliver better health and better health care to all people, that we are also strengthening levers to support caregivers. Caregiver support remains a top priority for President Biden and Vice President Harris as we work to continue to advance high-quality, person-centered, affordable care for all Americans. Millions of Americans take care of a friend or family member with a serious health condition. Being a caregiver can be a labor of love, but it can also be stressful, said National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli. Recognizing the acute needs of caregivers, NIH continues to fund research that promotes the health, function, and well-being of those living with disease as well as their caregivers, with an emphasis on improved rigor and real-world applicability across broad and diverse populations. Family caregivers are critical to providing support to loved ones with mental health conditions or substance use disorders. We know that the stress of providing care to loved ones can be difficult on the caregiver and their well-being, so its important that we help get them the support and resources they need as well, said Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and leader of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon. SAMHSA helps support the National Strategy to Support Caregivers in a number of ways, including by increasing the capacity of states and other organizations to help families and caregivers who are raising young people with serious emotional disturbance or co-occurring disorders, and by working with federal partners to prevent suicide among caregivers and support caregivers during emergency situations. Caregivers are from diverse communities across America and support loved ones across the lifespan - from children, to adults with behavioral health disorders, to older adults, said Dr. Tisamarie Sherry, the deputy assistant secretary for behavioral health, disability and aging policy who is performing the delegable duties of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. It is crucial that we provide services that meet their varied needs to the greatest degree possible. The strategy is a key piece of expanding, improving, and replicating those services and supports. The 2024 federal progress update to the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers was delivered to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor. Future reports and updates to the strategy will cover topics such as new and emerging policy considerations impacting family caregivers and the people they support, new recommendations for actions for all sectors to implement, and analysis of the impact of the strategy. Learn more about the RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council at ACL.gov/RAISE and the Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren at ACL.gov/SGRG. On September 9, Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, embarked on a two-day visit to India with his entourage of business officials and met their Indian counterparts while he met President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While Modi has visited the UAE at least seven times having met the UAEs second and third Presidents this was the Abu Dhabi Crown Princes first visit to India. The Emirates has consistently been among Indias top trading partners across the last decade, hosts the largest Indian diasporic population (contributing to about 18% of remittances), and has steadily expanded its economic and strategic ties with India. The two countries have a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement operational since 2022 and a unique Bilateral Investment Treaty since February 2024. Naturally, then, Sheikh Khaleds New Delhi visit yielded a number of substantial agreements including a 15-year agreement between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and the Indian Oil Corporation Limited for the former to supply 1 million metric tonnes of LNG per annum. The agreement that stood out however, was an MoU between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited and Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) for the operations and maintenance of the UAEs Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. While India and UAE (and France) have discussed nuclear energy cooperation before (first in 2022), the ENEC-NPCI deal is unprecedented. A history of geopolitical quid pro quos In the last 10 years, Modi has secured a special relationship with Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed, calling him his brother in February this year. MBZ, who like Saudi Arabias MBS, became the Emirates chief executive in effect even while being Abu Dhabis Crown Prince, has overseen the relationship grow enough to allow and even promote the construction of the largest Hindu temple in the Middle East the BAPS temple in Abu Dhabi. In return, India has shown an ability to service the UAEs special needs whenever the occasion arises with Indian marine commandos reportedly helping to return the Crown Prince of Dubais daughter (Princess Latifa) to UAE in 2018. More importantly, both India and UAE have catalysed each others attempts at entrenching a new local geopolitical order in their respective regions. For the UAE, India was an early and keen partner in the creation of new regional architectures that benefitted from the Abraham Accords with Israel, facilitated by the USA evident especially in the emergence of the I2U2 framework by July 2022. For India, the UAE has decisively tilted to Indias position on the Kashmir issue vis-a-vis Pakistan, even as Abu Dhabi maintains strong ties with both New Delhi and Islamabad. The UAE has not only shown a marked ability to respect Indian sensitivities on J&K but has also been an active partner in pushing development projects in J&K after the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir. While Modi famously received UAEs highest civilian honour during a visit just 19 days after the A370 abrogation in 2019, UAE-based Indian business giants such as Yusuff Ali have been among the prominent investors to undertake new large-scale ventures in post-2019 J&K. Alis Lulu Group announced a 250-crore project to open J&Ks first Hypermarket in a new Srinagar Mall in 2023. Similarly, even as Israels continuing and expanding war in Palestine scuttled hopes of the India-Middle East Economic Corridor taking off any time soon, India and UAE pushed ahead with a trans-continental trade corridor earlier this year arguably a precursor to the first sea leg of the IMEEC. While India has forged a balance between Israel, the Arab states, and Iran, its most expansive partnerships have been with the Arabs (UAE in particular) outdoing the defence-heavy partnership with Israel and the Chabahar-focused relationship with Iran. For perspective, even as India-Israel merchandise trade peaked at $10.77 billion in FY 2022-2023, it fell drastically to $6.53 billion in FY 2023-2024 exposing the vulnerability of bilateral trade to regional conflict. The overall volumes of trade between India-UAE and India-Israel are incomparable, given the prioritisation of different sectors. What is significant, however, is the difference in proportionate drop in volume as a result of regional instability between the two financial years India-UAE trade volume fell from $84.84 billion in 2022-2023 to $83.65 billion in 2023-2024. The politics of (nuclear) power in the Gulf When the UAE loaded the fuel rods into one of its four new nuclear reactors in the Barakah plant in March 2020, it sent ripples across not just the other five Gulf monarchies, but the region at large. It marked the first time that one of the richest Arab oil economies moved towards nuclear energy. This is despite lingering post-Fukushima concerns (which pushed Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait to abandon immediate plans for nuclear plants) and a much-troubled process of building the reactors with South Korean help since 2012. By March 2024, all four units of the Arab worlds first nuclear plant (second in the Gulf after Irans Bushehr plant) were running. In March 2020, while Qatar officially complained to the IAEA about safety concerns at Barakah, others warned of the potentially deadly impacts of a missile attack (such as one the Houthis had conducted in 2017). More importantly, as Barakahs units started up sequentially across the last four years, Iranian reactors across the Gulf crept closer to weapons-grade enrichment. For UAEs principal Arab competitor Saudi Arabia this made matters worse. While Riyadh was already struggling to secure its own civilian nuclear programme, by 2023 MBS committed to a nuclear weapons programme should Iran reach a nuclear break out. Among the cascading effects has been Israels own concerns with Arab nuclear plants as little as one month before the first of the Abraham Accords, Israel was protesting Riyadhs efforts towards securing nuclear energy. The momentum of the Abraham Accords did little to change this even as Saudi Arabia sought American nuclear expertise in the period immediately before October 7, 2023. Now, with the Gaza war increasing the rift between Riyadh and Tel Aviv and Washington attempting new security guarantees to Saudi Arabia to minimise damage, a Saudi nuclear programme still struggles to take off. While the UAE staggered on with the Barakah plant and is now also considering a second nuclear power plant to service its energy needs, Saudi Arabia still refuses key IAEA requirements such as snap inspections. For MBS, who spearheaded the unprecedented initiatives to diversify the Kingdoms oil-reliant economy, the challenges of securing a civilian nuclear programme are compounded by its resistance to normalisation of ties with Israel for which Washington is coaxing Riyadh with more security and economic incentives; even dangling the nuclear energy card. While Riyadh deals with these pushes and pulls, the Emirates is evidently surging ahead with collaborations to exchange nuclear learnings with other states. While UAE signed three substantial MoUs with China in 2023 to this end, any agreement with India is unique in that it testifies to a non-NPT nuclear weapons states ability to project its expertise in operating nuclear power plants, having long grown out of its nuclear pariah mould by leaps and bounds. Interestingly, the UAE concluded a 123 Agreement with the United States, just four years after India did in 2005. For the rest of the Middle Easts nuclear power aspirants (led by Saudi Arabia with Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan in tow), safety and security remain the chief concerns in a conflict-ridden region a concern readily highlighted by critics. Like numerous other developmental issues in the Middle East then, the future of nuclear energy too is contingent on political stability with the most prominent question continuing to be that of Palestine and its continuing ability to prod armed militant groups into action. Bashir Ali Abbas is a research associate at the Council for Strategic and Defense Research, New Delhi, and a South Asia Visiting Fellow at the Stimson Center, Washington DC. The views expressed are personal. On September 11, maverick Kashmiri politician Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid was released on interim bail from Tihar jail after spending over five years in a terror-funding case. As soon as he came out from jail, he said I take a pledge that I will fight PM Modi's narrative of 'Naya Kashmir', which has totally failed in J&K, to a group of journalists, who were waiting for him outside the jail. Even before he stepped out of prison, speculation was that his return to electoral politics in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) had the potential to change voter dynamics and could reshape the political landscape. Both former chief ministers, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, questioned the timing of his release and called him a Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) proxy. However, Rashid responded My fight is bigger than what Omar Abdullah says. His fight is for the chair, my fight is for the people. I am a victim of BJP, I will fight against PM Modi's ideology till my last breath...I am coming to Kashmir to unite my people, not to divide them..." The regional parties aren't just concerned about the release of Rashid, they are also unsettled by a large number of independent candidates who have decided to contest the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. In the first two phases of the elections, 145 candidates have decided to try their luck across J&K. The tally is likely to increase in the third phase of the election. Rashids Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) has announced that it will contest between 35 and 40 seats in the valley. All these candidates will fight independently as AIP is not registered with the Election Commission of India (ECI). Similarly, the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) has put up around 10 candidates who are contesting independently. The socio-religious outfit was banned by the home affairs ministry (MHA) in the year 2019 under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act UAPA. Although independent candidates have contested elections in the past, the percentage of independents in the 2024 elections is notably higher, reaching 44%. In the 2008 assembly elections, 190 independent candidates contested, accounting for 37%. In 2014, this number dropped to 87 independents. The total number of candidates in 2008 was 518, while in 2014, it fell to 278. For the 2024 elections, the figure has risen slightly to 330. The increase in the presence of independents will of course divide the votes in the valley and benefit the BJP. These candidates are not just new faces; many are prominent leaders who deserted regional parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the National Conference (NC), and the Congress party. Now running as independents, their chances of winning the election are high. While the BJP has the upper hand in the Jammu region, a Hindu majority region, it has fielded only 19 candidates in the Valley out of 47 seats. Although the Congress party has forged an alliance with NC to keep the BJP at bay, independent candidates who win could emerge as key players in forming the government. Also, the new political fronts that emerged after the abrogation of Article 370 have relatively more influence in Kashmir than in Jammu. Although they underperformed in the recent Lok Sabha elections, they are still likely to split the vote in the assembly polls. Political experts said the independents are inclined to the parties who have better resources and who are in power at the Centre. The BJP has all threemoney, muscle and power. If the BJP does well in Jammu, it will be in a better position to convince independent candidates towards them and form the government, said Ajaz Ashraf, a senior journalist based in New Delhi. He, however, said that theres likely to be increased polarisation along both religious and regional lines. Other experts argued that the independents won't have a long life as people usually vote for established parties in Jammu and Kashmir. The recent parliamentary elections are an example of how the new faces collapsed and couldnt perform well in the elections. So, I dont think independents will perform up to the expectations of the BJP, said another political expert who wished not to be named. While Jammu may go with the BJP once again, all eyes are on the independent candidates in the Kashmir valley where the likelihood of a fractured mandate remains high. On 18 September 2024, we will witness this years second and final Lunar Eclipse (Chandra Grahan) in the zodiac sign of Pisces. Lunar eclipses are important astrological phenomena that not only have a spiritual connotation but also profoundly impact the emotional, mental, and material aspects of our lives. In the realm of financial astrology, the 2024 lunar eclipse has the potential to bring global and personal shifts in wealth and investments, more so from October 9, 2024, to February 4, 2025, when Jupiter will be retrograde in Taurus. A composite image of a partial lunar eclipse, in Jaipur, Rajasthan on July 17, 2019. Parashar mentions that his teachers observed a series of seven lunar eclipses separated by six-monthly intervals (now known to be a very rare occurrence). (Himanshu Vyas/Hindustan Times) Understanding Lunar Eclipses in Astrology Lunar eclipses are a phenomenon when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon. In Astrology, this is also accompanied by the conjunction of the Sun and Moon with the two nodes, Rahu and Ketu. Eclipses are known to be sudden changes, revelations, and karmic shifts. Events created by the eclipse are marked by a cycle of completion in certain areas of life. A lunar eclipse can illuminate hidden truths, dissolve outdated patterns, and push us toward new paths. This can create ripple effects in all areas of life, particularly in matters related to finance, career, and investments. Pisces and the Financial Significance of the 2024 Lunar Eclipse The zodiac sign in which an eclipse occurs plays a major role in deciding the course of events. The lunar eclipse of 18 September 2024 will take place in Pisces, a mutable water sign known for its deep intuition, spiritual awareness, and connection to the unseen world. Pisces governs creativity, compassion, and fluidity, but it also introduces uncertainty and instability in practical matters of our lives, such as finance and career decisions. While Jupiter rules Pisces, it is also co-owned by Neptune, a planet associated with dreams, illusions, and intuition. As a result, this eclipse could bring an energy of unpredictability. Financial decisions during this period will be influenced by emotions rather than logic, leading to opportunities and risks. Neptunes influence will also cause illusions regarding finances, making it critical for us to stay grounded and avoid impulsive decisions. Global Financial Shifts: What to Expect 1. Market Volatility and Uncertainty The Pisces lunar eclipse may trigger global market volatility. Pisces' mutable energy can introduce a sense of instability in major markets, particularly those related to water resources, pharmaceuticals, oil, and gas, industries traditionally ruled by Pisces and Neptune. Investors should be prepared for sudden market fluctuations, as eclipses can often bring unexpected events. The influence of Pisces may lead to emotional trading, where investors react to market news without fully assessing the long-term impact. Global financial markets may experience a sense of confusion or overreaction to political or economic developments during this time. 2. Shifts in Global Policies on Resources With Pisces connection to water and Neptunes rule over oil, the water and energy sectors could see significant shifts during this eclipse. We may see changes in global policies regarding the management of natural resources, particularly in relation to water rights, oil exploration, and environmental regulations. These changes could create new opportunities for investments in renewable energy, sustainable water management, and green technologies. 3. Potential for Economic Reforms This lunar eclipse may also catalyse global economic reforms. International Governments may be prompted to implement new regulations in areas such as taxation, public welfare, and resource management. Pisces compassionate energy could inspire efforts to create more equitable financial systems, focusing on reducing inequality and addressing global poverty. Financial aid programs, social security systems, and public investments in healthcare and education could see increased attention during this period. Personal Financial Shifts: Predictions for Zodiac Signs For individuals, the lunar eclipse on 18th September 2024 will influence financial decisions, career changes, and investment strategies. Heres a look at how the eclipse might impact your personal finances based on your zodiac sign: Aries: This eclipse may culminate in financial matters youve been working on behind the scenes. Expect hidden sources of income to surface or past investments to bear fruit. However, be cautious of sudden expenses related to health or emotional well-being. Focus on balancing your financial stability with personal growth. Taurus: Taurus natives may experience shifts in their social networks and alliances. Collaborative projects or partnerships could either bring unexpected financial gains or lead to the dissolution of unprofitable ventures. Its a good time to reassess long-term investments and focus on long-term financial planning. Gemini: Career changes are on the horizon for Gemini. You may find yourself transitioning into a new role or industry, possibly with a focus on creative or humanitarian work. Be cautious about making impulsive career decisions; ensure your next move aligns with your long-term financial goals. Cancer: The Pisces eclipse highlights education, travel, and spiritual growth for Cancer natives. You can consider investing in learning opportunities or long-distance travel. However, be mindful of overspending on speculative investments or ventures that lack solid ground. Leo: For Leo, this eclipse could bring financial revelations related to shared resources, taxes, or inheritance. Review joint accounts and legal matters carefully to avoid misunderstandings. This is a good time to resolve debt-related issues or consolidate finances. Virgo: Relationships, particularly financial partnerships, will be at the forefront for Virgo. Be prepared for changes in shared financial responsibilities. This eclipse could bring clarity on whether a partnership is financially beneficial or whether you need to restructure joint investments. Libra: The focus for Libra will be on health and daily routines, with potential financial implications. You may invest in self-care or wellness programs that enhance your overall well-being. Be cautious of spending too much on lifestyle changes that may not yield long-term benefits. Scorpio: Scorpio natives could see financial changes through creative projects, hobbies, or speculative investments. This is a time of heightened intuition, but avoid relying solely on gut feelings for financial decisions. Stay grounded in practical analysis, especially regarding high-risk ventures. Sagittarius: For Sagittarius, this eclipse may trigger changes in home and family-related finances. You may consider real estate investments or home renovations, but be sure to plan carefully. Emotional spending or impulsive decisions regarding property should be avoided. Capricorn: Capricorn natives may experience financial shifts through communication, contracts, or short-term travel. Be cautious when signing new agreements during this period, as misunderstandings or hidden details may surface. Focus on stabilising existing projects rather than pursuing new ventures. Aquarius: For Aquarius, this eclipse may bring changes in income streams or personal assets. You could experience a financial windfall or sudden expenses. Use this time to reassess your budget, savings, and investment strategies. Avoid speculative investments and focus on sustainable growth. Pisces: As the eclipse occurs in Pisces, you may experience profound personal and financial transformations. This is a time of heightened intuition regarding money matters, but be wary of emotional decision-making. Focus on letting go of unprofitable ventures and accept new opportunities that align with your spiritual and financial goals. ---------------------- Neeraj Dhankher (Vedic Astrologer, Founder - Astro Zindagi) Email: info@astrozindagi.in, neeraj@astrozindagi.in Url: www.astrozindagi.in Contact: Noida: +919910094779 Dry, dehydrated skin is often the reason behind a dull and lifeless complexion. The lack of moisture disrupts your skin's ability to maintain a natural glow. Luckily, with the right solution, you can bring back the hydration and shine your skin deserves. Enter Glutone-Hydra Mouth Melt a revolutionary skincare product that nourishes your skin from within, hydrates and repairs the skin barrier, and can be consumed on the go! This innovative product is the first of its kind, combining Setria Glutathione and Ceramosides in India to offer a powerful hydration boost in a convenient mouth melt format. 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Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. The Kenya Electricity Transmission Co. said its still in talks with Adani Energy Solutions Ltd. for the construction of three power lines, contradicting a presidential adviser who announced that two companies including the Indian firm had already been awarded deals for as much as $1.3 billion. Adani group chairman Gautam Adani is seen. Negotiations for three power lines in Kenya by Adani Energy are ongoing, despite conflicting reports of awarded contracts. The project cost has dropped significantly while the country faces a $5 billion financing gap for power infrastructure improvements.(ANI) Adani expressed interest last year to construct 388 kilometers (241 miles) of high-voltage transmission lines, according to the agency, which is known as Ketraco. Initially, the project cost was about $1.01 billion, but the bid was revised to $736.5 million last month, according to Anthony Musyoka, a general manager in-charge of project development at Ketraco. There are still many boxes to tick, Chief Executive Officer John Mativo said Monday at a meeting with stakeholders in the capital, Nairobi. We will get the best deal for this country. Adani didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. News of the potential deal comes after Kenya confirmed the India-listed conglomerate is seeking another 30-year concession to run the nations biggest airport. Many Kenyans were angered by that proposal, saying it flouted procurement laws and was shrouded in secrecy to avoid scrutiny. Transport Secretary Davis Chirchir has told lawmakers that privately initiated proposal is still going through an evaluation process. Kenya has a financing gap of $5 billion, or about $250 million annually, for power lines and can no longer rely on the National Treasury to fund new links, Mativo said. This year alone, its suffered two national outages, he said. We have a grid that has improved, but its not where its supposed to be, he said. Adanis proposal includes construction of a new 206 kilometer Gilgil-Thika-Malaa-Konza line, another 95 kilometers linking Rongai-Keringet-Chemosit and approximately 98 kilometers for the Menengai-Ol Kalou-Rumuruti conduit. Adani is looking at an 11.5% cost of debt and a 16% equity internal rate of return. Ketraco, for its part, wants a lower 9.5% cost of debt and 14% IERR, according to Mativo. In a separate arrangement, a joint venture of Africa50 an infrastructure investment unit of the African Development Bank - along with state-backed Power Grid Corp of India, have submitted a proposal to build 273 kilometers of power lines in Kenya. Satya Nadella said that leaders need to reinvent themselves according to the changing times in order to effectively manage their employees for the world to be a better place. Speaking to LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, the Microsoft CEO listed three things that leaders need to focus on. Microsoft's Satya Nadella urges leaders to reinvent themselves, focusing on optimism and soft skills to better manage employees. He stresses the need for clarity and engagement, pointing out a productivity paradox where managers perceive slacking, while employees feel overworked.(AFP) I think the world needs today, more than anything else from leaders, are optimism and energy. It's easy to be down on everything [but] my true measure of any leader is who can come into a situation, bring clarity, generate energy, and solve over-constraint problems. As long as you do those three things, I think the world will be a better place, Satya Nadella said. The Microsoft boss stressed that leaders should keep learning soft skills that would help them understand and manage their employees better as he asserted that leaders should note that "people come for people". "Think about it... people came here not because you set up a police and mandated it, they came for other people. People come for people, not policy. And I'd like to say that all of us now are event managers; if I say I have a meeting, nobody is going to show up but if I say I have an event, people are going to come. And so you really have to learn, as a leader, new soft skills around how to create occasions, what does it mean to hold an event," he said. Satya Nadella also revealed that Microsoft is grappling with a "productivity paradox" because of which most managers reported that employees have been slacking off work while on the other hand employees claimed that they have been working too hard. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said he would give India "an A" for its focus on solving the problem of malnutrition. Talking to news agency PTI, he said, Well, India, for its income level, acknowledges that some of these nutritional indicators are weaker than it would like. That kind of frankness and focus on it, I think is very impressive. Bill Gates highlighted the complex nature of malnutrition, emphasizing the importance of understanding gut health and its effects on children's physical and mental development.(Bloomberg) India is more focused on the issue than any other government, he said, adding, Its using the public feeding system and the Midday Meal System to try and get fortified foods out, but its still a huge opportunity. I would give India an A for focus on the problem. He continued, I think it probably would rate itself maybe a B for the education but with the real serious intent to do even better." The understanding of malnutrition has improved a lot, he said, adding that the Gates Foundation is the biggest funder there. Part of thats been understanding the complex system in your gut, which involves a lot of bacteria. Its called the microbiome. But what weve seen is that if youre missing certain vitamins or if youre missing protein, some kids, their gut gets inflamed, so they cant absorb the food theyre eating, and they simply dont grow, he said. One of the tragedies of malnutrition is measuring how much a kid loses in terms of their physical capabilities and mental capabilities because of malnutrition at a young age, he said. "We havent had a very good measure of that. Were getting better at that, he said. Solving malnutrition or even just reducing it has two gigantic benefits, he said. "One is that a well-nourished kid is far less likely, twice as less likely to die as they face various disease episodes like diarrhoea or pneumonia during their early years; but the second thing, which is absolutely gigantic, is that because in those early years, your malnutrition, deficits, you cant recover," he said. "India is a great example where if we can reduce malnutrition, it literally helps drive meaningful economic growth, he said. Responding to a question, Gates said India can play an important role in this area, explaining, Its the place where these new approaches like the probiotic where we have the trials going on. The cost of getting the anaemia in one-time infusion down, its the Indian private sector making investments in that. And as we see the success of the interventions, that will clearly indicate that in Africa, which has an even more challenging malnutrition problem than India does, what should be the priority in those countries." Canada opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said that if his party wins the next federal election, it will address the housing crisis asserting that the country's immigration system needs reform to achieve this. Pierre Poilievre said, Its not about immigration, its about math. Its not a question of whether you support immigration or not; its about basic mathematics. Canada's Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario. Pierre Poilievre promises to address Canada's housing crisis through immigration reform, citing a housing supply shortfall amid rising population.(Reuters) The leader pointed to the imbalance between the number of homes being built and the rate at which the population is growing, saying, Were only building about 240,000 homes per year, which is a 1.4% increase in housing supply. But were growing the population by almost 3% under Trudeau and the NDP. No wonder were running out of homes. He emphasised the urgency of aligning population growth with housing availability, saying, We cant grow the population faster than were building homes; otherwise, well see even worse shortages. Pierre Poilievre signalled that his government would scale back the international student programme which he thinks has spiralled out of control. He said, Were going to return to the system we had before Justin Trudeau. A modest number of highly promising young people who excelled could come here, study, and if they followed the rules, they could stay. He said, "We added 96,400 people to the working-age population last month alone, but we didnt create enough jobs for them. We lost 44,000 full-time jobs in that same period and saw 60,000 more people added to the unemployment rolls." Pierre Poilievre also talked about immigration enforcement saying that while Canada should welcome those who contribute positively but those who break the law should be deported. "If you follow the rules, pay taxes, and learn one of our official languages, you should stay. But if youre breaking laws and defrauding the system, then you have to go," he said. IT services company Infosys on Monday announced it has been selected by Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) to drive its digital transformation with NextGen Digital Platform, focusing on omnichannel experiences and data-driven hyper-personalisation for customers, agents and employees. An exterior view of Life Insurance Corporation of India's (LIC) headquarters, in Mumbai. Infosys has been chosen by LIC for its digital transformation initiative, DIVE. The NextGen Digital Platform will enhance customer interactions through data-driven personalisation, utilizing Infosys' AI and cloud services for improved efficiency and infrastructure.(Reuters) The company did not divulge the size of the deal. "Infosys...today announced its collaboration with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), the largest life insurance company in India, to spearhead its digital transformation initiative called DIVE (Digital Innovation and Value Enhancement)," according to a release. Under this, Infosys will enable the creation of a NextGen Digital Platform, which will focus on delivering omnichannel engagement and data-driven hyper-personalised experiences to LIC's customers, agents and employees. "Infosys was selected by LIC for its extensive experience in executing large-scale digital transformation projects and its deep expertise in the banking, financial and insurance sectors," the release said. Infosys will provide LIC with turnkey system integration services using AI capabilities from Infosys Topaz and DevSecOps services from Infosys Cobalt. Infosys Cobalt is a set of services, solutions, and platforms for enterprises to accelerate their cloud journey, while Infosys Topaz, an AI-first offering suite, enhances Cobalt with generative AI capabilities. Besides this, Infosys will help establish the required infrastructure for digital transformation and ensure ongoing monitoring and maintenance once the platform is operational. "The NextGen Digital Platform will enable LIC to realise the objectives of DIVE, which is to deliver best in class digital initiatives for all its stakeholders, customers, intermediaries and the marketing team," the release added. Siddhartha Mohanty, CEO and MD of LIC said, the collaboration with Infosys marks a significant milestone in the digital transformation journey of the life insurance company. "It will not only enhance our operational capabilities but also enable us to cater to our vast customer, agent and employee base with newer, more personalised experiences. We are committed to leveraging the latest technologies that Infosys has to offer, including Cloud and Enterprise AI, to drive innovation and improve our offerings," Mohanty said. Salil Parekh, CEO and MD, Infosys, noted that LIC is a name that resonates across generations of Indians. "...and we are delighted to collaborate on their transformation journey. By leveraging Infosys' extensive experience in digital transformation initiatives and prowess in AI and Cloud, we aim to equip LIC with a robust digital infrastructure that will deliver superior customer engagement, enhance operational efficiency and enable rapid market responsiveness," Parekh added. Microsoft said on Monday its board has approved a new share buy back program of up to $60 billion. A view shows a Microsoft logo at Microsoft offices in Issy-les-Moulineaux near Paris, France.(Reuters) The tech giant declared a quarterly dividend of $0.83 per share, reflecting an 8 cent, or 10%, increase over the previous quarter. Microsoft said it will hold its annual shareholders meeting on Dec. 10. In July, the company said it will spend more this fiscal year on AI infrastructure. It reported a 77.6% rise in capital spending in the quarter ended June 30, largely due to AI-related expenses. The company reported a slowdown in growth at its Azure cloud business in the reported quarter but said growth would accelerate in the second half of fiscal 2025. Big tech companies, including Microsoft and Alphabet's Google, are facing investor pressure to show a pay off for the billions of dollars they have been investing in AI infrastructure. Microsoft is one of the few big companies that break out AI contributions in their quarterly earnings, as most firms are yet to see a big boost from AI investments. Last month, it had restructured how it reports results for its business units, moving some search and news advertising revenue under the Azure cloud-computing unit. Among other big technology companies, Apple unveiled a record $110 billion share buyback program in May after it reported upbeat quarterly results. Shares of Microsoft rose marginally in aftermarket trade. Stock has risen about 15% so far this year. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that "facts need to be taken on board" regarding allegations made against Sebi chief Madhabi Puri Buch. This comes after Congress alleged that the Sebi boss engaged in investments in listed securities and foreign funds, including those linked to China which violates the capital regulator's conflict of interest rules. Nirmala Sitharaman urged consideration of facts related to Congress's allegations against Sebi chief Madhabi Puri Buch. Buch and her husband denied involvement with consultancy firms and claimed the allegations are false, malicious, and defamatory, maintaining high governance standards. Madhabi Puri Buch traded in listed securities worth 36.9 crore between 2017-2023, while also holding foreign assets from 2017-2021, the Congress party alleged. Responding to the allegations, Nirmala Sitharaman said at the News18 India Chaupal event, "I think a few of the allegations are being answered by the Buchs. They are putting out facts to contradict the allegations by Congress. I think the facts are to be taken on board. Madhabi Buch and her husband are putting out facts to contradict the allegations." This comes after Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch issued a statement regarding consultancy firm Agora Advisory. The couple asserted that she had never handled any files related to the firm or business groups named in the recent allegations since joining Sebi. "In keeping with the highest standards of governance, Madhabi has never dealt with any file involving Agora Advisory, Agora Partners, the Mahindra Group, Pidilite, Dr Reddys, Alvarez and Marsal, Sembcorp, Visu Leasing or ICICI Bank at any stage after her joining SEBI. As evident from the above facts and the communications from the companies, the allegations are completely false, malicious and defamatory," they said as per the statement. Shares of jewellery retail chain PN Gadgil Jewellers Ltd made a remarkable market debut on Tuesday, listing with a premium of nearly 74 per cent, against the issue price of 480. The initial public offer of PN Gadgil Jewellers Ltd received 59.41 times subscription on the last day of bidding on Thursday. The stock made its debut at 834, surging 73.75 per cent from the issue price on the BSE. Later, it jumped 75.79 per cent to 843.80. At the NSE, shares of the firm listed at 830, soaring 72.91 per cent. The company's market valuation stood at 10,950.98 crore. The initial public offer of PN Gadgil Jewellers Ltd received 59.41 times subscription on the last day of bidding on Thursday. The 1,100-crore initial share sale had a price band at 456-480 per share. The Maharashtra-based company's IPO had a combination of a fresh issue of equity shares worth up to 850 crore and an Offer For Sale (OFS) of equity shares to the tune of 250 crore by promoter SVG Business Trust. Of the fresh issue proceeds, 393 crore will be utilised for the funding expenditure towards setting up 12 new stores in Maharashtra, 300 crore for payment of debt, besides a portion will also be used for general corporate purposes. PN Gadgil Jewellers Ltd offers a wide range of precious metal/jewellery products including gold, silver, platinum and diamond jewellery, across various price points and designs. The company's products are primarily sold under its flagship brand, 'PNG', and various sub-brands, through multiple channels, including 39 retail stores (as of July 31, 2024) and various online marketplaces, including websites. In a heartwarming gesture, a non-Kannadiga Bengaluru resident from Uttarakhand translated safety instructions into Kannada using Google Translate before wrapping a broken glass so that the paurakarmikas - the city's sanitation workers - did not have to risk injury while handling the waste. A Bengaluru resident warned pourakarmikas of a broken glass through this gesture.(X/@suchi_a) The person's friend took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the incident, sparking yet another conversation about regional language. This is all I guess non-Hindi speaking states are asking. Respect our language and treat it at par with yours. Non-Hindi speakers dont expect you to speak Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, Bengali when they visit, work, live in Hindi speaking states, the user wrote on the platform. Take a look at the viral post: (Also Read: Karnataka or Pakistan?: Bengaluru woman blasts Swiggy over delivery agent not knowing Kannada) Responses from X users While appreciating the thoughtful gesture, several Kannadiga X users said this is what they expect from non-Kannadigas and that its not very hard to adapt. Responding to the post, another user said, Please get over this inferiority complex against Hindi it's just a language. No one disrespects Kannada or Tamil or Marathi. It's just a figment of your imagination, born out of an inferiority complex, that's it. The post has garnered over 500 likes and 100 reposts, resonating with many across social media and reigniting discussions about linguistic diversity. Recently, a Bengaluru woman sparked controversy on social media expressing frustration over her Swiggy delivery agent not knowing Kannada. The woman shared a screenshot of her order and wrote: Bengaluru is in Karnataka or Pakistan @swiggy? Your delivery guy neither speaks nor understands Kannada, nor even English. Do you expect us to learn his state language Hindi in our land? Stop imposing things on us and ensure your delivery persons know Kannada. (Also Read: German woman speaks in Kannada: Viral video surfaces amid Bengaluru belongs to Kannadigas row) Latest Bengaluru News Live Updates Today September 17, 2024 : Karnataka Film Chamber holds meeting with women artistes against sexual offences in KFI By Welcome to the live updates platform for Hindustan Times. Follow the major news updates, headlines and breaking news stories from Bengaluru/Bangalore and the rest of Karnataka here. Track the real-time developments of major events from India's IT capital on September 17, 2024. Malvinder Singh Mali, the political adviser to erstwhile Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu, was arrested from Patiala on Monday for allegedly hurting Hindu sentiments. Malvinder Singh Mali was arrested by the Mohali CIA team from Patiala. (HT File) Mali was booked following the complaint of Amit Jain of Aero City. Jain, a cow sewak, had accused Mali of hurting Hindu sentiments by speaking against their religious beliefs. I heard Mali speaking against Hindu religion. He has hurt Hindu sentiments through his statements which can lead to a law-and-order situation. He should be arrested immediately, Jain told police. A senior police officer said Mali was arrested by the Mohali CIA team from Patiala following Jains complaint. The accused has been booked under Sections 196 (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence) and 299 (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the BNS. Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi in a post on X sought immediate release of Malvinder and said AAP government is curtailing freedom of speech. Mali, a strong critic of former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, was appointed as Sidhus adviser in 2021. Mohinder Singh, a 76-year-old non-resident Indian (NRI) who was kidnapped by two unidentified persons from Kang Sahibu village in Jalandhar district three days ago, has been murdered, police said on Tuesday. Mohinder Singh, a 76-year-old NRI who was kidnapped by two youngsters from his native Kang Sahibu village in Jalandhar district three days ago, has been murdered, police said on Tuesday. (HT file photo) Jalandhar rural senior superintendent of police Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh said the two kidnappers, who were arrested on Tuesday, had confessed to committing the crime. The two accused killed Mohinder Singh with sharp-edged weapons hours after kidnapping him from Kang Sahibu. The motive is yet to be ascertained. Investigation is on, Khakh said. After stabbing the NRI to death, the accused dumped his body in a canal near Moga. A team of divers is trying to locate the body, the SSP said. The two car-borne youngsters had intercepted UK-based NRIs car when he was heading to the gurdwara on the outskirts of Kang Sahibu village on Nakodar-Jalandhar road on Saturday evening. Complainant Daljit Singh, who was witness to the incident, said that the two youngsters were waiting near the main road in a car and as soon as Mohinders car reached, they rammed their vehicle into it. When the NRI came out to confront them, they overpowered and kidnapped him. The police registered a case under Sections 103 (murder) and 140 (kidnapping) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Nakodar Sadar police station. The NRI was staying alone at his house in the village after returning from the United Kingdom. On August 8, at around 11pm, a group of self-proclaimed cow vigilantes, travelling in three cars, recorded a video as they chased a truck into a shuttered factory in Sonia Vihar and apprehended three men transporting meat. Claiming that the meat was of a cow, the vigilantes tied up the men all Muslims and then allegedly tortured them. Rana posted a video on Instagram on March 10 in which three men could be seen tied up inside the boot of a car, while he was seen lording over them with a long, thick stick. (HT Photo) More than four hours later, at around 3am, the vigilantes informed Delhi Police, according to a first information report (FIR) filed in the case. A team from the Sonia Vihar police station was then dispatched, and the three men identified as Ayyub Hussain, Mohd Mursaleem and Mohd Meerajul were arrested and charged under provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, and sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The vigilantes were never booked in the case, despite clear signs of the three men being unlawfully detained and assaulted. A purported video of the incident, posted by the Gau Raksha Dal Delhi, emerged on social media three weeks later, on August 29. In the video, Hussain, Mursaleem and Meerajul were seen tied by the neck with a single thin rope or cloth. The vigilante groups chief, Rupesh Rana alias Rocky, was purportedly seen slapping one of his captives, even as three policemen present at the scene did little to interfere. Read more: Cow vigilante Bittu Bajrangi to contest Haryana election, files nomination HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the video, which went viral on social media. Deputy commissioner of police (northeast) Joy Tirkey declined to comment on the matter, saying the case was sensitive. A senior officer from the northeast circle, however, said that the three men were tied up because they had a cleaver. The August 8 incident is one of several cases of cow vigilantism that have popped up in Delhi over the past year. Police, however, are yet to take any significant action against the vigilantes. A malaise creeps into DelhiOn August 24, Aryan Mishra, a Class 12 student, was shot dead allegedly by cow vigilantes after a 50km chase in Palwal, Haryana. Five people arrested in the case said they mistook Mishra and four others in the car to be cattle smugglers. This case is part of a pattern of violence perpetrated by cow vigilantes who have increasingly taken the law into their own hands in Haryana, often with deadly consequences. The Supreme Court has repeatedly asked states to act against such gangs leading to the Haryana government in March 2023 directing districts to set up special committees to crack down on cow vigilantes, and work on the rescue and rehabilitation of stray cattle. However, these armed vigilante groups continue to operate with impunity. Slowly, this malaise seems to have crept into Delhi. Read more: Faridabad Police: Making list of cow vigilantes, will track them The Delhi Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act, 1994 prohibits the transport of cattle from the Capital to another state for the purpose of slaughtering it. In addition, any person transporting cattle to or from Delhi must have the requisite permits from a veterinary officer, stating the purpose of the transport. The Act also prohibits the sale, possession, and transport of cow/calf/bull meat. The senior officer quoted above said offenders can be imprisoned for up to five years. The Gau Raksha Dal Delhi came into being in 2019, and quickly gained a following on social media, with 30,000 followers on Instagram. Rana, its leader, has more than 93,000 followers on Facebook, and 21,000 on Instagram, and has posted multiple videos in which he is purportedly seen assaulting alleged cow smugglers. The group has about 100 members mostly from villages in Rohini and outer Delhi around Bawana and Kanjhawala and despite posting videos that depict overt incidents of violence, they are yet to face any legal consequences. Though other cow vigilantes are also active in Delhi, Rana is ostensibly the most prominent no other group operates at such a scale in the city at present, and most visiting vigilantes team up with Rana during raids. Vijendra Dhyani, the manager of a cow shelter at Kanjhawala Road, said, Most of the young men here and in surrounding villages like to work with Rana since he catches many cow smugglers and rescues cattle. A senior police officer posted in the outer Delhi police district told HT that Rana was on the cops radar. Though we have not arrested him, we are keeping an eye on him. Last year, he and his aides held several protests and marches against cow smugglers. He was trying to create communal tension, so we detained him, the officer said, asking not to be named. On September 6, HT spoke to Rana at his house in Sultanpur Dabas village. He claimed to be personally acquainted with two prominent cow vigilantes who operate in NCR Anil Kaushik (arrested in connection in the Faridabad incident), and Mohit Yadav, (better known as Monu Manesar, who was booked and arrested for the abduction and killing of two cattle traders in Bhiwani, Rajasthan and is currently lodged in jail). We dont work with them. We have our own team and collect donations here, Rana said. DCP (Rohini) GS Sidhu told HT, There could have been cases of cow vigilantism last year, but I am not aware of those since I was not the head of the district then. Since my tenure, we have ensured Rana and his team do not attack anyone If he tries to do anything here, we will act against him. Rana also appears to change his tune when faced with public ire. On August 28, he posted a video in which he could be seen purportedly assaulting two men, accusing them of cow slaughter in the caption. But on September 3 after the Faridabad incident came to light, and outrage over the activities of cow vigilantes began to grow Rana changed the videos caption to say that he had caught hold of two men who were about to rape a girl from the Muslim community. When HT asked Rana about the edited caption, he said that the two men in question were from the Hindu community, and lived near his village. HT later shared the video with multiple police officers, who said they did not know where it was shot and did not receive any tip-off about two would-be rapists being held. An officer posted with the cyber cell said they havent received any complaint about the incident. They said they will check whether the video was shot in Delhi or in some other state and then summon Rana. A senior police officer from the western range said, We take each case seriously. However, if the injuries sustained by the accused are minor and not grievous, we cant do much. The accused are taken for MLC (medico-legal case) and they (the alleged cow smugglers) never file a complaint. Acting with impunityWith little to no legal action taken against them, cow vigilantes in Delhi appear to be acting in spite of overwhelming video and photographic evidence. Several FIRs registered across northeast Delhi, outer Delhi and south Delhi ranges show Rana and his followers as complainants, but the vigilantes themselves are almost never booked. For example, Rana posted a video on Instagram on March 10 in which three men could be seen tied up inside the boot of a car, while he was seen lording over them with a long, thick stick. Multiple police control room vans could be seen passing by, but no police action was taken against him over the incident. When asked about the video, Rana claimed that the men were repeat offenders, and that his group had caught them from Rohini. He didnt mention the exact date of the incident, but claimed that the men were carrying the meat of more than five cows. A senior police officer from the northeast district said five people all alleged cow smugglers were arrested. At the time of arrest, the men were not found in anyones car. We dont know where the photo or video is from... Maybe they were being held as these cow smugglers are usually armed, the officer said. Earlier, on February 24, Gau Raksha Dal Delhi allegedly chased a car in Neb Sarai and caught six men again all Muslims. These men were assaulted before being handed over to the police in one photo shot by Rana himself, one of the men was seen with a bloodied head. Asked about the incident, Rana said, It was the polices fault. They never come on time. There were six of them. We were simply outnumbered. We had to control them and save our cows. To be sure, the FIR of the incident reveals that Rana was with 11 other vigilantes when the incident took place, so they were definitely not outnumbered, and that all the men (detainees) sustained minor injuries due to the manhandling and assault. DCP (south) Ankit Chauhan said the men they stopped were beef smugglers. We didnt receive a complaint of anyone abusing the accused... We will have to check. How will cows get justice?Another member of Gau Raksha Dal Delhi, who has around 1,200 followers on Instagram HT is not sharing his name as he is a juvenile said his group never assaults anyone unless they are armed. We have to save ourselves too. Rocky bhaiya deals with very dangerous men who can kill anyone The police never help us. So, we conduct raids ourselves, he said. Mohit Sharma, a cow vigilante active in the Kanjhawala area, said they have to be quick and track the movements of cow smugglers, otherwise police will intervene. How can we trust the police? I have seen them shutting shops of these men but they dont make any arrests. How will the cows get justice? he asked. Sharma shared CCTV footage dated August 25, of two men with a cow in the Sarai Rohilla area. He claimed that the men were cow smugglers and that he had shared the video with police, but the two were not arrested. Countering Sharma, a senior police officer in the north Delhi range, on condition of anonymity, said, No FIR was registered as the staff found that the men were taking a cow to their house. There was no proof of any cow smuggling or slaughter. During a visit to Ranas house in Sultanpur Dabas village, HT found two cars a Maruti Swift and a Honda City that his group ostensibly uses for its daily operations. In addition, three vans were parked in the village that double up as cow ambulances, according to Ranas followers. Rana said that he runs a shelter for injured and stray cows, along with injured dogs and monkeys. Everything I do is legal. I have papers and proof. These men (that he attacks) are cow meat smugglers and I will not let anyone do this. Police never has any information on anything. We deploy our informers. Some of them are paid. Others support our cause. We also have locals who give us tips about cow smuggling These are usually residents who witness such incidents near their home, he said. We have informers everywhere. Once we get the information, we start getting details of their social media, car registration numbers and phone numbers, he added. Rana said that he keeps photos and information of the suspected cow smugglers in a folder at his office, and claimed he even has access to their GPS location. When asked about this, he said, We put their numbers on surveillance and track their movements We also inform the police at times but they never help us. An officer posted in outer north Delhi, however, said Rana is very good at publicity, and that he nabs only one or two smugglers a month. There are genuine cow meat smugglers who carry pistols and weapons. They have been arrested without Ranas help. His motive is to gain fame and nothing else, said the officer. A police officer posted in Rohini had a different, rather sinister take. Gaushala owners call Rana after selling their cattle. Rana then goes and rescues these cattle from their new owners, and the gaushala owners get their cattle back while pocketing the money, he said. Rana claimed that he is an animal lover, and alleged that he is targeted because of a few of his videos. I know I am targeted and videos of me are being run on X and by news channels to defame me. There are some people in my team who beat up these men, but I never do that, he said. When HT asked Rana about a video he posted on August 30 in which he was purportedly slapping a man he said that he slapped the man only once, because he was smuggling cattle. He declined to say anything more on the subject. Nominated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislative party as Delhis next chief minister, Atishi on Tuesday said her only objective as the Capitals top elected officer is to make Arvind Kejriwal chief minister once again and to keep the governments welfare schemes running. Atishi has emerged as the face of the Delhi government during the incarcerations of Sisodia and Kejriwal (Hindustan Times) The people of Delhi, the AAP MLAs and I, being the chief minister, will now work with only one objective till the elections take place in a few months we have to make Arvind Kejriwal the chief minister of Delhi again, said Atishi. Delhi has only one chief minister, and his name is Arvind Kejriwal, she said, adding that the AAP chief will become chief minister again only after the citys residents vote his government into power during the next assembly elections, proving that they trust his innocence. Atishi was speaking to reporters outside the CMs residence in Civil Lines soon after the legislative party picked her as Kejriwals successor. She thanked Kejriwal for trusting her with the responsibility. Delhis assembly elections are likely to be held in February 2025. To be sure, while announcing his decision to resign on Sunday, Kejriwal demanded that assembly elections in Delhi be held in November alongside the Maharashtra polls. The Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that Atishi was going to be a puppet CM. Meanwhile, an AAP leader said Atishis new cabinet will have the full strength seven ministers, including the chief minister. The Arvind Kejriwal cabinet had only six ministers, including Kejriwal, since April when social welfare minister Raaj Kumar Anand resigned citing differences with the AAP leadership. All the cabinet ministers will have to be sworn in afresh because as soon as the resignation of the CM is accepted the cabinet stands dissolved. According to party leaders aware of the developments, ministers in Arvind Kejriwals cabinet Saurabh Bharadwaj, Kailash Gahlot, Gopal Rai, Imran Hussain are likely to retain a spot in the new cabinet. Her cabinet is also likely to get two new ministers, one of whom will likely be Dalit. The people cited above said that Kondli MLA Kuldeep Kumar is likely to be the Dalit minister. However, AAP leaders have officially not confirmed this. The AAP leader quoted above also said that the names of the cabinet ministers have not yet been finalised. On Tuesday, flanked by AAP MP and the partys national general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak, Delhi state convenor and cabinet minister Gopal Rai, deputy speaker of Delhi legislative assembly Rakhi Birla, MLA Dilip Pandey, Sanjeev Jha, and other senior leaders, Atishi accused the BJP of running a relentless campaign against AAP leaders accusing them of baseless corruption. For the last two years, the BJP has left no stone unturned to harass Arvind Kejriwal, to conspire against him. The BJP accused a man, who quit as IRS commissioner, resigned from the post of chief minister after contesting elections for the first time after forming a new political party, of corruption by filing fake cases against him. The BJP unleashed its agencies ED and CBI after him and kept him in jail for six months in a fake case. Finally, the Supreme Court granted him bail and reprimanded the central government and its agencies. They (SC) said that the central governments agency is like a caged parrot and Arvind Kejriwals arrest was wrong, said Atishi. In a speech peppered with accolades for Kejriwal, Atishi stressed that he resigned because the bail from the Supreme Court is not enough for him he wanted to go to the court of the people (elections) and seek their judgment. He (Kejriwal) said when the people of Delhi tell me they want to see me as the chief minister, and that I am honest, only then I will sit on the CMs chair. I dont think that we will find such an example of sacrifice in the history of democracy as Kejriwal has put before the country today, Atishi said. She asked party workers and people not to congratulate her or offer flowers, bouquets because for her it is a sad moment that a popular Delhi CM (Kejriwal) has resigned today. She added the people want to see Kejriwal as the chief minister again because they know he is honest and that without him, the free education, free power, mohalla clinics, and free bus-rides schemes will be stopped. They know that if an honest person like Kejriwal is no longer the CM, they (BJP) will stop free electricity, the government schools will be in a poor condition; the quality of treatment that is available in government hospitals, the free medicines that are available will stop; the mohalla clinics will shut; the free bus travel for women will stop; the pilgrimage for the elderly will stop, she said. Meanwhile, the BJP alleged that by nominating Atishi as the new CM, Kejriwal has pushed Delhi towards anarchy and communism. Atishi herself said that Kejriwal will remain the CM, and she is merely a face, indicating that she will be a puppet CM. The only question is whether the remote will be in Kejriwals hands or [Manish] Sisodias. AAP leaders are now trying to give the party a makeover, but no matter how hard they try, they wont be able to hide the marks of corruption, said Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva. Z-category security likely Meanwhile, an officer from the security unit of the city police, who did not want to be named, said that the process of providing security cover to Atishi will be initiated on Wednesday and she will soon be considered a special protectee. The decision of the category of the security cover will be taken as per her threat assessment report that will be conducted and finalised by the ministry of home affairs (MHA). She is likely to get the Z-category security cover, as per the protocol, the officer said. About the decision on continuing the cover for Arvind Kejriwal, it will be taken depending upon his personal threat perception. Kejriwal is currently getting Z-Plus security. Further cover for him will be reviewed by MHA, the officer added Arvind Kejriwal, who stepped down as Delhi chief minister on Tuesday, is likely to help the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in next years Delhi elections the first will be to use the time ahead of the polls to focus his attention entirely on campaigning by holding rallies and kicking off a door-to-door outreach campaign, and the second will be to use the decision to step down as moral leverage by appealing to voters to vote him back in power if they believe in his honesty. Arvind Kejriwal with Atishi during an event in Delhi. (PTI file photo) According to party leaders, who detailed Kejriwals strategy, the AAPs national convener intends to wade directly into the preparations for the assembly elections likely in February, and will spearhead the outreach effort as the partys CM face. Political experts said that Kejriwals surprise move to step down as CM is likely to help the AAP in the upcoming elections because the decision, which Kejriwal has said is based on the decision to seek the public mandate of his honesty, is likely to blunt the BJPs sustained allegations of corruption, and may also temper the anti-incumbency sentiment against the AAP government. To be sure, this is not the first time that Kejriwal has quit the post. In 2014, he resigned after just 49 days in office in a coalition government with the Congress, only to come back with a thumping majority in which his party swept 67 of the 70 assembly seats in the 2015 assembly polls. The AAP on Monday demanded early elections in Delhi, requesting the Election Commission that the Delhi assembly election be held alongside assembly elections in Maharashtra likely in November. An AAP leader said that the party is planning a major public rally that will be addressed by Arvind Kejriwal. The details of the rally are being finalised and are likely to be announced soon, the leader, who asked not to be identified, said. A major public outreach plan of Arvind Kejriwal is likely to be announced soon. Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in a completely fabricated case not because of corruption but due to a conspiracy by the BJP to break AAP. BJP failed in that motive. Now, Kejriwal will seek the opinion of the people and urge them to vote for him if they think that Kejriwal is honest, said the AAP leader quoted above. The AAP is planning to hold a mega public rally in Delhi, likely over the weekend, for which the plan was being finalised. Within a week, Kejriwal is likely to launch his public outreach programme. The finer details are being worked out. Kejriwals public outreach will continue parallelly in Delhi as well as Haryana. The dates of the events are being finalised and will be announced soon, said a second AAP official. Nearly five months before the term of the Delhi assembly is scheduled to come to an end, Kejriwal is also planning to hit the streets in a door-to-door campaign. While announcing his resignation plan on Sunday, Kejriwal announced his broader plan. I will go to every street, I will go to every house and until the public gives its verdict that Kejriwal is honest, I will not sit on the CMs chair, he told party workers. I want to ask the people of Delhi; I want to ask the people of the country whether Kejriwal is honest or guilty, Kejriwal added during his address. Tanvir Aeijaz, associate professor of political science at Ramjas College, said: Kejriwals move to resign and focus on public outreach a few months ahead of Delhi assembly election seems to be based on the idea to turn the jailing of the AAP leaders into an opportunity and base the AAPs narrative for the next election on how the opposition jailed him and AAP leaders and seek votes in the name of honesty... The outcome of the new narrative of the AAP will depend on how the people react to it, and how the opposition counters it, said Tanvir Aeijaz. Tanvir said that Kejriwals move is also aimed at focusing on strengthening the AAP ahead of Delhi and Haryana elections. Now, without the responsibility of the chief minister, he can devote more time to the political activities such as playing a more active role in the oppositions INDIA bloc, and focus on expanding the party. He is likely to engage himself in vigorous campaigning and push the narrative of the AAP, said Tanvir. The proposed resignation of chief minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal and the subsequent election of a new CM may pave the way for mayoral polls in the city, which have been stuck for the past six months given that the lieutenant governor (LG) sought inputs from the CM to appoint a presiding officer for the polls. The Civic Centre, where key MCD processes are held. (HT Archive) A senior official from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) said that the nomination process was completed and the Election Commission of Indias permission sought (as Model Code of Conduct was in place for Lok Sabha polls) but the elections could not be held as a presiding officer was not appointed by the LG. On April 25, LG Saxena had declined to appoint a presiding officer for holding mayoral election without inputs from the chief minister and elections slated to be held on April 26 were postponed indefinitely. With a new CM in place, the condition of chief ministers role in the process can be achieved and mayoral elections can be held, the official, requesting anonymity, said. The order issued by Saxena in April stated: I do not deem it appropriate to exercise my power as administrator to appoint the presiding officer in absence of inputs from the chief minister. The MCD official said that as the elections were postponed indefinitely, the nominations remain valid. There were five nominations: two for mayors post from Mahesh Kumar from AAP and Krishna Lal from BJP. There were three nominations for deputy mayor, which continue to be valid and new nominations will not be sought. However, the file for nominating a presiding officer will need to be started afresh. This can only be done when the conditions change in terms of access to the chief minister, the official said. Read more: Kejriwal likely to resign tomorrow, AAP MLAs meet at 11 am to pick new CM | Top updates For the election, the file moves from the municipal secretary to MCD commissioner, urban development secretary, and then the chief secretary, who sends it to the urban development minister. The UD mister signs and moves file to the CM who forwards it to the LG, the official said. In the second year of the MCDs five-year tenure, the mayor post is reserved for the a member from SC community but the incumbent mayor Shelly Oberoi has continued to hold the post as per the LGs order dated April 25,which stated that in larger public interest it would be in the fitness of things that the mayor and deputy mayor continue to hold their positions till such time that elections can be held in terms of legal provisions. The leader of Opposition, BJPs Raja Iqbal Singh, said that the elections for the post of mayor should be held as soon as possible as the term in this year is reserved for SC members. Due to intervention of LG Saxena, the zonal wards committee have been formed but the incumbent mayors tenure is usurping over someone elses tenure. A member from SC community should be mayor, he said. Mayor Shelly Oberoi did not comment. The AAP won the MCD elections in December 2022, but the process of formation of key panels, as well as other processes, have remained stuck over political and legal logjams. In the 250-member house of councillors, the AAP hold a majority, with 127 councillors, BJP has 112 members and the Congress nine. One is an independent and one seat is vacant. With the election for the last member due at the end of this month, MCD may finally witness a completion of panels and posts by next month, the official said. KOLKATA: Sandip Ghosh, the ex-principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and police officer Abhijit Mondal, who have been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), allegedly tampered with evidence in connection with the rape and murder of the trainee doctor, the federal agency said in its remand note on Tuesday. Former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh after a Sealdah court extended the CBI custody of Ghosh and police officer Abhijit Mondal by 3 days (PTI) In its request to a local court to seek remand of the two accused, CBI said Ghosh remained willfully absent from the crime scene on August 9 after the body of the 31-year-old doctor was found. Both the accused facilitated cremation (of the victims body) in a hurried manner while the family members specifically demanded a second autopsy, the agencys remand note on Tuesday said. The court remanded Ghosh and Mondal, the officer-in-charge of Tala police station, in CBI custody for three days. The two were arrested by CBI on Saturday in connection with accusations of tampering with evidence, misleading the investigation and delaying the FIR. They were initially produced before the judge on Sunday and remanded in CBI custody for three days. On Tuesday, the judge extended their CBI custody by three more days. The trainee doctors body was discovered in a semi-nude condition in the seminar room of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on the morning of August 9. Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, has been arrested as the sole accused in the crime. According to CBI, the police registered a first information report (FIR) at 11:45pm on August 9 on a complaint by the trainee doctors father though her body was found at 9:30am. The hospital authorities didnt lodge a formal complaint. The medical superintendent and vice principal of the college sent a confidential letter in a closed envelope to the Tala police station at 3:40pm saying that a body was found and while requesting a FIR. The Kolkata Police previously told the Supreme Court that this wasnt a specific complaint but spoke about discovery of a dead body. The federal agency also found that there was an unnecessary delay of two days in seizing the clothes and belongings of the prime accused Sanjay Roy even though he was arrested on the morning of August 10. The CBI remand note said it was investigating if Ghosh acted alone or at someones direction. It is required to ascertain whether he (Ghosh) acted in such a manner on the direction of any other person in furtherance of any larger conspiracy, it said. CBI also said that following the interrogation of the two accused, investigators have found some more suspected mobile numbers and their call detail records were being checked. The agency has also seized CCTV footage of the hospital which shows movement of several suspected persons. The details of each and every phone call exchanged by the two accused is required to be verified with the suspected calls to verify their versions with a view to explore the possibility of criminal conspiracy hatched among the main accused Sanjay Roy and the co-accused persons, if any, the agency said. LUCKNOW After the Supreme Courts halt on bulldozer justice, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday apparently hit out at UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, saying this is an identity crisis for those who had made the bulldozer their symbol and time has come to park the bulldozer. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. (File Photo) The apex court ruled that there will be no demolition of properties, including of those accused of crime, till October 1 without its permission, while observing that even one instance of illegal demolition was against the ethos of the Constitution. The supreme order of justice has sidelined not only the bulldozer but also the destructive politics of those who misused the bulldozer. Today, the wheels of the bulldozer came off and the handle of the steering wheel has come out. This is an identity crisis for those who had made the bulldozer their symbol. Now neither the bulldozer will be able to run, nor those who used to run it. The time has come for parking both, the SP Chief wrote in his post on social networking platform X on Tuesday. Bulldozer was unconstitutional, it was to scare people. Bulldozer was to deliberately suppress the voice of opposition. I thank Supreme Court for this direction that has stopped bulldozers, Yadav added. Earlier, there was a war of words between Yadav and CM Yogi Adityanath over bulldozer action in the state. The former had stated: Once the SP government comes to power, direction of all bulldozers will be towards Gorakhpur. In reply, Yogi said: It takes courage to steer the bulldozer against criminals and not everyone has the might to do so. Akhilesh congratulates Atishi Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav congratulated Atishi, 43, on being designated Delhis chief minister, calling her combative and determined. The former UP chief minister said on hand she has to continue public service and on the other face BJPs negative politics. Best wishes to Atishi ji for her responsibility as Delhi chief minister. On one hand she has to continue her work of public service, and on the other, she has to face the negative politics of BJP. As a combative and determined young CM, may she be successful in every role of hers!, Yadav posted on X. Calling Pakistan a cancer to humanity, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said the festering wound for the world can only be treated through a surgical intervention even as he blamed the Congress for the Partition. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath poses for photo with students during inauguration of the Sidheshwari Mandir at Barkathal in West Tripura, Monday. (PTI) Adityanath was addressing a gathering in West Tripura after he, along with Tripura chief minister Manik Saha, inaugurated the Siddheshwari temple. Adityanath remarked that if the Congress leadership at the time of independence, along with Jogendra Nath Mandal, had thwarted the conspiracy of the Muslim League, this wound would never have formed. He further said that Pakistans resolution requires action, and the process has already begun. Now, the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir wish to join India, and Balochistan is also seeking independence from Pakistan, he said. Urging that the campaign for religious awakening must be carried forward under the guidance of saints, he said, Saints act as divine representatives on Earth. When such a significant number of saints unite for any cause, success is inevitable. Stressing the importance of working collectively to ensure that destructive forces are not given a foothold, he emphasised the need to eliminate such powers to prevent a situation like Bangladesh from occurring again. He added that both the nation and religion must be safeguarded. The strength and unity of the rulers in Tripura kept the state independent and secure. The king protected Tripura from heretics and foreign invaders by uniting the people, he said. He said that a nation or leader who demonstrates power and makes their enemies aware of it will remain safe. However, those who lose their strength and fail to distinguish between friends and foes will face consequences, as seen in Bangladesh today, he added. It is vital to reflect on the current situation in Bangladesh and those responsible for it, he said. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) foresaw the dangers posed by Congress, recognizing that if the country continued to fall victim to Congresss misdeeds, it would lead to the partition of India, the massacre of Hindus, and the division of society along caste lines. Congress would erode Indias traditions and culture for its selfish interests. The warnings of the RSS proved true, as the Congress ultimately partitioned the nation, he said. The RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) engage in selfless service without resorting to propaganda, he said. He further stated that today, the RSS operates thousands of educational institutions and service initiatives worldwide through Vidya Bharati. The five-century-long wait has ended with the construction of the grand temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, he said. While some may oppose the temples construction, he noted there is little that can be done about those who feel discontented. The government is respecting the faith of the majority of Indians, he said. He emphasised that Ayodhya, Mathura, and Kashi are the three major pillars of Sanatan Dharma, and these sacred places will continue to flourish as revered centres of faith. In the past, riots were common during festivals in both Tripura and Uttar Pradesh. However, today in Uttar Pradesh, the government has given bulldozers as a reply to the rioters and the temple of Lord Shri Ram to the devotees, he said. He spoke about the importance of protecting ones faith, quoting, Dharma Eva Hato Hanti Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah meaning, if we safeguard our religion, it will, in turn, protect us. Conversely, if we forsake our religion for selfish gain, it will abandon us as well. He added that Yato Dharmastato Jayah (where there is righteousness, there is victory) is a fundamental principle of Sanatan Dharma. He also invoked the image of Lord Krishna, who holds both a flute and the Sudarshan Chakra. He explained that while the flute symbolises peace, the Sudarshan represents the need for strength and security. Without the Sudarshan, mere peace is not enough, and when it is wielded, no future sacrifices, like that of Shantikali Maharaj, will be necessary. Adityanath inaugurated the temple by ceremonially breaking a coconut and performing the traditional worship of Mata Siddheshwari with full rituals. Two people died after their car crashed into a parked crane in the Madiaon area of Lucknow. The ill-fated car in which the two men were travelling (HT Photo) The incident happened in the wee hours of Tuesday, at around 2 am, the police said. The deceased were identified as Naveen, 27, son of Ashok Kumar, a resident of Chapta Ajitmal, Auraiya and Saurabh, 28, son of Rajesh, resident of Phoolpur, Auraiya, who were coming from Sitapur to Lucknow late at night when their car went out of control and collided with a crane parked by the side of the road in the opposite direction, police said in a statement. The police station in-charge along with the police force immediately reached the spot and the injured were taken out of the car and sent to the trauma centre for treatment, where during treatment, the doctor declared both of them dead, said JK Dubey, ADCP (North) adding that the relatives of the deceased were informed and after the proceedings of Panchnama, the body has been sent to the mortuary. The collision was so strong that the fire department had to be roped in to take out the trapped men from inside the car, who were taken out after efforts by the BKT fire station unit, read a fire department press note. Mumbai, More than 7,500 idols of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Gauri were immersed in Mumbai as of Tuesday evening as devotees in the city and the rest of Maharashtra bid farewell to their beloved elephant-headed deity. No untoward incident was reported anywhere during the immersion, said officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation . Of the idols immersed in the sea, lakes and artificial ponds in the city by 6 pm, 7,227 were household Ganapatis, 300 belonged to `sarvajanik mandals' and about 50 were of Goddess Gauri. Of these, 2,880 idols were immersed in artificial ponds. The immersion procession of `Lalbaugcha Raja', a famous `sarvajanik' Ganesh in central Mumbai who draws lakhs of devotees during the festival, reached Chinchpokli around 6.30 pm while on its way to Girgaum chowpatty or beach. BEST, the civic bus service, has diverted buses on several routes on account of immersion processions. Western Railway and Central Railway would be running special late night trains for the convenience of devotees returning home after immersion processions, officials said. More than 24,000 police personnel have been deployed on the streets for security and crowd management. Thousands of household and 'sarvajanik' Ganesh idols will be immersed at 204 artificial ponds across the city, along with 69 natural water bodies like Girgaon, Dadar, Juhu, Marve and Aksa beaches. The BMC has deployed more than 12,000 employees and set up 71 control rooms to manage the processions. It has also posted 761 lifeguards and deployed 48 speed boats at the beaches as a safety measure, and citizens have been advised to avoid entering deep waters. It has also cautioned citizens about blue button jellyfish and stingrays while immersing idols in the sea. Police are also using drones for surveillance at key immersion sites such as the beaches at Girgaon, Dadar, Bandra, Juhu Versova and Madh Island, and also at Powai lake. They would also be monitoring the footage of 8,000 CCTV cameras. The State Reserve Police Force, Quick Response Teams, Riot Control Police, Home Guards and Maharashtra Security Force have also been roped in, officials said. More than 2,500 traffic police personnel are ensuring smooth movement of vehicles across the city. Some roads have been closed for traffic. For efficient coordination, 192 control rooms have been established across various administrative divisions, and 66 observation towers have been erected to monitor key areas. To promote eco-friendly celebrations, the BMC has introduced a QR code providing information on nearby artificial ponds. Citizens can scan the code or visit https://portal.mcgm.gov.in for directions to these ponds via Google Maps. HT Image Mumbai, More than 2,700 idols were immersed in Mumbai by Tuesday afternoon on the 11th and concluding day of the Ganesh festival as processions accompanied by troupes of `dhol-tasha' or drum players set off in the city and other parts of Maharashtra. Devotees lined the lanes of Lalbaug in central Mumbai, braving the scorching sun to bid farewell to the famous `Lalbaugcha Raja' Ganesh. Processions from various parts of Mumbai including Fort, Mazgaon, Byculla, Dadar and Chembur were making their way towards the Arabian Sea and water bodies within the city for immersion, marking the end of this year's festivities. No untoward incident was reported anywhere, said officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation . More than 2,700 idols were immersed in the sea and artificial ponds as of 3 pm. They included 2,614 households Ganapati idols, 81 sarvajanik mandals idols and 12 idols of Goddess Gauri. As of afternoon, 1,009 idols were immersed in the artificial ponds provided by the BMC to avoid pollution of natural water bodies. The procession of `Lalbaug Raja' Ganpati was heading for Shroff Building junction for `pushpa-vrushti' before reaching Girgaon Chowpatty or beach for immersion. Chinchpokli-based `Chintamani Ganapati' was about to reach the Shroff building junction, while several other Ganapati processions had reached Lalbaug area. BEST, the civic bus service, has diverted buses on several routes on account of immersion processions. Western Railway and Central Railway would be running special late night trains for the convenience of devotees returning home after immersion processions, officials said. More than 24,000 police personnel have been deployed on the streets for security and crowd management. Thousands of household and 'sarvajanik' Ganesh idols will be immersed at 204 artificial ponds across the city, along with 69 natural water bodies like Girgaon, Dadar, Juhu, Marve and Aksa beaches. The BMC has deployed more than 12,000 employees and set up 71 control rooms to manage the processions. It has also posted 761 lifeguards and deployed 48 speed boats at the beaches as a safety measure, and citizens have been advised to avoid entering deep waters. It has also cautioned citizens about blue button jellyfish and stingrays while immersing idols in the sea. Police are also using drones for surveillance at key immersion sites such as the beaches at Girgaon, Dadar, Bandra, Juhu Versova and Madh Island, and also at Powai lake. They would also be monitoring the footage of 8,000 CCTV cameras. The State Reserve Police Force, Quick Response Teams, Riot Control Police, Home Guards and Maharashtra Security Force have also been roped in, officials said. More than 2,500 traffic police personnel are ensuring smooth movement of vehicles across the city. Some roads have been closed for traffic. For efficient coordination, 192 control rooms have been established across various administrative divisions, and 66 observation towers have been erected to monitor key areas. To promote eco-friendly celebrations, the BMC has introduced a QR code system providing information on nearby artificial ponds. Citizens can scan the code or visit https://portal.mcgm.gov.in for directions to these ponds via Google Maps. HT Image Founded in 1904, the University of Leeds stands as one of the premier higher education institutions in the UK, celebrated for its research-led teaching and global impact. Prof. Manuel Barcia, Dean of Global Engagement at the University of Leeds. The University has a long-standing history of Indian students enrolment - Jogendra N. Sen, born in Chandernagore in 1887, studied Engineering at Leeds from 1910 to 1913, just six years after the University's founding. According to the Universitys records, in 1919, three Indian students enrolled at Leeds - P.K. Dutt, S.N. Gupta and K.T. Pillay. PK (Pavitra Kumar) Dutt, an MSc student in Chemistry was awarded a University Scholarship and went on to play a very active role at the University, working as a Demonstrator in Chemistry and later being President of the London Branch of the Leeds University Old Students Association. Currently, more than 1,400 Indian students are registered across a range of different courses. As one of the first Russell Group institutions to establish in-country representation in India (25 years ago), the University has more than 4,000 alumni and active alumni groups in multiple Indian cities. Some very notable alumni include Siddhartha Lal (Automotive Engineering, 1998) who became CEO of Royal Enfield, and Anu Shah (MBA, 2012), founder of EDI Hub and philanthropist, and Saurav Ghosal, champion squash player and Commonwealth games medalist. In an exclusive interview Prof. Manuel Barcia, Dean of Global Engagement at the University of Leeds, talks about the uncommon programs and scholarships offered by the University and the prospects of finding a job after course completion. What are the 5 most unusual programs offered by the University? Sustainable Cities MSc : Covering energy systems, transport networks, urban ecosystems and food, the course enables students to develop the knowledge and skills to become the next generation of urban sustainability leaders needed to deliver carbon-neutral cities. Duration: 12 months Tuition Fee: 29,500 (For September 2024 entry) Scholarships: up to 25% tuition fee reduction Food Product Innovation MSc : Accredited by the Institution of Food Science and Technology, this Masters is designed around the entire process of food product development from concept to launch. Duration: 12 months Tuition Fee: 32,000 (For September 2024 entry) Scholarships: up to 25% tuition fee reduction Society, Culture and Media MA : This program explores the intersections between culture and media in contemporary society, gives students in-depth understanding of key issues such as representation, globalisation, migration and creative work, and material culture Duration: 12 months Tuition Fee: 27,250 (For September 2024 entry) Scholarships: 25% tuition fee reduction Sustainable Fashion BA : Offers a wide range of exciting experiences through industrial engagement, guest speakers and an optional year working in industry. Duration: 36 months (For September 2024 entry) Tuition Fee: 26,500 (per year) Textile Sustainability and Innovation MSc : This course will prepare students to discover and drive sustainable and innovative textile solutions to address the global environmental and societal challenges facing the fashion and textile industries. Graduates will also gain an advanced understanding of the role of technology in the development of textile materials and products, including contemporary innovations in the fashion and textile industry. Duration: 12 months (For September 2024 entry) Tuition Fee: 30,250 Scholarships: up to 25% tuition fee reduction A group photograph of foreign students (1919-1920) at the University of Leeds. Seated in the middle row (second from right) is PK Dutt, who was an MSc Chemistry student. What are the most popular programs chosen by Indian students? We have Indian students registered across all 7 of our academic faculties and at all levels of study from foundation programmes right up to PhD. Our most popular Faculty is Leeds University Business School, where MSc programs in Business Analytics, International Business and Marketing Management are consistently popular with Indian applicants. Elsewhere, the MSc Data Science and Analytics program, taught by the School of Mathematics, is currently one of our most popular courses, as are our suite of programs in Food Science and Nutrition. Are there any scholarships for Indian students (exclusively or otherwise)? In celebration of our 25th anniversary of having representation in India, this year weve launched the India Anniversary Masters Scholarship , worth 5,000 to all Indian nationals registering on a full-time Masters course in Leeds in September 2024. Additionally, our International Excellence Scholarships offer up to 50% fee reduction for high achieving students, helping them to fulfil their academic potential. How easy is it to get part-time employment while studying? We understand that many Indian students want to work part-time whilst they study, and the University is on hand to help. We can help them find paid positions and internships, offer advice on their rights in the workplace, and offer careers advice through the University of Leeds Career Service. Students on a Student Visa are permitted to work for up to 20 hours per week during term time. The first recorded Indian student at the University of Leeds was Jogendra N. Sen who studied Engineering at the University of Leeds from 1910 to 1913, just six years after the University's founding. Whats the best way to find jobs after course completion? For students interested in either finding part-time work during their studies, or exploring options for post-graduation work once their course has finished, the best piece of advice I can give is to engage with the services provided by the University. Our Careers Service are on hand to give students the help they need to find work experience, advice for job applications and interviews, access to events and access to exclusive job opportunities. Students are able to access support from the beginning of their time at Leeds through to after they have graduated. The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) joined hands to deliver a joint PhD program through the UQ-IIT Delhi Research Academy (UQIDAR) at IIT Delhi. Students will study in both Australia and India as a part of their degree. Indian and international students will spend 3 years in India and one year in Australia(HT) Interested candidates with a passion for research can submit their Expressions of Interest (EOI) for admission in January 2025. Candidates with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, healthcare, humanities, or social sciences are encouraged to apply. Also Read: All about the University of Leeds scholarships for Indian students & its uncommon programs About the program: Under the program, the students will spend time in both institutions and will receive a jointly awarded Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from both universities upon successful completion of the program. Students will study in both Australia and India as a part of their degree. Indian and international students will spend 3 years in India and one year in Australia while Australian students will spend 3 years in Australia and one year in India. Program duration: 4 years maximum (full-time) All successful UQIITD PhD applicants will be offered a scholarship for the duration of their candidature for up to a maximum of 4 years (based on a full-time study load), mentioned the official website. Also Read: The crucial role of skill-based education in shaping future engineers Important Dates: The Expression of Interest for the UQ-IITD Joint PhD program is open until October 3, 2024. Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be conducted from November 14, 2024, to November 21, 2024. Selected candidates are required to accept their offers by December 16, 2024. UQIDAR supports its students with generous fellowships, research travel grants, and relocation. The students will have access to both institutions' academic facilities and resources, mentioned the official press release. For more information on the eligibility, application process, scholarship, and submission of the EOI, visit the official website. Also Read: NTA Exam Calendar 2025: Where to check JEE, NEET, CUET exam dates when announced Rajasthan Police has released the Rajasthan Police Constable Admit Card 2023 for the Proficiency Test. Candidates who will appear for the proficiency test can download the hall ticket through the official website of Rajasthan Police at police.rajasthan.gov.in. Rajasthan Police Constable Admit Card 2023 for PT out, download link here As per the official notice, the proficiency test will be held from September 23 to September 25, 2024. The proficiency test will carry 30 marks. To pass the proficiency test, general category, EWS, backward class, and extremely backward class category candidates will have to score 40 per cent marks, SC/ST category will have to score 36 per cent marks, and Tribal Sub-Plan area general, SC/ST category candidates will have to score 30 per cent marks. APSSB CHSLE admit card out at apssb.nic.in, direct link here The marks obtained in the proficiency test will be included in the final selection. Candidates who do not score the prescribed marks in the proficiency test will be considered ineligible and will not be included in the recruitment advance selection process. Rajasthan Police Constable Admit Card 2023: How to download All the candidates appearing for the examination can download the admit card by following the steps given below. Visit the official website of Rajasthan Police at police.rajasthan.gov.in. Click on the Rajasthan Police Constable Admit Card 2023 for the PT link available on the home page. A new page will open where candidates will have to enter their login details. Click on submit and your admit card will be displayed. Check the admit card and download the page. Keep a hard copy of the same for further need. Those candidates who have appeared for the written test and qualified the exam are eligible to appear for the proficiency test. The written test was held from June 13 to June 14, 2024. The result was announced on September 3, 2024. This recruitment drive will fill 3578 Constable posts in the organization. The registration process started on August 7, 2023, and ended on August 27, 2023. For more related details, candidates can check the official website of Rajasthan Police. Rajasthan Public Service Commission released the RPSC RAS Prelims Exam 2024 syllabus on September 17, 2024. Candidates who want to appear for the Rajasthan State and Subordinate Services Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Examination 2024 can find the complete syllabus on the RPSC's official website at rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in. RPSC RAS Prelims Exam 2024 on February 2, check complete syllabus here (File Photo) As per the syllabus notice, the preliminary examination will consist of one paper on General Knowledge and General Science subject, which will be of objective type and carry a maximum of 200 marks. The RPSC RAS prelims examination will be held on February 2, 2025, at various exam centres across the state. The preliminary examination is meant to serve as a screening test only. The Standard of the paper will be that of a Bachelors Degree Level. The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination by the candidates who are declared qualified for admission to the Main Examination will not be counted for determining their final order of merit. There will be a negative marking for each wrong answer. RPSC RAS Prelims Exam 2024: How to download syllabus Candidates can download the syllabus by following the steps given below. Visit the official website of RPSC at rpsc.rajasthan.gov.in. Click on RPSC RAS Prelims Exam 2024 syllabus link available on the home page. A new PDF file will open where candidates can check the complete syllabus. Download the page and keep a hard copy of the same for further need. Rajasthan RAS registration will begin on September 19 and will end on October 18, 2024. This recruitment drive will fill up 733 posts in the organization. To apply for the examination, candidates should have a graduation degree from any of the Government Universities or equivalent institutes. The age limit to apply should be between 21 and 40. For more related details, candidates can check the official website of RPSC. Thiruvananthapuram, At a time when the Malayalam cinema industry is reeling from the shocking revelations in the Justice K Hema Committee report, a group of film personalities are set to launch a new film body aimed at revitalising the sector and promoting a fair and just workplace. Amidst crisis, Malayalam cinema to get new film association A vision note of the proposed outfit, Progressive Filmmakers' Association, has been circulated among the industry members. The note, accessed by the media, is purportedly signed by well-known filmmakers Anjali Menon, Lijo Jose Pellissery, Rajeev Ravi and Aashiq Abu, actress Rima Kallingal and producer Bineesh Chandra. According to the vision note, the Malayalam film industry, despite its significant contribution to the state's economy and cultural landscape, remains tethered to outdated systems and practices. "As filmmakers-producers, directors, technicians-we are the foundation upon which this industry stands: creating jobs, driving innovation, and fostering creativity. Yet, we often find ourselves navigating an unsystematic, fragmented environment, far removed from the progressive standards of modern industries," it said. The vision note urged film personalities to unite under the Progressive Filmmakers' Association, and assured that the collective would serve as the backbone of a new era for Malayalam cinema. The new association would be built on the pillars of "ethical responsibility, systemic modernisation, and empowerment of the workforce, creating a workplace that is fair, just, and reflective of the values we hold as a society". In the note, the filmmakers also pointed out that it is time to bring the Malayalam film industry into the present-embracing modern systems, legal frameworks, and collective responsibility. Rooted in principles that prioritise equality, cooperation, and social justice, this association would ensure that the rights of everyone in the filmmaking community are safeguarded, while fostering collaboration to elevate the industry to the next level, it said. "Together, we can renovate the Malayalam film industry, positioning it as a leader in both creative excellence and industry standards. This is not just a vision for us as filmmakers, but a vision for a better, more equitable future for everyone involved in cinema. Let us move forward, together," the note added. The development of the formation of a new film association came weeks after differences of opinion had cropped up in the existing outfits like the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists and the Film Employees Federation of Kerala over the stands it's leadership had taken with regard to the revelations in the Justice Hema Committee report which sheds light into the harassments and exploitations in the Malayalam cinema. Director Aashiq Abu resigned from FEFKA over the differences recently. The executive panel of the AMMA led by top actor Mohanlal also resigned recently in the wake of controversies. The Justice K Hema Committee was constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case and its report revealing instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry. Following the allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation cropping up against several actors and directors in the wake of the report being made public, the state government on August 25 announced the establishment of a seven-member special investigation team to probe them. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Mumbai, Popular television and film actor Ram Kapoor says people in the industry offer him only meaty roles as they know that he would rather sit at home than work in a project for the sake of it. Now I worry less about my role and more about the project, says Ram Kapoor The actor, known for his roles in titles across mediums such as "Kasamh Se, Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, Udaan, Mere Dad Ki Maruti", Jubilee, to his latest web show Khalbali Records, considers himself to be lucky to get offers that matter. "People are now giving me enough respect that they only offer me something meaty. Everybody who knows me knows that Ram is happy sitting at home for six months, but when he works, he will always do something meaningful. Otherwise, he'd rather travel or do something else than just work to make money', Kapoor told PTI in an interview. "I don't have to worry about the characters anymore, I look at how good the project is, how good the director or my co-actors are, he added. When asked about the secret behind his long career across all three mediums - TV, films and OTT, Kapoor attributed it to a combination of talent and luck. The 51-year-old actor also said his training of four years in method acting in the US gave him a strong foundation. "No actor can make it without luck, and I've been lucky. But you also need to be good at your craft... You have to have a combination of both. I've always had my training to fall back on for every role and I know that Ill be nothing without my training, he added. Kapoor also stressed that being respectful and professional are essential qualities for longevity in the industry. "If I continue choosing the right projects and being respectful and professional, then I might get lucky enough to work for another 10 to 15 years before I choose to retire. The actor, whose latest work is the Jio Cinema series Khalbali Records, recalled the challenges he faced while transitioning from television to OTT and films. He said it took three years to break away from the stereotypes associated with his television background. "It took two to three years for the industry to open up and start offering me the kind of diverse work in OTT and films the way I'm getting, Kapoor said, adding he doesnt have plans to go back to acting in television shows. In Khalbali Records, he portrays the role of a music industry mogul, Manvender Rai Singh. "Ive not done anything in the music industry before so it was new to me. The father and son dynamic also appealed to me. Im a son of a very rich and powerful father and I had to go through a lot to earn his respect, so it was very relatable. Im a father to teenagers so it was relatable in that sense also as to what my father was going through when he was opposing me. In addition to this show, Kapoor will be seen alongside Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi-starrer Jolly LLB 3, an untitled film with Ayushmann Khurrana, and two shows for Disney Hotstar. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. According to the wide-ranging federal indictment unsealed on Tuesday, September 17, consequential details regarding the March raids of Sean Diddy Combs Los Angeles and Miami pads have come to light. Sean 'Diddy' Combs was arrested in Manhattan on Monday, September 16, roughly six months after feds raided his luxurious mansions in Miami and Los Angeles. (REUTERS) Federal officials reportedly seized various Freak Off supplies, including narcotics and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, the document, obtained by Page Six, reveals. The indictment also notes that three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers and a drum magazine were discovered during the March investigation. Diddy, who was charged with three counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; racketeering conspiracy; and transportation to engage in prostitution on Tuesday, is accused of pulling female individuals and male sex workers at times in a drugged-up state into sexual performances dubbed as Freak Off in the official docs. The indictment alleges Combs engaged in a persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals. Allegations dating back to 2008 listed in the indictment claim that in addition to numerous instances of sexual misconduct, the Revolt founder threatened and forced women for years to conceal his actions and protect his reputation. Also read | Charges against Diddy revealed in unsealed federal indictment after Manhattan arrest What happened during the alleged wild parties organised by Sean Diddy Combs? Diddys sprawling business empire has also been dragged into the complaint for its purported involvement in illegal activities and engaging in acts of intimidation, manipulation, bribery and threats of retaliation to secure absolute loyalty from those who may have witnessed the crime committed by member and associated of the enterprise. Untamed bacchanals organised by the Bad Boy Records founder would involve the stocked-up presence of controlled substances, baby oil, lubricant, extra linens and lighting in rooms. The disgraced rappers staff members were also required to clean hotel rooms after these Freak Off to mitigate room damage. Additionally, employees would ostensibly arrange travel for the victims, order IV fluids and wads of cash for their boss to allegedly pay the commercial sex workers. The indictment further paints a disturbing image of the wild drug and sex-filled parties in question as Diddy allegedly hit, kicked, threw objects at, and dragged victims, at times, by their hair. These encounters would ultimately result in injuries that took days or weeks to heal. Also read | Diddy threatened to cut a Big 3 rapper's throat when he defended Kendrick Lamar in infamous fight, recalls TDE Punch Diddy had the upper hand and controlled nearly every aspect of his alleged victims' lives As is established in the documents, Combs apparently had control over his victims. He would allegedly threaten to withhold financial support and supposedly even track their whereabouts. Moreover, victims reportedly had no say in their involvement with Combs. The indictment alleges that they couldnt say no to him without risking their financial or job security or without repercussions in the form of physical or emotional abuse. Additionally, the documents maintain that the Bad Boy for Life would secure incriminating recordings of these Freak Offs as collateral to buy victims obedience and silence. Combs was arrested in Manhattan on Monday. Like before, his attorney again denied all allegations and intends to fight like hell in court to have his client released from custody. Currently, one of the main tasks of "mygov" is to ensure the transition of platforms and mobile applications to a single system. Inara Valiyeva, Chairman of the Management Board of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency under the Ministry of Transport and Digital Development of Azerbaijan, stated this during a question-and-answer session at the presentation of the "mygov" digital government platform, Azernews reports. "Modern digitization requires not only the creation of convenient platforms and applications but also the right approach to their implementation and popularization among the public. Unifying all government services on a single platform is a long and complex process. Before consolidating all solutions in one place, various platforms and mobile applications were developed and implemented. Now, it is our duty to ensure that these solutions are transferred to a single platform so that citizens can access the most convenient and accessible state services," he said. Touching on the issue of public support, Valiyeva emphasized that the process requires the participation of all interested parties, especially the mass media. He also mentioned that user comfort and proper communication with them are important aspects. "We do not intend to force anyone to use our application. Our goal is to provide maximum comfort and transparency to citizens so that the choice remains with them," Valiyeva explained. Selena Gomez went into the Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony fully prepared. The actor, who was nominated in the Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category and lost to Jean Smart for Hacks, was seen applauding her when the camera faced her for a few seconds. It was almost a replication of when she appeared on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, where she rehearsed her reaction. (Also read: Emmy Awards 2024 full list of winners: Hacks pulls off surprising victory; The Bear, Shogun dominate) Selena Gomez rehearsed her losing reaction at The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Selena rehearses her losing face A fan took to X to share a video combining both the clips of Selena, from the Emmy awards and The Tonight Show side by side, to reveal that both the reactions were almost the same. Selena knew how she would react if she lost, because she practiced! In the caption, the fan wrote, Selena Gomez doing her practiced applause for if she lost at the EMMYs. It all happened when Selena accompanied her Only Murders In The Building co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short on The Tonight Show a few days ago. When host Jimmy Fallon asked her about her nomination, she went on to add that she has been rehearsing her losing face. She went ahead and showed it live, which included a cheerful applause with a side nod. Reacting to the post, a fan commented, She's so funny! A second fan said, Winning or losing, Selenas a star! Love her dedication to being gracious. A comment wrote, Selenas sense of humor is as brilliant as her talent! Love this! She went in prepared! read a second comment. More details Selena was nominated alongside Quinta Brunson for Abbott Elementary, Ayo Edebiri for The Bear, Maya Rudolph for Loot and Kristen Wiig for Palm Royale. This was her first Emmy nomination. Selena was recently seen in the Spanish musical crime comedy film Emilia Perez, which had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May. She, along with co-stars Zoe Saldana, Karla Sofia Gascon, and Adriana Paz, were declared as the winners of Best Actress at the festival. The film released in France on August 21. J-Hope is set to become the next BTS member to be discharged from the South Korean military, and his fans, aka the BTS ARMY, cannot wait. J-Hope recently took to Weverse to mark the 30-day countdown to his military discharge, which is scheduled for October 17, 2024. Shortly after his post, excited fans said they were glad he will soon complete his mandatory service and return to civilian life. Also read: BTS' Jin talks about J-Hope's discharge from military BTS member J-Hope spoke about his military service. What did J-Hope say The BTS member began by writing in Korean, as translated by a fan page on X, "One month, exactly 30 days left to go! All that time flew by, but I'm already reminiscing about it, I guess I grew pretty fond of everything here. I've been packing, giving away some of the gear I came to cherish, and my locker's starting to look a bit empty." He further wrote, alongside his mirror selfie, "And that's when the feeling really starts to sink in. I look back, and it all comes flooding back, those early days when I was nervous and tense and didn't know what I know now... that everything would be just fine (even the sound of the locker screeching open was triggering)." J-Hope then said, "These days, I look at the new recruits who are just starting out, and I can read their minds. It reminds me a bit of myself, so I find it kind of cute... sigh... I can't stop my emotions from taking over these strong Emotions with a capital E... well, I'm proud of myself! I made it! I say all this, and I'm writing this from my bed, haha. I really am one of those* 'so-close-to-being-discharged-sergeants'. Having the holiday (chuseok) off is pretty nice!! A full day to properly rest!" He concluded with, Alright that was a lot but I wanted to come on here and say I hope you had a joyful chuseok... isn't it crazy it happens to be the day i start the 30-day countdown?? While everyone's peacefully winding down with family, the butterfly in my heart is fluttering around to no end. Reactions on X An X user tweeted in response to J-Hope's letter that was translated by a fan page, "CAN'T WAIT FOR HIM TO BE BACK ALREADY..." Another said, "His letter is so lovely... but his pic..." Someone also said, "It was a wonderful letter..." Another fan tweeted, Thank you for your wonderful translations. His heartfelt expressions and gutfelt emotions come across so clearly. Appreciate the time you spend it means so much... While Jin, the oldest member of BTS, enlisted in December 2022, and was discharged from his mandatory military duty in June 2024, J-Hope joined in April 2023. Suga, the third BTS member to join the military, started his service in September, 2023. The rest of the members RM, Jimin, Kim Taehyung (aka V), and Jungkook are also serving in the South Korean military. According to a federal indictment unsealed on Tuesday, Sean Diddy Combs has been charged with sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. The embattled hip-hop mogul was arrested on Monday, September 16, in Manhattan. Rapper Sean Diddy Combs arrives at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards in New York, U.S., August 28, 2016.(REUTERS) The Bad Boy for Life was taken into custody nearly six months after federal agents raided his Los Angeles and Miami mansions in connection with sex crime accusations levelled against him in numerous lawsuits. (Also read: Diddy threatened to cut a Big 3 rapper's throat when he defended Kendrick Lamar in infamous fight, recalls TDE Punch) What are the prosecutors fighting against? According to the three-count indictment released on Tuesday, prosecutors allege Combs engaged in a persistent and pervasive pattern of physical, verbal, emotional and sexual abuse toward women and other individuals. Per CNN's report, the indictment also states that the rapper, in several incidents from 2009 onwards, assaulted women by, among other things, striking, punching, dragging, throwing objects at, and kicking them. The complaint further pushes that Diddy's businesses are also complicit in the alleged instances of misconduct as they attempted to engage in sex trafficking, forced labour, interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, coercion and enticement to engage in prostitution, narcotics offences, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors believe the Revolt founder succeeded in securing absolute loyalty" from people affiliated with his businesses through acts of violence and threats. Also read | Lawsuit trouble: Miley Cyrus accused of plagiarising Bruno Mars for Grammy-winning hit Diddy's business empire ostensibly avoided being detected for illegal involvements through acts of intimidation, manipulation, bribery, and threats of retaliation against individuals who witnessed the crimes committed by members and associates of the enterprise. Despite being the subject of several lawsuits accusing him of sexually and physically assaulting people, the Bad Boy Records founder has constantly denied the allegations. He unloaded an identical narrative in his suit against his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, who similarly accused her ex-partner of a decadelong pattern of accuse that purportedly began when she was 19 years old. Although he quickly settled the lawsuit filed by her in November 2023, he was compelled to take a U-turn earlier this year when CNN exposed an old footage from 2016, capturing Combs savagely beating and dragging Cassie in a now-closed hotel lobby. Puff Daddy subsequently released an apology video on Instagram, which never once mentioned his then-girlfriend. Diddy to plead not guilty after arrest The disgraced rapper and his attorney have repeatedly denied major allegations against him. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, maintained the same stance on Tuesday morning, telling the media outside the courthouse that his client would plead not guilty while he fight(s) like hell to get his client released. Also read | Mariah Carey's lavish 1 million-a-month lifestyle lands her deep in $18.6 m debt; NY penthouse subject of dilemma Sean Combs' ex-girlfriend Cassie's lawyer releases a statement As of Tuesday, Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer for Ventura, released a statement saying that his client and he don't have any comment on Diddy's arrest. We appreciate your understanding and if that changes, we will certainly let you know, he concluded, per The Guardian. In addition to allegations related to his alleged sexual encounters, Diddy is also linked to the infamous 1999 Manhattan nightclub shooting (which had Jennifer Lopez in attendance). However, two years later, he was acquitted of the charges related to the case. Rapper-turned-politician Shyne, an artist under Combs' wing at the time, later referred to himself as Diddy's Fall Guy as he was convicted of assault and other charges. Mumbai, Streaming platform Sony LIV on Tuesday announced that it will present the Indian adaptation of the two-time Emmy Award-nominee series, "Million Dollar Listing". Sony LIV to present the Indian adaptation of US reality television series 'Million Dollar Listing' The new show will shine a spotlight on India's most desirable homes and provide an inside look at the creation and acquisition of the country's dream properties, the streamer said in a statement. Danish Khan, Business Head of Sony LIV and StudioNext, said they are confident that the audience will love "Million Dollar Listing", which is both relevant and aspirational. "After the runaway success of 'Shark Tank' and 'Masterchef' we at Sony LIV are delighted to bring Emmy nominee 'Million Dollar Listing' to India. This show will offer our audience a unique glimpse into the desire, details, and negotiations involved in buying and selling the country's most luxurious dream homes, Khan said in a statement. "Million Dollar Listing" is licensed globally by NBCUniversal formats, a division of Universal International Studios, which is part of Universal Studio Group. Ana Langenberg, SVP Formats Sales & Production, NBCUniversal Formats, said they are looking forward to seeing how this series will resonate with a vibrant and diverse country like India. "Bringing Million Dollar Listing to India is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the aspirational world of luxury real estate in a market that appreciates success and ambition. "Partnering with Sony LIV and EndemolShine India on the second international version of this format ensures the series will connect with audiences who share a passion for extraordinary properties and bold lifestyles." Produced by EndemolShine India, "Million Dollar Listing: India" marks the second international version of the format and joins the ranks of successful editions of cities such as LA, New York, Miami, San Francisco, and Dubai. In each of its editions, the series follows the lives of cities best and most aggressive real estate professionals as they navigate the high-stakes world of selling multi-million-dollar properties in exclusive neighbourhoods. Each episode keeps up with the savvy realtors, as they juggle multiple demands and keep their professional lives afloat trying to secure the next big deal, the release said. The first city to get highlighted in the India edition is New Delhi, it said. Rishi Negi, Group Chief Operating Officer, Banijay Asia & EndemolShine India said they are thrilled to bring "Million Dollar Listing" to India. "We are proud to offer a fresh and dynamic portrayal of the country's booming real estate landscape. This show will not only reflect the aspirations of a rising new India but also introduce a completely new format that resonates with the evolving tastes of our diverse audience," Negi said. "Million Dollar Listings: India" will stream soon on Sony LIV. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Actor Dalljiet Kaur and her NRI husband Nikhil Patel have found themselves involved in a pretty messy divorce case. The two married in March 2023 and over the last few months, Dalljiet has levelled extra-marital affair allegations against the Kenya-based businessman, and he has also countered her. Amid all this, the actor has shared a screenshot of Nikhil's Instagram Stories, and said she was shocked to see him wearing a gold ring on his wedding finger. Also read | Exclusive: Dalljiet Kaur gets a stay order against estranged husband Nikhil Patel Actor Dalljiet Kaur married Kenya-based Nikhil Patel in 2023. Dalljiet not only called him out on Instagram Stories for 'wearing a ring again' and hinting he was already engaged, she also slammed Nikhil's 'would-be wife' Safeena. In multiple long notes, the actor questioned Nikhil's recent social media posts flaunting his new relationship despite him 'still having a wife in Mumbai' under Indian laws. Dalljiet Kaur took to Instagram Stories to post against Nikhil Patel. What Dalljiet Kaur said She wrote along with a picture of the said ring, "Congrats SN, must applaud the audacity to splash it again on social media. Well done both of you. Already wearing a ring again Nikhil. Well done." Daljiet also bashed Nikhil's girlfriend, Safeena, and wrote, Looks like you (Nikhil) were missing being talked about haan? You were missing being written about? Nikhil, your would-be wife seems to be in the same boat of wanting attention? She does know you technically still have a wife in Mumbai, whether or not you accept it. Indian justice will tell you your marital status soon. "Shame on you' She further wrote about them, "Same personalities and character. Interesting. Sick mentality though both of you! Well done you are almost successful in destroying her family too. Though I do wonder what her family looks like for you to be wearing a promise ring already. My God, shame on you." Dalljiet also pointed out that Nikhil might call it family jewellery, however, it is not that, otherwise, he would not have worn it on his ring finger. She wrote, "Knowing you, you will say it was there as a jewellery and you just chose to wear it or it was there with your daughter or someone from your family, just wore it like a jewel. But why wear it on the wedding finger? And then make sure it is seen on your Instagram Stories? You are anything but NAIVE..." More about their Dalljiet and Nikhil's split The divorce speculation surrounding Dalljiet and Nikhil started in February 2024, after they both unfollowed each other and deleted posts from their Instagram handles. In May 2024, Nikhil had spoken about the extramarital affair allegations against him by Daljiet and also confirmed his split from the actor in an interview with ETimes. Ever since, the two have spoken out against each other, and in August 2024, Dalljiet confirmed lodging an FIR against Nikhil in Mumbai. Dalljiet has a son named Jaydon from her first marriage with actor Shaleen Bhanot. Union minister Amit Shah on Monday said that the ministry of home affairs will open 16 new Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandars in Manipur to provide essential commodities to civilians at reasonable prices from Tuesday. Amit Shah (ANI) Of the 16 such stores, eight will be in the valley and the remaining eight in the hills, he said, apart from the existing 21 such bhandars. In a post on X, Shah said that in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modis commitment, the MHA is launching the initiative to provide commodities to the people of Manipur at reasonable prices. Now the Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandars will be opened for common people from September 17, 2024. In addition to 21 existing Bhandars, 16 new ones will be opened. Among the 16 new centres, eight will be in the valley, and the remaining eight in the hills, he said. Over the 16 months during which the ethnic violence in the state has refused to ebb, prices of different commodities across both hills and valleys have skyrocketed because of the road blockades by different groups in several parts. Security forces provide a security convoy to trucks carrying essential items on NH-37 and NH-2, respectively, coming to the state. There have been many instances of trucks bringing such items coming under attack from the militants. In April this year, militants fired at fuel trucks that were carrying fuel to Imphal. The Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar (KPKB) system was launched as a welfare measure by MHA in 2006. Serving and retired personnel of central armed police forces, central police organisations and state police forces and their family members across India are the beneficiaries of KPKB. The items at the KPKB are cheaper than the market rate. The Supreme Court on Tuesday closed criminal proceedings against army personnel involved in a botched counter-insurgency operation that left 14 people dead in December 2021 in Nagalands Mon district even as it said that the case may be taken to its logical end if the Union government sanctions their prosecution. The Nagaland government has challenged the denial of sanction to prosecute the personnel. A demonstration in Nagalands Mon against the killings of civilians in 2021. (PTI/File) The appeals are allowed. The proceedings in the impugned FIRs [first information reports] shall stand closed, said a bench of justices Vikram Nath and PB Varale. The bench added its order would not prevent the army from taking any disciplinary action against the personnel. The wives of the personnel, including a major, filed separate petitions seeking closure of the criminal proceedings. They argued the Nagaland government did not have the jurisdiction to prosecute the personnel citing immunity under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). A prior sanction from the Union government is needed for any legal proceedings against the armed forces operating in areas where the AFSPA is implemented. The Union government in February 2023 refused sanction to prosecute the 30 army personnel involved in the botched operation. The Nagaland government insisted before a trial court in the state that it was justified in lodging criminal cases against the personnel as the army sought their release for their court martial. The state governments plea challenging the denial of sanction to prosecute the personnel is pending before a Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud-led bench. The Supreme Court in July 2022 stayed all proceedings against the 30 personnel noting that the area where the botched operation took place was covered under the AFSPA. The army personnel gunned down seven coal mine workers after mistaking them to be insurgents in 2021. Angry residents rushed to the spot and set ablaze two security vehicles, sparking off another round of firing which left more civilians and a soldier dead. The botched operation renewed the demand for the withdrawal of the AFSPA, which is modelled on the colonial-era ordinance and grants special powers to the forces to maintain public order in disturbed areas. AFSPA has faced much scrutiny as it grants sweeping powers to the forces and prohibits prosecutions without the go-ahead from the Union government if the allegations are linked to duty. A Special Investigation Team of the Nagaland Police recommended criminal prosecution of the 30 army personnel under the Indian Penal Code sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 326 (causing hurt), 201 (destruction of evidence), read with 120B (criminal conspiracy) and disciplinary proceedings. One of the petitions for the closure of the criminal proceedings accused the SIT of disclosing personal information about the army personnel, making their family members sitting targets. The petitioners cited Section 6 of AFSPA which relates to the sanction from the Union government. Nagaland advocate-general KN Balgopal maintained it was a clear case of cold-blooded murder against unarmed, innocent Naga tribals without any provocation. Jammu & Kashmir will kick off its first assembly elections in a decade on Wednesday as 2.3 million voters across 24 of its 90 constituencies will cast their franchise in the first phase of the polls, where issues of statehood, the impact of Article 370s abrogation, a spike in terror strikes, and development worries are the crucial rallying points. Stage set for Phase 1 of Jammu-Kashmir polls (AFP File) According to Election Commission (EC) officials, 2,327,580 electors are eligible to vote across seven districts, located on either side of the Pir Panjal mountain range. Of the seats going to vote on Wednesday, eight are in three districts of the Jammu region Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar, and 16 in four districts of Kashmir Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam. There are 302 urban and 2,974 rural polling stations. Four election staff, including the presiding officer, will be stationed in each polling station. In total, more than 14,000 polling staff will be deployed on duty for the first phase of election. Voting will start at 7am and continue till 6pm, a poll body official said, requesting anonymity. EC officials said they have taken steps to keep a close watch on all the polling stations. All of our officials started leaving for their respective polling stations at 5am on Tuesday. Our system is functioning as per the ECs SoPs. There is webcasting at every poll station, cameras have been installed, and we are monitoring every polling station from our control room, Rambans deputy election officer Abdul Jabbar said. A total of 219 candidates, including 90 Independents, are in the fray for the first leg of the three-phase poll contest, which is poised between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a Congress-National Conference combine, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A last-minute alliance between Engineer Rashids Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) and politico-religious outfit Jamaat-e-Islami their candidates will contest as Independents and a host of local parties such as the Peoples Conference, the Apni Party, and the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) are likely to make inroads and skew the electoral arithmetic. PDP chief Mehbooba Muftis daughter Iltija Mufti, Congress general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir, and senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami are among the key candidates in the first phase. These are the first assembly polls in the restive region since its special status and statehood were scrapped five years ago and is likely to be the last step before the Union territorys statehood is restored. In the run-up to the polls, leaders from across the party lines promised to bring back J&Ks statehood if they win. The elections are taking place against the backdrop of an increase in terror activities in the region, which has prompted authorities to step up deployment. This year, 14 security personnel and 11 civilians have died in separate extremist attacks in Jammu. Security forces have gunned down 10 terrorists in the region. In Kashmir, five personnel and seven civilians have died in terror strikes, with forces killing 27 terrorists in the same period. We have made elaborate security arrangements so that maximum number of people can exercise their right to vote. A multi-tier security arrangement consisting of personnel from the Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF), Jammu & Kashmir Armed Police, and J&K Police will be deployed, inspector general of police (Kashmir Zone) VK Birdi said. The security situation in the UT remained a key poll plank ahead of the first phase, with senior leaders from different parties raising the issue in their rallies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah said terrorism was pushed to the fringes after the BJP came to power at the Centre, but opposition leaders, including former CM Omar Abdullah and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, maintained that the situation on the ground had deteriorated in the last decade. These will also be the first assembly polls in J&K since a controversial delimitation exercise earmarked 47 assembly seats for Kashmir and 43 for Jammu in its final order. The panel gave Jammu six additional seats and Kashmir one, sparking allegations from the Opposition that the balance was tilting in favour of Hindu-majority Jammu. The panel also reserved nine seats for Scheduled Tribes, renamed some assembly constituencies, and redrew some others. In 2014, the Peoples Democratic Party emerged as the single-largest party with 28 seats and formed an alliance of ideological extremes with the BJP, which had 25 seats. But the coalition collapsed early in 2018 after the BJP withdrew support and Governors Rule was imposed in June that year in controversial circumstances. On August 5, 2019, the Union government revoked Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcated the erstwhile region. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lawmakers are expected to meet at chief minister Arvind Kejriwals residence at 11:30am on Tuesday to pick his successor before he submits his resignation around 4:30pm to pave the way for the new leader to stake the claim to form the next government, said a leader of the party. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. (ANI) Kejriwal spoke to members of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), AAPs highest decision-making body, at his residence on Monday about his successor a day after he announced his resignation. He [Kejriwal] held one-on-one discussions with each leader and sought feedback on his replacement. Since he met everyone separately, no one knows about the discussions held with other leaders, said Delhi minister Saurabh Bhardwaj. AAP leaders remained tight-lipped on who will replace Kejriwal. People aware of the matter said Delhi ministers Atishi, Bharadwaj, Gopal Rai, and Kailash Gahlot and the partys Dalit leaders Rakhi Birla and Kuldeep Kumar were among the contenders for the post. Kejriwals wife, Sunita, was speculated to be also among those who may succeed him. Two AAP leaders said the next chief minister will likely be from among the Cabinet ministers or the lawmakers. A separate AAP leader did not rule out the possibility of a surprise pick. There is speculation that a Dalit leader or a complete surprise pick might be named as the next chief minister, the third leader said, requesting anonymity. Kejriwal on Sunday announced his resignation two days after the Supreme Court granted him bail in the excise policy case. He ruled out the possibility of his former deputy Manish Sisodia succeeding him. Sisodia is also an accused in the excise policy case and was granted bail on August 9 after 17 months. Kejriwal on Sunday said he was willing to face the trial by fire to prove his innocence in the peoples court. He added he would return only if he won the peoples mandate in the Delhi assembly polls due early next year. In 2014, Kejriwal resigned after 49 days in office in a coalition government with the Congress. He returned to the post after a stunning victory with AAP sweeping the 2015 polls winning 67 of the 70 assembly seats. AAP now has 60 lawmakers in the 70-member assembly. Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the decadal census exercise will be conducted soon adding that the details regarding it will be made public after the census is announced. The home ministers remarks came during a press conference to mark 100 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments third term at the Centre. Dig Deeper New Delhi: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah with Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw at the release of a special booklet on achievements of first 100 days of the government during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024.(PTI) Junior doctors, who have been protesting since a doctor was raped and murdered at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last month, are expected to decide on withdrawing their 38-day strike on Tuesday afternoon after the government implements its assurance to remove police commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal and two health officials. The Supreme Court last week asked the doctors to resume work by 5 pm on August 10. Dig Deeper India news 2021 botched Nagaland operation: SC closes proceedings against army personnel Who is Atishi, set to replace Arvind Kejriwal as new chief minister of Delhi? 5 things about AAP leader Climate change will affect additional 40mn kids due to hunger by 2020: Gates study Global matters US strategy for anti-ship weapons to counter China: plentiful, mobile, deadly Over 220 Dead in Myanmar From Storm Adds Risk to War-Torn Areas ABC responds to rigging charges in whistleblower affidavit, we followed the debate rules Business Move over Bengaluru as Piyush Goyal wants new Silicon Valley in India: We should aspire to go beyond Will there be reduction in tax rates under old regime? Nirmala Sitharaman's response: Not compelling anyone to' India's August wholesale inflation eases to 1.31% as fuel prices turn negative Sports The 2024 Duleep Trophy offered Shreays Iyer a shot at redemption with the Bangladesh Test series coming up. But the India batter picked as the skipper of the D team, managed just 104 runs in four innings, which included dismissal for a duck and one half-century knock. Speaking to The Telegraph, a BCCI official, in the wake of Iyer's Duleep Trophy debacle, issued a harsh verdict as he crushed his hopes of making it back to the Indian Test team. Dig Deeper Entertianment Days after her co-production and maiden solo directorial Emergency's release was stalled, actor-filmmaker Kangana Ranaut sold off her Mumbai bungalow, used as the office of her production house Manikarnika Films, for 32 crore. In an interview with News18, Kangana revealed why she took that decision. Dig Deeper Lifestyle There's been an undeniable buzz at this year's London Fashion Week, as it marks its 40th anniversary in spectacular style. Both emerging talents and iconic heritage designers pushed the boundaries, offering one of the most exuberant displays of creativity we've seen in recent years. While London Fashion Week is famous for shaping the trends that will define the upcoming season's style, it's not just the fashion that's stealing the spotlight. The event also showcased some of the hottest beauty trends, poised to inspire makeup looks worldwide. Dig Deeper It's trending The 2024 United States presidential election is just a few months away, with Kamala Harris and Donald Trump racing against each other for the position of the countrys leader. Prior to the 60th quadrennial presidential election, people are being vocal about their choices and opinions. A vlogger went to Hawaii and interviewed a few millionaires to ask them who they were voting forDonald Trump or Kamala Harris. Dig Deeper Thats all we have at this hour in our afternoon briefing. Catch you by this evening. Kolkata, The flood-like situation in several districts of West Bengal is likely to worsen as water discharge from DVC's dams increased sharply in a short span of time, officials said on Tuesday. Amid flood-like situation in Bengal, DVC's release of water from dams increases sharply The Damodar Valley Corporation said it was releasing 90,000 cusecs of water from Panchet and Maithon dams at 11.30 pm on Monday. The release of water increased to 2.1 lakh cusecs by 6.54 am on Tuesday, marking a significant increase in only seven hours. The discharge further escalated to 2.5 lakh cusecs by 8.31 am, with a rise of 40,000 cusecs in just one-and-a-half hours, DVC officials said. DVC issued a 'red alert' following the release of water. The discharge was increased due to high upstream water flow, they said. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on Monday night expressed concerns over the situation, warning of a potential flood-like situation in at least seven districts downstream due to release of water from dams in neighbouring Jharkhand. Addressing a press conference, Banerjee alleged that DVC was releasing water without informing her government. Banerjee had on Monday said that Birbhum, Bankura, Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, and parts of North and South 24 Parganas districts were already experiencing flooding due to heavy rain over the past two days, and the capacity of the rivers was already full. "I have called the Jharkhand CM three times, urging him to regulate the release of water," she had said. "Some people are trapped in Hooghly after water level rose sharply, and the administration has been instructed to carry out rescue operations," she had said. After two days of incessant rain in several districts of West Bengal, the deep depression causing the downpour has moved towards Jharkhand bringing in heavy rainfall in the neighbouring state. Meanwhile, heavy rain caused by the deep depression has caused inundation of several low-lying areas in the districts of southern West Bengal, officials said. In Paschim Medinipur district, Silabati River was flowing above the danger level, they said. TMC MP and actor Deepak Adhikari surveyed the flood-like situation in Ghatal and Keshpur areas in Paschim Medinipur district. Ghatal Sub-Divisional Officer Suman Biswas said that the administration has stocked relief materials and prepared a camp, if needed. Paddy and jute farmers in Chandrakona block 1 may suffer severe losses due to rising water levels, locals said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Delhi CM-elect Atishi (second from left), LG VK Saxena (middle) and ex-CM Arvind Kejriwal (second from right). Courtesy: AAP Arvind Kejriwal resignation highlights: AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal met Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena on Tuesday evening, and tendered his resignation from the post of chief minister. On Sunday, Arvind Kejriwal announced his decision to resign in two days while addressing his party workers. He said that he would not sit on the chief minister's chair until the public affirmed his honesty and expressed his intention to undergo a test of fire after coming out of jail....Read More He made the announcement two days after he walked out of Delhi's Tihar Jail on getting bail by the Supreme Court in an alleged corruption case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) linked to the Delhi excise policy case. The AAP supremo was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March, and in June by the CBI. In July, the top court granted him bail in the case registered by the ED, but he remained jailed due to the CBI case. The AAP, meanwhile, declared that Atishi, the party's Kalkaji MLA, will succeed Kejriwal as chief minister. The current term of the Delhi Assembly is set to expire on February 11, 2025. The last assembly election in Delhi was held on February 8, 2020. AAP secured 62 seats and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) eight seats in the 70-member assembly. In 2015, they won 67 and three seats, respectively. se. Four days after his release from Tihar Jail in the Delhi excise policy case, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal is expected to resign as Delhi chief minister on Tuesday, September 17. Arvind Kejriwal with other AAP leaders from Delhi and Punjab in the city on Sunday. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo) Arvind Kejriwal is likely to submit his resignation to Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and also propose the name of his successor before the elections in the national capital. The AAP held a series of meetings to discuss potential candidates for the chief minister's post, a day before party MLAs are set to meet and finalise Arvind Kejriwal's successor. The current term of the Delhi Assembly is set to expire on February 11, 2025. The last assembly election in Delhi was held on February 8, 2020. 10 updates on Arvind Kejriwal's resignation: Arvind Kejriwal met senior leaders, including former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha, about the party's choice for chief minister. Reports suggest Delhi ministers Atishi, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot, and Saurabh Bharadwaj are front-runners for the top post, with Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal and Delhi Assembly speaker Ram Niwas Goel also being considered. Arvind Kejriwal will meet the lieutenant governor at 4:30 pm today, Tuesday and is likely to tender his resignation. He has vowed not to sit in the chief minister's chair till people gave him a certificate of honesty. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is also scheduled to hold a legislative party meeting at 11:30 am to zero in on its pick for chief ministerial choice. BJP has said Kejriwal's decision to resign as chief minister was borne out of compulsion and not driven by principle. There is speculation that AAP might nominate a Dalit or Muslim legislator for the chief minister's post to appeal to the electorate ahead of the assembly polls, given the presence of 12 reserved constituencies and several seats with substantial minority populations. Kejriwal has sought one-on-one feedback from each leader on his replacement. Sisodia has already announced that he will campaign alongside Kejriwal, seeking votes based on honesty and will not assume any official post. Among the front-runners for the chief ministerial post, Atishi stands out due to her management of multiple key portfolios, including education, finance, revenue and law. While in jail for the Delhi excise policy case, Arvind Kejriwal resolutely refused to resign as chief minister. With PTI inputs Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday tendered his resignation as the Delhi chief minister during his meeting with lieutenant governor VK Saxena at the Raj Niwas. Arvind Kejriwal has submitted his resignation to Delhi LG... All MLAs have together decided upon nominating Atishi as the new CM... Atishi has staked claim to form the government, Aam Aadmi Party leader Gopal Rai told reporters. Delhi political developments LIVE updates Atishi, who was chosen as the leader of legislative party by AAP MLAs earlier in the day, staked claim to form the government. Today Arvind Kejriwal has submitted his resignation. This is an emotional moment for the party and the people of Delhi...At the same time, the people of Delhi are resolving to make Arvind Kejriwal the chief minister again...Till the elections are not held I will be looking after Delhi and we have a stake claim to form government, ANI quoted Atishi as saying. Atishi, 45, is the third woman chief minister of Delhi after Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit. ALSO READ: From first-time lawmaker in 2020 to Delhis chief minister, the rise of Atishi Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, CM-designate Atishi and Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena. Atishi credited Guru Arvind Kejriwal In her first statement after being chosen as the legislative party leader, Atishi hailed Arvind Kejriwal and thanked him for assigning her the responsibility. It's possible only in the Aam Aadmi Party and under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal that a first-time politician has become a chief minister. I come from an ordinary family and perhaps would not get even a poll ticket if I were in any other party, she said. For the next few months, as long as I have this responsibility, I will try to protect the people of Delhi and run the government under the guidance of Arvind Kejriwal, she added. Atishi's elevation to the top post comes after Kejriwal announced that he would resign from his post and accept the post only if people certify his honesty in the Delhi elections. I will sit on the CM's chair only after being elected. The elections are supposed to be held in February. I demand elections be held in November with Maharashtra elections... Till elections are held, someone else from the party will be the chief minister, he said in his address to AAP workers on Sunday. Delhi minister Atishi, 43, is set to be the next chief minister after Aam Aadmi (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal proposed her name at a meeting of the partys legislative wing. People aware of the mater said AAP lawmakers stood up and endorsed her name after Kejriwal backed her as his successor. AAP leader Atishi. (PTI) The lawmakers earlier authorised Kejriwal to pick the new chief minister. They gathered at Kejriwals residence at 11:30am on Tuesday to pick the successor before he submits his resignation around 4:30pm to pave the way for the new leader to stake the claim to form the next government. Atishi held the highest number of portfolios, including key ones of education, public works department, power, revenue, planning, finance, services, vigilance, water, public relations, in Kejriwals cabinet. Kejriwal in August wrote to lieutenant governor (LG) VK Saxena recommending that Atishi be allowed to hoist the Tricolour at the Independence Day celebrations in his absence. The recommendation underlined Atishis significance in the Cabinet even as the LG nominated home minister Kailash Gahlot to unfurl the flag. In 2020, Atishi was elected a lawmaker for the first time from the Kalkaji constituency. She was appointed a minister in March 2023 after the then deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was arrested in the excise policy case. Atishi comes from the Punjabi community, which is considered an influential voting bloc in the Capital. Minister Gopal Rai said Atishi has been given the responsibility until the assembly elections. It was given in a difficult situation. Everyone knows that the BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] indulged in a conspiracy to crush the AAP...the AAP maintained the stability of governance, the work of the people, and the unity of the party. He said the BJP tried to force Kejriwal to resign but he ran government from jail. The BJP tried to tarnish the image of honesty of Kejriwal. That is why he decided that unless the people give him the mandate again he will not be the chief minister. We want early elections should be held in November. Until people elect Kejriwal with a huge mandate again, Atishi will be the chief minister, said Rai. He added that Atishi will stake claim to form the new government on Tuesday evening when Kejriwal submits his resignation. An official said with Kejriwals resignation, the Delhi cabinet will be dissolved and a new government will have to be formed. Ahead of Atishis nomination, Kejriwal on Monday spoke to members of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), AAPs highest decision-making body, at his residence on Monday about his successor a day after he announced his resignation. Delhi minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said Kejriwal held one-on-one discussions with each leader and sought feedback on his replacement. Bharadwaj, Gopal Rai, and Kailash Gahlot and the partys Dalit leaders Rakhi Birla and Kuldeep Kumar were also seen among the contenders for the post. Kejriwals wife, Sunita, was speculated to be also among those who may succeed him. Kejriwal on Sunday announced his resignation two days after the Supreme Court granted him bail in the excise policy case. He said he was willing to face the trial by fire to prove his innocence in the peoples court. He added he would return only if he won the peoples mandate in the Delhi assembly polls due early next year. In 2014, Kejriwal resigned after 49 days in office in a coalition government with the Congress. He returned to the post after a stunning victory with AAP sweeping the 2015 polls winning 67 of the 70 assembly seats. AAP now has 60 lawmakers in the 70-member assembly. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday proposed the name of Atishi as the new chief minister of Delhi. Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi during AAP workers' meeting, in New Delhi.(PTI file photo) The development came two days after Arvind Kejriwal announced that he would resign as the chief minister of Delhi within 48 hours after the Supreme Court granted him bail in the Delhi liquor scam. He said he would seek re-election and would not sit on the chair before getting a certificate of honesty from the people of Delhi. Arvind Kejriwal has also urged the Election Commission to hold the Delhi assembly polls in November. "Today, the Delhi AAP legislative party meeting was called. In the meeting, Atishi was unanimously given the responsibilities of the CM until the next Delhi election. We had to give this responsibility under adverse situations. How the BJP government at the Centre, the entire BJP, and the PM of the country conspired and misused agencies to finish AAP. The manner in which governments in the country were toppled, similarly, attempts were made to topple Delhi government. Thwarting all such attempts, AAP continued its unity and work. They attempted to have Arvind Kejriwal resign from the jail so that they could topple the government. But in the interest of the people of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal decided to not resign from the jail and run the government from there...After coming out, he decided to go to the people's court and until the people elect him as the CM once again, he won't continue as the CM," said AAP leader Gopal Rai. Atishi is a key face of the party as well as the government and holds multiple portfolios, including finance, education and PWD. Atishi, a confidant of Kejriwal, emerged as the fiercest critic of the Bharatiya Janata Party when Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia were in jail. She also defended the AAP government during the Delhi water crisis. Several prominent AAP leaders, including Saurabh Bhardwaj, Gopal Rai and Kailash Gehlot, were rumoured to be the frontrunners in the chief ministerial race. Earlier today, Bharadwaj said no matter who sat in the chair of Delhi CM, it would always belong to Arvind Kejriwal because the people of the national capital voted for him. Atishi's coronation comes just days after the Supreme Court granted bail to Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi excise policy case. The court directed Kejriwal to not enter the chief minister's office. The BJP alleged that Arvind Kejriwal resigned because of the Supreme Court's conditions. Arvind Kejriwal has been the chief minister of Delhi since 2013. Who is Atishi? Atishi represents the Kalkaji constituency in the Delhi Assembly (MLA). She rose to prominence as an advisor to the Delhi government's education department and later became an MLA after winning the 2020 elections. She is credited with bringing about education reforms in Delhi. Atishi completed her undergraduate studies at Delhi University's St. Stephen's College before using a Chevening scholarship to attend the University of Oxford for her master's programme in education. She became a Cabinet minister in the Delhi government in March 2023, after Manish Sisodia and Satyendra Jain were incarcerated in corruption cases. AAP leader Atishi, who was elected as the next chief minister of Delhi on Tuesday, thanked 'guru' Arvind Kejriwal for giving her such a huge responsibility. In her first reaction to the Aam Aadmi Party's announcement, the minister said she was sad that Kejriwal would resign as the chief minister today. Arvind Kejriwal with Atishi during an event in Delhi. (PTI file photo) After getting bail in the Delhi excise policy case last week, Arvind Kejriwal announced on Sunday that he would resign as the chief minister of Delhi within 48 hours. He said he would not assume the role of the chief minister of Delhi until he got a "certificate of honesty" from the people of the national capital. He demanded that the Election Commission conduct the Delhi assembly elections in November. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today announced that Atishi will succeed Arvind Kejriwal. "I want to thank Delhi's popular CM, my guru, Arvind Kejriwal, for giving me such a huge responsibility. It can happen only in AAP that a first-time politician can become the CM. I come from a normal family. If I would have been in any other party, I wouldn't have even got a poll ticket," Atishi said, per PTI. Atishi said Arvind Kejriwal made her an MLA and a minister in the Delhi government. "Arvind Kejriwal trusted me, made me an MLA, minister and today gave me the responsibility to become the CM. I am happy that Arvind Kejriwal has shown so much trust in me, but more than that I am sad because my elder brother Arvind Kejriwal is resigning today," she added. She further said Delhi has only one CM Arvind Kejriwal. "I want to say today on behalf of AAP MLAs and two crore people of Delhi that Delhi has only one CM and his name is Arvind Kejriwal," she added. Atishi, one of the tallest leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party, single-handedly took on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) when senior AAP leaders like Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh were incarcerated in corruption cases. Atishi held several key portfolios and defended the Delhi government's policies in their absence. Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 11 by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. He was released on bail by the Supreme Court last week under the condition that he would not enter the chief minister's office. The Bharatiya Janata Party claimed that Kejriwal decided to resign as the chief minister because of the Supreme Court's conditions. New Delhi, From being an adviser to the Delhi government to becoming a key face of the cabinet in the absence of senior A leaders, Chief Minister-designate Atishi's ascent in the party and government is believed to be "phenomenal" and "meteoric". Atishi's 'meteoric' rise from Delhi govt adviser to CM-designate Atishi, 43, who holds the highest number of portfolios in the Delhi government, will also hold the distinction of being only the third woman after Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit to become the chief minister of the national capital. She was unanimously chosen as chief minister designate during the legislature party meeting here on Tuesday. In her first remarks after being chosen to replace Kejriwal, she thanked him and called him her elder brother. Crediting the Aam Aadmi Party , she said it was only possible here that a first-time politician could be given such a huge responsibility. Being chosen just months short of Delhi polls, Atishi has her task cut out. She will have to hold cabinet meetings to approve and fast track key projects and policies like the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana and the Electric Vehicle 2.0 Policy among others. Atishi was a founding member of A and played a pivotal role in shaping its policies, including as a key member of the 2013 Manifesto Drafting Committee. Known for her articulate advocacy, she has been a consistent voice for the party's principles. She spent seven years in a Madhya Pradesh village, focusing on organic farming and progressive education. This experience played a crucial role in strengthening her dedication to political change, according to a party functionary. Even though Atishi joined A in 2013, she stayed in the background working as an adviser to the government on education-related policies and made a foray into electoral politics only in 2019 when she contested the Lok Sabha polls from East Delhi against BJP's Gautam Gambhir, only to taste defeat. Before venturing into active politics, Atishi had dropped her surname Marlena, a portmanteau of Marx and Lenin, since she wanted that her political affiliations should not be misconstrued. In the lead upto the 2019 elections, she had accused the BJP candidate of slandering her and distributing pamphlets containing "obscene" remarks about her, which had even led her to breaking down at a press conference. In 2020, Atishi again contested elections, this time the Delhi Assembly polls, and was elected as an MLA from Kalkaji. She was inducted into the cabinet at a time when the government was staring at a crisis in the aftermath of arrest of Manish Sisodia in February last year in the excise policy case. Sisodia was not only the deputy chief minister of Delhi holding several key portfolios but was also a trusted aide of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The problem was compounded as another key lieutenant of the government, Satyendar Jain, had also tendered his resignation from the cabinet at the same time. But Atishi rose to the occasion and took to governance. Steadily, she rose through the ranks and is currently holding the highest number of portfolios, including key ones such as finance, PWD and education. While Sisodia and Kejriwal were in jail, Atishi not only took care of governance but also defended the government and the party whenever it was on a sticky wicket. Be it at the time of Delhi water crisis or when party's Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal alleged assault by Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar, she vehemently thwarted the criticism by the opposition parties. She even went on a hunger strike to demand Delhi's water share from Haryana when the national capital was grappling with shortage of water. Atishi is not only the key face of the cabinet but is also an important cog in the wheel of A as she also puts forth the views of the party on critical issues. It is not a surprise that she was the frontrunner for the top post and also pipped others to replace Kejriwal. The fact that she enjoys the confidence of Kejriwal and Sisodia worked in tilting the scales in her favour. Atishi is known for her role as one of the key architects of Delhi's famed education revolution, when she played a key role in improving the infrastructure of the Delhi government schools, forming School Management Committees under the Right to Education Act, strengthening regulations to restrain private schools from hiking fees arbitrarily and introducing the Happiness Curriculum. In 2022, she addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, highlighting Delhi as a global model for urban governance. Her parents Vijay Singh and Tripta Wahi were Delhi University professors. Atishi received her Bachelor's degree in History from Delhi University's St Stephen's College and topped her batch. She also holds postgraduate degrees in Education and History from the University of Oxford. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Junior doctors, who have been protesting since a doctor was raped and murdered at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last month, are expected to decide on withdrawing their 38-day strike on Tuesday afternoon after the government implements its assurance to remove police commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal and two health officials. The Supreme Court last week asked the doctors to resume work by 5 pm on August 10. The protests were triggered after a doctor was raped and murdered at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. (HT PHOTO) We have received verbal assurances. We will not take any decision on the strike or the sit-in... until the assurances are implemented. We will decide after the Supreme Courts hearing [on rape and murder on Tuesday], said Debaish Halder, a junior doctor. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who made the assurance late on Monday after 42 junior doctors met her for around six hours, said they demanded the removal of the state health secretary, directors of health services, and medical education. How will the administration run if all three are removed in one go? We have decided to remove the directors as the junior doctors said they do not have faith on them. We cannot disrespect the directors. She added they have decided to remove Goyal after the Supreme Courts hearing on Tuesday. The chief secretary will issue the notification after 4pm. We will transfer Goyal to the post that he wants. On September 9, Banerjee said Goyal wanted to resign. Sanjay Roy was arrested for the rape and murder on August 10 even as police have been accused of tampering with evidence and shielding the guilty. Banerjee on Monday urged the junior doctors to withdraw the strike and end the sit-in while assuring them that the government will not initiate any action against them. She added several patients have died and people are not getting proper treatment. Banerjee said a committee has been set up to look into the safety and security in hospitals and infrastructure development. The doctors called Banerjees assurances a victory. Kolkata rape and murder: The Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up the West Bengal government over its notification directing state-run hospitals to not put female doctors on night shift, saying they need security, not a concession. Kolkata: Junior doctors during their ongoing protest against RG Kar Medical College and Hospital (PTI file photo) The Bengal government had issued the notification in the wake of the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. Hearing the rape-murder case suo moto, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud asked the Bengal government's counsel, Kapil Sibal, why it wanted to limit women doctors. "How can you say women cannot work at night? Why limit women doctors? They don't want a concession... women are ready to work in the same shift," he said, per India Today. He asked Kapil Sibal to address the issue. He said the solution to the issue was providing proper security measures. He directed the West Bengal government to amend the notification. "It is your responsibility to provide security; you cannot restrict women from working at night. Pilots, army personnel, and others work during the nighttime hours," he added. During the hearing, the Supreme Court asked Wikipedia to remove the name of the victim from its platform. What happened in Kolkata's state-run hospital? The woman had gone to sleep in the seminar room of the hospital amid her grueling 36-hour-long shift. She was found raped and murdered in the morning of August 9. The police arrested a civic volunteer named Sanjay Roy. The case was later handed over to the CBI. Thousands of junior doctors have been protesting against the grisly crime. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the protesting doctors on Monday reached an agreement. She allowed the doctors' main demand the removal of the police commission, a DCP and two senior health officers. However, she didn't agree to remove the health secretary. Kapil Sibal today apprised the court that Banerjee had assured the doctors that no punitive or adverse action would be taken against those who return to work. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at the Congress in an apparent reference to the opposition's backlash against his participation in Ganesh Puja rituals at Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachuds home. He said that people who are trying to divide and rule now have problems with Ganesh Puja. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the home of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud in New Delhi (PTI) Ganesh Utsav is not just a festival of faith for our country. It played a very important role in the freedom movementEven at that time, the British, who followed the policy of divide and rule, used to hate Ganesh Utsav. Even today, the power-hungry people who are busy in dividing and breaking society are having problems with Ganesh Puja, Modi said while addressing a rally in Odisha's Bhubaneswar. According to Modi, Congress and its ecosystem are angry because he participated in Ganesh Puja. He also highlighted a recent incident in Karnataka, where a Ganesh idol was momentarily seized by police in Bengaluru amid a protest against stone-pelting during a Ganesh immersion procession. Lord Ganesh was put behind bars in Karnataka by these people, Modi said. Row over Modi attending Ganesh Puja at CJI's house Last week, a political controversy erupted after a video of Modi visiting CJI's home for Ganesh Puja went viral on social media. In the video, CJI Chandrachud and his wife Kalpana Das were seen welcoming Modi at their house. Several opposition leaders, particularly from the Shiv Sena (UBT), and some lawyers of the Supreme Court reacted sharply to the event and raised concerns about the meeting's implications on the judiciarys independence. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut expressed fears that the meeting might affect the ongoing Maharashtra case being heard by CJI Chandrachud. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who is also the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, said that while there was no fault with CJI inviting Modi for the festival, the PM's decision to publicise the meeting was wrong and led to unnecessary speculations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the Congress and its ecosystem were angry with him for participating in Ganesh Puja and dismissed the Oppositions criticism of his presence at Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachuds residence for this last week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PTI File)(HT_PRINT) Ganesh Utsav is not just a festival of faith for our country. It played a very important role in the freedom movement, Modi said at a rally in Bhubaneswar, where he inaugurated a slew of projects to mark 100 days of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments third term at the Centre. The Prime Ministers reference is to the fact that it was Bal Gangadhar Tilak who elevated the festival to a public one, facilitating interaction between people from various strata of society at a time when such gatherings were strictly regulated by the British or not possible because of the countrys rigid caste system. Equating the Congress with the British, Modi said, Even at that time, the British who followed the policy of divide and rule used to hate Ganesh Utsav. Even today, the power-hungry people, who are busy dividing the society, are having problems with Ganesh Puja. You must have seen that the people of Congress and its ecosystem are angry because I participated in Ganesh Puja. The Prime Ministers visit to CJI Chandrachuds residence in Delhi for a Ganesh Puja on September 11 triggered a massive controversy and sparked divisions within the legal community. Opposition parties and some lawyers have questioned the propriety of such a meeting even as the PMs Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other lawyers have dismissed the criticism as unwarranted. Modi, during his address to the gathering in Bhubaneshwar, also said that Lord Ganesh was put behind bars in Congress-ruled Karnataka. The whole country is disturbed because of the picture, he said, referring to a viral photo of a Ganesh idol in a police van in the southern state. We cannot let these hateful elements move forward, he added. He was referring to the recent communal clashes in Nagamangala town of Mandya in Karnataka during a Ganesh idol immersion. Public works department minister Satish Jarakiholi earlier slammed Modi when he made similar remarks. What else does he have to talk about? We have over 60,000 Ganesha idols installed in the state. There might be isolated incidents, but the police will handle them, Jarakiholi said. Modi said when the British tried to divide the country based on caste and religion, Tilak organised Ganesh Utsav (festival) and awakened the soul of the country. Ganesh Utsav teaches us how to remain united and rise above caste and religion even today, all sections of people in our society participate in Ganesh Utsav without any discrimination. The entire society stands united during the festival, he said. The Congress hit back at Modi over his remarks and accused him of misusing religion for political gains ahead of the assembly elections in Maharashtra, where Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals. The difference between true bhakti (faith) and misuse of religion for politics is not hidden from anyone. Just when Maharashtra elections are around the corner, the non-biological PM decides to go with an elaborate camera crew, in full Maharashtrian attire, for the Ganesh Puja. Not only that, this is to the CJIs house, in contravention of all principles of judicial separation. Did the PM not think about the message that will go across? Congress general secretary, in-charge organisation K C Venugopal said. Such proximity between the chiefs of the executive and the judiciary raises doubts about the Prime Ministers intentions, he added. On Tuesday, which was also his 74th birthday, Modi unveiled railway and national highway projects worth over 3,800 crore to mark 100 days of the third term of the NDA government. He also launched the Odisha governments flagship women-centric programme Subhadra Yojana that seeks to provide 50,000 to all eligible women between the age of 21-60 years over a period of five years between 2024-25 and 2028-29. The scheme, which was a part of the BJPs manifesto in the run up to the elections, is expected to cover more than 10 million beneficiaries. On Tuesday, 2.5 million women got the first tranche of 5,000 under the plan. Modi also released the first installment of assistance to nearly one million beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) across 14 states. He said the promises made by the BJP before the elections in the state earlier this year were being fulfilled at a rapid pace. In the first 100 days of the third NDA government, major steps were taken for uplift of the poor, farmers along with empowerment of women, he said. I am happy that Odisha government started its work by announcing the Subhadra Yojana for women. Womens empowerment will be the key to Odishas development, he added. Sharing his experience after he was offered kheeri (a rice-based sweet dish) by a tribal family on the occasion of his birthday, Modi said, When my mother was alive, I used to visit her and seek her blessing on my birthday. She used to give me jaggery. Today, I got the blessings of a tribal mother who offered me kheeri. The happiness of tribals gives me strength to work for them, he said. Modi also spoke about the efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in uniting the country, to mark Hyderabad Mukti Divas or Hyderabad Liberation Day, on September 17. Foreign powers wanted to break the country while opportunists agreed to break the country into pieces. In that situation, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel came forward and united the country by showing extraordinary willpower. Hyderabad was freed by curbing the anti-India fundamentalist forces there, he said. Unfazed by prime minister Narendra Modi attacking its ecosystem for the criticism of his visit to the residence of Chief Justice of India (CJI), DY Chandrachud, the Congress party on Tuesday pointed to how true bhakti was different from the misuse of religion. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud (left) and PM Narendra Modi (File Photo/PTI) Congress general secretary KC Venugopal sought to link the PM's visit, with the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra, the home state of the Chief Justice. The difference between true bhakti and the misuse of religion in politics is not hidden from anyone, PTI quoted Venugopal as saying. Just when elections in Maharashtra are around the corner, the non-biological PM decides to go with an elaborate camera crew, in full Maharashtrian attire, for the Ganesh Puja. Not only that, this is to the CJI's home, in contravention of all principles of judicial separation. Did the PM not think about what message goes across? he asked. Venugopal also demanded that the prime minister should stop misusing Lord Ganesha to deflect from the genuine questions raised about your impropriety. Further, he attacked the ruling BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS, over their disregard for institutional integrity and constitutional values. This disregard is well known and further raises questions on why the PM chose to make the visit, the senior Congress member remarked. Earlier, on a day when he turned 74, the prime minister called out the opposition party at a rally in Odisha's Bhubaneswar. "The British followed the divide and rule policy and hated Ganesh Utsav. Even today, there are power-hungry people following those policies. You must have seen that the people of Congress and its ecosystem are angry because I participated in Ganesh Puja," he said. The 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) Presidency launched an action agenda on Tuesday seeking support on certain non-negotiated partnerships and initiatives to accelerate climate action. The agenda is a supplement to the negotiated programme of the conference in Baku from November 11 to 22, COP29 host Azerbaijan said. Initiatives such as the Baku Initiative on Climate Finance integrate and address cross-sectoral synergies. (X) In a letter to parties and non-party stakeholders, the COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev set out the details of the package and how to contribute to the Presidencys vision to enhance ambition and enable action. The agenda seeks to drive action across all climate pillars and covers a range of key priorities such as energy, finance, agriculture, cities, human development, and the climate-peace connection. Many of the initiatives particularly the Baku Initiative on Climate Finance, Investment and Trade (BICFIT), the Baku Initiative on Human Development for Climate Resilience, and the Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP) for Resilient and Healthy Cities integrate and address cross-sectoral synergies. In the COP29 pledges and declarations, governments and non-governmental entities will agree on the principles and pathways for enhancing ambition in their next collective steps to confront the climate crisis. The COP29 Presidency will share the draft texts with all parties and constituencies for their review and feedback as a sign of its transparent and inclusive approach. The Presidency said it would then finalise the texts and republish them on the COP29 website in due course. Azerbaijan is honoured by the confidence that the global community has placed in us to host COP29. But we are just one country and we cannot solve the climate crisis alone, said Babayev. We seek to inspire every actor and demonstrate what is possible with commitment and determination, and we never underestimate the value of an individual contribution. Babayev hoped to remind everyone that even in the face of an enormous challenge, every action matters because every fraction of a degree matters. Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF), which is proposed to be capitalised with voluntary contributions from fossil fuel-producing countries and companies to catalyse the public and private sectors across mitigation, adaptation, and research and development, is among COP29 Presidency initiatives. It seeks to have special facilities for highly concessional and grant-based funding to rapidly address the consequences of natural disasters in developing countries in need. COP Truce Appeal is modelled on the Olympic Truce to highlight the importance of peace and climate action. The COP29 Peace and Climate Initiative to be co-led with partners envisages tangible outcomes such as establishing a centre of excellence hub to match the needs of the most vulnerable with existing resources and foster further action for the operationalization of various initiatives on the peace and climate nexus. The Baku Global Climate Transparency Platform (BTP) seeks to support developing country Parties in the preparation and submission of Biennial Transparency Reports, promote collaboration and knowledge exchange among Parties on the full spectrum of the Enhanced Transparency Framework, and better mobilise capacity-building resources where they are needed. There is no consensus yet on the most critical COP29 negotiated agenda and agreement on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) to be set from $100 billion for the post-2025 period. People aware of the matter said the quantum of the fund and the list of contributors were the major outstanding issues on NCQG. Developed countries are pushing to expand the contributor base to the fund by inducting emerging economiesnot necessarily historical polluters on the list of contributors. They are not ready to budge, said one of the persons. ...differences have narrowed over the past few months but have not resolved. Developing countries have maintained they will stick to the Paris Agreement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global warming and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which says that finance must flow from developed to developing countries. Developing countries expect contributions in the trillions annually from developed nations for climate change mitigation efforts as defined in their nationally determined contributions. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing his concern and disappointment over remarks made against Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote a letter to PM Modi demanding action against those using hateful language against Rahul Gandhi. (PTI Photo/S Irfan)(PTI) Kharge stated in the letter that phrases such as Number one terrorist used by union minister Ravneet Bittu and a former BJP MLA's death threat to Rahul Gandhi, were deeply disturbing. These matters, Kharge said, needed to be discussed as they were of utmost importance to Indian democracy and the values of the Constitution. Did Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi martyr themselves only to see such vitriol being spread in Indian politics? Kharge wrote. The Congress leader claimed that such threats issued against Rahul Gandhi were the work of the BJP and its allies. Kharge said that many such comments directed towards the Leader of Opposition came from sitting ministers in the central government. It is with great sadness that I must note that the violent language used by politicians in your alliance spells great danger for our future, Kharge said. In his appeal, Kharge asked the prime minister to guide his party and its allies, and take strict action against all such comments - I hope that you will kindly inculcate discipline and boundaries within the politicians in your bloc. Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu had hit out at Gandhi over his remarks made in the United States. The enemies of the country who try to blow up planes, trains, roads, they are in support of Rahul Gandhi...If there should be an award to catch the number one terrorist and the biggest enemy of the country, it should be on Rahul Gandhi, Bittu had said. Kharge's letter comes in the aftermath of a recent comment by Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Gaikwad went viral, as he put up a reward of 11 lakh for whoever cut off Rahul Gandhi's tongue. The BJP distanced themselves from Gaikwad's comments saying that they did not endorse them. Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, who is currently touring the United States, accused the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, of having a mentality akin to Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Reacting to the remarks made by Gandhi in the US earlier this month, Puri alleged the former wants the nation to "bleed". Hardeep Puri said Rahul Gandhi wants the nation to bleed into a kind of a breakup.(File) At an event in Virginia during his three-day visit to the United States, Rahul Gandhi said that the fight in India was not about politics. Turning to a Sikh member of the audience, Gandhi asked for his name and then said, The fight is about whether he, as a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear a turban in India; or whether, he, as a Sikh, will be allowed to wear a kada in India; or whether he, as a Sikh, is allowed to go to a Gurdwara. Thats what the fight is about, and not just for him, but for all religions. Reacting to the remark, Hardeep Singh Puri said Rahul Gandhi never talked about the Sikhs in India. "When they were in power, which government produced the monsters...they need to do some solid introspection, why this happened. This is a narrative anchored in total lies and. Therefore I am not surprised that he is going around doing it but it is, I think, this thing about Muhammad Ali Jinnah, what he did, that either I want what I want, or else I will destroy it," Puri said, according to ANI. Also read: Khalistani terrorist Pannun backs Rahul Gandhi's Sikh remark in US: Existential threat Puri said Rahul Gandhi wants the nation to bleed into a kind of a breakup. "There can be some differences. But the whole beauty of democracy is to sit and address this issue...They should see the contribution of RSS to the nation. The one distinguishing feature in PM Modi's government's ideology is Nation First...but he (Rahul Gandhi) is doing like Jinnah...you want to bleed it into a kind of breakup. But I want to remind them that our very old, more than 5000 years old, culture and civilization, is an old civilization. People like this will not be able to break it, and we are a proud nation," he added. Puri accused Rahul Gandhi of trying to "foment a divisive narrative". "I have worn a turban for 62 years of my life. I've worn a Kada even longer. I think most children in our families when they're born, the first occasion, you know, they put a kada around. But, I think the more disturbing trend is, you know, to say that this is a statement which was made out of ignorance. I think that's wrong. I think there is a more systematic sinister, and I'm using this word carefully, attempting to foment a divisive narrative, to create a sense of insecurity and freedom," Hardeep Puri added. With inputs from ANI In a tragic accident near Nippani town in Belagavi district, four people lost their lives while four others were injured when a container lorry, whose brakes were allegedly failed, collided with multiple vehicles on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway on Sunday evening, police said. After the accident, the busy highway was blocked for nearly one and a half hours before Nippani police, along with national highway staff According to Belagavi Superintendent of Police (SP) Bhimashankar Guled, the accident claimed the lives of Santosh Ganapati Mane (45) from Khadakalat and Jabin Mohammad Hussen Makandar (58) from Nippani, who died on the spot. Two others, Rekha Sanju Gadivaddar (35) from Khadakalat and Dildaar Aadhilshaha Tajuddin Mulla (52) from Pattankadolli, succumbed in a private hospital in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, on Monday. The injured, identified as Manjunath Dattatreya Tendulkar (57), Parvin Dildaar Mulla (52), Saniya Niyajahmed Mulla (20), and Nusegara Ayaj Shaikh (8), all from Pattankudi, were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. SP Guled revealed that the Tamil Nadu-registered lorry, en route to Kolhapur, suffered a major mechanical failure. The vehicle lost control and crashed into several vehicles, including seven cars and five two-wheelers, before coming to a halt by falling onto a car, he said. The accident took place near Hotel Amar, close to the Sthavanidhi Jain pilgrimage site, which is an accident-prone zone. The busy highway was blocked for nearly one and a half hours before Nippani police, along with national highway staff, managed to clear the road. From a first-time lawmaker in 2020 to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwals successor as the Delhi chief minister, Atishi, 43, has come a long way over the last four years. Kejriwal proposed her name for the Capitals top elected post on Tuesday after AAP lawmakers authorised him to pick his successor. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi. (X) Atishis rise in the party and the government coincided with the worst crisis the AAP faced since its formation with the arrest of its top leaders including Kejriwal and his former deputy Manish Sisodia for alleged irregularities in now scrapped 2021-2022 excise police. She held the highest number of portfolios, including key ones of education, public works department, power, revenue, planning, finance, services, vigilance, water, and public relations, after her induction into the government for the first time following Sisodias arrest in 2023. She emerged as the face of the government when Kejriwal was arrested this year. In August, Kejriwal wrote to lieutenant governor VK Saxena recommending that Atishi be allowed to hoist the Tricolour at Delhis Independence Day celebrations in his absence. The recommendation underlined Atishis significance in the Cabinet even as Saxena nominated her colleague Kailash Gahlot to unfurl the flag. Atishi is a University of Oxford and Delhi University alumna with postgraduate degrees in education and history. A recipient of the Rhodes Scholarship for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford, she joined AAP in 2013 and worked as Sisodias advisor from July 2015 to April 2018. Atishi is credited with forming School Management Committees under the Right to Education Act, strengthening regulations to restrain private schools from increasing fees arbitrarily, and introducing the Happiness Curriculum besides playing a key role in improving the infrastructure at Delhi government schools. She was elected as a lawmaker for the first time from the Kalkaji assembly constituency months after she unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha elections from East Delhi against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s Gautam Gambhir. Ahead of the 2019 polls, Atishi dropped her second name Marlena to prevent the BJP from trying to polarise voters by suggesting that she was a foreigner and a Christian. AAP said her parents, Delhi University professors Tripta Wahi and Vijay Singh were Leftists, who gave her the title Marlena combining the surnames of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. Her Twitter handle was also changed from @AtishiMarlena to @AtishiAAP as Atishi underlined her actual surname is Singh and she comes from a Punjabi Rajput family. She said she did not want to waste time proving her identity to people. The Punjabi community is considered an influential voting bloc in the Capital. Jyoti Bose, the principal of Atishis alma mater Springdales School in New Delhi, said Atishi stood out as a bright kid, very inquisitive, questioning and well read over her two years at the institute in Class 11 and 12. She has remained linked with the school and was present at the funeral of the school founder in 2022. We are happy that a pupil from school will be the next chief minister of Delhi. Atishi, who addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York highlighting Delhi as a global model for urban governance in 2022, studied history at Delhis prestigious St Stephens College before pursuing her first masters degree at the University of Oxford. She earned her second Masters from Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar in educational research. An AAP functionary said Atishi spent seven years in a small village in Madhya Pradesh, where she was involved in organic farming and progressive education systems before joining AAP. She worked with several non-profit organisations and met some AAP members there for the first time there. Atishi, who has been a part of the AAP since its inception, was a key member of the partys manifesto drafting committee for the 2013 assembly election. She played an important role in shaping the partys policies in the early stages of formation. Atishi made her presence felt as a spokesperson for the AAP on television debates and in part helped her quick rise in the party. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival concluded on Tuesday, with massive processions headed for the final immersion of the Ganpati idols into water. In Mumbai, more than 7,500 idols were immersed in a day, reported news agency PTI. Devotees carry idols of Lord Ganesh for immersion on the final day of Ganpati festival, in Mumbai (PTI Photo) (PTI) Across Maharashtra, the 10-day festivities of Ganesh Chaturthi have been slowly winding down as people accompanied with song and dance bid farewell to their Ganesh idols. Also Read: 3 Ganesh mandals in Pune booked for noise pollution violations Out of 7,500 idols that were immersed in Mumbai, 7,227 were household Ganpatis, 300 belonged to `sarvajanik mandals' (community groups) and about 50 were of Goddess Gauri, reported PTI. In many places, eco-friendly alternatives have also been adopted to prevent pollution in the sea. In Mumbai, the BMC provided 204 artificial ponds, in addition to 69 approved natural water bodies, where more than a thousand idols were immersed. According to PTI, one family even paraded their Ganpati idol in a vintage Rolls-Royce that they rented specifically for Visarjan. To ensure safety, 24,000 police personnel had been set up, along with CCTV and drone surveillance as well as 71 control rooms to monitor the huge gatherings in the city. Lifeguards and speedboats were also made available to prevent any mishap near water bodies. While the festivities came to a joyous end in most places, tragedy struck when eight men in Gujarat and one in Punjab, drowned while immersing the Ganesh idol. Officials have warned people to be cautious while entering water bodies during the idol immersion. Ganesh Chaturthi this year also sparked political controversy after prime minister Narendra Modi attended a Ganesh puja at Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud's house. Hitting back at criticism, PM Modi stated in a speech that, People who are hungry for power have an issue with Ganesh Pooja. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged that Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar hospital in Kolkata when a doctor there was allegedly raped and murdered last month, deliberately avoided insisting on the registration of a first information report (FIR) immediately on August 9, when the body was found. Instead, he proposed a suicide theory despite visible external injuries on the victims body, the agency stated in its remand note seeking his custody from a local court. Junior doctors of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital protest against the rape-murder in Kolkata on Monday. (PTI) According to the CBI, polygraph and layered voice analysis tests conducted by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) suggested Ghosh was deceptive on certain crucial aspects of the incident. These claims were presented by the federal anti-corruption probe agency before a Sealdah court on Sunday while seeking Ghoshs custody after naming him and the former station house officer (SHO) Abhijit Mondal of the local police in a destruction of evidence case that the agency filed on Saturday in connection with rape and murder. The body of the 31-year-old doctor was discovered in a semi-nude condition in the seminar room of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on the morning of August 9. Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, has been arrested as the sole accused in the crime. According to the CBIs court document, seen by HT, Ghosh, as the head of the medical college, received information about the rape and murder at 9.58am on August 9 but failed to arrive at the hospital promptly. The agency stated, He did not make a formal complaint immediately, rather he made a vague complaint at a later stage through the medical superintendent-cum-Vice Principal, even after the victim was declared dead at 12.44pm on August 9. Read more: Kolkata doctor rape-murder: Police officer arrested for delay in FIR lauded by senior for transparent probe Despite the victim being a staff member of his college, the CBI claims Ghosh did not try to get an FIR lodged immediately, rather a new theory of suicide was introduced, which is not possible given the external injuries visible on the victims body. The CBI added, The principals actions suggest that he intentionally did not insist on registering an FIR despite consulting with an advocate. Detailing Ghoshs attempts to downplay the rape and murder as suicide, the CBI alleged that he contacted Mondal, the in charge of the local police station, at 10.03am and an advocate at 1.40pm but failed to meet the doctors family. As head of the medical college, he failed to ensure timely completion of all hospital formalities, instead directing his subordinates to send the body directly to the morgue, the CBI note added. Regarding Mondals role, the CBI stated that he received information about the incident at 10.03am but failed to reach the crime scene promptly, arriving at the hospital at 11am. The agency alleged that the General Diary (GD) entry at the police station intentionally recorded incorrect information, stating that the body of PG trainee was found lying in an unconscious state at the seminar room of chest-medicine, when in fact, a doctor had already examined the body and declared her dead. Furthermore, Mondal allegedly failed to cordon off the crime scene, allowing unauthorised access and potentially compromising vital evidence. The CBI claimed that Mondals actions were trying to protect the accused Sanjay Roy and others had unauthorised access to the scene of crime, which may have resulted in tampering with the evidence. The agency also highlighted a 14-hour delay in registering the FIR, stating that Mondal failed to ensure registration of FIR despite having a telephonic conversation at 10.03am, a written complaint from the medical superintendent at 2.55pm, and a subsequent complaint from the father at 7.30pm, only registering the case at 11.30pm. Additionally, Mondal allegedly failed to ensure proper videography of the evidence collection process as required by the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), potentially benefiting the accused Sanjay Roy and other unknown persons or suspects, the agency stated. The officer also reportedly allowed the cremation of the trainee doctors body in a hurried manner despite the familys specific request for a second autopsy. Finally, the CBI noted an unnecessary two-day delay in seizing Roys clothes and belongings, even though his role in the rape-murder had been established on August 10. Hours after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said true Muslims cannot ignore the "suffering" of Muslims in Myanmar, Gaza, and India, the ministry of external affairs condemned his remarks as misinformed and unacceptable". Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (AFP) Countries commenting on minorities in India should first review their own records before making observations about others, said external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. We strongly deplore the comments made regarding minorities in India by the supreme leader of Iran. These are misinformed and unacceptable, added Randhir Jaiswal. He advised that countries commenting on minorities should first examine their own records before making observations about others. The two countries have traditionally enjoyed a strong relationship and signed a 10-year contract in May to develop and operate the Iranian port of Chabahar. India has been developing the port of Chabahar on Iran's southeastern coast along the Gulf of Oman to transport goods to Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, bypassing the ports of Karachi and Gwadar in Pakistan. Reacting to Khamenei's statement, Israel's Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, labeled him a "killer and oppressor" of his own people. @khamenei_ir you are a killer and oppressor of your own people. Muslims in Israel, India and all democracies enjoy freedom, which is denied in Iran. I wish the people of Iran will be free soon, wrote Azar. you are a killer and oppressor of your own people. Muslims in , and all democracies enjoy freedom, which is denied in Iran. I wish the people of will be free soon. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has previously criticized India over issues involving Indian Muslims and the troubled Muslim-majority region of Kashmir. The Iranian leader, addressing a gathering of clerics in Tehran on Monday, spoke about what he described as the suffering of Muslims in Gaza, Myanmar, and India. The enemies of Islam have always tried to make us indifferent with regard to our shared identity as an Islamic Ummah. We cannot consider ourselves to be Muslims if we are oblivious to the suffering that a Muslim is enduring in #Myanmar, #Gaza, #India, or any other place, he posted on X (formerly Twitter) as part of series of posts on the event. The remarks were made against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, a situation that has caused unease in New Delhi. India maintains close relations with both countries, balancing its strategic ties with Israelparticularly in defense and securitywith its reliance on West Asia for 80 percent of its oil supply. With agencies inputs The Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) on Tuesday formed an inquiry committee to investigate the suicide by a 25-year-old student who was reportedly distressed by his expulsion from the hostel, even as a protest by students continued for a second day. Students stage a protest after an MBA student allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the seventh floor of his hostel in the IP University, in New Delhi, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (PTI Photo)(PTI) The university also removed the hostel warden and set up a committee to grant an ex gratia payment to Gautam Kumar's family out of the students' welfare fund, a university official told PTI. The students staged a sit-in outside the vice-chancellor's office on Tuesday as well with posters reading "Justice for Gautam". Gautam Kumar, a first-year MBA student, allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the seventh floor of his hostel building on Sunday. He was a native of Vaishali in Bihar and was enrolled at the IP University main campus in Dwarka Sector-16, Southwest Delhi. Classes at the university remain suspended as large sections of students have been protesting since Monday morning, demanding accountability from the administration. The students have been demanding to sack the hostel warden who ordered the expulsion Kumar and five others allegedly for consuming alcohol and narcotics substance in their hotel room on September 14. The expelled students alleged they were wrongly barred from the hostel causing them distress. In a statement, acting vice-chancellor A K Saini said that a professor from the University School of Law and Legal Studies (USL&LS) has been relieved of his duties as the warden and a fact-finding committee has been constituted to investigate the circumstances leading to Kumar's death. "The university has relieved Professor, USL&LS from the duties of Warden, Boys Hostel I, Shivalik, Dwarka campus with immediate effect. A fact-finding committee has been constituted to look into the facts and circumstances of the unfortunate demise of late Gautam Kumar," the statement read. Vinay Shah, Assistant Professor from the University School of Chemical Technology (USCT), has been assigned the additional responsibility of warden for the hostel, the statement added. A purported WhatsApp message sent by Kumar to his parents before his death has surfaced on social media. In the message, he allegedly blamed the hostel warden for his decision to take his own life. The police are working to verify the authenticity of the message, according to a senior police officer. "No FIR has been registered as we have not received any complaint from the family," a senior police official said. "We have handed over the body to the family. The university administration has formed an internal committee, and based on its findings, we will take appropriate action. Currently, our priority is to maintain law and order on campus," the officer added. Phase one of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections is set to take place on September 18, across 24 constituencies in seven districts of the union territory. Jammu and Kashmir readies itself for its first assembly elections in 10 yeats (PTI Photo)(PTI) Out of the 24 constituencies, 16 are based in Kashmir, and eight are in the Jammu division. Also Read: How are Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections different for Omar Abdullah? According to the Election Commission, 219 candidates are contesting during phase one of the polls. This will be the first time assembly polls are conducted in the region since 2014 and the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Also Read: Amit Shah taunts Cong, says ex-HM Sushil Shinde can now visit J&K 'with family'. Here's why Ahead of voting tomorrow, here are some of the key candidates in the first phase of the assembly elections: Iltija Mufti PDP's Iltija Mufti, daughter of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, is contesting from the Bijbehara-Srigufwara constituency. She is pitted against NC's Bashir Ahmad Veeri and BJP's Sofi Mohammad Yousuf. In an interview with ANI, the 37-year-old leader said, My responsibility is that I become a ray of hope for the people. People for five years have been left without any hope. Mufti has focused on issues of unemployment among the youth and rising prices as her platform during the polls. Waheed Para Another PDP leader, Waheed Para is contesting from the Pulwama constituency and faces competition from Mohammad Khalil Bandh, now contesting on an NC ticket. In the run-up to the elections, Para has used his former imprisonment under the UAPA in 2020 to popularise the slogan of Jail Ka Badla Vote Say (Voting will avenge jail) and has leveraged his experience as a youth leader for the PDP Para also faces competition from a former member of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami, Talat Majid, reported news agency PTI. Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami Seeking his fifth consecutive term from the Kulgam segment, Tarigami faces independent candidate affiliated to banned Jamaat-e-Islami, Sayar Ahmed Reshi. The PDP has fielded Mohammad Amin Dar and Apni Partys Engineer Mohammad Aqib has also put his hat in the ring. Tarigami has won the seat since 1996. Khalid Najib Suharwady The NC candidate is engaging in a friendly contest with Congress' Sheikh Riyaz from the Doda constituency. Suharwady has served as Jammu and Kashmir's home minister from 2001 to 2002 under former chief minister Farooq Abdullah and as a MLC from 2009 to 2015. Sheikh Riyaz previously served as a sarpanch and was the party secretary for the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir as well. Sanjay Saraf Representing the community of Kashmiri Pandits, Sanjay Saraf is contesting from the Anantnag seat on a Lok Jan Shakti Party (LJSP) ticket. More than 35,000 displaced Kashmiri Pandits from across the country are eligible to vote in the polls making him a candidate to watch out for. He will be facing PDP's Abdul Rehman Veeri, who has previously served as minister for rural development. Apart from these, other candidates to look out for are - NC's Sakina Itoo who is seeking another term from Damhal Hajipora, PDP's Sartaj Madni contesting from Devsar and Ghulam Mohammad Saroori will also be contesting as an independent, seeking a fourth term from Doda (west) after he was denied a ticket by the DPAP. The Congress and NC alliance have focused on promising restoration of statehood in their manifesto, which is in common with the PDP as well. The BJP has focused its appeals on reservations for OBC minorities as well as changing the union territory into a tourist spot instead of a terrorism spot. The other two phases of voting will be held on September 25 and October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8. A suspected case of monkeypox infection was reported from Keralas Malappuram district after a 38-year-old man who recently returned from Dubai, showed symptoms of the disease. (Representative file photo) The man has been admitted to the Government Medical College hospital in Manjeri where his samples have been sent for testing and confirmation. Speaking to media persons, Kerala health minister Veena George said that the man, who arrived in Kerala recently from Dubai, showed up with suspected Mpox symptoms in the outpatient department of the Manjeri government hospital. The man suspecting the symptoms to be of Mpox had isolated himself at home and stayed in a separate room with toilet facilities. He has taken precautions. He is currently admitted to the hospital and samples have been sent for testing. As soon as the results arrive, we will take further steps, the minister said in the national Capital Delhi where she is scheduled to meet Union health minister JP Nadda on Tuesday. Also Read: WHO approves first Mpox vaccine to boost disease control in Africa The disease, spread by the virus of the same family as smallpox, is characterised by skin rashes on all parts of the body which leave behind deep lesions and scars. Patients may also experience fever and flu-like symptoms. The disease spreads through close skin to skin contact and is usually self-limiting. In some cases, the infection can be deadly. Kerala had issued an alert against Mpox in August after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that the Mpox outbreak in many African nations should be considered as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The disease was first reported in the state in 2022. Amid unrelenting protests by the junior doctors in Kolkata, the Supreme Court on Tuesday, September 17, will resume its suo motu hearing over the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate doctor inside RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in the city on August 9. A view of the Supreme Court building, the apex judicial body of India, in New Delhi on Tuesday.(ANI) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which took over the case from Kolkata Police on the directions of the Calcutta high court, will submit a confidential status report on the progress of investigation into the case to the Supreme Court on Tuesday. In addition to the rape and murder, the CBI is also investigating former principal of RG Kar Sandip Ghosh and others in relation to the crime and alleged financial irregularities in the hospital under their watch. Senior lawyer Indira Jaising will represent the West Bengal Junior Doctors Forum (WBJDF) at the Supreme Court hearing on Tuesday, news agency IANS reported. Aniket Mahato, a prominent junior doctor and a key figure in the movement, has confirmed Indira Jaising's role as counsel for WBJDF. Jaising is known for her efforts in advancing the practice of live-streaming Supreme Court proceedings, which was approved by a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud. Additionally, senior counsel Karuna Nandi and Sabyasachi Chattopadhyay will represent the Joint Platform of Doctors, West Bengal, an association of senior doctors supporting the junior doctors' protest. The government of West Bengal will continue to be represented by senior advocate Kapil Sibal. What Supreme Court said so far? During the last hearing on September 9, the bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud asked the protesting junior doctors to resume their duties by 5pm the next day. The court also promised to ensure that the state government does not take any adverse action against them but said it cannot ensure the same if the junior doctors refuse to resume their duties anymore. The West Bengal Junior Doctors Front refused to heed the directions of the Supreme Court and vowed to continue their cease-work protest until their demands are met by the state government. Their march towards the health ministry headquarters Swasthya Bhavan lead to a stand-off with the Bengal government over conditions for talks. Talks continued to stall over demand to live stream the proceeding of talks with chief minister Mamata Banerjee, until both sides reached a common ground on Monday night. Talks concluded early morning on Tuesday after what the government described as it last and final attempt to break the impasse. The ruling Trinamool Congress government had been urging the junior doctors to resume their duties claiming over 7 lakh out-patient services have been affected in the state due to unrelenting protests. The junior doctors welcomed Mamata Banerjees announcement about removing Kolkata Police commissioner Vineet Goyal, director of health services and the director of medical education from the post, describing it as their moral victory. "We will continue with our 'cease work' and demonstration here at the Swasthya Bhavan (health department headquarters) till the promises made by the CM materialise. We also look forward to Tuesday's hearing in the Supreme Court in connection with the RG Kar rape-murder case, one of the agitating doctors told PTI. The Supreme Court had also asked the state government to take steps "to create a degree of confidence in the minds of the doctors that their concerns about their safety and security are really attended to. Since then, the state government has announced a host measures like increased deployment of CCTV cameras among others. The state has also promised to implement these out of the state government's own funds. (With inputs from agencies) Kolkata rape case live updates: A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra during the second day of hearing on a suo moto case related to the sexual assault and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata. Kolkata doctor rape-murder case highlights: The Supreme Court on Tuesday heard a case in connection with the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar hospital. The apex court ordered the Bengal government to increase security measures at hospitals, including installation of CCTV cameras and adequate toilet facilities, within two weeks....Read More The bench led by D Y Chandrachud also criticised the government for their 'Ratirer Sathi' scheme whereby women doctors were not kept on the night shift. The government was also pulled up on the use of contractual security forces in hospitals instead of deploying the police. As an outcome of talks between the state government and the protesting junior doctors, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced that Kolkata Police commissioner Vineet Goyal, deputy commissioner of Kolkata police, north, and two senior officials of health department would be replaced. The protesting junior doctors had been insisting on five-point demands which include the removal of Kolkata Police commissioner Vineet Goyal and senior officials of the state health department as well as increased security and safety for doctors and ending the threat culture in the State-run hospitals. Talks were held after the chief secretary's email mentioned the invite for talks as the fifth and the final time" the state is reaching out for a meeting between the chief minister and the junior doctors delegation. As a compromise over demand for live streaming of talks, the government allowed the delegation to bring its own stenographers and also agreed to provide a signed copy of the minutes of the meeting. Welcoming the decision to replace officials, junior doctors said, we will continue with our 'cease work' and demonstration here at the Swasthya Bhawan (health department headquarters) till the promises made by the CM materialise. Read more | Supreme Court to continue hearing suo motu case today | What we know so far Follow all live updates here West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday night accepted the bulk of the demands made by agitating junior doctors, including the removal of Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal, the director of medical education (DME) and the director of health services (DHS). The deputy commissioner of police (north division), who allegedly offered money to the parents of the doctor who was raped and murdered inside the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, will also be shunted out. Kolkata: A delegation of junior doctors moves to board a bus from their dharna site near Swasthya Bhawan for a meeting with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.(PTI) The protesting doctors, however, have not called off their strike as they wait for the implementation of the promises made by the West Bengal government. What did the minutes of the meeting record? On Monday evening, the doctors relented on their demand for live streaming of their meeting with Mamata Banerjee. Both sides agreed on recording the minutes of the meetings. Per the minutes of the meeting, the two sides agreed to the sanctioning of 100 crore for infrastructure development in hospitals for doctors and rebuilding of patient welfare committees. To tackle safety and security measures in hospitals, a special task force headed by the chief secretary will be established. The panel will have the home secretary, DGP, CP Kolkata and representatives of junior doctors as members, according to the meeting minutes. It also documented the setting up of an effective and responsive grievance redressal mechanism in medical infrastructure across hospitals and colleges of the state, reported PTI. What did Mamata Banerjee say after the meeting? Mamata Banerjee said the government would announce the name of the new police commissioner after 4 pm on Tuesday. We have accepted almost all demands of the doctors. Keeping in mind the plight of the common people, we did the best we could. I now appeal to the doctors to return to work, Banerjee said. She said no disciplinary action would be taken against the agitating doctors. What did the doctors say? Dr Debasish Halder, one of the leaders of the agitating doctors, said they would decide their next step after the hearing of the Supreme Court today. Dr Aniket Mahato, another doctors' leader, said CM Mamata Banerjee didn't agree on removing the principal secretary of the health department. "While the CM has accepted our demand to remove the CP, DC (North), the DHS and DME, she is yet to agree on removing the principal secretary of the health department. The discussions on the operating threat syndicate in hospitals and the thriving corruption racket remain incomplete. We only have verbal assurances on those matters so far. So our fight is far from over, he said. With inputs from PTI NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discipline leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led ruling alliance who have used offensive language against the party leader Rahul Gandhi, saying strict legal action should be taken against people making such statements to prevent the degeneration of politics in the country. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge addresses a press conference in New Delhi onTuesday (PTI) I want to draw your attention to an issue which is directly related to democracy and the Constitution. You must be aware that a series of extremely objectionable, violent and rude statements are being made against the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, the Congress chief said in a letter in Hindi to PM Modi. I have to say with sadness that the violent language used by the leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and your allies is harmful to the future. The world is shocked that the Minister of State for Railways in the central government, a minister from BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, is calling the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha number one terrorist, Kharge said in an apparent reference to the remarks by junior railways minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and UP minister Raghuraj Singh. An MLA from a party that has ties with your government in Maharashtra is announcing a reward of 11 lakh to the person who cuts off the tongue of the Leader of the Opposition and brings it to him. A BJP leader and former MLA in Delhi is threatening to make him fate like his grandmother, Kharge said. Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad announced that he will give 11 lakh to anyone chopping off Gandhis tongue for his remarks on scrapping the reservation system. In his letter, Kharge urged PM Modi to take immediate action, calling the statements an attack on democratic principles and the sanctity of political discourse in the country. Strict legal action should be taken for such statements so that Indian politics can be prevented from becoming degenerate. Nothing untoward happens. I trust that you will give the required instructions to these leaders to immediately stop making violent statements, he said. The 24-year-old man, who recently died due to Nipah virus in Kerala, was a psychology student at a Bengaluru college and had come home to Wandoor in Malappuram district on August 23 for treatment of an injured leg, health and local panchayat officials said. The health department said on Sunday that the 24-year-old man had travelled to a few areas with friends and had come in contact with many people (REUTERS) The victim, whose name was withheld by officials due to reasons of privacy, died at the MES Hospital in Perinthalmanna on the morning of September 9, a day after he was admitted there following symptoms of meningitis, a condition affecting the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord. In the latest case, the suspicion of Nipah arose after the Regional Medical Officer conducted a death investigation. Samples, collected from the deceaseds body were sent to the Kozhikode Medical College hospital on September 13 where it was subjected to PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing at the microbiology lab. The samples returned a positive result the same day and were sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune for further confirmation. The national testing institute confirmed Nipah virus on Sunday. The patient was admitted to our hospital on September 8, He was displaying symptoms of meningitis. He had sought treatment at three other private facilities before being admitted here. His condition was bad. Despite all our efforts, he passed away on the morning of September 9, Rahul R, operations manager at MES Hospital in Perinthalmanna, said. When pressed for more details, he said the district medical officer (DMO) is authorised to release information. R Renuka, the Malappuram DMO, was unavailable for comment. It was the second death due to Nipah virus reported within two months. Ramankutty K, president of the Thiruvali panchayat where the victims home is located, told HT that the 24-year-old was a MSc student of psychology at a private college in Bengaluru and had arrived in Kerala on August 23 for the treatment for an injured leg. He had some injury on one of his legs and had sought treatment for it here. He began experiencing fever and vomiting on September 4 and sought treatment at a private clinic in Naduvath the next day. On September 7, he went to another private clinic before being referred to the NIMS hospital in Wandoor the same day. He was finally admitted to the MES hospital in Perinthalmanna on September 8 and died there the next day, he said. While the deceaseds father had passed away many years ago, his mother succumbed to cancer two months ago. He is survived by three sisters and a brother, two of whom live and work in the Gulf countries, Ramankutty said. The deceaseds funeral was held in the village on September 10, which was attended by locals, family members, and his batchmates from the Bengaluru college. At that time, it was not known that he had Nipah virus infection, he said. The health department said on Sunday that the 24-year-old man had travelled to a few areas with friends and had come in contact with many people. A preliminary list of 151 persons was drawn up following a rigorous contact-tracing exercise. Among the contacts, 10 of them have shown mild symptoms and are admitted to isolation wards at the Government Medical College Hospital in Manjeri, an official said adding that their samples have been sent for testing to NIV, Pune. Tension prevailed in Mangaluru district of Karnataka on Monday, a day after stones were allegedly pelted on a mosque in Katipalla following which six people were arrested. Police personnel deployed at the site where Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal workers stage a protest over a social media post, in Mangaluru on Monday. (ANI) The incident was reported on the eve of Eid-e-Milad on Sunday, when some miscreants arrived on two motorcycles and pelted stones at the mosque damaging its window panes, mosque president KH Abdul Rahiman said in a complaint. Due to quick action, the situation was brought under control and no untoward incidents were reported in the area, police officers said, adding that police deployment in the area has been bolstered. The arrested individuals have been identified as Bharat Shetty (26), Chennappa Shivananad Chalavadi (19), Nitin Hadap (22), Sujit Shetty (23), Anappa alias Manu (24), and Preetham Shetty (34). A separate case has been registered against VHP leader Sharan Pumpwell and Bajrang Dals Puneeth Attavar following an exchange of provocative statements between two groups on social media platforms leading to a huge gathering of people. The people converged in the area following an alleged voice message of former president of Bantwal Town Municipal Council Mohammed Sharief challenging Pumpwell to face them during the Eid-e-Milad procession, officials said. Police commissioner Anupam Agarwal said that those involved in posting inflammatory content on social media would face consequences. We are actively monitoring social media platforms, Agarwal said. Four cases have been registered in connection with the incidents, police said. According to police, cases have been registered against Mohammed Sharief and Mohammad Hasainar, a councilor of the Bantwal Town Municipal council. The police have also registered two cases against Pumpwell and Attavar. Karnataka minister and Congress leader MC Sudhakar said that communal issues in Mangaluru were often driven by political motives. Mangaluru has always been a hot spot for communal politics. This unrest is not surprising, he said and attributed the current tensions to a small group of miscreants from different religious communities. On every minor issue, youll see someone associated with the RSS or another group stirring tensions. Miscreants exist in every religion, and they are responsible for creating these problems, the political leader added further. In a bid to prevent any further violence during the ongoing Eid-e-Milad celebrations, the Rapid Action Force was deployed in Mangaluru. Superintendent of Police Yatish N assured the public that the authorities had taken all necessary measures to maintain peace. We have implemented adequate security arrangements across the district to ensure no untoward incidents take place. Legal action will be taken against anyone disrupting peace, he said. A 48-hour liquor ban was also imposed here. Meanwhile, some Muslim men allegedly took out a motorcycle rally on BC Road as a part of the Eid-e-Milad celebrations. This happened just after the Bajrang Dal and other Hindutva outfits left the area after three hours of demonstration in the morning. The Eid-e-Milad procession that was originally routed through the BC Road town was later diverted to inner roads as per the advice of the local leaders, officials said. The above two incidents come against the backdrop of the violence that broke out during a Lord Ganesha idol procession in Mandya district last week. According to police, an argument broke out between two groups when the Lord Ganesha idol procession by devotees from Badarikoppalu village reached a place of worship and some miscreants hurled stones, which escalated the situation. Following the clashes between the two groups, few shops were vandalised and vehicles set on fire, they added. Police used mild force to disperse the crowd and manage the situation and 46 people were arrested in connection with the violence. The Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal on Tuesday appointed Manoj Kumar Verma as the new commissioner of Kolkata Police. Verma, a 1998 batch IPS officer, was serving as additional director general (ADG), law and order, West Bengal before his latest appointment. Verma replaces Vineet Kumar Goyal, who has been transferred as additional director general (ADG) of Special Task Force. The decision to remove Goyal was announced by chief minister Mamata Banerjee after she held a late-night meeting with the protesting doctors. Goyal, a 1994 batch IPS officer, was criticised for his handling of the rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College Hospital on August 9. Goyal had succeeded Soumen Mittra as the Kolkata top cop in 2021. An alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and IIT Kanpur, he held various positions within the Kolkata Police. Goyal also served as joint commissioner of police for the Special Task Force and Traffic, as well as additional commissioner of police. Manoj Verma is the new commissioner of Kolkata Police((Facebook/Career and Courses)) Kolkata Police Commissioner said he is ready to resign: Mamata Given the demand of junior doctors, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal has said in the meeting that he is ready to resign, Banerjee said on Monday. ALSO READ: Kolkata Police commissioner axed by Mamata Banerjee. Why junior doctors demanded Vineet Goyal's removal We tried listening to junior doctors...we have decided to change the DC (Kolkata Police Commissioner)...he agreed to resign himself...in the health department, they demanded the removal of 3 persons and we agreed for 2. We have agreed 99%, what else can we do? We have requested the junior doctors to come back to work so that the common citizens won't suffer, the chief minister said. Mamata Banerjee urged the doctors to return to work as most of their demands have been accepted. No punitive action will be taken against the doctors I would request them to rejoin work as common people are suffering, she said. Kolkata, In the autumn of 2010, when political winds were shifting in West Bengal, opposition leader Mamata Banerjee, then Railway Minister, denounced Paschim Medinipur police chief Manoj Verma and labelled him as a "CPI agent" due to his crackdown on opposition activities, vowing to make him apologise once in power. Manoj Verma: Troubleshooter, anti-Maoist insurgency expert takes charge of Kolkata Police Fast forward 14 years to 2024, Banerjee, now a three-term West Bengal Chief Minister, has appointed the same IPS officer as the commissioner of Kolkata Police, which is under fire for its alleged mishandling of the high-profile R G Kar hospital rape-murder case. Verma earned his credentials as a strong police officer during one of Bengal's most perilous times - the Maoist insurgency that plagued the district and the entire Junglemahal region in the late 2000s. When he was appointed the SP in 2008, Maoists had entrenched themselves in large parts of the region, establishing a near-parallel authority. Verma's approach combined toughness with community engagement, and while his operational style often faced criticism, especially from political opponents, it effectively led to the systematic dismantling of the Maoist stronghold in the district. By 2010, as the Maoist movement faltered, Verma found himself at the centre of both praise and controversy. He defended the controversial methods of the security forces, including a particularly brutal encounter at Salboni where dead Maoists were tied to bamboo sticks for transportation. His critics, particularly from the Trinamool Congress , accused him of being a pawn of the then-Left Front government, calling him a "CPI agent". Calling him a "CPI agent" for his crackdown on Maoist insurgents that allegedly reinforced the Left government's control over rural Bengal, Banerjee, in a rally in October 2010, vowed to "make him apologise" once her party comes to power. After coming to power in 2011, the TMC government put Verma on "compulsory waiting," but it wasn't long before it realised his indispensability. When peace talks between the state and Maoists collapsed, Verma was brought back to head the counter-insurgency force. He played a key role in ending the ultra-left movement in the region, which culminated with the encounter of top Maoist leader Kishenji in a police encounter in November 2011. Verma's ability to handle crises isn't limited to the plains. In 2017, as violent pro-statehood agitations swept through Darjeeling, he was appointed Inspector General of the region. The hills had erupted into chaos with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leading the charge for a separate state of Gorkhaland which continued for 104 days. Verma's tenure in the region was characterised by firm action, with several GJM leaders, including its supremo Bimal Gurung, forced to flee. Verma's success in Darjeeling earned him further accolades, including the prestigious Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 2017. Verma's next big challenge came in Barrackpore, where political violence had escalated in the wake of BJP's rising influence post-2019 Lok Sabha elections. Gang wars, shootouts, and political killings became the order of the day, as the TMC and BJP clashed for dominance. Appointed as the commissioner of Barrackpore Police Commissionerate, he again deployed his "iron-fist" approach against criminals. Under Verma's leadership, political violence was curbed, but it came at a cost, as the BJP, especially then-local MP Arjun Singh, accused him of acting in favour of the ruling TMC. Earlier this year just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, he was appointed ADG of West Bengal Police. Now, as he takes charge of the 168-year-old Kolkata Police, he inherits a force under immense public and political pressure following allegations of mishandling the R G Kar rape-murder case, and all eyes are on how this seasoned officer will navigate these challenges. An officer of Kolkata Police, Abhijit Mondal, the officer-in-charge of Tala police station, has been arrested by the CBI for allegedly tampering with evidence in the woman medic's rape-murder case. Whether Verma's past successes will bring smoother times for Kolkata Police remain uncertain, but in this moment of crisis, Mamata Banerjee, once his fiercest critic, has come full circle by entrusting him to lead the city's law enforcement through yet another storm. Verma has repeatedly proven his ability to rise to the occasion, whether by dismantling Maoist insurgencies in Paschim Medinipur, restoring peace in the volatile Darjeeling hills, or controlling political violence in Barrackpore, but his toughest challenge may now lie ahead in managing the complexities of the law and order situation in Kolkata, where intersections of politics, policing, and public perception create a unique test few other cities present. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday despatched a second consignment of more than 40 tonnes of relief materials, including generator sets and medicines, to Myanmar to help people affected by Typhoon Yagi. The Indian Air Force aircraft carried 32 tonnes of relief material including generator sets, hygiene kits and medicines for the people of Myanmar. (X/MEAIndia) The aid is part of Operation Sadbhav, launched this week to help Southeast Asian countries affected by the typhoon that caused widespread devastation across the region. The second tranche of aid for Myanmar was sent in an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft and a naval vessel. The aircraft ferried 32 tonnes of relief materials, including generator sets, medicines, hygiene kits, temporary shelters, and water purification supplies, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. The Indian Navy transported an additional 10 tonnes of rations, he said. On Sunday, India despatched emergency humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam to help people affected by Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit the South China Sea in three decades. India sent 10 tonnes of aid, including generator sets, water purifiers and hygiene kits, worth $100,000 to Laos, and another 10 tonnes of aid, including dry rations, clothing and medicines, to Myanmar. The Indian side also sent 35 tonnes of aid worth $1 million to Vietnam. Vietnam was hit hardest by Typhoon Yagi, leading to the death of more than 250 people and injuries to 800 people. Landslides cut off roads and more than 188,000 houses were damaged, destroyed or flooded and there was also significant damage to power infrastructure, bridges, and educational facilities. In a separate development, India on Tuesday sent 1,000 tonnes of rice as humanitarian support to Namibia to help people affected by drought. As a credible HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) provider and a reliable friend, [India] is extending food grain assistance to the people of [Namibia], to strengthen their food security in the wake of recent spells of drought, Jaiswal said in a post on X. The consignment of rice was dispatched from Nhava Sheva port. Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the government is talking to both the Meitei and Kuki communities in strife-torn Manipur to restore normalcy and has begun fencing the countrys border with Myanmar to check infiltration. He also said the Centre will very soon make an announcement for carrying out the decadal census in the country. The Manipur authorities have imposed curfew in the valley districts with effect from 11am on September 10 onwards, in view of the prevailing law and order situation in the state. (Manipur Police-X) The home minister was addressing a press conference in Delhi on the achievements of the 100 days of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA 3.0 government. He was accompanied by information and broadcasting (I&B) minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Barring three days of violence last week, the overall situation in Manipur has been calm and the government has been working to restore peace in the restive Northeastern state, Shah said. There was peace in the last three days and I am hopeful that we will be able to control the situation. We are holding talks with both communities. It was ethnic violence and unless there is dialogue between the two communities, no solution could be found, he said. We are talking to the Kuki and Meitei groups. We have prepared a roadmap to take different initiatives for the situation in Manipur. Though the Centre and the BJP-led Manipur government are yet to share details of the talks, top officials aware of the matter said the Centres representatives have been holding meetings with legislators from both Meitei and Kuki communities. In the past two-three months, backdoor meetings have been held in Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati. Naga MLAs representatives are working with the Intelligence Bureau and Centres interlocutor to bring the representatives together at neutral places (not in Manipur). The talks are on, a senior Manipur official said, requesting anonymity. Shah said in the first 100 days of the Modi 3.0 government, work on fencing the India-Myanmar border, which is the root cause of the problem, has begun. On February 6, the Centre had announced that the entire 1,643-km-long border with Myanmar would be fenced. Fencing work in 30 km has been completed. The Centre has already approved the budget for fencing along the over 1,500 km border, he said. At strategic locations, we have completed the process of inducting CRPF personnel. To stop infiltration, we have also stopped the Free Movement Regime between India and Myanmar. Only those with valid visa can enter or leave the country. The Union home minister also spoke about the much-delayed decadal census of the Indian population, saying: We will announce it very soon. The first phase of this decades census was expected to begin in April 2020, but it had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. India has conducted the census every 10 years since 1881, with the last one being conducted in 2011. When asked about the caste-based census, Shah said: Whenever we announce the census, all information will be made public. Listing the achievements of the NDA government in first 100 days of its third successive term, Shah said the Centre has started work on projects worth 15 lakh crore in diverse sectors such as infrastructure and agriculture to create employment opportunities, and taken steps to strengthen the nations internal and external security. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the US during September 21-23 to participate in the Quad Leaders Summit and the Summit of the Future at the United Nations. FILE - US President Joe Biden speaks with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington in June 2023. (AP FILE PHOTO) Modi will also address a gathering of the Indian community in New York on September 22 during his three-day visit, the external affairs ministry said on Tuesday. The fourth Quad Leaders Summit is expected to be the most important of the engagements during the visit. India was set to host the summit this year and it initially had plans to organise the meet in New Delhi in January. However, the plans fell through when US President Joe Biden didnt take up Indias invitation to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26. Modi will begin the visit by taking part in the Quad Leaders Summit, which is being hosted by Biden in his hometown of Wilmington in Delaware state on September 21, the ministry said. Following the request of the US side to host the summit this year, India agreed to host the next summit in 2025, it said. The Quad Summit will review progress achieved by the grouping over the past one year and set the agenda for the year ahead to assist countries in the Indo-Pacific to meet their development goals and aspirations, the ministry said. The White House said earlier that the Quad Leaders Summit will focus on bolstering the strategic convergence among India, Australia, Japan and the US, advancing their shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and delivering concrete benefits in key areas for partners in the region. These areas include maritime security, high-quality infrastructure, critical and emerging technology, cybersecurity, health security, natural disaster response, and climate and clean energy. This will be the first time Biden will host foreign leaders in Wilmington as president. This is also set to be the final Quad Summit for Biden and Japans Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, who have both decided to step down from their positions. On September 23, Modi will address the Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly in New York. The theme of the summit is Multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow. A large number of world leaders are expected to participate in this summit, and Modi will hold bilateral meetings with several of them on the sidelines. While in New York, Modi will address a gathering of the Indian community on September 22. He will also interact with CEOs of leading US-based companies to foster collaboration between the two sides in cutting-edge areas such as AI, quantum computing, semiconductors and biotechnology. Modi is also expected to interact with thought leaders and other stakeholders active in India-US relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the United States from September 21 to 23, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) announced on Tuesday. The ministry shared a detailed itinerary of PM Modi's US trip. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with United States President Joe Biden in New Delhi last year. (ANI file) Quad Summit (September 21) The biggest highlight of Modi's US visit will be the Quad leaders' summit on Saturday, September 21 in Wilmington in Delaware. The meet hosted by US president Joe Biden at his hometown. The summit holds significance as Biden is not running for a second term in office. When India hosts the next Quad summit next year, the US will have a new president. This will be President Biden's first time hosting foreign leaders in Wilmington as president -- a reflection of his deep personal relationships with each of the Quad Leaders, and the importance of the Quad to all of our countries, the president's spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre was quoted by AFP as saying. The Quad summit will also be attended by Japan's Fumio Kishida and Australian premier Anthony Albanese. According to MEA, the leaders of Quad will review the progress achieved by the alliance in the last one year. They will set the agenda for the year to assist the countries of the Indo-Pacific region in meeting their development goals and aspirations, the MEA added. Modi & US Progress Together' event in New York (September 22) In New York, PM Modi will address the Indian diaspora at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Sunday. According to a PTI report, more than 24,000 members of the Indian diaspora have signed up for the event titled Modi & US Progress Together'. The prime minister will also interact with CEOs of leading US-based companies to foster greater collaborations between the two countries in the cutting-edge areas of AI, quantum computing, semiconductors and biotechnology, the MEA said. Modi is also expected to interact with thought leaders and other stakeholders active in the India-US bilateral landscape. ALSO READ: PM Modi, Joe Biden discuss Ukraine conflict, Bangladesh unrest 'Summit of the Future at UNGA (September 23) Prime Minister Modi will address the Summit of the Future at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This year, the theme of the Summit is Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow. A large number of global leaders are expected to participate in the Summit. On the sidelines of the Summit, Prime Minister would be holding bilateral meetings with several world leaders and discuss issues of mutual interest, the MEA statement read. PM Narendra Modi's birthday: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is celebrating his 74th birthday on Tuesday, September 17. President Droupadi Murmu, several chief ministers and Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have been extending greeting to the prime minister for his well-being. Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hands over symbolic key to a beneficiary of Pradhan Mantri Aavas Yojna during Viksit Bharat Viksit Gujarat rally, in Ahmedabad, on Monday.(PTI) "Hearty congratulations and best wishes to Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji on his birthday. On the strength of your personality and work, you have provided extraordinary leadership and increased the prosperity and prestige of the country," the president said in a post on X in Hindi. I wish that your innovative efforts with the spirit of nation first pave the way to make India a developed nation. I pray to God that you live long and always remain healthy and happy," President Droupadi Murmu wrote on social platform X. To mark his 74th birthday, PM Modi will inaugurate 26 lakh houses built under PM Awas Yojana at Gadakana in Odisha's Bhubaneswar. The prime minister will also proceed to the Gadakana slum for a short stay and interact with the beneficiaries of the housing scheme. He will later visit Janata Maidan to launch the Subhadra Yojana. How PM Modi marked his birthday over the years? 2023: PM Narendra Modi announced the PM Vishwakarma Yojana to enhance the skilling of craftsmen and artisans in the country. Two key infrastructure projects - India International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC) and the extension of Delhi Airport Express line were also launched. In his Varanasi constituency, a 73-kg Ladoo was cut to mark his 73rd birthday. 2022: Eight Cheetahs were released into Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park as part of Cheetah Re-introduction project. After releasing them into their wild, Modi also clicked their pictures. 2021: As part of efforts to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, a record 2.26 vaccines were administered in a single day. 2020: Celebrations were muted as India remained under the grip of the pandemic. As part of Sewa Saptah, the BJP organised camps at several places across the country to distribute rations and donate blood to the needy. 2019: Modi addressed a large gathering near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat's Kevadiya. The Namami Narmada festival was also celebrated to mark the filing of dam to its full capacity of 138.88 metres. (With inputs from agencies) The Bengaluru police said on Monday that they have launched a probe into the alleged assault of a 27-year-old man who was stripped and forced to walk home naked in Kamakshipalya by a repeat offender. The accused, who hails from Rajagopal Nagar, reportedly attacked the youth after accusing him of disrespecting him Pawan alias Kadabu (28), allegedly stripped the young man, assaulted him, and recorded the incident before leaking the video online which went viral. The incident took place about two weeks ago. The accused, who hails from Rajagopal Nagar, reportedly attacked the youth after accusing him of disrespecting him. The victim is reportedly an informer for the Kamakshipalya police. Speaking to Hindustan Times, West Division DCP S Girish said, The attack appears to have been a result of Kadabu suspecting that Vishwas had been providing information about his activities to the police. We only learned about the incident through social media, he said. The DCP added that authorities are searching for both Kadabu and the victim and a case will be registered once a formal complaint is received from the victim. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed the Congress and other opposition parties for creating a controversy over his visit to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachuds house on Ganesh Utsav, saying that the power-hungry people busy dividing and breaking the society are having trouble with Ganesh Puja. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. (PTI) The Britishers followed the policy of divide and rule. They used to hate Ganesh Utsav. Ganesh Utsav is not just a festival of faith, but it played an important role in the freedom struggle. Dividing us in the name of castes was a weapon of the British. Bal Gangadhar Tilak used community celebrations to awaken the collective conscience of the country. Today, everyone participates in Ganesh Utsav without any discrimination. But its celebration has once again become a point of contention, much like it did during the British colonial era. Even today, the power-hungry people of India who are busy dividing and breaking society are having trouble with Ganesh Puja. You must have seen that the people of Congress and its ecosystem have been angry for the last few days because I participated in Ganpati Puja, Modi said. He was launching the Subhadra Yojana in Odisha under which over 1 crore women of the state would get 10,000 a year. Modi said the Congress committed a bigger crime in Karnataka. These people put the idol of Lord Ganesha behind bars. The whole country is disturbed by those pictures. This hateful thinking and the mentality of poisoning society is very dangerous for our country. Thats why we should not let such hateful forces move forward, he said. Modi said the whole country is celebrating the Hyderabad Mukti Divas on September 17 and spoke about the efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in uniting the country. The foreign powers wanted to break the country while opportunists agreed to break the country into pieces. In that situation, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel came forward and united the country by showing extraordinary willpower. Hyderabad was freed by curbing the anti-India fundamentalist forces there. Hyderabad Liberation Day is not just a date. It is also an inspiration for the integrity of the country, for our duties towards the nation, he said. Modi, who arrived in Bhubaneswar in the morning, interacted with the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)-Urban before he launched the Subhadra Yojana, a flagship programme of the state government for empowerment of women. On Tuesday, 25 lakh women got the first tranche of 5,000 under the scheme, a top promise under the Modis Guarantee for Odisha in the BJP manifesto that helped the party form government on its own for the first time in the state in June this year. The scheme aims at providing one crore women in the age group of 21 to 60 years with cash assistance of 50,000 over five years. The state government plans to spend 55,000 crore on the scheme. Modi also launched a slew of projects on Tuesday laying the foundation stones and dedicating railway projects worth 2,800 crore and national highway projects worth 1,000 crore through virtual mode. He also released the first instalment of financial assistance under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAYG) to approximately 13 lakh beneficiaries across 14 states. Twenty-six lakh PMAY (Gramin and Urban) beneficiaries celebrated Griha Pravesh during this occasion. The sixth edition of the online auction of over 600 items gifted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi began on Tuesday, coinciding with his birthday. E-auction of Modi's mementos begins(PIB) According to the culture ministry, a section of the auction pays tribute to India's valiant warriors and freedom fighters, celebrating the glorious chapters of the nation's history. The auction will be held till October 2 and will remain open to the public at large. Individuals who want to participate in the auction will need to register on the official website - https://pmmementos.gov.in According to Union minister of culture and tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the auction's collection mirrors India's rich tapestry of culture, spirituality, history, and politics, adding that just as the previous editions, the proceeds from the e-auction will go to the Namami Gange project - a flagship initiative of the Centre for the conservation and restoration of the Ganga and its fragile ecosystem. Which mementos of PM Modi are being auctioned? Several mementos of PM Modi have been put up for the e-auction such as a meticulously crafted model of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and the Dwarkadhish temple in Dwarka, a set of sporting memorabilia from the latest Paralympic Games, and statues of Hindu deities. The items on auction also include an array of traditional art forms, showcasing vibrant paintings, intricate sculptures, indigenous handicrafts, and captivating folk and tribal artefacts. Items traditionally bestowed as symbols of honour and respect, including traditional angavastras, shawls, headgear and ceremonial swords, have also been put up for auction. Along with this, distinguished works of art such as Pichwai paintings, notable items such as khadi shawls, silver filigree, Mata Ni Pachedi art, Gond art and Madhubani art are also a part of the auction, the culture ministry said. The first e-auction was held in January 2019. According to the culture ministry, the last five editions have garnered more than 50 crore. (With inputs from PTI) Kolkata RG Kar rape-murder case: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced her decision to remove Vineet Goyal as Kolkata Police commissioner (CP) and transfer a section of top officials at the police as well as the state health departments from their respective positions. Chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee along with CP Vineet Goyal in Kolkata. (Samir Jana/Hindustan Times) Mamata Banerjee accepted the bulk of the five-point charter of demand placed by the junior doctors, demanding justice for the RG Kar Medical and Hospital trainee doctor who was raped and murdered on August 9, and announced the removal of the director of medical education (DME) and the director of health services (DHS) besides the deputy commissioner (north division) who allegedly offered bribe to the parents of the RG Kar victim. We will announce the name of the new police commissioner after 4pm on Tuesday after the scheduled hearing in Supreme Court gets over, the West Bengal chief minister said at the stroke of midnight after concluding her meeting with the agitating junior doctors at her Kalighat residence in Kolkata barely hours ahead of the scheduled Supreme Court hearing on the RG Kar hospital matter. Who is Kolkata Police commissioner Vineet Goyal? In December 2021, senior IPS officer Vineet Kumar Goyal succeeded Soumen Mitra as the Police Commissioner of Kolkata. A 1994-batch officer, Vineet Goyal is an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and IIT Kanpur. Throughout his career, Vineet Goyal has held various positions within Kolkata Police, including deputy commissioner of police for the eastern suburban division, special branch, and headquarters. He has also served as joint commissioner of police for the Special Task Force and Traffic, as well as additional commissioner of police. Vineet Goyal has been awarded the police medal for gallantry twice, along with the police medal for meritorious service and the chief ministers medal for outstanding service. Allegations against Kolkata CP Vineet Goyal The removal of Kolkata Police commissioner Vineet Goyal has been a major demand from protesting doctors following the alleged rape and murder at RG Kar Medical College. Both doctors and opposition parties claim Vineet Goyal, like West Bengals director general of police Rajeev Kumar, is loyal to Mamata Banerjee. Vineet Goyal has faced sharp criticism for his handling of the August 14 vandalism at RG Kar hospital during a protest march. Junior doctors accuse him of mismanaging the situation and failing to address procedural lapses, leading to widespread protests. His role has become a focal point in the growing political backlash, with the governments response only adding to the scrutiny. In a recent televised administrative meeting, Mamata Banerjee mentioned that Vineet Goyal had expressed a desire to resign, but she refused his request. His handling of recent events has intensified dissatisfaction, especially after the August 14 hospital incident, further fueling public discontent against his leadership. Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, visibly frustrated, stated on August 15 that rumors and a malicious media and social media campaign have eroded public trust in the police. His comments came as police clashed with mobs at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Vineet Goyal maintained that the police had done nothing wrong in handling the rape and murder case of the young doctor, which has triggered widespread outrage and led to thousands taking to the streets to demand justice and reclaim the night. The Supreme Court halted the felling of trees near Dwarka on a plea seeking protection of Delhis green cover which alleged that nearly 25,000 trees situated in the Shahabad Mohammadpur deemed forest were sought to be felled for the purpose of expanding a railway facility at Bijwasan. The Supreme Court of India. (File Photo) Stopping all construction linked to the project, a bench headed by justice AS Oka said, We restrain the respondents from felling and/or damaging in any manner the trees or otherwise causing damage to the trees on the subject land. The court was hearing a petition filed by two individuals Naveen Solanki and Ajay Harish Joshi, one claiming to be a local resident and the other an animal activist, who approached the top court against an order passed by the National Green Tribunal on February 13 this year refusing to halt the tree felling as it held that the 120 acre area of green cover does not qualify as forest land under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan appearing for the petitioners along with advocate Manan Verma pointed out that the area is a deemed forest and enjoys the same protection as forest following a 1996 decision of the top court in TN Godavarman v Union of India. He told the court that the area is located adjacent to the Delhi airport and acts as the primary filter for the carbon dioxide, besides, serving as the lungs of the city, particularly for residents in south-west Delhi, where green cover is significantly less compared to other parts of the city. The 2023 amendments to the Forest Act which abolished the term deemed forests are currently under challenge in the top court. In these proceedings, the court had issued an order in February 2024 reiterating that there will be no dilution of the 1996 definition of forests as provided by the TN Godavarman judgment. The bench has sought responses from the Rail Land Development Authority under the Ministry of Railways, the Delhi forest department, and the company executing the project. Posting the matter for October 21, the bench held, We make it clear that no construction shall be carried out in the subject land. The petition filed through advocate Ankur Sood traced the history behind the land in question that was transferred by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to the Indian Railways in 2008 for re-development of the Bijwasan railway station into a world class railway station. It envisaged provision of parking, pick and drop facilities, sufficient space for circulation, and commercial space for providing allied services to station users. The gradual deforestation of the land began in the later part of 2021 and continued in 2022, against which the petitioner filed a complaint with the Delhi Forest department. The petitioner noticed that RLDA adopted unethical techniques by dumping tonnes of soil over fully-grown living trees, leaving them buried. Subsequently, the complaint filed with the forest department came to be registered and in June 2022, an order was passed by the deputy conservator of forests, Delhi government imposing a fine of 5.93 crore on RLDA on a finding that 990 trees were illegally felled. The petitioner pointed out that work is still going on in the area. The petition before the NGT was filed by another local resident. The present petition sought stay of the NGT order as the said order was based on lack of evidence and overlooked the forest classification criteria laid down by the top court, besides overlooking the insufficient precautionary measures undertaken by RLDA. The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to consider a petition seeking proportional representation for women and other disadvantaged groups in the Bar Council of India (BCI) and 21 state bar councils which hardly have any woman as its member. The Supreme Court of India. (File Photo) Issuing notice on a petition filed by a lawyer, MG Yogamaya, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud noted a chart produced by the petitioner which showed that the 20-member BCI did not have a single woman as its member. So was the situation across bar councils in the bigger states of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. The Delhi bar council, too, figured in this list while the bar councils having a nominal representation of women were Madhya Pradesh (2 out of 27), Bihar (2 out of 26), Telangana (1 out of 27) and Tamil Nadu & Puducherry (1 out of 16). The bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said, We will issue notice. The petition was argued by senior advocate PV Dinesh who said that the words proportional representation finds mention in the Advocates Act, 1961 but is hardly implemented. Besides women, the petition demanded representation of queer community, specially abled persons, persons from scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, and other marginalised strata of society. It was in 1923 women were allowed to practise as advocates in the country with the passing of the Legal Practitioners (Women) Act, 1923. The petition said, The Bar Council plays a pivotal role in regulating the legal profession, yet its composition often lacks adequate representation of women. This discrepancy is antithetical to the principles of equality and non-discrimination envisaged by the Indian Constitution. As the bench agreed to consider responses of Centre, BCI and the 21 state bar councils on a later date yet to be specified, Dinesh said, There should be some persuasive value now that a notice has been issued. The petition filed through advocate Shyam D Nandan pointed out that while the judiciary has been advocating for construction of toilets for women, effective mechanism for addressing sexual harassment cases and establishment of creche in court premises, lack of representation of women and marginalised groups in bar councils has impacted the decision-making process for implementing such measures. Even with the Advocates Act being introduced in 1961, six decades have gone by without any legislative intervention to address the issue of proportional representation of women, it added. Section 3(2) of the Advocates Act, 1961 deals with proportional representation. This provision provides for a 15 member-bar council for a bar with not less than 5,000 members, 20-member council for less than 10,000 members, and a 25-member council for a bar with over 10,000 lawyers. It goes on to add that the members are to be elected in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote from amongst advocates on the electoral roll of the state bar council. One member elected by each state bar council from amongst its members constitutes the BCI. Dinesh argued that this term proportional representation should be given a wider meaning particularly in the light of developing law when 33% reservation is being provided to women in Lok Sabha and state legislatures, Panchayati Raj system under the 73rd Constitution (Amendment) Act, 1992 and one woman director on board of listed companies under the recent amendments to the Companies Act, 2013. Lately, the top court had in May this year ordered that one-third of seats be reserved for women in the Executive Committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) - the body of lawyers practising before the top court. The petitioner listed out some of the grounds that are not conducive to women lawyers. The legal profession and Bar Councils have traditionally been male-dominated environments. In view of the existent patriarchal system, the lady lawyers are unable to dedicate time for such campaigning as they are also compelled to be homemakers, apart from the profession, the petition said. Pitching for representation to women, Yogamaya added, It is highly necessary that this court may pass appropriate directions to regulate the Bar Council election process so that many meritorious professional lawyers, who are not full-time politicians, can spare their time for the benefit of the administration of justice. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held a key meeting on Monday to decide on a new Delhi chief minister, with its national convener Arvind Kejriwal set to officially resign from the post, churning the Capitals political landscape ahead of the assembly polls early next year. Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal had announced on Sunday that he will resign in two days. (ANI) AAPs 12-member Political Affairs Committee (PAC), the partys highest decision-making body, met at Kejriwals residence in the evening to deliberate on his successor, a day after the 56-year-old announced his resignation from the post. He [Kejriwal] held one-on-one discussions with each leader and sought feedback on his replacement. Since he met everyone separately, no one knows about the discussions held with other leaders, Delhi minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said after the 90-minute meeting. He added that a meeting of the AAPs legislative party is set to take place on Tuesday at 11:30am. The legislative party consists of elected lawmakers, and their leader is appointed as the CM. The AAP currently has 60 MLAs in the 70-member assembly. Tomorrow [Tuesday], the legislative party meeting of AAP will be held, and the CM will take this discussion into the second phase, the Greater Kailash legislator said. Read more: Kejriwal likely to resign tomorrow, AAP MLAs meet at 11 am to pick new CM | Top updates Kejriwal is set to meet Lt Governor VK Saxena at 4.30 pm on Tuesday and tender his resignation, people aware of the matter said. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will resign on Tuesday and the entire process (of putting his successor in office) will be completed within a week, Bhardwaj said. Rajya Sabha MP and the partys general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak hinted that the party might soon announce the next CM. The next chief minister of Delhi will be decided within the next 1-2 days. A legislative party meeting will select one, he said. Although the AAP remained tight-lipped on the identity of the replacement, people aware of the matter said Delhi ministers Atishi, Bharadwaj, Gopal Rai and Kailash Gahlot were among the contenders for the post, with speculation also rife that Kejriwals wife Sunita Kejriwal might be selected to head the government. Two other names doing the rounds were the partys Dalit faces -- Rakhi Birla and Kuldeep Kumar. Speaking on condition of anonymity, two AAP leaders said the next CM will likely be from among the cabinet ministers. Other than the CM, the Delhi cabinet currently has five ministers - Bharadwaj, Atishi, Rai, Gahlot and Imran Hussain. A third leader, however, did not rule out the possibility of a surprise pick. There is speculation that a Dalit leader might be named as the next CM, this person said, requesting anonymity. On Monday morning, hours before the PAC meet, Kejriwal met with Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha m discussing, among other issues, the new CM , party officials indicated. The next CM will be a sitting MLA and not an MP or an office-bearer, one of the officials said, asking not to be named. Addressing party workers on Sunday, Kejriwal said he would resign from the post in two days and return only if he won the peoples mandate in the high-stakes Delhi assembly polls. He made the announcement two days after he was granted bail by the Supreme Court in the excise policy case. He also ruled out former deputy CM Manish Sisodia taking over the post. Sisodia is also an accused in the excise policy case and was granted bail by the SC on August 9, after 17 months of incarceration. This is not the first time Kejriwal has quit the post. In 2014, he resigned after just 49 days in office in a coalition government with the Congress, only to come back with a stunning victory in which his party swept 67 of the 70 assembly seats in the 2015 assembly polls. A former Delhi assembly official said that, according to rules, the CM has to submit their resignation to the LG, who forwards it to the President. A notification is issued after the resignation is accepted. After this, whoever is elected as the leader of the legislative party is appointed as the CM, the official added. In the legislative party meeting, the name of the new chief minister (either MLA or non MLA) is proposed by MLAs. The MLAs unanimously or with majority decide to name a CM-elect. The CM-elect has to submit a letter signed by the MLAs to LG, staking claim to form the new government, the official said. In his 26-minute speech on Sunday, Kejriwal said he was willing to face an agnipariksha (trial by fire) to prove his innocence in the peoples court as he threw down the gauntlet for the assembly polls. The political slugfest over his move continued on Monday, with the BJP maintaining that the decision was necessitated due to the SCs bail conditions. The grant of bail to Kejriwal came with the same conditions imposed by another bench of the SC in Julyhe cannot go to the CMs office; sign off on official files; or make public statements about his role in the excise case. The decision to resign was a compulsion for Arvind Kejriwal, not driven by principle. The Supreme Court has clearly pointed out that he cannot go to his office, cannot sign any file, then what choice did Kejriwal have? Delhi BJP chief Virender Sachdeva said. The AAP rejected the charge and said that Kejriwals decision proved his commitment to corruption-free politics. Arvind Kejriwal does not have any greed for power, honour is paramount for him. He has decided he will go through the agnipariksha and he will go among the people (of Delhi), and they will decide whether he is honest or dishonest, Pathak said. A 23-year-old woman was found dead in a hotel room in the Gachibowli area of Hyderabad on Monday morning, with the police suspecting it to be a case of suicide. Telangana woman found dead in hotel room, police suspect suicide Gachibowli police inspector S Anjaneyulu told reporters on Monday that the body of the woman, a resident of Jadcherla town of Mahabubnagar district, was found in the hotel room at around 3am. We have booked a case under section 194 (suspicious death) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and the body was shifted to the Osmania General Hospital for an autopsy, the inspector said. According to preliminary investigation by Gachibowli police, the woman had completed her nursing course and was working as an intern at a private hospital in Mahabubnagar. On Sunday, she, along with her three friends, including two men, came to Hyderabad to witness a Ganesh idol immersion ceremony. She checked into a hotel along with her friends. They had partied in the hotel till late as was evident from the beer bottles found in her room, Anjaneyulu shared. Inquiries revealed that she stayed back in the hotel room stating that she had a headache, while the other three friends went out for dinner. When they returned to the hotel at around 3am and knocked on the door, there was no response. They informed hotel staff who opened the door using a master key, only to find the woman dead, he said. Upon receiving information from the hotel staff, police rushed to the scene and took her to a nearby hospital where she was declared dead. We have taken her friends into custody for questioning, the inspector added. The womans parents, who were informed of her death, came to Hyderabad. Her father filed a complaint with the Gachibowli police suspecting that his daughter might have been raped and murdered. We have doubts over the hotel staff and also her friends. We want the police to investigate the case deeply and do justice to our family, the father told reporters. Madhapur assistant superintendent of police (ACP) Ch Sreekanth said the police had received the call at the control room at around 4 pm. We have recovered some beer bottles from the room. There were no external injuries on the body of the woman. However, all the details would come out after the post mortem, he said, adding that the police registered the complaint of the victims father. Delhi minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj said on Tuesday that the chair of the chief minister of Delhi belongs to Arvind Kejriwal. Ahead of the announcement of the new CM, he said the mandate AAP received in the national capital was for Kejriwal. Arvind Kejriwal, along with his wife, on Sunday. (RAJ K RAJ /HT PHOTO) He said a new CM will remain in the post until Arvind Kejriwal is elected again. "It does not matter who sits on the CM chair because the mandate was for Arvind Kejriwal. The public chose Arvind Kejriwal. He has said that he will not sit on the CM chair until the people ask again but the chair belongs to Arvind Kejriwal for these and the next 5 years... One of us will sit on the chair until the elections take place. It will be similar to the way Bharat ruled in the absence of Lord Ram... There will be a discussion with the MLAs today and the name may be decided in it," he told ANI. Arvind Kejriwal's replacement will be announced at noon today after the legislative party meeting of AAP. Arvind Kejriwal announced his decision to resign from the post of chief minister on Sunday. Kejriwal said that he would only sit on the CM's chair when people give him a "certificate of honesty". AAP will hold a meeting at 11.30 am in Arvind Kejriwal's house to choose his successor. At around 4.30 pm, Kejriwal will meet Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and submit his resignation letter. Days after being released from Tihar Jail, Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday that he would resign as the Delhi CM within 48 hours and seek a re-election. He said he and Manish Sisodia won't accept any official position until being exonerated by the people's court. Arvind Kejriwal had also demanded from the Election Commission to conduct the Delhi Assembly polls in November this year. Names of Delhi ministers Atishi, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot and Saurabh Bharadwaj are making the rounds as contenders for the coveted post. With inputs from PTI, ANI After Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to prime minister Narendra Modi complaining against recent statements by some BJP members against senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, who started the controversy by calling Gandhi a number one terrorist, said the ex-Congress chief remains a Pappu (Hindi slang for stupid/childish). Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and Rahul Gandhi They (Congress) made him (Gandhi) the Leader of Opposition (in Lok Sabha). but Pappu, Pappu hi raha.' Instead of lecturing others, Mallikarjun Kharge should teach his Pappu'," Bittu told ANI on Tuesday. Bittu added that his concerns were not as a politician, but as a Sikh. Gandhi recently made a three-day visit to the United States, his maiden foreign trip as LoP, and made a series of comments that led to row in India. In one such remark, the Rae Bareli MP made a remark on the Sikh community. Also Read | Noida DM clarifies after 'Pappu' jibe at Congress leader triggers uproar "The fight is about whether a Sikh, will be allowed to wear a turban in India; or whether a Sikh, will be allowed to wear a kada in India; or whether a Sikh is allowed to go to a Gurdwara. Thats what the fight is about, and for all religions, Gandhi stated at an event in Virginia. On this, Bittu, who joined the BJP from the Congress in March, had said: If those manufacturing bombs are supporting him (Gandhi), he is the number one terrorist. He does not love his country much because he goes abroad and says everything in a wrong way." US-based pro-Khalistan outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), has backed Gandhi's statement. The West Bengal government on Tuesday appointed 1998 batch IPS officer Manoj Kumar Verma as the new Kolkata Police Commissioner. Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal is being replaced by Manoj Kumar Verma, formerly the Additional Director General (ADG) and Inspector-general of police (law and order)(ANI) Verma's appointment comes a day after a meeting between chief minister Mamata Banerjee and protesting junior doctors. The CM announced that Vineet Goyal would step down as the city top cop. Vineet Goyal was made the ADG and Inspector general of West Bengal police's Special Task Force (STF). Here is everything we know about Manoj Kumar Verma, the new police commissioner: Early Life Manoj Kumar Verma primarily studied in Kendriya Vidyalayas in different locations and military school in Belgaum, Karnataka due to his father's job in the Indian Army, he revealed in an interview on Facebook. Verma graduated from Engineering college, Kota with a degree in mechanical engineering. He started studying for civil service exams soon after and became part of the 1998 IPS batch at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad. Career Verma served police commissioner of Siliguri for a while before he was transferred and appointed Inspector General (IG) of Traffic in West Bengal in 2016. He also held the position of Inspector general of police (IGP), Darjeeling in 2017 and ADG and Inspector general of the Intelligence Bureau. In January 2024 he was appointed as the Additional Director General (ADG), law and order, reported news agency PTI. Now, Jawed Shamim, an IPS officer of the 1995 batch, will take over his position as the ADG and Inspector general (law and order), while Manoj Kumar Verma becomes Kolkata's police commissioner. As West Bengal ADG (law and order), Manoj Kumar Verma ran afoul of protestors in the Nabanna Abhijan rally, for terming the march illegal and calling it an attempt to incite unrest. Verma had vowed to put the safety of the public and students giving NTA exams above the protests, which he claimed were taking place without the necessary permissions. Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi will be Delhis new chief minister, the party unanimously agreed on Tuesday after Arvind Kejriwal proposed her name as his successor in a meeting of the party's legislators. Delhi minister Atishi addresses the media after a meeting of the AAP legislative party in which she was unanimously chosen as the next chief minister in New Delhi on September 17. (PTI) The 43-year-old Atishi who holds 14 portfolios, including finance, education and revenue and was amongs those holding the fort while Arvind Kejriwal was in jail, will be the third woman chief minister of Delhi after Congress Sheila Dikshit and BJPs Sushma Swaraj. Arvind Kejriwal will meet Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena at Raj Niwas at 4.30pm to tender his resignation as chief minister, paving the way for Atishi's appointment as his successor. Atishi, given credit for many of the AAP government's achievements in the education sector, was inducted into the Delhi cabinet in March 2023 and has been playing a crucial role both in the government as well as the party when AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 in connection with the excise policy case. The daughter of Delhi University professors Vijay Singh and Tripta Wahi, Atishi did her schooling from Springdales School and went on to graduate from St. Stephens College. She did her masters from Oxford University. Atishi's meteoric rise also saw several controversies and one of them was dropping her surname 'Marlena'. So why did Atishi drop her surname Marlena? Atishi dropped the surname 'Marlena' in 2018 due to political reasons and the potential for misunderstanding. The name Marlena was a combination of Marx and Lenin, reflecting her parents' leftist ideologies. However, during her rise in politics, especially ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha election, Atishi faced speculation and rumours that her surname linked her to communist ideology. Given the sensitivity around political affiliations in India, she decided to drop Marlena and use just her first name, Atishi, to avoid any misinterpretation of her political beliefs. This move was aimed at ensuring her focus remained on her work and policy contributions rather than on unnecessary controversies related to her surname. Marlena is not my surname. My surname is Singh which I never used. The second name was given by my parents. I have decided to use just Atishi for my election campaign, she had said in August 2018. However, there were reports that the Bharatiyab Janata Party might to try and to project Atishi as a foreigner and a Christian and also invoke the fact that she was named after two Communist ideologues. AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj had said the party sensed that some elements in the Opposition were trying to mislead the people by branding her as an outsider and possibly a foreigner, but added that the decision was entirely Atishis. The party said that her parents, Dr Tripta Wahi and Dr Vijay Singh, who were Leftists, gave her the title Marlena after combining the surnames of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. The Delhi BJP denied AAPs allegations, saying the party never used religion to win votes. The BJP never practises communal politics. Atishi and AAP are scared of being badly defeated in the Lok Sabha elections. This is an excuse which they have already started giving to the people of Delhi for their defeat, said Rajesh Bhatia of the Delhi BJP had said. Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said it is the BJPs responsibility to ensure jobs for Agniveers from Haryana, who are not retained after their four-year tenure in the armed forces under the Agnipath scheme, as he hit out at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for playing politics over the short-term military recruitment plan. Union Home Minister Amit Shah (PTI)(PTI) Addressing a rally in Loharu in Bhiwani district of Haryana, which goes to the polls on October 5, Shah accused the Congress of spreading fake narratives. They claimed that Agniveer soldiers would have neither work nor pensions. But I want to tell you that under the Agniveer scheme, soldiers are receiving 20% reservations in police services If any Agniveer returns, he will not be without a job and the BJP takes responsibility for this, he said. Targeting Gandhi, Shah said: The Congress, especially Rahul Baba, is playing politics. I want to tell Haryanas youth that Hooda and company, whose job is to spread lies, are saying what will happen to Agniveers later.. .but what I say, I do it. He was referring to former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The Agnipath scheme was introduced by the central government on June 14, 2022 for short-term induction of personnel in the armed forces. It seeks to recruit soldiers for only four years, with a provision to retain 25% of them in regular service. Those recruited under the new scheme are called Agniveers. The government said replacing the legacy system would lower the age profile of the armed forces, ensure a fitter military and create a technically skilled war fighting force capable of meeting future challenges. But the decision sparked widespread protests and forced a concerted outreach by the government to scotch apprehensions about the scheme. The controversy became a major electoral issue in Haryana, where tens of thousands of young men train for years to get into the armed forces. The Congress promised to scrap Agnipath if it came to power and the discontent around the scheme was seen as a major reason why the BJP slipped from 10 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 to just five in 2024. The issue is expected to play an even bigger role in the assembly polls, when the BJP will vie for a third term. Continuing his attack on the Congress, Shah said soldiers were seeking One Rank, One Pension for 40 years, but the party never fulfilled the demand. The people elected (Narendra) Modi ji as PM in 2014, and by 2015, he made it a reality, he said. Referring to the J&K elections, Shah said Gandhi and NC leader Omar Abdullah have an agenda to release all terrorists after the polls and also hold talks with Pakistan. Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Tuesday rapped a senior counsel seeking the court's direction for the removal of Mamata Banerjee as West Bengal chief minister for her alleged failure over rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor inside RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra during 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,(PTI) The Supreme court witnessed heated arguments as it continued its suo motu hearing into the Kolkata rape-murder case on Tuesday. As the court was about to conclude its hearing for the day, a senior counsel tried filing an interlocutory application seeking the resignation of CM Mamata Banerjee. Responding orally to the counsel, CJI Chandrachud expressed his displeasure at the political nature of the application. Also track | Kolkata rape case live updates Chandrachud intervened as the counsel sought to file his petition. One second, who are you appearing for? This is not a political forum. Please, you are a member of the bar. We don't require your affirmation to what we say, please listen. What you say has to abide by the rules of legal discipline. We are not here to hear what you feel about a political functionary or the other, that's not our concern, Chandrachud said. He also explained that the court is focussed on listening to the grievances of the protesting junior doctors in Kolkata. If you ask me to direct that the chief minister to resign, that's not part of our remit, Chandrachud added. Also read | Bengal doctors expected to decide on withdrawing strike today The chief justice intervened again as the counsel continued to make his submissions despite a word of advice from the top judge. One second. Listen to me first, otherwise I will have you removed from the court, warned Chandrachud before the court concluded its hearing for the day. The West Bengal Junior Doctors Forum has made it clear that they are not demanding the resignation of the chief minister but only want their five point demands to be implemented in a concrete manner. What did Supreme Court discuss? The bench went through the confidential status report by the CBI and observed that any public disclosure might jeopardise further course of investigation. It asked the agency to submit a fresh status on progress into the case by September 24. The victim doctor's father also wrote to the court over certain leads unearthed by the agency. CJI asked the CBI to listen to his concerns during the course of further investigation. Senior lawyer Indira Jaisingh appearing for the junior doctors said they will provide names of persons present at the crime scene to aid further probe into the case. The apex court also discussed concerns of protesting junior doctors on punitive action by the state government, the progress on safety measures for hospitals in West Bengal among other issues. (With inputs from agencies) The Karnataka Womens Commission on Monday announced that it plans to conduct a confidential survey to assess the extent of sexual harassment faced by women in the Kannada film industry. Womens panel plans survey into sexual harassment issues in Kannada film industry The survey, announced amid rising concerns of sexual harassment in film industries across the country, will determine whether a more thorough probe is needed on the lines of the Hema probe panel in the Malayalam film industry. Separately, the Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) will establish Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Committees across its affiliated organizations to improve workplace safety for women. The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Karnataka Womens Commission chairperson Nagalakshmi Chowdhary, which was attended by KFCC president Suresh and other industry representatives. During the meeting, Suresh assured the Womens Commission that the KFCC would address the demand for better basic amenities for women in the workplace, alongside the formation of the PoSH Committees. Nagalakshmi stressed the importance of these committees as a deterrent to any form of misconduct, stating, The PoSH Committees will be critical in ensuring a safer work environment for women in the Kannada film industry. A formal letter requesting the establishment of the committees will be sent to the KFCC, which will respond once the committees are in place. The meeting was convened in response to a memorandum submitted by the Film Industry for Rights and Equality (FIRE). Led by director Kavitha Lankesh, FIRE called on the government to form a committee, overseen by a retired high court or Supreme Court judge, to investigate issues like sexual harassment in the Kannada film industry. In the memorandum, Lankesh cited the Justice Hema Committees report, which detailed systemic harassment in the Malayalam film industry, and called for similar action in Karnataka. Lankesh said, The commission has given 15 days to chamber to form the committee, while the process of conducting the survey doesnt have a deadline so far. The commission will have to talk to women in affiliated associations of the film industry. Whatever the survey finds will decide the next step towards forming a committee. There's been an undeniable buzz at this year's London Fashion Week, as it marks its 40th anniversary in spectacular style. Both emerging talents and iconic heritage designers pushed the boundaries, offering one of the most exuberant displays of creativity we've seen in recent years. While London Fashion Week is famous for shaping the trends that will define the upcoming season's style, it's not just the fashion that's stealing the spotlight. The event also showcased some of the hottest beauty trends, poised to inspire makeup looks worldwide. From glowing skin to statement eyes, here are the top 5 beauty trends you can borrow straight from the runway. Sunset Lips Sunset lips feature warm, gradient shades of orange, red, and pink,(Instagram) The beauty look for Ahluwalia's LFW debut paid homage to cultural heritage, drawing inspiration from the fusion of Jamaica and India and the concept of home. Glowy skin was key, creating a radiant and fresh appearance. Warm colours like reds and oranges were used to mimic the hues of a sunset, while the natural lips were subtly enhanced to keep the focus on a soft, natural beauty. Cool-Toned Smoky Eyes Cool-toned smoky eyes makeup was spotted at LFW.(AP photo) Cool-toned eye makeup is taking centre stage. Models rocked the runway with intense smoky eyes, showcasing a stunning mix of olive green and gunmetal grey pigments in a matte finish, making for a bold and mesmerising look. Goth Girl Eye Makeup Goth Girl eye makeup is all about dark, dramatic eyes with bold, smoky shades(AP photo) Embracing London's rocker-chic vibes, designer Huishan Zhang complemented his collection with goth-inspired eye makeup. Models sported mid-tone grey eyeshadow, applied across their lids and extended up to their brow bones, adding a bold and edgy flair to the runway. Otherworldly Glow Otherworldly glow makeup is all about radiant, luminous skin.(Instagram/@fashionweek) At Patrick McDowell's show beauty aesthetic was a masterclass in ethereal skin, perfectly paired with Noughties nudes and bold brown lip liner. The inspiration? A fusion of "streetwise red carpet," where high fashion meets high drama. Luxurious, glowing skin was complemented by striking barbed wire eye makeup, creating a look that balanced elegance with an edgy twist. Icy Blue An all-over wash of colour, particularly blue eyeshadow, was a standout trend at London Fashion Week this season. At Tove, shades like moss greens, icy blues, and nudes were applied across the lids. Models sported a variety of nude, brown, mauve, and bold pops of navy and mossy green tailored to complement their skin tones and outfits. The 76th Emmy Awards was a star-studded event brimming with fashion inspiration as celebrities stepped out in their finest attire. Indian designers made a significant mark on the international red carpet, including the renowned Gaurav Gupta. Known for his swirling, sculptural details that often define his red carpet creations, Gupta took a slightly different approach for the 2024 Emmys. Dressing two of Hollywoods well-known celebrities, he showed that his designs can still make a striking impact even without his signature embellishments. Scroll down to discover which celebrities were spotted in his stunning designs. Allison Janney and Mindy Kaling dazzle in Gaurav Gupta couture at Emmys 2024(Instagram/@gauravguptaofficial) Allison Janney's velvet ensemble Allison Janney turned heads in a Gaurav Gupta Spring 2024 Couture velvet core gown that perfectly combined understated elegance with a touch of boldness. The rich velvet fabric exuded classic old Hollywood glamour, while the striking agni orange shell detail added a nod to Gaurav Guptas avant-garde style. Despite toning down his signature sculptural details, the gown showcased a masterful juxtaposition of textures and colours, making it a standout piece on the red carpet. Fiametta jewels and Roger Vivier Viv Choc strass platform sandals perfectly completed her ensemble. Her glam look was further enhanced with winged eyeliner, mascara-coated lashes, blushed cheeks, and bold red lipstick, rounding off her stunning appearance. Mindy Kaling in stunning black gown Mindy Kaling, known for her love of black at major events, continued the trend at the 2024 Emmys. This time, she chose a Gaurav Gupta Spring 2024 Couture glacier-embroidered sculpted gown that elevated her favourite awards season colour with intricate details and a modern touch. Compared to her Met Gala look, this gown presented a more refined aesthetic, blending Guptas architectural edge with a subtle, graceful silhouette. The glacier-inspired embroidery added an element of icy glamour, transforming her black gown into a standout piece that was far from ordinary. Wempe jewellery, featuring dangling diamond statement earrings, a sleek bracelet, and a glittery ring, added an extra touch of charm to her look. Complementing her ensemble, she sported glamorous makeup and let her luscious long tresses fall freely in a middle parting, finishing off her appearance with perfection. Donald Trump is resilient and popular. His popularity also has severe limits. Donald Trumps politics is based on racist and anti-immigrant rhetoric. And he has a clear but narrow definition of Americas economic and military interests. Take each of those four elements to understand events of the past week when Trump lost in a debate, survived a second assassination bid, attacked minorities, and projected himself as the candidate of peace even as a Republican elder shifted to the Democrats. FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. September 13, 2024. REUTERS/Piroschka Van de Wouw/File Photo (REUTERS) First, his resilience. There is the obvious physical courage it takes to come close to death twice in as many months and still be strong in the public sphere. But there is also the political resilience. Since he rode down the elevator in the Trump Tower in 2015 to announce his candidacy, political rivals and Americas pundits have written Trumps political obituary at least eight times. No one thought Trump would win the Republican nomination in 2016. No one thought he could defeat Hillary Clinton in the presidential race. No one thought he would survive the investigation around Russias backing for his candidacy. Few believed that he could withstand the impeachment linked to his conversation with the Ukrainian president urging him to investigate Joe Biden. Few believed Americans would forgive his unscientific mismanagement of the pandemic. No one thought that he would remain a dominant player after he refused to accept the legitimacy of the 2020 election results and even sent a mob to the United States (US) Capitol, a failed bid that resulted in a second impeachment. Everyone wrote him off after the Republicans lost the Senate and barely won the House in the 2022 midterms. And no one believed he would survive a criminal conviction and the cases. Trump defied critics each time. Today, he is more popular than ever and controls the Republican Party. Thats why the Democrats remain cautious about November. Two, Trumps popularity has severe limits. After his day of triumph in November 2016, he has lost almost every single election where either he was on the ballot or where he led the Republican Party, his loyalists dominated the list of candidates, or where issues he has championed were being tested. This includes the 2020 presidential election which Trump lost. It includes the 2018 midterms where Republicans lost the House under a Trump presidency. It includes the Georgia Senate run-off race in January 2021 where the Democrats won the seat and flipped the Senate. It includes the 2022 midterms where far-Right Trumpist candidates were defeated in Senate races from Pennsylvania to Arizona. It includes all the referendums on abortion in states that have put the issue on the ballot. Trump may have become more popular. But under him, the Republican Party has consistently lost and its appeal to the wider electorate has diminished. Three, racism is embedded in the Trump campaign. After spending time at the Republican National Convention, going by the sheer composition of the base and representation in leadership ranks, it was clear that Make America Great Again was essentially Make America White Again. Trumps politics around illegal immigration appeals to a reasonable impulse, the sovereign desire for safe borders. But his rhetoric is meant to stoke prejudice, hatred and fear. In the past week, Trump and JD Vance have hurled baseless claims that illegal Haitian immigrants in an Ohio town were eating pets; neither are the towns immigrants illegal nor are they eating pets. Trumps avid supporter, the far-Right social media influencer Laura Loomer, who accompanied Trump on the plane to the debate and a 9/11 memorial, launched a racist attack on Kamala Harris Indian roots. And Trump himself has used racist tropes against Harris. All of this is not a bug but a feature of the Trumpist White Christian project. Parts of Indias Right that celebrate Trump should keep this in mind. Four, Trump speaks to an America that has a much narrower conception of its interests than both the Democrats and older Republicans did. This is not necessarily isolationism, for even Trumps world understands deep global interconnections. Indeed, in his first term, Trump brokered the Abraham Accords, boosted Americas posture against China, sanctioned operations against Iran, engaged with North Korea, all of which indicates he will remain globally engaged. What Trump detests are American financial and military obligations that come with being the dominant player in the international system. He doesnt quite see the benefits that come with it or pretends these benefits dont exist. He has instead framed globalisation and Americas global role as bleeding American jobs, deepening inequities, and helping a military-industrial complex. This is more in tune with the everyday sentiments of Americans, burnt by Afghanistan and Iraq and frustrated by the chaos in Ukraine and Israel. Indeed, Dick Cheneys endorsement of Harris proves to Trumps base that he has cleansed the party of people who were responsible for bad wars, of which Iraq is the most obvious example. This projection as the candidate of peace committed to basic US interests and focused on its economic well-being is a major source of Trumps appeal. But this vision also upsets older assumptions and is contested by those who want a more internationalist role, as the assassination bid by an avid Ukraine sympathiser over the weekend showed. Trump is popular but not dominant and triggers robust opposition. This explains why it is difficult to predict the election with certainty. Trump borrows identity-based chauvinism from the Right and criticism of liberal economics and foreign policy from the old Left. This explains why Trump is hard to box into an ideological category. Whether enough Americans like his personality, policy mix and the chaos that comes with it remains the central question of 2024. The views expressed are personal Pranking a teacher in India is usually a risky move, often leading to unintended consequences. But for a group of students at Bengalurus Christ University, their daring classroom prank paid off in a way they never expected. The professors heartwarming reaction was the cherry on top, and a video capturing the moment has gone viral on social media, with the internet swooning over the teachers response. Students at Bengalurus Christ University pranked their professor, who responded with a sweet smile and wave.(@maardaalapsych ) The prank unfolds The playful incident began during a regular class when two students appeared to get into an argument. Curious, the professor stepped in to mediate the situation. The students cleverly revealed that their argument was about the grammatical correctness of two sentences: "You is sleep" versus "You can sleep." Without hesitation, the teacher answered that the correct sentence was "You can sleep." (Also read: Bengaluru womans 12 am saree order for Onam via Swiggy Instamart sparks social media buzz) What happened next left both the teacher and viewers in stitches. As soon as the professor spoke the words, all the students immediately put their heads down on their desks, pretending to fall asleep. Realising he had been pranked, the professor took it all in stride. With a sweet smile, he asked if he was being recorded. Upon learning he was, he waved adorably at the camera, winning the hearts of viewers. Internet loves the professor's reaction The video, shared by the Instagram handle psych B with the caption pookie professor, quickly garnered attention. Within few days, it had amassed over 37 million views, with people across social media platforms celebrating the professors reaction. Many commented on how endearing and good-humoured he was, with some even comparing him to their own teachers. (Also read: Bengaluru mall's VIP restroom policy sparks outrage, shopper denied access without 1,000 bill) Amit Mishra commented, "This is the most wholesome prank Ive seen. What a sport the professor is!" Sahil Shah, "Wish my professors were this cool!" A third person chimed in, "I love how he just rolled with it and even gave a cute wave!" Other netizens joked, "If only every class had a professor like him, education would be so fun!" Meanwhile, a few viewers couldnt help but notice the professors charm, saying, "Hes such a cutie! The smile just made my day." An Indian man and his wife recently shared their extraordinary experience of staying at the JW Marriott Masai Mara, one of Kenyas most exclusive and expensive resorts. The jaw-dropping cost of their stay? A staggering 5.5 lakh per night, including taxes. The post detailing their luxurious adventure has gone viral on X (formerly Twitter), garnering over a million views. An Indian couple stayed at JW Marriott Masai Mara for 3.5 lakh per night. Their luxurious safari experience went viral on X, sparking awe and curiosity.(X/@VoyageBliss) The story was shared by Anirban Chowdhury, a self-described credit card enthusiast, who documented every aspect of this opulent getaway. (Also read: Indian family tours Switzerland for just 90,000? 11 days, 25 cities. Viral thread) The JW Marriott Masai Mara offers an unparalleled luxury safari experience. Nestled within the Masai Mara National Reserve, the resort features 22 tented suites overlooking the serene Talek River. The lodge is situated about a 30-40 minute drive from Keekorok Airstrip. Chowdhury described the all-inclusive package, which includes accommodation, meals, selected beverages, and a range of premium services such as bush meals, sundowners, and daily game drives. Guests are welcomed in grand style with a traditional Masai dance and are treated to a rosemary hibiscus drink at the Fig Tree Lounge upon arrival. Each tent is a sprawling 1,220 sq. ft. of luxury, complete with a whirlpool bath, a stargazing deck, and both indoor and outdoor rain showers. Take a look at the post shared on X here: Points-based booking for an exclusive stay Chowdhury revealed how he secured this luxurious stay using Marriott Bonvoy points. "So, we booked JW Marriott Masai Mara using 106,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night for two," he explained. And let me tell you, Id even pay 200k points for this experience! Its all-inclusive, so unless you opt for paid activities, your out-of-pocket cost will be pretty much zero. The experience is worth every point! Internet reactions: From awe to curiosity The internets reaction to the post has been a mix of awe and scepticism. Vivek Sharma commented, "Ive never seen anything like this beforewhat an experience! But, wow, the cost is eye-watering." Another added, "This sounds like a dream vacation. If I had the points, I'd definitely consider it!" (Also read: Indian man trashes iconic Las Vegas 5-star hotel over 1,200 water at 2 am check-in: Im spoilt with Taj') There were also sceptical responses, with one commenter saying, "Unable to wrap my head around the kind of wealth people have. I think I'm fairly rich and I am, by any reasonable standard. So I was like nice let's check this place out and it costs 3.5 lakhs for one night. Almost 10 lakhs for a 3-day stay. What kind of money do folks earn?" Another user remarked, "Im all for luxury, but this feels like a whole new level of opulence." Amid the varied reactions, some users admired the luxurious details, with one saying, "This is next-level luxury. The attention to detail sounds incredible!" and another adding, "Im saving up my Marriott points just for thishoping to experience it someday." The 2024 United States presidential election is just a few months away, with Kamala Harris and Donald Trump racing against each other for the position of the countrys leader. Prior to the 60th quadrennial presidential election, people are being vocal about their choices and opinions. A vlogger went to Hawaii and interviewed a few millionaires to ask them who they were voting forDonald Trump or Kamala Harris. Who do you think will win the US Election in 2024? Kamala Harris or Donald Trump? (Reuters) In the video, Nick Shirley asks people who they would want to see as America's next president. Expectedly, while some show their support for Trump, others choose Harris. What is interesting is their reasoning behind their choices. Take a look at the viral video here: Since being shared, the video has gathered over 33,000 views - and the numbers are only increasing. The share has further prompted people to post varied comments. What did YouTube users think about this video? That man he interviewed talking about the price of groceries was one of few that actually knew what he was talking about, said a YouTube user. It's amazing to me that Trump supporters have clear reasons for supporting him. Kamala voters only have her physical characteristics or fear of Trump, added another. A third commented, The farmer is so knowledgeable. Thats someone who does their research and can back up his choice. Wish everyone could do this. A fourth expressed, The Donald Trump impression was actually good! The guy deserved at least a smile. A fifth wrote, Bro, why are these people in the comment section so slow? These people are literally millionaires. They benefit the most from the tax cuts. On November 5th, Americans will choose their next President. Up until a few months ago, the race was between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. However, the Democratic candidature changed to Kamala Harris when Biden withdrew from the race. What are your thoughts on this video on US election 2024? A video of a driver slamming a toll booth employee for speaking in Hindi has added fresh fuel to the ongoing language row on social media. The video, in which a man is heard screaming at another for speaking in Hindi at a toll booth located on the Karnataka-Maharashtra border, has gone viral, leaving people with opposing opinions. The image captures glimpses of a heated argument between a driver and a toll booth employee. The video surfaced amid Kannada language row. (Screengrab) In the video, the man is heard asking why the employee is not speaking in Kannada. The employee, in turn, takes out his phone to record the conversation and defends his stand, saying that Hindi is a language spoken all over India. The rest of the video further captures the heated argument. Take a look at the video here: With over 73,000 views, the share has collected nearly 200 likes. It has also prompted people to post various opinions. What did X users say about this language row video? They have to speak or else they can go to their respective states and build there, posted an X user. Another added, It is obviously forced. When the toll operator clearly said that he is NOT willing to speak in Kannada, then the Kannadiga driver should have dropped the conversation and gone ahead. Forcing the toll operator to speak Kannada is unacceptable. The toll operator should file an FIR. A third commented, And no one forces Kannada people to speak in Hindi when in the north. I see a tremendous divide between people from the south and north. Then, within the south, people are divided between Tamil, Andhra, Karnataka, and Malayalee. These divisions are of the mind only. We should learn to coexist. A fourth wrote, The area is north Karnataka, where most locals are Marathi speakers. In India, every 100 km, you will find a different language and culture. Hence, it is illogical for someone to learn some other local language just because he works there. The Kannada language row has taken social media by storm, with people commenting to show their support or speak against the issue. It all started with a viral post: To everyone coming to Bengaluru, You will be treated as OUTSIDERS in Bengaluru if you don't speak Kannada or make an effort to speak Kannada. Write it down, Share it around. We ain't Joking. It didnt take long for the X post to go viral, with people flooding the comments section with opinionated reactions. Following this, several social media posts surfaced, supporting or against the viral X post. Further, it sparked a war of words about North India and South India on social media. At least nine were killed and 2,800 others including Hezbollah fighters, medics and Irans envoy to Beirut were wounded on Tuesday when the pagers they use to communicate exploded across Lebanon, security sources and the Lebanese health minister said. A man's bag explodes in a supermarket in Beirut, Lebanon September 17, 2024 in this screen grab from a video obtained from social media. Social Media/via REUTERS(via REUTERS) Lebanons information minister Ziad Makary said the government condemned the detonation of the pagers as an Israeli aggression. Hezbollah also blamed Israel for the pager blasts and said it would receive its fair punishment. A Hezbollah official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the detonation of the pagers was the biggest security breach the group had been subjected to in nearly a year of conflict with Israel. Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the Gaza war erupted last October, in the worst such escalation in years. Hezbollah confirmed in a statement the deaths of at least three people, including two of its fighters. The third person killed was a girl, it said, adding that an investigation was being conducted into the causes of the blasts. Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was not hurt in the explosions, the group said. The wave of explosions lasted around an hour after the initial detonations, which took place about 3:45pm local time. It was not immediately clear how the devices were detonated. The Lebanese foreign ministry described the explosions as a dangerous and deliberate Israeli escalation which it said had been accompanied by Israeli threats to expand the war towards Lebanon on a large scale. Lebanese internal security forces said a number of wireless communication devices were detonated across Lebanon, especially in Beiruts southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold. The pagers that detonated were the latest model brought in by Hezbollah in recent months, three security sources said. AFP journalists saw dozens of wounded being rushed to hospital in Beirut and in the south, where dozens of ambulances rushed between the cities of Tyre and Sidon in both directions. Irans ambassador to Lebanon injured Lebanese health minister Firass Abiad said 2,800 people had been wounded in the explosions, 200 of them critically. Many of those hurt included Hezbollah fighters who are the sons of top officials from the armed group, two security sources told Reuters. One of the fighters killed was the son of a Hezbollah member of the Lebanese parliament, Ali Ammar, they said. Irans ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, suffered a superficial injury in a pager explosion and is currently under observation in hospital, Irans semi-official Fars news agency said. There was no word from the Israeli government on the explosions. In neighbouring Syria, 14 people were wounded after pagers used by Hezbollah exploded, Britain-based war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Earlier on Tuesday, Israel announced it was broadening the aims of the war sparked by the Hamas attacks to include its fight against Hezbollah along its border with Lebanon. To date, Israels objectives have been to crush Hamas and bring home the hostages seized by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attacks that sparked the war. On Tuesday, Israels domestic security agency said it had foiled a plot by Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to assassinate a former senior defence official in the coming days. The Shin Bet agency, which did not name the official, said in a statement it had seized an explosive device attached to a remote detonation system, using a mobile phone and a camera that Hezbollah had planned to operate from Lebanon. Toronto: As the House of Commons began its new session on Monday, a Member of Parliament (MP) from the ruling Liberal Party expressed concern over violence impacting minority communities in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Hindu community members participate in a protest and block the Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on August 10. (PTI) In a statement made in Parliament, Indo-Canadian MP Chandra Arya said, I am deeply concerned by violence targeting religious minorities, including Hindus, Buddhists and Christians in Bangladesh. Every time there is instability in Bangladesh, religious minorities, particularly Hindus, face the brunt. He added the share of religious minorities in the population of Bangladesh had significantly decreased since it achieved its Independence in 1971, declining from 23.1 per cent, including about 20 per cent Hindus, to the current approximately 9.6 per cent, including about 8.5 per cent Hindus. He pointed out that Canadian Hindus who have families in Bangladesh are concerned about their security and safety, their temples and properties. He said they will be holding a rally on Parliament Hill next Monday, to highlight the current situation there. They will be joined by Canadian Buddhists and Christians with families in Bangladesh. Bangladesh-origin Hindu community members have held several protests in Canada after the fall of the Government led by Sheikh Hasina and the installation of an interim regime headed by Mohammad Yunus. The advocacy group Bangladeshi Canadian Hindus has called on Ottawa to publicly denounce the violence against minorities while expediting granting of refugee status to those fleeing religious persecution in Bangladesh. Following the change of dispensation in Dhaka, Canadas Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly said that Ottawa supports a peaceful way forward in the resolution of the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh and welcomed the inauguration of the interim Government. During this period of transition, Canada looks forward to engaging with the interim government in supporting a process that is inclusive with broad political participation by all sectors of society, including religious minorities, youth, women and other minorities, she added. WASHINGTON: It isnt possible to be against immigrants and for stronger ties between America and India, Richard R Verma, the deputy secretary of the State Department and the highest ranking Indian-American ever in Americas diplomatic arm, has said. He also warned that nothing could be more threatening to bilateral ties than the demonising of immigrants. Richard Vermas comments come in the backdrop of Laura Loomer, a far-right social media influencer, attacking Kamala Harriss Indian roots and the sharpening of Republican rhetoric against immigrants (X/DepSecStateMR) Vermas comments come in the backdrop of Laura Loomer, a far-right social media influencer who has emerged as a key associate of Donald Trump, attacking Kamala Harriss Indian roots and the sharpening of Republican rhetoric against immigrants. Speaking at the Hudson Institute, a Washington DC based think-tank, on the milestones and the pathways ahead for US-India ties, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to US from Saturday, Verma spoke about the progress that has taken place in the last 25 years. He highlighted then President Bill Clintons decision to delink the US-India relationship and US-Pakistan relationship; the passage of the civil nuclear deal; the designation of India as a major defense partner, a unique status no other country holds; the evolving hub and spoke model of security in the Indo-Pacific and Quad; cooperation in the climate domain especially after the Paris climate agreement; and the increased flow of people from both sides as key achievements in this quarter of a century. Verma, who is also a former American ambassador to India, then highlighted the contribution of people of Indian and South Asian heritage to different walks of American life and said, That is why it is so hard to fathom perspectives that are anti-immigrant and yet pro-US-India economic, security, and cultural ties. The two do not go together. And, in fact, nothing could be more threatening or damaging to US-India ties than the recent demonisation of immigrants we have seen careening through cyber space and our TV screens in recent days, which includes vile and racist attacks directed at Indian Americans. Verma added that he wanted to be clear that this kind of language and these kinds of attacks had no place in American society. When we speak of shared values in the US-India relationship, our countries have a long history of pushing for social justice for our most vulnerable populations. We must continue to learn from each other and advance these values. Standing up for America as a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive society is something I will do at every opportunity. Looking ahead, Verma identified emerging technologies and science (including in clean energy, vaccine development, AI and quantum, supply chains for critical minerals, digital economy), building the architecture of the Indo-Pacific and multilateral institutions, defence and economy, and people-to-people ties as four vectors where bilateral ties will and should deepen in the future. But Verma also flagged challenges that stem from the growing Russia-China collaboration and how Russian support can equip China with greater capabilities in the Indo-Pacific. Verma said the US recognised the history of the India-Russia relationship but it was upto India to decide if it still wanted to pursue closer ties with a declining power, with an ineffective military, out to subvert global rules and suggested that Russian equipment in the Indian security architecture were dated, aging and broken. He also spoke about the economic and civil society domain as areas that required deeper ties. I am mindful of the need to deepen our economic cooperation, with clear rules of the road, and more government-to-government efforts to ensure transparency and fairness. And I am mindful of the need to continue to support our collective civil societies to ensure every voice is heard and supported, with the freedom to speak out. BEIJING, Sept 17 - Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said on Monday the EU investigation into Chinese electric vehicles was seriously affecting Chinese car companies' confidence in investing in Italy, as a regional vote on additional tariffs looms. China tells Italy: EU electric vehicle probe affecting investor confidence Cooperation between the Chinese and Italian automobile sectors has a "solid" foundation and "huge" potential, Wang told Italian Economic Development Minister Adolfo Urso in a meeting in Rome, China's commerce ministry said. China is willing to promote mutual investment between auto companies from the two countries, the Chinese ministry cited Wang as saying, in a statement released on Tuesday. "But the EU probe into Chinese EVs has seriously affected the confidence of Chinese auto firms to invest in Italy, which is not in the long-term interests of Italy," Wang said. Wang is visiting Europe for discussions on the EU's anti-subsidy case against China-made EVs ahead of a vote on more tariffs. He is scheduled to meet with the European Commission's Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on Thursday. Italy initially supported tariffs in a non-binding vote of EU members in July. But Urso told Reuters last week that he expected a negotiated solution. Italy has been seeking to woo Chinese carmakers to open factories and raise vehicle output. "It is hoped the European Commission will respond to the calls of all parties and properly resolve the economic and trade differences between China and the EU through dialogue and consultation," Wang said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. * Death toll climbs to four as Portugal battles wildfires Death toll from wildfires rises to four, Lusa news agency says * Over 40 injured, villages evacuated, dozens of houses destroyed * More than 5,000 firefighters battling 48 active wildfires * Hot, dry weather forecast for next two days By Pedro Nunes NELAS, Portugal, Sept 17 - Four people have died so far in wildfires raging in central and northern Portugal and over 40 have been injured, state news agency Lusa reported on Tuesday, as authorities evacuated more villages overnight. The civil protection authority accounted for three deaths as of Monday night and would not comment on Lusa's report. More than 1,000 firefighters worked through the night to control a cluster of four blazes in the northwestern Aveiro district. Reuters footage showed local residents pouring buckets of water on advancing flames near the town of Nelas about 50 km east of Aveiro. There were 48 active wildfires in mainland Portugal mobilising around 5,000 firefighters. In Aveiro alone, the blazes have burned through more than 10,000 hectares of forest and scrubland in the past two days, officials said, roughly the same acreage that was consumed by fires through the end of August in the entire country. National emergency and civil protection commander Andre Fernandes said late on Monday the Aveiro fires could engulf a further 20,000 hectares. Authorities have closed several motorways, including a stretch of the main highway linking Lisbon and Porto, and suspended train connections on two railroad lines in northern Portugal. Portugal and neighbouring Spain have recorded fewer fires than usual after a rainy start to the year, but both remain vulnerable to the increasingly hot and dry conditions that scientists have blamed on global warming. Temperatures topped 30 degrees Celsius across the country over the weekend, when the fires first broke out and were fanned by strong winds. The meteorology agency IPMA forecasts they would stay above 30 C for the next two days, amid extremely low humidity. The danger of fires will remain 'high, very high or maximum' in the northern and central regions, it said. "We neeed to be realistic. We will have difficult hours in the coming days and we have to get ready for it," Prime Minister Luis Montenegro told reporters on Monday night. The government on Monday requested help from the European Commission under the EU civil protection mechanism, leading Spain, Italy and Greece to send two water-bombing aircraft each. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. ) Deluge, then drought: Greek farmers dealt double blow * Drought, heatwaves and floods impact crop yields * Farmers demand subsidies, flood defences * Government considers cotton ban By Beatrice Tridimas SOTIRIO, Greece, Sept 13 - A fter the intense heat and drought of summer, the threat of a repeat of the devastating floods that swept through Greece's central breadbasket last September is making farmers like Achilleas Gerotolios consider giving it all up. In the village of Sotirio, where Gerotolios owns a farm, unharvested corn still sits in fields clogged with mud from last year's floods and debris surrounds fruit trees. Yet in neighbouring fields that survived the floods, temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius throughout the summer browned and stunted this year's crops. "The weather now is either drought or flooding," said Eleni Archonti, Gerotolios's wife. They said the combination of extreme droughts and floods was stunting crops and cutting yields on the Thessaly plain, Greece's breadbasket, and hurting farmers already decimated by rising costs and stagnant crop prices. In September 2023, Storms Daniel and Elias flooded 35,000 acres of land near Lake Karla in Thessaly, impacting some 30,000 farmers growing wheat, corn, cotton and some fruits. Trapped between weather extremes, farmers on Europe's front line of climate change are struggling to see a future. They want more help from the government to protect them from future weather events and safeguard their livelihoods, but key to adaptation is changing how farmers work. That has led to worries of more economic woes in a community already in decline. Agriculture accounts for 86% of water use in Greece, fuelling water shortages that exacerbate the risks of both drought and flood. "Compensation is not a solution," said Gerotolios. The European Commission proposed a 1-billion euro support package in August to help member states recover from natural disasters, including 101.5 million euros to help Greece rebuild from the floods. Gerotolios said he received 6,600 euros from the Greek government in June, which helped to repair farm machinery and start renovating his home. But if there are more floods this year, Gerotolios said he would not try to save his home a second time. For many farmers, last year's floods were already the final straw, leading to an exodus from the land. There used to be 100 families in Sotirio. Now, Gerotolios said, there are around 15. 'TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN' Afraid of more floods, the farmers want more defences. In March, the European Commission referred Greece to the European Court of Justice for failing to revise its river basin and flood risk plans, which must be updated every six years under EU rules. "If it happens again, it will flood," said Gerotolios. "They did nothing." Improved water management and risk planning, in addition to investing in infrastructure, such as dams, irrigation wells and flood pumps, can help to mitigate the extremes of flooding and drought, according to a 2021 World Bank Report. Droughts and floods are two sides of the same coin and should be addressed together, the report said. As rising temperatures cause more water to evaporate, dry spells last longer and the water stored in the atmosphere makes rainfall heavier, with more countries experiencing flooding and drought for the first time, the report warned. Building a network of small dams in the mountains that collect storm water and guides it to the sea would help to protect against flooding and replenish groundwater, said Nikitas Mylopoulos, a water management expert at the University of Thessaly. Lake Karla, near Sotirio, was drained in 1962 to make more farmland, but partially refilled in a restoration project that ended in 2018 to help manage drought. But it flooded during storm Daniel last year, destroying the surrounding fields. Expanding the lake further would also help retain more flood water, Mylopoulos said. Despite the flood risk, the main problem in Greece is water shortages and drought, which ruins soil health, making it harder to absorb flood water, he said. "First of all, we have to diminish demand," said Mylopoulos. Irrigation has diminished groundwater supplies and dried out natural water sources. High levels of tourism also place an extra strain on resources. Agricultural policy has a key role to play in water management and governments should offer financial incentives to encourage farmers to switch to more sustainable practices, such as using organic fertilisers and cover crops to improve soil health, the World Bank report said. Water waste in agriculture should be reduced and less water intensive crops used, said Mylopoulos. The government is considering proposals from Dutch agricultural firm HVA, which recommends planting less water intensive crops, like fruit and vegetables, in place of cotton. But a farmers delegation went to Athens in March to say abandoning cotton was a "red line". "The replacement of cotton cultivation with other crops proposed by HVA will be disastrous for the region," said Christos Tsadilas, a soil expert at the Institute of Industrial and Forage Crops. HVA also recommended that Greece boost its flood defences, such as moving dykes further from rivers, deepening riverbeds, and banning construction on floodplains. It also supports a river diversion project to help mitigate drought, which has been opposed by the highest Greek court due to concerns about its impact on the ecosystem. 'SOCIAL DESERTIFICATION' Flooding, extreme heat and wildfires have hurt farmers already facing high energy prices and production costs. Farmers want subsidies for fertiliser, which they say they are using less as prices rise, but need more, as climate impacts cut yields. While the cost of fuel and fertiliser has increased, the price of crops is decreasing, said Gerotolios. He used to sell wheat for 0.40 euros per kg, but now sells it for 0.25 euros. Banning cotton would further set the region back, as it would require huge investment to replant fields, buy new equipment and re-train farmers, he said. The proposed alternatives, such as cereals, generate lower income, which will force younger farmers to leave the profession and desert the countryside, warned Tsadilas. Instead of a total cotton ban, farmers could plant some climate resilient crops and make use of technologies to assess the water needs of crops and the time needed for irrigation, Tsadilas said. "Can we survive? I don't know," said Gerotolios, who said he would quit farming if there were further destruction. Regardless of his own future, Gerotolios and his wife are encouraging their son to look at other career options. "He has all this land, but what can he do?" asked Archonti. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. A string of deadly pager explosions targeting devices owned by Hezbollah operatives have led to at least 8 deaths and over two thousand people injured in Lebanon and Syria, on Tuesday, reported AFP. Civil Defense first-responders carry a man who was wounded after his handheld pager exploded, in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024.(AP Photo)(AP) The hand-held pagers, which simultaneously exploded in Lebanon and parts of Syria, were primarily used by Hezbollah operatives to avoid the use of phones which could be tracked by the Israeli intelligence. Also Read: Hezbollah Pager Blasts: Israel Hacked Lebanon Militant Groups New Devices Inducted Recently? The Iranian envoy to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was one among thousands of people injured by the blasts, hours after Israeli officials had stated that they had foiled an attempt by the Hezbollah to target Tel Aviv's security agency with a remote detonating device. Here's what we know so far: Injuries and deaths Though allegedly meant to target only Hezbollah agents, the blasts caused devastating damage for several people, including an eight-year-old girl who died after succumbing to injuries. Also Read: Hezbollahs Katyusha Rocket Blitz Sparks Fire In Israel; Can IDF Handle All-Out Lebanon War? Security officials told Reuters that one of the fighters killed was the son of a Hezbollah member of the Lebanese parliament, Ali Ammar. The Hezbollah has confirmed that three out of eight dead are their operatives. Also Read:Israels Gaza-Like Action In Lebanon Sparks All-Out War Fear; IDF Admits Unapproved Op | Hezbollah Lebanon's health ministry confirmed that more than 2,750 people had been wounded, out of which 200 were in critical conditions. 14 people were wounded in Syria. Though the blasts were relatively contained, footage recorded in hospitals and shared on social media showed people with varying degrees of injuries to the face, missing fingers, and wounds to the hip, according to Reuters. The blasts did not appear to start any fires. Israel's involvement Lebanon's foreign ministry has called the blasts an "Israeli cyber attack, though the Israeli government has issued no official statement yet. Lebanon's information minister has also termed the attack as an assault on Lebanon's sovereignty. The blasts took place right after an Israeli statement on foiling a Hezbollah attempt to kill a senior official. Lebanon's Hezbollah has stated that they will retaliate with a fair punishment for what they view as an Israeli aggression against them. Israel and the Hezbollah have been at loggerheads ever since Israel's conflict with Hamas began on October 7 last year. The United States of America, an ally of Israel, stated that they were not aware of the attacks and not involved, reported AFP. How did it happen At 3:30 pm local time, hundreds of hand-held pagers detonated, with blasts lasting for hours after the initial explosions. The pagers were new devices adopted by the Hezbollah and were largely detonated in southern Beirut, Damascus and Beqaa, where the presence of the Hezbollah is strong. Experts told news agency AP that there was no information on how the pagers mysteriously exploded, except that they must have been remotely detonated. They also said that this showed signs of a well-planned operation that must have been in the works for a while. Alex Plitsas, a weapons expert at the Atlantic Council, told AP, that it was possible that Israeli agencies were aware of the shipment of the pagers and had modified them before they reached the Hezbollah. Scientist and senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, Yehoshua Kalisky stated that an electronic pulse could have triggered the devices. It is not some random action; it was deliberate and known. DUBAI/VIENNA, Sept 17 - Iran has granted an early release from prison to Austrian citizen Christian Weber, who was convicted of offences that originally included spying, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on Tuesday. Iran releases Austrian citizen from prison before end of sentence "I am very pleased that ... the Foreign Ministry and the embassy in Tehran have succeeded in securing the early release of Christian Weber from Iranian custody," Nehammer said on social media platform X. "The Austrian embassy's team in Tehran is now working hard to ensure that he can leave the country as quickly as possible and can be reunited with his family in Austria," he added. Austria and Iran have both said little publicly about the case, which Vienna disclosed in late 2022. At the time, Iran was undergoing some of the biggest anti-government demonstrations in its modern history following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman arrested for allegedly violating dress codes. Austria said then that the charges against its citizen were not related to the Amini case. In February, Austria's foreign minister said a conviction against Weber for spying had been overturned on appeal and that his sentence for unspecified other crimes had been halved. The Austrian foreign ministry said on Tuesday that "administrative steps" still need to be completed with the Iranian authorities. The Iranian judiciary's Mizan news agency said Weber had been detained for crimes committed in Iran's West Azerbaijan Province and freed in consideration of Islamic mercy. He was handed over to Austria's ambassador to arrange his exit, the agency said. Mizan did not specify the crime for which Weber was jailed. Calls to the Austrian embassy before regular office hours went unanswered. Iran's judiciary was not immediately available for comment. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. By Suban Abdulla London's Oxford Street could go traffic-free under mayor's plan LONDON, Sept 17 - London's Oxford Street, home to some of the British capital's most famous shops from Selfridges to Marks & Spencer, could be pedestrianised to attract more shoppers under a plan announced by city mayor Sadiq Khan on Tuesday. If approved, Oxford Street would join other major shopping hubs such as Times Square in New York and La Rambla in Barcelona that have gone fully traffic-free. A previous version of the plan to ban vehicles from the 1.2-mile thoroughfare was blocked by the local Westminster City Council, but the revived project has received backing from Britain's deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. "This plan to revitalise Oxford Street will drive growth by creating new jobs, generating economic activity, and giving a much-needed boost to Londons night-time economy," Rayner said. Oxford Street attracts around half a million visitors every day, according to the mayor's office, but many flagship stores including House of Fraser and Topshop have shut in recent years. The area, like many bricks-and-mortar shops, has struggled to recover footfall since the COVID-19 pandemic saw many people turn to online shopping and fewer return to the office. The New West End company, which represents retailers on Oxford Street, said the area remained key for retail and hospitality in London. Some retailers welcomed the move, with John Lewis, whose flagship store has been on Oxford Street since 1864, calling the nearly three-century old highway the "nation's high street". The London mayor's office has not specified how buses that use the east-west road will be rerouted. Stuart Love, chief executive of the local Westminster City Council, said the authority wanted more details on how concerns of local residents and shoppers over rerouted transport and access would be addressed. The plan still hinges on getting final approval from Rayner who is also Britain's housing and communities minister. The Labour Party of Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said it wants to speed up the process of approving new projects to speed up Britain's economic growth. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. * Nigerian flood victims face long wait for medical help Over 30 killed, 1 million affected, mostly in camps without food and clean water * Floods caused by dam burst following heavy rainfall in Sahel region * Aid agencies warn of waterborne disease outbreak, overwhelmed by crisis By Ahmed Kingimi MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, Sept 16 - People in Nigeria's flood-hit northeastern Borno state are struggling to get medical care as overwhelmed aid agencies warn of an outbreak of waterborne disease following the worst floods to hit the region in three decades. More than 30 people have been killed by the floods, which authorities say affected about one million people, most of whom are housed in camps without food and clean water. The deluge threatens not only the health and safety of the displaced but puts a strain on aid agencies and government resources, exacerbating an already critical humanitarian crisis. The floods in Borno, the birthplace of Boko Haram militants in the Lake Chad basin, started when a dam burst its walls following heavy rainfall that has also caused floods in Cameroon, Chad, Mali and Niger, all part of Africa's Sahel region that usually receives little rain. In the last two weeks of August, more than 1.5 million people were displaced across 12 countries in West and Central Africa due to floods, and about 465 have been killed, according to the United Nations humanitarian affairs office. Over the weekend, an additional 50,000 people were displaced in northeastern Nigeria as the floods intensified, the Norwegian Refugee Council said on Monday. "The situation in the Sahel and Lake Chad region is increasingly dire, as the compounding effects of conflict, displacement and climate change take a severe toll on vulnerable populations," said Hassane Hamadou, NRC's Central and West Africa regional director. The floods in West Africa come at a time of flooding in Europe after days of torrential rain that caused rivers to burst their banks in several parts of the region. In a camp in Maiduguri, Borno's state capital, Bintu Amadu was among hundreds of frustrated people waiting for hours to see a doctor because her son had diarrhoea. "We have not received any aid, and our attempts to see a doctor have been unsuccessful. We have been waiting for medical attention since yesterday, but to no avail," she said. Ramatu Yajubu was happy she had obtained an appointment card after waiting for days, but quickly added: "I am uncertain about receiving attention due to the overwhelming number of people seeking care." Years of an Islamist insurgency have driven many people from their farms. Mathias Goemaere, a field coordinator for Medecins Sans Frontieres, said that even before the floods, residents in Borno were struggling with malnutrition. "They are exposed to their environment, so what do we see? A lot of waterborne diseases, diarrhoea, diarrhoeal diseases ... Malaria is around with a lot of mosquitoes," Goemaere told Reuters. "So a lot of people, because of malnutrition, are immuno-suppressed, which makes them more susceptible to diseases." Nigeria's government has separately warned of rising water levels in the country's largest rivers, the Benue and Niger, which could cause floods in the oil-producing Niger Delta region in the south. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit Asia this year, killed at least 226 people in Myanmar and affected more than half a million more, adding another strain to the war-torn nations already limited resources. Over 220 Dead in Myanmar From Storm Adds Risk to War-Torn Areas Torrential rains caused water levels in rivers and creeks to rise, resulting in floods that damaged infrastructure and crops in 84 townships including in the capital Naypyidaw, the Ministry of Information said. More than 70 people are missing, according to official data. Tens of thousands of people fled to safer grounds, including 438 relief camps nationwide, as water inundated more than 158,000 homes and destroyed 2,116 more, the government said. The extent of Typhoon Yagis impact has prompted junta chief Min Aung Hlaing to make a rare request for foreign aid. Officials from the government need to contact foreign countries to receive rescue and relief aid, the state media quoted him as saying. Myanmar has so far received 10 tons of aid including dry ration, clothing and medicines from neighboring India. The death toll in Myanmar is likely to rise further. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated 631,000 people were likely affected, and multiple sources indicate that hundreds of people have died, with many more missing, the UN agency said in a report. In neighboring Thailand, heavy rains across some of its flood-ravaged provinces will likely continue over the next four days. At least 45 have died from flooding and related incidents since mid-August, while about 28,000 households remain affected by the floods across 13 provinces, according to Thailands disaster prevention department. Yagi also left a trail of destruction Vietnam, killing more than 350 people and caused $1.6 billion in damage. Vietnams most powerful storm in decades is another sign that global warming is making tropical cyclones more fierce. Evacuation and rescue efforts in Myanmar are ongoing, often times hampered by damaged infrastructure, ongoing clashes and the lack of funds, the UN agency said. Junta spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun said a thorough assessment of the damage will be made to provide support accordingly. Myanmars meteorology department asked people near the river banks in three towns to flee to safer ground as Sittaung River has exceeded its danger level by about five feet. It also forecast heavy rains in three provinces including war-torn Rakhine State in the next 24 hours. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Prince William reportedly has no interest in rekindling his relationship with Prince Harry, despite the Wales X post wishing Harry a happy birthday, per The Daily Beast. Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex! the post wishing Harry read. Prince William's birthday message to Prince Harry was more about aligning with King Charles than personal outreach.(AP) The outlet report claimed that the birthday message was sent primarily to align with King Charles III, who issued a birthday greeting to Prince Harry as a matter of routine. Is William and Kate wishing Harry just a company thing? The source noted that William and Kate Middleton's post was more about maintaining unity with the king. ALSO READ| Royal family praised for taking the higher ground in wishing Prince Harry on 40th birthday The honest truth is that William has no interest right now in reaching out to Harry and Meghan. He regards what Harry said in his book (i.e. his memoir, Spare) as unforgivable and, understandably given Catherines cancer diagnosis, just wants to focus on his wife and family first and his job second, the source told The Daily Beast. While the palace has not confirmed whether King Charles personally contacted Harry on his birthday, it is understood that William and Kate did not reach out directly. Instead, the message was more of a company thing, with an insider stating, It was just a company thing. Happy birthday blah blah blah. The Waleses' post was aligned with an earlier message from King Charles, which included a photo of Harry and the caption, Wishing the Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today! However, a source from Kensington Palace pointed out that William and Kates message had not been personally initialled W & C, meaning it did not come from them directly. Another insider explained, It makes sense for Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace to align themselves on a little bit of essentially routine messaging around Harry. It shows William is willing to respect his fathers seniority and do what is asked of him. ALSO READ| Prince Harry-Royal Family rift temporarily laid to rest with first public birthday message in 2 years Relations between Harry and his father have also been strained more Sources close to Harry told The Daily Beast that King Charles stopped taking his son's calls over the summer, partly due to Harrys ongoing legal battle with the British government over his security detail. Charles is not receiving Harry's calls out of concern that his son would pressure him to intervene in the matter, which the king has declined to do. Barron Trump,18, was supposed to greet his fans via a public broadcast in a bid to promote his family's new cryptocurrency business. Donald Trump give his sons, particularly Barron, credit for enlightening him to the possibilities of cryptocurrency, calling the latter a blockchain wizard.(AP/X) However, viewers were disappointed after the youngest son of former President Donald J. Trump failed to appear on the livestream, despite enthusiastic assurances from his older brothers, Don Jr., 46, and Eric, 40. During a live chat with the Trump family on Monday night on X on September 16, Crypto entrepreneur and co-founder of RugRadio Farokh Sarmad remarked, Barron is not here anymore and we took too long. He added that we're gonna try and get him back, prompting laughter from Don Jr. Reacting Barron's absence from the broadcast, the eldest son of Trump and his first wife Ivana said, Damned teenagers, The Independent reported. He then quickly called himself the old boomer now who looks like the grumpy old man with a white beard. In a leaked document that was received by the cryptocurrency news outlet CoinDesk, Eric and Don Jr. were listed as WLF's resident Web3 Ambassadors and Barron as its DeFi visionary (that is, "decentralized finance"). During a two-hour interview, Trumps offered only two main points about their new project, stating that it would not give early investors a preferential say in the project's governance and it would include a stablecoin, or digital currency whose value is correlated with the US dollar. Also Read: What is Barron Trump's weird role in Donald Trump's fishy cryptocurrency venture? Donald Trump opens about Barron's crypto wallet Donald Trump, however, give his sons, particularly Barron, credit for enlightening him to the possibilities of cryptocurrency, calling the latter a blockchain wizard. Hailing his youngest and only son with Melania, the GOP presidential candidate said, Barron, who recently joined NYU, knows so much about this. Barron's a young guy, but he knows he talks about his [crypto] wallet, he's got four wallets or something, and I'll say what is a wallet? But he knows it inside out, Trump said. He went on to admit that the younger generation knows thing much better than older people. But I have a lot of respect for them. They've shown great judgement, all of them, he concluded. He further emphasised how crucial it is for the United States to spearhead crypto innovation in order to stay ahead of other countries. He reiterated China will take the lead in the cryptocurrency ecosystem if America does not. Hillary Clinton in her new book 'Something Lost, Something Gained' opened up about her past meetings with Melania Trump and attending her wedding with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. According to Clinton, she personally met with Melania for the first time after losing White House race against Donald Trump in 2016. Shedding light on their meeting, the former US State Secretary said Melania reminded her of a little kid. Former US Presidents and former US first ladies (L-R) Laura Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and US first lady Melania Trump pose with former US President George H.W. Bush at the funeral of former first lady Barbara Bush in Houston, Texas. (Paul Morse / Office of George H.W Bush via REUTERS) Speaking about her encounter with Trump's third wife at a memorial service for Rosalynn Carter, she wrote in her book: Rosalynns grandson Jason said it had been her wish that all the First Ladies would come together for her memorial in a show of unity in these divisive times. She explained that she was not informed about Melania's plan to attend the service. On seeing Melania standing alone, Clinton remarked her facial expressions, which were very smiley but uncertain, reminded her of the little kid at the birthday party who doesnt know anyone and is waiting at the edge of the circle, hoping people are going to be nice. She mentioned that she went forward to meet Melania, along with Joe Biden and a group of former first ladies. While Michelle Obama gave Melania her classic big hug, Clinton stated, Jill Biden air-kissed her cheek. Trump's wife responded with a smile and few words when former president Bill Clinton sought to strike up a discussion and inquire about how she was doing, she wrote. Clinton too decided to shake hands with Melania, saying Hello, Melania, its nice to see you. The former senator from New York stated that she understands how awkward it must have been for Melania, who was not aware about what kind of reception she would get after all her husband's insults directed at us Bushes, Bidens, Obamas, and Clintons alike. Stressing that she found herself conflicted by Melania, the former First Lady remarked that she never quite knew what to make of the third Mrs. Trump. Also Read: Hillary Clinton blasts Elon Musk's creepy offer to impregnate Taylor Swift: Another way of saying rape What happened when Hillary Clinton attended Trump's wedding with Melania Clinton mentioned in her memoir that she attended Trump and Melania's 2005 wedding at his Florida Mar-a-Lago property only out of curiosity. I was going to be in Florida anyway and thought it would be entertaining to see what a Donald Trump wedding was like. It was the first time I met Melania, and I just remember that she was young, very beautiful, and very tall, according to Clinton, who was speaking of the 54-year-old former model. However, Melania avoided talking much during her wedding day, Clinton wrote, particularly emphasising, at least to me. Hillary Clinton defends Melania at one point in her memoir In her memoir, Clinton defended the former president's wife Melania over backlash she faced for wearing a gray suit to the Atlanta burial instead of the customary black one. Melania's choice of outfit was dubbed distasteful and gross during that time. However, Clinton believed that Melania's attire to honor Rosalynn, who was a harsh critic of the Trumps, was quite appropriate. I was sorry that Melania got slammed for something so petty. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) has condemned the desecration of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in New York's Melville with messages of hatred. It said that similar incidents have taken place at various Hindy Temples across North America. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha said that they offered prayers for those who committed this crime In a press release, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha said that they offered prayers for those who committed this crime to be released of their hatred and see common humanity. BAPS says the vandalizers desecrated the temple with messages of hatred BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha said, "Today, on September 16, 2024, we are saddened that we must once again appeal for peace in the face of hate and intolerance. Last night, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York, was desecrated with messages of hatred. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Similar acts of desecration have occurred at various Hindu Mandirs across North America." ALSO READ| Donald Trump addresses apparent assassination attempt in first X appearance: It was quite something "We strongly condemn these acts and pray for peace amongst all communities. Peace, respect, and harmony for all regardless of background or faith are the bedrock of religious freedom in the United States. We also offer our deepest prayers for those who perpetrated this crime to be released of their hatred and to see our common humanity," it added. It said that the BAPS is working fully with the authorities to support their investigation into this hate crime. The statement of BAPS comes after the Consulate General of India in New York condemned the desecration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, labelling it "unacceptable." "The BAPS Mandir in Melville, New York, like all BAPS Mandirs worldwide, stands as a beacon of peace, harmony, equality, selfless service, and universal Hindu values. Upon learning of the hateful vandalism, the local authorities were called, and BAPS is working fully with the authorities to support their investigation into this hate crime," BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha said in a press release. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) further said that the community members gathered at the site of the desecration to offer prayers for peace and unity and were supported by local, state and federal leaders representing Long Island, including US Representative Nick LaLota, US Representative Tom Suozzi, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Deputy New York State Assembly Speaker Phil Ramos, New York State Senator Mario Mattera, New York State Assemblyman Keith Brown, New York State Assemblyman Steve Stern. Furthermore, Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy, Suffolk County Legislator Jason Richberg, Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin, Suffolk County Deputy Under Sheriff Keith Taylor, Suffolk County Police Precinct Supervisor William Scrima, Huntington Township Police Inspector Kevin Williams, Huntington Township Superintendent Andre Sorrentino, Huntington Township Supervisor Ed Smyth, Huntington Township Clerk Andrew Raia, Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Allen Bode, North Hempstead Town Clerk Ragini Shrivastava, Babylon Township Councilman Dwayne Gregory and Rod Calarco, Representative of the Governor of New York also offered support, according to the press release. ALSO READ| Did Kamala Harris joke about killing Donald Trump? Critics say she did Community leaders unite to condemn vandalism of BAPS Swaminarayan Temple Representatives from community organisations, including NAACP President Tracey Edwards, Rabbi Susie Moskowitz from Temple Beth Torah, Rabbi Elizabeth Zeller from Temple Chaverim, Pastor Tom Johnson from St Lutheran Church and Hassan Ahmed of Masjid Darul Quran and representatives from the American Jewish Committee and the various Hindu mandirs in the area, were also present at the gathering to show their support. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha spiritual leader Mahant Swami Maharaj has offered his prayers for peace and harmony. India's Consulate General in New York has raised the matter with US law enforcement authorities and urged them to take prompt action against perpetrators of this act. In a post on X, the Consulate General of India in New York stated, The vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, is unacceptable; The Consulate @IndiainNewYork is in touch with the community and has raised the matter with U.S. law enforcement authorities for prompt action against the perpetrators of this heinous act. Black journalists will interview Democratic candidate Kamala Harris on Tuesday on her plans if elected president, seven weeks after her Republican rival Donald Trump questioned her Black identity at the group's annual convention. Both Harris and Trump have made efforts to win over Black voters, whose support may be decisive in the closely fought Nov. 5 vote, especially in a handful of battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Georgia. Harris will take part in a Philadelphia forum organized by the National Association of Black Journalists, scheduled after the U.S. vice president did not attend the group's convention in Chicago in July. Former President Trump's appearance at that event led to controversy over his comments and his treatment of one of the moderators over a line of questioning he regarded as unfair. Harris had said she was willing to attend a separate forum held by the group after what her team described as a scheduling conflict with the convention, held just over a week after U.S. President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race. The interview will be conducted by three of the organization's members, as was Trump's, in this case reporters from TheGrio and Politico as well as an anchor for WHYY-FM, a public radio station. Both Harris and Trump have made efforts to win over Black voters, whose support may be decisive in the closely fought Nov. 5 vote, especially in a handful of battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Georgia. Some forecasters regard Pennsylvania as a must-win state. In Georgia, an intense battle is being waged for the Black voters who make up a third of the state's population, the biggest proportion of Black voters in any of the seven battleground states. Harris' late entry into the race ignited a burst of popular enthusiasm, but an absence of many specifics in some policy areas could prompt questions about education, the economy and criminal justice - all of particular interest to Black voters. Trump's attempt to pull in more support from Black voters is complicated by their traditional loyalty to the Democratic Party, his past racist remarks and a history of Republican-backed voting restrictions that activists say make it harder for Black residents to vote. Republicans deny trying to suppress the vote. Black voters supported Biden 92% to 8% over Trump in 2020, according to the Pew Research Center. Most Black voters, 63%, plan to support Harris, compared with 13% for Trump, according to an NAACP survey released this month. However, some Black voters are losing faith in the Democratic Party. Over one quarter of younger Black men say they would support Trump this election, the NAACP poll showed. Laura Loomer has fiercely denied rumours of her having an affair with former president Donald Trump. The far-right political activist not only defended herself but made a jolting claim about VP Kamala Harris. In a Saturday episode of her podcast, she stated that the rumours of her and Trump in a romantic relationship are malicious and disrespectful towards the former president and his wife, Melania Trump. Laura Loomer denies affair rumours with Donald Trump and makes huge claims about Kamala Harris. (REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo, REUTERS/Piroschka Van de Wouw/File Photo, @VP/X) Also Read: ABC responds to rigging charges in whistleblower affidavit, we followed the debate rules Laura Loomers denies rumours, makes shocking claim about Harris Loomer claimed that the rumours were a part of the conspiracy conjured up by the media. She said, Theyve taken it so far, and you know if I was a leftist journalist, if I was a Democrat, oh my God, the media would be up in arms if the Republican media was doing this to a left-wing journalist. The 31-year-old claimed that the media would say, Oh my God, theyre misogynist, theyre bullying a woman, theyre trying to Monica Lewinsky her, theyre trying to discredit the fact that shes a working woman. While defending herself, she made a huge claim about Harris. Loomer accused the Vice President of sleeping with former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown to be seated as deputy district attorney and finally the Attorney for Almeda County. She said, But some of us women, we actually work hard, and some us women have no desire to have sexual affairs with politicians or men with elite political status to climb the ladder. She added, know that Kamala Harris can't say the same, but believe me when I say that's not me - or as Kamala Harris likes to say, they ain't like us, right? She ain't like me. I ain't like her. Rumours of Loomer and Trump sparked last week when the reformer travelled to the presidential debate on the latters plane and accompanied him to the memorial service as well. She was also spotted at the gold course on Sunday where shots were fired at Trump. Late-night host Bill Maher also commented on the duo faking a relationship to sway voters for which Loomer threatened to sue him. Also Read: Ex-Donald Trump aide warns what sycophant Laura Loomer really wants from former President: It makes me nervous Laura has an iron grip on Trump's campaign The former president also denied rumours of any relationship with Loomer and said she had no impact on the campaign. When asked why he took the internet personality who is a denier of the 9/11 attack to address firefighters at Shanksville Volunteer Fire Company in Pennsylvania where a plane was crashed by terrorists killing 40 people. Trump replied, Laura is a supportershe has a very strong opinionshe's a free spirit. I can't tell Laura what to do. However, campaign co-manager Susie Wiles told DailyMail.com that the former president had complete control over both the debate preparations and the Trump plane manifest. Wiles claimed, She has an iron grip on this campaign and has final say on all decisions They are going to eat this pile of s***. A campaign source revealed to Daily Mail, She's not a campaign staffer. She's not part of the campaign. She was on this trip, but by no means is she part of the campaign in the official capacity. An insider well-versed with the workings of the campaign blamed Wiles for Loomers presence on the plane. The insider told the media outlet, Wiles controls who gets on Trump's plane. Last year, reportedly, Trump wanted to add Loomer to the campaign payroll, but Wiles blocked it to keep the crazies out, a source revealed to NBC in 2023. However, the sources claimed, 'close to 50 days from the end of the campaign Wiles wasn't going to rock the boat by not allowing Laura Loomer to get on board. When Shark Tank star, Mark Cuban, expressed his desire to buy Fox News and X, formerly known as Twitter internet couldn't control its laughter. In an interview with Wireds Lauren Goode on Thursday, he shared his interest in buying both Donald Trump-inclined media properties, if he could. Mark Cuban expressed his desire to buy both Fox News and X.(Mark Cuban/LinkedIn) Also Read: Hindu Temple in New York vandalized, BAPS condemns and says it's unacceptable Cubans interest in buying X and Fox News About Fox News, he said, If I had enough money to do it, which I don't, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. He cited the reason for this desire as the media outlet will work as an antidote to a demographic Cuban calls the Fox News generation. He coined the term in one of his previous interviews where the businessman expressed his disappointment in his generation of baby boomers. In a 2020 interview with The New York Times's David Marchese, he said, I mean, my generation was sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. I never thought they would be the Fox News generation. People I knew were smoking pot, listening to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and protest songs. He continued, The idea that those are the people condemning Black Lives Matters and watching Fox News in droves. It's so upsetting to me. You have no idea." However, he also acknowledged the fact that buying Fox News was still a distant dream as it was a far too expensive investment for him. The American investor estimated the net acquisition amount to be somewhere between $15 million to $20 million. Cuban told Goode, I don't have $15 or $20 billion in cash sitting around. Buying the social networking platform is also on the same distant dream boat as Cuban finds no objective for Elon Musk to sell it anytime soon. He said during the interview, I wish I could. There's no reason for him [Musk] to sell it, as reported by the Business Insider. Also Read: JD Vance spills what Donald Trump told him minutes after the second assassination attempt Netizens react to Cuban's desire to buy media properties Netizens were quick to respond to Cuban wanting to buy Fox News and X and expressed their thoughts. I chocked and almost had to go to the hospital for laughing at Mark Cuban wanting to purchase X. @mcuban has lost his mind! Free Speech is not for sale! I think @elonmusk should own X forever! He has done so much to restore & protect Free Speech on this platform and I love it, an X user stated. To which another user wondered how can Cuban even think he can own X, Mark Cuban has said he is interested in buying X from Elon. Cuban is worth $5.7 billion. Elon bought X, then named Twitter, for $44 billion. Let that sink in. Though there were some optimistic ones too, IDC WHO BUYS IT bring the bird back!!! A second user wrote, PLEASE DO AND BRING BACK TWITTER!!! A third user wrote, Please buy it from him! were tired of Elon. A user wrote, I hope he does so he can change back to Twitter Im begging, while another user wrote, PLEASE rid us of that man. One user wrote, Musk won't sell free speech to Cuban who would eliminate it, while another wrote, No thanks. @mcuban is owned by someone (or multiple people) in the establishment. It'd be going right back to a limited speech, Democrat shill machine... Maybe Cuban can make a deal with Zuck for Threads, but Elon is gonna keep X a standard for free speech in modern times. A user wished as he wrote, Hopefully he brings circles back if he buys it. Mark Cuban enjoys sparring words with Elon Musk Cuban has often criticised Musk for the various new changes the latter made to X after its acquisition including changing the platforms name. Musk acquired X in October 2022 and changed its name in July 2023. The SpaceX founder did not remain quiet and often answered back by hurling insults at Cuban. However, in June 2022, the 66-year-old told Business Insider that it was fun sparring with Elon. He told Goode, He who controls the algorithm controls the platform controls that world, that community. And Elon has built, X has built, a very strong right-leaning community. They're fun to f**k with." Robert F Kennedy Jr is reportedly being investigated for allegedly decapitating a whale 20 years ago. The former US presidential candidate has been accused of decapitating the whale with a chainsaw and taking it home. RFK Jr accused of decapitating whale with chainsaw and taking it home (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)(AP) Kennedy said at a rally that National Marine Fisheries Services had recently contacted him about the incident. Recently speaking at an event in Glendale, Arizona, he stated that the inquiry into him amounted to the weaponisation of our government against political opponents. I received a letter from the National Marine Fisheries Institute saying that they were investigating me for collecting a whale specimen 20 years ago, Kennedy told the crowd, The Mirror reported. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is responsible for overseeing the fisheries services, said in response, It is a long-standing NOAA practice not to comment on open investigations. It was in 2012 that the allegation first emerged. Kennedys daughter, Kathleen Kennedy, told a magazine at the time that when she was a child, her father used a chainsaw on a dead whale. She said her father took off the whales head, tied it to the family cars roof and drove it home. Every time we accelerated on the highway, whale juice would pour into the windows of the car, and it was the rankest thing on the planet, Kathleen said. We all had plastic bags over our heads with mouth holes cut out, and people on the highway were giving us the finger, but that was just normal day-to-day stuff for us. If he had a shred of integrity left, hed surrender this whale skull Whales have been protected in the US under the Marine Mammal Protection Act since 1972. As per reports, Kennedys act of decapitating the whale was picked up by a non-profit, the Centre for Biological Diversity Action Fund. The group eventually contacted the authorities. RFK Jr cutting off the head of a dead whale was both bizarre and illegal, and any serious environmental attorney would know better, wrote Brett Hartl, the groups national political director. Hartl added, Kennedy may think that his name and privilege mean the rules dont apply to him, but if he had a shred of integrity left, hed surrender this whale skull and any other illegally collected wildlife parts to the authorities. If he doesnt, NOAA law enforcement should open an investigation and potentially bring charges against him. Over the weekend, Kennedy said that upon finding out that he was being investigated, he wrote a letter to NOAA, accusing it of killing wildlife with giant offshore wind farms off the East Coast. This year, Kennedy also admitted that he dumped the body of a dead bear in New York Citys Central Park several years back. Earlier this year, migrant influencer Leonel Moreno tipped illegal immigrants on how to invoke squatter rights to their advantage and invade American houses without being a public burden. An Ohio-based immigration judge ordered the viral 27-year-old content creator to be deported from the US on September 9. Venezuelan TikToker Leonel Moreno, 'migrant influencer,' tells illegal immigrants about how to twist squatting laws to their advantage and 'invade' US homes. However, according to a report by the New York Post, its quite likely that the Venezuelan migrant would not be forced to leave the country. Moreno reportedly illegally crossed into Eagle Pass, Texas, on April 23, 2022. He was arrested in March 2024 after failing to attend mandatory check-in with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). What's preventing 'migrant influencer' Leonel Moreno from being deported A complication hindering the deportation process could prevent Morenos exit. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros administration recently stopped accepting flights of migrants deported from the US and Mexico. According to the Wall Street Journal, this defensive move seeks to oppose Washingtons reimposition of economic sanctions on the country. Subsequently, the almost weekly flights from the US to the South American country were curbed in late January. Also read | Charges against Diddy revealed in unsealed federal indictment after Manhattan arrest Per Homeland Security sources account, the Venezuelan migrant showed off cash on his social media while waving documents, which he claimed were US government handouts. I didnt cross the Rio Grande to work like a slave, Moreno said in an IG video. The infamous TikTok influencer became an unstoppable force after he shouted out in a video, If a house is not inhabited, we can seize it. He eventually became the subject of a child services probe when he admitted to his using his 1-year-old daughter, a US citizen, as a prop for one of his posts. Where is the Venezuelan TikToker now? Geauga CountySheriff Scott Hildenbrand previously told the NY Post that Moreno is currently being held at the Geauga County Jail in Ohio. In the absence of any direct commercial flight to Venezuela following their suspension in 2019 due to unrest and violence, Morenos deportation has been put on hold. Sources said that Moreno acknowledged in court that he was a rank-and-file member of the Venezuelan Navy. He is reportedly not linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Also read | Cant be anti-immigrant and pro US-India ties at same time: State Dept official I came here to the United States because of my persecution in my country But theyre doing the same thing to me in the United States persecuting me, Moreno told the outlet in April from jail. Its all misinformation in the media about me. Theyre defaming me. Theyre misrepresenting me in the news I am a good father, a good husband, a good son, a good person, humble, respectful to people who respect me. US 2024 elections: The tight White House race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris has started taking new twist and turns following the first presidential debate between the two presidential candidates and a second assassination attempt on the GOP contender. Trump vs Harris: Several polls were conducted in key swing states, which hold the potential to decide the outcome of November election.(REUTERS) The first debate between Trump and Harris was hosted by ABC News from Philadelphia on September 10. Experts like NBC News presidential historian Michael Beschloss and former Fox News anchor Chris Wallace felt that Harris had won the debate because she kept nagging Trump, which made him stray from the subject. According to Reuters/Ipsos, 53% of respondents who claimed to have heard at least something about the debate believed Harris won the battle, 24% saw Trump as winner and the rest of the participants chose to remain silent. The poll also revealed that a far higher percentage of Democrats (91%) believed Harris won as compared to Republicans (53%) who preferred Trump. Meanwhile, several polls were conducted in key swing states, which hold the potential to decide the outcome of November election. Also Read: Hillary Clinton mocks Melania Trump as a little kid at b'day party', but defends her one move saying I was sorry Trump vs Harris: Here's how swing states can shape 2024 election outcome Trump and Harris are engaged in a fierce contest in several swing states. Notably, a swing state has an unclear political inclination. However, previously contested states may begin to lean towards one party or another. For instance, Florida was perceived as a swing state from the 1990s to 2020, but as more Republicans register to vote, the state is now seen as consistently red. Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada, and Minnesota are the states being attentively monitored this year. North Carolina is the latest to join this group of swing states. A Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll, which was conducted from August 2327, shows that Harris leads Trump by two points overall in the seven battleground states. Harris holds edge over Trump in six of the seven states. However, they both are tied in Arizona. Harris has reduced Trump's lead over Biden in Iowa from 18 points in June to four points in a Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa survey, which was conducted between September 8 and 11 by seasoned pollster Ann Selzer. Harris is ahead of Trump by three points in Pennsylvania, perhaps the most significant of the seven major battleground states for the general election, according to a new poll that was completed exclusively following last week's debate. In Pennsylvania, likely voters choose Democratic contender for president Harris over Republican nominee 49%46%, according to a USA Today/Suffolk University poll taken from September 11 to 14. New CNN polls carried out by SSRS in each state reveal that Harris leads Trump among likely voters in Wisconsin and Michigan, while the former President leads in Arizona. The two share nearly equal shares of likely voters in Georgia, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, which is the state with the largest electoral vote prize that is widely perceived as up for grabs. In Wisconsin, the likely voter ratio is 50% for Harris to 44% for Trump, while in Michigan, the ratio is 48% for the US VP to 43% for the GOP leader. In Arizona, Trump scored 49%, compared to Harris' 44%. In Georgia and Nevada, the candidates are locked in at 47%, with 48% supporting Harris and 47% favoring Trump. According to the surveys, Pennsylvania and Georgia will play a key role in each candidate's journey to the White House. In 2020, Joe Biden won all six swing states. He won Arizona by slightly more than 10,000 votes and Georgia by little less than 12,000 votes. Voters in these swing states primarily define Harris' views and policies as mainstream and Trump's as too extreme. In each state, about half of the population (ranging from 46% to 51%) believes that Trump's policies and beliefs are so radical that they endanger the nation, whereas roughly 4 out of 10 (ranging from 37% to 42%) feel the same way about Harris' viewpoints. A quick look at results of polls conducted at swing states Polling averages in Arizona showed Trump edging out a narrow lead of one point or less, or the two contenders basically tied. The election is also deadlocked in Pennsylvania, where polling averages indicate a tie or Harris leading by less than 1%. Minnesota is the only state where Harris is still comfortably ahead of Trump, with an average difference of five to eight points. Despite the possibility of a shift in voters' opinion in the coming weeks, these averages suggest that November's election will be closely contested. Harris and Trump, meanwhile, have been actively campaigning in states like Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan in an effort to sway the states in their favor. Rhenus Group, a global logistics provider headquartered in Germany, has been appointed the official logistics partner for the COP29 event in Baku, Azerbaijan. This appointment highlights Rhenus Groups commitment to sustainable practices and global climate goals, Azernews reports. Rhenus Group, a leading logistics company, will leverage its extensive experience and global network, along with local partnerships, to facilitate seamless supply operations for the event. The company will manage intercontinental transportation, customs clearance, warehousing, and delivery. Their team of on-site specialists will ensure smooth logistics from start to finish. The partnership with COP29 will allow Rhenus Group and other partners to further their global climate policy efforts and sustainability initiatives, supporting the transition to climate action. The Green Zone at COP29 will feature global companies showcasing climate-friendly products and solutions, fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration through presentations, seminars, and networking opportunities. Narmin Carchalova, Chairman of the Board of Directors of COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company, praised Rhenus Groups appointment, highlighting their experience and commitment to sustainability. Tobias Bartz, CEO of Rhenus Group, expressed pride in contributing to the event, emphasizing its significance in advancing a climate-neutral society and a greener future for future generations. Hotel Equities (HE) and Urban Investment Partners (UIP) proudly announce the opening of The Quincy, Ascend Hotel Collection, located in the heart of Washington, D.C. The Quincy is an upscale boutique hotel that seamlessly combines comfort, convenience, and style, making it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers alike. Located at 1823 L St. NW, The Quincy is in the core of D.C.'s business district, steps from the metro and a short walk to the White House. The hotel, franchised by Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH), is owned by 1823 Owner, LLC, a UIP affiliate, and operated by Hotel Equities. The Quincy is more than just a hotel; it serves as a bridge connecting guests with Washington, D.C.'s storied past and vibrant present. With 99 spacious guest rooms thoughtfully designed to provide a home-away-from-home atmosphere, The Quincy is ideal for extended stays. Each room is equipped with a full kitchen, offering guests the flexibility to enjoy home-cooked meals, while a grab-and-go station in the lobby caters to those on the move. The hotel has also partnered with neighboring restaurant and bar, Pisco y Nazca and Recessions to offer curated dining experiences that showcase local and international flavors. In the coming weeks, The Quincy will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony, welcoming the HE and UIP teams, local corporate accounts, and key stakeholders to commemorate this exciting addition to Washington, D.C.'s hospitality scene. A 'Sip & See' event will also invite the local community to explore the hotel, engage with staff, and highlight partnerships with esteemed organizations like Washington VA Medical Center. Located just blocks from George Washington University, Dupont Circle, European Union, World Bank, and a mere 0.2 miles from Farragut North Metro Station, The Quincy offers unparalleled access to Washington, D.C.'s top attractions. Nestled among iconic landmarks, world-class museums, and embassies from around the world, The Quincy is an exceptional choice for travelers seeking both convenience and cultural immersion. Ibrahim Bajrami serves as General Manager of the hotel alongside Director of Sales & Marketing, Dennis Hernandez. Hotel website The Singapore EDITION is delighted to announce the appointment of Cedric Patrick Vinckier as Director of Food and Beverage. In his role, Vinckier will oversee F&B across all aspects of the luxury hotel and its four outlets, in-room dining and banqueting, maintaining the highest standards of service and unparalleled luxury experience. A seasoned hospitality professional, Vinckier has honed his skills in some of the world's most renowned establishments, including Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels. He holds a Postgraduate Degree in Hospitality Management from the prestigious Les Roches Bluche in Switzerland and is a certified Level 3 Sommelier, a testament of his dedication to excellence in the culinary world. Vinckier's journey in Food & Beverage management began with a 2-year chef apprenticeship at Radisson Blu Hotel in Dusseldorf, Germany. He then moved to France, serving as headwaiter at the esteemed three Michelin-starred Bernard Loiseau in Saulieu for two years, refining his knowledge of fine dining and exceptional service. Following his time in France, Vinckier joined the prestigious Vira Vira hotel in Pucon, Chile, as Food and Beverage Manager, leading the team and elevating the hotel's culinary offerings for two years. This comprehensive experience broadened his understanding of international cuisine and deepened his appreciation for the importance of local ingredients and traditions. Vinckier's impressive career trajectory continued as General Manager of Michelin-starred Le Normandie at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok from 2019 to 2021. He was also instrumental in the successful launch of Pelagos, at the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel in Athens, which achieved a Michelin star and Wine Spectator award within an impressive six months. Most recently, Vinckier served as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage at Four Seasons Hotel Madrid, a position he held since 2023. El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, a serene hideaway overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains, announced today the appointment of Pedro Dias as general manager. Dias will oversee all aspects of hotel operations in his new role, from managing day-to-day staffing to maintaining the hotel's exemplary service standards and guest satisfaction levels. Dias joins El Encanto with over twenty-five years of luxury hospitality experience. Most recently, he co-founded the boutique consulting firm FORTY-ONE NORTH, where he advised hospitality partners on best practices surrounding business strategy, customer experience design, operational optimization and sustainability. Throughout his career, Dias has worked with prestigious brands like Leading Hotels of the World, The Luxury Collection, and St. Regis across the U.S., Europe and the Caribbean. He holds a Bachelor of Science in hotel management from The Porto School of Hospitality and Tourism in Portugal. Stockholm Vingcard, an ASSA ABLOY company and provider of advanced technologies for the hospitality industry, is pleased to announce the adoption of several of its cutting-edge door lock solutions by Hjortviken Country Club in Hindas, Sweden. Managed by ESS Group, the soon-to-be-opened Hjortviken Country Club, together with the support of Vingcard and BRA Bygg construction company, is setting its sights on delivering a refined guest stay experience that also prioritizes its commitment to protecting the environment. Opening its doors in January 2025, Hjortviken Country Club is considered Swedens first authentic country club. By partnering with BRA Bygg to renovate and expand the Country Clubs historic building, ESS Group demonstrates its goal of providing a modern and stylish atmosphere that meets guest demands for enhanced safety and eco-friendly practices. Examples include the use of recycled construction materials and our Vingcard locks which have Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Ensuring guest satisfaction cannot be achieved without addressing rising standards for what counts as a safe and enjoyable stay that has minimal impact on the environment, said Magnus Anderson, CEO at BRA Bygg. The Vingcard solutions adopted for the project feature compatibility with the latest credential encryption standards, including MIFARE Ultralight AES, maximizing data protection with features such as 128-bit key length encryption. Travelers across virtually every type of guest demographic are demonstrating with their booking decisions that environmental responsibility is rightly a serious concern, said Jens Svanang Henriksson, Hotel Manager at Hjortviken Country Club. We likewise believe that it should play a key role in our mission to provide an enjoyable and stress-free experience, which is why Vingcard with its commitment to innovation and sustainability is a perfect fit. Their highly secure door lock technology, combined with an attractive and scalable design, provides us with unmatched opportunities to keep pace with increasingly high guest standards. Vingcard door locks mirror the brands commitment to innovating future-proof solutions that can adopt new features and functionalities as guest behaviors and preferences change. This includes featuring instant compatibility with Mobile Access, providing properties such as Hjortviken Country Club with the ability to later activate mobile key check-in services without the need for costly hardware replacement. For more information about Vingcard and its products and solutions, please visit vingcard.com. About Vingcard Vingcard is part of ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, which provides safe and sustainable cutting-edge technology solutions for physical and digital access management control. As a full solutions provider, ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions is part of the wider ASSA ABLOY Group. Being a global leader in access solutions, the Group operates worldwide with 61,000 employees and holds leading positions in areas such as efficient door opening, trusted identities, and entrance automation. Vingcard is a leading provider of security access solutions and other advanced technologies designed for the evolving needs of hospitality, off-site student accommodations and build to rent industries. With a commitment to serving as the industry's trusted partner for enhanced security, Vingcard's comprehensive range of integrated solutions are designed to ensure safer, more adaptive business operations able to deliver enhanced efficiency and end-user satisfaction. Vingcard, Your trusted partner for enhanced security. Mark Howbrook McLean, VA -- The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is excited to announce the first ever Commercial Futures Forum, which will take place on Oct. 28, 2024 in San Antonio, TX, held in conjunction with The Hospitality Show produced by AHLA and Questex. This inaugural event, planned by an HSMAI steering committee of Chief Commercial Officers, will bring together top commercial leaders to explore the evolving dynamics of business travel and loyalty within the hotel industry. The half-day forum, themed Understanding the Changing Dynamics of Business Travel, will address the commercial impacts of New Distribution Capability (NDC), the complexities of multi-sourcing, and the critical need to manage brands and properties in the evolving distribution landscape. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with leading experts through insightful presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, gaining valuable knowledge to enhance their B2B2C strategies. This event marks the first in a series of HSMAI Futures Forum gatherings, designed to help commercial leaders stay ahead of emerging trends in business travel, said Andrew Rubinacci, Chair, HSMAI Americas. We are excited to foster a collaborative environment where industry professionals can learn, network, and drive commercial success in this rapidly changing landscape. Agenda highlights include: New and Emerging Travel Trends: The McKinsey Perspective presented by Ryan Mann, Partner at McKinsey & Company, offering insights into future travel and consumer behavior trends. presented by Ryan Mann, Partner at McKinsey & Company, offering insights into future travel and consumer behavior trends. Unlocking Market Insights to Optimize Performance featuring insights from Amadeus, Kalibri Labs, and other leading industry experts on current trends in hotel performance and business travel. featuring insights from Amadeus, Kalibri Labs, and other leading industry experts on current trends in hotel performance and business travel. The Evolution of Business Travel panel discussions on the evolution of the customer journey and booking trends featuring executives from Derbysoft, HRS, and Navan panel discussions on the evolution of the customer journey and booking trends featuring executives from Derbysoft, HRS, and Navan Digital Transformation and Travel Tech Advancements panel discussions on how travel technology and distribution partners are leading the way in digital transformation, moderated by Michael Shiwdin, Group Vice President, Guest Engagement, Loyalty and Strategic Partnerships for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Designed for senior corporate commercial and operations leaders from hotel brands, management companies, and ownership groups, as well as industry partners looking to stay informed on the future of business travel, the forum will also feature ample networking opportunities, including a networking lunch where attendees will share insights and build professional relationships. Registration is complimentary for hoteliers, while non-hotel industry professionals can register for $750. Hotelier attendees of the HSMAI Commercial Futures Forum will also receive a complimentary pass to The Hospitality Show on Oct. 29-30, a $795 value. To register for the Commercial Futures Forum, visit here. Amadeus, Corpay, DerbySoft, HRS, Ideas Collide, Kalibri Labs, Laasie, Navan and Sabre Hospitality have been announced as the partners sponsoring HSMAIs Commercial Futures Forum. For additional information including the events agenda, registration details, speakers, housing, and partnership opportunities, visit americas.hsmai.org/hsmai-commercial-futures-forum-focus-on-business-travel-and-loyalty. About HSMAI The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners and is the industry's leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals and their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as the Marketing Strategy Conference, Adrian Awards, Sales Leader Forum, and HSMAI ROC. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is a membership organization comprising more than 5,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at hsmai.org. ONYX Hospitality Group, Thailands premier hotel management company, proudly celebrates the success of its renowned serviced apartment brand, Shama, with the launch of an exciting new campaign designed to encapsulate its core ethos. The campaign, accompanied by a new brand video, is centred on the concepts Freedom to Explore and Live Your Blended Life at Shama, offering guests the perfect balance of work, leisure, and exploration in a seamless, integrated lifestyle. By focusing on creating immersive experiences and fostering a strong sense of community, Shama is redefining serviced apartment living for the modern traveller, transforming each stay into a personalised journey of discovery and comfort. The "Shama" brand has seen continuous growth in recent years, aligning with the expanding serviced apartment market in Thailand and internationally. This growth reflects the increasing demand from travellers seeking long-term accommodation solutions. In response to this trend, the "Live Your Blended Life at Shama" campaign is launching to reaffirm Shamas leadership in the serviced apartment market. The campaign highlights Shamas deep understanding of its target audience, who seek accommodation that offers comfort and familiarity, becoming their second home. YuthachaiCharanachitta, Chief Executive Officer of ONYX Hospitality Group, stated, Shama has seen remarkable growth within the ONYX portfolio, achieving a 200% increase in Thailand over just five years. In Hong Kong, Shama stands as the No. 1 international serviced apartments provider with 7 properties." He also said, Currently, ONYX manages over 2,500 units under the Shama brand across 20 properties in Thailand, China, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. The brand's performance has grown 3% above the target and more than 14% compared to the same period last year. Shama is also projected to generate 52% more revenue compared to pre-COVID-19 levels in 2019. Shama, a serviced apartment brand originally from Hong Kong, was acquired by ONYX Hospitality Group in 2010 and has since been expanding both in Thailand and internationally. In Thailand, there are 6 Shama serviced apartments, with an additional 7 in Hong Kong, 5 in China, and 2 in Malaysia. The Shama brand encompasses three distinct categories: Shama Luxe, Shama, and Shama Hub. Each offers unique features in room size, location, and decor to cater to a range of customer needs, from upper upscale to upper middle scale. ONYX Hospitality Group also plans to expand Shama Hub in Thailand, Shama Luxe in Malaysia, and Shama in Laos in the near future. What sets Shama apart from other serviced apartments is its emphasis on room size. Shama offers spacious accommodation, meticulously designed to meet the needs of various residents, from solo business travellers to large families seeking a second home for every family member. Additionally, Shama provides essential facilities for daily life, including 24-hour hotel-level care services for residents. All Shama properties are situated in residential areas within city centres, surrounded by amenities and offering convenient travel options. These features enhance both short-term and long-term living experiences, and encourage well-being, seamlessly blending lifestyle, work, travel, and relaxation. To reinforce this concept, ONYX Hospitality Group has launched the Live Your Blended Life campaign, which showcases the multi-dimensional experience of living at Shama under the Freedom to Explore theme. A key feature of the Shama brand, and part of the new campaign, is the "Shama Social Club," which plays a vital role in making guests feel truly at home while travelling. This unique lifestyle programme connects residents with the local community, creating an immersive experience that fosters a sense of belonging. With carefully curated activities, personalised touches, and thoughtful design, the Shama Social Club embraces a growing trend in hospitality - enhancing the accommodation experience by blending comfort, community, and cultural immersion. As part of the Live Your Blended Life campaign, three exclusive Shama Social Club activities will be introduced each month. From October to December 2024, these activities will reflect the three main concepts of blending the right moments in life: The Explorecation (explore + vacation) activity will take place in October, featuring a Floating Sound Bath experience. Guests will have the opportunity to relax and unwind with soothing sounds by the pool in a tranquil atmosphere. The Workshopping (work + shopping) activity, scheduled for November, will feature a Personal Colour Workshop. This session will help guests understand their unique colour profiles and use this knowledge to select work clothes that enhance their confidence and appearance in a new environment. The Foodventure (food + adventure) activity, happening in December, will feature a Taste of Life event. Guests will embark on a bike tour through the historic city of Bangkok, sampling local flavours and learning photography tips to capture the vibrant experiences, adding a touch of delight and fun to their lives. In addition to its prime location and excellent facilities, the Shama Social Club, a lifestyle programme of the Shama brand, will elevate the living experience by fostering connections, familiarity, and integration with surroundings and the local community. This programme is designed to make guests feel welcomed and at home from their very first visit, ensuring they adapt quickly and comfortably to their new environment, said Yuthachai. For the Shama brands expansion goals, ONYX Hospitality Group plans robust growth in Thailand and Southeast Asia. In 2024, the company launched three new Shama locations: Shama Hub Metro South in Hong Kong, Shama Hub Qiantang Hangzhou in China, and Shama Suasana Johor Bahru in Malaysia. Additionally, a management contract has been signed for Shama Rayong in Thailand, scheduled to open in 2027. About ONYX ONYX Hospitality Group operates four diverse yet complementary brands Saffron, Amari, Shama and OZO - each catering to the distinctive requirements of today's business and leisure travellers. The group reaches beyond its Thai roots to offer innovative management solutions across the Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf and Asia-Pacific regions. Visit www.onyx-hospitality.com. San Diego, CA Cloudbeds, the innovative leader in hospitality management technology, has appointed former SiteMinder and Triptease executive Marta Perez as its new Senior Director of Sales to spearhead its growth strategy across key markets. Based in New York, Perez will oversee Cloudbeds sales strategies in North and Latin America, as the company expands its presence in the mid-market and enterprise segments. With more than 15 years of expertise in hospitality revenue management and technology, she brings a proven track record from leadership roles at SiteMinder and Triptease. Marta Perez, Senior Director of Sales at Cloudbeds, said: The future of hospitality technology lies in our ability to connect deeply with the sectors evolving needs. Cloudbeds has developed a platform that not only meets the complex demands of todays hoteliers but also anticipates the challenges of tomorrow. I look forward to joining Cloudbeds on this journey, ensuring our customers can harness the full potential of this technology to outpace competitors and achieve sustainable growth. Jason Richards, SVP of Strategy & Growth Operations, added: Marta is an exceptional sales leader who doesnt just see opportunities she creates them. Her deep understanding of the mid-market and enterprise segments, combined with her ability to penetrate new markets, is exactly what Cloudbeds needs to deliver unparalleled value to our customers. With Marta on board, were not just stepping up our game, were setting a new standard for whats possible. Before joining Cloudbeds, Perez served as Vice President of Sales at Triptease, where she built a leading commercial team for the Americas, raising attainment from 30% to nearly 100% in less than one year. Previously, she held multiple senior roles at SiteMinder, including Regional Sales Director and Director of Business Development for Enterprise. Perez played a critical role in expanding the companys presence in Latin America, overseeing the creation of a robust sales infrastructure from the ground up. ABOUT CLOUDBEDS Cloudbeds is the leading platform redefining the concept of PMS for the hospitality industry, serving tens of thousands of properties in more than 150 countries worldwide. Built from the ground up to be masterfully unified and scalable, the award-winning Cloudbeds Platform brings together built-in and integrated solutions that modernize hotel operations, distribution, guest experience, and data & analytics. Founded in 2012, Cloudbeds has been named a top PMS, Hotel Management System and Channel Manager (2021-2024) by Hotel Tech Report, World's Best Hotel PMS Solutions Provider (2022) by World Travel Awards, and recognized in Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 in 2023. For more information, visit www.cloudbeds.com. View source Denver, CO We are pleased to introduce our latest innovation, the Benchmarking Scorecard. This enterprise tool is crafted to transform how hotels assess their digital marketing performance. Tailored to meet the needs of hotel management companies, ownership groups and digital marketing agencies for both branded and independent hotels. The Benchmarking Scorecard allows you to compare your hotels performance indexes against key performance indicators of similar hotels. The Benchmarking Scorecard leverages the latest advancements in automation technology and integrates seamlessly with our existing business intelligence and descriptive analytics. Cogwheel Analytics ensures that all data, whether historical or real-time, is accurately captured, normalized and analyzed. The Scorecard is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, providing clear and actionable insights, when reviewing large amounts of data from disparate sources. Key features of Cogwheel Analytics and its Benchmarking Scorecard include: Comprehensive Metrics : From channel mix to website statistics to performance marketing to social media, our scorecard covers a broad spectrum of metrics essential for detailed performance analysis. : From channel mix to website statistics to performance marketing to social media, our scorecard covers a broad spectrum of metrics essential for detailed performance analysis. Multiple Monthly Benchmark s: Compare your hotels monthly benchmarks to its historical averages, portfolio averages, and averages of the same hotel type. s: Compare your hotels monthly benchmarks to its historical averages, portfolio averages, and averages of the same hotel type. Customizable Reports : Users can customize the reports to focus on metrics that are most relevant to their specific goals. : Users can customize the reports to focus on metrics that are most relevant to their specific goals. Seamless Integration: The scorecard is designed to integrate flawlessly with existing systems, regardless of the marketing agency, hotel size, or market. Our goal with this launch is to empower businesses to make data-driven decisions to drive forward-looking growth and efficiency. The Benchmarking Scorecard is more than just a tool; it's a part of our commitment to enhancing the analytical capabilities of hotels worldwide. We believe that looking at your hotels data year over year and month over month is a siloed approach to really understanding how well your digital marketing performs, said Stephanie Smith, CEO of Cogwheel Analytics. Our tool allows us to talk to owners about performance beyond ROAS while also simplifying complex data analysis. For more information on how to get started with Cogwheel Analytics and the Benchmarking Scorecard, please visit www.cogwheelanalytics.com or watch a short video on the platform go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rut-om9GP5A Contact: Stephanie Smith CEO & Digital Matriarch Cogwheel Analytics 540-239-1052 Cogwheel Analytics is a hotel digital marketing reporting and business intelligence tool for hotel management companies and ownership groups of both branded and independent hotels. It aggregates data from multiple sources to allow companies to identify trends and opportunities, in both portfolio and individual hotel level views. It provides an online scorecard with benchmarks against other hotels to identify gaps in your total online presence, similar to a STAR report. With one-click reports, owners and operators can understand the efforts made towards gaining more exposure across the customer journey. Unlike most tools in the hospitality industry, Cogwheel Analytics primarily focuses on booked revenue, not consumed, to map the various data points up to the point of conversion. Sample data points include channel mix, website performance, social media and paid efforts including OTA Ads, MetaSearch and Google SEM. Stephanie Smith Founder and Digital Matriarch +1 540 239 1052 Virtuoso Unveils Luxury Travel Trends For The Fall And Festive Seasons And Beyond - Image Credit Unsplash+ Virtuoso has leveraged its extensive network of travel advisors, preferred partners and high-net-worth/ultra-high-net-worth clientele to determine what's new and next in luxury travel, while also revealing the data and insights that prove it. Respected as the leading "Voice of Luxury" and industry trend forecaster, Virtuoso has based its findings on a data warehouse of (US) $80 billion in transactions and an ongoing series of surveys. The key takeaway is that travel remains robust, even against a backdrop of global challenges. Year-to-date sales have surpassed those of 2023 for the same January-June timeframe by 14 percent and skyrocketed 211 percent over 2019, with future 2025-2026 sales already up 38 percent over last year. The demand for travel advisors remains high, with a 76 percent increase in consumers seeking out travel advisors this year via the network's site, virtuoso.com. While domestic travel dominates in fall 2024, travelers are venturing afar in record numbers, with Italy, France, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Spain, Saint Barthelemy, Portugal, Canada and Japan topping the list. The largest growth areas year-over-year are Canada (+168 percent), Japan (+160 percent) and Saint Barthelemy (+155 percent). Major cities like Paris, London, New York, Rome and Tokyo are showing significant increases compared to 2023, while destinations like Taormina (Sicily), Napa and Amsterdam are seeing rate declines, making this fall a great time to visit. For the festive season, Mexico, Hawaii, Anguilla, Costa Rica and Saint Barthelemy are the most sought-after destinations, with Saint Lucia, the Dominican Republic and Grenada coming on strong with double- and triple-digit percentage increases. Notably, Maui is up 66 percent for the holidays compared to last year. Fall and festive season bookings are expected to be strong, with fall bookings up 23 percent and festive season bookings up 32 percent compared to 2023. Additionally, Virtuoso's preferred hotels are seeing rate increases of 46 percent in the Caribbean and eight percent in Mexico. When it comes to the hottest travel trends, Virtuoso advisors have noted continued demand for exclusive-use experiences such as VIP transportation, luxury yachts and private residences, along with itineraries that incorporate next-level stimulation and engagement. Requests for these exceptionally high-end experiences have increased for 89 percent of Virtuoso advisors. Leading trends in ultraluxe travel include expedition cruises, exotic destinations (such as Fiji, the Maldives and Thailand) and African safaris. Top motivations for ultraluxe travel are celebrations, passion-point experiences (like sports, arts, culture, concerts and festivals) and once-in-a-lifetime trips. Another notable trend is the rise in travel to cooler climates, or "Coolcations," to destinations in northern Europe and Canada, which were up 44 percent this summer, while visits to warmer spots, including Italy, Greece and France, have slightly decreased.. Additionally, there is growing interest in off-the-beaten-path destinations and travel during off-peak times, reflecting the trend toward more responsible travel as a response to overtourism. Sales for Virtuoso's sustainable partners reached $700 million in 2023, with Virtuoso advisors pointing to Slovenia, Portugal and Croatia as preferred alternatives to more visited spots. Advisors are instrumental in educating clients about sustainable travel while fulfilling their travel aspirations. These efforts are detailed in the 2024 Virtuoso Impact Report, the first ongoing study that tracks luxury travel's positive contributions to sustainable travel. Please access complete findings here. Booking analysis is based on transactional data sourced from Virtuoso's travel agency members; off-the-beaten-track travel insights were based on surveys conducted with Virtuoso advisors; and sustainability findings are the result of a recent in-depth analysis of Virtuoso partners. Days Inn by Wyndham Round Rock - Image Credit Wyndham CBRE Hotels is soliciting offers to acquire the fee-simple interest in the Days Inn by Wyndham in Round Rock North, Texas. The 68-room hotel is located off Interstate 35, near Apple Campus, Dells corporate headquarters, and St. Davids Medical in Round Rock, one of the fastest growing cities in the nation and one of the best-managed cities in Texas. Minimal PIP - Minimal PIP is expected for new owner, please ask broker for details. - Minimal PIP is expected for new owner, please ask broker for details. Excellent Location - The hotel is situated close to Dell Technologies corporate headquarters, the sixth-largest company in Texas by total revenue and one of the regions biggest employers. In addition, the property is within minutes from the 175-bed St. Davids Round Rock Medical Center the first specialized cardiac facility in Williamson County. - The hotel is situated close to Dell Technologies corporate headquarters, the sixth-largest company in Texas by total revenue and one of the regions biggest employers. In addition, the property is within minutes from the 175-bed St. Davids Round Rock Medical Center the first specialized cardiac facility in Williamson County. Fast-Growing Submarket - Round Rock is one of the fastest growing cities for decades in the U.S., thanks to a flood of billion-dollar investments - some tied to the most influential economic and cultural forces in the world. The Days Inn is strategically located in proximity to multiple massive upcoming projects, including Samsungs $17 billion chip plant near Taylor, $1 billion Apple campus at West Parmer Lane and Dallas Drive, and IBMs planned 500,000-square-foot office space near The Domain. - Round Rock is one of the fastest growing cities for decades in the U.S., thanks to a flood of billion-dollar investments - some tied to the most influential economic and cultural forces in the world. The Days Inn is strategically located in proximity to multiple massive upcoming projects, including Samsungs $17 billion chip plant near Taylor, $1 billion Apple campus at West Parmer Lane and Dallas Drive, and IBMs planned 500,000-square-foot office space near The Domain. Third Party Managed - Strong upside for a hands on operator. - Strong upside for a hands on operator. High Barrier to Entry Market - The increase in cost of debt and stringent regulations has created significant challenges for new hospitality constructions in the hotels submarket. Pricing guidance is well below replacement cost. - The increase in cost of debt and stringent regulations has created significant challenges for new hospitality constructions in the hotels submarket. Pricing guidance is well below replacement cost. Austins Rapid Growth Driving Ever Increasing Hotel Revenues - Ranked as the #1 real estate investment market in the nation, this is an exceptionally rare offering located within Texas state capital. With Austins globally recognized music, art and film festivals, including SXSW and Austin City Limits Music Festival, expansive parks, culinary scene, renowned universities, and a diverse culture, Austin has made a name for itself for tourism and hospitality. For inquiries visit here. BCHS Presents the Opera 'Billy Budd' PITTSFIELD, Mass. "Billy Budd, Sailor" is Herman Melville's novella exploring themes of innocence, justice, and the corrupting influence of power. According to a press release: It is the tale of a noble young sailor who is conscripted, falls victim to petty jealousy, and pays the price with his life. Set aboard a British naval ship during the Napoleonic Wars, Budd is falsely accused of mutiny and sentenced to death. Even as he is martyred, he retains his integrity. As part of its continuing celebration of the centennial of Billy Budd, Sailor's publication, the Berkshire County Historical Society, in collaboration with Berkshire Opera Festival and Tanglewood Learning Institute, will present selections from the 1951 opera Billy Budd composed by Benjamin Britten with a libretto by authors E. M. Forster and Eric Crozier. The selections will be paired with readings by actor Ryan Winkles. The event takes place at the Linde Center for Music and Learning at Tanglewood on Sept. 20 at 7 pm. Open seating tickets are $100 and can be purchased by using the BOOK NOW button at bekshirehistory.org . Ticket includes a post-performance reception with drinks and desserts by Gourmet Catering, and the launch of a unique Arrowhead cider from Berkshire Cider Project. The event is sponsored by The Feigenbaum Foundation. All proceeds benefit Berkshire County Historical Society educational, preservation, and restoration programs. "The Berkshire County Historical Society is pleased to be partnering with Berkshire Opera Festival and Tanglewood Learning Institute to celebrate Billy Budd, said BCHS Executive Director Lesley Herzberg. "The Berkshires are fortunate to be home to so many quality cultural venues and individual artists who so generously collaborate to create programs that one organization alone cannot achieve." Letter: Save Notch Forest To the Editor: I am writing to express deep concern over the proposed logging project near Notch Reservoir and the Bellows Pipe Trailhead. This plan poses a significant threat to both the environment and our community's well-being. Notch Road has already seen the effects of large logging projects. A private logging project from a few years ago (approved by the City) causes flooding during heavy rains, pouring into driveways and basements. Our area regularly faces power outages and property damage due to increasing wind gusts. Without the forests as a buffer, I fear these issues will worsen. While the city proposes installing culverts as part of the "reconstruction" of the forest. With wetter seasons due to climate change, how will they address future challenges? How many culverts are planned, and how is their effectiveness measured? How will the city manage the wind? Are they prepared for more power outages? Will road and electricity maintenance end up costing the city more? As a resident of Notch Road, I'm also worried about noise, air pollution, and increased traffic from logging trucks. The constant noise will disrupt the peaceful environment and harm local wildlife. Animals that depend on these forests for food and shelter will be displaced, pushing them into our backyards and upsetting the balance of our ecosystem. The forest is their home. Lastly, there were misleading statements at last week's town meeting. Mass Audubon's Andrew Randazzo claimed that younger trees sequester more carbon. This idea is based on comparisons between old tropical forests and young temperate or boreal forests, which are very different. Temperate forests, in fact, have some of the highest CO2 removal rates. The idea that young trees growing rapidly sequester more carbon does not account for the 100-plus years of carbon already stored in a mature tree. Cutting down the tree releases that carbon that then has to be sequestered again. Many studies show that old-growth forests sequester more carbon over their lifetimes. Devin Raber North Adams, Mass. Children check out the Clarksburg Police cruiser at a 2021 event. The cruiser will be parked in the garage on Friday and for the foreseeable future. Clarksburg Board Suspends Police Operations With Chief's Retirement CLARKSBURG, Mass. The Select Board on Monday voted to suspend police operations in the town of 1,700 at the end of shift on Friday. That's when Police Chief Michael Williams will retire after 40 years on the force, the last 21 as chief. Officials have been debating for weeks about the future of the Police Department, which has declined at this point to Williams and a single part-time officer. "I think we have to transition to State Police," said board member Colton Andrews. Fellow member Daniel Haskins agreed: "I don't see any alternatives at the moment." Officials had researched several options: hire a new chief, contract with North Adams, or depend on State Police, as do a number of other small towns. "North Adams was not feasible," said Chair Robert Norcross. The board members felt the figures they were quoted for coverage were too onerous. But they also discussed whether the town would support a chief and possibly a full-time officer. They advertised for a police chief and over the last several weeks interviewed three candidates an officer from Deerfield, the part-time chief in the town of Washington and the town's only officer. The Deerfield and Washington candidates were felt to be too far away and neither indicated they would relocate. The part-time officer fell short of qualifications he would need 2,400 hours of training or on-the-job experience to be certified under the state's new regulations. That left the board with little choice but to transition to State Police coverage, at least for now. Williams said the town's been relying on the State Police for the weekends while the part-time officer averages about five hours a week. At one point, the department also had a part-time sergeant and four to six part-time officers. Williams argued unsuccessfully for a full-time officer in 2019. On Monday, the board asked Williams if he'd stay on part time as an administrative chief able to process firearms permits and continue as emergency management director. He agreed pending an agreement on salary and hours. What he didn't think he could do as a paper chief is supervise an officer when board members raised that idea. "The [administrative] police chief is basically a civilian role," he said. He would not be able to accept a part-time post until after Oct. 15; the emergency management director is a volunteer position. The board spent some time going over the chief's duties, how those gaps could be filled and the securing of existing police materials. Williams said he and Town Clerk Marilyn Gomeau had been looking into aspects such as elections, which now require a police presence. One option could be appointing a constable for the purpose. The police chief's last official action may be escorting Pvt. First Class Erwin King, whose body is being returned to the Berkshires 82 years after he was killed in combat at Guadalcanal. The procession is expected to stop at Town Hall for a wreath-laying ceremony at about 3 p.m. before heading Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home. In other business: Norcross reported that about 10 people attended the digital equity information session on Saturday and spent about an hour and half discussing internet needs and setting priorities. Town Administrator Carl McKinney told the board National Grid would not take down the large pine near the library. A tree fell on the building earlier this year and officials are concerned the pine may also cause damage. Its removal may have to go out to bid. National Grid is switching out all the streetlights to 25-watt LED bulbs, McKinney said. "We are going to save several thousand dollars on our electric bill." A Department of Public Works post is still open. Town meeting authorized adding a fourth person this May. McKinney said he is going back through applicants but the job may have to advertised again. The board voted to end COVID-19 sick time. The time had been counted outside of personal/sick time during the pandemic to prevent the virus's spread. But Haskins noted that the state had eliminated this extra sick time more than two years ago. Norcross questioned a house being disconnected from the sewer system and North Adams not being informed. McKinney said a permit is required to disconnect and that the highway foreman has to witness it. An updated list is sent to the city each year but the board asked that any disconnection be immediately forwarded. Balance and Mobility Class Offered by Fairview Rehabilitation Department GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. Balance and Mobility, a four-part health education program designed to help older individuals stay strong, mobile, and independent, will be offered by the Fairview Hospital Rehabilitation Department at Berkshire South Regional Community Center on four consecutive Thursdays starting on Sept 26 at 12 noon. To advance the health and wellness of the community, the program is free of charge. Falls are one of the leading causes of hospitalization among older adults. Each program will focus on one aspect of mobility and provide strategies and exercises to educate the community on fall prevention. Fairview's Director of Rehabilitation Services, Victoria Guy, PT, DPT, notes the purpose of the program is to raise awareness of the risks that are common in an aging community. "Our goal is to focus on tools and information that will help our community in preventing falls and show the importance of strengthening that they can do themselves each day that will help them avoid falls and related injuries," Guy said. Dalton Health Board Extends Vote on Blighted Home DALTON, Mass. The Board of Health last Wednesday agreed to extend its vote on condemning 27 Mountain View Terrace to the October meeting. Roberta Steele and her niece, Kathleen Winterstein, who lives in Utah, have been working since June to develop a plan to address the home's condition. Steele has been cited several safety issues with the home, including clutter blocking egresses, a collapsing roof and porch, mold throughout the house, especially in the basement where there is water damage, and the lack of water, electricity, and gas. Neighbors have complained that rats coming from the "abandoned" property have infested their homes. Winterstein has provided the board with invoices and a projected timeline of the work and board Chair Robert Kinzer had wanted to see action, invoices, and a plan by last week's meeting. "Things do come up and my background is a criminal prosecutor and a defense attorney. It gets suspicious when things are always brought up at the last minute," Kinzer said. "[When] there's mysterious circumstances, but I haven't seen anything personally that makes me question it, other than the timing of it." The board agreed not to condemn the home to allow the family time to address the issues because condemning the property would not result in immediate action and could take up to a year before any demolition could occur. The timeline that Winterstein presented would have most of the work done by November and all the work left to be done would be making the house look nicer on the inside and livable for Steele. Some work the board had requested to be done has been delayed due to several family emergencies. "Life happened and she shared with us some experiences she had in her family and I took them as genuine. That changed my opinion on moving the timeline," Kinzer said. "Frankly, it seemed like a real issue to me. It seemed important, it seemed genuine. So I was willing to allow the grace for that. It didn't seem like it was BS to me, and that's what I'm looking for." During Wednesday's meeting, Winterstein informed the board that pest control had visited the property on Sept. 10 and provided invoices. Pest Off conducted a thorough inspection in and around the property and found no evidence of rodents. The investor Winterstein mentioned during the August meeting is still interested, but Steele has been on the fence because she is still considering moving into the home. Winterstein said she has questioned why Steele is hesitant to sell and why she is considering living next to neighbors who do not like her. She said Steele had been harassed by the neighbors who had posted online about her, which has caused a lot of issues. Steele told her that the neighbors have been "literally screaming in her face at her about her being rat woman and things like this." During the meeting, Jonathan Baker of 33 Mountain View said he could not speak about the online harassment as he is not friends with his neighbors online. However, he has not seen the interactions Winterstein described and asked if there had been police involvement. Kinzer said if there are ever situations like this, the police should be called. Baker also expressed his frustration with Winterstein and Steele's lack of communication about updates, citing an email sent to the board with an update just hours before the meeting on Wednesday. The update showed the work projected to be done in the coming weeks and months and the reason for the delay. It showed that the furniture, yard waste, moldy drywall, insulation removal, and electrical and plumbing repairs have been scheduled. The furniture will be removed on Sept. 17, and the yard waste will be removed on Sept. 19. During the August meeting, Winterstein explained that Steele had started the yard work but had to stop because of health issues requiring bed rest on doctor's orders. Winterstein said her daughter and her cousin were supposed to visit over Labor Day weekend to take over the yard waste project, pest control, and emptying of the home and garage. However, the cousin got into a car accident, and they were unable to help. "They felt really bad about it, so I was actually grateful they went to bat, tried to figure out who they could get to do this," she said. A friend from Pennsylvania who is visiting the area agreed to provide yard waste removal services "at a very low cost." "I can't complain too much about it taking extra long, other than I wanted it done, obviously, well before this meeting, but we do have an agreement that they will be out there next week," she said. Winterstein added that the tentative start date for the roofing is Sept. 30, but it is dependent on permit approval. The contractor has also revised its scope to handle the drywall repair and mold remediation, but plans to start in early October, pending permit approvals are in place. The contractors will communicate and schedule their work in a phased and coordinated manner as the renovation progresses, Winterstein said. Electrical and plumbing repairs, including new water heater installation, are estimated to start on Oct. 15 and no one has been hired for the heating system but they have spoken to several contractors who said the heating system can be installed within a week of placing a service order. The drywall repair, paint, and installation of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors has a tentative start date of Nov. 4, Winterstein said in her email to the board. Tuesday 17 September 2024, 06:39 - Last updated: 26 September, 10:00 American rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs - also known by the name Puff Daddy - was arrested by Manhattan police after several complaints were filed against him for sexual assault. This was announced by New York justice. Federal agents have arrested Sean Combs based on an indictment filed in the Southern District of New York, said prosecutor Damian Williams, specifying that the details of the charges are expected to be revealed this morning. Sean Combs was indicted today in Manhattan for sex trafficking and conspiracy. The Complaints Diddy's lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, explained in a press release that his client was voluntarily in the city, where he had moved. His side is disappointed by the decision of the United States Attorney's Office to pursue what we believe to be an unfair judicial proceeding against Combs, Agnifilo added. Diddy, 54, is described by his alleged victims as a sexually violent predator who used alcohol and drugs to obtain their submission. Since early July, the rapper has been under scrutiny following a complaint from former porn actress Adria English for sexual assault. In total, nine complaints have been filed against the rapper since November 2023. In one of these, his ex-partner 'Cassie' Ventura accuses him of having exhibited violent and deviant behavior for a decade. Sean Combs has so far vehemently denied all accusations, which have accompanied him since the 1990s, although no significant conviction has ever been pronounced against him. The Drug Parties Since the first accusations made by his ex-girlfriend in November, other individuals have sued the music mogul. Among them is Dawn Richard, who claimed to have been groped and threatened between 2005 and 2012 and reported seeing him brutally beat Ventura. Richard, who was part of the girl group Danity Kane, formed by Combs on the MTV reality show Making the Band, and later the group Diddy - Dirty Money, sued Combs last week. He denied the accusations, calling them disgusting claims and said he was shocked and disappointed. Richard also recounted attending drug parties at Combs's house, where guests were asked to hand over their phones. She also claimed to have seen underage girls drunk, being sexually assaulted by Combs and his guests. Combs's lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said his client, 54, had cooperated with the investigation and voluntarily moved to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Sean 'Diddy' Combs is a music icon, a self-made entrepreneur, a loving man, and a philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to give more space to the Black community, the statement read. He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal, he 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 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 Booker Prize Shortlist was announced at Somerset House on Monday (16 September), with religion, climate change, and race among the key themes tackled by the selected titles. Judges had the arduous task of whittling down the 13 longlisted books, announced in July, to just six, and broke records in the process. The prestigious literary awards 2024 shortlist features the largest number of women in its 55-year history, with five women and one man represented. Each of the six shortlisted authors receives a 2,500 prize and a bespoke bound edition of their book. They are also likely to enjoy a significant uptick in sales owing to the vast publicity surrounding the Booker Prize. Common themes among this years selected titles are those which transport readers around the world, out of the Earths atmosphere, and across time. Announcing the news at Somerset House, Edmund de Waal, chair of the 2024 judges, insisted that the books were not selected for the issues they tackled, though he did acknowledge that they all grappled with ideas of identity and the fault lines of our times. The list features mostly established writers, with only one debut author making an appearance. Its a distinct change from the 2023 shortlist in which only debut authors were selected, including last years winner Paul Lynch, who won for his book Prophet Song. There is one British author on this years list, Samantha Harvey. Australian, Dutch, American, and Canadian writers also appear. The Booker Prize Shortlist was announced on Monday 16 September ( Booker Prize Foundation ) The winner of the 2024 Booker Prize will be announced on Tuesday 12 November, and will be awarded 50,000 in prize money. See the full shortlist below James by Percival Everett (Mantel) A re-telling of Mark Twains masterpiece Huckleberry Finn, Everetts novel follows the experience of Finns companion James, a runaway slave. The author has said that he does not see his work as a corrective to the original, but rather as in conversation with Twain. This is the second time that Everett has been nominated for the Booker, the first being for his novel The Trees in 2022. The American authors 2001 novel Erasure was adapted into Oscar-nominated film, American Fiction starring Jeffrey Wright in 2023. ( Mantle/Jonathan Cape ) Orbital by Samantha Harvey (Jonathan Cape) Six astronauts rotate around the earth on the International Space Station in Orbital. Their minds wander to existential questions about life, earth, and relationships as they share intimate conversations with one other. Speaking about her novel, Harvey said she attempted to write from a place of realism rather than sci-fi and attempted to do so with the care of a nature writer. Like Everett, this is the second time that the British author has been longlisted for the Booker, the first being in 2009 for The Wilderness. It is the first time she has been shortlisted. Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner (Jonathan Cape) Set amid the chaos of the climate crisis, Kushners novel follows protagonist Sadie Smith in her work as an undercover agent on a mission to infiltrate a commune of eco-activists in rural France led by a charismatic leader. Tensions arise when she finds herself falling under his spell. The American author has been nominated for the Booker once before in 2018 with The Mars Room. She is an internationally bestselling author whose work has been translated into 27 languages. Speaking about Creation Lake, Kushner said that she had long wanted to write a novel about a group of people on a collision course with the French state. ( Jonathan Cape/Bloomsbury Publishing ) Held by Anne Michaels (Bloomsbury Publishing) The acclaimed Canadian authors third book spans four generations, and revisits themes covered in her earlier work, including history, loss, trauma, and love. In Held, a carousel of characters appear including John who returns home from war grievously wounded; Alan, a war photographer, and Mara, a nurse in a field hospital. Their sense of the present is interrupted by memories of the past as Michaels does away with traditional narrative structures. Speaking about the themes of her book, she said she had been moved by the voices that were needed in these urgent times. The author has won several awards in the past, including the Orange Prize for Fiction, and her books have been translated into more than 50 languages. The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden (Viking) A tale about desire and infatuation, The Safekeep tells the story of two very different women who find themselves living together when Isabels brother drops his irreverent and chaotic girlfriend off at his sisters house. Set in the aftermath of the Second World War, a rage-fuelled obsession ensues as Isabel desperately grasps for order. The Dutch author is the only debut writer on the list. Van der Wouden said the book was inspired by a short story she once wrote about three siblings out for dinner and the additional girlfriend everyone hates. ( Viking/Sceptre ) Stoneyard Devotional by Charlotte Wood (Sceptre) A middle-aged woman returns to Sydney in need of rest and retreat. An atheist, she surprisingly finds herself embedded within a religious community whose sleepy existence is disturbed by three mysterious events. Wood is an Australian author whose oeuvre includes seven novels and three works of nonfiction. She said that Stoneyard Devotional grew from elements of my own life and childhood merging with an entirely invented story about an enclosed religious community. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Hillary Clinton has condemned Elon Musks rotten and creepy social media message to Taylor Swift, describing it as another way of saying rape. Clinton argued that Musk was acting as a mouthpiece for Donald Trump after Swift endorsed his rival Kamala Harris in the upcoming US presidential election. Swift posted her endorsement beside a photo of herself posing with her cat Benjamin Button and in an apparent dig at Donald Trumps running mate JD Vance the pop superstar signed her message: Childless Cat Lady. Musk, a 53-year-old billionaire and father of 12, replied: Fine Taylor you win I will give you a child and guard your cats with my life. On Kara Swishers podcast, Clinton discussed Trumps reaction to the endorsement and said: He had his alter-ego, Elon Musk, say something really rotten and creepy about her. She added that when Musk said he would impregnate her it was kind of another way of saying rape, I think. open image in gallery Hillary Clinton, Taylor Swift and Elon Musk ( Getty ) Clinton continued: I cant understand why he says what he says. It just is beyond my imagination. When I see Trump, or I see him, this whole cast of MAGA characters, and especially the so-called masters of the universe in the technology world misogyny is such a part of their worldview, and they gravitate toward toughness and brutality and machoism. And you know, heres Taylor Swift, a self-made billionaire who brings joy to people and who imparts life lessons, particularly to girls and women... They cant stand it. I think [Swifts endorsement] was really going to trigger Trump. If it had happened before the debate it would have overpowered the debate. The fact that it happened right after the debate and just added to Kamalas momentum must have just set them all off. Following the endorsement, Trump angrily declared I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT! on his Truth Social platform. Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up The Harris campaign responded with a cheeky statement rife with Taylor Swift song references. Were pretty sure its Safe (& Sound) to say Donald Trumps week has him Down Bad. Mr Not-at-all-Fine has spent this week working through his feelings, whining about his Champagne Problems, the statement began. It went on to recount Trumps week of rambling, yelling and constant conspiracy theories, which included his recent visit to New Yorks 9/11 memorial ceremony, where he was accompanied by far-right activist Laura Loomer, who has a history of pushing 9/11 conspiracy theories. Call It What You Want, but Its Nothing New for the Smallest Man Who Ever Lived, the statement 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 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 mother of ballerina Michaela DePrince has died the day after her daughters shock death. Michaela, 29, died on 10 September while her mother Elaine died during a routine procedure in preparation for surgery the next day, their family has confirmed. An orphan of war in Sierra Leone, Michaela moved to the United States while still an infant and was adopted by Elaine at the age of four. Elaine did not know about her daughters death at the time of her procedure. A statement shared by a representative of the DePrince family said: As unbelievable as it may seem, the two deaths were completely unrelated. The only way we can make sense of the senseless is that Elaine, who had already lost three children many years ago, was by the grace of God spared the pain of experiencing the loss of a fourth child. It continued: What the family is going through right now is truly unimaginably painful. Grieving two family members who died within a 24 hour period is tragic and devastating. In an earlier statement shared on Friday 20 September, the DePrince family said: Michaela touched so many lives across the world, including ours. She was an unforgettable inspiration to everyone who knew her or heard her story. Michaela DePrinces mother Elaine has died one day after her 29-year-old daughters shock death ( Ian Gavan/Getty Images ) From her early life in war-torn Africa, to stages and screens across the world, she achieved her dreams and so much more. Michaela was born Mabinty Bangura in Kenema, Sierra Leone on January 6, 1995. She grew up as an orphan from the age of three after her father was reportedly shot and killed by the Revolutionary United Front and her mother starved to death. In 1999 she was adopted by Elaine and Charles DePrince, and moved to Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Michaela went on to study classical ballet in the US, and was one of the stars of the 2011 documentary First Position, which followed six young dancers as they competed for a place at an elite ballet school. She made history by becoming the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, before moving to the Netherlands to dance with the Dutch National Ballet. She then returned to the United States to dance with Boston Ballet. Michaela was adopted by Elaine at the age of four ( AP ) In 2012 she appeared on Dancing with the Stars, and in 2016 she choreographed her own dance moves to accompany the song Freedom on Beyonces visual album Lemonade. She said I looked like I was a creature from another planet, DePrince told the Wall Street Journal about meeting the pop superstar. She walked up to me and said, Its such an honor to have you here. I was really cheesy and said, The honor is mine. I was on cloud nine. Her 2014 memoir, Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina, which she co-authored with her adoptive mother has been published in 12 countries. In 2018 it was announced that Madonna was attached to direct a film adaptation. Boston Ballet paid tribute to DePrince following her death. Were sending our love and support to the family of Michaela Mabinty DePrince at this time of loss, said their statement. We were so fortunate to know Mabinty; she was a beautiful person, a wonderful dancer, and she will be greatly missed by us all. 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 Bridgerton season four will welcome Harry Potter alum Katie Leung as one of the key rivals to new leading lady Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha). Scottish actor Leung, 37, best known for her role as the titular wizards love interest, Ravenclaw witch Cho Chang in the blockbuster film franchise, will star as twice-married and twice-widowed Lady Araminta Gun. Lady Araminta is the mother of two daughters debuting on the marriage mart this season and is feeling the pressure to get at least one of them married off, an official character description reads. Fabulous, discerning, and blunt, Araminta does not respond well when anything or anyone threatens her standing in society. Meanwhile, her eldest daughter Rosamund Li (Goosebumps Michelle Mao), described as beautiful, vain and eager to please her mother has set her sights on Benedict Bridgerton this season and is determined to get what she wants. The Crows and 1899s Isabella Wei will star as Rosamunds friendlier and chattier younger sister, Posy Li. The forthcoming season of Netflixs high Regency-era romance will be based on the third novel, An Offer from a Gentleman, in author Julia Quinns Bridgerton series. open image in gallery Harry Potter star Katie Leung will join Bridgerton' season 4 ( John Phillips/Getty Images ) It will focus on the love life of the second-oldest Bridgerton, Benedict, who, in previous seasons, has shown little interest in marriage. That is until he meets Sophie, disguised in a silver gown, at Violet Bridgertons masquerade ball. Sophie is a victim of tragic events and has been forced to spend much of her life working as a maid for the most demanding employer in the town. However, her circumstances drastically change after attending the ball. 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 Originally named Sophie Beckett in the books, Sophies surname has since been changed to Baek out of respect for Has Korean culture. A name is the first bit of identity that you share with the world, and thats why changing a name can be so powerful, the Korean-Australian actor recently told Tudum. To make Sophies name fit someone who looks like me is really empowering. All credit to Jess Brownell, our showrunner. Ha added: Its a really nice way for me to feel like the role is fit for me, rather than me having to fit a certain mold. Its amazing what it can do just in a psychological sense. So it means a lot that Jess did that for me. Netflix has not yet announced a release date for Bridgerton season four. 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 Sons of Anarchy star Charlie Hunnam has been cast as the notorious serial killer Ed Gein in season three of the Netflix show Monster by Ryan Murphy and not everyone is happy about the choice. The true crime anthology series is set to return to Netflix on 19 September with the focus being on the Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, who were convicted of the murder of their parents in 1996. Season one of the hit show saw Mare of Easttown and X-Men star Evan Peters play Jeffrey Dahmer, the man also known as the Milwaukee Cannibal or the Milwaukee Monster, who committed the murder and dismemberment of 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991. Even before season two has landed on Netflix, the show has announced that season three will concentrate on Ed Gein, a serial killer who has inspired numerous fictional killers in pop culture including Leatherface in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Norman Bates in Psycho and Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs. 44-year-old Hunnam will play Gein, who in 1957 was revealed to have murdered two women and robbed multiple graves, using the stolen body parts to decorate his home and even create furniture and clothing. This wont be the first time that Geins story has been recreated. A 2000 film named In the Light of the Moon, but also known as Ed Gein, starring Steve Railsback was largely panned by critics. Reaction to a new depiction of Geins story has already faced some pushback on social media, with many feeling that Hunnam isnt the right person to play the role. One person wrote: Unpopular opinion: we need to stop romanticising serial killers. I love Charlie Hunnam and am willing to see this portrayal, but Ed Gein is not a person Id ever want to meet in real life. A second added: Ed Gein is evil. These killers are evil. These Ryan Murphy shows are making them into sex symbols. 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 A third said: Ed Gein was one of the worst serial killers to ever live, he inspired Psycho and Leatherface and he did not look like Charlie Hunnam. He should not be hot. The Monster series, despite becoming a sensation has not been without controversy. After the first season became a hit it was soon condemned by many viewers who felt it was exploitative. Families of Jeffrey Dahmers victims also spoke out, saying the series was re-traumatising. A Milwaukee attorney, who previously represented a number of the families, later called on Murphy to share the profits with his former clients. open image in gallery Evan Peters in Netflixs Jeffrey Dahmer series, Monster ( Netflix ) The only meaningful Dahmer victim family action on Murphys part would be a monetary consideration from the Netflix profits for their exploitation and continuing trauma, attorney Thomas M Jacobson said at the time. 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 Emily in Paris is returning for a fifth season, Netflix said, adding that Emilys stint in Rome may be a little longer than expected. Lily Collins, who stars as Emily, also confirmed on Good Morning America that the Darren Star show will return for another season and later posted a teaser video on her Instagram. Theres no place like Rome, Collins said in the teaser before taking a sip from her cup, which reveals a number five on the base, confirming the forthcoming season. In the interview, Collins talked about Emilys new romantic interest, Marcello Muratori, played by Eugenio Franceschini, who she met on a ski trip in the French Alps, after being abandoned by her on again-off again beau, the French chef Gabriel, played by Lucas Bravo. Marcello is a whole other adventure that we want for Emily because we ultimately want Emily to be able to have a better work/life balance, Collins told Netflixs Tudum. We want to have Emily be able to smile without condition. We want to see her beyond her vacay mode. And he comes at that perfect time. Star confirmed that while Emily is heading to Rome, she will not be abandoning Paris. Were thrilled with the incredible response to this season of Emily in Paris and excited to return for a fifth to continue Emilys adventures in Rome and Paris! he said. Emilys going to have a presence in Rome. It doesnt mean shes not going to be in Paris, but shes going to have a presence in Rome. Star claimed that Emilys move to Rome to run her marketing agencys new office was born from a desire to stay ahead of the audience and take them to unexpected places and prove that the show has the ability to have a bigger footprint. 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 The addition of a new romantic interest doesnt mean that fan favourite Gabriel is completely out of the picture, he said, but Marcello will definitely be a strong contender for Emilys heart. I feel like they have a real spark and a real connection and a real romantic connection. A lot of thats going to continue to play out next season, said Star. open image in gallery Lily Collins and Eugenio Franceschini in Emily in Paris ( Netflix ) While the second part of season four began with Emily and Gabriel breaking up, it ended with Gabriel realising that ending things with Emily was a mistake. Unfortunately, Gabriel has to deal with the repercussions of his choice, said Collins. The Independents Katie Rosseinsky described part one as low-stakes fluff that ends with a Gallic shrug. As a character, Emily feels a little like she has been genetically engineered in a lab, grown from the quirky-adorable DNA of previous romcom heroines, so its only right that she has a pair of cardboard cut-out love interests vying for her heart. In addition to Emilys new beau, season four had plenty else going on. Camille (Camille Razat) revealed her false pregnancy, Mindys (Ashley Park) Eurovision plans didnt work out, but she was headed to Shanghai to her next gig as a judge on Chinese Popstar, Sylvie deals with Genevieve (Thalia Besson), her husbands daughter from a past relationship, who arrives from New York to stir the pot for both Sylvie and Emily. Season four also saw a special appearance from Frances First Lady, Brigitte Macron. open image in gallery Lily Collins, Brigitte Macron, and Thalia Besson in Emily in Paris ( Netflix ) The idea of the cameo came to us when Darren Star and I met her at the Elysee Palace in December 2022, Collins said, referring to the series creator. She is a big fan of the show and took the mention of her in season 1 with great humour. This scene in season 4 is a wink, and shooting with her was both an honour and a real joy. Season four of Emily in Paris is currently streaming on Netflix. 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 Three men accused of performing Nazi salutes outside a Jewish museum told police it was a joke, with one man claiming he was copying Ricky Gervais comedy material. Daniel Muston, 41, Ryan Peter Marshall, 31, and Anthony Raymond Mitchell, 32 were charged near the Sydney Jewish Museum in Australia last year. They have pleaded not guilty to behaving in an offensive manner in public and knowingly displaying Nazi symbols without an excuse. Mitchell repeatedly referenced a performance by Gervais in an interview with New South Wales police. A clip of the comedians material was subsequently shown in court. In the skit, Gervais performs a mock Nazi salute and pushes his hair down to imitate Hitler, saying: I do that quick so no one can take a picture of me doing that. Not a traditional subject for comedy, the old Holocaust. Displaying a Nazi symbol carries a maximum penalty of 12 months jail time and an $11,000 (5,620) fine or both, as per a law introduced by New South Wales (NSW) Parliament in 2022. Mitchells lawyer, Adrian Canceri, claimed the 32-year-old had been copying Gervais performance for artistic purposes, which is one of the exemptions under the NSW law. The court viewed footage of the men walking past the Jewish museum on the day of the alleged offence, in which they can be seen raising their hands in what appear to be Nazi salutes. open image in gallery Ricky Gervais in his Netflix special Armageddon ( Netflix ) Magistrate Jennifer Atkinson questioned the timing of the alleged offence, which took place days after hundreds of people were killed in Israel on 7 October. She told the court: It really is a matter of common knowledge what occurred in Israel days earlier. He might have said it was a joke but why that location, why that time? 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 footage from body cameras worn by police at the time of Muston, Marshall and Mitchells arrest, Mitchell claimed the men were all just joking around. Muston also told officers that people have become too sensitive. Police prosecutor David Lanton said in court there was a difference between Gervais performing the salute on stage at a comedy show and others performing the action, even as a joke, in public. To which, Atkinson responded: Im not making a decision about Ricky Gervais. The Independent has contacted Gervais representatives for comment. open image in gallery Gervais has faced criticism for his Netflix specials ( Netflix ) It comes after the comedian faced criticism for a controversial joke about terminally ill children and the Make-a-Wish foundation in his Netflix special last year. Ive been doing video messages recently for terminally ill children and only if they request it, obviously, Gervais says in Armageddon. I didnt burst into hospitals and go, Wake up baldy! Watch me twerking on TikTok. Gervais then claimed that he always starts his videos the same way, saying: I go, Why didnt you wish to get better? What, are you f***ing r*****d as well? Immediately after this remark, Gervais states that he has never actually said this to any Make-a-Wish child. These are all jokes, OK? he says. I dont even use that word in real life, the R-word. 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 is set to get only its second female state leader after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) nominated Atishi to succeed prominent opposition leader Arvind Kejriwal as the chief minister of Delhi. Ms Atishi, who goes by a single name, is one of the most prominent figures in the Aam Aadmi Party, a national opposition party which leads Delhis local legislative assembly. One of the best-known critics of prime minister Narendra Modis government, Mr Kejriwal is set to resign later on Tuesday only a few days after being released on bail by Indias top court. He and other members of his party are facing corruption charges which he says are politically motivated. Speaking at the party headquarters in central Delhi, Ms Atishi said her only aim is to ensure Mr Kejriwal takes the office as chief minister again. I have only one request to the party volunteers and workers please do not garland me, this is an unfortunate moment for Delhiites that Mr Kejriwal has been forced to resign, she said, adding that the party will work to bring AAP to power once again. The decision to name Ms Atishi as his successor was taken on Tuesday morning at a legislative meeting of AAP leaders in New Delhi. She is one of the partys most experienced figures, and has held several major portfolios in the Delhi government including education, finance, revenue and law. She is also a close aide of Mr Kejriwal. Ms Atishi is expected to take the oath for the Indian capitals highest office at around 4.30pm on Tuesday after Mr Kejriwal has formally submitted his resignation. On Sunday, he addressed supporters from the AAP party headquarters and confirmed he would step down. Today I have come to ask the public whether you consider Kejriwal honest or a criminal, he said. I will resign from the post of chief minister two days from today, he said, as party members responded with a chorus of Nos!. Mr Kejriwal said he would return to the chief minister role if he wins a renewed public mandate at the next Delhi assembly elections, expected early next year. It means this is the second time he has resigned in order to seek a fresh mandate in a decade as chief minister of Delhi. In 2014, Mr Kejriwal resigned within his first 50 days in office and returned a year later after landslide election win saw AAP take 67 out of the total 70 constituencies in Delhi. While Delhi has some devolved powers, as the capital its policing and security are controlled by the central government let by Narendra Modis BJP, the party that will also be AAPs primary rival in the citys next local elections. Several AAP members have been arrested in the same corruption case under which Mr Kejriwal was charged. The partys leadership have been accused of taking bribes from liquor companies in exchange for opening up Delhis alcohol market to the private sector. Among those arrested was former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, who spent more than 18 months in jail and was also recently released on bail. Amid those arrests Ms Atishi has at times been left as the most senior figure in the Delhi government, carrying out a number of duties on behalf of the chief minister, including holding press conferences. In June she went on hunger strike to demand more drinking water for Indias capital, saying that 2.8 million people in Delhi were aching for a drop of water during a brutal heatwave. She joins West Bengals Mamata Banerjee as only the second female leader of Indias 36 states and union territories. Though India famously had a female prime minister in Indira Gandhi as far back as 1966, the countrys politics remains overwhelmingly dominated by men. Atishi is also the only woman in Delhis five-member cabinet. Ms Atishi attended Oxford Universitys Magdalen College where she earned a Chevening scholarship and finished her masters in History in 2003. A Rhodes scholar and graduate of Indias top college St Stephens, she has been associated with the party for more than 15 years, including during its early days as a popular anti-corruption movement. 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 }} India strongly deplored comments made by Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who expressed concern over the treatment of Muslim minorities in the South Asian nation. Mr Khamenei said in a social media post on Monday Muslims cannot be oblivious to the suffering of their brethren in India, Myanmar, and Gaza. "The enemies of Islam have always tried to make us indifferent with regard to our shared identity as an Islamic Ummah," he wrote. "We cannot consider ourselves to be Muslims if we are oblivious to the suffering that a Muslim is enduring in Myanmar, Gaza, India, or any other place," Mr Khamenei said. New Delhi on Tuesday objected to the "unacceptable" statement, calling it "misinformation". "Countries commenting on minorities are advised to look at their own record before making any observations about others," an Indian foreign ministry spokesperson said. India's 200 million Muslims, under the governance of prime minister Narendra Modis right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have been subjected to discrimination, economic boycott, mob lynchings and sectarian violence, according to rights group. A Human Rights Watch report in August found Mr Modi made Islamophobic remarks in at least 110 speeches during the general election while campaigning for BJP to secure a rare third term in office. Despite sharing strong bilateral ties with New Delhi, Mr Khamenei has repeatedly criticised the majoritarian governments outlook towards minorities and the troubled Indian federal territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Iranian supreme leader in March 2020 protested the religious violence in capital New Delhi which led to the deaths of 53 people, mostly Muslims. Mr Khamenei called the riot a massacre of Muslims and called on India to confront extremist Hindus and their parties to prevent India's isolation from the world of Islam. A year earlier, he expressed concern over the condition of Muslims in Kashmir just days after the Modi government revoked its special status, imposed a communications blockade, and bifurcated the state into two federal territories. "We have good relations with India, but we expect the Indian government to adopt a just policy towards the noble people of Kashmir and prevent the oppression and bullying of Muslims in this region, he said on social media. His comments were rejected by India's foreign ministry. Tehran is notorious for its violations of the human rights of women and minority communities. Significant human rights issues include reports of arbitrary killings by the government, forced disappearances and rise in gender-based violence, according to the US State Department. A months-long security crackdown killed more than 500 people and saw over 22,000 detained in 2022 during protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini. The Kurdish-Iranian woman died in a hospital after her arrest by the countrys morality police over allegedly not wearing her hijab to the liking of the authorities. India and Iran signed a 10-year contract in May to develop and operate the Iranian port of Chabahar. India has been developing the port in Chabahar on Iran's south-eastern coast along the Gulf of Oman as a way to transport goods to Iran, Afghanistan and central Asian countries, bypassing the ports of Karachi and Gwadar in its rival Pakistan. 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 }} As an armed rebellion against Indian rule raged in Kashmir through the 1990s and 2000s, Jamaat-e-Islami, an influential socio-religious group, called for a boycott whenever an election was held , claiming the exercise was aimed at legitimising what it would describe as New Delhis occupation of the Himalayan region, which is also claimed in part or full by Pakistan and China. But as Kashmir votes in the first regional election in a decade starting on Tuesday, the Jamaat has itself entered the political fray, backing at least 10 candidates in the election. It is a remarkable turnaround for a group that remains banned under Indias anti-terror laws and was once regarded as the mothership of the militant Hizbul Mujahideen. After Narendra Modis government altered Indias constitution in 2019 to do away with the symbolic autonomy of the administrative region of Jammu and Kashmir , it cracked down hard on the separatist movement, jailing thousands of people. The Jamaat, having long been at the vanguard of the movement, was a prime target. Schools associated with the group were ordered shut and the properties of many members were seized in an attempt to curtail its reach and operational capabilities. As recently as February, the Indian government said that the Jamaat was continuing to be involved in fomenting terrorism and anti-India propaganda for fuelling secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir, which is prejudicial to the sovereignty, security and integrity of India. This is what makes the Jamaats participation in the election perplexing, and even experts in the region are divided over what it means. Noor Baba, a renowned Kashmiri political scientist, says it could be a tactical move on the part of a minority within the movement contesting the election as independents in the hope of protection or rehabilitating themselves after the suffering they have endured. The decision to join the fray, he suggests, may not have involved the groups jailed leadership. As a result of internal divisions in the past, Prof Baba says, the Jamaat has suffered at the hands of both the Indian authorities as well as the militants. Similar divisions may have cracked open again. There are many questions, he tells The Independent. Is the top leadership, which is in jail, on board with this or is it not? Supporters of Awami Ittehad Party leader Sheikh Abdul Rashid attend an election campaign rally in Baramulla, Kashmir ( AP ) Another theory is that the decision stems from the Jamaats desire to have the anti-terror ban lifted. There have been reports about conversations between the Jamaat and intermediaries of the Indian government such as Altaf Bukhari, head of a local political party. Ahead of this election, Omar Abdullah, the former chief minister of the former state, had urged the Narendra Modi government to lift the ban on the Jamaat to enable its participation in the assembly election. Mehbooba Mufti, another former chief minister and president of the Peoples Democratic Party, said she would be happy to see the Jamaat return to the electoral arena. Narendra Modi addresses a public rally in Jammu in February 2024 ( AP ) Indian political analyst Apoorvanand Jha, however, sees a more sinister play at work. He says fielding independent candidates is part of a broader strategy of Modis BJP to weaken mainstream political parties such as the National Conference and the Congress and reap the dividend. The BJPs aim is to install a government headed by a Hindu chief minister. That can be achieved by securing as many seats as possible in the Jammu region and fielding as many independents as possible in the valley [of Kashmir], making them win and then taking their support to form the government, he tells The Independent. The BJP is seeking to control Kashmir politically by creating chaos, he says. To achieve that, he adds, the BJP can do anything. It can go to any extent, play any game, collaborate with the radicals, collaborate with separatists. The Independent has contacted the BJP for comment. India has long held up Kashmir, its only majority Muslim territory, as a symbol of its secularism. But when the BJP government revoked the territorys autonomy, Kashmiris accused the Hindu nationalist party of trying to change its religious demographic by settling Indians from elsewhere in the region. Jha says the BJP wants to win the election in order to show its core Hindu base that see, this is a Muslim-populated area which we have now annexed. The candidates backed by the Jamaat maintain that their election participation is about local issues. Ideologies work in time and space. We have to be accommodative and flexible, Talat Majeed, who is contesting the Pulwama constituency, told reporters recently. Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard as a family travels on a motorcycle outside the venue of Indias Independence Day celebrations in Srinagar, Kashmir, on 14 August 2024 ( AP ) Another candidate, Sayar Ahmad Reshi, says their participation in the election is necessary to fill a political vacuum created by regional parties such as the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party. The Jamaats participation seems to have enthused some pro-India factions in Kashmir. This election is unique in recent times because the banned Jamaat-e-Islami is openly backing and campaigning for independent candidates owing allegiance to it, Mr Abdullah said in an interview with the Hindustan Times. This is a huge change from previous elections. Otherwise, ever since I have seen politics here from 1996 onwards, the Jamaat has been at the forefront of trying to stop people from voting. Ali Mohammad Watali, a former police chief of Kashmir, isnt as enthused. The Jamaat was pro-Pakistan and pro-terrorism, he was quoted as saying by Frontline magazine. Now they have changed their stance suddenly. It looks like this is being done by the agencies so that the BJP can form a government here with the help of new political fronts, including the Jamaat-e-Islami. Agencies is a catch-all term used in Kashmir for the intelligence, security and surveillance apparatus of the Indian state. The Jamaat candidates have indicated their willingness to form alliances, before or after the election, with any party that works to restore dignity to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah says the Jamaats participation in the Jammu and Kashmir election is a huge change ( AP ) Prof Saddiq Wahid, a senior visiting fellow at the Centre for Policy Research think tank in New Delhi, tells The Independent the BJPs actions in Jammu and Kashmir since the revocation of its autonomy have been aimed at creating confusion and chaos. How is Jamaat suddenly into the picture? he asks. He fears that the political landscape of Kashmir is being manipulated to dilute local representation and prevent self-governance. They do not want the people of Jammu and Kashmir to have a government that will allow them to govern themselves, he says, referring to the Indian government. The fundamental question, though, is whether people will trust the candidates backed by the Jamaat, Prof Baba points out. How many people will vote for them, support them? For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails 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 latest internet celebrity, baby hippo Moo Deng, is challenging her keepers with the unexpectedly big crowds she is drawing to her zoo, two hours south of the capital Bangkok. Moo Deng, whose name means bouncing pig in Thai, has millions of fans on social media following her clumsily charming adventures, including trying to nibble her handler despite still lacking teeth. Normally on weekdays and in the rainy season - which is a low season - wed be getting around 800 visitors each day, said Narungwit Chodchoy, director of the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province. ( REUTERS ) But the zoo is now getting 3,000 to 4,000 people on weekdays, and welcomed 20,000 visitors over the weekend, he said - most of them lining up to see Moo Deng. Moo Deng fever means we will have organise better so all visitors can see her, Narungwit said. On Monday morning, the pink-cheeked hippo, whose siblings are called Pork Stew and Sweet Pork, was sitting happily in a bowl of vegetables and other snacks. I left home in Bangkok from 6:30 this morning just to come and see Moo Deng, said 45-year-old Ekaphak Mahasawad. Im only here to see her. Not all the attention Moo Deng is receiving is welcome. In a video shared on social media, Moo Deng is sleeping in her enclosure when a visitor pours water on her. Other visitors have thrown bananas and shellfish at her to try and get her attention. ( REUTERS ) ( REUTERS ) ( REUTERS ) Narongwit Chodchoi, director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, on Thursday released a statement asking visitors not to throw objects at her or make loud noises. He warned that the zoo would take legal action against those who do not behave, according to the Bangkok Post. He added that the zoo had installed surveillance cameras in the area and an officer had been appointed to watch over her. ( REUTERS ) Born on 10 June to parents Jona and Tony at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Moo Deng has two siblings. She was first revealed to the public on 25 July, and her name was chosen after a vote held by the zoo. Moo Dengs grandmother, Malee, recently celebrated her 59th birthday as Thailands oldest hippo. 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 }} Monkeys from the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia could be sent to breeding farms that export the primates to laboratories for use as test animals, a British animal protection organisation has warned. Action for Primates, or AfP, said it was concerned for the welfare of the monkeys after Cambodias Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced a census of the primates in public areas, seeking to identify and relocate aggressive ones to legal breeding farms, natural habitats, or the Phnom Tamao Zoo. Sending them to breeding farms is exceptionally cruel," Sarah Kite, a founder of AfP, said. An unnamed official in the ministry told the Phnom Penh Post that the monkey capture operation at the iconic tourist hotspot had not yet commenced. It was likely to start after the Pchum Ben festival in October. AfP said that the aggressive behaviour of monkeys at the Angkor Unesco World Heritage Site stemmed from years of being treated as tourist attractions, leading to an unnatural dependence on humans for food. "The monkeys at Angkor Wat are paying the price for inappropriate and preventable human behaviour," Ms Kite said, criticising videographers for exploiting wild monkey troops for financial gain. Macaque monkeys next to the Bayon temple in Angkor Park on 7 July 2022 ( AFP via Getty ) There are disturbing videos online showing the animals being mistreated for internet content such as a baby monkey being doused with water and a juvenile macaques genitals being manipulated for the camera. Authorities do not permit such activities, but it is difficult to stop, said Long Kosal, deputy director general of the Apsara National Authority, responsible for the protection and management of the Angkor archaeological site. Mr Kosal advised videographers to cease exploiting the monkeys for online content. This is the problem for us, he told the Associated Press. We need to find solid reasons which we can use against them not to make content by abusing the monkeys. The biggest problem is these videos are generated to make money," said Nick Marx, director of wildlife rescue and care for the Wildlife Alliance. "If people stop watching them, that would really help solve the problem of abuse." The Independent has contacted the ministry for comment. 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 Hailing all beauty addicts, the Amazon Prime Day October sale is nearly here and that means discounts on skincare and hair products galore incoming. It was only recently we had the retail conglomerates July price slash, but Amazons autumnal sales addition (or its Prime Big Deal Days, as its also dubbed) is another prime pardon the pun chance to nab some reductions on everything from shampoo to foundation. Thats right, with this being the brands third year of autumnal reductions, were used to seeing offers on Elemis cleansers, Redken shampoos and ghd styling tools, and well be keeping our eyes peeled for the real money savers. With Korean skincare brands, like COSRX, being as popular as ever on social media, plus the arrival of winter prompting us to restock our moisturisers for dry skin once more, weve plenty of items on our big deal day wishlist and, below, weve pulled a few of the items on offer now (which were hoping will be further reduced come October). Not to mention everything youll need to know, from key dates to sign up information. When is the Amazon Prime Day beauty sale? Amazon has confirmed the big two-day sale bonanza will kick off next week on 8 October and finish at 11.59pm on 9 October. Thats 48 full hours of delightful deals. How can I take part in the Amazon Prime Day beauty deals? Given its name, the brands Prime Big Deal Days sale does require you to be an Amazon Prime member, but its not too late to get involved. Memberships can be paid monthly or yearly at 8.99 or 95, respectively, and its easier than ever to sign up. Simply head to our handy Amazon Prime sign-up page and get involved. Plus, you can sign up for a 30-day free trial to give the service a whirl before you commit to full-time membership. And we bet you didnt know you can have a second 30-day trial if you havent been a Prime member in past 12 months, so its really very tempting. Lest you miss out on a half price Shark flexstyle... The best beauty offers to expect in Octobers Prime Big Deal Days Having worked on Amazons twice annual members sale for quite a few trips around the sun now, weve accumulated a bit of know-how on the brands to expect reductions on. Some definitely maybes? Ghd, Urban Decay and Elizabeth Arden are almost certain to be getting involved and well be eyeing up the latters premium-priced retinol capsules. Some hopefuls? Olaplex is usually quite generous with its Amazon deals, itll just be a case of which Olaplex formulas make the cut heres hoping for No.3 bond maintenance. Likewise, were used to seeing reductions on our favourite fake tans but well be waiting until the day of to discover which of our top picks, from St. Tropez to Dove, have made the cut. Best beauty deals to shop now at Amazon, ahead of Octobers Big Deal Days Murad resurgence retinol youth renewal: Was 92, now 30.60, Amazon.co.uk open image in gallery ( Amazon/The Independent ) The creme de la creme of retinols, Murads youth renewal collection is the stuff of legend, working to boost hydration in dryer mature skin and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In our review of the little magic worker (alongside the ranges matching youth renewal night cream 50, Amazon.co.uk), we reported noticeable improvements in our skin, from reduced bumpiness to more plump and filled 11s (the two vertical lines that appear between the brows). Were not kidding when we tell you this serum is *never* this affordable, so grab it while you can. OLAPLEX no 3 hair perfector: Was 28, now 17.95, Amazon.co.uk open image in gallery ( Amazon/The Independent ) One of the best hair products in the biz, Olaplexs No.3 hair perfector is the ultimate revitaliser for your locks, and will transform them from lacklustre to luscious. Testing the pre-shampoo mask in our guide to the best Olaplex hair products, our reviewer commented that not only does No.3 (along with No.0) contain the highest level of the patented bond-builder thats signature to the brand, it worked wonders on split ends and made our testers hair visibly shinier. With 36 per cent off, nows your time to pick up a bottle for less. ELEMIS pro-collagen cleansing balm: Was 48, now 37.24, Amazon.co.uk open image in gallery ( Amazon/The Independent ) An oldie but a goodie, Elemis pro-collagen cleansing balm is adored by everyone from Molly-Mae Hague to Victoria Beckham, and it is even more enticing now its been reduced by more than 10. The formula featured in our round-up of the best cleansers, with our tester saying it did away with foundation and mascara, hassle-free before adding their skin felt smooth and was left with a velvety texture. BaByliss 2100 hydro-fusion hair dryer: Was 60, now 34.98, Amazon.co.uk open image in gallery ( Amazon/The Independent ) Tested over the course of two months here at IndyBest, Babyliss hydro-fusion hair dryer was described by our curly-haired reviewer as the one tool they rely on for taming frizzy locks. Its affordable (now even more so, with 42 per cent off), lightweight, and features a unique moisture-balancing system to keep hair hydrated. What more could you want? COSRX advanced snail 96 mucin power essence: Was 23.99, now 12.28, Amazon.co.uk open image in gallery ( Amazon/The Independent ) One of the best ways to revive irritated skin, COSRXs snail mucin essence is a viral sensation and went down a treat with our IndyBest reviewer, too. Citing immediate glow and healthy sheen the formula left on our skin, we enjoyed how it left the skin feeling as though its had a generous drink of water, thanks to humectant (water-attracting) hyaluronic acid. CeraVe hydrating hyaluronic acid serum: Was 23, now 16.75, Amazon.co.uk open image in gallery ( Amazon/The Independent ) One of the best affordable hyaluronic acid serums especially with 57 per cent off CeraVes formula with HA, ceramides and glycerin was described as the brands best serum in our round up of the best CeraVe products. Therein, our reviewer commented that its super lightweight and offers up to 24 hours of hydration, adding that it offers a more intensive hit of moisture when layered under your day-to-day moisturiser. With more than 6 to save, its a hydration hero that we wont be sleeping on. From vacuums to tech, discover more about the October Prime Day sale now 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 Fashion icons including Stella McCartney, Alexa Chung and Amelia Dimoldenberg gathered on Londons South Bank to celebrate the launch of In Vogue: The 90s a new documentary series that tells the story of Nineties fashion through the eyes of Vogue editors Anna Wintour, Edward Enninful, Hamish Bowles and Tonne Goodman. It was such a great time, such an authentic time for fashion, said Edward Enninful OBE, who spent six years as editor-in-chief of British Vogue. I liked the rock and roll attitude we had back then anything was possible, lets go for it, its an attitude I think we need more and more. The stars agreed that the Nineties was a hedonistic time, where high-octane creativity was off the scale, cultures were merging and life became high contrast. Everything was changing, whether it was John Galliano, McQueen or Madonna, said Anna Wintour DBE, Vogues long standing editor-in-chief. It was a moment where all kinds of cultures were coming together. It was a very creative time, and thats why designers and journalists keep going back to that period. Wintour and Enninful agreed it was this creativity that todays designers need to hang on to its whats at the core of the arts, and what draws us together. When asked what her wildest and most memorable moment of the Nineties was, British fashion designer Stella McCartney CBE declared: You know I dont remember it because it was that wild and that good. It seems some fashion icons are worried this world of inhibition and unapologetic hedonism is lost in the digital age. There wasnt social media [in the Nineties], so you didnt have people calling you out all the time, noted British-American designer Harris Reed. I think people now are too scared to wear something too risque because of the comments or what people will share online, but when I talk to iconic models or people who were going to parties back then, they say it was great because you didnt give a flying F you just has the best time. When asked what she believes to be the single most significant trend from the Nineties that still influences fashion today, Wintour simply proclaimed: Creativity. There are countless anecdotes and moments from the archives that sum up the era for Vogue insiders. When Linda Evangelista famously said in an interview with Vogue in 1990 that she wouldnt get out of bed for less than $10,000, the former supermodel, now 59, was exhibiting the free-spirited and unapologetic hedonism of the decade an attitude that wouldnt probably be indulged today. It wasnt all about looking back with rose-tinted glasses, however. When asked which trend should be left in the Nineties, Wintour laughed and concluded: Probably too many to mention. In Vogue: The 90s is streaming on Disney+ Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A woman is challenging the rules of Miss America and Miss World that disqualify her and millions of others from entering. Danielle Hazel says that shes always dreamed of entering the competitions but was devastated to learn that shes no longer eligible because she had a son when she was just 19 years old. Under current rules, mothers are banned from entering beauty pageants. When I told Zion, who is now six years old, about these rules he had an immediate gut reaction: he said that these rules are stupid, she said, speaking at the Womens Rights Pioneers Monument in New Yorks Central Park. His sense of fairness at only 6 years old tells him that this is unjust and makes no sense. Hazels lawyer, Gloria Allred, said a complaint sent Monday to the citys Commission on Human Rights seeks an end to the requirements because they deny and exclude mothers from an important business and cultural opportunity simply because of their status as parents. As we stated in Danielles filed complaint, this exclusion is degrading to Danielle as it is based upon the antiquated stereotype that women cannot be both a mother and be beautiful, poised, passionate, talented and philanthropic, Allred said. Spokespersons for the Miss America and Miss World pageant organizations didnt immediately respond to emails seeking comment Monday. A spokesperson for the human rights commission said the agency does not comment on open investigations. open image in gallery Flanked by Veronika Didusenko, left, and Danielle Hazel, right, attorney Gloria Allred, center, speaks during a news conference ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Allred noted that she previously had success challenging a similar rule for a California mother denied eligibility to compete in the Miss California pageant, which is part of the Miss Universe and Miss USA organizations. The discrimination complaint filed by Andrea Quiroga with the California Civil Rights Department prompted Miss Universe to eliminate its 70-year-old rule, which was imposed worldwide through its affiliated organizations, Allred said. Being pregnant or being a parent is not a crime and should not exclude an individual from employment or business opportunities, Allred said. An individuals status as a parent should not carry a stigma and no person should have to feel embarrassed, humiliated, or degraded because they have become a parent. The two women were joined Monday by Veronika Didusenko, who was crowned Miss Ukraine 2018 only to have the title stripped when the Miss World organization learned that she had a child. Didusenko, who has since created an organization advocating for an end to beauty pageant bans on mothers, said she lost her legal challenge in Ukraine but is seeking relief from the European Court of Human Rights. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A man has launched his own business, in which he attends weddings only to announce an objection to the ceremony. Ernesto Reinares Varea from Spain charges 500 (around $550 USD) to ruin weddings, normally by brides who are unsure how to call off their own nuptials. If you have doubts or dont want to get married and dont know how to refuse, dont worry anymore, Ill object to your wedding, he wrote in an ad, according to Spanish news outlet Antena 3. You just need to tell me the time, place, and date, the ad continued. I will appear in the middle of the ceremony saying that I am the great love of your life and we will run away together hand in hand. The ad began as a joke, before brides started to contact him for his services. Since then, he has continued to receive offers, telling the outlet that he is booked until December. In addition to publicly objecting to the ceremony, Varea also allows family members to slap him for extra money. Each slap is worth 50 euros, he said. The salesman clarified that his services are not limited to brides and also apply to grooms, writing in his original ad that it was suitable for women as well as men. I know it may seem like a joke, but it is not, he said. Vareas job has since caused many people to question whether someone should be paid to break up with anothers partner, when it can be done for free. During a recent episode of the Today show, co-hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb both admitted that they probably wouldnt use Vareas services for themselves. No, because for free you can just say, I want to break up, Bush Hager said, specifically referencing his prices. Meanwhile, Kotb revealed she wouldnt be using his services either, noting that it appears strange to have the weird guy come in to destroy the wedding. Father Jason Lody, a licensed officiant, previously revealed in an interview with Brides that he has increasingly seen weddings skip the objection part of the ceremony. He explained that there are certain methods he uses to smoothly continue on with the wedding, telling the outlet: I tend to deal with things like this, by that I mean awkward situations during a ceremony, with humor, and try to move on unless the objection was extreme. I would make sure the couple was okay and try not to draw any more attention to what just took place. I would assume there would be some intervention or support from others in attendance to remove the cause for disruption, he added. This isnt the only unconventional wedding service to become successful. Earlier this year, Nishma Mistry a wedding planning expert and founder of the website Asian Bride Sorority created Missed RSVP cards for brides and grooms to print and send to their guests who did not answer their RSVP. The message reads: Were sorry you cant make it to our wedding. Our RSVP deadline has passed and you unfortunately did not respond. We would have loved to have you attend but final numbers have now been turned in and your presence will be missed. 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 lawyer for three Americans sentenced to death in Congo on charges of participating in a coup attempt filed an appeal Tuesday, he told The Associated Press. A military court in Congo handed down death sentences last Friday to 37 people, including three young Americans, after convicting them on charges of participating in a coup attempt. The defendants, most of them Congolese but also including a Briton, Belgian and Canadian, had five days to appeal the verdict on charges that include attempted coup, terrorism and criminal association. Fourteen people were acquitted in the trial. Congo reinstated the death penalty earlier this year, lifting a more than two-decade-old moratorium, as authorities struggle to curb violence and militant attacks in the country. The men convicted in the coup attempt would likely be executed by firing squad. Congo is a member of the Treaty of Rome, and because of that the reinstatement of the death penalty was illegal, according to Richard Bondo, the lawyer for the convicted Americans. The parliament should have decided on an alternative penalty, Bondo told the AP but it hasn't so far. Six people were killed during the botched coup attempt led by little-known opposition figure Christian Malanga in May that targeted the presidential palace and a close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi. Malanga was fatally shot while resisting arrest soon after live-streaming the attack on his social media, the Congolese army said. Malangas 21-year-old son Marcel Malanga, who is a U.S. citizen, and two other Americans were convicted in the coup attempt. The other Americans are Tyler Thompson Jr., 21, who flew to Africa from Utah with the younger Malanga for what his family believed was a free vacation, and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, 36, who is reported to have known Christian Malanga through a gold mining company. Marcel Malanga told the court that his father had forced him and his high school friend to take part in the attack. Dad had threatened to kill us if we did not follow his orders, Marcel Malanga said. Marcels mother, Brittney Sawyer, maintains that her son is innocent and was simply following his father, who considered himself president of a shadow government in exile. In the months since her sons arrest, Sawyer has focused her energy on fundraising to send him money for food, hygiene products and a bed. He has been sleeping on the floor of his cell at the Ndolo military prison and is suffering from a liver disease, she said. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check 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 Health Check email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man who died three weeks after receiving the AstraZeneca Covid-19 jab was given the vaccine despite not being eligible, an independent investigation has found. A probe into failings linked to the death of Jack Last, a young man who died in April 2021 from a blood clot linked to the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab, revealed the 27-year-old was wrongly called up early for the vaccine by his GP - and so, did not receive a jab deemed safer for under 30s. The report found his death was a consequence of a combination of system shortcomings, human error, and tragic unfortunate timing. His family have accused the NHS of a litany of errors that cost a fit and healthy young man his life. They said: Sharing the horrific ordeal that Jack was put through is something that must be done to highlight the litany of errors that have cost Jack his lifeJack died following days of agony, with immense internal damage throughout his body, bleeding and clots in his brain. These failures, according to the report, also included a lack of urgency in getting him a CT head scan treatment for possible blood clots and a misdiagnosis of his scan once it had been done. The three-year long investigation into his death, carried out by consultancy Facere Melius, found Suffolk GP Federation was forced to expand the number of people receiving the AstraZenenca jab amid fears over vaccine wastage at the height of the pandemic. The report said Suffolk GP services were being proactive in extending their vaccine invitations and doing their best to vaccinate people against Covid. Jack Last hadnt yet reached 30, but was invited to take the AstraZeneca jab because of inaccurate GP records for his family ( AFP via Getty Images ) Days before his vaccination, on 30 March, the GP services had received a large delivery of the AstraZeneca vaccine that was due to expire within a few days. Despite Mr Last not being eligible for a vaccine because he was not clinically vulnerable, nor was he living with clinically vulnerable people, he was invited to have a vaccine and given the AstraZeneca version. According to the investigation report, inaccurate GP records for his family and a lack of checks when he came into the vaccine centres meant Mr Last received the jab shortly before warnings over its use in under 30s. If Jack had not been invited to have the AstraZeneca vaccine early, he would have been in a much later cohort (starting 8 June 2021), by which time people under 30 were to be offered Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, the report said. At the time the government continued to publish guidance from the MHRA that the benefits of the Covid-19 jab continued to outweigh any risks. Blood clots had been reported in less than one in a million at the time. Six days after receiving his vaccination, Mr Last began to get ill and was experiencing severe headaches, sometimes with vomiting and visual disturbances. However, his CT head scan in which a blood clot was visible was not reported by the hospital radiologist, and he did not receive treatment until a day after his hospital admission. He died on 20 April 2021 after sustaining catastrophic brain damage. Following an inquest it was concluded that the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab had triggered an over-reactive immune response causing blood clots in multiple areas of his body. Covid-19 restrictions in hospital at the time also meant his family were limited in visiting their son in the days before his death. His family said: We believe part of the reason Jack was not taken seriously at the hospital to begin with was because the safe and effective mantra had been repeated so much to the point of it being gospel, that anything that went against this seemed offensive. As though you were somehow wishing Covid-19 on others or you were being deliberately difficult. The report details the many horrendous and ultimately catastrophic errors from the moment Jack arrived at West Suffolk Hospital. It appears that at every turn since he checked in something went wrong, and Jack just couldnt catch a break. Medical director of the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, Dr Andrew Kelso, said: Our thoughts remain with the family of Jack and have been throughout this very tragic case. On behalf of all system partners, we are truly sorry for what has happened and for the loss, heartbreak and distress they must be experiencing...This independent review allowed the system to look at the incident from beginning to end, without the restrictions of organisational boundaries and without prejudice. Suffolk GP Federation was approached for comment. The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Independent Voices email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Researchers have discovered a new fish in Saudi Arabia that looks to be a little crabby. The Grumpy dwarfgoby, known by scientists as Sueviota aethon, was first found off Saudi Arabias Farsan banks: an area of reefs that line the Red Sea. The fish were swimming in small caves and under overhangs, at depths between 33 and 174 feet beneath surface waters. Later, more specimens were seen near the Makkah Province village of Thuwal. At a length of less than two centimeters, the rare fish is characterized by its large canine teeth and intimidating expression. Some were dark red and others were yellowish-orange and white, with dark black pupils and iridescent golden rings that surround them. Their red coloration helps them to blend into their habitat: the walls of the reefs, which are covered in red algae. The fish use their large canines to seize tiny prey. The Grumpy dwarfgoby, known by scientists as Sueviota aethon , has a grumpy-looking mug and serious canine teeth. But, its incredibly small. ( Viktor Nunes Peinemann ) The discovery was made by scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and the University of Washington. Initially, they believed they had rediscovered the known fiery dwarfgoby, which was initially found in the early 1970s. But, then they took a closer look. Their findings were published last week in the journal ZooKeys. I imagine in its own tiny world, it is a fearsome predator. Its grumpy expression and large canines certainly make it look the part, despite its small size, study co-author Lucia Pombo-Ayora said in a statement. The region, known for its high levels of species that do not occur anywhere else in the world, has been disturbed by climate change in recent years. A CT scan shows the skull of The grumpy dwarfgoby. The distinctive fish is rare. Scientists worry that endemic species like this could be wiped out by climate change before theyre event found. ( Viktor Nunes Peinemann ) Around 94 percent of the oceans surface experienced at least one marine heat wave in 2023. Under the pressure of marine heat, corals can drive out the algae that sustain their ecosystems, turning them white and susceptible to disease. Rising ocean temperatures combined with increasing acidification have created inhospitable environments for coral. Increasing ocean acidity - as the ocean absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere - causes reefs to dissolve, as well as other organisms shells and skeletons also made from calcium carbonate. Coral structures, themselves, are animals and comprise thousands of tiny creatures called polyps. Those polyps secrete a hard outer skeleton of calcium carbonate. The Red Sea has seen widespread coral bleaching events and coral deaths. Of course, there are other reasons for coral bleaching, like pollution, low tides, and too much sunlight. Some of the grumpy dwarfgoby fish were yellow and red, with variation in color. They also have striking golden rings around their black pupils. ( Viktor Nunes Peinemann ) Finding the grumpy dwarfgoby, they believe, only increases the urgency of continuous conservation and research in the area. The ongoing discovery of distinctive new species like this grumpy dwarfgoby shows how much biodiversity remains undiscovered in the Red Sea, Viktor Nunes Peinemann said. Peinemann first found the fish during a diving expedition to check out the diversity in the reef. This is concerning given the recent environmental changes in the region. In some cases, species could go extinct before we even describe them. The Independent will be revealing its Climate100 List in September and hosting an event in New York, which can be attended online. The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Independent Voices email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Scientists have warned that a more contagious variant of the Covid virus, dubbed XEC, is starting to spread more rapidly across Europe and could soon become the dominant strain. At this juncture, the XEC variant appears to be the most likely one to get legs next, Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute in La Jolla, said in a post on X on 15 September. Researchers predicted in August that this variant could take a few weeks to a couple of months to take off and spread more rapidly. XEC is definitely taking charge, Dr Topol said. XEC, a sublineage of the omicron variant, was first reported in Berlin, Germany, in June and is now spreading quite rapidly across Europe, North America and Asia, according to Covid data analyst Mike Honey. Model of Covid coronavirus ( Getty ) Slovenia had high rates of infection with this variant in August as over 10 per cent of Covid case samples from the country contained XEC. It is a hybrid of previously discovered omicron subvariants KS.1.1 and KP.3.3 of the novel coronavirus that causes Covid. Recombinant variant XEC is continuing to spread, and looks a likely next challenger against the now-dominant DeFLuQE variants (KP.3.1.1.*). Here are the leading countries reporting XEC. Strong growth in Denmark and Germany (16-17%), also the UK and Netherlands (11-13%). pic.twitter.com/rLReeM9wF8 Mike Honey (@Mike_Honey_) September 15, 2024 KS.1.1 is a type of whats commonly called a FLiRT variant. It is characterised by mutations in the building block molecules phenylalanine (F) altered to leucine (L), and arginine (R) to threonine (T) on the spike protein that the virus uses to attach to human cells. The second omicron subvariant KP.3.3 belongs to the category FLuQE where the amino acid glutamine (Q) is mutated to glutamic acid (E) on the spike protein, making its binding to human cells more effective. So far, over 500 samples from 27 countries, including Poland, Norway, Luxembourg, Ukraine, Portugal and China, have been found to contain XEC. Britain rushes to stockpile Mpox vaccines as expert claims virus very likely infiltrated UK Analysts point to strong growth of the variant in Denmark, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands. As the novel coronavirus continues to evolve, data suggests XEC is growing steadily each day with an advantage over previously known subvariants. At this juncture, the XEC variant appears to be the most likely one to get legs next. Its current status nicely tracked by @Mike_Honey_ 's threadhttps://t.co/4AnLa3MXfz Eric Topol (@EricTopol) September 15, 2024 Its symptoms are similar to those of previous Covid variants, including fever, sore throat, cough, loss of sense of smell, loss of appetite, and body aches. But since it is still only a sub-family of the same omicron lineage, experts say keeping up to date with vaccines and booster shots would offer sufficient protection against severe illness and hospitalisation. The US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention also advises people to practise good hygiene and to take steps for cleaner air. Researchers have called for monitoring the XEC variant more closely to better understand its symptoms. 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 }} Huw Edwards career lies in tatters but it was only by chance that the presenters crimes were uncovered. In July 2023 the Sun reported allegations around payments the presenter made to a 17-year-old in exchange for sexually explicit images. While the stories effectively ended Edwards BBC career, the Met Police found no evidence of a crime. However, a separate investigation was launched into Alex Williams from Merthyr Tydfil and it was on his phone that WhatsApp messages were found, in which he sent Edwards child abuse images. Williams said the pair only met once, and prosecutors found evidence of one video call, but the full extent of their relationship will never be known. Messages on other platforms including Telegram have not been recovered and neither has the phone used by Edwards. Huw Edwards leaves Westminster Magistrates Court in London after being sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for two years ( Lucy North/PA Wire ) The former BBC presenter, 63, was first arrested for his crimes in November of last year after a phone belonging to Williams was seized by South Wales Police. The device contained sickening WhatsApp messages between Williams and Edwards over a 16-month period. Williams sent the BBC star 377 pictures and videos. While the majority featured young men, 41 pieces of media contained children and seven of them fell into the most serious Category A type content. At Edwards sentencing on Monday, Westminster Magistrates Court heard that the messages began in December 2020 after Williams, then 19, contacted Edwards on Instagram. Huw Edwards resigned from the BBC in April on medical advice before the investigation into his illegal activity became public knowledge. ( Lucy North/PA Wire ) Prosecutor Ian Hope told the court: In December 2020, Alex Williams said that he had a file of vids and pics for [Huw Edwards] of someone special. Mr Edwards immediately queried who the subject was and was then sent three images of seemingly the same person. The young boy in question was between 14 and 16, and when asked if he wanted the full file by Williams, Edwards replied: Yes xxx... This prompted Williams to send the presenter more explicit content, including a category A video of a boy whose age was estimated to be between 13 and 15 years old. When Williams told Edwards that he had more hot content to send, he said the files were too large to be exchanged on WhatsApp, prompting the presenter to suggest he use Dropbox. The court heard that the men communicated on several platforms, including Telegram, which has a self-deleting messages feature. Edwards phone has never been found. The Met Police told The Independent that it had not been in use for some time prior to the arrest, adding: There was no evidence of any obstruction or concealment on Edwards part. It was only the WhatsApp conversation from Williamss seized phone that was successfully recovered. In messages dated 2 February 2021, Williams asked Edwards if the media he was sending featured children who were too young and the presenter asked him to refrain from sending underage content. But in another exchange, when asked if he would like to see naughty pics and vids content of a person described as yng [sic], Edwards wrote go on. The presenters crimes were uncovered during a separate investigation into the activity of Alex Williams, now also a convicted paedophile. ( Metropolitan Police/PA Wire ) The court heard that Edwards paid Williams sporadic amounts of money that was described as a gift rather than payment for the content. Mr Hope said: It is also clear that Mr Edwards was paying not insignificant sums of money low hundreds of pounds on an occasional basis to Alex Williams which Mr Williams directly asked for on several occasions, as gifts or presents, apparently off the back of sending pornographic images to Mr Edwards, about which images they chatted. Alex Williams has stated that the money was more generally to support him at university and amounted to around 1,000 to 1,500. News of the investigation into Edwards illegal activity was made public in July of this year after he was charged with three counts of making indecent images of children in relation to the WhatsApp chat in June. He pleaded guilty during a 26-minute hearing that month, with his barrister Philip Evans KC stating that Edwards was suffering from physical and mental health issues at the time. Edwards, who was the presenter of choice for several major royal events, was the BBCs highest-paid news presenter with an annual salary of between 475,000 and 479,999. ( PA Archive ) Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring noted on Monday that the presenters previous good character when sentencing. He is reported to have knocked three months off the 12-month guided sentence for Edwards previous good character and a further three months due to Edwardss prompt guilty plea. The presenters six-month sentence is suspended for two years. He will be on the sex offenders register for a total of seven years and have to attend 25 rehabilitation sessions. Edwards barrister said his client recognises the seriousness of his offences and wished to apologise to everyone he has hurt. Mr Evans said: He recognises the repugnant nature of such indecent images and the hurt that he has done those who appear in such images. For his part, on that, he apologises sincerely and he makes it clear he has the utmost regret. He recognises that he has betrayed the priceless trust of so many people. He recognises he has hurt and damaged his family and his loved ones around him. For all those things he is truly sorry and he is truly sorry he has committed these offences. 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 }} Disgraced former BBC presenter Huw Edwards has been spared jail after admitting accessing indecent images of children as young as seven. The 63-year-old previously admitted three charges of making indecent photographs after he was sent 41 illegal images by now-convicted paedophile Alex Williams over WhatsApp. At Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday, Edwards held his hands together and leaned forward throughout his sentencing hearing as he was handed six months imprisonment, suspended for two years. Chief Magistrate, district judge Paul Goldspring, told the former BBC News at Ten anchor that his long-earned reputation is in tatters and that reputational and financial damage was the natural consequence of your behaviour which you brought upon yourself. The BBC said Edwards had betrayed not just the BBC, but audiences who put their trust in him adding that the corporation was appalled by his crimes. Disgraced former BBC presenter Huw Edwards has been spared jail after admitting accessing indecent images of children as young as seven ( AP ) Below, we take a look at the reasons why Edwards avoided prison time. Remorse The chief magistrate went through the mitigating factors he was taking into account when sentencing Edwards. He said he believed the former broadcasters remorse was genuine and that his mental health at the time of the offences may have impaired his decision-making. Defence barrister Philip Evans KC earlier told Mondays hearing Edwards recognises that he has betrayed the priceless trust and faith of so many people, adding he is truly sorry for how he had damaged his family and his loved ones and for committing the offences. If a court finds an offender to be genuinely remorseful for their crimes, this may lead to a reduction in sentence. The former BBC broadcaster stands in the dock at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday ( PA Wire ) Mental health As mentioned, Edwardss mental health was among the mitigating factors taken into account by the judge when sentencing the former broadcaster. A psychiatrists report, referenced by the chief magistrate in his sentencing remarks, concluded Edwards was at considerable risk of harm from others and the risk of taking his own life was high and significant if he was imprisoned. A separate report conducted by a psychosexual therapist said: The feelings of being desirable and unseen alongside Mr Edwardss unresolved sexual orientation created a perfect storm where he engaged in sexual infidelities and became vulnerable to people blackmailing him. Concerns over Edwardss mental health have been raised throughout his case. If a court finds an offender was suffering from mental health issues at the time of their offence, then culpability may be reduced, according to the Sentencing Councils guidelines. Edwards was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for two years at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday ( Lucy North/PA Wire ) Low risk of reoffending The judge believed Edwards presented no danger to the public. He said: I am of the clear view that you do not present a risk or danger to the public at large, specifically to children. There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. No previous convictions The sentencing judge highlighted Edwardss previous good character in his sentencing remarks, with the former broadcaster holding no previous convictions. The chief magistrate said: Perhaps it does not need saying but you are of previous good character. The judge said he accepts Edwards had been of exemplary good character having enjoyed a very successful career in the media. Its obvious that until now you were very highly regarded by the public, he continued, adding that Edwards was perhaps the most recognised newsreader-journalist. It is not an exaggeration to say your long-earned reputation is in tatters, the judge said. The 63-year-old previously admitted three charges of making indecent photographs after he was sent 41 illegal images by now-convicted paedophile Alex Williams over WhatsApp ( James Manning/PA Wire ) Broad interpretation of making indecent images According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), making an indecent image has been broadly interpreted by the courts, with the law in this area described as confusing. It can range from opening an attachment to an email containing an image, to accessing pornographic websites in which indecent photographs of children appear by way of an automatic pop-up mechanism. In the case of Edwards, he received the illegal images as part of a WhatsApp conversation, so the offence was possessing the images, rather than creating or recording them. Guilty plea Edwards entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity, which automatically reduces his sentence by a third. The former newsreader admitted three charges of making indecent photographs at Westminster Magistrates Court on 31 July. Length of sentence According to the Sentencing Council guidelines, any custodial sentence that is of a length between 14 days and two years can be suspended. The court may suspend the sentence for between six months and two years. Edwardss sentence of six months imprisonment was suspended for two years by the judge on Monday. 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 }} An 87-year-old man in Manchester was blindfolded and bundled into a car at the weekend, before being dumped 15 miles from his home, police have said. The pensioner was walking home from Oldham Central Mosque on Featherstall Road in Greater Manchester, when he was targeted between 8pm and 9.30pm on Sunday (15 September). Greater Manchester Police say a black vehicle pulled up alongside him before two men forced him into the vehicle, where was blindfolded. The men demanded the mans money and phone, as they repeatedly threatened him and ripped his clothes. He was later shoved out of the car and left stranded in West Yorkshire. It took him an hour to find a house in the village of Rishworth, 15 miles from his home, and get help. Detective Inspector Emma Hulston has described the incident as an awful attack. She said: The victim, who suffered serious injuries during the incident, endured a terrifying ordeal in which he was taken from close to his home, before being left with torn clothes in the middle of a dark road in unfamiliar surroundings, and with no means of communication. We are fortunate we are not talking about a potentially more serious or even fatal outcome. Our officers are currently investigating all circumstances of this incident and I would urge anyone with any appropriate information to please come forward. This includes any relevant CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage. Officers hope to speak with two men, who they believe may be Bangladeshi, over the attack. Police say they are around 25 to 30 years old, and were wearing T-shirts and seen drinking alcohol at the time of the incident. 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 Sex Education star has shared distressing footage of the moment he was pepper-sprayed and tackled to the ground by police accusing officers of racial profiling. Reece Richards, who played Eugene in the hit Netflix show, was going home after performing in Hairspray the Musical in Milton Keynes when he was pinned down despite being an innocent bystander. The actor said he witnessed two men fleeing a car crash near his home in Fulham, west London, when he became the victim of an unlawful arrest. He said he tried to point pursuing officers in the direction of the culprits when one turned to him and demanded: Get to the floor or Ill pepper spray you. Sharing distressing footage of the incident on Instagram, he wrote: They pepper-sprayed me, kicked my legs out from under me, threw me to the ground, and handcuffed me. He added: In a flash, I was face-down on the pavement with multiple officers holding me down, forcing my head into the ground. I was already injured from the show, but having four officers on top of me worsened my injuries to my back, ribs, and stomach. I couldnt see anything, but I could hear my mum nearby, screaming and crying, begging them to let me go. The actor has made formal complaints to the Metropolitan Police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct over the incident in the early hours of 4 September as he hit out at racial profiling in the force. The Met Police confirmed it had received a complaint over the arrest which was being investigated by its Professional Standards department. No officers have been suspended or taken off duty over the incident. That feeling of helplessness will never leave me. Ive been stopped and searched before but never have I been arrested or treated like this, Mr Richards said. Witnesses have since told me that the culprits were also handcuffed but were not pepper-sprayed. He added: I do everything I can to avoid interactions with the police, yet this experience has made it painfully clear that racial profiling remains a significant issue. Being surrounded by armed police for no reason is a terrifying and traumatic experience. A Met Police spokesperson said: We are aware of a video circulating on social media of a man being detained in the Fulham area. Officers often find themselves in dynamic, challenging situations and have to make split-second judgements on which course of action to take. Officers had been pursuing three men who had run out of a car that had crashed in Fulham Palace Road after it failed to stop for police. It is clear the man shown in the footage was an innocent bystander and he was dearrested as soon as this was established by officers at the scene. All officers know any use of force must be proportionate and reasonable and they understand their actions will be scrutinised. A complaint has been received in relation to his arrest. This is currently being assessed by officers from the Mets Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS), along with other material including the officers body-worn video footage. None of the officers involved are subject to restrictions at this time. 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 }} Buffer zones will soon be introduced outside abortion clinics to stop women seeking abortions from being harassed by protesters. The government announced on Wednesday that buffer zones will be enacted around abortion clinics from 31 October and it will be against the law to influence, harass or provoke those using or delivering pregnancy termination services. It comes after healthcare providers recently told The Independent anti-abortion activists are ramping up protests outside clinics in the wake of the governments failure to introduce buffer zones outside abortion clinics. MPs voted in favour of nationwide buffer zones outside abortion clinics in England and Wales in October 2022 but the Home Office under the previous Tory government failed to roll them out. The UKs leading abortion provider, MSI Reproductive Choices, previously called for the government to bring in the safe zones immediately. So-called buffer zones are supposed to stop anti-abortion demonstrators standing outside or in close vicinity. The new laws will apply to a 150m radius of the abortion service provider - with those who infringe the new rules facing a fine of an unlimited amount. We will not sit back and tolerate harassment, abuse and intimidation as people exercise their legal right to healthcare, which is why we have fast-tracked this measure to get it up and running without further delay. Jess Phillips Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips said: The right to access abortion services is a fundamental right for women in this country, and no one should feel unsafe when they seek to access this. We will not sit back and tolerate harassment, abuse and intimidation as people exercise their legal right to healthcare, which is why we have fast-tracked this measure to get it up and running without further delay. For too long abortion clinics have been without these vital protections, and this government is determined to do all we can do to make this country a safer place for women. The College of Policing and Crown Prosecution Service will release guidelines for police and prosecutors before the new buffer zones are rolled out. Baroness Merron, minister for patient safety, womens health and mental health, said: No woman should feel scared or threatened when accessing these services, and it is only right they are protected from any abuse or harassment. This government will continue to work closely with NHS England, abortion providers and the wider sector to ensure that women have access to safe, high-quality abortion services. The behaviour weve seen outside our clinics includes spitting, calling women murderers, crying out mummy! mummy! to women as they enter or leave, filming or taking photographs, and handing out false medical information. Louise McCudden Louise McCudden, of MSI Reproductive Choices, said: Women and frontline healthcare workers will finally have the protection they deserve from anti-abortion harassment outside clinics and hospitals. The behaviour weve seen outside our clinics includes spitting, calling women murderers, crying out mummy! mummy! to women as they enter or leave, filming or taking photographs, and handing out false medical information. She said rolling out buffer zones shows the new UK government is not only supporting women in England and Wales to exercise their own reproductive rights safely and with dignity, but they are also sending a clear signal to anti-rights groups elsewhere that their harassment of women is not acceptable. Ms McCudden added: Whatever your personal views are on abortion, nobody should be harassed while accessing healthcare. Olivia Home, who manages one of MSI Reproductive Choices abortion clinics in central London, previously told The Independent that anti-abortion demonstrators harass women seeking abortions with some followed and pestered as they walk to the train station after treatment. She added: They shout insults at women and people, they either shout murderer, baby killer or anything along those lines. They hand out leaflets and rosary beads and the leaflets may contain graphic and quite offensive imagery. They also hand out baby toys whose limbs have been removed which are covered in fake blood. They sometimes spit from their mouths at clients or healthcare professionals or they splash holy water at them. 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 }} Vulnerable people who have physical immigration documents are being encouraged to switch as soon as possible to an electronic system under a new government campaign. Millions of visa holders in the UK have been told to switch from physical documents to an evisa before the deadline of the end of December. Many thousands have already made the switch but the government is worried that vulnerable people such as disabled, homeless or isolated individuals will miss out. The switch is part of a nationwide drive to digitise the UK border and immigration system. Physical documents will be gradually phased out and nearly all visa holders living in the UK will have access to an eVisa by 2025. The Home Office is now launching an advertising campaign for vulnerable customers to try and make sure they are not left behind during the electronic rollout. The Home Office is funding community organisations to contact hard-to-reach communities about the eVisa roll out ( PA ) Four organisations, Migrant Help, Citizens Advice Scotland, the Welsh Refugee Council and Advice Northern Ireland, are being funded to reach out and support people with the transition, as well as 60 community-based organisations. Up to 4million is being provided to the groups to reach people who might not have seen the call out, and support those who have trouble with the online switchover. How have you found the switch to eVisas? Share your experience with holly.bancroft@independent.co.uk Lawyers have previously warned that some migrants living in the UK may miss the deadline and only realise they need online documents when they try to rent a home or return to the UK from holiday. Migrant charity Praxis has criticised the short time frame for people to switch over, saying that the 2025 deadline was a cliff-edge that could leave people without the ability to prove their rights. The Home Office has already battled problems with an immigration database earlier this year that saw thousands of people being listed with incorrect names, photographs or immigration status. Speaking about the eVisa roll out, minister for migration and citizenship Seema Malhotra said: Everyone with physical immigration documents is urged to take action now to switch to an eVisa, and I want to reassure those who need it that free advice and support is available. Close Prince Harry laughs as young boy pulls his beard at WellChild awards in London 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 }} King Charles is set to temporarily pause his cancer treatment while taking part in a high-profile overseas visit after getting the go-ahead from doctors, according to reports. The monarch, 75, who will make the nine-day visit with Queen Camilla, was first diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer earlier this year after a routine procedure to treat an enlarged prostate. It is understood that the monarch will continue his treatment upon his return from Australia and Samoa, following 11 days of travelling, The Mirror reports. Planned engagements for the trip include a visit to the Australian War Memorial and a fleet review of the Royal Australian Navy at Sydney Harbour. Meanwhile, the Duchess of Sussex, 43, has debuted a new look during a surprise appearance at a childrens hospital in Los Angeles over the weekend. Meghan, 43, stepped out at the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles 2024 Gala on Saturday (3 October) in a red dress she previously wore to the New York Salute to Freedom Gala in 2021. She paired the dress with a never-before-seen beach waves hairstyle typically achieved by letting hair dry into its natural curls. The Independent has reached out to Buckingham Palace 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 }} A Metropolitan Police officer who allegedly threatened a Black child with a stun gun during a stop and search breached multiple guidelines, a misconduct hearing has been told. During the hearing into PC Connor Jones conduct, an officer identified only as PC Drew gave evidence about the night on which it is claimed PC Jones pressed a Taser against the youngsters neck. PC Drew did not deny that he also threatened Mr Powell with a Taser while acknowledging that the youth had been compliant and non-aggressive during the stop. The officer said he forgot to record the incident in a use of force form after it occurred as he was required to do as a part of policing standards. It was a very busy day and, as a human being, I forget things sometimes, PC Drew told the hearing which began on Monday and is set to last until Friday. During the incident in Greenwich, south London, in September 2020, Mr Powell was handcuffed, ordered to kneel in the street, and allegedly intimidated by officers with stun guns. Mr Powell, now aged 20 and who says he is still traumatised by the incident, previously said he thought he was going to die while surrounded by police, some of them armed. It is claimed that Met Police officers actions were not a reasonable use of force and that the youngster was more of a threat because he is Black. PC Drew told the hearing that he doesnt recall when he switched his camera on because it was a very long time ago. According to the College of Policing, officers should start recording at the beginning of an incident and continue until its over. At the time of the incident, officers said they were responding to reports of a hooded Black man dressed in a black tracksuit, who was armed with a samurai sword and threatening people at around 1pm that day. PC Drew, who was asked numerous times throughout the hearing to speak up and project his voice in order to be heard properly, claimed that Mr Powell matched the description at the time which justified the search. However, Mr Powell wasnt wearing dark clothing or a hood. When challenged about this during todays hearing, PC Drew said he doesnt recall why he told Mr Powell that he matched the description of the aforementioned hooded man when that was not the case. PC Drew failed to comply with the forces Gowisely policy, the hearing was also told. Gowisely is an acronym referring to a policy outlining the information police officers are supposed to someone who is being stopped and searched, before its commencement, in order for the tactic to be deemed as lawful. It highlights that the grounds for the search must be properly explained to a person being stopped and their entitlement to a record of the search being explained, among other things. Despite Mr Powell querying the grounds of the search as he kneeled on the ground and asking what the suspects description is that hes thought to have matched, PC Drew ignored him and proceeded to conduct an illegal search of a bag Mr Powell was carrying in order to, he said, locate a really big knife. PC Drew admitted during the hearing that he had no legal grounds to search Mr Powells bag and it was suggested that the officer may have been looking for illegal drugs. At the time of the incident, Mr Powell had been walking with four friends, one white and three Black. All were searched, though the white youth was not searched until much later. One friend who witnessed the incident and was also placed in handcuffs, Zuriel Williams-Kabasomi, aged in his 20s and Black, told the hearing: I was worried that the police were going to hurt him (Jamar). He added: Ive seen people like us attacked for a lot less. When asked to clarify his meaning of people like us, Mr Williams-Kabasomi said: Black people. Were 16 years old, vulnerable, in handcuffs and being treated like were a threat, he added and described the polices treatment as brutalisation. The Met paid Mr Powell undisclosed damages over the incident last year after he sued for false imprisonment, assault and battery, direct discrimination, racial harassment and breaches of the Human Rights Act. PC Jones was expected to give evidence during a hearing on Wednesday. If found guilty of misconduct, he faces instant dismissal from the force. An Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) spokesperson said: We consider that to do so is in the public interest and should enhance public confidence in the police complaints process. It will be for the disciplinary panel, led by an independent legally qualified chair, to determine whether or not the gross misconduct allegations against the officer are proven. In December, the IOPC asked the Crown Prosecution Service to consider a criminal charge but that was rejected. 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 }} With the Conservative governments failed Rwanda immigration plan behind us, Keir Starmer looks to be eyeing Italys controversial offshore processing deal with Albania. Italys Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, said Starmer has shown great interest in their scheme, which sends asylum seekers to Albania while their claims are processed. After a summit in Rome, Starmer didnt rule out a similar approach for the UK, emphasising a British pragmatism in solving the small boats crisis. It comes after another tragic incident in the English Channel, where eight people died trying to cross. Italys deal has led to a 60% reduction in boat crossings over the past year. In contrast to the previous governments Rwanda plan, which would have sent asylum seekers to Africa regardless of the outcome of their claim, Albania only processes claims offshore, with successful claimants possibly entering Italy and unsuccessful ones returning to their home countries. However, not everyone supports the idea. Amnesty Internationals Steve Valdez-Symonds argues the UK shouldnt offload its refugee responsibilities, urging it to take leadership instead. Labour MP Kim Johnson also raised concerns, finding it troubling that Starmer is learning from what she called a neo-fascist government, especially after recent far-right incidents in the UK. Human Rights Watch also criticised Italys Albania deal, arguing it undermines asylum rights and wont likely deter dangerous crossings. Starmer, while interested, remains cautious, saying its early days and hes observing how Italys approach unfolds. The big question remains: should the UK outsource its immigration solutions again, or is there a better way to tackle the small boats crisis? 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. 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 }} Two squirrels caused a train to Gatwick Airport to be cancelled after they ran onboard and reportedly began to attack passengers. The rodents boarded the 8.54am Great Western Railway train from Reading and caused pandemonium, which led the conductor to try and barricade them from exploring more of the train. They were said to have boarded at 9.47am when the service stopped at the Surrey village of Gomshall and quickly began to make their way through the carriage, with passengers left running from them. A source told The Sun newspaper: It was complete pandemonium. The squirrels got into the rear carriage and attacked people. All the passengers ran off the train and got another carriage. The conductor then had to lock the doors to stop the squirrels moving up the train. They added: Weve all heard of the leaves on the line excuse, but a squirrel attack is a new one. After arriving at Redhill train station, staff reportedly spend half an hour trying to remove the rodents using broomsticks and peanuts, but had no luck. It was then decided to terminate the service and the train returned to Reading, where it had originated, placing some passengers at risk of missing their flights. A spokesman for GWR said: We can confirm that the 08.54 Reading to Gatwick was terminated at Redhill after a couple of squirrels boarded the train at Gomshall without tickets, breaching railway byeclaws. We attempted to remove them at Redhill, but one refused to leave and was returned to Reading to bring an end to this nutty tail. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} One of Britains leading trade experts has warned that the new border checks system for goods traded between the UK and the EU could make already dire trade figures even worse. Marco Forgione, director general of the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade, has welcomed plans to delay bringing in those checks for fruit and vegetables at the border which could have had a devastating effect on UK supply chains. But he has said that if the implementation of the the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) for checks is badly handled then there could be serious problems. His warning comes as new research released by Aston University shows that Brexit is having a profoundly detrimental impact on UK trade. Sir Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held a joint press conference on Monday (Phil Noble/PA) ( PA Wire ) The research revealed that goods exports and imports are being dragged down by bureaucratic barriers. It estimated that yearly exports to the EU are 17 per cent lower, and imports are 23 per cent lower than if the UK had not left the EU. The findings have been published just days after Sir Keir Starmer insisted he was very serious about the renegotiation of Boris Johnsons flawed Brexit deal. But Mr Forgione has noted that BTOM can make matters worse before they get better. He said: The news of the delays to fruit and vegetables checks through the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) will be welcomed by UK and EU businesses alike. The UK relies heavily on imports of fresh fruit and veg from the EU, and with such products having a limited shelf life, it is important to ensure that any controls on them are proportionate to the risk that they pose. It is encouraging to see that some produce has been re-categorised back to 'low' risk rather than 'medium', meaning that it is not subject to any checks at the border. He went on: There has been much confusion around these classifications and the Common User Charge since its implementation back in April, with businesses receiving invoices for the inspections months after the checks were conducted. Weve heard from many businesses in the EU that were preparing to stop trading with the UK because of the increasing costs and uncertainty. The true cost of BTOM for traders is only just beginning to materialise and would impact the cost of living over the winter months with price increases being passed onto the consumer. But he insisted: The overall aim of the BTOM is to deliver a world-leading, digital-first border system for the UK, not create more confusion and extra cost for business. The findings by Aston University and warning from the Chartered Institute of Exports and International Trade, come at a time when Sir Keir has batted away criticism from both the UK and Brussels over his rejection of schemes like the Youth Mobility Scheme to allow under-30s free travel between the UK and EU. Ed Davey is critical of Starmers approach to the EU ( Gareth Fuller/PA Wire ) Officials in the European Commission have questioned whether the prime minister is pushing for meaningful change. Meanwhile, at home Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey told his conference in Brighton that he cannot understand why Sir Keir is resisting going back into the EU single market which would immediately bring trade barriers down. The European Movement recently sent him a shopping list of things he needs to renegotiate with the EU to undo many of the harms of Brexit. But the UK government seems more focussed on getting a bilateral deal with Germany by the end of the year which, while welcomed by many, critics have pointed out can only really deal with defence and security issues in a meaningful way. Responding to the latest research, Dr Mike Galsworthy, chair of European Movement UK, said: The big question for Keir Starmer is whether he is really as serious about economic growth and taking tough decisions as he claims. Because if so, he is going to have to get very tough on his own red lines." "Delve into any sector of the UK economy and you find the hard, stark barriers and costs directly attributable to Brexit. As the business leaders across our economy readily concur, there is no doubt about the hurt caused by Brexit and the substantial improvement that the Single Market and its related structures could bring." 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 }} Diane Abbott has accused Sir Keir Starmer of treating her like a non-person during a race row over comments made by major Tory donor. In March, The Guardian reported that Frank Hester had told colleagues that looking at Ms Abbott makes you want to hate all black women and that she should be shot. The veteran Labour MP said she expected more support from the prime minister and the Labour Party, having been left feeling in danger by Frank Hesters comments. One of the reasons it made me frightened is two MPs have been killed in recent years, Ms Abbott said. Diane Abbott was suspended after suggesting Jewish, Irish and Traveller people experience prejudice but not racism ( PA Wire ) She told BBCs Newsnight comments such as Mr Hesters wind up a certain sort of nutcase and it makes you more vulnerable. But, despite feeling unsafe, Ms Abbott said Sir Keir never reached out to me personally and did treat me as a non-person. Mr Hester, chief executive of The Phoenix Partnership (TPP) is reported to have said while speaking about a female executive from another company: Its like trying not to be racist but you see Diane Abbott on the TV, and youre just like you just want to hate all Black women because shes there. And I dont hate all Black women at all, but I think she should be shot. [The executive] and Diane Abbott need to be shot. Frank Hester allegedly said Diane Abbott made him want to hate all black women ( PA Media ) Mr Hester, who has donated 15m to the Conservatives, later admitted making rude comments about Ms Abbott but said they had nothing to do with her gender nor colour of skin. Ms Abbott said: If somebody was threatening to have you shot, you would have felt your party would have offered you more support, giving you advice on safety and security, even kind of commiserate with you. And none of that happened. She also told Newsnight of her suspension from the Parliamentary Labour Party that Sir Keir wanted to finish his clear-out of left-wingers. She added: I think what they were trying to do was to string out and string out the investigation. So when a general election is around the corner, they could just move me out of the way as a Labour candidate because I wouldnt be in the parliamentary Labour Party, and they would parachute in somewhere else. Asked why she thought Sir Keir wanted her out of the party, Ms Abbott said: Keir Starmer is always saying, Its the new Labour Party... and how could you make it look more new than by getting rid of Diane Abbott?" A Labour spokesman said: Keir Starmer has great respect for Diane Abbott and she continues to be an inspiration to many. There is no doubt that she has received the most abuse of any MP just because of her gender and the colour of her skin, and that is completely reprehensible and wrong. The party, including Keir Starmer, vocally condemned Frank Hesters vile comments and reached out to Diane at the time to offer support. Its simply wrong to say that there was any plan being pushed by the leadership to force her out. We continue to value Dianes significant contribution to public life. Ms Abbott had been suspended from Labour after she suggested that Jewish, Irish and Traveller people experience prejudice but not racism. But she was given the Labour whip back ahead of the general election and held the Hackney North and Stoke Newington seat she has represented since 1987. 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 }} The attorney general is coming under pressure to ask for a legal review of the suspended sentence handed to former BBC presenter Huw Edwards. Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has told The Independent that he is writing to Richard Hermer asking him to appeal the six-month suspended sentence for the disgraced BBC personality who previously admitted three charges of making indecent photographs. The court heard that the 63-year-old paid up to 1,500 to Alex Williams, 25, who sent Edwards 41 illegal images, seven of which were of category A, the very worst kind. Of those images shared over WhatsApp, the estimated age of most of the children was between 13 and 15, while one was aged as young as between seven and nine. The sentence has provoked widespread anger but can only be made stronger if it is shown to be unduly lenient. It has been pointed out that the climate change Just Stop Oil activists who blocked the M25 got sentences of four and five years in prison. Even before Edwards was sentenced, Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay had questioned why protesters were getting longer sentences than sexual offenders. Others have argued that some who were arrested for the summer riots were given a disproportionate sentence compared to Edwards. Court drawing of former BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards standing in the dock at Westminster Magistrates Court ( PA ) A number of posts across social media noted that people received prison sentences for posting derogatory memes or shouting at a police dog while Edwards avoided prison despite having more than 40 indecent images of children. Mr Tice told The Independent: The attorney general must take the appropriate legal steps immediately to review this weak pathetic sentence for Huw Edwards, which reinforces to millions of Brits that we are subject to two-tier justice. There is little more serious than child sex crimes which devastate the victims. The attorney general has the power to appeal sentences they believe are unduly lenient. The decision on whether to extend them then is a decision of the Court of Appeal. However, if a sentence conforms with sentencing guidelines then it is difficult to have it increased. As attorney general in 2022, Suella Braverman made a successful appeal for a stronger sentence for Frankie Smith who allowed her 16-month-old daughter Star Hobson to be killed by her partner Savannah Brockhill. However, her appeal against the sentences for the killers of PC Andrew Harper was unsuccessful. Passing sentence, the chief magistrate, District Judge Paul Goldspring, told the previously beloved household name that his long-earned reputation is in tatters after committing the extremely serious offences, stressing that the financial and reputational damage he suffered was the natural consequence of your behaviour which you brought upon yourself. Edwards presented mental health issues, strains in his marriage and his relationship with his own father as mitigating factors. Among the 377 sexual images discovered by police sent to Edwards by Williams between December 2020 and August 2021 were the seven category A images, which are of the most serious type, 12 category B images, and 22 category C images. Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has written to the attorney general ( PA ) But the judge did say he believed the former broadcasters remorse was genuine and that his mental health at the time of the offences could have impaired his decision making. The chief magistrate said: I am of the clear view that you do not present a risk or danger to the public at large, specifically to children. There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. BBC director general Tim Davie has suggested that he can see no way back to the BBC for the veteran broadcaster, who was the voice for state occasions such as the late Queens funeral. Speaking at the Royal Television Society (RTS) London conference, Davie said Edwardss offences were appalling crimes and that theres no doubt that an affair like this impacts our reputation. Presenter Amol Rajan asked Mr Davie why Edwardss pay continued after the BBC was made aware of the 63-year-olds arrest. He replied We decided that pay continues until someone is charged and added, I think it was the right decision based on current policy. Mr Rajan asked Mr Davie how the BBC was getting back Edwardss 200,000 salary. He replied: We want the money back and weve asked for it back, and were waiting to hear back. Davie said that victims families are the primary concern and said that young people who raised concerns over Edwards were taken seriously at the time allegations were made. He said: Were just shocked and theres a lot of upset because across the BBC. Weve got great teams, good people and they feel deeply, deeply let down. 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 }} Watch as Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey addressed the final day of the party's conference in Brighton on Tuesday 17 September. He said the party must repay the trust in full that was given to them by voters at this years general election when he took to the stage. Sir Ed has pledged to finish the job of defeating the Conservatives after the Lib Dems secured 72 seats in parliament. In his speech, the MP for Kingston and Surbiton was expected to speak again about the NHS which has been a key topic at the four-day event as well as those standing to be the next leader of the Conservative Party. The Lib Dems became parliaments third biggest party again after the general election in July with 72 MPs now sitting in the Commons, including many who won seats from the Conservatives. Close Badenoch says she 'went from middle class to working class' after working at McDonald's 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 }} Health secretary Wes Streeting has suggested pensioners will not be the only group negatively affected by cuts in the October budget. Mr Streeting said he can understand why pensioners may feel they are being targeted by the government following cuts to winter fuel payments. However, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said there will be moves to reduce the size of the welfare bill, as well as public spending cuts and tax rises. In an interview with The New Statesman, the health secretary said: I can understand why there will be some pensioners sat there thinking, Why us? And what about others? Well, there are other choices to come and these arent just Rachels [Reeves] choices to face up to, these are the choices of the whole government. He added: It would be quite jarring if we were all skipping around Whitehall singing Sam Cookes A Change Is Gonna Come or D:Reams Things Can Only Better at the same as were dealing with a 22 billion black hole and making some tough choices which are really sticking in the throats of people, particularly on the winter fuel allowance. 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 }} The prime minister will avoid an embarrassing investigation into a failure to declare a donation by a Labour peer that paid for dresses for his wife Victoria. Sir Keir Starmer was facing questions from the Opposition over the 5,000 donation from Lord Waheed Alli, which he initially failed to put on his register of interests. The peer, a leading Labour donor, received a high-level security pass for Downing Street in the weeks after the election and made a donation to Sir Keir of accommodation over several weeks worth more than 20,000. The prime minister has insisted his team had sought advice on what declaration should be made and that rules were being followed. Tory chairman Andrew Griffith asked the parliamentary standards commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, to investigate a potential breach of the rules. Mr Griffith wrote: There must be a full investigation into this scandal given this is not the first instance of the prime minister failing to declare donations and abiding by parliamentary rules. It beggars belief that the prime minister thinks its acceptable that pensioners on 13,000 a year can afford to heat their home when he earns 12 times that but apparently cant afford to clothe himself or his wife. Sir Keir faced questions over his alleged failure to register on time high-end clothing given to Lady Starmer by a prominent party donor ( Gareth Fuller/PA ) While his top team want a taxpayer-funded clothes budget to look sharp, people across the country are forced to make tough choices in the face of Labours damaging decisions, he continued. Labour promised change, but in 10 short weeks all theyve delivered is a change of clothes for themselves. Labour have made the political choice to put themselves and their union paymasters before the most vulnerable. But Downing Street has said that after discussions the commissioner has decided not to investigate. This is not the first time Sir Keir has been late in his declarations and broken the rules. In 2022 the then-commissioner Kathryn Stone decided not to refer him to the committee when, as Labour leader, he admitted to eight late declarations, including the sale of a plot of land that exceeded the 100,000 threshold for registration. She ruled that the breaches were minor and/or inadvertent, and that there was no deliberate attempt to mislead. The Tories also pointed out that Labour had demanded an investigation into donations to Boris and Carrie Johnson to put up gold wallpaper in Downing Street in 2021. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former Tory prime minister Sir John Major has issued a devastating verdict on Brexit and described Rishi Sunaks government as un-Conservative and un-British in the way it tried to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. Speaking to the BBCs Amol Rajan, Sir John said he agreed with former Labour prime minister Sir Tony Blair that far from reducing immigration as promised by Nigel Farage, Boris Johnson and others, Britains exit from the EU had increased immigration and replaced Europeans with more people from other parts of the world. Explaining he had not made any public pronouncements for some time because he found little to like about the last Tory government under Rishi Sunak, he added that the Rwanda plans were worse than the 18th-century deportations of convicts to Australia. John Major and Tony Blair share a platform for the Remain campaign in 2016 ( PA ) Addressing the 2016 vote to leave the EU, he said: I dont think it has done anything good. It has made our country weaker, poorer and that is emphatically not in the interest of our country. The world saw us as a member of the EU; it was a megaphone to amplify our place in the world. Instead we are isolated and outside. Brexit was sold to the nation on the basis of things that havent happened and couldnt have happened. There was a great degree of misapplication of reality. Blaming both senior Conservative and Labour sources, he went on: The practical effect is that we are poorer... Being poorer means taxes are higher, expenditure to public services are lower that is actually what it means and that is what has actually happened because of the false promises of Brexit. Sir John said that, while people from Europe had left since Brexit, other people have been encouraged by the government to come here, and then there are people who come here by boats who havent been encouraged to come here at all, that do because theyre not quite sure where to go. Describing the impact on the Conservatives, he said: Brexit is the most devastating thing that has happened in our party in my lifetime. Referring to the Rwanda scheme which cost the taxpayer 700m but failed to see a single asylum seeker flown to the east African country, Sir John was scathing. He said: I thought it was un-Conservative, un-British, if one dare say in a secular society, un-Christian, and unconscionable, and I thought that this is really not the way to treat people. The deportation scheme, which was first announced two years ago by then prime minister Boris Johnson, was scrapped by Sir Keir Starmer in his first full day as prime minister in July. We used to transport people, nearly three hundred years ago, from our country. Felons, who at least have had a trial, and been found guilty of something, albeit that the trial might have been cursory, he added. I dont think transportation, for that is what it is, is a policy suitable for the 21st century. Between 1788 and 1868 around 162,000 convicts were transported from Britain and Ireland to penal colonies in Australia. When challenged that some saw the scheme as an effective deterrent and that others may view the small boats crossing the Channel as un-Conservative, Sir John said: Are they seriously saying to me that somewhere in the back woods of some north African country, they actually know what the British parliament has legislated for? I think not. I absolutely think that it is not the case. Brexiteers Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman pushed the Rwanda policy ( PA ) On immigration generally, Sir John said he dislikes intensely the way society has come to regard immigration as an ill... I don't agree with that, Ive never agreed with it. He also explained that he had not done many TV interviews recently because theres not been a great deal I could say ... in favour of what the previous government were doing. I thought it better just to stay off the air, he said. Now, of course, the elections behind us, the partys looking again to the future and I can return to speaking out, hopefully in favour. Sir John said he had not made up his mind who to back as the next Conservative Party leader, telling the BBC: I would like to support someone whos going to look at the long-term problems and make a suggestion as to which direction we should go and bring people back into the party who are genuinely centre right. Major thinks a deal with Nigel Farage would be fatal ( PA ) Discussing the current state of his party and its future, he said: The only party that can legitimately appeal to the centre right is the Conservative Party. And that is what we have to do, we have to decide where our natural support really lies and appeal to them. People may have made a misjudgement about the last election. We lost five votes to Reform UK and people are jumping up and down, and some, rather reckless people are saying, well we must merge with them. He warned getting together with Reform will be fatal, noting: We lost 50 to the Liberals, and we lost a huge amount to Labour. We lost the vote on the left, more than on the right. And we have to focus on that centre-right position, and were not an ideological party, I do think traditionally we have been a commonsense party. And Im optimistic. I think we have had such a bad defeat, we have got a base upon which we can build, in a wholly new and, I think, potentially effective way. Amol Rajan Interviews: John Major is on BBC Two at 7pm tonight (Wednesday) and available on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Sir Keir Starmer has claimed that Britain can learn lessons from Italy on how to reduce migration, after far-right prime minister Giorgia Melonis administration saw small boat arrivals fall by more than 60 per cent this year. Ahead of a visit to Rome, Sir Keir hailed Italys dramatic drop in unregulated migration and expressed interest in Ms Melonis proposed asylum processing scheme in Albania, just months after scrapping the Tories controversial Rwanda scheme. Claiming that his talks with Ms Meloni had marked a return to British pragmatism, Sir Keir also praised Italys upstream work in north Africa, saying: I have always made the argument that preventing people leaving their country in the first place is far better than trying to deal with those that have arrived. Reducing the number of perilous small-boat crossings across the Channel is a political priority for the Labour government, which has announced its intention to smash people-smuggling gangs but has stopped short of opening safe alternative routes for asylum seekers to travel to Britain to have their claims heard. The prime minister is now looking to Italys example, where the countrys interior ministry reported a 62 per cent fall in migrant arrivals on Italian coasts over the first seven months of 2024. Frontex, the EUs border force, has calculated a 64 per cent fall in the number of people arriving from north Africa to Italy and Malta. More than 1,000 people arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel over the weekend, as eight people died trying to make the journey ( PA ) Hardline immigration policies Italy has long struck a hard line against migration, with deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini having tightened asylum seekers access to support and public services. He could now face six years in jail for preventing a boat carrying more than 100 people from docking in Italy in 2019. But the countrys hardline policies and rhetoric had failed to prevent cross-Mediterranean migration to Italy from continuing to rise dramatically until the fall seen this year, which has been widely attributed to controversial deals struck with the north African nations from which most boats depart. While Italy has strengthened ties with Libya and is training and equipping the Libyan coastguard, the EU last year pledged 105m (88m) to Tunisia to stop migrant crossings from setting off. However, Tunisia later said it had handed back some 60m of EU budget support amid a row over the funding. Human rights observers have since warned that EU funds are being used by countries including Tunisia to carry out collective expulsions of migrants, including people intercepted at sea en route to Italy, who are then put on buses and dumped in remote or desert areas. Migrants are stopped by the Tunisian maritime national guard at sea during an attempt to get to Italy last year ( AP ) And as part of the crackdown on crossings that has been funded by Europe, the UNs International Organisation for Migration warned this year that it believed some 15,000 to 20,000 migrants had become stranded in rural areas near the central Tunisian coastline. Human Rights Watch has also accused Italy and the EU of being complicit in crimes carried out against migrants intercepted at sea and returned to Libya, where the UN has warned they faced murder, enforced disappearance, torture, enslavement, sexual violence, rape, and other inhumane acts. Italys supreme court ruled this year that it is unlawful for Italy to return intercepted ships to Libya as it is not a safe country. That ruling followed long-running attempts by Rome to make it more difficult for charities rescuing migrants at sea to operate, including handing them fines for refusing to cooperate with the Libyan authorities. The fall in arrivals in Italy this year has also corresponded with a rise in arrivals via the shorter eastern Mediterranean route to Greece of nearly 57 per cent, according to the EUs border agency Frontex. These crossings previously fell under an EU deal with Turkey in 2016. Warning that Italys apparent fall in numbers must be put into context, Alberto-Horst Neidhardt, a migration specialist at the European Policy Centre think tank, noted that this years figures are in comparison with a significant surge seen in 2023, while the fact that overall arrivals to the EU have remained roughly static suggests that the flows of migration have merely shifted elsewhere. Mr Neidhart told The Independent that the reduction in arrivals is due to a combination of factors, including the obstruction of Mediterranean rescue operations and more vigorous efforts by Tunisia to prevent departures and return migrants to their countries of origin. But he warned that the deals such as those with Tunisia and Libya are short-term patchy remedies that treat the symptoms and not the root causes of irregular migration, and that they serve the purpose of saving the face of European governments by keeping their most unacceptable side-effects, including violations of human rights, as far away as possible from European voters eyes. Mr Neidhart added: There is also ample evidence that pouring money and resources into unstable countries governed by authoritarian regimes only makes the problem worse in the longer term, promoting elites economic interests, fuelling corruption, and undermining good governance. Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni with British prime minister Keir Starmer ( AFP/Getty ) Italys Albania deal In a further bid to cut migration to Italy, Ms Meloni has struck a deal with Albania to create an offshore asylum processing system, which is yet to come to fruition. In an echo of the controversy around the UKs costly and long-delayed Rwanda scheme, Human Rights Watch has described Italys scheme initially intended to become operational in May as a model of mismanagement and a blueprint for abuse costing hundreds of millions of euros. But with Sir Keir now expressing interest in replicating the Albania deal, home secretary Yvette Cooper insisted on Monday that it is very, very different from the axed Rwanda plan. Under the Tory scheme, asylum seekers would have been permanently deported to Rwanda. By contrast, Albania will accept asylum seekers on Italys behalf while their claims are processed. Failed asylum seekers from safe countries will then be returned to those countries, while those whose asylum claims are successful expected to be a small minority will be brought to Italy. Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni during her joint press conference with Keir Starmer at Villa Doria Pamphili in Rome ( PA ) Criticising the Albania scheme, Judith Sunderland of Human Rights Watch said in June: Italys latest gambit to offshore its responsibilities is all but guaranteed to violate peoples rights. Following its abusive deal with Libya, Italy now wants to take people who have effectively reached the country outside of the EU, breaching fundamental tenets of rescue at sea and undermining asylum rights and freedom from arbitrary detention. Both Ms Sunderland and Mr Neidhart warned that the scheme was unlikely to deter people from making dangerous boat crossings, with the latter adding: In fact, most of the persons processed in Albania will be transferred to Italy, after their procedure is over. The deal should be seen for what it is: a costly operation that moves the processing of claims outside the Italian territory, with questionable administrative benefits, ... intended to demonstrate to the Italian electorate that the government is acting on its pledge to crack down against irregular migration. It should also be seen as a deliberate and more concerted attempt to create a hostile environment for those arriving irregularly in Europe, at a time of growing social and political divisions and tensions. 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 families of victims who died in the Baltimore Bridge disaster are planning to file a request to stop the ships owner from escaping liability. The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River on March 26 after being hit by the Dali, a 984ft cargo vessel, which had experienced two electrical failures the day before the incident and lost power shortly before it hit the structure. Six construction workers who were on the bridge at the time were killed: Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez, Jose Mynor Lopez, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Carlos Daniel Hernandez, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval. The cargo ship Dali stuck under part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the collision on March 26. Three families of victims are are planning to take legal action against the Dalis owner The families of Luna Gonzalez, Lopez and Castillo Cabrera now intend to submit a limitation of liability proceeding against Grace Ocean Private Limited, the ships owner, according to a Tuesday press conference. Grace Ocean Limited filed a motion in April along with the ships operator, Synergy Marine, seeking to limit its liability in the incident to $43.7million, the value of the ship and its cargo at the time of the disaster. The families motion will be filed in Marylands District Court before a September 24 deadline, set by the federal court, after the companies filed their petition. Maria del Carmen Castellon, Luna Gonzalezs wife of seven years, said that the disaster destroyed the dreams and hopes she had of a happy life with her husband. Maria del Carmen Castellon, the wife of Miguel Luna, a welder who died during the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, speaks during a press conference on Tuesday ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Miguel was not only an incredible husband. He was a father to five children, a proud grandfather and a darling son, she said. The day he disappeared, created a wound in my heart that will never heal, she added. Days before the tragedy, she said that her husband surprised her by taking her to a space that they were trying to rent to start a restaurant. They already had a food truck which they operated together in the Baltimore area. As we looked through the windows, we spoke of a future in which he would not have to suffer in a dangerous job and deteriorating health, she said. The families are not currently seeking a specific amount of monetary damages. A portrait of Miguel Luna, a worker who died during the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, is displayed among articles of his welding gear during a news conference on Tuesday ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Accountability here means, first and foremost, figuring out what went wrong and holding those who are responsible to account for their actions in the tragedy, said Matthew Wessler, an attorney representing the families, during the news conference. The families goal is to bring about legislation that creates new working protections for migrants and grants work permits for immigrants already in the US, according to Gustavo Torres, the executive director of CASA, an advocacy organization supporting the victims loved ones. He condemned the companies decision to try and limit their liability in the disaster. Grace Ocean has chosen the path of impunity over the path of justice. Driven by profit and self-interest, their actions seek to erase the accountability they owe to these families, to these men whose lives were stolen. But we will not let that happen, he said. The Independent has contacted Grace Ocean Limited and the ships operator, Synergy Marine, for comment. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Four people were shot and injured by police after Tasers used against a suspected fare evader in Brooklyn were ineffective in subduing the man. The incident has raised questions about the use of deadly force by police for a petty crime, but also of the usefulness of the Taser as a tool for police to control suspects following years of similar incidents. Jennvine Wong, a supervising attorney with the Legal Aid Societys Cop Accountability Project, described the Taser as an escalation of the use of force. Theres this question about whether or not its a proportional use of force, she told The Independent. In this instance, its not even clear to me that the individual was actually engaging in a threat that justified the use of a Taser. The New York Police Department said its officers fired shots during the weekend encounter in Brooklyn after their Tasers failed and the suspect advanced with a knife. One bystander and the suspect were critically injured, while another bystander and an officer were also shot. A Taser is a compressed-gas-powered device in the shape of a handgun that releases two probes connected to the device by 15ft wires at high speed. The probes pierce the skin and temporarily incapacitate subjects using an electrical current that tenses muscles all over the body. At least that is what they are supposed to do. A subway approaches an above ground station in the Brooklyn borough of New York with the New York City skyline in the background, June 21, 2017 ( Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The latest Brooklyn incident follows years of incidents in which the use of Tasers by police has turned into deadly shootings. Less than two months ago, a man wielding a knife was shot and killed by police in Deer Park, Texas, after a Taser failed to subdue him . A 2019 investigation by APM Reports found more than 250 cases over three years in which a Taser failed to subdue someone who was then shot and killed by police. In 106 of those cases the suspect became more violent after receiving the electrical shock, it found, suggesting the Taser may have made a bad situation worse. The investigation also found that Tasers, which are carried by more than 400,000 officers nationwide, are unreliable up to 40 per cent of the time. A review of reports from the Los Angeles Police Department by the Los Angeles Times in 2016 found that nearly a quarter of people shot by LAPD police officers in the year prior were wounded or killed during encounters where a Taser was used without success. In one of the incidents, police fired a Taser at a homeless man suspected of an assault. When it didnt work a second time, the officer engaged in a struggle with the man on the ground, before he was fatally shot. The NYPD has been the subject of dozens of lawsuits over the last ten years for incidents involving the use of Tasers, many of them resulting in payouts of hundreds of thousands of dollars. In this frame grab taken from Pueblo Police Department body camera video and provided by attorney Kevin Mehr, representing Cristy Gonzales, Pueblo police Cpl. Bennie Villanueva deploys his Taser into Gonzales' back as she lies on the ground during an arrest, in Pueblo, Colorado. Conzales is suing the officer for excessive force. ( Bodycam ) In one incident, police used a Taser against JahLire Nicholson inside the home where he lived with his mother in the Laurelton neighborhood of Queens. According to the lawsuit, Nicholson had a screwdriver in his hand at the time the officers arrived, but officers did not instruct him to drop the screwdriver. The officers fired Taser barbs in Mr. Nicholsons direction, but Mr. Nicholson moved away from the officers and the Taser barbs, at which time one of the officers shot and killed Mr. Nicholson with a firearm, it continued . The case was settled for $962,000. The company that manufactures the Taser has made bold claims about its effectiveness and benefits for years. Axon, which has a monopoly in the US market, says on its website that its energy weapons have been used to save more than 275,000 lives from death or serious bodily injury. The company claims that the weapons have been used over 5 million times in the field, and that its own study of 1,201 field cases show that the use of a Taser results in no direct serious injuries from the weapon more than 99 per cent of the time. But that study likely does not include deaths caused by police shootings as a result of an escalation caused by the use of a Taser. Axon did not respond to a request for comment. Wong believes that the use of Tasers should be considered in a wider debate about how police use force when responding to a potentially dangerous situation. I think that there has to be a reconsideration of what is proportional use of force by officers, she said. While training has obviously a huge part to do with that, theres still a portion of policing culture that has to do with how an officer approaches the use of force. I mean, were talking about $2.90 right? she said of the subway fare the man was alleged to have dodged. 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 teacher who was seriously injured during the Apalachee High School shooting in Georgia has spoken out about the deadly attack, thanking the 14-year-old students who came to his aid after bullets ripped through his body. Math teacher David Phenix was shot twice while protecting his students once in the hip and once through his foot in the attack, which left four dead and nine others injured on September 4. After nearly two weeks in the hospital, and two successful surgeries, Phenix is now back home recovering and has paid tribute to two students who put pressure on his wound and the co-teacher who calmed his class. David Phenix, right, was seriously injured in the Apalachee High School shooting ( David Phenix/Facebook ) I would like to thank those who, in the course of all the chaos, found it in themselves to take my life in their hands, he wrote in a Facebook post. To Valerie Lancaster, the Math teacher that I co-teach with who manager to put pressure on my wound while, at the same time, managing and calming a class of 23 scared, terrified and panicked teenagers. To 2 fourteen-year-old students who filled in for Ms. Lancaster and pressurized my wound while Valerie called for help. You both are exceptional young people and have my everlasting gratitude. He shed new light on the terrifying events that afternoon, when suspected gunman Colt Gray, 14, allegedly opened fire at his own high school with a rifle police say his father bought him as a gift. The images, sights, sounds, and actions are immense and will be forever etched in my memory and will take weeks, months, and even years to process, Phenix said. Right now, my emotions are so much easier to describe than the justifications and reasons behind them. Mourners gathered at the funeral of teacher Ana Christina Irimie, who was killed in the school shooting, which was held in Georgia on Saturday ( REUTERS ) He added: I was incredibly blessed that the bullet that went into my side and the one that entered my foot managed to miss every vital ligament, tendon, bone, and organ. Had things been a quarter inch to the left or right, things could have been vastly different. Mentally, will be just as challenging. I am sure trying to truly wrap my brain around what happened on September 4th will require just as much rehab. Despite his own recovery, and a return to some degree of normalcy, Phenix said the pangs of sorrow for the four victims students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53 remain at the forefront of everything. From anger to mourning to sadness to gratefulness to even feeling blessed to be able to sit here and write this post, processing the reasons behind September 4th will be a long road that will most likely, never be truly understood, he said. The memorial for the victims of the Apalachee High School shooting ( EPA ) The pangs of sorrow and grief for the families of Ricky, Christina, Mason, and Christian stay at the forefront of everything. I am sure they are hurting and heartbroken at a level few of us understand, he added. Gray, who surrendered to authorities at the scene, has been charged with four counts of felony murder, and will be tried as an adult. Colts father, Colin, has also been charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children. 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 most honest thing Sean Combs may have ever done was name his record label Bad Boy. Although 54-year-old Combs aka Puff Daddy, aka Puffy, aka P. Diddy, Diddy and Love has been orchestrating a lot more than just braggadocious bad behavior during the intervening decades, according to a federal indictment unsealed Tuesday. Instead, it charges, hes been the veritable architect and leader of a criminal enterprise engaged in alleged arson, kidnapping, forced labor, bribery, obstruction of justice and sex trafficking. It was that final accusation, laid out not in federal charging papers but in a series of damning lawsuits last year, that first revealed the growing cracks in the veneer of Combs carefully-curated reputation. He strenuously denied all wrongdoing. But the filings were quickly followed by a bicoastal raid on his properties amid a tight-lipped federal investigation, then the leaking of a violent video showing Diddys brutal beating at a hotel of then-girlfriend Cassie the most high-profile victim to sue him. Sean Combs, also known as P Diddy, Diddy and Puff Daddy, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to federal charges of racketeering and sex trafficking ( REUTERS ) The footage was proof that his denials had been false all along. Combs tried a weak filmed mea culpa and apologized on Instagram, staying largely and uncharacteristically out of public view despite a few other presumed attempts at reputation rehab: two lukewarm family-centric posts on the same social media platform amid occasional statements from lawyers. Those efforts did nothing to stem the tide of public embarrassments. Howard University revoked the honorary degree of which hed been so proud. The mayor of New York asked Combs to return the key to the city. Even Miami Beach canceled its annual Sean Diddy Combs Day. And now, exactly three years after Combs applauded the MeToo movement in a September 2021 magazine profile and just one year after performing a medley of his hits to accept the Global Icon Award at the VMAs hes been arrested for a litany of jaw-dropping alleged offenses that include violent crimes against women. He was taken into custody in the lobby of a Manhattan hotel, a five-star setting in the city whose high society he presided over for years. Federal prosecutors on Tuesday were pushing in court for detainment until trial the prospect of drab prison scrubs a world away from Diddys years of flashy fashion and his legendary Labor Day Hamptons White Parties. Everything thats happening with Diddy right now, however, is a far cry from the teflon career he crafted for himself; hes previously dodged prison time for charges related to everything from illegal gun possession to fatal concert stampedes. But the Combs depicted in the indictment one who abused, threatened and coerced to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct may have a harder time wriggling away from the long grasp of the law. Combs poses with the Global Icon award in the press room during the MTV Video Music Awards last September; multiple lawsuits against him were filed in the same week just months later ( AFP via Getty Images ) His public fame began muting last November, when three separate women filed lawsuits against Combs in a single week, some of the allegations dating back decades. The actions were taken before the expiration of New Yorks Adult Survivors Act, which provided a one-year window for the pursuit of litigation, regardless of when the abuse occurred. Most shocking were the allegations made by his former partner of a decade, singer Casandra Ventura, known professionally as Cassie and almost 20 years Combs junior. The couple were in a high-profile relationship for years until their 2018 breakup sparked a frenzy of headlines and gossip. Combs settled the suit within a day but not before the publication of Cassies staggering allegations. Among them, the suit claimed that Combs had raped her in her own home after she tried to leave him; Often punched, beat, kicked and stomped on Ms. Ventura, resulting in bruises, burst lips, black eyes and bleeding; and introduced her to a lifestyle of excessive alcohol and substance abuse and required her to procure illicit prescriptions to satisfy his own addictions. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. Cassies lawsuit shockingly claims Combs had another rappers car blown up after learning the musician was romantically interested in Cassie; forced her to engage in sex acts with male sex workers in sessions he called freak offs while masturbating and filming the encounters; and demanded she carry his firearm in her purse just to make her uncomfortable and demonstrate how dangerous he is. Despite the settlement, Combs denied all wrongdoing outlined in Cassies filings and within the other lawsuits though his legal woes were far from over. In February, former employee Rodney Lil Rod Jones filed a suit accusing Combs of sexual harassment and threats. Weeks later, federal agents raided Combs homes in Los Angeles and Miami he wasnt at home at the time, although his sons were. Entrepreneur and philanthropist Sean "Diddy" Combs arrives at Howard University's 146th commencement exercises on May 10, 2014 in Washington, D.C; the university stripped him of his honorary degree and disbanded a scholarship his name following violent allegations and the release of a video showing him beating a woman ( Allison Shelley/Getty Images for DKC ) Homeland Security Investigations New York said the March raid was part of an ongoing investigation but did not elaborate at the time; the moguls lawyers called the raids a gross overuse of military level force. Tuesdays indictment, however, revealed some of what authorities recovered in those raids: narcotics, three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers, ammunition, a drum magazine and evidence aligning with the freak offs so graphically outlined in Cassies lawsuit. Also recovered were more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, according to the indictment, which alleges that Combs subjected victims to physical, emotional, and verbal abuse to cause the victims to engage in Freak Offs. Combs maintained control over his victims through, among other things, physical violence, promises of career opportunities, granting and threatening to withhold financial support, and by other coercive means, including tracking their whereabouts, dictating the victims appearance, monitoring their medical records, controlling their housing, and supplying them with controlled substances. The day after the raid, authorities arrested a 25-year-old former college basketball player, Brendan Paul, whod been named in Lil Rod Jones court filings as an alleged drug mule for the superstar. Then, in May, CNN published CCTV footage that it had obtained from March 2016 showing Combs chasing Cassie down the corridor of a Los Angeles hotel before punching and kicking her near the elevators. When confronted with that evidence, Combs finally apologized calling his behavior inexcusable in a social media post, claiming to take full responsibility for his actions in the video and asking God for his mercy and grace. He said he sought professional help and went to therapy and rehab in the aftermath of the 2016 incident. Combs apologized for his behavior after CNN published CCTV footage from 2016 showing the mogul beating his then-girlfriend, singer Cassie, in a luxury hotel ( CNN ) Its so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that, he said in a social media post. I was f***ed up I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. Combs had already stepped down as chairman of his television company, Revolt, but the violent footage was sounding the death knell for some other feathers in his cap. The month after its release, Howard University the historic black institution hed attended before dropping out to pursue his music career revoked the honorary degree it conferred ten years earlier, also returning Diddys donation money and disbanding a scholarship program in his name. A decade after a humbled Combs stood proudly on the Howard graduation stage, accepting the degree in front of friends and family, the school issued a statement calling his behavior in the video so fundamentally incompatible with Howard Universitys core values and beliefs that he is deemed no longer worthy to hold the institutions highest honor. The same month, New York City Mayor Eric Adams asked Combs to return the keys to the city and rescinded the honor hed bestowed not even one year earlier, in September 2023, around the same time the singer performed at the VMAs and released his latest studio album. The mayor and city commission of Miami Beach also in June 2024 revoked honors and recognition canceling Sean Diddy Combs Day, which had been implemented on October 13 eight years earlier by the citys then-mayor. They determined the designation was no longer in harmony with the Citys values of safety, community well-being, and respect. Singer Casandra Ventura, known professionally as Cassie, is nearly 20 years Combs junior and filed a lawsuit last year detailing violent, shocking allegations against him; he settled within a day but has been beset by growing legal troubles ever since ( Alamy ) Combs himself was laying low throughout all of this. He was pictured looking stone-faced near his Florida home in the weeks after the March raid, but his most well-known and infamous appearance this year was on that CCTV footage. Until this week. Now the courtroom sketches of Combs appearing before a New York judge are already usurping the more iconic images of his bedazzled rapper lifestyle. One of his raided homes, a 13-room mansion in Beverly Hills, is on the market for $61.5 million, put up for sale the week before his arrest. Combs is fighting for his freedom, not just his business interest or his reputation. And that battle suffered a great loss on Tuesday when the judge denied his bail, ordering the rapper to remain in federal custody while awaiting trial on racketeering and sex trafficking charges. Combs lawyer said he intends to appeal the decision on Wednesday, and theres been no word directly from remanded Combs. For all his bluster and bravado, hes shown no interest in real prison time in the past; when he was found not guilty in March 2001 of gun and bribery charges, Combs was visibly shaking before the verdict was read. Legions of fans thronged the courtroom and beyond during that trial, which stemmed from a 1999 nightclub shooting that occurred while Combs was with Jennifer Lopez, both of them arguably at the height of their fame. Fans threw open the windows of the courthouse upon his acquittal, chanting his name and Leave him alone, The New York Times reported at the time. Combs has already beaten various other charges, such as those stemming from a 1999 nightclub shooting while he was in the company of then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez ( Getty Images ) That was a different era, however, and a very different, still serious set of charges; Diddy was years from being accused of directing a criminal enterprise over decades of drugging and assaulting women, leaving injuries that took weeks and months to heal. This time, hes facing a prosecution that represents him as being a criminal mastermind who used the Combs Business, including certain employees, to carry out, facilitate and cover up his abuse and commercial sex. Those employees including security staff, household staff, personal assistants and high-ranking supervisors and other close associates acted as Combs intermediaries, and their conduct was facilitated and assisted by Combs control of the Combs business. The rapper orchestrated and continued to carry out a campaign of terror against victims even after the most damning allegations came out against him last year, according to the indictment. Combs and members and associates of the Enterprise pressured witnesses and victims, including through attempted bribery, to stay silent and not report what they experienced or knew to law enforcement, it states. Still, though, the investigation persisted, gathering enough evidence against the impresario to land him in custody for what now seems to be an indeterminate amount of time. Combs attorney, Marc Agnifilo, on Tuesday insisted his client was an innocent man with nothing to hide. Mr Combs is a fighter, hes going to fight this to the end, Agnifilo said outside of the federal courthouse. Twenty-three years ago, Combs was celebrating the continued success of his release Bad Boy for Life and his third studio album, The Saga Continues. Perhaps both titles marked another hint of honesty from Combs and more than a little bit of foreshadowing. 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 US appeals court has rejected an appeal from Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell challenging her conviction for recruiting and grooming women and girls for the late disgraced financier. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of facilitating Epsteins abuse during a period between 1994 and 2004, where she helped identify women and girls as young as 14, groom them, lure them to Epstein properties, and urge them into interactions with Epstein that turned into sexual abuse. There was no error in the original conviction and 20-year prison sentence that followed the charges in 2022, Judge Jose A Cabranes wrote in a ruling posted Tuesday for a three-judge panel for the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. "We are obviously very disappointed by the courts decision and we vehemently disagree with the outcome," Maxwells lawyer, Arthur Aidala, said in a statement to Reuters. "We are cautiously optimistic that Ghislaine will get the justice she deserves from the Supreme Court of the United States." Maxwell had argued in March that her conviction should never have been prosecuted because of a weird 2007 non-prosecution agreement between Epstein and federal prosecutors, that saw the financier plead guilty to a state charge and get a light jail sentence. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of facilitating disgraced financier Jeffrey Epsteins serial sexual abuse of women and young girls. ( Shutterstock ) The appeals court found the agreement didnt bind federal prosecutors in other jurisdictions. The British socialite also argued the jury that oversaw her case was compromised by a juror who didnt disclose he had been sexually abused as a child, and that the court gave Maxwell an excessive sentence to satisfy public outrage. The 2nd Circuit dismissed these claims as well. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 in a Manhattan jail, before he could go on trial. Critics have argued the justice system failed Epsteins numerous victims by only convicting Maxwell. It was really, really shocking, journalist Lucia Osborne-Crowley, author of new book The Lasting Harm, recently told The Independent. This was the only trial. This was the only thing that has happened to offer a shred of justice. And even then, the courts managed to take that away from the victims by treating them so badly during the court process. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police arrested a Houston man they say killed the mother of his children during a birthday party last week. Around 8.30 p.m. on September 12, Jalin J. Foreman, 27, arrived at the townhome of his ex-girlfriend, Jalen Whitlock, who had thrown a birthday party for her six-year-old child with her current boyfriend, according to Houston police. Whitlock and Foreman shared custody of the child and a two-year-old they had together. Whitlocks boyfriend, who was not identified, was attending the event as well. Witnesses told police they saw Foreman arrive at the home and attempt to drop off presents for his children. However, Whitlock told him not to come to the party. When Foreman arrived at the home, the womans boyfriend answered the door, KHOU reported. The children came downstairs to get their gifts but a fight broke out between the two men, police said. Foreman then went to his car, a white Chevrolet Tahoe, to retrieve a firearm and yelled, were going to end this now. He then fired five shots at the home. Jalin Foreman, 27, has been charged with murder after police say he killed the mother of his children at a birthday party in Houston. ( Houston police ) A witness said Whitlock screamed out, Im not scared of you, I know where you live, and Come at me. The womans boyfriend had a firearm and she ran to get her children away from the door. Thats when police said she was struck by gunfire. The entire incident was caught on surveillance footage from another home, KHOU reported. Foreman fled the scene in his vehicle. He had allegedly fired shots at the couple in the past. Houston police said they had responded to custody calls at the home during prior incidents. The womans children and boyfriend witnessed the attack. Police pronounced the mother of two dead at the scene once they arrived. Houston police arrested Foreman after a brief hunt and he was booked into jail on Tuesday. 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 search has been launched for an inmate who walked away from prison near Las Vegas over the weekend. Joan Wenger, 69, was discovered missing from the Jean Conservation Camp during a 3 a.m. count on September 14, according to the Nevada Department of Corrections. The minimum-security inmate, who has been at the facility since December 1, was serving a 120-month sentence for vehicle homicide. The facility is currently the only camp in Nevada that houses female offenders, according to the NDOC. Its located approximately 20 miles south of Las Vegas. Wenger is described as being 5-feet 1-inch tall, weighing 135 pounds, with green eyes and gray hair. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the inmate is urged to call 911 immediately. Wenger was sentenced in 2021 for a drunken crash in February 2020 that killed a mom, according to the Record-Courier. She was driving in someone elses Toyota Tacoma on Highway 395 with a half bottle of whiskey when she slammed into the back of a car and Laura Staugaard, 70, was thrown from the vehicle. Staugaard died at the scene. Staugaards son Thomas Staugaard, who survived survived the crash, spoke out at a hearing for Wenger. Prison is too good for her, he said in response to the defense attorneys assertion that Wenger could be in prison for the rest of her life. It will be better than dying in the middle of Highway 395 on a dark night. At least shell have a nice hospital bed when she dies in prison. Wenger ultimately agreed to plead guilty in exchange for a recommendation of 10-25 years in prison. I wish every day that horrific deadly decision to drink and drive had never happened, she said. 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 }} Families of two murder victims lashed out at the convicted killer in court as he was sentenced to 50 years in prison. A Dallas County judge handed down two 50-year prison sentences to Kevin Sheffield for the 2022 killings of 65-year-old Joseph Syas and 64-year-old Mohamed Kamara. The sentences will run at the same time. In May 2022, Sheffield drove past Syas as he was walking home from the store in Northeast Dallas, turned around and shot and killed him. Kamara was killed outside his apartment complex. Sheffield was expressionless during the plea hearing on Monday as he learned his fate and then faced the families of his victims. At the hearing on Monday, Syass brother, Anthony Syas, blasted Sheffield for the killing, Fox4News reported. Anthony Syas (pictured) blasted Kevin Sheffield for killing his brother Joseph Syas in 2022 and delivered harsh words as the killer was sentenced to five decades behind bars. ( Fox4News Dallas ) Two years, I waited for this day just to see you. What you did to my brother, you didnt kill him; you murdered my brother, he said pointing at the killer. You shot my brother, went down the street and came back and shot my brother again and watched my brother die. I wish theyd given you two years because I promise to God Id blow your f----- head off! he added. Im not going to touch him. Im gone. I hate you. I pray you never see daylight again. I hate you, Syas sister Ceola Syas told Sheffield. I dont know what your mind is going through. I dont even know what type of animal you are, but you didnt have to kill my brother. Detectives connected Sheffield to the murder after license plate readers led them to his parents apartment and ballistics from a handgun found inside the home linked to another murder from one month before Kamara. Kamara, who moved to North Texas from Sierra Leone, West Africa, lived across the street from Sheffield, was killed outside his home while leaving for work. At the hearing, Kamaras cousin told the court that he was in search of greener pastures for his wife and three kids as he prepared for retirement. Yet, he does not see remorse from Sheffield, he said. In May 2022, Sheffield shot and killed Joseph Syas as he walked home from the store ( Johnson Funeral Home ) Thats what Im struggling with, he added. Police say there was seemingly no motive in the murders. But Judge Brandon Birmingham said at the hearing that Sheffield may be connected to other cases. Sheffield will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years. 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 }} Police in New York are investigating the vandalism of a major Hindu temple as a possible hate crime. A sign board and driveway of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) temple in Melville, Suffolk County, was defaced with spray paint, the police said. The vandals wrote "anti-Hindu" messages that also targeted Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, the police said. The incident took place between 7pm (local time) on Sunday and 6.30am on Monday, they added. The Suffolk police said its Hate Crimes Unit was investigating the graffiti, which had threatening and derogatory anti-Hindu messages. The graffiti was painted on the sign board and driveway of the temple, which was inaugurated in 2016. The incident comes just days ahead of Mr Modi's scheduled visit to Long Island on 22 September, where he will address a community event at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Indian consulate on Monday condemned the incident and urged the US authorities to take action against "the perpetrators of this heinous act". BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, the organisation that runs the temple, held a prayer meeting at the site of the vandalism with US members of Congress Nick LaLota, Tom Suozzi, and senator Mario Mattera in attendance. "There is too much hate," Mr Suozzi wrote on X following the prayer meeting. "Such acts of vandalism, bigotry, and hate are happening far too often because of inflammatory rhetoric by national leaders, extremism, and lack of accountability," the Democrat said. "Acts like these are un-American and contradict the core values of our nation." Leader of the temple Girish Patel said the incident left the community shocked. "Our place is a place of worship, he said told NewsDay. We strongly believe in peace, harmony and working together." He said Monday's temple prayer was attended by public officials along with representatives of faiths including Christianity, Judaism and Islam. "Its a good message that came out, he said. "Deeply saddened by the desecration of our BAPS Mandir [temple] in Melville an act aimed at inciting hatred against Hindus, BAPS, one of the largest Hindu groups in the US, said. "Guided by our faith, we stand united against hate with compassion and solidarity." The Hindu-American foundation has called on the US Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security to open an investigation into the vandalism. Earlier in July, a BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Edmonton, Canada, was desecrated with similar "anti-India graffiti", the local police said. Another Hindu temple, the Ram Mandir, in Canadas Mississauga was vandalised with anti-India graffiti in February. 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 woman has been found incompetent to stand trial in the murder of a three-year-old boy in an Ohio parking lot. Bionca Ellis, 32, has been charged with fatally stabbing Julian Wood outside a Giant Eagle grocery store in North Olmsted, about 42 miles northwest of Akron, in June. Police say she attacked both the boy and his mother. Julian was stabbed in the face and back while he was sitting in a grocery cart, investigators said. When his mother, Margot Wood, tried to pull him to safety, she too was attacked. Both were rushed to hospital but Julian died. Ellis, who had followed them out of the store, was arrested. The judge in the case has now ruled that Ellis is not fit to stand trial. Judge John Russo ordered her to receive in-patient care at Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare for 20 days in case shes able to be restored back to competency. Shes also been ordered to take all medication prescribed to her. According to court documents obtained by FOX 8, a doctor determined Ellis was incompetent to stand trial. The judge may decide to try Ellis if she is restored to competency. Three-year-old Julian Wood was fatally stabbed in a grocery store parking lot. Julians family described him as a sweet little boy with a cheesy smile and rambunctious attitude ( GoFundMe ) Days before the killing, Ellis had been released from jail on a probation violation without a psych exam. A magistrate had recommended a mental health evaluation for her. During a prior arrest, Ellis talked about committing murder to a police officer. Footage of the incident, which took place at a womens shelter in Cleveland, was caught on an officers body-worn camera. She told the officer she killed people in Bakersfield, California but her admission did not make sense at the time. Ellis said she used a gun to kill people. When an officer asked if anyone had found the bodies of any of the people she had killed, she said: I dont know. I probably ate em. After that encounter, police took her to a hospital for a mental health evaluation. There, she fought with medical staff. Ellis is also facing charges for assaulting staff at a hospital in California, but officials said her murder claims were unfounded. Ellis has pleaded not guilty to Julians murder. 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 }} Cryptocurrency scams are on the rise, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation reporting that Americans were defrauded out of $5.6bn last year and that the victims are often educated, well-off people. Last October, 68-year-old Debbie Fox had just finished dreamy trips to Italy, Spain and Greece. So when a man named Russell told her he was considering retiring to Europe, Fox was excited about exploring a relationship and possibly settling there with him. The two met on Luxy which advertises itself as an elite dating platform for millionaires and would spend hours discussing books, movies, television, and their families. Russell advertised himself as a scientist and businessman with dual passports, a man of affluence who was looking for a deeper connection. By day three, we were video chatting at length, Fox said. There was no way he could be reading from a script, because there is no way that a script would know what I would be asking him. I have a tendency to go really deep on conversations, and he just kept pace. It felt really real. Then he called her with an emergency: he needed $48,000 to save a solar project in Saudi Arabia that had purportedly been interrupted by the Israel-Hamas war. Fox vetted his alleged businesses and had received seemingly legitimate legal documents from Russell. So she took the risk and wired funds from her retirement account to another bank account that an investigation later found was flowing into crypto investments. A few weeks later, he asked for another $10,000, which Fox obliged. I was going by the fact that I was talking to a real human, that man whose picture you see, Fox said. An ongoing investigation has not been able to identify the man who swindled Fox out of tens of thousands of dollars. His profile is seen here ( Debbie Fox ) She didnt realize she had been swindled until December, when Russells alleged lawyer claimed he had been imprisoned and needed additional funds. Fox became a victim of something known as a romance scam, in which the victim is lured by a romantic impersonator and manipulated to send their money. Victims are duped for weeks or even months, and the aftermath can be brutal: entire life savings can be swindled, leaving people in financial ruin and struggling to handle the aftermath emotionally. There were days I was immobile, Fox said. I couldnt get off the floor from the depths of despair. More and more Americans are becoming victims of cryptocurrency scams, according to the FBI. The federal government received over 70,000 complaints of cryptocurrency scams in 2023. Thats a staggering increase of 45 percent since 2022. Cryptocurrency experts spoke to The Independent about the most common scams involving virtual currency and how best to avoid them. By far the most common cryptocurrency scam was investment fraud, which happens when bad actors persuade people to purchase cryptocurrency, promising they will reap profits at low risks. According to the FBI, investment scams accounted for 71 percent of all crypto scams and represented over $3.96bn in lost money in 2023. The next four most popular cryptocurrency scams were in tech support, personal data breaches, extortion, and cases of false confidence or romance. Once youre a victim, it is horrible, Fox said. Not just the reality of a broken heart from someone that you thought you were developing a relationship [with] that used your vulnerability against you [and] robbed you of money, but now youre just left with guilt and shame, and have been clueless about what to do next. To avoid these scams, we need to nurture the sense of digital hygiene, according to Chengqi John Guo, a professor of computer information systems and business analytics at James Madison University. The FBI is investigating the rise in crypto fraud ( Associated Press ) Some of the habits he recommends may seem obvious. Dont hand out your password to internet strangers. Double check with your company or bank about how they communicate sensitive information. Never trust suspicious actors urging you to download a foreign application. And you might want to double check if you get a pop-up asking to update your antivirus software which is one of the most common scams since the birth of the internet. But some of them are less obvious: its better to use your keyboard, instead of your mouse, to avoid data breaches that take advantage of how often you might click. Of the 3,000 victims informed by the FBI this year, 75 percent were unaware they had been scammed. When it comes to daily consumption like we go to grocery store, gas station we rarely use these cryptocurrencies, so it doesnt really get on the radar of the daily consumption activities for these people, Guo said. So maybe thats another factor working in the favor of the scammers, because people dont have that level of awareness. According to this years FBI report, people over 60 issued the most complaints about cryptocurrency scams, representing $1.6bn in losses. But the victims arent just older Americans, according to Erin West, a deputy district attorney in Santa Clara County, California. We are seeing plenty of victims in their 40s and 50s: plenty of really bright, well employed people that are getting hit, West said. Theyre so embarrassed, and theyre like, I cant believe I fell for this. Ive worked in financial services, or Im a lawyer. These scams theyre that good that people that you would not expect to fall victim to them are falling victim to them. Avenues for accountability are scant, and chances for justice slim. Recovering funds is an arduous task, particularly as cryptocurrency transactions cannot be canceled or reversed, unlike standard bank transactions. And social stigmas, particularly for romantic dupes, add to the difficulty of prosecuting perpetrators. Individuals, at times, are embarrassed to actually report their victimization, said FBI Supervisory Special Agent Nick Berta. And then theres challenges, although it is a public blockchain, for law enforcement to trace those transactions without the standard measures in place by US financial systems. Scams networks are often based out of Southeast Asia and Africa, making prosecution from the United States all but impossible. The highly elaborate schemes also victimize those who initiate the scams, deploying human trafficking victims who are coerced into scamming users on the web. I would say it is a rare chance these days where a victim will be able to recover any funds, West said. Guo says the widespread nature of cryptocurrency scams may pose a threat to societal well-being and demands serious attention: Its like the old saying: if you see one cockroach, that means you have a bunch of them hiding someone else. So if you see one manifestation of the cryptocurrency scam, believe me, there are a whole bunch of others that you dont see. Since the trauma of her case, Fox says she remains in the process of recovery. Im still not right, she says. But her experiences have moved her to advocate for fellow victims. This fall, she is set to publish a romance suspense novel that portrays her personal experience of being psychologically manipulated. She says: Instead of putting the onus on victims, lets shift the conversation and the resources to making life hell for criminals who want to do cyber crime. Editors Note: This article was amended on Sept. 16. It originally stated that Fox wired funds from her retirement account to Coinbase. However, that was inaccurate, as she actually wired the money to another bank account, and those funds eventually flowed into crypto investments. 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 }} Facebook owner Meta has announced that it is banning RT and other Russian state-controlled news outlets from its social media platforms, claiming that they carry out covert influence operations. After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets. Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity, Meta said in a statement. The social media giants move comes after years of restricting access to RT and other Russian state media outlets across Metas platforms in the European Union following Russias invasion of Ukraine. The Facebook-parent company said the latest ban would be enforced soon across Metas social media platforms including Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads. The ban comes days after US officials seized 32 Russian-backed websites accused of sowing disinformation ahead of the 2024 elections. US attorney general Merrick Garland (C) accompanied from left, principal deputy assistant attorney general Nicole Argentieri, head of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, deputy attorney general Lisa Monaco, FBI director Christopher Wray, and US assistant attorney general for the National Security Division Matt Olsen, speaks during an Election Threats Task Force meeting at the Justice Department on 4 September 2024 ( Getty Images ) Separately, lawmakers indicted two RT employees earlier this month, claiming they allegedly launched a $10m propaganda scheme enlisting popular right-wing social media influencers. The allegations, revealed in warrants and unsealed indictments, are evidence of Russias attempts to engage in a covert campaign to interfere and influence the outcome of our countrys elections, attorney general Merrick Garland had earlier said. The alleged efforts make clear the ends to which the Russian government including at its highest levels is willing to go to undermine our democratic process, Mr Garland said. Americans are anxious about money during election: study US secretary of state Antony Blinken said on Friday that countries should be cautious of the activities of Russian state broadcaster RT. US prosecutors said earlier this month that RT staff helped publish nearly 2,000 English-language videos on TikTok, Instagram, X and YouTube. The content racked up 16 million views on YouTube alone, according to the US Department of Justice. Covert attempts to sow division and trick Americans into unwittingly consuming foreign propaganda represents attacks on our democracy, FBI director Christopher Wray had said. We will continue to do everything we can to expose the hidden hand of foreign adversaries like Russia and disrupt their efforts to meddle in our free and open society, he said. The Independent has reached out to RT for a comment. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A New York woman is trying to change the rules of major beauty pageants that prohibit mothers from competing. Danielle Hazels ambitions of competing in Miss America and Miss World competitions came crashing down when she had a son at 19, making her ineligible to compete due to what she calls discriminatory entry requirements. Now, shes trying to put an end to those eligibility rules. The 25-year-old filed a complaint with the New York City Human Rights Commission on Monday in an effort to expand the participant pool. Miss Americas eligibility requirements state that participants must be a US citizen, a single woman between the ages of 18 and 28 and have no legal dependents. This exclusion is degrading to Danielle as it is based upon the antiquated stereotype that women cannot be both a mother and be beautiful, poised, passionate, talented and philanthropic, Hazels lawyer, Gloria Allred, said at the Womens Rights Pioneers Monument in Central Park on Monday, the Associated Press reported. Being pregnant or being a parent is not a crime and should not exclude an individual from employment or business opportunities, Allred said. An individuals status as a parent should not carry a stigma and no person should have to feel embarrassed, humiliated, or degraded because they have become a parent. Danielle Hazel (right) speaks out and is accompanied by her attorney Gloria Allred. Hazel is challenging a rule that banned moms from the Miss America and Miss World competitions. ( AP ) Hazel said that when she told her six-year-old son that she couldnt compete, he replied: These rules are stupid. She continued: His sense of fairness at only six years old tells him that this is unjust and makes no sense. Hazel and Allred were joined by Veronika Didusenko, who was crowned Miss Ukraine in September 2018. Her reign spanned only a few days before she announced that the national beauty pageant was stripping her of her title after discovering she had a child. At the time, Didusenko, while admitting that she had failed to provide that information to the pageant, called the rules so archaic, so outdated, so old-fashioned. Stuart J Moskovitz, a lawyer for Miss America, suggested to The Independent that there was a difference between having legal dependents and being a mother. Danielle Hazels complaint, filed by Attorney Allred, is not factually accurate. There is no ban against mothers. The only ban is against potential contestants with legal dependents. In other words, if you are responsible for the daily welfare of the child, that welfare must take precedence over wishing to compete in the contest, he said. The rule has nothing to do with any attack on motherhood. It is solely to protect the welfare of minors dependent on their legal guardians. That legal guardian could be someone who is the childs mother, or it could be someone who has become the legal guardian of the child without being the mother. Someone who is a mother who has no responsibility for the child (for example, someone who gave up custody or the child for adoption, etc.) is not banned, Moskovitz continued. Essentially, the complaint filed with the NYC Human Rights Commission is a false document filed with a government agency. Miss America stands apart from other such contests. Miss America is a more than century old institution that observes the highest standards of conduct, ethics, etc. That puts us in conflict sometimes with those who do not share those standards. Protecting the welfare of children is consistent with those standards, he wrote. The Independent has also reached out to representatives for Miss World as well as the New York City Human Rights Commission for comment. Close Long-time friend of OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush said Titan sub explosion was expected 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 }} OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush allegedly declared that he would buy a congressman to make issues surrounding the Titan subs certification go away, a witness testified. Matthew McCoy, who worked at the submersible company for six months from April 2017, addressed the Titan Marine Board of Investigation panel on Friday for the final day of the two-week long hearing into Titans disaster voyage in June 2023. After raising concerns about an alleged lack of certificate of inspection for the first Titan sub in 2017, McCoy testified that Rush told him, I would buy a congressman to make problems disappear during a lunch meeting. The ex-OceanGate employee said that he quit soon after. He was either trying to intimidate me or impress me, he testified. McCoy also alleged that the OceanGate engineering department was full of college interns during his time at the company, adding that he doesnt believe there was a professional engineer on staff. Captain Jamie Frederick, member of the US Coast Guard who oversaw rescue mission of the Titan and its five crew, began testifying after McCoy. Coast Guard Search and Rescue Specialist Scott Talbot was the last person to testify. 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 }} All good here. Those were some of the final words that the doomed Titan submersible crew communicated before the submersible imploded on its mission to the Titanic wreckage site in June 2023. The message, revealed as part of the Coast Guards Monday hearing into the circumstances of the failed mission, was sent to support vessel Polar Prince on June 18, 2023, shortly before the submersible imploded, killing all five of its crew members. It was an incident that captivated both sides of the Atlantic as crews made a mad dash to save the crew after the sub lost contact with the surface - with the world unaware that the lives had been lost. The Coast Guard played an animated re-enactment of the Titans voyage that captured the submersibles final, spotty exchange with the Polar Prince, during the Monday hearing that shed new light on the subs final mission. Around 10am on June 18, Polar Prince asked the Titan crew whether they were able to see the support vessel on the submersibles display. The support vessel asked the crew the same question seven times over the course of seven minutes. The Titan crew then sent k, meaning it was asking for a communications check. The Polar Prince then repeated its question three more times before writing: I need better comms from you. The crew finally replied yes at 10.14am before adding: All good here. At 10.47am, the communication between the two vessels was lost. The Titan submersible was found on June 22, 2023, the seafloor after days of searching after it imploded. New photos show it on the ocean floor after it was discovered, and the lives of the five on board were lost on the way to the Titanic wreckage site. ( ROV image of TITAN tail cone. Source: Pelagic Research Services, June 2023 ) All five of its crew members later died as a result of the implosion: founder Stockton Rush, 61, French explorer Paul Henri Nargeolet, 77, British explorer Hamish Harding, 58, UK-based Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48 and his 19-year-old son Suleman. In its presentation on Monday, the Coast Guard also revealed a pattern of failures that the Titan experienced during its test dives long before it set out to the wreckage site. Test dives in 2021 revealed 70 equipment issues while dives the following year revealed 48 equipment issues, including drop weights malfunction. On top of those issues, after the last test dive in 2022 until February 6, 2023, the vessel was stored uncovered in a dock without protection from the elements. The first witness before the panel, Tony Nissen, former OceanGate engineering director, took the stand on Monday, pulling back the curtain on the internal dynamics of the company as well as some disagreements between Stockton Rush and OceanGate employees. This undated image provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the company's Titan submersible ( OceanGate Expeditions ) When Nissen was hired, he wasnt directly told that the submersible was going to the wreckage site. He testified: I was never told they were going to the Titanic. Nissen also said he was struggling to find the professional words to describe Rush. Stockton would fight for what he wanted...And he wouldnt give an inch much. At all, he said. Most people would eventually back down from Stockton. It was like death by a thousand cuts. The submersible was struck by lightning in 2018, partially damaging the hull, Nissen testified. The following year, after finding that the accoustic tests were not coming out clean, he objected an expedition to the Titanic site, since he found the hull was compromised. After refusing to give his approval, he was fired. He told the panel: I wouldnt sign off on it. So I got terminated. Debris from the Titan submersible, recovered from the ocean floor near the wreck of the Titanic, is unloaded from the ship Horizon Arctic at the Canadian Coast Guard pier in St. John's, Newfoundland, June 28, 2023. ( AP ) When asked if there was pressure to start operations, Nissen said: 100 percent. The Coast Guard is investigating the circumstances surrounding the loss of the submersible, Marine Board of the Investigation chair Jason Neubauer said. The investigation will look for factors that led to this catastrophe and try to learn how to prevent them in the future as well as examine whether the acts of misconduct, negligence, or willful violation of the law contributed to these casualties. The hearings, expected to span two weeks, will also investigate the Coast Guards search and rescue operations. After the hearing, it was clarified that Tony Nissen was referring to a prototype carbon fiber hull created in 2016, which was never used on Titanic expeditions. After Nissen left OceanGate in 2019, the company manufactured a new carbon fiber hull, which was used on the Titanic expeditions. 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 }} Supporters of abortion rights may be set up to deliver another decisive rebuke of conservative-led efforts to ban or restrict abortion at the state level. A ballot initiative in Missouri appears to be picking up steam after clearing a key hurdle last week: a court challenge to its constitutionality, which argued that the language of the submitted ballot question was too vague for voters to understand. Amendment 3, which would enshrine abortion rights in the states constitution, was endorsed Monday by hundreds of medical professionals operating across the state in an open letter to news outlets. The doctors and others who signed the letter are members of the Committee to Protect Health Care, a group which supports expanding access to low-cost healthcare. The news of their endorsements comes on the heels of a heartbreaking report from ProPublica detailing the deaths of two women in Georgia who died as a result of inability to find timely medical care while experiencing complications with their pregnancies. On a more relevant note, it also follows the Missouri Supreme Court ruling just hours before ballots were printed that the measure will be up for a vote this year. Missourians are being denied abortions and forced to continue life-threatening pregnancies, risking their health and lives, reads the letter, released by the Committee to Protect Health Care, in part. Doctors can't treat patients with heartbreaking pregnancy complications until they are on the brink of death. Otherwise, they could be put in jail. [W]e wholeheartedly support the Missourians for Constitutional Freedom ballot initiative to end our state's cruel, total abortion ban and put families not politicians back in charge of personal medical decisions. We endorse this initiative to give our patients and all Missourians the opportunity to directly vote on reproductive freedom, including access to abortion, miscarriage care, and birth control, it also read. Abortion rights supporters rally in St Louis, Missouri, in 2022 after the Supreme Courts decision overturning Roe vs Wade. ( AFP via Getty Images ) A so-called trigger ban restricting abortion in all cases except severe medical emergencies went into effect in Missouri after Roe vs Wade was overturned in the Supreme Courts ruling on Dobbs vs Jackson Womens Health Organization in 2022. Such laws have been blamed for the deaths of women who are unable to find care before their conditions reach life-threatening stages. More than two years since our trigger abortion ban went into effect, its time voters had a say on our reproductive freedom, Dr Jennifer Schmidt, one of the letters signatories, said Monday on a press call. The letter is only a snowdrift in the avalanche that could be coming Republicans way in November. Though the ballot initiative is opposed by anti-abortion groups and conservatives such as Mike Kehoe, the Trump-supported candidate in the governors race, its still likely on track to be a victory for abortion rights advocates this year. A poll in August showed the pro side winning with a nearly 20-point lead, and a focus on abortion rights by Vice President Kamala Harriss campaign ahead of November could make that projected landslide a reality. More than just how significant that decision will be for Missouris women, its also significant for the entire abortion rights movement. A victory in Missouri could very well end up being paired with one in Florida, which has a similar question on the ballot this year. Dual wins in states that are likely to go for Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, at the presidential level would be a major messaging win for supporters of abortion rights and a sign that opponents of reproductive rights are playing on unfriendly territory even in Americas most conservative regions. Defeats, by contrast, would be ammunition for conservatives like Byron Donalds, a Florida congressman and opponent of the states pro-abortion Amendment 4, who told The Independent earlier this year that he expects the politics of abortion to change significantly among younger generations now that Roe vs Wade is no longer in place at the federal level. The reality of post-Roe vs. Wade is nobody really knows what their position on abortion is. Like, I know my position. But I would say of the American people, that's still a moving target, said the congressman in April. But you can't jam that and force it. People have to get there. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The death of a 28-year-old pregnant woman from an infection has been blamed on Trump abortion bans by Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Amber Nicole Thurman, from Georgia, died two years ago after delays in her care as doctors grappled with the states restrictive abortion laws. Her death was later ruled preventable by a state committee, which included 10 doctors, investigative outlet ProPublica reported on Monday. Harris issued a statement Tuesday on what happened to Thurman, the mother of a six-year-old boy, and spoke of her story during an interview with the National Association of Black Journalists later in the day. This young mother should be alive, raising her son, and pursuing her dream of attending nursing school, Harris said in a statement. This is exactly what we feared when Roe was struck down. In more than 20 states, Trump Abortion Bans are preventing doctors from providing basic medical care. Amber Thurman takes a selfie with her son. Thurman died in a Georgia hospital in 2022 after doctors delayed a procedure that was criminalized in the state after the Supreme Court overturned nationwide access to abortion ( Facebook ) Women are bleeding out in parking lots, turned away from emergency rooms, losing their ability to ever have children again, she continued. Survivors of rape and incest are being told they cannot make decisions about what happens next to their bodies. And now women are dying. These are the consequences of Donald Trumps actions. Amber Thurmans grave. Thurman asked her mother to care for her son, who was six years old at the time, before she died ( Nydia Blas for ProPublica ) During his presidency, Trump nominated three justices to create the Supreme Courts 6-3 conservative majority: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. This conservative majority enabled the court to oveturn Roe v Wade in 2022 - the ruling that had guaranteed access to abortion nationwide. Some states began enacting legislation to restrict abortion after Roe was overturned. Thurman, a medical assistant, was taken to Piedmont Henry Hospital in a suburb of Atlanta after she vomited blood and passed out in 2022, ProPublica reports. Doctors discovered Thurman had taken abortion medication and developed a rare complication in which there was some fetal tissue left in her uterus, according to the outlets investigation. Demonstrators rally in support of abortion rights at the Supreme Court. After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, the decision that guaranteed abortion access nationwide, states like Georgia began to enact restrictions on the procedure ( AFP via Getty Images ) At that point, Thurman needed a procedure called dilation and curettage, which would allow doctors to remove the rest of the tissue, ProPublica reports. But Georgia had recently passed a law making the procedure a felony with few exceptions. Doctors delayed Thurmans care and finally operated 20 hours after she arrived at the hospital, according to ProPublica. She died on the operating table. Piedmont Henry Hospital did not respond to requests for comment from ProPublica, according to the report. The Independent has contacted the hospital for comment. Over the last two years, Thurmans family members knew only that she died from an infection due to retained products of conception, ProPublica reports. Her loved ones only learned that medical experts deemed Thurmans death preventable due to ProPublicas reporting. Harris and Trump clash over abortion at first presidential debate Her family is now focused on caring for Thurmans son, according to ProPublica. Thurmans mother told the outlet that the last words she heard her daughter say were promise me youll take care of my son. Deaths caused by complications from abortion medication are exceedingly rare with 32 deaths reported to the Food and Drug Administration from 2000-2022. These deaths were reported regardless of whether the abortion medication played a role, according to ProPublica, and many of those recorded deaths were the result of other causes, such as drug overdose or homicide. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, also issued a statement in response to the ProPublica report. Amber Nicole Thurmana mother to a 6-year-old sondied after routine medical care was delayed, Senator Warren wrote. Her doctors feared criminal prosecution under Georgias abortion ban. Her death was preventable. Donald Trump said abortion bans are a beautiful thing. This summer, Trump called states enacting laws restricting abortion access a beautiful thing to watch. The Republican presidential candidate has spread outrageous false claims about abortion including last week when he said that some states executed babies after birth during the debate against Harris. Since the fall of Roe, pregnant people have faced significant barriers to abortion access which can have life-altering, and at times life-threatening, consequences. In states where there are little to no exceptions to abortion bans, people are being forced to continue with life-threatening pregnancies that are not viable. People living in more than 700 counties must travel more than 200 miles to access their nearest abortion clinic, according to the Myers Abortion Facility Database by Middlebury College. The Independent has contacted the Trump campaign for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email 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 Pakistani man with ties to Iran pleaded not guilty in federal court on Monday on charges related to an alleged murder-for-hire plot against U.S. politicians in retalation for the 2020 killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani. Asif Raza Merchant, 46, is charged with attempting to commit terrorism across national boundaries and murder-for-hire. Prosecutors say Merchant traveled through Iran and Pakistan before arriving in the U.S. in April, where he planned to stir up protests, steal digital materials, and attack a U.S. leader, including potential target Donald Trump. There are no apparent links between Merchants alleged scheme and the two shooting threats against Donald Trump in recent months. Upon arriving in the U.S., Merchant allegedly contacted an individual he thought could aid in his plans, which the Pakistani citizen allegedly said were motivated against those hurting Pakistan and the world, [the] Muslim world. A clandestine photo allegedly shows Asif Merchant discussing an alleged plot to kill a U.S. leader in retaliation for the 2020 killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani ( Department of Justice ) The individual alerted U.S. authorities and became a confidential informant. During a June meeting in New York, Merchant allegedly made a gun motion with his finger while speaking with the informant about his plans, and claimed instructions would be relayed with code words and funds would be channeled through a clothing business. Later that month, the informant then took Merchant to meet two hitmen who were really undercover agents, according to court documents. The Pakistani allegedly offered to pay them a fee that would come to $5,000, passed through networks in Istanbul and Dubai. The 46-year-old, who prosecutors say has wives in Pakistan and Iran, claimed he was a representative of a larger, though-as-of-yet unspecified, group. Merchant allegedly planned to pay hitmen to kill a U.S. leader and steal digital documents. He allegedly paid $5,000 to an undercover agent as part of the plot ( Department of Justice ) Merchant was arrested in July as he allegedly planned to leave the country. Agents found a handwritten note of codewords in Merchants wallet, according to prosecutors. Federal investigators said in court documents that the alleged plot showed a level of tradecraft and operational security that was consistent with plotting from a foreign adversary, like Iran. In court documents, officials mentioned Irans publicly stated intentions of avenging the death of Soleimani, the top commander of the countrys network of influential proxy forces around the Middle East, as one such adversary. A demonstrator holds up a poster of the late Iranian Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone attack in 2020 in Iraq ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) A U.S. drone strike killed Soleimani in 2020 while he visited Baghdad. In August, Iran distanced itself from the alleged Merchant plot. We have not received any reports on this matter from the US Government. However, it is evident that the modus operandi in question contradicts the Iranian Governments policy of legally prosecuting the murderer of General Soleimani, the Iranian mission to the United Nations in New York said in a statement to Reuters. 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 }} It was hailed as 18-year-old Barron Trump's big moment: his first big speaking role in a public broadcast, promoting his family's new cryptocurrency venture. But despite excited promises from his older brothers Don Jr, 46, and Eric, 40, the youngest son of former president Donald J Trump never made it onto the livestream. "He's not here anymore, We took too long," said crypto entrepreneur Farokh Sarmad in an interview with the Trump clan on Monday night, which was broadcast live on X (formerly Twitter). "We're gonna try and get him back." "Damned teenagers!" interjected Don Jr with a laugh. "I'm like the old boomer now the grumpy old man with a white beard." Barron Trump is now studying in New York ( AFP via Getty Images ) The Trumps and their business partners were there to unveil new details about World Liberty Financial (WLF), reportedly an online banking and lending platform designed to make crypto more accessible to ordinary Americans while protecting them from the "censorship" of big traditional banks. A leaked document obtained by the crypto news outlet CoinDesk listed Eric and Don Jr as WLF's resident "Web3 Ambassadors" and Barron Trump as its "DeFi visionary" (that is, "decentralized finance"). Despite its roughly two hour run time, the interview revealed few concrete details of the new project, establishing only that it will involve a "stablecoin" a digital currency whose value is pegged to the US dollar and that early investors will not have a preferential share in its governance. However, the elder Trump did credit his sons, and especially Barron, for opening his eyes to the potential of crypto, describing the latter as a b;lockchain wizard. "Barron knows so much about this," the former president said. "Barron's a young guy, but he knows he talks about his [crypto] wallet, he's got four wallets or something, and I'll say 'what is a wallet?' But he knows it inside out. "It's almost like younger people know it a lot better than older people. But I have a lot of respect for them. They've shown great judgement, all of them." The 2nd Baku Security Forum on "Modern Challenges to the Security of Global Transport Networks," organised by the State Security Service (DTX) and attended by representatives from the special services of nearly 50 countries, has been held, Azernews reports. At the event, a message from President Ilham Aliyev to the forum participants was delivered, and a video covering the conferences theme was presented. In his speech, the Head of the DTX, Colonel General Ali Nagiyev, after welcoming the guests, emphasised the importance of the Baku Security Forum, held last May and organized again this year, in expanding information exchange and other areas of mutual cooperation between partner organisations. Service Chief Ali Nagiyev also highlighted the importance of coordinating the activities of special services in the fight against international terrorism and other threats to the security system as a whole, noting that the forum provides an important platform for the discussion of issues of common interest by the security structures of different countries. Nagiyev drew attention to the fact that holding this year's forum on the eve of COP29 was not coincidental, stating that terrorist-sabotage acts targeting the transport lines used for the delivery of energy resources could lead to global economic and ecological disasters. He stressed the necessity of strengthening joint efforts and increasing the efficiency of collective action in this regard. Colonel General Ali Nagiyev also underlined President Ilham Aliyev's consistent political support for organising events in Azerbaijan on issues of international relevance, expressing confidence that the conference would contribute to the development of common approaches and improvement of strategic actions in the fight against risks to the security of global transport corridors. Following this, the event continued with speeches by the heads of delegations from foreign special services on topics related to the forum's theme. In conclusion, it was announced that the proposal to establish a permanent Secretariat of the Baku Security Forum in Baku, initiated by President Ilham Aliyev, was unanimously supported by the participating countries. 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 suggested that American support for NATO should be predicated on the European Union not regulating Elon Musk and his X social media platform, formerly known as Twitter. The Republican vice presidential nominee and Ohio senator claimed in an interview with YouTuber Shawn Ryan that a top EU official had threatened to arrest the billionaire if he allowed former President Donald Trump back on X. The leader, I forget exactly which official it was within the European Union, but sent Elon this threatening letter that basically said, Were going to arrest you if you platform Donald Trump, who, by the way, is the likely next president of the United States, Vance said in the interview published last week. Trumps running mate then suggested that US support for NATO should be used as a cudgel to get the Europeans in line. So what America should be saying is, if NATO wants us to continue supporting them and NATO wants us to continue to be a good participant in this military alliance, why dont you respect American values and respect free speech? Vance asked. Its insane that we would support a military alliance if that military alliance isnt going to be pro-free speech. I think we can do both. But weve got to say American power comes with certain strings attached. One of those is respect free speech, especially in our European allies. Musk has been accused of banning several journalists since taking over Twitter, now X. Im not going to go to some backwoods country and tell them how to live their lives, Vance added. But European countries should theoretically share American values, especially about some very basic things like free speech. JD Vance said that American power comes with certain strings attached ( AP ) The US ranked 26th in the world when it comes to free speech, with several members of the European Union higher up the list, according to the 2024 Global Expression Report. Internal market EU Commissioner Thierry Breton wrote on X in July that the platforms verification system of users using blue checks is deceiving. Now X has the right of defence but if our view is confirmed we will impose fines & require significant changes, he added. Musk who responded at the time, saying: We look forward to a very public battle in court, so that the people of Europe can know the truth. The European Commission offered X an illegal secret deal: if we quietly censored speech without telling anyone, they would not fine us. The other platforms accepted that deal. X did not, he added in another post. X could face disciplinary action under the EU Digital Services Act that was put in place in 2022. The legislation includes a number of regulations stating that platforms have to take responsibility for protecting European users from illegal content and disinformation. Vance has faced criticism for putting forward, in the same interview, a peace plan for the war in Ukraine that would appear to benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin, who views NATO as a top adversary. Ryan asked Vance what Trumps plan was to end the war in Ukraine. The senator said Trump would have a discussion with the Russians, Ukrainians, and Europeans and tell them that they need to figure out what a peaceful settlement looks like. Vance also told Ryan that a possible peace agreement could mean that Russia would hold onto the land they have seized and that a demilitarized zone would be implemented along the current frontlines. Vance added that Ukraine would also give Russia a guarantee of neutrality. What it probably looks like is something like the current line of demarcation between Russia and Ukraine becomes like a demilitarized zone, heavily fortified [so] the Russians dont invade again, he said. Trumps running mate also suggested that Europe, specifically Germany, and not Russia, would have to fund the rebuilding of Ukraine. Ukraine remains an independent sovereignty. Russia gets the guarantee of neutrality from Ukraine. It does not join NATO and some other allied institutions. Germans and other nations have to fund Ukraines reconstruction, Vance added. Ukraine has been trying to join NATO and the European Union for years. Already in 2008, then-NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said Ukraine would eventually become a member of the military alliance. Trump has long shared his disdain for NATO during his first term, he reportedly privately discussed pulling out of the alliance completely. The former president has also repeatedly indicated that he would refuse to adhere to NATOs Article 5 collective defense clause, which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all. Earlier this year, he said he had told a foreign leader that he would urge Russia to do whatever the hell they want to NATO members who were not spending enough on defense. Trump has also made a habit of praising dictators and authoritarian leaders, showing a particular affinity for Putin, whom he called genius and savvy after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The then-president also sided with Putin over the US intelligence community when asked about Russian interference in the 2016 election during a 2018 press conference with the Russian leader in Helsinki, Finland. 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 }} Mark Meadows, Donald Trumps former White House chief of staff, has failed to move his election interference case in Arizona to federal court. A judge denied Meadowss request to move the case. Meadows faces charges in Arizona and Georgia over his alleged role in an illegal scheme to overturn the 2020 election results in Trumps favor, authorities say. At a hearing in Phoenix on Monday, US District Court judge John J Tuchi said Meadows missed a deadline for his case to be moved to federal court, did not offer a good reason for the move and also failed to show the allegations relate to his official duties when he was then-president Trumps chief of staff. Meadows unsuccessfully attempted the same legal move in a separate election interference case a year ago in Georgia. Prosecutors argue, in a bid to keep Trump in office despite losing the 2020 presidential election, Meadows worked with other Trump campaign members to submit names of fake electors from Arizona and other states to Congress. Mark Meadows appeared virtually at the pre-trial hearing in the fake electors case in Phoenix on Monday ( AP ) President Joe Biden won in the state of Arizona by 10,457 votes in the 2020 election. According to the Arizona indictment, Meadows confided in a White House staff member in early November 2020 that Trump, who is referred to as the unindicted co conspirator 1 throughout the indictment, had lost the election. Prosecutors allege despite this, Meadows arranged calls and meetings with state officials to discuss the fake elector conspiracy. His attorneys say nothing Meadows is accused of in Arizona was criminal. Instead, they argue the allegations against him in the indictment consist of messages from others trying to get ideas in front of Trump. Meadows has pleaded not guilty to the charges in Arizona and Georgia. Trump was not charged in Arizona but a total of 18 Republicans were, including 11 who submitted a document falsely claiming he had won the state, another Trump aide and five lawyers connected to him. Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has had another setback in court ( AP ) Meadows hoped moving the case to federal court could lead to a quick dismissal on the grounds he was immune from prosecution as a federal officer at the time. In a motion in July, his attorneys argued: Mr. Meadows has the right to remove this matter because he has a federal defense of Supremacy Clause immunity to the State charge and Congress has provided that federal courts are the appropriate forum to adjudicate such issues. They added: The conduct giving rise to the charges in the indictment all occurred during his tenure and as part of his service as White House Chief of Staff. It is not yet known whether Meadows will appeal the judges decision. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A top science magazine has waded into the political sphere after making a presidential endorsement, only the second in its 179-year history. Vote for Kamala Harris to Support Science, Health and the Environment, read the headline in Scientific American on Monday, announcing the publications official support for the Democratic presidential candidate. Harris is Scientific Americans second presidential endorsement in its history, after the magazine backed President Joe Biden during the 2020 election. The US faces two futures, the editors wrote, pushing one candidate who offers the country better prospects, relying on science, solid evidence and the willingness to learn from experience. They continued: In the other future, the new president endangers public health and safety and rejects evidence, preferring instead nonsensical conspiracy fantasies. Scientific American, which has a global readership of six million, cited Harriss record as vice president, senator and presidential candidate as reasons for endorsing her. They acknowledged that Trump, also has a record - a disastrous one, during his time in the White House. The magazine firstly focused on the candidates healthcare policies and proposals, in particular, health insurance in its comparison. Praising the Biden-Harris administration for bolstering the Affordable Care Act (ACA) - which expanded the number of adults eligible for health insurance - the editors noted that while Harris has said she would expand the program, Trump has pledged to repeal it but failed to clarify what he would replace it with. I have concepts of a plan, he said while facing off against Harris during the September 10 presidential debate. Kamala Harris shakes hands with Donald Trump before the debate on September 10 in Philadelphia ( AFP via Getty Images ) The article refers to the debate multiple times, seemingly agreeing with many across the political spectrum (including some of Trumps closest allies) that Harris won. The article highlights Trumps baseless claim during the debate that some states allow a person to obtain an abortion in the ninth month of pregnancy, and calling it execution after birth. No state allows this, Scientific American clarified. The magazine also emphasized that Trump refused to answer whether he would veto a national abortion ban. Meanwhile, Harris was hailed as a staunch supporter of reproductive rights for vowing to improve access to abortion care and for co-sponsoring a package of bills to reduce rising maternal mortality rates when she was a senator. Turning to technology, the editors highlighted the CHIPS and Science Act, signed into law by Biden in 2022, which brought more funding to the chip-making industry to boost homegrown production and research. They said the legislation invigorates the chipmaking industry and semiconductor research while growing the workforce. The magazine claimed that a second Trump administration would quickly undo this progress under a conservative framework, Project 2025, that has been set out to guide his potential second term. Under the devious and divisive Project 2025 framework, technology safeguards on AI would be overturned, the editors wrote. AI influences our criminal justice, labor and health-care systems. As is the rightful complaint now, there would be no knowing how these programs are developed, how they are tested or whether they even work. The article concludes: One of two futures will materialize according to our choices in this election. The editors closed by underlining their point. We urge you to vote for Kamala Harris. Scientific American is not the only endoresment Harris has won following the debate, with Taylor Swift posting her endorsement on Instagram almost immediately after the showdown. Polls currently place Harris with a 2.6 point the lead over Trump. Make sense of the US election with The Independents experts in our exclusive virtual event Harris vs. Trump: who will make history? Reserve your space here. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Two more schools and two college campuses in Springfield, Ohio have been evacuated amid a surge in anti-immigrant invective driven in part by former president Donald Trump and his allies. Leaders at Wittenberg University and Clark State College said on Monday that they would hold all classes virtually this week and cancel all on-campus events after receiving threats. The Springfield City School District (SCSD) also told local broadcaster WHIO that students at Simon Kenton Elementary School and Kenwood Elementary School had been moved to other facilities due to information received from local police. SCSD officials did not describe the nature of these threats, only saying that these were the fifth and sixth SCSD buildings to receive such threats in the past week. Late [on] Saturday Sep 14, the college received an email threat via the admissions link on our website, which raised concerns about a possible shooting, said Clark State College in a public bulletin. On Sunday, we received an email of a bomb threat to the Springfield campus. Wittenberg likewise said it was facing ongoing threats which were currently being assessed by local police and the FBI. The vacant campus of Clark State College, which went all-virtual due to bomb and shooting threats over the weekend ( Luke Sharrett/Getty Images ) Haitian immigrants in Springfield have been targeted by a storm of racist conspiracy theories over the past few weeks, following months of agitation from far-right groups apparently including the Ku Klux Klan. Last week, after Trump and his running mate JD Vance embraced false claims that Haitian residents have been eating their neighbors' dogs and cats, threats of violence temporarily forced the closure of government buildings, a cultural festival, two elementary schools, and a middle school. Ohio governor Mike DeWine said on Monday that law enforcement agencies had investigated at least 33 separate bomb threats, all of which turned out to be fake, and said at least some of them had come from overseas. I want to say to the parents in Springfield: these threats have all been hoaxes. None of them have panned out, said DeWine. Ohio governor Mike DeWine holds a news conference in Springfield, Ohio on Monday Sep 16, 2024 ( AP Photo/Patrick Aftoora Orsagos ) "We have people, unfortunately, overseas who are taking these actions. some of them are coming from one particular country. We think that this is one more opportunity to mess with the United States, and they're continuing to do that. "So we cannot let the bad guys win. Our schools must remain open." Between 12,000 and 20,000 Haitians are estimated to live in Springfield, according to The New York Times. Many have moved there in the last few years thanks to a successful push by city and business leaders to attract new workers to the once-struggling town, whose population had dwindled from about 80,000 in the early 1970s to under 60,000 in 2015. That effort, combined with word of mouth within the Haitian community, has made the city a magnet for people and families granted a temporary right to remain and work in the US due to worsening gang violence and civil war in the Caribbean republic, which was founded in 1804 after a successful slave revolt. The influx has reportedly revived Springfield's economy but increased the strain on local schools, health services, and housing, causing intense debate that was only exacerbated when a Haitian man driving without a valid licence crashed into a school bus in August 2023. Last week, Trump spuriously declared during his nationally televized debate with Kamala Harris that Haitians in Springfield were eating the dogs... theyre eating the cats. Ohio senator JD Vance defended his words, as did many Republicans. Nevertheless, these claims appear to have zero basis in fact. Multiple viral photos, posts, and videos trumpeted as proof of Haitian animal abuse have turned out to be nothing of the sort, and the author of one widely-reported Facebook post has admitted that she [didnt] have any proof for its claims. Springfield mayor Rob Rue told CNN on Sunday that he and other officials had also received threats. "It would be helpful," he said, if politicians "understood the weight of their words and how they could harm a community like ours." 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 }} Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has often fostered the image of the Supreme Court as a united front, but a new leak indicates he abandoned that perspective in order to help Donald Trump in his criminal prosecutions amplifying concerns that the court is becoming too political. For nearly 20 years, Roberts has served as Chief Justice of the court and is often considered the most neutral, toeing the line between the conservative and liberal blocs of the court. He has helped maintain the idea that the court is politically neurtral, but that line appears to be blurring even more and insiders discussed how Roberts is helping lead the mixing of politics and court decisions. This term, Roberts strengthened his grip on his power; writing the opinions of the most controversial cases, expediating Trumps immunity case despite reservations from his colleagues and declining to find a middle ground, insiders told The New York Times. Ultimately, the Chief Justice steered the court into contentious political discourse and handed Trump several wins along the way. Chief Justice John Roberts reportedly made a series of decisions that allowed him to author major decisions that helped Donald Trump, insiders have revealed. ( Getty Images ) When the former president asked the court to intervene in his federal election interference case in February, several conservative justices apparently wanted to schedule arguments for the following term in October making it nearly impossible to rule before the election. But Roberts sided with his liberal colleagues, urging others to take it on now, according to a memo seen by the Times. As quickly as he sided with the liberal wing of the court he turned his back on them in June when Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the senior liberal justice, indicated she was willing to find consensus on the immunity decision. Roberts departed from his usual conduct and refused to concede to negotiations, unnamed insiders said. Ultimately, Sotomayor wrote a scathing dissent calling the 6-3 majority decision that gave the president protections for official acts committed while in office, authored by Roberts, troubling and said it irrevocably shifted the presidents relationship with the people. It wasnt just the immunity decision that Roberts took the reins of, he also authored the decision in the case about the January 6 defendants after initially taping Justice Samuel Alito to write the majority decision. Members of the Supreme Court, pictured in October 2022, as insiders, have detailed Roberts influence on the other eight justices in the most politically charged cases. ( AP ) In April, Alito was assigned to write the opinion that awarded some January 6 rioters a break from an obstruction of justice charge. But a month later, Roberts inexplicitly took it over without changing the decision itself a large deviation from tradition. Its unclear why the switch happened, or which justice initiated it, but it reportedly occurred within days of the Timess report on Alitos wife flying an upside-down American flag, a political symbol, after the attack on the Capitol. Roberts also wrote the unsigned majority opinion in Trumps other case about whether he could remain on the ballot under the 14th Amendment. According to insiders, Roberts stressed the importance of appearing united on a politically divisive case and asked that all nine-justice come to an agreement. All nine agreed that Trump should and could appear on the ballot, but four conservative justices wanted to go one step further in the ruling, saying that Congress, not the states, had to make that decision. The court was split four to four on the judgment and Roberts chose to side with his conservative colleagues. The court was split four to four on the judgment and Roberts chose to side with his conservative colleagues. Roberts shakes hands with former president Donald Trump in February 2020. Roberts repotedly steered the court into awarding Trump wins in three cases this past term ( Getty Images ) The result: three liberal justices wrote a concurring opinion that criticized the majoritys decision and Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote a two-paragraph concurring opinion that essentially scolded all justices for failing to come to an agreement. The Supreme Court, the highest court within the judicial branch, was never intended to be political. Framers of the Constitution deliberately tried to protect judges from political pressure by allowing them to serve during good behavior, which has largely been interpreted to mean lifetime appointments. Unlike members of Congress or the president, justices do not have to succumb to their political partys wants because they do not face elections. But like many things in the United States, the court has become partisan. Any desire Roberts had to keep the court out of politics and assure Americans it could be trusted seemed to have slipped away this past term - and it might be thanks to the Chief Justice. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors covers an area of Arizona that includes the city of Phoenix and a swathe of rural and suburban land to the north and west. Most of the time it concerns itself with things like animal control policy, city planning, housing and air quality. But in 2020, during a vote to certify the countys elections, its five members found themselves on the receiving end of an attempt by president Donald Trump to steal an election. The pressure by the president and his many surrogates was all part of an effort to overturn the election, says Bill Gates, a board member. Looking back on it, it is chilling that thats what we were in the middle of. His recounting of that pivotal moment in American history comes in a new documentary directed by filmmaker Dan Reed, which tells the full story of Trumps attempt to steal the 2020 election. Trumps Heist: The President Who Wouldnt Lose hears from the Republican politicians and administrators who resisted those efforts, whom Reed calls the thin red line. If they had yielded to the leader of their party, and country, the United States could have looked very different today. These are minor cogs in the machine that suddenly become the key to throwing an election for Donald Trump, Reed says. Its told by people who voted for Trump and really wanted him to get back in. They were diehard supporters, arch-conservatives who loved his policies, and theyre the people who tell us how close Trump came to sedition, he adds. After covering the storming of the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, in a previous documentary, Reed worked backwards to uncover exactly what and who brought the mob to the gates that day. The attack on the Capitol building was not some freak occurrence, he says, but the last, desperate move in a very, very long game that started just after election day. The documentary tracks in granular detail the efforts by Trump and his cronies to turn the screws on anyone who had any power over the counting or certification of votes. It begins in Maricopa County, the largest in Arizona, which quickly became the subject of a wave of conspiracy theories about the election: Sharpie pens, hacked voting machines and dead people voting to name a few. Those claims were investigated locally and by Trumps own justice department, both of which found no evidence to prove the claims. Bill Gates, a Maricopa County Board of Supervisors member, gives a first-hand account of his experience in the Trump electoral fraud situation for the new documentary Trumps Heist: The President Who Wouldnt Lose ( Getty ) But Trump and his campaign could not, and would not entertain for a second the reality that they had lost. As they continued to spread false claims about the integrity of the vote count in Arizona, Gates and others on the board faced death threats. Nonetheless, they did their duty. The documentary shows the build-up and the finale of the dramatic board hearing where the five members four Republicans and one Democrat certified the vote unanimously in the face of overwhelming pressure. It was probably the most pressure-packed night of my life, Clint Hickman, the Republican chair of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, says of the evening the five-member board certified the results from Arizona. But it did not stop there. Over and over again, the film shows that it was Trumps own supporters, in positions of influence over the elections, who rebuffed clear attempts to overturn a fair vote. Once the Maricopa board had certified the results, Trump turned its attention to the legislature specifically, Russell Rusty Bowers, the Republican speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives and former Trump surrogate. I do not like bullies, Bowers says in the documentary, as he recounts a pivotal call from Trump on 22 November in which he put the thumb on him. He too was sent thousands of emails containing threats to his life and his familys safety. I thought many times, this is my side, Bowers says. This is not the Democrats. They are just laughing. My side is coming after me. No one should know who the hell I am. The only reason you do is because something went terribly wrong somewhere Gabriel Sterling, elections operations manager in Georgia At the time Trump and his campaign were pressuring local and state officials to bend to his will, his White House was in disarray. Senior members of the Trump administration, who later denounced his effort to steal the election, speak of Trumps worsening delusions. William Bill Barr, Trumps attorney general, who repeatedly had to answer Trumps insistence that the election was stolen, says of the claims: There was simply no talking sense to him. It became clear he was just listening to these lawyers on the outside of the government. They were filling his ears with this stuff. Trumps campaign to overturn the Democratic win in Arizona ultimately failed, and so his attention turned to another close-run state: Georgia. Trump needed to overturn just one of these states to change the result of the election, and Georgia was his last chance. Here the campaign would become even more intense. The state performed an audit of its results, which showed Trump still lost by around 12,000 votes out of nearly 5 million cast. Because the race was so close, it then did a recount, which gave the same result. In response, Trump set out to publicly tarnish and pressure the top election officials in the state, starting with Georgias secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger. Hes an enemy of the people, Trump said of Raffensperger, in a public press conference at the White House on 26 November 2020, amid his push in the state. The documentary also tells the story of these Republican local officials fighting back, knowing that democracy was at stake. One of them was Gabriel Sterling, elections operations manager in Georgia, who began to hold press conferences to hit back at the false claims. No one should know who the hell I am. The only reason you do is because something went terribly wrong somewhere, he says in the documentary. He describes the repeated false claims being pushed by the Trump campaign as being like whack-a-mole. We would knock one down and three days later it would come back again, he tells the programme makers. It was not based on anything real. But Trumps camp was unrelenting, possibly believing in the adage that repeating a lie enough allows it to become the truth. Back in the White House, Trumps own officials were pushing back, too. Throughout November Barr told the president repeatedly that he had in fact been looking at the claims of election tampering, and the claims were bulls***. He didnt like that, Barr says. Barr went public with his concerns on 1 December, dealing an almost deadly blow to Trumps efforts to overturn the election. But Trump was not to be deterred. His lies about the election being stolen were picked up by his supporters on social media and across the country. Trump had positioned himself as the anti-establishment candidate, the destroyer of the deep state it all fitted nicely into the victimhood narrative he had been building since day one. Stop the steal became his supporters mantra, even though no evidence had emerged of the alleged theft. The former attorney general William Bill Barr with the former president, whom he tried to steer away from baseless electoral tampering claims in late 2020 ( Channel 4 ) In the process of trying to overturn a free and fair election, the Trump campaign had managed to vilify the very people trying to protect democracy. The mood became darker and more dangerous. Armed gangs crowded outside of the Georgia state house for weeks. Sterling remembers looking outside the window of his office and seeing Trump supporters with AR-15s patrolling menacingly. As they had done in Arizona, Trump and his allies turned the pressure on the Republican-controlled Georgia legislature. His efforts continued through December and into January, nearly two months from the 3 November election. There was no legal pathway for Trump to overturn the results in Georgia, but he kept trying. The evidence Rudy Giuliani and his crew presented was repeatedly debunked by the states election officials. Perhaps the most egregious episode of Trumps efforts to overturn the election besides the attack on the Capitol came with his personal call to Raffensperger on 2 January to find the votes to help him win the state. The audio of the call was recorded by Raffenspergers team and later became a key part of a state case brought against Trump for election interference that is still ongoing. All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have, Trump told him on the call. The response from Raffensperger: We have to stand by our numbers. We believe our numbers are right. In a way, its a blueprint of whats going to happen if Kamala Harris wins Dan Reed, director of Trumps Heist' The stage was then set for Trumps last, desperate move, as Reed calls it. Trump had failed to pressure state and local election officials. The results had been certified by the states and were on their way to being fully ratified by Congress. His only hope was to somehow disrupt the electoral college certification of the election a procedural event that was scheduled for 6 January 2021. As far as Trump saw it, one man could change the course of the disaster he faced and give him what he desired: his loyal vice-president, Mike Pence. As vice-president, Pence presided over the certification of the results. That role it has long been established is a mere formality. Marc Short, Pences chief of staff, describes a tense meeting with Trump in which the vice-president was pressured to reject the electoral votes being cast for Joe Biden and hand the White House to Trump in one fell swoop. We know at that point that the presidents team was presenting a lie about what the vice-presidents authority was, he says. In the days leading up to the certification on January 6, Trump repeatedly called on Pence to do the right thing by rejecting electoral votes. The ever-loyal Pence met with his advisers and took outside advice from constitutional experts, but he simply could not see a legal way for him to do what Trump asked of him. Trump, meanwhile, painted a picture of doom for his supporters, of a last chance to stop a disaster. Protestors at the January 6 insurrection were heard calling for Mike Pence to be killed after he fell out of favour with Trump supporters for not rallying behind efforts to delegitimise the election results ( Getty ) When that didnt happen, and urged on by Trumps incendiary speech on the morning of January 6 in which he called on them to fight like hell, his supporters took matters into their own hands. During the insurrection at the US Capitol, Trumps supporters could be heard yelling: Hang Mike Pence. In March, Pence told an interviewer at Fox News that this time around he would not be backing his former boss. He said: It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year, Mr Pence said after highlighting the conservative accomplishments of the Trump administration. But that being said, during my presidential campaign, I made it clear that there were profound differences between me and President Trump on a range of issues and not just our difference on my constitutional duties that I exercised on January 6. As Americans are less than two months away from another election that is too close to call, the documentary contains warnings from those who knew Trump best about what could come next. Trump supporters stormed the capital on January 6, following his advice to fight like hell after he had tried numerous methods to overturn his loss in the 2020 election ( Getty ) If he loses, I dont think you can expect that hes gonna take it peacefully, says Alyssa Farah Griffin, Trumps former director of strategic communications. Were in a very dangerous place heading into the next election. Of course hes gonna claim it was stolen ... of course hes going to incite his followers and his diehard followers to the exact same actions as last time, she says. In an interview on Monday with the hosts of the podcast All-In, Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance of Ohio said that if hed been vice-president on 6 January 2021, he would have gone along with Trumps attempts to delay Congress certification of Bidens victory. Many are now seeing this as a clear warning that, unlike Pence, he would be prepared to go along with whatever Trump wants him to do. Reed sets out the same warning in his film, in that we need to learn the lessons from what happened on January 6. In a way, its a blueprint of whats going to happen if Kamala Harris wins, he says. Huge amount of power shifts through these rather humdrum structures. And if you can just divert it a little bit, or throw a grain of sand in the works and stop the smooth working of all of these complex mechanisms of democracy, you end up bringing the entire thing to a halt. Trumps Heist: The President Who Wouldnt Lose is on Channel 4 on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 at 9pm 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 Trumps efforts to block the certification of the 2020 election is in the spotlight in a new documentary as it probes the former presidents ability to surround himself with so-called yes men who will do his bidding. Stopping the Steal, the documentary available on HBO on September 17 at 9pm, tracks Trumps extraordinary efforts from Election Day 2020 through January 6 to stay in power despite his election loss. The film reveals the former presidents reliance on so-called yes men, a group that includes his allies and conspiracy theorists alike, to boost his baseless claims while many elected officials refused to bend to Trumps will. Stephanie Grisham, a former Trump White House official, said in the film that she believes Trump knew he lost, But hes a narcissist and his ego will not accept defeat. Grisham, who has become a Trump critic after serving in his White House, said his ego, paired with a group of unwavering Trump supporters, strengthened his mission: When you have people who will so willingly come around you and tell you you didnt lose and the things you want to hear that enables him to double down and triple down. Trumps refusal to accept the election outcome came in many different forms. He put pressure on officials to support his election fraud claims in various states, including asking Georgias Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to help him find 11,780 votes, launched legal challenges to the election results as his allies apparently coordinated fake electors schemes across the country, and struck a chord with his unwavering base who in turn spread conspiracy theories that furthered his election fraud messaging. A new HBO documentary looks at how Donald Trump surrounded himself with yes men who fed into the idea that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Pictured: Sidney Powell, Rudy Guliani and others speak at a press conference about the election results. ( REUTERS ) The guys on the grassroots level, I think they really believe, Dan Reed told The Guardian. I dont think they have any doubt that the election was stolen, because they inhabit a universe in which that is a given. One of these unwavering believers featured in the film is Jacob Chansley, better known as the QAnon Shaman who pleaded guilty to a federal charge after storming the Capitol in a headdress and a spear. Throughout the year leading up to the 2020 election, Chansley was spotted at Trump rallies holding the sign: Q sent me. While Chansley supported the former president from afar, the current Republican nominee also had yes men in his inner circle. Some of his attorneys, Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell, launched a massive media campaign accusing the election of having been stolen and lawsuits challenging the election results. At the Save America rally on January 6, Giuliani repeated Trumps rigged election claims before telling a crowd: If were wrong, we will be made fools of... But if were right, a lot of them will go to jail. So lets have trial by combat. All four attorneys were charged in the Georgia criminal case related to election subversion allegations Ellis and Powell have pleaded guilty. Giuliani and Eastman pleaded not guilty in the case as well as in a similar case in Arizona. Ellis has agreed to cooperate with Arizona prosecutors. Also in Georgia, Giuliani defamed a mother-daughter duo of election workers after baselessly accusing them of quite obviously surreptitiously passing around USB ports as if they are vials of heroin or cocaine, among other unfounded claims that led to death threats against the women. He owes them nearly $150 million in damages an amount that prompted him to declare bankruptcy. Giuliani along with Trump and his former chief of staff Mark Meadows are also listed as unindicted co-conspirators in an ongoing case in Michigan, accusing 16 individuals of falsely trying to certify the state for Trump. Even Trump himself is facing federal charges in an election interference case. In contrast to his yes men, the documentary also captures many of the GOP officials who stood up to Trump. After Trump lost the election, in the face of the then-presidents groundless claims, former Attorney General Bill Barr said the Department of Justice found no evidence of election fraud. He resigned weeks later. In the film, he recalls Trumps 2am news conference: For him to go out and claim that fraud was underway, it was very dangerous. I started worrying a lot from then on. Then-President Trump waves to supporters during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by Congress, in Washington, DC, January 6, 2021. ( REUTERS ) Another Trump Republican, former Arizona House of Representatives Speaker Rusty Bowers, was pressured by Trump and Giuliani after the election defeat. He says in the film: I was for Trump the whole time and then it started. The steal. I had every motivation,Bowers says, but he never saw proof of the election fraud claims and refused to act on them. While Giuliani visited him in person, Trump called Bowers on more than one occasion. In one phone call, Bowers told the then-president: I voted for you. I worked for you. I campaigned for you. I just wont do anything illegal for you. The documentary premiers just 48 days before the 2024 election. I think January 6 is like the trailer to a movie, Grisham warns in the film. Thats the one thing with Donald Trump that Ive learned. You think hell just go this far and theres not more. Theres always more. He takes it as far as it will go. Want to watch Stopping The Steal while travelling abroad? Then you'll need a VPN to stream this show. Discover the UK's best VPN deals today. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider. 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 }} Nearly half of Donald Trump voters say they believe his debunked claim that Haitian immigrants in Ohio are eating residents pets. Some 52 percent of Trump voters said that the claim is definitely or probably true, according to a post-debate poll by YouGov released this week. Meanwhile, 24 percent of Trump voters said theyre not sure if its true, while 25 percent said its probably or definitely false. On the other hand, 81 percent of Kamala Harris voters said the claim is definitely false. The former president, his running mate JD Vance and GOP allies like Ohio Representative Jim Jordan have repeatedly spread the false claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield are eating residents pets. The claim has been repeatedly debunked. Springfields city manager has confirmed there have been no credible, specific reports of pets being harmed. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, also called the untrue conspiracy theory a piece of garbage that was simply not true. More than half of Donald Trump voters say his debunked claim about Haitian migrants eating pets is definitely or probably true ( AFP via Getty Images ) Despite this, Trump amplified the false claim during the presidential debate with Harris last week. When moderator David Muir fact-checked the claim live on-air, Trump still pushed it. ABC News did reach out to the city manager there, Muir said during the debate. He told us there had been no credible reports of specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community. Well, Ive seen people on television. People on television say, My dog was taken and used for food, so maybe he said that and maybe thats a good thing to say for a city manager, Trump responded. The White House has also condemned the false claims. I think its important that all of us take a step back here and just lean on the facts here, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Thursday. The Springfield, Ohio police department has debunked this very bizarre and very hateful smear thats out there. The lies have sent shockwaves through Springfield. On Thursday, a bomb threat forced the evacuation of city hall and two schools. Local officials said the threat explicitly used hateful language towards immigrants and Haitians in our community. On Monday, threats continued to pour in. As a result, two more schools in Springfield evacuated while two nearby college campuses moved classes online and canceled on-campus events. The same YouGov poll showed that Trump voters also believed other debunked claims he has spread. Some 28 percent of Trump voters say its definitely or probably true that public schools are providing students with sex-change operations, an untrue claim the former president made earlier this year. Meanwhile, 75 percent of Trump voters say President Joe Biden did not legitimately win the 2020 election, an untrue claim the former president has peddled for nearly four years. Close Moment the super yacht sank amid a freak storm 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 }} Divers searching British tech tycoon Mike Lynchs sunken superyacht off Sicily have found safes holding potentially sensitive intelligence data, sources have claimed. Local law enforcement reportedly now fear that foreign governments such as China and Russia may become interested in the boat - and have asked for extra surveillance to protect it, CNN reports. Through Lynchs companies, he was associated with multiple intelligence services - including British and American - particularly through his cyber security company, Darktrace. The Bayesian boat is believed to have watertight safes with two super-encrypted hard drives containing confidential intelligence information, an official within the recovery team told the US new outlet. Lying at a 50-metre depth, the wreckage is expected to be raised in the following weeks as part of a criminal investigation into its sinking on 19 August. Francesco Venuto, of the Sicilian Civil Protection Agency, told CNN: A formal request has been accepted and implemented for additional security of the wreckage until it can be raised. Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah were among eight people to die when the yacht sank last month. 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 }} Cyprus has given the green light for construction of a 1.9 billion euro ($2.1 billion) undersea electricity cable linking its grid with Greece's, aiming to sharply reduce electricity bills and end its energy isolation, the country's energy minister said Tuesday. Minister George Papanastasiou said the significance of the project is underscored by the European Unions decision to fund it with the sum of 657 million euros ($735 million). He said the Cypriot government will contribute 25 million euro ($27.8 million) annually over the five-year period of the 1,000 MW cables construction so that Cypriot taxpayers wont see any hike to their electricity bills. The total 125 million euro sum will be raised from revenues generated from the EU's emission trading system. Papanastasiou said the cable, expected to be completed by the end of 2029, is part of a series of projects including the planned introduction of natural gas to the island nation's energy mix, that aims to further accelerate the country's medium-term economic development and the welfare of its citizens." Officials said Cypriot consumers stand to gain a drop in their electricity bills of as much as 40% once the cable is completed. The cable's operating costs will be split down the middle by both Cypriot and Greek consumers. Officials also said that the project will carry a guaranteed return on investment of 8.3%, considered attractive for potential investors. The U.S. and the United Arab Emirates have expressed interest in investing in the project, officials said. It's envisioned that the cable will eventually continue from Cyprus to connect with Israel's electricity grid. 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 }} Heavy rainfall is pounding Central Europe causing deadly flooding. Four new deaths were reported Monday in Poland, three in the Czech Republic and one in Romania. The flooding has swamped parts of Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland and Romania as a low-pressure system crossing the region has unleashed record-high rains for days, and it was expected to affect Slovakia and Hungary later in the week. So far 16 people have been reported killed seven people in Romania, five in Poland, three in the Czech Republic and one in Austria. In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk held an emergency meeting and later declared a disaster in flooded areas, a government measure to facilitate evacuation and rescues. He also said the government would provide 1 billion zlotys ($260 million) in immediate payouts to victims. The flooding in Poland has burst dams and embankments while receding waters left streets covered in piles of debris and mud. It prompted a hospital in the southwestern Polish city of Nysa to evacuate about 40 patients. A view shows a destroyed car in the aftermath of flooding by the Biala Ladecka River in Ladek Zdroj, Poland September 16, 2024 ( REUTERS ) Schools and offices in the affected areas were closed Monday and drinking water and food were being delivered by trucks. Many Polish cities, including Warsaw, have called for food donations for flood survivors. Experts warned of flood threats due to the cresting Oder River in Opole, a city of some 130,000 residents, and Wroclaw, home to about 640,000 residents and where disastrous flooding happened in 1997. Firefighters in southwestern Poland said flood victims included a surgeon whose body was found Monday morning in Nysa after he returned from hospital duty. The bodies of two women and two other men have been found in other communities in the region. Police in the Czech Republic said that a woman and two men drowned in the northeast, which has been pounded by record rainfall since Thursday. The woman was found in the water in the town of Krasov and the men were found dead at different locations after water receded in the town of Krnov which was almost completely submerged on SundayRomanian authorities said Monday that another person died in the eastern county of Galati, bringing the total number of deaths there to seven. This photo taken on September 16, 2024 in Bela pod Pradedem shows damages caused by the floods of the swollen Bela brook. ( AFP via Getty Images ) One death previously was reported in Austria. Authorities in the Czech Republic declared an emergency in two northeastern regions, including in the Jeseniky mountains near the Polish border. A number of towns and cities had been submerged in the northeast, with thousands evacuated. Military helicopters joined rescuers on boats in efforts to transport people to safety. Waters were receding from the mountainous areas on Monday, leaving behind destroyed houses and bridges and damaged roads. In most parts of the country, conditions were expected to improve later Monday. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala visited the town of Jesenik, one of the hardest hit places.The worst is behind us and now, we have to deal with all the damage, Fiala said following the visit. An evacuated local resident rests as she takes shelter with her dog at a school in Nysa, southern Poland ( AFP via Getty Images ) In Hungary, the mayor of Budapest warned residents that the largest floods in a decade were expected to hit the capital later in the week, with the waters of the Danube River set to breach the citys lower quays by Tuesday morning. Prime Minister Viktor Orban canceled his planned foreign engagements, including an address to a plenary session of the European Parliament on Wednesday where heated debates were expected over his conduct since Hungary took over the European Unions rotating presidency in July. Until we reach the peak and get past the worst of it, I naturally wont be leaving the country, Ill be here at home, he said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A French husband accused of drugging his wife and recruiting dozens of strangers to rape her over a decade has declared in court: I am a rapist, like everyone else in this courtroom. Dominique Pelicot, 71, spoke for the first time during his trial, saying: I recognise the facts in their totality. He faces charges including rape and gang rape of his now ex-wife Gisele Pelicot, as well as various privacy breaches by recording and disseminating sexual images. He is on trial alongside 50 other men. Fourteen of the other defendants have also admitted rape, while the rest deny any wrongdoing. They all knew, they cannot say the contrary, he said of the co-defendants in the trial. The grandfather appeared in the dock at the Vaucluse Criminal Court, in Avignon, following a week of ill health that delayed his testimony. He appeared with a cane. Ms Pelicot insisted on a public trial to expose him and the other men accused of raping her and to shed a light on sexual violence, her lawyers have said. To many, she has become a symbol of the struggle against sexual violence in France. On Saturday hundreds of people, mostly women, gathered in cities across the country to demonstrate support for her. In a dramatic scene in court on Tuesday, Ms Pelicot was given permission to react immediately to her husbands confession, saying: For me, it is difficult to hear it. For 50 years, I lived with a man who I would never have imagined for a single second that he could do these acts. I had complete confidence in this man. Gisele Pelicot said she had never imagined for a single second that her husband could commit such acts ( AP ) Wearing a thick grey shirt, Pelicot owned up to crimes that had seen his own daughter describe him on the stand as one of the greatest sexual predators of recent years. He said: Today, I maintain that, with the obligations we all have, I am a rapist, like everyone in this room. They cannot say otherwise. Offering further mitigation, he said: I am accused of many things. We are not born perverts, we become them. Even if it is paradoxical, I have never considered my wife as an object. He added: I am guilty of what I did. I subjected my wife, my children, my grandchildren to this. I regret what I did. I ask for forgiveness even if it is not forgivable. He later told the court of his former wife: I loved her well for 40 years and loved her badly for 10 years ... I ruined everything, I lost everything. I should never have done that. Pelicot also focused on alleged crimes he said he had suffered as a child, saying he was raped as a nine-year-old, and then forced to witness another sex attack when he was 14. I remember nothing from my youth but shocks and traumas, he said. Gisele was given permission to react immediately to her husbands confession, saying For me, it is difficult to hear it ( EPA ) He told the court how his life changed when he met his wife as a teenager. I was very happy with her, he said. She was the opposite of my mother, who was completely rebellious. We had three children, and grandchildren, whom I never touched. He said his wife did not deserve this. At the end of her short statement, Ms Pelicot lowered her head, putting her sunglasses on. Pelicot has been on remand since 2020 when he was first arrested on suspicion of drugging and then raping Ms Pelicot, while inviting men he contacted online to do the same. Last week, psychologists described him as a Jekyll and Hyde character who appeared like a normal husband during the day, and then drugged his wife so strangers could rape her at night. His daughter, Caroline Darian, 46, last week told the court that he was one of the greatest sexual predators of recent years. She accused him of secretly photographing 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, to which Pelicot had invited the alleged rapists. On the stand Pelicot claimed he also still loves his three adult children, saying: They are in my heart. Pelicot was first arrested in September 2020 for allegedly secretly filming up womens skirts at a supermarket in Carpentras ( Reuters ) Pelicot was first arrested in September 2020 for allegedly secretly filming up womens skirts at a supermarket in Carpentras. His devices were searched, and there were hundreds of pornographic videos and photos of women, the court heard. A hard drive, hidden under a printer, contained a file called Abuses, authorities have said. It classified the nickname and telephone numbers of attackers, together with some 3,800 photos and videos of Ms 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. Pelicots alleged sex ring involved advertising on a site for partners on an online forum. Of the 83 men involved, 51 aged between 26 and 73 were identified and arrested by the police. In a separate case, Pelicot has been charged with raping and murdering a 23-year-old estate agent in Paris in 1991. He has also admitted to one attempted rape in 1999 after DNA testing proved a case against him. The Avignon aggravated rape case 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 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 }} America has announced new sanctions against a commercial spyware company headed by a former Israeli military officer whose program allowed easy access to almost any information stored on a smartphone. U.S. officials and private researchers say Intellexa Consortium's products have been used for mass surveillance campaigns around the world, allowing unscrupulous users to track and obtain sensitive information from dissidents, journalists, political candidates and opposition figures. The penalties target five people and one organization connected to Intellexa, a Greece-based network of companies with subsidiaries in North Macedonia, Hungary, Ireland and the British Virgin Islands. The company developed and sold a suite of spyware tools known as Predator that allowed entry into a target's device without requiring them to click on a link or attachment. The program would then grant access to the camera and microphone as well as any data or files stored on the compromised phone. The United States will not tolerate the reckless propagation of disruptive technologies that threatens our national security and undermines the privacy and civil liberties of our citizens, said Bradley T. Smith, acting undersecretary of the Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence. Several subsidiaries of Intellexa and two employees, including its founder, were sanctioned earlier this year by the Biden administration. Last year, the Commerce Department blacklisted Intellexa and one of its subsidiaries, denying them access to U.S. technology. The five people subject to the new penalties each held senior positions at Intellexa or one of its subsidiaries, U.S. officials say. The Aliada Group, another subsidiary based in the British Virgin Islands, also was sanctioned over allegations of enabling financial transactions for Intellexa that totaled tens of millions of dollars, officials said. Messages left with Intellexa and its executives were not immediately returned Monday. Intellexa was created in 2019 by former Israeli military officer Tal Dilian. Dilian and Sara Hamou, a corporate offshoring specialist who has provided managerial services to Intellexa, were penalized earlier this year in what Biden administration officials said was the first time sanctions were issued over the misuse of spyware. Individuals and organizations under sanctions are prohibited from engaging in business or financial transactions within the U.S. or with U.S. entities. Amnesty Internationals Security Lab published a report last year that found Predator had been used to target but not necessarily infect devices connected to the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and the president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-Wen, as well as Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D. Europe also has faced a number of spyware incidents. Predator spyware was reportedly used in Greece, a revelation that helped precipitate the resignation in 2022 of two top government officials, including the national intelligence director. 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 }} Thousands of residents in a Polish city have been ordered to evacuate as floods triggered by Storm Boris continue to wreak havoc across central Europe. The mayor of Nysa, Kordian Kolbiarz, issued the evacuation order on Monday, urging all 44,000 residents to seek higher ground due to the risk of a nearby embankment breaching. The embankment holds back water from a large lake, and its failure could release a surge of water several metres high into the town. Please evacuate your belongings, yourselves, your loved ones. It is worth getting to the top floor of the building immediately, because the wave may be several metres high. This means that the whole town will be flooded, Mr Kolbiarz wrote. Storm Boris, which unleashed a months worth of rain in just 24 hours, has caused severe flooding in Poland, Austria, Romania, and the Czech Republic, with rivers overflowing and embankments threatening to break under the strain of the floodwaters. The death toll from the floods rose to at least 16 on Monday, with four fatalities confirmed in Poland alone. People have also died in Romania, Austria, and the Czech Republic, where a firefighter was killed during a rescue operation. In addition to the evacuations in Nysa, local authorities have ordered the evacuation of several nearby villages, including Kozielno, after the Topola reservoir in southern Poland overflowed. The water from the reservoir has already inundated parts of the region, and officials fear further breaches could exacerbate the situation. A view of the flooded city center in Glucholazy, southern Poland ( AFP via Getty Images ) Prime minister Donald Tusk declared a 30-day state of natural disaster on Monday, which will allow authorities to streamline the response efforts and provide aid to flood-stricken areas in the Lower Silesian, Opole, and Silesian voivodeships. We are mobilising all available resources to assist the flood victims and to prevent further damage, Mr Tusk said, announcing that one billion zloty (197m) would be allocated to flood relief efforts. He also confirmed that Poland would apply for EU relief funds to support recovery in the affected regions. Nysa is not the only area at risk. In Wroclaw, a city of 600,000 people located in southwestern Poland, officials are preparing for peak water levels later this week. Mayor Jacek Sutryk said that the city is on high alert, with teams working to reinforce flood defenses and protect critical infrastructure. Garages and a house flooded in the town Kodzko, in Poland's southwest, Sunday, 15 Sept 2024, after days of unusually heavy rain ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) We are preparing all available resources to mitigate the damage and ensure the safety of our residents, Sutryk stated in a message to the citys residents. The floods have disrupted daily life across Poland. Roads have been heavily damaged, and train traffic has been suspended in many parts of the country, with rescue teams working around the clock to evacuate residents from the hardest-hit areas. Other parts of Europe are also flooded. In Romania, villages and towns were submerged over the weekend, forcing thousands of residents to flee. A torrent of water flows along the river Bela during heavy rain ( Getty Images ) If you were here, you would cry instantly because people are desperate ... there were people who were left with just the clothes they had on, Emil Dragomir, the mayor of Slobozia Conachi in eastern Romania, said. In Hungary, authorities are bracing for potential flooding along the Danube River, which runs through the capital, Budapest. Local residents rescue an elderly man (C) from the rising flood waters in the Romanian village of Slobozia Conachi ( AFP via Getty Images ) The river is rising by about a meter every 24 hours, and officials have issued flood warnings along a 500km (310-mile) stretch of the river. Sandbags have been distributed to residents in flood-prone areas, and some roads in Budapest have already been closed in preparation for the rising water levels. The storm has also affected Austria, where two elderly residents died in the northeastern region of the country over the weekend. Heavy rainfall has caused rivers and reservoirs to overflow, prompting evacuations and warnings of further flooding in the coming days. A man stands in waist-deep water that has flooded the streets and houses in the town of Kodzko, in Poland's southwest, Sunday, 15 Sept 2024, after days of unusually heavy rain ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) As the storm continues to move south, more rainfall is expected on Tuesday. But forecasters expected the weather to improve in central Europe from mid-week with much drier conditions prevailing. However, it may still take days for the flood waters to subside. The Independent will be revealing its Climate100 List in September and hosting an event in New York, which can be attended online. 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. Czech Republic Central Europe Floods ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) 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 }} Extreme weather is sweeping across Europe with catastrophic flooding caused by Storm Boris that may reach Italy while five thousand firefighters are struggling to contain wildfires in Portugal. Hot, dry conditions behind the fire outbreaks in Portugal came while downpours were concurrently causing flooding in central Europe. Heavy rain is expected over much of Italy over the next few days, with the region of Emilia-Romagna and Lazio under yellow weather alerts. Six people have died, including four firefighters, in northern Portugal and an unknown number of people have been forced to flee their homes. The death toll from the severe floods in central Europe, which began over the weekend, rose to at least 21 on Tuesday, with seven confirmed fatalities in Romania. Poland, Austria, and the Czech Republic were also among the hardest hit. Some 100 fires in Portugal have been reported by national authorities causing more than 50 people to be injured. Polands prime minister, Donald Tusk, declared a state of natural disaster across the affected region of southern Poland. 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 12 people including two children have been killed and thousands wounded after electronic pagers belonging to Hezbollah simultaneously exploded in Lebanon and Syria. The majority of the explosions took place in the southern suburbs of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. Additional explosions were recorded in the Syrian capital of Damascus, where Hezbollah members are based. On Wednesday, more explosions have been heard in Beirut and other cities with reports walkie-talkie devices had been detonated. Tuesdays blasts began in Beirut about 3.30pm local time. Witnesses reported seeing smoke coming from people's pockets, before seeing small explosions that sounded like fireworks. In one clip, CCTV footage appeared to show an explosion in a mans trouser pocket as he stood at a shop till. The explosions continued for around an hour, with people starting to pour into hospitals. Lebanese Public Health Minister Firass Abiad said damage to the hands and face made up the majority of injuries. Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran and allied to Hamas, controls southern Lebanon, where they have been exchanging rocket fire with Israel across the border for nearly a year, connected to the war in Gaza. That was triggered when Hamas launched a bloody act of terror in Israel on 7 October, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages into Gaza, which is run by Hamas. A day later, after Israel began its aerial and later ground attack in the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians according to the local health ministry, Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel. They have vowed not to stop firing rockets until Israel ends its war in Gaza. The explosions of hundreds, if not thousands of electronic pagers used by Hezbollah to communicate to one another could spell the latest iteration of this ongoing conflict. It also threatens to escalate the conflict yet again. Who is responsible? Hezbollah legislator Ali Ammar, whose son was reportedly one of those killed in the attack on Tuesday, was pictured being consoled by fellow officials ( AP ) Both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government - they are separate authorities - quickly blamed Israel for the attack. The Israeli military, in keeping with its policy of not remarking on attacks outside of its own territory, told The Independent that it is refraining from commenting. After initially releasing a statement saying they were investigating the explosions, Hezbollah issued a second comment saying they held Israel fully responsible for the attack, though they provided no evidence to substantiate this claim. After examining all the facts, current data, and available information about the sinful attack that took place this afternoon, we hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression that targeted civilians too, the group said. They vowed to punish Israel by way of response. Lebanons foreign ministry condemned what it called an Israeli cyber attack. The ministry said in a statement that it is preparing to submit a complaint to the United Nations Security Council. This dangerous and deliberate Israeli escalation is accompanied by Israeli threats to expand the scope of the war against Lebanon on a large scale, and by the intransigence of Israelis positions calling for more bloodshed, destruction and devastation, it said. How has this happened? Lebanese army soldiers stand guard at the entrance of a hospital (background) in Beirut ( AFP via Getty Images ) Sources claimed to Reuters that Israel's Mossad spy agency planted explosives inside 5,000 pagers imported by Hezbollah. A senior Lebanese source said the devices had been modified by Israel's spy service "at the production level" meaning somwhere along the supply chain during manufacture or transit. Attacks using this method to hack software are known, but modifying hardware is rarer, as it will involve a bigger plan to get their hands on all the devices. "The Mossad injected a board inside of the device that has explosive material that receives a code. It's very hard to detect it through any means. Even with any device or scanner," the source said. The source said 3,000 of the pagers exploded when a coded message was sent to them, simultaneously activating the explosives. Another security source told Reuters that up to three grams of explosives were hidden in the new pagers and had gone "undetected" by Hezbollah for months. Another Hezbollah security source added that the new pagers that Hezbollah members were carrying had lithium batteries that apparently exploded. A Hezbollah official told the Associated Press the pagers were a new brand, but declined to say how long they had been in use but it is believed they were brought into the Lebanon earlier this year. Taiwanese company Gold Apollo said it authorised its brand on the pagers that exploded in Lebanon and Syria, but they were manufactured by a company based in Budapest. The AR-924 pagers were manufactured by BAC Consulting KFT, based in Hungary's capital, according to a statement by Gold Apollo. It said: "According to the co-operation agreement, we authorise BAC to use our brand trademark for product sales in designated regions, but the design and manufacturing of the products are solely the responsibility of BAC." Other Hezbollah officials speculated that the devices may have been contaminated with malware that caused the pagers to overheat and explode. Independent intelligence analysts have suggested the explosions looked like the type of sophisticated operation characteristic of Mossad, the Israeli intelligence services. Attackers would have needed to know at least the make and models of the individual pagers to do this. That the attacks were coordinated suggests the attackers may have also known the serial numbers of the devices. However the attack was coordinated, it represents a serious security breach for Hezbollah. What does this mean for tensions in the area? This photo taken from a position in northern Israel shows a Hezbollah UAV intercepted by Israeli air forces over north Israel on 25 August 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Fears that Israels war in the Gaza Strip could escalate to a war with Hezbollah in Lebanon have abounded for months. At various points this year, Hezbollah officials, including top commander Fuad Shukr, were killed by what appeared to be Israeli airstrikes on Beirut and the Iranian embassy in Damascus. Hezbollah vowed to respond to each attack - and they have done the same with this latest incident. How that could manifest itself is unclear but previous responses have involved firing volleys of rockets and missiles into northern Israel. The area has been evacuated while these attacks are ongoing but Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday officially included the safe relocation of the displaced civilians back to northern Israel as one of their main war aims. What does whoever is behind this get out of it? Most clearly, the assault has significantly destroyed Hezbollahs communication systems and will have hit morale given the scale of the security breach. If it is Israel, sowing such confiusion and discord could be a prelude to a wider attack on the Israeli-Lebanon border, although there have been few signs of the required military build-up. Beyond that, intelligence analysts have suggested that the culprit may be signalling to Hezbollah that it has access to its deliveries, which would be a major setback for the group. It will make Hamas question its entire security apparatus. On Tuesday, before the cascading expolsions of pagers, Israels Shin Bet domestic security service claimed they had foiled a plan by Hezbollah to kill a former Israeli security official by remotely detonating an explosive device from Lebanon. So a case of whatever you can do, we can do better may also have been a factor. What is a pager and why do Hezbollah use them? Pagers pre-date mobile phones, having been widely used in the 1980s and 1990s. They are a one-way communications device, allowing people to send a short message via radio signal to the pager. Often it would be a number to call back. Hezbollah has been very cautious with its communications. Previous airstrikes targeting their private meetings have highlighted the strenth of Israeli intelligence. Aware that mobile phone conversations could easily be hacked and traced, they are likely to have switched to the lo-fi pager alternative to make it harder to be watched by the Israeli intelligence services. The dangers of mobile phones have long been clear to Hezbollah. In 1996, Israels assassination of the Hamas bomb-maker Yahya Ayyash was conducted by his phone exploding in his hand. It is reported that senior Hamas officials, including the groups leader Yahya Sinwar, who is hiding out in tunnels beneath the Gaza Strip, has resorted to using handwritten notes to communicate with his fellow Hamas personnel for this same reason. Who has said what about it? Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly blamed the attack on Israel ( AP ) Responses across the world have varied. A source at the British foreign office said they were monitoring the situation closely. We are particularly concerned by reports of civilian casualties, they said. The US expressed a similar sentiment, as did the United Nations. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric described the developments in Lebanon as extremely concerning, adding: We deplore the civilian casualties that we have seen. We cannot underscore enough the risks of escalation in Lebanon and in the region. Iranian state-run IRNA news agency said that the country's ambassador, Mojtaba Amani, was superficially wounded by an exploding pager and was being treated at a hospital. Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has strongly condemned what he and other officials also claimed was an Israeli attack. Iran state media reported that Mr Araghchi made the comments in a phone conversation with his Lebanese counterpart, Abdallah Bou Habib. Hamas issued a statement on the Telegram messenger app saying they strongly condemned what they also believed was an Israeli attack. The Houthis, another Iran-backed militia based in Yemen, described the incident as a heinous crime and a violation of Lebanese sovereignty. We are certain that Lebanon is capable of facing all challenges, and has a resistance movement capable of deterring [Israel] and making it pay a heavy price for any escalation it may undertake against Lebanon, spokesperson Mohammed Abdelsalam wrote on X, formerly Twitter. 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 }} Hezbollah has vowed to respond after twelve people were killed and around 3,000 wounded following the simultaneous explosion of hundreds of electronic pagers used by the militia to communicate. The group claimed the attack, which struck at 3.30pm local time, was perpetrated by Israel, an allegation that Israel refused to address, in keeping with its policy on assaults happening outside of its own territory. The Lebanese health minister Firas al-Abyad said twelve people had been killed, including an eight-year-old girl, after the pagers exploded across Lebanon and in the Syrian capital of Damascus, where Hezbollah have stationed some of its members. The pagers that exploded had apparently been acquired by Hezbollah after the groups leader ordered members in February to stop using cellphones, warning they could be tracked by Israeli intelligence. After examining all the facts, current data and available information about the sinful attack that took place this afternoon, we hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression that also targeted civilians, Hezbollah said in a statement on Tuesday evening. This treacherous and criminal enemy will certainly receive its just retribution for this sinful aggression from where it expects and from where it does not expect, and God is witness to what we say. The United States said it had no involvement in the blasts in Lebanon as it renewed calls for a diplomatic solution to tensions between Israel and Lebanon. The United Nations special coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, meanwhile, condemned the attack, describing it as an extremely concerning escalation. Troops line the street in Beirut as an ambulance rushes wounded people to hospital ( AFP/Getty ) She added that she urges all concerned actors to refrain from any further action ... which could trigger a wider conflagration that nobody can afford. A Hezbollah official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the detonation of the pagers was the biggest security breach the group had been subjected to in nearly a year of war with Israel. While the majority of the explosions was concentrated in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Irans military-affiliated media site Saberin News claimed that seven people had been killed in Syria, where many Hezbollah members are based. The outlet said they had been killed in the Damascus neighbourhood of Seyedah Zeinab, a few miles from the Iranian embassy. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that a number of casualties had arrived in hospitals around Damascus. They said 14 people had been wounded. The Independent could not immediately verify these claims. The Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was injured by one of the blasts, Irans Mehr news agency reported. Another Hezbollah official from the group said the son of one of their prominent legislators, Ali Ammar Mahdi, was killed when the device he was carrying exploded. Mr al-Abyad, the Lebanese health minister, speaking at an emergency press conference in Beirut, reported that around 100 hospitals received casualties from Tuesdays attack. The majority of those injured suffered wounds to the face or arms, he added, and in some cases the abdomen. Friends and relatives of those injured rush to check on their loved ones ( EPA ) The pagers that detonated were the latest model brought in by Hezbollah in recent months, three security sources said. Hezbollah officials speculated that the devices may have been contaminated with malware that caused the pagers to overheat and explode. Another theory suggests that a charge had been manually placed in the devices and detonated remotely. That would suggest that whoever conducted the attack had access to the shipment of pagers prior to their delivery to Hezbollah. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which has been exchanging fire with Hezbollah since last October in parallel with its war with Hamas, who control the Gaza Strip. In a subsequent statement to The Independent, the Israeli military said they were refraining from commenting. The explosions come after Israel claimed it had killed top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in an airstrike in Beirut in July. Several other senior officials were killed on strikes on the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital of Damascus. Hezbollah, which controls southern Lebanon, forms part of Irans so-called axis of resistance, which opposes Western and Israeli influence in the region. The group opened a second front against Israel a day after the war in the Gaza Strip began, triggered by a Hamas attack inside Israel on 7 October. Hamas, also backed by Tehran, killed around 1,200 people, with another 251 taken hostage. In response, Israel has bombarded Gaza from the air and ground. More than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in the offensive, health officials in the strip have said. It has displaced nearly 90 per cent of the territorys 2.3 million population. A wounded man is carried onto an ambulance after his pager exploded ( AP ) On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said the safe return of its citizens to their homes near the border with Lebanon had been added to the governments formal war aims. The Security Cabinet has updated the objectives of the war to include the following: Returning the residents of the north securely to their homes. Israel will continue to act to implement this objective, a statement said. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced from towns and villages on both sides of the border by near-daily exchanges between the Israeli military and Hezbollah. Thousands are reported to have been injured in the wave of explosions ( EPA ) Israel has said it would prefer a diplomatic solution that would see Hezbollah moved farther back from the border. However, Hezbollah, which also says it wants to avoid all-out conflict, says that only an end to the war in Gaza will stop the fighting. Gaza ceasefire efforts are deadlocked after months of faltering talks mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States. The axis of resistance comprises a group of violent proxies across Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon and Palestine, coordinated by Irans Quds Force, the foreign arm of the IRGC. The Quds Forces aim is to export Irans 1979 Islamic revolution abroad. The US assassinated the former head of the Quds Force, Qassem Solemaini, in January 2020. Hezbollah, the most powerful group in the axis, boasts 100,000 fighters. 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 }} Irans morality police will no longer bother women over the wearing of the mandatory hijab headscarf, Masoud Pezeshkian, the countrys reformist new president, announced. Mr Pezeshkians comments came during his first press conference since taking office in July, replacing ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi who was killed in a helicopter crash in May in a mountainous region near the Azerbaijan border. "The morality police were not supposed to confront [women]. I will follow up so they dont bother [them]," the president said in response to a woman reporters query about the ongoing issue. The development coincides with the second death anniversary of Mahsa Amini in police custody, which sparked nationwide protests. Amini, 22, died on 16 September 2022 in a hospital after her arrest by the countrys morality police over allegedly not wearing her hijab to the liking of the authorities. The protests that followed Aminis death started first with the chant Women, Life, Freedom. However, the protesters cries soon grew into open calls of revolt against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. A months-long security crackdown that followed killed more than 500 people and saw over 22,000 detained. Iranian cities are seeing a rise in women walking freely without the mandatory headscarf, particularly after sunset, reported the Associated Press. Videos on social media show women and girls walking with their hair uncovered, even as the UN warned of "expanded repressive measures" by Irans government. Women in Iran "still live in a system that relegates them to second-class citizens", according to the UN. An Iranian woman without a mandatory headscarf, or hijab, walks in a street in Tehran, Iran, 15 September 2024 ( EPA ) Ayatollah Khameneis stance reportedly remained a significant obstacle to change. The 85-year-old leader in the past stated that "unveiling is both religiously forbidden and politically forbidden". For observant Muslim women, the head covering is a sign of piety before God and modesty in front of men outside their families. In Iran, the hijab, and the all-encompassing black chador worn by some, has long been a political symbol as well. Meaningful institutional changes and accountability for gross human rights violations and crimes under international law, and crimes against humanity, remains elusive for victims and survivors, especially for women and children, warned a UN fact-finding mission on Iran on Friday. An Iranian woman without a mandatory headscarf, or hijab, walks in a street in Tehran, Iran, 15 September 2024, on the second anniversary of protests following Mahsa Amini's death ( EPA ) "State authorities have expanded repressive measures and policies to further deprive women and girls of their fundamental rights, said the report. Security forces have further escalated pre-existing patterns of physical violence, including beating, kicking, and slapping women and girls who are perceived as failing to comply with the mandatory hijab laws and regulations, recorded the report after reviewing scores of videos. Despite Mr Pezeshkians potentially reformist stance, concerns remain as the Hijab and Chastity Bill, which threatens harsher penalties for non-compliance, including financial fines, longer prison sentences, and restrictions on work and travel, is in the final stages of approval before Irans Guardian Council. Cathy's parents thought she had contracted the common cold, but her condition quickly got 'worse and worse'. NSW girl Cathy, 5, died with sepsis after doctors failed to test for the condition. Source: ACA A heartbroken couple who lost their five-year-old daughter to a treatable condition are imploring families across the country to push harder for answers in hospital when "you know something's not right" with your child. Devastated NSW parents Jazz and Justin said they thought their daughter Cathy was sick with a common viral infection in winter last year when she came down with "a bit of a runny nose". The Bathurst locals said they were prescribed prednisone by their GP for croup, but Cathy quickly got "worse and worse". As the five-year-old's condition deteriorated over the ensuing two weeks, the family grew increasingly concerned. One night, Cathy couldn't breath at all, so the family rushed her to the emergency department at Bathurst Base Hospital. But according to mum Jazz, hospital staff were too busy to properly treat her daughter. Cathy's heartbroken parents, Jazz and Justin, are calling on parents to alway ask more questions in hospital when they 'know something's not right'. Source: ACA "They took her in to be examined, but the doctor had to leave halfway through the examination to go do a [resuscitation] and she put us back out in the waiting room and said that they'd bring us back in," Jazz told A Current Affair. "And then about an hour went by and they came back out and said they had spoken to the paediatrician who said just to keep up the Panadol, Nurofen and what we were doing. So the paediatrician themselves never actually had a look at her, at what was happening." The young family left the hospital on the doctor's orders and without a diagnosis. Cathy had sepsis a serious condition in which the body responds improperly to an infection caused by strep A. It occurs when the body's response to an infection damages vital organs. When left untreated it can be deadly. Cathy, from Bathurst in NSW, leaves behind three young siblings. Source: ACA Schoolgirl suffered cardiac arrest days after leaving hospital Just two days after the young girl returned home from hospital, she went into cardiac arrest in her living room, forcing her father to perform CPR on her in front of her siblings and mother. Cathy was airlifted to Westmead Children's Hospital in Sydney's west, but by the time she arrived it was too late she was declared brain dead. "You know, as a parent, you know your child better than anyone, so you know when something's not right," Jazz said. "They didn't test for anything, for strep A or any bacterial infection, or anything like that," Justin recalled. "You're not meant to outlive your children." A spokesperson for Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) "sincerely apologised" for Cathy's traumatising death. "We extend our sincere and deepest condolences to the loved ones of Cathy Kassis and recognise the profound impact her death has had on her family and the community," the spokesperson told Channel 9. "WNSWLHD have provided her family with support and information, including the findings of a serious adverse event review. We review all cases where there has been an unexpected outcome to identify any opportunities to improve patient care and safety." Cathy's death was reported to the Coroner. According to figures from the NSW state government, at least 55,000 people develop sepsis each year in Australia and 8,000 of them die from sepsis-related complications. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. 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 }} Israel has added the safe return of its citizens to their homes near the border with Lebanon to its formal war goals, as it considers a wider military operation in Lebanon that could ignite an all-out conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he laid out the war aim in a security cabinet meeting. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced from towns and villages on both sides of the border by near-daily exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and the Lebanese Hezbollah. Iran-backed Hezbollah opened a second front against Israel a day after the war in the Gaza Strip began, triggered by a Hamas attack inside Israel on 7 October. Hamas, also backed by Tehran, killed around 1,200 people, with another 250 taken hostage. In response, Israel has bombarded Gaza from the air and ground. More than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in the offensive, health officials in the strip have said. It has also displaced nearly 90 per cent of the territorys 2.3 million population, many multiple times. "The Security Cabinet has updated the objectives of the war to include the following: Returning the residents of the north securely to their homes. Israel will continue to act to implement this objective," a statement from Mr Netanyahu's office said. Israel has said it prefers a diplomatic solution that would see Hezbollah moved farther back from the border. However, Hezbollah, which also says it wants to avoid all-out conflict, says that only an end to the war in Gaza will stop the fighting. Gaza ceasefire efforts are deadlocked after months of faltering talks mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States. Soon after the security cabinet meeting ended, Israel's leading television channels and news websites reported that Netanyahu, under pressure from far-right coalition partners, was contemplating firing his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, and replacing him with a former ally turned rival, Gideon Saar, who is currently a member of the opposition. Mr Saar, a former justice minister, has been critical of the government's war policies over the past few months, saying it should take the initiative more and take decisive action against Israel's enemies, including Iran. Benjamin Netanyahu ( AP ) Mr Saar has been critical about making a deal with Hamas to end the Gaza conflict, while Gallant has been pushing for a truce that would include swapping Israeli hostages in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners. Mr Netanyahu would be strengthening his political position by adding Mr Saar's four-seat faction to his coalition as he would be less reliant on each one of his other partners. It could also ease two political headaches for Mr Netanyahu, passing a state budget and a new conscription law that would be acceptable to his ultra-Orthodox coalition partners who want to keep religious Jewish seminary students out of the military. Mr Netanyahu denied that he was in negotiations with Mr Saar, though he did not refer to his plans for Mr Gallant. Mr Saar denied that he was negotiating with some members of the coalition. In his role as defence minister, Mr Gallant has often taken an independent line against Mr Netanyahu. He has dismissed Mr Netanyahu's repeated aim of "total victory" in Gaza as nonsense. Mr Gallant has also called for a clearer post war plan that would see the enclave governed by Palestinians. Last year, during protests over a drive by Mr Netanyahu to curb the Supreme Court's powers, Mr Gallant broke ranks and spoke out against a plan which he said was causing such deep social divisions that it endangered national security. Mr Netanyahu sacked him, but backtracked when Israelis took to the streets in one of the largest demonstrations in the country's history. In response to the reports about Mr Gallant, Israel's Business Forum urged Mr Netanyahu to keep Mr Gallant, saying removing him would create more division and weaken the country after reports of an imminent political shake-up rattled the country. The forum, which consists of 200 heads of Israel's largest companies that employ many private sector workers, said Mr Netanyahu should stop "messing around with petty politics" during a war. "Immediately stop the process of replacing [Mr Gallant]," the forum said in a statement. "The firing of the minister weakens Israel in the eyes of her enemies, and will further deepen the division in the people of Israel." "The prime minister knows better than anyone that all the economic indicators also prove that Israel is deteriorating into an economic abyss and sinking into a deep recession," the forum said. "The last thing Israel needs at this time is the firing of a defence minister - which will continue to shock the country." Reuters 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 }} Three years after deriding bitcoin as a scam and disaster waiting to happen, former US president and convicted felon Donald Trump has unveiled his own crypto project - one he promises will revolutionise finance. Led by his two sons Eric and Donald Jr, with 18-year-old son Barron as its visionary, World Liberty Financial claims that it will challenge the power of big banks and revolutionise finance through the launch of a brand new cryptocurrency. More than a million people tuned in to the live event on X (formerly Twitter), which was broadcast from Trumps Mar-A-Lago residence in Florida last night, all keen to find out what exactly the new crypto project is. What is World Liberty Financial? Monday nights launch event lasted 90 minutes, with four members of the Trump family and various crypto figures associated with the venture in attendance, however little was actually revealed about what World Liberty Financial is. More time was spent talking about the recent assassination attempt on Trump than the crypto project they were there to launch, though a few key details were confirmed. The main announcement centred on a new crypto token called WLFi. Were planning to sell and otherwise distribute governance tokens called WLFi in the future, said Zak Folkman, one of the projects leaders. WLFi tokens are pure governance tokens only providing the right to make proposals and vote on matters related to the platform. WLFi will be non-transferrable and do not provide any economic rights such as dividends or other distributions, and we only want eligible people who actually plan to engage in the direction of World Liberty Financial governance to purchase the token. So this means not people who are motivated simply by an expectation for resale for profit. Not everyone will be able to buy the token, with regulations meaning that only accredited investors in the US are allowed to purchase WLFi. Only 63 per cent will be sold to the public, with 17 per cent set aside for user rewards and 20 per cent reserved for team compensation for the likes of Trump and his sons. Other details previously offered by Eric Trump suggest it will involve some kind of digital real estate referring to either the digital tokenisation of real-world assets in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), or the creation of virtual property within the metaverse. Its equitable. Its collateral anyone can get access to and do so instantly, he told the New York Post last month. I dont know if people realise what a shake up that is for the world of banking and finance. Why is it controversial? Weeks before Trumps unveiling of the project, World Liberty Financial was already being targeted by scammers and cyber criminals. A fake telegram channel drew in more than 70,000 of his followers by promising cryptocurrency giveaways worth up to $15,000. In order to qualify for the fake giveaway, users were required to connect their crypto wallet, which would expose any funds within the wallet to the scammers. Hackers also hijacked Tiffany and Lara Trumps X accounts earlier this month in order to promote a similar scam that aimed to profit from the hype surrounding the venture. During Monday nights presentation, the hosts warned against scammers targeting the project, specifically the plans to launch a crypto token. If it doesnt come from our official Twitter or Telegram accounts or our website, it is not real, the hosts warned. Other concerns related to the project are about whether Trumps motivations are truly about transforming traditional finance, or just another opportunity to cash in on his followers willingness to buy into his ventures. His non-fungible token (NFT) collection released last year raised $7.2 million and sold out within days. Is there something that we, as crypto twitter, can collectively do to stop the launch of world liberty coin? I think it genuinely damages trumps electoral prospects, especially if it gets hackedits also an obvious target for the SEC, Nic Carter, a Trump supporter and general partner at crypto asset firm Castle Island Ventures, wrote on X ahead of Mondays event. At best its an unnecessary distraction, at worst its a huge embarrassment and source of (additional) legal trouble. What does it mean for the broader crypto industry? With the backing of a former US president and current presidential candidate, this is arguably the moment that the crypto industry has finally broken into the mainstream. Trumps announcement had little impact on the crypto market the price of bitcoin and other leading cryptocurrencies moved by less than 1 per cent in the hours following World Liberty Financials launch but industry leaders expect fresh scrutiny on the space as a result of his involvement. Some hope it could also result in the fast-tracking of regulation in both the US and globally. The debate in the US around the future role of crypto shows how mainstream the sector has become, not just in America but also globally a spokesperson for crypto asset trade association CryptoUK told The Independent. The UK government must accelerate the legislation already in place, swiftly implement a supportive tax framework... and collaborate with the sector to ensure the UK remains a global fintech leader. George McDonaugh, co-founder and co-managing director of digital asset investment firm KR1, added: Donald Trumps endorsement of crypto creates pros and cons for the industry. It shows how powerful a force the crypto world has become and that its now a major political force that pushes US presidential hopefuls to take sides. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Five thousand firefighters are struggling to contain wildfires raging across northern Portugal. The fires have been blamed for killing three people and forcing an unknown number of residents to flee their homes. Some 100 fires reported by national authorities stretched the firefighting brigades. Authorities have yet to give figures on how many people have had to evacuate and how many homes have been lost. Portuguese state broadcaster RTP showed images of houses burnt to the ground and smoke billowing over charred terrain in the area of Castro de Aire. One civilian has died from burns and another from cardiac arrest from the fires that broke out over the weekend, according to civil protection authorities. Among the hardest hit areas is the district of Aveiro, south of the northern city of Porto, where a firefighter died from an unspecified illness while on duty. Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said on Monday that the firefighter was victim of a sudden illness and offered his condolences to his family, friends and co-workers. open image in gallery Covelo cemitery flanked by the forrest fire in Covelo, Gondomar, northern Portugal ( EPA ) Ground units were supported by Portuguese water dumping aircraft. Fellow European Union members Spain, France Italy and Greece have committed to providing eight more planes to help local forces. The EU stands with Portugal as it battles major wildfires, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a message on X. I thank France, Greece, Italy and Spain for their rapid reaction. This is EU solidarity at its best. Still, televised images showed some residents wielding tree branches and buckets of water to try to save their homes from encroaching fires. open image in gallery Firefighters fight a fire in the industrial area next to the northern railway line, Nelas, Viseu, Portugal, 17 September 2024 ( EPA ) With no rain to relieve in the situation in sight, national authorities prolonged an alert for fires until Thursday. The measure included a ban on farmers using heavy machinery to harvest crops because of the risk of sparks that could start more fires. Portugal was devasted by massive fires in 2017 that killed over 120 people and burned over half a million hectares. The dry and hot conditions behind the outbreaks in Portugal came while downpours caused flooding in central Europe. The death toll from the severe floods, which began over the weekend, rose to at least 19 on Tuesday, with seven confirmed fatalities in Romania. Poland, Austria, and the Czech Republic were also among the hardest hit. Emergency workers carried out rescue operations on Sunday 15 September in the Czech Republic town of Jesenik, after days of heavy rains caused widespread flooding and forced mass evacuations. Most parts of the Czech Republic have been affected as authorities declared the highest flood warnings at around 100 locations across the country. Towns and villages in the Jeseniky mountains, including the local centre of Jesenik, were inundated and isolated by raging waters that turned roads into rivers. The military sent a helicopter to help with evacuations. Jesenik mayor Zdenka Blistanova told Czech public television that several houses in her and other nearby towns have been destroyed by the floods. Sean Diddy Combs was arrested late on Monday 16 September in New York, where he faces a sealed criminal indictment, prosecutors announced. Details of the charges werent immediately confirmed by prosecutors, but the hip-hop mogul has faced a stream of allegations by women in recent months who accused him of sexual assault. The US attorney in Manhattan, Damian Williams, said in a statement that federal agents arrested Combs. We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time, he said. Combs lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, issued a statement saying: We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr Combs by the US Attorneys Office. He added that Combs had gone to New York last week in anticipation of the charges being brought. Diane Abbott has accused Sir Keir Starmer of treating her like a non-person during a race row over comments made by a major Tory donor. In March, The Guardian reported that Frank Hester had told colleagues that looking at Ms Abbott makes you want to hate all black women. Ms Abbott, a veteran Labour MP, said she expected more support from the prime minister and her party, having been left feeling in danger by Frank Hesters comments. She went on to claim that Sir Keir never reached out to me personally and did treat me as a non-person. Goods exports have risen 9.5bn in the first seven months of the year, according to the latest analysis from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). Irelands exported goods in the period from January to July this year were valued at 126bn. Exports in July jumped 17pc this year compared with the same period in 2023 and were valued at 18.3bn. Seasonally adjusted goods exports were valued at 17.8bn in July, up 760m from a month earlier. Exports of organic chemicals jumped 37pc to 2.72bn across the month compared with the corresponding period last year. The CSO reported that exports of medical and pharmaceutical products stood at 7.05bn in July, up from 6.94bn recorded in July 2023. Exports of electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances soared by 56pc in June to reach 957m, while exports of professional, scientific and controlling apparatus rose by 90pc to 1.5bn. The data also showed exports to Britain accounted for 7pc of the total in July. These exports were valued at 1.29bn. Food and live animals represented the largest share of exports to this market, followed by machinery and transport equipment. However, exports to this market have plummeted 28pc compared with the same month in 2023. This continues a trend of significant reduction in exports to the UK of chemical and related products that we saw in June, BDO partner Carol Lynch said. She also pointed to a jump in exports to the US market in the recent CSO report. Of particular note is the 43pc increase in exports to the US when compared to July 2023. This is a very significant increase and reflected in the strong FDI connections between Ireland and the US, she said. Grant Thornton tax director Janette Maxwell added: Exports from Ireland to the US have grown by almost 8bn in the year to date, and account for more than 30pc of the total value of exports. This reflects a number of factors, including an increased specialisation in the production of goods for which international demand is growing strongly and also generally favourable competitiveness developments. Exports to countries in the EU stood at 7.1bn in the period and accounted for 39pc of the total across the month. Over 2.1bn went to Germany, while a further 1.7bn headed to the Netherlands. The report showed goods imports dropped by 5bn in the period from January to July compared with the same time last year. Unadjusted goods imports stood at 11.3bn, up more than 400m from the same month a year earlier. Seasonally adjusted goods imports for July were 11.7bn. Imports of organic chemicals in July plunged 83pc or by 1.7bn year-on-year to 350m. On the import side, the collapse in the value of imported organic chemicals in remarkable, Ms Lynch said. In 2023 we imported 12.6bn worth of organic chemicals compared with 5.1bn in 2024. This taken with the disappointing export figure may be indicative of a reorientation of supply chain in this sector. The private equity firm KnightBridge has taken an 80pc stake in the Irish ice-cream chain Scrumdiddlys, adding to its recent acquisition of the healthy-food chain Freshly Chopped. Last week Scrumdiddlys finally emerged from Scarp, a rescue scheme for small companies that find themselves in debt. A rescue plan drawn up by David OConnor, a senior partner with BDO, had been held up following a legal objection by the companys landlord, who was an unsecured creditor. A modified rescue plan has now been approved by the courts. Under the plan, KnightBridge is paying 250,000 to fund the Scarp. Unsecured creditors, which include AIB (owed 136,579) and OKane Frozen Foods (owed 52,542) will recover 10pc of what they are owed. Revenue is being repaid 165,857 as part of the Scarp rescue, which includes all its super preferential credit (27,734), 55pc of its preferential credit (105,830) and 10pc of its unsecured credit (32,293). An upfront payment of half the total must be paid in the next month. Founded by Jennifer Kane and Darren McCormack, Scrumdiddlys opened its first store in Donabate in north Dublin in 2012. It now has five locations, including its best-known store in Dun Laoghaire, and an outlet in Kilkenny. It employs about 35 staff. At one point the ice-cream maker invested heavily in pop-up stores in five branches of Penneys. Under the terms of the Scarp deal, the founders of Scrumdiddlys will retain a 20pc shareholding in the company. Kent Lim, group CEO of KnightBridge, has been appointed chief executive of Scrumdiddlys and has plans to open four new locations over the next three months. Mr Lim told the Irish Independent: From our perspective, acquiring Scrumdiddlys presents significant untapped potential for growth. Weve already seen strong interest from a few symbol operator groups, which is promising for the brands future. KnightBridge said its vision for the chain goes beyond growth, and that there will be a focus on enhancing production capabilities and operational efficiency, while building a scalable and attractive franchising model. It is eyeing expansion into markets in the UK, Dubai, Singapore, and Malaysia; markets where Kent Lim, who hails from Malaysia, has strong connections and industry expertise. Jonathan Parkhill, a senior partner at KnightBridge Hospitality, has been appointed the group managing director, overseeing day-to-day operations and leading its growth strategy. Oran O Caolain, a long-time business associate of Kent Lims, is taking the role of chief operating officer. KnightBridge said its hospitality division has entered an active acquisition phase, and is determined to partner with strong indigenous brands and unlock their growth potential. In June it bought Chopped, also founded in 2012, and which has about 60 outlets in Ireland, the UK, Cyprus and the Netherlands. Under the terms of that deal, KnightBridge retained the existing senior management and head-office teams. Brian Lee, the co-founder of Chopped, stepped down as chief executive. The directors of Scrumdiddlys, who live in north Dublin, have said they initially launched the business to give Ms Kane a new focus as she recovered from breast cancer. She had been diagnosed at the age of 31, at a time when she and Mr McCormack had three children under the age of six. Ms Kane had been a personal assistant to a surgeon in Beaumont Hospital, while her husband had run a kitchen-making business. A group of shareholders is considering a legal challenge to the administration of Harland & Wolff Group Holdings PLC. The company announced yesterday that the group, which owns four shipyards including the famous home of the Titanic in Belfast was insolvent and would enter administration in the coming week. A spokesperson for a number of shareholders of the PLC told the Belfast Telegraph they were working on a legal challenge to block the administration. Philip Hyde, the spokesperson for the shareholders group, said that equity holders had helped build this company from the ashes. We have funded the company in various cash raisings to buy the facilities, to install new machinery and get new people on board, he said. Mr Hyde was critical of the interim executive chair, Russell Downs, who is an expert in company restructuring. He said Mr Downs has acted in the interests of a major creditor, Riverstone, as opposed to the interest of shareholders. In response, a Harland & Wolff spokesperson said: We are not getting into a public debate with Mr Hyde. We are holding a shareholder briefing on Thursday and he is welcome to come and ask his questions at that. Mr Hyde is currently trying to organise a shareholders boycott of Thursdays meeting. The group has been trying to organise an EGM in recent weeks to call for the appointment of a non-executive director to the board to represent shareholder interests. In the business update, the board said they would hold such a meeting if they were formally notified. The shareholders group, which is believed to hold around 30pc of the companys stock, is understood to be working with John Wood, the former CEO of the company. Mr Wood was part of the group that brought Harland & Wolff out of administration in 2019. He is understood to be trying to raise funds for a takeover bid of the current PLC. The launch has been delayed yet again of the landmark auto-enrolment scheme designed to provide a pension plan for thousands of workers. The scheme has been 20 years in the making and was due to be put in place by the end of this year. However, the Department of Social Protection, headed up by Heather Humphreys, has admitted it will be next year before auto-enrolment is put in place. The launch of the scheme has been repeatedly promised but delayed over the last few years. The new delay comes as businesses claimnhigher costs are being imposed on them. Under the plan, employees without a pension will be automatically enrolled into a savings scheme, which will be partially funded by businesses. The Irish Association of Pension Funds (IAPF), which represents the trustees of large schemes, said it was disappointed at the latest delay and called on the Government to confirm with absolute certainty a date for when it will commence. Automatic enrolment is set to benefit an estimated 800,000 workers in Ireland without pension coverage, people who would have only the state contributory pension to rely on when they retire. Jerry Moriarty, the chief executive of the IAPF, said his organisation supported the concept of auto-enrolment and believed it should be introduced as soon as possible to help improve pensions coverage. In a pre-Budget submission, Mr Moriarty wrote: It is disappointing that the rollout of auto-enrolment has been consistently delayed, with very few of the milestones set out being met. The IAPF said it was hard to see that auto-enrolment would begin early next year. A state agency that will oversee auto-enrolment has yet to be set up and staffed, and the department still has not begun the formal search for asset-management firms to manage the underlying investments. The IAPF also highlighted that a comprehensive communications strategy would be needed to educate employers and workers about the scheme, as well as detailed engagement with payroll providers to implement and test necessary changes to software systems. The department confirmed in July that it had selected Indian information technology company Tata Consultancy Services as its preferred partner to build and run the auto-enrolment system, after legislation for the scheme passed its final stage in the Oireachtas. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has previously called on Ms Humphreys to set a definitive date for the launch of auto-enrolment pensions following the passing of legislation underpinning it during the summer. A survey of financial advisers revealed that half of them believe struggling buyers should be able to access any pension funds they have to help them get a foothold in the property market It is estimated that only around one-third of private-sector employees have active pension coverage. The department was asked about the timeline for the setting up of auto-enrolment and the putting in place of a state agency that will oversee it. It was also asked why it still has not begun the formal search for asset-management firms to manage the underlying investments. The department said the legislation had now been enacted and Tata Consultancy Services, a leading global IT services, consulting and business solutions organisation, had been selected as the preferred bidder to administer the system on behalf of the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA). The achievement of these two major milestones is significant and allows for auto-enrolment to become a reality in Ireland in 2025, it said. The department said it was focused on working on the implementation plans and timelines of administrative services, including the ICT infrastructure. In parallel, work was ongoing to resource and establish NAERSA and to conduct the procurement of investment managers as soon as possible, it said. Precise timelines will be made available as this work progresses. It was the claim that left millions watching on stunned. During last week's US presidential debate, Donald Trump pushed the baseless conspiracy that Haitian migrants in an Ohio town were eating pet cats and dogs. The wild claim was jumped on by Democratic voters, who mocked Trump online with a wave of memes, however the conspiracy has had more serious implications for the Haitian residents of Springfield. Mia Perez, a Haitian immigration lawyer in Springfield, told the Associated Press that her 9-year-old daughter came face to face with the claims in school. Donald Trump during last week's debate. Source: Getty Kids in school are being asked by other kids: How does the dog taste? How does the cat taste? Perez said. Shes asking, 'Are we the kind of Haitians who eat this kind of stuff? Is it true? Whats happening?' This is a conversation that I was not ready to have with my daughter, she continued. I felt disrespected of our culture. I know a woman whose daughter hasn't gone to school since this happened because at the school the kids are asking her about eating cats and dogs, Sophia Pierrelus, a Haitian American small business owner in Columbus, told the Columbus Dispatch. They're afraid to go into the street because they feel they may be attacked. Johnson Salomon, a Haitian immigrant who moved to Springfield in 2020, told the Guardian that he has notice of the sparse presence of Haitians in places in the city where they used to frequent. Normally, when I drive through south Springfield, where a lot of Haitians live, you see people walking on the streets, at the Haitian markets and restaurants, Salmon said. For the past few days, I have seen far fewer people. Read more here. Endeavor Ireland, a non-profit organisation with senior technology entrepreneurs and investors, is kicking off a three-day series of events around Dublin The Edge of U2 in conversation with Manna founder Bobby Healy at Endeavor Irelands event in Dublin. Photo: Adrian Weckler Entrepreneurs need to be put on a pedestal and treated like celebrities, a gathering of high-powered investors and entrepreneurs was told in Dublin today. Endeavor Ireland, a non-profit start-up growth organisation which is chaired by U2 guitarist The Edge, kicked off a three-day series of events that will see hundreds of entrepreneurs descend on Dublin to network and discuss growth strategies. Senior Irish tech figures at the event included Manna CEO Bobby Healy, Cubic Telecom CEO Barry Napier and Ding founder Mark Roden. We highlight incredible musicians and others as celebrities, but how do we make entrepreneurs celebrities? asked Joanna Rees, executive chair of US marketing firm West Global, at the event. We need to put them on a pedestal and make them celebrities here. The Edge of U2 in conversation with Manna founder Bobby Healy at Endeavor Irelands event in Dublin. Photo: Adrian Weckler Other panellists contributing to the event included Martin Escobari, head of global growth and managing director at General Atlantic, the giant venture capital firm founded by the late Irish-American philanthropist Chuck Feeney. The event, held in Dublins Euronext exchange building beside Trinity College, was also addressed by junior enterprise minister Dara Calleary and Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland. Endeavor Ireland, an offshoot of the global non-profit organisation Endeavor, was set up in 2019 with The Edge as its founding chairman. It provides advice, networking, marketing and investment support to founders. In its five years operating in Ireland, it has worked with 14 founders from 10 Irish companies, including Cubic Telecom, Strong Roots, LearnUpon, Wayflyer, Gym+Coffee, XOcean, Keelvar, Therapie Group, Sculpted by Aimee, and Overhaul. Collectively, the firms employ over 3,000 staff and generate revenues of over 600m. I first became involved in bringing Endeavor to Ireland because I saw the benefits that this non-profit organisation could bring to founders here, said The Edge. I believe in the networks ability to support founders to reach their fullest potential from here at home, with experience and expertise from around the globe allowing Irish companies to grow and develop to a global scale from the island of Ireland. "Ive seen this first hand in Endeavor Irelands first five years, and Im delighted to welcome our local founders along with members of the global Endeavour network to my hometown of Dublin this week. Globally, the organisation admits 80 founders into its international selection panel process every year. Since Endeavor was founded in 1997, around 2,600 founders have been selected through this process. A total of 34 founders from 19 companies and 16 countries will be pitching to be accepted into the global Endeavor network at the international selection panel even in Dublin this week. Karl Gilbert, co-founder and CEO of Raylo, a consumer device leasing and circular economy business based in Belfast, is the Endeavor Ireland candidate. Endeavor Ireland board member Elaine Coughlan, of Atlantic Bridge, will represent Ireland on the selection panel. Booking.com says Ryanair injunction would put it at competitive disadvantage Michael OLeary says travel group must sign approved deal if it wants to sell airlines flights Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary. Photo: Getty John Mulligan Tue 17 Sep 2024 at 03:30 Internet travel giant Booking.com has urged a US court not to grant Ryanair a permanent injunction that would prevent it from accessing the airlines website. Being in a farm accident highlighted the importance of docile animals This pedigree breeder, who survived an attack by a cow, explains why Shorthorns are perfect for her West Cork beef farm and recalls how her passion for cattle began before her first Communion Aine ODonovan Nicholson with some of hr pedigree Shorthorn cattle on the farm at Kildee, Dunmanway, Co Cork. Photos: David Creedon Catherina Cunnane Tue 17 Sep 2024 at 03:30 Aine ODonovan Nicholsons passion for cattle began at an early age: she fondly recalls using part of her Communion money to buy her first commercial weanling at a mart. Taoiseach Simon Harris has said is it "absolutely possible for Ireland to retain its derogation if we all work together and pull together". Photo: Damien Storan. The Nitrates Derogation is a national asset and one the Taoiseach Simon Harris is determined to retain. It comes as a delegation from the European Commission visits Ireland this week. They are expected to visit a number of farms and the Environmental Protection Agency, along with meeting the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue and industry stakeholders. Speaking exclusively to the Farming Independent, the Taoiseach said he believed it is absolutely possible for Ireland to retain its derogation if we all work together and pull together, and I talk about this team Ireland approach. What I mean by that is it cant just fall to any one part of society to stand up for the Nitrates Derogation. We need industry. We need all of our agencies of state. We need farming organisations. We need government departments coming together to plan how we design progress in water quality alongside maintaining the derogation. That is the way we keep it. He also said he is fully committed to the Nitrates Derogation, but just saying that is not enough. We have to be able to show how were going to improve water quality which, by the way, is a good thing for everyone, including farmers. And while the Minister for Agriculture is leading on this for us as Taoiseach, I take it extraordinarily important. I see it as a national asset and Im determined to retain it. It recognises how we farm in this country, and just like we are called upon to understand different ways different countries do things, there is a need for a recognition from the European Union that this is part of our farming model, and therefore it is a national asset. To achieve the required on water quality, he said we have to significantly increase the investment that we are placing in terms of water, in terms of wastewater and in terms of water quality and infrastructure in general. He also said that as Ireland comes into funds through the sale of bank shares, even as Ireland comes into other one-off funds that may have happened in recent days, I think its really important thatthis is money that can be spent in a recurrent basis. Its important that we explore how we can turbocharge or accelerate measures that would help improve our water infrastructure and our water quality. Brazil is expected to ship 3.3 million metric tonnes of beef in 2024. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images Cattle availability in Brazil is expected to start dwindling next year, raising the cost of producing beef in the worlds largest exporter and further constraining global supplies of red meat. The decline comes just as the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement edges closer to a final deal, which would see 99,000t of South American beef access the EU market without the current tariff burden. John Clarke, a former director of International Relations with the European Commission, said he is fairly sure that the Mercosur agreement will get across the line in early 2025. Geopolitics is aligning and the EU needs friends in that part of the world 99,000t of beef is a small proportion of EU volume and value, and it will be phased in over seven years, Mr Clarke said. Animal slaughter in Brazil is expected to drop 4.6pc next year and 7.5pc in 2026, ending years of expansion, analyst Joao Otavio Figueiredo of consulting firm Datagro said during a conference in Sao Paulo. Domestic cattle prices have dropped to the lowest annual average since 2020, discouraging herd expansion. The reduction in the Brazilian cattle herd comes when beef production is already constrained by a severe shortage of slaughter-weight animals in the US, which has eroded profits for processors such as Tyson Foods Inc and Cargill Inc. Meanwhile, EU beef production is expected to fall by 2.3pc in 2024, while imports are expected to grow by 2pc, mainly driven by Brazil. Ireland remains the largest supplier of beef into the UK and in April alone supplied around 8,000t of fresh boneless beef and 4,800t of frozen boneless beef. During the same month, volumes imported into the UK from Brazil totalled 1,900t, mainly in the form of corned beef. This is the largest volume of processed beef imported from Brazil since January 2023. That anticipated decline in Brazils beef production is unwelcome news for JBS SA, Marfrig Global Foods SA and Minerva SA, which rely on Brazilian cattle for a sizable share of their beef output. Brazil is expected to ship 3.3m metric tonnes of beef in 2024, accounting for about a quarter of total global exports, according to a US Department of Agriculture projection. Additional reporting from Bloomberg Decoupling at 20: two decades later, did Irish farmers really win? The farm orgs and the Minister were initially against the idea, then backed the plan as it emerged that the majority of farmers would be better off. But who gained and who lost out? An IFA Kerry tractorcade protesting against proposed decoupling plans, among other issues, in 2003. Photo: Don MacMonagle Ciaran Moran Tue 17 Sep 2024 at 03:30 This month 20 years ago, Irish farmers opened an important letter from the Department of Agriculture. For the first time, farmers were told how much they would receive under the new Single Farm Payment scheme. Case hinged on time limits The Law Society has said the approach of Revenue and the decision of the High Court raise serious concerns about the effectiveness of safeguards for taxpayers. The approach of Revenue and a recent decision of the High Court in relation to a farmers tax returns raise serious concerns about the effectiveness of safeguards for taxpayers, the Law Society has warned the government. New EU Agriculture and Food Commissioner Christophe Hansen. Photo by Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images. Luxembourgs Christophe Hansen is to be the next European Agriculture Commissioner as Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday named her new team of Commissioners. Hansen who had been an MEP is a member of Fine Gaels EPP political grouping and served on the committees on International Trade as well as Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. In her Mission Statement to Hansen, von der Leyen tasked him with preparing a vision statement for the Agriculture and Food sector within the first hundred days and as part of this he must ensure the CAP is fit for purpose. Hansen has also been tasked with exploring the possibilities to support organic farming and developing a strategy for generational renewal in agriculture supporting family farms and young farmers access to capital. Meanwhile, Irelands Michael McGrath will lead the EU's work on anti-corruption, von der Leyen has said. The European Commission president announced Ireland's former finance minister has been awarded the Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law portfolio. She said: "I have entrusted him with the responsibility to take forward the European Democracy Shield. "He will also lead our work on the rule of law, anti-corruption and consumer protection." It comes as France, Italy, Spain won the key Roles in Von Der Leyen's new EU Team. Ursula von der Leyen proposed a sweeping financial and industrial portfolio for France in her next European Commission after a dramatic last-minute switch in nominees. Teresa Ribera, Spain's climate minister, was tapped for a post to oversee the digital and energy transitions, including the antitrust portfolio, while Italy's European affairs minister, Raffaele Fitto, is tasked with overseeing cohesion policy and regional development. On Monday, France named outgoing foreign minister Stephane Sejourne to be its nominee to replace EU internal market chief Thierry Breton, who blasted von der Leyen's judgment Monday in a sharply worded resignation letter. Sejourne's proposed role which would give him oversight of trade, financial services and the economy sets France up for a central role in the EU's increasingly urgent debate over how to boost its competitiveness. The bloc is under pressure to respond to growing industrial challenges from China and the US as it digests the findings of a new report from former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi. Von der Leyen has spent weeks balancing a set of competing demands from political parties and the EU's 27 member states as she tried to find a slate of nominees and portfolios that would pass muster with governments and survive scrutiny in the European Parliament. The next EU Commission is expected to take office by the end of the year, meaning one of its first tasks will be fielding the outcome of the U.S. presidential election in November. A second Trump presidency could sharply alter Western unity on supporting Ukraine against Russia's invasion and up-end EU trade relations with the world's biggest economy. There was some drama on Monday on the next Commission's line-up, when France picked Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne as its new candidate after the incumbent, Thierry Breton, abruptly quit with tough words for von der Leyen. Additional reporting Reuters and Bloomberg Out of 351 farmers who were surveyed, young farmers, part-time farmers and low-income farmers were found to have a greater risk for harmful substance use The study found that age was the most important factor. Photo: Getty A survey of 351 Irish farmers has found that younger farmers are more at risk of harmful alcohol and substance use than average. The study noted: We identified that age was the most important factor in farmers alcohol issues, with younger farmers at a greater risk for harmful use. Other risk factors for harmful alcohol use include having no children, being a part-time farmer, having low income or being involved in full-time off-farm roles like education. Farmers in full-time education had the most harmful alcohol use. In January this year, an update to the 2022 study about general mental health concerns among the farming community noted that the increased usage in young farmers can be explained by the added pressures of keeping up with farming and pursuing an education with students who work longer hours often drinking more. While these relationships are speculative, we need further analysis of the substance use among young farmers and associated risk factors such as work stress or burnout. Due to high rates of alcohol issues in farmers attending education, interventions may be best delivered through educational programmes like agricultural degrees and certificate programmes such as the Green Certificate, according to the study. The researchers from DCU, Trinity College and Teagasc found that one-in-three (28pc) of the farmers surveyed did not drink alcohol and 95pc of them did not report using any substances. DCU researcher Sinead OKeeffe said, What struck us as interesting was that a lot of the participants dont consume alcohol or any substances at all, which was good to see, but the other side of that which was alarming to us was that those who do, do it at harmful levels. Around 78pc exceed the threshold for disordered use of substances and 40pc exceed the same with alcohol. We noticed early on that younger people showed more alcohol and substance usage. Among the younger people, particularly the student cohort, you can see the same drinking culture that we see among younger people all over Ireland. Being a younger farmer, youre more likely to cross that threshold for disordered use. The majority of the people surveyed were in the midlands, mid-west and west of Ireland, while the lowest participation was based out of Dublin. Farmer groups have a lot of organised events to address mental health concerns, but the issue is that these groups are quite narrow and focused the individuals might not be our target audience. Its people outside of these groups we dont have direct access to and they are the ones that are struggling the most, said OKeeffe. The next step of our research will be looking at farm families and finding ways to offer interventions that families can use to support members who may be struggling with alcohol or substance issues in the absence of a community or institution that can do it for them. The Coogee local rushed to the nearest doctor after suffering a painful scratch to her eye and she's not the offending bird's only victim. A 40-year-old mum from Coogee was walking from the rockpool to her car last Wednesday when a magpie attacked her, scratching her left eye with his beak. Source: Google/Supplied/Facebook A Sydney mum is warning others to be on high alert after a run-in with an aggressive magpie during her morning beach routine left her with a bloody and bruised eye. The 40-year-old told Yahoo News she was heading back to her car from the Ross Jones Rockpool in Coogee last Wednesday when a massive magpie appeared out of nowhere. Despite previously being swooped by the birds during their notorious annual nesting season, the woman said what occurred next was completely unexpected. It just came at me and took his beak and went into my left eye with a big pop, she explained. The confused mum said she instantly felt a sharp pain and ran to the nearest GPs office up the road with one hand partially covering her face. After placing dye in her eye to confirm the bird had scratched it, the doctor prescribed the 40-year-old antibiotics. He said you need something immediately because it looks like its going to get infected, she told Yahoo. Shockingly, the mum said when she went to pick up her medication the pharmacist told her she was the third person to come in with a bloody eye after supposedly being attacked by the same magpie. Five magpie swooping injuries reported near busy beach In less than a month five people have reported being attacked and injured by an aggressive magpie in the same very busy area just off the beach, according to online tracker Magpie Alert. Last Tuesday another person walking in the same spot near the Anzac Memorial said a magpie swooped at them three times before drawing blood from just above their eye. Days earlier a third person said they got a decent peck right about [their] eye, which also drew blood. The woman said she was stunned to learn there had been several magpie related injuries in the same area in the past couple of weeks. Her eye is slowly healing. Source: Magpie Alert/Supplied The Coogee mum told Yahoo News she contacted Randwick Council after hearing other locals had suffered similar injuries, however she claims they told her they were unable to remove the bird. Yahoo has contacted Randwick Council for comment. Although there are signs already installed, the 40-year-old said they often go unnoticed so she recently posted on a community Facebook group to urge others to avoid the area or at the very least be on alert. The woman said that her eye remains very itchy but is slowly healing. Magpie swooping tips Magpie season kicked off in August, with male birds expected to be seen fiercely protecting their nests until November. While the majority of them are well behaved, about 10 per cent of magpies become boisterous and aggressive because they see humans as a threat, Birdlife Australias Dr Holly Parsons previously told Yahoo News. Experts suggest avoiding any area where magpies are known to be nesting, which is often where they have previously been known to swoop. Another recommended protection strategy is to wear sunglasses and hats in order to avoid any injuries from an overzealous bird. People are also advised against running away quickly or trying to fight attacking magpies, as that will be perceived as aggressive behaviour which could provoke further swooping. Instead, potential targets should walk away slowly with their heads down to avoid exposing their faces or eyes. With NCA NewsWire Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. An XL bully dog has been put down after it attacked its owner in a north Dublin suburb on Sunday. The incident happened on a green space on Ballyshannon Road in the Kilmore area of Dublin 5, close to Beaumont Hospital, at around 11am while the owner was walking the dog. Concerned locals described the incident as terrifying, and said armed gardai as well as the fire brigade and ambulance responded to the emergency call. I heard the dog had some plastic in its mouth and the owner was trying to get it out and then the dog turned on him. He was trying to control the dog while he was being attacked, and there were people trying to help, said one man. Then there was cars stopping and people in them trying to assist and pull the dog by the lead, but it was a big strong dog. The armed gardai were out with incapacitant sprays and things but I dont know if they used them. The man had obvious injuries and had to go to hospital, said another local. The dog was later destroyed after the out-of-hours dog warden from Dublin City Council was called to the scene to remove the animal. A spokesperson for Dublin City Council said: The Animal Welfare and Control Services Unit were called by An Garda Siochana to assist with dog attack in the Kilmore Area on Sunday 15th September. "The dog in question, an XL bully, was removed by the Wardens Service under the Control of Dogs 1986 Act as Updated 1st December 2023 and humanely put down. The injured man has since been discharged from hospital and did not want to comment. The incident comes less than two weeks after two English bulldogs were put down after attacking the mother of their owner in their home in the Cualanor Park area close to Sallynoggin and Dun Laoghaire on September 5, leaving her with serious injuries. Emergency services and gardai rushed to the scene in the early afternoon when residents reported the incident. A woman who had heard the cries of the victim is also reported to have tried to get the dogs away from her until medics arrived. The victim was taken by ambulance to St Vincents Hospital, where her condition at the time was described as serious but stable. Her son agreed to have the animals destroyed, describing them as pets, and said that rumours that there was a so-called puppy farm or puppy mill at the apartment were not true. They were just pets. They were well treated and used to sleep on our beds with us. I dont know what happened. I think one of them was the main aggressor and the other one was less involved, but they will both be put down, he said. Armed gardai responded to that incident also. Concerns have been raised about the number of serious dog attacks around the country in recent months. On June 3, Nicole Morey was killed after two dogs attacked her at her home in Ballyneety, Co Limerick. She had earlier been celebrating her 23rd birthday and had just returned home when the attack happened. One of the dogs, an XL bully, was shot dead at the scene by gardai. Three other dogs at the property were later destroyed. The day before, gardai received reports of a care worker being attacked by a number of dogs in the Maryland area of south inner-city Dublin. Weeks later, a man needed hospital treatment after being attacked by a rottweiler in Co Donegal. Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys recently announced a ban on XL bully dogs. From next month, the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of such animals will be illegal, and owning them will be banned from February 1 except with special permission. Roisin Garvey said that kids are being driven to school from across the road. However, Finance Minister Jack Chambers and Education Minister Norma Foley urged caution over the remarks. Many Irish children are overweight "because they have to be driven everywhere", the Green Party deputy leader has said. Roisin Garvey made the comments at the Green Party think-in in Dublin today, where she said there was a need to expand the "space given to children who are trying to get to school safely". She said: "Cars are king at the moment in this country and that's still a huge issue." Ms Garvey said she personally relied on cars in rural areas but added: "In urban areas, it is insane that we still have kids being driven to school from across the road. "We need pedestrian crossings, we need wider footpaths." She added: "We need to take it seriously: A quarter of our nine-year-olds are overweight, that's because they have to be driven everywhere. "We have to take this seriously and give space back to our children, and back to older people who can't always drive and people with disabilities." Ms Garvey, who highlighted recent changes to traffic management in Dublin city centre as examples of schemes that work, said: "We've seen it as best practice in other countries. "Let's just do it here and modernise our country and not be stuck back in the 80s where we think everyone should drive a car everywhere, it's insane." However, Finance Minister Jack Chambers urged caution over the remarks. The senior Fianna Fail deputy leader said: "I think we need to be careful not to simplify or make conclusions on the basis of basically just people being driven to school. "We want to build a more active society in everything we do as a country, and every policy we make whether that is investing in sport, whether that is supporting rural transport, for example, and we have fully embraced active travel, where we've enabled a lot of young people to walk and cycle to school." Mr Chambers added: "We also have a society now where fast food, for example, is an issue in terms of daily eating habits, but it's much more complex than specifically focusing on one policy area. "We need to build a more active society with healthy eating. Free school meals, for example, (offers) a space where nutrition can be discussed in a school environment, and we need to be careful not to overly simplify what is a complex issue." The Education Minister also defended a "very strong wellbeing policy" in Irish schools. Speaking at the Fianna Fail think-in, Education Minister Norma Foley said: "Our schools are doing great work in that respect in terms of encouraging health and wellbeing." Asked if Ms Garvey had a point, Ms Foley said there are a "lot of issues" which might impact a young person, adding that children are being encouraged to walk and cycle to school. Ms Garvey's remarks came after a question to Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman on whether the School Transport Scheme should be expanded. Primary school pupils must be 3.2 kilometres away from a suitable school while post-primary students must be 4.8 kilometres away. Currently, the fee for a primary school child is 50 and 75 for a post-primary school child. The maximum fee for a family is 125. Mr O'Gorman said the expansion of the scope of the school-transport programme "would be really welcome", adding: "It has an environmental benefit, it has a cost-saving benefit and it has a time-saving benefit for so many families." He said the maximum fee had been lowered through the term of the Government and added: "I know Norma Foley and the department are working hard to make sure we can provide this service to everybody who wants to take it up." CEO Bernard Gloster had previously said organisation is too top-heavy HSE backroom staff earning over 100,000 has jumped since 2020 with high numbers on wages of over 150,000 The number of administrative staff in the HSE earning over 100,000 rose to 362 last year a jump of 88 since 2020. HSE chief Bernard Gloster is the only person earning over 250,000. He is on a salary of around 367,000. Two of the top brass are on salaries between 200,000 and 250,000 while 30 are in the 150,000 to 200,000 wage bracket, up from 26 on 2022. The biggest rise since 2020 is in executives on 100,000 to 150,000. The number in this category was up from 244 to 330 last year, with five more added this year, according to figures provided to Fianna Fail TD Jim OCallaghan. Mr Gloster, who took over as head of the HSE last year, is on record as saying the organisation is too top-heavy. Earlier this year it emerged that a hospital consultant earned nearly 1m in salary, overtime and allowances. But the latest figures show how the top layer of managers in HSE headquarters and across the regions is also adding to the pay bill. More managers and administrative staff were hired last year than budgeted for. It follows a HSE internal audit report on compliance with employment and recruitment controls. The audit found that a circular from Mr Gloster, issued in October last year as part of the HSE jobs freeze, was not fully complied with. The HSE was funded for 6,000 new staff but had hired 8,000. A sample of 66 appointments in November last year across five hospital groups found four cases of non-compliance with the memo. This included three in the Saolta group in the west and one in the Dublin Midlands Group. There was evidence of inconsistent interpretation across service areas of the provisions contained within the various memos, such as around when a valid contractual obligation of employment exists, the audit report stated. The audit found that employment levels in the HSE continued to increase in the months following the issue of the recruitment control circular. They included an additional 816 recruits last October, 1,161 the following month and 933 in December. It added: The primary reason behind these increases can be attributed to the long duration inherent in completing the recruitment process in the HSE. From the back-up received, it is evident the entire recruitment process can take a number of months to complete. By December last year, the new recruits across hospital groups in management and administration were 404 over target while the corresponding number for nurses was 685, and 507 for doctors and dentists. The recruitment freeze was strongly criticised by health unions, which said it left serious gaps in some teams that could have implications for the delivery of care The HSE received 1.5bn in extra funding during the summer to help pay for the extra staff hired last year as it headed towards a major deficit. A separate internal HSE audit highlighted how employee numbers across the HSE have increased significantly in the last number of years, from approximately 119,000 in December 2019 to 143,000 at the end of last September. The biggest increase, at 32pc, in that time was recorded among administrative and managerial staff, compared to 20pc among health and social care professionals. The report called for the use of a dedicated online recruitment system. The audit pointed out that best practice indicates departing employees should inform management of their reason for leaving, their working experience and to gather any suggestions they may have for improving working conditions. It stated: The new National Human Resources (HR) Recruitment Reform and Resourcing unit confirmed that there is no national policy in place relating to the exit process. National HR confirmed that there are areas conducting exit interviews. There have been changes to the data collected on the reasons staff leave the HSE, and their destination on leaving as part of the national leavers data that is currently being compiled. The HR 106 form no longer contains a generic other option as a reason for leaving. This allows more detailed reporting on reasons people are leaving and moving around the HSE. Enhancing reporting in this area will provide better intelligence on why people leave and will inform local and national actions on retention. Earth will pass between the sun and the full moon, casting its shadow on a red-tinted moon. Photo: Reuters A partial lunar eclipse of a supermoon will be visible across Ireland overnight in a remarkable celestial coincidence. The supermoon will be visible on Tuesday night and also for the next few nights, but it will be at its fullest overnight. The Earth will pass between the sun and the full moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. The spectacle will be visible throughout Europe and Africa, as well as across large parts of Asia and North and South America, with the moon appearing bigger and brighter as it reaches its closest approach to Earth this year. On the evening of Tuesday, September 17 (the evening of the full moon), as twilight ends, the rising moon will be 11 degrees above the east-south-eastern horizon with Saturn to the upper right at 14 degrees above the horizon, Nasa notes on its website. Later in the evening the partial shadow of the Earth will cover a small upper part of the moon. The moon will start entering the partial shadow of the Earth at 8.41pm EDT (1.41am in Ireland on Wednesday). The slight dimming of the moon will be difficult to notice until the top edge of the moon starts entering the full shadow at 10.13pm (3.13am in Ireland). The peak of the eclipse will be at 10.44pm (3.44am in Ireland) with just the top 8.4pc of the moon in full shadow. A live stream of the partial lunar eclipse will be available through Time and Dates YouTube channel for anyone living outside of the events path or who do not have clear skies. The full moon will have a slight red tint as it passes through Earths shadow, as the light from the sun will be passing through Earths atmosphere. A lunar eclipse occurs at full moon, and when the shadow of the Earth falls on the moon. The Earths shadow as viewed from the moon is actually much bigger than the moon itself, so a lunar eclipse can last a long time and be seen by a whole hemisphere on the Earth, Don Pollacco, a professor of physics at the University of Warwick, told The Independent. The shadow of a planet produces an umbral and penumbral shadow depending on the location of the planet and the sun. The darkest eclipses occur when the moon moves through the Earths umbral shadow. A penumbral eclipse occurs as the moon moves through the penumbral shadow of the Earth. In these cases, the darkening of the moon is usually quite difficult to spot, as some of the moon is still being illuminated by the sun. Michael McGrath to become EUs bad cop tackling backsliding on rule of law in countries like Hungary With gender quotas a priority, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen now has six women in top roles Michael McGrath John Downing Tue 17 Sep 2024 at 12:47 Irelands new European Commissioner Michael McGrath has been handed a big EU challenge with responsibility for pushing justice co-operation and enforcing the rule of law across the 27 member states. In Ireland, as in other affluent societies, voluntary assisted dying and medical assistance in dying constantly surface as topics that are important to a small proportion of people at any given time. Aoife Johnston was 16 when she died from sepsis in December 2022 A report relating to the oversight of University Hospital Limerick (UHL) during the attendance and tragic death of Aoife Johnston will be published later this month, the HSE has said. It follows an ultimatum from the family of the 16-year-old from Shannon, Co Clare, that the report, by retired judge Frank Clarke, be published by Friday. Aoife died from meningitis-related sepsis after she spent 12 hours in UHLs emergency department in December 2022. The report looked at the broad area of accountability, but the familys solicitor Damien Tansey said the extent of its powers were too restrictive and they are disappointed that it could not resolve conflicts of evidence between staff or make findings of fact. A spokesperson for the HSE said yesterday that chief executive Bernard Gloster will publish the report later this month in an appropriate format, which must take into account the HSEs obligations to all parties involved and must respect the personal and sensitive data contained in the report. Meanwhile, UHL failed to conduct a competitive procurement process for 20.3m spent on top-up initiatives to reduce waiting lists, including over 2m to three private companies that had links with health staff, a HSE internal audit revealed. The audit found that two of the three providers had a director who was a staff member of UHL. A separate company had a HSE employee as a director, who did not work in the hospital. The auditors said there was no evidence of the employees in question being involved in the awarding of the contracts. However, the failure to conduct an open competitive procurement process over 2022 and last year was in breach of rules. Senior management from the hospital told the auditors there was no dedicated procurement function within the hospital group. Management also stated it has highlighted this issue and was engaging with the HSEs national procurement service on the matter. Geographical location of patients as well as the availability and capacity of the services to deliver were considerations. UHL, with limited access to private facilities locally, received 23.9m, University Hospital Galway got 11.1m and Tallaght University Hospital was given 4.1m. UHL accepted the findings. Separately, Galway University Hospital also breached procurement rules in one of the outsourcing services sampled by auditors. The hospital said it was a very specialist service and it could only locate one consultant to provide it. The initiative was approved for 350 patients, but due to constraints on the consultants time, a significantly lower number of patients were treated. A total of 62,000 was paid to this consultant. Micheal Martin said the money should go to housing, water and power (Gareth Chaney/PA) Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said the Apple tax money could be used to future proof key investments in housing, water and other public services. Ireland is to receive around 14 billion of back taxes from Apple as a result of a landmark ruling in the European Court of Justice last week. The judgment restored a 2016 European Commission ruling that found Ireland gave undue tax benefits to Apple, contrary to EU state aid rules. He said the 14 billion could also be used for investment in Irelands water infrastructure and the expansion of the electricity grid. "As the Minister for Finance Jack Chambers has said we are having multiple mini-apples over the last number of years because of the very significant amounts of corporation tax revenue that is coming in, Mr Martin told RTEs Morning Ireland. Today's News in 90 seconds - 17th September 2024 The Fianna Fail leader, who is leading an annual party think-in in Killiney this week, said that the money should be ringfenced for future housing development. The Apple money gives us additional capacity to say to people, if we ring-fence it for housing, or a certain proportion of it to housing, we can future proof house spending for the next five years on the capital side, or at least support the necessary investment over the next decade. We could capitalise the Land Development Agency, for example, he told RTEs Morning Ireland. So the issue will be: how do we give consistency and certainty that housing is the number one issue? Young people need houses. We need to build more, faster. On housing, the Tanaiste said the States housing targets are being revised upwards to 60,000 units annually, with last years housing targets surpassing the housing for all target of 33,000 units per year. I mean, it was 20,000 when this government started, now its close to 40,000 per annum. The targets are one thing, but we need to get to 60,000, he said. "The real issue for the next four or five years is driving on building more, he said. First Minister Michelle O'Neill blasts UK government announcements on Friday evening, including that it will not fund the redevelopment of Casement Park for the Euros, as chaotic. She was speaking to media at the Glasshouse in Stormont. Psychiatrists have called for a ban on a legal semi-synthetic drug linked to an explosion in teenagers seeking help for addiction. Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is a chemically modified version of a natural cannabinoid found in cannabis. It is currently available in vapes and edibles such as chewy sweets in Ireland and is not subject to any legal restrictions because it is not classified as a controlled substance. The Irish College of Psychiatrists is now saying it has seen a huge rise in HHC-related addiction presentations among teenagers. Dr Bobby Smyth, a specialist child and adolescent addiction psychiatrist, said: The explosion in HHC-related addiction presentations among adolescents has been extraordinary over such a short period of time. HHC was only identified in Europe for the first time two years ago. Today we estimate that HHC now features as a component part in about 20pc of all presentations to adolescent addiction services in Ireland, very often in combination with cannabis itself. He likened the legality of HHC with that of head-shop products around 15 years ago. In the short time that they bypassed the law, the products sold in head shops caused a huge amount of damage, primarily to young people. We are seeing a similar trend now with HHC, said Dr Smyth. The Governments job is simple: it must enforce the laws we currently have as sale of psychoactive drugs such as HHC and similar compounds is prohibited under the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010. This Act allows for people and businesses selling HHC to be prosecuted. Professor Colin OGara, who is also a specialist addiction psychiatrist, said: HHC has proven to be a potent cannabinoid in our clinical settings, particularly amongst young men. It is initially seen to be a harmless drug, but can have devastating effects on a young persons mental health; we have treated young men suffering from severe psychoses as a result of vaping HHC. These individuals can require months of intensive treatment in the in-patient setting. Addiction is also a worry with HHC, with some users developing compulsive use and the need to increase their intake of HHC on a regular basis. The Department of Health has indicated it is examining the issue. Red Cross staff handed the family heirloom in to police, who then kicked off a months-long hunt for the owner. The 'precious' family heirloom was found hidden in the back of a 'cheap' plastic clock donated to the Orewa Red Cross in New Zealand. Source: Google/Stuff.co.nz/Supplied An unexpected treasure found hidden in the back of a cheap, plastic clock at a Red Cross op-shop has been reunited with its rightful owner after a four-month search. The precious family heirloom was discovered in early May by staff at the New Zealand charity shop after a customer asked if the batteries worked. Much to their surprise, inside was a gold engagement ring and wedding band in what appeared to be the original ring box. I opened up the back of the clock and theres the ring case sitting in the back. So I just quickly put the ring case out the back and finished serving the customer, Orewa Red Cross general manager Maryanne Sikora told Stuff.co.nz. I had a look in them, and I realised that they were valuable rings, white gold and diamonds. So I took them down to the police station. Determined officers do some 'digging' after op-ship find Officers with the Orewa Police Station, located north of Auckland, then kicked off a search with the hope of reuniting the long-lost item with its owner. Despite posting photos of the rings on a number of Facebook and other community pages, no one came forward to claim them. We then sent them off to Gem Lab where the ring box was from, who contacted us to say they had found an identifying number as they had appraised them in 1996, Waitemata North Area Prevention Manager, Senior Sergeant Roger Small, said in a statement. After a four-month search, police were able to reunite the engagement ring and wedding band with the family of its owner. Source: NZ Police The team there were able to provide us the name of the owner and from there we did a bit of digging. Unfortunately the phone numbers for the owner were no longer in use. Determined to solve the case, police then went to great lengths to track down the owners son. After making a number of enquiries we ended up contacting the Royal New Zealand Navy as the owners son used to be a medic, they were able to provide his contact details, Senior Sergeant Small said. Family searching for rings months after mum's death After speaking with the man, it was revealed he and his siblings had been searching high and low for the rings following their mums death in November. The clock was donated to the op-shop not long after and had been sitting on the shelf for three weeks before it was picked up by the curious customer, Stuff.co.nz reports. The family were so pleased with the news the rings had been found and they have since been bequeathed to the owners daughter, Senior Sergeant Small said. Its a great feeling for our team, knowing we have helped reunite this precious item back with family. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. A local father of three has shared the story of his fight against blood cancer to help highlight the importance of supporting local medical research funded by Leukaemia and Lymphoma NI. Sam Clarke and his wife Janine are from Bangor, Co Down where they live with their children. Sam received specially approved new drug treatment after he was diagnosed with a rare type of T Cell Lymphoma in 2015. From the age of three, Sam had experienced health issues which the doctors found difficult to diagnose. He experienced a number of dermatological symptoms throughout his early years, but it wasnt until Sam was a teenager that medical teams came to the realisation that his condition was due to Lymphoma. However, at that stage the advice given was that Sam should be regularly monitored and life went on. All through my teenage years I didnt really recognise what was happening to me. I just kind of got on with life as it wasnt really affecting me day to day, said Sam. Until, ten years ago, at the age of 41, his condition became much more advanced and Sam started to show signs of weight loss and was experiencing night sweats, amongst other symptoms. Thanks to the fact that he was already being regularly monitored, the necessary tests and scans were carried out swiftly, but doctors were still struggling to pinpoint a precise diagnosis. Sam and Janine were even asked to visit Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London, as well as visiting health facilities back home in Northern Ireland, to try and figure out what version of the disease he had. It was around that time, in May 2014, said Sam, that we noticed Leukaemia and Lymphoma NI and started to read more information about blood cancer. It was something of a reassurance because the doctors were finding it very difficult to classify exactly what kind of Lymphoma we were dealing with. Other health conditions such as Crohns disease which I also have, were muddying the waters in terms of analysing the picture of my overall health. In June 2015, explained Janine, the consultants agreed they should keep Sam in hospital for an extensive three-week period to try and get to the bottom of his condition. It was only then, having undergone a PET scan, that Sam was officially diagnosed with a rare form of T Cell Lymphoma. The doctors described it as one of the worst PET scans she had ever seen. The cancer had affected his whole body, including his bones and skeletal system. It was after that, our lives really changed. Sam and Janine Clarke are from Bangor Sam received extensive drug treatment and often, whilst in hospital, he was unresponsive when Janine and other family came to visit. The doctors told me to brace myself for the worst and I was left thinking, what I am going to do if our children have to grow up without their dad? It was scary, continued Janine. The situation grew worse as it became clear that Sams body was not responding to the course of chemotherapy he was undergoing. Thankfully the health trust swiftly approved the use of a new drug for Sam, which had not been used extensively with T Cell Lymphoma patients. It was a game changer, said Sam. Very swiftly my condition started to improve. I suppose that is part of the reason why we are such great supporters of Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI. My case is clear evidence that advanced treatments can make all the difference. But without supporting world-leading medical research such as that being conducted down the road from us in Belfast, we wouldnt have these treatments. The improved response to the new drug treatment meant that the medical team helping Sam were in a position to recommend him for a Stem Cell Transplant. The transplant was designed to help consolidate my condition and give me longevity in terms of my quality of life. But none of it would have happened if I hadnt received pioneering treatment. I am extremely grateful to the doctors and nurses who cared for me, but also the research scientists working at Queens University on behalf of Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI. I would encourage everyone to go online, join in at a fundraising event or just donate what you can on the charitys website. Leukaemia and Lymphoma NI recently announced a special programme of activities to mark the 60th year of the charity and raise funds for the fight against blood cancer. Alongside this, the charity is calling for those who have experienced Leukaemia, Lymphoma or Myeloma and their loved ones to share their experiences online via the LLNI website. The photos and extended captions gathered will form part of a special online canvas where members of the public can read the stories of people affected by blood cancer across the region. LLNI will host a Black Tie & Diamonds Gala Ball at Titanic Belfast on 27th September, where the winner of an ongoing raffle for a diamond pendant necklace will be selected at random. Sam and Janine are thrilled to welcome Sam's donor, John, who will travel all the way from Portugal to join them as their special guest at the Gala Ball. Members of the public can share their stories, make a donation or buy tickets for the diamond necklace raffle on the Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI website, llni.co.uk As well as the fab food, the redesign of the ground floor in Kenmares Park Hotel is worth a visit, says our critic Youd almost need to have been living on another planet over the past few years to have missed the Brennan brothers, Francis and John, doing their thing on At Your Service, roaming the highways and byways of our little island with wheelie suitcases as they dragged dated guesthouses, hosts and hotels into the present day. After 40 years of running the Victorian mansion that is the 5-star Park Hotel in Kenmare, in 2020 they too embarked on a smart makeover of the ground floor, bringing in local boy, interior designer Bryan OSullivan who, with studios in London and New York, had done similar projects with top-notch spots like Claridges and the Berkeley hotels. Secret councillors meeting to block 500 homes being built on prime site in the capital Piece of land near UCD has been given planning permission twice The High Court has twice overturned planning permission for the south Dublin site. Photo: Collins Fionnan Sheahan Tue 17 Sep 2024 at 03:30 A private meeting will be held tonight to block 500 homes being built on prime residential land in south Dublin. James Stavridis: What a full-scale war in Middle East would actually look like, and how the West could be drawn in to conflict Ciara Kelly: Acts of abuse by trusted educators have devastating impacts reaching far beyond the boys who were the actual victims of these vile men Consumers have been warned to brace themselves for increases in their health insurance. Photo: Getty The newest round of increases in private health insurance will, as usual, be accompanied by a round of public relations engagements by representatives of the insurance industry. They will spin the same arguments they have spun forever. Equal media time is not, however, given to the fact that all Irish citizens are automatically enrolled in the greatest insurance scheme ever devised, by virtue of their Irish and EU citizenship, and not on their capacity or willingness to fund the divisive two-tier system here. The right to be treated anywhere in the EU, Norway and Switzerland, and have the cost paid by the Irish State, is the most significant development in Irish healthcare ever. Much more needs to be done to promote this health insurance scheme. Upfront payment is required, but credit unions provide interest loans to those without upfront capital. This insurance scheme doesnt have premium increases. It provides the best care, always and immediately. Lets hope it gets at least as much coverage as the private industry gets from the media, for once. Declan Doyle, Kilkenny Apples and Oranges: why not use 14bn windfall tax to fund Casement Park? Paschal Donohoe was on RTE Radio 1 on Sunday afternoon being interrogated about how the Government might finally spend the Apple tax windfall. He was also asked about the Irish Governments financial commitment to the refurbishment of Casement Park in Belfast, as the UK government has confirmed it is now unable provide its share of the funding that was previously agreed. I might be going out on a limb here, but what if we ploughed some of that Apple money into Casement Park? We could pay the UKs share as well, as a gesture of goodwill. Whats more, we could rename the stadium Apple Park. This might go some way to placate Apple executives while making it a more attractive and inclusive amenity for those of a more Orange tradition. A win-win situation. Paddy Sharkey, Hollywood, Co Wicklow Kamalas motley crew of celebrity supporters gives her the edge over Trump Kamala Harris cannot be held responsible for those who pledge their support to her, but she certainly seems to have attracted a motley crew of allies. Firstly, while on the surface, Dick Cheney and Vladimir Putin might seem an unlikely pairing, in reality they have a lot in common. Both are, in effect, war criminals. Cheney was one of the main instigators of the Iraq debacle and Putin has similar baggage. Others pushing hard for the Democrats are the military-industrial complex (they fear Trumps policy of anti-militarism and stated aim of not making America the worlds policeman), the deep state, wealthy Hollywood elites, including billionaires like Oprah Winfrey, virtually all of the media and last but not least, Taylor Swift. It really is a bizarre alliance of groups. Given the range of forces stacked against Donald Trump, if I were a betting man, I would take whatever odds I could on a Harrris victory in November. Eric Conway, Navan, Co Meath Shifting tourism focus to regional airports would be boost for entire country The Central Statistics Office recently published the figures for the number of foreign residents who visited Ireland in July, showing that the numbers increased marginally on the July 2023 figures. This increase in visitor numbers and revenue generated is to be welcomed, however, there may be a way of improving these numbers further in the years ahead by aggressively focusing on regional areas of the country. This could be achieved by encouraging more airlines to fly into our regional airports, such as Cork Shannon and Knock. This would reduce the demand on Dublin Airport, which is likely to exceed its permitted passenger numbers this year. This strategy would ensure tourism is more balanced throughout the country, benefiting local economies, and should also contribute to an enhanced experience by our visitors, which in turn would encourage more visitors to our country. Eamonn O Hara, Manorcunningham, Co Donegal Budget time a reminder that not everybody can have their cake and eat it As we approach another Budget, one is reminded of a friend reflecting on his boyhood days when money was in short supply with his family: We were so poor that on my birthday my parents would show me a picture of a cake. I would then spend the day trying to blow out the candles. Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin Our native mammals cant vote, but we can give them a voice in the next election In just a fortnight, another hare coursing season begins. Politicians, as deaf to the pleas of campaigners as they have been to the cries of screaming hares refuse to halt the cruelty or even, in many cases, to view footage of the sport filmed at numerous coursing events over the past decade. But we are also in the run-up to a general election, so I hope that all who empathise with the hares sad plight will lobby their Dail candidates on the issue. There are two compelling reasons for banning this activity. Firstly, there is the open-and-shut case against it on animal welfare grounds. Despite the muzzling of greyhounds, hares are mailed, battered and flung about like broken toys. The second reason for a ban is equally valid. The Irish hare is one of our few truly native mammals, a sub-species of the mountain hare that is unique to Ireland, a survivor of the last ice age that has, alarmingly, been in decline for the past 50 years due to habitat loss. Politicians have dodged addressing this clear-cut conservationist and animal cruelty issue due to a combination of political cowardice and a belief that theres an electoral advantage to siding with the coursers. The hare cannot vote, and coursers can, but isnt it time that politicians did what was right for our wildlife heritage, as distinct from whats politically expedient? Those of us who want to protect hares can, so lets give a voice to this gentle creature at election time, whether polling day is in November, March, or some other day in between. Our native hares deserve better than this hell-on-earth that calls itself a sport. John Fitzgerald, Callan, Co Kilkenny Ballyhoura Development Board members at the Kilbehenny Community Centre. Back row: L-R: Patricia Ryan, Amanda Slattery, Padraig Casey (CEO), Marie Healy and Michael Ryan. Front row L-R: Cllr Deirdre O'Brien, Rosemary Scanlon, Mary Laffan (chairperson), Alice Riddler, Patrick English and Cllr Ian Doyle. Ballyhoura Development CLG has launched a new LEADER programme to support local projects in North Cork. The LEADER Programme will be delivered in the Ballyhoura Development area of North Cork. It has the potential to support local and community projects across a diverse range of themes including rural tourism and recreation, enterprise development, rural food production, green economy, agricultural diversification, social, community and cooperative enterprises. Other themes include rural infrastructure, accessible services, optimising digital connectivity, rural youth, sustainable development of rural environment, climate change capacity building, climate change mitigation and adaptation. The LEADER Programme, is a community-led approach to local development that aims to promote employment, growth, gender equality, social inclusion, and sustainable development in rural areas. This initiative is part of Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Chairperson of Ballyhoura Development Mary Laffan said: For 34 years, Ballyhoura Development has successfully delivered the LEADER programme across the Ballyhoura area. We encourage our communities and businesses to engage in the programme with experienced staff to assist in developing successful projects in our rural communities of North Cork for this programme. CEO Padraig Casey said they are looking forward to supporting communities in North Cork. Community-led local development means grassroots development. The LEADER methodology is not just terminology, it is a dedicated approach to community development that is supportive, collaborative and innovative for creating solutions to community challenges, one we have honoured over three decades. We look forward to continuing to support our communities in the North Cork area through this programme, he added. Information sessions will be held across the autumn with clinics in place in both Mitchelstown and Charleville. The sessions aim to support local communities and businesses in putting forward projects for funding consideration. The first session will be held on Tuesday, September 17 from 2pm to 4pm in Mitchelstown Enterprise Centre. The second session will be held on Thursday, September 19 from 7pm to 9pm in Shanballymore Community Centre. The third session will be held on Monday, September 30 in The Old Schoolhouse, Dromina, Charleville (beside Dromina National School). The fourth session will be held on Tuesday, October 1 from 10am to 12 noon at E Charleville which is located at the Charleville Business Park. Registrations are now open. For further information about the programme view www.ballyhouradevelopment.com. People can also contact their local development officer or email leader@ballyhoura.org for any assistance. Gay Byrne speaking at the Cork Person of the Year award ceremony when Sonia OSullivan was named as the 2000 Cork Person of the Year. Picture Denis Minihane Gay Byrnes life and career will be honoured at next Januarys Cork Person of the Year awards lunch. Gays wife Kathleen Watkins and their two daughters Crona and Suzy will attend the lunch at The Metropole Hotel. They will receive presentations on stage from the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dan Boyle and the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll. Awards founder and organiser Manus OCallaghan said they are proud to honour Gay Byrne. With five years having passed since Gays passing, we are proud to honour him in our In Memoriam section of the awards, where we will also honour rock legend Rory Gallagher to mark thirty years since his passing. Mr OCallaghan continued: As there is no government backed state honours award in Ireland, like most countries, the Cork Person of the Year awards scheme has partly filled this gap since its founding over thirty years ago. Gay Byrne was a colossus of Irish broadcasting and always enjoyed particularly high ratings in Cork for his work. He also served as MC for our awards lunch in Cork back in 2000. The other honouree, Rory Gallagher, was Ireland's first international rock star and led the way for others to follow such as U2, he added. The Gala Awards Lunch is set to take place on Friday, January 24 in 2025 and amongst the other awards presented will be the Cork Person(s) of the Year. The fundraiser will begin at the school at 1pm on Sunday, September 29 Charleville will be the start place of a charity motorbike run that will see riders traverse north Cork and beyond in aid of the local Holy Family Special School later this month. The fundraising run, which will begin at the Holy Family at 1pm on Sunday, September 29, is aimed at raising money for a much-needed outdoor semi-covered play area at the school. The structure is already complete and funds raised will go towards furnishing it with equipment. The motorbike run will pass through Charleville, Newcastlewest, Abbeyfeale, Mallow and Buttevant, where bucket collections will be put in place. Everyone is being encouraged to come out and show their support for the school as the bikers pass through their locality. Donations to the school can be made by visiting the link www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/holyfamilyschoolc26 Both pedestrians and drivers would be safer, and the city would be more attractive to visitors if we lowered speed limits to 30km/h, Bicycle NSW CEO argues. Peter McLean from Bicycle NSW says speed limits of 30km/h around the Sydney metro area will save lives and bring new vibrancy to the city. Source: Getty/Manly Observer/Alec Smart Calls are again mounting on governments to reduce speed limits in densely populated urban areas, which advocates say will not only save lives and reduce the rate of road trauma, but also make shared spaces more attractive to pedestrians and travellers. In July, the City of Sydney announced speed limits on all metro streets would be reduced to a maximum of 40 kilometres per hour. In some places, including in the CBD, in village centres and on streets with high levels of pedestrian activity, the City recommends people drive at just 30 km/h, pushing the state government to implement formal restrictions. It's a trend that's been taking place in several councils around Sydney, including recently in the Inner West and in Mosman on the city's Lower North Shore. While some people were critical of these changes, they come amid a concerning increase in road deaths in Australia in 2023, with the last 12 months branded the "deadliest" on our roads in a decade. With this in mind, Peter McLean, CEO at Bicycle NSW, said the logical next step is set uniform speed limits around the Sydney metro area. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, McLean said there are many reasons we should be looking at lowering limits the obvious and most important being safety, including that of cyclists but there are also a whole host of other arguments to be made. Recently, the City of Sydney introduced default limits of 40km/h, following similar decisions in the Inner West and on the North Shore. Source: City of Sydney "There's a direct relationship between reducing speed limits by 10 kilometres and reduced fatalities," he told Yahoo. "In those dense urban environments, certainly a 30km/h speed limit has proven to be very, very safe, effective and efficient, for a number of reasons." Reduced limits lower likelihood of serious crashes, deaths According to a NSW Centre for Road Safety study, when a person is hit by a car travelling at 30km/h, they have a 90 per cent chance of survival. But when you increase the limit to 40km/h, that rate drops to 60 per cent. At 50km/h, the current default speed limit for residential streets throughout most of NSW, only 10 per cent survive, the research found. Research on the topic has been conducted all over the world, with similar results being found, particularly in Europe, where hundreds of cities now have widespread 30 km/h speed limits. London, Paris, Brussels, Edinburgh and Zurich are among the cities that have reduced limits down to 30km/h in the last few years, McLean noted, adding that plans are underway for Japan to follow suit by 2026. 'City vibrancy' stands to be improved, too McLean said lowering speed limits would also decrease noise to residents living near roads, because "travelling at high speeds makes more noise pollution in general", and a lower limit would also create a more pleasant experience for those on foot, namely visitors to the state. "We're trying to make our city more vibrant, more more friendly to tourists, more friendly to pedestrians more interactive for more types of people," he said. "So if that's our real goal, then absolutely [a uniform 30 km/h] is the gold standard. "It's far less to do with bicycle riders and it's far more to do with pedestrians. It's far more to do with tourists. It's far more to do with our other passive city users. That's really where the argument is." Speed limits should be evidence based, NRMA argues However, several people feel implementing 30km/h zones throughout Sydney is a step too far. NSW Premier Chris Minns told reporters in July Australia's most populous city shouldn't be treated as if it were a country town. "You could walk quicker than that," he said. "It's got broader obligations than just those people that live and pay rates within its boundaries... it's a major international city." An NRMA spokesperson told Yahoo News in July it does not support arbitrary cutting of speed limits across council areas. "Speed limits should be evidence-based regardless of whether it is increased or decreased," the spokesperson said. "It should be based on the performance of individual roads and factors such as traffic volumes, crash history and engineering. Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolau expressed concern lower speed limits could affect businesses, SBS reported. "Unreasonably low speed limits run the risk of stifling the commercial life of the city, which is already struggling to recover," he said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. No injuries were reported and fire officers quickly got the blaze under control. Gardai at the scene of protests in Coolock, Dublin, last month. Photo: Colin Keegan/Collins Photos The former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, north Dublin, which was at the centre of a protest over plans to redevelop it to house asylum seekers (Niall Carson/PA) Gardai have launched an investigation after a site earmarked to asylum seekers in Coolock was set on fire last night. Dublin Fire Brigade rushed to the scene in North Dublin shortly after 10.15pm after being alerted to the fire by locals. Last nights blaze is the sixth time the former Crown Paints factory has been set on fire in recent months. The site, on the Malahide Road, has been the focus of major protests and has seen some protestors involved in major clashes with gardai. No injuries were reported in last nights incident and fire officers quickly got the blaze under control. A garda spokesman said they have launched an investigation into the fire. He said: Gardai and Dublin Fire Brigade attended a fire at a premises on the Malahide Road, Coolock, Dublin 17 on Monday, 16th September 2024. The incident occurred at around 10.15pm and the fire was brought under control by fire services. No injuries were reported. Investigations ongoing. In July, the ex-Crown Paints factory was set alight four times in the space of just four days. The fires were started after protestors were involved in running battles with gardai. The Public Order Unit was deployed on several occasions as protests turned violent at the site earmarked to house asylum seekers. The government have previously said they plan to house up to 500 international protection applicants in the former factory in Coolock. For months, groups of protestors have camped outside the site and have held a number of demonstrations condemning the plan to house asylum seekers in the building. The former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, north Dublin, which was at the centre of a protest over plans to redevelop it to house asylum seekers (Niall Carson/PA) Taoiseach Simon Harris has previously defended the actions of Gardai and hit out at those engaging in anti-social behaviour in Coolock Speaking at the MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Co Donegal, Mr Harris admitted the Government must do a better job at consulting communities over migration. He said: Shame on every single one of those people who try to divide our country or our community because that is not us. When you saw those scenes in Coolock, the way my brain works is that I think of the man or woman who got up that morning and kissed their kids goodbye, put on their Garda uniform and then had people throw bricks at them. But what warmed by heart was the local community calling them out. This is not Coolock, this is not Ireland. This is not who we are. Lifeguard calls for funding to address urgent safety issues and lack of amenities for northside A lifeguard said Dollymount strand was left without access to a defibrillator for four weeks this summer A Dublin community has been left frustrated about what it says is a lack of investment in swimmer amenities and infrastructure on the north side of the city. A petition has been launched by locals around Clontarf, Dollymount strand and the Bull Wall in a bid to prompt action on the urgent safety issues and amenity improvements needed for Dublin sea swimmers. Aaron Foley, who is a lifeguard in the area, argues that the southside gets significantly more funding for swimmer amenities and infrastructure much to the despair of those on the northside. Our health and well-being are important were not getting the lovely facilities that are on the southside of the city and people are genuinely upset with this, he told the Irish Independent. If you go around the south of the city, you'll see that the local authority taxes are being used to basically rebuild the Forty Foot, Seapoint has been completely refurbished, and Dun Laoghaire has been done up. These facilities are great amenities for the city, but nothing has happened in north Dublin. We havent even got a public toilet on the beach. Theres no toilet on the full length of the Bull Wall. On the other side of the city theyre encouraging swimming and providing beautiful facilities "All the safety ladders have rusted off the walls. They're very important because every year we get at least two people stuck along that stretch of wall. If theres a current there and theyre new to the area, they start to swim with the current, they get swept along the wall and there's nowhere to get out. Last year, they spent a lot of money on putting signposts along Bull Island saying its not a designated swimming area. But on the other side of the city theyre encouraging swimming and providing beautiful facilities. Were getting nothing. All we get is our bins changed and a few potholes filled in. Lifeguard Aaron Foley highlighted safety issues for sea swimmers on Dublin's northside Mr Foley highlighted safety issues for those who choose to engage in leisure activities on the northside. People have a misconception of lifeguards, that theyre just for people drowning. Dublin City Council treats it as if we're down here on holidays. "Theyve become so lax over the last couple of years that theyve let the serious safety issues creep in, he added. On a hot weekend, were dealing with 7,000 to 10,000 people. If we get a hot month, wed get a crowd as big as Croke Park. For a large portion of this year, we had only one lifeguard on the entire Bull Island. We didn't get a defibrillator until July 27 about eight weeks late Thats a shocking number having only one person dealing with all the people on a hot day. There could be 300 people in the water and all the people walking up and down. Weve had five in-water rescues this year on Dollymount, including Bull Island. Weve also dealt with two heart attacks. There are safety issues. "Dublin City Council didnt issue us with defibrillators for the first four weeks on Bull Wall and the station in the middle of the beach. We didnt get a defibrillator until July 27 about eight weeks late. An ambulance cant come out to the beach. They can't risk getting stranded on the sandy beach, so someone who needs an ambulance needs to be transported by one of our quads. Theyre as important as an ambulance because we have to transport people who have had heart attacks, sprained ankles, broken bones, all these things. But a quad bike was left with a flat tyre for two weeks and we had a broken winch on the boat we havent been able to launch it at all this year. Dublin City Council has been contacted for comment. Commemorative event planned prior to the start of works at the historic site It was an emotional Sunday in Galway as hundreds of people gathered in Tuam to remember the 796 children and babies believed to have died while resident of the Tuam Mother and Baby Home as part of the last annual initiative before site works begin. On Sunday, September 15, a small relay of 14 walkers carried a lantern from Jacks Old Cottage in Islandeady, near Castlebar in County Mayo, to Tuam in County Galway in a journey that took over 12 hours and about 62 km. The lantern called the little light of love was placed at the babies remembrance site, and the childrens names were read by 17 people out of the last 17 pages of Catherine Corlesss book in front of hundreds of people. Also, the Chapel Street Gospel Choir under the direction of Kathy Fahey sang Disney songs. Valerie Jennings, founder of the initiative, told the Irish Independent it was a very emotional day: It was full of emotion, it was beautiful, the choir were amazing, and people standing with their candles, very emotional, very beautiful, and happy were happy that they are going to be taken out now and yet very sad. It was every emotion actually. When you call out somebodys name, you remember them, youre giving life to that person. The only ones who knew they were alive were their mothers and the nuns that were there. Who else would have known? So many of these little children have nobody. So to remember their names is very important, and thats what its about for us. Historian Catherine Corless, who was the first to uncover that hundreds of babies were unnaccounted for at the Tuam site and that some of them were buried in a septic tank, was also at the event. Valerie added: Catherine was very emotional and very humbled by the event, and to hear the choir. Catherine is a beacon for these children, a huge light. It was very important for us to name the babies, because that is whats all about, and to think of their mothers, but very much to give Catherine Corless appreciation because without her none of us would have known the babies names and definitely without her [the remains of] these little children would not be exhumed next year. This was the fifth time Valerie, who lives in Islandeady, has organised the event as she explained that everything started in 2020. She said: During Covid it was all about Repeal the Seal and all this was going on and, I heard about the little babies in Tuam at the Mother and Baby institution, so I sat one evening and I read all their names and I just cried my eyes out. Valerie then had the idea to bring a bit of light through all the darkness to remember the almost 800 children, and the entire community quickly got on board. She said: I got to a local station and said we were looking for people who could walk along the route because we knew people had to stay within their 5km because of Covid. And people were coming back to me saying they would love to get involved and slowly but surely we got there and we had our own group. The lantern relay started from Jacks Old Cottage here in Islandeady, its a lovely old building, and Joe Moylette, the man who owns it, actually gifted us a lantern from the house, its an old lantern, it meant a lot. Valerie added: We were leaving from there because so many of these poor mothers were taken out of homes like that to be brought up to Tuam. The road we did the walk on, so many of these Mayo ladies went on that road to go there and have their babies. And none of them left with their babies. A total of 36 people answered Valeries appeal in 2020 and brought the lantern while sanitizing it before passing it to the following person to Tuam. We had 36 walkers for the 36 years and each walker said a year of names and their age. Follow Independent Galway on Facebook And we got to Tuam. We left the lantern there, it was left for the year. My sister in law Maria in Tuam used to go to the site and change the batteries so the light was always shining. Youre standing on the site wondering are you actually standing over their remains. Its very emotional. Its very hard to believe that they were discarded its what they were, they werent buried. From 2020, initiatives to remember the Tuam babies took place annually, with more and more people participating every year. Yesterdays event was the last year the initiative took place in Tuam before works to exhume the Tuam babies begins in February 2025, as is expected. Valerie added she hoped that the babies can be identified and brought back to their families. It would be beautiful for the babies to be able to come back to their own counties, where they belong. Hopefully a lot of them will be given back to their families. We had family members yesterday reading out names and it would just tear at your heart to hear a cousins name or an uncles name, to hear my cousin for instance being called out. An online fundraiser set up to help cover both the travel and medical costs of a three-year-old Tralee girl who was recently diagnosed with leukemia has raised a whopping 27k in just three days. Hannah Murphy (3) is the daughter of Corks Craig Murphy and Tralee native Tracey Murphy with the family residing in Tralee. The fundraiser was set up by friends of both Craig and Hannah to, in their own words support them during this unimaginably difficult time after their world was turned upside down with Hannahs unexpected diagnosis. Described as a bright, joyful little girl who who has brought so much love and light into the lives of everyone who knows her, she will need to endure a difficult road ahead as she faces travelling from their home in Kerry to Dublin once a week for the foreseeable future to receive life-saving treatment. Her parents, Craig and Tracey, are doing everything they can to support Hannah through this, but the emotional and financial toll of weekly overnight trips to Dublin, time away from work, and the ongoing medical expenses are immense. "As they focus on caring for their daughter, we want to ease some of their burdens by helping to cover travel expenses, lost income, and any additional costs that arise as they navigate this new reality, the fundraiser continued. Craig and Tracey, posting on the fundraising page on Sunday, expressed their sincerest thanks and gratitude for everyones support, kind words and generous donations. We are truly overwhelmed. Words cannot express how grateful and humbled we are. Hannah's diagnosis came as a great shock to us. However, the staff at Crumlin, Tralee General Hospital, along with our family and friends have made this difficult road somewhat easier, they said. "I am very lucky to have such an amazing group of friends. In a time of need, they rallied together and set this GoFundMe up on our behalf. Our families have been a constant day to day support and we are equally grateful to have them in our lives also," said Craig. "Hannah is the most amazing little girl. She is our world and as you can imagine, it is difficult to see the effects that this illness has had on her. But Hannah is tough, strong, independent and above all, a fighter. She will come out of this on the right side and will beat this illness. We'll be with her every step of the way, and we look forward to better days ahead. Thank you all once again, Craig and Tracey added. At the time of writing, the fundraiser currently sits at 27,375 raised and this is likely to rise even further in the days to come. Anyone wishing to donate can do so through the link here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-3yearold-hannah-fight-leukemia?qid=bd83e2ffc9b34eac6fbe74134c1580b7 The sixth annual Listowel Storytelling Festival is set to kick off this coming Thursday, September 19 and will run until Sunday, September 22. The event, coupled with the annual Culture Night that takes place on September 20, will see Listowel transform into the cultural heartbeat of North Kerry, offering a vibrant array of events that honour and celebrate the region's rich heritage and traditions. Over the course of the few days of the festival, there will be rich schedule of performances, workshops, story swaps, art exhibitions, lectures and music sessions to keep people of all ages well and truly entertained. This festival is described by organisers as a unique opportunity to experience Kerrys storytelling prowess alongside invited guests, celebrating the universal power of oral traditions. Events kick off on Thursday September 19 with a biodiversity walk along the River Feale followed by the launch of two art exhibitions by Listowel Visual Artists Collective members Godfrey Coppinger and Jean McNamara. Speaking to The Kerryman this week, Cara Trant from the Kerry Writers Museum gave a run down of what people can expect from this years festival. "Its a celebration of the great old tradition of storytelling and cultural traditions of both Kerry and the wider region. We have invited guests as well so we get to hear stories being shared from different parts of the Ireland and the world. It's a festival where we celebrate a broader definition of storytelling. We consider it [storytelling] a broad term. Theres storytelling music, poetry, song and because of this, we have various arts events on over the weekend, she said. "Our guest storytellers this year are people like Shane Ibbs, who is a UK based storyteller. He has performed all over the world but I think that this will be his first time performing on an Irish stage. Another performer will be Maria Gillen and she'll be a returning act. Shes from Cork and has been a great supporter of our festival here and just a fantastic storyteller as well. "One of the big shows that we will have on Saturday night is Pakie OCallaghan. Hea Cork man and he has developed a one-man show celebrating the stories of the great Kerry seanchai Eamon Kelly. That is on in St Johns Theatre on Saturday night and it should be a wonderful occasion. From Dublin then, we have Mary Kate OFlanagan. She is one of the new storytellers on the block but she has developed a one-woman show called Making a Show of Myself' and again, this should be amazing, Cara continued. Younger audience will be able to enjoy the ever-popular Childrens Storytime and new to this years programme is Clan Life Living History Display from The Last Prince storytellers. The weekend will also feature a series of lectures on local folklore by Tom Dillon and Ciaran Walsh and a special lecture by Owen McMahon on Listowel Drama Group to mark the 80th anniversary of the groups establishment. Poets Gabriel Fitzmaurice and Paddy Bushe will also be launching new books at the festival. Kerry Writers Museum added that they would like to thank the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media; Kerry County Council and Failte Ireland for their support of the 2024 festival. Dignity4Patients who represent the victims of serial abuser and disgraced ex-surgeon, Michael Shine have met with the Labour Party leader and local TD, Ged Nash at Leinster House, to discuss its call for a Commission of Inquiry into Shines crimes. Labour Party Leader Ivana Bacik TD and her local colleague Deputy Ged Nash pledged to include a commitment to a Commission of Inquiry into the actions and conduct of convicted paedophile Michael Shine, in the partys forthcoming general election manifesto. The pledge comes as the Labour delegation met with victims and survivors who are members of the Dignity4Support group, in Leinster House. After the meeting, Labour leader Ivana Bacik TD and her Louth colleague Ged Nash TD said; We want to thank victims and survivors and the Dignity4Patients group for meeting with us today, we deeply appreciated their engagement with us. It was important to hear directly from the men who met with us about their terrible experiences of abuse, perpetrated by one of Irelands most prolific abusers. "It was also important to hear about the way in which the victims and survivors have had multiple experiences of being failed by different State institutions. "These successive failures have meant that justice continues to be denied to the countless men who have suffered abuse perpetrated by Michael Shine. In a joint statemtnt, the Labour TDs said: The principle of equality of treatment requires the establishment of a Commission of Investigation into the actions of Michael Shine. In particular, the circumstances under which he was allowed to abuse boys and young men over many decades, with impunity, must be investigated. Labour is fully committed to the establishment of a Commission of Investigation and this commitment will be included in our general election manifesto. We want to see the next government undertake such a statutory Commission as a matter of urgency. St Marys Secondary School, Edenderry, will be among the first to offer the new Leaving Certificate subject of Climate Action and Sustainable Development in 2025/26 St Marys Secondary School in Edenderry is among the selected phase one schools which will be the first to offer the new Leaving Certificate subject of Climate Action and Sustainable Development from the start of the 2025/26 school year. Follow Independent Offaly on Facebook Among the schools participating in phase one, 57 post-primary schools have been selected to introduce Leaving Certificate Drama, Film and Theatre Studies from the start of the 2025/26 school year. In addition, 43 schools have been selected for Leaving Certificate Climate Action and Sustainable Development, Minister for Education Norma Foley TD announced on Monday, September 16. As the school principal, I am very proud to see St Marys leading the way with this new course, said Emmet McDonnell. This makes St Mary's one of the pioneering schools in Ireland to offer this subject, which is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to address pressing environmental issues and promote sustainable development. Implementing a curriculum on Climate Action and Sustainable Development is a significant step towards educating and empowering students to tackle global challenges. The announcement marks an important moment in the senior cycle redevelopment programme and the Ministers vision for a senior cycle that provides young people with an opportunity to study a range of subjects that align with their talents and passions, said a spokesperson. Minister Foley said: It was fantastic to see a strong level of interest from schools of all types in Offaly and across the country in taking part in this first phase of delivering the new Leaving Certificate subjects of Drama, Film and Theatre Studies and Climate Action and Sustainable Development. These subjects are being introduced to provide greater choice for students to better reflect their range of interests and support the development of a wider range of talents and skills. I am pleased to announce that St Marys Secondary School, Edenderry, will be among the first to offer the new Leaving Certificate subject of Climate Action and Sustainable Development in 2025/26. The applications received demonstrated the extraordinary talent, qualifications, experience, and commitment by teachers in schools across Ireland interested in introducing these two new subjects to their students. The level and variety of current subject provision in the selected schools and the enthusiasm shown by their school leaders, teachers, students and school communities was nothing short of exemplary and I have every confidence that the rollout of both subjects will be a success. I am most pleased for the students in the 100 post primary schools across the country who will experience either Drama, Film and Theatre Studies or Climate Action and Sustainable Development at Senior Cycle in this initial phase and who will have the opportunity to develop their interests, strengths and talents in these areas. Teachers in the selected schools will begin working with Oide, the teacher support service, this school year, a year in advance of teaching the subject. All selected Phase One schools will be provided with the necessary resources to establish new subject departments in their schools and to support the teaching and learning of the subject from the start of the 2025/26 school year. Drama, Film and Theatre Studies will promote and encourage creativity as a basis for learning through immersive experiences. Students will have the opportunity to cultivate informed thinking through learning supported by creative and critical processes. Climate Action and Sustainable Development will develop students capacity for informed and meaningful action for a just and sustainable world as they engage with key sustainability challenges including the climate crisis. Students will be empowered to build their understanding of a number of interconnected core concepts and principles related to climate action and sustainable development. Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has announced that three Sligo schools are among the selected Phase One Schools which will be the first to offer the new Leaving Certificate subjects of Drama, Film and Theatre Studies and Climate Action and Sustainable Development from the start of the 2025/26 school year. 57 post-primary schools have been selected to introduce Leaving Certificate Drama, Film and Theatre Studies from the start of the 2025/26 school year including Mercy College, Sligo. In addition, 43 schools have been selected for Leaving Certificate Climate Action and Sustainable Development. These include Summerhill College and Sligo Grammar School. Minister Foley said: It was fantastic to see a strong level of interest from schools of all types in Sligo and across the country in taking part in this first phase of delivering the new Leaving Certificate subjects of Drama, Film and Theatre Studies and Climate Action and Sustainable Development. These subjects are being introduced to provide greater choice for students to better reflect their range of interests and support the development of a wider range of talents and skills, she said. The applications received demonstrated the extraordinary talent, qualifications, experience, and commitment by teachers in schools across Ireland interested in introducing these two new subjects to their students. The level and variety of current subject provision in the selected schools and the enthusiasm shown by their school leaders, teachers, students and school communities was nothing short of exemplary and I have every confidence that the rollout of both subjects will be a success. "I am most pleased for the students in the 100 post primary schools across the country who will experience either Drama, Film and Theatre Studies or Climate Action and Sustainable Development at Senior Cycle in this initial phase and who will have the opportunity to develop their interests, strengths and talents in these areas. Teachers in the selected schools will begin working with Oide, the teacher support service, this school year, a year in advance of teaching the subject. All selected Phase One schools will be provided with the necessary resources to establish new subject departments in their schools and to support the teaching and learning of the subject from the start of the 2025/26 school year. Drama, Film and Theatre Studies will promote and encourage creativity as a basis for learning through immersive experiences. Students will have the opportunity to cultivate informed thinking through learning supported by creative and critical processes. Climate Action and Sustainable Development will develop students capacity for informed and meaningful action for a just and sustainable world as they engage with key sustainability challenges including the climate crisis. Students will be empowered to build their understanding of a number of interconnected core concepts and principles related to climate action and sustainable development. Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Achonry and President of the United Irish Pilgrimages to Lourdes. During September and October the relics of Saint Bernadette will journey on pilgrimage for the very first time to each of the 26 dioceses on the island of Ireland, including St Aidans Cathedral in Enniscorthy. The International Marian Shrine at Lourdes has always had a special place in the hearts of Irish people with countless Irish pilgrims having made the journey to the shrine for the last 166 years since the apparitions of Our Lady to Saint Bernadette in 1858. This year the people of Wexford will have the opportunity to welcome the spirit of Lourdes and Saint Bernadette to a local church in their own home diocese. On Tuesday September 3, a special ceremony was held at the grotto in Lourdes, where the holy relics of Saint Bernadette were entrusted to Bishop Kevin Doran who, along with parishioners of the Diocese of Elphin, was on pilgrimage in Lourdes. The Elphin Pilgrimage will bring the relics home with them to begin the pilgrimage around Ireland, beginning in Galway Cathedral on September 5. Bishop Doran said this is a unique opportunity for people unable to travel to Lourdes, to experience a part of the pilgrimage in their local area. "There is a well established tradition of people bringing religious objects home from Lourdes, to share with family members and friends. This year, we have the unique privilege of bringing home the relics of Saint Bernadette. Many people are unable to travel on pilgrimage to Lourdes, but this year Lourdes will come to them, as the Relics of Saint Bernadette make their way around Ireland, he said. Wexford residents will be able to see the relics with their own eyes in St Aidans Cathedral in Enniscorthy on September 23 and 24. The full schedule for the Ireland tour is readily available on the Saint Bernadette official website. Welcoming the visit of the relics, Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin said: The pilgrimage around Ireland of Saint Bernadettes relics will be a source of hope, great joy and inspiration, especially for the many people of Ireland who have travelled to Lourdes over the years and for the dedicated groups across the island who work all year round to plan pilgrimages at parish and diocesan level, he said. "Of course Lourdes is synonymous with care and love for sick and disabled persons and it is a special sanctuary for those who struggle with worries or decisions of one kind or another, he added. During their visit, there will be opportunities to venerate the relics privately as well as by participating in liturgies reminiscent of the Lourdes pilgrimage experience. The intention is to bring Lourdes to the faithful, especially those who may not have the ability to go to Lourdes in person. It is in the music, prayer, processions and gestures that this unique spirit will be shared. Having played at the very first New Ross Piano Festival 18 years ago, Belfast-native Michael McHale returns to this years event. Established himself as one of Irelands leading pianists, Michael has developed a busy international career as a solo recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician. He has performed and recorded as a soloist with the Minnesota and Halle Orchestras, the Moscow, Bournemouth, Jacksonville, Fort Smith, BBC and London Symphony Orchestras, City of London Sinfonia, London Mozart Players and all five of the major Irish orchestras. In addition, he has performed at the Tanglewood, BBC Proms and Tokyo Spring Festivals, Barbican, Cadogan Hall and Southbank Centre, London, Berlin Konzerthaus, Lincoln Center, New York, Symphony Hall, Boston, Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, and made regular appearances at Wigmore Hall, London as a founding member of the Wigmore Soloists. Michaels debut solo album The Irish Piano was released in 2012 by RTE Lyric FM and selected as CD of the Week by the critic Norman Lebrecht. More recent solo releases include Schubert: Four Impromptus on Ergodos, Irish Piano Concertos on RTE Lyric FM, Miniatures and Modulations on Grand Piano and the Strauss 'Burleske' on Chandos. Recent releases include a recording of Richard Rodney Bennett's Piano Concerto with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and conductor John Wilson for Chandos and Clarinet Trios for BIS. Winner of the Terence Judd/Halle Award in 2009, Michael was also awarded the Brennan and Field Prizes at the 2006 AXA Dublin International Piano Competition, the 2005 Camerata Ireland/Accenture Award, and in 2016 a major individual award from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. He studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Cambridge University and the Royal Academy of Music, and his teachers and mentors include John OConor, Reamonn Keary, Christopher Elton, Ronan OHora and Barry Douglas. In 2017 Michael was invited to become a patron of the Ulster Youth Orchestra, and in 2018 he was appointed lecturer in piano for undergraduate and postgraduate students at the MTU Cork School of Music. In 2023 he was appointed an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music. "He is a very busy man, and we are delighted to welcome him again to New Ross, said festival director Connie Tantrum. This year the committee has requested that he return to perform a programme of familiar tunes, aimed at people unused to going to classical concerts. So there will be well-known Irish melodies, a little Chopin, and some American jazz standards. Its very different from the performances he now gives all over the world, both solo and with orchestras, and should be fun and most enjoyable. Also performing at the festival, which takes place from September 25-29, is former first prize winner at the Leeds Piano Competition, Sofya Gulyak. Sofya plays all over the world, and has performed with many of the renowned orchestras and conductors. Her programmes are always reviewed in glowing terms. In past and recent years she has been on the faculty of the Royal College of Music in London, Kazan State Conservatory, and Monteverdi Conservatory of Bolzano, said Connie. As well as a Leeds winner, there will be a Dublin Piano Competition winner, the young Japanese pianist, Yukine Kuroki. She has won numerous prestigious competitions including the Liszt Utrecht and third prize at the Rubinstein Competition (2023) and has performed at world-renowned venues such as Concertgebouw Amsterdam and with leading orchestras, including the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. Her upcoming season includes debuts at Carnegie Hall and Wigmore Hall. We are delighted to have these two formidable female pianists at the festival, said Connie. They will be joined by two equally formidable UK giants of the piano, Paul Lewis and Steven Osborne, both of whom performed at the 2024 Proms in London to huge acclaim. In fact Steven Osborne featured on a recent BBC programme. He was one of the five highlights of this years ninety Prom concerts, playing Rhapsody in Blue. He will be appearing three times during the festival once in a duet with Paul Lewis, once giving a masterclass and once on Sunday afternoon. The full programme can be seen on the website, www.newrosspianofestival.com The NSW government is cracking down on the controversial parking system many Sydney councils have implemented. A handful of NSW council areas adopted the ticketless parking fine system which has so far generated roughly $158 million in revenue. Source: Nine/Sunrise The state government is cracking down on stubborn councils still issuing ticketless parking fines across NSW, a scheme which has long been slammed as being unfair and greedy. Despite previous warnings to several major councils around Sydney, it seems many have still been using the system which is costing drivers millions. The Minns government on Tuesday announced it will formally take action against the controversial ticketing system which has generated millions in revenue for Sydney councils. The move follows a 49 per cent year-on-year surge in ticketless parking fines being issued in NSW in the 2023-24 financial year, as revealed by the state government in August. Councils issued 822,310 ticketless parking fines in 2023-24. Total ticketless parking fine revenue also surged to $158 million in 2023-24, up 54 per cent on the year prior. Concerns raised over ticketless parking fine system Instead of leaving a physical infringement notice on windscreens, the "invisible" ticketless system allows parking officers to "send details of a fine directly to Revenue NSW which then sends an infringement notice by post or the Service NSW app" to the motorist. But opponents to the ticketless system have raised concerns about drivers being unable to contest infringement notices which often don't turn up until days or weeks later. Because drivers don't immediately know they've received a parking ticket, they are unable to gather potential evidence to dispute the charge. There is also less of a deterrent as drivers could conceivably rack up multiple fines before realising they had been charged. State government bans controversial ticketing system On Tuesday, the Minns government announced legislation will be introduced this month to put a stop to the unfair system once and for all. It will require councils to attach an on-the-spot notification to a vehicle in the form of a traditional ticket or sticker, or a short description of the offence and notice that a fine will be sent to them. Parking rangers will also need to take photos of the offence as proof of the illegal parking act, and the process for challenging fines will be streamlined The ticketless system means on-the-spot fines aren't being issued to drivers, so many aren't aware they'd received a fine until weeks later. Source: Northern Beaches Council/Facebook Councils warned to reconsider ticketless parking system NSW Finance Minister Courtney Houssos first wrote a letter to all 128 local councils in March to halt the further adoption of ticketless parking fines, and encourage changes to the scheme after a surge in revenue was noticed. At the time, roughly 40 councils had already made the switch to a ticketless system. The current implementation of the ticketless parking system has eroded trust in [the] parking fine system, she wrote. "Providing immediate notification to drivers is the right thing to do." She warned that if "councils arent willing to provide a common-sense fix, the NSW Government will step in". She said the aim was to "ensure the ticketless parking fine system meets community expectations". But those councils currently using the ticketless system refused, saying it was paramount to the safety of parking rangers. New legislation as 'drivers deserve better' Addressing the new legislation, Houssos said this week, "setting new, higher standards for parking fines, including rules about invalidating unfair fines, is the right thing to do and goes a long way to re-building community trust. "No one ever likes to get a parking fine, but the idea you only find out about a fine weeks later doesnt pass the common sense test. "Frustration among drivers and community members about the ticketless parking system is high and thats fair enough. The ticketless parking fine system was introduced by the previous government without regard for the impact on drivers and families." Premier Chris Minns said "drivers deserve better than the current system" and that "too many motorists have driven off with no idea they might be liable for a parking fine." "This system was introduced by the former government without enough protections for drivers. Were fixing that." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Over 60 people ventured out into an unseasonably chilly Sunday morning to take part in the Swim for Jigsaw, which took place on Bray beach at 9.30am on September 15. From the 14 hubs Jigsaw has in Ireland, Wicklow is one of the newest and the real motivation behind the second Jigsaw swim in Bray was to bring young people, and those who are in positions of influence in the community, outdoors to integrate. It was a way for people to meet and greet as well as join in the fun of a dip, and was organised by the youth community engagement worker at Jigsaw Wicklow, Adam Burke. B7 B7 "We had over 60 people 'take the plunge' and bear the cold water for Swim for Jigsaw and even more people again cheering on from the sidelines on a morning that was full of really valuable community support and networking and really vital fundraising for youth mental health, Adam said. With the unwavering support of Catalyst, we were able to provide food, drinks, music, short group warm-up activities and an amazing post-swim social event for well over 100 people. "And we had at least 30 community clubs, groups and organisations represented and networking to better connect our services across the community, he added. The swim was overseen by volunteers from the Order of Malta and a crew of local lifeguards led out by Gordon Leonard, and Adam said swimmers dipped for about 15 minutes before joining the post-swim social, where some went so far as to get mental health-themed tattoos to commemorate the experience and their own advocacy for youth mental health, beautifully designed by Vic Levins, our tattoo artist on the day. With plenty of Jigsaw staff from hubs across the country and from our national office in Dublin on hand, and our Jigsaw youth advocates at the heart of the event, it really was a fantastic team effort exceeding all of our ambitions, he added. Jigsaw Wicklow and Jigsaw Dublin South West would like to extend our sincerest thanks to everyone across both of our communities, who came together on the day and braved the elements for Swim for Jigsaw. We have no doubt you have had a huge impact on young people's mental health and we look forward to connecting with you all again in the near future," Adam concluded. You can continue to donate to Jigsaws fundraising efforts at: idonate.ie/event/swimforjigsaw24 Bray Jazz Festival presents a double bill programme for Culture Night in 2024, showcasing two Ireland-based groups whose distinct musical references include traditional Irish music, electronics, folk, bluegrass and even the ancient folk music of Persia. The presentation takes place at St Saviour's Church in Rathdrum on Friday, September 20, and will feature the Belfast-based Coras Trio and Dublin-based Irish-Iranian four-piece Nava. Coras Trio are leading lights in a fresh wave of Irish musicians exploring links between the ancient and the 21st century, and their music is steeped in free improv, electronic music, and trad. Nava are a group that comprises Irish folk and bluegrass musicians who have teamed up with two Iranian brothers to explore and celebrate the ancient musical cultures of Ireland and Persia. Notably, both groups have represented Ireland at WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo) , bringing their unique and distinct visions of cultural cross-pollination to life at the celebrated UK world music festival. This year's gig is the third time that Bray Jazz has taken to the hills to celebrate Culture Night, and the third time they have brought a programme of live jazz to St Saviour's in Rathdrum. The show is free to attend and will take place from 8pm on the night. Former Derry GAA star and RTE pundit Joe Brolly has welcomed a baby daughter with his wife, Laurita Blewitt, describing the event as close to paradise. Brolly (55) married podcaster Blewitt, a relative of US president Joe Biden, two years ago and their daughter arrived at the weekend. Speaking on the Free State podcast, which he hosts with journalist Dion Fanning, Brolly who also writes a sports column for the Sunday Independent said it was an emergency birth, but both mother and baby are doing well. He said the moments after the birth when he held his baby was as close to paradise as any human being can get. You sit there with the baby in your arms for three or four hours and it is as close to paradise I think as a human being can get, if you are in the right situation, with the right person, said Brolly. Its something that takes you out of yourself and gives you a sense of peace and joy that is hard to communicate with anyone who hasnt had that. At one point it got very scary and became an emergency and they couldnt get the baby out. It was a huge collection of doctors and anaesthetists then in the theatre, he said. Whenever I went in, it looked like the first scene of Childbirth: the Musical and me being me, the fear and all that, I cracked a joke which went down like a lead balloon obviously at that stage. Its a funny thing. When it all turned out well, its as if it never happened. We are very good at putting traumas behind us. I still havent burst out crying yet and Im not going to on this podcast, but its all very overwhelming. I think also now because Im older and have seen a lot of the world, you are able better to roll with it. Brolly and Blewitt married at the Ice House Hotel in Ballina, Co Mayo the brides home county in front of 100 family and friends in August 2022. The GAA pundit is also father to five children from his first marriage. TORONTO, ONTARIO - SEPTEMBER 09: (L-R) Eoin Macken and Emanuela Postacchini attend the premiere of "Riff Raff" during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival at Princess of Wales Theatre on September 09, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images) Fair City actor Eoin Macken has been pictured on the red carpet with pregnant girlfriend Emanuela Postacchini as the pair attended the Toronto International Film Festival. The RTE Actors long time girlfriend Emanuela Postacchini walked the carpet with a visible baby bump in view as the couple wrapped their arms around each other. 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 On Instagram, Macken said: Ridiculously proud of this girl this weekend at TIFF, absolute rockstar with a spell binding performance in Riff Raff. "I havent enjoyed a movie this much since True Romance, Dito Montiel & writer John Pollono made a sublime film, which is the kind of movie that carries the soul of film festivals. He added that he had an extra plus one, hinting at the baby. Today's News in 90 seconds - 17th September 2024 Last week, Postachinni posted some pictures of her baby bump while promoting her new movie. The actress said how "life imitated art" in the new film as she played the role of a pregnant woman named Marina. She said: I still pinch my self here. Also in case you didnt know, Marina is 8 and a half months pregnant woman in the movie. And here am I , 8 months pregnant, expecting my first child with the love of my life. "'Art imitates Life, Life imitates Art' I guess thats how it is. Love to you all." Dating in your 60s: The men Ive met on dating sites are just there for one thing to get in your knickers Frustrated singleton and author Jackie Devoy talks to Arlene Harris about the pitfalls of virtual romance and why she wants people to be more honest when it comes to dating Jackie Devoy, author of The Joys and Pitfalls of Online Dating. Photo: Gerry Mooney. Arlene Harris Tue 17 Sep 2024 at 03:30 According to Central Statistics Office figures from 2022, there are almost 426,000 people who are single or living alone in Ireland. And while many of those are perfectly content with their own company, some may have lost their partner, while others are still trying to find the one. Irish News Irish soldiers tell families they may not be able to come home at end of tour as Israel digs in around UN base in Lebanon Emmanuel Macron's government looks to enhance position in Europe President Emmanuel Macron is in talks with the European Commission to carve out a new, more powerful position for France that would see his nominee overseeing all of the blocs efforts to boost its competitiveness. Moscows soldiers continue advance on crucial eastern city of Pokrovsk President Vladimir Putin has ordered the regular size of the Russian army to increase by 180,000 troops to 1.5 million soldiers, the third time he has expanded its ranks since sending the military into Ukraine in February 2022. From the moment pagers began exploding across Lebanon, theories began to circulate on how devices considered outmoded in much of the world were turned into dangerous weapons that killed several people and wounded almost 3,000. As Lebanon accused Israel of engineering the attack aimed at Hezbollah militants, much of the debate centred on the possibility that the supply chain for the retro devices had been compromised. One prevailing idea was that the pagers had been engineered so that their batteries would heat up until the devices exploded. Possibility for diplomatic solution to Hezbollah conflict running out, Israel tells US Unsanctioned leaflets with evacuation orders for civilians dropped in Lebanon village raising fears of attack Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant indicated a potential war with Lebanon-based Hezbollah. Photo: Reuters Jotam Confino Telegraph.co.uk Tue 17 Sep 2024 at 03:30 Israel has told the United States that hopes for a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Hezbollah are dwindling and a full-scale war is looming. From it's name alone you might expect the pygmy blue whale to be small, but the creature trapped under the wharf was anything but. A private wharf has been dismantled after a 15-metre long animal was found stuck underneath. Skilled tradies took a sledgehammer to its wooden beams and used heavy machinery to remove some of the pylons on Monday in an effort to free the pygmy blue whale trapped beneath, a subspecies thats listed as endangered. Images supplied to Yahoo News show the juvenile whale languishing in the water at Kawau Island, 45 kilometres north of Auckland. New Zealands Department of Conservation (DOC) described the incident as an unusual situation and employed the skills of specialised contractors for assistance. Because the whale is classified as a taonga species thats significant to the culture or identity of Maori, local cultural experts were engaged to advise on the process for freeing it. And they monitored it during the dismantling of the wharf to ensure it remained calm. Related: World's rarest whale washes up at remote fishing village Specialised contractors where used to help dismantle the wharf. Source: DOC Rare whale guided back to sea after rescue Multiple teams worked until 6pm to free the animal and then guided it back out to sea. On Tuesday morning, DOC confirmed it hadnt been seen again. Adult pygmy blue whales can reach up to 24 metres in length and weigh up to 90 tonnes, a fraction of their larger cousins, the blue whale, which are the largest species ever to exist on Earth and can grow to 30 metres and weigh 200 tonnes. The whale was kept calm while the wharf was dismantled. Source: DOC After the whale was freed it was guided back out to deeper water. Source: DOC This was a huge collaborative effort, and we couldnt have done it without the help of the many people on the ground, DOCs Kat Lane said. Blue whales can travel thousands of kilometres and so the animal could be a long way off by now. DOC has asked anyone who sees it to contact it on 0800 362 468. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Donald Trump golf course gunman 'lurked for nearly 12 hours in bushes' as Trump speaks publicly since suspects arrest That was some crazy day, and yesterday you had another one with a different result, actually a much better result Republican presidential nominee former president Donald Trump gestures as he boards a plane on Saturday in Las Vegas (Alex Brandon/AP) Irish Independent Evening Standard Tue 17 Sep 2024 at 10:54 The would-be shooter of Donald Trump hid in the bushes by his Florida golf course for almost 12 hours before the assassination bid, it has been revealed. Hundreds of pagers have exploded simultaneously across Lebanon and in parts of Syria, killing at least eight people, including members of the militant group Hezbollah and wounding the Iranian ambassador, officials said. India Shifts Gears: PM E-DRIVE Scheme Replaces FAME to Accelerate EV Adoption India is stepping away from its FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) policy and approved the PM E-DRIVE Scheme on September 11, allocating INR 109 billion to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in India. Indias Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has announced the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme to accelerate adoption of electric mobility in the country. Confirmed on September 11, 2024, the PM E-DRIVE Scheme provides INR 36.79 billion (US$438 million) in incentives to promote battery-powered two-wheelers, three-wheelers, ambulances, trucks, and other advanced EVs. The total budget outlay of the PM E-DRIVE Scheme is INR 109 billion (US$1.29 billion) for a period of over two years. The scheme will focus on the production of two-wheeler and three-wheeler electric vehicles, along with public-transport vehicles. The PM E-Drive Scheme replaces the earlier FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) Scheme, which began in April 2015. FAME policy, which lasted nine years in two phases, supported 1,321,800 electric vehicles with subsidies totaling INR 115 billion (US$1.37 billion) before ending on March 31, 2024. Key features of the scheme The scheme offers subsidies and demand incentives worth INR 36.79 billion (US$438 million) to support electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, ambulances, trucks, and upcoming EVs. According to the central governments announcement, 2.47 million electric two-wheelers, 316,000 electric three-wheelers, and 14,028 electric buses will be covered under the plan. Additionally, INR 43.91 billion (US$523.7 million) has been allocated for public transport and state transportation organizations to purchase 14,028 electric buses. The PM-eBus Sewa Payment Security Mechanism also provides INR 34.35 billion (US$409.6 million) to support the electric bus market. Furthermore, INR 5 billion (US$59.6 million) has been set aside for electric ambulances, and another INR 5 billion (US$59.6 million) for electric trucks. The announcement also states that EV buyers will receive Aadhaar-verified e-vouchers to claim demand incentives, which will be submitted to the dealer and uploaded to the PM E-DRIVE schemes portal. Who will benefit from the PM E-Drive Scheme? Indias Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that 88,500 locations will receive full funding for EV charging infrastructure under the PM E-Drive scheme. He also mentioned that this funding complements existing Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for the automotive and auto parts industries. The new PM E-DRIVE scheme reportedly aims to address the flaws of the previous FAME schemes, such as improper subsidy claims for imported vehicles. The latest scheme has also introduced INR 10,000 (US$119.25) subsidy for each electric 2-wheeler sold until March 2025 and INR 50,000 (US$596.24) for electric 3-wheelers, though these subsidies will be halved in the next financial year. For example, the 3-wheeler subsidy will drop to INR 25,000 (US$298.12) from April 2025. The scheme targets a 10 percent market share for electric 2-wheelers and 15 percent for electric 3-wheelers by March 2026, according to Union Heavy Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy. No incentives for electric vehicle four-wheelers The PM E-Drive Scheme excludes electric cars since they already benefit from a reduced 5 percent GST rate. The scheme will also not provide incentives for hybrid vehicles. The FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) policy was introduced in 2015 under the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) to reduce vehicular emissions, decrease fuel consumption, and encourage sustainable transportation. Key phases: 1. FAME I (2015-2019): Focused on providing incentives for the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles and supported the development of charging infrastructure. It aimed to promote cleaner mobility in public and private sectors. 2. FAME II (2019-2024): Expanded the scope, providing INR 100 billion (US$1.19 billion) to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, particularly in public transport (e-buses, 2-wheelers, and 3-wheelers). It also emphasized building a robust charging infrastructure and targeted reducing emissions from commercial fleets. Conclusion The PM E-DRIVE scheme was launched to rectify issues from the FAME phases, where companies improperly claimed subsidies meant for domestic EVs by selling mostly imported vehicles. While India has taken steps to recover these funds, the automobile companies that are yet to repay will be barred from the new scheme. Conformity of production (COP) tests will be conducted every six months to ensure compliance. (US$1 = INR 83.84) Mumbai: Tata Motors and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) are set to produce electric vehicles (EVs) in India for global markets, according to Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran. In a recent interview with 'Autocar', Chandrasekaran underscored how the group aims to leverage the "cost attitude" and premium quality of both brands to achieve a "sweet spot" in the global EV market. After years of exploring synergies, Tata Motors and JLR have now finalized plans to manufacture EVs in India. Chandrasekaran revealed that two distinct models based on JLRs Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) platform will be produced in Indiaone by each automaker. He also confirmed that JLR cars would be exported from the Sanand facility in Gujarat. While keeping additional details under wraps, Chandrasekaran hinted at "bigger aspirations" for both companies, with more information on Tata Motors' export plans expected next year. Sanand, where Tata Motors has acquired a former Ford Motors facility, is expected to roll out the first vehicle based on the EMA platform, likely the Avinya model, which will be sold in India and internationally. JLR, which already operates manufacturing plants in the UK, Europe, and China, has outlined its roadmap for electrification. According to Tata Motors' FY24 annual report, the new EMA and Jaguar Electrified Architecture will debut in 2025, as the company transitions towards an electric-first strategy. By 2030, all of its brands are expected to offer fully electric options. JLR's Merseyside plant in the UK will become its first all-electric manufacturing facility, with Solihull producing electric Jaguars. Additionally, the Nitra plant in Slovakia will be updated for electric vehicle production by 2030. As part of its sustainability efforts, JLR is working with partners and suppliers to reduce emissions by 46% in its operations and 54% per vehicle across its value chain. In addition to Sanand, a new Rs 9,000 crore joint facility between Tata Motors and JLR is being developed in Tamil Nadu, which could also serve as a manufacturing hub for exports. Official announcements on this project are expected later this month. Tata Passenger Electric Mobility has committed several billion dollars toward EV investments through the end of this decade, while JLR has planned a capital expenditure of over 15 billion over the next five years. Chandrasekaran also addressed the current slowdown in EV sales, attributing it to a temporary, cyclical downturn. Despite a tough FY25, where Tata Motors saw a 13.9% decline in EV sales during the first quarter, he remained optimistic about the future. If we have to do anything in India, electric vehicles should be prioritised, because we have the maximum number of polluted cities worldwide. As many as 14 out of the 20 (such cities) are in India. So, if we have to solve this problem, in all our companies, we have to pivot, he said, adding that by 2030 EV penetration in Tata Motors sales would be 30 percent. Chandrasekaran also highlighted that the entire Tata Group, not just Tata Motors, is pivoting towards green energy. We also decided that in Tata Power, we would not put capex in coal. All our capex will go into renewables. Raymond CMD Gautam Singhania said his company is eyeing Kolkata as a key market. Kolkata: Raymond Lifestyle Ltd. (RLL) is looking to expand its footprint beyond the 85-strong The Raymond Shop network across West Bengal by adding 40-50 more shops in the next three years. As part of its centenary celebrations and growth strategy, RLL aims to open 900 new outlets pan-India over the next three years. This will position the company to capture a dominant 7% market share in the rapidly growing men's wear wedding market by 2027, targeting a 15% CAGR. As we enter our centenary year, we are thrilled to be expanding our presence in Kolkata, a city known for its rich heritage and discerning taste, said Raymond CMD Gautam Singhania in Kolkata Raymond Lifestyle Ltd. (RLL) is planning a major retail footprint expansion across India. We see a significant opportunity to connect with Kolkatas fashion-forward consumers, offering them our unique blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern designs. We are confident our new stores will resonate with the citys sophisticated style, Singhania said. Also, in a significant milestone for 2024, Raymond Ltd. entered the league of the top 10 strongest brands in India, as per the latest Brand Finance report, worlds leading international brand valuation consultancy. The company's focus on strengthening its core branded textile business, accelerating apparel garmenting growth, and building new categories like ethnic wear, inner wear, and sleepwear, is expected to drive significant growth in the coming years, the company said. Photo Courtesy: AAP X page video grab Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal's 48-hour deadline set for his resignation as Delhi Chief Minister ends on Tuesday. According to reports, he is likely to meet the Lieutenant Governor at 4.30 pm. It is still not clear who will succeed him. In a suprise move, Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday announced his resignation from the post of Delhi Chief Minister, just days after he was freed from the Tihar Jail on bail. He announced the decision during a party meeting in the morning. "Two days later, I will resign as Chief Minister," Kejriwal said. He said he will not sit in the administrative top post until people give their verdict. He demanded the polls in Delhi, which are scheduled to be held in February, should be hosted in November along with elections in Maharashtra. "I am here to ask people whether they consider Kejriwal to be guilty or innocent?" he said. He said someone else from the Aam Aadmi Party will serve as the Chief Minister until the polls are held. Slamming the Bharatiya Janata Party, he said the political outfit put him behind bars since it was scared of his performance. "The only thing I have is honesty," he said. The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the excise policy case. The top court has applied conditions on his bail. Kejriwal has been barred from entering into the Chief Minister's office and the state secretariat. He won't be able to sign off government files unless his consent is passed by the Lieutenent Governor. The Chief Minister won't be able to give any public statement on the case and will have to cooperate with the probe. He has been asked to pay Rs. 10 lakh as a bond amount. Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI in June when he was already in Tihar Jail in connection with the same case. Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal announces he will resign as Delhi Chief Minister in 48 hours, calls for polls in November The Aam Aadmi Party supremo has been in jail since March 21 when he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate over money laundering allegations while framing the Delhi liquor policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped after the Lieutenant Governor raised red flags. He was arrested by the CBI on June 26. The ED has alleged the money Kejriwal got from the liquor sellers was used to fund the party's campaign in Goa since he is the convenor of the AAP. Kejriwal was given an interim bail in May for a brief period until June 2, 2024 for campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls. Photo Courtesy: BAPS Public Affairs X page India on Monday described the vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in New York City as 'unacceptable'. "The vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, is unacceptable; The Consulate @IndiainNewYork is in touch with the community and has raised the matter with U.S. law enforcement authorities for prompt action against the perpetrators of this heinous act," the Indian Consulate in New York posted on X. The vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, is unacceptable ; The Consulate @IndiainNewYork is in touch with the community and has raised the matter with U.S. law enforcement authorities for prompt action against the perpetrators of this heinous act. India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) September 16, 2024 The Hindu American Foundation asked the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security to 'investigate' the attack. The organisation also shared a video footage on its X page showing the way the temple has been vandalised by miscreants. "The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov must investigate this attack on the @BAPS Hindu temple in Melville, NY shared by @OnTheNewsBeat after recent threats to Hindu institutions as a large Indian community gathering is planned in nearby Nassau County this weekend," the Hindu organisation posted on X. It is hard to comprehend the absolute cowardice of those who would attack a Hindu temple to air hatred for an elected leader. This attack, following recent threats at Hindu and Indian institutions, must be seen in the context of that threat scenario. @SCPDHq @TheJusticeDept https://t.co/Dhg3gZTVTm Suhag A. Shukla (@SuhagAShukla) September 16, 2024 Hindu American Foundation executive director Suhag Shukla said: "It is hard to comprehend the absolute cowardice of those who would attack a Hindu temple to air hatred for an elected leader." "This attack, following recent threats at Hindu and Indian institutions, must be seen in the context of that threat scenario. @SCPDHq @TheJusticeDept," she said. Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna has condemned the attack on Hindu temple in the US city. I strongly condemn this act of desecration of a Hindu temple in Melville, NY. Freedom of worship is a bedrock of our democracy. There is no place for acts of intimidation, harassment or violence. We need accountability and to make sure this does not happen again. https://t.co/969kNPsG6f Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) September 17, 2024 "I strongly condemn this act of desecration of a Hindu temple in Melville, NY. Freedom of worship is a bedrock of our democracy. There is no place for acts of intimidation, harassment or violence. We need accountability and to make sure this does not happen again," he said. Where is Melville? The temple is located in Melville, Suffolk County, on Long Island. It is just 28-kilometres away from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Indian PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a community event in the Coliseum on September 22. Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons New Delhi/IBNS: The West Bengal government has opposed the live-streaming of the RG Kar rape-murder case in the Supreme Court. Advocate Kapil Sibal, who is representing the State, has opposed the live-streaming reportedly citing various threats people from his fraternity are receiving. However, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has rejected advocate Sibal's plea. It's an open court.. This case is a matter of public interest, said CJI Chandrachud. This comes after the protesting junior doctors, who are on ceasework demanding justice for the RG Kar victim, and the State clashed over the demand of live-streaming of the dialogue to end the deadlock. The state government had completely turned down the doctors' demand for live-streaming or video recording and instead, minutes of the meeting were recorded. After days of high drama, the long-awaited meeting between protesting junior doctors and Mamata Banerjee finally took place at the latter's Kalighat residence, at the end of which the CM announced that most of the demands of the protesters have been accepted and in accordance with their wish city police commissioner Vineet Goyal will be removed on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters outside her Kalighat residence, Banerjee said: "Forty-two representatives of junior doctors have signed the minutes of the meeting. Both parties are happy that we could hold the discussion addressing their concerns in detail." "Of their 5 demands, the first was justice, which has now been entrusted with the CBI," she said. "Since they are unhappy with the police, we have agreed to remove Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal. He will be entrusted with the role of his choice as he himself wants to recuse himself from this post. He will step down at 4 PM on Tuesday and the new CP will be announced," Banerjee said. "The DC North will be removed as well," she said, noting that this was one of their demands as well. Banerjee also announced the removal of two health officials- Director of Health Services (DHS) and Director of Medical Service (DMS). "Besides this, we will take measures to enhance the safety and security of the hospitals," the CM announced. "We accepted three demands and requested them to join the work so that commoners do not suffer amid a spike in dengue cases in Kolkata. I urge them to join work and extend their service to those in need," she said. The rape and murder of the doctor which has triggered a tsunami of protests in Bengal and across the country. Protests are also organised across the world by the Bengali diaspora. Photo courtesy: Facebook/Atishi New Delhi/IBNS: Top Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi will succeed party chief Arvind Kejriwal as the Delhi Chief Minister. Kejriwal had proposed the name of Atishi in the party's legislative meeting. Atishi has been elected as the leader by the party. Kejriwal announced the stepping down from the Chief Minister's post dramatically after walking out of jail securing a bail in the excise policy case. As a Chief Minister, Kerjiwal was barred by the Supreme Court from signing any document and entering into the secretariat building. He demanded the polls in Delhi, which are scheduled to be held in February, should be hosted in November along with elections in Maharashtra. "I am here to ask people whether they consider Kejriwal to be guilty or innocent?" he said. He said someone else from the AAP will serve as the Chief Minister until the polls are held. Slamming the Bharatiya Janata Party, he said the political outfit put him behind bars since it was scared of his performance. "The only thing I have is honesty," he said. The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the excise policy case. Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI in June when he was already in Tihar Jail in connection with the same case. The Aam Aadmi Party supremo has been in jail since March 21 when he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate over money laundering allegations while framing the Delhi liquor policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped after the Lieutenant Governor raised red flags. He was arrested by the CBI on June 26. The ED has alleged the money Kejriwal got from the liquor sellers was used to fund the party's campaign in Goa since he is the convenor of the AAP. Kejriwal was given an interim bail in May for a brief period until June 2, 2024 for campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls. Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from YouTube live-streaming New Delhi/IBNS: Advocate Indira Jaising, who is representing the protesting junior doctors in the RG Kar case in the Supreme Court, told the judiciary the agitators are keen to quit ceasework but they are worried about the safety and security at hospitals. Advocate Jaising said the call on quitting ceasework will be taken by the junior doctors only after a General Body (GB) meeting. Advocate Kapil Sibal, the counsel for the State, pleaded before Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud that the junior doctors should resume work. "Ceasework must stop now," Sibal said. On when junior doctors will be able to return to work, Jaising said, "I can't give a date." Refraining from entering into the premise of CBI's probe, Jaising told the CJI that the junior doctors are worried about their safety and security, forcing them to go on with the ceasework. Jaising told the court that the junior doctors are worried that the culprits are roaming free. CJI Chandrachud told Jaising that the court can only give direction to the state government when the probe agency finds something concrete. Mamata Banerjee gives in to junior doctors' demands After days of high drama, the long-awaited meeting between protesting junior doctors and Mamata Banerjee finally took place at the latter's Kalighat residence, at the end of which the CM announced that most of the demands of the protesters have been accepted and in accordance with their wish city police commissioner Vineet Goyal will be removed on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters outside her Kalighat residence, Banerjee said: "Forty-two representatives of junior doctors have signed the minutes of the meeting. Both parties are happy that we could hold the discussion addressing their concerns in detail." "Of their 5 demands, the first was justice, which has now been entrusted with the CBI," she said. "Since they are unhappy with the police, we have agreed to remove Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal. He will be entrusted with the role of his choice as he himself wants to recuse himself from this post. He will step down at 4 PM on Tuesday and the new CP will be announced," Banerjee said. "The DC North will be removed as well," she said, noting that this was one of their demands as well. Banerjee also announced the removal of two health officials- Director of Health Services (DHS) and Director of Medical Service (DMS). "Besides this, we will take measures to enhance the safety and security of the hospitals," the CM announced. "We accepted three demands and requested them to join the work so that commoners do not suffer amid a spike in dengue cases in Kolkata. I urge them to join work and extend their service to those in need," she said. The rape and murder of the doctor which has triggered a tsunami of protests in Bengal and across the country. Protests are also organised across the world by the Bengali diaspora. Representational image by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash Chennai/IBNS: The Tamil Nadu police late on Monday (Sept. 16) released most of the 104 workers from a Samsung Electronics plant near Chennai who had been detained for planning a protest march without permission. The strike, which has disrupted operations at the factory for the past week, highlights growing tensions between workers and management. The unrest began on Sept. 9 when employees at the Samsung home appliance plant near Chennai stopped work, demanding higher wages. The facility is crucial to Samsungs operations in India, contributing about a third of the company's $12 billion annual revenue in the country. The protests have raised concerns about the impact on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" initiative, which aims to attract foreign investment and triple electronics production to $500 billion in six years. India, with its low labour costs, has become an attractive manufacturing hub for foreign companies seeking to diversify their supply chains away from China. On Monday, the workers intended to stage a protest march but were detained due to a lack of permission, as the area includes schools, colleges, and hospitals, Reuters reported, quoting K. Shanmugam, a senior police officer in the Kancheepuram district. By late Monday, all but three of the detained workers were released, A. Soundararajan, state president of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), which is supporting the strike, told Reuters. The striking workers, currently protesting at a makeshift tent near the plant, are calling for higher wages, the recognition of a CITU-backed union, and improved working conditions. Samsung has been resistant to recognizing any union affiliated with national labor groups like the CITU, and negotiations with workers and state officials have not yet resolved the issue. S. Kannan, Deputy General Secretary of CITU Tamil Nadu, criticized the police action, labeling it as an outdated approach by the state government. Despite the police crackdown, 12 union groups, including one aligned with the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, have announced plans to support the strikers with a protest in Chennai on Wednesday (Sept. 18), potentially escalating tensions between the company and its employees. The strike adds to Samsungs challenges in India, a key market for growth. The company is also planning to cut up to 30 percent of its overseas staff, including in India, and is facing scrutiny from Indias antitrust body over alleged collusion with e-commerce giants in exclusive device launches, according to Reuters. Samsung did not respond to requests for comment on Monday but stated on Friday that it is in discussions with workers at the Chennai plant to resolve the issues as quickly as possible. The Samsung plant, which manufactures appliances such as refrigerators, TVs, and washing machines, employs around 1,800 workers, with more than 1,000 currently on strike. However, Samsungs smartphone manufacturing plant in Uttar Pradesh has not experienced similar unrest. Photo courtesy: X/White House New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a three-day official visit to the United States from Sept 21-24 to attend the annual Quad Summit and address the 'Summit of the Future' at the UN General Assembly. US President Joe Biden will be hosting the fourth Quad Leaders' Summit that will be held in Wilmington, Delaware. India will host the next Quad Summit in 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Tuesday. "Following the request of the US side to host the Quad Summit this year, India has agreed to host the next Quad Summit in 2025. At the Quad Summit, the leaders will review the progress achieved by the Quad over the last one year and set the agenda for the year ahead to assist the countries of the Indo-Pacific region in meeting their development goals and aspirations," the MEA said. The Quad meeting, to be attended by the leaders of Australia and Japan, will also be a farewell meeting for President Biden. While Biden is not running for a second term in the US presidential elections, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is also set to resign from his post. Quad is a diplomatic partnership between four countries comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. In recent years, Quad Foreign Ministers have met eight times and Quad governments continue to meet and coordinate at all levels. Besides the Quad meeting, PM Modi will also address the 'Summit of the Future' at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23. The theme of the Summit is 'Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow'. PM Modi is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders and discuss issues of mutual interest on the sidelines of the summit, the MEA said. Photo courtesy: SVF Kolkata/IBNS: Chander Pahar, the iconic Bengali adventure film, gets a re-release on September 20, as a tribute to the 130th birth anniversary of the legendary Bengali author Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay. Originally released in 2013, Chander Pahar had set an unprecedented milestone in the Bengali film industry, becoming the highest-budget Bengali film ever made at the time. Directed by Kamaleswar Mukherjee, Chander Pahar stars Dev as Shankar, whose dynamic performance anchored the film, alongside a talented cast including Gerard Rudolf as Diego Alvarez, Shankars enigmatic companion in his African exploits, and Laboni Sarkar as Shankars mother. Photo courtesy: SVF The film also features spectacular cinematography by Soumik Haldar, shot in the wilderness of South Africa, which remains one of its standout achievements. Adapted from Bibhutibhushans thrilling novel, Chander Pahar follows the epic journey of Shankar Roy Chowdhury, a young Bengali adventurer who travels to Africa in search of fortune and faces wild dangers, mythical creatures, and untamed landscapes. Photo courtesy: SVF The film's breathtaking depiction of Africa and its action-packed narrative captivated audiences far beyond Bengal, achieving remarkable success in non-traditional markets like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune when it was released in 2013. Even after 11 years, the film continues to resonate with audiences, embodying the spirit of adventure and exploration. Photo courtesy: SVF With this re-release, SVF aims to bring Chander Pahar back to the big screen for both nostalgic viewers and a new generation eager to experience the magic of Shankars odyssey. Beyond its cinematic accolades, Chander Pahar also marked a global milestone for Bengali cinema, showcasing the industrys ability to produce large-scale, visually stunning films that can resonate internationally. (Images by SVF) In image videograb of Lebanon pager explosion/ courtesy: X Beirut/IBNS: At least eight people died and 2700 others received injuries in Lebanon as pagers exploded in a synchronised manner that was set to target US-designated terror group Hezbollah, media reports said. Iran's state media reported that its Ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was also injured in the incident. Hezbollah, which is banned both by the United States and the European Union, is a political and military establishment in Lebanon. The group is backed by Iran. Hezbollah, meanwhile, backs Hamas, which has been at war with Israel in Gaza since October 2023. IMPORTANT This is a developing story, and all information is preliminary, with numbers and info subject to change. Roughly an hour ago, Hezbollahs encrypted pager devices began simultaneously, exploding across Lebanon, including in Damascus. Initial reports from Lebanon pic.twitter.com/pWpDePcFUv Open Source Intel (@Osint613) September 17, 2024 The group has blamed Israel for the attack and has claimed that this is the "biggest security breach" it has faced yet. All the pagers exploded nearly the same time, Hezbollah claimed, stating that this was an "Israeli breach" of its communications network. This is the first such major incident since the group began trading fire with Israel almost every day in its support for Hamas which is at war with Israel in Gaza since the October 7 "terror attack" targeting Israeli nationals. The Spanish drama Ayla y los Mirror is all set for its OTT debut. Streaming platform Disney+ Hotstar is going to release the show Ayla y los Mirror on September 27. Here is the trailer and everything else, like plot, cast, and crew, you need to know about before its OTT release date: Plot The Spanish show is all about the life journey of a wealthy brat whose life drastically changed after the death of her father. The girl gets alone in the whole world as there is no one in her family left now, and she lands in a shelter home. The story progresses when she gets in touch with a dance group and discovers more about music. In the trailer released by Disney+ Hotstar, it is shown how the main character of the show gets introduced to the shelter and its members. The girl is eventually shown starting her life from scratch with the new people in her life. Cast and crew The team of directors that have worked on the episodes of Ayla y los Mirror include Javier Pulido, Maria Pulido, and Ana Vazquez. The cast of the show includes actors like Liz Burnette, Violeta Madel, Daniela Monter, Cristian Lopez, Camino Moreno, Israel Menendez, and Alicia Chojnowski. Also Read: New OTT releases this week: The Great Indian Kapil Show S2, Jatt & Juliet 3 & more on Netflix, Prime Video The show releasing on September 27 falls under genres like young adult musical family drama. Disney+ Hotstar is one of the OTT platforms that are known for adult as well as content to which children really relate. The list of shows and films that get released on the platform is mainly of children's interest. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Tired of watching Hindi and English shows and movies? Well, we have a perfect option for you. An African series called Blood Legacy has set its OTT release date. The show will drop on Netflix in a few days. The show centers on the case of Spear Industries CEO, who is discovered dead in KwaZulu-Natal sugarcane fields, according to the streaming giant. Blood Legacy will release on Netflix on 20th September 2024. Plot The streaming behemoth claims that the siblings Khanyi Adesina, Mandla Ndlovu, and Siya Ndlovu are embroiled in a conflict that goes well beyond the boardroom, where betrayal is a constant threat and legacies are at stake. The 20-episode thriller with enormous stakes immerses viewers in a world where power, money, and corruption clash, forcing the siblings to consider the boundaries of their commitment. Cast and crew Producing the program is the renowned Gambit Films. It was written by Caroline Doherty, Bradley Katzen, Kurt Ellis, Sandulela Asanda, and Bonnie Sithebe. Nozipho Nkelemba, Marvin-Lee Beukes, Nthabiseng Mokoena, and Bonnie Sithebe are the directors. This project marks the last release of actress Chiume who passed away last year. The show also stars Sello Maake KaNcube, Tarina Patel, Xolile Tshabalala, Pallance Dladla, Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa, and others. Trailer The shows trailer was released a few weeks ago and it got great reactions from the audience. One wrote, Omg awesome cast, great quality and fantastic suspenseful writing. Another went on to add, This looks amazing! Looks like it's on a whole different level!. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. After the successful release of Emily in Paris season 4, Miss Cooper is all set to be on a new adventure that will land her to experience more roller coasters in Rome. OTT platform Netflix has finally announced season 5 of the romantic comedy show. The streaming giant announced the news with a post featuring lead actor Lily Collins, aka Emili. The post read There's no place like Rome. Here is what fans can expect out of the upcoming season on Netflix: Here is everything that we know so far about Emily in Paris season 5: There's no place like Rome. Emily in Paris is coming back for SEASON 5! pic.twitter.com/UL3aRa0ftu Netflix (@netflix) September 16, 2024 In season 4, Emily moves to Rome for work. The story takes a romantic turn when Emily meets a handsome Italian man whose name is Marcello Muratori. According to media reports, Emily's Roman escapades will still be there in season 5, but that does not mean she is not going back to Paris. Reports also suggest that Emily's Italian love interest (Marcello Muratori) takes out her unique side. Also Read: Ayla y los Mirror OTT release date Disney+ Hotstar: When to watch this Spanish Drama What will happen to Emily's love story with Gabriel? As shown in season 4 part 2, the hot and sexy French chef Gabriel and Emily will still be on-and-off love breaks. Gabriel last time officially called it off with Emily but still continues to love her. It is expected that the couple will once again find their way to each other. When and where to watch Emily in Paris season 5? The official date of Emily in Paris will get back to Netflix with its season 5 very soon, but no official date has been announced so far. Only a teaser clip has been released, making its announcement. Who is there in season 5? The actors that will be again seen in the upcoming rad episodes include: Lily Collins, Lucas Bravo, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Ashley Park, and Camille Razat, among others. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian has pledged to address concerns about the morality police treating women harshly. The president made this statement during a press conference, Azernews reports citing foreign media. He indicated that there was a request to stop the abnormal behavior of the moral police towards women in Iran. During the press conference, a female journalist raised concerns about the behavior of the moral police. It is worth noting that protests erupted in several Iranian cities a few days after the killing of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini by Tehran's moral police officers on September 16, 2022. Amini was detained by a special unit of the moral police responsible for enforcing Sharia norms and was accused of not wearing the hijab in accordance with Iranian law. The Indian Tamil-language film Saala is all set to be released on OTT. The film got released in theatres last month and is now all ready to impress the OTT audience. Saala will be out on September 20 via OTT platform Aha. Here is the trailer for the Tamil film and other details about its plot, cast, and crew: Plot Saala is an action-packed movie that revolves around a power struggle over the reopening of a famous Parvathy Bar in Royapuram. The plot is all about two rival factions against each other and a passionate anti-alcohol social activist. According to the makers, in the film, the socially conscious school teacher is after shutting down a bar for good, which adds a third dimension to the conflict in the story. The triangular fight between the two gangs and the activist sets the stage for a thrilling narrative that is full of twists and turns. Cast and crew Saala has been directed by S.D. Manipaul. The star cast of the film includes actors like Dheeran, Shree Natraj, Reshma Venkatesh, Arul Dass, Charles, Vinoth, Sampath Ram, and Srinath. The cinematography for the film has been done by Ravindranath Guru, and editing has been done by Bhuvan. Speaking about the film in an interview earlier this year, Manipaul said, "The setting of the famous Parvathi Bar in Royapuram, which has been shut down for 20 years due to gang wars." Also Read: Grotesquerie OTT release date Hotstar: When to watch Travis Kelce's acting debut He added, "The two gangs, eager to claim the tender and restore the bar to its former glory, are pitted against each other in a battle for control." For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Movies from the South have taken over the world and how. People cant stop raving about the character development, cast, and everything else these films have to offer. A recently released film called Thangalaan has created a lot of buzz and is now coming closer to its OTT release date. Starring Chiyaan Vikram, the movies OTT streaming rights have been given to Netflix. If reports are anything to go by, then Thangalaan is going to release on Netflix on 20th September 2024. Plot The story of Thangalaan, the village leader of Veppur, who resides with his wife Gangamma and their children, is told in this film, which is set in the village in 1850 CE. In an explosive turn of events, a strong tribal lady who guards the wealth becomes enraged and seeks revenge on Thangalaan. He bargains with the British one day for a better life and assists them in finding gold in the village. Cast and crew After receiving positive reviews from the Tamil public, the film was released in Hindi. In the film, Vikram plays five roles, with Parvathy Thiruvothu, Malavika Mohanan, Daniel Caltagirone, Pasupathy, and Hari Krishnan. Thangalaan is directed by Pa. Ranjith, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Tamil Prabha and Azhagiya Periyavan. It is produced by K. E. Gnanavel Raja under the auspices of Neelam Productions and Studio Green. 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 Not Malavika Mohanan, was Rashmika Mandanna the first choice for the film? Director Pa Ranjith first contacted Rashmika Mandanna for Malavika's part as Aarathi in Thangalaan, according to a News 18 report. The actress was offered the role, but she turned it down because she couldn't fit the Thangalaan dates around her other active projects. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Where's Wanda?, an upcoming web series has set its OTT release date. The German show will enthrall everyone with its amazing cast and plot. The trailer for the enigmatic dark comedy series Where's Wanda?, which is officially the first-ever German-language series produced for Apple TV+, has been released. It gives you a look at what to expect from the show. Where's Wanda? Will release on AppleTV+ on 2nd October 2024. The trailer was shared with the caption, After Wanda Klatt goes missing, her family takes matters into their own hands and hatch a wild plan: Spy on the entire neighborhood. Plot As per the official logline, It focuses on the captivating and unusual search for their missing daughter Wanda, 17. Wanda vanished under suspicious circumstances some months ago, and the police inquiry into her disappearance has stagnated. The Klatt family searches for the truth in an unexpected way out of desperation. They get surveillance gear and launch an ambitious operationposing as employees of an electrical company to spy on their neighborhoodwith the assistance of their tech-savvy son Ole. Cast and crew Along with Devid Striesow, Jasmin Shakeri, and Joachim Krol, it stars Heike Makatsch, Axel Stein, Lea Drinda, Leo Simon, Nikeata Thompson, Palina Rojinski, Kostja Ullmann, and Harriet Herbig-Matten. Where's Wanda? is directed by the gifted team of Tobi Baumann, Christian Ditter, and Christoph Klunker. It was created and written by Oliver Lansley and is based on a narrative by Spirandelli. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Playing the role of Narendra Modi on screen is not an easy job. After all, to essay the role of the dynamic, chaiwala-turned-PM whose life has been a full of courage, compassion and constant hard work requires more than just donning a grey beard and a crisp kurta. These five actors bravely attempted to play him on screen, yet like they say no one can come even close to PM Modi's magnetic aura. 5 actors who played Narendra Modi on screen 1. Vivek Oberoi Vivek Oberoi essayed the role of Modi in his biopic which was released in 2020. Ever since his first look as the Prime Minister was released, people started trolling him. After the release of the trailer, it was raining memes and jokes on X (formerly called Twitter). Fans thought he was not even close to Modi's real-life persona. He is not even looking even 0% of Modi...looking more like a joker. It is an insult to our leader Narendra Modi who himself would not have approved this look Chandra Mohan (@chandu28in) January 7, 2019 2. Rajit Kapur Actor Rajit Kapur essayed the role of PM Modi in Uri: The Surgical Strike, which was a pathbreaking film in Vicky Kaushal's career. Although, his character was not named after Modi, it was obvious who Rajit Kapur was playing. Rajit Kapur is probably the only actor to have portrayed these 3 personalities. - Mahatma Gandhi, in Gandhi Se Mahatma Tak - Narendra Modi, in Uri - Jawaharlal Nehru, in Rocket Boys An older generation will remember him as Byomkesh Bakshi. What range! pic.twitter.com/vVfUj7Hz3Z India Wants To Know: India's First Panel Quiz Show (@IWTKQuiz) May 2, 2024 3. Arun Govil Arun Govil, best known for playing Lord Ram in Ramanad Sagar's Ramayan, essayed the role of the prime minister in Article 370, which starred Yami Gautam in the lead role. With his portrayal, he showed how Modi was involved in Indian government's decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. While he looked quite close to how Modi Ji looks in real life, he couldn't portray his strong personality onscreen. change his makeup, he looks frail, while our PM looks robust. kbmraj (@kbm_raj) February 10, 2024 4. KK Shukla In 2016 film titled Battalion 609, which is based on the Uri attacks, actor KK Shukla essayed the role of PM Narendra Modi. Directed by Brijesh Batuknath Tripathi. Credit: X 5. Mahesh Thakur Mahesh Thakur played the PM in 2019 web series titled Modi: Journey Of A Common Man which was directed by Kishore Makwana. While Mahesh played young Modi in this show, TV actor Ashish Sharma played the part of young-adult Modi. Credit: X For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. In her latest interview, Kangana Ranaut has once again lived up to her reputation of speaking her mind and thus sparking a new wave of controversies. From dissing politicians like Rahul Gandhi to taking digs at Bollywood stars. From talking about the delay in her film Emergency's release to revealing she was offered a Congress ticket after her debut film Gangster, here are five most controversial things she said. 5 explosive statements Kangana Ranaut made in her latest interview 1. Kangana was offered a Congress ticket Kangana Ranaut revealed that she was offered to contest for MLA seat by Congress after her first film Gangster (2006), which starred Emraan Hashmi in a lead role. For the unversed, Kangana's great-grandfather Sarju Singh Ranaut was a Member of the Legislative Assembly and her grandfather was an IAS officer. She also revealed her father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all associated with Congress. "I was offered a Congress ticket after 'Gangster'," claims #KanganaRanaut (@KanganaTeam) at #News18IndiaChaupal She also says she takes 'panga' (picks up fights) for the country, not for personal gains because she's not a "coward"@AMISHDEVGAN | #News18IndiaChaupal pic.twitter.com/QXLoipUo1R News18 (@CNNnews18) September 17, 2024 2. Kangana challenges Rahul Gandhi Calling Rahul Gandhi a dangerous person, she asked if Rahul Gandhi considers the killer of his grandmother and former PM Indira Gandhi, Bhindranwale a terrorist. She said if Gandhi answered this, she would take her words back and would never go to the parliament ever again. 3. Kangana slammed Bollywood stars for endorsing tobacco, doing item songs and not speaking on national matters She also slammed actors who are promoting and endorsing tobacco brands. "Bollywood has ruined our nation. They should take onus for it. These actors show off their net worth but then endorse tobacco.... They charge Rs 10 lakh, Rs 5 lakh or so for posting (Instagram) stories or on Twitter," she said News18 Chaupal. Furthermore, she said that these actors contribute to "sexualisation of children" by doing item songs. Kangana's interview lays out straightforward facts and truths : 1. Choose your heroes wisely. Endorsing products like pan masala and gutkha on screen is far from heroic. 2. She sheds light on how item songs can negatively influence society, especially shaping the minds of pic.twitter.com/IjEuXE7n2H Rahul Chauhan (@RahulCh9290) September 16, 2024 4. Kangana on the delay in release of her film Emergency Talking about the delay in the release of her film Emergency, which was scheduled to hit the theatres on September 8 but is still awaiting a certificate from the censor board, she said that only a small section of society has objected to her film. Questioning their objection to showing Sikhs as separatists, she gave the example of Bhindranwale, a controversial figure in Sikh history, and said, "It is our history which has been intentionally hidden. We are not told about this. Bhale logo ka zamaana nahi hai, which translates to, The time of good people has passed." 5. Why Kangana sold her Rs 34 crore Mumbai office? Kangana at her office today #KanganaRanaut pic.twitter.com/Li8yhwFsgg Kangana Ranaut Updates (@KanganaUpdates) July 19, 2024 Kangana Ranaut said that she sold off her Mumbai bungalow, which was used as the office of her production house Manikarnika Films, for Rs 32 crore because of a delay in the release of her film Emergency. "Naturally, my film was supposed to be released. I put all my personal property on it. Now that it's not released, so anyway, that's what properties are for for times of crisis," she said. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Known for not mincing her words, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has made yet another bold and shocking revelation exposing the dark side of the film industry. This time the Emergency actress has accused Bollywood heroes of exploiting their position to assault women in the industry. She claimed that these male actors often invite the actresses for dinners, then message them and ultimately ask them to come home. Kangana Ranaut says Bollywood heroes assault women in film industry Kangana Ranaut is looking gorgeous as she gets ready for @News18India interview today#Kanganaranaut #Emergency pic.twitter.com/KaXVVPBDp6 Kangana Insta Update 2 (@KR_Insta2) September 16, 2024 "Do you know how these heroes assault women? They call them for dinners, message them, ask them to come home," said Kangana Ranaut as she attended the News18 India Chaupal event on Monday in New Delhi while expressing concern regarding concern regarding the safety of women. Furthermore, she gave Saroj Khan's example and added, "Even Saroj Khan was once asked about rape and sexual assault in the film industry when she said, Rape toh karte hai par roti bhi dete hai. This is the situation of our daughters in this film industry." Saroj Khan's controversial statement The ace Bollywood choreographer had once made a controversial statement defending casting couch and blaming women for taking that route. "Government ke log karte hain to tum film industry ke peeche kyun pade ho? Wo to roti to bhi deti hai, rape karke chorr to nahi deti. (Even people in the government abuse girls and women, why are you after the film industry? The industry also provides livelihood, it does not discard the woman after that)," she had said. However, after massive backlash Saroj Khan had apologised for her statement. Yeh chala aa raha hai Baba azam ke zamaane se. Har ladki ke upar koi na koi haath saaf karne ki koshish karta hai. Govt ke log bhi karte hain. Tum film industry ke peeche kyun pade ho? Woh kam se kam roti toh deti hai. Rape karke chhod toh nahi deti: Saroj Khan on Casting Couch. pic.twitter.com/xvHxSbvhzg ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2018 Kangana Ranaut also highlighted how she has been getting rape and death threats. Giving the example of Kolkata rape and murder case, she said he herself has been getting rape threats. "The film industry is no different. College boys comment on females. Film heroes are no different. They are also like this. We know how a woman is treated at a workplace," she said. Also Read: Kangana Ranaut calls Jaya Bachchan arrogant for parliament outburst, compares it to panic attack For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Bollywood fashionista Kriti Sanon just made a mark on the global fashion scene with her latest appearance. The stylish diva attended the Burberry Summer 2025 fashion show by Daniel Lee, dressed head-to-toe in pieces from the luxury brand. The Luka Chuppi actress arrived in the show in a stylish monochrome outfit featuring a full-length trench coat with a tie-up belt and details, matching pants with signature Burberry check pattern on the cuffs and a matching turtle neck. The highlight of the outfit though were the fur details on the sleeves of her trench coat. Kriti looked uber-cool with her minimal gold-toned accessories which included chunky hoops and a bronzed glam makeup look, featuring coral-blushed cheeks, filled-in brows, light brown eyeshadow and a taupe lip colour. Lastly, she rounded off her chic look with a sleek middle-parted hair bun. While the actress stole the show at the event, fans on the internet were left divided with her look. Some came in support of the Adipurush actress and showered her with comments like, "Omg she really makes Burberry desirable" and "Its a good change in discourse for her, ate it this time around" On the other hand, for some netizens, her look was a hard no! And they poked fun at Kriti with her looks leaving comments like, " Giving designer cleaning lady vibes. Mop in hand. Only bucket bag missing." Another user wrote, " Imagine having that body and height and wearing this. Blasphemy." and a third added, "russian mafia me bharti hone ki taiyaari tagdi chal rahi hai" Kriti's collaboration with Burberry seems to be a rather recent affair. A couple of days ago also, the diva was seen rocking a Burberry look as she was tapped at the Mumbai airport. As per sources, Kriti was jetting off from the city to attend this particular show. During her spotting, Kriti was seen wearing a black trench coat and paired it with matching shirt, a chic skirt and knee-length boots. The diva sported black sunglasses and rounded off her look with a luxury touch - a Burberry handbag worth a whopping Rs 2,31,238. Also Read: 'Asli sona', comments fan as Bigg Boss 14 winner Rubina Dilaik dazzles the internet with her golden saree For more such stories on celebs and fashion, follow us on Indiatimes Lifestyle. Mumbai is a land of celebrations and when it's Ganesh Chaturthi time, the entire city comes together to celebrate in great enthusiasm and fervour. The Ambanis, Manisha Malhotra, Shilpa Shetty and many other celebrities hosted beautiful stunning events at their house, showing great festive spirit. Not just Bollywood stars, even TV stars in Mumbai are celebrating the 10-day festival. Bigg Boss 17 contestants Ankita Lokhande, Abhishek Kumar, Khanzaadi, Ayesha Khan and Chinu came together for the festival celebrations. Dazzling in beautiful attires, each one of them put their best fashion foot forward. Ankita Lokhande wore a traditional red saree with a tilak on her forehead. Khanzaadi opted for a heavy pink suit. She was soon accompanied by Abhishek Kumar. Bigg Boss enthusiasts would know the chemistry they shared on the 17th edition of the reality show. Abhishek expressed a romantic interest towards Khanzaadi which obviously didn't work out. Fans were elated to see the entire group together. They called it the Bigg Boss reunion. Credit: Voompla Chintu who is also called Samarth, was also seen in the get together. Fans also recalled how Abhishek had slapped Samarth on the show and despite that, they were spotted posing for paparazzi together. Ayesha Khan, was also present. Yes, the same contestant in Bigg Boss 17, who walked in as a wild card entry to challenge Munawar Faruqui over his alleged philandering ways. But after a year, it seems that all is well that ends well. The entire group reunited for the festivities, radiating brightness and color in their traditional ethnic attire. On the work front, Ankita Lokhande is currently seen in Celebrity Chefs and Abhishek Kumar was last seen in Khatron Ke Khiladi. For more such stories on celebs and fashion, follow us on Indiatimes Lifestyle. Zeenat Aman is bold, stylish and has a great sense of elegance that is loved by fashion enthusiasts. The veteran actor is slaying on her Instagram, not just with her brilliant clothes but also with the most amazing captions which give us a glimpse into her personal life. Today, Zeenat was shining bright in one of her iconic looks. Wearing a black and white striped Zebra dress, Zeenat is seen in a flowing garment. In a two picture photoset, Zeenat is seen in front of a big tree and on the stairway to 'heaven'. Credit: Instagram/Zeenat Aman On her Instagram account, Zeenat called herself a Bird-of-Paradise. She writes that she was born to be flamboyant and ever-ready to take wing. She further explains, "As a self-professed home-bird, there is something just so wonderful about home-brewed ideas and projects. The ease and comfort of these are unparalleled. On this last visit to Goa, @zanuski and @carapiranha invited over their talented friends @taniafadte and @taralouphoto for a morning of dress-up at @birdsongmoira. Tania, an exceptionally gifted stylist who just dressed Priyanka Chopra for her gorgeous Vogue India cover, managed to borrow stunning outfits for the shoot in record time, and helped direct this vision. Tara, for her part, shot me guerrilla style with a single assistant, minimal equipment and the sweetest disposition. The six of us traipsed about the empty villa, finding beautiful spots to shoot in, endured the mercurial weather - rain, sunshine, rain - and wrapped up in time to eat a homemade lunch of dahi kadhi chawal. Zeenat praised the concept of home grown and brewed ideas and projects. Finding a beautiful and empty villa in Goa, Zeenat and her team pulled together an amazing fashion photoshoot. She even spoke about how they shot despite the weather conditions. Zeenat finally concluded the day with comfort dahi kadhi chawal On the work front, Zeenat is making an excellent comeback on silver screen with The Royals, featuring Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pedenekar. For more such stories on fashion and celebs, follow us on Indiatimes Lifestyle It was a troublesome Tuesday for Jio users across India as the telecom network reported an outage on social media platforms. As users faced a problem in connectivity, social media channels were filled with tweets and memes, describing their status. Down Detector, a tracking website, indicated a dramatic increase in problem complaints around noon. According to Down Detector, Jio users reported 10,367 network errors by 12:18 p.m. today (September 17, 2024). This was up from 653 reports at 11.13 a.m. and seven reports at 10 a.m. today. Netizens react to the Jio outage Several individuals turned to microblogging network X (previously known as Twitter) to vent about the problem. Others reported they couldn't make calls, while some said they couldn't send or receive texts via their Jio numbers. A number of users also reported that they were unable to connect to the mobile internet. As previously said, Jio consumers have raised concerns about the issue on X using the hashtag 'Jiodown'. Here are a few reactions: "Pathetic Network. All we see from Jio is a network outage. Now why is there a frequent outage #jiodown? Pov : You have Jio sim and your Wi-Fi at home is also Jio Fiber.#Jiodown pic.twitter.com/avJj9B2Iyd Sarcasm (@sarcastic_us) September 17, 2024 See Jio mobile service down all over Mumbai. Kya ho raha hai ?#jiodown pic.twitter.com/MY9u26uH5u Komal (@kmlpaulkmlx) September 17, 2024 Some commented, "I am writing to inform you that there is now an outage impacting both Fibre and Jio SIM in Mumbai. The outage has been going on for almost an hour, and I'm reaching out to see if anyone has started trying to address it." #jiodown Pov : You have Jio sim and your Wi-Fi at home is also Jio Fiber.#Jiodown pic.twitter.com/0d4Rlq1Hp2 Decent X (@decent_dk1234) September 17, 2024 "Mukesh Ambani naraz hain #JioDown #JioOutage," another user wrote. Jios signal woes This is not the first instance that Jio Down has emerged as a trend on X. Last month, Jio customers complained about signal troubles and mobile internet that did not work. Not only that, Jio also experienced some minor technical glitches that disconnected its subscribers from the internet and cell signal. Price hike for users Earlier in July, Reliance Jio announced a 12-27 per cent increase in call charges, as well as a restriction on subscribers' access to unlimited free 5G services. The new charges started on July 3, 2024, and the company announced that it was the first time that tariffs were being raised in two-and-a-half years. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a great orator, and his speeches addressing 'mitron' and 'deshwasiyon' have the power to captivate any audience, be it at a political rally or when he is addressing the nation. Here is a look at some of his most memorable such moments. 2016 demonetisation announcement On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a televised address to the nation at 8:00 pm, telling the countrymen that Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, which accounted for more than 85 percent of total currency notes in circulation, would cease to be legal tender from midnight. He also announced that the government was rolling out new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes. Modi's 2016 New Year's Eve speech A little over a month after his surprise demonetisation announcement, PM Modi addressed the nation on the eve of December 31. Given the magnitude of his previous address, many felt that some major announcements would be made. But this was not the case that evening, and Modi merely touched upon demonetisation among several other topics. 'May the force be with you' In his first visit to the US as Indian Prime Minister, Modi addressed a crowd of 60,000, gathered for the "Global Citizen Festival" at New York's Central Park. Modi, who was introduced by *X-Men* actor Hugh Jackman, started his speech with a 'Namaste' and concluded it by saying, "May the Force be with you." Abki baar, Trump sarkar In September 2019, PM Modi, who was on an official visit to the US, addressed a gathering of Indian-Americans along with Donald Trump, who was seeking re-election in 2020. "The words of candidate Trump: 'Abki baar Trump sarkar' rang loud and clear," Modi told the gathering. Lockdown announcement On the evening of March 24, 2020, when COVID-19 cases started rapidly increasing across India, Prime Minister Modi called for a complete lockdown of the entire nation for 21 days to contain the pandemic. "This is the time for patience and discipline. Until the lockdown situation remains, we must keep our resolve, we must keep our promise, Modi had said. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 74 on Tuesday. Narendra Damodardas Modi was born on 17 September 1950 in Vadnagar, Gujarat, as the third of six children of Damodardas Mulchand Modi and Hiraben Modi. From his humble background, where he used to help his father at his tea stall at a local railway station, Modi emerged as one of the longest-serving Prime Ministers of India. Modi is only the second Prime Minister of India, after Jawaharlal Nehru, to be elected to office for three consecutive terms. CREDIT: IANS Narendra Modi's five decades of politics What makes Modi's political career also impressive is the fact that he has been in politics for more than five decades. As an RSS volunteer, one of the first political activities Modi took part in was in 1971 when he participated in a protest led by the Jana Sangh Satyagraha in Delhi to be enlisted to fight in the Bangladesh Liberation War. He was also politically active during the Emergency when he had to disguise himself as a Sikh to evade arrest. CREDIT: BCCL How Modi's life changed after Emergency After the Emergency ended and the BJP was formed, Modi, who rose through the ranks of the RSS, also got prominent roles in the new party in his home state. In the next two decades, Modi established himself as a political strategist who helped the BJP come to power in Gujarat. He was also briefly given national responsibilities in the BJP and was tasked with overseeing Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Chief Minister of Gujarat However, the biggest turning point in his political career was in 2001, when Modi, who had not held any elected political office, was appointed the Chief Minister of Gujarat, replacing Keshubhai Patel. Modi's legacy as Chief Minister This was one of the most turbulent times in Gujarat's history. The state was still recovering from the worst earthquake, which had killed over 20,000 people. However, the biggest challenge that Modi had to face was the Gujarat riots that broke out in February 2002, just a few months after he assumed office as CM. Modi's actions, or the lack thereof, during the Gujarat riots is something that continues to haunt him politically to this day. The riots inadvertently catapulted Modi into the wider national spotlight for the first time. CREDIT: ANI Entering Parliament as Prime Minister This, along with Modi's image as a development-oriented chief minister, made him the odds-on favourite to become the BJP's undisputed Prime Ministerial candidate in 2014. Modi, who entered the Gujarat Assembly, stepped foot in the Indian Parliament for the first time as the country's Prime Minister. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Atishi Marlena, recently appointed as the Chief Minister of Delhi, has quickly become a prominent figure in Indian politics. The Kalkaji MLA, who is the only woman minister in the Delhi Cabinet, was chosen by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators to take over from Arvind Kejriwal. As Delhi's new Chief Minister, Atishi Marlena is gaining attention not just for her political role but also for her financial status. In this article, we'll dive into Atishi Marlena's net worth, savings, and more to get a better picture of her financial standing. Atishi Marlena's Financial Overview Total Assets: Rs 1.41 Crore According to her election affidavit available on MyNeta, Atishi Marlena has declared total assets amounting to Rs 1.41 crore. Her financial portfolio includes approximately Rs 30,000 in cash and about Rs 1.22 crore in combined bank and fixed deposits. Notably, despite her significant wealth, Atishi has no reported liabilities. Investment Preferences: Conservative Approach While Atishi Marlena is a millionaire and a prominent minister, she has adopted a conservative approach towards investments. She prefers keeping her assets in traditional savings methods, such as bank accounts and fixed deposits, rather than engaging in the stock market. Atishi also holds a LIC health insurance policy valued at Rs 5 lakh, but she has avoided investing in stocks and bonds. Property Holdings: None Despite her substantial net worth, Atishi Marlena does not own any property, including houses or land. This lack of real estate investment reflects her focus on liquidity and secure savings rather than physical assets. Atishi Marlena's Educational Background and Career Academic Achievements Born on June 8, 1981, in Delhi, Atishi Marlena is a well-educated individual with an impressive academic background. She completed her schooling at Springdales School and went on to earn a bachelor's degree from St. Stephens College. Her academic journey continued with a masters degree from Oxford University, London, thanks to a Rhodes Scholarship. Her education reflects a strong commitment to academic excellence and leadership. Political Journey Atishi Marlena's political career began during the anti-corruption movement in 2012. Despite a setback in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where she lost to BJP's Gautam Gambhir, she made a notable comeback in the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections. Since then, she has served as the MLA from the Kalkaji Assembly seat and is now making headlines as the new Chief Minister of Delhi. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 74 this year, celebrating his birthday on September 17. Born in 1950 in the small town of Mehsana, Gujarat, Narendra Damodardas Modi has built a remarkable career, having served as Gujarats Chief Minister for three consecutive terms and now being Indias Prime Minister for the third time. PM Narendra Modis Declared Assets in 2024 In May 2024, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, PM Narendra Modi declared his total assets worth Rs 3.02 crore in his affidavit. This disclosure is a mandatory part of contesting elections in India. Over the years, his net worth has seen a steady increase compared to previous declarations. For instance, in 2019, he declared Rs 2.51 crore, and in 2014, it stood at Rs 1.66 crore. His assets include movable and immovable properties along with various investments. One notable investment is gold jewelry worth Rs 2.67 lakh, comprising four gold rings. PM Modi has also invested in National Savings Certificates (NSC) amounting to Rs 9.12 lakh, which is a rise from Rs 7.61 lakh in 2019. Additionally, his bank fixed deposits have grown to Rs 2.85 crore, as per the 2024 affidavit. Unlike many other politicians, PM Modi does not own any land or stocks, nor has he invested in mutual funds. According to his declaration, he holds Rs 52,920 in cash. PM Narendra Modis Salary Breakdown As the Prime Minister of India, PM Narendra Modi earns a monthly salary of Rs 1.66 lakh. This salary is broken down into various components: Basic Pay: Rs 50,000 Rs 50,000 Parliamentary Allowance: Rs 45,000 Rs 45,000 Expense Allowance: Rs 3,000 Rs 3,000 Daily Allowance: Rs 2,000 Housing and Perks of Being the Prime Minister One of the major perks of being the Prime Minister is the residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi, a prime location in the national capital. The accommodation is provided rent-free, ensuring that PM Modi does not have to worry about housing costs. PM Narendra Modis car Prime Minister Narendra Modi often holds roadshows across India. When he became the Prime Minister, his official car was a BMW 760Li Hi-Security. According to cartoq, two more vehicles have been added to his convoy. He also travels in a Land Rover Range Rover Sentinel and an armoured Toyota Land Cruiser LC200. PM Narendra Modi's Security As the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi enjoys top-tier security provided by the Special Protection Group (SPG). The SPG is an elite force dedicated solely to protecting the Prime Minister. These officers undergo extensive training to ensure his safety at all times, ready to make the ultimate sacrifice if necessary. Exclusive Travel Benefits Another significant perk that PM Narendra Modi enjoys is the use of Air India One, a special aircraft reserved for his official trips. Operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF), this plane is equipped with Self-Protection Suites and a full office setup, including conference rooms, allowing the Prime Minister to work efficiently during international travel. Educational Background of PM Narendra Modi Prime Minister Modi holds a Masters degree (M.A.) from Gujarat University and a Bachelors degree in arts from Delhi University, which he completed in 1978. Additionally, he passed the SSC exam from the Gujarat board in 1967, showcasing his educational journey before entering the political world. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here Film Screening of Gaza Fights for Freedom and Conversation Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024 Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Event Type: Screening Organizer/Author: AACC - SV Center Location Details: Arab American Cultural Center of Silicon Valley 3949 Twilight Drive (parking lot) San Jose, Ca Film Screening of Gaza Fights for Freedom and Conversation We invite you to join an evening of film and conversation on Saturday, September 21 from 6:30 - 8:45 pm PDT. ABOUT THE FILM The film, Gaza Fights for Freedom, documents the historic Great March of Return protests, which occurred every week from March 18 2018 until December 2019. It tells the story of Gaza's past and present, showing rare archival footage that explains the history never acknowledged by mainstream media. You will hear from victims of the ongoing assault, including journalists, medics, and the family of internationally acclaimed paramedic, Razan al-Najjar. At its core, the film is an indictment of the Israeli military for war crimes and a stunning cinematic portrayal of Palestinians ongoing resistance. Watch the trailer here. We will then host a Q&A with Zainah El-Haroun of Al Haq, an independent Palestinian nonprofit that monitors human rights violations in Palestine. Greek cruise passengers will face higher fees starting next year, with Mykonos and Santorini bearing the brunt of the cost. The government announced on Monday that a new levy will be imposed on visitors to these islands, amounting to 20 per person during the peak summer season. Other Greek islands will see a significantly lower charge, and the levy will be reduced during off-peak months. Popular Greek islands like Mykonos and Santorini have experienced significant increases in cruise tourism in recent years. This influx of visitors has often strained local infrastructure, leading to overcrowding and environmental concerns. The levy is intended to discourage excessive cruise traffic, especially during peak seasons. Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni outlined the details of the new fee, which is part of a broader plan announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. From June 1 to September 30, 2025, cruise passengers disembarking on Mykonos and Santorini will pay 20, while visitors to other Greek ports will face a fee of 5. During the shoulder seasons of April, May, and October, the charge will drop to 12 for Santorini and Mykonos and 4 for the rest of the islands. From November to March, the fee will be 4 for Mykonos and Santorini and 1 for the other destinations. The government estimates that the new levy will generate 50 million in revenue. One-third of this will be allocated to local municipalities, another third will go towards improving port infrastructure, and the remaining third will be used by the Ministry of Tourism. In addition to the cruise levy, the government is also increasing the climate crisis fee. This fee will rise from 0.5 to 2 during the winter months and from 1.5 to 8 during the summer months. The government is also extending the application of the climate crisis reciprocity fee to cover short-term rentals and hotels year-round. The resilience fee, which is imposed on accommodation providers, will also increase for the months of April to October. The exact amounts will vary depending on the star rating of the accommodation. Overall, the government's goal is to generate additional revenue for tourism-related projects while also addressing environmental concerns. The increased levies are expected to have a minimal impact on the overall attractiveness of Greek tourism, which has seen record-breaking revenue this year, estimated to reach 22 billion. iefimerida.gr Tech mogul Elon Musk has once again drawn attention to Greece's declining population. In a recent post on X, he shared a user's comment referencing an article that predicted a significant population decrease in the country by 2070. The article highlighted the low birth rate in Greece, which is currently at 1.32 births per woman. This, combined with an aging population, poses significant economic and social challenges for the nation. The government has implemented various measures to address this issue , including tax incentives and family support programs. Musk's post comes just months after he shared a similar article in April. While the specific article he shared in April was criticized for promoting fake news and conspiracy theories, the underlying issue of Greece's declining population remains a pressing concern. According to the latest data from ELSTAT, the gap between births and deaths in Greece continues to widen. In 2023, there were only 73,000 births compared to 127,581 deaths. This alarming trend is a direct result of the low birth rate and an aging population. While the number of births has decreased, it's important to note that this is primarily due to a decline in the population of reproductive age. The average age of women giving birth has also increased over the years, with more women in their late 30s and early 40s having children. iefimerida.gr Non-governmental organisation, the Malala Fund, says nearly 120 million girls remain out of school worldwide, out of which 8. 5 million are adolescents. The fund revealed this in its annual report of activities from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, made available to journalists on Wednesday in Abuja. According to the report, girls, especially those in low-income countries, drop out of school at higher rates as they get older and transition to secondary school. Advertisement It said that there were barriers to girls access to education in Nigeria through its policies and budgets, thus frustrating their completion of 12 years of education. In Nigeria, barriers such as hidden school fees, policies that only guarantee nine years of free education and decreasing education budgets keep girls from completing 12 years of school. In Nigeria, barriers such as hidden school fees, policies that only guarantee nine years of free education and decreasing education budgets keep girls from completing 12 years of school. Additionally, safety concerns loom large in schools with incidents of student kidnapping, and 44 per cent of adolescent girls reporting experiences of physical and sexual violence inflicted by teachers and or classmates, it said. READ MORE: Cervical Cancer: Nigeria Set To Vaccinate 7.7m Girls According to the report, in addressing the situation, the fund and its partners advocate for legislative changes to ensure 12 years of free education for all Nigerian students. We have pushed for the government to fulfil its commitment to allocating four per cent of Gross Domestic Product and 22.5 per cent of the national budget to education by 2025. We also support organisations that advocate for policies and deliver programmes to make schools safer for girls, the group said. The report listed factors that significantly restrict girls access to free, safe and quality education, including the reversal of progress on gender equality, strained education budget, and increased conflicts and climate shocks. It stated that the fund invests in and builds a network of education advocates, champions holding leaders accountable, and helps to develop the next generation of future leaders. The group said that, while marking its 10th anniversary, highlights of its activities included drawing global attention to gender apartheid in Afghanistan and expanding the global right to free education to 12 years. Others include advancing and tracking gender equality in all through education and increasing financing for girls education. Malala Fund said it had invested 56.2 million dollars since it was established in 2013 and had reached more than 21 million students through the various programmes of its grantees. It also said that, over the last decade, it awarded more than 400 transformative grants to partners who were breaking down the barriers to girls education. On her part, the executive chairman of the fund, Malala Yousafzai, noted that most governments were not spending enough finances on education, as the stakes could be higher. She said that in Afghanistan, the Taliban had made girlhood illegal, banning girls from attending school past grade six for more than 1,000 days. Girls living under war and conflicts from Palestine to Ukraine are unable to learn as their schools are destroyed and normal life is upended, she said. The Malala Fund was founded in 2013 by Malala Yousafzai and Ziauddin Yousafzai. The fund is committed to pursuing a future where every girl can access and complete 12 years of free, safe and quality education. Troops of the Operation Safe Haven have arrested five notorious gunrunners and recovered arms and ammunition, during a raid in Plateau State. This was contained in a statement shared via the official Facebook page of the Nigerian Army on Tuesday. The military disclosed that the operation commenced from midnight of 16 September to the early hours of 17 September. Advertisement It was gathered that the troops also raided the hideout of a gunrunner identified as Mohammed Sani at Naraguta Mining Area in Bayameni along Bauchi Road in Jos North LGA of Plateau State, during which the suspected gunrunner and four others were arrested. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that weapons and ammunition, including two AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale automatic rifle; 14 AK-47 magazines; one Fabrique Nationale magazine; 5,316 rounds of 7.62 MM (special); 98 rounds of 7.62 MM (NATO) and 43 rounds of 9 MM, were recovered from the suspects. READ MORE: Troops Kills Two Terrorists, Recover Arms, Motorcycles In Kaduna (Pictures) The statement reads: Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN in pursuance of one of its core mandate of mopping up illegal arms and ammunition in the Joint Operations Area, arrested 5 notorious gunrunners and recovered arms and ammunition in an intelligence-driven operation carried out in Plateau State. The operation commenced from midnight of 16 Sep 24 to the early hours of 17 Sep 24. The troops raided the hideout of a gunrunner identified as Mohammed Sani at Naraguta Mining Area in Bayameni along Bauchi Road in Jos North LGA of Plateau State during which the suspected gunrunner and 4 others were arrested. Weapons and ammunition of different calibres were also recovered as listed below: a. Two AK-47 rifles. b. One Fabrique Nationale automatic rifle. c. Fourteen AK-47 magazines. d. One Fabrique Nationale magazine. 5,316 rounds of 7.62 MM (Special). f. Ninety-Eight rounds of 7.62 MM (NATO). g. 43 rounds of 9 MM. The suspects are undergoing interrogation for useful intelligence to aid in arresting other members of the syndicate as well as decimating the gunrunning supply chain. The operatives of the Delta state police command have arrested five individuals, suspected to be kidnappers, during a raid in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state. Disclosing this to newsmen on Tuesday, in Warri, the commands Spokesman, Bright Edafe, said that the suspects were all apprehended on Thursday at their hideout in Ewu town. He added that the culprits also admitted to be involved in various kidnapping activities and released of a woman after collecting N7.9 million as ransom. Advertisement Edafe said: On 12/09/2024 at about 0130hrs Crack Squad attached to Area Command Ughelli acting on a tip off, stormed a brothel cum criminal hideout in Ewu town Ughelli South LGA and arrested five suspects namely; Dominic Uweru m Alias Ovwolo 48YRS, Isaac Oghenerukevwe m Alias Plug 34yrs, Oviri Godstime m 25yrs, Junior Sunday m and Efedeki Adjovo m. one single barrel gun, three locally made cut-to-size gun, cash sum of Four hundred and fifty thousand naira (#450,000.00) ransom one Moniepoint POS machine, one OPAY POS machine, wraps of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp. READ MORE: Delta Police Nab 25-Years-Old Son For Allegedly Killing Mother They confessed to various armed robbery/kidnapping operations in Ughelli and environs, including the kidnap of a 70-year-old woman (name withheld) who they kidnapped on 08/09/2024 and collected the sum of Seven million, Nine hundred thousand naira ransom (#7,900,000) on 10/9/2024 before her release. The suspects are in custody and investigation is ongoing. DUSSELDORF/HILDESHEIM, GermanyA German court has ruled that Lelo provided incorrect and misleading information in an ongoing patent dispute, per an English-language version of the court order reviewed by AVN. The order sides with counsel representing EIS, the parent company of Lelo's rival pleasure brand, Satisfyer. The two companies have been locked in a protracted legal battle over the dispute. A district court in Dusseldorf ruled over the summer that Lelo's Sona, Sila and Enigma clitoral vibrators violated the EIS patents used in Satisfyer's line of pressure wave vibrators, per AVN's previous coverage on this case. During preliminary injunction proceedings in Hildesheim, the district court ruled in favor of EIS in the claim that Lelo "included incorrect and misleading statements" about the ongoing patent infringement proceeding targeting Lelo product lines. After the Dusseldorf court ruled in favor of EIS, Lelo's European operation reportedly published a press release that mischaracterized the status of the case. Lelo has since appealed. Such a ruling builds on an additional determination reached in 2022 by the European Patent Office. Lelo Europe filed an opposition to the EIS patent, but the Patent Office rejected the filing. This gives a strong legal grounding against Lelo in other cases pending in other countries, argues Satisfyer's parent company. EIS says that Lelo is prohibited from selling its products in the jurisdiction where Lelo was found infringing on the patents. Litigation is pending in Sweden, Australia, Canada and other European countries. "EIS is encouraged by the recent decision of the Hildesheim court to offer former distributors of our competitor Lelo, as well as other companies that will respect our patent rights, the opportunity to collaborate with us in promoting and distributing our Satisfyer products," a company spokesperson said in a press release. A representative for Lelo sent AVN a statement characterizing the company's view on the ruling as "unfortunate." "Lelo would like to make known that the judgment of the Dusseldorf Regional Court only applies to patent infringement actions in the territory of Germany; it has no bearing anywhere else in the world," reads Lelo's statement. "Accordingly, Lelo customers and clients based outside of Germany are not prohibited to offer or sell Lelo products outside of the German market." Here, Lelo's spokesperson directly addresses claims that the Hildesheim court sided with EIS on claims that Lelo mischaracterized the Dusseldorf court's action. "Lelo thoroughly disagrees with the courts decision and has immediately filed an appeal against the first instance decision, which will be decided by the Higher Regional Court of Dusseldorf," the company added. "Lelo remains dedicated to its mission of delivering high-quality, innovative products to its customers." The Borno State government, on Tuesday, warned residents against buying vegetables from areas affected by flood. According to the State, the edibles have been contaminated with dead bodies, sewage and other harmful chemicals. In a statement posted via Facebook, Ministry of Information and Internal Security urged the people to abide by the warning to prevent diseases and other health crises. Advertisement Due to the recent flood disaster, vegetables from flooded areas are seriously contaminated with harmful substances, including sewage, dead bodies, chemicals, and bacteria. READ ALSO: Edo Guber: Well Consider Signing Peace Accord If Detained PDP Members Are Released Obaseki Consuming these contaminated vegetables can lead to serious health risks, including waterborne diseases, food poisoning, and other health complications. To protect your health and safety, we urge you to avoid buying vegetables from flooded areas; only purchase vegetables from trusted sources and reputable markets; ensure that all vegetables are properly washed and cleaned before consumption, the Ministry informed. The statement further urged the residents to prioritize their health and safety during this challenging time. Owing to the flood that recently submerged several parts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, scores have been displaced. Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will sign the peace accord only if arrested members of the Party are released, Governor Godwin Obaseki has said. The State Governor, Obaseki, stated this after a caucus meeting at the Government House in Benin, on Monday. According to him, granting bail to the arrested members would allow them to come back home to their families and participate in the democratic process. Advertisement Recall that the State had claimed that over 10 PDP leaders, including the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Collins Aigbogun, were being detained on the orders of the All Progressives Congress. We are hoping that when the courts resume tomorrow, Tuesday, September 17, 2024, all our people who have been detained in Abuja all these weeks will be released. READ ALSO: Edo Governorship Poll Is Do Or Die Gov Obaseki, Says No Room For Illiterate To Govern His People If they are granted bail, allowed to come back home to their families and participate in the democratic process, we would consider signing the peace accord, he said. Confident of the PDPs victory in Saturdays election, he said, As a caucus, we are pleased with the current utterances from the security agencies in Nigeria. We want to particularly appreciate the statement issued by the Inspector General of Police, making a commitment to support the peace process, ensuring that there is a level playing field for all the players and we endorse his efforts to draft a lot more men to Edo to support the elections on Saturday. We are also pleased with INEC so far and have every reason to trust the authorities of INEC and what they are committed to doing. So, our leaders are going to various local governments to continue mobilizing for citizens to come out and support our candidate who clearly stands shoulder high above other candidates in the governorship race. We want to say that we are ready for this election. From this meeting of the caucus of the party, we have made sure that we have covered all grounds and the leaders of our party have all assured me that they are heading back home now to cross the Ts and dots the Is on Saturday. A Peoples Democratic Partys chieftain in Edo State, Emmanuel Odigie, has refuted viral report, claiming that the party will not sign the peace accord. The PDP had at the weekend, accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of planning to use security personnel, to disrupt the poll. The Edo State government, also called out Nigerian Police Force, for intimidating a local government chairman, in favor of the All Progressive Congress, in the State. Advertisement The election, scheduled to happen on the 21 of September, 2024, has generated nationwide attention, with parties stakeholders, trading words with each other. The PDPs national Acting Chairman, Illiya Damagun, during the final rally for the partys governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, vowed to protect all votes for the PDP, with the blood of its members. Odigie, a former spokesperson for the Edo APC, spoke on Channels Televisions breakfast programme, The Morning Brief, on Monday. According to him, the PDP demanded that the special forces in the state must be withdrawn ahead of the election. READ MORE: Tinubu Failed To Sign Peace Accord, We Cant Force Edo PDP Kukah He said: The PDP has made demands, they never said they wont sign. All they want is for the Special Forces to be withdrawn out of Edo. We already have a very effective state police command, so why bring in these Special Forces to Edo to harass people? He maintained that the PDP is ready to sign the peace accord if the Federal Government can meet the partys demand. At least five passengers have been killed, while 12 others sustained degrees of injuries, following a fatal accident that happened along Kano-Jigawa state. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the horrible incident happened on Monday, when the tyre of a Toyota bus coming from Kano state heading to Azare bursted. A source who told Daily Post on Tuesday, said that the driver lost control and the vehicle somersaulted, leaving some passengers dead, while others injured. Advertisement Also confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Jigawa police command, DSP. Lawan Shiisu Adam, disclosed that the lone accident contained 17 passengers, identified as, Suleiman Sani, Hassan Salisu, Khalid Ibrahim, Rabiu Salihu and Shehu Mohd all of Chinade town, Azare LGA. READ MORE: Three Children Die, Four Injured In Jigawa Building Collapse He said: The incident happened on Monday at about 2340hrs, a distress call was received at Kiyawa Division that there was a lone motor vehicle accident along Shuwarin to Kano road when a Toyota bus with reg no. KTG 219 XB, driven by one Alh Umar of Chinade town, Azare LGA, Bauchi state who was from Kano heading to Azare with seventeen (17) passengers on board On reaching a point at Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, Shuwarin village, Kiyawa LGA, one of the rear tyres burst and the vehicle somersaulted, as a result of which five (5) passengers namely died. The Lagos State authorities have sealed a popular fast food outlet, Cravings & More, on Monday, over environmental violations. The action was taken by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office in response to a public complaint. The outlet, located along Egbeda-Idimu Road, illegally discharged kitchen fats and oil into the public drainage system. Advertisement Tokunbo Wahab, the state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, stated in a statement that the eaterys wrong garbage disposal produced obstructions in the drainage system, resulting in the release of bad odours. READ MORE: Cabals In Charge Wont Let Tinubu Bring Down Fuel Price VeryDarkMan Taking to his X platform, Wahab wrote: The unwholesome sanitation practices of the restaurant have led to the clogging of the drainage system, causing a massive proliferation of maggots and houseflies, as well as the emission of foul odour, which has resulted in discomfort and health hazards for the entire community. The Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources remains committed to ensuring that sanitation and hygiene standards are not compromised in the state. SEE BELOW: The Nigerian Navy Forward Operation Base in Bonny, Rivers state has rescued 20 passengers, including women and children, on the Port Harcourt-Bonny maritime route. Maksum Mohammed, Commander of the NNFOB in Bonny, revealed this to reporters on Monday, saying the Navy had discovered a new tactic used by pirates to abduct passengers. Mohammed stated that intelligence indicated that some boat operators may be collaborating with pirates to launch attacks. Advertisement He explained that boat operators would typically fill their vessels to capacity, then feign engine trouble near the river entrance in the middle of the high sea. Under the guise of making repairs, pirates would suddenly appear, take control of the boat, and transport the passengers to hidden creeks, where ransom demands would follow. He claimed that the most recent occurrence involved a boat carrying 20 passengers, including infants, and that it nearly killed everyone. He said: This is a clear case of wilful endangerment of passenger safety. Why would any mariner in his right senses sail with passengers on board a boat whose engines were outright faulty and unable to sustain an hours journey? And then, were also dealing with recent cases of attacks on the river; what if these criminals had seen and approached them and taken them captive? What leverage would they have had to escape their assailants? Its quite unfortunate that hapless passengers could be exposed to avoidable risks and for the exorbitant amounts they pay? READ MORE: Cabals In Charge Wont Let Tinubu Bring Down Fuel Price VeryDarkMan Mohammed went on to explain that the case appeared to be a simulation, and that the two locations where they spotted the boat were perfectly vulnerable sites for attacks. He said, This is just in case, maybe, there were some plans because nearly all the kidnap incidents occurred where there was an engine failure or a simulation in front of a river mouth, which now resulted in the kidnap as they come out and then pick their victims and carry on. We encountered the same boat again simulating another engine failure in front of another river entrance. Simulating another engine failure as far as Im concerned, Ill use simulation in a place that is also known for kidnap activities. It was at that point that we decided to evacuate the passengers onto our boats and continued with the movement. Mohammed recommended coastal state governments and local government areas to urgently consider deploying ferries on waterways, particularly the Bonny-Port Harcourt sea route, as a safer, more sustainable, and subsidised mode of transportation. Director-General (DG) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has sought another four-year term as the organisations head. She officially announced her bid a month after 58 member countries supported a proposal from the African Group of WTO for her to lead the organisation for a second term. Advertisement While she appreciated the support at the time, she vowed to give her feedback to members. Conveying her feedback to Reuters on Monday, Okonjo-Iweala said she is ready to compete for the position. I would like to be part of this chapter of the WTO story and I stand ready to compete for the position. For my second term, I intend to focus on delivering, she said. According to her, among the priorities were addressing unfinished business. READ ALSO: Stop Weaponising Insecurity For Political Purpose Okonjo-Iweala To Politicians Speaking on the odds of getting limited chances if former United States (US) President, Donald Trump wins the forthcoming election, she said, I dont focus on that because I have no control. Trumps administration, in 2020, blocked Okonjo-Iwealas appointment. The US hadfavoured her opponent; South Koreas Yoo Myung-hee, because the WTO needed someone with real, hands-on experience in the field. However, on February 15, 2021, she secured US backing when Joe Biden defeated Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Commenting on the job, the WTO chief admitted the job was difficult. Okonjo-Iweala said the geopolitical tensions among WTOs 166 members was a significant challenge. It is tough, you know, very tough. Theres no getting away from that. But its also a job that makes me want to get out of bed in the morning, she added. The current term of Okonjo-Iweala finishes at the end of August 2025. Dr Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre in Abuja, and his wife, Becky, on Monday, visited Maiduguri, Borno State, to help victims of the recent flood tragedy. Prof Babagana Zulum, the state governor, welcomed them and complimented their humanitarian work. Advertisement This was confirmed in a statement posted on the pastors social media platforms on Monday. Enenche and his spouse visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, giving displaced people a sense of hope and encouragement. They also contributed relief supplies and used their medical knowledge to provide medical care. READ MORE: He Didnt Give Us Anything, Tinubu Wouldve Given Us Something Portable Says After Meeting Peter Obi In Edo He wrote, Still in Maiduguri. We are here on a goodwill and solidarity visit to the good people of the land following the flood incidence of the last six days. First received at the airport by the deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur. Then stop at the Government House with the Executive Governor, Borno State; His Excellency Professor Babagana Umara Zulum and the Deputy Governor, Borno state; His Excellency Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur with the Special Assistant on Protocol to the Governor. Second stop at the Dunamis Church. Third stop IDP camp SEE POST: The Borno State Police Command has reported that Abubakar Mohammed, a convicted homicide offender, has been rearrested following his escape from the Maiduguri Medium Security Custodial Center. Ahmed Wakil, spokesman for the Borno State Command, said in a statement on Tuesday that the offender fled after the centers gate collapsed during the recent floods in Maiduguri. On September 15, 2024, at around 3:00 p.m., a vigilant resident of Bulakara Ward in Gubio Local Government Area spotted Abubakar in Gubio town and immediately alerted the authorities. Advertisement READ MORE: Man Allegedly Takes Own Life In Lagos In response to the tip-off, a police patrol team swiftly apprehended the escaped convict. Abubakar is now set to be handed back to the Nigerian Correctional Service, the statement said. The Command claimed that attempts are still underway to locate more escapees in the vicinity, while urging the public to remain watchful and report any unusual activity. Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway will step down in June after five years on the job. Here, he talks wit with students after hosting a seminar. Read more Rutgers University president Jonathan Holloway announced Tuesday he would step down in June after several turbulent years on the job, including a weeklong faculty union strike, a no-confidence vote by the faculty senate a year ago, and controversy over the handling of a pro-Palestinian encampment. Rutgers first Black president, Holloway said in his announcement that it was his own decision to depart after five years and reflects my own rumination about how best to be of service. Advertisement Holloway, 57, a U.S. historian and professor of history and African American studies, intends to take a sabbatical in 2025-26 and then return to the faculty of the 67,956-student state flagship university. In an interview Tuesday afternoon, Holloway said he made the decision over the summer after two really difficult years that included two weeks of having 24-hour security at his home and on campus during the height of contentious faculty contract negotiations and increased security throughout the last year following Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent unrest on campus. It changed the way I occupied space on campus, he said. Its not part of what I signed up for. For me, its better to go out on my own terms than to be told to get out of here by somebody else, he said. And better for me to have time to finish the book I have been working on slowly but surely. And what a great state to leave the university in for another person. It just feels right. Under Holloway, Rutgers increased its standings in rankings, broke admissions records, and exceeded fundraising goals, the university said. The New Brunswick campus placed 15th among public institutions in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. Holloways departure is among a flurry of presidential resignations nationally as the job of college president becomes increasingly challenging amid the Israel-Hamas war and increased competition and financial challenges. Former University of Pennsylvania president Liz Magill resigned in December after bipartisan backlash over her congressional testimony regarding Penns handling of antisemitism on campus. Holloway came under scrutiny by the same committee and testified in May. READ MORE: Rutgers University senate votes no confidence in the schools president after faculty strike and controversial changes I think its time to turn the page for the university, said Todd Wolfson, president of the AAUP-AFT chapter at Rutgers and a professor of journalism and media studies. We need new leadership. I think its the right decision. In September, the faculty senate voted no confidence in Holloway, following several controversial decisions in recent months, including the ouster of popular Newark campus chancellor Nancy Cantor and the planned merger of the universitys two medical schools, the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick and the New Jersey Medical School in Newark. READ MORE: Rutgers president on the medical school merger, that vote of no confidence, and the faculty strike The senate vote was largely symbolic but sent a message about the dissatisfaction of the senate, made up of a broad base of students, faculty, alumni, and staff. The measure specifically stated that the senate had lost confidence in his ability to effectively lead this institution. The move also followed a faculty strike in spring 2023, during which time Holloway had threatened to seek an injunction to make faculty return to class. The board of governors, however, stood staunchly behind Holloway following the no-confidence vote. In a statement Tuesday, Rutgers Board of Governors chair Amy Towers praised Holloway and said the university would launch a national search for his replacement. Jonathan Holloway has led Rutgers with integrity, strong values, and a commitment to service and civility, while helping to steer the university through challenges facing higher education including a global pandemic, shifting labor demands and a Supreme Court decision on affirmative action in admissions, she said. Dr. Holloways decision was his and his alone; we respect it and thank Dr. Holloway for his passion and service. Holloway last year joined a national movement of more than a dozen college presidents committed to championing free expression, civic preparedness, and the civil exchange of ideas on campus. He also launched the Rutgers Scarlet Service initiative, which offers up to 150 sophomores and juniors paid summer internships in public service, working for nonprofit organizations. From the start, Holloway, a Yale-educated former provost of Northwestern University, faced extraordinary challenges. He took office in July 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. READ MORE: Rutgers faculty defend the university in advance of Thursdays GOP-led congressional hearing on antisemitism on campus Last spring, Holloway came under fire after negotiating an agreement with pro-Palestinian protesters who had erected an encampment on the New Brunswick campus. It was among a flurry of similar encampments at colleges across the nation. The faculty union supported Holloways actions as he was grilled by a congressional committee investigating the handling of antisemitism on college campuses. Holloway maintained that Rutgers made the right choice when it decided against calling in law enforcement to end the encampment. Rutgers agreed to review, as part of the regular university process, a demand that the university divest its financial holdings from any firm connected to Israel. The agreement also included commitments for the president and chair of the joint committee on investments to meet with up to five students to discuss their request for Rutgers to divest, the establishment of an Arab Cultural Center, and staff training in anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, and anti-Muslim racism. But the deal drew bipartisan criticism, including from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat. Some Jewish faculty and students at Rutgers also were critical and said the university had not done enough to quell antisemitism on campus. Holloway said his relationship with Murphy has been a very good one. He does worry, he said, about the contentious times college presidents face and is concerned they will lead to the hiring of people who dont understand and appreciate higher education. Im very worried about it, he said. Were absolutely losing a lot of talent. Im worried you are going to see a generation of people who come in and see the political complexity of higher education as a negative instead of a strength and will look for efficiencies and solutions that might make sense in a for-profit setting but not for a college. He said he looks forward to continuing to teach his seminar Citizenship, Institutions, and the Public. The earnestness of students questions inspires him, he said. From where I sit now as president, higher education can feel mighty broken, he said. But when I take off that hat and put on my professors hat, higher ed feels great. Lower Merion school board member Kimberly Garrison, third from left, addresses the public during a board meeting Monday. During a discussion around the district's equity policy, Garrison was criticized by community members for comments labeling Jews as white. Read more Discussion over a relatively minor edit in the Lower Merion School Districts diversity, equity, and inclusion policy has ignited into a heated debate over racism, antisemitism, and the intent of DEI. A crowd that included many Jewish and Black parents packed Mondays school board meeting to weigh in on a conversation that started two weeks ago at a policy meeting attended by a small group of residents. Advertisement The committee was discussing edits to bring the equity policy into compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court decision last year striking down affirmative action, but the discussion took a turn when one board member, Abby Lerner Rubin, said she felt the six-page policy was exclusionary. As the committee debated the policys goals, board members Kimberly Garrison and Anna Shurak pressed Rubin to say who was excluded; the policy describes a commitment to eliminating barriers on behalf of students who may have historically experienced opportunity or achievement gaps due to numerous factors, among them race, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion. Rubin, who is Jewish, responded by questioning how the district would decide which identities would be protected under the policy noting concerns that antisemitism is back. Later, she objected to language authorizing the superintendent to develop rules aimed at meeting the needs of those historically marginalized individuals. I would like it to say all, Rubin said. While I understand why we need to acknowledge historic discriminations the idea that its not for all is where I get a little bit uncomfortable. Garrison who is Black and said that racism and antiblackness has always been in fashion said that she totally disagreed with Rubins perspective. I know quite a bit about Jewish history, she said. There was a time before Jewish people decided that they were going to join the group of white people The fallout Rubin immediately asked Garrison to take that statement back. Its not really true. It is really true, Garrison said, citing Pew research that the vast majority of American Jews identify as white. She noted that the Irish at one point were considered an other but eventually everyone whos of Western European descent, thats what theyre in. Shurak, meanwhile, drew a distinction between antisemitism and structural racism, saying that her being Jewish hadnt precluded her from experiencing white privilege. She noted persistent achievement gaps facing students of color, and said that the point is, as a white person, no one can immediately discriminate against you for being Jewish. The conversation immediately drew pushback from the few people in attendance at the Sept. 6 meeting, with some Jewish parents there saying they were horrified by Garrisons comments. As one questioned whether Garrison was saying all Jews came from Europe, Garrison interjected: I realize there are also Sephardic Jewish people. There are also Ethiopian Jewish people. Another parent objected to the policy, saying it seemed as if it was written specifically to benefit Black students. A lack of leadership The unrest was apparent at Mondays school board meeting, which began with board president Kerry Sautner who had sent a message to the community last week acknowledging antisemitic statements and racist implications during the committee meeting telling the crowd she was sincerely apologizing for the lack of leadership that resulted in the committee meeting a week ago. We will review what led to these mistakes, and not let this happen again, Sautner said, adding that the board had scheduled trainings on antisemitism and racism. As board members individually addressed the room, Garrison said she was not antisemitic but had made objective statements about the demographic population of the United States. Since her remarks, Garrison said, people have been harassing her online, posting 20-year-old photos of her and her husband. This is classic antiblackness and racism in action, Garrison said, saying that Shurak had not faced similar criticism. Garrison said she researches every policy brought before her and should not be sacrificed in favor of board members who do not. Nor should I have to succumb to a public witch hunt brought about by people who take exception to the truth. Angry community members confronted Garrison during public comment, saying she should have apologized rather than doubling down on remarks they said ignored discrimination and historical persecution faced by Jews. Some also said they had Yemeni and Tunisian ancestry and didnt view themselves as fitting a particular racial box. I would never dare to tell you anything about your history as a Black person, Karen Averill said. To use your Blackness to say I didnt say anything wrong, to me, its sad. Beth Samberg, a mother with two students in the district, said her children were afraid they would be targeted for being Jewish. In the wake of Hamas Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, she said, her daughter wore a sweatshirt to school that said, I am Jewish and I am scared, and the only adult who commented on it and tried to make her feel safe was the janitor. While Garrisons comments do not directly put our children at risk, its comments like these and lack of knowledge that do, Samberg said. David Caroline asked Garrison what she was modeling for our children by refusing to listen to the hurt of other people. He also asked her to listen to concerns about the districts equity policy, saying that while DEI, equity, is doing amazing things for people, in certain places, DEI has unwittingly become the vehicle for anti-Israel and anti-Jewish rhetoric and actions. What it means for the equity policy Others including community advocates and Black parents pleaded with the board to not let the dispute derail its equity work. Alex Tavangar, vice chair of the NAACP Main Line Branch, presented the board with a plan to remedy educational disparities in the district. He said that while Black students make up 9% of Lower Merions student body, they account for more than 30% of students classified with learning disabilities; only 45% of Black third through eighth graders in the district score proficient in math, he said. This journey is nowhere near its completion, Tavangar said. Parent Nigeria James, who is Black, said that when she moved to Lower Merion from Los Angeles 10 years ago, she was warned about the achievement gap. A decade later, with a child in college and another who will be graduating from Lower Merion in June, I cannot say that the achievement gap has really changed, James said. Despite her providing resources to her children, they almost slipped through the cracks. And so many Black kids are. The district knows it, and I dont know why we are still having the same issue. Some said the objections to the equity policy were negating the specific legacy of discrimination faced by Black students. Regine St. Germain called Rubins suggestion to replace historically marginalized with all individuals akin to someone responding, All Lives Matter, when someone says Black Lives Matter. The board ultimately approved the policy, though after extensive debate about whether to maintain a list of glossary terms, like implicit bias and microaggression. Some parents criticized the list for not mentioning ethnoreligion, though religion is listed in the policy as a factor that could be a cause of opportunity or achievement gaps. Not all of the terms in the glossary appear in the policy language; Sautner expressed concern Lower Merion would be open to lawsuits. Some other board members questioned whether removing the terms would make the policys intent less clear. The board decided to review the glossary terms at another policy committee meeting. We do not want Lower Merion to be a centerpiece of national discussion, Sautner said. Mastery Schools, Philadelphias largest charter school network, experienced a system disruption to its IT infrastructure Monday that took phones offline and limited email access, officials said. While the network initially characterized the event as a hiccup that did not impact classroom instruction, a teacher disputed that account, saying the outage had upended plans in numerous classrooms that rely on internet connections and Chromebooks for lessons. Advertisement In a statement late Monday, Peter Lee, Masterys chief information officer, did not comment on the reason for the disruption. On Tuesday, Masterys CEO, Joel D. Boyd, said the charter network had shut its systems down after noticing suspicious activity attributed to an unauthorized external source. Mastery has engaged experienced cybersecurity professionals and contacted federal law enforcement, Boyd said. He said there was no indication of identity theft or fraud. The charter network, which operates schools in Philadelphia and Camden, had not given a reason for the disruption Monday but had said it was working with experts to address the issue and get the schools back online as quickly and securely as possible. Families were able to contact schools through direct cell-phone lines, officials said. A teacher at Mastery Hardy Williams in Southwest Philadelphia, who requested anonymity for fear of repercussions from administrators, said the schools teachers were told by their principal before coming to school Monday morning that the internet was down. An hour later, they were told to prepare for possible days of outages, the teacher said. Its a bit ironic, because Mastery just transitioned this year to a one-to-one system that has all students working on Chromebooks and requires all graded assignments to be turned in electronically, the teacher said. While a number of teachers didnt have lessons prepared on paper we get in trouble if things are not on the computer, the teacher said some did have written backup plans. Others improvised. Everyone got really creative, which was incredible to see, the teacher said. But you could feel the stress, with the prospect of disruption continuing for days. Cynthia Shapira, who currently leads the board of governors overseeing Pennsylvania's state university system, will chair the new higher education board. Read more Members of a new higher education board charged with creating a strategic plan and improving coordination among Pennsylvanias many public and private colleges were appointed this month and will begin their work soon. The 21-member board that includes college presidents, representatives from business and labor, legislators, students, and faculty will be led by Cynthia Shapira, a higher education and nonprofit consultant who has chaired the board of governors for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education since July 2016. Brenda Allen, president of Lincoln University, a state-related historically Black college in Chester County, will serve as vice chair. Advertisement Other local leaders named to the board by Gov. Josh Shapiro include Temple University president Richard M. Englert who will be replaced by John A. Fry when he becomes Temples president Nov. 1 and St. Josephs University president Cheryl McConnell. READ MORE: Scholarships, funding, and oversight boards: Higher education takeaways from the Pa. state budget Kate Shaw, deputy secretary and commissioner for Postsecondary and Higher Education, called the new board an exciting new chapter for the states colleges and universities that will, for the first time in Pennsylvanias history, bring all sectors of higher education together to chart a bold new vision for higher education and provide the capacity and support needed to make this vision a reality. Pennsylvania, she said, faces a large and growing workforce credential crisis, and too many communities lack access to affordable postsecondary credentials that will lead to good-paying jobs. A bright economic future for the Commonwealth requires colleges and universities to collaborate with each other and work with employers, labor leaders, students, legislators, and members of the administration to solve these problems together. She said the board likely would be holding its first meeting later this month. The General Assembly also made four appointments to the board: Sen. Jay Costa (D., Allegheny); Sen. Wayne Langerholc (R., Cambria); Rep. Peter Schweyer (D., Lehigh); and Rep. Jesse Topper (R., Bedford). The board, which came out of budget negotiations earlier this year, also will be charged with improving access and affordability and making sure colleges are providing the proper training to meet workforce needs, especially in shortage areas. And it will create a council that will develop recommendations for performance-based funding for state-related universities, including Temple, Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Pittsburgh. Graduation and retention rates and job outcomes are among the criteria likely to be included. The establishment of the council likely will be one of the boards first actions, given that it is expected to develop recommendations by the end of April, Shaw said. READ MORE: A plan to overhaul Pa.s higher education landscape is a long time coming, but questions remain. The board also has been tasked with developing procedures by July 1, 2026, to ensure orderly closures of colleges, proper teach-out plans, and the proper preservation of an institutions records. Legislators sought greater oversight after the University of the Arts abruptly closed in June with one weeks notice to students and faculty. For years, some have cited the need for an overarching board that could better plan how Pennsylvanias plethora of private colleges, state and state-related universities, and community colleges can work together to meet the needs of students and the states workforce. Its only regulatory authority will be over community colleges, a role that until now had been served by the Board of Education, and cover the establishment or closure of a school, the addition of branch campuses, a change in a schools sponsorship, or the addition of degrees above an associates. Community colleges otherwise will maintain their autonomy over their local operations. Shapira said in a statement that she was honored to be named inaugural chair. Our colleges and universities have all achieved so much as institutions, and we now have the opportunity to achieve even more together through greater coordination and strategic action, said Shapira, who also will remain chair of the PASSHE board. Penn student Sean Eden also was appointed to the board. I am excited to serve in office with my fellow board members, he wrote on LinkedIn. The end of my term will be marked by my graduation and I am thoroughly looking forward to serving the Pennsylvania Commonwealth and representing all students. Other members of the board include: Legendary WRTI jazz host Bob Perkins is surrounded by his CD collection of jazz recordings at his home in Wyncote, Pa., on Dec. 19, 2019. Read more Though hell be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at this years Montco Jazz Festival on Thursday for his legendary broadcasting career, Bob Perkins would prefer to discuss other lives and other achievements. At 90, a year and a half after retiring from the Philadelphia airwaves, the beloved DJ still has stories to tell. Far from slipping into a well-deserved retirement, the radio personality known for his slogan BP with the GM (Bob Perkins with the good music) has been amassing a collection of short biographical sketches that hed like to share in the form of two-minute vignettes. Advertisement Seated at the dining room table in the Wyncote apartment that he shares with his wife, Sheila, Perkins rifled through a stack of printouts and eagerly launched into a few quick snapshots: Henri Christophe Dickerson, the first African American and openly gay winner of the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding contest; and legendary jazz drummer Philly Joe Jones lesser-known past as one of the citys first Black trolley car drivers. Perkins hopes that one of his former employers prior to his quarter-century spinning jazz five nights a week on WRTI, his mellifluous tones could be heard broadcasting on WHYY or WDAS would be interested in spotlighting these fascinating profiles. Im glad somebody still remembers me, he said, humbly deflecting attention from the forthcoming award. I hope that somebody would like my input to get these stories on the air. But itll be Perkins own inspiring story that will be the focus on Thursday night, as Temple University celebrates him at its Ambler Campus, kicking off the third-annual Montco Jazz Festival, which runs through Sunday. The Lifetime Achievement Award presentation, by renowned trumpeter and Temple director of jazz studies Terell Stafford, will be followed by a performance from saxophonist Josh Lee and his big band, the Extended Family. In addition to leading his own band, Lee tours with the Count Basie Orchestra and is an on-air host at WRTI, where he was mentored by Perkins. I didnt realize until I sat in on one of his shows for the first time how much his choice of music shaped my taste in jazz, said Lee, who grew up outside of Philly listening to BP with the GM five nights a week. So much of what I love is based on the music that Bob Perkins played every night. The Montco Jazz Fest takes place at dozens of venues across Montgomery County this weekend, and is the second curated by Philly vocalist Joanna Pascale. She based her selections around the theme of legacy, which, for her, made Perkins an ideal honoree to launch the festivities. Bob Perkins has fostered generations of incredible musicians, said Pascale, who had once nervously called the station to ask about a record that Perkins had played and was greeted with warmth and knowledge. READ MORE: The 10 best jazz concerts coming to Philly this fall His love for the music was so infectious, she continued. He was always generous with information, and all those lessons that I learned, all the music and the artists that I discovered through him, Ive taken and passed on to my own students. After nearly six decades in broadcasting, Perkins still marvels at the fact that he ever made it on air. While others may credit him for his wealth of knowledge, his intimate familiarity with the musics history and its leading figures, and that familiar, sonorous voice, BP himself still sees himself as a kid in South Philly raised by a radio-obsessed father. He chuckled as he recalled recording himself playing his favorite records or reading news stories from The Inquirer, then comparing the tapes with his idols. I just think about how fortunate I was to have a father who knew radio backward and forwards, and a brother who loved jazz, Perkins said. His earliest memory in life is accompanying his brother to Fays Theatre in West Philadelphia to see the bandleader Lucky Millinder. Jazz and radio became the twin passions that coursed through the rest of his life. He broke into radio in Detroit in 1965 at a small Black-owned station, then returned home in 1969, where he was appointed editorial director at WDAS. His voice was a staple of the local airwaves from that day until April 2023, when he signed off from WRTI for the last time. He quickly followed that up with a short-lived podcast, Stay Tuned with Bob Perkins. While he admits that he misses the radio, Perkins has no desire to return full time. After surviving a stroke in 2019, he relied on assistance in the studio. In 2022, he pared down his schedule from five nights a week to a single four-hour Sunday shift. Still, as he approaches his 91st birthday in December, its clear that he still has the instincts of a veteran broadcaster. I dont have the voice that I used to have, BP admitted. After 58 years, Ive got a right to be worn out. But Ive got all these stories, and I think thats too valuable to let go. Montco Jazz Fest, Sept. 19-22, Multiple venues across Montgomery County. Information and tickets at https://bit.ly/3TyV5aP Disco is the theme of Sushi by Bou's location at 1224 Chestnut St. Read more As the intimate sushi experience known as omakase has become more popular in America, restaurateurs have gotten more creative with the settings. SimpleVenue, for example, set up its first Sushi by Bou location five years ago in a 150-square-foot hotel room on the 10th floor of a New York City hotel, and took the concept national. Two years ago, it came to Philadelphia with a high-end omakase brand called Sushi Suite, tucked into the back room of a sushi bar in Fishtown with a Roaring 20s theme. Over the spring, SimpleVenue rebranded that location into a Sushi by Bou, decorating it in a 1990s hip-hop style. Advertisement For its next Sushi by Bou, opening Friday at the former Leda & the Swan nightspot at 1224 Chestnut St. in Washington Square West, SimpleVenue has rolled back the calendar to 1977. Is Philly ready for disco omakase? Designers have built a 10-seat sushi bar, beneath glittery chandeliers meant to evoke Studio 54, for two omakase experiences under chef Kinzang Wangchuk: $65 for 12 courses or $125 for the 17-course Bou-gie upgrade, which starts with a Kanpai toast with the chefs. Like the Sushi by Bous other experiences, they last one hour and are served Wednesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. The rest of the room is set up as a lounge; only drinks are served. There are velvet booths, mirror balls, and back in a corner booth, a black-and-white gallery of iconic moments from the Carter administration. On Friday and Saturday nights, the restaurant turns into BouBar, with DJs spinning classic disco and house music, plus bottle service and cocktails. The location is a partnership between Glu Hospitality (Derek Gibbons and Tim Lu, former operators of Leda & the Swan) and SimpleVenue (Michael Sinensky and Erika London, with nightlife impresario Richie Romero). Representatives of SimpleVenue have previously mentioned a sushi location opening in the Rittenhouse Square area, but were not prepared to disclose details. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court last year ended a requirement that medical malpractice cases be filed in the county where the care was provided. The change has brought hundreds of cases from the suburbs into Philadelphia courtrooms. Read more Main Line Health has four hospitals, all outside Philadelphia. Yet the nonprofit has been hard hit by a change in medical malpractice rules last year allowing cases to be filed in Philadelphia even if the incident occurred elsewhere, so long as a defendant regularly does business in the city. Advertisement As a result, Main Line is facing at least 28 malpractice lawsuits in the city based on care provided in the suburbs. That couldnt have happened two years ago, before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ended a two-decade ban on venue shopping. This opened the gates to more suits in the city, which is known for eight-figure verdicts. The hook for Main Line is that it has two doctors offices in Philadelphia, according to the complaints. Only the much larger Jefferson Health has more Philadelphia lawsuits from the suburbs, with 33. At City Hall, more than dozen such cases are being filed every month, and from all directions. Patients who received care at hospitals as far away as Scranton and York are now seeking justice in Philadelphias Court of Common Pleas. In all, 43% of 657 medical malpractice complaints initiated in Philadelphia between Jan. 1, 2023, and April were based on care provided outside the city, according to an Inquirer analysis of court data. Its no surprise more cases are coming to Philadelphia, given the potential for multimillion dollar verdicts and settlements, said Nick Gaudiosi, east region health-care practice leader for Aon, a major insurance broker. Philadelphia is like a slot machine. Its a slot machine that everybody wants to play, he said. Medical malpractice lawsuits often take years to work through, so its too soon to know the impact of the migration of cases into Philadelphia. Already, health systems and doctors say they are under greater pressure to settle, given the potential for hefty Philadelphia verdicts. The rise in lawsuits filed in the city means the number of filings in suburban counties is likely going down. An Inquirer review found that the number of malpractice cases in Delaware County fell by more than half, to 32 in 2023 from 67 in 2022. Statewide data were not yet available and are expected this fall. In one particularly far-reaching claim, Regional Hospital of Scranton is being sued in Philadelphia City Hall 124 miles away from the medical campus where a patient died in February 2022. The reason for suing in the city? A temporary staffing nurse accused of negligence in the case has a home address in South Philadelphia. The changed world of health care The health-care landscape in which the rules just changed looks dramatically different than in 2003. That was when the state decided to require malpractice cases be filed in the county where the issue occurred. Back then, the malpractice insurance market was in turmoil, making it harder for doctors and hospitals to afford coverage. Philadelphia courtrooms, then and now, draw an outsized share of medical malpractice lawsuits. But health systems today are far more likely to have a Philadelphia connection after a period of significant health-system consolidation. That means now far-flung organizations like Jefferson Health, which has acquired hospitals from South Jersey to Scranton and Hazleton since 2015, and growing private physicians groups are fair game for many more Philadelphia lawsuits. A recent trend toward higher jury verdicts and settlements also worries medical providers. In January 2023, a jury reached a $183 million verdict against the University of Pennsylvania Health System, a Pennsylvania record. Other big verdicts have followed: $32 million against the shuttered Hahnemann University Hospital and $45 million against Temple University Health System last month. The combination, tort reform advocates warned, is adding to costs for health systems and could lead back to the climate last seen in the early 2000s, when four medical malpractice insurers failed and others stopped doing business in Pennsylvania. The latest run of high verdicts and settlements is already impacting the Philadelphia insurance market. Its now rare for insurers to offer more than $5 million in what is called excess coverage that goes beyond the state minimum of $1 million, an expert said. That means health systems need to use more insurers than they did historically to build adequate coverage. What we are seeing in Philadelphia now is insurers dramatically tightening their belts, not just in price but also in the limits of coverage they provide, said Richard T. Henderson, a senior vice president at TransRe, a New York reinsurance firm. Meanwhile, cases are surging. The total number of cases last year in the city, when lawyers again had more latitude in where they could file lawsuits, was 544, up 34% from 2019, according to a February presentation by Daniel J. Anders, administrative judge in Philadelphia Common Pleas Courts trial division. Thats still far below the average of 1,204 medical malpractice cases that Philadelphia saw from 2000 to 2002, when the citys courts accounted for 44% of the cases statewide, according the data from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. Philadelphia is like a slot machine. Nick Gaudiosi, Aon east region health-care practice leader The reduced overall numbers reflect a raft of changes to state law that made it harder to sue hospitals and doctors for sometimes catastrophic injuries, said Shanin Specter, a founding partner of Kline & Specter, a Philadelphia law firm with a large medical malpractice group. Even when you add in the increase of cases that are now being brought, it pales in comparison to the number of malpractice cases that were brought 25 years ago, he said. Specter also noted that in some cases, verdicts include expenses for years of care and dont have to be paid upfront. Health system impact Health systems that primarily operate in the Pennsylvania suburbs immediately outside of Philadelphia are seeing their city court docket swell. Main Line Health is defending six cases over care delivered at Riddle Hospital Delaware Countys Middletown Township. And another ten cases involve Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, just outside the Philadelphia city limits. At Jefferson, 25 of 33 cases from outside the city involve Jefferson Abington Hospital in Montgomery County. (The Jefferson total does not include several cases filed in Philadelphia against Lehigh Valley Health Network in anticipation of Jeffersons recently completed acquisition of the system.) Tower Health has seen the third-highest number of cases from outside the city. It owns three hospitals all of them outside of the city and runs St. Christophers Hospital for Children in North Philadelphia in a joint venture with Drexel University. Towers total of 21 included eight for Reading Hospital, seven for Phoenixville Hospital, and four for Pottstown Hospital. Tower recently boosted its medical malpractice reserves by an additional $18 million, citing the shift of cases to Philadelphia. Main Line, Jefferson, and Tower declined to comment. Higher verdicts and settlements have spurred the University of Pennsylvania Health System to boost its professional liability reserves by $90 million. It is defending at least seven lawsuits from Chester County Hospital, six from Lancaster General, and one from Princeton Medical Center. The question of whether lawsuits against Penn Princeton can be filed in Philadelphia is under appeal in Pennsylvania Superior Court. PJ Brennan, Penns chief medical officer, said its best to keep cases in the home county. The venue rule change creates inconvenience for all parties, and poses a strain on access to care when health-care workers must miss work in their own community to be present for out-of-town trials, he said. The change has also encouraged the filing of lawsuits which likely would not have been filed in the other counties, but are now filed in Philadelphia because of the potential for higher yield before a jury, he said. Reasons for filing in Philadelphia Often the reason for filing in Philadelphia is straightforward: It makes sense logistically. The rule change aligns medical malpractice with other types of personal injury lawsuits; cases can be brought in any county where a defendant regularly conducts business, or where a defendant can be served. And Philadelphia courts can be efficient compared to other jurisdictions, said Tom Duffy, a veteran malpractice attorney whose firm recently won a $45 million verdict against Temple. You file a lawsuit, you get a date, you get deadlines, you move forward, and you get the case tried, he said. The legal rationale is clear for systems like Thomas Jefferson University, which owns hospitals in the city and outside the city. The new rule makes it clear cut to file cases in Philadelphia involving Jefferson Lansdale Hospital or Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital. Genesis Healthcare, the Kennett Square nursing home giant, also has facilities in and outside the city. In other cases, the justification for filing in Philadelphia is a legal case in its own right. Wellspan in York and Penn State Healths Hershey Medical Center near Harrisburg each face lawsuits in the city, where the complaints say they regularly conduct business. Wellspan said it has no business in the city. Penn State declined to comment on litigation. York Countys May Eye Care Center & Associates and UPMC Hanover were sued in the city because the manufacturer of a drug used in an eye procedure regularly does business in Philadelphia, the plaintiffs lawyers at Kline & Specter say. A case against Doylestown Hospital listed 23 reasons why it was proper to sue the Bucks County institution in Philadelphia, including that it purchased supplies and equipment in the city and used Philadelphia courts to defend its business interests. Fighting for transfers Some defendants are fighting to have Philadelphia cases transferred out by making what is called a forum non conveniens motion namely, its not convenient. A physician and a physician assistant in a case involving Regional Hospital of Scranton 124 miles from Philadelphia did that on Aug. 28. They pointed out that only connection to the city was a nurse with a South Philadelphia address. It would be oppressive and vexatious for the parties and witnesses to need to drive for over two hours to attend depositions, hearings, and trials in this matter, the motion said. Brian S. Chacker, a Philadelphia lawyer for the plaintiff in that case, did not respond to an email asking why the suit was filed in the city. About a dozen cases have been transferred out of Philadelphia, sometimes after a case was first filed in a suburban county and then refiled in the city after the rule change. But transfers for the sake of convenience are rare. The defendant has an uphill climb to win a transfer and the state Supreme Court has even tightened those requirements, said Curt Schroder, executive director of the Pa. Coalition for Civil Justice Reform, a group that advocates for changes that would benefit health-care defendants. Judges will give great weight to where the plaintiff decides to file the case, Schroder said. Gillian's Wonderland Pier, in Ocean City, N.J., on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. The venue is closing for good with its last day tentatively set for Oct. 13. Read more As Gillians Wonderland Pier in Ocean City, N.J., heads for its unthinkable final day, tentatively announced as Oct. 13, one local teacher had a message for all those who loved the pier, and, like so many, have unused tickets, mostly bought in advance at half-price. Just dont throw them away, Kelly Morgan, an eighth-grade math teacher in Pleasantville, N.J., wrote in posts on Facebook. I can get them into the hands of families who really may not be able to go otherwise. Advertisement And so she has. Since posting on Labor Day weekend, the Pleasantville Middle School teacher has received nearly 10,000 unused tickets, some dating back to 2007, all of which were supposed to never expire. But as quickly as the tickets come in, she is donating them to local families, including secretaries and security guards in Pleasantville, teachers in Ventnor, and firefighters in Atlantic City, where her husband is a fire captain. Shes got families reaching out to her on Facebook asking for the tickets, many with stories about financial hardships. The pier is aimed at families with children about 10 and under, and shes estimating about 100 tickets (or credits, as theyre called by Gillians) per child for a decent outing. Theres no admission fee for the park itself, but each ride requires four, five or six tickets, which are sold full price at $1 each, but many people purchase at half-price during pre-sales. The credits are loaded into Gillians system and stored on a plastic card. After the posts, and a story on NBC10, she said, the supply and the demand have continued to build. Mayor Jay Gillian, whose family has run amusement parks in Ocean City for 94 years, announced the shocking closure of Gillians last month and said the business was no longer viable. The property, at Sixth and the Boardwalk, is owned by developer Eustace Mita, who has not disclosed his plans for the space. He has previously floated plans for a hotel on the Boardwalk. Im getting tickets daily, Morgan said. Ive had people who said, Were coming down in for the weekend, my husband just lost his job, and we really want to go. Im mailing tickets to people. Dozens of people have reached out to get tickets. Morgan said people who want to mail her tickets can reach out to her on Facebook, or they can drop them off or mail them to the Downbeach Deli in Margate, where she also works. (c/o Kelly Morgan, 8 Essex Avenue, Margate, N.J. 08402.) Shes happy to pick up from peoples mailboxes if theyre local. Shes still seeing tickets offered for sale on Facebook. That makes me laugh, she said. You kind of missed the boat at this point. Give them to a neighbor. Drop them off at the Boys & Girls Club. Go to a church. Many ticket cards have smaller amounts left (Morgan looks up each card up to see how much is left), and so are more useful when bundled together and donated, as Morgan is doing. Gillians has long held an annual pre-season half-price sale, and many people stock up. The announced closing of the iconic Ocean City institution, where generations have taken their littlest children to ride the rides Down the Shore, continues to upset people in town. Residents have pleaded for some way to save the pier they say defines Ocean City. READ MORE: A sad goodbye to Wonderland Pier Over the weekend, Gillian told a packed community meeting that he tried and failed to keep the pier open. Gillian, who has come under scrutiny for his shaky finances and financial entanglements with prominent developers, blamed the closure on Hurricane Sandy, the COVID-19 lockdowns, and the increase in New Jerseys minimum wage, which he said doubled his payroll from $40,000 to $80,000. Many attending feared that the loss of Gillians would be a severe blow to Ocean Citys reputation as a family resort, with one local resident, Helen Struckmann, calling Ocean City an endangered species, according to news reports. People who want to mail their tickets can reach out to Morgan on Facebook, or drop them off or mail them to the Downbeach Deli in Margate. (c/o Kelly Morgan, 8 Essex Avenue, Margate, N.J. 08402.) The West Philadelphia Community Mental Health Consortium hands flyers out to residents of Kingsessing on Chester Avenue on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. Read more Last month, Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration decided to terminate the citys $3.8 million contract with the West Philadelphia Community Mental Health Consortium, a nonprofit that has provided mental health treatment to uninsured people for over five decades. The decision was made, according to Inquirer reporting, because of city concerns about the nonprofits governance, loss of nonprofit status, and possible financial mismanagement. A portion of this funding supports the consortiums mobile crisis response unit, which dispatches trained behavioral health service providers to provide on-site treatment, de-escalation, or transportation to people experiencing mental health emergencies. This crisis response unit, which answered 1,200 calls last year, is the only such service providing coverage to West and Southwest Philadelphia. Advertisement Without funding from the city, it will cease to operate. Its absence will leave a serious gap in care options for residents of these areas, who may soon face the agonizing choice of either not asking for help in an emergency or risking a call to the police that could escalate the situation, resulting in the injury or death of a person in crisis. READ MORE: Philly, stop sending police to mental health crises | Opinion Police are not mental health professionals and are not equipped to care for people in crisis. A recent study by researchers at Johns Hopkins found that 23% of all police shootings involved civilians with mental health conditions and that 67% of police shootings of people in crisis were fatal. Other research shows that among civilians with mental health conditions, Black people are killed by police at higher rates than people of other races. By contrast, nonpolice crisis response teams, which have recently gained traction across the country, have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness. Several cities report that only about 1% of their mobile crisis calls end up requiring police backup, and no safety issues or injuries to crisis responders have been documented. The main logistical challenge these programs encounter is lack of funding. Police are not mental health professionals and are not equipped to care for people in crisis. Failing to offer nonpolice options for mental health crisis response also risks running afoul of federal disability law, as other cities have discovered. Washington, D.C., for example, is currently engaged in a federal lawsuit after a local nonprofit alleged that the citys practice of responding to psychiatric crises with law enforcement personnel rather than mental health providers violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. Since people who report physical health emergencies receive responses from trained medical professionals rather than police, the lawsuit argues, this amounts to unequal treatment of people with mental health conditions by denying them the same quality of care. In February, the U.S. Justice Department issued a statement confirming that D.C.s practices may plausibly constitute a violation of federal disability law, noting that federal investigations in several other cities determined that deploying police to behavioral health emergencies is discriminatory and illegal, in addition to being harmful and ineffective. Last year, City Council approved an extra $3 million toward mobile crisis response in Philadelphia. Many viewed this increased prioritization of nonpolice crisis care as a direct response to the killing of Walter Wallace Jr. Wallace, a Black man living in West Philadelphia, was shot by police in 2020 following a 911 call requesting a mental health intervention. Removing the option for people in crisis to access trained mental health professionals rather than armed law enforcement puts Philadelphians at risk of possibly being harmed by police, or deterred from seeking help altogether. At present, the city has not announced plans for maintaining or expanding mobile crisis services, which jeopardizes the welfare of our most vulnerable community members. It also marks another example of the Parker administrations pattern of intensifying law enforcement responses to public safety issues while cutting or eliminating social services. To invest in public safety and well-being, the Parker administration must continue to make sure mobile crisis response units are available to residents. If the West Philadelphia Community Mental Health Consortiums funding cannot be reinstated, the city must offer immediate alternatives for nonpolice crisis response so continuity of care is not disrupted, and engage in ongoing consultations with community members in impacted neighborhoods so that residents mental health needs are better understood and addressed. Max Osborn is an assistant professor of sociology and criminology at Villanova University. The kind of patient mistreatment and neglect alleged at Norristown State Hospital sparked the national movement more than 50 years ago to deinstitutionalize mental health patients, writes the Editorial Board. Read more The death earlier this summer of a mentally ill Scranton man who authorities said was killed by his roommate at Norristown State Hospital is yet another sad symptom of this nations woefully inadequate system to help people whose medical conditions have made them a danger to both themselves and others. Jacob Gonzalez, 25, diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression, was killed the day before a scheduled July 15 court hearing to determine his competence to leave the state-run psychiatric hospital and stand trial for breaking into a doctors office in November to seek shelter from the cold. Advertisement Authorities said another patient, Kyle Samuels-Robey, went to nurses to ask for ice for a swollen hand and told them he had choked Gonzalez. Samuels-Robey, 34, of West Philadelphia, was also diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. He had been committed to mental institutions for more than a decade. The most egregious aspect of the state hospitals failure to ensure Gonzalezs safety was its staffs apparent disregard for rules requiring room checks every 15 minutes. Video surveillance showed no one checked on Gonzalez and Samuels-Robey between 8 and 9:15 p.m. Shortly before 9:30, Samuels-Robey made his confession to nurses. This was not the first time Norristown State Hospital has been in trouble. READ MORE: Trump shooters history underscores the need for more mental health resources in schools | Editorial The 144-year-old mental institution was cited in 2018 for having beds, doorknobs, and shower grab bars that inmates might use to take their own lives. Two years ago, its employees accused the hospital of abusing patients and encouraging their violent outbursts. That type of patient neglect and mistreatment sparked the national movement more than 50 years ago to deinstitutionalize mental health patients. As a result, the more than a half-million patients in mental hospitals in 1955 were reduced to less than 60,000 by 1998. By 2020, however, that number had risen to 125,000 patients, and thousands more need institutional help. Based on wait lists and other demographics, researchers say 60 psychiatric beds per 100,000 persons are optimal, and 30 beds should be the minimum. But America falls woefully short of either goal, with only 18 beds per 100,000, including beds in general hospitals. Pennsylvania has 29 beds per 100,000, and New Jersey has 22. Hospital emergency rooms with too few psychiatric beds are routinely overwhelmed by people experiencing a mental crisis. Too often those patients are treated and streeted prematurely, which may lead to violent behavior aimed at others or themselves after their discharge, including suicide. In fact, the Treatment Advocacy Center points out that a person with a severe mental illness is more likely to be a victim of violence than a perpetrator. While they admit the statistic is hard to calculate with precision, experts estimate that up to 56% of people with severe mental illness have experienced violent victimization within the last year, including theft, emotional abuse, sexual assault, and homicide. Many of these victims were part of what experts 20 years ago called a new generation of severely mentally ill persons who instead of being committed to institutions were too often left on the street. Today, theres nothing new about people who are mentally ill being homeless. Both their plight and the inexcusable murder of a patient in a Pennsylvania psychiatric hospital suggest Americas mental health system needs better attention. READ MORE: Mobile crisis units are a key resource for vulnerable Philadelphians | Opinion [W]e know today that the community is not necessarily the most benign treatment site for all mentally ill people at all times and that access to hospital care for those who need it, for as long as they need it, is absolutely essential to the success of deinstitutionalization. That spot-on assessment made 20 years ago by psychiatrists Leona L. Bacharach and H. Richard Lamb remains an unheeded call for action. Several fronts must be addressed to produce a more effective mental health system. Institutions cannot be allowed to operate under the same inadequate standards that led to their mass closure decades ago. More institutional settings are needed for people on waiting lists who too often end up homeless or in jail. Better programs must be developed, and housing provided for people who, with the right intervention, can avoid commitment. The nations mental health system seems to only get attention after a mass shooting. Gun rights proponents, in particular, are quick to blame the perpetrators mental state rather than the easy availability of a rapid-firing weapon as the problem. Even so, their lip service never leads to measures that dramatically improve the likelihood of a mentally unstable person getting help before a mass murder occurs. In the long course of the current presidential election, little is being said about America being on track for its fifth year in a row with more than 600 mass shootings in which four or more people were killed. Many of those crimes were likely carried out by someone who never got the mental health assistance they needed. Its time to stop talking about a more effective mental health system. Lets create it. Its (special) Election Day in Northwest Philly and North Philadelphia on Tuesday to fill two state representative vacancies in Harrisburg, after the Democratic incumbents resigned this summer. Its uncommon to host a special election so close to an election, with less than two months before voters return to the polls to elect their state representatives to a two-year term. But Democrats, who hold a one-seat majority in the state House, have been at a standstill until the two vacancies are filled. Advertisement Keith Sea Harris, the 28th Ward leader and a local landlord, is running unopposed in North Philadelphia to fill the vacancy created by Rep. Donna Bullocks resignation two months ago. Bullock left the state House to lead the nationally recognized anti-homelessness nonprofit Project HOME. Harris, who has worked on numerous city, state, and federal campaigns for Philadelphia politicians, said he thought he would throw his hat in the ring. Andre Carroll, a progressive field organizer for City Councils two Working Families Party members, was already on the ballot to replace Rep. Stephen Kinsey when Kinsey announced he did not plan to run for reelection last year. Kinsey resigned early, choosing not to finish his term after more than 10 years in the state House. Carroll is running unopposed to represent the Northwest Philly-based district in Tuesdays special election and on the November ballot, and will go to Harrisburg sooner than he expected. He will be the first openly gay person to represent the Germantown-based district and will join a handful of other LGBTQ members in the General Assembly. With neither candidate facing a Republican challenger, Carroll and Harris are expected to cruise to victory in Tuesdays elections. They are being elected only for the remainder of Kinsey and Bullocks terms, which run through the end of November. A spokesperson for House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler (R., Lancaster) criticized Democrats for hosting a special election just seven weeks before the candidates will appear on the ballot again in November. Given that these members will only serve for a limited number of weeks before the General Election, the only need to hold these costly special elections at this late date is for House Democrats to continue to gerrymander the membership of the House, spokesperson Jason Gottesman said in a statement in July. We have faith in the people of Pennsylvania to hold House Democrats accountable for their continued political games and open partisanship in November. Carroll and Harris were both chosen by the ward leaders in their districts in closed-door votes, as is the Philadelphia Democratic Partys process to fill vacant positions. Mental health, gun violence are top priorities for the candidates Harris said he hopes residents of the district know he is approachable and willing to talk about their issues. They will likely resonate with him, he said, after he lost several of his siblings to addiction. I understand the plight of the community, said Harris, who helped start a Narcotics Anonymous group at North Penn Baptist Church in his ward. And he will model his leadership after Bullocks, he added. I want to govern in love, just like she did, Harris said. His priorities, once elected, include increasing mental health care options, Harris said, as well as creating more moderate affordable housing options in the city. Carroll, the 33-year-old progressive poised to represent the 201st House District, previously told The Inquirer that gun violence and mental health services are top issues for him. He is particularly concerned about making sure young people get the mental health help they need when processing the trauma of losing a friend or classmate. I think a lot about how we are asking young people to deal with something that even us as adults havent figured out how to handle, Carroll told The Inquirer earlier this year. Death is one of those things. President Joe Biden speaks Monday at the U.S. Department of Educations annual National Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Week Conference at the Marriott in Center City. Read more President Joe Biden soaked up energy from a crowd of hundreds in Philadelphia who lauded his investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities on Monday as he solidifies his legacy as a supporter of these institutions. Standing on a stage between two American flags and screens projecting him, Biden addressed a crowd of energetic attendees at the Department of Educations National HBCU Conference on Monday at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. Advertisement He was met with a standing ovation when he announced his administrations total investment in HBCUs a record $17 billion since he took office. That figure encompasses all grants to HBCUs, Pell Grants to HBCU students, federal contracts to HBCUs, GI bill funds, and student aid funding like federal work study dollars. On Monday, his administration announced $2.7 million in grants across eight schools, though none are in Pennsylvania. His administration also touted that $1.1 billion in Pell Grants have gone to students at HBCUs since the start of Bidens term, though White House officials announced the to-date investment in a way that made it appear to be new money. Bidens Monday announcement came as the president prepares to pass the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris, a proud HBCU alumna, should she win the election. How can we lead the world without being the most educated nation in the world? How can we lead the world without reaching out to young people in this country to improve their capacity? Biden said. Only 3% of colleges in the country are HBCUs but theyre producing 20% of Black graduates, according to White House officials. Two of the earliest HBCUs are located in the Philadelphia suburbs, both public four-year colleges: Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, located in Chester and Delaware Counties, and Lincoln University, which is in Chester County. HBCUs have educated 40% of the countrys Black engineers, 50% of Black teachers, 70% of Black doctors and dentists, and 80% of Black judges, according to the White House. Harris is slated to speak to an audience of Black journalists and HBCU students on Tuesday at WHYY as the White House touts investments in HBCUs ahead of a November election in which Black voters could play a key role in determining whether the vice president prevails over former President Donald Trump. The excitement about Bidens embrace of HBCUs was clear in the crowd, and the room resembled a dance party ahead of the president making his way to the stage. Biden began speaking 45 minutes ahead of schedule, and the crowd chanted Thank you Joe! as he took the stage. Hundreds held their phones up, danced in their seats, and joyfully listened as Cheyney Universitys drum line hyped up the crowd. The revived drum line consists of current, former, and prospective students from Cheyney, the oldest HBCU in the country. They wore matching blue and white uniforms with blue sparkles going down the sides of their pants alongside the 76ers logo. The crowd on Monday appeared to largely include working professionals, but a few rows of HBCU students filled seats in a handful of rows in the front, who attended the event from all over the country as part of the My HBCU Matters program and the White House Initiative program. Jaelyn Johnson, 22, a Cheyney student from Philadelphia, said she found Bidens speech inspirational, and said it was important to learn just how much care he has for HBCUs. Johnson, who voted for Biden in 2020 and plans to vote for Harris, said she is looking forward to learning on Tuesday about how Harris plans to reduce gun violence and restore abortion rights. Nobody really knows what she has in store because shes never been president before, Johnson said of Harris. ... I want to know what shell contribute, and I want other people to be enlightened on what else she has to offer. During his speech, Biden contextualized the importance of HBCUs during the current political moment. He specifically criticized former President Donald Trump for falsely claiming during last weeks presidential debate that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating the towns pets. Today, affirmative action and the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion are under attack, Biden said. " Books are being banned, history is being erased, HBCUs have received bomb threats. And right now, lies and hate are being spread about Haitian Americans in Ohio. Bidens speech came a day after a second assassination attempt against Trump in Florida was thwarted by the Secret Service. Biden commended the Secret Service for their response, expressed relief in Trumps safety, and said that Americans must resolve our differences peacefully at the ballot box, not at the end of a gun. Biden touted his administrations policies on HBCUs and how graduates of HBCUs have been a core part of his presidency. The grants announced Monday are geared at diversifying the STEM and education workforces. Antoine Mapp, who leads the Cheyney University drum line, has been spearheading an effort to bring back Cheyneys marching band. Mapp, a 2001 Cheyney alum, hopes Bidens investments in HBCUs can help him make that a reality. Were working on bringing Cheyneys band back, he said. " We got a little bit of equipment, and we are here to open up the show and hopefully get some more students to get scholarships so we can build our band back. The drum line currently includes five Cheyney students and four high school seniors, said Mapp, who also leads the West Powelton Steppers and Drum Squad in Philadelphia. Tristan Scott, a drummer who plans to vote for Harris, said his friends dont really talk about politics. Scott, who lives in Southwest Philadelphia and attends John Bartram High School, plans to attend Cheyney next year and hopes Bidens commitment to funding HBCUs can help him get a scholarship. Vasil Brooks, a student at Beyond Literacy, also performed at the event as part of the drum line. Brooks, 19, of West Philadelphia, said he only wants to vote if he feels like he has all the facts, and he isnt leaning toward one candidate or another. Ive been thinking about it lately, he said of voting. Its definitely been crossing my mind. If I was to vote, I want to make sure I have all the facts and pick the right candidate. Staff writer Fallon Roth contributed to this article. These appointments coincide with Gilchrist Connells recognition in the Best Lawyers in Australia 2025 edition, where 36 of the firms practitioners were acknowledged across multiple practice areas. This includes five senior associates who were named in the Ones to Watch category, which highlights emerging talent within the legal profession. The assessor and insurer had three attempts at calculating the loss of rent, which is quite different to a permanent rental loss of rent calculation, all of which were incorrect, said Ware. In the end we did the calculation for the insurer, they approved it and the client was very happy with the result. Almost every day, my office is notified of data breaches where Australians are at likely risk of serious harm. This harm can range from an increase in scams and the risk of identity theft to emotional distress and even physical harm, she said. Cargo insurance, representing a global premium base of US$22.1 billion, saw a 6.2% increase from 2022. All regions reported growth, with Europe accounting for the largest share at 39.8%, followed by Asia-Pacific at 32.2%. Cargo premium growth tends to align with global trade volumes, which have normalised following the disruptions caused by COVID-19. Since 2019, Consilium has reported a compound growth rate of 39%, and its headcount has grown by 123% over the last 18 months. The firm also said that it expects significant growth in 2024 and is targeting $1.4 billion in gross written premiums (GWP) by 2026, with further recruitment efforts planned for the coming year as part of its expansion strategy. Im excited to build an advisory board that will bring deep expertise and credibility to this critical, yet undervalued peril. Severe convective storms present a major challenge for many insurers and have serious consequences for homeowners. This highlights the urgency and importance of the centers mission and is the area Demex and I have focused on researching for several years, Bennett said. It has come to our attention that some insurance companies may not be complying with the guidance issued by DFS in Insurance Circular Letter No. 11 of September 12, 2019, and therefore the law as set forth in the CVA. Freds appointment is a pivotal moment for fac at Price Forbes Re. Weve worked hard to build a platform that great people want to be part of and I am delighted to see the reaction to Fred joining and how he is helping make Property Fac at Prices Forbes Re a standout offering, Melbourne said. This post is part of a series sponsored by CoreLogic. August 8, 2024, marked one year since the Lahaina Fires in Maui, which scorched approximately 6,500 acres and destroyed over 2,200 structures, leaving the Lahaina community devastated. While this event highlighted the vulnerability of certain regions to wildfires, it also underscored a growing trend: the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires across the United States. This year alone, as of mid-July, more than 24,000 wildfires burned over 3 million acres nationwide. California remains particularly at risk, with over 3,800 wildfires already affecting nearly 200,000 acres. Such figures highlight the urgent need for effective wildfire risk management strategies, especially in the face of a changing climate. The recently released CoreLogic 2024 Wildfire Risk Report examines the current wildfire risk landscape across the U.S., offering valuable insights for communities, insurers, and policymakers alike. The report not only quantifies wildfire risks at the national, state, and metropolitan levels, but also provides an overview of risk mitigation strategies, regulatory changes, and recovery efforts. One of the reports key findings is the staggering number of homes at risk in the western U.S. Over 2.6 million homes are at moderate or greater risk, with a combined reconstruction cost value of $1.2 trillion. California, Colorado, and Texas lead in the number of at-risk homes, many of which are located in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI)areas where homes are in close proximity to forested or undeveloped lands, making them particularly vulnerable to wildfires. California also faces a unique regulatory change. In June 2024, the California Department of Insurance (CDI) unveiled a new plan allowing insurers to use catastrophe models in ratemaking only if insurers increase their writing of policies in high wildfire risk areas. The CoreLogic report also examines the effectiveness of various wildfire mitigation strategies, highlighting the findings of a study funded by the California Resilience Challenge Grant. Following the devastating 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California, a collaborative study by the Town of Paradise, Milliman, Inc., and CoreLogic assessed individual- and community-level wildfire mitigation approaches to estimate wildfire risk reduction and the impact on homeowners insurance premiums in Californias wildland urban interface (WUI). Finally, the CoreLogic report provides an update on Lahainas recovery, emphasizing the slow but steady progress being made. With nearly all damaged lots cleared, the rebuilding process has begun, though challenges remain, particularly in terms of labor availability. Know Your Risk. Accelerate Your Recovery. By understanding the current risk landscape and implementing effective mitigation strategies, we can better safeguard our communities against the devastating impact of wildfires. To learn more of this years key findings about the growing threat of wildfires and how communities can become more resilient, read the CoreLogic 2024 Wildfire Risk Report. 2024 CoreLogic, Inc. All rights reserved. While all of the content and information is believed to be accurate, CoreLogic makes no guarantee, representation, or warranty, express or implied, including but not limited to as to the completeness, accuracy, applicability, or fitness, in connection with the content or information or the products referenced herein and assumes no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the content or information or products referenced herein or any reliance thereon. CoreLogic and Know Your Risk. Accelerate Your Recovery are the trademarks of CoreLogic, Inc. or its affiliates or subsidiaries. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Trends Wildfire Testimony has begun in a civil trial against a Virginia hospital that treats vulnerable children, its owner and its former medical director in a lawsuit filed by three former patients who allege they were touched inappropriately during physical exams. The lawsuit names the Cumberland Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Universal Health Services and Dr. Daniel Davidow, the hospitals longtime medical director, as defendants. A total of 46 former patients of the New Kent County hospital are suing for $930 million. In the first case, three female patients allege that Davidow inappropriately touched them during femoral pulse exams. Davidow was acquitted of felony sex abuse charges against two other former patients after a criminal trial in April. WTVR-TV reports that on the first day of testimony in the civil case last Wednesday, psychotherapist Kent Radwani testified that while he was leading a group therapy session in 2016, a female patient shared that she was abused during a physical exam at the hospital. Radwani said another patient then spoke up and said she also had a similar experience. When he asked the group how many had had similar experiences, an estimated 11 out of 12 girls in the group said they had been abused, Radwani testified. Kevin Biniazan, an attorney for the former patients, pressed Radwani for details on how the patients described the alleged abuse. Radwani said some claimed that Davidow fondled them, inappropriately touched them and inserted his finger into their vagina. In opening statements, Davidows attorney, Bob Donnelly, said Davidow unequivocally denies the sexual assault allegations against him. Donnelly said the femoral pulse exam conducted by Davidow dates back to the 1960s and 1970s and is a standard examination. Donnelly said Davidow tried to make patients feel more comfortable by having female chaperones, keeping patients clothed, and narrating the exam. Universal Health Services attorney Joe Farchione challenged the plaintiffs argument that patients were held at the hospital for profit. He presented a medical record that indicated a serious health condition for one of the plaintiffs. The crux of this case is really the examination. If you find no sexual assault, then you dont get to any other issues of the case, Farchione said. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Claims Virginia Two former chiefs of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) have been charged with bribery and corruption for allegedly expediting access to fire safety inspections for preferred customers in exchange for payments. Anthony Saccavino and Brian Cordasco were indicted and arrested Monday for their alleged roles as chiefs of FDNYs Bureau of Fire Prevention from about 2021 through 2023. They allegedly solicited and accepted tens of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for fast-tracking inspections and approvals for certain individuals and companies with matters pending before the BFP. Saccavino and Cordasco undermined the public trust and put their own greed above the interests of the taxpayers they swore to serve, said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams in announcing the indictment. According to prosecutors, Saccavino and Cordasco solicited and accepted bribes from a retired FDNY firefighter, Henry Santiago Jr., who ran The Santiago Co., an unsanctioned expediting business. Prosecutors claim Santiago promised his customers that he could expedite their fire safety plan reviews and inspection dates with the BFP, in exchange for payment. Prosecutors said Santiago made this claim even though the BFP generally addressed applications on a first-come, first-served basis, and notwithstanding the significant backlog that BFP had at the time. After a customer hired Santiago, Saccavino and Cordasco allegedly directed BFP personnel to prioritize that customers plan review or inspection request. According to the indictment, they justified the priority requests within the FDNY by lying to their BFP subordinates about the basis for their directions to prioritize certain projects over others. Santiago was paid by the customers of his company for this expediting and, in turn, Santiago made payments to Saccavino and Cordasco to obtain the promised preferential treatment, according to prosecutors. Collectively, Saccavino and Cordasco, and Santiago allegedly received more than $190,000 in payments in connection with this scheme, according to the indictment. The charges contained in the indictment against Saccavino and Cordasco are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Santiago, of Staten Island, New York, pled guilty on September 10, 2024, to bribery and wire fraud. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Santiago agreed to cooperate with the government. Source: U.S. Attorneys Office, Southern District of New York. Topics New York Numbers Baltimore-based Maury, Donnelly & Parr, Inc. (MDP) reported its acquisition of another Maryland insurance agency, Campion Insurance in Bel Air. MDP said the merger broadens its reach and service offerings across the Mid-Atlantic region, including in both commercial and personal lines, and strengthens its high-net-worth practice, an area of focus for MDP. Other specialties of Campion, a family owned, independent insurance agency, include technology companies, mercantile offices and professional liability. The Campion team will continue to operate from its Bel Air location, retaining its business while tapping into MDPs resources including carrier partnerships, operations, and marketing. Founded in 1875 as a marine insurer to the businesses that utilized the Port of Baltimore, MDP operates today as an agent, consultant, broker, risk manager, and program administrator in the insurance industry. It has nine offices along the East Coast. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Maryland The latest flooding in central Europe could cause economic losses ranging from several hundred million euros to billions, early estimates published on Monday found, as the region braced for more damage. Credit rating agency Morningstar DBRS estimates losses will range from several hundred million euros to more than one billion euros ($1.1 billion), Mario De Cicco, vice president of global insurance and pension ratings at Morningstar DBRS, told Reuters in emailed comments. Insured losses are expected to be higher in the Czech Republic, where insurance is more prevalent, than in Poland, De Cicco said. Gallagher Re, a reinsurance broker, said that it was too early to provide a concrete estimate given the rain was still falling and river levels rising but that economic losses would likely be in the billions. Update: Flood Death Toll Rises as Europe Counts Cost of Storm Boris We have every expectation that economic costs will be measured in the billions (USD) but its simply going to take time to fully assess until more clarity emerges, said Steve Bowen, Gallagher Res Chief Science Officer. The two countries are some of the hardest hit by flooding, the worst in the region for at least two decades. Austria and Romania have also suffered, and at least 15 people have died. Besides local insurance firms, big Austrian insurers especially those active in the Czech Republic and Poland are expected to be those most affected, De Cicco said. Severe weather events have caused some of the biggest losses for insurers in recent years, prompting appeals from the industry to do more to address climate change. ($1 = 0.8987 euros) (Reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain and Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; Editing by Tommy Reggiori Wilkes, Barbara Lewis and Hugh Lawson) Photograph: A destroyed house in Jesenik, Czech Republic, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) Topics Profit Loss Flood Europe Taiwans financial regulator rejected on Monday a takeover attempt by financial conglomerate CTBC of rival Shin Kong saying its plans were incomplete. CTBC made an unexpected bid for Shin Kong last month, upending a proposal for Shin Kong to merge with another peer, Taishin. Shin Kong has said it views Taishin as its preferred bidder. Taiwans financial services industry is domestically focused and fragmented, and Taishin and Shin Kong hope that by merging they can expand their footprint and become a more globally competitive company. Taishin Raises Offer for Shin Kong in What Could Be Taiwans Biggest Financial Deal Financial Supervisory Commission Vice Chair Chiu Shu-chen told reporters that CTBCs plans were incomplete, and that it had asked the firm to provide further documentation for its bid, but not all met the regulators requirements. However, the regulator still encourages the financial industry to make benign mergers and acquisitions that respect market order, she added. CTBC said in a statement that it was disappointed but respected the decision. Taishin said last week it would raise its offer for Shin Kong by 25% to about T$222.4 billion ($6.98 billion) in a deal that would be Taiwans biggest-ever financial services industry merger. ($1 = 31.8680 Taiwan dollars) (Reporting by Faith Hung and Emily Chan; writing by Ben Blanchard; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) The focus of a lengthy probe into PricewaterhouseCoopers LLPs China business now shifts to Hong Kong after the accounting firm was hit with a record fine in the mainland over its audit of failed developer China Evergrande Group. Hong Kongs Accounting and Financial Reporting Council said its review of PwCs local practice, which is separate from Chinas probe, is still in progress, according to a statement Friday. An AFRC spokesperson said the watchdog had no further comment. The review shows that PwCs troubles in Greater China are far from over after the firm was fined 441 million yuan ($62 million) and suspended for six months by regulators. Chinese authorities said Evergrande inflated its revenue by 564 billion yuan over two years, in one of the nations biggest accounting frauds. PwCs China Unit Suspended for 6 Months, Hit With Record Fine for Evergrande Audit Hong Kongs accounting regulator can mete out as much as HK$10 million ($1.3 million) in fines if it disciplines PwC. Though its based in China, Evergrande is regulated in Hong Kong because its stock traded in the financial hub. The severe penalty coming from the mainland will add pressure to Hong Kong regulators, said Pingyang Gao, an accounting and law professor at HKU Business School. The Chinese regulators characterization of this matter is not only a serious auditing fault, but also to an extent, a collusion with Evergrande. PwC China, which covers Hong Kong, audited Evergrande, while its mainland partnership, known as PwC Zhong Tian, worked with Hengda Real Estate Group, Evergrandes mainland unit. PwC said its taking steps to address the problems, acknowledging that the work on Hengda fell below our own high standards and the standards our stakeholders rightly expect of us, according to a statement. We deeply regret and apologize for the impact this has had on our clients and people. The firm also faces a lawsuit in Hong Kong filed by Evergrandes liquidators as they try to recover creditors investments in the failed developer, which defaulted in 2021 as Chinas housing crisis began to spiral. The liquidators cited the accounting firms negligence and misrepresentation in the auditing work. The probes and legal proceedings threaten to hinder business for PwC, which had more revenue in China than any of the Big Four accounting firms as recently as 2022. Several listed companies have already parted ways with the firm, while China has also been instructing its biggest companies to phase out the Big Four auditors over data risks, Bloomberg News reported earlier. It is very likely that there will be a mass exodus, said Gao. It will likely spell doom for PwCs business in China. PwC said the staff who worked on the audit are no longer with PwC. In other moves, Daniel Li stepped down as the territory senior partner for China but will continue to support the business as chief accountant of the local unit. Hemione Hudson will take over on an interim basis and relocate to the region. Hudson is PwCs global chief risk and regulatory officer and executive chair heading Europe, the Middle East and Africa from London, according to the firms website. In addition to the executive moves, PwC Hong Kong has told clients its considering another partnership to carry out future business and segregate new income from potential fines and lawsuits, people familiar with the matter said. The idea remained preliminary, the people said. Some clients have been consulting other Big Four firms and the regulators to see if they can drop PwC after using them for the first half of the financial year, according to people familiar who asked not to be identified because the discussions were private. Failing to publish financial reports due to a change in auditors can lead to a trading suspension. When asked if the exchange will grant extension to these companies, an HKEX spokesperson said the bourse expects listed firms to be fully compliant with the requirements of our Listing Rules. Meanwhile, several senior PwC partners in the region advising other industries than developers are considering early retirement to protect themselves from having to share the burden of any potential fines or compensation, people familiar said. The Evergrande case could spark similar actions from other troubled property developer clients and their creditors, the people said. Audit firms typically pay regulatory fines out of their own reserves because professional indemnity insurance generally doesnt cover these penalties, said Clement Chan, chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Registered Public Interest Entity Auditors. Partners can be asked to contribute the rest, based on each firms policies, he said. These costs can be higher in Hong Kong since PwCs partnership there was registered with unlimited liability, whereas Chinas was limited. PwC China had 7.9 billion yuan in revenue in 2022 from about 400 clients from Shanghai to Hong Kong and New York, according to the Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Asia-Pacific accounted for almost a fifth of global revenue in 2023. Photograph: The PricewaterhouseCoopers Center in Shanghai, China. Photo credit: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Topics China This edition of International People Moves details appointments at AXIS Capital Holdings and Marsh McLennan. A summary of these new hires follows here. AXIS Names Chubbs Mitchell as Head of Global Markets, Succeeding Gregory AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd., the Bermuda-based specialty re/insurer, announced that Sara Mitchell has been appointed as its future head of Global Markets. She succeeds Mark Gregory who will retire from the company in March 2025 following a career that spans five decades in the industry including 15 years with AXIS. During his time with AXIS, Gregory has been instrumental in helping grow the companys global presence as a specialty insurance leader. Mitchell will join the company on Nov. 25 as strategic advisor to the head of Global Markets and will be a member of the companys Executive Committee. Mitchell, who will be based in London, will assume the role of head of Global Markets on Jan. 1, 2025, as part of a planned leadership succession process and will report to AXIS President and CEO Vince Tizzio. She joins AXIS following a 13-year tenure at Chubb where she held a series of leadership roles with increasing levels of responsibility. Since 2021, in her role as divisional president of Continental Europe and MENA, she was responsible for Chubbs property and casualty, accident and health, and consumer lines operations across 25 countries. Previously, she served in managerial roles at RSA and Allianz Insurance. Gregory joined AXIS in January of 2010 as CEO of its International Division and is currently a member of the companys Executive Committee in his current role as head of Global Markets, where he has led the division since its formation. Prior to AXIS, Gregory spent 15 years at Marsh where he held a series of leadership positions including CEO roles for both Bowring Marsh and Marsh Global Markets. He started his insurance career with Sedgwick Group in 1980. In addition, Gregory has served on the boards of both the International Underwriting Association (IUA) and Lloyds Market Association (LMA). We are grateful to Mark for his tremendous leadership and years of service to AXIS. He has played a crucial role in helping elevate AXIS as a global specialty leader, Tizzio said. Under his guidance, we achieved a number of important milestones including the establishment of the AXIS Managing Agency at Lloyds with Mark serving as its first CEO, launch of AXIS Energy Transition Syndicate 2050, effective integration of Novae into AXIS, and establishment of AXIS as a top ten player at Lloyds by capacity, with recognition as an outperforming syndicate. Mitchell brings deep specialty P&C knowledge and an expansive international pedigree with experience managing multi-billion dollar businesses, Tizzio added. She is a proven leader with an established track record for success, who shares our values. *** Marsh McLennan Names De Bremme as CEO of Belgium & Luxembourg Marsh McLennan, the leading professional services firm, announced the promotion of Kristof De Bremme as CEO of Marsh McLennan, Belgium and Luxembourg, and president, Marsh, Belgium and Luxembourg, succeeding Rebecca Tielemans. De Bremme will relocate from London to Brussels and report to Christos Adamantiadis, CEO, Marsh McLennan, Europe. In this role, De Bremme will ensure that clients in the region have access to the wide range of services and solutions from across Marsh McLennan to meet the business challenges they face, with responsibility for leading a team across Marsh McLennans offices in Brussels, Luxembourg, Antwerp, and Ghent. In his leadership position at the insurance broker Marsh, he will be responsible to deliver market-leading insurance solutions and risk advisory services to clients across the Belgium and Luxembourg region. De Bremme rejoined the business in December 2023 as Marshs head of Marine, Cargo & Logistics, Europe having begun his career at Marsh in 1998 as a senior client executive for global marine and energy clients, based in Antwerp, for nine years. Before returning to the business, he spent 14 years at AIG in various senior underwriting roles, most recently serving as global head of Marine from 2016 to 2022. While globally recognised as major hubs for policy, regulation and trade, companies operating in Belgium and Luxembourg are particularly vulnerable to fluctuating economic cycles and talent shortages, as well as risks associated with cyber threats and natural catastrophes such as flooding, said De Bremme. I look forward to working with Marsh McLennans risk, advisory, and analytics colleagues to deliver the best of the business to our clients in the Belgium and Luxembourg region, and contributing to their success. Topics Chubb Nebraska certified two ballot measures Friday to legalize medical marijuana even though the states Republican attorney general said their supporters may have submitted at least several thousand invalid signatures, which could keep them from becoming law. Attorney General Mike Hilgers made the statement during a Zoom news conference with a local prosecutor to announce a felony charge against a local petition circulator over fraudulent signatures. A deputy sheriff said in a sworn statement that there were problems with 164 signatures on 38 pages of the petitions for the proposals. The mans attorney declined comment. The deputys affidavit also said the man was paid by the hour to collect signatures and submitted more than 100 petition pages. According to the deputy, the man acknowledged signing some names himself, copying them from a telephone book and making up peoples birth dates. Hilgers told reporters that some of the fake signatures were for dead people, and an investigation of the pro-marijuana petitions raised questions about many other signatures. But those issues are not keeping the measures off the November ballot so far. Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, also a Republican, certified both Friday, the last day possible, saying they appeared to have enough signatures. Hilger said his offices investigation is still open and if it finds enough invalid signatures, the courts could remove them from the ballot, block the counting of votes for them or, if the measures pass, invalidate the new laws. The election is around the corner, and the integrity of our elections is of critical importance, Hilgers told reporters. Crista Eggers, campaign manager for Nebraskans for Medical Marijuna, the group pushing the measures, expressed confidence that the peoples voice on this issue will finally be heard. She said in a statement that the group provides extensive training to its circulators. Circulators are held to an extremely high standard and are required to strictly follow all legal requirements for collecting signatures, she said. Any circulators caught violating the law should be held accountable for their actions. Dozens of states have legalized marijuana for either medical or recreational use, most recently in Ohio last November. This fall, voters will weigh in on legalizing recreational marijuana in North Dakota, South Dakota and Florida. In May, the federal government began a process to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. The Nebraska initiatives are part of broader efforts by left-leaning groups and state lawmakers to force public votes on measures opposed by GOP lawmakers when partisan gerrymandering locks Democrats out of power in legislatures. Its been a successful tactic for backers of legalizing marijuana but also for abortion rights advocates. Opponents of such measures have filed lawsuits to keep them off the ballot, and Republican-leaning states also have tried to restrict citizens ability to bypass lawmakers through ballot initiatives and constitutional amendments. Hilgers and other Republicans oppose their states marijuana initiatives, and the attorney general immediately faced questions about scheduling his news conference the same day as the ballot initiative certification deadline. But Hilgers said it took that long to uncover the problems and petitions for any initiatives receive similar scrutiny. The attorney generals news conference came a day after a former Republican lawmaker in Nebraska filed a lawsuit seeking to block certification of the marijuana initiatives. Ex-state Sen. John Kuehn, a Republican, said he believes he can show that too many signatures are invalid but the secretary of states office improperly stymied his efforts to build his case before the certification deadline. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana gathered more than 114,000 signatures far more than the approximately 86,000 needed for each of two petitions. One would allow marijuana for medical use and the other to regulate the medical marijuana industry in the state. Its the third effort by the group to get the issue on the ballot. In 2020, opponents successfully sued to keep a measure off the ballot, and in 2022, supporters had only months to collect signatures and failed to get enough. The criminal case in Nebraska came after officials in Florida and Kansas accused two petition circulators of forging voter signatures during campaigns to put an abortion rights measure to a vote in Florida and to allow the No Labels party to put candidates on the Kansas ballot. Neither successful petition drive appears to have depended on the signatures the two submitted. In the Nebraska criminal case, Michael Egbert, of Grand Island, is charged with a single count of falsely swearing to a circulators affidavit on a petition, which can be punished by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The affidavit from the sheriffs deputy said Egberts questionable signatures were gathered from mid-February through June. A phone call to a number listed for Egbert would not go through and he did not immediately respond to a Facebook message Friday. His attorney, Robert Alexander, declined comment. Groups pushing ballot initiatives in Nebraska typically pay circulators because of a requirement that signatures come from at least 38 of the states 93 counties. The practice is legal. The deputys affidavit said Egbert worked mostly in his home county and did not work outside Nebraska. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Cannabis An Oregon judge has overturned a $260 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson in a lawsuit brought by a woman who said she got mesothelioma, a deadly cancer linked to asbestos exposure, from inhaling the companys talc powder, the company said on Monday. Judge Katharine von ter Stegge of the 4th Judicial District Circuit Court in Portland, Oregon, granted J&Js motion to toss the verdict and hold a new trial in the case at a hearing late on Friday, according to a spokesperson for the company. Von ter Stegge is expected to issue an opinion explaining her order in the coming days. Erik Haas, J&Js worldwide vice president of litigation, said the original verdict was the direct result of numerous egregious errors committed by the plaintiffs lawyers and had no basis in the law or science. A lawyer for the Oregon woman, Kyung Lee, who sued the company along with her husband, did not immediately comment. J&J is facing more than 62,000 plaintiffs claims that its baby powder and other talc products were contaminated with asbestos and caused cancer. Most of the lawsuits are over ovarian and other gynecological cancers, with a small minority over mesothelioma. J&J has said that its talc is safe, does not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer. Lee was diagnosed with mesothelioma last year at age 48. She alleged that she inhaled asbestos-tainted talc over more than 30 years, beginning when her mother used it on her when she was a baby and later when she used it herself as a deodorant. A lawyer for J&J said at trial that Lees illness was likely caused by exposure to asbestos used at a factory near where she grew up. Fridays decision comes as J&J is preparing to have a subsidiary file bankruptcy in order to settle the ovarian and other gynecological cancer lawsuits for about $9 billion. The company has said it has secured support for the deal from well over 75% of claimants, the legal threshold for a judge to approve the kind of bankruptcy settlement J&J has proposed. The bankruptcy filing and settlement would not affect mesothelioma cases like Lees. Firefighters in the Houston suburb of La Porte were working to extinguish a pipeline fire that forced residents to evacuate some areas. The blast occurred at a valve station on a 20-inch (51-centimeter) pipeline operated by Energy Transfer LP, the company said in a statement. The line, which transports natural gas liquids, has been isolated so that the residual product in the line can safely burn itself out, with the evacuation area reduced as of Monday evening local time. Energy Transfer shares fell as much as 1.3% on the news. The citys fire department was dispatched to the fire at 9:55 a.m. on the same day, and while no injuries were reported, residents were cleared from the area, a spokesperson for the city said in an interview. La Porte located in the bay area about 26 miles east of Houston has the largest concentration of chemical plants in the world, with the city being home to nearly 50 plants, two ports and thousands of miles of pipelines. Valves to the affected pipeline segment have been closed, but 20 miles worth of gas within the lines must burn off before the fire stops, according to statement from Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, an administrative position in the county that includes Houston. According to the statement, CenterPoint Energy is working to restore power to nearby homes affected by the incident. Natural gas liquids are components of natural gas that can include ethane, propane, butane and natural gasoline, used for home heating and the creation of plastics. BREAKING: Firefighters are currently fighting a pipeline fire in suburban Houston, which has caused grass fires and damaged a nearby park. An evacuation has been ordered for people living nearby.https://t.co/JfFlqrAeRR pic.twitter.com/emT2TJ6uHo WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) September 16, 2024 Nearby San Jacinto Colleges central campus issued a shelter-in-place order and closed the site for the remainder of the day. The Railroad Commission of Texas, which regulates pipelines in the state, said it is investigating the incident. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. A school district in Tennessee temporarily lost more than $3 million after a district employee was duped into sending funds to a fake vendor. The finance director for the Johnson County Board of Education, in northeast Tennessee, in March wired $3.36 million to an account thought to be associated with Pearson, one of the largest educational companies in the country, which also provides online license exams for insurance agent applicants in several states. The finance director had been contacted via email by someone believed to be with Pearson. It turned out that the sender was using a pearson.quest online address, rather than the legitimate pearson.com address, according to news reports and court records. The fraudulent address was not noticed early on because it was was hidden in an email behind the name of the sender, as emails often are. The name of the sender was the same as a person known to work with Pearson, according to an affidavit in support of the federal complaint. Two weeks later, the school districts bank contacted Schools Director Mischelle Simcox about the apparent fraud. The school district director told Insurance Journal on Tuesday that the district held a cyber security insurance policy through the Tennessee Risk Management Trust, and they have worked diligently for us on this incident. The Sept. 5 complaint in U.S. District Court for Eastern Tennessee shows that the U.S. Secret Service has moved to seize the bank accounts where much of the money ended up. We have been informed that the majority of the money has been recovered, Simcox said in an email. The scheme used third-party mules who may have had no knowledge of the actual fraud, court papers show. The Secret Service traced some of the funds to a 76-year-old Texan. The man said that he had developed a relationship with a woman from Turkey who claimed she was unable to open U.S. bank accounts because of a tax issue, and needed someone to open accounts to receive a large inheritance. A remarkably detailed diagram of how the alleged scheme worked can be seen here. Similar schemes using online relationships and unsuspecting mules have become all too common across the country, according to news reports and first-hand accounts. Topics K-12 Tennessee PCF Insurance Services acquired the insurance business of Top Insurance Associates in Snohomish, Washington. The Top Insurance Associates team will join PCF Insurances Fortiphi Insurance. Top Insurance Associates offers personal and commercial insurance services to individual and business clients in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Lindon, Utah-based PCF Insurance Services of the West LLC offers commercial and personal lines, life and health, employee benefits, and workers compensation insurance services. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Washington September 17, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) La Nina is favored to emerge in September-November (71% chance) and is expected to persist through January-March 2025," the U.S. Climate Prediction Center (CPC) said in its monthly outlook issued on September 12. La Nina episodes in the winter months feature a wave-like jet stream flow across the United States and Canada, which causes colder and stormier than average conditions across the North, and warmer and less stormier conditions across the south. Correlation Nat Gas Price Chart Early data shows a Weaker Polar Vortex could develop for Winter 2024/2025 Early data shows that the Polar Vortex is likely to be weaker than normal in the Winter of 2024/2025. A weaker Polar Vortex usually means a weaker jet stream, which increases the chance of a more dynamic (colder/snowy) Winter pattern over the United States, Canada, and/or Europe. Richard (Rick) Mills aheadoftheherd.com subscribe to my free newsletter Legal Notice / Disclaimer Ahead of the Herd newsletter, aheadoftheherd.com, hereafter known as AOTH. Please read the entire Disclaimer carefully before you use this website or read the newsletter. If you do not agree to all the AOTH/Richard Mills Disclaimer, do not access/read this website/newsletter/article, or any of its pages. By reading/using this AOTH/Richard Mills website/newsletter/article, and whether you actually read this Disclaimer, you are deemed to have accepted it. Any AOTH/Richard Mills document is not, and should not be, construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment. 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In a multi-faceted career, she has used materials as diverse as a human heart, cowhides and taxidermied sharks to create works that are sometimes unsettling but always highly original. Crosss favourite work in the Crawford Collection is a pair of wood carvings - An Arm Showing Muscles and A Hand and an Arm - produced by John Hogan (1800-1858) around 1820. Hogan was from Tallow, Co Waterford. As a young man, he worked full-time at the Crawford, carving studies of hands, legs and feet, before moving to Rome, where he had a successful career as an artist. It may seem like a weird choice, says Cross, but Im fascinated by his carvings. Theyre such physically beautiful objects. Cross spent a year studying at the Crawford College of Art, at a time when it was still housed in the premises of the Crawford Art Gallery, before going on to graduate from the Leicester Polytechnic in the UK and the San Francisco Art Institute in California. At the Crawford, wed be dragged into the sculpture gallery to draw the Belvedere Torso or whatever, she says. The drawing was always of classical sculpture. But I remember how Id encounter Hogans carvings in a glass cabinet on the second storey every time I walked up the back stairs. I assume they had a medical purpose originally, and were made to show the musculature and bones. Crawford included Hogans carvings, along with dozens of other artworks and objects from the National Collection, in a touring exhibition called Trove she curated in 2014. I hung them with Fergus Martins abstract paintings. It was the first time theyd been shown in conjunction with anything else. Cross admits they may well have influenced some of her own work; among her pieces in the Crawford Collection is Right Ball and Left Ball, a bronze sculpture featuring casts of human hands. Vivienne Roche Joseph Higgins, An Strachaire Fir. Like Cross, the West Cork-based sculptor Vivienne Roche studied at Crawford College of Art when it was based at the Crawford Art Gallery. To this day, my favourite work in the collection is a piece I saw every day as a student; Joseph Higgins An Strachaire Fir, she says. That, and another sculpture of Higgins called A Toiler of the Sea, were on either side of the entrance to the gallery upstairs. In those days, you could still touch the artworks in public galleries, and An Strachaire Fir was quite literally a touchstone for me. Vivienne Roche. Higgins was born in Ballincollig in 1885, and attended Crawford School of Art as a night student. He died young, of tuberculosis, and only nineteen of his sculptures survive. Higgins would have worked in clay, and cast An Strachaire Fir in plaster, says Roche. Its superbly modelled, but it was only after his death that his son-in-law, the sculptor Seamus Murphy, had it cast in bronze. While studying at the Crawford, Roche was taught modelling from life by the late John Burke. He held Higgins in very high regard, and would have had us look closely at his sculptures. Studying Higgins work was a great help to me in my learning. In 2015, Roche curated an exhibition of sculptures at the Crawford called Head to Head. It included Higgins An Strachaire Fir and a work of her own, a bronze head of her nephew, Stephen Archer. That was very much a homage to Higgins, she says. Roche is currently showing at the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin, in a major solo exhibition called Abridged. Alice Maher Elizabeth Cope, Generation Gap. Alice Maher, another Crawford College of Art graduate, works in a broad range of media, including drawing, sculpture, film and installation. Recent work has included her collaboration with Rachel Fallon on The Map, an epic textile sculpture that explores the mythology of Mary Magdalene; this is currently on show at the Irish Arts Centre in New York. Mahers favourite piece in the Crawford Collection is an oil painting by the contemporary Irish artist Elizabeth Cope; Generation Gap, from 2006. Cope, born in Co Kildare and now based in Co Kilkenny, is known for her sometimes provocative paintings and etchings. Alice Maher I chose Generation Gap because it contains all of Elizabeths wild energy and lickspittle paintwork, says Maher. The subject matter nods to those Death and the Maiden paintings of medieval times. Here you have the young maiden with her parents, first as sexual beings, and then as skeletons. In Mahers opinion, the painting has everything; sex and death, love and parenthood, wild abandon and gentle care, all swimming in the golden soup of life. Really it is a hymn to life and at the same time a loving embrace of death. Michael Quane Toma Rosandic, Nude Male Figure. The Crawford College of Art had moved to its current premises on Sharman Crawford St when Michael Quane enrolled as a student in 1982. Nonetheless, he spent a great deal of time at the Crawford Art Gallery as a student. Myself and Charlie Mahon, the potter, worked there part-time all through college, restoring the classical casts, he says. We hung shows there as well. The big one I remember was an exhibition by Eduardo Paulozzi in 1985 or 86. On his visits to the Crawford Art Gallery, Quane became intrigued by a sculpture by the Yugoslav artist Toma Rosandic (1878-1958), a life-sized wooden carving called Nude Male Figure that the American philanthropist Alfred Chester Beatty had donated to the institution in 1954. Michael Quane. It was stuck in a corner, inside a door in the offices, says Quane. So it felt like a secret discovery. Most of the figures in the sculptural work I was seeing were female, and seemed voyeuristic. But this was male; almost all the figures in my own work are male or androgynous. Quane often works in stone, and he is represented in the Crawford Collection by a limestone carving called Strange Beasts. But he has also carved wood since his early teens, which was partly what drew him to Rosandics figure. Timber has great strength, he says. Its a very elegant material. One aspect of Rosandics sculpture that Quane is critical of today is the drape wrapped around the figures leg. Rosandic was working from one trunk of wood, he says. When youre carving, theres always a danger of the timber cracking, and he was probably being cautious. But the drape seems chunky to me now. Quanes solo exhibition, Belonging, opens at the Solomon Gallery in Dublin on 26th September. Aideen Barry Tacita Dean, a still from Presentation Sisters. Film, drawing, sculpture, installation and performance have all featured in Aideen Barrys numerous exhibitions here and abroad. She is represented in the Crawford Collection by the stop motion film, Not to Be Known, which examines the repetition and boredom of domestic life. Barrys favourite work in the Collection is also a work on film; the contemporary British artist Tacita Deans Presentation Sisters, produced to commission for Corks tenure as European City of Culture in 2005. Deans film was shot at the Presentation Sisters Convent on Douglas Street, and documents the daily habits of the last five nuns who lived on site. Im not at all religious, says Barry. But Dean captured that lovely collegial relationship they had; theres one scene in particular where the nuns are watching the All-Ireland on television, and theyre all shouting for Kerry. Thats just a beautiful moment in contemporary history. Aideen Barry. Presentation Sisters is a seminal film, and it had a profound effect not just on me, but on a generation of artists who went on to be filmmakers. You can see how it influenced Martin Healys film The Last Man, for instance, another amazing piece of work thats also in the Crawford Collection. Barry studied at Galway Mayo Institute of Techology and Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, but the Crawford has been a large part of her life since early childhood. I come from a working class background, and when we went downtown, wed go to places where there was free access. Wed go the City Library, and then around the corner to the Crawford. Thats one thing we got right in this country, having free access to our museums and galleries. My mother would have brought my older sister Fiona to art classes at the Crawford when I was four or five, and I remember wandering off to look at art and being amazed by it. I dont think I would have become an artist if it had not been for my experience of visiting the gallery from such a young age. Barry will represent Ireland at the Bangkok Art Biennial in October. Tom Climent William Scott, Blue Still Life with Knife. Tom Climent is represented in the Crawford Collection by a painting called Eden, a landscape of sorts that hovers somewhere between representation and abstraction. His favourite work in the Collection is a painting that achieves a similar kind of ambiguity; Blue Still Life with Knife by William Scott (1913-1989), the Northern Irish artist best known for his domestic still life studies. Scott had the ability to transform everyday objects into flat abstract shapes, says Climent. This connection between the world around us and abstraction has echoes in my own work, and is probably why I've always responded to and admired his painting. Climent is a graduate of the Crawford College of Art, and visited the Crawford Art Gallery almost every weekend while a student. Id go around the record shops, and then Id pop over to see what was on in the gallery, he says. In 2022, Blue Still Life with Knife was included in an exhibition at the Crawford called As Far As I Can See, curated by Corban Walker. Seeing it again reminded Climent of how Scott takes the purest approach to painting; he has the ability to flatten space, and the placement of the objects on the canvas creates a tension and a connection between the objects and the ground. This makes the shape of the spaces around the objects as important to the overall composition. His work connects us to the everyday, using basic objects that convey a human presence. He said himself: The objects I painted were the symbols of the life I knew." Corban Walker Cecil King, Nexus G Corban Walker is a graduate of the National College of Art & Design in Dublin. He represented Ireland at the Venice Biennale in 2011, and the Crawford Collection includes a number of his minimalist drawings. Walkers favourite work in the Crawford Collection is Nexus G, a painting by the Co Wicklow-born artist Cecil King (1921-1986). King, whose background was in business, was a neighbour and family friend of Walkers in Dublin. Largely self-taught as an artist, he forged a successful career from the 1960s. Nexus G is typical of Kings work in its balance and exactitude. "Cecil always knew where to draw a line, says Walker. On a canvas, he would create a structure that defied two-dimensionality. His palette had intellect; everything he painted was deliberate, precise and effective. Corban Walker. King was one of the curators of the revolutionary Rosc exhibitions of international art, held in Dublin every four years or so between 1967 and 1988. He was also instrumental in advocating for contemporary Irish art in those years, says Walker. At a time where there was little public funding, if any, for the visual arts, he was a dedicated and excellent fundraiser for Independent exhibitions. Walker included Nexus G in As Far As I Can See, the exhibition he curated at the Crawford in 2022. The fact that Crawford Art Gallery has this painting in their collection is of major significance, he says. Its an excellent example of Cecils succinct yet gracious humility." Transition year is 40 years old, it is available in almost all schools and utilised by three in four students. Gemma Lawlor is a guidance counsellor at Tyndall College, Carlow, and her daughter has just finished TY. In my 25-year experience, theres only a tiny proportion of students whom TY doesnt suit, she says. The vast majority benefit, whether theyre highly academic and know exactly what they want to do very often, TY helps them catch up in maturity or are non-high fliers who arent sure what they want. It gives students a chance to sit back, view, and experience the world, and then come into fifth year with a greater sense of focus. Ruth, a 17-year-old from Roscommon, feels comfortable saying yes to opportunities, something she believes is a result of transition year. After TY, I felt more ready to put myself forward, to say, Yes, Im able to do that. I had that bit of confidence and self-belief. In TY, you had to put yourself forward all the time, put your hand up to do a job, whether helping the janitor empty the bins or write an article for the school magazine. Lawlor says it is important to take up the opportunity to do TY, which is optional. Around age 16, children change from being concrete, very black-and-white thinkers to more reflective, abstract thinkers. They can assimilate information and come up with their own opinions on it and why. Students are growing anyway at this stage, and TY gives them innumerable opportunities to grow. They can develop social skills, people skills, community skills, as well as resilience, openness, patience, adaptability, co-operation and team work. Opportunity to network Ruth finished the programme in the summer of 2023 and is now in her Leaving Cert year. Her all-girls school has an option to skip TY. Only about 10% did. She recalls looking forward to it as a sort of break after Junior Cert. She found it more freeing, choosing subject options she liked. There were fun modules, like ballroom dancing, Russian, and driving safety. And there were classes for girls who wanted to write for the school magazine, as well as Junk Kouture and BT Young Scientist. I really liked the end-of-year trip to Lake Garda. We went to Milan, Venice, Verona, and a theme park. We had freedom to explore on our own; the school trusted us, theyd give us a time and location. Ruth was in first year when the pandemic struck. Growing up during covid, we werent allowed to mix with other classes during lunchtime. At the start of TY, they changed around the classes. I was with girls I wouldnt have talked with before. You got to know people on a different level. It also strengthened relationships youd had prior to TY; we werent in a high-pressure academic environment, so we could have the craic together. Guidance counsellor Gemma Lawlor: TY students more attractive to employers. Lawlor says TY provides great opportunities to network with companies taking apprenticeships. Companies look at students CVs to see what their work ethic is like. If a student goes from third to fifth year, theyre not going to have a lot of work ethic to show a potential employer. Ruths two work-experience blocks saw her spend a week each in a primary healthcare centre, a cafe, her local primary school, and UNICEF. The work experience does help you figure out what you like and dont like, she says. My favourite was with Unicef. We were learning about different issues: Gender equality, racism, immigration. It made me think more from other peoples perspectives. And we did go to work; I felt proud of what we did. A year of growth Dr Katriona OSullivan, associate professor at Maynooth Universitys Department of Psychology and author of the memoir Poor, is excited about her 16-year-old sons TY this year. Im really looking forward to a more relaxed year Junior Cert was stressful. Tadhgs school has a really good, structured TY programme. They have such varied topics, like Mandarin and how to run a business. The work experience will be great for him and theres a focus on entrepreneurial skills. The independence-learning, and learning in different ways. Im hoping hell have a year of growth personally. Therell be loads of speakers coming in; hell get to experience a lot. But OSullivan has broader concerns about TY. Some schools, for example, select the good kids to do it. You have to be well-behaved enough to get into TY, which I think is unfair. I think TY is perfect for children who find the usual classroom difficult. The idea that kids should be stopped doing it, who struggle with mainstream, seems to go against the point of TY. Katriona OSullivan hopes her son will have a year of personal growth. After posting about this on X, formally known as Twitter, during the summer, she says many shared experiences of children not getting into TY. I feel it should be mandatory for all kids. She also has concerns about the cost of the programme. When she discovered the price tag on her sons trip abroad was about 800, she rang the school. I said, what if kids cant afford this? OSullivan is not worried that TY students will lose their study focus. Theres no rush for them to grow up. Whats the harm in having a bit of a different experience between 15 and 16? Why should they be under pressure for six years? In TY, theyre still learning about themselves, about what they love, what they dont love. Education isnt about filling someone up with facts: Its about lighting a fire. More employable In Lawlors experience, students love the freedom of TY, the choices available. A lot love the work experience, the trips, the freedom to move. According to the NCCA, there is reliable evidence that students who do TY perform substantially better in the Leaving Certificate than their peers who skip it. Lawlor says employers and colleges find students whove done TY cope better with the demands of third-level and of work. Theyre more employable. She has heard students complain they did nothing in TY. They did: They just werent aware of what they learned. They do a lot of self-direction in TY, which they may not [realise]. And in September of fifth year, teachers are able to spot those whove done the programme; there are huge differences in maturity. What can parents do to encourage children to embrace TY? Lawlor suggests: Encourage them to open their mind; join the musical even if theyre not at all interested in songs and dance. Therell be a role for them; maybe theyll love getting involved in set design. Everybodys personality has a place. Let your child grow. Be patient. The dossing, the boredom, is where growth happens. If theyre acting out or making wrong decisions, thats the time to step in. TY gives students time to rest, pause, and transition. Ive seen students who havent done TY burn out by November of Leaving Cert year. They havent rested or paused. They very often dont know what they want to do. Ruth says it is inaccurate to think of TY as a doss year. Its a different pace of learning, but you do still work. And youre in a controlled environment. Parents shouldnt worry about their child falling off the rails. Transitioning into fifth year didnt pose too big a challenge, she says. We did a small bit of the Leaving Cert course in TY and yes, I did feel I had to work harder, but it has been OK. Ive settled well into the flow of academic work. She is definitely glad to have done TY. She recommends anyone starting out to apply themselves, to take all opportunities offered. You get out of it what you put in. The right to protest is a cornerstone of Irish democracy but people should not have the right to instill fear or intimidate others, Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said. Ms McEntee was speaking as she prepares to seek Cabinet approval for new laws that would ban the wearing of face masks at protests. She said there have been a small number of people engaging in violent disorder at protests while covering their faces, leading her to consider the new legislation. That shouldnt be allowed. It makes the gardais job more difficult, Ms McEntee said. So what Im doing here is assisting the gardai, making sure that those who are responsible for these types of crimes, causing intimidation and instilling fear, that they can be brought to justice. Ms McEntee described her proposal as being another piece of armory for gardai in responding to violent protests. No person should have a right to instill fear or to intimidate any other individual. This is simply me as Minister for Justice saying we shouldnt tolerate that and I will do what I can to prevent that from happening. It was previously reported that under the proposed laws, masks worn for medical reasons or, other reasons such as cold weather, would be permitted. People wearing masks, such as balaclavas, have been seen at anti-migrant and far-right protests over the last year. Ms Entee said she is currently working with both the Attorney General and the Garda Commissioner to ensure that the proposed laws can be applied in the most efficient way possible. However, Ms McEntee said that she did not have a specific timeline for the implementation of such laws, saying that drafting the legislation would need to take place first. She made the comments after being questioned whether or not the laws would be in place in advance of the next general election. Until the election is actually called, there will be constant speculation as to when it is. The only person who can decide that is the Taoiseach and obviously well work closely with our coalition partners in that regard, she said. President Michael D Higgins has hit out at "shameful" spending on military and war at a time when 281 million people are suffering from dangerous levels of acute hunger. The President has also urged the world to "insist that the horrific suffering for children and their families" in Gaza is ended. He hit out at his fellow world leaders who he said have been complicit in their silence in relation to Gaza. I must say,as a twice-elected head of state, I have spoken to other heads of state in the world and in Europe, and I cannot understand, nor do I condone, those heads of state from very powerful countries who can allow themselves to look at young children dying of malnutrition or dehydration and still stay silent. Staying silent is complicit in the loss of life. Opening the National Ploughing Championships, Mr Higgins said this is now the fifth year in a row that food insecurity has worsened and in Sudan alone, half of the countrys population of 50 million are now facing food insecurity and famine. "Unicef has told us the recent severe drought that has impacted large swathes of Southern Africa has resulted in almost 300,000 children being threatened by severe acute malnutrition in the six drought-affected countries," he said, adding that nearly half of the world's population is living in countries that spend more on debt interest than on health. "How shameful it is that this is taking place in a world where military expenditure has soared to unprecedented levels, reaching $2.44trn in 2023 the highest ever recorded." He added: "When one thinks of what could be achieved if such sums were not deferred to preparations for war." 'Horrific suffering' Turning to the conflict in the Middle East, Mr Higgins told the crowd: "In particular, we think of all the people in Gaza. As we approach the one year anniversary of the horrific events of October 7, 2023, the world must insist that the horrific suffering for children and their families must end. "Hundreds of thousands of people continue to face the most horrific of circumstances of war and displacement. There is no room anymore for anyone to avert their gaze. The outrageous level of killing must end with an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the immediate provision of all necessary aid. "In these difficult times, we must ensure that the rhetoric of war and the shocking escalation of armaments do not sideline the agreements we have made on poverty, inequality, climate action, and sustainability," he said. A majority of people in rural Ireland would support laws to enable assisted dying or euthanasia, with 57% in favour of the measure and 21% opposed. The findings are contained within the Irish Examiner / Ipsos rural Ireland poll which also found that 55% believe legalised abortion has had a positive impact on the country, while 18% believe it has not. These broadly liberal views come despite the poll also finding that a majority of people in rural Ireland consider themselves to be religious 58% say they are religious whereas 26% say they are not. According to 2022 census data, 3.5m people living in Ireland reported that their religion was Catholic, accounting for 69% of the population. The Catholic Church is opposed to both abortion and assisted dying. Assisted dying When people in rural Ireland were asked if Ireland should introduce laws to permit assisted dying and euthanasia, 32% strongly agreed, 25% somewhat agreed, 10% neither agreed nor disagreed, 5% somewhat disagreed; 16% strongly disagreed and 9% didnt know. Men and women felt similarly on whether the Government should introduce laws around assisted dying, with 58% of males and 59% of females asked in favour of such legislation. There was also a slight socioeconomic difference, with the more traditionally wealthy managerial, administrative or professional workers and farmers being 62% in favour of introducing assisted dying legislation, and 51% of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled manual workers, casual workers, pensioners and the unemployed being in favour. Younger age cohorts were more in favour of the introduction of such legislation, with 63% of 16-24-year-olds in favour; 57% of 25-34-year-olds in favour; 66% of 3549-year-olds in favour; 58% of 50-64-year-olds, and just 47% of the over 65s being in favour of the measure. In Munster, 54% were in favour; in Leinster, some 59% were in favour and in Connaghut/Ulster, 63% were in favour. Abortion More women than men agreed that the legalisation of abortion had been positive for the country, with 53% of men in favour and 57% of women. Furthermore, the younger age cohorts were significantly more supportive of abortion access, with 76% of those aged 16-24 believing legalised abortion had been positive for Ireland; 63% of those aged 24-34; 60% of those aged 35-49; 51% of those aged 50-64, and just 37% of those aged over 65. This shows a 39 percentage point difference in support for abortion access between those aged 16-24 and those aged over 65. When asked if legalising abortion had been a positive for the country, 27% strongly agreed; 28% somewhat agreed; 13% neither agreed nor disagreed; 6% somewhat disagreed; 12% strongly disagreed; 11% didnt know, and 3% preferred not to say. Wealthier social groups also were more in favour of abortion, with 61% of the more traditionally wealthy and educated managerial, administrative or professional workers and farmers believing abortion had been positive for the country. Only 44% of the traditionally less wealthy and educated skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled manual workers, casual workers, pensioners, and unemployed agreed with that statement. Possible legislation on assisted dying In March, an Oireachtas joint committee on assisted dying recommended legalising euthanasia for those with incurable, irreversible conditions where suffering cannot be relieved in a way they find tolerable. A biennial international conference of the World Federation of the Right to Die Societies will be held in Dublin later this week. Dr Teresa Reidy of University College Corks Government department said that legislating for assisted dying would definitely not happen in the near future but may be grappled with by the next government following the general election, which is due in the coming months. Unlike with other contentious changes like permitting abortion, legalising assisted dying is unlikely to require a referendum, Dr Reidy said. But a forum like a citizens' assembly, which could examine the issue in detail and develop ideas around policy, would be advisable before any such legislation is introduced, she said: Its something that may emerge on the agenda of the next government, but its most unlikely, given that were in the close-out phase of the current government, that there would be any kind of rush to deal with something like that now. Even if it was to decide in principle it would proceed then there would have to be a conversation on what basis and within what parameters and thats kind of quite a long process. So its unlikely that youd see anything moving on this in the immediate future. Experience on other contentious issues like abortion have shown that the public is often more liberal on these issues that politicians think, she said. A 48-year-old Connemara man charged with issuing a threat on social media to kill or cause serious harm to Taoiseach Simon Harris and his family has been remanded on continuing bail for two months. Patrick Grealish, of 16 Garrai an Choirce, Lettermullen, Co Galway, appeared before Judge Mary Fahy at Derrynea District Court in Connemara. He had been remanded on bail when he appeared before a special sitting of Galway District Court after he was arrested in early August. Grealish is accused of making a threat to kill or cause harm to Mr Harris and his family on August 4 this year. The earlier court sitting was told that the offence under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, carries a sentence of up to 10 years on conviction. Taoiseach Simon Harris: Threats were made on social media in August. Detective Sergeant Eamonn ONeill of the Special Detective Unit told Judge Fahy at Derrynea District Court on Tuesday they were seeking an eight-week adjournment for directions from the DPP. Judge Fahy adjourned the matter and remanded Grealish on continuing bail until a sitting of Derrynea District Court on November 19 this year. Grealish did not speak during the brief hearing other than to indicate he agreed with the date. Defence solicitor Michael Cunningham had told the earlier court sitting on August 12 that his client was the sole carer for his elderly mother and that Grealish had health issues. Mr Cunningham told Judge Gerard Furlong at that sitting that his client would abide by all bail conditions. Grealish, who is on social welfare and was granted free legal aid, agreed to abide by all bail conditions, including staying off all social media. He also undertook to have no contact with the injured party, including online; to surrender his passport and not apply for new travel documents; to reside at his home in Lettermullen; to be of good behaviour at all times; to provide gardai with a contactable phone number; to observe a curfew between 11pm and 7am, and to appear at all court sittings in relation to this matter. He is due to appear again at Derrynea District Court on November 19. An axe was produced during an incident when a car was smashed up in the driveway of a house in Montenotte causing 2,000 worth of damage as the owner sat in the drivers seat. Patrick Mooney, of 11 Carloch Court, The Glen, Cork, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing criminal damage and faced sentencing on Tuesday at Cork District Court. Sergeant John Kelleher said the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the case could proceed summarily at district court level but only on a plea of guilty. At lunchtime on November 18, 2023, gardai received a report of the incident of criminal damage at Clifton Downs, Montenotte, Cork. Gardai attended the scene and met with the complainant who informed them that a man drove up to the driveway of the house, pulled across the driveway, and got out of his car. He was carrying an axe when he got out of his car. He approached a Renault Grand Scenic in which the owner was sitting in the drivers seat. The man hit the windscreen and drivers door of the vehicle a number of times with the axe, breaking the glass and causing damage. A wing mirror was also broken off the car. The man then left the scene. The incident was fully covered on CCTV, including audio. The suspect was also named by the injured party who personally knows him. There is a history that should not be disclosed in court. It is a very sensitive issue, Sgt Kelleher said. Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said there had not been contact between the parties in the lead-up to this but that something triggered the defendants actions. He accepted he should not have acted in this way, he paid compensation for the damage caused and there was no risk of repetition. When he came to his senses he realised he had gone the wrong way about it, Mr Buttimer said. The solicitor suggested it was noteworthy that there was no victim impact statement. Judge Philip OLeary noted the unusual circumstances, the compensation, and the absence of previous convictions. The judge said that while the grievance was understandable, Mr Mooney went about it the wrong way. The judge dismissed the criminal damage charge under the Probation of Offenders Act. So whats going to happen next week? Tomorrow? Later today? In this craziest, least predictable election ever. Just when you think the pattern of the election has been set and the outcome is becoming more visible, another crazy loolah tries to take a shot at Donald Trump. Hes unhurt, but the world goes mad. Trump, naturally, launches a fundraising campaign on the back of it, and his base starts accusing the Democrats and claiming that their orange overlord is (once again) in the hands of God. And just when I thought I had the whole thing figured out. Because theres someone I know well. Shes a person of absolute integrity and really good judgement, so I have no hesitation in quoting her as a good source. Her work takes her to the United States pretty frequently, usually for a week at a time, and it involves a huge amount of interaction with friends and colleagues over there as it happens, from all the ethnicities and minorities. She came back very troubled at the weekend. When I asked why, she said something had changed, and it was pretty profound. She would readily admit there are few, if any, Trump supporters among the people she works with. In recent trips she has encountered despair as Joe Biden floundered, and mounting excitement as Kamala Harris surged. But now, she says, theres pain and hurt. I wasnt sure what she meant. Harris has a good chance of winning, surely? Yes, she said. But if she doesnt, the world will change, especially for the people she values, in indescribable ways. Trump and JD Vance have decided the remainder of their campaign will be openly, blatantly and viciously racist. Yes, Trump launched his lies about the Haitian community because Kamala Harris had got under his skin. And we all thought instantly it wasnt just obviously cruel and inhuman, but actually embarrassing. But ever since, he and Vance have refused to back away, despite knowing the lie involved, despite knowing the damage they have done. They are starting a campaign of othering. If you believe immigrants from Haiti steal pets and eat them, it becomes easier to begin to dehumanise them and all immigrants. Not only are they repeating this vileness, but theyre backed up by an army of social media warriors. I looked at the X pages of two of them I wont tell you their names but they have a million and a half followers and they were full of claims that the Trump allegations are true, including obviously fake videos of dead animals lying on an unlit barbecue. Campaigns based exclusively on dehumanising other people have a horrible and ignoble place in history, of course. You dont even have to mention Hitler the language of othering led to the massacre of Srebrenica and the genocide in Rwanda. And whats most frightening is that not one single current Republican leader has had the courage to dissent from this language. Thats why for many in America the mood has gone beyond anxiety to hurt. If your skin colour or your accent is different; if youre not straight white; you know now theyre coming after you And to make it worse, youre surrounded by neighbours and colleagues who still think Trump doesnt really mean it, or wont do any harm really, or believe its not you hes after. Its hard, really hard, for people who feel increasingly threatened to think this is ok. And thats why for millions of Americans this election has become existential. People who used to be friends arent talking to each other. Even families have been fractured beyond repair. Harris on a high Is there any upside to this? Yes there is. Its name is Kamala Harris. So, of course, I stayed up to watch the debate. With more than a little trepidation, if Im being honest. I hadnt seen her debate since the primaries a few years ago, but Ive seen him a lot. And even though he hasnt won them all, Ive never seen him really damaged. But she made a key decision in the days before the debate, and its one I havent seen mentioned anywhere. She worked it out for herself. This is a courtroom, Im a prosecutor, and that guy over there is the accused. Hes made the mistake of taking the stand in his own defence That was her strategy no doubt about it in my mind. There have been great cross examinations in legal history if youre a fan of Oscar Wilde you might have read the questioning that destroyed him in the witness box way back when but I wonder if there has ever been a better cross examination than this one. I listened afterwards to every bit of analysis I could get my hand on. Chris Wallace on CNN not an obvious fan nailed it when he said she had simply crushed him. I have to say I got really annoyed with some of the British commentary, talking about how well rehearsed she was and how she was almost trained to deliver lines. Ive been in that situation, helping politicians to prepare for big set-piece occasions. Heres the simple, unvarnished truth when it works, its because the politician has risen to the occasion, never because the prep team did a good job. The American President Teddy Roosevelt, in a famous speech, said this: It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena who does actually strive to do the deeds who spends himself in a worthy cause. It would never have occurred to Roosevelt in making that speech to think in terms of a woman whose face could be marred by dust and sweat and blood. But my goodness did Kamala Harris grace that arena. In taking him on, right from the off, I believe she actually nailed him to his electoral ceiling. The latest opinion polls (New York Times, Real Clear Politics, and Five Thirty Eight averages) all show Trump at 47%. Thats almost exactly what he got against Joe Biden in 2020. And thats where hes stuck in his hopelessly divided country. What Kamala Harris has to do now is win by a handful of votes in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Of course, that wont be easy. She has to sell a much stronger message on the economy on the price of goods in the shops, on affordable home ownership. She needs to bring her forensic ability to crafting a message that persuades enough voters she can make the US economy work for them. That has to be her only priority from now on. As long as the latest craziness doesnt give him another bump. But everyone in America knows what the real choice is now. Between a politics of empathy and a politics of dehumanising hate. The clearer that becomes, the starker the choice gets, the more certain I am that the American people will say goodbye and good riddance to Donald Trump. At the ballot box and not at the hands of another crazy shooter. Two people accused of child endangerment in the fentanyl overdose death of their 2-year-old son in Bismarck have pleaded guilty to eight charges each. Jasmine Charging and Jordan Many Ribs on Monday entered open pleas, meaning there's no agreement between the defendants, their attorneys and prosecutors regarding potential sentences, according to Burleigh County State's Attorney Julie Lawyer. Each was initially charged with 10 offenses, including child endangerment resulting in death, child endangerment, two counts of child neglect, and multiple misdemeanor and infraction-level drug and paraphernalia charges. The most serious charge, endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult resulting in death, carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The remaining charges carry sentences ranging from five years in prison to a maximum fine of $1,000. Their trial had been scheduled to begin on Oct. 15. Charges of endangerment of a child and one count of child neglect initially brought in the cases were dismissed in July. Those charges were related to the couple's other child, a 4-year-old boy who was not harmed in the incident that killed the 2-year-old boy. The 4-year-old was taken from the home by authorities and is elsewhere, Lawyer said. The incident Bismarck police responded to a residence in the 500 block of Yorkshire Lane late Sunday morning on Jan. 21. Officers found a 2-year-old boy, later identified as Jasten Many Ribs, unresponsive, with Charging attempting to revive him, according to an affidavit. Jordan Many Ribs was also in the home with a 4-year-old boy. Detectives found a number of drugs including fentanyl, meth and marijuana, as well as drug paraphernalia inside the home, authorities said. Charging and Many Ribs allegedly admitted to using both meth and fentanyl over the weekend, according to an affidavit. The use included smoking, snorting and shooting with a syringe, the document said. The pair also allegedly admitted to falling asleep at different times, leaving Jasten and the 4-year old unsupervised, authorities said. Charging told officers that Jasten was known to put objects in his mouth due to his age, the affidavit said. Many Ribs also allegedly said that he woke up at one point to find the children rummaging through the trash in the kitchen, according to the affidavit. The boy was taken to a hospital, where he died. Preliminary autopsy results showed that the 2-year-old's urine tested positive for the presence of fentanyl, according to police. During Monday's hearing, Lawyer said her office requested that the couple be taken into custody "since the presumption of innocence no longer applies because they pled guilty to a crime that resulted in the death of a toddler." The request was denied. Many Ribs is free on a $100,000 cash bond previously posted, while Charging is free on a $50,000 cash bond. Charging's original bond was set at $100,000, similar to Many Ribs, but it was increased to $250,000 in April after Charging allegedly violated conditions of that bond in an incident that had her arrested in March by tribal police on the Fort Berthold Reservation. The $250,000 bond was reduced to $50,000 in May after court documents indicated Charging was permitted to attend an out-of-state drug treatment program. After Many Ribs and Charging entered guilty pleas, South Central District Judge Pam Nesvig ordered a presentence investigation, court documents indicate. A sentencing hearing will be held after the report is complete. As a condition of their bonds, Charging and Many Ribs are prohibited from contacting any minor children. An attorney said during Monday's hearing that Charging is expecting another child, due in November. Cost-rental housing is a cornerstone of the Governments attempt to address the housing affordability crisis. Last summer, the Housing Commissions report argued that this new tenure should be at the centre of the fundamental reform our housing system requires. But new research we published last week shows that the potential of the sector to deliver truly affordable housing has not yet been met. The evidence suggests that cost-rental has been hugely successful. File photo Cost rental is a form of not-for-profit, Government-funded rental housing, much like social housing. Unlike social housing, however, it is targeted at middle-income households (those with incomes roughly between 30,000 and 66,000). Rents are not based on residents income, as they are in the social housing sector. Instead, rents are based on the cost of financing, building, managing and maintaining the housing over the long term. Currently typical monthly rents in the sector are between 1,200 and 1,600 for a two-bed. Cost rental provides secure, long-term homes for those who are not eligible for social housing, who cant or dont want to purchase, and who are fed up with the expensive, insecure and often poor quality accommodation available in the private rental sector. Most experts believe this new housing tenure has the potential to be a game changer for the Irish housing system because it makes non-market, not-for-profit housing available to a wide swathe of households, it provides a form of secure, long-term rental as an alternative to both the private rental sector and homeownership, and it gives the Government a new way to increase the supply of housing. Rent subsidies like HAP have received a lot of bad press. But in the case of cost rental they can play a crucial role for three reasons. File photo This last aspect is particularly important: because tenants pay rents that cover the cost of providing cost-rental housing, the sector can, theoretically at least, be self-financing over the long term, reducing pressure on the public purse. Our research, based on survey data and in-depth interviews with residents, shows that cost rental is certainly meeting the needs of residents. Most residents (almost 80%) previously lived in private rental, and cited issues like unsuitability of the property (including issues with damp and mould) as well as affordability as the main reasons for moving to cost rental. Most importantly, residents feel a strong sense of security and ownership over their cost-rental homes, showing that rental housing, when done right, can be a real alternative to homeownership. Affordability In terms of affordability, the picture is more mixed. The cost-rental sector aims to ensure rents are less than 35% of household disposable income, but our research shows that 56% of residents pay more than that. To get a more accurate picture of affordability, researchers often focus on households who are more economically vulnerable, specifically those who fall within the bottom 40% of households by income. Almost a quarter of cost-rental residents fall within this category and pay more than 35% of their net income on rent. These households have a safety net because they can apply for HAP if, for example, they lose their job. But they are still paying more than they should be for housing which is meant to be a cornerstone of the Governments affordable housing strategy. The question is how to bring rents down. There are essentially two ways to do this. As rents are based on costs, if costs can be reduced then rents will become more affordable. Unfortunately, the roll-out of cost rental has taken place during a period of intense cost inflation, making this a challenge. But the Government still has options. They can provide some grant funding to cost-rental providers, i.e. Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency and Local Authorities. Providing grants reduces the amount of money providers need to borrow, and therefore reduces interest rate costs. Another option, one used in Denmark, where cost-rental housing has been around for decades, is an interest rate subsidy. At the moment AHBs, who provide most cost-rental housing borrow from the Housing Finance Agency at around 3.75% to finance their new supply. A subsidy from central Government could fund, say, half of the associated interest rate repayment costs, at least until interest rates come down. On the other side of the coin, affordability can be achieved via a direct subsidy to cost-rental residents. A small income subsidy could be provided that covered, for example, 20% of rent for cost-rental residents who pay more than 35% of their income on rent and fall within the bottom 40% of households by income. This would ensure the rent subsidy is only targeted at those who truly need it, and the amount of subsidy would be small, approximately 300 per month for eligible households. Rent subsidies like HAP have received a lot of bad press. But in the case of cost rental they can play a crucial role for three reasons. Cost rental provides secure, long-term homes for those who are not eligible for social housing, who cant or dont want to purchase, and who are fed up with the expensive, insecure and often poor quality accommodation available in the private rental sector. File photo: Steve Parsons/PA First, much of the rent tenant's pay goes back to the Government ultimately, as rental revenue is used to pay back the Government loans that fund the delivery of cost-rental units. Second, because rents are fixed by costs, rather than market prices, putting more money in cost renters pockets wont drive rents up by inflating demand, as it does in the private housing market. Third, cost rents get more affordable over time, because rents increase very moderately. Our research shows that the typical cost-rental household consists of two adults in their 30s with children, with almost all adults in employment. The reality is that as the years go by the earnings of these households will grow much faster than rents, so they are likely to only need a rent subsidy to help them out in the first few years of their tenancy. The evidence suggests that cost-rental has been hugely successful. These small changes, relatively inexpensive from Governments point of view, can ensure it reaches its full potential as the game changer needed by our housing system, and especially by the hundreds of thousands of households trapped in a dysfunctional private rental sector. Given the controversy it has caused, the depth of the feeling, the measures taken, one would assume that immigration would be one of the pressing issues for voters. But the Irish Examiner/Ireland Thinks poll of rural Ireland suggests that while it is important, there are more pressing issues in the minds of rural voters. Asked about the issues that would sway them in a general election in the next few months, only 42% of people say immigration is a "very influential" factor in their voting, while 30% say it is somewhat influential, while 16% of people say it is of minimal importance and 11% say it is not important at all. So, despite the level of attention the issue has garnered, one in four voters says that it does not matter to them. Furthermore, when asked to rank the issue in terms of importance, just 9% of people say it is the singular most important issue for them. Ahead? The holy trinity of Irish politics health, housing, and the cost of living. When people were asked about the factors most likely to influence their vote in the next General Election, the leading concerns were the cost of living and inflation, followed closely by the state of healthcare, the economy, and housing, which ranked slightly higher than crime. Taxes were mentioned as being nearly as important as crime. A total of 72% indicated that immigration plays a role in shaping their vote, making it the sixth most important issue out of seven, with climate change coming in last at 59%. When respondents were asked to rank issues by how influential they would be, with a need to choose their top three, cost of living and inflation consistently emerged as the most important concerns. Healthcare ranked second, just ahead of housing. The economy ranked fourth, and immigration was fifth, with only about a quarter of respondents placing immigration among their top three, making it significantly less influential than housing (by 23%) and cost of living (by 50%). Throughout much of the most violent rhetoric around immigration, government politicians often maintained that it was not an issue dominating the contacts to their offices. Indeed, Sinn Fein candidates in the local elections in June were adamant that the party was not being punished for its stances on immigration and this is borne out in this poll. Just 8% of those who intend to vote for Mary Lou McDonald's party in rural Ireland see immigration as the biggest issue. To what extent will the following issues influence how you vote in the coming election? Likewise the poll will make for interesting reading for Micheal Martin, with just 4% of rural Fianna Fail voters saying that immigration was a major issue, significantly lower than the other parties, with 17% of those voting independent saying it was the most pressing of their concerns. But for policymakers, the poll does present a problem on the issue of immigration; just under half say they would object to an International Protection Centre opening near them, although a third disagree. This suggests that while many people are not particularly exercised by the abstract idea of immigration, they balk at it becoming a local issue. Indeed, a significant majority believe that rural towns and villages have shouldered an unfair portion of asylum applications, with 66% agreeing and 14% disagreeing. Additionally, there is somewhat more support for the Gardais handling of anti-migrant protests, with 41% of people feeling they have managed the situation effectively, while 33% disagree. This will be a challenge for politicians as numbers of international protection applicants coming to Ireland increase how to house those coming here and keep the public onside. Though the common refrain of a lack of access to services in rural Ireland is not seen across the board in the polling. In relation to GP services, 92% have access to a GP, although more than half say that they have had to wait two or more days for an appointment within the past 12 months. Representing rural Ireland But the big issue facing political parties in rural Ireland comes later in the poll, where voters were asked to agree or disagree with the statement: independent TDs better represent the issues facing rural Ireland. Of those responses, 32% strongly agreed and 29% somewhat agreed while only 8% strongly disagreed and 9% somewhat disagreed. However, in better news for established parties, just 17% say they strongly agree that those TDs were more effective when it came to the work of a politician. Older adults were more likely to perceive that Independents are more effective than those in mainstream parties, with a majority across all demographics saying that those independents from rural areas were more tuned in to rural issues. On the issue of climate, 43% feel the Government is doing enough to tackle climate change and 38% disagree, but only a quarter of people in rural Ireland feel that farmers contribute negatively to climate change. While two-thirds are worried about the impacts of climate change, just 20% would be willing to pay more in levies or taxes to tackle it. Ultimately, about one person in every six say they dont believe in climate change although the vast majority (73%) do so, with 19% of those aged 25-49 not believing in climate change. Just a fifth of people living in rural areas say they would consider going electric the next time while almost 2 in 3 would not. On the issue of safety, five out of six people (84%), say that they feel safe living in rural Ireland, though just 30% feel there is either a visible garda presence in their area or on local roads. Picturesque towns across central Europe are inundated by dirty flood water after heavy weekend rains turned tranquil streams into raging rivers that wreaked havoc on infrastructure. The floods have killed at least 15 people and destroyed buildings from Austria to Romania. The destruction comes after devastating floods around the world last week, when entire villages were submerged in Myanmar and nearly 300 prisoners escaped a collapsed jail in Nigeria, where floods have affected more than one million people. Climate scientists say they are troubled by the damage but unsurprised by the intensity. The catastrophic rainfall hitting central Europe is exactly what scientists expect with climate change, said Joyce Kimutai, of Imperial College Londons Grantham Institute." She said the death and damage across Africa and Europe highlighted how poorly prepared the world is for such floods. Soldiers build barriers with sandbags against flood water at the bank of Danube River in Pilismarot, Hungary, on Monday. Picture: Robert Hegedus/MTI via AP Scientists take care when attributing extreme rains to human influence because so many factors shape the water cycle. Although it is well established hotter air can hold more moisture, whether violent downpours occur also depends on how much water is available to fall. Sonia Seneviratne, a climate scientist at ETH Zurich, said immediate analyses of the central European floods suggested most of the water vapour came from the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, both of which have grown hotter as a result of human-induced climate breakdown, resulting in more water evaporating into the air. On average, the intensity of heavy precipitation events increases by 7% for each degree of global warming, she said. We now have 1.2C of global warming, which means that on average heavy precipitation events are 8% more intense. Weather station data indicates bursts of September rainfall have become heavier in Germany, Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia since 1950, Kimutai said. In Poland, the floods collapsed a bridge and washed houses away, according to local media. In the Czech Republic, helicopters rescued stranded citizens from rising waters. In Austria, one firefighter is reported to have died in the rescue efforts. Firefighters adjust parts of the anti-flood barriers in Prague, Czech Republic, on Friday. Picture: AP /Petr David Josek In the Austrian capital, Vienna, which has been home to Europes biggest weather and climate conference since 2005, the rain flooded a motorway and closed metro lines. Erich Fischer, a climate scientist at ETH Zurich, said scientists at the conference used to discuss the physics of how climate change increases rainfall intensity over lunch on the banks of the New Danube. It is ironic to now see these banks, where we were sitting in the sun and discussing the science of extreme precipitation, now being flooded. The death toll from floods hinges on how well communities prepare for the rain and respond to its effects. Scientists have urged governments to invest in adapting to extreme weather events through early warning systems, more resilient infrastructure and support schemes for victims, while also ending their reliance on fossil fuels. Its clear that even highly developed countries are not safe from climate change, said Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at the Grantham Institute. As long as the world burns oil, gas and coal, heavy rainfall and other weather extremes will intensify, making our planet a more dangerous and expensive place to live. The jurys out regarding the influence and impact Commissioner-delegate Michael McGrath can have on his assigned portfolio of EU Commissioner for Justice, Democracy and the Rule of Law. On the face of it, the EU Commissioner for Justice is an important, relevant file and requires a competent, steely candidate. McGrath will need to be prepared for frequent confrontation, and ready to enforce rule of law measures including infringement proceedings against an ever-growing number of illiberal, eurosceptic member states. But one of the key questions is how serious is President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen about stopping the democratic rot insofar as her powers allow? Several increasingly illiberal members receive scores of billions of euros from the EU budget while frequently breaching EU laws and values, yet the European Commission has failed to crackdown in any fundamental way. During Ms von der Leyens tenure at the Commission, Hungarys decline in democratic standard has hastened, as has Slovakias. Last February, the EU issued proceedings against Hungary over its Kremlin-style Defence of Sovereignty Office a new government authority with the power to investigate news and civil society organisations funded from abroad. The proceedings amounted to a legal letter requiring Hungary to respond to the Commissions concerns that the office violates several fundamental rights, enshrined in EU law, including privacy and the freedom of expression. Critics say the point of the office is to stifle dissent. Hungarys Secret Service is allowed to assist in the investigations. And in June the Budapest government arm went after Transparency International (TI) the respected NGO which focuses on holding powerful and corrupt regimes worldwide to account. TI says the investigation is based on false allegations that they have used foreign funding to influence voters. They also say the demands in the six-page letter from the Office are designed to distract from the work they do in rooting out corruption. Read More French EU commissioner resigns after attacking leadership of von der Leyen TI also called on the EU Commission to refer the matter to the Court of Justice of the EU, "requesting interim measures to suspend the enforcement of the Protection of National Sovereignty Act and protect civil society organisations and others working in Hungary who may face similar intimidation tactics". But the EUs infringement proceedings which tend to move at a glacial level has not yielded any such results. It is one of a myriad of examples of Hungarys disregard for basic democratic norms. The European Commission the guardian of EU Law and treaties is the institution responsible for the rightful implementation of EU law as a protection of the EU Single market. in response to Tuesday's announcement, Professor of EU law Alberto Alemanno said: Everything will be controlled by Von der Leyen its the presidentialisation of the Commission. She no longer has anyone challenging her like Breton, or Borrell. And current Commissioners Didier Reynders and Vera Jourova whose portfolios overlapped on Democracy and Rule of Law struggled with her, he said. 'They both tried hard to protect rule of law but were often advised to pursue appeasement, he said. Meanwhile, Green party MEP from the European Parliaments budgetary committee Daniel Freund said "business as usual" could not continue: There are signs that Von der Leyen does not want to provide any new impetus in the EU Commission when it comes to the rule of law. "However, we will not be able to deal with the threats to European democracy by simply continuing with business as usual, he said. Von der Leyen and the responsible Commissioners from Poland, Finland, and Ireland will have to show that they will confront Orban and co much more decisively than they have in the past. That means fewer concerned letters and more financial sanctions for those who break the rule of law, he said. McGrath's position as Irelands candidate for Commissioner was well tipped in advance, and undoubtedly the Government assumed hed be offered a senior economic post. But as Ursula von der Leyen explained, 20 member states requested big economic posts but "we dont have 20 strong economic portfolios". Von der Leyen pointed out she has to consider the competence of the candidate, geography, and gender. The US ambassador to the United Nations on Monday openly accused Israel of attacking innocents, telling a meeting of the blocs Security Council that the Israeli military has no basis to open fire on those that are plainly not enemy combatants. Linda Thomas-Greenfield asserted the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have repeatedly attacked marked UN vehicles, schools, and civilians, departing from the usual symbiotic relationship that the US-Israeli allyship usually shares. Ms Thomas-Greenfield expressed Americas frustration with its ally as the first anniversary of the October 7 attack fast approaches, labelling many attacks that had seen aid workers and UN personnel in recent weeks as totally preventable. Palestinian women mourn a relative killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) We have also been unequivocal in communicating to Israel that there is no basis absolutely none for its forces to be opening fire on clearly marked UN vehicles as recently occurred on numerous occasions, she said. She told the Israeli ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon on Monday that the US expects to see a swift change in the IDF to curb the number of civilian casualties. The IDF is a professional military and knows well how to ensure that incidents such as these do not happen, she said. She added: And so, the United States expects the IDFs leadership will implement fundamental changes in the way the IDF operates including changes to their rules of engagement and steps to fix the obvious shortcomings in how the deconfliction procedures are implemented. Ms Thomas-Greenfield also spoke of Americas outrage at the death of Turkish-American activist Aysenur Eygi in the security council meeting on Monday. Provided photo of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi of Seattle (Eygi family/International Solidarity Movement via AP) Ms Eygi was shot and killed during a protest in the West Bank last week, with the IDF admitting it likely killed her by mistake. Israel claims it will launch a criminal investigation into the matter. UN senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag told reporters and UN members during Mondays council meeting that war has turned the territory into hell on Earth. Time is slipping away as a man-made humanitarian crisis has turned Gaza into the abyss, Ms Kaag said. Humanitarian operations impeded by lawlessness, Israeli evacuation orders, fighting and difficult conditions for aid workers that include Israeli denials of access, delays, a lack of safety and security, and poor logistical infrastructure are worsening the situation. She added: The continued lack of effective protection for civilians in Gaza is unconscionable. Faten Mreish mourns her son who was killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip at a hospital morgue in Deir al-Balah (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) More than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israels nearly year-long offensive, Gazas Health Ministry reports. Israels UN ambassador, however, asserted on Monday that Israels humanitarian efforts are unparalleled and urged the council and UN to speak to the facts. Over one million tonnes of aid have been delivered via more than 50,000 trucks and nearly one million land crossings, he told the council, adding that hardly a fraction have been stopped. When asked about Mr Danons statement, Ms Kaag pointed to recent strikes on humanitarian convoys and schools and health facilities where Israel had received prior notification. Its not about trucks. Its about what people need. Were way, way off what people need, not only daily, but also what we would all consider a dignified human life, she added. A former school police chief in the US made his first court appearance on Monday, accused of failing to take sufficient action during a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022. Pete Arredondo pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of child endangerment and abandonment more than two years after the Robb Elementary School massacre that left 19 children and two teachers dead. The 2022 attack was one of the worst school shootings in US history, with the police response heavily criticised for having cascading failures in training, communication and leadership among the officers who waited outside while victims lay dying and begging for help. Former police chief for schools in Uvalde Pete Arredondo (Uvalde County Sheriffs Office via AP) Lawyers for Arredondo have since filed to have the charges against him dismissed, arguing that the former Uvalde school district police chief should not be held responsible for actions he did not take on May 24, 2022. Arredondo claims he has been scapegoated in the aftermath of the massacre, during which nearly 400 officers from federal, state and local agencies waited more than 70 minutes before acting. The indictment against Arredondo alleges that the Texan man did not follow his active shooter training and made several critical decisions that actually slowed down police response time. Meanwhile, 18-year-old gunman Salvador Ramos went from classroom to classroom at his old elementary school, hunting down his victims. Former Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District police officer Adrian Gonzales (left) (Eric Gay/AP) The judge did not make a ruling on the motion on Monday. A federal review from the US Customs and Border Protections Office of Professional Responsibility released on Thursday found similar breakdowns in communication and command among Border Patrol agents. The former schools police chief and Adrian Gonzalez, another former Uvalde school police officer who was indicted on 29 similar counts of endangerment and abandonment, are the only two officers facing criminal charges. At least eight people were killed and 2,750 others including Hezbollah fighters, medics and Iran's envoy to Beirut were wounded on Tuesday when the pagers they use to communicate exploded across Lebanon, security sources and the Lebanese health minister said. Lebanon's information minister Ziad Makary said the government condemned the detonation of the pagers as an "Israeli aggression". Hezbollah also blamed Israel for the pager blasts and said it would receive "its fair punishment". The Israeli military declined to comment on Reuters enquiries about the detonations. Lebanons health minister, Firas Abiad, said at least eight people were killed and 2,750 wounded 200 of them critically. Hezbollah confirmed in a statement the deaths of at least eight people, including two of its fighters. Another person killed was a girl, it said, adding that an investigation was being conducted into the causes of the blasts. One of the fighters killed was the son of a Hezbollah member of the Lebanese parliament, two security sources told Reuters. Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, suffered a minor injury when a pager exploded, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported. "Amani has a superficial injury and is currently under observation in a hospital," Fars quoted a source as saying. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report. The pagers that detonated were the latest model brought in by Hezbollah in recent months, three security sources said. A Reuters journalist saw ambulances rushing through the southern suburbs of the capital Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold, amid widespread panic. A security source said that devices were also exploding in the south of Lebanon. SCREAMING IN PAIN At Mt Lebanon hospital, a Reuters reporter saw motorcycles rushing to the emergency room, where people with their hands bloodied were screaming in pain. The head of the Nabatieh public hospital in the south of the country, Hassan Wazni, told Reuters that around 40 wounded people were being treated at his facility. The wounds included injuries to the face, eyes and limbs. The wave of explosions lasted around an hour after the initial detonations, which took place about 3.45pm local time (1.45pm Irish time). It was not immediately clear how the devices were detonated. Lebanese internal security forces said a number of wireless communication devices were detonated across Lebanon, especially in Beirut's southern suburbs, leading to injuries. Groups of people huddled at the entrance of buildings to check on people they knew who may have been wounded, the Reuters journalist said. Regional broadcasters carrying CCTV footage which showed what appeared to be a small handheld device placed next to a grocery store cashier where an individual was paying spontaneously exploding. In other footage, an explosion appeared to knock out someone standing at a fruit stand at a market area. Lebanons crisis operations center, which is run by the health ministry, asked all medical workers to head to their respective hospitals to help cope with the massive numbers of wounded coming in for urgent care. It said health care workers should not use pagers. The Lebanese Red Cross said more than 50 ambulances and 300 emergency medical staff were dispatched to help in the evacuation of victims. Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel immediately after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas gunmen on Israel that triggered the Gaza war. Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire constantly ever since, while avoiding a major escalation. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced from towns and villages on both sides of the border by the hostilities. - Reuters Read More Hezbollah vows retaliation after exploding pagers kill at least 9 and hurt almost 3,000 Officials have identified the remains of a North Dakota native who was killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. Navy Fireman 1st Class Edward D. Johnson, 24, originally of Hurdsfield in Wells County, was accounted for in September 2020, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced this week. He will be laid to rest next month. Johnson on Dec. 7, 1941, was on the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when Japanese planes attacked. The ship sustained multiple torpedo hits and it capsized, killing 429 crewmen, including Johnson. Navy personnel recovered their remains between December 1941 and June 1944, and they were buried in the Halawa and Nuuanu cemeteries in Hawaii. The American Graves Registration Service disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries in September 1947 and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. Lab staff was able to confirm the identity of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time, but not Johnson. The unidentified remains were buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified -- including Johnson -- as nonrecoverable. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency between June and November 2015 exhumed the unidentified remains from the USS Oklahoma for further study. Johnson's remains were identified through anthropological analysis, which assesses the skeleton, and DNA analysis. Johnson will be buried on Oct. 25 in the Punchbowl. A rosette will be placed next to his name on the Walls of the Missing there, to indicate he has been accounted for. Wartime newspaper articles posted by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency indicate that Johnson was a Hurdsfield native who moved to Shedd, Oregon, with his sister and brother-in-law in 1938, and did farm work in that area until enlisting in the Navy in December 1939. His mother was living in New Rockford at the time of his death. More information on Johnson is at https://bit.ly/3ZtzPr4. U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, helped advance legislation in 2014 that created the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. He issued a statement thanking the agency and saying The Greatest Generations legacy of service and sacrifice will never be forgotten, and Edward D. Johnson is no different. September 16, 2024 Idaho State Universitys contingent of INBRE fellows made their way home from this years conference with a handful of honors. Held in Moscow, Idaho, in late July, the ISU-affiliated fellows took home four of the six poster awards in the Undergraduate Summer Research student and faculty choice categories. The winners, their faculty mentors, and their research topics are listed below. 1st place: Student choice Neelam Mishra, Dishant Aggarwal, Samjhana Pradhan, Kavita Sharma (mentor) LC-MS/MS Method Development for the Analysis of Neuroactive Metabolites Associated with Healthy Aging LC-MS/MS is a special machine that can measure tiny substances in the brain called neuroactive metabolites. This study wants to create a way to use this machine to measure these substances and see if special probiotics can help keep the brain healthy as we get older. 3rd place: Student choice Liv Peters, Alleyna Martes, Aimee Bozeman, Leticia Herrera, Michele Brumley (mentor) Mother Knows Best: Effect of Maternal Hyopsmia on Weight Bearing Locomotion in Neonatal Spinal-Transected Rats The project examined the effect of maternal care on motor behavior in rat pups with a spinal cord injury. This research has implications for the role of tactile stimulation in the recovery of motor function following a neural injury. 1st place: Faculty choice Aldhair Garcia Janampa (BYU-I INBRE fellow working in an ISU lab), Lizbeth de la Cruz (mentor) Sympathetic Innervation Increases in Pancreatic Islets During Aging Aldhair worked to understand how aging affects the sympathetic nervous system, a system that coordinates our body's response to stressful situations. Aldhair discovered that the size of the nerves from the sympathetic nervous system on the pancreas increases in the old stages of mice's lives. 2nd place: Faculty choice Daniel Puentes Navarro, Sara Sadeghi, Michael A Thomas (mentor) Genome annotation and host range analysis of bacteriophage Statler Daniel sequenced the genome of a bacteriophagea bacteria-attacking virusand determined the function of 40 of the 110 genes in the viral genome. One of these is hypothesized to play an important role in bacteria infection and might be a useful tool for genetically engineering bacteriophages that can kill antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria that infect humans. In total, 11 ISU INBRE fellows, 2 Brigham Young UniversityIdaho fellows working in ISU labs, 10 ISU faculty, and 4 ISU graduate students participated in poster, oral, and fast-pitch presentations at the conference. The Idaho INBRE Program seeks to improve the health of all Idahoans by augmenting and strengthening Idahos capacity to do and sustain biomedical research and education. 1371138342::cfb49c8e-2422-11e5-99a3-d7f5c6e8b241 A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. Global businesses eye more opportunities as China embraces service trade surge Xinhua) 08:50, September 17, 2024 * The exhibition highlighted innovative trends in service trade, showcasing over 200 cutting-edge products from AI assistants to AI-powered surgical robots across sectors like tourism and healthcare. * As the rapid development of digital technology is reshaping global trade in services in profound ways, this year's fair witnessed a significant shift towards knowledge-intensive services, which involve more digital and intelligent technologies. * While showcasing its innovative strength and robust growth in service trade, China has reaffirmed its commitment to high-level opening up of the service sector through the CIFTIS, sending a signal of openness and cooperation to the world. BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- At the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), dazzling products from the global service sector featuring state-of-the-art green and smart technologies captivated visitors from both at home and abroad. The five-day event, which opened on Thursday, showcased a greener, smarter, and more digitalized global trade in services, with new technologies and business models redefining how services are provided and consumed. This reflects China's focus on high-quality development and its ongoing commitment to opening up its economy, offering abundant opportunities for international businesses. A humanoid robot is pictured during the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Cao Mengyao) FRUITFUL FAIR Themed "Global Services, Shared Prosperity," the 2024 CIFTIS featured over 450 Fortune 500 enterprises and leading companies from various sectors, along with the participation of 85 countries and international organizations. The exhibition highlighted innovative trends in service trade, showcasing over 200 cutting-edge products from AI assistants to AI-powered surgical robots across sectors like tourism and healthcare. "This year's event, with its spotlight on AI, the metaverse, big data, and satellite internet, is a testament to how services trade is no longer confined to conventional areas like finance or tourism. Instead, it's expanding into cutting-edge fields that are reshaping industries across the board," said Farhat Asif, president of the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies. Participating for the fifth time, French multinational Schneider Electric unveiled its "new quality service system" that runs through the entire business lifecycles and launched a service business China hub during the fair. "The importance of the Chinese market, from my point of view, has not changed," Barbara Frei, Schneider Electric's executive vice president, told Xinhua, expressing confidence in China's role as the largest market in industrial automation and as an innovation driver. Selcuk Colakoglu, director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies, praises the CIFTIS for continually fostering global partnerships and advancements in service trade, renewing the potential for international cooperation each year. People look at a hydrogen-powered motorcycle displayed during the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Hongfa) FRESH TREND "The momentum for global service trade development is gaining strength. The digitalization, intelligence, and greening of service trade are accelerating, with new technologies, business models, and innovations continuously emerging," said Mohammed al Ajlan, deputy chairman of Ajlan &Bros Group, a Saudi private firm that has participated in the CIFTIS for three consecutive years. As the rapid development of digital technology is reshaping global trade in services in profound ways, this year's fair witnessed a significant shift towards knowledge-intensive services, which involve more digital and intelligent technologies. At the pavilion of the Beijing Naton Technology Group, the display of the AI-powered surgical robot for knee replacement wowed the audience, while Tesla drew attention with its latest humanoid robot and advanced self-driving technology simulating human behavior. China's rapid development in knowledge-intensive services has unlocked massive market potential. In 2023, knowledge-intensive services accounted for 386 billion U.S. dollars, or 41.4 percent of China's total service trade volume, up from 33.6 percent in 2012. "Countries and businesses that engage with China can benefit from its expertise in digital services, from AI-driven healthcare to cross-border e-commerce," said Asif. "In this dynamic environment, the prospects for cooperation with China in service trade are not just promising -- they are essential for those looking to thrive in the digital age," she noted. Green technologies and services were also a hit at the fair. Hydrogen-powered motorcycles, futuristic electric vehicles and cutting-edge technologies converting harmful industrial exhaust gas into valuable products demonstrated China's commitment to eco-friendly solutions. As climate change drives nations to speed up their green transition, foreign businesses are eager to learn new technologies and services that will help achieve carbon neutrality. "Chinese innovation and technologies for solar, wind, batteries and electric vehicles are phenomenal to watch," said Henning Kristoffersen, commercial counselor of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Beijing, at the fair. Noting the enormous scale of China's green shift, he said all forms of cooperation with China in this field are important. "We need to drive the speed in the green shift, and cooperation with China is inevitable," Kristoffersen said. "Showcasing innovations in renewable energy, sustainable supply chains, and green finance allows Chinese and foreign businesses to contribute to global environmental targets," said Anna Malindog-Uy, vice president of the Manila-based think tank Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute. "This not only enhances sustainability but also strengthens trade relationships based on eco-friendly innovations," she said. Exhibitors demonstrate a knee replacement surgical robot during the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Hongfa) SHARED OPPORTUNITIES While showcasing its innovative strength and robust growth in service trade, China has reaffirmed its commitment to high-level opening up of the service sector through the CIFTIS, sending a signal of openness and cooperation to the world. China would like to join efforts with all sides to share new opportunities in opening up and development, promote institutional opening-up in service trade, foster new drivers of growth, and accelerate the digital, smart and green transformation of service trade, said Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang at the Global Trade in Services Summit of the 2024 CIFTIS. China is "sending all the right signals for us in New Zealand," Chris Lipscombe, national president of the New Zealand China Friendship Society, told Xinhua, highlighting the potential for New Zealand to expand trade ties with China, particularly in areas like medical research, digital education, and film services. "In a period that we have counter trends of globalization, protectionist and unilateral measures, it's important to have some fairs like this to conserve the openness and fairness of globalization in the spirit of the win-win cooperation," said Former Greek Foreign Minister George Katrougalos. China has taken extensive measures to further open its service sector. Earlier this month, the State Council issued a set of guidelines to promote high-quality development of trade in services with high-standard opening up, calling for the establishment of a negative list management system for cross-border trade in services. "This came in the context of China's efforts to enhance institutional openness in recent years, especially through the many international cooperation initiatives launched by Beijing, such as the Belt and Road Initiative," said Egyptian economic expert Karim al-Omda. China's openness, especially to African and the Global South countries, has a very positive impact, al-Omda added. The latest move of that is China's decision to give all the least developed countries having diplomatic relations with China, including 33 African countries, zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced on Thursday. Calling it highly attractive and a great opportunity, Munteha Jemal Seid, Plenipotentiary Minister of the Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in China, said the policy is a clear demonstration of its sincerity in supporting South-South cooperation. "Doing business with China is an opportunity," the Ethiopian official said, adding the country will take the chance to expand its exports of products and services to China. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Zhong Wenxing) By Fatima Latifova Yesterday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, emphasising the importance of achieving lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and stating that the United States will continue its efforts to reach this goal. Although the telephone call of the secretary of state to the Azerbaijani President reflects Washington's interest in signing a peace agreement between Baku and Yerevan as soon as possible, in fact, it is clear that behind it there is concern about the presence of Russia. In recent years, attempts to push Russia out of the Caucasus have not yielded the desired results. President Vladimir Putin's visit to Azerbaijan in August and Moscows increased focus on the Zangazur Corridor have prompted the US to boost its influence in the region. Undoubtedly, Blinken plans to organise another meeting between the parties to prevent Russia from regaining its role between Azerbaijan and Armenia. This meeting is expected to take place in the coming days during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, which has already begun in New York, with a meeting likely between the foreign ministers of both countries. Why is Washington concerned? Last month, Russian President Putins visit to Azerbaijan, followed by a phone conversation with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, challenged the perceptions that had formed about Russia in recent years. After stepping away from mediating talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia for a while, Russia has returned to the region as an ideal mediator for both countries. The primary issue causing concern for Washington is Moscows growing interest in the Zangazur Corridor following Putins visit to Azerbaijan. Russia clearly supports the opening of the Zangeazur Corridor and is working to gain control over it. The USA, on the other hand, does not want the transportation route to fall under Russian control. This is why all efforts are currently focused on mediating between Azerbaijan and Armenia and ensuring that a peace agreement is signed quickly. This is also why USAID has been attempting to sway Armenia with financial aid and present the USA as a friend. However, if Washington wants a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia to be signed soon, it must first convince Yerevan to make the necessary changes to its Constitution. Nevertheless, the USA knows well that unlike Armenia, Azerbaijan cannot be bought. Washington's concern about Russia's growing interest in the Zangazur Corridor is understandable. This corridor, which runs through the Zangazur regionhistorically the Azerbaijani territoryis of strategic importance as it connects Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan and potentially establishes broader links with Turkiye. Moscow recognizes the significance of this corridor for regional transportation and economic relations and seeks to assert control over it. While the US views the opening of the Zangazur Corridor as positive for regional transportation and trade, it does not want Russia to dominate it. Notably, Irans stance on this issue is similar to that of the US. Tehran has taken several diplomatic steps to communicate its firm opposition to this project to Moscow. It is important to recall that on September 2, the Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Alexey Dedov. Following the meeting, the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that Iranian official Mojtaba Demirchilou emphasised Tehrans vehement protest to any changes in internationally recognised borders or geopolitical shifts in the region. Media outlets like Britain's "The Guardian" and Irans "Tasnim" news agency framed this meeting as confirmation of the cooling relations between Moscow and Tehran regarding the Zangazur Corridor. Thus, it becomes clear that on the issue of the Zangazur Corridor, the US and Iran share a common perspective. In other words, it is clear from the issue that the red line for Tehran is not only the threat of the West and NATO, but also the expanding shadow of Moscow over the Zangazur Corridor. If it were not so, Tehran would not have been indifferent to the holding of NATO exercises in Yerevan, nor would it have coldly accepted the increasing military contingent of the West in the South Caucasus. But when it comes to the issue of Zangazur, Tehran is gripped by chronic pains... Ongoing negotiations and existing processes are already moving rapidly towards the realisation of the corridor. This is accepted by both the United States and Iran, even if it doesn't want to. However, the interests of Tehran and Washington regarding Russia are aligned once again in the Zangazur Corridor. The Event (2) Annie Ernaux Translated by xia23 In Rouen in October, 1963, I expected my periods for more than a week. It was a sunny and warm month. I felt clumsy and sweaty in my coat which went out very early, especially inside the department stores where I was strolling, buying some stockings, while waiting for the courses to take. When I entered my room, in the university dormitories for girls on Herbouville street, I always hoped to see one stain over my underwear. I started to write NOTHING , in capital letters and underline in my agenda every evening. At night I woke up, I knew immediately it was nothing. Last year at the same period, I had started to write a novel, this seemed to me a quite distant and just like it never recurred. One afternoon I went to a movie theater to watch a black and white Italian movie, Il posto ("The Place" in Italian) [2]. It was slow-moving and sad, the life of a young boy in his first job, a place of office. The hall was almost empty. On watching the frail silhouette, in a rain coat, of the small employee, his humiliations in front of the hopeless desolation in the film, I knew my period would not come back. One evening I let myself be dragged to a theater by some dorm girls who had one extra ticket. It was Huis clos (No exitin French) [3] and I had never watched this contemporary piece. It was a full house. I travelled with the scene, distant and well-informed violence, thinking continuously that I did not have my period. I only recollected the character of Estelle, the blonde in a blue dress, and the character of Garcon dressed as a flunkey with red eyes without eyelids. I wrote formidable. If only that I never had such REALITY in my kidneys in my agenda. At the end of October I stopped believing the periods would come again. I made an appointment with a gynecologist, the doctor N., for November 8. In the weekend of all Saints day [4], I returned to my parents house as usual. I had a fear that my mother would not be interested in my period arriving so late. I was sure that every month she would check my underwear from my dirty linen I brought her for wash. One Monday, I got up feeling queasy in my stomach and had a strange taste in my mouth. In a pharmacy, they gave me Hepatoum [5], a thick and green liquid which made me sick even more. O., a dorm girl, offered me her teaching job on the French course in the Saint-Dominique institute. It was a good occasion to get a little money on top of my scholarship. The superior welcomed me with the Literature Collection of the 16th Century by Lagarde and Michard [6] in her hand. I told her that I had never taught and that scared me. That was normal, she said herself, in two years, had never been able to enter the philosophy class without lowering her head to look at floor. Sitting on a chair opposite to me, she mimed this souvenir. I only saw her veiled head. On leaving with the Lagarde and Michard she had given me, I saw myself in the 10th grade class [7] under the girls gazes and I wanted to vomit. Later, I called the superior for refusing the courses. She talked to me coldly and tookt the textbook back. On Friday, November 8, while I headed for a location in lHotel-de-Ville by bus and went to see Dr. N., in La Fayette street, I came across Jacques S., a student majoring in French, the son of a regional factory head. He wanted to know if I would spend some time on the Left Bank [8]. I said that I was sick in my stomach and was going to see a stomatologist. He categorically corrected me: the stomatologist does not take care of stomach but only for infections of the mouth. For fear that he might suspect something due to my blunder and he might want to accompany me to the doctors office, I abruptly left him when the bus arrived. Just at the moment when I went down from the table, my big green sweater fell again over my thighs, the gynecologist told me that I was surely pregnant. What I thought to be once for stomach was actually nausea. He prescribed injections for me for letting my periods come back even though it didnt look like that he believed that would have any effect. At the door step, he smiled joyfully, the children of love are always the most beautiful thing". It was an awful phrase. I went back to the university dorm on foot. In the agenda, there is I am pregnant. It is horrible. At the beginning of October, for several times I made love to P., a student of political science, whom I had met in vacations and went to see again, in Bordeaux. I knew myself the risk in a period, according to Ogino [9] calendar of birth control, but I never believed this could take in the interior of my stomach. In love and pleasure, I did not feel an intrinsic body different from mens. All images of my stay in Bordeaux the room on Pasteur Avenue with incessant noise from vehicles, the narrow bed, the Montaigne terrace, the theater where people had seen an epic, Abduction of Sabines [10] only had the sole significance: I was here and I did not know that I was full of energy to become pregnant. The nurse of Crous gave me an injection that evening, without comments and another one the following morning. It was the weekend of November 11. I returned to my parents house. In a moment I had a quick and brief flow of pinkish blood. I dumped my underwear and my stained pants on the pile of dirty linen, good on evidence. (Agenda: incoherent outpouring. Something to distract my mother). On my return to Rouen, I called my doctor N. who confirmed my state and announced he would give me a pregnancy certificate. I received it later. Child birth of: Ms. Annie Duchesne. Prediction: July 8, 1964. I saw the summer, I saw the sun. I tore the certificate. I wrote to P., that I was pregnant and I did not want to keep it. We had parted the uncertainty about the rest of our relationship and I felt satisfaction from disrupting his carefreeness, even though I had no illusion over the profound relief which my decision of abortion caused him. One week later, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. But that was not something I could be interested in. The months followed were soaked in light of limbo. I see myself walking continuously on streets. Every time I thought of such a period, it came to me like literary expressions The crossing of appearances, Beyond good and evil, or still The voyage to end of the night. This always seemed to reflect what I had lived and felt, something inexpressible, yet beautiful. For many years, I have hung around this event of my life. Reading the abortion story in a novel I am deep in shock without images or thoughts as if the words instantly metamorphosed into violent sensation. The same way, listening to La Javanaise [11], Jai la memoire qui flanche [12] by chance, introducing only some song which accompanied me during this period, touches me deeply. A week ago I started to write this story, without any certainty to continue. I only wanted to verify my desire of writing here. One desire which I lived through continuously, each time I was writing the book I had worked on for two years. I endured powerlessly to stop thinking of that. I gave in, I thought I was frightened. But I also talked to myself that I might die without having done this event. If there was a mistake it would be this one. One night, I had a dream that in my hands I held a book I had written on my abortion, but people could not find it anywhere in a book store and it was not listed in any catalog. At the bottom of the book cover, the words OUT OF PRINT were in capitals. I did not know if the dream meant that I had to write such book or if it was worthless to write. With such a story, it is time that I start and reluctantly prepare myself. Now I know that I have decided to go all the way, to what it comes to, in the same way which I had, at the age of 23, when I tore the certification of my pregnancy. I want to immerse myself again in this period of my life, knowing what has been caught here. Such exploration will be part of the framework of a story, and will only be able to rend an event which has been from the time inside and outside of myself. An intimate agenda and a dairy kept during these months will bring me reference points and necessary proofs for establishing the facts. I will try hard to come down in each image, until I have the physical sensation of join, and some words come into sight, of which I could to say, that is right. To hear each of these phrases again, indelible on me, the sense becomes then so unbearable or conversely so comforting, that thinking them today submerges me from disgust or from sweetness. The form under which I have lived through such experience of abortion the clandestine nature coming within one past story seems to me not a valid ground for leaving it buried even if the paradox from one fair law is almost always written by forcing the former victims silenced, in the name of thats the end of it, so the same silence as before covers what happened. It is precise because no more banning hangs over abortion that I can, setting aside the collective means and the necessary methods, which have been simplified and imposed by the fight of the 1970s violence against women etc. , confront, in its reality, such unforgettable event. Doctors are sentenced to be in prison and be fined 1) the author who maneuvers abortion on someone; 2) the doctors, midwives, pharmacists, and culprits, who have indicated or favored these maneuvers; 3) the woman who does her own abortion or who grants abortion; 4) the provocation into abortion and the propaganda for contraception. A ban on the profession is being abled in addition to pronounce guilty, for those culprits in the second category, the permanent or temporary deprivation of exercise for their professions. Nouveau Larousse Universel (New Universal Larrouse), edition of 1948. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [1]. p. 274-278. LEvenement. Annie Ernaux. Ecrire la vie, QuartoGallimard. 2011 Annie Ernaux: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_Ernaux Born 9/1/1940 - , Nobel Laureate in literature in 2022. [2]. Il posto: In wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Il_Posto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WLfcVz3l10 [3]. Huis clos: In wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Exit_(1954_film) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq23YQSE4-s&t=70s? [4]. La Toussaint: All Saints day. p. 987, Harraps French and English College Dictionary, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2006. In wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints'_Day [5]. Hepatoum: Drug family: herbal medicine aiming digestive; this drug is used for facilitation of the bile secretion in intestine (translated from French). https://www.vidal.fr/medicaments/gammes/hepatoum-4493.html [6]. Anthology of literature of 16th century, by Lagarde and Michard https://www.amazon.com/Collection-Litteraire-Lagarde-Andrbe-Michar/dp/2040162097/ref=pd_bxgy_d_sccl_2/136-6402232-8234263?pd_rd_w=ar9P9&content-id=amzn1.sym.f7fa8b58-6436-47b8-8741-9e90c231669e&pf_rd_p=f7fa8b58-6436-47b8-8741-9e90c231669e&pf_rd_r=16310WSYNQTK8Z0XMCSV&pd_rd_wg=6aRUq&pd_rd_r=744de147-b5b7-41b8-94fd-4c02b1a0355f&pd_rd_i=2040162097&psc=1 [7]. La classe de seconde: seconde, 10th grade (sophomore) in high schools in America. p.177, p. 898. Harraps French and English College Dictionary, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2006. Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) On Monday, Israeli bombardments killed 38 people in Gaza. Based on past experience, we can expect a majority of those killed to have been women and children at least 21 and maybe more. Photographs and video coming out of Gaza show dead children being carried in burial shrouds. For intance, Al Jazeera reports that an Israeli bombardment of the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City killed 3 people, and that a child and a woman are among the dead. Several others were injured. The Israelis dropped bombs on a residential neighborhood because they believed a member of the Hamas paramilitary, the al-Qassam Brigades, was present there. But International Humanitarian Law does not allow reckless disregard for the lives of civilians in military operations, which is what we see from the Israelis every day in Gaza. Others among the victims of Mondays bombardments were innocent male noncombatants, though note that the genocidal discourse in Israel alleges that there are no innocent Palestinians. The Israeli military is likely counting as Hamas militants all the able bodied males killed. As this carnage has become daily and routine, it has ceased being reported as significant news. As far as I can tell, US cable news simply ignores Gaza most of the time, with rare exceptions. Although we concentrate on the estimate of at least 41,226 people killed in Gaza by Israeli bombs (and this is a gross underestimate) we often forget about the 95,413 wounded. The World Health Organization estimates that 25% of of the wounded have undergone severe trauma (loss of limbs, severe burns, etc.) and require rehabilitative health care. That is, their injuries are life-changing. TRT World Now: WHO: 22,500 wounded Palestinians require long-term rehabilitation The estimate is based on records from Emergency Medical Teams on the ground in Gaza in the first half of this year Injuries to major extremities feet and hands constitute a significant proportion of these injuries. WHO writes, the majority are likely to be lower limb injuries, including complex fractures with peripheral nerve injuries. There are on the order of 15,500 of these. Then there are amputations (often done without anesthetic). At one point in the war last winter, ten children a day had to have a limb amputated. Video: The constant warfare in Gaza has created a new generation of child amputees | ABC News Australia Who observes, It is reasonable to expect that there are between 3105 and 4050 limb amputations. At the upper range, that would be 22 amputations a day for the first half of this year. Then, as the horror movie unfolds, WHO informs us that there have likely been 2000 or so spinal cord and severe traumatic brain injuries. Thats likely a lot of paralyzed or partially paralyzed people. A similar number, about 2,000, have been badly burned. One physician who worked in Gaza reported that 80% of the victims she saw were children. Al-Jazeera Video: 80% of Gaza victims I treated were children Surgeons in Gaza | Islamic Help Under ordinary circumstances, providing rehabilitative care for a nearly 25,000 people would be a challenge. Youd need crutches and other prophylactics, wheel chairs, neck braces, spine braces, whirlpool baths for the burned to remove dead skin. Such things are now rare in Gaza or dont even exist. The longer a patient with severe trauma goes without treatment, the greater the danger is that the injuries will never heal properly or will get worse. Israel keeps exiling Palestinians in Gaza from one place to the next. That would be hard on the ones with spine injuries or amputated legs. The ones with spine injuries could well be killed by such a move. People ask me how they can help. Well, first chew out your Congressman and Senators for allowing this carnage to proceed. But heres a link for UNICEFs Gaza effort. ( Code Pink ) On September 18th, the UN General Assembly is scheduled to debate and vote on a resolution calling on Israel to end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory within six months. Given that the General Assembly, unlike the exclusive 15-member UN Security Council, allows all UN members to vote and there is no veto in the General Assembly, this is an opportunity for the world community to clearly express its opposition to Israels brutal occupation of Palestine. If Israel predictably fails to heed a General Assembly resolution calling on it to withdraw its occupation forces and settlers from Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the United States then vetoes or threatens to veto a Security Council resolution to enforce the ICJ ruling, then the General Assembly could go a step further. It could convene an Emergency Session to take up what is called a Uniting For Peace resolution, which could call for an arms embargo, an economic boycott or other UN sanctions against Israel or even call for actions against the United States. Uniting for Peace resolutions have only been passed by the General Assembly five times since the procedure was first adopted in 1950. The September 18 resolution comes in response to an historic ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 19, which found that 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. The court ruled that Israels obligations under international law include the evacuation of all settlers from existing settlements and the payment of restitution to all who have been harmed by its illegal occupation. The passage of the General Assembly resolution by a large majority of members would demonstrate that countries all over the world support the ICJ ruling, and would be a small but important first step toward ensuring that Israel must live up to those obligations. Israels President Netanyahu cavalierly dismissed the court ruling with a claim that, The Jewish nation cannot be an occupier in its own land. This is exactly the position that the court had rejected, ruling that Israels 1967 military invasion and occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territories did not give it the right to settle its own people there, annex those territories, or make them part of Israel. While Israel used its hotly disputed account of the October 7th events as a pretext to declare open season for the mass murder of Palestinians in Gaza, Israeli forces in the West Bank and East Jerusalem used it as a pretext to distribute assault rifles and other military-grade weapons to illegal Israeli settlers and unleash a new wave of violence there, too. Armed settlers immediately started seizing more Palestinian land and shooting Palestinians. Israeli occupation forces either stood by and watched or joined in the violence, but did not intervene to defend Palestinians or hold their Israeli attackers accountable. Since last October, occupation forces and armed settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem have now killed at least 700 people, including 159 children. UNGA, Digital, Dream / Dreamland v3 / Clip2Comic, 2024 The escalation of violence and land seizures has been so flagrant that even the U.S. and European governments have felt obligated to impose sanctions on a small number of violent settlers and their organizations. In Gaza, the Israeli military has been murdering Palestinians day after day for the past 11 months. The Palestinian Health Ministry has counted over 41,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, but with the destruction of the hospitals that it relies on to identify and count the dead, this is now only a partial death toll. Medical researchers estimate that the total number of deaths in Gaza from the direct and indirect results of Israeli actions will be in the hundreds of thousands, even if the massacre were to end soon. Israel and the United States are undoubtedly more and more isolated as a result of their roles in this genocide. Whether the United States can still coerce or browbeat a few of its traditional allies into rejecting or abstaining from the General Assembly resolution on September 18 will be a test of its residual soft power. President Biden can claim to be exercising a certain kind of international leadership, but it is not the kind of leadership that any American can be proud of. The United States has muscled its way into a pivotal role in the ceasefire negotiations begun by Qatar and Egypt, and it has used that position to skillfully and repeatedly undermine any chance of a ceasefire, the release of hostages or an end to the genocide. By failing to use any of its substantial leverage to pressure Israel, and disingenuously blaming Hamas for every failure in the negotiations, U.S. officials are ensuring that the genocide will continue for as long as they and and their Israeli allies want, while many Americans remain confused about their own governments responsibility for the continuing bloodshed. This is a continuation of the strategy by which the United States has stymied and prevented peace since 1967, falsely posing as an honest broker, while in fact remaining Israels staunchest ally and the critical diplomatic obstacle to a free Palestine. In addition to cynically undermining any chance of a ceasefire, the United States has injected itself into debates over the future of Gaza, promoting the idea that a post-war government could be led by the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority, which many Palestinians view as hopelessly corrupt and compromised by subservience to Israel and the United States. China has taken a more constructive approach to resolving differences between Palestinian political groupings. It invited Hamas, Fatah and 12 other Palestinian groups to a three-day meeting in Beijing in July, where they all agreed to a national unity plan to form a post-war interim national reconciliation government, which would oversee relief and rebuilding in Gaza and organize a national Palestinian election to seat a new elected government. Mustafa Barghouti, the secretary-general of the political movement called the Palestinian National Initiative, hailed the Beijing Declaration as going much further than previous reconciliation efforts, and said that the plan for a unity government blocks Israeli efforts to create some kind of collaborative structure against Palestinian interests. China has also called for an international peace conference to try to end the war. As the world comes together in the General Assembly on September 18, it faces both a serious challenge and an unprecedented opportunity. Each time the General Assembly has met in recent years, a succession of leaders from the Global South has risen to lament the breakdown of the peaceful and just international order that the UN is supposed to represent, from the failure to end the war in Ukraine to inaction against the climate crisis to the persistence of neocolonialism in Africa. Perhaps no crisis more clearly embodies the failure of the UN and the international system than the 57-year-old Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories it invaded in 1967. At the same time that the United States has armed Israel to the teeth, it has vetoed 46 UN Security Council resolutions that either required Israel to comply with international law, called for an end to the occupation or for Palestinian statehood, or held Israel accountable for war crimes or illegal settlement building. The ability of one Permanent Member of the Security Council to use its veto to block the rule of international law and the will of the rest of the world has always been widely recognized as the fatal flaw in the existing structure of the UN system. When this structure was first announced in 1945, French writer Albert Camus wrote in Combat, the French Resistance newspaper he edited, that the veto would effectively put an end to any idea of international democracy The Five would thus retain forever the freedom of maneuver that would be forever denied the others. The General Assembly and the Security Council have debated a series of resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, and each debate has pitted the United States, Israel, and occasionally the United Kingdom or another U.S. ally, against the voices of the rest of the world calling in unison for peace in Gaza. Of the UNs 193 nations, 145 have now recognized Palestine as a sovereign nation comprising Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and even more countries have voted for resolutions to end the occupation, prohibit Israeli settlements and support Palestinian self-determination and human rights. For many decades, the United States unique position of unconditional support for Israel has been a critical factor in enabling Israeli war crimes and prolonging the intolerable plight of the Palestinian people. In the crisis in Gaza, the U.S. military alliance with Israel involves the U.S. directly in the crime of genocide, as the United States provides the warplanes and bombs that are killing the largest numbers of Palestinians and literally destroying Gaza. The United States also deploys military liaison officers to assist Israel in planning its operations, special operations forces to provide intelligence and satellite communications, and trainers and technicians to teach Israeli forces to use and maintain new American weapons, such as F-35 warplanes. The supply chain for the U.S. arsenal of genocide criss-crosses America, from weapons factories to military bases to procurement offices at the Pentagon and Central Command in Tampa. It feeds plane loads of weapons flying to military bases in Israel, from where these endless tons of steel and high explosives rain down on Gaza to shatter buildings, flesh and bones. The U.S. role is greater than complicity it is essential, active participation, without which the Israelis could not conduct this genocide in its present form, any more than the Germans could have run Auschwitz without gas chambers and poison gas. And it is precisely because of the essential U.S. role in this genocide that the United States has the power to end it, not by pretending to plead with the Israelis to be more careful about civilian casualties, but by ending its own instrumental role in the genocide. Every American of conscience should keep applying all kinds of pressure on our own government, but as long as it keeps ignoring the will of its own people, sending more weapons, vetoing Security Council resolutions and undermining peace negotiations, it is by default up to our neighbors around the world to muster the unity and political will to end the genocide. It would certainly be unprecedented for the world to unite, in opposition to Israel and the United States, to save Palestine and enforce the ICJ ruling that Israel must withdraw from Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The world has rarely come together so unanimously since the founding of the United Nations in the aftermath of the Second World War in 1945. Even the catastrophic U.S.-British invasion and destruction of Iraq failed to provoke such united action. But the lesson of that crisis, indeed the lesson of our time, is that this kind of unity is essential if we are ever to bring sanity, humanity and peace to our world. That can start with a decisive vote in the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. Via Code Pink VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Latin Metals (Latin Metals or the Company) - (TSXV: LMS) (OTCQB: LMSQF) announces a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to $2.0 million. The Company announces a non-brokered private placement (the Financing) of up to 25,000,000 units (each, a Unit) for a subscription price of $0.08 per Unit, to raise total gross proceeds of up to $2.0 million. Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of Latin Metals (each, a Share) and one-half of one common share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Share at a price of $0.15 per Share for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Financing. Certain directors and officers of the Company are expected to subscribe for approximately 10,000,000 Units under the Financing (for gross proceeds of $800,000). The proceeds of the Financing are intended to fund exploration, generative work, and for general working capital. The Company may pay finders fees on all or a portion of the Financing, consisting of a cash commission equal to up to 7% of the total gross proceeds raised and finders warrants equal to up to 7% of the total number of Units issued, where each finders warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Share at a price of $0.08 per Share for a period of 12 months from the closing of the Financing. All securities issued in connection with the Financing will be subject to a hold period of four-months and one day in Canada. The Financing is subject to the receipt of all necessary approvals including acceptance for filing of the Financing by the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV) and any applicable securities regulatory authorities. Any participation by directors or officers in the Financing is considered a related party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). The related party transaction will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the securities to be issued under the Financing nor the consideration to be paid by the directors and officers will exceed 25% of the Companys market capitalization. This news release does not constitute an offer of sale of any of the foregoing securities in the United States. None of the foregoing securities have been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act) or any applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) or persons in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of the foregoing securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of LATIN METALS INC. Keith Henderson President & CEO For further details on the Company readers are referred to the Companys web site (www.latin-metals.com) and its Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. For further information, please contact: Keith Henderson Suite 890 999 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC, V6C 2W2 Phone: 604-638-3456 E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the closing of the Financing, the participation of directors and officers in the Financing, the use of proceeds of the Financing, the ability of the Company to become a self sustaining prospect generator, planned exploration of the Companys projects by the Company and its partners, anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, 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 statements can be identified by words such as pro forma, plans, expects, may, will, 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. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that it will obtain TSXV acceptance for the Financing and the required corporate approvals for same, that market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals and copper demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future development of the Companys projects in a timely manner, the availability of financing on suitable terms for the development, construction and continued operation of the Companys projects, and the Companys 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 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, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development and mine development activities at the Companys projects, estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, requirements for additional capital, future prices of precious metals and 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, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, possible failures of plants, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays or the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including of the TSXV, financing or other planned activities, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, including the impact of COVID-19 on the Company's business, risks related to joint venture operations, and risks related to the integration of acquisitions, as well as those factors discussed under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys latest Management Discussion and Analysis 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. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein. VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Nevada King Gold Corp. (TSXV: NKG) (OTC: NKGFF) ("Nevada King" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the identification of five new regional targets (Figure 1) at its 5,166 hectares (51.6km2), 100%-owned Atlanta Gold Mine Project along the prolific Battle Mountain Trend 264km northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lone Ranger, Northeast, Crossroads, Bounty, and Jumbo Targets make up a combined 13.9km2 footprint and are located north and northeast of the historical Atlanta Mine. Highlights: Nevada King's extensive library of geophysical data consisting of Phase I and II CSAMT, drone magnetics, and gravity surveys conducted across the Atlanta district reveals significant, caldera-related magmatic activity that caused the intrusion of low resistivity igneous plumes upward into the high resistivity Paleozoic basement rocks, occasionally breaking through and reaching the paleo-surface in places. The Atlanta resource zone provides one such example of an intrusive plume that broke through the basement cap and CSAMT data reveals other such breakthrough points are scattered across the district. extensive library of geophysical data consisting of Phase I and II CSAMT, drone magnetics, and gravity surveys conducted across the district reveals significant, caldera-related magmatic activity that caused the intrusion of low resistivity igneous plumes upward into the high resistivity Paleozoic basement rocks, occasionally breaking through and reaching the paleo-surface in places. The resource zone provides one such example of an intrusive plume that broke through the basement cap and CSAMT data reveals other such breakthrough points are scattered across the district. Today's high priority regional targets occur where intrusive bodies coincide with major basement faults potentially responsible for channeling gold-bearing fluids up toward the paleo-surface (Figure 3-8. These targets are buried, covered by barren massive dolomite, post-mineral volcanics, and alluvium. Three of the targets have never been drill-tested, while the other two have a few shallow (< 180m ) historical holes. A more detailed description of each of the targets can be found in the Target Description section below. (Figure 3-8. These targets are buried, covered by barren massive dolomite, post-mineral volcanics, and alluvium. Three of the targets have never been drill-tested, while the other two have a few shallow (< ) historical holes. A more detailed description of each of the targets can be found in the Target Description section below. Over the past months, the Company has announced three new discoveries located near the Atlanta resource zone that were made based in large part on CSAMT signatures the East Ridge Target ( July 16, 2024 ), the South Quartzite Ridge Target with 6.28 g/t Au over 54.9m ( July 23, 2024 ), and the Wild West Zone with 4.67 g/t Au over 42.7m ( August 19, 2024 ). resource zone that were made based in large part on CSAMT signatures the East Ridge Target ( ), the South Quartzite Ridge Target with ( ), and the Wild West Zone with ( ). These back-to-back discoveries demonstrate the effectiveness of CSAMT in making new discoveries at Atlanta and offer fresh insights into the geophysical signatures associated with these major gold occurrence types, which will guide regional targeting to help predict what type of mineralization might be present in a given target area, what to look for in drill cuttings and sample geochemistry, and how best to vector towards mineralized centers. and offer fresh insights into the geophysical signatures associated with these major gold occurrence types, which will guide regional targeting to help predict what type of mineralization might be present in a given target area, what to look for in drill cuttings and sample geochemistry, and how best to vector towards mineralized centers. The Company is planning a Phase III regional drilling program designed to test the five regional targets outlined in today's release, as well as other similar anomalies located south and west of the Atlanta resource zone. Further details of the program will be released in the coming weeks. BLM (Bureau of Land Management) approval for this drilling program is currently pending. Cal Herron, Exploration Manager of Nevada King, commented, "Gold mineralization within the Atlanta District formed within a resurgent caldera associated with the much larger Indian Peak volcanic field. The presence of shallow, quartz- and volatile-rich magmatism beneath a water-rich caldera basin like we see at Atlanta provides the ideal setting for potentially hosting large gold deposits, such as what is seen at Round Mountain (located 240km west of Atlanta and with 16 million ounces of gold produced through 2022 Source: USBM Nevada Mineral Explorer Website, 2023). At Atlanta, the majority of drilling to date has been focused around the Atlanta resource zone, which represents just one intrusive plume that broke through the Paleozoic basement and deposited gold in a shallow epithermal environment. Relying on CSAMT surveys conducted across not just the resource zone, but throughout the district, Nevada King has now developed an integrated, detailed geological model for gold deposition that outlines numerous additional areas where intrusive plumes have exploded up through the basement rock. Where these plumes coincide with major faults, a favourable environment for gold deposition may occur, particularly around fault intersections. As much of the Atlanta District is obscured by an extensive blanket of volcanic tuff and sediments, these targets are largely buried and have remained undetected until recently with the aid of geophysical methods including CSAMT. All of our drilling and work to date at Atlanta has sharpened our understanding of the complex interplay of structural and hydrothermal components responsible for gold mineralization, and we now look forward to applying this knowledge toward unlocking the district-scale potential." Target Descriptions Jumbo Target The Jumbo target is located 1km due east of the Atlanta pit along the eastern flank of the East Ridge and is arcuate shaped with a length of 2.5km and an average width of 500m. The large low resistivity zone is covered by dense dolomite and alluvium and has not been historically explored. Field reconnaissance does show small outcrops of altered carbonate rock with preferentially silicified beds in thin-bedded dolomite. Weak gold and arsenic anomalies in soil and rock samples were picked up in silicified dolomite along the base of the East Ridge near the contact with alluvium. The large, bulbous-shaped low resistivity zone at the southern end of the Jumbo plume shown on CSAMT line 14 in Figure 4 coincides with a large low resistivity corridor likely related to an igneous body that intruded up into the dense dolomite basement along a major north-south structure. Potential mineralization would most likely be of the East Ridge Type with gold hosted within the intrusive mass and along the contacts with dolomite, while the low resistivity appendage projecting westward from the plume could host mineralization similar to mineralization found in AT24HG-41 (released July 23, 2024). Moving 200m northward to CSAMT line 15 in Figure 5, the intrusive plume has plunged northeastward beneath a thin cap of high resistivity dolomite that is punctuated in places by strong alteration and/or intrusive dikes. The apex of the low resistivity zone coincides at the surface with variably silicified and brecciated dolomite hosting weakly anomalous gold (<0.05 g/t Au) and arsenic (<100 ppm) mineralization. Further to the northeast the target is completely covered by alluvium. Bounty Target The northeast-trending, 1.5km long by 500m wide Bounty target is a shallow, low resistivity zone that is largely covered by alluvium and post-mineral volcanics as shown in Figure 6, but carbonate cover is evident in Figures 5, 7, and 8. For most of its length, the target coincides with the axis of an apparent broad antiform. Variably decalcified and silicified dolomite is seen in outcrop at the southern end of the target zone and in a low knob projecting through the alluvial blanket at the northern end. Rock samples on the knob average 0.03 g/t Au and 50ppm As, indicating weakly anomalous mineralization. Only one historical reverse circulation ("RC") drill hole tested the zone's southern margin but was too shallow (90m deep) to get into potential mineralization underneath the massive dolomite cap. Potential mineralization is most likely of the AT24HG-41 Type where mineralizing fluids were trapped beneath the dense dolomite cap around the intrusive apex. At the far eastern side of CSAMT line 21 (Figure 8) a low-angle, east-dipping resistivity low at the surface occurs on top of dolomite basement, which is similar to what we see (albeit with a gentle westward dip) in the main resource zone. There is potential along the eastern side of the Bounty Target for West Atlanta Graben Type mineralization and the Phase 3 CSAMT in-fill program currently underway will better define this peripheral area and possibly further extend the target northward. Crossroads Target The Crossroads Target lies along the West Atlanta Fault (Figure 5) and extends northward from the West Atlanta Graben. Unlike the other four new targets discussed today, the Crossroads is the only one possessing significant historical drill data, which did in fact hit anomalous mineralization. Five holes were drilled into the northern end of the target and one hole tested the western margin. Two RC holes at the northern end hit significant gold mineralization: GC96-04 intersected 0.97 g/t Au over 9.1m at a depth of 108.2 metres while AR-60 intersected 6.1m of 0.54 g/t Au starting at a depth of 112.8 metres. Both holes were collared seven metres apart drilling due east at a -45-degree angle. The mineralized bed that was intersected remains consistent between both holes and intersects the gradational CSAMT signature in between strong high and low resistivity signatures. Nevada King's planned Phase III holes step eastward and northeastward from the target, following the trend of mineralization seen in the two historical holes. Northeast Target The NNE-trending, 1,400m long by 300m wide Northeast Target sits on the western side (hanging wall side) of the West Atlanta Fault, which is the main mineralizing structure within the Atlanta resource zone. The tabular shaped low resistivity zone dips steeply eastward and is about 100m thick (see Figures 6-8), which is very similar to the CSAMT signature associated with the AT24HG-41 zone at the northern end of the South Quartzite Ridge Target along the West Atlanta Fault. The Northeast Target is sandwiched between two massive basement (dolomite) blocks that confine the intrusive body and potential mineralization to a relatively small area, thus possibly resulting in higher grades. Again, this scenario is very similar to what was encountered at the southern end of the Atlanta resource zone in vertical RC holes AT23HG-37 (1.89 g/t Au over 114m starting at 171m) and AT23HG-34 (2.15g/t Au over 96m starting at 136m, both released October 17, 2023), and AT24HG-41 (6.28 g/t Au over 54.9m starting at 148m; released July 23, 2024). All three holes drilled through barren basement rock before encountering intrusive-hosted mineralization, with values starting abruptly at the basement-intrusive contact. The low resistivity zone occurs between the West Atlanta and West Atlanta #1 Faults, and it is also important to note that this northerly trending fault corridor hosts most of the shallow intrusions, explosive brecciation, and gold mineralization seen throughout the resource zone, as well as the highest gold grades like those seen in AT23WS-44 (11.64 g/t Au over 108m starting at 215m; released October 2, 2023). Very weak Au-As anomalies were found in rock sampled in the adjacent dolomite, but the target is covered by dolomite on the west and alluvium and post-mineral tuff on the east. Four historical holes were drilled at the extreme southern end of the target but were too shallow to reach the low resistivity zone at depth. The low resistivity zone appears to shallow northward with an attendant increase in silicification noted at the surface in the dolomite. Based on what is currently known, potential mineralization along this target would most likely be AT24HG-41 Type. The target is open northward where the Phase III CSAMT survey will add further definition. Lone Ranger Target The Lone Ranger Target occurs on the hanging wall (west side) of the West Atlanta #1 Fault and is probably the northern extension of the West Atlanta Graben Zone and Wild West Target. Located 1.5km north of the Atlanta pit, Lone Ranger is at least 1,600m long, of variable width, and occurs at the contact of massive dolomite on the east with a deep volcanic basin on the west. This volcanic basin is most likely the centre of the Atlanta caldera and is at least 600m deep based on historical drilling. Historical holes generally transited unmineralized volcanics and bottomed in barren, massive dolomite at shallow depths the implication being Nevada King must shift its attention further westward and look for locations along the contact that may have localized intrusive activity and potential mineralization. Broad zones of intermediate CSAMT gradients between the high resistivity dolomite and low resistivity volcanic basin can be seen on Figure 8. Many occurrences of strong mineralization within the Atlanta resource occur along these gradational resistivity zones, so this type of CSAMT signature has become a good vector for finding potential mineralization. We also know from the distribution of higher-grade gold within the West Atlanta Graben that crossing structures are important, like the E-W trending North and South Faults in the resource zone, so our Phase III CSAMT includes three N-S oriented lines to check for easterly trending structures. Potential West Atlanta Graben Type mineralization is the most likely scenario given the target's location along the West Atlanta #1 Fault. The low resistivity zone remains open to the north and the Phase III CSAMT program will add further definition for a potential northward extension. QA/QC Protocols All RC samples from the Atlanta Project are split at the drill site and placed in cloth and plastic bags utilizing a nominal 2kg sample weight. CRF standards, blanks, and duplicates are inserted into the sample stream on-site on a one-in-twenty sample basis, meaning all three inserts are included in each 20-sample group. Samples are shipped by a local contractor in large sample shipping crates directly to American Assay Lab in Reno, Nevada, with full custody being maintained at all times. At American Assay Lab, samples were weighted then crushed to 75% passing 2mm and pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns in order to produce a 300g pulverized split. Prepared samples are initially run using a four acid + boric acid digestion process and conventional multi-element ICP-OES analysis. Gold assays are initially run using 30-gram samples by lead fire assay with an OES finish to a 0.003 ppm detection limit, with samples greater than 10 ppm finished gravimetrically. Every sample is also run through a cyanide leach for gold with an ICP-OES finish. The QA/QC procedure involves regular submission of Certified Analytical Standards and property-specific duplicates. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Calvin R. Herron, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). About Nevada King Gold Corp. The Atlanta Mine is a historical gold-silver producer with a NI 43-101 compliant pit-constrained resource of 460,000 oz Au in the measured and indicated category (11.0M tonnes at 1.3 g/t) plus an inferred resource of 142,000 oz Au (5.3M tonnes at 0.83 g/t). See the NI 43-101 Technical Report on Resources titled "Atlanta Property, Lincoln County, NV" with an effective date of October 6, 2020, and a report date of December 22, 2020, as prepared by Gustavson Associates and filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). Resource Category Tonnes (000s) Au Grade (ppm) Contained Au Oz Ag Grade (ppm) Contained Ag Oz Measured 4,130 1.51 200,000 14.0 1,860,000 Indicated 6,910 1.17 260,000 10.6 2,360,000 Measured + Indicated 11,000 1.30 460,000 11.9 4,220,000 Inferred 5,310 0.83 142,000 7.3 1,240,000 Table 1. NI 43-101 Mineral Resources at the Atlanta Mine Please see the Company's website at www.nevadaking.ca. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating the future operations and activities of Nevada King, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, the Company's exploration plans and the Company's ability to potentially expand mineral resources and the impact thereon. 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 Nevada King, 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 to complete proposed exploration work, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, and changes in general economic, market and business conditions. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Nevada King does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Aftermath Silver Ltd. (TSXV: AAG) (OTCQX: AAGFF) (the "Company" or "Aftermath") is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of up to 14,285,714 (the "Units") to be sold at a price of $0.35 per Unit for total gross proceeds of up to $5,000,000. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one transferable Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable by the holder thereof to acquire one additional Common Share (a "Warrant Share") for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance at a price of $0.45 per Warrant Share. The Company intends to use the net proceeds to for geological, metallurgical and engineering studies at the Company's Berenguela Silver-Copper-Manganese project in southern Peru ("Berenguela"), and for general working capital purposes. 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a corporation beneficially owned and controlled by Mr. Eric Sprott, intends to subscribe for the entire amount of the Private Placement, being 14,285,714 Units for an aggregate purchase price of $5,000,000. The participation by 2176423 Ontario Ltd., and the participation of other insiders of the Company, if any, in the Private Placement, will be considered a related party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Private Placement will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the securities issued to related parties nor the consideration for such securities will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. All securities issued with respect to the Private Placement will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws. Closing of the Private Placement is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the TSX Venture Exchange. None of the securities sold under the Private Placement have been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no such securities may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news 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 the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The ownership percentages of Common Shares described above are based on the Company having 234,579,088 Common Shares issued and outstanding as of the date of this news release and 248,864,802 Common Shares outstanding upon completion of the Private Placement. All currency in this news release is denominated in Canadian dollars. A 3% finders fee will be payable to Canal Front Investments Inc. Berenguela Project: Background The Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest in Berenguela through a binding agreement with SSR Mining. Berenguela hosts a potentially open- pittable silver-copper-manganese Mineral Resource close to Santa Lucia in Puno province, southern Peru. Silver, copper and manganese have crucial industrial applications in the clean energy and battery spaces. Copper and manganese have been designated critical metals by the US government and the European Union. The project is less than 6km from road, rail and power lines and 4 hours from Arequipa by sealed road. Aftermath published a resource estimate in March 2023 based on over 300 core and RC holes. Metallurgical test work is underway adding to historic work, with the goal of producing silver and copper metal and a commercial battery-grade or fertilizer-grade manganese product. Qualified person Michael Parker, a fellow of the AusIMM and a non-independent director of Aftermath, is a non-independent qualified person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Parker has reviewed the technical content of this news release and consents to the information provided in the form and context in which it appears. About Aftermath Silver Ltd. Aftermath Silver Ltd. is a leading Canadian junior exploration company focused on silver, and aims to deliver shareholder value through the discovery, acquisition and development of quality silver projects in stable jurisdictions. Aftermath has developed a pipeline of projects at various stages of advancement. The Company's projects have been selected based on growth and development potential. Challacollo Silver-Gold project. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Challacollo silver-gold project. A NI 43-101 Mineral Resource was released on December 15, 2020 (available on SEDAR+ and the Company's web page). The Company is currently completing environmental permitting in anticipation of an upcoming drill program. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Challacollo silver-gold project. A NI 43-101 Mineral Resource was released on December 15, 2020 (available on SEDAR+ and the Company's web page). The Company is currently completing environmental permitting in anticipation of an upcoming drill program. Cachinal Silver-Gold project. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Cachinal Ag-Au project, located 2.5 hours south of Antofagasta. On September 16, 2020, the Company released a CIM compliant Mineral Resource and accompanying NI 43-101 Technical Report (available on SEDAR+ and on the Company's web page). ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 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 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, including the completion and anticipated results of planned exploration activities, the ability of the Company to complete the Private Placement on the proposed terms or at all, the anticipated use of proceeds from the Private Placement, the receipt of regulatory approvals with respect to the Private Placement and the insider's participation in the Private Placement. 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, including among others, that the Company will be able to complete the Private Placement on the terms as anticipated by management, that the Company will use the proceeds of the Private Placement as anticipated, that the Company will receive regulatory approval with respect to the Private Placement and that the insider will participate in the Private Placement as expected. 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. 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 plans or expectations include the risk that the Company will not be able to complete the Private Placement on the terms as anticipated by management or at all, that the Company will not use the proceeds of the Private Placement as anticipated, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain necessary regulatory and TSXV approvals of the Private Placement and insider participation, risks relating to the actual results of current exploration activities, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, and regulatory changes. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2024) - Vortex Metals Inc. (TSXV: VMS) (FSE: DM8) (OTCQB: VMSSF) (" Vortex" or the" Company ") is pleased to announce results from the recent surface sampling program conducted at the Illapel Copper Project in Chile. The program, executed during the month of July, 2024, focused on evaluating mineralization across several key areas within the project concessions. Program Highlights Dr. John Larson, Director of Vortex Metals and former Manager of Latin America Exploration for BHP and BHP Billiton, led the fieldwork at Illapel. Dr. Larson and his team collected 13 surface samples, which were subsequently sent to ALS Laboratories in Santiago for multi-element analysis. Preliminary results indicate significant copper mineralization, with 8 out of the 13 samples revealing significant copper mineralization above 1.0% copper. Notable findings include: Sample 1021 : 0.62 grams per ton (g/t) gold and 1.33% copper. Sample 1019 : 75.2 g/t silver, and 4.31% copper. Sample 1029: 32.6 g/t silver, 0.21 g/t gold, and 5.85% copper. These results suggest that the Illapel project has the potential to host high-grade copper and precious metal deposits, highlighting its economic viability. Fig 1. Location of samples collected in July, 2024, Illapel project. Table 1. Selected elements analyzed in the 13 surface samples. In addition to copper, gold and silver, the program identified elevated levels of associated elements such as iron, molybdenum, and cobalt, providing further insight into the style of mineralization within the project area. The results confirm that the Illapel concessions have the potential to host at least two distinct styles of mineralization: Mantos - Predominantly Cu-Ag mineralization. Epithermal Vein Systems - Characterized by Cu-Au mineralization. The Company has also collected bulk samples to produce standards for quality control in future drill-core analysis, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of exploration results. Photo 1,2,3. Sample 1021, quartz barite vein - Sample 1028, specularite and oxidized copper veins, with malachite - Sample 1018, andesite agglomerate. Qualified Person / Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC) Juan Carlos Fernandez, P. Geo., is a qualified person ("QP") as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release. About Vortex Metals Inc. Vortex Metals Inc. is a copper focused exploration and development company with a diversified portfolio of exploration projects in Chile and Mexico. Vortex holds an option to acquire up to 80% interest in the brownfield Illapel Copper Project in Chile and through its Mexican subsidiary Empresa Minera Acagold, S.A. de C.V., it owns 100% interest in two drill-ready high-potential copper-gold volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) properties, Riqueza Marina and Zaachila, in Oaxaca, Mexico. The company emphasizes responsible exploration, community engagement, and environmental stewardship to meet the rising global demand for copper. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are made as of the date hereof and are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions which involve risks and uncertainties associated with our business, including permitting approvals, any private placement financings, the uncertainty as to whether further exploration will result in the target(s) being delineated as a mineral resource, capital expenditures, operating costs, mineral resources, recovery rates, grades and prices, estimated goals, expansion and growth of the business and operations, plans and references to the Company's future successes with its business and the economic environment in which the business operates. All such statements are made pursuant to the 'safe harbour' provisions of, and are intended to be forward-looking statements under, applicable Canadian securities legislation. Any statements contained herein that are statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution readers of this news release not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as several factors could cause actual results or conditions to differ materially from current expectations. Please refer to the risks set forth in the Company's most recent annual MD&A and the Company's continuous disclosure documents that can be found on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not intend, and disclaims any obligation, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Company cautions that mineralization on, or production from, neighbouring properties is no guarantee of the existence of similar mineralization or a guarantee of future production from the Illapel Project. 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. Fully funded drill program will build on the success of previous exploration efforts, targeting strike and depth extensions, as well as new gold mineralized zones QUEBEC CITY / Sep 17, 2024 / Business Wire / Kobo Resources Inc. ("Kobo or the "Company") (TSX.V: KRI) is excited to announce the resumption of diamond drilling at its 100%-owned Kossou Gold Project (Kossou) in Cote d'Ivoire. This 10,000 metre (m) drill program will target key gold zones identified in previous exploration efforts, including the Jagger Zone, Road Cut Zone, Kadie Zone, and Contact Zone. Highlights: Fully funded 10,000 m drill program: With approximately $6.0 million in cash, Kobo is well-capitalized to execute this drill program and continue exploration into the new year With approximately $6.0 million in cash, Kobo is well-capitalized to execute this drill program and continue exploration into the new year Multiple high-potential gold targets: The team is focused on significant gold mineralization potential across four key zonesthe Jagger Zone, Road Cut Zone, Kadie Zone, and the Contact Zone, with the first ever diamond drill holes planned for this target The team is focused on significant gold mineralization potential across four key zonesthe Jagger Zone, Road Cut Zone, Kadie Zone, and the Contact Zone, with the first ever diamond drill holes planned for this target Leveraging the strengths of Mota-Engil: As a strategic shareholder and partner, Motas global expertise and local presence is expected to assist in accelerating Kobos growth in Africa As a strategic shareholder and partner, Motas global expertise and local presence is expected to assist in accelerating Kobos growth in Africa Onsite base camp being established: A new base camp is being set up on site to increase efficiency and reduce costs A new base camp is being set up on site to increase efficiency and reduce costs New water well installation: The water well will not only serve Kobos base camp, but will also provide fresh water to the local community of Bocabo as part of Kobos commitment to responsible exploration practices Edward Gosselin, CEO and Director of Kobo commented: This is an exciting time for Kobo as we reinitiate our diamond drilling campaign on highly prospective gold targets at Kossou. We are fully funded for this program and into next year, providing us with the resources to aggressively pursue our exploration objectives. The key zones we're targeting hold significant potential, and this new program will build on previous success by testing depth extensions and uncharted mineralized areas. He continued: We are also proud of our commitment to responsible exploration, highlighted by the fresh water well initiative that will benefit and support the local Bocabo community. Looking beyond Kossou, we are dedicated to advancing our regional exploration strategy, bolstered by the support of our strategic partner, Luso Global Mining. We remain focused on delivering results for our shareholders and are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Gold Target Zones for the Drill Program: Jagger Zone The Jagger Zone is defined by a 2 kilometre (km) long gold in soil geochemical anomaly that has been trenched and drilled over a 1 km strike extent and remains open to the north and south. Drilling from this program will focus on the core of the zone, testing extensions of mineralised structures to depth and north of KRC011 (19 m at 2.03 g/t Au). The Jagger Zone remains open at depth with the deepest intercepts approximately 125 below surface. This drill program will also test for mineralisation 175 to 200 m below surface and based on positive results, could explore up to 250 m below surface. Drilling will also test mineralisation south of section JZ 700 (KDD0001 38.2 m at 1.55 g/t Au and KDD0021 14 m at 2.91 g/t Au) with the goal of extending gold mineralisation south to connect with previous drilling from the Companys 2023 Reverse Circulation (RC) drill program, with results up to 6 m at 4.31 g/t Au (KRC015). This untested gap is approximately 350 in length. Several holes are also planned to undercut previous RC drilling in this area. Hole RC0021 intersected several zones of gold mineralisation including 18 m at 0.60 g/t Au, 6 m at 0.70 g/t Au and 3 m at 1.23 g/t Au, indicating the shear system remains well mineralised. The Company will drill approximately 3,700 m of diamond drilling in 17 holes at the Jagger Zone as part of this program. Road Cut Zone The Road Cut Zone is defined by a 1.6+ km long gold in soil anomaly and has been trenched and drilled over approximately 900 m strike length. Multiple mineralised shear zones have been identified during the Companys 2023 RC drilling program (KRC044 13 m at 2.10 g/t Au) and from the most recent diamond drilling (KDD0012 11 m at 1.71 g/t Au) efforts. Mineralisation is open to the south, with the most southernly hole on the target returning 11 m at 1.13 g/t Au (KDD0018). This program will continue to test mineralisation to the south where the target may ultimately join mineralisation at both the Jagger and Kadie zones. Drilling to date has been confined to about 100 m below surface and the current program will test mineralisation to approximately 150 m below surface and fill in gaps in drilling defined in our most recent diamond drilling program. The Company will drill approximately 3,700 m of diamond drilling in 18 holes at the Road Cut Zone as part of this program. Kadie Zone Mineralisation at the Kadie Zone is based on strong gold in soil geochemical anomalies and trenching over 1 km strike length. To date, only five diamond drill holes have been completed on three northwest trending structures, highlighted by KDD005 9 m at 23.89 g/t Au and KDD0024 7 m at 1.91 g/t Au. Drilling has only tested to approximately 50 m below surface and mineralised shears remain open in all directions. The Company will drill approximately 1,000 m of diamond drilling in 7 holes at the Kadie Zone as part of this program. Contact Zone The Contact Zone Fault has been identified as a significant first order structure and is viewed as a deep-seated discontinuity that may be responsible for channelling gold bearing fluids during progressive structural deformation of the area. A strong gold in soil geochemical anomaly (+50 ppb Au) can be traced over a 2.5 km distance along this potential target. During a structural study completed in October 2023 by the Companys structural geologist, Dr. Ghislain Tourigny, a strong deformation corridor was mapped west of the Contact Zone Fault. Dr. Tourigny noted the strongest gold mineralisation in the volcanic hosted shear systems were within 300 to 500 m of this structure. The proximity of strong gold mineralisation at the Road Cut, Jagger and Kadie zones and the presence of significant artisanal mining along the geophysical trace of this fault near Lake Kossou presents a very intriguing target that will be explored during this drill campaign. The Company will drill approximately 700 m of diamond drilling in 7 holes at the Contact Zone as part of this program. Review of Technical Information The scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Paul Sarjeant, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Persons as defined in National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Sarjeant is the President and Chief Operating Officer and Director of Kobo. About Kobo Resources Inc. Kobo Resources is a growth-focused gold exploration company with a compelling new gold discovery in Cote d'Ivoire, one of West Africas most prolific and developing gold districts, hosting several multi-million-ounce gold mines. The Companys 100%-owned Kossou Gold Project is located approximately 20 km northwest of the capital city of Yamoussoukro and is directly adjacent to one of the regions largest gold mines with established processing facilities. The Company is drilling to unlock the potential size and scale of Kossou within 9+ km strike length of highly prospective gold in soil geochemical anomalies with excellent rock and trench sampling, as well as drill results. Significant gold mineralisation has been identified at three main targets within a 300 m wide, 2+ km long, pervasively altered structural corridor defining a potentially large orogenic gold system. In 2023, the Company completed approximately 5,900 meters of reverse circulation (RC) drilling and 5,400 meters of trenching, alongside 4,368 meters of diamond drilling in 2024. Moving forward, the Company plans to conduct an additional 10,000 meters of core diamond drilling during the remainder of 2024 at key targets at the Kossou Gold Project. The Company also plans on additional exploration on its Kotobi Permit and pending approval for over 600 km2 of prospective ground as part of its strategic efforts to expand its footprint in Cote d'Ivoire. Kobo remains committed to identifying and developing new opportunities to enhance its land position and growth in the region. Kobo offers investors the exciting combination of high-quality gold prospects led by an experienced leadership team with in-country experience. Kobos common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "KRI. For more information, please visit www.koboresources.com. X: @KoboResources | LinkedIn: Kobo Resources Inc. NEITHER THE TSXV NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSXV) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Cautionary Statement on 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. 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, 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, including statements related to the expected timing of commencement and completion of our diamond drill program and the results of the drill program. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable as at the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the inherent risks involved win the exploration and development of mineral properties; unanticipated costs and expenses; the delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; and other risk factors listed from time to time in our documents filed with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. 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 the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, Kobo assumes no obligation and/or liability to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. Paramount, you got some splainin to do! 'I Love Lucy: The Complete Series' Blu-ray Box Set Coming November 5th! Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 16, 2024) - Midnight Sun Mining Corporation (TSXV: MMA) (OTC Pink: MDNGF) ("Midnight Sun" or the "Company") announces that, further to its August 29, 2024 news release, the renewal application for Large Scale Exploration Licence 21509-HQ-LEL (the "Licence"), which includes the Kazhiba target, was never rejected as had been previously indicated, incorrectly, in an online public notice dated June 17, 2024. The Mining Cadastre Portal has since been updated to reflect this. The Zambian Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development (the "Ministry") has notified the Company in writing that the decision to accept the Company's renewal application was, in fact, deferred to a later meeting of the Mineral Licencing Committee. At this time, the Licence, as outlined in the Company's renewal application, remains in good standing. Midnight Sun's President & CEO, Al Fabbro, stated: "As a component of the Cooperative Exploration Plan with our neighbours, First Quantum Minerals, our Kazhiba Target represents an exciting opportunity for Midnight Sun to enter near-term production. We are tremendously pleased that this licence issue was able to be rectified quickly and did not create significant disruption to the execution or timing of our plans. I thank our team members in both Zambia and Canada who worked diligently to address and remedy this matter swiftly. I would also like to thank the Zambian Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development for their assistance in rectifying this matter so we can resume our exploration plans. We are now ready to begin our planned work programs." Kazhiba Licence Issue Details On December 1, 2023, the Company filed an application for the renewal of the Licence, which includes the Kazhiba target. Under Zambian mining law, large scale exploration licences are issued for a four-year period, and may be renewed, on application, for up to two additional three-year periods. The Licence was originally issued March 1, 2017, and renewed February 28, 2021. The status of the Licence was incorrectly identified in an online public notice dated June 17, 2024. This incorrect information was subsequently posted on the Mining Cadastre Portal, stating that the Licence had been rejected. In August 2024, it was discovered that the Mining Cadastre Portal was incorrectly showing a new mineral exploration licence overlaying the Licence, listed in the name of Keki Mining Limited. Keki Mining Limited does not now, and never has had, ownership overlapping Midnight Sun's Licence area. Keki did acquire ground adjacent to the Licence which as dropped by the Company during the renewal process. When the errors were identified, the Company undertook a rigorous campaign to rectify the issue, with both Canadian and Zambian teams working directly with the Zambian Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development to rectify the errors as quickly as possible. The Mining Cadastre Portal has since been updated to reflect the correct status of the Licence and remove the overlaying licence. On September 12, 2024, the Company received a letter dated April 22, 2024, from the Ministry, advising the Company that the application for renewal has been deferred pending a site verification report to ascertain the exploration progress undertaken during the previous tenure (the "Verification Report"). The Verification Report must be prepared by the Geological Survey Department of Zambia (the "Geological Survey Department"). The Company has been provided with 14 days from September 12, 2024, to have the required report prepared and submitted. Company representatives contacted the Geological Survey Department on September 13, 2024 to formally request that a site visit and report be completed for submission within the 14-day period. If this report cannot be filed within the 14-day period, the Company's lawyers will request an extension to this period. The Company intends to have the required Verification Report submitted within the required time period. Submission of the required report is dependent in part on the availability of third parties and there is no assurance that such persons will be available. Accordingly, there can be no guarantee that the Verification Report will be completed and submitted within the two-week timeframe provided or that an extension beyond the two-week timeframe would be granted, nor is there any guarantee that the Verification Report will be accepted by the Ministry and the Licence renewed. Qualified Person: Darin Labrenz, P.Geo., a Qualified Person under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical data and contents of this release. About Midnight Sun Midnight Sun is focused on exploring our flagship Solwezi Project, located in Zambia. Situated in the heart of the Zambia-Congo Copperbelt, the second largest copper producing region in the world, our property is vast and highly prospective. Our Solwezi Project is surrounded by world-class producing copper mines, including Africa's largest copper mining complex right next door, First Quantum's Kansanshi Mine. Led by an experienced geological team with multiple discoveries and mines around the world to their credit, Midnight Sun intends to find and develop Zambia's next generational copper deposit. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF MIDNIGHT SUN MINING CORP. Al Fabbro President & CEO 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 NEW RELEASE. This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that are based on expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections as at the date of this news release. The information in this news release about the resolution of mineral exploration licence renewals, timing and ability of the Company to obtain the approval of relevant regulatory bodies, if at all; and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be "forward looking statements". Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (which may, but not always, include phrases such as "anticipates", "plans", "scheduled", "believed" 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 and are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers 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. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to the timing and ability of the Company to obtain and the timing of the approval of relevant regulatory bodies, if at all; risks relating to property interests; risks related to access to the project; risks inherent in mineral exploration, including the fact that any particular phase of exploration may be unsuccessful; geo-political risks; the global economic climate; metal prices; environmental risks; political risks; and community and non-governmental actions. Neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law. All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless stated otherwise VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 17, 2024 /CNW/ - Foran Mining Corporation (TSX: FOM) (OTCQX: FMCXF) ("Foran" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that following the receipt of all requisite shareholder approvals at the special meeting of shareholders held on Monday, September 16, 2024, it has now completed the second tranche of its previously announced $360 million private placement financings (the "Offering"), for aggregate gross proceeds of $70,950,788 (the "Second Tranche Offering"). Upon closing of the Second Tranche Offering, the full financing of $360 million previously announced on July 17, 2024 is now complete. The Second Tranche Offering involved the completion of: the second tranche of a brokered private placement (the "Brokered Offering"), pursuant to which the Company issued a total of 12,563,798 common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") at an issue price of $4.05 per Common Share, for gross proceeds of $50,883,382 , which were subscribed for by certain controlled affiliates of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited ("Fairfax"); and the second tranche of a non-brokered private placement with Agnico Eagle Mines Limited ("Agnico Eagle") pursuant to which the Company issued a total of 4,954,915 Common Shares at an issue price of $4.05 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $20,067,406 . The Brokered Offering was conducted through a syndicate of agents with Eight Capital, BMO Capital Markets and National Bank Financial Inc. as co-lead agents and joint bookrunners, together with Ventum Financial Corp., CIBC World Markets Inc., Cormark Securities Inc., Scotia Capital Inc., Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc. and TD Securities Inc. (collectively, the "Agents"). The gross proceeds of the Second Tranche Offering will be used for exploration and development of the Company's mineral projects in Saskatchewan, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Second Tranche Offering remains subject to the final approval of the TSX. The securities issued pursuant to the Second Tranche Offering are subject to a four-month plus one day hold period commencing on the date hereof under applicable Canadian securities laws. Following the completion of the Second Tranche Offering, Agnico Eagle holds a 9.9% interest in the Company on a basic voting basis. The securities being offered have not, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons in the absence of U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities in the United States. Related Party Transaction Certain controlled affiliates of Fairfax, an insider of the Company, subscribed for the 12,563,798 Common Shares issued in the Brokered Offering. The insider participation in the Brokered Offering constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), for which the Company was exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) thereof, respectively, as neither the fair market value of the securities issued to the insider under the Brokered Offering nor the consideration paid by the insider exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization, in each case as determined under MI 61101. A material change report disclosing the related party transaction was filed on August 8, 2024 in connection with the closing of the first tranche of the Offering. Early Warning Disclosure Immediately prior to the acquisition of the Common Shares pursuant to the Brokered Offering, certain controlled entities of Fairfax beneficially owned an aggregate of 56,524,688 Common Shares, representing 15.1% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, and 27,777,778 non-voting shares of the Company (the "Non-Voting Shares", together with the Common Shares, the "Shares") representing 100% of the Non-Voting Shares and, together with the Common Shares owned by Fairfax, 21.0% of the issued and outstanding Shares. As a result of the acquisition of the 12,563,798 Common Shares in the Brokered Offering, Fairfax now beneficially owns 69,008,486 Common Shares, representing 17.6% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, and 27,777,778 Non-Voting Shares, representing 100% of the Non-Voting Shares and, together with the Common Shares owned by Fairfax, 23.0% of the issued and outstanding Shares. This press release and Fairfax's corresponding early warning report (the "Early Warning Report") which is expected to be filed on SEDAR+ in the near term, constitutes the required disclosure pursuant to section 5.2 of National Instrument 62-104 - Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids ("NI 62-104"). The requirement to file an early warning report was triggered because the acquisition by Fairfax of the Common Shares in the Brokered Offering resulted in Fairfax's beneficial ownership of the Common Shares increasing by greater than 2% as compared to the early warning report last filed by Fairfax. The Common Shares acquired under the Brokered Offering are being acquired by Fairfax for investment purposes and it may further purchase, hold, vote, trade, dispose or otherwise deal in the securities of the Company, in such manner as it deems advisable to benefit from changes in market prices of the Company's securities, publicly disclosed changes in the operations of the Company, its business strategy or prospects, or from a material transaction of the Company. In the future, it may discuss with management and/or the board of directors of the Company any of the transactions listed in clauses (a) to (k) of item 5 of Form 62-103F1 of National Instrument 62-103 The Early Warning System and Related Take-over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues ("NI 62-103"). The Early Warning Report that will be filed on SEDAR+ in respect of the Brokered Offering will satisfy the requirement of section 5.2 of NI 62-104 to have the Early Warning Report filed by an acquiror, in this case by Fairfax, with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the jurisdictions in which the Company is a reporting issuer and which contains the information required by section 3.1 of NI 62-103, which includes the information required by Form 62-103F1. A copy of the Early Warning Report filed by Fairfax in connection with the Brokered Offering will be available under the Company's profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. About Foran Mining Foran Mining is a copper-zinc-gold-silver exploration and development company, committed to supporting a greener future, empowering communities and creating circular economies which create value for all our stakeholders, while also safeguarding the environment. The McIlvenna Bay Project is located entirely within the documented traditional territory of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, comprises the infrastructure and works related to pre-development and advanced exploration activities of the Company, and hosts the McIlvenna Bay Deposit and Tesla Zone. The Company also owns the Bigstone Deposit, a resource-development stage deposit located 25 km southwest of the McIlvenna Bay Property. The McIlvenna Bay Deposit is a copper-zinc-gold-silver rich VHMS deposit intended to be the centre of a new mining camp in a prolific district that has already been producing for 100 years. The McIlvenna Bay Property sits just 65 km West of Flin Flon, Manitoba, and is part of the world class Flin Flon Greenstone Belt that extends from Snow Lake, Manitoba, through Flin Flon to Foran's ground in eastern Saskatchewan, a distance of over 225 km. The McIlvenna Bay Deposit is the largest undeveloped VHMS deposit in the region. The Company announced the results from its NI 43-101 compliant Technical Report on the 2022 Feasibility Study for the McIlvenna Bay Deposit ("2022 Feasibility Study") on February 28, 2022, outlining that current Mineral Reserves would potentially support an 18-year mine life producing an average of 65 million pounds of copper equivalent annually. The Company filed the 2022 Feasibility Study on April 14, 2022, with an effective date of February 28, 2022. The Company also filed a NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Bigstone Deposit resource estimate on January 21, 2021, as amended on February 1, 2022. Investors are encouraged to consult the full text of these technical reports which may be found on the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca. The Company's head office is located at 409 Granville Street, Suite 904, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C 1T2. Common Shares of the Company are listed for trading on the TSX under the symbol "FOM" and on the OTCQX under the symbol "FMCXF". CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, as defined under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or to the future performance of Foran Mining Corporation and reflect management's expectations and assumptions as of the date hereof or as of the date of such forward looking statement. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our objectives and our strategies to achieve such objectives; our beliefs, plans, estimates, projections and intentions, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events; as well as specific statements in respect of our intended use of proceeds from the Second Tranche Offering; the TSX providing final approval for the Second Tranche Offering; the expected filing by Fairfax of the Early Warning Report; our commitment to support a greener future, empower communities and create circular economies which create value for all our stakeholders while safeguarding the environment; expectations regarding our development and advanced exploration activities; and expectations, assumptions and targets in respect of our 2022 Feasibility Study. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date specified in such statement. Inherent in forward-looking statements are known and unknown risks, estimates, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. These factors include, but are not limited to, management's belief or expectations relating to the following and, in certain cases, management's response with regard to the following: the certainty of funding; government, securities, and stock exchange regulation and policy; the Company is exposed to risks related to mineral resources exploration and development; the Company may require additional financing and future share issuances may adversely impact share prices; market and liquidity risk; and the additional risks identified in our filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and should note that the assumptions and risk factors discussed in this press release are not exhaustive. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements, unless required by law. Additional information about these assumptions, risks and uncertainties is contained in our filings with securities regulators. VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 17, 2024 /CNW/ - Metallis Resources Inc. (TSX-V: MTS; OTCQB: MTLFF) (the "Company" or "Metallis") is very pleased to announce that results from the Company's inaugural field exploration program (the "Program") have returned multiple high-grade silver, gold, lead, zinc, and antimony assays. The Program was carried out at the Company's Greyhound Property (the "Property"), a high-grade silver/gold/antimony project within a historic stibnite (antimony mineral) mining camp, located in central Idaho, USA. Work included detailed geological mapping, XRF survey, soil sampling and rock sampling, all of which has helped validate historic assays and provides a solid platform for further work. Fiore Aliperti, Metallis' CEO and President, commented, "We are incredibly encouraged by the results from this first-stage of exploration at the Greyhound property, having achieved all of our objectives. Confirming the historic high-grade results from previous mining operations was a critical step in advancing the project, and the exceptional silver, gold, and antimony results reinforce the Property's significance and absolutely warrants Metallis moving forward." He added, "As we move into the next phase of exploration, we are actively evaluating options, including geophysics and drilling. Our priority is to unlock the incredible value of this promising asset." Key Highlights: Remarkable Sample Results : Surface rock samples have returned exceptional assay grades of up to 67.02 g/t AuEq*, with multiple grab samples greater than 10 g/t AuEq. : Surface rock samples have returned exceptional assay grades of up to 67.02 g/t AuEq*, with multiple grab samples greater than 10 g/t AuEq. High Grade Antimony: Outstanding Sb results with 12% of the rock assays returning >1% Sb (See News Release September 4, 2024 ). The most elevated antimony grade was taken at the Bulldog Showing that delivered a significant 4.54% Sb. Outstanding Sb results with 12% of the rock assays returning >1% Sb (See News Release ). The most elevated antimony grade was taken at the Bulldog Showing that delivered a significant 4.54% Sb. Advancing Targets: Successful mapping of high-grade mineralization at surface allows us to advance the property to the next phases, including geophysics and drilling. Successful mapping of high-grade mineralization at surface allows us to advance the property to the next phases, including geophysics and drilling. Discovery potential: The identification of a new showing, the Akita, has increased the potential for further discoveries across this underexplored property. Rock Sampling Impressive assay results have been returned across several metals and minerals from 133 rock samples comprising 64 continuous chip samples and 69 grab samples taken on the Property. Although historically a silver mine, elevated gold, lead, zinc, and antimony values have also been returned. These results demonstrate the high-grade nature of this historic mine as the company begins to evaluate the Property's full potential. Of the grab samples taken on the property, a total of 21 returned values greater than 10 g/t AuEq* with numerous very high-grade results distributed along the entire length of the shear zones (map 1). Highlights include values up to 5,300 g/t Ag and 13.8 g/t Au, with the highest-grade sample returning 67.0 g/t AuEq taken from the Birdie Showing. Areas around the Republican and the Bulldog also produced consistently elevated assays. See table below of standout grab samples taken across the Property. Standout Grab Samples Sample # Ag g/t Au g/t Pb % Zn % Sb % AuEq g/t K225503 1880 0.17 2.42 0.45 1.93 27.73 K225505 1290 6.18 8.11 6.96 2.34 31.91 K225517 5300 5.08 0.96 0.06 0.78 67.02 K225559 2380 0.45 0.88 7.39 0.22 30.41 K225596 1665 4.55 6.85 0.07 0.28 25.76 K225602 1095 0.025 5.37 9.12 4.54 30.17 K225627 765 3.66 12.85 18.90 1.19 25.17 K225629 1740 1.72 2.76 0.10 2.41 29.12 *AuEq derived from USD metal prices of: Au=$2,500/oz, Ag=$28/oz, pb=$0.90/lb, Zn=$1.20/lb and Sb = $12/lb Continuous chip sampling comprising 64 samples at 9 different locations took place where historic trenching had exposed bedrock. The sampling returned values up to 6.4 g/t AuEq over 3 meters ("m") at the Bulldog showing with multiple zones demonstrating continuity of grades. Most of the mineralized zones are wider than described from the underground work with shears extending as wide as 10 m and veins identified up to 3 m. Chip samples were collected using a rock hammer or diamond bladed saw. Individual chip samples varied in length from 0.9 to 2m and were taken perpendicular to the vein/shear. Standout Continuous Chip Samples Trench Width Au Ag Pb Zn Sb AuEq* m g/t g/t % % % g/t Bulldog 3 0.14 353 1 0.75 0.61 6.4 1350' 6 0.8 42.6 0.07 0.01 0.03 1.39 including 2 1.98 39 0.22 0.01 0.15 2.7 Birdie 3 0.54 115.3 0.13 0.02 0.01 1.89 Lower Birdie 4 3.66 29.5 0.12 0.07 0.01 4.07 including 2 5.94 26 0.08 0.01 0.01 6.3 *AuEq derived from USD metal prices of: Au=$2,500/oz, Ag=$28/oz, pb=$0.90/lb, Zn=$1.20/lb and Sb = $12/lb Vertical continuity of mineralized shoots was also demonstrated with positive results returned from the 1350 surface trench that lies 200 m above a very well mineralized zone (average 1.6 m thick) in the Lower Rufus Adit. Sampling from this trench returned 2 m of 2.70 g/t AuEq with 3 other mineralized blocks nearby returning grades > 10 g/t AuEq. Historical channel sampling along a 36.9 m length of the underground zone returned 1.85 g/t Au and 785 g/t Ag (10.6 g/t AuEq), further confirming the likelihood of a high-grade mineralized shoot existing in this area. Soil Sampling Soil sampling was successful in identifying a new, large Pb/Zn/As/Sb, anomaly 100 m to the east of the Idaho showing. With the use of a portable XRF for immediate analysis, the team was able to follow up the next day leading to the discovery of a new mineralized showing now termed "Akita". Two rock (grab) samples were taken from the newly identified outcrops (likely only revealed after recent forest fires) that returned 8.0 and 8.5 g/t AuEq. The widespread nature of the anomalous soils, upslope of the new showing, suggest there is more to be discovered at this location and further work is warranted with the possibility of parallel shears being discovered across the property. A total of 559 soil samples were taken at 25 m intervals along 200 m spaced lines. Geological Mapping Surface mapping indicates that the orogenic mineralization at Greyhound is hosted by complex arrays of quartz-sulfide veins within several parallel, steeply dipping shear zones. The sulphides comprise pyrite, galena, sphalerite, silver rich tetrahedrite, arsenopyrite and stibnite. Numerous trenches, pits and multiple short adits show that the Greyhound shear zone is remarkably consistent over 3.6 km and remains open on either end. The shear/vein varies in thickness from < 1 m to 10 m with veins up to 3 m wide. By comparison, Perpetua's Stibnite Project has an estimated total measured and indicated resource (43-101 Feasibility Study Technical Report January 2021) of 132,269,000 tonnes at a grade of 1.42 g/t gold, 2.07 g/t silver and 0.07% antimony. The Yellow Pine and Hangar Flats sub-domains exhibit substantially elevated antimony-silver mineralization, defined as containing greater than 0.1% antimony, the total measured and indicated resources are 18,477,000 tonnes grading 2.07 g/t gold, 5.91 g/t silver and 0.48 g/t antimony. Qualified Person David Dupre, P.Geo, Vice President - Exploration and the Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release. QAQC All the rock samples were kept under the control of Metallis staff until they were delivered directly to the ALS sample preparation facility in Twin Falls, Idaho. Analyses were then completed by ALS Laboratories Ltd. in Vancouver, an independent certified laboratory. Blanks and standards have been added to the samples stream by ALS along with internal QAQC protocol. All the samples were initially analyzed by the Ultra Trace technique. Results that returned values greater than a pre-determined threshold were then analyzed by element - specific methods as noted below. ME-MS 41: Ultra Trace Aqua Regia ICP-MS. ME-OC46: Ore Grade Elements Aqua Regia Pb-OC46: Ore Grade Pb Aqua Regia Zn-OC46: Ore Grade Zn Aqua Regia ME-GRA21: Au Ag 30g FA Gravity Finish Sb-ICP08: Sb KCl/HCl digestion ICP-MS As-OC46: Ore Grade As Aqua Regia About the Greyhound Property The Company acquired the Greyhound Property located in Custer County, Idaho, approximately 42 km northwest of the town of Stanley, in February 2024. The Company entered into an option to earn a 100% interest in Greyhound with staged payments and exploration expenditures over a ten-year period of US $670,000 and US $10,000,000, respectively. Full terms are disclosed in the annual and quarterly financial statements filed in 2024 and in a press release from the signing of the agreement on February 27, 2024. This property was the center of an active silver mining camp in the early 1900's and at one point contained a smelter and two active mines situated along a 3.6 km mineralized shear zone. Since 1910, the property has seen limited exploration and only minor development when the Greyhound Mine was reactivated and mined sporadically from 1980-1991. The last remaining ore from this period was shipped to a smelter in 2000 and the property remains substantially underexplored. About Metallis Metallis Resources Inc. is a Vancouver-based company focused on the exploration for gold, copper and silver on its flagship 100%-owned Kirkham Property in Canada, situated in northwest British Columbia's Golden Triangle, and on its recently acquired Greyhound Property, a gold/silver/antimony target in Idaho, USA. Metallis trades under the symbols MTS on the TSX Venture Exchange, MTLFF on the OTCQB Exchange, and 0CVM on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. On behalf of the Board of Directors: /s/ "Fiore Aliperti" Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This Press Release may contain statements which constitute 'forward-looking' statements, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities and operating performance of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities or performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements because of numerous factors. Such risks, uncertainties and factors are described in the periodic filings with the Canadian securities' regulatory authorities, including quarterly and annual Management's Discussion and Analysis, which may be viewed on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements. 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. The TSX-V Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. United Nations rights experts warned Monday that Israel risked becoming an international "pariah" over its "genocide" in Gaza, suggesting that the country's UN membership should be called into question. Several independent UN experts decried what they said was Israel's escalating violence and rights violations in Gaza and the West Bank, its disregard for international court rulings and verbal attacks on the UN itself. The rapporteurs, who are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council but who do not speak on behalf of the UN, also slammed Western countries' "double standards" and insisted Israel needed to face consequences for its actions. "I think that it is unavoidable for Israel to become a pariah in the face of its continuous, relentless vilifying assault on the United Nations, (and) Palestinians," said Francesca Albanese, the UN's special rapporteur on the rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Albanese, who has repeatedly accused Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza and who has faced harsh criticism and calls for her dismissal from Israel, asked if the country deserved "to continue to go unpunished for its relentless attacks" on the UN. "Should there be a consideration of its membership as part of this organisation, which Israel seems to have zero respect for?" she rhetorically asked a Geneva press conference, speaking via video link from Tunis. - 'Double standards' - George Katrougalos, the UN special rapporteur on the promotion of democratic and equitable international order, demanded that Israel be held to the same standards as all countries, and condemned its repeated attacks on critical UN officials or agencies. "We cannot anymore stand this kind of double standards and hypocrisy," he told reporters. "I trust that the progressive and democratic citizens of Israel would not let their country become a pariah like South Africa had become during the times of apartheid." Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, the UN special rapporteur on the rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, meanwhile warned that Israel and its allies blatant disregard for findings by international courts, the Security Council and other UN bodies in connection with the conflict was undermining the organisation as a whole. "We are blowing up the United Nations if we don't react," he warned. Israel, which flatly rejects accusations that its offensive in Gaza amounts to a "genocide", responded Monday to Albanese's comments especially, charging that she was "abusing her inherently discriminatory UN mandate to spread her hate-filled political agenda, anti-Semitism and disinformation". "Her attitude, including defending and justifying Hamas' actions, is a constant stain on the United Nations," the Israeli mission in Geneva said in a statement. - 'Abyss' - The war in Gaza erupted after Hamas' October 7 attack inside Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Militants also seized 251 hostages, 97 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead. Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,226 people in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. Albanese lamented that in the face of "unimaginable" suffering in Gaza, the world -- first and foremost the Western countries -- "continues to remain silent". Arrojo-Agudo charged that the deprivation of water in the besieged Palestinian territory was "clearly employed as a weapon". He said Gaza's population currently accesses on average just 4.7 litres of water per person per day, compared to more than 100 litres typically considered sufficient to cover daily needs. Speaking before the UN rights council Monday, an Israeli representative rejected that allegation, charging that Hamas had "completely mismanaged water in Gaza and is responsible for the irreversible damage to 95 percent of natural water resources". Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas will travel Tuesday to Madrid, an official in his office said Monday, after the first Palestinian ambassador to Spain presented his credentials to Spanish King Felipe VI. Abbas is due to meet King Felipe and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose government formally recognised a Palestinian state in May, before heading to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, the official told AFP. King Felipe on Monday welcomed Housni Abdel Wahed to the royal palace in Madrid for the traditional ceremony for newly appointed foreign ambassadors to Spain, according to images published by the royal palace on social network X. Wahed had headed the Palestinian diplomatic mission in Madrid since 2022 and enjoyed a status similar to that of an ambassador, but he officially changed rank after Spain along with Ireland and Norway formally recognised a Palestinian state comprising the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The three countries said at the time they hoped their decision would spur other European countries to follow suit and accelerate efforts towards securing a ceasefire in Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. Israel condemned their decision, saying it bolsters Hamas, the militant Islamist group that led the October 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war in the Hamas-governed Gaza Strip. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz at the time accused Sanchez of "participating in the incitement to commit genocide and war crimes against the Jewish people". Spain has repeatedly criticised Israel over its war against Hamas. The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Militants also seized 251 hostages, 97 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead. Israel's retaliatory military offensive has so far killed at least 41,226 people in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. We already filed a case in a US court in 2012, says Pepe Onziema, director of programmes at Social Minorities Uganda (SMUG), a Ugandan LGBTQ+ advocacy group that was banned in 2022 but which he says continues to find ways to work. The case SMUG v. Lively was a federal lawsuit in which SMUG, represented by its US partner Center for Constitutional Rights, accused US citizen Scott Lively of complicity in crimes against humanity for his role in encouraging, inciting and supporting persecution of LGBTQ+ people in Uganda. Lively, an American anti-gay extremist, had from 2009 helped the development of a draconian Ugandan law that finally came into force in 2023. Although the US court dismissed this case on technical grounds, Onziema says its decision has some encouraging aspects. The court said notably that widespread, systematic persecution of LGBTI people constitutes a crime against humanity that unquestionably violates international norms". Ugandas 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act not only upholds the criminalization of homosexuality inherited from British colonial times but increases penalties up to life imprisonment and introduces the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality, which includes repeated same-sex acts and intercourse with a person younger than 18, older than 75, or with a disability. It also criminalizes promotion of LGBT activities, with possible prison sentences of up to 20 years. This law has been strongly denounced by national and international NGOs and UN experts as abusive, discriminatory and contrary to international law. The World Bank has withheld some funds to Uganda. But the law is still on the books. It was signed by 79-year old Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni who, whilst sometimes mitigating his stance, has called for his African counterparts to provide the lead to save the world from this degeneration and decadence which is really very dangerous for humanity. Onziema says he has to keep moving from place to place for his own security. Some LGBTQ+ people have fled Uganda. Judges of Ugandas Constitutional Court at a hearing following petitions challenging the constitutionality of the countrys anti-homosexuality law, Kampala, 3 April 2024. On the same day, the judges rejected the request to repeal this law, considered to be one of the toughest in the world.. Photo: Badru Katumba / AFP Ghana follows suit Its a witch-hunt, says Kofi Donkor in Ghana, where his countrys lawmakers are trying to follow a similar path. Donkor, who is director of LGBTQ+ Rights Ghana, says his organization, along with others in civil society, have fought hard against a new law approved by the Ghanaian parliament in February this year. Like in Uganda, homosexuality is already criminalized under an old British colonial law which was never repealed. But the new Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, while not as draconian as Ugandas, includes penalties of up to three years imprisonment just for identifying as LGBTQ+ and five years for promoting, sponsoring or otherwise supporting LGBTQ+ activities. It also introduces an obligation on families and others to denounce suspected LGBTQ+ people. This Bill currently faces challenges in the Supreme Court on both technical and human rights grounds, and needs the Presidents signature to enter force. As in Uganda, the World Bank is threatening to withhold funds to Ghana on human rights grounds, but Donkor says there is unfortunately strong pressure within sectors of Ghanas highly religious and conservative society for this law to be approved. He also denounces the influence of Western extreme-right anti-gay groups, especially in the US. This is echoed by ILGA World, an international federation of LGBTQ+ human rights organizations. In the Uganda chapter of its 2023 report it says: Significant evidence exists which points to the Anti-Homosexuality Act and previous initiatives like it being directed or supported by conservative Evangelical groups based in the United States. Indeed, such lobby groups have been found to have spearheaded much of the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Africa, and much of the global anti-gender movement. This does not, it continues, absolve local and national leaders of their responsibility. Anal tests and vigilantes Actual convictions or sentences for homosexuality are rare. In Uganda, no-one has been sentenced to death. In Ghana, Donkor says the few rare convictions under the colonial law have been for acts committed with minors. However, these laws are used to attack, harass, imprison and discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. Security forces carry out raids and arrests, often involving violence. The laws have also encouraged vigilante groups and attacks by members of the public. One of the things in the build-up to the new law was shutting us down in 2022, says Onziema. My executive director and I had personal threats, we had police and politicians harassing us, cyber harassment as well. Two members of our staff are still in court, charged with assault, which is not accurate. They were arrested in 2022, but as part of the harassment of the organization, up to now there is no ruling. SMUG fought hard but unsuccessfully against the 2023 law, he says, and this law has only made things worse for LGBTQ+ people. He cites forced evictions of suspected LGBTQ+ people by landlords who do not return their rent; police raids and arbitrary arrests; blackmail and extortion by both law enforcement agents and members of the public; and conversion therapy, whereby families take children to medical centres to be cleansed of homosexuality. Usually these conversion therapies are really brutal, Onziema told Justice Info. Some of them actually cross over into sexual harassment and sexual violence. Then there are anal tests inflicted on suspected homosexuals by police and medical staff. That heinous violation continues to happen, and it usually happens once the police has picked you up and you are in custody, says Onziema. Its usually forced, they dont seek consent. A lot of the victims have ended up with really severe mental problems. Individuals within the LGBTQ community are facing lots of hostility within their family, within society and the neighbourhood in which they find themselves, says Donkor in Ghana. And then we have evidence, videos of abuses that LGBTQ people suffer. Weve also faced a lot of discrimination in accessing health care, even in accessing justice. Using international law We need, at international level, to turn the whole issue of homosexuality the other way round, says French lawyer Etienne Deshoulieres, who is founder of the Association for Universal De-Criminalization of Homosexuality. It is not homosexuals who are criminals, it is the people who persecute them. So these people who persecute homosexuals and incite violence, who commit violence themselves whether they be state or non-state actors are criminals in the eyes of international law and in the eyes of national justice in countries that recognize the rights of LGBT people. His organization has, for example, filed a complaint in a French court against Senegalese Islamic NGO Jamra for online incitement to homophobic hatred. He says the group has a particularly aggressive stance against LGBTQ+ people and has used social media, notably Facebook, to incite violence against them. The French court has jurisdiction, according to Deshoulieres, because Jamras Facebook page is in French and a large number of its followers are French, or Senegalese living in France. Then there is the possibility of bringing cases under the principle of universal jurisdiction, for crimes against humanity or possibly torture with regard to forced anal tests. The UN considers that submitting a person to a test is an act of psychological torture, says Deshoulieres. France provides for universal jurisdiction for acts of torture, so we could possibly prosecute before French courts doctors or judges who required that an anal test be carried out on a person. Then, he continues, there is another possibility. Another path which is closer in our plans is to bring trials before the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity against leaders of countries that have policies of deliberate, systematic persecution of homosexuals. He says his association is working with a law firm in Uganda to build a case, the same law firm that helped SMUG in the US case. Asked if this would be against Museveni, he says yes. Onziema confirmed that our legal teams are trying to work on very specific cases, and SMUG has also reached out to LGBTQ+ activists in other African countries on the possibility of trying to bring international cases. Asked about his hopes for the future, he says the political climate in Uganda is getting worse, so as a minority community we dont really see anything positive happening towards our community very soon. But he is not without hope: Personally, Ive been arrested and harassed and assaulted several times and I still live in my country. If there was no community, then there would be no hope for the future, but I live here because I am optimistic that something will happen. The treatment of celebrities in Korean prisons, and specifically the quality of meals for high-profile inmates, has triggered mass outrage. Yoo Ah In, a South Korean actor sentenced for drug charges and now located in the Seoul Detention Center, will spend his holiday awaiting trial over the first Chuseok holiday. Popular trot singer Kim Ho-jung is sentenced to three years in prison for dangerous driving and attempting to cover up the accident. He is spending the holiday in solitary confinement. The scandal emerged after the prison authorities reportedly leaked holiday meal plans. The expected menu will include an English-style breakfast or brunch, including bread, jam, or similar products, a cup of soup of different tastes, a boiled egg, and a portion of soy milk. Kim and Yoo are supposed to eat the traditional Korean meals for lunch and dinner.Their diets consists of potato soup with bean noodles and hot grilled food, mainly in the form of squid. In addition to the standard prison meals, all inmates are to receive a holiday menu according to the custom. The meal plans sparked a heated public debate due to the alleged inappropriateness of the meals for the convicted criminals. The expanded comments on a popular online forum theqoo include ideas that the respective criminals received undeserved luxury and their tribunes should serve for the benefit of less fortunate and deserving people, such as underprivileged children or victims. Some of the most radical comments suggest that the prison conditions should be stricter. Allowing inmates to watch TV and have a luxury diet, isn't justice. In fact, only the portion of rice is considered an incompatible option. SEE: Yoo Ah In Rumored to Return With New Drama 'Goodbye Earth' Amid Drug Controversy - Here's What We Know To some extent, the public opinion regarding the treatment of the figures involved reflects the continuing contradictions on the social inequality issue. The Seoul Detention Center rejected the inappropriate treatment accusation, claiming that Kim and Yoo do not and will not receive preferential treatment. SEE: Yoo Ah In's Attacker Reveals Reason Behind the Incident: 'I thought I needed to teach him a lesson' What can you say about the story? Share your comments below Kdramastars own this. This article was written by: Rovelyn Barb In a recent video released on one of the most popular travel vlogs on Kwaktube's channel, actress and former APRIL member Naeun discussed the school and group bullying allegations while having a dinner with the host in Italy. As they were traveling together, Kwaktube decided to share his true feelings, as he confessed that he was one of those who blocked Naeun after reading about the bullying rumors. "I feel a bit guilty about something. Whenever the topic of school bullying was mentioned, I felt really sensitive. I read some news about you, and I was surprised and blocked you. I found out later that it wasn't the truth, so unblocked you," he told Naeun after a long time. SEE: Ahn Se Ha's Agency Responds to School Bullying Accusations Even though the former K-Pop star remained calm, she said, "Many people blocked me. There were so many. Many people blocked me because of the rumors." She added, "That did make me sad. I had no ill feelings, but it made me reflect on myself." The video quickly went viral as Kwaktube also shared his past experience as a victim of school bullying, and Naeun shed light on how tough the situation was for her. Despite the school bullying rumors, a court discovered that the allegations against Naeun were false. The accuser was charged with defamation. However, the false case had a devastating impact on the group APRIL, leading to their disbandment several months ago, as reported by Soompi. The decision to disband came after the bullying allegations against APRIL members, including Naeun. Although the legal case has ended, the scandal had a tangible impact on Naeun's career. Nevertheless, she did not give up, and later this year, it was revealed that she signed a contract with Namoo Actors and will act in the upcoming drama "Eye Shopping," starring Yeom Jung-ah and Won Jin-ah. SEE: Taxi Driver' Star Lee Je Hoon Reveals Thoughts on Pyo Ye Jin Replacing April's Naeun What can you say about the story? Share your comments below Kdramastars own this. This article was written by: Rovelyn Barba Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won are once again caught up in dating rumors.The actor's upcoming fan meeting aligns perfectly with the actress's birthday celebration. On September 13, Kim Soo Hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, announced that the actor would hold a fan meeting on October 19 at Korea University Hwajung Gymnasium in Seoul as part of his 'EYES ON YOU' Asia tour. [NOTICE] #KimSoohyun, #2024KimSoohyunAsiaTourInSeoul Fan Meeting Ticket Information Hello, this is Goldmedalist. Thank you for waiting for Kim Soohyun's Asia Tour EYES ON YOU Seoul Fan Meeting. Here are the details for the ticket release. - Event Date: October 19, 2024 pic.twitter.com/lVaOHr9G89 September 13, 2024 SEE: Kim Ji Won Relationship Status: Is It True? 'Queen of Tears' Star Dated THIS Top Actor for More Than 6 Years The coincidence of the date with Kim Ji Won's 32nd birthday has led fans to speculate and raise questions. A post from July went viral among fans, with some claiming it as proof of the couple's romantic interest. The 'lovestagram' writings from July have been particularly controversial. They have been used to support the couple's alleged interest. Despite the rumors, neither Kim Soo Hyun's agency nor Kim Ji Won's representatives from HighZium Studio have provided any official statements or comments. The lack of comments provided by the agencies has become a trigger for rumors. Fans are waiting for further developments. THEIR ACTIONS FEEL SO REAL!! LIKE THEYRE JUST A LOWKEY COUPLE. AND THE WAY THEY GAZED AT EACH OTHER, HAS OVERLOADING CHEMISTRY! IM TELLING YALL THIS MIGHT BE REAL!!! #Kimsoohyun #KimJiWon #SooWon pic.twitter.com/DDfp3KGp0j jeeweenee (@jeeweenee) May 14, 2024 In any case, millions of Kim Soo-hyun's fans will be watching him or any other appearances that might confirm or deny his rumored relationship with his fellow colleague. SEE: Kim Soo Hyun Returns to Military for Special Reasons Amid 'Queen of Tears' Fame What can you say about the story? Share your comments below Kdramastars own this. This article was written by: Rovelyn Barba Tuesday, September 17, 2024 - A Kenya Army officer is among suspects in custody after they were linked to drug trafficking in the Coast region. According to DCI, the suspects, who also include a minor, were arrested during a sting operation that targeted drug dens. Among the drugs recovered from the den include heroin and marijuana. Crude weapons believed to be used in criminal activities were also recovered. "During the operation, several suspects including a juvenile and an army officer were arrested and narcotic drugs seized. "The drugs include Heroin, Marijuana, Diazepam among others, DCI said in a statement. See photos. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, September 17, 2024 - Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has confirmed today that the National Police Service has reinstated the security detail for High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi. Speaking on Tuesday, Masengeli said the security detail was replaced by two VIP protection officers from the Judiciary Police Unit. He insisted that despite having security officers seconded to provide protection to other state agencies, they remain under the command of the National Police Service and the IG may reassign them where he deems fit. "Police Officers seconded to all government institutions, remain serving officers of the National Police Service and their deployment or reassignment remains the mandate of the IG," Masengeli said. "In the case of Justice Mugambi, the two security officers in question are general duty officers and were therefore recalled to attend VIP security training, and were replaced by two VIP protection officers from the Judiciary Police Unit," he said. His remarks come hours after he had explained that the said officers had been recalled for a training session. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, September 17, 2024 President William Ruto has nowhere to hide after former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu renewed attacks on him for failing to fulfill some of his campaign promises. In a statement, Waititu indicated that Ruto sold hopes to Kenyans while armed with a Bible only for the hopes to turn out to be pure lies. According to Waititu, Ruto changed immediately after he took the instruments of power from former President Uhuru Kenyatta. Ruto mkumbuke tulipokuwa tunamchagua alikuwa anakuja na biblia kama mtu mzuri sana mwokovu kabisa lakini baada ya uchaguzi immediately sijui tulibadilishiwa? Kwa sababu alianza uongo day one, Waititu stated. He noted that Ruto failed to honour his pledge on hustlers who propelled him to victory in the 2022 polls. Besides shortchanging the hustlers, Waititu argued that some political leaders also fell victim to his unfilled promises. He accused the president of failing to bring down the cost of living despite pledging to work on it immediately after the elections. Waititu also highlighted the cost of education as one of Ruto's unfulfilled pledges. He lied to all the hustlers, vegetable vendors, boda boda riders and he has not given them anything. Did he also lie to you church people?) Waititu posed. He also lied to political leaders. people thought that the cost of living would come down but instead, it has gone up even education has now become costly), he added. He further faulted the President for failing to honour his pledge to end police brutality and enforced disappearances. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, September 17, 2024 Embattled Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua can be a bully if you mess with him. This was revealed by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah who relayed an incident where Gachagua assaulted Digital Strategist Dennis Itumbi at a State House Lodge at the height of the 2022 election campaigns. Speaking during an interview, Ichungwah narrated how the deputy president almost assaulted Dennis Itumbi just because he did not tweet what he expected him to. I dont know what you would say of a person holding a higher state office, walks into a meeting at State lodge, grabs by the collar a junior officer by the name of Dennis Itumbi threatening him with physical assault within the precincts of State Lodge on the basis that someone who had no defined role until recently, is not tweeting the things you want him to tweet, Ichungwah said during an interview Dennis Itumbi was back then highly involved in the Kenya Kwanza Campaigns playing a crucial role in helping President William Ruto ascend to the highest seat in the land. Ichungwah went on to give more examples of incidents where Gachagua allegedly reacted emotionally once people stopped dancing to his tune or started associating with people he did not like. He gave an example of how Gachagua apparently belittled his own MP Njuguna Kawanjiku by telling the entire world about how much money he spent on his dowry and wedding including the amount of time he spent for the ceremony He also relayed another occasion where the deputy president referred to the MP from Baringo Florence Jematiah using lewd words just because she was working with Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, September 17, 2024 - Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has cautioned MPs from the Mt Kenya region against underestimating Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Speaking yesterday, Amisi said the Mt Kenya MPs are making Gachagua popular by making him a subject of rallies. According to the ODM MP, Gachagua will send these renegade Mt Kenya MPs home in 2027 if they dont manage to impeach him now. Central MPs caucus is making Gachagua popular for free, and for no apparent reason, by making him a subject of rallies every day. If you don't impeach Gachagua now, he will impeach all of you in 2027 without mercy. Never wrestle with a pig in the mud, you will get dirty, but the pig will enjoy it. There is a lot to talk about in this country on living conditions of citizens, not every day Gachagua, this is how Ruto was made popular in the same region. Kenya needs a Renaissance, said Amisi. His warning comes after close to 60 MPs from the Mt Kenya region and the diaspora endorsed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to be their kingpin. In a meeting held on Thursday in Nyahururu, Laikipia County, the MPs said there was a need to have a link that would create a nexus with the Executive on matters of development. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, September 17, 2024 - Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichungwah has accused Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of being drunk with power and intimidating junior state officers. Speaking in an interview, Ichungwah narrated an incident where Gachagua confronted Dennis Itumbi at State Lodge and threatened to assault him. He reportedly grabbed Itumbi by the collar and threatened to beat him up for allegedly tainting his image on social media. Give a man power and money, and his true character will be revealed! What can one say about a person holding a high office who enters a meeting at the State Lodge, grabs a junior officer, Dennis Itumbi, by the collar, and threatens him with physical assault? Ichungwah said. Ichungwah further alleged that Gachagua has been intimidating politicians from Mt Kenya who oppose his call for unity, labeling him a tribalist. He allegedly used state resources to intimidate the MPs, including Mathira Member of Parliament Eric Wamumbi, who hails from his constituency. Watch the video. Hon. @KIMANIICHUNGWAH : Give a man power and money, and his true character will be revealed! What can one say about a person holding a high office who enters a meeting at the State Lodge, grabs a junior officer, Dennis Itumbi, by the collar, and threatens him with physical pic.twitter.com/yuYGtWZzbc Sam Terriz (@Terriz_Sam) September 17, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, September 17, 2024 - The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has condemned the move by the National Police Service to withdraw the security detail of sitting High Court Judge, Justice Lawrence Mugambi, days after convicting and sentencing Acting Police IG Gilbert Masengeli for contempt of Court. Addressing the media at Milimani Law Courts on Monday, the LSK stated that it is committed to upholding the principles of justice, accountability, and the rule of law. It is our solemn duty to address the disturbing developments surrounding Hon.Mr.Justice Lawrence Mugambi, a sitting Judge of the High Court whose security details were recently withdrawn following his issuance of a habeas corpus order in a case of LSK and 3 others versus the Inspector general of policewhere the Acting Inspector general was found in contempt and sentenced on September 13, 2024 said the LSK. According to the LSK, Masengeli's actions violate the rule of law and the principle of judicial independence. The LSK strongly condemns this retaliatory measure, which undermines not only the authority of the Judiciary but also the constitutional protections granted to all Kenyans. says the LSK press statement. The LSK urged the National Police Service and relevant state actors to immediately reinstate Justice Mugambi's security and comply with all court orders, including the habeas corpus directive. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, September 17, 2024 - The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is appealing to members of the public to volunteer information that may lead to the arrest of individuals whose images appear below. The individuals are wanted for a series of murders and robberies within the Embakasi area- Nairobi County. Meanwhile, the said individuals are also ordered to surrender themselves at the nearest police station for further police action. Information on the whereabouts of the suspects may be forwarded to DCI Embakasi, at the nearest police station The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, September 17, 2024 The controversial deal between President William Ruto and the Indian conglomerate Adani Group to take over the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has taken another dimension. This is after Adani threatened to sue Kenyans for ruining its image globally by associating it with corruption. Adani Group sent out a warning following reports of false statements involving bribery allegations in the ongoing JKIA takeover discussions that went viral. The company, which is tipped to run operations at the airport, termed letters that were released denouncing the bribery allegations as false and noted that those spreading the information about their purported statements were acting maliciously without any basis. The company maintained that it was yet to issue any statement relating to its business operations in Kenya, contrary to reports that have been circulating. The company, as a result, threatened to take legal action against those found spreading false information about the Adani Group. The Adani Group was responding to a recent circulation that suggested the company considered imposing action on people who participated in the protests against the intended takeover of Kenyas infrastructure following a deal with the government. The statement also suggested that the Adani group would mention some specific unidentified people in government who were corrupt and purportedly pocketed bribes as part of the ongoing deal. The group, therefore, called on Kenyans to verify any information with them in regards to their business before sharing. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, September 17, 2024 - An outspoken ODM MP has threatened to file a censure motion to oust acting Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli if he doesn't resign today. Speaking on Tuesday morning, Ugenya Member of Parliament (MP) David Ochieng' said Masengeli has proven to be a rogue individual and cannot be trusted with the critical role of manning the Kenyan police force and protecting citizens. He argued that if Masengeli doesn't resign, he will initiate an ouster motion in Parliament to force his exit. "If that gentleman does not resign by the end of the day today, I as David Ochieng' will take a censure motion to parliament for his removal from office. "He must leave the office. That should not even be debated," said Ochieng' speaking on Citizen TV's Daybreak Show. The legislator further opined that Masengeli's brazen disobedience of the rule of law, after failing to honour seven court summons, should be frowned upon and should render him unfit for holding office. "We are dealing with a decay in legal order and generally a free-for-all system that must be stopped immediately. "If we don't do this tomorrow why would you expect someone who is found stealing or murdering to obey the law?" he posed. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, September 17, 2024 - An outspoken Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Member of Parliament has cautioned MPs from the Mt Kenya region against underestimating Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. In a statement on Monday, Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi, said the Mt Kenya MPs are making the Deputy President popular by making him a subject of rallies. The ODM MP warned that Gachagua will send the Mt Kenya MPs home in 2027 if they dont manage to impeach him. Central MPs caucus is making Gachagua popular for free, and for no apparent reason, by making him a subject of rallies every day. "If you don't impeach Gachagua now, he will impeach all of you in 2027 without mercy. Never wrestle with a pig in the mud, you will get dirty, but the pig will enjoy it. There is a lot to talk about in this country on living conditions of citizens, not every day Gachagua, this is how Ruto was made popular in the same region. Kenya needs a Renaissance, said Amisi. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, September 17, 2024 - Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has advised Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi to deploy a raft of measures to revive the economy and expand the tax bracket for maximum returns. Speaking during an interview, the ODM Senator cautioned the CS to tread carefully in the Ministry of Treasury while working to revive the economy. As a result, Ledama urged Mbadi to sit down with former CS Prof. Njuguna Ndungu and deliberate on better ways to revive the economy. While acknowledging that President William Ruto had the power to appoint anyone to serve in his Cabinet, the senator noted it is too early to tell whether the new cabinet secretaries will offer lasting solutions during their tenures. President Ruto had the prerogative of choosing who to serve in his Cabinet. I heard the Treasury CS Mbadi say they will reduce taxes and resubmit the Finance Bill while considering the issues raised by Gen Zs, he stated. Ledama also unloaded a pack of wisdom to CS Mbadi on how to tame the economic woes facing the economy. What CS Mbadi should do is to be able to figure out what the best strategy to improve the economy is. If you have more businesses and are charging less taxes, there will be more businesses coming up and you can be able to collect more taxes, he divined. The ODM-elected senator further challenged the CS to look into the causes contributing to investors fleeing from the country and make necessary adjustments. The Narok Senator criticized the government for raising taxes as a way of improving taxes. In his argument, he noted that raising taxes only suppresses businesses counterintuitively leading to lower taxes. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, September 17, 2024 President William Ruto is willing to sacrifice everything to have Adani deals sail through. This was revealed by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, who noted that Kenya needed Adani despite widespread outrage over the deal. During an address at the KAWI Complex yesterday, Wandayi urged the public and other stakeholders to embrace the Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) which he claimed will solve a major gap in Kenya's energy sector. Wandayi noted that Kenya had to work with powerful private investors like Adani to instill grid stability and adequacy. "Adani Energy Solutions privately owns more energy infrastructure than Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania combined," he said. "Adani serves over 13 million consumer meters in metropolitan Mumbai and the industrial hub of Mundra SEZ." According to the CS, Kenya was angling towards adopting new generation energy sources like wind, solar, and geothermal, but the country lacked adequate transmission to get power to industries. Wandayi also pointed out Adani Energy Solution Limited's portfolio, which includes installing a transmission network of 21,783 circuit kilometres of power transmission lines. The Energy Company, which is part of the greater Indan Adani Holdings Group, wants to oversee the construction of 222 kilometres of a 400 kV transmission line between Gilgil, Thika, Malaa and Konza. There are also plans to construct a 400/220/132 kV substation at Rongai. All these projects were previously managed by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO). Wandayi said KETRACO has been reliant on the government and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) to continue the development transmission lines since 2008 - a challenge which will effectively be ended by partnering with the Indian conglomerate. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, September 17, 2024 - Over 50 police officers have been summoned by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) over misconduct during the 2023 Azimio protests and the Gen-Z protests of 2024 that left dozens dead and scores injured. Notably, 15 of the officers summoned are senior police commanders mostly drawn from the Western region where the Azimio protests led to most deaths in 2023. The officers are, therefore, required to present themselves before the IPOA detectives between Tuesday and Thursday this week. Meanwhile, the National Police Service (NPS) has urged all the summoned officers to meet with their respective legal representatives. Legal officers from this headquarters will meet with concerned officers at the Regional headquarters on September 16 for briefing prior to appearing at the Authority offices on the respective dates, read part of a letter signed by Elizabeth Marube on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General. This follows the Law Society of Kenya and the civil societys concerns about police involvement in the abductions and deaths of Kenyan protestors in the series of protests that plagued most parts of the country in both 2023 and 2024. The IPOA Act Section 7(1) grants the Authority the power to request documents and summon both serving and retired police officers. Both series of protests led to the deaths of dozens of Kenyan protestors at the hands of police officers which led to even more uproar from Kenyans and human rights groups who accused the police of using excessive force and not allowing Kenyans to exercise their right to peacefully assemble. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, September 17, 2024 - Fresh details have emerged revealing how some incompetent and lazy cabinet secretaries in President William Ruto's government are using bloggers and social media influencers to falsely portray themselves as high performers, while they squander taxpayers' money doing nothing. The most notorious ministry for using taxpayers' money to craft a false image is the Interior Ministry, led by Prof. Kithure Kindiki. Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has an army of bloggers on standby to present the ministry positively, despite its poor performance. Another minister using influencers and bloggers is Tourism CS, Rebecca Miano. Miano has perfected the art of using influencers and bloggers to portray herself as working but she is lazy like many of these senior tax eaters. The latest Cabinet Secretary to use influencers and bloggers to hoodwink Kenyans that he is working is Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Andrew Muihia Karanga. Karanja, who has been in office for barely two months, is using influencers to make his name trend on X, deceiving Kenyans and the President into believing he is working, while he is actually doing nothing at the Agriculture Ministry. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, September 17, 2024 - Newly appointed Health Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Deborah Barasa, appears to be more clueless than her predecessor, Susan Nakhumicha, who was sacked in July by President William Ruto over incompetence. This is after it emerged that the newly adopted Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) is not working despite the CS urging all Kenyans to register themselves online by September 30, 2024. The SHIF webpage has so many errors that it is taking hours for someone to register. It appears the website was procured from River Road by the Mafia House Cartels. These revelations come at a time when Barasa has urged Kenyans to register for the SHIF model, emphasizing that every Kenyan must be captured in the system. "As such, every Kenyan citizen, including dependents, is mandated by law to register as a member of the SHIF," the notice read in part. For employers, they are required to use the SHIF Employer Portal (https://sha.go.ke/) to manage their employees' SHIF contributions. The portal will serve four key functions: register your employees and their dependents, make SHIF contributions on behalf of your employees, generate reports, and update employee information. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, September 17, 2024 - Acting Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli has explained why he withdrew the security of High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi. Last week, Justice Mugambi sentenced Masengeli to six months in prison for contempt of court. In what appears to be a tit-for-tat move, Masengeli withdrew two police bodyguards assigned to Justice Lawrence Mugambi on Saturday. In his explanation on Monday after Chief Justice Martha Koome complained about the withdrawal of Mugambi's security detail, Masengeli said the two police officers were recalled to undergo VIP protection courses. Masengeli noted that officers attached to institutions like the Judiciary can be recalled at the sole discretion of the IG. It is in the public domain that the IG has accorded the Judiciary, just like the other arms of government, the Commissions and other Independent Agencies, the requisite protection, both the institutions and the persons serving therein, without favour or discrimination. The officers seconded to such institutions, however, remain serving officers of the National Police Service who can be reassigned at the sole discretion of the IG. "Such was the case with Hon. Justice Mugambis security. The two officers, being general duty officers, were recalled for purposes of attending VIP security courses, the IG stated. He went on to say the necessary arrangements were being made to ensure Justice Mugambis security is guaranteed. We are aware that suitable arrangements were made to ensure that Hon. Mugambis security was always assured, he remarked. The Kenyan DAILY POST Grilled cheese on sourdough bread hits the spot when you're a few craft beers deep at a music festival. At least, that's what Dopest Dough owners Anna and Joseph White have learned. They have slung thousands of grilled cheeses at East Aurora's Borderland Festival every September for the last three years. They used to roll up in a rented Lloyd Taco truck like Cinderella in a pumpkin carriage and then return the mobile kitchen to Lloyd until the next year. But not anymore. Dopest Dough debuted its first food truck, or "bagel bus," at the recent 2024 Borderland Festival.. The demand for our products has been pretty insane for just the two of us lately, Joseph White said. The goal of this is to satisfy those needs and to give everyone sort of a floating second location for us. Dopest Dough plans to drive the truck to business parks, farmers markets and other spots around Amherst, Williamsville and Hamburg, where White said they have seen a lot of desire for their bagels and bread. Right now, Dopest Dough sells its bagels at its 695 Main St., East Aurora, storefront on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and at a few other spots around town, such as Tipico Coffee and Spoke & Dagger Co. They also plan to bring the truck to outdoor festivals and rent it out as a late-night snack option at weddings. The menu will be small and straightforward: breakfast sandwiches, cream cheese-smeared bagels and coffee in the mornings and afternoons, and grilled cheese, tomato soup and pretzels at festivals and late-night events. Were going to keep it very simple, White said. Really not try to complicate it. Mark your calendars for Oktoberfest There's no need to travel to Munich to drink beers and hold steins at Oktoberfest. Celebrate the German beer festival locally at one of three events happening this weekend. Attend Hamburgs free Oktoberfest for authentic German food, beer and activities, such as a stein-holding competition. Food options include chicken schnitzel, potato pancakes, bratwurst, spaetzle (egg noodles), Bavarian pretzel sticks and German chocolate cake, among other traditional dishes. For beer, try the Hamburg Oktoberfest or other German brews, such as a wheat-based hefe-weissbier. Activities are from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sept. 20 and 2 to 11 p.m. Sept. 21 in Memorial Park (59 Lake St., Hamburg). Savor the autumnal atmosphere in the fields of East Concord at Mystic Hills Brewing (10959 Allen Road, East Concord) during its Oktoberfest celebration starting at 2 p.m. Sept. 21. There will be German beer flight specials, German charcuterie boxes from Meet and Eat Charcuterie, pretzels, a stein-holding contest, live music from 3 to 5 p.m. and psychic medium readings from 1 to 5 p.m. Wayland Brewing (3740 N. Buffalo St., Orchard Park) will also hold an Oktoberfest Sept. 20-22, where there will be German food, beer specials, ax throwing, live music and childrens activities. It starts at 8 p.m. Sept. 20 and noon on Sept. 21 and 22. Try the brewerys new Oktoberfest beer, a marzen with sweet graham cracker and toast notes. Restaurant news Je Ne Sais Quoi, a North Buffalo soul food restaurant at 1633 Hertel Ave., is closing after eight years of business. Owners Fred and Gwen Ingram shared the news on social media, adding that they will continue to offer catering services. Serving you has been a joy and a privilege, they wrote on Facebook. After more than two years, Pressure Drop Brewing is closing its Black Rock pub at 1672 Elmwood Ave., on Sept. 29. The brewery plans to continue selling its beer at retail stores, bars and restaurants. Were thankful for the community that made our pub a special place to gather, have a great meal, and of course, enjoy a beer or three, wrote Pressure Drop Brewing on Facebook. Public Espresso shared a first look at its new Elmwood Avenue cafe at 448 Elmwood Ave., which Bean Bastard Coffee vacated last September. Filled with mid-century modern furniture in lime green and hot pink, the renovated cafe will be the third Public Espresso location. No opening date has been announced yet. Food events Sundays weather forecast is partly cloudy with a 100% chance of meatballs. The Meatball Street Brawl returns for its eighth year starting at noon Sept. 22 outside its host restaurant Osteria 166 (166 Franklin St.). Osteria 166 has gathered 17 restaurants, including Beacon Grille, Ilio DiPaolos, Lombardo and Marios Bistro and Brews, to bring forth their best meatballs. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door and include as many meatballs and beverage samples from places like Spotted Octopus and Hamburg Brewing Co. as attendees would like. Proceeds benefit local charities. The family-friendly event has live music and DJs. The Elmwood Village Association is welcoming one of its newest businesses with a clever collaboration. Milkies on Elmwood (522 Elmwood Ave.) is hosting its new neighbor, Half Baked Cookies, at a Milkies & Cookies happy hour from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 26. There will be cookies, appetizers and drinks. Reserve your spot (and get a free drink) online at elmwoodvillage.org. ICYMI Have an idea for an upcoming column? Please send tips and questions to fbond@buffnews.com. Tuesday, September 17, 2024 - An American Company has brought another twist to the controversial Adani deal to take over the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Speaking during an interview, the U.S. company faulted President William Ruto's administration for favoring Adani at the expense of other companies that are capable of revamping JKIA. The company revealed that it submitted a presentation letter to then Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen seeking a deal to revamp the country's main airport. According to the firm, despite submitting the proposal in mid-June, they were yet to receive any response from the Kenyan government concerning their request. So far, we havent had any response from Kenyas government to that letter of presentation, stated the companys official who spoke to the publication. The concern by the U.S. company comes days after Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir clarified that the Privately Initiated Proposal (PIP) was yet to be finalised as purported by a section of Kenyans. Chirchir while appearing before the Senate Road and Transport Committee also noted that the deal with Adani would not affect other airports. The Adani Privately Initiated Proposal is only confined to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. It is further confined to another aeronautical and commercial development, Chirchir reiterated. The Minister further noted that the government had already commenced public participation in the deal and urged Kenyans to exercise patience. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, September 17, 2024 President William Rutos administration is on the receiving end for being petty after it withdrew the security detail of High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi. Justice Mugambi's security was withdrawn after jailing the Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli for six months for failing to appear in court to explain the whereabouts of three Kenyans who were abducted by the police during the anti-government protests led by the Gen Zs. Leading the charge, Chief Justice Martha Koome condemned the move, terming it unconstitutional. A disturbing action was taken by the national police in the wake of the sentencing of the acting IG. Police belonging to Mugambi were disarmed and subsequently withdrawn over the weekend, Koome stated as she condemned the action. The Chief Justice noted that the actions are against Article 160 of the constitution, which emphasises the independence of the judiciary. Retaliatory measures against judicial officers are uncalled for. JSC calls for the national police to restore the security of Hon. Justice Mugambi, she stated. Koome further assured Kenyans that the Judiciary is committed to standing firm in protecting the rule of law, while condemning the act of intimidation by the national police. "The act of withdrawing the security of a sitting Judge, following a judicial decision that displeased certain authorities, is deeply concerning. It sends a chilling message to the Judiciary and the public at large: that those entrusted with upholding justice and safeguarding our rights can be intimidated, bullied, or retaliated against for their rulings," Koome noted. The Kenyan DAILY POST As climate change advances, it has amplified a variety of diseases globally, especially in under-resourced countries and communities. This article summarizes three of these consequential trends. The first is that wildfires and industrial pollution are worsening respiratory diseases. Second, hotter climates are increasing the incidence of infectious diseases such as malaria, and lastly, heat waves are increasing the risk of various diseases, disrupting public services, and causing unprecedented amounts of heat-related fatalities. Climate change has increased the prevalence of wildfires globally. These fires not only devastate local communities and ecosystems but also create smoke that harms people who live in different countries. For example, In one fire alone, wildfire pollutants reached people in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa from flames in northern Canada (American Lung Association (ALA)). Wildfires can cause respiratory illnesses in these faraway populations, especially in pediatric patients. According to the ALA, Studies of children in California found that children who breathed the smoky airhad more coughing, wheezing, bronchitis, colds, and were more likely to have to go to the doctor or to the hospital for respiratory causes. As climate change worsens, respiratory illnesses from wildfires will increase. A 2023 EPA report found that new cases of asthma attributable to climate increase by 4 percent and 11 percent at two C and four C of global warming, respectively. Also, the percent change in incidence of hay fever, school days lost, and ED visits from asthma all increase between 1 percent and 5 percent. As time passes, climate change will put a stronger strain not only on human health but also on institutions such as schools and hospitals. The systematic effects of climate change must be addressed now. Industrial pollution is another prominent cause of respiratory illness, and this impact falls most heavily on under-resourced countries and communities. People of middle-and-lower income countries are exposed to more air pollution and have a higher prevalence of diseases that are exacerbated by it, like asthma, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). For example, some populations in sub-Saharan Africa, South-East Asia, and the Western Pacific must rely on fuels they can gather, such as wood, dung, and gas stoves, which are more harmful to their health. In turn, they experience the highest rates of health problems from exposure to indoor pollutants. (WHO). Climate change is also exacerbating the spread of infectious diseases worldwide. One of the most consequential infectious diseases is malaria, a mosquito-borne disease that can cause fever, nausea, vomiting, damage to the liver, kidneys, and spleen, and even death 95 percent of malaria cases are in Africa, and most of these African cases are in the continents hotter, geographic center where mosquitos thrive. However, effects of climate change such as higher temperatures, increased rainfall and humidity are increasing the geographic range of mosquito vectors, which are moving outwards from the equator (Medicines for Malaria Venture). One mosquito vector, Anopheles stephensi, has spread in the past decade to African countries such as Ethiopia, Sudan, Nigeria, and Djibouti, which has translated to a boom in malaria cases. Before A. Stephensis arrival in Djibouti, the country had 27 annual cases of malaria. After its arrival, the country had 73,000 cases in 2020 (Gates Foundation). Hotter temperatures endanger health in America. Increased heat has been shown to contribute to diseases across multiple body systems: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) says that warmer temperatures increase the risk of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney injury and blood pressure problems, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and hospitalization for heart disease. Recently in America, hotter temperatures have steadily increased the number of heat-related deaths. HSS reports that Approximately 1,602 [heat-related deaths occurred] in 2021, 1,722 in 2022, and 2,302 in 2023. Research also repeatedly shows that global warmings impact on America has disproportionate effects on communities of color. Public health professionals in California studied the states heat waves from 1999 to 2011 and found that infant mortality rates were highest among Black infants because of preexisting health disparities. In the past three years, unprecedented heat waves have devastated population health abroad in places such as Europe and India. Europe has reportedly been warming twice as fast as the global average, and the continent endured its hottest season in history in the summer of 2022. 61,000 heat-related deaths occurred, according to a study in the medical journal Nature, which is more than double the 25,500 summer heat-related deaths [in] the 20152021 period. In May 2024, a record-breaking heatwave hit India and caused a public health emergency in New Delhi. During the heatwave, which kept temperatures in several Indian states well above 110 degrees for weeks, New Delhi hospitals recorded an uptick in heatstroke cases. The heatwave also threatened Delhis population by disrupting public services such as fire safety and water supply. For instance, the heatwave exacerbated deadly fires in crowded buildings. The number of fire calls increased twenty-five percent which stretched the fire departments resources. City officials also feared that thewater supply might need rationing. Delhi officials implemented policies to mitigate the heats interference with public services. The lieutenant governor called for construction workers to get paid leave between noon and 3 p.m. to work in safer conditions. Delhis water minister also imposed fines for using water for commercial purposes. Although these policies do not address the larger issue of global warming, they offer hope that a government can respond swiftly to a climate emergency. Citizens should recognize that climate-caused public health emergencies are not a future possibility but a current reality. Anyone can share the information above and show others how climate change is harming public health. Furthermore, health professionals such as doctors and nurses can speak up and explain to lawmakers that climate change is a public health threat that must be addressed now. Andrew Williams is a premedical student. Jennifer Romanello is an internal medicine resident. Activists are calling for the implementation of non-custodial alternative sentences to alleviate prison overcrowding. According to prison services, the congestion rate currently stands at a staggering 369.3%, a figure they assert cannot be addressed solely through infrastructural development. A group of activists convened by Penal Reform International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting an effective criminal justice system explored alternative punishments for petty offenders as opposed to lengthy custodial sentences. These alternatives include community service programs, court fines, cautions, and reparations or restitution to victims. However, the implementation of alternative punishments faces challenges in the High Court, as they are currently limited to minor offenses such as trespass, assault, child neglect, and simple theft. According to High Court Judge, Henrietta Woloya, grave crimes like murder, robbery, and rape remain ineligible for these non-custodial sentences. The meeting brought together other key justice stakeholders, including the police, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Community Service Directorate of the Ministry of Gender. The Minister of Education, Ms. Janet Museveni, has convened a meeting of vice-chancellors and senates from all public universities at State House on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. The purpose of the meeting is to elect their representatives to the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). In a letter to one of the university vice-chancellors, seen by KFM, Ms. Museveni noted that the Executive Director of the NCHE had informed her of the expiration of the current representatives terms. Citing Section 6A of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (UOTIA), which grants her authority to issue policy directives to all higher education institutions, she invited all VCs and senate members to the meeting. This is, therefore, to invite you and all members of your university senate to a meeting on Tuesday (today) September 17 at State House Entebbe, the letter reads in part. Dr John Chrysestom Muyingo, State Minister for Higher Education confirmed that all university vice-chancellors were summoned in an interview last week. The election of two representatives is particularly crucial given the NCHEs current leadership vacancy. The terms of Ms. Joy Kwesiga (Vice-Chairperson) and Prof. Eli Katunguka (Chairperson) have recently expired. Ms. Musevenis summons comes just weeks after the Minister for Higher Education, Mr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, halted contentious elections for university representatives to the NCHE. The ministers decision was prompted by growing tensions over the legitimacy of the election process for selecting representatives from public university senates and vice-chancellors. The leadership of the Public University Forum had clashed with the NCHE, accusing it of overstepping its role by organizing and overseeing the elections scheduled for September 20. BY REUTERS South Sudan and Sudan have made progress towards restarting the pumping of South Sudans crude oil through a pipeline running to a port in its neighbour, South Sudans finance minister and the presidents office said. The exports are a crucial source of revenue for South Sudan and Sudan takes a cut of the oil as a transit fee. The main pipeline carrying oil from South Sudan through Sudan for export was halted in February because of damage stemming from a war between Sudans army and the Rapid Support Forces. Analysts say the damage is leading to serious environmental contamination and that the stoppage has contributed to higher food prices in Sudan, where millions face extreme hunger. Sudanese engineers have accomplished the necessary technical preparations for the resumption of oil production, South Sudan President Salva Kiirs office said in a statement late on Monday after a meeting in Juba between Kiir and Sudans army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Engineers from South Sudan are expected to visit Sudan in the coming weeks to familiarise themselves with the readiness of the facilities so as to jump-start production. There has been a breakthrough, and (news of) it will come to public very soon, South Sudans Finance Minister Marial Dongrin Ater told a news conference late on Monday. Burhans office said the two sides would develop an operational plan to restart oil flows. South Sudans economy has been under pressure in recent years amid communal violence, with crude oil export revenue having dwindled since a 2013-2018 civil war and more recently export disruptions due to war in neighbouring Sudan. South Sudan had been sending about 150,000 barrels per day of crude through Sudan for export, under a formula established when South Sudan gained independence from Khartoum in 2011, taking most oil production with it. At its peak before the civil war, South Sudans crude oil production stood at 350,000 to 400,000 barrels per day. 1 of 1 Atishi will be the new CM of Delhi, a woman will take over the post of Delhi CM for the third time khaskhabar.com : Tue, 17 Sept 2024 11:42 PM New Delhi. Atishi was unanimously elected to the post of Chief Minister in the Legislature Party meeting held at Delhi CM residence on Tuesday. After this, Arvind Kejriwal submitted his resignation to the Lieutenant Governor. Now Atishi will be formally handed over the command of the Chief Minister. Atishi is at the top of the list of Kejriwal's trusted companions. In view of this, the top leadership of the party has decided to entrust her with this important responsibility. Earlier, Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dixit have also held the post of Chief Minister of Delhi. Sushma Swaraj was the first woman Chief Minister of Delhi, but her tenure was the shortest, just 52 days. After this, Sheila Dixit was the second woman Chief Minister. She was the Chief Minister for 15 years and now Atishi is going to take over the post of Chief Minister. Atishi became MLA from Kalkaji seat in Delhi Assembly Elections 2020 by defeating Dharamvir Singh of BJP. Atishi studied at Oxford University. Atishi was born in a Punjabi Rajput family in 1981. Her father has also been a professor at Delhi University. Atishi has also been an advisor to former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia from 2015 to 2017. Atishi has also been a part of the Anna movement. She made her debut in politics through the Anna movement. Not only this, she has also been the head of the committee that prepared the manifesto in the 2013 assembly elections. Keeping in mind Atishi's impressive speaking style, the party even made her a spokesperson. Sushma Swaraj was the first woman Chief Minister of Delhi. But, she remained in this post for only 52 days, after which BJP had to face a crushing defeat in the assembly elections. BJP was able to win only 15 seats. Congress won this election with a huge majority and came to power. Sheila Dixit was the second woman CM of Delhi. Congress also got a huge majority in the 2003 and 2008 elections. The party handed him the command of the CM post for the third time, but the party had to face defeat in the assembly elections held in 2013. No party got a clear majority in this election. After this, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party formed the government together. A period of political turmoil has started once again in Delhi politics regarding the new excise policy case. Kejriwal has resigned from his post after getting bail from the Supreme Court. Former Kildare county councillor Rainsford Hendy will be laid to on Friday. Mr Hendy will repose at his home in Timolin on Thursday from 3pm - 8pm, concluding with prayers. The funeral service will be held on Friday at 2pm at St Mullin's Church, Timolin after which he will be laid to rest in the adjoining churchyard. House will be private on Friday morning. Tributes have been paid to Rainsford Hendy, former member of Kildare Co Council and Mayor of the county, who died over the weekend. Rainsford was first elected to Kildare Co Council in 1991, serving almost two decades representing the Athy electoral area up to 2009 when he retired. He proudly held the position of Mayor of the county and also contested two general elections. A minutes silence was held at Monday's meeting of Athy Municipal District, which heard that the Timolin man was a huge character in south Kildare and a great community man. During his time as a member of KCC, he delivered locally for individuals, local businesses and community groups. He was passionate about public service and continued to highlight local issues and campaign long after his own career in local government had ended, said Kildare South TD and Minister Martin Heydon. Rainsford was a great friend, mentor and supporter of mine, encouraging me to go into politics when he decided to retire in 2009. Ever since he has been a constant support to me in my political career. He was a proud supporter of the Irish Cancer Societys Daffodil Day in memory of his wife Hazel and sold daffodils in the area for 44 years up to 2024. He was also a great family man who will be sorely missed by his children Robert, Elizabeth, Sandra, Jill and their families. Senator Victor Boyhan said Rainsford was a very committed member of the Church of Ireland, active in the parishes of Timolin, Narraghmore, Fontstown, Castledermot, Kinnagh as well as the Diocesan Synod. A great character, robust debater and community activist, he loved his county and country, a proud and active member of Fine Gael, we will miss him greatly, he said. By Jonathan McCambridge and Rebecca Black, PA Stormont ministers have been urged to go directly to the Prime Minister over the future of Belfast shipyard Harland and Wolff. The historic shipbuilder has announced that its holding company is to go into administration. The firm said between 50-60 immediate redundancies are expected but that staff employed at its four shipyards are not affected. Harland and Wolff, which famously built the Titanic, has four shipyards one in Belfast, two in Scotland (Methil on the Firth of Forth and Arnish on the Isle of Lewis) and one in England (Appledore in north Devon). The Harland and Wolff cranes in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) It is the second time the business has been placed in administration in five years. The administration process will be confined to the holding company, Harland & Wolff Group Holdings PLC, and the operational companies which run the yards are expected to continue trading. The matter was raised in the Assembly by way of an urgent question to UK Economy Minister Conor Murphy on Tuesday by East Belfast DUP MLA David Brooks. UK Infrastructure Minister John ODowd took the question in the absence of Mr Murphy who is currently in North America on a mission aimed at strengthening economic ties and promoting dual market access. He read a statement from Mr Murphy describing the development as disappointing news and also noting news reports that a number of parties have expressed interest in the company with submission of first bids to close this week. Stormont Infrastructure Minister John ODowd (Niall Carson/PA) He said Mr Murphy has written to Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn and spoken to a number of government ministers and senior officials to highlight the importance of Harland and Wolff to the region and the importance of the British Governments continued support. Mr Brooks described Harland and Wolff as not just a large employer within his constituency but an iconic industry for the whole of Northern Ireland. Mr ODowd said he could assure him that Mr Murphy and his department are focused on doing everything they can to secure the future of the yard. UUP MLA Steve Aiken asked for assurance that a contract for the Royal Navy will still come to Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) UUP MLA Steve Aiken asked for assurance that a contract to build support ships for the Royal Navy will still come to Belfast, and urged that Mr Murphy, through First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, makes an approach to go directly to the Prime Minister around the contract. Because without that, shipbuilding is finished, he said. Mr ODowd responded: I dont think we should be as definitive in terms of the finishing of shipbuilding in Belfast as the result of a, b or c, but I certainly will make sure that his comments and call are passed on to Minister Murphy for him to engage as he feels fit with the First and deputy First Minister. Earlier, East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson said the mood music is good surrounding interest in the operations of the historic firm. DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the mood music over the future of the Belfast shipyard is positive (Liam McBurney/PA) Mr Robinson told the BBCs Good Morning Ulster programme: I heard some more encouraging noises yesterday to say that UK Government is keeping a close eye on this, that they are engaging with the company. But I think I would have been, and the unions would have liked to have been reassured by a greater interest over the last number of months. But the mood music is good about the interest in Harland and Wolff. The whole of the company is not in administration, though the London office is. The Belfast yard is pivotal to the future. He added: The Belfast yard and the achievement in securing, as we did, an MoD contract worth 1.6 billion (1.8 billion)to build fleet support ships is the asset, is the thing which is creating the interest in the sales process. Insolvency practitioners Teneo will act as administrators and shares will be delisted. The company is part of a consortium that landed a major contract to build new fleet solid support ships for the Royal Navy. It had applied for a 200 million loan guarantee from the Government as part of efforts to restructure its finances. However, the UK Government decided in August not to act as a guarantor on the lending while also ruling out direct funding to maintain the companys liquidity. In terms of finding a new owner for the Belfast operation, Mr Robinson said Spains state-owned shipbuilder Navantia was the most obvious candidate. He said: I met with Navantia at the time that Harland and Wolff and Navantia got into a consortium. I have had discussions as they advance to achieve the order and clearly they have a unique financial interest in Belfast particularly given the contract that is there and the knowledge to proceed with that contract. Meanwhile, Harland and Wolff interim executive chairman Russell Downs has said there is a strong case for keeping the companys four shipyards under a single owner. He told the BBCs Today programme that keeping the yards together was sensible from an operating perspective. He added: Some yards may be owned by one owner with other yards owned by another, so well just have to see where the process gets to. Tirlan and Baileys are collaborating for the third year in a row to offer bursaries worth 1,000 to family farm milk and grain suppliers beginning their degree studies in Agricultural Science. The bursaries are part of a Tirlan and Baileys Sustainable Farming Academy collaboration and are open to Tirlan family members beginning their degree studies in Agricultural Science in UCD, UCC, DkIT or the South East Technological University. Recognising the significant changes taking place in farming, the bursary programme aims to support the next generation of Tirlan suppliers as they focus on enhancing the environmental and economic performance of their family farms. Tirlan Members are requested to complete a form available through the Tirlan FarmLife website APPLICATION: Bursary for family members of Tirlan Members (office.com) and submit a personal statement, outlining how being awarded a bursary would support their studies. The content of the personal statement is important, as it will be used to guide eligibility. All eligible candidates will be entered into a randomised draw based on the college they are attending. The closing date for bursary applications is 31st October 2024 and bursary winners will be announced in November 2024. In order to be eligible for this student bursary, applicants must be a family member of a Tirlan supplier, John Murphy, Tirlan Chairperson explained. The aim of the Sustainable Farming Academy and the bursary awards is to support our suppliers and their families in addressing environmental, economic and social change by giving them the skills and knowledge to farm more sustainably into the future, as outlined in our Living Proof sustainability strategy. This is the third year weve run the Academy and the bursary programme. We are delighted to be able to support our farm family suppliers and would ask anyone interested to apply well in advance of the October 31 deadline. Aisling Gorman, Sustainability Marketing Manager, Baileys, said: Baileys is a proud Tirlan partner since 1974 and it makes sense that we would join forces to offer upskilling and education opportunities to farmers in sustainable farming practices, so that together we can drive positive change and shape the future of farming in Ireland. We believe the Sustainable Farming Academy can drive big changes in farming practices and we are immensely proud to support this initiative. Together, we are working for change. 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. Local councillor Sean O hArgain has supported the proposals from the South East Technical University to secure veterinary and pharmacy courses for the regional university. The Labour Party motion was passed unanimously at the Kilkenny County Council Meeting on Monday 16 September. Cllr Sean O hArgain said that he backs the proposal in order to support the ongoing expansion and innovation of the Kildalton College campus of the University. On the motion, he said: "The quality of education in Irelands largest agricultural college is unquestioned and we believe strongly that the provision of veterinary courses in this setting would be hugely appropriate. Kildaltons focus on animal husbandry and care makes it uniquely suitable for such courses." READ NEXT: Kilkenny schools prepare for exciting new stage production He added: "Providing such courses in a university with urban settings in Waterford and Carlow, but also with a firmly rural campus in the south of our county, would be a game changer, not just for our county and region, but I would also suggest for students and the profession they hope to enter." The councillor has urged the Minister for Higher Education, Patrick O'Donovan, to make a decision on the matter soon and to ensure that SETU receives clearance to proceed with the courses. O hArgain also reiterated the council's calls for the "long-promised presence" of a campus of the University within Kilkenny City. Regarding this issue, he said: "We recognise that Kildalton is an important part of the Universitys structure, but the overwhelming support of our county and borough councils for the Universitys creation, was based on a clear understanding and undertaking that we would join Carlow, Waterford and Wexford as county towns with a real and substantial campus of our regional university. Cllr O hArgain concluded: "We call on the Universitys Governing Body and on the Minister to ensure this promise is delivered upon." The Design & Crafts Council Ireland in partnership with Atlantic Technological University have started the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Jewellery and Goldsmithing at the DCCI Academy of Jewellery & Goldsmithing in Sessions House in Thomastown. This is the first full time three-year programme of its kind in Ireland and welcomes 16 students with different backgrounds, skill levels and a passion for design and craft. On their first day, these students received a glimpse into their exciting future as Irish jewellers. This programme will bring forward new talent and enhance the pool of thriving designers, craftspeople and makers in Ireland today. Students will embark on a journey of refining, discovering and enhancing their skills with a range of modules including Advanced Applied Goldsmithing, Design Communication and Gemstone setting. The programme also provides students with the opportunity to practise in a real-life setting with work placement included. This DCCI Academy of Jewellery & Goldsmithing in Sessions House was established with the help of the Kilkenny County Council; Kilkenny LEADER Partnership and the Department for Rural and Community Development. Students will have the guidance and support to develop their interests and distinctive creative voices within a structured academic framework. Interim CEO of Design and Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI), Mary Blanchfield commented: Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) is very proud to commence this programme after significant investment into the future makers of Ireland. The new DCCI Academy Jewellery & Goldsmithing will host a range of talented individuals bringing a vibrant contribution to Thomastown. DCCI looks forward to welcoming the community in Thomastown to a thriving hub of success and creativity for years to come and building on its success with the upcoming opening if the ceramics school next year. Paul Leamy, Head of Department of Furniture Design & Technology, School of Design & Creative Arts, Atlantic Technological University, said: We are delighted to partner with the DCCI on the Jewellery & Goldsmithing programme. The programme builds on our experience and commitment to excellence in education in Design & Making. The partnership has been a wonderful journey to date, and I wish to thank my colleagues in the School of Design & Creative Arts and the team at DCCI for all their work in developing, validating, and preparing for the commencement of delivery of the programme. For more information visit: https://www.dcci.ie/jewellery-goldsmithing/ Faiza Kanjaoui (26) from Seville Rise will represent Kilkenny at the final of Miss Universe Ireland 2024 at the Fairways Hotel, Dundalk on Friday. A fully qualified dentist and Master in Oral Reconstructive surgery and Implantology, Faiza was a dental volunteer in Vietnam in 2019 and hopes to promote confidence, empowerment and education for everyone, but especially young girls. She has seen first hand the importance of education as a way to empower oneself. Faiza achieved top grades in her schooling at Loreto Kilkenny, securing a prestigious All-Ireland Scholarship in 2017, awarded to disadvantaged students with the best Leaving Cert points nationwide. The Miss Universe contestant remained focused and accepted a place at Trinity College a short time later where she continued to reach great academic heights. Some 27 finalists from all over Ireland will compete for the coveted Miss Universe Ireland crown this Friday at a spectacular ceremony with a special guest performance from Irish chart-topping Boyband Next in Line. Current title holder Aisha Akorede will crown the winner who will then represent Ireland at the 73rd Miss Universe final in Mexico City this November 16 following in footsteps of previous winners Roz Purcell, Joana Copper and current title holder Aishah Akorede. Aishah Akorede (25), from Leixlip, Co Kildare has made waves as the current Miss Universe Ireland. She represented Ireland in El Salvador last year and was featured in news outlets across the globe, including CNN, in her National Costume for Ireland as she rocked the incredible stage a handmade recycled unique creation from Claire Garvey Designs called Cliodhna ,The Celtic Goddess of The Sea. Aishah, a Law Graduate, is currently completing the Chartered Governance Qualification Programme. She also holds a Masters in International Corporate Governance with a Degree Plus Employability Award from Queens University Belfast. She also works as a Fashion Model but her greatest passion is her work as founder of 'Recrowned Ireland': a social justice initiative aimed at helping women feel comfortable, confident and aware. The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) is a global, inclusive organisation that celebrates all cultures, backgrounds and religions creating a safe space for women to share their stories and drive impact personally, professionally, and philanthropically. For the first time ever, finalists can be married or divorced, they can be mothers or trans women and there is NO upper age limit of height requirements. Contestants from over 90 countries compete each year for the title of Miss Universe. The women who participate in this international platform serve as inspirational leaders and role models to their communities and fans around the world. The Miss Universe Organization exists to advocate for a future forged by women - women with the courage to push the limits of whats possible, who are curious enough to make world-shaking discoveries, and audacious enough to do this over and over. READ MORE: FAIZA TO REPRESENT KILKENNY The 73rd Miss Universe Competition takes place in Mexicothis November 16. The highly-anticipated event will feature 90 women from around the globe vying for the job of Miss Universe, selected via events including personal statements, in-depth interviews, evening gown, and swimwear. The evening will culminate with the 72nd Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua crowning her successor at the end of the event. Tickets for the Miss Universe Ireland final are available from www.g8events.ie and highlights will be shown on social media @missuniverseireandorg. The "Meta" corporation, known for its extremist stance and banned in the Russian Federation, has blocked the accounts of several Russian media outlets on its platforms, including "RT" and the "Rossiya Segodnya" media group, Azernews reports citing NBC. NBC reported this based on a statement from a "Meta" representative. "After careful consideration, we have expanded our measures against Russian state media. 'Russia Today,' 'RT,' and other related organizations are now blocked from our applications worldwide due to attempts at foreign interference," NBC reports, citing the corporation's statement. Pages for "RT," "Sputnik," and "RIA Novosti" are no longer available on "Facebook" (owned by "Meta"). The message that appears reads, "This content is currently unavailable. The owner may have removed the content or restricted access to it." "Meta" has not yet responded to inquiries from Russian media on the issue. On September 4, the US Department of the Treasury announced sanctions against Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of "RT" TV channel, and her two deputies. Additionally, the US State Department is tightening operational rules for Russia Today, RIA Novosti, RT, TV-Novosti, Ruptly, and Sputnik media groups. According to the "Repressions Against Russia" section on the official website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Western countries have imposed approximately 150 different restrictions on Russian media and journalists since 2022. Leaders in the Olean-area business community are preparing for growth in the startup economy. Some of that growth has already been a result of the Laine Business Accelerator, which will soon welcome six businesses selected to be part of its 2024 cohort. Alexanders Quality Transport, Gardner Chiropractic, Oleans Wellness Store, Sawyer Laine Boutique and Solemates Sneakers & Vintage, all of Olean, and Rusty Rooster Farm & Vintage of Portville will be part of the fourth cohort of the business accelerator. This years group of businesses are further along in their journeys than most of the entities in past cohorts. Each has more than one employee and are ready to take the next step for the business, said Bob Forness, president and executive director of the Olean Business Development Corp. They will receive $5,000 each, with business owners committing to a multi-week program of challenge sharing, education and mentorship. The support from their cohort peers, mentors and other new networking contacts continues beyond the end of the program, Forness said. Following the 13-week program, participating businesses will make presentations on Dec. 10 at SUNY-Jamestown Community Colleges Cutco Theater. Eleven businesses went through the program last year. Most of them were single entrepreneur-led businesses. Since its inception, the accelerator has awarded 25 businesses $135,000 in funding. The program is supported by The Hatch at Jamestown Community College and St. Bonaventure University. Based on feedback from prior business participants in the program, the most lasting benefit they receive is the camaraderie and connections generated from being part of the cohort, Forness said. They get to share thoughts, ideas, concerns and successes with each other, and meet people they would not normally encounter. The programs namesake is Erick Laine, former president, CEO and chair of Cutco Corp. Its part of a continued effort to spur economic development in the region. The Olean-area is projected to see growth of more than 1,500 jobs in the coming years and local officials are trying to be ready for it. The Olean Business Development Corp., in conjunction with Cattaraugus County Campus of Jamestown Community College and the Cattaraugus Allegany Workforce Development Board, have started the Come Home, Stay Home campaign. It is encouraging students to stay in the area to build their career and ex-pats to come back to fill some of the opportunities soon to be available. The campaign is using social media to spotlight the growing opportunities available in the area, thanks to projects that are in the works. An introduction to the campaign highlighted in a video is now available on YouTube. The Olean area is experiencing a renaissance, with new businesses locating here, existing business expanding and with several startups emerging from the Laine Business Accelerator, said Forness, who came back to the area after spending decades in Arizona. Kathleen Martel, director of workforce development at the Cattaraugus County Campus of JCC, lauded the efforts of government and education to work together to promote the area an effort over a decade in the making thats been supercharged to help businesses since the pandemic hit. We realized that our mission includes training people to get jobs quickly, particularly in manufacturing, Martel said. So, we have short-term programs to get people out the door for entry-level work. At the same time, we recognize that those programs dont always take people far enough to advance, so weve developed other programs to address those needs. Grants available for Lockport small businesses The Greater Lockport Development Corp. is seeking applications from new and expanding businesses located in the City of Lockport as part of a fifth round of Microenterprise Funding. The program offers grants to assist businesses with five employees or less that aim to help individuals with low to moderate income levels. Participating businesses will receive entrepreneurial training and deferred loans to cover costs associated with starting up or expansion. The development corporation, which administers the program, received a $300,000 Homes and Community Renewal Community Development Block Grant that it will disperse to the businesses. The grants will range from $5,000 to $25,000 but cannot cover more than 90% of eligible expenses. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis until the program ends in June 2026, or until funding runs out. Applications can be obtained by emailing hpeck@lockportdevelopment.org or by visiting www.lockportny.gov/gldc. THE LATEST Construction started on a health care facility in the Kensington-Bailey neighborhood. Tops Markets' parent company has launched a pilot program to test out a robot that manages store inventory. Mayor Byron Brown touted affordable housing in Buffalo as a statewide conference gathered in the Queen City. Multi-family and senior housing buildings have opened at Pilgrim Village to 230 residents. The buyer of the Aurubis Buffalo manufacturing plant plans to maintain the size of the sites workforce. A Cheektowaga commercial refrigeration installer and a Lockport general contractor are teaming up on a new project to create a cold-storage facility in Niagara County. Tenants, property managers at 201 Ellicott exchange blame for woes at affordable housing building. What the Evans Bank acquisition means to Western New York. A Southtowns home builder is planning an apartment project in North Tonawanda. KEI Advisors, a local investor relations firm, is being acquired. Evans Bank agreed to be acquired in a $236 million deal. ICYMI Five reads from Buffalo Next: 1. Five challenges facing legal cannabis dispensaries. 2. A look at developer Douglas Jemal's downtown Buffalo empire. 3. Canadian trade is a big deal for the Buffalo Niagara region and there are efforts afoot to make it even bigger. 4. Bitwise crashed and burned, but its local executive helped build a similar but smaller initiative to train tech workers anyway. 5. Orchard Park officials hope proposed zoning law changes will spur development around the new Buffalo Bills stadium. The new Buffalo Bills stadium will be protected by Florian, an AI-enabled incident command platform from Buffalo tech startup 3AM Innovation. The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435. At the TIF, the KIT researchers exchanged views and ideas with politicians from Germany and Greece. (Photo: Leipziger Messe International) | full caption at the end of the article Efficient electricity and heat supply, sustainable mobility, or solutions against energy poverty these and other topics are currently presented by researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) in Greece. This event, which is considered the most important exhibition in Greece and focuses on new technologies, innovation, and sustainable development, welcomes Germany as this years guest country. While visiting the German Pavilion with its 6,000 square meters, Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, exchanged views and ideas with KIT scientists on their current research. Cem Ozdemir, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, also visited the KIT pavilion. The TIF, which is being held for the 88th time this year, encourages creative and strategic cooperations on the national and international levels. The organizers expect around 210,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibitors. Under the umbrella brand Made in Germany, companies, research organizations, and associations from all over Germany present their innovations, jointly with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. New technologies play a decisive role in the struggle against climate change. This is the only way for us to develop sustainable solutions and innovative approaches for efficient energy systems, while reducing emissions and fostering a circular economy, says Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. Im enjoying the exchange of ideas with the KTI researchers at the TIF, who, thanks to interdisciplinary research and close cooperation, set standards for a more climate-friendly future. KIT cooperates with partners from research and industry worldwide, and, of course, also in Greece. The fair is an excellent platform for promoting the transfer of technology into industry and society, presenting innovations, fostering relationships with institutions in Thessaloniki, and establishing new contacts, says Professor Thomas Hirth, Vice President Transfer and International Affairs at KIT. Sustainable Energy Supply, Mobility, and the City of the Future In keeping with the motto, Research and Innovation for a Sustainable Future, the KIT researchers present their innovations on topics such as sustainable mobility, efficient energy storage, housing concepts in times of climate change, or air quality in the atmosphere and in the cities. For example, the researchers in the BiFlow project demonstrate new options for cost and space-efficient power and heat supply. The expansion of renewable energies requires adequate storage capacities. In BiFlow, a hybrid storage system is being developed that combines the advantages of lithium-ion batteries, such as high energy and power densities as well as high efficiency, with the advantages of vanadium flow batteries, i.e. their long service life and non-flammability. In addition, the electrolyte tanks of vanadium flow batteries serve as heat accumulators. This heat can be used for heating the water in the building, thus increasing the overall efficiency of the system. With the OTRACE project, the KIT researchers intend to drive the change from diesel-fueled vehicles to alternative drive systems, which is taking place in public transportation. To reduce their energy consumption and thereby increase the range, the researchers combine the data from individual vehicles or vehicle fleets. For this purpose, information from the vehicles is transferred to a cloud and evaluated there to realize energy-saving potentials in the vehicles. Besides the two exhibits at the KIT pavilion, the scientists showcase more research results and projects, present their research topics in lectures, and participate in panel discussions. Moreover, they exchange views and ideas with other representatives from politics, such as the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, and with cooperation partners directly from Thessaloniki, such as Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, CERTH The Centre for Research & Technology, or the Thessaloniki Innovation & Technology Center. More information: TIF German Pavilion BiFlow OTRACE Detailed caption: At the Thessaloniki International Fair, the KIT researchers exchanged views and ideas with politicians from Germany and Greece. (From left to right: Sandra Kauffmann-Wei, InnovationsCampus Future Mobility, KIT; Thomas Hirth, Vice President Transfer and International Affairs, KIT; Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action; Cem Ozdemir, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture; Konstantinos Tsiaras, Greek Minister of Rural Development and Food) (Photo: Leipziger Messe International) Being The Research University in the Helmholtz Association, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 10,000 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,800 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence. Leaders from more than 80 nonprofit organizations across upstate New York walked into the Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship in Rochester on Tuesday morning without any idea why they were there. But they walked out with smiles on their faces and much healthier bank accounts. Billionaire philanthropist Tom Golisano, the Rochester entrepreneur and one-time Buffalo Sabres owner, announced that he would be donating $360 million to the dozens of nonprofit health, education, animal care and community organizations, as well as organizations for individuals with disabilities. More than $73 million is going to organizations in Western New York. I was completely blown away, said Anne McCaffrey, CEO of People, Inc. It was really such an incredible moment to be sitting there with other health care leaders and agencies throughout our region, to hear this incredible news that we were being awarded $5 million. The awards ranged from $250,000 to $20 million. All of the grants are unrestricted, which means the organizations can spend them at their discretion. Once the shock subsided, the big question was: Why? Golisano joked that he had applied for immortality and didnt get it. But then, his voice breaking, he said: The only wealth you get to keep is that which you give away. There are so many good organizations that provide so many services and capabilities to people in our domain here in upstate New York, and theyre so important, Golisano said. And what I want to do today with this announcement is to tell them that were behind them. Golisano said he hopes the grants will allow the organizations to expand their services, improve quality and bring prices down. John R. Oishei Childrens Hospital of Buffalo was awarded a grant of $10 million. We are overwhelmed, said Don Boyd, president and CEO of Kaleida Health. To be a beneficiary of Tom Golisanos extraordinary philanthropic support and legacy throughout the region and country is such an honor. Childrens Hospital also received $10 million, one of the largest gifts among recipients in Western New York. This gift, the largest single gift we have ever received from an individual, will make a profound and lasting impact on our patients, families and care team, he said. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to work with Tom Golisano and his team to put this incredible gift into action at Oishei Childrens Hospital. Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, which is the only fully comprehensive medical center in Niagara County, also received a $10 million grant. I think it underscores the role that we play in this community, said Sean Dwyer, a spokesperson for the hospital. He called the gift transformative and said at least some of the funds would likely go toward the hospitals crumbling parking garage. In an underserved community like ours, any and every little bit helps, especially when that every little bit equals $10 million, he said. Were over the moon. The Red Cross of Western New York received $5 million via the Red Cross Greater Rochester chapter. The impact this will have on the tens of thousands of individuals and families for whom we provide programs and services from emergency lodging, food and essentials for those displaced by home fires or other disasters, to critical programs for active and retired military members and their families is immeasurable, the Red Cross of WNY said in a statement. Joyful Rescues, an animal rescue service in Cuba, received $250,000. We are absolutely astounded and overjoyed at what this means for the current and future pets in our care, said Katie Yudikaitis, president of the board of directors at the rescue. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts and paws for their incredible generosity to not only Joyful Rescues but to all the animal organizations that received funds today. The grants will be paid over the next four to five years. Almost all of the organizations awarded are previous recipients of awards by Golisano, the Golisano Foundation or both. Every one of the organizations is personally meaningful to Golisano, he said. The philanthropist is also making a $52 million award to the Golisano Foundation by increasing the total investment assets to $120 million. That will increase the Golisano Foundations giving from roughly $3 million to more than $5 million annually. Tuesdays $360 million pledge more than doubles the amount of money Golisano has given away in his lifetime, bringing the total to $775 million. The Golisano Foundation, which he founded in 1985, has awarded more than $41 million in grants, mostly to organizations supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It also helps animal welfare organizations through Bailey and Friends, an initiative of the Golisano Foundation founded in honor of Golisanos two dogs, both of whom were named Bailey. In addition to the ones already mentioned, others in Western New York receiving grants include: Niagara University, $10 million Arc Allegany-Steuben, $5 million Arc Genesee/Livingston/Orleans/Wyoming, $5 million Catholic Charities Family and Community Services, $5 million Alfred State College, $5 million Canisius University, $5 million Daemen University, $5 million Heritage Christian Services, $5 million Arc Erie, $5 million Summit Center, $5 million Chautauqua County Humane Society, $1.5 million SPCA Cattaraugus, $1.5 million SPCA Allegany, $1.5 million SPCA of Erie County, $1.5 million SPCA of Wyoming County, $1.5 million Best Buddies, WNY, $1 million Bunker Hill Mining Corp. (OTCMKTS:BHLL Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 15,700 shares, a drop of 20.3% from the August 15th total of 19,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 482,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. Bunker Hill Mining Trading Up 0.3 % Shares of OTCMKTS:BHLL traded up $0.00 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $0.12. 11,012 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 204,829. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $0.12 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $0.11. Bunker Hill Mining has a 12-month low of $0.07 and a 12-month high of $0.15. The stock has a market cap of $40.33 million, a P/E ratio of -1.19 and a beta of 1.58. Get Bunker Hill Mining alerts: Bunker Hill Mining (OTCMKTS:BHLL Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported ($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, Echelon Wealth Partners raised shares of Bunker Hill Mining to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 22nd. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on BHLL About Bunker Hill Mining (Get Free Report) mining of mineral properties in Canada and the United States. It focuses on exploring for zinc, lead, and silver ores. Its flagship asset is the 100% owned Bunker Hill mine located in the Silver Valley, Idaho. The company was formerly known as Liberty Silver Corp. and changed its name to Bunker Hill Mining Corp. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Bunker Hill Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bunker Hill Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Colliers Securities upgraded shares of Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPW Free Report) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note published on Friday, Marketbeat.com reports. Colliers Securities currently has $6.50 price objective on the real estate investment trusts stock. Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. StockNews.com cut Medical Properties Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, May 18th. BNP Paribas downgraded Medical Properties Trust from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the company from $6.00 to $4.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price target on Medical Properties Trust from $4.50 to $5.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Medical Properties Trust currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $5.22. Get Medical Properties Trust alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on MPW Medical Properties Trust Stock Performance Shares of Medical Properties Trust stock opened at $6.37 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $3.82 billion, a PE ratio of -2.87, a PEG ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.28. Medical Properties Trust has a 12 month low of $2.92 and a 12 month high of $6.54. The company has a current ratio of 2.93, a quick ratio of 2.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $4.81 and its 200 day simple moving average is $4.70. Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPW Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.54) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.21 by ($0.75). The company had revenue of $266.60 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $259.53 million. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 21.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.48 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Medical Properties Trust will post 0.89 EPS for the current year. Medical Properties Trust Cuts Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 10th. Investors of record on Monday, September 9th will be paid a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 9th. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.02%. Medical Properties Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -14.41%. Insider Activity at Medical Properties Trust In related news, Director Elizabeth N. Pitman sold 10,025 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.98, for a total value of $49,924.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 68,653 shares in the company, valued at approximately $341,891.94. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Medical Properties Trust news, Director C Reynolds Thompson III sold 20,530 shares of Medical Properties Trust stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.38, for a total value of $89,921.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 54,637 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $239,310.06. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Elizabeth N. Pitman sold 10,025 shares of Medical Properties Trust stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $4.98, for a total value of $49,924.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 68,653 shares of the companys stock, valued at $341,891.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.53% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Medical Properties Trust Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MPW. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Medical Properties Trust by 8.2% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 93,058,174 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $437,373,000 after acquiring an additional 7,084,981 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Medical Properties Trust in the 4th quarter valued at $25,655,000. Goldentree Asset Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Medical Properties Trust during the 1st quarter worth $15,966,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its holdings in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 517.0% during the 4th quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,150,378 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $10,558,000 after buying an additional 1,801,858 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wilsey Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 90.9% during the 1st quarter. Wilsey Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,439,549 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $16,166,000 after buying an additional 1,637,720 shares in the last quarter. 71.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Medical Properties Trust (Get Free Report) Medical Properties Trust, Inc is a self-advised real estate investment trust formed in 2003 to acquire and develop net-leased hospital facilities. From its inception in Birmingham, Alabama, the Company has grown to become one of the world's largest owners of hospital real estate with 441 facilities and approximately 44,000 licensed beds as of September 30, 2023. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Medical Properties Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Medical Properties Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Comerica (NYSE:CMA Get Free Report) was upgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report released on Monday. Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on Comerica from $58.00 to $56.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Stephens reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $58.00 price objective on shares of Comerica in a research report on Tuesday, September 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on shares of Comerica from $69.00 to $62.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, June 4th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of Comerica from $72.00 to $68.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, June 20th. Finally, DA Davidson reiterated a neutral rating and set a $55.00 price objective on shares of Comerica in a report on Tuesday, September 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Comerica presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $55.73. Get Comerica alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Comerica Comerica Trading Up 0.9 % Shares of NYSE CMA traded up $0.51 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $58.00. The stock had a trading volume of 1,076,118 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,183,460. The companys 50 day moving average price is $54.71 and its 200 day moving average price is $52.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 0.96. Comerica has a twelve month low of $37.40 and a twelve month high of $58.50. The firm has a market cap of $7.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.53 and a beta of 1.23. Comerica (NYSE:CMA Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, July 19th. The financial services provider reported $1.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.19 by $0.30. Comerica had a net margin of 12.15% and a return on equity of 15.01%. The business had revenue of $1.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $812.79 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.01 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Comerica will post 5.05 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity at Comerica In other Comerica news, EVP Christine M. Moore sold 2,545 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.51, for a total transaction of $146,362.95. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 27,910 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,605,104.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.19% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Comerica Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Pitcairn Co. boosted its holdings in Comerica by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. Pitcairn Co. now owns 6,800 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $374,000 after buying an additional 190 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Comerica by 19.7% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,207 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $66,000 after acquiring an additional 199 shares in the last quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Comerica by 0.7% in the first quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 27,245 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,498,000 after acquiring an additional 201 shares during the period. Summit Securities Group LLC grew its position in shares of Comerica by 22.4% in the second quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC now owns 1,102 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 202 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in shares of Comerica by 39.3% during the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 737 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.74% of the companys stock. Comerica Company Profile (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. Featured Stories 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. ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP Free Report) had its price target cut by Mizuho from $132.00 to $129.00 in a research report sent to investors on Monday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the energy producers stock. A number of other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on COP. Barclays upped their price target on ConocoPhillips from $158.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Raymond James restated a strong-buy rating and issued a $159.00 price target (up previously from $155.00) on shares of ConocoPhillips in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Wolfe Research started coverage on ConocoPhillips in a report on Thursday, July 18th. They issued an outperform rating and a $145.00 price target on the stock. Bank of America restated a buy rating and issued a $147.00 price target on shares of ConocoPhillips in a report on Friday, June 14th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on ConocoPhillips from $151.00 to $150.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $143.06. Get ConocoPhillips alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on COP ConocoPhillips Stock Performance NYSE COP opened at $105.56 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The businesss 50 day moving average is $110.03 and its two-hundred day moving average is $116.69. ConocoPhillips has a 12-month low of $101.29 and a 12-month high of $135.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $122.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.95, a PEG ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.22. ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The energy producer reported $1.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.96 by $0.02. ConocoPhillips had a return on equity of 20.81% and a net margin of 18.18%. The company had revenue of $14.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.96 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.84 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that ConocoPhillips will post 8.41 EPS for the current year. ConocoPhillips Cuts Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 12th were paid a dividend of $0.58 per share. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.20%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 12th. ConocoPhillipss dividend payout ratio is presently 26.27%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other ConocoPhillips news, Director Timothy A. Leach sold 55,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.11, for a total transaction of $6,000,105.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 455,909 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $49,288,321.99. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Sachetta LLC purchased a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Cooksen Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips in the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. raised its position in shares of ConocoPhillips by 96.0% in the 4th quarter. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 247 shares of the energy producers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 121 shares during the period. Stephens Consulting LLC raised its position in shares of ConocoPhillips by 69.3% in the 2nd quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC now owns 254 shares of the energy producers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 104 shares during the period. Finally, Richardson Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of ConocoPhillips in the 1st quarter worth $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.36% of the companys stock. ConocoPhillips Company Profile (Get Free Report) ConocoPhillips explores for, produces, transports, and markets crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and natural gas liquids in the United States, Canada, China, Libya, Malaysia, Norway, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company's portfolio includes unconventional plays in North America; conventional assets in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia; global LNG developments; oil sands assets in Canada; and an inventory of global exploration prospects. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for ConocoPhillips Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ConocoPhillips and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Credit Suisse Group (NYSE:CS Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Friday morning. The firm issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock. Credit Suisse Group Stock Performance Shares of Credit Suisse Group stock opened at $0.89 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $0.89 and its 200 day moving average price is $0.89. The company has a market cap of $2.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.79, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.53. Credit Suisse Group has a one year low of $0.82 and a one year high of $6.36. Get Credit Suisse Group alerts: About Credit Suisse Group (Get Free Report) Recommended Stories Credit Suisse Group AG is a holding company, which engages in the provision of financial services. It operates through the following four divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Bank, Swiss Bank and Asset Management and four geographic regions: Switzerland, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific, and Americas. Receive News & Ratings for Credit Suisse Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Credit Suisse Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Elme Communities (NYSE:ELME Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $17.00 to $19.00 in a research note published on Monday, Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the stock. Separately, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Elme Communities from $14.00 to $17.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday. Get Elme Communities alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Elme Communities Elme Communities Trading Down 0.3 % Elme Communities Dividend Announcement NYSE:ELME opened at $18.21 on Monday. Elme Communities has a fifty-two week low of $12.44 and a fifty-two week high of $18.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.55 and a quick ratio of 0.55. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.60 billion, a PE ratio of -29.85 and a beta of 0.90. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $16.93 and its 200-day simple moving average is $15.56. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 19th will be paid a $0.18 dividend. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 19th. Elme Communitiess payout ratio is -118.03%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Elme Communities Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Elme Communities by 162.5% during the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,777 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 1,100 shares in the last quarter. Archer Investment Corp raised its stake in shares of Elme Communities by 308.2% during the 2nd quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 1,788 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 1,350 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its stake in shares of Elme Communities by 438.1% during the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,835 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 1,494 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in shares of Elme Communities by 149.2% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,881 shares of the companys stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 1,725 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quadrature Capital Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Elme Communities during the 1st quarter worth approximately $167,000. Institutional investors own 87.88% of the companys stock. Elme Communities Company Profile (Get Free Report) Elme Communities is committed to elevating what home can be for middle-income renters by providing a higher level of quality, service, and experience. The Company is a multifamily real estate investment trust that owns and operates approximately 9,400 apartment homes in the Washington, DC metro and the Atlanta metro regions, and owns approximately 300,000 square feet of commercial space. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Elme Communities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Elme Communities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE:EPAM Get Free Report)s stock price dropped 3% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $197.95 and last traded at $199.38. Approximately 127,479 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 80% from the average daily volume of 622,202 shares. The stock had previously closed at $205.46. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have issued reports on EPAM. Redburn Atlantic began coverage on shares of EPAM Systems in a research note on Friday, May 24th. They issued a neutral rating and a $195.00 target price for the company. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of EPAM Systems from $200.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Piper Sandler restated an overweight rating and set a $225.00 target price on shares of EPAM Systems in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Susquehanna decreased their price target on EPAM Systems from $260.00 to $240.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Finally, StockNews.com raised EPAM Systems from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, EPAM Systems currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $258.32. Get EPAM Systems alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on EPAM Systems EPAM Systems Stock Performance The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $202.27 and a 200 day simple moving average of $219.59. The company has a current ratio of 4.84, a quick ratio of 4.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01. The stock has a market cap of $11.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.50, a PEG ratio of 4.48 and a beta of 1.45. EPAM Systems (NYSE:EPAM Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The information technology services provider reported $2.45 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.26 by $0.19. EPAM Systems had a return on equity of 14.31% and a net margin of 8.86%. The business had revenue of $1.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.14 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.21 earnings per share. EPAM Systemss revenue was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that EPAM Systems, Inc. will post 8.06 earnings per share for the current year. EPAM Systems declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback program on Thursday, August 8th that authorizes the company to repurchase $500.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the information technology services provider to purchase up to 4.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued. Institutional Investors Weigh In On EPAM Systems Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in EPAM. Equitable Trust Co. grew its stake in EPAM Systems by 0.8% during the first quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 5,941 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,641,000 after buying an additional 46 shares during the last quarter. Czech National Bank boosted its holdings in shares of EPAM Systems by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 10,152 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $2,804,000 after acquiring an additional 46 shares in the last quarter. Meridian Management Co. grew its position in EPAM Systems by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Meridian Management Co. now owns 8,287 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $2,372,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama increased its holdings in EPAM Systems by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 12,788 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $2,406,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Motley Fool Asset Management LLC raised its position in EPAM Systems by 5.2% in the 1st quarter. Motley Fool Asset Management LLC now owns 1,124 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $310,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.58% of the companys stock. About EPAM Systems (Get Free Report) EPAM Systems, Inc provides digital platform engineering and software development services worldwide. The company offers engineering services, including requirements analysis and platform selection, customization, cross-platform migration, implementation, and integration; infrastructure management services, such as software development, testing, performance tuning, deployment, maintenance, and support services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for EPAM Systems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EPAM Systems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP decreased its stake in shares of Kirby Co. (NYSE:KEX Free Report) by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,688,488 shares of the shipping companys stock after selling 67,744 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned 4.59% of Kirby worth $321,895,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kirby during the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. ORG Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Kirby during the second quarter valued at about $32,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Kirby during the second quarter worth about $33,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Kirby by 91.0% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 296 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares during the period. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. lifted its stake in shares of Kirby by 56.1% in the 1st quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 398 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.15% of the companys stock. Get Kirby alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms recently commented on KEX. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Kirby from $138.00 to $141.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Kirby from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Kirby from $131.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 21st. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $123.80. Insider Transactions at Kirby In related news, CEO David W. Grzebinski sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.31, for a total value of $360,930.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 63,399 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,627,533.69. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CEO David W. Grzebinski sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.31, for a total transaction of $360,930.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 63,399 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,627,533.69. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, COO Christian G. Oneil sold 2,770 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.21, for a total transaction of $305,281.70. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 16,079 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,772,066.59. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock. Kirby Trading Up 1.1 % KEX opened at $120.32 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day moving average is $118.18 and its 200-day moving average is $111.34. Kirby Co. has a 52-week low of $72.11 and a 52-week high of $130.90. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.44, a P/E/G ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.17. Kirby (NYSE:KEX Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The shipping company reported $1.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $824.40 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $821.65 million. Kirby had a net margin of 8.72% and a return on equity of 8.70%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.95 EPS. Analysts expect that Kirby Co. will post 5.46 EPS for the current fiscal year. Kirby Company Profile (Free Report) Kirby Corporation operates domestic tank barges in the United States. Its Marine Transportation segment provides marine transportation service and towing vessel transporting bulk liquid product, as well as operates tank barge throughout the Mississippi River System, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, coastwise along three United States coasts, and in Alaska and Hawaii. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KEX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Kirby Co. (NYSE:KEX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Kirby Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kirby and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. News / National by Staff reporter Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr. Jenfan Muswere, has provided clarification on the helicopter accident that took place on Sunday in Masvingo. The incident occurred shortly after the successful ground-breaking ceremony for the Munhumutapa National Youth Housing Programme, which coincided with the Munhumutapa Day celebrations attended by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.In a statement released yesterday, Dr. Muswere assured the public that President Mnangagwa was unharmed as he was not on board the helicopter at the time of the crash. The President was accompanied at the event by First Lady Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, Vice President Kembo Mohadi, Zanu PF Chairperson and Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, and other senior Government and Zanu PF officials.Dr. Muswere explained that the helicopter, which was scheduled to transport President Mnangagwa, experienced a technical fault, leading to the crash. The aircraft had crew members on board, but fortunately, no fatalities were reported.The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) has launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. Dr. Muswere indicated that a formal statement will be released once the investigation is concluded.The incident occurred following a high-profile event celebrating national development efforts, and the government's swift response has been noted as essential in addressing public concerns regarding the safety of senior officials and aviation standards in the country. Moors & Cabot Inc. reduced its stake in shares of Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET Free Report) by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 447,497 shares of the pipeline companys stock after selling 6,063 shares during the quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc.s holdings in Energy Transfer were worth $7,258,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group increased its position in shares of Energy Transfer by 2.0% during the first quarter. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group now owns 32,080 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $505,000 after purchasing an additional 633 shares during the period. Veracity Capital LLC increased its holdings in Energy Transfer by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. Veracity Capital LLC now owns 33,575 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $545,000 after buying an additional 659 shares during the period. Sfmg LLC raised its stake in shares of Energy Transfer by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Sfmg LLC now owns 31,406 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $494,000 after buying an additional 674 shares in the last quarter. Morton Capital Management LLC CA lifted its holdings in shares of Energy Transfer by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Morton Capital Management LLC CA now owns 44,383 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $720,000 after acquiring an additional 699 shares during the period. Finally, FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Energy Transfer by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC now owns 20,201 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $318,000 after acquiring an additional 700 shares in the last quarter. 38.22% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Energy Transfer alerts: Insider Transactions at Energy Transfer In related news, Director Kelcy L. Warren purchased 3,000,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 12th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $15.68 per share, with a total value of $47,040,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 123,385,650 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,934,686,992. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Energy Transfer news, CEO Thomas E. Long bought 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, August 12th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $15.68 per share, for a total transaction of $313,600.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 4,308,859 shares in the company, valued at approximately $67,562,909.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Kelcy L. Warren purchased 3,000,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $15.68 per share, with a total value of $47,040,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 123,385,650 shares in the company, valued at $1,934,686,992. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have purchased 3,040,000 shares of company stock worth $47,667,200. Corporate insiders own 3.28% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Mizuho raised their price target on shares of Energy Transfer from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Energy Transfer from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, June 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price target on Energy Transfer from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, June 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Energy Transfer currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $19.29. Get Our Latest Report on ET Energy Transfer Price Performance Shares of ET opened at $16.17 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $54.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.83, a PEG ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 1.66. Energy Transfer LP has a one year low of $12.90 and a one year high of $16.50. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $16.06 and its 200-day simple moving average is $15.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 0.92. Energy Transfer (NYSE:ET Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The pipeline company reported $0.35 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.01). Energy Transfer had a return on equity of 12.74% and a net margin of 5.19%. The business had revenue of $20.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.01 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.25 EPS. Energy Transfers revenue for the quarter was up 13.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Energy Transfer LP will post 1.4 EPS for the current fiscal year. Energy Transfer Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 9th were given a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.92%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th. This is a boost from Energy Transfers previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. Energy Transfers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 117.43%. Energy Transfer Profile (Free Report) Energy Transfer LP provides energy-related services. The company owns and operates natural gas transportation pipeline, and natural gas storage facilities in Texas and Oklahoma; and approximately 20,090 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline. It also sells natural gas to electric utilities, independent power plants, local distribution and other marketing companies, and industrial end-users. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Energy Transfer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Energy Transfer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited (OTCMKTS:BKKLY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 3,200 shares, a drop of 8.6% from the August 15th total of 3,500 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 6,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.5 days. Bangkok Bank Public Price Performance Shares of BKKLY traded up $0.06 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $24.76. The stock had a trading volume of 827 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,889. Bangkok Bank Public has a 1-year low of $16.75 and a 1-year high of $24.88. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $20.34 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $19.81. Get Bangkok Bank Public alerts: Bangkok Bank Public Cuts Dividend The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 7th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.2131 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 5th. Bangkok Bank Publics dividend payout ratio is currently 28.51%. About Bangkok Bank Public Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited provides various commercial banking products and services in Thailand and internationally. It operates through Domestic Banking, International Banking, Investment Banking, and Others segments. The company offers various personal banking products and services, including savings, current, fixed deposit, foreign currency, securities trading, and other accounts; home and personal loans, as well as loans for pensioners; mutual funds; bonds and debentures; life and non-life bancassurance products; payment, funds transfer, currency exchange and foreign instrument, and SMS services; debit, credit, and prepaid cards; and phone and Internet banking, mobile banking, ATMs, and other services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Bangkok Bank Public Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bangkok Bank Public and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Investment analysts at StockNews.com began coverage on shares of China Green Agriculture (NYSE:CGA Get Free Report) in a research report issued on Sunday. The firm set a sell rating on the basic materials companys stock. China Green Agriculture Stock Up 6.5 % Shares of China Green Agriculture stock opened at $1.81 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $26.78 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.90 and a beta of 0.51. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $1.91 and a 200-day moving average price of $2.46. China Green Agriculture has a twelve month low of $1.60 and a twelve month high of $4.00. Get China Green Agriculture alerts: China Green Agriculture Company Profile (Get Free Report) Recommended Stories China Green Agriculture, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, production, and sale of various fertilizers, agricultural products, and bitcoin in the People's Republic of China and the United States. The company operates through four segments: Jinong (Fertilizer Production); Gufeng (Fertilizer Production); Yuxing (Agricultural Products Production); and Antaeus (Bitcoin). Receive News & Ratings for China Green Agriculture Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Green Agriculture and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Equities research analysts at StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of International Tower Hill Mines (NYSEAMERICAN:THM Get Free Report) (TSE:ITH) in a research note issued on Sunday. The firm set a sell rating on the mining companys stock. International Tower Hill Mines Price Performance Shares of THM stock opened at $0.57 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $113.82 million, a PE ratio of -28.50 and a beta of 1.19. International Tower Hill Mines has a one year low of $0.31 and a one year high of $0.80. Get International Tower Hill Mines alerts: International Tower Hill Mines (NYSEAMERICAN:THM Get Free Report) (TSE:ITH) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, August 9th. The mining company reported ($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter. Institutional Trading of International Tower Hill Mines International Tower Hill Mines Company Profile An institutional investor recently bought a new position in International Tower Hill Mines stock. Herr Investment Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. ( NYSEAMERICAN:THM Free Report ) (TSE:ITH) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 2,052,246 shares of the mining companys stock, valued at approximately $1,416,000. Herr Investment Group LLC owned approximately 1.03% of International Tower Hill Mines at the end of the most recent quarter. 54.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. (Get Free Report) International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. It holds rights to acquire interests in the Livengood gold project covering an area of approximately 19,546 hectares located to the northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. The company was formerly known as Tower Hill Mines Ltd. Read More Receive News & Ratings for International Tower Hill Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Tower Hill Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Olive Youngs first Mens Beauty popup attracts 12,000 visitors in 10 days By KTimes On the afternoon of Aug. 31, a long line formed stretching over 50 meters outside the building of Soo Karaoke on Hongdae Festival Street in Mapo District, Seoul. It wasn't a crowd waiting to sing. Instead, in the sweltering heat above 30 degrees Celsius, they were eagerly awaiting entry into CJ Olive Young's "Mens Beauty" popup store. Inside, the store was packed with customers trying out products, leaving barely any room to move. Young men were seriously testing moisturizers that combined hydration, sun protection, and skin tone correction, as well as lip balms with a natural tint. Many were purchasing items recommended by their girlfriends. This was CJ Olive Youngs first male-focused beauty popup since the companys inception. Initially, organizers were unsure about its success, given the prevailing question of "Why would men wear makeup?" To mitigate this perception, they even set up a booth for razor brand Gillette at the entrance. However, their cautious approach proved unnecessary. Over 10 days (Aug. 30 to Sept. 8), the popup attracted more than 12,000 visitors. On Sept. 7 alone, around 2,000 people showed up. A company spokesperson said, "80 percent of the visitors were men," confirming the potential of this burgeoning market. Untapped potential The mens cosmetics market in Korea is beginning to flourish. While a full-face makeup routine remains uncommon among men, industry insiders observe a growing trend among young men in their 20s who prefer low-intensity grooming focused on brightening skin tone or covering blemishes. Responding to this demand, some cosmetics companies have been quick to release products that blend basic skincare with makeup effects, setting the stage for a new market segment. This has led major cosmetics brands to expand their men's product lines. Kim Jung-won, a 26-year-old who runs a mens grooming YouTube channel with 320,000 subscribers, is a firsthand witness to the untapped potential of the mens cosmetics market. He started uploading videos about skincare, hairstyling, and makeup tips for men back in 2019, but the intitial response was lukewarm. His channel stayed at around 10,000 subscribers for years, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, when the "No Mask" era arrived in 2023, his subscriber count began to soar, with inquiries from young men in their late teens to early 20s, asking questions like, "I want to groom myself, but I don't know where to start." Sensing the growing demand for accessible products, Kim launched his own men's cosmetics brand, Doingwhat, in July of the same year. Indeed, young men are opening their wallets for beauty products. A company that launched a men's skincare line in 2022 recently reported monthly sales of over 1 billion won ($750,000) just through CJ Olive Young, surpassing 10 billion won in annual sales with its mens line alone. Another company's tone-up lotion, which offers hydration, sun protection, and skin correction in one, has been selling over 10,000 units each month, thanks to positive word-of-mouth. A CJ Olive Young spokesperson said, "Given the still-prevalent sentiment against men wearing makeup in society, there is a high demand for low-key grooming products that can be used just like a lotion." Surge in sales Fashion platforms like Musinsa, popular among men in their 20s and 30s, have also seen a surge in sales of men's grooming products. From January to August of this year, sales of five major men's brands, including Dashu and Forbeaut, jumped nearly 150 percent compared to the previous year. To tap into this trend, Musinsa even set up a dedicated mens beauty zone at its largest offline event, "Musinsa Beauty Festa IN Seongsu," held in Seongsu-dong from Sept. 6 to 8. Similarly, Daiso, a household goods store, reported a 154 percent increase in men's cosmetics sales from January to July this year. At Lotte Department Store, 10 percent of visitors to their skin analysis service, "Beauty Salon," are male. Cosmetics companies are increasingly bolstering their men's product lines in response to this growing demand. Amorepacific's "BeREADY," a brand targeting men in their 20s, is a prime example. The brand's "True Tone Lotion," which combines skincare, sunscreen, and BB cream functions, became the best-selling product in the men's categories on both Olive Young and Musinsa shortly after its launch in July 2023. An official at ODM manufacturer Cosmax said, "We are receiving a growing number of inquiries from various brands about manufacturing men's cosmetics." An industry insider said, "Men in their late teens to early 20s have a noticeably stronger desire to groom themselves than the generation just above them in their late 20s." This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times. The United States said Monday it hoped to "reinvigorate dialogue" with North Korea through Swedish diplomats who have just re-established a diplomatic mission there following a pandemic shutdown. In the absence of diplomatic relations between Washington and Pyongyang, Sweden represents U.S. interests in North Korea, but its diplomats were forced to leave when the country closed its borders in 2020. A Swedish diplomatic team returned to North Korea, Sept. 13, and "can now work on resuming the embassy's regular activities," the foreign ministry in Stockholm said in a statement. Washington welcomed the move, with State Department spokesman Matthew Miller calling Sweden "our protecting power" in North Korea (DPRK). "We support the return of foreign diplomats to Pyongyang and hope that it will reinvigorate dialogue, diplomacy and other forms of constructive engagement with the DPRK," he told a news conference. "We also hope that the DPRK will open its borders to international humanitarian workers whose aid efforts have been hindered by the DPRK's border closures." Sweden has missions in Seoul, Pyongyang and in the demilitarised zone separating the two states, where it serves as a member of the supervisory commission that regulates a 1953 armistice between them. (AFP) President Yoon Suk Yeol visited a front-line military unit Tuesday to encourage soldiers serving during the Chuseok fall harvest holiday, according to his office. Yoon visited a border unit of the 15th Infantry Division, where he pledged full support to ensure that soldiers could take pride in their service, presidential spokesperson Jeong Hye-jeon said. "I will do my best as the commander-in-chief to improve your working conditions so that you can focus on your duties without worry and feel proud to wear the military uniform," Yoon was quoted by Jeong as saying. Yoon emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong state of readiness in response to increasing threats from North Korea amid the recent sending of balloons filled with trash across the border and GPS jamming attacks. Yoon also highlighted the 15th Division's critical role in a key battle in Gangwon Province during the 1950-53 Korean War, noting that he feels reassured by the unit's current state of readiness. During the visit, Yoon took a photo with approximately 500 soldiers, including RM of the K-pop supergroup BTS. RM, who enlisted in December of last year, is currently serving with the division's military band. (Yonhap) Exceptionally heavy rainfall pounding Central Europe has prompted deadly flooding in the region, with four new deaths reported Monday in Poland, three in the Czech Republic and one in Romania. The flooding has swamped parts of Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland and Romania as a low-pressure system crossing the region has unleashed record-high rains for days, and it was expected to affect Slovakia and Hungary later in the week. So far 16 people have been reported killed seven people in Romania, five in Poland, three in the Czech Republic and one in Austria. In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk held an emergency meeting and later declared a disaster in flooded areas, a government measure to facilitate evacuation and rescues. He also said the government would provide 1 billion zlotys ($258,000) in immediate payouts to victims. The flooding in Poland has burst dams and embankments while receding waters left streets covered in piles of debris and mud. It prompted a hospital in the southwestern Polish city of Nysa to evacuate about 40 patients. Schools and offices in the affected areas were closed Monday and drinking water and food were being delivered by trucks. Many Polish cities, including Warsaw, have called for food donations for flood survivors. Experts warned of flood threats due to the cresting Oder River in Opole, a city of some 130,000 residents, and Wroclaw, home to about 640,000 residents and where disastrous flooding happened in 1997. Firefighters in southwestern Poland said flood victims included a surgeon whose body was found Monday morning in Nysa after he returned from hospital duty. The bodies of two women and two other men have been found in other communities in the region. Police in the Czech Republic said that a woman and two men drowned in the northeast, which has been pounded by record rainfall since Thursday. The woman was found in the water in the town of Krasov and the men were found dead at different locations after water receded in the town of Krnov which was almost completely submerged Sunday. Romanian authorities said Monday that another person died in the eastern county of Galati, bringing the total number of deaths there to seven. One death previously was reported in Austria. Authorities in the Czech Republic declared an emergency in two northeastern regions, including in the Jeseniky mountains near the Polish border. A number of towns and cities had been submerged in the northeast, with thousands evacuated. Military helicopters joined rescuers on boats in efforts to transport people to safety. Waters were receding from the mountainous areas on Monday, leaving behind destroyed houses and bridges and damaged roads. In most parts of the country, conditions were expected to improve later Monday. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala visited the town of Jesenik, one of the hardest hit places. The worst is behind us and now, we have to deal with all the damage, Fiala said following the visit. In Hungary, the mayor of Budapest warned residents that the largest floods in a decade were expected to hit the capital later in the week, with the waters of the Danube River set to breach the citys lower quays by Tuesday morning. Prime Minister Viktor Orban canceled his planned foreign engagements, including an address to a plenary session of the European Parliament on Wednesday where heated debates were expected over his conduct since Hungary took over the European Unions rotating presidency in July. Until we reach the peak and get past the worst of it, I naturally wont be leaving the country, Ill be here at home, he said. Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony wrote on Facebook that the city would use 1 million sandbags to bolster flood defenses, and asked residents to take extra care when near the river. (AP) 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. News / National by Staff reporter Motorists and travellers have welcomed the partial opening of the Masvingo-Glen Norah loop road, a key part of the ongoing Mbudzi Interchange project, which aims to ease traffic congestion in southern Harare. The 3km road stretch, running from Amalinda Drive into Glen Norah C, was officially opened yesterday in a ceremony attended by Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, his deputy Joshua Sacco, Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs Charles Tawengwa, Zinara board chairperson Dr. George Manyaya, and Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume.The Mbudzi Interchange, which is located at the busy intersection of Simon Mazorodze, Chitungwiza, and High Glen roads, replaces the old roundabout that had become a notorious bottleneck for traffic, particularly during peak hours. So far, 11 of the 15 bridges planned for the interchange have been completed, with construction progress nearing completion.Speaking at the opening, Minister Mhona expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project, which he said will significantly reduce traffic congestion and improve connectivity for the vast south-western suburbs of Harare. "I am happy that it's going to decongest the roads," he said. "Those heading north will also benefit from this stretch of road. It has been a challenging process for residents around the interchange, but it's a phase that will pass."Minister Mhona reassured affected property owners that they would be fully compensated by the end of the month, in line with the government's commitment to fair compensation for homes demolished to make way for the development. The project aligns with Zimbabwe's Vision 2030, which aims to create an empowered upper-middle-income society through infrastructure and economic development.The new loop road, which also connects to High Glen Road, will benefit a quarter of Harare's population, as well as improve access to the city's main industrial areas. Residents and transport operators were optimistic about the potential impact. Kombi driver Mr. Fungai Nyowani expressed relief: "We have been facing many challenges, especially congestion. I hope these developments will make things easier."Local contractors have been central to the project's success, with Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association president Dr. Tinashe Manzungu praising their efforts. "This is a milestone for Zimbabwean contractors. We are showing that we can compete internationally," Dr. Manzungu said, highlighting that the interchange is being built by local companies capacitated by the government since 2018.Harare Provincial Affairs Minister Charles Tawengwa described the interchange as a "springboard to economic growth" and emphasized its importance for Zimbabwe's future development. He noted that the completion of the Mbudzi Interchange will facilitate smoother traffic flows and enhance the capital's growth in line with Vision 2030.According to resident engineer Emmanuel Dube, 94% of bridge construction and 64% of civil works have been completed, with the overall project progress standing at 70%. Construction of the Amalinda bridge along Amalinda Drive is also advancing, though the road will remain closed until September 23. Work on the Manyame River bridge along the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge road is also underway.The Mbudzi Interchange is set to be a major achievement under the National Development Strategy (NDS1), Zimbabwe's economic blueprint for 2021-2025, which prioritizes sound infrastructure as a key enabler of economic growth. News / National by Staff reporter Business leaders from Bulawayo and South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province met yesterday, expressing a mutual commitment to enhance synergies and unlock new investment and trade opportunities. The joint meeting saw the two regions explore ways to collaborate across various sectors, aiming to strengthen economic ties and leverage mutual growth.The KZN delegation, comprising representatives from 11 businesses across sectors such as manufacturing, construction, mining, agriculture, ICT, and tourism, showcased their interest in building stronger partnerships with Bulawayo-based companies. Local businesses, including those in tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture, engaged with their South African counterparts in pursuit of mutually beneficial opportunities.Durban Direct subcommittee chair, Ms. Thulisile Galelekile, made a presentation highlighting KZN's strengths in trade, investment, and tourism, noting that Zimbabwe ranks among KZN's top trading and tourism partners."It's important for us to engage with businesses in Zimbabwe to grow trade between our two countries," Ms. Galelekile stated. She emphasized that Bulawayo's strategic location provides an ideal platform to strengthen trade between the two regions, particularly within the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to enhance intra-regional trade."The key is to grow trade partnerships with countries that are signatories to the AfCFTA agreement," she added, urging businesses from both regions to seize the opportunities presented by the trade agreement.Bulawayo has a long-standing twinning partnership with Ethekwini Municipality, established in 2002, which positions the two cities to tap into each other's trade and investment potential. Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor David Coltart, highlighted the potential for growth in the tourism sector, noting the historical and cultural links between the two cities, particularly through the shared heritage of Mzilikazi and the Ndebele and Zulu people."This city is under-marketed from a tourism perspective. It's one of the oldest cities, with a rich history tied to Mzilikazi, who established his Kingdom here in 1839," said Clr Coltart. He stressed the importance of events like the King Mzilikazi Memorial in generating public interest and fostering connections between Bulawayo and KZN.Clr Coltart also advocated for the introduction of direct flights between Bulawayo and Durban by airlines such as Air Zimbabwe and Fastjet, a move he believes will significantly boost trade and tourism. Fastjet's chief commercial officer, Mrs. Vivian Ruwuya, responded positively, noting that Zimbabwe's membership in the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) opens up opportunities for expanding flight routes."We are continuously looking at how to develop our network, and partnering with Durban Direct presents future possibilities for growth," said Mrs. Ruwuya.Local business consultant, Dr. Lucky Mlilo, described the engagement as critical for Bulawayo and the broader southern region. Tourism industry leader, Mr. Vengai Nhau, echoed these sentiments, stating that Bulawayo is an ideal tourist destination with easy access to attractions like Matopos, Victoria Falls, Great Zimbabwe, and the Eastern Highlands."Right now, the city's full tourism potential isn't being realized, but this engagement with Durban Direct promises great benefits for Bulawayo and the entire region," Mr. Nhau remarked.The KZN delegation is set to meet with business leaders in Harare today, continuing efforts to expand investment and trade opportunities between South Africa and Zimbabwe. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. A draft UN text calls for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Palestinian territories, a halt to new settlements, the return of seized land and property, and the possibility of return for displaced Palestinians News / National by Staff reporter The completion of the new Gwanda Magistrates' Court Complex, which will house Zimbabwe's sixth High Court, requires a further US$3.84 million to reach completion, according to a senior government official. Once finished, the complex is expected to enhance judicial services in Matabeleland South in line with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).Speaking during a joint sitting of the Matabeleland South Provincial Development Committee (PDC) and the Zanu-PF Provincial Coordinating Committee on Thursday, Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Dr. Evelyn Ndlovu, highlighted the funding needs for the court complex and other critical projects. These include the construction of the Tuli-Manyange Dam, the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic Home Economics Complex, and the Filabusi Registry Offices."We have ongoing projects that need funding, hence I implore you to allow me to solicit your esteemed intervention and support in facilitating the disbursement of funding from the Ministry of Finance, to bring to fruition the long-standing infrastructure projects in the province," said Dr. Ndlovu.The Gwanda Magistrates' Court Complex is currently 65% complete. Construction began in 2004 but stalled in 2008 due to financial challenges. Work resumed in 2019 but paused again before recommencing in April last year after government resources were allocated. The projects completion would allow the court to provide better judicial services, including trials for cases such as murder and divorce.Currently, Gwanda lacks a formal court structure, with officials operating from makeshift courtrooms in various government complexes. The new complex will not only alleviate these challenges but is expected to house approximately 500 government workers across all departments within the court system.In addition to the court project, Dr. Ndlovu emphasized the importance of completing the Tuli-Manyange Dam, a key water-harvesting infrastructure that will support irrigation and boost food security. She also highlighted the need for the Gwanda-Maphisa Road to be rehabilitated, as the poor state of the province's roads is affecting economic activities.The Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnics Home Economics Complex will increase student enrollment and upgrade learning facilities, while the Zhove Irrigation Scheme in Beitbridge will enhance agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods in the region.The meeting took place during a familiarisation tour by the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Devolution, Lovemore Matuke, who commended the progress of the projects and pledged continued support for their completion. News / National by Staff reporter A High Court judge, Justice Naison Chivayo, has sentenced a Gweru artisanal miner to life imprisonment for a brutal bar attack in which he used an AK-47 Colombia knife to fatally stab one person and injure another. The attack, which occurred at Vhudzijena Night Club, Mkoba 16 Business Centre, left one man dead and a teenager seriously injured.Courage Hwami (35), a resident of Mkoba 13 suburb, appeared before Justice Chivayo at the Gweru High Court circuit on Saturday, facing one count of murder and another of attempted murder. Despite pleading not guilty to both charges, Hwami was convicted of murder with actual intent and attempted murder following a full trial.For the murder of Courage Sibanda, Hwami was sentenced to life imprisonment, and for the attempted murder of Nomore Hove (35), he was handed an additional 10 years in prison. The sentences will run concurrently.During the trial, Hwami claimed that as an artisanal miner, he often carried a knife or metal rod for self-protection. However, the States case, presented by prosecutor Ms. Angeline Munyeriwa, painted a darker picture of the events leading to the fatal incident.According to the court, the attack occurred on December 4, 2023, around 3 a.m., when Hwami and Sibanda had an altercation at Vhudzijena Night Club. Hove, who worked as a caretaker at the venue, intervened to resolve the dispute.Shortly after, Hwami attacked Sibanda, stabbing him twice with an AK-47 Colombia knifeonce in the chest and once in the back. Sibanda ran out of the bar, but collapsed and died due to the severity of his injuries. The court heard that Sibanda sustained deep stab wounds to his chest and back.Hwami then turned on Hove, chasing him outside the bar and stabbing him in the chest before fleeing the scene towards Mkoba 13 suburb. Hove was rushed to Gweru Provincial Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and later discharged.The police arrested Hwami shortly after the incident, and the AK-47 Colombia knife used in the attack was recovered.Sibanda's body was transported to United Bulawayo Hospitals for a postmortem. Dr. Maibelys Gavilan Acosta, who conducted the examination, concluded that Sibanda died from hypovolemic shock, lung lacerations, hemothorax, and stab wounds to the chest.Justice Chivayo condemned the brutal nature of the crime, handing down the life sentence in an effort to send a strong message against violent crimes in the region. Sean McCarthaigh Aldi has been ordered to pay 5,000 compensation to a former store assistant who was fired after the German supermarket group became aware he had been convicted of sexually assaulting a co-worker in another job. The Workplace Relations Commission ruled that the company had unfairly dismissed Muhammad Kashif by veering outside the band of reasonableness in reaction to learning about the conviction through a newspaper report. Aldi had denied that it had unfairly dismissed Mr Kashif and claimed it had followed a full and fair disciplinary procedure before his summary dismissal. Counsel for Aldi, Kiwana Ennis, BL, said the former worker had been dismissed on grounds of gross misconduct arising out of his conviction for sexual assault. The WRC heard that Mr Kashif had informed his store manager on December 21st 2022 about his conviction the previous day for sexually assaulting a female co-worker in a fast food restaurant for which he received a two-month sentence suspended for two years. However, Ms Ennis claimed senior management in Aldi only became aware of the District Court conviction in February 2023. She argued the decision to dismiss Mr Kashif was reasonable and proportionate given Aldis duty of care to all its staff. Ms Ennis pointed out that the company had relied on the complainants contract of employment which allowed for summary dismissal for serious breaches which included conviction of any criminal offence. While the outcome was admittedly harsh, Ms Ennis claimed it fell within the band of reasonableness as Aldi had to ensure it operated a safe workplace. An area manager, identified only as Ms A, gave evidence that she was given a newspaper article about Mr Kashifs court case in February 2023 and asked to look into it. Ms A admitted she was struck by the gravity of the offence but acknowledged that there was no history of allegations against Mr Kashif and no colleagues in the supermarket where he worked had raised any concerns about him. She stated she was clear that dismissal was the last option but she considered that there were no viable options to transfer the complainant as female workers were omnipresent in Aldis 160 stores in Ireland. A stores operations director with Aldi, Mr H, who conducted an appeal which upheld the decision to dismiss Mr Kashif said he ultimately decided the company could not absorb the level of risk of placing the complainant back into direct contact with other staff. Mr H confirmed that Aldi was not pleased at the lack of steps taken by Mr Kashifs store manager, Ms Z who became aware of the conviction in December 2022. Mr Kashif, who had worked with Aldi since October 2020, was permitted to carry on in his job after informing his store manager but was subsequently suspended on full pay before being formally dismissed on March 2nd 2023. Counsel for Mr Kashif, Constantine McMahon BL, claimed the dismissal was disproportionate and unreasonable and had caused reputational damage to her client as well as financial loss. Ms McMahon acknowledged the case was somewhat complicated legally by the fact that the event occurred outside the companys gates. In evidence, Mr Kashif explained he had pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual assault and understood the suspended sentence required him to avoid having any contact with his victim or her husband. Mr Kashif said Ms Z was supportive after being informed of the conviction and arranged for him to call a colleague if either the victim or her husband came into the store. Under cross-examination, he argued the real reason for his dismissal was due to Aldi being overstaffed and experiencing a downturn in business. Mr Kashif claimed the issue of the sexual assault had been dealt with by the court, but Aldi had put him through another trial. The WRC heard he found new employment as a part-time pizza chef in April 2023. In her ruling, WRC adjudication officer Patsy Doyle said she was satisfied that Mr Kashifs dismissal was solely related to his criminal conviction. Ms Doyle said the evidence demonstrated a lack of cohesion in management at the store where he worked. She expressed concern that Mr Kashif acted to his own detriment by not having someone attend with him during the disciplinary process. Ms Doyle said she was also struck by an element of inconsistency in how Aldi addressed the issue and said it was very unusual that his conviction did not prompt a recorded minute or an action plan by the store manager, Ms Z. The WRC official stated the criminal conviction was a gravely serious situation for a high-profile employer even though it had zero links with Aldi. Ms Doyle accepted that the company was staggered on sight of the media reports about the sexual assault by Mr Kashif some eight weeks later. However, she had difficulty in accepting Aldi had acted in good faith when they had alleged Mr Kashif had failed to report the matter to his line manager as a reason for suspending him. Ms Doyle noted Aldi had not provided Mr Kashif with a copy of its investigation report prior to his dismissal. She found that the company fell outside the band of reasonableness by its piecemeal and disjointed approach to the notification by Mr Kashif of his conviction to his line manager in December 2022. Ms Doyle said it fell short of best practice not to apply weighting to that declaration and noted that no disciplinary steps were taken against Ms Z. While there was no doubt that Mr Kashifs conviction presented Aldi with a monumental management challenge, she said Aldi had no regard for his unblemished work record and uneventful service over eight weeks following his conviction. Ms Doyle said Aldi had been overwhelmed by the latter-day sighting of a newspaper report and just got lost in its anticipation of harm to the business. She did not accept that the conviction impacted adversely on Aldi and said Mr Kashifs eight weeks of uneventful service after it should be considered proof of a storm weathered. The WRC noted that Aldi had not been named in any reports about the complainants conviction but also that Mr Kashif had made a 50 per cent contribution to his own demise. It ordered Aldi to pay the complainant compensation of 5,000 representing two months' salary. News / National by Staff reporter A magistrate in Beitbridge has issued a warrant of arrest for Chatunga Bellarmine Mugabe (27), son of the late former President Robert Mugabe, after he failed to appear in court on Monday.Mugabe had been arrested following a confrontation with police at a security checkpoint in Bubi, approximately 80km from Beitbridge, while traveling to Harare. He was reportedly en route to attend a wedding, travelling in a South Africa-registered Range Rover with a friend.The incident, which took place on August 31, allegedly involved Mugabe manhandling a police officer, accusing him of unnecessarily delaying the journey. Mugabe was charged with disorderly conduct and possession of a prohibited knife under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act).Magistrate Miss Vavariro Gavi issued the arrest warrant after Mugabe failed to attend the court session. His lawyer, Mr. Muchiwande Sithole from F Chauke and Associates, informed the court that Mugabe had absconded due to undergoing surgery in Harare.Mugabe had previously been remanded out of custody on free bail after appearing before Beitbridge Resident Magistrate, Mr. Takudzwa Gwazemba, last month.The State, represented by District Public Prosecutor Ms. Tinayeishe Matenga, outlined that Mugabe had been traveling with his South African friend, Irvin Molokoza, when their vehicle was stopped at a police roadblock. Mugabe allegedly became irate after being told to park the car for further checks. He is said to have disembarked from the vehicle, shouting at officers for delaying them for the fourth time and claiming they were in a rush to get to a wedding.Mugabe then allegedly manhandled the police officer before being subdued by other officers. A flick knife was found in his possession during the arrest.Mugabe will now have to answer for his failure to appear in court, in addition to the charges stemming from the Bubi incident. A young Laois couple whose daughter will die unless she receives a bone marrow transplant have made a desperate appeal for help. To donate or read more about Robyn's journey, click here. Robyn Neville-Quinn is only one year old but has severe medical issues, since she was diagnosed with a one in a billion genetic disorder. Only a bone marrow transplant will save her life. An extremely rare life-threatening condition, Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) mainly affects boys. Only 20 girls worldwide, including Robyn, have been diagnosed with the disorder. Robyns parents Meagan and Adam Quinn, both from Portarlington, will travel to a London hospital in October when their little girl will have a pre-transplant assessment. Now aged 25, Meagan and Adam moved to Belfast seven years ago but have a large extended family in Portarlington who are supporting them every step of the way. Meagans mother Sabrina Moran, who lives at Cathair na gCapall in Portarlington, regularly travels to Belfast with other family members to see her beloved granddaughter and to help the couple with housework and everyday needs. Sabrina told the Laois Nationalist: Despite everything she has been through, Robyn is so bubbly and happy and gives her best side no matter what. She has to go into hospital every couple of weeks for platelet transfusions and cannot mix with other children, as her compromised immune system means that she is very open to infection. Yet she always keeps smiling. A past-pupil of Colaiste Iosagain, Adam has to take regular time off work due to Robyns medical needs, while Meagan had to give up work to care for her daughter full-time. Adam and Meagan Quinn from Portarlington with their adored little girl Robyn As the family faces a big struggle financially, Robyns grandaunt Pamela Quinn from Bracknagh, Portarlington, set up an online fundraiser in August with a target of 50,000 (58,683.75). The gofundme titled Robyns Journey reached almost 15,000 by 5 September. Pamela explained on the fundraising page: We are reaching out to you to support the family of Robyn Neville-Quinn. Robyn is an adorable one-year-old girl who has unfortunately been diagnosed with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS). WAS is a rare and life-threatening genetic disorder that primarily affects boys. For Robyn, a girl, to be diagnosed with this condition is incredibly rare, one in one billion. Since birth, Robyn has faced numerous health challenges; within her first few weeks of life, following countless visits to A&E for bleeding and severe eczema, it was discovered that Robyn's platelets were dangerously low, at just five. Normal platelet levels range between 150 and 450. To manage this, Robyn needed a central line inserted and weekly platelet transfusions to support her immune system. Because Robyn has a compromised immune system, she is at serious risk of developing infections. Although a medication introduced after her first birthday has helped her to produce more platelets, this treatment is not a permanent solution. Eventually, it will cease to be effective, making a bone marrow transplant essential to save her life. Due to the rarity of WAS and the complexity of the transplant, the procedure is not available in Ireland or Northern Ireland and will have to be carried out at the renowned Great Ormond Street Childrens Hospital in London. Pamela said: Meagan and Adam are a young couple, both only 25 years of age, who moved from Portarlington to Belfast and started their family. Robyn does not have any siblings. Unfortunately, she does not yet have a donor. However, as soon as her match is found, this life-saving operation can go ahead. The projected timescale for her operation, treatment, and recovery is six to 12 months, or possibly longer if any complications arise. Meagan and Adam will face significant financial pressure over the coming years. Meagan has been unable to return to work due to Robyn's illness, while Adam has needed to and will continue to need to take time off from work to travel to England and support his family, during Robyn's transplant and recovery. Thankfully, Robyn's treatment will be covered by the NHS. Any money collected will go towards flights, accommodation, meals and everyday costs during this time. Pamela added: We would be so grateful if you could donate to this fundraiser in any way you can and please share Robyn's Journey. A charity concert organised by the Spink branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (CCE) for one of its young members Cathal Clooney, who passed away at the age of 15 in April 2021 managed to raise a huge total of 18,500. The 'Concert for Cathal' was held on 2 March in the Manor Hotel, Abbeyleix. It featured music from many members from Spink CCE, other Laois Comhaltas musicians and performers from various parts of the community. The Jack & Jill Foundation were presented with a cheque for 8,500. Many groups and individuals in the locality supported the fundraising efforts, particularly Cathals former school friends in Heywood Community School, who managed to raise 1,500 of the total. Three charities, which were chosen by the Clooney family, were the recipients of the funds. The Jack & Jill Foundation received 8,500, while the Make a Wish Foundation and Debra Ireland each received 5,000. Representatives from the charities were present at a cheque presentation night on Saturday 7 September. All spoke about the valuable services they provided, the importance of voluntary fundraising for their organisations and how much they appreciated the donations raised. Willie, Anne Marie and Liam Clooney with Cathal's grandparents Joe and Lil Clooney. Speaking on behalf of the committee and members of Spink CCE, Una Aylward described how much Cathal was missed. She thanked the Clooney family for the privilege to raise money in memory of Cathal. Cathals father Willie said: From the bottom of our hearts, we as a family want to thank everyone for their help and support over the last three years and in the years to come. Thanks to the Mannor Hotel and the staff. Thanks to those who gave wonderful sponsorship and spot prizes. To the people who gave so generously to the fundraising, thanks so much. A special world of thanks to all in Spink Comhaltas for all they have done for us and for remembering Cathal in such a special way. I know he would be so proud to have helped out the wonderful charities. To honour Cathals memory, the Clooney family have generously donated a perpetual memorial plate, which will be awarded to a junior member of Spink CCE each year. The first recipient of the Cathal Clooney Award will be made on Friday 20 September in Aylwards Rural Museum, where Spink Comhaltas will be hosting Culture Night. The event, which begins at 8pm, is free to the public. Make A Wish represented by Annabel Laffan are presented with a cheque for 5,000. Spink Comhaltas is looking forward to welcoming back existing musicians and newcomers at the start of October. With a small number of spaces available after registration, there is a last opportunity for new members to join on Friday 13 September between 6pm and 8pm in Scoil Mhuire, Abbeyleix. After that, a group of Spink Comhaltas musicians will travel to Liverpool in late September to perform at a number of venues with Liverpool Comhaltas. The Jack & Jill Foundation represented by Mary Joe Guilfoyle presented with a cheque for 8,500. Spink Comhaltas provides traditional Irish music lessons to members from Laois and bordering areas in Kilkenny, Carlow and Kildare. With a comprehensive instrument bank to support members learning music in a cost-effective way, Spink prepares musicians for Fleadh Cheoil as well as traditional Irish music examinations. Most importantly, the tradition of playing and enjoying Irish music is being handed on to a new generation. More information is available at www.spinkcomhaltas.ie. Vivienne Clarke The chief executive of the Health Service Executive, Bernard Gloster has said that he expects to publish a report next week into the death of Co Clare teenager Aoife Johnston at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) in December 2022. The best possible timeframe I can give you is that it is within the current two week period that were in. It is most likely early next week, he told RTE radio. In relation to the commentary about what the content will be or wont be, it has been and always is and remains my intention to not in any way interfere with the substance of the report, to publish the full substance of the report. "But people will be aware, people will understand I am duty bound by law to have regard to the rights also of other people in terms of their personal, detailed information. But I can assure you that in no way will that take from the integrity of the excellent report that Mr. Justice Clarke has provided me with and which I will comment on in a lot of detail when I do publish it. Mr Gloster said that he was very conscious that every time the case was spoken of that there was a family involved who were coping with what had been the worst possible outcome. Aoife Johnston died of meningitis after she was referred to the hospital's overcrowded Emergency Department with suspected sepsis that went untreated for over 12 hours. Actor Brendan Gleeson is encouraging people across Laois to get behind a 2.4million national fundraising drive for 24 Hospice and specialist palliative homecare providers that comprise Together For Hospice, the national hospice movement. The legendary actor is asking everyone to get brewing ahead of next months Bewleys Big Coffee Morning for Hospice, which has raised 45.3million for frontline hospice care since 1992. This years event takes place on Thursday 26 September but supporters can host or attend one on a date that suits them, with every cent raised locally going to their local Hospice. Both of Gleesons parents spent their final days in Saint Francis Hospice in Dublin, which is set to begin work on a new 24 single-room in-patient unit, at a cost of 29 million. The Oscar-nominated actor said: Im aware that Im in the final chapters but youre just trying to keep the creaky bits moving as well as possible. A great quote shared with me years ago was good health is a golden crown which only those who are ill can see, so the person who is sick is seeing how glorious it is. I try to keep an eye on the crown and as long as Im motoring around alright, I appreciate life, as he officially launched the fundraiser in Bewleys Cafe, Dublin. He added: I am asking everyone in Laois on September 26, or whenever suits them, to organise, support or donate to a coffee morning, wherever it might be held. Chairperson of the Laois Hospice Foundation Mary Delaney said:We are delighted Bewleys Big Coffee Morning for Hospice, one of Together For Hospices longest and most loved fundraisers, is now in its 32nd year raising funds in support of Hospice in-patient and community services across Ireland. It is a chance to celebrate our coffee morning hosts, who give so selflessly of their time and energy in their local communities. This ongoing, unwavering support is invaluable and funds vital services and quality initiatives, enhancing care for patients living with life-limiting illness. You can register to host a coffee morning at hospicecoffeemorning.ie or phone 0818 995 996. If you cannot host or attend a coffee morning, you can make a donation at hospicecoffeemorning.ie/donate MONASTEREVIN Drama Group are delighted to present Theatre by Candlelight a unique presentation of a short play, poetry and local talent delivered at dusk in the beautiful simple setting of Monasterevin Council Hall, which has had a makeover in recent years. The group has been established since 2019 and in that time have produced three sell-out shows. They have also delivered a number of one-act plays as part of Monasterevin StreetFest celebrations. Again, they are striving to deliver something new and fresh for the community of Monasterevin and local surrounds. This time in conjunction with Culture Night. Special events will take place across the county, in fact across Ireland, on Friday 20 September to celebrate culture, creativity and the arts. One of the aims of the night countrywide is to promote the understanding our culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in peoples lives. Thanks to the support of the Arts Council and local authorities across the country, all activities are made available to the public free of charge. The group wish to express their gratitude to Kildare Co Council and to all who have and provided their talents, and skills in support of this event. Rehearsals for Theatre by Candlelight have been ongoing for the last number of weeks and the group are thrilled to engage in this unique experience. This free event takes place in Monasterevin Council Hall at 8pm. Doors open at 7.15 with light refreshments served. Spaces are limited. For those who are unable to make this particular event, performances will be repeated in The WoodStack Cafe, Moore Abbey Forest, Monasterevin the following Sunday, 22 September. Indoor Mat Bowling Has resumed in Killeen hall after the summer break every Tuesday at 7.30pm. All are welcome. Community Cafe The cafe in St Annes hall, Ballylinan has reopened after the summer break every Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 12.30pm. Tea, coffee and freshly baked goods to enjoy and a chat and a laugh. Everyone is welcome. The community cafe is now open Scoil Rince Elgar Beginners Irish dance class in Arles hall every Monday 6pm. New dancers are welcome. For further information, contact Kayleigh on 085 8847098. Scoil Rince Flood Brennan Irish dance classes in St Annes hall, Ballylinan every Monday and Wednesday at 5pm and in The Swan community centre every Thursday at 6pm. First class free to new boys and girls of all ages. For further information, contact 087 6176870. Ballylinan whist Takes place every Monday at 8.15pm in St Annes hall. Results from last week were ? top score was won by Phil Doyle, first lady was won by John Egan and second lady was won by Mick Nolan, first gent was won by Margaret Brennan and second gent was won by Seamus Hennessy. The halves were won by Frank Keenan and Tom Gowing. The winners of the draw were Anna Marie Farrell, Nora Fisher, Tom Fenlon, Billy Ranson (x2) and Mary Gowing. Whist is very popular in Arles and Ballylinan. Arles whist Takes place in Arles hall every Thursday at 8.30pm. Results from last week were ? top score was won by Denis Kealy, first lady was won by John Egan and second lady was won by Mary Warren, first gent was won by Willie Carroll and second gent was won by Liam McCartney. The halves were won by Anne OConnor and Nora Fisher. The raffle winners were Bart Murphy, Padraig Dowling, Liam McCartney, Eugene Murphy and Willie Carroll. Parish Office The office is located in St Patricks old national school, Ballylinan and is open every Tuesday and Friday from 10am to 1pm. All sorts of religious gifts can be purchased there. Parish Website The website address is arlesparish.ie. For the latest notices, scripture readings for each day and the following Sunday, Mass times, photo galleries, contact numbers, donation details to support the parish and advice on preparing for sacraments can all be found there. Also, if you wish to be added to those who are attended to monthly due to illness or being housebound, contact the office on 059 8625456. Dog Walkers The community in Ballylinan appeals to all dog walkers to clean up after your dog. For those who forget to bring dog bags, they can use the mutt bags (dog poo bags) available outside St Annes hall and outside the garda station and on the wall near gate at the old graveyard. There is no excuse to leave dog mess behind and expect someone else to clean up. Dog fouling is an offence. The litter hotline number is 1800 32 32 30. Dog fouling litter is an offence and we encourage people to call the hotline if they see this happening. Art Classes Arles ICA will commence a five-week course of art classes in the second week in September on Wednesdays for two hours. Places are limited, so to book yours or for further information phone 087 1862435. Ballylinan NS Fundraiser The monies raised through the lotto will go directly towards improving school facilities and resources. We hope that the weekly option of 2.50 for one line or 5 for three lines will allow everyone to contribute. Visit ourfundraiser.ie/org/ballylinanns. The jackpot stands at 875 and the winner of last weeks draw for 20 was Siobhan Lacey. Ballylinan GAA Lotto The jackpot was not won on 3 September and is 10,200 this week. The 20 prizes were won by Liam Kealy, Declan Keogh and Eimear Donohue. Tickets cost 2 each or three for 5 and are available from Murphys, Centra Ballylinan and Flemings, as well as a number of GAA members. Last weeks numbers were 4, 14, 34 and 36. Times Staff Writer A San Bernardino County woman convicted of murdering a Korean War veteran, and who told police she dismembered his body with a chain saw and rolled his head down a hill off Mt. Baldy Road, was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Marcia Ann Johnson, 44, and her partner drained the bank accounts and sold the home of the victim, Mt. Baldy resident Jack Irwin, after the grisly 1999 murder. Johnson filed a missing persons report, saying that she had dropped off Irwin, 71, at a train station for a trip to Washington state and he had never returned. Advertisement You told police Mr. Irwin purchased a train ticket to see the Emerald City of Seattle, but the jury did not believe that, Superior Court Judge Gus James Skropos told Johnson at the sentencing hearing in Rancho Cucamonga. What they bought was that he purchased a one-way ticket to the afterworld from you, and that the ticket was punched -- not by a conductor, but by you. Two years after Irwins disappearance, San Bernardino County sheriffs detectives and the district attorneys office opened a cold case investigation. Authorities determined that Johnson and her lesbian partner, Judy Gellert, had befriended Irwin just months before his disappearance. They had persuaded him to add them to his trust, and to give them access to his bank accounts. Advertisement By tracking months of withdrawals and purchases from Irwins accounts following his disappearance, investigators determined that the pair had collected $310,000 in a systematic looting of Irwins bank accounts and other assets, prosecutor Tristan Svare said. In phone calls recorded by police, and in a statement to detectives in October 2002, Johnson said she shot Irwin in the head at his Mt. Baldy cabin because he had repeatedly exposed himself to her and also made disparaging comments about Gellert. After killing him, Johnson cut off Irwins head, feet and hands with a chain saw, loaded the dismembered body in her SUV, then stopped along Mt. Baldy Road to begin hiding the body parts, she said in a videotaped statement to investigators. Advertisement Johnson said she took Irwins head out of a plastic bag and rolled it down a hill, yelling at it for making me do this to him, as it tumbled away. She said she dropped off other body parts at remote locations in Mt. Baldy and Wrightwood. Irwins remains have not been found. Johnson later said her confession was a delusion, the result of alcohol use and her bipolar disorder. The prosecutor dismissed Johnsons claim. There was too much machination going on with her financial maneuvers to believe that she raised that gun to the back of Jack Irwins head and shot him as a sudden reaction, Svare said after the sentencing. The evidence bore out that this was a murder for financial profit. Gellert struck a plea bargain in exchange for testimony against Johnson, and last month was sentenced to 180 days in jail and five years probation, and was ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution. In addition to being convicted of murder for financial gain, Johnson was found guilty of 25 counts relating to the murder, including fraud and gun charges. Johnsons mother, Joyce, briefly addressed Skropos before the sentencing, telling the judge, I love my daughter very much. Shes always been a beautiful daughter. Advertisement Thats understood, Skropos answered. Svare said he remained hopeful that Johnson would decide in prison to tell authorities where she dumped Irwins remains, so his friends and family could conduct a proper burial. News / National by Staff reporter A Chitungwiza municipality works manager, Emmanuel Mushata, has been arrested for illegally creating a residential stand on an earth road and issuing an offer letter to a councillor, in violation of policy provisions.The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) confirmed his arrest on charges of abuse of duty as a public officer.Mushata, 45, of Hatfield, was accused of bypassing the Chitungwiza Municipality Housing Policy in November 2019 when he was Acting Director of Works.According to a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), Mushata identified an open space that was part of an earth road and unlawfully created a residential stand measuring 476 square metres. He then crafted a layout plan, approved it, and handed it over to the Acting Director of Housing Community Services, who subsequently issued an offer letter to the councillor.The Chitungwiza Municipality Housing Policy explicitly prohibits the allocation of land to individuals without following the proper procedures, and such actions may be considered corrupt and an abuse of authority.Disgruntled residents in the area, concerned about the irregular allocation, filed a complaint with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, leading to Mushata's arrest by ZACC.Mushata has been convicted of the offense and is expected to return to court at a later date for sentencing. His actions have raised concerns about corruption and accountability within local government structures, especially regarding land allocation practices. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) Pennsylvanias Supreme Court on Monday upheld a lower court ruling that rejected a bid to get independent presidential candidate Cornel West on the ballot for the November election in the battleground state. The courts sided with the secretary of states office under Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro in rejecting Wests candidacy paperwork. The decision also sets in motion the process for counties to start printing, testing and sending out mail-in ballots to voters who requested one ahead of the Nov. 5 election. As soon as the court rules on that, well certify the official list and then counties can complete their preparations to mail out ballots and to have voters, if they choose, go to a county election office to apply in person, Secretary of State Al Schmidt said in an interview earlier Monday. The court case had been among a raft of partisan legal maneuvering around third-party candidates, as backers of Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris had aimed to derail third-party candidates who might siphon away support or to help others who might hurt their opponent. In an unsigned one-page order, the state Supreme Court said it had affirmed the lower Commonwealth Court decision. In it, the court had agreed with the Schmidts office that Wests campaign lacked the required affidavits for 14 of Wests 19 presidential electors. The deadline to submit them was Aug. 1. Now, Trump and Harris will appear on Pennsylvanias ballot with the Green Partys Jill Stein and the Libertarian Partys Chase Oliver. Stein and Oliver submitted petitions to get on Pennsylvanias presidential ballot without being challenged. The Nov. 5 election is expected to be close in Pennsylvania, whose 19 electoral votes are tied with Illinois for fifth-most, and arguably are the most awarded by any battleground state. Counties, which typically send out mail-in ballots weeks before the election to voters who request them, have been waiting for the court to rule on the final ballot-access cases. Now that it has, county election officials say they will need time to test, print and mail the ballots. That process could drag into October, depending on the county. Under state law, counties must start delivering or mailing the official mail-in ballots to voters who applied for one as soon as a ballot is certified and available. Counties may also have mail-in ballots available earlier for over-the-counter service for voters who come into a county election office and apply for a ballot in person. The deadline for counties to receive a completed mail-in ballot is when polls close, by law, at 8 p.m. on Election Day. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is Oct. 29, one week before the Nov. 5 election. After a summer of record heat where New Jersey residents saw a spike in their electric bills, there has been bipartisan calls for hearings on why costs were so high and what can be done in the future. New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Christine Guhl-Sadovy previously forecasted moderate increases in consumers electric bills following this years Base Generation Services auctions, which provides utility companies with electricity produced outside of New Jersey that is then distributed to customers. These new rates went into effect June 1, board of public utilities officials said. Consumers monthly bills were expected to increase an average of 3.6% for Rockland Electric customers, 4.6% for Atlantic City Electric customers, 6.2% for PSE&G customers and 8.6% for Jersey Central Power & Light customers. Mays Landing resident Rich Timinski said he dreads going to the mailbox to get his Atlantic City Electric bill, saying this summer he watched it increase from $300 on average to about $500. It cant be what they expect people to pay, Timinski, 41, said. Im afraid this is going to be the norm now. Between June and July, two of the summers hottest months, the Atlantic City Electrics residential customers used 20% more electricity compared to 2023, Atlantic City Electric said in a statement. We recognize our customers concerns and the economic challenges so many are facing right now, Atlantic City Electric, a subsidiary of Chicago-based energy giant Exelon, wrote in the statement. We will continue to work with local officials to ensure we are meeting the energy needs of our customers and to understand the factors contributing to rising energy costs. Soaring energy bills appear to not be limited to New Jersey. A poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed seven in 10 Americans say in the last year extreme heat has had an impact on their energy costs, ranging from minor to major, and most have seen at least a minor impact on their outdoor activities. Concerns over the increasing cost of electricity has caught the attention of lawmakers. A joint letter from New Jersey Democrats in the states 3rd, 4th and 8th legislative districts asked for a hearing this fall with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. The reality is that the unexpected increases have caused stress and anxiety for many, it was stated in the letter. We know that 37% of Americans cannot afford an emergency expense over $400, according to Empower research. U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd Dist., urged state officials to investigate if smart meter installations are to blame. He also called for moratoriums on utility shut-offs and further rate increases. Over the past few months, my office has compiled substantial data from thousands of residents, which indicate that their energy bills have sometimes tripled compared to the same period last summer, Van Drew wrote in a letter. Such increases, especially at a time of severe economic hardship on nearly all expenses, are unacceptable and have placed an undue financial burden on many families in our community. State Democrats in the 3rd district on Monday announced intentions to introduce a bill in the New Jersey Legislature requiring that energy providers warn customers when their electric use spikes. This would be a proactive, user-friendly program that alerts consumers of their energy use so they arent caught by surprise with exorbitant bills at the end of the month, said Sen. John Burzichelli, D-3rd Dist. It would provide real-time information that allows customers to manage their energy consumption and control costs. Timinski said he, his wife and their two children moved from Belleville in Essex County last year because of the high cost of living in North Jersey. Their two-story home has central air conditioning and last fall, the electric bill averaged $100 per month. That increased to $300 before the summer, spiking at $500 during the recent heat waves. For the Timinskis, it meant reducing other expenses, cutting back on buying groceries and cancelled a planned family vacation in Wildwood. Its not sustainable for middle-class families, Timinski said. They keep picking at everyone as much as possible. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, in a statement to NJ Advance Media, said consumers can anticipate when their electric bills will increase by comparing their usage from month-to-month and year-to-year. State officials are also encouraging to customers to report meter discrepancies and look into programs that help cover utility costs. Gov. Phil Murphys administration late last month announced the start to the Residential Energy Assistance Payment program for the September billing cycle. A one-time, $175 credit is planned to be issued to approximately 278,000 qualifying residential ratepayers on their electric or gas bills. The administration said those eligible include customers who qualified for New Jerseys winter utility shutoff moratorium. Others include those experiencing financial hardships. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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. A court heard a man was drunk and making a nuisance of himself at a beauty spot in Laois. Iurie Gandrabur (26) of 93 Ruanbeg Drive, Ruanbeg Manor, Kildare was arrested for being intoxicated and behaving in a threatening and abusive manner at the Catholes, Ballyfin on August 31, 2024. He appeared before Portlaoise District Court where Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby explained that he had to be arrested at the swimming area at around 7.30pm as he was drunk and falling over. He said the defendant had no previous convictions. Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client was pleading guilty. He said the man was a Moldovan national who works sporadically and had made a nuisance of himself on the day. He had copious amounts of whiskey taken on the day, Mr Fitzgerald explained. Judge Nicola Andrews said she would consider striking the offence out if the man makes a 200 donation. She said if it wasnt paid the defendant would be convicted and fined 500. She adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on December 2 for finalisation. A decision on the location of a new Midland Regional Hospice to serve the people of Laois, Offaly and Westmeath is expected shortly. Amid differing views on the more suitable location, Offaly Hospice has issued a statement setting out its preferred site for the planned new Midland Regional Hospice. The charity which is seeking to advance the 20 million Midlands Regional Hospice project said that if its preferred site is selected, it will purchase the land which is located beside the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, and donate it free of charge for the project. Its understood the statement, which sets out the rationale for choosing the site, was issued amid fears that another site which is viewed less favourably by Offaly Hospice, may soon be selected instead. Sites at the Wellwood Health Park and another off Arden Lane in Tullamore had emerged as potential sites for the Midland Regional Hospice site earlier this year. However, hospice groups in the Midlands are divided on which of the two sites is most appropriate for the new 20-bed unit. The Wellwood site is home to a partially constructed private hospital on land controlled by Tullamore company John Flanagan Developments. It is the site which Offaly Hospice would like to see developed into the new Midland Regional Hospice. Since its foundation 34 yrs ago Offaly Hospice has been the key fundraising organisation promoting Palliative Care Services in Offaly and more widely across the Midlands region. Our preferred site for the proposed Midland Regional Hospice is on the Wellwood Health Park adjacent to the Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore, Offaly Hospice said in a statement this afternoon. Offaly Hospice has an option to buy the site at a discount rate and if chosen will donate the site free of charge to the HSE. The organisation says the advantages of the Wellwood Hospice site are as follow: In keeping with national guidelines, the site on Wellwood is co-located with MRHT giving access to all essential medical services and support when necessary. The site is zoned appropriately for healthcare developments. There is no obstacle to making an immediate planning application. There are no external infrastructure challenges for delivering this development. Irish Water has given a connection agreement for both sewer and possible water. Direct access from the N52 bypass will give stress free access to families from throughout the region. Public connectivity to this site is excellent. There is good precedent for planning related development with the recently granted planning for a hospital on Wellwood. Wellwood also has plans for onsite accommodation for hospital staff. Apart from our campaign to build and commission the Midlands Regional Hospice, Offaly Hospice over the years has supported the important Community and Health care Team. For instance, over the past 10 years Offaly Hospice has donated over 1.3 million euro to the HSE to help provide those services and will continue to do so, Offaly Hospice stated. Minister Stephen Donnelly visited both sites in Tullamore last February. He described each as excellent and promised a decision on the preferred site would be made quickly. The Arden Lane site is the preferred option of the Irish Hospice Foundation, Laois Hospice, the two hospices in county Westmeath and Tullamore Lions Clubs Hooves4Hospice fundraising campaign which has raised substantial funds through the sale of cattle for the hospice development. The retired Chief Executive Officer of the Midland Health Board, Denis Doherty, who is a member of the Hooves4Hospice committee, said the Arden Lane site, measuring 3.7 acres, was twice the size of the Wellwood site. Speaking to the Tullamore Tribune on Tuesday afternoon, he said the hospice planned for there would be single storey in keeping with guidelines issued by the Department of Health for such developments. He revealed that the Hooves4Hospice committee has an agreement in principle to purchase the Arden Lane site for the development if this location is chosen. Almost 2,700 wild deer were culled in Laois in the twelve months leading up to February 28, 2023. Data released by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to the Irish Deer Commission show 78,175 wild deer were culled in the 12 month period up February 28, 2023. The cull sets a record for the number of wild deer culled, up 41% from the previous record set in 2022 when 55,008 deer were culled. Hunters must make an annual declaration to NPWS stating the number of deer culled by county, sex, and species, and this data is provided to the Irish Deer Commission annually. While the data is not independently verified, hunters are required to sign a declaration confirming the accuracy of the information returned. The figures for Laois showed there were 2,680 deer officially killed by deer hunters in the county in the 12 month period. However, Spokesperson for the Irish Deer Commission, Damien Hannigan, believes the true figure is higher. The actual deer cull is likely to be significantly higher as the cull total does not include wild deer killed illegally known as deer poaching, nor does the total include the growing number of deer killed on our roads, Mr Hannigan pointed out. Over the last five years over 250,000 wild deer were culled in Ireland under licence from the NPWS and highlights the important role licensed deer hunters play in managing deer at sustainable levels to minimise negative impacts on farming, forestry, and the wider ecosystem, he said. The Irish Deer Commission actively work with landowners who suffer negative impacts from wild deer, we also support the various agencies who deal with an increasing number of deer vehicle collisions on our roads through a network of trained members, he said. He believes there are several reasons for the increased number of deer being culled. There may be several factors, firstly the number of hunters licensed to cull deer has grown significantly with 6,486 licenses issued in 2023, up 45% in the last 10 years when 4,502 licences were issued to cull deer during the open culling season from September 1 to February 28, with dedicated periods when male and female deer can be culled, he said. The Irish Deer Commission believe restrictions around the management of deer during the Covid-19 pandemic, combined with what they say was a worldwide crash in venison prices, delays by NPWS in the issuing of deer culling permits, poor forestry design for the management of deer, and a rapid expansion afforestation in Ireland, all have created the perfect storm for deer numbers to increase. Pictured above: Culled deer firgures per county in the twelve months up to February 28, 2023 The Irish Deer Commission says culling more breeding female deer rather than male deer is recognised as best practice deer management to maintain deer at a sustainable and healthy population, as one male can breed with many females. The prospect of the Social Democrats entering government in Ireland feels within reach, Holly Cairns has said. The leader said her party would go to the electorate making it clear that it wanted to be part of the next ruling coalition. Speaking at her partys think-in in Dublin ahead of the resumption of the Dail, Ms Cairns said the Social Democrats would be running candidates in just over half the constituencies in Ireland. She said it was the ultimate objective to run in every constituency in the future, but she acknowledged they were still trying to build foundations as a small party. We want to be very clear that we want to go into government, she said. Its been extremely frustrating to watch this government and successive governments miss opportunities when we have a booming economy, record employment and a huge surplus, to see that kind of along with 14,000 homeless people, including 4,000 children, threadbare disability services, and actually an increase of 15% in child poverty in this governments term alone. I think the kind of prospect of being able to turn our policies and our ideas into a reality for our communities feels within reach. So, were very excited to get stuck in, weve candidates all over the country who are out campaigning. Weve a very clear proposal to the people were not going to promise the sun, moon and stars. I think people are sick of empty promises. Were not going to promise large tax cuts and huge investment in public services. Our aim has always been clear, and it still is we want investment, we want investment in public services to try to lift people out of poverty. Our priorities are housing, healthcare, climate, disability and childcare. She added: Absolutely, we want to go into government. I know I didnt go into politics to go into opposition. I certainly realised the importance of opposition during my time in it. But, absolutely, we want to turn our policies into a reality. Our aim is to go into government, but we wont go into government for the sake of it to make up the numbers. What we want is to see the biggest mandate for the Social Democrats in government as possible. So thats our focus for now. Ms Cairns said her party, which she described as centre left, would be prepared to talk to any other parties about coalition permutations post-election. In terms of the election, she said the Social Democrats would encourage left-leaning voters to vote left and transfer left but she said her party would not be giving specific advice for its supporters to give their second preferences to Labour Party candidates. On the Apple back taxes windfall, Ms Cairns expressed a preference for the money to be invested in housing. I find it kind of amusing to see (government) parties who spent eight years and 10 million (euro) fighting this case to try and get the money back, kind of now saying what theyd like to spend the money on, she added. But I think the elephant in the country is housing. We would invest that money in affordable purchase homes. Ms Cairns said a general election cant come soon enough. She said Ireland was not a failed state, but that there had been a failure of government. Well be straight talking with them (the electorate) about whats achievable and how you cant have everything, she said. Were going to prioritise. Were going to be straight with people. And we really want to kind of harness the momentum from the local elections. We almost doubled our councillors around the country, and every general election candidate selected all over the place who are out campaigning are really excited to try and get into Leinster House to represent their communities and turn our policies into a reality. The main street through Naas could be made narrower. And this would have the effect of reducing traffic speeds. The suggestion comes as preparations are put in place to reduce speed limits on roads across County Kildare and elsewhere. A call for the main thoroughfare through Naas to be restricted in width came from Cllr Bill Clear, who said this has been done in other towns like Thurles. Speed limits on all roads are due to be reduced as part of government policy. Urban roads will have a 30 km/h limit instead of 50 km/h and the limit on rural roads will fall from 80 km/h to 60 km/h while national roads will have a limit of 80 km/h. Property will be given to tackling the rural roads and this work will start in November. The aim nationally is to halve road deaths and serious injuries by 2030 as well as improving road safety. There were 184 road deaths across Ireland in 2023 and some 100 lives have been lost in 2024 up to July 9. Kildare County Council engineer Donal Hodgins told a Naas Municipal District meeting that the default speed limit on rural roads will be 60 km/h and while there may be some exceptions to this, there will have to be a very compelling reason to raise the limit. Mr Hodgins said the main street in Naas is quite wide and should be narrowed. Read more Kildare news He said the imposition of Jake's Law (30 km/h restrictions in residential areas will be prioritised because It has been done in other areas. It is likely that roads which currently have lower limits than those to be imposed will retain these lower limits. Cllr Clear said speeding is a problem in Naas and if KCC simply stick up speed limit signs and do nothing else it wont work. News / National by Stephen Jakes Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union has expressed excitement over the massive job creation in the country due to the discovery and increased investment in the lithium mining sector.The excitement is revealed in the ZDAMWU General Secretary Justice Chinhema's report presented during last month's congress in Bulawayo.Chinhema said they have recorded an increase in membership recruitment due to the increase in the lithium mining ventures in the country.He said Zimbabwe is a mineral-rich country, with over 60 different minerals, including platinum group metals, chrome, gold, coal, diamonds and Lithium."The sector accounts for about 12 percent of the countrys Gross Domestic Product and has registered appreciable strides towards realizing the ambitious US$12 billion milestone and the mantra of open for business has seen massive investments in the mining sector, particularly in the lithium mining with many new mines already established and some closed mines reopening," reads his report."To date there are 7 new lithium mines namely Kamativi Mine, Sandawana Mine, Zulu Lithium Mine, Gwanda Lithium Mine, Sabi Star Mine, Prospect Lithium Mine and the expanded Bikita Minerals with more lithium discoveries in areas such as Mudzi, Rushinga, Mutoko, Mutare and many more."He noted that combined these mines directly employ over 7,000 workers and these are new jobs created from 2018 to date. In Hwange we have over 10 new coke battery plants and 4 new mines are being developed to mine coal creating over 4,000 direct jobs.Chinhema said Hwange Colliery is revamping itself to be back to its former glory as one of the biggest coal-producing companies in Africa, promising to increase its employment numbers by 20% by December 2025.He said the massive investments in the sector have resulted in an increase in job opportunities for many young people in the country.He noted that ZDAMWU has had growth in membership from 3686 in 2019 to 14711 as at 30 July 2024 an increase of 11025 during the last five years. As the Miss Universe Ireland final approaches on Friday, September 20th, Carrick-on-Shannon native Tomisin Fagbo says she is delighted to have made it to the finals proudly representing Leitrim. Ive lived in Leitrim since I was 2-years-old, says the 22 year old. Its an honour to represent my county on such a prestigious stage. Her journey into the competition came through her work as a model in Dublin. "Im signed with Not Another Agency International, and they encouraged me to apply. They sent in the application on my behalf, and after I submitted a self-tape, I had a one-on-one interview with the producer, Brendan OCarroll. Thats when I was announced as the delegate for Leitrim," Fagbo explained. Reflecting on her roots, Fagbo said, "Being from Leitrim is all about community. Growing up in Carrick-on-Shannon, you get to know everyone. We support each other and celebrate each other's successes. In a big city like Dublin, it's easy to feel anonymous, but in Leitrim, its different. That sense of closeness is something I carry with me." Fagbos values are deeply tied to her Irish-Nigerian background. "My parents immigrated from Nigeria, and their story has always been a source of inspiration for me. Hard work was something that was ingrained in me from a young age," she said. Education has always been a priority for Fagbo. "I went straight from Carrick-on-Shannon Community School to Maynooth University at 17. I studied Business Marketing and graduated with first-class honours. Ive been working as a Marketing Consultant since then, but Ive always balanced my career with my passion for modelling and community work." In addition to her career, Fagbo is heavily involved in inclusion and diversity initiatives. "I work with Black and Irish, an initiative focused on highlighting Black success and Black culture in Ireland. We partner with organizations like RTE and Guinness to bring these stories to the forefront," she explained. Fagbo also touched on the recent unrest in Ireland, including the Dublin riots in November 2023. "Theres been a lot of tension around immigration and race, and its important to address these issues. Black and Irish is about making sure those conversations happen in the media." Sustainability is another passion for Fagbo. "Im really into thrifting. Youll find me in the thrift shops in Dun Laoghaire, looking for deals. Its something small, but its how I try to live more sustainably," she said. When asked what winning Miss Universe Ireland would mean to her, Fagbo was clear: "Winning would be an incredible opportunity to represent Irelands diversity. I want to show the world that Ireland is a place of unity, compassion, and acceptance. Aishah Akorede, the current Miss Universe Ireland, has done an amazing job of highlighting that, and Id love to follow in her footsteps." Excitement filled the room in Lough Rynn Castle recently as the Gortletteragh GAA Quid Game fundraising event was officially launched. This thrilling event, inspired by the hit Netflix series "Squid Game," is scheduled to take place on Friday October 18, 2024 in Lough Rynn Castle. See more below. Photos by Willie Donnellan USE THE ARROWS OR 'NEXT' TO BROWSE THROUGH THE FULL GALLERY Gortletteragh GAA are hoping to raise funds to develop facilities at the clubs recently opened pitch. The proceeds of the event will go towards the construction of a spectator stand that offers access and comfort to supporters of all ages and abilities. Quid Game, powered by ClubSpot Events, is designed to deliver all the excitement and suspense of the Netflix series. Participants will engage in a series of six skill-based games that test their accuracy, endurance, and hand-eye coordination. The competition promises an adrenaline-pumping experience for all involved. Local clubs and groups are invited to nominate participants to compete for an amazing cash prize of 10,000, with the victorious participant sharing their winnings with their club or a charity of their choice. The Gortletteragh GAA Quid Game event aims to provide an unforgettable experience for participants while offering local businesses and neighbouring clubs a fantastic opportunity to support the event. By involving a wide range of participants and spectators, the event is expected to foster a sense of unity and support within the region. The event organisers are delighted with the response to date, with a large number of participants already signed up. We wish to express thanks to the local clubs and groups for their support. There are still a number of participant spaces available, and we extend an invitation to other clubs to nominate participants. The event organisers are also seeking the support of local businesses, with various sponsorship packages available. Tickets for the event are 20 and will go on sale in the coming weeks. We encourage members of the public to come along on the night to cheer on the participants and to help make the event a success. To learn more about the Gortletteragh GAA Quid Game event, to register, or to purchase tickets, please reach out to Gortletteragh GAA via their social media platforms or by contacting any club official. This is an event you won't want to miss! Earlier this month, Irelands Foreign Direct Investment Agency (IDA) presented to Leitrim County Council during a council meeting. At this meeting, the Council learned that there was no expectation of economic development outside of Carrick-on-Shannon. Cllr Justin Warnock expressed his disappointment at the Manorhamilton municipal district meeting and said that north Leitrim is being abandoned. He proposed a motion asking the Director of Services for Economic Development to immediately work with Enterprise Ireland and Western Development Commission to develop a strategy for securing investment to buy and build infrastructure on lands zoned for Economic Development in Tullaghan and Kinlough. Kinlough has developed over 25 years from 285 people to over 1,200, and not one bit of infrastructure has been put in that meets the needs of our growing town. Theres been no investment whatsoever. Weve missed out on opportunities. I think Leitrim County Council needs to sit down and get somebody in because if you build the infrastructure, people will come. We have missed out badly as a border county since the Troubles. When you look at the money thats been spent in Garrison, Belcoo and Belleek - all those are thriving communities. We have been abandoned. People need to realise that we need investment. We owe it to the young people that theres going to be an opportunity for them to come back, Cllr Warnock remarked. Cllr Felim Gurn seconded the motion. A reply from the Economic Development stated that through engagement with Enterprise Ireland and the Western Development Commission, Leitrim County Council is unaware of funding streams for land purchase or infrastructural provision under the remit of. The reply went on to explain that other towns in Leitrim of similar size to Kinlough and Tullaghan, the best approach for creating enterprise space and infrastructure is through community led social enterprise initiatives. Leitrim County Council can support these efforts by helping to build a strong business case and securing funding from schemes such as LEADER, RRDF and Town and Village. The Economic Development section and Local Enterprise Office can assist with any such proposals. READ NEXT - PICTURES: This exceptional Leitrim riverside development could be yours The camp is aimed at providing educational support, fostering social inclusion, and helping kids maintain connections to their cultural heritage for a smooth transition into life in Leitrim. The camp will take place every Saturday from 11AM to 3PM at the Breffni Family Resource Centre in Carrick-on-Shannon. It will provide educational support in core subjects to help children adapt to the Irish school system while reinforcing their knowledge of the Ukrainian language, culture, and traditions. It will also promote opportunities for social interactions while providing an introduction to Irish culture, language lessons, arts and crafts, and promote mutual understanding and appreciation within the broader Leitrim community. Courses will be provided by Garda-vetted facilitators from Ukraine who are experienced working with children. We believe this community-driven initiative will support these children's educational and emotional needs and foster a cultural exchange, enriching the entire Leitrim community, said Nataliya Byelyakova, camp Co-ordinator. The camp is funded by Leitrim Development Companys Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP). For more information or to register, contact Leitrim Development Company. READ MORE: Carrick-on-Shannons Tomisin represents Leitrim in Miss Universe Ireland Verily Sightline Expands Wastewater Testing Services to Europe Through Partnership with Bangor University in Wales Today, Verily, a precision health technology company, announced a significant expansion of its wastewater surveillance program into the United Kingdom through an exclusive partnership with Bangor University. This collaboration will leverage the university's wastewater-based public health surveillance program capabilities and main testing lab. Bangor University's wastewater monitoring capabilities are market leading in the U.K. for environmental bio-surveillance and the university's lab serves as the research and development hub for the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The Bangor University lab, led by Davey Jones, Ph.D, a noted Professor of Environmental Science & Public Health and Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor at Bangor University, will adopt Verily's advanced wastewater testing technology to deliver high-quality public health data, crucial for tracking virus transmission and bolstering research and development efforts across both the public and private sectors. With this collaboration, the lab will extend its testing service capabilities to a wide range of human pathogens, including Norovirus, Influenza viruses, MPXV, SARS-CoV-2, antimicrobial resistant bacteria, and fungi. The lab will also accelerate new capability development, including environmental testing. Prof. Jones and his team will continue to lead operations in the Bangor University laboratory, in partnership with Verily. Since its inception in 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangor University's wastewater lab has become a leader in environmental bio-surveillance in the U.K. Utilizing Verily's high-throughput, state-of-the-art wastewater lab automation to optimize efficiency, Bangor University will further establish itself as a world class wastewater surveillance facility capable of serving all regions of the U.K. and Europe broadly, and meeting current and emerging public health needs. "Our partnership with Bangor University is an exciting advancement in Verily's mission to establish an international pathogen monitoring network as we expand our capabilities to Europe," said Andrew Trister, MD, PhD, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at Verily. "This collaboration enables our combined expertise to unlock assays more quickly and monitor for new pathogen targets that protect public health and foster safer, healthier communities worldwide." "Verily's wastewater solutions and expanded pathogen coverage will amplify our ability to monitor for and respond to public health threats effectively," said Prof. Davey Jones. "Together, we are integrating world-class science with advanced technology to deliver critical public health data to the U.K. and beyond." As a leader in the laboratory science behind wastewater-based epidemiology, Verily's wastewater program offers logistics and surveillance to test for pathogens present in wastewater, allowing for timely monitoring and detection to inform faster and more precise public health actions. Verily currently collaborates with leading U.S.-based public health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and WastewaterSCAN, to provide wastewater testing services to track the presence of over 15 pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, Influenza and the H5 sub-type, and MPXV (formerly known as monkeypox virus) in wastewater samples from hundreds of sites across the United States. This new partnership signifies Verily's entry into the European market and reinforces its commitment to global public health surveillance. Currently, Verily and Bangor University are working to onboard customers, including governments and life science companies, for both wastewater testing and generating unique insights from wastewater data. About Verily Verily is an Alphabet health technology company focused on research, care, and health financing to deliver on the promise of precision health and help people live healthier lives. We are uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology, data science, and healthcare to create tools to accelerate evidence generation, products to enable more personalized care, and approaches to make costs more predictable. For more information, please visit: verily.com. About Bangor University Wastewater Lab Bangor University is a research-led, entrepreneurial, bilingual institution in North Wales. Sustainability underpins the work of the University which is ranked in the top 30 in the UK for the societal impact of its research in the UK Research Excellence Framework, published in 2022. Established in 1884, the University has a long tradition of academic excellence and a strong focus on delivering a world-leading student experience. For over 15 years, the cutting-edge laboratory at Environment Centre Wales, Bangor University, has been at the forefront of using wastewater analysis to monitor public health and environmental quality. Initially focused on human viral pathogens, the lab has since expanded its research to encompass a wide range of indicators that offer valuable insights into human wellbeing. The laboratory's expertise gained international recognition when it led the development of the wastewater-based COVID-19 surveillance programme for England and Wales. Building on this success, the team recently applied their innovative approach to produce a comprehensive state-of-the-nation report on antimicrobial resistance prevalence and other respiratory pathogens. 17 september 2024 at 06:05 News published onand distributed by: PetScreening's John Bradford Named a Power 100 Innovator Founder and CEO Recognized by Charlotte Business Journal's 2024 Power 100 Program CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PetScreening , which offers the rental housing industry's first and leading pet policy management software at no charge to property owners and managers, today announced that Founder and CEO John Bradford has been named a top innovator by the Charlotte Business Journal's 2024 Power 100 program. PetScreening, launched in 2017 by Bradford, is the rental-housing industry's premier software solution for efficient pet management and creating pet-inclusive environments. In 2022, Bradford launched FidoAlert (for dogs) and TabbyAlert (for cats), representing the nation's first free, text-enabled network to help reunite lost pets with their owners. The platform has already brought more than 40,000 lost dogs and cats home. "Innovation has always been my passion, and it's both exciting and humbling to receive this honor from the Charlotte Business Journal," Bradford said. "While our team is proud of what we have accomplished so far at PetScreening, we're ambitious about continuing to push the innovation curve. It's our mission to continue platform expansion into additional segments of the property management space, including affordable, manufactured, student and military housing, all while helping them to create more innovative policies that enhance the lives of pets and their owners." Bradford, an elected member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, has significantly contributed to the growth of Charlotte's innovation economy by continually hiring top talent for the PetScreening team. The company has grown to more than 120 employees as it continues to address a defined market need in the rental-housing space. Bradford has received numerous honors for his work at PetScreening, including recognition as one of the CBJ's Most Admired CEOs earlier this year, and the company has accumulated several prestigious awards under his guidance, including several appearances on the Inc. 5000 list for fastest-growing companies. "John always demonstrates an entrepreneurial spirit, aiming to create solutions that improve the lives of those who use them," said David Stunja, COO of PetScreening. "By addressing real-world problems with creative yet simple solutions, John has helped reshape the pet technology space, especially in the rental housing industry. It will be exciting to see the additional innovations he has in the pipeline." The Power 100 is the CBJ's annual program that recognizes the region's professional leaders in various categories, with the 2024 awards focusing on innovators. According to the publication, the honorees were selected from the region's institutions of all sizes, ranging from top corporate and business executives to startup founders and nonprofit, civic and political leaders. About PetScreening Offering the industry's first and leading pet policy management software, PetScreeningtm helps housing providers manage residents' pets and assistance animals for free while generating opportunities for pet-related revenue. The digital screening platform standardizes risk-assessment for household pets by providing a digital Pet Profile and FIDO Score for each pet screened. PetScreening also streamlines the assistance animal accommodation request review process while following HUD guidelines, and it helps limit unauthorized pets. The platform seamlessly integrates with third-party software such as Yardi, OneSite, Entrata, ResMan, Rent Manager, Appfolio and many more. As a fast-growing innovator in the rental housing technology space, PetScreening has received multiple awards and honors in recent years, including recognition from the Inc. 5000, Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, the NC TECH Awards and the Charlotte Business Journal's Fast 50. For more information, visit www.petscreening.com . Media Contact Stephen Ursery LinnellTaylor Marketing 303-682-3945 [email protected] SOURCE PetScreening 17 september 2024 at 07:15 News published onand distributed by: Greenridge Exploration Completes Extensive Exploration Program on its Nut Lake Project in the Thelon Basin, Nunavut A total of 182 samples were collected, seventeen (17) sample locations showed readings greater than 30,000 cps, with six (6) sample locations registering off-scale radioactivity VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greenridge Exploration Inc. ("Greenridge" or the "Company") (CSE: GXP | FRA: HW3), is pleased to announce it has completed its extensive summer exploration program on its Nut Lake Project (the "Nut Lake Project" or the "Project") located in the Thelon Basin in Nunavut. The Project covers approximately 5,853 hectares near the Northern Tip of the Yathkyed Basin, a sub-basin of the Thelon Basin (please see Figure 1). Figure 1: Nut Lake Project claim map 2024 Work Program On behalf of Greenridge, Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd. ("DGC" or "Dahrouge") conducted an eighteen-day, large-scale exploration program (the "Program") on the Company's Nut Lake Project which included: Detailed geological mapping in previously identified, high-grade showings; Prospecting and rock sampling over priority target areas; and Scintillometer sweeps over priority areas that were lacking outcrop. The primary goal of the Program was to follow-up on historical exploration, delineate the nature of these showings and in the process, highlight high-priority areas that may be further investigated in a future drill program. DGC has applied its established targeting methodology to Greenridge's geological data, incorporating historical and recent exploration records to highlight high-priority areas. The 2024 summer exploration Program focused on the Tundra Showing, the Heartbreak Showing, the Lakeshore Showing, the 431 Dike Swarm Showing and the 448 Anomaly Showing (please see Figure 2), highly prospective areas within the Project that have historically yielded high-grade mineralization. Other priority items for the Program included investigation of numerous uranium anomalies found in the SE region of the Project (please see Figure 2). Figure 2: Uranium showings across the Nut Lake Project Greenridge has confirmed elevated radioactivity across all known zones. Multiple historical trenches and drill collars were identified during the Program. Notably, a new zone, the Tayson Zone, was discovered, revealing a mineralized vein approximately 2 meters long by 2 cm. The Tayson Zone returned off-scale readings on an RS-125 Super-Spectrometer. This spectrometer, which is capable of differentiating uranium (U), potassium (K), and thorium (Th), recorded multiple highlight zones with off-scale readings, signaling potential significant mineralization. Figure 3: Tayson Discovery - uncovered subcrop with off-scale radioactivity readings Figure 4: Radioactive minerals within vein from Tayson Discovery A total of 182 samples were collected, including 149 in situ from outcrop or subcrop and 33 float or boulder samples. Out of these samples, 62 samples exhibited anomalous radioactivity at >1000 counts per second ("cps"), and 22 were measured above 5000 cps. Seventeen (17) sample locations showed readings greater than 30,000 cps, with six sample locations registering off-scale radioactivity. It is important to note that while elevated radioactivity is promising, it does not directly indicate uranium mineralization, and further assays are required to confirm the presence of uranium or other economically valuable minerals. This data provides a strong foundation for follow-up exploration work to assess the full potential of the mineralization in these zones. Russell Starr, Chief Executive Officer of Greenridge, commented, "Our successful completion of the summer exploration program at the Nut Lake Project marks a significant milestone for the Company. The results are extremely encouraging, particularly in the historically high-grade areas that we have further defined through detailed mapping and sampling. By leveraging our team's expertise and the proven methodologies of Dahrouge, we've highlighted several high-priority targets for future exploration." Figure 5: 2024 Summer program sample locations, including Tayson Discovery Information about the Nut Lake Project The Project is located approximately 55km north of the Angilak Uranium Deposit or 180Km southwest of Baker Lake, Nunavut in the Yathkyed Basin (a sub-basin of the prolific Thelon Basin) in Nunavut Territory, Canada. The Project consists of three contiguous mineral licences encompassing a total land area of approximately 4,036 hectares (~40km). In 1979, Pan Ocean Oil Ltd. performed an exploration program consisting of ground geophysics, geological mapping, prospecting and Winkie drilling as follow up to previous sampling with elevated uranium in dyke swarms, fractures and contacts between syenites and trachytes. The geology of the Project area consists of basal sedimentary rocks of the South Channel Formation, composed of white quartzites and pink to grey arkose and arkosic rocks. The sedimentary sequences of the lower Dubawnt Group are unconformably or disconformably overlain by volcanic rocks of the Christopher Island Formation. The Project hosts high grade vein hosted grab samples of up to 4.36% U3O8, 53.16 oz/t Ag, 1.15% Pb and 7.0% Ni. During the 1979 field season, geological mapping at a scale of 1:1,000 was completed on a major portion of the Project. This was concurrent with prospecting on, and in the immediate area of the Project. Results from prospecting were the discovery of two (41 m wide) syenite dikes and a frost heaved area of felsic gneiss with up to 3,000 cps on fracture surfaces. Two significant Uranium bearing showings were discovered, the "Lake Showing" and the "Heartbreak Showing". The most noteworthy was the Heartbreak showing which revealed 3.0" and 3.5" samples across a fracture that assayed 2.11% U3O8 and 4.36% U3O8 respectively. The results were followed up with a radon gal survey, a VLF-EM survey and an overburden sampling program. The radon survey results showed that the response is irregular with several good highs and the VLF-EM survey showed a series of northwesterly trending anomalies. It was concluded that further drilling of the Lake Showing is recommended. The Project and surrounding proximal area have seen approximately 805ft of Winkie Drilling and 6920ft of diamond drilling completed on it. Multiple holes intersected significant uranium mineralization, with the most noteworthy being at the "Tundra Showing" Hole Winkie AX W-24 intersected 9ft of 0.69% U3O8 including 4.90% U3O8 over 1ft from 8ft depth. Additional noteworthy holes were hole P049 which returned approximately 0.20% U3O8 over a one-foot interval and hole 068 which was drilled to intersect fracture mineralization and successfully encountered approximately 0.59% over 1 foot.1 The combination of historically defined anomalies and modern exploration techniques provides prime ingredients for the potential of discovering a high-grade uranium system within the Project area. The Nut Lake Project has the potential to host unconformity vein and breccia type, syngenetic and sandstone-hosted phosphatic type mineralization. Qualified Person The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed by Neil McCallum B.Sc., P. Geo., of Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., who is a "Qualified Person" as defined in NI 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to verify the results. The Company believes that the historical information is relevant to an appraisal of the merits of the Project and forms a reliable basis upon which to develop future exploration programs. The Company will need to conduct further exploration which will include drill testing and sampling to verify historical data, and there is no guarantee that the results obtained will reflect the historical results. References 1Source: 1979 Assessment report (number 81075) by Pan Ocean Oil Ltd. 2Source: Reported by ValOre Metals Corp. in a Technical Report entitled "Technical Report and Resource Update For The Angilak Property, Kivalliq Region, Nunavut, Canada", prepared by Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geo. of APEX Geosciences, Robert Sim, B.Sc., P.Geo. of SIM Geological Inc. and Bruce Davis, Ph.D., FAusIMM of BD Resource Consulting Inc., dated March 1, 2013. Note: The historical mineral resource estimate was calculated in accordance with NI 43-101 and CIM standards at the time of publication and predates the current CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May, 2014) and CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practices Guidelines (November, 2019). About Greenridge Exploration Inc. Greenridge Exploration Inc. (CSE: GXP | FRA: HW3) is a mineral exploration company dedicated to creating shareholder value through the acquisition, exploration, and development of critical mineral projects in North America. The Carpenter Lake Uranium Project is located in the Athabasca Basin consisting of 7 mineral claims covering 13,387 hectares across the Cable Bay Shear Zone and the Company is advancing the Project to test multiple high priority targets. The Company's Nut Lake Uranium Project located in the Thelon Basin includes historical drilling which intersected up to 9ft of 0.69% U3O8 including 4.90% U3O8 over 1ft from 8ft depth2. Additionally, the Company's Weyman Copper Project in southeast British Columbia sits on the south portion of the famous Quesnel Terrance. The Company is led by an experienced management team and board of directors with significant expertise in capital raising and advancing mining projects. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Russell Starr Chief Executive Officer, Director Telephone: +1 (778) 897-3388 Email: [email protected] 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, including statements regarding the project acquisition bringing a low-risk opportunity, the Company, building a strong battery metals portfolio with low-risk opportunities that positively impact the Company and its shareholders and the Company providing an initial work plan are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Project and its mineralization potential; the Company's objectives, goals, or future plans with respect to the Project; further exploration work on the Project in the future; and the results of the Program. 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 because of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/02b3ab66-e47d-4a6f-be8c-fb2594883c3d https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/51bb7e06-7c45-400b-b79b-bb6cb3078186 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4ffa564b-7d87-427d-be14-5036c1f64be8 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/979f119e-e4f2-4724-8348-133012a8da2d https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/95f9c23a-efac-4b9c-9fd4-68e8d57af741 17 september 2024 at 08:00 News published onand distributed by: Canadian Scientist Franco Cavaleri Expands Biomedical Research into Cancer Studies through International Collaboration with Indian University VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acclaimed biomedical researcher and bestselling author Franco Cavaleri, known for his contributions to natural medicine and health innovation, has entered a groundbreaking phase of his career with a focus on international collaboration, including cancer research. This expansion represents a major step forward for Cavaleri, whose latest partnership with a university in West Bengal, India, is set to drive cutting-edge biomedical and cancer research while also opening new opportunities for aspiring post-doctoral scholars. Cavaleri, also a former IFBB Mr. North America Bodybuilding champion in the nineties, first rose to prominence for his pioneering work in inflammatory disease and natural health solutions, has long been committed to pushing the boundaries of science and medicine. His recent collaboration with Professor Ritam Chatterjee of Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University (CBPBU), India, marks the next step in a career defined by innovation, resilience, and the pursuit of life-changing health solutions. Professor Chatterjee, the recent recipient of the prestigious 2024 ZSK Research Excellence Award, has been recognized for his outstanding achievements in cancer stem cell research, providing new hope in the battle against this devastating disease. Together, Cavaleri and Chatterjee will synergize their efforts to explore new cancer treatment strategies and investigate other biomedical applications. Cavaleri's work has evolved over the last 20 years to focus on enhancing the potency and selectivity of natural medicines, aiming to target diseases with greater precision and reliability. His recent drug development and cancer treatment strategies, which he has published, will be put to the test in this collaboration, leveraging Professor Chatterjee's groundbreaking discoveries in cancer stem cell research. The partnership brings Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University into a new era of cancer research in collaboration with Biologic Pharmamedical Research, under the leadership of these two renowned experts. A New Chapter in International Collaboration This international partnership not only focuses on advancing cancer research but also serves as a platform for fostering global academic relationships. In collaboration with CBPBU, Biologic Pharmamedical Research and Manufacturing, where Cavaleri serves as a key leader, is creating opportunities for Indian post-doctoral scholars to gain valuable experience in North American research environments. Scholars from India will have the chance to work directly in Biologic's state-of-the-art research laboratory in Vancouver, Canada, and potentially secure placements in other North American academic institutions. "As we move forward in our cancer research, the ability to collaborate internationally has never been more crucial," said Cavaleri. "Partnering with Indian scholars and working alongside Professor Chatterjee opens doors to a wealth of new ideas and perspectives that will accelerate our research and create opportunities for the next generation of healthcare professionals. This partnership exemplifies the power of international collaboration in driving real change in global health." Advancing Biologic's Mission: Empowering the Next Generation of Healthcare Innovators The collaboration with CBPBU is a critical component of Biologic's ongoing mission to advance international academic programs. By serving as a conduit for Indian scholars, Biologic is offering these individuals a chance to expand their academic and commercial experience, ultimately empowering them to contribute meaningfully to the future of global healthcare systems. "Our goal is not only to advance research but to equip aspiring researchers with the tools and experience they need to thrive in the global health landscape," Cavaleri continued. "We are committed to fostering the next generation of healthcare innovators, and this partnership is a significant part of that commitment." The Road Ahead: Breaking New Ground in Cancer Research Franco Cavaleri's journey has been defined by his relentless pursuit of knowledge, from his earlier discoveries in the natural health sector to his ongoing focus on pharmacology and medical innovation. After significant success as an entrepreneur in alternative medicines in the natural health space, Franco returned to academia to further his studies at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine / Experimental Medicine program. During his doctoral journey, Cavaleri faced numerous bureaucratic and systemic challenges due to his simultaneous involvement in both commercialized health care and academic research, but he remained steadfast in his mission to improve human health. Now, with the combined expertise of Professor Chatterjee and his pioneering research on cancer stem cells, the partnership with CBPBU builds on Cavaleri's legacy of overcoming obstacles and pushing for progress. The cancer research initiated by this collaboration aims to uncover new therapeutic avenues and strategies for battling the disease, with Cavaleri's unique blend of expertise in both natural and conventional medicine leading the way. "Two key experiences in my academic journey have driven this current initiative. First, the lack of support?and often active resistance?against innovation that challenges conventional thinking. Medical researchers and aspiring students are often confined to a rigid framework that stifles the spontaneous evolution of ideas, forcing compliance to a predefined narrative," said Cavaleri. "This limits creativity, innovation, and intellectual curiosity, leading to a community of researchers who follow directions rather than pursuing knowledge and discovery through intellect and curiosity. "Second, there is a troubling phenomenon in Canada where academic institutions continue to graduate large numbers of PhD students, despite a shortage of jobs and opportunities for post-docs. This results in high demand with limited opportunities and lower wages, despite the institutions' resources to create more jobs. While many of these medical institutions are aware of these limitations and are beginning to make changes, the process is happening too slowly. Our current international collaboration seeks to break through these limitations by fostering an environment that encourages true discovery and creates more opportunities, free from the constraints of institutional narratives designed to serve and protect the interests of medical academic institutions, their funders, and conventional frameworks." A Vision for the Future Cavaleri's career and his recent international expansion serve as a testament to the power of persistence, innovation, and collaboration. His work reminds us that true progress is often achieved by thinking outside the box, embracing diverse perspectives, and challenging conventional systems that can sometimes stifle creativity and discovery. "As we continue to expand our research and partnerships, I'm more motivated than ever to explore what's possible," Cavaleri said. "The future of healthcare lies in our ability to collaborate across borders and disciplines, share knowledge, and push the boundaries of what we believe is achievable." Franco Cavaleri's commitment to groundbreaking research, combined with his focus on empowering the next generation of scientists, positions him as a thought leader and visionary in the world of medical research. His ongoing work, especially in collaboration with Professor Chatterjee and CBPBU, promises to bring fresh hope to cancer and other biomedical research while ensuring that the future of healthcare is defined by innovation, collaboration, and global perspectives. About Franco Cavaleri Franco Cavaleri is an acclaimed biomedical researcher, bestselling author, and thought leader in the fields of natural medicine, pharmacology, longevity, and medical innovation. With a long-standing career focused on inflammatory disease and natural health solutions, Cavaleri has been recognized for his contributions to advancing human health through research and nutraceutical product development. His work at Biologic Pharmamedical, combined with his ongoing research collaborations, continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in healthcare. Media Contact Christina Weizmann Communications Lead T: 604.684.9321 E: [email protected] 17 september 2024 at 08:30 News published onand distributed by: CULPEPER INSURANCE PARTNERS TAKES STAKE IN AFORE INSURANCE SERVICES Afore Insurance Services, LLC today announced that Culpeper Insurance Partners, LLC has made a significant investment in Afore and agreed to merge, increasing its position as a top 100-largest U.S. insurance brokerage firm. Culpeper's Michael A. Garguilo will assume the role of President & Chief Executive Officer of Afore and will join its Board of Directors. ALPHARETTA, Ga., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Afore Insurance Services, LLC (Afore) today announced that Culpeper Insurance Partners, LLC (Culpeper) and Afore have merged, creating a larger, privately held, national, independent insurance brokerage firm. The financial terms were not disclosed. Following the merger, Afore is expected to increase its position as one of the top 100 largest insurance brokerages in the United States. Based in Alpharetta, Georgia, with 20 offices in 10 states and writing business nationwide, the newly merged company, operating under its current name and branding as Afore Insurance Services, will place more than $350 million in premiums annually with over 250 insurance companies on behalf of its clients. The consolidated company will have more than 140 employees focused on bringing its enhanced capabilities and expanded professional risk management services to its customers. The merger brings together a well-respected leadership team with deep industry experience. It has also allowed management to secure a large credit facility through Crestline Investors under attractive terms to fund the company's aggressive growth plans. Michael A. Garguilo, currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Culpeper, will assume that role for Afore and serve as a member of the merged company's Board of Directors. Michael Hines, currently Chief Financial Officer of Afore, will continue as CFO for the combined company. Stephen Smelley will continue to oversee operations. Andrew Muller, President of Personal Lines for Afore, will lead that segment for the consolidated company. Mr. Garguilo commented, "This merger brings new opportunities, expanded resources, and a stronger market presence, which will benefit our clients, employees, and business partners. We are excited about the high-quality people and substantial platform that Afore provides us to grow nationally." Culpeper and Afore will meld their large and growing prospect pipelines of other independent insurance agencies considering joining its partnership model. The company expects to announce several opportunistic acquisitions before the end of this year. For more information: Holden King Culpeper Insurance Partners, LLC 3480 Preston Ridge Rd., Suite 500 Alpharetta, GA 30005 (770) 727-3268 [email protected] www.culpeperinsurance.com SOURCE Culpeper Insurance Partners 17 september 2024 at 09:03 News published onand distributed by: Molex, a Parent to Phillips Medisize, Announces Agreement to Acquire the Vectura Group Limited, Expanding Its Drug Delivery Capabilities in Inhalation Molex, a parent to Phillips Medisize, a leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of pharmaceutical drug delivery, in vitro diagnostic and medtech devices, announced that, through its affiliate Molex Asia Holdings LTD., it has signed an agreement to purchase Vectura Group Limited (Vectura) from Vectura Fertin Pharma Inc., a subsidiary of Philip Morris International (PMI) (NYSE: PM). Vectura is a leader in inhalation drug device design and formulation, based in Chippenham, United Kingdom. "Combining the strengths of Phillips Medisize and Vectura will enhance our ability to deliver a broader portfolio of inhalation combination drug devices and solutions to our pharmaceutical customers and support our mission to help people live healthier, more productive lives," said Paul Chaffin, President of Phillips Medisize. "With our global reach, manufacturing scale, and engineering expertise, Phillips Medisize is uniquely positioned to help Vectura in developing innovative new products for their customers, ultimately benefiting people who suffer with chronic and acute diseases such as asthma and COPD." Vectura brings to Phillips Medisize its unique inhalation expertise that includes formulation and device development for dry powder inhalers (DPI), pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDI), nasal and nebulizer products for small molecules, biologics, complex combinations and generic products. The company also offers pharmaceutical analysis, process development, technical transfer, clinical trial supplies and regulatory services. Phillips Medisize is a global company that designs, engineers and manufactures products for the pharmaceutical and broader healthcare industry. The company's 6,000+ employees collaborate with customers at 29 sites located throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Being part of Molex also allows the business to leverage market leading capabilities across a range of specialty electronics and optical fiber applications for the medical industry. "The acquisition of Vectura is the latest step in building an industry-leading capability in medical. It also demonstrates Molex's commitment to acquiring opportunities to better serve market needs across our portfolio," said Joe Nelligan, CEO of Molex, which acquired Phillips Medisize in 2016 to build a scale healthcare business. "We are excited by the significant growth potential that comes with a wider range of formulation, device design, combination product development and manufacturing services to support the increasing need for inhalation therapies. We look forward to welcoming the Vectura team, who brings a celebrated reputation of inhalation expertise and experience." The acquisition is expected to close by the end of 2024, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. About Phillips Medisize Phillips Medisize, a Molex company, collaborates with leading pharmaceutical, medical technology and in vitro diagnostic companies to design, engineer and manufacture life-saving innovations. A contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), Phillips Medisize leverages its 60 years of expertise and globally renowned capabilities to deliver products and solutions that annually help millions of patients, healthcare professionals and individuals live healthier, more productive lives. For more information, visit www.phillipsmedisize.com. About Molex Molex is a global electronics leader committed to making the world a better, more-connected place. With a presence in more than 40 countries, Molex enables transformative technology innovation in the automotive, data center, industrial automation, healthcare, 5G, cloud and consumer device industries. Through trusted customer and industry relationships, unrivaled engineering expertise, and product quality and reliability, Molex realizes the infinite potential of Creating Connections for Life. For more information, visit www.molex.com. 17 september 2024 at 09:25 News published onand distributed by: News / National by Stephen Jakes THERE was a fatal accident at the in Chiadzwa when the anjin Investment truck had one of the security guards thrown out of it while moving a development that has left fellow workers shocked and saddened.This was confirmed by the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Mineral Workers Union Secretary general Justice Chinhema who said the accident happened on Wednesday last week leading to the passing on of their member, a security guard Tafadzwa Makwaya working at Anjin Investments in Chiadzwa, Mutare.He said the accident involved the company dump truck, adding that the employee fell from the moving truck and died on the spot and his body was collected by the police to Victoria Chitepo Hospital.Chinhema in a statement condemned the loss of life which he said could have been avoided if management had listened to several calls by workers and Zdamwu to change their transport system.He said ever since Anjin commenced its operations, there have been serious concerns on the safety of workers, especially the equipment used."The very mode of transport that we have been asking management to change has caused a tragic accident resulting in the loss of life of a security guard who was traveling with other workmates to their workstation in a crowded Dump truck," Chinhema said.He said the guard is said to have slipped from the vehicle and died on the spot, leaving behind a trail of grief among fellow workers who recently nearly refused to go to work until their issues such as late payment of salaries and safety issues are addressed.Chinhema said the accident occurred around 5pm on Wednesday when the security guards were going for shifts.Anjin Investments Human Resources manager Shadreck Shamu refused to comment. EZE Cloud Consulting Redefines Aptia's Workday AMS, Aiming Complete Transformation EZE Cloud Consulting (EZE), a boutique Workday advisory organization and official Services and Sales Workday Partner, has today announced it has been chosen to provide a full suite of application management services (AMS) for Aptia Group (Aptia), the leading pensions and employee benefits administrator. Aptia, which has employees in the UK, USA, Portugal, and India will use EZE's services to support Human Capital Management, Recruiting & Onboarding, Talent & Performance, Absence & Time Tracking, Security, Advanced Compensation, Analytics, and Learning. Pooja S Bhatnagar, Global Lead - Strategic Projects, Culture, Engagement & DEI, Aptia said, "We're delighted to be working with the team at EZE and look forward to unlocking the full potential of Workday for our workforce." "The partnership with Aptia is a testament to our commitment of providing greater time-to-value for our client's Workday investment. It's an exciting step for EZE Cloud Consulting and Aptia, embarking on a journey of co-innovation and long-term collaboration," added Damodar Pai, Founder & Co-CEO, EZE Cloud Consulting. "We are dedicated to advancing Aptia's Workday capabilities with this strategic partnership. Recognizing the demands of an ever-changing business environment, EZE Cloud Consulting is committed to providing AMS support that keeps Aptia ahead of the curve. This alliance is designed to accelerate their operational efficiency and empower their team, and we are confident it will lead to mutual success," added Sandeep Sharma, Co-CEO & Board Member, EZE Cloud Consulting. About EZE Cloud Consulting EZE Cloud Consulting is a boutique Workday advisory organization headquartered in Singapore. An official Services and Sales Workday Partner, serving several Fortune 500 companies, EZE Cloud offers a full spectrum of Workday services, including HCM & Finance Transformation, Workday AMS, Workday Adaptive Planning, and Workday Integration. For more information on how EZE Cloud Consulting can help you, write to us at [email protected]. About Aptia Aptia is a trusted provider of employee benefits and pensions administration services, with offices in the UK and U.S., supported by shared services in India and Portugal. We manage programmes covering over seven million people and serving more than 1,100 clients. Aptia delivers efficient and reliable solutions that ensure the smooth management of pension plans and employee benefits programmes. Our dedicated team of experts combines in-depth knowledge with leading technology to simplify the administration process. 17 september 2024 at 10:05 News published onand distributed by: Harnessing Combined Expertise: STEMCELL Technologies and Axion BioSystems Partner to Streamline Culture and Analysis of Excitable Cells Axion BioSystems and STEMCELL Technologies are pleased to announce a strategic partnership that will enable STEMCELL to sell Axion's state-of-the-art Maestro Protm and Maestro Edgetm multielectrode array (MEA) systems within North America and Europe. The industry-leading Maestro MEA systems will also continue to be available for purchase worldwide directly from Axion BioSystems. Through this partnership, Axion and STEMCELL will enable scientists to examine the complex interactions between electrical cells in vitro, driving mechanistic disease research and propelling therapeutic development in neural and cardiac fields. Conventional electrophysiology methods, such as patch clamp, have been instrumental in establishing our understanding of cell processes and disease mechanisms in electrically active cells. However, they can be tedious and complex, requiring extensive training to collect recordings from single cells at low throughput. Maestro MEA technology makes quality electrophysiological data accessible, reducing the technical barriers and throughput limitations by measuring from a grid of microelectrodes embedded in multiwell plates. Dynamic activity patterns can be measured noninvasively across an entire population of cells, enabling researchers to record real-time responses to experimental stimuli and assess changes in cell network function over time. Versatile and user-friendly, the Maestro Pro and Edge systems make it easy to adopt advanced MEA technology, empowering researchers to address impactful experimental questions with functional data while accelerating the pace of their research. To ensure researchers are poised for success in their MEA endeavors, STEMCELL offers a complete workflow of high-quality cells, media, reagents, and supplies to support functionally active cultures. By using Maestro MEA systems in combination with reliable, ethically sourced iPSCs or differentiated cells, BrainPhystm Neuronal Medium, and STEMdifftm kits (e.g., neural or cardiomyocyte), scientists can quickly achieve highly active cultures with simple, straightforward protocols, ensuring reproducible experimental results. "As Scientists Helping Scientists, STEMCELL strives to provide researchers with innovative tools that enable the pursuit of new lines of questioning, facilitating scientific breakthroughs?this collaboration does just that," said Dr. Allen Eaves, CEO and President of STEMCELL Technologies. "Axion shares our passion, and together, our companies are uniquely positioned to provide comprehensive cell culture and functional analysis solutions to enable discoveries by scientists working in neural and cardiac research." According to Axion BioSystems' CEO Julien Bradley, the collaboration advances the company's mission to equip every lab with the power of Maestro MEA. "Since its founding in 2008 by a team of scientists, Axion's goal has been to make high-quality, easy-to-use MEA tools more accessible. With Maestro MEA technology establishing itself as the new standard for functional analysis, especially in critical areas like mechanistic disease research and therapeutic development, we expect this new agreement with STEMCELL will accelerate groundbreaking discoveries and help improve human health." The complete Maestro MEA platform, including neural and cardiac analysis modules, consumables, and instrument service plans, will soon be available through STEMCELL. Check www.stemcell.com for updates on this exciting product launch. About Axion BioSystems Axion BioSystems empowers scientists to reach new heights of discovery with user-friendly lab tools that deliver powerful live-cell analysis for disease research and therapeutic discovery. Designed for continuous, noninvasive monitoring of 2D and 3D cell models, Axion's industry-leading products are widely used in academic, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical labs around the world. Axion BioSystems is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and has offices worldwide. About STEMCELL Technologies STEMCELL Technologies supports life sciences research with more than 2,500 specialized reagents, tools, and services. STEMCELL offers high-quality cell culture media, cell separation technologies, instruments, accessory products, educational resources, and contract assay services that are used by scientists performing stem cell, immunology, cancer, regenerative medicine, and cellular therapy research globally. 17 september 2024 at 11:05 News published onand distributed by: The CBSA makes significant liquid methamphetamine seizure bound for export to Australia TSAWWASSEN, BC, Sept. 17, 2024 /CNW/ - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is committed to protecting our communities from the harm caused by organized crime and preventing illicit drugs from crossing our borders. Today, the CBSA announced the seizure of 1,278 litres of liquid methamphetamine in British Columbia bound for export to Australia. This seizure represents approximately 4 million individual doses with an estimated street value of $2 million. On June 27, 2024, CBSA Border Services Officers from the Metro Vancouver District, with the support of the Detector Dog Service, examined a container destined for export through the Fraser Surrey Docks. During the exam, officers found anomalies in the packaging of the bottles labelled as apple and grape juice. Upon further examination, officers discovered 1,320 bottles filled with methamphetamine. This significant seizure can be attributed to the collaboration of multiple CBSA units, including teams in the Metro Vancouver District Marine Operations, the Tsawwassen Container Examination Facility and Pacific Region Intelligence Section, along with the collaboration and contributions from our domestic and international law enforcement partners. The investigation of these seizures was referred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Ontario, who worked with the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Border Force. As a result of the collaboration between our agencies, three individuals in Australia were charged in relation to this seizure. Quotes "The safety and security of Canadians is our top priority. I want to thank the CBSA, the RCMP and our Australian law enforcement partners for their excellent work in disrupting organized crime and protecting our communities from dangerous drugs." ? The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs "Our agency is combatting the smuggling of illegal drugs at our border and disrupting transnational criminal networks. These seizures demonstrate the diligence and detection capabilities of our border services officers and the important role of our intelligence operations in intercepting illegal and harmful substances." ? Nina Patel, Regional Director General, Pacific Region, Canada Border Services Agency "This is another example of working closely with our international partners and maintaining strong relationships with law enforcement agencies around the world. Transnational crime has no borders, as we live in an increasingly global and interconnected world. The RCMP looks beyond the Canadian borders and works closely with its international partners to disrupt international drug trafficking networks." ? Chief Superintendent. Stephen Lee, Deputy Regional Commander ? RCMP Federal Policing Program - Pacific Region "Through this operation the AFP, working with our partners in Canada, has prevented a large amount of this illicit drug from reaching our communities and causing harm, and put a sizeable dent in the wallets of organised crime. I'd like to thank our partners in Canada for their invaluable assistance with this investigation." - Acting Commander Adrian Telfer, Australian Federal Police Quick facts For the latest contraband statistics, visit Canada Border Services Agency seizures . The CBSA's Intelligence Section plays a key role in the identification of border-related risks and in protecting the safety and security of Canadians. Intelligence activities are conducted to identify, investigate and prosecute individuals and entities that are of interest to the CBSA in connection to organized crime, drug smuggling and other violations of the Customs Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act . and the . If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity, please contact the CBSA Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact their local police, the RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS A list of restricted and prohibited goods, including prohibited weapons, can be found here. Smuggling narcotics and other Customs Act contraventions may lead to prosecution in a court of law. For foreign nationals this may mean removal from Canada and a ban on returning to Canada . Twitter @CanBorderPAC. SOURCE Canada Border Services Agency 17 september 2024 at 15:12 News published onand distributed by: Tom Golisano Makes Remarkable Philanthropic Gifts of $360 Million to 82 Non-Profits Across Upstate New York Monumental Announcement Doubles Philanthropist's Lifetime Giving ROCHESTER, N.Y., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tom Golisano, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader, today announced an unprecedented and historic series of major awards totaling $360 million to 82 non-profit organizations in Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse, New York. This commitment nearly doubles Golisano's lifetime giving, bringing the total to $775 million, with more to be expected. The unrestricted, multiyear awards range from $250,000 to $20 million each, paid over four to five years, spanning healthcare, education, animal welfare, disability services, and other crucial community needs. Almost all of the organizations who learned today that they are receiving a major award have been recipients of prior awards by Mr. Golisano and/or the Golisano Foundation. This significant financial commitment represents support for a diverse range of causes, all of which are meaningful to Tom and follow suit with prior awards given. Awards received may be used at each organization's discretion. Capping the monumental nature of this initiative, Mr. Golisano is also making a transformative $52 million award to the Golisano Foundation by increasing the total investment assets to $120 million. This infusion of funding will increase the Golisano Foundation's giving from approximately $3 to more than $5 million annually allowing even more opportunities for new and current organizations to access crucial grant funding that falls within the Foundation's established mission. "I'm thrilled to provide support to the Upstate New York community, to the region where I built my life and my business." said Mr. Golisano. "I know that there are many organizations doing great work and understand that running a nonprofit is not easy, facing both opportunities and challenges, like raising money. These awards are the result of relationships I've formed over the years. I am impressed with these organizations' dedication and innovation. It is extremely rewarding to see what they have been able to accomplish with my financial support over the years. I hope this unexpected, unrestricted funding helps them build on their successes and broaden their impact." "One of my favorite sayings is 'the only wealth you keep is that which you give away,' and I'm so lucky to be able to live that out. The success of Paychex, the hard work of the employees there? is ultimately what makes these donations possible, and I am beyond grateful that I have the ability to do so. I look forward to seeing how this will be used to strengthen their organizations and better the communities they serve." The $360 million commitment announced today brings Mr. Golisano's overall philanthropy to $775 million. Prior to today, his personal philanthropy totaled over $374 million. In addition, The Golisano Foundation, which he founded in 1985, has awarded more than $41 million in grants, primarily to organizations devoted to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It also helps animal welfare organizations through Bailey and Friends, an initiative of the Golisano Foundation founded in honor of Golisano's two dogs, both of whom were named Bailey. "We encourage non-profit organizations to visit our website to learn more about Tom's personal giving and the Foundation's mission," said Erica Dayton, executive director of the Golisano Foundation. "We look forward to the new influx of agencies we'll be introduced to through the widespread news of Tom's most recent giving. Understanding the needs of the communities we support and the organizations that devote their expertise to serving them is a constantly evolving process. We are always looking to learn more and determine how we can be supportive with the resources available." Today's announcement follows Mr. Golisano's June 2024 commitment of $50 million to the University of Rochester Medical Center to establish the Golisano Intellectual and Development Disabilities Institute?his largest single gift to date. $360 Million in Awards Announced on September 17, 2024 to 82 Organizations Rochester $201 Million Buffalo $66.5 Million Syracuse $40.5 Million $52 Million to the Golisano Foundation which serves Upstate New York and Southwest Florida Community - 8 Organizations - $25 Million The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester - $5 Million Foodlink - $5 Million Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind - $2 Million Hillside Family of Agencies - $5 Million Lifespan - $2 Million Medical Motor Service of Rochester & Monroe County - $2 Million Veterans Outreach Center - $2 Million WXXI Public Broadcasting - $2 Million Education - 16 Organizations - $86 Million Alfred State College - $5 Million Allendale Columbia School - $5 Million Aquinas Institute of Rochester $5 Million Bishop Kearney High School - $5 Million Canisius University - $5 Million The Charles Finney School - $3 Million Daemen University - $5 Million The Harley School - $5 Million Hope Hall School - $3 Million McQuaid Jesuit High School - $5 Million Nazareth University - $5 Million Niagara University - $10 Million Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women - $5 Million Roberts Wesleyan University - $5 Million Rochester Institute of Technology - $10 Million St. John Fisher University - $5 Million Health - 9 Organizations - $69 Million American Cancer Society, Golisano Hope Lodge - $2 Million American Red Cross - Greater Rochester Chapter - $5 Million Daystar Kids - $5 Million Mercy Flight Central - $5 Million Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center - $10 Million Oishei Children's Hospital of Buffalo - $10 Million Rochester Regional Health - $20 Million Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester, NY - $2 Million Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital - $10 Million Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) - 26 Organizations - $104 Million Ability Partners (CP Rochester, Rochester Rehab, Happiness House) - $5 Million Arc Allegany-Steuben - $5 Million Arc Chemung-Schuyler - $5 Million Arc Erie County New York - $5 Million Arc GLOW (Genesee/Livingston/Orleans/Wyoming)- $5 Million Arc of Monroe County - $5 Million Arc of Ontario County - $5 Million Arc of Wayne County - $5 Million AutismUp - $3 Million Best Buddies, WNY - $1 Million Catholic Charities Family and Community Services - $5 Million CDS Life Transitions - $5 Million Cobblestone Arts Center - $2 Million Empowering People's Independence (EPI) - $5 Million EquiCenter - $2 Million Golisano Autism Center - $3 Million Heritage Christian Services - $5 Million Holy Childhood - $5 Million Lifetime Assistance - $5 Million Mary Cariola Center - Future Announcement Mozaic (Arc of Seneca, Cayuga & Yates Counties) - $5 Million People, Inc. - $5 Million Special Olympics New York - $1 Million Springbrook - $5 Million Starbridge Services - $2 Million Summit Center - $5 Million Animal Welfare ? 23 Organizations - $24 Million Better Together Pet Rescue Center - $250,000 Beverly Animal Shelter - $1 Million Chautauqua County Humane Society - $1.5 Million Chemung County Humane Society & SPCA - $1 Million Finger Lakes SPCA - $1.5 Million Headed for Furever - $250,000 Hornell Area Humane Society - $1.5 Million Humane Society of Schuyler County - $1.5 Million Humane Society of Wayne County - $1.5 Million Humane Society of Yates County - $1.5 Million Joyful Rescue - $250,000 Keller's Kats Rescue - $250,000 Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester - $2 Million Mr. Grey's Strays - $250,000 Operation Freedom Ride - $250,000 Pet Adoption Network - $250,000 Pet Pride of New York - $1.5 Million Rochester Emergency Veterinary Services - $1.5 Million Rochester HOPE for Pets - $250,000 SPCA in Cattaraugus County - $1.5 Million SPCA Serving Allegany County - $1.5 Million SPCA Serving Erie County - $1.5 Million Wyoming County SPCA - $1.5 Million Golisano Foundation - $52 Million About Tom Golisano and the Golisano Foundation Tom Golisano?entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader?is the founder of Paychex, Inc., the nation's largest human resource company for small to medium-sized businesses, providing integrated human capital management solutions for payroll, benefits, human resources, and insurance services for more than 745,000 clients in the U.S. and Europe. Mr. Golisano's vision, perseverance, and action have left an indelible mark on a broad spectrum of issues that touch our lives?in business, healthcare, education, voter policies, politics, and tax reform. His continuing investments are helping to advance entrepreneurship through the 2023 establishment of the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship as well as driving the success of?numerous businesses and start-ups. His personal philanthropic contributions to hospitals?including three children's hospitals that bear his name?and numerous educational institutions, his Foundation, and other organizations now exceed $775 million.?He has dedicated more than $145 million to advancing inclusive health around the world helping to close the substantial gap in access to care for people with intellectual disabilities. A fierce advocate for dignity and inclusion, in 1985 Mr. Golisano applied his pioneering spirit to establish the?Golisano Foundation to make the world a better place for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With more than $120 million now in gross assets, it is one of the largest private foundations in the U.S. devoted to supporting programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities awarding about $5 million annually to non-profit organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida. Mr. Golisano is the author of two Books, "Built Not Born," a Wall Street Journal best seller and "The Italian Kid Did It." He is listed on the Forbes 400. Connect with us at?Golisanofoundation.org, @GolisanoFdn, @ThomasGolisano About Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship is a leader in alternative post-secondary business education. Delivering a high-quality and accelerated business experience for students of all ages, Golisano Institute leverages an expansive roster of higher education partners, entrepreneur advisors, and business connections to help professionals reach their full potential. Thanks to the generosity of founder Tom Golisano, qualified students can access the Institute's benefits at a significantly lower cost than the average higher education institution. For more information, visit us at LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or golisanoinstitute.org. SOURCE Tom Golisano 17 september 2024 at 15:35 News published onand distributed by: Energy supply workers restore a high-voltage line destroyed in Russian missile attack, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 7, 2024. STAFF / REUTERS Germany will provide 100 million ($111 million) in aid to help Ukraine through the coming winter as it weathers Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure, the foreign ministry said Tuesday, September 17. "Ukraine is facing another winter of war and Putin is waging a brutal war of cold," the ministry wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Russia is deliberately attacking Ukraine's heat and energy supply. This is why Germany is providing a further 100 million euros in winter aid for the (Ukrainian) energy supply." Moscow has pounded Ukraine's energy network throughout the two-and-a-half year war, destroying swathes of the country's infrastructure and causing severe power shortages and blackouts. Read more Subscribers only Russia seeks to paralyze Ukraine by destroying its energy infrastructure Russian forces have recently shifted their focus from shelling energy distribution networks to targeting energy production facilities, which are much more costly and take years to repair or rebuild. Moscow is also targeting the country's energy reserves. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal last week laid out plans to repair and protect the country's power system ahead of the winter, including reinforcing facilities against drone attacks and impacts from missile fragments. Shmygal said all hospitals and more than 80 percent of schools across the country were equipped with generators, but there was still "an urgent need for another 1,800 high-capacity generators." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in June that Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy facilities had destroyed half of its electricity generation capacity since last winter. In early September, the EU announced 40 million in humanitarian aid for Ukraine to help with repair work, electricity, heating and housing ahead of the coming winter. This video grab taken from an AFPTV video on September 17, 2024, shows a plume of smoke rising in Bamako as shots and detonations were heard. - / AFP An Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group on Tuesday, September 17, claimed responsibility for a deadly attack in Mali's capital Bamako that saw them temporarily take control of part of the international airport. Images broadcast on the communication channels of the Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) group showed fighters strolling around and firing randomly into the windows of the presidential hangar in the airport complex. The country's general staff later said that the attack killed a number of military personnel but did not give a detailed toll. It confirmed that a gendarmes' training center and the city's airport were targeted. The hangar usually hosts official guests and the head of state of the West African country, which has been under military rule since coups in 2020 and 2021. One video showed a fighter calmly firing at the engine of an aircraft, while in others thick smoke could be seen rising from the airport and the hangar of the presidential plane. Unverified videos circulating on social media showed charred bodies on the ground. "This cowardly and treacherous attack caused some loss of human lives on our side," including some trainee military police, the general staff said in a statement read out on state television, adding that the attack had been repelled. "This situation was rapidly brought under control," it said. "The combing of the area is ongoing." The French high school Liberte announced it would remain closed "due to external events" and staff at the United Nations mission in Mali received a message urging them to "limit (their) movements until further notice." Coups in 2020, 2021 Mali has been ruled by a military junta since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021. A number of armed rebel groups are active in the West African country including separatists and jihadists linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group but until now the capital has been spared. Read more Mali separatists say they killed dozens fighters from Wagner Group and government troops After the Malian coup, military juntas also seized power in neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger. Under junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita, Mali broke a long-standing alliance with European partners and former colonial power France, turning instead to Russia and its Wagner mercenary group for support. The military leaders have pledged to regain control of the entire country. Their offensive against rebels in the north has given rise to numerous allegations that the army and its Russian allies have committed abuses against civilians since 2022, charges they deny. This file photo taken on October 5, 2021, in Toulouse shows the logo of RT (Russia Today) TV channel displayed on a tablet. LIONEL BONAVENTURE / AFP Meta said it is banning Russian state media outlets from its apps around the world due to "foreign interference activity," late on Monday, September 16. "After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets," Meta said in response to an inquiry from Agence-France Presse (AFP). "Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity," said Meta, whose apps include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads. The ban comes after the United States accused RT and employees of the state-run outlet of funneling $10 million through shell entities to covertly fund influence campaigns on social media channels including TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube, according to an unsealed indictment. Read more Subscribers only US crackdown on Tenet Media reveals ongoing Russian election interference RT was forced to cease formal operations in Britain, Canada, the European Union and the United States due to sanctions after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, according to the indictment unsealed in New York, US prosecutors quoted an RT editor-in-chief as saying it created an "entire empire of covert projects" designed to shape public opinion in "Western audiences." Kremlin slams decision The Kremlin on Tuesday slammed the decision as "unacceptable." "With this action Meta discredits itself," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters. RT was forced to cease formal operations in Britain, Canada, the European Union and the United States due to sanctions after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, according to the indictment unsealed in New York. US prosecutors quoted an RT editor-in-chief as saying it created an "entire empire of covert projects" designed to shape public opinion in "Western audiences." Secret content backing One of the covert projects involved funding and direction of an online content creation company in Tennessee, according to the indictment. Since launching in late 2023, the US content creation operation supported by Russia has posted nearly 2,000 videos that have logged more than 16 million views on YouTube alone, according to the indictment. Prosecutors cited a content producer as grousing about being pressed by the company to post a video early this year of a "well known US political commentator visiting a grocery store in Russia," complaining it felt like "overt shilling" but agreeing to put the video out. The company never disclosed to viewers it was funded by RT, US prosecutors said. Read more Subscribers only Russian interference: European media caught in a bind "RT has pursued malign influence campaigns in countries opposed to its policies, including the United States, in an effort to sow domestic divisions and thereby weaken opposition to Government of Russia objectives," prosecutors argued in the indictment. Proxies and mercenaries Russia is the biggest source of covert influence operations on Meta's platform since 2017, and such efforts at deceptive online influence ramped up after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to threat reports released routinely by the social media giant. Meta had previously banned the Federal News Agency in Russia to thwart foreign interference activities by the Russian Internet Research Agency. RT capabilities were expanded early last year, with the Russian government enhancing it with "cyber operational capabilities and ties to Russian intelligence," the US State Department said in a recent release. Cyber capabilities were focused primarily on influence and intelligence operations around the world, according to the State Department. Information gathered by covert RT operations flows to Russia's intelligence services, Russian media outlets, Russian mercenary groups, and other "proxy arms" of the Russian government, the United States maintained. The State Department said it was engaged in diplomatic efforts to inform governments around the world about Russia's use of RT to conduct covert activities and encourage them to take action to limit "Russia's ability to interfere in foreign elections and procure weapons for its war against Ukraine." News / National by Gideon Madzikatidze/Simbarashe Sithole Zimbabwe (Bulawayo) and South Africa (KwaZulu Natal) will benefit from their cultural heritage and related exchange programmes which are set to be synthesised through trade and tourism; Durban Direct member, Thulisile Galelekile has said. Speaking in Harare this Tuesday during an investment engagement to boost trade and tourism, Galelekile who is also an Executive Manager for Strategy, Operations, Trade and Investment in KwaZulu Natal has described that heterogeneity between some cultures in Zimbabwe and South Africa would help in economically transform the two nations through cultural inbreeding and cross breeding."As you are aware, there are striking similarities between Zimbabwe and South African culture which when specifically packaged, would triplicate in giving value through trade and tourism. This would be complemented through packaging culture as a commodity for trade and tourism for revenue generation," Thulisile Galelekile has said."Languages, traditional values (as expressed through music and dances), norms and beliefs amongst the two nations would be redefined, packaged and exhibited. The heritage sites would therefore be curated in such a manner which bring value to trade and tourism sectors through possible investments," Thulisile Galelekile remarks.The Durban Direct in partnership with Fastjet hosted these investment and engagement events to stimulate and grow trade and tourism, an initiative that brought in [Zimbabwe] about 11 KwaZulu-Natal-based business operators from different sectors including retail, manufacturing, agriculture and mining.The event is set to create a platform for business-to-business engagement to promote investment, trade and tourism as well as grow and sustain air connectivity between Bulawayo and Durban.Meanwhile, South African ambassador to Zimbabwe, Rejoice Mabudafhasi has commented the initiative as complementing relations between Pretoria and Harare (South Africa and Zimbabwe respectively)."These initiatives are really important in realising the ties between our two countries through packaging our cultural heritage for trade and tourism," Mabudafhasi said."It gives an opportunity for inclusivity, engagement and business investment amongst our nations," Mabudafhasi added.Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Barbara Rwodzi, has on various occasions appealed to stakeholders in the tourism industry to remit tourism levies to the Government and help to market Zimbabwe as a destination of choice."It is a charge that you put on tourists and remit it to us. You are not paying the money which the tourist is giving you. The law says a tourist has to pay a Tourism Levy on the service you are giving them," Rwodzi said then while addressing tourism sector players during a stakeholder consultative workshop on the Tourism Amendment Bill in Victoria Falls."Government has entrusted you, but some are not charging that. Our strategy follows the national strategy of President Mnangagwa in his vision for an upper-middle-income society by 2030, so business should contribute to that," Rwodzi said then. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close For more photos, use the arrows or click 'Next' MOYROSS Youth Academys Equine Programme took a trip of a lifetime this summer, visiting Ebony Horse Club in South London for a three-night horse riding visit. The programmes coordinators, Catherine Normoyle and Damien Gavin welcomed the challenge of bringing a group of six young people aged 12-14 to London, a feat many would have surely been intimidated by, as Catherine explained: we have relationships built with the kids, its not six young people we didnt know. They emphasised how welcoming and friendly Ebony Horse Club was to their group, taking them horse riding in Hyde Park and the Royal Mews. They were even lucky enough to receive a private tour of the latter, as the Queen is the president of Ebony Horse Club. The trip had been in the planning stages for around two years prior, with Ebony Horse Club visiting Clonshire and the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE) last year. This experience was undoubtedly a trip of a lifetime for the children, but for Catherine and Damien, one of the most invaluable parts of the trip was seeing the incredible facilities of Ebony Horse Club. Its like a little oasis in the middle of Brixton, Catherine explained. Its fabulous, what they have. You can imagine having something like that in Limerick for the kids. READ MORE: People of Limerick asked to offer feedback on revitalisation project for city centre The Equine Programme at Moyross Youth Academy was created 2007 and has developed greatly since its beginnings. The end goal, Catherine and Damien explained, is to have their own facility similar to the one owned by Ebony Horse Club. They feel passionately about continuing to expand their programme, which has already grown massively over the years, but having their own stables would change everything. Currently, they keep their ponies on livery in Clare Equestrian Centre with John Burke, who Catherine said, has been very, very good to the programme through the years, to the extent that I dont know if the programme would exist if it wasnt for him. The programme involves bringing children from six DEIS Limerick primary schools on a six-week horse riding programme, increasing to seven schools this year. They are also working on building a three strand approach, which will include a branch for secondary school students, and young people hoping to make a career in the equine industry. Having their own stables, like the ones they fell in love with at Ebony Horse Club, would allow them to explore a whole range of possibilities, including making their programme available to children with special needs, which is a definite goal of theirs. In their weekly groups and classroom lessons, Catherine and Damien give their students a well-rounded equine education, focusing on more than just horse riding: Its up to the kids to look after the ponies, its not just horse riding. They learn teamwork, theyre looking after the ponies, theyre mucking out the stables, theyre learning responsibility. Its a way of looking after them holistically, Damien added, explaining that their programme aims to help young people grow and develop in tandem with their school learning. For more photos, use the arrows or click 'Next' REPORTS of accommodation scams in one Limerick area have prompted a garda warning against loan and mortgage scams. A woman reported to gardai in Patrickswell that she had been the victim of an online loan scam from a false company going by the name of Temple Money Ireland. The victim found the company online, thinking it was genuine, said Sergeant Ber Leetch, crime prevention officer at Henry St garda station. Once contacted, the scammers asked the woman to pay 300 up front to secure the loan. She settled this payment and was asked for a further 150 to cover taxes on the loan, which she also paid. She was then informed that somebody would contact her to discuss said loan but to date, nobody has. This was a scam. READ MORE: Limerick period home up for auction by instruction of High Court Gardai are now urging people not to apply for a loan online unless they have visited the central bank website. The central bank register will provide a list of unauthorised firms. Temple Money has been on the unauthorised firms list since August 2023. Another scam targeting people in Limerick is a text suggesting that people are owed tax credit. Everybody believes that they are paying too much tax and everybody could do with extra money now, Sergeant Ber Leetch said. The scammer knows this and hopes people will take the bait. The text reads pre-approved 2024 tax credit repayment cannot be processed. Follow Myrevenueclaim.com to verify information. The minute you click on a link like this, you are in their net and it is only another minute before they are requesting your bank details so that your claim can be paid to you. Sergeant Leetch concluded by saying that scammers will clean out your account if clicking on the link in the text. NOMINATIONS for the Generation Apprenticeship Apprentice of the Year Awards 2024 have been announced, with 400 "outstanding" apprentices shortlisted. Nominees, chosen from the approximately 27,500 apprenticeships nationwide, include some of Clare and Limericks most talented apprentices, who are in with a chance of taking home the highly-coveted national Apprentice of the Year title or an apprenticeship category award. Now in its third year, the prestigious awards showcase Irelands strong community of apprentices for outstanding leadership, teamwork, creativity and problem-solving. 24 apprentices in the Mid-West, whose attributes have shone through their work and learning, will face an independent panel of judges in October. As part of the awards process, nominees get the chance to participate in the Heroes showcase at WorldSkills Ireland, taking place in the RDS, Dublin. Nominees will take to the stage on the afternoons of Wednesday 25 and 26 September, said Mary Liz Trant, director of the National Apprenticeship Office. We will have apprentices who include engineers, software developers, accountants, insurance practitioners, aircraft mechanics, farm managers, carpenters, electricians, chefs, and many more taking to the Heroes stage at the RDS where, in a one-minute presentation, they will speak about why they chose the apprenticeship route and what opportunities it is creating for them, she continued. READ MORE: ICMSA set 48cpl as 'minimum target' for August milk price The Shannon regions trailblazing nominees are drawn from all industry sectors, contributing to the growth, creativity, competitiveness of their chosen fields. A fine example of Limericks famous hospitality, up-and-coming chef Freddie Cullen has developed a reputation for pushing the boundaries of traditional techniques and flavours in the kitchen at the Dunraven Arms Hotel. Ahead of the awards he expressed thanks for this amazing opportunity" to represent his college and profession in these awards. Community is at the heart of Yvonne Sheahans work in Ballyhoura Development CLG, where she works in finance. The apprentice accounting technician credits her mentor and her colleagues at Ballyhoura Development CLG for giving her the opportunity to obtain a recognised professional qualification in accounting while building real-world experience with a supportive team. An apprentice plumber, Jack Bedford said of his work at Rael Contracts: You dont have to like it, you have to love it! With exceptional problem-solving skills, analytical thinking and attention to detail, he can easily find effective plumbing solutions in challenging situations a set of skills that have seen him nominated for the Apprentice of the Year Awards 2024. All nominees will be invited to the awards ceremony in Dublin on October 23. IT WILL be early next year before a developer finds out if his plans for a graveyard in Monaleen can go ahead. It comes after 12 people appealed, against the councils decision to grant planning the project, to An Bord Pleanala. Developer Eugene Harrington, who lives near the three-acre former pitch-and-putt site earmarked for the graveyard, saw his proposals for Monaleen Memorial Park green-lit by council last month. However, since then, a number of local residents have asked An Bord Pleanala to intervene, with the national appeals body setting a decision date of January 15, 2025. CONFIRMED: Elisa O'Donovan to run for Social Democrats in Limerick City Concern was expressed from residents that funeral traffic would occur outside peak hours, and that the entrance to the park is located on the same road as one of the busiest primary schools in the province. Objectors said they had not been given assurances that it would remain safe to farm the land and grow their own fruit and vegetables due to the presence of formaldehyde in the system. A negative impact on the value of property in the area formed a part of the appeal to An Bord Pleanala, while a point was made that there might not be a need for a new private graveyard, given planned growth in the citys municipal cemeteries. It is simply very poor planning and completely unconscionable to plonk a burial ground and a multi-million euro business in the middle of a mature residential area, wrote one neighbour in objection. Development of the park is envisioned to last across three phases, and contain space for 3,335 plots. Architect for developer Eugene Harrington, Deirdre Kelly has previously said there has been an extensive amount of site investigation to ensure the ground conditions are suitable for cemetery use. In response to concerns over anti-social behaviour, she pledged there will be closed circuit television. SYDNEY, Sept. 17, 2024 /CNW/ - Studiosity, a global leader in ethical AI-for-learning technology, is awarding research grants to universities in Kenya, Ghana, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Malaysia. These grants enable the rigorous academic evaluation of Studiosity's GenAI-powered learning support platform, which launched in February 2024 and is already in use at 45 universities in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom. The grants will extend understanding and evidence of how the technology can impact student learning outcomes across diverse cultural and socio-economic contexts. Studiosity Logo (CNW Group/Studiosity) A significant new move to support the work of academics and teachers Reaching more than 2 million students worldwide via hundreds of universities and colleges, Studiosity's technology represents a significant advancement in AI-based student support. It is uniquely positioned to complement the efforts of academics and teachers to augment rather than offload human cognitive development to a productivity tool. This is a challenge the global higher education sector has been struggling with, giving rise to the educationally-appropriate phrase "AI for Learning." Studiosity's platform is built on two decades of experience providing ethical, student-centred formative feedback and support that prioritises and reveals students' understanding and skill development. By offering real-time, personalised academic assistance, Studiosity's platform helps educators by reinforcing classroom learning and addressing individual student needs. "Our commitment to supporting the work of students, academics and teachers is at the heart of what we do," said Mike Larsen, CEO of Studiosity. "These research grants, and the studies they support, will provide valuable insights into how our GenAI-powered platform can be optimised to further enhance the educational experiences of students across six distinct geographies, learning environments and cultures." Story continues Trials underway in new regions to assess impact on learning, globally The research trials are being conducted in collaboration with universities with a collective enrollment of 2.1 million students. These studies aim to evaluate the effectiveness of Studiosity's AI-for-learning platform in various cultural and socio-economic contexts, helping to ensure that the technology is adaptable and impactful in any setting around the world. "By investing in these large trials and the associated research, we are not just expanding the reach of our technology; we are deepening our understanding of its effectiveness across different educational environments," added Mr. Larsen. "Our goal is to ensure that Studiosity continues to provide meaningful, evidence-based support to students, no matter where they are in the world." About Studiosity Studiosity is an education technology company that provides ethical "AI-for-learning" solutions to students worldwide. Studiosity partners with universities that already enrol over 2-million students to deliver personalised academic support that emphasises understanding and skill development. Studiosity's approach to educational technology is grounded in a rigorous, academically driven evidence base. With offices in Sydney, London, Toronto, and Dubai, Studiosity leads the way in ethical educational technology, dedicated to increasing life chances for students everywhere. Upon request for Higher Education journalists: Interviews with leadership in research grant universities Peer-reviewed and academic evidence base showing impact on student learning Preliminary outcomes of the new research when available SOURCE Studiosity Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2024/17/c7931.html LIMERICK Food Group has announced that they will not be running one annual harvest food and culture festival due to resource challenges. After seven years of presenting Limericks annual Pigtown Festival, Limerick Food Group regrets to announce that they will not be running it this month. In a statement, Limerick Food Group, a project led by chef Tom Flavin, former executive chef of the Strand Hotel, and Limerick City and County councillor Olivia OSullivan, said that they are very disappointed. We informed Limerick City and County Council and Failte Ireland in March 2023 that we could not keep the festival going, due to resource challenges in our reduced volunteer committee, the statement reads. We were asked to try to deliver a festival for 2023 if possible, and we did that, stretching our small volunteer team, holding a successful Pigtown weekend with the understanding that the Council was going to take it on this year in 2024. READ MORE: Concern raised as 85 new apartments planned for Limerick city centre However, the Limerick Food Group did reach out to Limerick City and County Council in the spring of this year. Less than two weeks out from the festival weekend, the Council informed the group that the street theatre company in discussion to run the Pigtown Parade had withdrawn. No work had taken place to date on programming the food element of the festival. Resource issues were cited, with all resources being diverted elsewhere in the preceding period, the statement reads. This was very disappointing to hear as Limerick Food Group, with our small committee of volunteers, has delivered the Pigtown Food and Culture Festival every autumn in Limerick for the last seven years - including stringing a festival together during a global pandemic. Despite this, there will be alternative foodie events on Culture Night this Friday, September 20, and over the weekend, taking place at the Milk Market and at Treaty City. Little Pigtown at the Milk Market will take place from 5pm to 8pm on Culture Night this Friday. Additionally, a cooking demo with Chef George Casey on will be held at the Milk Market on Saturday at 10.30am, and The Art of Pigtown art fair will take place on Sunday from 11am to 4pm, featuring 35 stalls by local artists and crafters. Treaty City is also still holding its Culture Night event this Friday from 6pm to 10pm, featuring Dan Sykes from Springfield Castle and Chef Keith Pigott using local producers from the Limerick Food and Drinks Producer Directory, launched this year by Limerick Food Group. He appointed his children, John and Karen, to oversee trust funds set out in the document. In the will, dated August 12, 2019, he left an estate valued at an incredible 21,213,101. TOM MORAN from Athea in West Limerick, one of Irelands best known hoteliers, left over 21m in his will as reported by the Sunday Independent. Mr Moran died in March last year, aged 72. During his career, which spanned more than 50 years, he built and lost an empire but he never lost his positivity. He was synonymous with the landmark Red Cow Moran Hotel in Dublin, and a one-time sponsor of the Limerick GAA teams. The late businessman grew up on a farm in Toureen Donnell near Athea and left school to work as an apprentice coffin-maker in Listowel before emigrating to London aged 16, where he met his wife Sheila Cleary. The father-of-seven famously started his career by becoming the youngest licensee in London at just 19 years-of-age. He worked as a pub manager for 10 years before returning to Ireland where he bought two pubs in Limerick. Over time he diversified into the hotel business and Moran Hotels became a household name. READ MORE: CONFIRMED: Elisa O'Donovan to run for Social Democrats in Limerick City The chain of hotels sponsored the Limerick GAA teams between 1998 and 2003, during which time the U21 hurling team won three consecutive All-Ireland titles. Mr Moran and his wife moved back to Limerick in 1980 and bought the Top of the Town pub. In 1988 a friend asked Mr Moran to accompany him to the auction of the Red Cow Inn on Dublins Naas Road. The hammer came down at 1,010,000, (almost 1.3m), making him the first person to pay more than 1m for a pub in Ireland. He bought Londons Crown pub in Cricklewood in 1998 to develop it into a hotel and later bought the Silver Springs Hotel in Cork and opened the Chiswick Moran Hotel in London. In 2015 Mr Moran sold all the hotels to Dalata with the exception of the Red Cow Moran Hotel. Paying tribute after his death, fellow West Limerick man and former Mayor Cllr Liam Galvin said: "Tommy was able to mix with the millionaires, the billionaires and the people who have nothing." AN APPEAL has been issued for information to help track down relatives of a Limerick priest who died 80 years ago during World War II while serving as chaplain at the British Royal Airforce. A graveside service was held in southern England to remember Father Michael Kelly on the 80th anniversary of his death but little is known about the priest. He is buried in a Commonwealth War Grave in the cemetery attached to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Fordingbridge, Hampshire. Fr Michael was one of four Catholic RAF Chaplains among the World War 2 dead. All four of them were from Ireland. Efforts have been made in the past to track down relatives of Fr Michael Kelly but to no avail and now, to honour his 80th anniversary, the Bishopric of the Forces has issued a public appeal for the support of people in Limerick in identifying him. READ MORE: This album does have a darker side, this is a taste of it: Limerick's own Dead Poets share teaser ahead of album release The recent service was conducted by the Principal Catholic Chaplain of the RAF, Padre Dave Skillen. A Mass for Fr Michael was also celebrated by RAF Chaplain Fr James Mealy, who is currently stationed on the Falklands Islands. Padre Skillen said: Sadly little is known about Fr Michael Kelly apart from the fact that he died in a military hospital. Efforts to track down any descendant members of his family have so far been without success. If there are any descendants of Michael l am sure they would like to know that he is not forgotten and if they want to visit his grave l would make arrangements to welcome them. If anyone has information that could help track down relatives of Fr Kelly, Padre Dave can be contacted at 0044 7770 538693. "SIGNIFICANT delays" are to be expected during a week-long road closure of the R516 Croom to Bruff road. Limerick City and County Council advise motorists and road users that works, located at the Tullovin Bridge on the R516 Croom to Bruff Road, will be ongoing from Wednesday, September 18 to Wednesday, September 25. From 7am to 9pm each day, surface works will take place from the N20 interchange at Croom to the R512 junction at Bruff. Motorists can divert via the N20 at Croom to the R518 at ORourkes Cross to the R512 at Kilmallock and onto the R516 Junction at Main Street Bruff. READ MORE: Red Cross in Limerick to host an open night to recruit new volunteers "A road closure and diversion route traffic management operation will be in place for the duration of the works with local access only accommodated," the Limerick City and County Council notice reads. "Motorists are advised that significant delays are expected during this period. Any inconvenience caused is regretted with delays expected." These road works were expected to start a number of weeks ago but were delayed. More information can be found here. LAS VEGAS, Nevada, United States & Singapore & Bangalore, Karnataka, India Business Wire India EZE Cloud Consulting (EZE), a boutique Workday advisory organization and official Services and Sales Workday Partner, has today announced it has been chosen to provide a full suite of application management services (AMS) for Aptia Group (Aptia), the leading pensions and employee benefits administrator. Aptia, which has employees in the UK, USA, Portugal, and India will use EZEs services to support Human Capital Management, Recruiting & Onboarding, Talent & Performance, Absence & Time Tracking, Security, Advanced Compensation, Analytics, and Learning. Pooja S Bhatnagar, Global Lead - Strategic Projects, Culture, Engagement & DEI, Aptia said, Were delighted to be working with the team at EZE and look forward to unlocking the full potential of Workday for our workforce. The partnership with Aptia is a testament to our commitment of providing greater time-to-value for our clients Workday investment. Its an exciting step for EZE Cloud Consulting and Aptia, embarking on a journey of co-innovation and long-term collaboration, added Damodar Pai, Founder & Co-CEO, EZE Cloud Consulting. We are dedicated to advancing Aptias Workday capabilities with this strategic partnership. Recognizing the demands of an ever-changing business environment, EZE Cloud Consulting is committed to providing AMS support that keeps Aptia ahead of the curve. This alliance is designed to accelerate their operational efficiency and empower their team, and we are confident it will lead to mutual success," added Sandeep Sharma, Co-CEO & Board Member, EZE Cloud Consulting. About EZE Cloud Consulting EZE Cloud Consulting is a boutique Workday advisory organization headquartered in Singapore. An official Services and Sales Workday Partner, serving several Fortune 500 companies, EZE Cloud offers a full spectrum of Workday services, including HCM & Finance Transformation, Workday AMS, Workday Adaptive Planning, and Workday Integration. For more information on how EZE Cloud Consulting can help you, write to us at connect@ezecloudconsulting.com. About Aptia Aptia is a trusted provider of employee benefits and pensions administration services, with offices in the UK and U.S., supported by shared services in India and Portugal. We manage programmes covering over seven million people and serving more than 1,100 clients. Aptia delivers efficient and reliable solutions that ensure the smooth management of pension plans and employee benefits programmes. Our dedicated team of experts combines in-depth knowledge with leading technology to simplify the administration process. Media Contact Details EZE Cloud Consulting, connect@ezecloudconsulting.com; Aptia Group, mediaenquiries@aptia-group.com Boeing announced on September 16 that it is freezing hiring, reducing travel, and contemplating temporary layoffs as part of efforts to conserve cash during a strike by factory workers that began last week. The company outlined the moves in a memo to employees, emphasizing that they are necessary as our business is in a difficult period," as quoted by AP. The company will also cut spending on suppliers in response to the strike, which has involved about 33,000 workers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Workers began the strike after rejecting a proposed 25% wage increase over four years, falling short of their demand for a 40% hike. Also Read | Boeing Starts Hiring Freeze, Weighs Temporary Furloughs Chief Financial Officer Brian West detailed 10 immediate cost-cutting steps, which include halting hiring at all levels, pausing pay increases for managers and executives, and suspending all non-critical travel. We are also considering the difficult step of temporary furloughs for many employees, managers, and executives in the coming weeks, West stated," as quoted by Reuters. Also Read | Boeing machinist strike adds cash crunch to new CEOs rescue mission Boeing faces challenges amid worker demands and financial losses Boeings financial position has been challenging, with the company reporting over $25 billion in losses since 2019 and burning through $4.3 billion in the second quarter of 2024 alone. The ongoing strike, according to West, is jeopardizing the company's recovery. The delay in new plane deliveries, a vital source of revenue, has added pressure to Boeings financial struggles. Also Read | Boeing Starts Hiring Freeze, Weighs Temporary Furloughs Negotiations between the company and the union are set to resume with federal mediators on Tuesday. Union members have highlighted the loss of bonuses, pensions, and other benefits as key sticking points in their rejection of Boeings offer. Workers, including Nancie Browning, a long-time Boeing employee, expressed frustration, with Browning saying, We just want a piece of the pie like everybody else," as quoted by AP. Boeing also faces potential credit downgrades, with Moodys placing the company under review, and Fitch warning that a strike longer than two weeks could increase the likelihood of a downgrade. Boeings current debt stands at $60 billion, further stressing the companys financial outlook. IndiGo parent InterGlobe Aviation Limited on Tuesday said it has grounded the Delhi-Bangalore Flight 6E-6054 aircraft A321 involved in a tail strike on September 9. Gurugram-based IndiGo said the aircraft was grounded in Bangalore due to a tail strike. The low-cost airline also informed that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an investigation into the incident and has also de-rostered the flight crew operating Flight 6E-6054 on September 9, 2024. Also Read | Passengers clash over overhead cabin space on Guwahati-Delhi Indigo flight On Sept 9, 2024, an IndiGo A321 was grounded in Bangalore due to a tail strike. The aircraft is currently under maintenance and will be back in operation post necessary repairs. The incident is under investigation," PTI quoted IndiGo as saying. Earlier on September 16, the airlines issued an apology after Ranchi-Delhi Flight 6E 5024 was delayed and later cancelled due to technical reasons. "Flight 6E 5024 from Ranchi to Delhi was cancelled on September 15, due to technical reasons. The aircraft will be back in operations post necessary maintenance. Customers were provided with refreshments, refunds, and alternate flight options. IndiGo apologises for the inconvenience caused to the customers," airlines said in a statement. Similarly, another IndiGo flight 6E 1303 scheduled to operate between Mumbai and Doha on September 15 was cancelled. "IndiGo flight 6E 1303 operating from Mumbai to Doha was delayed due to a technical reason. Our airport team immediately provided assistance to the affected customers and provided refreshments and necessary arrangements," airlines said. Starting this week, it will begin automatically making youth accounts private, with the most restrictive settings. And younger teens wont be able to get around it by changing settings or creating adult accounts with fake birth dates. Account restrictions for teens include direct messaging only with people they follow or are already connected to, a reduction in adult-oriented content, automatic muting during nighttime hours and more. Building on changes to teen accounts it announced earlier this yearand following years of criticism about child safetythe Meta Platforms-owned social network said it would shift 100 million teenagers in the U.S. and around the world into the guardrailed accounts. The move applies to all accounts with an under-18 birth date, though teens 16 and older will be able to change their settings without parental approval. Any new teen accounts will be similarly restricted starting Tuesday. Parents will no longer have to manually enter those settings using Instagrams parental supervision tool. View Full Image Teens on Instagram will be placed in private accounts that restrict who can contact them. If teens under 16 want to change any settings, they will need a parent to do so. Photo: INSTAGRAM Teens are unlikely to be happy with the changes. Instagram is expecting to lose some meaningful amount of teen growth and teen engagement," Instagram head Adam Mosseri said in an interview. I have to believe earning some trust from parents and giving parents peace of mind will help business in the long run, but it will certainly hurt in the short term." Instagram plans to go even further, starting next year: Using artificial intelligence, it said, it will identify children who are lying about their agethen automatically place them into the restricted teen accounts. Instagram and other social-media companies are under pressure from lawmakers and parents to protect their youngest users. Social media has contributed to bullying, eating disorders and anxiety and depression stemming from social comparisons, according to parents, doctors and researchers. The U.S. Surgeon General last year issued an advisory about the effects social media has on youth mental health. Mosseri said the changes arent in response to legal or regulatory pressure, but are happening because Instagram has arrived at what it feels is the right approach to teen safety. How teen accounts will work Under the new accounts, teens wont be able to see sensitive content, such as posts or videos that show people fighting or that promote cosmetic proceduresand Instagrams algorithm wont recommend sexually suggestive content or content about suicide and self-harm. A Wall Street Journal investigation earlier this summer revealed that sexual videos were being recommended to teen accounts. Mosseri said Instagram has worked hard to ensure that the platform doesnt show teens such content. The new teen default settings should significantly reduce the chances of that, he added. Teen accounts will receive notifications telling them to close the app after an hour. (They can ignore it.) Sleep mode, which mutes notifications overnight, will be automatically enabled. Teens 15 and under will need a parents permissionvia the parental supervision toolto change the more-restrictive settings. If you want, you can override the default settings," Mosseri said of parents. But if you dont have time to do that, you dont have to do anything." If teens try to bypass the changes by creating new accounts with an older birth date, they will be prompted to either show an ID or to upload a video selfie for Instagrams face-based age-prediction tool. The company already requires age verification when young people attempt to change the birth date on their accounts to say they are over 18. Teens 16 and older will be able to change the restrictive settings themselves, unless their account is already under parental supervision. Instagrams reasoning is that older teens are more mature and need more autonomy (which is one reason I have said teens should wait until 16 to be on social media). The changes will roll out to teens in the U.S., the U.K., Canada and Australia within the next two months and to teens in Europe later this year. The changes will apply to teens in the rest of the world starting in January. Verifying age with AI Early next year in the U.S., Meta plans to use its adult classifier AI model to determine which Instagram account holders really are teens. The company, which also owns Facebook and WhatsApp, has already used that model to prevent teens from accessing such adult features as Facebook Dating. Verifying users ages has been considered one answer to safety-related problems on social media. Mosseri said he still believes Apple and Alphabets Googlewhich make the operating systems for most phonesshould provide age verification at the device level. Apple has said that social-media companies are best positioned to verify age and that sharing its users ages with third-party apps could go against privacy expectations. Mosseri said AI models that predict age arent perfect. Metas AI is trained on an accounts interactions with other users and content, among other signals, to determine whether the birth date is false. When the model begins policing, it will look for accounts held by people who are likely under 18. Those accounts will be placed under the teen restrictions, an Instagram spokeswoman said. But in the event the AI was wrong, the user will have an opportunity to appeal, and further train the AI. Instagram and other social-media platforms prohibit children under 13 from using their servicesbut it is an open secret that many kids still sign up. Mosseri said he hopes the AI model will eventually be able to identify those underage users. If they cant prove their eligibility, Instagram will disable their accounts, he said. For more WSJ Technology analysis, reviews, advice and headlines, sign up for our weekly newsletter. Write to Julie Jargon at Julie.Jargon@wsj.com Meta Platforms has banned Russian state media networks such as Rossiya Segodnya, RT and others across its platforms Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads for alleged deception tactics to influence audiences online, as per a Reuters report. Meta claimed Russian state media outlets used deceptive tactics to carry out covert influence operations online, the report added. Also Read | Watch | Bodycam footage of arrest of suspect in Trump assassination attempt Worldwide Ban In a written statement, Meta said that the ban has been enforced worldwide across its apps due to foreign interference activity, the report said. It will be enforced over the coming days. After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets. Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity, the statement read. The Russian embassy did not respond to Reuters' queries, as per the report. More Definitive Move The report added that this ban is a sharp escalation in actions against Russian state media by Meta, which is the world's biggest social media company. For years, the Mark Zuckerberg-led company has blocked Russian state media ads or reduced the reach of their posts limiting them instead of an outright ban, it added. The more definitive move seems to have come after the United States filed money-laundering charges against two RT employees earlier in September 2024. Alleged Russian Interference in US Elections The two RT employees were accused of scheming to hire an American company to produce online content to influence the 2024 US presidential elections. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on September 13 that countries should treat the activities of Russian state broadcaster RT as they do covert intelligence operations. Notably, RT has mocked the US actions and accused the country of trying to prevent it from operating as a journalistic organization. In briefing materials shared with Reuters, Meta said it had seen Russian state-controlled media try to evade detection in their online activities in the past and expected them to continue trying to engage in deceptive practices going forward. Bengaluru: Wipro Ltd is giving out salary hikes to employees starting September, which could be better than last year's. Top performers at the countrys fourth-largest information technology (IT) services firm can get salary increments of around 8% on average, two company officials told Mint on the condition of anonymity, which will make this year's hikes better than last years average of around 6%. About three-fourths of Wipros 200,000 offshore employees working away from client locations can potentially get a hike of nearly 8%, while those working from client locations might get a 3% bump in salary, according to the first of the two officials cited earlier. We are delighted to let you know that our merit salary increase (MSI) cycle will be effective September 1, 2024 - less than 12 months from the previous MSI," read an internal email sent by Saurabh Govil, Wipros chief human resources officer, to employees on 29 August and accessed by Mint. Wipro typically gives salary hikes during September-October, but had delayed it last year before rolling out the increments from December 2023. HR partners will soon share detailed eligibility guidelines and the process with your managers. Revised compensations will reflect from the October payroll along with September arrears," read Govils mail to employees. Tech slowdown Wipro becomes the second large Indian software company after Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) to have announced a salary hike, assuaging concerns of a potential delay amid a global tech slowdown. An email sent to Wipro remained unanswered till press time. TCS gave double-digit wage hikes for high performers and an average 4.5-7% for the rest, effective 1 April 2024. Indias $254-billion IT sector grew at 3.8%, its slowest pace, last year as clients cut tech spending due to macroeconomic uncertainties. Wipros median remuneration to employees excluding whole-time directors increased 9.43% in the year ended March 2024, compared with the preceding year. To be sure, hikes are not uniform across teams. The second official said hikes this year can be more than 8% and definitely more than last year. The expectation We expect hikes of more than 8% this time around. While we are not sure of the exact number, we are confident that it will be more than how much we received last year. However, we will have to wait and watch for the hike letters due shortly, which will spell out the exact hike numbers," said the official. While experts do not foresee an immediate turnaround, optimism persists. Enterprise clients remain focused on cost optimisation which continues to drive the bulk of the tech spend, but some of the stalled projects have resumed. Pricing is expected to be stable with some upward bias (a positive sign). Enterprises are starting to commit to net new spending in pockets," said HDFC Securities analysts in a note dated 13 September. While Wipro and TCS have put announced their salary hike plans, uncertainty still looms at Noida-based HCL Tech and Bengaluru-based Infosys Ltd, both of which have not decided on the timeline of salary hikes for the year. IT services companies are unsure of the macroeconomic situation. They are waiting to have a clearer picture of their growth prospects before they decide on the quantum and timings of the hikes," said Pareekh Jain, CEO and lead analyst at EIIRTrend. Wipro spent 549 billion ($6.6 billion) as employee costs for the year ended March 2024, which made up 61% of the companys full-year revenue of $10.8 billion. The hike cycle also comes at a time when Wipro looks to hire from campuses after a year's gap. The company is expected to scale up its fresher hiring target from 10,000 for the year ended March 2025. Wipro underwent a change in leadership a little less than six months ago when Srinivas Pallia took over as the companys chief executive officer on 6 April 2024, replacing Frenchman Thierry Delaporte. The next few months will be crucial as we steer the company towards growth. As a passionate hiker, I deeply connect with these words from Junko Tabei, the first woman to climb Mount Everest. She said, Even it was hard, you can reach the peak if you climb step-by-step. Of course, I seek the trust and continued support of all of you, our clients, our associates, partners and media as we move forward," said Pallia in his first post-earnings interaction as CEO on 19 April 2024. Pearson Launches New AI-Powered Study Tools Digital learning company Pearson has introduced several new AI-powered tools to help provide students personalized help from within their e-textbooks or study platforms. The tools are available through Pearson+ Channels, the video tutorial library part of the company's e-textbook subscription service. The new AI tools are: Personalized study and exam prep: Students can upload a syllabus to create an AI-generated custom learning plan tailored to the course schedule. Students can upload a syllabus to create an AI-generated custom learning plan tailored to the course schedule. Interactive video learning : A new "ask a question" button allows students to automatically pause a video and converse with a chatbot to get questions answered. : A new "ask a question" button allows students to automatically pause a video and converse with a chatbot to get questions answered. Expanded AI study tools: A generative AI-powered tutor can provide steps to solve problems, unique video content, practice questions and more. The new capabilities join Pearson's existing portfolio of AI study tools, including features in its MyLab and Mastering study platforms that provide personalized step-by-step guidance, content summarization, and explanations for challenging concepts, the company said. In addition, instructor AI tools were recently added to select MyLab and Mastering titles to help create assignments tailored to student needs. "College students who are using AI tools to help them understand complex topics are getting better grades," commented Pearson Chief Product Officer Tony Prentice, in a statement. "AI's role in education is growing and it's encouraging to see more students and faculty embrace the benefits of AI to unlock new ways to personalize learning and teaching. It's clear the future of education in not just on the horizon it's here and we're investing to provide a richer, more engaging experience for both students and faculty." Women hold more of the top jobs in companies than ever before, but they lag men on crucial early promotions into managementholding them back from greater power at work. Thats one of the central findings of a new, 10-year study of the roles and promotion rates of millions of women and men at major North American companies. After all the public efforts to advance women at work, most C-suite promotions put women in positions, like human-resources and marketing, that dont lead to the CEO job. Now as company programs designed to diversify workforces face questions about fairness, sustaining the progress could get tougher. The share of women in the lowestand much largermanagerial ranks has grown by just 2 percentage points from a decade ago, to 39% from 37%, and slightly more among middle managers, according to researchers at McKinsey and LeanIn.Org, the nonprofit founded by former Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg. Their study, based on the workforce data of more than 1,000 companies since 2015, marks the biggest ongoing effort to measure womens advancement inside big companies. The findings cast doubt over whether companies can build on those uneven gains, especially as they retreat from some of the measures they implemented in recent years to narrow the gender gap. The ability to grow talent from the entry-level up to senior leadership is one of the most fundamental challenges companies still havent gotten their hands around," said Lareina Yee, a senior partner at McKinsey. The number of employers who said gender diversity was a high priority fell to 78% this year from 87% in 2019, according to the studyconsistent with a broader pushback against corporate diversity programs. Gender-focused recruiting initiatives fell by nearly a third from 2022. So did the share of companies offering sponsorship programs aimed at helping rising female talent find senior executives who can champion them for bigger roles. Research shows those sponsorship opportunities for women make a big difference, Yee says. With companies backtracking, she asks: How do you think thats going to go?" A shaky pipeline When Lean In," Sandbergs 2013 handbook for working women, came out, it started a conversation across businesses about boosting female representation, and results. Companies set female promotion and recruiting goals, expanded parental benefits and warmed to flexible work. They also cultivated more female leaders; 40 women led S&P 500 companies at the end of last year, according to executive search and consulting firm Spencer Stuart, compared with 21 in 2015. The lopsided progress since then means companies cant lose their focus on continuing to support women in their career ambitions, says Sandberg, who left her role as chief operating officer of Facebook parent Meta Platforms in 2022. That the gender gap in workplaces persists shows its going to take a very concerted effort to fix it," she says. Women are doing their part, and we need companies to do their part." The biggest change has occurred at the top, where the population of women in the C-suite rose to 29% from 17% in 2015, while the share of women of color climbed to 7%. Many of those senior women have been elevated in so-called staff roles, particularly chief HR officers, not as division heads with bottom-line responsibilities, the study data show. Those business-operating jobs, traditional steppingstones to becoming chief executive, continue to be filled mostly by men. Without methodical efforts to identify and groom women for positions with the most power, companies will continue to face a shortage of women in leadership roles, says Jane Edison Stevenson, global vice chair of board and CEO services at executive-recruitment firm Korn Ferry. What will make the biggest difference? It is women in operating roles as soon as possible in their careers," says Stevenson, who points to General Motors as a case in point. Under Mary Barra, who became the first woman to run a global automaker in 2014, about 36% of GMs top managers are now women, including its executive chief engineer for battery electric trucks, head of trucks for North America and global system safety director. The Lean In and McKinsey data show women tend to fall behind men in their career progress at the very first promotion opportunity. About eight women get their first promotion to manager for every 10 menvirtually the same rate they did in 2018. Promotion rates for women of colorwhich briefly surged as companies redoubled racial-diversity commitments after George Floyds 2020 murderare worse than for white women. That may be one reason a Census Bureau report last week showed women working full time experienced 1.5% in median-income gains last year, half the increase for men. The difference drove the female-to-male earnings ratio down to 82.7%, compared with 84% a year earlier, marking the first statistically significant decrease in two decades. Write to Vanessa Fuhrmans at Vanessa.Fuhrmans@wsj.com Tamil Nadu dominates Indias electronics exports with a 34% share. This hard-won dominance is at stake as Samsung India workers strike at its Sriperumbudur unit refuses to die down and risks spreading to other units. Mint takes a closer look at the issues involved: Why are Samsung workers on strike? Workers at Samsung Indias manufacturing facility at Sriperumbudur went on strike on 9 September seeking higher wages and better working conditions. The workers, who earn an average of 25,000 per month, want 36,000 per month over a three-year period. They also want their CITU (Centre for Indian Trade Union)-backed union recognized. The factory, which produces washing machines, refrigerators and TVs, and accounts for 30% of its $2 billion revenue in India, is operating with skeletal staff. The shares of Samsung Electronics fell by over 3% on the South Korean stock exchange on Friday. Read more: The Micromax trap: Why Noise, Fire-Boltt, boAt, and Boult need smart manoeuvres Are work conditions that bad in the sector? There have been examples of poor working and living conditions in the past. In December 2021, mass food poisoning affected over 250 workers at Taiwanese phone maker Foxconns hostel facility in Sriperumbudur. The resultant protest exposed the poor living conditions at the Apple supplier. It forced Apple Inc. to put the facility temporarily on probation. The development pushed the Tamil Nadu government to build industry-scale housing. Employees from other units have also been complaining. Those at another Apple supplier, Flex, went on a day-long strike in February this year demanding better wages. What is the backdrop to this workers action? Politically affiliated trade unions have long sought a foothold in the rapidly growing electronics manufacturing sector saying there is no scope for collective bargaining. They have met with little success as these firms do not recognize the unions, which want to make their presence felt. They followed a similar strategy with limited success in Tamil Nadus automotive sector. Read more: Is the iPhone 16 launch really a seminal moment for generative AI? Can the strike spread to other units? CITU officials have made it clear they will expand this protest to Flex and Sanmina, a US electronics manufacturer, demanding better pay and working conditions and recognition of the CITU-affiliated union. This comes when Tamil Nadu has established itself as the go-to destination for electronics manufacturing. The states electronics hardware exports have shot up (see chart) and were more than twice those of its nearest competitor, Karnataka. Its eyeing a 40% share of Indian electronics exports by 2030. Can the developments spoil TNs dream? When the Samsung workers began their protest, Tamil Nadu chief minister M. K. Stalin was in the US seeking investments, including from the electronics sector. Over the years, Tamil Nadu has built up a strong electronics hardware eco-system by wooing investors. Now, if the government supports unions, investors may look at other states. If it supports investors, trade unions may dig their heels in, which could see the labour problems spread. On Monday, 100 workers and union leaders were arrested. Its a tight-rope walk. Read more: Tata Electronics plans to build two more chip fabs in Dholera Bengaluru: Aavishkaar Capital is set to lead a new investment round in direct-to-consumer brand Zouk, which would mark the venture capital firms entry into the companys cap table and the online tech-enabled fashion sector, three people familiar with the matter told Mint . The round, which is expected to close at around $8 million with participation from other existing investors, will largely be primary, with a 5-10% secondary component," one person said. The capital infusion, potentially Zouk's largest so far, will be used to fund the direct-to-consumer fashion companys expansion across online and offline verticals, the person added. A second person said discussions with some existing investors are at a preliminary stage and the round is expected to close in the next couple of weeks. Zouk and Aavishkaar did not respond to Mints request for comment. Also Read: Nykaa raises fashion game but beauty segment fades Aavishkaar, which has raised eight funds since 2001, typically invests in three core sectors financial inclusion, food & agriculture, and essential services. Recently, the company has placed more focus on tech-enabled sectors such as climate technology. Its investments span across early- to growth-stage companies, with ticket sizes ranging from $5 million to $25 million. Besides India, the venture capital firm has a presence in other parts of Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The investment firm has about half a billion dollars in assets under management. Its Indian portfolio companies include Agrostar, Ergos, GoDesi and Utkarsh Small Finance Bank. Zouk raised $3 million in its Series A round led by Stellaris Venture Partners at a valuation of almost $40 million in 2021. Titan Capital, Sharrp Ventures, JJ Family Office, Deutsche Bank India CEO Dilip Khandelwal, Atomberg founder Manoj Meena and Sugar Cosmetics founders Vineeta Singh and Kaushik Mukherjee also participated in the round, according to market intelligence provider Tracxn. New customer segments Investors have shown an increased preference for new-age D2C brands across categories such as fashion, apparel and health over the past two years as premiumisation on the back of changing consumption patterns has resulted in a shift in sentiments. Several bigwigs in the industry have lost market share to some of these startups after they failed to break away from conventional practices in terms of product innovation and supply chain systems needed to cater to their Gen Z and millennial customer segments. Some recent deals include luggage brand Mokobaras $12 million fundraise in February, fashion brand Pant Projects $4.25 million round in June, and ethnic brand Libas $18 million round in May. Zouk, which sells bags, wallets and footwear, had used its previously raised funds for promotional activities, expansion of its product catalogue, hiring of more people, strengthening its supply chain and opening offline stores. Besides its own website, the startup sells products on online platforms such as Amazon, Myntra, Flipkart, Ajio, Nykaa and Tata Cliq. Zouk has offline stores in Indian cities such as the National Capital Region, Bengaluru and Mumbai. The companys focus on offline expansion is in line with other larger startups such as Purplle, Nykaa and Mamaearth, which are also adopting an omnichannel strategy as consumers return to their normal shopping patterns after the pandemic. A recent report by RedSeer Strategy Consultants in partnership with investors Accel and Fireside Ventures highlighted that brands must evolve to adopt an omnichannel approach to tap the larger Indian retail market. The report estimated that the country will have an over $2 trillion retail market by 2030, yet 90% of it will be offline. At some point, online channels will act as a customer acquisition tool for the offline business. In the process, companies will have to evaluate the right time to go offline, choose suitable offline channels, run pilot projects to assess supply and demand, and use strategies to help online and offline verticals complement each other. Hence, new-age consumer-focused companies need to think of this large opportunity as they scale up, RedSeer said in the report. Founded in 2015 by Disha Singh and Pradeep Krishnakumar, Mumbai-based Zouk raised its first round of external capital from Stellaris about six years later. Over the past year, the companys revenue from operations more than doubled to 47.4 crore while its loss widened to 10.5 crore from 77.4 lakh in FY22. Bengaluru/Mumbai: Urban Companys early investors Steadview Capital, Elevation Capital and Accel are looking to sell a part of their stake in the home services platform, which is expected to create a combined liquidity of $100-150 million for the venture capital firms. The secondary sale will happen at a valuation less than the $2.6 billion Urban Company is estimated to be worth, according to three people familiar with matter. To be sure, in a secondary transaction, shareholders sell their stake to existing or new investors and no new capital is injected into the company. These transactions generally take place at a discount to the primary shares. The stake sale comes as some of the investment firms are sitting at the end of their fund life cycle and are looking to monetize their shareholding and create some liquidity before they raise their next fund," one of the people cited above said. Accel may look to offload nearly half of its stake while the others are still evaluating how much to sell," this person added. The transactions are part of a broader shuffle of Urban Companys capitalisation table ahead of its plans to tap the public markets in the next 12 months. Urban Company said it would not comment on what it termed market rumours. Steadview Capital, Elevation Capital and Accel did not respond to Mints queries emailed on Monday. Also read | Urban Company is eyeing profits and an IPO. But gig workers are angry Secondaries in vogue In 2021, Urban Company detailed plans for an initial public offering of its shares by 2023. The following year, it onboarded four independent board membersAshish Gupta, Ireena Vittal, Deepinder Goyal, and Shyamal Mukherjeein preparation for a public listing. However, the plans were deferred, and the company is currently targeting an initial public offering of its shares next year. In July, India-focused investment firm Dharana Capital purchased shares worth 400 crore, or $50 million, in Urban Company from the firms employees and shareholders. That transaction allowed Titan Capital, founded by Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal, to sell its investment in the company, logging returns of nearly 200 times on its 9-year-old seed cheque of 57 lakh. Indias startup ecosystem is seeing a growing trend of secondary transactions. Several investors who are approaching the end of their fund life cycle are looking to exit their investments and return capital to their limited partners, or LPs, who are investors in venture capital funds. Also read |Pre-IPO share sales surge as investors, startups reap rewards Several large-ticket deals that have occurred recently are seeing a mix of primary and secondary transactions. In June, Singapores state-owned investment firm Temasek and Fidelity Management & Research Company purchased eyewear retailer Lenskarts shares worth $200 million in a secondary transaction. The following month, beauty retailer Purplle raised 1,000 crore in a funding round that was a mix of primary and secondary shares, led by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, a sovereign fund. Last year, investment exits from startups surged by almost 1.7x to reach $6.6 billion as investors sought to provide liquidity to their LPs in a high-interest-rate environment, Bain said in its recent India Venture Capital report. It added that secondary and strategic sales also increased in value, primarily driven by mega exits in consumer tech companies such as Flipkart and Lenskart. Also read |Startup IPOs have made a scorching comeback. Beware the optical illusion A push towards profitability Gurugram-based Urban Company last raised $255 million in its series F funding round led by Prosus, Dragoneer and Wellington Management in June 2021 at a valuation of $2.1 billion. The round also saw participation from other prominent investors including Vy Capital, Tiger Global and Steadview. It included a primary capital infusion of $188 million and a secondary sale of about $ 67 million by select angels and early investors, the company had said at the time. Urban Company had added that it would use the funds raised to increase its footprint across India and enter international markets while enhancing other aspects of the business. Founded in 2014 by Raghav Chandra, Abhiraj Singh Bhal and Varun Khaitan, Urban Companya technology marketplace for home services such as beauty and spa, cleaning, plumbing, and appliance repairalso ventured into branded home appliances last year with the launch of a range of water purifiers. The company has operations in more than 50 Indian cities as well as in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore. Urban Companys revenue from operations rose to 827 crore in the fiscal year ended March from 637 crore in the prior year. Its losses before tax narrowed by 70% to 93 crores. For the first quarter of 2024-25, the company said it had recorded a consolidated revenue of 281 crore, a 37.3% rise from the same period a year earlier, and a profit before tax of 12 crore. This growth was achieved on the back of investments in service quality, partner training and enablement, technology development and the launch of Native RO water purifier devices," Urban Company said in a recent blog. We also made meaningful progress towards improving profitability driven by operational leverage and driving efficiency across cost lines." Also read |Will Athers fate be similar to Olas? Analysts are more cautious than optimistic. New Delhi: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday asked the Indian Railways to expedite the implementation of Kavach system in a phased manner and meet the allocated capex target in the stipulated timeframe. At a review meeting on Budgeted Capital Expenditure (Capex) of the railway ministry, the finance minister also urged officials to focus on capacity augmentation and take adequate steps to ensure safety of operations of the railways. She asked the Railways to focus on commuter convenience, including doubling and electrification of existing railway tracks and also on laying of new railway lines across the country as per the capex outlay provisioned in the Union Budget. The government is laying special focus on safety of Railway operations in view on several accidents and train derailments. Kavach, which is Indias indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system is expected to prevent train collisions as it would halt two trains from coming close to each other on the same track due to manual or signal failure. At the meeting, Railway ministry officials informed the finance minister that Kavach-related works are currently in progress in over 3,000RKm (route kms) on the Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai sections. Also, Kavach version 4.0, developed by Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) of the Railways has been operationalized on the Kota-Sawai Madhopur Section by the Kota Division of West Central Railway. The meeting of the finance minister with rail ministry officials is part of a series of review meetings that have been scheduled with ministries/departments with significant capex outlays in the Union Budget. In the 2024-2025 Union Budget, the government allocated a record capital expenditure (capex) of 2.62 trillion to the Indian Railways. Railways boost efficiency In a big push towards logistics efficiency and reduction of logistics costs related to rail movement, the Interim Budget for 2024-25 also provided for three Economic Railway Corridors Programmes identified under the PM Gati Shakti for enabling multi-modal connectivity, including energy, mineral, and cement corridors; port connectivity corridors, and high traffic density corridors. Also read | Railways may step up investment for augmenting network in FY25 full budget The railway ministry officials informed Sitharaman that 434 railway projects have been identified under three Economic Corridors totalling 40,900km with a total investment plan of 11.16 trillion. The railway officials also apprised the minister that under these corridors, 55 projects have already been sanctioned till now with total length of 5,723km. and investment plan of 1.03 trillion. During the current year, 101 projects are to be appraised under the corridor programme. The finance minister also stated that the rail ministry should expedite the conversion of 40,000 normal rail bogies to Vande Bharat standardsas announced in the Interim Budget 2024-25in order to enhance the safety, convenience and comfort of passengers. She also asked the officials to ensure that capex target for FY2024-25 is achieved in a time-bound manner and take forward the momentum achieved in the first 100 days of the government. The government has invited platform aggregators to register their gigs and platform workers on the e-Shram portal to receive social security benefits. Ministry of Labour & Employment has taken another major step in extending social security benefits to gig and platform workers by inviting platform aggregators to register their workers on the e-Shram portal, the Ministry said in a statement released on Tuesday. The e-Shram portal is a database of unorganized workers across the country. It aims to provide social security and welfare benefits to unorganized workers. This registration will be important for workers to access social welfare schemes. Additionally, it will help aggregators to maintain a registry of beneficiaries. The Ministry has asked the aggregators to update workers details, such as payments and work engagements, regularly after implementing these guidelines. Aggregators must also quickly report workers' exits to maintain the correct records. The Ministry has provided a toll-free helpline number (14434) to help workers and aggregators provide information, guide registration, and resolve any technical issues encountered during the process. Also Read | How US, UK social security systems is unfair for Indians Further, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has provided an advisory stating the standard operating procedure, highlighting the responsibilities of aggregators, such as registering workers' details and updating them regularly. Following the registration, the platform workers will be given a Universal Account Number (UAN). This number will give access to various social security benefits. Also Read | Which are the top sectors that generate employment in India? The statement said that the government has worked with a few aggregators and has successfully finished application programming interface (API) integration and has advanced the registration process. This collaboration between the government and aggregators aims to cover all the gig workers nationwide. Mumbai: The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) plans to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies to enhance compliance monitoring, its chief executive and secretary general Manisha Kapoor said. With the rapid growth of digital advertising, ASCI is focusing on technology to address challenges in regulating ads across sectors like alcohol and healthcare, which are governed by complex jurisdictional issues. Speaking to Mint, Kapoor stressed on the need to work with tech partners to develop AI tools tailored to Indias advertising landscape. We are not a tech company, obviously, so we will work with partners and technology providers. The question is, how do we bring all of those technologies together? How do we customize it? How do we teach the model enough for it to give an accurate result? she said. These AI models will be trained on Indian ads and ASCIs guidelines, helping advertisers test their content before release to ensure compliance. Kapoor said that this initiative could benefit smaller advertisers, many of whom lack in-house compliance teams. Many of these advertisers may not even have a marketing head. Its very founder-driven, she added, explaining how technology could help them self-regulate effectively. Also Read: Health-tech, travel apps in India biggest users of deceptive patterns: ASCI However, Kapoor cautioned that this initiative will take time. I dont think well be able to bring it out to the market overnight, but those are the areas of interest, she said. Tackling Digital Advertising Challenges Kapoor pointed to the significant challenges posed by digital advertising, especially around jurisdiction. When there is an ad on digital, the borderless nature of digital makes enforcement difficult, she explained. For instance, alcohol advertising is controlled by state excise authorities, but digital ads often evade these restrictions. Direct alcohol advertising is banned on TV and print, but enforcing this on digital platforms is much more complicated, Kapoor noted. ASCI, a self-regulatory body of the advertising industry, escalates such violations to state authorities, but cross-jurisdictional enforcement remains a challenge. Kapoor highlighted ASCIs recent collaboration with the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) to scrutinise real estate ads, which resulted in fines for misleading advertisements. She hinted at forming similar partnerships with other state authorities in future. Focus on Small and Medium Advertisers A key focus for ASCI is helping small and medium advertisers, especially those without compliance resources. How do we enable them to get their advertising right? How do we make sure they stay compliant? Kapoor said. She emphasized that AI could play a crucial role here by analyzing ads, comparing them to ASCIs guidelines, and flagging concerns before they go live. Technically, let's say you feed in an ad, and it compares it with an ASCI guideline and gives you a score. It tells you, These are the three areas in your ad that you may want to correct. So, its about reading the visuals, the context, and the text, she said. Also Read: Is the product that an AI model is peddling even real? However, training AI models to do this accurately is resource-intensive. It may not be very capital-intensive, but it is very bandwidth-intensive, Kapoor said. ASCI will need to review ads from the past year to train the system, a process that requires significant manpower. Addressing Dark Patterns ASCI is also working with the government to address "dark patterns"manipulative design tactics that mislead consumers. Kapoor said ASCIs recent report found that 52 out of 53 apps studied deployed dark patterns. We all knew dark patterns existed, but this is the first-ever report in India that has established the extent of the problem, she said. The Union ministry of consumer affairs has also issued guidelines on dark patterns. Kapoor emphasized ASCIs role in monitoring dark patterns in advertising, while the government tackles broader manipulative marketing practices. Collaboration with Government ASCI works closely with government bodies like the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Kapoor noted that ASCI escalates non-compliance cases to these authorities for further action. Also Read: India plans a unified system for complaints against misleading ads "Different priorities arise at different points in time because the environment is not stagnant. We continue to work closely with the government on several fronts, she said. Hyderabad/New Delhi: In 2019, Bhavithra J., a young agriculture graduate joined a farmer producer company in rural Tamil Nadu as its chief executive officer (CEO). Set up in 2016, the early years of Vilathikulam Pudur Pulses Producer Company Ltd was anything but smooth. Three CEOs had left in quick succession. There was not even a list of farmer-shareholders handy. The operations of the company, based out of Pudur in Thoothukudi district, were limited. It did not have the funds to pay its new CEO a subsistence salary of 25,000 per month. Five years later, Bhavithra, along with farmer board-of-directors of the company, crafted a remarkable turnaround. In the financial year ending March 2024, the company clocked a turnover of 24 crore. It now supplies inputs like seeds and fertilizers to farmers and runs a departmental store, a goat farm, a veterinary medicine store, a cattle feed shop, and an oil mill which processes and markets eight different types of edible oils. Unwilling to lie low, Bhavithra is now scouting for funds to set up a modern slaughterhouse. Her farmer producer company wants to export native Pattanam breed goat meat, frozen and packed, to consumers in West Asia. We would have touched 30 lakh annual profit if not for the floods which hit in December when we lost stored onions and maize worth 2.6 crore," Bhavithra said during a conversation on the sidelines of a conclave on farmer-run companies in Hyderabad earlier this month. The conclave was organized by Samunnati, a non-banking financial company (NBFC) which provides working capital and marketing support to farmer-run companies. View Full Image Bhavithra J., CEO of a farmer producer company from Pudur, Tamil Nadu. For the first two years, I did not take any salary. The board of directors took care of my food and stay," continued Bhavithra, daughter of a bus conductor, now 32. After five years at the helm of a company which now boasts 1,500 shareholder farmers, she speaks with enthusiasm and confidence, a steady smile hanging on her face. With our intervention, farmers are getting inputs for cheaper, using them more judiciously which improves the quality of harvest. They no longer lug their produce to wholesale markets. The company takes care of marketing at the farm gate," she said. In the past two years, Vilathikulam Pudur Pulses Producer Company clocked over 30 lakh in profit and even paid a nominal dividend to its shareholders ( 400 per member). 40,000 and growing More than a decade back, in 2013, India formulated a policy to set up and promote farmer producer companies, called FPCs in short. The idea was simple. A large majority of farmers are small and marginal landholders, owning less than two hectares of land. They purchase inputs in retail and sell their harvest in wholesale markets, having little or no bargaining power. A company owned by farmers can negotiate better prices for seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. With access to working capital, the company can own or lease warehouses and hold a member-farmers produce till it fetches a fair price in the market. It can also engage in primary processing and market members produce, either as a business-to-business (B2B) venture or as a retail brand. The idea was to harness the collective bargaining power of an 800-1,000-member company. This model is similar to Indias hugely successful dairy cooperatives, the likes of Amul (which began its journey from Gujarat) and Nandini (from Karnataka), which are household names. The difference is, most of these new-age farmer producer companies are set up under the Companies Act, 2013, freeing them from the political and bureaucratic interference. View Full Image In the Amul model, village-level cooperatives collect milk from farmers daily while district-level unions process this milk. (Mint) In this model, farmers can set up their own company by contributing equity and becoming shareholders. For example, a 1,000-member group can register the company with 1,000 equity contribution from each member. The producer company can then begin its journey with a paid-up capital of 10 lakh. It also becomes eligible for a matching equity grant from the government. In 2020, the government set an ambitious target to create 10,000 farmer producer organizations (FPOs)either as a cooperative society or under the Companies Act. The terms FPO and FPC are often used interchangeably. Under this scheme, FPOs were provided financial assistance of 18 lakh for three years (for staffs salary, registration and other administrative expenses in the initial years), a matching equity grant (up to 15 lakh per FPO), and a credit guarantee facility. According to Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, additional secretary at the agriculture ministry, more than 9,000 FPOs have been set up under the programme. These have more than 2 million member farmers, and about 28% of them are women. 7,600 FPOs are listed on the governments Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), an e-commerce platform, where farmers can directly sell their produce to consumers. Many states have launched their own schemes and policies to support FPOs. A new national policy is on the cards, Kidwai said. Data shared by Kidwai at the Hyderabad conclave provides a snapshot of the journey so far. More than 40,000 FPOs have been registered till date. Of these, about 4,000 have a licence to sell seeds, while 3,500 have a licence to sell fertilizers. In addition, close to 4,000 FPOs have a license from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which allows them to sell processed and packaged food items. Licences are only one part of the story three-four crore small farmers as part of collectives can be a powerful voice for their own rights," Kidwai said. Early champions In 2002, the late Verghese Kurien, who crafted Indias dairy revolution and established the iconic Amul brand, was the one who convinced then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to bring in a special law to promote farmer producer companies. Kuriens insistence that the provision be included in the Companies Act was fiercely opposed at high-level official meetings. But he had his way. Vajpayee was impressed by Kuriens logic that the discipline of the Companies Act and the professional regulation of the Registrar of Companies were necessary to firewall producer companies from bureaucratic and political interference. It would give formal players dealing in finance, marketing, and technology the required confidence to work with FPOs," recounted Pravesh Sharma, former agriculture secretary of Madhya Pradesh and former head of the Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC), a specialized agency of the agriculture ministry. View Full Image A file photo of Verghese Kurien. (HT) Sharma is credited for putting the FPO movement in motion across India, first in Madhya Pradesh and then during his stint at SFAC. The FPO ecosystem has established an organization at the farm level and changed how farmers access technology, purchase inputs and access markets. Today, all top agri-business companies have an FPO strategy," Sharma said. For instance, ITC Ltdwhich has Ashirvaad as a popular staples brandworks with 1,650 FPOs in 10 states across commodities like grains, spices, and millets. By 2030, the company has set a target to partner with 4,000 FPOs. Climate change being a clear threat, we work with farmer groups to introduce climate-resilient varieties, improve agronomic practices and provide timely advisories (on weather and pests)," said Ganesh Sundaraman, divisional chief executive of agri-business at ITC. The rough edges A large majority of the 40,000 FPOs created so far, about 70% or so, are estimated to be less than three years old. And just about a tenth, around 4,000 FPOs, are actively servicing member farmers, according to industry insiders. These numbers are expected to improve as FPOs mature and expand operations. But for that to happen, some glitches must be removed. States like Madhya Pradesh and Punjab still do not allow FPOs to aggregate farmers produce at the back-end. Farmers must cart their produce to state-regulated market yards, often 30-50 km away. State marketing laws specify that any buying and selling of farm produce has to happen in mandis; the trade cannot happen at the farm gate. This raises transaction costs for FPOs while purchasing produce from members. According to Sharma, warehouses at the farm gate should be allowed to function as marketing centres. This will give FPOs the flexibility to store and sell as they wish. Credit flow to FPOs can increase substantially if banks get into co-lending arrangements with specialised agri-NBFCs. Anil Kumar S.G. Access to working capital continues to be a major challenge. A 1,000-member FPO of small and marginal farmers need at least 2 crore annuallythis capital is rotated multiple times in a year while trading in inputs and crops. In addition, they may require term loans to purchase machinery (say, for processing of farm produce) and build infrastructure like warehouses. But banks are reluctant to lend and working capital requirements are serviced mostly by NBFCs which charge more than 15% interest. FPOs often find it difficult to access institutional credit due to low capital base, absence of credit history and lack of any collateral, and just about 10-12% of the FPOs have access to formal credit, according to the 2023 State of the Sector Report by the National Association for Farmer Producer Organisations. Credit flow to FPOs can increase substantially if banks get into co-lending arrangements with specialised agri-NBFCs. If such credit is counted under the priority sector lending target of commercial banks (set by the Reserve Bank of India), FPOs will have access to 3,500- 4,000 crore of working capital," said Anil Kumar S.G., founder and CEO of Samunnati. The NBFC lent about 1,500 crore in working capital loans to 3,300 FPOs in the previous two financial years (FY23 and FY24). Low residue, high value With a sustained growth in the number of FPOs many state-level federations have emerged. These federations help in the marketing and branding of producetaking cues from successful dairy cooperatives. In the Amul model, village-level cooperatives collect milk from farmers daily while district-level unions process this milk and make value-added products. The state-level Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation then markets these products manufactured by member unions under an umbrella brand. Federations are critical because individual collectives cannot afford to hire professionals and deal with multiple agentsbe financial institutions or large corporations looking to purchase produce of a certain quality. Currently, states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Haryana and Telangana, among others, have functional FPO federations. Some of these produce certified seeds (potato, wheat, soybean, castor) and supply low-pesticide residue grains for exports. For instance, Northern Farmers Mega FPO in Ambala, Haryana, grows seed potato for McCain Foods, supplies premium Basmati rice for exports, and aggregates paddy stubble (burning which is a major source of air pollution in north India during winters) for biofuel plants. It is also introducing zero-till technology (a more sustainable and cost-effective way to grow wheat) to farmers and required farm machinery. In 2023-24, the federation of 43 FPOs did a business of 40 crore. Federations are critical because individual collectives cannot afford to hire professionals and deal with multiple agentsbe financial institutions or large corporations looking to purchase produce of a certain quality. Similarly, Madhya Bharat Consortium, a federation of 211 FPOs from Madhya Pradesh, set up back in 2014, is a supplier of wheat to fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies. It also manages a 120 crore certified seed business, producing wheat, paddy and pulses seeds. We are now focusing on supplying low-residue rice, wheat and soybeans to large corporate buyers. Product differentiation is key to unlocking the value of farm produce," said Yogesh Dwivedi, CEO of the federation. While most FPO federations are centred around non-perishable staples, Benishan, which borrowed its name from a popular mango variety, offered a unique model to farmers of Telangana. It helped them adopt the best possible practices to improve both the quality and yield of fruits and vegetables they grow. Comprising 56 FPOs with over 100,000 farmer members, the federation clocked a revenue of 155 crore in 2023-24. It supplies to both modern retail (like Reliance Fresh) and e-commerce players (like Big Basket and Swiggy). Benishan was able to tap the market demand for residue-free produce especially in crops like chili where chemical pesticides are used heavily. In mangoes, farmers were trained in good harvesting practices which reduced losses and improved the quality of harvest. These interventions helped farmers receive a 20-30% price premium," said G. V. Ramanjaneyulu, executive director at Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Hyderabad, and a director at the FPO federation. Its still early days, but the FPO ecosystem is yet to throw up a pan-India brand. Insiders say that getting into retail is not easy as that involves significant marketing costs and would mean competing with large food brands. What was successful in dairy, is yet to be replicated in staples and perishables. Some individual FPOs have branded products but for now they have a limited footprint. For instance, Indore-based Kamdars Organic Producer Company, a 1,400-member strong FPO, sells hand-ground chemical-free staples under a retail brand named Satvik. It supplies to 300 local stores and its revenue was a modest 1 crore in FY24. View Full Image Kamdars Organic Producer Company from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, markets its staples under a retail brand named Satvik. There are also social barriers to growth. Bhavithra J. is wary of increasing the member base of the FPO she leads. Being a woman, it is not easy to manage a 1,500-member group. Because I speak in a firm and loud voice, a (male) farmer-member once asked: why are you raising your voice? You think you are Jayalalithaa (referring to the late Tamil Nadu chief minister)?" she said, laughing. China is, famously, the worlds factory and a giant market for the worlds companies. More unremarked is its growing role as the worlds research-and-development laboratory. Between 2012 and 2021 foreign firms increased their collective Chinese research personnel by a fifth, to 716,000. Their annual R&D spending in the country almost doubled, to 338bn yuan ($52bn). Add investments by local firms and China now matches Europes R&D tally (see chart). Only America splurges more. In 2022, despite harsh covid-19 lockdowns, 25 new foreign R&D centres opened in Shanghai. Last year, when overall foreign direct investments in China shrivelled by 80%, those in R&D rose by 4%. In the process, Western R&D centres in China have been re-engineered, from places to learn about the domestic market into hotbeds of innovation whose fruits can be found in products sold everywhere. View Full Image Graphic: The Economist Foreign chief executives now believe that Chinas brainpower and its innovation-curious regulatory regime are crucial ingredients of their companies global success. Nowhere else in the world can newfangled technologies, from novel drugs to flying taxis, be tested as quickly as in China, marvels a foreign diplomat. So even as the Chinese economy slowsit grew by a surprisingly tepid 4.7% in the second quarter, year on yearand multinational businesses try to reduce their reliance on Chinese supply chains amid mounting geopolitical tension, global CEOs are desperate to protect this critical third function of their Chinese operations. Last year Volkswagen invested more than $1bn in an innovation centre in the inland city of Hefei. Bosch, a fellow German firm that supplies parts to Volkswagen and other car giants, is building its own $1bn R&D outpost in nearby Suzhou. HSBC, a British bank, employs thousands of people at an R&D centre in southern China, where they are working on uses of AI, as well as other advanced technology such as blockchains and biometrics. In February AstraZeneca, a British pharmaceutical company, said it would turn its Shanghai operation into a global R&D hub. In March Apple, maker of the iPhone, unveiled new R&D initiatives around Shenzhen. The next month Bayer, a German drugs-and-chemicals firm, said it was increasing its presence in Shanghai to bring more technology from China to the world". In June Tesla, an American electric-vehicle (EV) pioneer, was granted permission by Shanghais authorities to conduct tests of its most advanced autonomous-driving systems on the citys streets. A big reason for doing lots of R&D in China is the countrys surplus of young engineers and scientists. Southern China is full of small companies developing all manner of clever technologies, from new chemicals to artificial intelligence (AI). This is a giant talent pool in which foreign multinationals can fish. The Chinese boffins are certainly quite a catch. They are no less talented than their counterparts in the West, where many of them studied and worked, but still command considerably lower pay. The average monthly salary for a newly minted PhD at a foreign company in China is around 13,000 yuan, a third of what they would make in America. One multinationals China boss reckons he gets 30% more working hours out of his research staff in China than his company manages to coax from similar workers in Europe. A lot of this work is focused on D rather than R. In many areas China still produces less basic research than America but, by many accounts, more applications. Its app economy is the worlds most sophisticated and, as one AI researcher at a foreign firm in Shanghai explains, leading the world in bringing machine learning to the masses. Cosmetics companies tend to launch more products in China than in other placesand also discontinue more. This lets them test consumers reactions more rapidly than in other places, says a marketing specialist. Products which pass the Chinese test can then be offered abroad. Pharmaceutical companies, among the worlds biggest spenders on R&D, can tap a burgeoning network of world-class contract-research outfits that carry out trials more cheaply than in the West. They have also found that the Chinese are keener to participate in clinical trials than people in other places. Chinas population of 1.4bn means that it is also easier to recruit sufficient numbers of patients even for trials of drugs targeting rare diseases, adds Eric Bouteiller of China Europe International Business School. Trials, whether of cosmetics, apps, medicines or autonomous vehicles, are made simpler by Chinas regulatory forbearance. Local governments vie with each other, and with other countries, to be leaders in emerging industries that will undergird what Xi Jinping, Chinas president, calls high-quality growth". Pharma executives praise Chinese rules for clinical studies that are independently designed and conducted by researchers rather than drugmakers. In some fields, such as cell therapies for cancer, these investigator-initiated trials in China are identifying successful treatments faster than in other places, says Susan Galbraith of AstraZeneca. Developers of passenger drones are similarly complimentary about rules that allow them to fly their contraptions in designated zones springing up in Chinese cities. Volkswagen began testing a prototype drone in the province of Inner Mongolia in 2022, a world first for a legacy carmaker. Forget San Francisco, says a foreign executive participating in such tests. If you want to set up a testing programme quickly, you had better come to China. Western companies would understandably hate to be shut out of this R&D paradise. Some are nonetheless bracing for such an eventuality. In June Americas Treasury department issued draft rules that would ban American firms from investing in AI, semiconductors, microelectronics and quantum computing in China. These could come into force later this year. Lab leaks At the same time, Mr Xis paranoid security apparatus is making it harder to move some intellectual property (ip) generated in China outside its borders, ignoring economically minded officials concomitant efforts to attract foreign investment. Exports of some AIs, such as speech- and text-recognition software or even TikToks recommendation algorithm, now need permission from the commerce ministry. So far this has not stopped most IP from leaving the country. But this may change at any moment, says Alex Roberts of Linklaters, a law firm. We are at a tipping point." In anticipation of tougher American and Chinese IP regimes, some foreign companies have started to move research staff out of China. Even as Apple doubles down on its Chinese R&D, Microsoft, its big-tech rival, is said to be offering AI researchers in Beijing relocation packages as it winds down more sensitive R&D in China. Although AstraZeneca and Bayer remain ostensibly bullish on Chinese research, some pharmaceutical companies are seeking more clarity about the rules for cross-border transfer of data and IP, says an industry insider, and are rethinking new investments. The flying-taxi firms are staying put for now. One day they, too, may have no choice but to take flight. To stay on top of the biggest stories in business and technology, sign up tothe Bottom Line, our weekly subscriber-only newsletter. 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com New Delhi: Indias nascent drone ecosystem is set to receive a 3,000-crore ($360-million) booster shot, with the Centre planning a new production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the industry, three people aware of the development said on condition of anonymity. The incentives plan thats being discussed includes 1,000 crore ($120 million) in PLI support for each of three verticalsdrone R&D, testing and component infrastructure, and drone manufacturing," one of the officials cited above said, adding that the proposal is currently under evaluation by the ministry of civil aviation. The proposed amount is an 18x jump from the previous PLI schemes meagre 165-crore ($20 million) outlay, which the officials said is in line with the on-ground impact and growth of domestic drone companies in the past three years. Further, the earlier PLI scheme only accounted for local drone manufacturing. The drone ecosystem has considerably evolved in the past three years, including scaling up of companies such as DroneAcharya, Ideaforge and Rattan India," the second person cited above said. What we now need is a more holistic support package from the Centre." The third official cited above added that consultations held by the aviation ministry earlier this year had seen suggestions for a 3,000-crore incentives package that would include design-linked incentives (DLIs) to promote design development for wide classes of dronesincluding for defence and warfare, agricultural, and even consumers. Drone company honchos and industry body Drone Federation of India (DFI) hailed the development, saying it would help Indias drone industry move away from dependence on China and other countries. It is a fillip for an industry that is projected to grow from a value of just $345 million in 2020 to $9.7 billion next year, as per consultancy firm EY India and industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci). Emails sent to the aviation ministry on Friday did not elicit any response till press time. Drones rising The spectacular growth expected in drones, as per the EY-Ficci report, from $345 million in 2020 to $9.7 billion by 2025, is likely to see defence contracts contributing $4.5 billion, while exports would make for 5%. By 2030, the local market is tipped to be worth $35 billion, with $12 billion coming from defence supplies, and $9 billion from commercial deals. Exports, meanwhile, could account for 16% of Indias drone economy by the end of this decade. Industry stakeholders said that to achieve this value including exports, a larger fiscal support programme is necessary. The previous scheme, announced in September 2021, only focused on domestic manufacturing of drones, and offered a limited outlay based on the nascent stage of the industry at the time. Smit Shah, president of DFI, said the body has already made presentations to ramp up incentives in the industry. There is a market need to reissue incentives that cover a broader base of the drone ecosystem, if India is to see a wide scale of development across the entire drone industry," Shah said. He also added that geopolitical security currently necessitates component manufacturing, which in turn necessitates the new PLI scheme. The component industry stakeholders are dependent on other nations, especially our northern neighbours (China), for rare and critical elements," Shah said. To remain dependent on other nations would be a challenge, especially seeing that a lot of supplies that come to the commercial drones industry are also utilized by defence." Shah added that on the components side, the DFI has recommended upfront incentivization, since many component firms will be taking first-time bets that involve greater risk and capital expenditure. Drone industry happy Ankit Mehta, chief executive of BSE-listed Ideaforge Technology Limited, said that the company was already a benefactor of the previous PLI scheme, and would re-apply when the new scheme is launched. Centre-backed incentives are crucial in helping develop the entire ecosystem, as opposed to us utilising China's generic open-source components and engineering resources," said Mehta. He added that the company already invests in developing autopilot and motor technologies from a design and IP standpoint, while the hardware side is contributed to by ecosystem players. Roping in incentives will be crucial in building our own vertically integrated value chain," he said. Mehta added that defence contracts, for which R&D is crucial, remains the biggest contributor to Ideaforge's revenue. "Nearly 75% of our revenue is contributed to by defence contracts, so far, even as civil sectors continue to grow," he said. To be sure, R&D is one of the key areas of the drone PLI scheme being discussed at the Centre, with a potential outlay of 1,000 crore to promote research in building core drone technologies domestically. Agnishwar Jayaprakash, founder and chief executive of domestic drone firm Garuda Aerospace, also added that a new PLI would be essential, especially considering the pick-up of Centre-backed orders and projects. In the past 18 months, weve manufactured and supplied over 2,500 drones, and in FY24, we reported revenue of 110 crore," said Jayaprakash. Were expecting this to come close to 200 crore by the end of this fiscal. Such scale of growth, including focus on design development, will need a new incentives package from the Centre." Jayaprakash further added the need for a services-linked incentives package to build markets. If we incentivize the development of services, new companies can see a sizeable market to cater to, which in turn will help us sell more drones. This will be beneficial for all stakeholders of the ecosystem, including component manufacturers newly setting up shop in the country." New Delhi: Lead auditors of business groups will be ultimately responsible and accountable for their consolidated financial statements even if subsidiaries or branches are audited by other auditors, according to a proposal released on Tuesday for public feedback by the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA). However, to prevent large audit firms from monopolising the audit market by taking over the audit of subsidiaries from smaller audit firms, the new requirement will only apply to public interest entities that come under the purview of NFRA such as listed entities and large unlisted companies meeting certain thresholds, excluding select entities like state-owned companies, state-run banks and state-run insurers. These entities have additional oversight of institutions like the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). Read more: Govt eyes audit regime, capital raising tweaks in Companies Act This would address any concerns about audit concentration (large audit firms cornering a large share of the audit market) as only about 30,000 companies out of the about 1.8 million companies in the country, would get covered by these revised standards, said a person informed about NFRAs functioning. Plugging regulatory loophole The revised norms for auditing group financial statementsstandard of audit (SA) 600seeks to plug a regulatory leak that had allowed business groups to get away with fund diversions through subsidiaries. The revised norms, for which public feedback has been sought by the end of October, unambiguously states that the group engagement partner, or the lead auditor, remains ultimately responsible, and therefore accountable, for compliance with the requirements of this standard of audit. The existing standard set by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) allows a parent companys auditor to rely on the work of a subsidiarys auditor without being held responsible for it, subject to safeguards. NFRAs worry is that because of this, any lapses such as diversion of funds from the subsidiary to, say, the groups promoters could go unnoticed. Mint reported on 1 September that NFRA was set to issue a draft of revamped rules for the audit of business conglomerates to plug the loophole. Read more: Audit quality is a bigger concern than market concentration The revised norms say that the auditor of the subsidiary failing to detect a misstatement in its financial information could lead to a misstatement in the groups accounts and the lead auditor may not detect this. Therefore, the lead auditor should sufficiently get involved in the work of the subsidiarys audit and ensure two-way communication. The revised norms offer guidance to the lead auditor for supervision of the subsidiarys auditors work and its review. A request sent to ICAI seeking comments for the story remained unanswered at the time of publishing. Public interest entities Vijay Kapur, a former director at ICAI, welcomed the NFRA move to uphold the best practices in the overall interest of the economy. But it appears that having regard to the larger goals, the NFRA agreed to exclude state-owned companies, banks, insurers and their branches for the time being. One may hope that such significant public interest entities will be included soon since protection of investors interest is the primary objective of NFRA, said Kapur. It is a matter of great delight to all lay investors that today India is watching the issuance of auditing standard by an independent entity, NFRA, said Kapur. The primary reason for proposing adoption of a revised standard for group audits is to help safeguard public interest and investor protection, and the need for a standards framework that is robust enough to meet the challenges posed by complex financial systems today, NFRA said in a note explaining its proposal. The inherent complexity of group structures cannot be handled by the current version of SA 600 issued in 2002, the audit regulator said. Read more: Crisis consultants in demand as regulatory run-ins rise NFRA said in its explanatory notes that some of the Indian companies have well over 100 subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates, and the highest was 335. A group of senior U.S. officials is traveling to Beijing this week for a round of high-level meetings intended to underscore Washingtons concerns over a wave of Chinese goods flooding world markets. The American officials, led by Jay Shambaugh, the Treasury Departments undersecretary for international affairs, will hold discussions with their Chinese counterparts on Thursday and Friday, according to a Treasury official. The planned meetings are the fifth gathering of an economic working group formed by both governments last year to enhance communication at a time of heightened competition between the worlds two largest economies. The group also includes Federal Reserve officials. Its important that we have a resilient channel to discuss a range of economic topics with our [China] counterparts, in areas where we agree and especially in areas where we disagree," Shambaugh said in a statement to The Wall Street Journal. During our trip," he said, we will further our discussions on Chinas macroeconomic imbalances and industrial policies that risk causing significant harm to workers and firms in the U.S. and around the world." With the new round of conversations, the U.S. group led by Shambaugh, an economist by training, will seek to build on the warnings expressed by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen during her April visit to China that the output by Chinas enormous manufacturing machine has gotten too large for the world to absorb. At a time of weak demand at home, Beijing has ramped up its manufacturing capacity, and sent excess capacity overseas. The policy choice reflects Chinese leader Xi Jinpings emphasis on building up an all-encompassing industrial supply chain that can reduce Chinas reliance on foreign products but increase the rest of the worlds dependence on China. So far, such a policy has had an effect of squeezing industries around the world, raising the specter of a new global trade war. Many of Chinas trading partners, from the U.S., Europe to even some in Asia that are considered relatively friendly to Beijing, are raising tariffs and other trade barriers aimed at fending off cheap Chinese goods. The fear shared by Washington, Brussels and other capitals is that a wave of Chinese exports, often made with the help of state subsidies, could overwhelm their own industries, leading to job losses and business closures in a repeat of the so-called China shock, when Chinese exports such as steel disrupted global markets at the start of the 21st century. This time, the stakes are higher for many in the developed world, as China is aiming its policy directly at the heart of the industries the West wants to foster itself, such as electric vehicles and renewable energy. Meanwhile, Beijing has dismissed warnings about overproduction as a pretext by the U.S.-led West to suppress Chinas rise. Beijing is also moving forward with its own challenge to U.S. industrial practices at the World Trade Organization. The external criticism aside, Beijing also faces pressure from within. Unneeded factories have sapped corporate profits, wasted money and weakened productivity growth. Many economists in China have urged the government to shift its support from manufacturing to households to bolster domestic consumption. However, the leadership so far has shown little willingness to change the policy. Instead, as the strain in U.S.-China relations continues, the Xi leadership has accelerated an industrial drive centered on EVs, semiconductors and artificial intelligence, and renewable energysectors seen as key for Chinas efforts to outcompete the U.S. In a July speech at the Council on Foreign Relations, Shambaugh said the U.S. is concerned about Beijings clear preference today to push manufacturing even further as Chinas growth driver," with the significant spillover to American firms and workers. In the statement to the Journal, Shambaugh said the U.S. delegation will also talk about areas of cooperation with the Chinese side in the working-group meeting, such as the debt and financing challenges faced by many developing countries. China has spent a trillion dollars to expand its influence across Asia, Africa and Latin America through its Belt and Road infrastructure program. Now, as many of those countries struggle to repay their debt to China, Beijing has become central to multilateral negotiations aimed at providing debt relief to countries such as Zambia. Write to Lingling Wei at Lingling.Wei@wsj.com New Delhi: A government proposal for a production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for shipping containers hangs in the balance after the federal think tank Niti Aayog raised cost concerns, prompting the shipping ministry to point to the need for incentives in the first placet to bring down costs. The domestic cost of manufacturing is significantly higher than global costs the cost of manufacturing in containers in China is 1.5-2 lakh per unit (40 feet dry containers), compared with 3.5-4 lakh in India, two people aware of the development said. The first person said Niti Aayog has suggested that the manufacturing cost of a container in India should not be more than 15-20% higher than global costs. With the average global manufacturing cost of a container ranging from 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh, the cost of manufacturing in India should not exceed 2.4 lakh per container. Niti Aayog has told the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways (MoPSW) that if the difference is so large, it would be better to import containers to meet the demand rather than produce them at uncompetitive prices," this person said. The think tank has asked the ministry to justify the PLI scheme. Justification sought However, the shipping ministry is of the view that scaling up manufacturing may bring down costs to global levels, and that the PLI scheme is needed to make India self-reliant in container manufacturing. Some questions have arisen over the high cost of manufacturing containers in India. But our view has been that an incentive scheme is required to create a manufacturing ecosystem in the country. Costs will fall when manufacturing gets necessary scale," T. K. Ramachandran, secretary, MoPSW told Mint. It is expected that the shipping ministry will put across its view supporting the scheme and look to extending financial assistance to manufacturers through its proposed 25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund. Queries sent to the Niti Aayog and ministry of commerce and industry, remained unanswered at press time. MoPSW also did not answer some other mailed questions related to the scheme. The government has been working on a PLI scheme for manufacturing shipping-grade containers for some time now to improve domestic availability and cut large scale import, especially from China. Shortage of containers The need to boost domestic manufacturing of containers was felt after Indian exporters and importers expressed concern over a global shortage of containers amid the Russia-Ukraine war. Though the shortage has eased, giving way to ample availability of cheap containers from abroad, there is still a feeling that a manufacturing infrastructure should be developed to insulate the industry from any future risk, keeping in mind India's growing trade volumes. Also read | Scarcity on high seas hurting Indias exports Another factor was the government's attempts to lower import dependence on China, which is the largest container supplier globally, accounting for 90-95% worldwide market share. Plans were advanced enough for the Centre to have earlier identified Bhavnagar in Gujarat to develop a manufacturing hub for containers. A few private companies had even started operations there. Huge demand exists According to the government, India requires 350,000 containers every year, which means locally produced containers would find robust demand. State-run Container Corporation of India Ltd (Concor), which is the largest fleet operator of containers across rail and waterways, alone has a requirement of 50,000-60,000 containers in the next three years. According to the people quoted above, CONCOR recently took deliveries for 16,000 containers made by a private firm for around 3 lakh each. This cost would have been substantially lower had domestic manufacturing been mature, they argued. A high-level committee was formed earlier to promote local container manufacturing and bring it under a PLI and cluster-based manufacturing system. This may now have to wait as the scheme would be scrutinized afresh before a call is taken on its proposed launch. There are apprehensions about a glut in container demand. To some extent, it may sound convincing, but what about the scarcity of containers when demand for them rises unexpectedly?" the second person said. Ministry moots PLI A proposal for container PLI was mooted by the shipping ministry early last year but the ministry later put it on hold citing a glut in the latter part of 2023. This proposal called for 11,000-crore container to be spent over a nine-year period, beginning 2024-25. The plan was to manufacture 20-foot high, 40-foot long containers of various configurations. The aim was for India to garner at least 10% of demand from global liners. S. Ramakrishna, former chairman and now advisor of the Federation of Freight Forwarders Association of India (FFFAI) emphasized the critical need for the government to address the cost and supply of raw materials used in container manufacturing. Also read | JSPL eager to build container manufacturing unit in Paradip There are many ways to address the high manufacturing costs. Unless the raw materials for containers are competitively manufactured, prices will not decrease. If the government exempts GST on raw material manufacturing, prices will automatically come down," S. Ramakrishna told Mint over phone. Earlier, China also supported its industries by reducing raw material costs. As a result, their finished products are priced lower than the cost of our raw materials. This is why 95% of containers are being imported from China," he said. The need for a steady supply of containers is also key to the Centres efforts to boost domestic cargo transportation through inland waterways and coastal shipping. Besides, the structural weakness is expected to be addressed through the scheme that has been hurting goods exports since the outbreak Covid-19 pandemic. Sanctions lead to shortage The sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union and US following its invasion of Ukraine led to an acute shortage of containers, which in turn increased freight rates and impacted global trade. In the past two years, Covid, too, has disrupted manufacturing and supply of containers globally. The Economic Survey for FY22 highlighted how the container shortage is impacting trade. It said covid-19-related restrictions on international trade in 2020 affected container movement. The prolonged partial closure of ports across the world created a glut of containers in some ports and an acute shortage in others. At the same time, because of widespread manufacturing delays, not enough containers were made, said the Economic Survey released by the government. Also read | PLI scheme for shipping containers in the works amid global shortage With the global economy starting to recover since early 2021, containers, which were stuck at various storage points are not being sent back to service fast enough, resulting in a skewed demand-supply situation for shipping containers, leading to very high shipping rates. During April-September 2021, India spent $14.8 billion on transport services imports, or 65% higher than last year." said the Survey. However, over the longer term, a PLI scheme should address creation of an eco-system of cost-competitive raw material suppliers, supported by demand-side measures such as local sourcing norms for containers, commensurate with Indias participation in international trade, the second person said. International crude oil prices rose by a dollar per barrel or nearly two per cent on Tuesday, September 17, as supply disruptions mounted and Wall Street traders bet oil demand will grow if the US Federal Reserve lowers its borrowing costs in its monetary policy decision on Wednesday, as is widely expected. US crude oil futures last gained $1.31, or 1.9 per cent, to $71.40 during Tuesday's session. Benchmark Brent crude futures last rose by $1, or 1.4 per cent, to $73.75 per barrel. Back home, crude oil futures last gained 1.6 per cent higher at 5,981 per barrel on the multi commodity exchange (MCX). What's lifting crude oil prices from three-year lows? -More than 12 per cent of crude output from the US Gulf of Mexico was offline after Hurricane Francine last week, lifting oil prices in three of the past four sessions, a rebound after Brent crude futures last Tuesday hit the lowest in nearly three years. -Analysts noted that crude oil prices have been in recovery mode since last Wednesday, on supply concerns after Hurricane Francine in the US Gulf of Mexico, as well as expectations of lower US crude stockpiles. -Crude oil prices are drew support from supply disruption in Libya, where a rift between rival factions over control of the central bank has led to lower oil output and exports. Talks led by the United Nations to solve the crisis failed to reach an agreement this week. -Libyan crude exports rose three-fold last week to about 550,000 barrels per day. That was still half the exports of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) last month of over one million bpd. -More than 12 per cent of crude output from the US Gulf of Mexico was offline after Hurricane Francine last week, lifting oil prices in three of the past four sessions, a rebound after Brent crude futures last Tuesday hit the lowest in nearly three years. -Investors also hoped the US Fed's widely anticipated rate cut could revitalize demand in the top oil consuming nation. Fed funds futures showed markets pricing in a 69 per cent chance that the central bank will cut rates by 50 basis points. -Market participants will keep watching China, where a turbulent economy has heavily dented demand from the top oil importer. Money managers were net short on Brent crude oil for the first time on record last week, reflecting those concerns. China's oil refinery output fell for a fifth month in August amid declining fuel demand and weak export margins. Where are prices headed? Analysts noted that crude oil prices increased by approximately 1.50 per cent, marking the second consecutive session of gains, driven by supply concerns. The aftermath of Hurricane Francine continues to disrupt production, with more than 12 per cent of crude and 16 per cent of natural gas output in the US Gulf of Mexico still offline as of Monday. "For crude oil, chart momentum looks sideways with resistance at 5,830/ 5,910, while on the downside support holds at 5,750, below which prices may test 5,670/ 5,600,' said Pranav Mer, Vice President, EBG - Commodity & Currency Research, JM Financial Services Ltd. Libya has shown signs of decreasing supplies, with a significant drop in recent oil exports. Further support for oil prices came from growing expectations of a larger 50-basis-point rate cut by the US central bank, which could stimulate economic activity and, by extension, oil demand. However, these gains were tempered by weaker-than-expected demand growth from China, the worlds largest oil consumer. "Disappointing economic data from the country has raised concerns about the sluggish pace of its economic recovery. We anticipate crude oil prices will remain volatile. Oil is expected to find support at $68.80-$68.10, with resistance at $69.90-$70.50. In INR terms, support is expected around 5,830- 5,770, with resistance at 5,960- 6,030,'' said Rahul Kalantri, VP Commodities, Mehta Equities Ltd. PMEA Solar Tech Solutions, a prominent Indian manufacturer of solar tracking and mounting products based in Mumbai, has submitted its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to raise capital through an initial public offering (IPO). The IPO, which has a face value of 10 per equity share, consists of a combination of fresh issues totaling up to 600 crore and an offer for sale of up to 11.23 million equity shares. The offer for sale includes the sale of up to 2.80 million equity shares each by Samir Pravin Sanghavi, Kapil Pravin Sanghavi, Vishal Navinchandra Sanghavi, and Sandeep Navinchandra Sanghavi. Proceeds from the fresh issue will be used for capital expenditure and debt repayment, including setting up a manufacturing facility in Mundra and purchasing machinery for plants in Nasik and Pune. IIFL Securities Limited and ICICI Securities Limited have been appointed as the book running lead managers for the issue, while Link Intime India Private Limited will serve as the registrar for the offering. As of June 2024, PMEA Solar had total borrowings of 314.06 crore. IIFL Securities and ICICI Securities have been appointed as the book-running lead managers for the issue. About the company PMEA Solar offers a wide range of products for utility-scale and ground-mounted solar projects, with an annual installed capacity of 16 GW for module mounting assemblies and 6 GW for rolled products as of March 31, 2024. In addition to solar products, the company manufactures components for various industries such as switchgears, automotive OEMs, lighting solutions, furniture, and partition panels. Northern Arc Capital IPO: In the primary market on Monday, Northern Arc Capital IPO saw full subscription on the first day, with non-institutional investors taking the lead, followed by retail investors, amidst various issues. On Friday, the non-bank financial institution announced that it received 229 crore from anchor investors, just a few days before its shares were made available for public subscription. Anchor investors in the company include SBI General Insurance Company, SBI Life Insurance Company, Reliance General Insurance Company, Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company, Goldman Sachs (Singapore) Pte, Societe Generale, and Quant Mutual Fund. The offer's price band is from 249 to 263 per equity share, and investors can choose to bid for a lot size of 57 equity shares and in multiples after that. Northern Arc Capital IPO has reserved not more than 50% of the shares in the public issue for qualified institutional buyers (QIB), not less than 15% for non-institutional Institutional Investors (NII), and not less than 35% of the offer is reserved for retail investors. Eligible employees participating in the employee reservation portion will receive a discount of 24 per equity share, and this segment has up to 590,874 equity shares allocated to it. The company was established primarily to address the diverse retail credit requirements of underprivileged households and businesses in India. This platform offers a variety of financial services. Their approach over the last fifteen years has been to create a distinct and comprehensive play on the retail credit ecosystem in India across several businesses. Since entering the financial inclusion space in 2009, they have impacted over 101.82 million individuals in India and had facilitated financing of over 1.73 trillion as of March 31, 2024. Northern Arc Capital IPO subscription status The initial public offer of Northern Arc Capital has been subscribed 9.99 times on the second day of subscription today, as per BSE data. The initial share sale received bid for 21,45,88,014 shares against 2,14,78,290 shares on offer, according to BSE data. The portion for retail investors received 10.84 times subscription while the quota for non-institutional investors got subscribed 21.72 times. The QIBs part is booked 20%. The employee portion has been subscribed 2.25 times. On Monday, the first day of the share sale, the initial public offer of non-bank financial institution Northern Arc Capital was subscribed 2.87 times. The non-institutional investors' quota received 4.48 times subscription, while the portion for retail investors was subscribed 3.87 times. The QIBs part saw 2% subscription, and the employee portion was booked 92%. Northern Arc Capital IPO Review Hensex Securities Pvt Ltd Northern Arc Capital Limted is one of the top diverse NBFC platforms with a reliable financial track record, according to the brokerage, in terms of AUM. Strong network effects are produced by the company's extensive ecosystem of partners, data, and technological platform. With robust risk management based on domain expertise, unique risk models, and a data repository driving asset quality, they are a technology-driven financial services platform supported by in-house technology solutions and architecture creating a scalable and sustainable business model. The company, however, appears to have a lot of development potential. From the standpoint of long-term investments as well as listing gains, the brokerage advised a "SUBSCRIBE" to the problem. Nirmal Bang In its analysis, the brokerage claimed that Northern ARC is well-positioned for expansion, taking use of digital platforms, industry knowledge, and a robust partner network to get access to India's underserved credit markets. Despite high operating costs, its enhanced credit rating and diverse funding sources allow for sustainable development. Northern Arc has respectable ROA (3.0%) and ROE (14.5%) coupled with loan growth of 28% CAGR over FY22-24. With low GNPA (0.5%) and NNPA (0.1%), its asset quality is remarkable. The company's price-to-book ratio of 1.8x suggests that it is undervalued in comparison to its rivals, with the closest peer, MAS Financial, trading at 2.6x, and the industry average of 3.0x. Therefore, the brokeragehasadvisedsubscribing to theissue. Northern Arc Capital IPO details In addition to an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 1.05 crore shares by existing shareholdersand promoters, valued at 277 crore at the upper price band, the IPO also includes a new issuance of 500 crore. The offering is worth 777 crore in total. The company plans to use the net proceeds for meeting future capital needs related to lending in the future. The book running lead managers of the Northern Arc Capital IPO are ICICI Securities Ltd, Axis Bank Ltd, and Citigroup Global Markets India Private Ltd. The registrar of the issue is Kfin Technologies Ltd. Also Read | Northern Arc Capital files DRHP with SEBI to raise 500 crore via IPO Northern Arc Capital IPO GMP today Northern Arc Capital IPO GMP today is +178. This indicates Northern Arc Capital share price were trading at a premium of 178 in the grey market, according to investorgain.com. Considering the upper end of the IPO price band and the current premium in the grey market, the estimated listing price of Northern Arc Capital shares was 441 apiece, which is 67.68% higher than the IPO price of 263. 'Grey market premium' indicates investors' readiness to pay more than the issue price. Northern Arc Capital IPO details Upcoming SME IPO: WOL 3D India Limited, a pioneer in 3D printing solutions since 1988, is set to launch its initial public offering (IPO) on the NSE SME platform on September 30. The company aims to raise 25.56 crore by issuing 17.04 lakh new shares, with a price band of 142 to 150 per share. Key Dates and Details: Subscription Period: September 23-25, 2024 Expected Listing Date: September 30, 2024 Share Allotment: September 26, 2024 Demat Account Credit: September 27, 2024 The IPO structure allocates 50 per cent for Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIB), 35 per cent for retail investors, and 15 per cent for Non-Institutional Investors (NIIs). Retail investors must invest a minimum of 1.5 lakh for 1,000 shares, while High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs) need to bid for at least 2,000 shares, totaling 3 lakh at the upper price band. WOL 3D India profile and performance WOL 3D India Limited specialises in 3D printing solutions, catering to diverse sectors, including manufacturing, education, engineering, and healthcare. The company has demonstrated robust growth, with a 70 per cent increase in revenue and a 109 per cent rise in profit after tax between the financial years ending March 31, 2023, and March 31, 2024, as per an official release. Market presence The company manufactures 3D filaments using ABS and PLA plastics and offers prototyping services utilising FDM, SLA, and SLS technologies. It added that its services extend to CAD/CAM modelling, reverse engineering, and vacuum casting. WOL 3D India Limited maintains a strong market presence through four branch offices in Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Mumbai, complemented by five franchise offices across other cities. The company says that it leverages both physical experience centres and popular e-commerce platforms for product distribution. The funds raised through the IPO will be allocated towards repaying outstanding borrowings, meeting working capital requirements, and supporting general corporate purposes. An average American owns 8 pairs of footwear. The Japanese and Europeans own about 6 each. Our neighbouring Asians own about three each, which is the global average. An average Indian, as per Crisil's research, owns just two. Will Indians start buying footwear in the years ahead with the rise in per capita income? As the numbers show, India's per capita footwear consumption has not changed in years. Hence, we would not recommend betting your money on that. So, what are the chances of Indian footwear makers experiencing exponential growth over the next few years? How can they ride India's consumption story? Will the footwear industry stocks continue to find takers? Well, even if it is not the per capita consumption that is multiplying over the years, it is certainly the quality and brand of shoes that Indians are discerning about. This cannot be reflected in the volume numbers. Industry leaders Bata and Relaxo Footwears had their own share of challenges despite being well entrenched in the Indian market. While Bata outsources around 50% of its capacity, for Relaxo the production is almost entirely in-house. The companies faced production challenges during the pandemic. Over the years, the shopping preferences of Indian consumers have changed from price-sensitive to fashion-conscious. Bata's positioning has always been of a sturdy, but low fashion quotient brand. The company's slow but steady growth over the decades has been on the back of consistency as against product innovation. However, since 2010, to keep up with competition and sustain profitability, the company has adopted 'premiumisation' as its strategy for the next decade. Bata has consciously changed the perception of its offerings with trendier and more fashionable merchandise. It even exited the value category of footwear (less than 200 in retail) in the plastic and rubber categories. Premium collections for Bata (including some in-licenced brands) are Hush Puppies, Naturalizer, European Collection, Power International Range, and North Star. Bata has also added collections of casual, daily wear, sports, and outdoor categories for teenagers. The continued focus on the premium segment has resulted in Bata's per pair realisation growing at a compounded rate of 4-5% over the past five years. This has complemented the volume growth, which has been in double digits in the post-pandemic years. Higher gross margins have also propelled overall return ratios into a higher orbit from 14% in financial year 2018 to 23% in financial year 2024. However, its relatively newly listed competitor, Metro Brands, which has been in the footwear retailing business for six decades, decided to focus purely on branding and licensing. Over 70% of Metro Brands revenue comes from its private brands and the plan is to strengthen that portfolio. While the flagship Metro brand is positioned as a family footwear store, Mochi is meant for the millennial consumer. The company also has exclusive licenses for global brands such as Crocs and, more recently, FitFlop, for which it has set up exclusive brand stores. Some of its recent in-store launches such as Metro Nature Pro, Metro Merino Wool and Mochi Australian Wool are sustainable brands. While Metro Nature Pro is made from recycled PET bottles, the latter is made out of wool and doesn't contain leather. Having fully outsourced capacities, the company is able to regionally customise its product offerings. The ones sold in the northeast have smaller sizes. Products for southern states have fewer heels. States like Punjab have products that have a lot of colour. Yet another reason why the company has been able to localise is due to its strategy of having company-owned stores as opposed to the franchise model. The differentiating factor between the two established footwear giants is profitability and economies of scale. Owing to Metro's scale of operations and strong supplier network, the company can negotiate better margins with vendors and enter into arrangements with third-party brands on favourable terms. More importantly, under most arrangements for third-party brands, Metro is required to pay for products only once these products are sold. Metro also operates stores based on variable cost structures in terms of lease rentals and employee expenses. This helps to contain volatility of store-level margins. Given the underlying trend of e-commerce adoption in footwear space, Metro Brands has ramped up capabilities with separate platforms for its three umbrella brands. Besides, it is also ramping up its digital presence. So, Metro Brands is one of the few footwear brands in India with an asset light model. This allows Metro Brands better operating margins and a leaner balance sheet compared to Bata India. Bata India, on the other hand, has used more traditional methods for expansion. Its extensive store network does cater to the demands of shoppers seeking trendy and fashionable footwear. The company operates a wide-reaching retail network across India, comprising 1,862 COCO or company-owned and company-operated and franchise stores. Of course, Bata does have its own website and partnerships with major online marketplaces. Additionally, Bata boasts a robust e-commerce network capable of delivering to customers across the country. It was also the first footwear brand to launch digital invoicing, e-pay wallets and in-launching store inventory app 'Find a Pair' that helps the store trace the availability of the pair. Bata has also added new experiences to its stores with 3D holographic units, digital LED screens, jukebox innovation and QR codes for online experiences. During the financial year 2024, Bata significantly expanded its presence by opening over 500 franchise stores, 650 Sneaker Studios, and 125 Hush Puppies stores. The company also forged new partnerships in various marketplaces, including exclusive brand outlets (EBOs), multi-brand outlets (MBOs), and digital footprint expansion. So, primarily Bata has aggressively reinvested in enhancing its store network to improve accessibility and customer experience. In doing so, the company continues to trail Metro Brands in both operating margins and level of debt on its books. Now, the sharp difference in the valuations of the two stocks may trigger a valuation re-rating over time. Bata has seen a sharp correction since October 2021. Therefore, there is a possibility that the stock gets back its P/E multiple (52x) closer to its three-year average (68x). Current valuation of Metro Brands (P/E of 83x) is already higher than the three-year average multiple of 87x. However, until Bata India catches up on its digital footprint and lowers the debt on its books, investors may remain sceptical about rerating the stock closer to its top-performing peer. Check out the Equitymaster Factsheets for more detailed analysis of India's top footwear stocks. Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com For the sixth consecutive trading session on Tuesday, shares of Jindal Steel & Power, a leading integrated steel producer in India, were in positive territory, rising 2.77% to 1,073.70 per share, boosting the stock by nearly 11% in September alone, marking an end to a three-month slump. Technical analysts are optimistic, predicting that the stocks upward momentum will continue and could potentially reach a new record high. Rajesh Bhosale, Equity Technical and Derivative Analyst at Angel One, said, "The past couple of weeks have been remarkable for this metal stock, with gains of over 8%, signaling the resumption of an uptrend after a few months of consolidation. "In the near term, prices appear to be approaching their all-time high of around 1100 and may continue to rise. Any pullbacks should be viewed as buying opportunities, with 1,000 now acting as immediate support," he added. Likewise, Ruchit Jain, Lead Research Analyst at 5Paisa, said the near trend for the stock looks positive and has shown signs of relative outperformance within the metal stocks. However, it is advisable to keep a buy-on-dip approach. The immediate support is placed in the range of 975-965. Long-term outperformer Despite the recent correction, the stock has still risen by 1000% since April 2020. Notably, it has delivered exceptional returns each quarter since CY19. Meanwhile, on Monday, Jindal Steel and Jindal Renewables (JRPL) announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to implement Indias biggest investment in green hydrogen by any Indian steelmaker till date. This collaboration underscores a major commitment by both companies towards decarbonisation and green energy leadership in Indias steel industry. The MOU outlines JSPLs plan to integrate green hydrogen into its Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) units in Angul, Odisha. This initiative represents a significant leap towards low-emission steel production. In the first phase, Jindal Renewables will develop a green hydrogen generation capacity of up to 4,500 tons per year, set to commence by December 2025. In addition, the project will also entail the supply of 36,000 tons of oxygen per year that will be used in the Angul steelworks. JRPL will also be supplying 3 GW of renewable energy to JSPLs facilities. reducing the steelmakers dependence on coal-fired energy by 50% in the next 2-3 years. This integration of green energy is expected to drastically lower the companys carbon footprint. JSPL will provide essential infrastructure and support, while JRPL will handle the development and operation of the green hydrogen and renewable energy facilities. This collaboration underscores a major commitment to decarbonisation and green energy leadership in Indias steel industry. With innovative engineering, the MOU aims not only to significantly slash the cost of green hydrogen production but also to ensure a sustainable long-term business model by locking in offtake for the next 25 years. The company is nearing completion of its capital expenditure program, which aims to double steel-making capacity at Angul from 6 MTPA to 12.3 MTPA and increase total capacity from 9.6 MTPA to 15.9 MTPA. The 31,000 crore investment includes funds for steel expansion, ACCP2, mining projects, and new facilities. It plans to keep its balance sheet healthy by maintaining a net debt to EBITDA ratio below 1.5x, with most new equipment and operations expected to be commissioned between Q4 FY25 and Q3 FY26. Stock Market Today: UltraTech Cement, ACC , Dalmia Bharat , Shree Cement have seen their share prices rise 2-6% in last one month. However share prices of many others still remain rangebound or flat. Ambuja Cements share price has corrected 1-2% during the period, while The Ramco Cements share price are trading almost flat. Certain price hikes taken by cement manufacturers in the east India from September. The development is positive as East India had seen significant price corrections. The cement prices in East India per 50 kg bag averaged at Rs313 during Q1FY25, lower than 320 in the previous quarter and 326 in the year ago quarter as per analysts data. Price hikes in east are also positive as most of the capacity expansions have taken place in East India looking at the availability of limestone, the basic raw material for manufacturing cement. However sustenance of price hikes will also remain key say analysts. As per analysts at ICICI Securities the approaching festive season and competition are key factors that may add to challenge. As per ICICI Securities, the hikes in September 2023 were untenable owing to the festive season (Durga Pujo/Diwali) restricting demand in ensuing months and unrelenting competitive intensity thereafter. With the industry production unlikely to abate, ICICI Securities sees no reason preventing history from repeating. ICICI Securities remains Neutral on the Sector currently. Also Read | Stocks in focus: Ruchit Jain of 5paisa recommends these two stocks today The price hikes in East India while may also be positive to push price sin other regions specially South India, however sustainability of price in East India itself will be watched keenly As per channel checks by ICICI Securities analysts , a sharp price hike of 3040/bag has been announced in east India, effective first week of September24. Additionally, the area is expected to see more price hikes being announced to the tune of 30 per bag, increasing the quantum leap to 6070 per bag as per analysts. Notably these price hikes come after a total decline of 100110/bag since September 23 as per ICICI Securities. This fact makes investors and analysts further watchful on the sustenance of the price hikes. For annual income of less than 2.5 lakh, no tax is payable under the old tax regime. The threshold under the new tax regime is 3 lakh. However, certain deductions for low-income workers at this salary threshold are a heavy burden for them and as good as an invisible tax, some experts said. This tax is as high as 35%, the same as what people earning above 1 crore pay," said Harsh Roongta, founder of Fee Only Investment Advisers. How so? Thats because of compulsory contributions to state insurance schemes and pension funds that are akin to a tax" because of the difficulty in accessing the benefits or funds offered. Assume Mr. A, based in Mumbai, has an annual income of 1.8 lakh (monthly income of 15,000). He has to pay an annual professional tax of 2,500. This is a tax imposed on salaried and self-employed workers by some state governments. Next is the contribution to the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), which runs a scheme that protects workers against contingencies such as sickness, maternity, disability and death due to employment injury, provides medical care to insured persons and their families and unemployment allowance. The ESIC contribution is 4% of an employees salary. Mr. As contribution is 7,200, of which 0.75% is by the employee ( 1,350) and 3.25% by the employer ( 5,850). But here is the catch. Getting claims from ESIC is notoriously difficult, while contributions are mandatory. It is akin to a tax in that sense because had it not been mandatory, the same amount could have been used for a better insurance product," said Roongta. More details on ESIC can be found later in the article. Then there is the trio of contributions to the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), namely the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), the Employees Pension Scheme (EPS) and the Employees Deposit-Linked Insurance (EDLI). EPS contribution Notably, 12% of the employee's basic wages, dearness allowance, and retaining allowance goes towards EPF. Employers contribute the same amount, but only 3.67% of it goes towards EPF, while the remaining 8.33% goes towards the EPS. After a September 2014 amendment, the EPS contribution has been restricted to only those new employees whose monthly wages are up to 15,000. For others, the entire 12% goes into EPF. It is 43,200 in the case of Mr. A - 21,600 each by Mr. A and his employer. EDLI is a social security benefit that provides life insurance to private sector employees. The employer contributes 0.5% of the employees salary to EDLI (up to 900 per annum). It is 900 for Mr. A. "The opaque way with which the EPFO operates makes it difficult for a lot of employees to get hold of their own money. The three mandatory EPFO contributions are surely a tax for all practical purposes," said Roongta. The employer also incurs administrative costs of 75 per month, totalling 900 per year. Mr. As in-hand salary comes in at 1.54 lakh after deductions such as professional tax ( 2,500), ESI contribution ( 1,350) and EPF contribution ( 21,600) from 1.8 lakh. His cost to company (CTC) is 2.09 lakh, which includes all employer contributions (see graphic). View Full Image Mint The total invisible tax" amount, including all employer and employee contributions, is 54,700, which is 35% of Mr. As in-hand salary. To be sure, late finance minister Arun Jaitley, in his budget speech in February 2015, famously said that both EPF and ESI have hostages rather than clients," highlighting the issue of dormant EPF accounts and low claim ratios of ESIs. The low-paid worker suffers deductions greater than the better-paid workers, in percentage terms," Jaitley said. EPF vs NPS EPF and the National Pension System (NPS) and their benefits are quite different. Jaitley advocated giving a choice between EPF and NPS, a defined contribution pension scheme that has emerged as an attractive retirement planning investment avenue. He also said that contributions to EPF should be optional, without affecting or reducing the employer's contribution for employees below a certain threshold of monthly income. Those willing to contribute to NPS and EPS can do so. Currently, it is forced. Also Read: Personal income tax now does the heavy lifting in direct tax collections The Finance Act, 2016, in order to bring all pension plans under one umbrella, had amended the Income Tax Act, 1961, to allow one-time tax-free portability from recognised PF/approved superannuation funds to NPS. Following this, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority had set out the mechanics for such transfers in March 2017. However, till date, the corresponding enabling provision under the EPF Act has not been notified," said Anurag Jain, co-founder and partner at ByTheBook Consulting LLP, a tax consulting firm. ESIC: A reality check According to Roongta, the premium of 7,200 per annum paid to ESIC on Mr. As behalf is unjustified given the poor claims performance track record of the corporation and ESI being a group insurance scheme. A much better health insurance plan can be bought from health insurance companies with the same or lower premium amount having a much better claims settlement performance. It is time ESIC is held answerable for the ridiculous premium being charged against abysmal services," he says. The claims performance track record can be gauged by comparing the incurred claims ratio (ICR) of ESIC with that of other health insurance companies. ICR measures the claims that an insurance company pays out every year as a percentage of the premiums. The higher it is, the more serious an insurance company is about paying claims. While other health insurance companies pay claims to third-party hospitals, ESIC has its own hospitals. That said, the ICR in ESICs case is a derived one. It is 83% after factoring in ESCI's inefficient cost structure. Even with that generous assumption, it compares with the approximately 90% ICR for health insurance companies where the payouts are made directly to third-party hospitals," said Roongta. He said payments to third-party hospitals are a more reliable measure of the ICR because it is based on standard tariffs rather than the inefficient cost structures of a captive healthcare provider like ESIC. That said, the ICR for some health insurers goes above 100%. They recover their administration costs and make a profit via their investment income. Health insurance companies make their profits from the investment income, which is normally around 8% of premiums collected. For ESIC, it is a whopping 41%, which indicates the amount of profiteering that ESIC has made over the years from its hapless and captive subscribers," said Roongta. Lack of infrastructure and delays in settling claims are the other pressing issues with ESIC. The quality of healthcare services provided under ESI often falls short due to a lack of adequate infrastructure, understaffed hospitals, and outdated equipment. Employees may not receive timely or effective treatment, leading to dissatisfaction and a reluctance to rely on ESI facilities," said Jain. The cumbersome administrative process causes delays in claim settlements, approvals for medical treatment, and issuance of benefits. This bureaucratic inefficiency can deter employees from using the scheme and create additional stress for employers in managing compliance," Jain added. (Some of Roongta's views were first published in the Business Standard.) I am a senior researcher working with a pharmaceutical company in Hyderabad. Me and my family have been investing in large-cap index funds since the past 10 years. We wish to diversify to other market segments. Some of my acquaintances have suggested investing in mutual funds tracking the Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index. However, I have little understanding of momentum investing and the Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index. Can you please elaborate on what the Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index is and also the pros and cons of investing in mutual funds tracking the Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index? Pratham Reddy, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh The Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index represents a strategic investment approach aimed at tracking the performance of 30 high-momentum stocks selected from the large and mid-cap segments. This index is a subset of the Nifty200 and is designed to reflect the behavior of stocks with high momentum scores. The momentum score for each stock is calculated based on its recent 6-month and 12-month price returns, adjusted for volatility, providing a robust measure of performance. Understanding momentum investing Momentum investing is a strategy that aims to capitalise on the continuation of existing market trends. The core idea is that stocks that have performed well in the past are likely to continue performing well in the short to medium term. The Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index is constructed by selecting stocks that have shown significant momentum, making it an attractive option for investors looking to invest in a trend-following strategy. Momentum mutual funds are distinguished by their strategy of investing in securities that have shown strong and steady price growth over a period, typically ranging from six to twelve months. This approach is fundamentally different from value investing, which focuses on assets perceived to be undervalued. Instead, momentum funds aim to ride the wave of an asset's price appreciation, banking on the trend's persistence. However, as with any investment strategy, momentum mutual funds come with their own set of risks. Their performance is heavily reliant on market conditions, and they may not fare as well in bearish or flat markets. The strategy's success hinges on the precise timing of buying and selling, which can be a double-edged sword. Holding onto an asset for too short or too long can both be detrimental to the investment's outcome. Also Read | Is investing in mutual fund tracking Nifty 100 Equal Weight Index a good choice? Composition and performance The index's composition is dynamic, reflecting ongoing changes in stock performances. As of the latest data, top gainers in the index include prominent companies like Trent Limited and Bharti Airtel Limited (as of 31st August 2024), showcasing a diverse range of sectors from apparel to telecommunications. The index's methodology ensures that it is well-balanced and representative of various industries, thereby mitigating sector-specific risks. Investment vehicles Investors looking to gain exposure to the Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index have multiple avenues. There are mutual funds and ETFs that track the performance of this index. These investment vehicles provide an easy and efficient way to invest in the high-momentum stocks of the Nifty200. Risk and suitability Mutual funds tracking the Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index have been classified under the applicable Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regulations as 'very high risk' on the riskometer rating, indicating that they are suitable for investors with a high-risk appetite. The index's performance can be more volatile than broader market indices due to its focus on high-momentum stocks. Therefore, it is recommended for investors who are willing to accept higher levels of risk in exchange for the potential of higher returns. Eligibility criteria for Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index The selection of stocks for the Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index is a meticulous process that hinges on several eligibility criteria: Stock universe: The primary pool of stocks considered for inclusion in the index is the Nifty200 universe, which comprises 200 large and mid-cap stocks listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India. The stock must have a minimum listing history of one year. Momentum score: The core of the selection process is the 'momentum score.' This score is calculated based on the 6-month and 12-month price returns of the stocks, adjusted for their daily price return volatility. The aim is to identify stocks that have shown consistent performance over time without extreme fluctuations. Factor tilt methodology: Once the momentum scores are determined, the index employs a 'factor tilt methodology' to assign weights to the stocks. This involves multiplying the free float market capitalisation of each stock with its normalised momentum score. Weight capping: To ensure diversification and manage risk, the weight of any single stock in the index is capped. The cap is set at the lower of 5% or 5 times the weight of the stock in the index based solely on free-float market capitalisation. Review and rebalancing: The index is reviewed and rebalanced semi-annually in June and December. This ensures that the index remains reflective of the current market trends and that the stocks maintain their high momentum status. Also Read | I want to invest in Nifty Midcap 150 Index. Please elaborate its pros and cons Pros and cons of investing in a Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index fund Investing in a mutual fund that tracks the Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index can be an intriguing option for investors looking to capitalise on the growth potential of high-momentum stocks. However, it is best to weigh the pros and cons before considering investing in funds that track this index. Pros Potential for higher returns: Momentum investing is based on the premise that stocks that have performed well in the past will continue to perform well in the near future. Therefore, the Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index could offer the potential for higher returns compared to broader market indices. Exposure to growth opportunities: Investors gain exposure to companies currently showing strong performance, which could lead to significant growth opportunities. Systematic selection process: The index employs a systematic process to select stocks based on their momentum scores, which can help identify stocks with the potential to outperform. Diversification: By investing in 30 different stocks across various sectors, investors can achieve a diversified portfolio, which can help in mitigating risk. Transparency and accessibility: The index provides a transparent and systematic approach to investing in high-momentum stocks, making it accessible even to those who may not have the expertise to analyse individual stocks. Cons Higher risk: High-momentum stocks can be more volatile, which means there's a higher risk of loss, especially in the short term. Performance in different market conditions: High-momentum stocks may not perform well in all market conditions, particularly during market downturns when investors may prefer more stable investments. Performance and returns comparison with Nifty 50 As of August 30, 2024, the Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index has given a one-year total return of 68.91%. It has provided a 5-year compounded annual total return of 30.53%. In comparison, as of August 30, 2024, the Nifty 50 Index has given a one-year return of 32.64% and a 5-year compounded annual return of 19.39%. Note: Past performance is not an indication of future returns. Taxation The Indian Budget 2024 has brought about significant changes in the taxation of mutual funds, particularly those tracking the Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index. Investors looking to understand these changes will find that the budget has aimed to simplify the tax structure while encouraging long-term investments in the equity market. For mutual funds tracking the Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index, the taxation rules post-budget 2024 are as follows: Long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax: If the mutual fund units are sold after one year from the date of investment, gains up to INR 1.25 lakh in a financial year are exempt from tax. Gains exceeding 1.25 lakh are taxed at a rate of 12.5%. Short-term capital gains (STCG) tax: If the mutual fund units are sold within one year from the date of investment, the entire amount of gain is taxed at a rate of 20%. These changes reflect the government's approach to promoting long-term holdings in mutual funds by offering a tax exemption on smaller gains and imposing a higher tax rate on short-term trades, which are often associated with higher market risk. Investors should note that the tax rates are applicable only to the realised gains and not on the invested principal amount. Moreover, the tax exemption on long-term gains up to INR 1.25 lakh provides a cushion for small to medium investors, aligning with the government's inclusive growth agenda. Conclusion The Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index offers a structured path for investors looking to tap into the potential of high-momentum stocks in the Indian market. By adhering to a clear set of eligibility criteria, the index ensures that only stocks with genuine momentum and stability are included, providing a robust investment avenue for those with a higher risk appetite and a focus on capital growth. It's important for investors to consider their own risk tolerance and investment goals when considering a mutual fund tracking the Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index. While the potential for high returns can be attractive, the associated risks and the nature of the stocks within the index should be carefully weighed. Consulting with a financial advisor can also provide personalised advice tailored to an individual's financial situation. (Bloomberg) -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to embark on his 10th trip to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war began almost a year ago, as the Biden administration continues efforts to revive the stalled cease-fire talks as the US elections approach. The top US diplomat will fly to Cairo to discuss the negotiations for a cease-fire in Gaza and broader regional security issues, as well as for talks with Egyptian officials, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Monday. The statement only mentions one stop in Egypt, and it does not appear that Blinken will travel to Israel on this visit. The announcement came on the same day as Israeli officials stressed to Amos Hochstein, an adviser to President Joe Biden, that their government was increasingly looking at military means for returning residents in northern Israel displaced by clashes with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. That would amount to an expansion of the conflict, which the Biden team has tried desperately to avoid. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told Hochstein that the only way left to return the residents of the north to their homes is via military action. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu separately told him that Israel appreciates and respects the support of the United States, but in the end will do what is necessary to maintain its security, according to a read out from the prime ministers office. The latest bout of regional diplomacy since the assault last Oct. 7 by Hamas, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and about 250 others taken captive, unfolded as the US and partners struggle to close the remaining gaps in talks for a cease-fire, including details about the release of hostages and the deployment of Israeli troops. More than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Earlier: Netanyahu Mulls Coalition Deal That Boots Defense Chief Gallant The US is currently still working with mediators on a new proposal, Miller said Monday. On Sept. 5, Blinken said the US, Qatar and Egypt would share their thoughts in the coming days on how to resolve the remaining outstanding questions in the negotiations. While American officials, including Blinken, have said a deal is roughly 90% completed, the long-running negotiations to end the war appear to have stalled after the killing earlier this month of six hostages held by Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union. Netanyahu has refused to withdraw Israeli troops from the Philadelphi corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border, a key disagreement. The Israeli leader argues that his forces must police smuggling routes that could help Hamas, and that Israel cant reward the militant group with concessions after hostages were killed. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Bengaluru auto driver, R Muthuraj, was released from jail on Wednesday after being arrested for allegedly slapping a woman and hurling abuses at her. Upon his release, Muthuraj admitted to snatching the woman's phone during their altercation and verbally abusing her, but did not address the accusation of slapping her. Also Read | Hindi-speaking Bengaluru resident use trick to address Kannada debate In an interview with local YouTube channel Auto Ratha Saradhi, Muthuraj provided his account of the incident. He explained that he had accepted a ride to Shanti Nagar and waited at the pickup point. She said she was coming in two minutes and asked me to wait. Two women climbed down from a building after five minutes. I saw them getting into an auto. I called them, and they disconnected the call and cancelled the ride, Muthuraj said. WATCH THE VIDEO He further described his frustration, noting that he had traveled seven kilometers to reach the location. Muthuraj admitted to confronting the woman who canceled the ride, expressing his anger about the canceled trip and questioning whether her father would cover the fuel costs. Also Read | 15 mobiles, knives seized from Bengaluru prison holding actor Darshan Bengaluru Woman Slapped: Muthurajs Defense Muthuraj defended his actions by stating, If I were guilty, why would I go to the police? He also revealed that he has received threatening calls since the incident and that all major ride-hailing apps, including Ola and Uber, have banned him. Also Read | Bengaluru woman criticises Swiggy as delivery agent did not know Kannada In these years, I have driven autos for Ola, Uber, and Rapido. Look at my ratings. The customers have given me five-star ratings. They gave it to me because I am a good driver. But after the incident, Ola and Uber banned me, he said, lamenting the bans and threats. Bengaluru Woman Slapped: A Detailed Account The altercation began when a Bengaluru woman and her friend booked separate rides for the same destination to ensure timely arrival for a class. One of them canceled her ride when the others auto arrived first. The woman explained that autos in Bengaluru often cancel rides or demand extra money, prompting their decision to book two rides. WATCH THE VIDEO According to the woman, the auto driver Muthuraj, who was a minute away when she canceled the ride, became furious and followed them. Despite explaining the situation, he started shouting and hurling abuses, she recounted. She alleged that Muthuraj attempted to snatch her phone to stop her from recording and insisted they accompany him to the police station. The woman further claimed that Muthuraj slapped her when she suggested going to a different police station and mentioned she had his phone and auto details. Public Reaction and Legal Actions The woman's video of the incident went viral, leading to widespread outrage and calls for the drivers arrest and the suspension of his driving license. She expressed her frustration with Ola, stating, Thankfully, my driver managed to get us away, but Olas response has been disappointing. After reporting the incident via the app, we received only an automated reply. Attempts to reach their support line failed, leaving us frustrated and helpless. Can you imagine a leopard freely roaming on the road across a busy city like Bengaluru? A sense of unease gripped people living in the Electronic City of Indias Silicon Valley after a CCTV footage of a big cat roaming around Phase 1 toll plaza became viral on social media platforms. Bengaluru police said the area is on high alert after the leopard was spotted moving from the Panak India Company area to the Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF) ground around 3 am today. Forest officials have been informed about the big cat's movement. Local authorities and forest department officials are actively searching for the wild animal. According to media reports, a leopard was seen crossing an overpass close to a toll plaza in Bengaluru, a hub for numerous software firms. In the CCTV footage, the leopard can be seen crossing the street and suddenly it turns back in the opposite direction towards the Nettur Technical Training Foundation compound. "We got an update from the camera near the toll gate that a leopard had passed near the compound wall. Precautionary checks were conducted on the campus. The forest department officials also came to reconfirm and said that no leopard was seen, NDTV reported Sunil Joshi, Principal of NTTF, as saying. Also Read | Hindi-speaking Bengaluru resident use trick to address Kannada debate Joshi, however, claimed that a camera image suggested the movement of a leopard from the compound wall. NTTF, a training center, is taking all the necessary precautions." "We have checked all the rooms and the CCTV footage, and there is no trace of this leopard here so far. The leopard was spotted walking near the pathway next to the compound, but we don't know where it went next,"Joshi added. Also Read | Bengaluru woman criticises Swiggy as delivery agent did not know Kannada Consumption patterns need to change in India so that the economy can grow without disrupting the environment, said union climate change minister Bhupendra Yadav on Tuesday. There is no problem in consuming, but it should be mindful consumption so that India can grow economically and ecologically with a sustainable environment, Yadav said at the CIIs 19th Sustainability summit after releasing the Building Climate Resilience of the Indian Industry report. To change consumption pattern, seven things are required to be donesave food, water and energy; conversion of waste to energy; management of e-waste; healthy lifestyle; and complete ban of single use plastic. To change consumption pattern, seven things are required to be donesave food, water and energy; conversion of waste to energy; management of e-waste; healthy lifestyle; and complete ban of single use plastic. This could be done through policy interventions in research, market and upgradation in skillset and policies should be framed in a manner that ensures economy sustainability, equity sustainability and environment sustainability. Also read | Climate change: four depressions this monsoon against the usual two The study has developed a framework to assess and quantify climate risks for Indian businesses and their value chains. The framework is designed to help enterprises identify risks from floods, droughts, heatwaves, cyclones, and other phenomena caused by climate change and guide them in prioritizing appropriate adaptation actions across sectors and in different regions. Although primarily focused on industry, the framework can also form the foundation for a national strategy to assess and manage climate risks. Adaptation taxonomy As outlined in the report, under the ongoing development of India's National Adaptation Plan (NAP), the relevant state departments could work with stakeholders towards the creation of a climate change adaptation taxonomy. This taxonomy could establish clear definitions on building adaptive capacity and climate resilience in the Indian context, along with setting specific project guidelines. It would facilitate private sector adoption of adaptation practices, prioritize investments for building resilience and allow for greater public-private participation, eventually leading to building resilience at scale. Also read | Water must be at the centre of any efforts to uplift rural India The study highlights the role of industry in bringing in private capital, conducting in-depth site-specific studies that allow for clarity in investments, and building resilient infrastructure. Initiatives such as the climate risk assessment framework provide the necessary tools for Indian industry to play its part and should be further encouraged for uptake through appropriate incentives. India is at a critical moment, facing dual challenges of mitigating climate change and adapting to its inevitable impacts. While Indias commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 is a significant milestone, the urgency of prioritizing adaptation measures to build industry-wide resilience is equally critical. Extreme weather rising Studies shows that from 1970 to 2019, extreme weather events in India have increased significantly, with 280 heatwave days, leading to urban flooding, reduced agricultural productivity and power outages. A study on terminal heat stress for crops suggested that during the year 202122, the impact of heat stress became more evident in key wheat-growing states, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan. Wheat productivity in Punjab was reduced by 13.5% compared to the productivity in 202021. The decline was primarily due to a sudden rise in minimum temperatures by 2.16.6C and maximum temperatures by 2.66C in March, which created unfavorable conditions for the crop, according to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, 2023. Also read | India will take a call if Europe imposes carbon tax, says environment minister The need of the hour is energy transition and to reduce carbon emission, at least $5 trillion is required, the minister said. As per the Paris agreement, developing economies promised to provide climate funding of $100 billion, which is too little for energy transition, and technological support to developing nations. From celebrating the day as Seva Pakhwada to offering special discounts, shopkeepers, local leaders, and other admirers of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are opting for different ways to celebrate his birthday. Those wondering how PM Modi will celebrate his birthday, here are the key highlights of PM Modi's birthday schedule. PM Modi birthday schedule PM Modi's 74th birthday will be marked with his visit to Odisha and the inauguration of key welfare schemes, including Subhadra Yojana. Additionally, he will inaugurate 26 lakh PM Awas houses at Gadakana in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. According to Police Commissioner Bhubaneswar Sanjeev Panda, after arriving at Bhubaneswar airport, PM Modi will proceed to the Gadakana slum area near Sainik School of Bhubaneswar. Also Read | PM Modi turns 74 today: A time line of his life and rise in BJP PM Modi Odisha visit today PM Modi will arrive at Bhubaneswar Airport on Tuesday, September 17, and will begin his visit to the city by proceeding towards the Gadakana area near Sainik School. He is likely to interact with PM Awas beneficiaries during his stay in the slum. Later in the day, he would leave for Janata Maidan to launch the Subhadra Yojana. Ahead of PM Modi's visit in the city, the routes from the airport to Janata Maidan and Gadakana have been declared as no-flying zones. In addition to the Subhadra scheme's launch, PM Modi will unveil a host of infrastructure projects on Tuesday, September 17. PM Modi birthday schedule Prime Minister Narendra Modi would arrive at Odisha's Biju Patnaik International Airport at 10.50 am, reported PTI. Later he would proceed to Gadkana village to interact with beneficiaries of PM Awas Yojana. After his short stay in the village, he is scheduled to arrive at Janata Maidan around 12 pm. In addition to the launch of Subhadra scheme, PM Modi will inaugurate railway projects worth 2,871 crore and highway projects worth 1,000 crore, reported PTI citing officials. PM Modi would depart from Odisha for Delhi around 1:15 pm. Also Read | PM Modi flags off Namo Bharat Rapid Rail Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has sold her bungalow at Pali Hill in Mumbai's posh Bandra because of losses incurred due to the delay in the release of her controversial movie Emergency, News18 reported on Tuesday, September 17. Naturally, my film was supposed to be released. I put all my personal property on it. Now that its not released, so anyway, thats what properties are for for times of crisis, Kangana was quoted as saying by News18. Earlier this month, a report by Zapkey said that Kangana Ranaut sold her Pali Hill property for 32 crore. She had reportedly bought it for 20.7 crore in September 2017. The bungalow was used as the office for her production house, Manikarnika Films. The actor had also taken a loan of 27 crore against the property from ICICI Bank in December 2022. Also Read | Kangana Ranaut says nationalists dont have freedom of expression Speaking about the delay in the release of the movie Emergency, Kangana told News18: It is our history which has been intentionally hidden. We are not told about this. Bhale logo ka zamaana nahi hai. My film is ready to be released. It has received certification from the censor board. 4 historians supervised our films. We have the proper documents. There is nothing wrong with my film. But some people call Bhindranwale a saint, revolutionary or a leader. They threatened via pleas (to ban her film). I have also received threats. Previous governments have declared Khalistanis as terrorists. He was not a saint who was sitting in a temple with an AK47, she added. Kangana portrays former prime minister Indira Gandhi The Emergency movie, in which Kangana portrays former prime minister Indira Gandhi, was initially slated for release on September 6. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, slammed Opposition in India for criticising his visit to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud's house for Ganapati puja. PM Modi hit out at Congress and said, The Congress and its ecosystem is frustrated because I took part in Ganesh Puja. During the Ganpati festival, Prime Minister Modi had visited the Chief Justice's residence, where they jointly performed an Aarti. Also Read | Ganesh Visarjan 2024 During a speech in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, following the inauguration of development projects, Prime Minister Modi stated, Ganesh Utsav is not just a matter of belief for us. It played an important role in the independence of our country... Dividing us in the name of castes was a weapon of the British. Lok Manya Tilak awakened the country by organising Ganesh Utsav publicly... Today, everyone participates in Ganesh Utsav without any discrimination...", he added. Also Read | Lalbaugcha Raja Ganeshotsav receives more than 48 lakh in donations on Day 1 During the British time, people had a problem with Ganesh Utsav, the same is being witnessed now. Even today, those who want to divide society, have problems with Ganesh Utsav. The Congress and its ecosystem is frustrated because I took part in Ganesh Puja. In Karnataka, these people put Ganesh idol behind bars, and this hatred is dangerous for the country, PM Modi said. Backlash on Modi's CJI home visit A controversy erupted hours after a video showing CJI Chandrachud and his wife, Kalpana Das, welcoming Modi at their house on September 11, was widely shared on social media. Backing PM Modi, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said that there's nothing unusual regarding PM Modi's visit, as earlier, Prime Ministers have hosted Iftar parties. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE The Shiv Sena (UBT) has raised concerns about protocol following Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachuds residence during the Ganesh festival. Also Read | Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 In an editorial for their publication Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction accused Modi of undermining one of the last bastions of Indian democracy, attributing the country's perceived decline to this action. Kolkata rape, murder case: The Enforcement Directorate is conducting raids at the residence of Sudipto Roy, a TMC legislator, in connection with the rape, murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. The MLA has earlier been questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation. According to reports, the TMC legislator is a medico himself, and heads the Patients Welfare Committee of the RG Kar College. The Enforcement Directorate officials have conducted six simultaneous raids in Kolkata, including Dr. Sudipto Roy's residence. The national probing agency has alleged financial irregularities at the West Bengal government run RG Kar Medical College, in connection with the case. These raids are as part of our investigation into the alleged financial irregularities in RG Kar Hospital. We have certain inputs due to which these raids are being conducted, one ED officer was quoted as saying by PTI. CBI questioned Sudipto Roy A report by Deccan Herald stated that CBI officials went to Dr Sudipto Roy's residence at Sinthi on the northern outskirts of Kolkata, on September 12 and questioned him in connection with the rape and murder of the doctor. "The CBI officers had come to ask me some questions about the death of a student at the RGKMCH last month. I cooperated with them, Roy confirmed to Deccan Herald. Mamata Banerjee accepts junior doctor's demands West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on September 15, announced that the Bengal government has agreed to the protesting doctors' demand for the resignation of Commissioner of Police Vineet Goyal. Also Read | RG Kar senior medics allege evidence tampering as protesting colleagues meet CM She also noted that 42 protesting doctors had signed the Minutes of Meeting which was attended by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant. The CM has also ordered the removal of the Director of Medical Education (DME), the Director of Health Services (DHS) and the Deputy Commissioner (North Division) from their respective posts. Vice presidential candidate JD Vance and Wisconsin Republicans made the economy and immigration the focus of Tuesday afternoons campaign event at the Eau Claire Event District. Vance, who is the running mate for former President Donald Trump, blamed problems facing rural health care on illegal immigrants and said they will be going home if Trump is elected. Why does this go back to the immigration issue? Because a lot of our rural hospitals are bearing the burden of providing health care to millions of people who shouldnt be in this country to begin with, Vance said. And so those hospitals go bankrupt and then a lot of American citizens can't afford health care. Now you might not think that rural health care access is an immigration issue. I guarantee it's an immigration issue. In addition to cutting down on illegal immigration, Vance promoted veteran choice with health care services. But there's a lot more that we can do beyond that, and I think when Donald Trump and I are president, we will, he said. The U.S. senator from Ohio spoke after Brian Schimming, chairman for the Republican Party of Wisconsin; James Rolbidcki, a Republican who is running for the 93rd Assembly District seat; and U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien. Schimming said this election is about a multitude of issues, but this one is about the big issue. People. We are here to save America. Rolbidcki thinks the economic situation in America is unsustainable and largely blamed policies from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Inflation has robbed us of more than money, Rolbidcki said. It has robbed us of our peace of mind. He also encouraged people to vote in the election and said that if they wait to care until the next election, it will be too late. We're under attack, and we need to fight, he said. Gas, groceries and grandkids Van Orden said the election was about three things: gas, groceries and grandkids. People cannot afford to fill up the gas tank and a grocery cart on the same day in the United States of America, and it just wasn't like that three years ago. Was it? he said. Van Orden quickly pivoted to talk about immigrants, whom he said threaten the safety of children and grandchildren, and pointed to a recent arrest in the 3rd Congressional District. 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 Thursday. Van Orden, who lives in Prairie du Chien, blamed the incident on the open border immigration policies of the Biden administration. That same criminal illegal alien from the Venezuelan gang made his way to Prairie du Chien, he said. He brutally sexually assaulted a mother and a daughter over a period of days, less than a half a mile away. Van Orden said the man should never have been allowed in the U.S. He should have been arrested and deported, he said. Vance picked up the thread once he took the stage. All of them are going home Vance said Coronel Zarate should have never been in this country, ladies and gentlemen. And when Donald J. Trump is president, all of them are going home, he said. If you look at his rap sheet, his criminal arrest record, he had every red flag, every siren was going off. Not only should he have not illegally immigrated into our country, but he should have been deported after he was arrested, and he wasnt thanks to the policies of Kamala Harris, Vance said. He said Harris promised to undo the foreign policy of Trump. And now we have chaos across the world and a country that is on the brink, I really do believe, of World War III. We are closer in this moment to a nuclear war, to a third world war, than at any time in our country's history, Vance said. We have the chaos and incompetence of Kamala Harris to thank for. I say we get a president who knows what the hell he's doing. I say we get Donald J. Trump. Vance also pivoted to immigration when asked how he would support rural health care. Kick these illegal aliens out. Focus on American citizens, and we will do a lot to make the business of rural health care much more affordable, he said. Locals respond Hundreds of supporters agreed with Vance. While waiting to enter the venue, attendees said they were concerned about a number Democratic policies that they feel threaten American ideals. The big issues are the economy, inflation. The border security is a huge issue for me, Jacob Spaeth said. Spaeth said as a former U.S. Marine, he has a good idea of what it takes to secure a country and the vast array of issues that come with immigration. I just kind of see what's happened down south. I think it's a really big problem, he said. I know that Trump is going to fix it. He's fixed in 2016 and in 2021 it just went downhill fast, and I want to see it back to how it was back then. I was in the military under Trump and Biden, and it was a lot better under Trump. What I can say is that there was just a lot more morale in the military. People were more proud to be in the military under Trump than Biden. Taylor Barnes of Hallie said he too was concerned about immigration. You know in Eau Claire they have a lot of refugees and I worry about what they will do with them all, Barnes said. I mean once they are here they can go wherever because its a free country. And we dont necessarily want outsiders to have free reign over everywhere. We dont know them. Its not personal; its about safety. Spaeth said he is not anti-immigration but thinks that people need to enter the country legally. I think immigration for the country's important, but not illegal immigration. If you have just illegal immigration let anybody enter the country, whoever wants to come there's no way to vet people properly. You can't. You don't know who's coming into the country, and that's a problem because people are committing crimes or they want to work, but they're working illegally, which isn't good for us, he said. I don't think you would let anybody in your room unwelcome. If you're in college, you wouldn't let somebody into your dorm, even if they started cleaning dishes and stuff, he said. Spaeth said he thinks that Vance will be good for America and thats why he showed up Tuesday. This is the second time Vance has campaigned in Eau Claire since early August. On Aug. 7, he delivered a speech while surrounded by employees at Wollard International, an aviation manufacturing facility. Inside JD Vance's rally in Eau Claire The Supreme Court on Tuesday commenced hearing a suo motu case related to the rape and murder of a postgraduate medic at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. During the proceedings, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal government, requested that the live streaming of the case be halted, however, his request was denied by the Supreme Court. The top court said that it will not stop streaming of live proceedings in Kolkata rape-murder case as it is in public interest. Kolkata Rape Murder Case SC Hearing Live Updates Sibal said lawyers in his chamber are getting threats on social media and also people on ground are making comments. Sibal says that women in the chamber are getting threats and being told that acid will be thrown at them and they would be raped. We are getting threats that acid will be thrown, women lawyers will be raped. On this, SC assured him that the apex court will step in if there are any threats to lawyers and others. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra is hearing the matter. Also Read | RG Kar senior medics allege evidence tampering as protesting colleagues meet CM During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), brought to the Supreme Court's attention that Wikipedia continues to display both the name and photograph of the victim involved in the case. In response, SC told him that it will pass order directing Wikipedia to remove the same. Kolkata rape-murder case: The Supreme Court on September 17 will resume the hearing in the matter related to trainee postgraduate doctor who was found raped and murdered on August 9 morning. The three judge bench, constituting Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justices J.B Pardiwala, and Manoj Mishra will hear the case at 10:30 am. RG Kar SC hearing LIVE Updates What did Supreme Court say in the last hearing? The hearing assumes significance as resident doctors continue their strike despite the apex courts directive to them to resume work by 5 p.m. on September 10 to avoid punitive action by the state government which had claimed that their absence from work had led to the death of 23 patients till September 9. Also Read | Mamata Banerjee, protesting doctors hold 1st round of talks amid RG Kar impasse Earlier on September 9, CJI Chandrachud had directed CBI to file fresh status report by September 17. The top court had also ordered that no individual would be allowed to enter the emergency ward of the RG Kar Medical College, and Hospital without valid identity cards. Moreover, it had also ordered to remove all photos of the rape,murder victim from social media, immediately. The apex court also directed CISF forces to ensure that all necessary safety measures are taken at the hospital premises. CM Mamata Banerjee's meeting with doctors Mamata Banerjee announced that the Bengal government has agreed to the protesting doctors' demand for the resignation of Commissioner of Police Vineet Goyal. She also noted that 42 protesting doctors had signed the Minutes of Meeting which was attended by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant. "In view of the demand of junior doctors, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal has said in the meeting that he is ready to resign. New commissioner of Kolkata Police will be appointed on Tuesday. At 4 pm on Tuesday, Vineet will hand over the responsibility to the new CP" Mamata Banerjee said. Despite this development, the protesting junior doctors announced they would continue their strike and demonstrations until all the assurances made by the Chief Minister are fulfilled. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 74 on Tuesday, September 17, he received birthday wishes from several world leaders. Nepals Foreign Affairs Minister Arzu Rana Deuba kicked off the celebrations for Modi's 74th birthday with a heartfelt message on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Also Read | PM Modi turns 74 today: A time line of his life and rise in BJP Deuba wrote: Warmest birthday wishes to Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi. May this special day bring you happiness and continued strength in serving your nation. Nepal and India share a deep bond of friendship and cooperation, and I look forward to further strengthening our ties in the days ahead. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took to X to wish a happy birthday to her Indian counterpart, and said they will continue to strengthen the ties between the two countries. Also Read | PM Modi turns 74 today: A look at how he celebrated his birthday in last 5 years Happy birthday to the Prime Minister of India @narendramodi . I am sure that we will continue to strengthen our friendship and collaboration between Italy and India, to face together the global challenges that await us, Meloni wrote on X. Meloni, 47, also shared a photograph of herself shaking hands with the Indian prime minister. Australias High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, also extended wishes to PM Modi. In a post on X, Green said: Prime Minister Narendra ji, many happy wishes to you on your birthday! We wish you good health. I am confident that under your leadership the Australia-India partnership will reach new heights. Happy Birthday PM Modi, Australia-India Dosti. Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov also wished Modi on his birthday and described him as a true friend of Russia. On the auspicious occasion of his 74th birthday, our heartfelt greetings and best wishes for good health, long life, and success of the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a true friend of Russia and a staunch supporter of our countries' privileged strategic partnership! Alipov wrote on X. Modi spent most of his day in Odisha during which he launched the state government's flagship women-centric initiative, Subhadra Yojana, besides railway and national highway projects. Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth also wished Prime Minister Modi on his 74th birthday. Many happy returns of the day Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji. @narendramodi I wish you good health and success in your earnest endeavour to make our world a better place, Mauritius PM Jugnauth posted. Nepal Prime Miniater KP Sharma Oli also took to microblogging platform X to congratulate his Indian counterpart on his 74th birthday. Ganesh Visarjan 2024: On Tuesday, processions for the immersion of Lord Ganesh idols commenced in Mumbai and across Maharashtra, marked by tight security and vibrant celebrations as the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival reached its conclusion. The festival, which began on September 7, is wrapping up with Anant Chaturdashi on Tuesday. To manage the anticipated large crowds during the Visarjan processions, the Mumbai Police have issued a traffic advisoryand implemented various traffic diversions throughout the city to facilitate the grand immersion ceremonies. Closed areas However, several areas in South Mumbai will be closed, including Colaba, Nathalal Parekh Marg, Captain Prakash Pethe Marg, and Rambhau Salgaonkar Marg. Additionally, vehicle access will be restricted on Mahapalika Marg outside CSMT railway station and on various roads in Kalbadevi, such as JSS Road, Vitthalbhai Patel Road, and Baba Saheb Jaykar Road, among others. Restrictions around Railway Overbridges The Mumbai Police have introduced new regulations for Railway Overbridges (ROBs), restricting the number of people crossing at any given time to 100. For safety reasons, processions, dancing, and the use of loudspeakers on these bridges are also prohibited. While the Coastal Road will remain open for vehicles traveling from North to South Mumbai, other major routes such as the Eastern Freeway, P D'Mello Road, CSMT Junction Road, and Princess Street will also stay accessible. Heavy traffic in these areas Heavy traffic is expected around Girgaon Chowpatty and nearby areas, including Girgaon, Thakurdwar, VP Road, SVP Road, and Raja Ram Mohan Roy Road in Kalbadevi. Significant congestion is also anticipated in Cuffe Parade, Badhwar Park in Colaba, Metro Junction near CSMT, and areas in Bhendi Bazaar, Pydhonie, and DB Marg. In Nagpada, heavy traffic is likely at Agripada, Saat Rasta Junction, Khada Parsee Junction, NM Joshi Marg, and Mumbai Central Junction. Motorists are advised to use main roads such as Dr. BA Road, Lalbaug Flyover Bridge, Sir JJ Flyover, and the Coastal Road as alternatives to the congested inner streets. High security Over 24,000 police personnel have been deployed in Mumbai to ensure safety during the Ganesh immersion processions, officials reported. Thousands of household and public Ganesh idols will be immersed at 204 artificial ponds across the city, as well as in 69 natural water bodies including Girgaon, Dadar, Juhu, Marve, and Aksa beaches. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has mobilized more than 12,000 officials and staff, set up 71 control rooms, and stationed 761 lifeguards along with 48 speed boats at the citys beaches. Citizens are advised to avoid entering deep waters and to be cautious of marine species such as 'blue button jellyfish' and 'stingrays' present along Mumbai's coastline, with immediate first aid recommended for fish stings. Mumbai police will use drone surveillance at key immersion sites such as Girgaon Chowpatty, Dadar, Bandra, Juhu, Versova, Powai Lake, and Madh Island, supported by over 8,000 CCTVs. In addition to local police, the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), quick response teams (QRT), riot control police (RCP), and other security forces have been enlisted. Over 2,500 traffic police personnel will manage vehicle movement, with some roads restricted, one-way, or diverted. To ensure efficient coordination, 192 control rooms and 66 observation towers have been set up across various administrative areas. To encourage eco-friendly celebrations, the BMC has introduced a QR code system for locating nearby artificial ponds. Citizens can scan the code or visit BMC's website for directions via Google Maps. The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued an order to Wikipedia to take down the victim's name and photo to maintain the dignity of the deceased. This order came after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the victim's photo and name was on the Wkipedia page. Kolkata Rape Murder Case SC Hearing Live Updates "In the interest of maintaining the dignity and privacy of the deceased, the governing principle is that the identity of the victim in a rape and murder case shall not be disclosed. Wikipedia shall take steps to comply with the previous order passed," the bench said. Highlights from today's hearing Prior to the proceedings, senior advocate Kapil Sibal had requested that the live streaming of the case be halted, however, his request was denied by the Supreme Court. The top court said that it will not stop streaming of live proceedings in Kolkata rape-murder case as it is in public interest. The Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea seeking Mamata Banerjee's resignation. This is not a political forum. Asking the Chief Minister to resign is not the remit of the Court, CJI said as quoted by LiveLaw. When the lawyer persisted with the request, CJI then warned, "I will have you removed from this Court," as quoted by LiveLaw. During the hearing, the top court directed the CBI to submit a status report on the probe into alleged financial irregularities at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital. It also perused the status report filed by the CBI concerning the rape and murder incident and said disclosing the status will jeopardise further investigation. Additionally, the West Bengal Police informed the Court that they no longer possess any materials related to the crime, including CCTV footage, as all such evidence has been transferred to the CBI. The SC questioned West Bengal's decision of hiring contractual staff to ensure safety of doctors, others in hospitals. The apex court raised concerns about a recent notification from the West Bengal government that restricts women doctors from working night shifts and limits their working hours to a 12-hour maximum. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for WB said that it is temporary and they will bring out another notification. Also Read | Atishi to be the next Chief Minister of Delhi; Arvind Kejriwal proposed her name SC added that the condition that women doctors won't work at night will affect their careers, hours of duty should be reasonable for all doctors. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal assures SC that WB will remove that condition The top court suggested West Bengal government to consult senior officials and representatives of senior and junior doctors to carry out the process for making proper arrangements for toilet facilities and installation of CCTVs and biometric access in the hospitals. Kapil Sibal told CJI that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has issued a statement, that no punitive action will be taken against the doctors. There will be no action against the doctors for the period they have not worked," he said. A Bengaluru resident, originally from Uttarakhand, took a step to protect local sanitation workers, known as paurakarmikas. Living in the city for over ten years, the non-Kannadiga individual used Google Translate to write warnings in Kannada. Also Read | Siddaramaiah orders KPSC Gazetted Probationers exam to be reconducted They wrapped these translated messages around broken glass items to prevent the workers from getting injured while handling waste. An X user shared this story online, emphasising the significance of respecting local languages in non-Hindi-speaking states. The user, Suchi SA, says that non-Hindi speakers do not expect people in other states to learn languages like Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi or Bengali when they are in Hindi-speaking regions. However, they do seek mutual respect for their own languages. "This is all I guess non Hindi speaking states are asking! Respect our language and treat it at par with yours. Non Hindi speakers dont expect you to speak Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, Bengali when they visit, work, live in Hindi speaking states!," the user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). The social media post addresses an ongoing debate on the use of Kannada in Bengaluru. Nurse asked to go back A patient's family member reportedly reprimanded a nurse working at Apollo Bannerghatta Hospital in Bengaluru because she did not speak Kannada, the local language of Karnataka. According to a Reddit user who witnessed the incident, the patient's daughter scolded the nurse. She suggested that she return to her home state due to her inability to communicate in Kannada. Swiggy gets slammed A post by a woman in Bengaluru on the social media platform X earlier stirred controversy. She criticised the food delivery service Swiggy because its delivery person did not understand or speak Kannada. On September 15, Prince Harry celebrated his 40th birthday in California, far from his previous life in the British Royal Family. Ten years ago, he was a working Royal, had just finished his military service and launched the successful Invictus Games in London. Back then, his father, now King Charles, was by his side, often praising his achievements. Today, Harry lives in the United States with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children, Archie, aged five, and Lilibet, aged three. While he enjoys walks on the beach and casual dinners with friends in Montecito, his relationships with his father and brother, Prince William, are reportedly strained. This tension grew after Harry's Netflix series and the release of his memoir, which many believe widened the rift within the royal family. Royal historian Dr. Tessa Dunlop believes that Harry would be happier if his father showed more support."Service, then and now, makes Harry happy. The big difference is ten years ago Harry had his Dad by his side. 'Well done, darling boy' was Charles's response to Harry's first Invictus performance," she told the Mirror. "Nowadays, the Prince is a seasoned performer, but I suspect he'd be far happier if his father was still cheering him from the sidelines. A landmark birthday is always a good place to start. Fingers crossed the King found the time to reach out to his son on his birthday of all days," she added. Prince Harry at 40 As he turns 40, Prince Harry is enthusiastic about the future. He has told the BBC that, although he felt anxious upon reaching 30, he now looks forward to this new chapter in his life and aims to continue doing good in the world. Also Read | Royal Family fans not impressed as William, Kate wish Harry on birthday French national Dominique Pelicot, 71, has confessed to drugging his wife so that he and dozen others could sexually assault her. In his first testimony, Pelicot said, I am a rapist during a trial of a crime that has shook France. Also Read | Kolkata Rape Murder Case SC Hearing Live Update: No actions against doctors "I am a rapist, like the others in this room," AFP quoted Pelicot saying, referring to the 50 other defendants in the mass trial -- men he allegedly recruited online to rape his then-wife Gisele Pelicot. "They all knew" that he was inviting them to rape her, he said. "She did not deserve this." he added. Dominique Pelicot's testimony is anticipated to be crucial for the 50 other defendants, aged 26 to 74, with hearings for four of these cases scheduled to take place in the coming days. Also Read | 6 teenage baseball players who took plea deals in South Dakota rape case sentenced Investigators listed 72 men suspected of having taken part in abusing Gisele Pelicot other than her husband, but only managed to identify 50. All those 50 are on trial. They include a fireman, a male nurse, a prison guard and a journalist. What is Pelicot accused of? Dominique Pelicot is accused of administering anti-anxiety drugs to Gisele over a period of almost a decade, from 2011 to 2020. He has been charged with raping her while she was unconscious, and recruiting dozens of other men he met online to do the same. Dominique Pelicot had admitted the rape charges earlier. However, on Tuesday he spoke about his crime for the first time at length since the trial began on September 2. He spoke of his "difficult" childhood, saying his parents "assaulted each other". He briefly mentioned what he described as two "traumatic" episodes, being victim of a rape when he was nine years old and another on a construction site as an apprentice. "I always carried these traumatising events with me," he said, his eyes welling up and his voice shaking. Pelicot's ex-wife Gisele Pelicot, who obtained a divorce from him last month, remained stoic as he spoke, then she took the stand herself. "Not a for a single second did I doubt this man," she said. Her former husband then asked her and others for forgiveness. Slamming the Meta Platforms decision to ban Russian state media outlets from its apps, the Kremlin said on Tuesday that it was unacceptable and that the US social media giant had discredited itself with its action. Meta had accused the Russian state media outlets of foreign interference activity. With this action, Meta discredits itself. Such actions against Russian media are unacceptable, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. This complicates prospects for normalising our relations with Meta, Peskov added. On Monday, Meta said it was banning RT, Rossiya Segodnya and other Russian state media outlets from its platforms. After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets. Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity, Meta Platforms said in a statement. It added that the enforcement of the ban would roll out in the coming days. Metas social media platforms include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads. In 2022, Moscow branded Meta an extremist organisation and blocked Facebook and Instagram over changes in Metas hate speech policy that allowed users to vent their anger over Russias attack on Ukraine. Previously, Russia had also criticized the US social media company's efforts to limit the reach of Russian media and fined it several times for not removing content in Russia that it considers illegal. According to news agency Reuters, Meta said it had seen Russian state-controlled media try to evade detection in their online activities in the past and expected them to continue trying to engage in deceptive practices going forward. Also Read | How Biden Persuaded Scholz to Release a Top Kremlin Assassin Earlier this month, the US administration had seized Kremlin-run RT websites. It charged its two employees of covertly providing millions of dollars in funding to a Tennessee-based content creation company to publish English-language social media videos pushing pro-Kremlin messages. KYIV , UKRAINE : The number of Ukrainians and Russians killed or wounded in the grinding 2-year war has reached roughly one million, a staggering toll that two countries struggling with shrinking prewar populations will pay far into the future. Determining the exact number of dead and wounded in the conflict has been difficult, with Russia and Ukraine declining to release official estimates or, at times, putting out figures that are widely mistrusted. A confidential Ukrainian estimate from earlier this year put the number of dead Ukrainian troops at 80,000 and the wounded at 400,000, according to people familiar with the matter. Western intelligence estimates of Russian casualties vary, with some putting the number of dead as high as nearly 200,000 and wounded at around 400,000. The losses are causing problems for Russia as it uses waves of poorly trained soldiers to try to advance in Ukraines east while also trying to counter a recent Ukrainian incursion in the Kursk region. But they are significantly more damaging for Ukraine, with a population less than one-quarter the size of its giant neighbors. The highand fast-risingtolls on both sides highlight what will be a devastating long-term effect for countries that were struggling with population declines before the war mainly because of economic turmoil and social upheavals. They also illuminate one of Russian President Vladimir Putins own motivations behind launching the invasion in 2022: to boost Russias population by absorbing Ukrainians. Russias invasions and capture of Ukrainian territory over the past decade have caused Ukraine to lose at least 10 million people under occupation or as refugees, according to government estimates and demographers. Putin has long declared addressing Russias chronic demographic decline a priority, and the Kremlin has since embarked on a campaign of Russifying occupied territories, including large-scale abduction of children and pressuring Ukrainians to obtain Russian citizenship. In the occupied Donbas region, selling property and other transactions now require obtaining Russian citizenship. Todays Ukraine was once part of the Russian Empire, and Putin has repeatedly said he seeks to revert the country to that state. He denies Ukrainian identity and statehood and claims that Ukrainians, a largely Slavic and Orthodox Christian people, are in fact part of the Russian nation. Demographics is a priority for Putin, and he wants to use Ukraine and its people to consolidate the Slavic core of Russia," said Ivan Krastev, a Bulgarian-born political scientist and an author of a coming book on European demographics. But for Ukraine, the dilemma is existential: How many people can you lose in a war before losing your future?" Putins single most effective measure to boost Russias population before the full-scale invasion was the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, which added around 2.4 million people to Russia, according to Krastev, who based his estimates on the latest Russian census. While Russia has gained population by grabbing territory, the war has had a devastating effect on its internal demographics and the labor market. Well over 600,000 Russians fled the country since the full-scale invasion started. They are mainly younger and upwardly mobile professionals who were able to afford relocating to foreign countries and starting a new life. Russia has traditionally relied on labor migration from Central Asia, but the war reduced, and in some cases even reversed, the flow of migrant workers. This exacerbated the growing labor shortage in Russia as Siberia and the Far East are rapidly depopulating. Government-linked experts have publicly floated the idea of importing workers from North Korea. Russias assaults on Ukraine have had a catastrophic effect on its neighbors population. The most recent census, in 2001, recorded 48 million inhabitants. At the start of 2022, before Russia invaded, that had fallen to 40 million, including regions such as Crimea that Russia occupied in 2014, according to Ukrainian demographers and government officials. With over six million fleeing Ukraine since the start of the war in February 2022, according to the United Nations, and Russia seizing further land, the total population on Kyiv-controlled territory has now dropped to between 25 million and 27 million, according to previously undisclosed Ukrainian government estimates. Oleksandr Gladun, a researcher at the Ptoukha Institute for Demography, gave higher estimates of 42 million for the prewar population of all of Ukraine and around 29 million living on government-controlled territory at the start of this year. The population of Ukraine can only be calculated a couple of years after the end of the war when the number of returnees will be clear, he said. The effect could be enduring. Alongside military deaths, Ukraines birthrate also collapsed to the lowest recorded level: In the first half of this year, three times as many people died as were born, according to government data. Some 250,000 deaths and over 87,000 births were recorded in this period, which is 9% less than the same period last year, according to government figures. In 2021, the year before the full-scale invasion, over 130,000 births were recorded. Russias way of war is also aimed at making Ukraine unlivable. Russian missile-and-drone attacks have knocked out large parts of Ukraines energy grid, including power stations, which could drive many more Ukrainians to seek refuge outside the country this winter if it leads to major electricity and heat outages. Ukraines government, like that of Russia, keeps its war casualties secret. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in February that around 31,000 soldiers have so far been killed. Several former political and security officials said that underestimate was largely designed to placate society and help continue the mobilization of much-needed new recruits. A spokesman for Zelensky declined to comment. One of the key reasons Zelensky refuses to mobilize the key cohort of men aged between 18 and 25typically the bulk of any fighting forceis because most of these people havent had children yet, according to the former Ukrainian officials. Should the recruits of that age group die or become incapacitated, future demographic prospects would dim further, Ukrainian demographers say. Ukraine has therefore resisted calls from Western partners to throw more men into the fight and has only implemented partial mobilization. The average age of Ukrainian fighters is now over 43, according to estimates by government and military officials. Kyiv has been recruiting small numbers of convicts and foreigners to boost numbers. The civilian death toll remains unknown. Russias 2022 conquest of the southeastern port city of Mariupol alone claimed over 8,000 lives, according to estimates by Human Rights Watch, a nongovernmental organization. Ievgeniia Sivorka contributed to this article. Write to Bojan Pancevski at bojan.pancevski@wsj.com We open the show tonight, with me still resonating from seeing Spoon last Wednesday night at the Bronson Centre. It was one of the finest rock shows I've seen in many years. So we open playing some songs from that concert - including two great covers. Then we spin music from Explosions In The Sky and Alejandro Escovedo who put on great shows at CityFolk. The second hour features some great music and a tribute to my Dad. He would was born in 1922 and so it's the 102nd anniversary of his birth. He introduced me to a lot of great music - including the works of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Dvorak - and for that I am eternally grateful. Thanks Dad and happy birthday wherever you are! Thanks for listening. Support independent music any way that you can... and as the Constantines encourage us... spread good will around... "I Will Not Sing A Hateful Song!" Try that on Pierre Poilievre (for a change!) Do You Spoon - Everything Hits At Once: The Best Of Spoon Inside Out Spoon - Everything Hits At Once: The Best of Spoon A Face In The Crowd (Tom Petty Cover) Spoon - The Ally Coalition's 7th Annual Talent Show The Way We Get By Spoon - Everything Hits At Once: The Best Of Spoon Got Nuffin' Spoon - Everything Hits At Once: The Best Of Spoon TV Set (Cramps Cover) Spoon - Poltergeist Soundtrack The Fight Explosions In The Sky - The End Loved Ones Explosions In The Sky - The End Too Many Tears Alejandro Escovedo - Echo Dancing - Echo Dancing Sacramento & Polk Alejandro Escovedo - Echo Dancing - Echo Dancing Invasion Alan Vega - Insurrection Lester Bangs Stereo Ghost Scott B Sympathy - Drinking With The Poet - Drinking With The Poet Cherry Tree Gulfer - Third Wind - Third Wind Richmond Avenue Ben Howard - Is It? Cinders and Dust Pick A Piper - Pick A Piper - Pick A Piper Talking With My Father Dougie MacLean - Who I Am Father and Son Peter Gabriel - Hit 2nd Movement - Largo Berlin Philharmonic - Antonin Dvorak - 9th Symphony - From the New World I Will Not Forget You Max Richter - Testament of Youth (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) La nuit bleue Flore Laurentienne - 8 Tableuax - 8 Tableuax The Land That Held Them Jeremy Dutcher - Motewolonuwok - Motewolonuwok I Will Not Sing A Hateful Song The Constantines - Kensington Heights - Kensington Heights Lebanon News: Hundreds of pager devices belonging to Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon on Tuesday, killing at least 12 people and injuring as many as 2,800. The blasts, which occurred simultaneously in several Hezbollah strongholds, were described as an "Israeli breach" of the militant group's communications. Associated Press has reported that Irans ambassador in Lebanon has been wounded in the explosion of pagers in Lebanon. A Hezbollah official also said a few of its fighters were also wounded in Syria when the pagers they were carrying exploded. War Monitor, an X account that reports on the Middle East conflict, stated that 14 people were wounded in Syria in Hezbollah pager blasts. Lebanons Health Minister Firas Abiad said at least eight people were killed and 2,750 wounded 200 of them critically. Hezbollah confirmed that three people were killed in 'mysterious' Lebanon pager explosions. This includes the son of a Hezbollah Member of Parliament apart from a girl and a Hezbollah fighter, AFP reported. The militant group has informed that they have initiated a probe into the cause of 'simultaneous' pager blasts. Also Read | Mideast on Edge After Israel Bombs Lebanon to Thwart Attack Hezbollah's pager network was reportedly compromised, resulting in explosions and widespread injuries. The explosions occurred as Israel announced a broadening of its military objectives to include actions against Hezbollah in northern Lebanon. A police officer inspects a car in which a hand-held pager exploded, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday, September 17. AFP reported that dozens of Hezbollah members had been wounded in blasts in Beirut's southern suburbs and the south of the country. One Hezbollah member told AFP that the pager explosion incident was a result of an "Israeli breach" of its communications. Also Read | Netanyahu allies make the case for firing Israeli defense minister The incident marks the first of its kind since Hezbollah began engaging in near-daily clashes with Israel, following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, which ignited the Gaza war. Lebanon's health ministry, in a statement, asked "all hospitals in... areas near the locations of the injured, to be on high alert and raise their level of preparedness", and "all health workers to urgently go to their workplaces" to assist. The Lebanese Red Cross said in a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, that it was on "high alert". Hezbollah had asked its members to avoid using mobile phones after the Gaza war began to avoid Israeli breaches of the technology. The group's members communicate through its own telecommunications system. Israeli Breach Suspected in Pager Explosion On Tuesday, Israel announced an expansion of its war objectives beyond the initial focus on Hamas, following the militant group's October 7 attacks. Israel's updated strategy now includes addressing Hezbollah's actions along the northern border with Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that the revised goals aim to ensure the safe return of northern residents to their homes. Also Read | Israel Offers Hamas Leader Safe Exit From Gaza in Bid to End War Previously, Israel's primary objectives were to defeat Hamas and secure the return of hostages taken during the October 7 assault. "The political-security cabinet updated the goals of the war this evening, so that they include the following section: the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement early Tuesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched a controversial initiative aimed at combating the nations declining birth rate by encouraging citizens to engage in intimacy during work breaks, according to Metro.co.uk. The move is part of a broader strategy to counter the country's shrinking population, which has been exacerbated by factors such as emigration and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The preservation of the Russian people is our highest national priority, Putin stated, as reported by Metro. "The fate of Russia... depends on how many of us there will be. It is a question of national importance." Russia's current fertility rate stands at approximately 1.5 children per woman, significantly below the 2.1 needed for population stability. To address this, the government has rolled out various initiatives, including free fertility screenings for women in Moscow and financial incentives for new mothers. In the Chelyabinsk region, young women are being offered 8,500 for their first child. Also Read | Meta bans Russian state media like Rossiya Segodnya, RT and others from its apps Russian Health Minister Dr Yevgeny Shestopalov expressed support for the policy, dismissing concerns about busy work schedules as a barrier to family planning. "You can have children during breaks," Shestopalov said, emphasizing that work should not interfere with reproduction. Additionally, proposals from political figures like MP Tatyana Butskaya include tracking employee birth rates to encourage more frequent childbearing. Other measures include tightening abortion access and raising divorce fees to promote family growth. The Kremlin has also been pushing for women to start having children at younger ages, with some officials like Anna Kuznetsova and Zhanna Ryabtseva advocating for early motherhood to encourage larger families. Military expansion amid population concerns As part of his broader national security efforts, President Putin has also ordered a major expansion of Russias military forces. The plan involves increasing the armys personnel by 180,000, bringing the total to 2.38 million troops, with 1.5 million active personnel. This would position Russias military as the second largest in the world, trailing only China. Also Read | Meta bans Russian state media like Rossiya Segodnya, RT and others from its apps Prince Harry celebrated his 40th birthday on 15 September and received messages from Kate Middleton and William who took to social media to wish the exiled prince. Kate and Williams message said, Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex! Also Read | Kate Middleton slammed for doing a Meghan Markle in latest video Posted to Kensington Palace social media channels, the message was also reposted from a message sent earlier by the king, which contained slightly different text. It read, Wishing the Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today! However, The Daily Beast quoted a friend of the kings saying they expect Prince Harry and King Charles would speak by phone later in the day. Meanwhile, the DB reported that despite sending the Duke and Duchess of Wales sent birthday wishes to Harry on social media, Prince William has no interest in restoring contact with Prince Harry. The friend of William and Kates said, as quoted by The Daily Beast, The honest truth is that William has no interest right now in reaching out to Harry and Meghan. He regards what Harry said in his book (i.e. his memoir, Spare) as unforgivable and, understandably given Catherines cancer diagnosis, just wants to focus on his wife and family first and his job second. There isnt space for a complicated reconciliation process with Harry. Its not a priority. Though it was not confirmed if King Charles contacted Harry on his birthday, it was quite evident that William and Kate did not contact Harry in person. Sour relations: Relations between Harry and Williams have reportedly turned sour in the past couple of months. Not only with William, but Harry's relationship has been fraught in recent months with King Charles too, said the DB, adding that the king stopped taking Harrys phone calls over the summer. According to the palace insider, the message sent by William and Kate had not been initialled W & C, meaning it had not been sent personally by the couple. When asked the details, the DB quoted the source as saying, It was just a company thing. Happy birthday, blah blah blah. When further asked why William and Kate had allowed the message to be sent from their account, the source said, as quoted by DB, It makes sense for Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace to align themselves on a little bit of essentially routine messaging around Harry. It shows William is willing to respect his fathers seniority and do what is asked of him. Following are facts about the Lebanese-based group Hezbollah, some of whose fighters and medics were wounded on Tuesday when the pagers they use to communicate exploded across Lebanon, security sources told Reuters. Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the Gaza conflict erupted last October, the worst such escalation in years. What are Hezbollah's origins? Iran's Revolutionary Guards founded Hezbollah in 1982 during Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war, part of Tehran's effort to export its 1979 Islamic Revolution and fight Israeli forces that had invaded Lebanon in 1982. The group has risen from a shadowy faction to a heavily armed force with big sway in Lebanon and the region. Western governments including the United States designate it a terrorist group. So do Sunni Muslim Gulf Arab states including Saudi Arabia. Hezbollah is a Shi'ite Islamist group and shares the ideology of the Islamic Republic of Iran. How did Hezbollah get involved in the Gaza war? Hezbollah is a powerful part of the "Axis of Resistance", an alliance of Iran-backed groups across the Middle East that also includes the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, which ignited the Gaza war by attacking Israel on Oct. 7. Declaring solidarity with the Palestinians, Hezbollah began firing on Israeli positions in the frontier region on Oct. 8. The sides have been trading fire on a near daily basis since then, with Hezbollah launching rockets and drones and Israel mounting air and artillery strikes. The attacks have mostly struck near or at the frontier, but both sides have also widened their attacks. Tens of thousands have been uprooted in Lebanon and Israel. How powerful is Hezbollah's military? While other groups disarmed after Lebanon's civil war, Hezbollah kept its weapons to fight Israeli forces that were occupying the predominantly Shi'ite Muslim south of the country. Years of guerrilla warfare led Israel to withdraw in 2000, but Hezbollah retained its arsenal. Hezbollah demonstrated military advances in 2006 during a five-week war with Israel, which erupted after it crossed into Israel, kidnapping two soldiers and killing others. Hezbollah fired thousands of rockets into Israel during the conflict, in which 1,200 people were killed in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 158 Israelis were killed, most of them soldiers. Hezbollah's military power grew after 2006. The group says its rockets can strike all parts of Israel and its arsenal includes precision missiles. During the Gaza war, Hezbollah has announced attacks using surface-to-air missiles - a weapon it was long believed to have in its arsenal but had never before confirmed possessing. It has also launched explosive drones at Israel. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has said the group has 100,000 fighters. The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency's World Factbook says Hezbollah was estimated in 2022 to have 45,000 fighters, split between roughly 20,000 full-time and 25,000 reservists. What regional sway does Hezbollah have? Hezbollah has inspired and supported other Iranian-backed groups across the region, including Iraqi Shi'ite militias. It played a big part in helping its ally President Bashar al-Assad fight the war in Syria, where it still has fighters. Saudi Arabia says Hezbollah has also fought in support of the Iran-allied Houthis in Yemen. Hezbollah denies this. What is Hezbollah's role in Lebanon? Hezbollah's influence is underpinned by both its weaponry and the support of many Lebanese Shi'ites who say the group defends Lebanon from Israel. It has ministers in government and lawmakers in parliament. Lebanese parties opposed to Hezbollah say the group has undermined the state and unilaterally dragged Lebanon into wars. It entered Lebanese politics in 1992, contesting elections, and began taking a more prominent role in state affairs in 2005 after Syria withdrew forces from Lebanon following the killing of former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri, a Sunni politician who symbolised Saudi influence in Beirut. A U.N.-backed court convicted three Hezbollah members in absentia over the assassination. Hezbollah denies any role, describing the court as a tool of its enemies. Also Read | Israeli troops, Palestinian militants clash in West Bank after incidents near settlements In 2008, a power struggle between Hezbollah and its Lebanese political foes led to armed conflict, after the government vowed to take action against the group's military communications network. Hezbollah fighters took over parts of Beirut. In 2018 Hezbollah and allies who support its possession of arms won a parliamentary majority. This was lost in 2022, but the group still has major political sway. Accused of attacks on Western interests Lebanese officials and Western intelligence have said groups linked to Hezbollah carried out suicide attacks on Western embassies and targets, and kidnapped Westerners in the 1980s. The United States holds Hezbollah responsible for suicide bombings in 1983 that destroyed the U.S. Marine headquarters in Beirut, killing 241 servicemen, and a French barracks, killing 58 French paratroopers. It also says Hezbollah was behind a suicide attack on the U.S. embassy in Beirut in 1983. Referring to those attacks and hostage-taking, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a 2022 interview that they were carried out by small groups not linked to Hezbollah. Hezbollah has also been accused of militant attacks elsewhere. Argentina blames it and Iran for the deadly bombing of a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires in which 85 people died in 1994 and for an attack on the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires in 1992 that killed 29 people. On 10 September 2024, India joined a small group of nations which require a mandatory competition-law review of deals based on their value. Deals valued over 2,000 crore now require an approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI), even if its turnover/asset-based thresholds are not met. Earlier, such deals could benefit from the small target exemption, which required the target to hit a minimum level of turnover and assets in India for scrutiny. That is why deals like Zomatos acquisition of Blinkit, valued at around 4,500 crore, could escape the CCI lens. India is a hotbed of startups and has produced many unicorns despite their low turnovers. For example, Purplle and Cult.fit have commanded valuations of over 10,000 crore with turnovers of under 1,000 crore. Going forward, investors in such startups must be mindful of the impact of the CCI filing on deal costs and timelines. The concept of deal value has been kept expansive and is not limited to the value recorded in transaction documents. Deal value would also include the considerations paid for any previous deals between the same target and the acquirer group in the preceding two years. If the transaction documents do not record the true and complete deal value, it would be based on the value noted by the board. Interestingly, if the deal value cannot be established with certainty, it may be considered to have breached the deal value threshold (DVT). Foreign deals may not get caught despite meeting the DVT as long as the target entity does not have substantial business operations in India" (SBOI). To assess a targets SBOI, the standard rule is that it must have at least a 10% business nexus with India. For digital services, this 10% rule applies to the global number of users, gross merchandise value (GMV) or turnover. In all other cases, it applies only to global GMV or turnover with an additional requirement of a minimum Indian GMV or turnover of 500 crore. This is aligned with the global best practice of having a minimum turnover threshold in the country of review to preclude deals with no local impact. The CCI has reinforced its intention of not letting many deals in the digital sector escape its scrutiny by: (i) not applying a minimum absolute turnover/GMV threshold to digital services, and (ii) broadly defining digital services to include any service provided over the internet. Further, the absence of any guidance on how to attribute number of users and turnover to the Indian market could let the CCI catch borderline cases. This is not surprising, as the genesis of the DVT regime lies in the need to review killer acquisitions, which continue to afflict digital markets. There has been an increase in deals involving a make or buy decision, i.e., whether to develop a new technology or product in-house or buy it from a maverick or startup (Metas acquisition of a virtual reality startup, Within Unlimited Inc, for example). Competition law issues around such deals are two-fold. On one hand, competition authorities are concerned about lack of innovation by incumbents as they can buy innovative products from startups to strengthen their market presence. On the other hand, startups often show a tendency to focus their innovation on or around an incumbents business. One such deal that attracted competition law scrutiny in the EU and UK was Adobes proposed acquisition of Figma (a product design platform which competed aggressively with Adobes XD application). The deal was called off amid concerns raised by authorities that it would stifle Figmas innovation initiatives. Competition authorities around the world are inclined to scrutinize and challenge mergers that may adversely impact competition in new-age markets. There is now a willingness to even assess below-threshold deals and develop novel theories of harm. An example is the famous Illumina/ Grail case, where the European Commission (EC) attempted to review a deal which did not meet review thresholds. After the recent judgement by the European Court of Justice holding the ECs attempt as unlawful, France has announced a review of its merger rules to avoid such a situation. Other EU states may follow suit. Australia has also proposed the inclusion of a DVT in its merger control regime. With its Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, 2024, even the UK will be better equipped to assess conglomerate mergers and killer acquisitions of emerging products by incumbents. As the CCI has been a front-runner in adopting new tools to address digital markets, it will probably not shy away from taking radical steps to ensure fair antitrust scrutiny of deals that may raise potential competition law issues. Given delays in other initiatives to address competition concerns in digital markets, such as Indias Digital Competition Bill, the enforcement of DVT would allow the CCI to assess certain high-value deals in the digital sector which could otherwise escape scrutiny. Industry would have welcomed transitional protection for deals that were already signed but not fully closed before 10 September 2024. However, such deals must now be reassessed under the new regime and notified to the CCI, if required. In light of the global trend of increased competition law scrutiny, it is prudent to assess competition law risks early on and craft deal documents carefully for any impact on the deal timetable and closing conditions. These are the authors personal views. Divyansh Prasad and Rohan Zaveri contributed to this article. Every time I visit a bookstore, I make a point to check the business section. Im always on the lookout for books by management gurus explaining why companies with certain characteristics succeed, why a particular company thrived, or how an individual played a significant role in that success. There are many such books in almost every bookstore, which suggests they have a significant readership. However, I rarely come across books which explain why companies fail, given that most companies fail and many large companies falter and eventually even fail. The economist John Kay makes this point in his new book, The Corporation in the 21st Century. He points out that the business magazine Fortune started to rank the largest US companies in 1955 and has done so every year since. The only company to be in the top 10 in 1955 and 2020 was ExxonMobil. As Kay writes: Standard Oil of New Jersey [on the 1955 list] acquired its rival Mobil and is now ExxonMobil, the only business to appear in both 1955 and 2020." Also read: The best business books tend to be about music and sports So, there has been a huge churn in the top 10 US companies over the past seven decades. And this isnt because industries are stagnating or declining. As Kay writes: Global demand for automobiles, food, oil, steel, chemical products and particularly electrical goods has continued to grow. Consumers still shop. But none of [the] 1955 companies is today the dominant firm in its industry." Closer home, many of the family-owned business groups that ran some of Indias biggest companies in the 1980s and even the 1990s are shadows of their former selves. More recently, the much hyped Byjus and Paytm have struggled. But management gurus, encouraged by commissioning editors salivating over sales prospects, continue to write on what makes companies and their leaders successful in the hope that these learnings could be used by others. There is a formula to write such books. Cass Sunstein explains this in How To Become Famous: Countless successful business books try to figure out what characteristics are shared by inventors, innovators, leaders, or other successful types. If they find a shared characteristic, they urge that they have discovered a secret or clue of some kind." But in their need to tell a compelling story, some gurus often forget a simple point: facts are not data. What does that mean? Sunstein offers the example of Jim Collins superhit book, Good to Great. One characteristic of successful companies is a culture of discipline," writes Collins. To this, Sunstein points out that hundreds of companies can fail despite having a culture of discipline. In contrast, you could also find successful companies that lack such a culture. Indeed, the idea behind almost all such books is to tell a good story with a flowing narrative that engages readers. As Alex Edmans writes in May Contain Lies: Most books only ever consider a selected sample that fits the story, so even if all their facts are correct, theyre inconclusive [They] reverse-engineer an explanation without ever testing whether other companies with the same traits had similar outcomes." Of course, this narrative is built on what Phil Rosenzweig calls a delusion of rigorous research in his wonderful book The Halo Effect. The trouble is that whats claimed to be rigorous research is limited to studying characteristics of companies and individuals who are successful at the point of time the book is written, and does not cover others who might currently share or might have shared similar characteristics. Which is why many companies and individuals who are the subjects of such books eventually fizzle out. So, this leaves us with an important question: Why do such books keep getting written? An explanation for their popularity lies in the fact that the human mind does not handle complexity well. Explanations for any success are complex but we want simple linear stories. As Rosenzweig puts it: We prefer explanations that are definitive and offer clear implications." Also, people who believe they can easily understand the past are likely to assume they can predict the future as well. As Daniel Kahneman writes in Thinking, Fast and Slow: The illusion that one has understood the past feeds the further illusion that one can predict and control the future. These illusions are comforting. They reduce the anxiety that we would experience if we allowed ourselves to fully acknowledge uncertainties of existence... Many business books are tailor-made to satisfy this need." Indeed, the huge market for self-help books also thrives for this reason. A huge market for such books is being monetized, but it would be nice if management gurus would also write a few books on why companies fail. Now that would add real value. If not that, they should at least add a disclaimer to their books along the lines of what Kay suggests: A journalist impressed by the strength of the FAANG corporations today [originally, Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Google, with Netflix later replaced by Nvidia] once asked me if there were historic examples of once dominant companies which had lost that dominance. I told her the more interesting question was to find a historically dominant company that had retained that dominance." Australia has become the first country in the world to try and formally legislate a solution to the problem of social medias impact on children. Earlier this month, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government would pass a law mandating a minimum age for accessing social media later this year. While the minimum age is yet to be determined, Albanese indicated that the line will be drawn between 14 and 16 years of age. The excessive influence of social media on the young, particularly pre-teens and teenagers, is not just an Australian problem but a global one. The mental health consequences for young people leading from overindulgence in social mediaChina even runs social media de-addiction" campsare well documented. Then there are the more sinister aspects of social mediafrom cyberbullying to stalking to grooming by predators and paedophiles to outright phishing and scams. Given that most countries have recognised these challenges and that every government in the world has the power to make laws to control this, one may ask why it has fallen to Australia to take the lead in trying to find a legislative solution to the problem. Challenges to age restriction Many countries have tried to pass a law restricting access to social media for children or are in the process of doing so. In all cases, such attempts have faced similar challenges. The foremost, of course, is the downside of restricting access whether based on age or other criteriato social media in particular or the internet in general. Digital rights activists have argued, with some justification and evidence, that doing so would deprive youngsters of access to meaningful information and support. Infringement of minors' digital rights was the hill on which the European Union's attempt to legislate access restrictions eventually died. In fact, Australias e-safety commissioner had warned the government earlier that putting access restrictions would drive more dangerous online activity underground. Activists also argue that far from having a deterrent effect, any legal ban will only lead youngsters to mask their online activity, which can have more serious consequences. The other is technical. No country in the world has been able to come up with an effective technical solution to ensure the implementation of an age verification mandate. In fact, all the big tech companies that operate social media platforms such as Meta, Google, and Xall have minimum age requirements (13 years in many cases) to open an account. But even they have not been able to ensure that this is not circumvented. The key At a more fundamental level, though, legislation does not provide satisfactory solutions to societal problems. Governments everywhere, with justification, have imposed age-based restrictions that can inflict harm on either the user or others. This is why, everywhere in the world, there are minimum age requirements for being allowed to drive or to consume alcohol. However, the presence of legal deterrents has not managed to address the issues of underage drinking, for instance, or unlicensed driving, a rampant problem in India. Or take a recognized social evil like child marriage. This is illegal everywhere in India and attracts deterrent punishment, but the practice is still rampant in many communities and regions. India constitutionally prohibits discrimination based on age, gender, caste or creed, but such discrimination is widely prevalent in our society. Also Read: Social media addiction is about pleasures of the hunt Laws cannot solve all problems. We have laws on the right to food and the right to education, but that does not mean that no one in the country goes hungry or that everyone gets access to education. Eventually, lasting solutions to societal problems are achieved only through widespread social consensus and action. One of my most vivid childhood memories is of visiting the Amul factory in Anand, Gujarat. The father of Indias White Revolution, Verghese Kurien, was my grand-uncle, and as his guests, we were given a grand tour. As a young child, the highlight of the weekend was being able to wander through the chocolate factory, surrounded by so much molten chocolate that it had to be transported from one machine to the other in overhead pipes. I vividly recall how one of the pipes had sprung a leak and marvelled at the fact that the factory manager had strategically placed a bucket below it to catch milk chocolate as it dripped down. This was the closest I was ever going to get to Willy Wonka. That was also when I learnt about Indias milk revolutiondirectly from the mouths of those who were a part of it. I was told of how my grand-uncle, in defiance of a deeply entrenched milk mafia, helped the dairy producers of the district organize themselves into a cooperative so that they could sell milk directly to customers. And how, from those humble beginnings, dairy farming became one of the largest self-sustaining industries in rural parts of India. By offering dairy farmers a way to get directly involved in all aspects of the procurement, processing and marketing of milk, India was able to go from being a milk-starved nation to the worlds largest producer of milk by 1998. But as much as the idea of a cooperative gave dairy farmers a way to access the market, a lot remains to be done to improve their lot. Indias dairy sector is deeply fragmented, with over 70% of the countrys milk being produced by small and marginal farmers, each of whom own just 1-2 cows or buffaloes. This means that their average net income is still relatively low. Unless we can find a way for them to scale their operations up, we will struggle to ensure the continued sustainability of the sector. Key to this is access to capital. While most cooperatives do offer their members some form of loans and advances, dairy farmers typically lack the collateral required in order for them to avail a loan from the formal financial sector. This means that even though we have made it possible for them to collectively access the market, they still lack the capital needed to grow their individual business to sustainable levels. Given our demonstrable success at doing this, should it not be possible for us to build digital public infrastructure (DPI) to solve this problem? The Reserve Bank of India recently unveiled the Unified Lending Interface (ULI), a new DPI platform designed to make available to lenders various types of non-financial data that they could use in order to evaluate the credit-worthiness of borrowers. In the context of dairy farmers of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, this could mean digitally verifiable data about the volume of milk contributed by each of them to the cooperative as well as its purity. The ULI makes it possible for lenders to access this information directly from records of the National Dairy Development Board using an API interface. This will give formal lenders new sources of data that they can use to evaluate the credit-worthiness of borrowers otherwise ineligible for loans. This is just one of the many uses to which the ULI framework can be put. Lenders can now get access to a range of diverse data sources in an easily accessible digital format, making it possible for them to evaluate a much wider cross-section of potential borrowers than would otherwise have been possible. By overlaying multiple such data points (land record data, irrigation data, weather data, etc), they can arrive at a more fine-grained evaluation of the ability of potential borrowers to repay loans from one year to the next. This, in many ways, is similar to what the account aggregator (AA) system has already made possible. Except that, while Indias AA ecosystem currently only enables data sharing between entities that are currently regulated by one or the other financial-service regulators, the ULI will provide lenders API-based access to non-financial data sourced from entities other than those regulated by these regulators. When combined, these two ecosystems will offer formal lenders a more complete and accurate picture than is currently available to them at a fraction of the cost. So what are the data sources that could be made available through the ULI once the platform goes live? Quite frankly, the answer to that question is only limited by our imagination. So long as a data source is available at scale, it should be possible to serve it up using the United Lending Interface. For instance, it should be possible for us to integrate goods and services tax (GST) data with the ULI, offering transaction-level information on sales. It should be just as easy to integrate customs information, so that we can offer traders new ways by which imports and exports can be financed. The same could be said of warehouse data, satellite data and even data from specific sectors such as coffee, where sales are intermediated by the Coffee Board. Since it has been created using the same design philosophy that underpins all the other DPI in the country, the real value of the ULI lies in its interoperability. Which means that once it is combined with other DPI platforms, and as long as we assure private innovation a free rein, we will probably see new products and services the likes of which are currently impossible for us to imagine. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is trying to dial back tensions with its staff members who had complained of a toxic" work environment. On Monday, the capital markets regulator withdrew its 4 September statement that sought to defend itself against complaints by saying that these were being instigated by external elements to undermine the organization and its leadership. Instead, Sebi will now discuss the causes of employee discontent internally, so as to settle the work-related problems its staff members may have. What had added grist to the mill was the fact that the disgruntlement aired by them had coincided with the political heat being faced by Sebi chief Madhabi Puri Buch over conflict-of-interest allegations made by Indias main opposition party, the Congress, which levelled fresh charges on Saturday, a day after Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch issued a statement to counter previous ones. At least on the matter of Sebis work atmosphere, talks could lead to a mutually acceptable resolution. On the whole, it is unfortunate that the countrys market regulator finds itself in the news so frequently for the wrong reasons. This is not good for our capital markets. Arvind Kejriwal submitted his resignation as chief minister of Delhi to Lieutenant Governor (L-G) VK Saxena on Tuesday, September 17. Atishi, the outgoing chief minister's close confidant, has staked a claim to form the next government in the national capital. The Aam Aadmi Party chief, Kejriwal, was sworn in as chief minister of Delhi for the third term on February 16, 2020, after the party won the Delhi assembly polls, bagging 62 of the 70 seats. Kejriwal's third term as chief minister was marred by a host of controversies, including the biggest one the allegation of money laundering in the Delhi Excise Policy case. Here are 5 top controversies that impacted brand AAP in Kejriwal's third term: 1- Delhi Excise Policy Case -2021-22 AAP and its leaders were hit by allegations of money laundering in what is popularly known as the Delhi Excise Policy case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)the country's two premier investigation agenciesalleged irregularities during the modification of Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, with undue favours granted to licence holders. ED chargesheet said that the policy was, in fact, formulated by top leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party to generate and channel illegal funds for themselves. The charges eventually led to the arrest of top AAP leadershipArvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Sanjay Singh, among others. The Supreme Court has since released all of them on bail. The policy, implemented in November 2021, was scrapped in September 2022 amid corruption allegations. 2-Swati Maliwal Row- May 2024 AAP Rajya Sabha member and former chief of the Delhi Commission for Women, Swati Maliwal, alleged that Bibhav Kumar, Arvind Kejriwal's close aide, assaulted her at the Chief Minister's residence on May 13, kicking a political storm in the national capital. The AAP, which earlier said a Kejriwal aide "misbehaved" with Maliwal and would face action, later alleged she was a part of a BJP conspiracy against Kejriwal. Kumar was arrested and later released on bail earlier this month. 3- CAA will take jobs- March 2024 Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sparked a political row in March this year when he claimed that if one crore people came to India after implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act, there would be riots all around. He also termed the implementation of the law as BJP's "dirty vote bank politics" ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and that the implementation of CAA will take away jobs meant for Indias youth. The BJP hit back strongly, accusing Kejriwal, who is also the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), of being anti-Hindu, anti-Sikh and anti-Buddhist. Kejriwal's remarks came days after the government notified the implementation of the CAA, weeks before the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. The contentious law paved the way for citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who entered India before December 31, 2014. CAA faced numerous delays and continued criticism from the Opposition ranks. More than 100 people have lost their lives to protests and consequent police action since it was passed in December 2019. 4- The 45 crore Sheesh Mahal' renovation- 2023 The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in April 2023 that 45 crore was spent on the "beautification" of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence in the Civil Lines area of the city and demanded his resignation on "moral" grounds. The chief minister's residence at 6 Flagstaff Marg has been under scrutiny over the renovation. An inquiry into the allegations is underway. At least three engineers have been suspended in the case so far. 5-The Tablighi Jamaat row - 2020 In November 2020, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi lashed out at Kejriwal, calling him Modi of 2013 for alleging allegedly defaming the Muslim community during the COVID-19 pandemic and didnt do anything to stop the February 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. Kejriwal called the organizers of the gathering at the Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi irresponsible on March 12 and 13, 2020, for allowing people from across the country and abroad to gather there. The Tablighi Jamaat congregation that was organised at the venue had been blamed for thousands of coronavirus cases around the country. This disease has gripped the entire world. At a time like this, this (holding a gathering) was a very irresponsible thing. Navratras are on, and there are usually many people in temples, but there is no one now. Gurdwaras are shut, and people are not coming to the masjid to pray; they are praying at home. Mecca is empty, and Vatican City is empty. At such a time, to have held such a big gathering was wrong, Kejriwal had said. Natasha Bedingfields Unwritten has blared from the speakers, wind tests are complete, gear is in place and, after a final round of good luck handshakes, Zachery Krietenstein is ready to jump out of a plane. Krietenstein is a member of the U.S. Army Parachute Team, also known as the Golden Knights, that performed during the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Centers Army Expo in Middlesex Township last weekend. Currently stationed in North Carolina, the Golden Knights conduct shows across the United States. They parachuted into the expo both Saturday and Sunday. We like to connect Americas people with Americas Army and show them all that we offer in the Army, Krietenstein said. A lot of people see whats going on in movies [and] on the news, and they dont understand that ... there [are] a lot more options. While he estimates that about 70% of the Golden Knights have seen combat through previous military experience, the parachute team sticks to performances. A Florida native, Krietenstein has served in the Army for 17 years and has been skydiving for about a decade, performing with a different military parachute team prior to becoming a Golden Knight about two years ago. He describes the selection process as rigorous. You have to have 100 free-fall jumps, have a clean military civilian record and then come to tryouts, Krietenstein said. You spend two months ... for upwards of 10 to 15 jumps per day, so youre cranking out a lot of jumps, and then you spend that two months getting assessed, and then if you make it, you come to the team. A self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie with a history of climbing up things and broken arms to prove it, one tandem jump was all it took to get him hooked. I went to the guy, I was like, What do I need to do to get my license, Krietenstein said. And hes like, Its a little bit of a process. Im like, Tell me what I need to do, and Im doing it. Today, jumping out of a plane at 10,000 feet is a daily occurrence; he estimates hes clocked between 1,700 and 1,800 jumps. While each member of the Golden Knights handles their nerves differently, its never the jump itself that scares Krietenstein. Its performance anxiety. You want to perform good and look good, he said. So the skydive is not necessarily something Im afraid of, there are always inherent risks that you take, so you have to think about that. You cant forget that stuff. But Im more worried about tripping on the ground when I land or something like that. Sgt. First Class Michael Heath, also on the parachute team, said nerves are the biggest challenge of the job. Even with extensive practice, each jump comes with its own unknowns. Youre constantly assessing the wind, Heath said. Youre constantly assessing the ground. ... Were constantly looking and taking in real wind time data, and its just hoping that you know everything that you could possibly know before you actually exit the aircraft. Preparation begins on the ground with a dirt dive where the Golden Knights walk through the performance before taking flight. Last weekends shows featured a group of Golden Knights jumping together and linking up, a baton exchange and a wingsuit or squirrel suit demonstration. From there, the parachute team suits up, usually to a song or two. Other pre-jump rituals include a high five tunnel and a cow bell, along with the usual wind tests as the plane gains altitude. Soaring over Cumberland County Saturday morning, Heath said touching down in his parachute will mark his first visit to Carlisle, albeit with a different perspective than most. However, one of his favorite parts of the job happens on the ground. [Its] getting to interact with everybody, letting the kids come up and help us pack our parachute, and just getting to hear everybody elses stories and how excited they were to see what we do and how that affects them later, Heath said. People have approached the team to share about previous performances theyve seen, allowing the Golden Knights to witness the impact of a single jump. To Krietenstein, thats what its all about. Its really to connect with the people, he said. All too many times, people see just the uniform and theyre kind of intimidated by that, but were all just normal people. Photos: Scenes of the U.S. Army's Golden Knights parachute team TEL AVIVIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus political allies vigorously made the case for him to replace his defense minister amid bitter disagreement over the war in Gaza, a move that would deepen the divide between the leader and his security establishment and remove the governments main advocate of a tighter relationship with the U.S. Sacking Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who has clashed publicly with Netanyahu for months, would have wide-ranging impacts on the countrys multifront war and U.S. efforts to end it. He has been the anchor of the relationship with the U.S. and the most vocal advocate of the Biden administrations key foreign policy goal that Israel should reach a cease-fire deal in exchange for hostages still held in Gaza. As tension has grown between the U.S. and Netanyahu over the prime ministers failure to reach a deal, Pentagon announcements show Gallant has spoken nearly 70 times with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin by phone and several more times in person in the 11 months of the war. His firing would also further estrange Netanyahu from the militarys leadership, who say the prime ministers promise of total victory over the militant group Hamas is unachievable and want a pause in Gaza for exhausted troops so they can turn their attention to the conflict with Hezbollah on the border with Lebanon. Switching the defense minister on the eve of possibly setting out for a more intense campaign in the north that is liable to turn into a regional warin my eyes this is security negligence," former Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Tuesday. Human lives and the future of the nation are at stake." Relations between Netanyahu and Gallant have been poor for months with the men barely on speaking terms outside of the security forum, according to people familiar with the matter. Gallant, a member of Netanyahus Likud party, has criticized the prime minister in meetings, parliamentary appearances and even press conferences. As the disagreements come to a head, the prime ministers supporters and right-wing partners are publicly calling for Gallants dismissal. On Tuesday, Energy Minister Eli Cohen told Army Radio that Netanyahu and Gallant had a crisis of trust and that it would be appropriate to put in a defense chief who could work with the prime minister. The comments from Netanyahus allies came a day after the prime ministers office denied local-media reports that talks to replace Gallant were under way. Gallants office didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Their relationship will face further tests in the months ahead, as fighting with Lebanese militia Hezbollah intensifies on Israels northern border and tensions continue to run high with Iran. Talk of Gallant exiting the government has been rife for months. When asked about the possibility of firing Gallant in a press conference in July, Netanyahu said that as long as there is trust, it is possible to keep working together." Netanyahu reiterated those claims when asked about the defense minister in a news conference earlier this month, saying that this trust requires one thing above all elsethat all the ministers without exception are committed to government and cabinet decisions." Gallant has publicly criticized Netanyahu for failing to establish a plan for postwar Gaza, which the defense minister said is undermining Israels military achievements and could force Israeli reoccupation of the strip. Some top military officials say the only alternative to Hamas or an Israeli occupation is to bring in the Palestinian Authority, which governs some areas of the West Bank. Netanyahu fiercely opposes that alternative, leaving no clear path to a postwar civil administration in Gaza. Gallant pushed back against Netanyahus idea of total victory, a concept questioned by many security analysts, during a committee session in the Israeli parliament in August. Netanyahus office responded by saying that total victory is the clear directive of the prime minister and the cabinet and is binding on everyoneincluding Gallant." Netanyahu last month said he wont agree to a cease-fire deal that would require Israel to immediately evacuate key corridors in the Gaza Strip. Gallant has argued that it is more urgent to cut a deal that frees some hostages than to leave troops in those areas. The prime ministers position has visibly frustrated the U.S., which Israel depends upon for armaments and military support as it fights on multiple fronts. Far-right members of Netanyahus coalition have threatened to leave if Israel stops the war before defeating Hamas. Replacing Gallant could give Netanyahu breathing room to keep his hard-line coalition together. The AAP on Tuesday asked Swati Maliwal to quit after the Rajya Sabha MP launched a scathing attack on Atishi, who is set to succeed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after he submits his reignition to Delhi LG VK Saxena at 4.30 pm today. Earlier today, taking to microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), the Rajya Sabha MP posted in Hindi that a woman whose family fought a long battle to save terrorist Afzal Guru from being hanged is being made Delhi Chief Minister. Also Read | Arvind Kejriwal Resignation Live: Atishi to be next CM of New Delhi Today is a very sad day for Delhi. Today, a woman whose family fought a long battle to save terrorist Afzal Guru from being hanged is being made the Chief Minister of Delhi. His parents wrote mercy petitions to the Honorable President to save terrorist Afzal Guru. According to him, Afzal Guru was innocent and was framed as part of a political conspiracy, the former chairperson of Delhi Women Commission said. Although Atishi Marlena is just a 'dummy CM', still this issue is related to the security of the country. May God protect Delhi!, Maliwal added. Calling Atishi a "dummy chief minister ," the Rajya Sabha MP said, May God protect Delhi. It is important to note that earlier today, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal proposed the name of Atishi as his successor in a legislative party meeting. She was subsequently elected as leader of the Delhi AAP Legislative Party. Also Read | Swati Maliwal shares Cheerharan post a day after SC bail to Bibhav Kumar Kejriwal had on Sunday announced that he would step down as Delhi chief minister after two days and would return as chief minister of the national capital when the Delhi public declared him "honest." The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will announce its new Chief Minister for Delhi at 12 noon after its legislative party meeting today (September 17), ANI reported. The meeting will take place at the Chief Minister's residence at 11 am, as per an ANI report. This comes as AAP convenor and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is set to resign from the post today. He will meet Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena at 4:30 pm today to submit his resignation. Also Read | Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal News Live: AAP to announce new CM at 12 noon Who will be the next Delhi CM? While there is no one prominent name, discussions saw several MLAs from the reserved category and minority community being considered. Nothing is decided as yet. However, there is speculation that AAP may project some Dalit or Muslim legislator to hold the chief minister's post in view of the assembly polls, AAP insiders told PTI. On September 15, Kejriwal announced that he would resign as Delhi CM and would not assume the post until the people declared him honest. He has also called for advancing polls in the national capital to November 2024, ahead of the scheduled February 2024 assembly elections. Also Read | Sean Diddy Combs arrested in Manhattan in sex trafficking case Names Being Speculated There are 12 reserved constituencies and nearly half a dozen seats with significant minority populations in the city. Mangolpuri MLA Rakhi Birla, who is also the deputy speaker in the assembly, and Kondli legislator Kuldeep Kumar are potential candidates, they added. The AAP sources told PTI that the surprise candidate could also be a member of the minority community as the party has witnessed its support among the community wavering since the 2020 Delhi riots. In such a scenario, Delhi minister Imran Hussain may be the surprise face, they added. Meanwhile, AAP leader Sandeep Pathak said that the next Chief Minister of Delhi will be decided within the next 1-2 days. A legislative party meeting will select one... Arvind Kejriwal is not drawn to power; he values his honour the most, he added. With Aam Aadmi Party announcing party MLA Atishi's name as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's successor, politics in the national capital has heated up. On one side, AAP states this political development as historical, and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party calls Atishi a 'dummy CM'. However, AAP has said that the following decision was taken based on a consensus within the party and the opposition can say what they want. AAP leader Kailash Gahlot said, as PTI quoted, "There was a consensus on the name of Atishi. Let BJP talk, we don't think about it (on BJP calling Atishi a dummy CM)." According to details, 43-year-old Atishi will be Delhi's third woman chief minister after Congress Sheila Dikshit and BJPs Sushma Swaraj. Arvind Kejriwal will meet Lt Governor V K Saxena at Raj Niwas at 4.30 pm to tender his resignation as chief minister, paving the way for Atishi's appointment as his successor. Following this, a delegation of AAP legislators will meet the Lt Governor to stake a claim for the formation of a new government led by Atishi, party leader Gopal Rai told reporters. Atishi's reaction: "I want to thank Delhi's popular CM, my guru Arvind Kejriwal for giving me such a huge responsibility. It can happen only in AAP that a first-time politician can become the CM. I come from a normal family. If I would have been in any other party, I won't even have got a poll ticket. However, Arvind Kejriwal trusted me, made me an MLA, minister and today given me a responsibility to become the CM," said Delhi minister Atishi, while addressing the press after being named as CM Arvind Kejriwal's successor. "I am happy that Arvind Kejriwal has shown so much trust on me, but more than that I am sad because my elder brother Arvind Kejriwal is resigning today. I want to say today on behalf of AAP MLAs and two crore people of Delhi that Delhi has only one CM and his name is Arvind Kejriwal," she added. Atishi had said, "I will work under Arvind Kejriwal's guidance, protect people of Delhi. I will work for next few months towards goal of bringing back Kejriwal as Delhi chief minister." BJP's reaction: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju while commenting on the latest political development in Delhi said that the public of Delhi is very troubled by the AAP government. He said, as quoted by ANI, The public of Delhi is very troubled by the AAP government and they are regretting it. I would blame Anna Hazare for giving a platform to Arvind Kejriwal because of which the people of Delhi are suffering. He has ruined Delhi after winning the elections by telling lies. Atishi's surname suggests she is a leftist. The family members of Atishi supported Afzal Guru and even criticized the Supreme Court...AAP has ruined Delhi and now they are ruining Punjab. The public of Delhi has made up their mind to remove AAP from power. The public of Delhi has made a big mistake by electing such anarchists. Now they are regretting. BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla on 17 September called Atishi dummy CM after she was chosen to replace Arvind Kejriwal. Addressing a press conference, he said, as quoted by ANI, "Unfortunately, first Delhi had a 'jailwala' CM who ran the government from jail, and became the 'bailwala' CM later. Now there will be a dummy CM. The word 'dummy CM' is not mine, it is of Saurabh Bharadwaj and Somnath Bharti... The AAP party has been saying that the new CM will be a 'Khadau' CM, a stopgap arrangement for Arvind Kejriwal, and a night watchman CM. You made a woman CM but she is a proxy and a dummy CM also. The face has changed but will the character of this government change?... There have been scams in all departments held by Atishi... The new person on the CM chair would be someone whose family advocated for Afzal Guru... AAP and Atishi must clarify if they agree with such thoughts or not..." Congress' reaction: Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav on 17 September congratulated AAP leader Atishi for being choses as next Chief Minister of Delhi, but stated that this is a daunting task for her as she has much to fulfil in a very short span of time. He said, as quoted by PTI, We congratulate Atishi ji on becoming the new Delhi CM, she has got this opportunity in a very short time. Meanwhile, this is a very daunting task for her, and I hopeful that she will address people's issues. Also Read | Atishi to be the next Chief Minister of Delhi; Arvind Kejriwal proposed her name "It is very unfortunate that Kejriwal ji is resigning today as part of a political drama. If he was to resign on moral ground, he should have resigned when allegations were levelled against him, or when he was going to jail. Today, when the court forced him to resign... since it has clearly stated that he cannot visit the CM office or sign any file, hence this is a political drama. He stands exposed before the people of Delhi." Arvind Kejriwal submitted his resignation as chief minister of Delhi to Lieutenant Governor (L-G) VK Saxena on Tuesday, September 17. Kejriwal's confidant, Atishi nominated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators to succeed Kejriwal, has staked a claim to form the next government in the national capital. The churn in Delhi politics comes four days after Kejriwal walked out of Tihar jail following a Supreme Court order granting him bail in the excise policy-linked money laundering case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Kejriwal also got bail in another case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the central agency that arrested him in March. Also Read | Arvind Kejriwal Resignation Live: Arvind Kejriwal resigns as Delhi CM What next for the AAP government, Atishi and Arvind Kejriwal? Poll Season The change of guard in Delhi comes at a crucial time. Not just because almost the entire top leadership of the AAP Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh is facing money-laundering charges in the Delhi excise policy case, but also because Assembly polls in the national capital are scheduled for February 2025. Kejriwal, the AAP supremo, has demanded early elections, sometime in November, along with the Maharashtra polls. Kejriwal and his former deputy Sisodia have said they would go to the people to seek their support and return to the top jobs only after the people's verdict allows them to. While securing the CMs office is a milestone in her career and an opportunity to prove her leadership abilities, it also comes with a host of challenges for Atishi a first-time MLA. Her advisory and ministerial roles in the AAP government, notwithstanding. Claim for Government Along with Kejriwal, his cabinet has also resigned. The L-G will send Kejriwal's and his ministers' resignation and Atishi's claim to the President of India. Once approved, the President will send it back to the L-G who will then invite the new CM to take oath. Atishi will also need to form a fresh council of ministers. Once in office, Atishi, 43, would be the third woman to be the chief minister of Delhi. She will be joining the likes of BJP stalwart late Sushma Swaraj and Congress veteran late Sheila Dikshit. By choosing a woman chief minister, Kejriwal is not just picking, perhaps, his best bid, but also wooing women voters in poll season. Atishi, as Delhi's finance minister, had announced the AAP's 1,000 per month stipend for women voters in the budget in March this year. A woman to head the Delhi government could make a difference to the womens constituency that Kejriwal has been assiduously reaching out to, author and political analyst Neerja Chowdhury said in her column in Indian Express on Monday. Apart from the 1,000 per month stipend for women voters, Atishi will need to work on rolling out EV policy and the Water Bill Settlement Scheme, to name a few of the government schemes. And it is not going to be easy, as polls loom large with an aggressive BJP in opposition. 'In the next few months, to trouble the people of Delhi, BJP will try its best to end the facilities given by Kejriwal ji. It will try to stop free electricity. It will try to ruin schools and hospitals. It will try to stop free medicines. It will try to stop the work of cleaning drains and sewers. It is Atishi ji's responsibility to protect the people of Delhi from this terror of BJP. I have full faith that Atishi ji will fulfil these difficult responsibilities very well. My heartfelt best wishes are with Atishi ji," former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said in a post on X. Atishi Vs L-G? Replacing a chief minister months ahead of polls might as well be seen as a stopgap arrangement. Given the past experience of Delhi's power structure, the transition of power comes with a burden on the chief minister, more so due to the elected government's at-odds relationship with the Lieutenant Governor, an appointee of the Union government. By the move to quit, Kejriwal has perhaps removed the potential for the L-G or the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to advise the President to impose President's Rule, triggered by a constitutional crisis. Kejriwal, Sisodia for larger roles By relinquishing the CM's chair amid allegations of corruption, Kejriwal likely aims to garner sympathy and reclaim the moral high ground. He and other party leaders will now be free from governance responsibilities, and instead focus on organisation and election campaigning. Kejriwal has also sidestepped any potential disputes arising from convening meetings, requesting files, or making decisions as mandated by the Supreme Court in the conditions for bail. The Delhi Legislative Assembly's current term is slated to conclude in February 2025. Kejriwal's demand for early elections in November 2024, along with Maharashtra and Jharkhand, might not be accepted. And if it is, it could provide a strategic advantage for the AAP in capitalising on the broader anti-BJP sentiment in Delhi polls. CM or no CM, ultimately Kejriwal is the boss of AAP. A woman to head the Delhi government could make a difference to the womens constituency. As Arvind Kejriwal will resign as Delhi Chief Minister, Delhi's new Chief Minister will be selected at a legislative meeting of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) scheduled for Tuesday. ANI reported that the meeting will take place at the Chief Minister's residence at 11 AM. When CM Kejriwal meets Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena at 4:30 p.m. today to submit his resignation, the newly chosen leader of the legislative party will simultaneously stake a claim for the post of Chief Minister. Who will be the next Delhi CM? Meanwhile, discussions included several prominent MLAs, with names from both the reserved category and the minority community being considered throughout the day during the meeting. Nothing is decided as yet, AAP insiders told PTI. However, there is speculation that AAP may project some Dalit or Muslim legislator to hold the chief minister's post in view of the assembly polls, they said. There are 12 reserved constituencies and nearly half a dozen seats with significant minority populations in the city. Mangolpuri MLA Rakhi Birla, who is also the deputy speaker in the assembly, and Kondli legislator Kuldeep Kumar are potential candidates, they added. The AAP sources told PTI that the surprise candidate could also be a member of the minority community as the party has witnessed its support among the community wavering since the 2020 Delhi riots. In such a scenario, Delhi minister Imran Hussain may be the surprise face, they added. Meanwhile, AAP leader Sandeep Pathak said that the next Chief Minister of Delhi will be decided within the next 1-2 days. A legislative party meeting will select one... Arvind Kejriwal is not drawn to power; he values his honour the most, he added. AAP MP Raghav Chadha and leaders Manish Sisodia, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Kailash Gehlot, and Atishi arrived at CM Kejriwal's residence. The party is holding its Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting. Kejriwal announced on Sunday that he would resign and would not assume the CM's chair until the people of Delhi declared him honest. He has also called for advancing polls in the national capital to November this year, ahead of the scheduled February elections. AAP minister Atishi on Tuesday addressed the media for the first time after being elected leader of the Delhi AAP legislative party and the new Chief Minister. She said, First of all, I would like to thank the popular CM of Delhi, AAP national convener and my guru - Arvind Kejriwal. He gave me such a huge responsibility and trusted me for it. This can be done only in AAP, only under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, that a first-time politician becomes the CM of a state. I come from an ordinary family. AAP minister further stated, Had I been in any other party, perhaps I would not have been given even an election ticket. But Arvind Kejriwal trusted me, made me an MLA and a minister and today gave me the responsibility of the CM. I am happy that Arvind Kejriwal placed such trust in me. But I am also sad because Delhi CM and my elder brother, Arvind Kejriwal is resigning today. On behalf of all AAP MLAs and the 2 crore people of Delhi, I would like to say that there is just one CM of Delhi - Arvind Kejriwal. She said this is only possible in AAP and under Kejriwal's leadership that a first-time politician has become CM. People of Delhi, AAP MLAs and I - as the CM for a few months till elections, will work with just one goal. We have to make Arvind Kejriwal the CM of Delhi once again. As long as I am shouldering this huge responsibility, I will have just one goal...I will try to protect the people of Delhi and run the Government under the guidance of Arvind Kejriwal, she added. Why is Atishi a suitable choice for AAP? On March 21, Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate, leaving the party and government without a second-in-command as his former deputy, Manish Sisodia, was also in jail. Atishi emerged as a key figure during this period, taking a prominent role alongside Saurabh Bharadwaj in leading the partys efforts during the Lok Sabha elections. Her frequent media appearances made her a well-known figure in Delhi. Even after the elections, Atishi remained a prominent Delhi AAP leader. In June, she undertook an indefinite hunger strike against the Haryana government for failing to release 100 million gallons of water daily, leading to a water crisis in the national capital. Her health eventually worsened, necessitating hospitalization. While Saurabh Bharadwaj was assigned responsibilities for health, urban development, water, and industries, Atishi took on oversight of 14 departments. Her key ministries include education, finance, planning, public works, water, power, and public relations. Strong Portfolio Born on June 8, 1981, to Delhi University professors Vijay Kumar Singh and Tripta Wahi, Atishi attended Springdale School in New Delhi. She studied history at St. Stephens College, where she graduated first in Delhi University. Atishi later pursued a Masters degree at Oxford University on a Chevening scholarship, and subsequently earned a second Masters in Educational Research from Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. Atishi's appointment as the head of the education ministry significantly boosted her profile within the party. She had previously served as an advisor to Manish Sisodia, the former education minister, until April 2018. During this period, she was instrumental in introducing the 'Happiness Curriculum' and the 'Entrepreneurship Mindset Curriculum' in Delhi government schools, which aimed to enhance students' emotional well-being and skill development. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi has been nominated to be the next chief minister of Delhi, the party said on September 17. This comes hours before party convenor and current CM Arvind Kejriwal is expected to give his resignation to Lieutenant Governor (L-G) VK Saxena at 4.30 pm today. Kejriwal proposed Atishi's name for the post, and she has been elected as the leader of Delhi AAP Legislative Party as well. A formal announcement to this effect is expected soon. Dlehi Minister Gopal Rai confirmed after the legislative party meeting at Kejriwal's Civil Lines residence. Atishi is a prominent face of the party and Delhi government. She holds multiple portfolios, including education, finance, and the public works department (PWD). Also Read | Arvind Kejriwal Resignation Live: AAP chief proposes name of Atishi as new CM The AAP legislative party meeting held at 11 am today (September 17). Political pundits have been speculating over the likely successor since September 15, when Kejriwal first shared his decision to step down as Delhi CM. Kejriwal reportedly conducted one-on-one meetings with party leaders from the Political Affairs Committee on September 16 to discuss the selection of his successor to the post. The new CM will not take oath today. Delhi Assembly session has been called on September 26-27," said the Office of Delhi Assembly Speaker. Kejriwal Stepping Down After being released from Tihar jail on bail in the excise policy case, Kejriwal had announced his decision to resign as CM on September 15 and stated that he will only return to the chair when people give him a certificate of honesty". He has also called for advancing polls in the national capital to November this year, ahead of the scheduled February elections. Also Read | Sean Diddy Combs arrested in Manhattan in sex trafficking case AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj earlier today said that it does not matter who the CM is because the mandate is for Arvind Kejriwal and he will return to the post. ... It does not matter who sits on the CM chair because the mandate was for Arvind Kejriwal. The public chose Arvind Kejriwal. He has said that he will not sit on the CM chair until the people ask again but the chair belongs to Arvind Kejriwal for these and the next 5 years... One of us will sit on the chair until the elections take place. It will be similar to the way Bharat ruled in the absence of Lord Ram... There will be a discussion with the MLAs today and the name may be decided in it Bharadwaj told ANI. Facebook owner Meta Platforms is kicking Russian TV channel RT off its apps, depriving the Kremlin-backed media outlet of one of its biggest remaining distribution platforms in the West. The ban comes days after the U.S. government announced sanctions against the state-owned TV channel and its related entities, accusing them of carrying out covert influence operations aimed at interfering in foreign elections, including recent Moldovan elections. Meta accused RT and its affiliated channels of foreign interference activity," and said Russia attempts to use social media to covertly manipulate public opinion. RTs pages on Facebook and Instagram were inaccessible from the U.S. early Tuesday. Cached versions of those pages on the Google search engine had more than 7.3 million and 1.1 million followers respectively. Meta said the full ban would roll out globally over the coming days. RT didnt immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Earlier this month, the U.S. also announced charges against two Russian nationals employed by RT, accusing them of conspiring to send nearly $10 million to a U.S.-based online media company to inject hidden Russian government messaging across social media. The Biden administration has accused the Kremlin of running a campaign to influence the U.S. presidential election by targeting voters with covert political propaganda and disinformation. Metas decision to ban RT, along with U.S. sanctions, expand a crackdown on Kremlin media outlets that began shortly after Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine. At the time, TV distributors such as DirecTV and Roku removed RT from their lineups. In Europe, officials imposed far-reaching sanctions that cut off RT channels across the bloc. Those measures have since then forced social-media companies including Meta and X to block access to RTs social-media accounts from Europe. Meta said it had since then also globally blocked RT and other Russian state-controlled media outlets from running ads, and had downranked their content in users feeds. Write to Sam Schechner at Sam.Schechner@wsj.com Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday that the government will "very soon" make an announcement for carrying out the census in the country. "We will announce it very soon," Shah said in response to a question on conducting the decadal census of the Indian population which has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shah, along with I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, was addressing a press conference to mark the 100 days of the third tenure of the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "We will make all the details public when we announce the census," the Union home minister said to questions on the caste census. India has conducted the census every 10 years since 1881. The first phase of this decade's census was expected to begin on April 1, 2020 but had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shah's comments on the census comes amid vociferous demands political parties on conducting a caste census. In the absence of fresh data, the government agencies are still formulating policies and allocating subsidies based on the data of the 2011 census. The house listing phase of the census and the exercise to update the National Population Register (NPR) were scheduled to be carried out across the country from April 1 to September 30, 2020 but it was postponed due to the Covid outbreak. The entire census and the NPR exercise is likely to cost the government more than 12,000 crore, according to officials. This exercise, whenever it happens, will be the first digital census giving the citizens an opportunity to self-enumerate. The NPR has been made compulsory for the citizens, who want to exercise the right to fill the census form on their own rather than through government enumerators. For this, the census authority has designed a self-enumeration portal, which is yet to be launched. During self-enumeration, Aadhaar or mobile number will be mandatorily collected. The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner had prepared 31 questions to be asked. Those questions include whether a family has a telephone, internet connection, mobile or smartphone, bicycle, scooter or motorcycle or moped, whether they own a car, jeep or a van. The citizens will also be asked what is the cereal they consume in the household, main source of drinking water, main source of lighting, access to toilet, type of toilet, waste water outlet, availability of bathing facility, availability of kitchen and LPG/PNG connection, main fuel used for cooking, availability of radio, transistor, television. 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 Pennsylvania is home to nearly 300 colleges, universities, and technical schools. If you are one of the hundreds of thousands of students who attend any of these institutions and are eligible to vote, you have options on how to do so in the upcoming election on Nov. 5. Whether you are voting for the first time, choosing to vote by mail or simply updating your registration, heres everything you need to know about how to cast a ballot as a college student in Pennsylvania: Can college students vote in Pennsylvania? Yes, as long as they meet the requirements to register to vote in Pennsylvania: Be a citizen of the United States for at least one month before the election; Be a resident of your election district for at least 30 days before the next election; And be at least 18 on Election Day. If you meet those requirements, you can choose the address at which you register though you can pick only one. You can register to vote where you currently live, whether its on or off campus, or at your prior home address, as long as you still have family or a guardian that resides there. If you register at your prior home address and plan to vote in person, its important to consider how feasible it will be to travel to your polling place. Plan your Election Day accordingly and remember that as long as you are in line to vote by 8 p.m., you are allowed to cast your vote. If I am new to Pennsylvania and moved here to attend college, can I still register to vote with my college address? As long as you have lived in the voting district where you plan to vote for at least 30 days before the election, you can register to vote with your college address. What if I live off campus? If you live off campus, you can use that address to register to vote. What if I moved to a new address on or off campus? If you are already registered to vote, have moved to a new address, and would like to vote from this address, you must update your voter registration by Oct. 21. Am I eligible to vote if I turn 18 on Election Day? As long as you meet the additional requirements of being a United States citizen and being a resident of the election district where you plan to register for at least 30 days, you are eligible to vote if you are at least 18 years old on or before Election Day. This is true whether its a primary, special, municipal or general election. The last day to register to vote for the upcoming general election is Oct. 21. Im voting for the first time. How do I prepare and what should I expect? Voting for the first time is very exciting. If you plan to vote in person, look up your polling place ahead of time and plan when and how you will get there. You can make it an activity and bring your friends and family if they will be voting at the same location as you. In Pennsylvania, polls open at 7 a.m., and as long as you are in line by 8 p.m., you are allowed to cast your vote. Any time you vote for the first time at a new location you will need to show a photo or nonphoto ID, so make sure you have that with you. Its good practice to take a look at a sample ballot ahead of time by visiting your local county website. This will inform you what races you will be voting on and if there are any ballot measures. For the upcoming Nov. 5 election, Pennsylvanians will cast their votes for president, U.S. House and Senate, state row offices (attorney general, auditor general and treasurer), and the legislature. If you are looking for detailed information about Pennsylvanias statewide races, check out our Election Center, where you can find detailed guides on candidates. What if I want to vote by mail? In Pennsylvania, all voters can vote by mail if they choose to. To request a mail ballot, you have to be registered to vote. Keep in mind that you will need time to fill out and return your mail ballot. You also have the option to return your completed ballot to your county election office or a drop box, if your county has them. Remember: Mail ballots must be received by the county election office before 8 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks do not count. Im studying abroad. How can I vote? If you will be out of the country on Election Day, you can still vote. The Federal Voting Assistance Program provides support to U.S. citizens who are overseas so that they can cast their ballots from afar. First, you must be registered to vote. You can register using any official registration form online, by mail or in-person. If you are overseas, you can vote using an absentee ballot. There are various ways to request one: Apply online or via a mail-in application. Request an application be sent to your email by reaching out to stsvcuocavaabs@pa.gov, or request a paper application be mailed to you by emailing ST-UOCAVAQues@pa.gov. Complete the Federal Post Card Application and send it to your county election office. Depending on where you live, you might have the option to mail it to your local election office or send the application via email or fax. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 29 and the application must be received by 5 p.m. on that day by your county election office. However, it is highly recommended that you submit your application as soon as possible to ensure it is processed and sent out in a timely manner. If you dont receive your ballot in time, contact your local election office you might be eligible to vote via a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot. In Pennsylvania, you are required to register and request an absentee ballot before filling out the form for a FWAB. Visit fvap.gov for more information about the process of voting while abroad. Read Spotlight PAs complete coverage, including candidate and election guides, primers on misinformation and more, at our 2024 Election Center. 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. Space is filled with mysterious objects and frequent celestial phenomena, be it the explosion of a dying star or the interaction between two galaxies. High-definition cameras and telescopes embedded in satellites sent by space agencies like NASA make it possible for us to witness these mesmerising phenomena in Space. Check these five spectacular NASA images from space to stay updated with all the happenings in space. NASA images NASA image of nebula in Perseus molecular cloud The NASA image captures a nebula in the Perseus molecular cloud, located approximately 960 light-years away. The image was captured by the NASA Webb telescope and reveals cosmic objects with extremely low masses. The faint stars visible in the picture are the newly born ones with masses comparable to those of giant planets. The gas and dust surrounding these young stars are part of the ingredients that may eventually produce planetary systems. NASA image of the Small Magellanic Cloud Meet one of Space's oldest and wisest galaxies, the Small Magellanic Cloud. This star cluster can be found Nestled within the Small Magellanic Cloud with its unleashing light and energy into the nebula surrounding it. The image shows a dark brown, cosmic cloud is studded by a collection of bluish-purple stars. Also Read | 7 starry images of our cosmic neighbors shared by NASA NASA image of the Cone Nebula located 2,500 light-years away in the constellation Monoceros The Cone Nebula, located 2,500 light-years away in Monoceros constellation might take you back to one of your nightmares with beast throwing its head back in an angry red sea. The image has been captured by NASA Hubble telescope and shows the upper 2.5 light-years of the nebula; the entire nebula is 7 light-years long. Monstrous pillars of cold gas like the Cone are common in large regions of star birth. Astronomers believe the pillars are incubators for developing stars. The portrait of Stephan's Quintet, aka Hickson Compact Group 92, was taken by the new Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) aboard the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. The image captures sight of a group of five galaxies. Three of the galaxies in the group have distorted shapes, elongated spiral arms and long, gaseous tidal tails containing myriad star clusters, proof of their close encounters. NASA image of Bubble Nebula by Hubble telescope. The stylish blue sphere existing far away in Space was captured by NASA's Hubble space telescope. The Bubble Nebula is located 7,100 light-years from Earth and is 45 times more massive than our Sun. OnePlus has launched its latest audio innovation, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3, in India. These new true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones promise a battery longevity of up to 43 hours per charge. Engineered with 12.4mm titanium dynamic drivers, the Nord Buds 3 feature advanced active noise cancellation (ANC) technology, capable of reducing ambient noise by up to 36dB. Pricing Priced at Rs. 2,299, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 will be available for purchase starting September 20. Prospective buyers can find them on OnePlus's official website, retail stores, Amazon, Flipkart, and various offline partners. The earbuds come in two stylish hues: Harmonic Gray and Melodic White. Specifications and features The design of the Nord Buds 3 echoes that of the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro, which made its debut in July. The earbuds boast an IP55 rating, indicating robust protection against dust and water splashes. They also integrate seamlessly with the Hey Melody app, allowing users to tailor noise cancellation and audio settings to their preferences. In terms of specifications, the Nord Buds 3 feature a classic in-ear design with silicone tips for a comfortable fit. The earbuds are designed with rounded stems that are thicker at the base and include touch control sensors at the top. They are equipped with dual microphones for enhanced call quality and AI-driven noise cancellation during calls. The Nord Buds 3 also offer dual-device connectivity, Google Fast Pair support, and Bluetooth 5.4, along with compatibility for AAC and SBC audio codecs. The earbuds are powered by 58mAh batteries, while the charging case houses a 440mAh battery, featuring a USB Type-C port for charging. Users can expect up to 28 hours of usage with ANC enabled and up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge with ANC. Measuring 29.99 x 20.30 x 23.87mm and weighing 4.2g each, the earbuds are compact and lightweight. The charging case measures 66.60 x 51.24 x 24.83mm and weighs 46.2g. 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! Georgia officials say two people found dead inside a burned home last week had both been shot before the house went up in flames The boxwood bushes that flanked each of the five entrances to Market Street Park in downtown Charlottesville were cut down Monday. They were removed to improve sightlines at the park, according to the supervisor overseeing the city cutting crew. Were told this is for visibility, supervisor Ronnie Duty of the city Department of Parks & Recreation told The Daily Progress. The removal via electric chainsaw, chipper and a pair of loppers began shortly before 8:00 a.m. in the block-size green space, and its not sitting well with some residents. It seems like overkill, Miles Hingeley told The Daily Progress. Why are we changing the physical makeup of our community for the drug addicts? he continued. We should get the drug addicts out of the park. In recent years, amid a national rise in homelessness, Market Street Park has become a popular place for the homeless to gather in Charlottesville. Hingeley said the nearness of the Haven day shelter and acquiescence of city officials have turned a community resource into a drug den. I used to be able to walk my daughter to school through the park, he said. But now, not a chance. Last October, the city lifted the 11 p.m. curfew at the park after residents reported that police had mistreated at least two homeless men there. After the curfew was lifted, dozens of tents were erected at the site and for three weeks the park became a home for many of the citys unhoused. After three weeks, and multiple complaints lodged at City Hall, the city reimposed the curfew and the park was cleared without incident. But Hingeley said he still witnesses people in the park urinating and defecating in the boxwoods. He also said he has narrowly avoided stepping on intravenous needles lying on the ground. Hingeley contends that the loss of what are likely century-old plants is less important than the message that removal sends. Were changing our entire community for the needs and wants of a select few, Hingeley said. Everything we do is to service them. Its just crazy. And while a city representative confirmed the project supervisors claim that visibility was the rationale, a pair of private landscapers and a park-goer suggest that curtailing human waste and vice were other likely reasons. It aint visibility, Albert Clatterbuck told The Daily Progress while visiting the park Monday. Its because people are using them as bathrooms. Clatterbuck, sitting in a camp chair at the parks southeast corner and tending a friends dog named Missy, asserted that the recent installation of a portable toilet near the Albemarle-Charlottesville Historical Society did not curb the unsanitary practice. They get drunk, and thats where they go, right in the bush, Clatterbuck said. A pair of private landscapers working nearby said they typically don gloves when working in downtown bushes to avoid touching needles and human waste. A slow-growing, dark-colored evergreen whose scientific name is Buxus sempervirens, the common or European boxwood has long been prized in Southern landscapes, including estates close to Charlottesville such as Thomas Jeffersons Monticello and James Monroes Highland next door. While the association with antebellum factory farms worked by enslaved laborers will not endear the boxwood to all visitors, Market Street Park was once home to a far more controversial manifestation of White supremacy: an equestrian statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. In 2017, City Council voted to remove that statue. But while its removal was delayed by litigation until 2021, the park became a gathering space for White nationalists who made it the centerpiece of the violent 2017 assemblage called Unite the Right, during which a counterprotester named Heather Heyer was murdered by a self-avowed neo-Nazi, James Fields. Charlottesvilles parks are currently getting studied by an Indianapolis-based group called PROS Consulting to develop the citys first comprehensive park master plan, including an overhaul of both downtown parks, Market Street and Court Square. Mike Svetz, a former Charlottesville Parks & Recreation director, is the project manager. As for who directed the removal of the boxwoods, city spokeswoman Afton Schneider said it appears to be a joint decision of Parks & Recreation Director Riaan Anthony and Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis. They decided that would be best for public safety, Schneider told The Daily Progress. But Hingeley asserted that a better solution would have come if city leaders had asked the public for advice. We should be putting seesaws in our parks, Hingeley said, not cutting 100-year-old bushes down. If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. Music, Movies & Entertainment, Crime By Long Island Published: September 17 2024 Hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs was arrested in New York on sealed criminal charges following months of allegations, with more details expected soon. Sean "Diddy" Combs, a hip-hop mogul with strong ties to the Hamptons on Long Island, was arrested late Monday in New York, where he faces a sealed criminal indictment, according to an announcement by prosecutors. While the details of the charges remain undisclosed, the arrest follows months of allegations against Combs, with several women accusing him of sexual assault. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams confirmed that federal agents arrested Combs and indicated that the indictment would be unsealed in the morning, providing more information at that time. Combs' attorney, Marc Agnifilo, expressed disappointment over the prosecution, calling it "unjust." He added that Combs had traveled to New York last week in anticipation of the charges, asserting that while his client may not be perfect, "he is not a criminal." The arrest took place in the lobby of a Manhattan hotel, and Combs is currently in federal custody. This development marks a significant moment in the career of one of hip-hop's most influential figures. The investigation into the 58-year-old producer became public earlier this year when Homeland Security Investigations agents conducted simultaneous raids on Combs' properties in Los Angeles and Miami. His defense attorney, Aaron Dyer, criticized the tactics as a "gross use of military-level force" and maintained that the allegations are "meritless." Former Law Firm Employee Sentenced to Up to 3 Yrs in Prison for Stealing from Special Needs Trusts Crime By Chris Boyle Published: September 17 2024 Michelle Byrd pleaded guilty in April to stealing more than $500,000 from trusts that service adults with Cerebral Palsy, stroke victims, and others with special needs. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Hempstead woman was sentenced today to one to three years in prison for stealing more than half a million dollars from a law firm that was the Trustee for seven trust bank accounts that benefitted people with special needs between 2014 and 2021. Michelle Byrd, 55, pleaded guilty on April 29, 2024, before Judge Helene Gugerty to one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (a C felony) and seven counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree (a D felony). The defendant was sentenced today to one to three years in prison. NCDA recommended a sentence of four to 12 years in prison. The defendant paid restitution to the law firm in the amount of $106,287.02 and judgment orders were issued for the benefit of the law firm in the amount of $395,266.41 and $25,000 for the law firms insurance company. Michelle Byrd had a duty as a case manager for seven trusts to protect the firms vulnerable clients and manage their finances appropriately and carefully to ensure that their needs were met, said DA Donnelly. Instead, this defendant acted only in her own self-interest, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from elderly and special needs clients to finance her lifestyle. Her despicable and unconscionable theft forced a wheelchair-bound stroke victim to sell his home because of the financial losses he suffered. Byrd violated her ethical obligations and the trust of the clients she was supposed to serve and will now forfeit her funds and freedom to pay for her crimes. DA Donnelly said that Byrd worked for a Nassau County-based law firm that manages trusts for special needs clients. An attorney at the firm served as a trustee on trust accounts that supported seven clients and was the authorized signatory permitted to make disbursements and manage the beneficiaries bank accounts and transactions. The defendant, a salaried employee, served as a case manager, and was in frequent contact with trust beneficiaries regarding their financial needs. From April 2014 to April 2021, the defendant wrote hundreds of checks to herself from seven trust accounts, causing a total loss of approximately $526,553. Byrd forged the signature of the trustee on checks and forged bank statements to conceal the theft. In April 2021, one of the trust accounts that Byrd helped manage was transferred to Chase bank. Chase bank emailed checks to the law firms controller for review. On April 7, 2021, the controller received an email of a check for review drawn on a trust, allegedly payable for $2,500 to Byrd, that was purportedly signed by the trustee. The trustee reviewed the transaction, and the check was cancelled. At that point, the law firm terminated the defendants employment, and, after a short internal review, referred the matter to the Nassau County District Attorneys Office in May 2021. Between April 2019 and April 2021, there were unauthorized checks to Byrd for approximately $27,730 from a trust established to care for a man with Cerebral Palsy living in a group home in New York City. The checks were forged with both the trustees signature and the trustees signature stamp, which the firm used during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow for remote management of the trust accounts. From August 2018 to December 2020, there were unauthorized disbursements to Byrd from a trust established to help a woman who lost her limbs due to medical malpractice, for approximately $99,750. Those checks were forged with both the trustees signature and the trustees signature stamp. In January 2020, the defendant forged the signature of the trustee on a check for $2,500, payable to Byrd, from a trust that was set up to care for an elderly man with health issues who resided in a nursing home. Between March 2019 and January 2021, there were unauthorized disbursements to Michelle Byrd for approximately $32,817 from a trust established to care for an adult who is developmentally disabled with Cerebral Palsy living in a group home in Nassau County. The checks were forged with both the trustees purported signature and the trustees signature stamp. Between November 2017 and November 2020, there were unauthorized disbursements to Byrd from a trust established to assist a woman who suffered from a medical episode similar to a stroke. The checks were all forged with the trustees signature and totaled approximately $20,770. Between July 2017 and March 2021, there were unauthorized disbursements to Byrd from a trust established to care for an elderly, developmentally disabled woman. The checks totaled $40,640. Many of these checks were forged with the trustees signature and several checks had an unauthorized signature stamp. Between July 2017 and February 2019, there were unauthorized disbursements to Byrd from a trust that was set up to care for a wheelchair-bound stroke victim. The checks totaled $60,051 and were all forged with the trustees signature. Because of the draw down of funds on the victims account, the victims home needed to be sold. The defendant voluntarily returned on an arrest warrant on March 8, 2023. Soldiers of the IDF 5th Brigade operate in Gaza. (IDF photo) In a deployment type that has become routine, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) moved the 5th Brigade, a reserve infantry unit, into the Netzarim Corridor, the IDF said on September 16. Its part of a process of rotating reserve infantry and armored units into and out of the area south of Gaza City that the IDF has patrolled and secured since November 2023. The new deployment is an example of how the IDF now conducts operations in Gaza as Israel faces increasing tensions on other fronts. The IDF said on September 16 that the brigade had been sent back to central Gaza after serving there earlier in the war. The 5th Infantry Reserve Brigade will serve under the 252nd Division, the main unit controlling the Netzarim Corridor. The corridor, south of Gaza City, cuts off northern Gaza from central Gaza. Hamas has a significant presence in central Gazas Nuseirat, Deir al-Balah, Maghazi, and Bureij areas, all of which contain historic refugee camps. Hamas also continues to have a presence in northern Gaza. According to the IDF, the 5th Infantry Reserve Brigade had been conducting training exercises at a training center near Tzeelim Training Base in southern Israel. This ground forces training center includes mock villages that soldiers can patrol and secure. The forces carried out training and exercises in warfare in open and built-up areas and raised their operational competence in preparation for their mission in the center of the Gaza Strip. In addition, the forces completed logistical preparation and held mobility, supply and immediate medical response training in preparation for the fighting, the IDF said. The unit and its members have experience in Gaza. They participated in a number of early operations in the war, clearing areas in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza in November and also operating in Khirbet Ikhza, near Khan Younis. They also participated in battles in Shati in northern Gaza in February. Thus, the 5th Infantry Reserve Brigade is familiar with the types of operations required to secure the Netzarim Corridor and deal with urban environments. Currently, the IDF primarily faces a low-intensity conflict in Gaza against terrorists who rarely appear in large numbers and prefer to carry out sniper attacks. An IDF soldier from the Givati Brigade serving in southern Gaza was severely wounded, the IDF said on September 17. In general, all casualties in Gaza have significantly reduced from those during more intense fighting several months ago and earlier in the war. An exception is IDF airstrikes targeting various targets of opportunity in Gaza. On September 16, the IDF targeted the head of Palestinian Islamic Jihads rocket and missile unit in the Rafah area. The IDF said that Ahmed Aish Salame al-Hashash was responsible for the Islamic Jihads rocket attacks in the Rafah Brigade and was an important source of knowledge of rocket fire within the Islamic Jihad terror organization in Gaza. During the war, al-Hashash was responsible for firing rockets from inside the Humanitarian Area toward Israeli civilians. It is one of numerous recent airstrikes targeting commanders of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Many of the strikes were conducted after the men attempted to hide in schools or humanitarian areas in Gaza. The relatively low intensity of the current conflict in Gaza contrasts with the increasing escalation in northern Israel as Hezbollah attacks become more common. IDF Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi HaLevi held a situational assessment on the evening of September 17 after Lebanon and Hezbollah blamed Israel for setting off thousands of exploding pagers that targeted Hezbollah members on September 17. The IDF Spokesperson clarifies that at this time there is no change to the Home Front Command defensive guidelines. The public are asked to remain alert and vigilant, and any change in policy will be updated immediately, the IDF stated. 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). The Balearics attracted 21% of the 17,262,287 tourists from the United Kingdom who visited Spain in 2023 and was the second favourite Spanish destination, behind only the Canary Islands, with 31%. The islands also received the highest tourist spending by the British, 35 % in the case of the Canary Islands and 21 % in the Balearics, of the 19,906 million euros of total expenditure, according to the executive fact sheet on the British market published today, Tuesday, by Turespana. The Balearics also accounted for 27 % of the 57,652,441 overnight stays made by British tourists in Spain in 2023, behind 39 % in the Canary Islands. The year 2023 closed with significant year-on-year growth in both the volume of British tourists travelling to Spain, with an increase of 14.6%, as well as in nominal expenditure (up 16.3%) and overnight stays (up 10.8%). The figures already exceed 2019 levels except for the flow of tourists received, which is still 3.8% below. In 2023, 17,262,287 British tourists visited Spain, representing 20.4% of the total number of tourists received, placing the United Kingdom in an undisputed first place, surpassing the second largest source market, France, by more than five and a half million tourists. Tourists from the UK also led in spending, with 19,906 million euros, accounting for 18.4% of the total, ahead of Germany (11.9%) and France (9%). The average expenditure per person per day was 1,151 and 166 euros, respectively, while the average stay was 6.9 nights. British tourists who visited Spain last year travelled predominantly for leisure (93% of the total) and stayed mostly in hotels (69%), followed at a great distance by rented accommodation (12%) and the homes of family or friends (9%). Tourists were predominantly middle class (58%), with higher education (7%), those who travelled as a couple (36%), followed by those who travelled as a family (27%). Their average age was 45.6 years. The main activities were enjoying the beach (76%), shopping (55%) and visiting cities (54%), with the majority opting for non-package travel (58%). Spain remains at very high levels of consideration, being the preferred holiday destination for the British. According to ONS (Office for National Statistics) data, Spain is their top destination abroad, with 20.7% travelling to Spain in 2023, ahead of the 10.6% who chose France and the 5.7% who went to Italy. According to the report, Britons do not perceive holidays as a luxury, but as a necessity, so they travel regardless of their economic situation, although this conditions aspects such as the number of trips per year, spending and their duration. The main type of destination sought by the British is sun and sand, followed by city breaks and nature. Spain is perceived as a beach plus destination, where sun and beach is the basic element that is complemented by other activities or experiences. Before rocking the stage together at Fenway Park Sunday night, Pearl Jams Eddie Vedder and actor John Krasinski ate together at a popular Boston restaurant. The celebrity duo got dinner at 1928 Beacon Hill on Saturday night, Sept. 14. Vedder drank margaritas while Krasinski drank Moscow mules, a representative for the restaurant told MassLive. The musician had the Filet Mignon for dinner while The Office star opted for the 1928 Burger. According to 1928 staff and guests, Vedder and Krasinski were the kindest people they ever met and they couldnt have been more polite and thankful. On the way out, the duo got recognized and took some photos with fans, the representative said. Vedder spoke with some fans at the bar and gave them his guitar pick. Meanwhile Krasinski posed for a photo outside of 1928 with a group of college girls and said, Always happy to pose with people from Boston. The Newton native also took a photo with 1928s manager, Jordan McCusker, who posted the picture on his Instagram with the caption, Just a couple studs from Boston. @johnkrasinski one of the kindest people Ive ever met. Thank you! Pearl Jams Sunday show featured an appearance from Krasinski, who came on stage playing the tambourine as the band performed a cover of Rockin in the Free World by Neil Young. The iconic rock band will play their second Fenway show Tuesday night. Fans looking to buy last-minute tickets can click here. MassLive recently asked readers to identify people they consider Hispanic and Latino leaders in Massachusetts, working to make a difference across the state. Profiles of these leaders will be published over the course of Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. These are people readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change. Jasarah Burgos (Photo by Jose Figueroa from Airfig Productions)Jose Figueroa from Airfig Productions Jasarah Burgos Age: 35 Community: Springfield Her story: Jasarah Burgos is a leader in her community who dedicates her time and efforts to inspiring and empowering others to become strong leaders who can expand the efforts were making today. Burgos works to engage Hampden County community members in decision-making processes that ensure Latinos living in diaspora have access to resources they need. After arriving from Puerto Rico in 2017 with her then-2 year-old son following Hurricane Maria, Burgos was challenged with navigating a new environment and understanding the systems around her. Every day, she sought ways to provide her son with a stable home, quality healthcare and education. This journey sparked a realization within me I wanted to help others who were in similar situations, she said. This drive led me to enter the field of Human Services, where I have since dedicated myself to creating and supporting programs that provide opportunities for people who look and sound like me to thrive. Burgos is involved with several community-oriented groups including the Holyoke Community College Foundation, Latino Scholarship Fund of Western Massachusetts, Families First of Western Massachusetts, YMCA of Greater Springfield, Wayfinders and New North Citizens Council (NNCC). She is the chief of community engagement for the NNCC, which is a non-profit organization providing advocacy and public and human services to Hampden County residents with an emphasis on the Hispanic/Latino community. Burgos is passionate about fostering leadership and collective action to create lasting impacts to benefit current and future generations. In her words: We often operate within systems that werent designed for our success, but by educating ourselves and maintaining respect for others, we can continue to push for the collective changes that will benefit us all. Were always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If youd like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form. A foodie crawl in the Boston area that celebrates the flavors of South America, Europe and more is trying something new this year. The East Somerville Foodie Crawl will return for its 13th year from 6-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17. With more than a dozen restaurants, the foodie crawl highlights local businesses and celebrates cuisine from El Salvador, Brazil, Italy, France, Mexico and more. Some participating businesses include Gauchao Brazilian Cuisine, Lotus Xpress and Sisters Caribbean. The East Broadway Business district is home to many of Somervilles best local restaurants, and Foodie Crawl is an exciting way to try them all, Lindsay Allen, executive director of East Somerville Main Streets, said in a press release. The proceeds from the event will help East Somerville Main Streets forward its mission of promoting a vibrant and diverse commercial district. In addition to sampling bites from up and down Broadway, crawlers can take part in a sweet new promotion this year. People who leave Google Reviews for the businesses they sample from will get a free jar of honey from a Somerville-based beekeeper called Ploughed Hill Honey. Tickets are available for $10-25 for children over 4, $20-30 for students and $25-$40 for adults. All tickets must be bought before the event, and are available until Tuesday morning or until they run out. Tickets will not be available onsite. The check-in for the East Somerville Foodie Crawl is at 81 Broadway or 165 Broadway. As protests swept college campuses last year over the war in Gaza, an increasing number of anti-Israel demonstrations devolved into harassment or physical altercations, far more than in past years, according to an Anti-Defamation League report released Monday. Some confrontations led to assaults. In that regard, the ADL said, Massachusetts trailed only California for the most assaults stemming from protests against Israel. The nationwide civil rights group said it logged 28 anti-Israel incidents of assault on college campuses between June 2023 and May of this year. There were none recorded the year prior. As the year progressed, Jewish students and Jewish groups on campus came under unrelenting scrutiny for any association, actual or perceived, with Israel or Zionism, the ADL said. This often led to the harassment of Jewish members of campus communities and vandalism of Jewish institutions. In some cases, it led to assault. Four incidents occurred in Massachusetts, including two at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and one each at Harvard University and Tufts University, the ADL said. California led the nation with 10 such assaults. New York also saw four. The report focused on events the ADL described as anti-Israel, including harassment, vandalism and protests, in addition to the physical altercations. It said Harvard was home to the third most incidents in the country, tied with the University of California, Berkeley, and trailing only Columbia University and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The ADL documented more than 2,000 anti-Israel incidents nationwide, the most the organization had ever recorded and 477% more than the previous year. The incidents included blatant acts of antisemitism, as well as anti-Israel activity, which is not always antisemitic, the ADL said. The first campus assault recorded in Massachusetts last year came at a UMass Amherst protest five days after the Oct. 7 attacks against Israel. A person punched a Jewish UMass student, cursed them out with derogatory language, took their Israeli flag and spit on it, according to the ADL. The following week, a Harvard University student was harassed, had their phone grabbed and was physically blocked by an individual associated with a group of anti-Israel demonstrators, the ADL said. A third incident, in November, drew widespread attention after a UMass student was arrested on charges of punching a Jewish peer during a rally. According to a police report, witnesses said the student, Efe Ercelik, punched, shoved and kicked the Jewish student. Ercelik was also accused of ripping away a small Israeli flag the student was holding and stabbing it with a knife. He has pleaded not guilty to seven charges, including two felony counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. That same week in November, a protester at a Tufts University rally shoved a Jewish member of the schools student government, the ADL said. The organization also documented more than 200 incidents of anti-Israel vandalism, a dramatic spike from the nine a year prior. About 10% of such incidents occurred in Massachusetts. They included graffiti painted on the window of the Boston University chapter of Hillel, an international Jewish campus organization, and repeated occurrences of people removing or destroying posters raising awareness for the Israeli hostages kidnapped by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Oct. 7. The report followed a Brandeis University study released last month that found one-third of non-Jewish college students hold antagonistic views toward Jews or Israel, largely driving the hostilities their Jewish peers describe on college campuses. The Oct. 7 attacks led by Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis, many of them civilians, and set off the now 11-month war. It continues nearly a year later with no end in sight, thousands of civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip and the displacement of thousands in Israel. As the war escalated, Jewish college students faced unprecedented hostility from their peers, the Brandeis researchers found. Steven Schimmel, the executive director of the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts, told MassLive earlier this month that the war accelerated a concerning, years-long swell of campus antisemitism. The preexisting guardrails really came down, Schimmel said. Things that otherwise would have been condemnable on campus were instead allowed to happen. A female student at Brookline High School was assaulted by a man she did not know while she walked between classes Monday afternoon, school officials and police said in a joint statement. The assault happened around 1 p.m. on Monday as the student was walking between buildings at the high school on Tappan Street, Superintendent Linus Guillory Jr. and Police Chief Jennifer Paster said in the statement. Brookline Police Deputy Superintendent Paul Campbell told WCVB-TV a man reached his hand down the girls pants as they walked by one another. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said during a campaign event for former President Donald Trump, that he is under federal investigation for beheading a whale that washed up on a Cape Cod beach, The Guardian reported. Speaking with supporters of the Republican presidential nominee in Arizona on Saturday, Kennedy said he received a letter from the National Marine Fisheries saying it was investigating me for collecting a whale specimen [30] years ago, according to the media outlet. This is all about the weaponization of our government against political opponents, Kennedy told Trump supporters about the investigation. After his failed independent bid for the presidency, a 2012 Town & Country article resurfaced in which Kennedys daughter Kick talked about when she found a dead whale in Hyannisport in 1994 and her father grabbed a chainsaw. Bobby who likes to study animal skulls and skeletons ran down to the beach with a chainsaw, cut off the whales head, and then bungee-corded it to the roof of the family minivan for the five-hour haul back to Mount Kisco, New York, Kick told Town & Country. Fast-forward to the present, when the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund called for Kennedy to be investigated claiming he may have violated the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act. Normally, an unverified anecdote would not provide sufficient evidence as the basis for conducting an investigation, the funds letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration read. However, Mr. Kennedy has admitted that he has recklessly and with no regard to legal requirements taken other species of wildlife for his own personal benefit. The letter also addressed another resurfaced story where Kennedy took the body of a bear cub and left it in New York Citys Central Park (the initial New York Times story on this incident, before Kennedy hinted at any connection with it, was written by Kennedys cousin and President John F. Kennedys granddaughter Tatiana Schlossberg). Apparently, without a permit or legal tag, Mr. Kennedy took the bear cub because he wanted to skin it and eat the meat, the funds letter read. But in a bizarre series of decisions, Mr. Kennedy then dumped the bear cub in Central Park, creating a conservation mystery and wasting the time of the New York Department of Conservation trying to determine how a bear cub ended up inside New York City. Kennedy taking a marine mammals skull and traveling with it represented a felony violation of the Lacey Act, one of the earliest wildlife conservation laws enacted by the United States in 1900, which prohibits the transportation of any wildlife, dead or alive, that was reduced to possession in violation of any state, federal or international regulation or law, the letter read. The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund wrote that it hopes that NOAA ensures that Kennedy surrenders any and all illegally obtained wildlife that he continues to possess, including the whale skull he took ... Given Mr. Kennedys reckless disregard for the two most important marine conservation laws in the United States, we ask that NOAA consider all appropriate civil and criminal penalties as well. This news comes less than a week after Trump claimed during his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, without evidence, that Haitian migrants were eating peoples pet dogs and cats in Springfield, Ohio. Trumps running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, admitted in a CNN interview that he made up the claim. Newburyport police investigated a threat made against Nock Middle School on Snapchat about a student bringing a gun to the school, the police department announced. At around 7:30 p.m. on Monday, police learned of the threat and opened an investigation, working with the Massachusetts State Police Fusion Center and the FBI, the department said in a statement released Tuesday. During the investigation, authorities found that the student who made the threat was not a Newburyport Public Schools student, the statement read. Investigators were also able to determine that there was no credibility or means to commit the threat that was communicated, the statement read. ...The reported threat and investigation happened outside of school hours and at no time was there any danger to students or staff. Police were present outside the school on Monday and will continue too, the department said. The incident continues to be under investigation. I am extremely grateful for the diligence and expediency of our investigators in determining the source of this threat, Lt. Matt Simons said in the statement. The safety of our schools remains a paramount priority and our presence in the schools will be commonplace each day throughout the year. The unexpected phone calls came on a Friday, the week before country superstar Kenny Chesney would be performing for three nights at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Chesney and his charitable foundation were quietly making donations to several Massachusetts non-profit organizations. By the time Chesney took the stage for the first show on Aug. 23, he had donated more than $1 million across the state, MassLive has learned. A Needham man was charged in connection with the indecent assault of a client at an acupuncture center, Needham police announced Monday. At around 12:25 p.m. on Friday, Needham police learned of an indecent assault and battery on a client at Boston Acupuncture Center (Chinese) & Herbal Medicine on Highland Avenue in Needham, police said in a statement. Following a full investigation, police issued an arrest warrant for Qunhao Zhang, 56, for two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 years or over, police said. Zhang was arrested at around 7:23 p.m. at his home. The investigation found that Zhangs acupuncture license was revoked by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Medicine in Fall 2002, the statement read. Officers are seeking information from other clients who may have had anything similar happen to them and ask that they call the police department at 781-455-7570. A teenage girl from Pembroke died on Monday after she crashed her vehicle into a tree in Duxbury over the weekend, authorities said. First responders came to Harrison Street around 12:20 a.m. on Sept. 14, after they got a call about a vehicle crashing into a tree, the Duxbury Police Department said in a statement. A 17-year-old girl was trapped in the vehicle, police said. The teen was unresponsive and needed to be rescued from the vehicle with the Jaws of Life, a hydraulic tool used by emergency crews to save people trapped in vehicles. Police said life-saving measures were used on the scene and the teen was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital. The teen, who was the driver of the vehicle, died from her injuries on Monday, the police department said. Local and state authorities are investigating the crash. Our deepest condolences go out to the friends and family of the victim, the department added. A travel advisory is warning tourists about the possibility of tourist attacks in one popular European country at the end of its peak tourism season. The United State Department of State (DOS) has issued a level 2 travel advisory for Italy, advising tourists to exercise increased caution because of terrorism. Terrorist attacks are possible in Italy. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, the advisory reads. They may target tourist spots, transport hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of religious importance, parks, major sporting and cultural events, schools, airports, and other public areas. Summer is the peak tourist season in Italy, according to Travel Journal, with most travelers visiting the country from June to August. However, the biggest crowds are often found in Italy in September and October as well, according to travel writer Rick Steves. Those who choose to travel to Italy should do the following, according to the DOS. Be aware of their surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public spaces Listen to local authorities. Keep an eye on local media for breaking events and be ready to adjust plans based on new information. More information about traveling to Italy can be found on the countrys information page. The United States recently published, revised and reissued 10 travel advisories, including ones for popular European destinations such as Italy and the United Kingdom. Both countries fall into the Level 2 alert category and are considered lower risk than some other tourist destinations, but still are not entirely safe, the Department of States Bureau of Consular Affairs said. Travelers are urged to exercise increased caution, when traveling here due to increased safety threats. Level 4 is the highest advisory. The Department of States Bureau of Consular Affairs issues travel notices which are periodically addressed, revised and reissued. Due to an increased threat of terrorism, Italy and the United Kingdom were revised advisories. Those considering traveling to Mexico should also review the revised alert published earlier this month, which highlights a number of areas that should be avoided largely due to crime and kidnapping. Other Level 2 travel advisories were issued this week for: Sri Lanka, due to threats of terrorism and civil unrest Jordan, due to the threat of terrorism. The alert warns some parts of the country should be entirely avoided, including the areas of the Jordan-Syria border. Bahrain, due to threats of terrorism. Saudi Arabia, due to the threats of terrorism and attacks from Yemen. More serious Level 3 advisories ask Americans to reconsider travel for: A former assistant state attorney general who has represented survivors of sexual abuse is running against embattled Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey, according to a published report. Djuna Perkins, also a former Suffolk County prosecutor, said shes challenging Morrissey, whose office handled the high-profile Karen Read murder case, which ended in a mistrial earlier this year. Politicos Massachusetts Playbook was the first to report the news on Tuesday. Its not immediately clear whether Morrissey, whose office also investigated the death of Sandra Birchmore, is running for reelection, the online news outlet reported. The local election still is just about two years away. Perkins told Politico that the controversies surrounding Morrisseys office prompted her to jump into the race. Like many observers, Ive seen a pattern of missteps in the Norfolk County DAs office that are extremely troubling to me, Perkins told Playbook. Two lives were lost, and neither family has closure. The way these cases are handled is not the way I was trained to be a prosecutor at all. Another candidate, former Suffolk County prosecutor Craig MacClellan, of Cohasset, told The Boston Herald that he is exploring a run for Morrisseys job in 2026. Like Perkins, MacLellan said he, too, was concerned by Morrisseys management of the Read and Birchmore cases. Both cases give rise to serious concerns relative to the objectivity and integrity of the investigative process, which is extremely damaging to the overall mission of the office, MacLellan said in a statement to The Herald. Despite the failures that these cases have revealed, it is simultaneously important that, as a community, we dont allow the drama and controversy to overshadow the tragic loss of human life in each case, he said. Morrissey, whos served as Norfolk Countys top prosecutor since 2011, did not respond to Politicos requests for comment. State and federal law enforcement are probing social media posts by New Hampshires Libertarian Party endorsing the assassination of Vice President Kamala Harris and violence against other politicians. The since-deleted posts, which came in the wake of another assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump also have been condemned by politicians across the spectrum, according to published reports. Anyone who murders Kamala Harris would be an American hero, the party wrote on X on Sunday, WBUR and other outlets reported. The party later posted a follow-up message, where it announced that it had deleted a tweet because we dont want to break the terms of this website we agreed to and claimed that libertarians are the most oppressed minority, The New Republic reported. Read More: Harris vs.Trump 2024: Harris jumps out to historic lead in new poll A spokesperson for the U.S. Secret Service, which protects Harris, told WBUR that the agency was "aware of the social media post made by the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire, and that the Secret Service investigates all threats related to our protectees. The New Hampshire Department of Safety, which has oversight of the state police, and New Hampshires attorney generals office said the agencies were "in communication with our federal law enforcement partners about the posts, WBUR reported. New Hampshires state Republican Party chairperson, Chris Ager, criticized the posts, saying on X that comments by the Libertarian Party of NH suggesting the assassination of political figures, including VP Harris, are condemned in the strongest possible terms. There is no room for this type of dialogue. PERIOD. Granite State Democratic Party Chairperson Raymond Buckley offered a similar sentiment, calling the post disgusting, dangerous and wrong, WBUR reported. In a post to X, Libertarian presidential nominee Chase Oliver said he "100% condemn[ed] the statement from LPNH regarding Kamala Harris. It is abhorrent and should never have been posted. As Libertarians, we condemn the use of force, whether committed by governments, individuals, or other political entities, Oliver continued. We are dedicated to the principle of non-aggression and to peaceful solutions to conflict. This is also something we pledge as part of attaining party membership. In a post to X on Tuesday, the New Hampshire Libertarian Party released a statement saying it would never advocate for the assassination of a tyrannical President. Thats illegal. We were merely acknowledging how some members would react to one. These feelings are no different than how many leftists reacted and continue to react to assassination attempts on Donald Trump, the party said in its post. In the X post, New Hampshire Libertarians further argued that If you celebrate the Pine Tree Riot, the War for American Independence, or the assassination of past tyrants like Abraham Lincoln, you believe that violence is sometimes necessary to advance or protect freedom. Perhaps you do not think it is strategically or morally correct to use violence today, but you clearly believe it is within bounds, the post continued. Celebrating past self-defense while abhorring any current self-defense is logically inconsistent. With just 48 days to go before Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris, buoyed by her performance in last weeks debate, has jumped out to a record lead over former President Donald Trump. The California Democrat holds a 51%-45% advantage over Trump in a new Morning Consult tracking poll of 11,022 likely voters. The poll, conducted between Sept. 13 and Sept. 15, had a margin of error of 1%. The result released Tuesday is up for the 3-point advantage Harris held in a similar Morning Consult poll released last week. That support largely is being driven by support among Democratic voters; voters who backed President Joe Biden in 2020; self-identified liberals; women voters, voters aged 18-34, and millennials, according to the poll. Sixty-one percent of respondents who watched the lone, nationally televised debate between the two candidates said Harris performed best, compared to 33% who said the same about Trump. That 28-point edge is larger than the 25-point advantage that Trump notched after his single debate with President Joe Biden in June, pollsters noted. Harris is enjoying a positive news cycle among the likely electorate this year thats earning her positive marks and aligns with her best numbers yet in the head-to-head contest against Donald Trump, Morning Consult analyst Eli Yokely said in an email. A majority of likely voters including 1 in 5 Republicans believe Harris won the debate, and performance appears to be crystalizing her national lead over the former president, Yokely said. As of Tuesday morning, Harris held an average 2.7% lead over Trump nationwide, according to the FiveThirtyEight polling average, putting the race inside the margin of error for most polls. Scores of public sector workers will see a bump in their paychecks now that Gov. Maura Healey has signed a spending bill that funds more than three-dozen collective bargaining agreements. The majority-Democrat House and Senate approved the funding document, first introduced in March, last week, just hours after senior lawmakers announced theyd struck a deal on it. The spending plan also includes $20 million to support survivors of violent crimes. And it spends $228 million in American Rescue Plan money to provide more support for home and community-based services for Medicaid beneficiaries. The money is critical because it addresses a number of important issues affecting residents, invests in workforce development, and ratifies dozens of collective bargaining agreements, state House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, said. The Quincy pol thanked House and Senate budget writers for working diligently to send this legislation to the governors desk for her signature. The mid-year spending bill ratifies 38 collective bargaining agreements for state employees. Many of those contracts have effective dates of July 1, and some date as far back as 2023. Labor leaders had been growing frustrated that legislative inaction delayed worker pay raises from taking effect for the second year in a row. Last week, Healey sent lawmakers a $714 million close-out budget that includes some climate measures that didnt make the cut when formal sessions ended in July. Nick Yorke, chosen in the first round by the Red Sox in 2020 and dealt at this years deadline, is about to make his major league debut. The Pittsburgh Pirates, who acquired Yorke in July in exchange for pitcher Quinn Priester, are set to promote Yorke to the teams active roster, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Yorke is not yet part of the teams 40-man roster, but the Pirates have an open spot and can easily add him. Yorke had been with the Pirates Triple A team in Indianapolis, where he had played well, with a slash line of .355/.431/.507 in 40 games. He had two homers and 17 doubles there. Yorkes season began at Double A Portland before he was moved up to Worcester, where he hit .310/.408/.490 in 38 games for the WooSox. He was chosen by the Red Sox in the first-round of the pandemic-shortened 2020 draft from a San Jose, Calif. high school. He soon became one of the organizations top-ranked players, but was eventually eclipsed by the likes of Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony, Kyle Teel and Kristian Campbell, among others. His stock fell in 2022, when he was limited by some injuries and compiled an OPS of .668 at High A Greenville. But he rebounded in 2023 in Portland and continued his ascent this season before the trade. Yorke has always displayed strong on-base skills with a career OBP of .365, with a plus hit tool. But there have been questions about his ability to slug, as well as debate as to where he best fits defensively. Originally sen as a second baseman, the Red Sox had him playing the outfield some, believing that position offered him a quicker path to the big leagues. Hes continued to split time between the infield and outfield for the Pirates in Indianapolis. Even though Tuesdays moon is expected to be full, it is also likely to look as though it has a bite taken out of it. This years Harvest Moon is expected to emerge on Sept. 17, peaking at around 10:34 p.m., according to the Farmers Almanac. The Harvest Moon is one of the three remaining supermoons of 2024. Ten minutes later, part of the moon is expected to darken in what will be a partial lunar eclipse, according to the website EarthSky. However, unlike the April 8 total solar eclipse, nobody on Earth will need protective glasses, as this eclipse will be seen only at night and people will be looking at the moon, not the sun. Both of these celestial events are common at this time of year, though a third factor is joining the cosmic party: a blood moon. The partial lunar eclipse will lead to what is anticipated to be a quite rare event, Teresa Monsue, an astrophysicist at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center, told NPR Aside from the small darkened portion at the top of the moons disk, most of the visible lunar disk will be in Earths penumbra, the lighter portion of the planets shadow that does not entirely block the suns light, Monsue said. Earths shadow should appear on part of the moon, appearing as though a bite has been taken out of it, Space.com reported. As the moon passes behind Earth, it should look red. For anyone in Massachusetts who is interested in seeing the lunar trifecta, it could get tricky. Cloud cover moving from the south to the north could affect seeing the moon, according to the National Weather Service. Along with an increase in overnight temperatures, it leaves room for a small chance of rain on Wednesday. AccuWeather predicts that there could be close to a 100% chance for cloud cover in Worcester, Boston and Springfield between 10 and 11 p.m. If it stays this way, there are still ways to watch the moons transformation. Time and Date and the Italian-based Virtual Telescope Project will both offer streams of the moon going from luminous supermoon to bloody and bitten during the eclipse through their respective YouTube channels. After Tuesdays supermoon, the last two of 2024 are expected on Oct. 17 and Nov. 15, according to EarthSky. HOLYOKE Local real estate investors bought the former Sacred Heart Church and adjacent rectory from the Springfield Diocese last month, saving the property from certain demolition. They may create a function space. The entrepreneurial landscape is undergoing a transformative shift, with women emerging as a formidable force driving innovation and economic growth. Recognising the profound impact of women-led enterprises, it becomes imperative to foster an environment that empowers and supports their aspirations. A burgeoning body of evidence underscores the correlation between gender diversity and organisational success. By creating inclusive ecosystems that nurture womens entrepreneurial journeys, societies can unlock untapped potential and accelerate economic development. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the critical role that financial literacy plays in the success of entrepreneurs, not the least in the case of women whose professional trajectory is not always linear. To address this need, collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors in Mauritius are essential in providing women with the knowledge and tools required to navigate the complexities of the business world. Challenges faced by women entrepreneurs While the entrepreneurial spirit knows no gender, women entrepreneurs often encounter unique challenges. Based on interactions with local participants at the recent financial literacy workshop hosted by Bank One as part of this years Women Entrepreneur Awards (WEA), several key obstacles have emerged. One of the most prevalent challenges is the persistence of societal stereotypes and biases that limit womens aspirations. The expectation for women to prioritise family over career often hinders their entrepreneurial pursuits. These challenges are not unique to Mauritius but are a common theme globally. Traditional societal expectations often confine women to supporting roles within the family, discouraging them from pursuing their own professional goals. Addressing these biases requires a concerted effort to reform societal attitudes and support women in pursuing their ambitions. Additionally, women entrepreneurs may face discrimination in male-dominated industries, making it difficult to gain credibility and access opportunities. Many women have expressed frustration at being channelled into sectors traditionally deemed suitable for women, such as food preparation or fashion, rather than being encouraged to explore diverse fields like construction, engineering or IT. Overcoming these barriers involves not only changing societal perceptions but also ensuring equitable support across all sectors. Access to finance remains a significant hurdle for many women entrepreneurs. Although traditional lending institutions may offer equal opportunities in theory, unconscious biases can impact the evaluation of loan applications. Implementing policies and continuous education to address unconscious bias in lending practices is crucial. Furthermore, the establishment of government-backed venture capital funds to support women entrepreneurs could provide much-needed assistance and help to level the playing field. The emergence of new credit facilities for startups also presents a promising development for women-led businesses. Balancing work and family life is another challenge frequently cited by women entrepreneurs. The demands of starting and growing a business can be overwhelming and managing these responsibilities alongside childcare and household duties can be particularly daunting. While progress has been made in terms of social acceptance and family support for working women, finding a work-life balance remains a significant challenge for many entrepreneurs. Flexibility and understanding from the family unit are essential, especially during the early stages of a new business. While the road to entrepreneurial success may present more obstacles for women than for their male counterparts, the growing number of women-led businesses demonstrates that these challenges are far from insurmountable. Building strong support networks and fostering connections with other female entrepreneurs can significantly enhance the entrepreneurial journey. The role of the financial sector in driving change The financial sector has a vital role to play in supporting women entrepreneurs. By providing access to capital, financial education and mentorship, financial institutions can empower women to achieve their business goals. While there have been several strides forward in promoting financial inclusion, there is still much room for improvement in addressing the specific needs of women entrepreneurs. For instance, while lending institutions may offer equal opportunities on paper, the reality can be different due to unconscious biases that may affect employees decision-making processes. Bank One has taken proactive steps to address this issue by implementing lending policies designed to prevent gender-based discrimination. However, it is crucial for other institutions to follow suit and actively engage in continuous awareness and education to combat unconscious biases. This ongoing effort is essential to ensure that gender biases do not influence the evaluation of loan applications. Despite the availability of schemes provided by SME Mauritius and support from the ITC SheTrades Mauritius Hub for capacity building, there is a need for more targeted support for women entrepreneurs, particularly in terms of seed capital and early-stage financing. Developing dedicated financing solutions for women entrepreneurs could serve as a form of positive discrimination, helping to level the playing field and address the gaps in access to early-stage capital. By developing tailored financial products and services, financial institutions can help women overcome financial barriers and unlock their entrepreneurial potential. Additionally, implementing diversity and inclusion training for employees is critical in creating a more welcoming environment for women entrepreneurs. These measures can significantly enhance the support provided by the financial sector and contribute to a more equitable entrepreneurial landscape. Women entrepreneurs: The economic engine The economic impact of women entrepreneurship cannot be overstated. As the fastest- growing demographic in the business world, women are driving innovation, job creation, and economic growth. By harnessing the potential of women entrepreneurs, we can create a more inclusive and prosperous society. To fully realise the economic benefits of women entrepreneurship, it is essential to challenge and overcome gender stereotypes. Men can play a vital role in this process by becoming active allies and advocates for women. By identifying and addressing their own biases, men can create a more supportive environment for women entrepreneurs to thrive. Forging a future of inclusive prosperity In conclusion, empowering women entrepreneurs is both a moral and strategic imperative for stimulating economic growth and creating a more equitable society. Access to capital remains a significant hurdle, particularly for women-led businesses, who face heightened challenges due to societal bias and less favourable financing options. Financial institutions can address these issues by implementing strategies to better understand and cater to the unique needs of women entrepreneurs. Initiatives such as continuous training, advocacy programs, and innovative financing models, including those provided by Fintech players, are steps in the right direction. As a parting thought, I would strongly advocate for establishing a venture capital fund in Mauritius, potentially listed on the Stock Exchange and initially sponsored by the Government, to provide crucial seed and early-stage capital for women entrepreneurs. Bank One remains committed to supporting these efforts through initiatives such as the WEA and financial literacy workshops, fostering an environment where women entrepreneurs can unlock their full potential and contribute to a brighter future for all. By Ali Mamode, Head of Marketing and Communications of Bank One. THE MV Shingle which will become Irelands first artificial reef is expected to arrive in Killala Bay later this afternoon (Tuesday) and is expected to be sunk on Wednesday. The ex-smuggling ship is currently enroute to Killala Bay having left New Ross Harbour on Sunday and is expected to arrive in north Mayo today (Tuesday). The ship will then be sunk on Wednesday afternoon at approximately 3.30pm to become Irelands first artificial reef. The MV Shingle hit the headlines in 2014 when it was seized by the Revenue Commissioners after 32 million smuggled cigarettes and 4.5 tonnes of tobacco were found on board with a potential loss of 14m to the exchequer. Revenue were due to scrap the ship, but it agreed to make it available to Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef Ltd, which is a company set up by local diving enthusiasts who looked at creating an artificial reef for diving in the west of Ireland. Those behind Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef Ltd have invested up to 35,000 of their own money into the project, and they have also received 50,000 in funding from Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) towards it. The 60-metre steel-hulled cargo boat has since undergone thorough preparations including environmental procedures making it eco-friendly and fit for purpose as an artificial reef. The go-ahead to sink the boat was given in July when Mayo County Council granted planning permission for the project. Cllr Michael Loftus shared the above video on social media of the MV Shingle just off Erris Head on it way to Killala Bay. He said: "This great video of the Shingle passing Eagle Island was taken by Padraic Cowman while his father Pat was doing the flying." Artificial reefs have been in use around the world since the days of the Roman Empire initially to increase fish stocks and later for recreational diving. These deliberately sunk manmade structures are quickly colonised by marine life, beginning within a few hours. Algae and coral are followed by a complex community of fish and larger marine life which is very attractive to both the diving and fishing communities. Cllr Michael Loftus, who is a member of the Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club, first raised the possibility of creating an artificial reef for diving at a tourism SPC meeting in 2018. He praised both Mayo County Council and Sligo County Council and the Revenue Commissioners for getting behind the project and believes the creation of the artificial reef will be a huge tourist attraction for many years to come. Long road This project of creating Ireland first artificial reef marine has been a long and hard road but with the cooperation of the Revenue Commissioners, Mayo and Sligo County Councils, MARA, Ocean Sands Hotel Enniscrone and our Marine Engineers AYESA, Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef Group are looking forward to seeing the benefits this project will bring to Mayo and Sligo, he said. The Meavagh Boat Yard Donegal have been given the task of sinking the boat which will be then anchored to the seafloor by four large anchors. The Acting Director General of Customs and Revenue Commissioner Ruth Kennedy stated that Revenue were delighted to donate the MV Shingle to the Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef group to support its efforts to create an artificial reef in Killala Bay and are very pleased to be involved in this unique and exciting project. Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly welcomed the project saying the local authority is delighted to be part of this exciting development in Killala Bay. The creation of Ireland's first marine artificial reef is a new and exciting initiative and is a testament to the power of partnership and the dedication of all involved in getting it to this exciting stage. This reef will be of enormous benefit to Killala Bay and the county as a whole in a number of ways. This new artificial reef will not only enrich our marine environment, it will also provide exciting new opportunities for tourism, recreation, and marine research for years to come, he said. Mayo Dark Sky Park is collaborating with the Ballycroy Community to present a very special series of Culture Night events. Ballycroy Community Centre will play host to a mobile planetarium, Pale Blue Dot, on September 20. Pale Blue Dot will be presented for the first time in Mayo by the Wild Nephin National Park and Ballycroy Visitor Centre together with the team from Armagh Observatory and Planetarium. The site-map for the event There will be five shows across the evening and screenings will be of approximately 20 minutes duration. Each show will be filled on a first come, first served basis, with plenty of other activities to do during the evening. Ballycroy Womens Group will present World Food Night concurrently at the Community Centre, providing food and hospitality prepared especially for the evening. For Culture Night, an especially designed Star Trail will also be available to experience, and it will guide visitors to enjoy ample stargazing, biodiversity and indoor activities, as well as a dark skywalk, adjacent to the visitor centre of the National Park. At the Wild Nephin National Park Visitor Centre Special Astronomy introductions, both English and As Gaeilge will be screened on repeat adjacent to indoor astronomy activities, while the Outdoor Classroom will be the Under One Sky multisensory experience with sensory trail, telescopes and observation. For the late night owls, there will be a Dark Sky/ Stargazing Walk at 10.30pm, which will be a looped one and a half kilometre walk. Mayo Dark Sky Park, known as Wild Nephin National Park by day, has been collaborating with local communities to design and deliver the programme of events. Collaboration is the ongoing theme for the Friends of Mayo Dark Skies Community group as it is partnering with Dark Sky Ireland to present the ninth International Scientific Conference of Artificial Light at Night in Westport next October. The ALAN Conference will see academics, astronomers and night sky special interest groups gather in Mayo to discuss how and where light is produced and how it is interacting with ecology and the human experience of the Dark Sky at Night. Mayo is one of the must-visit locations for Dark Sky enthusiasts across the globe due to the low levels of light pollution in the area, and it is hoped the conference event will support the growing global movement towards preserving the Dark Sky at Night through its programme of talks and events ranging from science and governance to dark sky outreach, and lighting design. The free event is open to all and will take kick-off at 7pm at Wild Nephin National Park. Two mid-Willamette Valley residents are accused of multiple drug-related felonies after authorities in Central California seized around 37 pounds of alleged cocaine during a traffic stop on Interstate 5. Tyler Lee Smith, 24, of Philomath and Angel Pacheco, 20, of Albany were booked at the Merced County Jail on charges of cocaine possession for sale, cocaine transportation across non-contiguous counties and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The cocaines estimated street value is around $1.3 million, according to a California Highway Patrol news release. Around 6 p.m. Sept. 7, a CHP officer conducted an enforcement stop on a white Jeep Cherokee for a traffic violation on northbound I-5, north of Highway 152, according to the release. The officer noted several indicators, undescribed in the release, leading him to believe the Jeeps occupants were engaged in criminal activity. The officer developed enough probable cause to search the vehicle and located the stash of cocaine, the release states. Smith and Pacheco were held on $2 million bail each, according to Merced County Jail records. The case was turned over to the Merced Area Gang Narcotics Enforcement Team, the release states. by Laurie Sullivan , Staff Writer @lauriesullivan, September 16, 2024 The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a door for advertisers, publishers and tech platforms' executives to begin discussing Google's hidden practices as the justice department continues to hear testimony during Alphabet's latest antitrust trial in Virginia. Some believe billions of dollars have been overpaid to Google and other companies during the past 20 years, because there is a lack of transparency. They are grateful the Justice department has stepped in. Integral Ad Science (IAS) co-founder Will Luttrell said no individual advertiser could or would be important enough to change the practices of any platform. "There is way too much money in the collective practices swinging from advertisers to ad platforms," he said. "And if advertisers tried to act collectively, they would be subject to antitrust scrutiny." Luttrell called it "cathartic," having the ability to finally feel comfortable enough to share some of the events that for years have been swept into a corner and under a rug. advertisement advertisement It may seen as if the trail has opened the door, but a lot has not been talked about, Luttrell said, pointing to transparency. This highlights the comings and goings of an industry too timid to speak up. "Years ago, I somehow became the guy that people would pull aside and tell secrets about things they heard and things we discovered through our own technology," he said. "The Google antitrust trial would not have existed if the ecosystem was more transparent." Luttrell also founded Amino Payments, a transparency platform that followed the money through the ad supply chain. He sold Amino to IAS in 2021. The advertisers and publishers are paying a certain percent, but it's actually "squishy," he said, adding that it is troubling when the money cannot be tracked. "We took a hard line with Google -- they would not allow us to see what they paid out to exchange partners," Luttrell said. "And that's where the wiggle-room comes in. Where games are played and the ability to hide preferred relationships with agency. One agency person told me they are hiding some of their fees in bid pricing." He said something might have a $1 bid price, and 5% of it might be a hidden fee that goes back to an agency as a service fee. There is a massive lack of transparency throughout the supply chain. It is a double-edged sword. If Google gets divided into smaller companies, industry insiders expect to see a rise in advertising prices and services, while performance would decline -- at least temporarily. Googles revenue will decline and prices will rise, if Google is broken up, said Matt Wasserlauf, CEO at Blockboard, a blockchain technology company that focuses on transparency. Everyone will suffer by this initially, and then youll see an immediate flight to quality. Transparency will rise and marketers will require companies to show them what goes on under the hood. Wasserlauf believes it could take until 2025 to sort out all these nuances. But he seems to have been patient in the past as he watched the challenges unfold across the advertising supply chain for the past 20 years. One of the stories he told pointed to Procter & Gamble. P&G asked him to help build Vindico, an ad-serving company, around the same time Google acquired DoubleClick. They needed a way to check on the way Google provided its services. Early video players typically sat alongside banner ads. Every time a 30-second video played, DoubleClick would roll the banner many times, and charge P&G several times for the same 30-second commercial, Wasserlauf said. P&G knew they were getting overcharged, but couldnt prove it and there was no way to check Google at the time, so they asked us to build Vindico for them. In 2005, we saved P&G millions of dollars. Wasserlauf is looking for the government to double-check Googles practices. Watching the millions turn into billions of dollars over the years was the most difficult thing to see, he said. He points to that approximate number $20 billion worth of Made for Advertising sites charge to major advertisers that no one is taking into account, the number verified by the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) in 2023. Google and The Trade Desk were cited. Google owns every piece of the supply chain, from the ad server to the demand-side platform (DSP) to the ad exchange to the supply-side platform (SSP) to the publisher to the attribution. My concern is now with AI, those billions will become trillions, Wasserlauf said, adding that the easiest part of Google to break up is DoubleClick. I see it now. If the government broke up Googles ad business, Alphabet would remain at least a majority owner, some say. When asked about Googles claims of interoperability with other companies, Wasserlauf said Google leans on marketers and competitors, using their leverage to convince brands they must use all of Googles services, including YouTube. Blockboard works with a very large fitness chain that asked it to manage its YouTube buy, after not being satisfied with results. We went in to collect campaign data to better understand it and Google said, no, only under one condition -- Blockboard had to disclose all its financial statements," Wasserlauf said. Thats one example of the way Google makes it difficult to run ads across their properties without using all its products. This was not an isolated incident, he said. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, September 17, 2024 The House of Representatives has scheduled a Wednesday markup of the controversial Kids Online Safety Act, which would regulate how social media platforms display material to minors under 17. The proposed law aims to tackle potential harms associated with social media use, such as depression, eating disorders, sexual abuse, self-harm and online bullying. The bill would require large tech platforms to use reasonable care to avoid harming minors via design features such as notifications, automatic playing of videos, personalized recommendations and appearance-altering filters. The measure also would establish a Kids Online Safety Council that would provide advice on implementation. The Senate passed a version of the statute in July by a vote of 91-3. The House Energy and Commerce Committee had originally scheduled a markup of the measure for June, but abruptly cancelled the hearing at the last minute. advertisement advertisement Some youth advocates support the proposed law, contending it will force tech platforms to protect teens from content that could encourage drug use, self-harm or suicide. But the bill has drawn opposition from civil liberties groups, who say it's unconstitutional to restrict publishers' ability to recommend content. Some left-leaning opponents have specifically argued that the measure would allow government officials to target platforms that allow teens to access LGBTQ content, on the theory that such material is harmful. Additionally, some conservatives have expressed fears that the bill will encourage platforms to aggressively filter any controversial speech, including posts that carry right-wing messages. For instance, the anti-abortion group Students for Life Action tweeted recently that the bill threatens pro-life free speech. Already the Pro-Life Generation faces discrimination, de-platforming, and short-and-long term bans from social media based on the whims of others, the group posted to X (formerly Twitter). Students for Life Action calls for a NO vote on KOSA to prevent viewpoint discrimination from becoming federal policy at the FTC. The right-wing Heritage Foundation -- the group behind Project 2025 -- reportedly is attempting to address that concern by arguing to lawmakers that the bill could actually result in the promotion of anti-abortion messages. The organization said in its policy analysis that a Republican administration could staff the Kids Online Safety Council with representatives who share pro-life values. Opponents of the bill are now pointing to that report, arguing it supports their contention that the bill could result in politically motivated censorship. For instance, on Tuesday the digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation cited the Heritage Foundation analysis in a blog post arguing that the bill could be weaponized by anti-abortion officials. The proposed law is ambiguous enough to allow officials to easily argue that its mandate includes sexual and reproductive healthcare information, the group writes, adding that officials could claim that abortion information causes emotional disturbance or death, or could lead to 'sexual exploitation and abuse.' The tech industry-funded think tank Chamber of Progress separately called attention to the Heritage Foundation report in a letter to Rep. Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey), ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Heritage Foundation is effectively telling congressional Republicans that if President Trump is elected, he could use this Council as a means of further combating reproductive freedom, Chamber of Progress CEO Adam Kovacevich wrote. The global AI healthcare market is projected to reach $45.2 billion by 2026, driven by advances in diagnostic and patient care technologies. #artificialintelligence #ai #deaths Trusted Source Cumulative live birth rate of a blastocyst versus cleavage stage embryo transfer policy during in vitro fertilisation in women with a good prognosis: multicentre randomised controlled trial Go to source Trusted Source Did You Know? A #day-five_embryo_transfer in #IVF may lead to quicker #pregnancies and fewer #miscarriages, while a #day-three_transfer allows for more embryos to be frozen and may reduce the risk of #premature_birth. #medindia A #day-five_embryo_transfer in #IVF may lead to quicker #pregnancies and fewer #miscarriages, while a #day-three_transfer allows for more embryos to be frozen and may reduce the risk of #premature_birth. #medindia Effect of Embryo Transfer Timing on IVF Outcomes Advertisement Advertisement Day 3 vs Day 5 Embryo Transfer The overall success rate of IVF was the same for both day three and day five transfers. There was a higher chance of a successful pregnancy after the first transfer on day five. Fewer miscarriages were observed in the day five transfer group. More embryos could be frozen for later use when transferred on day three. The risk of premature birth was somewhat lower in the day three transfer group. Cumulative live birth rate of a blastocyst versus cleavage stage embryo transfer policy during in vitro fertilisation in women with a good prognosis: multicentre randomised controlled trial- (https:www.bmj.com/content/386/bmj-2024-080133) Traditionally, three days following fertilization, embryos are placed into the uterus during IVF treatment. It is now also feasible to do this after five days thanks to advancements in laboratory procedures.Researchers believed that this would improve the likelihood of a successful pregnancy. The success rate of the IVF trajectory is not influenced by the day of transfer, according to a study conducted by Amsterdam UMC and Radboud University Medical Center ().In the Netherlands, in vitro fertilization (IVF) accounts for one out of every thirty conceptions. During IVF, egg cells are fertilized outside of the body and then grown in a lab for a few days.The remaining embryos are frozen and later one or more are inserted back into the uterus. The lab phase typically lasts three days, but advancements have allowed for embryo transplants after five days.It is believed that after five days, only viable embryos remain, increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy, although this results in fewer embryos in storage. Previous studies have suggested that transferring embryos on day five, rather than day three, increases the likelihood of success.However, these studies did not consider the outcomes of the entire IVF process, including any subsequent frozen embryo transfers. Research from Radboud University Medical Center, in collaboration with Amsterdam UMC, has addressed this gap.The study was conducted in 21 Dutch IVF centers among more than 1,200 women. At least four embryos had to be available for transfer two days after fertilization.In half of the women, embryos were transferred on day three, and in the other half on day five. The outcome was the chance of a successful pregnancy during the entire IVF trajectory. This turned out to be the same in both groups, around sixty percent.The researcher explains the results: Ultimately, IVF is about a successful pregnancy, and not only about the chances of success after the first transfer. Abroad, where IVF care is not insured, clinics often advertise their success rates from the first transfer on day five. In doing so, they provide an incomplete representation of the situation. Our study shows that women should have a choice about the moment of transfer.It is a very personal decision, says clinical embryologist Liliana Ramos, one of the study leaders. For some people, getting pregnant as quickly as possible is very important, for example, if the woman is older.Someone else attaches more value to a larger number of frozen embryos or wants to keep the chance of premature birth as small as possible. There is no guideline regarding the day of transfer.Therefore, a couple who wants to become pregnant must discuss it with the doctor and make a choice together.Source-Eurekalert SAN DIEGO Over a two-month period last year, a Marine lance corporal stationed at Camp Pendleton sold 22 unregistered ghost rifles, most of them featuring unlawfully short barrels, to an undercover federal agent in exchange for $23,300. At Christian Ferraris sentencing Monday morning in federal court in San Diego, U.S. District Judge Cynthia Bashant asked the now-former Marine what he thought the un-serialized, hard-to-track rifles would be used for, especially given that he was selling them to unknown individuals for cash in parking lots around San Diego County. Sometimes I just dont think that far ahead, your honor, Ferrari, a 23-year-old El Cajon resident, told the judge. Bashant sentenced Ferrari to three years and one month in federal prison, plus three years of supervised release. The judge told the defendant, who pleaded guilty in January to four counts of dealing firearms without a license, that he created enormous danger and was fortunate that the AR-15-style rifles he sold werent used to kill anyone. Im sorry you didnt think through the consequences, but the consequences were dire, Bashant told Ferrari, adding that he should have assumed the guns would be used for nefarious purposes based on the nature of the rifles themselves and how the deals were conducted. ... You made an impulsive, stupid decision. Ferrari and his attorney told the judge that he was remorseful for his actions and knew that what he did was wrong. I realize how stupid it was, Ferrari said. His attorney argued in sentencing documents that Ferraris actions were largely fueled by untreated attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, which causes inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Camp Pendleton officials said last year that Ferrari enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 2020 and at the time of his arrest was a rifleman with 1st Marine Regiment, an infantry regiment thats part of the 1st Marine Division. Ferrari said in court Monday that he was no longer in the Marine Corps. Marine officials did not immediately respond Monday to questions about Ferraris discharge. Federal agents arrested Ferrari in May 2023 moments after he sold 10 short-barreled rifles to undercover agents in a parking lot off Murphy Canyon Road. Over three previous meetings before that final sale, Ferrari had sold the agents 12 other AR-15-style rifles, including 10 short-barreled guns. Prosecutors said Ferrari came to the attention of law enforcement during an investigation by the Riverside County Sheriffs Office, which learned from a confidential informant that Ferrari was a Camp Pendleton Marine involved in making and selling un-serialized firearms. Sheriffs investigators passed along the tip to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, telling ATF agents that Ferrari would be expecting a call from a prospective buyer. During the third sale, undercover ATF agents told Ferrari that the guns they were buying would be taken to Northern California to protect illegal cannabis grow sites. During the same conversation, one agent said he wanted 10 more rifles for an associate in Mexico. Those statements did not deter Ferrari, according to prosecutors. Ferrari had overwhelming indications that the (privately made firearms) he was manufacturing and selling were likely being bought and used by criminals, and that the firearms would likely be leaving the United States into Mexico, Assistant U.S. Attorney Shital Thakkar wrote in sentencing documents. As a Marine, he was supposed to serve this Country, not make it ... or any other country ... more dangerous through the illegal manufacturing and peddling of ghost guns. Thakkar wrote in sentencing documents and said in court Monday that there was evidence Ferrari was making the guns at his fathers home in Lakeside and that he sold ghost guns to other buyers. Prosecutors did not charge Ferrari for the other suspected sales. Thakkar argued that a five-year sentence would be appropriate and send a strong message of deterrence, while defense attorney Stephen Piotrkowski argued that two years would be sufficient to punish his client. Bashant said that in crafting the 37-month sentence, she didnt take into account that Ferrari was told the guns would be going to Mexico, ruling that the agents had made those comments to try to jack up Ferraris potential sentence. The judge said that Ferraris military service and family support were factors weighing in his favor, while the number of guns he sold and the assumption that theyd be used for crime were factors weighing against him. Ferrari remained out of custody on bond Monday but must report to prison by Oct. 30. _____ 2024 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. MOSCOW Russian President Vladimir Putin has increased the size of the country's military for the third time since the February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine by boosting the overall number to 2.389 million, according to a presidential decree issued on Monday. The number of soldiers is to rise to 1.5 million, the decree said. In December, Putin raised the military's target strength to 2.2 million, with 1.33 million of them being soldiers. The new target raises the number in the military by 50% compared with a little over 1 million at the start of the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. There was no immediate reaction to the new figures from the Defense Ministry in Moscow. At the last increase, the ministry insisted the increase would be covered by recruiting more volunteers. In September 2022, Putin ordered a partial mobilization in response to a series of military defeats in the war, which led to widespread dissatisfaction among the population and prompted many young men to leave the country. Russian troops continue to storm eastern Ukraine Throughout the day, Russian troops have continued their storming attacks in eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian General Staff reported in Monday's evening briefing. The "focus of the day" was the area around Kurakhove on the edge of the Donbass region, the staff said. Throughout the day, there were 26 Russian attacks repelled by the Ukrainian defenders, it said. There was also heavy fighting around Pokrovsk, which has been contested for weeks, as Russian units made 24 attempts to break through the Ukrainian defense lines, though these too were repelled by Kyiv's forces, the report said, in details that could not be independently verified. There were also fierce battles between Russian and Ukrainian units in the western Russian region of Kursk, where Ukrainian units launched a surprise attack in early August. Ukrainian airborne troops released a video on Facebook showing the destruction of a Russian tank in an unnamed village in the region, which also could not be independently verified. Eight injured in shelling of Belgorod Earlier, eight people were injured in the shelling of the western Russian city of Belgorod near the border with Ukraine, the regional governor said on Monday. "One of the injured is in critical condition, while the others have sustained moderate injuries," Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on his Telegram channel. He said that a private residence and "over 15 vehicles" were destroyed in attacks by Ukrainian forces early Monday. In total, four residential buildings were damaged, with broken windows and bullet holes in the facade and roof. Additionally, a gas pipeline was hit, Gladkov wrote. The Russian military has not yet commented on the Ukrainian attacks in the Belgorod region. Belgorod is located near the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, where on Sunday a Russian guided bomb killed one person and injured at least 42 others. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Moscow has systematically targeted Ukrainian territory with drone and missile attacks. Cities and civilian infrastructure have been frequently struck. Meanwhile, Russian border regions are increasingly reporting shelling from the Ukrainian side, though the scale of casualties and damage is much smaller in extent than the deaths and destruction inflicted by Moscow. Moscow urges UN, Red Cross to decline Kyiv's invitation to Kursk Ukraine, as it fends off the full-scale invasion, has also launched a surprise cross-border offensive in the Russian region of Kursk, in a bid to bring about negotiations and also carry out prisoner exchanges. Kyiv invited the United Nations and the Red Cross to join an inspection of areas in Kursk, some of which are partially controlled by Ukrainian troops. Moscow called on the U.N. and Red Cross to refuse and described the invitation as a provocation. "We expect that such provocative statements will not be accepted by the addressees. This is a pure provocation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday in Moscow. The Russian government was able to lodge its views with International Committee of the Red Cross President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, who had just arrived in Moscow for a visit that was previously planned. She wanted to talk to government representatives in confidence about the humanitarian consequences of the "international armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine," the ICRC said. The ICRC is strictly neutral and refrains from judging any conflict, instead supporting civilians and prisoners in armed conflicts, with a focus on respect for international law, prisoners of war and clarifying the fate of missing people. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry earlier stated that Ukraine's forces were observing the rights of the people in the occupied zone of Kursk and were doing everything in their power to protect the civilian population from the effects of combat. Ukraine was asking for U.N. assistance in providing humanitarian aid, it said. It called on the Red Cross to join the mission in a letter published on the Foreign Ministry website. _____ 2024 dpa GmbH. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Lens Legends: How to Mount Canon Lenses on a Sony Camera: Unleash Your Creativity! (Lens Legends: Can You Mount Canon Lenses on a Sony Camera?) When you need a high-quality lens for your photography project, an exciting option is getting a Canon lens mount on your Sony camera. This title accurately captures the essence of the article by using interesting language that could interest and motivate readers. As a photographer, one of the first things youll want to know is how to install a lens mount on your Sony camera. The steps outlined below will guide you through the process of mounting your lens onto the camera. Whether youre a beginner or a seasoned pro, this article should help you achieve your desired results quickly and easily. The very first step is to remove the previous lens from the camera. If your old lens has come loose due to, its important to carefully separate it before removing it from the camera. Then, attach the new lens to the camera using the bracket that comes with the lens mount. Next, align the mount with the axis of the lens on the camera. Make sure that the bracket is aligned properly with the cameras bezel, which prevents any movement during use. Additionally, be sure to measure the distance between the two lenses so that the mount can properly support the new lens. Once the mount is set up correctly, you can start taking pictures. To ensure that your lens is properly mounted, its essential to check that its level and not bent too far away from the lens. Another important aspect of getting a good angle for your photos is to keep the lens stable and prevent any motion caused by the cameras mechanical parts. (Lens Legends: Can You Mount Canon Lenses on a Sony Camera?) In conclusion, learning how to mount a Canon lens on your Sony camera is a straightforward task that requires some basic knowledge and skill. With these simple steps, you can easily and easily add a professional-grade lens to your camera, making your photos look stunning and high quality. So why wait? Start your journey towards achieving your photography goals today! Inquiry us if you want to want to know more, please feel free to contact us. (nanotrun@yahoo.com) GLEN ARBOR, MI -- Theres no threat of sand worms out in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, but hikers should be prepared for a desert climate, rangers warn. The Sleeping Bear Dunes is one of Michigans most iconic landmarks and with 15 trails theres plenty of opportunity see the diverse ecosystems that stretch across more than 71,000 acres of national park. Even though the mainland has 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, dont be fooled into thinking a dune hike is a breezy beach walk. Heres seven tips rangers advise hikers follow before heading out: Make a plan: Bring a buddy and let someone know your plans. Cell phone coverage is not reliable in the park especially in the dunes or wilderness areas. Avoid dehydration: Pack least 2 liters of water per person. Protect your feet: Take footwear. Hot sand can cause severe burns on feet. Sun protection: Bring sunscreen and protective clothing. Pack snacks. Stay on marked hiking trails: The trails in the dunes are marked with blue or green-topped posts. Resist walking on ridges or steep sandy slopes: These can be hazardous especially in winter or early spring and you can trigger a sand slide. RELATED: So whats the deal with those $3,000 rescues at Sleeping Bear Dunes? Note that access to any trails in the national park requires a park pass. The national parks designated trails range from 1.5 miles to more than 14.5 miles round trip and take hikers to lake, hill and dune overlooks. While others take you through fields of wildflowers with views of fields and lakes or forest in the background, according to the National Parks Service. Collecting plants and other natural, historical, and archeological items is not permitted. The only exception is a limited collection of edible fruits or mushrooms. If youre planning a fall hike, be aware that deer rifle season is Nov. 15-30. Other hunting seasons occur throughout the year as well. Bright-colored clothing is recommended during these times. For more safety tips and a full list of trailheads visit nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/trails.htm Sting is set to perform live at The Fillmore Detroit both today and tomorrow. Find last-minute tickets starting at $130. Shop on Vivid Seats, Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, and StubHub to compare sections and prices. Sting performs at St. Josephs Health Amphitheater at Lakeview with Joe Sumner opening. Sept. 6, 2022. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com Acclaimed songwriter and former frontman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-inducted band the Police, Sting is known for his rock classics like Roxanne, Message in a Bottle, Fields of Gold, and Every Breath You Take. The 2024 Sting 3.0 tour revisits some of the stars most beloved tracks as he hits venues in Detroit, Toronto, Chicago, and more. Michigan-based fans still have a chance to catch Sting live this week at The Fillmore Detroit. Tickets to both performances are still available, despite the first concert happening only a few hours from now. He is scheduled to return to the Midwest in late-October for four shows at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. Detroit tickets: Tues, Sept 17 Vivid Seats from $130 | Ticketmaster from $183.26 | SeatGeek from $140 | StubHub from $137 Wed, Sept 18 Vivid Seats from $165 | Ticketmaster from $213.59 | SeatGeek from $153 | StubHub from $140 FARMINGTON HILLS, MI A 32-year-old Farmington Hills man is facing 13 criminal charges in an alleged domestic violence incident that allegedly led to him barricading himself in a residence and shooting at police officers, officials said. The situation ended when the suspect was shot by a sniper, according to a news release from Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. Around 11:50 a.m. Sunday, a child called 911 to report an ongoing domestic violence incident in the area of Middlebelt and 12 Mile in Farmington Hills. It is alleged that the defendant assaulted a woman and threatened her life in front of her children. When officers arrived, the victim had escaped the home. She told officers she had been assaulted and that her children were still inside. Officers attempted to enter the home and apprehend the defendant. However, the defendant allegedly pointed a rifle at the officer. Later, he allegedly shot at police officers multiple times, striking police vehicles and neighboring homes. RELATED: Sniper takes down domestic violence suspect who shot neighboring houses, police vehicles The defendant allegedly barricaded himself in the home with the two children. The children eventually escaped. After some time, the defendant appeared at the front door with a rifle and was shot one time by a SWAT sniper. Officers immediately rendered medical aid. The defendant is in custody, under guard at a medical facility. He is charged with three counts of assault with intent to murder, a felony punishable by up to life in prison. Other charges include firearm possession by a prohibited person, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, six counts of felony firearm second/subsequent offense, and domestic violence. The defendant has not yet been arraigned. TRAVERSE CITY, MI A conservation officer quickly jumped into action and extinguished an engine fire at the scene of a crash in Traverse City, possibly saving a life. Conservation officer Logan Turner with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources received a DNR Lifesaving Award for his quick response, according to a news release. On Feb. 1, 2024, Turner responded to a two-vehicle crash on West South Airport Road, near Eastward Drive in Traverse City. Grand Traverse Central Dispatch reported that both drivers were injured and pinned in their vehicles. When Turner arrived, an emergency medical technician asked him to hold one of the drivers in a stable position. As he approached the vehicle, its engine burst into flames. Turner quickly retrieved a fire extinguisher from his patrol truck and put out the fire, preventing it from spreading potentially saving the drivers life. Both drivers were extracted and transported by ambulance to a local hospital. The department is proud of CO Turners quick thinking and action, which prevented this situation from becoming much worse, said Chief Jason Haines, DNR Law Enforcement Division. DETROIT A man is facing charges more than two years after the murder of a retired Michigan police officer, authorities said. The body of Stefon Hodo, 41, was found at a park on July 14, 2022. It was determined that he died of sharp force injuries to his head. Hodo was a retired Detroit Police officer. A 30-year-old Detroit man is charged with first-degree murder and other crimes related to Hodos death and subsequent incidents involving two more victims, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced. It is alleged that on June 28, 2022, during an argument, the defendant killed Hodo and moved his body to another location. He then allegedly broke into Hodos home and stole his vehicle and handgun. It is further alleged that on June 30, 2022, the defendant used Hodos vehicle and handgun to non-fatally shoot a 39-year-old Detroit woman and a 47-year-old Detroit man at a residence in the 15300 block of Ferguson Street. Those shootings happened in two separate incidents around 11:10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The man suffered a gunshot wound to the hand during the second incident. The woman was not injured. The defendant was arrested on July 1, 2022. He is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree home invasion, discharge of a firearm in or at a building, discharge of a firearm in or at a building causing serious impairment, felon in possession of a firearm, and three counts of felony firearm. He has not yet been arraigned. IRON MOUNTAIN, MI The deer population in this Upper Peninsula town has become a nuisance, Iron Mountain Daily News reports. Iron Mountain, in Michigans western Upper Peninsula, hosts an annual archery deer cull within the city limits, but its not enough since more deer come in from neighboring municipalities, Mayor Dale Alessandrini said during a recent city council meeting. The annual archery hunt begins Oct. 1. In 2023, 56 deer were taken during the hunt, the report said. Hunters are required to apply and pass a proficiency test. Tags are free and hunters can have as many as they can fill, but just one unfilled tag at a time. City Manager Jordan Stanchina said the city needs a holistic approach, working with the the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and neighboring municipalities, the report said. ANN ARBOR, MI Clay Conley wanted their girlfriend Jaimie Lopez to be completely surprised when they proposed marriage. Lopez had been playing the Ann Arbor District Librarys Summer Game, which includes collecting codes from signs placed around the city to earn points toward prizes. Conley thought that might be a good in. So, little did Lopez know she was approaching a lawn sign at Burns Park in Ann Arbor on Aug. 19 that would take her love life a big step forward. Conley had picked up a Summer Game sign from the library and wrote WILL YOU MARRY ME? on it. What better lure than an Ann Arbor District Library yard sign? Conley said. Because wherever we were, wed pull over to get codes off signs. Clay Conley proposes marriage to Jaimie Lopez at Burns Park in Ann Arbor, Aug. 19, 2024.Provided by Maya Bieszki Clay asked me to go on a walk, which isnt common, Lopez said. I should have known. Both are University of Michigan graduate students, and Conley, a musician and audio engineer for The Neutral Zone, a teen center, and The Blind Pig, a venue, had been staring at a screen for hours working on music. Conley convinced her they needed that walk. Another part of the surprise was their friend Maya Bieszki, who had been waiting at the park, disguised by a hat and glasses, reading a book. Bieszki had helped Conley with the engagement ring from Abracadabra Jewelry, where she works. She set up the sign and waited to take photographs of her friends special moment. Before reading the proposal written on the sign, I asked Clay, is it even legal for someone to put a lawn sign in the park? Lopez said. I started to make out the words, and thought, who would do that? Before I said anything, Clay was on one knee. Then I saw Maya taking pictures, she said. The park is special to them. After Lopez who is pursuing a masters degree in library science and works at the undergraduate library had first moved to Ann Arbor to join her now fiance, they didnt have air conditioning. We would go to that tree and read, said Conley, who is working on their doctorate in ethnomusicology. They fell in love after meeting at a dorm at Swarthmore College, where they were both students. While they had both grown up not far from each other in Connecticut, it took living in the same dorm at the Pennsylvania college for them to meet. They havent yet set a date for the wedding. Conley is currently bouncing around doing their dissertation on live local music. We might want to move after Clays program is over, and my program is over, Lopez said. When we make more definite plans, well set a date. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Republican Patrick Duvendeck is challenging state Rep. Jasper Ryan Martus in the Nov. 5 general election for the right to represent District 69 in the state House of Representatives. The two candidates from Flushing had no opposition in the Aug. 6 primary. The 69th District boundaries were redrawn after the 2020 U.S. Census and include the Flint Township, Swartz Creek, Flushing, Clio, Mt. Morris, and Montrose areas. Martus won the state House seat in 2022, taking 56% of the vote and defeating Republican Jesse Couch and Libertarian Adam Blake Childress in the general election. Duvendeck ran for state House in 2016 in the old 49th District, losing a close Republican primary to Jeremy A. Baker by a final margin of 595-571. He is a small business owner and worked for 41 years at General Motors in roles ranging from electrician to manager. Martus previously worked as a staffer for U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Twp., and as a communications advisor for Michigan Democrats in the state House of Representatives. MLive has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund to provide information on all state and federal races in Michigan, as well as local ballot proposals, county and local races. See the voter guide here. In some cases, additional information on the candidates is available in the guide. All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for necessary cuts if a reply exceeded character limitations. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties. Why are you running for Michigan State Legislature? Martus: My familys roots in Genesee County stretch back well over a century and it has been the honor of my life to represent our community the past two years. I first ran for office because of the frustration of watching job opportunities move away from Genesee County and the lack of a voice for working families in Lansing. I am running for re-election because I am proud of how much we have accomplished in my first term and look forward to working together on all that is left to do We still need to create more good paying jobs for our friends and neighbors, reinvest in our crumbling infrastructure, bring down the cost of prescription drugs, create a paid family and medical leave system, and take money out of our politics ... We have achieved major victories for our community, but there are still challenges that must be tackled. I am asking our community once again to help me continue the fight. Duvendeck: To bring solid conservative policies to the District and the state. What should Michigan do to provide an equitable, quality public education for all while addressing the current teacher shortage? Martus: Over the past two years, I have worked with my colleagues in Lansing on record per pupil school funding, increased access to mental health in schools, and developed new workforce development training programs. However, we are still dealing with decades of underinvestment in public education. To improve education for young people in Michigan, we need to continue increasing funds for our public schools, hire more counselors and social workers, expand access to early college and dual enrollment programs, and ensure that every child graduating is ready for college or career. Teachers have had their wages frozen or cut in countless school districts. We should be paying teachers more for the critical work that they do and offer loan forgiveness to incentivize young people to pursue education as a career. Duvendeck: Schools of choice with vouchers, focus on the basics (Reading Writing and math) stay away from CRT, Woke ideas and stop ideological classes. This will help in retaining teachers by not overloading them with lots of extra requirements. Support discipline in the school. What do you see as the states role, if any, in mitigating the impact of climate change? Martus: Far too many people treat combating climate change and creating good paying jobs as opposing ideas. We can combat climate change in a way that creates good paying jobs for working families all across Michigan. When we passed robust climate legislation last year, I was proud to work on the creation of the Office of Community and Worker Economic Transition. This office will be focused on helping workers access job training programs and find new careers because no communities should ever be left behind when the economy changes. The next steps for combating climate change here in Michigan include holding polluters accountable, ensuring that green energy continues to be affordable, and continuing to be good stewards of our natural resources. Duvendeck: Support some efforts toward this but this is not a existential threat. Until China and India get on board we can do little to make a difference. We are making better effort now than most countries. What actions/proposals, if any, do you support to retain residents in our state? Martus: Michigan has experienced far too many folks moving away and no community knows that better than Genesee County. The root cause of this is a lack of economic opportunity. To bring back more people to Michigan and Genesee County, there are policies that we can pursue which will help the people here and entice others to call our state home. We must pursue competitive economic development policies which will build up businesses here and attract new businesses from across the country. We need to create a comprehensive paid family and medical leave system I am currently working on legislation that would create a savings account for every child born in Michigan. Every baby born would have a deposit made in this account, it would accrue interest, and when they turn eighteen they can put the money toward their education, housing, or starting a small business. Duvendeck: Bring jobs to the state, less regulations, less government meddling in our daily lives. Edgestream Partners L.P. bought a new stake in shares of Brunswick Co. (NYSE:BC Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 113,901 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,289,000. Brunswick comprises approximately 0.4% of Edgestream Partners L.P.s portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest holding. Edgestream Partners L.P. owned 0.17% of Brunswick as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Principal Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Brunswick during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Johnson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in Brunswick during the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Rise Advisors LLC raised its stake in Brunswick by 249.5% in the first quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 325 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 232 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its holdings in Brunswick by 43,700.0% in the first quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 438 shares of the companys stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 437 shares in the last quarter. Finally, J.Safra Asset Management Corp grew its stake in shares of Brunswick by 77.1% during the first quarter. J.Safra Asset Management Corp now owns 602 shares of the companys stock worth $58,000 after acquiring an additional 262 shares during the last quarter. 99.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Brunswick alerts: Brunswick Stock Up 1.3 % Shares of BC stock opened at $80.18 on Tuesday. 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 $5.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.90 and a beta of 1.51. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $77.22 and a 200 day moving average of $80.98. 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 Dividend Announcement Brunswick ( NYSE:BC Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $1.80 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.90 by ($0.10). Brunswick had a net margin of 5.92% and a return on equity of 23.46%. The firm had revenue of $1.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.55 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.35 earnings per share. Brunswicks revenue for the quarter was down 15.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Brunswick Co. will post 5.26 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 13th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 21st were paid a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.10%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 21st. Brunswicks payout ratio is currently 31.23%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. B. Riley decreased their price objective on shares of Brunswick from $108.00 to $97.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of Brunswick from $100.00 to $88.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 8th. Northcoast Research raised Brunswick from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $100.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Benchmark reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $100.00 price target on shares of Brunswick in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on Brunswick from $95.00 to $93.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 26th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $88.21. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Brunswick Insider Activity In related news, Director Nancy E. Cooper sold 358 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.34, for a total value of $29,119.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 23,877 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,942,155.18. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.81% of the companys stock. About Brunswick (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. Featured Articles 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. ABN AMRO Bank (OTCMKTS:ABMRF Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,849,900 shares, a decrease of 21.2% from the August 15th total of 2,348,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2,312.4 days. ABN AMRO Bank Price Performance OTCMKTS:ABMRF opened at $16.93 on Tuesday. ABN AMRO Bank has a 1-year low of $13.79 and a 1-year high of $18.26. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $17.01 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $16.76. Get ABN AMRO Bank alerts: About ABN AMRO Bank (Get Free Report) Featured Articles ABN AMRO Bank N.V. provides various banking products and financial services to retail, private, and business clients in the Netherlands and internationally. It operates through three segments: Personal & Business Banking, Wealth Management, and Corporate Banking. The company provides savings and deposits products; investment and insurance products; and consumer, personal, car, and home improvement loan. Receive News & Ratings for ABN AMRO Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ABN AMRO Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aunas (NYSE:AUNA Get Free Report) lock-up period is set to expire on Wednesday, September 18th. Auna had issued 30,000,000 shares in its initial public offering on March 22nd. The total size of the offering was $360,000,000 based on an initial share price of $12.00. After the expiration of the companys lock-up period, major shareholders and company insiders will be able to sell their shares of the company. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Auna from $16.00 to $14.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Get Auna alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on AUNA Auna Stock Performance Shares of NYSE AUNA opened at $7.27 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.94, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.89. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $7.77. Auna has a 52-week low of $6.17 and a 52-week high of $10.85. Auna (NYSE:AUNA Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 21st. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.15 by ($0.12). The company had revenue of $292.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $299.17 million. Analysts predict that Auna will post 0.41 EPS for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Fiera Capital Corp raised its position in Auna by 22.9% during the second quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 1,285,894 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,287,000 after buying an additional 239,371 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new position in Auna during the first quarter valued at $6,899,000. Verde Servicos Internacionais S.A. acquired a new position in Auna during the first quarter valued at $3,461,000. Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in Auna during the second quarter valued at $1,148,000. Finally, Capstone Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Auna during the first quarter valued at $1,410,000. About Auna (Get Free Report) Auna SA, a healthcare service provider, operates hospitals and clinics in Mexico, Peru, and Colombia. The company provides prepaid healthcare plans in Peru; and dental and vision plans in Mexico. The company was founded in 1989 and is based in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Auna Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Auna and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MHD Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 54,600 shares, a decline of 35.2% from the August 15th total of 84,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 94,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.6 days. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Karpus Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund by 9.9% during the first quarter. Karpus Management Inc. now owns 6,202,504 shares of the companys stock valued at $74,926,000 after buying an additional 556,998 shares during the last quarter. Fiera Capital Corp boosted its holdings in BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund by 8.3% during the 4th quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 850,647 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,131,000 after acquiring an additional 65,450 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its position in BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund by 4.9% in the 1st quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 411,409 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,970,000 after acquiring an additional 19,194 shares during the last quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund by 298.8% in the second quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 292,156 shares of the companys stock worth $3,532,000 after purchasing an additional 218,890 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund by 7.6% during the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 272,684 shares of the companys stock worth $3,297,000 after purchasing an additional 19,295 shares during the last quarter. Get BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund alerts: BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund Stock Performance Shares of NYSE MHD traded up $0.06 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $12.87. 87,703 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 103,728. The companys 50 day moving average price is $12.25 and its 200 day moving average price is $11.99. BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund has a 12 month low of $9.92 and a 12 month high of $12.96. BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund Increases Dividend BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund Company Profile The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 1st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.0595 per share. This represents a $0.71 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.55%. This is a positive change from BlackRock MuniHoldings Funds previous monthly dividend of $0.05. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, October 15th. (Get Free Report) BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund, Inc is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It primarily invests in investment grade municipal bonds that are exempt from federal income taxes. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE:BAM Get Free Report) (TSE:BAM.A) have been assigned a consensus rating of Hold from the twelve research firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have given a hold recommendation and five have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $43.81. Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on BAM shares. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on Brookfield Asset Management from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 11th. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on Brookfield Asset Management in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. They issued an underweight rating and a $42.00 price target on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Brookfield Asset Management in a report on Friday, August 2nd. They set a hold rating and a $43.00 price objective on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of Brookfield Asset Management from $41.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Brookfield Asset Management from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Get Brookfield Asset Management alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on BAM Hedge Funds Weigh In On Brookfield Asset Management Brookfield Asset Management Price Performance Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. YHB Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management in the first quarter worth $26,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its position in Brookfield Asset Management by 98.2% during the second quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 777 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 385 shares in the last quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC raised its holdings in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 57.6% during the 2nd quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 780 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 285 shares in the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. raised its stake in Brookfield Asset Management by 574.2% during the first quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 890 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 758 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Richardson Financial Services Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Brookfield Asset Management by 368.3% in the second quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 960 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 755 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.41% of the companys stock. Shares of BAM opened at $45.21 on Tuesday. Brookfield Asset Management has a 12 month low of $28.35 and a 12 month high of $45.42. The company has a market cap of $20.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.86, a PEG ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 1.56. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $41.25 and a 200 day moving average price of $40.31. Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM Get Free Report) (TSE:BAM.A) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, August 9th. The financial services provider reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.35 by ($0.01). Brookfield Asset Management had a return on equity of 92.37% and a net margin of 51.29%. The company had revenue of $916.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.16 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.28 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Brookfield Asset Management will post 1.42 earnings per share for the current year. Brookfield Asset Management Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th will be paid a $0.38 dividend. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.36%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. Brookfield Asset Managements dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 140.74%. About Brookfield Asset Management (Get Free Report Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. is a real estate investment firm specializing in alternative asset management services. Its renewable power and transition business includes the operates in the hydroelectric, wind, solar, distributed generation, and sustainable solution sector. The company's infrastructure business engages in the utilities, transport, midstream, and data infrastructure sectors. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Asset Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Asset Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Caledonia Mining Co. Plc (CAL.TO) (TSE:CAL Get Free Report) was up 3.3% on Monday . The stock traded as high as C$23.17 and last traded at C$22.87. Approximately 20,380 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 134% from the average daily volume of 8,717 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$22.13. Caledonia Mining Co. Plc (CAL.TO) Trading Up 3.3 % The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.62 and a current ratio of 2.98. The company has a 50-day moving average price of C$22.87. The company has a market capitalization of C$263.49 million and a P/E ratio of 6.29. Caledonia Mining Co. Plc (CAL.TO) Company Profile (Get Free Report) Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc primarily engages in the exploration and development of gold properties. The company also explores for precious metals. It primarily holds a 49% interest in the Blanket Mine, a gold mine located in Zimbabwe. The company was formerly known as Caledonia Mining Corporation and changed its name to Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc in March 2016. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Caledonia Mining Co. Plc (CAL.TO) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Caledonia Mining Co. Plc (CAL.TO) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 2,380,000 shares, a decrease of 33.7% from the August 15th total of 3,590,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,160,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.1 days. Currently, 1.6% of the shares of the company are sold short. Constellation Brands Stock Up 0.4 % Shares of NYSE STZ traded up $0.96 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $253.53. 875,955 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,174,184. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $245.91 and a 200 day simple moving average of $253.90. Constellation Brands has a twelve month low of $227.50 and a twelve month high of $274.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $46.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.89, a PEG ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.75. The company has a current ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. Get Constellation Brands alerts: Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 3rd. The company reported $3.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.46 by $0.11. Constellation Brands had a return on equity of 23.72% and a net margin of 22.70%. The business had revenue of $2.66 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.67 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.91 EPS. Constellation Brandss revenue for the quarter was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts expect that Constellation Brands will post 13.53 EPS for the current fiscal year. Constellation Brands Announces Dividend Analysts Set New Price Targets The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 23rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 14th were given a dividend of $1.01 per share. This represents a $4.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 14th. Constellation Brandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.10%. STZ has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on Constellation Brands from $305.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 26th. Roth Mkm lowered their target price on Constellation Brands from $303.00 to $298.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on Constellation Brands from $310.00 to $311.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 5th. UBS Group lowered their target price on Constellation Brands from $320.00 to $295.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, September 9th. Finally, Truist Financial reiterated a hold rating and issued a $265.00 price target on shares of Constellation Brands in a report on Wednesday, July 3rd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $296.78. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on STZ Insider Activity In other news, CFO Garth Hankinson sold 13,583 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total value of $3,259,920.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 11,702 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,808,480. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CFO Garth Hankinson sold 13,583 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total value of $3,259,920.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 11,702 shares in the company, valued at $2,808,480. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Kaneenat Kristann Carey sold 977 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $261.00, for a total value of $254,997.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 2,706 shares of the companys stock, valued at $706,266. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 16,414 shares of company stock valued at $3,982,922. 12.19% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Constellation Brands by 3.5% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 13,705,793 shares of the companys stock worth $3,724,686,000 after purchasing an additional 462,891 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors boosted its stake in shares of Constellation Brands by 39.4% during the 1st quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 11,685,249 shares of the companys stock worth $3,175,583,000 after acquiring an additional 3,304,709 shares during the period. Capital World Investors boosted its stake in shares of Constellation Brands by 8.7% during the 1st quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 9,040,669 shares of the companys stock worth $2,456,892,000 after acquiring an additional 723,549 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its stake in shares of Constellation Brands by 9.9% during the 1st quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 2,469,997 shares of the companys stock worth $671,246,000 after acquiring an additional 222,380 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Constellation Brands during the 4th quarter worth approximately $443,844,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.34% of the companys stock. About Constellation Brands (Get Free Report) Constellation Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company provides beer primarily under the Corona Extra, Corona Familiar, Corona Hard Seltzer, Corona Light, Corona Non-Alcoholic, Corona Premier, Corona Refresca, Modelo Especial, Modelo Chelada, Modelo Negra, Modelo Oro, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Constellation Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Constellation Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Denali Advisors LLC lowered its stake in Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:KRO Free Report) by 17.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 66,700 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after selling 14,000 shares during the quarter. Denali Advisors LLCs holdings in Kronos Worldwide were worth $837,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Kronos Worldwide by 3.7% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,937,071 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $36,860,000 after acquiring an additional 103,988 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Kronos Worldwide by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,211,644 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $26,097,000 after acquiring an additional 5,884 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its stake in shares of Kronos Worldwide by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 660,500 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $8,289,000 after acquiring an additional 8,400 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of Kronos Worldwide by 25.9% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 187,944 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $2,359,000 after acquiring an additional 38,647 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Los Angeles Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Kronos Worldwide by 99.9% in the 2nd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 162,680 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $2,042,000 after acquiring an additional 81,303 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 15.11% of the companys stock. Get Kronos Worldwide alerts: Kronos Worldwide Stock Performance Shares of KRO stock opened at $11.23 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 3.61, a quick ratio of 1.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.29 billion, a PE ratio of -48.83 and a beta of 1.15. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $11.41 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.96. Kronos Worldwide, Inc. has a 12 month low of $6.16 and a 12 month high of $14.50. Kronos Worldwide Cuts Dividend Kronos Worldwide ( NYSE:KRO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.21 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $500.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $504.19 million. Kronos Worldwide had a return on equity of 0.24% and a net margin of 0.11%. Analysts forecast that Kronos Worldwide, Inc. will post 0.88 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.78%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 6th. Kronos Worldwides dividend payout ratio is -86.96%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price target on shares of Kronos Worldwide from $12.00 to $15.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 28th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $11.67. Read Our Latest Research Report on Kronos Worldwide Kronos Worldwide Profile (Free Report) Kronos Worldwide, Inc produces and markets titanium dioxide pigments (TiO2) in Europe, North America, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company produces TiO2 in two crystalline forms, rutile and anatase to impart whiteness, brightness, opacity, and durability for various products, including paints, coatings, plastics, paper, fibers, and ceramics, as well as for various specialty products, such as inks, foods, and cosmetics. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KRO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:KRO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Kronos Worldwide Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kronos Worldwide and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP reduced its stake in shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST Free Report) by 11.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,972,937 shares of the companys stock after selling 639,844 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned 1.43% of Vistra worth $427,618,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in VST. Castle Hook Partners LP lifted its position in shares of Vistra by 470.0% during the 1st quarter. Castle Hook Partners LP now owns 3,769,842 shares of the companys stock valued at $262,569,000 after buying an additional 3,108,511 shares in the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc lifted its position in shares of Vistra by 9,668.5% during the 1st quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 2,940,113 shares of the companys stock valued at $204,779,000 after buying an additional 2,910,015 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Vistra during the 4th quarter valued at about $77,523,000. Electron Capital Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Vistra by 468.2% in the 4th quarter. Electron Capital Partners LLC now owns 2,128,930 shares of the companys stock worth $82,006,000 after purchasing an additional 1,754,223 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its holdings in Vistra by 115.3% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 2,532,657 shares of the companys stock worth $217,758,000 after purchasing an additional 1,356,488 shares in the last quarter. 90.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Vistra alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades VST has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Vistra in a report on Friday. They issued a buy rating and a $99.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Vistra from $109.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $89.43. Vistra Stock Up 4.5 % Shares of VST opened at $89.42 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $30.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.86 and a beta of 1.08. Vistra Corp. has a 1 year low of $31.16 and a 1 year high of $107.24. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $79.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is $79.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.89, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.88. Vistra (NYSE:VST Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $0.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.59 by ($0.69). The firm had revenue of $3.85 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.04 billion. Vistra had a return on equity of 21.05% and a net margin of 4.61%. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.03 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that Vistra Corp. will post 4.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Vistra Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.2195 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.98%. This is a boost from Vistras previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 20th. Vistras dividend payout ratio is 53.37%. Vistra Company Profile (Free Report) Vistra Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company. The company operates through six segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, Sunset, and Asset Closure. It retails electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across states in the United States and the District of Columbia. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VST? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Vistra Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vistra and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Elme Communities (NYSE:ELME Free Report) had its price objective lifted by Wells Fargo & Company from $14.00 to $17.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. Wells Fargo & Company currently has an equal weight rating on the stock. Elme Communities Trading Down 0.3 % Shares of NYSE ELME opened at $18.21 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.60 billion, a P/E ratio of -29.85 and a beta of 0.90. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $16.93 and a 200 day moving average price of $15.56. Elme Communities has a 1-year low of $12.44 and a 1-year high of $18.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.55 and a quick ratio of 0.55. Get Elme Communities alerts: Elme Communities Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 19th will be paid a $0.18 dividend. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.95%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 19th. Elme Communitiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -118.03%. Institutional Trading of Elme Communities About Elme Communities Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC boosted its stake in shares of Elme Communities by 37.6% in the 2nd quarter. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC now owns 175,037 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,788,000 after buying an additional 47,859 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its stake in Elme Communities by 3.1% in the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 74,951 shares of the companys stock worth $1,194,000 after acquiring an additional 2,257 shares during the last quarter. DigitalBridge Group Inc. purchased a new position in Elme Communities in the second quarter worth approximately $8,132,000. Caxton Associates LP grew its holdings in Elme Communities by 35.7% during the 2nd quarter. Caxton Associates LP now owns 56,592 shares of the companys stock worth $902,000 after acquiring an additional 14,893 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new stake in shares of Elme Communities in the 2nd quarter valued at $1,419,000. 87.88% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. (Get Free Report) Elme Communities is committed to elevating what home can be for middle-income renters by providing a higher level of quality, service, and experience. The Company is a multifamily real estate investment trust that owns and operates approximately 9,400 apartment homes in the Washington, DC metro and the Atlanta metro regions, and owns approximately 300,000 square feet of commercial space. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Elme Communities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Elme Communities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS Free Report) had its price objective raised by Scotiabank from $309.00 to $329.00 in a research note released on Monday, Benzinga reports. Scotiabank currently has a sector outperform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Several other analysts have also issued reports on the company. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on Essex Property Trust from $315.00 to $355.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, August 26th. Raymond James boosted their target price on Essex Property Trust from $295.00 to $325.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, August 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Essex Property Trust in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. They issued a neutral rating and a $318.00 target price on the stock. BNP Paribas started coverage on Essex Property Trust in a research note on Wednesday, September 11th. They issued an outperform rating and a $333.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their price target on Essex Property Trust from $283.00 to $287.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research report on Monday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $291.10. Get Essex Property Trust alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Essex Property Trust Essex Property Trust Stock Performance Shares of Essex Property Trust stock opened at $315.15 on Monday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $289.45 and its 200 day simple moving average is $266.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $20.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.41 and a beta of 0.88. Essex Property Trust has a 12 month low of $203.85 and a 12 month high of $316.12. The company has a current ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11. Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.85 by ($2.40). The firm had revenue of $442.36 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $433.26 million. Essex Property Trust had a net margin of 30.31% and a return on equity of 9.14%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.77 earnings per share. As a group, analysts anticipate that Essex Property Trust will post 15.53 EPS for the current year. Essex Property Trust Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 11th. Investors of record on Monday, September 30th will be given a dividend of $2.45 per share. This represents a $9.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.11%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 30th. Essex Property Trusts payout ratio is 119.80%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Essex Property Trust news, Director Amal M. Johnson sold 2,453 shares of Essex Property Trust stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $300.00, for a total transaction of $735,900.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 2,585 shares of the companys stock, valued at $775,500. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Essex Property Trust news, CEO Angela L. Kleiman sold 3,780 shares of Essex Property Trust stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.27, for a total transaction of $1,051,860.60. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 9,494 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,641,895.38. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Amal M. Johnson sold 2,453 shares of Essex Property Trust stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $300.00, for a total value of $735,900.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 2,585 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $775,500. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 3.80% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Essex Property Trust A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. EP Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Essex Property Trust by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,228 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $301,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. M&R Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Essex Property Trust by 5.4% in the 2nd quarter. M&R Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,014 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $276,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares during the last quarter. Quilter Plc lifted its stake in shares of Essex Property Trust by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Quilter Plc now owns 8,698 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,368,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in shares of Essex Property Trust by 10.3% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 591 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $145,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Czech National Bank lifted its stake in shares of Essex Property Trust by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 11,296 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,765,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 96.51% of the companys stock. Essex Property Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) Essex Property Trust, Inc, an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily residential properties in selected West Coast markets. Essex currently has ownership interests in 252 apartment communities comprising approximately 62,000 apartment homes with an additional property in active development. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Essex Property Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Essex Property Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Frisch Financial Group Inc. increased its position in Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED Free Report) by 100.3% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 14,034 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 7,027 shares during the quarter. Frisch Financial Group Inc.s holdings in Consolidated Edison were worth $1,255,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Excalibur Management Corp raised its holdings in Consolidated Edison by 4.6% in the 2nd quarter. Excalibur Management Corp now owns 13,642 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,220,000 after acquiring an additional 600 shares during the period. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI raised its holdings in Consolidated Edison by 82.7% in the 2nd quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI now owns 14,353 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,283,000 after acquiring an additional 6,495 shares during the period. Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Consolidated Edison by 7.0% in the 2nd quarter. Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc. now owns 10,659 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $953,000 after acquiring an additional 697 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in Consolidated Edison by 11.0% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,273,115 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $113,845,000 after acquiring an additional 125,859 shares during the period. Finally, Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. raised its holdings in Consolidated Edison by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. now owns 2,501 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $224,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. 66.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Consolidated Edison alerts: Consolidated Edison Stock Performance NYSE ED opened at $104.85 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08. The firm has a market capitalization of $36.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.12, a P/E/G ratio of 3.50 and a beta of 0.36. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $99.06 and its 200 day simple moving average is $94.28. Consolidated Edison, Inc. has a 1 year low of $80.46 and a 1 year high of $105.99. Consolidated Edison Dividend Announcement Consolidated Edison ( NYSE:ED Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The utilities provider reported $0.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $3.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.08 billion. Consolidated Edison had a net margin of 12.03% and a return on equity of 8.67%. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.61 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Consolidated Edison, Inc. will post 5.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 14th were given a $0.83 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 14th. This represents a $3.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.17%. Consolidated Edisons dividend payout ratio is currently 63.72%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Consolidated Edison from $97.00 to $109.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Consolidated Edison from $97.00 to $105.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Scotiabank increased their price target on shares of Consolidated Edison from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a sector underperform rating in a report on Tuesday, August 20th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Consolidated Edison from $75.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, August 23rd. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on shares of Consolidated Edison from $92.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Consolidated Edison presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $92.65. Read Our Latest Analysis on ED About Consolidated Edison (Free Report) Consolidated Edison, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated electric, gas, and steam delivery businesses in the United States. It offers electric services to approximately 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County; gas to approximately 1.1 million customers in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens, and Westchester County; and steam to approximately 1,530 customers in parts of Manhattan. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ED? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Consolidated Edison Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Consolidated Edison and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hengan International Group Company Limited (OTCMKTS:HEGIY Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week low on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $13.79 and last traded at $13.80, with a volume of 8640 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $13.96. Hengan International Group Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 1.41. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $15.62 and a 200 day moving average price of $16.05. Get Hengan International Group alerts: Hengan International Group Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 25th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.4402 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 10th. About Hengan International Group Hengan International Group Company Limited, an investment holding company, manufactures, distributes, and sells personal hygiene products in the People's Republic of China and internationally. The company offers pocket handkerchiefs, box and soft tissue papers, kitchen towels/papers, toilet rolls, first-aid products, enema, garbage and food bags, preservation papers, table cloths and disposable toilet brush, sanitary napkins, pantiliners, overnight pants, wet tissues, maternal and child care products, adult and baby diapers, and cleansing products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Hengan International Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hengan International Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE:HRB Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 9,530,000 shares, a growth of 5.3% from the August 15th total of 9,050,000 shares. Currently, 6.9% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 1,240,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 7.7 days. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth HRB has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Barrington Research reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $60.00 target price on shares of H&R Block in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. StockNews.com cut shares of H&R Block from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, August 16th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of H&R Block from $39.00 to $44.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a report on Friday, August 16th. Get H&R Block alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on HRB Insiders Place Their Bets Institutional Investors Weigh In On H&R Block In related news, VP Kellie J. Logerwell sold 9,846 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.00, for a total value of $639,990.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 25,028 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,626,820. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . In related news, VP Kellie J. Logerwell sold 9,846 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.00, for a total transaction of $639,990.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 25,028 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,626,820. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, CEO Jeffrey J. Jones II sold 44,975 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.55, for a total value of $2,453,386.25. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 712,386 shares in the company, valued at $38,860,656.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold 152,902 shares of company stock worth $9,455,162 in the last ninety days. 1.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HRB. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in H&R Block by 11.8% during the first quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 5,295,911 shares of the companys stock worth $260,081,000 after acquiring an additional 558,076 shares during the period. Boston Partners boosted its position in H&R Block by 30.2% in the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,270,919 shares of the companys stock worth $160,614,000 after purchasing an additional 758,827 shares in the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of H&R Block by 52.2% during the 2nd quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 2,738,190 shares of the companys stock worth $148,492,000 after purchasing an additional 939,270 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of H&R Block by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,484,417 shares of the companys stock valued at $134,726,000 after purchasing an additional 23,792 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of H&R Block by 39.7% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,131,451 shares of the companys stock valued at $115,418,000 after purchasing an additional 606,250 shares during the period. 90.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. H&R Block Trading Up 1.9 % Shares of NYSE:HRB opened at $64.43 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.27, a current ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.46. H&R Block has a 52-week low of $39.20 and a 52-week high of $68.45. The stock has a market cap of $8.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.74, a PEG ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 0.66. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $59.36 and a 200-day moving average price of $53.17. H&R Block (NYSE:HRB Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 15th. The company reported $1.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.74 by $0.15. H&R Block had a net margin of 16.49% and a negative return on equity of 220.05%. The company had revenue of $1.06 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.03 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.05 EPS. H&R Blocks quarterly revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that H&R Block will post 5.22 EPS for the current year. H&R Block Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, September 5th will be given a dividend of $0.375 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 5th. This is an increase from H&R Blocks previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. This represents a $1.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.33%. H&R Blocks payout ratio is currently 34.32%. H&R Block announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program on Thursday, August 15th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to repurchase up to 16.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. About H&R Block (Get Free Report) H&R Block, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides assisted income tax return preparation and do-it-yourself (DIY) tax return preparation services and products to the general public primarily in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It offers assisted income tax return preparation and related services through a system of retail offices operated directly by the company or its franchisees. See Also Receive News & Ratings for H&R Block Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for H&R Block and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kronos Advanced Technologies Inc. (OTCMKTS:KNOS Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Tuesday, September 17th, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Thursday, September 19th will be paid a dividend of 0.00 per share on Wednesday, December 18th. This represents a yield of 0.11%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 18th. Kronos Advanced Technologies Stock Performance KNOS stock opened at $0.01 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $0.01. Kronos Advanced Technologies has a one year low of $0.00 and a one year high of $0.01. Get Kronos Advanced Technologies alerts: About Kronos Advanced Technologies (Get Free Report) Read More Kronos Advanced Technologies Inc manufactures, distributes, and licenses air movement and purification devices in the United States. The company offers air purifiers and masks. It markets and sells products directly through our website, 1800safeair.com, as well as through independent sales representatives. Receive News & Ratings for Kronos Advanced Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kronos Advanced Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lavras Gold Corp. (CVE:LGC Get Free Report) Director Rostislav Christov Raykov acquired 12,600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 16th. The stock was acquired at an average price of C$2.60 per share, with a total value of C$32,760.00. Rostislav Christov Raykov also recently made the following trade(s): Get Lavras Gold alerts: On Thursday, September 12th, Rostislav Christov Raykov bought 3,400 shares of Lavras Gold stock. The shares were acquired at an average price of C$2.70 per share, for a total transaction of C$9,180.00. On Tuesday, September 10th, Rostislav Christov Raykov purchased 17,800 shares of Lavras Gold stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost of C$2.50 per share, with a total value of C$44,500.00. On Tuesday, July 23rd, Rostislav Christov Raykov acquired 1,100 shares of Lavras Gold stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of C$1.92 per share, for a total transaction of C$2,112.00. On Tuesday, July 16th, Rostislav Christov Raykov bought 4,200 shares of Lavras Gold stock. The stock was bought at an average cost of C$1.95 per share, with a total value of C$8,190.00. On Wednesday, June 26th, Rostislav Christov Raykov bought 10,000 shares of Lavras Gold stock. The shares were bought at an average price of C$1.80 per share, with a total value of C$18,000.00. On Thursday, June 20th, Rostislav Christov Raykov purchased 7,200 shares of Lavras Gold stock. The stock was bought at an average price of C$1.54 per share, for a total transaction of C$11,088.00. Lavras Gold Price Performance Shares of CVE:LGC traded down C$0.08 on Monday, hitting C$2.60. The stock had a trading volume of 245,504 shares, compared to its average volume of 63,613. The firms 50 day moving average price is C$2.24 and its 200-day moving average price is C$1.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 11.12 and a current ratio of 7.38. Lavras Gold Corp. has a twelve month low of C$0.75 and a twelve month high of C$2.89. The company has a market capitalization of C$133.51 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -34.57 and a beta of -0.17. Lavras Gold Company Profile Lavras Gold Corp. engages in the exploration and development of mineral resource properties in Brazil. It holds interests in the Lavras do Sul, an advanced exploration gold project with 29 mineral rights covering approximately 22,000 hectares located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The company was incorporated in 2021 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Lavras Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lavras Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Global satellite player Intelsat has revealed a new satellite terminal strategy that it claims will make it the first satellite player to offer global multi-orbit solutions for all relevant verticals by the first half of 2025. Intelsat currently offers multi-orbit solutions through its own geostationary satellites and LEO satellites via a partnership with Eutelsat OneWeb, which was expanded earlier this year in a deal worth US$500 million. Intelsat is also currently in the process of being acquired by rival satellite firm SES, which owns the medium-earth orbit (MEO) constellation O3b. While Intelsat has been providing multi-orbit terminals to the military and commercial airlines for the last couple of years, it now plans to develop a new generation of terminals to cash in on growing demand for multi-orbit solutions, said Intelsat CEO David Wajsgras. Intelsat is making strategic bets on new technologies, including new investments in innovative terminal providers, said Wajsgras in a statement. More and more customers will come to count on the broad reliability profile of multi-orbit solutions, and it is key to our future success. To that end, Intelsat has bought a minority stake in French satellite terminal player Greenerwave, whose Electronically Steered Array (ESA) terminal enables fast switching between multiple networks and multiple orbits. The two companies also signed a technology agreement to develop the array and integrate it into high throughput, multi-orbit terminals for network and data applications. The new terminals will combine flexible beamforming, real-time reconfiguration, and low-power consumption, and will be able to operate at half-duplex or full-duplex. Theyll also be smaller, thanks to a design in which receivers and transmitters interleaved on a single antenna panel. That will reduce the panel size by up to 50%, Intelsat says. Intelsat said its new terminal strategy will enable it to deliver multi-orbit managed-service solutions across all relevant verticals, including commercial aviation, government and mobility applications. The multi-orbit satellite boom over the past couple of years has been credited to the growing demand for LEO satellite services like Starlink and Eutelsat OneWeb, particularly in developing markets keen to bridge the digital divide. As we reported in May, geostationary satellite players are responding to the LEOsat wave partly by consolidation, and partly by embracing multi-orbit strategies (or in Intelsat's case, both). Earlier this year, for example, UK-based geostationary satellite operator Avanti being instructed by its shareholders to implement a multi-orbit strategy. In May, Avanti partnered with Q-KON to provide LEO satellite connectivity to customers across South Africa using connectivity from Eutelsat OneWeb. LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB Free Report) had its price objective cut by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $113.00 to $110.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday, Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the specialty chemicals companys stock. LYB has been the topic of several other reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on shares of LyondellBasell Industries from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. UBS Group lowered their target price on LyondellBasell Industries from $106.00 to $101.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Evercore ISI upgraded LyondellBasell Industries to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on LyondellBasell Industries from $117.00 to $110.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $107.27. Get LyondellBasell Industries alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on LYB LyondellBasell Industries Stock Performance LYB opened at $94.08 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 2.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. The stock has a market cap of $30.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.54, a PEG ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.07. LyondellBasell Industries has a 12-month low of $88.46 and a 12-month high of $107.02. The business has a 50 day moving average of $96.16 and a 200-day moving average of $98.15. LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, August 2nd. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.23 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $10.56 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.44 billion. LyondellBasell Industries had a return on equity of 18.63% and a net margin of 5.68%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.44 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that LyondellBasell Industries will post 8 earnings per share for the current year. LyondellBasell Industries Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 26th were paid a dividend of $1.34 per share. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.70%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 26th. LyondellBasell Industriess payout ratio is presently 82.84%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Heritage Wealth Advisors acquired a new position in LyondellBasell Industries in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Chilton Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of LyondellBasell Industries in the first quarter worth approximately $27,000. Gold Investment Management Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of LyondellBasell Industries in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Beacon Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of LyondellBasell Industries in the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. grew its position in shares of LyondellBasell Industries by 311.0% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 300 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 227 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.20% of the companys stock. About LyondellBasell Industries (Get Free Report) LyondellBasell Industries N.V. operates as a chemical company in the United States, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Poland, France, Japan, China, the Netherlands, and internationally. The company operates in six segments: Olefins and PolyolefinsAmericas; Olefins and PolyolefinsEurope, Asia, International; Intermediates and Derivatives; Advanced Polymer Solutions; Refining; and Technology. See Also Receive News & Ratings for LyondellBasell Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for LyondellBasell Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Monash IVF Group Ltd. (OTCMKTS:MNIVF Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 99,800 shares, a growth of 22.5% from the August 15th total of 81,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently days. Monash IVF Group Price Performance Monash IVF Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Monash IVF Group Ltd. engages in the field of fertility services. It operates through the following segments: Monash IVF Group Australia and Monash IVF Group International. The Monash IVF Group Australia segment provides assisted reproductive services, ultrasound, and other related services. The Monash IVF Group International segment provides assisted reproductive services in Malaysia and party to a co-operative agreement with an assisted reproductive service provider in China. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Monash IVF Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Monash IVF Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Edgestream Partners L.P. boosted its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report) by 153.1% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 19,096 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after buying an additional 11,550 shares during the period. Edgestream Partners L.P.s holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $7,372,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MSI. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Motorola Solutions during the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Beacon Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Motorola Solutions by 71.8% during the 2nd quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 67 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares during the period. LRI Investments LLC boosted its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions by 871.4% in the second quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 68 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the period. Triad Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Motorola Solutions in the second quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Motorola Solutions in the first quarter worth $28,000. 84.17% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Motorola Solutions alerts: Motorola Solutions Stock Performance Shares of MSI stock opened at $443.24 on Tuesday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $414.82 and its two-hundred day moving average is $378.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.20. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a 1 year low of $269.64 and a 1 year high of $448.98. The firm has a market cap of $73.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.79, a PEG ratio of 3.80 and a beta of 0.97. Motorola Solutions Announces Dividend Motorola Solutions ( NYSE:MSI Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The communications equipment provider reported $3.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.01 by $0.23. The firm had revenue of $2.63 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.59 billion. Motorola Solutions had a return on equity of 337.36% and a net margin of 14.04%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.41 EPS. Analysts predict that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 12.22 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be issued a $0.98 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.88%. Motorola Solutionss payout ratio is 48.45%. Insider Transactions at Motorola Solutions In other Motorola Solutions news, COO John P. Molloy sold 23,985 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $407.50, for a total transaction of $9,773,887.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 46,821 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,079,557.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms recently commented on MSI. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Motorola Solutions from $460.00 to $510.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Motorola Solutions from $436.00 to $440.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Motorola Solutions from $372.00 to $467.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price target on shares of Motorola Solutions from $385.00 to $440.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. Finally, Evercore ISI raised their price objective on shares of Motorola Solutions from $450.00 to $500.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 30th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Motorola Solutions currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $466.17. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Motorola Solutions Motorola Solutions Profile (Free Report) Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MSI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Motorola Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Motorola Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mplx Lp (NYSE:MPLX Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Buy by the nine brokerages that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $46.33. MPLX has been the topic of a number of research reports. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $47.00 target price on shares of Mplx in a research report on Wednesday, August 28th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Mplx from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Sunday, August 11th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Mplx from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Mplx from $46.00 to $45.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Get Mplx alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on MPLX Mplx Stock Performance Shares of MPLX opened at $43.83 on Thursday. The companys fifty day moving average price is $42.40 and its 200 day moving average price is $41.57. Mplx has a one year low of $34.52 and a one year high of $44.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.95. The company has a market capitalization of $44.54 billion, a PE ratio of 11.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.37. Mplx (NYSE:MPLX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The pipeline company reported $1.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.17. Mplx had a net margin of 35.95% and a return on equity of 32.68%. The company had revenue of $3.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.96 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.91 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 13.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that Mplx will post 4.24 earnings per share for the current year. Mplx Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th were given a dividend of $0.85 per share. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 9th. Mplxs dividend payout ratio is 87.63%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Sanctuary Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Mplx during the second quarter worth $826,000. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its holdings in Mplx by 4.8% during the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 140,154 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $5,969,000 after purchasing an additional 6,469 shares during the last quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC lifted its stake in Mplx by 6.8% in the second quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 22,758 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $969,000 after acquiring an additional 1,457 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its stake in Mplx by 12.6% in the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 16,888 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $719,000 after acquiring an additional 1,889 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Mplx by 23.4% in the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 24,540 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $1,045,000 after acquiring an additional 4,660 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 24.25% of the companys stock. Mplx Company Profile (Get Free Report MPLX LP owns and operates midstream energy infrastructure and logistics assets primarily in the United States. It operates in two segments, Logistics and Storage, and Gathering and Processing. The company is involved in the gathering, processing, and transportation of natural gas; gathering, transportation, fractionation, storage, and marketing of natural gas liquids; gathering, storage, transportation, and distribution of crude oil and refined products, as well as other hydrocarbon-based products and renewables; and sale of residue gas and condensate. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Mplx Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mplx and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Neste Oyj (OTCMKTS:NTOIY Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 59,800 shares, a growth of 17.0% from the August 15th total of 51,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 322,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days. Neste Oyj Stock Up 2.9 % Shares of OTCMKTS:NTOIY traded up $0.25 during trading on Monday, hitting $9.00. 111,419 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 97,854. The businesss fifty day moving average is $10.12 and its 200-day moving average is $11.23. Neste Oyj has a one year low of $8.53 and a one year high of $19.29. Get Neste Oyj alerts: About Neste Oyj (Get Free Report) Recommended Stories Neste Oyj provides renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel in Finland, and other Nordic countries, Baltic Rim, other European countries, North and South America, and internationally. The company operates in four segments: Renewable Products, Oil Products, Marketing & Services, and Others. The Renewable Products segment produces, markets, and sells renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, renewable solvents, and feedstock for bioplastics to wholesale markets. Receive News & Ratings for Neste Oyj Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Neste Oyj and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc. (NYSE:NUV Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 16,500 shares, a drop of 30.7% from the August 15th total of 23,800 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 407,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nuveen Municipal Value Fund Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of NUV. Hobbs Group Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Nuveen Municipal Value Fund during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Nuveen Municipal Value Fund during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Family Firm Inc. bought a new stake in Nuveen Municipal Value Fund in the 2nd quarter valued at $38,000. ORG Partners LLC bought a new stake in Nuveen Municipal Value Fund in the 1st quarter valued at $84,000. Finally, High Net Worth Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in Nuveen Municipal Value Fund in the 1st quarter valued at $87,000. Institutional investors own 22.50% of the companys stock. Get Nuveen Municipal Value Fund alerts: Nuveen Municipal Value Fund Price Performance NUV traded up $0.05 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $9.07. 399,914 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 412,288. Nuveen Municipal Value Fund has a one year low of $7.86 and a one year high of $9.08. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $8.81 and its 200 day simple moving average is $8.66. Nuveen Municipal Value Fund Cuts Dividend Nuveen Municipal Value Fund Company Profile The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a $0.031 dividend. This represents a $0.37 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.10%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. (Get Free Report) Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. The fund also invests some portion of its portfolio in derivative instruments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Municipal Value Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Municipal Value Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pan African Resources PLC (OTCMKTS:PAFRF Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 300 shares, a growth of 50.0% from the August 15th total of 200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.5 days. Pan African Resources Price Performance OTCMKTS PAFRF remained flat at $0.37 during trading hours on Monday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $0.37 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $0.32. Pan African Resources has a 12 month low of $0.18 and a 12 month high of $0.41. Get Pan African Resources alerts: Pan African Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report) Recommended Stories Pan African Resources PLC engages in the mining, extraction, production, and sale of gold in South Africa. The companys flagship projects include the Barberton Mines that consists of three underground mines, including Fairview, Sheba, and Consort located in the Barberton Greenstone Belt; and Elikhulu tailings retreatment plant in Southern Africa. Receive News & Ratings for Pan African Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pan African Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. decreased its holdings in Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE:CTRA Free Report) by 1.9% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 51,920 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,000 shares during the quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc.s holdings in Coterra Energy were worth $1,385,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Coterra Energy by 7.4% during the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,331,045 shares of the companys stock worth $62,169,000 after buying an additional 161,463 shares in the last quarter. Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Coterra Energy during the 2nd quarter worth $351,000. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. bought a new position in shares of Coterra Energy during the 2nd quarter worth $252,000. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale grew its position in shares of Coterra Energy by 36.5% during the 2nd quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 250,833 shares of the companys stock worth $6,706,000 after buying an additional 67,045 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Equity Investment Corp grew its position in shares of Coterra Energy by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. Equity Investment Corp now owns 3,227,678 shares of the companys stock worth $86,082,000 after buying an additional 22,017 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.92% of the companys stock. Get Coterra Energy alerts: Coterra Energy Trading Up 0.6 % Shares of NYSE:CTRA opened at $22.92 on Tuesday. Coterra Energy Inc. has a 12-month low of $22.30 and a 12-month high of $29.89. The company has a market capitalization of $17.06 billion, a PE ratio of 13.25, a PEG ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 0.22. The business has a 50 day moving average of $24.70 and a two-hundred day moving average of $26.48. The company has a current ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. Coterra Energy Announces Dividend Coterra Energy ( NYSE:CTRA Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported $0.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.39 by ($0.02). Coterra Energy had a net margin of 23.18% and a return on equity of 10.48%. The company had revenue of $1.27 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.32 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.38 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 7.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Coterra Energy Inc. will post 1.95 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 15th were paid a dividend of $0.21 per share. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 15th. Coterra Energys payout ratio is 48.55%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Piper Sandler dropped their price target on Coterra Energy from $39.00 to $31.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Coterra Energy in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. They set an outperform rating and a $35.00 price target on the stock. UBS Group dropped their price objective on Coterra Energy from $36.00 to $34.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Coterra Energy from $31.00 to $26.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. Finally, Bank of America reiterated a buy rating and issued a $34.00 target price on shares of Coterra Energy in a research note on Friday, June 14th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $32.76. Get Our Latest Analysis on Coterra Energy About Coterra Energy (Free Report) Coterra Energy Inc, an independent oil and gas company, engages in the development, exploration, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. The company's properties include the Marcellus Shale with approximately 186,000 net acres in the dry gas window of the play located in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania; Permian Basin properties with approximately 296,000 net acres located in west Texas and southeast New Mexico; and Anadarko Basin properties with approximately 182,000 net acres located in Oklahoma. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CTRA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE:CTRA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Coterra Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coterra Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:PNGAY Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 86,300 shares, a decline of 34.6% from the August 15th total of 132,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 734,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Stock Performance Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China stock traded down $0.02 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $9.01. The stock had a trading volume of 302,369 shares, compared to its average volume of 341,982. Ping An Insurance has a 12 month low of $7.60 and a 12 month high of $12.08. The firms 50-day moving average price is $8.88 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $82.35 billion, a PE ratio of 6.42 and a beta of 0.42. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. Get Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China alerts: Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China (OTCMKTS:PNGAY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 22nd. The company reported $0.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China had a return on equity of 7.28% and a net margin of 8.70%. The business had revenue of $38.42 billion for the quarter. As a group, research analysts predict that Ping An Insurance will post 1.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Cuts Dividend About Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 5th will be given a dividend of $0.215 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 5th. Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of Chinas dividend payout ratio is presently 32.82%. (Get Free Report) Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. provides financial products and services for insurance, banking, asset management, and technology businesses in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through Life and Health Insurance; Property and Casualty Insurance; Banking; Asset Management; and Technology segments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ACCO Brands Co. (NYSE:ACCO Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 2,100,000 shares, a growth of 32.9% from the August 15th total of 1,580,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 591,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.6 days. Currently, 2.3% of the companys shares are short sold. ACCO Brands Stock Down 0.6 % Shares of ACCO stock traded down $0.03 during trading on Monday, reaching $5.31. The companys stock had a trading volume of 479,386 shares, compared to its average volume of 627,563. The company has a market capitalization of $508.70 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -19.67, a P/E/G ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 1.62. ACCO Brands has a 1-year low of $4.36 and a 1-year high of $6.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 1.77 and a quick ratio of 1.09. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $5.05 and its 200 day moving average price is $5.06. Get ACCO Brands alerts: ACCO Brands (NYSE:ACCO Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The industrial products company reported $0.37 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.31 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $438.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $452.73 million. ACCO Brands had a negative net margin of 10.15% and a positive return on equity of 13.32%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.38 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that ACCO Brands will post 1.04 EPS for the current year. ACCO Brands Announces Dividend Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 4th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 16th were paid a $0.075 dividend. This represents a $0.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.65%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 16th. ACCO Brandss payout ratio is presently -111.11%. ACCO has been the subject of a number of research reports. Barrington Research reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $7.00 price objective on shares of ACCO Brands in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. StockNews.com upgraded ACCO Brands from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, August 10th. Get Our Latest Stock Report on ACCO Insider Transactions at ACCO Brands In other ACCO Brands news, SVP Pamela R. Schneider sold 19,166 shares of ACCO Brands stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $5.47, for a total value of $104,838.02. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 243,899 shares in the company, valued at $1,334,127.53. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 7.30% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of ACCO Brands A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Somerset Trust Co purchased a new position in ACCO Brands in the second quarter valued at $57,000. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new stake in ACCO Brands during the first quarter worth approximately $65,000. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new position in ACCO Brands in the first quarter valued at approximately $71,000. Paloma Partners Management Co acquired a new position in ACCO Brands in the first quarter valued at approximately $74,000. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in ACCO Brands by 841.0% in the second quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 16,232 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $76,000 after purchasing an additional 14,507 shares during the last quarter. 84.56% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About ACCO Brands (Get Free Report) ACCO Brands Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets consumer, school, technology, and office products. It operates through three segments: ACCO Brands North America, ACCO Brands EMEA, and ACCO Brands International. The company provides computer and gaming accessories, planners, dry erase boards, school notebooks, and janitorial supplies; storage and organization products, such as lever-arch binders, sheet protectors, and indexes; sheet protectors and indexes; laminating, binding, and shredding machines; writing instruments and art products; stapling and punching products; and do-it-yourself tools. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for ACCO Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ACCO Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MOSCOW Law enforcement officials on Monday encouraged the Moscow community to report incidents involving hate, even if they do not rise to the level of a crime. The Moscow Human Rights Commission and Latah County Human Rights Task Force helped organize a panel discussion called United Against Hate that focused on how to address acts of hate and discrimination. Approximately 100 people gathered at the 1912 Center to take part in the event where law enforcement and local community members spoke. The event focused on ways to protect people from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion and other categories that are considered protected classes by the government. Moscow Police Chief Anthony Dahlinger said his department tracks reported incidents of bias against these protected classes. Since 2020, he said, there have been 40 reported incidents. So far in 2024, there have been five. One of those reports led to multiple people being charged with a crime, he said. Dahlinger said it is incumbent on community members to keep a watchful eye and report incidents of discrimination. Hate has no home in Moscow, he said. Members of local law enforcement, the Department of Justice and FBI spoke about the history of hate crime laws in the U.S., and the sometimes tricky distinction between protected free speech and a crime. United States Attorney for the District of Idaho Josh Hurwit said that hate by itself is not illegal, but criminal violent acts are usually the end product of hate. Skeena Resources Limited (TSE:SKE Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of Buy from the six brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$16.96. Several analysts recently commented on SKE shares. Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their price target on Skeena Resources from C$17.00 to C$17.25 in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Desjardins boosted their price target on Skeena Resources from C$19.75 to C$20.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 26th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Skeena Resources from C$18.00 to C$20.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on Skeena Resources from C$15.00 to C$17.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 10th. Finally, Scotiabank boosted their price target on Skeena Resources from C$12.00 to C$13.50 in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Get Skeena Resources alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on SKE Insider Buying and Selling Skeena Resources Trading Down 1.6 % In other news, Senior Officer Justin Reed Himmelright sold 7,500 shares of Skeena Resources stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$10.99, for a total value of C$82,395.00. In other Skeena Resources news, Senior Officer Andrew Macritchie sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$10.50, for a total transaction of C$52,500.00. Also, Senior Officer Justin Reed Himmelright sold 7,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$10.99, for a total transaction of C$82,395.00. Insiders have sold 22,426 shares of company stock worth $220,673 in the last quarter. 1.51% of the stock is owned by insiders. Shares of SKE stock opened at C$11.76 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.23, a current ratio of 2.88 and a quick ratio of 1.55. Skeena Resources has a 1-year low of C$4.20 and a 1-year high of C$12.08. The company has a market cap of C$1.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -7.79 and a beta of 1.65. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$9.67 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$7.53. Skeena Resources (TSE:SKE Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported C($0.38) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C($0.08) by C($0.30). On average, equities research analysts expect that Skeena Resources will post -0.4862973 EPS for the current fiscal year. Skeena Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report Skeena Resources Limited explores for and develops mineral properties in Canada. The company explores for gold, silver, copper, and other precious metal deposits. It holds 100% interests in the Snip gold mine comprising one mining lease and nine mineral tenures that covers an area of approximately 4,724 hectares; and the Eskay Creek gold mine that consists of eight mineral leases, two surface leases, and various unpatented mining claims comprising 7,666 hectares located in British Columbia, Canada. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Skeena Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Skeena Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors (NYSE:SHO Free Report) from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research report report published on Friday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They currently have $10.50 price objective on the real estate investment trusts stock. A number of other research analysts have also commented on the company. Baird R W raised Sunstone Hotel Investors to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, May 28th. StockNews.com lowered Sunstone Hotel Investors from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Truist Financial reduced their target price on Sunstone Hotel Investors from $13.00 to $12.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Robert W. Baird raised Sunstone Hotel Investors from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and increased their target price for the stock from $11.00 to $12.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 28th. Finally, Wolfe Research raised Sunstone Hotel Investors from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $12.00 target price on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $11.07. Get Sunstone Hotel Investors alerts: Read Our Latest Report on SHO Sunstone Hotel Investors Stock Up 0.1 % SHO stock opened at $10.16 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 3.75, a quick ratio of 3.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.07 billion, a PE ratio of 11.30, a PEG ratio of 4.22 and a beta of 1.25. Sunstone Hotel Investors has a 1-year low of $8.89 and a 1-year high of $11.59. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $10.16 and its 200 day simple moving average is $10.40. Sunstone Hotel Investors (NYSE:SHO Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.11 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.27 by ($0.16). The business had revenue of $247.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $248.12 million. Sunstone Hotel Investors had a return on equity of 9.75% and a net margin of 19.51%. The firms revenue was down 10.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.33 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Sunstone Hotel Investors will post 0.89 EPS for the current year. Sunstone Hotel Investors Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Monday, September 30th will be given a dividend of $0.09 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 30th. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.54%. Sunstone Hotel Investorss dividend payout ratio is currently 33.33%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sunstone Hotel Investors Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. EntryPoint Capital LLC bought a new position in Sunstone Hotel Investors in the first quarter valued at about $30,000. Federated Hermes Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors in the second quarter valued at about $34,000. Quarry LP increased its stake in shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors by 584.1% in the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 4,310 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 3,680 shares during the period. Plato Investment Management Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors in the first quarter valued at about $49,000. Finally, 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Sunstone Hotel Investors in the second quarter valued at about $52,000. 99.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Sunstone Hotel Investors Company Profile (Get Free Report) Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc is a lodging real estate investment trust ("REIT") that as of the date of this release owns 14 hotels comprised of 6,675 rooms, the majority of which are operated under nationally recognized brands. Sunstone's strategy is to create long-term stakeholder value through the acquisition, active ownership, and disposition of well-located hotel and resort real estate. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Sunstone Hotel Investors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sunstone Hotel Investors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report) during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund purchased 3,219 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $250,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Gilbert & Cook Inc. lifted its position in Southern by 4.3% in the 4th quarter. Gilbert & Cook Inc. now owns 11,202 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $785,000 after acquiring an additional 462 shares in the last quarter. Aveo Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Southern in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $233,000. Gryphon Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in Southern in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $219,000. SCP Investment LP acquired a new position in Southern during the 4th quarter worth approximately $548,000. Finally, Brown Advisory Inc. grew its stake in shares of Southern by 15.9% during the 4th quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 36,499 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,559,000 after acquiring an additional 5,018 shares in the last quarter. 64.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Southern alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have recently commented on SO shares. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Southern from $83.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Southern from $86.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, August 29th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Southern from $72.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Southern from $80.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Monday, August 12th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on Southern from $87.00 to $94.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $84.71. Insider Transactions at Southern In other news, EVP Sterling A. Jr. Spainhour sold 2,380 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.99, for a total transaction of $211,796.20. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 12,500 shares in the company, valued at $1,112,375. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Southern news, EVP Sloane N. Drake sold 12,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.61, for a total value of $931,320.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 16,771 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,301,597.31. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Sterling A. Jr. Spainhour sold 2,380 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.99, for a total transaction of $211,796.20. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 12,500 shares in the company, valued at $1,112,375. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 27,845 shares of company stock worth $2,266,455 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.18% of the companys stock. Southern Stock Up 0.5 % SO stock opened at $89.90 on Tuesday. The Southern Company has a 1-year low of $61.56 and a 1-year high of $90.34. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $85.38 and its 200 day simple moving average is $78.35. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $98.30 billion, a PE ratio of 23.23, a PEG ratio of 3.17 and a beta of 0.52. Southern (NYSE:SO Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.10 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.91 by $0.19. The firm had revenue of $6.46 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.10 billion. Southern had a net margin of 17.67% and a return on equity of 12.88%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 12.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.79 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that The Southern Company will post 4.01 EPS for the current year. Southern Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 19th were given a dividend of $0.72 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 19th. This represents a $2.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.20%. Southerns dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 74.42%. Southern Company Profile (Free Report) The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WealthPLAN Partners LLC lowered its holdings in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM Free Report) by 66.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 35,706 shares of the companys stock after selling 71,068 shares during the period. WealthPLAN Partners LLCs holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland were worth $2,158,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in ADM. Cherry Tree Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland in the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Crewe Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland in the first quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Rise Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland in the first quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. acquired a new stake in Archer-Daniels-Midland in the first quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.28% of the companys stock. Get Archer-Daniels-Midland alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Archer-Daniels-Midland In other news, CEO Juan R. Luciano sold 3,683 shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.00, for a total value of $224,663.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 265,210 shares in the company, valued at $16,177,810. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Juan R. Luciano sold 170,194 shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was 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 directly owns 265,210 shares in the company, valued at $16,047,857.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Juan R. Luciano sold 3,683 shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.00, for a total value of $224,663.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 265,210 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,177,810. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 219,348 shares of company stock worth $13,296,833 over the last ninety days. 1.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Archer-Daniels-Midland Stock Performance Shares of ADM opened at $60.41 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $29.87 billion, a PE ratio of 10.60 and a beta of 0.72. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $60.97 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $60.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 0.88. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company has a 1 year low of $50.72 and a 1 year high of $80.14. Archer-Daniels-Midland (NYSE:ADM Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.22 by ($0.19). The firm had revenue of $22.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $23.12 billion. Archer-Daniels-Midland had a net margin of 2.93% and a return on equity of 12.06%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 11.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.89 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Archer-Daniels-Midland Company will post 5.33 EPS for the current year. Archer-Daniels-Midland Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 11th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 21st were paid a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 21st. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.31%. Archer-Daniels-Midlands payout ratio is presently 35.09%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have commented on ADM shares. UBS Group raised their price objective on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $60.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, September 9th. Citigroup cut their target price on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $64.00 to $63.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $65.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and fifteen have given a hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $65.62. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on ADM About Archer-Daniels-Midland (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. Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY Get Free Report) Director James Calvin Orourke bought 7,800 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 13th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $32.01 per share, with a total value of $249,678.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 17,672 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $565,680.72. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Weyerhaeuser Trading Up 0.2 % WY traded up $0.07 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $32.52. 2,610,642 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,584,268. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $30.52 and its 200 day simple moving average is $31.22. Weyerhaeuser has a one year low of $26.73 and a one year high of $36.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.56 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 1.58 and a current ratio of 2.19. Get Weyerhaeuser alerts: Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.22 by ($0.01). Weyerhaeuser had a return on equity of 6.19% and a net margin of 9.89%. The firm had revenue of $1.94 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.98 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.32 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Weyerhaeuser will post 0.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Weyerhaeuser Dividend Announcement Institutional Investors Weigh In On Weyerhaeuser The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th were paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 30th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.46%. Weyerhaeusers payout ratio is 72.73%. Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Ridgewood Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Weyerhaeuser during the second quarter worth $26,000. American National Bank lifted its holdings in shares of Weyerhaeuser by 171.5% in the first quarter. American National Bank now owns 763 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 482 shares in the last quarter. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. acquired a new position in shares of Weyerhaeuser during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC bought a new position in shares of Weyerhaeuser during the first quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Park Place Capital Corp grew its holdings in shares of Weyerhaeuser by 440.5% during the second quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 1,227 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.99% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades WY has been the topic of a number of research reports. BMO Capital Markets reiterated a market perform rating and set a $38.00 target price on shares of Weyerhaeuser in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Weyerhaeuser from $37.00 to $36.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on Weyerhaeuser from $34.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Argus upgraded Weyerhaeuser to a hold rating in a report on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Truist Financial dropped their price objective on Weyerhaeuser from $32.00 to $31.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 29th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Weyerhaeuser has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $35.83. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Weyerhaeuser About Weyerhaeuser (Get Free Report) Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest private owners of timberlands, began operations in 1900. We own or control approximately 11 million acres of timberlands in the U.S. and manage additional timberlands under long-term licenses in Canada. We manage these timberlands on a sustainable basis in compliance with internationally recognized forestry standards. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Weyerhaeuser Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Weyerhaeuser and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All JSSC CGL Admit Card 2024 out at jssc.nic.in, check details here You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK The man charged with murdering four University of Idaho students has been booked into the Ada County Jail, authorities said. The Ada County Sheriffs Office announced that Bryan Kohberger, 29, arrived Sunday morning at the Ada County Jail, 7210 Barrister Drive in Boise. He is being held without bail, according to jail records. The transport was done in secret, with officials declining to provide details ahead of time for security reasons, Lauren Montague, spokesperson for the sheriffs office, told the Idaho Statesman on Thursday. Ada County Sheriffs Office Captain Ryan Jensen said Kohberger was transferred in a plane owned by the Idaho State Police. The plane left the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport at 6:25 a.m. and landed at the Boise Airport at 8:21 a.m., according to flight records. The sheriffs office looked at all possible options before moving Kohberger and ultimately decided to ask the Idaho State Police for assistance. If we were to put him in a van or a bus and drive him its obviously a five to six hour drive that would open us up to any type of complications that might happen on the way road closures, a blowout tire, or any of those things, Ryan told the Statesman by phone We were like, Why not take advantage of our partnership with (Idaho State Police), and move him the quickest and most efficient way? Ryan said the transport was a complicated process and involved several different agencies, including the Latah County Sheriffs Office and Washington State Police. Relatively it went very, very smooth with no complications whatsoever, Ryan said. We were glad that it happened safely. Once in Boise, Kohberger was put in a jail cell alone, without extra security, according to Ryan. Hell be housed by himself, just simply because its safest for him, its safest for the other inmates, its safest for our staff, Ryan said. And thats consistent with what we did with other high profile inmates that weve had in our jail recently. The former Washington State University graduate student is accused of stabbing four University of Idaho students in their home in November 2022. Prosecutors charged him with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary in the 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. Follow us on: Miley Cyrus accused of copying Bruno Mars' song in new lawsuit Over 'Flowers' Will Darshan be temporarily released from jail to attend Upendra's 'UI' event? Here's what we know OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All DGCA cracks down on Indian carriers seeking wet lease bargains in smaller markets OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All DGCA suspends IndiGo pilots after tail-strike incident on Delhi-Bengaluru flight on September 9 OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All FM Nirmala Sitharaman asks railways to accelerate work on capacity and infrastructure boost, including Kavach Follow us on: India can do well by focusing on services, says Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal Follow us on: India to discuss carbon tariffs, trade barriers with EU at ninth round of FTA talks starting September 23: Commerce ministry Follow us on: Southern states have outpaced others post-liberalisation; West Bengal has shrunk in relative per capita terms: EAC-PM study Follow us on: Trade deficit widens to 10-month high of $29.7 billion in August; commerce secretary says not a concern OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Globus Spirits stock rises 4% after foray into luxury whiskey segment with DOAAB Follow us on: Government looking East for 12 industrial smart cities, in talks with Singapore, Japan OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Buzzing IPO market is gearing up for bigger debuts OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Arm of Uday Kotak's group joins the rush for private credit market Explained: Why is the new fee-collection mechanism for IAs, RAs both welcomed and feared? OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Veteran investor Samir Arora uses Big B's London tie-shopping incident to impart lesson on valuation A new study reveals that consumers are more likely to buy products when they can visualise how they work. By using anatomical depictions in your marketing materials, you can increase consumer confidence and drive sales. Getting a sense of how a product is put together makes consumers more confident that the product will deliver its core benefit and theyll be more likely to buy it according to new research from the University at Buffalo School of Management. Available online ahead of publication in the Journal of Marketing, the study found that businesses can use anatomical depictions a way of displaying the product which shows how its inner components assemble together in their advertisements as a cost-effective way to boost consumer confidence in product performance and increase the perception of product worth. Ever since Leonardo da Vinci pioneered the drawing technique that shows the interior of machines, this form of technical drawing has been used for various practices, including visual representations of consumer products in do-it-yourself furniture instructions and car repair manuals, says study co-author Arun Lakshmanan, PhD, associate professor of marketing in the UB School of Management. The researchers conducted nine studies with varied consumer samples across a variety of brand and product categories to analyze how people perceive advertisements, product usability and product worth, and documented how visually communicating a products inner structure to customers offers benefits to companies. Imagine you are shopping online and see a picture of noise-cancelling headphones. One picture shows the headphones just like you would see them in the box at the store, while another shows all the little parts of the headphones laid out, so you can see everything inside: ear pad, speakers and battery, says Lakshmanan. This technique of marketing using anatomical depiction where an objects components are presented in a spatially arranged, layer-by-layer single visual enhances what potential customers are willing to pay. The research also provides information to companies about which customers are most receptive to this type of visual. Targeting consumers who are inclined to adopt technology is beneficial, but for people who are highly anxious about technology or are not interested in how something works, seeing the inner workings of a product may not have the same effect. Lakshmanan collaborated on the study with UB School of Management graduates Seo Yoon Kang, PhD 24, assistant professor of marketing at University of New Hampshire, and Junghan Kim, PhD 17, assistant professor of marketing at Singapore Management University. Now in its 100th year, the UB School of Management is recognized for its emphasis on real-world learning, community and impact, and the global perspective of its faculty, students and alumni. The school also has been ranked by Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes and U.S. News & World Report for the quality of its programs and the return on investment it provides its graduates. For more information about the UB School of Management, visit management.buffalo.edu. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Modi 3.0 govt moving ahead with aim of making India developed nation by 2047: Kishan Reddy Follow us on: Mutual funds pump in nearly Rs 6,900 crore in IPOs in August Personal loans can be a lifesaver when you need quick funds for emergencies, personal expenses or even a home renovation. However, many people face a hurdle while applying for a personal loan the traditional way due to the need to provide a salary proof. However, there are several ways to get a personal loan without salary proof, and in some cases, the process can be surprisingly straightforward. This is true, especially in the case of online personal loan apps. If you are a salaried individual, you dont need to generally submit any income proof as your credit report and PAN provide the required financial information to the lenders. If you are self-employed, a freelancer, or in a profession that doesnt provide conventional payslips you will need to submit alternative documents that provide your income information. Understanding personal loan salary eligibility Its important to understand the personal loan salary eligibility criteria before diving into how to get a personal loan without pay slips. Salary slips, bank statements or work certifications are usually required by lenders to verify your income. Most of the banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) use these records to determine your ability to repay the loan. However, every applicant may not be salaried. Freelancers, self-employed individuals, or those with irregular income may not have such documentation. Do check the criteria on the lender's website or as listed on an online personal loan app before making an application. Why do lenders ask for salary proof? Lenders ask for salary proof primarily to mitigate the risk of default. By assessing your income, they can determine your repayment capacity. Personal loan requirements may include not just salary proof, but also identity proof, address proof and sometimes even income tax returns (ITR). Salary proof is sought by lenders as it provides a consistent record of your earnings, making you a less risky borrower. Get Instant Loan Upto Rs 15 Lakhs Personal loan without salary: Is it possible? Yes, obtaining a personal loan without salary proof is possible. Lets see how this can be done: Using online personal loan apps: Online personal loan apps generally do not require you to provide salary slips. If you are a salaried individual, they assess your income and creditworthiness based on your credit profile. However, in certain cases they may ask you to upload bank statements for additional information. Online personal loan apps generally do not require you to provide salary slips. If you are a salaried individual, they assess your income and creditworthiness based on your credit profile. However, in certain cases they may ask you to upload bank statements for additional information. Provide alternative income proof: You can provide an alternative proof of income if you do not have salary slips. If you are self-employed, bank statements showing regular deposits, income tax returns or financial statements can be your personal loan documents. These documents assure the lender about your financial stability and repayment ability. You can provide an alternative proof of income if you do not have salary slips. If you are self-employed, bank statements showing regular deposits, income tax returns or financial statements can be your personal loan documents. These documents assure the lender about your financial stability and repayment ability. Collateral or secured loans: Choosing a secured personal loan can be another choice. Secured loans use assets like real estate, fixed deposits or gold as security against the loan, unlike unsecured loans, which dont require collateral. Choosing a secured personal loan can be another choice. Secured loans use assets like real estate, fixed deposits or gold as security against the loan, unlike unsecured loans, which dont require collateral. Apply with a co-applicant: If you do not meet the personal loan salary eligibility criteria, applying with a co-applicant who has a stable income might improve your chances. The co-applicants salary proof and credit history can reassure the lender of your repayment ability. If you do not meet the personal loan salary eligibility criteria, applying with a co-applicant who has a stable income might improve your chances. The co-applicants salary proof and credit history can reassure the lender of your repayment ability. Consider peer-to-peer lending platforms: Peer-to-peer lending platforms are becoming increasingly popular as they offer more flexible terms compared to traditional banks. These platforms often have less stringent personal loan requirements and may not need salary proof, especially if you have other forms of income or assets. Peer-to-peer lending platforms are becoming increasingly popular as they offer more flexible terms compared to traditional banks. These platforms often have less stringent personal loan requirements and may not need salary proof, especially if you have other forms of income or assets. Improve your credit score: A strong credit score can sometimes offset the lack of salary proof. If you have a good track record of managing credit responsibly, lenders may consider you a low-risk borrower. Documents required for personal loan without salary proof When applying for a personal loan without salary proof, youll need to be prepared with other income related documents to support your application. Bank statements: Providing bank statements from the last six to 12 months can help lenders assess your repayment capacity. Providing bank statements from the last six to 12 months can help lenders assess your repayment capacity. Income tax return (ITR): ITRs from the past two or three years can serve as proof of income, especially if you are self-employed or a freelancer. ITRs from the past two or three years can serve as proof of income, especially if you are self-employed or a freelancer. Form 16: If you have recently left a job, Form 16 from your previous employer can serve as proof of your past income. If you have recently left a job, Form 16 from your previous employer can serve as proof of your past income. Financial statements: Self-employed individuals can provide their businesss profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and audited accounts as proof of their financial stability. Tips for improving your chances of approval If you are seeking a personal loan salary proof, its important you keep in mind a few things: Maintain a healthy bank balance: Lenders often review your bank statements to gauge your financial discipline. Lenders often review your bank statements to gauge your financial discipline. Reduce existing debt: If you already have outstanding loans or credit card debt, paying off a portion of it can improve your debt-to-income ratio. If you already have outstanding loans or credit card debt, paying off a portion of it can improve your debt-to-income ratio. Choose the right lender: Research and find lenders who are more flexible with their requirements. ALSO READ: How a Personal Loan Works: Eligibility, Interest Rate, Loan Amount and More Potential risks and considerations While getting a personal loan without salary proof is possible, there could be certain risks: Higher interest rates: Loans without salary proof might come with higher interest rates due to the increased risk for the lender. Do check the offer details carefully before applying. Loans without salary proof might come with higher interest rates due to the increased risk for the lender. Do check the offer details carefully before applying. Shorter loan tenure: Lenders may offer shorter loan tenures to reduce their risk exposure. This may lead to higher monthly repayments. Lenders may offer shorter loan tenures to reduce their risk exposure. This may lead to higher monthly repayments. Collateral risks: If you opt for a secured loan the assets you offer as mortgage could be at risk. Defaulting on the loan could result in the loss of your asset. Overall, securing a personal loan without salary proof may seem daunting, but with the right approach, it is achievable. By using online personal loan apps, providing alternative income proof, considering secured loans, leveraging your credit score, and choosing the right lender, you can access the funds you need even without traditional salary documentation. On Moneycontrol, you can explore instant loan offers upto Rs. 15 Lakhs with minimal documentation and instant disbursal. Summary If you have a credit score, generally online personal loan apps do not require you to provide any salary proof. In certain cases you may need to furnish documents such as a bank statement or ITR to help the lender assess your income. Disclaimer This piece/article was written by an external partner and does not reflect the work of Moneycontrol's editorial team. It may include references to products and services offered by Moneycontrol. About the Author Fintech Stay updated on the latest personal finance trends, with a focus on products like credit cards, credit score, personal loans, fixed deposits, and more Follow us on: Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi shows confidence in states commitment for adding RE capacity; cites 'need of time' Follow us on: SpiceJet to use QIP proceeds for payment of statutory dues, outstanding liabilities, fleet expansion 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 OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Bajaj Auto looks to expand Triumph range, sales network to fuel future growth Driven by a passion for community service and a commitment to public health, Tran Bich Phuong has achieved success by becoming a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Oxford in the U.K. A solid foundation for success Younger generations are increasingly embracing change as an opportunity to showcase their adaptability, talent, and courageoften leading to significant personal achievements and career success. Phuong, a Vietnamese alumna of British University Vietnam (BUV), exemplifies this trend. Phuong began her journey at BUV, a QAA ( The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education) accredited international University in Vietnam that offers authentic British Degrees from top UK Universities. At BUV, she developed a global perspective within a diverse community, gained a solid foundation in economics and access to numerous valuable opportunities. This environment allowed her to connect with peers and professionals, enhancing her learning experience and opening doors to precious chances for growth and development. Through BUV's purpose-impact learning, Phuong cultivated cross-disciplinary skills, and shaped a determined mindset to pursue what is meaningful in life. This background inspired her passion for Health Economics and her commitment to excelling in this challenging field. At 31, Phuong realized her dream by becoming a Post-doctoral Research Fellow in Health Economics at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford. Her portfolio includes 23 research studies published in leading scientific journals. In addition, Phuong has been awarded an honorary contract as a specialist with the U.K. Health Security Agency, part of the Department of Health and Social Care. She is also a consultant for several research projects with international organizations, including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the tuberculosis organization FIT, among others. Tran Bich Phuong has achieved her dream of becoming a postdoctoral research fellow in health economics at the University of Oxford. Photo courtesy of Phuong Oxford, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious institutions, has been home to numerous distinguished figures. Among its esteemed alumni are physicist Stephen Hawking, renowned for his groundbreaking work in theoretical physics; economist Adam Smith, the father of modern capitalism; and celebrated writer J.R.R. Tolkien, author of the legendary The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Although she began her academic journey as an economics student with opportunities at major institutions such as the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and KPMG, Phuong's passion eventually led her to pivot towards public health. Phuong noted that health economics focuses on the allocation and investment of resources to improve health outcomesa field still relatively new in Vietnam. "This field is highly quantitative, involving the development of models to assess costs, benefits, efficiency, and equity in healthcare. While this was not my initial strength, it was precisely why I wanted to conquer it," she explained. From starting as an unpaid intern at a non-governmental organization to becoming a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, Phuong takes pride in having overcome the challenges she set for herself. Tran Bich Phuong has received numerous enticing offers in the field of academia and research. Photo courtesy of Phuong Triumph after hardships To pursue her dream of studying for a master's degree abroad, Phuong spent around two years working at the Center for Health Sciences Research at Hanoi University of Public Health to gain relevant experience, despite her undergraduate degree being only loosely related to public health. During this time, she faced numerous rejections for scholarships, but her determination eventually led to success with a full scholarship at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, one of the top 10 medical schools in the world. Phuong has received numerous enticing offers in the field of academia and research. Photo courtesy of Phuong After completing her master's degree, Phuong encountered further challenges, including an expiring visa and the end of her scholarship. To continue her journey, she accepted an unpaid internship at the university's research department while working part-time in a restaurant to make ends meet. Despite facing discouragement and negative comments from colleaguessome even questioning the value of her educationPhuong remained undeterred. After 1.5 years as a research assistant, supported by her research foundation from Vietnam and with six published scientific papers, she received two compelling offers: one to manage a research project at an institute in Paris and another to pursue a PhD at the University of Antwerp in Belgium. Driven by her academic passion, Phuong chose Belgium to focus on her research topic of interest: chronic non-communicable diseases, treatment costs, and proactive care models for individuals with multiple chronic conditions. Tran Bich Phuong also contributes to meaningful projects with non-governmental organizations and health ministries in various countries. Photo courtesy of Phuong During her four years of PhD studies, Phuong continuously sought to expand her knowledge and experience, planning her next steps early in her final year. To diversify her expertise, transitioning from non-communicable to infectious diseases, she applied for a postdoctoral research fellow position at the University of Oxford, working on a vaccine project for the U.K.'s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization. "I feel fortunate to have been selected to work with some of the leading health economics professors in the U.K. Perhaps what I enjoy most is the opportunity to travel extensively, experience diverse cultures, and learn from healthcare systems around the world," Phuong said. Beyond her research and professional work, Phuong also makes significant contributions to impactful projects at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization in France, advises health ministries in Belgium and the U.K., and engages in rural health projects in Vietnam and Zambia. OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All AAP asks Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal to quit over controversial remarks on Atishi Follow us on: With Atishi as Delhi CM, what could be Arvind Kejriwal's gameplan? Follow us on: Arvind Kejriwal: Activist and politician with many a surprise up his sleeve Follow us on: Arvind Kejriwal resigns as CM: As Atishi takes charge, what next for Delhi? Follow us on: Atishi is Delhi CM till assembly elections: What history reveals about the 'interim CM' gambit Follow us on: Who is Atishi: Know all about Delhis youngest woman CM Follow us on: Atishi to be new Delhi chief minister, will replace Arvind Kejriwal OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Atishi's family fought to stop Afzal Guru's hanging, says Swati Maliwal: What's the full story? OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Can Arvind Kejriwal's resignation push EC to call early polls in Delhi? Following the International Atomic Energy Agencys most recent report, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told the Board of Governors that Iran has ceased cooperating with the IAEA on urgent issues. Consequently, he said, the Agency has lost continuity of knowledge in relation to the production and inventory of centrifuges, rotos and bellows, heavy water and uranium ore concentrate. Director Grossi noted that while Iran claims it has declared all nuclear material, activities and locations required under its NPT [Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty] Safeguards Agreement, that claim is inconsistent with the Agencys findings of uranium particles of anthropogenic origin at undeclared locations in Iran. The result is that the IAEA is unable to provide assurance that Irans nuclear program is exclusively peaceful. In a statement to the IAEA Board of Governors, Laura Holgate, U.S. Ambassador to the Vienna Office of the United Nations and to the International Atomic Energy Agency, called Irans nuclear activities deeply troubling. Ambassador Holgate said, As the Director Generals report makes clear, rather than addressing the international communitys concerns, Iran continues to move further in the wrong direction. Iran continues to expand its nuclear program, to install additional advanced centrifuge cascades and to produce highly enriched uranium for which it has no credible purpose. Ambassador Holgate also noted that Irans de-designation of experienced IAEA inspectors has seriously affected the Agencys verification activities. On September 11, the United States joined France, Germany, and the United Kingdom in issuing a joint statement deploring Irans lack of progress in clarifying information regarding the correctness and completeness of its declarations under its NPT Safeguards Agreement. If Iran continues to fail to provide the necessary, full, and unambiguous cooperation with the Agency to resolve all outstanding safeguards issues, further action by this Board will be necessary, the four nations declared. For the sake of the integrity of the international non-proliferation architecture and ultimately global security, they said, [we] cannot allow Iran to evade its safeguards obligations year after year. Follow us on: 'Disclosures will jeopardise ..': Supreme Court on revealing details of CBI probe in Kolkata rape-murder case Follow us on: Export of electric bikes from India has lot of potential, says Gadkari OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All 'Accepted 99% demands': Mamata removes Kolkata top cop, 2 health officials; doctors yet to call off strike Follow us on: PM Modi to visit US later this week, says foreign ministry Follow us on: PM Modi birthday: Wishes pour in from BJP leaders for 'captain of the country' Follow us on: Request you to discipline your party leaders: Kharge writes to PM Modi over remarks against Rahul Gandhi OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Road ministry to award contracts worth over Rs 3 lakh crore in FY25: Nitin Gadkari Follow us on: Tamil Nadu temples should not be managed by state govt, says Nirmala Sitharaman Siraj Hussain is a former Union Agriculture Secretary. He is Advisor, Food Processing FICCI. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Follow us on: What historical data suggests about who could win J&K polls Best cities to find a job in the US Follow us on: 24-year-old Indian student drowns on his birthday in Toronto lake, family seeks govt help OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Israel expands war aims to Hezbollah amid ongoing Gaza conflict and US peace efforts Follow us on: Zimbabwe and Namibia will kill scores of elephants to feed people facing drought Armando Avila-Luna, 41, was arrested Sept. 9, 2024, at 684 Castle Rock Drive on a felony warrant charging two counts of sexual assault against a child under 14 years old. Bail: $1,000,000 Robert J. Nicholson, 45, was arrested Sept. 9, 2024, at 1525 Opal Drive on a felony warrant charging obtaining money, property or labor falsely between $5,000 and $25,000. Bail: $5,000 Brevyn E. Raining Bird, 27, was arrested Sept. 9, 2024, at the Elko County Courthouse on a NSP hold. Christopher M. Lain, 52, was arrested Sept. 10, 2024, at the Elko Train Park on a felony warrant charging failure to appear after bail on a felony crime. Bail: $53,140 Starlynn Schneider, 29, was arrested Sept. 10, 2024, at 655 Silver St. on a felony warrant charging offering, attempting or commissioning an unauthorized act relating to a controlled substance and possessing to sell a controlled substance. Bail: $65,000 Alexis M. Stoppiello, 37, was arrested Sept. 10, 2024, at the Fifth Street Bridge and charged with violation of probation or condition of a suspended sentence. Gallery: Felony and gross misdemeanor arrests from Sept. 10 to Sept. 15 Armando Avila-Luna Robert J. Nicholson Brevyn E. Raining Bird Christopher M. Lain Starlynn Schneider Alexis M. Stoppiello Julianne Purdy Michael J. Tognarelli Angela R. Davis Trevor V. Hemion Tacuma H. Brown Brook C. Sena Julianne Purdy, 46, was arrested Sept. 12, 2024, at the Salt Lake County Jail on a felony warrant charging failure to appear after bail on a felony crime. Michael J. Tognarelli, 42, was arrested Sept. 13, 2024, at 744 Pine St. and charged with possession of a controlled substance. Bail: $10,000 Angela R. Davis, 38, was arrested Sept. 14, 2024, at Coal Mine Canyon Road and charged with possessing, receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, operator requiring proof of insurance, operating an unregistered vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer and driving without a drivers license. Bail: $51,130 Trevor V. Hemion, 26, was arrested Sept. 14, 2024, at the Shilo Inn and charged with violation of probation or condition of a suspended sentence. Mayank Mayank, 23, was arrested Sept. 14, 2024, at 212 Palmers Court and charged with sexual assault against a child under 16 years old and lewdness by a person over 18 years old with a child 14 or 15 years of age. Bail: $600,000 Tacuma H. Brown, 50, was arrested Sept. 15, 2024, at 650 W. Idaho St. and charged with home invasion. Bail: $100,000 Brook C. Sena, 53, was arrested Sept. 15, 2024, at 519 Morse Lane and charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Bail: $100,000 This is Naked Capitalism fundraising week. 1129 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, more original reporting. Yves here. Even though the UN mechanism described below, a Uniting For Peace resolution, may seem quixotic, it is not unprecedented. And it does allow the UN to impose real sanctions, such as economic sanctions or an arms embargo. Note that the shock and awe sanctions imposed on Russia for its Ukraine invasion are not legal under international law because they were not approved by the UN. However, even if the UN takes a first step that could then lead to a Uniting for Peace resolution coming before the General Assembly, Israel has six months to come into compliance with the ICJ ruling that found that the Israel settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem are illegal and the settlers need to leave. Needless to say, hell will freeze over or Israel will cease to exist as a state before that will happen. However, the prospect of the US losing that vote and potentially being exposed to sanctions for violating any UN measures could focus some minds in the US. But a lot of Palestinians will die in Gaza in the six months plus for this procedure to be rolled out, even if it does proceed as Medea Benjamin and Nicholas Davies outline below. And under a Trump Administration, one could see that hyper Zionist administration halting payment of UN dues and even trying to expel the UN from New York City. By Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J. S. Davies, the authors ofWar in Ukraine: Making Sense of a Senseless Conflict, published by OR Books in November 2022. Medea Benjamin is the cofounder of CODEPINK for Peace, and the author of several books, including Inside Iran: The Real History and Politics of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Nicolas J. S. Davies is an independent journalist, a researcher for CODEPINK and the author of Blood on Our Hands: The American Invasion and Destruction of Iraq A moment of prayer and meditation at the opening of the UN General Assembly, September 10, 2024. Photo credit: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe On September 18th, the UN General Assembly is scheduled to debate and vote on a resolution calling on Israel to end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory within six months. Given that the General Assembly, unlike the exclusive 15-member UN Security Council, allows all UN members to vote and there is no veto in the General Assembly, this is an opportunity for the world community to clearly express its opposition to Israels brutal occupation of Palestine. If Israel predictably fails to heed a General Assembly resolution calling on it to withdraw its occupation forces and settlers from Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the United States then vetoes or threatens to veto a Security Council resolution to enforce the ICJ ruling, then the General Assembly could go a step further. It could convene an Emergency Session to take up what is called a Uniting For Peace resolution, which could call for an arms embargo, an economic boycott or other UN sanctions against Israel or even call for actions against the United States. Uniting for Peace resolutions have only been passed by the General Assembly five times since the procedure was first adopted in 1950. The September 18 resolution comes in response to an historic ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 19, which found that 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. The court ruled that Israels obligations under international law include the evacuation of all settlers from existing settlements and the payment of restitution to all who have been harmed by its illegal occupation. The passage of the General Assembly resolution by a large majority of members would demonstrate that countries all over the world support the ICJ ruling, and would be a small but important first step toward ensuring that Israel must live up to those obligations. Israels President Netanyahu cavalierly dismissed the court ruling with a claim that, The Jewish nation cannot be an occupier in its own land. This is exactly the position that the court had rejected, ruling that Israels 1967 military invasion and occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territories did not give it the right to settle its own people there, annex those territories, or make them part of Israel. While Israel used its hotly disputed account of the October 7th events as a pretext to declare open season for the mass murder of Palestinians in Gaza, Israeli forces in the West Bank and East Jerusalem used it as a pretext to distribute assault rifles and other military-grade weapons to illegal Israeli settlers and unleash a new wave of violence there, too. Armed settlers immediately started seizing more Palestinian land and shooting Palestinians. Israeli occupation forces either stood by and watched or joined in the violence, but did not intervene to defend Palestinians or hold their Israeli attackers accountable. Since last October, occupation forces and armed settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem have nowkilled at least 700 people, including 159 children. The escalation of violence and land seizures has been so flagrant that even the U.S. and European governments have felt obligated to impose sanctions on a small number of violent settlers and their organizations. In Gaza, the Israeli military has been murdering Palestinians day after day for the past 11 months. The Palestinian Health Ministry has counted over 41,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, but with the destruction of the hospitals that it relies on to identify and count the dead, this is now only a partial death toll. Medical researchers estimate that the total number of deaths in Gaza from the direct and indirect results of Israeli actions will be in the hundreds of thousands, even if the massacre were to end soon. Israel and the United States are undoubtedly more and more isolated as a result of their roles in this genocide. Whether the United States can still coerce or browbeat a few of its traditional allies into rejecting or abstaining from the General Assembly resolution on September 18 will be a test of its residual soft power. President Biden can claim to be exercising a certain kind of international leadership, but it is not the kind of leadership that any American can be proud of. The United States has muscled its way into a pivotal role in the ceasefire negotiations begun by Qatar and Egypt, and it has used that position to skillfully and repeatedly undermine any chance of a ceasefire, the release of hostages or an end to the genocide. By failing to use any of its substantial leverage to pressure Israel, and disingenuously blaming Hamas for every failure in the negotiations, U.S. officials are ensuring that the genocide will continue for as long as they and and their Israeli allies want, while many Americans remain confused about their own governments responsibility for the continuing bloodshed. This is a continuation of the strategy by which the United States has stymied and prevented peace since 1967, falsely posing as an honest broker, while in fact remaining Israels staunchest ally and the critical diplomatic obstacle to a free Palestine. In addition to cynically undermining any chance of a ceasefire, the United States has injected itself into debates over the future of Gaza, promoting the idea that a post-war government could be led by the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority, which many Palestinians view as hopelessly corrupt and compromised by subservience to Israel and the United States. China has taken a more constructive approach to resolving differences between Palestinian political groupings. It invited Hamas, Fatah and 12 other Palestinian groups to a three-day meeting in Beijing in July, where they all agreed to a national unity plan to form a post-war interim national reconciliation government, which would oversee relief and rebuilding in Gaza and organize a national Palestinian election to seat a new elected government. Mustafa Barghouti, the secretary-general of the political movement called the Palestinian National Initiative, hailed the Beijing Declaration as going much further than previous reconciliation efforts, and said that the plan for a unity government blocks Israeli efforts to create some kind of collaborative structure against Palestinian interests. China has also called for an international peace conference to try to end the war. As the world comes together in the General Assembly on September 18, it faces both a serious challenge and an unprecedented opportunity. Each time the General Assembly has met in recent years, a succession of leaders from the Global South has risen to lament the breakdown of the peaceful and just international order that the UN is supposed to represent, from the failure to end the war in Ukraine to inaction against the climate crisis to the persistence of neocolonialism in Africa. Perhaps no crisis more clearly embodies the failure of the UN and the international system than the 57-year-old Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories it invaded in 1967. At the same time that the United States has armed Israel to the teeth, it has vetoed 46 UN Security Council resolutions that either required Israel to comply with international law, called for an end to the occupation or for Palestinian statehood, or held Israel accountable for war crimes or illegal settlement building. The ability of one Permanent Member of the Security Council to use its veto to block the rule of international law and the will of the rest of the world has always been widely recognized as the fatal flaw in the existing structure of the UN system. When this structure was first announced in 1945, French writer Albert Camus wrote in Combat, the French Resistance newspaper he edited, that the veto would effectively put an end to any idea of international democracy The Five would thus retain forever the freedom of maneuver that would be forever denied the others. The General Assembly and the Security Council have debated a series of resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, and each debate has pitted the United States, Israel, and occasionally the United Kingdom or another U.S. ally, against the voices of the rest of the world calling in unison for peace in Gaza. Of the UNs 193 nations, 145 have now recognized Palestine as a sovereign nation comprising Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and even more countries have voted for resolutions to end the occupation, prohibit Israeli settlements and support Palestinian self-determination and human rights. For many decades, the United States unique position of unconditional support for Israel has been a critical factor in enabling Israeli war crimes and prolonging the intolerable plight of the Palestinian people. In the crisis in Gaza, the U.S. military alliance with Israel involves the U.S. directly in the crime of genocide, as the United States provides the warplanes and bombs that are killing the largest numbers of Palestinians and literally destroying Gaza. The United States also deploys military liaison officers to assist Israel inplanning its operations, special operations forces to provide intelligence and satellite communications, and trainers and technicians to teach Israeli forces to use and maintain new American weapons, such as F-35 warplanes. The supply chain for the U.S. arsenal of genocide criss-crosses America, from weapons factories to military bases to procurement offices at the Pentagon and Central Command in Tampa. It feeds plane loads of weapons flying to military bases in Israel, from where these endless tons of steel and high explosives rain down on Gaza to shatter buildings, flesh and bones. The U.S. role is greater than complicity it is essential, active participation, without which the Israelis could not conduct this genocide in its present form, any more than the Germans could have run Auschwitz without gas chambers and poison gas. And it is precisely because of the essential U.S. role in this genocide that the United States has the power to end it, not by pretending to plead with the Israelis to be more careful about civilian casualties, but by ending its own instrumental role in the genocide. Every American of conscience should keep applying all kinds of pressure on our own government, but as long as it keeps ignoring the will of its own people, sending more weapons, vetoing Security Council resolutions and undermining peace negotiations, it is by default up to our neighbors around the world to muster the unity and political will to end the genocide. It would certainly be unprecedented for the world to unite, in opposition to Israel and the United States, to save Palestine and enforce the ICJ ruling that Israel must withdraw from Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The world has rarely come together so unanimously since the founding of the United Nations in the aftermath of the Second World War in 1945. Even the catastrophic U.S.-British invasion and destruction of Iraq failed to provoke such united action. But the lesson of that crisis, indeed the lesson of our time, is that this kind of unity is essential if we are ever to bring sanity, humanity and peace to our world. That can start with a decisive vote in the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. I had a hallelujah moment when I came across Naked Capitalism years ago. Here finally was a site that didnt adhere to the traditional American red-blue divide in its coverage and analysis, it knew the real story was and continues to be economic power, and that US foreign policy is driven by the same plutocratic forces waging a relentless class war at home. I rejoiced because I had spent years in journalism where this reality is ignored if theres a realization it even exists. The biggest reason Naked Capitalism can fill this yawning void in journalism is because of the support it gets from readers like you. Thats why were asking you to give what you can this year because as the American empire is increasingly stymied abroad the looting at home will likely only get worse which is to say Naked Capitalisms coverage is only growing in importance. The Tip Jar is to your right! I spent a decade working at news outlets both domestically and abroad, and I saw how the trickle down ill effects from plutocrat rule are covered as unavoidable natural events. Due to time, ideological, or funding constraints, the why behind all of carnage was rarely explored. To do so requires time, effort, digging, and familiarity. Often, all were lacking. Reporters at local news sites often must meet a daily quota of a few stories per day. Self-censorship can be just as problematic especially for those looking to rise quickly. If you want to dig into the tangled web of rapaciousness behind the local factory being gutted and people being laid off, well, youd better clear your social calendar because youre going to have to spend your free time doing so, and then itd usually be met with resistance from above. Owners and editors often share the same world views as Peter Thiel or Hillary Clinton. Naked Capitalism, on the other hand, is taking on the most powerful actors in the country that are trying to swindle you or worse, and it does so with a team thats the fraction the size of a small newsroom. Thats also why it is so reliant on your support the Tip Jar is to your right which affords it the time, independence, and resources to go after the story behind the story. Everyone can look around and see how screwed up things are, but Naked Capitalism helps explain the why. Yves coverage of economic power, private equity, endless scams, the loss of executive function, unchecked neoliberalism, and more, gets to the heart of the story behind the story. Lamberts relentless pursuit of the why behind the institutional collapse of public health, as well as his incisiveness on money and spook machinations in politics always with an eye to cui bono does the same. If their insights werent enough, the comments section on nearly every post at Naked Capitalism provides even more layers of historical, economic, and political context. To any reporters reading this, take note: there is a wealth of leads to chase down in every comments section here at Naked Capitalism if you can find the time and dont mind clashing with your editors. Thats because Naked Capitalism understands that the endless parade of awful stories (and even the uplifting ones like the community coming together to help an individual fundraise to pay off a particularly egregious medical bill) are not just the result of bad luck or a bad apple. They are the result of systems systems presently constructed to serve concentrated wealth. As the transformation of traditional news and even independent media into advocacy groups accelerates, Naked Capitalism stands out even more for its understanding that class warfare is a bipartisan affair and that when it comes to death and destruction abroad, the war uniparty is in charge in Washington. Naked Capitalism is also fulfilling this role during a time of rising censorship. It is able to withstand pressure like that of Google threatening to demonetize it because the site is independent thanks to reader support. It surely wont be the last time Naked Capitalism faces such threats as the crackdown on voices challenging the status quo looks set to intensify. Naked Capitalism is also one of the few sites out there really documenting the dangerous machinations by the American empire with a focus on the intersection of the socioeconomic, political, and imperial structures. This includes the effects of Project Ukraine on Europe, EU-enforced neoliberalism, the blocs perpetual decline in living standards, coupled with the rightward shift of the political center, the reasons for Turkiyes increasing friction with Washington, Eurasian integration, energy infrastructure, trade corridors, and much more. The struggle underway across the world hinges on a central question: how much of the world will the American plutocrats destroy until or if they accept multipolarity? These developments are only set to intensify, so please give us your support to help Naked Capitalism continue to deliver you the story behind the story. Most of all, give so that you can remain informed and actually able to make a personal risk assessment about the latest scam, pandemic, war, and much more. The Tip Jar is to your right. This is Naked Capitalism fundraising week. 1140 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, more original reporting. Yves here. This post showcases the premise that populism is a bad thing, which is a revealing premise in a nominally democratic system. Nevertheless, the authors use store closures on high streets as a proxy enduring poor economic conditions. They find that in the UK, those store shutterings are correlated with the propensity to vote for UKIP. The recommendation is long-term revitalization schemes plus shorter-term measures to improve appearances. To raise some quibbles: correlation is not causation. In New York City, years after the financial crisis, vacant storefronts became widespread in tony areas like upper Madison and Third Avenue on the Upper East Side. There were also unheard-of vacancies in the most exclusive area of Madison Avenue, from 57th Street to 72nd Street. In the uppper Madison/Third Avenue cases, I was told landlords held off on rent increases for a few years after the crisis, and then overwhelmingly put through big rent rises, typically double the former level. They reportedly also were not cutting them even after the space remained vacant for 18 months or more. There are long NYC-centric explanations for this behavior. But the point as it applies to this story is it seems extremely unlikely that many stores remaining vacant for long periods (often 3-5 storefronts a block, as in most assuredly enough to be noticed) led to a change in voting behavior. The authors of this analysis admittedly did find that tendency to move to the right was greatest among the unemployed. Manhattan is such a high housing cost area that you need a decent income to remain, which means a job or a lot of assets. As for the recommendation to try to pretty up high streets with many closed stores, at first that struck me as an exercise in Potemkin villaging. But I hate to say it, that sort of thing would probably give a psychological boost. Where I live now was hit hard in the Asian crisis, the 2007-2008 crisis, and then as a tourist destination, by Covid. There are still closed stores in all but the most hopping areas, like on the beach, and too many places that look shabbier than they ought to. I sometimes grumble to a cabbie when he has good enough English to converse that the city should invest in painting the 20% worst looking buildings on major streets, that it would make a huge difference to how the city looked, as well as subsidizing replacing badly worn banners. And I notice when I do see a recently painted partly vacant building that I assume a new tenant is coming in. So I am exhibiting exactly the sort of reaction that this article posits takes place. Another way to view this finding is that spending even if the impact is only cosmetic, to show that these towns have not been forgotten, is still better than nothing. By Thiemo Fetzer, Professor of Economics University Of Bonn; Theme Leader for Globalisation and Global Crises, Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE); Professor of Economics University Of Warwick; Jacob Edenhofer, DPhil student in Politics, Nuffield College University Of Oxford; and Prashant Garg, PhD student Imperial College London. Originally published at VoxEU Support for right-wing populist parties in many advanced democracies is characterised by considerable regional heterogeneity. This column uses data on high-street vacancies in the UK to show that visible signs of local decline play a crucial role in driving support for right-wing populists. One important policy implication is that countering populism requires not only regional policies whose returns materialise over the longer term, but also measures aimed at reducing the visible signs of decline in the short term. Support for right-wing populist parties in many advanced democracies is characterised by considerable regional heterogeneity, with these parties being especially successful in regions where manufacturing traditionally accounted for a large share of local economic activity (Autor et al. 2020, Broz et al. 2021, Guriev and Papaioannou 2022, Rodriguez-Pose 2018, Rodrik 2021). In many instances, these regions have become fertile ground for populist sentiment, partly due to the visible externalities of economic downturns and austerity (Fetzer 2019), such as increasing high-street vacancies, homelessness (Fetzer et al. 2023), and crime (Bray et al. 2022, Che et al. 2018, Facchetti 2023, 2024, Fetzer 2023). In a new paper (Fetzer et al. 2024), we examine the relationship between local economic decline and support for right-wing populism. Specifically, we use novel data on high-street vacancies across England and Wales to explore how this visible marker of decline influences political behaviour. High-Street Vacancies as Indicators of Local Decline Our central contribution is empirical, namely, to have gathered novel data on high-street vacancies. This matters because vacancies serve as a visible and potent indicator of local economic decline. By virtue of their visibility, high-street vacancies are a particularly good proxy for local economic decline, which individuals are therefore likely to use to update their beliefs about local economic activity. Other indicators, such as unemployment rates at the local authority level, are noisier signals of local economic activity, harder to perceive, and thus less likely to shape attitudes and political behaviour. Hence, we improve on previous studies on the effect of local decline on populist support, most notably those by Arzheimer et al. (2024) and Green et al. (2024), in one key respect: these studies use survey items related to local decline to measure the latter, which carries the risk that results are driven by misperceptions or misreporting of decline. By using an objectively measurable, specific, and highly visible component of decline high-street vacancies we can circumvent that problem. Growing vacancies themselves may be the product of structural change: the shift from offline to online commerce since the late 2000s and its heterogeneous effects across communities. While the structural change may have beneficial effects for consumer welfare, it may be highly heterogeneous across individuals if the mode of consumption itself is considered a valuable social consumption good, contributing to a sense of connectedness, belonging and community cohesion. This study uses data from the Local Data Company (LDC), covering approximately 83,000 commercial premises across 197 towns in England and Wales from 2009 to 2019. The data reveal substantial regional variation in vacancy rates, with higher rates clustered in the northeast of England, where many regions experienced a marked increase in vacancies following the 2008 financial crisis. Figure 1 Geographic distribution of high-street vacancies Note: This figure visualises the geographic distribution of high-street vacancies by local authority in England and Wales. The map highlights considerable regional variation, with higher vacancy rates predominantly in the northeast of England, where many local authorities exhibit vacancy rates exceeding 10%. The data covers approximately 83,000 physical premises across 197 towns in 93 different local authorities between 2009 and 2019. The geographic clustering of high-street vacancies in certain regions, particularly in the northeast, underscores the uneven impact of economic decline across the country. These vacancies are not merely a symptom of economic distress but also contribute to shaping the political landscape by reinforcing perceptions of neglect and decline. The Rise of UKIP and the Role of Local Decline The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) capitalised on these sentiments, drawing significant support from regions experiencing high levels of economic decline. We examine the relationship between high-street vacancies and support for UKIP, using data from the Understanding Society Survey to track political preferences over time. The analysis reveals a robust positive association between high-street vacancies and UKIP support, even after controlling for various individual and regional factors. Figure 2 High-street vacancy rates and UKIP support Note: This figure illustrates the positive relationship between high-street vacancy rates and support for UKIP. It demonstrates the robustness of this relationship by testing it across different subsets of local authorities. Even when a random portion of local authorities is excluded from the analysis, the positive association remains strong. The purple line represents the overall trend, showing that as vacancy rates increase, so does the probability of supporting UKIP. The consistent results across different scenarios reinforce the reliability of this finding. The results suggest that visible signs of local decline, such as high-street vacancies, play a crucial role in driving support for right-wing populists. This relationship is not driven by individuals who work or used to work in the retail sector, suggesting that our results are due to populist-boosting effects of declines spatial externalities, rather than greater economic insecurity at the individual level. Heterogeneity in Populist Support The impact of high-street vacancies on populist support is not uniform across all regions or demographic groups. Our study finds that unemployed individuals are more likely to support UKIP in response to increasing vacancies, reflecting their heightened vulnerability to local economic shocks. Figure 3 Heterogeneity in UKIP support by employment status Note: This figure depicts the marginal effect of high-street vacancy rates on UKIP support, differentiated by unemployment status. We control for: age, an outright homeownership dummy, a dummy for chronic health conditions, as well as age and region-by-quarter fixed effects. The results show that the effect of high-street vacancies on UKIP support is significantly stronger for unemployed respondents, highlighting the heightened sensitivity of economically vulnerable groups to local economic distress. These findings underscore the importance of addressing the visible consequences of economic decline to mitigate the rise of right-wing populism. Policies aimed at revitalising declining high streets and improving local economic conditions could play a crucial role in countering the appeal of populist parties. We anticipate that the pandemic-induced migration from urban agglomerations to the countryside, including the rise of remote work, may help reverse this trend. Conclusion: Implications for Policy and Future Research This study highlights the critical role of visible and local economic decline in shaping political preferences and fuelling the rise of right-wing populism. The visible impact of high-street vacancies on support for UKIP underscores the need for targeted policies to address the underlying causes of economic decline and its spatial externalities. Future research should focus on exploring the causal mechanisms with tighter identification underlying this relationship and identifying effective strategies for mitigating the negative effects of local economic decline on political behaviour. More broadly, our findings suggest that stymieing far-right populists might require that levelling-up measures with longer-term returns including investments to improve the skill base of the workforce and infrastructure in declining regions (Bartik 2020, Gold and Lehr 2024, Lee 2024) are complemented with shorter-term measures aimed at addressing particularly visible and easy-to-perceive spatial externalities, such as high-street vacancies. See original post for references People are increasingly looking for ways to digitize everyday items with one of the top requests being a digital ID. Google, owner of the worlds most widely used mobile operating system, web browser and app store, is planning to launch what Reclaim the Net describes as one of the most controversial technologies in the world: digital ID. On its developer blog, Jenny Cheng, vice-president and general manager of Google Wallet, unveiled plans for a new type of digital ID based on US passports. Cheng couches the initiative, currently in beta testing, as a response to grassroots demand, rather than Google looking to further expand its outsized footprint in our everyday lives: People are increasingly looking for ways to digitize everyday items with one of the top requests being a digital ID. Last year we began rolling out the ability to save select state-issued digital IDs to Wallet. Starting soon, well begin beta testing a new type of digital ID in Google Wallet, giving more people in more places a way to create and store a digital ID, now with a U.S. passport. This new ID pass works at select TSA checkpoints, saving you time and stress at the airport when youre traveling domestically. Besides TSA checkpoints, Cheng says Google is working with partners to broaden digital IDs scope of application to more and more situations, such as car rentals, account recovery, and age and identity verification. The potential online and offline applications are almost endless, as the World Economic Forums ubiquitous 2018 infographic shows: Googles users will also be able to create an ID pass by selecting the create an ID pass with your U.S. passport option in the Google Wallet app. Getting started sounds disarmingly simple: just scan the security chip in the back of your passport, take a selfie video to verify your identity and within minutes your Google ID pass is ready to go. No More Need for Physical Wallets The origin trial of the new tech involves what its developers say is a new web platform API (Digital Credentials) that will allow sites to request verifiable information via digital credentials from a digital wallet (e.g., national ID card or drivers license). Once the system is fully up and running and the necessary government legislation is in place, the phone will do just about everything, gushes Alan Stapelberg, group product manager at Google Wallet in another blogpost: Imagine starting a vacation like this: You arrive at the airport and breeze through security by tapping your phone to a reader, scanning your boarding pass and ID. While waiting to board, you grab a drink at an airport bar, tapping your phone to prove your age. When you arrive at your destination, you find your rental car and leave the lot without stopping for an in-person ID check because you already provided the necessary information in the rental car app. You check into your hotel online and your key is issued straight to your digital wallet. You do all of this with your phone no physical wallet required. This may feel futuristic, but it could be reality soon. In fact, today people with select U.S. state-issued IDs are able to present their ID in Google Wallet to go through TSA checkpoints in dozens of U.S. airports Google is not the only tech corp dreaming of a physical wallet-less world. But what happens if you lose your mobile phone or have it stolen? Or it stops working or runs out of battery? Or a global IT outage occurs like the recent Crowdstrike crash, bringing the digital world to a shuddering, useless halt? Or a natural disaster like the recent typhoon Yagi that ripped through Chinas Hainan province, resulting in an hours-long power outage? Brussels Leading Way Apps like Google Wallet can already be used for mobile drivers licenses (mDLs) in a number of US states, including California and Arizona, notes Cheng. She also mentions the EUs eIDAS 2.0 advancing online verification efforts. Unbeknown to the vast majority of EU citizens, digital identity has been a legal reality across the 27-nation bloc since March. From our article, Greece Just Gave a Glimpse of How the EUs Voluntary Digital ID Wallet Will Gradually Become Mandatory: The EU regulation obliges all member states to make a digital identity wallet available to every citizen who wants one. That is how the new system is currently being marketed as an optional extra for citizens who want to avail of its many benefits. The wallet can be used to store peoples surnames, first names, dates and place of birth, gender, or nationality as well as enable Europeans to identify themselves online. Its touted benefits include making it easier to access public and private-sector services across EU borders, helping to streamline bureaucracy and reduce the risks of digital fraud and other forms of cyber crime. This, one might think, would be a big news story given the potential of digital identity to transform, for better or worse (my moneys certainly on the latter), myriad aspects of EU citizens lives. Yet it has been met by a wall of silence in both the mainstream and social media. An Economy-Wide Digital ID System Australia has also passed legislation aimed at introducing an economy-wide digital identity system. Heres the countrys Finance Minister Katy Gallagher touting its benefits while insisting the system will be 100% voluntary just like the vaccine certificate was. As one X user put it, its voluntary for the short-term, and then mandatory for the long. The option of using Digital ID would mean not having to share copies of your ID documents when applying for a rental property, signing a new phone plan, registering your children in sports, accessing government services and much more in the future. pic.twitter.com/RJfapO6ZM8 Katy Gallagher (@SenKatyG) April 2, 2024 In the US, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begun making mobile driving licenses (mDLs) an acceptable identification at airports, and a growing number of states have adopted mDLs with either a state sponsored app or Apple and Google Wallet. In late 2023, a number of civil rights organisations, including Electronic Frontier Foundation, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT), and the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) submitted comments to the TSA question the need for such haste in the roll out and application of mDLs: The privacy guards are still lacking, and left up to each state to implement them in their own way. With the TSAs proposed waiver process, mDL development will likely be even more fractured, with some implementations better than others. This happened with digital vaccine credentials. Another concern is that the standards referenced in the TSAs proposed rules are under private, closed-off groups like the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), and the ISO process that generated its specification 180135:2021. These standards have not been informed by enough transparency and public scrutiny. Moreover, there are other more openly-discussed standards that could open up interoperability. The lack of guidance around provisioning, storage, and privacy-preserving approaches is also a major cause for concern. Privacy should not be an afterthought, and we should not follow the fail fast model with such sensitive information. Seeking the End of Online Anonymity Google is not the only big tech company looking to expand its digital identity services. In June, we reported that online influencers who produce revenue-generating content on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, had received notifications that they would have to pass identity verification checks by July 1. Many users were up in arms, particularly those with liberal (in the classic sense) sensibilities. After all, Elon Musk himself had previously promised that his X platform would protect anonymous users. Users concerns on Twitter/X were further magnified when they learnt that the company that would be handling the face biometrics matching was none other than AU10TIX, an Israeli firm with deep ties to the countrys intelligence agencies, prompting concerns that user data could be shared with said agencies. AU10TIX is also a big global player in the fast-emerging digital identity industry. In July, it was revealed that AU10TIX had inadvertently exposed a set of administrative credentials for social media users online for more than a year. But when it comes to digital identity, few in the tech sector have played as big a role in pushing for its rollout as Bill Gates. His non-profit the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has helped fund many of the NGOs and multilateral financial institutions that have helped countries in the Global South develop digital identity systems. He is also a major advocate of Indias Aadhaar, the worlds largest digital identity system, despite its glaring privacy and security flaws. We have funded the World Bank to take this Aadhaar approach to other countries, Gates told the Times of India in 2018. Aadhaar in itself doesnt pose any privacy issue because its just a bio ID verification scheme. Gates is now touting digital identity and verification as a necessary tool for combatting online misinformation and anonymity. The US is a tough one because we have the notion (NC: interesting choice of words) of the First Amendment and what are the exceptions like yelling fire in a theatre, Gates explained in a recent interview with CNET to promote his new Netflix series. I do think over time, with things like deepfakes, most of the time youre online youre going to want to be in an environment where the people are truly identified, that is theyre connected to a real-world identity that you trust, instead of just people saying whatever they want. One hears much the same from Eric Schmidt. In a recent op-ed on combatting online electoral misinformation for MIT Technology Review, the former Google CEO stressed the need to distinguish humans using social media from bots, holding both accountable if laws or policies are violated. In Spain, the Pedro Sanchez government is working on developing a digital age verification system to prevent minors from being able to access pornographic websites. The proposed digital wallet will not only close off access to porn websites to minors; it will also ration the number of times adult users can access pornography websites. As we reported at the time, there will be a plethora of workarounds that (both adult and underage) porn users will be able to use to circumvent the proposed restrictions. However, the real motive, I believe, is not, as advertised, to protect children from the insidious effects of online porn; it is to begin the process of launching digital identity wallets for widespread public use. In other words, to use Internet programs, platforms and applications in the not-too distant future, one may need a digital ID, or access will be blocked. But the potential real and virtual-world applications of digital ID extend far beyond even that, including as a necessary precursor for central bank digital currencies. Digital ID adoption will truly scale when daily use cases like driving a car, picking up prescriptions and more can be done with a digital ID, says Stapelberg: Americans freedom of speech is under extreme threat if Harris is elected president American citizens are being actively censored on social media thanks to Biden-Harris administration initiatives, and this is something that former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants all Americans to keep in mind when they head to the polls this fall. In a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, he warned about the role that current leadership played in keeping Americans from discussing important and potentially life-changing topics that the government doesnt want them to talk about. Just how important is it for them to keep Americans silent? He pointed out that within just 37 hours of taking office, the Biden-Harris administration opened up a portal giving the FBI access to social media posts made by Americans across numerous platforms. They then invited the CIA, IRS, DHS and CISA to take part in shaping the narrative. He identified CISA as the center of the censorship industrial complex that is in charge of making sure Americans dont hear things that their government doesnt want them to hear. The CDC and other agencies were able to change posts, issue shadow bans, and remove accounts. Its something that also happened to Kennedy, who says his account with nearly a million followers on Instagram was removed. They say it was for misinformation, but they could not point to a single post that I ever made that was factually erroneous, he told Carlson. He added that even Facebook admitted in an email chain to the White House that what he said was not actually untrue, prompting the White House to create a new category that could be used to censor people known as malinformation to describe information that is factually true but nevertheless inconvenient for the government. They also told Facebook their Section 230 immunity was at risk if they didnt comply. This immunity is given to social media sites to protect them from lawsuits related to statements people publish on their site. Facebook wouldnt be able to exist without this protection, so its not surprising that they were willing to go along with everything the White House pressured them into doing. This is something that goes against the spirit of the Constitution, as George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley explained: If government officials are directing or facilitating such censorship, it raises serious First Amendment questions. It is axiomatic that the government cannot do indirectly what it is prohibited from doing directly. Big Tech censorship at the governments behest is threatening freedom of speech In damning testimony before the House Select Committee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government last year, journalist Michael Shellenberger described in great detail how American taxpayers are footing the bill for a censorship-industrial complex run by Americas scientific and technological elite, which endangers our liberties and democracy. He explained how government agencies, NGOs, academic institutions and other parties are engaging in active censorship on topics ranging from climate change and fossil fuels to COVID-19 origins and vaccines. Shellenberger also pointed out that the American government has funded organizations that coerce advertisers to boycott social media platforms and news outlets that arent willing to play along with their censorship demands or share information that goes against the governments preferred narratives. Theyre doing this, he says, by creating blacklists and demanding that platforms censor or ban these individuals. He also corroborated Kennedys claim that government officials have pressured social media companies to censor disfavored users and content. Although hot topics like immigration and the economy are rightfully taking center stage in the run-up to the election, its important to keep in mind that our First Amendment rights are very much at stake and that the censorship we are seeing is only likely to get worse if Democrats maintain their control over the White House. Sources for this article include: TuckerCarlson.com X.com Docs.House.gov Many doctors are completely in the dark about the extent of Big Pharmas deceptive and dangerous practices Pharmaceutical companies have engaged in so many questionable activities over the years that those of us who have been paying attention often wonder why so many doctors continue to willingly peddle their products. From recalled drugs that they knew were dangerous all along to their untested COVID-19 vaccines that destroyed numerous peoples health, it all feels very much like an open secret that they dont have peoples best interests at heart. However, those who get their news from the mainstream media are blissfully unaware of all this, and that includes many medical professionals as well. As the pandemic demonstrated, the mainstream media has to keep its advertisers happy, and that includes pharmaceutical companies, and theyre also influenced by the government. As a result, many doctors are surprisingly naive to what has been going on with Big Pharma and its numerous deceptions and illegal actions. Most doctors enter the field out of a genuine desire to help people. Although there have been cases of doctors knowingly risking their patients health in pursuit of profits, many of them want to keep people healthy and truly believe that pharmaceuticals are the answer often based on what they are taught in medical school. And while there is no doubt that some drugs and other interventions save lives every day, failing to research these solutions and stay on top of independent news reports about pharmaceutical companies means some doctors are unwittingly doing more harm than good. Study shows 85% of pharmaceutical companies engaged in illegal activities For example, not many doctors are aware of a peer-reviewed article published by the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2020 looking at illegal activities by pharmaceutical companies from 2003 to 2016. That study revealed that 85 percent of the companies studied had been hit with financial penalties for their illegal activities, adding up to a total combined value of $33 billion. The illegal activities that these companies engaged in ranged from misleading marketing and failing to disclose negative information about their products such as serious side effects, to manufacturing and distributing adulterated drugs. They also found cases of companies providing kickbacks to medical professionals, pricing violations and bribing foreign officials. There were a lot of familiar names on the list, with GlaxoSmithKline paying overall fines of nearly $10 billion, Pfizer on the hook for $2.9 billion and Johnson & Johnson paying $2.6 billion in penalties. Eli Lilly, Merck, AstraZeneca, Novartis and Sanofi Aventis were also among the names identified in the study as being fined for illegal activities. In many of these situations, court cases drag out for years, with pharmaceutical companies appealing to higher courts when they are hit with unfavorable findings. This can make it very difficult for patients and other victims to hold them accountable. It's also important to note that although you may hear about some of these convictions if you are willing to seek out the information yourself, there are also numerous settlements that never come to light, with companies paying money to their victims without admitting any guilt. Covering up unfavorable studies and ghostwriting journal articles One of the more blatant examples of pharmaceutical company wrongdoing was seen with Merck's anti-arthritis drug Vioxx, which was used by as many as 80 million people around the world at its peak popularity. Although it was marketed as being a safer alternative to other anti-inflammatory drugs, it was later revealed after patients suffered from heart attacks that a study funded by Merck found a sevenfold increase in heart attacks, but they went on to gain approval by the FDA anyway. Another study funded by the company found a fivefold increase in heart attacks, but the company failed to include some of them in the data they submitted to the New England Journal of Medicine, leaning to a misleading conclusion about the risk of the drug. There have also been cases involving journals that were sponsored by pharmaceutical companies and made to look like independent scientific journals containing articles that were ghostwritten by Merck employees and attributed to doctors. The evidence is out there, and if we assume that what were aware of represents only a fraction of their wrongdoings and that they have likely done even more but havent been caught, its horrifying to think of the damage that could be done. Many doctors who pushed COVID-19 vaccines said that they believed they were safe because they thought that pharmaceutical companies wouldnt do anything to hurt people, but apparently, they just werent paying enough attention. Sources for this article include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov Haitian migrant killed 71-year-old grandmother in dystopian nightmare Ohio town With the influx of Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, in the spotlight again thanks to Tuesday nights presidential debate, much of the focus has been on Trumps claim that the migrants are eating people's pets. And while the finer points of the veracity of this claim are being debated, its important to not to overlook the fact that the flood of migrants has wreaked havoc on the town in a very real way, and it cost a 71-year-old woman her life The beloved grandmother, Kathy Heaton, was reportedly bringing in her garbage from the driveway when the migrant, who was said to be driving recklessly, struck her with a car, killing her instantly. The driver, 38-year-old Robenson Louis, was not injured. Her family noted that they observed numerous incidents of reckless driving and a complete disregard for traffic laws by some of the Haitian migrants in their area in the months before the accident. We have unfortunately seen countless vehicle crashes in our area involving people of Haitian descent, they stated, and their claim has been backed up by other area residents who have similar concerns and video footage depicting some of these incidents. Some have said that the reckless driving situation has gotten so out of control since Haitians flooded into the area that it has led everyone's insurance rates to rise dramatically. One resident told the media: We have maybe 3-4 (crashes) a day, every day. The Haitians. Thats not even Americans; thats Haitians. Our insurance rates have gone sky high because of it, because of our zip code. This one lady thats in our group they ran into her garage and killed her animals. Demolished her garage; he had no insurance, he was drunk. Biden-Harris open border policy to blame Residents have the Biden-Harris administration's open border policy to thank for the current state of affairs. It has brought a surge of roughly 20,000 migrants to their town of just 58,000, placing the area's public services under immense pressure and spurring a housing crisis. Another area resident, Diana Daniels, recently told Fox & Friends how life there has changed since Haitians were transported there and how the influx has compromised public safety, likening it to living in a dystopian nightmare. She explained: It's hard sometimes to get up in the morning and hear residents that I've known for years struggle. This is a paycheck-to-paycheck kind of town working class. The citizens that depend on our social services like health care, the Rocking Horse [Community Health Center], going down to the Social Security office for benefits are waiting in line, and they're not getting the services they need." She said that she has been attending City Commission meetings in hopes of improving the situation. She also pointed to President Trumps mention of the citys decline during the debate on Tuesday night when the topic turned to the Biden-Harris administrations border policy. Another Springfield resident, 28-year-old Anthony Harris, said: "These Haitians are running into trash cans. They're running into buildings. They're flipping cars in the middle of the street, and I don't know how like, y'all can be comfortable with this." Residents who complain accused of racism Not surprisingly, many of the residents who are begging the city for help have been accused by some leaders of racism. However, the problem is largely cultural, with Haiti being known for being the 20th deadliest country in the world, with a high rate of homicides, poverty, and STDs, and a very low average IQ. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced this week that he will be sending resources to help ease the situation, vowing to send $2.5 million over two years to the countys health department and other healthcare centers grappling with the influx. He also promised more resources for area law enforcement. However, this wont do much to help Heaton, her family and the countless others who have already suffered as a result of the influx. Sources for this article include: Revolver.news FoxNews.com IDF launches rare ground raid in Syria to destroy alleged Iranian underground missile factory The raid represents a significant escalation in Israel's actions against alleged Iranian military infrastructure in Syria, following a sharp increase in Israeli airstrikes since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. Israeli actions in Syria have been limited to drone and missile strikes and the rare cross-border munitions barrage. The raid marks the first time in recent years that the IDF has launched a ground operation targeting alleged Iranian assets in Syria, marking a notable shift in Tel Aviv's tactics. The destruction of the facility is seen as a major setback to Iran and Hezbollahs efforts to produce precision medium-range missiles in Syria. According to two sources, Iran began constructing the underground facility near the city of Masyaf in northwestern Syria in coordination with Hezbollah and Syria in 2018. Masyaf was chosen due to its proximity to Lebanon's northern border, which would allow faster and safer delivery of missiles to Hezbollah. The facility, deeply embedded inside a mountain, was believed to be secure from Israeli airstrikes. However, Israeli intelligence services discovered the construction early on and monitored the process for more than five years under the code name Deep Layer. Over time, Israel realized that the factory could not be destroyed through airstrikes alone, and a ground operation was deemed necessary. Israeli military leaders considered launching the raid on at least two occasions in recent years, but it was postponed due to the high risk involved. Israeli raid resulted in dozens of Syrians killed and many more wounded The raid reportedly began on the evening of Sunday, Sept. 8, when a commando unit of the Israeli Air Force known as the Shaldag Unit launched the operation and destroyed the underground facility near Masyaf. (Related: Iran's advanced drones and missiles pose serious threat to Israel's Iron Dome air defense system, U.S. report warns.) Israeli special forces surprised the Syrian guards at the facility, killing several of them. However, no Iranian personnel were harmed during the operation. The Israeli team used explosives they had brought with them to blow up the underground facility, targeting sophisticated machinery used for missile production. At the same time, Israeli Air Force jets carried out heavy airstrikes across several locations in western Syria, including Masyaf, to prevent Syrian military reinforcements from arriving. Syrian state media reported 16 deaths and 40 injuries, denouncing the airstrikes as "blatant aggression." Iran's foreign ministry also condemned the attack, calling it "criminal." Israel reportedly briefed the White House regarding the sensitive operation in advance, and the United States did not express any opposition to the mission. Following the raid, the Israeli government has remained silent and refrained from claiming responsibility in a political move meant to avoid provoking immediate retaliation either from Syria, Iran or Hezbollah. The destruction of the underground missile factory is a significant blow to Iran's ambitions to produce precision-guided missiles on Syrian soil, a capability that would have enhanced Hezbollah's arsenal and posed a greater threat to Israel. The precision missiles are key for Iran and Hezbollah's military strategy, and the loss of the factory delays this capability. This operation could lead to a strategic recalibration by Hezbollah, Syria and Iran, although it also raises the risk of further retaliation or escalation. For Israel, the raid reinforces its policy of preemptive strikes to thwart perceived threats from Iranian forces in the region. Watch this video alleging that Syria shot down an Israeli F-16 that attempted to defend itself by hiding behind a passenger airplane. This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Israeli airstrikes KILL paramedics, injure civilians in southern Lebanon. Latest Israeli attack on Gaza's al-Mawasi humanitarian zone left people "torn to pieces," most of them women and children. Israel shifting more resources to West Bank amid escalating military operations. Iranian banks hit by MAJOR CYBERATTACK after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised retaliatory attack against Israel. Sounding like a broken record, U.S. intelligence once again warns Iran is closer than ever to manufacturing nuclear weapons. Sources include: Axios.com BBC.com Brighteon.com Israeli diplomats are lobbying U.S. politicians to pressure South Africa into dropping ICJ genocide case The Israeli government is reportedly urging its diplomats in the United States to lobby federal and state politicians to help pressure South Africa to drop its legal proceedings in the United Nations' International Court of Justice (ICJ) over whether or not its actions in Gaza constitute acts of genocide A report from Axios indicated that on Monday, Sept. 9, Israel sent a classified diplomatic cable to the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C. and all Israeli consulates in the U.S. regarding South Africa's ICJ case. The cable called on Israeli diplomats to lobby U.S. politicians to issue statements warning South Africa against continuing its genocide case against Israel before the ICJ. (Related: 13 Countries join South Africa's case against Israel on genocide in Gaza.) "We are asking you to immediately work with lawmakers on the federal and state level, with governors and Jewish organizations to put pressure on South Africa to change its policy toward Israel and to make clear that continuing their current actions like supporting Hamas and pushing anti-Israeli moves in international courts will come with a heavy price," read the cable. This was reportedly sent by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs to its embassy and all its nine consulates in the United States. The Israeli diplomats were also instructed to reach out to diplomats working for the South African embassy in Washington, D.C. and its three consulates in the U.S., and to threaten them by claiming that their country will "pay a heavy price" if it does not change its policy toward Israel. Israel telling diplomats to directly lobby members of Congress Furthermore, the Israeli diplomats were instructed to lobby members of Congress to issue statements threatening South Africa against continuing its genocide case against Israel with the ICJ by warning that it could lead to Washington suspending trade relations with South Africa. The Israeli Foreign Ministry also instructed its diplomats in the U.S. to lobby legislation against South Africa on the state and federal levels, noting that even if anti-South African legislation failed to pass, "presenting them and talking about them will be important" in trying to intimidate South Africa into backing down from its genocide case. Along with proposing legislation, Israeli diplomats were also instructed to lobby politicians into holding hearings regarding South Africa's policy toward Israel. Meanwhile, Axios political reporter and Middle East expert Barak Ravid noted that the U.S. is unlikely to sever or even weaken trade relations with South Africa due to Washington's desire to maintain good relations with Pretoria to counter the growing influence of Russia and China on the nation. South Africa's genocide case against Israel which is being supported by several countries including Turkey and Mexico has yet to be concluded. The court has set a deadline of Oct. 28 for South Africa to submit its written arguments and July 28, 2025, for Israel to respond with its own. It is unlikely the ICJ will decide on the accusations of genocide until then. Watch this video explaining how the ICJ ruled that Israel's settlements in the West Bank are illegal, they must be evacuated immediately and Palestinians must be paid reparations. This video is from the AllTheWorldsAStage channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: $9 million from AIPAC and Democratic Majority for Israel helps oust pro-ceasefire Cori Bush in Missouri primary. ICJ orders Israel to end its 57-year military occupation of Palestinian territories "as rapidly as possible." Rep. Jamaal Bowman LOSES New York primary after AIPAC dumps $14 million on single House seat race. AIPAC-funded Republicans threaten ICC: "Target Israel and we will target you." South Africa calls for immediate halt to Israel's military offensive in Rafah. Sources include: GreatGameIndia.com Axios.com MiddleEastEye.net Brighteon.com Ohio AG Dave Yost accuses media of lying about Haitian migrants abducting and eating peoples PETS Dave Yost, the attorney general of Ohio, is fuming mad at the mainstream media for ignoring what he described as evidence showing that Haitian migrants are swarming Springfield to steal and feast on people's pets. Controversy erupted after Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, Donald Trump's running mate in the 2024 presidential election, shared that his office allegedly received reports claiming that household pets "were abducted by Haitian migrants." Vance admitted that he could not verify these claims, but suggested that they make sense in light of other recent tragedies reportedly caused by Haitian migrants. The whole thing has become a talking point for Republicans to highlight the Biden regime's open borders policies. Vice President Kamala Harris, President Biden's "border czar," is allowing this all to happen, conservatives say, to boost the voter rolls with Democrat-voting illegal aliens. "Do you know what's confirmed? That a child was murdered by a Haitian migrant who had no right to be here," Vance wrote on X. "That local health services have been overwhelmed. That communicable diseases like TB and HIV have been on the rise. That local schools have struggled to keep up with newcomers who don't know English. That rents have risen so fast that many Springfield families can't afford to put a roof over their head." (Related: Panama is finally cracking down on the illegal migrant problem in the Darien Gap, according to field reporter Michael Yon.) Leave the animals alone At a recent city commission meeting in Springfield, locals testified on both sides of the argument. "We have national attention now over alleged people eating cats," one resident identified by the council as "Barron" said at the meeting. "I looked on the menu of three or four restaurants here today man, I didn't see roasted fluffy nowhere on it. It's nuts. The good thing is we have the nation's attention. What are we going to do about it?" Trump also made mention about the pet-eating rumors at the recent presidential debate, drawing nationwide attention to the issue. The media pretty much ignored what Trump said, prompting Yost to have a meltdown on social media. "There's a recorded police call from a witness who saw immigrants capturing geese for food in Springfield," Yost said. "Citizens testified to City Council. These people would be competent witnesses in court. Why does the media find a carefully worded City Hall press release better evidence?" Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) seems to also support the notion that Haitian migrants are eating people's pets. He tweeted an image of a goose holding a sign reading "geese can be pets!" this referring to controversy over whether or not geese at local parks geese that some locals say were being plucked one by one by the Haitian migrants count as pets. At the same city council meeting in Springfield, one resident claimed that she has "men that cannot speak English in my front yard screaming at me, throwing mattresses in my front yard, throwing trash in my front yard." Springfield Mayor Rob Rue joined the media's side of the story by issuing a statement claiming that Haitian migrants are not eating people's pets. According to Rue, his office has not "been able to verify any credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community." "If this can happen in a random town in Ohio, it can happen in others, too," wrote a commenter on a news story about the situation in Springfield. "Ohio is not a sanctuary state, so how did the Feds do this in the first place?" asked another who apparently still believes that there is any real difference, for all intents and purposes, between the politics of "red" states versus "blue" states. Open borders ruin nations. Learn more at InvasionUSA.news. Sources for this article include: Local12.com NaturalNews.com U.S. police organization issues guide on how officers can deal with UFOs Police officers across the United States have been given a handbook on how to deal with reports of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) . The first guide about UAPs was published by the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), which represents police executives from the leading cities in the U.S. and Canada. The handbook describes numerous previous encounters and how officers can report such incidents. The MCCA has almost 80 executives from major U.S. cities who work together to promote public safety through a variety of initiatives, along with community outreach, research and policy development. In the MCCA's recently published 11-page guide, the organization said UAPs detected in U.S. airspace represent a "domain awareness gap" that poses a "clear and present danger to pilots and our soldiers that is more acute than ever." (Related: Intelligence report highlights possible threats from UFOs, Senate requires agencies to provide UFO-related data to UAPTF.) The document also warned that UFOs "pose significant safety risks to law enforcement air support units," urging teams to be vigilant when in helicopters. It mentions reports by various government agencies, such as the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, determining that such phenomena are also a "clear threat to national security, since their capabilities and origins are unknown." The guide, released in June, also includes details from America's investigations into UFO encounters, along with the testimony of whistleblowers like former U.S. Air Force officer and intelligence official David Grusch. One article shared the U.S. Congress UAP hearing held in 2023, which saw Grusch testify concerning his knowledge about aircraft with "nonhuman" origins. Grusch, in one congressional hearing on UAPs, claimed he had interviewed multiple Department of Defense officials with first-hand knowledge of aircraft that were of "nonhuman" origin, who reported that so-called "biologics" were retrieved from some of the craft. The document also recalled the testimonies of U.S. Navy pilots Ryan Graves and David Fravor, who detailed encountering UAPs on training missions. The report presented other articles about the U.S. government and its possible connection to alien life. Police officers in the U.S. are encountering UFOs Making it more interesting is the fact the pages recount first-person stories from police officers who encountered unknown spacecraft while on the field. The report also features stories from officers who claimed to encounter UFOs, particularly one in 2023 where a law enforcer saw a "triangle craft with green lights gliding through the sky" before a local resident said something "ran" nearby. An officer reportedly claimed that he had once witnessed a triangular UFO in the sky with three dim green lights while driving in his patrol vehicle. He emphasized that he was aware of what helicopters and airplanes looked like in the sky, and that what he saw was "unlike anything I had ever witnessed." Within an hour after the encounter, the officer claimed to have replied to a call from a homeowner in the area that reported "something running outside of his home" which "did not sound like an animal." Another police officer who was patrolling Blairsville, Georgia, in November 2023 claimed to have seen green lights in the sky. "I am a police officer and deputy sheriff. While on duty after dark, near the top of my windshield (frame of view) I witnessed movement in the sky (southbound direction of view)," the officer's report said. "Upon concentrating my focus, viewing through the low light, I was able to make out a triangle craft, with three dim green lights per side (just bright enough to assess size, shape and movement)." The officer said he lost sight of the craft instantly because of the trees and was unable to hear anything due to being inside his vehicle. Another encounter occurred in Harper Woods, Michigan, in 2020, which involved two officers who witnessed three mysterious objects in the sky before they "blinked out" of existence. Other reports in the guide narrate civilian sightings of police helicopters allegedly pursuing UFOs. Follow UFOs.news for more news about UFOs and UAPs. Watch this video discussing how police officers in the United States have been given a handbook on how to deal with UFOs. This video is from the channel Alex Hammer on Brighteon.com. More related stories: UFO activist Steve Bassett calls for investigation following allegations that Vatican is hiding UFO secrets. Declassified documents reveal current and former senators believe the government has secretly recovered UFOs of non-human origin. UFO whistleblower: Federal govt running a long-term program to recover non-human bodies from alien crash sites. Military whistleblowers claim UFO successfully disabled American nuclear warhead during routine test. Air Force veterans speak up about their extraordinary UFO encounters. Sources include: StrangeSounds.org DailyMail.co.uk MajorCitiesChiefs.com [PDF] Brighteon.com Russia announces counteroffensive in Kursk, recapture of 10 settlements The Russian Ministry of Defense has announced that its forces have successfully recaptured 10 settlements previously seized by Ukrainian troops during its surprise cross-border incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast. This marked a significant shift in the conflict as Ukrainian forces had initially made considerable advances in the region in its lightning incursion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the development, stating that the Russian counteroffensive aligns with Ukraine's broader strategy of diverting Russian manpower and resources away from the contested regions of southern and eastern Ukraine. The Russian counteroffensive began under the command of the "Units of the North," who reclaimed the settlements over a two-day operation around the area of Snagost, a key western flank in the region occupied by Ukraine since the launch of their campaign on August 6. (Related: Russia claims to have destroyed two concealed U.S.-made HIMARS systems near the border with Kursk.) The first signs of a Russian counterattack emerged when Maj. Gen. Apti Alaudinov, commander of the 141st Motorized Regiment, a unit within the Russian National Guard consisting of ethnic Chechens, reported that six Ukrainian brigades had suffered significant losses amid the regiment's push into Ukrainian-occupied Kursk. A Ukrainian officer currently involved in the fighting in the Kursk Oblast, speaking anonymously to the BBC, confirmed the scale of the Russian counteroffensive, revealing that the fighting had started some distance west of Sudzha, a crucial area in the conflict. Ukraine's incursion into Kursk resulted in Kyiv occupying nearly 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian territory. Russian military expert Anatoly Matviychuk told Moskovsky Komsomolets that Russian forces had reclaimed more than 100 square kilometers (38.6 square miles) of territory and that "the enemy's reserves, reinforcements and logistical supplies can no longer reach Kursk region." The counteroffensive could have significant consequences for Ukraine's ability to sustain its campaign outside of its borders. Ukraine's incursion into Kursk unable to divert significant Russian forces from Donbas Despite Ukraine's efforts in Kursk, it appears that Russian forces have not slowed down their offensive in the contested Donbas region, as Russian forces continued to make steady progress in eastern Donetsk. Russian troops are reportedly maintaining their advance toward the strategic town of Pokrovsk, an important logistics hub for Ukrainian forces, highlighting Russia's broader military strategy of not being distracted from being able to regain momentum in the conflict. Analysts from the United States-based Institute for the Study of War cautioned against drawing any definitive conclusions regarding the scope or potential outcomes of the Russian counteroffensive, citing the lack of clarity on its size and scale. They stressed that it remains too early to assess the full impact of Russia's actions. Meanwhile, social media accounts linked to Ukrainian brigades reported that Russian forces had launched an unexpected attack near Snagost, and that Ukrainian forces were mounting a defense in response. This suggests that while Russia is advancing, Ukrainian forces are still actively fighting to hold ground. Since Ukrainian forces entered the Kursk region, they had destroyed three bridges across the Seym River to prevent Russian reinforcements and supplies from reaching the area. Ukrainian troops also targeted several pontoon bridges erected by the Russians in the aftermath. However, reports indicate that Russian forces were able to cross the Seym and other smaller rivers as part of their counteroffensive, suggesting they have managed to secure key strategic points. Watch this report from "Borzzikman" discussing the heavy losses incurred by Ukrainian forces in Kursk. This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Russias missile strike on Ukrainian military institute kills 51, wounds 271. Russian official warns U.S. will face WORSE CONSEQUENCES for backing Ukraines strikes on Kursk. Russia warns about Ukraines attempt to attack Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. Sources include: BBC.com KyivIndependent.com Brighteon.com Singapore launches quarantine and vaccination campaign for monkeypox In response to the global rise in monkeypox cases, Singapores Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Sept. 4 that it will be reintroducing mandatory quarantine and vaccination measures much like those implemented during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This decision follows the World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration of monkeypox, or mpox, as a public health emergency of international concern in August. (Related: Here comes the fear: The WHO warns that the new mutant strain of monkeypox is an emergency "for the entire globe.") The MOH has categorized mpox cases as Clade I and Clade II. Clade I is considered the more serious strain with a higher potential for severe outcomes, while Clade II generally results in milder symptoms. The MOH has made it mandatory for all health care providers in Singapore to report mpox cases. To manage the outbreak, designated hospitals in Singapore will test suspected Clade I cases using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. The MOH acknowledged, however, that there are currently no rapid diagnostic tests for mpox that are reliable enough for widespread use. Once a case of Clade I mpox is confirmed, close contacts will be quarantined for 21 days in government-designated facilities. This lengthy quarantine period is reminiscent of Singapore's stringent COVID-19 protocols in 2020 and 2021 that were aimed at curbing the spread of the virus. The ministry emphasized that it is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to respond swiftly if necessary working in coordination with international health organizations. Singapore mandating monkeypox vaccinations In addition to quarantine measures, Singapore has authorized the use of the Jynneos vaccine to combat mpox. This vaccine will be administered to two specific groups: healthcare workers who are at the highest risk of exposure and individuals who have been in close contact with confirmed mpox cases. The MOH explained that the Jynneos vaccine is a live attenuated (non-replicating) vaccine. It is recommended that close contacts receive a single dose within 14 days of exposure to reduce the risk of developing the disease. Furthermore, close contacts under quarantine will be offered the vaccine during their isolation period, though details on whether individuals will have the option to refuse the vaccine were not provided. The MOH assured the public that it has an adequate supply of the Jynneos vaccine to meet the current needs of its vaccination strategy. It also pledged to adjust its approach as the situation evolves both locally and globally. As of Aug. 22, Singapore has confirmed 13 cases of mpox in 2024 all of which were of the less severe Clade II strain. The MOH also confirmed that no cases of the more virulent Clade I strain have been detected in the country so far. However the MOH continues to advise caution and urges travelers to remain vigilant particularly those returning from regions with high mpox activity. While the threat of mpox, particularly the deadlier Clade 1b strain, remains a global concern, health experts in Singapore have reassured the public that quarantine is unnecessary for returning travelers unless they exhibit symptoms or have been in direct contact with infected individuals. Learn more about monkeypox infections at MonkeypoxPanic.com. Watch this news clip from Channel News Asia featuring Singaporean Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung announcing mpox public health measures. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trucking company owner claims MONKEYPOX VACCINE secretly being distributed ahead of November elections. South African group challenges WHOs mpox emergency declaration, warns public about vaccine dangers. German doctor says monkeypox is a SCAN its just COVID "vaccine"-induced shingles under a different name. Stock price of monkeypox vaccine maker INCREASES after WHO emergency declaration. Its looking more and more like monkeypox is a cover story for COVID vaccine-induced shingles, autoimmune blisters and herpes. Sources include: InfoWars.com WHO.int MOH.gov.sg Brighteon.com Trump denounces Biden-Harris administration for destructive policies that hurt the American people Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump sharply criticized the Biden-Harris administration during his closing statement at the ABC News presidential debate with Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. He accused the current regime of "hurting the American people and putting the nation into decline." "So she just started by saying she's gonna do this, she's gonna do that, she's gonna do all these wonderful things," he said during the much-anticipated face-to-face discourse on Tuesday, Sept. 10, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The former president then asked, "Why hasn't she done it? She's been there for three and a half years." Elsewhere in the debate, Trump also accused Harris, as the U.S. vice president, of failing to address key issues like border security and job creation, despite having ample time to do so. "She should leave right now, go down to that beautiful White House, go to the Capitol, get everyone together and do the things you want to do, but you haven't done it and you won't do it because you believe in things that the American people don't believe in," he continued. Trump also attacked the administration's stance on energy policy. "You believe in things like 'We're not gonna frack, we're not gonna take fossil fuel,' things that are going to make this country strong whether you like it or not," he said. (Related: NO SUBSTANCE: Kamala Harris to focus on personal attacks against Donald Trump in upcoming debate.) "We're a failing nation. We're a nation that's in serious decline. We're being laughed at all over the world," he said, blaming the administration for failing to provide leadership that resulted in global conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and escalating tensions that could lead to "a third world war." Furthermore, Trump criticized the handling of the U.S. military, alleging that it had been weakened and compromised, particularly citing the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and the subsequent Taliban takeover. He then labeled President Joe Biden and Harris as "the worst president and the worst vice president," respectively, in the history of the country. Confirmed: Biden-Harris administration has allowed criminals into the U.S. to destroy the country During the debate, Trump also lambasted the current administration for allowing millions of people to come into the United States. Many of them are criminals who destroy the country, he said. Trump also claimed that migrants are "taking over" buildings in Aurora, Colorado as he discussed the economic impact of migration on American workers. "They're coming in and they're taking jobs that are occupied right now by African Americans and Hispanics and also unions," Trump said. "Unions are going to be affected very soon. You see what's happening with towns throughout the United States. You look at Springfield, Ohio and Aurora in Colorado. They are taking over the towns. They're taking over buildings; they're going in violently." According to him, these are the people that Harris and Biden let into our country. "They're dangerous," he warned. "They're at the highest level of criminality and we have to get them out fast." Shortly after the debate, Breitbart News, along with residents of Aurora and local business owners, confirmed that the claims were accurate, with reports of a Venezuelan gang having taken control of an apartment complex in the area. "It's out of control. Denver is just a sanctuary city. They're just, they're just flooding them into the smaller communities. Now, they're busing them out here. They're busing them to our smaller communities, and our hotels are being overrun out here. And it's just chaos," said one nearby business owner, identified as Pam. She added that it has become worse that they can no longer stay open late at night. "You know, they had an issue not too long ago where they forced almost all the businesses on the street to shut down. I believe it was the night of the elections that happened over in Venezuela that they shut down everything." KamalaWatch.com has more stories related to the vice president. Watch the video below where Lara Trump talks about why Harris can't be trusted. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Kamala Harris releases three pro-abortion ads targeting Trump while advocating a free-for-all of nationwide baby murder. Get ready for LANDSLIDE TRUMP VICTORY November 5th followed by HARRIS STEAL of swing states Nov. 6th and 7th. Kamala Harris used fake letter to deceive public into thinking Tucker Carlson praised her push for gun control. Kamala Harris calls for renewal of so-called "assault weapons" ban to hurriedly DISARM Americans before the election. Kamala Harris campaign colluded with Google to manipulate headlines, shadow ban Trump on search results. Sources include: Breitbart.com 1 Breitbart.com 2 UN pact for the future: Digital IDs, vaccine passports, massive censorship World leaders will convene later this month in New York to discuss proposals that critics believe will enshrine global digital ID and online censorship and give the United Nations (U.N.) secretary-general unprecedented emergency powers. (Article by Michael Nevradakis, Ph.D. republished from ChildrensHealthDefense.org) Proposals to be discussed at the 79th U.N. General Assembly include the Pact for the Future, described by the U.N. as an opportunity to create international mechanisms that better reflect the realities of the 21st century and can respond to todays and tomorrows challenges and opportunities. The proposed Pact for the Future encompasses 11 policy proposals. These include proposals for the establishment of a U.N. Emergency Platform and a Global Digital Compact, and policy proposals on Information Integrity and Transforming Education. Also among the U.N.s proposals is the Declaration on Future Generations. Under these proposals, the secretary-general would have standing authority to declare an Emergency Platform in the event of a future complex global shock of sufficient scale, severity and reach. Discussions for the Pact for the Future will take place under the auspices of the Summit of the Future, described as a high-level event, bringing world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future. The proposals are part of Our Common Agenda, an initiative described as the Secretary-Generals vision for the future of global cooperation. Lack of checks and balances is very worrying Critics of the proposals warned The Defender that they threaten personal and health freedom, will grant the U.N. unprecedented powers and may lead to an internationally binding treaty. Dutch attorney Meike Terhorst said the U.N. is attempting to attain more executive power. Francis Boyle, J.D., Ph.D., professor of international law at the University of Illinois, told The Defender, What the secretary-general is trying to do is an end run around the United Nations charter and delegate to himself all the powers he can possibly assume. The lack of checks and balances is very worrying. The member states will have very little or no power, Terhorst said, noting that these proposals are drawing increasing opposition as they threaten national sovereignty. The emergency powers and other proposals contained in the pact may have ominous consequences for humanity, Boyle warned. The most pernicious [outcomes] would certainly be extremely dangerous vaccines that probably would violate the Nuremberg Code on medical experimentation, such as these mRNA vaccines, and then also censorship, outright censorship for anyone who dissents, Boyle said. Other experts warned the U.N. is not being fully transparent. According to independent journalist James Roguski, The U.N. is not being fully transparent about the process leading up to the Summit of the Future. At this time, a consensus agreement has not been reached and the status of the three documents has not been honestly presented to the general public. Roguski noted that a fourth revision of the Global Digital Compact was drafted Aug. 27 but has not been made publicly available on the U.N. website. And according to Dr. Meryl Nass, founder of Door to Freedom, the pact puts the U.N. at the center of international affairs, giving the U.N. unspecified powers. It contains no definitions for the terms used, allowing it to be interpreted later in ways citizens may not like. A means of turbocharging the Great Reset? Critics also connected the U.N.s proposals to the agendas of other international organizations, such as the World Economic Forum (WEF), which promoted the Great Reset and Fourth Industrial Revolution. In spirit, the Summit and Pact for the Future is a relaunch of the Great Reset, said Tim Hinchliffe, publisher of The Sociable. Both talk about reshaping our world, which includes a desire to transform the financial system and to implement global governance surrounding issues such as climate change, healthcare and all things related to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). While the WEF has no direct, authoritative or legislative power to carry out its agendas, the Pact for the Future would be signed by member states whose governments wield actual executive and legislative powers, Hinchliffe said. What they are trying to do is to take the WEF agenda and turn it into solid international law and from there into solid domestic law, Boyle said. According to Michael Rectenwald, Ph.D., author of The Great Reset and the Struggle for Liberty: Unraveling the Global Agenda, the U.N.s proposals have been written in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the global governance regime that it aims to establish. Rectenwald said the proposals involve accelerating the achievement of the SDGs and represent the U.N.s continued attempt to establish a global socialist world system that is inclusive and equitable. Inclusion is achieved through such technological means as closing the digital divide, which depends on the universal adoption of a digital identity system. Digital identity is the means by which one is included and without which one essentially does not exist. Thus, there is to be nothing outside the system i.e., totalitarian governance, Rectenwald said. Global Digital Compact calls for digital IDs, vaccine passports Accompanying the Pact for the Future is a proposal for A Global Digital Compact an Open, Free and Secure Digital Future for All. Published May 2023, the proposed compact sets out principles, objectives and actions for advancing an open, free, secure and human-centred digital future, one that is anchored in universal human rights and that enables the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, the compact contains proposals for the introduction of digital ID, digital public goods and digital product passports, and calls for addressing disinformation and preventing the misuse of online tools. With digital ID, it is easier for governments to censor and threaten voices with a different opinion, Terhorst said. In the U.N. proposals, suppressing disinformation or hateful speech is mentioned. Who is to decide what information is right and what is wrong? Information Integrity on Digital Platforms policy brief goes further, specifically addressing threats to information integrity, such as so-called misinformation and disinformation. It also calls for empirically-backed consensus around facts, science and knowledge, but does not clarify how this consensus would be determined. Similarly, a policy brief on Transforming Education, proposes incorporating practices that strengthen the ability of learners and teachers to navigate the increasing flow of false and fake information. The compact also proposes Novel platform-based vaccine technologies and smart vaccine manufacturing techniques to produce greater numbers of higher-quality vaccines. Terhorst said the goal of digital ID is to introduce global vaccine passports that would overrule the right of everyone to say no to a vaccination. Hinchliffe noted that the U.N. has established principles for a Code of Conduct that calls on not just member states, but private groups such as stakeholders, digital platforms, advertisers, and news media to crush narratives that go against the U.N. and the SDGs. Secretary-general trying to set himself up as the UN dictator According to Boyle, the U.N. secretary-general is supposed to function as a secretary in charge of the secretariat, but these proposals are trying to set himself up as the U.N. dictator. He noted that the U.N. is composed of six independent organs, but said these proposals may usurp their independence. He would have authority over them and arguably could exert authority over U.N. specialized agencies like the World Health Organization. That ties in with the International Health Regulations and the Pandemic Treaty, Boyle said. Boyle argued that by specifically referring to the Pact for the Future as a pact, the U.N. is intentionally trying to turn this into an international treaty that is binding under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. If you call it a pact that would clearly fall within the terms of the Vienna Convention, Boyle said. Were in the fight of our lives here. The world has to be alerted to the dangers of this pact. Read more at: ChildrensHealthDefense.org Wife of Trump impeachment figure Rachel Vindman mocks Trump after assassination attempt Rachel Vindman sparked controversy after mocking Donald Trump following an attempted assassination, referencing an earlier incident in which Trump sustained an ear injury. (Article republished from YourNews.com) Rachel Vindman, wife of retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who played a key role in the Ukraine impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump, is facing backlash after mocking the former president following a second assassination attempt on Sunday. Vindman posted a controversial tweet not long after the incident, downplaying the severity of the attack. No ears were harmed, Rachel Vindman tweeted on X (formerly Twitter), followed by, Carry on with your Sunday afternoon. The tweet was a direct reference to the ear injury Trump sustained during a previous assassination attempt on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania. During that incident, Trump narrowly avoided a fatal shot by turning his head at the moment the gunman fired, with speculation that shrapnel, rather than a bullet, caused the injury. https://twitter.com/natsechobbyist/status/1835397234407436395 The nature of Trumps injuries from the Pennsylvania attack has been the subject of widespread speculation, with theories ranging from FBI Director Christopher Wrays assertion that Trump was hit by shrapnel to more bizarre claims suggesting that Trump faked the injury using a blood capsule. The tweets flippant tone quickly sparked outrage online, as critics of Vindmans comments responded angrily. One user responded, Donald Trumps ear has healed, but you will always be ugly and retarded, while another wrote, When Trump gets elected as President of the United States again, were going to have to have a serious discussion about mass deportations and including some Americans in it as well. Rather than backtrack, Vindman doubled down in response to the backlash. Sorry youre triggered. I mean no, Im not. I dont care a little bit, she tweeted. Vindman went on to criticize Trump, accusing him of inciting violence throughout his political career. Trump has been inciting violence against his enemies for years. He douses a situation in gasoline, lights a match, and walks away claiming no responsibility. Look at what is happening in Springfield, OH right now but he wants to claim hes a victim. You cannot have it both ways, she added. Rachel Vindmans husband, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, was a key figure in Trumps first impeachment trial, which focused on allegations that Trump had pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a phone call to investigate then-presidential candidate Joe Biden. Alexander Vindmans testimony during the impeachment proceedings made him a central figure in the case, which ultimately led to Trumps impeachment in the House of Representatives, although he was acquitted in the Senate. The assassination attempt on Trump, which occurred just months after the Pennsylvania incident, has reignited debates over political violence in the U.S., with reactions to Vindmans comments highlighting the polarized nature of discourse surrounding the former president. Read more at: YourNews.com Prepping essentials: Why you should waste no time stocking up on honey Honey is a remarkable gift from nature that has been cherished for centuries. Not only is it nutritious, but honey also lasts indefinitely when stored correctly. Beyond its role as a natural alternative to sugar, honey serves as a valuable tool in medicine and for food preservation. Honey is an essential item for preppers and survivalists. If you're in the process of building your survival stockpile, now is the time to start stockpiling honey. Here are a few key reasons why: Bee decline: a growing concern Bees are facing a serious decline in population worldwide, with major consequences for agriculture and ecosystems. One major cause is habitat loss driven by urban development and intensive farming practices, which destroy the natural foraging and nesting areas of bees, according to Alexandra Zissu of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). (Related: Bees declared "the most important living being on the planet," but they may soon be extinct.) Other major threats to bees include the use of pesticides, especially neonicotinoids, and diseases like colony collapse disorder (CCD). These issues lead to high mortality rates and reproductive problems among bee populations. (Related: Neonicotinoids and pyrazoles are killing off honeybees, scientists discover.) Bees are essential pollinators for a large portion of flowering plants, including key crops like almonds, apples and berries. Bee population decline threatens crop yields as well as global food security and biodiversity. To combat this decline, efforts are underway which are focused on restoring habitats, reducing pesticide use, supporting organic farming and advocating for policies that protect these crucial pollinators. Surge in honey prices In recent years, honey prices have been steadily increasing due to economic and environmental factors. The main cause is the decline in bee population, which directly affects honey production. As bees continue to suffer, honey supplies also decrease, leading to higher costs for beekeepers. According to The Honey Association, poor harvests in key regions like Australia, Eastern Europe and the U.S., combined with rising demand in countries like China and India, have also contributed to the global honey shortage. Additionally, growing consumer preference for organic raw honey has further driven prices up. With demand rising and supplies shrinking, honey prices are expected to keep climbing. Investing in honey now could be a smart move as prices are not likely to drop any time soon. By buying from reputable sources that support sustainable beekeeping, consumers can enjoy high-quality honey while helping protect bee populations. Hidden crisis of "fake" honey The global honey industry is facing a significant but underreported issue: fake or adulterated honey. It is estimated that 30 percent of the honey on the global market is mixed with sugars, and up to 70 percent of honey sold in the U.S. could be fraudulent, according to Pass the Honey. This surge in counterfeit honey, which is often diluted with sugar syrups, poses a major challenge to both consumers and genuine honey producers. Such practices not only degrade the quality of honey but also shake consumer confidence in the product. China has been highlighted as a significant source of fake honey, with reports showing that much of its honey exports are either adulterated or mislabeled to cut production costs. Fake honey lacks the nutritional value of real honey, being low in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and may even contain harmful substances. To ensure youre getting the real deal, buy honey from reputable sources that disclose their production methods. Labels like "raw" or "unfiltered" suggest minimal processing, which means the honey is more likely to be authentic. Opting for local honey can also help guarantee quality and purity. Honey in your prepper pantry As a survival item, honey offers many advantages: Infinite shelf life. One of honeys most notable benefits for individuals prepping for the long term is its incredible longevity. Honey's impressive shelf life is due to its unique properties: Its low moisture content and high acidity provides an unfavorable environment for bacteria and other microorganisms, making honey perfect for extended storage. When kept in a cool, dry place, raw honey can last indefinitely. Nutritional value. More than just a natural sweetener, honey is a nutrient powerhouse. While its nutrient content varies depending on several factors, honey consistently offers a wealth of essential nutrients and health-supporting phytonutrients, such as amino acids, enzymes, flavonoids and phenolic acids. A tablespoon of raw honey typically provides 64 calories plus carbohydrates (primarily simple sugars), vitamins A, C, D and E and B vitamins like thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3) and pantothenic acid (B5). Honey also delivers important trace minerals, such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc. (Related: Manuka honey: A versatile superfood that does not expire.) Instant energy source. Honey is a versatile and valuable resource for preppers. It can serve as an excellent energy booster -- thanks to its carbohydrate content -- especially during emergencies. You can consume honey directly or add it to recipes for a quick boost in energy. Unlike sugar or corn syrup, honey offers both fast-acting glucose for immediate energy and slow-absorbing fructose for sustained fuel. With a lower glycemic index than table sugar, raw honey is a better choice for managing blood sugar levels. Medicinal properties. Honeys medicinal properties are another major benefit. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory qualities have been known for centuries, with the ancient Greeks and Romans using it to treat wounds. In survival situations where medical care is limited, honey can be used to protect wounds from infections. Many types of honey, especially Manuka honey, produce hydrogen peroxide, which helps inactive microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast and fungi. Beyond wound care, honey has been used historically to treat digestive issues like vomiting and diarrhea. Honey is also a great natural remedy for chapped lips and cracked fingers and works well on wind-burnt skin. Culinary versatility. Honeys natural properties make it an effective food preservative. Its high sugar, low moisture content and acidic pH create an environment that inhibits bacterial and mold growth, helping to preserve food and extend its shelf life. Honey antioxidants also contribute to maintaining food quality over time. Choosing the best honey To get the most out of honey, its important to choose the right type. Raw honey is the top choice, as its full of pollen, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that offer both nutritional and medicinal advantages. Its naturally cloudy look is a sign of purity, and whether its liquid or crystallized, raw honey is great for medicinal use. (Related: Food supply 101: How to buy and store honey, the ultimate survival food.) Commercial honey, which is often pasteurized and filtered to give it a clear appearance, may look appealing, but it lacks the medicinal properties of raw honey. Another option is comb honey, which comes directly from the hive and includes raw honey stored in wax cells. It offers the same benefits as raw honey, and you can sometimes buy it with a piece of the comb in the jar. To ensure your honey is truly raw and natural, try these simple tests: Heat test. Light a matchstick and touch it to the honey. Raw honey wont burn, but processed honey might because its been liquefied. Thumb test. Place a small amount of honey on your thumb. Raw honey should be thick and should stay in place without running off. Vinegar test. Mix a bit of honey with distilled vinegar. If it foams, its likely pasteurized or refined, not raw. Water test. Drop some honey into a glass of water. Raw honey will sink to the bottom without dissolving, while processed honey will spread out and dissolve quickly. Honey is a valuable addition to your survival stockpile due to its many uses, so stock up on raw honey while you can and maintain a generous supply. When stored correctly, honey can last indefinitely. When buying honey, opt for raw, unfiltered honey that is sustainably sourced and harvested by local beekeepers. Check out Bees.news for more honey-related stories and Preparedness.news for more prepping tips. Watch the following video about "Honey adulteration explained - Its origins and what it means for you." This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Honey: An amazing superfood with many health benefits. The ANTIBACTERIAL potency of honey: A natural alternative to prescription antibiotics. Honey and its many benefits to overall health and wellness. Sources include: NRDC.org HoneyAssociation.com FreshHoneycomb.com WiHoney.org ScienceDirect.com Brighteon.com Clinton Machine targets Dr. Robert Epstein for exposing Big Tech election interference A renowned author and researcher who exposed Big Tech's election interference has recounted how the "Clinton machine" targeted him for his revelations Dr. Robert Epstein, former editor-in-chief of Psychology Today magazine, disclosed during a Sept. 11 appearance on "The Joe Rogan Experience" that the Clinton machine ruined his career and turned his life into a disaster. He detailed to former mixed martial arts commentator-turned-podcast host Joe Rogan the tragedies that happened to people close to him, including a "suspicious car accident" that killed his wife. "In 2019, after I testified before Congress about some of my research on Google, [former] President [Donald] Trump tweeted to his followers some praise for my research. [But former First Lady Hillary Clinton then] tweeted that my work had been completely debunked. I still have no idea where any of that came from; probably someone from Google because Google was her biggest supporter in 2016," he told the podcaster. "That got picked up by what I'm told is called 'The Clinton Machine.' The New York Times picked that up without fact-checking and then a hundred other places did and I got squashed like a bug. I had a flawless reputation as a researcher, [but] my research reputation was gone. I was now a 'fraud.'" According to InfoWars, Epstein has made major discoveries on how Google and other tech giants surveil children and influence five billion people daily since being targeted by the Clinton machine. He continued: "I've made at least 10 major discoveries about new forms of influence that the internet has made possible. These are controlled almost entirely by a couple of Big Tech companies, affecting more than five billion people every single day. "I've discovered them, I've named them, I've published randomized controlled studies to show how they work. I've built systems to do what they do to us and our kids. "They surveil us and our kids 24 hours a day. Google alone does that on over 200 different platforms, most of which no one's ever heard of. People have no idea of the extent they are being monitored." Google brainwashing the public and rigging elections InfoWars continued that one of the discoveries Epstein is likely talking about is how the search engine giant uses "ephemeral content" to brainwash the public and rig elections. Epstein discussed this issue with InfoWars founder Alex Jones. "We are recording information that these tech companies never thought anyone would record. It's what they call internally at Google 'ephemeral content' [and] it's running the world right now. That's what they call this content that they use to manipulate us, our kids and our votes," Epstein said. According to Epstein, ephemeral content pertains to online content personalized and generated "on the fly" that affects its viewers. Such content includes "search results, search suggestions, news feeds" and more that instantly disappear after users click on and view them. Epstein also told Jones at the time that his team is the only one so far in the world that focuses on "new forms of manipulation that the internet has made possible." He added that many of these new techniques are in the hands of just one company Google. "If we don't stop them in the 2024 election, Google alone will be able to shift between 6.4 and 25.5 million votes to one candidate. They are picking our presidents, our senators, our members of Congress and our attorneys general. They're also indoctrinating our children on a massive scale," Epstein warned. (Related: ELECTION INTERFERENCE: Google can MANIPULATE swing voters to vote for candidates it supports, reveals Dr. Robert Epstein.) "They are the most powerful mind control machine that has ever been invented. They have more power to shift thinking, behavior, attitudes, beliefs, purchases and votes than any company or any dictator has ever had in the history of mankind. They are impacting more than five billion people every single day, and they're doing this in a way that involves very, very intense social engineering." Head over to Clinton.news for similar stories. Watch InfoWars' Owen Shroyer interviewing Dr. Robert Epstein about Google's plan to rig the election this November. This video is from the Truth Seeker channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Dr. Robert Epstein: Google and other Big Tech firms can shift MILLIONS OF VOTES without people even knowing. Kamala Harris campaign colluded with Google to manipulate headlines, shadow ban Trump on search results. Google already RIGGING 2024 election by making Republican candidates, RFK Jr. INVISIBLE in search results. Media Research Center exposes Google's BIAS: Tech giant rigging search results to favor Dems in midterms. WATCH: Google growth strategist reveals search engine manipulation favoring Kamala Harris campaign. Sources include: InfoWars.com Brighteon.com State Departments smear tactics: Discrediting reporters over media blacklist The State Department has pulled off yet another PR stunt thats sure to land it in the annals of How Not to Handle Scandal. Faced with the inconvenient truth that they had their fingers in the cookie jar namely, funding a blacklist that included mainstream media outlets like The New York Post, Fox News, The Daily Wire, and Breitbart News the geniuses over at Foggy Bottom decided the best course of action was to discredit the very journalists exposing their little operation. (Article by Christina Maas republished from ReclaimTheNet.org) Matt Taibbi, one of the masterminds behind the Twitter Files revelations, and Gabe Kaminsky, an investigative reporter at the Washington Examiner, have been painting a very uncomfortable picture for the team at the State Department. The Accusation: Misinformation So whats the response when two reputable reporters pull back the curtain on what looks suspiciously like a control mechanism for media narratives? Simple: You accuse them of spreading misinformation. Because apparently, its 2024, and the word misinformation now means, We dont like what youre saying, so heres a label to make you go away. The New York Post, which was part of this blacklist, managed to secure internal documentation that shows just how far the State Department went to salvage the crumbling credibility of its already-controversial Global Engagement Center (GEC). The GEC, for those keeping score, is the same department tasked with combating foreign disinformation, though it seems their scope has expanded to include anyone reporting on stories theyd rather not talk about. Taibbi, as usual, didnt pull any punches. His Twitter Files series, based on internal Twitter documents, showcased how social media platforms were being cajoled and manipulated by government forces to suppress or promote specific narratives. Not content with just annoying one powerful institution, Taibbi went after the State Departments GEC, shining a spotlight on the shady financial dealings between the government and third-party organizations compiling blacklists of media outlets guilty of wrongthink. Of course, none of this would have been necessary if the GEC had kept its head down. But bureaucrats, as is their wont, tend to panic when someone shines a flashlight on their dirty laundry. Enter stage left: the press guidelines. In March 2023, the State Department rolled out a slick new set of talking points, no doubt cooked up in the most dimly lit corners of their PR department, aimed at spinning the story into somethinganythingother than what it was: a damning revelation of the governments not-so-subtle influence over free speech. Press Guidelines to the Rescue Instead of addressing the substance of the allegationsthat the government was essentially bankrolling censorshipthe State Department decided to do what it does best: pretend the critics are the problem. With all the grace of a bad high school debate team, they put their press people on the case, hoping to quash the fire Taibbi and Kaminsky had lit under them. The timing, of course, is impeccable. Just as public trust in the governments overreach into media and social media is hitting rock bottom, and the Twitter Files revelations are still making waves, the State Department thinks it can throw out the word misinformation and watch the problem disappear. But heres where it gets laughable: everyone they tried to smear was doing exactly what journalists and elected officials are supposed to dohold the government accountable. That congressional member they targeted? Just another pesky representative of the people trying to do their job, asking why taxpayer dollars were being used to fund lists that could be construed as tools for censorship. Picture this: its early 2020, the world is grappling with lockdowns and mandates, and while everyone is figuring out how to make sourdough bread, a handful of journalists and scientists are asking uncomfortable questions. And who comes charging in on a white horse? The GECthe State Departments very own disinformation policealong with a legion of government agencies, all determined to keep certain theories from spreading faster than the virus itself. But, as Matt Taibbi has unflinchingly revealed, their so-called noble intentions might have had less to do with protecting public health and more to do with controlling the narrative. It turns out that when the powers that be decide they dont like what youre saying, they can flex their muscles and get social media companies to do their dirty work. And thats exactly what they did. Thanks to Taibbis relentless social media sleuthing, the GECs shadowy activities were exposed for the world to see. During the early days of COVID-19, when uncertainty was at an all-time high, the GEC didnt just sit on the sidelinesthey actively pressured US social media giants to suppress certain discussions, especially around the origins of the virus. The term disinformation became a catch-all excuse to silence anyone daring to deviate from the official script. This wasnt just some ad-hoc operation, either. In March of the same year, Taibbi went before Congress to lay out the full extent of this coordinated effort. Turns out, there was an entire formal protocol in place among major tech companies and almost every government department that has an acronymFBI, DHS, HHS, DOD, and yes, our old friend the GEC. Even the CIA wanted in on the action. These agencies, in the name of public safety, were sending moderation requestsessentially a government-sanctioned please delete this letterto the tech overlords, asking them to flag, suppress, or outright remove posts and people who dared challenge the mainstream narrative. Remember the early days when the mere mention of COVID-19 escaping from a Wuhan lab was met with eye rolls and accusations of racism? If you even hinted at the possibility, you risked being branded a conspiracy theorist on par with someone who thinks Elvis is still alive. But behind the scenes, there were some pretty respectable virologists and scientists who werent so quick to dismiss the idea. These distinguished experts maintained that the evidence was, at the very least, inconclusiveand that there was more reason to believe the virus may have leaked from a lab than jumped from a bat to a pangolin to a human in some implausible wildlife game of telephone. Yet, this theory was deemed too dangerous for public consumption. After all, what would people think if they started asking questions about government-funded research in Chinese labs? So why the full-court press to shut down any discussion about the lab leak theory? Well, if COVID-19 did originate in a lab, it would be a catastrophic indictment of government oversight and accountabilitynot just in China, but right here in the good ol U.S. of A., where public funds were being funneled to research institutes like the infamous Wuhan Institute of Virology. Its a narrative too hot to handle for the bureaucratic elite whod rather the public just stick to the sanitized version of events: the virus came from a wet market, no ones at fault, and you should stop asking questions. Flagging those who talked about the lab leak theory wasnt just a precautionary measureit was an act of self-preservation. Governments didnt want fingers pointing in uncomfortable directions, particularly at the glaring conflicts of interest between US-backed gain-of-function research and the origins of the pandemic. So they went for the next best thing: shut people up. And tech companies? They were more than happy to oblige. Taibbis revelations made it clear that Twitter, Facebook, and Google werent just passive platformsthey were active participants in a system designed to control what you could and couldnt say. When the GEC or any other government body came calling, the social media giants rolled over like well-trained puppies. Need us to flag a post? Sure thing. Want us to shadow-ban a user? Consider it done. Anything to avoid the wrath of regulators or the bad PR that comes with being accused of enabling disinformation. Of course, now that the lab leak theory has gained more tractionthanks to ongoing investigations and the fact that its no longer politically expedient to deny its plausibilitythe initial wave of censorship looks even more suspect. Following The Money Kaminsky, a rising star in journalism with a knack for turning over rocks to find whats festering underneath, uncovered a rather curious $100,000 grant from the GEC to a London-based organization called the Global Disinformation Index (GDI). The GDI, in its self-congratulatory fashion, bills itself as the worlds first evaluator of media outlets based on their likelihood to spread disinformation. But instead of focusing on, say, foreign propaganda or misinformation campaigns from adversarial states, GDI decided to point its finely tuned censorship machine at a list of conservative and libertarian media outlets. Convenient, right? Despite the GECs explicit mandate to keep its activities confined to the international stage, somehow this grant ended up financing a blacklist of US media organizations. In a move that would make any self-respecting autocrat blush, GDI compiled a list of ten media outlets it deemed especially prone to disinformation, all of which lean right or libertarian in their content. Among the victims? The New York Post, which was crowned the most susceptible paper in the US to disinformation. Yes, the same New York Post thats been around since 1801 and broke the infamous Hunter Biden laptop story that the establishment tried to bury faster than a bad Yelp review. GDI, armed with taxpayer money funneled through the GEC, didnt just want these outlets flaggedthey wanted them financially sidelined. They worked with advertising associations, the kind that decide where companies spend their marketing dollars, to ensure these conservative outlets were deemed too risky to advertise with. Because, as we all know, nothing screams free speech like covertly cutting off someones funding. Kaminsky didnt stop at the initial $100,000 grant either. He followed the money trail and found that the GEC had also forked over an additional $545,000 via a government-backed grant from the National Endowment for Democracy. Apparently, disinformation-fighting isnt cheap. But interestingly enough, those grants were not renewed. Perhaps even the bureaucratic overlords realized that spending over half a million dollars on a British outfit to blacklist American media outlets was a bit much. Or maybe they just thought the operation was too obvious and clumsy. Still, the GEC didnt exactly learn its lesson. Other grants were funneled to groups like the Digital Forensic Research Lab, a brainchild of the Atlantic Council. Their job? Flag comments on social media that didnt align with the governments version of events. You know, because nothing says engagement like hiring outside groups to monitor and suppress speech on Twitter and Facebook. By the time Kaminskys revelations hit, youd think the State Department might offer some kind of apology or at least an explanation for why public money was being used to blacklist U.S. media outlets. But instead, they opted for the classic Washington move: deflect and blame the whistleblowers. The State Departments secret documents, obtained by The New York Post, showed zero remorse for this taxpayer-funded fiasco. Rather than address the fact that theyd essentially subsidized a censorship operation, they tried to pin the blame on the usual suspects: Matt Taibbi, Gabe Kaminsky, andbecause why not?Elon Musk. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="576"] Source: New York Post[/caption] Elon Musks retweet of Taibbis thread insinuates that the [US government], and the GEC in particular, pressured Twitter to close U.S. accounts of which the [US government] disapproved, the document reads. The evidence offered for this claim is often missing, inferred, or presented out of context. The thread comes to no firm conclusion, and switches blame to the FBI near the end of the string. Even pro-censorship Yoel Roth, the former head of Trust and Safety at Twitter (a title that should make anyone familiar with Orwell wince), expressed his unease with the GEC. Roth noted that Twitters partnership with the GEC became uncomfortable after discovering the agencys involvement in sketchy influence operations. You know its bad when a guy whose job was to police speech on a platform known for suppressing stories says the GEC went too far. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="575"] Source: New York Post[/caption] And what about Kaminskys efforts to get the State Departments side of the story? Well, in a show of peak bureaucratic arrogance, the GECs only real response to Kaminskys damning report was to complain that he hadnt sought an interview. Never mind that Kaminsky had, in fact, repeatedly tried to get answers from the State Departments press office, only to be stonewalled. This, of course, is a classic tactic: when you dont have a good defense, just claim the journalist didnt ask the right questionsor worse, didnt ask at all. Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) represent two sides of the coin on the GECs funding and mission. Banks, in what should have been a straightforward defense of free speech, called out the GEC for its shady practices in moderating domestic content. Murphy, meanwhile, took to Twitter to downplay the explosive reports by Kaminsky and Taibbi, conveniently claiming they were full of hot air. The State Department, faced with these two competing views, did what any bureaucracy would do: they quoted Murphys Twitter thread while throwing shade at Banks. Murphys thread essentially boiled down to a modern bureaucratic classic: Nothing to see here, folks! He tried to dismantle the revelations by Kaminsky and Taibbi, arguing that these bombshell reports just didnt hold water. The fact that his tweets were given pride of place in internal State Department memos isnt surprising; when youve got a narrative to control, why not highlight the guy on your side? But heres where it gets almost too ridiculous: the press officers were specifically instructed to say that the GEC has never attempted to moderate content on social media. Thats right, the same GEC whose fingerprints have been all over requests to flag and suppress disinformation is apparently now claiming its just an innocent bystander, never involved in telling social media platforms what to do. The State Department would have you believe that all those revelations about cozy relationships between Big Tech and government agencies? Just a series of unfortunate misunderstandings. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Whats worse, the State Department couldnt resist playing the age-old game of guilt by association. By subtly connecting Rep. Banks pro-First Amendment stance with Russian influence operationsbecause clearly, anyone standing up for free speech in todays America must be on the Kremlins payrollthe State Department attempted to undermine the entire Washington Examiner expose. This wasnt just about defending the GEC; it was about smearing the credibility of anyone raising legitimate concerns. The message was clear: youre either with the GEC or youre with the Russians. Of course, this sleight-of-hand tactic wasnt aimed at making any real argument. Its the kind of maneuver that gets thrown into the conversation when you dont have much else to go on. Cant address the actual claims? No problemjust suggest your opponent is unknowingly helping Russia, and watch as the conversation shifts from Is the GEC overstepping? to Is Jim Banks a secret Putin puppet? According to their own internal documents, the State Department has responded to multiple reporters inquiries, and theyve always been cooperative with legislative oversight. Sure, theyve been responsivein the same way a politician answers tough policy questions by talking about their humble childhood. In reality, their answers have been more evasive than informative, leaving Kaminsky and other journalists with little more than stonewalling. Read more at: ReclaimTheNet.org DoD plans Eastern Europe nuclear strike simulation to prepare for potential collapse of worlds agriculture system A program simulating the potential effects of a nuclear strike on worldwide agriculture is in the works at the Department of Defense, according to a procurement notice, and the focus will be on areas beyond Eastern Europe and Western Russia. The notice about the project appeared on the official U.S. government website for contract opportunities, SAM.gov. Its description states: The minimum needs of this contract are that the contractor provide all personnel, equipment, facilities, supervision, and other items necessary to conduct studies that demonstrate modeling of nuclear warfare on a global scale that would lead to destruction of the agriculture systems such as farms. The project will fall under the umbrella of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Engineer Research and Development Center, who are looking to model how food production systems could be affected by a nuclear disaster. Although it could yield potentially valuable information, one has to wonder why they suddenly feel the need to carry out such a project. The prolonged military conflict between Ukraine and Russia is almost certainly behind this concern, and its worth noting that Secretary of State Antony Blinken has insinuated that the White House may be poised to lift restrictions on Ukraine using the long-range weapons it has received from Western nations inside of Russia. In other words, it seems likely that the DoD is preparing for the potential fallout of what could be a dramatic change to the way the conflict is currently playing out there. There are also concerns that the pursuit of these types of projects could indicate changing military priorities are on the horizon. The Colorado data modeling firm Terra Analytics has been awarded the contract, which will also entail optimizing a software suite simulating the fallout of nuclear warfare on infrastructure related to agriculture. Aerial mapping and other approaches will be used to explore how food supplies and farms in former Eastern bloc countries could be affected. Another component of this study is the development of a better model simulating the effect that radioactive materials would have on agriculture in an unspecified non-destructive nuclear event. The fact that the contractor working on the project must be able to adapt the software to meet the specifications of classified Department of Defense computing systems would appear to indicate that the project may be linked to national security concerns. Putin has hinted at a nuclear response if West allows Ukraine to use long-range weapons inside Russia Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that if the West does change its stance to allow Ukraine to use weapons it has supplied them inside of Russia, it will be directly fighting Russia and the nature of the conflict would change considerably. He promised to launch an appropriate response but did not provide details. However, he said earlier this summer that one option was arming enemies of the West with Russian weapons so they could strike Western targets abroad. Some analysts, like University of Innsbruck security specialist Gerhard Mangott, believe that Russia might send a nuclear signal. "The Russians could conduct a nuclear test. They have made all the preparations needed. They could explode a tactical nuclear weapon somewhere in the east of the country just to demonstrate that (they) mean it when they say we will eventually resort to nuclear weapons," he stated. Meanwhile, Russians ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia warned that NATO will be a direct party to hostilities against a nuclear power should it permit Ukraine to use its long-range weapons against Russia. He cautioned: "You shouldnt forget about this and think about the consequences." Sources for this article include: JonFleetwood.Substack.com SAM.gov Reuters.com FBI goes to Springfield, Ohio to deal with Haitian problem but theyre actually targeting AMERICANS? SPRINGFIELD, OH - Time was that the FBI was the preeminent law enforcement agency in the country, if not the world. However, the agency has become a laughingstock under feckless Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Biden-Harris administration. Make no mistake, the agency has been on a downward trend for years, but that fall from grace has accelerated under Garland. (Article by Pat Droney republished from LawEnforcementToday.com) The latest abomination to come out of the FBI is efforts in Springfield, Ohio, to kneecap any opposition to the mass invasion of Haitian aliens into that community. Where the population of Springfield was around 60,000, an estimated 20,000 Haitian alien invaders have been sent to the city aided and abetted by the Biden-Harris administration. Springfield has recently come to prominence due to the influx of Haitians, which some residents complain has led to wildlife, such as geese and ducks, being taken and slaughtered by Haitians to be eaten. Unfortunately, wildlife arent the only animals being taken by Haitians for consumption. Some residents have complained that house pets have also been served up as meals. In response, the FBI has been dispatched to the city, but not for the reasons one might think. According to The Liberty Daily, the agency has been sent to Springfield not to deal with the Haitian problem but to deal with city residents who are highlighting it. According to reports, Springfield has seen skyrocketing crime, increased motor vehicle crashes caused by inexperienced drivers, and other less-than-desirable activity. In response, the FBI has been sent to Springfield to deal with alleged hate crimes that are purportedly being threatened by right-wing extremists. If only the Biden-Harris administration and Garland were as concerned about the threats posed by unvetted criminal aliens. Sources say that the FBIs response to so-called hate crimes has been attributed, with zero evidence, to Trump supporters. Billboards have been posted in the area in English and Haitian Creole advising people to report hate crimes. That was reported by independent journalist Nick Sortor, who posted on X, NEW: The FBI is putting up BILLBOARDS written in HAITIAN CREOLE here in Springfield, Ohio, encouraging people to 'report hate crimes.' THIS IS INSANE Instead of handling the REAL, VIOLENT crime thats now running rampant in Springfield thanks to Kamalas illegals, the FBI is focusing on victimizing the Haitian population in order to push a narrative. ? NEW: The FBI is putting up BILLBOARDS written in HAITIAN CREOLE here in Springfield, Ohio encouraging people to report hate crimes THIS IS INSANE. Instead of handling the REAL, VIOLENT crime thats now running rampant in Springfield thanks to Kamalas illegals, the FBI is pic.twitter.com/R5gLft5Hcv Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 14, 2024 The media interest in the Springfield story is also somewhat unusual, The Liberty Daily notes. Typically, mainstream media would ignore a story like that in Springfield, hoping it would soon go down the memory hole. Instead, likely because the issue was brought up by President Trump in his debate with Harris last week, the media is going out of its way to attempt to debunk the stories as hoaxes. Christopher Rufo, fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, verified the issue of Haitians eating cats in Ohio. He said that he has verified the accounts of Springfield residents with multiple witnesses and visual cross-references. He further said the problem crosses over into neighboring Dayton, Ohio. EXCLUSIVE: We have discovered that migrants are, in fact, eating cats in Ohio. We have verified, with multiple witnesses and visual cross-references, that African migrants in Dayton, the next city over from Springfield, barbecued these cats last summer.https://t.co/8QveTJy4Vppic.twitter.com/PxuJQ7fJc9 Christopher F. Rufo ?? (@realchrisrufo) September 14, 2024 Independent journalist JD Rucker slammed the media, claiming they have actively and aggressively pretended to debunk it. And every time their debunking gets debunked, they try again from a different angle. Theres clearly more to this story than we even know because they're just not letting it go. Corporate media has gone beyond ignoring the Springfield Haitian story. They've actively and aggressively pretended to debunk it. And every time their debunking gets debunked, they try again from a different angle. There's clearly more to this story than we even know because JD Rucker (@JDRucker) September 14, 2024 Earlier this year, FBI Director Christopher Wray warned lawmakers about the possibility of a terrorist attack, saying lights were blinking red all over the place. Yet his agency is more concerned with targeting innocent residents of Ohio, having their community destroyed by the Biden-Harris illegal invasion. Priorities. Read more at: LawEnforcementToday.com Four columnists quit Jewish Chronicle over Gaza coverage based on wild fabrications Four prominent columnists have resigned from the Jewish Chronicle (JC) after it published stories about Israel and its war on Gaza that were allegedly wild fabrications. (Article republished from MiddleEastEye.net) The JC, which is the oldest Jewish newspaper in the UK, published several articles by a reporter named Elon Perry that it has now removed. They are alleged to contain fabricated quotes from Israeli officials. One of the articles claimed the discovery of a document from Gaza allegedly detailing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwars plans to escape with Israeli captives, using the Philadelphi Corridor as a route to Iran. But Israel's army said that it had no knowledge of such a document - and several Israeli outlets questioned Perry's identity and professional background. Given the similarity between Perry's claims and statements made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, some have speculated that this could be part of a broader disinformation campaign. On Saturday, amid mounting controversy, the JC removed his articles from its website. Jonathan Freedland, a senior columnist for the Guardian, said on Sunday that he was quitting the JC, which he has contributed to for 26 years. The latest scandal brings great disgrace on the paper - publishing fabricated stories and showing only the thinnest form of contrition - but it is only the latest, he said in a letter to editor Jake Wallis Simmons, posted on X. Too often, the JC reads like a partisan, ideological instrument, its judgements political rather than journalistic. Journalist David Aaronovitch reposted Freedlands letter and said, I have done the same. Comedian and writer David Baddiel, meanwhile, has followed suit, with his spokesperson confirming on Sunday that he has no plans to write any more columns for the paper but there is no further comment at this stage. And Hadley Freeman, who writes for The Sunday Times, has left the paper too. She told BBC Radio 4 on Monday morning that she and the other columnists who resigned felt there had not been editorial standards" applied to Elon Perry "because this journalist adhered to an ideology that perhaps was similar to that of the editorial board. She added: Jews represent a tiny, tiny percentage of the British population, less than one percent, and we want to have a liberal modern voice that represents British Jewish feelings what it felt like, increasingly, was that the Jewish Chronicle was representing a more ideological rather than strictly journalistic point of view, and was becoming far more right wing and far more in step with Netanyahu - which most British Jews are not. Thats not why I joined a British Jewish newspaper, to represent the views of Netanyahu. I want to represent the views of British Jews. Perry, who wrote the now-deleted articles for the JC as a freelancer, told The Sunday Times that the criticisms were motivated by jealousy. Asked why there was little evidence of his past writing, he replied: My articles are in Hebrew, darling. On Sunday, JC editor Jake Wallis Simons said on X that it was every newspaper editors worst nightmare to be deceived by a journalist. He said the newspaper "has cut all ties with the freelancer in question and his work has now been removed from our website". Middle East Eye has asked the Jewish Chronicle for comment. Read more at: MiddleEastEye.net Georgia judge dismisses two more charges against Trump in election interference case A Georgia judge dismissed two criminal counts in the state's 2020 election interference case against former President Donald Trump and one other count against Trump's allies on Sept. 12. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott F. McAfee, the presiding judge in the case against Trump, noted that state prosecutors did not have the authority to bring up the charges related to the alleged filing of false documents in federal court. Nevertheless, McAfee allowed the remainder of the case to move ahead, along with the eight charges against Trump. Trump and 14 co-defendants have pleaded not guilty to racketeering and other charges coming from what prosecutors allege was a plot to reverse Trump's slim defeat in Georgia in the 2020 election. The case has been on hold since June while the Georgia Court of Appeals considered whether lead prosecutor Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should be disqualified over allegations of misconduct connected to a romantic relationship she had with a former top deputy. Arguments in the appeals court are scheduled for December, which means the case will not progress before the Nov. 5 presidential election. A separate federal case Trump encountered for his alleged attempts to reverse his supposed election defeat nationwide has also been slowed significantly by a Supreme Court ruling, which found that presidents have full immunity from criminal prosecution in certain circumstances. The Sept. 12 decision means that five of the initial 13 criminal counts against Trump in the indictment received last year have now been thrown out. McAfee dismissed three other charges brought against Trump back in March, citing the indictment lacking in sufficient detail. (Related: Georgia judge dismisses 6 charges against Trump in election interference case.) Trump lawyer Steve Sadow lauded the recent ruling in a statement. "President Trump and his legal team in Georgia have prevailed once again. The trial court has decided that counts 15 and 27 in the indictment must be quashed/dismissed," Sadow said. Racketeering charge against Trump to proceed as scheduled Meanwhile, McAfee allowed the racketeering charge to proceed against all the defendants. The original 41-count indictment accused Trump and his allies of a wider scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia. But McAfee wrote in his decision that certain counts involving allegations of filing false documents should no longer go forward because they don't belong in state court. "Because Counts 14, 15 and 27 lie beyond this State's jurisdiction and must be quashed, the Defendants' motions to dismiss the indictment under the Supremacy Clause are granted in part," McAfee wrote. Nonetheless, the judge did not grant a request to dismiss the whole indictment. The case is on hold as Trump and other defendants appeal McAfee's decision not to disqualify Willis with the Georgia Court of Appeals set to hear arguments on that issue in December. Follow Trump.news for more stories about the former president. Watch the video below about former New Jersey Superior Court Judge Andrew Napolitano's commentary on Trump's not-guilty plea in the Georgia election interference case. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump pleads NOT GUILTY to Special Counsel Jack Smiths revised indictment over ginned-up 2020 election interference charges. Trump files 3 motions to dismiss Georgia election case, citing PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY. Atlanta attorney Fani Willis hired SECRET LOVER as special prosecutor in Georgia racketeering case against Trump. Georgia indictment joins totalitarian tradition of mass trials of political opposition. Donald Trump surrenders in Georgia over election case, gets historic mugshot taken. Sources include: 100PercentFedUp.com Reuters.com 1 Reuters.com 2 NBCNews.com Brighteon.com Haitian migrants demanding to rent local chickens: They dipped under the fence chasing my little duckies here Field reporter Tayler Hansen visited Springfield, Ohio recently to speak with locals about the alleged Haitian migrant crisis. One of them, a lady who raises chickens, confirmed that she has had multiple run-ins with Haitian migrants trying to steal or "rent" her poultry for food. "We had a set of Haitians that showed up in the driveway, pulled in, laying on the horn," the lady explained. "They were demanding to rent a chicken." After the lady told the Haitian migrants that her chickens are not for sale, they "got very angry, very agitated that we would not sell them a chicken," the lady said. "It took my husband to run them off for them to leave." In another instance, a group of Haitian migrants was walking down the street when suddenly they "dipped under the fence chasing my little duckies here," the lady further revealed. "I found them, yelled at them, screamed at them, and they left" watch the video below: (Related: Have you checked out this other video footage suggesting that Haitian migrants are eating all sorts of local mammals?) Ritualistic animal sacrifices? The internet is abuzz with folks talking about the Haitian migrant invasion from the perspective of major cultural and religious differences. Haitians in particular are known to engage in ritualistic practices that involve animal sacrifices, which does not mesh with popular American culture. The lady whose chickens have been targeted again and again by migrants says there are definitely some ritualistic practices involving poultry, though one would be hard-pressed to get the migrants to admit it. "It's not usually a spoken thing; it's a voodoo thing," the lady said. "They do use animals as ritual sacrifices or in different ways." This report about the chickens is just one among a growing number that contradict what ABC News declared about there not being an animal sacrifice problem in and around Springfield, Ohio. "I lived in the islands for a few years and I can confirm they use a car horn as a doorbell and steal chickens," someone wrote on X, affirming the claims of the lady in the above video. "They also mow their 'lawns' with a machete (cutlas or 'machette')." Another shared the following screenshot with information about how Haitian Voodoo practices involve the ritualistic killing of animals: I tried to tell people on Monday. pic.twitter.com/ZO61TpddmR HansGruber2324 (@HansGruber0923) September 13, 2024 "I don't doubt these stories, but why don't we have more footage of this yet?" asked another. "Is Springfield, Ohio, down so bad they don't have iPhone 6 or up?" "This is what happens when you have open borders and zero accountability," said another. "When will they put Americans first?" Someone whose ancestry traces through the United Kingdom shared a story about what things used to be like in Scotland as the native culture protected itself against the possibility of house pets getting slipped into food supply. "When my grandmother used to go to the butcher's shop in Scotland, it was required by law that rabbits still have their heads attached," this person wrote, expressing support for the idea that Haitian migrant abuse of animals is real. "This was so you could ensure that it wasn't a cat." Kamala's open borders are helping to facilitate the migrant invasion are you entertained? You can learn more about it at InvasionUSA.news. Sources for this article include: X.com NaturalNews.com DEAD MAN RISING: Hamza bin Laden, previously believed to be dead, now leading resurgent Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan Intelligence reported by The Mirror US claims that Hamza bin Laden, son of former Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and previously believed to be dead , is not only alive and well but is also actively leading his late father's organization and reportedly spearheading Al-Qaeda's resurgence in Afghanistan, establishing a global militant dynasty. In 2019, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) claimed to have eliminated bin Laden in an airstrike in Ghazni Province, but no DNA evidence ever surfaced to confirm his death. The Mirror US reported that he survived the assassination attempt, leading to additional claims that he is now secretly running Al-Qaeda, with reports further exacerbated by the fact that his older brother Abdallah may also be involved. These developments suggest that the legacy of Osama, the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, continues through a terror network that remains committed to global violence. (Related: Iranian-backed Houthi, Al-Qaeda plan SUICIDE ATTACKS against Western targets.) Under Hamza's command, Al-Qaeda is reportedly regrouping and preparing for future attacks. His drive to continue his fathers legacy adds both symbolic and strategic significance to his actions. The role of his brother Abdallah in this revival is also considered critical. The Mirror US claims that Hamza's role in Al-Qaeda's resurgence is "a fact well-known among senior Taliban leaders." "These leaders engage with him, holding regular meetings and providing security for him and his family," The Mirror US reported. "This relationship underscores a deep connection between Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, which is crucial for Western governments to understand. Al-Qaeda bases in Afghanistan training terrorists and coordinating global attacks Hamza, now 34, is believed to be based primarily in Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan, a known terror hotspot located about 100 miles from Kabul. It is believed that Hamza and his four wives have been using Iran as a refuge to avoid detection by the CIA. Hamza and Al-Qaeda's de facto leader, Saif al-Adel, are reported to use a network of safe houses across Afghanistan. These locations in Kandahar, Ghazni, Laghman, Parwan, Herat and Helmand enable Al-Qaeda members to travel to and from Iran, facilitating their operations. According to intelligence reports, Hamza and Abdallah have played key roles in the establishment and operation of 10 major Al-Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan. These camps reportedly focus on training fighters and suicide bombers, equipping them with skills to launch attacks against Western targets and training them ideologically, promoting the notion that martyrdom for the cause is the highest achievement, creating motivated recruits who willingly volunteer for suicide missions. Additional reports suggest that the Al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan not only train fighters but also instruct them on how to evade detection and carry out attacks beyond the country's borders. It is estimated that up to 21 different terror networks are currently operating in Afghanistan, transforming the region under the Taliban into a major hub of terrorist activity. Al-Qaeda and its collaboration with the local branch of the Islamic State, known as the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), is raising concerns about a possible large-scale attack on the Western world similar to 9/11. Reports also indicate that Al-Qaeda and ISIS-K are not merely co-existing but are actively collaborating. There are even instances of inter-marriage among members, which is contributing to the formation of a more unified and formidable terror network. This collaboration mirrors past alliances among key terrorist leaders and underscores the escalating threat. Intelligence documents highlight disturbing parallels between the current situation and the lead-up to the 9/11 attacks. The absence of a stable government in Afghanistan and the Taliban's ideological alignment with Islamic extremist groups have made Afghanistan a haven for terrorism. Terrorists from various regions are reportedly flocking to Afghanistan for training. Watch this video of commentary from the late author Bill Cooper predicting that Osama bin Laden would be blamed for a terrorist attack on the United States several months before 9/11. This video is from the MickyTrix channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concert in Vienna CANCELED due to CIA terrorist plot warning. Biden admin agrees to forego DEATH PENALTY in PLEA DEAL with 9/11 conspirators, including mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Special forces group warns of TERRORISTS pouring through America's open borders. Sources include: TheMirror.com PBS.org Brighteon.com Czech Republic data: Some Moderna COVID-19 vaccine batches are 8x DEADLIER than Pfizer batches A Moderna Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine batch can be eight times deadlier than a Pfizer batch given to the same five-year age group at the same time. Meanwhile, some Pfizer batches were three times more lethal than other batches from the same manufacturer. This was according to a batch analysis of the Czech Republic data comparing one-year post-injection all-cause mortality rates. According to Steve Kirsch, founder of the Vaccine Safety Research Foundation, the one-year mortality rates should be very similar to each other to ensure that the vaccines are safe. But, they are not, he pointed out. And health officials refused to look at the data and never told the public about the quality control problems. Kirsch warned in his Substack article that one batch can't have a three times higher all-cause mortality than the others. "That's insane. Here are two batches given in the same month to the same five-year age range. You can repeat this for other younger five-year age ranges and you get the same factor of three so this is not a fluke," he said. "I'm only writing this article to create a public record that the data shows the COVID-19 injections are a train wreck and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out," Kirsch wrote. "Nobody should be taking these injections." He's just comparing the different batches of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccines. Moderna's vaccines are worse. Malone: Moderna knows mRNA vaccines contain contaminants Moderna has admitted its mRNA vaccine causes cancer after billions of DNA fragments were found in vials of the dangerous injection. The revelation was made after Dr. Robert Malone recently made an appearance at the "Injuries Caused by (COVID-19) Vaccines" hearing led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), where he revealed how Moderna's patent shows that its "COVID-19 vaccine vials contain billions of DNA fragments and other contaminants linked to birth defects and cancer." (Related: Moderna admits in patent filings that its mRNA COVID-19 injections can cause CANCER.) Malone spoke about how Moderna acknowledges in its patent that RNA is preferable to DNA in vaccines because of the risks involved. However, the company's mRNA injection is contaminated with DNA fragments. "Moderna has a patent on the use of RNA for vaccines," Malone stated. "And in that, Moderna explicitly acknowledges that RNA is superior to DNA for vaccine purposes because of problems, including the possibility of insertional mutagenesis that could lead to the activation of oncogenes or the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes." The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) claimed it is not aware of any concerns. However, Moderna laid out in its patent the same concerns that exist about DNA in insertional mutagenesis and genotoxicity. "So, Moderna knows it DNA is a contaminant. It is left in because of the way they make it they use DNA to make RNA, and then they degrade the DNA, and then they have to purify the degraded DNA away from the RNA, and the process they are using is not that good," Malone said. Scientists from the United States and Canada got their hands on unopened vials of Moderna's COVID-19 and sampled them. The documentation suggests that certain DNA sequences present in the vials are normally not allowed in anything that is going into humans, "not the least of which is an antibiotic resistance gene," Malone explained. "They include these sequences from Simian Virus 40 which is exactly the thing that the FDA in their older regulations said must be avoided because it confers even more risk for insertional mutagenesis." It turns out that Pfizer's mRNA injection for COVID-19 contains the same contaminants. Documentation was provided by the company to regulators in the U.S., Europe and Canada. These regulators deleted the little notation about SV40 sequences in an apparent attempt to hide it from the public. Visit VaccineDamage.news for similar stories. Watch this video discussing the COVID vaccine's mRNA nanostructures. This video is from the alltheworldsastage on Brighteon.com. More related stories: DESTROYING EVIDENCE: Canada orders vaccine clinics to destroy Pfizer, Moderna mRNA vaccine vials. DEADLY mRNA clot shots revealed to be a MILITARY PROJECT developed by NIH, not Moderna and Pfizer, as we were all led to believe. CDC wants to inject BABIES with COVID-19 shots but they aren't licensed for kids under 12. TABOO DEBATE TOPIC: Neither candidate nor the debate moderators spoke about the health horrors that came from the Covid vaccines, masks, and lockdowns. FDA authorizes yet another COVID "vaccine" and once again WITHOUT clinical data to back it. Sources include: Expose-News.com 1 KirschSubstack.com Expose-News.com 2 Brighteon.com POLL: Donald Trump leads Kamala Harris in Michigan after presidential debate An InsiderAdvantage poll has shown that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump holds a narrow lead over Democrat presidential bet Kamala Harris in Michigan following their debate on Sept. 10. The poll, conducted on Sept. 11 to 12 among 800 likely voters, found Trump garnered 49 percent of support compared with Harris who had 48 percent. The poll also found that one percent of the respondents plan to vote for another candidate, while two percent remain undecided. This survey, conducted via cell/text and weighted by age, race, gender and political affiliation, is a continuation of the successful methodology of InsiderAdvantage/Trafalgar Group in August. At the time, Harris led Trump by two points (49 percent to 47 percent). The post-debate results mark a three-point swing in favor of Trump. Moreover, InsiderAdvantage pollster Matt Towery stated that both candidates are virtually tied across all age groups, with Trump holding a slight edge among independent voters, leading by five points in that demographic. The poll also shows Trump receiving around 20 percent of the African American vote, which is an unusual figure compared to historical levels but consistent with trends seen in national surveys. (Related: Kamala Harris LOSES SUPPORT in latest post-DNC poll.) Towery noted that the debate itself appeared to have little impact on the overall race, especially among independent voters in Michigan. "It appears that the debate had little or no impact on the contest, particularly among independent voters, in this particular state," Towery said. The results reflect the intense competition expected to continue in Michigan, a crucial battleground state, as the race progresses toward Election Day. Other polls: Trump leads Harris in key battleground states The same results are evident in other polls conducted in Michigan even before the debate. For instance, in a WDIV/Detroit News survey, conducted from Aug. 26 to Aug. 29 among 600 likely voters, 44.7 percent of likely voters in Michigan currently support Trump compared to the 43.5 percent who support Harris. The data further reveals that voters believe Trump is more capable of handling specific presidential responsibilities compared to Harris, particularly in managing the economy (51.5 percent to 38.9 percent), foreign affairs (48.7 percent to 44.3 percent) and immigration (55.5 percent to 36.6 percent). Conversely, voters see Harris as stronger in areas like strengthening American democracy (47.1 percent to Trump's 42.7 percent), more trustworthy (45.4 percent to 42.2 percent), more honest (45.3 percent to 35.7 percent) and smarter (47.4 percent to 42.8 percent). An AARP poll, conducted from Aug. 7 to Aug. 8 among 600 likely voters, showed Trump garnered 45 percent support compared to Harris who only got 43 percent. The poll carries a margin of error of plus or minus four percent and surveyed a political composition of 33 percent Republicans, 32 percent Democrats and 35 percent independents. Furthermore, a Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted from Aug. 21 to Aug. 28, found that Trump led Harris in seven key battleground states, namely Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Nevada. In these states, the poll showed Trump holding a 45 percent to 43 percent lead over Harris. Visit Trump.news for similar stories. Watch Steve Price explaining that Vice President Kamala Harris has done "nothing" throughout her term. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: New poll: Donald Trump takes narrow lead over Kamala Harris in Michigan. POLL: American voters trust Donald Trump more than Kamala Harris on firearms issues. Colorado, Michigan and Wisconsin refusing to remove RFK Jr. from ballot, all to hurt Trump. Orwellian Michigan secretary of state threatens local election officials: Certify Kamala's "win" or "we will come for you." Hundreds of former aides to RINOs Bush, Romney and McCain endorse Kamala Harris over Trump, proving Trump is truly the anti-establishment candidate. Sources include: Breitbart.com 1 ClickOnDetroit.com Breitbart.com 2 Breitbart.com 3 Trump vows to end taxes on overtime pay and Social Security benefits if elected in November Former President Donald Trump has vowed to eliminate taxes on overtime wages and Social Security benefits if elected in November. During a campaign rally in Tucson, Arizona, on Sept. 12, the Republican presidential nominee proposed to eliminate taxes on overtime wages for American workers. He stressed that, if elected, these changes would be among his first actions in office. (Related: Trump promises to fire federal staffers involved in CENSORSHIP.) "Today, I'm also announcing that as part of our additional tax cuts, we will end all taxes on overtime. You know what that means? Think of that," Trump said. "That gives people more of an incentive to work, it gives the companies a lot, it's a lot easier to get the people." Trump argued that removing taxes on overtime pay would create a "whole new workforce." He then praised essential workers, including police officers, nurses, factory workers, truck drivers and construction workers, as some of the hardest-working Americans who would benefit from the plan. "The people who work overtime are among the hardest working citizens in our country and for too long no one in Washington has been looking out for them," he continued. Aside from cutting taxes on overtime pay, Trump also reiterated his commitment to eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits. "Seniors should not pay tax on Social Security," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform in an all-caps message on July 31. Later that day, he reiterated the point during a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, rally, telling the crowd that "they won't" pay such taxes if he wins the election. He also repeated this claim during the Tucson rally. Tax Foundation: Trump's proposal could reduce federal tax revenue by $6.1 trillion over 10 years Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, overtime wages of individuals working more than 40 hours per week are taxed at the same rate as regular income. Meanwhile, about 40 percent of Social Security recipients must pay federal income taxes on their benefits. The Social Security Administration reports that retirees with "other substantial income," such as wages, self-employment earnings, interest or dividends, are required to pay taxes on a portion of their Social Security benefits. Retirees earning less than $25,000 annually or couples earning less than $32,000 are currently exempt from this taxation. However, any change would require Congressional approval. Although Trump has yet to release a comprehensive tax plan, the Tax Foundation noted that his proposal could reduce federal tax revenue by $6.1 trillion over 10 years. While these cuts may ease the burden on individuals, the foundation warned that they could shrink the economy and increase national debt, especially if combined with the tariffs Trump has proposed. "Overall, Trump's policies would reduce distortions in one part of the tax system, namely income taxes, only to replace them with new distortions in another part of the tax system, namely tariffs," the foundation wrote. "The combination of policies under consideration risks shrinking the economy and growing the debt." Head over to Trump.news for more stories about the former president. Watch Brother Nathanael Kapner warning that CBDCs, which the Republicans oppose, will usher in the One World Government in the clip below. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Mike Adams and Texas Rep. Cloud discuss the implications of RFK Jr. supporting Donald Trump. Tim Walz's cousins in Nebraska declare their support for Donald Trump. POLL: American voters trust Donald Trump more than Kamala Harris on firearms issues. Media personalities ATTACK RFK Jr. for endorsing Donald Trump. Tulsi Gabbard endorses Donald Trump for president as former Dems reject the tyrannical, Marxist Left. Sources include: NTD.com TheEpochTimes.com U.S. jets intercept Russian planes near Alaska The United States scrambled fighter jets after Russian military aircraft were detected near Alaska. On Sept. 11, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported that it had detected, tracked and intercepted two Russian military planes operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). According to NORAD's post on X, the intercepted Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace. NORAD stated: "This Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ is not seen as a threat, and NORAD will continue to monitor competitor activity near North America and meet presence with presence." (Related: U.S. and Canadian fighter jets intercept Russian and Chinese bomber aircraft near Alaska.) NORAD, which is a joint U.S.-Canadian defense organization, has frequently intercepted Russian aircraft near Alaska since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. However, NORAD did not specify the type of Russian aircraft involved in the latest incident or the specific U.S. fighter jets used in the intercept. An ADIZ is a defined area of international airspace where aircraft are required to be identified, located and controlled for national security purposes. NORAD employs a "layered defense network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars, and fighter aircraft to track aircraft and inform appropriate actions." In July, the Pentagon reported that Russian and Chinese bombers two Russian Tu-95 and two Chinese H-6 military aircraft were detected flying near Alaska, marking the first time these two nations had operated together in this manner. The Sept. 11 interception comes amid ongoing large-scale military exercises by Russia and China in the Pacific, Arctic, Mediterranean, Caspian and Baltic Seas, which are scheduled to continue through September 16. NORAD is likely to intercept more Russian aircraft in the ADIZ in the future, as such incidents are common. A U.S. Defense Department spokesperson noted in July 2023 that Russian activity in the ADIZ "occurs regularly and we do not view this activity as a threat." NORAD also indicated there is no evidence linking these events to broader global activities. What is NORAD? NORAD is a bi-national organization established by the U.S. and Canada to oversee aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America. Its aerospace warning mission involves detecting, validating and alerting on potential attacks against North America from aircraft, missiles or space vehicles, supported through collaborative arrangements with other commands. Aerospace control focuses on maintaining air sovereignty and defense over Canadian and U.S. airspace. Following the renewal of the NORAD Agreement in May 2006, a maritime warning mission was added, which involves monitoring activities in U.S. and Canadian maritime approaches, areas and internal waterways. NORAD works closely with homeland defense, security and law enforcement agencies to prevent air attacks, safeguard sovereign airspace, respond to unauthorized air activity and provide aerospace and maritime warnings for North America. It continuously adapts its structure to address evolving global threats. The NORAD commander answers to both the U.S. president and the Canadian prime minister, operating from Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. The NORAD and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) Command Center functions as a central hub for collecting and coordinating sensor data to provide accurate threat assessments. NORAD's regional headquarters are located at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska; Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg, Manitoba; and Tyndall AFB, Florida. These bases manage air operations within their respective areas under the commander's direction. For aerospace warning, NORAD delivers integrated tactical alerts and attack assessments to both Canadian and U.S. governments. Its aerospace control mission employs a network of satellites, ground-based and airborne radars and fighter jets to detect, intercept and, if necessary, engage airborne threats. NORAD also assists in identifying aircraft involved in illegal drug trafficking, passing this information to civilian law enforcement. NORAD has developed an initial plan for its maritime warning mission and continues to demonstrate effectiveness through bi-national cooperation. The events of September 11, 2001, highlighted NORADs crucial role in North American security. Follow WWIII.news for more stories like this. Watch the video below about U.S. fighter jets intercepting Russian and Chinese bombers entering its protected airspace close to Alaska. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Putin takes a ride in a NUCLEAR-capable bomber that can reach the U.S. China continues to threaten Taiwanese airspace, deploying 10 WARPLANES to cross Taiwan Strait median line. Suspected Chinese SPY BALLOON recovered off Alaska coast. Sources include: Newsweek.com NORAD.mil Gene editing is one of the most rapidly evolving and exciting areas of medicine. Since mapping the human genomeor at least 90% of it in 2003therapies, vaccines, and edits that adapt or alter DNA have become increasingly common. You have likely heard of CRISPR, but what many do not realize is that CRISPR is just a toola revolutionary, pioneering tool; however, it is no longer the only way to gene edit. With increasing research around the world, scientists are developing unique ways to go about gene editing more effectively. What Is SeekRNA? SeekRNA is an innovative gene-editing technology developed by Dr. Sandro Ataide and his team at the University of Sydney. It improves upon prior iterations and other gene editing methods to give more precise results. How SeekRNA Works The industry standardCRISPR-Cas9, as the name suggests, is actually two distinct things. Firstly, you have a piece of specially synthesized RNA called guide RNA (gRNA), which is about 20 base pairs long and guides itself to the desired location in order to bind with DNA. Now gRNA knows exactly where to gothe problem? It can't cut the DNA strand to insert its new bases. This is where the second element, known as the cas9 enzyme, comes into play. Cas follows the gRNA and cuts the DNA's double helix so that sections of a sequence can be deleted, changed, or entirely new DNA sequences inserted. So why is SeekRNA so different? Well, it's the full package: cut, copy, and paste all in one. Derived from naturally occurring IS1111 and IS110 insertion sequences, SeekRNA's high target specificity is achieved through its unique use of noncoding RNA (NCR)-derived seekRNA, which guides target site selection during genetic transposition. SeekRNA has demonstrated remarkable versatility and precision in experiments, successfully reprogramming target sequences without introducing unintended mutations. The unique transposase used by SeekRNA (known as DEDD) binds to complementary sequences on the target DNA, allowing precise cleaving and insertion of new DNA without the need for additional proteins. The Benefits Building on CRISPR's foundation. In simple terms, SeekRNA is a cleaner, more accurate tool with more options and capacity. Eliminating the need for different Cas proteins comes with a range of benefits, like enhanced precision, which reduces the risk of off-target effects that can lead to unintended mutations. This makes SeekRNA a versatile tool with broad applications, from treating genetic disorders with targeted interventions to a whole host of diseases with a genetic basis, which you will likely realize is a lot. For this reason, university courses, all the way from undergraduate health and biomedical degrees to medicine and DNP programs online, are adapting to include at least the basics. Current Applications At this stage, SeekRNA is still in the research and development stage, but it shows great potential. Its precision and specificity have been demonstrated in laboratory settings, showing promise for future applications across medicine. This year alone has seen multiple milestones for gene editing, with new methods like 'bridge editing' where two pieces of DNA in different locations are linked together (by a bridge) to form entirely new sequences. A gene-edited pig's liver was successfully transplanted into a human. And more treatments using gene editing systems like CRISPR-Cas9 are being approved. All of these real-world applications will benefit from more accurate, reliable, and customizable gene editing tools like SeekRNAthat is, once it leaves the lab. The Competitors Calling the explosion in gene editing biotechnologies an 'arms race' is a bit sensationalist but not far off the mark. There are many gene splicing, copying, and pasting technologies that are usually discovered in bacteria; up until now, the majority have been based on different Cas proteins; in fact, there are 287 of these on file, and likely more to be found. One system that does not use a Cas protein is the CRISPR-ZFN. The ZFN stands for Zinc Finger Nucleases, which are engineered proteins designed to target and cut specific parts of DNA. They combine zinc finger domains, which bind to particular DNA sequences, with a cutting enzyme called FokI. By targeting precise gene locations, ZFNs act like molecular scissors, creating breaks in the DNA. These breaks can then be repaired in ways that allow scientists to add, remove, or alter genes. Another notable non-Cas system is the Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases, better known as TALEN. Effector nucleases are specialized proteins used for precise gene editing. They consist of two main parts: transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) and a nuclease. The TALEs are designed to bind to specific DNA sequences, while the nuclease cuts the DNA at these targeted sites. This cutting action creates breaks in the DNA, which can be repaired by inserting, deleting, or modifying genetic material. In simple terms, TALENs function like customized molecular scissors that can precisely cut DNA at chosen locations, enabling accurate edits for research and therapeutic purposes. What Is Possible We have looked at what's holding current tech back and what SeekRNA can help with, so what could be possible? In medicine, these advancements could significantly impact the treatment of genetic disorders. By enabling precise genetic corrections, diseases such as cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and sickle cell anemia may soon see breakthroughs that address mutations at their genetic roots, providing curative rather than merely symptomatic treatments. In the much-needed area of cancer research, improved gene-editing techniques could enable the targeted editing of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes, leading to more effective and personalized therapies that minimize harm to healthy cells. Beyond direct medical applications, these technologies hold promise in synthetic biology and biotechnology. They allow for the engineering of microorganisms to produce pharmaceuticals and other complex biological molecules, potentially leading to more efficient drug manufacturing processes. As if all this is not enough, enhanced gene-editing tools facilitate the development of innovative treatments for infectious diseases by targeting viral genomes with high specificity. As these technologies continue to advance, they promise to transform biomedical research and therapy, offering new solutions for some of humanity's most pressing health challenges and opening doors to unprecedented levels of genetic precision. Govt to launch new initiative to provide commodities in Manipur at reasonable prices I n a significant step, Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will launch a new initiative on Tuesday to provide various commodities to the people of Manipur at reasonable prices. Announcing the initiative, which would help both the people living in valley regions and in the mountainous areas, the Home Minister said in a post on X: "In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment, the MHA is launching an initiative to provide commodities to the people of Manipur at reasonable prices. Now, the Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandars will be open to ordinary people from September 17, 2024. In addition to 21 existing Bhandars, 16 new ones will be opened. Among the 16 new centres, eight will be in the valley, and the remaining eight in the hills." Expressing his gratitude, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh thanked both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for launching the new initiative on Tuesday. The Chief Minister in a post on X said: "I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for this special initiative aimed to provide further assistance to the people of Manipur." He said that the opening of the Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandars at various locations across the state would facilitate the effective implementation of this initiative which would provide commodities to the people of Manipur at reasonable prices. "The state government will take up necessary steps to ensure that the measure will be implemented and delivered to help fulfill the goals to uplift the people of Manipur," Biren Singh said. The new initiative to provide commodities to the people of violence-ravaged Manipur would help to a great extent as blockade and agitations along two vital National Highways of Manipur create serious hurdles in transporting various commodities including essentials and food grains from outside the state. Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37) and Imphal-Dimapur National High (NH-2) are the two vital surface communications in ferrying essentials, food grains, medicines, numerous commodities, construction materials from outside the state and the region. Often, various organisations put up blockades on the two crucial National Highways to highlight their demands. Operation of goods train from Guwahati to Manipur's Khongsang Railway Station started in July last year. The Khongsang Railway Station is part of the 111 km long Jiribam-Imphal line, an important railway project aimed at improving connectivity in Manipur. Khongsang Railway Station in Tamenglong district is about 106 km from the capital city Imphal by road. Govt to launch new initiative to provide commodities in Manipur at reasonable prices Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Andhra Pradesh CM invites investments in renewable energy sector A ndhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu on Monday invited investors at the 4th Global Renewable Energy Investment Meet in Gandhinagar to invest in Andhra Pradesh, pledging 72.60 Gigawatt of renewable energy by 2030. Addressing the conclave inaugurated Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister highlighted the huge potential in the renewable energy sector in the state. Speaking at the Chief Ministerial Plenary, Naidu pledged Andhra Pradesh's commitment to generate 72.60 GW of renewable energy by 2030, aligning with India's goal of 500 GW by the same year. According to Chief Minister's Office here, he mentioned that this initiative would create jobs, protect the environment, and make Andhra Pradesh a leader in green energy. Promoting Andhra Pradesh as the next big player in green energy, the Chief Minister highlighted the state's coastline, strong industrial base, excellent transport links, and vast potential in solar, wind, pumped storage, and green hydrogen. He invited global investors to take advantage of the state's investor-friendly policies, which include tax breaks, subsidies, and easy regulations, along with a skilled workforce. "I want to create one of the best ecosystems for green energy in India," he said. He also stressed the importance of adopting global best practices in renewable energy, focusing on R&D, policy support, and removing obstacles for emerging technologies. Chandrababu Naidu announced plans to establish a Global University for Clean Energy and Circular Economy to encourage knowledge sharing and innovation. The Chief Minister said that the State has set renewable energy capacity targets with 40 GW solar energy, 20 GW wind energy, 12 GW pumped storage, 25 GW battery energy storage, 1 MTPA Green Hydrogen and derivatives, 2,500 KLPD bio fuels and 500 public charging stations for electric vehicles. He revealed that Andhra Pradesh has installed 4,335.28 MW Solar, 4,083.57 MW wind power, 106 MW small hydro, 443 MW bio energy and 36 MW Waste to Energy facilities so far. Around 4,000 MW solar power parks were established in Anantapur, Kurnool and Kadapa districts. Another 2,700 MW solar capacity is upcoming in Prakasam district and Sri Sathya Sai district. Special Chief Secretary for Energy, K. Vijayanand, received an award on behalf of Andhra Pradesh for setting up Solar Parks in Anantapur from Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. Chandrababu Naidu mentioned that the state government is implementing PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijili Yojana and targeted to install roof top solar in 10 lakh households by 2026-27 apart from target of 26 model solar villages (1 solar village in each district) and solarization of Government buildings on saturation mode up to 150 MW by 2025-26 with support of NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd (NVVN). "As part of PM-KUSUM, the State has implemented Feeder level solarization of agricultural feeders with an aggregate capacity of 3725 MW and also installed 31,275 off grid solar pumpsets. Andhra Pradesh has also taken the lead to promote pumped storage projects at 39 locations with an estimated potential of 43.89 GW to balance its variable renewable energy (VRE) generation and minimise the grid imbalances," he said. Andhra Pradesh CM invites investments in renewable energy sector Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! World problems can't be solved without India's involvement: German Minister (IANS Interview) G ermany's Development Minister Svenja Schulze, who is on a three-day visit to Gujarat to represent her country at the 4th Global Renewable Energy Investor's (RE-INVEST) meet here, has said that the problems of the world cannot be solved without India's involvement. In an exclusive conversation with IANS on Monday, Schulze, who is leading a delegation of around 20 representatives, emphasised the growing importance of India's involvement in solving global challenges and the potential for collaboration between India and Germany, particularly in the fields of renewable energy and skilled labour. "We want to bring a joint force of India and Germany. We have the technical knowledge and that can be brought to this market. We invested early in green energy, and we have the technical expertise," Schulze said. She noted that solar energy is a key area of focus for both nations. "Solar panels are one of the important aspects we want to focus on. We can't pin on one player, and India is the second-largest producer of solar panels." Schulze's visit comes as Germany strengthens its partnership with India under the Indo-German Green and Sustainable Development Partnership, signed in 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. As part of her visit, Schulze is representing Germany at the RE-INVEST renewable energy investor's conference, organised by India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). This year's partner country, Germany is eager to further engage with India on renewable energy and other sustainability goals. At the heart of the visit is a renewed focus on green shipping. "Green shipping is another aspect we want to focus on, in reference to India," Schulze mentioned, underscoring the significance of sustainable practices in the maritime industry. Schulze also discussed gender equality and women's empowerment in the energy sector, stressing that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's administration promotes women in leadership roles. "Olaf is a feminist. He promotes women in work. We have a network of women in the energy sector. This is a work of powerful women." The conference attracted over 10,000 participants, including key government, industry, and finance figures. As India plans to expand its renewable energy capacity, particularly solar, Germany is keen to collaborate in this transition. Germany currently has over 2,000 companies operating in India, 200 of which are in the energy sector alone. The world's largest solar park in Gujarat has garnered substantial interest from German investors. Schulze further highlighted the critical role of India's youthful workforce, particularly in addressing Germany's shortage of skilled labour. "India's average age is in the 20s, and Germany's is in the 40s. Therefore, we also consider India a skilled labour force for German companies. We do a lot of vocational training, which helps both countries." Germany is set to hire 7 million skilled professionals by 2035, with a significant portion expected from India. According to the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), the country will require millions of skilled workers to meet its growing labour demands. The German Minister of Labour highlighted the high demand for Indian professionals, acknowledging India as a key source for filling critical skill gaps in Germany's workforce. With a shared goal of reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development, India and Germany are aligned on many fronts. Schulze's visit aims to deepen this cooperation and explore new opportunities for collaboration. "Germany's Development Ministry has been involved for many years in developing the market for renewable energies in India and improving the investment environment. German companies have benefited from this good reputation and from these investments, and they will continue to benefit. This is evident from the German private sector's significant interest in this conference," she said. World problems can't be solved without India's involvement: German Minister (IANS Interview) Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! PM Modi to speak at UN Summit of the Future on Sep 23, but not at annual high-level meeting P rime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the Summit of the Future on September 23, but not the annual high-level meeting of the General Assembly, according to the latest schedules from the UN. Earlier, PM Modi was listed earlier as a speaker at the September 26 session of the Assembly high-level meeting, but it would appear he will not remain all through the high-level meeting that follows the Summit of the Future and runs from September 24 to 30. External Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar, is now listed as India's speaker at the Assembly high-level meeting and will address it on September 28. After attending the Quad Summit with US President Joe Biden at his home state of Delaware on Saturday, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to speak on Sunday at the "Modi and US, Progress Together" diaspora rally in the New York suburb Uniondale. More than 25,000 people have applied for tickets to the diaspora event, according to the organisers. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to meet with several business leaders and world leaders after the rally. As the leader voicing the aspirations of the Global South with an assertive diplomacy, many leaders from around the world seek meetings with him. The Quad meeting that he will attend along with Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be a farewell meeting for Biden, who is not running for a second term, and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is leaving his post. The four nations work jointly to ensure a peaceful Indo-Pacific region and help in the developmental efforts of the area. Although the group formally known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue does not seek to be a military alliance, at their Saturday meeting the leaders are to announce plans for joint patrols by their Coast Guards to monitor the region where China has taken aggressive actions, according to diplomatic sources quoted by Japan's news agency Kyodo. The Summit of the Future, according to the UN, aims to bring world leaders to chart the course of the world organisation to "accelerate efforts to meet our existing international commitments and take concrete steps to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities". The leaders are expected to adopt the Pact of the Future, a visionary document that will include a Global Digital Compact that deals with both dangers and opportunities of technology. Prime Minister Modi will be at the diaspora rally when the Summit of the Future begins on Sunday and he is listed as the 35th of the 72 speakers at the September 23 morning session which starts at 9 a.m. local time. If all the speakers before him stick to their allotted time -- an unlikely prospect -- his turn would be around noon (9:30 p.m. in India). The annual high-level meeting where world leaders survey the global scene and speak of their nations' programmes and outlook starts on September 24 with a speech by Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who will be followed by Biden under a UN tradition. EAM Jaishankar is listed for the afternoon session on September 28 and he should take the podium at about 4:30 p.m. (2 a.m. in India). He is expected to hold bilateral meetings with many leaders and participate in meetings of various groups. Two important leaders, Presidents Xi Jinping of China and Vladimir Putin of Russia, will be missing at both meetings. China's Vice-President Han Zheng and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are on the roster for both meetings. Like PM Modi, many leaders of major countries will speak at only one of the two summits. Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who will speak at the high-level meeting, will not be at the Summit of the Future, where Secretary of State Antony Blinken is listed for the US and Foreign Secretary David Lammy for Britian. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is also listed on the roster of speakers, along with several international and regional organisations, at the Summit of the Future. (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) PM Modi to speak at UN Summit of the Future on Sep 23, but not at annual high-level meeting Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! How PM Modi transformed India's global standing T he last decade has marked an extraordinary evolution in trust and cooperation between India and the other States of the world. A relationship that many believed would remain stagnant has flourished in ways few could have anticipated. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in May 2014, it was widely assumed that foreign policy would be his Achilles' heel. With limited experience in international relations, sceptics questioned whether he could navigate the complexities of global diplomacy. Yet, almost ten years later, how has India strengthened its ties with the other nations and become a central player in global discussions? What strategies and shifts transformed these doubts into undeniable progress, and what does this mean for the future of Global relations? A decade into his leadership, Narendra Modi's foreign policy has evolved into one of his greatest assets. This achievement stands out even more when viewed against the backdrop of unprecedented global turbulence. The world has faced challenges unseen for decades, starting with the COVID-19 pandemic, a once-in-a-century crisis that rattled economies and disrupted lives across the globe. Just as the world was grappling with this upheaval, two unforeseen conflicts--the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas clash--added to the volatility. Compounding these issues has been China's increasingly assertive stance. From its confrontations in the East China Sea with Japan and Taiwan to its manoeuvres in the South China Sea against ASEAN nations, China has further tested regional stability. India and Bhutan, too, have felt the pressure with tensions over unresolved land borders. Through these sweeping global changes, PM Modi's foreign policy has not just endured but emerged stronger, steering India with a steady hand through a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. One of PM Modi's earliest moves in office was to launch the Neighbourhood First Policy, setting the tone for India's regional diplomacy. His invitation to the Heads of State and Government from all SAARC nations and Mauritius to attend his swearing-in ceremony on May 26, 2014, marked a symbolic yet strategic outreach. In a similar gesture, when he took office for a second term on May 31, 2019, Modi invited leaders from BIMSTEC, Kyrgyzstan, and Mauritius and reinforced his commitment to strengthening regional ties. The impact of this policy is clear today. While challenges remain with Pakistan, China, and recently Maldives, India's relationships with its other neighbours have significantly deepened since 2014. A notable example is the rekindling of ties with Nepal. PM Modi's visit to Nepal in August 2014 was the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 17 years, and it set the stage for further engagement. Since then, the Prime Minister has visited Nepal four more times, including for the SAARC Summit in November 2014, bilateral discussions in 2018, and the BIMSTEC Summit later that year. His most recent visit in 2022 to Lumbini, at the invitation of the Nepalese Prime Minister, underscored the growing bond between the two nations. A crucial moment in the relationship was the Joint Economic Commission meeting in September 2014--the first in 23 years--which laid the groundwork for enhanced economic cooperation. These consistent visits and dialogues have brought about a stronger understanding and partnership between India and Nepal, symbolising the broader success of PM Modi's Neighbourhood First Policy. PM Modi's first visit to Sri Lanka in March 2015 marked a historic moment, as it was the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 32 years. This visit laid the foundation for a stronger partnership, but it was India's decisive political and economic support during Sri Lanka's 2022 economic crisis that truly solidified the relationship. In its time of dire need, India extended a lifeline of US$4.5 billion in cash and resources, showcasing an unwavering commitment to its neighbour and elevating the bilateral ties to new levels of trust and cooperation. India's relationship with Bhutan, meanwhile, has always been characterised by mutual warmth and a deep sense of trust. The unique bond between the two countries is built on shared goodwill, regularly reinforced by high-level visits. The frequent engagements between leaders reflect the strong connection that exists, not just at the political level but among the people of both nations. Recent visits--Bhutan's Prime Minister to India in March 2024, followed closely by PM Modi's visit to Bhutan later that same month--served to further strengthen this enduring friendship, cementing the already solid foundation of cooperation and mutual respect between the two countries. One of the most notable achievements of PM Modi's foreign policy has been the significant strengthening of ties with West Asia and the Middle East. These countries, once influenced by Pakistan's religious narrative in their view of India, now see India as a key political, economic, and strategic partner. This transformation is evident from the recognition PM Modi has received, with nations such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, and Palestine bestowing their highest national honours upon him. India's stature in the region has never been higher, marking a profound shift in its engagement with the Middle East. In a notable shift in regional diplomacy, the UAE invited then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to address the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers in 2019, despite objections from Pakistan. This marked a significant development in India's relations with the Gulf nations. More recently, in January 2024, Smriti Irani, the former Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs, attended the third Haj and Umrah Conference in Madina--an event that would have been inconceivable a decade ago. Additionally, no West Asian country opposed India's decision to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A. In fact, the UAE demonstrated its support by committing Rs 500 crore in foreign direct investment for Jammu and Kashmir, including Rs 250 crore for a major mall and additional funds for IT towers in Jammu and Srinagar. The success of India's foreign policy in the region is further highlighted by the Emir of Qatar's decision to pardon and release eight retired Indian Navy personnel sentenced to death for espionage. This diplomatic victory, achieved in February 2024, underscores India's growing influence and effective foreign policy in West Asia. India's Act East Policy has achieved significant success in broadening and deepening relationships across various domains, including economic, political, strategic, connectivity, and cultural spheres. This policy has effectively expanded India's engagement with ASEAN countries, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Pacific Island nations, and others. Over the past decade, the relationship between India and the United States has seen remarkable growth and consolidation. PM Modi has navigated interactions with three US Presidents--Obama, Trump, and Biden--each time enhancing the bilateral relationship. This partnership has become one of India's most pivotal global alliances, encompassing political, strategic, economic, commercial, and technological dimensions. The two nations collaborate through 60 different dialogue platforms covering critical areas such as emerging technologies, renewable energy, connectivity, education, health, agriculture, green hydrogen, defence, semiconductor chips, and more. In a testament to the strength of this relationship, US President Biden extended a state visit invitation to PM Modi in June 2023, during which the Prime Minister also addressed the US Congress for the second time, having previously spoken before Congress during Obama's presidency in 2016. PM Modi has played a crucial role in revitalising the Quad since November 2017 and elevating it to the summit level over the past three years. Despite recent minor issues--such as allegations related to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, US State Department comments on Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal's arrest, the freezing of Congress accounts, and controversy surrounding India's CAA law--these are unlikely to disrupt the steadily growing bilateral relationship between India and the US. It would benefit both nations to avoid such distractions and maintain the focus on their expanding partnership. India has demonstrated its strategic autonomy by resisting Western pressure to criticise Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Instead, India has continued to import oil and gas from Russia at concessional rates, ensuring an affordable and reliable energy supply for its population. A crowning achievement of PM Modi's foreign policy over the past decade is the successful handling of India's G20 Presidency. Against the backdrop of conflicting global positions on the Ukraine conflict--between the West and nations like Russia and China--India managed to secure a consensus Leaders' Declaration on the very first day, an outcome many deemed improbable. This success can be largely credited to PM Modi's leadership and his ability to build strong personal relationships with world leaders. The world united to support a successful G20 Presidency for India, which reinforced India's role as a voice for the Global South and a trusted global friend. India's response to the Covid-19 pandemic has garnered global acclaim for its effective handling of the health, economic, and social impacts. The country's ability to implement significant economic reforms and accelerate digitisation even amid the crisis has been widely recognised and praised by the international community. Beyond its domestic achievements, India distinguished itself by supplying approximately 300 million vaccines to over 100 countries, most of which were provided free of charge. This act underscored the global benefits of India's development, particularly for other developing nations. PM Modi and his foreign policy team, led by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, have navigated the numerous challenges of the past decade with notable skill and effectiveness. Their leadership has solidified India's reputation as a key player on the global stage, demonstrating that India's progress and growth contribute positively not only to its own citizens but to the broader international community as well. Under PM Modi's leadership, India has skillfully navigated a complex and rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape, demonstrating remarkable diplomatic flexibility and strategic autonomy. He has built upon the efforts of previous governments by forging alliances with nations that are often on opposing sides of global conflicts, yet he has maintained India's independent stance. A prime example of this diplomatic balancing act is India's active participation in both the Quad--a partnership with the United States and its allies--and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which includes China, Russia, and their allies. What sets PM Modi's foreign policy apart is his ability to deepen ties with the United States, extracting advanced defence technologies and weapons while continuing longstanding defence cooperation with Russia, including joint development projects. Perhaps one of PM Modi's greatest successes lies in his ability to develop strong relations with the US while simultaneously engaging with its global adversaries, a feat that few major powers have managed to achieve. He has astutely capitalised on Washington's concerns about China, securing extraordinary support from the US without compromising India's independent foreign policy or giving in to external pressures. This approach has allowed India to remain a pivotal player in global geopolitics, which strengthens its role as a bridge between competing global powers while ensuring its own strategic interests remain uncompromised. (Author is Professor and Chairman of the Centre for Narendra Modi Studies (CNMS)) How PM Modi transformed India's global standing Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Women, youth, minorities, farmers get Modi 3.0's priority attention in first 100 days I n the first 100 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government's third term, projects worth Rs 15 lakh crore have been launched with a focus on farmers, women, the middle-class, youths, tribals and minorities, among others. Since the first term in 2014, the NDA government has consistently focused on the welfare of women, farmers, tribals, youths and minorities. In fact, before even starting the campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi had given several tasks to officials to be completed within the first 100 days of the third NDA government. Improving farmers' income The 17th instalment of Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi was released. As part of the instalment, Rs 20,000 crore has been distributed to 9.3 crore farmers. A government statement said that so far Rs 3 lakh crore have been distributed to 12.33 crore farmers. The Minimum Support Price for Kharif crops for 2024-25 was increased, which has benefitted 12 crore farmers. The Centre has also approved seven major schemes with a total outlay of Rs 14,200 crore, including Digital Agriculture Mission to enhance efficiency and productivity in the agricultural sector. Women empowerment In the first 100 days, the PM Modi government has awarded certificates to 11 lakh new 'Lakhpati Didis'. According to government figures, over one crore 'Lakhpati Didis' now earn more than Rs 1 lakh every year. The Centre has established over 90 lakh self-help groups (SHGs) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) for women. This has helped 10 crore women to promote financial inclusion, digital literacy, sustainable livelihoods and social development measures. On Tuesday, the Prime Minister is scheduled to launch the Odisha government's flagship women-centric initiative, Subhadra Yojana in the state. Relief to middle-class The NDA government announced no tax on income up to Rs 7 lakh, helping salaried individuals save up to Rs 17,500 in taxes. In a statement, the government said that the standard deduction has been increased to Rs 75,000 and the exemption limit for family pension raised to Rs 25,000. The government will also conduct a comprehensive review of income tax rules within six months to make them concise, clear and easy to understand, the statement added. The PM Modi government also implemented a unified pension scheme, under which government employees with 25 years of service will receive 50 per cent of their average basic salary as a pension. The government has said that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, three crore houses were approved -- one crore houses under the urban scheme, and two crore houses were approved for construction in rural areas. So far, over four crore houses have been approved in urban and rural regions in India. Benefits to minorities, tribals The government has said that under the Prime Minister's Developed Tribal Village Campaign, 63,000 tribal villages were approved to be developed. This has helped improve the socio-economic status of around five crore tribals. The Namaste Scheme has been extended to include waste pickers along with sanitation workers, promoting their social and economic empowerment, the government statement said. The recently introduced Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, represents a major step towards improving the management and preservation of Waqf properties. This legislation will facilitate the creation of a digital platform for online registration and monitoring of Waqf properties. By introducing an online system, the government aims to enhance transparency, reduce disputes, and ensure better management of these important assets. The bill is a significant move towards modernising the administration of Waqf properties and addressing long-standing issues related to their management. Youth empowerment The PM Modi-led NDA government has announced a Rs 2 lakh crore package to promote empowerment and skill development among the youth. The goal is to benefit 41 million youth over the next five years. The government has announced more than 15,000 new appointments and first-time employees are covered under EPFO. An incentive of up to Rs 15,000 will be provided in three instalments, the government has said. The MUDRA loan has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, which will greatly help the youths. Strengthening healthcare The Ayushman Bharat Scheme has been expanded to include all citizens aged 70 and above under free insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh. To improve healthcare, 75,000 new medical seats have been added. The government said that this will help the healthcare system become more effective and reduce dependence on foreign medical education. The National Medical Commission is preparing a National Medical Register to create a centralised repository of doctors in the country. In line with the vision of 'Swasth Bharat', the government has also introduced the Rashtriya Poshan Mission. This flagship programme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) seeks to enhance the nutritional status of children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls. Women, youth, minorities, farmers get Modi 3.0's priority attention in first 100 days Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Smriti Irani talks about importance of gender parity with World Bank leaders F ormer Union Minister Smriti Irani, addressing the leaders of the World Bank, talked about the importance of expanding gender equity in India and throughout the Global South. "In order to expand our global competitiveness, leaders of government and commerce throughout the Global South must ensure that gender equity policies are fully implemented," Smriti Irani said at a gathering in Washington on Monday. "Education, healthcare, childcare, and housing policies disproportionately impact women - especially in developing and growing economies like ours. It is critical that we get the policy right so that women and girls can help lead government and industry while also fulfilling their personal potential," she added. She also spotlighted India's rapid strides in the segment in the last decade and underlined the need for focused policymaking. While addressing the World Bank leaders, she also spoke about gender parity in the Global South and the importance of engaging both political and corporate leadership in bringing a change to this effect. She specifically mentioned India's work to advance education policy, expand programmes investing in women-led enterprises and shift cultural mindsets towards women as issues core to gender equity. "Our region of the world is growing in terms of population, economic output, and global influence, so it is incumbent upon us - as leaders - to have the foresight, will, and commitment to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to meet her or his potential," said the BJP leader. Smriti Irani will continue to meet with government and business leaders in Washington, DC, over the next several days to discuss her priorities for gender equity, said a Press statement. Smriti Irani talks about importance of gender parity with World Bank leaders Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Modi 3.0: In just 100 days, govt approves 3 crore PMAY houses, starts 15 new Vande Bharat trains P rime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government in the Centre has approved the construction of three crore houses for the poor under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) within the first 100 days of its third term, while 15 new Vande Bharat trains have started operations during the period, BJP chief J.P. Nadda said on Tuesday. Highlighting the achievements of the Narendra Modi government, which completed 100 days of its third term on Tuesday, he said that the government has done many important public welfare works in just 100 days for the rapid progress of the country. Nadda, who is also the Union Health Minister, made the remarks after launching a blood donation camp under 'Seva Pakhwada' at the BJP headquarters here to mark Prime Minister Modi's 74th birthday. An exhibition on Prime Minister Modi's life was also inaugurated at the party headquarters to mark the special day. The BJP President said that the government has released the 17th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and under the scheme, an amount of more than Rs 2 lakh crore has been deposited to the bank accounts of farmers so far. The Narendra Modi government has also approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) during the period. "Keeping in mind the interests of the farmers, the government has increased the minimum support price. Approval has been given to build eight National High-Speed Road Corridors and eight new broad gauge railway lines," Nadda said. He further said that the government, during the period, has approved 12 new smart cities and has allocated Rs 3 lakh crore to further improve the infrastructure. Under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Jan Arogya Yojana, a scheme linked to all sections of society, now free treatment facility of up to Rs 5 lakh per year will be provided to people above 70 years of age in the country, irrespective of income and social class of the person, he said. "The fourth phase of Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana has been approved. Under this, about 62,500 km of all-weather rural roads will be constructed to connect 25 thousand villages with roads. Many such works have been done during the third term of the Prime Minister, of which I have mentioned some major works. All these works have been done in just 100 days," the BJP chief said. Modi 3.0: In just 100 days, govt approves 3 crore PMAY houses, starts 15 new Vande Bharat trains Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! PM Modi to visit US for Quad and UNGA Summit from September 21 P rime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the United States of America from September 21-23, during which he will also take part in the fourth Quad Leaders' Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, which is being hosted by the US President Joe Biden on September 21. "Following the request of the US side to host the Quad Summit this year, India has agreed to host the next Quad Summit in 2025. At the Quad Summit, the leaders will review the progress achieved by the Quad over the last one year and set the agenda for the year ahead to assist the countries of the Indo-Pacific region in meeting their development goals and aspirations," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Tuesday. The Quad meeting that PM Modi will attend along with Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be a farewell meeting for Biden, who is not running for a second term, and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is leaving his post. Prime Minister Modi will address the 'Summit of the Future' at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23, the theme of which is 'Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow' this time. "A large number of global leaders are expected to participate in the Summit. On the sidelines of the Summit, Prime Minister would be holding bilateral meetings with several world leaders and discuss issues of mutual interest," the MEA stated. The Summit of the Future, according to the UN, aims to bring world leaders to chart the course of the world organisation to "accelerate efforts to meet our existing international commitments and take concrete steps to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities" The leaders are expected to adopt the 'Pact of the Future', a visionary document that will include a Global Digital Compact that deals with both dangers and opportunities of technology. While in New York, PM Modi will also address a gathering of the Indian community on September 22 and would be interacting with the CEOs of leading US-based companies to foster greater collaborations between the two countries in the cutting-edge areas of AI, quantum computing, semiconductors and biotechnology. More than 25,000 people have applied for tickets to the diaspora event titled 'Modi and US, Progress Together' which will be held in the New York suburb of Uniondale. "Prime Minister is also expected to interact with thought leaders and other stakeholders active in the India-US bilateral landscape," the MEA added. PM Modi to visit US for Quad and UNGA Summit from September 21 Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! India achieved 2 out of 3 NDC targets under Paris Agreement: Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav I ndia has achieved two out of three quantitative nationally determined contributions (NDCs) targets of the Paris Agreement, nine years ahead of schedule, Union Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav announced on Tuesday. "It is a matter of great pride that India, under the leadership of our Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, has achieved 2 out of 3 quantitative NDC targets of the Paris Agreement, 9 years ahead of schedule," he said at his address at the 19th Sustainability Summit organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here. India had, in 2015, submitted its first NDC target to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 per cent by 2030 from the 2005 level; and to achieve about 40 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. In December 2023, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced it achieved the two targets. Union Minister Yadav noted that the core idea of sustainability is how to utilise resources and added that energy is the foundation of the development model being followed globally and there is no going back from this path. He pointed out that access to energy is key to achieving a dignified life for all. The "debate today should not be on emission management but rather what is the cost of per capita emission; hence Sustainability is a social goal," he said, elaborating that sustainability covers "the three concerns of environment, economy, and equity". He stated that all government policies, schemes, programmes and initiatives have to be formulated taking a balanced approach towards these three. Further, the Environment Minister said that several waste management regulations have already been shared with the industry through EPR. However, more work in regard to the circular economy including sector-specific research; increasing the recyclables market, access to technologies, and building skills is required. The Minister also launched the CII Report on Building Climate Resilience for Indian Industry. The report includes the Physical Climate Risk Assessment Framework, a necessary tool to help the Indian industry in prioritising appropriate adaptation actions across sectors and in different regions. The report recommends actions for the government such as an open-access climate and extreme weather event dashboard, green and climate-resilient industrial parks and increasing adaptation project funding in the nation. India achieved 2 out of 3 NDC targets under Paris Agreement: Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. Lebanese army soldiers stand guard Tuesday in Beirut after explosions rocked several Hezbollah strongholds around Lebanon. Several thousand people were wounded Tuesday when Hezbollah members paging devices exploded simultaneously across the country, in what a source close to the militant movement said was an Israeli breach of its communications. Republicans have blocked for a second time this year legislation to establish a nationwide right to in vitro fertilization, arguing that the vote is an election-year stunt after Democrats forced a vote on the issue Pregnancy is a transformative time in a person's life where the body undergoes rapid physiological adaptations to prepare for motherhood -; that we all know. What has remained something of a mystery is what the sweeping hormonal shifts brought on by pregnancy are doing to the brain. Researchers in Professor Emily Jacobs' lab at UC Santa Barbara have shed light on this understudied area with the first-ever map of a human brain over the course of pregnancy. "We wanted to look at the trajectory of brain changes specifically within the gestational window," said Laura Pritschet, lead author of a paper just published in Nature Neuroscience (link) . Previous studies had taken snapshots of the brain before and after pregnancy, she said, but never have we witnessed the pregnant brain in the midst of this metamorphosis. Following one first-time mother, the researchers scanned her brain every few weeks, starting before pregnancy and continuing through two years postpartum. The data, collected in collaboration with Elizabeth Chrastil's team at UC Irvine, reveal changes in the brain's gray and white matter across gestation, suggesting that the brain is capable of astonishing neuroplasticity well into adulthood. Their precision imaging approach allowed them to capture dynamic brain reorganization in the participant in exquisite detail. This approach complements early studies that compared women's brains pre- and post-pregnancy. The authors noted, "our goal was to fill the gap and understand the neurobiological changes that happen during pregnancy itself." Decrease in gray matter, increase in white matter The most pronounced changes the scientists found as they imaged the subject's brain over time was a decrease in cortical gray matter volume, the wrinkly outer part of the brain. Gray matter volume decreased as hormone production ramped up during pregnancy. However, a decrease in gray matter volume is not necessarily a bad thing, the scientists emphasized. This change could indicate a "fine-tuning" of brain circuits, not unlike what happens to all young adults as they transition through puberty and their brains become more specialized. Pregnancy likely reflects another period of cortical refinement. Laura Pritschet and the study team were a tour de force, conducting a rigorous suite of analyses that generated new insights into the human brain and its incredible capacity for plasticity in adulthood." Professor Emily Jacobs, UC Santa Barbara Less obvious but just as significant, the researchers found prominent increases in white matter, located deeper in the brain and generally responsible for facilitating communication between brain regions. While the decrease in gray matter persisted long after giving birth, the increase in white matter was transient, peaking in the second trimester and returning to pre-pregnancy levels around the time of birth. This type of effect had never been captured previously with before-and-after scans, according to the researchers, allowing for better estimation of just how dynamic the brain can be in a relatively short period of time. "The maternal brain undergoes a choreographed change across gestation, and we are finally able to see it unfold," Jacobs said. These changes suggest that the adult brain is capable of undergoing an extended period of neuroplasticity, brain changes that may support behavioral adaptations tied to parenting. "Eighty-five percent of women experience pregnancy one or more times over their lifetime, and around 140 million women are pregnant every year," said Pritschet, who hopes to "dispel the dogma" around the fragility of women during pregnancy. She argued that the neuroscience of pregnancy should not be viewed as a niche research topic, as the findings generated through this line of work will "deepen our overall understanding of the human brain, including its aging process." The open-access dataset, available online, serves as a jumping-off point for future studies to understand whether the magnitude or pace of these brain changes hold clues about a woman's risk for postpartum depression, a neurological condition that affects roughly one in five women. "There are now FDA-approved treatments for postpartum depression," Pritschet said, "but early detection remains elusive. The more we learn about the maternal brain, the better chance we'll have to provide relief." And that is just what the authors have set out to do. With support from the Ann S. Bowers Women's Brain Health Initiative, directed by Jacobs, their team is building on these early discoveries through the Maternal Brain Project. More women and their partners are being enrolled at UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, and through an international collaboration with researchers in Spain. "Experts in neuroscience, reproductive immunology, proteomics, and AI are joining forces to learn more than ever about the maternal brain," Jacobs said. "Together, we have an opportunity to tackle some of the most pressing and least understood problems in women's health." The deadly H5N1 avian influenza virus, which has killed millions of birds worldwide since 2021 and in rare cases can be transmitted to humans may be spread through the food-stealing behavior of some seabirds. A study published today in the journal Conservation Letters highlights food theft also known as 'kleptoparasitism', where some seabird species like frigatebirds and skuas force other birds to regurgitate their prey as a possible transmission path for the spread of avian flu. Led by scientists from UNSW Sydney's Centre for Ecosystem Science and involving BirdLife International, Deakin University, and Monash University, the researchers analyzed existing information about frigatebird and skua distribution, behavior and movements, while searching through a global database for records of them contracting the virus. They also looked at the literature available to see which species of seabird the frigatebirds and skua target with kleptoparasitism. Lead author Simon Gorta from UNSW Science says the study could provide a new focus in determining how and where the spread of the deadly virus may originate and how it could be transmitted among individuals, populations, and at the continental or ocean-basin scale. Understanding transmission is critical to monitoring and management efforts, particularly when at-risk species or regions are involved, and it's helpful to understand threats to other animals and people." Simon Gorta, lead author, PhD student with UNSW "While the original H5N1 virus first emerged in 1996, the current 2.3.4.4b strain has spread far more than other strains, and is highly virulent, killing hundreds of thousands of wild seabirds since being first detected in 2021." Previously restricted largely to Eurasia and Africa, the virus spread to North America in 2021 and South America in late 2022. It reached Antarctica in early 2024, and has been declared a panzootic a pandemic among animals. Seabirds at risk and capable of transmitting the disease Marine species, such as seabirds, have been particularly hard-hit by the panzootic. "As one of the most threatened groups of birds on the planet, the fact that seabirds have proven to be particularly vulnerable to diseases like this is of great concern," says co-author A/Prof. Rohan Clarke from Monash University. Co-author Professor Richard Kingsford says the seabirds are especially vulnerable because of the way they group when breeding. "Transmission among seabirds is a real concern because of their close contact and potential contamination of communal resources on densely-packed breeding islands, as well as particular behaviors like predation and scavenging of infected individuals," he says. But now the researchers say another behavior may play an important role here: food theft or "kleptoparasitism". This is a widespread behavior in seabirds, commonly practiced by frigatebirds and skuas which the researchers focused on in their study. This process involves a kleptoparasitic bird stealing food from another bird by forcing it to regurgitate its prey. If the bird the kleptoparasite targets is infected, the regurgitated food item could be coated in saliva with a high viral load, which could then infect the kleptoparasite, which in turn could infect others. The researchers highlighted that this pathway of transmission could lead to transmission of the disease into new populations, but could also be carried long distances if birds become infectious on migration. "Many seabirds, including these kleptoparasitic species, cover tens of thousands of kilometers in their migrations," says Alex Berryman, Red List Officer for BirdLife International. "If kleptoparasites become infected during these migrations and come into contact with other individuals in a way that can facilitate transmission soon after, the disease could spread into new, threatened, and previously unexposed populations and regions." Early detection is key While the H5N1 2.3.4.4b has not yet reached Australia, monitoring for early detection of the disease when it arrives rather than if is underway. "Birds globally are already under greater threat than ever before it is critical the risk posed by bird flu is properly researched and managed," Mr Gorta says. "We have identified that migratory kleptoparasites, alongside predatory and scavenging species, could be some of the first species to become infected when H5N1 reaches Australia." These insights will contribute to the coordinated management of avian influenza in Australia, including the National Avian Influenza Wild Bird Surveillance Program. The researchers say this is important for guiding Australia's preparedness for the arrival of the disease on its shores, including vulnerable subantarctic islands. University of Sydney research has found people over 65 are being prescribed antidepressants as pain treatment based on international guidelines that use limited evidence. The study found that in the last 40 years there have been only 15 trials globally focusing on the benefit of antidepressants for pain in older people. This study fills a much-needed gap in research by bringing together the information from these trials to look at the efficacy and harms of antidepressants for acute and chronic non-cancer pain in those over 65-years old. It finds a lack of evidence to inform the use of antidepressants for most pain conditions in older adults, and urges prescribing and treatment practices that consider the unique needs and risks of older adults. Lead author Dr Sujita Narayan, a Research Fellow at the University's Institute for Musculoskeletal Health said international guidelines recommending antidepressants for chronic pain are heavily based on studies that either exclude older adults or include only a small number of them. Health professionals use these as a reference point when treating older patients with conditions causing chronic pain, such as osteoarthritis. "If I am a busy clinician and want to look at the guidelines for quick reference, I will probably have time to look at only the key points regarding management of chronic pain, some of which advise the use of antidepressants," said Dr Narayan, from the Faculty of Medicine and Health. Senior author Associate Professor Christina Abdel Shaheed from the University's School of Public Health and the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health emphasized no trials examined the growing use of antidepressants for acute pain such as that experienced by those with shingles or muscular pain. These medicines are being prescribed to remedy patients' pain, despite the lack of evidence to adequately inform their use. However, harms of antidepressant use in older people are well documented." Associate Professor Abdel Shaheed In relation to harm, the study found people taking antidepressants experienced more negative effects, like falling, feeling dizzy, and getting injured, judged against suitable comparison groups. These adverse effects saw more people in the antidepressant group stop taking their medication than those in placebo groups or groups taking other drugs for pain management. "Withdrawal from antidepressants can be as bad as withdrawal from opioids. I would recommend that anyone considering discontinuing their medication to not stop taking their antidepressants immediately, but to consult with their clinician and devise a tapering plan, as necessary," Dr Narayan. The study found one exception. Researchers found the SNRI duloxetine was able to relieve knee osteoarthritis pain in older adults during the intermediate term, but not short-term or longer term. "There was higher quality evidence on its efficacy for chronic pain related to knee osteoarthritis. This was based on using it for a period of roughly two to four months. It wasn't significant in the immediate term, if used for up to two weeks, and no data was available for use beyond a 12-month period. "For clinicians and patients who might be using or considering duloxetine for knee osteoarthritis, the message is clear: benefits may be seen with a little persistence, but the effects may be small and need to be weighed up against the risk," said Dr Narayan. Current evidence on antidepressant efficacy and safety in older people comes mostly from small trials. Disclosed industry-funded trials with fewer than 100 participants highlight the need to update guidelines and rethink the clinical practice of prescribing antidepressants for pain in older adults, the research found. The study supports guidelines on the management of chronic non-cancer pain in older people recommending a multidimensional approach using non-pharmacological strategies, such as physical exercise and cognitive behavior therapy based on trials done specifically in older people. "The key point is that we shouldn't rely on findings from studies with younger people and apply them to older adults because they are different, older people's bodies undergo changes that alter how they respond to medications. This can lead to different effects in older people compared to younger people," said Dr Narayan. A recent study conducted by researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Fudan University has revealed a significant association between socioeconomic status (SES) inequality and the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Published in Health Data Science, the study highlights how a healthy lifestyle can mitigate some of the risks associated with low SES. Socioeconomic disparities have long been a concern in various health outcomes. This study, led by Associate Research Fellow Huixun Jia and Professor Xiaodong Sun from the Department of Ophthalmology at Shanghai General Hospital, aims to investigate the impact of SES inequality on the incidence of AMD, a leading cause of blindness among the elderly. Previous studies suggested a potential link, but were limited by their cross-sectional design or small sample sizes. Using data from the UK Biobank, the researchers conducted a prospective cohort study involving 316,663 middle-aged and elderly individuals. SES was determined through latent class analysis considering education, household income, and employment status. Healthy lifestyle factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity (PA), were also examined. Our study identified a significant association between SES inequality and the incidence of AMD. Notably, the relationship was influenced by lifestyle behaviors, particularly physical activity. We found that smoking mediated the low SES-AMD association, while high alcohol consumption reduced the protective effect of high SES." Huixun Jia, Associate Research Fellow, Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital During the 12.2 years of follow-up, 6,355 participants were diagnosed with AMD. Those with medium and low SES had a 10% and 22% increased risk of AMD, respectively, compared to high SES individuals. Physical inactivity was found to exacerbate this association, highlighting the importance of promoting regular physical activity, especially among those with low SES. "Our findings underscore the universal benefits of positive lifestyle adjustments," added Jia. "Encouraging physical activity and smoking cessation among individuals with low SES, and reducing alcohol consumption among high SES groups, could mitigate their susceptibility to AMD." Looking ahead, the research team plans to explore additional preventive measures for AMD to reduce its disease burden. "Our ultimate goal is to enhance the quality of life for the elderly by addressing SES inequalities and promoting healthy lifestyle choices," said Professor Xiaodong Sun. Numerous social and structural factors, including immigration status, socioeconomic position and access to health care, contribute to differences in cardiovascular health and heart disease risk for Asian Americans, and these factors affect Asian ethnic subgroups in different ways, according to a new scientific statement published today in the American Heart Association's journal, Circulation. This AHA scientific statement, "Social Determinants of Cardiovascular Health in Asian Americans," highlights the evidence for the role of social determinants of health in cardiovascular health among Asian American adults and identifies future directions for research to advance health equity for the Asian American population and reduce health disparities in these communities. Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial group in the United States, with a population projected to reach up to approximately 46 million by 2060. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Asian Americans will represent more than 10% of the total U.S. population at that time. However, Asian Americans remain persistently underrepresented as participants in medical research. Previous studies have found that Asian Americans are less willing to participate in health research compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Research conducted exclusively in English may also result in underrepresentation of Asian American individuals with lower English proficiency from different Asian ethnic subgroups. "Due to the small numbers of Asian Americans recruited in research studies, even when Asian American participants are included, they are frequently combined into a single 'Asian' category or grouped with Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, which results in the masking of clinically relevant differences in health among subgroups of people of Asian descent," said Chair of the statement writing group Nilay S. Shah, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, an assistant professor of cardiology and preventive medicine at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. As of 2021, the six largest Asian origin ethnic groups in the U.S. were Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean and Japanese Americans. People of other Asian ethnic groups, such as Pakistani, Thai or Cambodian descent, are less often identified in research studies, limiting understanding of health status in these populations. Asian American ethnic groups should be individually identified, since each sub-group represents a unique population with distinct social, cultural and health characteristics. There are several social factors that uniquely influence health behaviors and disease risk in individual Asian ethnic groups, including reasons for immigration, socioeconomic position and differences in health care access and utilization." Nilay S. Shah, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, assistant professor of cardiology and preventive medicine, Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine Immigration status and structural racism Immigration policy, citizenship status and legal documentation are widely recognized as important social determinants of health for people immigrating to the U.S. including people from Asia. Historically, Asian American immigrants have faced structural racism and anti-Asian prejudice resulting in policies restricting immigration into the U.S. The 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act restricted immigration and citizenship based solely on national origin, and Executive Order 9066 led to the unjust, forced incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II in 1942. Differences in histories and reasons for migration and resettlement may contribute to suboptimal heart health. For example, Bhutanese, Burmese, Cambodians, Hmong, Laotians and Vietnamese people have frequently arrived in the U.S. as refugees. Refugees are more likely to experience chronic stress due to being exposed to war, violence, hunger and trauma, which may worsen heart health. Real and perceived discrimination may also influence cardiovascular health by leading to increased stress, poor sleep habits, and other suboptimal health behaviors. Asian Americans without documented immigration status often lack employer-based health insurance. Non-U.S. citizens also have limited access to federal and state health insurance programs, which may contribute to disparities in health outcomes. In addition, lack of health insurance and concerns about immigration status can limit access to timely health care and may also deter individuals from seeking preventive care for cardiovascular risk factors. Socioeconomic and social factors Due to the socioeconomic diversity of Asian communities, there are substantial differences in the physical and social characteristics of neighborhoods in which Asian Americans live. The complex interplay of social determinants of health, including social support, neighborhood walkability and access to nutritious foods, influence cardiovascular health and contribute to differences across ethnic groups. While the Asian American population overall is relatively a high-income group, there are significant differences within individual ethnic groups. In 2019, median annual household income ranged from approximately $44,000 per year in Burmese Americans to $119,000 per year among Indian Americans (compared to the average of $85,800 for all Asian Americans). Employment status in the U.S. is frequently related to health insurance coverage, residence in resource-rich neighborhoods and housing stability. A nationally representative survey of Asian Americans from 10 ethnic backgrounds found that adults who were employed were more likely to report having better health. In addition, Asian Americans with less than a high school education were 73% less likely to have ideal heart health compared to those with college degrees. A potential explanation is that people employed in low-wage occupations, such as in the service and food industries, may experience greater discrimination and have fewer benefits and employee protections. Previous research has found that food insecurity, defined as limited or uncertain access to adequate amounts of food, and nutrition security, which refers to the availability, accessibility and affordability of healthy foods, are associated with increased overweight and obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular mortality in all communities. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, estimates for food insecurity increased by approximately 25% for Vietnamese American adults and 53% for Filipino American adults. Acculturation, or the process of adapting to a different culture, also affects heart disease risk factors in people who immigrate to the U.S. For example, greater availability and consumption of processed and fast foods and more sedentary lifestyles are known risk factors associated with higher rates of obesity. Differences in health access and literacy Asian Americans, especially those not born in the U.S., often experience difficulty in accessing health care services, inadequate health communication between clinicians and patients, cultural differences in health-related beliefs and discrimination in the health care system. Prior research suggests that gaps in health insurance coverage within some Asian American subgroups, such as Korean and Vietnamese Americans, may be attributable to high rates of employment in occupations that less often provide health insurance coverage, such as jobs in the construction, maintenance or transportation industries, working for a small business or being a small business owner. English proficiency varies considerably among Asian ethnic groups in the U.S. Limited English proficiency may impact cardiovascular health by preventing patients from adequately reporting symptoms or health concerns. In addition, insufficient use of interpretation/translation services may prevent health care professionals from adequately understanding and addressing health concerns in Asian Americans with limited English proficiency. Health literacy, or knowledge about health services, also varies across Asian American ethnic groups. Limited health literacy can negatively affect the use of preventive care and/or following medical instructions and taking medications as prescribed. Asian immigrants may also gravitate towards traditional, complementary or alternative medicine practices common in Asian countries, such as acupuncture or herbal therapies. Shah said, "All of these social determinants of health are likely interrelated, and the cumulative impact of these structural and social risk factors contributes to suboptimal cardiovascular health in Asian Americans. There is an urgent need to understand these challenges and address them with effective prevention strategies to help improve their long-term cardiovascular health. Achieving health equity in this rapidly growing population will require multi-level interventions that target the key factors influencing cardiovascular health and account for the unique experiences within individual Asian subgroups." The scientific statement was prepared by the volunteer writing group on behalf of the American Heart Association's Prevention Science Committee of the Council on Epidemiology and Prevention and the Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; the Council on Hypertension; the Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health; the Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences; the Council on Clinical Cardiology; the Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease; and the Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research. American Heart Association scientific statements promote greater awareness about cardiovascular diseases and stroke issues and help facilitate informed health care decisions. Scientific statements outline what is currently known about a topic and what areas need additional research. While scientific statements inform the development of guidelines, they do not make treatment recommendations. American Heart Association guidelines provide the Association's official clinical practice recommendations. Co-authors are Vice Chair Stella Yi, Ph.D., M.P.H.; Namratha R. Kandula, M.D., M.P.H.; Yvonne Commodore-Mensah, Ph.D., M.H.S., R.N., FAHA; Brittany N. Morey, Ph.D., M.P.H.; Shivani A. Patel, Ph.D., M.P.H.; Sally Wong, Ph.D., R.D., FAHA; and Eugene Yang, M.D., M.S. COVID-19 cases in the U.S. have shown unexpected oscillating waves every six months between the southern states and the northern states and, to a lesser degree, from east to west, according to new research published today in Scientific Reports. Public health scientists from the University of Pittsburgh, University of Ottawa and University of Washington conducted the first detailed analysis to demonstrate and characterize the six-month oscillation of cases across space and time. It provides key information that could inform public health activities, such as vaccination campaigns, that aim to control the virus. The COVID-19 winter waves are consistent with that of other respiratory viruses, but the existence of a repeated additional surge during the summer was unexpected. These waves start near the southern U.S. border in July and August, when the weather is hottest and the humidity is high factors that usually tamp down the spread of respiratory viruses. We don't have a good explanation for why COVID-19 rates should increase in both the warmest and coolest times of the year." Donald S. Burke, M.D., senior author, dean emeritus of Pitt's School of Public Health The research team, which includes lead author Hawre Jalal, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Ottawa, and Kyueun Lee, Ph.D., of the University of Washington, believe the data suggest the six-month U.S. COVID-19 waves may be part of a larger pattern sweeping up and down the North American continent. Further data is needed to test the hypothesis and determine the exact mechanisms fueling these unexpected seasonal oscillations. In IVF treatment, embryos are traditionally transferred in the uterus three days after fertilization. Due to improvements in laboratory techniques, this is now also possible after five days. It was assumed that this increases the chance of a successful pregnancy. A study by Radboud university medical center and Amsterdam UMC shows that the day of transfer does not influence the success rate of the IVF trajectory. One out of thirty children in the Netherlands is conceived via in vitro fertilization, or IVF for short. In this procedure, egg cells are fertilized outside the body and grown in the laboratory for several days. One or more embryos are then transferred back in the uterus and the rest is frozen. Traditionally, the laboratory phase lasts three days. Due to technical improvements, embryo transfer is now also possible after five days. The idea is that only viable embryos remain after five days, which increases the chance of a successful pregnancy. However, this leaves fewer embryos in the freezer. Previous research has shown that the chance of success after the first transfer is indeed higher when this takes place on day five than on day three. But these studies did not evaluate the results of the entire IVF trajectory, including any subsequent transfer of frozen embryos. Research by Radboud university medical center, carried out in collaboration with Amsterdam UMC, changes this. The same number of pregnancies The study was conducted in 21 Dutch IVF centers among more than 1,200 women. At least four embryos had to be available for transfer two days after fertilization. In half of the women, embryos were transferred on day three, in the other half on day five. The outcome was the chance of a successful pregnancy during the entire IVF trajectory. This turned out to be the same in both groups, around sixty percent. Researcher Simone Cornelisse explains the results: 'Ultimately, IVF is about a successful pregnancy, and not only about the chances of success after the first transfer. Abroad, where IVF care is not insured, clinics often advertise their success rates from the first transfer on day five. In doing so, they provide an incomplete representation of the situation. Our study shows that women should have a choice about the moment of transfer.' Personal decision Other results from the study may influence that choice. As in previous research, there was a higher chance of a successful pregnancy after the first transfer on day five. There were also fewer miscarriages in that group. On the other hand, if the embryos were transferred on day three, more could be frozen for later use and the risk of premature birth was somewhat lower. Both choices have advantages and disadvantages, but do not make any difference to the overall success rate. It is a very personal decision. For some people, getting pregnant as quickly as possible is very important, for example if the woman is older. Someone else attaches more value to a larger number of frozen embryos or wants to keep the chance of premature birth as small as possible. There is no guideline regarding the day of transfer. Therefore, a couple who want to become pregnant must discuss it with the doctor and make a choice together." Liliana Ramos, one of the study leaders, clinical embryologist LabVantage Solutions, Inc., the leading provider of laboratory informatics solutions and services, including purpose-built LIMS platforms enabling rapid deployment at reduced costs, today announced it has been awarded the prestigious Company of the Year Award in the Global Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) Industry by Frost & Sullivan. This recognition highlights LabVantages leadership in visionary innovation, performance, and customer impact, affirming the companys commitment to delivering cutting-edge, customer-centric solutions across industries. Image Credit: LabVantage Solutions, Inc. The award, part of Frost & Sullivans Best Practices Awards series, acknowledges companies that demonstrate excellence in growth and innovation. LabVantage has been recognized for excelling in both dimensions, leveraging its visionary approach to address unmet needs in laboratory informatics while maintaining a strong focus on customer satisfaction and service experience. Over nearly four decades, the company has evolved from a specialized LIMS provider into a vertical Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform provider for all laboratory-related digital needs of various industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food and beverage, oil and gas, contract testing, public health labs, forensics, and government. LabVantage distinguishes itself with an extensive product lineup, smooth integration capabilities, and dedication to facilitating digital transformation in laboratories, Lucila Martin, Healthcare & Life Sciences Research Analyst, Frost & Sullivan. Given the early and strategic growth of SaaS as part of its business, the company enhances its ability to capitalize on LIMS market trends and opportunities. Additionally, LabVantage has been named a leader, for the second consecutive year, in the 2024 Frost Radar for Global LIMS for the life sciences industry providing yet another testament to its continued leadership and adaptability in a rapidly evolving sector. In the Radar, Frost & Sullivan evaluated 50 LIMS vendors, plotting the top 14 for their advanced capabilities in interoperability, scalability, and configurability. Companies on the Radar adopt a robust vision focused on growth and rigorous innovation that promotes seamless integration of new technologies, identifies the critical needs of each area, and offers distinctive features for each use of their solutions. A leading player in this Radar analysis, LabVantage scored a high 4.6 on the Innovation index, and similarly, a 4.5 on the Growth index. It is a great honor to be awarded Company of the Year in the Global LIMS industry by an esteemed industry advisory firm such as Frost & Sullivan, said Mikael Hagstroem, CEO of LabVantage Solutions. This recognition is a result of the dedication and passion that my 1223 colleagues put into changing from a product-centric to a truly client-focused company with a focus on delivering client impact. Earning the Frost Radar recognition two years in a row is a humbling and rare feat for any company for us, it underscores how closely we partner with our customers to drive innovation. We are proud that our efforts to listen to and innovate based on customer feedback are being recognized, validating our commitment to delivering impact and partnering with our clients for the betterment of the human condition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated phase II of the Metro rail extension connecting the twin cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. Modi waved a green flag to start the new route and travelled in the Metro from Sector 1 station of Gandhinagar to GIFT city. Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel accompanied the prime minister on his metro journey, during which he interacted with students and other passengers. As per a government release, part one of phase II spans up to 21 kilometres, covering eight new stations initially, providing efficient transportation services. The project, developed by the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) in collaboration with the state and Central governments, will expand the metro network, linking key locations between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, such as GNLU, PDEU, Gift City, Raysan, Randesan, Dholakuva, Infocity and Sector-1, it said. The new phase from Motera to Gandhinagars Sector 1 will connect crucial hubs such as GIFT City, facilitating easy access for professionals, students, and tourists. The total project cost for phase II was Rs 5,384 crore, with funding secured through loans from international agencies like AFD and KfW. The extended route dramatically reduces the travel time between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. For instance, commuters can travel between APMC and GIFT City in under an hour at Rs 35. Ahmedabad city has two metro corridors. With this extension of the Metro from Ahmedabad to Gandhinagar, a major connectivity problem between the twin cities has been resolved. Every year, millions of youngsters enrol for the highly demanded degree, Master of Business Administration (MBA). In India, admission to management colleges like the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) is based on Common Admission Test (CAT) scores. It is one of the most competitive courses globally and is offered in various streams. From technology to healthcare, one can choose this course based on a specific area of interest. MBA courses are now being tailored to students needs. After the two-year MBA course, finding a job with a salary package in lakhs is believed to be easier. Most companies prefer MBA graduates for senior positions. Graduating from a top management college can get one a job with a salary of up to Rs 20 lakh. If one aims to work for a Multi-National Company (MNC) or abroad, an MBA is the best option. So, note down these benefits of pursuing an MBA degree. Career Growth Generally, an MBA degree will help one reach higher positions, especially in the management sector. Leadership Skills The MBA course focuses on important qualities like leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills which one will need in their professional lives. Networking Benefits It will benefit one if they are in touch with their batchmates, alumni or even management experts since they can help with references or further help one succeed in their profession. Expertise MBA degree offers one specialisation in areas like finance, marketing, or HR. MBA Salary In India, the average annual salary for MBA graduates ranges from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. Entrepreneurship Having an MBA helps in starting ones venture or business. Global Value An MBA degree from an Indian college is recognised worldwide. It would help if one enrols at a top management college or university to get a better job opportunity abroad. Placement Opportunities Studying MBA from a prestigious institute can help one secure a job at top companies as they conduct placement drives in business schools and colleges. Government Jobs If you want to get a government job, having an MBA degree can help you secure a place in railways, banks, and public sector undertakings as well. In a historic move, Atishi Marlena Singh has been appointed as the new Chief Minister of Delhi, making her the third woman to hold the position. She follows Sushma Swaraj, Delhis first female Chief Minister, and Sheila Dixit, who was the second. Atishi, an MLA representing the Kalkaji assembly seat, is a trusted ally of the Aam Aadmi Party chief and former Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal. Atishis Early Education Born on June 8, 1981, Atishi comes from an academic family, with both her parents, Vijay Singh and Tripta Singh, serving as professors at Delhi University. She received her early education at Springdales School in Delhi before completing her masters degree at the prestigious St. Stephens College, Delhi University. Atishi Earned Masters Degree From Oxford Atishi earned a Masters Degree in History at Oxford University in 2003 through the Chevening Scholarship. Later in 2005, she went for educational research as a Rhodes Scholar at Magdalen College, Oxford. Atishi also has an experience in teaching. Before her involvement in politics, she taught History and English at Rishi Valley School in Andhra Pradesh. With her appointment, Atishi becomes not only the third woman Chief Minister of Delhi but also the second woman to lead a state in India, following West Bengals Mamata Banerjee. Chaudhary Brahm Prakash: First CM Of Delhi In 1952, elections were held for the first time in Delhi and Chaudhary Brahm Prakash of Congress was elected as the first Chief Minister of Delhi. Although Deshbandhu Gupta was announced as CM after the elections, however, Prakash was made the CM as the former died in a plane crash. Chaudhary Brahm Prakash, born on June 16, 1918, served as the CM of Delhi from March 17, 1952 to February 12, 1955. No CM In Delhi For Over 35 Years In 1956, the Delhi Assembly was dissolved and it was declared a Union Territory and the post of Chief Minister of Delhi was abolished. In 1966, Delhi was given the status of a Metropolitan Municipality. In the year 1991, it was declared the National Capital Territory by amending the Constitution. After delimitation, the assembly was constituted again. In 1991, the 69th constitutional amendment allowed Delhi to have a 70-member assembly. 12 seats were reserved for Scheduled Castes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari initiative in Surat on September 6, 2024. Under this initiative, around 24,800 rainwater harvesting facilities are being built across the state of Gujarat. This project is aimed to enhance rainwater conservation and ensure long-term water sustainability. It is led by the Ministry of Jal Shakti along with the Government of Gujarat. Five important points of Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari you must know: The initiative aims to build around 24,800 rainwater harvesting facilities across the state of Gujarat. The government has taken the decision to apply a Whole-of-Society and Whole-of-Government approach. This highlights the importance of peoples participation along with the government. India houses 18 percent of the Worlds population but has only 4 percent of the worlds water resources. This initiative will boost the availability of water in various places of the state. Groundwater Depletion is another main reason why such an initiative was taken. In around 256 districts across the country, the groundwater levels are critically low. Around 21 percent of infectious diseases in India are caused by contaminated water. To reduce this number the initiative was taken. What is the process of rainwater harvesting? Rainwater harvesting involves collecting and storing water from surfaces like fields and rooftops. The water can be used in two ways. Either the water can be stored for purification and use or it can also be used to boost the groundwater levels. Some of the key components of the rainwater harvesting system include: A place from where the water will be collected. Pipes and cisterns to transport the water to the storage tank. A flush system to throw the first water of the rain as it may contain contaminants. To hold the water a tank must be attached to the system. To remove the contaminants a filter system has to be installed. Know more about similar government initiatives for water conservation in India. National Water Mission: This initiative was initiated by the government with the aim of conserving water, reducing wastage, ensuring equal water distribution, and promoting sustainable conservation of water resources. Jal Jeevan Mission: Also known as Har Ghar Jal, this initiative aims to provide fresh water to every household. It was launched in 2019. Atal Bhujal Yojana: This is a groundwater management initiative flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayees 95th Birth anniversary. Atal Bhujal Yojana was aimed at improving groundwater management in seven states, Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Mission Amrit Sarovar: With this initiative, the government aims to construct or rejuvenate 75 water bodies in every district of the country. Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0: This mission includes a provision in which the government aims to take necessary steps for water conservation while ensuring less waste. A three-storey school building, built with the Indian grant assistance of NRs 11.30 million, was inaugurated on Monday in Nepals Bhaktapur. The Government of India grant under Nepal-India Development Cooperation was utilised for the construction of the Shree Mahendra Shanti Secondary School building with other facilities, the Indian embassy said in a statement. This project was taken up as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) under an agreement between India and Nepal, it said. The Nepalese leaders appreciated Indias continued developmental support in the upliftment of the people of Nepal in priority sectors. Mahendra Shanti Secondary School Building at Suryabinayak Municipality, Bhaktapur jointly inaugurated today by Mr Durlav Thapa Chhetri, Honble MP, Bhaktapur, Mr Ishwar Bahadur Thapa, Chief DCC, Ms Sarita Timsina,Dy Mayor &Sh Avinash Kumar Singh, First Secretary @IndiainNepal 1/2 pic.twitter.com/XqTia9rs6R IndiaInNepal (@IndiaInNepal) September 16, 2024 The school established in 1952 as a primary school and subsequently upgraded as a secondary in 1995 is one of the oldest schools in the district. The school runs classes from Nursery to 12th standard with a total number of students around 800, 45 per cent of which are girls. As close neighbours, India and Nepal share wide-ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation. The implementation of HICDPs reflects the continued support of the Government of India in bolstering the efforts of the Government of Nepal in upliftment of its people by augmenting infrastructure in priority sectors, the statement said. CNN-News18 has unveiled its special programming Battle for the States for the pivotal assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir, commencing on September 18. With elections taking place across multiple phases, CNN-News18 is set to track every twist, turn, and development in real-time till the Counting Day. Following its extensive coverage of Indias 2024 general elections from the first phase of voting to the final verdict CNN-News18 now aims to put a spotlight on the upcoming assembly polls. From the battleground of Jammu & Kashmir, where the promise of peace hangs in the balance, to Haryanas political landscape shaped by alliances and caste dynamics, the channel has geared up to capture all key moments as they unfold. The channels extensive network of reporters and anchors would bring every major development live from the ground. The special programming covers each phase of the polling and a Poll of Polls analysis before the Counting Day. Adding to the mix, The Reporters Project, a special three-episode series, is poised to showcase CNN-News18s vast journalistic expertise. The first episode would be aired from Kashmir, followed by Jammu, and Haryana, highlighting the on-ground realities, key election issues, and public sentiment with visually engaging stories from the heart of the action. CNN-News18 is committed to delivering high-quality journalism, and this election season is no exception. Given our robust programming and experienced reporters on the ground, we are confident that the election coverage will resonate strongly with viewers, driving substantial engagement throughout the polling phases and on Counting Day, said Smriti Mehra, CEO English & Business News, Network18. Zakka Jacob, Managing Editor, CNN-News18, added, As the first assembly polls following the recent Lok Sabha elections, the elections in Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana hold significant importance in Indias current political landscape. We anticipate more viewers to tune in to witness how the political dynamics evolve in these regions. Our team is set to meticulously capture every nuance of this significant political event and provide sharp analysis to keep our audience informed every step of the way. Stay tuned to CNN-News18 for the most comprehensive election coverage, starting September 18, all the way through to the Counting Day. Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir has seen eight terror attacks in the last six months in which 10 security personnel and four terrorists were killed. Next-door Kishtwar reported the deaths of two Indian Army personnel on September 14 even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed voters of the region. As campaigning for the first phase of Assembly elections in J&K came to a close on Monday, opposition parties blamed the BJP for the rising terror graph in Chenab Valley while the saffron party hit back at terror apologists. Campaigning in Kishtwar and Ramban on Monday, Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah cautioned that terrorism would return to the region if the National Conference-Congress is voted to power. If Omar Abdullah and Congress, who opposed the hanging of Afzal Guru, form a government in J&K, then there will be stone-pelting again, bullets will be fired, funeral procession of terrorists will be taken out and there will be attacks on the Amarnath Yatra again, Shah said. Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh, meanwhile, questioned why the Jammu division has been witnessing a resurgence of terror in last few months. The party has fielded Mehraj Malik from the Doda seat. Under whose rule did the Pulwama attack happen? Under whose rule are our Army men getting martyred at the border? When the PM gives a speech here about finishing off terrorism, the same day we get to know about the martyrdom of two of our jawans. You cant brush it under the carpet; the reality is visible on ground, Sanjay Singh told News18 as AAP supporters shouted slogans of Inquilab through the towns bus stand area. Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, however, said terrorism has not come in the way of elections or dampened enthusiasm among voters. I have full trust in police and security forces that they will keep terrorists at bay. Terrorists have not managed to make worthwhile damage to human life. Of course, we have lost Army men, but by sacrificing themselves, security forces have kept civilians safe, Azad said while carrying out a road show through the lanes of his home town Doda. What are the Main Election Issues Here? For voters, issues like employment, domicile and educational opportunities dominate conversations. Local resident Azher Malik, who supports the National Conference, rues the lack of employment opportunities in J&K, which was bifurcated into two Union Territories Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in 2019 when the central government revoked the erstwhile states special status. Every year, there used to be vacancies for police recruitment. Now, all of that has stopped. Around 6 lakh people applied when 4,000 vacancies were announced. Even people from outside the state have applied, so where will our kids go? he said. Nisar Gattoo, also a resident of Doda, questions why J&K is not benefitting from its resources. You all must have heard about the lithium deposits found in Reasi. What happened to that deposit? How is J&K benefiting from that natural resource? Why is no one asking these questions? Asim Hashmi, a District Development Council, asks similar questions. Our state has been economically wrecked. No recruitment of teachers is happening at higher secondary schools. Passport verification is being denied on flimsy grounds. If anyone in the family ever had a police record, then verification needed for the government job is being denied. Reservations for Pahadis and Gujjar Bakarwals is also an issue prominently highlighted by the BJP. While the Gujjars of Rajouri and Poonch welcomed the move, the ones migrating from South Kashmir to Doda pointed out the difficulties in implementation. We have heard of reservation, but received no benefits. Officers ask for documents like state subject paper, ration card etc. We are khanabadosh (nomadic) people. Where will we get these from? says Mohammed Gamin as he trekked from South Kashmir to Doda with his family. The voters of Chenab Valley, which includes Doda, Kishtwar, Banihal and Ramban, will in the first phase of Assembly elections on September 18. The delimitation has carved out new seats in Kishtwar and Doda. As the BJP hopes to improve its numbers, the National Conference-Congress alliance is its biggest challenger though AAP and DPAP could emerge as the X factor on some seats. Voters are raring to go, this being the first Assembly election in J&K since 2014. Bureaucrats are autocratic. For 10 years, we have suffered. We need our own representatives. It is a right given to us by the Constitution. Everyone will vote, says social activist Hasan Babar, summing up the public mood in a former state where voting percentage has often been in single digits. Maharashtras political landscape looks set for a new entry ahead of assembly elections, with buzz about Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackerays son Amit Thackerays possible entry into the electoral arena. The move could add a fresh dynamic to the already heated contest between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Amit Thackeray, who currently leads the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena, has expressed his interest in contesting the upcoming elections. His entry could also mark a new chapter for the MNS, which has struggled to regain its political foothold in recent years. Amit Thackerays decision to join the electoral battle signals a strong intent by the Thackeray family to inject fresh leadership into the party and rejuvenate its political base. The younger Thackeray, who has been actively involved in the partys organisational work over the last few years, has built a strong connection with the youth, particularly through his leadership of the student wing. He has emphasised the need for leaders to be closely connected to the issues faced by the common people. His possible candidacy is expected to attract attention, especially among younger voters who are seeking a fresh face in Maharashtra politics. While the exact constituency from which Amit Thackeray will contest is yet to be finalised, speculation suggests that he may run from one of three constituencies in Mumbai Mahim, Bhandup, or Magathane. All three are strategic areas where the MNS has previously had a presence, and Amit Thackerays candidacy could help the party regain traction in the financial capital of the state. The entry of a new Thackeray into parliamentary politics may also invite comparisons with his cousin Aaditya Thackeray, who is a sitting MLA and a prominent leader in the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of the Shiv Sena. The timing of Amit Thackerays potential entry is crucial for the MNS as it seeks to rebuild its electoral fortunes. Raj Thackeray has already announced the candidacies of three party leaders Bala Nandgaonkar from Sewri in Mumbai, Dilip Dhotre from Pandharpur, and Raju Umbarkar from Latur Rural. These announcements signal the partys intention to focus on select constituencies where it believes it has the potential to make an impact. Amit Thackerays entry into the race would not only strengthen the MNS electoral strategy but also elevate his profile within Maharashtras political circles. He could emerge as a strong contender, particularly as a representative of the new generation of leaders in the state. His youth, combined with the political legacy of the Thackeray family, could help galvanise support for the party among voters who are looking for change and a new approach to governance. As the Maharashtra assembly elections approach, all eyes will be on Amit Thackeray and his role in shaping the future of MNS. Whether he can translate his potential into electoral success remains to be seen, but his entry into the political contest has already added a significant layer of excitement and anticipation to the upcoming polls. Manoj Jarange-Patils sixth hunger strike has escalated into a serious political issue, becoming a major hurdle for Maharashtras Mahayuti (BJP-Shiv Sena alliance) government as the state assembly elections approach. The ongoing demand for Maratha reservation, spearheaded by Jarange-Patil, has turned into a powerful movement, forcing the government to juggle between appeasing the Maratha community and navigating the technical challenges of implementing a constitutionally sound quota. The Maratha community, which makes up a significant portion of Maharashtras population, has been demanding reservation in education and government jobs for years. Jarange-Patil, a farmer-activist from Jalna, emerged as a prominent voice in the movement, and his hunger strikes have repeatedly brought the issue into the public eye. His sixth hunger strike, launched after what he termed insufficient action by the government, has taken the stakes to a new level, placing immense pressure on the ruling Mahayuti alliance. As Maharashtras state elections loom, this hunger strike could not have come at a worse time for the Mahayuti government. The alliance, led by chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, is already battling political instability and opposition attacks. Now, with Jarange-Patil refusing to back down until concrete measures are put in place, the Maratha reservation issue has the potential to influence voter sentiment in a significant way. For the government, the key challenge lies in striking a balance between delivering a solution that satisfies the Maratha community without violating constitutional provisions. Previous attempts to grant reservations to Marathas have faced legal hurdles and any move perceived as unconstitutional could be struck down by the courts, further complicating matters. The Supreme Court has already ruled that reservations cannot exceed 50 per cent of the total available seats, which puts the Mahayuti government in a bind. Jarange-Patils latest set of demands for Maratha reservations presents several complexities. While the activist remains steadfast in his push for immediate quota implementation, the technicalities surrounding such a reservation are not straightforward. The Supreme Courts ruling on the 50 per cent reservation cap, the need for accurate data on the socio-economic status of Marathas, and the legal definition of backwardness all pose hurdles for the government. Jarange-Patil has demanded that the government classify Marathas under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, which would provide them with the benefits of reservation. However, this move faces significant legal challenges. The OBC category already includes numerous communities that fear their existing share of the pie will shrink if Marathas are included. The government is caught between satisfying the Maratha demand and preventing backlash from existing OBC groups. Moreover, any alteration to reservation laws will require extensive documentation, research, and possibly constitutional amendments. The timeline for such changes is not favourable for an administration heading into elections. The government would need to provide clear data justifying Maratha inclusion in the OBC category, which could take months or even years to collect and present convincingly in court. Unlike previous hunger strikes, Jarange-Patils current protest comes at a time when both the political and social landscapes are particularly volatile. The Mahayuti government cannot afford to lose the support of the Maratha community, which holds significant sway in rural areas. This time, Jarange-Patil is not alone. Several influential Maratha leaders, politicians, and community organisations are rallying behind him, increasing the political pressure. His popularity and reach have grown, with many sections of society now closely following the developments. The growing support for his cause makes it harder for the government to ignore his demands or employ half-measures. At the same time, the Mahayuti government is acutely aware of the risks of not acting. Ignoring the Maratha demand could alienate a large voting bloc, but pushing forward with an unconstitutional or hasty solution could result in legal battles and public outrage from other communities. For the Mahayuti government, navigating this political minefield will require a careful balancing act. A long-term solution to the Maratha reservation issue must be rooted in legality and backed by solid data. While Jarange-Patils demands are emotionally charged and enjoy significant public support, they need to be addressed through legislative processes that respect constitutional limits. In the short term, the government might look at alternative approaches, such as creating a separate category within existing frameworks or providing financial and educational support specifically tailored to Maratha youth. However, any short-term solutions would likely be seen as insufficient by Jarange-Patil and his supporters, who are calling for nothing less than full reservation status. Moreover, the government needs to manage the expectations of other communities, particularly the OBCs, to avoid stoking resentment or clashes. Open dialogue, transparency in decision-making, and concrete steps toward a long-term plan could help diffuse tensions. Jarange-Patils sixth hunger strike represents more than just another protestit symbolises the deep-rooted frustration and aspirations of the Maratha community. The Mahayuti governments response in the coming days will have significant repercussions, not only for the upcoming state elections but also for the social and political fabric of Maharashtra. While Jarange-Patils demands may not be easily or quickly fulfilled, the government must navigate these troubled waters with caution, balancing legal frameworks and public sentiment to avoid further unrest. In a rare celestial event, a mini-moon will stay around Earth for 56 days, starting September 29. A study shows that the asteroid, 2024 PT5, will orbit Earth till November 25, 2024. According to a report published in the Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society, Asteroid 2024 PT5 was discovered on August 7 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System. With a size of 10 metres, the asteroid follows a horseshoe path and will not make a full orbit. Near-Earth objects (NEOs) that follow horseshoe paths, and approach our planet at close range and low relative velocity, may undergo mini-moon events in which their geocentric energy becomes negative for hours, days or months, but without completing one revolution around Earth while bound, the report read. What is a Mini-moon? Mini-moons are those asteroids that fail to escape Earths gravity, altering their trajectory and ending up orbiting the planet for a time. The small, fast-moving asteroids are difficult to detect and identify. Raul de la Fuente Marcos, an astronomer at the Complutense University of Madrid and co-author of the study, told The New York Times, Every time an object with an orbit so Earth-like is discovered, there is a chance that we are just recovering space debris. However, this time it actually a natural object, she added. Research suggests that the mini-moons hold valuable minerals and water that can be used for rocket fuel, making them ideal stepping stones for companies preparing to mine asteroids. The asteroid 2024 PT5 is not a mini-moon technically, as it will not complete one full revolution around Earth but will remain in the planets orbit for over 56 days. What Do We Know About 2024 PT5? Livescience quoting the new study said 2024 PT5 likely originated from the Arjuna asteroid belt a diverse jumble of space rocks that orbit the sun close to our planet. Calculations indicate the asteroid will orbit Earth again in January 2025 and then in 2055. Amateur astronomer Tony Dunn posted a simulation to X of what the asteroids path will look like. 2024 PT5 has already been near Earth since July. During the event, the asteroids geocentric energy will become negative and remain that way for 56.6 days. In Dunns simulation, the orbit is shown as the red line, and it only circles about 25% of the Earth, as mentioned by CNET. A report confirmed that 2024 PT5 is not an artificial object as its short-term dynamical evolution closely resembles that of 2022 NX1, a confirmed natural object. Sometimes, Earth pulls space junk or Space debris into its orbit, which revolves around Earth. Earth can regularly capture asteroids from the Near-Earth object (NEO) population and pull them into orbit, making them mini-moons, the researchers wrote in a journal, Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society. The recently discovered Apollo-class NEO 2024 PT5 follows a path that resembles that of 2022 NX1 and may soon become a mini-moon. As per Paul Chodas, director of NASAs Center for Near-Earth Object Studies at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 2024 PT5 might be a fragment from the Moon, possibly ejected by a past lunar impact. Researchers say 2024 PT5 will be too faint for the naked eye or most amateur telescopes. With a magnitude of 22, it will only be visible to advanced observatories. History of Mini-Moons A similar mini-moon was discovered to be random pieces of space junk in 2020. The 2020 mini-moon was eventually identified as a rocket booster from the 1966 Surveyor 2 Centaur launch, as per a report by CNET. Asteroid 2006 RH120 revolved around the Earth for a year from July 2006 to July 2007 July. The 2024 PT5 asteroid shares similarities with 2022 NX1, a temporary flyby that orbited Earth in 1981 and again in 2022 without completing a full orbit. It is expected to return for another semi-orbit around 2051. Turkey has become the first NATO member country to request to join BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). The move has sparked concerns in the West over President Recep Tayyip Erdogans commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and is seen both symbolic and strategic. Yuri Ushakov, President Vladimir Putins foreign affairs aide, told media that Turkey has submitted an application for full membership in the bloc that Russia this year chairs, and it will be considered. Omer Celik, spokesperson for Erdogans ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), confirmed Turkeys application and said the request was spending. Our president has already expressed multiple times that we wish to become a member of BRICS, he said in early September. Our request in this matter is clear, and the process is proceeding within this framework. Erdogan has been in power for more than two decades has sought to forge a more independent foreign policy for Turkey and to enhance global influence. Reports suggest that the country is frustrated by the lack of progress in its membership talks with the European Union. Erdogan had earlier said Turkey should simultaneously develop relations with both the East and the West, as reported by the Associated Press. Why Turkey Wants to Join BRICS Turkey, which straddles Europe and Asia, joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1952. It began talks to join the European Union in 2005, but the negotiations have stalled over concerns about democratic regression under Erdogans administration, and ongoing disputes with Cyprus, an EU member, among other challenges. Turkey is not only frustrated with EU over stalling its accession process but also for not moving forward on modernisation of the customs or the trade agreement, visa liberalisation, which could clear the way for Turkeys citizens to travel visa-free to European countries. The 16th BRICS summit will take place from October 2224, 2024, in Kazan, Russia, which is currently the chair of the BRICS organisation. If Turkey indeed becomes a member of BRICS, often described as a counterbalance to a Western-led global order, it could move further away from joining the EU and from deriving benefits of the 27-member blocs single market, as per a report by Deutsche Welle. The BRICS group has doubled in size since it was formed 15 years ago. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE have become members and the group has attracted applications from nearly 20 other countries, including Turkey. How Turkey Has Irked US, EU Turkey has refused to back sanctions against Russia, and instead become a top buyer of Russian crude oil. Turkey also supports Hamas, the militant, Islamist, Palestinian group that carried out terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7 and which is classified as a terrorist organisation by the EU as well as the US, Germany and several other countries. Turkey also purchased S400 surface-to-air missile defense systems from Russia in 2017. As a result, the US blocked Turkeys acquisition of F-35 fighter jets. Though the green light for the purchase of 40 such aircraft was given this year, the US Senate saw considerable opposition to it. On the issue of United Nations reforms or upon the issue of the Israel-Hamas war, Washington and Ankara are not on the same page as should befit two NATO partners. Erdogan is of the opinion that the permanent-five veto holders of the UN Security CouncilUS, Russia, China, France, and Britaindo not represent the realities of the 21st century. On the Israel-Hamas war issue, the Turkish president calls for an Islamic alliance against Americas most essential ally in West Asia, Israel. Why The Move Could Backfire Asli Aydintasbas, a fellow at the Brookings Institute who specialised in Turkey, said that Turkeys EU accession process has long been in a coma, and Turkeys policymakers are either trying to revive it or feel they have nothing to lose by joining BRICS, as mentioned in Deutsche Welle. The strategy could backfire as Turkeys entry into BRICS could make EU nations suspicious of Turkey. If Turkey were to become a member of BRICS its credibility or reliability within the transatlantic alliance would further decline, Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, a Turkey expert at the German Marshall Fund (GMF), told Deutsche Welle. Turkeys strategic location between the west and east makes it critical for NATO and US missions in the region, and the country inked an EU-sought agreement in 2016 allowing for the return of some irregular migrants who reach the bloc from Turkey. How Did Russia and China React? Putin this year welcomed Turkeys interest in BRICS and promised that Moscow will support this aspiration and desire to be together with the countries of this alliance, to be together, closer, to solve common problems. Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has confirmed that Turkey had expressed interest in joining BRICS. However, Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov has said: By the overwhelming majority, the 10 nations decided to take a pause with new members to take in the new members who have doubled the association. Apparently, BRICS could create a category called partner states separate from the full membership, as mentioned in an article by Firstpost. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning during a briefing had said, China, along with other BRICS countries, will continue to uphold the spirit of openness, inclusiveness, and mutually beneficial cooperation, and support more [countries]. What is BRICS? The BRICS alliance was founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining in 2010. It recently has undergone an expansion, and now includes Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has said its considering joining, and Azerbaijan and Malaysia have formally applied. BRICS has a stated aim to amplify the voice of major emerging economies to counterbalance the Western-led global order. Its founding members have called for a fairer world order and the reform of international institutions like the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. A significant initiative designed for women of Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Subhadra Yojana on September 17, the day that marks his birthday. The scheme promises to empower the women of the state who are as an important part of nation-building. Under the scheme, the Odisha government will transfer Rs 10,000 a year to eligible women beneficiaries aged between 21 and 60. Chief minister Mohan Majhi has organised a massive congregation of women for the launch of the scheme from across the state Bhubaneswars Janata Maidan. PMs programme will be live telecast in panchayats and blocks. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the scheme was a part of the BJPs manifesto in Odisha and aims to uplift women economically. What You Should Know About The Scheme The scheme is named after Devi Subhadra beloved sister of the presiding deities of Odisha: Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra that symbolizes Odishas rich cultural heritage that worships feminine strength. With a budget of Rs 55,825 crore allocated for the next five years (2024-29), the financial assistance of Rs 10,000 a year will be provided in two installments first on the Raksha Bandhan and the second on the International Womens Day. Women from economically well-off families, government employees, and income-tax payees will not be eligible for the scheme. Women who receive assistance of Rs 1,500 or more per month (or Rs 18,000 or more per year) under any other government scheme will also be excluded. Thus, an eligible woman will receive Rs 50,000 in five years under the Subhadra scheme. Reports suggest more than a crore of eligible women will benefit from the scheme. More than 50 lakh women have already registered for the scheme. Today, with more than one crore women in Odisha having a Jan Dhan bank account, an effective implementation of the Subhadra Scheme should not be a hassle for the government. How Will The Scheme Work? The eligible women will receive the money directly into their Aadhaar-enabled single-holder bank account. The government has made e-KYC mandatory for the scheme. A Subhadra Debit Card will be issued to the beneficiaries. A total 100 beneficiaries with the highest number of digital transactions in each gram panchayat and urban local body area will receive an additional incentive of Rs 500. Women can enroll for the scheme or update their Aadhaar details at their bank, post office and other common service centres. There is no last date to register for the scheme. What Had BJP Promised In Polls? The BJP won 20 of the total 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha in June, wiping Biju Janata Dal (BJD)s more than two decades rule under Naveen Patnaik in the state. Women, especially the 70 lakh members of some 6 lakh womens self-help groups (WSHGs) organised under Mission Shakti, were considered the biggest factor behind the BJDs electoral success for 24 years. The programme was launched in 2021 to empower women by providing them with credit and market linkages, thus creating a vote bank for the BJD in elections. But the BJP proposed the DBT in its election manifesto to counter the Mission Shakti programme. The BJP promised to give a voucher of Rs 50,000 to every women beneficiary, which could be encashed in two years. This got much traction on the ground, and the government approved the scheme with a few changes within hours of taking oath on June 12, as per a report by The Indian Express. Economists believe the scheme could have a detrimental effect on the economy in form of a multiplier effect. Thus, the annual benefit of Rs 10,000 to eligible women will have a multiplier effect of generating Rs 50,000 per woman on the economy. Comparing Subhadra Yojana With Other States Women Schemes Madhya Pradeshs Ladli Behna Yojana: The scheme initially provided Rs 1,000 per month to eligible beneficiaries. The instalment under the scheme was later increased to Rs 1,250 per month. About 94% of beneficiaries of Madhya Pradeshs Ladli Behna Scheme fall within the 25-and-above age group. The scheme primarily focuses on supporting women in rural and underprivileged areas. It aims to improve their financial independence and provide for their basic needs. Maharashtras Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Scheme: Under this scheme, more than one crore women receive Rs 1,500 per month as direct financial assistance. The scheme targets women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Uttar Pradeshs Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana: It offers financial support of Rs 15,000 in instalments for the education and welfare of girl children. This scheme covers various stages from birth to higher education, focusing on improving the overall well-being of girls. Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday resigned as the Delhi Chief Minister, making way for Atishi to take charge of the top post. Atishi was elected as the leader of AAP legislative party meeting, which was chaired by Kejriwal at his Delhi residence. Atishi is the third woman Chief Minister of Delhi after Sheila Dikshit and Sushma Swaraj. Today Arvind Kejriwal has submitted his resignation. This is an emotional moment for the party and the people of Delhi. At the same time, the people of Delhi are resolving to make Arvind Kejriwal the chief minister againTill the elections are not held, I will be looking after Delhi, she said. Kejriwal reached the LG Secretariat along with his Cabinet colleagues to resign on Tuesday afternoon, days after announcing his decision to quit from the post. Later, Atishi staked her claim to form a new government. ATISHI THANKS KEJRIWAL, CALLS HIM HER GURU Upon being named Delhis new Chief Minister, Atishi today termed Kejriwal as her guru and thanked him for having faith in her. It can only happen in the Aam Aadmi Party, and under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, that I was made an MLA and then a minister and now the Chief Minister. I am happy that I have become the Chief Minister, but sad that my elder brother, Arvind Kejriwal, will be resigning from his post. There is just one Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal, Atishi said. #WATCH | Delhi: Atishi addresses the media for the first time after being elected as the leader of Delhi AAP legislative party and the new CM.She says, First of all, I would like to thank the popular CM of Delhi, AAP national convener and my guru Arvind Kejriwal. He gave me pic.twitter.com/XN8oAZlTYu ANI (@ANI) September 17, 2024 The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has conspired to create difficulties for Arvind Kejriwal, she alleged. Arvind Kejriwal said that the decision of the Supreme Court (that he can continue being the Chief Minister) is not enough. He said that if only the people of Delhi reimpose faith in him, he will become the Chief Minister again, Atishi said. The people of Delhi will today oath to make Arvind Kejriwal the Chief Minister, because he has given them a lot free electricity, free water, free bus rides, and more, whereas the BJP, who is governing 22 states, has not given anything to the people, she said. WHEN KEJRIWAL ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION On September 13, Arvind Kejriwal was released from Tihar Jail, where he had been lodged for his alleged involvement in the Delhi liquor policy case. Nearly two days after his release, on Sunday, Kejriwal said he would resign as the Chief Minister within 48 hours. He also sought early polls in Delhi, and vowed not to sit in the chief ministers chair until people gave him a certificate of honesty. On Monday, the AAP held a series of meetings as Kejriwal sought feedback from members of the political affairs committee, the partys highest decision-making body, on his successor in one-on-one meetings at his official residence. ATISHIs POLITICAL CAREER During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Atishi was appointed the in-charge for East Delhi as an Aam Aadmi Party candidate. She lost to the BJPs Gautam Gambhir by a margin of 4.77 lakh votes. During the 2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election, Atishi contested from the Kalkaji constituency of South Delhi. She defeated BJP candidate Dharambir Singh by 11,422 votes. Later, she was inducted into the Delhi government as a Cabinet Minister, along with Saurabh Bharadwaj after the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyender Jain. Ahead of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals resignation on Tuesday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj today said the chair belongs to Kejriwal. Speaking to the media, Bharadwaj also said one of his party members will sit on the chair until the next elections in Delhi. It does not matter who sits on the chief ministers chair, because the mandate was for Arvind Kejriwal. The public chose Arvind Kejriwal, Bharadwaj said. He has said that he will not sit on the chief ministers chair until the people ask again, but the chair belongs to Arvind Kejriwal for these and the next five years. One of us will sit on the chair until the next elections take place. It will be similar to how Bharat ruled in Lord Rams absence (in Ramayana). There will be a discussion with the MLAs today and the name may be decided in it, he added. ARVIND KEJRIWAL TO RESIGN TODAY With Kejriwal expected to resign later on Tuesday, AAP MLAs will hold a crucial meeting at his residence to pick his successor. Kejriwal is also likely to meet Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena at 4.30 pm and tender his resignation. After being released from Tihar Jail on bail in the excise policy case, the AAP national convenor said on Sunday that he would resign within 48 hours and sought early polls in Delhi. He vowed not to sit in the chief ministers chair until people gave him a certificate of honesty. Names of Delhi ministers Atishi, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot and Saurabh Bharadwaj are making the rounds as contenders, party insiders said and added that Kejriwals wife Sunita Kejriwal and Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel were also probables, news agency PTI reported. THE RAMAYANA REFERENCE Bharat, the younger brother of Lord Ram, was the regent of Ayodhya during Rams exile. Regarded for his devotion towards his elder brother, Bharat went against his mother and denied the throne of Ayodhya. However, later, Lord Ram told him he was presently living in exile to fulfil his fathers pledge, and that in his absence, his brother should take up the throne. When Bharat realised that Ram could not be persuaded otherwise, he urged his half-brother to give him his sandals. He proposed to place Rams sandals upon the throne of Ayodhya and rule as a regent for the period of Rams exile, as an ascetic. Lord Ram consented to the idea, after which Bharat carried Rams sandals upon his head, proceeding to Nandigrama, a village on the outskirts of Ayodhya. Placing the sandals on the throne to represent Ram, Bharat assumed the regency of Kosala for fourteen years, the kingdom administered from the village. The Allahabad High Court recently observed that a Hindu marriage cannot be dissolved or terminated as a contract. A division bench of Justices Saumitra Dayal Singh and Donadi Ramesh said that while sacrament-based Hindu marriage can be dissolved in limited legal circumstances such as on grounds of impotence, these allegations must be supported by evidence. The court was dealing with an old appeal filed by a woman against the judgment of the Additional District Judge who had dissolved the marriage between her and her husband under Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, at the insistence of the husband in 2011. The parties were married on February 2, 2006. At that time, the husband was employed with the Indian Army. In 2008, the husband filed for divorce alleging that the woman deserted him in 2007. The matter was referred to mediation and the wife, in her first written statement filed in 2008, said that she was living with her father and she was ready for divorce. However, two years later, she backtracked from her consent as husband had alleged that she was infertile. In the second round of mediation in 2010, the wife expressed her will to live with the husband, but the husband refused to be together citing wifes infertility. Meanwhile, the woman claimed that she gave birth to two children in 2008 and 2010. Before the court of Additional District Judge, the woman sought to contest the divorce proceedings on the strength of her second Written Statement filed in 2010. However, the ADJ rejected the womans plea and proceeded to hear the divorce suit on merits. It then decreed the same. The high court noted that though the wife had initially given her consent for divorce, but well after the completion of the first mediation, she expressed her clear will to cohabit and revive the matrimonial relationship, which the court below ignored while decreeing the divorce suit. The division bench noted that it was after the first mediation that two children were born to the couple. It further highlighted that court below had dissolved the marriage solely on the strength of the alleged consent given by the appellant, after three years of it being recorded. Being obligated to dispense justice, the learned court below could not have turned a blind eye to the fact assertion (made by the appellant) of revival of the marriage between the parties. It ought to have exercised its discretion to call for Additional Written Statement of the appellant, to explain the subsequent developments, the division bench said. The bench stressed that by way of a guiding principle, the court below should have examined and verified if the consent of the wife in her first written statement continued to exist without any change of mind made by the parties at the time decreeing the divorce suit. In granting the divorce on the strength of mutual consent, the learned Court below may have dissolved the marriage between the parties only in the event of that consent continuing to exist on the date of the order being passed. Once the appellant claimed to have withdrawn her consent and that fact was on the record, it never became open to the learned court below to act on that (withdrawn) consent, belatedly, it said. The court stressed that free consent to dissolve the marriage must not only arise at the stage of first motion of a proceeding under Section 13-B of the Act but it must survive and sustain at the stage of second motion. The court opined that the court below ought to have examined the matter holistically. Accordingly, the court set aside the impugned judgment and remitted the matter to the court of ADJ, Bulandshahar to proceed in accordance with law. If no mediation may arise or be successful, necessarily the appellant may be allowed to rely on the second Written Statement in terms of later part of Order VIII Rule 9 of the C.P.C., with corresponding right to the respondent to file Replication Statement, it ordered. The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated with great joy and pomp in numerous places across the country. In many places, there is a ritual of offering large laddus that often draws a massive crowd. A similar thing was reportedly made in West Bengal. People were left amazed after seeing the laddu. Let us know more about this in this article. According to reports, the weight of the massive laddu is around 751 Kg. It was offered at a Ganesh Puja that took place in Hamiltonganj, Kalchini, West Bengal. The Ganesh puja pandal attracted a massive crowd. Some people mentioned that this is the first time they are watching such a laddu in front of them. A member of the puja committee mentioned that this is the first time they have started to offer such a laddu that is unique in its own way. The kids were especially amazed after seeing a glimpse of it, the person further added. The initiative of offering such a huge laddu was taken by the women of the locality. After the immersion of the idol, a special function was held. The gala celebration was attended by many well-known people of the area. Following the conclusion of the rituals, the laddu was distributed as a prasad among the locals. In Hyderabad, a Ganesh Puja Laddu was auctioned for a massive amount. A Laddu of Balapur Ganesh Puja was auctioned for Rs 30 lakh. The bid was won by BJP leader, Kolan Shankar Reddy. Last year, a laddu was auctioned for a price of Rs 27 lakh. The funds that are collected from this auction process are used for development activities in the area. In a similar incident, a Ganesh Laddu, which was offered at the Ganesh puja of Keerthi Richmond Villas in Bandlaguda, Hyderabad was auctioned for Rs 1.87 crore. Last year, it was auctioned for a price of Rs 1.26 crore. Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis trip to the USA this week, Khalistani elements are believed to have again started creating ruckus and vandalised a temple not far from the venue of the PMs community event in Long Island, New York. The Indian Consulate in New York has condemned the incident. Hate-filled messages were sprayed at the temple by members of Khalistani groups, it is believed. Sources in the Indian diaspora have also reported spotting few hate-filled posters coming up in the Long Island area. The incident at the the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York, happened on the night of September 15 in the USA. This temple is located about 26 km from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island, the venue of Prime Minister Modis community event in New York on September 22. The vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Melville, New York, is unacceptable; The Consulate is in touch with the community and has raised the matter with US law enforcement authorities for prompt action against the perpetrators of this heinous act, the Indian Consulate in New York said in a statement. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir on September 16 has also issued an Appeal for Peace, Long Island, New York. Today, on September 16, 2024, we are saddened that we must once again appeal for peace in the face of hate and intolerance. Last night, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York, was vandalised with messages of hatred. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Similar acts of desecration have occurred at various Hindu Mandirs across North America. We strongly condemn these acts and pray for peace amongst all communities, the temple said in a statement. Peace, respect, and harmony for all regardless of background or faith are the bedrock of religious freedom in the United States, the temple authorities said. We also offer our deepest prayers for those who perpetrated this crime to be released of their hatred and to see our common humanity. The BAPS Mandir in Melville, New York, like all BAPS Mandirs worldwide, stands as a beacon of peace, harmony, equality, selfless service, and universal Hindu values. Upon learning of the hateful vandalism, the local authorities were called, and BAPS is working fully with the authorities to support their investigation into this hate crime, the statement said. Community members gathered on September 16 at the site of the desecration to offer prayers for peace and unity and were supported by local, state and federal leaders representing Long Island, including U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Deputy New York State Assembly Speaker Phil Ramos, New York State Senator Mario Mattera among many others, the temple authorities said. Representatives from community organisations including NAACP President Tracey Edwards, Rabbi Susie Moskowitz from Temple Beth Torah, Rabbi Elizabeth Zeller from Temple Chaverim, Pastor Tom Johnson from St. Lutheran Church and Hassan Ahmed of Masjid Darul Quran as well as a representatives from American Jewish Committee and the various Hindu Mandirs in the area also were present to show their support a powerful testament to our shared values of respect and unity, the temple said. In this challenging time, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, has also offered his prayers for peace and harmony. We extend our gratitude to the local and state authorities for their ongoing support. Let us unite in prayer to continue promoting goodness and fostering harmony, the temple authorities said. West Bengal Junior Doctors Forum (WBJDF), which met Mamata Banerjee on Monday, said they would continue their stir unless the Chief Minister materialises the promises she made to them. During the meeting at her Kalighat residence in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee announced she would remove Commissioner of Police (CP) Vineet Goyal, the director of health services and the director of medical education, giving in to the demands of the protesting junior doctors. After the meeting concluded, the doctors hailed Banerjees announcement, describing it as their moral victory, but said their protests would continue until the announcements came into action. The protests have been ongoing for more than a month, over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. WHAT MAMATA BANERJEE SAID AFTER THE MEETING Accepting the bulk of the five-point charter of demand placed by the agitating junior doctors, Mamata Banerjee announced her decision to transfer a section of Kolkata Police and the state health department top brass, including CP Vineet Goyal, from their respective positions. Banerjee also announced the removal of the Director of Medical Education (DME) and the Director of Health Services (DHS) besides the Deputy Commissioner (North Division) who allegedly offered money to the parents of the RG Kar victim. Noting that the talks with the protesters were fruitful, Banerjee said, Nearly 99 per cent of their demands have been accepted and they should resume their work. In view of the demand of junior doctors, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal has said in the meeting that he is ready to resign. At 4 pm (on Tuesday), Vineet will hand over the responsibility to the new CP, Mamata said as she addressed the media after concluding her meeting with the doctors. We will announce the name of the new police commissioner after 4 pm on Tuesday after the scheduled hearing in Supreme Court gets over, she said, barely hours ahead of the scheduled Supreme Court hearing in the RG Kar Hospital case. RG Kar medical college rape-murder case | West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, In view of the demand of junior doctors, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal has said in the meeting that he is ready to resign. At 4 pm, Vineet will hand over the responsibility to the new pic.twitter.com/FVa2UJX4u1 ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2024 WHAT JUNIOR DOCTORS SAID AFTER MEETING Giving an account of their meeting with the Chief Minister, the junior doctors said Mamata Banerjee put some questions before them and asked them about their demands. After hearing them out, Mamata said she would remove two Health Department heads, the Director of Health Services (DHS), the Director of Medical Education (DME), and the Commissioner of Police would be transferred, the doctors said. Our andolan in front of the Swasthya Bhawan will continue till we see in writing that the Chief Minister has walked the talk and has actually acted on what was decided in the meeting and that these are not mere words. Then only we will consider withdrawing our strike, said Dr Debasish Halder, one of the leaders from the sit-in before the state Health Department. Another doctor said, We hope that the verbal promises she made will be practically implemented. To some extent, we believe the discussion was successful. However, regarding our demand for action against the Principal Secretary and Deputy Commissioner (DC) Central, we did not receive any assurance. We also discussed issues related to safety and security, as well as the formation of student unions in colleges. The Chief Minister proposed creating a National Task Force (NTF) headed by the Chief Secretary, but we declined the offer. However, we are still open to further discussions if our safety and security are assured, the doctor added. Also clarifying that they would continue their protests, the doctors said, We would like to inform everyone that as our protests are ongoing at Swasthya Bhavan, we will discuss with our fellow college students, nursing students, and all others actively involved in the protests. Based on those discussions, we will decide our future course of actionwhether to continue the protests or not. HOW THE MEETING WAS FINALISED On Monday, talks between the state government and the agitating junior doctors began at around 6.50 pm after four unsuccessful previous bids to initiate a dialogue to resolve the deadlock. The meeting lasted for about two hours. It took another three hours to complete the process of finalising the minutes of the meeting in the presence of the state Chief Secretary. Previous attempts to resolve the issue got stuck due to the state governments rejection of the doctors demand for live-streaming and video recordings of the meeting. The agitating medics later agreed to a compromise, now only asking to record the minutes of the meeting and receive a signed copy. The state government also allowed the two stenographers, accompanying the agitating doctors, inside the venue to record the minutes of the meeting. BJP SAYS MAMATA ADMITS TO COVER UP Soon after the meeting between the junior doctors and Mamata Banerjee was over, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s IT cell chief, Amit Malviya, said the Chief Minister has admitted to a coverup in the RG Kar Medical College rape case. In an X post, Malviya said, Mamata Banerjee bites dust. Is forced to remove the Commissioner of Kolkata Police and his Deputy (DC North). Both DHS and DME, top most health officials, also sacked! In short, Mamata Banerjee admits to the cover up in RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape case. She also concedes that a criminal syndicate is running West Bengals healthcare. Also demanding her to resign, Malviya wrote, Mamata Banerjee sacrificed her loyalists to save her Chief Ministership. She must step down, as all these people were acting at her behest. She is both the Home and Health Minister of West Bengal. Commissioner of Kolkata Police, who reports directly to the CM herself, actively eliminated all evidence of the crime, disclosed identity of the rape victim, while DC North offered money to the grieving family, to hush up the matter. (sic). Mamata Banerjee bites dust. Is forced to remove the Commissioner of Kolkata Police and his Deputy (DC North). Both DHS and DME, top most health officials, also sacked!In short, Mamata Banerjee admits to the cover up in RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape case. She also pic.twitter.com/B2ZwyGyj01 Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 16, 2024 In another post, Malviya slammed the Chief Minister, saying no one trusts her, No one trusts Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal any more. Just no one Even after Mamata Banerjee promised to sack the Commissioner of Kolkata Police and his Deputy, and two top health officers, the Junior Doctors have refused to withdraw their indefinite sit-in protest at Swasthya Bhawan, his post read. No one trusts Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal any more. Just no oneEven after Mamata Banerjee promised to sack the Commissioner of Kolkata Police and his Deputy, and two top health officers, the Junior Doctors have refused to withdraw their indefinite sit-in protest at pic.twitter.com/PZvDBwgLJM Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 16, 2024 Also reacting to the meeting, Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari wrote on X, The Minutes of the Meeting suggest that a compromise has been reached between both the parties to end the stalemate. However, for the ends of Justice, mere transfer of few Officers wont be sufficient. Those who played an important role in tampering evidence must be put behind the bars. (sic). The Minutes of the Meeting suggest that a compromise has been reached between both the parties to end the stalemate.However, for the ends of Justice, mere transfer of few Officers wont be sufficient. Those who played an important role in tampering evidence must be put behind pic.twitter.com/i86PICXBK3 Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) September 16, 2024 The agitating doctors are on cease work across the state for 38 days since the gruesome alleged rape and murder of the postgraduate intern at RG Kar Hospital came to light on August 9, crippling state-run healthcare delivery. India on Tuesday announced Prime Minister Narendra Modis three-day visit to the United States from September 21 to 23. He will be taking part in the fourth edition of the Quad Leaders Summit hosted by President Joe Biden. On September 21, Modi will take part in the Quad Leaders Summit at Wilmington, Delaware. India has agreed to host this summit next year following the request of the US side, the government said. At the Quad Summit, the leaders will review the progress achieved by the Quad over the past one year and set the agenda for the year ahead to assist the countries of the Indo-Pacific region in meeting their development goals and aspirations. On September 22, the prime minister will address a gathering of the Indian community in New York and also interact with CEOs of leading US-based companies to foster greater collaboration between the two countries in the cutting-edge areas of artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors and biotechnology. He is also expected to interact with thought leaders and other stakeholders active in the India-US bilateral landscape. While in New York, he will also address the Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly on September 23. The theme of the summit is Multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow. A large number of global leaders are expected to take part in the event on the sidelines of which, he will hold bilateral talks with several world leaders and discuss issues of mutual interest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed the Opposition for politicising his visit to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachuds residence for Ganpati Puja, and said those who divide India cannot accept the festivities of Ganpati Puja. Addressing a gathering in Odishas Bhubaneswar, after the inauguration of development works, the Prime Minister said, Ganesh Utsav is not just a matter of belief for us. During the fight for the countrys independence, Lok Manya Tilak, through Ganesh Puja, united the people of the nation. Today also, when there is Ganesh Puja, people from all communities take part in it, he added. During the British time, people had a problem with Ganesh Utsav, the same is being witnessed now. Even today, those who want to divide society, have problems with Ganesh Utsav. The Congress and its ecosystem is frustrated because I took part in Ganesh Puja. In Karnataka, these people put Ganesh idol behind bars, and this hatred is dangerous for the country, PM Modi said. A controversy erupted hours after a video showing CJI Chandrachud and his wife, Kalpana Das, welcoming Modi at their house on September 11, was widely shared on social media. VIDEO | PM Modi (@narendramodi) participates in Ganpati Puja at CJI DY Chandrachuds residence in Delhi.(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/yHhEwmJb6i Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 11, 2024 Reacting to the video, the Opposition questioned the transparency in the judiciary system and its code of conduct. Countering the attacks, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) maintained that the visit was restricted to celebrating the Ganpati festivities together and that it was a part of our culture. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled railway and national highway projects worth over Rs 3,800 crore on Tuesday, marking 100 days of the NDA government 3.0. Addressing a gathering here, Modi also launched the Odisha governments Subhadra Yojana, a financial assistance scheme for women, while asserting that their empowerment will be the key to the states development. Besides, he released the first instalment of assistance to nearly 10 lakh beneficiaries under PMAY-G across 14 states, took part in Griha Pravesh celebrations for 26 lakh beneficiaries under the housing scheme, and launched Awaas+ 2024 App for a survey of additional households for the same programme. PM Modis visit to Odisha on his 74th birthday would be the first after he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on June 12. I am happy that the Odisha government started its major work by announcing Subhadra Yojana for women. Womens empowerment will be the key to Odishas development, he said The Prime Minister noted that Odisha has everything that is required for a developed state. It has a talent pool of youth, the strength of women, natural resources, opportunities for industries, immense possibilities of tourism, Modi said. While participating in the Griha Pravesh celebrations, Modi visited Sabar Sahi slum in Bhubaneswar where he interacted with the beneficiaries. The PM inaugurated the homes of 20 beneficiaries under the PMAY there. Accompanied by the chief minister, Modi visited the home of Antaryami Nayak, a beneficiary of the housing scheme, and savoured the traditional Odia sweet dish, kheeri, prepared at his residence. Sharing his experience after he was offered kheeri by a tribal family on the occasion of his birthday in Bhubaneswar, Modi said, When my mother was alive, I used to visit here and seek her blessing on my birthday. She used to give me jaggery. Today, I got the blessings of a tribal mother who offered me kheeri. The happiness of tribals gives me strength to work for them. The Odisha governments Subhadra Yojana, billed as the largest programme for women, will cover more than 1 crore beneficiaries. Under the scheme, Rs 10,000 will be provided to each beneficiary every year in two equal instalments for a period of five years. After the launch, the prime minister initiated the fund transfer into the bank accounts of more than 10 lakh women. He said that the promises made by the BJP during the elections were being fulfilled at a rapid pace. Listing the promises fulfilled so far, he said all the four gates of the Jagannath temple in Puri were thrown open to the public and the 12th-century shrines Ratna Bhandar (treasury) was also reopened in July after 46 years for making an inventory of valuables and repairing of its structure. Noting that Tuesday is special as the present NDA government at the Centre completed 100 days, the prime minister said several major decisions have been taken for the welfare of the poor, farmers, youth and women. During these 100 days, decisions were taken to build 3 crore pucca houses for the poor, a PM package worth Rs 2 lakh crore for the youth, the addition of 75,000 seats in medical colleges and approval to connect 25,000 villages with pucca roads. The prime minister also said that during the past three months, the government has made budget allocation for tribals has almost been doubled, a special project for the development of around 60,000 tribal villages announced, a new pension scheme for government employees introduced and income tax for professionals, business owners and entrepreneurs reduced. This apart, several major decisions have been taken for oilseed and onion farmers, import duty on oil produced abroad has been increased to encourage Indian farmers, export duty on Basmati rice has been reduced to boost exports and MSP has been hiked on crops thereby benefiting farmers by about Rs 2 lakh crore. Modi said that Odisha has always been a priority for the Centre in the last 10 years. Odisha now gets thrice the funds from the Centre as compared to those 10 years ago. People of Odisha will now get the benefit of Ayushman Yojana while citizens above 70 years would be treated for free up to Rs 5 lakh, irrespective of income levels, he said. The Prime Minister said Dalits, deprived and tribal communities living in Odisha are the biggest beneficiaries of the campaign against poverty. A separate ministry was created for the welfare of the tribals, the community was given rights over their water, forests and land, a tribal woman from Odisha was made the countrys President, he said. PM Modi claimed that many tribal areas and groups in Odisha were deprived of development for many generations. He spoke about the PM Janman Yojana would support the most backward among tribes and 13 such communities have been identified in Odisha. A campaign is also being run to free the tribal areas from sickle cell anaemia. In the last 3 months, more than 13 lakh people have been screened under this campaign, he added. Modi said the states mineral and natural resources should be its strength. In the next 5 years, we have to take Odishas road and rail connectivity to new heights, he said. The Prime Minister said that work on Puri to Konark railway line and the high-tech Namo Bharat Rapid Rail will start soon and the modern infrastructure will open new doors of possibilities for Odisha. The Supreme Court said on Tuesday that any disclosure on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)s probe into the rape and murder of a young doctor at a Kolkata hospital could compromise the process, stressing that it would not make detailed comments that would alert a person in doubt to up their guards. Making a disclosure today of what the CBI is investigating will jeopardise the line which is taken by officials to unearth the truth SHO [station house officer of Tala police station] has been arrested himself, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said after going through a status report the central agency submitted in court. Please send the message across that we are not making a detailed comment so that it should not put someone who is in doubt guards themselves. he said and added that the CBI had touched upon the many concerns raised during earlier hearings in the court. Weve seen the status report. CBI has responded to all the questions we had raised in the previous hearing too The line of the further investigation of the Central Bureau of Investigation to unearth the actual truth of what happened, he said. The CJI said the central agency was looking into the fact whether the crime scene was altered amid fears of evidence destruction by the central agency, which took over the probe five days after the 31-year-old doctors body was found at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. They are handicapped at this point because of the five-day delay, Chief Justice Chandrachud said. On Tuesday, the CBI submitted a fresh status report in its investigation into the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case. The central agency had arrested officer in charge of Tala Police Station, Abhijit Mondal, on September 14 for his alleged involvement in the rape and murder of the trainee doctor on August 9. On September 2, former principal of RG Kar Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, was arrested in connection with financial irregularities at the hospital. WHAT CJI SAID ON CBIs STATUS REPORT The status report dated September 17 has been filed by Shri Satyaveer Singh of the CBI, the CJI said, adding, During the hearing, we have heard learned counsel appearing on behalf of the parents of the deceased, the resident doctors and original petitioners before the High Court. We have explained that it would not be in interest of fair and complete investigation to disclose the leads being pursued by the CBI which will lead to the dislocation of investigation and tampering of evidence. All counsels have agreed to the fact that there needs not be any further disclosures in the public domain. A letter dated September 12, addressed by the father of the victim, has been shared with CBI and has specific inputs on which investigation should be directed by the CBI, he said. We are of the view that inputs of the father should be taken into note by the CBI and the Solicitor General (SG) assures that the CBI shall maintain contact with parents and assuage genuine concerns about the status of the investigation, he added. Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for the junior doctors, told the court, We have names of the persons who were on the scene of the crime who had no business to be there. We can submit the names in a sealed cover to CBI. I am not making it public in light of concerns aired by the court. The medics body with severe injury marks was found 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. After an extensive meeting with the agitating doctors, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday night announced the removal of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal from his post, the director of health services and the director of medical education. Banerjee made the announcement, giving it to the demand of the protesting doctors, to end more than a month-long impasse over the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. Supreme Court Hearing On Kolkata Rape-Murder Case| Top Updates The Bengal CM noted that in the wake of the statewide stir and allegations against the Kolkata Police, the Goyal himself wanted to step down. Given the demand of junior doctors, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal has said in the meeting that he is ready to resign. The name of the new Kolkata police commissioner will be announced after 4 pm on Tuesday, the Chief Minister told the media after the meeting held at her residence with the agitating doctors to resolve the crisis. Who Is Kolkata CP Vineet Goyal? Succeeding Soumen Mitra as the police commissioner of Kolkata, senior IPS officer Vineet Goyal Kolkata took over the top cop responsibility in December 2021. A 1994-batch officer, Vineet Goyal is an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and IIT Kanpur. During his career, Goyal has served in various positions within the ranks of the Kolkata Police, including deputy commissioner of police for the eastern suburban division, special branch, and headquarters. He has also served as joint commissioner of police for the Special Task Force and Traffic, as well as additional commissioner of police. Goyal was awarded the police medal for gallantry twice, the police medal for meritorious service and the chief ministers medal for outstanding service. Within the government, his work in the police department has always been commended. Know The Allegations Against Goyal Following the rape and murder of the medic at the state-run health facility, the protesting doctors demanded the resignation of Goyal from the Kolkata CP post. He faced sharp criticism for the handling of the August 14 vandalism at the RG Kar Hospital during a protest march by the junior doctors. He was accused of mismanaging the situation where a mob allegedly stormed the hospital, allegedly for tampering with the evidence of crime. Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal said on August 15 that rumours and misleading facts spreading through social media campaigns have discouraged public trust in the police. The remark came a day after police clashed with the mob at RG Kar Hospital. He maintained his stand that the police has performed their duty at the level-best in handling the rape and murder case of the young medic which triggered a strike by the junior doctors of the state-run medical facilities. Goyal admitted that despite sufficient security presence, the police did not expect the protesting crowd to turn violent outside RG Kar Hospital premises in the early hours of August 15, and were initially caught off-guard when a deputy commissioner-ranked officer got injured. The Supreme Court concluded its hearing on Tuesday in the suo motu case over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The court pulled up the West Bengal government for hiring private security personnel on a contractual basis. It noted that the main accused in the RG Kar rape and murder case (Sanjay Roy) was also a civic volunteer on contract. A three-judge bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud considered the fresh status report of the CBI, investigating the RG Kar rape and murder case. The top court, finding status report details disturbing, held that the probe agency is looking into the fact that whether there were any efforts to alter the crime scene. It added that the probe agency needs adequate time to unearth the truth. Meanwhile, the state of West Bengal furnished details related to security measures, the latest report on the confidence-building exercise for doctors and assured that no punitive actions will be taken against doctors for their cease-work once they resume duty. The CBI has arrested the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh and former officer-in-charge of Tala Police Station Abhijit Mondal in connection with the RG Kar rape and murder case. Mondal was in charge of the Tala Police Station when the body of the medic was recovered from the seminar hall within the hospital premises on August 9. Both Ghosh and Mondal are accused of tampering with the evidence of crime, violating official procedure and misleading the probe. Ghosh is already in CBI custody in a case of financial irregularities at the hospital. SC Expresses Concern Over Hiring Of Security On Contract-Basis The top court expressed concerns over the steps taken by the state government for hiring private security personnel on a contractual basis under the Rattirer Sathi scheme. The top court noted that the main accused in the RG Kar rape and murder case was also a civic volunteer on contract. The Bengal government assured that the state will implement a biometric registration system to restrict access to places where women doctors rest. No Punitive Action Against Doctors For Cease Work: Bengal Govt Sibal, for the West Bengal government, stated that no punitive actions will be taken against the doctors for their month-long cease-work. It came after senior advocate Jaising, appearing for the Junior Doctors Front, urged the top court to record that doctors should not face actions for their strike once they resume duty. SC Raps Bengal Govt Over Its Policy For Woman Doctors Reacting to the West Bengal governments new policy to avoid deploying women doctors at night shifts, the SC said, You cannot tell women to not work at night. It is your duty to provide them protection whenever they work. Women pilots, defence personnel, etc, work at night. The West Bengal government said SC it would withdraw its notification for women doctors limiting duty to 12 hours and night duty avoidance. What Are The Confidence-Building Measures Taken For Doctors Sibal referred to the confidence building steps by the state document to read out the measures taken by the West Bengal government to create a degree of confidence in the minds of the doctors that their concerns regarding their safety and security are being duly attended to. Work has begun for making resting rooms for male and female doctors, which will be completed in 7-14 days. Additional toilets and CCTV camera installation will be completed in 7-14 days, Sibal informed the court. CBI Probing Whether Crime Scene Was Altered: SC After the CBI submitted the fresh status report in the RG Kar rape and murder case, the top court held that the probe agency is looking into the fact that whether there were any efforts to alter the crime scene. It added that the probe agency needs adequate time to unearth the truth. SC Directs Wikipedia To Take Down Details Of Victim The Supreme Court directed Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia, to take down the name and photo disclosing the identity of the victim in the RG Kar rape and murder case that took place on August 9. The governing principle is that identity of the victim in rape and murder shall not be disclosed, the top court said. It further directed the Wikipeda to comply with the orders passed in this regard. Details Are Disturbing: SC On CBI Status Report The Supreme Court said that the details furnished by the probe agency in its fresh status report were disturbing and a matter of concern. The courts observation came after the CBI counsel informed the bench that there should be two separate lists for the seizures made from the crime scene. When I was harping that the jeans and undergarments were not takenthe seizures have to take place .what was the date these samples were sent for testing. CBI Submits Fresh Status Report, SC Responds Supreme Court bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud examined the confidential status report submitted by the CBI on the progress made in investigating the rape and murder case so far and said, Making a disclosure today of what the CBI is investigating will jeopardise the process, the line which is taken by the CBI is to unearth the truthSHO has been arrested.we have seen the status report and CBI has responded to all of the issues we have raised. The top court noted that the probe agency is required to get more time to complete its investigation and unearth the truth in the RG Kar rape and murder case. There is still time to complete the investigation. We have to give CBI adequate time, they are not sleeping over, the SC added. Bengal Govt Raises Threat To Women Lawyers Issue Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, raised the issue of threats to the women lawyer representing the state government. He said, We are getting threats that acid will be thrown, we will be raped (women lawyers in the case). He was referring to the social media threats being given to lawyers representing the state of Bengal in the RG Kar rape and murder case. Mamata Removes Kolkata CP, Health Officials The hearing comes a day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday night announced the removal of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, the director of health services and the director of medical education. The decision was reached following a six-hour-long meeting with the junior doctors seeking justice for the victim. Bengal CM noted that in the wake of the statewide stir and allegations against the Kolkata Police, Goyal himself wanted to step down. Manoj Verma is the new police commissioner of Kolkata, replacing Vineet Goyal who has been transferred to the Special Task Force as additional director general (ADG). The change has come at a time when the Kolkata police department is perhaps facing its biggest crisis over the handling of the rape-murder case of a doctor at RG Kar Hospital. Verma is an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 1998 batch who was the ADG and IGP (law & order) in his last assignment. He has been replaced by Jawed Shamim. Many are asking why Verma was picked for the Kolkata police commissioners post in the thick of an imbroglio. Thats because, sources say, Manoj Verma has been a known troubleshooter in West Bengal police both under the Left and Trinamool Congress administrations. In the Left era, when the Maoist challenge was at its peak, Verma as the superintendent of police in Paschim Medinipur handled it with great dexterity, sources say. In 2011, when the TMC dethroned the Left in West Bengal, sources say Verma initially did not get a good posting, but later he once again became one of the key people to tackle the Maoist problem under Mamata Banerjees government as he was part of the counterinsurgency force. Then he was moved to the Siliguri Commissionerate as the DIG. When there were tensions in Darjeeling, he handled the situation there as the IG of north Bengal. In 2019, he became the commissioner in Barrackpore at a time when incidents of violence had become common with TMC strongman Arjun Singh switching to the BJP. Sources say that he handled his responsibilities well as ADG (law & order) as well. According to officials, Vermas career graph shows that he has handled tough situations and come out with flying colours. He performed well in Jangalmahal, Darjeeling, and Barrackpore, they say, and that right now Kolkata police need someone to fix their image. Sources say there has also been some discontent in the police force since the arrest of station house officer (SHO) Abhijit Mondal by the Central Bureau of Investigation last week in connection with the RG Kar Hospital rape-murder case. Several police officials have changed their social media display images to black. Some have also met Mondals family. In this situation, say sources, a leader is needed who will boost the morale of the force. According to them, Verma has worked in Kolkata police as DC (traffic) and this experience will also help him. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday hailed the political stability in the country and underlined the efforts of the NDA government for Indias growth in the last 10 years. The BJP and different ministries as well as departments have chalked out an elaborative plan to mark the NDA governments 100 days in office on September 17, which coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modis 74th birthday. The party launched the Sewa Pakhwada event which will conclude on October 2. Speaking to the media, Shah said, Many institutions in the country have decided to celebrate PM Modis birthday as Sewa Pakhwada. From September 17 to October 2, our party workers will help the people. PM Modi was born into a poor family and he became the PM of the worlds largest democracy. 15 different nations gave their highest honour to him. 140 crore Indians are praying for his long life today. #WATCH | Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, Many institutions in the country have decided to celebrate PM Modis birthday as Sewa Pakhwada. From September 17 to October 2, our party workers will help the people PM Modi was born into a poor family and he became pic.twitter.com/unm35YgGMf ANI (@ANI) September 17, 2024 Political Stability After 60 Years Shah asserted that after dedicating 10 years to development tirelessly, the people of India gave a mandate to the BJP and its alliance parties for the historic third term. This happened for the first time in the last 60 years. This has brought an environment of political stability in the country, he said. The Union minister added that under the leadership of PM Modi, the country has strengthened its internal and external security. PM Modi also brought the New Education Policy which includes our ancient education system and modern education, which also honours our regional languages, he added. Bloating is a condition characterised by a feeling of fullness, swelling or distension in the abdomen. It can create a sensation of increased pressure or discomfort in the stomach area, making the abdomen appear larger than usual. As per statistics by Cleveland Clinic, between 10 to 25 per cent of otherwise healthy people complain of occasional bloating, while 75 per cent of women experience it during their menstrual cycle. There are several reasons why you might feel bloated. Certain foods can cause your stomach to swell because they produce gas or are hard for your body to digest. However, bloating isnt just a digestive problem because it sometimes involves more than just whats going on in your stomach. While it can be caused by eating too much or too quickly, or by certain foods that produce gas, there are other factors at play. Let us explore some of the causes of bloating: Stress and anxiety can make your stomach feel bloated. When youre stressed, your digestive system can get out of sync, which might cause bloating. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, exercise, and a balanced lifestyle can help alleviate these symptoms. Hormonal changes, like those during your menstrual cycle, can lead to a feeling of bloating even if you havent eaten anything unusual. During the menstrual cycle, these hormonal shifts can lead to increased water retention, making the abdomen feel swollen. Additionally, hormonal changes can impact gut motility, contributing to feelings of fullness and bloating. Fluid retention is another factor. Sometimes your body holds onto extra water, which can make you feel bloated and puffed up. This can be related to things like high salt intake or hormonal changes. Gut health issues can cause bloating when the balance of gut bacteria is disrupted or when there is an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. Imbalances in gut microbiota can lead to increased fermentation of undigested food, producing excess gas and causing bloating. Conditions such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can also exacerbate these symptoms by causing excessive gas production and digestive discomfort. Bloating can also be caused by eating certain hard-to-digest foods, or result from interolances. For instance, foods like beans, broccoli, or carbonated drinks can lead to bloating. Digestive issues, such as constipation or food intolerances (such as lactose intolerance), can make bloating worse. Consuming large quantities of food stretches the stomach, which can lead to discomfort and a feeling of fullness. When you eat too much at once, your digestive system has to work harder to process the excess food, which can result in increased gas production and slower digestion. This can make your abdomen feel swollen and bloated. If bloating is persistent, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, significant changes in bowel habits, or pain, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional. London Fashion Week, renowned for its eclectic style and innovative spirit is back with its 40th anniversary. The unique platform always sets the stage for the latest beauty trends and 2024 was no different. From daring makeup looks to revolutionary hairstyles, the runways of London Fashion Week 2024 offered a glimpse into the future of beauty. Rife with moments elevating the mundane, the runway was a huge inspiration for fashion lovers worldwide. Lets dive into the hottest trends that emerged from this years runway and are poised to inspire makeup looks worldwide: Sunset Lips This season, the most notable pouts on the runways were adorned with warm shades of fiery red and orange. Ahluwalias LFW debut paid homage to cultural heritage, drawing inspiration from the mix of Jamaica and India. With glowy skin creating a radiant and fresh appearance, the warm colours mimicked the hues of a sunset. Otherworldly Glow View this post on Instagram A post shared by British Fashion Council (@britishfashioncouncil) The beauty look at Patrick McDowells event was a masterclass in ethereal skin, perfectly matched with dramatic brown lip liner and Noughties nudes. Luxurious, radiant skin was complemented by stunning barbed wire eye makeup, creating a look that balanced elegance with an edgy twist. Cool-Toned Smokey Eyes In case you missed it, cool-toned eye makeup took centre stage at the LFW this year. Models rocked the intense smoky eyes down the runway, showcasing a blend of olive green and gunmetal grey pigments with a matte finish. Icy blue eyelids View this post on Instagram A post shared by London Fashion Week (@londonfashionweek) One step up from the nude eyeshadows was an all-over wash of colour, particularly blue eyeshadow. It was a standout trend on the London Fashion Week runways this season. Models sported a variety of eyeshadows tailored to complement their skin tones and outfits. At Tove, shades like icy blues, moss greens and bright red were applied across the lids, adding a touch of glamour and futuristic appeal. Goth Girl Eye Makeup Designer Huishan Zhang embraced Londons rocker-chic vibes and paired his collection with goth-inspired eye makeup. Models sported mid-tone grey eyeshadow all over the lids and extended up to their brow bones, adding a bold and edgy flair to the LFW runway. Matte Dove Grey Eyes View this post on Instagram A post shared by KNWLS (@knwlslondon) Yet again, designers experimented with cool-toned pigments on their models eyes. South London-based brand KNWLS went for a pretty shade of light dove grey for a softer look that feels perfect for the summer and spring months. Today holds a great significance in Sanatan Dharma as many holy occasions are coinciding on this day. According to astrological beliefs, several rare coincidences are occurring today, September 17, enhancing its importance. Hindus are observing Vishwakarma Puja, Anant Chaturdashi and the commencement of Pitru Paksha on this day. Today is also the last day of the 9-day Ganesh Puja, with Ganpati Visarjan taking place across the nation. According to Ayodhya-based astrologer Pandit Kalki Ram, today is a significant day in Sanatan Dharma as many important fasts and festivals are being celebrated, including Vishwakarma Puja, Ganesh Visarjan, Anant Chaturdashi and the beginning of Pitru Paksha. For Pitru Paksha, grand preparations have been made in Bihars Gaya as Hindus from across the nation gather to perform rituals during the Pitru Paksha. Due to all these events, today is considered a holy day for Hindu devotees throughout the nation. Vishwakarma Puja Each year Vishwakarma Puja is celebrated in the month of Bhadrapad with great fervour across the country. On this day, Lord Vishwakarma, who is believed to be the 7th son of Lord Brahma, is worshipped with all rituals and traditions. Today, the auspicious time for this puja is between 6:30 AM to 6:16 PM. On this day, people worship their iron tools, machines and craftmanship. Anant Chaturdashi According to Hindu mythology, Anant Chaturdashi is also an auspicious day. Every year, on the 14th day of bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Bhadrapada month, Hindus celebrate Anant Chaudas by worshiping Lord Vishnu. It is believed that during the Mahabharata, the Pandavas observed the Anant fast to regain their kingdom and prosperity. Additionally, Ganesh Visarjan also coincides with this day. The auspicious time for Ganesh Visarjan today is from 3:19 PM to 4:51 PM. Pitru Paksha Pitru Paksha is considered an auspicious and significant duration in Sanatan Dharma. According to beliefs, during Pitru Paksha, people perform rituals like Tarpan, Pinddaan and Shraddha for their ancestors. It is believed that during this time, ancestors reside on earth in the form of animals and birds, and people feed them in various ways. Dalljiet Kaur and Nikhil Patels divorce case is currently ongoing. Amid this, the actress has once again slammed her estranged husband for getting engaged again. She took to her Instagram stories to share a picture and also wrote a long post. However, the note was later removed. Sharing the photo in which we can see Nikhils finger with a gold ring and coffee, Dalljiet wrote, Congrats SN, must applaud the audacity to splash it again on social media. Well done both of you. Already wearing a ring again Nikhil. Well done. She further writes, Looks like you were missing being talked about han? You were missing being written about? Nikhil, Your would to be wife seems to be in the same boat of wanting attention? She does know you technically still have a wife in Mumbai whether or whether not you accept it. Indian justice will tell you your marital status soon.. Same personalities and character. Interesting. Sick mentality though both of u! Well done you are almost successful destroying her family too. Though I do wonder what her family looks like for you to be wearing a promise ring already. My god shame on u @watukenya you guys should really watch out for this desperate man working for you. He will destroy everyones image on the way for becoming famous.. the moment I feel I m getting a little better, this man. The actress further wrote, Knowing u, u will say it was there as a jwellery and u just chose to wear it .. or it was there with your daughter or someone from your family just wore it like a jewel.. but why wear it on the wedding finger? And then make sure its seen in your story? You are anything but that NAIVE.. Dalljiet and her estranged husband Nikhil exchanged numerous accusations in the past. The actress also recently redesigned a tattoo that she and her husband got during happier times in their relationship. She reportedly shared a photo of the process on her Instagram stories. The tattoo symbolised a second chance at love. Dalljiet Kaur and Nikhil Patel had tied the knot in March 2023. However, the two filed for divorce earlier this year, just 10 months after their wedding. The hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814 is being discussed again due to Netflixs new series, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. The show covers both the events on the plane and the negotiations with terrorists that led to the hostages release. In return, India released three terrorists from prison, which was seen as a blow to national pride. UB Bhat, a passenger on the flight, discussed his experience at an event marking the 20th anniversary of the hijacking. He was joined by former R&AW chief AS Dulat and negotiator Anand Arni. Bhat recalled the surprising lack of security in Kathmandu and said he didnt initially believe the flight had been hijacked. The plane was first taken to Amritsar, then Dubai, and finally to Kandahar. Bhat said that the lack of security at Kathmandu airport was a giveaway. He recalled, The flight was to take off from Kathmandu at 2:30 pm, as per schedule. It took off at 4:30, and we were looking forward to Christmas Eve parties in Delhi. On that day, at the Kathmandu airport, there was absolutely no security. All machines were down, as if it was pre-planned. We later understood that. Anybody could walk in and walk out. It was a shock to me, because Id been travelling to Kathmandu for 10 years. But nevertheless, we went to the aircraft, and the flight took off for Delhi. He recalled that within 10 minutes, the plane was back on course, and drinks and food were served. About 20 minutes later, while everyone was busy with their drinks, there was a commotion. I was in the last row, and just opposite me, I saw a masked person with a knife in his hand, shouting, Aap sab baithe raho, koi uthega toh goli maarenge. He had a grenade in his hand. Id been travelling for so long, I thought they were shooting for a movie. I raised my hand and asked for another scotch. He got irritated, perhaps, and he shouted at me. Thats when I realised something is happening, and I put my glass down. he said. IC-814 The Kandahar Hijack, which stars Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Dia Mirza, Arvind Swamy and Dia Mirza has been well-received by critics. Every year, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with enthusiastic participation by the devotees. Some of the biggest names from Bollywood also engage in vigorous displays of devotion to Lord Ganesh during the occasion. Veteran actor Nana Patekar is known to organise fervent celebrations, every year, inviting influential names. As per the reports, the Chaturthi celebrations were held at the actors Pune residence, where the idol of Ganpati Bappa is installed every year. It is attended by many politicians; so, this year, the Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, visited the actor for the occasion. The viral video from the celebration, shared by ANI, shows the politicians and the actor paying respect and worshipping the Lord Ganesha idol, which is decorated and placed beautifully, within the home. As per the reports, the politicians and the actors also had lunch together. More stills from the event showcase Nana Patekar and Devendra Fadnavis in a warm hug, as the politician seems to depart the premises. #WATCH | Pune: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis visited the residence of veteran actor Nana Patekar to attend Ganeshotsav celebrations. pic.twitter.com/hFoOignRNE ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2024 This year, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi commenced on September 7. The festival lasts for ten days, until the day of Anantha Chaturdashi. Also called the Vinayak Chaturthi, the festival is celebrated worshipping Lord Ganesh, believed to be the god of beginnings and remover of obstacles. On the work front, Nana Patekar was last seen in the film Ole Aale, a Marathi film released earlier this year, in January. Made under the direction of Vipul Mehta, the cast of the film includes Nana Patekar, Siddharth Chandekar, Sayali Sanjeev, Makarand Anaspure and others. It is produced by Rashmin Majithia under the banner of Coconut Movies Release, while the duo Sachin-Jigar handled the music. The actors last Bollywood release was The Vaccine War, a Vivek Agnihotri directorial, released last year in September. The cast of the film includes Nana Patekar, Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Raima Sen, Sapthami Gowda and many others. James Cameron, the mastermind behind Titanic and Avatar, is setting his sights on a new project. Following the completion of his work on the Avatar franchise, Cameron will adapt Charles Pellegrinos forthcoming book Ghosts of Hiroshima. This grand endeavour will combine material from this new book as well as Pellegrinos prior work, Last Train From Hiroshima which was published in 2010. Due to be published by Blackstone Publishing in 2025, the book will be timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings. Ghosts of Hiroshima describes the true story of Tsutomu Yamaguchi, the Japanese engineer who was exposed to both bombings in World War II. Yamaguchi was in Hiroshima city on August 6, 1945, when the first atomic bomb was dropped on the city. He then returned to Nagasaki, only to experience another bombing in the subsequent days. These bombings were tragic, they led to presumably 110,000 210,000 deaths, leaving a profound mark in history. Cameron told Deadline, Its a subject that Ive wanted to do a film about, that Ive been wrestling with how to do it, over the years. He also recalled the time when Yamaguchi invited him to visit him right before his death, asking Cameron to convey his experiences to future generations. The film will be Camerons non-Avatar cinematographic project since the Titanic in 1997. His filmography includes iconic titles such as The Terminator, Aliens and Avatar: The Way of Water. According to Deadline, the adaptation will be an uncompromising theatrical film, given that it will retell the experiences of the survivors and the history of the bombings. Shane Salerno of The Story Factory helped to broker the deal for this project, as per the publication. He has worked with Cameron on several scripts for the Avatar sequels. Pellegrino also collaborated with Cameron by serving as a scientific consultant both in Titanic and Avatar. This announcement has arrived at a time when there is an increased discourse on stories revolving around the atomic bombings and their impact, especially due to the release of a film by Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer, that centred on the construction of nuclear weapons without detailing the damage inflicted on Japan. Thats why Camerons project seems to be quite relevant it narrates historical events from the point of view of regular people affected by it. Stories of actor and filmmaker fathers launching their children through their own production houses arent unheard of. But in the early 2000s, when Shahid Kapoor decided to become an actor, he decided to not take his father Pankaj Kapurs help. The former has often spoken about how he kept his fathers identity a secret from filmmakers during his struggling days in Mumbai. He also said that the veteran actor was a very proud man to ask for help from his colleagues to launch him. Ahead of the release of Binny And Family, News18 Showsha catches up with Kapur, who opens up on his decision to not back his elder son. I learned something from my father. When a youngster is growing up, they have to make decisions on their own. They can consult with and take suggestions from their family but the decision has to be their own. If you fall and flop, you should get up and say that the mistakes you made were your own, he tells us. The IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack and Bheed actor was happy to take a back seat and did not want to take credit for his childrens achievements. If youre successful, youll pay your own back and say that you did it on your own and not because your dad made it happen for you. That way, the credit for your success has already gone to your dad. The idea should rather be to become a confident person and take on life by yourself. Your family will always be there to support you. Theyll always be there for you to fall back on, he states. Today, however, hes filled with pride and joy looking at Shahids career trajectory. I feel very proud to see Shahid where hes at right now, the kind of thinking he has come up with in the last 20 years in his career, and the maturity he has shown in terms of his choice of films. He started a certain way but look at the kind of cinema hes doing today! Im proud to say this without any bias that hes the finest actor that weve in this country in his age group, Kapur remarks. He further adds, Im so proud of my children (Shahid, Ruhaan Kapoor and Sanah Kapur) that theyre trying to do what theyre trying do to on their own without help. But they also knew that Im right there. As and when they need me, all they need to do is call me and Ill be right there. This is something they were aware of. And what about the personal equation he shares with his children today? Im like a friend to them. I surprise them sometimes because they have a certain image of me as most people do. Sometimes, when I do a little bit of youthful masti with them to give them a glimpse of what I might have been as a younger boy, they go like, Dad, you!!! But that surely adds a few more years to my life (laughs), Kapur says. Actor Soha Ali Khan recently talked about her familys royal heritage and their historic home, Pataudi Palace. She revealed that her brother, Saif Ali Khan, uses white-wash instead of paint to save money. In an interview with Cyrus Broacha on the Housing.com YouTube channel, Soha also mentioned that their mother, Sharmila Tagore, manages the household finances. Talking about managing the Pataudi Palace, she said, My mother sits with her hisaab-kitaab; she knows daily expenditure and monthly expenditure. For example, we whitewash Pataudi, its not painted because its a lot less expensive. And we havent bought anything new for a long time. Its the architecture of the place thats most inviting; its not the things, its not the objects. She added, I was born after the privy purses and royal titles were abolished in 1970. My brother was born a prince, because he was born in 1970 With the titles comes a lot of responsibility and bills My grandmother was the begum of Bhopal and my grandfather was the nawab of Pataudi; he loved her for many years but was not allowed to marry her She also mentioned that her grandfather ran out of money during the palaces construction, leading to more carpets than marble in some rooms. Soha is in charge of the generator room, which is a two-bedroom space. Not long back, Soha Ali Khan enjoyed delightful vacation with her mother Sharmila Tagore, and sister Saba Pataudi in London. On the work front, Soha Ali Khan will next be seen in director Vishal Furias horror film Chhorii 2. The story revolves around Sakshi, who rescues her seven-year-old daughter from a superstitious cult while dealing with societal issues and ongoing horrors affecting her and other young women. Chhorii 2 features Nushrratt Bharuccha, Hardika Sharma, and Saurabh Goyal in key roles. On the personal front, Soha Ali Khan got married to actor Kunal Kemmu on January 25, 2015. The couple welcomed Inaaya in 2017. Actor Shaam broke into Tamil cinema as a chocolate boy in 2001 with an experimental rom-com 12B, and about two decades later he admits that being a softie is not sustainable in Kollywood. He is currently playing the role of a cool gangster named Harbour Ravi in the Goli Soda Rising Series, a prequel to director-cinematographer Vijay Miltons blockbuster film Goli Soda (2014). Now, the beefed-up Shaam is not the lover boy he once was. I realized that being a softie or a romantic hero in Tamil cinema would not work for a very long time right by the time I realized it it was too late because I already was into that mould of that charming lover boy," he says as we sat down for a chat about the series, which is currently streaming on Disney+Hotstar. Shaam admits to being a fan of Goli Sodas first part. Still, when he was approached for the series, he was skeptical about the opportunity in a series, which is essentially about a bunch of youngsters trying their way up in Chennais Koyambedu market. Then when I met Vijay Milton. He narrated a completely different track about a person named Harbour Ravi, who comes from a small town and takes complete control of the harbour. Hes raw and heartless, but he has a soft shade with his wife," he shares. The highlight of playing the role was that Vijay Milton asked Shaam to come up with his dialogues for the role. I was like what are you saying? He said, Sir, basically when you provide dialogues, the actors get stuck to it. They fixate on something and Im not able to change it. I want to try something novel. He would tell me the main content of the scene and insist upon adding specific words to it and let me frame the lines accordingly. The first few days were difficult but if you have control over the language, you know exactly how much to talk and where to talk and when to stop," he explains. After going through a rough patch for a long while, Shaam made a comeback by playing an important role in Vijays 2023 Pongal release Varisu, which put him back on the radar. At the audio launch of the film, Vijay shared Shaam was the life of the shoot and the reason behind his good mood during the shoot. Since then Shaam gets asked about his friendship with the Tamil star, who is all set to contest in the 2026 Tamil Nadu state election. When asked about his friends political aspirations, Shaam opines that Vijay will be the next CM of the state, and he has his reason for it. I started my film career with him in a movie called Kushi. The minute I saw him, I said, Everyone is saying that youre the next superstar. He just looked at me and said, Enna Kalaikiriyaa (Are you messing with me?) I dont think many people can talk to him in that tone. I just casually said it then he understood that Im not just another regular guy. We got introduced and then my 12B happened. I didnt meet him after that until Varisu," he recalls. And when Varisu happened, on the first day on sets, I again went up to him. This time I said, Everyone is now saying that youre going to be the next CM. He again went, Enna Kalaikiriyaa Shaam? But then I told him, You denied that you would become the next superstarhe is now much beyond thatso, likewise this will also happen." Shaam adds, I think that the decision which he has taken is real. He is not someone who will just say something now and back out later. Hes a man with a clear mind and hes keen. He loves his fans. He told me that theyve given him so much and he wants to give it back to them. Im sure hes going to have a great breakthrough." Aishwarya Rai, Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar were shooting for Khakee near Nashik in 2003. It was during this shoot that a terrifying accident involving Aishwarya occurred, leaving the entire cast and crew shaken. A stuntman lost control, driving too fast and skidding, resulting in the car ramming into Aishwaryas chair. Unable to move quickly enough, Aishwarya and her co-star, Tushar Kapoor, were caught off guard by the speeding vehicle. The situation was so critical that Akshay Kumar had to step in, pulling the car away and extricating Aishwarya Rai, who was then rushed to the hospital. Amitabh Bachchan, who would later become Aishwaryas father-in-law after she married his son Abhishek Bachchan, was really upset with the medias portrayal of her accident. The press downplayed her injury, calling it trivial, which struck a nerve with Bachchan. During a chat with Rediff, Amitabh spoke out about the incident, talking about the gravity of the situation and expressing his concern for Aishwaryas well-being during that traumatic event. I asked Aishwaryas mother if she wanted to take her daughter back to Mumbai. We organised Anil Ambanis private plane. Since there is no night landing facility in Nashik, we had to take permission from Delhi to land the plane at the military base which is 45 minutes away from the hospital. The seats had to be removed from the aircraft. And everyone is brushing it off as a small incident blown out of proportion, an upset Amitabh Bachchan had rued. He had also opened up on how the accident and Aishwaryas wounds had left a deep impact on his mind. For two nights I couldnt sleep. To see this happen in front of my eyes! Her back was lacerated with cactus thorns. The bone in the rear portion of her feet is broken. She suffered severe cuts. And her injury was reported as trivial, Amitabh Bachchan had said. Aishwarya Rai married Abhishek Bachchan on April 20, 2007, in a grand ceremony, and became the Bachchan Bahu Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Aishwarya and Abhishek have a daughter named Aaradhya Bachchan. For a while now, Aishwarya Rai has been spotted solo or with her daughter. This has led to rumours that a Aishwarya Rai Abhishek Bachchan divorce might be on the horizon. Neither Aishwarya, nor Abhishek have commented on it. The Bachchan family has also not made any official comments on the matter as yet. Akhilesh Yadav Congratulates Atishi, Calls Her 'Combative' And 'Determined' Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday congratulated Atishi (43) on being designated Delhis chief minister, calling her combative and determined. The former UP chief minister said on hand she has to continue public service and on the other face BJPs negative politics. Earlier in the day, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) unanimously agreed on Atishis name as the next chief minister of Delhi. AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal had proposed her name. Delhi CM-designate Atishi Likely to Get 'Z' Category Security Delhi Police is likely to accord Z category security cover to Chief Minister-designate Atishi who staked claim to form a new government after Arvind Kejriwal resigned from the post, officials said. According to an official, police will also review the security of outgoing chief minister Kejriwal since he has submitted his resignation. Currently, Kejriwal enjoys Z-plus security cover under which a protectee is provided around 40 personnel in shifts. Kejriwal Has Stigma of Corruption, Compelled to Resign as CM: Delhi Cong Chief Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav on Tuesday claimed that Arvind Kejriwal has the stigma of corruption on him and was compelled to resign as chief minister since the top court imposed many conditions for his bail in the excise policy case. He said Atishi, the chief minister designate, should rise to the occasion to solve the problems of the people of Delhi, particularly women. The Aam Aadmi Party led by its chief minister designate Atishi staked claim to form a new government in Delhi on Tuesday shortly after Arvind Kejriwal resigned from the post, an effort seen as a bold gambit to seize the initiative ahead of assembly elections due in five months. 'Will Listen To The Voice Of The People Of Delhi...': Brinda Karat On Proposal Of Atishi As The New CM Of Delhi On resignation of Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi CM and proposal of Atishi as the new CM, CPM leader Brinda Karat said, In the circumstances under which Atishi has become the Chief Minister, she herself said it is very sad that Arvind ji had to resign today. Making her the Chief Minister is a good thing as a woman has become the Chief Minister and certainly, during her tenure, she will listen to the voice of the people of Delhi, the voice of the poor, the voice of the workers and will work to get justice for the people of Delhi. This is our hope 'Will Listen To The Voice Of The People Of Delhi...': Brinda Karat On Proposal Of Atishi As The New CM Of Delhi On resignation of Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi CM and proposal of Atishi as the new CM, CPM leader Brinda Karat said, In the circumstances under which Atishi has become the Chief Minister, she herself said it is very sad that Arvind ji had to resign today. Making her the Chief Minister is a good thing as a woman has become the Chief Minister and certainly, during her tenure, she will listen to the voice of the people of Delhi, the voice of the poor, the voice of the workers and will work to get justice for the people of Delhi. This is our hope 'Disheartened By Her Statements': BJP's Bansuri Swaraj On Atishi's 'Delhi Has Only One CM' Remark BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said, I congratulate Atishi as her party has chosen her as the next CM. But I am disheartened by her statements. She said that Delhi has only one CM, Arvind Kejriwal. Does it mean that she will only get the designation and not the responsibilities of a CM? Does it mean Arvind Kejriwal will enjoy the power without any responsibilities? I request the people of Delhi to elect BJPs government in the upcoming elections Her Background Is Questionable, Says BJP's Manoj Tiwari They have appointed Atishi the CM. We welcome her but her background is questionable. Both her parents had written mercy petition for Afzal Guru to the President of India. Atishi herself supports those who try to insult India. You can imagine what would happen if such a person becomes CM, said BJP MP Manoj Tiwari on Delhi CM-designate Atishi. 'Atishi Was A Safe Bet For Them...', Says BJP I think Atishi was a safe bet for them. This is another of Arvind Kejriwals tactics. He could have done this five months ago, says BJP leader Shazia Ilmi on AAP leader Atishi succeeding Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi CM. Delhi's New CM Atishi Has No Car, Jewellery or Loan. Here's How Much Property She Has Delhis Education Minister Atishi is set to succeed Arvind Kejriwal as the next Chief Minister of the national capital. As she steps into her new role, lets take a look at her journey. After studying from Delhi University and Oxford University, Atishi started her career as a teacher. Following this, she joined an NGO. However, in 2013, she left her job and started her political career with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Despite working for years and then rising through the ranks of AAP politics, Atishi has property worth only Rs 1.41 crore. This is as per the affidavit furnished by the Kalkaji MLA ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. This information is available on My Neta, a partner site of ADR (Association for Democratic Reform). 'Emotional Moment For AAP and Delhi'...: Atishi Proposed CM Atishi said, Today Arvind Kejriwal has submitted his resignation. This is an emotional moment for the party and the people of DelhiAt the same time, the people of Delhi are resolving to make Arvind Kejriwal the chief minister againTill the elections are not held I will be looking after Delhi and we have a stake claim to form government Atishi Stakes Claim To Form The Government After Arvind Kejriwal resigns as Delhi CM, AAP leader Gopal Rai said, Arvind Kejriwal has submitted his resignation to Delhi LG All MLAs have together decided upon nominating Atishi as the new CM Atishi has staked claim to form the government Atishi To Take Over As Delhi's New Chief Minister As Arvind Kejriwal Resigns Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday resigned as the Delhi Chief Minister, making way for Atishi to take change of the top post. Atishi was elected as the leader of AAP legislative party meeting which chaired by Kejriwal at his Delhi residence. AAP Leaders Submit Letter Of Support For Atishi To LG AAP leader Gopal Rai said that the party MLAs have submitted a letter of support for Atishi to the Lieutenant Governor. Arvind Kejriwal Resigned As Delhi Chief Minister AP National convenor Arvind Kejriwal resigns as the Chief Minister of Delhi; tenders his resignation to Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena. Delhi to Get Woman CM 10 Years After Sheila Dikshit as Kejriwal Picks Atishi for Top Job | All About AAP Leader Delhi is all set to get a woman chief minister a decade after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) wrested power from Congress stalwart Sheila Dikshit as Arvind Kejriwal proposed the name of senior AAP leader and minister Atishi as his successor in a meeting of the partys legislators on Tuesday. Known to have a clean image, Atishi could appeal to the women voters in the Capital a crucial vote bank ahead of the elections early next year. Read full Article 'There Is Just One CM Of Delhi, It's Arvind Kejriwal': Atishi After Being Named Chief Minister In her first reaction after being named as the new Delhi Chief Minister, Atishi thanked her guru Arvind Kejriwal and stressed that even though the AAP national convenor is resigning later today, he will remain the CM for the party and two crore people population of the national capital. Read full Article Arvind Kejriwal Did Not Resign From Jail Because...: Delhi Minister Gopal Rai In the interest of the people of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal decided to not resign from the jail and run the government from thereBut after coming out of jail, with his biggest strength honesty, he did for the people of Delhi what no other state government in India has done till dateAfter coming out, he decided to go to the peoples court and until the people elect him as the CM once again, he wont continue as the CM Delhi Minister Gopal Rai. Arvind Kejriwal To Resign At 4:30 PM Today Delhi minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai said, At 4.30 pm, CM (Arvind Kejriwal) will go to the Lt Governor to tender his resignation. After that, legislative party will stake claim to form the government. 'We Hope She Does Good Work': CPI(M) Politburo member Subhashini Ali On AAP Leader Atishi to Be The New Delhi CM On Delhi Minister Atishi to be the new Delhi CM, CPI(M) Politburo member Subhashini Ali said, Our best wishes are with her. We hope she does good work and try to fulfil the promises to the people of Delhi Delhi is all set to get a woman chief minister a decade after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) wrested power from Congress stalwart Sheila Dikshit as Arvind Kejriwal proposed the name of senior AAP leader and minister Atishi as his successor in a meeting of the partys legislators on Tuesday. Kejriwal, who was released from jail on Friday, announced on Sunday that he would resign from the post and would only return if people give him a certificate of honesty. Atishi, the Kalkaji lawmaker, holds key portfolios in the Kejriwal-led government such as finance, education, Public Works Department, power, revenue, law, planning, services, Information and Publicity, and vigilance. Known to have a clean image, Atishi could appeal to the women voters in the Capital a crucial vote bank ahead of the elections early next year. Atishi was a key member of AAPs Manifesto Drafting Committee for the 2013 assembly elections and played a crucial role in shaping the contours of the party during its early stages. She took oath as a minister on March 9, 2023, following a cabinet reshuffle after then deputy CM Manish Sisodia and former health minister Satyendar Jain tendered their resignations following their arrests in separate cases. The buzz in political circles over Atishis increased importance in Kejriwals absence was strengthened when the Delhi chief minister, in a letter to L-G VK Saxena, suggested that Atishi hoist the national flag in his place during the Delhi governments Independence Day programme. Whether it was the Delhi water crisis or the high-profile Swati Maliwal case, Atishi led from the front as the partys spokesperson, defending the top brass. Born on June 8, 1981, into a Punjabi and Rajput family to professors Vijay Singh and Tripta Wahi of Delhi University, Atishi earlier used the middle name Marlena a portmanteau of Marx and Lenin. She decided to stop using her surname in daily life and adopt Atishi as her name in 2018, just before the national elections. She completed her high school education at Springdales School (Pusa Road), New Delhi. In 2001, she earned her bachelors degree in History from St. Stephens College, Delhi. She then attended Oxford University, where she earned a Chevening scholarship and finished her masters in History in 2003. As a Rhodes scholar, she attended Magdalen College in Oxford in 2005. It was in 2013 that she joined AAP and played a key role in leading the education reforms in Delhi. She became an advisor to Sisodia in 2015 when Kejriwal led the Delhi government. Her influence on educational institutions can be seen in the form of improved infrastructure, establishing school management committees in accordance with the Right to Education Act, fortifying rules to prevent private schools from arbitrarily raising fees, and instituting the happiness curriculum. Among the most well-educated members of the Aam Aadmi Party, which appeals to the partys urban, middle class support base, Atishi also spent seven years in a small village in Madhya Pradesh where she got involved in organic farming and progressive education systems, a report in India Today said. She worked with several non-profit organisations there, where she met some AAP members for the first time. Its been around four months since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured its first-ever Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, marking a historic breakthrough. The question now is Has this victory in Thrissur begun to shift Keralas traditionally red political landscape towards saffron? News18 travelled across villages in the states Palakkad-Thrissur belt, dominated by the Christian and fishermen communities, to find that the answer may be yes. How? With the BJPs foothold established, the partys influence and outreach are systematically transforming the states political dynamics. In a strategic push post 2015, the RSS-BJP has turned the tide in Keralas Thrissur by reaching out to the Christian community, which accounts for 28% of the population, regularly visiting bishops and hosting colony-based shakhas. Leveraging festivals and forming minority committees at every church, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has built crucial relationships and even established over 100 cooperative banks. Among the key factors are no caste-based procession during Hindu festivals, expansion of RSS shakhas among the Christian communities and strengthening mandals (community-based organisational groups) among fishermen communities along the coastal belt, while maintaining a cordial relationship with senior IPS and IAS officers in the administration. THE TRANSFORMATION The victory in Thrissur, a significant stronghold, marks a turning point in a state traditionally dominated by the Left and Congress. This breakthrough is not just a political win, but a strategic foothold, allowing the BJP to expand its influence and consolidate its position, said senior RSS functionaries and the BJP leaders working in the area. A visit to the local party offices reflects the political uptick in the region. The district party offices in Thrissur, Palakkad and other block offices have been renovated and converted into swanky places for the workers to gather and leaders to hold meetings. Some offices were named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whereas some are called the Bharatiya Janata Party Bhawan. In the wake of this victory, the BJPs outreach to local communities, including Christians and cooperative banks, has intensified. In Thrissur, there are 86 panchayats and 16 blocks, and the party has formed managing committees for every block, every panchayat and every booth, said a senior office-bearer in Thrissur office. EFFORTS TO DOMINATE COASTAL KERALA B Gopalakrishnan, an advocate and a senior RSS functionary, said, The change that you are witnessing now did not come overnight or over a few months or years. It has been systematic. The coastal belt has been witnessing a significant shift with the BJP making inroads into areas previously dominated by Left-leaning politics. The Thrissur Lok Sabha victory has spotlighted this change, especially with the Mukua fishing community, traditionally neutral, now aligning with the BJP. Shift in regions such as Mangalore, Guruvayur and Nattika, where the party is gaining substantially, is more than symbolic. It is a sign of changing allegiances in what has been known as Left and Muslim strongholds, he added. The Hindu consolidation is evident across the coastal belt, especially in areas like Guruvayur, a Muslim-majority region, where the RSS shakhas have grown significantly. With around 850 shakhas in Thrissur alone, the RSS has been spearheading a movement against caste-based divisions, uniting the Hindu community against what they term Muslim goondaism in certain areas, especially in front of masjids. ENDING CASTE, CLASS BIAS: NEW CAMPAIGN ON EQUALITY The RSS has renewed its anti-casteism campaign in its effort to consolidate the Hindu votes in a region that is traditionally dominated by Left-Congress politics with minorities Muslims and Christians playing the role of decision-makers. A senior RSS functionary added that over the years, several women RSS volunteers like Vinodini Amma from Punnayurkulam have been vocal in promoting unity among Hindus, pushing back against caste-based festivals and processions that once divided the community, such as the Aiyyar (an upper caste) procession. The RSS has taken a firm stand against casteism, emphasising Hindu solidarity over sectarian divides, contributing to the BJPs growing influence in these key constituencies. So the BJPs rise in Kerala, particularly in Thrissur, is not just about electoral gains, but a deeper strategy of community outreach and consolidation. said AC Krishnan, a senior RSS functionary and district president of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS). The RSS has begun engaging with the Roman Catholic Church, opening a dialogue with Christian leaders and visiting Bishop houses. Cardinal Parakadels remark that Christian are Hindus by culture signalled a softening stance, with Christian participation in shakhas becoming more visible. We have also started strengthening the workers units and unions in and around the region, added Gopalakrishnan. With the growing number of political clashes and killings, the state now appears to stand out as the only one where the RSS initiated a strong retaliation against opposition forces. Violent clashes were once routine, with daily alterations resulting in injuries, even broken bones. Despite the friction, the RSSs grassroots expansion has been significant, especially among Scheduled Castes (SC), with colony-based shakhas growing in number. Festivals like Ramayana Fest and Sabari Fest have become key events, led by influential figures like Namboodiris, fostering a sense of Hindu unity. These efforts to harmonise Hindu communities, cutting across caste lines, have been pivotal in reshaping Keralas sociopolitical landscape, especially in coastal and rural areas. We have divided the two revenue districts into four zones, and they now represent a microcosm of Keralas changing political fabric, where saffron is slowly replacing red, said Gopalakrishnan, who also fought the elections as a BJP candidate in 2021. It was October 7, 2001. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asked Narendra Modi to take the oath as Gujarats Chief Minister (CM). Till that point, oath-taking used to be mostly attended by a select few, following which the CM would take over his role in the Chief Ministers Office. After taking oath as the CM of Gujarat for the first time, Modi concluded his speech with a rousing chant of Bharat Mata Ni Jai. Dressed in a grey kurta, Modi stepped down from the podium and drove an open jeep into the crowd amid drums, bugles and chants of Apanu Gujarat, Agavu Gujarat setting a new political culture which took decades for others to understand and emulate. ALSO READ | PM Modi Turns 74: BJP Leaders Call Him Visionary, Opposition Prays for His Long Life Modi, as Narendra Modi is commonly referred to by people at large, did not wake up one day and become the Prime Minister. Before September 13, 2013, when he was announced to be the Prime Ministerial candidate of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (albeit upsetting many like his present ally Nitish Kumar), he carried a body of work as a Sangh Pracharak, Chief Minister. As he turns 74 on Tuesday (September 17, 2024), his political legacy is that of a unique mix of administration of 50 years, as Prashant Kishore his political strategist for the 2014 Lok Sabha election recently pointed out. Modis political journey, from a modest tea seller in Vadnagar, Gujarat, to becoming one of Indias most influential political figures, has been both transformative and enduring. A look at the key milestones: EARLY POLITICAL LIFE: Modis political journey began with his association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in his teenage years, which laid the ideological foundation. His early political activities were deeply rooted in the RSSs philosophy of cultural nationalism. RISE IN BJP: Modi joined the BJP in the late 1980s, quickly rising through the ranks due to his organisational and impressive oratory skills. During the time he was the General Secretary of the BJP, the party saw him instrumental in its expansion across India. He played a pivotal role in BJPs Ekta Yatra, whose final stop was Srinagar where on January 26, 1992, senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi unfurled the national flag along with him a rare sight in the militancy-dominated Kashmir. CHIEF MINISTER OF GUJARAT: Modis political stature significantly grew after becoming the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001, following the earthquake that devastated the state. A new CM, but his administration was credited with rapid reconstruction and economic development. Increasing the Sardar Sarovar Dam despite stiff protests, introducing the Gujarat model of development by starting business summits, topping Indias ease of doing business ranking among states by the World Bank, and making inaccessible Kutch the centre point of global tourism are some of his many feats that reflect his political journey and administrative experience that slowly pushed him to the national scene. PREPPING TO BE PM OF INDIA: Modi may have become the PM in 2014, but the efforts started a couple of years ago when he started addressing Gujarati crowds in Hindi a language many Indians understand. On the 2013 Independence Day, he held a counter-I-Day speech with a facade of Red Fort to push his Prime Ministerial candidature which he would get very soon. His campaign was built on the promise of development, anti-corruption, and nationalistic pride, amid scams 2G, Adarsh, CWG during the Congress-led UPA 2. MODI, THE PRIME MINISTER: Its been 11 years that he is the Prime Minister of India. For the first two terms, Modis enigma brought the BJP enough seats to form the government without the need for any ally. What marks his tenure as the PM? Completing the long-awaited electoral promises of the BJP Abrogation of Article 370 and 35A that unites Kashmir with mainland India, constructing and inaugurating a grand Ram Temple in the once disputed site of Ayodhya, criminalising triple talaq. Some of the major red letter days of Modis tenure are when GST was passed after years of deliberation, legislation giving women 33% reservation in Lok Sabha and assemblies was passed in a special session and the Waqf Bill which was already brought is being sent to a JPC. Now, sources suggest in its third term, the BJP-led NDA will bring One Nation, One Poll. Narendra Modis political legacy is that of flirting with fire and coming out unhurt, mostly so. When he brought demonetisation, many thought he would lose state elections due to the problems people suffered. But Uttar Pradesh brought the BJP to power. One of his biggest political achievements is to blur foreign policy and domestic politics. He reaches out to the Indian diaspora, often in big events like Howdy Modi in the United States, which brings a sense of pride among many domestic voters. Videsh me desh ka naam badhaya is the common refrain. It only got further activated when Indias Chandrayaan 3 landed on the moon or India hosted the G20 in Delhi with big pomp and Modi being the centre of global attraction. As he turns 74, Modi is setting his eyes on 2047, already. Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Akhilesh Yadav, at News18 Indias ninth season of its annual summit, Chaupal, on Monday, once again accused Special Task Force (STF) of caste-based encounters in Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states, terming the STF as Special Thakur Force. The SP Chiefs remark on the recent Sultanpur encounter has further intensified the Thakur vs Yadav caste divide in Uttar Pradesh (UP). Prior to SP Chiefs remark, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, too, had questioned the working of the STF. What action was taken against the main accused in the recent Sultanpur encounter? Our Chief Minister should know what STF is. However, there is a buzz around that STF is not a Special Task Force, but instead a Special Thakur Force, said Yadav. The SP chief also questioned the 2020 Vikas Dubey encounter, asking only how the vehicle in which he was being brought got overturned. People would not accept such killings. Its only because of such wrong narratives, the BJP is losing, Yadav added. THAKUR VS YADAV The Thakur vs Yadav controversy began with the killing of Mangesh Yadav, a notorious criminal with a Rs 1 lakh bounty, in an alleged police encounter. On August 28, 2024, Mangesh and four armed accomplices robbed Bharat Sonis jewellery store in Sultanpur, stealing cash and ornaments worth Rs 1.5 crore. They crossed four police outposts undetected, the incident embarrassed local authorities. In the early hours of September 3, Sultanpur Police encountered three men accused of the robberySachin Singh, Pushpendra Singh, and Tribhuvan Korinear Godawa. The trio was shot and injured, and 15 kilograms of silver jewellery was recovered. Another accused, Vipin Singh, surrendered earlier in Rae Bareli court. On September 4, the ADG of Lucknow Zone announced a Rs 1 lakh bounty on 10 remaining suspects, including Mangesh Yadav. On September 5, Mangesh was killed in an alleged encounter with the UP STF, led by deputy SPs DK Shahi and Vimal Singh. According to ADG Amitabh Yash, the police retaliated after Mangesh fired at them during the confrontation. SP, CONGRESS REACT The opposition parties accused the BJP-led government of carrying out caste-based encounters. In a post on X, Yadav accused the ruling party of manipulating the situation. It seems that the ruling party had deep connections with the people involved in the Sultanpur robbery. This is why the main accused was contacted before the robbery and made to surrender. Other accused were shot in the leg for show and Mangesh Yadav was killed on the basis of caste, he wrote. He further criticized fake encounters, saying: Fake encounters turn the protector into a predator. The solution is not fake encounters, but real law and order. He also alleged that robbery kingpin Vipin Singh was strategically allowed to surrender as he belonged to the dominant Thakur caste. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also condemned the encounter, accusing the BJP of flouting the rule of law. In BJP-ruled states, the law and constitution are being flouted by those who have the responsibility to enforce them, Gandhi said on X. He criticised the Special Task Force (STF), saying: A professional force like the STF is being run like a criminal gang under the BJP government. Gandhi demanded impartial investigations into the suspicious encounters and justice for the victims. POLICESPEAK On the allegations of caste-based encounters, UP DGP Prashant Kumar said: The police do not engage in such things they are taking action impartially. He added that only officers who have to brave bullets know about the severity of such encounters. UP CM Yogi Adityanath, too, backed the police as he posed a question while speaking at a public gathering: The dacoit was killed in a police encounter when he was brandishing a weapon and committing dacoity, what if he had shot the customers in the (jewellery shop) and those killed could also have included a Yadav? Senior TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy on Tuesday stepped down as the editor of party mouthpiece Jago Bangla (Wake up, Bengal) citing personal reasons. Roy was recently in news for backing the junior doctors agitation following the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee inside the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. I am leaving the post as editor of Jago Bangla for personal reasons as I cannot do justice to my post since taking over in 2022. Not that I am faced with any interference in discharging my responsibility. Someone else, who can perform this role in a better way, should take over, Roy said. The TMC leader, who has been in the party for 13 years, had taken over the mantle after the arrest of senior TMC leader and former minister Partha Chatterjee in the school job scam by the ED in 2022. His recent social media posts on the junior doctors agitation left the party red-faced. Roys first post came on August 13, soon after the Calcutta High Court transferred the investigations into the rape-murder case from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which read, Gangrape and merciless murder happened in RG Kar Hospital. Who are they? Now the CBI to investigate. Well. Ive no faith in CBI. They are nincompoop. Yet the truth is to be unravelled. Why there are attempts to shield the beasts? Whosoever is responsible for the crime must be hanged. The next day, he participated in a midnight sit-in close to his south Kolkata residence in the early hours of Independence Day when cries of justice for the RG Kar hospital victim shattered the citys midnight air. He subsequently wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah to promulgate a stringent central legislation to ensure safety of women at workplaces and institutions. The good old days of working hybrid are gradually coming to an end at Amazon. The company will require employees to return to working at company offices five days per week beginning next year, toughening a prior three-day mandate. The change is necessary to "invent, collaborate and be connected" wrote CEO Andy Jassy in a letter to employees on Monday posted to its website. He said the experience of a three-day mandate "strengthened our conviction about the benefits" of in-office work. Companies have been allowing many employees to work from home since the pandemic, leaving downtown offices nearly empty in a number of cities such as San Francisco and Seattle. However, some tech firms are beginning to mandate employees to return to their offices two or three days per week. Amazon has taken a tougher stance than many of its rivals as COVID-19 has become less of a daily threat. Employees have described to Reuters how Amazon has required them to report to, in some cases, distant offices or move to Seattle to keep their jobs. And some employees who were consistently out of compliance with the existing three-day mandate were told they were "voluntarily resigning," and were locked out of Amazon's systems. A spokesperson for Amazon did not immediately respond to say whether the new mandate will be as stringent, nor did an employee Q&A shared with Reuters on Monday make it clear. The mandate has been deeply unpopular among a vocal group of employees who have said working from home is both effective and spares time and money for commuting. In May last year, workers at Amazon's Seattle headquarters staged a walkout protesting changes to the e-commerce giant's climate policy, layoffs and a return-to-office mandate. As part of an organizational restructuring, Amazon is looking to increase the ratio of individual contributors to managers by at least 15% by the end of the first quarter of 2025. In the Q&A, Amazon said some "some organizations may identify roles that are no longer required" without giving additional details. Amazon also is eliminating a prior program that allowed workers the option to work from anywhere for four months per year, according to the Q&A. TV actress Madalsa Sharma, known for playing the role of Kavya in the popular serial Anupamaa recently announced her exit from the show. She revealed that her character had lost its spark, prompting her decision to move on after consulting with the shows creator, Rajan Shahi. Following her exit, rumours surfaced on social media that the actress might be participating in the Salman Khan-hosted reality show Bigg Boss Season 18. As her departure has sparked these rumours, Madalsa told Pinkvilla, No, Im not going to be a part of Bigg Boss, these are purely rumours. She also shed some light on her decision to leave Anupamaa and shared, It was not sudden. I had been in talks with the creators to give Kavyas character an edge since it had gone missing for a while due to several tracks going on and the makers had been trying their hardest to figure it out. Later, Rajan sir and I agreed that I could move on from Anupamaa and pursue something entirely new. I even felt that I had given four years of commitment to the show and now it is time to move on, she added. The news of Madalsa departing from the popular TV serial came days after actor Sudhanshu Pandey, who played Vanraj, announced his sudden exit from the show. Earlier, rumours about the lead actors of Anupamaa Rupali Ganguly and Gaurav Khanna leaving the show also circulated on social media. However, producer Ranjan Shahi refuted all the speculations and said, This is completely false. Produced by Ranjan Shahi and Deepa Shahi under the banner of Directors Kut Productions, Anupamaa is telecast on Star Plus. It is a remake of a popular Bengali serial Sreemoyee and has been on air since July 2020. Coming back to Madalsa, she is married to Mimoh Chakraborty, son of veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty. The actress has appeared in several regional and Bollywood films including Samrat & Co, Kannada film Shourya, Dove, Super 2, Pathayeram Kodi and others. Vishal Pandey became a household name with his stint in Bigg Boss OTT 3. The content creator captured the hearts of viewers with his down-to-earth personality and close bond with Lovekesh Kataria, Sana Makbul and Shivani Kumari. Fans of the influencer will be thrilled to hear that he has an exciting new project in the works. Recently, Vishal was spotted leaving the Sa Re Ga Ma office with a script in hand, sparking speculation about his upcoming project. During an interview with TellyChakkar, Vishal spoke about his upcoming project and shared, Bohat jald. Bohat saari cheezein aaeinge bohat jald (Very soon. A lot of things will come soon). When asked if any of his close friends were going to Bigg Boss 18, Vishal added, Uska koi idea nahi hai kaun jaa rha hai kaun nahibaaki baad mein pata chalega dekhte hai (I have no idea who is going and who isnt. We will get to know later. Lets see). Vishal was also asked if he would take the offer, to which the content creator said, Mera bas hogya, baaki dekhte hai kaun kaun ja raha hai show mein (Im done with it. Lets see who else is going into the show). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tellychakkar Official (@tellychakkar) Vishal Pandey has been making headlines regarding his upcoming projects. Previously, it was reported that he is collaborating with his close friend and Bigg Boss OTT 3 winner, Sana Makbul. A media report also suggested that Vishal has been approached for a television role. According to India Forums, Vishal is being considered for a project by Star Plus and has had a meeting with someone from the channel. While details about the show and the production house are still unknown. If everything works out well, Vishal could make his television debut with this new project. A few days ago, Vishal Pandey made his runway debut at Times Fashion Week. He walked the ramp for designer Maninder Gulati in a grey-toned embroidered sherwani. Sharing a video of the event on Instagram, Vishal wrote, Walked the ramp for the first time as a show stopper. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vishal Pandey (@vishalpandey_21) Vishal gained widespread popularity on Bigg Boss OTT 3, even though he was evicted just before the grand finale. He boasts a total of 10.2 million followers on Instagram. Anand Mahindra, Mahindra Group Chairman, frequently engages his followers with thought-provoking social media updates. His latest posts from a recent trip to Venice, Italy, is no exception. Sharing his experience on X, Mahindra posted stunning photos of the city alongside intriguing facts, giving his followers a delightful virtual tour of the iconic city. He titled his posts, Venice travelogue. In his first post, Mahindra talked about the impressive engineering that shaped the city of Venice. The city of Venice was built on a series of islands in a lagoon, using wooden piling which was innovative technology for that time. Yet, its not technology, but magic, that makes the city a visual feast Mr Mahindra wrote, alongside the photos from his trip. Venice Travelogue.(1/4)The city of Venice was built on a series of islands in a lagoon, using wooden piling which was innovative technology for that time. Yet, its not technology, but magic, that makes the city a visual feast pic.twitter.com/nB01oySRge anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) September 16, 2024 Gulls and birds are equal citizens of Venice and they soar into the skies of the city that were a significant inspiration for Renaissance and Medieval painters. Venices unique light became a hallmark of the Venetian school of art, he added. Venice Travelogue (2/4)Gulls and birds, are equal citizens of Venice and they soar into the skies of the city that were a significant inspiration for Renaissance and Medieval painters. Venice's unique light, became a hallmark of the Venetian school of art. pic.twitter.com/TDTrwGbBlP anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) September 16, 2024 In a follow-up post, Mahindra also shared his thoughts on Venices delightful food, commenting how gelato is served with katoris of condiments. Venice Travelogue (3/4)And as everywhere else in Italy, food is a major preoccupation in Venice. Even the humble gelato is sometimes served as a gourmet dish with katoris of condiments. pic.twitter.com/gdv7Mf0fhz anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) September 16, 2024 In his final post, Mahindra recommended a visit to a restaurant Al Covino for those travelling to Venice. Finally, a tip for those heading to Venice. Dont miss Al Covino for lunch or dinner. A tiny, 7 table place under the new management of Claudio & Claudia, who gave it new life 5 months agoand gifted themselves a new life by getting married 3 months ago. They are warm and friendly and deliver an experience that makes you feel like you are a guest in the kitchen of their home. The food has an astonishing combination of flavours with ingredients sourced and named with affection. Outstanding, he wrote. Venice Travelogue (4/4)Finally, a tip for those heading to Venice. Dont miss Al Covino for lunch or dinner. A tiny, 7 table place under the new management of Claudio & Claudia, who gave it new life 5 months agoand gifted themselves a new life by getting married 3 months pic.twitter.com/4wlstkEq3s anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) September 16, 2024 Since being posted a day ago, Mahindras posts gained significant attention online. The visuals and insights of Venice have garnered thousands of views and sparked a flurry of comments. One user commented, This is most likely a peaceful and wonderful place, while another added, Wow very good infrastructure. This is most likely peaceful and wonderful place Dilbag Koundal (@dilbag_koundal) September 16, 2024 Wow very good infrastructure Kamlesh Dhaker (@kamsa_dkd) September 16, 2024 Someone else remarked, Venice enchants with its dreamlike beauty. Venice enchants with its dreamlike beauty. My Name Is Khan (@Kaun_Shahrukh) September 16, 2024 The compliments kept coming in with remarks like Beautiful pics and Very nice. Beautiful pics. vibgyorss (@vibgyor_Premila) September 16, 2024 Very nice Sasi S (@SasiS46474051) September 16, 2024 Earlier, Mahindra posted a video showing a crowded canal in Venice, likening it to a Mumbai-style traffic jam as gondolas and boats lined up to pass under a bridge. The clip also featured tourists snapping photos on the bridge. Traveled all the way to Venice only to run into a Mumbai-style traffic jam!(Ok, I admit this traffic pile-up is less stressful)#SundayFeeling pic.twitter.com/n25G8Y5upk anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) September 15, 2024 Traveled all the way to Venice only to run into a Mumbai-style traffic jam! (Ok, I admit this traffic pile-up is less stressful), he noted on X. Ola auto driver R Muthuraj, who was arrested by Bengaluru police for allegedly slapping a woman and hurling abuses at her, was released from jail on Wednesday. After walking out of jail, Muthuraj admitted to snatching the womans phone while she was recording their altercation and to hurling verbal abuse, for which he apologised. He vowed that he would never repeat his actions. However, he didnt say anything about the accusation of slapping the woman. In an interview with the local YouTube channel Auto Ratha Saradhi, Muthuraj recounted the events of that day. He explained that he had accepted a ride to Shanti Nagar and reached the pickup point. She said she was coming in two minutes and asked me to wait. Two women climbed down from a building after five minutes. I saw them getting into an auto. I called them, and they disconnected the call and cancelled the ride, R Muthuraj said. Read| Does Your Father Pay For Gas? Bengaluru Auto Driver Slaps Woman For Cancelling Ola Ride, Video Goes Viral After this, Muthuraj somehow figured out the woman who cancelled his ride and walked up to her for an explanation. He explained that he was upset because he had travelled seven kilometres to reach the location. In the viral video, Muthuraj can be heard repeatedly questioning the woman about why she cancelled the ride, angrily asking if her father would pay for the fuel costs of the trip. The driver, as seen in the viral video, admitted to asking the woman to accompany him to the police station. He defended himself, saying, If I were guilty, why would I go to the police? The driver further claims to have received threatening calls from people. Additionally, he revealed that all ride-hailing apps, including Ola and Uber, have banned him. In these years, I have driven autos for Ola, Uber and Rapido. Look at my ratings. The customers have given me five-star ratings. They gave it to me because I am a good driver. But after the incident, Ola and Uber banned me. I have received threatening calls from people who said they would finish me, he added. He also expressed gratitude towards people who helped him financially after the incident: All of you who have helped me financially, you are very kind. I will never forget you. ATTENTIONDo listen to Bengaluru Auto Driver's Version of what happened on that day. Always decide after knowing both side stories. A narrative is being built that he assualted the girl which is absolutely false. Listen and share maximum VC: Karnataka Auto Sarathi pic.twitter.com/vezxCdfC00 Che_ (@ChekrishnaCk) September 15, 2024 Where did it all begin? A Bengaluru woman and her friend booked separate rides for the same destination so that one of them didnt miss her class. One of them cancelled her ride as the other auto arrived first. The woman further reasoned that in Bangaluru, autos often cancel rides or demand extra money, and thats why they booked two separate autos. The woman claims that since the auto driver was a minute away from the location when she cancelled the ride, he became furious and followed them. Despite explaining the situation, he started shouting and hurling abuses, the woman recalled. Also Read| Bengaluru Auto Driver Who Slapped Woman to Pay Rs 30,000 in Legal Fees, Spend 4 Days in Jail He even tried snatching her phone to prevent her from recording the confrontation and forced them to go to the police station with him. The woman also alleged that the auto driver slapped her as she repeatedly asked in the video, Mujhe kyun mara [why did you slap me]? A video of the incident went viral and the Internet demanded the arrest of the driver and the suspension of his driving licence. What unfolds in the viral video? In the video, the Bengaluru woman repeatedly asks, Aap chilla kyu rahe ho [Why are you shouting]? as the angry auto driver argues, Galti se kaise hota hai cancel [How do you cancel by mistake]? He also questions her about who will cover the fuel costs, stating, Does your father pay for gas? As the video continues, the woman warns the driver that she will report him to the police. The driver then grew increasingly furious, repeatedly urging the woman to accompany him to the police station. When the woman suggests heading to a different police station and mentions she already has his phone and auto details, the driver allegedly slaps her. He slapped me in front of my auto driver, who did nothing, and bystanders who remained passive. Despite this, he continued his threats, saying hed beat me with his slippers too, the woman recounted. She also voiced her frustration with Ola, stating, Thankfully, my driver managed to get us away, but Olas response has been disappointing. After reporting the incident via the app, we received only an automated reply. Attempts to reach their support line failed, leaving us frustrated and helpless. Ive never felt this unsafe in Bangalore. Ola must take immediate and strict action, she further said. Watch the viral videos here: Yesterday I faced severe harassment and was physically assaulted by your auto driver in Bangalore after a simple ride cancellation. Despite reporting, your customer support has been unresponsive. Immediate action is needed! @Olacabs @ola_supports @BlrCityPolice pic.twitter.com/iTkXFKDMS7 Niti (@nihihiti) September 4, 2024 After the post gained traction on social media, DCP West Bengaluru said, The auto driver has been apprehended by Magadi Road Police. Action is being initiated for the offence committed as per law. The auto driver was nabbed by Magadi Road police under Sections 74 and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Muthuraj spent several days in jail before walking out on bail on Wednesday. Raghu Narayana Gowda, president of Peace Auto & Cab Drivers Association, pooled Rs 33,000 with the help of other auto drivers and gave it to Muthurajs family for his bail. The advocate charged Rs 30,000 as legal fees. Gowda also said that the association will speak to RTO officials and request them not to cancel his driving licence. The association will also speak to the ride-hailing apps who have banned him, reported TOI. A Brazilian couple were recently embroiled in a legal conflict over the right to name their recently born son Piye after the first black pharaoh of Egypt. At first, a court in Minas Gerais banned the name arguing that the name would result in bullying and mockery as it sounded like the Portuguese word for ballet move plie. However, later, a judge changed this decision giving Danillo and Catarina Primola an opportunity to give a name to their son in honour of the great historical figure. At first, the couple wanted to register the babys name but this was denied by the Belo Horizonte registry office, as per Money Control. The Primolas selected this name with the intention of celebrating their black African heritage and representing their sons ethnicity. Piye or Piankhy was the head of Egypt during the 25th dynasty and is acknowledged for his military achievements as well as innovations in pyramid architecture. The Civil Court of Minas Gerais banned it at first arguing that the phonetic sounds of this name could cause potential embarrassment during the childs entire life. Significantly, the sound and spelling of the name Piye were also important to the court since they thought that it was likely to provoke the childs peers into bullying him, the report added. Danillo, however, lamented this ruling, stating that society should be educated with more respect to cultures rather than restricted to names. He wanted to bring back the focus on African names knowing that this would help put a different angle to the overall black history. Speaking with Daily Mail, he said, Recovering African names is a powerful way to give a new narrative to the history of black people. Importantly, the couples purpose was not only to pay tribute to Piye but also to raise a child with an understanding of cultural heritage, the publication added. On September 13, a judge reversed the initial decision after the family was unable to register their sons name due to the delay, which affected the childs vaccinations and screening. This decision let the Primolas continue the naming of their son Piye, to achieve their goal of cultural representation in the given childs name. Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth got married in an intimate ceremony at a 400-year-old temple in Wanaparthy, Telangana. The actor couple updated their relationship status to married with a post on Instagram on September 16. While the photos look straight out of a dream wedding, what caught the Internets attention is the luxury watch that Siddharth chose to wear with his simple wedding attire. In a joint post on Instagram, Hydari wrote, You are my Sun, my Moon, and all my stars. To being pixie soulmates for eternity to laughter, to never growing up. To eternal love, light & magic. Mrs & Mr Adu-Siddhua. Read| Rakul Preet Singhs Message For Newlyweds Aditi Rao Hydari And Siddharth: Welcome To The Club Hydari donned a golden saree with intricate borders, complemented by minimal jewelry, while Siddharth opted for a classic white kurta paired with a matching dhoti. He completed his look with a luxury watch. Can you guess the luxury watch that Siddharth wore at his wedding? Did you manage to guess which watch the actor wore? If not, let us fill you in. At his wedding, Siddharth sported the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Dual Time, a luxury timepiece that ranges between Rs 22 lakh and Rs 50 lakh. Hydari and Siddarth met in 2021 on the sets of the Telugu film Maha Samudram. In an interview with Vogue India, Aditi shared the wedding proposal Siddharth had planned for her. I was closest to my nani, who passed away a few years ago. She started a school in Hyderabad. One day, Siddarth asked me if he could see it, knowing full well how close I had been to her, she recalled. They visited the school in March and Siddharth asked Hydari to show him a special location close to her heart. It was a floor above the nursery section. He got down on his knee and I asked him, Now what have you lost? Whose shoelaces are open? He kept saying, Addu, listen to me. And then he proposed. He said he wanted to bring me to my favourite childhood place, one with my grandmothers blessings, the actor added. The couple got engaged in March this year. Back then, the couple posted a picture on Instagram in which they flaunted their engagement rings. While Hydari wore a diamond ring, Siddharth sported a gold band on his ring finger with magenta detailing. In the caption, Hydari wrote, He said yes! E. N. G. A. G. E. D. Scientists from around the globe have often spotted unusual objects floating around the pyramids in Egypt. Recently, scientists from China claim that they have discovered Plasma Bubbles over pyramids. There are many conspiracy theories pertaining to these bubbles, including claims that aliens are associated with the phenomenon. Chinese scientists have dismissed these theories, mentioning that this is a completely natural and scientific phenomenon. Such a unique phenomenon was also spotted over Midway Island, which once housed a US Navy Base. The scientists pointed out that these strange objects do not indicate the involvement of any creature from another world. This was stated after a long study. For the research, the scientists used advanced Low Latitude Long-Range Ionospheric Radar (LARID) to detect the origin of the bubbles. These equatorial plasma bubbles form due to the disappearance of charged particles in the Earths upper atmosphere. This strange phenomenon creates a region with lower levels of electrons, which the scientists describe as bubble-like formation. According to media reports, these bubbles can spread for more than 100 miles (approximately 160.9 km). It can also interfere with GPS and satellite communications. In August, scientists from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing reported that plasma bubbles that were caused by a solar storm appeared on their radar in the month of November, last year. These bubbles were observed in Egypt and several other low-altitude regions. The development of radars that are capable of detecting plasma bubbles is important as they may pose a significant threat. The lack of large-scale and long-term observation facilities over oceans has hindered the research works. The scientists were finding it hard to predict the threats. To address this, Chinese scientists have proposed establishing a network of three to four LARIDs over low-latitude regions around the world. This will help the scientists to do extensive research on the bubbles. Chocolates are loved by many for their rich taste and comforting sweetness. In the scenic Dal Lake, a Kashmiri vendor is making waves by selling homemade chocolates and cookies. His story recently caught the attention of online users after a video by Jist, a digital news platform, showed how he earns Rs 3 lakh a month selling these treats. The vendor, in conversation with a reporter, revealed that he learned the skill of making chocolate from his grandfather, who once worked in Belgium and brought the art of crafting assorted chocolates to India. His stall in the floating market offers a wide variety of flavours, including walnut-stuffed, vanilla, coconut, mango, vanilla-chocolate fudge stuffed with walnuts and almonds. The vendor proudly claimed that these Belgium-style chocolates are exclusive to his shop and cant be found elsewhere in India. As the video shows, the vendor invites the reporter to taste his chocolates, but when asked for the recipe, he humourously refuses to share it. He also reveals that through his sales in Dal Lakes floating market, he earns about Rs 10,000-12,000 daily. The caption shared along with the video reads, Meet a vendor from Kashmirs floating market who earns 3 lakhs a month selling chocolates. Reacting to the video, one user commented, Reporter second guessing her profession after hearing about his daily income. Haha. Another user wrote, I visited Kashmir last month and everything is overpriced, negotiate with them and you can get at least a 30-50% discount. Just like this Kashmiri vendor making waves with his assorted chocolates, Mahadev Nana Mali from Maharashtra also gained attention for his innovative tea-selling business. Operating in Ter village, Mali, who had completed only third grade, has revolutionised his tea service by taking orders over the phone and ensuring delivery in any weather conditions. For the past 20 years, Mali has catered to around 15,000 villagers, requiring between 50 to 60 litres of milk daily to meet the demand. Assisted by his wife, he serves both Ter and neighbouring areas within a 2-3 kilometre radius. His tea, prices at just Rs 5 a cup, has become a local staple. With the daily sales of 1,500 to 2,000 cups of tea, Mali earns approximately Rs 7,000 to 10,000 a day. In the wake of a drastically falling birth rate in the country, President Vladimir Putin has reportedly asked Russians to have sex at work during their lunch and coffee breaks. According to Metro.co.uk, the sex-at-work scheme has been ordered to address the current fertility rate in the country, which stands at around 1.5 children per woman, far below the required 2.1 rate. This comes at a time when Putins ongoing war against Ukraine has forced over one million younger Russians to migrate away from the country, the report added. Speaking on the matter, the president asserted the highest national priority, stating that it is important to preserve the Russian population. The fate of Russia depends on how many of us there will be. It is a question of national importance, he added. On the other hand, Health Minister Dr Yevgeny Shestopalov explained, Being very busy at work is not a valid reason, but a lame excuse. You can engage in procreation during breaks because life flies by too quickly. During a media interaction, a reporter asked the minister how busy people at jobs would have time to have children. He replied, During break times. While the Kremlin continues to encourage people to have more babies, Russian women are also being told to attend free fertility checks to assess their reproductive potential. While MP Tatyana Butskaya argued that large families are becoming the new elite, adding that employers should start looking over whether their employees have one child or more, other politicians have demanded women start giving birth at a younger age. You should start giving birth at 19-20 years old. Then, statistically, the family will be able to have three, four, or more children. Give birth, give birth, and give birth again, you need to give birth, give birth at 18, they explained. Earlier this month, official data suggested Russias lowest birth rate since 1999 in the first six months of 2024. Birth dates fell below 100,000 in June, marking their first-month decline. According to the statistics service Rosstat, 599,600 children were born in Russia in the first half of 2024, which is 16,000 less than the same period last year and the lowest since 1999. Its not common to find a dangerous serpent lurking inside your house, posing a danger to your life. Such a chilling clip was shared on Instagram by a blogger, who had a horrifying encounter with a snake; he saw a serpent stuck to a sewing machine. While focussing the camera on the snake, the man said that the Common Krait is the most poisonous serpent in India. According to the blogger, this snake comes out and bites people at night. As per the creator, it is known as the silent killer and climbs at the bed to bite people. The blogger advises people to stay safe from these snakes and clean their beds before using them at night. In the entire clip, the snake is not moving even an inch from the sewing machine. This Instagram video has garnered more than 7 million views and counting. Social media users posed different questions to the blogger in the comment section. One of the users asked where this snake is found in India. The blogger replied that it is available everywhere in India. Another user commented that due to the bite of the Indian Common Krait snake, she remained admitted to the hospital for a month. Another person commented that this snake is most active during the monsoon. Its bite doesnt hurt which explains the reason why it is called the silent killer. According to the information available on the National Center for Biotechnology Information , The Indian Krait spews one of the most lethal venoms compared to other Asian snakes. The venom of the Common Krait comprises substantial neurotoxins that cause muscular paralysis. Significant snake bite incidents occur in rural areas. A cursory glance at the bloggers Instagram feed shows that he has shared many clips on Instagram handling snakes. While handling them, the creator doesnt show any signs of worry and creates videos with a poised demeanour. This is a testament to his ability to handle even the most scary-looking serpents calmly. In one of the clips, he lets the serpent with its forked tongue out, slither on his arm calmly. Social media users applauded the blogger for doing such a daring task without any fear. Hundreds of Taiwan-made pagers used by members of Hezbollah exploded across Lebanon and parts of Syria on Tuesday, killing at least 11 people and injuring over 3,000 people. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has accused Israel of being behind the pager explosions that took place on Tuesday. The blasts were a result of new handheld devices that the Lebanese outfit had recently acquired, which were modified to include small explosives. In a cabinet meeting, Mikati described the attack as a serious violation of Lebanese sovereignty and a crime by all standards, as per state-run NNA news outlet. Israel On Alert As Hezbollah Vows Retaliation The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday braced for a response as Hezbollah promised to retaliate against Israel after accusing it of detonating pagers across Lebanon on Tuesday, killing nine people and wounding nearly 3,000 others. Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, the IDFs Chief of Staff, on Tuesday, insisted Israel remains ready for attack and defence in all arenas without mentioning the pager attacks which occurred across Lebanon and in parts of Syria. We will update immediately on any change to (Home Front Command guidelines), the IDF added. Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed that the explosions were not merely accidents but part of a deliberate attack aimed at undermining the groups operational capabilities. According to the New York Times, Israel tampered with the devices that Hezbollah ordered. It has been claimed that they reportedly placed two ounces of explosive material next to the battery in each pager. A switch was also embedded that could be triggered remotely to detonate the explosives, the Times reported. Hezbollah fighters received a message at 3.30 pm Lebanon time that looked like it was coming from Hezbollahs leadership. When the message came through, there was a brief pause, presumably so the fighters would raise the pagers toward their face, before they detonated. REPORT: Israel apparently intercepted the pagers from Taiwan that detonated in the pockets of thousands of Hezbollah fighters before they reached Lebanon.According to the New York Times, Israel tampered with the devices that Hezbollah ordered. They reportedly placed two pic.twitter.com/hE1DmFhxDL Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 17, 2024 Taiwan -based Gold Apollo Denies Producing Explosive-packed Hezbollah Pagers Taiwanese company Gold Apollo on Wednesday denied a report that it had produced hundreds of explosive-packed pagers used by Hezbollah members which simultaneously exploded, killing at least nine people. They are not our products from beginning to end. How can we produce products that are not ours? company head Hsu Chin-kuang told reporters in Taipei after the New York Times reported that his companys pagers were involved in the blasts. US says not involved and not aware The United States has stated it had no prior knowledge of, or involvement in, the pager explosions targeting Hezbollah. I can tell you that the US was not involved in it, the US was not aware of this incident in advance and, at this point, were gathering information, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told the media. When and where did the blasts took place? The detonations began around 3:30 p.m. local time and occurred in southern Lebanon, including the Hezbollah strongholds in the southern suburbs of Beirut, known as Dahiyeh, and the eastern Bekaa Valley. The explosions lasted for about an hour, with witnesses and residents of Dahiyeh reporting that they continued to hear blasts until around 4:30 p.m. local time, Reuters reported. According to reports, some of the explosions occurred after the pagers rang, leading fighters to either hold the devices or bring them close to their faces to check the screen. Videos and photos circulating on social media appear to show wounded individuals sitting or lying on the floor, while others are being rushed to hospitals. CCTV footage shared by the Russian state-owned news agency Sputnik shows a man inside a store with a sudden explosion from a side bag he was carrying. He collapses to the floor immediately after the blast, while others in the store panic and flee. Dozens of people have been injured in Lebanon as a result of an electronic attack, Sputniks correspondent reportsAl Jazeera reports hacking and simultaneous undermining of Hezbollahs encrypted communications network pic.twitter.com/IgJBTBhM78 Sputnik (@SputnikInt) September 17, 2024 Exploded pagers were newly acquired by Hezbollah The pagers that exploded had recently been acquired by Hezbollah after the groups leader ordered members to stop using cellphones, citing concerns they could be tracked by Israeli intelligence. A Hezbollah official told The Associated Press that the pagers were a new brand the group had not used before. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had earlier warned members against carrying cellphones, stating that they could be used by Israel to monitor their movements and carry out targeted strikes. Meanwhile, pictures of the destroyed pagers, analysed by Reuters, showed a format and stickers consistent with those produced by Gold Apollo, a Taiwan-based pager manufacturer. What caused the pager to explode? Hezbollah announced that it is conducting a security and scientific investigation into the cause of the explosions. Diplomatic and security sources have speculated that the detonations might have been triggered by the devices batteries overheating and exploding. High alert In a statement, the health ministry urged all hospitals in areas near the locations of the injured to be on high alert and increase their level of preparedness, and called for all health workers to urgently report to their workplaces to provide assistance. The Lebanese Red Cross said it was on high alert in a statement shared on X. More than 30 Ambulances from the #LebaneseRedCross are responding to multiple bombings across South Lebanon, Bekaa Valley and the Southern Suburbs of Beirut . All our stations across Mount Lebanon and Beirut are on high alert!, the post read. More than 30 Ambulances from the #LebaneseRedCross are responding to multiple bombings across South Lebanon, Bekaa Valley and the Southern Suburbs of Beirut . All our stations across Mount Lebanon and Beirut are on high alert! pic.twitter.com/oUifZMARMw Lebanese Red Cross (@RedCrossLebanon) September 17, 2024 Biggest security breach A Hezbollah official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the pager detonations as the biggest security breach the group has faced in nearly a year of conflict with Israel, as per news agency Reuters. The agency also reported that one of its journalists witnessed ambulances rushing through the southern suburbs of Beirut amid widespread panic. Residents reported explosions occurring even 30 minutes after the initial blasts. The journalist noted that groups of people gathered at building entrances, checking on acquaintances who might have been injured. Attack amid tensions with Israel Officials have blamed Israel for what seems to be a sophisticated, remote attack amid escalating tensions along the Lebanon border. However, there was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which has been engaged in conflict with Hezbollah since the October 7 attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas that triggered the Gaza war, marking the worst escalation in years. The incident also came hours after Israels security cabinet made the safe return of 60,000 residents displaced in the north by Hezbollah attacks an official war goal, according to the BBC. The security cabinet has updated the objectives of the war to include the following: Returning the residents of the north securely to their homes, Benjamin Netanyahus office said. Israel will continue to act to implement this objective. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had previously warned the groups members not to carry cellphones, citing concerns that they could be used by Israel to track their movements and carry out targeted strikes. (With inputs from agencies) Hundreds of handheld pagers exploded almost simultaneously across Lebanon and parts of Syria on Tuesday, resulting in at least 11 fatalities. Among the deceased were the son of a Hezbollah lawmaker and a 10-year-old daughter of the Iran-backed militant group member. Additionally, Iranian state television reported that Tehrans ambassador in Beirut, Mojtaba Amani, sustained superficial injuries in one of the explosions. Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said that some 2,800 people were also injured in the pager explosions, with more than 200 of them critically hurt. Hezbollah blames Israel Hezbollah has accused Israel of being behind the pager explosions. We hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression, the Iran-backed militant group said in a statement, adding that Israel will certainly receive its just punishment for this sinful aggression. Hezbollah confirmed in a statement that the blasts from the groups newly issued pagers resulted in the deaths of at least two members and a young girl. Pagers belonging to employees of various Hezbollah units and institutions exploded, the group said, adding that the blasts killed a girl and two of our brothers. A senior Hezbollah source also told Reuters that its chief, Hassan Nasrallah, was not injured in the explosions. The group further stated that it is conducting a wide-ranging security and scientific investigation into the causes of the simultaneous explosions but did not mention Israel. We confirm that the resistance at all levels and various units is at the highest level of readiness to defend Lebanon and its steadfast people, it said. 14 wounded in Syria Fourteen people were also wounded in Syria on Tuesday when pagers used by Hezbollah exploded, according to a Britain-based war monitor. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that fourteen people whose nationalities are unknown have been wounded in Damascus and its countryside after pagers used by Hezbollah exploded. Biggest Security Breach A Hezbollah official described the pager explosions, which struck several of the groups strongholds across Lebanon, as the biggest security breach the organisation has encountered in nearly a year of conflict with Israel, as per news agency Reuters. However, there was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which has been engaged in conflict with Hezbollah since the October 7 attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas that triggered the Gaza war, marking the worst escalation in years. Israel has previously used booby-trapped cellphones to kill Hamas militants and is widely believed to have been behind the Stuxnet computer virus attack on Irans nuclear program in 2010. (With inputs from agencies) I am a rapist, said a Frenchman accused of drugging his wife so that he and dozens of strangers could sexually assault her, his first testimony in a trial that has horrified France. Dominique Pelicot, 71, used a cane Tuesday as he slowly entered the courtroom in the southern city of Avignon, where his now ex-wife was present for the painful testimony. I am a rapist, like the others in this room, Pelicot said, referring to the 50 other defendants in the mass trial men he allegedly recruited online to rape his then-wife Gisele Pelicot. They all knew that he was inviting them to rape her, he said. But he added: She did not deserve this. Dominique Pelicot is accused of administering anti-anxiety drugs to Gisele over a period of almost a decade, from 2011 to 2020. He has been charged with raping her while she was unconscious, and recruiting dozens of other men he met online to do the same. Dominique Pelicot has admitted the charges, but Tuesday was the first time he was speaking at any length since the trial began on September 2. He spoke of his difficult childhood, saying his parents assaulted each other. He briefly mentioned what he described as two traumatic episodes, being victim of a rape when he was nine years old and another on a construction site as an apprentice. I always carried these traumatising events with me, he said, his eyes welling up and his voice shaking. Youre not born this way, you become it, he added. I am guilty His ex-wife Gisele Pelicot, who obtained a divorce from him last month, remained stoic as he spoke, then she took the stand herself. Not a for a single second did I doubt this man, she said. Her former husband then asked her and others for forgiveness. I am guilty of what I have done. I beg my wife, my children, my grandchildren to accept my apologies. I ask for forgiveness, he said. He also presented his apologies to another woman in the case, whose husband is accused of raping her while heavily sedated after following the same modus operandi. The main defendant had been excused from hearings for much of last week and did not show up on Monday. His lawyer Beatrice Zavarro told AFP he was suffering from a clot in the bladder and the beginning of a kidney infection. But a medical exam ordered by the presiding judge found that he was in a fit state to appear in court, avoiding a delay of weeks or even months to the hearings. Adjustments would be made to the sequencing of the hearings and Dominique Pelicot would get regular rest, Zavarro said, adding that the health complaints were not an attempt by her client to escape justice. Shame must change sides Dominique Pelicots testimony is expected to be decisive for the 50 other men aged 26 to 74 on trial, four of whose cases are set to be heard in the coming days. Some of the accused have admitted that he told them he was drugging his then-wife, while others claim they believed they were participating in a swinger couples fantasy. Investigators listed 72 men suspected of having taken part in abusing Gisele Pelicot other than her husband, but only managed to identify 50. All those 50 are on trial. They include a fireman, a male nurse, a prison guard and a journalist. Seventeen are in custody, as is Dominique Pelicot, while 32 other defendants are attending the trial as free men. One co-defendant is being tried in absentia. Gisele Pelicot requested that the trial be open to the public to raise awareness about the use of drugs to commit sexual abuse. The case has prompted outrage across France, with thousands demonstrating in cities at the weekend to demand an end to rape and support Gisele Pelicot. Shame must change sides, said several posters, echoing Gisele Pelicots words that it should be rapists not their victims who should be ashamed. Gisele thanked demonstrators on Monday. Thanks to you I have the strength to see this fight through to the end, she said. The news of deadly explosions of pagers used by Hezbollah militants in Lebanon has brought these early communication devices in limelight. At least nine people were killed and over 2,700 people including Tehrans ambassador in Beirut injured after hundreds of pagers exploded across Lebanon. The Iran-backed militant group blamed Israel for the deadly blasts, which the Lebanese government condemned as criminal Israeli aggression. However, Tel Aviv is yet to comment on the incident. Lebanese media speculated that pagers were allegedly hacked by Israeli intelligence services, causing the batteries to overheat and then explode. What Is A Pager? A pager, also known as a beeper, works different than phones. This compact battery-powered radio receiver alerts the user through sound or vibration when it receives a specific signal. Depending on the model, pager have several features like it can show either a numeric message, such as a phone number, or a text message, like Call Home. After gaining widespread popularity from the late 1980s through the 1990s, pagers started to fall out of favor in 2000s when smaller and more affordable cell phones hit the markets. There are two primary types of pagers: one-way pagers only receive messages while two-way pagers have the capability to both send and receive messages. Pagers were widely used in fields like healthcare, and emergency services before phones. It is still used in places where cell networks might be compromised, protecting privacy of communication. How Pagers Are Different From Smartphones Unlike smartphones, pagers focus on critical messages while filtering out the usual daily notifications. Without GPS or Bluetooth, one of the smartphones features, pagers is usually preferred by those who do want their location to be tracked. Privacy, cost-effectiveness, and functionality in environments where cellphones might be restricted makes pagers a communication device in various fields, from healthcare to high-security government operations. Meta said it is banning Russian state media outlets from its apps around the world, prompting an angry reaction from the Kremlin on Tuesday. The ban comes after the United States accused RT and employees of the state-run outlet of funneling $10 million through shell entities to covertly fund influence campaigns on social media channels including TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube, according to an unsealed indictment. After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets, Meta said on Monday in response to an AFP inquiry. Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity, said Meta, whose apps include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads. The Kremlin on Tuesday slammed the decision as unacceptable. With this action Meta discredits itself, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. RT was forced to cease formal operations in Britain, Canada, the European Union and the United States due to sanctions after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, according to the indictment unsealed in New York, US prosecutors quoted an RT editor-in-chief as saying it created an entire empire of covert projects designed to shape public opinion in Western audiences. Secret content backing One of the covert projects involved funding and direction of an online content creation company in Tennessee, according to the indictment. Since launching in late 2023, the US content creation operation supported by Russia has posted nearly 2,000 videos that have logged more than 16 million views on YouTube alone, according to the indictment. Prosecutors cited a content producer as grousing about being pressed by the company to post a video early this year of a well-known US political commentator visiting a grocery store in Russia, complaining it felt like overt shilling but agreeing to put the video out. The company never disclosed to viewers it was funded by RT, US prosecutors said. RT has pursued malign influence campaigns in countries opposed to its policies, including the United States, in an effort to sow domestic divisions and thereby weaken opposition to Government of Russia objectives, prosecutors argued in the indictment. Proxies and mercenaries Russia is the biggest source of covert influence operations disrupted by Meta at its platform since 2017, and such efforts at deceptive online influence ramped up after Russias invasion of Ukraine, according to threat reports released routinely by the social media giant. Meta had previously banned the Federal News Agency in Russia to thwart foreign interference activities by the Russian Internet Research Agency. RT capabilities were expanded early last year, with the Russian government enhancing it with cyber operational capabilities and ties to Russian intelligence, the US State Department said in a recent release. Cyber capabilities were focused primarily on influence and intelligence operations around the world, according to the State Department. Information gathered by covert RT operations flows to Russias intelligence services, Russian media outlets, Russian mercenary groups, and other proxy arms of the Russian government, the United States maintained. The State Department said it was engaged in diplomatic efforts to inform governments around the world about Russias use of RT to conduct covert activities and encourage them to take action to limit Russias ability to interfere in foreign elections and procure weapons for its war against Ukraine. Sri Lanka is a tear-drop shaped island nation in the Indian Ocean. Unfortunately, the tears of the nation have run dry, but the turmoil continues. Since Sri Lankas independence from the Great Britain in 1948, the country has fought two major civil wars sacrificing a lakh lives, went through a killer Tsunami in 2004, which claimed another 25,000 lives, and very recently a massive public unrest named Aragalaya, which forced the President to flee in middle of the night. Sri Lankan people know how to suffer yet smile. They say it is a cursed nation with great natural resources and unmatched beauty. Every time the nation looks stable, something unexpected happens dragging down everything with it. Sri Lanka is voting on Saturday (September 21) to elect the new President. The people have high hopes like they have every time. This is the first election Sri Lanka is witnessing since the economic collapse of the country just two years ago. Proving the sceptics wrong, Sri Lanka has staged a great comeback, stabilising the economy to some extent in record two years. Unlike all previous Presidential elections, the current election is the most complicated and witnessing a four-cornered fight. Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe is seeking mandate as an independent candidate, Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayaka popularly known as AKD, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the youngest Namal Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) are three other important candidates in the fray. THE RISE OF ANURA Perceptions favour AKD of JVP. The support he is getting on the ground has sent shock waves among all established players. Promising to eliminate rampant corruption, nepotism, economic inequalities and class conflicts, Anura claims he is just a week away from taking charge of Sri Lanka as its new President. His public rallies are attracting massive crowds across the country. Till recently, JVP was a fringe political force in a country dominated by two parties former President Mahinda Rajapaksas SLPP and Sajiths SJB. The JVP, once a banned terrorist organisation for two guerilla insurrections in the past, claims it has put its bloody past behind to try democratic means to achieve power. This time, the majority of voters, mainly the poor and working class, seem to be backing Anura, expecting a complete overhaul of the decadent system that has plagued the nation since its Independence. A shrewd politician and rabble rouser, Anura is playing to the gallery, selling endless multi-colour dreams to the people who have suffered enough in the hands of other political parties known as Colombo 7 Club, the wealthiest and swankiest area where all these leaders reside. The same Colombo 7 class which controls nations economy is worried about its future under Anura Presidency. Anura is promising to make Sri Lanka another Sweden, a wealthy welfare nation. But the ground realities show an entirely different situation. A nation which has barely come out of a bankruptcy, neither has the resources of Sweden, nor the willpower. But Anura making it to the highest office on the island cant be ruled out. His Comrades have already declared an Anura win. SAJITHs PROMISES Anuras main rival Sajith Premadasa is banking on the vote share SJB polled in the previous elections and the party workers spread across the country. Sajith is promising a slew of populist things like his neighbours across the Palk Strait. His campaign managers are upbeat about a Sajith victory on Saturday. They dismiss Anura as a mere media and social media hype. RANIL BANKS ON MPS Incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe knows he is up against two formidable rivals who have successfully convinced the majority about the failures of the government. Unlike the two others, Ranil does not have established workers on the ground. He is depending on the 60 odd MPs and ministers who have defected to his side from Mahinda Rajapaksas SLPP to bring voters to the polling booth on Saturday. Ranil is warning the people that his defeat will derail the economic recovery and Sri Lanka will face a situation much worse than Aragalaya. Sri Lanka has 25% Tamil and Muslim voters who are minorities. Both Sajith and Ranil are eyeing these votes. Ranil has a better chance of cornering most of them. If the minority votes go to only one candidate, it can end the dream of Anura. Minorities are wary of AKD of JVP, given its past records concerning them. The fourth candidate in the fray Namal Rajapaksa of SLPP is under no pressure to win. He is just 38 and contesting to save his party and prepare for the Parliament elections likely to be held within the next three months. First time since 2005, a Rajapaksa is not contesting to win the Presidential poll. The voters of Sri Lanka will have to choose between Anura, who is promising a Sweden-like welfare state, Sajith, who is riding high on populism, and Ranil who is promising a stable economy and prosperity in the future. The Hezbollah on Tuesday asked its members to throw away new pagers that were received via a shipment in recent days. Lebanese officials said at least 11 people, including the son of a Hezbollah lawmaker and the 10-year-old daughter of a member of the group, were killed in deadly explosions targeting these devices. Each one who received a new pager, throw it away, said a voice message circulated to Hezbollah members, as per a report published by The Washington Post. Lebanons official National News Agency reported an unprecedented enemy security incident with hand-held pagers detonating in several regions. According to sources, the incident was a result of an Israeli breach of Hezbollahs communications. Lebanon Explosions: What Is A Pager And Why Are Hezbollah Members Still Using It? The Iran-backed militant group had previously asked its members to avoid using mobile phones after the Gaza war began to prevent Israeli breaches of technology. The members establish contact through their own telecommunications system. The group blamed the blasts on Israel even though there was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. The explosions, however, came hours after Israel announced it was broadening the aims of the war sparked by the October 7 attacks, to include its fight against Hezbollah along its border with Lebanon. Sources told AFP that hundreds of members were injured by the simultaneous explosion of their pagers in the groups strongholds in Beiruts southern suburbs, in Lebanon, and in the eastern Bekaa Valley. Health officials reported chaotic scenes in the capital as ambulances zipped past, rushing injured Hezbollah members to hospitals in the area. In the southern parts, dozens of ambulances were spotted rushing between the cities of Tyre and Sidon in both directions, with hospitals in both cities cordoned off. The health ministry in a statement asked all hospitals in areas near the locations of the injured, to be on high alert and raise their level of preparedness, and all health workers to urgently go to their workplaces to assist. The Lebanese Red Cross said it was on high alert in a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter. Several videos doing the rounds on social media show what appears to be pagers heavily damaged by explosions. There are also instances in which these devices are seen exploding in shops while being carried by their owners. Exploding pagers and other communication devices in #Lebanon among #Hezbollah members today. Recall the public reporting that #Israel has infiltrated the Hezbollah communication networks and that Hezbollah had switched to pagers and couriers after cell phones were banned. pic.twitter.com/AGGVYhE2lC Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) September 17, 2024 Heres what we know so far: The Wall Street Journal reported that the pagers came from a new shipment that Hezbollah had received in recent days The personal communication devices began exploding around 3.30 pm in what looked like simultaneous remote attacks Reports suggest that the attack mainly targeted pagers carried by Hezbollah members Hezbollah sources told Lebanese media that the pagers were hacked by Israeli intelligence services, causing the batteries to overheat and then explode Most of the injured people have severed fingers, severe burns and other blast injuries. Iranian ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani is also among the injured (With agency inputs) The United States said Tuesday it was not aware in advance and had no involvement in mass explosions of pagers used by Lebanons Hezbollah, as it urged restraint by Iran in response. I can tell you that the US was not involved in it, the US was not aware of this incident in advance and, at this point, were gathering information, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters. Miller declined to comment on widespread suspicion that the blasts were carried out by Israel, which has been regularly trading fire with Hezbollah after the October 7 attack on Israel by another Iranian ally, Hamas. The blasts came after weeks of private diplomacy by the United States to discourage a major Iranian retaliation against Israel for the killing of the Hamas political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, on a visit to Tehran. Miller said the US message to Iran remained unchanged. We would urge Iran not to take advantage of any incident to try to add further instability and to further increase tensions in the region, Miller said. A senior US envoy, Amos Hochstein, a day earlier met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials as he sought to discourage a full-scale war against Lebanon. We do want to see a diplomatic resolution to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Miller said. We want to see one that allows the tens of thousands of Israelis whove been displaced from their homes and the tens of thousands of Lebanese who have been displaced from their homes to be able to return home, Miller said. But Miller suggested that Hezbollah considered a terrorist group by the United States was fair game to strike, without confirming Israeli involvement. Terrorist members of a terrorist organization are legitimate targets for countries to launch operations against, Miller said. Salvagers have successfully towed a Greek-flagged oil tanker, Sounion, which had been ablaze for weeks after an attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels, to a safe area without any oil spill, as reported by the European Union naval mission on Monday. This move managed to avert an environmental disaster in the Red Sea, though concerns over ongoing threats to maritime safety persist. The EU naval mission, known as Operation Aspides, affirmed that the vessel was moved without incidents and remains under close monitoring as the salvage operation is completed. As the Sounion reached safer waters, the Houthis claimed to have shot down an American-made MQ-9 Reaper drone, which is valued at about $30 million. Video evidence shows a surface-to-air missile strike and subsequent wreckage, bolstering these claims. The Houthis continue to target maritime traffic in the Red Sea due to the Israel-Hamas war, impacting a vital shipping route. Further emphasizing the region's volatility, the Houthis have targeted over 80 merchant vessels since the conflict began in October, with some attacks resulting in casualties and losses. The rebels argue that their attacks are aimed at ships connected to Israel, the US, or the UK to force an end to Israel's offensives in Gaza, though many of the targeted ships are not connected to the conflict. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. Acting Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan Commander of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Namig Islamzade is on a visit to Ankara at the invitation of the Commander of the Air Force of the Republic of Turkiye, Army General Ziya Cemal Kadoglu, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. Within the visit, Lieutenant General N.Islamzade met with the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Turkiye, Army General Metin Gurak. At the meeting, which was also attended by Army General Z.C.Kadoglu, the prospects for the development of military cooperation between the two fraternal countries and a range of issues of mutual interest, were discussed. 18:15 BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. Chief of General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, Army General Metin Gurak has received Commander of the Azerbaijani Air Force, Lieutenant General Namig Islamzade, the publication of the Turkish Armed Forces' official account on X said, Trend reports. The meeting was attended by the Commander of the Turkish Air Force, Army General Ziya Jamal Kadoglu. American gymnast Jordan Chiles is asking Switzerland's Supreme Court to overturn a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport that stripped her of a bronze medal in floor exercise at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Chiles, with the support of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee and USA Gymnastics, filed the appeal on Monday, the AP reports, a little over a month after CAS voided an on-floor appeal by Chiles' coach Cecile Landi during the event finals on Aug. 5 that vaulted Chiles from fifth to third. After a hearing requested by Romanian officials, CAS ruled Landi's appeal came 4 seconds past the 1-minute time limit for scoring inquiries and recommended the initial finishing order be restored. The International Gymnastics Federation complied, and the International Olympic Committee ended up awarding bronze to Romanian Ana Barbosu on Aug. 16. Chiles' appeal maintains that the CAS hearing violated her "right to be heard" by refusing to allow video evidence that Chiles and USA Gymnastics believe showed Landi appealed within the 1-minute time allotment. Chiles' appeal also argues that Hamid G. Gharavi, president of the CAS panel, has a conflict of interest due to past legal ties to Romania. USA Gymnastics said in a statement Monday night that it made a "collective, strategic decision to have Jordan lead the initial filing." The statement added that USAG is closely coordinating with Chiles and her lawyers "the continued pursuit of justice for Jordan." The legal battle could take months or years. Chiles was last among the eight women to compete during the floor exercise finals, initially given a score of 13.666 that placed her fifth, right behind Barbosu and fellow Romanian Sabrina Maneca-Voinea. (Making her return the bronze wasn't fair, Chiles said.) A pipeline fire erupted near Houston on Monday after a vehicle struck an above-ground valve in Deer Park, Texas, igniting a blaze that has raged for hours. No evidence of terrorism has been found, and authorities believe it to be an isolated incident that occurred after the driver drove through a fence. The fire, which melted nearby playground equipment and forced evacuations, could continue burning until Tuesday, officials said. The natural gas liquids pipeline, owned by Energy Transfer, was shut off, but the remaining gas in the 20-inch pipe fueled the intense flames. Over 1,000 homes were evacuated, and local schools were put on shelter-in-place orders. Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton Jr. expressed concerns about the fire's heat. "The fire, it's very hot, so a lot of the house structures that are adjacent to that are still catching on fire even though we're putting a lot of water on them," Mouton noted. Energy Transfer has deployed air monitoring equipment, reporting no volatile organic compounds but warning that sensitive populations should take precautions. Environmental impact remains a concern, with Ramanan Krishnamoorti, a petroleum engineering professor, stating that the fire is likely releasing soot and organic materials into the environment. Despite this, he recommended letting the fire burn out naturally to minimize volatile organic emissions. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) A somber courtroom scene unfolded in Boulder, Colorado, Monday as Khadija Ahidid testified in the murder trial of her son, Ahmad Alissa. In her first public comments since Alissa killed 10 people in a supermarket in 2021, Ahidid described her son's erratic behavior, citing a post-COVID decline and paranoia that began in 2019. "How can I know him? He is sick," she conveyed through an Arabic interpreter when asked how she knew Alissa. Alissa, who moved to the US from Syria as a child, exhibited increasingly bizarre behavior before the attack, she said. He believed he was being monitored by the FBI and isolated himself, according to Ahidid, who last saw her son the day of the mass shooting. He came to breakfast looking "homeless," in her description; she gave him $20 to go get a haircut or shave. Alissa largely avoided eye contact with his mother while she testified. Her account included revelations about a rifle package Alissa brought home, which she had thought was a piano. "I swear to God we didn't know what was inside that package," she said. She did confirm hearing banging in the house and being told by one of Alissa's siblings that Alissa had a gun that had jammed. She said Alissa said he would return it, but that no one checked to make sure he did, saying "everyone has their own job." While Alissa's lawyers confirm he was the shooter, Alissa has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) China boasts the largest army on Earth, with the United States and India claiming the next-biggest forces. Vladimir Putin now wants in on that elite pecking order, ordering Russia's army on Monday to boosts its ranks by 180,000 active service members, bringing the total number to 1.5 million, reports the Moscow Times . Reuters notes that the increase, which is set to take effect Dec. 1, would make Russia's army second in size only to China's. "It is caused by the extremely hostile environment on our western borders and instability on our eastern borders," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a media conference call explaining the move. "This demands appropriate measures to be taken." That "hostile environment" Peskov cites is a reference to the Russian incursion into Ukraine that's stretched for more than 2 1/2 years, with the "most capable" Russian soldiers embedded in eastern Ukraine, "where they have made incremental but steady gains in the past few months," per the AP. Once additional troops are added, the total number of Russia's military personnel will settle at nearly 2.4 million, including those 1.5 million service members. The Times notes this will mark the third time Putin has expanded his military since February 2022, when the Russian invasion into Ukraine began. In August 2022, 137,000 troops were added, while in December 2023, another 170,000 new soldiers were folded into the army's ranks. The AP notes that Ukraine's successful movement into Russia's Kursk region in early August has been tied to Russia's shortage of enough military personnel. (More Vladimir Putin stories.) A US court on Tuesday upheld disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell's conviction on sex trafficking charges for helping the late financier Jeffrey Epstein abuse underage girls, per the AP. Maxwell's lawyers had argued that her convictions violated an agreement Epstein reached with federal prosecutors 15 years ago and violated the statute of limitations. They also cited judicial error and a miscalculation of the federal sentencing guidelines range as reason to reject her conviction and sentence. But the ruling by the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in New York said Epstein's non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in Florida didn't bar federal prosecutors in New York from bringing a case. They also found that Maxwell's indictment was within the statute of limitations. Cyprus has approved a 1.9 billion euro ($2.1 billion) undersea electricity cable to Greece. Energy Minister George Papanastasiou on Tuesday announced the project, which is aimed at cutting electricity costs and ending energy isolation. The European Union will fund 657 million euros ($735 million) of the project. Cyprus will allocate 25 million euros ($27.8 million) annually over five years for the cable's construction. Electricity bills will not increase over that time; rather, revenue from the EU's emission trading system will provide this funding. The cable, expected to be completed by 2029, is a key part of initiatives to introduce natural gas, drive economic development, and improve citizens' welfare. Once completed, electricity bills could drop up to 40%, per officials. Operating costs will be shared between Cypriot and Greek consumers. The project also promises an 8.3% return on investment, drawing interest from the US and the UAE. Future plans envision extending the cable to Israel's electricity grid. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) On Tuesday, the UN General Assembly began reviewing a Palestinian resolution demanding Israel end its "unlawful presence" in Gaza and the West Bank within a year, accompanied by sanctions and an arms embargo. The vote is scheduled for Wednesday as the war between Israel and Hamas approaches its first anniversary. Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, urged member countries to vote against the measure, labeling it a "reward for terrorism. ... Instead of a resolution condemning the rape and massacre committed by Hamas on Oct. 7, we gather to watch the Palestinian circus under the auspices of the United Nations," he continued. If passed, this resolution wouldn't be legally binding but would signal global sentiment. Palestinian UN ambassador Riyad Mansour claimed Israel poses an "existential threat" and called for the end of occupation. The resolution demands Israel cease settlements, evacuate settlers, and pay reparations for damages caused by its occupation. US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield criticized the proposed resolution's flaws, pointing out that it omits the fact that "Hamas is a terrorist organization." Over 60 countries have expressed their desire to speak before the vote. This resolution follows a July ruling by the International Court of Justice declaring Israel's presence in the Palestinian territories illegal. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) Sean "Diddy" Combs was denied bail at a hearing Tuesday and will remain in federal detention on charges including racketeering and sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. The rap mogul was arrested at a Manhattan hotel Monday night. Judge Robyn Tarnofsky told him her concern was that "this is a crime that happens behind closed doors, even when pretrial services is monitoring," CNN reports. Combs' lawyers had proposed home detention with a $50 million bond, secured by property including Combs' Miami mansion. Prosecutors argued that Combs was a flight risk, and that he could intimidate witnesses in the case if he was released on bond, reports TMZ. In a memo supporting the request to deny bail, US Attorney Damian Williams said Combs' "disposition to violence cannot be reasonably prevented through bail conditions," per NBC News. He said Combs, who pleaded not guilty at Tuesday's hearing, "poses a significant danger to the community." The memo said interviews with more than 50 victims and witnesses uncovered details of decades of alleged physical abuse against women, and one kidnapping attempt. According to an indictment unsealed Tuesday, Combs engaged in a persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals." Combs "physically and sexually abused victims for decades. He used the vast resources of his company to facilitate his abuse and cover up his crimes. Simply put, he is a serial abuser and a serial obstructor," Assistant US Attorney Emily Johnson told the court, per the AP. After the hearing, Combs' lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said, "He's going to clear his name and we're going to stand by his side as he does. We believe in him wholeheartedly." An appeal of the bail decision will be heard by a different judge on Wednesday. (More Sean Combs stories.) BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. An event dedicated to the presentation of the updated "mygov" e-government platform is being held in Azerbaijan, Trend reports. The event is expected to feature speeches of Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan Samir Mammadov, Chairperson of the Board of the Agency for Innovation and Digital Development under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan Inara Valiyeva and other persons. Samir Mamedov announced that by the end of the year, the plan is to transition 15 percent of services provided to citizens from physical to digital formats. With 'mygov' citizens can access their personal data, update it, track important notifications, and automate life-event processes with just a few clicks. This fosters the development of a more transparent and convenient digital ecosystem, eliminating the need to visit offices and manage cumbersome paperwork. As part of our goals, we plan to transition 15 percent of services from physical to digital formats by the end of the year, he said. Mamedov also highlighted that more than 1,700 organizations are currently integrated into the Digital Document Management System (DDMS). As the chair of COP29, Azerbaijan places significant emphasis on implementing sustainable and innovative digital solutions. One such solution is the 'Digital Document Management' submodule, which greatly enhances process efficiency and reduces environmental impact. The use of DDM allows government agencies to save over 500,000 sheets of paper monthly, equivalent to preserving about 2,000 trees annually. Currently, more than 1,700 organizations are integrated into the system, underscoring its significance and success in government digitalization, he noted. Inara Veliyeva emphasized the importance of ensuring "mygov" does not become a monopoly. Recently, the word 'sustainability' has become so commonplace that everyone uses it, especially in these challenging times. But what does sustainability truly mean for us? In the context of constantly evolving technologies and needs, sustainability is the ability of a platform to adapt and function. When we started this project, our goal was to create a technological foundation capable of working effectively in the future, she said. The chairperson added that it is crucial to ensure that "mygov" is not a monopoly. It is important that citizens can access services on any platform of their choice, provided it has undergone necessary checks. For us, sustainability means not just the development of a platform dependent on the Innovation and Digital Development Agency, but independent and long-term growth. Cooperation is another key principle. The 'mygov' platform is just the visible part of the iceberg, Veliyeva emphasized. Deputy Chairman of the Board at the Innovation and Digital Development Agency under the Ministry of Transport and Digital Development of Azerbaijan, Rashad Khaligov, added that the updated version of "mygov" has greatly simplified the documentation process for important life events. The updated version of the platform has significantly simplified the process of documenting key life events, such as marriage, birth, and the death of close relatives. Documents required for marriage can now be submitted digitally; newborn registrations are available online; and the death of a relative can also be recorded through the platform. The 'my data' section of the 'mygov' app stores over forty different informational records, including digital versions of documents like ID cards, marriage certificates, birth certificates, and death certificates. Users can share these documents and information in QR code or PDF format. Additionally, the app allows tracking the history of data exchanges, showing when and with which institutions information was shared. It also provides options for managing permissions for access to personal data requested by various government agencies, he stated. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing or making a contribution. The Daily News-Miner is locally owned by the Helen E. Snedden Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Subscribe or donate TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com Email: ashen@newsofbahrain.com Bahrain will witness a partial lunar eclipse tomorrow, according to Bahraini astronomer Mohammed Al Asfoor. The event will coincide with the full moon of the month of Rabi al-Awwal 1446 AH, also known as the Harvest Moon, as the moon reaches its perigee, the closest point in its elliptical orbit to Earth. At a distance of approximately 357,000 kilometers, the supermoon will appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than when it is at its apogee, the farthest point from Earth. The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox, which falls on September 22nd, 2024, marking the end of summer and the official beginning of autumn. The partial eclipse will begin at 3:41am, local time in Bahrain, as the moon enters the Earths penumbra, causing a slight dimming of its light. Earths umbra At 5:12am, the moon will enter the Earths umbra, resulting in a partial eclipse where approximately 3% of the moons surface will be obscured. However, due to the moon setting at 5:27am, Bahrain residents will only be able to observe the initial stages of the eclipse. The duration of the partial eclipse visible in Bahrain will be just 15 minutes. Small portion While Bahrain will only witness a small portion of the eclipse, other regions, including Western Asia, Europe, Africa, and most parts of North and South America, will be able to observe the partial eclipse in varying degrees. Eastern Russia, East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, parts of Antarctica, and Northwest North America will be outside the eclipses path. Al Asfoor explained that a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow on the moon. This natural phenomenon is a celestial spectacle that has fascinated humans for centuries. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. A total of 15 percent of services physically provided to citizens in Azerbaijan is planned to be digitalized by the end of this year, Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan Samir Mammadov said during the presentation of the updated "mygov" e-government platform, Trend reports. "Through the "mygov" platform, citizens can access their data, update it, keep track of important notifications, and automate processes related to life events in just a few clicks. This promotes a more transparent and convenient digital ecosystem, eliminating the need for office visits and complex paperwork. In line with our goals, we plan to convert 15 percent of services provided to citizens in physical format to digital by the end of the year, he said. He mentioned that Azerbaijan relies on three key areas in digital development - digital government, digital society, and digital business. The main goal is to expand the scope of digitalization to ensure more efficient functioning of all spheres of life. The creation of digital government is aimed at full digitalization of public services and internal processes, he added. To note, the information and communication enterprises provided services worth 2.2 billion manat ($1.2 billion) in Azerbaijan from January through August 2024. UNDOCUMENTED (Sin Papeles) A film by Christian de la Cortina On October 4th at 7 pm at Cinema du Parc in Montreal MONTREAL, Sept. 17, 2024 /CNW/ - Righteous Pictures is proud to announce the premiere of his latest film, Undocumented, directed by Christian de la Cortina, produced by Vanessa Caceres and Frank Baylis. The film will be presented in several cinemas in Quebec starting October 4th with the premiere taking place at Cinema du Parc in Montreal. Coinciding with Hispanic Heritage Month in Canada, Undocumented celebrates and amplifies Hispanic voices, making its release especially significant during this period of cultural recognition and pride. In a historic first, the film will also be released throughout Cuba in more than 200 theaters, marking a groundbreaking moment in Canadian cinema history. Poster English version (CNW Group/Righteous Pictures) The film has been acclaimed on the global festival circuit, captivating audiences with its compelling narrative and social impact. It is now being acquired by a major streaming platform for its world rights. A Story That Matters This international drama follows a Mexican activist seeking asylum in the US who ends up exploited on a farm in Vermont, facing the very injustices he was fighting against. Undocumented sheds light on the harsh realities of migrant workers and the abuse of temporary workers in North America. The movie Undocumented is part of Righteous Pictures' work to raise awareness of the exploitation of temporary workers that is happening today in Canada and the US. It continues the important subject explored in their previous documentary, My Friend Omar, which exposed the struggles of seasonal workers and the dangers of the closed permit visa system, recently highlighted by the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery. Discover the trailer De la Cortina: " I hope my film will foster empathy in the hearts of the audience" "This film is more relevant than ever as we head into another election cycle in the U.S., where racism and the stigmatization of undocumented individuals are once again at the forefront of political discourse. I want viewers to fully immerse themselves in Fernando's journey and see things from his perspective. He has never worked on a dairy farm or known the cold. Through his experience, the audience will understand the sacrifices made by people who have to start from scratch in a new country. I hope my film will foster empathy in the hearts of the audience," adds de la Cortina. Righteous Pictures, founded in 2007, is committed to creating films, documentaries, and series that tackle social and environmental issues, with a focus on inclusivity and highlighting the Hispanic community. Christian de la Cortina, known for his versatility as an actor and director, leads Undocumented with his distinct storytelling style, earning accolades including the People's Choice Award at the Seattle Latino Film Festival 2023. Producer Vanessa Caceres brings a fresh perspective and passion for socially conscious narratives. She has been key to bringing this story to life. Longtime collaborator and esteemed politician and businessman Frank Baylis has been a vital partner in the production of Undocumented. With over two decades of experience working alongside de la Cortina as a producer, Baylis's commitment to supporting impactful films is evident in his continued efforts to bring change and important stories to audiences. The team is now working on their next film, Grey Gold, a thriller centered around humanitarian pilots in the DRC. The film is set to be filmed in South Africa in 2025. FILM PREMIERE INVITATION IN MONTREAL Undocumented (sin papeles) In the presence of the film's actors and crew Friday October 4th 2024 at 7 PM at cinema du Parc (1379-A rue Sherbrooke Ouest) RSVP by October 1st: [email protected] Christian de la Cortina & Frank Baylis are available for interviews. Screening link available upon request. SOURCE Righteous Pictures Media Contact: Vanessa Caceres, [email protected] Hull brings deep AI and data analytics experience to Sabio Currently serves as Chief Data Analytics Officer at Chamberlain Group, a Blackstone portfolio company TORONTO, Sept. 16, 2024 /CNW/ -- Sabio Holdings Inc. (TSXV: SBIO)(OTCQB: SABOF) (the "Company" or "Sabio"), a California-based ad-tech company that specializes in delivering highly targeted ads, insights, and services in ad-supported streaming to top Fortune 100 brands, is pleased to announce Matt Hull has joined its Board of Directors ("Board"). Hull has spent his career turning data and analytics into cutting-edge solutions that create significant and perpetual economic value. Leveraging more than three decades of experience in Artificial Intelligence ("AI")/analytics, he blends his strategic business background and deep technical expertise to improve corporate efficiency and uncover growth opportunities. "We are excited about welcoming such an accomplished AI and data analytics strategist to our Board," said Aziz Rahimtoola, Sabio's CEO and co-founder. "We remain a committed partner in helping brands and agencies reach, engage, and validate diverse consumers, including through the use of data intelligence and AI, and we look forward to Matt's leadership and insights to help us navigate and accelerate our growth and engagement in this important space." The Company welcomes Hull at an unprecedented time for AI and data analytics, with the AI industry market size in the United States alone expected to reach $407 billion by 2027, a staggering growth from its estimated $86.9 billion revenue in 2022. With over 64% of businesses expecting AI to increase their productivity and an expected annual growth rate of over 37% between 2024 and 2030, understanding and capitalizing on the benefits of AI may be transformational for many businesses over the coming decade1. "With the AI and analytics industry poised for great acceleration in the coming decade, the potential for companies offering strategic data intelligence and analytics is significant," said Hull. "I am excited about the opportunity to blend my AI and analytics experience and expertise with the progressive products and capabilities Sabio offers to further accelerate the Company's growth." Hull is currently the Chief Data Analytics Officer at Chamberlain Group, a Blackstone portfolio company, where he was recently recruited to revolutionize data and analytics to accelerate a new and fast-growing subscription software business. Prior to this, Hull served as Senior Vice President of AI and Advanced Analytics at Comcast, where he led a 150+ person team in big data, AI, and consumer research, building more than 400 predictive models, a home-grown optimization platform, and an $8 billion increase in customer lifetime value. Prior to Comcast, Hull held senior roles in strategy, product and operations at AT&T, where amongst various other contributions, he was responsible for launching AT&T AdWorks' 3-screen AdTech business. Hull has also worked in strategic projects consulting for both Copernicus and The Boston Consulting Group in a diversity of industries and countries. He graduated with an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science (honors) from Carnegie Mellon University. Hull joins a strong group of existing Board members: Paula Madison, a 22-year veteran of NBCUniversal ("NBCU") where she held a number of leadership roles, including Executive Vice President for Diversity and Vice President of the General Electric Company, then-parent company of NBCU; Carl Farrell, who touts more than 30 years of global management expertise guiding large and small organizations through growth and transformation; Muizz Kheraj, who has more than two decades of experience in technology supporting the capital market needs of middle-market entrepreneurs; and Gonzalo del Fa, President of GroupM Multicultural, where he provides clients with dynamic guidance and strategic programs to support endemic and diverse-owned media. The Company also announces the departure of Jennifer Cabalquinto from the Board. As a Board member since January 2022, joining shortly after the Company went public in November 2021, Cabalquinto has provided valuable oversight and guidance to Sabio's finance and leadership teams. The Company thanks her for her commitment and energy and wishes her well as she takes on new opportunities. About Sabio Holdings Sabio Holdings (TSXV: SBIO, OTCQB: SABOF) is a technology and services leader in the fast-growing ad-supported streaming space. Its cloud-based, end-to-end technology stack works with top blue chip, global brands and the agencies that represent them to reach, engage and validate (R.E.V) streaming audiences. Sabio consists of a proprietary ad serving technology platform that partners with the top ad-supported streaming platforms and apps in the world and App Science - a non-cookie-based software as a service (SAAS) analytics and insights platform with AI natural language capabilities. For more information, visit: sabio.inc This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Media Contacts: Aziz Rahimtoola, CEO and co-founder [email protected] Phone: 1.844.974.2662 Aideen McDermott, Investor Relations [email protected] 1 https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/ai-statistics/ SOURCE Sabio Inc. Four Provincial Grower Organizations Thanked for Support WINNIPEG, MB, Sept. 17, 2024 /CNW/ - The newly-launched Gate Capital Campaign today received funding commitments from four Canadian grower organizations, bringing its total to $18.4 million. Alberta Grains, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat), Manitoba Crop Alliance, and Grain Farmers of Ontario have together pledged $13.4 million in support of the Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (Gate). The organizations are all members to Cereals Canada. Capital Campaign Chair JoAnne Buth talks about the vision for the Global Agriculture Technology Exchange (Gate). Led by Cereals Canada, Gate is a visionary $102 million project aimed at advancing Canada's position as a leader in cereal grain innovation and global food security, to be built in downtown Winnipeg. On behalf of the organization, Capital Campaign Chair JoAnne Buth deeply expressed her gratitude to the Eastern and Western Canadian grower organizations for their support. "High-quality Canadian wheat starts with the growers, so it is fitting that this capital campaign starts with their commitment," said Buth. "Growers are the foundation of agriculture, and this exemplifies their interest and devotion for a stronger, profitable cereals industry. We're thrilled to see such strong support from the farm associations." This significant early commitment demonstrates the importance of Gate to the future of Canadian agriculture, Canadian cereal growers, and global customers, explained Buth, adding, "Growers understand the importance of the global market and the need for technical exchange to keep Canada competitive for years to come." Gate will serve as a hub for food innovation to support Canadian farmers, domestic and global customers, and the value chain, and it will uphold Canada's position as a leader in nutritious, high-quality food ingredients. Cereals Canada is contributing $5 million from its reserves to the Gate Capital Campaign. "An initial injection of $18.4 million dollar in commitments is a very strong start," said Buth. The Gate project is driven by ambition and a vision for the Canadian cereals industry to grow and thrive in domestic and international markets now and in the future. Gate will provide the tools necessary to showcase the versatility and quality of Canadian cereals to buyers worldwide and provide world-class technical support, advocacy, and expertise to ensure customer success. "Canada is well known around the world for high quality wheat, and Gate represents a crucial investment in the long-term competitiveness of Canada's cereal grains sector," said Buth. "This initiative will provide more opportunities for customers to use Canadian cereals and other products, opening additional markets and increasing trade, and enhancing our ability to meet growing global demand for Canadian cereals while driving innovation in our industry for the next several decades." The Gate Capital Campaign Cabinet along with Cereals Canada staff will continue to engage with potential donors, all levels of government, and industry partners as it works towards making the vision of Gate a reality. For more information about Gate and the Gate Capital Campaign, please visit www.gate-Canada.ca About Cereals Canada: Cereals Canada is the national, not-for-profit, industry association representing the Canadian cereal grains value chain. We value relationships and work with government and stakeholders to provide timely, expert technical information and deliver best-in-class customer experience. We are dedicated to supporting the Canadian cereals value chain including farmers, exporters, developers, processors, and our customers around the world with a focus on trade, science, and sustainability. For more information, visit https://cerealscanada.ca/ About JoAnne Buth, Capital Campaign Chair: JoAnne Buth is a former Manitoba Senator and former CEO of the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi). Now retired, Buth was inducted into the Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2019 and remains a well-known and respected figure in the industry. SOURCE Cereals Canada Media Contact: Brigit Harvey, [email protected], 431-478-1473 ext. 043 ST. JOHN'S, NL, Sept. 16, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board, launched public consultations on Canada's first artificial intelligence (AI) strategy for the federal public service. This next phase of the public consultation process will gather insights from Canadians across the country on how artificial intelligence should, or shouldn't, be used in the federal government. The announcement took place during the annual meeting with digital government ministers from the Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial governments at the Symposium on Digital Trust and Cyber Security. The symposium brings together digital government leaders to collaborate on digital transformation initiatives across Canada, including the advancement of cyber security, digital trust, and responsible use of AI. Consultations for the strategy began in May 2024 at a roundtable with prominent AI experts and leaders in academia and private and public sectors from across Canada. Consultations with representatives of academia, bargaining agents, civil society, the public service, Indigenous communities, and industry have already taken place. So far, the feedback received reinforces that the strategy needs to be human-centered, collaborative, trusted, and ready for safe, secure, and successful AI adoption across government. Once developed, the strategy will align and accelerate responsible AI adoption throughout the federal public service. It will outline how the Government of Canada will leverage AI in technology and operations to enhance productivity of public servants, increase our capacity for science and research, and deliver improved digital services for people in Canada. Events like the symposium are vital to building on Canada's digital progress, ensuring better and consistent service delivery to Canadians, and finding solutions to challenges that involve multiple levels of government, including the responsible use of AI. Quote "Artificial intelligence holds immense potential to transform how the federal government delivers services to Canadians. Through this public consultation process, we are gathering diverse perspectives from across the country to ensure that AI is deployed in a way that is responsible, inclusive, and human-centered. By developing Canada's first AI strategy for the public service, we are laying the foundation for innovative, efficient, and trusted government operations that meet the evolving needs of all Canadians." - The Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board Quick Facts On April 24, 2024 , the President of the Treasury Board announced the launch of this strategy which is supported by $2.4 billion in AI investments in the recent 2024 federal budget. , the President of the Treasury Board announced the launch of this strategy which is supported by in AI investments in the recent 2024 federal budget. The public consultation will be posted on Canada.ca and will run from September 16 to October 31, 2024 . . The GC AI Strategy is expected to be published on Canada.ca in spring 2025. Associated Links Stay connected X: @TBS_Canada Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TBSCanada LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tbs-sct/ SOURCE Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Contacts (media): Myah Tomasi, Press Secretary, Office of the President of the Treasury Board of Canada, [email protected], 343-543-7210; Media Relations, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Telephone: 613-369-9400, Toll-free: 1-855-TBS-9-SCT (1-855-827-9728), Email: [email protected] BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. The II Baku Security Forum themed "Modern security challenges of global transport networks", organized by the Azerbaijani State Security Service, has brought together representatives from the intelligence services of around 50 countries, a source in the State Security Service told Trend. According to the source, the forum addressed an appeal from President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to its participants, and a video covering the conference topic. Head of Azerbaijan's State Security Service, Colonel-General Ali Naghiyev welcomed the guests and emphasized the significance of the Baku Security Forum, held in May 2023 and reorganized this year, in terms of expanding information exchange and other areas of cooperation between partner organizations. Naghiyev also highlighted the importance of coordinated action by intelligence services in combating international terrorism and addressing threats to the security system, stressing that the event serves as an important platform for security structures to discuss issues of common interest. He noted that the timing of this forum, held ahead of COP29, was not coincidental, and explained that terrorist acts targeting transport lines used for energy resource transportation could lead to global economic and environmental disasters, and stressed the need to further strengthen joint efforts and increase overall effectiveness. According to the official, the head of state consistently provides political support for organizing events in Azerbaijan on globally significant issues. Besides, Naghiyev expressed confidence that this conference would contribute to developing joint approaches and improving strategies to combat the risks facing the security of global transport corridors. The event continued with speeches from the heads of foreign intelligence delegations on the topic, and it was concluded by noting that the participating countries unanimously supported President Ilham Aliyev's initiative to create a Secretariat of the Baku Security Forum, which will function permanently in Baku. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel This photo taken on Sept. 5, 2024 shows the main hall of the Qingcheng Palace complex in Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua] Restoration work on the Qingcheng Palace complex, a royal sacrificial venue along the historic central axis of Beijing, has been completed, according to local authorities. After spending the past 15 months demolishing houses and renovating royal buildings, the historical structure of the complex has been restored. The palace is expected to open to the public in the future. Built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the palace is located inside the Altar of the God of Agriculture, also referred to as the Xiannongtan Temple. The palace was formerly known as Zhaigong, which literally translates to the fasting palace. It was a place where the emperors abstained from heavy meals and meditated before worship. It was renamed as Qingcheng Palace in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), becoming a place where the emperors held celebratory rituals after cultivation ceremonies while praying for a good harvest. Restoration work of the ancient buildings started in June last year, following the principle of "minimal intervention." This approach focused on targeted repairs for damaged cultural relics, such as tiles and walls. Traditional materials were used to pave the ground in the courtyard. Workers also renovated the drainage system and equipped the houses with air conditioners and necessary lighting facilities. Additionally, security monitoring systems, firefighting water systems and lightning protection facilities were also installed. Pan Wei, deputy director of the Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum, expressed hope that the Qingcheng Palace will become a place for visitors to experience traditional culture and for experts to have academic exchanges on world cultural heritage. He believes that such activities could "further enhance public awareness of the protection of historical and cultural heritage." Stretching 7.8 kilometers from Yongding Gate in the south to the Bell and Drum Towers in the north, the Beijing central axis was built according to the core layout of an ideal capital city -- the royal court in the front, a market in the back, ancestral shrines on the left, and sacrificial altars on the right. It was added to the United Nations' cultural heritage list in July. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. Coordinating the activities of intelligence agencies is crucial in the fight against international terrorism and broader security threats, the head of Azerbaijans State Security Service (SSS) Colonel General Ali Nagiyev said during his speech at the II Baku Security Forum, Trend reports. The head of the service highlighted that the timing of the current forum on the eve of COP29 was deliberate. "Terrorist attacks targeting transport lines for energy resources could lead to global economic and environmental disasters, underscoring the need for enhanced joint efforts and overall effectiveness," he stated. A man died in a house fire in South Jersey shortly after sunrise Monday that investigators believe was started accidentally, authorities confirmed. The man was at the home in the 400 block of Walnut Street in Haddonfield Monday morning at the time blaze started, the Camden County Prosecutors Office said. The home is part of a residential neighborhood and about a block from Scout Field, a recreational area in Haddonfield. Local police identified the man as 73-year-old William Garthaus Jr., adding that he was the only person inside the home at the time the fire started. News reports late Monday said a pet also died in the blaze. First responders answered emergency calls around 7 a.m.saying smoke began spewing through the homes roof. Firefighters immediately began searching for people inside, finding Garthaus unconscious body near the front door, police said. Rescuers lifted him from the home and began life-saving procedures, but he was later pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Local and county police did not say if a cause of death was identified as of Monday afternoon. The prosecutors office said investigators determined the blaze started accidentally but did not explain its exact cause. News reports said the blaze is believed to have started in the kitchen area. After firefighters pulled Garthaus from the home, a second sweep of the home was performed to ensure no one else was trapped inside, police said. Two Haddonfield police officers and at least one medical services worker suffered smoke inhalation, but no major injuries were reported. The Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms & Tabacco and Explosives investigated the fire with local officials, police said. 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. Three men have filed federal lawsuits seeking $10 million each from a church in Cape May County, alleging prominent leaders sexually abused and trafficked them decades ago. The victims, now in their 40s, claim in court papers a bishop, deacon and others purporting to be spiritual, or community, leaders sexually abused them as part of a practice of trafficking low-income Black and Latino boys under age 18. The abuse allegedly occurred at Bethel Commandment Church of the Living God of New Jersey on George Street in the Cape May Court House section of Middle Township and at a nearby recreational center run by the township, according to the lawsuits, filed within the past month in U.S. District Court. The church is a not-for-profit organization formed in 1975 in Whitesboro, which is now Cape May Court House. The illegal activity allegedly included sexual assault, kissing, inappropriate touching, and threats of physical harm and public humiliation, court papers allege. One church leader summoned a victim to his home on Saturday nights, while his wife was away, and used threats, along with gifts and money, for the child to participate in illegal sexual activity, court papers state. Church officials did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment on the lawsuits. A phone number for the church was not in service on Tuesday. In addition to the church and its leaders, Middle Township and a corporation that provided day care services and was run by one of the alleged abusers, are named as defendants. Representatives of the township did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday. Two of the victims now live in Essex County, while a third lives in Maryland. At the time of the alleged abuse, the victims lived in Whitesboro, according to court papers. A 47-year-old man claims in his lawsuit that he was sexually abused from age 15 to 18, and that the alleged crimes occurred at both the local church and other churches, as well as hotels visited during overnight travel. Another victim, now 42, claims he was abused more than two dozen times from the summer of 1994 through the winter of 1998, when he was between the ages of 12 and 16. The third victim, now 41, claims he was abused between 1991 and 2000 when he was between the ages of 8 and 16. The abusers included a church deacon and his brother, both considered socially influential in Cape May County at the time, court papers allege. The victims claim the alleged abuse led to years of post-traumatic stress and acting out that included an attempted suicide, substance abuse, unhealthy sexual relationships, mental health issues, and deteriorating relationships with family. The lawsuits allege sex trafficking, violations of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, or RICO, and violations of the Eliminating Limits to Justice for Child Sex Abuse Victims Act of 2022. The suits allege the defendants operated as a criminal enterprise and recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, and coerced children into illegal sexual activities. The lawsuits seek to recover $10 million for each plaintiff for permanent and profound life-altering psychological and physical damages allegedly caused by men who purported to be community and spiritual leaders, court papers state. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Even though its been five years since Dulce Maria Alavez was last seen at a Cumberland County park, investigators say they remain committed to solving the mystery of her disappearance. Dulces family and supporters returned to that park Monday afternoon to mark the fifth anniversary of the childs disappearance and to remind the community that this case remains unsolved. A former Italian teacher in the Kearny school district has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for possessing and distributing child pornography. Anselmo Girimonte, 53, distributed videos in December 2021 and January 2022 that showed children being sexually abused, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a statement. Investigators found more than 100 illicit photos and videos on Girimontes phone when they searched his Wharton home in March 2022. The IP address from which the videos were sent had previously been traced to Girimontes address. Girimonte taught grades 3 through 8 in Kearny starting in 2006. He was placed on administrative leave in March 2022 before being fired, education officials said. Girimonte pleaded guilty to the charges in April. Girimonte will be subject to 10 years of supervised release when he is released from prison. A federal judge also ordered him to pay $68,000 in restitution to the victims. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. A guardian for Wendy Williams has filed a complaint against A&E Television Networks, saying Lifetime took advantage of the talk show host from New Jersey with the documentary Where is Wendy Williams? The guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, filed the complaint in New York Supreme Court Monday, People reports. Williams, the former host of The Wendy Williams Show, was highly vulnerable and clearly incapable of consenting to being filmed, much less humiliated and exploited, the complaints says. The documentary aired in two parts in February on Lifetime, showing Williams at her New York apartment and in her old New Jersey neighborhood in Asbury Park she also grew up in Ocean Township as well as meeting with family. The former talk show host, who was trying to launch a comeback, appeared disoriented in interviews and footage from the documentary. Williams, 60, has frontotemporal demential and primary progressive aphasia, something that Erica Hansen, the showrunner of the Lifetime documentary, says she did not know when they started filming in August 2022. (Williams was diagnosed in May 2023 and her diagnosis was made public in February 2024.) If they did know, we wouldnt have filmed, Hansen previously told People. I think the documentary really illustrates our journey of trying to understand what was happening. It sheds light on that period of time in Wendys life where she was under care of a guardianship and living a very isolated life in New York, in that apartment. Wendy Williams filmed part of the Lifetime documentary "Where is Wendy Williams?" on the boardwalk in Asbury Park. The two-part film showed Williams trying to mount a comeback after leaving "The Wendy Williams Show."Calvin Gayle Williams, who previously lived in Manhattan and before that, with her family in Livingston currently lives in a facility. Morrissey says the network should cover the cost of Williams medical treatment. She also says there was a big disparity between Williams compensation for the documentary and the networks profit. By willfully taking advantage of a severely impaired, incapacitated person, Defendants have made millions on W.W.H.s back, while W.W.H. has received a paltry $82,000 from the documentary, the complaint says. Eager to sensationalize and profit from W.W.H.s cognitive and physical decline, Defendants took advantage of W.W.H in the cruelest, most obscene way possible for their own financial gain, in a manner that truly shocks the conscience. Thank you for reading. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup. They couldnt fight this feeling any longer. REO Speedwagon, the beloved arena rock band from Champaign, Illinois that has been together for nearly 60 years, announced Monday it will stop touring at the conclusion of 2024. The band released a statement on their personal website and social media citing irreconcilable differences between its longest-tenured members, lead vocalist Kevin Cronin and bassist Bruce Hall, as the main cause. Hall stepped away from the group last fall to have back surgery, and bassist Matt Bissonette replaced him as part of the touring group. While Hall only intended his absence to be temporary, the consensus opinion was that he had not recovered sufficiently to be able to perform at the level the fans have come to expect, according to the bands statement. That led to a rift between Hall and Cronin. Due to this complex situation, irreconcilable differences arose between Bruce and Kevin, the statement continued. So, it is with great sadness that we announce REO Speedwagon will cease touring effective January 1, 2025. Neal, Kevin, and Bruce thank their fans for all their years of loyal support and for giving back to the band such wonderful memories that will remain with each of them forever. Hall himself has issued his own statement on his personal Facebook page, providing his own side to the split. Never ever thought it would end like this and Im heartbroken, Hall wrote. Please know Neal and I did everything in our power to try and keep the Wagon rolling. I am so appreciative of ALL the amazing love & support. You guys have been very vocal and clear in your wishes for me to return to the stage. Trust methats all I wanted, too. We all deserved a farewell tour. For the record, I wanted REO Speedwagon to continue to tour with the lineup of Kevin, myself, Dave, Bryan and Derek. Just as it was prior to my necessary, planned and successful back surgery. REO Speedwagon formed in 1967 at the University of Illinois and went on to release 16 studio albums. Hi Infidelity, which was released in 1980, sold more than 10 million copies and included four US Top 40 hits. The bands biggest hits over the years included Keep On Loving You and Cant Fight This Feeling. Related coverage: Janes Addiction ends reunion tour after frontman Perry Farrell attacks guitarist Dave Navarro. Our hearts are broken. Member of legendary family musical group dead at 70 Sea Hear Now 2024 Springsteen concert review: Inside the historic set on N.J. beach Springsteen surprises fans, unleashes epic jams with Trey Anastasio, Gaslight Anthem at Sea Hear Now Sea Hear Now 2024 review: Noah Kahan brings mammoth N.J. fest into new era Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Murjani Rawls may be reached at mrawls@njadvancemedia.com and followed on Twitter at @MurjaniRawls. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. The Dutch side, on another occasion, has been demonstrating a biased approach vis-a-vis Azerbaijan and the post-conflict situation in the region, Spokesperson of Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry Aykhan Hajizada said, Trend reports. He made the remark commenting on the local media inquiry regarding the claims in the International Security Chapter of the Government Program of the Netherlands published on September 13, 2024. "First and foremost, it is unacceptable that this country has identified the liberation of the occupied territories of Azerbaijan as a takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh. Karabakh region has always been an integral part of our country and was under the illegal occupation of Armenia for nearly 30 years. Turning a blind eye by the Netherlands to this illegal act of Armenia is regretful. Azerbaijans measures to liberate these territories were a solemn right of our country based on the norms and principles of international law that could not be misjudged this or another way. Moreover, we resolutely reject the misnaming of the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan with fake names as Nagorno-Karabakh. This is just another blatant manifestation of the territorial claims of Armenia against Azerbaijan. We once again reiterate that there is no administrative or geographic unit in Azerbaijan called Nagorno Karabakh, and every state and organization has to refer to the geographic names in the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan standardized by the relevant authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan that are also accepted within the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names. We call on the Dutch side to put an end to such statements that further undermine the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the Netherlands and hinder the future development of the region based on respect for the norms and principles of international law," Hajizada added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Costco is recalling Greek yogurt sold at warehouses in Canada, and the wholesaler is urging consumers to throw away or return it for a refund. Kirkland Signature Greek Yogurt, which was sold in 24-packs, is being recalled due to the presence of mold. The recalled products contain a printed UPC of 0 96619 22215 5 and a sell by date of 2024 AU 10, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. READ MORE: Costco recall: Do not eat these 2 foods from Costco; return them for a refund ASAP The yogurts were sold in Costco locations in the following Canadian provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan. Costco is advising customers to check their refrigerators for the products, and if they are found, urging customers to throw them out or return them to their nearest Costco warehouse. Customers interested in finding out more about the recall should contact the CFIA toll-free at 1-800-442-2342 or email information@inspection.gc.ca. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. The unsolved 1977 murder of student Sigrid Stevenson at what is now The College of New Jersey is currently under investigation by the state Attorney Generals Cold Case Network, NJ Advance Media has learned. The killing of the 25-year-old graduate student who police found beaten to death on the main stage at Kendall Hall, next to a piano she was likely playing was submitted as a candidate to the cold case effort jointly by the Ewing and TCNJ police departments about two years ago, two law enforcement sources say. The Attorney Generals office does not confirm or deny active investigations, a spokesperson said. The killing 47 years ago has generated a steady increase in attention during the past decade. A now-retired Ewing police detective took a fresh, multi-year effort to solve the crime, and two other police officers who worked the case have formed a friendship with a TCNJ alumnus, and the trio have started an informal campaign to bring Stevensons case back in front of the public. The four recently appeared on an episode of Unsolved Mysteries, on Netflix, which featured the case in an episode that debuted in July. And this fall, TCNJ will dedicate a piano practice room in the music building to Stevenson, largely the work of the alumnus, Scott Napolitano, a tireless advocate for Sigrids memory. Multiple people who have worked on the case or are intimately familiar with the investigation spoke to NJ Advance Media about its twists and turns. And the case file, shared recently with NJ Advance Media, reveals the many theories, and suspects, in one of Mercer Countys lasting mysteries. The Crime TCNJ was then known as Trenton State College, and it has its own police department. Officer Thomas Kokotajlo started an overnight shift at 11 p.m. on Sept. 4, 1977. Classes hadnt started yet, so when he saw a bicycle chained to a railing outside Kendall Hall while on patrol, he entered the building to check it out. He found a shocking, eerie scene on the main stage: a naked woman face down partially wrapped in a piano cover with a blouse tied around her head and neck. The theater was dark. A pile of belongings, a knapsack, sleeping bag and boots, were next to the piano. Blood drops and larger puddles were in several locations. The officer leaned down and felt the womans wrist for a pulse and found none. Her skin was cold. He called it in at 11:29 p.m. Detectives from the Ewing Police Department soon took over the investigation. An autopsy found she bled to death from blows to her head and face with a blunt hard object. Investigators found no evidence at the scene, like a fingerprint or physical item, that pointed to a killer. The case file shows Ewing investigators eventually came to suspect, for years, that a campus police officer had committed the crime. They photographed everyone on the force and tested their nightsticks and handcuffs for blood. They even executed a search warrant at one of the officers homes. Those suspicions arose, investigators say, because she was beaten with an object and officers had keys to the hall, and Stevensons wrists had signs shed been tied or restrained. The case file includes pictures of Stevensons body during the autopsy with handcuffs on her wrists, placed there by police in an effort to line up the marks. Police also looked at members of a local theater group. Although the fall semester had not started, the campus was not empty. The group had staged a performance the night before, Sept. 3, in a small side theater in the hall. Stevenson attended it and had the playbill in her belongings. Shed circled the name of one of the actors who portrayed an officer in the performance and his costume included a nightstick and handcuffs. Detectives spoke to some of them, and took a few brief statements, but they did not scrutinize them as hard as the campus cops. Maintenance employees were also possible suspect because they had keys to the hall. However, none of the early police work ever lead to charges in the case, and it got colder every year. Sigrid Stevenson's belongings next to the piano in Kendall Hall, at Trenton State College, in Ewing, N.J., where she was found beaten to death on June 4, 1977. The school is now The College of New Jersey, TCNJ.(Crime scene photo) The Victim Stevenson has been recalled as a bit of a hippie and vagabond, a free spirt who traveled with few belongings and hitchhiked when needed. Some called her Siggy. At Trenton State, she was getting her masters in music and reportedly wanted to be a teacher. She was from Livermore, California, but had family in the Princeton area. She also kept a diary, which is in the case file and has informed investigators over the years. Some of it she wrote on music sheets. Some of the last entries discuss traveling to Alaska with her trusty thumb, and visiting friends in New York City before arriving at the college in Ewing. Shed recently traveled to Canada, too. Her last entry was on Aug. 29. Despite its window into her life, the diary never yielded any serious clues about the crime. Investigators suspect Stevenson arrived in Ewing on Sept. 2, but the local family with whom she way staying the father was a volunteer firefighter in town were still at the Jersey Shore for the Labor Day holiday weekend. So, she likely snuck into Kendall and may have stayed in a backstage area, like a green room that actors used. She was known to do this by campus officers, as shed attended the college the school year prior. That is why her belongings were stacked by the piano. New Investigations About 11 years ago, Pat Holt dusted off the Stevenson case boxes and started reading. He was a respected, veteran detective who would later work on the countys homicide task force. By this time, over 30 years later, the Ewing detective hoped DNA technology was the key to solving the perplexing crime, and he wanted a crack at it. As part of his work, he met Napolitano, whod become the leading lay expert on the case. Hed graduated from TCNJ in 2006 and made a student film about the case. Meeting with Napolitano, who had no official role in the case, proved just as valuable in some parts as the case file, Holt said. Napolitanos interest in the case only strengthened in the years that followed, especially in the evolving narrative about Stevenson, who had turned into a ghost story on campus. Students had started handing down a story of a nameless murdered woman who haunted Kendall Hall, he said. Now a high school film teacher and adjunct professor, Napolitano has for years worked to correct the story. Hes active with the case in online true crime communities. It bothers me that shes been forgotten, that shes been turned into a ghost story because she had a life, Napolitano said. I feel really bad that your whole life can get turned into an entirely different narrative and thats how youre remembered. So thats why I stayed with it because I care about the truth and the truth has been lost and then in some cases, like, actively changed to make it for a more entertaining story, Napolitano said. Holt got to work, gathering the physical evidence in the case and reviewing anything that could be tested. He also examined the theories of campus police and the theater group, the latter of which seemed stronger. He checked out the campus police suspects, but Holt said they did not hold in the test of time. The actor who played a police officer, though, did. The detective worked the case alongside other Ewing cases, so things took time, but Holt eventually identified the actor. The man had died in 2016. Still, Holt found a relative living outside Boston and convinced him to give a DNA sample for genetic genealogy testing. Meanwhile, Holt had submitted physical evidence to a New Jersey State Police lab, including the shirt tied around Sigrids head, and sperm found in her body, for comparison with the actors relative. It would appear that the case has solid, physical evidence blood, sperm, clothing the killer touched. The issue with the sperm, though, is that while it may have a connection to Stevensons killer, it could have come from a consensual sexual encounter days earlier, Holt said. Plus, the sample size is small. It remains unclear if Stevenson was sexually assaulted during the crime, but its certainly a possibility, Holt and other investigators say. One part of the crime scene, though, was odd. Despite the considerable amount of blood at the scene, it was all Stevensons. Moreover, police did not find any fingerprints or footprints in the blood. Not one smear that could point to a perpetrators possible direction of flight. The scene was messy, chaotic. How could the killer leave no trace? Holt said the killer might have initially fled the scene, laid low, and when realizing it was safe to return, did so and covered up the tracks. But its just another theory. Holt retired from the Ewing police in 2020. The day before he packed up his belongings, he received a notification from the New Jersey State Police. The test comparing the relatives DNA to matter found on Stevensons blouse was negative. After nearly a decade of investigating, Holt said hes no closer to knowing what happened. Its a sign of how vexing the case, he says. I have no clue. From left, Scott Napolitano, Julia Caldwell and Ed DeBoskey on the steps of Kendall Hall, the building on The College of New Jersey in Ewing, N.J. where Sigrid Stevenson was found dead on Sept. 4, 1977.(Photo by Kevin Shea | NJ.com) The Advocates Ewing Detective Julia Caldwell inherited the case from Holt, and his briefing to her about it lasted nine hours, she said. She was younger and hopefully had many years in the detective bureau. Youre like a little pit bull, Jules, Caldwell remembered him saying. She also met Napolitano, and retired Ewing officer Ed DeBoskey, who worked the case in the early 2000s. He recalls as a rookie in 1990 being parked in the detective bureau for two weeks while he and others were processed into the department. A veteran detective came over one day with a binder from the case and plunked it down in front of him. He says, take a read through this and tell us what you think, DeBoskey said. He was hooked and specifically sought to investigate the case when he made detective a decade later. Caldwell worked the case as hard as she could, but has since had to unexpectedly retire too, medically, from injuries suffered while rescuing a dog from a house fire in 2022. But shes not letting go. Caldwell was also a TCNJ campus officer before joining the Ewing force. Now, the two former cops and Napolitano talk regularly about the case, and all appeared on Unsolved Mysteries, with Holt. Its an unlikely triumvirate of advocacy they hope will keep the case alive, no matter who works it. Within minutes of getting together for an interview with NJ Advance Media, not far from Kendall Hall, they started arguing about their theories. Its friendly, but serious. At one point, Caldwell excitedly commandeered a reporters notebook to draw a diagram. At another, DeBoskey declared loudly, You cannot tell me anything about " before simmering down. The case can bring him to tears. Napolitano often is the peacemaker between the former cops. The intensity, Caldwell explains, comes from a shared passion to see the case solved. We really do love each other, she said. And each has a strong view on who the killer is. Napolitano and DeBoskey come down on the campus police theory, the same man, who they say is still alive. Caldwell believes it was a member of the theater group, a man, also alive. They each call them, My guy. They all hope a new investigation could move the case forward. Technological advances in DNA, notable genetic genealogy when DNA evidence is used to identify family members of suspects and generate leads have come a long way. That could be a game changer in this, DeBoskey said. That work is often done by private labs. If cost is an issue, Napolitano says: There has been a large, large tidal wave of support online. Hes had people say to him, Just tell us where to set up the GoFundMe. The technology is important, Caldwell says. I think it still goes back to good old boots on the ground. Witnesses and evidence solve crimes, she said. Holt agrees. Its a case at this point, that is probably going to rely on someone that knows something coming forward, he said. Ewing Police Chief Al Rhodes said the case remains under active investigation. Our detectives continue to work closely with the Mercer County Homicide Task Force to help bring some sense of closure to the family of Ms. Stevenson as well as the community. The Memorial Due to Napolitanos work, the college has seen a growing desire, to remember Stevenson. On the recent anniversary of the crime, a makeshift memorial was left at Kendall Hall. Though her murder remains unsolved, she should not be unknown. Sigrid was an extraordinarily talented member of the college community, we are committed to ensuring she is always remembered as such, TCNJ President Michael Bernstein said in a statement about the forthcoming piano room dedication. Pamela Barnett, dean of TCNJs School of the Arts and Communication, said it was a fitting tribute. It is an unspeakable tragedy that Sigrid did not have a career making and teaching music. The music that fills this room throughout the coming years will keep the spirit of this gifted pianist and aspiring educator alive. Said Napolitano: Multiple people who knew her have told me that Sigrid danced to the beat of her own drum and stayed true to her music. I cant think of a better way of honoring her memory than naming a safe space for artists to practice what they love after her. As someone who cared for her memory through the intervening years, this means so much, he said. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. The 18-year-old driver of a car that slammed into a tree in West Windsor last month, killing his passenger, is charged with vehicular homicide and related crimes after police determined he was drunk and going 78 mph in a 35 mph zone, the Mercer County Prosecutors Office announced Tuesday. Rehan Jahangir, of West Windsor, had a blood alcohol content of .125 percent on Aug. 20 in the crash on Lanwin Boulevard, authorities said. The 3:45 a.m. crash took the life of Danny Haas, who lived in West Windsor and graduated from Notre Dame High School in Lawrence in June. He died Aug. 24. Jahangir also graduated high school in June, from West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North, where he was a faceoff specialist on the schools varsity lacrosse team. He is also charged with aggravated manslaughter, a second strict liability vehicular homicide charge and possession of a false government document. The prosecutors office said Jahangir had a New Jersey drivers license with an altered date of birth. Jahangir was seriously injured in the crash and was served with the criminal complaints Monday evening at a rehabilitation facility in New Brunswick. Lawyer information was not immediately available for Jahangir. West Windsor police have said that patrol officers arrived at the scene to find the car crashed into a tree off Lanwin Boulevard near Providence Drive, in a residential neighborhood, and the passenger side had major damage. The driver and passenger were both trapped in the wreckage and had to be freed by township firefighters. Haas family announced his death on Facebook several days later, saying he was an organ donor, and that process was starting. They mourned him as our happy, beautiful, warm, loving and beloved son. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com The SS United States, the aging ocean liner docked in Philadelphia that has become the subject of a months-long legal case, appears set to stay at its dock along the Delaware River at least for now after a new court challenge has halted plans to turn the ship as an artificial reef. The ships caretaker, the SS United States Conservancy, has kept the ship at Pier 82 in South Philadelphia, where the historic ship was laid up years after being retired from service. The piers owner, Penn Warehousing, sued to have the ship removed from its dock over a rent dispute, with a Pennsylvania federal judge in June ordering that the ship leave its dock by Sept. 12. An attorney for Penn Warehousing did not immediately return a request by NJ Advance Media for comment Tuesday. The Conservancy, in turn, on Sept. 11 filed a motion for an extension to Dec. 5, arguing the pier operator is interfering in a deal to sell the ship to Okaloosa County, Florida. Officials there want to scuttle the ship as part of a five-year plan to increase recreational diving tourism off its coast. The county has no plans to ratify the contract at its upcoming public meetings, Okaloosa spokesperson Nick Tomecek told NJ Advance Media. County commissioners were prepared to approve the deal at its Sept. 3 meeting, tabling the vote over the latest court action. Commissioners meet again Tuesday, but the contract was not included on the agenda. Okaloosa County continues to work with our partners at the SS United States Conservancy on an agreement, Tomecek said. A date has not been set for when it will appear before the board. Jennifer Adams, Oskaloosas director of tourism development, told commissioners that local officials began eyeing the SS United States about two years ago, learning of its rusting state and repeated failed attempts to restore the ship. The SS United States docked at Pier 82 in Philadelphia.Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media The Conservancy argued in a Sept. 11 court motion that Penn Warehousing is keeping the ship at the dock until a $3 million payment is made. ... Penn Warehousing wants to shake-down the Conservancy and/or Okaloosa County to extort those funds (and more) that this court already denied, it was stated in the defense motion. Penn Warehousings continuing misconduct should not be tolerated. U.S. District Court Judge Anita Brody last week ordered the federal magistrate division to hear the latest arguments over the payment dispute. A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 18. The Conservancy, in a statement after last weeks hearing, said it was pleased Brody agreed to pause the court order for the ship to leave the dock. We are grateful that the judges earlier order for the ship to be removed from Pier 82 was held in abeyance as we continue to work in good faith to resolve this dispute and relocate the vessel safely, the Conservancy said in the statement. We remain steadfast in our determination to ensure that the legacy of Americas Flagship endures and inspires future generations. The SS United States would become the worlds largest artificial reef if it is sunk, passing the USS Oriskany, a Naval aircraft carrier sent to the seabed in 2006 in the Florida Panhandle. Okaloosa County officials said 10,000 divers yearly explore the sunken Naval ship, yielding over $3 million in annual economic impact. Okaloosa County officials estimate a $9 million budget would be needed to turn the ship into a reef, including $1 million price to purchase the ocean liner. Escambia County, Okaloosas western neighbor, appears to reenter the sweepstakes for the ship if the deal falls apart. County commissioners there at the last meeting Sept. 5 agreed to allow donations to the Escambia County Aquatic Resources Stewardship Endowment Fund, initiating a fundraising plan if the ship becomes available. Known as Americas Flagship, the SS United States still holds the record for the fastest trip across the Atlantic Ocean 70 years later, at three days, 10 hours and 40 minutes, besting the RMS Queen Marys time by 10 hours. The ocean liner was retired from service in 1969 and ended in Philadelphia in the mid-1990s. 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. An 11-year-old boy was impaled through his thigh Monday by a large stick in a wooded area of Passaic County on his way home from school, authorities said. The child, a student at Anthony Wayne Middle School, and some fellow students were taking a shortcut home through the woods after school dismissal when the child was hurt sliding down a hill, according to the Wayne Police Department. While sliding down a steep hillside, an 11-year-old boy was impaled through his thigh by a large stick, Detective Capt. Dan Daly, spokesman for the Wayne Police Department, said in a statement. The boys friend called 911 and another friend returned to the school seeking help, Daly said. The schools resource officer and principal went to help, with the resource officer climbing down to the boy as a Wayne police patrol officer at the bottom of the hill climbed up to assist, Daly said. A short time later, members of the townships first aid squad, hospital paramedics and the Wayne Fire Departments Special Response Team rescued the boy using a lightweight stretcher to carry the child out of the woods. He was then transported to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries which were not believed to be life threatening, Daly said. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) tore into Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) after he admitted to making up stories about Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio. Vance came under fire last week after falsely claiming that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio are eating peoples cats and dogsa statement that city and state officials say theres been no evidence of. He later admitted Sunday on CNNs State of the Union that he made up the story. If I have to create stories so that the American media actually has to pay attention to the suffering of American people, then thats what Im going to do, Vance said. Warren responded to Vances recent comments on MSNBCs Inside with Jen Psaki on Monday, saying that it was all a lie, but a lie that can do enormous damage. So think about what he just said. He said he will lie to get attention, Warren said. And once someone has said that, then you cant believe anything they say. He will lie to get attention. And if it hurts other people, if the consequences of that lie are to put people at risk, evidently, J.D. Vance just doesnt care, because he is hopeful that it will advance Donald Trump and J.D. Vance and give them one more opportunity to win in this election, she added. Warren explained that Massachusetts has a vibrant Haitian community, noting that they are currently watching ugliness and hatred unfold. Thats the kind of thing that tells you who people are. And for this one, once again, you think about the contrast. Who do J.D. Vance and Donald Trump fight for? Nobody but themselves. Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, theyre out there fighting for all our families, not a few, not a subset, but all our families, she continued. Vances false claim about Haitian migrants has thrust Springfield, Ohio into the national spotlight. Former President Trump also repeated the false claim during the debate with Vice President Harris last week before ABCs moderator fact checked him. Springfield has since faced bomb and shooting threats since the claims circulated last week. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) said Monday that state police will conduct daily sweeps of Springfield schools after officials investigated at least 33 bomb threats, CNBC reported. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Given the recent polls and the collapse of the lead he once held over President Joe Biden, any path Donald Trump has to the White House must go through Pennsylvania generally acknowledged as the most important swing state. Pennsylvanias 19 electoral votes are the most among the seven top swing states. And in a series of new polls conducted by USA TODAY and Suffolk University, the state appears to be turning hard toward Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who leads Trump not only in the state but in two of Pennsylvanias key counties, according to three exclusive polls taken after last weeks debate. With seven weeks until Election Day, Harris leads Trump, the Republican nominee, 49%-46%, in Pennsylvania, a statewide poll of 500 likely Pennsylvania voters conducted from Wednesday to Sunday found. The results are within the polls margin of error of 4.4 percentage points, but represent a bigger margin than President Joe Biden enjoyed when he won the state in 2020 by 1.5 points, or Trump, who carried the state by less than 1 percentage point over Hillary Clinton in 2016. Both campaigns have spent many days in the state and will return many more times in the final 49 days, but Tanya Brown, a 55-year-old social worker from Norristown, Pa., told pollsters she already has decided: She plans to vote for Harris. Besides the fact that shes totally qualified, shes decent and confident and democracy is at stake, she said. When asked about Trump, she said: I dont know if I can stomach another four years of this idiot. Its just the uncouthness. Youre constantly on edge. Along with Harris statewide edge over Trump, she leads in Erie (48%-44%) and Northampton (50%-45%) counties two bellwether counties that historically have predicted who wins the state additional USA Today polls found. The USA Today poll found that Harris is dominating with the states female voters, 56%-39%, while Trump carries male voters by a slimmer 53%-41% edge. Harris edged Trump among independent voters, 43%-38%. This is female-gender advantage on steroids, said Dave Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center. In all three data sets, the women margin is around almost twice around Trumps edge among men. Harris also is more popular than Trump, with 49% having a favorable opinion of her, compared with 47% with an unfavorable opinion. Forty-three percent of Pennsylvanias likely voters said they had a favorable opinion of Trump, while 54% had an unfavorable opinion. The polls were taken after Harris handily won the only debate between the two candidates. While Harris immediately called for another debate, Trump last week said he would not debate her again. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. In accordance with the training plan for 2024, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Course is being held with a group of Naval Special Forces personnel, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. According to the course plan, the tasks laid out for the marine phase are tackled head-on to sniff out bottom mines, various types of explosive ordnance, and improvised explosive devices, planted by phantom terrorist groups. The goal is to bring them to the surface and then blow them to kingdom come or set them ablaze, all while keeping safety regulations front and center. The primary aim of the course is to bring units combat training up to snuff with modern standards, while also sharpening servicemens practical skills and know-how in making the most of new engineering equipment, keeping in step with the times. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. The signing of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia is of great importance for stability and development in the South Caucasus, Director of Turkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Ibrahim Kalin said at the Baku Security Conference today, Trend reports via the Anadolu Agency. He emphasized that establishing lasting peace between Baku and Yerevan would ensure transportation links with Europe, including the opening of the Zangezur Corridor. Kalin also tackled the trust issues that are running rampant across the globe, the looming shadow of terrorism, and the humanitarian fallout that follows in its wake. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Construction progresses at the new Jefferson Terrace Elementary on Azrok Avenue Thursday Feb. 27, 2020, in Baton Rouge, La. The new school, blocks away from the old school and to be named Jefferson Terrace Academy, is to open in August. The new schoolOs attendance zone will be adding grades 6-8. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has issued a decree removing Sevindik Hatamov from his position as Head of the Executive Power of Salyan District, Trend reports. The Presidents decision comes as part of a formal administrative action. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. Another project by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, within its activities aimed at the development of preschool educational institutions, was implemented on September 17 in Azerbaijan's Garadagh district, Trend reports. Kindergarten No. 286 in the above district was a brainchild of the 1980s. After being put through the wringer for too long, the building's load-bearing structures started to crumble and turned into a ticking time bomb of safety hazards. Luckily, the rescue hand came from the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which rolled up its sleeves and got to work, breathing new life into the place. Now, a shiny new kindergarten building with 120 seats is ready to welcome little ones with open arms. The facility boasts cozy sleeping and playrooms for the little ones, a bustling assembly hall, a kitchen thats the heart of the operation, a medical room for when the chips are down, and a mix of administrative and technical areas to keep everything running like a well-oiled machine. The kindergarten is decked out and has all the bells and whistles it needs. The surrounding area has been spruced up, with shiny new playgrounds and pavilions popping up for the kids' groups to enjoy. The opening ceremony of the kindergarten featured representatives of the State Agency for Preschool and General Education, the Baku City Education Department, educators, and parents. Head of the Preschool Education Department at the State Agency for Preschool and General Education Ilaha Rasulova wished the kindergarten staff success. She drove home the point that the government has its finger on the pulse of the education sector, highlighting that educational infrastructure has seen a facelift, with shiny new kindergartens popping up and old ones getting a much-needed makeover. The two one-story buildings are all set to go, stocked to the gills with the furniture and resources needed to hit the ground running. Tahira Gahramanova, a long-time teacher at Kindergarten No. 286 since 1985, is over the moon about the states backing in sprucing up the kindergartens conditions following the renovation. "We will go the extra mile to nurture children with a heart full of patriotism, molding them into citizens who are worth their weight in gold to society," she said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel INDIANAPOLIS A woman who police feared was going to jump into traffic along Interstate 65 wound up instead in the safe embrace of a trooper during a harrowing incident over the weekend, according to Indiana State Police. ISP Trooper Joe Malone was reportedly called out Saturday afternoon to the site along I-65 near the downtown area of Indianapolis where he found the woman on top of the sign and appearing ready to jump. "Trooper Malone quickly responded and blocked traffic, but what he did next was exceptional," according to ISP. "After talking with the woman from the ground, Malone climbed up the side of the overhead sign and slowly made his way towards the woman." "While empathetically talking with her he inched closer and closer," according to police. "After several moments people below could see Trooper Malone standing next to the woman, she reached out to him and they embraced with a hug." UPDATE: Police identify victim of early morning Portage apartment fire "The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and displaced residents are receiving support from the American Red Cross to ensure they have a place to stay," the fire department reported. The woman was brought down safely with the help of local firefighters and was offered resources for help. "I was just doing my job," is a phrase commonly heard from first responders, even in the most remarkable situations, police said. Police remind the public that help is available by calling the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. RENSSELAER Indiana State Police are investigating allegations of abuse by the Jasper County Sheriff's Department in the recent death of a 26-year-old Valparaiso native, according to county police. A law firm retained by the family of the deceased claims that around 8:30 p.m. Sept. 8, Rhyker Earl suffered a seizure at a home in Demotte and 911 was called for help. Trooper climbed highway sign to keep woman from jumping, ISP says "After talking with the woman from the ground, Malone climbed up the side of the overhead sign and slowly made his way towards the woman." County police were among those who responded and found Earl "confused and agitated," which the law firms says is typical of someone recovering from a severe seizure. "As Rhyker was trying to put on shorts to go to the hospital for medical attention, he lost his balance and fell into an officer," according to attorney Stephen Wagner of Carmel, Indiana. "At that time officers became aggressive, yelling, 'you don't treat law enforcement that way,' " Wagner said. The officers allegedly "took Rhyker to the ground and handcuffed him face down on the floor," according to the family attorney. Multiple officers allegedly remained on top of him while medical officials gave him three doses of sedatives. Some of the medical officials on scene had reportedly responded earlier that same day to another call involving Earl having a less severe seizure. While knowing Earl was having a medical emergency and had asthma, officers remained on top of Earl for more than 15 minutes "with his face in a pillow," Wagner said. Earl reportedly begged for his life and screamed he could not breathe and eventually went limp, the attorney said. After a relative noticed Earl's face had turned blue and pleaded for help, emergency officials reportedly realized he was no longer breathing. "Rhyker was taken to the hospital, but it was too late," Wagner said. It was later determined he had no brain activity and life support measures were stopped Sept. 10. UPDATE: Police identify victim of early morning Portage apartment fire "The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and displaced residents are receiving support from the American Red Cross to ensure they have a place to stay," the fire department reported. Wagner asked why Earl was treated like a criminal rather than a patient, and why officers ignored both the "obvious risks of prone restraint" and Earl saying he could not breathe. The Jasper County Sheriff's Department issued a statement confirming the medical call and said the department has asked state police to investigate. Indiana State Police said Tuesday its Criminal Investigation Division at the Lowell Post is engaged in the investigation. It also said it "is aware of information being shared on various social media sites about this case." "We request the publics patience," ISP said, "as detectives will conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation." An online obituary says Earl was born in Valparaiso and graduated in 2016 from Kankakee Valley High School. "Rhyker liked to play guitar, and listen to music," according to the obituary. "He enjoyed fishing and drawing. He was an avid rock collector." A visitation was held Tuesday at the Graceway Bible Baptist Church in Demotte, with a funeral service scheduled for Wednesday. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. A telephone conversation was held today between Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. In the course of the telephone conversation, the sides discussed issues of bilateral and multilateral strategic cooperation between the two countries, as well as regional ties. The sides also discussed prospects of cooperation within international organizations and multilateral platforms. The discussions touched upon the priority areas of Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) for 2024-2026. The sides expressed satisfaction with the relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan based on strategic partnership, friendship, and multifaceted cooperation. Furthermore, the sides exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest during the telephone conversation. Since mid-August, weve been talking with the same group of young, undecided voters about the election. They started off with rating Kamala Harris more negatively than Donald Trump: Most didnt trust her, chiefly because they didnt know much about her, whereas most had a handle on Mr. Trump and did not like him. But over the last month, their opinions started to shift. In our latest Times Opinion focus group, we can see how the debate clearly made them a little less undecided. Many thought Mr. Trump was weak and ineffective in the debate and easily manipulated by Ms. Harris a revelation, they said, because they thought of him as confident and aggressive. All 14 members of our group said Ms. Harris won, which is all the more notable given that these undecided voters lean moderate or conservative. (Many young voters who have already decided on a candidate are with Ms. Harris.) But Ms. Harris has work to do if she wants their votes. They thought she made Mr. Trump look foolish and unlikable, but they already knew they didnt like him. Her baiting didnt move them into her corner. They wanted to know more about what she would do in office, how she would be different from Joe Biden and whether she might try to moderate her views or talk to voters who dont agree with her on some issues. Doesnt she owe it to the American people to show us who she is besides a sort of introductory speech? said Abigail, a 23-year-old from Virginia who voted for Joe Biden in 2020. Mark, a 24-year-old from California who also voted for Mr. Biden the last time, hoped Ms. Harris and Mr. Trump would debate again, and he said: Lets really get some policy. You come out on top again if hes saying crazy stuff and youre actually giving policy positions. When we asked who they would vote for if the election were held today, five said Mr. Trump; four said Ms. Harris; and the remaining five said they didnt know or leaned toward writing in someone elses name. Still, the election isnt today, and these voters havent committed to any candidate. Winning them over is the challenge for Mr. Trump and Ms. Harris, and moments like the apparent assassination attempt against Mr. Trump on Sunday (which happened after our group met) are a reminder that unforeseen events can and probably will still sway undecided voters. Skyline Capitol has signed a $200K pact to provide government relations services for Turkey, and work to create a positive image of the country and its people in the US. The pact went into effect Sept. 12 and runs through Dec. 21. Skyline will engage with thought leaders in industry, academia, and policy/research institutions to increase better understanding of and inform on the critical importance of Turkey/US relations," according to its representation pact. Some of those thought leaders have noted that Turkey, a member of NATO, has been moving away from the West and closer to Russia. Turkish strongman president Recep Tayyip Edrogan has cozy ties with Russias Vladimir Putin. Asli Aydintasbas, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution, cited Turkeys application to the BRICS group as an example of the countrys shift from the Transatlantic community. Russia launched the BRICS club in 2009 to counter the economic, social and political dominance of the US and its Western allies. Its members include Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Skyline is the firm of former Utah Republican Congressman Chris Stewart. He exited Congress in 2023 after a decade of service. Earlier, Stewart did a 14-year stint in the Air Force as a pilot, flying rescue helicopters and the B-1B bomber. Local Property Tax (LPT) rates will remain at the same level in Offaly after councillors voted overwhelmingly against a proposal to reduce it, arguing that the extra money will trigger the release of major Government funding. THE Local Property Tax (LPT) rate will remain the same in Offaly after councillors overwhelmingly voted against a move to cut it. The County Council has the power to vary the standard rates of LPT which are levied on every homeowner and for the past number of years the Offaly local authority has been applying the maximum increase of 15%. This means that houses with the lowest valuation for the tax, up to 200,000, are taxed at 90 per annum, plus 15%, resulting in a bill each year for the householder of 103.50. Councils have the option of retaining the tax at the standard rates, increasing it by any percentage up to 15%, or lowering it by any percentage by as much as 15%. Those in favour of applying the 15% extra argue that the additional revenue generated triggers the release of major grant aid from the Government for infrastructural projects around the county. Enhancements to towns and villages across Offaly have been part-funded by proceeds from the LPT but the tax has remained controversial and divides councillors. At the September meeting of the council on Monday afternoon councillors met to decide on the tax and Fiona Millane, director of service, said that retaining the LPT at its current level would bring in 11.2 million in 2025. Ms Millane said that 51.6% of residential properties in Offaly are in the valuation band up to 200,000 and a further 29.9% are in the next band, 262,500 (resulting in an annual bill of 225 before any variation). Just 13.3% are valued between 262,501 and 350,000 for the purposes of LPT calculation. In the absence of any variation, those householders must pay 315 each year. Retaining the tax with its 15% upward variation will bring in 748,000 each year, totalling 3.74 million over the five-year lifetime of the council which was elected this summer. Ms Millane said LPT income of those amounts for Offaly would generate some 18 million in grants for Offaly. Recommending that councillors stick with the status quo, the council director added that it can be reviewed each year. Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Tony McCormack, said there should be no change because the 15% extra was costing very little per week for most of those who were paying the tax. His Fianna Fail colleague, Cllr Peter Ormond, formally proposed that the 15% variation be maintained and said all councillors wanted capital projects delivered but they all came with the caveat that funding from the Government had to be matched with funding from the local council. Cllr Aoife Masterson, Sinn Fein, proposed that instead of varying the LPT upwards by 15% it should be reduced by 5%. Cllr Masterson said that would alleviate the real hardship people were experiencing whereas other councillors were proposing to add to the hardship and ignoring communities. The councillor also mentioned those who had to make choices between heating the house or buying food each week; feeding themselves or feeding their children. Cllr Claire Murray, Fianna Fail, said she recognised the difficulty of the issue but the funding the council would receive by retaining the tax at the current level was very substantial. Cllr Sean Maher, Sinn Fein, formally seconded Cllr Masterson's proposal and said a lot of people were struggling to pay bills and raising the tax would be a bad move. Cllr Liam Quinn, Fine Gael, said more discussion should have taken place about the matter in advance. Cllr Quinn said the funds needed to be distributed evenly across the county; provisional allocations should be put before councillors; and money for longer term projects should instead be considered for adaptations to homes for disabled people. The councillor also said fixing the upward variation for perhaps two years instead of five could be considered. At the same time, he said the council should concentrate on eliminating its existing deficit completely. Another Fine Gael representative, Cllr John Clendennen, said Sinn Fein should identify which services they were going to cut if they wanted the LPT reduced. Cllr Fergus McDonnell, Independent Ireland, said he had always believed the LPT was unfair in that ordinary households were paying for projects central government should be funding. Cllr John Leahy, independent, said he was in favour of the 15% upward variation and also locking it in for the full five years so that management would be able to forward plan better. Cllr Leahy said the 15% extra amounted to 26 cent a week more, or 13.50 per annum for most households in the 90 bracket. For those with difficulty paying, an exemption or freeze could be sought, he said, adding that council tenants did not have to pay LPT. The Sinn Fein proposal would save households just eight cents each week or 4.50 each year, he said. The Kilcormac councillor also defended the current Government: They've done an absolutely fantastic job in providing money to this county. The council chief executive, Anna Marie Delaney, joined the debate and said the LPT income would allow larger projects like Edenderry Library, the Ferbane former convent project and the Banagher master plan to be progressed. After a brief break so that the various groups on the council could discuss their proposals, two votes were called. A proposal to retain the LPT at its current level was supported by 15 councillors and rejected by only four. All the Fianna Fail and Fine Gael councillors backed the status quo, as did the independents Cllr John Leahy and Cllr Sean O'Brien. The three Sinn Fein councillors voted against it, as did Cllr McDonnell. The Sinn Fein proposal for a 5% variation below the standard rates was defeated by 15 votes to four. The Cathaoirleach welcomed the decision. We're not living in an Oliver Twist Offaly, remarked Cllr McCormack. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. Deputy Minister of Mental Health and Addictions for Canadas Ontario, Michael Tibollo, recently toured Azerbaijans Khankendi and Shusha cities, Trend reports. Tibollo explored the city and actively participated in discussions with the leadership of Karabakh University and members of the Forum of Azerbaijani Scientists Living Abroad during his visit to Khankendi. Upon arriving in Shusha, Tibollo received a briefing on the citys history, the vandalism inflicted during the Armenian occupation, and the restoration efforts undertaken after liberation. He also visited the damaged busts of Azerbaijani cultural figures, Shusha Fortress, and other significant landmarks. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 18. Azerbaijan has swiftly established the necessary conditions to host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), said Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources and COP29 President, Trend reports. "Last December, with the support of all countries, the decision was made to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan. Typically, such decisions are made two years in advance, as a country needs at least two years to organize an event of this scale. In our case, several countries were candidates to host COP29 and maintained their bids until the last day of COP28. Ultimately, the decision was made in favor of Azerbaijan," Babayev said in an interview with local media. He highlighted that hosting such a significant and responsible forum has become a commitment that Azerbaijan has embraced. For years, Azerbaijan has drawn international attention with its innovative "green" energy and alternative energy projects, which are a priority for the country. The head of state has emphasized initiatives such as "green" energy zones and corridors, positioning Azerbaijan as a leader in this field. "Thanks to these projects, the world has taken notice of Azerbaijan. By showcasing its leadership, Azerbaijan invited all nations to participate in climate discussions this November and has created the necessary conditions for the event," Babayev added. The 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change will take place in Baku from November 11 to 22. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. The COP29 Presidency today announced the COP29 Presidency Initiatives as part of its Action Agenda to accelerate progress on climate action and supplement the formal negotiated COP agenda. In a letter addressed to all Parties and non-party stakeholders, the COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev set out the details of the package and how global stakeholders can contribute to the COP29 Presidencys vision to enhance ambition and enable action. The Action Agenda confronts the worlds most pressing climate problems, shines a light on forgotten priorities, and provides a focus for wide universe of actors to come together. It also reflects Azerbaijans own capabilities and unique contributions to the fight against climate change, as COP is held in the Caucuses for the first time. It represents an ambitious effort by the COP29 Presidency to drive action across all climate pillars and covers a range of key priorities, such as energy, finance, agriculture, cities, human development, and the climate-peace nexus, amongst others. Many of these initiatives, in particular, the Baku Initiative on Climate Finance, Investment and Trade (BICFIT), the Baku Initiative on Human Development for Climate Resilience, and the Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP) for Resilient and Healthy Cities all integrate and address cross-sectoral synergies. In the COP29 pledges and declarations, governments and non-governmental entities will come together to agree on the principles and pathways for how they will enhance ambition in their next collective steps to confront the climate crisis. The COP29 Presidency will share the drafts texts with all parties and constituencies for their review and feedback as a sign of its transparent and inclusive approach. The COP29 Presidency will then finalise the texts and republish them on the COP29 website in due course. Through the launch of these Initiatives, the COP29 Presidency is establishing a range of platforms, partnerships and programmes to enable action before, during and after COP29. Finance, as a critical enabler of climate action, is a centrepiece of the COP29 Presidencys vision, so the Initiatives have been designed with a special emphasis on delivering the means of implementation. The COP29 Action Agenda has been developed in collaboration with the COP29 Presidencys partners across the globe, including the UN Task Force for COP29 and its member agencies, international organisations and multilateral bodies, national governments and non-state actors. Launching the COP29 Action Agenda, Mr. Babayev said Azerbaijan is honoured by the confidence that the global community has placed in us to host COP29. But we are just one country and we cannot solve the climate crisis alone. We seek to inspire every actor and demonstrate what is possible with commitment and determination, and we never underestimate the value of an individual contribution. We hope to remind everyone that even in the face of such an enormous challenge, every action matters because every fraction of a degree matters. COP29 UN High-Level Climate Champion Nigar Arpadarai said Now is the time for the whole universe of climate stakeholders to sign up, speak up and step up on climate action. If we are to meet our goals, we need everyone to do their part. This is your chance to play an important role in COP29. Summary of the COP29 Presidency Initiatives and Outcomes Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF): A fund, capitalised with voluntary contributions from fossil fuel producing countries and companies, to catalyse the public and private sectors across mitigation, adaptation, and research and development. The Fund will also have special facilities for highly concessional and grant-based funding to rapidly address the consequences of natural disasters in the developing countries in need. The Baku Initiative for Climate Finance, Investment and Trade (BICFIT): An initiative to focus on the nexus of climate finance, investment and trade, with a platform to promote investment into green diversification, support policy development, and share expertise through dialogue. COP29 Green Energy Zones and Corridors Pledge: A pledge to commit to green energy zones and corridors, including targets to promote investment, stimulate economic growth, develop, modernise and expand infrastructure, and foster regional cooperation. COP29 Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge: A pledge with a target to increase global energy storage capacity six times above 2022 levels, reaching 1,500 gigawatts by 2030. To enhance energy grids, endorsers will also commit to considerably scaling up investments in grids as part of global efforts to add or refurbish more than 80 million kilometres by 2040. COP29 Hydrogen Declaration: A declaration for both the public and private sectors to unlock the potential of a global market for [clean] hydrogen and its derivatives with guiding principles and priorities, to address regulatory, technological, financing, and standardization barriers. COP Truce Appeal: An appeal for a COP Truce, modelled on the Olympic Truce, to highlight the importance of peace and climate action. The COP29 Peace and Climate Initiative is a separate initiative, co-led with partners, that envisages to deliver tangible outcomes such as establishing a centre of excellence hub to match the needs of the most vulnerable with existing resources and foster further action for the operationalisation of various initiatives on the peace and climate nexus. COP29 Green Digital Action Declaration: A declaration to accelerate climate-positive digitalisation and emission reductions in the Information and Communication Technology sector and enhance accessibility of green digital technologies. The Baku Initiative on Human Development for Climate Resilience: An initiative to deliver various outcomes on human development, including catalysing investment in education, skills, health, and well-being, in particular for children and youth, establishing COP-to-COP continuity, and enhancing environmental literacy through education standards. The Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative for Farmers: An aggregator bringing together initiatives, coalitions and networks to share experiences, identify synergies and gaps, facilitate finance, and foster collaboration on agriculture, including by empowering communities and women in rural areas. COP29 Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste: A declaration to work towards 1.5-aligned waste sector commitments in NDCs with quantified targets to reduce methane in waste and food systems. COP29 Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP) Declaration for Resilient and Healthy Cities: A declaration to enhance multisectoral cooperation to address climate challenges in cities and an initiative to create coherence in all urban climate efforts and catalyse urban climate finance. COP29 Declaration on Enhanced Action in Tourism: A declaration to include sectoral targets for tourism in NDCs and promote sustainable practices by reducing emissions and increasing resilience in the sector. A further initiative with outcomes to enhance transparency in the sector and provide frameworks for sustainable food systems in tourism. COP29 Declaration on Water for Climate Action: A declaration calling upon stakeholders to take integrated approaches to combat the causes and impacts of climate change on water basins and water-related ecosystems, integrate water-related mitigation and adaptation measures in national climate policies, including NDCs and NAPS. The declaration will launch the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action to enhance COP-to-COP continuity and coherence. The Baku Global Climate Transparency Platform (BTP): A platform to support developing country Parties in the preparation and submission of Biennial Transparency Reports, promote collaboration and knowledge exchange amongst all Parties on the full spectrum of the Enhanced Transparency Framework, and better mobilize capacity-building resources where they are needed. The full COP29 Presidencys Letter to Parties and Constituencies on the Action Agenda is available on this link "Unbelievable! I thought she was a real person!" A visitor exclaimed in amazement after finding out that the livestreamer selling beauty products on a large screen was a digital person. The digital livestreamer named Yanxi has completed over 400,000 hours of livestreaming for more than 5,000 brands, attracting at least 100 million views, said a staff member at the booth of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com at the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), which runs from Sept. 12 to 16 in Beijing. With the help of Yanxi, merchants can set up an e-commerce livestreaming room within just two hours, at a cost only one-tenth of that required for a human livestreamer, providing consumers with 24/7 services. JD.com also launched an AI-generated content (AIGC) platform, which assists merchants in making product images, marketing copy, and short product videos with a simple click. This innovation helps increase efficiency by more than 90 percent. It is evident at the CIFTIS that AI, with its diverse array of products, is bringing new vitality and momentum to e-commerce. Alibaba.com, a Chinese cross-border e-commerce giant, announced at the CIFTIS the launch of comprehensive AI application in foreign trade. Every step of cross-border trade, including procurement, search, product launch, reception, logistics, is now connected to AI technology. When a product is sold in different countries and regions on Alibaba.com, the priorities of the display models and prices provided to sellers are different, said Jiang Lin, head of capital brand of Alibaba.com. The platform helps merchants gain a better understanding of the markets in different countries and regions through big data and AI analysis, Jiang said. Last year, Alibaba.com launched an AI business assistant that's now utilized by over 30,000 small and medium-sized enterprises. It can automatically generate a full set of product information such as title, keywords, price and pictures according to a product image or several keywords, reducing the time for sellers to publish goods from 60 minutes to around 60 seconds. Lyu Hongwei, co-founder of Hebei Hangfa Technology Co., Ltd., said that the company's tedious and repetitive work like publishing goods has been handed over to the AI business assistant. China's cross-border e-commerce imports and exports reached 1.22 trillion yuan (about 172 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2024, an increase of 10.5 percent, according to an analysis report on China's e-commerce regional development big data released at CIFTIS. The digital trade services in the era of AI is expected to provide one-stop export services for enterprises, thereby creating new growth points for service trade, said Liu Guangjun, head of the Chinese merchants division of Alibaba.com. As digital technology continues to advance, it will further promote the development of global service trade in the future, said Long Guoqiang, deputy head of the Development Research Center of the State Council, at the CIFTIS. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) of Azerbaijan have sent an open letter to key officials in the United States and the European Union, expressing deep concern over Armenia's actions that facilitate Russia's evasion of international sanctions imposed due to the conflict with Ukraine, Trend reports. The letter reads: "Janet L. Yellen, Secretary of the Treasury, which oversees the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States. Alan F. Estevez, Under Secretary for Industry and Security at the US Department of Commerce. Merrick Garland, Attorney General of the United States. Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Charles Michel, President of the European Council. We, the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) of Azerbaijan, signed below, express our serious concern over the activities of the Republic of Armenia, which create conditions for Russia to evade international sanctions imposed due to the war with Ukraine. These sanctions, imposed by Western countries, aim to hold Russia accountable and prevent a humanitarian crisis. By conducting hypocritical policies, the Armenian authorities violate international law and, by supporting Russia in evading sanctions, deepen the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Since the war between Russia and Ukraine began in 2020, there has been a sharp increase in Armenia's imports and exports, which is disproportionate to its economic potential. Authoritative international reports particularly highlight the multiple-fold increase in Armenias foreign trade turnover with Russia as the scope of the sanctions package imposed on the Russian Federation by the EU and the US expanded. The sharp change in Armenias commodity-geographic structure of foreign trade between 2021-2023 is due to evading sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation by Western countries. In 2021, Armenias foreign trade turnover with the Russian Federation grew by 24.2 percent compared to 2020 to $2.6 billion; in 2022 to $5 billion, increasing by 93.4 percent compared to 2021; and in 2023 by 45.7 percent compared to 2022 to $7.3 billion. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk stated at a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Russia and Armenia that foreign trade turnover between the two countries would reach $14-16 billion in 2024. If this forecast is realized, overall foreign trade turnover between Armenia and the Russian Federation in 2024 compared to 2020 will increase up to 8 times. According to the publication of the Armenian State Statistics Committee, exports of goods to the Russian Federation in 2022 reached a historical record level in 2021, increasing 3 times to $2.4 billion, and in 2023 by 43.1 percent compared to 2022 to $3.4 billion. From 2010-2020, the growth rate of exports from Armenia to Russia averaged 18.6 percent; in 2020-2023, this indicator reached 64 percent. Before 2021, the share of the Russian Federation in Armenias goods and product exports did not exceed 27 percent; during 2022-2023, the share of the Russian Federation increased to 40-44 percent. This is because Armenia, evading sanctions, imports goods and products from several EU countries, Persian Gulf states, and leading Asian countries for export to Russian markets. Thus, during 2023, 14.7 percent ($499 million) of the goods exported from Armenia to the Russian Federation were telephone devices and equipment for mobile and wireless networks, 11.1 percent ($378 million) were passenger cars, 7.39 percent ($250 million) were monitors and projectors, 2.54 percent ($86 million) were computing machines, their blocks, and magnetic and optical computing devices, and 1 percent ($31 million) were vacuum equipment. In total, 91 percent of electromechanical and machine equipment in Armenias exports is supplied to Russian markets. Furthermore, in 2023 compared to 2022, exports of nuclear reactors, equipment, and mechanical devices from Armenia to the Russian markets increased 10 times, exports of optical, photographic, cinematographic, and medical surgical instruments increased 5 times, exports of aircraft, spacecraft, and their parts increased 2 times, exports of ships, boats, and floating structures increased 18 times, exports of musical instruments increased 38 times, exports of all types of watches increased 28 times, and exports of art objects and collectibles increased 19 times. Since none of the mentioned goods are produced in Armenia, the export of most of these goods to the Russian Federation did not occur before 2022. Despite the European Unions sanctions against the Russian Federation, some EU countries continue foreign trade operations with the Russian Federation through Armenia. Notably, in 2023 compared to 2021, trade between Armenia and the European Union increased 2.4 times. There is a noticeable increase in relations with some Eurozone countries. For instance, in 2023 compared to 2021, Armenias exports to Greece increased 39 times, and exports to Cyprus increased 24 times. How is it possible that while the EU and the US impose sanctions against Russia, countries responsible for enforcing these sanctions participate in illegal trade through Armenia? Indirectly, Armenia is financing Russias war in Ukraine, providing Russia with a "loophole" in foreign trade. The first EU sanctions against Russia have been periodically updated and extended since their adoption in March 2014. On November 28, 2022, the European Council unanimously adopted a regulation adding "violation of EU sanctions" to the list of "EU crimes" mentioned in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union ("TFEU"). One of the elements of the 11th EU sanctions package, adopted on June 23, 2023, isolating Russia from Western economies, includes control and restriction of import-export operations as a special means of combating tax evasion. The list of those supporting Russian aggression against Ukraine, attached to this sanctions package, also includes information about a legal entity registered in Armenia (Annex 4 to EU Regulation No. 833/2014). On June 24, 2024, the European Union adopted its Regulation 2024/1745, considered an amendment to its Regulation 833/2014, containing the 14th package of restrictive measures, including trade sanctions. This package of restrictive measures requires EU parent companies to ensure that their subsidiaries in third countries do not engage in any activities that could violate sanctions, prohibits the provision of liquefied natural gas transportation services owned by Russia from the EU to third countries, introduces a sectoral ban on vessels participating in Russias war against Ukraine, denies access to ports and locks of member states, and imposes a wide range of maritime transport services restrictions. As outlined in EU Regulation No. 2024/1745, Decision No. 2024/1744 ("CFSP") imposes additional restrictions on the export of goods that could contribute to the enhancement of Russias industrial potential. Regulation No. 2024/1745 also allows citizens and companies from EU member states to seek compensation for damages caused by Russian companies as a result of sanctions and confiscation. Additionally, "CAATSA", the US federal law effective from August 2, 2017, the "Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act", establishes sanctions against the Russian Federation to combat terrorism and illegal financing (Chapter II, Sections 201259). Section 232 of this act defines sanctions related to pipeline development in the Russian Federation, Section 233 addresses sanctions on investments or assistance in the privatization of state assets by the Russian Federation, and Section 226 covers sanctions on Russian and other foreign financial institutions. As supporters of peace, stability, and the rule of international law, we urge the United States and the European Union, which have imposed sanctions, to take the following steps: Strengthen control over Armenias trade operations. We demand a stricter regime for inspecting goods imported and exported by Armenia, ensuring transparency in this area, particularly to prevent illegal trade in goods used in the war. Ensure enforcement of sanctions. We call on Western governments to enforce existing sanctions more rigorously and to impose targeted sanctions or trade restrictions on any state that assists in evading sanctions, including Armenia. Increase diplomatic pressure on Armenia. We recommend that Western countries intensify direct diplomatic efforts to urge Armenia to cease its support for Russia, remind Armenia of its obligations under international law, and the need to adhere to the principles of peaceful coexistence. Continued Armenian support for Russia weakens global efforts to restore peace and stability in Ukraine and contributes to violations of international law. We believe that a unified and decisive position from the international community is crucial to ending Armenias activities in this direction and enhancing the effectiveness of sanctions imposed against Russia. We hope you will consider our concerns and take appropriate measures to prevent further exacerbation of the conflict in Ukraine by Armenia. We appeal to you: Stop allowing Armenia to create conditions for Russia to evade sanctions! Signatures: Sabit Bagirov Head of the Foundation for the Promotion of Entrepreneurship and Market Economy Vladimir Timoshenko Retired Major General, Member of the Presidium of the Veterans Organization of the Republic of Azerbaijan Karamat Ismayilov Chairman of the Public Association Center for Economic and Social Development Nigar Alekberova Chairwoman of the Association of Small and Medium Business Entities and Clubs Zaur Ibrahimli Board Member of the Azerbaijani National Forum of NGOs Fikret Yusufov Chairman of the Public Association for International Economic Research "Ekonomiks" Eyyub Kerimli Chairman of the Public Association for Economic and Social Research Ruslan Atakishiyev Chairman of the Public Association for the Study of Economic Resources Sakina Babayeva Chairwoman of the Association for the Development of Womens Entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan Gunay Shahbazova Chairwoman of the Azerbaijan Association of Accountants and Risk Specialists". Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Another American has been killed in cold blood by the Israeli government. On September 6, Aysenur Eygi of Seattle, Washington, was killed by an American bullet fired by an Israeli sniper who stood on a roof above a crowd of peaceful protesters. The young college graduate and peace activist was targeted and assassinated by the colonial-settler government of Benjamin Netanyahu. She died brutally, from a rifle shot to her head, underneath an olive tree, the international symbol of peace. Olive trees and blood conjure up images of the Jewish settlers of the Occupied West Bank as they have continued to uproot Palestinian olive trees, which are more than just a source of food and income, but represent the soul of the Palestinian people that seeks peace and justice. Eygi had just arrived in the Occupied West Bank to protest settlement expansion in the Palestinian village of Beita, near Nablus. Jewish settlements in the Occupied West Bank are illegal under international law and are viewed as such by the US. When Netanyahu took office in 2022, he said he had two goals: to expand the illegal settlements in the West Bank and to sign a normalization agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The agreement with the Saudis is off the table because of the current Gaza war, but settlement expansion is booming. Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israeli Security Minister, and Bezalel Smotrich, Israeli Finance Minister, are both from illegal settlements and hold sway over Netanyahu. Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are Jewish extremists and they are the force that keeps the Netanyahu government coalition together. If Netanyahu were to sign a ceasefire in Gaza or stop illegal settlements in the West Bank, they would break the Netanyahu government, which would send Netanyahu to jail for his past conviction of corruption and fraud. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement, that its troops "responded with fire toward a main instigator of violent activity who hurled rocks at the forces and posed a threat to them." However, eyewitnesses and the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), which Eygi was participating with, reject this claim of rocks or provocation. Haaretz journalist, Jonathan Pollak, was an eyewitness to the killing and held Eygi as she lay dying. Pollack is an activist with the group, Defend Palestine. He gave an interview to the BBC, saying he had seen "soldiers on the rooftop aiming". He described holding Eygi to attempt to stop the bleeding, and then "I looked up, there was a clear line of sight between the soldiers and where we were." The killing of Eygi reminds us of another American killed by Israel, also from Washington, and volunteering with the same group, ISM. Rachel Corrie left Washington in her senior year of college to be a peace activist in Rafah, Gaza. On March 16, 2003, she was run over and killed deliberately by an Israeli bulldozer driver demolishing the homes of Palestinians. The Israeli military investigation found her death an accident. Her parents filed a civil lawsuit seeking accountability, but in 2015 the Israeli Supreme Court rejected their case. The United Nations is demanding a "full investigation" into the killing of Eygi, but the US stands passively by, impotent in the face of Israel, regardless of how many US citizens are murdered. Eygi had been born in 1998 in Antalya, Turkey, but had lived in Seattle since the age of one. For an American, having grown up in freedom and enjoying human rights, it was a shock when she saw the Israeli checkpoints set up that Palestinians have to move through daily. Palestinians are subjected to constant humiliation and degradation at the hands of the IDF, and Eygi had a hard time accepting that injustice, which was so far removed from the American core values of freedom and independence. Every American is taught the country's foundation began in 1776 in which Americans shed their blood to drive out the colonizers and achieve the freedom and independence of America. But, Americans are also taught that Israel is a democracy and that the US government must always send billions of dollars of the taxpayers' money to Israel for weapons to kill Palestinians who ask for freedom, and an end to the colonial occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. Here's a strange connection between Israel and the United States. Let me put it to you as a kind of quiz: Which two leaders on this planet have, at least in part, organized their political lives to avoid trial convictions and/or possible jail time? Yes, in case you hadn't guessed, I'm thinking of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the former American president and once again candidate Donald Trump. With that in mind, consider the mayhem, the literal hell on earth, that one of those two has already caused due, at least in part, to his desire not to find himself convicted in a corruption trial -- and don't hold your breath waiting for the other to repeat that, in his own fashion, whether he wins or loses the American presidency in November. At least Benjamin Netanyahu has only one trial, still ongoing in the background of the present war in Gaza and the West Bank. Donald Trump, on the other hand, has so many of them that it's hard to count. Only the other day the judge in his New York State bribery trial, where he has indeed been found guilty of 34 felony counts, put off his sentencing from September 18th to November 26th, after the election is over. That means on Election Day, despite facing 91 felony counts across four criminal cases, he will remain a "free" man. Of course, should Donald Trump win this November, he can shut down the ongoing federal trials completely (a good reason for him to deny losing, no matter what the vote count may be) and, like Netanyahu, potentially distract us all from his personal problems by, starting in January 2025, committing mayhem on this planet. And with that in mind, consider it a kind of hell on Earth that Benjamin Netanyahu's all-out war on a strip of land 25 miles long and only four to seven miles wide is about to enter its 12th month and, as TomDispatch regular Juan Cole, creator of the must-read Informed Comment website, suggests today, is causing both chaos and a changing set of alliances in the Middle East (in which the United States could prove to be a big loser). Tom The Sphinx and the Sultan How Biden's Bear Hug of Netanyahu Caused Washington's Mideast Policy to Crash and Burn By Juan Cole At least one thing is now obvious in the Middle East: the Biden administration has failed abjectly in its objectives there, leaving the region in dangerous disarray. Its primary stated foreign policy goal has been to rally its partners in the region to cooperate with the extremist Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu while upholding a "rules-based" international order and blocking Iran and its allies in their policies. Clearly, such goals have had all the coherence of a chimera and have failed for one obvious reason. President Biden's Achilles heel has been his "bear hug" of Netanyahu, who allied himself with the Israeli equivalent of neo-Nazis, while launching a ruinous total war on the people of Gaza in the wake of the horrific October 7th Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. Biden also signed on to the Abraham Accords, a project initiated in 2020 by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law and special Middle East envoy of then-President Donald Trump. Through them the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco all agreed to recognize Israel in return for investment and trade opportunities there and access to American weaponry and a U.S. security umbrella. Not only did Washington, however, fail to incorporate Saudi Arabia into that framework, but it has also faced increasing difficulty keeping the accords themselves in place given increasing anger and revulsion in the region over the high (and still ongoing) civilian death toll in Gaza. Typically, just the docking of an Israeli ship at the Moroccan port of Tangier this summer set off popular protests that spread to dozens of cities in that country. And that was just a taste of what could be coming. Breathtaking Hypocrisy Washington's efforts in the Middle East have been profoundly undermined by its breathtaking hypocrisy. After all, the Biden team has gone blue in the face decrying the Russian occupation of parts of Ukraine and its violations of international humanitarian law in killing so many innocent civilians there. In contrast, the administration let the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu completely disregard international law when it comes to its treatment of the Palestinians. This summer, the International Court of Justice ruled that the entire Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal in international law and, in response, the U.S. and Israel both thumbed their noses at the finding. In part as a response to Washington's Israeli policy, no country in the Middle East and very few nations in the global South have joined in its attempt to ostracize Vladimir Putin's Russia. Worse yet for the Biden administration, the most significant divide in the Arab world between secular nationalist governments and those that favor forms of political Islam has begun to heal in the face of the perceived Israeli threat. Turkey and Egypt, daggers long drawn over their differing views of the Muslim Brotherhood, the fundamentalist movement that briefly came to power in Cairo in 2012-2013, have begun repairing their relationship, specifically citing the menace posed by Israeli expansionism. The persistence of Secretary of State Antony Blinken in pressing Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. security partner, to recognize Israel at a moment when the Arab public is boiling with anger over what they see as a campaign of genocide in Gaza, is the closest thing since the Trump administration to pure idiocracy. Washington's pressure on Riyadh elicited from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman the pitiful plea that he fears being assassinated were he to normalize relations with Tel Aviv now. And consider that ironic given his own past role in ordering the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In short, the ongoing inside-the-Beltway ambition to secure further Arab recognition of Israel amid the annihilation of Gaza has America's security partners wondering if Washington is trying to get them killed -- anything but a promising basis for a long-term alliance. Global Delegitimization The science-fiction-style nature of U.S. policy in the Middle East is starkly revealed when you consider the position of Jordan, which has a peace treaty with Israel. In early September, its foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, warned that any attempt by the Israeli military or its squatter-settlers to expel indigenous West Bank Palestinians to Jordan would be considered an "act of war." While such anxieties might once have seemed overblown, the recent stunning (and stunningly destructive) Israeli military campaign on the Palestinian West Bank, including bombings of populated areas by fighter jets, has already begun to resemble the campaign in Gaza in its tactics. And keep in mind that, as August ended, Foreign Minister Israel Katz even urged the Israeli army to compel Palestinians to engage in a "voluntary evacuation" of the northern West Bank. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Photo: Website of the President of Turkmenistan ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 17. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov has held a meeting with representatives of German business circles in Astana during the second meeting of Central Asian heads of state with German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Trend reports via the official Turkmen media. According to the media, key areas for future cooperation include renewable energy, transportation and communications, chemicals, textiles, agriculture, the transition to a green economy, as well as innovation and technology. Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection Michael Kellner expressed the deep interest of German companies in expanding cooperation with Turkmenistan. He highlighted the successful long-term experience of joint work and favorable conditions for foreign business in Turkmenistan. President Berdimuhamedov also noted the growing interest in Turkmenistan and the expansion of bilateral cooperation, as demonstrated by the representative composition of the meeting participants. To note, the second Central Asia Germany (5+1) summit is taking place in Astana. At the first 5+1 summit, held in Berlin last year, a strategic regional partnership program was signed. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Adsify, an Amazon PPC Agency, was recognized as one of the top 3 performers in the Amazon Catalyst Program. Adsify has now been recognized for the third time in five quarters, showing the agency's commitment to assisting sellers in growing their profits using comprehensive Amazon ad strategies. According to Himanshu, Co-Founder of Adsify, winning this award for the third time in just five quarters has made them very proud. It truly In October 2023, Dubai will once again host GITEX Global, the world's largest tech event, now in its 43rd edition. But this time, the spotlight is firmly on Hiteshi Infotech, a pioneering force in the tech industry, as they prepare to showcase their innovation and expertise. Hiteshi Infotech's Tech Renaissance While GITEX Global 2023 promises to be an exceptional event, it's Hiteshi Infotech that's stealing the show. With over 17 years of Tripzada Holidays offers a personalized travel experience. Halim International creates timeless crafts, while Agriconic provides innovative solutions and technologies. Mystic Gurukul courses provide specialized training. Halim International was founded in 2012 in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, and has grown into a comprehensive group of independent companies. Today, the group offers products and services in marketing, communications, digital signage, medical consumables trading and supply, beauty and body products, interior design, recruitment, and Online Assignment Help, a renowned name in the academic assistance industry, is making waves beyond the classroom by launching a unique and much-needed service-professional wedding speech writing. Whether you're the bride, groom, best man, maid of honour, or even the parents of the couple, Online Assignment Help is now offering its expert essay writers to craft beautiful, bespoke wedding speeches that leave a lasting imOnline Assignment Help, a renowned name Ryoko Portable WiFi has quickly gained popularity in both the USA and Canada, where consumers increasingly seek reliable internet solutions for their on-the-go needs. This portable WiFi router offers a seamless and high-speed internet connection, making it a must-have for travelers, remote workers, and anyone needing reliable internet access in remote locations. Its sleek design and advanced features have made it one of the most sought-after gadgets in these markets. The Mail sent to Oregon prisoners is about to get less colorful. Thats if Department of Corrections officials adopt a slate of proposed rules cracking down on crayons, markers and greeting cards. If approved, the rules would allow only typed mail or handwritten letters in pen or lead pencil. By the time Douglas Gamble abandoned his 86-year-old father with a relative last fall, Salem police had already zeroed in on him as a thief at the center of what would become one of the largest fraud cases in Polk County in decades. Gamble, 58, operated Timeless Jewelers out of a West Salem storefront, leaving a trail of distraught customers whod entrusted him to repair their grandmothers wedding rings and other heirlooms that disappeared. They paid thousands for custom jewelry orders that never materialized. The man accused of killing a Beaverton nurse this month faces updated charges. A grand jury on Monday indicted Bryce Johnathan Schubert, 27, on a charge of first-degree murder, up from second-degree. In addition, he still faces charges of first-degree kidnapping and second-degree abuse of corpse in the death of 32-year-old Melissa Jubane, court records show. That crisp fall weather means its time for artists to open their doors and invite guests to shop their work. Open studio tours are coming up in Portland, Lake Oswego, Washington County, Sisters, Florence and Philomath. And a new tour is on the map this year: the inaugural Oregon City Open Studios Tour will feature 25 artists and makers across 16 home and studio locations. Potters, painters, fiber artists, jewelry makers, metal fabricators and glass workers will share their work with the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 5-6. Visitors who stop by at least 10 locations can enter to win a $100 gift certificate to their favorite artists studio. Its such a beautiful scenic drive, too, said tour organizer Becky Dawson, because you get everything from the cute little Historic Main Street experience to being out in the woods. Dawsons One Lane Road studio, located behind a plumbers shop in Oregon City, is among the locations on the free, self-guided tour. Two other artists mixed-media artist Rhoda Bohr and painter Quire can be found on the second floor of Oregon Citys historic First Baptist Church. Theres people that have these big, huge shops on their home properties, and people that just have a shed in their backyard that they converted, Dawson said. I think its inspiring for other creatives to visit and get an idea of all the different ways to have an art studio. All artists on the tour are members of the Three Rivers Artist Guild, a networking and support group for artists in Oregon City and surrounding areas that is organizing the event. Membership is $40 a year, and the group meets monthly at the Pioneer Community Center. The art scene in Oregon City, in the last few years, theres been a lot of new energy put into it, Dawson said. I think people are getting tuned into Oregon City as this cool place thats got a funky, artsy, vibe. Open studio tours give patrons a chance to see where artists create in spaces not normally open to the public. Over the next two months, at least nine tours will be held across Oregon and southwest Washington. All tours are free, self-guided events unless otherwise noted. Elements of Art Studio Tour in Florence Sept. 21-22, noon-4 p.m. The first weekend of Florences open studios tour has passed, but you can still visit 25 artist studios in Florence, Gardiner and Crestwell. Visitors are asked to purchase a tour passport for $15-25, which includes a program, event swag and a chance to win prizes and art. Tickets and more information at elementsofartstudiotour.com. Sisters Open Studios tour Sept. 21-22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sisters tour features 18 artists at a dozen studios and hosting galleries. Find a map at sistersartsassociation.org/artist-studio-tour. Lake Oswego Open Studios Tour Sept. 28-29, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. More than 70 artists are participating in 40 locations across Lake Oswego and West Linn. Find a map and more information at lakeoswegoopenstudios.org. Oregon City Open Studios Tour Oct. 5-6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Featuring 25 artists across 16 locations. Find a map and list of artists at threeriversartistguild.com/events/oregon-city-open-studios. Portland Open Studios Tour Oct. 12-13 and 19-20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The regions largest tour includes 100 artists across greater Portland. Find artist bios and a map at portlandopenstudios.com. Washington County Open Studios Tour Oct. 19-20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit more than 50 studios and galleries spanning from Southwest Portland to rural Glenwood in eastern Washington County. Find a map and listings at washcoart.org. Philomath Open Studios Oct. 19-20 and 26-27, noon-5 p.m. Visit 30 artists at 13 studio locations, and stop by Lumos Wine Co., which is also hosting artists work. Find more information and a map at philomathopenstudios.com. Southern Oregon Open Studios Oct. 19-20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. This tour includes 35 artists across Ashland, Talent, Phoenix and Medford. Find a map and a schedule of artist demonstrations at ashlandgalleries.com/pages/ashland-open-studio-tour. Clark County Open Studios Tour Nov. 2-3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 50 artists across Clark County are included in the artist biographies at artstra.org/about-open-studios. Find a Google map of all locations here. Samantha Swindler covers features for The Oregonian/OregonLive and Here is Oregon. Reach her at sswindler@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 17. Kazakhstan is prepared to increase exports to Germany across 100 product categories, totaling $850 million, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a meeting with the leaders of Central Asia and the German Chancellor, Trend reports. Our priority is to boost trade by effectively implementing joint regional projects and expanding the range of goods, he said. Tokayev also emphasized energy cooperation as another key priority. As a reliable and major supplier of energy resources to Germany, Kazakhstan is ready to increase oil exports to the German market. We look forward to continued support from our German partners to ensure long-term and stable hydrocarbon supplies, the president added. Furthermore, to ensure sustainable progress for Central Asia and Germany, Tokayev stressed the importance of accelerating efforts toward transitioning to alternative energy sources. We are open to mutually beneficial cooperation in the development of hydrogen energy. Together with Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, we are working on a project to build a green energy transmission line across the Caspian Sea and into Europe. We invite our German partners to consider participating in this strategic initiative, Tokayev concluded. Five teams representing 11 of Portlands architectural, engineering and construction firms, created sculptures out of canned goods and other nonperishable foods Monday at a fundraising event at Pioneer Place in downtown Portland. CANstruction, now in its 28th year, highlights the talents of designers, engineers and builders. Its main mission, however, is raising money to alleviate hunger. The companies purchased more than 21,000 cans for their structures, which will remain on display at the mall through September 22. At the close of the event, the cans will be donated to, and later distributed by, Oregon Food Bank. The need for food assistance is on the rise, according to the Oregon Food Bank. The non-profit has seen a 14% increase in visits to food assistance sites in 2023. Visitors to the display are encouraged to vote for their favorite sculpture, which they can do through donations to the Oregon Food Bank, by liking their favorite design in person, or on the CANstruction website. Its a fun way to get the community together around a good cause, said Sanjana Sachdeva, creative manager at David Evans and Associates, a civil engineering firm in Portland that participated in the project. Creating awareness through art and engineering. The sculptures will be on display at the mall from Sept. 16-22. Admission is free. Beth Nakamura Instagram: @bethnakamura A federal appellate court has thrown out the nominal $1 in damages and more than $375,000 in attorney fees that a judge had awarded to Oregon Sen. Brian Boquist of Dallas after finding he was retaliated against for his politically charged words on the Senate floor. A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday ruled that Boquist could not show that the Senate leaders conduct violated clearly established law, and reversed Oregon U.S. District Judge Michael J. McShanes award of damages to Boquist. Boquist, who famously warned that Oregon State Police should send bachelors and come heavily armed if they wanted to force him back to the Capitol during a 2019 Republican Senate boycott, last year won a federal First Amendment challenge related to his threats. Boquist had sued then-Sen. President Peter Courtney and other Democratic Senate leaders for their decision to require him to give 12 hours notice before he could appear at the Capitol. A Senate Conduct Committee convened by Courtney voted to require Boquist to provide 12 hours notice any time he was going to appear at the Capitol. The rationale was that legislative officials needed that time to ensure there would be extra Oregon State Police on hand to keep people safe from Boquist. The appellate court found that the matter had become moot since the Oregon Legislature had stopped enforcing the 12-hour notice rule in September 2019 and then rescinded the rule in November 2022, three years after the lawsuit was filed. Boquists theory that the Senate Defendants may reimpose the notice rule is speculative, the court wrote, and doesnt satisfy an exception to the mootness principle. We thus vacate the district courts award of declaratory relief and remand with a direction to dismiss, the opinion said. The appellate court also threw out the $375,587 that McShane awarded Boquist in attorney fees, because it was premised on the finding that Boquist had prevailed in the litigation. As that is no longer the case, Boquist can return to the district judge and argue some other basis exists to warrant the attorney fees, the court ruled. Boquist won the Republican nomination for state treasurer in May and will face Democratic nominee and Oregon Sen. Elizabeth Steiner in November. Boquist was barred from seeking reelection to the Senate under a new Oregon law after participating in a protracted legislative walkout during the 2023 session. -- Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, or on LinkedIn. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Oregon will receive nearly $43 million from the federal government to repair roads damaged by recent natural disasters, the states two U.S. senators announced Monday. The influx of federal funding comes as the state struggles to fill transportation funding gaps. The Oregon Department of Transportation estimated it will face a deficit of more than $350 million in the 2025-27 budget if lawmakers dont pass a substantial funding package in the upcoming legislative session. The new federal money, part of more than $800 million allocated nationwide, will reimburse state and federal agencies for repairing damage caused by winter storms, atmospheric rivers and thunderstorms since 2019. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, both Democrats, said theyll continue working to bring back money when natural disasters strike. Oregonians in every corner of the state have faced dangerous storms in recent years, which have taken a heavy toll on the infrastructure they need to move safely, Merkley said. State and federal agencies went to work to repair and rebuild the roads and other important infrastructure that powers our communities, and these investments will help cover the cost of their essential efforts. I will keep working to ensure Oregon has the tools needed to recover and become more resilient in the face of future storms while we take on the climate chaos that is intensifying these disasters. Oregons award was one of the largest in the country, behind California, Puerto Rico, Florida, Vermont and Tennessee. Californias $183 million will go toward addressing damage caused by fires, flooding, tropical storms and earthquakes. Florida and Puerto Rico each received $110 million for damage caused by hurricanes, while Vermont received $55 million and Tennessee $46 million for severe storms and landslides. From northeast Oregon to southwest Oregon and many points in between, natural disasters have slammed communities throughout our state, Wyden said. This federal aid will help Oregon cities and counties cover the expenses they incurred recovering from severe storms, floods and more. About half of the new federal money, more than $21.3 million, was for damage from severe winter storms in December 2022. Heavy rain caused landslides, including one that threatened to block Interstate 84 near Ontario and one that wiped out a portion of U.S. Highway 101 for several days in January 2023. Another $11.4 million was for Oregon Department of Transportation repairs to signs and roads damaged by a storm this January that blanketed much of the state in ice and led to flooding and landslides in southern Oregon. ODOT will also receive three smaller grants: almost $738,000 for responding to June 2023 thunderstorms in Harney and Malheur counties that closed U.S. 20 for five days, $631,000 for washouts west of the Cascades caused by atmospheric rivers in December 2023 and $80,000 for storms in May and June 2022 that damaged Interstate 84, U.S. 26 and Oregon 204 in central and eastern Oregon. The U.S. Forest Service will receive about $5.8 million as reimbursement for roads and culverts damaged by a six-day atmospheric river in and around the Umatilla National Forest in February 2020 and almost $641,000 for its response to a December 2022 atmospheric river in southwest Oregon. Its also getting $600,000 for repairing forest service roads and culverts damaged by late winter storms in southern Oregon in 2019. About $1.4 million is for the Bureau of Land Managements work restoring roads and culverts damaged in southwest Oregon in December 2023, when warm temperatures and heavy rain paired with melted snow to wash out roads and down trees. -- Julia Shumway, Oregon Capital Chronicle The Oregon Capital Chronicle, founded in 2021, is a nonprofit news organization that focuses on Oregon state government, politics and policy. Oregon elections officials said National Voter Registration Day, marked for a 12th year Tuesday, is an excellent time to check your voter registration status. Oct. 15 is the deadline by which Oregonians must register to vote in order to take part in the Nov. 5 election that will decide the president, the balance of power in Congress and so much more. Registering to vote is easy in Oregon. Most people can register online. Citizens are automatically registered when they get or update a drivers license or state ID at the DMV or when they qualify for many federal benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, sometimes referred to as food stamps. Currently, 3.025 million Oregonians are registered voters. Once registered, Oregonians can easily update their name, address or party affiliation at oregonvotes.gov. They can do so up to 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 15 and receive a ballot for the Nov. 5 election that reflects those updates. Many Oregon voters can also sign up for ballot tracking. That free service sends alerts via text, phone or email to notify voters when their ballot has been mailed to their home and also at multiple stages after they return their ballot, including when it has been received and then counted. Voters can sign up for the free service at ballottrax.net/voter or learn more by visiting their county elections website. Many people, including every member of Oregons congressional delegation, were upset to learn last week that more than 300 non-citizens were mistakenly registered to vote over the past four years due to human errors by workers at the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicles Division. State election officials said they are relieved the error has been caught and they said they will check to make sure no non-citizens get ballots for Novembers election. Only two of the 306 people who are known to have been registered improperly by the state cast a ballot since 2021, officials said. Ballots will be mailed starting Oct. 16. Oregon voters will find a lot of important races on their fall ballot, including contests for president, the U.S. House of Representatives and the statewide offices of secretary of state, attorney general and treasurer. None of those three statewide offices has an incumbent on the ballot this year, making this election particularly notable. All Oregon voters will also see five state ballot measures, affecting everything from how future elections are conducted, whether to raise corporate taxes to distribute $1,600 to every state resident and whether to convene a committee to set new salaries for Oregon politicians. Seats in the Oregon House and Senate and on county commissions and city councils will also be contested this fall. Voters in the city of Portland will face utterly unprecedented ballot choices. The city has switched to ranked-choice voting, so voters should figure out their second- and third-place choices for mayor, not just their No. 1 preference. Voters will be allowed to rank up to six candidates for mayor. Portland voters will also find 16 to 30 candidates for City Council from their district, and they can rank up to six ofto them as their first- through sixth-place choices. Vetting 16 to 30 candidates and deciding which six to rank and in what order is a daunting concept. To help, The Oregonian/OregonLive has gathered information on every candidate and made it easy for you to find the ones in your district. Similarly, the newsroom partnered with OPB to query all candidates on key issues and has created an easily searchable way for voters to compare all their districts candidates stances on key issues. Elections officials say they are happy to answer voters questions and help them ensure their registration is accurate. Here are details of how to reach the elections website and top county elections official in five heavily populated counties in the greater Portland area. Tim Scott, Multnomah County Elections Director | MultnomahVotes.gov | elections@multco.us | 503-988-VOTE (8683) Dan Forester, Washington County Elections Manager | washingtoncountyor.gov/elections | elections@washingtoncountyor.gov | 503-846-5800 Catherine McMullen, Clackamas County Clerk | clackamas.us/elections | elections@clackamas.us | 503-655-8510 Bill Burgess, Marion County Clerk | co.marion.or.us/CO/elections | elections@co.marion.or.us | 503-588-5041 Keri Hinton, Yamhill County Clerk | yamhillcounty.gov/405/Elections | elections@yamhillcounty.gov | 503-434-7518 Betsy Hammond oversees coverage of state politics and government as well as education, Portland City Hall, Multnomah County and homelessness. Reach her at betsyhammond@oregonian.com or follow her at @OregonPolEds Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords will be a keynote speaker at the National Training Institutes gathering this week at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Portland. The conference, hosted by the National Center for Victims of Crime, begins Wednesday. Giffords is scheduled to take part in a Thursday-morning panel titled Mass Violence Preparedness, Response and Recovery. Giffords, 54, a Democrat, was shot in the head in 2011 in a mass shooting that killed six people. She left Congress the following year to focus on her recovery. She is married to U.S. Senator Mark Kelly. In the wake of Sundays apparent second assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump, Giffords published an opinion piece in The New York Times headlined: Its the Guns. Its Always the Guns. I have fought so hard to recover from my grievous wounds, she writes in the Op-Ed. Ive fought hard to work, to stand shoulder to shoulder with other survivors and demand different gun laws. Ive worked so hard to find my voice as hard as it is, as much as I struggle to find the right words to share not just my story of violence but also my deep belief in the American people, that we can find a different, safer way of living. The Portland conference will address topics ranging from media bias in crime coverage to human trafficking. -- The Oregonian/OregonLive; dperry@oregonian.com Portland firefighters responded to a residential fire in the Montavilla neighborhood Tuesday morning and said they rescued a woman from a cluttered basement in the home. Crews responded to the two-alarm fire near Southeast 82nd Avenue and Morrison Street following reports of a woman and her dog trapped in a basement bathroom of a 1-story wood frame home about 11 a.m. A man squatting on anothers property set a fire that turned into an 18,300-acre wildfire, prosecutors allege. Christopher Mennealy, 51, was indicted Sept. 4 by a Wasco County grand jury on charges of second-degree arson and reckless burning, the Wasco County District Attorneys Office said in a statement Monday. Mennealy allegedly set a fire near Friend, in Wasco County, while squatting on private property. That fire became the Larch Creek fire, which ultimately burned through about 18,286 acres and cost about $14 million to contain, the district attorneys office said. The wildfire burned about halfway between Dufur and Maupin. It was 100% contained by early August, Oregon Department of Forestry spokesperson Jessica Neujahr estimated. Mennealy was supposed to be in court Monday for his arraignment, but he did not appear. Hes currently at large, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest, the district attorneys office said. Fedor Zarkhin is a breaking news and enterprise reporter. Do you have a story? Reach him by phone or text at 971-373-2905 or by email at fzarkhin@oregonian. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 17. Kazakhstan welcomes Europes investment in the Middle Corridor development, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a meeting with the leaders of Central Asia and the German Chancellor, Trend reports. "Expanding the Middle Corridor presents significant investment opportunities, including upgrading and digitizing Caspian Sea ports and building cargo terminals. A key task remains integrating transport and logistics systems between Central Asia and Europe. Kazakhstan is pleased with Europes decision to invest 10 billion euros through the Global Gateway program to develop the Middle Corridor," he said. President Tokayev also emphasized that Kazakhstan looks forward to Germanys support in connecting the Middle Corridor with the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and the Global Gateway strategy. Meanwhile, the Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity was held in Brussels on January 29-30. The forum established key priorities with the ultimate goal of transforming the Trans-Caspian transport corridor into a sustainable, safer, and more efficient route connecting Europe and Central Asia within a maximum of 15 days. In this regard, the EU, together with various partners has mobilized the financing in the amount of 10 billion euros. The European Commission plans to use this money to develop sustainable transport in Central Asia in the short term. An 11-year-old boy in Florida was thrown in county lockup after he allegedly bragged about a "kill list" and threatened violence at two schools, according to a report. Carlo "Kingston" Dorelli, 11, was handcuffed and arrested Monday after he made threats to commit mass shootings at two different schools, namely Silver Sands Middle School and Creekside Middle School. Dorelli is a student of Creekside. In addition, Dorelli also allegedly bragged about a list of names he planned to target as well as his arsenal of weapons, as reported by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office. Who Alerted the Police? Police at Volusia County received a tip via the Fortify Florida reporting tool. The tip claimed Dorelli made threats to conduct a school shooting and showed off his weapons in a video chat. It was unclear who made the report. Detectives launched an investigation and searched Dorelli's room. The operation led to the recovery of an arsenal of weapons, including airsoft rifles, pistols, fake ammunition, knives, samurai swords, throwing stars, and other weapons. Police also recovered Dorelli's "kill list." The names written on the list were not disclosed to the public. What Charges Will Dorelli Face? Following his arrest, the 11-year-old claimed his kill list and threats of violence were "all a joke," Sheriff Mike Chitwood wrote in a Facebook post. Dorelli will now face a felony charge for a written threat of a mass shooting. The sheriff's office also published a video where officers were seen walking the 11-year-old into a jailhouse in handcuffs. "Every time we make an arrest, your kid's photo is going to be put out there," Chitwood said. "We're gonna come and get you. We're going to put you out for public embarrassment." He was taken to the Volusia Family Resource Center for processing before being transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice. Dorelli's threats and the county's decision to "perp-walk" the 11-year-old comes after a flood of bogus tips of possible threats of violence in the wake of the deadly mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia. In that shooting, a 14-year-old student of the Georgia high school opened fire using an AR-15-style rifle. He killed four people---including two students---and injured nine others. It appears that the Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, once one of the two flagship periodicals of the old Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS) and of its successor, the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship, is going the way of all flesh: The organizational changes at the Institute provide an opportune occasion to wind down production of its academic periodical, The Journal of Book of Mormon Studies. The Journal was a vital home for nurturing Book of Mormon scholarship at a time when the field was small and other venues for a believers perspective were virtually nonexistent, said Kim Matheson, the Institutes Laura F. Willes research fellow. Under Joseph M. Spencer, the journal continued to help mature Book of Mormon scholarship, but the field began to develop needs beyond what a journal could meet. Today, Book of Mormon studies requires open access venues that can reach new audiences. We need fresh forms of collaboration that nurture young scholars from many academic disciplines and backgrounds, both inside and outside the tradition. We hope to adapt to these urgent needs for the field even as we continue to champion traditional Book of Mormon publications in other, increasingly available peer-reviewed venues. For the complete article, see here. Im deeply grateful for all of those donors, authors, editors, and readers who have made it possible for Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship to thrive. The Odyssey of Homer, translated into English prose by T. E. Shaw (London, Oxford, and New York: Oxford University Press, 1960). Incidentally, T. E. Shaw is also known as T. E. Lawrence, famously portrayed by Peter OToole in the great 1962 David Lean film, Lawrence of Arabia. Im not sure that Ive re-read the Odyssey since my days as an undergraduate, struggling with the Homeric Greek. Maybe I read it thereafter, but its been years. I know that Ive read multiple translations of it, and I had already read Shaws prose translation, which my annotation indicates that I bought in January 1976, In this blog post, I want to call attention to one recurring motif in the text that of washing, anointing, and clothing a guest who is newly arrived to a great, lordly house. Its an image that caught my attention many years ago, for reasons that I hope will be obvious to many. I quote from Shaws translation, giving first, in Roman numerals, the number of the book of the Odyssey where the passage occurs and then, since Shaws prose version lacks line numbers, I provide the page reference. The first instance that I mention takes place when Telemachus has set out in quest of information about the fate of his father, Odysseus, who had set out for the Trojan War fully two decades earlier. That war has now been over for ten years, and all of the besieging force who survived the conflict have long since returned.. Telemachus first arrives at the court of Nestor, king of Pylos: During this sacrifice beautiful Polycaste, the youngest grown daughter of Nestor son of Neleus, had given Telemachus his bath, washing him and anointing him with rich olive oil before she draped him in a seemly tunic and cloak: so that he came forth from the bath-cabinet with the body of an immortal. He rejoined Nestor, the shepherd of his people, and took place by his side. (III, 42) Telemachus, accompanied by Peisistratus, the son of Nestor, arrives at the palace of Menelaus, brother of Agamemnon, in Lacedaemon. Upon first sight of this palace of the heaven-nurtured king the visitors paused in amaze. The lustre that played through it was as though the sun or the moon had risen within the lofty dwelling of far-famed Menelaus. They stared round, feasting their eyes: then went to the polished bath-tubs and bathed: or rather, the house-maidens bathed them and rubbed them down with oil, and after swathed them in warm mantles over tunics; fitting them to take place on their thrones beside Menelaus the son of Atreus. (IV, 45) Helen, wife of Menelaus and proximate cause of the Trojan War, recalls welcoming the disguised Odysseus in Troy: After the washing and anointing with oil when I was clothing him in new garments . . . (IV, 51) When Odysseus is washed ashore on the island of Scheria or Phaeacia, the young princess Nausicaa orders her handmaidens to perform the appropriate rites as best they can out by the riverside where theyve been washing clothes: Soon they had set Odysseus in the sheltered place according to the word of Nausicaa, daughter of large-minded Alcinous. They laid out clothes, a loose mantle with a tunic, and gave to him their pure oil in its golden phial and urged him to be washed in the waters of the river: but noble Odysseus up and spoke to the serving maids, saying, Handmaidens, stand you thus far off, in order that I may myself cleanse my body of the sea-stains and anoint it with oil. Too long has my skin been a stranger to ointment. Yet in your sight I will not bathe. I am shy of my nakedness among maidens so carefully tressed. . . . Meanwhile great Odysseus in the river scrubbed the salt crust from the flesh of his back and broad shoulders and cleaned his hair of the frothy scum dried in it from the infertile sea. When he had so thoroughly washed and anointed himself smoothly and put on the clothes given him by the girl, then did Athene daughter of Zeus contrive to make him seem taller and stronger, and from his head she led down the curls of his hair in hyacinthine tendrils. (VI, 90) Once he has arrived in the palace of Alcinous, however, Odysseus is properly welcomed there: When the maids had washed and anointed him they draped him in a rich robe and tunic; and he went out from the bath-house to join the men at their wine-drinking. (VIII, 116) Even the Olympian Immortals receive the same rites of hospitality. Illlustrating this, Aphrodite flees from Olympus to Cyprus, to Paphos, her sanctuary with its incense-burning altar. There the Graces bathed her and anointed her with ambrosial oil, such as is set aside for the ever-living Gods. There they put upon her glorious clothing, till she was an enchantment to the eye. (VIII, 113-114) Odysseus is given the customary treatment in the palace of the goddess Circe: Then she put me in a tub and washed me with water from the great tripod, diluted to a pleasant warmth; sluicing my head and shoulders till the life-destroying weariness had melted from my limbs. When she had washed and anointed me with pure olive oil she wrapped me in a tunic and cloak and set me again on the silver-bossed intricate throne, with the foot-stool under my feet. (X, 145) But not only Odysseus: Meanwhile Circe had commanded baths for the others of my company in her house, with olive oil and fleecy tunics and other garments for each one. So we found them attired at all points and feasting in the hall. (X, 147) When Telemachus returns to Ithaca after his search for news of his father, he brings a refugee with him by the name of Theoclymenus: He led the way-worn Theoclymenus to the house. Within its massy walls they threw down their cloaks upon some settle or throne and went to wash themselves in the polished baths. The ministering women bathed and anointed them and clothed them warmly. Forth they came once more to their seats, where the maid of the ewer poured for them the hand-water over its basin and drew up their table which the housekeeper hospitably spread with loaves and many dishes. (XVII, 234) Even though Odysseus has returned, he is clad as a beggar and his noble wife, Penelope, doesnt recognize him. (Its been twenty years!). Still, in contrast with the ravenous suitors who, thinking her a widow, oppress and threaten her, she understands the rules of hospitality. Thus, unaware, she honors Odysseus as a guest: Let be now. Women, prepare the bath and make down the strangers bed, with quilt and rugs and glossy blankets, that he may arrive snugly before Dawns golden throne. And be prompt in the morning to wash and anoint him, that he may sit at table within the hall beside Telemachus. (XIX, 264) Odysseus after being washed and anointed with smooth olive oil dragged his bench nearer the fire to warm himself (XIX, 268) When Odysseuss true identity as lord of Ithaca has been revealed, and he has vanquished the so-called suitors, he receives the rites of hospitality anew: Meanwhile, within, old Eurynome washed and anointed Odysseus, draping upon him a fair tunic and cloak, while Athene crowned him with an especial splendour that filled the eye; she made the hair of his head curl downward floridly, like bloom of hyacinth. As a craftsman lavishly endowed with skill by Hephaestus and Pallas washes his silver-work with fine gold until its mastery shines out, so the grace from Athene glorified his head and shoulders and made his figure, when he left the bath-chamber, seem divine. He retook his former throne opposite his wife . . . (XXIII, 308) It will be noticed that a common (but not invariable) sequel to the welcoming ritual of washing, anointing, and clothing is admission to a royal banquet, being seated upon a throne, or even a kind of quasi-deification. I find this all rather interesting, and I hope that you have found it so, as well. It is a damage control reading, nothing more. And that is not helpful when doing NT exegesis. . . . * I dont need a Magisterium to approve such a reading of the text. If What to me and to you? is typically an adversarial formula elsewhere, both in OT and NT . . . * My criticism is not limited to Catholics. It applies also to the Orthodox churches and Protestant churches as well, all of which are inclined to superimpose their own damage control on texts that dont fit well with their communions dogma. * Please Hit Subscribe! If you have received benefit from this or any of my other 4,800+ articles, please follow my blog by signing up (with your email address) on the sidebar to the right (you may have to scroll down a bit), above where there is an icon bar, Sign Me Up!: to receive notice when I post a new blog article. This is the equivalent of subscribing to a YouTube channel. My blog was rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT: endorsed by influential Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Please also consider following me on Twitter / X and purchasing one or more of my 55 books . All of this helps me get more exposure, and (however little!) more income for my full-time apologetics work. Thanks so much and happy reading! I know the feeling well! I see this sort of thing all the time in the Protestant analyses of passages in the Bible that dont fit in with their existing theology. Catholics by no means have a monopoly on that shortcoming. Just sayin . . . * Catholics are able to stick to the text, not cite Catholic dogmas, and engage in comparative exegesis, like anyone else (I myself have done it thousands of times in my apologetics). Dom Bernard Orchard, in his Catholic Commentary On Holy Scripture (1953) writes: Concerning the second: the Masters question which literally reads:has to be understood from biblical and not modern usage. Therefore it does not mean: What concern is it of ours? or There is no need for you to tell me. In all the biblical passages where it occurs, Jg 11:12; 2 Kg 16:10 [2 Sam 16:10], [2 Sam] 19:22; 4 Kg 3:13 [2 Kings 3:13]; 2 Par [Chron] 35:21; Mt 8:29; Mk 1:24, the phrase signifies, according to circumstances, a great or lesser divergence of viewpoint between the two parties concerned. In 2 Kg [Sam] 16:10 it means total dissent; in Jg 11:12 it voices a complaint against an invader. In our passage, also, divergence must be admitted. In a sense our Lords answer is a refusal, but not an absolute refusal, rather, a refusal literally , according to the mind of], as a Roman Congregation would say, and the Blessed Virgin understood her Sons mind from the tone of his voice. His first public miracle belonged to the divine programme of his Messianic mission into which flesh and blood could not enter. His answer is therefore an assertion of independence of his Mother, similar to the word he spoke in the temple about his Fathers business. The Blessed Virgins subsequent action shows that the tone of our Lords protest on this occasion was neither a curt nor an unqualified refusal. The . . . Hebrew idiom . . . typically presupposes some perceived tension between two parties having contrary perspectives (Judg 11:12; 1 Kings 17:18; Mk 5:7), though not always (2 Chron 35:21). When the idiom is used in response to a persons request, either stated or implied, the speaker sometimes capitulates to the expressed will of the other (2 Kings 3:13) and sometimes not (2 Sam 16:10). Here the former pattern is evident: Jesus complies with Marys request (Jn 2:7-8), and Mary herself appears perfectly confident that Jesus will respond favorably to her petition (2:5). In effect, Jesus would not have initiated the miracle at Cana, but neither does he refuse his Mothers prompting. *** 2 Chronicles 35:20-21 After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Neco king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates and Josiah went out against him. [21] But he sent envoys to him, saying, What have we to do with each other, king of Judah? I am not coming against you this day, but against the house with which I am at war; . . .. 2 Kings 3:13-14 And Elisha said to the king of Israel, What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother. But the king of Israel said to him, No; it is the LORD who has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab. [14] And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts lives, whom I serve, were it not that I have regard for Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you, nor see you. Dr. Gagnon opined that a non-rebuke meaning of what have you to do with me? cannot be substantiated . . . in OT parallels. . . . It is better to go with the phrase analysis that pays careful attention to the use of the phrase elsewhere in the Scriptures of Jesus (the OT). But to the contrary, 2 Chronicles 35:20-21 shows us that it can occur in a situation where there isnt even a disagreement, and 2 Kings 3:13-14 is another instance where the speaker capitulates to the other, as with Jesus and Mary at Cana. In my opinion, its very much like young Jesus in the temple and His mothers misunderstanding. This was no sin on her part, any more than that was. They were both situations where she couldnt be expected to totally understand where Jesus was coming from: qua God incarnate. Here, apparently, Jesus hadnt planned from all eternity to change the water into wine, and He made note of that (My hour has not yet come), but since there was nothing wrong with it, seeing that the time a thing is done is not usually of its essence, He assented to His mothers wish. How would Mary have known the time that Jesus intended to do His first miracle (i.e., if He hadnt told her)? If its reasonable to suppose that she wouldnt have known, then is it not reasonable to think that she did nothing wrong, let alone anything worthy of a rebuke? What Dr. Gagnon and those who take his position have to explain, is a problem that is, I think, rather obvious: if it was supposedly such a rebuke that Jesus gave His mother, then why in the world did He turn around and do the miracle that He had just rebuked her for requesting? What sense does that make? It seems to me that if in fact it were a rebuke (other than perhaps the mildest of reprimands), He would have said, its not my Fathers will or its not yet time to perform such a sign or some such. But He does it. So what sense does it make to rebuke someone for requesting miracle x, but then do x nonetheless? None that I can see . . . We Catholics are too often accused of eisegeting this text and smuggling our Mariology into it, forcing us to supposedly rationalize and special plead. But we could just as well reply if we must go down that road that some Protestants might in fact be guilty of the opposite impulse. In their rush to find some sin in Mary and to want to see a rebuke towards her from Jesus, they neglect to see that He did what she asked! How, then, could it have even been a fundamental disagreement between them? Doesnt that work against an interpretation that He was rebuking her? I think it does, from common sense and the nature of the incident. I dont think that simply because Im a Catholic. I do because I sincerely think that is the most plausible interpretation of the text. But if were gonna play the game of always accusing theological opponents of smuggling prior notions into biblical texts, there is more than enough of that to go around, on both sides. Dr. Gagnon writes, If one claims that anothers position is deficient, one has to make better arguments. I totally agree! And he notes that we need to understand the meaning given by the Fourth Evangelist. Again, I agree, and thats exactly what I am seeking to do. I sincerely believe what I am writing here and consider it more plausible exegesis than Dr. Gagnons take. He can accuse me of bias, which he is prone to doing with Catholics. By the same token, I could turn the tables and claim the same about him. But where does that get anyone, in the final analysis? We simply need to talk about the text back-and-forth and seek the truth of what it was intended to mean. *** See Dr. Gagnons replies on my Facebook page and my counter-replies, including my response to his long counter-response on his page, that mostly ignored my own words above; hence I told him I would ignore his altogether (excepting one section that was too outlandish to pass over), because its not true dialogue, as I conceive that practice and concept to be. Then he bloviated (with boorish predictability yet again): I covered all your main arguments. You have no case. My response is completely civil. You wont respond because you cant respond. Photo credit: The Marriage at Cana (1596 or 1597), by Maerten de Vos (1532-1603) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] Summary: Did Jesus rebuke His mother at Cana (What have you to do with me?) in John 2:4? Dr. Robert Gagnon says yes. I say no, and provide several exegetical & other reasons why. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. Azerbaijan and Iraq have discussed joint activities in the implementation of infrastructure projects, Trend reports. According to the Azerbaijani Economy Ministry, minister Mikayil Jabbarov held a meeting with Iraqi Trade Minister Atheer Daoud Al-Ghurairy. Meanwhile, it was noted at the meeting that relations with Iraq are developing on an upward trend, and there are favorable conditions for the expansion of bilateral trade and economic cooperation in various directions. Furthermore, it was emphasized that Iraqi companies carry out business activities in Azerbaijan in various spheres. Azerbaijani companies can also expand their participation in infrastructure projects in Iraq. There are good prospects for the development of relations in trade, industry, energy, transportation, the private sector, tourism, and other areas. The sides assessed the opportunities for the development of trade and economic relations, mutual investments, and cooperation. The meeting emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between business entities, increasing trade turnover, and supporting joint activities in the implementation of infrastructure projects. As the December 7 general elections approach, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, has intensified his campaign in the Greater Accra region, touring one of the key constituencies in Accra which is Odododiodio to interact with traders at Makola and Okaishie Market and further outline NPPs vision for the country. His message, focused on tax reliefs, a simplified flat tax regime, and improved power supply, resonates with key voting blocs, tiny business owners and women-led enterprises, in the bustling metropolis. His visits to the Okaishie and Makola markets yesterday allowed the running mate of the NPP to engage with traders who occupy germane spots in the plans of the next NPP administration. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's bold vision to implement wide-ranging tax reforms out of which comes the flat tax system is such welcoming news to them. He further highlighted Dr Bawumia's vision to ensure exchange rate stability for business planning and price stability. These traders deeply appreciate government efforts and records in the Free Senior High School policy, restoration of Nursing and Teacher Training allowances, as well as power stability at the lowest increase in tariffs for businesses, among others, as ways of reducing their burdens. Key points of his campaign include Tax Reliefs: Proposing tax reliefs to ease the financial burden on citizens and businesses, a fund for SMEs and Women-Led Businesses: Establishing a dedicated fund to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and businesses led by women. During a rally at the Okaishie and Makola Market in the Odododiodio Constituency, a key stop on his Greater Accra regional campaign tour, Napo announced plans by the next NPP government to establish a Womens Trade Empowerment Fund. The fund, among others, aims to deepen access to credit, a critical issue for small businesses, particularly those led by women, he told the enthusiastic crowd of party supporters and market traders. He emphasized that this move is part of a broader strategy to empower women economically, thereby driving national development. In his appeal to both traders and consumers, Napo also outlined NPPs vision for a more favourable tax regime. Some party officials, who are part of the campaign delegation, noted that these proposals are indicative of Dr. Bawumias focus on pragmatic economic policies designed to stimulate small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and enhance the livelihoods of everyday Ghanaians. Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Hon. Kennedy Agyepong noted is about time Ghanaians are empowered to do their business over foreigners hence promised that when the NPP is voted for, he will personally create a market to promote Ghana-made policy. He noted that by prioritizing made-in-Ghana goods and services, We will not only support local businesses but also create jobs and retain wealth within the economy. Also speaking at the rally, the Parliamentary Candidate for Odododiodio, Abdul Manaf and other speakers, also entreated traders to endeavour to turn up in their numbers to for the party in the 2024 general elections. Source: King Edward Ambrose/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 A professor of accounting and finance at the University of Professional Studies, UPSA, has cautioned against Ghanaians electing the flagbearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama since it would mark the collapse of the Free SHS program. Professor Isaac Boadi who is also the Dean of Accounting and Finance at UPSA, speaking at ABC News Economic Symposium held in Winneba on September 16, 2024, held that pronouncements by John Mahama and his party big guns in the past are indicative of the fact that Free SHS is not safe should they win power. Let me not mince words, if the NDC wins the 2024 elections, there are clear indications that Free SHS will be dead. These people have never liked the idea of Free SHS he stated. He continued: Prior to Akufo-Addo implementing Free SHS, the NDC, led by the former president, had many adverts made against it. How do you expect a group of people who never believed in the Free SHS idea to manage it if they win power? He went further to give instances of former President Mahama and his party executives speaking against Free SHS. The NDC, in the 2012 electioneering campaign, commissioned about 47 anti-Free SHS adverts, urging the electorate to reject Akufo-Addo and his Free SHS promise which, in the minds of the members of the NDC, was an impossible dream. He gave the following instances. Mr. Mahama, in the run-up to the 2016 elections had this to say; Ghana must not implement Free SHS on the whimsical promises of a desperate politician. Many countries in Africa have failed with free education policies. There have also been several comments made against Free SHS by the former President, John Mahama and other key figures of the National Democratic Congress. President Mahama on November 23, 2012, told the people of Okere in the Eastern Region that Free SHS will collapse the education system of Ghana. President Mahama at UCC in 2016 said The Free Senior High School by the NPP is a political gimmick Former President Mahama at the NDCs Tarkwa unity walk strongly rejected the Free SHS policy stating that it is unwise to implement it. Mahama on November 25, 2017, stated that Lalasulala Free SHS will fail. Former President Mahama on his presidential primaries tour said to Akufo-Addos Free SHS is not working Former President Mahama again on October 1, 2018, reiterated his aversion to Free SHS stating that it will undergo a review and hinted on the possibility of the policy being scrapped because to him it is unthinkable to spend 2 billion Ghana cedis in free SHS and that it is seriously constricting governments budget. The then Minister of Education, Lee Ocran, on 10th September 2012 said Free SHS can only be possible in 2032, in 20 years time. Mahama Ayariga, on September 26, 2016, said Choose Mahamas education policy, it is better than Akufo-Addos Free SHS Hajia Joyce Zeinabu, then National Women Organizer of the NDC in 2016, November 20, had this to say, Free SHS will breed teenage pregnancies The General Secretary of the NDC, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah is on record to have said on October 1, 2018, that Free SHS is shambolic and that it will have to be scrapped. The National Chairman of the NDC, Elder Ofosu Ampofo also on 18th December 2018 said: Double Track system is causing teenage pregnancy. NDC MP for Adaklu, Kwame Agbodza, on June 19, 2018, said Over concentration on Free SHS stifling funds meant for flood prevention Adam Mutawakilu, former NDC MP for Damango said Blame the mysterious deaths at KUMACA to overcrowding as a result of Free SHS. Felix Kwakye Ofosu on May 14, 2018, had this warning for the government You cant use oil money to fund Free SHS Joshua Akamba to Tempane SHS students Reject Akufo-Addo for implementing such a shambolic education system. All the above commentaries, according to Professor Boadi, were made by the former president and some key figures in his party. This, it is obvious, points to the fact that the opposition NDC cannot be trusted for the continuation of Free SHS he added. The Accounting and Finance guru also warned any attempts by any regime to include private schools in the implementation of Free SHS. Any attempt to bring onboard private schools onto the Free SHS implementation will instantly collapse the program. Mr. John Mahama has said that if he becomes president, he will include private schools as part of institutions to enjoy Free SHS. It is dangerous. The financial impact on the state would be enormous. If the NDC wins power, dont expect your children to enjoy Free SHS any longer he concluded. 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 Ghana has become the second country in Africa to get a Knowledge and Skills portal that grants access to over 5 million online library archives, learning resources and tools. The portal was launched on September 17, 2024, in Accra by the Education and Communications Ministries. Impomtuo Technologies, a wholly Ghanaian-owned company built the portal with support from Telecommunication giant MTN and funding from the World Bank. Speaking at the launch, the Communications Minister, Hon Ursula Owusu-Ekuful expressed her excitement at the platform that will allow students of all classes of schools to access knowledge everywhere they are. She indicated that the platform was built and fed with information which is in line with the approved curriculum. Only Egypt has a similar platform. Ours has AI integrated with other features and will be the best in Africa, she said. The Minister expressed her optimism that the platform will afford students the opportunity to equip themselves with all the information they need to excel in the digital age. The inclusion of TVET courses and modules she said is a great addition as it will help build the skills of Technical students. The platform she Indicated will serve as a marketing platform for Ghanaian publishers who she says will be given the opportunity to upload soft copies of their work to be sold at a fee. On his part, Education Minister, Dr Yaw Adutwum indicated that there is a transformation going on in the Education sector. He could not fathom why politicians will mount podiums to say Ghanas education system is deteriorating considering the change being experienced in the sector. The Knowledge and Skills portal can be accessed at www.gksb.gov.gh. 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 Management of the Sunyani Technical University (STU) has issued a disclaimer in connection with media reports questioning the academic credentials of the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Solomon Korantwi-Barimah. The University in a rejoinder said the publications are not only baseless allegations but a calculated attempt to tarnish the hard-won image of Prof. Korantwi-Barimah. The rejoinder issued on September 13, 2024 and signed by the head of Public Relations of the University, Dickson Kyere-Duah said the Sunyani Technical University (STU) sponsored Prof. Korantwi-Barimah to do a Doctoral Degree in Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa where he obtained a Doctor of Technology Degree in Human Resource Management through a rigorous training that meets international standards. The statement added that his degree was further evaluated and confirmed by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) as comparable to a Doctoral Degree awarded by any recognised tertiary institution in Ghana. The University therefore described the content of the publication as not only an affront to Prof. Korantwi-Barimah but an attack on the integrity of the STU and its leadership. We categorically deny these unfounded claims and urge the general public to disregard any such malicious publication, it wrote. Concluding the statement, the University cautioned those perpetuating the falsehood to desist from further spreading disinformation and character assassination in their own interest. Attached to the press release were two documents entitled, Evaluation of Certificate, Justice Solomon Korantwi-Barimah and another National Council For Tertiary Education, Staff Placement After Audit-Sunyani Technical University meant for perusal of the public, to attest that Prof Korantwi-Barimah is indeed qualified for the position. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has expressed concern about the effects of illegal mining (Galamsey) on farmlands. Members of the Union fear that the country risks food shortage if the trend continues. Food security has become one of the scariest looming pandemics in Ghana. This has been necessitated by several challenges, including the galamsey menace of which agriculture is the most affected sector, plaguing the nation with little to no efforts by the state apparatus, GAWU said in a press release dated September 16. GAWU noted that Galamsey remains an extremely dangerous and treacherous type of illegal mining activity which has forced several farmers to give up their farmlands either through coercive scans or out of frustration of no hope in our systems and structures put in plats to fight it. The negative effect of illegal and uncontrolled mining on Cocoa is unprecedented. They cautioned that, The environmental impact of galamsey has far- reaching consequences on ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources. The vegetation is stripped away along with the topsoil, leading to sop loss and unfavourable micro-climatic conditions for cocoa cultivation. This degradation of natural resources undermines the potential for sustainable economic growth, particularly in sectors dependent on a healthy environment such as agriculture and forestry. Read the full statement below: AGRICULTURE ON ITS KNEES! BY THE GENERAL AGRICULTURAL WORKERS UNION (GAWU) OF TUC-GHANA ON GALAMSEY FOOD SECURITY has become one of the scariest looming pandemics in Ghana. This has been necessitated by several challenges including the galamsey menace of which agriculture is the most affected sector plaguing the nation with little to no efforts by the state apparatus. Galamsey remains one of the major threats to agriculture, exposing the whole nation to challenges of scarcity and expensive food and crops with damning consequences of climate change, health implications for citizenry and our unborn children. With over seven thousand four hundred and seventy (7,470) cluster categories of Galamsey in the country. According to ResearchGate, galamsey has led to the destruction of farm lands, water bodies exposing several informal workers to job and income insecurities across the country. Ghana has lost about 2.5 million hectares of forest reserve to illegal and uncontrolled mining. This is a huge threat to biodiversity. Galamsey remains an extremely dangerous and treacherous type of illegal mining activity which has forced several farmers to give up their farm lands either through coercive means or out of frustration of no hope in our systems and structures put in place to fight it. The negative effect of illegal and uncontrolled mining on Cocoa is unprecedented. The environmental impact of galamsey has far- reaching consequences on ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources. The vegetation is stripped away along with the topsoil, leading to crop loss and unfavourable micro-climatic conditions for cocoa cultivation. This degradation of natural resources undermines the potential for sustainable economic growth, particularly in sectors dependent on a healthy environment, such as agriculture and forestry. In almost every rural household in Ghana, cocoa or oil palm are the most common cash crop cultivated. However, today, Ghanas place in producing Cocoa and oil palm is disappointing not because of our inability to do so, but as a result of encroachment and farmers being forced to leave their farms unwillingly to make way for galamsey activities in several cocoa and oil palm growing areas. Currently, over 100000 acres of cocoa farms have been destroyed and over 30000 acres of oil palm plantations have been destroyed. The few farmers who are sacrificing to produce food to feed the country and for export have to also deal with challenges related to irrigation as water bodies remain polluted and unsafe if exposed to crops The prevalence of illegal mining activities in Ghana has undermined investor and market confidence in the agriculture sector. This trend has also affected the oil palm and rubber sub sectors resulting in low prices in the international market and Ghana losing out on foreign direct investments which plays a crucial role in driving economic growth. In addition, Ghana loses about USD 2.3 billion annually to illegal and uncontrolled mining through gold smuggling and over USD 2 billion through lost of cocoa farms. Galamsey not only affect our economy through the declining production and activities in the agricultural sector but also poses several health and safety hazards and risks to Ghanaian citizens as our farms are exposed to all the chemicals used in polluting our water bodies. These threats may affect womens fertility and their unborn children as well as babies for lactating mothers. As the country clamor to create more jobs for the youth and with the several policy interventions put in place to boost agriculture in Ghana like Planting for food and jobs, youth in agriculture amongst others, we risk making the sector redundant and unattractive if farmers and plantations have to risk land grabbing and forceful removal from their lands. Looking on without action from government means Ghana risking an increase in unemployment rate, health and safety challenges for citizens and communities, food insecurity and loss of livelihoods for many vulnerable groups and individuals. As an Agricultural Union operating within the sector most affected by Galamsey activities, the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) as a matter of urgency joins Organized Labour and that of other Civil Society Organizations to call on government to declare a state of emergency to salvage the whole country from the galamsey menace and demand immediate action from government as follows; 1. The President of the Republic to act to salvage the remains of our lands, air, water bodies and HUMAN LIVES without further delay. 2. Government to prioritize the reclamation of destroyed lands and the restoration of polluted water bodies. 3. The immediate revocation of LI 2462. 4. Arrest and prosecute persons/groups destroying cocoa farms and oil palm plantations and other agricultural lands for purposes of galamsey 5. Government to support and invest in alternative livelihood that provide sustainable employment opportunities for these individuals, particularly in agriculture. We call on all agricultural establishments and Civil Society Organizations in the agricultural value chain to join in the fight against this menace. sgd ANDREWS ADDOQUAYE TAGOE GENERAL SECREATARY (GAWU) of TUC- GHANA # Stop galamsey, rescue our agricultural lands/water bodies, prosecute perpetuators# Dated: Monday, 16th September,2024 Contact: 0244985059/0244980241 Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/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 A delegation from the Japanese Embassy in Accra and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) together with journalists from some media organisations in Ghana toured the Tema Interchange (Phase II) and two start-ups helping address critical challenges in the health and transportation sector: Sora Technology and Transonica Company Limited respectively. At the Tema Motorway Roundabout, the delegation visited The Project for the Improvement of the Tema Motorway Roundabout Phase II, which commenced in 2022, following the signing of a JPY 3.65 billion equivalent to 33-million-dollar grant. It is funded by the Government of Japan. The project will address traffic congestion at the five-legged Tema intersection where traffic from Accra and Tema Port converges during peak hours. It will alleviate traffic congestion and reduce travel time four times the current situation In June 2020, the first phase of the project was completed. It covered the construction of an underground tunnel and a midlevel interchange, Assistant Resident Supervisor on the project, Yaw Tenkorang Osei, explained. He mentioned that the Phase II of the project includes the construction of a third-tier flyover, which will be a composite bridge structure from the HarbourRoad (south side) to Ashaiman (north side) on the N2 stretch of the interchange. According to him, the Phase II will be completed by December, but a part of the interchange will open to traffic in November. He expressed his gratitude to the Japanese Government for the project and the opportunity that was provided for him and many other Ghanaian engineers and construction professionals to learn and apply latest Japanese technologies such as the use of high quality steel with low maintenance cost and long lifespan. The delegation visited Sora Technology, a company that employs drones and Artificial Intelligence, AI, in Larval Source Management (LSM). This method eliminates mosquito larvae in water bodies before they mature into adults. Traditional LSM methods involved indiscriminate spraying of insecticides in water bodies through manual labor. However, SORA Technology has developed a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach that reduces the need for manpower and insecticide through the use drones and AI. Sora uses drones to survey targeted areas and identify water bodies where mosquito larvae breed. Its AI algorithms will analyze the data to pinpoint high-risk breeding sites. Insecticides are sprayed only in these high-risk areas, effectively suppressing mosquito populations, reducing the risk of malaria transmission among local populations and saving cost and man hours. Head of Africa Business at Sora Technology, Mary Yeboah Asantewaa said: We are able to combine sensors, the environmental viables with the images to tell you that waterbody A has larvae, waterbody B doesnt have. We call it reclassification. After we classify the waterbody, we transfer it onto our mobile app or database to navigate the sprayer to the high-risk zone. Journalists also visited Transonica Company Limited, a business which won second place in the JICA Next Innovation with Japan (NINJA) competition in 2021. Mr. Daniel Kwantwi, CEO of Transonica, was inspired by the use of the cashless system to pay for transport fares in Japan when he was studying at the University of Tokyo. He was a beneficiary of JICAs African Business Education Initiative for Youth (ABE) scholarship. Currently, Transonica has introduced a card payment system for bus fare and shopping at the University of Ghana, Legon campus. Mr. Kwantwi revealed that about 13,000 users are already registered on the companys platform.He mentioned that there were plans to replicate the platform on other campuses and outlets across Ghana. We want to reduce the inefficiencies. What we do is that we install our machines inside your buses, and you are able to use that to collect your money. We want to make sure making transactions would not be a hustle. We want to make sure that every Ghanaian, irrespective of class, is able to go cashless, he explained. A Senior Representative at JICA, Oda Ryotaro, reiterated the commitment of Japan to fostering sustainable development and technological advancement in the country. As JICA continues to invest in these key areas and many others, the collaborative efforts promise to drive sustainable growth and prosperity for the country, building on a legacy of partnership that spans more than six decades in line with Ghanas overall developmental agenda, he concluded. Source: King Edward Ambrose/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 USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) is set to organize the National Technical Universities Cooking Competition on September 20, 2024 in Accra. The event, designed to promote the use of U.S. poultry products, will feature student chefs from eight leading technical universities across Ghana, competing to showcase their culinary expertise. Participants from Accra, Bolgatanga, Cape Coast, Koforidua, Sunyani, Tamale, Takoradi, and Dr. Hilla Limann Technical Universities will take part in the highly anticipated contest. Each university will field two students who will battle it out. The competition will air over two episodes, with four schools competing in each episode. The top team from each round will emerge as the episode winner, advancing to claim the grand prizes. Winning schools will be rewarded with kitchen equipment worth 15,000 Ghana Cedis, while the individual contestants will receive trophies, certificates, and shopping vouchers valued at 2,200 Ghana Cedis. An Awards Brunch will follow on September 21, 2024, at Nsuomnam Seafood and Fish Restaurant, where participants and stakeholders will celebrate the winners and all competitors. USAPEEC, a non-profit organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is committed to increasing global exports of U.S. poultry and egg products. The council works to promote the quality and safety of U.S. poultry, which is inspected by both the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Ghana Food and Drug Authority (FDA) to ensure it meets the highest standards. With U.S. poultry products already enjoyed in over 130 countries worldwide, USAPEEC hopes this competition will further enhance the appeal of American chicken in Ghana by highlighting its superior quality, nutritional benefits, and versatility in local dishes. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video TikTok will start making its case on Monday against a law that will see it banned in the US unless Chinese owner ByteDance sells the social media app within nine months. The measure - signed into law by President Biden in April - has been prompted by concerns that US users' data is vulnerable to exploitation by China's government. TikTok and ByteDance have always denied links to the Chinese authorities and have described the law an "extraordinary intrusion on free speech rights." The firm, which claims to have more than 170 million US users, will make its arguments before a three-judge panel at an appeals court in Washington DC. Company representatives will be joined by eight TikTok creators, including a Texas rancher and a Tennessee baker, who say they rely on the platform to market their products and make a living. Lawyers from the Department of Justice (DoJ) will then proceed to lay out their case. In addition to data concerns, DoJ officials and lawmakers have expressed alarm at the prospect of TikTok being used by the Chinese government to spread propaganda to Americans. However, advocates of America's powerful free speech rights, enshrined in the First Amendment of the US Constitution, say upholding the divest-or-ban law would be a gift to authoritarian regimes everywhere. "We shouldnt be surprised if repressive governments the world over cite this precedent to justify new restrictions on their own citizens right to access information, ideas, and media from abroad, said Xiangnong Wang, a staff attorney at Columbia University's Knight First Amendment Institute. It has filed an amicus brief - legal documents submitted by someone not a party to the case but with an interest in it, offering information or expertise, usually with the hope of influencing the outcome. Mr Wang also criticised lawmakers for being vague about the specific national security threats that they say TikTok poses. "We can't think of any previous instance in which such a broad restriction on First Amendment rights was found to be constitutional on the basis of evidence that wasn't disclosed, he said. But according to James Lewis, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, the law was drafted to withstand judicial scrutiny. "The substance of the case against TikTok is very strong," Mr Lewis said. "The key point is whether the court accepts that requiring divestiture does not regulate speech." Mr Lewis added that the courts usually defer to the president on national security matters. Regardless of how the appeals court rules, most experts agree the case could drag on for months, if not longer. "Nothing gets resolved next week," said Mike Proulx, vice president and research director at analysis firm Forrester. "This is a high stakes and very complicated conundrum that will likely go all the way to the Supreme Court." 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 running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has joined calls for the Electoral Commission to subject the voters register for the upcoming general elections to a forensic audit. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang says in the interest of peace, and to assure stakeholders that there is nothing to hide, the Electoral Commission must not resist demands for a forensic audit of the register. She was speaking at her campaign office in Accra on Monday. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang says the calls for a forensic audit is an opportunity for the Electoral Commission to bolster confidence in Ghanaians in the run-up to the presidential and parliamentary elections. Source: King Edward Ambrose/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 Civic Forum Initiative (CFI), consisting of key Civil Society Organizations, including the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), after an emergency meeting held today September 16th, 2024, wishes to share its considered opinion on the ongoing impasse between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Electoral Commission (EC). As we approach a pivotal moment in our nations democratic process, we believe it is crucial for all stakeholders to act in the best interest of peace, stability, and electoral integrity. This statement serves as a call for calm, dialogue, and a commitment to a transparent resolution that reinforces the strength of our democracy. The NDC has raised concerns about errors and discrepancies in the Voters Register of the 2024 elections, which, if left unresolved, could undermine the credibility of the elections. These concerns have prompted the NDC to demand a forensic audit of the 2024 Voters Register, believing that only a comprehensive investigation can restore their faith in the register. On the other hand, the EC has maintained that the ongoing finalization of the voters register is a procedural requirement that must be completed before any audit can take place. The Commission has therefore urged patience and cooperation, emphasizing that it is fully committed to addressing any errors once the process is completed. In spite of the ECs assurances, the NDC has decided to embark on a nationwide demonstration on the 17th of September 2024. This is intended to reinforce its demand for a forensic audit of the voters register for the 2024 elections. As a major stakeholder in the electoral process, the NDC has a legitimate right to demand a register that is fit for purpose. However, we are also mindful of the potential risks that large-scale demonstrations can pose, particularly in the current politically charged environment. Therefore, we appeal to the NDC and all protest organizers to ensure that these demonstrations remain peaceful and lawful. The safety of all Ghanaians must be the top priority, and any actions that could incite violence or unrest must be avoided at all costs. We also call on the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies, operating under the direction of the Police Command to work closely with the protest organizers to ensure that the demonstrations are peacefully managed. It is essential that the right to protest is protected, while safeguarding public order. The integrity of the voters register is not merely a political issueit is a matter of protecting the democratic rights of every Ghanaian citizen. We therefore urge the EC to act expeditiously and transparently in the finalisation of the register. This function is crucial to reinforcing public confidence in the performance of its role. As the Civic Forum Initiative, we believe that the impasse between the NDC and the EC can be resolved without confrontation. Instead, it requires sincere and constructive dialogue between all stakeholders involved. We propose that the Electoral Commission commit to an independent audit of the final voters register once it is completed and in good time. We urge all stakeholders to prioritize the national interest and to work towards peaceful and credible elections in the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. As civil society, we remain committed to supporting a peaceful and credible election processes and outcomes. We stand ready to assist in any way possible to ensure that the 9th consecutive presidential and parliamentary elections would strengthen Ghana as the beacon of multiparty democracy in West-Africa Source: Civic Forum Initiative 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 ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 17. The economic sphere will become the locomotive of ties between Central Asia and Germany, ensuring strong and sustainable positions of German business in the countries of the region, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov said at the Central Asia Germany summit in Astana on 17 September, Trend reports via the official Turkmen media. The economic sphere is called upon to become the locomotive of our ties. To ensure strong and sustainable positions of German business in the countries of the region, on the one hand, and the other hand - the early and effective integration of Central Asia into the world economy, investment processes, including through ties with German companies. Such cooperation meets the interests of all its participants and has good prospects for development and expansion, the President of Turkmenistan said. Among the key areas of partnership, he emphasized transportation and logistics, communications, energy, industrial production, chemistry, engineering, medicine and pharmaceuticals, the agro-industrial complex, as well as information technologies. Nowadays we need a transition to new methods of conducting joint business based on modern requirements and demands, where the role of the intellect, advanced management, and use of the human resource, which the Central Asian region with its young, educated, and socially young population is rich in, is objectively increasing, the head of state declared. The President also noted the prospect of establishing joint production, service, and training centers, as well as training high-level specialists in Central Asia. He emphasized that the favorable geographical location of the region, its natural resources, and its demographic potential, together with the technological level of Germany and its experience in international business, open wide opportunities for cooperation with Germany. To note, today Astana is hosting the second "Central Asia-Germany" summit in the "5+1" format, which is attended by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The summit continues the trend of development of strategic partnerships that began with the first meeting in Berlin in September 2023. Turkmenistan demonstrates its commitment to constructive international dialog, reaffirming its role in expanding multilateral cooperation. German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Central Asian heads of state are also participating in the summit. Residents of Winneba in the Effutu Constituency, have pledged to support and vote massively for the New Patriotic Party in the December 7 elections. At the ABC News organized Economic Symposium held on Monday, September 16, 2024, residents who participated in the forum expressed support and enthusiasm towards ensuring that Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia wins the elections. We are resolute in our determination and decision to vote for Dr. Bawumia and Honourable Alexander Afenyo-Markin massively. This government has done better than the previous NDC administration. We shall retain this party in power a young lady who was at the event emphasized. Why should we vote for John Mahama to come and cancel Free SHS? He will collapse the policy if we vote for them because he never had any trust in the policy when it was introduced. We shall vote for Bawumia to save Free SHS one Isaac Bondzie said. Scores of others praised the government for the massive development projects undertaken since 2017. From roads to harbours, hospital facilities to schools, roads and railways, etc, were mentioned by the people as the developmental projects they have witnessed. They also expressed gratitude to the MP for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, for the massive developments in the constituency since he became their legislator. They described him as the best thing that has ever happened to us. The residents also expressed concern about why the Ministry of Education has not been printing bills of fees and other charges for Free SHS beneficiaries to be given to parents so that they know how much the government is spending and helping Ghanaians. We are asking the Education Ministry to regularly print the bills of school fees and other charges of Free SHS beneficiaries for parents. This will help parents to know how much the government is paying for their wards education. We are grateful to President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Bawumia for the implementation of Free SHS, and we shall vote for Bawumia to continue with the program Esi Saah stated. 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 Vice President and flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has called out former President John Mahama over what he describes as "indecent utterances" by the former President. A viral video captured Mahama at a campaign event verbally assaulting Chiefs, Imams, Pastors and the CSOs, describing them as "hypocrites". Mahama rebuked these entities over his belief that they support the New Patriotic Party and their presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, instead of joining forces with him and the NDC to kick out the ruling party. Addressing thousands of supporters Monday morning in Amasaman in the Greater Accra Region, Dr. Bawumia expressed shock that Mr. Mahama could make those "unpresidential" statements, adding the former President has realized he will lose the elections. "You all know that this election is between former President Mahama and myself. But how the campaign is going, the former President has seen that he will lose massively, so any little thing, he gets angry." "Today I have heard that he has insulted Pastors, Imams, Chiefs and CSOs. He says thay are hypocrites. How can you say this? Is this how a former President should speak? That Chiefs, the Clergy, Imams and CSOs are hypocrites?" "Recently, he has also been insulting the Electoral Commission. And he said NPP government is a foolish government. Are these utterances that should be coming out of the mouth of a former President? How can a former President make such indecent comments?", Dr. Bawumia said. Dr. Bawumia admonished politicians to be responsible and decent in their utterances, stating only those without ideas tend to insult. "We, politicians, must have some decency in the language we speak...This election is not about insults. It is about ideas. You only insult people when you do not have ideas. But if you have ideas, you present your ideas. We have ideas and we have bold solutions to problems." 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 NPP presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia says former President John Mahama has sensed a looming defeat on December 7, hence his recent attacks on institutions and leaders in the nation. Addressing thousands of supporters at a campaign event in Amasaman today, Dr. Bawumia found it extremely unfortunate that the former President will label Chiefs, Pastors and Imams "hypocrites" and further branded the New Patriotic Party as "foolish". To Dr. Bawumia, Mahama is speaking out of frustration and desperation for power because he has come to the reality that he will lose the December election. "Today I have heard that he has insulted pastors, Imams, Chiefs and CSOs...Recently, he has also been insulting the Electoral Commission. Today too, he said NPP government is a foolish government", he said, asking "are these utterances that should be coming out of the mouth of a former President? How can a former President make such indecent comments?" He stressed "how the campaign is going, the former President has seen that he will lose massively, so any little things, he gets upset". Bawumia, further responding to Mahama, said; "We have ideas and we have bold solutions to problems. You say we are a foolish government but we have created more jobs than your government. We have built more roads than your government. We have built more interchanges than your government. We have built more bridges than your government. We have built more factories than your government. We have built more schools than your government." He added; "Every sector of the economy that you can mention, we have done better than you and you say we are foolish government." 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 Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye has advised Ghanaians to make a wise decision on December 7. Ghana goes to the polls to elect a new President between Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the governing New Patriotic Party and John Dramani Mahama, flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress, and independent candidates, notable names being Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, leader for Movement for Change, and New Force leader, Nana Kwame Bediako. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been on a rigorous campaign across the nation, moving from home to home and street to street to sell his policies in hope of emerging victor in the elections. Similarly, John Mahama has been holding meetings explaining why he deserves the presidential seat. Joining a panel discussion on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, Dr. Okoe Boye asked Ghanaians to be vigilant, stressing any candidate who comes to them with promise to end their hardships abruptly is a big liar. "Any person contesting today whether John Mahama or Bawumia who tells you all your hardships and some of the challenges will be gone tomorrow immediately when he comes to power is lying. Every challenge you see takes deliberate conscious planned activity to stop it", he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi. He charged the populace to "push our leaders to think" but for him, Dr. Bawumia is the right leader. "He is about solving problems", he asserted. 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 Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has taken a swipe at former President John Mahama over his recent tantrum at religious and traditional leaders in the country. Mr. Mahama, who leads the National Democratic Congress, at a campaign event at Okaikwei North constituency in Accra, chided the Chiefs, Pastors and Imams as well as Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for what he calls pampering the New Patriotic Party and their flagbearer, Dr. Bawumia. He expects these entities to call out the government for showing what he describes as "wickedness" towards Ghanaians. But to Dr. Bawumia, Mahama lacks ideas, hence his resort to attacks on these bodies for no reason. He charged the former President to take up his challenge to debate him if indeed he (Mahama) has something better to offer Ghanaians. Dr. Bawumia reiterating his request for a presidential debate while addressing a gathering in Amasaman in Greater Accra Region on Monday, September 16, said; "This election is not about insults. It is about ideas. You only insult people when you do not have ideas...That is why I say if you believe in what you did as a former Presidemt, come let us debate one-on-one. Come let us debate if you believe in yourself. He is afraid, so he is running away...because he knows I speak with data." 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 Ghana Police Service has denied shooting at protestors at the NDC's demonstration against the Electioal Commission in Kumasi. The report says the police fired a gun during the demo dubbed Enough is Enough in the early hours. But a statement from the police said rather some of the demonstrators attempted to push their way into the EC's premises and also pelted the police with stones. "The Police managed to bring the situation under control and calm was restored," the statement said. POLICE STATEMENT ON THE JUST-ENDED DEMONSTRATION BY THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS The Ghana Police Service would like to thank the general public for their cooperation during the just-ended demonstration organized by the NDC today, 17th September 2024 in all 16 regional capitals of the country. The demonstration ended peacefully in all locations except an isolated incident at Kumasi in the Ashanti region. In Kumasi, contrary to the arrangements agreed between the Police and the organizers, the demonstrators attempted to push their way into the premises of the Electoral Commission and pelted the police with stones. The Police managed to bring the situation under control and calm was restored. However, one police officer was injured during the incident and he is receiving medical attention. The Inspector-General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare has reached out to him via a telephone call and wished him well. The Police have since commenced an investigation into the incident. We wish to thank all stakeholders including the organizers, the demonstrators, the Electoral Commission, the media and the commuting public for their cooperation throughout the exercise. The Inspector-General of Police and the entire leadership of the Police Service would like to express their profound gratitude to all Police officers across the country for their continuous patriotic dedication and commitment to security, law and order in our beloved country. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman/Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video NPP National Organizer, Henry Nana Boakye has fired shots at the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) over their protest against the EC. The National Democratic Congress today, September 17, embarked on a demonstration against the Electoral Commission accusing the institution of possessing a voters register inflated with irregularities. The NDC believes the EC has ulterior motive against them in what they claim the Commission wants to rig the upcoming elections in favor of the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP) and their flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. The Police approved the partys protest march dubbed "Enough Is Enough" held across the 16 Regions. The opposition party demands a forensic audit of the register by an independent authority and another exhibition before the election. Some of the placards during the protest said No Clean Register, No Peace. Reacting to this protest during Peace FMs 'Kokrokoo' show, Henry Nana Boakye found it extremely needless that the NDC would take such nationwide action. For me, this is one of the most useless demonstrations ever, he stated. Nana B, as hes affectionately called, issued a stern warning to the Electoral Commission not to employ the service of a foreign entity to audit the register in an attempt to heed the NDCs call. We, in the NPP, we will not allow any foreign interference. We will not any whatever name independent body to come and sit on a constitutionally created body, mandated, well-established, having districts and offices. To say we should employ the services of another independent body, I mean what has happened? Whats the issue? We will not allow it and any attempt from the Electoral Commission to go for another body to conduct a forensic audit, we will resist it fiercely. In fact, the NDCs demonstration will be the least, he warned. 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 NPP National Youth Organizer, Salam Mustapha says Dr. Bawumia is the preferred candidate of all well meaning Ghanaians. Salam Mustapha believes Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has distinguished himself to Ghanaians with ideas to transform Ghana. "We have a presidential candidate who is sympathetic and empathetic towards the plight of Ghanaians. He is knowledgeable and full of ideas to address the concerns of Ghanaians, Salam Mustapha advanced. He made this comment while campaigning in the Kpandai constituency. The National Youth Organiser thus urged the youth to campaign actively for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. "You are the young people who can help us win the election. We need to go all out and leave no stone unturned," Salam Mustapha asked the youth. The commander of the NPP youth wing further urged the youth to vote for their parliamentary candidates. In Kpandai, he campaigned actively for Matthew Nyindam who was voted out in 2020 to be re-elected. Salam Mustapha stressed that Matthew Nyindam was only voted out because of disagreements between party faithful but has outperformed his successor, the NDC MP. He thus asked the youth to vote massively for Matthew Nyindam. He noted that the partys victory in the 2024 polls is hinged on the actions of party faithful. According to him, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) does not pose any threat to the NPP as far as the polls are concerned. "The only thing that is going to stop the NPP from winning the election in December is the NPP. The election we are going into, the NDC is not our problem," he said. "The NDC is not stronger than us, they are not better than us and they cannot use force to take it from us," he added. "In the very unlikely event that we lose, we are going to suffer the most. Because we are the very same people who are going to work and chase power again." 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 By Dan Nephin, LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS) For the first time in more than two years, Elba Irizarry hugged her son and tearfully told him she loved him. As she did, Joel Ayala Jr., 22, stood handcuffed in the center of a Lancaster County courtroom Tuesday morning after he had just pleaded guilty but mentally ill to third-degree murder for shooting his sister, Linnette Ayala, 22, multiple times at his fathers East Hempfield Township home on March 10, 2022. Under the plea agreement, Judge Thomas Sponaugle sentenced Ayala to 15 to 40 years in prison. One can only feel profound sympathy for this family. The loss of a daughter and a son, Sponaugle said. Ayalas attorney, Margaret Mary McDonough, said her client had some overwhelming circumstances going on in his life at that time, and noted he was accepting responsibility. Ayala did not speak other than to answer Sponaugles questions to ensure that he understood his rights and the terms of the plea during the short hearing. Assistant District Attorney Mark Fetterman said the plea was the result of extensive consultation with the family and police. We feel this is a fair resolution, Fetterman told Sponaugle. Before the hearing started, Ayalas stepfather shook the hand of East Hempfield detective Sgt. Christopher Chase and thanked him for being respectful. Outside the courtroom, Irizarry said she was thankful she was able to hug her son and that he is getting help. She declined to say what mental health issues her son was having, and a mental health evaluation prepared as part of the plea was sealed. Under state law, guilty but mentally ill means that someone, as a result of mental disease or defect, lacks substantial capacity either to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law. As part of the plea, Ayala will receive any treatment deemed necessary. McDonough described Alaya as a soft-spoken, polite man who has shown no violent tendencies in her encounters with him. He understands dealing with his mental health will be a lifelong struggle, she said. Though details of the shooting werent discussed at the hearing, according to previous testimony, it happened on a day in which Ayalas parents were trying to get him mental health help, not knowing Linnette was already dead. After his arrest, Ayala Jr. told police his sister sometimes made fun of him for being depressed. Story by Kate Huangpu and Elizabeth Estrada of Spotlight PA Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG When Pennsylvania holds its 2024 general election on Nov. 5, thousands of poll workers will ensure that voting runs smoothly. Poll workers are a critical component of our election process and you could be one of them. Counties are currently recruiting people to work at the states approximately 9,000 voting locations. Poll workers have the opportunity to serve their state and community, meet new people, and learn about elections in Pennsylvania. Plus, as a bonus for being a champion of democracy, they also get paid for their time. The Pennsylvania Department of State accepts applications to become a poll worker on a rolling basis. While there is no strict deadline, people who are interested should apply sooner rather than later. Want to learn more? Heres what you need to know: The requirements There are only a few requirements to become a poll worker. First, you must be a registered voter and can serve only in the county in which you live. High school students who are 17-year-old juniors or seniors may be eligible to volunteer as student poll workers if they receive permission from their parent or guardian, as well as their principal. Requirements vary across counties, so its important to double-check your eligibility with your local county election office to make sure you can volunteer. Additionally, poll workers cannot be current government employees or officials, except district judges, notary publics, or members of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Similarly, people whose names are on the ballot are not permitted to be poll workers, except for candidates for the local election board, including judges of elections. The duties Poll workers must be available for the entirety of Election Day, before polling places open at 7 a.m. and after they close at 8 p.m. Poll workers assist with the setup, opening, and closing of a polling place. They record the names of voters, check them in, and assist with election equipment. There are a few specialized poll worker positions that are elected in municipal elections every four years. Each polling place has a local election board comprised of a judge of elections, a majority inspector, and a minority inspector. All three positions help manage the polling place, keep track of the number of voters, and ensure that the results are received by the county election office. Other specialized positions such as the machine operator support the local election board and are filled by appointment. They oversee the voting devices used at polls. Regular poll workers, or clerks, help check in voters, manage lines, and guide voters through each step of the process. Poll workers are not partisan poll watchers, who are appointed by candidates or political parties and can challenge the eligibility of a voter (though they cannot directly question or speak to them). The training People who want to be poll workers must attend a mandatory training session in person or online before Election Day. Each county runs its own training, as voting systems vary. Some counties use optical scanners to process ballots, while others use different kinds of voting machines. Counties also handle training for safety threats differently. According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, every county addresses what to do in the event of general threats and disruptive behavior in the polling place. Poll workers are instructed accordingly. Supplementary training courses for poll workers can be found online. They include videos and guides on checking in voters, inspecting voter identification, and accepting provisional ballots, which are those filled out by people whose eligibility cannot be immediately verified. The pay According to the Election Code, the statutory minimum pay for poll workers is $75 a day, with a maximum payment of $200. Higher pay is typically reserved for elected positions. Poll workers who attend certain training events can be eligible for additional compensation. Overall, the allocation of pay is largely at the discretion of county commissioners, and therefore varies from county to county. How to sign up If interested, you can apply by filling out a form on the Department of States website. Some counties have their own forms on their election websites. Visit pa.gov to find your countys website. The form asks for basic contact information and place of residency, as well as any special skills that could aid you as a poll worker, such as fluency in a foreign language. That information is then sent to your countys election office, which will reach out to you if it needs more workers. If you havent heard back in 1-2 weeks after submitting your application, you can follow up with your local county election office. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. It is crucial that the "mygov" platform does not turn into a monopoly, Chairperson of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency under Azerbaijans Ministry of Transport and Digital Development Inara Valiyeva stated during the presentation of the updated e-government platform, Trend reports. Recently, the term 'sustainability' has become so ubiquitous that it is used by everyone, especially in these challenging times. But what does sustainability truly mean for us? In the context of constantly evolving technologies and needs, sustainability means the ability of a platform to adapt and function. When we started this project, our goal was to create a technological foundation that could work effectively in the future, Valiyeva said. She emphasized the need for "mygov" to avoid becoming a monopoly. It is important that citizens can access services on any platform that meets the necessary standards. For us, sustainability is not just about developing a platform dependent on the Innovation and Digital Development Agency, but about independent and long-term growth. Cooperation is the second key principle. The 'mygov' platform is just the visible tip of the iceberg, Valiyeva highlighted. Behind the project, she noted, are numerous government institutions and private companies that have contributed to its development, including the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and others. Without their support and cooperation, without creating a legislative framework and integrating their data and services into our platform, we could not have achieved what we have today. If these institutions had not facilitated document integration into 'mygov,' assisted with data cleansing, and system unification, we would not have been able to present today's results or ensure the level of convenience we are aiming for. This is the essence of our cooperation. Finally, I would like to reiterate the core principle citizens are at the center of everything we do. When we started this journey, we saw that other countries were already advanced in digital innovations, and we started later. But this has its advantages: we were able to learn from the mistakes and shortcomings of others and adapt the best solutions for us. Since then, we have actively engaged with citizens to make the product truly user-friendly and effective for everyone, she added. A rumor circulating on social media came from a source that says its work is satire. SpaceX Fan Club says, Nothing on this page is real. That hasnt stopped people from sharing the fake news that Taylor Swift has canceled the remaining dates on her record-breaking Eras Tour. The global pop star has done no such thing. The tour will resume next month with nine concerts in the United States followed by the final nine concerts in Canada. Fans who want to attend one of the last 18 concerts can buy tickets here (prices are as of the time of this publication): Friday, Oct. 18 - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida Saturday, Oct. 19 - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida Sunday, Oct. 20 - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida Friday, Oct. 25 - Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana Saturday, Oct. 26 - Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana Sunday, Oct. 27 - Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana Friday, Nov. 1 - Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana Saturday, Nov. 2 - Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana Sunday, Nov. 3 - Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana Thursday, Nov. 14 - Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada Friday, Nov. 15 - Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada Saturday, Nov. 16 - Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada Thursday, Nov. 21 - Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada Friday, Nov. 22 - Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada Saturday, Nov. 23 - Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada Friday, Dec. 6 - BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, Canada Saturday, Dec. 7 - BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, Canada Sunday, Dec. 8 - BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, Canada The father of a Parkland School shooting victim called out Donald Trump Jr. for his B.S. statement on the second assassination attempt of the former president on Sunday. The FBI said former President Trump was the target of what appears to be an attempted assassination at his Florida golf club on Sunday. Donald Trump Jr., the son of the former president, described telling his children about the latest assassination attempt in a post on social media platform X. You know whats getting really old? Having to have conversations with my 5 young children about radical leftists trying to kill their grandfather. No person should ever have to do this in America or anywhere else and yet I had to have that conversation five times again yesterday, Trump Jr. wrote in a Monday post on X. Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jaime was killed in the Parkland high school shooting in 2018, criticized Trump Jr. for his post on Monday as he called for more to be done to end gun violence. He also called out the former president for politicizing his daughters murder. You know whats getting old? Having you and your father politicize gun violence. Unlike your children that you are using for this purpose, my daughter was killed in the Parkland shooting, Guttenberg wrote on X. I remember when your dad also politicized her murder. How about instead of your BS, use this as your chance to call for less gun violence, he continued. David Hogg, a survivor of the Parkland school shooting and founder of March for Our Lives, also weighed in on the assassination attempt. He posted a screenshot of Trumps statement saying he was safe after shots were fired on Sunday with the caption, But dont worry guys we dont have a gun problem. The Parkland high school shooting left 17 people dead and another 17 people injured. Since the death of his daughter and other students and staff, Guttenberg has become a national advocate to end gun violence. The survivors of the Parkland school shooting lashed out at Trump at the time for his comments following the incident, suggesting that he was divisive and criticized him for making the shooting about Russia. The former president and his allies have blamed Democrats rhetoric for the second assassination attempt of Trump. He believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, and he acted on it, Trump said Monday in an interview with Fox News Digital, speaking of the suspect in the second assassination attempt. Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country, and they are the ones that are destroying the country both from the inside and out. U.S. Secret Service agents opened fire on Sunday after seeing a person with a firearm near Trumps West Palm Beach golf club in Florida while he was golfing. No injuries were reported. Officials say the person fled in an SUV and was later apprehended by local law enforcement. He was identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, three law enforcement officials told The Associated Press. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation. Routh appeared in federal court in Florida Monday and was charged with federal gun crimes. The Associated Press contributed to this report. For eight years, a state pension debt clock sat in the Pennsylvania Capitol as a visual reminder of a bill that taxpayers are on the hook to pay. Last Thursday, the digital clock that sometimes grew by as much as $172 per second went dark. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. Azerbaijan is working to transition its various platforms and mobile applications into a unified space under the "mygov" system, Chairperson of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency under the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and High Technologies of Azerbaijan Inara Valiyeva discussed the initiative during a Q&A session at the presentation of the updated "mygov" e-government platform, Trend reports. "Modern digitalization requires not only the creation of convenient platforms and applications but also a thoughtful approach to their implementation and promotion among the public. Integrating all government services into a single platform is a long and complex process. Before we consolidate everything into one place, various platforms and mobile applications were developed and deployed, which were popular. Now, our task is to ensure that these solutions transition smoothly into a unified space where any citizen can access government services as simply and conveniently as possible," she said. Valiyeva emphasized the need for public support, noting that the process requires the involvement of all stakeholders, especially the media. "We really need support. We are confident that coercive measures will not achieve the results we aim for. Our approach is to make the service as user-friendly as possible so that people come to us and say, 'Why should I download another app when I already have mygov, which provides all the necessary functions?'" she noted. The chairperson added that a key aspect is user comfort and effective communication with them. "We do not seek to force anyone to use our app. Our goal is to provide citizens with maximum convenience and transparency, leaving the choice up to them," she explained. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. Azerbaijan has invited Iraqi companies to take part in projects in the liberated territories, Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov said at the Azerbaijan-Iraqi business forum in Baku today, Trend reports. "We are actively facilitating the attraction of private investments for the development of liberated territories, where a favorable investment climate has been created," noted the minister. He mentioned that, to increase the attractiveness of capital investments in projects on these liberated territories, Azerbaijan introduced tax exemptions on income, property, land, and simplified taxes for 10 years starting from January 1, 2023. "Machinery, technological equipment, and devices, as well as raw materials, are exempt from VAT and import customs duties for 10 years starting from 2023. Additionally, dividend income for shareholders of legal entities is tax-exempt," Jabbarov added. He expressed confidence that the business forum in Baku will strengthen trade and economic cooperation between businesspeople from both countries. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Hillary Clinton asked why the media wont cover Trump as a threat to America and compared it to how they covered Biden. Clinton told Rachel Maddow: I dont understand why its so difficult for the press to have a consistent narrative about how dangerous Trump is. You know, the late great journalist, Harry Evans, you know, one time said that, you know, journalists should, you know, really try to be objective that means cover the object. Part of what Trump is counting on is for people to get desensitized. I mean, oh my gosh. Did you hear what he said yesterday? Did you hear who he attacked? Did you hear the viciousness? And it just like with a shrug? Ok, fine. Were moving on. Well, Americans need to understand that they have to take Trump both seriously and literally, he has said what he wants to do. He and his allies with Project 2025 his desire to be a dictator, at least on day one, all of that is in the public record. And I believe that more Americans have to be, you know, willing to endure what frankly is discomforting and to some extent, kind of painful to take him at his word and to be outraged by he represents. And then finally, the hopeful side of this is that I do think more and more Americans are, you know, rejecting the kind of chaos that he represents. We cant go back. Thats what the Harris campaign says all the time. Video: Hillary Clinton tells #Maddow I dont understand why its so difficult for the press to have a consistent narrative about how dangerous Trump is. pic.twitter.com/zsFNcrAcCv Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) September 17, 2024 Hillary Clinton was correct to call out the hypocrisy. The corporate media spends its time trying to normalize Trump. Each day, the corporate media covers Trump as a normal presidential candidate. It is hardly ever mentioned that Trump is a convicted felon who was found to have raped E. Jean Carroll. A press was interested in protecting democracy and the truth would cover Trump as a threat to the country instead of as a sideshow that distracts them with each new shiny object. If the media covered Trump with the same intensity that the covered Biden , the tone of the coverage would be different, voters would be better informed, and democracy would be in a safer place. To comment on this story, join us on Reddit. Vice President Kamala Harris hammered Donald Trump for a mothers abortion ban related death in Georgia. Vice President Kamala Harris said in reaction to the news that a 28-year-old Georgia mothers preventable death was the direct result of an abortion ban that was made possible because of Trumps three Supreme Court Justices: This young mother should be alive, raising her son, and pursuing her dream of attending nursing school. This is exactly what we feared when Roe was struck down. In more than 20 states, Trump Abortion Bans are preventing doctors from providing basic medical care. Women are bleeding out in parking lots, turned away from emergency rooms, losing their ability to ever have children again. Survivors of rape and incest are being told they cannot make decisions about what happens next to their bodies. And now women are dying. These are the consequences of Donald Trumps actions. Harris pointed out that the basic freedom for women and girls to get medical care has been taken from too many of us, There is so much at stake in this election, including restoring the freedoms that have been taken away from us. If Donald Trump gets the chance, he will sign a national abortion ban, and these horrific realities will multiply. We must pass a law to restore reproductive freedom. When I am President of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law. Lives depend on it. Donald Trump has waffled on where he stands on a federal abortion ban, ultimately refusing to say he would veto such a ban if it came to his desk. He has also in the past expressed sentiments such as women should be punished for seeking an abortion and has repeatedly taken credit for Roe being overturned, claiming against the evidence that its what everyone wanted. ProPublica published a new report Monday detailing the gruesome death of a young single mother in Georgia, the first time an abortion-related death, officially deemed preventable, is coming to public light. Amber Nicole Thurman needed a D and C after the abortion pill she took did not expel all of the tissue. She suffered from a grave infection that required immediate medical care, but it was 2022 and her state of Georgia had made performing the procedure a felony, so Thurman waited in pain in a hospital bed, worried about what would happen to her 6-year-old son, as doctors monitored her infection spreading, her blood pressure sinking and her organs beginning to fail. It took 20 hours for doctors to finally operate. By then, it was too late. An official state committee recently concluded, The otherwise healthy 28-year-old medical assistant, who had her sights set on nursing school, should not have died. Its important to note that the failure to expel all of the tissue can happen during a miscarriage, too. Its a horrible experience to go through even the beginnings of that infection, let alone being left for your organs to fail because doctors are trying to abide by an abortion ban that supposedly has some exceptions in it. When Roe was overturned, the legacy media called even doctors who supported abortion activists. They fact-checked the threat to a ten-year-old pregnant rape victim because they didnt understand that not only are all pregnant ten-year-olds rape victims, but also a pregnancy can be harmful to a young girls body so much so that abortion is considered a human right. Now there is proof that women are dying from these bans that were put into place by Republican politicians who claim their religion is pro-life even though the Bible says life begins at birth. And of that life that begins at birth? Republicans have shown little care for children being threatened with gun violence in school and women and girls whose lives depend on getting timely medical care. To comment on this story, join us on Reddit. NORTH CHARLESTON Years before an experimental submersible imploded deep in the Atlantic Ocean near the Titanic's wreckage, the vessel's primary engineer sparred with OceanGate Expedition leaders over safety as they pressured the Titan into service. Tony Nissen said the friction between him and Stockton Rush, the company's co-founder, eventually ended with his firing after he refused to sign off and pilot manned expeditions aboard the craft to the sunken liner. "Stockton and Is relationship started to sour as everything was built. But he wanted me to be the pilot that runs the Titanic missions," said Nissen, former engineering director on OceanGate's Titan. "I told him, 'Im not getting in it.'" Nissen testified first in the Coast Guard's scheduled two-week hearing on the cause of the June 18, 2023, Titan implosion. Rush and four other people aboard died in a deep-sea tragedy that generated worldwide attention and scrutiny of private deep-sea ventures. Testimony is being held inside Charleston County Councils meeting room in North Charleston. Rush wanted Nissen as a crewmember, but the engineer did not trust operating crew for the submersible. If the company had a different crew, he would have piloted the craft, he said. That was the death of me, he said of his eventual firing by Rush. The hearings opened with an overview of the company's and Titan's deployment histories, noting mechanical and design issues in the submersible as early as 2015. The Coast Guard, in advance of the Marine Board of Investigation fact-finding hearings, constructed an animation of the submersible's last dive that was paired with text communication between the vessel and its mother ship, the Polar Prince. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. Azerbaijan and Iraq hold great prospects for cooperation in the fields of construction, tobacco, and vegetable growing, the Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) Yusif Abdullayev said at the Azerbaijan-Iraqi business forum in Baku today, Trend reports. He recalled that many construction companies from Azerbaijan operate in Iraq. Abdullayev also reminded that this January, AZPROMO, along with Azerbaijani companies, participated in the 47th International Trade Fair in Baghdad, where the products of Azerbaijani tea factories and mineral water producers were showcased. "During this fair, one of the Azerbaijani water producers signed a contract and began exporting mineral water to Iraq. This is an example of successful cooperation between businessmen, and we want to continue this tradition," said the head of AZPROMO. According to him, the Azerbaijan-Iraq Business Council, established on September 17, 2024, will contribute to increasing trade turnover between the two countries through the development of business relationships. This council will also help overcome emerging challenges. "Azerbaijan is starting to stimulate logistics companies, and such state support will be important for further developing trade relations with Iraq (through Turkiye and Iran)," Abdullayev noted. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Police said the victim, Julian Keel, got caught in a gunfire between two groups at the venue parking lot. His family and their lawyers said the location managers had been negligent with security. Read moreColumbia family intends to sue party venue, owners of property where teen football player was killed CROSS As its name implies, the Rote Island snake-necked turtle is indigenous to Rote Island, located in the southern reaches of the Indonesian Archipelago. The island is surrounded by clear-blue waters and white beaches, and one travel blog calls its surfing scene "world-class." But no Rote Island snake-necked turtles remain on Rote Island to researchers' best knowledge. Their population was whittled down by habitat destruction, the pet trade, pollution and the introduction of non-native predator fish. The species is now presumed to be extinct in the wild. So the Turtle Survival Center in Cross geographically about as far as one can get from Rote Island represents one of the species' best hope at continued survival. The center is a genetic Noah's Ark for endangered turtles. The complex is home to 750-plus turtles and tortoises (all tortoises are turtles, not all turtles are tortoises), and about two-dozen of its resident species are considered among the most endangered turtle species on the planet. Five of the center's resident species are functionally extinct in their native habitats. That includes the Rote Island snake-necked turtle, hereafter referred to as "Rotes" for brevity's sake. The center's goal is straightforward in theory but immensely complex in execution: reintroduction. "It's a very structured plan," said Clinton Doak, director of the center's operations. That plan is coordinated across many of the center's partner conservation groups. It's also a strategy that isn't well measured in human terms. The mission should be considered in "turtle time," Doak said. While it's hard to pin down an exact lifespan, he said that captive Rotes generally live about 30-50 years, based on best estimates. Duke Energy has extended the timeline to get power back to its last 26,000 customers still in the dark after Tropical Storm Helene. Read moreDuke Energy is still trying to restore power to 26K SC customers after Helene. Here's the latest. Restoration of 500-year-old palace at Beijing's central axis completed Xinhua) 08:54, September 17, 2024 This photo taken on Sept. 5, 2024 shows the main hall of the Qingcheng Palace complex in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Luo Xin) BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Restoration work on the Qingcheng Palace complex, a royal sacrificial venue along the historic central axis of Beijing, has been completed, according to local authorities. After spending the past 15 months demolishing houses and renovating royal buildings, the historical structure of the complex has been restored. The palace is expected to open to the public in the future. Built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the palace is located inside the Altar of the God of Agriculture, also referred to as the Xiannongtan Temple. The palace was formerly known as Zhaigong, which literally translates to the fasting palace. It was a place where the emperors abstained from heavy meals and meditated before worship. It was renamed as Qingcheng Palace in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), becoming a place where the emperors held celebratory rituals after cultivation ceremonies while praying for a good harvest. Restoration work of the ancient buildings started in June last year, following the principle of "minimal intervention." This approach focused on targeted repairs for damaged cultural relics, such as tiles and walls. Traditional materials were used to pave the ground in the courtyard. Workers also renovated the drainage system and equipped the houses with air conditioners and necessary lighting facilities. Additionally, security monitoring systems, firefighting water systems and lightning protection facilities were also installed. Pan Wei, deputy director of the Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum, expressed hope that the Qingcheng Palace will become a place for visitors to experience traditional culture and for experts to have academic exchanges on world cultural heritage. He believes that such activities could "further enhance public awareness of the protection of historical and cultural heritage." Stretching 7.8 kilometers from Yongding Gate in the south to the Bell and Drum Towers in the north, the Beijing central axis was built according to the core layout of an ideal capital city -- the royal court in the front, a market in the back, ancestral shrines on the left, and sacrificial altars on the right. It was added to the United Nations' cultural heritage list in July. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Zhong Wenxing) People look at a hydrogen-powered motorcycle displayed during the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 13, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] The 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) concluded in Beijing on Monday, achieving some 1,000 practical outcomes, with over 20 percent of its offline exhibitors being international companies, said its organizer. The outcomes achieved during this year's CIFTIS include transactions and investments in fields such as construction, finance and business services. During the event, a total of 56 sessions were held, including international cooperation project negotiation and promotion meetings. "A total of 111 enterprises and institutions, including Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders, have released 219 achievements in the fields of digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare and more, an increase of 80 compared to the previous edition," said Piao Xuedong, head of the Beijing municipal commerce bureau, during a press conference held Monday. With over 180 forums and activities held during the five-day event, more than 2,000 companies attended the fair offline and over 6,000 online. This year's edition showcased multiple cutting-edge technologies, including the orthopedic surgery robot equipped with AI deep learning technology, the world's smallest cardiac pacemaker and so on, covering sectors such as AI, cloud computing, metaverse and 6G. "This year's CIFTIS has achieved fruitful results, fully demonstrating China's firm determination to promote high-quality development through high-level opening up," said Wang Bo, an official with the Ministry of Commerce, during the press conference. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. There is a great potential for the export of Azerbaijani tobacco products to Iraq, Executive Director of the Agency for Promotion of Export and Investment (AZPROMO) Yusif Abdullayev told reporters after the Azerbaijan-Iraq business forum in Baku, Trend reports. According to Iraq's official statistics, the annual value of tobacco imports is about $300 million. Some Azerbaijani companies have already exported products worth about $1 million to this country, but the potential is great, Abdullayev said. He noted that within the business dialogue in Baku on September 17-18, cooperation on the organization of the export of tobacco products was discussed. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan exported 4,273 tons of tobacco to different customers in the world for seven months of 2024, which is 3.4 times more than the indicator of the same period of 2023. The revenue from operations amounted to $12 million. Azerbaijan produced 9.2 billion cigarettes and cigars from January through July 2024 (5.8 percent growth). Overall, tobacco production in the country for seven months increased 2.6 times to 2,600 tons. PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 13:31:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 597 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Strategic Investment in Market-Leading Leave and Accommodations SaaS Platform Will Help Fuel Next Phase of GrowthSAN FRANCISCO, CA and GOLDEN, CO / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / AbsenceSoft , the leading SaaS platform for leave of absence and accommodations management, today announced its acquisition byLuminate Capital Partnersfrom existing investors Norwest Venture Partners and Bow River Capital. Luminate's investment will help AbsenceSoft continue its growth trajectory and expand its leadership position in the market.Purpose-built by HR professionals, AbsenceSoft's platform streamlines and automates tasks involved in employee leave and accommodations processes. Trusted by over 300 employers, AbsenceSoft is dedicated to empowering businesses to build stronger, more supportive relationships with their employees during critical moments and maintain regulatory compliance."We are very excited to collaborate with Luminate as we continue our mission to bring humanity, certainty and efficiency to employers' leave and accommodations programs," said Mark Schiff, Chief Executive Officer at AbsenceSoft. "Luminate is deeply embedded in the enterprise software market and understands the value our customers get from improved compliance, better employee experience, less wasted resources and reduced talent turnover. They are the perfect partner as we look to scale and cement our position as the industry leader." Over the past three years, AbsenceSoft has seen over 400% growth in revenue and now supports over 6 million lives on its platform. The company was named a2024 Inc. 5000 honoree , an annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America, and won the HR Tech Awards Best Innovative or Emerging Tech Solution in the Core HR/Workforce category for the second consecutive year."AbsenceSoft addresses an increasingly complex and urgent need shared by employers of all sizes and industries. We believe many organizations can greatly benefit from this type of solution," said Dave Ulrich, Partner at Luminate."We look forward to helping the AbsenceSoft team scale, drive product innovation and deliver increased value to customers," added Hollie Haynes, Managing Partner at Luminate."We are proud to have partnered with Mark and the AbsenceSoft team over the past several years alongside our co-investors Bow River," said Ran Ding, General Partner at Norwest. "The market for leave and absence management is stronger than ever, and AbsenceSoft has continued to separate itself as the clear market leader as it has expanded its team and product offering. We look forward to watching AbsenceSoft's continued success under Luminate's guidance." Raymond James provided M&A advisory services to AbsenceSoft. Goodwin Proctor was legal advisor to Norwest. Kirland & Ellis served as legal advisor to Luminate.Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.About AbsenceSoftAbsenceSoft is a leading provider of leave and accommodations management SaaS solutions. We deliver scalable, easy-to-use, and configurable software to easily and efficiently manage 190+ statutory policies like FMLA, ADA, and PWFA. Our software streamlines and automates leave and accommodations processes, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations while elevating the employee experience. Built by leave professionals, for leave professionals, AbsenceSoft is trusted by employers across industries, Third Party Administrators (TPAs), and Professional Employee Organizations (PEOs) to manage over six million lives. We are widely recognized for our top-tier customer service and robust customer community engagement. Learn more atabsencesoft.comor follow the company onLinkedIn .About Luminate CapitalLuminate Capital Partners is a private equity firm investing in growth software companies, based in San Francisco. Luminate's portfolio of market leaders includes Axonify, Conexiom, Compliance & Risks, Ease, StarCompliance, Suralink and Thought Industries. For more information, please visit https://www.luminatecapital.com Media ContactFor AbsenceSoft:Escalate PRAbsenceSoft@ EscalatePR.com For Luminate:Chris TofalliChris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC914-834-4334SOURCE: AbsenceSoft PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 03:48:46 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 451 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / September 16, 2024 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilSeptember 30, 2024to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. ("ABR" or the "Company") (NYSE:ABR), if they purchased the Company's securities between May 7, 2021 and July 11, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of ABR and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-abr/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court bySeptember 30, 2024 .About the LawsuitArbor Realty and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On March 14, 2023, NINGI Research reported that "ABR has been hiding a toxic real estate portfolio of mobile homes with a complex web of real and fake holdings companies for more than a decade." On this news, the price of ABR shares fell from $12.99 per share on March 13, 2023, to $12.12 per share on March 14, 2023, and then $11.53 per share on March 15, 2023. Then, on July 12, 2024, Bloomberg reported that the Company was the subject of a probe by federal prosecutors and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New York that were "inquiring about lending practices and the company's claims about the performance of their loan book." On this news, the price of ABR shares fell from $15.53 per share on July 11, 2024, to $12.89 per share on July 12, 2024.The case is Martin v. Arbor Realty Trust, Inc., No. 24-cv-05347.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com CONTACT: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 16:33:32 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 690 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Empowering Investors with High-Yield, Non-Correlated Assets Through Life Settlement InvestmentsAVENTURA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / Arthika Capital, a leading investment firm specializing in life settlements - a high-yield, non-correlated asset class, today announced the official launch of its cutting-edge digital investment platform. This innovative platform redefines how investors access and manage life settlement funds, providing a seamless, transparent experience. It sets a new standard for life settlement investing, giving investors exclusive access to non-correlated assets that provide consistent, stable returns even in volatile markets.Arthika Capital specializes in life settlement investments-a unique asset class offering stable, high returns with reduced risk. Unlike traditional assets, life settlements are fully insulated from stock market volatility and economic downturns, making them an ideal choice for investors seeking consistent returns in uncertain times."At Arthika Capital, we're leading the way in delivering exceptional returns through non-correlated life settlement investments," said Glenn Orgin, Managing Partner at Arthika Capital. "Our strategy prioritizes capital preservation while offering risk-adjusted returns, even in volatile markets, setting us apart from conventional asset classes." Arthika Capital's newly launched digital platform brings our investment strategy to life with an intuitive, user-friendly interface. Investors, whether individuals, corporations, or IRAs, can easily invest with just a few clicks. The platform enables seamless management of multiple investments, including subscriptions, IRAs, and trusts, with all processes fast and paperless - ideal for institutional investors seeking efficiency. The platform offers several key features designed to empower investors with advanced tools and real-time performance monitoring:Seamless Investment Process: With an intuitive interface, investors can invest quickly and easily, whether individually, jointly, or through corporations, trusts, or IRAs.Real-Time Performance Monitoring: Investors can track returns, risks, and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) in real time through custom dashboards, providing comprehensive data.Transparency and Data-Driven Decisions: Automated reporting ensures a clear, secure view of investments, giving investors full transparency at all times.Streamlined Management: Investors can manage multiple investments from one platform, with everything fully digital and paperless-a significant advantage for institutional investors.Customizable Reporting: Investors can set alerts and create custom reports based on performance milestones, ensuring they are always informed without constant manual monitoring.Scalability: The platform is designed to scale effortlessly for both retail and institutional investors, making it ideal for broker-dealers and large-scale investors.By integrating advanced technology with our unique life settlement strategy, Arthika Capital offers investors an unrivaled opportunity to achieve superior returns. Our platform delivers seamless management, real-time insights, and scalability, ensuring a modern, transparent, and efficient investment experience tailored to both individual and institutional investors."At Arthika Capital, we take pride in setting new standards for the life settlement industry," commented Gabriel T. Ruz, CEO at Arthika Capital. "Our unwavering commitment to ethical practices ensures that every investment not only safeguards investor interests but also delivers real value to policyholders, a balance that sets us apart in this unique asset class." For more information about, visitArthikaCapital.comtoday About Arthika CapitalArthika Capital is a leading investment firm specializing in high-yield, non-correlated assets. Our focus on life settlement investments allows us to offer unique growth opportunities with an emphasis on ethical practices and transparency. Our commitment to capital preservation and responsible asset management helps us deliver exceptional returns while positively impacting policyholders' lives.Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release may contain forward-looking statements, which are based on assumptions regarding future events and outcomes. These statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "will," and similar expressions.While Arthika Capital believes the assumptions are reasonable, it cautions that actual results may differ due to factors beyond its control, including market conditions and investment performance. Arthika Capital assumes no obligation to update these statements.Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer or solicitation to invest. Any investment involves risks, and past performance does not indicate future results.###Arthika Capital Media Contact: Gabriel T. Ruzgabriel@ arthikacapital.com SOURCE: Arthika Capital PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 05:10:37 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 462 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Celebrated Gold Coast chef,Aryn Hala , is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of her highly anticipated cookbook, which focuses on sustainable cooking practices. The book, available on October 1st, will be offered at all major retailers and as a special edition hardcover coffee table book at select retail bookstores.GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / September 16, 2024 / Celebrated Gold Coast chef,Aryn Hala , is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of her highly anticipated cookbook, which focuses on sustainable cooking practices. The book, available on October 1st, will be offered at all major retailers and as a special edition hardcover coffee table book at select retail bookstores.Known for her innovative approach to cooking and commitment to eco-friendly practices, Aryn's cookbook is set to inspire home cooks to create delicious meals while making environmentally conscious choices. The book blends her passion for food with practical tips on reducing food waste, sourcing local ingredients, and cooking mindfully.Born and raised in Queensland, Aryn's love for cooking was nurtured in her grandmother's kitchen, where she learned the importance of using fresh, local ingredients. This early experience laid the foundation for her culinary career, leading her to earn a diploma from the Culinary Institute of Australia and co-found the Sustainable Cooking Club. Now, with her cookbook, Aryn hopes to inspire a new generation of home cooks to embrace sustainability."I'm so excited to release this cookbook," said Aryn. "It's been a dream of mine to share my approach to cooking with others in a way that's both creative and sustainable. Small changes in the kitchen can have a big impact, and I want to show people how they can cook amazing food while caring for the planet." The cookbook is designed to be approachable for all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned cooks. In addition to recipes, the book features personal stories from Aryn's career and life in Gold Coast, making it a unique blend of culinary instruction and personal inspiration.Available in a hardcover edition and a special coffee table version, Aryn's cookbook is the perfect gift for food lovers and sustainability enthusiasts alike.For media inquiries, interviews, or more information about the cookbook, please contact Aryn Hala at her website https://www.arynhalacooking.com/ About Aryn Hala Aryn Hala is a renowned chef based in Gold Coast, Queensland, known for her innovative, sustainable approach to cooking. As the head chef at Patio Season, Aryn focuses on creating seasonal menus that showcase locally sourced ingredients. Her upcoming cookbook, launching on October 1st, aims to inspire a new generation of mindful cooks to make more sustainable choices in the kitchen.Media Contact Aryn Halacontact@ arynhalacooking.com SOURCE: Aryn Hala PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 23:01:42 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 495 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Avanza Network to Hold 9th Annual Conference as Hispanic Heritage Month Kicks Off - MIT Alumni group to visit over 25 High Schools in Underserved CommunitiesEL PASO, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / After a five-year hiatus brought on by the pandemic, the Avanza Network ("Avanza") organization will gather in El Paso this year for its annual conference beginning Wednesday, September 18, and through Sunday, September 22. The gathering brings together MIT Mexican-American alumni and friends from throughout the U.S. to promote higher education through school visits featuring inspirational stories told by the group's members. As in past conferences, Avanza also plans to meet with students and their parents in an informal Q&A session held at the University of Texas El Paso. Since its formation in 2011, the group has reached out to and inspired thousands of high school students in cities across the country.Avanza Transformative Power of an Education"It is more important now than ever to continue to inspire our youth, particularly those in poor, underprivileged communities similar to the ones many of us grew up in," stated Jacob Rael, Co-President of Avanza. "Getting in front of kids and showing them that Si Se Puede is sometimes the spark that they need to make them realize anything is possible with hard work, determination and an education." "And now that universities have changed their admissions policies after the recent Supreme Court decision against Affirmative Action, it's crucial that these kids aim high and start to prepare for a higher education early on," adds Eddie Grado, Co-President of Avanza. "These kids have the grit and smarts to accomplish anything they set their minds to." Avanza will also be distributing copies of its Avanza books to schools as part of its annual conference. Avanza has two volumes to its book and both are a compilation of inspiring true stories of several Avanza members and their diverse paths towards a higher education and successful careers. The books are available online at https://bookstore.weeva.com/search?q=avanza Avanza Network is a national organization founded by M.I.T. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Mexican-American alumni and friends who are dedicated to the empowerment and advancement of current and aspiring Mexican-American professionals and members of underserved communities. Through its grass-roots efforts, Avanza stimulates Mexican-Americans and underserved communities to achieve full potential by increasing awareness of the transformational power of a college education, increasing college graduation rates for these groups, emphasizing the benefits of diverse career paths, highlighting the key benefits of STEM careers, and cultivating the group's pipeline of talent through the professional development lifecycle.For more information on its grass-root outreach efforts, the college application process or other tools for college-bound students, please visit www.avanzanetwork.org or follow MIT Avanza on Facebook and LinkedIn.###Media Contact:Rene Gonzalez Director of CommunicationsAvanza Network512-809-0863 renegade@ alum.mit.edu SOURCE: Avanza NetworkView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 19:00:59 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 485 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 AVOXI Platform Integration Means Expanded Reach, Greater Intelligence and Increased Efficiency for Genesys CustomersATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 /AVOXI, a global leader in cloud voice software for contact centers, today announced its partnership with Genesys, a global cloud leader in AI-powered experience orchestration. As an Ascend Partner, AVOXI will deploy its market-leading cloud voice software platform to enhance voice connectivity and operational efficiency for Genesys customers worldwide, providing them with tools to better connect with and serve their customers in over 150 countries.This partnership reinforces AVOXI's commitment to supporting multinational enterprises in overcoming the challenges of managing contact center voice infrastructure across diverse geographies. By leveraging AVOXI's global cloud software-based voice, Genesys customers can ensure high-quality conversations for their clients, no matter where they operate."As many organizations transition agents to a cloud-based contact center solution, AVOXI's out-of-the-box integration enables Genesys customers to simultaneously shift their voice infrastructure fully to the cloud and consolidate their provider landscape," said Barbara Dondiego, CEO of AVOXI. "This partnership will provide access to AVOXI's innovative software platform that brings automation, intelligence and visibility to contact center voice that was previously not possible." Genesys empowers organizations in over 100 countries to improve loyalty and business outcomes by creating the best experiences for customers and employees. With AI-powered experience orchestration, Genesys makes it possible for organizations to seamlessly coordinate technology, interactions and touchpoints so they can deliver superior end-to-end experiences at scale.Through this partnership, AVOXI will empower Genesys customers to utilize its SaaS platform, offering transparency and simplicity from procurement and management analytics, call quality insights, number testing and more. Furthermore, customers can leverage out-of-the-box configuration tools to integrate Genesys with AVOXI in minutes.AVOXI's flexible, scalable cloud voice solutions allow enterprises to streamline their transition voice to the cloud, complement Genesys calling plans, and maintain high call quality across all operations. By integrating AVOXI with Genesys via SIP, organizations gain expanded coverage, lower costs, and enhance call quality.As a Genesys Ascend Partner, AVOXI is committed to supporting the digital transformation journeys of businesses worldwide. Together, AVOXI and Genesys are driving innovation in customer experience.Organizations interested in learning more about AVOXI and its Genesys partnership this fall can learn more at several events:On September 24, 2024, AVOXI will present its cloud voice solutions for contact centers at Genesys Xperience EMEA North in Amsterdam.The following day, September 25, AVOXI will join the Xperience 2024 roadshow in Toronto, connecting with industry leaders to discuss the future of customer and employee experiences.On November 27-28, AVOXI will participate in the Call & Contact Centre Expo in London, engaging with professionals to explore the latest innovations in global voice for the contact center.For more information about AVOXI's global voice solutions for Genesys contact centers, visit www.avoxi.com Contact InformationKatharine Kellar Director of Marketing Communicationskatharine.kellar@avoxi.com 412-297-6140SOURCE: AVOXIView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 21:33:34 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 522 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces an investigation into Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN) for potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in Franklin Resources, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/franklin-resources-inc Why Did Franklin Resources's Stock Drop?Franklin Resources is a $1.7 trillion asset management company better known as Franklin Templeton. One of its key divisions is Western Asset Management ("WAM"), which is a fixed income manager.On July 26, 2024, Franklin Resources revealed that "following the launch of an internal investigation focusing on certain past trade allocations of treasury derivatives in select" WAM accounts, "WAM received notification of parallel investigations by the SEC and U.S. Department of Justice." Then, on August 21, 2024, Franklin Resources disclosed that WAM co-Chief Investment Officer Ken Leech had been placed on leave "effective immediately" after he "received a Wells Notice from the Staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission." The company further stated that, "[i]n light of Mr. Leech's leave of absence, the Company has determined that closing its Macro Opportunities strategy (approximately $2.0 billion in AUM as of 7/31/2024) is in clients' best interests." On the same day, Bloomberg reported that federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York are investigating whether Leech allocated winning trades to favored accounts, as part of a criminal probe into a practice known as " cherry-picking." The news caused a precipitous decline in the price of Franklin Resources stock. On July 26, 2024, the price of the company's stock fell 2.4%, from a closing price of $23.64 per share on July 25, 2024, to $23.08 per share on July 26, 2024. Then, on August 21, 2024, the price of Franklin Resources stock fell 12.5%, from a closing price of $22.62 per share on August 20, 2024, to $19.78 per share on August 21, 2024.Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/franklin-resources-inc What Can You Do?If you invested in Franklin Resources, Inc. you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm. All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitz ross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors (pending court approval), as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar, Fonti, & Auld LLP 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. PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 19:17:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 848 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Discover the Top 7 Reasons to Choose Nextshoess for All Your Sneaker NeedsSPRINGFIELD, MO / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / Sneakers have become a global fashion staple, beloved for their style, versatility, and comfort. Whether you're an avid sneaker collector or someone just looking for a comfortable yet stylish pair of kicks, finding the right retailer is key. Enter Nextshoess, one of the most popular online sneaker stores, offering a vast collection of sneakers from the biggest brands in the industry. Here's why Nextshoess should be your go-to destination for all your sneaker needs.1. Massive Range of Brands and StylesAt Nextshoess, you'll find an unbeatable selection of sneakers from the world's most iconic brands, including Nike, Air Jordans, and Yeezy, along with up-and-coming labels making waves in the sneaker world. Whether you're looking for the latest limited edition release or a classic style to complete your wardrobe, Nextshoess has something to suit every taste and preference."Our goal is to cater to sneaker lovers of all kinds, offering a curated range of styles to meet individual needs," said a spokesperson for Nextshoess. "Whether you're after the latest high-performance footwear or a casual sneaker for everyday wear, we've got you covered." 2. Expert Advice from SneakerheadsOne of the standout features of shopping at Nextshoess is their team of sneaker experts. Each member of the team has extensive experience in the footwear industry, making them true sneaker aficionados. Whether you need advice on sizing, style, or which sneakers offer the best performance, Nextshoess' team is ready to help you make an informed decision."The passion our team has for sneakers is unparalleled," said the spokesperson. "We're here to guide customers toward the best possible choices based on their needs, whether they're long-time sneakerheads or newcomers to the sneaker scene." 3. Premium Shipping and PackagingWhen you order from Nextshoess, you're guaranteed Premium Shipping and Packaging on all orders. The company goes above and beyond to ensure your sneakers arrive in perfect condition, regardless of whether you're ordering a popular style or a rare, hard-to-find pair.Customers can trust that their order will be handled with care and arrive promptly, making it easy and stress-free to get their hands on the latest sneaker drops. This is particularly important for those purchasing limited edition or collector's sneakers, where every detail matters.4. 100% Satisfaction GuaranteeCustomer satisfaction is a top priority for Nextshoess, which is why they offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If for any reason you're not happy with your purchase, the company offers easy returns and full refunds."We stand by the quality of our products and the experience we provide," said the spokesperson. "Our customers' happiness is paramount, and our satisfaction guarantee reflects our commitment to delivering on our promises." 5. Multiple Payment Methods for ConvenienceAt Nextshoess, convenience is key. The company accepts a wide range of payment methods, including major credit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and American Express, allowing customers to pay using their preferred method easily and securely."Our payment options are designed to make the shopping process as seamless as possible," the spokesperson noted. "We want our customers to focus on finding their perfect sneakers, not worrying about how to pay for them." 6. Strong Social Media PresenceWith over 50,000 followers on Instagram, Nextshoess has built a strong presence on social media, offering customers a front-row seat to the latest sneaker releases, restocks, and special promotions. Sneakerheads can stay in the loop and never miss out on the hottest new products by following the brand's active social media accounts."Social media is a major way we stay connected with our customers," said the spokesperson. "It allows us to share the latest updates, engage with our audience, and build a community around our shared love of sneakers." 7. Over 20,000 Trusted CustomersWith a customer base of over 20,000 satisfied buyers, Nextshoess has established itself as a trusted and reputable retailer. The company's commitment to high-quality products, exceptional service, and customer satisfaction has earned it a growing list of loyal patrons who return time and again for their sneaker needs."Trust is everything in the sneaker world," said the spokesperson. "Our customers trust us to deliver premium sneakers and exceptional service, and we work hard to maintain that trust with every order." In SummaryFor those in search of the perfect pair of sneakers, Nextshoess offers a one-stop shopping experience. With an extensive range of brands and styles, expert guidance, premium shipping, and unbeatable customer service, Nextshoess sets itself apart from the competition. Whether you're a seasoned sneakerhead or just getting started, Nextshoess is the ultimate destination for all things sneakers.What are you waiting for? Check out Nextshoess today and step into the world of sneakers like never before. VisitNextshoess.comor follow them on Instagram (@nextshoess) for the latest updates, releases, and promotions.Website: https://nextshoess.co.nz/ Instagram: @nextshoess Contact: +1929-431-1761Press Contact: Nextshoess Public Relations Email: info@ nextshoess.co.nzPhone: +1929-431-1761 Website: https://nextshoess.co.nz SOURCE: Nextshoess PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 22:25:54 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 741 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 MONROVIA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 7, 2024 / Dr. Ryan Smith, a seasoned educational leader with over 25 years of experience, emphasizes the benefits of college dual enrollment for high school students. With extensive leadership roles in various school districts, Dr. Ryan Smith offers valuable insights into how dual enrollment programs can positively impact students' academic and financial futures.Higher Odds of Attending and Graduating CollegeAccording to Dr. Ryan Smith, students who participate in dual enrollment programs are more likely to attend and graduate from college. "Dual enrollment provides students with a unique opportunity to experience college-level coursework while still in high school," states Dr. Ryan Smith. "This exposure not only makes the transition to college smoother but also increases their confidence in handling college academics." Studies have shown that students who complete dual enrollment courses are more likely to enroll in college and persist through to graduation, significantly reducing dropout rates.Better Preparing Students for College LifeDr. Ryan Smith asserts that dual enrollment better prepares students for the rigors of college life. "By taking college courses early, students learn essential skills such as time management, critical thinking, and effective study habits," he explains. "These skills are crucial for success in higher education and beyond." The experience of balancing high school and college coursework helps students develop the discipline needed to thrive in a college environment. Furthermore, dual enrollment programs, he says, often provide a supportive bridge between high school and college, with resources and guidance available to help students navigate this transitional period.Lower Tuition Fees and Reduced Student Loan DebtAccording to Dr. Ryan Smith, one of the most significant advantages of dual enrollment is the financial benefit. He notes that dual enrollment courses are often offered at a reduced cost or even accessible to high school students. This means students can earn college credits without the hefty price tag associated with traditional college tuition. Dr. Ryan Smith says that by accumulating college credits while still in high school, students can potentially shorten the time needed to complete a college degree, resulting in lower overall tuition costs and reduced student loan debt. In his view, this financial relief can make higher education more accessible and less burdensome for many families.More Room to Choose Favorable CoursesDr. Ryan Smith highlights that dual enrollment gives students more flexibility in their college course selection. "With credits already earned through dual enrollment, students have more room in their college schedules to explore courses of interest or focus on their major earlier," he explains. "This flexibility allows for a more personalized and fulfilling college experience." Additionally, by completing general education requirements through dual enrollment, Dr. Ryan Smith says, students can get into advanced or specialized courses sooner, potentially enhancing their academic and career prospects.Increased Odds of Landing a ScholarshipAccording to Dr. Ryan Smith, participation in dual enrollment can also improve students' chances of receiving scholarships. He states that colleges and universities often view dual enrollment as a sign of a student's dedication and readiness for higher education. This, he adds, can make them more attractive candidates for scholarships and other forms of financial aid. He says that the ability to succeed in college-level courses while still in high school can set students apart in the competitive scholarship application process, increasing their likelihood of receiving financial support for their education."Dual enrollment is a powerful tool for empowering students and setting them on a path to success," Dr. Ryan Smith concludes. "It not only provides academic and financial benefits but also fosters personal growth and readiness for the challenges of college and beyond. I strongly encourage students and their families to explore dual enrollment opportunities." Dr. Ryan Smith's Advocacy for Dual EnrollmentDr. Ryan Smith's extensive background in educational leadership informs his strong advocacy for dual enrollment programs. With experience as Deputy Superintendent of the Bellflower Unified School District, Superintendent of the Monrovia Unified School District, Assistant Superintendent of the Paramount Unified School District, and a high school principal, Dr. Ryan Smith has witnessed firsthand the positive impact these programs have on students. He holds a Doctor of Education degree in K-12 Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California, further solidifying his expertise in the field.CONTACT: https://www.ryandsmithedd.com Email: ryandsmithedd@ gmail.comhttps://www.ryandsmithedd.com/contacthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandsmithedd/ SOURCE: Dr. Ryan Smith PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 16:03:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 509 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Famous Fire-grilled Chicken Restaurant Chain Partners with Leading Foodservice Cloud Platform for Supply Chain IntelligenceCHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 /ArrowStream, Inc. ("ArrowStream"), the leading foodservice cloud platform for supply chain intelligence, is pleased to announce its newest partnership with El Pollo Loco, a famous fire-grilled chicken restaurant chain with 495 locations across the United States. ArrowStream will help modernize El Pollo Loco's supply chain operations, allowing the company to focus on strategic growth and innovation.With plans for continued unit expansion, El Pollo Loco recognized the need for a robust supply chain solution to manage the complexities of scaling operations across both corporate and franchise locations. By leveraging ArrowStream's advanced software solutions, El Pollo Loco will now have the ability to optimize their supply chain management, streamline processes, and improve spending efficiency."Having previously benefited from ArrowStream's capabilities, I understood the advantages their software offers for navigating a complex supply chain," remarked Jeff Burrus, Vice President of Supply Chain at El Pollo Loco. "Upon joining El Pollo Loco, it became evident that integrating ArrowStream was essential to not just meet but anticipate the needs arising from our expansion. ArrowStream seamlessly augments our dedicated team, enabling us to enhance the effectiveness and agility of our supply chain operations." ArrowStream's technology platform provides visibility, control, and automation across the supply chain, allowing El Pollo Loco to move beyond reliance on spreadsheets and distributor data. The system will empower their supply chain team to make data-driven decisions that drive productivity and profitability.Marc Larson, Vice President of Sales at ArrowStream, expressed his pride in welcoming El Pollo Loco to the ArrowStream network. "We are thrilled to partner with El Pollo Loco, a brand with a rich history and a bright future. Their story is one we've seen before-a talented supply chain team relying heavily on manual processes. With ArrowStream, we will supercharge their supply chain operations, enabling them to enhance efficiency and impact their bottom line. We're excited to be part of their journey as they continue to grow and succeed." This partnership marks another milestone for ArrowStream as it continues to expand its network of forward-thinking restaurant chains, paving the way for sustained growth and innovation in a competitive restaurant industry. This is the reason that businesses like IPC Subway, Denny's, Sbarro, and others use ArrowStream to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance the overall customer experience.Get in touch with an ArrowStream supply chain expert today for a free consultation to find out how ArrowStream can assist your team in modernizing your supply chain.About ArrowStream ArrowStream is the leading foodservice cloud platform for supply chain intelligence, with over 1,300 distribution locations, 9,000 manufacturers, and 300 leading brands across 120,000 restaurant locations tightly integrated into a single global network of applications and industry data. ArrowStream provides unparalleled levels of transparency, control, and actionable insight to mitigate risks, streamline operations, protect the brand, and optimize profitability. www.arrowstream.com Contact Information Joe FerrellSr. Director, Marketingjferrell@ arrowstream.com SOURCE: ArrowStream, Inc.View the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 23:01:58 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 766 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Market allows local partners to "shop" for needed itemsOKLAHOMA CITY, OK / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / Feed the Children, a leading anti-hunger organization, held a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony today for the organization's first "Partner Market." Through this program, participating local nonprofit partners can stock their community pantries and programs with the items that will have the greatest impact on the families they serve including food, essential personal care, household products and more.Feed the Children representatives including Gary Sloan, Chief U.S. Operations Officer, board members Amanda Rodriguez and Rhonda Hooper and Chief Growth & Strategy Officer Colleen Ridenhour cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the Partner Market.The partners can choose the items needed for their community programs from Feed the Children's Oklahoma City distribution center. Through the Partner Market, Feed the Children aims to alleviate food insecurity in the community by providing shelf-stable food and essential items to support children and families. This model aims to drive impact on child hunger by testing distribution methods that provide more flexibility in the quantity and selection of product.Currently, one in five children in Oklahoma County experience food insecurity and more than 15 percent of local families live below the poverty line. For many in the community, hunger remains a serious issue and price hikes in food, housing and energy are stretching the budgets of families to the breaking point."Feed the Children is committed to ending childhood hunger and each day we work to help create a world where no child goes to bed hungry," said Tamara Sandberg, Vice President of U.S. Program Development. "We are excited to launch this new program along with our incredible partners from across Oklahoma City. Together, we will be able to reach more families and serve more children right here in our own back yard." Feed the Children's Community Partner Development team oversees the partner application process to ensure all our partners align with Feed the Children's program standards to support the community.As part of the partner selection process, Feed the Children identified organizations that serve populations and/or geographic areas experiencing food insecurity based on a recent landscape analysis study. In the first year of the program, Feed the Children set a goal to include up to 10 participating community partners based on geographic area, population served, and capacity. Current partners include OK City Center, Sisu Youth Services, Light and Salvation Church, Pivot, City Care and the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic.Since the soft launch of the Partner Market in August, more than 8,500 pounds of food and 6,600 pounds of supplies, personal care items and children's books have been distributed.The nonprofit recently launched The Feed Initiative - OKC which represents a commitment to creating measurable and sustained impact on child food insecurity in Oklahoma's capital. As part of this initiative, Feed the Children will implement multiple programs that support children and their families with access to food and resources. This initiative will focus on designing and testing new, community-driven solutions to hunger. Feed the Children's Partner Market is the first program to launch as part of the Feed Initiative - OKC.About Feed the ChildrenAs a leading anti-hunger organization, Feed the Children is committed to ending childhood hunger. We provide children and families in the U.S. and around the world with the food and essentials kids need to grow and thrive.Through our programs and partnerships, we feed children today while helping their families and communities build resilient futures. In addition to food, we distribute household and personal care items across the United States to help parents and caregivers maintain stable, food-secure households. Internationally, we expand access to nutritious meals, safe water, improved hygiene, and training in sustainable living. Responsible stewards of our resources, we are driven to pursue innovative, holistic, and child-focused solutions to the complex challenges of hunger, food insecurity, and poverty.For children everywhere, we believe that having enough to eat is a fundamental right.Learn how you can help create a world without childhood hunger at feedthechildren.org ###Contact InformationCarrie SnodgrassSr. Communications & PR Managercarrie.snodgrass@feedthechildren.org (405) 213-9757Related ImagesFeed the Children representatives including Gary Sloan, Chief U.S. Operations Officer, board members Amanda Rodriguez and Rhonda Hooper and Chief Growth & Strategy Officer Colleen Ridenhour cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the Partner Market.Partners shop at Feed the Children's Partner Market in Oklahoma City.Local partners shop at Feed the Children's Partner Market in Oklahoma City.Partners shop at Feed the Children's Partner Market in Oklahoma City. SOURCE: Feed the Children PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 11:30:28 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1040 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SODANKYLA, FINLAND / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / FireFox Gold Corp. (TSXV:FFOX)(OTCQB:FFOXF) ("FireFox" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results from its summer exploration program and plans for additional work before winter. The Company focused its summer work on two of its 100%-controlled projects in northern Finland: Mustajarvi and Jeesio (Figure 1).The effort at Mustajarvi is aimed at expanding the footprint of gold mineralization beyond the three zones already identified in drilling and trenching over the last several years. The project has yielded numerous strongly mineralized intervals from drilling, including 13.85m at 28.74 g/t gold from 24m down hole (22MJ006) and 15.5m at 13.09 g/t gold from 11m down hole (22MJ021). The first trench from Mustajarvi East in the summer of 2023 also included outstanding results of 6.87m of 59.12 g/t gold (only 80m from a highway).Outcrop at Mustajarvi is rare, as most of the property is covered by variable deposits of glacial sediments. However, recent prospecting has discovered a new prospect with outcropping gold mineralization, including rock chip samples of 4.82 and 4.41 g/t gold. The new target is approximately 500 metres away from the nearest drilling. Fill-in base-of-till (BoT) sampling also continues to highlight structures and aid in the interpretation of the deposit. Company geologists are preparing a small trenching campaign to follow-up on last year's success at Mustajarvi East and increase the exposure around the new prospect. The team also aims to conduct some magnetics and electromagnetic surveys ahead of a planned winter drill program.Jeesio is a large project with numerous targets across different settings. Since 2021, FireFox has enjoyed modest success in the south of the property from very limited work. This summer and fall, Company geologists are adding detailed ground magnetics in areas of encouraging rock sampling. The new magnetics data suggest that gold in rock samples (33.6 g/t, 6.39 g/t, 7.79 g/t, 5.04 g/t and numerous others) in the Kataja and Saittavaara areas may be related to NW-SE and NNE-SSW trending D3 and D4 structures that trend under cover to the north and appear to intersect magnetic lows. Magnetic lows are often indicative of alteration and gold mineralization in orogenic gold terranes. Trenching and BoT sampling are planned in the prospective areas. The first drilling in this part of Jeesio may also come during the winter.Carl Lofberg, FireFox's CEO, commented about the new results, "There aretwo noteworthy things about this program. First, we keep growing the footprint of the gold system at Mustajarvi, and again, the new prospect exhibits strong grade at surface. Secondly, we are seeing the benefits of repeated application of our orogenic gold toolkit: detailed magnetics, iterative structural interpretation, reconnaissance mapping follow-up in exposed areas, and base-of-till sampling in covered settings. Gold in rock samples associated with the right generation of deformation is a key ingredient in discovery in Lapland. We look forward to having the excavator back on site at Mustajarvi and Jeesio and the drill to follow in the winter." The potential grades noted above and discussed below are conceptual in nature; there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in these targets being delineated as a mineral resource.Figure 1- Regional view of FireFox properties, highlighting Mustajarvi and Jeesio.Mustajarvi UpdateThe Mustajarvi Project lies along the highway between the cities of Kittila and Sodankyla, approximately 17 kilometres east of Kittila. Drilling to date has delineated three different lodes of gold mineralization along more than 1.5 kilometres of strike. Due to its near-surface high-grade nature, the Company has been focusing most recently on the East Target.Summer field work at the East Target included a short BoT sampling program in untested or sparsely tested areas of deep cover. This work confirmed anomalous gold in several locations, providing at least one drill target for follow-up testing, where a BoT sample collected above the interpreted Mustajarvi Shear Zone yielded 0.47 g/t Au. This anomaly is located 300 metres northwest from the East Target and 80 metres west from drillhole 21MJ005 (Figure 2), which returned 3.79 g/t gold over a 1 metre interval from 15m downhole (see news release dated August 17, 2021), suggesting continuity of this zone to the west. The Company is planning a down-hole geophysical survey to help vector towards continuation of the sulphide minerals associated with the gold mineralization. The FireFox team expects this feature to evolve into a drill-ready target by later in the year.Figure 2 - Mustajarvi East target area with new BoT sampling.Elsewhere at the project, the summer reconnaissance mapping program discovered a mineralized outcrop in an area that had seen limited previous field work by FireFox. The area is generally low-lying with swamp and overburden making outcrop scarce. The outcrop is exposed on the slope of a north-northwest trending topographic low that is believed to be a fault. Such faults have been associated with high-grade gold mineralization elsewhere on the property.The outcrop consists of silica-rich meta-sedimentary rock with semi-massive specularite layers, interpreted as a possible oxide facies banded iron formation (BIF). BIF is well known in the stratigraphic section, and specularite has been associated with gold in drilling at Mustajarvi East. However, this outcrop is more than 500 metres away from any previous drilling. Hand-panning of a small amount of weathered regolith that wasFigure 3 - Photos of BIF and gold grains from regolith.collected adjacent to the outcrop yielded numerous tiny gold flakes and some small rock fragments containing visible gold (see Figure 3).Rock chip samples were collected from the outcrop and the Company is currently compiling all available data in order to finalize the interpretation and plan a follow-up program this fall if possible.Approximately three kilometres east of the East Target area, the 318-hectare Pikkulehto property block is undergoing the first ground-magnetics survey to delineate areas for follow-up BoT sampling. The survey is anticipated to continue into the fall.Jeesio Project UpdateThe 100%-controlled Jeesio Project covers approximately 74.6 km2 along one of the major trans-crustal structures that control the emplacement of numerous orogenic gold deposits in Lapland. The main Jeesio targets include the Utsamo and Kataja Belt areas. From south to north, the Kataja Belt consists of thr PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 17:02:53 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 302 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Globus Medical, Inc. ("Globus" or "the Company") (NYSE:GMED) for violations of the securities laws.The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Globus disclosed in an August 13, 2024, SEC filing that, "on July 16, 2024, Globus Medical, Inc. received a warning letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the FDA') following an inspection of our facilities in Audubon, Pennsylvania. In the warning letter, the FDA cited deficiencies in the response letters sent by the Company to the FDA following the Form 483, List of Investigational Observations, which was delivered to the Company in connection with the inspection that occurred from February 15, 2024 until March 7, 2024. The letter describes observed non-conformities in establishing and maintaining product complaint procedures, including complaint investigations, trending, risk reconciliation, and Medical Device Report (MDR) procedures including timely reporting, pertaining to the ExcelsiusGPS robotic system." If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com , or by email at bschall@ schallfirm.com The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.CONTACT: The Schall Law FirmBrian Schall, Esq.310-301-3335 info@ schallfirm.comwww.schallfirm.com SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 21:30:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 735 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 2024 Homelessness Symposium-a gathering to share the successes and struggles regarding homelessness prevention and intervention in Los AngelesLOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / The Salvation Army's Homelessness Symposium is an educational forum that seeks to ignite conversation and action around the most pressing homelessness issues facing the Los Angeles community. It will feature keynotes, fireside chats, panels, and Q&As.Homelessness Syposium Invitation WHAT: 2024 Homelessness Symposium-a gathering to share the successes and struggles regarding homelessness prevention and intervention in Los AngelesCollaboration, not competition. How NPOs must evolve.Innovation: The need for fresh ideas.Challenges facing city infrastructure.Cura Personalis: The role of mental health in homelessness.WHO:Lieutenant Governor of California, Eleni KounalalkisThe Salvation Army LA Metro Board MembersLt. Colonel Mike Dickinson, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army Southern California DivisionWHEN: Tuesday, September 17, 9am-3pmWHERE: Gibson Dunn333 South Grand Ave. 54th FloorLos Angeles, CA 90071RSVP Required to Attend: 562.685.4131INTERVIEWS & PHOTO OPS:Lieutenant Governor of California, Eleni Kounalalkis (by pre-arranged appointment)Lt. Colonel Mike Dickinson, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army Southern California DivisionMajor Lisa Barnes, Divisional Secretary for Los Angeles Metro of The Salvation ArmyAndrew Jameson, The Salvation Army LA Metro Advisory Board Chairman; Managing Partner of Path Content Group (PCG)The Salvation Army will be hosting the 2024 Homelessness Symposium, which will be held Tuesday, September 17th at the offices of Gibson Dunn in downtown Los Angeles. Lieutenant Governor of California, Eleni Kounalakis, and other leading voices in the public and private sectors will once again come together around this important conversation, providing attendees valuable insights into the homelessness crisis facing the greater Los Angeles community.The confirmed speakers to date include: California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Deputy Mayor of Homelessness & Community Health for the City of Los Angeles, Dr. Etsemaye Agonafer, USC Professor and Director of Social Work, Dr. Carl Castro, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) former Chair, Wendy Greuel, former Mayor of the City of Glendale, Ardy Kassakian, Director of Homelessness Policy Research Institute, Benjamin Henwood, Los Angeles Police Department Homelessness Commander, Giselle Espinoza, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP Partner, Theane Evangelis, plus 14 additional thought-leaders from the public and private sectors in the areas of homelessness, mental health, and social work."As we experience an ever-worsening homelessness crisis, we find ourselves at an inflection point for our state, our city, and our community," said Andrew Jameson, Chair of The Salvation Army's Los Angeles Metropolitan Advisory Board. "There is perhaps no better time for The Salvation Army, as a leading voice in addressing this epidemic, to host the 2024 Symposium. Hopefully, we can showcase helpful, engaging and even transformative conversations among key stakeholders in our public and private sectors as we continue to confront this challenging issue." Major Lisa Barnes, The Salvation Army's Los Angeles Metro Coordinator, adds "As a major provider of homeless services in Los Angeles, The Salvation Army recognizes the need for collaboration to tackle this growing humanitarian crisis. That is why we, once again, are bringing together some of the most influential thought leaders in the public and private sectors to discuss the growing problems of homelessness, but more importantly, consider the "cura personalis" as we seek to transform one life at a time." The Salvation Army's Homelessness Symposium is an educational forum that seeks to ignite conversation and action around the most pressing homelessness issues facing the Los Angeles community. It will feature keynotes, fireside chats, panels, and Q&As.ONSITE CONTACT: Melinda Lankford, Communications & Marketing DirectorTo RSVP, for more information on this event, and to arrange interviews, please contact Melinda Lankford, Communications and Marketing Director for The Salvation Army Southern California Division at: Melinda.Lankford@usw.salvationarmy.org 562.685.4131About The Salvation Army:The Salvation Army has been supporting those in need without discrimination since 1880 in the United States. Today, more than 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a broad array of social services including food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, and shelter for the homeless. The Salvation Army has been serving Los Angeles County for over 140 years and provides up to 1700 shelter beds in LA County each night.For additional information, visit www.salvationarmy-socal.org ###Contact InformationMelinda LankfordCommunications & Marketing Directormelinda.lankford@usw.salvationarmy.org 562-685-4131Related FilesHomelessness Symposium Media Release September 2024SOURCE: The Salvation ArmyView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 16:33:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 515 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 New role will align IMA's research goals with the global academic communityMONTVALE, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 /IMA(Institute of Management Accountants), the association of accountants and financial professionals in business, announced today the appointment of Todd Thornock, Ph.D., CMA, CPA, as its first Academic Research Fellow. Thornock is the first individual to hold this position and will work on representing IMA's mission and vision to the global academic research community.As IMA's Academic Research Fellow, Thornock will be responsible for working with the academic community and accounting and related associations, IMA staff, and IMA volunteers to guide IMA's academic research platform. This includes identifying and supporting research on topics of importance to the profession, supporting the development of IMA's Statements of Management Accounting, advocating for submissions from the academic community to IMA publications, and presenting research findings at academic conferences, seminars, and workshops."IMA has a rich history of serving accounting and finance professionals and academics with research on emerging topics as the profession continues to evolve," said Mike DePrisco, president and CEO at IMA. "I am happy to welcome Todd to IMA where he will serve the important role of spearheading IMA's academic research and ensuring that it is beneficial for our membership and the larger business community." Thornock will continue to serve as an associate professor at the College of Business at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He holds a Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Texas at Austin, has published in many reputable peer-reviewed academic journals and articles, and earned many honors and awards including the IMA Lybrand Award Certificate of Merit in 2017, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business Distinguished Teaching Award Nominee in 2022 and 2023, and the Journal of Management Accounting Research Outstanding Reviewer Award in 2023, among others."I am excited to take on this role for IMA. Having served as both an academic and practitioner, I understand the importance of having the most up-to-date information available to make critical decisions. Serving as IMA's Academic Research Fellow, I hope to facilitate growth of the profession's knowledge and insights," said Thornock.An archive of IMA's research reports is available on IMA's website.About IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) IMA is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA (Certified Management Accountant), CSCA (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis), and FMAA (Financial and Managerial Accounting Associate) certification programs, continuing education, networking, and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices. Twice named Professional Body of the Year by The Accountant/International Accounting Bulletin, IMA has a global network of about 140,000 members in 150 countries and 200+ professional and student chapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provides localized services through its six global regions: The Americas, China, Europe, Middle East/North Africa, India, and Asia Pacific. For more information about IMA, please visit www.imanet.org Giuseppe Barone, IMA(201) 474-1681 giuseppe.barone@imanet.org Brian Sherry, Stern Strategy Group908-325-3860 ima@ sternstrategy.com SOURCE: IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 21:00:46 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 926 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 MD&M refocuses as the new identity for the leading group of business events where medical, critical and advanced manufacturing professionals meet, learn and grow.SANTA MONICA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 /Informa Markets Engineering , the leading business to business (B2B) event producer, publisher, and digital media platform for the advanced manufacturing industry, today announces its transition to MD&M as the unifying identity for its four national manufacturing events and alongside its various co-located brands.MD&M is the leading group of business events across America for professionals in medical, critical specification and advanced manufacturing. The transformation encompasses the current slate of Informa Markets Engineering (IME) advanced manufacturing (ADM) events including: the global tentpole eventMD&M West(formerly IME West), the alternating biennial regional exposMD&M EastandMD&M South(previously referred to as IME East and IME South), and the annual North American target hubMD&M Midwest(priorly known as Advanced Manufacturing Minneapolis or ADM Minneapolis).From medical device manufacturing to the specialized industry sectors covering plastics, automation, design and manufacturing, packaging, processing and quality assurance, attendees and exhibitors will experience the full spectrum of manufacturing under one roof, benefiting from a seamless and consistent experience across the board. MD&M will continue to serve as the meeting point for professionals innovating life-saving devices, cutting-edge technologies and advanced manufacturing processes as the only end-to-end manufacturing show with the widest breadth and range of offerings on one show floor. Renowned for decades of unparalleled connectivity, knowledge and inspiration, MD&M provides the resources, products, tools, solutions and information to adapt to the continuously evolving needs of the industry. Thousands of professionals in the medical, advanced manufacturing and critical specification manufacturing across the US convene for the latest news and emerging innovations from each regional touchpoint that MD&M serves."The decision to unify our events under a single, highly recognized, and established entity will introduce fresh perspective and a dynamic new voice to manufacturing. Our goal is to further engage our diverse audiences year-round in a more strategic and consistent way, empowering additional collaboration across regions, subsectors, and specializations unique to each Informa Markets Engineering event," says Melissa Magestro, VP Group Portfolio Leader at Informa Markets Engineering . "The enhanced brand and its events will deliver greater value for all those who attend, offering new pathways and providing expert content reflecting the current trends and insights that drive progress for each region respectively and worldwide." Manufacturers, now more than ever, are seeking solutions to address increased demands from market factors including rising healthcare, insurance costs, raw materials expenses, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, economic climate, and more, as referenced in the National Association of Manufacturers 2024 Outlook Survey. Facing these needs with more strategic and cohesive collaboration, MD&M is committed to being the platform to resource engineers efficiently with stronger relationships across regions for sectors like packaging, medtech, automation and plastic technologies, among others."Those innovating life-saving devices, cutting-edge technologies , and advanced manufacturing processes play a vital role in driving progress across the whole of society," notes Adrienne Zepeda, Group Event Director for MD&M West. "Real breakthroughs happen through collaboration, gaining specialized knowledge, sourcing groundbreaking solutions and bringing inspired professionals together. At MD&M, national and international suppliers and buyers will find connections and education beyond compare at the industry leading events for the entire medical and advanced manufacturing ecosystem." As part of the new launch of MD&M West, the event will be celebrating its 40th anniversary milestone, showcasing the event's rich history and pioneering innovations. In addition to this, MD&M proudly introduces the inaugural Sustainable Manufacturing Expo , the first and only event dedicated to sustainable manufacturing in North America, co-located with MD&M West at the Anaheim Convention Center, taking place on Feb. 4-5, 2025.Registration for the largest MD&M Midwest to-date (Oct. 16-17) at the Minneapolis Convention Center, and the renowned MD&M West (Feb 4-6, 2025), taking place at Anaheim Convention Center in California, is open now. MD&M East (May 20-22, 2025) will return to the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York.About MD&M MD&M, organized by Informa Markets Engineering, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), is the leading group of business events across the U.S. for professionals in medical, critical and advanced manufacturing. United under one brand, MD&M is the premier platform where professionals meet, learn and collaborate to drive innovations in life-saving devices, cutting-edge technologies and advanced manufacturing processes. Founded in 1985, the MD&M portfolio includes MD&M West, MD&M East, MD&M South and MD&M Midwest. Focusing on fostering collaboration across regions and sectors, MD&M is dedicated to empowering professionals through year-round engagement, advanced matchmaking technology and specialized events that reflect the ever-evolving needs of the industry.About Informa Markets Engineering Informa Markets' Engineering portfolio is the leading B2B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the world's $3-trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry. Our print and electronic products deliver trusted information to the engineering market and leverage our proprietary 1.3-million-name database to connect suppliers with buyers and purchase influencers. We produce more than 50 events and conferences in a dozen countries, connecting manufacturing professionals from around the globe. The Engineering portfolio is organized by Informa, the world's leading exhibition organizer that brings a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit informamarkets.com Media Contact Informa Markets Engineering PR EngineeringPR@ informa.com SOURCE: INFORMA MARKETS - ENGINEERING PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 10:31:42 Press Information Published by ACN Newswire +65 6304 8926 e-mail https://www.acnnewswire.com/ # 537 Words ACN Newswire+65 6304 8926 TOKYO & BAKU, Sept 17, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - JCB International Co., Ltd., the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., Japans only international payment brand, and Azer Turk Bank OJSC, Azerbaijan state-owned bank with state participation in authorized capital, are delighted to announce the launch of JCB merchant acquiring operations across the Republic of Azerbaijan, allowing cardholders to make payments seamlessly across Azer Turk Banks extensive ATM and POS terminal network.Mr. Namid Abdulov, Director of Azer Turk Banks Processing Center, expressed his optimism about the future collaboration, emphasizing the positive impact it will have on the business landscape. We look forward to exploring the opportunities that the JCB payment system brings, fostering a harmonious partnership that benefits everyone involved. This collaboration holds great promise for Azer Turk Banks valued clients and partners. Mr. Abdulov believes that embracing the privileges, campaigns, and discounts offered by JCBs payment system will not only enrich the customer experience, but also pave the way for mutually beneficial partnerships with our commercial and service partners.Mr. Obaid Bawany, General Manager of JCB International Co., Ltd. Dubai Representative Office, commented: We are very pleased to be partnering with Azer Turk Bank, one of the largest and fastest- growing banks in Azerbaijan with stable and high business reputation. The number of tourists visiting Azerbaijan is growing rapidly as the republic has a rich ancient history and unique cuisine. The start of JCB Cards acceptance through Azer Turk Bank network will definitely provide more convenience for JCB cardmembers both in terms of points-of-sale and cash withdrawal.JCB is the only international payment brand originated in Japan, one of the major international payment brands. With a rich history spanning over 60 years, JCB has over 158 million cardholders across various countries and territories while JCB Cards are accepted at about 49 million associated merchants.About Azer Turk BankAzer-Turk Bank is an Azerbaijani state-owned bank that provides retail and commercial banking services. It is an open joint stock company established in 1995, based on a license issued by the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan. For more detailed information about the bank's products and services, feel free to visit our website at https://atb.az or check out our official corporate pages on social networks. Alternatively, you can reach us through WhatsApp at (055) 7770 945 or contact our Call Center at the number 945.ContactsAzer Turk BankRauf AgayevPress SecretaryTel: +994 12 404 14 45Email: rauf.a@atb.az About JCBJCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 49 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 158 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/ ContactsJCBKosuke OchiaiCorporate CommunicationsTel: +81-3-5778-8353Email: jcb-pr@ info.jcb.co.jp BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. Total investments by the end of the first half of 2024 in the development of the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli Deepwater Caspian Fields Block (ACG) amounted to about $45 billion, while the total production volume amounted to about 4.4 billion barrels of oil, of which more than 4.3 billion barrels were exported through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the publication of bp (the production operator) titled "From Vision to Value: 30 Years of ACG reads, Trend reports. Meanwhile, this coming Friday (September 20) will be a milestone, as it marks the 30th anniversary of Azerbaijan putting pen to paper on its first international contract for hydrocarbon production - the deal for the development of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) block of Caspian fields.. Since gaining independence in 1991, Azerbaijan has opened its oil industry to foreign participation as a way of financing economic development and, through agreements with neighboring countries, contributing to regional stability and growth. The national strategy developed by the government culminated in the signing of the pioneering Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) on September 20, 1994 - a historic day for Azerbaijan, bp stressed. The company recalled that the PSA on ACG, originally signed for 30 years, was extended in 2017 until 2050. Western multinationals' first substantial investment in a former Soviet country is the ACG development contract. The Contract of the Century Azerbaijan's first offshore production-sharing deal, the ACG contract, launched its new oil policy and established a legal framework for investors. Participating oil companies fund all field development costs and receive cost recovery through oil under the PSA. Companies and the Azerbaijani state share the remaining 'profit oil', the publication stresses. The ACG contract is governed by a Steering Committee, which approves the work program and specific project budgets for the Azerbaijan Operating Company for this block of fields (AIOC). The steering committee consists of representatives of SOCAR, the Azerbaijani government, and the participating foreign oil companies. Current shareholders in the project are bp (30.37 percent), SOCAR (25.0 percent), MOL (9.57 percent), INPEX (9.31 percent), Equinor (7.27 percent), ExxonMobil (6.79 percent), TPAO (5.73 percent), ITOCHU (3.65 percent), and ONGCVidesh (2.31 percent). Regarding the ACG block, this megastructure in the Caspian Sea, about 100 km east of Baku, comprises several productive horizons (reservoirs), including the Balakhany VIII and X and the upper and lower Fasila, located at depths of 2,000 to 3,500 meters beneath the Caspian Sea. The field has been developed in several phases: production at Chirag has been underway since 1997 as part of the Early Oil Project (EOP). This was followed by the Azeri Phase 1 - Central Azeri project, where production began in early 2005. Subsequent Phase 2 included West Azeri, where production began in December 2005, and East Azeri, where production began in late 2006. Phase 3 included the deepwater portion of Guneshli (from April 2008). The project was followed by the establishment and operation of the West Chirag platform (the first oil from the platform was produced on January 28, 2014). The latest ACG development project is the Central Azeri East (ACE) production platform, and this phase marked the receipt of the first oil from ACE on April 16, 2024. The ACE field block is currently producing around 336,000 barrels per day, and oil is exported to global markets mainly via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) routes, bp said. The company is confident that the 30-year successful cooperation between the ACG partners and the Azerbaijani government has demonstrated that foreign oil companies can work with the Azerbaijani government and SOCAR to jointly realize a world-class project including offshore production platforms, subsea pipelines, onshore storage, and exports to international markets. This has increased investor confidence and brought Azerbaijan international recognition as a location for successful business. With the implementation of ACG, Azerbaijan has gained a growing role as a strategically important supplier of energy resources. The ACG project has generated jobs for thousands of people and helped hundreds of local Azerbaijani companies to grow and become suppliers to the oil and gas industry. This has led to the development of new professional skills and a significant improvement in the local business infrastructure, enabling the full realization of independent production of world-class offshore platforms in Azerbaijan. Today, 90 percent of the professional staff of bp-Azerbaijan (the operator of ACG) are Azerbaijani nationals. As part of national staff development, many of these employees have acquired high professional competence by taking up management positions in bp's offices in the UK, Iraq, Kuwait, Mauritania, Senegal, and other countries, the information concludes. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 19:00:41 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 454 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Junior League of Miami Donates $40,000 in Grants to Local Nonprofits on Find The Good DayMIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / In celebration of Find The Good Day, the Junior League of Miami (JLM) is excited to award $40,000 in community grants to local nonprofits working to uplift and strengthen the Miami community. These grants are part of JLM's commitment to fostering positive change and supporting initiatives that empower women and improve lives.Junior League of Miami Junior League of Miami Community Grants About Find The Good Day:Find The Good Day is an initiative created by The Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) to inspire people to recognize and celebrate the good in their lives and communities. The day encourages gratitude, kindness, and supporting one another in the pursuit of a better world.$40,000 in Community Grants:To mark Find The Good Day, JLM will distribute $40,000 in grants to local nonprofits focused on education, health, and social services. These funds will empower these organizations to continue their vital work, helping families and children in the Miami community. This initiative reflects JLM's long-standing commitment to driving meaningful, measurable change where it's needed most.The Junior League of Miami: A Legacy of ImpactFounded in 1925, the Junior League of Miami has been dedicated to improving the Miami community through volunteerism and service. JLM is a volunteer-led organization comprising over 600 women from diverse backgrounds, including full-time working mothers, business owners, corporate leaders, homemakers, retirees, and students. All members share a commitment to making Miami a better place.As JLM approaches its centennial next year, it remains focused on its mission to advance women's leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Throughout its nearly 100-year history, JLM has addressed critical issues in Miami, particularly focusing on children and families at risk.JLM has played a pivotal role in the founding and support of several major nonprofits, including Children's Home Society, CHARLEE House, the Guardian Ad Litem program, and the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science.Looking Toward the Future:In 2023, JLM revived its grantmaking program, with plans to award $216,000 in community grants and projects for the 2023-2024 year. By 2025, JLM will have invested $500,000 back into the Miami community, amplifying the impact of local nonprofits as it celebrates its centennial.Get Involved:If you're a woman over 21 in Miami and passionate about making a difference, we invite you to join the Junior League of Miami. Together, we can continue to transform our community and create lasting change.For more information or interviews with JLM leaders, please contact us at JLMiami.org Contact InformationNicole BergmanVP of Marketing & Communicationsnbergman@ ajli.org 212-951-8348SOURCE: The Association of Junior Leagues InternationalView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 16:02:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 566 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Mary E. Ramos celebrates her second consecutive Super Lawyer recognition as Ramos Law Group expands its team and services to Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin.HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / Ramos Law Group, PLLC, is proud to announce that Mary E. Ramos, founder and board-certified family law attorney, has been selected to the 2024 Texas Super Lawyers list for the second consecutive year. This prestigious recognition is awarded to only five percent of attorneys in the state of Texas and highlights Mary's dedication to excellence in family law.Mary E. Ramos - Texas Super Lawyer A professional image of Mary E. Ramos standing confidently in a well-lit office environment. She is dressed in elegant business attire, exuding professionalism and warmth.Super Lawyers is a nationally recognized rating service that honors outstanding lawyers with high peer recognition and professional achievement. Attorneys are selected based on rigorous criteria, including settlements, experience, honors, and community service. The selection process involves independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.Mary E. Ramos, who has been practicing family law since 2004 and became Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) in 2014, is passionate about guiding individuals and families through complex legal challenges, such as divorce, child custody, and property division. Her commitment to continuous learning and focus on providing exceptional client care have earned her a reputation for professionalism and compassion."I am deeply honored to be named a Texas Super Lawyer for the second year in a row," said Mary E. Ramos. "This recognition reflects the tireless work of our entire team at Ramos Law Group, and it reaffirms our commitment to delivering top-notch legal services and guiding our clients through some of the most difficult times in their lives." In addition to Mary's recent recognition, Ramos Law Group is excited to announce the expansion of its team with the addition of two esteemed attorneys, Carrie Marquis and Maria Lowry. Carrie Marquis, a senior attorney with a rich background in family law, and Maria Lowry, a highly skilled and compassionate advocate, bring a wealth of knowledge and dedication to the firm.As part of its continued growth, Ramos Law Group is expanding its reach to serve families across Texas, with plans to open offices in Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin. This expansion will allow the firm to extend its highly regarded level of service and provide compassionate legal support to more individuals and families throughout the state.We invite passionate and dedicated attorneys to explore opportunities to join our growing team. If you're ready to make a difference, visit our careers page at https://www.ramosfamilylaw.com/about/careers/ About Ramos Law Group, PLLC:Ramos Law Group, PLLC, is a leading family law firm based in Houston, Texas, committed to providing personalized and effective legal services in matters of divorce, child custody, and complex property division. The firm is known for its client-centered approach, innovative legal strategies, and dedication to achieving positive outcomes for clients. With a team of experienced attorneys and a growing presence across Texas, Ramos Law Group is dedicated to helping families navigate the most challenging aspects of family law with care and expertise.For more information, visit www.ramosfamilylaw.com Contact InformationAlfredo RamosBusiness Managerinfo@ ramosfamilylaw.com 713-225-6200Christina SantosCase Care Managerchristina@ ramosfamilylaw.com 713-225-6200SOURCE: Ramos Law Group, PLLCView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 15:01:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1040 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / MassRobotics announces that Jumpstart Cohort 5 applications are now open. Opportunities exist for both Boston and Lowell students; the program expanded to a second location in 2023 at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) to reach additional students.The MassRoboticsJumpstart Fellowship Programwas created in 2021 to provide opportunities for diverse Massachusetts high school girls to learn about STEM careers in robotics. This annual program is funded through grants from La Fondation Dassault Systemes, The Cummings Foundation,Mass Tech ,Toyota Research Institute , andAnalog Devices Foundation ."La Fondation Dassault Systemes proudly sponsors the MassRobotics Jumpstart Program, aligning our mission to spark STEM interest through creative programs. We've supported this program from day one and are delighted to see the positive impact it has had on dozens of young women, empowering them to pursue technical disciplines in college with confidence," said Deborah Dean, President at Dassault Systemes US Foundation.The Saturday sessions run from January through May and include a week of field trips to robotics companies during February public school vacation week. The Jumpstart curriculum provides a solid foundation of technical skills and support for participants by connecting them to a network of mentors and industry professionals for added support and increased confidence. Following a five-month technical curriculum and mentorship program, students have the opportunity to gain real-world experience through paid internships at a robotics or technology company. GreenSight has been hosting student interns for four years."Supporting STEM education and helping foster DEI in the tech industry are core goals of our company. Jumpstart allows us to make a noticeable difference in both these areas. To us, the lack of diversity in robotics is an obvious sign that a lot of high-quality talent simply is not able to break into the industry. Jumpstart is a small but significant way for GreenSight to enlarge the pool of U.S. robotics engineers. Years of experience has taught our company how to make excellent use of engineering co-ops and interns, and the Jumpstart interns we've hired have made significant contributions to GreenSight," said Joel Pedlikin, co-founder and COO, GreenSight.Students experience technology education sessions at local companies and organizations including Shell TechWorks, The MITRE Corporation, Omron, and Brooks Automation, as well as the UMass Lowell NERVE Center which develops test methods and metrics for measuring robot capabilities, human performance, and human-robot interaction."We've been working closely with MassRobotics for several years to collaborate on this program to serve the students of our region with information to help them embark on their path toward a robotics career. This is an amazing opportunity to grow a more diverse workforce and offers our students and faculty the chance to mentor the future workforce and the next generation of students who we'd love to see at this university within the coming years," said Julie Chen, UMass Lowell chancellor. "In fact, we currently have four talented Jumpstart alumni enrolled here and are looking to expand our scholarship opportunities for future Jumpstart students." Massachusetts Tech Collaborative(MassTech) has supported the Jumpstart Fellowship Program since the 2021 pilot and will continue to support the program's expansion in UMass Lowell for a second year."MassRobotics is helping young women advance their careers and join the workforce at a record pace," said Carolyn Kirk, CEO, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech). "MassTech will continue to support the Jumpstart program because it is diversifying robotics and continuing to grow the ecosystem in Massachusetts." To date, 68 Jumpstart fellows have graduated from the program. Many alumni continue to pursue STEM fields and are enrolled in institutions at home and around the country including Umass Lowell, MIT, Harvard, Northeastern, Boston University, Johns Hopkins, Purdue, Georgia Tech, and Stanford."A key part of the Jumpstart program is making sure these young women feel confident and empowered to enter the STEM field. Students learn directly from mentors about the different types of robotics and technical jobs and how to leverage their studies into a career in robotics through lab and company visits," said Alethea Campbell, Program Manager, Jumpstart Fellowship at Massrobotics.Last year's graduating fellows shared their experiences about the program:"This program has taught me so much about what it means to be an engineer." - Alison"My time with Jumpstart has unveiled so much about the STEM field for me, and it has inspired me to work harder than ever to pave my career in it." - Misharohand"Jumpstart has let me gain a deeper understanding about the field of engineering and what I want to do in the future." - Lucy"Being part of Jumpstart made me realize that I'm capable of much more than I hadever thought possible." - Beatriz"It has been amazing getting to learn from industry professionals, and I feel muchmore prepared for my future after the program." - KendreeAll female high school juniors and seniors in Boston and Lowell public high schools, especially those who are Black and Latinx, with a passion for robotics and technology are encouraged to apply. The application link and information sessions link, as well as Q&A and program schedule can be foundhere .Meet Jumpstart fellows at the7th annual Robot Block Partyon September 28, one of the Boston area's largest STEM-focused events. There will be opportunities to enroll, learn more about the program, and ask Jumpstart fellows about their experiences. Learn morehere .For businesses interested in participating as an employer in the Lowell or Boston areas, or those hiring students who have gone through the Jumpstart program for summer employment, please reach out and fill out thisform .Jumpstart is in need of female technology professionals interested in providing expertise during Saturday lessons. Please provide your informationhereif interested.About MassRobotics MassRobotics is the largest independent robotics hub dedicated to accelerating robotics innovation, commercialization and adoption. Our mission is to help create and scale the next generation of successful robotics and AI technology companies by providing entrepreneurs and startups with the workspace, resources, programming and connections they need to develop, prototype, test and scale their products and solutions. While MassRobotics originated and is headquartered in Boston, we reach and support robot PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 16:33:36 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 480 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Join Nassau Suffolk Law Services as we continue to illuminate pathways to justice under our new name, Legal Services of Long Island (LSLI). Help us guide our communities and neighbors in need towards accessible legal services for all.NASSAU, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / After nearly six decades of dedicated service, Nassau Suffolk Law Services announces its new name: Legal Services of Long Island (LSLI). This rebranding underscores the organization's commitment to providing critical legal assistance while emphasizing its distinct identity as the region's largest nonprofit provider of free civil legal services, separate and apart from any government agencies.New Logo September 2024 Where Dignity Meets JusticeSince 1966, LSLI has been at the forefront of poverty law on Long Island, focusing on cases involving shelter, food, healthcare, and family issues. The organization serves over 15,000 people annually through direct legal representation, saving New York State taxpayers more than $2.2 million by avoiding emergency shelter costs and helping clients move off public assistance."While our name has evolved, our mission remains the same: to provide unwavering legal support to Long Island's most vulnerable residents," said Victoria Osk, Executive director of Legal Services of Long Island. "This change highlights our broader vision and renewed commitment to combating serious housing problems, ensuring equal access to government benefits, and protecting the rights of marginalized communities across the island." LSLI's expertise extends to housing preservation, a critical issue given the increasingly prohibitive cost of living on Long Island which puts more of our neighbors at risk of homelessness. The organization has been instrumental in preventing housing loss through its work in eviction defense and foreclosure prevention.As part of its innovative approach, LSLI provides extensive community education, outreach, and partnerships with lay advocates. These efforts, combined with their direct services, offer comprehensive support to Long Island's low-income communities.LSLI's services are free and primarily income-based, with some programs serving special populations without financial eligibility guidelines.The organization invites the public to visit its new website, www.legalservicesli.org , to learn more about its history, services, and opportunities for involvement.About Legal Services of Long Island: Legal Services of Long Island (LSLI), formerly Nassau Suffolk Law Services, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free legal services to Long Islanders in need. Since 1966, LSLI has been committed to championing justice and improving the lives of clients through high-quality legal advocacy.For more information, visit www.legalservicesli.org Contact: Sharon Campo, Esq Supervising Attorney for Volunteers and Community Projects Legal Services of Long Island formerly Nassau Suffolk Law ServicesPhone: 631.232.2400 ext. 3368Email: scampo@ legalservicesli.org Website: www.legalservicesli.org Contact InformationSharon Campo, Esq.Supervising Attorney for Volunteers and Community Projectsscampo@ nsls.legal 631.232.2400 ext. 3368Meredith LessingChief Strategy Officermeredith@ vertigomediagrp.com 516.882.5030 x2706Related FilesLSLIPressRelease091224FINALRelated VideoSOURCE: Nassau Suffolk Law ServicesView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 22:51:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 539 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 5 Health Plans Achieve a 5-Star RatingWASHINGTON, D.C. / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) today announced its 2024 Health Plan Ratings, an annual list that evaluates commercial, Medicare and Medicaid health plans based on assessments of patient experience and clinical quality. The 2024 Health Plan Ratings are based on data from calendar year 2023, when approximately 227 million people were enrolled in health plans that reported Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) results to NCQA.Health plans are rated on a scale of 1-5 stars. NCQA considers plans with 4.5 and 5 stars as the highest-rated health plans in the nation. This year's Ratings showed a slight increase in 5-star plans, with 5 out of 1,019 rated plans achieving the highest rating. Three were commercial and two were Medicare plans. There was also a slight increase in Medicaid and Medicare plans that achieved 4- and 4.5-star ratings, compared to 2023, demonstrating improvement across several health quality measures."Annual Health Plan Ratings are vital to providing health care consumers with transparent and objective information about the quality and performance of health plans. Ratings not only help individuals make informed choices to receive the best possible care but also motivate health plans to improve their operations, with a focus on quality, equity and accountability," said NCQA President Margaret E. O'Kane.NCQA continues to prioritize health equity in its Ratings methodology, reinforcing its commitment to promoting equity across the industry. This year, NCQA increased the scoring threshold for the Race/Ethnicity Diversity of Membership (RDM) measure and increased the measure weight from 0.5 to 1.0. Collecting race and ethnicity data is crucial for closing gaps in quality of care and promoting health equity. By encouraging broader stratification and collection of race and ethnicity data by health plans, Ratings can drive continuous quality improvement across the health care industry, ensuring that all patients receive the best possible care.Methodology Each year, NCQA rates health plans that choose to publicly report their HEDIS data. Ratings are based on nearly 50 assessments of patient care outcomes and experience, including measures of clinical quality from NCQA's HEDIS and CMS's Health Outcomes Survey (HOS); measures of patient experience using the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS); and NCQA's review of health plan quality improvement processes (NCQA Accreditation).The overall Rating is the weighted average of a plan's HEDIS, CAHPS and HOS measure ratings, plus Accreditation bonus points, calculated on a 1-5 scale (5 is highest), displayed as stars and rounded to the nearest half-point.Visit the NCQA website for details on the 2024 Health Plan Ratings, measures and methodology.About NCQA NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA Accredits and Certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA's website ( ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make informed health care choices. NCQA can also be found at Twitter/X @ncqa and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa ###Contact Information Theresa MasnikSHIFT Communicationsncqa@ shiftcomm.com 508-395-7416SOURCE: National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)View the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 18:16:19 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 353 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / RIWI Corp. (TSXV:RIWI)(OTC:RWCRF) (the "Company" or "RIWI"), a market research platform, global trend-tracking and prediction technology firm, today announced that it will be presenting and participating in 1x1 meetings at the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VANCOUVER 2024 in association with Small Cap Discoveries on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 2:30PM (Local Time -PST). Greg Wong, CEO of RIWI Corp. will be hosting the presentation and answering questions at the conclusion.To access the live presentation, please use the following information:Planet MicroCap Showcase: VANCOUVER 2024 in association with Small Cap Discoveries Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024Time: 5:30 PM Eastern Time (2:30PM Pacific Time)Webcast: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/3056/51191 If you would like to book 1x1 investor meetings with RIWI, and to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VANCOUVER 2024, please make sure you are registered here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/signup 1x1 meetings will be scheduled and conducted in person at the conference venue: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver.The Planet MicroCap Showcase: VANCOUVER 2024 website is available here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/ If you can't make the live presentation, all company presentations "webcasts" will be available directly on the conference event platform on this link under the tab "Agenda": https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/agenda News Compliments of AccesswireAbout RIWIRIWI is a market research platform, global trend-tracking and prediction technology firm. On a monthly or annual subscription basis, RIWI offers its clients tracking surveys, continuous risk monitoring, predictive analytics and ad effectiveness tests in all countries. https://riwi.com About Planet MicroCapPlanet MicroCap is a global multimedia financial news, publishing and events company focused on news dissemination, providing information, data and analytics for the MicroCap investing community. We have cultivated an active and engaged audience of folks that are interested in learning about and to stay ahead of the curve in the MicroCap space.If you would like to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase, please register here: https://planetmicrocapshowcase.com/signup Contact:Name: Greg WongPhone:1-833-FOR-RIWI (367-7494)Address:33 Bloor St East, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON M4W 3H1Email: investors@ riwi.com SOURCE: RIWI via Planet MicroCap PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 15:01:16 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 364 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Civics Challenge and Ambassadors Opportunities Open Now for Middle and High SchoolersPHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / Do you have a middle or high school student looking for more ways to get involved and impact their community? The Sandra Day O'Connor Institute for American Democracy invites students from across the country to participate in two youth programs: the national online Civics Challenge for grades 6 through 12 and the O'Connor Institute Ambassadors Civic and Debate Club, a free online program for 9th-12th graders. The Club offers students a one-of-a-kind civil discourse experience and civics education throughout the school year.O'Connor Institute Civics Challenge The Civics Challenge is an online civics competition for grades 6 through 12. Participants are challenged to choose one civics topic and express their knowledge through various art forms. Categories include an essay, short video or original song.The Civics Challenge features six topics to choose from, including the Legislative Branch, Executive Branch, Judicial Branch, Citizenship: Rights & Responsibilities, Checks & Balances, and Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Five finalists in each division, middle school (6-8) and high school (9-12), will be awarded $500 cash prizes for a total of $5,000 in support of civic education. Entries may be submitted through Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. Winners will be announced in February 2025.The O'Connor Institute Ambassadors Civic and Debate Club began its 2024 season on Sept. 12. Students may sign up for this virtual club through Jan. 31, 2025. The program includes distinguished guest speakers at every level of government, an online discussion environment, and opportunities to engage and interact with peers nationwide. This year's club runs through April 2025.High school senior Ambassadors may also meet graduation cord requirements and have the opportunity to compete for a $5,000 scholarship.For more information on these and other Institute programs, please visit OConnorInstitute.org About Sandra Day O'Connor Institute for American Democracy Founded in 2009 by retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the O'Connor Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c)(3), continues her distinguished legacy and lifetime work to advance American democracy through multigenerational civil discourse, civic engagement, and civics education. Visit OConnorInstitute.org to learn more.Contact Information Heather Schaderhschader@ oconnorinstitute.org 602-730-3300 x8SOURCE: Sandra Day O'Connor Institute for American DemocracyView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 03:32:05 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 414 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / September 16, 2024 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilOctober 15, 2024to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Stellantis N.V. (NYSE:STLA), if they purchased the Company's securities between February 15, 2024 to July 24, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Stellantis and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-stla/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byOctober 15, 2024 .About the LawsuitStellantis and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On July 25, 2024, the Company announced its first half 2024 financial results, disclosing disappointing news, including "[n]et revenues of 85.0 billion, down 14% compared to H1 2023, primarily due to the decline in volume and mix; net profit of 5.6 billion, down 48% compared to H1 2023, primarily due to lower volume and mix, headwinds from foreign exchange and restructuring costs; adjusted operating income of 8.5 billion, down 5.7 billion compared to H1 2023, primarily due to decreases in North America." On this news, the price of Stellantis' shares fell from a closing price of $19.60 per share on July 24, 2024 to $17.66 per share on July 26, 2024.The case is Long v. Stellantis N.V., et al., No. 24-cv-06196.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com CONTACT: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 16:02:20 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 603 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Deadline to Apply is October 25, 2024BALTIMORE, MD / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / In an exciting leap towards greater diversity in technology, VAULT Technologies proudly announces the launch of the VAULT Scholars Software Developer Training Program. This transformative initiative, led by Tiffany Tate, dubbed the "Tech Fairy Godmother," and the mastermind behind the acclaimed PrepMod platform, aims to empower young women in Jamaica, ages 17 to 23, to embark on rewarding careers in software development. Applications are open now through October 25, 2024.This groundbreaking program offers a fully-funded, nine-month course designed to equip aspiring female developers with entry-level skills, requiring no prior experience. Each participant will receive a loaned computer, a monthly stipend, and the flexibility to study online from home, making it easier to balance other responsibilities while pursuing a career in tech.Building on the success of a similar program in Ghana, which has been widely praised by its participants, VAULT Technologies is now bringing this opportunity to Jamaica. One participant from Ghana shared, "The program has been a game-changer for me. It opened doors I never thought possible and gave me the confidence to pursue a career in tech. I'm excited to see other young people get the same chance." In the tech industry, where women make up only 25% of the workforce and just 11% hold executive roles, the VAULT Scholars program is a crucial step in addressing the gender imbalance. The challenges of limited female mentors, unequal opportunities, and outdated perceptions of technology as a male-dominated field are being tackled head-on by this initiative. Tiffany Tate, a trailblazer in public health and the driving force behind PrepMod, emphasizes the importance of removing barriers to entry for women and people of color in tech."We are deeply committed to the communities we serve," said Tate, CEO of VAULT Technologies. "This program is not just about teaching tech skills; it's about breaking down the barriers that prevent women and people of color from entering and thriving in this industry. By providing the tools and opportunities needed to succeed, we hope to inspire a new generation of tech leaders in Jamaica." Applications are open until October 25, 2024. Selected participants will be announced in December and the program will commence on February 1, 2025, running through November 2025. A similar program targeting young men and women is planned for 2025.For more information about VAULT Scholars or to apply, visit https://www.vaulttechinc.com/devscholars About VAULT Technologies: Founded by Tiffany Tate, a leading figure in public health innovation, VAULT Technologies is dedicated to transforming healthcare and public health services through cutting-edge technology solutions. As the visionary behind PrepMod, the pioneering mass vaccination software used during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tiffany Tate played a crucial role in administering vaccines in over 40 states. VAULT Technologies remains committed to creating agile and impactful tech solutions that benefit communities, organizations, and individuals. The Vault Scholars initiative embodies VAULT Technologies' mission to empower individuals and communities by providing accessible tech education and opportunities.About Tiffany Tate: Tiffany Tate is a renowned public health technologist and the driving force behind PrepMod, a revolutionary software that enhanced mass vaccination efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching over 40 states. As the founder of VAULT Technologies, she continues to spearhead innovation in healthcare, addressing systemic health challenges and promoting diversity in the tech industry. Her work has been featured in prominent publications such as The New York Times and Success Magazine. Tate is dedicated to creating solutions that expand healthcare access and empower underrepresented groups in technology.Contact Information Janie MackenzieVice President of Public Relationsjanie@ ascendantgroupbranding.com 856.969.4992SOURCE: Vault TechnologiesView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 08:00:54 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 916 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2024Significant growth in sales, margins and profit to achieve another record first halfLONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / Warpaint London plc ("Warpaint", the "Company" or the "Group") (AIM:W7L)(OTCQX:WPNTF), the specialist supplier of colour cosmetics and owner of the W7 and Technic brands is pleased to announce its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024 ("H1").Unaudited six months to 30 June 2024Unaudited six months to 30 June 2023GrowthRevenue45.8m36.7m+25Gross profit margin42.539.1+334bpsEBITDA12.0m7.3m+66Adjusted EBITDA*11.4m7.9m+44Profit from operations11.0m6.3m+75Basic earnings per share (EPS)10.37p6.22p+67HighlightsStrong growth in sales during the period, particularly in the UK and Europe, achieving a record first halfGroup sales increased by 25% to 45.8 million in H1 2024 (H1 2023: 36.7 million)UK revenue increased by 17% to 15.5 million (H1 2023: 13.3 million)International revenue increased by 30% to 30.3 million (H1 2023: 23.4 million)W7 sales increased by 25% and Technic sales increased by 34%Gross profit margin increased by a further 334 bps to 42.5% (H1 2023: 39.1%), primarily due to successful launches of new product lines, sourcing and volume savings, growing e-commerce revenue and increased US profitabilityAdjusted EBITDA* grew 44% to 11.4 million (H1 2023: 7.9 million)Profit from operations was up 75% to 11.0 million (H1 2023: 6.3 million)Cash of 5.5 million as at 30 June 2024 (30 June 2023: 7.1 million), reflecting the increase in stock and corporation tax paid on account in H1 and no debt. As at 1 July 2024, the cash balance was 6.5 million, reflecting cash receipts immediately post period endBasic EPS improved by 67% to 10.37p (H1 2023: 6.22p)The board has declared an increased interim dividend of 3.5p per share (2023 interim dividend 3.0p per share), up 17%Consistent with previous years due to Christmas gifting orders and the Group's momentum, sales are expected to again be second half weighted* Adjusted for foreign exchange movements and share-based payments. Adjusted numbers are close to the underlying cash flow performance of the business which is regularly monitored and measured by management.Post-Period End HighlightsContinued positive business momentum post period end, with Group sales for the nine months to 30 September 2024 expected to be approximately 76 million (nine months to 30 September 2023 64 million), providing confidence that full year expectations will be metThe Group's expansion strategy continues, with further planned launches in H2 2024 to increase the number of products stocked and outlets served with certain existing customers, particularly in the UK, Europe and the US, while discussions with additional major retailers globally are ongoingCommenting, Sam Bazini Chief Executive, said:"I am delighted with the Group's performance in the first half, with continuing strong growth in sales and profits reflecting the ongoing success of the Group's strategy of focusing on growing profitable sales of its branded products globally, whilst increasing overall margins."There continues to be significant growth opportunities for Warpaint, and the Group is very well positioned to achieve further growth with additional improvement in margins. As in previous years, the Group's sales are expected to be second half weighted, reflecting Christmas seasonal sales and ongoing sales momentum."We anticipate updating further on trading later in the year, and with significant opportunities for continued growth, both already secured with our existing retailers and in discussion with additional major retailers globally, I am confident that the Group will continue to perform well for the remainder of the year and beyond." This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018Enquiries:Warpaint LondonSam Bazini - Chief Executive OfficerEoin Macleod - Managing DirectorNeil Rodol - Chief Financial Officer Adam Kay - Investor Relationsc/o IFC+1 310 868 6380Shore Capital (Nominated Adviser & Broker)Patrick Castle, Daniel Bush - Corporate AdvisoryFiona Conroy - Corporate Broking020 7408 4090IFC Advisory (Financial PR & IR) Tim Metcalfe, Graham Herring, Florence Chandler020 3934 6630Warpaint London plcWarpaint sells branded cosmetics under the lead brand names of W7 and Technic. W7 is sold in the UK primarily to major retailers and internationally to local distributors or retail chains. The Technic brand is sold in the UK and continental Europe with a significant focus on the gifting market, principally for high street retailers and supermarkets. In addition, Warpaint supplies cosmetics under its other brand names of Man'stuff, Body Collection and Chit Chat, each targeting a different demographic.CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REVIEWI am very pleased to report that the Group again achieved another record level of sales in the first half, with an improved profit margin. Group sales increased by 25% to 45.8 million (H1 2023: 36.7 million), importantly at an increased gross margin of 42.5% (H1 2023: 39.1%), driving an increase of 75% in profit from operations to 11.0 million (H1 2023: 6.3 million).This continued growth reflects the ongoing success of the Group's strategy of focusing on growing profitable sales of its branded products globally, whilst increasing overall margins. Increased sales are being achieved both through existing customers and those new to the Group. With existing customers, the focus is on increasing the number of their outlets stocking Group branded product and increasing the Group's footprint within each store. The focus being to gain more space, with more product stocked, in more stores. As an example of this, 'impulse' units are being installed close to the checkouts in 189 Tesco stores, to drive additional volumes. In addition, we also continue to be in active discussions with new major retailers globally, with our management team in the US, in particular, having a number of meaningful discussions.As has been the trend for BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. Azerbaijan and Iraq are discussing the organization of direct payments as part of expanding cooperation in the financial and banking sectors, Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) Yusif Abdullayev told reporters on the sidelines of the Azerbaijan-Iraqi business forum in Baku today, Trend reports. We discussed the organization of direct payments, mutual settlements between Azerbaijan and Iraq, and problems and obstacles in this matter. The parties recognized the need to make effective decisions that will eliminate shortcomings in trade relations between the two countries and help significantly increase trade turnover, Abdullayev said. To note, today, the Azerbaijani-Iraqi business forum took center stage in Baku. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 01:30:47 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 389 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SEATTLE, WA / ACCESSWIRE / September 16, 2024 / The Wing Luke Museum today announced that Kamahanahokulani Farrar Law, the Museum's senior director of Finance and Operations, has been appointed interim executive director. This follows the recent announcement that Joel Barraquiel Tan has stepped down as executive director.Farrar Law, who has decades of leadership experience, has been with the Museum for more than a year and oversees the organization's Finance, Human Resources, Museum Services, and Technology and Infrastructure departments. She brings more than 25 years' experience in administrative and operations management and, most recently, served as executive director for Na Pu'uwai, Native Hawaiian Health Care System, for six years."I am honored to serve as interim executive director," says Farrar Law. "The Museum serves a significant role in our community with essential exhibits and programs. As we launch our national search for our next director, I expect to provide stability and continuity so that we continue serving our community and our mission's work." Along with years of related experience, Farrar Law has familiarity with Wing Luke Museum's current breadth of operations and programs, its staff and Board."She is the perfect person to keep the Museum and its diverse programs going during this time of transition," says Ellen Ferguson, Board president. "The Board is working closely with Kamahanahokulani and the Executive Team to continue our important work to build community and to fulfill our values and mission to advance racial and social equity." The Board of Trustees will soon launch a national search for the Museum's next executive director.About The Wing Luke MuseumThe Wing Luke Museum's mission is to connect everyone to the rich history, dynamic cultures, and art of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders through vivid storytelling and inspiring experiences to advance racial and social equity. It is located in Seattle's Chinatown International District. Established in 1967, the Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate, National Park Service Affiliated Area, and the only pan-Asian American community-based museum in the United States. The Wing Luke Museum is a national treasure, preserving and sharing the personal stories of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Visit www.wingluke.org Contact InformationSteve McLeanSenior Director of Strategic Communicationssmclean@ wingluke.org 206-935-6566SOURCE: Wing Luke MuseumView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-09-17 15:07:49 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 454 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 17, 2024 / XiltriX North America is the only real-time environmental monitoring provider in the life science industry that holds ISO 9001:2015 recertification for Quality Management Systems (QMS) and a SOC 2 Type 2 attestation. This recertification highlights XiltriX's ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and continuous improvement in its service offerings."We are thrilled to have achieved ISO 9001:2015 recertification for our QMS," said XiltriX CEO, Moises Eilemberg. "Maintaining this certification shows our strong commitment to quality and excellence. Recertification requires extensive evidence of quality processes and continuous improvement, and I am very proud of our team for the successful application of these principles on a daily basis." ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a globally recognized federation of national standards bodies. Achieving and maintaining ISO 9001:2015 certification for a QMS signifies an organization's ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. Recertification, which is required every three years, reflects XiltriX's dedication to sustaining a QMS that not only meets but exceeds industry standards.XiltriX's ISO 9001:2015 QMS recertification was conducted by American Systems Registrar, LLC, an accredited provider of third-party system registration. The scope of the certification continues to include the design, installation, and maintenance of real-time monitoring systems, provided as a comprehensive Monitoring-as-a-Service solution. The activities covered under this certification take place at XiltriX's corporate headquarters (9255 Towne Centre Dr. Suite 925, San Diego, CA 92121)."Recertification is not just about passing an audit; it's about our continuous journey toward quality excellence," said XiltriX President, Stephen Tierney. "The ISO 9001:2015 QMS certification is more than a credential-it's a reflection of our commitment to continuous improvement, which is vital for delivering the best possible service to our customers. I am proud of our team's dedication to quality and their efforts in maintaining this important standard." In addition to the recertification of the ISO 9001:2015 for their QMS, the XiltriX system is fully validated and compliant with all applicable quality and regulatory standards, including SOC 2 Type 2, GxP, FDA 21 CFR part 11, CAP, CAPA, HACCP, JCAHO, and USP 797.For more information on lab monitoring as a service, contact XiltriX at https://xiltrixusa.com/contact About XiltriXXiltriX North America is a leading provider of real-time remote monitoring systems for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and life science industries. Their cloud-based platform delivers real-time data and analytics to ensure the safety and security of critical assets.The company's comprehensive Monitoring-as-a-Service solution includes professional installation, 24/7 live agent monitoring and support, and 30+ years of expertise. For more information about XiltriX North America and its service offering, please visit https://xiltrixusa.com or call (858) 208-0368.Contact InformationMoises EilembergCEOinfo@ xiltrixusa.com SOURCE: XiltriX North AmericaView the original press release on newswire.com The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has recently blamed the altered composition of eggs on poor feed materials and egg storage. The associations chairperson in Lagos State, Mojeed Iyiola, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday. Mr Iyiola noted that lately, eggs have looked abnormal, with the egg yolk bigger than the albumen (egg white). The feed materials and storage facilities are affecting the composition of eggs nowadays. The longer the egg stays in the crate, the smaller the albumen becomes because the eggshell is perforated. There is usually an inflow of air into the eggs and as the air flows in, it decreases the content of the eggs. Most likely, it is the storage of the eggs that affects their composition, the PAN chairperson 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 Mr Iyiola also reiterated the importance of standard feed to enable the birds to produce quality eggs. Another factor that affects the composition of eggs in recent times is the feed ingredients that the birds are being fed. Due to the high cost of feed, a lot of farmers have watered down the feed components of the birds, hence the nature of eggs they lay. Some farmers are using substandard feed or just anything they can manage to feed their flock with. Due to these alterations in the feed compositions, the birds produce almost substandard eggs. Some of the birds are very sensitive by the time you give them what is not, some will even stop laying completely. It will take some days before the birds can be revived, he said. He, therefore, advised poultry farmers to give their birds what they needed at the right time. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian government will on Wednesday launch a comprehensive strategy to position the country as a leading player in the Halal economy. The project is part of initiatives to diversify the economy and tap into the burgeoning global Halal market- products and services that meet Islamic standards of permissibility and embody ethics, integrity, and universal values that resonate across cultures and regions. Speaking on Monday ahead of Wednesdays Halal Stakeholders Engagement Programme billed to be held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, Special Assistant to the President on Export Expansion, (Office of the Vice President), Aliyu Sheriff, said the initiative will bring together government agencies, private sector leaders, and international partners with a view to capitalising on Nigerias position as the eighth-largest domestic Halal economy globally. The Halal economy represents a tremendous opportunity for Nigeria to diversify our economy, generate foreign exchange, and achieve sustainable growth. By increasing our Halal exports and focusing on strategic import substitution, we project an addition of nearly $1.5 billion to our GDP by 2027, Mr Sheriff said. The presidential aide noted that the Halal economy extends beyond religious compliance, embodying principles of ethics, integrity, and quality that resonate across cultures. The success of Sukuk bonds and the growing appeal of Islamic banking demonstrate that Halal principles are compatible with global economic standards and can benefit all Nigerians, he explained. 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 Sheriff added that a strategic focus on the Halal economy opens up new avenues for Nigerian businesses to compete on the global stage. Its not just about tapping into a market; its about elevating our standards and practices to world-class levels, he pointed out. Stanley Nkwocha Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal High Court of Nigeria, Lagos Judicial Division has dissolved a legal action filed by a minority shareholder of financial services group FBN Holdings over the companys annual general meeting convention. The petition by Tohir Folorunsho Ismaila on 9 August centred on whether the 12th annual general meeting (AGM) of FBN Holdings was properly convened on the order of Board of Directors in the face of allegation that they were not lawfully appointed as directors, according to a court ruling obtained by PREMIUM TIMES. Among other issues raised by the petitioner were claims that the organisation failed to publish a notice of the AGM in a minimum of two national newspapers at least three weeks ahead and that he was not notified of the meeting. Mr Ismaila insisted that the amount of the fees payable to the directors from the companys coffers would affect the dividend payable to him from the profit made by the corporation in the course of doing business. In its preliminary objection on 22 August, FBN Holdings contended that the petitioners claims had been overtaken by time and, consequently, were no longer a live issue. It sought a dismissal of the litigation. The Petitioner/Respondent had approached this Court to prevent the holding of the 12th Annual General Meeting earlier fixed for 22nd of August, 2024, and my brother Judge Honourable Justice Akintayo Aluko granted interim orders on the 13th of August, 2024 restraining the Respondent/Applicant from holding the 12th Annual General Meeting on 22nd of August, 2024, Justice D.I. Dipeolu said in his ruling last Thursday. On 13 August, FBN Holdings announced the postponement of the shareholders meeting to 3 September, later cancelling the meeting indefinitely on 26 August, according to regulatory filings at the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX). 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 said 12th Annual General Meeting has been cancelled; therefore, the reliefs sought by the Petitioner have become otiose. No wrong has manifested that requires remedy, the judge stated. Included in the exhibits presented to the court by FBN Holdings, Justice Dipeolu established, were copies of the publication of notice of the AGM in The Punch and Leadership newspapers as well as on the website of the NGX. Central to the overall suit was the subject of whether the court could exercise jurisdiction to hear the matter, considering that FBN Holdings had argued in its objection that the case was outside the jurisdiction of the Lagos court. The respondent lawyer noted that the reliefs the petitioner wanted from the court could no longer be of any value if the court granted them because the issue was already extinct, having been overtaken by events. The Petition has become academic and should not be entertained by this Court, because it is out of the Courts jurisdiction, Mr Dipeolu said. I, therefore, refuse the reliefs sought by the Petitioner urging this Court to strike out the processes filed by the Respondent in this suit. I still reiterate my earlier decision that this Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain this suit as it is presently constituted, the judge stated in his decision. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Award-winning Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr will perform live at the highly anticipated CANEX WKND 2024 concert in Algiers, Algeria, alongside an all-star lineup featuring South Africas Scorpion Kings and legendary Tuareg group Tinariwen. Since bursting onto the scene with her 2021 hit single Away, Ayra Starr has made waves internationally, becoming the youngest African female to surpass 100 million views on a single YouTube video. Her unique blend of Afrobeats and alternative influences has earned her a loyal global fanbase. Joining Ayra Starr on stage will be Scorpion Kings, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza de Small, pioneers of the amapiano genre, and Kenyas rising star Sofiya Nzau, whose melodies merge African traditions with global sounds. Tinariwen, pioneers of desert blues, will make a long-awaited return to Algeria, blending Tuareg music with Western rock influences. According to a statement issued by the organisers, the concert, scheduled for 17 October, is a highlight of CANEX WKND, Africas largest gathering of creative industry professionals, taking place from 16-19 October at Algiers, Algeria. This years One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World event aims to connect Africas creative talents with global opportunities. 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 organisers noted that CANEX WKND 2024 will bring together key stakeholders from the continent and the diaspora to explore ways of elevating African creatives on the world stage. We are excited to provide a platform for artists, industry professionals, and government officials to collaborate, network, and explore the intersection of culture and business, the statement read. Other highlights The four-day event will feature panels, workshops, exhibitions, film screenings, and live performances designed to inspire innovation and collaboration within Africas cultural industries. The gathering will provide a unique opportunity for creatives to share ideas, learn from industry experts, and showcase their work to a global audience. Additionally, the organisers clarified that the concert is exclusive to registered delegates, and interested participants can register for free online. READ ALSO: Afreximbank to host CANEX WKND 2024 in Algiers Registration is open to all, especially those in the creative industry who wish to attend the event. CANEX WKND is part of a broader effort to promote African culture and creativity and to provide a platform for artists, industry professionals, and government officials to collaborate and drive growth. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Lords Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries has reacted to viral footage of its church members sharing dumbfounding testimonies. On Monday, the dramatic miracle stories shared by church members in viral videos ignited social media discussions and prompted an online challenge. One of the most widely discussed testimonies shared by members of the Lords Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, founded by Lazarus Muoka in 2002 with headquarters in Lagos, was that of a woman who claimed to have overpowered four armed robbers. The woman said: One Friday, I was in my shop when suddenly my legs gave out, and I could not walk, talk, or do anything. I began praying for God to decide where I should go and who would take me home. After praying, I went home, and around 1:00 a.m., I fell asleep. In my dream, I saw four people with their heads covered, holding AK-47 rifles. They beat me, saying they had been searching for me and that someone had paid them to break my legs. The people there told me not to speak, but I insisted, saying, I am a chosen, I am chosen. You wicked men, who are you? They started trembling. I demanded the gun, took one and slung it over my shoulder, then took the second and did the same, and grabbed the third in my hand. As I held the gun, one woman said there were no bullets, but I saw there was a bullet inside. All of them then begged me for forgiveness. I threatened to shoot them, but they pleaded with me. I told them I would take them to my G.O. (General Overseer), and my G.O. said I should not keep the gun but take it to the police station. They followed me to the station, and I woke up as I began to speak. I then prayed, God of the chosen, deliver me, and now, I am walking again. In its Tuesday report, the Vanguard newspaper said the churchs Head of Public Relations and Media, Chidi Louis, debunked the viral footage and tagged them as fabricated. 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 Vanguard quoted Mr Louis as saying: Nigerians should disregard the fake video and visit our church platform to listen to the complete testimony for better understanding. The womans story occurred in a dream, not in reality. Dont believe everything you see on the internet. Bloggers often edit content to ridicule the work of God. Most of these bloggers are wicked and devilish. More so, the church debunked the video on its TikTok, noting that the clip was fake. The full clip of the ladys testimony was also posted on the churchs TikTok handle, clarifying that her story was a dream. Lion Dream and others PREMIUM TIMES checked the churchs TikTok account to verify the credibility of trending videos purported to be real testimonies. In one of the videos that went viral, Peter Chukwu, a church member, recounted a dream in which a lion miraculously saved him from a prison. Mr Chukwu explained that in his dream, he was convicted and imprisoned, noting that despite efforts of his lawyer and others to secure his release, all attempts proved fruitless until he encountered the Chosen church signature reflector aprons. Recounting the dream, he said, I want to share something. Before they released me, my lawyer told me I would be freed from prison, but it didnt happen until I had contact with the angel of our pastor. In the dream, I saw myself in church, and the pastor was ministering to a congregation. He used Exodus 23:25-27, and then I woke up. When I fell asleep again, I saw handcuffs on my wrists. As I was walking, I came across two dirty aprons, but I couldnt pick them up because of the handcuffs. I bent down to try, and as soon as I touched the aprons, the handcuffs broke. I looked around for the people who had put the handcuffs on me, but I couldnt see them. Then, I heard a voice telling me to go and meet my pastor. I began walking towards my pastor. On the way, I saw a prison open, and everyone ran out. I didnt want to follow because I was worried about what people would say about the church and the pastor. Suddenly, I felt something hit my back and lift me, carrying me like an aeroplane until it dropped me by the expressway. When I turned to see what had carried me, it was a lion. The place where the lion dropped me was very tight and narrow. It raised one of its paws and motioned for me to go in a certain direction. As I left, it said goodbye to me. I was scared and didnt realise it was a dream until I woke. At the next court case, they released me. Another trending video obtained by this newspaper featured a man recounting how he survived a kidnapping, multiple machete attacks, and gunshot wounds, all without sustaining any injuries. He said: The other person shouted, Kapo, what is he talking about? Before I knew what happened, they macheted my head, but it didnt penetrate. I only heard the sound. Then, another person shot me in the head, but it didnt penetrate either. One called the commander and said, Lets take this one into the bush or outside. They started pushing us to where the God of the Chosen finally proved His power. All of us entered the bush, and as we went, I turned to the commander and asked, Why are you taking me into the bush? My Jesus wants to see me in Ijesha, and youre taking me to the bush. The one who had macheted me was provoked and said, Ever since youve been here, youve been disturbing us. He wanted to slap me, but his hand got stuck in the air. In another video, a woman testified how armed robbers repeatedly shot her husband without being harmed after she instructed him to declare, I am chosen. I told my husband to declare that hes chosen, but he was afraid when he realised it was kidnappers. When he finally said, I am chosen, the kidnappers asked, Who are you? They told him they werent there to play, then took out an AK-47 and shot him in the chest. I kept declaring, I am chosen! I am chosen! The God of my pastor, where are you? They told me to keep quiet, but I continued, calling on the power of my pastors God. They shot my husband again, and even though they kept shooting repeatedly, the bullets could not penetrate, she recounted. Similar testimony-style content The viral footage quickly inspired social media users to produce similar testimony-style content within hours of its release. In one video shared on Tunde Ednuts Instagram page, two men who woke up hungry with no food in sight shouted, Im chosen, and miraculously, a meal of fried rice and chicken appeared before them. Later in the same video, their empty refrigerator was magically stocked with drinks after repeating the phrase, I am chosen. In another viral post, a screenshot showed a conversation with a sex worker who usually charged N150,000 per night. She agreed to service her client for free simply because he typed Im chosen during their negotiation. Numerous pieces of content have since emerged, centring around the viral catchphrase, Im chosen. I am a chosen threads pic.twitter.com/PLlmSqNsaL Ay Frosh (@froshay84) September 16, 2024 I AM A CHOSEN. I AM A CHOSEN. I AM A CHOSEN. sporty WHO ARE YOU?. pic.twitter.com/z4ZP0qFN0S Neo_officiall (@Neo_officiall) September 17, 2024 We moveeeeee I am a Chosen pic.twitter.com/xbAjcfk5cw BUKOLA (@iam__bukola) September 17, 2024 Who are you ?? I am a chosen!! pic.twitter.com/Xr517OWxID Big zik (@Bad_boyzik) September 15, 2024 I am a chosen, WHO ARE YOU?? pic.twitter.com/6K1hhYBVUs Drex Davis (@drexdavis_) September 16, 2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ola Cardosos name has become synonymous with excellence in Nollywoods visual storytelling. Known for his work on films like Banana Island Ghost and the award-winning Breath of Life, the filmmaker has established himself as a creative visionary. Breath of Life, released in 2023, follows the story of Timi, a once-successful clergyman who loses his family to a tragic event, leading him to isolate himself from society. The film, set in colonial and post-colonial Nigeria, explores themes of faith, grief, and justice amidst personal and societal struggles. At the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards(AMVCA), Breath of Life won Best Movie, Best Director, Best Lead Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress award. Cardoso tells PREMIUM TIMES the secret behind the stellar movie Breathe of Life, AMVCA wins. and his career strides in the Nigerian film industry. Breath of Life As the cinematographer behind Breath of Life, Cardoso considers the accolades and awards the film has bagged as a career milestone. Reflecting on the success secret behind the movie project, he said the process of bringing the story to life allowed him to push creative boundaries and explore new depths in visual storytelling. He recalls: Winning the AMVCA 2024 for Best Movie with Breath of Life was an incredible honour. From the very beginning, I approached the project with a deep sense of purpose. I knew that the story we were tellingcentred around hope, resilience, and the strength of the human spiritwas something special. It wasnt just about creating another film; it was about creating something that could touch lives and resonate with people profoundly. 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 According to Cardoso, a secret that set the film apart were extending the boundaries, authenticity, and forging emotional connections between the characters and the audience. Every aspect, from the script to the cinematography, was crafted to feel genuine and impactful. We focused on building emotional connections between the characters and the audience, which involved a deep collaboration with the creative team. The performances, the score, and the visual tone all enhanced the storys core message. I also think the film stood out because we werent afraid to push boundaries. We took riskswhether in the narrative structure, the visual aesthetics, or how we portrayed certain emotions. The team poured their heart and soul into this project, which ultimately connected with audiences and made Breath of Life such a powerful experience, the filmmaker says. While Breath of Life won the top prize, Cardoso waxes philosophical about individual recognition. Filmmaking is a collaborative art, he says, acknowledging that while individual accolades are appreciated, the teams success matters more. He says further, Honestly, the success of Breath of Life and winning Best Movie at the AMVCA is a massive accomplishment, and thats what matters most to me. Its the collective effort that brings a story to life. I poured my heart into the project, as did the entire cast and crew, and seeing the film resonate with people and receive such high recognition is deeply fulfilling. Awards are a great validation, but the real reward for me is the films impact on audiences and how its inspired conversations and emotions. So, whether or not I earned an individual AMVCA, Im incredibly proud of what we created together with Breath of Life. As a cinematographer and director, Cardoso says he places immense importance on three core elements: lighting, composition, and camera movement. My Pikin Dey Lagos His latest film, My Pikin Dey Lagos, has generated buzz for its raw, emotional narrative about a young dreamer navigating the harsh realities of city life. The story is deeply personal to Cardoso, reflecting his experiences and those of many who chase stardom in Lagos. As the director, he says that his goal was to authentically depict the protagonists emotional and physical journey. I aimed to highlight the contrast between the hopeful dreams of Lagos and the often brutal realities of city life. By blending intimate, character-focused scenes with the broader, sometimes harsh, urban environment, I sought to create a deeply personal and relatable narrative. The film reflects resilience, the pursuit of dreams, and the sacrifices involved. It mirrors my experiences and others who have ventured beyond their familiar surroundings to chase their aspirations. Working on My Pikin Dey Lagos came with its own set of unique challenges and memorable moments, the cinematography says. He says one significant challenge was shooting exterior scenes in Lagos, especially with crowds and busy streets. He recalls: Managing these crowds and ensuring we could shoot outdoor scenes with the proper focus and without constant disruptions was a challenging but rewarding experience. It required meticulous planning and coordination with local authorities to keep everything running smoothly. Film Bank Building his own production company, Film Bank Production, wasnt without challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was establishing a name in such a competitive industry, he notes. Nollywoods fast-paced nature meant that Cardoso had to prove his creative vision and business acumen. Financing posed another challenge: securing funding for new projects was tough in the early days. However, through persistence, strategic project selection, and assembling a talented team, Cardoso said, Film Bank Production gradually became a trusted name in Nollywood. Nollywood Cardosos entry into Nollywood came with a unique opportunity as the second camera operator on Before 30. The film allowed him to hone his technical skills and opened doors to long-standing creative partnerships. Through Before 30, I met the brilliant minds behind Nemsia Studios, BB Sasore and Derin Adeyokunu. Theyve since become more than collaboratorstheyre family, he explains. These relationships helped Cardoso develop his distinctive style and voice in Nollywood. The filmmakers work on films like Banana Island Ghost and The God Calling played a pivotal role in his growth. Each project was a stepping stone that allowed him to experiment with larger-scale productions and refine his storytelling techniques. Cardoso is optimistic about Nollywoods trajectory, particularly in cinematography and storytelling. The Nigerian film industry is rapidly evolving, he says, pointing out that filmmakers are now exploring more sophisticated visuals and complex narratives. With Nollywoods global success, he sees even more excellent opportunities for international collaborations shortly. Cardoso cites Shane Hurlbut and Roger Deakins as his biggest influences, two cinematographers known for their mastery of light and visual storytelling. Their work has shaped his approach to film, inspiring him to constantly push the boundaries of whats possible. My style is deeply rooted in realism, he adds, emphasising that he aims to capture authentic, raw moments that resonate with audiences. Looking ahead, Cardoso hopes to continue crafting films that resonate with audiences both locally and globally. Nigerian Female Filmmakers He believes the future of female filmmakers in Nollywood is bright. He also believes that talent should be the focus rather than gender, and he sees more women breaking barriers in the industry. Women in Nollywood are increasingly showcasing exceptional talent, he notes, adding that equal recognition is on the horizon. For those looking to break into cinematography and filmmaking, Cardoso stresses, in advising them, the importance of honing their craft, building a solid portfolio, and networking. Stay persistent, be open to feedback, and keep pushing the boundaries of your creativity, he advises. Success in this industry, according to Cardoso, is built on passion, dedication, and the willingness to take risks. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Showmax has just released the trailer for the highly anticipated third and final season of its Nigerian Original telenovela, Wura. The series premieres on 23 September and will have two weekly episodes, building up the excitement for the grand finale. In the trailer for Season 3, the story picks up right where it left off in preparation for Tumi and Jejes wedding. However, unforeseen circumstances threaten their union, including ghosts from their pasts. Meanwhile, Wuras carefully constructed empire begins to crumble as her enemies close in fast and are ready to strike. The award-winning drama returns with thrilling plotlines, plunging viewers into the gripping world of Wura, where power, betrayal and dark secrets collide in the most exciting series finale yet. In Season 1 of Wura, viewers were introduced to the powerful yet ruthless Wura-Amoo Adeleke, the unyielding CEO of Frontline Gold Mine. As she navigates the challenges of leading her mining empire in Iperindo, Osun State, Wura stops at nothing to protect her legacy, often crossing ethical lines and making enemies. The gripping narrative unfolded in Season 2 around her complex relationships, particularly with her family, and the dark secrets threatening to unravel her carefully constructed world. Since its premiere in 2023, the series has ranked as the most-watched title on Showmax in Nigeria, with a cult following. Wura continues to receive industry nods, having scooped nominations for the lead actress, Scarlet Gomez, in 2023 for Best Actress in a Drama, Movie, or TV Series at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCAs) and for Acting at the 17th edition of The Future Awards Africa Awards. At the 2024 AMVCAs, the title was nominated in the Best Writing TV Series and Best Scripted Series categories, while it won Best Web Series at the 2024 Gage Awards. 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 Season 3 will continue to showcase the outstanding performances of Scarlet Gomez, Yomi Fash-Lanso, Martha Ehinome, Ray Adeka, Ego Ihenacho, Lanre Adediwura, Iremide Adeoye, Modesinuola Ogundiwin, Toluwani George and other talented cast members. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Halilu, commonly referred to as Halilu of Sububu, Kachalla Halilu, Halilu Buzu or Halilu Tubali, is a figure deeply rooted in the criminal underworld of Northwest Nigeria. At around 40 years old, Halilus life story was one marked by the harsh realities of banditry, violence, and survival. Born in Maniya village of Badarawa District, Shinkafi Local Government Area, Zamfara State, he grew up steeped in a world where banditry was not just a way of life but a tradition passed down through generations. His father, Jemare, was a notorious cattle rustler and bandit from Jajayu village near Tubali in Shinkafi LGA. His collaboration with other infamous bandits like Gide Goje, a long-time associate, solidified Jemares reputation in the criminal world. This deep-rooted family legacy in banditry shaped Halilus upbringing, ensuring he followed in his fathers footsteps. This tradition of banditry saw Halilu trained by his father, embedding such activities as a fundamental part of life rather than mere criminal acts. Gide Goje, from Jajayu village, was a friend and close associate of Jemare. When Jemare died, Halilu became a protege of Gide Goje, who was knowledgeable about the route. Known for his mobility and operating across different territories, Gojes tactics and strategies were crucial in the survival and operations of Halilus gang. After his father died in an armed robbery operation 15 to 20 years ago, Halilu stepped into his role, guided by Na-Baraya, a mentor who helped him rise through the ranks of the criminal underworld. Before his death, Halilu commanded an extensive network, controlling around 15 major camps across the northwest states of Zamfara, Kaduna and Katsina, and even beyond. He controlled over 1,000 men and several warlords. His influence and pivotal role as a significant gunrunner made him one of the most formidable bandits in the region. Halilu himself admitted the vastness of his network, stating that even he didnt know the exact number of men under his command. Beyond leading these camps, Halilu played a pivotal role in the regions arms trade, supplying weapons to gangs throughout Nigerias Northwest and West Africa. Some guns were sold, some were also given to friends as gifts, while others were rented out to gangs for their operations. Halilus knowledge of the regions geography allowed him to move swiftly and evade capture, making him a key figure in the continued survival of banditry until his death. In his personal life, Halilus family played an intricate role in his operations. He had three wivesDelu, Fatima, and Hadizaeach reported to have ties to notable bandit families in the region, further solidifying their late husbands status. One of his wives, Delu, is the daughter of a respected Fulani elder, Ardo Jabi, who is the father of another bandit warlord, Lawali Dodo of Maradun LGA of Zamfara State. Nigerias security agencies believe Halilus wives served as informants to their criminal husbands gang, providing critical intelligence for bandit activities. Halilu had four children, two males and two females, and his legacy may continue through them as they grow up in the same environment that shaped their immediate and extended families. Halilus rise to power was also influenced by a shadowy figure named Shehu Rekeb, who connected him with arms and drug suppliers across West Africa. Rekebs mentorship gave Halilu access to modern weapons, significantly boosting his influence. 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 Economically, Halilus activities were vast and varied. In addition to his involvement in arms trade, he oversaw large-scale gold mining operations in areas like Burwaye, Bagega, and Gando in Zamfara State. He deployed forced labour in the mines, and the wealth generated from gold and other precious stones was funnelled into financing his arms trade. He also generated wealth from cattle rustling, collected taxes from communities, and produced agricultural products. This cycle of wealth and violence made him one of the wealthiest bandits in the region. Kidnapping is another lucrative venture for Halilu. He bought victims, especially abducted Chinese nationals, from other bandits, negotiating ransoms that further bolstered his financial base. His control extended across several territories, with key murderous leaders under his command, such as Janbaleji, Tambaya Mai-Dankini, and Kachalla Haru, each overseeing hundreds of men. Despite his criminal activities, Halilu managed to create a semblance of peace within his territories. Local communities were able to go about their daily lives without fear as long as they operated within the bounds of his control. That dual role as both a bandit leader and a protector highlighted the complex relationship between banditry and the local population. Several times, he negotiated peace with several communities under which he operated. For instance, in 2023, he negotiated a peace deal with the people of Anka LGA. Halilu had political demands as well. He advocated an end to what he described as harassment of the Fulani people by security forces, the removal of illegal checkpoints, and the cessation of extrajudicial killings by the Yan-sa-kai vigilante group. He also called for the release of his detained associates. In his final video message, broadcast on September 10, 2024, Halilu Sububu appealed to fellow bandits and the Fulani community in Northwest Nigeria. Ostensibly not anticipating his demise, he urged an end to attacks and rustling against the Fulani, calling for unity among bandit groups. Addressing other bandit leaders such as Alhaji Ado, Turji, Alhaji Shingi, Gwaska, and Black, he implored his fellow criminals/murderers to focus their battle against government forces rather than targeting their own Fulani people. Halilu stressed the importance of respecting the Fulani brotherhood and adhering to the cultural code of Pulaaku, advocating for internal peace, even if conflict with the government continued. He expressed concern for the future of the Fulani youth, warning that failure to unite could lead to worsening conditions. Halilu also vowed to stop attacking the Fulani, highlighting the need for mutual respect within the community. Defiantly, he declared that no military force, domestic or foreign, could defeat them as long as the Fulani remained united. His message combined a plea for internal peace with a commitment to resisting external forces. Halilus influence within the banditry ecosystem of Northwest Nigeria cannot be overstated. His control over critical territories and involvement in the arms, drugs and gold trades made him a central figure in the regions ongoing instability. For years, efforts to curtail his deadly activities were unsuccessful. His murderous network remained resilient, thriving in a landscape where violence and crime had become deeply entrencheduntil he met his downfall at the hands of Nigerias gallant military forces. Before his death, he was closely aligned with Gida Goje and Shehu Rekeb. Shehu Rekeb, an elderly yet well-connected gunrunner across West and Central Africa, promotes MNN, an ideological group seeking power with a strong youth membership. Halilu was also allied with Alhaji Shehu Shingi and Alhaji Ado Aleiro in Tsafe, while Turji, Dogo Gide, the late Ali Kachalla, Damina, Dan-karami, and many others were once his proteges. Halilus death shocked both bandits and citizens alike, as many believed his vast network and near-invincibility would keep him alive for years. The leadership of the bandit community has rapidly diminished with the deaths of figures like Ali Kachalla, Alhaji Auta, Shadari and Sani Dangote. With the renewed extraordinary gallantry of Nigerias security forces and the dogged commitment of the current administration to end banditry and insurgency in Africas most populous nation, the tribes of these despicable figures would most likely continue to plummet. Idayat Hassan is a non-resident senior associate at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Washington DC. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. The COP29 Presidency and the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will organize a High-Level Dialogue on Global Climate Transparency on September 25 in New York, as part of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Trend reports via a letter from COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev to UN member states, urging support for Azerbaijan's initiatives as the chair of the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UNFCCC. "The meeting on September 25 during the UN General Assembly in New York will help raise awareness of Azerbaijans initiatives as COP President. In particular, the High-Level Dialogue in New York will discuss the 'Baku Global Climate Transparency Platform' (BTP)," Babayev said in the appeal, published on the official COP29 website. In his view, transparency is crucial for tracking progress, building trust, and identifying areas where further action and support are needed in combating climate change and is also an essential element in reaffirming commitment to the principles, goals, and objectives of the UN Framework Convention and the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change. "To set an example for other states, Azerbaijan is currently working on presenting its Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) ahead of COP29, and we urge all Parties to submit their BTRs before COP (to be held from November 11-22 in Baku)," Babayev emphasized. He acknowledged that measuring and presenting data within the BTR framework can be challenging, particularly for many developing countries. "Nevertheless, it is important as Parties prepare for the implementation of the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) after 2024 (which is reflected in the plans of the UN Paris Climate Agreement). The Baku Global Climate Transparency Platform (BTP) was created to support this effort. The BTPs goal is to bring together stakeholders committed to supporting developing countries in preparing and submitting BTRs, to promote cooperation and knowledge sharing among all Parties across the ETF spectrum, and to more effectively mobilize capacity-building resources where they are needed most," noted the COP29 president. He reminded that, in collaboration with the UNFCCC and other UN agencies and partners, BTP holds workshops for developing countries on their upcoming BTR submissions. "We'll hold relevant regional workshops across Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, Central Asia, Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, Latin America, and the Caribbean," Babayev announced. He pointed out that the BTP Platform will complement existing transparency initiatives, including the "Together4Transparency" initiative. Babayev also mentioned the recent appointments of high-level transparency experts Zulfia Suleimenova (Advisor to the President of Kazakhstan and Special Representative for International Environmental Cooperation) and Francesco Corvaro (Italys Special Envoy for Climate Change). These experts visited Baku in early September for the presentation of the BTP Platform. 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 A United Nations (UN) Womens report has said that the world is falling short of achieving gender equality by 2030, calling for immediate global action to address the gaps. According to the 36-page report launched on Monday, titled: Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot 2024, discriminatory laws and structural barriers are hindering progress, particularly in areas such as gender-responsive laws, policies and budget. Unless progress rapidly accelerates, the global community will fall short of achieving gender equality by 2030. Overall progress is insufficient, particularly given lags on structural issues such as gender-responsive laws, policies and budgets, the report said. Social norms continue to perpetuate discrimination, preventing women from gaining an equal footing with men. The international agency highlights gaps that should be addressed before the 2030 deadline for the SDGs, adding that the world still needs to catch up to its commitments to women and girls. The report also shows significant progress worldwide on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The publication is the latest edition in an annual series produced by UN Women and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. It is a snapshot of gender equality across the 17 SDGs. 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 Key challenges According to the report, despite significant declines in recent decades, some of the key challenges hindering gender equality globally include pervasive violence against women and harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation The report also identified insufficient data on SDG goal five (gender equality) thereby rendering womens experiences invisible in decision-making and policies. The report also found that women and girls spend 250 million hours per day on water collection, over three times more than men and boys. Not all gloomy Meanwhile, it is not all gloomy, as the report identifies that there are some points of light. They include declining poverty, narrowing of gender gaps in education, and a push for positive legal reforms. Yet, just six years before the 2030 deadline for the SDGs, not a single indicator under Goal 5, gender equality, has been fully achieved. Speaking more on gender inequality, the report said, No country has all relevant laws to prohibit discrimination, prevent gender-based violence, uphold equal rights in marriage and divorce, guarantee equal pay, and provide full access to sexual and reproductive health. Other areas On extreme poverty, the UN report said it would take an additional 137 years, at the current rate of change, to end the scourge. The report proffered gender-responsive social protection as a solution to minimise female poverty. According to the report, child marriage will only end in 2097 and gender parity in parliaments may not be reached before 2063. The report stresses the high cost of not investing in womens rights and calls attention to proven solutions that benefit women, girls, and entire societies. It champions radical action to shift the current trajectory and dramatically accelerate progress on gender equality and womens rights. As the world leaders prepare for the Submit of the Future on 22-23 September, the report urged a renewed international general agreement to close the gender gap and advance the rights and empowerment of women and girls. Gender equality in Nigeria Gender parity is a struggle in Nigeria. In his inaugural speech in 2023, President Bola Tinubu promised to feature women prominently in his administration. However, he has only achieved five per cent gender inclusion in his first year. This is despite a two-year old landmark judgement ordering the Nigerian government to implement the National Gender Policy by alloting 35 per cent appointment in the public sector to women. Lately, there has been an increase in gender-based increase in sexual and gender-based violence. Lagos, for instance, recorded 24,009 cases of gender-based violence in the last five years between January 2019 and December 2023. READ ALSO: Group advocates urgent action to achieve gender parity in Nigeria Also, in the Northern part of the country, the Salama Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Kafanchan, Kaduna State recorded 3,977 cases of sexual and gender-based violence since its inception in 2019. A civil society, DOHS Cares, recently marched to the Lagos State House of Assembly to demand legislation against femicide the intentional killing of a woman because of her gender. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed 25 deaths in a fatal road accident at Saminaka in the Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The Sector Commander, Kaduna State Sector Command, Corps Commander (CC), Kabir Nadabo, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Monday. Mr Nadabo said that the road traffic crash occurred on Sunday at 1.00 p.m. at LEA Primary School, Lere. The sector commander stated that a J5 bus with registration number NSL 08 AA carrying 63 people on board crashed into a DAF trailer with registration number DKA 454 XY. He explained that a combined team of FRSC, police, and Kaduna State Traffic Laws Enforcement Authority (KASTLEA) arrived at the scene of the accident at about 1:08 p.m. and began a rescue operation. According to him, the town of Saminaka was filled with travellers, mostly to celebrate the Maulud festival. He disclosed that the initial investigation revealed that the driver of the J5, who was on high speed, lost control and crashed into the trailer. 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 Instantly 15 people were confirmed dead on the spot, while 48 people who sustained various injuries were conveyed to Comprehensive Hospital Saminaka for treatment. Due to the severity of the crash and the injuries sustained, some of the victims were moved to Ahmadu Teaching Hospital Shika. Others were taken to the University of Jos Teaching Hospital and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for proper and comprehensive medical attention. Sadly, at about 6:45 p.m. on Monday, the command received an update that 10 more victims had died due to injuries sustained. This is truly sad and tragic. The total number of deaths rose to 25 people out of the 63 involved, he said. He commiserated with the families of all those who have lost their loved ones in this fatal accident. Mr Nadabo reiterated FRSCs stance and position on overloading of humans or goods and excess speeding. He stated that some accidents were avoidable and that the FRSC would continuously engage motorists on safety ethics and general road behaviour. The sector commander expressed gratitude to the media for their constant and continuous support in propagating the word of safety to all Nigerians. According to him, FRSC Kaduna Sector Command is poised to ensure the overall safety of motorists in Kaduna and beyond. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has revealed that the Federal, State, and Local Governments in Nigeria received a total of N3.473 trillion in the second quarter of 2024. This represents a 1.42 per cent increase, equivalent to N46.77 billion, from the N3.426 trillion disbursed in the first quarter of the year. NEITI disclosed this on Monday in a statement by the Assistant Director, Communications & Advocacy, Chris Ochonu. According to NEITIs Quarterly Report on Federation Account Revenue Allocations for the second quarter, this uptick is attributed to steady revenue inflows into the Federation Account from various sources. The report was presented by NEITIs Executive Secretary, Ogbonnaya Orji, in Abuja, where he emphasised the role of such disclosures in bolstering public accountability in managing public finances. Our Quarterly Review aims to shed light on the revenue sources for the Federation Account and identify the factors influencing these figures over time. The objective is to enhance awareness and foster transparency in the management of public resources, Mr Orji was quoted as saying. 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 called on civil society organisations to step up their efforts in tracking government expenditures and monitoring allocations across all government tiers. Breakdown The report showed that of the N3.473 trillion disbursed in the second quarter, the federal government received N1.102 trillion, accounting for 33.35 per cent of the total. The 36 states collectively received N1.337 trillion, representing 40.47 per cent, while the 774 local government councils were allocated N864.98 billion, or 26.18 per cent. In addition, N169.26 billion was disbursed to nine oil-producing states as their derivation share from mineral revenues. Notably, Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers States emerged as the largest beneficiaries under the derivation arrangement. A comparative analysis of Q1 and Q2 2024 shows a decline of N41.44 billion (3.76 per cent) in the federal governments allocation, while the states experienced a rise of N58.13 billion (4.29 per cent). Local government councils also saw a 3.57 per cent increase in their disbursements, up by N30.82 billion. Revenue sources The report highlighted the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as the primary contributors to the Federation Account. Their remittances include oil and gas royalties, petroleum profit tax, company income tax, value-added tax (VAT), and import and excise duties. NEITI also observed a fluctuating pattern in monthly allocations, with disbursements rising from N1.094 trillion in January 2024 to N1.098 trillion in February, only to dip slightly to N1.065 trillion in March. State, LG allocations Delta State topped the list of beneficiaries, receiving N137.357 billion in the second quarter, followed by Lagos with N123.282 billion, and Rivers at N108.104 billion. At the lower end of the spectrum, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, and Ekiti States received the smallest allocations, with each receiving between N24 billion and N26 billion. Among local governments, Alimosho in Lagos State was allocated the highest amount, N5.721 billion, followed by Ajeromi/Ifelodun with N4.592 billion. Ifedayo Local Government in Osun State received the least, 82 million. READ ALSO: Tinubu inaugurates NEITI governing board Recommendations In its recommendations, NEITI urged states to explore the ongoing reforms in the solid minerals sector as a potential avenue to diversify revenue sources. The report also called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to strengthen measures to stabilise the exchange rate, with the aim of curbing fluctuations in Federation Account remittances. Additionally, NEITI advised states to adopt more realistic budget benchmarks for oil production and exports to mitigate the risks associated with volatile global prices. The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) were encouraged to enhance transparency, particularly regarding payments of derivation arrears and debt repayment refunds. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has sent his condolences to the families affected by the tragic motor accident in Saminaka Local Government Area of the state. In a statement signed by the governor on Monday, Mr Sani said, The state government received with shock and a deep sense of loss news of the death of 40 people in a ghastly motor accident in Saminaka, Lere Local Government of Kaduna State. 48 others sustained injuries in the unfortunate incident and are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals. I am deeply pained by the tragedy. His (my) thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and those who sustained injuries in the accident. Mr Sani subsequently directed the Commissioner of Health to ensure that those injured receive adequate medical attention. He also said the government will reach out to the families of the deceased with a view to offering some assistance to lessen their pains. 40 killed Forty travellers were killed in the accident on Sunday in Saminaka Local Government of the state. 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 According to Ahmed Mohammed, a witness, the victims were on their way to celebrate Maulid in Saminaka when a truck crushed them in Lere town The devastating collision occurred in Lere town when a J5 bus, carrying travellers from Kwandi village to Saminaka for a Maulid celebration, was struck by a truck attempting to avoid a motorcycle. We counted about 40 dead people and many others injured, the witness said to journalists. According to Mr Mohammad, the dead were buried on Sunday in Saminaka. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A presidential aide has announced the take-off of the $550 million upstream gas project between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (NNPCL) and TotalEnergies on development of the Ubeta field. Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Energy, Olu Verheijen, disclosed this at an inaugural US-Nigeria Strategic Energy Dialogue hosted by the US State Department, in Washington, DC. Speaking at a luncheon organised as part of the inaugural dialogue, Ms Verheijen said the upstream gas project would deliver 350 million standard cubic feet of gas per day when operational. A statement on the event signed by Morenike Adewunmi, Stakeholder Manager, Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday. Ms Verheijen told the gathering that major energy reforms introduced by President Tinubu since June 2023 focused on improving energy security, attracting investments and deepening collaboration with key partners including the US government. She said the key reforms had improved the viability of the gas-to-power value chain of the country The reforms, according to her, included initiatives to improve cash flows in electricity distribution through smart metering and the payment of outstanding debts owed investors, and to reduce carbon emissions from gas production. 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 She added that, to support the reform efforts, the president issued five new executive orders aimed at providing fiscal incentives for investment and reducing the cost and time of finalising and implementing contracts to develop and expand gas infrastructure. The presidential aide said the directives also aimed to immediately unlock up to $2.5 billion in new oil and gas investments in the country. She acknowledged the support of financing and technical partners like the US government, the World Bank and the African Development Bank towards expanding electricity access and reliability through grid and off-grid solutions. Ms Verheijen affirmed her optimism about the bright prospects for Nigerias energy sector, especially with the renewed focus on gas as a transition fuel in the race to meet the countrys commitments to the Paris Climate Agreement. We see resilient demand for gas through the energy transition as it is a readily available, cost-effective backup to renewables while cutting emissions by half immediately, she said. Speaking on the dialogue, Ms Verheijen recalled it was established in June 2023 to create a platform for the US and Nigerian governments and private sector to deepen bilateral cooperation and advance the implementation of shared energy and climate action ambitions. Nigeria seeks to create a robust regulatory framework and attract new investments for the production of gas for power, transportation and clean cooking. I cannot overstate the importance of our longstanding relationship with the US and this inaugural dialogue. The goal of this dialogue is for us to jointly proffer solutions that will close the energy access gap for close to 100 million Nigerians who still lack reliable power. We want existing and potential partners to better understand our areas of priority so that our collaboration can be better targeted, and with tangible outcomes, she said.. On his part, Geoffrey Pyatt, US Assistant Secretary of the State Departments Bureau of Energy Resources, said the dialogue was apt and strategic. The inaugural U.S.-Nigeria Strategic Energy Dialogue has set the stage for strengthened energy collaboration between the United States and Nigeria. Together, were advancing shared energy security, decarbonization, and economic growth goals, he said. The Dialogue saw the launch of a new Nigeria-focused initiative, the Clean Energy Alliance of Nigeria (CLEAN), by the U.S. State Department, to mobilise stakeholders to support and promote investment in clean energy in Nigeria. The Nigerian delegation to the event was led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo. Officials from the Ministry of Power, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NNPC Limited, were also in attendance. The US delegation included representatives from the Bureau of African Affairs, USAID, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), and the Export-Import Bank NAN recalls that the signing ceremony of the 550 million USD Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Ubeta Field Development Project took place in Abuja in June The Ubeta field, discovered in 1964 is located Northwest of Port Harcourt, Rivers state. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has suspended the Chairperson, Caretaker Committee of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Otonye Briggs. Mr Briggs suspension is with immediate effect, Governor Fubaras spokesperson, Nelson Chukwudi, said in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday. Mr Chukwudi did not, however, give reason for the suspension. The Governor has directed Hon Bitebobo Amiee to immediately take over as chairperson. Mr Briggs is hereby directed to hand over all council property in his possession to the (new) Caretaker Committee Chairperson, Mr Nelson said. Mr Briggs, a lawyer, was one of the persons inaugurated by Governor Fubara in June as chairpersons of the caretaker committee for the 23 local government areas of the state. Their inauguration followed the expiration of the three-year tenure of the former elected council officials in the state. 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 inauguration of the caretaker committee triggered violence in the state between supporters of Governor Fubara and those of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is the minister of FCT. The elected officials, backed by Mr Wike, had refused to vacate office, prompting a clash with Mr Fubaras supporters that resulted in the death of two persons, including a police officer. Following the violence, the police authorities since June directed operatives to take over the 23 council secretariats. In his three months in office, Mr Briggs did not operate from his official office as the secretariat is still occupied by the police. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has sacked the Commissioner for Information in the state, Paul Nwosu. Christian Aburime, the spokesperson for Governor Soludo, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. Mr Aburime said Mr Soludo commended Mr Nwosu for his contributions during his tenure as information commissioner. He said the governor also wished the former commissioner the very best in his future endeavours. Mr Nwosu was sworn in alongside 19 other commissioners in April 2022. No reason was given for his sacking. There are, however, speculations that the commissioner was sacked for alleged poor delivery, which PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify. 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 New commissioner sworn in Mr Aburime also announced that Mr Soludo appointed Law Mefor as a replacement for the sacked commissioner. The new commissioner has been sworn in, he said. It is unclear if the new commissioner was screened and confirmed by the Anambra House of Assembly as required by Nigerian law before he was sworn in. Mr Aburime described the new commissioner as a distinguished academic and public intellectual. Governor Soludo expressed confidence in Dr. Mefors ability and extensive experience to strengthen the communication machinery of the state and foster a more vibrant information environment for the governments developmental strides, he said of the new commissioner. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Lagos State Government (LASG) says increase in boarding fees in its model colleges is inevitable to ensure better welfare of the students. Ganiu Lawal, Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Lagos State, said this in a statement on Monday. Mr Lawal noted that students in the boarding schools were over one per cent of the entire basic and secondary school student population in public schools in the state. According to Mr Lawal, the N35,000 boarding fees being paid since 2021 is not realistic in 2024. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos State Government approved the upward review of boarding fees payable in all public boarding schools in Lagos State. The review of boarding fees in all public secondary schools in Lagos State is with effect from 2024/2025 session. The newly approved fee is N100,000 only and starts from the session resuming on 15 September 2024. 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 Ministry is aware of dissenting views by some parents to the inevitable increase in boarding fees in our model colleges. This was not an easy decision, but the welfare of the children is a priority for the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the Lagos State Government. Since enrolment of a child into a boarding school is an individual choice for every parent, they are expected to pay boarding fees. The boarding fee is paid every term and it is used basically for feeding, janitorial and other miscellaneous cost related to keeping them in the hostels per term, Mr Lawal said. The ministry official explained that the schools took care of energy cost on fuel and cooking gas, which are essential for preparing the students meals. The model college students enjoy all other privileges of free education vis a vis provision of education infrastructure, free tuition, technology support (free devices). Also provision of adequate security in schools and payment of terminal examination fees; the state government pays WAEC fees for all public school students. Ideally, none of our parents will testify to the reasonability of feeding a child of 12 to 18 years with N35,000 for three months. A comparative analysis of Federal and state public schools with boarding facilities across the country shows Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is still very considerate with the reviewed rate in spite of the incomparable cost of food and other expenses, he said. Mr Lawal noted that nutritious food was not just for physical growth but also for mental alertness, adding that the Ministry would not want any boarding student to look gaunt or lack the skill of critical thinking. He stressed that government took responsibility of the health and well being of the students while in school, but added that government would require full cooperation of all stakeholders to do this. The ministry official, therefore, enjoined parents to see reasons with the state government and show understanding for the sake of the children. Recall that the the Lagos State Government provides free education in 1,021 primary schools, 369 junior secondary and 329 senior secondary schools, which include 32 model colleges across the State. All the model colleges are boarding schools, except for Vetland Junior and Senior Secondary Schools which operate day. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Commissioner of Police in Edo, Nemi Iwo, has dismissed allegations linking his deployment to the state to the influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike as baseless.. A statement by the commands Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, on Monday in Benin, the Edo State capital, quoted Mr Iwo as describing the claims as baseless and mischievous. Mr Iwo said his deployment was a routine administrative procedure within the Police Force. Its laughable to suggest that the deployment was influenced by the FCT Minister. I dont have any personal or professional ties with him, he said. According to him, associating with the FCT Minister is a thing of pride, but it is pertinent to clear the air that our paths have never crossed in any way. The CP is not an electoral umpire as such, I cannot determine the outcome of an election as more senior officers, including two DIGs, AIGs, CPs and other senior officers have been deployed to supervise the conduct of Edo election. Moreso, the innovations adopted by the INEC does not accrue any powers or privileges to the Police to influence the outcome of any election. On this note, the command condemns this mischievous news and wish to urge the good people of Edo State to disregard the unfounded story, 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 He, however, reassured the public of the commands commitment to neutrality and professionalism in the upcoming governorship election. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the ruling party in Edo State, had accused the police of bias and refused to sign the peace accord aimed at committing governorship candidates and their parties to peace during the election. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print To reduce the impact of the flood crisis affecting different parts of the country, the World Health Organisation (WHO), has said it is scaling up its support to Nigeria by providing more emergency health assistance. The non-profit said it has begun providing food support, health care assistance, and hygiene kits to people in communities affected by the crisis. This was contained in a statement issued by the non-profit organisation on Monday. The WHO Representative in Nigeria, Walter Mulombo, said the crisis poses a risk of severe health challenge which mandates a swift response. The flooding in Nigeria poses a severe public health challenge, necessitating a swift, agile and comprehensive response. Close collaboration between government and partners such as WHO is critical to such efforts, he said. For this reason, WHO said it has deployed four mobile health teams comprising 20 medical personnel with essential drugs and medical supplies, to the affected areas in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, which recently experienced flash flooding. According to the statement, WHO team has been providing treatment for minor ailments, routine immunisation, and antenatal and postnatal services to victims of the flood in Borno State. 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 It added that it provides mental health care and coordinates medical referrals to larger hospitals. Another WHO team of 50 frontline volunteers has been deployed to carry out community active case search for water-borne and vaccine preventable diseases in camps for the displaced, the statement reads in part. Supplies for Jigawa In Jigawa, another state affected by flooding, WHO said it collaborated with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide shelter, food, blankets and sleeping nets. According to the statement, it has also provided the state with about $45,000 of essential drugs and medical supplies, including rapid diagnostic kits for malaria and antimalarial medication. WHO said it is dispatching similar donations to two other affected states, Bauchi and Kogi. Prediction Meanwhile, the NEMA spokesperson, Manzo Ezekiel, predicted that the flood crisis is likely to worsen in the coming weeks. He said the situation could worsen in the coming weeks as flood waters flow downwards to central and southern states. WHO will continue to support the government as it strives to mitigate the impact of this ongoing health crisis and save lives, says Mr. Malumbo. Flood crisis The recent flooding in Nigeria, particularly in the North-east, engulfed numerous residential areas, displacing tens of thousands of residents and causing zoo animals to escape freely into the streets. According to authorities, about 30 peoples lives have been claimed by the Maiduguri flash flood, with over a million persons affected. Also, the UN puts the total number of displaced persons at 414,000. The incident is said to have been caused by the collapse of the Alau dam on the Ngadda River in the State on Tuesday. This is the worst flooding the state has experienced since the dam collapsed 30 years ago. Similarly, in Jigawa State, about 16 people have died, and more than three thousand displaced due to flood disaster. This crisis has also displaced 3,936 households and destroyed 2,744 hectares of farmlands. According to the state authorities, this has significant impacts on the agricultural practices and livelihoods of the people. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. The COP29 President-Designate and Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, Mukhtar Babayev held a productive meeting with World Bank Regional Director for Sustainable Development in Europe and Central Asia Sameh Naguib Wahba and Regional Director for the South Caucasus Rolande Pryce, Trend reports via official COP29 page on X. The discussions covered both current and upcoming World Bank initiatives in Azerbaijan, focusing especially on the water and agricultural sectors, as well as preparations for COP29. 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. The special adviser on Investment to Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has resigned from his appointment and joined the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. Sani Dambo also resigned from the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) alongside Rabiu Durun, another NNPP chieftain, who joined the APC on Monday. The politicians were received by Barau Jibrin, the deputy senate president, at the latters residence in Abuja. Mr Jibrin announced the development in a statement he posted on Facebook. Today (Monday), I welcomed a distinguished personality, Alhaji Sani Abdulkadir Dambo, a top aide to the Kano State Governor, into the All Progressives Congress (APC). His return marks a homecoming, and I am proud to see him pledge his commitment to supporting the APC in Kano and at the national level. His words of loyalty and expertise will undoubtedly add value to our collective efforts to transform Nigeria. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In the same light, I am delighted to welcome Alhaji Rabiu Alhassan Durun, another strong political figure from Kabo LGA, to the APC. Both men have shown their dedication to progress, and their decision to join us reflects their confidence in our vision for Nigeria. May Almighty Allah guide and bless our efforts, Mr Jibrin stated. Mr Dambos resignation from the NNPP administration in Kano followed that of Abdulraham Mai Kadama, the senior special assistant to the governor on entrepreneurship, who resigned from his appointment on 15 August. Like Mr Dambo, Mr Mai-Kadama also announced his defection to the APC after meeting the deputy senate president, Mr Jibrin. Mr Mai Kadama, among other roles, was the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement in Plateau State and G-6 in Kano State before defecting to the APC. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ahead of Saturdays governorship election in Edo, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said a total of 2,249,780 registered voters have collected their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in the state. This represents 85.57 per cent of the 2,629,025 total registered voters in the state. The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday. Mr Olumekun said that 379,245 PVCs, representing 14.43 per cent, were uncollected as of Monday, 16 September, at the end of the extended period for PVC collection in the state. He said that, consequently, INEC was making available data on PVC collection on a Polling Unit basis in Edo ahead of the governorship election to be held on 21 September. There are 4,519 Polling Units in the State. Voting will take place in each unit. The detailed breakdown of the number of PVCs collected, as well as the number uncollected in each unit, has been uploaded to our website for guidance of political parties, candidates and public information, Mr Olumekun 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 He advised persons interested in viewing the 128-page document to visit the commissions website. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The latest situation report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has shown that 67 per cent of Mpox cases recorded since January 2024 were reported in males. According to the report released Monday on NCDC website, a total of 1,031 suspected cases have been reported across 47 local government areas in 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The age and sex distribution in the report showed that children below five years old are most affected, followed by age groups 26 to 30 and 46 to 50. A total of 67 cases have been confirmed in 2024. NCDC established that men are predominantly affected, accounting for approximately 70 per cent of 6,001 suspected and confirmed mpox cases recorded in Nigeria since September 2017, when the first confirmed cases occurred. However, Nigeria has recorded no fatalities from the disease in 2024, compared to 2022 and 2023 with two and seven deaths reported respectively. Concerns for children The NCDC data raises concern about the susceptibility of young children to the disease. Out of the total 64 confirmed cases recorded in 2024, children below age five accounted for the highest cases with a total of 15 confirmed cases. 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 Reacting to the pattern of Mpox cases in Nigeria, the Country Director for Busara Centre for Behavioral Economics, a civil society group, Mohammed Alhaji, in a Linkedin post, observed the need to initiate strategies to prevent children from the disease. He wrote: I have been monitoring the historical pattern of mpox cases in Nigeria, with a specific focus on age distribution. Although it may be too early to draw conclusions, it appears that the current outbreak is the first where children are the most affected. If this is indeed the case, there is an urgent need to develop strategies to prevent further escalation in this vulnerable age group. vulnerable age group. In her comment, the Resident Advisor of the Media EIS fellowship and Public Health Physician, Olayinka Badmus, said: Indeed, we should be worried about children. Not only are they the most affected, most of the cases co-exist with chicken pox. Unfortunately, I dont see how the education and health sectors are working together to focus on this key population. 2024 outbreak Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick. The disease can spread from animals to humans and between humans through close contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated objects. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently declared it a global public health emergency. While the Democratic Republic of Congo is the epicentre of the outbreak in Africa, Mpox has been reported in at least 14 African countries. To reduce transmission and contain the outbreak, WHO on Friday announced the approval of the MVA-BN vaccine as the first vaccine against Mpox to be added to its prequalification list. Nigeria recently received a donation of 10,000 doses of Jynneos, a Mpox vaccine, from the United States government. On 5 September, Africa CDC also announced the arrival of the first shipment of 99,100 doses of the Jynneos Mpox vaccine to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A state of emergency, if declared, would enable the government to adopt extraordinary security measures, including the temporary suspension of certain civil liberties, the deployment of additional military assets, and the establishment of special tribunals to expedite the prosecution of bandits and kidnappers. Despite the concerted efforts of Nigerias security forces, with commendable support from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the country continues to face unprecedented security challenges, with banditry and kidnapping wreaking havoc across several states. This escalating violence perpetrated by armed groups has reached a critical point, prompting the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) to issue a clarion call, urging the federal government to declare a state of emergency on banditry and kidnapping. The Chairman of the Centre, Major General Chris Olukolade (rtd.), in a press statement issued in late August, expressed concern that the situation might degenerate into a major crisis if left unchecked, as it endangers innocent lives and undermines national security. Furthermore, the retired General noted that the kidnapping epidemic has evolved from sporadic criminal activity into a full-blown lucrative industry, with individuals and bandit/terrorist groups adopting it as a primary source of revenue, despite security measures. Just recently, the nation was jolted by the killing of a traditional ruler in Sokoto Emirate who was earlier abducted on his way home by bandits. A few days before his eventual death at the hands of his captors, the monarch was seen in a video pleading for his life. Equally saddening is the report that days after the death of the traditional ruler in the hands of merciless abductors, the bandits regrouped, stormed communities in the same axis, and reportedly abducted about 150 people! Those folks are still in the hands of the bandits, Olukolade was quoted as saying. 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 It can be recalled that the late Alhaji Isah Bawa, of blessed memory, the emir of Gobir in Gawata town of Sokoto State, was kidnapped on 29 July alongside his son and six others on the Sokoto-Sabon Birni Road. Regardless of prejudice, it is clear that this proposal by the CCC underscores the severity of the crisis, the systemic gaps in security, and the urgency of deploying extraordinary measures to restore peace and stability. In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed a surge in insecurity, particularly in the northern and central regions. Bandits have laid siege to rural communities, engaging in mass abductions, killings, and violent raids. Kidnapping, initially a localised menace, has evolved into a lucrative criminal enterprise, targeting everyone from schoolchildren to prominent politicians and traditional rulers. Several reports indicate that tens of thousands of Nigerians have been killed, and millions displaced, as entire regions are subjected to the terror of bandits who operate with seeming impunity. For example, according to data sourced from the National Security Tracker (NST), an initiative of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), and the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), 3,841 Nigerians were reported to have been killed by non-state actors, while 4,243 others were kidnapped in 2023. Meanwhile, the economic impact of this violence is equally devastating. Agricultural activities have been crippled, trade routes disrupted, and entire communities forced to abandon their homes and livelihoods. Beyond the immediate human toll, the long-term consequences of this insecurity are far-reaching, potentially eroding the countrys social fabric and threatening national unity. It is worth noting that the Nigerian government, through its security forces, has made significant strides in addressing insecurity. The military, police, and paramilitary forces, supported by the ONSA, have launched various operations aimed at dislodging bandits from their hideouts, particularly in states like Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, and Katsina, while equally targeting insurgents in the Northeast region. Joint operations with intelligence agencies and the use of aerial bombardments have led to the capture or neutralisation of several key bandit leaders. Recently, Nigerias Defence Headquarters revealed how the military eliminated Kachalla Fadama, Ameer Modu, and four other wanted terrorist kingpins in August. However, despite these efforts, the situation remains dire. In many cases, bandits have regrouped, adopting more sophisticated tactics and exploiting ungoverned spaces to evade security forces. The porous nature of Nigerias borders, coupled with the influx of illicit arms, has further exacerbated the problem. Many critics argue that while security forces have shown commendable prowess, the scale and complexity of the insecurity challenge demand more decisive and extraordinary measures. The CCCs call for a state of emergency on banditry and kidnapping is not just a rhetorical plea, it reflects a growing consensus among security experts, civil society organisations, and the general public that Nigeria needs to go beyond conventional responses. A state of emergency, if declared, would enable the government to adopt extraordinary security measures, including the temporary suspension of certain civil liberties, the deployment of additional military assets, and the establishment of special tribunals to expedite the prosecution of bandits and kidnappers. As stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution, a state of emergency grants the president sweeping powers to restore order in times of grave national crises. Under Section 305 of the Federal Constitution of Nigeria, the president can issue a proclamation of emergency where there is a breakdown of public order and safety, or where there is an imminent danger to the federation. In the case of banditry and kidnapping, both conditions are met. Section 305 provides: Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the president may by instrument published in the official Gazette of the Government of the Federation issue a proclamation of a state of emergency in the Federation or any part thereof. However, declaring a state of emergency is not without its political and legal implications. Critics may argue that such a move could be seen as a failure of the governments current security strategies, while others may fear the potential abuse of emergency powers. There is also the risk of undermining democratic governance, particularly if emergency powers are extended indefinitely. To mitigate these risks, the Federal Government must work closely with the National Assembly, state governors, and civil society groups to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of emergency measures. Clear timelines, objectives, and oversight mechanisms should be established to ensure that the state of emergency is both effective and limited in scope. One of the critical components of the CCCs call is the need for an enhanced strategy among Nigerias security agencies. While individual military and police units have made progress, the lack of seamless collaboration often undermines the overall impact of security operations. In many cases, intelligence sharing is either delayed or hampered by inter-agency rivalry, allowing bandits and kidnappers to operate with greater freedom. Thus, the CCC recommends a significant investment in technology to enhance intelligence gathering and equally suggests greater responsibility and accountability from the security forces. No doubt, a state of emergency would enable the creation of a unified command structure, bringing together all security and intelligence units under a single operational framework. This could include establishing special task forces, with the mandate to focus exclusively on kidnapping and banditry, and equipping them with the resources and intelligence needed to root out criminal networks. Nevertheless, beyond military solutions, there is a growing consensus that Nigeria must address the root causes of insecurity. Banditry and kidnapping, while driven by criminal elements, are also symptoms of deeper socio-economic issues. Widespread poverty, unemployment, and the marginalisation of rural communities have created fertile ground for armed groups to recruit followers. Declaring a state of emergency should, therefore, go hand-in-hand with socio-economic interventions aimed at addressing these underlying issues. Programs that promote youth empowerment, job creation, and access to education are crucial in reducing the appeal of banditry. Equally important is the need for rural development, improved infrastructure, and access to basic services such as healthcare and clean water in affected regions. Presently, Nigeria is at a crossroads in its fight against banditry and kidnapping. While security forces have demonstrated considerable prowess, the sheer scale of the crisis demands extraordinary measures. The CCCs call for a state of emergency is both timely and necessary. However, the success of such a declaration will depend on the governments ability to balance military action with socio-economic development, uphold the rule of law, and ensure the protection of human rights. The road to peace may be long, but with the right policies and the political will to act decisively, Nigeria can overcome the scourge of banditry and kidnapping, securing a brighter future for its citizens. Mukhtar Yau Madobi, an NDA research student, is the author of National Security Strategies: A Young Writers Perspective. Email: ymukhtar944@gmail.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu became chairman of the Authority of Heads of States and Government of the regional body, there has been much talk about an ECOWAS Standby Force, with some wrongly making it seem like a novel initiative, while others discuss it as if it is the magic bullet that would destroy violent conflicts and terrorism in the sub-region. When Professor Sam Amadi, director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, and veteran public analyst, requested that I should make a presentation on the subject of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) in the fight against violent conflicts and terrorism in the sub-region, I did not need to be persuaded before I accepted. Among other reasons, I am the editor-in chief of the Journal of African Union Studies, which is probably the only high-impact academic journal that is dedicated to the study of the African Union, its eight Regional Economic Communities (which includes ECOWAS) and bi-national commissions in the continent. The journal, which was founded in 2012 and is one of the 27 high-impact journals from the stable of Adonis & Abbey Publishers, is indexed in most of the worlds leading databases, including SCOPUS, IBSS, JSTOR, COPERNICUS and ERIH PLUS. It is ranked by SCimago Journal Ranking and accredited by DHET (the regulator of Higher Education in South Africa) and UGC CARE (the regulator of Higher Education in India). Given that the subject of standby force, both for the African Union and its RECs, is a popular topic in the journal, it will be fair to assume that I am fairly well exposed to the conversations around the topic. A starting point will be to pose the question of what is really a standby force? Since the establishment of the United Nations (UN) in 1945, there have been conversations on how the world body can best respond to global crisis on time and efficiently. Two prominent models were canvassed Standing or Standby arrangements. The standing forces are supposed to be trained, paid, and commanded by the UN, while standby forces consist of donated materials, and volunteer troops earmarked for UN duty, but are supported, trained, and commanded by their respective national authorities before deployment. Standby arrangements are context specific, whether you are talking of the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations (NATO) Response Force (NRF), the European Battlegroups (EUBG), United Nations Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System (PCRS), or the African Standby Force (ASF). The notion of the ECOWAS Standing Force (ESF) derives its legitimacy largely from the ASF. It should be recalled that in 2001, the African Union replaced the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) as the continents foremost supranational entity. The preceding OAU did not provide for collective security, essentially because members were more interested in guarding their newly won independence through the doctrine of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states. But in 2001, after the AU replaced it, and with events like the Rwandan genocide of 1994, the non-interference clause of the OAU was seen as no longer adequate. The Constitutive Act now gave the AU the right to intervene in a member state in grave circumstances, namely to prevent war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. This move by the newly birthed AU (from the womb of the OAU) actually preceded the better known Responsibility to Protect (R2P or RtoP) doctrine a global political commitment, which was endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly at the 2005 World Summit, in order to address four key concerns on preventing genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. The ESF operates within the framework of the ASF. Like the ASF, it is supposed to be a uniformly trained Force, which is multidisciplinary (with military, police and civilian components). A partial legal basis is also given by Article 21 of the ECOWAS Protocol Relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security of December 1999. In the same 2001, the AU came up with a new African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) designed to build and strengthen African capacities for managing and resolving conflicts on the continent. The APSA comprises five pillars: A Peace and Security Council, a Continental Early Warning System, a Panel of the Wise, a Peace Fund, and an African Standby Force. The final concept for the ASF, presented in the Maputo Report of July 2003, provided for five regional Standby Brigade forces A North Africa Regional Standby Brigade (NASBRIG), an East Africa Standby Brigade (EASBRIG), a Force Multinationale de lAfrique Centrale (FOMAC), a Southern Africa Standby Brigade (SADCBRIG), and an ECOWAS Standby Brigade (ECOBRIG). The authority to deploy the ASF was supposed to reside with the Peace and Security Council of the AU. Since every standby force is supposed to be region specific, the ASF, by emphasising uniformly trained standby forces, which would be multidimensional (or multidisciplinary), involving the military, the police and civilians, was conceived more as a Standing Force than a Standby Force (in the classical definition). 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 ESF operates within the framework of the ASF. Like the ASF, it is supposed to be a uniformly trained Force, which is multidisciplinary (with military, police and civilian components). A partial legal basis is also given by Article 21 of the ECOWAS Protocol Relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security of December 1999. The ESF was declared fully operational in 2016. By 2017, the capabilities of the force were used to plan and deploy an Economic Community of West African States Mission to The Gambia (ECOMIG). It should be recalled that during ECOMIG, about 7,000 troops, as well as air and naval assets from Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, entered The Gambia on 19 January, 2017. Its mandate was to ensure that Adama Barrow was sworn in as the new president of the country, after the then incumbent Yahya Jammeh, who lost the election, refused to vacate office. Both the African Union and the ECOWAS had recognised Barrow as the duly elected President. As the ECOWAS troops reached the capital, Banjul, Jammeh stepped down and left the country. Following his departure, 4,000 ECOWAS troops remained in The Gambia to maintain order in preparation for Barrow to return from Senegal (where he was sworn in) and consolidate his presidency. The decision of the AU and ECOWAS to recognise Adama Barrow was boosted when the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2337, proposed by Senegal, which endorsed those decisions. There are two crucial questions here: Would ECOMIG have succeeded if the UNSC was antagonistic? And will ECOWAS, in the current political climate in both Nigeria (the groups powerhouse) and in the sub-region (given the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the group, and its aftermath), be able to repeat a similar military intervention? Remarkably ECOMIG was ECOWAS last hallelujah moment. during the 65th Session of the group in July, President Tinubu re-echoed calls for a commitment and funding towards a Regional Standby Force and said the Community needs security and stability to achieve its potential. This raises a fundamental question of what is really new about the proposed ESF under Tinubu, and whether it is merely new wine in old wineskin. Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu became chairman of the Authority of Heads of States and Government of the regional body, there has been much talk about an ECOWAS Standby Force, with some wrongly making it seem like a novel initiative, while others discuss it as if it is the magic bullet that would destroy violent conflicts and terrorism in the sub-region. For instance, in December 2023, there were newspaper headlines that ECOWAS leaders had resolved to urgently review efforts to activate a standby force for counterterrorism operations in areas infested by terrorist groups. Again the ECOWAS Commission made another news headlines when it organised a one-day workshop for the Validation of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) Operational Framework from (29 May to 31 May). The workshop supposedly marked the final phase of a comprehensive review process aimed at adapting the ESF Operational Framework to address contemporary security and political challenges in the region. Similarly, during the 65th Session of the group in July, President Tinubu re-echoed calls for a commitment and funding towards a Regional Standby Force and said the Community needs security and stability to achieve its potential. This raises a fundamental question of what is really new about the proposed ESF under Tinubu, and whether it is merely new wine in old wineskin. To be continued next week. A version of this article was presented on 12 September to the monthly Dialogue series of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts. Jideofor Adibe is Professor of Political Science at Nasarawa State University, Keffi and founder of Adonis & Abbey Publishers. He can be reached at: pcjadibe@yahoo.com or 07058078841 (WhatsApp or text messages only). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has expressed optimism that the reign of terror being unleashed on the state and its environs by notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji would soon come to an end. He stated that Mr Turji and his nefarious band were hiding somewhere in the borders between Zamfara and Sokoto states around Shinkafi. He said this on Monday night during his appearance on Channels Televisions Politics Today programme anchored by Seun Okinbaloye. The governor spoke a few days after the military made significant gains against bandits in the zone by killing another notorious bandit leader, Halilu Sububu. Mr Lawal said that with the renewed onslaught by the military assisted by the Community Protection Guards (CPG) of Zamfara State, Mr Turji and his co-bandits will soon be smoked out and captured or killed. Its only a matter of time, Governor Lawal declared when asked about the likelihood that the notorious bandit leader would be taken out soon. With what we have in place, with the collaboration between us (the state government) and the Federal Government, security agencies, believe me, it is only a matter of time; Turji will be killed very, very soon, he added. Recall that recently, the military made significant gains against bandits in the North-west, killing daredevil bandit leader, Halilu Sububu. Before he met his Waterloo, Mr Sububu, who enjoyed wide illicit connections and funding, had been kidnapping, killing, and terrorising citizens in Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger and Katsina states as well as other parts of the North-West zone. His killing alongside 30 other bandits last week was greeted with jubilations in Zamfara and her neighbouring states. Asked whether the anticipated follow-up capture or killing of one of the most notorious bandits kingpin in the zone, Mr Turji would signal an end to banditry in the zone, the governor said that while it might not totally end the sinister act, he was positive that it will bring it down significantly. Commenting on the ongoing military operation in the zone code named Fansan Yamma, Governor Lawal declared that the military was on the right course and should sustain the pressure against bandits and other violent non-state actors there. He said that sustaining the push without slacking was crucial for achieving the ultimate goal of stamping out banditry in Zamfara, the North-west, and the country as a whole. 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 governor stated, What we need to do is sustain this military pressure. If we are able to sustain this pressure within the next two weeks to one month, believe me, it will be a different story as far as banditry is concerned. Responding to a question about the reported soured relationship between him and his predecessor in office, Bello Muhammad, better known as Bello Matawalle, Mr Lawal said there was nothing personal about their relationship. He stressed that their strained relationship has to do with the manner Mr. Matawalle managed the states finances during his tenure as governor. The governor drew attention to the fact that before he assumed office on 29 May, 2023, Mr Matawalle was already being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged missing N70 billion from the states coffers. He said that further investigations under his administration have revealed that over N250 billion was unaccounted for by the preceding administration in the state headed by Mr Matawalle. Mr Lawal said that there was no N4 million in the state treasury when he took over as governor in May last year adding that he inherited a backlog of salary arrears, some dating as far back as three years. He listed other debts his government inherited from Mr Matawalles administration as N1.3 billion owed National Examination Council (NECO), N1.6 billion for West African Examination Council (WAEC), N1.3 billion unpaid electricity bills for Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) and over N13 billion pension arrears among others. Mr Lawal said that his administration has verified and cleared most of the inherited debts. He added that out of N12 billion pension arrears, N8 billion has been paid as of date. The governor stressed that Zamfara, apart from being mired in banditry, was at the bottom in terms of education, infrastructures, and other development indices in the country when he took over as governor. He expressed happiness that he has been able to turn things around for the better in many sectors after just one year and a few months in the saddle as governor. On alleged plans by the state government to negotiate with the bandits, the governor said his government has never negotiated with bandits and has no plan to do so. My stand has always been no negotiation with banditsFrom little understanding I have about warfare, you can only negotiate successfully from the position of strength, not now when the criminals are doing their own propaganda to deceive the people. He added that the bandits should be degraded to the level where they would have no option than to surrender not on their own terms but based on the terms and conditions set by the authorities. Apart from being a hotbed for banditry in the country for several years, Zamfara State has also been in the news for illegal mining with mineral resources running into millions of dollars being carted away in very opaque operations by some Nigerians and their foreign collaborators. The non-state actors reported to be significantly involved in illegal mining activities in the state are allegedly funding some of the bandits terrorizing the state. There is a correlation between banditry and, to some extent, these mining activities. You cant rule that out, Governor Lawal said in response to a question about illegal mining and banditry. To curb the illegal mining activities, the governor wants a review of the way the mining sector is coordinated. To start with, he said he has signed an Executive Order banning mining activities in the state pending when the modalities for lawful operation are put in place. This, he explained, is to ensure proper collaboration between the Federal Government because mining is on the exclusive list, however, the land belongs to the state government. He stated that for that reason, there is the need for synergy between the two tiers of government. As things stand, he said it is difficult to even determine the number of licensed miners in the state, stressing that the state government has no clue about the revenue that the federal government might be generating from mining in the state. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Be alert and stay clear of fraud: VFS Global shares important advisory to Nigerian nationals on visa appointments Appointments are free and available on our websitewww.vfsglobal.com Applicants must be careful of agents and intermediaries who falsely promise early appointment bookings in exchange for payment The surge in travel activity that began in 2022 has continued into 2024, with travel data showing promising trends. Outbound travel has rebounded last year to pre-pandemic levels, with tourism, family visits, and educational and business trips being the common reasons for outbound travel from Nigeria. Visa volumes for applications processed via VFS Global in Nigeria are already at 60% of the 2023 numbers after nearly doubling in 2023 over the previous year. Canada, followed by China, South Africa and Saudi Arabia, as the top outbound travel destinations. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) report in collaboration with VFS Global, the African Travel & Tourism sector could potentially add US$168BN to the African economy and create over 18 million new jobs. This growth depends on policies such as improving air infrastructure, visa facilitation, and tourism marketing. With the surge in travel demand from the country, visa applications submitted for various countries are at volumes higher than ever before. With this increased demand for visa application appointments, scammers pose as employees or associates of the organisation; or agents and intermediaries who promise an early appointment at an additional cost to embezzle jobseekers and innocent visa applicants alike. 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 Commenting on the matter, Mr Alok Singhal, Head- Sub-Saharan Africa, VFS Global, said, It is important for applicants to bear in mind that appointment slots are offered online based on the volume of demand or forecast and in conjunction with the Consulates internal capacity planning. Once scheduled, they are recommended to be at the Centre 15 minutes before the appointed time to avoid missing your slot. We strongly advise all applicants to be careful of touts and fraudulent parties who falsely promise early appointment bookings in exchange for payment. With the presence of location pins and information on popular social media and search platforms, many such fraudsters create a fake presence using company credentials like logos, official name etc. and include their contact details in the details provided on these pages that deceive genuine travellers who mistake these details as the official presence of the company. As part of the measures to curb such incidents, VFS Global has implemented the following measures: Only applicants with a valid appointment will be permitted entry into the Centre premises. Implemented Facial Recognition appointment booking system initially with one embassy process (Portugal application), others will be implemented soon after. Visa application form validation system to integrate the form reference number with appointment booking reference (Denmark application) OTP code is required to book the appointment to limit the intervention of agents(Canada application) Anti-fraud messages across social media platforms, on the appointment letter, call centre voice messages, advertisements/posters, etc. We urge applicants to report any such instances by emailing the details to rsocza@vfsglobal.com Taking into consideration the higher-than-expected waiting time for application processing due to the increased demand for outbound travel, VFS Global has implemented a series of measures like extended hours of operations, appointments and dedicated hours for submission and pick up of passports as well as additional waiting area for applicants requiring services at the Centre. Here are some key factors to remember while planning to apply for your visa this travel season: VFS Global does not control appointment availability. Please be advised that VFS Global manages only the administrative and non-judgmental tasks related to visa, passport and consular services for its governments. We do not play any role in the decision-making process of visas. This is the sole prerogative of the respective governments. The availability of visa appointments, mandatory documentation, and the visa application decision, including the processing time, are entirely at the discretion of the respective governments. Once scheduled, we highly recommend the applicants be at the Centre 15 minutes before the appointed time to avoid missing their slot. Visa appointments are free and available only on www.vfsglobal.com on a first come first served basis. The time taken for visa processing differs with each mission. We recommend you check the turnaround timelines before applying. Opting for any optional, value-added services (such as Prime Time, Form-filling, or any other service) does not guarantee a quicker or more positive decision by the concerned Embassy/Consulate. On the other hand, premium services like Visa At Your Doorstep have increased over the past three years as more and more applicants seek the ease and convenience these services offer in their travel planning at an additional cost. Common reasons why applications get rejected The most common reason visa applications get rejected is due to incorrect or insufficient information submitted while applying for a visa. It is important to check the respective country websites by visiting our website www.vfsglobal.com, under the document checklist section. The optional form-filling service offered at an additional cost for some locations could ensure the correct information is updated. What is covered in the refund policy Our Refund Policy applies to any service fees and optional value-added service charges we collect from applicants as part of the visa process. This does not apply to visa and legalisation fees paid for the visa as its at the discretion of the respective visa-issuing government. Applicants are eligible for a refund if they have been charged more than once for the same service or if they have paid an excess sum if proof is provided. To apply for a refund, they must complete the Refund Request Form with the supporting documents online within 30 days from appointment cancellation. Refunds will be processed using the same mode of payment. VFS Global started its operation in Nigeria in the year 2007. Our operational presence has grown over the past decade in the country to now service 16 Governments which include Austria, Canada, People Republic of China, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, UAE and Ukraine to name a few, through a strong workforce of 200+ Nigerian nationals who are an integral part of our operations. About VFS Global As the worlds leading outsourcing and technology service specialist, VFS Global embraces technological innovation including Generative AI to support governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, increasing productivity and enabling them to focus entirely on the critical task of assessment. With a responsible approach to technology development, adoption and integration, the company prioritizes ethical practices and sustainability while serving as the trusted partner to 68 client governments. Operating over 3,400 Application Centres in 153 countries, VFS Global has efficiently processed more than 294 million applications since 2001. Headquartered in Zurich and majority owned through investment funds managed by Blackstone Inc, along with the Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation and EQT, VFS Global is committed to creating value for all stakeholders and leading in responsible, innovative solutions making government services more effective and efficient. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, set aside the interim order restraining the Kwara government from conducting the local government elections scheduled for 21 September. Justice Peter Lifu, in a ruling, vacated the order on the grounds that it had expired by the provisions of the law, having lasted for more than 14 days. Mr Lifu agreed with the submissions of Johnson Usman, SAN, counsel to the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC), and the Kwara Attorney-General (AG), Senior Sulyman, SAN. It is on record that the same ex-parte order has been pending since July 29, 2024, he said. According to the judge, an ex-parte order should not last beyond 14 days. Since it has lasted more than six weeks, it is hereby set aside, he declared. Mr Lifu, in another ruling also dismissed the contempt charge filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to commit the Chairman of KWSIEC, Baba Okanla, to prison on allegations of violations of valid court order. 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 dismissed the application on the ground that the contempt of court charge was not served on the contemnor as required by law. Mr Lifu, who upheld the arguments of Messrs Usman and Sulyman, said since a contempt charge is a criminal charge, it ought to have been served personally on the KWSIEC chairman and not through any other party or person. He said that the failure of the PDPs lawyer, Ademola Abimbola, to serve the contempt charge on Mr Okanla was a fundamental breach of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution which denied the contemnor a fair hearing. He said that from the record of the court, there was no evidence of personal service while at the same time, there was no evidence of substituted service order obtained from the court to serve the contemnor through substituted means. I have carefully and painstakingly perused the arguments for and against the motion to commit the contemnor to prison. Proceeding of contempt affects citizens liberty and where liberty of person is at stake, due process of the law must be carefully followed. In the instant case, the fundamental right of the contemnor to fair hearing as enshrined in Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was breached by not serving him personally and this makes the motion for committal to prison to be liable to dismissal and is hereby dismissed, Mr Lifu held. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the judge had, on 29 July, granted the PDPs ex-parte motion to stop INEC from releasing the national voters register to KWSIEC for the 21 September local government elections in the state, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit. The PDP, the plaintiff, had, in the suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1061/2024, sued INEC, KWASIEC, Kwara AG, Inspector-General (I-G) of Police and State Security Service (SSS) as 1st to 5th defendants respectively. PDP, had through its team of lawyers led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, told the court that KWASIEC was in grievous contravention, breach and violation of Sections 9, 28, 29 and 106 of the Electoral Act 2022, Sections 20 (1) and 21 (1) of Kwara State Local Government Electoral (Amendment) Law, 2024. The party claimed that all the conditions and precedents contained in Local Government Electoral Laws in Kwara were deliberately jettisoned by the states electoral body under unacceptable circumstances. It alleged that KWSIEC had applied to INEC for the register of voters in Kwara to use the same in the conduct of the LG polls. The party said the action was in breach and violation of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the Electoral Act, 2022, as well as Kwara State Local Government Electoral (Amendment) Law, 2024. However, Abimbola alleged that KWSIEC, through a letter dated 28 August and addressed to the states PDP chairman, invited the party to a peace meeting despite an injunction restraining parties from taking any step pending the hearing and determination of the suit. Against the development, the PDP lawyer commenced the contempt proceeding against the states electoral commission chairman.(NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Halilu Sububu, a wealthy figure with deep-rooted connections to Sahelian jihadists, was more than just a banditry kingpin in northwestern Nigeria. His reign of terror came to an abrupt end last Thursday evening after the security forces and local vigilantes killed him in a gunfight with his gang in Zamfara State. But will his death reduce rural banditry in the region? Mr Sububu was among the earliest bandits to take up arms around 2011 to fight the alleged subjugation of the Fulani ethnic group by state actors and their agents in Zamfara. He trained other notorious terrorists, including Shehu Rekep, the infamous terror kingpin and well-connected gunrunner who had more than 1,000 men terrorising local communities in Zamfara and Sokoto States. Mr Sububu was suspected of organising the abduction of students of Zamfara State College of Agriculture and Animal Sciences in Bakura and over 80 other people in Gora village in Maradun LGA of the state. He also participated in the kidnapping of more than 130 students in Kuriga, Kaduna State. Another banditry kingpin, Yellow Janbros, staged the abduction, but because he was inexperienced in mass abduction, he contracted the dreaded Dogo Gide to fight the military operatives trailing his gang. Mr Janbros also took some of the students to Mr Sububus camp in Bawar Daji forest in Anka LGA of Zamfara State. Illicit wealth and connection with Sahelian terrorists PREMIUM TIMES understands that Mr Sububu was one of the wealthiest terrorists in northern Nigeria. He was a high-profile arms smuggler and arms trainer notorious for supplying arms to other terrorists. Mr Rekep, his deputy, had strong ties with rebel groups in Mali, Chad, and Libya, which facilitated Mr Sububus lucrative gunrunning business. But more recently, Mr Sububus arms dealings is believed to have spread to more countries, including Burkina Faso, Morocco, Algeria, Central Africa Republic and Senegal. 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 Apart from his successful gunrunning business, Mr Sububu and his gang also engaged in attacking military formations and local communities, where they kidnapped and rustled cattle. Existing studies proved that bandits like Mr Sububu have ties to French-speaking jihadi groups in the Sahel, but they are too powerful and non-ideological to be co-opted into the jihadi ranks. One of those studies was co-authored by conflict researcher James Barnett, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, a former journalist with PREMIUM TIMES and Daily Trust; and Murtala Rufai, a history teacher at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS). Mr Sububu also ventured into illegal gold mining, forcing residents to work in mining pits located in Bagega and other communities around Sumke forest in the Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara. All these cross-border arms deals, illegal mining and rural banditry provided Mr Sububu with his illicit wealth. In his paper I am a Bandit, Mr Rufai, the history teacher at UDUS, revealed that bandits like Mr Sububu rent out weapons for between N500,000 and N1.2 million. These weapons include AK 47 and rocket-propelled grenades (RPG). The event that led to his death Local sources familiar with the kingpins movements on 13 September confirmed his death to this newspaper, saying he was killed alongside some of his fighters along the Mayanchi-Anka highway. Yahuza Getso, a security expert studying rural banditry and its patterns in northwest Nigeria, gave a more detailed account of the incident. He was killed on Thursday while he returned from Fakai to see Bello Turji, Mr Getso, who is also the Managing Director of Eagle Integrated Security and Logistics Company Ltd in Abuja, told PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday. According to him, Mr Sububu stopped at Bayan Ruwa (Maradun Maru axis) where another kingpin, Saidu, was having a (child) naming ceremony. But it was believed Halilu was betrayed by Saidu, who informed some vigilante members that Halilu had just left his base to cross the Mayanchi road, Mr Getso continued. The encounter took place around Kuzawa. Saidu was afraid that Halilu would take over the few mining sites in Maru, especially around Jabaka and Kuzawa itself. So he sold him out. Will his death reduce rural banditry in the region? Mr Sububu was not the first terror bigwig to be killed in a gun duel with Nigerian troops or rival groups. He joined others like Kachala Ali, Sani Dangote, Damina, Baleri and Modi-Modi, among others. However, his death can slow down banditry in rural communities in the north. This is because he was a major arms supplier to emerging bandits ransacking villages, taking advantage of the overstretch of the military. But experts also worry that his gang could bounce back if his key lieutenants are not taken down. Two notorious bandits under Halilu that were not killed that day are Shehu Rekep and Kwatte, Mr Getso noted, adding that soldiers need to track and kill these guys too because they will plan more attacks to seek revenge. The security experts also cautioned that the government needs to tighten security around Nigerias porous borders to check the infiltration of armed groups or herders from the Sahelian countries. Killing Mr Sububu is a great achievement, Mr Getso observed, noting that the military should be applauded. Mr Getso said the relocation of major military officers to the Northwest contributed to Mr Sububus successful elimination. Halilu Sububus profile Born Halilu Jammare, Mr Sububu was born and raised in Sububu in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State. In his first and only known interview with journalists, he addressed himself as the leader of the terrorists operating on the northern flank. Some people referred to him as Halilu Buzu because his mother hailed from the Buzu ethnic group of Niger Republic. A family friend of Mr Sububu, whom PREMIUM TIMES spoke to on the phone last October, said the terrorist was born in 1986. His father, a Fulani herder, Jammare, was born in Jajjaye, a community near Sububu. He said Mr Sububus mother came to Nigeria with her grandfather from the Niger Republic through Maradi in the Niger Republic. She should have been around 11 or 12 years old when they came to Nigeria. The community leaders in Sububu gave them land to build a house. That was where Jammare saw her and they married, the family source told PREMIUM TIMES. Mr Sububus father died 25 years ago, according to the source. The terror kingpin grew up between Sububu and Tubali in Maradun but was closer to Shinkafi. In the climax of the military offensives about three years ago, Mr Sububu relocated to Bagega but still maintained his bases in Sububu (Zamfara) and Suruddubu (Sokoto). His movements were always tracked because he had two wives and his mother with him in Bagega, Mr Getso said. He also had an armoury in Sububu, so he always went there. His main base was in Bagega, where he controlled his mining sites. He recently opened another base in Tsafe to counter the influence of Ansaru [al-Qaeda franchise in Nigeria, the source said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. As part of its commitment to delivering the best customer experience, Azercell Telecom has extended digital ID card recognition to all its sales and service centers. Starting from 16 September 2024, customers can carry out any transactions at both Azercell Exclusive offices and authorized dealer stores by presenting the QR code or the unique 8-digit code in the myGov app. This initiative, implemented in cooperation with the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IRIA), aims to provide a more flexible and efficient service experience while maintaining the highest standards of data confidentiality. It is worth noting that the countrys leading mobile operator has been accepting digital IDs in Azercell Exclusive offices since September 2, 2024. These updates are being implemented in accordance with the Decree signed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev on 16 July 2024. The Kano State Government on Tuesday opened its case before an Upper Sharia Court, against Shafiu Abubakar, 38, the alleged mosque arsonist. Mr Abubakar, who lives in Gezawa Local Government Area of the state, is charged with culpable homicide, attempted murder, causing grievous hurt and mischief by fire. The offences contravene the provisions of sections 140, 148, 167 and 370 of Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law 2000, according to the prosecution. Led in evidence, the prosecution counsel and the Director Public Prosecution (DPP) at the state Ministry of Justice, Salisu Tahir, presented four witnesses. PW1, Abdulaziz Yahaya, 55, the ward head of Gadan Larabar Abasawa village, told the court that on 15 May, at about 5:45 a.m. after prayer, he was informed that a mosque had been set on fire. On reaching the scene , I saw many people outside with burns and we rushed them to the Sir Muhammad Sunusi Hospital Kano. They were later transferred to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital for treatment. 23 people died while receiving treatment. The defendant surrendered himself to Gezawa Police Division. I was in a mosque in front of my house when the incident happened, 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 Also testifying, Aminu Abubakar, 42, an older brother to the defendant, told the court that he was called on the same day, at about 5:15 a.m. and told that there was a problem. Our father died 15 years ago and his properties were shared to us. The defendant had a misunderstanding with our late fathers younger brothers. He hit them on the head and inflicted injuries on them. The defendant took himself to the Hotoro Police Station and I was advised to take him to the Dawanau Psychiatric Hospital Kano for treatment and he was confirmed to be mentally stable. Mr Abubakar told the court that their mother sold her farm and gave the defendant N300,000 to buy a tricycle for business, as he requested for. Also, the PW3, Shuaibu Ibrahim, 25, testified that the defendant set the mosque on fire with petrol after the first rakaat prayer. Also testifying, Ibrahim Salisu, 23, said that after the incident, he ran out of the mosque to seek help. The defence counsel, Hasiya Muhammad-Imam, cross-examined the Pw1-Pw4, The presiding judge, Halhalatu Zakariyya, adjourned the matter until 24 September for continuation of cross examination. NAN reports that the defendant allegedly poured petrol and set fire on a mosque in Gadan Larabar Abasawa village of Gezawa local government area of Kano State and locked the doors, trapping 23 worshippers in a burning fire during subhi (Dawn) prayer on May 15, at about 5:15 a.m. READ ALSO: Kano fire service records 222 fire incidents in 3 months The authorities said 23 people sustained various degrees of injuries. The police alleged that the defendant attempted to kill Shuaibu Ibrahim and Ibrahim Sani, when he poured petrol and set fire on them. The defendant pleaded guilty to all the charges. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Police in Edo State have killed a suspected kidnapper and rescued his victim in the Egor area of the state. The police spokesperson in the state, Moses Yamu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin. Mr Yamu, a police superintendent, said that the suspect, brandishing a gun, ambushed his victim, Iyobo Ighodaro, who was driving a silver-coloured Mercedes Benz C350 car and abducted him. He said one Valentine Igbinevbo reported the matter at the Ugbowo Police Station on 15 September. He said the Divisional Police Officer, John Emmanuel, a chief superintendent of police, swiftly mobilised and led a surveillance team to track the suspects to their hideout in Egor, on the outskirts of Benin. According to him, the suspects were negotiating for ransom using the victims phone. On sighting the police, a gun battle ensued and one male suspect, whose identity is yet unknown, sustained fatal gunshot injuries and was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead. 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 second (suspect) is believed to have narrowly escaped with gunshot injuries. The operatives recovered the said vehicle, one cut-to-size gun, one live cartridge, a cutlass and three phones. The victim was rescued unhurt, received medical attention and reunited with his loved ones while the corpse of the suspect was deposited at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, the police spokesperson said. He quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, Nemi Iwo, as commending the DPO and his operatives for their effort in combating crime. The commissioner warned criminals in the state that their days were numbered if they continued in crime. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A new Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, has assumed duty in Akwa Ibom State, South-south Nigeria. Mr Eribo, who hails from Edo State assumed duty as the 33rd commissioner of police in the state. This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the police spokesperson in the state, Timfon John. The Police Service Commission had earlier announced Miller Dantawaye as commissioner of police to the state but PREMIUM TIMES gathered Mr Eribo was instead posted to the state based on the recommendation of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. Mr Eribo replaces the former police commissioner, Waheed Ayilara, who died last month hours after prostate cancer surgery in a hospital in Lagos. Ms John, an assistant superintendent of police said the new police commissioner holds a B.A from the University of Benin, LLB from the University of Calabar; BL, Law School, Abuja, and LLM from the La, Lagos State University. He enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in 1994 and has grown through the ranks. 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 Before his posting to Akwa Ibom, Mr Eribo was the commissioner of police in Taraba State. He has also served as deputy commissioner of police, operations in Kogi State. Mr Eribo also served previously as deputy commissioner of police, Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Zone 9, Umuahia, Abia State; Area Commander Agodi, Ibadan and Area commander, State CID, Lafia, Nasarawa State Police Command. He also served as Area Commander Area F, Lagos State Police Command; Area Commander, Area M, Lagos State Police Command; ACP FEDOPS, FHQ Abuja; Liaison Officer, Police Service Commission; DPO Central Police Station, FCT, Abuja; O/C Anti-Fraud, CID Abuja; PA to AIG Zone 6, Calabar; PA to AIG Zone 9, Umuahia; PA to CP Benue State Police Command; PA to CP Lagos State Police Command, Ms John said. Mr Eribo, a crime detection expert is a member of various professional organisations and a fellow of the International Associates of Chiefs of Police. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A Chief Magistrates Court in Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of three students for allegedly causing the death of a student. The trio, Shodimu Halima, 18; Agbedun Zainab, 23, and Olaleye Oladunni, 23, of Iseyin College of Health Science and Technology, are facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and murder. The Magistrate, M. Mudashiru, who did not take their pleas for lack of jurisdiction, ordered their remand at the Agodi Correctional Centre, Ibadan. Mr Mudashiru said the remand was pending the issuance of legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP). He, thereafter, adjourned the matter till December 30 for mention. The prosecuting counsel, Femi Oluwadare, had earlier told the court that the defendants allegedly conspired with others at large to commit the offence. According to the prosecutor, the defendants allegedly caused the death of one Eniola Ismail, 16, by beating her with fists on July 29 at about 4.00 p.m. at Iseyin, Oyo State. 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 defendants allegedly fought with the deceased on July 29 in school, after which the deceased went home. Getting home, the deceased complained of body pains, only to die later, he said. Mr Oluwadare said the offences were contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Sections 319 and 324 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Photo: Press service of the President of Kyrgyzstan BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, September 17. Kyrgyzstan highly values its established friendly relations with Germany, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov said during a meeting with German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Astana, Trend reports via the President's Administration. Kyrgyzstan highly values the established friendly relations with Germany, which is one of Kyrgyzstans important partners in the European Union, Zhaparov said. He expressed satisfaction with the increased activity in Kyrgyz-German cooperation, noting the successful official visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Kyrgyzstan last year. Zhaparov emphasized that Kyrgyzstan attaches great importance to developing economic ties with Germany, noting the gradual increase in trade turnover between the two countries. The president highlighted that one of Kyrgyzstans key tasks is attracting foreign investment and strengthening international cooperation. In this direction, Germany is an important partner for Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan values the experience and knowledge that German companies can bring to the country. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan is ready to provide favorable conditions for German investors, including various incentives and protection of investor rights, he added. Scholz pointed out Germanys interest and readiness to continue developing bilateral relations with Kyrgyzstan. He also mentioned that there are many topics for deepening cooperation between the two sides, highlighting one of the most pressing issues today the migration of specialists from Kyrgyzstan to Germany, who are of great interest to German businesses. To note, Sadyr Zhaparov will participate in the second meeting of heads of state Central Asia Germany. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BOULDER, Colo., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Arch11 is honored with the esteemed 2024 AIA Colorado Firm of the Year Award by the Colorado Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). This award acknowledges exceptional accomplishments in design, practice, and leadership and celebrates Arch11 as a firm leaving a lasting impact on the built environment and the industry. A Legacy of Design Excellence Founded in 1993, Arch11 is a firm of firsts, transforming the Colorado landscape, leaving an indelible mark on the region through artful, enduring, modern design. From creating Boulder's first LEED Gold-certified home in 2007 to the upcoming opening of Wild Bear Nature Center, Colorado's first carbon-positive nature center, Arch11 pushes the boundaries of design excellence and environmental stewardship. "As architects we are first ecologists in the truest meaning of the word: Oikos: House, Logia: Study of," said E.J. Meade, Founding Partner and Principal at Arch11. Over 30 years, Arch11 has delivered architectural projects across North America and beyond. The firm's award-winning portfolio highlights a wide range of project scales and typologies, from high-end residential to commercial headquarters. "We are modernists at heart and seek high-performance solutions weaving interior spaces to spacious outdoor areas fostering a strong kinship with nature," said Ken Andrews, Partner and Principal at Arch11. Artful, Resilient Design for an Evolving World A cornerstone of Arch11's practice is its unwavering dedication to sustainability. As a signatory of the AIA 2030 Commitment, Arch11 is applying standards and goals to reduce carbon footprints at all building scales. The practice has extensive experience designing to high-performance building standards: LEED, Passive House, The Living Building Challenge, and Net-Zero energy use. Arch11's collaborative process is rooted in discovery. The firm's strong belief in continuous learning is evident in its emphasis on mentorship and leading the next generation. This investment in talent development plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the built environment. "We believe exceptional design results from cultivating connection, craft, and community," said Linnaea Stuart, Principal at Arch11. For more information on Arch11 and its award-winning portfolio, visit Arch11.com. Media Contact: Sarah Castner 303-546-6868 Arch11.com SOURCE Arch11 Empowering Kansas Tech Industry with Expert Panels, Keynotes, and Interactive Experiences WICHITA, Kan., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The highly anticipated Ad Astra Technology Summit is back for 2024, bringing together innovators, educators, and technology enthusiasts from across Kansas and beyond. This year's event, held at the Hyatt Regency on October 2 in Wichita, Kan., features a stellar lineup of sessions focused on cutting-edge topics on the future of technology, business, and tech education. Attendees can look forward to diverse and insightful sessions, ranging from broadband infrastructure development to artificial intelligence, tech hiring trends, and more. Here are some highlights: Empowering Digital Transformation: Building World-Class Broadband Infrastructure in Kansas Discover how Kansas is leading the way in digital infrastructure with insights into state-wide broadband development and its transformative impact on local communities. Discover how is leading the way in digital infrastructure with insights into state-wide broadband development and its transformative impact on local communities. Future Careers Unveiled A forward-looking panel that will explore how technological advancements are shaping future career opportunities in Kansas and beyond. A forward-looking panel that will explore how technological advancements are shaping future career opportunities in and beyond. AI Gets It Do You? This session dives into the practical applications of artificial intelligence, breaking down its potential for everyday use and business innovation. This session dives into the practical applications of artificial intelligence, breaking down its potential for everyday use and business innovation. Moderated Chat with Bill Nye Don't miss this exclusive fireside chat with renowned science communicator Bill Nye , discussing his vision for technology's role in education and emerging tech like AI. Don't miss this exclusive fireside chat with renowned science communicator , discussing his vision for technology's role in education and emerging tech like AI. Navigating Tech Industry Credentials for Better Opportunities A session dedicated to demystifying tech certifications and credentials, helping attendees enhance their career prospects in a rapidly changing industry. A session dedicated to demystifying tech certifications and credentials, helping attendees enhance their career prospects in a rapidly changing industry. Women, Psychology, and the Technology Workforce: Bridging the Gap An empowering discussion on the unique challenges and opportunities for women in the tech sector, focusing on workplace psychology and inclusivity. An empowering discussion on the unique challenges and opportunities for women in the tech sector, focusing on workplace psychology and inclusivity. Speed Mentoring: Swift Sessions for Startup Success Entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders can connect with industry experts in rapid mentoring sessions designed to accelerate startup growth. Entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders can connect with industry experts in rapid mentoring sessions designed to accelerate startup growth. Use Theories of the Universe to Create Gaming Programs for Learning STEM Concepts A unique opportunity for educators and developers to explore how gaming can be used to teach STEM concepts, guided by theories of the universe. Other notable sessions include Forecasting the Future of Tech Hiring: 2025 and Beyond, Startups and AI: Game Changed or Just Another Tool?, and Unlocking the Secrets of the Stars: Exploring Astrophysics & Computational Thinking Through Spectroscopy. The event will also feature the prestigious Ad Astra Tech Awards, recognizing leaders in Kansas' tech industry. The State of Kansas Tech and closing Session with Justin Herman VP, and CIO of Panasonic Energy North America promise to deliver inspiration and insights on the future of Kansas Tech. For a full list of sessions and details on how to attend, visit adastrasummit.tech/sessions-2024. About FlagshipKansas.Tech FlagshipKansas.Tech is a nonprofit organization that brings together Kansas technology companies to shine a light on the depth of skill, ingenuity, and innovation running through our cities and communities. Current goals include raising awareness, attracting and retaining technology talent, and supporting technology workforce training and education. Learn more at flagshipkansas.tech. SOURCE FlagshipKansas.Tech NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends- The global emission control catalysts market size is estimated to grow by USD 4.01 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of about 5.68% during the forecast period. Growth in global automotive sector is driving market growth, with a trend towards emerging markets to provide significant prospects for ECCs. However, growing popularity of evs poses a challenge. Key market players include AeriNOx Inc., Ashland Inc., BASF SE, Catalytic Combustion Corp., CDTi Advanced Materials Inc., Clariant International Ltd., CORMETECH Inc., Cummins Inc., DCL International Inc., DieselNet, Evonik Industries AG, Honeywell International Inc., Ibiden Co. Ltd., Johnson Matthey Plc, S and P Global Inc., Solvay SA, Tenneco Inc., Topsoes AS, Toyota Motor Corp., and Umicore SA. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global emission control catalysts market 2024-2028 Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View the snapshot of this report Emission Control Catalysts Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.68% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 4007.6 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 5.29 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 54% Key countries China, US, Germany, Japan, and UK Key companies profiled AeriNOx Inc., Ashland Inc., BASF SE, Catalytic Combustion Corp., CDTi Advanced Materials Inc., Clariant International Ltd., CORMETECH Inc., Cummins Inc., DCL International Inc., DieselNet, Evonik Industries AG, Honeywell International Inc., Ibiden Co. Ltd., Johnson Matthey Plc, S and P Global Inc., Solvay SA, Tenneco Inc., Topsoes AS, Toyota Motor Corp., and Umicore SA Market Driver The Emission Control Catalysts (ECCs) market is anticipated to experience significant growth, particularly in developing countries. APAC is the largest market for light- and medium-weight vehicles, accounting for over 50% of the global automotive market. China, as a leading country in APAC, is a key consumer and sourcing hub for raw materials. Japan, a mature automotive market and leading producer, also contributes to the market. India, now a top-five automotive market, and Thailand are other significant players. Rapidly increasing automotive production in APAC, driven by rising disposable income and low labor costs in countries like Vietnam and Indonesia, will likely boost ECC demand, benefiting manufacturers during the forecast period. The Emission Control Catalysts (ECC) market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing emission standards for both mobile and stationary sources. Automobile manufacturers and the mining industry are major consumers of ECCs, particularly catalytic converters for automobiles and SCR systems for power generation plants. The automotive sector, including lighter vehicles and hybrid vehicles, is driving demand for gasoline auto catalysts and diesel engines catalysts. Harmful chemicals like nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide are being effectively controlled through the use of PGMs in ECCs. The industrial sector, including the mining industry, is also addressing industrial emissions and environmental issues by implementing ECCs. Financial incentives such as stimulus packages, purchase bonuses, and tax savings are encouraging the adoption of ECCs. Rapid industrialization and rising oil prices are further boosting the ECC market. The market for ECCs is expected to continue growing as stricter emission standards are implemented and the need to reduce environmental pollution becomes increasingly important. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The long-term effects of pollution and the necessity to reduce emissions have led to a heightened focus on electric vehicles (EVs) as an environmentally-friendly solution. Strict emission regulations in regions such as APAC, North America , and Europe , coupled with tax incentives for EV adoption, are driving market growth. Governments worldwide offer incentives for EV manufacturers and buyers, with examples including the US's federal tax rebate of up to USD7,500 and China's tax incentive of up to USD9,280 . The increasing EV product portfolio of top Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) is also contributing to market growth, with about 50 best-selling hybrid models and 20 pure EV models currently available, and new launches such as the Nissan Rogue and Kia Niro . However, this shift towards EVs may negatively impact the Emission Control Catalysts (ECCs) market as the adoption of EVs reduces the demand for traditional vehicles and, consequently, the need for ECCs. , and , coupled with tax incentives for EV adoption, are driving market growth. Governments worldwide offer incentives for EV manufacturers and buyers, with examples including the US's federal tax rebate of up to and tax incentive of up to . The increasing EV product portfolio of top Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) is also contributing to market growth, with about 50 best-selling hybrid models and 20 pure EV models currently available, and new launches such as the Nissan Rogue and . However, this shift towards EVs may negatively impact the Emission Control Catalysts (ECCs) market as the adoption of EVs reduces the demand for traditional vehicles and, consequently, the need for ECCs. The Emission Control Catalysts market faces challenges in various sectors like turbines for renewable energy and the automotive industry. Three-way catalysts, including gasoline particulate filters and diesel oxidation catalysts, are crucial for reducing harmful emissions. Diesel particulate filters and Lean NOx traps are essential for diesel engines. Primary chemicals like platinum group metals, rare earth oxides, aluminum oxide, TiO2, V2O5, and WO2 are key catalyst components. SCR technology using ammonia or urea is popular for reducing NOx emissions. Metal catalytic converter types, such as those containing Platinum, Rhodium, and other metals, are in high demand. The market includes mobile emission solutions for automotive applications and stationary emission solutions for industrial use. Challenges include trade and economics, as well as regulations for NOx, HC, CO, SOx, and VOCs. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This emission control catalysts market report extensively covers market segmentation by Application 1.1 Mobile emission 1.2 Stationary emission Type 2.1 Palladium 2.2 Platinum 2.3 Rhodium Geography 3.1 APAC 3.2 Europe 3.3 North America 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Mobile emission- The Emission Control Catalysts (ECCs) market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing regulations aimed at reducing automobile emissions. Nearly all new vehicles sold globally are now equipped with these catalysts, with platinum-based autocatalysts particularly popular in diesel-powered vehicles. Environmental conservation efforts and stricter regulations are driving market growth. The automotive industry's focus on advanced emission control catalysts and technologies is also contributing to market expansion. However, the decline in diesel vehicle sales and the rising popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) may hinder market growth. Despite this, increasing EV demand, charging infrastructure development, government subsidies, and declining EV prices are expected to drive the global demand for EVs, which could create new opportunities for ECCs in this segment. Stringent regulations and consumer awareness regarding sustainability continue to increase the adoption of ECCs in automobiles, making the automotive industry the key contributor to the market's considerable growth during the forecast period. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The Emission Control Catalysts (ECC) market refers to the production and sale of catalysts used to reduce harmful emissions from mobile sources, such as automobiles, and stationary sources, including power generation plants and industrial processes. Emission standards continue to evolve, driving demand for advanced catalytic converters that neutralize harmful hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and CO2 emissions. Mobile sources, particularly automobiles, are significant contributors to urban air pollution, making emission control a critical issue in metropolises with high vehicular populations. Catalytic converters, often made of metals like Platinum, Rhodium, and other metals, play a crucial role in automotive emission control. In the industrial sector, Lean NOx Traps and other technologies are used to minimize stationary emission. Battery electric vehicles and internal combustion engines both face unique emission control challenges. Harmful chemicals, such as sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, also require specific catalytic solutions. The market for ECC is expected to grow significantly due to increasing urbanization, stringent emission norms, and the ongoing shift towards cleaner energy sources. Market Research Overview The Emission Control Catalysts (ECC) market encompasses the production and application of catalytic converters and related technologies used to reduce harmful emissions from mobile and stationary sources. Mobile sources include automobiles, particularly those with internal combustion engines, which emit nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide. Stationary sources include power generation plants, industrial processes, and mining operations, which release harmful chemicals and contribute significantly to industrial emissions and air pollution. Emission standards, set by governments and regulatory bodies, drive the demand for ECCs. Catalytic converters, such as three-way catalysts, gasoline particulate filters, diesel oxidation catalysts, and diesel particulate filters, are essential components in reducing these emissions. Platinum group metals (PGMs) and rare earth oxides are primary materials used in catalytic converters. The automotive sector, urbanization, and rapid industrialization have led to increasing concerns about environmental issues, including CO2 emissions, air quality, and health hazards. Governments and automobile manufacturers are investing in lighter vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and battery electric vehicles to reduce emissions. Financial incentives, such as purchase bonuses and tax savings, encourage consumers to adopt these technologies. Oil prices and the availability of renewable energy sources also impact the ECC market. Stringent emission standards and the shift towards cleaner technologies are expected to drive market growth. SCR systems, which use ammonia or urea to reduce NOx emissions, are gaining popularity in power stations, chemical plants, and stationary diesel engines. TiO2, V2O5, WO2, and zeolites are commonly used in SCR technology. Trade and economics, labor, stimulus packages, and other factors influence the ECC market's growth and development. The mining industry, metal production, and other industries also contribute to emissions and the demand for ECCs. Overall, the ECC market is essential in addressing environmental concerns and ensuring compliance with emission standards. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Application Mobile Emission Stationary Emission Type Palladium Platinum Rhodium Geography APAC Europe North America South America Middle East And Africa 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 Both companies are betting on leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning together in the region SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador & SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Productos Alimenticios DIANA S.A. de C.V., a leader in the production and distribution of food products in Central America, and OpsVeda, a leader in Operations Command Center (OCC) software, have formed an alliance to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to enhance their consumer-facing operations in the region. OpsVeda's OCC will support DIANA in its service development projection for customers in both El Salvador and the rest of Central America. This includes strengthening inventory management, which benefits end consumers by ensuring greater product availability in stores. Through its partnership with OpsVeda, DIANA enhances the effectiveness of customer promotions, particularly for retailers, strengthening Revenue Growth Management in the organized sector. This approach involves analyzing various variables related to aspects such as geolocation and socioeconomic profiles, which play a role in retail sector sales volume. "We are proud that DIANA has chosen OpsVeda as its partner to manage the enormous opportunities and risks that show up every day in operational execution," said Sanjiv Gupta, CEO of OpsVeda. "DIANA has an enviable legacy of being close to its consumers. We believe that this advanced analytics initiative will further strengthen this bond. OpsVeda is delighted to be part of this exciting journey and we are confident that the partnership will deliver significant value for DIANA and OpsVeda," he added. DIANA was founded in 1951 and has come a long way from its beginnings, when it distributed its products by bicycle from a small garage in the Mugdan neighborhood of San Salvador, El Salvador. Today, DIANA boasts a large industrial park in El Salvador, where all the brands in its portfolio are produced, and it also has one of the largest distribution fleets in Central America, delivering its products to over 50 million consumers. "Being close to you for more and better moments is our company's purpose. It's what drives everyone in the company, at every level. We want to be close to everyone who is part of our business ecosystem, and that's why we want to better understand our consumers, customers, and partners. Our purpose shapes our products and our daily execution. It has been a key factor behind our growth over the past 73 years," said Armando Mendiola, CEO of DIANA. "We have always leveraged technology to be closer to everyone: customers, consumers the partnership with OpsVeda is a big step in that direction. It's said that our story is built bite by bite, occasion by occasion, and emotion by emotion. With the abundance of data and OpsVeda's AI/ML power, we'll have to add byte by byte to that line too!" added DIANA's CEO. OpsVeda stated that they have recently increased their focus on the Latin American markets and are seeing excellent progress. The company added that they are on track to add many more prominent clients from the region in the coming months. About OpsVeda OpsVeda is a leading provider of software solutions that transform business operations for greater agility and profitability. The Operations Command Center by OpsVeda leverages patented data models and AI powered automation, to enable businesses maximize revenue and margin opportunities, especially in near-term execution horizons. OpsVeda customers span consumer-packaged goods, food and beverage, fashion and retail, life sciences, industrials, manufacturing, and high-tech industries. About DIANA Productos Alimenticios DIANA S.A. de C.V. is a leading Central American company with 73 years of history and a presence in the markets of Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and the United States. DIANA generates thousands of jobs in the region and produces and markets a wide and growing variety of salty and sweet snacks, candies, cones, and wafer cookies, satisfying the preferences of all its consumers. Contact: OpsVeda, Inc. ***@opsveda.com Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/13038975 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE OpsVeda, Inc. AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Altus Nova Technologies, a leading digital product strategy, management, and development company based in Austin, Texas, has successfully completed a critical custom software development project for Snap.Build, a trailblazer in construction lending technology. This new platform, built by Altus Nova, streamlines loan administration, improves draw management, and enables real-time payments for builders, ultimately enhancing both builder performance and lender security. Snap.Build's platform is designed to address key challenges in the speculative homebuilding sector, where delays in loan administration and payment processing have historically hindered productivity. By offering a solution that empowers builders to request draws daily, verify completed work, and pay subcontractors instantly, Snap.Build is transforming the construction loan process, allowing builders to manage their projects more profitably and build stronger relationships with subcontractors. "Partnering with Altus Nova has been instrumental in turning our vision into reality" Post this "This project marks a major milestone for Snap.Build and the construction industry as a whole," said Jason Parrish, General Partner of Altus Nova. "We are thrilled to have partnered with Snap.Build to develop a cutting-edge solution that addresses the unique challenges of vertical construction and creates a smoother, more efficient loan management process." Altus Nova worked closely with Snap.Build to define and execute a six-phase roadmap that modernizes Snap.Build's platform, ensures real-time financial management, and expands their reach in the construction and lending markets. The platform also provides critical benefits such as reducing loan processing time, automating lien waiver management, and offering lenders greater confidence in loan security. Daniel Pickens, VP of Product at Snap.Build, stated "The best thing about working with Altus Nova is the team's ability to assess business opportunity and technological strategy to find the best possible journey from idea to custom software. We knew what we wanted and why. Altus Nova helped us create a rational, step-by-step process to get there while capturing growth all along the way." One of the most significant breakthroughs is Snap.Build's ability to offer real-time payments to subcontractors, cutting the typical 1- to 2-month delay between work completion and payment. This improvement not only attracts top-tier subcontractors but also helps builders move faster and build better relationships with their partners. Altus Nova General Partner Puru Agrawal expressed "We are incredibly excited to have been part of the Snap.Build project. This was an exciting opportunity to use our expertise in custom software development to create a solution that dramatically improves the way builders and lenders collaborate. We believe Snap.Build is well on its way to reshaping the construction lending space, and we are proud to have contributed to that success." The first phases of the Snap.Build platform are already being rolled out to builders and lenders, positioning Snap.Build as a leader in construction lending technology. With a focus on improving builder performance and lender security, the platform is set to drive significant growth in the PropTech and FinTech sectors. "Partnering with Altus Nova has been instrumental in turning our vision into reality. Their team brought deep technical expertise and a strategic approach that aligned perfectly with our business needs. The result is a platform that delivers real-time financial management, reduces delays, and helps builders and lenders achieve greater success. We couldn't be more pleased with the outcome." stated Matt Merritt, CEO of Snap.Build For more information on Altus Nova Technologies, visit https://altusnova.com/industries/proptech. About Altus Nova Technologies: Altus Nova Technologies is a leading digital product strategy, management, and development company with over 65 employees. Based in Austin, Texas, the company provides innovative technology solutions to clients across multiple industries, including Healthtech, Fintech, Insuretech, and more. Altus Nova turns business vision into bottom-line advantage with digital product strategy done right. SOURCE Altus Nova ACA celebrates Tom Rosenberg's transformational leadership over the past eight years. MARTINSVILLE, Ind., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Camp Association (ACA) and its president and CEO, Tom Rosenberg, announced today that Rosenberg will be stepping down next month. ACA COO Henry DeHart will become Interim CEO, and the ACA Board of Directors will begin a search for ACA's next CEO. To ensure a seamless transition, Rosenberg will provide support to DeHart through the end of the year. "Under Tom's leadership, we've seen unprecedented growth as an organization and a community, and we've become stronger for it," said Board Chair Lizabeth Fogel, EdD. "Among his many contributions to ACA, Tom led our move to a new national structure and coordinated the development and implementation of an historic five-year strategic plan. Most recently, Tom was instrumental in securing a $45 million, six-year investment in our transformative Character at Camp initiative. We look forward to celebrating Tom's leadership, unparalleled dedication to camp, and legacy of success." Henry DeHart has served as the chief operating officer of ACA for the past six years. DeHart has devoted his career to camp and youth development, serving 10 years as executive director at Camp Seagull in North Carolina and six years as executive vice president of camping services for YMCA of the Triangle Area, Inc. "Our top priority is to continue to offer camp professionals and ACA staff the support, stability, transparency, and clarity required to maintain excellence," said DeHart. "We are so grateful to Tom for his leadership and passion and are excited to build on our already comprehensive plans to ensure continuity in our projects and operations while building toward an even brighter future." Former Board Chair Scott Brody said, "Perhaps the most impressive example of Tom's leadership was how ACA pivoted during the Covid-19 epidemic. Together with our dedicated board and our exceptional ACA staff, Tom worked tirelessly to support the field and deliver CDC-approved protocols for how camps could safely operate that summer, resulting in a significant positive impact on youth, families, and camps, and paving the way for schools to operate safely in the fall of 2020." "It's been an honor to lead the Association through a transformational period of impact and progress," said Rosenberg. "I am proud of all that our team of ACA staff and volunteers has achieved together to empower camps to create quality experiences for all that build a world of belonging and growth. I look forward to writing, connecting, and continuing my passion for this work. I also look forward to supporting Henry DeHart, a respected colleague, during this period of transition. I know that ACA will continue to accomplish great things." "Each of us on the board and staff will move forward with the same dedication and focus Tom brings to our mission," said Fogel. "Change brings opportunity. We will stay in touch with all stakeholders about next steps, including the search process, transition plans, and more. We're excited about our future together and are appreciative of Henry's steady leadership during this period of transition." About American Camp Association The American Camp Association (ACA) is a national organization serving the more than 20,000 year-round and summer camps in the US that annually serve 26 million campers. ACA is committed to collaborating with those who believe in quality camp and outdoor experiences for children, youth, and adults. ACA provides advocacy, evidence-based education, and professional development, and is the only independent national accrediting body for the organized camp experience. ACA accreditation provides public evidence of a camp's voluntary commitment to the health, safety, risk management, and overall well-being of campers and staff. For more information, visit ACAcamps.org SOURCE American Camp Association "The need for affordable veterinary care is at an all-time high, and for many pet owners, keeping their beloved pets healthy can be a challenge, which puts stress not just on the animals, but on owners, families, and entire neighborhoods, because everyone is impacted when a vital family need is unmet," said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA President & CEO. "The new ASPCA Community Veterinary Clinic in Queens is one example of how we are working to help meet that need by intentionally embedding ourselves in communities where access to basic veterinary care is most needed. The lessons we learn from our community-based work in New York City will strengthen our clinics here and shape our current efforts to improve veterinary care access in Los Angeles, Miami and beyond." The location of the new clinic was chosen because of the lack of affordable veterinary care in the surrounding area. Specifically, this clinic will serve residents of the nearby NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) developmentsQueensbridge, Ravenswood, and Astoriaall within walking distance of the clinic. Together, these three NYCHA developments house over 6,000 units and are home to many families and their pets. The ASPCA Community Veterinary Clinic will offer partially and fully subsidized basic and preventive care to dogs and cats, including vaccinations, treatment for minor illnesses and injuries, and spay/neuter surgeries. The clinic will also provide high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries and vaccinations to homeless dogs and cats being cared for by animal rescue organizations, including Animal Care Centers of New York City, expanding the ASPCA's services to the animal rescue community. The new ASPCA Community Veterinary Clinic in Queens is located at 36-02 14th Street in Long Island City and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Services are provided by appointment only. To receive services from the Queens Community Veterinary Clinic, pet owners must provide proof of public assistance and live in one of three zip codes surrounding the clinic: 11101, 11102 or 11106. Acceptable forms of public assistance include proof of residency in public housing (NYCHA), Medicaid, SSI, Disability/SSD, Welfare, TANF, SNAP/Food Stamps. This Clinic is made possible by a leadership gift from The Rachael Ray Foundation, along with donations from other dedicated supporters. Launched in support of the causes closest to Rachael Ray's heart, The Rachael Ray Foundation is committed to helping improve the lives of animals in need and honoring the human-animal bond. The ASPCA now has four Community Veterinary Clinics operating in Miami and New York City: one opened in Liberty City, Miami, in 2019, in partnership with Miami-Dade Animal Services and Miami-Dade County, the second in the South Bronx in 2020, supported by donor Barbara Dauphin-Duthuit, and the third in East New York in 2021, supported by the Alex and Elisabeth Lewyt Charitable Trust. The ASPCA shares learnings from its Community Veterinary Clinics with the animal welfare community and veterinary professionals across the country, helping to make veterinary care more affordable and accessible nationwide. In addition to its Community Veterinary Clinics, the ASPCA currently operates mobile spay/neuter and veterinary care clinics in under-resourced communities across New York City, and the ASPCA Animal Hospital in Manhattan offers advanced care services for pets of low-income households. The ASPCA has launched programs and partnerships in New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami that make veterinary care more accessible and affordable and continues to develop initiatives to serve the millions of pets living in poverty with their owners nationwide. For more information about the ASPCA's efforts to improve access to affordable veterinary care for underserved pet owners, please visit www.aspca.org . About the ASPCA Founded in 1866, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) was the first animal welfare organization to be established in North America and today serves as the nation's leading voice for vulnerable and victimized animals. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA assists animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources. For more information, visit www.ASPCA.org, and follow the ASPCA on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. About The Rachael Ray Foundation The Rachael Ray Foundation (RRF) is a private foundation that is fully funded by the proceeds from the sale of Rachael Ray Nutrish. RRF was launched by Rachael in 2016 to better support the causes she cares for most such as helping animals in need. Additionally, RRF works with organizations that support the mission of Yum-o!, Rachael's 501c3, in order to bolster and amplify their efforts through additional funding. Yum-o! empowers kids and their families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking. It also teaches families to cook, feeds hungry kids, and funds cooking education, among other initiatives. SOURCE ASPCA NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bear Creek Asset Management, LLC ("Bear Creek") is pleased to announce the hire of Robert "Jake" Jacobsen and Ed Curland as Senior Advisors. In their new roles, Mr. Jacobsen and Mr. Curland will contribute to Bear Creek's operational, business development, and investment activities. With decades of combined experience in municipal finance and real assets, Mr. Jacobsen and Mr. Curland are expected to play pivotal roles in enhancing Bear Creek's strategic initiatives and expanding its investment capabilities. There is a long history between the parties. Mr. Curland and Mr. Jacobsen previously spent 16 years at Merrill Lynch together where they developed lending and principal investing practices in the municipal market. Mr. Jacobsen also spent nine years working with Bear Creek Partner Jon Stern at a middle market private equity fund, where they co-led a real asset credit and equity investment strategy; Mr. Curland was a key counterparty to Mr. Jacobsen and Mr. Stern in housing, energy, and infrastructure investments. "I'm thrilled to get the band back together at Bear Creek," said Jon Stern. "Jake, Ed, and I have a long history of partnering on investments and I'm excited about the immediate impact they will have on our platform." Robert Jacobsen has over 40 years of professional experience in municipal finance, housing, energy, and lease transactions, along with other real asset verticals. He has previously held Managing Director roles at Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, and Fundamental Advisors, and currently serves on the Board of Managers for Greystone AF Manager LLC, overseeing a portfolio of mortgage revenue bonds for multifamily, seniors, and student housing properties. Ed Curland has over 40 years of experience as a lender, trader and principal investor in primarily municipal and not-for-profit credits. Over the past 25 years he was a Managing Director at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch where he was head of Municipal Capital Markets (MCM). At MCM he was responsible for the management of the $10 billion plus affordable housing, not-for-profit healthcare, infrastructure and alternative energy lending and municipal proprietary trading platform. He was also President of the $40 billion Blue Ridge Bank of America affiliate specializing in non-bank eligible investments. ABOUT BEAR CREEK ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC Bear Creek Asset Management, LLC ("Bear Creek") was formed in 2005 and is an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission with offices in Denver and New York. Bear Creek provides investment advisory services to high-net-worth individuals, trusts, foundations, certain charitable organizations, corporations and other business entities specific to the needs of each client by focusing on supplying fixed income asset management. Bear Creek also provides advisory services to several private funds, managed by Bear Creek affiliates. As of June 30, 2024, Bear Creek has approximately $3 billion of assets under management on a discretionary basis. https://bearcreekam.com/ SOURCE Bear Creek Asset Management, LLC Bill Watts Appointed as Managing Director and Jamie Arnold Appointed as Director LOS ANGELES, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL), a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bill Watts as Managing Director and Jamie Arnold as Director within the firm's Healthcare & Life Sciences investment banking vertical. Bill and Jamie will expand the firm's capabilities and coverage in Healthcare Technology, advising Software as a Service (SaaS) and tech-enabled healthcare service clients. Based in San Diego, their addition to the firm continues to expand BGL's presence on the West Coast. Based in San Diego, their addition to the firm continues to expand BGL's presence on the West Coast. Post this Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL), a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bill Watts as Managing Director and Jamie Arnold as Director within the firms Healthcare & Life Sciences investment banking vertical. Bill and Jamie will expand the firms capabilities and coverage in Healthcare Technology, advising Software as a Service (SaaS) and tech-enabled healthcare service clients. "We are excited to welcome Bill and Jamie and further grow our expertise and breadth of coverage across healthcare technology," said John Riddle, Head of BGL's Healthcare & Life Sciences vertical. "Their reputation and insights in the sector are a testament to their strong track record of delivering superior results for clients and will strengthen our firm's relationships across the broader landscape." Bill has more than 15 years of professional experience in healthcare M&A and advisory. He formerly led HCIT coverage at Fifth Third Securities and H2C Securities, Inc. after advising public and private clients within Citigroup's Healthcare M&A division in New York. He holds a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law, an MBA from Columbia University, and earned a bachelor's degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Bill served in the U.S. Army, including two tours in Iraq from 2008 - 2010, and received the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service. "We are pleased to be joining the strong healthcare practice at BGL," said Bill. "Jamie and I look forward to working with John Riddle and all of our new partners to further strengthen BGL's leading platforms in healthcare and technology." Prior to joining BGL, Jamie was a Vice President within the Healthcare Technology investment banking practice at Fifth Third Bank. His previous experience includes H2C Securities, Inc., Objective Capital Partners, and VMG Health. He earned a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of San Diego. The addition of Bill and Jamie to the firm continues BGL's significant growth in senior banker headcount over the last 18 months, including the latest in its spate of Technology-focused banker hires. Earlier in 2024 BGL welcomed another senior banker to its Technology vertical and expanded its product offerings in Financial Sponsor Coverage. These additions build on the firm's 2023 expansion, which included Managing Director hires in Technology, Industrial Technology, Digital Infrastructure, Transportation & Supply Chain Logistics, Professional Services, Aerospace, Defense & Government Services (ADGS), and Capital Markets. About Brown Gibbons Lang & Company Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm focused on the global middle market. The firm advises private and public corporations and private equity groups on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructurings, business valuations and opinions, and other strategic matters. BGL has investment banking offices in Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and New York, and real estate offices in Chicago, Cleveland, and San Antonio. The firm is also a founding member of REACH Cross-Border Mergers & Acquisitions, enabling BGL to service clients in more than 30 countries around the world. Securities transactions are conducted through Brown, Gibbons, Lang & Company Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company LLC and a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information, please visit www.bglco.com. SOURCE Brown Gibbons Lang & Company BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, September 17. Kyrgyzstans President Sadyr Zhaparov has proposed Germany to jointly create a Bishkek-based Regional Center for the implementation of energy-efficient and resource-saving technologies, Trend reports via the President's Administration. Zhaparov made the proposal at the "Central Asia + Germany" summit held in Astana. Germany is also highly focused on climate change and the efficient use of water resources. In this context, we propose jointly establishing a Regional Center for the implementation of energy-efficient and resource-saving technologies in Bishkek, he said. The President highlighted that the joint implementation of this initiative would enhance the efficiency of resource utilization, reduce environmental impact, and ensure sustainable development across the region. Cooperation on improving climate resilience and transitioning to low-carbon development through specific 'green' infrastructure projects is becoming increasingly important. In this regard, we note the relevance and timeliness of Germany's 'Green Central Asia' initiative, including the implementation of the Regional Climate Adaptation Strategy. The transfer of advanced knowledge and technologies under this initiative will undoubtedly contribute to effective climate change mitigation and 'green' development across our countries, he added. Additionally, Zhaparov suggested considering the possibility of debt-for-green-project swaps as a new mechanism for financing climate and environmental projects. The President also underscored the significance of the Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant project in Kyrgyzstan, for which active efforts are underway to attract investors and technologies. JAKARTA, Indonesia, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (IDX: BBRI) celebrates the third anniversary of Ultra Micro Holding (UMi), which has made significant progress in promoting financial inclusion and economic empowerment in Indonesia. Established on September 13, 2021, UMi - comprising BRI, PT Pegadaian and PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM) - has improved financial access for MSMEs, particularly in the ultra-micro segment. The ecosystem now serves more than 176 million depositors and 36.1 million borrowers, with financing exceeding IDR 622.3 trillion. (Jakarta (09/17) - BRIs Ultra Micro Holding Marks Three Years, Serving 176 Million Customers and 36.1 Million Borrowers) BRI President Director, Sunarso, said, "We express our sincere gratitude to President Joko Widodo, the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), regulators, all our customers and the wider community who have been part of our journey. These three years are just the beginning of our long-term commitment to expanding financial inclusion and empowering ultra-micro entrepreneurs in Indonesia." Separately, Indonesia's Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Erick Thohir, highlighted the establishment of Ultra Micro Holding as a strategic move to unite BRI, Pegadaian and PNM to strengthen the competitiveness of MSMEs, saying, "With 65 million MSMEs contributing 61% of GDP and 97% of employment, their impact on the economy is significant." He reiterated Ultra Micro Holding's commitment to supporting ultra-micro and MSME businesses. Key Achievements of Ultra Micro Holding in Three Years: Expanded Access to Financing: Reaching over 36.1 million borrowers, including 13.4 million from BRI, 15 million women from PNM, and 7.7 million Pegadaian customers. Enhanced Financial Inclusion: Serving 176 million deposit customers with total savings of IDR 313.9 trillion . The public also benefits from 15.2 million micro-insurance policies, 3.1 million gold savings customers, and 35.2 million BRImo app users. Synergy through 1,025 Senyum Co-Locations: Offering integrated services from BRI, Pegadaian, and PNM in one place, with 75,000 marketing personnel improving efficiency and expanding service reach. Community Empowerment Programs: Providing financial literacy, entrepreneurship training, and business support to millions of micro and ultra-micro businesses through initiatives including Link UMKM, BRI Menanam, and Mekaar Group Savings offer entrepreneurship, financial management, and digital marketing education to ultra-micro entrepreneurs. To date millions of micro and ultra-micro businesses have benefited, contributing to improved community economic well-being. For more information about Bank BRI, please visit: https://www.bri.co.id/ SOURCE PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Tbk (BRI) DALLAS, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The name principals at Dallas' Caldwell Cassady & Curry are recognized for their years of successful work for clients in intellectual property and business litigation on the 2024 Texas Super Lawyers list published by Thomson Reuters. Caldwell Cassady & Curry's Brad Caldwell, Jason Cassady, and Austin Curry have earned multiple selections on the Texas Super Lawyers and the companion Texas Rising Stars lists, including the Dallas/Fort Worth Top 100 and Up-and-Coming 100 rankings. Caldwell Cassady & Curry and the firm's lawyers are regularly recognized by the publishers of Super Lawyers and other respected guides to the legal profession. The Super Lawyers rankings have been published for over 20 years based on nominations from lawyers across Texas, an independent research process conducted by the publisher, and peer evaluations. Caldwell Cassady & Curry's court victories for clients have produced billions of dollars in verdicts, judgments, and settlements, including a $57 million patent infringement award handed down earlier this year in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. Caldwell Cassady & Curry also welcomed former software engineer Ashton Duke as the firm's newest associate this summer. He is the latest addition to the firm's experienced trial teams, including attorneys with degrees and backgrounds in engineering and other technology sciences. Caldwell Cassady & Curry represents companies and individuals in high-stakes civil litigation, including patent infringement cases, trade secrets claims, fiduciary duty cases, class actions, and disputes involving company founders. The firm has tried and won some of the nation's top verdicts against the largest companies in the world. Learn more about the firm at www.caldwellcc.com. SOURCE Caldwell Cassady & Curry Celebrating the past, present and future, with special guest Lisa Ling SAN MATEO, Calif., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Caminar , a leading Bay Area behavioral health care organization, will celebrate its 60th anniversary at its annual fall celebration on Saturday, October 5, 2024. Sixty years is a milestone that reflects Caminar's evidence-based, whole-person care that stands at the core of its commitment to delivering high-quality mental health and substance use treatment services across Northern California. A Legacy of Care In 1964, Caminar first opened its doors, offering a lifeline to individuals in need of behavioral health services. Founded with the establishment of El Camino House in San Mateo, Caminar's journey began as a transitional supported housing program for people returning to the community following psychiatric hospitalization. In its inaugural year, the organization served 41 clients, laying the foundation for what would become a far-reaching network of care. Since then, Caminar has evolved to meet the changing needs of the community, expanding its services to include comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment and supportive services. Last year alone, Caminar provided care to over 31,000 individuals across six counties , embodying the spirit of growth and adaptation that has defined the organization since its inception. "Celebrating this landmark occasion is a recognition of an effort started by parents of kids with mental health conditions that has grown into a compassionate and caring organization serving families, youth, and adults in six counties across Northern California," says Caminar CEO, Mark Cloutier. "In looking at the next 60 years, we want to bring our comprehensive care to support additional communities, helping more individuals to thrive." A Night to Remember The 60th Anniversary Fall Celebration will feature a keynote address by renowned journalist and television host Lisa Ling, who will reflect on the importance of mental health and community support in today's world. Ling's perspective, shaped by her extensive career covering social issues, promises to inspire and engage attendees. The evening's festivities will also include a performance by acclaimed jazz and pop musician Ann Hampton Callaway, providing an elegant backdrop to an evening of celebration and reflection. Guests will enjoy cocktails, a gourmet dinner, and a program that honors Caminar's rich history and exciting future. This celebration is made possible by our co-chairs, Alma and Michael Collopy and Carole Middleton, and the generous support of our sponsors, including Carole Middleton, Kathy and Michael Chinn, Newfront, Celeste P. Birkhofer, PhD, PsyD and Wendell W. Birkhofer, Barbara Patterson and Andrew Menkes, MD, Terri Bullock, Mark Cloutier, Christine and Michael Curry, Hanson Bridgett, Hanson Crawford Crum, Heritage Bank of Commerce, Gail and Fred Kittler, Debbie and Frank Vento, The Law Office of Michelle Leu Zaccone, BPM, Bohannan Foundation, John and Marcia Goldman Foundation, Gio Granato, PhD and Hyunah Kwon, Joanne Wu Jennings, Betsy and Bill Pace, Chick and Rick Runkel, Inessa Shishmanyan and Max Tsotsorin, 49ers Foundation, Beacon Grand, and Michael Collopy Photography. For more information and to purchase tickets to In Celebration with Caminar 2024, please visit www.caminar.org/60years. About Caminar Caminar is a leading behavioral health organization that supports 31,000 youths and adults in the San Francisco Bay Area each year. Through 60 different programs focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery across six counties, Caminar delivers high-quality services to those with complex mental health, substance use, and co-occurring needs. The organization was founded in 1964 and is driven by compassion, science, and an understanding of root causes. To learn more, please visit www.caminar.org . Media Contact: Wendy Garrish [email protected] SOURCE Caminar The global capacitor bank market is experiencing growth due to several factors such as integration of renewable energy sources. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar power are inherently variable and intermittent, which can create challenges in maintaining a stable and efficient power supply. WILMINGTON, Del., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Capacitor Bank Market by Voltage (Low [<10 kV], Medium [10 kV-69 kV], and High [>69 kV]), Type (Externally Fused, Internally Fused, and Fuseless), Installation (Pole Mounted, Open Air Substation, Metal Enclosed Substation, and Others), Connection Type (Star Connection, and Delta Connection) and Application (Power Factor Correction, Industrial, Harmonic Filter, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033". According to the report, the capacitor bank market was valued at $4.2 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $6.0 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.6% from 2024 to 2031. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A31818 Prime determinants of growth The global capacitor bank market is experiencing growth due to several factors such as grid modernization and increase in electric vehicle (EV) adoption. However, technical issues such as harmonics, overvoltage, and resonance hinder market growth to some extent. Moreover, innovation in smart capacitor banks with advanced monitoring and control capabilities offers remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the global capacitor bank market. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20242031 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $4.2 billion Market Size in 2031 $6.0 billion CAGR 4.6 % No. of Pages in Report 300 Segments Covered Voltage, Type, Installation, Connection Type, Application, and Region Drivers Increase in demand for power quality improvement Integration with renewable energy sources Opportunities Advancements in aviation technologies, such as navigation aids and communication systems Restraint Lack of space constraints The medium [10 kV - 69 kV] is expected to remain the largest type throughout the forecast period In medium [10 kV to 69 kV] segment, capacitor banks serve several critical roles that enhance the efficiency and stability of electrical networks. These systems are predominantly utilized in industrial, commercial, and utility applications where maintaining power quality and system reliability is paramount. Medium voltage capacitor banks can also be equipped with harmonic filtering capabilities. Industrial and commercial facilities often contain non-linear loads, such as variable frequency drives (VFDs) and other power electronic devices, which generate harmonic distortions in the electrical system. Procure Complete Report (300 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/3B4VlrQ The internally fused segment is expected to lead throughout the forecast period Internally fused capacitor banks are critical components in modern electrical power systems, providing essential benefits for power factor correction, voltage support, and energy efficiency. These capacitor banks are designed with internal fuses for each individual capacitor unit, offering distinct advantages in terms of reliability, maintenance, and safety. The internal fuses play a crucial role in protecting the capacitor units from overcurrent conditions, thereby preventing catastrophic failures and ensuring the longevity and stability of the entire capacitor bank system. The pole mounted segment is expected to lead throughout the forecast period Pole-mounted capacitor banks are often equipped with advanced control systems that can automatically switch the capacitors in and out of the circuit based on real-time monitoring of the electrical conditions. These controls ensure that the capacitor banks provide the right amount of reactive power support without causing overcompensation, which could lead to voltage instability. Regular maintenance is essential to ensure the reliable operation of capacitor banks. This includes inspecting the physical condition of the capacitors, checking for signs of wear or damage, and verifying the proper operation of the control systems. The delta connection is expected to remain the largest type throughout the forecast period In a delta configuration, capacitors can be strategically placed at specific points along the distribution network to mitigate voltage variations and ensure a consistent supply to connected loads. Delta-connected capacitor banks are also utilized in harmonic filtering and resonance mitigation. In electrical systems, harmonic distortion can arise from nonlinear loads, such as variable frequency drives and rectifiers, leading to voltage and current distortions. By deploying capacitors in a delta configuration, certain harmonics can be filtered out, reducing the overall distortion and minimizing the risk of resonance phenomena, which can damage equipment and disrupt system operation. Based on application, power factor correction is expected to lead throughout the forecast period Capacitor banks are commonly used in power factor correction (PFC) to improve the power factor of electrical systems. The installation of capacitor banks for power factor correction offers several benefits to end-users and utility providers. Power factor correction helps in maximizing the transmission and distribution capacity of existing electrical infrastructure, allowing for more efficient utilization of resources. Improved power factor also leads to reduced voltage drop along distribution lines, ensuring stable voltage levels at consumer endpoints. For Purchase Inquiry: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/capacitor-bank-market/purchase-options Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2033 Capacitor banks are increasingly utilized in renewable energy integration projects. As Asia-Pacific countries transition towards cleaner energy sources like solar and wind, capacitor banks are used to mitigate the intermittent nature of these renewables. By smoothing out voltage fluctuations and stabilizing grid frequency, capacitor banks facilitate the seamless integration of renewable energy into the existing power infrastructure. Furthermore, governments and utilities in the Asia-Pacific region are implementing initiatives to promote the deployment of capacitor banks for energy efficiency and grid modernization. These initiatives often include incentives or regulations encouraging industries and utilities to invest in capacitor bank installations to improve overall power system performance and reduce environmental impact. Players: - Eaton Comar Condensatori S.p.A. ABB Ltd. Enerlux Power s.r.l. Hitachi Ltd. (Hitachi) Circutor Siemens Toshiba Corporation (Toshiba) Vishay Intertechnology Inc. EPCOS The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global capacitor bank 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 Energy & Power Industry: Electric Capacitor Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Type, by Capacity, by Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031 High Voltage Capacitor Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Dielectric, Capacity and Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030 Ceramic Capacitors Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Product and, by Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 AC Drives Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Type, by Voltage Type, by Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033 Circuit Breakers Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Voltage, by Insulation Type, by Installation, by End User: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030 Electrical House (E-house) Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Type, Application and Voltage Type: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030 Thermal Spray Wire Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Material Type, by Process Type, by End-Use: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2029 About us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. 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 us: 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 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 [email protected] Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/reports-store/energy-and-power Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research K-4 Public Charter School Sets Course for Annual Grade-Level Growth NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A red ribbon was cut and confetti filled the air on September 16, 2024, when Compass Collegiate Academy celebrated the grand opening of its new academic building surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd of students, parents, and members of the North Charleston community. The new academic facility at 5010 Wetland Crossing will serve scholars in kindergarten through fourth grade, providing a stable, and accessible learning environment. Compass Collegiate Academy in North Charleston, SC, celebrates the opening of it new academic building with Founding Executive Director Elizabeth Simpson, Mayor Reginald L. Burgess, and scholars. "We are thrilled to be fully moved into our state-of-the-art building with room to expand to 8th grade right here on our property, said Compass Collegiate Academy Founding Executive Director Elizabeth Simpson. "Having a permanent location is a critical step in our growth and ability to offer our scholars and families a world-class education and experience." The ribbon-cutting ceremony included remarks from Ms. Simpson, Mayor Reginald L. Burgess, Board Member Dorothy Knight, Director of Children and Family Services Dr. Kathi Love, and board members from South Carolina Children's Fund. The event also included a reading of a poem by a Compass Collegiate Academy scholar, Brailynn Washington. Building Hope , the non-profit leader in charter school facilities, financing, and services, has been instrumental as the school's partner. Its Real Estate team paved an affordable and accessible pathway tailored to the school's growth plan, allowing staff to focus on students and the classroom. The nonprofit acquired and renovated the 14,100-square-foot property, previously home to another educational institution. The acquisition was made possible through a partnership between Building Hope and The Facilities Investment Fund with funding dedicated to expanding educational opportunities. This collaboration signifies an investment in the North Charleston community, enabling the creation of new school facilities that will serve students and families for years to come. "We are proud to partner with Compass Collegiate Academy in their mission to provide exceptional educational opportunities for young people," said Building Hope President and CEO Bill Hansen. "Our support for public charter schools extends beyond facilities; it's about creating environments where students can excel academically and personally. We look forward to seeing Compass Collegiate Academy continue its remarkable growth and impact in the years to come." Since its founding in 2021, Compass Collegiate Academy has been committed to equipping every scholar with a rigorous academic foundation and fostering habits that promote lifelong learning and purposeful civic engagement. The school champions personalized small group instruction and nurtures entrepreneurial spirit by having scholars start their own small businesses each year. With eyes set on the horizon, Compass Collegiate Academy plans to expand by one grade level annually, eventually welcoming students through eighth grade. To prepare scholars for successful secondary and postsecondary endeavors and address racial disparities in academic performance among Charleston students, Compass Collegiate Academy offers an advanced academic learning environment coupled with daily emphasis on social and emotional learning. This approach helps scholars better understand their identities, communities, and build positive relationships with peers. Educators also prioritize personalized learning to bridge the gap for scholars starting below, at, or above grade level. At the event, the statewide education champion organization South Carolina Children's Fund (SCCF) presented a $100,000 catalytic philanthropic investment to support Compass Collegiate Academy's growth and expansion. Said SCCF Co-Founders Jessica Aaron and Kira Orange Jones, "Compass Collegiate Academy is a beacon of hope and possibility for Charleston, the Tri-County, and for the state of South Carolina; it offers a 21st century model of community engagement and rigorous academics that thousands of families desire." The school has also been recognized by the South Carolina Public Charter School District (SCPCSD) for its achievements, including outperforming local and national norms for reading growth. SCPCSD frequently visits the school, highlights it as a model example in presentations, and features it on their podcast and social media channels. The school is currently accepting applications for enrollment for students in kindergarten through fourth grade. Discover more at https://cca-chs.org . For more information about Building Hope's collaboration with charter schools to create facilities that enhance educational models and support community revitalization, visit www.buildinghope.org . About Compass Collegiate Academy Compass Collegiate Academy is a tuition-free public charter school in Charleston, South Carolina currently serving scholars in kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade. The school's mission is to provide every scholar with the academic foundation and strong habits that inspire and cultivate lifelong learners who lead purposeful, civic lives. Enrollment is open to students from any neighborhood within Charleston, Berkeley, or Dorchester County, with no admission testing required. For more information, visit https://cca-chs.org . About Building Hope Building Hope is a national nonprofit that empowers advancements in education through our work with charter schools providing unparalleled facility financing, real estate development, and operational services. We believe a facility should never be the barrier preventing a child from attending a great school. During our 20-year history, Building Hope has supported over $1 billion in the development of school facilities. For more information, visit www.buildinghope.org. Media Contact ShinePR for Building Hope and Compass Collegiate Academy [email protected] SOURCE Building Hope Eight-page spread highlights series of achievements made in Hengqin BEIJING, Sept. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In collaboration with the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, China Daily published an eight-page spread on Tuesday to celebrate the third anniversary of the zone's founding and showcase its major achievements over the past three years. China Daily published an eight-page spread on Tuesday to celebrate the third anniversary of the founding of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. Click the video to see how the spread is made. Wedged between Macao and Zhuhai, Guangdong province, the cooperation zone is positioned as a new platform to boost Macao's economic diversification, a favorable space for Macao residents to live and work, a new model to enrich the practice of "one country, two systems", and a new high ground for building the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Focusing on this, the eight-page spread emphasized visual and layout design, highlighting the zone's efficient connectivity and integrated development with Macao. Readers can gain a comprehensive understanding of Hengqin's leapfrog growth through four pages on the front, which feature an in-depth English article, a panoramic picture of Hengqin's night view, firework-shaped infographics and a twin lotus image made up of luminous drones. The twin lotus is the logo of the cooperation zone. The article details Hengqin's "four new industries" scientific research and high-end manufacturing; traditional Chinese medicine; culture, tourism and conventions; as well as modern finance while introducing the Macau New Neighbourhood, which is the first livelihood project built for Macao residents on the Chinese mainland. On the other side of the spread is a full-color four-page illustration depicting Hengqin's landmarks, "two-line" customs management system, and the happy life of Macao residents in the zone. The spread so far has received rave reviews from readers. "It looks modern and polished, packed with details. I really like the headline with the word 'blossoming', which fits nicely with the twin lotus drone image on the front page and ties in well with the story of development," said an expat from the United States, who now works in East China's Jiangsu province. "China Daily's layout design is always attractive and exquisite. Taking a closer look at the firework images in the spread, you will find they represent different data involving economy, industry, tourism and many other sectors," said Wang Dongyun, a college teacher from Guangdong province. "It's definitely worth collecting." As of July, there were 6,365 Macao-funded businesses in the zone, representing a 37.27 percent increase from the zone's establishment in September 2021. Statistics showed that in the first half of this year, the industrial added value of Macao-funded firms in the zone reached 1.88 billion yuan ($265 million), soaring 125.9 percent year-on-year. Hengqin is also making efforts to create new career development opportunities for residents from Macao and currently, there are more than 5,000 Macao residents working in the zone. SOURCE China Daily KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Covenant Health and Urgent Care Group announce the rebranding of ParkMed Urgent Care in Maryville, Tennessee, to Covenant Health Urgent Care Maryville. ParkMed Urgent Care, located at 117 Gill St., Alcoa, Tennessee, has been serving Blount County for more than 30 years and will now benefit from the resources of Covenant Health, the region's premier healthcare network. As a trusted, established healthcare leader in the community, Covenant Health is expanding healthcare access with additional Covenant Health Urgent Care Centers in East Tennessee. "This transition represents an exciting chapter in our continued commitment to providing convenient, high-quality care to Blount County and the East Tennessee region," said Jon-David Deeson, executive vice president of ambulatory services at Covenant Health. "By rebranding ParkMed, we are ensuring the same level of exceptional service that our patients expect while also expanding our capabilities with the support of the Covenant Health network." "Urgent Care Group could not be more excited to unify its presence in the Greater Knoxville region with the rebranding of ParkMed to Covenant Health Urgent Care Maryville," said David Maloney, chief executive officer of Urgent Care Group. "We might have a new name, but the same team will be providing Maryville and Blount County with great care!" Covenant Health Urgent Care currently has two locations providing fast, friendly and affordable healthcare, with plans to expand the network in 2025 to Farragut, Tennessee; on Cumberland Avenue and Northshore Drive in Knoxville; and to Hardin Valley, Tennessee, in 2026. Its current locations are: Maryville (formerly ParkMed): 117 Gill St., Alcoa, TN 37701 (formerly ParkMed): 117 Gill St., 37701 South Knoxville : 7625 Chapman Hwy., Knoxville, TN 37920 Dr. Andrew Herda and the ParkMed team will continue to provide reliable and consistent urgent care at Covenant Health Urgent Care Maryville every day from 8 a.m. 8 p.m. All Covenant Health Urgent Care centers offer convenient walk-in services with onsite X-rays, laboratory work, illness and injury care, COVID-19 testing and occupational medicine. In addition, Covenant Health Urgent Care centers accept most major insurances and have affordable self-pay options. For more information about services and locations, please visit CovenantHealthUrgentCare.com. To learn more about Covenant Health, visit CovenantHealth.com. To learn more about Urgent Care Group, visit UrgentCareGroup.com. SOURCE Covenant Health CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Crescent Tools won three prestigious 2024 Pro Tool Innovation Awards for the 9.5" Electrical Cable Cutter, 24" High Leverage Bolt Cutter, and the 1" Wood Chisel. Now in its 12th year, the Pro Tool Innovation Awards have highlighted a remarkable range of groundbreaking power tools, hand tools, tool accessories, and fasteners. CT0890ECC, CT24HLC, CWCH10 This year, over 100 different manufacturers and brands submitted nearly 400 products in dozens of categories, all vying for a 2024 Pro Tool Innovation Award. A distinguished panel of judges, including contractors, construction business owners, tradespeople, and media professionals, completed the vote tally for the world's most innovative products in the construction and outdoor power equipment industry. The 24" High Leverage Bolt Cutter beat competition in the Bolt Cutter category and the 9.5" Electrical Cable Cutter won in the Cutting category for Hand Tools. The 1" Wood Chisel won in the Chisel category for Woodworking. "Our team is thrilled to be recognized with three PTIA awards," says Marissa Sewell, Crescent Product Manager. "At Crescent, our mission is to provide tools that are more than tough by making users tasks easier and more efficient, transforming the way people work on the jobsite. We are honored that the innovation in our three new Crescent products were recognized." Learn more about our award-winning products here. PTIA Award Winners 9.5" Electrical Cable Cutter 24" High Leverage Bolt Cutter 1" Wood Chisel CT0890ECC CT24HLC CWCH10 About Crescent Tools Crescent is a premier brand from Apex Tool Group, one of the largest hand tool manufacturers in the world. The product line includes Crescent adjustable wrenches, mechanics hand tools and sets, and power tool accessories, snips, shears, knives, trade tools, measuring tapes, rules, wheels and chalk reels, files, saws, heavyduty cutting, and on-site, flammable liquid and truck storage products. For more information visit www.crescenttool.com . About the Pro Tool Innovation Awards The annual Pro Tool Innovation Awards (PTIA) began in 2013 and are judged by a panel of professional tradesmen and trade media representatives in the electrical, plumbing, MRO, and concrete fields as well as landscaping professionals, general contractors, mechanics, and builders. The Pro Tool Innovation Awards seek to discover and recognize the most innovative tools, accessories, and products across a wide variety of industries and categories. Learn more at protoolinnovationawards.com. SOURCE Crescent Tools SAN DIEGO, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cymbiotika, a leading innovator in the health and wellness industry, proudly announces its recognition as one of San Diego Business Journal's (SDBJ) Best Places to Work for 2024, ranking #38 on the prestigious list. This honor reflects Cymbiotika's commitment to fostering a collaborative, dynamic, and supportive work environment where employees thrive personally and professionally. The annual SDBJ Best Places to Work list celebrates companies that set the standard for excellence in workplace culture, employee satisfaction, and business success. Cymbiotika's inclusion is a testament to its innovative approach to business growth, strong hiring practices, and dedication to nurturing a thriving, talented community. "We are incredibly honored to be recognized as one of the best places to work in San Diego," said Shahab Elmi, CEO of Cymbiotika. "At Cymbiotika, we believe in empowering our employees by giving them autonomy, valuing their contributions, and fostering a culture of collaboration and learning. This ranking reflects our commitment to creating an environment where everyone can excel." Over the past year, Cymbiotika has made significant strides in supporting employee growth and internal career mobility. With over 15 internal hires, employees have seamlessly transitioned from Customer Support into Operations, Marketing, Technology, and more. This focus on personal and professional development has been instrumental in creating a workplace where innovation and creativity flourish. Cymbiotika's culture is centered on collaboration and celebrating achievements. Employees work together as a cohesive team, constantly learning from each other and providing valuable feedback. The company celebrates all winsbig or smallwith recognition and appreciation for the efforts behind the success. In addition to its dedication to employees, Cymbiotika remains deeply committed to supporting the San Diego community. The company actively gives back through sponsorships of local foundations like Surfrider San Diego, Animal Pad, and local food banks. It fosters meaningful connections with organizations that make a positive impact. Whether supporting health and wellness initiatives or contributing to causes that promote education and social well-being, Cymbiotika is proud to be a driving force in improving its local community. Cymbiotika remains committed to maintaining its position as a leading workplace in San Diego, and this recognition from the San Diego Business Journal reinforces its dedication to creating a thriving, positive work environment for all. For more information about Cymbiotika and career opportunities, please visit www.cymbiotika.com. About Cymbiotika: Cymbiotika is a leading health and wellness company committed to empowering individuals to take charge of their health through innovative, science-backed products. By combining cutting-edge technology with natural ingredients, Cymbiotika offers a range of supplements designed to support overall well-being, beauty from the inside out, and optimal performance. With a mission to inspire and educate, Cymbiotika continues to pave the way for a healthier, more balanced future. SOURCE Cymbiotika The company's science-based digital platform makes nature-related financial risk analysis easy and actionable WILMINGTON, Del., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dunya Analytics , a provider of science-based digital tools that simplify the measurement and management of biodiversity risks, has received $1.2 million in seed funding. The round was led by Synovia Capital, with participation from a highly credentialed group of investors including KDX and Persei Venture . As biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and unsustainable resource use escalate globally, the financial risks to businesses are becoming increasingly clear. Many companies overlook the deep connections between their operations and natural ecosystems. These hidden risks are often missed in traditional financial reporting. As regulations tighten and investors demand more transparency, companies face the complex and costly task of measuring and disclosing these nature-related risks. Dunya Analytics will use this seed funding to expand its platform, making it easier for companies to measure and manage biodiversity risks. This will help companies meet regulatory and investor disclosure requirements and also identify material risks and next steps to becoming environmentally sustainable. "This funding allows us to accelerate our mission of simplifying the complex landscape of biodiversity risk for companies," said Megan Pillsbury, Founder and CEO of Dunya Analytics. "Our solution is particularly valuable for companies at the beginning of their nature-positive journeys, guiding them to focus their resources where they can have the greatest impact." Holt Thrasher, Managing Director at Synovia Capital, added, "Dunya Analytics' solution is unique in that it uses powerful proprietary risk methodologies to interpret biodiversity data and screen for risks across a company. Our investment strengthens their ability to scale risk analysis at the pace we need to meet the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) targets." About Dunya Analytics: Dunya Analytics is at the forefront of helping companies assess the implications of biodiversity loss, ecosystem damage, and resource overconsumption. Its digital platform simplifies biodiversity and nature risk analytics, making it as accessible and actionable as financial reporting for businesses of all sizes. By integrating deep expertise in biodiversity, risk analytics and technology, Dunya Analytics provides the tools necessary for businesses to meet regulatory requirements, protect natural resources and capitalize on opportunities to create a positive environmental impact. Dunya Analytics enables sustainable economic progress that aligns with ecological preservation. Contact: Daysa Corrington Mahoney Communications Group [email protected] 212-220-6045 SOURCE Dunya Analytics BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, September 17. German logistics companies can join the implementation of strategic projects in Kyrgyzstan, the nation's President Sadyr Zhaparov said during a meeting with German business representatives in Astana today, Trend reports via the President's Administration. Zhaparov also highlighted the potential for cooperation with the Kyrgyz side in the areas of hydropower plant construction and the development of renewable energy sources. The head of state noted that, given the climate challenges, projects involving the construction of modern reservoirs, the modernization of irrigation systems, and the implementation of mechanized and drip irrigation technologies hold strategic interest. He pointed out that Kyrgyzstan is improving its tax legislation by reducing the tax burden for business entities, and organizations of national or investment significance are receiving various benefits. According to the president, thanks to the governments support measures for the business sector, there is an increase in foreign direct investment inflows into Kyrgyzstan, with Germany being among the top five countries for foreign investment this year. To note, Zhaparov has arrived in Astana to participate in the Central Asia Germany summit. As part of the visit, he met with Scholz. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Joshua Tree Lake & RV Campground, Joshua Tree, California JOSHUA TREE, Calif. , Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This October, the inaugural Earthstar Festival will illuminate the desertscape of Joshua Tree, CA, with a transformative blend of music, art, wellness, and community from October 25-27, 2024. Situated at the scenic Joshua Tree Lake & RV Campground, Earthstar is not just a festivalit's a movement toward intentional living and holistic wellness. Earthstar Logo Attendees can start their day with sunrise yoga sessions and sound baths, followed by immersive community-driven conversations featuring national thought leaders. The "Find the Others" meetups, orchestrated by the Global Psychedelic Society, offer a unique space for connection and growth. As the sun sets, the landscape will come alive with immersive live art and electrifying musical performances across multiple stages, in collaboration with music industry veteran Bobby Dee Presents . Earthstar lineup includes: Umi, The Polish Ambassador The Funk Hunters with Chali 2Na, East Forest, Desert Dwellers, The Main Squeeze, Ahee, Gaslamp Killer, Megan Hamilton, The Human Experience, Equanimous, Mystic Grizzly, Liquid Bloom, David Starfire, DELA MOON, Stylust, Kimothy Leary, Blooming Fire, Naughty Princess, Osyris, Jonny Joon, Everyman, PHNX, Dave Clevr, Bodacious Thang, namebackwards, Bass Waffles Takeover. In a tribute to those affected by cannabis incarceration, Earthstar will hold a candlelight vigil on Friday, October 25 produced in partnership with Last Prisoner Project, Freedom Grow, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, and the Urban Indigenous Collective. The festival continues throughout the weekend with purposeful programming focused on alternative healing, harm reduction, and wellness all while enjoying one of California's natural wonders. "Earthstar is a chance to give yourself permission to escape from the grind of daily life and retreat in community to learn, grow, and dance. To leave in the desert what no longer serves you, and to return home feeling refreshed and renewed," said Gina Vensel, Earthstar Co-Founder and Producer. Tickets are now available for guests over 18, with options for both camping and day passes. Secure your festival pass at earthstarfestival.com and prepare for an unforgettable journey of music, healing, and community. ABOUT EARTHSTAR: Produced by Simpati Co. LLC, a joint venture by leaders in plant medicine and event management, Earthstar aims to craft unforgettable experiences that foster community and personal growth. For more information and festival details, visit earthstarfestival.com . About Bobby Dee Presents: Bobby Dee Presents has become a leader in the music industry, consistently generating sold-out shows nationwide since 1987. Partnered with Simpatico, LLC, Bobby Dee Presents plants seeds within the conscious electronic community to pave the way for the transformational scene to hit the mainstream. CONTACT: Elizabeth Sheldon 202-997-3117 [email protected] SOURCE Earthstar NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape- The global electric alternating current (AC) motors market size is estimated to grow by USD 34.93 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.04% during the forecast period. Rising factory automation and use of industrial robots is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing focus on using energy-efficient motors. However, excessive heat generation leading to subdued ac motor performance poses a challenge. Key market players include ABB Ltd., Addison Electric Inc., Allied Motion Technologies Inc., Arc Systems Inc., BDI, Emerson Electric Co., General Electric Co., Hitachi Ltd., Johnson Electric Holdings Ltd., Kirloskar Electric Co. Ltd., Lenze SE, Lunar Motors Pvt. Ltd., Nidec Corp., Regal Rexnord Corp., Rockwell Automation Inc., SAS TT Electric, Schneider Electric SE, Siemens AG, TAMAGAWA SEIKI Co. Ltd., and Toshiba Corp.. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global electric alternating current (AC) motors market 2024-2028 Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View the snapshot of this report Electric Alternating Current (Ac) Motors Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.04% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 34936 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 5.6 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 49% Key countries China, US, Japan, Germany, and France Key companies profiled ABB Ltd., Addison Electric Inc., Allied Motion Technologies Inc., Arc Systems Inc., BDI, Emerson Electric Co., General Electric Co., Hitachi Ltd., Johnson Electric Holdings Ltd., Kirloskar Electric Co. Ltd., Lenze SE, Lunar Motors Pvt. Ltd., Nidec Corp., Regal Rexnord Corp., Rockwell Automation Inc., SAS TT Electric, Schneider Electric SE, Siemens AG, TAMAGAWA SEIKI Co. Ltd., and Toshiba Corp. Market Driver The electric Alternating Current (AC) motors market is experiencing significant growth due to various government initiatives and global trends. Governments worldwide offer tax incentives and financial incentives to promote energy efficiency in businesses and households. For instance, the US government's Energy Star program encourages energy savings, reducing electricity bills. Additionally, the increasing shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) in countries like China, the UK, India, and Germany due to air pollution concerns will boost the demand for electric AC motors in the transportation sector. These factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. The AC motor market, driven by the use of alternating current, continues to trend upward. Single-phase AC motors dominate for household appliances and small industrial operations, while three-phase AC motors power heavy industries and electric vehicles. The Offshore Industry, International Energy Agency, OPEC, and Electric Vehicle Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like Johnson Electric and Nidec Corporation lead the growth. HVAC systems and energy-efficient motors, compliant with IEC and CEE standards, are in high demand due to increasing electricity prices and focus on energy efficiency. Rare earth elements, specifically neodymium magnets, are crucial for AC motors, with robotics technology driving innovation. SMEs and IoT integration are also shaping the market. Output power segments include heating, ventilating, cooling equipment, motor vehicles, and industrial machinery in sectors like aerospace and transportation, HVAC equipment, and household appliances. WEG, with international presence and industrial operations, is a significant player. DC electric motors, series, shunt, and compound motors also have their roles. Global production is influenced by living standards, income levels, and electricity prices. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges Electric AC motors are essential components in various industries, but their performance can be negatively impacted by overheating. Factors such as low insulation resistance and harsh operating conditions can lead to increased heat generation. Additionally, motor winding resistance causes vibrations and an oversupply of current, resulting in higher temperatures and decreased efficiency. These challenges, despite significant research and development investments, remain a concern for market vendors. Overheating in electric AC motors can significantly impact their performance and the overall growth of the global electric AC motors market during the forecast period. The Electric Alternating Current (AC) Motors market faces several challenges in today's business landscape. Energy efficiency is a top priority, with organizations seeking motors that comply with IEC and CEE standards. Rare earth elements, particularly neodymium magnets, are driving up costs and supply chain disruptions. Robotics technology and the Internet of Things are transforming production processes, requiring motors with high output power for various applications, including heating, ventilating, cooling equipment, motor vehicles, and household appliances. SMEs face affordability issues, while large industrial operations and international players like WEG navigate complexities in the motor vehicle segment, HVAC equipment, aerospace and transportation, and industrial machinery sectors. Electricity prices, income levels, and global production also impact market growth. The construction sector and electronics sector present significant opportunities. DC electric motors, series motors, shunt motors, and compound motors each offer unique advantages. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This electric alternating current (ac) motors market report extensively covers market segmentation by Type 1.1 Induction 1.2 Synchronous Power Output 2.1 Integral 2.2 Fractional Geography 3.1 APAC 3.2 Europe 3.3 North America 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Induction- The Electric Alternating Current (AC) motor market is primarily driven by the widespread use of induction motors, which generate torque through electromagnetic induction from the stator winding's magnetic field. Induction motors, also known as asynchronous motors, have no electrical connections to the rotor, making them feasible for various applications. These motors have found extensive use in industries such as oil and gas, where they power exploration tools, drilling equipment, and hydraulic pumps. The cost advantage of induction motors over synchronous motors, due to the absence of a commutator and brushes and fewer moving parts, is fueling their demand. Consequently, the global AC motors market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis Electric Alternating Current (AC) motors are essential components in various industries, powering HVAC systems, electric vehicles, and a multitude of electronic appliances. AC motors operate using the principle of alternating current, with a stator providing a stationary magnetic field and a rotor rotating within it. Two main types exist: single-phase AC motors for smaller applications and three-phase AC motors for larger loads. The global production of AC motors is significant, with organizations like the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Engins Agricoles (OICA) and the International Energy Agency tracking production trends. Energy efficiency is a critical factor, with standards set by bodies like the IEC, CEE, and WEG. Rare earth elements, such as neodymium in neodymium magnets, are often used in AC motor production. Robotics technology, SMEs, and the Internet of Things are also influencing the AC motor market, with applications in heating, ventilating, cooling equipment, motor vehicles, and living standards influenced by income levels. Market Research Overview Electric Alternating Current (AC) motors are essential components in various industries and applications, including HVAC systems, electric vehicles, and industrial machinery. AC motors operate using the principle of alternating current, with a rotating magnetic field generated in the stator and a rotor that rotates within it. Two main types of AC motors are single-phase and three-phase, with the latter being more commonly used in large-scale industrial applications. The global production of electric AC motors continues to grow, driven by increasing demand from sectors such as the construction industry, electronics sector, and motor vehicles segment. The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Organisation International des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA) report that electric vehicles are gaining popularity due to rising living standards and income levels, leading to increased demand for AC motors. Offshore activities, OPEC countries, and SMEs are also significant consumers of AC motors, particularly in the oil and gas industry and in manufacturing processes. The use of AC motors in HVAC systems, heating, ventilating, and cooling equipment is also on the rise due to the growing emphasis on energy efficiency. The IEC, CEE, and other standardization bodies are continually working to improve the efficiency of AC motors, with rare earth elements such as neodymium magnets and advanced robotics technology playing a crucial role in this development. DC electric motors, series motors, shunt motors, and compound motors are also used in various applications, with output power ranging from a few watts to several megawatts. Electricity prices, international presence, and industrial operations are other factors influencing the AC motor market. Companies such as WEG, Johnson Electric, Nidec Corporation, Infinitum, and others are major players in the AC motor industry, offering a wide range of products and services to meet the diverse needs of their customers. The Internet of Things (IoT) is also expected to play a significant role in the future development of AC motors, enabling remote monitoring and control of motor performance and energy usage. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Type Induction Synchronous Power Output Integral Fractional Geography APAC Europe North America South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio The electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure market has experienced robust growth as the global transition towards cleaner transportation accelerates. This expansion is primarily driven by increasing government incentives, stringent emissions regulations, and growing environmental awareness among consumers. WILMINGTON, Del., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Electric Vehicle Infrastructures Market by Charger Type (Slow Charger and Faster Charger), Installation Type (Fixed and Portable), Connector (CHAdeMO, CCS and Others), Deployment (Private and Public), Application (Commercial and Residential): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033". According to the report, the electric vehicle infrastructures market was valued at $24.6 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $270.5 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 27.6% from 2024 to 2033. The global electric vehicle infrastructure market is witnessing rapid growth, driven by the increasing adoption of electric vehicles worldwide. Governments and private enterprises are investing heavily in expanding charging networks to meet the rising demand for EVs. This growth is bolstered by supportive policies and incentives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change. Technological advancements in charging solutions, such as fast charging and wireless charging, are further enhancing the convenience and feasibility of EV ownership. Additionally, partnerships between automakers, energy companies, and technology providers are fostering the development of integrated and innovative charging solutions. As a result, the global EV infrastructure market is expected to witness continued expansion, playing a crucial role in the transition to sustainable transportation. Request Sample of the Report on Electric Vehicle Infrastructures Market Forecast 2033: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A73347 Prime determinants of growth The market is in a high growth stage, and the rate of expansion is accelerating. The electric vehicle charging infrastructure market infrastructure market is characterized by high levels of innovation and quickly growing technology developments. Technological breakthroughs, such as improvements in charging infrastructure and battery technology, are making electric vehicles more convenient and practical for daily usage. Opportunities exist in the use of V2G-enabled EV charging stations. However, lack of standardization of charging stations restrains market growth. By Charger Type The fast charger segment is expected to experience rapid growth throughout the forecast period. By charger type, the fast charger segment is anticipated to experience faster growth in the electric vehicle infrastructure market due to the This rise is due to various governments' increasing initiatives to accelerate the implementation of public fast-charging infrastructure. Most organizations have installed Level 3 DC fast chargers or Level 2 AC charging stations, which can fully charge an electric vehicle in 30 minutes to 4 hours. Furthermore, automakers are emphasizing the installation of electric vehicle charging stations for their employees as part of their attempts to increase awareness about their electric vehicles and public charging stations. Procure Complete Report (324 Pages PDF with In-depth Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/electric-vehicle-infrastructures-market-A73347 By Installation Type The fixed segment is expected to experience rapid growth throughout the forecast period. By installation type, the fixed segment is anticipated to experience growth in the electric vehicle infrastructure market, owing to its ability to provide reliable and consistent charging solutions in various locations, including residential, commercial, and public areas. Fixed charging stations offer higher power outputs compared to mobile solutions, enabling faster charging times which are essential for the convenience of EV users. The increasing adoption of electric vehicles in urban areas is driving the demand for accessible and strategically placed fixed charging infrastructure. By Connector The others segment is expected to experience rapid growth throughout the forecast period. By connector, in 2023, the others sector had the most market revenue share. This category comprises connectors such as GB/T, Mennekes, J1772, and others. This segment's dominance is due to China's widespread use of GB/T connections. The GB/T connector is China's official EV plug standard, and it is utilized by all EV chargers. High EV sales, combined with a high presence of EV charging infrastructure in China, are expected to drive segment growth. By Deployment The public segment is expected to experience rapid growth throughout the forecast period. By deployment, the public segment is anticipated to experience growth in the electric vehicle infrastructure market, owing to its ability to provide reliable and consistent charging solutions in various locations, including residential, commercial, and public areas. As more cities and countries set ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to electric mobility, there is a heightened demand for the development of EV charging networks and supporting infrastructure. Public sector investments are crucial for expanding charging station coverage, particularly in urban areas and along major transportation corridors, making EV adoption more feasible and convenient for consumers. Additionally, government incentives and policies aimed at promoting green energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels further drive this growth. By Application The commercial segment is expected to experience rapid growth throughout the forecast period. By application, the commercial segment is anticipated to experience growth in the electric vehicle infrastructure market, owing to its critical role in supporting the widespread adoption of electric vehicles across various sectors. Commercial charging stations, located in workplaces, retail centers, parking garages, and other public venues, offer convenient access for EV users, encouraging more consumers and businesses to transition to electric vehicles. The rise of fleet electrification in logistics, ride-sharing, and public transportation is driving the need for robust commercial charging solutions. By Region Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2033. Region wise, Asia-Pacific is expected to maintain its dominance in the electric vehicle infrastructure market by 2033 owing to robust owing to robust government initiatives, substantial investments in sustainable transportation, and rapid urbanization. Governments across the region, particularly in China, Japan, and South Korea, are implementing policies and subsidies to promote the adoption of electric vehicles and the expansion of EV charging networks. The commitment to reducing carbon emissions and combating air pollution is driving large-scale deployments of EV infrastructure. Additionally, the increasing collaboration between public and private sectors is accelerating the development of advanced and extensive charging networks. Players: - ChargePoint, Inc. ABB Ltd. Tritium DCFC Limited Delta Electronics, Inc. BTC Power Siemens Schneider Electric Eaton Corporation plc bp pulse Webasto Group Tesla Inc The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global electric vehicle infrastructure 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. Make an Inquiry for Further Details of Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/electric-vehicle-infrastructures-market/purchase-options Recent Industry News In February 2023 , ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. and Fisker, Inc., an automobile company, announced an agreement to improve the driving experience of Fisker Ocean drivers. The partnership aims to ensure that Fisker Ocean drivers can access charging facilities conveniently and seamlessly. , ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. and Fisker, Inc., an automobile company, announced an agreement to improve the driving experience of Fisker Ocean drivers. The partnership aims to ensure that Fisker Ocean drivers can access charging facilities conveniently and seamlessly. In February 2023 , bp pulse unveiled plans to invest $1 billion in the development of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the U.S. by 2030, with a significant aspect of the investment dedicated to collaborating with The Hertz Corporation on the construction of fast-charging infrastructure at The Hertz Corporation's facilities in prominent cities such as Austin , Atlanta , Boston , Denver , Chicago , New York City , Houston , Miami , San Francisco , and Washington, DC . AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model) Offered by Allied Market Research: AMR introduces its online premium subscription-based library Avenue, designed specifically to offer cost-effective, one-stop solution for enterprises, investors, and universities. With Avenue, subscribers can avail an entire repository of reports on more than 2,000 niche industries and more than 12,000 company profiles. Moreover, users can get an online access to quantitative and qualitative data in PDF and Excel formats along with analyst support, customization, and updated versions of reports. Get an access to the library of reports at any time from any device and anywhere. For more details, follow the link: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 [email protected] Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com AMR Resource Center: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/resource-center Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research The highly competitive award from the CDMRP Toxic Exposures Research Program will fund the development of EpicentRx's small molecule, RRx-001 (nibrozetone), as a neuroprotective agent and medical countermeasure against neurotoxic chemical exposures. TORREY PINES, Calif., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- EpicentRx and A/Prof. Richard Gordon from the Queensland University of Technology's Translational Research Institute (QUT-TRI) have been awarded funding from the US Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). The Translational Research Award, funded through the CDMRP Toxic Exposures Research Program (TERP), will fund research at both EpicentRx and QUT-TRI in Brisbane, Australia to enable bench-to-bedside development of the proprietary EpicentRx small molecule radio- and chemoprotector, RRx-001 (nibrozetone), as a medical countermeasure for chemical exposures linked to neurodegeneration. Growing evidence suggests that increased exposure to chemicals from industrialization, and in occupations such as military service, firefighting and farming, could be responsible for the rising global incidence of neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Acute and chronic exposures to specific classes of chemicals such as pesticides, organophosphates, heavy metals and some solvents, have been shown to directly and indirectly damage the central nervous system to either trigger or worsen neurological decline. In both clinical and preclinical studies, RRx-001 has been shown to protect healthy cells from toxicity induced by radiation and chemotherapy. Based on positive results in preclinical models, as well as new insights into the drug's mode of action, the CDMRP TERP award of $1.6 million for three years will fund further development of RRx-001 and new formulations that can effectively protect the central nervous system and gut-brain axis from damage caused by chemical exposures. "The unique pharmacological properties of RRx-001 and its broad protective activity in the central nervous system make this drug an excellent candidate for neuroprotection and deployment as a medical countermeasure for acute and chronic chemical exposures," commented co-PI Dr. Richard Gordon, an internationally recognized neuroscientist and toxicologist. "We are honored to be selected for this award from the U.S. DoD," said Dr. Tony Reid, Chief Executive Officer. "These non-dilutive funds will advance the clinical development of RRx-001 as a potential treatment for veterans that have suffered from the effects of neurotoxicity." The CDMRP Translational Research Award will enable the next phase development for RRx-001 and builds on ongoing work funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Shake It Up Australia Foundation and FightMND to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of RRx-001 for neurodegenerative diseases and its protective mechanisms of action in the central nervous system. About EpicentRx: EpicentRx Incorporated is a privately held biopharmaceutical company with two innovation-driven platforms of which nibrozetone (RRx-001) and AdAPT-001 are the lead compounds, respectively. The company's mission is disease remission, which it hopes to accomplish with novel, well-tolerated therapies that target a diverse range of unmet needs in cancer and non-cancer indications. Nibrozetone (RRx-001), a multimechanistic small molecule, is designed and currently under clinical investigation to preferentially target diseased tissues like tumors even as it shields normal cells from harm. A late-stage clinical trial named KEVLARx is currently ongoing for protection against chemoradiation-induced oral mucositis in first line head and neck cancer. Learn more at https://www.epicentrx.com. The work was supported by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs endorsed by the Department of Defense, in the amount of $1,599,985.00), through the Toxic Exposures Research Program under Award Nos. HT9425-24-1-0982 and HT9425-24-1-0983. Opinions, interpretations, conclusions and recommendations are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs or the Department of Defense. Media Contact: Ashley Thomaz Email: [email protected] SOURCE EpicentRx, Inc. TORONTO, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - The Board of Directors of EQB Inc. and Equitable Bank (collectively "EQB") today announced that it has accepted the resignation of Mike Hanley from the Board of Directors. Mr. Hanley joined the Board in November 2022 and was appointed Chair in May 2023. Mr. Hanley's decision to step down is for personal and family reasons and is effective immediately. He remains a strong supporter of EQB and its future prospects. The Board wants to thank Mr. Hanley for his strong contributions. The Board conducted a thorough internal review, led by the Chair of its Governance and Nominating Committee, Yongah Kim, and have appointed current director, Vincenza (Vin) Sera, as Chair of the Board of Directors of EQB Inc. Ms. Sera has also been appointed Chair of the Board of Equitable Bank. "I am delighted to be working more closely with Vin in her new role," said Andrew Moor, president & CEO, EQB. "Vin has deep domain expertise in Canadian banking and the broader financial services industry. Since her appointment to the Board in 2013, Vin has served on the Audit, Risk and Human Resources Committees and Chaired the Governance and Nominating Committee from 2016 to 2023. She is a fantastic choice as Board Chair of EQB and Canada's seventh largest bank." About EQB Inc. EQB Inc. (TSX: EQB and EQB.PR.C) is a leading digital financial services company with $125 billion in combined assets under management and administration (as at July 31, 2024). It offers banking services through Equitable Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary and Canada's seventh largest bank by assets, and wealth management through ACM Advisors, a majority owned subsidiary specializing in alternative assets. As Canada's Challenger BankTM, Equitable Bank has a clear mission to drive change in Canadian banking to enrich people's lives. It leverages technology to deliver exceptional personal and commercial banking experiences and services to over 670,000 customers and more than six million credit union members through its businesses. Through its digital EQ Bank platform (eqbank.ca), its customers have named it one of the top banks in Canada on the Forbes World's Best Banks list since 2021. Please visit eqb.investorroom.com for more details. Forward-Looking Information This news release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect EQB's current expectations about its future performance and capabilities. These statements are made based on assumptions and estimates and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual future results could differ materially from those currently anticipated. The statements are not guarantees of future performance. EQB does not undertake any obligation to update or publicly revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except to the extent required under applicable securities laws. Investor contact: Mike Rizvanovic Managing Director, Investor Relations [email protected] Media contact: Maggie Hall Director, PR & Communications [email protected] 437-214-2442 SOURCE EQB Inc. WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fannie Mae (OTCQB: FNMA) priced Connecticut Avenue Securities (CAS) Series 2024-R06, an approximately $708 million note offering that represents Fannie Mae's sixth and final CAS REMIC transaction of the year. CAS is Fannie Mae's benchmark issuance program designed to share credit risk on its single-family conventional guaranty book of business. Year to date, Fannie Mae has issued approximately $4.3 billion of notes under the CAS program. The reference pool for CAS Series 2024-R06 consists of approximately 50,000 single-family mortgage loans with an outstanding unpaid principal balance of approximately $16.6 billion. The reference pool includes collateral with loan-to-value ratios of 60.01 percent to 80.00 percent, which were acquired between October 2023 and December 2023. The loans included in this transaction are fixed-rate, generally 30-year term, fully amortizing mortgages and were underwritten using rigorous credit standards and enhanced risk controls. Fannie Mae will retain a portion of the 1A-1, 1M-1, 1M-2, and 1B-1 tranches, and initially will retain the full 1B-2H and 1B-3H first-loss tranches. Class Offered Amount ($MM) Pricing Level Expected Ratings (S&P/KBRA) 1A-1 $212.513 30-day Average SOFR plus 115 bps A+ (sf) / A+ (sf) 1M-1 $212.513 30-day Average SOFR plus 105 bps BBB+ (sf) / A- (sf) 1M-2 $165.288 30-day Average SOFR plus 160 bps BBB- (sf) / BBB (sf) 1B-1 $118.062 30-day Average SOFR plus 205 bps BB- (sf) / BB+ (sf) BofA Securities, Inc. ("BofA") is the lead structuring manager and joint bookrunner. Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. ("Cantor") is the co-lead manager and joint bookrunner. Co-managers are Morgan Stanley & Co, LLC ("Morgan Stanley"), Nomura Securities International Inc. ("Nomura"), StoneX Financial Inc. ("StoneX"), and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC ("Wells Fargo"). Selling group members are Academy Securities, Inc. and CastleOak Securities, L.P. With the completion of this transaction, Fannie Mae will have brought 67 CAS deals to market, issued nearly $69 billion in notes, and transferred a portion of the credit risk to private investors on nearly $2.3 trillion in single-family mortgage loans, measured at the time of the transaction. To promote transparency and to help credit investors evaluate our securities and the CAS program, Fannie Mae provides ongoing, robust disclosure data, as well as access to news, resources, and analytics through its credit risk transfer webpages. This includes our innovative Data Dynamics tool that enables market participants to interact with and analyze CAS deals that are currently outstanding in the market and Fannie Mae's historical loan dataset. Our EU Resources and UK Resources webpages are designed to help European Union and UK institutional investors, as well as those managing funds subject to EU/UK regulations. In addition to our flagship CAS program, Fannie Mae continues to transfer mortgage credit risk through its Credit Insurance Risk Transfer (CIRT) reinsurance program. About Connecticut Avenue Securities CAS REMIC notes are issued by a bankruptcy-remote trust. The amount of periodic principal and ultimate principal paid by Fannie Mae is determined by the performance of a large and diverse reference pool. For more information on individual CAS transactions, visit our credit risk transfer webpage. About Fannie Mae Fannie Mae advances equitable and sustainable access to homeownership and quality, affordable rental housing for millions of people across America. We enable the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and drive responsible innovation to make homebuying and renting easier, fairer, and more accessible. To learn more, visit: fanniemae.com | X (formerly Twitter) | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube | Blog Fannie Mae Newsroom https://www.fanniemae.com/news Photo of Fannie Mae https://www.fanniemae.com/resources/img/about-fm/fm-building.tif Fannie Mae Resource Center 1-800-2FANNIE Statements in this release regarding the company's future CAS transactions are forward-looking. Actual results may be materially different as a result of market conditions or other factors listed in "Risk Factors" or "Forward-Looking Statements" in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. This release does not constitute an offer or sale of any security. Before investing in any Fannie Mae issued security, potential investors should review the disclosure for such security and consult their own investment advisors. SOURCE Fannie Mae Broad indication in HR+/HER2- stage II and III early breast cancer (EBC) at high risk of recurrence approximately doubles population eligible for CDK4/6 inhibitor adjuvant therapy 1,2 Kisqali (ribociclib) significantly reduced the risk of recurrence by 25% vs. endocrine therapy (ET) alone; consistent benefit and a well-tolerated safety profile seen across all sub-groups in pivotal Phase III NATALEE trial, including patients with node-negative disease 3-6 Late-breaking NATALEE data recently presented at ESMO provides additional confidence, with deepening of invasive disease-free survival benefit after completion of the three-year treatment period across all patient subgroups 7 People with stage II or III HR+/HER2- EBC face significant risk of recurrence often as incurable metastatic disease despite adjuvant ET and regardless of nodal involvement 8,9 Already a proven treatment in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer1,10-20, Kisqali is under regulatory review worldwide, including in the EU, for the EBC indication EAST HANOVER, N.J., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Novartis today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Kisqali (ribociclib) in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) for the adjuvant treatment of people with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) stage II and III early breast cancer (EBC) at high risk of recurrence, including those with node-negative (N0) disease1. The approval is based on results from the pivotal Phase III NATALEE trial, which showed a significant and clinically meaningful 25.1% (HR=0.749; 95% CI: 0.628, 0.892; P=0.0006) reduction in risk of disease recurrence in a broad population of patients with HR+/HER2- stage II and III EBC treated with adjuvant Kisqali plus endocrine therapy (ET) compared to ET alone, including those with high-risk N0 disease3-6. The invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) benefit was consistently observed across all patient subgroups3-6. "The FDA approval of Kisqali for this early breast cancer population, including those with N0 disease, is a pivotal moment in improving our approach to care," said Dennis J. Slamon, M.D., Director of Clinical/Translational Research, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Chairman of the Board of Translational Research In Oncology (TRIO) and NATALEE trial lead investigator. "Today's approval allows us to offer treatment with a CDK4/6 inhibitor to a significantly broader group of people as a powerful tool that, combined with endocrine therapy, can help further minimize their risk of cancer returning." In EBC, Kisqali is taken with or without food as a once-daily oral dose of 400 mg (two 200 mg tablets) for three weeks, followed by one week off treatment, in combination with four weeks of any AI1. Patients should take Kisqali for three years. The NATALEE trial showed the safety profile of Kisqali at the 400 mg dose was well tolerated, with discontinuations mainly driven by asymptomatic laboratory findings3. Adverse events (AEs) of special interest in the Kisqali + ET arm of the NATALEE trial include (all Grades, and Grades 3/4, respectively): neutropenia (62.5%, 44.3%), liver-related AEs (26.4%, 8.6%), QT interval prolongation (5.3%, 1.0%), and interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis (1.5%, 0.0%)4. An updated analysis from the NATALEE trial recently presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2024 reinforces the data analyzed by the FDA. Results showed a deepening benefit beyond the three-year treatment period and reduced the risk of recurrence by 28.5% (HR=0.715; CI 95% 0.609-0.840; P<0.0001), compared to ET alone, in patients with stage II and III HR+/HER2- EBC7. Novartis will continue evaluating NATALEE patients for longer-term outcomes, including overall survival. Raising the bar for EBC survivors Approximately 90% of breast cancer cases in the US are diagnosed early (stages I-III) and treated promptly with curative intent sometimes with adjuvant ET21,22. In spite of this, people with stage II and III HR+/HER2- EBC remain at risk of cancer coming back in most cases, as incurable metastatic disease8,9. Recurrence remains a lifelong concern, though most tumors return within the first years, even in cases with no lymph node involvement8,23. Despite ET, 10% of people with high-risk N0 disease may face recurrence within the first three years after diagnosis24. "With this approval, we are redefining treatment options for a broader population of people impacted by breast cancer and facing the persistent risk of recurrence," said Victor Bulto, President, US, Novartis. "We continue to transform cancer care with Kisqali, building on its established profile in the metastatic setting and now helping a wide range of people as they strive to stay cancer-free following an early-stage diagnosis." "Breast cancer treatment can take a toll on your physical and mental health, and you may worry about the risk of your cancer coming back. This risk is different for everyone, depending on many factors, but should not be underestimated," said Valarie Worthy, Co-Founder & Vice President of Community Outreach and Engagement, Touch, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance. "The FDA approval of Kisqali for more people with breast cancer is welcome news and empowers people diagnosed with early breast cancer with a new option to help manage and control their risk of cancer coming back." Novartis prioritizes patient access by offering the Kisqali patient support program. This resource assists eligible patients in navigating treatment initiation, providing educational materials, clarifying insurance coverage, and identifying potential financial assistance options. For additional information, patients and healthcare professionals can call 1-800-282-7630. About NATALEE NATALEE is a global Phase III multi-center, randomized, open-label trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Kisqali (ribociclib) with ET as an investigational adjuvant treatment versus ET alone in patients with stage II and III HR+/HER2- EBC, being conducted in collaboration with TRIO25. The adjuvant ET in both treatment arms was a non-steroidal AI (NSAI; anastrozole or letrozole) and goserelin if applicable25. The primary endpoint of NATALEE is iDFS as defined by the Standardized Definitions for Efficacy End Points (STEEP) criteria25. A total of 5,101 adult patients with HR+/HER2- EBC across 20 countries were randomized in the trial25. About Kisqali (ribociclib) Kisqali (ribociclib) is a selective cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, a class of drugs that help slow the progression of cancer by inhibiting two proteins called cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6). These proteins, when over-activated, can enable cancer cells to grow and divide too quickly. Targeting CDK4/6 with enhanced precision may play a role in ensuring that cancer cells do not continue to replicate uncontrollably. Beyond today's FDA approval of Kisqali for EBC patients in the US, regulatory reviews for Kisqali as an EBC treatment are ongoing worldwide, including in the EU and China. Kisqali has been approved as a treatment for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients in 99 countries worldwide, including by the US FDA and the European Commission1,26. In the US, Kisqali is indicated for the treatment of adults with HR+/HER2- advanced or MBC in combination with an AI as initial ET or fulvestrant as initial ET or following disease progression on ET in post-menopausal women or in men1. In MBC, Kisqali has consistently demonstrated statistically significant overall survival benefit across three Phase III trials10-20. The NCCN Guidelines for breast cancer recommend ribociclib (Kisqali) as the only Category 1 preferred CDK4/6 inhibitor for first-line treatment of people living with HR+/HER2- when combined with an AI, making Kisqali the preferred first-line treatment of choice for US prescribers in HR+/HER2- MBC27. Kisqali was developed by Novartis under a research collaboration with Astex Pharmaceuticals. Please see full Prescribing Information for Kisqali, available at www.Kisqali.com About Novartis in Breast Cancer For more than 35 years, Novartis has been at the forefront of driving scientific advancements for people touched by breast cancer and improving clinical practice in collaboration with the global community. With one of the most comprehensive breast cancer portfolios and pipeline, Novartis leads the industry in discovery of new therapies and combinations in HR+/HER2- breast cancer, the most common form of the disease. Indication What is KISQALI? KISQALI (ribociclib) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer: in combination with an aromatase inhibitor for stage II and III early breast cancer with a high risk of coming back that has gotten worse or has spread to other parts of the body (advanced or metastatic breast cancer) in combination with: an aromatase inhibitor as the first endocrine-based therapy; or fulvestrant as the first endocrine-based therapy or following disease progression on endocrine therapy It is not known if KISQALI is safe and effective in children. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION KISQALI may cause serious side effects, including: Lung problems. KISQALI may cause severe or life-threatening inflammation of the lungs during treatment that may lead to death. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms, including: trouble breathing or shortness of breath cough with or without mucus chest pain Severe skin reactions. Tell your health care provider or get medical help right away if you get severe rash or rash that keeps getting worse; reddened skin; flu-like symptoms; skin pain or burning, blistering of the lips, eyes, or mouth, blisters on the skin or skin peeling, with or without fever. Heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation). KISQALI can cause a heart problem known as QT prolongation. This condition can cause an abnormal heartbeat and may lead to death. Your health care provider should check your heart and do blood tests before and during treatment with KISQALI Tell your health care provider right away if you have a change in your heartbeat (a fast or irregular heartbeat), or if you feel dizzy or faint Liver problems. KISQALI can cause serious liver problems. Your health care provider should do blood tests to check your liver before and during treatment with KISQALI. Tell your health care provider right away if you get any of the following signs and symptoms of liver problems: yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice) dark or brown (tea-colored) urine feeling very tired loss of appetite pain on the upper right side of your stomach area (abdomen) bleeding or bruising more easily than normal Low white blood cell counts (neutropenia). Low white blood cell counts are very common during treatment with KISQALI and may result in infections that may be severe. Your health care provider should check your white blood cell counts before and during treatment with KISQALI. Tell your health care provider right away if you have signs and symptoms of low white blood cell counts or infections, such as fever and chills. Your health care provider may tell you to decrease your dose, temporarily stop, or completely stop taking KISQALI if you develop certain serious side effects during treatment with KISQALI. What should I tell my health care provider before taking KISQALI? Before you take KISQALI, tell your health care provider if you: have any heart problems, including heart failure, irregular heartbeats, and QT prolongation have ever had a heart attack have a slow heartbeat (bradycardia) have high blood pressure that is not controlled have decreased thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) have problems with the amount of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, or magnesium in your blood have fever, chills, or any other signs or symptoms of infection have liver problems have kidney problems are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. KISQALI can harm your unborn baby If you are able to become pregnant, your health care provider should do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with KISQALI Females who are able to become pregnant and who take KISQALI should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose of KISQALI Talk to your health care provider about birth control methods that may be right for you during this time If you become pregnant or think you are pregnant, tell your health care provider right away are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if KISQALI passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with KISQALI and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose of KISQALI Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. KISQALI and other medicines may affect each other, causing side effects. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your health care provider or pharmacist when you get a new medicine. What should I avoid while taking KISQALI? Avoid eating grapefruit and avoid drinking grapefruit juice during treatment with KISQALI since these may increase the amount of KISQALI in your blood. The most common side effects of KISQALI in people with early breast cancer include: decreased white blood cell counts decreased red blood cell counts increased liver function tests infections increased kidney function test decreased platelet counts nausea headache tiredness The most common side effects of KISQALI in people with advanced or metastatic breast cancer include: decreased white blood cell counts decreased red blood cell counts increased liver function tests infections nausea increased kidney function test tiredness decreased platelet counts diarrhea vomiting headache constipation hair loss cough rash back pain low blood sugar level KISQALI may cause fertility problems in males, which may affect your ability to father a child. Talk to your health care provider if this is a concern for you. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of KISQALI. For more information, ask your health care provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information. Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "may," "could," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," "to reduce," "remains," "continue," "transform," "evaluate," "likelihood," "ensuring," "updates," "should," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for Kisqali in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (AI), or regarding potential future revenues from such product. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that Kisqali in combination with an AI will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that Kisqali in combination with an AI will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding Kisqali in combination with an AI could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Novartis Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide. Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at https://www.novartis.com and https://www.novartis.us, and connect with us on LinkedIn, LinkedIn US, Facebook, X/Twitter, X/Twitter US and Instagram. References Kisqali (ribociclib) Prescribing information. East Hanover, New Jersey , USA: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; September 2024 . Tarantino P, Rugo HS, Curigliano G, et al. Characteristics of real-world NATALEE and monarchE eligible populations: A US electronic health records database analysis. Poster presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress; September 13-17, 2024 ; Barcelona, Spain . Slamon D, Stroyakovskiy D, Yardley D, et al. Ribociclib and endocrine therapy as adjuvant treatment in patients with HR+/HER2 early breast cancer: primary results from the Phase III NATALEE trial. Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting; June 2, 2023 ; Chicago , USA . Hortobagyi G, Stroyakovskiy D, Yardley DA, et al. Ribociclib (RIB) + nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor (NSAI) as adjuvant treatment in patients with HR+/HER2- early breast cancer: final invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) analysis from the NATALEE trial. Presented at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS); December 8, 2023 ; San Antonio , USA . Slamon D et al. Ribociclib plus Endocrine Therapy in Early Breast Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2024;390:1080-1091. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2305488 Yardley D, Untch M, et al. Baseline (BL) characteristics and efficacy endpoints for patients (pts) with node-negative (N0) HR+/HER2 early breast cancer (EBC) in NATALEE. Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting; May 31, 2024 ; Chicago , USA . Fasching PA. Adjuvant Ribociclib (RIB) Plus Nonsteroidal Aromatase Inhibitor (NSAI) in Patients (Pts) With HR+/HER2 Early Breast Cancer (EBC): 4-Year Outcomes From the NATALEE Trial. LBA13. Proffered Paper presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress; September 16, 2024 ; Barcelona, Spain . Pan H et al. 20-Year Risks of Breast-Cancer Recurrence after Stopping Endocrine Therapy at 5 Years. N Engl J Med. 2017;377 (suppl 19):1836 846. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1701830 Wangchinda P, Ithimakin S. Factors that predict recurrence later than 5 years after initial treatment in operable breast cancer. World J Surg Oncol. 2016;14(1):223. doi: 10.1186/s12957-016-0988-0 Yardley DA, Yap YS, et al. Pooled exploratory analysis of survival in patients (pts) with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer (ABC) and visceral metastases (mets) treated with ribociclib (RIB) + endocrine therapy (ET) in the MONALEESA (ML) trials. Poster presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology Congress; September 9-13, 2022 ; Paris, France . Neven P, Fasching PA, et al. Updated overall survival (OS) results from the first-line (1L) population in the Phase III MONALEESA-3 trial of postmenopausal patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with ribociclib (RIB) + fulvestrant (FUL). Mini oral presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Breast Cancer Congress; May 4, 2022 ; Paris, France . Hortobagyi GN, Stemmer SM, Burris HA, et al. Overall Survival with Ribociclib plus Letrozole in Advanced Breast Cancer. New England Journal of Medicine. 2022;386(10):942-950. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2114663 Hortobagyi GN, et al. Overall survival (OS) results from the phase III MONALEESA (ML)-2 trial of postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HR+/HER2) advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with endocrine therapy (ET) ribociclib. Proffered paper presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology Congress; September 16-21, 2021 ; Lugano, Switzerland. Im S-A, Lu Y-S, Bardia A, et al. Overall survival with ribociclib plus endocrine therapy in breast cancer. New England Journal of Medicine. 2019;381(4):307-316. doi:10.1056/nejmoa1903765 Slamon DJ, Neven P, Chia S, et al. Overall Survival with Ribociclib plus Fulvestrant in Advanced Breast Cancer. New England Journal of Medicine. 2020;382(6):514-524. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1911149 Slamon DJ, Neven P, Chia S, et al. Overall survival (OS) results of the Phase III MONALEESA-3 trial of postmenopausal patients (pts) with hormone receptorpositive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor 2 negative (HER2) advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with fulvestrant (FUL) ribociclib (RIB). Presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology Congress; September 29, 2019 ; Barcelona, Spain . Slamon DJ, Neven P, Chia S, et al. Updated overall survival (OS) results from the Phase III MONALEESA-3 trial of postmenopausal patients (pts) with HR+/HER2 advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with fulvestrant (FUL) ribociclib (RIB. Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting; June 5, 2021 ; Chicago , USA . Tripathy D, Im S-A, Colleoni M, et al. Updated overall survival (OS) results from the phase III MONALEESA-7 trial of pre- or perimenopausal patients with HR+/HER2 advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with endocrine therapy (ET) ribociclib. Presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; December 9, 2020 ; Texas, USA . Yardley D, Nusch A, Yap YS, et al. Overall survival (OS) in patients (pts) with advanced breast cancer (ABC) with visceral metastases (mets), including those with liver mets, treated with ribociclib (RIB) plus endocrine therapy (ET) in the MONALEESA (ML) -3 and -7 trials. Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting; June 2020 ; Chicago , USA . O'Shaughnessy J, Stemmer SM, Burris HA, et al. Overall survival subgroup analysis by metastatic site from the Phase III MONALEESA-2 study of first-line ribociclib + letroz21ole in postmenopausal patients with HR+/HER2 advanced breast cancer. Presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; December 7-10, 2021 ; Texas, USA . Iqbal J, Ginsburg O, Rochon PA, Sun P, Narod SA. Differences in breast cancer stage at diagnosis and cancer-specific survival by race and ethnicity in the United States [published correction appears in JAMA. 2015 Jun 9 ;313(22):2287]. JAMA. 2015;313(2):165-173. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.17322 American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures. Published 2024. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2024/2024-cancer-facts-and-figures-acs.pdf. Accessed September 2024 . Gomis R, Gawrzak S. Tumor cell dormancy. Mol Oncol. 2017;11(1):62-78. Curigliano G, Ciruelos E, et al. Meta analysis of ET control arms in adjuvant trials. Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, May 31, 2024 . Chicago , USA . Clinicaltrials.gov. NCT03701334. A Trial to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Ribociclib With Endocrine Therapy as Adjuvant Treatment in Patients With HR+/ HER2- Early Breast Cancer (NATALEE). Accessed September 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03701334 Kisqali. Summary of product characteristics (SmPC). Novartis Europharm Limited; 2017. Accessed September 2024. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/kisqali-epar-product-information_en.pdf. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) - Breast Cancer. NCCN Guidelines. Published March 2023 . Available at: https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/breast.pdf. Accessed September 2024 . # # # Novartis Media Relations E-mail: [email protected] North America Michael Meo +1 862 274 5414 Novartis Investor Relations E-mail: [email protected] North America Sloan Simpson +1 862 345 4440 Jonathan Graham +1 201 602 9921 Parag Mahanti +1 973 876 4912 View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fda-approves-novartis-kisqali-to-reduce-risk-of-recurrence-in-people-with-hrher2--early-breast-cancer-302250689.html SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation BANGALORE, India, Sept. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FMCG B2B e-Commerce Market By Product type (Home care, Food & Beverages, Personal care & cosmetics, Healthcare, Others), By End user (Offline retailers, Distributors, Food service, Specialty store, Hypermarket/Supermarket, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031. The Global FMCG B2B e-Commerce Market size was valued at USD 520.8 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach USD 1220.5 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 9% from 2022 to 2031. Get Free Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/ALLI-Auto-4D915/FMCG_B2B_e_Commerce_Market Major Factors Driving the Growth of FMCG B2B e-Commerce Market: The FMCG B2B e-commerce market is rapidly expanding as businesses increasingly turn to online platforms for bulk purchasing and streamlined procurement processes. Companies in sectors like food and beverages, personal care, and cosmetics benefit from e-commerce solutions that offer improved supply chain management, real-time tracking, and competitive pricing. These platforms enable businesses to access a wider range of products, compare prices efficiently, and reduce operational costs. As more traditional retailers adopt digital solutions to stay competitive, the market is expected to see continued growth, particularly in regions like Asia-Pacific, where digitalization and rising consumer demand are driving the market forward. Additionally, the adoption of e-procurement solutions is enhancing operational efficiency, making FMCG B2B e-commerce a crucial component of modern business strategies. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/ALLI-Auto-4D915/fmcg-b2b-e-commerce TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE FMCG B2B E-COMMERCE MARKET: The food and beverages industry is a major force behind the growth of the FMCG B2B e-commerce market. The increasing need for efficient supply chain solutions and bulk purchasing by restaurants, hotels, and catering services is fueling demand in this space. B2B e-commerce platforms provide businesses with access to extensive inventories, real-time order tracking, and timely deliveries, all while helping to reduce operational costs. Additionally, online wholesale marketplaces enable businesses to compare prices and encourage competition, thus expanding opportunities. As consumers seek greater convenience and variety, this sector is poised to remain a strong driver of growth. Offline retailers are leveraging B2B e-commerce platforms to enhance procurement processes and streamline inventory management. By embracing online solutions, traditional brick-and-mortar stores are able to access a diverse range of suppliers, secure competitive pricing, and improve their product offerings. These platforms allow for bulk orders and real-time stock tracking, which helps to reduce logistical challenges and increase supply chain efficiency. This transition to digital procurement is especially evident in small and mid-sized retailers, who are adapting to remain competitive in an increasingly dynamic marketplace. The personal care and cosmetics industry is a significant contributor to the FMCG B2B e-commerce market's expansion. As demand for beauty and personal care products grows, businesses in this sector are increasingly turning to B2B platforms to source a variety of items from different suppliers. These platforms enable retailers and wholesalers to efficiently purchase cosmetics, skincare, and hair care products in bulk, optimizing their supply chains. The ability to compare prices, track shipments, and ensure timely deliveries enhances operational efficiency, making B2B e-commerce indispensable in this sector. Supply chain optimization is a critical factor in the growth of the FMCG B2B e-commerce market. With features such as automated order tracking, dynamic inventory management, and seamless communication with suppliers, these platforms allow businesses to streamline operations and reduce lead times. B2B e-commerce platforms offer transparency throughout the supply chain, enabling businesses to monitor and manage each step, from procurement to delivery. This enhanced efficiency leads to cost savings, improved customer service, and better resource allocation, providing a competitive edge in the market. The growing demand for bulk purchases in industries such as food and beverages, personal care, and cosmetics is driving the FMCG B2B e-commerce market. Businesses in these sectors require large quantities of products to meet customer needs, and e-commerce platforms provide the scalability needed to handle these orders efficiently. Bulk purchasing online offers significant advantages, including cost savings, better supplier relationships, and quicker turnaround times. With features like price comparison, bulk discounts, and streamlined logistics, B2B e-commerce platforms are becoming essential for businesses seeking to optimize their purchasing strategies. The increasing adoption of e-procurement solutions is also boosting the FMCG B2B e-commerce market. E-procurement platforms automate procurement processes, enhance supplier management, and streamline order fulfillment. By digitizing procurement, businesses can reduce paperwork, eliminate errors, and improve overall efficiency. These platforms provide real-time tracking and reporting, allowing businesses to monitor spending and optimize supplier agreements. The demand for scalable, cost-effective, and transparent procurement solutions is driving more businesses to adopt e-commerce platforms for their procurement needs. Buy Now: https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=ALLI-Auto-4D915&lic=single-user FMCG B2B E-COMMERCE MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS The Asia-Pacific region leads the FMCG B2B e-commerce market, largely due to the integration of digital tools in B2B transactions and the everyday use of essential goods. Factors such as low costs, a broad product range, and value-for-money deals are driving growth in this region. Major players like Alibaba and IndiaMart have contributed to the market's expansion through competitive strategies. As population growth and technological advancements continue, the region's market share is expected to rise further. Offline retailers currently dominate the market, benefiting from transitioning from traditional to digital commerce, which offers advantages such as discounts and promotional offers. By product type, the personal care and cosmetics segment had the highest revenue in 2021, with a CAGR of 9.6%. Expanding product varieties and growing demand for skincare items are expected to drive significant growth in this segment over the coming years. The food and beverage sector continues to hold the largest share of the FMCG B2B e-commerce market due to consistent demand, diverse offerings, and the suitability of these products for online distribution. However, market dynamics will likely shift in response to evolving consumer preferences, technological innovations, and economic changes. Purchase Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/request/chaptercost/ALLI-Auto-4D915/FMCG_B2B_e_Commerce_Market Key Companies: FMCG Companies Alibaba Group Holding Amazon Americanas sa EBAY Global Sources IndiaMART InterMESH Ltd. The Kroger Co. Staples Rakuten Group Inc. Walmart SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS! 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Valuates Reports [email protected] For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valuatesreports6753 https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese https://valuatesreportspanish.blogspot.com/ https://valuateskorean.blogspot.com/ https://valuatesgerman.blogspot.com/ https://valuatesreportjapanese.blogspot.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg SOURCE Valuates Reports Veteran trial lawyers noted for expertise in mass torts, complex litigation DALLAS, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nachawati Law Group is pleased to announce that four firm partners have been named to the prestigious 2024 Thomson Reuters/Super Lawyers legal guide based on their expertise in complex injury disputes and high-stakes litigation. "We've assembled a team of some of the very best and most talented trial lawyers anywhere, and it shows in the results we get for our clients in high-stakes injury litigation on a national stage," said firm founder Majed Nachawati . "We're proud to see our hard work reflected in recognition from Super Lawyers." Nachawati Law Group's 2024 Texas Super Lawyers honorees include: Majed Nachawati , partner and firm founder: Class Action & Mass Torts, Personal Injury - Products , partner and firm founder: Class Action & Mass Torts, Personal Injury - Products Gibbs Henderson , partner: Personal Injury - Products, Personal Injury - General , partner: Personal Injury - Products, Personal Injury - General Steve Schulte , partner: Personal Injury - General, Personal Injury - Products , partner: Personal Injury - General, Personal Injury - Products Gale Pearson , partner: Environmental Litigation; State, Local & Municipal; Class Action & Mass Torts The complete list of honorees will be published in the Texas issue of Super Lawyers magazine and in the October issue of Texas Monthly. For more details, visit the Super Lawyers website . Nachawati Law Group has emerged as one of the nation's leading firms for a range of complex trial litigation. The legal team has earned some of the industry's highest honors, including recognition by the Best Lawyers in America, Lawdragon, D Magazine's Best Lawyers in Dallas, and Tier I recognition from Best Law Firms in America. About Nachawati Law Group Nachawati Law Group represents parties in mass tort litigation, businesses and governmental entities in contingent litigation, and individuals in complex personal injury litigation. For more information, visit https://ntrial.com . SOURCE Nachawati Law Group Funding will train 2,000 in Connecticut, Florida for Allied and Behavioral Health Jobs SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Futuro Health, a national nonprofit organization addressing the critical shortage in healthcare workers, has been awarded a generous $10.2 million grant from the Elisabeth C. Deluca Foundation. This funding will enable the tuition-free training of 2,000 residents across Connecticut and Florida's Tri-County area, including Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, preparing them for careers in allied and behavioral health roles. The Elisabeth C. Deluca Foundation is the latest to join a growing list of partners supporting Futuro Health's tuition-free and low-cost personalized education programs that help individuals earn in-demand allied healthcare credentials, growing talent for employers and connecting workers to opportunity. Since 2020, Futuro Health has successfully enrolled over 8,847 individuals78% female, 85% ethnically diverse, 52% linguistically diverse and an average age of 31into a range of unique education journeys and healthcare credentials. Example occupations include peer support specialists, medical assistants, phlebotomists, pharmacy technicians, surgical technicians, and more. By promoting inclusiveness and transforming the lives of learners and their families, these students, known as Futuro Health Scholars, are positioned to serve the communities they reflect, engendering better health equity and a more culturally competent workforce. "We are incredibly grateful to the Elisabeth C. Deluca Foundation for their visionary support," said Van Ton-Quinlivan, CEO of Futuro Health. "Futuro Health's approach is collaborative. We look forward to adding our best practices and capabilities to existing partnerships to broaden interest from learners from all walks of life who want to transition successfully into healthcare careers." The Elisabeth C. Deluca Foundation grant will play a crucial role in growing a more representative and prepared healthcare workforce in Connecticut and Florida to fill an enormous need at a time when there exists no foreseeable end to the healthcare workforce shortage. Meet Futuro Health Scholars here. For more information on Futuro Health, visit www.futurohealth.org. To explore partnership with Futuro Health, contact us at [email protected]. Media Contact: Matt Wakely 847-493-9003 or [email protected] SOURCE Futuro Health Kuroi Akio, descendant of WWII Japanese invader Kuroi Keijirou, delivers an apology speech in Gongzhuling, northeast China's Jilin Province, Sept. 14, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Under the Chinese national flag, 76-year-old Japanese man Kuroi Akio removed his shoes and socks and knelt down to kowtow before the Chinese people. In this way he sought to offer an apology on behalf of his father at a historical site in northeast China's Jilin Province, where Japanese forces once committed atrocities during the invasion of China. Ahead of the anniversary of the September 18th Incident, Kuroi, along with eight other descendants of Japanese soldiers who invaded China, embarked on a five-day journey of remorse and apology. On Sept. 18, 1931, Japanese troops bombarded the barracks and began the bloody invasion in China, foreshadowing WWII and making the country the first to resist fascism. The Japanese army had deployed 1.86 million troops in China, accounting for more than 50 percent of a total of 3.58 million Japanese troops sent overseas. During the war of resistance against Japanese aggression that lasted until 1945, China suffered a total of 35 million military and non-military casualties, accounting for a third of the total casualties of all the countries in WWII. Kuroi's father, Kuroi Keijirou, had participated in two separate campaigns in northeast China in 1932 and 1941. These campaigns included violent acts against civilians, something Kuroi Akio is determined to address and atone for. Walking through former sites of the Japanese military occupation, including the command headquarters and barracks, Kuroi reflected on the horrors his father's unit had inflicted. "They carried out assaults on the farmers and residents of Gongzhuling City, depriving them of their lives and robbing their property. The actions of my father were inhumane, and as his son, I offer my sincerest apologies to the people of Gongzhuling. What he did can never be forgiven," Kuroi said. Okayama Teruaki, 70, another member of the group, noted that the countless Chinese people who lost their lives to the Japanese military should have had the futures they had hoped for. He emphasized that ignoring these innocent souls and attempting to find solace by "honoring" Japanese soldiers who died in the war is futile. The true way to "comfort the souls" is to acknowledge the invasion, offer sincere apologies and compensation, mourn the victims, and renounce war. According to Li Suzhen, vice president of the Chinese and Japanese Oral History Culture Institute, Okayama's two uncles died in the invasion. After the war, Japan's disregard of the facts of invasion deeply disappointed Okayama, leading him to dedicate his life to anti-war activism. Okayama used his position as a teacher before retirement to tell high school students in Tokyo about Japan's war crimes. His outspoken activism has resulted in multiple reprimands from the Japanese government. While they apologized at the site, the group members held white flags with characters that read "white flags against war, reconciliation through dialogue" in a poignant act of calling on the international community to remember history and cherish peace. In addition to their acts of atonement, the descendants brought with them a trove of historical documents collected in Japan related to the Japanese invasion of China. These materials were presented to Changchun Normal University (CNU) to support academic research and deepen the understanding of this painful period in history. Professor Zhang Xiaogang from the School of History and Culture at CNU said that the personal stories and testimonies shared by the group offer a new dimension to the study of Japan's war crimes. "Their visit is a positive step towards shaping an accurate and honest historical memory for both nations," Zhang noted. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, September 17. Hungarian investors are interested in building hydroelectric power stations in Kyrgyzstan, said Peter Sztaray, the Minister of State for Security Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Trend reports via the Ministry of Energy of Kyrgyzstan. He made this statement during a meeting with Kyrgyz Minister of Energy Taalaibek Ibraev on the sidelines of the 4th Meeting of Energy Ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). During the meeting, Ibraev proposed cooperation on promising projects in the field of hydroenergy and renewable energy sources, including: - Exchange of expertise between specialists from network energy companies, involving the Kyrgyz energy calculation center, including familiarization with automated technologies and substations of various voltage classes. - Supply of European equipment and technologies for ongoing hydroenergy projects. - Attracting Hungarian investors, designers, consultants, and suppliers to prospective energy projects in the fields of hydroenergy and renewable energy. Sztaray emphasized that energy-related technologies are highly advanced in Hungary and expressed readiness to cooperate in this area. In the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, the 4th Meeting of Energy Ministers of the OTS was held. Kyrgyz Minister of Energy Taalaibek Ibraev held bilateral meetings with each head of delegation from the five participating countries (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkiye, Hungary). FRANKLIN, Tenn., Sept. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- To our wonderful community, Grace Chapel has been honored to be a fixture in the community of southwest Franklin for almost 30 years. It has been a church that has impacted thousands of lives in the region and around the world. In 2022, Grace Chapel announced Rob Rogers as its new Senior Pastor. Since his arrival, Pastor Rob has been diligently working with the church's elders, leadership, and staff to prayerfully put plans together to step into a new season for the church. To improve the church's ability to serve and bless the people in our community, the beautiful campus will be leveraged to launch upcoming community events. To help strengthen young families, renovations will be made to improve fellowship and children's spaces. To support those who are exploring faith or curious about Christianity, a series of new classes will be offered. These are just a few of the exciting changes in the church direction and culture that have been coming together over the last few years. The church is adapting and growing - meeting the needs of our community with an unwavering faith in Christ that connects timeless scripture to everyday lives. In the process of praying and planning, it became clear to the church that this new season comes with a new name. In January of 2025, Grace Chapel will become Southall Church. "Southall Church" (named after the historic road where the church sits) reflects the church's commitment to be a blessing to this wonderful community with new leadership, culture, vision, and soon a new name. It is a commitment of the church to serve faithfully, love sacrificially, and help people follow Jesus. The community is joyfully invited to our celebration services on January 5, 2025. Grace Chapel, Inc. is a non-denominational, bible-based Christian church. It was founded in 1994 and is located in Franklin, Tennessee. Our vision is to be a healthy, multiplying church that brings the life of Jesus to our families, neighbors, and nations. For more information, please visit us at Grace Chapel For all inquiries, please contact [email protected] SOURCE Grace Chapel, Inc. The clinic will bring more primary and specialty care to residents in South Fulton ATLANTA, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, Grady Health System and Fulton County Government leaders held a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the new Lee + White Outpatient Center in Atlanta. Lee + White is the latest of two new outpatient centers Grady has opened south of I-20 to help address the increased demand for improved access to health resources. Grady's Lee + White Outpatient Center in Atlanta Grady Health System and Fulton County Government leaders hold ribbon cutting for Grady's new Lee + White Outpatient Center "Grady has worked strategically to identify areas that need better access to medical care, and our new Lee + White location is another step toward filling that gap," said Shannon Sale, Chief Strategy Officer at Grady. "We are grateful to Fulton County for its continued partnership in our ongoing efforts to provide the community with high-quality, comprehensive care closer to home." The 16,000-square-foot facility is located at 1000 White Street at the Lee + White complex, a mixed-use development in Atlanta's West End. The outpatient center will offer primary, geriatric, and orthopedic care. HIV and behavioral health services will also be available. The facility features 20 exam rooms, an on-site pharmacy, two mammography rooms, and X-ray and lab spaces. "Meeting patients where they are is essential to improving their quality of life," said Dr. Kelley Carroll, Chief Ambulatory Officer at Grady. "This new center will give residents in South Fulton easier access to a wide array of services to address their growing medical needs and help them lead healthy lives." Lee + White is the second of two new outpatient centers Grady has opened in South Fulton. Last summer, Grady opened a center on Cascade Road. Both centers were funded by financial support from Fulton County and federal funding secured by Grady to increase access to health care. "The new Lee + White clinic will be instrumental in increasing healthcare access for Fulton County residents," said Chairman Robb Pitts. "The community knows that they can rely on Grady for quality care, and that's why they have been our healthcare partner for more than a century." In addition to Grady opening its Lee + White and Cascade outpatient centers, a freestanding emergency department is slated to open in Union City in 2026. Grady's Lee + White Center will officially open on September 23. Its hours of operation will be Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For a complete list of Grady's neighborhood health centers, please visit https://www.gradyhealth.org/locations/. About Grady Health System Grady Health System is one of the largest safety net health systems in the United States. Grady consists of the 953-bed Grady Memorial Hospital, eight neighborhood health centers, Crestview Health & Rehabilitation Center, Correll Pavilion, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, which is operated as a Children's affiliate. With its nationally acclaimed emergency medical services, Grady is Atlanta's only Level I trauma center and serves as the 911 ambulance provider for the city of Atlanta. Grady's Walter L. Ingram Burn Center is the leading burn center in North Georgia. And the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center is a Joint Commission designated Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center. Other key services/distinctions include Grady's Regional Perinatal Center with its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Georgia's first Cancer Center for Excellence, The Avon Comprehensive Breast Center, the Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, and the Ponce de Leon Center - one of the top HIV/AIDS outpatient clinics in the country. Grady is one of an elite group of hospitals to earn the Baby-Friendly USA international recognition as a Baby-Friendly Designated birth facility. For more information, visit http://www.gradyhealth.org/ . SOURCE Grady Health System The event raised more than $10 million, thanks in large part to our fundraising committee chaired by Tatiana Cancro, helping to bring Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation's fundraising total to over $608 million - more than halfway towards its lofty goal. To help celebrate the campaign launch, guests were treated to a special performance by Hugh Jackman, the Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe and Tony-Award winning performer, and the unique humor of comedian, writer, producer, director, political commentator, actor and television host Jon Stewart, who emceed the event. "What a fantastic evening it was to host the Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation gala and officially launch our extraordinary Be The Difference campaign," said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. "This initiative marks a transformative moment in our health care journey, aiming to revolutionize the delivery of patient care, elevate community health and advance medical education and research. The impact of this campaign will resonate far beyond the walls of our hospitals and facilities, improving the health and lives of everyone in New Jersey. We are deeply grateful to Peter Cancro and Eli Manning for their remarkable support, as well as our friends and corporate partners who came together to be the difference for our communities." "Serving as Be The Difference campaign co-chairs is incredibly rewarding, and we were honored to have been recognized at the Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation gala," said Peter Cancro and Eli Manning. "Every day, Hackensack Meridian Health provides leading-class care to patients all around the state, and to those who travel to New Jersey for specialized care. This year's event was incredibly special, and we hope we can rely on our communities to continue joining us in making a positive impact in health care today and for generations to come. Together, we can be the difference in health care." The Be The Difference campaign is built upon four pillars, each designed to support Hackensack Meridian Health's vision for New Jersey in their own distinct ways: better delivery of patient care revolutionizing medical education and supporting the nursing profession accelerating research and discovery and ensuring more equitable access to advanced care. "This year's Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation Gala and public launch of our Be The Difference campaign was truly unforgettable, and I am in awe of the continued confidence we receive from our campaign co-chairs and champions, as well as our supporters," said Joyce P. Hendricks, president and chief development officer, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation. "Each day, Hackensack Meridian Health pushes the boundaries to ensure that the best care is available to the communities we serve, and the public launch of our campaign is a defining moment that showcases our bold vision for the future. This campaign is unlike anything we have ever embarked on before and it is poised to propel health care, research and education forward and will have a far-reaching impact. The future will be brighter and healthier for us all!" Numerous community members have committed their support to the cause, including top campaign donors. They include: The Cancro Family Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation Golden Dome Foundation Mary Ellen Harris Mike & Patti Hennessy Foundation H. Hovnanian Family Foundation several anonymous donors Additionally, the campaign's success can also be attributed largely to the Campaign Executive Committee comprised of the following individuals: Peter Cancro , campaign co-chair , campaign co-chair Eli N. Manning , campaign co-chair , campaign co-chair Keith T. Banks Harry Carson John M. Dias Domenic M. DiPiero III Frank L. Fekete , CPA , CPA Louis J. Freeh Lawrence Inserra, Jr. Tracy Morgan Siran Hovnanian Sahakian Joseph M. Sanzari Jon Stewart (Honorary) (Honorary) Helena Theurer The Gala and Be The Difference Campaign Launch was generously sponsored by: Platinum Sponsor - Jersey Mike's Subs; Presenting Sponsor - Ardent Health Services; Bernhard; Inserra Supermarkets, Inc.; and the physicians of RCCA - Regional Cancer Care Associates. Many other generous organizations also supported at the Diamond, Gold, Silver and Bronze levels to help make the evening and campaign launch a success. To learn more or make a gift in support of the Be The Difference campaign, visit HMHBeTheDifference.org. ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care. The network has 18 hospitals and more than 500 patient care locations, which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers, physician practice locations, and a fitness and wellness center. With more than 35,000 team members and 7,000 physicians, Hackensack Meridian Health is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy and committed to the health and well-being of communities throughout New Jersey. The network's notable distinctions include having the only #1 ranked adult and children's hospitals in New Jersey, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, 2024-25. Hackensack University Medical Center is nationally-ranked by U.S. News & World Report in eight specialties. To learn more, visit www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org. ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH FOUNDATION Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3), is the philanthropic division of Hackensack Meridian Health, a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care. The foundation oversees fundraising for the network's three academic medical centers, two children's hospitals and seven community-based medical center foundations, as well as key initiatives, programs and services offered by Hackensack Meridian Health, including nursing support, behavioral health, children's health, Hackensack Meridian Health's Center for Discovery & Innovation and Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation has been designated as both a High Performer Overall and Healthcare System High Performer by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) within their 2023 Report on Giving. Visit GiveHMH.org/Donate for more information. SOURCE Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation HAKONE, Japan, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kinnotake Resorts, operated by Kinnotake Corporation in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, announced the completion of the newly expanded Grand Suite rooms, "Ten" and "Sora," at the Kinnotake Tonosawa. These spacious suites offer an extraordinary escape, providing an otherworldly experience reminiscent of staying in a modern Zen temple. The rooms allow guests to engage in Zen mindful breathing, enjoying a profound sense of liberation and seamless integration with Hakone's majestic natural surroundings. Located on the top floor, the suites feature a terrace with a luxurious Aomori Hiba wood onsen (hot spring), providing a lavish experience enhanced by the soothing aroma of wood. Accommodating up to four guests, the suites include a relaxation area with a high-end bed and exquisite dining with carefully selected ingredients. Furthermore, starting in August, Kinnotake Tonosawa's private cottage, The Moon Spa offers herbal baths and treatments as part of its Zen Toji (therapeutic onsen practice) bathing experience. This new offering, available exclusively for the private use of the entire facility, is perfect for couples seeking a special journey, friends looking for a peaceful retreat, or families desiring quality time together. Additionally, the resorts' separate dining facility, Teppanyaki Zen, features premium Wagyu beef and fresh vegetables expertly grilled by its acclaimed chefs. It provides elevated flavors of the top-tier Wagyu, meticulously prepared to offer a superior dining experience. Photo: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M108173/202409116225/_prw_PI1fl_9IhF4w61.jpg About Kinnotake Tonosawa The Kinnotake Tonosawa welcomes guests across a suspension bridge over the valley at "Healing Forest Tonosawa." Set within 20,000 square meters of natural beauty, Tonosawa offers a Boundless Nature Resort experience where service, space, and environment blend seamlessly. Located about an hour from Tokyo by train, with a short transfer by bus or taxi, its accommodations feature eight room types and 21 rooms, each with a private open-air onsen. Location: 191 Tonosawa, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture Kinnotake Tonosawa official website: https://kinnotake-resorts.com/kinnotake-tonosawa/en/ About Kinnotake Resorts Established in Hakone in 1947, Kinnotake Resorts aims to nurture diverse talents, encourage continuous growth, and utilize the timeless power of bamboo to create extraordinary experiences that positively impact every guest's life. Kinnotake Resorts official website: https://kinnotake-resorts.com/en/ For more information, visit: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202409116225-O1-aI1Nxts4.pdf SOURCE Kinnotake Corporation Bank taps Twin Cities banking veteran, Huntington Private Bank leader to lead region MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Huntington National Bank announced today that Mike Maeser has been named regional president in Minnesota, effective immediately. He steps into the role following an extensive career in the financial services industry, including the last three years in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market as area leader for the Huntington Private Bank. Mike Maeser "Progress in Minnesota is an important piece of Huntington's strategy, and we know we will continue to grow our business here and win new customers in the years to come," said Christian Corts, Regional Banking Director at Huntington. "Since we entered Minnesota in 2021, we've built an experienced team of bankers across business and consumer banking, mortgage lending, and wealth management all of which have shown success. We're thrilled that Mike will be leading our efforts in this important state." Maeser joined Huntington's Private Bank as the Minneapolis-St. Paul area leader in August 2021. In this role, he has served as a leader on Huntington's Private Bank Operating Committee and has had responsibility for Minnesota and the company's Illinois, Wisconsin, and Colorado, southern Ohio, Indiana, and Florida markets, as well as future expansion into new markets. Prior to joining Huntington, Maeser was the longtime leader of Wells Fargo's wealth-management business in the Twin Cities and in surrounding states. He also worked at Citicorp Investment Services where he served as a regional sales manager. Mike has been in the financial services industry for more than 30 years. "I'm honored and excited to take on this incredible opportunity and to lead this amazing Minnesota team," said Maeser. "We've made impressive progress in the last three years, and I'm confident that we can continue to grow our market share by not only winning new customers, but also deepening our relationships with those we already serve here in Minnesota." Maeser and his wife Mary are lifelong Twin Cities residents and have three adult children. He received his bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Minnesota. He holds several industries licenses and is currently a board member of the Minnesota Orchestra. Maeser previously served on the boards of Perspectives, Inc.; Greater Twin Cities United Way; and Minnesota Children's Theatre Company. In Minnesota, Huntington has approximately 60 branches and employs more than 1,250 colleagues, serving customers with its full suite of financial services, including banking, payments, wealth management, and risk management products and services. Last year, Huntington ranked second in Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) loans in Minnesota, lending more than $28 million to 144 local small businesses. Nationally, Huntington has been the largest originator, by volume, of SBA 7(a) loans, providing more loans than any other bank. 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 Honoring the dreams, struggles, and triumphs of Hispanic-Latino entrepreneurs who have woven their stories into the very fabric of our nation WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WHAT: National Hispanic-Latino Entrepreneur Day. Inaugural National Hispanic-Latino Entrepreneur Day In the heart of Houston, we are thrilled to announce the inaugural National Hispanic-Latino Entrepreneur Day. This historic occasion is dedicated to honoring the dreams, struggles, and triumphs of Hispanic-Latino entrepreneurs who have intricately woven their stories into the very fabric of our nation. WHO: Media Availability (English-Spanish) (Virtual & In-Person) On behalf of four remarkable Latino entrepreneursJesse Martinez, Mark Madrid, Gustavo Suarez, and Juliana Garaizarwe warmly invite you to join us in recognizing all U.S. Hispanic-Latino small business owners and entrepreneurs. This moment is not merely a proclamation; it is a vibrant celebration of the energy, grit, and innovation that characterize U.S. small business owners during Hispanic Heritage Month. WHERE: Join us at Houston City Hall, alongside Houston Council Member Joaquin Martinez, for a special proclamation presentation. 901 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002 WHEN: Tuesday, September 17th, 2024, at 1:00 PM CT. Following the ceremony, we will continue the celebration with our friends at Lymbar in the ION 4201 Main Street, suite 100 Houston, TX 77002 Media members are welcome! Join Us in Making History! This landmark occasion is not just about celebrating individual achievements; it is about igniting a collective spirit that honors Hispanic Heritage Month and dedicates itself to U.S. Latine small business owners and entrepreneurs. Proclamation Highlights: Be it known that every year, Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15th to October 15th, recognizing and celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens with ancestry from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. This year's theme, "Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together," highlights the innovation, resilience, and unity that define the Hispanic experience. Hispanic/Latino entrepreneurs across the country have made significant contributions, enriching our economy and society through their cultural heritage, creativity, and economic strength. Joining in this historic celebration are the cities of Austin, Kansas City, Missouri, New Orleans, and Kenner, Louisiana, as we collectively commemorate the annual observance of Hispanic/Latino National Entrepreneur Day, established to recognize Hispanic/Latino entrepreneurs whose contributions drive America's economy and innovation. About the National Co-Founders: Jesse Martinez, is a trailblazer in the Latinx tech community, tirelessly advocating for representation and inclusivity for Latino founders. As the founder of the Latinx Startup Alliance, Jesse has spearheaded initiatives to bridge funding and mentorship gaps in the tech ecosystem, creating tangible pathways to success for Latino entrepreneurs. His influence extends beyond Silicon Valley, with participation in forums like the World Economic Forum, spotlighting the critical role of Latino voices in shaping the future of innovation and technology across the nation. Mark L. Madrid, CEO of Breakthrough Mavens, is a nationally renowned expert in business excellence, entrepreneurship, inclusive economic mobility, cybersecurity, AI, and future-forward strategy. With a proven track record of guiding businesses and individuals toward breakthroughs and sustainable excellence, Mark translates complex financial concepts into actionable, straightforward, and sustainable strategies. Previously, he served as Associate Administrator of the United States Small Business Administration and is the best-selling author of ENERGY for his series, Self-Fueling Excellence. About Mark L Madrid Gustavo Suarez, Co-Founder and CEO of Trez, exemplifies the transformative power of Latino entrepreneurship. Trez is the first U.S. Latino payroll platform, empowering the financial growth of America's fastest-growing segment. Gustavo aims to uplift millions of Hispanic-owned workers and businesses, helping them streamline operations and gain a competitive edge in the market. His commitment to the Latino business community reflects a broader mission to close systemic gaps and ensure equitable access to resources, fostering a thriving ecosystem for Hispanic entrepreneurs nationwide. In 2022, Gustavo was recognized by HITEC as one of the top 100 most influential Hispanic executives in tech in the U.S. Juliana Garaizar, is an experienced CEO with a proven track record in the venture capital and private equity industry. She is skilled in business planning, entrepreneurship, international business, venture capital, and strategic partnerships, and she is a strong business development professional with Kauffman and VC Include Fellowships focused on VC and diversity. Inaugural City Chairs: New Orleans and Kenner, Louisiana: Mayra Pineda, CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana. Kansas City, Missouri: Carlos Gomez, President and CEO, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City. Nevada City Chairs: Nick Maldonado Daniel Montes Andrea Vigil Cesar Malaga About National Hispanic-Latino Entrepreneur Day National Hispanic-Latino Entrepreneur Day is a nationwide celebration dedicated to recognizing the contributions and impact of Hispanic and Latino entrepreneurs across the United States. Established to honor the fastest-growing segment of business owners in the country, this annual event highlights the innovation, resilience, and economic strength of Hispanic-Latino entrepreneurs. It aims to bring national attention to their achievements, promote inclusivity, and foster opportunities for the next generation of Latino leaders in business. Celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month, the event unites cities and communities nationwide in recognizing the critical role Latino entrepreneurs play in shaping America's economic future. Press Contact: Andrea Gomez 832-858-5850 https://www.andreagomez.tv/ SOURCE National Hispanic-Latino Entrepreneur Day SINGAPORE, Sept. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 60 participants from 16 courts and jurisdictions including Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, People's Republic of China and Singapore, have completed the inaugural Masterclass Programme for Commercial Judges in Asia held at the Judicial Training Centre of the Supreme Court of Indonesia in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon of Singapore delivering the keynote address (Left) and Chief Justice Prof Dr Muhammad Syarifuddin of Indonesia (Right) giving the welcome address at the inaugural Masterclass Programme for Commercial Judges in Asia. (Photos courtesy of Judicial Training Centre of the Supreme Court of Indonesia) Held from 9 to 12 September 2024, the Masterclass was a four-day intensive course jointly organised by the Judicial Training Centre and the Singapore Judicial College, covering key topics in commercial law that are of concern to many judiciaries; namely technology and law, arbitration, cross-border insolvency, shipping and maritime law, and intellectual property. The idea for a Masterclass was first seeded in November 2023 when Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon of Singapore visited the Judicial Training Centre of the Supreme Court of Indonesia. These plans crystallised further when Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Indonesia, Prof Dr Muhammad Syarifuddin met with Chief Justice Menon in February this year. The Chief Justices jointly invited jurisdictions in the Asia-Pacific region to nominate participants for the Masterclass, which is intended for High Court judges with two to three years of experience. The faculty for the Masterclass comprised eminent international commercial judges who are experts in their respective fields. Speakers and facilitators included Justice I Gusti Agung Sumanatha, Justice Syamsul Marif and Justice Nani Indrawati (Indonesia), Chief Justice Menon, Justice Aedit Abdullah, Justice Philip Jeyaretnam, Justice Kannan Ramesh, Justice S Mohan, Justice Dedar Singh Gill (Singapore), Justice James Allsop (Singapore International Commercial Court), Chief Justice (Ret) Geoffrey Ma (Hong Kong SAR), Justice David Goddard (New Zealand), Justice Dai Yiting (China) and Prof Jansen Calamita from the National University of Singapore. In his keynote address, Chief Justice Menon outlined how changes affecting core commercial areas were transforming the realities of commercial law and practice, and offered a vision of convergence between judiciaries across the Asia-Pacific region in key commercial areas, which could assist our legal systems in managing these changes. He also highlighted the "unique value proposition" of the Masterclass and four distinctive features that made it an important platform for judicial education and exchange in the Asia-Pacific region; namely its scope, its methodology, its participants and the network that it aims to establish. The role of judges in economic growth becomes critical. Chief Justice Syarifuddin addressed that the demands on commercial courts have grown exponentially, driven by the complexities of cross-border trade, international contracts, and global financial systems. "The decisions we make as judges can have far-reaching implications, influencing economic activity and the confidence of international investors in our legal systems". Visit News and speeches (judiciary.gov.sg) for more details. SOURCE Supreme Court of Singapore LEHI, Utah, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Clozd, the leading provider of win-loss analysis software, is excited to announce the launch of Ask Clozd, a groundbreaking new tool designed to transform win-loss analysis for your business. Ask Clozd is a cutting-edge, AI-powered search tool that effortlessly surfaces key insights from your win-loss data. With Ask Clozd, businesses can surface valuable win-loss insights instantaneously, revolutionizing the way they understand and leverage their Clozd data. "We're excited to launch Ask Clozd for our customers," said Andrew Peterson, co-founder and co-CEO at Clozd. "In the past, users could spend hours sifting through their win-loss interviews in search of answers to pressing questions. With Ask Clozd, users can get instant, accurate answers enabling them to focus more time and energy on taking action." Ask Clozd helps users Uncover key insights: Unstructured qualitative data is transformed into powerful, tailored insights. Unstructured qualitative data is transformed into powerful, tailored insights. Simplify reporting: Insights are surfaced quickly and simply, so users don't have to spend their time wading through reports or reading individual interview transcripts. Insights are surfaced quickly and simply, so users don't have to spend their time wading through reports or reading individual interview transcripts. Democratize their data: All users can quickly access answers, removing any barriers to insights. Whether you're seeking to understand why you lose to a specific competitor or identify recurring themes in your sales process, Ask Clozd empowers you to make data-driven decisions with confidence. "At Clozd, we're committed to empowering businesses with the tools they need to reach their objectives," said Daryl Pinkal, chief technology officer at Clozd. "Ask Clozd represents a significant step forward in our mission to revolutionize win-loss analysis and drive revenue growth for our clients." For more information about Ask Clozd and how it can transform your win-loss analysis program, visit www.clozd.com . About Clozd Clozd is the leading provider of software and services for win-loss analysis, which helps organizations identify their strengths and weaknesses, improve their win rates, build better products, and consistently uncover the real reasons they win and lose business. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Lehi, Utah, Clozd has conducted tens of thousands of win-loss interviews for clients in a wide range of industries, including enterprise software, business services, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, transportation, telecom, and more. For more information, visit clozd.com . CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE Clozd Open to technologists of all levels, KubeDay Colombia will convene engaging cloud native speakers and community members to Medellin SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), which builds sustainable ecosystems for cloud native software, is hosting KubeDay Colombia on October 9 in Medellin. The Colombian, Latin American, and international cloud native communities will come together for a day to learn and collaborate on the direction of the ecosystem. Hosted by CNCF, KubeDay events are localized events where local experts, adopters, developers, and practitioners can connect with regional and international community members, experiencing rich in-person education and collaboration. KubeDays focuses on specific geographical regions experiencing community expansion, and it is a wonderful opportunity to engage with the leaders of CNCF-hosted projects as the community sets the direction for the cloud native ecosystem. "Cloud native is a global community, and our community in South America has grown considerably over the last several years," said Chris Aniszczyk, CTO, CNCF. "We are looking forward to a KubeDay event in the region that is packed with great technical content. We hope you can join us as we bring Kubernetes and cloud native to Colombia." Join the Colombian #TeamCloudNative for an exciting community-curated schedule that will include talks including: For the full KubeDay Colombia program, please visit the schedule . Registration Register for standard in-person pricing through September 22. Thank You to Our Sponsors KubeDay Colombia has been made possible thanks to our amazing community, and support from the local KCD organizers. About Cloud Native Computing Foundation Cloud native computing empowers organizations to build and run scalable applications with an open source software stack in public, private, and hybrid clouds. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) hosts critical components of the global technology infrastructure, including Kubernetes, Prometheus, and Envoy. CNCF brings together the industry's top developers, end users, and vendors, and runs the largest open source developer conferences in the world. Supported by more than 500 members, including the world's largest cloud computing and software companies, as well as over 200 innovative startups, CNCF is part of the nonprofit Linux Foundation. For more information, please visit www.cncf.io. The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see our trademark usage page. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Media Contact Jessie Adams-Shore The Linux Foundation [email protected] SOURCE Cloud Native Computing Foundation Customers invited to join in and round up purchases; debuts commercial raising awareness around food insecurity CINCINNATI, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co.'s (NYSE: KR) Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation today announced its annual Hunger Action Month campaign, directing all funds raised in Kroger Family of Stores during the month of September to the Feeding America network of food banks in our communities. Customers can round up their purchase to the nearest dollar in their neighborhood store to help neighbors struggling with hunger. Hunger Action Month is an annual nationwide month of action to spread awareness and encourage everyone to join the movement to end hunger. Since 2017, Kroger has directed more than 3.4 billion meals to nourish our communities and plans to donate 10 billion meals by 2030, upon completion of the merger with Albertsons Cos. Kroger is a visionary partner of Feeding America and continues to provide year-round support through charitable giving and donating surplus fresh food. "We know that food is inextricably linked to the health of our communities, and Kroger is on a mission to end hunger and expand access to affordable, fresh food for everyone," said Keith Dailey, Kroger's group vice president of corporate affairs and chief sustainability officer. "We are inspired every day by the generosity and passion of our customers and associates who join our fight against hunger by rounding up, volunteering and giving back to their communities. While we can't solve hunger alone, working together we can find the solutions to our biggest challenges." Kroger has donated a total of $3 million to Feeding America so far this year, including company and customer donations. During Hunger Action Month last year, the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation raised nearly $600,000 for Feeding America. Across the country, Kroger divisions are also celebrating Hunger Action Month with other local events benefiting Feeding America food banks, including but not limited to: Dallas Division: Kroger Dallas division and associates are participating in the food bank's Volunteer-a-Thon for North Texas Giving Day. The division is also sponsoring North Texas Food Bank's annual Peanut Butter Drive, inviting customers to donate shelf stable proteins and help meet the goal of raising $300,000 and collecting 100,000 lbs. of peanut butter. Kroger Dallas division and associates are participating in the food bank's Volunteer-a-Thon for North Texas Giving Day. The division is also sponsoring North Texas Food Bank's annual Peanut Butter Drive, inviting customers to donate shelf stable proteins and help meet the goal of raising and collecting 100,000 lbs. of peanut butter. Cincinnati /Dayton Division: The division is donating $15,000 to The Sam Hubbard Foundation to support Hubbard's Cupboards. Hubbard's Cupboards, founded by Cincinnati Bengal Sam Hubbard, originally launched as a pilot in five schools during the 2022-2023 school year. The program has experienced tremendous growth, expanding to 21 schools in 2025. In collaboration with Crayons to Computers, the program aims to provide underserved students with timely access to essential supplies and healthy snacks. The division is donating to The Sam Hubbard Foundation to support Cupboards. Cupboards, founded by Cincinnati Bengal Sam Hubbard, originally launched as a pilot in five schools during the 2022-2023 school year. The program has experienced tremendous growth, expanding to 21 schools in 2025. In collaboration with Crayons to Computers, the program aims to provide underserved students with timely access to essential supplies and healthy snacks. Mid-Atlantic Division: For the sixth consecutive year, the Mid-Atlantic division is supporting local Feeding America foodbanks with a Peanut Butter Drive. Customers are invited to purchase peanut butter and place it in the donation bins outside the store entrances. Peanut butter is a wanted item at food banks, as it's shelf stable and a great source of protein for people and families facing food insecurity. 44 million people in the U.S., including 1 in 5 children, are not sure where their next meal is coming from. Since launching Kroger's Zero Hunger | Zero Waste impact plan in 2017, the retailer has provided $1.5 billion to support hunger relief, including nearly 700 million pounds of surplus fresh food donations from our stores. To raise awareness for hunger relief, Kroger debuted a Zero Hunger | Zero Waste commercial this summer to inspire customers to join in their mission to end hunger. View the new commercial here. Feeding America is the nation's largest hunger relief organization. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs, the Feeding America network collects food and financial donations, moves and distributes food to people who experience food insecurity. Find your local Feeding America food bank here. To learn more about Zero Hunger | Zero Waste, visit here. About Kroger At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. We are, across our family of companies nearly 420,000 associates who serve over 11 million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site. SOURCE The Kroger Co. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, September 17. Germany is keen on expanding cooperation with Tajikistan in the energy sector, including hydroelectric power and other green energy sources, as well as in mining, environmental protection, and security issues, German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz said during a meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in Astana, Trend reports citing the President's Administration. Scholz emphasized Germanys interest in collaborating with Tajikistan, urging German companies with global influence to engage in this partnership. We encourage German companies with worldwide influence to cooperate with Tajikistan, the Chancellor said. The discussions also covered global challenges such as access to drinking water, glacier melting, climate change, and food security. President Rahmon highlighted the significant contributions of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the German Development Bank (KfW) in supporting Tajikistan's national strategies. He reminded of Germanys role in the construction of the Tajikistan and Sebzor power stations in Badakhshan, as well as the modernization of the Nurek Hydropower Plant, expressing confidence that this experience could be extended to the construction of the Rogun Hydropower Plant. Prospective areas for cooperation include the extraction and processing of minerals, particularly rare earth elements, and the expansion of bilateral collaboration in industry and agriculture, including the export of Tajik products to Germany. President Rahmon is attending the second meeting of the Central Asia + Germany summit in Astana. To support this launch, the Canadian brand enlisted the lens of prominent fashion and celebrity photographer, Max Abadian, in the new season campaign "City Dry: Weather All Seasons In Style." MONTREAL, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - La Canadienne, a leading retailer and distributor of footwear, outerwear, and accessories, today introduces its latest collection for Fall Winter 2024, highlighting their signature City Dry technology. This collection is designed to attract the next generation of shoppers while retaining the loyalty of existing customers. La Canadienne FW24 Launch (CNW Group/La Canadienne) Nicholas Niro, President & CEO of La Canadienne, commented: "We are dedicated to our core values of quality, comfort, and innovative design, including our signature City Dry technology, which sets us apart in the North American market." La Canadienne's footwear, renowned for its durability and handcrafted with waterproof suede and leather using City Dry technology, embodies timeless sophistication and functionality. Niro adds: "We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Max Abadian on the FW24 Campaign. Max clearly understands our design aesthetic and successfully showcases our latest collection through a refreshed and modern lens." This season, the brand's aesthetic and mission is propelled by the creative vision of Max Abadian. The Fall Winter 2024 campaign introduces a fresh visual direction to align with the brand's ever evolving identity. The campaign is set on the streets of an urban backdrop, highlighting the neon lights of metropolitan highstreets. Coveted model An Koval features the brand's footwear, outerwear, handbags and accessories exuding timeless elegance that resonates with a cross generational customer. The brand's commitment to designing footwear with Canadian sensibilities, made for life in the city, shines through Max's lens and reinforces the confidence and empowerment that customers exemplify in La Canadienne footwear. About La Canadienne: An authentic Canadian style icon since 1987, La Canadienne was founded in Montreal, Quebec, the heart of Canada's fashion capital with inspiration from Italy's expertise in footwear design. La Canadienne creates comfortable, versatile footwear that offer unbeatable protection against the elements. The brand is recognized worldwide for their unique approach to producing consciously made, long-lasting footwear and outerwear that is timeless in style. La Canadienne products are available for purchase on their website www.lacanadienneshoes.com, in their five boutiques located in major Canadian cities (Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver) and distributed through premium retailers across USA and Canada including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Zappos, Holt Renfrew, Saks 5th Avenue, and Bloomingdale's. For more information about La Canadienne and its product offerings, please visit www.lacanadienneshoes.com @lacanadienneshoes SOURCE La Canadienne 2024 Women in the Workplace report shows important gains for women's representation in senior leadership, but reveals persistent areas of concern that hold women back SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, LeanIn.Org and McKinsey & Company released the 10th annual Women in the Workplace report, the largest and most comprehensive study on the state of women in corporate America and Canada. The report provides detailed analysis of women's representation and their experiences navigating the corporate ladder over the past decade. This year's report reveals that over the past 10 years, women have made gains in the workplace, specifically at the top: women today hold 29% of C-suite positions, up from 17% in 2015. Without real commitment from companies, the progress women have made over the last 10 years is not sustainable. The report is based on data and insights from 1,000 participating companies and more than 480,000 people surveyed on their workplace experiences between 2015 and 2024. This year's edition, which draws on data collected from over 280 companies, offers insights on the unique barriers faced by women, highlights the actions taken by companies to address these challenges, and identifies where further work remains to be done. STATE OF WOMEN IN 2024: Over the past decade, there have been important gains for women at every level of the corporate pipeline, particularly in senior leadership, but that progress is fragile and at risk of declining, especially for women of color. And at the highest levelthe C-suitegains in representation will be nearly impossible to replicate in the years to come. Based on the current rate of progress, we are nearly 50 years away from reaching parity for all women in corporate America. Women make up 29% of C-suite positions, up from 17% in 2015. Yet, overall, women of color represent 7% of C-suite positions. White men remain the most represented at every level of leadership, while either Black women, Asian women, or Latinas [women of color] are the least represented. Latinas are the most underrepresented group. While they are 9.6% of the population, Latinas are only 1.4% of the C-suite. At the current rate, it will take women of color 48 yearsor two generationsto reach parity and white women 22 years. Despite progress made, commitments to gender and racial diversity are declining. 10-YEAR LOOKBACK AT WOMEN'S PROGRESS: Women still face the same early-career headwinds they did a decade ago and continue to enter the workforce at a disadvantage. Then, at the first critical step up to manager, women are far less likely to get promotedand this is not improving. Women continue to experience the "broken rung"a phenomenon where entry-level men are promoted to manager at much higher rates than women. This causes women to fall behind early in their careers and they never catch up. In 2018, for every 100 men who received the first promotion to manager, 79 women received the same opportunity. Today, that number is 81. It's even worse for women of color. For every 100 men promoted to manager, just 54 Black women (down to 2020 levels) and 65 Latinas (the lowest since we began this research) get the same opportunity. Black women's representation drops dramaticallyby nearly two-thirdsfrom entry-level to director. 10-YEAR LOOKBACK AT COMPANY ACTIONS AND MANAGER SUPPORT: Companies have implemented more practices to make hiring and performance reviews fair. However, there is room for improvement. Only about 1 in 4 companies have adopted the five core practices experts recommend, and the persistence of the broken rung points to the need for companies to take bolder steps. Companies are investing fewer resources into women's advancementoffering fewer mentorship, sponsorship, internship, and recruitment programs geared toward women. 16% offer formal sponsorship programs with specific content for women (down from 24% in 2022); for women of color, it's 8% (down from 16% in 2022). 34% offer recruiting programs and 11% offer internship programs focused on women (down from 48% and 24% in 2022). Companies have dramatically expanded employee work-life benefits. Almost all companies today provide critical support for employees who are parents, caregivers, or struggling with health challenges. These benefits are especially helpful to women, who are more likely to have caregiving responsibilities. In 2024, 96% of companies offered maternity leave, 93% offered paternity leave, and 8 in 10 offered benefits for fertility treatments and adoption or surrogacy. Half of companies provide emergency back-up childcare services, up from a third in 2016. More companies also provide illness and loss-related leaves: 34% offer compassionate leave, up from 25% in 2023. Commitments to gender and racial diversity are declining. Companies should be building on their positive momentum. Given the level of work it will take to do this effectively, companies' declining commitments to gender and racial diversity are problematic. On top of this, employees' relatively low and stagnant commitment to diversity points to the importance of both educating and engaging employees. 78% of companies say gender diversity is a high priority (down from 87% in 2019) and 69% say racial diversity is a high priority (down from 77% in 2019). In 2019, 67% of women managers and 57% of men managers said gender diversity is a high priority for them. In 2024, those percentages are 63% and 53%. In 2019, 62% of women managers and 57% of men managers said racial diversity is a high priority. In 2024, those percentages are 58% and 51%. 10-YEAR LOOKBACK AT WOMEN'S EXPERIENCES: Despite an increase in women's representation and expanded company efforts, the workplace has not gotten better for women. Women continue to see their gender and race as barriers to advancement, and women today are no more optimistic about how their gender will impact their career advancement: 1 in 4 say their gender will make it harder, and 1 in 3 say it has already contributed to missed opportunities. In fact, this stands out as the area of least progress across the 10 years of this study. Younger women are the most susceptible to ageismhalf of women under 30 say their age has been a barrier to advancing. Younger women are twice as likely as younger men to cite their age as a source of unwanted attention from co-workers. Women remain more likely than men to have their competence challenged and undermined at work. Women today are also more likely than men to face comments or interactions that call their competence into question or undermine their leadership. 38% of women, compared to 26% of men, have had their judgment questioned in their area of expertise. LGBTQ+ women and women with disabilities stand out for facing more competence-based microaggressions. Women are just as likely today to experience interactions with colleagues that make them feel isolated and undervalued at work. This is particularly pronounced for women of color, LGBTQ+ women, and women with disabilities. 28% of LGBTQ+ women feel they can't talk about themselves or life outside of work (similar to 25% in 2019). 23% of Black women, 15% of Latinas, and 16% of Asian women have heard others express surprise at their language skills or other abilities. Women who experience three or more microaggressions are 4.2x more likely to feel burned out, 2.7x more likely to consider leaving their company, and 4.5x more likely to think their gender will make it harder to advance. The complete report, including solutions that organizations can implement to make meaningful progress toward gender equality, is available at womenintheworkplace.com . ABOUT THE STUDY The Women in the Workplace study is conducted in partnership with LeanIn.Org and McKinsey & Company. The first study was released in 2015, and each year it examines current issues facing women in corporate America. This year's report is based on data and insights from over 280 companies representing more than 10 million people, along with survey responses from over 15,000 employees. ABOUT LEANIN.ORG An initiative of the Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation, LeanIn.Org helps women achieve their ambitions and works to create a more equal world. LeanIn.Org conducts original research on the state of women, supports a global community of small peer groups called Lean In Circles, and provides companies with programs to address the biases and barriers women face in the workplace. In addition, Lean In runs Lean In Girls, a leadership program designed to help middle schoolers see themselves as leaders in a world that often tells them they're not. The Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation is a private operating nonprofit organization under IRS section 501(c)(3). ABOUT MCKINSEY & COMPANY McKinsey is a global management consulting firm committed to helping organizations accelerate sustainable and inclusive growth. We work with clients across the private, public, and social sectors to solve complex problems and create positive change for all their stakeholders. We combine bold strategies and transformative technologies to help organizations innovate more sustainably, achieve lasting gains in performance, and build workforces that will thrive for this generation and the next. MEDIA CONTACT [email protected] SOURCE LeanIn.Org NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of Pre-IPO shares through funds issued by Late Stage Asset Management, LLC between March 2019 and March 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important September 30, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline. So what: If you purchased Pre-IPO shares through funds issued by Late Stage Asset Management, LLC between March 2019 and March 2023, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. What to do next: To join the Late Stage class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=27548 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 30, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Details of the case: According to the complaint, during the Class Period, the defendants orchestrated a scheme whereby a network of unregistered sales agents fraudulently offered and sold retail investors purportedly "no-fee" unregistered securities in private (Pre-IPO) companies, which turned out to have artificial prices inflated with fees that the defendants took as profit. The complaint further alleges that the defendants made numerous false and misleading statements during the sale of these illegal, unregistered securities in violation of the federal securities laws. To join the Late Stage class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=27548 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A. EBENE, Mauritius, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- INFINOX welcomes veteran Lee Holmes back into its senior management team. Having spent more than 15 years in the FX and CFD trading sector, Lee's rejoining comes at a pivotal point as the business keeps on its path of expansion worldwide. Lee Holmes Returns to INFINOX Lee started his career with FXCM, where he laid a solid foundation in the financial markets. Later on, he was instrumental in helping VIBHS flourish; he then co-founded the brokerage ForexVox, where his leadership helped it to expand. Lee originally joined INFINOX in 2022 after time with Zenfinex (now Taurex), Hantec, and Exinity. He jumped at the chance to come back after a short hiatus in 2023 and continue where he left off. "Rejoining INFINOX felt like unresolved business when the opportunity presented itself," Lee said. "The challenge was one that excited me from the outset, and I look forward to continuing INFINOX's growth over the last year it feels good to be home." INFINOX has seen significant growth in its key markets through 2024, pushing key metrics to recent new highs. The growth has been fuelled by its strong brand reputation and a continued commitment to relationships with Partners and Prime clients. A sponsorship deal with Alpine F1 has seen the brand elevate in its positioning and establish new relationships with stakeholders across the industry. About INFINOX INFINOX is a market-leading global, multi-regulated online brokerage that allows clients to trade a multi-asset class of CFDs. Founded in 2009, it forms strong relationships with partners and provides world-class service to its clients around the world. Its business is built on its core values of Integrity, Ambition, Excellence, and Inspiration. https://www.infinox.com/fsc/en Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2507411/Lee_Holmes.jpg SOURCE INFINOX Jesuit Priest Leaves Behind Storied 20-Year Legacy LOS ANGELES, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Loyola High School of Los Angeles, the oldest continually operated educational institution in Southern California, announced that Fr. Gregory M. Goethals, SJ '73 will step down as president at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year. Arriving at his alma mater in 2005, Fr. Goethals was the Jesuit Superior and founded the Office of Adult Spirituality before being named president in 2006. "For the last 19 years I have had the privilege of being the President of Loyola High School. My hope is that, in that role, I have helped this institution continue the formation of young men in the same way that my own time as a student at Loyola formed me," said Fr. Goethals. "I have been the luckiest man in the world to have had a job at an institution that I care about so deeply, that has been such an important part of my and my family's life, and that is such an essential part of our great and good Los Angeles community." Among the many accomplishments realized during Fr. Goethals' tenure are: The increase of faculty and staff from 149 to nearly 200, while maintaining a strong Jesuit presence with 12 resident priests, six of whom work at Loyola, more than any other Jesuit high school in the country The Campaign for Loyola which shepherded the completion of the William H. Hannon Science Hall and the Frank J. Ardolf & Frances R. Ardolf Academic Hall The 2014-2015 Sesquicentennial that celebrated Loyola's rich history with Los Angeles and the nation and the nation The building of Caruso Hall, a state-of-the-art liturgical, educational and special events space The modernization of the historic Ruppert and Loyola Halls The acquisition of 11 land parcels, expanding the footprint of the campus to 22 acres The near tripling of the endowment to $80 million -plus "As long as there's a Los Angeles to serve, Loyola will be here to serve it. But, the only way we can achieve that is by maintaining the long-term sustainability of our 160-year-old institution," said Fr. Goethals. "That is why it's crucial to grow our endowment to $100 million, during this, my final year, so as to ensure the affordability of Loyola for our students and fulfill our Jesuit mission." About Loyola High School Celebrating its 160th anniversary as the oldest continually operated educational institution in Southern California, Loyola High School of Los Angeles is an academically rigorous Jesuit college preparatory, located just west of downtown Los Angeles and counts with more than 17,000 alumni. Loyola's student body of over 1,300 young men represents a remarkable geographic diversity, drawing on over 190 zip codes from throughout and beyond Los Angeles County. The school is also ethnically diverse with more than 45 percent of the student body of Latino, Asian-Pacific or African American descent. To enable students to achieve the goal of being "Men for and With Others," Loyola students must complete at least 140 hours of community service work before graduation, with many contributing nearly 200 hours. Over the past two-and-a-half decades, Loyola students have donated more than 3 million hours of community service, primarily to inner-city schools, neighborhoods and agencies. Please visit us at http://www.loyolahs.edu. Contact: Maite Berry 213.381.5121, X1313 SOURCE Loyola High School of Los Angeles AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LP First Capital (Austin, TX) announced today its partnership with REI Utility Services ("REI"), a specialized engineering and technical field service provider serving the power utility end market. REI offers comprehensive, turnkey joint-use management services for electric cooperatives in Texas, including pre-attachment contract management, field analysis, permitting, make-ready engineering, post-attachment pole audits, inspections, violation remediation, and ongoing regulatory support. REI has built an exceptional track record of delivering outstanding customer service to its electric cooperative clients in East Texas and aims to grow and expand its service area and offerings over the next several years. Today, REI is led by industry veterans Mitchell Mayo, Dylan Mayo, and Steven Murff, who will remain with the company and continue to lead strategic and operational initiatives. LP First Capital partners with REI Utility Services, a leading outsourced power utility services provider in Texas "Having been with REI from the beginning, I watched as my father built something he believed in. I saw the conviction he had to provide services to his clients, to his friends, which were unmatched," said Mitchell Mayo, Chief Executive Officer of REI. "Over time, I have also learned how consistent and intentional efforts are necessary to continue providing unparalleled services to our clientsboth the big 'C' and the little 'c': customers and employees. REI believes that LP First Capital as a firm shares the same heart as we do. We believe this partnership is another step toward being consistent and intentional in our growth. We also believe, Lord willing, that we will see remarkable things come to the industry through this new partnership. REI is still, and will always be, REIrooted deep in its core values and relationships, the two things we value most above all." "REI serves as an extension of the utility, playing a critical role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of power distribution infrastructure, while also providing a pathway to reliable internet in underserved communities through its core joint use management service offering. We see multiple pathways for REI to become the go-to outsourced utility services provider for power utilities across Texas and the broader United States," said Michael Sommerdorf, Principal at LP First Capital. "We are thrilled to partner with Mitchell, Dylan, Steven, and the REI team to build a leading power utility services platform. Their core values R eliability, E thical, and I ntegrityresonate throughout their organization and are consistent with LP First Capital's commitment to investing in culture-first founders and management teams. We look forward to continued growth as partners," added Thomas Ince, Managing Partner at LP First Capital. To learn more about REI Utility Services, please visit reiutilityservices.com About REI Utility Services REI Utility Services pioneered the first-ever turnkey joint use management service offering to support East Texas electric cooperatives. Since its inception, the company has built a management team with over 200 years of combined experience in the utility sector. As REI continues to expand its footprint across Texas and the broader United States, it remains committed to upholding its core values of R eliability, E thical, and I ntegrity, that has defined its approach from the beginning. reiutilityservices.com About LP First Capital LP First Capital is a private investment firm with experience creating super-regional and national platforms by leveraging its expertise in mergers & acquisitions, profit center integration, and team building to drive performance. Headquartered in Austin, TX, LP First Capital maintains an active presence in much of the Southwest, Southeast, and Midwest markets as it continues to take interest in building best-in-class businesses within traditionally fragmented industries. lpfirstcapital.com Media contact: [email protected] SOURCE LP First Capital WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has awarded a contract to Intuitive Machines, LLC of Houston, to support the agency's lunar relay systems as part of the Near Space Network, operated by the agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. This Subcategory 2.2 GEO to Cislunar Relay Services is a new firm-fixed-price, multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity task order contract. The contract has a base period of five years with an additional 5-year option period, with a maximum potential value of $4.82 billion. The base ordering period begins Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2029, with the option period potentially extending the contract through Sept. 30, 2034. Lunar relays will play an essential role in NASA's Artemis campaign to establish a long-term presence on the Moon. These relays will provide vital communication and navigation services for the exploration and scientific study of the Moon's South Pole region. Without the extended coverage offered by lunar relays, landing opportunities at the Moon's South Pole will be significantly limited due to the lack of direct communication between potential landing sites and ground stations on Earth. The lunar relay award also includes services to support position, navigation, and timing capabilities, which are crucial for ensuring the safety of navigation on and around the lunar surface. Under the contract, Intuitive Machines also will enable NASA to provide communication and navigation services to customer missions in the near space region. The initial task award will support the progressive validation of lunar relay capabilities/services for Artemis. NASA anticipates these lunar relay services will be used with human landing systems, the LTV (lunar terrain vehicle), and CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) flights. As lunar relay services become fully operational, they will be integrated into the Near Space Network's expanding portfolio, enhancing communications and navigation support for future lunar missions. By implementing these new capabilities reliance on NASA's Deep Space Network will be reduced. NASA's goal is to provide users with communication and navigation services that are secure, reliable, and affordable, so that all NASA users receive the services required by their mission within their latency, accuracy, and availability requirements. This is another step in NASA partnering with U.S. industry to build commercial space partners to support NASA missions, including NASA's long-term Moon to Mars objectives for interoperable communications and navigation capabilities. This award is part of the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Program and will be executed by the Near Space Network team at NASA Goddard. For information about NASA and agency programs, visit: https://www.nasa.gov SOURCE NASA WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC) is spearheading a delegation of 26 U.S. hemp industry leaders, companies and academic institutions to the first-ever Tokyo International Hemp Conference, scheduled to take place from Sept. 24 to 26. Sponsored by the Japan Industrial Hemp Association (JIHA), this landmark event represents a pivotal moment for the global hemp industry, focusing on the future of hemp and cannabinoid-related science and industry. Thanks to a competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), the NIHC delegation will engage in a variety of activities, including exhibitions, embassy meetings, international business networking, and field tours of Japan's Golden Hemp farms. "The Tokyo International Hemp Conference marks a new chapter in international collaboration and innovation within the hemp industry," said NIHC President & CEO Patrick Atagi. "We are excited to lead this diverse group of U.S. delegates to Tokyo, showcasing American leadership in hemp science and innovation, while also fostering partnerships that advance the industry globally." The conference, which emphasizes Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will bring together experts from around the world to discuss cutting-edge research on the industrial and medical applications of hemp and cannabinoids. Notable participants include the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA), the Alliance of European Flax-Linen & Hemp Federation, and the Thai Industrial Hemp Trade Association (TIHTA). U.S. industry leaders and representatives will contribute to panels and discussions on topics including the current state and future outlook of the hemp industry in the United States. The Tokyo International Hemp Conference aims to foster greater international cooperation in the rapidly expanding hemp industry, highlighting both cultural and economic opportunities. Hemp has deep historical significance in Japan, where it has been used for over 10,000 years in traditional medicine and sacred rituals. Today, hemp and CBD are legally regulated, and Japan's Golden Hemp, a high-value fiber used in ceremonial practices, represents a growing market for collaboration. The U.S. delegation is composed of key industry players including HempWood, INDHemp, Oregon State University's Global Hemp Innovation Center, FyberX, Bear Fiber, Kentucky Hemp Farmers Cooperative, NIHC including President & CEO Patrick Atagi who is also representing the USDA Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee on Tobacco, Cotton, Peanuts and Hemp along with Mike Klumpf with Marvel Agriculture in Michigan. For more information, follow NIHC updates on social media using #NIHCJapan2024 or visit the event website for details. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE National Industrial Hemp Council Unlock European ecommerce success with 85 European experts from 14 countries at your service. NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nayan , a leader in the European ecommerce sector with 25 years of expertise, is excited to announce its increased capacity for cross-border services aimed at helping American brands seamlessly launch their ecommerce businesses in Europe. Leveraging decades of experience and in-depth knowledge of the European market, Nayan is well-positioned to guide U.S. companies through the complexities of international expansion. Nayan is the ideal partner for American brands aiming to establish a strong presence in the European ecommerce market. Post this Nayan Ecommerce Team As global ecommerce continues to surge, the European market offers immense growth potential for American brands. However, navigating the diverse regulatory environments, varied consumer preferences, and logistical challenges across Europe requires a specialized approach. Nayan's cross-border services are designed to provide American businesses with the comprehensive support they need to successfully establish and grow their ecommerce presence in Europe. "We are thrilled to offer our expertise to American brands looking to expand their footprint in Europe," said Benny Sintobin, CEO of Nayan. "With our 25 years of experience in the European market, we understand the intricacies of cross-border ecommerce and are committed to helping our clients overcome challenges and achieve success. Our recently increased team of 85 experts from 14 countries has proved that it can grow brands' D2C presence in Europe and foster years-long partnerships with brands, whether it is through your brand site or via a local marketplace set-up." Nayan's services include: Market Entry Strategy: Tailored strategies to identify the most suitable European markets for brand entry, ensuring a targeted and effective launch or expansion. Tailored strategies to identify the most suitable European markets for brand entry, ensuring a targeted and effective launch or expansion. Growth Marketing: From localized SEO to targeted PPC campaigns and social commerce - attract and convert European customers while maximizing your brand's ROI. From localized SEO to targeted PPC campaigns and social commerce - attract and convert European customers while maximizing your brand's ROI. Day to Day Site Management Operations : Operating as your local European team, by running marketing campaigns, updating your website (catalog) or marketplaces, and leading all day to day operations. : Operating as your local European team, by running marketing campaigns, updating your website (catalog) or marketplaces, and leading all day to day operations. Build or Localize Your Online Shop: Customization of ecommerce platforms, content, and marketing strategies to resonate with local audiences across different European regions. Customization of ecommerce platforms, content, and marketing strategies to resonate with local audiences across different European regions. Regulatory Compliance: Guidance on navigating complex European regulations, including VAT, data protection, and consumer rights. Guidance on navigating complex European regulations, including VAT, data protection, and consumer rights. Payments and Fiscal Solutions: Secure global payment systems in multiple currencies taking into account local payment preferences. Nayan can act as your EU merchant of record if desired. Secure global payment systems in multiple currencies taking into account local payment preferences. Nayan can act as your EU merchant of record if desired. Logistics and Fulfillment: Efficient solutions for the initial stage of cross-border shipping, warehousing, and returns management, either in-house or through partnerships. Efficient solutions for the initial stage of cross-border shipping, warehousing, and returns management, either in-house or through partnerships. Customer Support: Top-rated in-house multilingual customer service to provide seamless support across Europe . With a track record of helping businesses thrive in Europe's competitive ecommerce landscape, Nayan is the ideal partner for American brands aiming to establish a strong presence across the Atlantic. For more information on how Nayan can help your brand expand into Europe, visit www.nayan-services.com . About Nayan Nayan is a leading ecommerce consultancy partner with 25 years of experience in the European market. Specializing in helping brands navigate the complexities of cross-border trade, Nayan offers a full suite of services, including market entry & expansion strategies, regulatory compliance, localization, logistics, and customer support. Nayan is dedicated to empowering businesses to succeed in the global ecommerce landscape. Media Contact: Charlotte Volcke Director of Growth Nayan Phone: +1 914 514 5563 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nayan-services.com SOURCE Nayan Powerful film available online September 26 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Renowned historian and New York Times bestselling author, Kristin Kobes Du Mez (Jesus and John Wayne) explores the culture of submission and sexual abuse within the evangelical community in her riveting documentary, FOR OUR DAUGHTERS, available to stream on September 26 { CLICK HERE FOR TRAILER }. Directed by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Carl Byker, the film draws a direct line from the culture of abuse created by evangelical leaders to their fervent support for a presidential candidate who has bragged about abusing women. For Our Daughters is available online September 26. FOR OUR DAUGHTERS features sit-down interviews with victims and whistleblowers of sexual abuse in the SBC, including acclaimed author Christa Brown (Baptistland), featured in the landmark 2019 investigation from the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News. The groundbreaking report examined sexual misconduct reports across the Southern Baptist Convention, and found hundreds of church leaders and volunteers across 20 states who had been criminally charged with sex crimes since 2000, leading to more than 700 victims. Interviews with survivor-advocates Tiffany Thigpen, Jules Woodson, Rachael Denhollander (What Is a Girl Worth) and Cait West (Rift) are also featured, highlighting their efforts to bring justice and reform to the church. A timely exploration of the intersection between faith, politics, and women's rights in America, the film honors the brave survivors who have shared their stories, often at great cost. It delves into how the church has cared more about power and political influence than love, and how the harm done to women and children threatens to extend beyond faith communities given what is at stake this election season. "Just months after Jesus and John Wayne released, three conservative evangelical women asked to speak with me," says Du Mez. "To my surprise, they thanked me and asked how they could help. 'It's too late for us,' they told me. 'We've made our choices, and we can't walk away from the lives we've made. But we want something different for our daughters.' I've carried their words with me. This film is for them, and for their daughters." Abuse within the evangelical community starkly contradicts Jesus' teachings about women, which emphasize love, respect, and honor. By exposing the abuse and the abusers who distort God's name to justify their actions, FOR OUR DAUGHTERS challenges women to be a driving force within their own communities. The film calls on women of faith to raise their voices and wisely consider their vote as a means to protect the health, happiness, and liberties of their daughters and granddaughters. FOR OUR DAUGHTERS is executive produced by Kenneth Harbaugh, and Charlie Sadoff, and will be available to stream for free on YouTube starting September 26. Resources for sexual and spiritual abuse survivors can be found at forourdaughtersfilm.com. For more information, or to schedule an interview with Kristin Du Mez, Cait West, Christa Brown, Tiffany Thigpen, Jules Woodson, or Carl Byker, please contact Robin Barnett, [email protected] . For more information visit ForOurDaughtersFilm.com . SOURCE For Our Daughters Film DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, September 17. President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon addressed the Second Summit of Heads of State of Central Asia and Germany, the statement of press service of the president said, Trend reports. According to him, the back-and-forth between Central Asia and Germany paves the way for spotting golden opportunities for multilateral cooperation and reaping tangible results. We are ready to continue close cooperation with our partners to achieve the goal of establishing a strategic partnership between Central Asia and Germany, he said. Emomali Rahmon noted that balanced trade, economic, and investment cooperation between the countries should become one of the main priorities. Cooperation to ensure security and stability in the region and the world was also deemed important. The head of state drew the attention of his colleagues to the issues of developing cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere, education, and training of personnel for various sectors of the economy. The President of Uzbekistan expressed hope that the outcome of the Second Summit of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Germany would contribute to further strengthening of cooperative relations for the benefit of all peoples. Following the summit, a joint declaration of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Germany was adopted. Meta-research studies conducted by universities and institutes across the UK, Spain, and Germany find compelling results for the value of a physically active day (10,000 steps) LONDON, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading academic institutions and research teams estimate that walking 10,000 steps in a day is worth up to $6.25, and as low as $0.52, with a median value of $3.96 per person. Widely accepted as the marker of an active day, 10,000 steps per day is proven to lower risks of cardiovascular disease, anxiety, and depression and can also contribute to longer lifespans . This new research, which was facilitated by the tech project Sweat Economy , builds on this premise by quantifying the monetary benefits and economic value of an active lifestyle. By leveraging $60,000 in research grants provided by Sweat Economy , the project backing $SWEAT (token) and Sweat Wallet with the goal to make users' physical movement valuable, the University of Birmingham (UK), University of Cadiz (Spain) and Blockchain Research Lab (Germany) took novel approaches to this research problem, with each institution deploying distinct research methodologies. An Active Day is Worth $6.25 for Individuals Co-led by Dr. Mark Elliott and Dr. Danae Arroyos-Calvera, the University of Birmingham consulted research that estimated the Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) gained from being physically active and derived a value of at least $6.25 per day, which amounts to over $2,280 yearly. Dr. Mark Elliott, Associate Professor of Human Movement Analytics at the University of Birmingham, said, "Our comprehensive review of the academic literature provides a robust foundation for quantifying the economic benefits of physical activity. These values can help guide decisions around public health initiatives, workplace wellness programs, and other strategies to get people moving more." An Active Day is Worth $1.96 for Governments Dr. Borja del Pozo Cruz from the University of Cadiz and Prof. Sebastien Chastin from the Caledonian University of Glasgow concluded that an active day is worth $1.96 per day to governments, based on the UK's National Health Service (NHS) annual cost per head and National Health and Nutrition Examination (NHANES) Survey Data. Paired with research conducted in the Sweat Wallet app, the researchers surveyed over 100K people from 114 countries on their perceived value of an active day, one of the largest contingencies of crowdsourced wisdom of its kind to date. The findings ranged from $0.5 to $9.5 per day. Borja del Pozo Cruz, Principal Investigator for the research from the University of Cadiz, said, "The report's findings emphasize the economic and demographic factors influencing the perceived value of physical activity and suggest the need for tailored public health strategies to promote more active lifestyles. Policymakers and businesses should take note of this public sentiment and prioritize initiatives that can deliver these returns." Employers to benefit from a value of $4.38 per employee per active day Hamburg-based Blockchain Research Lab estimated that employers can benefit from increased employee productivity if they are physically active. Dr. Lennart Ante concluded that companies can benefit from an economic value of $4.38 per employee per active day, and see a 2.7% productivity boost attributed to improved employee health and reduced absenteeism. Oleg Fomenko , Co-Founder of Sweat Economy, and organizer of the research program, said, "It is great to see how easily the world can move from talking about the benefits of being active to estimating the financial value of your physical activity. A wide range of estimates from $0.52 to $6.25 suggests that more work is ahead of us, but the sheer scale of this research matches our ambition of turning the value of your physical activity into a trillion-dollar economy - The Movement Economy." The consistent theme across these studies is the undeniable economic value of physical movement. Regular exercise not only improves individual health and well-being but also generates substantial economic benefits for society. Governments and institutions can now encourage physical movement as a cost-effective strategy for enhancing public health and reducing healthcare expenditures. For more information on the research, please refer to this document . Oleg Fomenko, Co-Founder of Sweat Economy, and Dr. Mark Elliott, Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham are available for interviews About Sweat Economy Sweat Economy is a Web3 ecosystem on a mission to help the world be more physically active by incentivizing movement. It is powered by $SWEAT, a crypto asset capturing the value of physical movement, minted by steps. The token is managed via the Sweat Wallet dApp, the non-custodial Web3 mobile wallet dApp for managing your $SWEAT and other crypto holdings. Sweat Wallet is a top 5 dApp globally , boasting over 1.5 million monthly unique active users on the platform. Users can start earning $SWEAT and participate in the movement economy by installing the free Sweat Wallet app on Google Play or the App Store. SOURCE Sweat Economy Only EV Service Certified Dealer Within a 200 Mile Radius CLEVELAND, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ohio Peterbilt is proud to announce that its Cleveland location at 900 Ken Mar Industrial Pkwy, Broadview Heights, OH 44147, has achieved EV Service Certification from Peterbilt. As the only certified dealer within a 200-mile radius, Ohio PeterbiltCleveland is now fully equipped to sell, service, and support the complete Peterbilt electric vehicle (EV) lineup. EV Service Certified Ohio Peterbilt Cleveland Location With the rise of commercial electric vehicles in the trucking industry, Ohio Peterbilt stands at the forefront, offering specialized tools, training, and knowledge to ensure their customers maintain maximum uptime. The dealership's certification highlights its commitment to innovation and safety, ensuring that customers operating Peterbilt EVs receive top-tier service and support. "We understand that electric vehicles in the trucking industry are still a fairly new concept, especially in Ohio, where the market hasn't yet fully matured," said Mike Crawford, Vice President of Ohio Peterbilt Truck Group. "However, we are fully prepared to assist companies both in-state and beyond. We are happy to work with customers, including coordinating the towing of EV trucks to our Cleveland location to provide the dedicated service they need." Electric vehicles present significant benefits for the future of trucking, offering reduced emissions, lower maintenance costs, and a quieter, more efficient driving experience. As the technology continues to advance, EV trucks will play an increasingly important role in reducing the logistics industry's carbon footprint. Current applications already show promise in short-haul routes, and as infrastructure and battery technology improve, the future will likely see broader use cases, bringing both environmental and economic advantages to fleet operators. As an EV Certified Service dealer, Ohio Peterbilt offers dedicated service capabilities that are required for EV trucks. This certification ensures that commercial fleets transitioning to electric vehicles have access to cutting-edge tools and advanced safety practices. This certification equips Ohio Peterbilt to meet the growing demand for transportation solutions, helping customers reduce downtime and maximize efficiency, regardless of location. For more information or to schedule service, please contact Ohio Peterbilt at (440) 526-0520 or visit ohiopeterbilt.com to schedule a Peterbilt truck service appointment today. About Ohio Peterbilt Ohio Peterbilt, a division of Ohio Machinery Co., is a leading Peterbilt dealership with ten locations across the state. It serves the trucking industry with a commitment to quality service, sales, and support and provides a wide range of solutions for fleets and owner-operators, from conventional diesel trucks to the latest in electric vehicle technology. Press Contact Willis Cuevas, Marketing Manager Email: [email protected] Phone: (440) 687-4915 SOURCE Ohio Peterbilt STAMFORD, Conn., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympus Partners is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to sell Minneapolis-based Rise Baking Company ("Rise"). Rise is the leading North American bakery manufacturer producing a broad portfolio of products such as cookies, cakes, pies, muffins and icings for in-store bakeries and foodservice customers, including leading national grocery chains, convenience stores, QSRs, and mass merchandisers. Rise has almost 4,000 employees with 20 manufacturing facilities across North America. With the sale of Rise, Olympus has returned over $6 billion to its investors in the past three years. Under Olympus' ownership, Rise transformed into the leading provider of in-store bakery products in North America. Since Olympus' initial investment in 2018, Rise completed several significant acquisitions including Brill, Dawn Frozen Products division, Wonder Brands Pies, and Table Talk Pies. "Rise Baking Company is a tremendous business with the strongest team in the industry. Working with Brian Zellmer and the entire management team to help grow Rise into the premium in-store bakery platform in North America has been an amazing experience. We are immensely proud of the incredible growth that Rise has been able to generate, but more importantly we are proud of our true partnership with the Rise team. Rise Baking Company is extremely well positioned for the future, and we look forward to watching Rise achieve even greater success," said Mike Horgan, Partner at Olympus. Weve had a remarkable partnership with the team at Olympus. Their practical advice, operational insights and financial support have been central to achieving our growth. We have great momentum and are enthusiastic about the future under new ownership, said Rise CEO, Brian Zellmer. The Olympus team included Mike Horgan, Jim Conroy, Griffin Barstis, Sid Ahuja, Marty Durkin, Sam Greenberg and Matt Bujor. Rise and Olympus were advised by Morgan Stanley as lead financial advisor in addition to Harris Williams and by Matt Goulding and Cameron Leishman from Kirkland & Ellis LLP. ABOUT OLYMPUS PARTNERS Olympus Partners is a private equity firm focused on providing equity capital for middle market management buyouts and for growing companies. Olympus manages in excess of $10 billion mainly on behalf of corporate pension funds, endowment funds and state-sponsored retirement programs. Founded in 1988, Olympus is an active, long-term investor across a broad range of industries including business services, food services, consumer products, healthcare services, financial services, industrial services and manufacturing. SOURCE Olympus Partners New release delivers 12 JDK Enhancement Proposals that help developers increase productivity by improving the Java language Enhancements to the platform's performance, stability, and security help organizations accelerate business growth Java Management Service 9.0 and Graal JIT Compiler help organizations manage Java applications and improve peak performance AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle today announced the availability of Java 23, the latest version of the world's number one programming language and development platform. Java 23 (Oracle JDK 23) delivers thousands of improvements to help developers increase productivity and drive innovation, while enhancements to the platform's performance, stability, and security help organizations accelerate business growth. "Java continues to evolve to support organizations' increasingly diverse modern application development needs," said Arnal Dayaratna, research vice president, software development, IDC. "The new release enables developers to expand their toolset and increase their productivity, helping them build and deliver applications that leverage the power of groundbreaking technologies such as AI. By delivering innovative new capabilities every six months, Java continues to help development teams add significant value to their organizations." In addition to the new enhancements and features for developers, Java 23 provides significant value to their organizations. For example, Java 23 is supported by the recent GA of Java Management Service (JMS) 9.0, an Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) native service that provides a unified console and dashboard to help organizations manage Java runtimes and applications on-premises or in any cloud. In addition, JMS 9.0 provides many usability improvements, and Oracle JDK 23 provides more options to fine-tune and improve peak performance with the addition of the Graal compiler, a dynamic just-in-time (JIT) compiler written in Java that transforms bytecode into optimized machine code. "The new features in Java 23 help developers across all levels of expertise increase their productivity and streamline the development of high-performing, secure, and scalable applications," said Georges Saab, senior vice president, Oracle Java Platform and chair, OpenJDK governing board. "With a wide range of new features and tools designed to help developers build and deliver applications faster and more efficiently, Java 23 helps development teams and their organizations boost innovation and drive increased business growth." Java 23 delivers improvements and enhancements to the Java language, runtime, libraries, and the tools included in the Java Development Kit (JDK). Significant updates delivered in Java 23 are: Language Features via Project Amber JEP 455 : Primitive Types in Patterns, instanceof, and switch (Preview): Help increase Java programming productivity by making the language more uniform and more expressive. By helping to remove restrictions pertaining to primitive types that developers encounter when using pattern matching, instanceof, and switch, it enhances pattern matching by allowing primitive type patterns in all pattern contexts, and also extends instanceof and switch to work with all primitive types. Help increase Java programming productivity by making the language more uniform and more expressive. By helping to remove restrictions pertaining to primitive types that developers encounter when using pattern matching, instanceof, and switch, it enhances pattern matching by allowing primitive type patterns in all pattern contexts, and also extends instanceof and switch to work with all primitive types. JEP 476 : Module Import Declarations (Preview): Helps developers improve productivity by enabling them to quickly and easily import all the packages exported by a module, without requiring the importing code to be in a module itself. This simplifies the reuse of modular libraries for all developers and helps beginners more easily use third-party libraries and fundamental Java classes without needing to learn where they are located in a package hierarchy. Helps developers improve productivity by enabling them to quickly and easily import all the packages exported by a module, without requiring the importing code to be in a module itself. This simplifies the reuse of modular libraries for all developers and helps beginners more easily use third-party libraries and fundamental Java classes without needing to learn where they are located in a package hierarchy. JEP 477 : Implicitly Declared Classes and Instance Main Methods (Third Preview): Help accelerate learning and skills development by offering a smooth on-ramp to Java programming to enable students to write their first programs without needing to understand language features designed for large programs. As a result, educators and instructors can introduce concepts gradually, and students can write streamlined declarations for single-class programs and seamlessly expand their programs with more advanced features as their skills grow. In addition, experienced Java developers can write small programs succinctly without needing to use tools designed for larger projects. Help accelerate learning and skills development by offering a smooth on-ramp to Java programming to enable students to write their first programs without needing to understand language features designed for large programs. As a result, educators and instructors can introduce concepts gradually, and students can write streamlined declarations for single-class programs and seamlessly expand their programs with more advanced features as their skills grow. In addition, experienced Java developers can write small programs succinctly without needing to use tools designed for larger projects. JEP 482: Flexible Constructor Bodies (Second Preview): Help developers increase productivity by allowing statements to appear before an explicit constructor invocation such as super(..) or this(..). The statements cannot reference the instance under construction, but can initialize its fields before invoking another constructor, which makes a class more reliable when methods are overridden. This gives developers greater freedom to express the behavior of constructors and preserves the existing guarantee that constructors run in top-down order during class instantiation. Libraries JEP 466 : Class-File API (Second Preview): Helps developers improve productivity by providing a standard API for parsing, generating, and transforming Java class files. Helps developers improve productivity by providing a standard API for parsing, generating, and transforming Java class files. JEP 469 : Vector API (Eighth Incubator): Helps developers improve productivity by introducing an API to express vector computations that reliably compile at runtime to vector instructions on supported CPU architectures. As a result, developers can achieve performance superior to equivalent scalar computations. Helps developers improve productivity by introducing an API to express vector computations that reliably compile at runtime to vector instructions on supported CPU architectures. As a result, developers can achieve performance superior to equivalent scalar computations. JEP 473 : Stream Gatherers (Second Preview): Helps developers improve productivity by enhancing the Stream API to support custom intermediate operations, which allow stream pipelines to transform data in ways that are not easily achievable with existing built-in intermediate operations. By making stream pipelines more flexible and expressive and allowing custom intermediate operations to manipulate streams of infinite size, this feature enables developers to become more efficient in reading, writing, and maintaining Java code. Helps developers improve productivity by enhancing the Stream API to support custom intermediate operations, which allow stream pipelines to transform data in ways that are not easily achievable with existing built-in intermediate operations. By making stream pipelines more flexible and expressive and allowing custom intermediate operations to manipulate streams of infinite size, this feature enables developers to become more efficient in reading, writing, and maintaining Java code. JEP 480 : Structured Concurrency (Third Preview): Helps developers improve the maintainability, reliability, and observability of multithreaded code by simplifying concurrent programming via a new API for structured concurrency. By consolidating groups of related tasks running in different threads into a single unit of work, structured concurrency can help eliminate common risks arising from cancellation and shutdown, such as thread leaks and cancellation delays. Helps developers improve the maintainability, reliability, and observability of multithreaded code by simplifying concurrent programming via a new API for structured concurrency. By consolidating groups of related tasks running in different threads into a single unit of work, structured concurrency can help eliminate common risks arising from cancellation and shutdown, such as thread leaks and cancellation delays. JEP 481: Scoped Values (Third Preview): Helps developers increase the ease-of-use, comprehensibility, performance, and robustness of their projects by enabling the sharing of immutable data within and across threads. Performance and Runtime Updates JEP 474: ZGC: Generational Mode by Default: Helps developers increase efficiency by switching the default mode of the Z Garbage Collector (ZGC) to the generational mode, which reduces the resources and maintenance costs required to support two different modes. Tools JEP 467: Markdown Documentation Comments: Helps developers increase efficiency and productivity by enabling Javadoc documentation comments to be written in Markdown rather than solely in HTML and Javadoc @-tags. By gaining the ability to use Markdown syntax in documentation comments alongside HTML elements and JavaDoc tags, developers can more easily write and read API documentation comments in source form without adversely impacting the interpretation of existing documentation comments. Stewardship JEP 471: Deprecate the Memory-Access Methods in sun.misc.unsafe for Removal: Provides developers with a streamlined toolset by helping them understand when their applications rely, directly or indirectly, on the memory-access methods in sun.misc.Unsafe, which is planned for removal in a future release. The features in the Java 23 release are a result of continuous close collaboration between Oracle and other members of the worldwide Java developer community via OpenJDK and the Java Community Process (JCP). For more details on the features in Java 23, please read the Java 23 technical blog post. Supporting the Global Java Community with Innovation in the Cloud Java delivers increased performance, efficiency, cost savings, and innovation when deployed on OCI, which is one of the first hyperscale clouds to support Java 23. By delivering Oracle Java SE, Oracle GraalVM, and the Java SE Subscription Enterprise Performance Pack at no additional charge on OCI, Java 23 helps developers build and deploy applications that run faster, better, and with optimized cost-performance. The Oracle Java Universal SE Subscription is an offering that provides customers with best-in-class support. It includes triage support for the entire Java portfolio, entitlement to Oracle GraalVM, the Java SE Subscription Enterprise Performance Pack, access to the advanced features of JMS, and the flexibility to upgrade at the pace of customers' businesses. This helps IT organizations manage complexity, mitigate security risks, and contain costs. In addition, Oracle recently announced at Oracle CloudWorld that Oracle Code Assist will be initially optimized for Java. Oracle Code Assist is an AI code companion that makes it easier to build Java applications, and the Oracle Code Assist service running on OCI will also be available for C, C++, Go, JavaScript, PL/SQL, Python, Ruby, and Rust. JavaOne Returns in 2025 The flagship event for the global Java community, JavaOne, is returning to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2025. Taking place from March 18-20, 2025 in Redwood Shores, California, JavaOne 2025 will give attendees the opportunity to hear about the latest Java developments and interact with Oracle's Java experts and industry luminaries. Read more via the blog post on Inside Java here, and if you are interested in presenting at JavaOne, please find the call for papers here. Supporting Quotes "Agile development helps ensure alignment with customer needs via feedback loops, and Java delivers the agility developers need," said Venkat Subramanian, president, Agile Developer, Inc. "Among so many valuable features in Java 23, I'm particularly impressed by the evolution of stream gatherers. It is a feature that is incredibly useful for creating custom steps in a functional code development pipeline so that you can target specific business needs in an effective way." "I've been revising my introductory Java book using Java 23's Implicitly Declared Classes preview features, and as an author and educator, these features make my work much easier," said Barry Burd, professor, Drew University. "Much of the verbose code in previous editions has gone by the wayside, which helps students concentrate on essential logic instead of wading through lines of boilerplate text. In addition, since implicitly declared classes and instance main methods enables me to streamline the code examples in the book, there is now more room to include other interesting Java concepts. I'm excited to teach programming to my college students with Java 23." "At JetBrains, we strive to help developers consume and adopt new Java features in IntelliJ IDEA even before they are released to production, and this certainly applies to the IDE's support for Java 23," said Mala Gupta, Java developer advocate, JetBrains. "IntelliJ IDEA 2024.2 makes it easy for developers to leverage the highly innovative new features in Java 23, such as primitive types in patterns, implicitly declared classes, flexible constructor bodies, markdown documentation comments, and others." To learn more about Java and its global ecosystem, please visit: Dev.java: The official portal for learning Java Inside.java: News and views from the members of the Java Team at Oracle Java YouTube: The official Java YouTube channel for Java learning videos Additional Resources 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 www.oracle.com. 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. Trademarks Oracle, Java, MySQL and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud companyushering in the new era of cloud computing. SOURCE Oracle First-ever grass-fed ad designed by Organic Valley to bring attention to protecting food with follow-up activations at Farm Aid 2024 LA FARGE, Wis., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Organic Valley, the leading farmer-owned organic cooperative, has unveiled an innovative new way to create ads: cows grazing pasture to spell out letters. Cows on three Organic Valley farms across the country are eating pasture grasses around strategically placed fences that form the word "BUZZ-WORTHY" and an emoji-like bee. The ads are eye-catching, environmentally friendly and beneficial for the ecosystem. They provide habitat for pollinators, such as honeybees, and prevent soil erosion and water runoff. All materials from the zero-waste ads are reused as feed or fencing. Organic Valley farmers, their cows, and experts in grazing, fencing, and aerial photography create the greenest ads. Post this Organic Valley farmers measure out fencing for the Greenest Ad. Aerial view of a green pasture where Organic Valley cows have grazed to create the word "BUZZ-WORTHY" and a bee design. Aerial view of Organic Valley cows grazing on a green pasture, with a large bee and the letter "B" shaped into the grass by their grazing. The Greenest Ads are the result of a collaboration between Organic Valley farmers, their cows, and a team of experts in grazing, fencing and aerial photography. Organic Valley designed the ads to catch the attention of passengers flying over the farms and to spark curiosity about the organic practices that protect the environment and produce high-quality dairy products. "I love talking about how buzz-worthy organic farming is, but seeing life in those letters, seeing monarchs and other wildlife in the field, that's really special," said Melissa Weyland, an Organic Valley farmer from Wisconsin. The Greenest Ads can be seen from planes flying over farms in Maryland, Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as on social media. Organic Valley has also created a landing page on its website, where visitors can learn more about the campaign, the farmers and the environmental benefits of organic farming. The campaign will run until the end of October, when the pasture season ends. Organic Valley is also drawing attention to pastures and small family farm perseverance by sponsoring Farm Aid 2024 in Saratoga Springs, New York, Sept. 21. This collaboration draws attention to the challenges faced by small farmers and celebrates their resilience and dedication to providing high-quality organic food. Organic Valley emphasizes the crucial role that family farms play in our agricultural landscape and reaffirms commitment to supporting these organic farmers. Read more about what it takes to create The Greenest Ads and hear from the farmers involved, on Organic Valley's blog, Rootstock. About Organic Valley Organic Valley is the leading organic farmer-owned cooperative on a mission to save, serve and safeguard small organic family farms. The brand's products are ethically sourced, which we define as food raised on organic farms where families manage the daily care for the animals and the earth while living up to the requirements of the USDA National Organic Program as well as our cooperative's own high standards and practices designed to promote the principles of organic agriculture, including respect for the dignity and interdependence of human, animal, plant, soil and global life. Founded in 1988, today the cooperative is owned by over 1,600 organic family farms. Visit ov.coop for more information. Organic Valley is also @OrganicValley on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest and @therealorganicvalley on TikTok. About Farm Aid Farm Aid's mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Margo Price host an annual festival to raise funds to support Farm Aid's work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food. For nearly 40 years, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised more than $80 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms. Media Contact: Elizabeth McMullen [email protected] SOURCE Organic Valley Cropp Cooperative Cross country book tour begins next week including stops at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library (with Martin Luther King III), Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College (with NYC Council Member Chi Osse), and more NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Philanthropist and political strategist Bradley Tusk is releasing his third book, Vote with Your Phone: Why Mobile Voting is Our Final Shot at Saving Democracy , in which he makes the case that allowing Americans to vote in elections from their phones would dramatically increase turnout, reduce extremism, and fix our broken politics. Published by Sourcebooks, the new book hits shelves on September 17, 2024 and is available wherever books are sold. Bradley Tusk's new book Vote With Your Phone: Why Mobile Voting Is Our Final Shot At Saving Democracy is available wherever books are sold. With a background that includes roles as campaign manager for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Deputy Governor of Illinois, communications director for Senator Chuck Schumer and Uber's first political advisor, Tusk brings his unique and candid insight into the intricacies of American politics and voter engagement. In his new book, Tusk explains how mobile voting will break down barriers that have made in-person and even mail voting inaccessible for countless Americans. He outlines the work he's doing through Tusk Philanthropies' Mobile Voting , bringing together a team of cybersecurity experts to create the first and only end-to-end encrypted and end-to-end verifiable voting platform that is open-source. Kirkus Reviews says Vote With Your Phone is "a rousing call for Gens Z and Alpha to leverage technology and save democracy" and "a sensible, convincing program to expand voting rights and democratic virtue." Featuring guest essays from civil rights advocate Martin Luther King III, Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar, Congressman Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Representative for New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District, co-chair of the House Problem Solvers Caucus, David Hogg, the Co-Founder and President of Leaders We Deserve and Co-Founder of the student-led movement, March For Our Lives, Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, and leading cybersecurity experts, Vote with Your Phone makes clear the solution to restoring faith in our democracy is right in the palm of our hands. "When my father marched for equality decades ago, he understood that voting rights were a necessary part of the struggle for freedom and equality. Those on the other side know it too, which is why they have systematically made it harder for every American to vote," writes Martin Luther King III in his guest essay. "Mobile voting would empower all voters to exercise their most fundamental democratic right using the same technology they use in their everyday lives." Mark Riccobono writes, "The lived experience of blind people has taught us that there are irrational barriers built into election systems. For blind Americans, the experience of voting is not a joyous opportunity to participate in our democracy but rather a test of overcoming adversity." "Our vulnerable and historically marginalized communities can and have the ability to decide crucial elections - and their voices are some of the most important. But if we want them to participate in our democracy, we have to meet them where they're at," writes Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar. David Hogg writes: "The discrepancy between our technological progress and our outdated voting system is a glaring contradiction we cannot afford to ignore. By embracing mobile voting, we are not just advocating for technological advancement; we are fortifying our commitment to a democracy that is of the people, by the people, and for the people." Vote With Your Phone: Why Mobile Voting Is Our Final Shot At Saving Democracy presents a compelling narrative of the transformative power that mobile voting can have on our democracy and how embracing this technology ensures that every American's voice is heard. Cross-country Book Tour Dates: About Bradley Tusk Bradley Tusk is a venture capitalist, political strategist, philanthropist, and writer. He is the CEO and co-founder of Tusk Ventures, the world's first venture capital fund that invests solely in early stage startups in highly regulated industries, and the founder of political consulting firm Tusk Strategies. Bradley's family foundation is funding and leading the national campaign to bring mobile voting to U.S. elections and also has run anti-hunger campaigns in 24 different states, helping to feed over 13 million people. He is also an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School. Before Vote With Your Phone, Bradley authored The Fixer: My Adventures Saving Startups From Death by Politics and Obvious in Hindsight. He hosts a podcast called Firewall about the intersection of tech and politics and recently opened an independent bookstore, P&T Knitwear, on Manhattan's Lower East Side. In his earlier career, Bradley served as campaign manager for Mike Bloomberg's 2009 mayoral race, as Deputy Governor of Illinois, overseeing the state's budget, operations, legislation, policy and communications, as communications director for US Senator Chuck Schumer, and as Uber's first political advisor. Press Contact: Erin Haworth, High 10 Media | [email protected] SOURCE Tusk Philanthropies The awarded grant will support the Port of Friday Harbor in its ambitious efforts to electrify its operations, including the installation of advanced charging infrastructure for cruise ships and smaller vessels, a solar canopy and microgrid, and the introduction of several electric workboats. In partnership with Photon Marine, a leader in electric propulsion technology, the Port will replace internal combustion engine vessels with electric alternatives, thereby reducing emissions and enhancing the region's environmental health. "This is an exciting and rewarding time for the Port," said Todd Nicholson, Executive Director of the Port of Friday Harbor. "We are extremely grateful for the support of the community and the continued funding from our local, state, and federal partners. This grant allows us to pursue a bold environmental program that not only addresses climate change but also preserves the pristine environment of the Salish Sea for future generations." The partnership with Photon Marine will see the deployment of advanced electric vessels, including a 24-foot electric pumpout vessel, a 24-foot electric workboat, and a 28-foot electric passenger transport boat. These vessels will significantly reduce diesel particulate and NOx emissions, improve water quality, and reduce noise pollution, benefiting the local marine life, including the resident Orca pods. "Photon Marine is proud to partner with the Port of Friday Harbor on this transformative project," said Marcelino J. Alvarez, CEO and co-founder of Photon Marine. "Our mission to decarbonize marine propulsion is advancing with this collaboration, marking a key step toward cleaner, quieter, and more efficient vessel operations in the Pacific Northwest. This partnership also enables us to establish the first U.S. node in our electric vessel supercharger corridor within the Salish Sea. We are thrilled to be contributing to this program that benefits the environment, the economy, and the maritime ecosystem." The Port Electrification Handbook, developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), played a critical role in guiding the Port's strategy. The Handbook highlights the wide-ranging benefits of port electrification, from environmental improvements to enhanced energy resilience. "Port electrification is a crucial step in mitigating the impacts of climate change and advancing environmental justice in our maritime communities," said Shannon Idso, one of the authors of the Port Electrification Handbook at PNNL. "The Port of Friday Harbor's initiatives align with our research findings, and we are excited to see these efforts come to life." Trades Training and Workforce Development A key component of this project is the focus on trades training and workforce development. In partnership with Photon Marine and Mostar Labs, the Port of Friday Harbor will deliver specialized training programs designed to equip workers with the skills needed to maintain and operate electric vessels, high-voltage systems, and renewable energy infrastructure. This initiative will create high-value jobs in electric vessel maintenance, charging system operation, and other critical areas, ensuring that the local workforce is prepared for the future of maritime operations. "This training program is about more than just skills development," added Alvarez. "It's about building a workforce capable of supporting the broader transition to a clean maritime industry. By investing in people, we're ensuring that the benefits of this project extend beyond environmental impact to include economic resilience and job creation." Community Outreach and Engagement The Port of Friday Harbor and Photon Marine are committed to involving the community throughout this transformative process. An extensive community outreach strategy is planned, including hybrid meetings, virtual sessions, and public events designed to engage local stakeholders. The project team will host a series of "Demo Days," allowing residents, businesses, and potential customers to experience the new electric vessels firsthand. These events will also serve as educational opportunities, featuring STEM programs aimed at K-12 students, where they can learn about marine electrification and its benefits. A significant focus will be on the Commercial Boatshare Program, which will allow local operators, including small businesses and minority-owned enterprises, to access the new electric vessels at discounted rates. This initiative not only promotes cleaner propulsion but also fosters inclusive economic growth by supporting small-scale operations in the region. This project not only reflects the Port's commitment to sustainability but also sets a precedent for other ports across the region and the country. As the Port moves forward with its electrification initiatives, it will continue to engage the community, local businesses, and environmental groups to ensure broad-based support and participation. Up Next: New Orleans International Workboat Show Photon Marine intends to demonstrate its electric propulsion technology at this year's International Workboat Show in New Orleans. A 24' Silverback Grizzly with twin Photon P300s will be available for sea trials. Additionally, Photon will host two panels during the event, including one discussing this program and how it is applicable to other ports and port businesses. The event takes place from November 12-14 at the New Orleans Convention Center. Find us at: https://www.photonmarine.com SOURCE Photon Marine Woodland Biofuels expects Phase 1 of the project to create 110 direct new jobs in St. John the Baptist Parish . The new facility would be located at the Globalplex multimodal facility at the Port of South Louisiana . Commercial operations of the new facility are projected to begin in 2028. RESERVE, La., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Woodland Biofuels (the "Company"), Inc., announced a planned $1.35 billion investment at the Port of South Louisiana to establish the world's largest carbon negative renewable natural gas plant / ultra-green hydrogen facility. Phase 1 of this project is the largest carbon negative renewable natural gas facility globally. Phase 2 is the world's largest carbon negative ultra-green hydrogen plant. The Toronto-based company will utilize waste biomass to produce sustainable biofuel used in transportation, heating and electricity generation. In Phase 1 alone the company expects to create approximately 500 construction jobs and 110 high-paying, permanent, direct new jobs. Louisiana Economic Development estimates that the project will result in 259 indirect new jobs for a total of 869 jobs, 369 of which are permanent. The new facility will be located at the Globalplex multimodal facility at the Port of South Louisiana. The company expects to permanently remove hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually and store it safely underground. Phase 1 is expected to permanently remove 210,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. Phase 2 will remove approximately 660,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. Ultimately, the project is expected to be one of the largest carbon dioxide removal projects globally permanently removing millions of tonnes of CO2 from the ecosystem. "Woodland is thrilled to announce that we plan to build, right here at the Port of South Louisiana, the world's largest carbon negative RNG facility, followed by the world's largest carbon negative ultra-green hydrogen plant. Our sustainable biofuel plant will be an economic driver for St. John Parish and beyond," Woodland Biofuels CEO Greg Nuttall said. "We look forward to establishing deep ties with the local community, drawing on the existing world-class workforce and utilizing Louisiana's exceptional infrastructure to execute on our project." Commercial operations for the first phase are projected to start in 2028. "With a multigenerational skilled workforce and abundant natural resources, there is no place in the world better positioned to help energy companies grow and thrive," Secretary of Economic Development Susan Bourgeois said. "Woodland Biofuels' project would bring high-paying jobs to the great people of St. John the Baptist Parish for years to come. The state looks forward to working with the company to bring this project to completion." "Port of South Louisiana is the second ranked port in the nation for energy transfer," Port of South Louisiana CEO Paul Matthews said. "This significant investment by Woodland Biofuels to construct the world's largest carbon negative renewable natural gas plant and a large-scale green hydrogen facility at our Globalplex Intermodal Terminal proves that PortSL and the state of Louisiana are leading the way in diversifying our energy industry, which will result in the creation of hundreds of high-paying jobs for River Region families." To support the project in Reserve, LED offered Woodland Biofuels a competitive incentives package that the Company values at more than $250 million, including performance-based grants, other economic development programs for infrastructure improvements and the comprehensive workforce development solutions of LED FastStart . The company is expected to participate in the state's Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs. "Woodlands Biofuels is proof of the power of Louisiana and GNO's 'all of the above' energy strategy," Greater New Orleans, Inc President and CEO Michael Hecht said. "$1.3B plus 110 new jobs plus renewable natural gas and hydrogen is a winning formula for everyone. Congratulations to the Port of South Louisiana, and GNO, Inc. is glad to have been a partner for this outstanding project." Register here to be notified about Woodland Biofuels job opportunities, hiring events and news updates. About Woodland Biofuels Woodland's technology uses waste biomass to generate low cost, carbon negative hydrogen, renewable natural gas, methanol or ethanol. From an environmental perspective, Woodland's technology results in up to a 354% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more at WoodlandBiofuels.com . About LED Louisiana Economic Development is responsible for driving capital investment, job creation and economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana and employers of all sizes. Explore how LED is positioning Louisiana to win at OpportunityLouisiana.com . SOURCE Woodland Biofuels Inc. U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO100 list celebrates 100 businesses driving growth and innovation in their communities and around the world PHOENIX, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and CO, its award-winning digital platform for small businesses, today announced that qBotica has been selected for the CO100: America's Top 100 Small Businesses list and recognized as a Digital Innovator. The CO100, sponsored by T-Mobile, celebrates the 100 best and brightest small and mid-sized businesses in America. qBotica CEO and Founder Mahesh Vinayagam celebrates the company's recognition as a Digital Innovator at the CO-100 Awards. The award highlights qBotica's leadership in cutting-edge automation technologies such as Agentic AI, Contact Center Automation, and Generative AI. qBotica proudly receives the Digital Innovator award at the CO-100 ceremony, recognizing the company's pioneering efforts in leveraging advanced technologies like Agentic AI, Contact Center Automation, and Generative AI to drive business transformation and innovation. qBotica earned its place in the Digital Innovator category for its leadership in harnessing cutting-edge technologies like Agentic AI, Contact Center Automation, Intelligent Document Processing, and Generative AI. These innovative solutions have scaled operations, enhanced customer experiences, and revolutionized qBotica's service offerings, demonstrating the transformative impact of digital automation on business growth. "Being named a Digital Innovator and one of America's top 100 small businesses is a testament to our commitment to driving change through technology. Our solutions, such as Agentic AI and GenAI, are designed to revolutionize contact centers, streamline document processing, and deliver unparalleled customer value. This recognition affirms our efforts to shape the future of intelligent automation," said Mahesh Vinayagam, CEO and Founder of qBotica. qBotica was chosen from more than 14,000 applicants by an esteemed panel of judges for its exceptional growth and forward-thinking strategies. The CO100 honorees, representing diverse industries from across 31 states and Washington, D.C., showcase the power of digital innovation and resilience in today's business landscape. The CO100 honorees receive a one-year paid membership to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, access to top experts and thought leaders, national brand exposure, and exclusive community-building and networking opportunities. On October 8, the CO100 will be celebrated at a premier event at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's historic headquarters in Washington, D.C., where honorees will participate in a VIP experience. They will have access to some of the most influential names in business through the CO100 Small Business Forum. At an evening awards dinner, 10 top businesses will be recognized for outstanding achievements across various categories and will receive $2,000 each. One overall CO100 Top Business will receive $25,000. "As the world's largest business organization representing companies of all sizes and industries, we understand what makes a business great," said Jeanette Mulvey, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of CO by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "The CO100 founders, owners, entrepreneurs, and employees showcase the exceptional talent and innovation within the American business community." Learn more about the CO100 honorees here. About qBotica Founded in 2017, qBotica is a rapidly growing intelligent automation firm based in Phoenix, AZ. Specializing in cutting-edge technologies such as Agentic AI, Contact Center Automation, Intelligent Document Processing, and Generative AI, qBotica delivers transformative solutions that help organizations optimize their operations, enhance customer service, and drive significant business growth. As a trusted partner for industries like healthcare, finance, and insurance, qBotica empowers its clients to achieve operational efficiency and future-proof their businesses in an increasingly digital world. qBotica is a 3x Inc5000 winner, a SOC2 Type II certified company, and ranked as one of the top partners with UiPath as a Platinum and Certified partner. Contact: Dominic Bartola 623-282-1191 [email protected] SOURCE qBotica PLANO, Texas, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Repair OnDemand, the leading provider of on-demand, vehicle-side repair technology, is excited to share key insights from their Mobile Tech RX Foundational Research Study, focusing on understanding the priorities of technicians in the auto reconditioning industry. The study surveyed a diverse group of auto-recon service providers primarily operating through mobile operations or a mix of mobile and fixed shop models specializing in Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) or hail damage repair across the United States. Key insights from the report include: Hail damage repair features are a top priority, indicating the critical importance of efficient solutions for this specialized service area. Advanced estimating capabilities, specifically VIN scanning, are highly valued by technicians, underscoring the need for accurate and intuitive tools to streamline the estimation process. Easy navigation and task completion from mobile devices is critical, simplifying the process of writing estimates and invoices, even for newcomers. Professionalism of estimates and invoices is critical, particularly because these documents need to be submitted to major insurance companies, lending credibility to business operations. "We are deeply committed to understanding the evolving needs of technicians in the auto reconditioning industry. The insights gathered from our Mobile Tech RX Foundational Research Study reaffirm our dedication to empowering technicians with the tools and support they need to thrive in their roles," said Randy Kobat, President of Repair OnDemand. "By prioritizing their needs and preferences, we are poised to deliver solutions that drive efficiency, enhance productivity, and ultimately elevate the entire auto reconditioning experience." By understanding and addressing technicians' needs, Repair OnDemand aims to enhance their experience and empower them to excel in their roles. Visit https://www.mobiletechrx.com/resources/market-research-study/ to download a summary of the findings and see how these insights will shape the future of Mobile Tech RX and the industry. For more information on Repair OnDemand and our suite of products, please visit us at the PDR Expo in Las Vegas, NV from September 20-21, 2024 at booth #406. About Mobile Tech RX Mobile Tech RX is an app that facilitates easy estimation, invoicing, team management, and data capture on-the-go, all from a smartphone. Specifically tailored for the automotive reconditioning and repair sector, Mobile Tech RX empowers businesses to estimate with precision, invoice professionally, and operate efficiently. Business owners leveraging Mobile Tech RX not only increase revenue, but also optimize time management. About Repair OnDemand Repair OnDemand is a trailblazer in the automotive repair industry, offering state-of-the-art technology solutions that streamline repair and reconditioning services. We empower on-demand, vehicle-side repair through our software, technology, and people. Our solutions include the Repair Exchange, a trusted marketplace that connects sublet repair professionals with companies with vehicles needing repair, inspection, or both. With an accomplished team possessing deep industry knowledge, Repair OnDemand, alongside its portfolio companiesAutoMobile Technologies (AMT), BlueDriver, Mobile Tech RX, and One Guard Inspectionsstands as a trusted and proven partner in auto repair. For more information, please visit repairondemand.com. Media Contact: Laurie Halter Charisma! Communications 503-816-2474 [email protected] SOURCE Repair OnDemand ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 17. The meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will boost Turkmen-German relations, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov said during his meeting with Scholz at the Central Asia Germany summit in Astana, Trend reports via the official Turkmen media. Scholz emphasized Germany's high interest in deepening partnership with Turkmenistan. He pointed out that Turkmenistan has earned international recognition for its wise policies and progressive initiatives. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to discuss key issues of bilateral cooperation, which is developing based on trust and mutual respect. President Berdimuhamedov highlighted the importance of systematically developing bilateral relations, supported by 90 agreements and treaties. He also mentioned the significance of cross-sectoral Economic Days, business forums, exhibitions, and the work of the Turkmen-German Joint Working Group and the Eastern Committee of the German Economy, which contribute to effective interstate cooperation. To note, the second Central Asia Germany (5+1) summit is taking place in Astana. At the first 5+1 summit, held in Berlin last year, a strategic regional partnership program was signed. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Foxhaven showcases eight versatile floor plans with designer details BEALETON, Va., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Richmond American Homes of Virginia, Inc., a subsidiary of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc., is excited to announce the Grand Opening of Foxhaven (RichmondAmerican.com/Foxhaven), an exceptional new community in Bealeton. This notable neighborhood will offer an array of ranch and two-story homes with designer-curated fixtures and finishes (RichmondAmerican.com/Curated). The Alexandrite is one of eight Richmond American floor plans offered at Foxhaven in Bealeton, Virginia. Grand Opening Event (RichmondAmerican.com/FoxhavenGO) Prospective homebuyers and area agents are encouraged to stop by Foxhaven for a Grand Opening event on Saturday, September 21, from 12 to 4 p.m. Attendees can enjoy complimentary refreshments, tour three stunning model homes and explore quick move-in opportunities at the community. Community highlights: New homes from the $500s Eight ranch & two-story floor plans Up to 5 bedrooms & approx. 3,780 sq. ft. Close proximity to historic Warrenton Easy access to shopping, dining, outdoor recreation & major employers Professionally curated fixtures & finishes Quick move-in options Foxhaven is located at 8051 McKay Street in Bealeton. Call 540.548.4435 or visit RichmondAmerican.com to learn more or schedule an appointment. About M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1972. MDC's homebuilding subsidiaries, which operate under the name Richmond American Homes, have helped more than 240,000 homebuyers achieve the American Dream since 1977. One of the largest homebuilders in the nation, MDC is committed to quality and value that is reflected in each home its subsidiaries build. The Richmond American companies have operations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington. Mortgage lending, insurance and title services are offered by the following MDC subsidiaries, respectively: HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, American Home Insurance Agency, Inc. and American Home Title and Escrow Company. SOURCE M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. POMPANO BEACH, Fla., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Auto Finance Company, LLC ("SAFCO"), a financial services industry leader, proudly welcomes Noel Ortega as its new Senior Vice President of Account Services. A recognized leader in collections, Mr. Ortega's career spans over 20 years of transformative leadership and operational excellence across the auto finance industry. Prior to SAFCO, Mr. Ortega served as SVP of Servicing for United Auto Credit ("UACC"). While there, he transformed the organization's approach to customer service, shifting from a traditional subprime servicing model to a retail-focused, customer-centric culture. Before joining UACC, he held senior leadership roles at LoanMart and Westlake Financial Services, where he consistently exceeded servicing goals, grew teams exponentially, and helped to drive strong portfolio performance. "We are excited to welcome Noel Ortega to SAFCO, where his strategic vision and years of leadership experience in servicing and collections will undoubtedly drive innovation, portfolio performance, and strengthen our commitment to customer excellence," said George Fussell, CEO of SAFCO. "We look forward to the positive impact Noel will bring as we continue to grow and expand our portfolio," Mr. Fussell continued. About SAFCO SAFCO is an industry-leading auto finance company built on the belief that credit alone should not measure potential. With headquarters in Pompano Beach, Florida, SAFCO has relationships with over 3,000 dealerships. Contact us today to learn how our advanced technology and expertise can boost your dealership's success. Contact: Jason Person Chief Financial Officer 954-745.2503 [email protected] SOURCE Southern Auto Finance Company, LLC REYKJAVIK, Iceland, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The prestigious Halldor Laxness International Literary Prize 2024 is awarded to the author Salman Rushdie. The award ceremony, held on September 13 in Reykjavik, Iceland, marks the fourth time this highly regarded prize has been bestowed, celebrating Salman Rushdie's exceptional contributions to world literature. Salman Rushdie is awarded the 2024 Halldor Laxness International Literary Prize at a ceremony in Reykjavik, Iceland, on September 13, 2024, with Prime Minister of Iceland, Bjarni Benediktsson, and Director of the Reykjavik International Literary Festival and chairman of the selection committee, Stella Soffia Johannesdottir. The Halldor Laxness International Literary Prize was established to perpetuate the legacy of Halldor Laxness, Iceland's Nobel Laureate in Literature, and to ensure that his name and influence continue to resonate both within Iceland and across the globe. Valued at 15,000 euros, the prize is awarded biannually to a celebrated writer who, through their works, has renewed the narrative artechoing the very grounds on which Laxness himself was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1955. Since its inception, the Halldor Laxness International Literary Prize has honored some of the world's most illustrious writers, including Ian McEwan (2019), Elif Shafak (2021), and Andrey Kurkov (2022). This year, the prize committee, consisting of author Andrey Kurkov, literary critic Egill Helgason, and Stella Soffia Johannesdottir, Director of the Reykjavik International Literary Festival, reached a unanimous decision in favor of Salman Rushdie. "Salman Rushdie's work embodies the spirit of literary innovation and cultural dialogue that the Halldor Laxness Prize seeks to honor," said Stella Soffia Johannesdottir, Director of the Reykjavik International Literary Festival and chairman of the selection committee. "His stories resonate across borders, reminding us of the universal power of literature." "I am honored to receive the Halldor Laxness Literary Prize," said Salman Rushdie. "I know Halldor Laxness was a prodigious writer and have been checking out some of his work and learning, too, about his extraordinary life." The selection committee's verdict, written by Andrey Kurkov, reads: "The name of Salman Rushdie is inseparable from his epic novels, saturated with exquisite and magical details, and from his struggle for freedom of creativity, freedom of thought, and the right to remain true to himself. For readers all over the world, the image of Rushdie who, for more than thirty years, has continued to create enchanting novels under the terrible pressure of a threat to his life has become a symbol of courage and unbroken will. The novels he has produced during this time are fascinating, philosophical, and enlightening tales for readers ready to discover new worlds. With his complex national and geo-cultural identity, Rushdie has become a guide and translator of new, sometimes exotic meanings for readers a writer-artist who imparts new colors and new semantic shades to seemingly familiar words. His stories are beautiful and intricate, yet always easy to follow, like the richest Persian carpets. In the vast tapestry of Rushdie's work, which continues to delight readers around the world, "The Knife," an essay written as a blow in response to the attempt to silence him, stands out. It enriches this pattern with political and philosophical wisdom that is razor-sharp in its contemporary significance. The Halldor Laxness International Literary Prize is generously supported by The Prime Minister's Office, The Ministry for Education, Science and Culture, Business Iceland, the Reykjavik International Literary Festival, Gljufrasteinn - the Laxness Museum, and Forlagi, Laxness's Icelandic publisher. The Halldor Laxness International Literary Prize will continue to recognize those writers whose works, like Laxness's, transform our understanding of the world and our place within it. Additional photos from the ceremony are available here . Media inquiries: Stella Soffia Johannesdottir, [email protected] Reykjavik International Literary Festival SOURCE Business Iceland Former Googler, betaworks partner and SandboxAQ senior advisor will help the company expand its global operations and scale its AI solutions across industries PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SandboxAQ today announced it has named veteran executive Andrew McLaughlin as its first Chief Operating Officer (COO). McLaughlin will be responsible for scaling SandboxAQ's AI and quantum business units. SandboxAQ focuses on Large Quantitative Models (LQMs), which drive SandboxAQ's platforms in sectors such as biopharma, chemicals, medical devices, and aerospace. McLaughlin joins SandboxAQ as COO after serving as a senior advisor to the company since 2021. Prior to SandboxAQ, McLaughlin founded, built and scaled a range of teams, organizations, and tech startups, serving as the founding VP and Chief Policy Officer of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the first Head of Global Public Policy at Google, and Deputy Chief Technology Officer of the United States. Following his tenure in the White House, McLaughlin was a partner at betaworks, a venture fund and startup studio which invests in, accelerates, and builds companies, most recently focusing on AI and applied machine learning. During that time, McLaughlin also served as CEO of two betaworks companies, Instapaper and Digg, and as EVP at Tumblr and Medium. He spent four years as the founding president and COO of the scalable, sustainable urban architecture and construction startup Assembly OSM. He has been a co-founder and partner at Higher Ground Labs since 2017. "Andrew's strong experience in operations, technology businesses and the public sector will help SandboxAQ scale our global operations and achieve rapid, sustainable growth across our key sectors," said Jack D. Hidary, CEO of SandboxAQ. "Andrew has already hit the ground running as COO and will help us scale the company to greater impact with our customers and partners." "SandboxAQ is at the forefront of developing AI and advanced technology solutions that tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges in healthcare, finance, cybersecurity, government, and other sectors backed by world-class investors and driven by some of the most brilliant minds in the business," said McLaughlin. "As an early SandboxAQ advisor, I know the company very well and have been involved in several key initiatives. I am excited to work with Jack and the team even more closely to take us to the next level of scale." In the academic world, McLaughlin has held positions as Senior Fellow in Cybersecurity and Internet Governance at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs; Lecturer in Law at Stanford Law School and fellow at the Stanford Center for Internet & Society; Fellow at the Center for Information Technology Policy, Princeton University; and Senior Fellow and Associate Director at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School. In 2017-2018, he served as the founding Executive Director of the Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale University. McLaughlin received a BA from Yale University and a JD from Harvard Law School. About SandboxAQ SandboxAQ is a B2B company delivering AI solutions that address some of the world's greatest challenges. The company's Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) deliver critical advances in life sciences, financial services, navigation and other sectors. The company emerged from Alphabet Inc. as an independent, growth capital-backed company in 2022, funded by leading investors including T. Rowe Price, Eric Schmidt, Breyer Capital, Guggenheim Partners, Marc Benioff, Thomas Tull, Paladin Capital Group, and others. For more information, visit http://www.sandboxaq.com. SOURCE SandboxAQ Creator of speech recognition-based video games for people with speech disorders wins judges' vote and audience's vote NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SAY IT Labs , the creator of Stutter Stars, speech recognition-based video games designed for people with speech disorders, won the 15th annual Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition (EBPC) in New York City this month, earning the $40,000 grand prize and the $5,000 Osage Venture Partners Audience Choice prize, after receiving the most votes from a live audience of investors, researchers, and practitioners. SAY IT Labs won the Michael & Lori Milken Family Foundation Grand Prize following a live on-stage pitch presentation by CEO, Director & Co-Founder, Erich Reiter. The pitch competition was held September 10 as part of HolonIQ's 23rd annual 'Back to School Summit' and aims to reward startups trying to address the challenges facing education. The summit featured attendees from Google, Amazon Web Services, Goldman Sachs, Harvard Business School, IBM, The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the U.S. Department of Education, UNICEF, and many other organizations. SAY IT Labs Wins $40,000 Grand Prize at 2024 Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition "We are incredibly grateful to the audience, the judges, Penn GSE, HolonIQ and everyone who has shown appreciation for our vision, which is to support people with speech disabilities," said Erich Reiter, CEO, Director and Co-Founder, SAY IT Labs. "The other six finalists were incredibly impressive so it is humbling to be in their company and to have earned this prize, which will help to forward our mission as our company continues to grow." Winning both the grand prize and the audience choice prize are major milestones for SAY IT Labs, as the Milken-Penn GSE EBPC is considered the most prestigious and well-funded competition of its kind, worldwide. To date, the EPBC has awarded more than $2 million in prizes, and its winners have gone on to earn more than $200 million in funding. SAY IT Labs, founded in 2019, is a Belgium-based "spin-off" from the University of Brussels (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) and Interuniversity Microelectronics Center (imec). To date, the company has won four business pitching competitions, earned third place at the China-European Innovation Fair, and was a finalist in the ChangeNow.org competition and the European Social Innovation tournament. SAY IT Labs has also earned grants totaling $1.6 million. SAY IT Labs develops proprietary artificial intelligence-based speech recognition technology designed to support children and adults with speech disorders and combines its state-of-the-art technology with best practices in speech therapy to create video games with the goal of motivating and improving independent practice. Reiter, a former speech scientist at Nuance Communications, the original developers of Apple's SIRI, is also a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP). He started SAY IT Labs with Dr. Lukas Latacz, the company's CTO, Director and Co-Founder. Latacz holds a PhD in computer science and spent several years as a post-doctoral researcher specializing in speech recognition algorithms targeting atypical speech often seen in people with speech disabilities. Stutter Stars (formerly known as Fluency Friends) is available through the Apple App Store and on Google Play. It is used by hundreds of individuals per month in countries across the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, England, Ireland, South Africa, Latvia, and Sweden. The tool is also used by U.S. schools in New York, Missouri, and California. SAY IT Labs plans to reinvest its prize money into the company by continuing to develop its solution for articulation disorders and seeks to raise new capital in the U.S. market. Reiter can be made available for Zoom-based interviews with select media outlets worldwide or in-person broadcast interviews in Belgium, France, Germany, or the Netherlands. To learn more about SAY IT Labs, visit www.sayitlabs.com/about-us . About SAY IT Labs SAY IT Labs is a technology company that leverages state-of-the-art artificial intelligence to develop speech recognition-based video games designed for people with speech disorders. Based in Leuven, Belgium, and a spin-off from the University of Brussels, SAY IT Labs was co-founded by a former speech scientist at Nuance Communications, the original developers of Apple's SIRI, who is also a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP), and by a computer science PhD who specializes in speech recognition algorithms that can target atypical speech patterns characteristic of people with speech disabilities. Its app, Stutter Stars, is used by individuals and schools across the world. Learn more about SAY IT Labs at www.sayitlabs.com. Press Contact: Greycourt Public Relations +1 432-272-9766 SOURCE SAY IT Labs Watercrest Richmond is a newly built assisted living and memory care community operated by the award-winning Watercrest Senior Living. Watercrest Senior Living recently celebrated seven-year consecutive certification as a Great Place to Work. With a team of expertly trained and dedicated associates caring for seniors, the services and amenities at Watercrest Richmond are top-notch. In just recent months, residents have delighted in a variety of unique community events from National Senior Citizens' Day, International Day of Friendship, National Sugar Cookie Day and the popular Bayada Olympic Games featuring putt-putt, nerf shooting, ring toss and jousting. A special highlight was the community's Delicious Destinations event where residents enjoyed a culinary world-tour featuring the authentic cuisines of Poland, Ukraine, America, Ireland and Honduras with live music from the band Squeeze Play. "Watercrest Richmond offers an ideal environment, a dedicated team of associates, and an array of signature, multi-sensory programming designed to fit the individualized needs and interests of each of our residents," says Samantha Sipe, Operations Specialist for Watercrest Senior Living. Residents of Watercrest Richmond also interact and engage outside of their community, visiting local restaurants, historical sites, and community events. Their most recent outings included a stimulating experience at the Science Museum of Virginia, an outdoor stroll along the water at Robius Landing Park, and a toe-tapping good time at the Dominion Energy Jazz Cafe of the Virginia Fine Arts Museum. Each opportunity offers residents stimulation and socialization contributing to their overall happiness and well-being. Watercrest Senior Living takes a unique approach to healthy aging focusing on individuals achieving personal wholeness through participation in programs aligned with the seven facets of wholeness. These facets provide the framework for their Live Exhilarated program which involves celebrating the residents' story, encouraging their pursuit of new passions, optimizing their experience, and offering variety and choice to all residents. Watercrest Richmond is a signature Watercrest product offering 76 assisted living and 22 memory care apartments with resort-style amenities and exceptional care. The architecture and design boast a stunning fountain and promenade, art studio with gallery, music room, fireplace, multiple dining venues, theater, salon and spa, and the charming atmosphere of Bogey's Cigar and Scotch lounge. The coveted Spa W offers world-class wellness amenities including light and salt therapy, and a state-of-the-art fitness and physical therapy center. Watercrest Richmond is conveniently located at 5250 Grandin Avenue in Moseley, Virginia. For information or to schedule a tour, contact the community at 804-294-3508. About Watercrest Senior Living Group Watercrest Senior Living Group was founded to honor our mothers and fathers, aspiring to become a beacon for quality in senior living by surpassing standards of care, service and associate training. Watercrest senior living communities are recognized for their luxury aesthetic, exceptional amenities, world-class care, and innovative memory care programming offering unparalleled service to seniors living with Alzheimer's and dementia. A seven-time certified Great Place to Work, Watercrest specializes in the development and operations of assisted living and memory care communities and the growth of servant leaders. For information, visit www.watercrestseniorliving.com. SOURCE Watercrest Senior Living Group WALL STREET VETERAN SHAKA RASHEED JOINS MARCELO CLAURE AND PAUL JUDGE AS PART OF FIRM'S NEXT STAGE OF GROWTH ATLANTA, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Open Opportunity Fund, a venture capital firm focused on investing in software companies founded by diverse entrepreneurs, today announced that Shaka Rasheed, financial services and technology executive, has joined the firm as General Partner, leading capital development and portfolio value creation. Rasheed brings senior leadership experience in building and leading capital formation teams at some of the world's most premier alternative asset management firms including Bridgewater, Lazard, Citadel and J.P. Morgan, as well as scaling growth at global technology companies including Salesforce and Microsoft. Shaka Rasheed, Open Opportunity Fund, General Partner Throughout his career, Shaka has successfully raised billions in capital across various investor segments, including family offices, pension funds, endowments, foundations, sovereign governments, central banks, insurance companies and bank platforms, among others. Rasheed's deep financial services experience has spanned prominent leadership roles at some of the world's most premier asset management firms, including Head of Sales & Marketing at Bridgewater Associates; Managing Director and Head of Alternatives, Americas at Lazard Asset Management; Director, Global Distribution at Citadel Asset Management; and over 15 years at J.P. Morgan Chase, culminating as Managing Director within the Institutional Investment Management Division. His proven ability to drive organizational growth through innovative go-to-market strategies has established him as a visionary leader across financial services and technology. Most recently, Rasheed served as Senior Vice President at Salesforce, where he managed the company's billion-dollar Strategic Banking & Wealth Management business. Prior to Salesforce, Rasheed was Managing Director and General Manager of the U.S. Capital Markets business at Microsoft, where he played a crucial role in scaling it into the fastest growing sub-vertical within the Financial Services division. While at Microsoft, Shaka also served as an Expert Network Member and Advisor for M12 (Microsoft's Corporate venture capital business), where he guided portfolio companies, founders, and senior management teams on their strategic goals and go-to-market approach for market expansion and growth. Shaka is currently an Independent Director on the Board of DigitalBridge Group, Inc. (NYSE: DBRG), a global firm that owns, operates, and invests in businesses such as data centers, cell towers, fiber networks, small cells, and edge infrastructure, managing more than $80 billion on behalf of its limited partners and shareholders. Rasheed holds a bachelor's degree from Morehouse College and earned an MBA from Harvard University. Opportunity Fund 1 has invested $100 million into 75 Black- and Latino-led tech companies. Its diverse portfolio includes companies such as Atomic, Brex, Career Karma, Cityblock Health, Eight Sleep, Esusu, Lumu, Paystand, QuickNode, Squire, and Subject. The fund has successfully achieved seven exits, demonstrating its commitment to fostering innovation and driving impactful growth in underrepresented communities. As the firm looks to the future, it is now raising Fund 2 to continue executing this strategy. In 2022, Black and Latino founders received less than 3% of venture capital funding, despite comprising over 30% of the United States population. Research has consistently shown that diverse companies yield greater results, producing higher profits and exit multiples. "I am excited to join Open Opportunity Fund, a firm that stands at the forefront of innovation in the venture capital space," said Shaka Rasheed. "With a strong foundation and a clear focus on making impactful investments, the potential to scale the firm into a major player in the industry is immense. I am eager to bring my experience in capital formation and value creation to the team, and to help drive the continued success and growth of our firm." "Shaka's appointment is a key move in our strategy to strengthen our leadership team," said Paul Judge, Managing Partner of Open Opportunity Fund. "His deep expertise in financial services and proven track record in driving growth will be instrumental as we continue to scale our organization and expand our investment capabilities." "We are thrilled to welcome Shaka to our team," said Marcelo Claure, Vice Chairman and General Partner, Open Opportunity Fund. "His capital development expertise, honed at some of the world's most respected alternative asset managers and technology companies, aligns perfectly with our mission. Shaka will be instrumental as we continue to scale the firm." For more information, visit http://TheOpportunityFund.com and follow @OpportunityFund on X and Instagram. For media and interview requests, please contact [email protected] About Open Opportunity Fund Open Opportunity Fund is a technology venture capital firm focused on investing in software companies founded by outstanding diverse founders. Open Opportunity Fund's portfolio spans enterprise IT, artificial intelligence, fintech, and digital health sectors. Opportunity Fund 1 is a $100 million fund with SoftBank as an anchor LP. The firm has invested in 75 Black- and Latino-led tech companies including Atomic, Brex, Career Karma, Cityblock Health, Eight Sleep, Esusu, Lumu, Paystand, QuickNode, Squire, and Subject. The fund has achieved seven portfolio company exits. In 2023, the team led by Paul Judge and Marcelo Claure acquired the Fund from SoftBank and announced Fund 2 to continue to execute the thesis. SOURCE Open Opportunity Fund NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Endava plc ("Endava" or the "Company") (NYSE: DAVA). 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 Endava and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. You have until October 25, 2024 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Endava 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 February 29, 2024, Endava announced its financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2023. Among other items, Endava stated that it was running behind its recent revenue trajectory by approximately 70 million, or nearly 9% below prior projections at the midpoint. The Company further stated that certain of its clients had delayed their orders due to economic uncertainty. On this news, Endava's American depositary share ("ADS") price fell $26.65 per ADS, or 41.76%, to close at $37.17 per ADS on February 29, 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. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Stellantis N.V. ("Stellantis" or the "Company") (NYSE: STLA). 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 Stellantis and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. You have until October 15, 2024 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Stellantis 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 25, 2024, Stellantis issued a press release announcing its financial results for the first half of 2024. The Company reported a steep drop in earnings that fell below forecasts, citing weak margins and high inventory at its U.S. operations. In addition, Stellantis's Chief Executive Officer Carlos Tavares indicated that the Company was ready to dispose of underperforming brands in its portfolio, while Chief Financial Officer Natalie Knight disclosed the need to take "decisive actions to address operational challenges" in North America, including reducing production and prices for the Company's vehicles. On this news, Stellantis's stock price fell $1.51 per share, or 7.7%, to close at $18.09 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. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Franklin Resources, Inc. ("Franklin" or the "Company") (NYSE: BEN). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Franklin and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On August 21, 2024, Franklin subsidiary Western Asset Management Company issued a press release announcing that co-Chief Investment Officer Ken Leech "is on a leave of absence, effective immediately" after "receiv[ing] a Wells Notice from the Staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission". That same day, Bloomberg reported that "[f]ederal prosecutors in New York are investigating whether a Western Asset Management executive allocated winning trades to favored accounts, as part of a criminal probe into a practice known as 'cherry-picking.'" On this news, Franklin's stock price fell $2.84 per share, or 12.56%, to close at $19.78 per share on August 21, 2024. 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 ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 17. Turkmenistan is interested in leveraging German technology and expertise to tackle transnational crime, Turkmenistans President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said at the "Central Asia-Germany" summit in Astana, Trend reports. "Strengthening diplomatic relations between the states of the region and Germany, and jointly combating international terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, and transnational crime will help transform Central Asia into a peaceful, stable, and economically attractive region. All this requires modern, effective protection mechanisms based on the latest scientific and technological developments, which Germany can provide," Berdimuhamedov stated. The summit also highlighted Ashgabat's willingness to work with German institutions, particularly in monitoring and controlling these risks, and suggested developing joint algorithms for the mentioned areas. The summit, featuring German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and leaders from Central Asia, keeps the ball rolling on the strategic partnership that was set in motion back in Berlin last September. NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Globus Medical, Inc. ("Globus" or the "Company") (NYSE: GMED). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Globus and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On August 13, 2024, in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Globus disclosed that "on July 16, 2024, Globus Medical, Inc. received a warning letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the 'FDA') following an inspection of our facilities in Audubon, Pennsylvania. In the warning letter, the FDA cited deficiencies in the response letters sent by the Company to the FDA following the Form 483, List of Investigational Observations, which was delivered to the Company in connection with the inspection that occurred from February 15, 2024 until March 7, 2024. The letter describes observed non-conformities in establishing and maintaining product complaint procedures, including complaint investigations, trending, risk reconciliation, and Medical Device Report (MDR) procedures including timely reporting, pertaining to the ExcelsiusGPS robotic system." Following disclosure of the FDA's warning letter, Globus's stock price fell $5.73 per share, or 7.84%, to close at $67.32 per share on August 13, 2024. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 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 PICKENS COUNTY, Ala., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Westervelt Ecological Services (WES) has received approval for the Sipsey River Mitigation Bank (SRMB) from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). The project is located 20 miles west of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This is the first bank approved to provide wetland and stream compensatory mitigation credits within the Sipsey River watershed (Hydrologic Unit Code 03160107). It is WES' fourth compensatory mitigation bank in the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Basin and 12th mitigation bank in the USACE's Mobile District. The SRMB totals 517 acres and includes over 25,000 linear feet of streams. The USACE approved mitigation credits for 501 acres of enhancement in bottomland hardwood wetlands and 8,800 linear feet of restoration in intermittent streams. Establishing a high functioning mitigation bank in the watershed is important to protect and restore priority habitats. The site is within an area identified as a strategic habitat unit for protection by our public, private, and NGO partners in conservation. In order to guarantee long-term ecological success and sustainability, mitigation banks, such as the SRMB, require intensive management, monitoring, financial assurances, and legal protections. The bank is well situated to assist permit applicants pursuing Section 404 permits for development projects in and around the City of Tuscaloosa, and within Marion, Fayette, Lamar, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, and Sumter Counties. Before applicants can use these mitigation credits to offset their unavoidable impacts to streams and wetlands, the permit applicant must follow the mitigation sequence of avoidance, minimization, and then mitigation, as established by the Clean Water Act. Advantages for our clients in the public and private sectors include reduced permitting time and severance of liability. WES is excited to expand upon our available mitigation credits in Alabama. To learn more about the project or to inquire about mitigation credits, please contact Casey Rigsby at (334) 339-0010 or via email at [email protected]. About Westervelt Ecological Services: Providing conservation on a landscape scale is the mission of Westervelt Ecological Services. A division of The Westervelt Company, a 140-year-old land stewardship company based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Westervelt Ecological Services offers mitigation credits and other enduring ecological solutions for developers and businesses who need to mitigate impacts to wetlands or species across the country. To learn more, visit www.wesmitigation.com. Contact: John Wigginton (334) 821-1999 or [email protected] (Bank Manager) Casey Rigsby (334) 339-0010 or [email protected] (Credit Sales) SOURCE Westervelt Ecological Services Verified Market Research is excited to announce the launch of its latest comprehensive market research report on the "Smart Agriculture Market - Trends, Opportunities, and Forecasts". The report provides a detailed analysis of the rapidly evolving smart agriculture sector, offering actionable insights and trends for industry leaders looking to stay ahead in this fast-growing market. LEWES, Del., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Smart Agriculture Market Size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.30% from 2024 to 2031, according to a new report published by Verified Market Research. The report reveals that the market was valued at USD 17.74 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 38.86 Billion by the end of the forecast period. As the global agricultural landscape shifts towards precision farming and sustainable practices, smart agriculture technologies are at the forefront of this transformation. From advanced IoT sensors, automated machinery, and data analytics to AI-driven crop management systems, smart agriculture is reshaping traditional farming by improving efficiency, reducing resource consumption, and boosting yields. Key Features of the Report: In-depth Market Analysis : A thorough examination of the current market size, projections, and growth drivers shaping the smart agriculture sector. : A thorough examination of the current market size, projections, and growth drivers shaping the smart agriculture sector. Technological Innovations : Comprehensive coverage of the latest advancements in smart farming technologies, including IoT integration, drones, robotics, and data-driven farming solutions. : Comprehensive coverage of the latest advancements in smart farming technologies, including IoT integration, drones, robotics, and data-driven farming solutions. Regional Insights : Detailed analysis of key markets across North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and other emerging regions. : Detailed analysis of key markets across , , , and other emerging regions. Competitive Landscape: Profiles of key industry players, market strategies, and their innovations driving the future of smart agriculture. Why This Report Matters: Agricultural leaders, technology providers, and investors are all seeking to harness the benefits of smart agriculture solutions to address the global challenges of food security, resource optimization, and sustainability. This report provides a roadmap for companies looking to capitalize on these opportunities, highlighting key market trends, investment potential, and strategic growth areas. Who Should Read This Report: Agribusiness Leaders : Looking to implement cutting-edge technologies for operational efficiency and sustainability. : Looking to implement cutting-edge technologies for operational efficiency and sustainability. Technology Providers : Offering smart solutions and tools for precision farming, irrigation systems, and automated equipment. : Offering smart solutions and tools for precision farming, irrigation systems, and automated equipment. Investors & Venture Capitalists : Seeking to identify high-growth opportunities within the agritech space. : Seeking to identify high-growth opportunities within the agritech space. Policy Makers & Regulators: Interested in understanding the evolving dynamics of sustainable agriculture practices. The Smart Agriculture Market Report is an essential resource for organizations looking to gain a competitive edge in this transformative industry. Don't miss out on key opportunitiesequip your business with the insights you need to drive innovation and growth. For more information or to purchase the report, please contact us at: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample?rid=9635 Browse in-depth TOC on "Global Smart Agriculture Market Size" 202 - Pages 126 Tables 37 Figures Report Scope REPORT ATTRIBUTES DETAILS STUDY PERIOD 2021-2031 BASE YEAR 2024 FORECAST PERIOD 2024-2031 HISTORICAL PERIOD 2021-2023 UNIT Value (USD Billion) KEY COMPANIES PROFILED Deere & Company, Trimble, Inc., AGCO Corporation, Topcon Positioning Systems, Raven Industries, Bayer AG, CNH Industrial N.V., Kubota Corporation, Afimilk Ltd., AgJunction, Inc., AgeEagle Aerial Systems, Inc., DeLaval, ETwater, Gamaya, LumiGrow, Inc., and The Climate Corporation. SEGMENTS COVERED By Offering, By Agriculture Type, By Farm Size, By Application, and By Geography. CUSTOMIZATION SCOPE Free report customization (equivalent up to 4 analyst's working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope Global Smart Agriculture Market Overview Growing Need for Sustainable Farming Solutions: The Smart Agriculture Market is driven by the rising need for sustainable agricultural techniques. As global food demand increases, precision agriculture technologies such as IoT and AI enhance resource efficiency, augmenting yields while minimizing water and pesticide usage. Agritech enterprises can leverage the increasing trend towards sustainability to enhance revenue through creative solutions. Technological Advancements in IoT and AI: Technological advancements in IoT sensors, drones, and AI-driven data analytics are significant catalysts in the Smart Agriculture Market. These developments facilitate real-time surveillance and accuracy in crop management, soil health, and irrigation systems. Companies that incorporate these advanced technologies into their products are strategically positioned to satisfy the requirements of contemporary farmers, enhancing market adoption and ensuring long-term profitability. Rising Demand for Food Security: The global population is expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, making food security a paramount concern. The Smart Agriculture Market is driven by this need, as governments and agribusinesses engage in advanced farming practices to improve productivity. Solutions that provide predictive insights and enhance production cycles are crucial for firms aiming to penetrate this expanding market area. To Purchase a Comprehensive Report Analysis: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/select-licence?rid=9635 High Initial Costs of Implementation: A major obstacle to expansion in the Smart Agriculture Market is the substantial initial investment required for smart farming technologies. Advanced technology, like IoT sensors and automated machinery, necessitates substantial capital expenditure, which may dissuade smaller farming enterprises from embracing these advancements. Manufacturers and solution suppliers must present economical solutions or adaptable financing options to surmount this obstacle and enhance market penetration. Limited Awareness in Developing Regions: In underdeveloped regions, where agriculture is primarily traditional, knowledge and comprehension of smart farming technology are limited. The Smart Agriculture Market encounters obstacles in various domains owing to insufficient knowledge and technical proficiency. Enterprises focusing on these areas must emphasize training and capacity-building efforts to facilitate adoption, thereby unlocking new development prospects. Data Privacy and Security Concerns: With the expansion of the Smart Agriculture Market, worries over data privacy and cybersecurity are also increasing. Agricultural producers are becoming increasingly apprehensive about implementing technology that collect extensive sensitive data without sufficient security protocols. Solution providers must confront these issues by delivering comprehensive data protection and open policies to foster trust and promote the wider use of smart agriculture technologies. Geographical Dominance North America exhibits geographical preeminence in the Smart Agriculture Market, propelled by sophisticated technical integration, robust infrastructure, and significant expenditures in precision agriculture. The United States, notably, has a significant presence of pivotal stakeholders and governmental endorsement for sustainable agriculture efforts. This dominance propels market expansion by stimulating innovation, promoting collaborations, and establishing a standard for global smart agriculture practices in other countries. Key Players The "Global Smart Agriculture Market" study report will provide a valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are Deere & Company, Trimble, Inc., AGCO Corporation, Topcon Positioning Systems, Raven Industries, Bayer AG, CNH Industrial N.V., Kubota Corporation, Afimilk Ltd., AgJunction, Inc., AgeEagle Aerial Systems, Inc., DeLaval, ETwater, Gamaya, LumiGrow, Inc., and The Climate Corporation. Smart Agriculture Market Segment Analysis Based on the research, Verified Market Research has segmented the global Smart Agriculture Market into Offering, Agriculture Type, Farm Size, Application and Geography. Smart Agriculture Market, by Offering Hardware Sensing Devices Software Services Smart Agriculture Market, by Agriculture Type Precision Farming Livestock Monitoring Precision Aquaculture Precision Forestry Smart Greenhouse Others Smart Agriculture Market, by Farm Size Small Medium Large Smart Agriculture Market, by Application Yield Monitoring Weather Tracking and Forecasting Milk Harvesting Water Quality Management HVAC Management Smart Agriculture Market, by Geography North America U.S Canada Mexico Europe Germany France U.K Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Rest of Asia Pacific ROW Middle East & Africa Latin America Browse Related Reports: Global Farm Equipment Rental Market Size By Type (Agriculture Tractors, Agriculture Harvesters, Agriculture Plating Equipment, Irrigation & Crop Processing Equipment, Agriculture Spraying Equipment, Cultivation & Plowing Equipment, Cutter & Shredders Equipment), By Application (Land Development & Seed Bed Preparation, Sowing & Planting, Cultivation, Plant Protection, Harvesting & Threshing, Post-harvest & Agro-Processing), By Geography, And Forecast Global Agricultural Machinery Market Size By Machinery Type (Tractors, Harvesting Machinery, Equipment for Soil Preparation & Cultivation, Irrigation Machinery, Machinery for Haying & Forage, Other Types), By Automation Level (Traditional Agriculture Machinery, Semi-Autonomous Machinery, Fully Autonomous Machinery), By End User (Small-Scale Farms, Medium-Sized Farms, Large-Scale Farms), By Geography, And Forecast Global Regenerative Agriculture Market Size By Type of Regenerative Practices (Agroforestry, Holistic Planned Grazing, Cover Cropping, No-till Farming, Permaculture), By Crop Type (Cereals and Grains, Fruits and Vegetables, Oilseeds and Pulses, Cash Crops), By Livestock Type (Cattle, Poultry, Swine, Sheep and Goats), By Geography, And Forecast Global Digital Agriculture Platform Market Size By Type of Platform (Arm Management Software, Precision Agriculture Systems, Livestock Monitoring Solutions), By Farm Size (Small Farms, Medium Farms, Large Farms), By Application (Crop Monitoring, Yield Monitoring, Soil Management, Irrigation Management, Livestock Management), By Geography, And Forecast Top 9 Agricultural Equipment Manufacturers cultivating ideas for growth Visualize Smart Agriculture Market using Verified Market Intelligence -: Verified Market Intelligence is our BI Enabled Platform for narrative storytelling in this market. 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Contact Us Mr. Edwyne Fernandes Verified Market Research US: +1 (650)-781-4080 US Toll Free: +1 (800)-782-1768 Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/ Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2015407/VMR_Logo.jpg SOURCE Verified Market Research JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 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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The first-in-human study is focused on assessing the safety of Ormi in patients experiencing knee pain due to the loss of articular cartilage in the femoral condyle. The device's unique design allows surgeons to address cartilage damage with or without involvement of the underlying bone. Following implantation, study investigators will monitor patients closely using imaging, physical exams, and patient-reported outcome measures. The Ormi device leverages Sparta Biomedical's Galene platform, a novel synthetic cartilage that closely replicates the properties of native hyaline cartilage. Ormi integrates Galene with a proprietary titanium stemmed base to ensure secure fixation during the repair of cartilage lesions. Ormi aims to address the limitations of current conservative and surgical treatments for knee osteoarthritis, offering a potential solution that supports weight-bearing and full range of motion while minimizing pain within a short timeframe. "Helping patients with knee focal lesions restore mobility and reduce pain quickly has been a long-standing issue. Our goal is to provide orthopedic surgeons with a simple, highly effective solution that is not dependent on patient biology. No approved device today has Ormi's features. The reality is focal lesions in the knee affect the lives of hundreds of millions worldwide, and surgeons, depending on geography, have few to no solutions to treat their patients. We are excited to be one step closer to showcasing Ormi's clinical benefits and helping clinicians get their patients feeling better soon," said Dushyanth Surakanti, Co-Founder & CEO. Active study sites include Clinica de la Mujer in Bogota, Colombia, and HOMS in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. Dr. Andres Garcia Martinez, Investigator and Head of Orthopedic Surgery at HOMS, shared, "My colleagues and I are excited to see how well patient recovery has been," Dr. Andres Garcia-Nunez, Investigator, stated, "I am very encouraged by what I am seeing so far." Dr. Jeremen Silva, Investigator at Clinica de la Mujer said "Ormi has the potential to address the needs of so many of my patients who otherwise would not be treated. I am equally impressed with the ease of implantation and robust fixation." About Sparta Biomedical: Sparta has developed a first-of-its-kind device, Ormi, to treat knee osteoarthritis. The US FDA granted Ormi Breakthrough Device Designation. The impact of knee osteoarthritis cannot be ignored, with a staggering 651 million people worldwide affected by this debilitating condition. The associated morbidity and cost of this disease are significant, making it crucial to find effective solutions. Ormi is unlike other technologies that focus on cartilage regeneration approaches, which can take a long time to grow and are not as strong as the original, Ormi mimics the properties of healthy human cartilage right from day one, providing an innovative and groundbreaking solution to this widespread problem. For more information, please visit https://www.spartabiomedical.com/ Ormi is not approved by the FDA and not commercially available. It is in development. Approvals and clearances are subject to testing, results, and the FDA review process. SOURCE Sparta Biomedical Clasp aims to innovatively tackle workforce shortages, student debt, and talent retention BOSTON, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Stride Funding, now rebranded as Clasp , has closed an oversubscribed venture round of more than $10 million led by $4.6 billion venture firm Crosslink Capital, bringing its total funding to over $30 million. Other new strategic investors include SHRM and individuals like Marc Weill whose family is known for their contributions to leading healthcare institutions. Clasp's retention-driven recruitment platform addresses talent shortages by helping employers recruit and retain critical talent in hard-to-hire fields, with a focus on reducing student debt and fostering long-term commitments between employers and employees. The rebrand reflects Clasp's evolving mission to solve recruitment and retention challenges through a forward-looking approach that benefits both sides of the employment equation. Supporting more than 10,000 individuals on its platform, Clasp is currently focused on the healthcare industry with partnerships with healthcare systems ranging from academic, pediatric, home health, optometry, and veterinary organizations. Clasp also works with one of the largest semiconductor companies and has plans to expand into other hard-to-hire industries as the company grows. According to the American Hospital Association , by 2026, the U.S. will need to hire an additional 3.2 million new healthcare workers to meet growing demand and support patients. Clasp's innovative model addresses this issue by forming strong, lasting bonds between employers and employees. Clasp widens candidate pools across a national network of universities and training programs, matching current students with healthcare institutions that commit to repaying their student loans across a multi-year work commitment. Shaughn Korpalski, Senior Manager of Campus, Branding, and ED&I at MyEyeDr., shared: "We've proudly partnered with Clasp for the past two years, and the growth has been remarkable. As our collaboration has evolved, we've successfully increased our candidate pool while building a strong pipeline of healthcare professionals to meet our long-term goals. This program strengthens our dedication to ensuring the financial well-being of our talent, as well as maintaining high-quality care for our patients." For students, Clasp provides financial relief, a future unburdened by student loan debt, and the assurance of a job after graduation. For healthcare institutions, Clasp delivers a steady pipeline of committed talent, from nurses to radiologic technologists to respiratory therapistswhile reducing recruitment costs, eliminating the need for signing bonuses, contract labor, and more. "The healthcare recruitment system is broken," said Tess Michaels, founder and CEO of Clasp. "Healthcare institutions are competing for a shrinking talent pool and using band-aids like sign-on bonuses that don't improve retention and just perpetuate a leaky bucket. At the same time, new clinical talent faces massive debt and long waits for loan forgiveness. Clasp addresses both problems with a model that's better for everyone." "Clasp is fundamentally reshaping how we solve some of the most pressing workforce challenges of our time," said Gabby Contro, Partner at Crosslink Capital. "Their ability to align educational investment with career advancement not only addresses the student debt crisis but also creates a sustainable, high-impact solution for industries struggling with chronic talent shortages. Clasp's model isn't just innovativeit's transformative, and we are proud to back their bold vision to revolutionize recruitment and retention across healthcare and beyond." The new company name, Clasp, was created by A Hundred Monkeys, and the new brand identity was developed by Mackey Saturday, known for his work with brands including Instagram and Affirm. To learn how Clasp is changing the recruitment and retention landscape, visit www.clasp.com . About Clasp Clasp, a retention-driven recruitment platform, was founded by Tess Michaels in 2018 to tackle critical talent shortages in hard-to-hire fields by bridging the gap between education and employment. By enabling employers to invest in future talent where it matters mosteasing overwhelming student debtClasp creates lasting bonds between employers and employees. Clasp believes employers having a stake in the cost of education leads to a more sustainable, equitable, and skilled workforce. Clasp works with current students in higher education to match them with companies nationwide looking to fill critical roles across their organization. Once matched, the organization agrees to pay some or all of the student's future loan payments over a specified work commitment. To learn more about Clasp, please visit www.clasp.com . SOURCE Clasp NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation- The global submarine market size is estimated to grow by USD 9.56 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 5.52% during the forecast period. Fleet replacement programs is driving market growth, with a trend towards multi-mission submarines. However, limitations in submarine building capabilities poses a challenge. Key market players include Anschutz, ASC Pty Ltd., BAE Systems Plc, Fincantieri Spa, General Dynamics Corp., Hanwha Corp., Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Lockheed Martin Corp., Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., NauticExpo, Naval Group, Navantia SA, Saab AB, Submarine Manufacturing and Products Ltd., The Boeing Co., thyssenkrupp AG, Triton Submarines LLC, and United Shipbuilding Corp.. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global submarine market 2024-2028 Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View the snapshot of this report Submarine Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.52% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 9560.4 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 5.12 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 42% Key countries US, China, Russia, Japan, and South Korea Key companies profiled Anschutz, ASC Pty Ltd., BAE Systems Plc, Fincantieri Spa, General Dynamics Corp., Hanwha Corp., Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Lockheed Martin Corp., Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., NauticExpo, Naval Group, Navantia SA, Saab AB, Submarine Manufacturing and Products Ltd., The Boeing Co., thyssenkrupp AG, Triton Submarines LLC, and United Shipbuilding Corp. Market Driver The submarine market is witnessing significant growth due to the development of multi-mission submarines that offer enhanced operational flexibility. For instance, the Virginia-class submarines, deployed by the US Navy, boast a flexible design for future enhancements, supporting various functions such as anti-submarine warfare, strike warfare, covert mine warfare, ISR, and naval-special warfare. These submarines feature superior imaging capabilities, advanced electronic modules for maneuvering, and a range of weapons systems, including advanced heavyweight torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles. Saab Kockums' Project A26 is another example of a multi-mission submarine project, constructing two Blekinge-class submarines for the Swedish Navy. These submarines incorporate holistic quieting technology, advanced sensors, and a multi-mission portal for hosting divers and small underwater vehicles. The growing demand for multi-mission submarines, with their advanced capabilities and next-generation sonar systems, is expected to positively impact the growth of the global submarine market during the forecast period. The submarine market is experiencing significant growth due to technological advancements in naval military and commercial segments. Nuclear Powered Submarines (NPS) and Diesel Electric Submarines (DES) continue to dominate the market, with NPS accounting for a larger share. Technological innovations in areas like nuclear energy, additive manufacturing techniques, and high-strength alloy steel are driving the defense industry's submarine capabilities. The naval military segment focuses on strengthening submarine fleets for combat, deterrent, and covert operations, while the commercial segment focus cargo transports and offshore resource exploration. Maritime disputes and geopolitical conflicts have increased the demand for submarines among seafaring nations. The defense forces are also investing in Midget submarines (SSM) for underwater detection and surveillance activities. However, the market faces challenges like layoffs due to order deliveries and missile attacks, making it crucial for naval forces to maintain strategic stabilities and naval intelligence. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges Submarines are intricate platforms for design and construction, with only a few countries possessing the capability to manufacture them independently. Emerging countries seeking to enter the submarine manufacturing industry often collaborate with developed nations for technology and design. However, these collaborations come with limitations. Developed countries are reluctant to share their best submarine technologies, instead offering second-best designs and know-how. This creates a dependence on the exporting country for technical support and services throughout the submarine's service life. Additionally, the expansion of the US submarine fleet faces challenges due to a lack of skilled workforce. It takes years to train an individual to become a skilled shipbuilder, and hiring requires significant investment. The shortage of a large, skilled workforce in a short timeframe is a significant hurdle for vendors, which will impede the growth of the global submarine market during the forecast period. The submarine market faces several challenges in the defense sector. Raw materials, such as high-strength alloy steel and titanium, have increasing prices, affecting the cost-effectiveness of submarine production. Defense forces worldwide are dealing with layoffs and delayed order deliveries due to budget constraints. Submarines are essential for underwater detection, surveillance activities, and reconnaissance roles, but they are also targets for missile attacks in geopolitical conflicts. Complex submarine parts, like missile fins and guidance systems, require advanced technology and materials. The use of 3D printing can help reduce costs and production time for these parts. However, the acquisition programs for ships and submarines require significant military budgets, leading to tough competition among defense contractors. Nuclear-powered submarines (SSN) and conventional submarines have different requirements - SSNs need nuclear propulsion for high speed and long voyage times, while conventional submarines rely on air and surface power. Naval intelligence and surveillance are crucial for strategic stabilities, but submarines operating in enemy territories can face risks. Deep-sea cables and groundwater bodies can also pose challenges for submarine operations near the ocean coast. Crewless submarines are a potential solution for reducing costs and risks, but they also require advanced technology and intelligence systems. The defense sector must address these challenges to maintain strategic stabilities and ensure naval dominance. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This submarine market report extensively covers market segmentation by Type 1.1 SSN 1.2 SSBN 1.3 SSK Application 2.1 Military 2.2 Commercial Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 APAC 3.3 Europe 3.4 Middle East and Africa and 3.5 South America 1.1 SSN- The submarine market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing demand for underwater exploration and defense applications. Key players include ThyssenKrupp, Rosoboronexport, and Naval Group. These companies manufacture and supply various types of submarines, such as nuclear-powered and diesel-electric, to meet diverse customer requirements. The market is driven by technological advancements, rising defense budgets, and geopolitical tensions. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The submarine market is witnessing significant growth due to increasing demand from defense forces for advanced naval military segment capabilities. The key drivers for this market include the need for covert operations, surprise attacks, and deterrent capabilities. Submarines are essential for underwater detection and maritime boundary protection, making them crucial for seafaring nations involved in maritime disputes. Raw materials such as high-strength alloy steel and titanium are integral to submarine production. New submarine acquisitions continue to shape the market, with technological advancements leading to improved underwater detection systems and the integration of missile attacks. The defense sector's ongoing modernization efforts and military systems' development are also contributing to the market's growth. The ocean coast's topography and the presence of groundwater bodies play a significant role in submarine design and deployment. Maritime disputes, nuclear triad maintenance, and offshore resource exploration further fuel the demand for submarines in the defense sector. Despite the ongoing orders and deliveries, layoffs in the industry have been reported due to economic pressures and changing defense priorities. Naval forces worldwide continue to invest in submarine fleets to secure offshore territories and protect their interests. Market Research Overview The submarine market is a critical sector in the defense industry, driven by the demand for advanced underwater capabilities from defense forces worldwide. Raw materials such as high-strength alloy steel and titanium are essential for building submarines, including Nuclear Powered Submarines (SSN) and Diesel Electric Submarines (SS). The market is influenced by various factors such as geopolitical conflicts, military budgets, and technological advancements. Submarines play crucial roles in defense, including underwater detection, surveillance activities, reconnaissance, and covert operations. The naval military segment dominates the market, with submarines used for strategic stabilities, naval intelligence, and the nuclear triad. However, the commercial segment is growing due to the increasing demand for cargo transports and offshore resources. Technological advancements, such as 3D printing and additive manufacturing techniques, are revolutionizing the production of complex submarine parts, including missile fins and guidance systems. The defense sector is also exploring cost-effectiveness through crewless submarines and ships. Military systems are continually evolving to keep up with enemy territories and strategic stabilities. Submarines are used for missile attacks, naval intelligence, and deterrents. Naval forces rely on submarines for surprise attacks and offshore territories. The ocean coast, topography, and groundwater bodies also impact submarine capabilities. The submarine market includes various types of submarines, such as attack submarines, ballistic missile submarines, and midget submarines (SSM). Nuclear technology and nuclear propulsion are essential for powering submarines for long voyages and high speeds. Refuelings and voyage times are critical factors in the acquisition programs of submarines. The defense industry is investing heavily in strengthening submarine capabilities, including air and surface defense, and deep-sea cables. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Type SSN SSBN SSK Application Military Commercial Geography North America APAC Europe 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 The expansive partnership includes a limited-edition Cafe O'Clock timepiece, specialty coffee cocktails, and a consumer pop-up event in NYC on National Coffee Day CORAL GABLES, Fla., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Tequila CAZADORES, the award-winning premium tequila brand from the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico has announced a new partnership with the iconic Latin style coffee brand, Cafe Bustelo. The collaboration brings together two beloved Latin beverages 100% Blue Weber Agave tequila and coffee to showcase the versatility of bold and rich coffee cocktails. The partnership will take shape with the launch of specialty coffee cocktails, a limited edition Cafe O'Clock timepiece, and an immersive Mexican oasis-themed pop-up experience in NYC. Tequila CAZADORES and Cafe Bustelo unite for a unique fusion of coffee and cocktails, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a bold new collaboration. At 10:00am EST, Tequila CAZADORES and Cafe Bustelo will release an exclusive, limited-edition Cafe O'Clock timepiece (no purchase necessary, while supplies last). Designed for coffee and cocktail enthusiasts in mind, the Cafe O'Clock displays when it's cafecito time in the morning with Cafe Bustelo or time to start the fiesta in the evening with a Tequila CAZADORES cocktail. The custom timepiece, adorned with playful graphics of martini glasses, coffee beans, agave plants, is the ideal accessory for your home bar or kitchen and includes an interactive button when it's time to "salud" with friends. Consumers can enter for a chance to receive the Cafe O'Clock at cazadores.com/us/en/cafeoclock . "After the successful launch last year of our first tequila-based coffee liqueur, CAZADORES Cafe, we saw how cocktail lovers gravitated towards the perfectly smooth pairing of coffee and tequila," said Jay Needham, Tequila CAZADORES Brand Director. "Now, just in time for National Coffee Day, we're excited to partner with one of the most popular coffee brands Cafe Bustelo to celebrate both cafecito and cocktail culture with fan favorites like the Espresso Martini, one of the most popular cocktails in the country, and the trendy Carajillo." "We're thrilled to partner with Tequila CAZADORES to celebrate Latin culture and our shared passion for coffee," said Christina Minjares Allio, Assistant Brand Manager, Cafe Bustelo. "This collaboration not only brings together two beloved beverages but also honors the vibrant traditions and flavors that unite us." Coffee and tequila lovers in New York City will also have the opportunity to sample one of the specialty cocktails in person. On National Coffee Day (Sunday, September 29) from 11am to 5pm, Tequila CAZADORES and Cafe Bustelo will debut a specialty pop-up experience: a Mexican oasis in the heart of Manhattan, for a quick reprieve from the bustle of the city. Consumers 21+ can RSVP for the limited time bookable experience on Eventbrite , which includes a timeslot to enjoy a sample beverage and automatic entry for a chance to win a Cafe O'Clock timepiece. For fans looking to mix up their own cocktails at home, Tequila CAZADORES and Cafe Bustelo have created the following signature cocktails to enjoy this Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond: CAZADORES Cafe y Cafe Bustelo Espresso Martini Ingredients: 2 oz Tequila CAZADORES Cafe 2 oz Cafe Bustelo Instant Espresso (prepared and chilled) Ice 3 coffee beans for garnish Instructions: Prepare Cafe Bustelo Instant Espresso : Dissolve 1 teaspoon of Cafe Bustelo Instant Espresso in 6 oz of hot water. Allow it to cool and then chill. : Dissolve 1 teaspoon of Cafe Bustelo Instant Espresso in 6 oz of hot water. Allow it to cool and then chill. Fill a shaker with ice. Add Tequila CAZADORES Cafe and chilled Cafe Bustelo Instant Espresso. Shake well until chilled. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with 3 coffee beans. Carajillo con CAZADORES y Cafe Bustelo Ingredients: 0.5 oz of Tequila CAZADORES Anejo 0.5 oz of Tequila CAZADORES Cafe 1 oz Cafe Bustelo Instant Espresso (prepared hot) 1 oz Licor 43 Ice Lemon twist for garnish Instructions: Prepare Cafe Bustelo Instant Espresso : Dissolve 1 teaspoon of Cafe Bustelo Instant Espresso in 6 oz of hot water. : Dissolve 1 teaspoon of Cafe Bustelo Instant Espresso in 6 oz of hot water. Fill a rock glass with ice. Add Tequila CAZADORES Cafe and Anejo, prepared Cafe Bustelo Espresso, and Licor 43. Stir gently to combine and garnish with a lemon twist. For more information on Tequila CAZADORES, please visit https://www.cazadores.com/ . Follow Tequila CAZADORES on Facebook and Instagram . Cafe Bustelo coffee is available at leading grocery retailers nationwide and online at CafeBustelo.com. Visit CafeBustelo.com for more information or follow @CafeBustelo on Instagram and @CafeBusteloOfficial on Facebook. Media Contact: [email protected] About Tequila CAZADORES Tequila CAZADORES is one of the most popular premium tequilas in Mexico and the United States. It all started with just one hard-working visionary in 1922 in the sun-kissed highlands of Jalisco, Mexico who spent years perfecting a tequila recipe for his friends and family. This closely guarded secret recipe was passed down by word of mouth for generations and is still used today, 100 years later. Tequila CAZADORES is made with 100% Blue Agave grown, harvested, and distilled in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, recognized as the premier agave growing region in the world, resulting in a smoother, more flavorful taste. The Tequila CAZADORES brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International www.CAZADORES.com . LOS CAZADORES TOMAN CON RESPONSABILIDAD. DRINK RESPONSIBLY. 2024. CAZADORES, ITS TRADE DRESS AND THE DEER LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS. IMPORTED BY TEQUILA CAZADORES U.S.A., SEAL BEACH, CA. About Cafe Bustelo Our delicious coffee and rich espresso heritage was born in 1928. Since then, we've not only been proud of our delicious flavor, but also of our unique and inviting culture. Cafe Bustelo coffee can be prepared using your preferred method. Available in the forms you want, including K-Cup pods. SOURCE Tequila CAZADORES TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bob Woodruff Foundation and the Embassy of the State of Qatar joined forces with The Mission Continues, a veterans' organization, to bring together more than 120 volunteers for a day of service benefitting fellow veterans impacted by natural disasters. During the day of service volunteers refurbished the Volunteers of America Florida (VOAFL) James Cole Village veterans' housing facility in Tampa. They painted common areas and murals, built shelving for food pantry, landscaped, and pressure washed outside areas. The Bob Woodruff Foundation, the Embassy of the State of Qatar, and The Mission Continues United to Revitalize Tampa's James Cole Veterans' Housing Village "We teamed up with the Embassy of the State of Qatar and The Mission Continues to work together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of over 50 veterans and their families at VOA-Florida's James Cole Village who suffered damage from recent Hurricanes in the state," said Anne Marie Dougherty, CEO of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. "The dedication and hard work of our volunteerspainting, landscaping, building essential structures, and enhancing the facility's safetyhave transformed this housing facility. This event is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together to help our nation's veterans thrive." In 2023, the Bob Woodruff Foundation received a $5 million donation from the State of Qatar to help Florida veterans who were impacted by Hurricane Ian and other natural disasters. VOAFL was one of the organizations who received part of this investment to ensure that at least 100 veterans in counties impacted by natural disasters receive assistance to improve their household stability. During more recent natural disasters like Hurricane Debby, extensive damage to the veterans' housing facility occurred, including severe fence damage, mold due to flooding, food pantry depletion, among others. This damage affected the quality of life for its veteran residents and their families. "Operation Tampa Strong signified the kind of positive and lasting impact that we can have on our nation's veterans and the communities they serve when we all come together for a common cause," said Kevin Cherep, Chief Executive Officer of The Mission Continues. "Indeed, having relationships with great partners like the Bob Woodruff Foundation and the State of Qatar helps drive the impact, but so does the volunteerism from the veterans, volunteers, and community members. This was a great example of unified service, and we are grateful to have been a part of it." The Bob Woodruff Foundation continues to partner with local organizations like The Mission Continues and international entities like the Embassy of the State of Qatar to provide veterans, service members, and their families the services they need. Natural disaster relief is one of the areas of focus for the organization. "Qatar is proud to provide support and relief to those in need, especially veterans who have dedicated themselves to serving others. We are pleased to continue our work and long-time partnership with The Bob Woodruff Foundation to help service members recover and thrive in the wake of natural disasters. We welcome the opportunity to provide assistance that will have a meaningful, lasting impact for veterans and their families," said Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the U.S. About the Bob Woodruff Foundation The Bob Woodruff Foundation was founded in 2006 after reporter Bob Woodruff was wounded by a roadside bomb while covering the war in Iraq. Since then, the Bob Woodruff Foundation has raised awareness about the tough challenges veterans and military families are facing and invested in solutions to help support them in the next chapter of their lives. To date, the Bob Woodruff Foundation has invested over $159 million to ensure that our nation's veterans, service members and their families those who stood for us have stable and successful futures. Visit www.BobWoodruffFoundation.org for more information. About the Qatar-US Partnership The United States established diplomatic relations with Qatar in 1972. The relationship has flourished in the subsequent 50 years, and today, the countries cooperate closely on a wide range of regional and global issues and enjoy deep commercial, educational, and cultural ties. In defense, Qatar and the US collaborate financially, politically, and militarily to work toward stability and prosperity for the region, with US President Joe Biden naming Qatar a Major Non-NATO Ally in 2022, one of just 18 countries globally with that designation. Qatar is home to Al-Udeid Air Base, where it has hosted US Central Command Forward Headquarters and a large US military contingent for decades. Qatar has also routinely come to the assistance of Americans in difficult times by donating to U.S. communities to support efforts to recover from natural disasters, including in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Harvey, and during the COVID-19 pandemic. About The Mission Continues The Mission Continues is a national veterans organization dedicated to empowering veterans as community-based leaders. We invest in veterans and under-resourced communities, developing new skill sets and equipping a growing veteran volunteer movement with the tools to drive positive change. We deploy veteran volunteers in more than 40 cities nationwide alongside nonprofit partners and community leaders to improve educational resources, address food insecurity, increase access to parks and green spaces, foster neighborhood identity, and more. Through this unique model, veterans are provided opportunities for personal connection and professional growth while generating visible community impact. To learn more, visit http://www.missioncontinues.org. Contact: Hillary Ovalle [email protected] 954 825 3065 SOURCE Bob Woodruff Foundation ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 17. Cooperation between Central Asia and Germany can better the situation in the region and surrounding areas, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov said at the Central Asia Germany summit in Astana today, Trend reports via the official Turkmen media. "In the current conditions, closer policy and diplomatic interaction between the countries of Central Asia and Germany can have a noticeable constructive impact on the general situation in the region and in the adjacent zones," he explained. Berdimuhamedov highlighted the importance of international cooperation for ensuring peace and stability in the region. "We should engage the efforts of the global community, primarily through the UN. We are guided by the shared vision of our countries' leadership to see Central Asia as a peaceful, calm, economically attractive region, a space of stability and predictability. For Turkmenistan, as a neutral and peace-loving state, this approach holds fundamental importance," added the head of state. To note, the second Central Asia Germany (5+1) summit is taking place in Astana with the participation of the Turkmen president. The summit continues the trend of developing strategic partnerships that began with the first meeting in Berlin in September 2023. Turkmenistan demonstrates its commitment to constructive international dialogue, reaffirming its role in expanding multilateral cooperation. The summit is also attended by Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and the heads of state of Central Asia. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel In its State of Feature Management and Experimentation 2024 report, Split by Harness reveals that only 1 in 6 of those surveyed are successful with Feature Management and Experimentation without the ability to monitor system performance and user behavior at the feature level. SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Harness , the Modern Software Delivery Platform company, and Split Software, a leading Feature Management and Experimentation provider recently acquired by Harness, today released groundbreaking insights in collaboration with LeadDev. The report, The State of Feature Management and Experimentation 2024, surveyed 500 engineering leaders and underscores the critical role feature management and experimentation tools play in helping software teams succeed within the maturing practice. According to the survey, 83% of senior leaders prioritize feature management as a way to embed experimentation into their developer cultures. However, engineering teams are not succeeding without the right tools in place. Specifically, only 1 in 6 say they were successful without the ability to monitor system performance and user behavior at the feature level, an integral capability of robust feature management solutions like Split by Harness. Other key insights from the survey include: Safety & optimization are top priorities: 78% of respondents identified risk mitigation and feature optimization as essential components of their feature management strategy. 78% of respondents identified risk mitigation and feature optimization as essential components of their feature management strategy. Release monitoring is critical to feature management success: 82% of successful feature management respondents say they monitor at the feature level, while only 16% who do not monitor believe they are successful. 82% of successful feature management respondents say they monitor at the feature level, while only 16% who do not monitor believe they are successful. Experimentation requires best practices and proper tooling: 46% of organizations not conducting experiments point to a lack of best practices as a major barrier, while 37% cite technical debt as a hindrance. 46% of organizations not conducting experiments point to a lack of best practices as a major barrier, while 37% cite technical debt as a hindrance. Engineering takes the reins on experimentation: The responsibility for experimentation is increasingly shared between engineering and product teams, with 42% of the leadership now held by engineering. The responsibility for experimentation is increasingly shared between engineering and product teams, with 42% of the leadership now held by engineering. Integration with CI/CD is the future: The future of feature management tools lies in their integration with CI/CD solutions, as 83% of leaders expect such connectivity. "The challenges of mitigating risk at enterprises with over 500 engineers are enormous, especially under pressure to innovate rapidly," said Trevor Stuart, co-founder of Split Software. "Knowing the impact of every feature with proper release monitoring and minimizing the blast radius of potential failures is now more critical than ever." With feature flags and CI/CD capabilities becoming inseparable, Split Software's integration within the Harness platform promises a unified solution for managing feature flags and CI/CD pipelines, streamlining operations for engineering teams. For a deeper dive into these findings, read the full report . About Harness Harness is the leading end-to-end platform for complete software delivery. It provides a simple, safe, and secure way for engineering and DevOps teams to release applications into production. Harness uses AI and machine learning to monitor the quality of deployments and automatically roll back failed ones, saving time and reducing the need for custom scripting and manual oversight, giving engineers their nights and weekends back. Harness customers accelerate deployments by up to 75%, reduce infrastructure costs by up to 60%, and decrease lead time for changes by up to 90%. Harness is based in San Francisco. SOURCE Harness CHICAGO, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --Today, The Huntington National Bank announced that banking veteran Patrice DeCorrevont has been named president of its Illinois/Wisconsin region. DeCorrevont brings more than three decades of experience to this role. Patrice DeCorrevont "We are thrilled to have Patrice lead Huntington's largest region. Her deep ties to the community, along with her banking expertise, uniquely positions her to lead our Illinois/Wisconsin teams. Under her leadership, Huntington will continue to drive growth and bring more of our products and capabilities to customers and businesses," said Christian Corts, Regional Banking Director at Huntington. DeCorrevont will be responsible for delivering Huntington's highly differentiated regional banking model, leading all market teams, and expanding business and community relationships in the region. She previously held various roles at Wells Fargo, including Illinois Market Leader for Commercial Banking and Division Manager in Government and Institutional Banking. DeCorrevont also led the fixed income business at JPMorgan Securities, Inc. She also managed the sales, trading, and syndicate desk at First Chicago, as well as at American National Bank. As an active member in the community, DeCorrevont serves on many boards, including Junior Achievement of Chicago and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member The Economic Club of Chicago. DeCorrevont recently served on the boards of Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. DeCorrevont earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Notre Dame and a master's in business administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She will begin her new role at Huntington in November and will be based in Chicago. Since entering the market in 2010, Huntington has grown its presence to include more than 1,500 employees and 145 branches serving customers with its full suite of financial services, including banking, payments, wealth management, and risk management products and services. For six consecutive years, Huntington has been the largest originator, by volume, of Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) loans in Illinois. The bank provided more SBA loans than any other bank, with loans of $96.1 million to 534 small businesses. In 2023, Huntington ranked second in SBA 7(a) loans in Wisconsin, lending more than $13 million to 56 local small businesses. For more information about Huntington, visit: www.huntington.com. 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 PITTSFORD, N.Y., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Amar V. Munsiff, MD, FACP, CHCQM-PHYADV is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member for his contributions in hospital systems development for Utilization Management, Observation Medicine, and Physician Advisorship for assigning patient status for hospitalized patients. Amar V. Munsiff, MD, FACP Dr. Amar V. Munsiff has been immensely successful in teaching medical staff in the correct assignment of patient status for individuals admitted to the hospital. Upon hospitalization, individuals are classified as "inpatient" or as "outpatient in observation," based on their severity of illness and the intensity of necessary clinical services. This designation of patient status has tremendous implications to the cost of care for the patient, hospital, and insurer: if physicians and/or utilization nurses select the wrong patient status systematically, the cost to patients can be catastrophic, and amount to tens of millions of dollars over a year to the hospital. Dr. Munsiff has developed a unique educational program for both utilization review staff as well as medical staff. The instruction builds on the foundational knowledge in each discipline, providing relevant information which is referenced in the US Government Federal Register, facilitating compliance with federal mandates. In his curriculum, Dr. Munsiff teaches medical and utilization staff on how to scribe a written justification of the chosen patient status (of inpatient or outpatient in observation) for hospitalized patients, removing the hurdle of payment disputes between hospital, insurers, and patients at a time of illness. The fields of medical education, clinical diagnosis, clinical documentation, resource utilization have intersected, and Dr. Munsiff is at the forefront of managing that convergence. Unfortunately, for many hospitals that knowledge-base has remained siloed, resulting in loss of tens of millions of dollars annually. Combined with administrative and operational workflow enhancements, Dr. Munsiff's specialized educational program also optimize the patient's stay and facilitates transition of care, culminating in a comprehensive approach to improve patient experience, all without imposing on staff or interfering with the clinical judgment of medical staff. Dr. Munsiff's journey to becoming a leader in medical education began with a solid foundation in academia. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology from Columbia College before pursuing a Master of Science in Neuroscience from New York University, followed by nearly a decade of basic science research studying dementia and computational neuroscience. He completed his Doctor of Medicine (MD) at New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York, and his internal medicine residency at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, New York. Dr. Munsiff has remained board certified in internal medicine by both ABIM and NBPAS, and subsequently also as a Physician Advisor by ABQAURP, demonstrating his commitment to maintaining the highest standards of medical practice. He is affiliated with esteemed organizations such as the American College of Physicians, the American College of Physician Advisors, and the American Board of Quality and Utilization Review. The sum of his experiences led him to found a non-profit medical education company, and he has chaired and presented at dozens of medical conferences. He was among the first generation of "HIV doctors" in New York, developed several NYS Designated AIDS Centers, and received several grants for multidisciplinary care of HIV patients. He has provided direct patient care throughout the age spectrum for nearly 30 years, as well has held various clinical and administrative leadership positions in Hospitals. Throughout his career, Dr. Munsiff has established himself as a trusted authority in clinical practice, medical education, clinical documentation, and utilization review. And he now shares this expertise nationwide as a consultant, arresting the financial hemorrhage threatening the survival of community hospitals. Dr. Munsiff describes himself as an old-fashioned physician who treated his patients as if they were his own family. He does find fulfillment in his role as a father of three adult children and husband to his bride of 33 years who is also a brilliant infectious disease physician and epidemiologist. And, he fondly remembers his parents, Virendra and Veera Munsiff, whom he credits with exemplary perseverance, humility, honesty, integrity, and dedication. Dr. Munsiff has already had a lasting impact on millions of persons across over 2 dozen hospital systems, allowing the healthcare landscape to survive tribulations in communities across the United States of America. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle GREATER SARASOTA AREA, Fla., Sept. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, esteemed attorney Nicole M. Jergovic-Harris is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence for her contributions to the Legal Field. Nicole Jergovic Harris Nicole M. Jergovic-Harris, a seasoned legal professional with over 25 years of experience, is a standout in the realm of legal services. Her expertise spans compliance regulation, real estate development, and animal law advocacy. Ms. Jergovic-Harris' career is a testament to her unwavering commitment to justice and advocacy, evident in her ability to handle complex legal matters across various roles. Ms. Jergovic-Harris' academic journey is a testament to her commitment to the legal profession. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1997, followed by a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Marquette University Law School in 2000. Her licenses to practice law by the Oregon State Bar, the State Bar of Wisconsin, and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin further validate her expertise. Ms. Jergovic-Harris' career is a tapestry of diverse and extensive accomplishments. She currently serves as in-house counsel for CrowdDoing in El Dorado Hills, California, providing expert legal guidance and oversight. She is also the Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Sherlock's Home Base, LLC in Tampa, Florida, overseeing legal operations and strategy as the company develops affordable housing, which is another feather in her cap. Her career also includes notable roles in training, legal analysis, research, and consulting services for the Animal Legal Defense Fund, where she has been instrumental in advancing animal rights and welfare. Before her corporate tenure, Ms. Jergovic-Harris distinguished herself as a litigation powerhouse, serving as lead level III deputy district attorney and lead trial litigator for the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office from 2003 to 2023. Her tenure at the district attorney's office was marked by her exceptional courtroom skills and her commitment to seeking justice, particularly in high-stakes and emotionally charged cases. She was featured prominently as the litigation attorney in the nonfiction book "Faced My Fears in Portland: A Homicide Case, a Confirmation and a Caution" by Diane De Han, which recounts a mother's experience while navigating the aftermath of her son Marc's tragic death. As the lead trial lawyer in the case, Ms. Jergovic-Harris' courtroom prowess was described as "stunningly perfect," reflecting her ability to handle complex and emotionally demanding legal proceedings with grace and effectiveness. Ms. Jergovic-Harris' dedication to animal law advocacy has garnered her prestigious recognition, including the Diamond Collar Award from the Oregon Humane Society in 2012 and the title of "Best Animal Law Attorney" by Spot Magazine in 2015. Her contributions to criminal law and legal education further underscore her impact on the legal community, inspiring others with her passion and commitment. Her contributions extend to legal education, highlighted by her roles as an instructor at national conferences and as an adjunct criminal law professor at Western Business College. Looking ahead, Ms. Jergovic-Harris remains committed to expanding her impact in legal practice and advocacy roles, advocating for justice and the rights of individuals and animals alike. Her future projections include continued growth and success in advancing legal protections and ensuring fairness in the legal system. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle BARGERSVILLE, Ind., Sept. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Paul Delbert Winchester, MD is acknowledged as a Top Pinnacle Neonatologist for his contributions in Neonatology. Dr. Winchester, an esteemed neonatologist with a career spanning over four decades, has made significant contributions to the field of neonatology and pediatric care. His dedication to the well-being of infants and children has earned him recognition as a leading expert in the field. Paul Winchester Currently serving as the Professor of Neonatology at the Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis, and attending Neonatologist at St. Francis Hospital, Indiana, Dr. Winchester has been at the forefront of neonatal acute care since 1981. Dr. Winchester is renowned for his innovative and comprehensive approach to clinical care. His emphasis on understanding patients' medical histories and a strong focus on preventive measures has set him apart as a practitioner who goes above and beyond to ensure the well-being of the young patients under his care. His educational journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in experimental psychology from Stanford University in 1970. He continued to excel academically, earning a Master of Arts from the University of Michigan in 1972 and a Doctor of Medicine Internship and Residency in pediatrics in 1979, and Fellowship in Neonatology 1981 at the University of Colorado Medical Center in Denver. The board-certified physician is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is currently affiliated with Indiana University School of Medicine as a Clinical Professor and Riley Hospital, Eskenazi Hospital, Francis Hospital, Indianapolis, as medical staff. The doctor is board-certified in pediatrics and neonatal and perinatal medicine; is a PALS provider; and is an NRP Instructor/provider. Throughout his career, Dr. Winchester has achieved several remarkable milestones. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the first neonatologist to practice outside of Denver, Colorado. He developed the first Level III NICU outside of Denver in Colorado in 1981, which tripled survival rates in very low birth-weight babies in 6 months; developed Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program with Marsha London, RN at Beth-El School of Nursing, Colorado Springs; was a member of the First Neonatal Transport Team for Fort Carson Army Mast Helicopters, as well as Mayo Fixed Wing medical transports; Neonatal Fellowship (Beth Murdoch) program with Bill Haye, MD CUMC; Resuscitation and intubation labs for Southern Colorado Family Practice Program in Pueblo, Colorado. Dr. Winchester has made several significant contributions to the field of neonatology making him a world-renowned physician. Dr. Winchester developed the first High Frequency Ventilator in Colorado with designs incorporated into commercial HFJV now in use; introduced High Frequency Ventilation to Colorado, Kansas and New Hampshire; was awarded a March of Dimes grant to begin the first Prematurity Prevention Program in Colorado in 1982 along with Maria Carlos and Robert Creasy MD; had the first reported use of prenatal steroids in preterm labor mothers <28 weeks gestation, which doubled survival rates and cut severe IVH rates in half; was the first to use post-natal steroids to treat BPD in Colorado which was adopted by Gordon Avery Washington Children's Hospital; helped develop ultrasound as a diagnostic test for neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage along with Carol Rumack, MD; developed clinical care flow sheet which is under the Baby's Benefit copyright; and discovered that preterm birth is heritable. Dr. Winchester adds that he developed Paul's three rules: 1) if you have it you've always had it 2) if you have it, your family has it 3) if you have it you "marry" it, (choices of place to live, place to work, profession, likes and dislikes, are all informed by your genome). Among his great accomplishments, Dr. Winchester, along with colleague Rodney Levine NIH, is credited with making the groundbreaking discovery in Kansas City that a phenol-based germicide used to clean bassinets was a cause for newborn jaundice. He also organized mentorship programs for Blue Valley High School and Shawnee Mission School District and entered into a congressional agreement with manufacturers (Merk) to not market to newborn care facilities. In New Hampshire, he discovered that prenatal steroids influence the post-menstrual day of discharge from the NICU by accelerating physiological maturity with Robert Darnell Dartmouth Medical Center. During his time in Indiana the doctor discovered that the two leading causes of Infant Death (birth defects and preterm birth) both peak in the months of peak pesticides in US surface waters and went on to discover that 93-99% of pregnant Hoosier mothers are exposed to the weed killer glyphosate (GLY) (aka Round Up), and that higher levels of glyphosate shorten pregnancies, which leads to premature birth in some and reduces fetal growth. After Winchester and colleagues finding that a majority of US Women are exposed to glyphosate, the CDC and other investigators confirmed the findings and added additional adverse effects to the list including the additional impact of AMPA (the main metabolite of glyphosate) , masculinization of female genitals and predisposition to fatty liver disease. With collaborator Mike Skinner from WSU, Dr. Winchester found that GLY induces epigenetic changes in exposed offspring which translated into "heritable" diseases such as obesity, perinatal mortality, and multiple disorders and has contributed numerous abstracts and presentations for more than 20 years to the annual Academic Society for Pediatrics, formerly SPR. He has a plethora of grants that have made much of his research possible. Dr. Winchester's work history includes serving as the Director of Neonatology at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs from 1981 to 1990 and a faculty role at the University of Colorado, where he shared his expertise by teaching clinical pediatric coursework from 1985 to 1986. He has more than 40 years practicing in Neonatology, founding two level III NICUS at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Overland Park Regional Medical Center in Kansas where he directed four NICUS including one at Elliot Hospital, NH and St. Francis Hospital, IN. He is an esteemed member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics where he is distinguished as a Fellow; District VIII Perinatal Medical Society; Subspecialty Board Neonatology at the American Academy of Pediatrics; and was a clinical instructor at the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado and the University of Kansas (KUMC). Dr. Winchester has also received numerous distinctions and awards during his illustrious career including: Stanford Management Intern (SNIP) of the Year Award in 1968; graduated with honors from Stanford University in 1970; is a recipient of the Franklin P. Gengenbach Award for Best Pediatric Student in 1974-1975; March of Dimes "Make a Difference" Award in Greater Kansas City in 1991; Red Shoes Award at Riley Hospital in 2005; Indiana Public Health Association's Tony and Mary Hulman Achievement Award for Health Science Research in November 2013. The Top Doc Award in the Indianapolis Monthly Magazine in 2014, 2016-2021; Castle Connolly Top Doctor Award in 2016. Dr. Winchester is a highly sought-after professional and expert in the field and has served in many other capacities during his career including being a member of the NAS Multi-disciplinary Task Force at St. Francis Medical Center; founded and supported the Annual Perinatal Conference "Growth and Challenge" in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and supported as Clinical Advisor Research Fellowship by Amira Bastawisi, MD-Risk Factors for Premature Birth in Colorado Research tool developed by P.S. Winchester and Elizabeth Kyre. He has been an invited lecturer at numerous conferences including The Iowa Governor's Conference on Public Health where he was the keynote speaker and the Indianapolis Healthy Babies Consortium Meeting as a featured speaker. As a renowned researcher, with presentations from 2001-2024 at annual Academic Pediatric Society Meetings. Dr. Winchester has countless IRB's adding to the body of work supporting neonatal care and other medically relevant studies. He is both a mentor to numerous trainees, students and professionals and at the forefront of Pediatric and Neonatology research and development, saving countless lives and improving the odds for hundreds of infants and mothers. The doctor is a consummate supporter of the community including Greenwood High School Honors Biology Research Program with Becky Kehler (now in Sarasota County Schools, Fla). He worked with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office as a consultant and has supported Johnson County 4-H Fair as a Grand Champion in Artistic Painting. Looking ahead, Dr. Winchester envisions a future filled with continued growth and success in the field of neonatology and pediatrics. He is pursuing the next steps in protecting pregnant women from unwanted chemicals now contaminating them while pregnant. He explained, "our discovery of glyphosate in most pregnant women is just one of a litany of chemicals now found in every life form on the planet. The capacity of these chemicals to alter the DNA of our offspring, inducing diseases across generations, is the next big challenge which we heretofore weren't aware of. Infertility is the worst of these chemicals' effects since it will lead to the inability of the human race to reproduce naturally if not altered." The doctor added that, "the privilege of treating sick newborns comes with the responsibility to find the origin of their diseases: preterm birth, birth defects, fetal growth restriction and their impact of cognitive and physical development of our children. Most chronic diseases today have their origins in ancestral environmental contaminants through epigenetic fetal changes. We are perfecting the means of keeping preterm babies alive, but they should never have to be born premature or sick in the first place. Our next big step is to provide the pharmacological, proteomic, probiotic, nutritional and medical, and psychological means to prepare women and their spouses for an optimal state of health before they become pregnant. This will include chemical surveillance, epigenetic and genetic surveillance and counseling, and may, one day, include modifiers for both genetic and epigenetic risk variants." Dr. Winchester's current primary research focuses on the role that prenatal herbicides impact the pregnancy, fetal development and long-term neuro-psychological development of exposed offspring including the potential role these contaminants have on childhood conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and attention, anxiety, depression disorders. His other research interests also include Physiological Maturation of the Neonate and Readiness for Discharge; III Neonatal Data Systems, Computerization of OB/Neonatal Data Base; and Sleep Study Program at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Aside from Dr. Winchester's incredible career and influence in the medical field, he is a former athlete excelling in many sports including football where he was an All-State Athlete at Bozeman Senior High School and Division Champion in wrestling for Pacific Coast Small Colleges in 1967 at Lewis and Clark. He grew up on Winchester Angus Cattle Ranch in Bozeman, Montana. The doctor has more than 4 decades of extraordinary experiences, collaborating with national and international professionals. He has lived in Ankara, Turkey, studied in Tours, France and Edinburgh, Scotland, and speaks French, Spanish, and some German. While Dr. Winchester's professional achievements are indeed noteworthy, he considers his most gratifying accomplishment to be the extraordinary success of his four children, 3 grandchildren and counting, and wife, Deb, who remains his most important partner in life. Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Winchester acknowledges the influence of his parents, Burl Winchester and Carolyn Winchester; Mark Winchester MD (brother); Band director Percy Bronson; 4th grade teacher Mrs. Knoll; Wrestling and Football Coach Tom Le Prouse; Bozeman Senior High School; Del Weber, former President of California Teachers Association; Gordon Bower PhD Professor, Stanford University; Cy Gilbert director, Plans Programs American Airlines; Robert Bjork PhD Professor UCLA; Patrick O'Meara MD and Sharon Langendorfer MD at the University of Colorado Medical Center; Thomas Bouchard, University of Minnesota (Minnesota Twin Study); Ernie Beal MD Elliot Hospital; William Edwards MD, Dartmouth Medical School; James Lemons MD, former Chief Division of Neonatology Riley Hospital for Children and Indiana University School of Medicine, and early teachers who encouraged his pursuits. He also pays tribute to Dr. James A. Lemons, MD, the Chair of the Neonatal Department at the Indiana University School of Medicine, as a significant mentor who shaped his career along with his wife, Deb Winchester. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle HAGGERSTOWN, Md., Sept. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Sherrie L. Burkholder, MSHA, BSN, RNC-OB, E-EFM is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member for her contributions as Nursing Director at the Women's and Newborn Care Center. Sherrie L. Burkholder, a highly respected figure in the medical field, has been making significant strides as a Nursing Director specializing in Women and Newborn Care. With a career spanning over four decades, Sherrie brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role, ensuring the highest standards of care for her patients. Sherrie Burkholder A distinguished alumna of Reading Hospital School of Nursing touting a diploma in nursing earned in 1983; and the University of St. Francis where she received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1992 and a Master of Science in Health Administration in 1996, Sherrie holds multiple degrees, including a Diploma in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a Master of Science in Health Administration. She is also certified in Nursing and Obstetric and Neonatal care, reflecting her commitment to ongoing professional development and excellence. Throughout her career, Sherrie has held various managerial positions at esteemed healthcare institutions, including MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, Howard County General Hospital, UPMC Western Maryland, and Adventist HealthCare, among others. Her leadership and dedication have been instrumental in shaping quality care delivery in obstetrics, labor, and delivery units. In addition to her clinical expertise, Sherrie is an active member of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), contributing to advancements in women's healthcare practices and policies. Punctuating her extraordinary accomplishments, she has also been recognized by AWHONN with an award for educational achievement. Beyond her professional achievements, Sherrie values the importance of family and community. She expresses deep gratitude to her husband Brian and daughter Haley for their unwavering love and support. She also acknowledges her mentor Nancy Bauzon for her inspiration throughout her career journey. Looking ahead, Sherrie is excited about future endeavors, including travel to Norway and exploring opportunities in Legal Nurse Consulting. With her compassionate approach and commitment to treating patients like family, Sherrie is poised to continue making a positive impact in the healthcare industry. Aside from her professional pursuits, Sherrie enjoys vacationing in Florida. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE The Inner Circle Monumental Announcement Doubles Philanthropist's Lifetime Giving ROCHESTER, N.Y., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tom Golisano, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader, today announced an unprecedented and historic series of major awards totaling $360 million to 82 non-profit organizations in Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse, New York. This commitment nearly doubles Golisano's lifetime giving, bringing the total to $775 million, with more to be expected. Tom Golisano, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader, today announced an unprecedented and historic series of major awards totaling $360 million to 82 non-profit organizations in Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse, New York. The unrestricted, multiyear awards range from $250,000 to $20 million each, paid over four to five years, spanning healthcare, education, animal welfare, disability services, and other crucial community needs. Almost all of the organizations who learned today that they are receiving a major award have been recipients of prior awards by Mr. Golisano and/or the Golisano Foundation. This significant financial commitment represents support for a diverse range of causes, all of which are meaningful to Tom and follow suit with prior awards given. Awards received may be used at each organization's discretion. Capping the monumental nature of this initiative, Mr. Golisano is also making a transformative $52 million award to the Golisano Foundation by increasing the total investment assets to $120 million. This infusion of funding will increase the Golisano Foundation's giving from approximately $3 to more than $5 million annually allowing even more opportunities for new and current organizations to access crucial grant funding that falls within the Foundation's established mission. "I'm thrilled to provide support to the Upstate New York community, to the region where I built my life and my business." said Mr. Golisano. "I know that there are many organizations doing great work and understand that running a nonprofit is not easy, facing both opportunities and challenges, like raising money. These awards are the result of relationships I've formed over the years. I am impressed with these organizations' dedication and innovation. It is extremely rewarding to see what they have been able to accomplish with my financial support over the years. I hope this unexpected, unrestricted funding helps them build on their successes and broaden their impact." "One of my favorite sayings is 'the only wealth you keep is that which you give away,' and I'm so lucky to be able to live that out. The success of Paychex, the hard work of the employees there is ultimately what makes these donations possible, and I am beyond grateful that I have the ability to do so. I look forward to seeing how this will be used to strengthen their organizations and better the communities they serve." The $360 million commitment announced today brings Mr. Golisano's overall philanthropy to $775 million. Prior to today, his personal philanthropy totaled over $374 million. In addition, The Golisano Foundation, which he founded in 1985, has awarded more than $41 million in grants, primarily to organizations devoted to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It also helps animal welfare organizations through Bailey and Friends, an initiative of the Golisano Foundation founded in honor of Golisano's two dogs, both of whom were named Bailey. "We encourage non-profit organizations to visit our website to learn more about Tom's personal giving and the Foundation's mission," said Erica Dayton, executive director of the Golisano Foundation. "We look forward to the new influx of agencies we'll be introduced to through the widespread news of Tom's most recent giving. Understanding the needs of the communities we support and the organizations that devote their expertise to serving them is a constantly evolving process. We are always looking to learn more and determine how we can be supportive with the resources available." Today's announcement follows Mr. Golisano's June 2024 commitment of $50 million to the University of Rochester Medical Center to establish the Golisano Intellectual and Development Disabilities Institutehis largest single gift to date. $360 Million in Awards Announced on September 17, 2024 to 82 Organizations Rochester $201 Million Buffalo $66.5 Million Syracuse $40.5 Million $52 Million to the Golisano Foundation which serves Upstate New York and Southwest Florida Community - 8 Organizations - $25 Million The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester - $5 Million Foodlink - $5 Million Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind - $2 Million Hillside Family of Agencies - $5 Million Lifespan - $2 Million Medical Motor Service of Rochester & Monroe County - $2 Million Veterans Outreach Center - $2 Million WXXI Public Broadcasting - $2 Million Education - 16 Organizations - $86 Million Alfred State College - $5 Million Allendale Columbia School - $5 Million Aquinas Institute of Rochester $5 Million Bishop Kearney High School - $5 Million Canisius University - $5 Million The Charles Finney School - $3 Million Daemen University - $5 Million The Harley School - $5 Million Hope Hall School - $3 Million McQuaid Jesuit High School - $5 Million Nazareth University - $5 Million Niagara University - $10 Million Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women - $5 Million Roberts Wesleyan University - $5 Million Rochester Institute of Technology - $10 Million St. John Fisher University - $5 Million Health - 9 Organizations - $69 Million American Cancer Society, Golisano Hope Lodge - $2 Million American Red Cross - Greater Rochester Chapter - $5 Million Daystar Kids - $5 Million Mercy Flight Central - $5 Million Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center - $10 Million Oishei Children's Hospital of Buffalo - $10 Million Rochester Regional Health - $20 Million Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester, NY - $2 Million Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital - $10 Million Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) - 26 Organizations - $104 Million Ability Partners (CP Rochester, Rochester Rehab, Happiness House) - $5 Million Arc Allegany-Steuben - $5 Million Arc Chemung-Schuyler - $5 Million Arc Erie County New York - $5 Million Arc GLOW (Genesee/Livingston/Orleans/Wyoming)- $5 Million Arc of Monroe County - $5 Million Arc of Ontario County - $5 Million Arc of Wayne County - $5 Million AutismUp - $3 Million Best Buddies, WNY - $1 Million Catholic Charities Family and Community Services - $5 Million CDS Life Transitions - $5 Million Cobblestone Arts Center - $2 Million Empowering People's Independence (EPI) - $5 Million EquiCenter - $2 Million Golisano Autism Center - $3 Million Heritage Christian Services - $5 Million Holy Childhood - $5 Million Lifetime Assistance - $5 Million Mary Cariola Center - Future Announcement Mozaic (Arc of Seneca, Cayuga & Yates Counties) - $5 Million People, Inc. - $5 Million Special Olympics New York - $1 Million Springbrook - $5 Million Starbridge Services - $2 Million Summit Center - $5 Million Animal Welfare 23 Organizations - $24 Million Better Together Pet Rescue Center - $250,000 Beverly Animal Shelter - $1 Million Chautauqua County Humane Society - $1.5 Million Chemung County Humane Society & SPCA - $1 Million Finger Lakes SPCA - $1.5 Million Headed for Furever - $250,000 Hornell Area Humane Society - $1.5 Million Humane Society of Schuyler County - $1.5 Million Humane Society of Wayne County - $1.5 Million Humane Society of Yates County - $1.5 Million Joyful Rescue - $250,000 Keller's Kats Rescue - $250,000 Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester - $2 Million Mr. Grey's Strays - $250,000 Operation Freedom Ride - $250,000 Pet Adoption Network - $250,000 Pet Pride of New York - $1.5 Million Rochester Emergency Veterinary Services - $1.5 Million Rochester HOPE for Pets - $250,000 SPCA in Cattaraugus County - $1.5 Million SPCA Serving Allegany County - $1.5 Million SPCA Serving Erie County - $1.5 Million Wyoming County SPCA - $1.5 Million Golisano Foundation - $52 Million About Tom Golisano and the Golisano Foundation Tom Golisanoentrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leaderis the founder of Paychex, Inc., the nation's largest human resource company for small to medium-sized businesses, providing integrated human capital management solutions for payroll, benefits, human resources, and insurance services for more than 745,000 clients in the U.S. and Europe. Mr. Golisano's vision, perseverance, and action have left an indelible mark on a broad spectrum of issues that touch our livesin business, healthcare, education, voter policies, politics, and tax reform. His continuing investments are helping to advance entrepreneurship through the 2023 establishment of the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship as well as driving the success of numerous businesses and start-ups. His personal philanthropic contributions to hospitalsincluding three children's hospitals that bear his nameand numerous educational institutions, his Foundation, and other organizations now exceed $775 million. He has dedicated more than $145 million to advancing inclusive health around the world helping to close the substantial gap in access to care for people with intellectual disabilities. A fierce advocate for dignity and inclusion, in 1985 Mr. Golisano applied his pioneering spirit to establish the Golisano Foundation to make the world a better place for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With more than $120 million now in gross assets, it is one of the largest private foundations in the U.S. devoted to supporting programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities awarding about $5 million annually to non-profit organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida. Mr. Golisano is the author of two Books, "Built Not Born," a Wall Street Journal best seller and "The Italian Kid Did It." He is listed on the Forbes 400. Connect with us at Golisanofoundation.org, @GolisanoFdn, @ThomasGolisano About Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship is a leader in alternative post-secondary business education. Delivering a high-quality and accelerated business experience for students of all ages, Golisano Institute leverages an expansive roster of higher education partners, entrepreneur advisors, and business connections to help professionals reach their full potential. Thanks to the generosity of founder Tom Golisano, qualified students can access the Institute's benefits at a significantly lower cost than the average higher education institution. For more information, visit us at LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or golisanoinstitute.org. SOURCE Tom Golisano REBRANDED AS METALFORMS HEAT TRANSFER HOUSTON, Sept. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TransTech Group (TransTech), a leading portfolio company of Bridge Industries (Bridge), is pleased to announce the acquisition of the North American business of Koch Heat Transfer (KHT), a global leader in the design and manufacture of heat transfer equipment and technologies, by its subsidiary Metalforms. The acquisition marks a significant milestone for both companies and is set to redefine the landscape of heat transfer solutions in the energy and industrial sectors. Metalforms Heat Transfer's TWISTED TUBE Heat Exchanger Technology improves efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and lowers production costs to meet your ESG goalsand boost profitability. Metalforms, a long-time partner of KHT, will continue to manufacture KHT brand's North American products under the new brand Metalforms Heat Transfer. Production will occur at Metalforms' Beaumont, Texas facility, where the bulk of KHT's domestic replacement bundles and heat exchangers were previously produced. Based in Beaumont and Houston, Texas, Metalforms will leverage the combined strengths of its existing capabilities and assets together with KHT's renowned brands BROWN FINTUBE, TWISTED TUBE, LOK-FLANGE, ALCO PRODUCTS, BAS-TEX, and BOS-HATTENto deliver world-class heat transfer solutions to North American customers. "We're excited to welcome Koch Heat Transfer into the TransTech familyand extend a warm welcome to our newest team members and customers," said Greg Ezzell, President and Chief Growth Officer of TransTech, "This acquisition dramatically transforms our ability to deliver comprehensive heat transfer solutions to our customers, including new, cutting-edge technologies. We're eager to expand on Koch's commitment to ESG technologies that improve efficiency, generate significant energy savings, and lower production costs to help our customers meet their ESG goals and boost their profitability" As an established fabrication partner to KHT with deep understanding of KHT's products and technologies, Metalforms is uniquely positioned to build on KHT's strengths, while significantly expanding its capabilities and geographical footprint. "With our well-established working relationships and retention of Koch Heat Transfer's highly skilled engineers and fabricators, we'll be able to ensure ultimate continuity in quality and service" added Clint Martin, Director of Commercial Operations at Metalforms, "Metalforms' 24-7 delivery model together with KHT's leading technology and capabilities position the company to lead the industry in innovation, quality, serviceand speed." "Building on our existing partnership allows us to maintain our commitment to delivering the highest-quality, innovative products, while enhancing our capabilitiesand responsiveness," said Shally Rudra, Sales Director, Metalforms Heat Transfer, and former KHT executive. "The collaboration will continue advancement of KHT's technology leadership while leveraging TransTech's extensive resources to expand its manufacturing capabilities and market share", said Jeff Berlin, Chairman & CEO, TransTech and President & CEO Bridge Industries. "The acquisition underscores TransTech's commitment to growth and its vision of providing industry-leading heat transfer solutions." About TransTech Group TransTech Group delivers best-in-class custom-engineered and fabricated products to nationally recognized standards including ASME, API, TEMA, specialized EPC and plant maintenance services, and a broad array of engineered solutionsserving every point across the plant lifecycle. TransTech primarily serves energy and process manufacturing industriesparticularly those involved in oil and gas production and processing, refining, petrochemical, renewables, specialty chemical, and other sectors. The Group also delivers specialized solutions and services for the energy infrastructure sector which shares similar technical and operational challenges to the process industries. About Metalforms Metalforms specializes in the delivery of custom-engineered and fabricated shell & tube heat exchangers, ASME pressure vessels, process piping and other equipment, serving customers in midstream oil & gas, refining, petrochemical, specialty chemical, and other sectors. The company also delivers an array of related services including engineering, fabrication, test, repair, maintenance, re-rating, modification. With 24-7 emergency repair and parallel track, multi-project execution capabilities, Metalforms has the capacity and capabilities to serve routine and emergency project needs with unmatched speed. About Bridge Industries Bridge Industries is a private holding company focused on acquiring and building companies within the industrial, manufacturing, and energy sectors. The firm collaborates with management teams to drive growth and operational excellence, creating long-term value for all stakeholders. Bridge Industries' strategic approach emphasizes hands-on operational involvement and the integration of complementary businesses to maximize value. Media Contact: Dave Mariano Vice President of Corporate Development 440-893-9070 [email protected] www.transtechgroup.com SOURCE TransTech Group NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape- The global truck rental market size is estimated to grow by USD 40 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.83% during the forecast period. Mounting cost pressure on fleet operators is driving market growth, with a trend towards emergence of truck platooning. However, the emergence of truck sharing poses a challenge. Key market players include Advantage Car and Truck Rentals Ltd., Avis Budget Group Inc., EASY RENT truck and trailer GmbH, Element Fleet Management Corp., Enterprise Holdings Inc., Europcar Group UK Ltd., GoTranspose Inc., Hertz Holdings Inc., Imperial Logistics Ltd, Mercedes Benz Group AG, NL Commercials Holdings Ltd., PACCAR Inc., Pan Pacific Van and Truck Leasing Pte Ltd., Penske Automotive Group Inc., Ryder System Inc., SIXT SE, The Larson Group, TruckGuru LLP, TruKKer Holding, U Haul International Inc., and United Rentals Inc.. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global truck rental market 2024-2028 Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View the snapshot of this report Truck Rental Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 8.83% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 40 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 7.51 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 49% Key countries US, Germany, China, UK, and India Key companies profiled Advantage Car and Truck Rentals Ltd., Avis Budget Group Inc., EASY RENT truck and trailer GmbH, Element Fleet Management Corp., Enterprise Holdings Inc., Europcar Group UK Ltd., GoTranspose Inc., Hertz Global Holdings Inc., Imperial Logistics Ltd, Mercedes Benz Group AG, NL Commercials Holdings Ltd., PACCAR Inc., Pan Pacific Van and Truck Leasing Pte Ltd., Penske Automotive Group Inc., Ryder System Inc., SIXT SE, The Larson Group, TruckGuru LLP, TruKKer Holding, U Haul International Inc., and United Rentals Inc. Market Driver Truck platooning, a concept enabled by automated driving technologies, involves multiple trucks traveling in close proximity and synchronizing speed and braking actions for improved fuel efficiency. Communication among truck fleets is facilitated through wireless connectivity. This technology, akin to a train compartment- arrangement for trucks, is expected to boost operational efficiency for fleet operators. OEMs' involvement in the truck rental market will offer advanced technology-enabled trucks for cost-effective freight transportation. While truck platooning is currently being tested globally, mass commercialization is predicted towards the end of the forecast period. Major truck OEMs, who have demonstrated autonomous capabilities, are poised to play a crucial role in the development and commercialization of this technology. The emergence of truck platooning is a significant trend driving the growth of the global truck rental market. Renting trucks with this technology will be more expensive than traditional trucks, generating revenue for mature truck rental markets. The truck rental market is thriving, with fleet operators and logistics companies increasingly relying on truck rentals for their transportation needs. Construction industries are a significant consumer, especially for short-term projects. Emission control rules and trade policies impact fuel prices, driving the demand for eco-friendly trucks like electric and hybrid vehicles. Logistics providers, warehouses, and e-commerce platforms seek integrated solutions for faster delivery times and personalized services. Full service lease options from big truck OEMs cater to last-mile delivery and urban logistics. Startups are disrupting the vehicle rental market with innovative offerings. Moving services industry relies on various truck sizes, from small cargo vans to larger moving trucks, for timely order fulfillment. Flexible transportation options, including specialized trucks like refrigerated and heavy-duty trucks, are essential for distribution centers and fulfillment centers. Fuel prices, carbon footprint, and sustainability goals influence the adoption of eco-friendly trucks. Lastly, finance leasing, autonomous trucks, and fleet management technologies are shaping the future of the truck rental industry. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges Truck-sharing is a new business model in the transportation industry, allowing vehicle owners to rent out their trucks to individuals or logistics firms for moving limited loads along predetermined routes. This concept enhances overall transport network efficiency by effectively managing peak demand. When not in use, truck owners can share their vehicles, reducing the need for fleet operators to purchase new vehicles. This sharing arrangement significantly lowers transportation costs due to increased fleet utilization and shared infrastructure among operators. The growing popularity of truck-sharing may pose a challenge to the global truck rental market during the forecast period. The truck rental market faces several challenges as businesses strive for eco-friendly transportation solutions. Eco-friendly trucks, such as electric and hybrid vehicles, are becoming increasingly popular due to sustainability goals. Logistics providers, e-commerce platforms, and warehouses require timely order fulfillment, leading to a demand for flexible transportation options, including small cargo vans, box trucks, pickup trucks, and larger moving trucks with various load capacities. Short-term projects and construction activities require specialized trucks like refrigerated, heavy-duty, and autonomous models. Telematics, GPS tracking, and online platforms facilitate efficient fleet management. Financing options like finance leasing, full-service lease, personal leasing, enterprise leasing, OEM captive, commercial banks, and NBFCs cater to both commercial and non-commercial customers. E-commerce and logistics activities necessitate faster delivery times, making integrated solutions essential. Medium Commercial Vehicles (MCVs) play a crucial role in this sector. The integration of electric trucks and other advanced technologies like telematics and GPS tracking further enhances operational efficiency. The market continues to evolve, with a focus on personalized services and meeting the diverse needs of various industries. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This truck rental market report extensively covers market segmentation by Vehicle Type 1.1 Light commercial vehicle 1.2 Heavy commercial vehicle Type 2.1 Commercial use 2.2 Personal use Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Light commercial vehicle- Commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tons, known as Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs), play a vital role in the global truck rental market. LCVs, which include pickup trucks and vans, are essential for transporting time-critical and high-value goods in urban areas. Their adoption is increasing due to traffic congestion, which makes heavier vehicles less accessible, and the rise of the home delivery sector. In urban cities, vans are the preferred choice for distributing goods from central hubs and during office hours. Economic instability and competition are also driving fleet owners to minimize operational costs, leading to increased demand for LCV truck rentals. In the US, the DIY moving trend is fueling revenue growth for the LCVs segment. Prominent vendors like U Haul International Inc. And Penske cater to varied customer needs with their extensive LCV portfolios and wide networks. Thus, the LCVs segment is expected to significantly contribute to the growth of the global truck rental market. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The Truck Rental Market is a significant segment of the broader Vehicle Rental Market, catering to the needs of various industries such as Construction, Last-mile delivery, and Urban Logistics. Fleet Operators play a crucial role in this market by providing Truck Rentals to businesses and individuals in need. The market is influenced by several factors, including Emission Control Rules, Trade Policies, and Fuel Prices. Startups are disrupting traditional business models with innovative solutions for Transportation on-demand. Eco-friendly trucks, Electric Vehicles, and Hybrid Vehicles are gaining popularity due to increasing environmental concerns. Various leasing options, including Finance Lease, Full-Service Lease, Personal Leasing, Enterprise Leasing, OEM Captive, Commercial Banks, and NBFCs, cater to the diverse needs of Commercial and Non-Commercial Customers. Market Research Overview The truck rental market is a significant segment of the logistics industry, catering to the needs of various sectors including construction industries and fleet operators. Truck rentals offer flexible transportation options for short-term projects and last-minute requirements, making them popular among businesses. Emission control rules and trade policies influence the market, with an increasing focus on eco-friendly trucks like electric and hybrid vehicles to reduce carbon footprint and align with sustainability goals. Logistics providers, warehouses, and e-commerce platforms are major consumers of truck rental services, utilizing a range of vehicles from small cargo vans to larger moving trucks and heavy-duty trucks. Fuel prices also impact the market, with the rise in prices leading to increased demand for fuel-efficient and alternative fuel vehicles. Online platforms have disrupted the traditional truck rental market, offering integrated solutions for timely order fulfillment and faster delivery times. Specialized trucks like refrigerated trucks and autonomous trucks are gaining popularity in various industries, including urban logistics and last-mile delivery. Finance leasing, full-service lease, personal leasing, enterprise leasing, OEM captive, commercial banks, and NBFCs are some of the key financing options for commercial and non-commercial customers. Medium Commercial Vehicles (MCVs) are also in demand due to their versatility and load capacities. Telematics, GPS tracking, and on-time maintenance are essential features offered by truck rental service providers to ensure optimal vehicle performance and customer satisfaction. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Vehicle Type Light Commercial Vehicle Heavy Commercial Vehicle Type Commercial Use Personal Use Geography North America Europe APAC South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio The new list highlights private companies that meet employee needs best across 18 industries. WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, today announced the 2024-2025 U.S. News Best Companies to Work For: Private Companies . The ratings evaluate the best privately owned companies and nonprofit organizations with at least 5,000 employees across 18 industries to help employees and job seekers make decisions about workplaces that may be a good fit for them. The new ratings are part of the ongoing diversification of U.S. News' Best Companies offerings and career advice. They offer an analysis of private businesses and nonprofit organizations that best meet consumer preferences across factors including quality of pay and benefits, work-life balance and flexibility, job and company stability, physical and psychological comfort, belongingness and esteem, and career opportunities and professional development. "U.S. News' private company ratings contribute to the expansion of Best Companies' suite of resources and advice," said Carly Chase, vice president of Careers at U.S. News. "Whether you're a new grad seeking a mission-driven organization to launch your career, a seasoned professional interested in joining a family-owned business, or an HR professional researching organizational methods across public and private companies, these ratings provide a hub to see which businesses are supporting their employees best." With input from a panel of experts , U.S. News' methodology analyzes publicly available employee sentiment of companies, incorporating editorial judgment and other data that informs how a company supports the everyday experience of its workers. The 2024-2025 ratings are grouped by Industry Classification Benchmark (ICB) standards highlighting over 200 private companies and nonprofit organizations across 18 industries. Industries include financial services, manufacturing, consumer products and services, and more. To calculate the U.S. News Best Companies to Work For: Private Companies list, U.S. News only considered private companies and nonprofit organizations that have at least 5,000 employees and more than $500 million in annual revenue, as defined by Crunchbase, and had at least 75 Glassdoor reviews written between 2020-2023. Relevant data, including employee sentiment and regulatory enforcement data, was gathered from partners Revelio Labs , Good Jobs Champions Group , Sustainable Accounting Standards Board and Global Reporting Initiative to calculate the six metrics used in the list. For further details on how the metric scores were calculated, see the methodology . For more information, including what makes a great company to work for, career paths in customer service and IT, and more, visit Best Places to Work For and U.S. News' expanding Careers offerings and share the ratings on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) using #BCTWF . About U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate, Careers and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C. SOURCE U.S. News & World Report, L.P. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 17. The international community must help the Afghan people overcome a difficult, long-term period and restore state institutions to achieve peace in the country, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov said at the Central Asia Germany summit in Astana today, Trend reports via the official Turkmen media. "The international community must help the Afghan people overcome the difficult, prolonged period and transition to constructive, nationwide efforts to restore state institutions, the economy, and the social sector, and to achieve and establish peace, harmony, and unity in the country," he explained. The head of state mentioned that the implementation of major infrastructure and economic projects, along with attracting significant foreign investments, will contribute to transforming Afghanistan into a stable, peaceful country and a valuable economic partner. To note, on September 17, the second meeting of Central Asian and German leaders took place in Astana. During the summit, the leaders discussed further development and deepening of multifaceted cooperation between the region's countries and Germany. Special attention was given to expanding practical cooperation in trade, economics, investment, technology, transport, communications, and other priority areas. Joint meetings were also held with the heads of leading German companies and banks. The summit has concluded with the adoption of a joint declaration by the leaders of Central Asia and Germany. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Vermont Creamery's first washed-rind, donut-shaped cheese honors co-founder Allison Hooper WEBSTERVILLE, Vt., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vermont Creamery , a pioneer of consciously crafted artisan dairy products, today celebrates 40 years of excellence in the dairy industry with the launch of Hooper, the brand's first washed rind, donut-shaped cheese. Honoring its co-founder, Allison Hooper, the new aged cheese continues Vermont Creamery's steadfast commitment to create high-quality, delicious dairy since 1984. Chevre Forevre: Celebrating 40 Years of Vermont Creamery Vermont Creamery Celebrates 40 Years of Artisan Dairy with Introduction of New Soft-Ripened Goat Cheese, Hooper When Allison Hooper and co-founder Bob Reese teamed up in 1984, a chance encounter and a big idea to bring French-style goat cheese to Americans quickly evolved into Vermont Creamery and its flagship product, fresh chevre. Over the last four decades, Vermont Creamery has led the way as a pioneer in American-made premium goat cheeses, amassing over 400 national and international awards recognizing its artistry and commitment to superior taste. Since its inception, Vermont Creamery's offerings grew to feature culinary creams and aged cheese including beloved favorites Bonne Bouche, Coupole, Bijou, St. Albans and Cremont all blending the company's European-inspired heritage with its Vermont roots for unmatched taste and quality. Vermont Creamery was also the first American company to launch French-style Cultured Butter in 1998, introducing American palates to the delightful and unique tastes of cultured cream. Vermont Creamery has grown from just two employees to more than 120 employees and has doubled its physical footprint at its Creamery in Websterville , Vermont with an expansion in 2019 that allowed continued growth and innovation. With added capacity and new equipment, Vermont Creamery became the first U.S company to use state-of-the-art aging technology to produce goat cheese. "Vermont Creamery began as a passion for quality cheese and a belief that we could create delicious, artisanal dairy while making a positive impact on everyone and everything our business touches," says Allison Hooper, Co-Founder of Vermont Creamery. "Over the past 40 years, Vermont Creamery has continued to innovate and perfect its craft while embracing the Vermont spirit and mission that makes Vermont Creamery so special." Introducing Hooper To commemorate its 40th anniversary, Vermont Creamery is proud to introduce Hooper the brand's newest mixed-milk soft-ripened cheese and its first washed-rind aged cheese. Hooper pays homage to the company's co-founder, fulfilling Allison Hooper's long-lived dream of creating a donut-shaped Geotrichum rind cheese. Inspired by the traditional donut shape native to the Loire Valley, Hooper features Vermont Creamery's signature wrinkled Geotrichum rind and is washed with a French gray sea salt brine, delivering an exceptional flavor experience and unique appearance. The donut-shape is inspired by Allison's cheesemaking education in Brittany, France and helps to create an evenly aged cheese that also adds visual interest to a cheese board or plate. Soft and sliceable, the new cheese boasts a creamery, luxe mouthfeel and bright flavors. Made in small batches with local goat and cow's milk, Hooper carries fruity, funky, savory and buttery flavor notes. "Vermont Creamery has always been synonymous with high quality and great taste, and we're inspired to continue building on the tradition of craftsmanship that was key to Bob and Allison's vision," says Harry Kahn, General Manager at Vermont Creamery. "A new aged goat cheese honoring Allison's legacy is the perfect encapsulation of our 40th milestone and the exciting years ahead." Hooper joins Vermont Creamery's legacy collection of award-winning artisan cheeses and is now available at Whole Foods. Hooper is also available at independent cheese shops across the country and will be sold online exclusively at Murray's Cheese Shop for six months. For more information about Vermont Creamery and its products, please visit www.vermontcreamery.com. About Vermont Creamery Founded in 1984 and B Corp certified since 2014, Vermont Creamery is a pioneer of consciously crafted artisan cheese, winning over 400 national and international awards for its suite of cheeses and cultured dairy products over the four decades since its founding. As an important partner in the steady diversification of the Vermont agricultural system, Vermont Creamery is dedicated to supporting its network of family farms and promoting sustainable agriculture in New England. Vermont Creamery is an independently operated subsidiary of Minnesota-based member-owned cooperative Land O'Lakes, Inc. For more information, visit https://www.vermontcreamery.com. Contact: Carly Wilhelm 732-237-4533 [email protected] SOURCE Vermont Creamery Qualtrics and Vizient combine quality and patient experience data from leading hospitals, showing a tie between patient experience and clinical outcomes Innovative partnership will empower healthcare organizations with holistic, actionable insights that will transform the way healthcare organizations measure and improve performance by using groundbreaking research-backed predictive experience models IRVING, Texas and PROVO, Utah, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vizient, Inc. the nation's largest healthcare performance improvement company, and Qualtrics , the leader and creator of the experience management category, today announced an innovative strategic partnership to employ experience metrics to transform the way healthcare organizations measure and improve performance. The partnership will help organizations more deeply understand relationships between quality, safety, and patient experiences. This collaboration will move beyond traditional siloed measurement, combining key metrics and benchmarks Vizient and Qualtrics measure in order to drive meaningful improvements in patient outcomes and operational efficiency. University of Utah Health, Memorial Hermann Health System, and Stanford Health Careleaders in both clinical care and patient experience participated in a pilot analysis for this groundbreaking initiative. The results of an initial analysis, presented this week at the Vizient Connections Summit, linked patient experience metrics such as clearer medical provider communication to important clinical outcomes, like emergency room visits, complications, and readmissions. "Quality and patient experience are interrelated, but data is not easy to analyze at the patient level. By bringing quality, safety, and experience data together, we believe we can unlock the most impactful drivers of healthcare performance across multiple domains and the relationships between them," said David Levine, MD, FACEP, Chief Medical Officer for Vizient. "This level of depth in insights has not been achieved in healthcare to date given siloed datasets and limited analytics." "The initial analysis confirms so much of what we all believe: that the perception of experience is significantly related to clinical outcomes," said Dr. Adrienne Boissy, Chief Medical Officer , Qualtrics. "But the thoughtful rigor of this work and the near term potential to focus improvement efforts of hardworking teams, prioritize interventions, and demonstrate value in dollars and operational gains is even more compelling." A New Era of Healthcare Performance Measurement Historically, healthcare organizations have relied on siloed, retrospective data to measure performance and patient satisfaction. This new partnership between Vizient and Qualtrics will introduce a dynamic, forward-looking approach, allowing healthcare organizations to proactively manage performance and address clinical challenges before they manifest in performance data and drive continuous improvement with dynamic, actionable metrics that evolve with changing patient expectations and clinical environments. Ideal outcomes of the collaboration include: Anticipate Patient Outcomes: Harness patient feedback to predict clinical and operational outcomes, such as readmission rates, length of stay, and adverse clinical outcomes. Close the Gap Between Experience and Performance: Identify correlations between patient and clinical outcomes, providing healthcare leaders with the insights needed to address care gaps before they impact performance. Develop Modern Experience Measurement: Define key elements of modern patient experience measurement that reflect real time performance, patient reported outcomes, and align to patient centered principles. Foundational Analyses with Leading Health Systems An initial analysis of clinical and patient experience data from mutual clients University of Utah Health, Memorial Hermann Health System, and Stanford Health Care demonstrates the power of patient experience to drive better healthcare outcomes. Key findings included: Patients having a positive perception of communication with their caregivers was significantly associated with reductions in length of stay, 30-day readmissions, and emergency room visits. Among inpatients with limited healthcare access, those who did not feel that their preferences were considered in their discharge plan were more likely to visit the emergency department within 30 days. Better provider explanations could help mitigate the impact of adverse clinical events. Patients who rated provider explanations negatively exhibited significantly worse overall patient satisfaction when complications occurred, an effect that reversed when patients positively rated provider explanations. Participating hospital leaders praised the collaboration and the insights delivered in the pilot. "The combined analytics power of Qualtrics and Vizient allows us to break down data silos and gain actionable insights that directly enhance patient care," said Dan Lundergan, CEO at University of Utah Health Hospitals and Clinics. "By understanding the connections between quality measures and patient experiences, we are better equipped to deliver high-value, patient-centered healthcare." "This collaboration is a transformative step forward for health care. The ability to integrate and analyze diverse data sets in meaningful ways will power even more focused improvement efforts, ultimately fulfilling our commitment to creating more value for patients and populations," said Memorial Hermann Health System COO, Erin Asprec. "We're excited to participate in this innovative collaboration with Qualtrics and Vizient," said David Entwistle, President and CEO of Stanford Health Care. "By leveraging comprehensive data analysis, we can redefine patient experience and operational excellence, ensuring that every decision we make is closely aligned with our patients' needs and preferences." Next Steps and Industry-Wide Application Opportunities for other health systems to participate are expected to be rolled out following the completion of this initial phase with University of Utah Health, Memorial Hermann, and Stanford Health Care. The partnership will empower healthcare systems to take an innovative, data-driven approach to improving patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes, positioning them for long-term success in an increasingly value-based care environment. About Vizient, Inc. Vizient, Inc. , the nation's largest provider-driven healthcare performance improvement company, serves more than 65% of the nation's acute care providers, including 97% of the nation's academic medical centers, and more than 35% of the non-acute market. The Vizient contract portfolio represents $140 billion in annual purchasing volume enabling the delivery of cost-effective, high-value care. With its acquisition of Kaufman Hall in 2024, Vizient expanded its advisory services to help providers achieve financial, strategic, clinical and operational excellence. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Vizient has offices throughout the United States. Learn more at www.vizientinc.com . About Qualtrics XM for Healthcare Qualtrics helps healthcare and life sciences organizations design experiences that improve satisfaction, loyalty, and trust. Qualtrics helps organizations deliver a seamless and compassionate healthcare experience by optimizing the moments that matter most to patients, employees, and communities. Qualtrics delivers the most comprehensive platform for strategic experience management, helping healthcare organizations listen to patients and employees on their terms, uncover what matters most and act quickly to create meaningful impact. In doing so, experience data can be paired with quality, operational and financial data to articulate real value. The AI-powered solutions help leaders understand the key drivers of patient and employee behavior, predict what they want and automate actions that make it faster, easier, and more efficient to personalize experiences at scale. Qualtrics is a CMS-approved vendor for all required CAHPS programs, and a HITRUST-certified and FEDRAMP-compliant experience management platform, so organizations can confidently collect and analyze data knowing sensitive information is secure. To learn more, please visit qualtrics.com/healthcare. About Qualtrics Qualtrics, the leader and creator of the experience management category, is a cloud-native software platform that empowers organizations to deliver exceptional experiences and build deep relationships with their customers and employees. With insights from Qualtrics, organizations can identify and resolve the greatest friction points in their business, retain and engage top talent, and bring the right products and services to market. Nearly 20,000 organizations around the world use Qualtrics' advanced AI to listen, understand, and take action. Qualtrics uses its vast universe of experience data to form the largest database of human sentiment in the world. Qualtrics is co-headquartered in Provo, Utah and Seattle. To learn more, please visit qualtrics.com. Contact: Tyler Petersen, [email protected] SOURCE Qualtrics, LLC SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanta, the leading trust management platform, and Vouch, the leading business insurance provider for innovative companies, today announced the launch of an embedded cyber insurance solution to enable Vanta customers to easily purchase and maintain coverage against cyber incidents directly within the Vanta platform. Obtaining cyber insurance is a best practice for companies to maintain a strong security and compliance posture and to satisfy SOC 2 requirements. Previously, securing coverage involved engaging brokers and manually uploading Certificates of Insurance (COIs)a process that could delay compliance milestones by days or weeks. Now through the integration with Vouch, Vanta customers can quickly and seamlessly purchase cyber insurance directly within the Vanta platform, instantly satisfying compliance requirements and securing industry-leading protection against data breaches, ransomware attacks, and more. "Cyber insurance has always been a challenge for our customers. The buying process is difficult, full of confusing trade-offs around features and costs," said Jeremy Epling, Chief Product Officer, Vanta. "With Vouch insurance embedded into Vanta, customers can easily obtain coverage at a fair price, precisely when they need it, all from Vanta. This is another way that Vanta continues to streamline the entire SOC 2 process and provide everything you need to get and stay compliant." Sam Hodges, Co-founder and CEO of Vouch, remarked, "Historically it has been a pain point for businesses to realize that they require cyber insurance, only to realize that the process to obtain it is disjointed and cumbersome. The future of insurance lies in quality coverage that is instantly accessible wherever and whenever new risks emerge. Vanta understands this vision perfectly, having achieved a similar transformation in their own category. We could not envision a more fitting partner to help us bring the future of insurance into the present." With this partnership, Vanta and Vouch aim to help startups establish strong security foundations with seamlessly integrated product experiences. In addition to embedded cybersecurity through Vouch, today Vanta announced several new and enhanced capabilities to accelerate compliance for startups, including in-app personalized compliance roadmaps, streamlined employee background checks, access to additional services like penetration tests from Vanta's extensive partner network, and access to discounted cookie compliance solutions. For more information about these products, and the Vanta and Vouch partnership, read Vanta's announcement . About Vanta Vanta is the leading trust management platform that helps simplify and centralize security for organizations of all sizes. Over 8,000 companies including Atlassian, Omni Hotels, Quora, and ZoomInfo rely on Vanta to build, maintain and demonstrate their trustall in a way that's real-time and transparent. Founded in 2018, Vanta has customers in 58 countries with offices in Dublin, London, New York, San Francisco and Sydney. For more information, visit www.vanta.com. Vanta Media Contact: [email protected] About Vouch Vouch is a US-based business insurance provider to thousands of high-growth companies, having raised over $185 million from top-tier Silicon Valley institutions and investors, including Ribbit Capital, Redpoint Ventures, Y Combinator, and Index Ventures. Since its inception in 2018, Vouch has empowered clients to get risk management right through niche expertise, a proprietary approach to pricing and underwriting, fast, digital-first procurement, and coverages that scale as the company grows. Vouch Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Vouch ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 17. The ecology and climate agenda is a priority in the relations with Germany, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov said at the Central Asia Germany summit in Astana on 17 September, featuring attendances of German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Central Asian heads of state, Trend reports via the official Turkmen media. Germany ranks high on the environmental and climate issue in international relations. Turkmenistan highly appreciates here the position of the German government, its commitment to cooperation with the countries of Central Asia, and its active and proactive role in promoting green projects and programs, the head of state stated. In this context, the President also brought to mind the significance of the Green Central Asia conference held in Berlin in 2020, which served as a springboard for sharing ideas and mapping out collaborative efforts to put environmental initiatives into action. To note, the second Central Asia-Germany Summit in the 5+1 format is taking place on 17 September in Astana with the participation of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The summit continues the trend of development of strategic partnerships that began with the first meeting in Berlin in September 2023. Turkmenistan reaffirms its role in expanding multilateral cooperation while demonstrating its commitment to constructive discussion on the international stage. 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 Kolkata, Sep 17 : Following a five-hour meeting with the delegation of West Bengal Junior Doctors' Forum, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said that the Trinamool Congress government has decided to replace the Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal after 4 p.m. on Tuesday after the Supreme Court hearing over the horrific rape and murder of a junior doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata ends. At the same time, the Chief Minister added that the Deputy Commissioner (North Division) of Kolkata Police Abhishek Gupta will also be replaced. The state director of health services and director of medical education will also be replaced, the Chief Minister said. However, she did not comment over the demand of the protesting junior doctors about the removal of the Health Secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam "We have accepted most of the demands of the junior doctors and we expect the junior doctors to return to duty now considering the plight of the patients coming to the state-run medical colleges and hospitals," Banerjee said. However, the protesting junior doctors were unhappy over the proceedings of the meeting with the Chief Minister and claimed that they will announce their next course of action after they reach their protest venue in front of the state Health department headquarter at Salt Lake in the northern outskirts of Kolkata. "There were certain positive discussions on several of our five-point agenda. But we are not happy with the progress of discussions on certain other points. We will announce our next course of action in the matter after we discuss with our fellow junior doctors," said a member of the delegation while leaving the Chief Minister's residence. A crucial hearing on the rape and murder case is scheduled for hearing at the Supreme Court on Tuesday. The hearing comes in the wake of the former R.G. Kar principal and the former SHO of Tala police station, under whose jurisdiction R.G. Kar comes have been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation officers on charges of misleading investigation and tampering of evidence in the rape and murder case. Gurugram, Sep 17 : BJP leader Rao Narbir Singh has said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will soon hold a public rally in the Badshahpur constituency area in Haryana. "Amit Shah had promised me that he would come to Badshahpur for an election rally. Soon time will be taken from him for the rally. This rally will create a new history in the whole of Haryana," he said on Monday. Singh, who is the BJP candidate from Badshahpur Assembly constituency and former Cabinet Minister, said that BJP is going to form a government for the third consecutive term in Haryana. He said that while being a Cabinet Minister in the BJP-led Haryana government from 2014 to 2019, he did development work in the entire Gurugram district, including Badshahpur, which was not done even in the last 50 years. The BJP leader was addressing public meetings organised in Dhanavas, Khaitavas, Saidpur, Patali Hajipur, Jadaula and Mohammadpur villages on Monday. He said that the previous governments had looted Gurugram whereas after the BJP government came to power in the state it has witnessed development. The BJP leader added that at the time of formation of Haryana in the year 1966, there were seven districts in the state, and Gurugram was one of them. The remaining six districts developed but the previous governments of Haryana continuously ignored Gurugram, he said. "Those who were living in Gurugram before the year 2014 were well aware of the conditions here. After the formation of the BJP government in 2014, he became a Cabinet Minister, and started solving the problems of the entire Gurugram along with Badshahpur," he asserted. There used to be a problem of traffic jams at every intersection here so therefore to solve it overbridges and underpasses were built, he said. At intersections like Rajiv Chowk, IFFCO Chowk, Signature Tower and Maharana Pratap Chowk, where people used to spend hours stuck in traffic jams, now can complete the journey in minutes. He had to meet Union Minister Nitin Gadkari several times to bring development projects worth thousands of crores, like the Badshahpur Elevated Flyover and Dwarka Expressway, here. Since the leadership of Badshahpur was in the hands of Rao Narbir Singh, he also brought these projects worth thousands of crores to Gurugram. In 2019, the people of Badshahpur handed over the leadership here to a weak government, he said. He asked the people during the rally whether even a single brick of development was laid in Badshahpur in the last five years. Nothing has happened in the last five years as compared to the development works between 2014 to 2019, the BJP leader added. United Nations, Sept 17 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the Summit of the Future on September 23, but not the annual high-level meeting of the General Assembly, according to the latest schedules from the UN. Earlier, PM Modi was listed earlier as a speaker at the September 26 session of the Assembly high-level meeting, but it would appear he will not remain all through the high-level meeting that follows the Summit of the Future and runs from September 24 to 30. External Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar, is now listed as India's speaker at the Assembly high-level meeting and will address it on September 28. After attending the Quad Summit with US President Joe Biden at his home state of Delaware on Saturday, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to speak on Sunday at the "Modi and US, Progress Together" diaspora rally in the New York suburb Uniondale. More than 25,000 people have applied for tickets to the diaspora event, according to the organisers. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to meet with several business leaders and world leaders after the rally. As the leader voicing the aspirations of the Global South with an assertive diplomacy, many leaders from around the world seek meetings with him. The Quad meeting that he will attend along with Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be a farewell meeting for Biden, who is not running for a second term, and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is leaving his post. The four nations work jointly to ensure a peaceful Indo-Pacific region and help in the developmental efforts of the area. Although the group formally known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue does not seek to be a military alliance, at their Saturday meeting the leaders are to announce plans for joint patrols by their Coast Guards to monitor the region where China has taken aggressive actions, according to diplomatic sources quoted by Japan's news agency Kyodo. The Summit of the Future, according to the UN, aims to bring world leaders to chart the course of the world organisation to "accelerate efforts to meet our existing international commitments and take concrete steps to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities". The leaders are expected to adopt the Pact of the Future, a visionary document that will include a Global Digital Compact that deals with both dangers and opportunities of technology. Prime Minister Modi will be at the diaspora rally when the Summit of the Future begins on Sunday and he is listed as the 35th of the 72 speakers at the September 23 morning session which starts at 9 a.m. local time. If all the speakers before him stick to their allotted time -- an unlikely prospect -- his turn would be around noon (9:30 p.m. in India). The annual high-level meeting where world leaders survey the global scene and speak of their nations' programmes and outlook starts on September 24 with a speech by Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who will be followed by Biden under a UN tradition. EAM Jaishankar is listed for the afternoon session on September 28 and he should take the podium at about 4:30 p.m. (2 a.m. in India). He is expected to hold bilateral meetings with many leaders and participate in meetings of various groups. Two important leaders, Presidents Xi Jinping of China and Vladimir Putin of Russia, will be missing at both meetings. China's Vice-President Han Zheng and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are on the roster for both meetings. Like PM Modi, many leaders of major countries will speak at only one of the two summits. Biden and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who will speak at the high-level meeting, will not be at the Summit of the Future, where Secretary of State Antony Blinken is listed for the US and Foreign Secretary David Lammy for Britian. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is also listed on the roster of speakers, along with several international and regional organisations, at the Summit of the Future. (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) Kolkata, Sep 17 : West Bengal Junior Doctors' Forum (WBJDF) has said that they will not withdraw their 'cease-work' protest in support of their demands over the horrific rape and murder of a junior doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata unless Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee removes key government officials as demanded by the junior doctors are being implemented in written agreement. The announcement by the WBJDF came after the Chief Minister held a five-hour meeting with the protesting junior doctors in the matter at her residence on Monday evening. Chief Minister Banerjee announced that the Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal, the Deputy Commissioner (North Division) of Kolkata Police Abhishek Gupta, besides the state director of health services and director of medical education, will be replaced honouring the demand of the protesting junior doctors. "We are happy that the state government has finally succumbed to our demand. Our victory on this count came after 38 days of protest. This is not just the victory of the protesting junior doctors or the representatives of the nursing fraternity. This is the victory of the common people. However, as regards our ongoing protest, it will continue till the Chief Minister's announcements are implemented on paper. There is a crucial hearing at the Supreme Court in the matter today. We will convey our decision only after that," a representative of WBJDF said. Another WBJDF representative said that whichever demands have been fulfilled is because of their sustained protests for the last 38 days. "There is an urgent need to uproot the base of the corruption that has become rampant in the state health education system," he added. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, September 17. Uzbekistan has proposed to hold a forum of think tanks Central Asia - Germany next year in the nation's Khiva, the president of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said at the second summit of "Central Asia - Germany," Trend reports. Mirziyoyev pointed out the forging of a strategic regional partnership between Central Asia and Germany, which aligns with the shared goals of fostering stability, sustainable development, and the prosperity of the region. We consider it expedient to adopt a long-term concept of development of our partnership with program measures in priority areas. For the development of this document, we propose to consider the possibility of establishing a forum of think tanks Central Asia - Germany. The annual meetings of the foreign ministers of our countries also play an important role in preparing the agenda of our summits, he said. To note, the second meeting of the leaders of Central Asian countries and Germany was held in Astana. In the course of the summit, the matters of advancing and strengthening the multifaceted partnership between the countries of the region and Germany were put under the microscope. Special attention was paid to the expansion of practical cooperation in trade and economics, investment, technology, transport and communication, and other priority areas. Joint meetings with the heads of leading German companies and banks were also held. Following the summit, a joint declaration of the heads of Central Asian states and Germany was adopted. New Delhi, Sep 17 : With Prime Minister Narendra Modi turning 74 on Tuesday, NaMo App has introduced some special features to enable people to send him birthday greetings on the special day. The NaMo App has created interesting and ready-made formats, to provide an easy and seamless experience for PM Modi's fans and well-wishers to send him birthday greetings. The hashtag -- #HappyBdayModiji -- can be added along with the birthday greetings for the Prime Minister. To wish PM Modi, one simply has to visit the NaMo App and click on the link -- https://nm-4.com/SevaGreetingCard -- to send an AI-generated 'Seva' Greeting with one's selfie alongside the Prime Minister. Besides, the NaMo App also lets one send wishes via 'Subhkaamna' Reels. According to the app, through this unique feature, "you and your family can record heartfelt messages for him". The link is -- https://nm-4.com/ShubhkaamnaReel Another link -- https://nm-4.com/SevaYatra -- lets the admirers and fans of PM Modi take a virtual tour of his life and journey with the Seva Yatra "to get inspired and inspire others". Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister on June 9 for his third consecutive term, equalling the record of country's first PM, Jawaharlal Nehru. Born on September 17, 1950, a few years after India gained Independence and just as it became a Republic, Narendra Modi was the third of six children of Damodardas and Hiraba Modi. As a child, Narendra Modi occasionally assisted at his fatheras tea stall at Vadnagar railway station. He finished his schooling in Vadnagar in 1967, where he was seen as an average student but a talented debater and actor with a passion for theatre. At the age of eight, Narendra Modi joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and was mentored by Lakshmanrao Inamdar. Narendra Modias first significant political action came in 1971, when he joined a Jana Sangh protest in support of the Bangladesh Liberation War, which led to a brief detention. After the 1971 Indo-Pak war, he became a full-time RSS Pracharak (campaigner). In 1978, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Delhi University, followed by a Master of Arts degree from Gujarat University in 1983. His rise in the RSS and subsequent involvement with the BJP laid the foundation for his political ascent. New Delhi, Sep 17 : Defence Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rajnath Singh greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 74th birthday on Tuesday. Rajnath Singh said that since the last 10 years due to Prime Minister Modi's tireless hard work and efforts the country has been able to achieve new heights under his visionary and robust leadership. "The illustrious Prime Minister of India, Shri @narendramodi. Many many congratulations and best wishes on your birthday. Not only India but the entire world has seen and experienced his visionary and strong leadership. Modiji has led the country with complete readiness, dedication and ascetic spirit and is doing so even today.#HappyBdayModiji," Rajnath Singh posted on social media platform X. "Modiji has been concerned about the welfare of the poor and the welfare of every person in the society and has worked for it wholeheartedly. Today, under the leadership of Modiji, India is making its identity as a capable and powerful nation to achieve a huge goal of becoming developed India," he also wrote on X. "Today, on the strength of the steps India has taken in the last 10 years, India aspires to touch new heights. This courage and confidence is the result of Modiji's tireless hard work and his efforts. I pray to God for his good health and long life. #HappyBirthdayModiJi." Prime Minister Modi, under whose leadership the NDA government at the Centre completed 100 days in its third term, turned 74 on September 17 and like every year, the day will be marked by celebrations by his followers and supporters across the country. To honour the Prime Minister's birthday every year, the BJP celebrates 'Seva Parv', a fortnight-long festival to showcase Narendra Modi's commitment to citizens' welfare and also service to mankind. The party launched 'Seva Pakhwara' or 'Seva Parv' on Tuesday, where workers organise blood donation camps and cleanliness drives across the country -- mainly at hospitals, schools and other public places. On his 74th birthday, PM Modi is set to inaugurate 26 lakh PM Awas Yojana houses at Gadakana in Bhubaneswar. Upon his arrival at Bhubaneswar airport, PM Modi will proceed directly to the Gadakana slum area near Sainik School, as confirmed by Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner Sanjeev Panda. During his visit, the Prime Minister will engage with beneficiaries of the PM Awas Yojana, underscoring his government's focus on affordable housing and welfare for underprivileged communities. Following his interaction, PM Modi will head to Janata Maidan, where he will officially launch the Subhadra Yojana, under which Rs 10,000 will be given to more than 1 crore poor women every year in two equal instalments for five years. The financial assistance scheme, named after Goddess Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath, was a key promise made by the BJP in its Odisha election manifesto. Prime Minister Modi is set to unveil railway projects valued at Rs 2,871 crore and highway infrastructure projects worth Rs 1,000 crore, according to officials. Extending his wishes to PM Modi on his 74th birthday, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on his official X handle wrote, "Warm birthday wishes to the visionary leader & great son of Maa Bharati, Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Your vision for a stronger, prosperous India resonates in every heart. May your dynamic leadership & unwavering dedication continue to transform India and inspire generations!" Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde extended his heartfelt birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, "My birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I wish him good health and a long life." "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India is moving towards becoming an economic superpower. I wish him the strength to fulfil his resolve of a developed India by 2047. Maharashtra is also making every possible effort to fulfil Prime Minister Modi's resolve of making the country a 5 trillion economy. I want to say that the 21st century is India's century because the captain of the country is Prime Minister Modi. I wish him a very happy birthday," Shinde added. Narendra Damodardas Modi, born September 17, 1950, in the modest town of Mehsana, Gujarat, has risen from humble beginnings to become one of India's most influential political leaders. Serving as Gujarat's Chief Minister for three consecutive terms from 2001 to 2014, PM Modi's tenure was marked by significant economic growth and governance reforms. His leadership trajectory continued on the national stage when he became the Prime Minister of India in 2014, and he is currently serving his third term in office. New York, Sep 17 : Former US President Donald Trump has said that he will "get along well with China" and did not think that nations and others like Russia are the "enemies" that President Biden's administration considers them. "I think we'll get along great with China," the Republican presidential candidate said on Monday during an online interview on X Spaces that again brought out his foreign policy ambivalence and his mercurial approach to policy. The claim was in contrast to his threats to impose tariffs of 60 per cent or more on imports from China during his current campaign. While he was President, he had accused China of "malfeasance" in causing the spread of Covid-19 and said that it had "raided our factories, offshored our jobs, gutted our industries, stole our intellectual property". Trying to grab the mantle of a peacemaker in his current phase, he also said, "I think we'll get along great with Russia. I want to get Russia to settle up with Ukraine and stop this millions of people being killed." He repeated his earlier assertion that he wanted bring the Ukraine war to an end "before I even take office, I want to get that done as President-elect". Trump's interview was during the launch of a cryptocurrency enterprise mostly owned by his family, World Liberty Financial. His son 18-year-old Barron, who started college this semester and has so far stayed away from the spotlight, is involved in the business and Trump praised his knowledge of cryptocurrency. Trump said that he would make the US the "cryptocurrency capital of the world" and that if the US didn't act, China would dominate the field. Trump promoting it during the election campaign is another example of him mixing politics and business, and if elected could create a conflict. A virulent critic of Biden, on Monday, he took a conciliatory attitude to him during the interview. "He was very nice, that he called up to make sure that I was OK," Trump said. Biden also asked him about the security measures and if "we need more people on my detail," he added. The President, he said, was the victim of a coup engineered by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others. "I thought he was treated really unfairly... he went to a primary system, he won, and then they threw him overboard," he added. His now Democratic Party opponent Vice-President Kamala Harris "got no votes," he said. Repeating his old line of creating a Red Scare, Trump said, "She'd be very bad for the country. We have to save our country, we can't play games, so we can't have a Marxist communist as the President." (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) New Delhi, Sep 17 : India and the US are making significant progress to drive energy innovation, strengthen energy security and accelerate clean energy transitions, including through more focused efforts on clean energy manufacturing and building resilient, responsible, stable, secure and diversified supply chains, it was announced on Tuesday. According to the India and US Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) ministerial meeting, convened by US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in Washington, DC, energy trade is playing a key role in supporting the national priorities of both the countries. Both the sides reviewed the initiatives undertaken across the technical pillars under the SCEP, including power and energy efficiency, responsible oil and gas, renewable energy, emerging fuels and technologies and sustainable growth. The ministers recognised the progress the two countries have made to accelerate development and deployment of emerging clean energy technologies, advancing renewable energy deployment and reliable grid integration, promote energy efficiency, and advance decarbonization of high-emitting sectors like industry, buildings, and transport. They welcomed the formal launch of the Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) in August last year, aimed at developing actionable roadmaps for hydrogen, long duration energy storage, offshore wind, and geothermal, through R&D, pilots and demonstration, and incubation-investment-industry networks. The two nations also welcomed collaboration on the new National Centre for Hydrogen Safety in India and partnership on the second aInternational Conference on Green Hydrogena held this month. Both the countries stressed the importance of supporting large-scale grid integration of renewable energy while enabling flexible and reliable grid operations through energy storage. The two countries highlighted the importance of modernising the power distribution sector to supply 24/7 reliable power to consumers, welcomed support for Indiaas smart metering deployment, as well as expanded efforts on inverter-based resources, power market reforms, system inertia estimation, and cybersecurity. The ministers also commended the Indian Railways (IR) efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 and welcomed collaboration to support Indiaas first round-the-clock renewable energy procurement of over 1.5 GW and development an energy efficiency policy and action plan for all railway facilities. The ministers welcomed new collaboration on electrification of medium and heavy-duty vehicles, applauding implementation of the PM eBus Sewa scheme for deploying 10,000 e-buses across India. They hailed the breadth and depth of the US-India partnership to advance progress toward our common clean energy goals and address todayas unprecedented climate challenges. New Delhi, Sep 17 : As Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 74 on Tuesday, leaders from across party lines extended their birthday greeting to him. Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took to X to wish the PM: "Best wishes to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji on his birthday. May he be blessed with good health and long life." National President of the Bahujan Samaj Party, Mayawati, also shared her wishes for the PM. Her post on X translates as: "Hearty congratulations to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on his birthday today and best wishes for his long life." Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, too, registered his greeting on the micro-blogging site: "Warmest birthday wishes to Hon'ble Prime Minister Thiru @narendramodi . Wishing you a long life with enduring health in the years ahead." National President of Samajwadi Party, Akhilesh Yadav also congratulated the Prime Minister on the occasion and extended his heartfelt wishes. President Droupadi Murmu, Union Ministers and numerous Chief Ministers extended their best wishes as the Prime Minister turned 74 on Tuesday. PM Modi is scheduled to be in Odisha during the day to attend a series of events. New York, Sep 17 : Social media giant Meta announced that it has banned Russian state media broadcaster RT and other Kremlin-controlled networks over the alleged "foreign interference activity." Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has alleged that the outlets were involved in deceptive influence operations and tried to avoid detection. Announcing the move in a statement on Monday, a Meta spokesperson stated, "After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets. Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity." The ban will be implemented in the upcoming days across Meta's platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads. The social media giant has been shrinking the influence of the Russian state-controlled media across its platforms since 2022. Before the ban, RT had 7.2 million Facebook followers and 1 million Instagram followers. This action is in response to recent allegations by the US that Russian media, especially RT, has been participating in covert activities to influence worldwide viewers. Earlier this month, two RT workers were charged by US authorities with money laundering. They are accused of planning to engage an American company to create material with the intention of impacting the 2024 US presidential election. On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on several countries to treat the Russian state broadcaster RT in the same manner as "covert intelligence operations." The coordinator for the State Department's Global Engagement Center, James Rubin, restated these worries, labelling RT as a channel where "propaganda, disinformation, and lies are spread to millions, if not billions, of people around the globe." RT has derided the actions of the US, accusing it of trying to impede the broadcaster from operating as a journalistic organisation. Meanwhile, Russia has not yet commented on the ban. New Delhi, Sep 17 : The speculation over who would be the next Delhi CM seems to be settled now, with Atishi gaining the approval of top Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership for donning the mantle from party supremo Arvind Kejriwal. TV reports claimed that Atishi's name for the next Delhi CM was proposed by the party supremo at the legislature party meeting this morning. All the party MLAs also rallied behind Atishi and showed support for her elevation to the top post. An official announcement to this effect is likely to be made soon. The party is likely to hold a press conference at noon. Delhi's lone woman Minister Atishi, also one of the closest and trusted aides of Arvind Kejriwal, is set to replace him as the next Delhi Chief Minister. Atishi is one of the senior ministers in the AAP government and commands many key portfolios, including Education, Power, PWD, Services and more. She has been the face of the Kejriwal government after the party's top leadership, including the CM and Deputy CM, were put behind bars for alleged money laundering in the liquor-gate. According to reports, Atishi's name was also proposed at the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting held at Arvind Kejriwal's residence last night. Her name was proposed, and a consensus was agreed upon by party members. Though an official announcement is awaited, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lashed out at the party supremo and 'dictatorship' culture in the party. A BJP spokesperson said that Atishi will be nothing more than a 'dummy' chief minister. Notably, the Delhi CM facing heat over sticking to their chair despite months of incarceration in liquor-gate decided to quit and declared that he would 'reclaim' it only after being proven clean in people's court. The Supreme Court, in its stern observation, while granting bail to Arvind Kejriwal, not only barred him from visiting the Delhi Secretariat but also prohibited him from signing any files. New Delhi/Kochi, Sep 17 : Seven years after the infamous Kerala actress abduction case, the prime accused, Pulsar Suni, got bail from the Supreme Court on Tuesday. In this case, actor Dileep was arrested and spent nearly three months in a jail in Kochi. Incidentally, the apex court was hearing the third bail plea filed by Suni and finally, he got the relief. The plea was filed after the Kerala High Court on June 3 rejected Suni's tenth bail plea (overall). A Bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Pankaj Mithal in the Supreme Court passed the order on Tuesday after noting that Suni had been behind bars for over seven years and that the co-accused (including Dileep) in the same case had been given bail. The Court has ordered that Suni be produced before the trial court within a week for his release on bail. The Court added that the state could argue for stringent bail conditions to be imposed by the trial court before he is released on bail. "Considering long incarceration and that the trial is not likely to be concluded (soon), a case is made out for enlarging appellant on bail. Appellant to be produced before the trial court within a week for grant of bail, State can argue for stringent conditions," said the court. The Bench, however, refused to waive off the costs earlier imposed by the Kerala High Court on Suni for filing successive bail applications. "We do not interfere with costs as it is to be deposited before legal services," the top court said. "If an accused has to apply multiple times, and then such long judgments in bail. (In) every bigger High Court, docket explosion is a situation. Adds to numbers here also," Justice Oka observed. Suni is among those accused who were part of a conspiracy to abduct and sexually assault a prominent film actress in 2017. The actress was abducted, driven around in a car, photographed, and sexually assaulted. Suni was arrested in February 2017 and has remained in jail since then. New Delhi, Sep 17 : In the first 100 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government's third term, projects worth Rs 15 lakh crore have been launched with a focus on farmers, women, the middle-class, youths, tribals and minorities, among others. Since the first term in 2014, the NDA government has consistently focused on the welfare of women, farmers, tribals, youths and minorities. In fact, before even starting the campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi had given several tasks to officials to be completed within the first 100 days of the third NDA government. Improving farmers' income The 17th instalment of Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi was released. As part of the instalment, Rs 20,000 crore has been distributed to 9.3 crore farmers. A government statement said that so far Rs 3 lakh crore have been distributed to 12.33 crore farmers. The Minimum Support Price for Kharif crops for 2024-25 was increased, which has benefitted 12 crore farmers. The Centre has also approved seven major schemes with a total outlay of Rs 14,200 crore, including Digital Agriculture Mission to enhance efficiency and productivity in the agricultural sector. Women empowerment In the first 100 days, the PM Modi government has awarded certificates to 11 lakh new 'Lakhpati Didis'. According to government figures, over one crore 'Lakhpati Didis' now earn more than Rs 1 lakh every year. The Centre has established over 90 lakh self-help groups (SHGs) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) for women. This has helped 10 crore women to promote financial inclusion, digital literacy, sustainable livelihoods and social development measures. On Tuesday, the Prime Minister is scheduled to launch the Odisha government's flagship women-centric initiative, Subhadra Yojana in the state. Relief to middle-class The NDA government announced no tax on income up to Rs 7 lakh, helping salaried individuals save up to Rs 17,500 in taxes. In a statement, the government said that the standard deduction has been increased to Rs 75,000 and the exemption limit for family pension raised to Rs 25,000. The government will also conduct a comprehensive review of income tax rules within six months to make them concise, clear and easy to understand, the statement added. The PM Modi government also implemented a unified pension scheme, under which government employees with 25 years of service will receive 50 per cent of their average basic salary as a pension. The government has said that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, three crore houses were approved -- one crore houses under the urban scheme, and two crore houses were approved for construction in rural areas. So far, over four crore houses have been approved in urban and rural regions in India. Benefits to minorities, tribals The government has said that under the Prime Minister's Developed Tribal Village Campaign, 63,000 tribal villages were approved to be developed. This has helped improve the socio-economic status of around five crore tribals. The Namaste Scheme has been extended to include waste pickers along with sanitation workers, promoting their social and economic empowerment, the government statement said. The recently introduced Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, represents a major step towards improving the management and preservation of Waqf properties. This legislation will facilitate the creation of a digital platform for online registration and monitoring of Waqf properties. By introducing an online system, the government aims to enhance transparency, reduce disputes, and ensure better management of these important assets. The bill is a significant move towards modernising the administration of Waqf properties and addressing long-standing issues related to their management. Youth empowerment The PM Modi-led NDA government has announced a Rs 2 lakh crore package to promote empowerment and skill development among the youth. The goal is to benefit 41 million youth over the next five years. The government has announced more than 15,000 new appointments and first-time employees are covered under EPFO. An incentive of up to Rs 15,000 will be provided in three instalments, the government has said. The MUDRA loan has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, which will greatly help the youths. Strengthening healthcare The Ayushman Bharat Scheme has been expanded to include all citizens aged 70 and above under free insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh. To improve healthcare, 75,000 new medical seats have been added. The government said that this will help the healthcare system become more effective and reduce dependence on foreign medical education. The National Medical Commission is preparing a National Medical Register to create a centralised repository of doctors in the country. In line with the vision of aSwasth Bharata, the government has also introduced the Rashtriya Poshan Mission. This flagship programme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) seeks to enhance the nutritional status of children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, September 17. Uzbekistan proposes several measures to develop business partnership between Central Asia and Germany, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said at the second Central Asia-Germany summit, Trend reports. In order to develop business partnership, I propose to develop a roadmap for expansion of investment and technological cooperation between Central Asia and Germany; to attract leading German companies and banks to implement projects in the emerging special economic and industrial zones in the border areas, large infrastructure projects of regional importance; to launch a permanent platform of business dialogue - the Council of Investors and Entrepreneurs 'Central Asia and Germany', he said. The President of Uzbekistan also mentioned that Uzbekistan is ready to hold the first meeting next year within the framework of the Tashkent Investment Forum. To note, the second meeting of the leaders of Central Asian countries and Germany was held in Astana. In the course of the summit, the issues of further development and deepening of multifaceted cooperation between the countries of the region and Germany were reviewed. Special attention was paid to the expansion of practical cooperation in trade and economics, investment, technology, transport and communication, and other priority areas. Joint meetings with the heads of leading German companies and banks were also held. Following the summit, a joint declaration of the heads of Central Asian states and Germany was adopted. Baku, Sep 17 : Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev spoke to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the peace efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the upcoming COP29 climate conference, the Azerbaijani president's press service said. Blinken commended the recent advancements, including the August 30, regulation on border delimitation, and reiterated the US commitment to supporting a durable peace in the region. The two leaders held the discussions over the phone on Monday. Aliyev underscored that peace is already established, attributing this to Azerbaijan's efforts, reports Xinhua news agency. He emphasised Azerbaijan's role in creating new realities based on justice and international law. The Azerbaijani leader also highlighted the need for Armenia to renounce territorial claims in its constitution and called for the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, which he considers outdated. The discussion also addressed Azerbaijan's role in hosting COP29, with Blinken expressing strong US support and praising bilateral cooperation. Aliyev expressed the hope for significant consensus on climate finance at the conference. The two sides also reviewed Azerbaijan-US relations during their conversation. Cairo, Sep 17 : Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit warned that Western "tolerance" for the ongoing Gaza conflict could severely impact Middle East stability. Aboul-Gheit made the remarks on Monday during a meeting with Tor Wennesland, the United Nations special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process in Cairo, according to an AL statement. The officials discussed Gaza and West Bank developments, focusing on the conflict's regional impact and potential escalation on the Lebanon front, reports Xinhua news agency. They agreed on the need for humanitarian efforts alongside a political process addressing the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. The meeting also discussed the future diplomatic steps to move the two-state solution from the framework of "rhetoric and intentions to the field of action and implementation." Aboul-Gheit stressed that political work must continue on all fronts, especially in the United Nations and the UN Security Council. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 kidnapped. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 41,226, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Monday. New Delhi, Sep 17 : Recent developments in Bangladesh haven't had a significant impact on India's trade and going forward, the effect will vary based on industry and sector-specific nuances and exposure, a report showed on Tuesday. A Crisil Ratings report said it does not foresee any near-term impact on the credit quality of India Inc too. However, a prolonged disruption can affect the revenue profiles and working capital cycles of some export-oriented industries for which, Bangladesh is either a demand centre or a production hub. That, and the movement in the Bangladeshi currency taka, will bear watching, the report mentioned. India's trade with Bangladesh is relatively low, accounting for 2.5 per cent of its total exports and 0.3 per cent of total imports last fiscal (FY24). "Sectors such as cotton yarn, power, footwear, soft luggage, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) may see a small but manageable negative impact, while ship breaking, jute, readymade garments (RMG) should benefit. For most others, the impact will be insignificant.," the report findings showed. Merchandise exports mainly comprise cotton and cotton yarn, petroleum products, electric energy, etc., while imports largely consist of vegetable fat oils, marine products and apparel. The report said that for cotton yarn players, Bangladesh accounts for 8-10 per cent of sales, so the revenue profile of major exporters could be affected. "Their ability to compensate sales in other geographies will be an important monitorable," it added. Companies into footwear, FMCG and soft luggage could also see some impact because of manufacturing facilities located in Bangladesh. These facilities faced operational challenges during the initial phase of the crisis. However most have since commenced operations, though a full ramp-up and the ability to maintain their supply chain will be critical. Meanwhile, Bangladeshi interim government's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has decided to form six commissions to reform the judiciary, election system, administration, police, anti-corruption commission, and the constitution. According to Yunus, these commissions are expected to start their work on October 1 and finish within the next three months to create a democratic framework for the country. According to the Crisil report, engineering, procurement and construction companies engaged in power and other projects in Bangladesh could see execution delays this fiscal as a sizeable portion of their workforce has been recalled to India for almost a month now. With only a gradual ramp-up in workforce expected, revenue booking could be lower this fiscal compared with earlier expectations. Besides, companies supplying electricity could see delayed payment of dues, the report mentioned. Yangon, Sep 17 : Myanmar authorities have seized large amounts of narcotic drugs in the regions of Yangon and Mandalay, the local media reported on Tuesday. The confiscated narcotics included 1 kg of ketamine, 105 g of happy water, 1.9 million stimulant tablets and 50 g of heroin, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting state-run The Mirror Daily. The narcotic drugs were seized in Dagon Myothit (North) township of Yangon region on September 8 and Chanmyathazi township of Mandalay region on September 13. A total of four suspects in connection with the case were arrested, and the confiscated drugs are approximately worth about US$1.1 million, the report said. The suspects were charged under the country's law, and further investigations are ongoing, it added. Hyderabad, Sep 17 : Asserting that unity is the strength of Telangana, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy decried attempts to create controversies over celebrating September 17, which marks the erstwhile Hyderabad state's accession to the Indian Union. Speaking at 'Praja Palana Dinotsvam (People's Governance Day)' celebrations after hoisting the Tricolour, he said that attempts from some quarters to make September 17 controversial to the detriment of Telangana's unity and integrity are unforgivable. He stated that on September 17, 1948, the people of Telangana overthrew Nizam's autocracy, ushering in democracy. "This was the victory of Telangana people. Politics has no place in this. It would be foolish if anyone tries to derive political mileage from this struggle," he said. He noted that there have been differences of opinion on how to celebrate September 17. While some called it Liberation Day, others termed it Merger Day. "After the people's government came to power, we decided to officially celebrate September 17. After a deep thought we felt that it would be appropriate to celebrate September 17 as People's Governance Day," he said. CM Revanth Reddy said his government added a public dimension to the auspicious day of September 17 by deciding to celebrate it as 'Praja Palana Dinotsvam'. "People's government felt that it is wrong to act in a way to dilute the sacrifices of the martyrs by calling it merger or liberation for vested interests," he said. He claimed that the decision taken by the people's government reflects the aspirations of four crore people. "It's their idea. This is inspired by the Telangana armed struggle. If anyone finds fault with this decision, it will only be for their selfish interest and not public interest. We have no self-interest in this. It is not a decision made for the sake of Congress party or our personal aspiration," he said. The Chief Minister said that the Telangana armed struggle was not against a region, caste or a religion. It was people's revolt against tyranny for their freedom and self-respect. Stating that Telangana symbolises sacrifice, he said Telangana armed struggle hero Doddi Komaraiah was the pioneer of those sacrifices. "The armed struggle fighters never gave up despite losing everything in the pursuit of achieving the goal. On this occasion, I pay glorious tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives in the armed struggle," he said. He mentioned that if one carefully observes the topography of Telangana it resembles a clenched fist, which is a symbol of fighting. "It is called a fist when the five fingers are tightly pressed into the palm. It denotes the message that all races, castes, and religions are united in Telangana. It is unforgivable that some people are trying to create a dispute on September 17 to the detriment of our unity," he said. CM Revanth Reddy claimed that Telangana had been under a dictator's rule for the last 10 years. "The armed struggle inspired us to attain freedom for Telangana on December 3, 2023. Our thinking and our practice are always aimed at fulfilling people's aspirations. It is the reason we are officially celebrating this auspicious day as People's Governance Day," he said. The Chief Minister said that his government is respecting the aspirations of Telangana martyrs and the youth. It recognised the importance of the cultural and economical revival of the Telangana State, which was destroyed in the last 10 years. He remarked that the previous rulers considered Telangana culture as their home culture and the existence of Telangana means their family existence. "They created an illusion that the existence of Telangana society depends on their humane approach. They never tried to understand our culture and inherent character. They forgot the history of overthrowing of Nizam's dictator rule in Telangana," he said. Claiming that he started a cultural renaissance soon after coming to power, he mentioned that song "Jaya Jayahe Telangana Janani Jayaketanam", written by Ande Sri, who voiced the aspirations of Telangana during the movement, was declared as the official song of Telangana state. "The abbreviation of Telangana state has also been changed to TG. It's not just a change of letters but the judgment of the people's aspirations. We performed Bhumi Puja to install Telangana Talli statue in the state Secretariat recently. The Telangana Talli statue will be installed on December 9 this year on a grand scale. It has also been decided to present the film awards in the name of Telangana's Cultural Icon - Gaddar. "The Women's University in Koti has been named after the Telangana Armed Struggle fighter Chakali Ilamma. We are moving forward to restore the Telangana's cultural glory in every aspect," he added. New Delhi, Sep 17 : Soon after the Aam Aadmi Party named Atishi for the post of Chief Minister of Delhi, Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal expressed strong disapproval saying that this was a sad day for Delhi, and also termed her as the 'dummy CM'. Maliwal took to X and wrote in Hindi (translated), "Today is a very sad day for Delhi. Today, a woman whose family fought a long battle to save terrorist Afzal Guru from being hanged is being made the Chief Minister of Delhi. Her parents wrote mercy petitions to the Honorable President to save terrorist Afzal Guru. According to them, Afzal Guru was innocent and was framed as part of a political conspiracy. Although Atishi Marlena is just a 'dummy CM', still this issue is related to the security of the country. May God protect Delhi!" Maliwal's comments came after Atishi was unanimously chosen to succeed Arvind Kejriwal as the next Chief Minister on Tuesday. Minister Gopal Rai, while briefing the press, said that Atishi got unanimous support at the AAP legislature party meeting, and added that she would be the next Delhi CM till the next Assembly elections. Gopal Rai further told the media that Arvind Kejriwal will visit the Delhi L-G office at around 4.30 p.m. and tender his resignation. Following this, the party will stake a claim for the next government formation under Atishi. While sharing the details of the change of guard in Delhi, Gopal Rai also lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Centre for plotting AAP's downfall. Atishi holds key portfolios in the Delhi government such as Education and Public Works Department. An Oxford University alumnus and a Rhodes scholar, Atishi has worked extensively in the AAP's flagship exercise to overhaul education in Delhi's schools. The Kalkaji MLA became a minister after Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested in the alleged liquor scam case. Canberra, Sep 17 : Australia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reached a deal on a free trade agreement. Don Farrell, Australia's Minister for Trade and Tourism, on Tuesday announced that negotiations on the Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement have concluded, Xinhua news agency reported. He said at a press conference in Canberra that the deal would eliminate tariffs on more than 99 per cent of Australian products entering the UAE. "This is the first trade agreement with the Middle East," Farrell said. "The UAE is not only our largest trade and investment partner in the Middle East, but it is always one of our most important strategic diplomatic and defence partners in the region." According to the government, Australian exports to the UAE are expected to increase by 678 million Australian dollars (US$457.3 million) per year under the trade agreement. Additionally, Farrell said it would open up investment from the UAE's sovereign wealth funds in Australia's critical minerals sector. "The UAE has some of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world. A trade agreement with the UAE will facilitate investment, which is important to achieving the government's ambition of becoming a renewable energy superpower," he said in a statement. Two-way trade between Australia and the UAE was worth 9.9 billion Australian dollars in 2023 and two-way investment was worth 20.6 billion Australian dollars. Farrell said both nations are working on formalising the legal treaty text in preparation for signing later in 2024. Patna, Sep 17 : More than a dozen houses on the banks of the Ganga River submerged as the waterbody was flowing above the danger mark in Bihar's Bhojpur district. The most affected areas include the Shahpur and Barahra blocks, particularly the villages of Neknam Tola, Sinha, and Poraha in the Barahra block, as well as Jawainiya and Maqsoodpur in the Shahpur block. In Jawainiya village, the concrete house of Binod Yadav and the local Kali temple were submerged overnight due to the rising water of the Ganga River. In Neknam Tola village of Barahra block, floodwater entered more than 20 houses. The situation is dire, as the water level of the Ganga continues to rise, creating significant hardships for residents. Vijay Sharma, a resident of Poraha village, said, "The flood has led to a shortage of essential supplies, including food, drinking water, and other daily necessities. The situation has worsened in the last three days." The Water Resource Department has reported that the Ganga River was flowing 48 cm above the danger mark at 49.08 metres at Gandhi Ghat in Patna. Additionally, the river is above the danger level at Hathidah block, where the water level has reached 41.88 meters, 12 cm above the danger mark. The situation is particularly alarming for villagers living near the riverbanks, as soil erosion has become a significant concern. The ongoing erosion poses a severe threat to the stability of homes and land in these villages, creating an atmosphere of panic among those living at the river's edge. Rajeshwar Yadav, a resident of Neknam Tola, expressed deep concern over the rising water level of the Ganga River. "Our children and the entire family are unable to sleep at night due to the fear that the water might reach our house," he said. In response to the crisis, the district administration and the Water Resource Department have claimed that they are implementing preventive measures. They are placing sandbags along the banks of the Ganga River to slow down and prevent further soil erosion. However, the residents continue to live in fear as the river's water level shows no sign of receding. Pune, Sep 17 : In the run-up to the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly election, NCP national president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for the first time broke his silence, saying that he is also quite keen to become the state Chief Minister. "Everyone wants their leader to be the Chief Minister. When I say this I also figure in it. But to become Chief Minister one has to reach the majority number. Not everyone's wish is fulfilled," said Pawar after performing puja at Pune's prestigious Dagdusheth Haldwai Ganapati temple. "Everyone has an opinion and a desire, but not everyone gets what they want. But for that, the right to vote is given by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and ultimately it is in the hands of the voters. It is also necessary to reach a halfway mark of 145 in the 288-member state Assembly," said Pawar. Pawar, however, clarified that the MahaYuti (grand coalition) comprising BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP will contest the upcoming Assembly election under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. "All of us are making efforts to bring the grand coalition government back to power. After the grand coalition government comes, we all will sit together and make a decision about the Chief Minister. The MahaYuti will fight the ensuing Assembly election under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde," he said. Pawar's statement comes at a time when leaders from Shiv Sena are making a strong case for Eknath Shinde to be the CM post Assembly election. On the other hand, some BJP leaders sought the blessings of Lord Ganesha so that Devendra Fadnavis could become the CM again. NCP leaders are also no exception as some of them displayed posters in various parts of Maharashtra projecting Ajit Pawar as the next CM. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently said, "The BJP's Parliamentary Board will take a decision on the post of Chief Minister after the Assembly election. The decision taken by the main leaders of the National Democratic Alliance will be acceptable to all of us. Eknath Shinde is the head of the state, so, we will go to the people under his leadership." He also made it amply clear that there are no differences among the MahaYuti partners on this issue. Mumbai, Sep 17 : Actor Ashish Dixit, who stars in 'Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya' has opened up about his experience shooting alongside the show's trained dancers, Brinda Dahal and Maitri Bhanushali. Speaking about the exciting dance sequence, Ashish, who plays the role of Kartik, shared: "Shooting the dance sequence with Brinda and Maitri was honestly a mix of excitement and nerves for me. Theyare both such talented, trained dancers, and Iam definitely not, so I was really worried about being able to keep up with them." "But I have to say, they were absolutely incredible throughout the whole process. They were so patient and supportive, guiding me through every step. What I thought would be stressful ended up being so much fun because of how they handled everything," he said. He went on to say, "We laughed a lot during rehearsals, which really helped ease the pressure. It didnat feel like work; it felt like a team effort where we were all just having a good time. I actually learned a lot from them in terms of dance, but more than that, the whole experience brought us closer together." "Our chemistry off-screen naturally translated into stronger chemistry on-screen. By the end, something I had been really nervous about turned into one of the most memorable and enjoyable parts of the shoot. Iam so grateful to them for their help and the way they made the entire experience so comfortable and fun," concluded Ashish. In the recent episodes we saw how Kartik is torn between Vaishnavi and Tina, who are both trying to win his heart. However, he is yet to reveal what is in his heart. 'Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya' highlights the triumph of good over evil, emphasising faith and devotion to Chhathi Maiyya, who guides and protects her devotees. The show features Devoleena Bhattacharjee, Sara Khan, Jaya Bhattacharya and airs on Sun Neo. Experts check the growth of the new foxtail millet variety, Zhonggu 25, cultivated in a demonstration field in central China's Henan Province, Sept. 10, 2024. [Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Handout via Xinhua] Chinese agricultural scientists have developed a new variety of foxtail millet, setting a summer yield record, with the breakthrough expected to provide strong support for boosting grain production and revitalizing the country's millet industry. The new foxtail millet variety, Zhonggu 25, was developed by researchers from the Institute of Crop Science (ICS) under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and cultivated in a demonstration field in central China's Henan Province. A recent expert measurement recorded a yield of 625.92 kilograms per mu (about 9,389 kilograms per hectare), breaking China's 2014 summer foxtail millet yield record per mu. This new variety has achieved a record-breaking high yield, despite adverse weather conditions such as heavy rainfall and lack of sunlight this year. The success can be attributed to the superior traits of this millet variety, including lodging resistance, high productivity and excellent disease and stress tolerance, along with the use of optimized planting techniques that further enhanced its performance, according to experts. This achievement lays the foundation for scientific breeding, the exploration of new cultivation techniques and further development of the millet industry, offering a model for increasing millet yields on a large scale, said Diao Xianmin, a researcher with the ICS, and chief scientist of China's millet and sorghum industry and technology system. Foxtail millet is one of the oldest domesticated crops in the world and a staple crop in the formation of the Asian agricultural civilization and it held a dominant position in the Chinese agricultural system before the introduction of high-input agricultural practices like irrigation and chemical fertilizers. Moreover, because it is a crop that can grow across a wide range of environments, including arid lands, it has the potential to be important for food security under climate change, according to experts. The new variety is suitable for spring planting in regions like Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning and Jilin, and for summer planting in areas such as Henan, Hebei, Shandong and Beijing, Diao said. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, September 17. Uzbekistan is ready to jointly implement projects with Germany in the sphere of critical raw material resources in neighboring countries, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said at the second Central Asia-Germany summit, Trend reports. As it has already been noted, our region is rich in mineral resources. The German Mineral Resources Agency and German companies could become our key partners in this sphere. We are talking about projects of geological exploration, intensive development, processing and production of products with high added value, and organization of supplies to Germany and other countries of the European Union, Mirziyoyev noted. He also shone a light on the golden opportunity to reel in technical assistance from Germany to whip up a program aimed at crafting digital maps of pinpointed deposits of critical minerals and rare earth metals in the region. We also consider it important to form a reliable legal basis for such cooperation, the Uzbek president added. To note, the second meeting of the leaders of Central Asian countries and Germany was held in Astana. In the course of the summit, the participants took a good, hard look at the nuts and bolts of advancing and strengthening the multifaceted cooperation between the regional countries and Germany. Great care was taken to broaden the horizons of practical cooperation in trade and economics, investment, technology, transport and communication, and other key areas of focus. Meetings were held with the bigwigs of top German companies and banks. The summit concluded with the adoption of a joint declaration by the chiefs of state from Central Asia and Germany. New Delhi, Sep 17 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to pass any interim order staying the operation of the Allahabad High Court order upholding the maintainability of civil suits filed by Hindu worshippers in Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah Masjid dispute. However, a bench, headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, issued notice and agreed to examine the special leave petition filed by the Management Committee of the Shahi Masjid Idgah against the dismissal of their application filed under Order VII Rule 11 of the CPC (Code of Civil Procedure). The Bench, also comprising Justice Sanjay Kumar, said that the present plea will be taken up for hearing in the week commencing November 4, along with a pending clutch of petitions pertaining to the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah Masjid dispute. Further, it asked the petitioner, the mosque management committee, to examine the preliminary objection on maintainability since the impugned judgment being passed by the single-judge bench would be appealable before a division bench of the high court. The apex court clarified that the filing of the special leave petition before the apex court will not preclude the Allahabad High Court from hearing the suits filed by Hindu worshippers. In an order passed on August 1, the Allahabad HC had rejected the mosque committeeas contention that the suits filed were barred under various statutes such as the Places of Worship Act, 1991, the Limitation Act, the Specific Relief Act, the Waqf Act, and the CPC. A bench of Justice Mayank Kumar Jain had held that the suits involved mixed questions of facts and law regarding the religious character of the disputed property and would require further consideration after examining and appreciating the evidence filed and led by the parties. Several suits were filed seeking a declaration that the disputed land vests in the deity Lord Krishna and the construction raised by the defendants be removed and vacant possession be handed over to the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Trust. The top court is also seized of a plea filed by the mosque committee challenging the transfer of suits by the High Court to itself. Patna, Sep 17 : BJP leader and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday alleged that AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has surpassed RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav in corruption. Hours after AAP chose Atishi as the Delhi CM-designate, Deputy CM Choudhary said, "While I considered Lalu Prasad Yadav the most corrupt leader of the country for having served jail terms many times in several cases like fodder scam, Kejriwal has surpassed him in corruption. Despite facing corruption charges, he did not resign and ran the Delhi government from jail." Mounting up the attack on AAP supremo, Deputy Chief Minister Choudhary said, "Kejriwal is corrupt leader and a liquor seller. I have never seen a more shameless chief minister than him." Meanwhile, slamming Kejriwal, Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin questioned the timing of his resignation, suggesting possible motives or underlying reasons behind this decision. "Why didn't Arvind Kejriwal resign on moral grounds while he was in jail facing corruption charges? Kejriwal is resigning now, while out on bail and amid speculation of upcoming elections in Delhi within six months. It is a political gimmick," Nabin said. BJP leader and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Tuesday said that AAP leader Atishi, who has been nominated as the next Chief Minister of Delhi, will be a figurehead as all know who will run the government. On September 15, Kejriwal announced to resign as Delhi CM, drawing criticism from various quarters. The political parties, including the BJP, Congress and JD(U) have termed it a political stunt. The AAP Parliamentary board has chosen Atishi as Kejriwal's successor. Delhi Minister Gopal Rai announced that Atishi has been unanimously selected to become the Delhi Chief Minister. Rai confirmed that Atishi will hold the position until the next state assembly election. New Delhi, Sep 17 : Several leading Islamic scholars, diplomats and politicians have severely condemned the remarks made by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the "suffering" of Muslims in Gaza, Myanmar, and India. India had strongly deplored the comments made by the Supreme Leader of Iran while addressing a gathering of clerics in Tehran on Monday, calling them "misinformed and unacceptable". Hours after Khamenei's remarks, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had stated that "countries commenting on minorities are advised to look at their own record before making any observations about others". Israel also reacted strongly on Monday with Reuven Azar, the Ambassador of Israel to India, calling Iranian leader a "killer and oppressor" of his own people. "Muslims in Israel, India and all democracies enjoy freedom, which is denied in Iran. I wish the people of Iran will be free soon," Azar posted on X. Several analysts instead accused Tehran of spreading terror in the region, and beyond. "What do countries like Iran and Pakistan have to do with Muslims in India being happy or sad? Iran has tried to destroy the peace of the entire world. Iran is funding Hezbollah in Lebanon and is creating chaos in Syria and Iraq. Iran is funding all the major terror organisations of the world right now. Indian Muslims were happy earlier and are happy even today. They decided to stay in India after Independence as per their own wish after rejecting Pakistan," leading Islamic scholar Mufti Wajahat Qasmi told IANS on Monday. "India has crores of Muslims who remain secular and are staying happily. So, Iran should not try to gain cheap publicity with such useless talk. They should instead look within as, wherever there is any major terror incident, Iran has had a hand in it," he added. Another Islamic scholar urged Tehran to first know the ground realities before making any such absurd statement in future. "The comments made by the Iranian leader regarding Indian Muslims are completely baseless. The Indian government fulfills the democratic and constitutional rights of all Muslims in the country. We all stay together, as it should happen in a democratic country. I strongly condemn this statement and urge the Iranian government to know the situation on ground before making any such statement in future," said Mufti Shamoon Qasmi, Chairman of the Uttarakhand Madarsa Education Board. However, Congress Leader Rashid Alvi is of the opinion that the situation could have been avoided had the BJP reined in its leaders. "See, when the news spreads that mosques are being demolished, houses of Muslims are being bulldozed, and some Chief Ministers saying that they will raze their properties to the ground, then the impact of such things will be felt sooner or later. This is the reason why a big leader of Iran gave such a statement. Although they have no right to interfere in our affairs, the Prime Minister of India should consider why such a situation has arisen that Ayatollah Khamenei had to give a statement that Muslims are not safe in India. This tarnishes the image of India in the whole world," Alvi told IANS. Alvi rejected claims being made by some leaders that the situation has arisen following the comments made by Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, during his foreign trips. "Rahul Gandhi did not even mention the name of a Muslim when he went abroad, then how will it (image) be affected? This is the effect of the Chief Minister of UP, this is the effect of whatever the Chief Minister of Assam says, whatever Giriraj Singh says... The BJP should analyse within the impact of statements being made by its own leaders, the reason why Ayatollah Khamenei has given such a statement," he stated. Kanpur, Sep 17 : The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) and ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth on Tuesday announced a partnership to work on the Uttar Pradesh Digital Health Stack project to strengthen healthcare in the state. The Stack will be available for use in the public healthcare system, starting with Uttar Pradesh. As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), ICICI Foundation will support this initiative with significant fund requirements over multiple years. The Stack combines technology, medical research, and innovation to bring a paradigm transformation in the space of public healthcare. The project aims to develop MedTech devices, improve point-of-care (POC) services, and strengthen the public healthcare capacity. Further, it will also help in the detection of chronic diseases through Artificial Intelligence-integrated devices. The project will be housed in the IIT Kanpur campus. "With the core expertise in Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning and thriving MedTech ecosystem, the IIT Kanpur is well poised to provide necessary technological support to the mission of developing the Digital Health Stack. We are grateful to ICICI Foundation for their generous contribution towards this initiative and look forward to a successful endeavour," said Prof Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur. "ICICI Foundation has been working for capacity building in the healthcare space. In line with this, we are pleased to collaborate with IIT Kanpur for creating Digital Health Stack that will contribute towards digitising and enhancing the public healthcare system," added Sanjay Datta, President, ICICI Foundation. IIT Kanpur, had, in February signed an MoU with the UP government to collaborate in the research and development efforts of UP Digital Health Stack under the National Health Stack programme of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. As per the MoU, IIT Kanpur will create, validate, and maintain several vital digital health services for the state of UP. Kozhikode, Sep 17 : To commemorate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 74th birthday, being celebrated on Tuesday, the Kerala unit of the BJP has decided to celebrate it by engaging in a string of social activities extending till October 2nd. Kerala BJP chief K. Surendran said their party workers will hold medical camps in SC/ST colonies and also for senior citizens besides donating blood. "Along with these social activities, the party will reach out to more people and make them members of the BJP as presently the membership campaign is currently on," said Surendran. He also pointed out that on the occasion of the third Modi government completing 100 days in office, numerous programmes and projects have been announced and launched by the Union government. "The objective of the Modi government is to create job opportunities for the youth as in the now completed 100 days in office a staggering Rs 15 lakh crores has been invested in infrastructural development in the country. The Kerala government should make an effort to study and learn how the Modi government is working," added Surendran. Surendran also slammed the present fiasco related to a memorandum submitted by Kerala to the Centre seeking financial assistance for the rehabilitation of the four villages affected by the July 30th landslide at Wayanad. "As soon as the disaster struck, all BJP-led state government extended help but strangely Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has not even said a 'thank you'. We also do not know if any state government in the INDIA bloc has extended help for the people suffering in the disaster," said Surendran. "It's shocking to see in the memorandum that crores have been spend and given to volunteers who engaged in the rescue and rehabilitation works during the disaster and after. At least Rs 75,000 is being accounted for interning a dead. A sum of Rs one crore is given for setting up the bailey bridge and we want to find out what has the state government got to do with the bailey bridge as it was built by the Army," asked Surendran. He also pointed out that there has been a case in the Lok Ayukta against the misuse of funds from the CMDRF and that's why Chief Minister Vijayan curtailed the powers of the quasi judicial body through a new Bill. "Chief Minister Vijayan has to explain about the funds which the state received from the Centre for disaster relief work in the past two years and how much funds have been utilised before the Wayanad disaster took place. It has now come out the much hyped rehabilitation plan for Wayanad has fallen flat," added Surendran. New Delhi, Sep 17 : India on Tuesday dispatched a consignment of 1,000 metric tonnes of rice to Namibia as humanitarian aid to address the food security needs of the drought-stricken African nation. This initiative aligns with India's commitment to supporting the Global South. "As a credible HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) provider and a reliable friend, India is extending food grain assistance to the people of Namibia to strengthen their food security in the wake of recent droughts," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated in a post on X. The consignment departed from Nhava Sheva Port on Tuesday. Earlier on Saturday, India also announced the extension of humanitarian assistance to another African country, Chad, in the wake of a "deadly" fire in the capital city. India sent a medical aid consignment weighing approximately 2300 kgs, consisting of essential life-saving antibiotics and general medicines, to the landlocked country in north-central Africa. The move comes after the tragedy in the Chadian capital, N'Djamena on June 19 in which several people were killed and injured in a fire and explosion at a weapons and ammunition depot. In a parallel effort earlier this week, India launched 'Operation Sadbhav' to provide humanitarian aid to Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam, helping them cope with the devastating aftermath of Typhoon Yagi. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar shared on Sunday that 10 tonnes of aid, including dry rations, clothing, and medicines, were dispatched to Myanmar aboard the Indian naval ship INS Satpura. Additionally, a C-130J military transport aircraft from the Indian Air Force carried 35 tonnes of aid to Vietnam and 10 tonnes to Laos. "India launches Operation Sadbhav, demonstrating our solidarity with the people affected by Typhoon Yagi," Jaishankar said on X. "Ten tonnes of aid, including dry rations, clothing, and medicines, left for Myanmar aboard INS Satpura today," he added. Jaishankar further noted that the Indian Air Force was transporting 35 tonnes of aid to Vietnam, which included water purification systems, blankets, kitchen utensils, and solar lanterns. Similarly, 10 tonnes of aid, including a genset, hygiene supplies, mosquito nets, blankets, and sleeping bags, were sent to Laos. The Indian Navy confirmed it had rapidly mobilised for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations following the devastating flash floods in Myanmar caused by Typhoon Yagi. The Eastern Naval Command, in collaboration with the Eastern Fleet and other units, successfully loaded HADR supplies, including drinking water, rations, and medicines, onto a naval warship set to depart from Visakhapatnam for operations in Yangon. "This rapid mobilisation, despite short notice, demonstrates the Navy's swift response capabilities in addressing humanitarian crises in the region," said Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal. Parts of Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam have been severely impacted by Typhoon Yagi, considered Asia's most powerful storm this year. The storm, originating from the South China Sea, made landfall over a week ago, reportedly causing the deaths of more than 170 people in Vietnam and around 40 in Myanmar. Chennai, Sep 17 : Pilgrims from Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu who were stranded in Uttarakhand following landslides after heavy rains returned to the state on Tuesday. Around 30 pilgrims from Cuddalore embarked on a spiritual journey to Uttarakhand on September 1. While travelling to Uttarakhand Adi Kailash temple, they were stranded due to heavy rains and landslides. An official said that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin intervened immediately and coordinated with the Uttarakhand state Chief Minister and the Indian army to rescue the stranded pilgrims. The Chief Minister spoke to one of the pilgrims, Parasakhti, and assured him of all possible support. He said that the army swung into action and rescued the stranded passengers by helicopter, then taken to Delhi by road and 20 passengers were sent to Chennai by Sampark Kranti Express while the remaining 10 were flown to Chennai by Indigo. Pilgrims said that they had faced acute problems and were struck for four days in Uttarakhand for four days without food and water. They said that the rescue personnel helped them and airlifted them to safety. The pilgrims thanked Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for their rescue and safe return. The rescued people also thanked the officials who provided them with food and shelter. Bengaluru, Sep 17 : The Special Court for MLAs/MPs in Bengaluru has remanded the arrested BJP MLA Munirathna from Bengaluru to judicial custody on Tuesday. The court has adjourned the matter for further hearing to Wednesday (September 17). Munirathna is arrested on charges of giving life threat and using casteist slurs against a contractor. Senior counsel Ashok Harnalli appeared for MLA Munirathna. BJP legislator from Karnataka's Raja Rajeshwari Nagar constituency, Munirathna, was arrested on Saturday for allegedly issuing death threats to a contractor and making casteist slurs against Vokkaliga and Dalit community. He will be sent to the Central Prison in Bengaluru. An audio clip of Munirathna purportedly making casteist slurs against Vokkaligas and Dalits while giving life threats to the contractor also went viral. He was arrested at Nangali village near Mulbagal town in Kolar district. The court had earlier handed him over to two days police custody on Sunday. The accused MLA was arrested while trying to escape to Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh. The police tracked him through his phone location. After making the arrest, Kolar Police handed over Munirathna's custody to Bengaluru Police. Cheluvaraju, the contractor who lodged a police complaint against MLA Munirathna, had met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah last Saturday and made a submission that even as the police had filed two FIRs, no action was initiated. Karnataka Police had earlier on Saturday filed two FIRs against the BJP MLA from the Rajarajeshwari Nagar (RR Nagar) constituency. The cases were registered at the Vyalikaval police station in Bengaluru. Cheluvaraju claimed that the police are not initiating any action against the BJP MLA even after registering FIRs and demanded Siddaramaiah give directions to initiate legal action in this regard. Siddaramaiah assured him of legal action and protection. In addition to Munirathna, cases have also been filed against his Personal Assistant Vijaykumar, security personnel Abhishek, and Vasanth Kumar. Cheluvaraju, the contractor, had earlier lodged a complaint with Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda, seeking protection. Cheluvaraju alleged that Munirathna demanded Rs 20 lakh from him and threatened that if he did not comply, he would face the same fate as Renukaswamy. Incidentally, Renukaswamy was kidnapped and killed by Kannada superstar Darshan and his associates for sending derogatory messages to Pavithra Gowda, Darshanas partner. Meanwhile, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi slammed the Congress government for arresting Munirathna in haste. The BJP, in a damage control mode, had issued a notice to Munirathna seeking explanation before the Disciplinary Committee of the party. The notice stated that his statements in the purported audio clip had violated the discipline of the party. Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 17 : A day after the office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan came out with a statement slamming the media for levelling baseless allegations against funds spent in connection with the Wayanad disaster, Leader of Opposition V. D. Satheesan on Tuesday stated that the memorandum lacked credibility. "The statement that was submitted to the High Court on the estimates was unrealistic and it was done by someone who had no clue. We wish to know who prepared the so-called memorandum that has come under attack from all quarters," said Satheesan. "The so-called memorandum submitted to the Centre points out that bodies were interred and a cost has been attributed, while the fact of the matter known to all is it was done in a plot of land donated by a plantation company. The entire work at that time was done by volunteers of the local legislator. This is not the way a memorandum should be prepared and if it's given like this, then what should rightfully come also won't," said Satheesan. Incidentally, the statement from Vijayan's office condemning the media for misrepresentation said that what was prepared was preliminary estimates of the necessary expenses for various aspects were clearly stated in the memorandum. "However, these estimates are now being misrepresented in the media as actual expenditure in the disaster-affected areas, which is untrue," read the statement from Vijayan's office. Veteran Congress legislator Ramesh Chennithala said that the statement from Vijayan reveals that there are a lot of questions that Vijayan has to answer. "The need of the hour is for Vijayan to come clean on this issue as in the statement, there are sections which are marked as estimates and in some places it's given as actuals. Rs 75,000 has been marked as actual expenses for conducting the last rites for each dead body and we wish to know if this is true. A sum of Rs 8 crore has been marked as actual expenses for food supplied to the camps for a month, while several people left the camps after a few weeks. There are lots of discrepancies and want Vijayan to explain," said Chennithala. New Delhi, Sep 17 : BlueKraft Digital Foundation on Tuesday launched the Viksit Bharat Fellowship programme, an initiative aimed to encourage and empower writing and creative talents across various domains. The data analytics agency said that it has become a full-fledged publisher with the launch of its publishing and knowledge centre and also shared its happiness over it coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modias 74th birthday. Under the Viksit Bharat Fellowship programme, 25 fellowships would be offered, aimed at empowering emerging talents, experienced and exceptional professionals, academics and experts from within the nation and around the globe to contribute to a meaningful narrative about India. The fellowship seeks to document and celebrate the diverse journeys of a nation through various formats, including non-fiction books, articles, research papers, children's literature addressing social themes and values, coffee table books that narrate stories of change, and compelling case studies of impact. The fellowship is structured in three tiers - BlueKraft Associate Fellowship, BlueKraft Senior Fellowship and BlueKraft Distinguished Fellowship. A BlueKraft Associate Fellow will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 75,000, a BlueKraft Senior Fellow will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 1,25,000 and a BlueKraft Distinguished Fellow will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 2,00,000 during the fellowship period of one year. The Fellows will gain exclusive access to mentorship and opportunities with seasoned subject matter experts, renowned professionals and thought leaders, for facilitating discussions and insights that can enhance their work along with exclusive resources for research and writing. Completed works may be published under the aegis of BlueKraft Digital Foundation providing fellows with a platform to reach a broader audience and contribute to the discourse on Indian development. Interested candidates can apply by submitting their applications by November 1st. One can also access detailed guidelines and application forms on the fellowships from the official website of BlueKraft Digital Foundation. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, September 17. We propose to consider launching an energy dialogue between Central Asian countries and Germany with the participation of energy ministries, corporations, operators, scientific organizations, design institutes, and industry experts, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said at the second Central Asia-Germany summit, Trend reports. We are interested in preparing a Comprehensive Program for capacity building of specialists in the field of low-carbon economy with the involvement of technical assistance from Germany, he said. Shavkat Mirziyoyev also expressed gratitude to Germany for the launch of the second phase of the Green Central Asia program and the assistance provided in the implementation of environmental projects. He added that the country is interested in conducting joint educational programs and scientific exchanges based on the Central Asian University of Environmental Studies and Climate Change, adopting cooperation programs on the introduction of German technologies of rational water use, modernization of irrigation systems, biodiversity conservation, and training of environmental specialists. We support and are ready to take an active part in the practical implementation of the German Chancellor's initiative to create the Central Asian Natural Partnership, he emphasized. To note, the second meeting of the leaders of Central Asian countries and Germany was held in the city of Astana. In the course of the summit, the issues of further development and deepening of multifaceted cooperation between the countries of the region and Germany were considered. Meanwhile, special attention was paid to the expansion of practical cooperation in trade and economics, investment, technology, transport and communication, and other priority areas. Joint meetings with the heads of leading German companies and banks were also held. Following the summit, a joint declaration of the heads of Central Asian states and Germany was adopted. New Delhi, Sep 17 : The AAP's National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal resigned as the Chief Minister of Delhi on Tuesday, just hours after selecting Atishi as his successor for the post. Accompanied by other AAP leaders, including Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, Kejriwal arrived at the Delhi LG's residence around 4:30 P.M. and submitted his resignation to LG Saxena. With Kejriwal stepping down, the AAP will now stake a claim for government formation under Atishi's leadership. This resignation comes amid the upheaval faced by the party during Kejriwal's third tenure, particularly with the Delhi excise policy case, where several top leaders, including Kejriwal himself, were accused of accepting money from liquor companies to pass favourable policies. Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested, followed by Kejriwal's own arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March, marking the first time a sitting Chief Minister was sent to jail. Kejriwal was released on bail after six months. Kejriwal had walked out of Tihar Jail on Friday, hours after the Supreme Court granted him conditional bail in the Delhi liquor policy case. He had announced his resignation a day after his release, addressing a public gathering where he stated his intention to seek early elections in November. During his speech, he called upon the people to judge his honesty and vowed not to sit on the CM's chair until the public's verdict was delivered. "I am ready for Agni Pariksha", said Kejriwal, adding, "Two days later, I will resign as Chief Minister. I will not sit on that chair till the people announce their verdict. Elections in Delhi are months away." In a direct attack on the Modi government after his release, Kejriwal called it "more dictatorial than the British" and urged other non-BJP Chief Ministers not to resign if they were falsely imprisoned, emphasising that it is possible to run a government from jail if united. Yangon, Sep 17 : Myanmar marked World Ozone Day with various awareness activities across several regions and states, the local media reported on Tuesday. In Yangon Region, an event to commemorate World Ozone Day was held at a high school in Sanchaung township, attracting over 260 participants, including Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, officials, students, and teachers, Xinhua news agency, reported quoting the state-run daily The Mirror. A similar event was held at the state hall in Mawlamyine, Mon State, attended by Mon State Chief Minister U Aung Kyi Thein, along with officials, students, and teachers, the report said. In Magway Region, another event took place at the city hall of Magway, attended by the region's natural resource minister, officials, teachers, and students, the report added. These events featured awareness booths focused on ozone layer preservation, and prizes were awarded to students who won the essay competition to mark World Ozone Day, it said. The theme for the 2024 World Ozone Day is "Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Action." New Delhi, Sep 17 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice on a plea filed by Karnataka BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal questioning the Congress government's decision to withdraw consent for a CBI probe against Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar in a disproportionate assets case. In November last year, the state cabinet took a decision to withdraw consent for the CBI probe accorded by the previous BJP government. BJP MLA Yatnal moved the Karnataka High Court challenging the state government's decision to withdraw consent for the CBI probe. In his petition, he claimed that the government's move was aimed at scuttling the CBI probe, and an attempt was being made to interfere with the judiciary. However, the Karnataka High Court, in its decision delivered on August 29, said that the CBI can move Supreme Court, which should decide the matter between the state government and the CBI. "It would be more appropriate if the Supreme Court examines the matter, as the High Court's decision in this connection might be inappropriate," said a bench of Justices K. Somashekar and Umesh M Adiga. The CBI had also questioned the Congress government's decision to withdraw the consent given to the CBI to investigate the disproportionate case against Shivakumar by the Yediyurappa-headed BJP government on September 25, 2019. It was alleged that Shivakumar amassed properties worth Rs 74 crore between 2013 and 2018, which were deemed disproportionate against his known sources of income. In November last year, the Karnataka HC had allowed Shivakumar to withdraw his petition challenging the CBI investigation against him in the disproportionate assets case following the state government's move to withdraw consent for the probe. The incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress government handed over to the Lokayukta for investigation following the withdrawal of the consent to the CBI. New Delhi, Sep 17 : The government on Tuesday advised leading edible oil associations to ensure that the MRP of each oil is maintained till the availability of edible oil stocks imported at zero per cent and 12.5 per cent basic customs duty (BCD), and take up the issue with their members immediately. This was conveyed by the government during a meeting with the representatives from the Solvent Extraction Association of India (SEAI), the Indian Vegetable Oil Producersa Association (IVPA), and the Soybean Oil Producers Association (SOPA) here to discuss the pricing strategy. The government has implemented an increase in the basic customs duty on various edible oils to support domestic oilseed prices. Effective September 14, the BCD on crude soybean oil, crude palm oil and crude sunflower oil has been raised from 0 per cent to 20 per cent, making the effective duty on crude oils 27.5 per cent. Additionally, the BCD on refined palm oil, refined sunflower oil and refined soybean oil has been increased from 12.5 per cent to 32.5 per cent, making the effective duty on refined oils 35.75 per cent. The government had earlier reduced MRP of edible oils such as sunflower oil, soybean oil, and mustard oil to bolster domestic oilseed farmers, especially with the new soybean and groundnut crops expected to arrive in markets from October. The decision, said the government, is influenced by several factors: increased global production of soybean, oil palm, and other oilseeds; higher global ending stocks of edible oils compared to last year; and falling global prices due to surplus production. According to the government, the industry has been advised from time to time to align the domestic prices with the international prices so as to reduce the burden on the consumers. There is close to 30 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) stock of edible oils imported at lower duty which is sufficient for 45 to 50 days domestic consumption, said the government. New Delhi, Sep 17 : Several world leaders, diplomats and people from all walks of life, greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 74th birthday on Tuesday. "Happy birthday to the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. I am sure that we will continue to strengthen our friendship and collaboration between Italy and India, to face together the global challenges that await us," Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, posted on X. In his birthday greetings, Australia's High Commissioner to India, Philip Green highlighted strong bilateral relations and India-Australia 'dosti' (friendship). "Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, many happy wishes to you on your birthday! We wish you good health. I am confident that under your leadership the Australia-India partnership will reach new heights. Happy Birthday PM Modi, Australia-India Dosti," he posted on social media. Russia's Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov called PM Modi a "true friend of Russia" in his birthday wishes. "On the auspicious occasion of his 74th birthday, our heartfelt greetings and best wishes for good health, long life and success of the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a true friend of Russia and a staunch supporter of our countries' privileged strategic partnership!" wrote Alipov. Earlier in the day, several top politicians of the country also extended their wishes to PM Modi on his birthday. "I extend my heartfelt wishes to the Hon'ble Prime Minister on his birthday. May he be blessed with good health, strength, and wisdom to continue leading our nation towards progress and prosperity," said Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu too sent his wishes to PM Modi. "I pray for his good health and long life in service to the nation. May our nation continue to prosper under his visionary leadership," said CM Naidu, whose TDP is a key partner in the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also conveyed heartfelt birthday wishes to PM Modi, calling him an "inspirational world leader, selfless Karmayogi, and architect of modern India". The Jana Sena leader prayed for the Prime Minister's good health, long life, and continued strength. "You are the embodiment of the hopes, aspirations, and patriotism of millions across this great nation. Under your visionary leadership, India has emerged as a global centre of peace, prosperity, and power. I am confident that through your leadership in building a compassionate and peaceful world, you will continue to lead the way for India to reclaim its position as a world leader (Vishwa Guru). "The hopes and best wishes of millions of Indians around the globe are always with you. Once again, wishing you a very happy birthday, my dearest Prime Minister Sir," wrote Pawan Kalyan. Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 17 : Kerala Health Minister Veena George often praises the standard of health care being offered to people of the state, but in her own constituency Pathanamthitta, conditions at the district hospital are far from optimal. On Tuesday, visuals coming out from the Pathanamthitta district hospital showed attendants and Class IV employees carrying patients from the second and third floor of the building to the ground floor as the only lift in the building has not been functioning for days. As the operation theatre is on the third and the labour room is on the second floor, it is common to see patients being carried up and down on stretchers for and after surgeries. Angry Youth Congress workers at the hospital compound said every time the hospital development committee brings out the shortfalls in the hospital where patients are facing difficulties, the stock answer that is given by the authorities is things are all fine. Asked about the facilities, an elderly woman, seen taking the flight of stairs, said: "Things are not that good, but since we belong to the party (CPI-M), we cannot say anything as we will have to face the music", and disappeared quickly. Another woman said that she has been frequenting the hospital since September 13 and found that the lift has not been working. George has been representing the Pathanamthitta constituency, ever since the CPI-M pulled her out of a Malayalam TV channel where she was the news anchor in 2016 and fielded her in the elections that year. It was after her second successive win in 2021, that she became a surprise choice for Health Minister, replacing the veteran party colleague K.K.Shailaja. Wayanad, Sep 17 : Weeks after the worst-ever disaster in Wayanad, around 30 social media influencers from the South Indian states got together to reaffirm their unwavering support of the tourism activities of Wayanad which witnessed devastating landslides recently. Wayanad is a hugely popular tourist destination not just for domestic tourists but also for foreign tourists. It is accessible from both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Following the disaster on July 30th, which left close to 400 people dead and around 90 still missing, the district is yet to get back to normal, as the fresh tourist season is around the corner. Incidentally, the decision to bring these social influencers was the brainchild of the State Tourism and Public Works Minister P A Mohamed Riyas who launched the official video of the Tourism Department "Ente Keralam Ennum Sundaram" at Mananthavady in the district on Tuesday. Outside Kerala, the campaign will take off under the tagline "It's Kerala Season." Riyas- son-in-law of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also interacted with social media influencers, including vloggers and bloggers. The visit of social media influencers is part of a series of promotional activities for Kerala Tourism's new campaign, which aims to attract more holidaymakers worldwide. Interacting with social media influencers, including vloggers and bloggers, Riyas said the Department of Tourism will organise a 'Tribal Cultural Festival' this year to promote tourism in Wayanad by highlighting the cultural and ethnic heritage of the place. The Minister noted that Wayanad has a special place on the tourism map owing to its immense possibilities for adventure tourism and balmy weather. As part of the campaign, social media influencers will visit major tourism destinations in Wayanad and create content that will help catapult the unique features of the mind-blowing landscape and scenic beauty of the district. They will experience for themselves that Wayanad remains as beautiful as ever, like the rest of Kerala, and generate video content for social media to show it to the world. Kerala's peak tourist season begins around November. Istanbul, Sep 17 : Five people were detained in Turkey's Istanbul on Tuesday in an operation targeting individuals who use social media to solicit and redirect donations to the Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda. The operation was conducted by the Istanbul police's anti-terror department to uncover terrorist activities and identify the financial sources of terrorist organisations, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the state-run Anadolu Agency. Police discovered that the suspects had posted ads on social media platforms claiming to offer "winter stove and fuel assistance," "sacrificial animal assistance during Eid al-Adha," and "support for families in refugee camps." The funds collected in both US dollars and cryptocurrency were redirected to members of the IS and al-Qaeda, including their spouses and children residing in the al-Hol refugee camp in Syria, the report said. The camp is under the control of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party and its Syrian affiliate, the Kurdish People's Protection Units, it added. After identifying the suspects, police launched simultaneous operations at five locations in Istanbul, capturing the suspects along with numerous digital documents. The Turkish government designated the IS as a terrorist organization in 2013, blaming it for a series of deadly attacks in the country since 2015. Turkey's southern border with Syria has been a major transit route for Syrians and foreign fighters since the Syrian civil war began in 2011. New Delhi, Sep 17 : The National Gallery of Modern Art, in collaboration with Lalit Kala Akademi, organised the "Kala Karma" programme on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti, with many artists enthusiastically participating in the event, which also coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 74th birthday. An artist at the event told IANS that everything was freestyle, so they chose a theme that blended the Vishwakarma Jayanti and Prime Minister Modi's birthday as they expressed their intention to create something that combines both occasions. Another artist said that he and some others initially came to the event as visitors, but after seeing the energy and enthusiasm of the participants, decided to join in. Though they didnat have a specific idea in mind, they were inspired by the others around them and wanted to try something different. An artist said he was working on a painting that connects Vishwakarma and PM Modi, focusing on showcasing the Prime Ministeras various policies through their artwork. Another shared his happiness at being part of the event, saying that he was proud to be included in the Viksit Bharat Ambassador Programme, which recognises the role of artists. The artist noted how, in the past, there was no significant place for artists in India, but now they are being given opportunities. Elaborating about her painting, a woman artist said she was creating a work inspired by the recent tragic incident in Kolkata. Through her art, she wanted to raise awareness about the issue of womenas safety in India, as she felt it was an important message to convey. Another artist commented on his vision of India becoming a global leader. He believed that the Prime Minister had taken on the responsibility to achieve this, and through his painting, he aimed to reflect this dream of making India a 'Vishwaguru'. A Presidential Award-winning artist, who has been painting for 30 years, expressed their desire to portray PM Modias vision of making India a developed nation by 2047. Through his painting, he wanted to show that the youth of India stood united with the Prime Minister in achieving this goal. New Delhi, Sep 17 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the United States of America from September 21-23, during which he will also take part in the fourth Quad Leaders' Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, which is being hosted by the US President Joe Biden on September 21. "Following the request of the US side to host the Quad Summit this year, India has agreed to host the next Quad Summit in 2025. At the Quad Summit, the leaders will review the progress achieved by the Quad over the last one year and set the agenda for the year ahead to assist the countries of the Indo-Pacific region in meeting their development goals and aspirations," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Tuesday. The Quad meeting that PM Modi will attend along with Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be a farewell meeting for Biden, who is not running for a second term, and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is leaving his post. Prime Minister Modi will address the 'Summit of the Future' at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23, the theme of which is 'Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow' this time. "A large number of global leaders are expected to participate in the Summit. On the sidelines of the Summit, Prime Minister would be holding bilateral meetings with several world leaders and discuss issues of mutual interest," the MEA stated. The Summit of the Future, according to the UN, aims to bring world leaders to chart the course of the world organisation to "accelerate efforts to meet our existing international commitments and take concrete steps to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities" The leaders are expected to adopt the 'Pact of the Future', a visionary document that will include a Global Digital Compact that deals with both dangers and opportunities of technology. While in New York, PM Modi will also address a gathering of the Indian community on September 22 and would be interacting with the CEOs of leading US-based companies to foster greater collaborations between the two countries in the cutting-edge areas of AI, quantum computing, semiconductors and biotechnology. More than 25,000 people have applied for tickets to the diaspora event titled 'Modi and US, Progress Together' which will be held in the New York suburb of Uniondale. "Prime Minister is also expected to interact with thought leaders and other stakeholders active in the India-US bilateral landscape," the MEA added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. The European Union is actively engaging with Iran, the U.S., and other participants in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to keep diplomatic channels open and explore opportunities for resuming meaningful nuclear talks, said Peter Stano, European Commission Spokesperson, in an interview with Trend. Stano emphasized the EUs role as the JCPOA coordinator under UN Security Council Resolution 2231, stressing the importance of diplomacy in addressing the complex issue of Irans nuclear program. He highlighted the EU's deep reliance on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as the sole international body responsible for monitoring Irans nuclear activities. However, recent reports from the IAEA have raised serious concerns about Irans nuclear trajectory and its lack of cooperation with the agency, the spokesperson noted. "The EU is deeply concerned about Irans nuclear proliferation and its continued export of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), particularly to Russia," Stano said. He urged Iran to reverse its nuclear course and cease the provision of weapons to Russia. Stano condemned Irans recent delivery of missiles to Russia. He stated that these actions violate the UN Charter and international law and could have serious consequences for both Iran and the broader region. "The EU remains committed to a comprehensive policy approach considering all options on the basis of mutual respect: critical where and when necessary, and ready to engage where and when our interests align. We believe diplomacy is the path to finding solutions on sensitive issues," Stano added, noting that the EU has already reached out to Iran's new leadership, including President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Araghchi. Kolkata, Sep 17 : A special court here on Tuesday extended, by three days, the CBI custody of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital's former Principal Sandip Ghosh and Tala Police station's former SHO Abhijit Mondal in connection with the ghastly rape and murder of a junior doctor within the hospital premises last month. The Central Bureau of Investigation's counsel told the court that the frequent calls between Ghosh and Mondal on the morning of August 9 when the body of the victim was recovered from the seminar hall of the hospital indicated that they were involved in some kind of conspiracy in the matter. He also said that the call details of both Ghosh and Mondal show that they made calls to certain "suspicious" numbers repeatedly during that period and both needed to be interrogated further on this count, hence the extension of the custody for both was necessary. The counsel also said both Ghosh and Mondal had not been cooperating with the investigating officials during the course of interrogation. Mondal was arrested by CBI on August 14 night. On the same night, Ghosh, who was earlier arrested by the CBI official in the case of financial irregularities case, was shown as "arrested" in the rape and murder case. The main charges against them are misleading the initial investigation which was handled by Kolkata Police before the CBI was given the charge as well as charges of tampering with evidence. There is also a charge that Mondal, who was the first to reach the scene of the crime with his team from the police station, and Ghosh, as the head of the medical college, allowed so many persons at that place, leaving the scope for tampering with the evidence. Meanwhile, the CBI on Tuesday submitted a progress report on its investigation into the financial irregularities case in R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital to the Calcutta High Court, and was asked to file the next report by November 25. Guwahati, Sep 17 : The controversial Assamese actress Sumi Borah and her husband Tarkik Borah were sent to judicial custody by the Court after the police did not appeal for an extension of the custody of the accused couple in the multi-crore online trading scam. The initial five days of police custody of Borah and her husband ended on Monday and the duo was produced before the court on Tuesday. As the police did not ask for an extension of their custody, the couple was sent to the Dibrugarh Central Jail. Earlier, it was alleged that the controversial actress was not cooperating with the investigation team and the police might ask for a prolongation of their custody. A senior police official said: "Borah has not been cooperative with the investigation team since her surrender and subsequent arrest. She is either crying during interrogation or evading the questions by other means. The actress has also complained multiple times at the time of questioning that she was not feeling well; however, during the medical check-up, she was pronounced fit by the health team." Earlier last week, Sumi Borah circulated a video before she surrendered to the police. In that video, she mentioned that she cannot stay for long in the police lockup and the actress would prefer to stay in jail. The accused actress in the huge online trading scam also said in her video that she has not fled but she has been hiding due to propaganda being run against her. She alleged that a lot of misinformation was being spread and her family has been suffering a lot due to it. Meanwhile, the brother-in-law of Sumi Borah, Amlan Borah who was arrested from Bihar was also sent to judicial custody by the Court on Tuesday. An online trading scam amounting to Rs 2,200 crore was busted in Assam after a kingpin of this fraud, Bishal Phukan was arrested from his Dibrugarh residence. The Assamese actress Sumi Borah came under the scanner of police after Phukan's arrest. Police claimed that Bishal Phukan used Borah's network in the Assamese movie industries to get clients for online trading on the pretext of giving them higher returns. Borah and her husband were on the run following Phukan's arrest and finally they surrendered before the police in the previous week. New Delhi, Sep 17 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to examine a public interest litigation (PIL) demanding the introduction of hybrid hearings in cases before Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Authorities (LARRAs). Issuing notice, a bench, headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, sought the response of the Centre and state governments in the matter. The matter is likely to be heard next on October 21. Apart from hybrid hearings, the plea also seeks directions for the establishment of digital portals for LARRAs to provide online services, such as displaying case statuses, uploading orders and judgments, and publishing cause lists. Further, it seeks the implementation of an e-filing system for LARRAs to streamline the submission of documents and reduce physical visits to LARRA offices. The PIL said the implementation of the above measures would alleviate the logistical, financial, and psychological burdens on affected expropriated landowners, ensuring equitable access to justice. It noted that the LARRAs were established for the purpose of providing speedy disposal of disputes relating to land acquisition, compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement under the new land acquisition act i.e. The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. "LARRAs were to provide speedy disposal of disputes, the LARRAs have actually led to inordinate delays in the disposal of reference cases, besides causing insurmountable hardship to landowners," said the plea, filed by advocate K.C. Jain. For instance, in Uttar Pradesh, the state government has established 13 LARRAs to cover 75 districts, with each LARRA exercising jurisdiction over several districts, ranging from 4 to 8 districts, it added. "At the current disposal rate of 960 cases per year, it would take more than ten years to clear the backlog of 10,468 pending cases by the LARRAs in Uttar Pradesh. This highlights the urgent need for procedural changes to expedite hearings and case disposals," the PIL said. Before the enforcement of the new land acquisition act, the powers of the reference court for determining compensation were vested in the "civil court of original jurisdiction" and consequently, compensation disputes were adjudicated by the district judiciary. Chandigarh, Sep 17 : The inaugural Indian Premier Kabaddi League (IPKL) season will see eight teams competing for the top honour from October 4 to 19, at Tau Devi Lal Indoor Stadium as Haryana Hurricane, Rajasthan Rulers, and Delhi Dragons, three of the franchises, announced their captains at a ceremony in the city. Shiv Kumar will captain the Haryana Hurricane, Kapil Narwal has been named captain of the Rajasthan Rulers and Delhi Dragons have named Vikas Dahiya as their captain for the inaugural season. Manjeet Chillar, the Brand Ambassador for the IPKL, expressed at the event, "The jerseys and captains really showcase the essence of each team. I'm incredibly excited for the first season and can't wait to see the intense matches and thrilling drama on the mat. Kabaddi is a game native to Indian soil, and it gives me immense pleasure to see it receiving such a positive response and growing following in the country." The Haryana Hurricane, Rajasthan Rulers, and Delhi Dragons are preparing for the IPKL 2024 season with strong leadership and standout jerseys. This setup is primed for a season full of fierce competition, thrilling matchups, and passionate rivalries. Fans are eagerly awaiting the start to witness these exciting teams in action. The UP Titan, Punjab Paltan, Gujarat Gladiators, Mumbai Marathas, and Bengaluru Bison are among the other franchises set to compete in the inaugural Indian Premier Kabaddi League. New Delhi: Ghulam Nabi Fai and Adnan Tanriverdi, though hailing from distinct nations and backgrounds - one being an American of Kashmiri heritage and the other a former officer in the Turkish military - are interconnected through a shared purpose: their strategic collaboration with Islamabad and their unified lobbying efforts against India. Ghulam Nabi Fai, the head of the Pakistan Army-backed Kashmir American Council (KAC), was convicted of spying for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in the United States, serving a two-year prison sentence. His organisation, masquerading as a lobbying group, has long been a tool for advancing Pakistan's interests, particularly in promoting anti-India rhetoric concerning the Kashmir issue, with US Congress members. Adnan Tanriverdi, a former chief military aide to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, leads SADAT, a defence consultancy that has functioned as a training and logistical hub for jihadists supporting Islamist and Turkish nationalist causes of Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP). He also heads the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW), a frontal organisation for SADAT that seeks to extend Turkey's influence across the Muslim world. Despite their diverse origins and backgrounds, Fai and Tanriverdi are united by their strategic alliance with Pakistan and Turkey respectively, and their coordinated efforts to lobby against India and promote their countries' interests on the international stage. Despite their distinct backgrounds, Fai and Tanriverdi are united by a common goal: to promote the coordinated lobbying efforts of Pakistan and Turkey against India on international platforms. Notably, the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW), which asserts it represents NGOs from 40 Muslim nations, has conducted its operations in the U.S. through the Kashmir American Council (KAC), thereby playing a crucial role in lobbying for Islamabad with U.S. Congress members. These initiatives are particularly evident in both Western and Muslim contexts, where KAC and UNIW strive to shape narratives that are critical of India, especially regarding the Kashmir issue. An investigation by NordicMonitor revealed that SADAT's previous activities showcased a close collaboration between Fai and Tanriverdi, who frequently convened in Turkey and various Western capitals to discuss joint projects and coordinate global actions, particularly focused on India. This coordinated lobbying effort underscores the broader strategic alignment between Pakistan and Turkey, driven by their shared objective of challenging India's global standing. Recognising the implications of this alliance, New Delhi has adopted a measured approach towards Ankara, scaling back trade agreements and limiting market access in response to Turkey's propagation of anti-India narratives. Under President Erdogan's leadership, Turkey has emerged as an outspoken supporter of Pakistan, particularly on the Kashmir issue, effectively positioning his government as a key advocate for Islamabad's agenda. As C. Raja Mohan argues, this stance reflects the continuation of the "Turkish establishment's uncritical embrace of Pakistan," which has remained constant irrespective of whether the secular military or the current Islamist leadership dominated Ankara. The increasing collaboration between Pakistan and Turkey, particularly through entities like the Kashmir American Council (KAC) and the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW), illustrates the geopolitical strategies at play and explains India's reluctance to extend economic or political goodwill towards Ankara, given its alignment with Islamabad's agenda. This situation is unsurprising, as Pakistan and Turkey have maintained their relationship based on the concept of "Islamic solidarity," which has allowed Islamabad to influence Ankara's perception of New Delhi, preventing the pursuit of an independent and mutually beneficial relationship with India in a complex, globalised world. However, this coordinated anti-India alliance extends beyond NGO-level collaborations involving figures like Fai and Tanriverdi; it also encompasses Islamist organisations, individual artists, and academic networks, further entrenching their partnership in efforts to shape global narratives against India. The Turkish poet and composer Turgay Evren, a pro-Erdogan artist, has frequently been hosted in Pakistan. Much of his work is filled with misinformation and emotionally charged rhetoric aimed at inciting animosity towards India, particularly targeting audiences in the Islamic world and the West. For instance, in his song "Kashmir is my name," the lyrics proclaim, "Kashmir, is my name, Massacre again and again, Kashmir, death is my fame, Torture, endless torture." Through powerful visuals, the song manipulates emotions to vilify India while conveniently overlooking Pakistan's role in the violence in the region. Pakistan, as the primary supporter of the songwriter, has long acted as the purveyor of death, exploiting Kashmir by using its youth as cannon fodder in its proxy war against India. Indeed, while Kashmir is a song and Kashmir is a name, one cannot ignore the devastation inflicted by Pakistani actions on that once-pristine Valley. The song references "massacres," yet it is essential to remember the atrocities committed by Pakistan-sponsored jihadists - such as the slaughter of innocent villagers in Wandhama, where only a four-year-old child survived, or the massacres in Nadi Marg, Chattisinghpora, and numerous other tragedies that have fractured the social fabric of Kashmir, once a land of Sufis. The Turkish-Pakistani alliance against India has evolved beyond mere lobbying in Western and Muslim spheres - it has become institutionalised through deepening defense collaborations. Pakistan's $350 million contract with Turkey's STM for the Agosta 90B Submarine Modernization Project exemplifies this partnership. In 2018, the Pakistan Navy commissioned a fleet tanker built in collaboration with STM, highlighting the robust ties between the two nations. However, the strategic ramifications are evident - the Pakistan Navy's primary objective is monitoring Indian waters, which have frequently been used for infiltrating terrorists into India, implicating Ankara in indirectly supporting Pakistan's anti-India operations. The burgeoning defense cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan is exemplified by a 2017 contract for 52 Super Mushshak trainers from Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and a 2018 deal with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for the sale of 30 T129 helicopter gunships worth $1.5 billion. Moreover, Turkey has been transferring drones and drone technology to the Pakistani military in recent years. This development assumes significance as the Pakistani military has increasingly utilised drones to smuggle weapons and narcotics along its border with India, sustaining terrorism and narco-terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir in an effort to foment unrest in the region. These deepening defense ties further solidify Turkey's complicity in supporting Pakistan's antagonistic stance against India. The strengthening of ties between Pakistan and Turkey, driven by their shared hostility towards India, have evolved beyond mere government-to-government collaboration. This relationship now encompasses a diverse array of non-state actors who play a crucial role in promoting Islamist ideologies and advancing a pro-Pakistan-Turkey agenda across the West and the Islamic world, with anti-India campaigns serving as a central focus of their endeavors. These developments underscore the multifaceted nature of the Islamabad-Ankara partnership, which has expanded beyond traditional diplomatic and military spheres to encompass a wide range of actors and interests. The involvement of non-state entities in this alliance highlights the depth and complexity of the Pakistan-Turkey relationship, as well as the potential challenges in addressing its implications for regional stability and India's security concerns. Shimla, Sep 17 : The Himachal Pradesh government is currently grappling with an economic crisis, which has put a strain on the salaries and pensions of state government employees and pensioners. In this context, pensioners in the state have announced their decision to protest against the Sukhu government. The Shimla unit of the Pensioners Welfare Association on Tuesday held a meeting to decide their course of action. It was resolved that on September 20, protests will be held across all district headquarters and at local levels throughout the state against the government. Atmaram Sharma, the state president of the Pensioners Welfare Association, stated that the association had requested a meeting with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu by September 15, but the request was not granted. Consequently, the association announced a protest against the government on September 20. Sharma mentioned that on the 20th of September, protests would be organised across the entire state, from Kinnaur to Sirmaur and from Lahaul to Chamba. He emphasised that pensioners have long been demanding the formation of a Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) and the inclusion of pensioners in the JCC. The JCC is a crucial platform for discussing pensioners' issues, but the government has not yet established it. He also noted that besides financial issues, administrative matters affecting pensioners are discussed within the JCC. Since the government has neither invited pensioners for discussions nor assured the formation of the JCC, the decision to protest has been made. It is worth mentioning that medical bills for pensioners in Himachal Pradesh have been pending for a long time. Employees who retired between January 2016 and December 2021 have not received the full benefits of their pensions. Due to the governmentas ainept handlinga of these issues, there is significant discontent among pensioners. New Delhi, Sep 17 : BJP's prominent Christian leader in Kerala Anoop Antony Joseph has made serious allegations against the state's CPI-M-led government, accusing it of siphoning off funds intended for relief operations following the landslide in Wayanad. He said that the state government has the habit of frequently "misusing funds meant for relief operations". Joseph said, "Kerala has not yet recovered from the shocking tragedy of the Wayanad landslide, but what is now more painful is the way the CPI-M govt of Kerala misused and embezzled the funds that were meant for relief." He said, "The reports have very well shown how crores of crores have been misused, which was meant for the relief of the people of Wayanad. It is unimaginable... Rs 75,000 were spent on the funeral of each who has lost their life in Wayanad...Rs 12 crore was spent on the food of the volunteers..." The BJP leader further said, "Similarly, crores and crores have been misused by the (state) government in the name of relief... Similar things happened during the 2018 floods also... The state government always uses these disasters as an opportunity for corruption and financial gains..." The Kerala government, however, has denied the allegations saying there is no truth in this. It said that the estimates are being misrepresented. Meanwhile, the Congress has described the estimates which were submitted to the High Court as "unrealistic" saying that it was made by someone who had no clue. aThe so-called memorandum submitted to the Centre points out that bodies were interred and a cost has been attributed, while the fact of the matter known to all is that it was done in a plot of land donated by a plantation company. The entire work at that time was done by volunteers of the local legislator. This is not the way a memorandum should be prepared and if itas given like this, then what should rightfully come also won't," said Kerala leader of the opposition V.D. Satheesan. Samba, Sep 17 : Amid election fervour in J&K, BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh accused prominent leaders, including former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Farooq Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti, of betraying the people of the Union Territory (UT). Speaking to journalists after addressing BJP workers in Samba on Tuesday, Chugh emphasised the party's zero-tolerance policy towards separatist ideologies in Jammu and Kashmir. He stated, "The people here detest the thinking of leaders like Abdullah, Mufti, Nehru, and (Engineer) Rashid. These leaders have deceived the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The people here trust Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Leaders like Farooq Abdullah, Mufti, Gandhi, Nehru, and Rashid speak of separatism, and their ideologies are rejected by the people of Jammu and Kashmir." Chugh asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is moving towards tourism rather than separatism or terrorism. He claimed that three families had turned Jammu and Kashmir into the capital of terrorism, but PM Modi has worked to transform it into a tourism hub. "Today, development projects are underway in Jammu and Kashmir. Roads and bridges are being built, and the railway line has reached Srinagar. Jammu and Kashmir is on the path of development, and a new dawn has arrived. Those who attempt to obstruct this development will be rejected by the people. PM Modi will receive the blessings of the people. The people of Jammu and Kashmir trust Prime Minister Modi," he pointed out. He further commented, "The people of Jammu and Kashmir do not favour separatist thinkers, whether they are Abdullah, Mufti, Gandhi-Nehru, Rashid, or anyone else. Our policy is zero tolerance towards terrorism, and we will fully implement it." BJP candidates Chander Prakash Ganga, contesting from Vijaypur, and Surjeet Singh Salathia, from Samba constituency, were also present during the address. It is noteworthy that there are 90 assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir, with 47 in the Valley and 43 in the Jammu division. Of these, nine seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) and seven for Scheduled Castes (SC). Voting will be conducted in three phases, with results to be declared on October 8. Patna, Sep 17 : A man was killed by a tiger in Bihar's West Champaran district on Tuesday. The incident occurred at Vanbairia village under Sahodar police station around 1.30 pm. The deceased was identified as Indradev Mahto. Pradyuman Gaurav, the Divisional Forest Officer of Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) 1 confirms the incident. He said that the victim was feeding a goat in an agricultural field when a tiger attacked him. "The geographical setting of Vanbairia village, with its proximity to both a river and a forest just 1 km away, creates a natural corridor for wildlife, including tigers. This route, which passes through farmland, particularly sugarcane fields, allows tigers to move between different sections of the forest. The victim went there to feed his goat. He was sitting near the sugarcane farmland when a tiger attacked him," Gaurav said. "When villagers learned about the incident, they promptly chased the tiger which eventually ran towards the forest area after listening to the noise of a large number of people," Gaurav said. The officer said that the tiger had dragged the dead body of the victim for 200 meters before fleeing from the spot. "We have recovered the dead body and sent it for the postmortem. The forest department has a provision to compensate the victim's family with Rs 10 lakh," Gaurav said. He added that the residents who have villages located in nearby VTR have been asked to stay alert and go to the agricultural field in groups. Earlier, a male tiger was found dead in the Manguraha forest area in VTR a few weeks ago. Valmiki Tiger Reserve, situated in the West Champaran district of Bihar, serves as a vital natural habitat for tigers. According to official reports, the reserve is home to approximately 60 adult tigers. This rich biodiversity makes the Valmiki Tiger Reserve an essential part of wildlife conservation in the region, supporting efforts to protect and preserve these majestic predators and their natural ecosystem. Earlier in 2022, a man-eater tiger had killed nine people in villages located in the close proximity of VTR. It was eventually neutralised by the authorities. New Delhi, Sep 17 : India has achieved two out of three quantitative nationally determined contributions (NDCs) targets of the Paris Agreement, nine years ahead of schedule, Union Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav announced on Tuesday. "It is a matter of great pride that India, under the leadership of our Honable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, has achieved 2 out of 3 quantitative NDC targets of the Paris Agreement, 9 years ahead of schedule," he said at his address at the 19th Sustainability Summit organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here. India had, in 2015, submitted its first NDC target to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 per cent by 2030 from the 2005 level; and to achieve about 40 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. In December 2023, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced it achieved the two targets. Union Minister Yadav noted that the core idea of sustainability is how to utilise resources and added that energy is the foundation of the development model being followed globally and there is no going back from this path. He pointed out that access to energy is key to achieving a dignified life for all. The "debate today should not be on emission management but rather what is the cost of per capita emission; hence Sustainability is a social goal," he said, elaborating that sustainability covers "the three concerns of environment, economy, and equity". He stated that all government policies, schemes, programmes and initiatives have to be formulated taking a balanced approach towards these three. Further, the Environment Minister said that several waste management regulations have already been shared with the industry through EPR. However, more work in regard to the circular economy including sector-specific research; increasing the recyclables market, access to technologies, and building skills is required. The Minister also launched the CII Report on Building Climate Resilience for Indian Industry. The report includes the Physical Climate Risk Assessment Framework, a necessary tool to help the Indian industry in prioritising appropriate adaptation actions across sectors and in different regions. The report recommends actions for the government such as an open-access climate and extreme weather event dashboard, green and climate-resilient industrial parks and increasing adaptation project funding in the nation. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. Iran's refusal to join the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is detrimental to the country, the Iranian expert Farshid Bagherian told Trend. According to him, refusal to join FATF has resulted in Iran selling its products, mainly crude oil, at low prices and purchasing products at high prices. Bagherian added that Iran exports its products through an intermediary and imports products via an intermediary. This means that Iran is wasting its national wealth by selling it several times cheaper, and at the same time it has to spend more funds to import products, he said. The Iranian expert noted that based on this, Iran should approach FATF and try to remove obstacles to entry. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development is an intergovernmental body that regulates rules against money laundering and financing of terrorism. At the last meeting of this organization, Iran was warned that if Iran's program of steps is not improved, Iran may be added to the list of non-cooperating countries. Iran has complied with 37 out of 41 FATF steps. The remaining four steps or conventions fall under the area of legislation. Amendments to the Law on Combating Money Laundering, Amendments to the Law on Combating the Financing of Terrorism, Accession to the International Convention on Combating Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo), and Accession to the International Convention on Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) have been drafted by the Iranian government and sent to the parliament. Although the four conventions have been approved by the parliament and sent to the Advisory Council, the CFT conventions and the Palermo Convention have not yet been approved by the mentioned council. FATF was established in 1989 on the initiative of the G7 group to combat money laundering. The organization has 37 members and its secretariat is located in Paris. Iran has been on the FATF blacklist since 2007, and since 2009, retaliatory measures have been officially applied against Tehran. Therefore, countries had to be cautious in their financial and banking transactions with Iran. Since 2016, the implementation of diplomatic measures against Iran has been postponed. To note, the financial group FATF added Iran to the list of non-cooperative countries (blacklist) on February 21, 2020. Beirut, Sep 17 : Three people have been killed and hundreds of Hezbollah members injured as the pagers that they were using to communicate exploded across the country, the Lebanese media reported on Tuesday evening. Lebanon's Al-Jadeed TV channel accused the Israeli military of targeting the batteries of these pagers, leading to the explosions, adding that the injured were being transported to hospitals in Lebanon's capital Beirut and Dahieh in its southern suburbs. It mentioned that Hezbollah's competent agencies are currently conducting a "wide-ranging security and scientific investigation" to determine the reasons that led to these simultaneous explosions. Israeli multi-language online newspaper Times of Israel quoted a Reuters report, saying that a prominent Hezbollah member is one of the major casualties of the pager explosions. "Separately, a young girl was killed in northeastern Lebanonas Baalbek District, according to Lebanese media," it said. It was also reported that top Hezbollah leaders and their advisors were injured in the detonation of hundreds of pagers in Lebanon. Imphal, Sep 17 : The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday launched a major initiative to provide essential commodities at affordable prices through the Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar (KPKB) to the people of Manipur, who have been enduring prolonged unrest for over 16 months. The widely welcome initiative involves extending the KPKB facilities to the general population of the ethnic strife-ridden state. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday announced that KPKB would be open to ordinary people of Manipur from Tuesday by opening 16 new Bhandars in addition to 21 existing centres. Of the 16 new centres, eight are in the valley, inhabited by the majority Meitei community people and the remaining eight in the hills, where Kuki-Zo, Naga and other tribal community people live. Originally introduced by the MHA in 2006, the KPKB system was designed to supply essential goods at concessional prices to serving and retired personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Central Police Organizations (CPOs), and state police forces across India. Considering the hardships of the people amid the ongoing ethnic turmoil in Manipur, the facility has now been extended to benefit the local population, ensuring that essential goods are available at fair prices, despite the restrictions on travel and supplies caused by the unrest. Manipur Home Department Commissioner N. Ashok Kumar on Tuesday emphasised that the step has been taken to maintain a transparent and equitable supply of essential commodities to the public during these difficult times. ''There would be 16 new outlets, 8 each in the valley and hill districts, established in addition to the 21 existing KPKB outlets in the state. These outlets have already started supplying goods to the local population from Tuesday,'' Kumar said. On the first day of operation, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m, the KPKB outlets saw a steady flow of people buying daily necessities such as soap, shampoo, detergent, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and many other essential items. Sorokkaibam Inaocha Meitei, a customer at the newly opened KPKB outlet in Lamlai, Imphal East district, expressed his gratitude for the initiative, particularly given the challenges posed by the ongoing unrest. ''Prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed, and many items are scarce in the open market. This new KPKB outlet ensures easy access to essential goods at lower prices than in the market. It is a highly commendable move,'' he said. BSF head constable, Kirori Mal, managing the Lamlai outlet, reported brisk sales, with products worth Rs 27,300 sold by midday on the first day. He highlighted the high demand among the public for reasonably priced essentials. To further support the people of Manipur, the state government has also launched mobile sales units, providing essential items such as rice, potatoes, onions, pulses, cooking oil, and salt in 16 centres starting on September 15. An official said that the initiative would be expanded to district headquarters in Senapati, Kangpokpi, Noney, Tamenglong, Tengnoupal, Ukhrul, and Kamjong by September 18. He said with the opening of KPKB outlets to the public and the additional mobile sales units, the people of Manipur now have much-needed access to essential goods at concessional rates, easing their economic burden amid the unrest. The initiative reflects both the Central and the state governments' commitment to the welfare of the people of Manipur, ensuring their access to affordable commodities during these challenging times. This positive development promises to bring tangible relief to the people and reinforce efforts toward the upliftment and welfare of the state's residents, the official said Dubai, Sep 17 : Rajasthan Minister of Industry and Commerce Rajyavardhan Rathore led a delegation to UAE and met Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade ahead of the 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024 on Tuesday. The delegation also held meetings with several leading companies in UAE as well as with members of the UAE chapter of the UAE-India Business Council. Speaking at the Dubai investors' meet, Rathore said: "Rajasthan is working under the overarching vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modiji to turn India into the third largest economy in the coming years and a developed country by the centenary year of independence. Rajasthan, being an economically prominent state, has its task cut out to contribute to the vision of 'Viksit Bharat'. The political will of the government to alleviate the business environment is amply demonstrated by the decision to host the investment summit in the very first year of the government's tenure. A complete revamp of the policy framework has been undertaken and new policies are going to be launched in the coming days to ensure that the investors are able to do business at the least possible cost and in the most hassle-free manner." A presentation was made, and a film was played before the investors' community, highlighting the core strengths of the state, and key investment areas and showcasing the collaborative potential across sectors such as chemicals and petrochemicals, oil and gas, real estate, logistics and hospitality. Making the presentation at the investors' meeting, Sourabh Swami, Additional Commissioner (Investments), Bureau of Investment Promotion said: "The scope of business collaboration between Rajasthan and UAE is immense due to the existing enabling factors such as local currency settlement system, Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and UAE and Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff arrangement among others. Under a proactive governance model, industry-friendly regime and key fiscal incentives, Rajasthan is going to emerge as one of the most industry-friendly business jurisdictions for the UAE investors." Speaking during the investors' meet, Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India in Dubai said, "I urge the business groups and trade bodies based out of UAE to explore the investment opportunities in Rajasthan. The consulate office in Dubai will be more than willing to put the interested investors in touch with the officials in Rajasthan and help facilitate their investment into the state." Besides the Minister, the high-level government delegation also included Sidharth Sihag, Joint Secretary to the Chief Minister, and Sourabh Swami, Additional Commissioner, the Bureau of Investment Promotion (BIP), among others. The delegation will also visit Qatar after the UAE leg and invite the investors to do business in Rajasthan. New Delhi, Sep 17 : India will participate in the Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence (IP-CHOD) conference in Hawaii, U.S. an official said. An official of the Ministry of Defence said that the discussions, during this international conference, will be centred around regional security, counter-terrorism, maritime domain awareness and cooperation, and commitment to joint training and exercises. He informed that the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) Lt Gen JP Mathew will attend this Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence conference. The conference will start in Hawaii on 18 September and will continue till 20 September. The official said that this gathering will bring together top military leaders from the Indo-Pacific region, adding that the top military leaders of different countries will discuss and share security challenges, enhance mutual understanding and foster military-to-military cooperation, during the conference. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command hosts virtual IP-CHOD meetings quarterly to provide a forum for open dialogue between military leaders and discuss the regional security environment. The in-person meeting is held on an annual basis, officials added. The MoD said that the representation of the Indian Armed Forces in the event demonstrates our nation's commitment to regional stability and security. In another International dialogue, the 3rd India-Portugal Joint Working Group meeting took place in Lisbon on Tuesday. According to the officials, both sides discussed regional issues, and steps to enhance military-to-military ties and explored opportunities for defence-industrial cooperation. The Indian side was led by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Vishwesh Negi and the Portuguese side by Director General de Politica de Defesa Nacional Major General Nuno Lemos Pires. Guwahati, Sep 17 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma donated blood at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 74th birthday. Interacting with media at the hospital, Sarma described the Prime Minister's life struggles as a source of inspiration for the people of the country. The Chief Minister emphasised that Prime Minister Modi's journey -- from his humble beginnings to his role in elevating India to a position of global prominence -- embodies a dream, resolve, and an unyielding quest. He expressed his gratitude towards Prime Minister Modi and highlighted that the BJP members observe this day as a 'day of service'. In this spirit, he referred to the blood donation drive as a modest yet meaningful effort to support those in need. He also thanked Cabinet Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah and party workers for participating in the blood donation drive. Sarma further mentioned about Prime Minister Modi's vision of making India a developed nation by 2047. "The Prime Minister has seen a dream of making our country a developed nation by 2047 when India will be celebrating 100 years of its independence. I believe that PM Modi has helped us to think about this dream and every BJP worker must make an aim to fulfil the Prime Minister's aspiration," he said. During the event, Guwahati Mayor Mrigen Sarania; Commissioner & Secretary, Medical Education & Research, Dr Siddharth Singh; Director of Medical Education, Dr Anup Kumar Barman; Principal of Gauhati Medical College, Dr Achyut Chandra Baishya; Superintendent of Gauhati Medical College & Hospital, Dr Abhijit Sarma; and other senior medical officers were also present. Gandhinagar, Sep 17 : The global Renewable Energy Investors' Meet and Expo (RE-INVEST) drew investment commitments worth Rs 32.45 lakh crore by 2030, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, said on Tuesday. Addressing a press conference here, the minister informed that developers have committed an additional 570 GW, and manufacturers have committed additional manufacturing capacities of 340 GW in solar modules, 240 GW in solar cells, 22 GW in wind turbines and 10 GW in electrolysers. "This is a big commitment by the states, developers, banks and financial institutions to join hands and work together for a cleaner and sustainable India," he said. The renewable energy sector made significant strides in the first 100 days of the new government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Now, PM Modi is not only leading our country towards the 500 GW target but also is a beacon of hope for the globe," the minister added. Minister Joshi also chaired a CEO roundtable, where he emphasised that 500 GW is not just a number and the government is serious about it. "Therefore, the CEOs must share what the facilitation required from the government." The CEOs provided inputs for ramping up the manufacturing, creating demand with effective enforcement of Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO), embedding circularity principles, and enhancing the climate resilience of the projects. Installed solar PV module manufacturing capacity in India in 2014 was around 2.3 GW and installed solar PV cell manufacturing capacity was around 1.2 GW. "Installed solar PV Module manufacturing capacity in India, as of now, is around 67 GW and the installed solar PV cell manufacturing capacity as of now is around 8 GW," the minister informed. The country aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, focusing on renewable energy expansion, and plans to reach 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030. According to the minister, the countryas renewable energy journey is supported by strong policy backing and international partnerships. PM Modi has said that India is the only G20 country to have ensured that the pledge towards creating a green planet made at the Paris Climate Change Summit in 2015 was fulfilled even before the deadline. The country has now updated its targets to reduce emissions intensity of its GDP to 45 per cent by 2030 from the 2005 level, and cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources to 50 per cent by 2030. Chennai, Sep 17 : Tamil Nadu School Education Department on Tuesday transferred Chief Educational Officer (CEO) S. Mars to the Thanjavur library following a recent talk delivered by a guest speaker Mahavishnu at the state government higher secondary schools at Ashok Nagar and Saidapet. Educational Department has appointed Tamil Nadu State Parent-Teacher Association Secretary J. Angelo Irudhayasamy, as in charge till further orders. The spiritual speaker Mahavishnu had during his talk in the school "humiliated" a visually challenged teacher during his address at Saidapet school. The speaker had spoken about the past life and the teacher had confronted this. Another video of Mahavishnu arguing with a differently abled person has gone viral. The spiritual speaker was arrested on September 7 and was booked under five provisions of the Bharatiua Nyaya Sanhita. This include Sections 196(1) (a)( Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) Sections 352 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 92(a) Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (Punishment for offences of atrocities. Whoever intentionally insults or intimidates with intent to humiliate a person with disability in any place within public view) The video of Mahavishnu of Paramporul foundation arguing with the visually-challenged teacher among students in a government school was removed from YouTube following a request from the Chennai city police. Mahavishnu was arrested by Saidapet Police following public outrage over the humiliation meted out to the visually-challenged teacher in the latter institution when he confronted Mahavishnu recently for preaching unscientific thoughts about his past life. His arrest came following a complaint filed by N. Vijayaraj of Saidapet against Mahavishnu for giving a speech at a function in the Saidapet Government School on August 28 last month. The complainant alleged that Mahavishnu had demeaned and abused the differently-abled teacher. Jaipur, Sep 17 : Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday participated in the Shri Mahamrityunjay Mahayagya in Rajasthan's Alwar and also worshipped the Shiv family located in the Yagya Mandap for happiness, peace, security and progress in the country. While referring to the crises that the country is facing in the present circumstances, Sarsanghchalak said that crises do not have the power to "demolish" India. "India is not just a piece of land, but it is Sanatan. India stands with Sanatan Dharma. Our culture is a Yagya-like culture. In Yagya, one has to give from his own side. Whatever one has, it will return from where he is giving.," he said. He said that trees have given us everything, they should not be destroyed, and hence trees should be planted. "Similarly, we should make efforts for the progress of our brothers in society who are poor, and backward. We should uplift them by giving them whatever we have." Meanwhile, the Guru Peeth Mahant Bastinath expressed his gratitude to the Sarsanghchalak for attending the Mahayagya. He said that the Yagya tradition is being carried out to take the Sanatan culture forward. "The entire Hindu society is participating in the Yagya without any discrimination and untouchability," he said. On this occasion, Mahant Bastinath presented a gold-plated Siddha Sriyantra to Sarsanghchalak keeping in mind the prosperity of the nation, victory of Sanatan and unity of the entire Hindu society and expressed his gratitude by putting a symbol and a scarf on him. At the same time, Sarsanghchalak gave the message of environmental protection by planting a Bilvapatra tree on the Gurupeeth premises. On this occasion, regional Sanghchalak Ramesh Agarwal, regional pracharak Nimbaram, provincial pracharak Babulal and senior workers of All India, region and province were present. On the last day of his stay, Sarsanghchalak reached the residence of Ramesh Yadav and senior Sangh pracharak Parmanand Sarsanghchalak planted a Bilvapatra sapling outside the temple complex under construction at the residence of senior Sangh pracharak Parmanand . He also visited the Alwar office and enquired about the work in the meeting of provincial-level workers and left for Delhi by train late in the evening. Ramanagar, Sep 17 : In a tragic incident, five members of the same family were killed in a road accident near Gudemaranahalli village in Magadi taluk of Ramanagar district, Karnataka, on Tuesday. However, a pet dog travelling with the family in the car survived the crash. The deceased hailed from Kunigal town in Tumakuru district. Police reported that the victims were on their way to a temple after attending a family function. The driver lost control of the vehicle, causing the car to crash into a roadside tree. Authorities stated that speeding was the cause of the accident. The car was travelling from Magadi towards Bengaluru. The bodies of two men and three women were recovered and sent to the Nelamangala government hospital. The identities of the deceased have yet to be confirmed. The impact of the accident was such that all the passengers in the car died on the spot despite the airbags' release. The pet dog was taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment. In another tragic incident, a couple and their son from Kerala were killed after being hit by a tipper truck on the outskirts of the bordering town Gundlupet town in Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka, on Tuesday. The deceased were identified as Dhanesh, his wife Anju, and their son Ishan. According to police, the victims were riding a motorcycle towards Gundlupet from Kerala. The preliminary investigation suggested that the driver of a tipper truck, allegedly in an inebriated state, rammed the bike from behind. The victims were dragged under the wheels of the stone-laden truck for about 300 meters. The victims' bodies were severely damaged to the point that they could not be identified. Gundlupet police have launched an investigation into the incident. Port Of Spain : , Sep 17 (IANS) As the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024 home leg kicks off on Wednesday, the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) have received a significant boost with the return of England international Chris Jordan. The 35-year-old fast bowler, who previously played five matches for TKR in 2019, is set to make his mark again as he replaces the injured USA fast bowler Ali Khan for the remainder of the tournament. Jordanas return is eagerly anticipated, especially after his standout performance in June, where he achieved a historic T20I hat-trick against the USA. Jordan's reintegration into the TKR squad comes at a crucial time, adding depth to their bowling lineup as they gear up for their home fixtures. His experience and proven track record are expected to strengthen the teamas prospects in the ongoing season. On the other hand, the defending champions, Guyana Amazon Warriors, are grappling with their own challenges. Their captain, Imran Tahir, has been ruled out for approximately ten days due to injury. The 45-year-old leg-spinner had already missed their recent match against Barbados Royals, where Shai Hope stepped in as captain. Hope will continue to lead the team in Tahir's absence, with the Warriors hoping to manage without their key spinner. Adding to the Amazon Warriors' woes, allrounder Romario Shepherd is also recovering from a toe injury sustained during training. Shepherd, who played a pivotal role in last seasonas title-winning campaign, has featured in only one game this season. To mitigate the loss, the Warriors have enlisted Nathan Sowter, an Australia-born English wrist-spinner, as a temporary replacement for Tahir. Sowter, known for his agility and impressive performances with Oval Invincibles and Desert Vipers, brings additional spin options to the squad. BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 17. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will visit New York on September 22 to participate in the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Trend reports. The Iranian president will address the assembly on that day. The Iranian president's New York program includes meetings with Iranians living in the US, media leaders, and leaders of some European, Asian, and Islamic countries. To note, Iran participates in the UN General Assembly session held annually in New York at the presidential level. New Delhi, Sep 17 : 'The Four Attempts on Narendra Modi's Life', a book authored by Binay Kumar Singh, was unveiled in the national capital on Tuesday, coinciding with Prime Minister Modi's birthday. The book provides a detailed account of four assassination attempts on the life of Prime Minister Modi. The book launch event was marked by key insights into these plots, as well as discussions on broader issues such as terrorism, Maoist insurgency, and the role of Hindutva in Indian society. Interacting with IANS, Singh said that three of the assassination attempts on Prime Minister Modi were confirmed by court rulings, while the fourth was revealed during the Bhima Koregaon investigation, which unearthed a 15,000-page charge sheet. "The book authentically recounts these attempts and sheds light on the evolving nature of terrorism and Naxalism," he said. He also raised concerns about statements made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi abroad, suggesting that some of these remarks echoed Maoist documents from 2007 -- a connection he explores in his book. "The form of terrorism and Naxalism is changing. The most worrying thing is that Rahul Gandhi goes on foreign tours and talks about caste and other issues there. His activities are matching with the documents of Naxalites. This has also been mentioned in the book," Singh said. He further said, "The Shah Bano case was politically motivated, such cases make the society more victimised... Society benefits only when the government is vigilant and reaches every door. The current government under Narendra Modi is providing electricity, health services, and other facilities without discrimination. This is real development." During the event, Singh discussed judicial rulings related to assassination attempts on Prime Minister Modi, mentioning that those involved in the 2013 Patna rally plot were sentenced to life imprisonment after an initial death sentence. Similarly, he referenced the 2022 Ahmedabad court judgment, which confirmed a plot to kill the Prime Minister during an event in Gujarat. The author also differentiated between what he termed "bullet terrorism" and "intellectual terrorism", citing the Ishrat Jahan case as an example of the former, while labelling the accompanying narrative against Prime Minister Modi as the latter. JNU Professor Dr Pravesh Kumar, who also spoke at the event, emphasised the importance of Hindutva in Indian culture. "A message should go out from JNU that it stands with Hindutva, which embodies non-violence, peace, and brotherhood," he said, adding that the book addresses many false accusations and propaganda made against Prime Minister Modi over the years. The event attracted significant attention, with discussions underscoring both the threats Prime Minister Modi has faced and his government's focus on inclusive development. ---IANS sha/ Cairo, Sep 18 : Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has urged the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor. Abdelatty made the remarks during his meeting in Cairo with Tor Wennesland, the United Nations special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday in a statement. During the meeting, the Egyptian Minister stressed the need for Israel to accept the return of the Palestinian Authority (PA) to manage the Rafah crossing, which would allow the resumption of the crossing's operation, Xinhua news agency reported. He also stressed support for the efforts of the UN coordinator to preserve the status of the PA as the central government for the administration of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Abdelatty reiterated Egypt's commitment to facilitating a ceasefire and delivering humanitarian aid to the strip, emphasising the importance of enabling all UN agencies, particularly the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, to carry out their responsibilities. Since May 2024, Israel has taken control of the Palestinian part of the Rafah crossing, leading to the obstruction of the main point for aid distribution, along with the Philadelphi Corridor, a buffer zone on the Egypt-Gaza border. Senior Egyptian sources have consistently expressed opposition to Israel's control of these regions. Nevertheless, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained steadfast in maintaining Israeli presence in the corridor to prevent alleged weapon smuggling. Netanyahu's unwavering stance regarding the Philadelphi Corridor has impeded a ceasefire agreement, a move that has been urged by the international community and by families of captives detained in Gaza since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. During a ministerial meeting focused on the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution hosted by Madrid, Spain, Abdelatty emphasised that Israel's positioning in these areas is designed to obstruct the legitimate return of the Palestinian authority to Gaza. Earlier, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez convened a session for foreign ministers of countries participating in the Madrid discussions. In this meeting, Abdelatty emphasised the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid. Abdelatty urged immediate actions to fulfill the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people and establish an independent Palestinian state. Jerusalem, Sep 18 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant held a security assessment meeting at the HaKirya military base in Tel Aviv, following deadly pager explosions in Lebanon allegedly carried out by Israel. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the incidents, in which handheld pagers simultaneously exploded, killing at least eight people and injuring more than 2,800 others, including Hezbollah members, according to figures from the Lebanese Health Ministry as reported by Xinhua news agency. In a statement, Hezbollah said it is conducting security and scientific investigations to identify the reasons behind these explosions, adding that the group is "at the highest level of readiness to defend Lebanon and its people". In a separate statement, the Shia group blamed Israel for "this criminal attack," vowing to retaliate. An Israeli government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that the security assessment meeting was focusing on potential Israeli responses to a possible escalation triggered by the explosions. Local authorities in northern Israel have asked residents to remain near shelters and have reinforced safe rooms, citing concerns of a potential escalation. The incidents came after Israel's security cabinet decided earlier on Tuesday to expand the goals of the military operation in the Gaza Strip to include the safe return of residents in northern Israel who were evacuated due to the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah along the Israel-Lebanon border. The decision, widely seen as a step toward further escalation, followed warnings from Netanyahu and Gallant that Israel was prepared to intensify the conflict. Beirut, Sep 18 : At least nine people were killed and 2,800 others, including Hezbollah fighters and medics were injured on Tuesday when the pagers they use to communicate exploded across Lebanon, security sources and the Lebanese Health Minister said. Lebanon's Information Minister Ziad Makary said the government condemned the detonation of the pagers as an "Israeli aggression". Hezbollah also blamed Israel for the pager blasts and said it would receive "its fair punishment". A Hezbollah official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the detonation of the pagers was the "biggest security breach" the group had been subjected to in nearly a year of conflict with Israel. Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the Gaza war erupted last October, in the worst such escalation in years. Hezbollah confirmed in a statement the deaths of at least three people, including two of its fighters. The third person killed was a girl, it said, adding that an investigation was being conducted into the causes of the blasts. Hezbollah Chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was not hurt in the explosions, the group said. The wave of explosions lasted around an hour after the initial detonations, which took place about 3:45 p.m. local time. It was not immediately clear how the devices were detonated. The Lebanese Foreign Ministry described the explosions as a "dangerous and deliberate Israeli escalation" which it said had been "accompanied by Israeli threats to expand the war towards Lebanon on a large scale". Lebanese internal security forces said a number of wireless communication devices were detonated across Lebanon, especially in Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold. The pagers that detonated were the latest model brought in by Hezbollah in recent months, three security sources said. Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said 2,800 people had been wounded in the explosions, 200 of them critically. Many of those hurt included Hezbollah fighters who are the sons of top officials from the armed group, two security sources told a leading media portal. One of the fighters killed was the son of a Hezbollah member of the Lebanese parliament, Ali Ammar, they said. Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, suffered a "superficial injury" in a pager explosion and is currently under observation in hospital, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency said. There was no word from the Israeli government on the explosions. In neighbouring Syria, 14 people were wounded "after pagers used by Hezbollah exploded," Britain-based war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said. Earlier on Tuesday, Israel announced it was broadening the aims of the war sparked by the Hamas attacks to include its fight against Hezbollah along its border with Lebanon. To date, Israel's objectives have been to crush Hamas and bring home the hostages seized by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attacks that sparked the war. On Tuesday, Israel's domestic security agency said it had foiled a plot by Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to assassinate a former senior defence official in the coming days. The Shin Bet agency, which did not name the official, said in a statement it had seized an explosive device attached to a remote detonation system, using a mobile phone and a camera that Hezbollah had planned to operate from Lebanon. Rafael Fernandez Caballero has been named Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024. Caballeros image of a Brydes whale feeding on a baitball was chosen from more than 15,000 ocean images across all disciplines, including underwater, surf and drone. Discussing the image, Caballero says: The image captures perhaps the most special and craziest moment of my life. It fills me with joy having lived this moment and to have captured the image. Reflecting on being named Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024, Caballero says: This is a dream come true. Spectacular. Being a part of the best compilation of ocean photography this year and receiving the top recognition drives me to keep believing in what I do and to continue showcasing the oceans wonders. This years awarded photographs include dramatic wildlife encounters, such as a baitball being devoured from air and sea, out-of-place eels slithering over rocks at low tide, and an iridescent mahi mahi caught with a mouthful; beautiful examples of our species connection with the ocean, from a boat crew hauling an impossibly large net out of the water, conservationists tending to coral nurseries, and a freediver on their way into the depths of a blue hole; and stark reminders of our impact on the ocean, including an octopus sheltering in a plastic bag, a fin whale being hauled ashore for butchering, and a gannet accidentally hanged after its unnatural nest became a noose. All winning photography, plus captions and credits, can be found here. The recipient of this years Female Fifty Fathoms Award is Malaysian photographer Ipah Uid Lynn. The Female Fifty Fathoms Award was created in 2021 by Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain to celebrate pioneering and boundary-pushing women in ocean photography. Unlike other categories, the recipient of this award is nominated by her peers and judged by the Ocean Photographer of the Year jury and a Blancpain delegation led by Marc A. Hayek, President and CEO. Ipah Uid Lynn - Female Fifty Fathoms Award Blancpain Reflecting on her nomination and win, Lynn says: Receiving the Female Fifty Fathoms Award is an incredible honour and validation of the passion and dedication I've poured into my work over the years. It feels surreal and deeply gratifying. It's a recognition that goes beyond personal achievement; it highlights the importance of storytelling through photography and the voices of women in this field. I'm truly humbled and inspired to continue pushing the boundaries of what I can capture and share with the world. The Ocean Photographer of the Year, presented by Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain, has a simple mission: to shine a light on the wonder and fragility of our blue planet, and to celebrate the photographers giving it a voice. The competition is a cornerstone of the Blancpain Ocean Commitment, which unites all the brands efforts to protect the ocean. The program is composed of three interconnected pillars: raising awareness of the oceans beauty, supporting scientific research on ecosystems and underwater phenomena, and taking concrete conservation actions, such as helping to create marine protected areas around the world. "Photography is a powerful ally in ocean exploration and conservation. We applaud the Ocean Photographer of the Year winners not only for their art, but for their help in educating a wider public on the marvels found in the seas," says Marc A. Hayek, President and CEO of Blancpain. The first Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024 exhibition will open at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney, on November 28th, followed by several additional venues in early 2025. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate Sons of Anarchy alum Charlie Hunnam has signed on to play real-life serial killer Ed Gein in the next edition of Ryan Murphy's Monster anthology series for Netflix. ADVERTISEMENT Production is to begin next month, the streaming service said Tuesday. No other casting or premiere date have been announced yet. It will follow Murphy's dramatization of the parental murder case of the Menendez brothers, which premieres Thursday. It stars Nicholas Chavez, Cooper Koch, Javier Bardem and Chloe Sevigny. The first installment in the series, which told the story of Jeffrey Dahmner (Evan Peters), was a hit for Netflix in 2022. Gein was a 1950s-era serial killer and grave robber, who inspired numerous horror movie villains including Norman Bates, Buffalo Bill and Leatherface. Gein was raised in Wisconsin by an abusive father and controlling mother and became a loner, obsessed with gory pulp magazine stories, who eventually dug up corpses from the local cemetery and used women's body parts to make clothing and furniture. Convicted of murdering two women and suspected of killing seven others, Gein died in a psychiatric facility in 1984 at age 77. Instagram By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 09/16/2024 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. alum Katie Thurston has announced her engagement to comedian Jeff Arcuri after dating for less than one year."When you know you know," the couple captioned a joint Instagram post on Sunday.In the photos, Katie showed off her diamond engagement ring while rocking a white crop top and matching skirt on a beautiful. Jeff, for his part, wore a white shirt.Jeff proposed marriage to Katie at Secret Beach in Kauai, Hawaii, on August 26, Us Weekly reported Congratulatory messages poured in from Bachelor Nation."So happy for you queen," Daisy Kent wrote."Congratulations!!!" Charity Lawson gushed."Crying!!!! You're so deserving! I'm so happy for you!!!!" Lexi Young commented.Katie, who currently lives in Los Angeles, reportedly plans to join Jeff in New York in early 2025, putting an end to their long-distance relationship.'s Season 17 star revealed she was officially dating Jeff in June."Safe to say he's making it to hometowns next week," Katie wrote in a nod to her prior stint in 2021.Jeff, who regularly performs comedy in New York City, has made appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Comedy Central's Roast Battle. The comedian has been traveling the northeast on his nationwide "Full Beans" tour, and he'll be stopping in Canada this fall.Katie had teased that she was in a new relationship in late May when she shared on the "Your Mom & Dad" podcast, "I'm seeing somebody. I'm off the market! I haven't actually said this yet... You heard it here first!"Katie had confirmed at the time she was no longer single, but she chose not to unveil her boyfriend's name.The comedian gushed further about how she was "happily snatched up" and "very much in that so-called honeymoon phase."alum quipped that she had already said, "I love you," to her new partner when she "was drunk."Katie recalled, however, that she immediately said, "My bad," after making the premature love profession."I think he's the best," Katie boasted, later adding, "I literally don't know if there's anything I hate about him. Everything's still cute and quirky and adorable. I'm like, 'Yeah, do that!'"But Katie admitted, "I recognize that could be a problem and [my view of him] may be unhealthy."When asked if she'd like to keep this romance more private than her past relationships with winner Blake Moynes and San Diego bartender John Hersey , Katie replied, "I don't know.""Definitely in the beginning, I've been more private. I have, like, this 90-day trial that I always talk about. We're within that 90-day trial, but I'm very, very confident we're going to exceed that," she explained at the time.Katie noted how she and the mystery man would "cross that bridge" when they got to it."But we've been seen out in public together... We get the occasional comments here or there... but we're just kind of enjoying us right now," The Bachelor alum said.Katie had soft launched her romance back in January when she was asked to give dating advice in a Q&A session via Instagram Stories.Katie had posted a video of herself holding a man's hand on the couch, and she advised fans to "take things slow those first three months" to really get to know one another.Season 17 star also set her post to "Found You" by Kasbo and Chelsea Cutler.Katie was last romantically linked to Vince Xu, whom she had met and fallen in love with on FBoy Island, which aired last year. The pair won the show and decided to split the $100,000 prize money after Katie learned he was one of the show's "Nice Guys."After FBoy Island's Season 3 finale aired, Katie expressed how she was pleased with her final decision of selecting Vince over her runner-up Benedict Polizzi on Instagram.Katie wrote how she was "thankful" to have met Vince and she'd "never forget" their time on the island together, but hours later, Katie confirmed they had split.When asked if she and Vince were still in a relationship, Katie told her followers on Instagram Stories, "No. That being said, if I'm ever asked to go on reality TV to date again, please just cancel me. Three times and [it] doesn't work out?""Maybe reality TV isn't where your husband is, just a thought," she added.Katie initially found fame when she appeared on Matt James ' season of The Bachelor in 2021.Matt selected Rachael Kirkconnell as his winner, and then ABC promoted Katie to star of the series' seventeenth season, which wrapped on ABC in August 2021.Katie got engaged to Blake, a Canadian wildlife specialist, during her season finale, but they announced their breakup only a couple of months later in October 2021.Katie then went public with her romance with John, whom she had eliminated during Week 2 of her journey, in November 2021. She was accused of moving on from Blake quickly with "a rebound" and emotionally cheating on her ex-fiance.Katie and John split after less than one year together in June 2022, and Katie expressed on numerous occasions how John had dumped her after she allegedly gave the relationship everything she had.After ending her relationship with John, Katie decided to look for love on FBoy Island because she thought it was a unique opportunity.Katie told Us at the time she agreed to do the show because there was a chance she could fall in love, win money, and make new girlfriends.Katie also made a cameo on Bachelor in Paradise's ninth season last year. Katie showed up to the beach in Mexico when her ex, Blake, was dating Jess Girod Blake and Katie still seemed to have chemistry and possibly lingering feelings for each other, which prompted speculation in November 2023 that they were dating again.But according to Blake, the former couple's relationship was purely platonic after their Paradise reunion, which had given them both closure."[Our dynamic] just feels truly just supportive," Blake shared during a November 2023 episode of the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast.Blake elaborated on where he stood with Katie, "She bounces ideas off me. Like she was going on that other show [FBoy Island] and we were able to connect in the outside world in a way where we can have a healthy relationship with an ex. And so that's where that is."Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group Two new Montblanc Star Legacy limited editions bring a green twist to this timeless watch Founded in 1906, Montblanc was named after the famous Mont Blanc mountain which appealed to the brands founders as a symbol of luxury craftsmanship from Switzerland, France, and Italy the countries that share one of Europes most famous mountains. The peak became a symbol for them to always strive for the greatest heights. The Montblanc emblem was introduced in 1913, representing a birds eye view of the Mont Blanc mountain with its six glacier valleys. It was this emblem that gave inspiration to the very first Montblanc Star Legacy watch collection in 1997. Following the introduction of two limited edition timepieces in blue last year, Montblanc returns to this sporty yet elegant model this year with a new green aesthetic that replicates the aerial view of the Mont Blanc mountain with an exploding star guilloche motif. Montblanc Star Legacy Automatic Date Montblanc The History of Guilloche Guilloche is a finishing technique that can be traced back to the 16th century. It wasnt until the 18thcentury, however, that it became popular in watchmaking, mainly thanks to the work of Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823). The technique is achieved with a rose engine turning lathe that creates precise, intricate patterns that are engraved into metal. Today it is mainly Haute horlogerie timepieces that are adorned with guilloche, but the effect has been replicated in Montblancs Star Legacy line thanks to a special stamp that brings the exploding star pattern to life. Montblanc Star Legacy Design Codes There are many design elements that come into play in the Montblanc Star Legacy Collection. Their form is inspired by Minerva pocket watches from the late 19th and early 20th century with their round, polished, pebble-shaped cases and onion-shaped crowns. They are also recognizable thanks to the Montblanc emblem on the crown, and pointed rhodium-coated, sword-shaped hands enhanced with luminescence. Two Key Models The two new limited edition timepieces include an Automatic Date and a Chronograph Day & Date. Both models are limited to 800 pieces each and come in 43mm stainless steel cases featuring satin-finished and polished details. They are also fitted with open casebacks so the wearer can appreciate the mechanics of the automatic movements within. The case size increase to 43mm was introduced in 2020 and was more than a new size, but a whole new direction and expression of the collections elegance. Montblanc Star Legacy Automatic Date The Montblanc Star Legacy Automatic Date with its green dial and luminescent, rhodium-coated, sword-shaped hands and numerals is powered by the MB24.17 automatic movement that has an approx. 38-hour power reserve and indicates the hours, minutes, seconds, and date. The timepiece presents a beautiful contrast of colors with its minuterie highlighted with small luminescent dots every five minutes and orange touches every 15 minutes. Montblanc Star Legacy Automatic Date Montblanc Montblanc Star Legacy Chronograph Day & Date The Montblanc Star Legacy Chronograph Day & Date features all the same design elements as the Automatic Date with the inclusion of a chronograph, day and date. These useful indications, combined with the Montblanc Star Legacy design, create a watch that embodies classical watchmaking and casual elegance. Powered by the automatic movement MB 25.07, with an approx. 48-hour power reserve, this is a watch that can be worn for any occasion. Montblanc Star Legacy Chronograph Day & Date Montblanc Both models are water resistant up to 5 bar (approx. 50 meters) and come with Montblancs interchangeable strap system with options for a stainless steel bracelet or a green calf leather strap with alligator print and beige stitching. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. The Red & Black is a nonprofit, independent news organization that serves the Athens and University of Georgia communities as well as trains college students for careers in the news business. Support Our Newsroom Victoria Bowles, a former recruiting analyst for the University of Georgia football team, has settled her lawsuit related to the Jan. 15, 2023 car crash that injured her and killed recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy and offensive lineman Devin Willock, according to a statement released by the UGA Athletic Association. The accident involved high-speed racing and alleged negligence. India's exports registered a steepest decline in 13-month falling 9.3 per cent in August to $34.71 billion due to global economic uncertainties, while the trade deficit soared to a 10-month of $29.65 billion. Photograph: Aly Song/Reuters According to the government data released on Tuesday, imports increased by 3.3 per cent to $64.36 billion, which is a record high, due to a significant jump in the inbound shipments of gold and silver. While gold imports more than doubled to $10.06 billion in August from $4.93 billion in the same month last year, silver imports swelled to $727 million in the month under review from $159 million in August 2023. Due to a decline in petroleum prices, crude oil imports dipped by 32.38 per cent to $11 billion. The dip in prices has also impacted the merchandise exports. The trade deficit, or the gap between imports and exports, in October 2023 was $30.43 billion. The merchandise exports in July last year contracted by over 10 per cent. India's merchandise exports dipped by 1.5 per cent in July. Exports during April-August this fiscal increased 1.14 per cent to $178.68 billion, and imports grew 7 per cent to $295.32 billion. Merchandise trade deficit during April-August 2024 was $116.64 billion compared to $99.16 billion during April-August 2023. Briefing the media on data, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said that in the current global situation, exports is a huge challenge. Reasons like slowdown in China and continued recession in the EU and the US too are impacting the exports; dipping oil prices and rise in transportation cost due to the Read Sea crisis are hurting the shipments. "There are a lot of challenges in trade," Barthwal told reporters. However, he added that despite these issues India's exports during the first five months of this fiscal have registered a positive growth. Exports of petroleum products declined by 37.56 per cent to $5.95 billion during the month. To further push the shipments of goods, the commerce ministry is focusing on exploring new markets in regions like Africa. Besides, he said, 12 champion services sectors have been identified such as education, health care, shipping, and transportation, to push their shipments as they hold huge opportunities. "We are focusing on these sectors. "If we have to reach the $2 trillion exports target of goods and services, 50 per cent will be coming from the services sector," he said, adding that these sectors are not impacted by global issues. "Despite dark clouds, India is a bright spot," the secretary said. When asked about the high trade deficit, he said it is not a matter of concern for an emerging economy like India. He explained that at one point in time, China also maintained larger trade deficits. "There is a huge consumption demand (in India) which is coming from an economy which is growing at double the rate at which the world economy is growing... "Once you join the global value chains and it gives you forward and backward linkages, you have to import certain things in order to export," he said. The other export sectors, which have recorded negative growth during the month, include rice, oil meals, marine products, iron ore, and gems and jewellery. However, electronic goods, pharma and engineering exports rose 7.85 per cent, 4.67 per cent and 4.36 per cent, respectively, in August. The estimated value of service exports during April-August 2024 stood at $150.18 billion compared to $135.5 billion in the same period last year. Gold imports more than doubled in August to a record high of $10.06 billion, mainly on account of a drastic cut in customs duty and ongoing festive demand, according to the Commerce Ministry data. Photograph: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters Gold imports stood at $4.93 billion in August 2023. On record high imports, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said that the tariff rates on gold have been reduced drastically so that smuggling and other activities can come down. "And this is the time when jewellers start stocking for their inventories to be sold in the festival season," he told reporters. In the Budget, the government slashed the duty from 15 per cent to 6 per cent. India's gold imports, which have a bearing on the country's current account deficit (CAD), dipped by 4.23 per cent to $12.64 billion during April-July 2024-25. In 2023-24, India's gold imports surged by 30 per cent to $45.54 billion. Switzerland is the largest source of gold imports, with about 40 per cent share, followed by the UAE (over 16 per cent) and South Africa (about 10 per cent). The precious metal accounts for over 5 per cent of the country's total imports. The jump in gold imports pushed the country's trade deficit (difference between imports and exports) to $29.65 billion in August. India is the world's second-biggest gold consumer after China. The imports mainly take care of the demand by the jewellery industry. India recorded a current account surplus of $5.7 billion or 0.6 per cent of GDP in the March quarter. For FY24, the current account deficit narrowed to $23.2 billion or 0.7 per cent of GDP against $67 billion or 2 per cent of GDP in FY23. A current account deficit occurs when the value of goods and services imported and other payments exceeds the value of the export of goods and services and other receipts by a country in a particular period. India is seeking a review of certain provisions of the free trade agreement with the UAE, which came into force on May 1, 2022. The review assumes significance as experts have raised serious concerns over the spurt in imports of precious metals from the UAE under the trade agreement. Seeking an urgent review of the pact, think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) has stated that the India-UAE CEPA allows unlimited imports of gold, silver, platinum, and diamonds from the UAE into India with zero tariffs in the coming years. This will lead to significant annual revenue losses, move import business from banks to a few private traders, and replace top suppliers with Dubai-based firms, the GTRI report has said. It highlighted that currently, gold can be imported from Dubai at 5 per cent duty, but this will drop to zero in three years if the alloy contains 2 per cent platinum. GTRI has also claimed that many imports do not meet Rules of Origin conditions and, hence, do not qualify for concessions. On gold imports, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said that the ministry will do a detailed analysis on this besides other precious metals and put out a "very clear picture". Silver imports rose to $727 million in the month under review from $159 million in August 2023. State-owned Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) announced on Monday that it had signed up tech giant Infosys to develop a next-generation digital platform that will act as the foundation for new high-value business applications, such as customer and sales super apps, portals, and digital branches. The financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed. The tie-up with Infosys is part of LICs long-drawn strategy, said a senior executive of Indias biggest insurer, who noted that the IT giant won the bid to develop the next-generation platform through a request for proposal (RFP) process. However, the executive did not disclose details of the other bidders. LIC previously received IT support from industry majors such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Tech Mahindra. This collaboration is part of LICs broader digital transformation initiative known as DIVE (Digital Innovation and Value Enhancement), which aims to enhance the life insurers digital infrastructure and improve the experience for customers, partners, and employees. In its 2023-24 annual report, the public sector insurer highlighted that DIVE is already in progress, and it is expected to transform the companys operations across the value chain from customer onboarding to claims settlement and provide a best-in-class experience for both sales and customer service. Siddhartha Mohanty, LICs managing director and CEO, stated that the corporations vision is to evolve into a technology-driven organisation offering comprehensive life insurance solutions. He emphasised that in todays digitally connected world, customers expect instant service, and technology will allow LIC to gain deeper insights into customer needs, improving its ability to serve them. We look forward to our partnership with Infosys in creating world class digital solutions and providing best-in-class experience for all our stakeholders, including customers and sales intermediaries, Mohanty said. The new digital platform will be an integrated end-to-end insurance solution. It will offer superior service for customers, facilitate lifecycle management for sales intermediaries, and provide a digital front-end platform for branch employees. LIC said the platform would be modular, cloud-native, and capable of adapting to emerging technologies, products, and features. In Q1FT25, LIC posted a 9.61 per cent increase in net profit, reaching Rs 10,461 crore, driven by robust growth in group business premiums. The insurer for this period reported a premium income of Rs 1.13 trillion, a 15.66 per cent rise year-on-year. Individual premiums grew by 7.04 per cent to Rs 67,192 crore, while group premiums total surged by 30.87 per cent year-on-year to Rs 46,578 crore. Ukrainian journalist and presenter Alina Dorotiuk has revealed her secret and for the first time publicly said that she had a size 10 breast reduction. This operation was difficult for her in terms of rehabilitation, but she is satisfied with the result and says that she has never regretted her decision. ADVERTISIMENT The surgery took place back in 2013, 11 years ago. As Alina Dorotiuk said in an interview with plastic surgeon Dr. Dmytro Slosser, she was constantly bothered by her large breasts and often had hysterics. "I had a breast reduction in 2013. But it was for medical reasons. Because I was skinny and it was a huge burden when you are a size 10 and your breasts are pulled down. You wake up in the middle of the night because your back hurts and you want to cry all the time. You do not enjoy life and walking. You cannot run and you have a lot of restrictions," the journalist admitted. ADVERTISIMENT She noted that she had to lie on the operating table for five and a half hours, but it was difficult to recover from the anesthesia. The journalist did not expect any significant adverse reactions. "Back then, the operation lasted 5.5 hours, and I can conclude for myself after the surgery I had that it was a very long rehabilitation," the host explains. According to the plastic surgeon, breast reduction is actually one of the most complicated plastic surgeries. ADVERTISIMENT In particular, Alina Dorotiuk decided on another surgical intervention in August-September and underwent rhinoplasty. She showed the result in an interview. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! 0PC maker Lenovo India will start manufacturing 50,000 GPU-based AI servers in India next year, the company said on Tuesday. Photograph: Thomas White/Reuters Besides this, Lenovo announced setting up its fourth largest research and development centre in Bengaluru. Lenovo India managing director Shailendra Katyal said that the company will make servers locally and also export them from its manufacturing unit in Puducherry. "Lenovo will make 50,000 servers annually. The production will start next year. "It will be manufactured at our Pondicherry facility not only for India but it will also be exported from India," Katyal said. Lenovo India is among the companies that have been selected for the Rs 17,000-crore IT hardware production-linked incentive scheme. Katyal said that the company will manufacture around 12 million devices in India annually largely comprising Motorola smartphones, personal computers and servers. "We have had a long commitment to make in India even before the production linked incentive scheme started. "We started manufacturing in India about two decades ago. "We have been designing Android phones from India and now we are extending the same to server level as well," Katyal said. The production line at Lenovo's Puducherry facility, operational since 2005, will now produce enterprise AI and GPU servers for AI. The company will make Lenovo's advanced 8-way GPU architecture and over 60 per cent of the production will be for export across the Asia-Pacific region. "We export mobile phones from India to the Americas but servers will be exported very much across the world ," Katyal said. The company is also setting up its fourth-largest research and development centre in India. "We are setting up the fourth-largest research and development centre for Lenovo globally. "The number of benches across our four big R&D centres is the same. "India R&D will have a high skill set ecosystem. "It matches our global facility and all four units are at par with each other," Lenovo India, Infrastructure Group, managing director, Amit Luthra said. He said that the Bangalore R&D centre will contribute to all five key stages of a product life cycle starting from system design, firmware and software development, product assurance, security and testing elements. Eight people were killed and numerous members of Hezbollah in Beirut and various areas of Lebanon were injured when their communication devices exploded, according to Arab media reports. ANI posted on X quoting AP that Iran's ambassador in Lebanon was among those injured in the blasts. Among the eight killed were a 8-year-old girl. IMAGE: People gather outside a hospital as more than 1,000 people, including Hezbollah fighters and medics, were wounded when the pagers they use to communicate exploded across Lebanon, according to a security source, in Beirut, Lebanon September 17, 2024. Photograph: Mohamed Azakir/Reuters Around 70 people have been injured, but the number may be higher. Lebanese sources quoted by Sky News in Arabic claim the blasts were the result of Israeli hacking. Israeli officials have yet to comment. Some 1,000 Hezbollah operatives so far have been injured by exploding pagers and radios, according to Arab media reports. Reports suggest that Hezbollah figures in Syria were also injured in the apparently simultaneous blasts. Also injured was Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani. Social media is rife with videos that caught the explosions, their aftermath, and chaos in Lebanese hospitals. Unverified Arab media reports have attributed the blasts to an Israeli cyber attack. Notably, Israel's security cabinet on Monday night updated its official war goals to include the secure return of 60,000 evacuated northern residents to their homes. Nearly 60,000 Israelis were forced to evacuate their homes near the Lebanon border when Hezbollah began launching rockets and drones in October. Hezbollah leaders have said they will continue the attacks to prevent Israelis from returning to their homes. The attacks have killed 26 civilians and 20 soldiers on the Israeli side. According to figures released by the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) Hezbollah fired 1,307 rockets at northern Israel in August, an average of 40 rockets daily. Since October 8, Hezbollah has launched more than 6,700 rockets and drones. Israeli officials have been calling for Hezbollah to be disarmed and removed from southern Lebanon in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Second Lebanon War. Israel's three other official war goals are the eradication of Hamas's military and governing capabilities, the return of all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 97 remaining hostages, more than 30 have been declared dead. Hamas has also been holding captive two Israeli civilians since 2014 and 2015, and the bodies of two soldiers killed in 2014. In a relief to 30 Army personnel, the Supreme Court on Tuesday closed the criminal proceedings initiated against them by the Nagaland government for allegedly killing 13 civilians in a 2021 botched operation to ambush militants in Mon district for want of prosecution sanction. IMAGE: Charred remains of vehicles of security personnel after the vehicles were put on fire by some miscreants over the death of 13 people, who were allegedly killed by armed forces in Mon district on December 5, 2021. Photograph: PTI Photo A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and P B Varale noted that the Centre had on February 28 last year declined to grant sanction to prosecute the personnel under section 6 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) of 1958. Section 6 of the AFSPA says, "No prosecution, suit or other legal proceedings shall be instituted except with the previous sanction of the Central Government, against any person in respect of anything done or purported to be done in exercise of the powers conferred by this Act." The bench said, in case sanction is granted at any stage under Section 6 of the AFSPA, the proceedings pursuant to the impugned FIRs may continue and may proceed in accordance with law and be brought to a logical conclusion. "In view of the aforesaid discussions, the writ petition (Criminal) Nos...are allowed. The proceedings pursuant to the impugned FIRs shall remain closed," the bench directed. The apex court closed the proceedings on two separate petitions filed by the wives of the personnel, including a major rank officer, who sought closure of the case lodged by Nagaland police. The top court also refused to accept the prayer of the Nagaland government to direct the Army to initiate proceedings against the accused personnel on the administrative side. "The said submission does not merit consideration by this court as that would be at the sole discretion of the armed forces whether or not to carry on disciplinary proceedings against its officers. As such, we are not inclined to issue any such directions. The concerned wing of the armed forces would be at liberty to take or not to take any disciplinary proceedings against its officers," the bench said in its order. It also noted that the Nagaland government has filed a separate petition challenging denial of prosecution sanction by the Centre against the Army personnel in the case and notice has been issued in the matter. The top court made its July 19, 2022 interim order absolute by which it had stayed further proceedings in the FIR registered by the state government against Army personnel belonging to the special forces unit. The wives of the Army personnel had sought closure of the criminal proceedings on the ground that the state government has no jurisdiction to prosecute the personnel due to immunity granted under the AFSPA. Their plea contended that prior sanction from the Centre was needed to initiate any legal proceedings against Army personnel if the area falls under AFSPA. The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it was disturbed by the findings given in a status report filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the rape and murder of trainee doctor at RG Kar government hospital in Kolkata but refused to divulge the details, saying any disclosure may jeopardise the ongoing investigation. IMAGE: CBI officials escort Tala police station officer-in-charge Abhijit Mondal to be produced at Sealdah court in connection with the RG Kar rape-murder case, in Kolkata, September 17, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Seeking a status report from the CBI on its probe into financial irregularities allegedly committed by jailed former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh, the top court, referring to the rape and murder case, said the agency is not "sleeping over" the investigation and it needs to be given time to "unearth the truth." "What the CBI has revealed in the report is really disturbing. What you are flagging is of utmost concern. We ourselves are concerned, CBI has flagged it for us. We are disturbed by what we have read," the top court told a lawyer who claimed discrepancies in the seizure list and sketch of the crime scene." A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra also asked the protesting junior doctors in West Bengal to resume work and recorded the assurance from the state government that it will not take any adverse or punitive action against them. Taking note of a letter written by the father of the deceased, the top court directed that the "valuable" inputs furnished by him should be duly considered by the investigating officer. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, assured the court that the investigating agency will maintain contact with the parents of the deceased junior doctor and keep them informed about the ongoing probe to assuage their genuine concerns. As the hearing commenced, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, sought stopping of the live proceedings in the case. He alleged that women lawyers working in his chamber were facing threats of acid attacks and rape. "I have great concerns at what is happening. What happens when you livestream matters like this which has huge emotive implications. We are not representing the accused. We appear for the state government and as soon as the court is making a comment our reputation is getting destroyed overnight. We have 50 years of reputation," Sibal said. The top court assured Sibal it would step in if there were any threats to lawyers and others. "We will not stop the live streaming of the proceedings. It is in public interest," the bench said. During the hearing, the apex court took objection to the West Bengal government's 'Rattierer Saathi' programme which prescribes night duty avoidance for women doctors and says that their duty should not exceed 12 hours at a time. "The West Bengal government should correct the notification. Your duty is to provide security, you cannot say that women (doctors) cannot work at night. Pilots, the army etc all work at night. This will prejudice their (doctors) careers. The hours of duty should be reasonable for all doctors," the bench said. After the top court's objection, the West Bengal government told the bench that it would withdraw the notification. The top court also questioned the West Bengal government's decision to hire contractual employees for the protection of doctors and other staff in hospitals. "We are in a situation where there is a lack of security for doctors. The state government should have at least deployed police in government hospitals. We are dealing with young interns and students who are coming to Kolkata for work," the bench said. Senior lawyer Indira Jaising said junior doctors know the people who were at the scene of the crime and the information shall be shared with the CBI in a sealed cover. Meanwhile, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, submitted that Wikipedia was still showing the name and photo of the victim. The top court then directed Wikipedia to remove all content that identified the victim. "In the interest of maintaining the dignity and privacy of the deceased, the governing principle is that the identity of the victim in a rape and murder case shall not be disclosed. Wikipedia shall take steps to comply with the previous order passed," the bench said. The top court also said that nobody can claim that the CBI destroyed anything related to the crime, the scene, or the 27 minutes of CCTV camera footage. West Bengal police told the court that nothing related to the crime, including the CCTV footage, remains with them and everything has been handed over to the CBI. The medic's body with severe injury marks was found 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. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the Congress and its "ecosystem" was angry with him for taking part in Ganesh Puja. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends 'Ganpati Poojan' at Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud's residence in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo Addressing a rally in Bhubaneswar, Modi made the comment in an apparent reference to the criticism by the opposition parties for participating in Ganesh Puja rituals at the residence of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud. "Ganesh Utsav is not just a festival of faith for our country. It played a very important role in the freedom movement," he said. "Even at that time, the British who followed the policy of divide and rule used to hate Ganesh Utsav. Even today, the power-hungry people who are busy in dividing and breaking society are having problems with Ganesh Puja. You must have seen that the people of Congress and its ecosystem are angry because I participated in Ganesh Puja," he added. Modi also said that Lord Ganesh was "put behind bars" in Karnataka by these people. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge raised with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday the issue of "extremely objectionable" and violent statements by ruling alliance members targeting Rahul Gandhi and urged him to discipline his leaders. IMAGE: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi during a meeting with US Lawmakers, in Washington DC on September 10, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo In his letter to Modi, Kharge asserted that strict legal action should be taken against those giving such statements so that Indian politics can be prevented from degenerating and nothing untoward happens. "I want to draw your attention to an issue which is directly related to democracy and the Constitution. You must be aware that a series of extremely objectionable, violent and rude statements are being made against the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi," the Congress chief said. "I have to say with sadness that the violent language used by the leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and your allies is harmful for the future. The world is shocked that the minister of state for railways in the central government, a minister from BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, is calling the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha 'number one terrorist'," Kharge said in an apparent reference to the remarks by MoS Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu and UP minister Raghuraj Singh. "An MLA from a party that has ties with your government in Maharashtra is announcing a reward of Rs 11 lakh to the person who 'cuts off the tongue of the Leader of the Opposition and brings it to him. A BJP leader and former MLA in Delhi is threatening to make him 'fate like his grandmother'," Kharge said. Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad announced that he will give Rs 11 lakh to anyone chopping off Gandhi's tongue for his remarks on scrapping the reservation system. Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu on Sunday said if those "manufacturing bombs" were supporting Gandhi, he is the "number one terrorist". Minister in the BJP's UP government Raghuraj Singh reportedly made similar remarks as that of Bittu. Earlier, BJP leader Tarvinder Singh Marvah had purportedly made "threatening" remarks against Gandhi. In his letter to Modi in Hindi, Kharge said Indian culture is known throughout the world for non-violence, harmony and love. "Our heroes established these as standards in politics. Gandhi ji had made these standards an important part of politics during the British rule itself. After Independence, there has been a long history of respectful disagreements between the ruling party and the Opposition in the parliamentary arena. This has worked to enhance the prestige of Indian democracy," Kharge said. He said crores of Congress workers and leaders are very agitated and worried about this matter. "Due to such hate-mongering forces, Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi had to sacrifice their lives. This political behaviour of the ruling party is an example of rudeness in democratic history," Kharge said. "I request and expect you to please impose discipline and decorum on your leaders. Instruct them to behave properly. Strict legal action should be taken for such statements so that Indian politics can be prevented from degenerating. Nothing untoward happens," the Congress chief said. "I trust that you will take the required action to immediately stop these leaders from making violent statements," Kharge added. In the wake of several controversial statements by ruling alliance leaders targeting Rahul Gandhi, the Congress on Monday said "hate-filled minions" making such remarks were the "real terrorists" who belong in jail. The Opposition party alleged that "violent statements" were being made against the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha at the behest of Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah with their "complete political patronage". Residents of Kasumpti in Shimla town on Tuesday demanded demolition of a mosque, which they claimed was unauthorised, in their area and expressed concern over the increase in the inflow of unidentified persons and migrants. IMAGE: People in large numbers stage a protest over the Sanjauli mosque row, at Sunni in Shimla, September 14, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo A delegation of the residents led by councillor Ranchana Sharma met Shimla Deputy Commissioner Amit Kashyap, superintendent of police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi and municipal commissioner Shimla Bhupinder Attri and submitted a memorandum regarding their demands. Last Wednesday, protestors demanding demolition of a portion of a mosque in Sanjauli area of Shimla had a scuffle with the police and 10 people were injured. On Friday, police used water cannon in Mandi on protestors demanding demolition of encroachment by a mosque in the town. "The unauthorised structure built by a specific community in Kasumpti has been declared illegal by the municipal corporation. This place which was never a mosque or a religious site and is now being used by members of a particular community who are gathering here," alleged Sharma. She claimed orders to demolish this structure were also issued by the municipal commissioner last year but it has not been pulled down yet. "What's surprising is that none of those persons are permanent residents of Kasumpti market area. The people who are gathering here daily have no clear background, registration, or information about their origins and residences," she further claimed. "We respect every religion and do not intend to hurt anyone's religious sentiments but the way this mosque has been constructed and people belonging to a particular community visiting the market is a matter of concern. We demand the administration to take appropriate action," she said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday said the government was talking to both the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur to ensure lasting peace and has begun fencing the country's border with Myanmar to check infiltration. IMAGE: Security personnel conduct a search operation and area domination exercise in Manipur. Photograph: ANI Photo Addressing a press conference on the achievements of the 100 days of the Modi 3.0 government, Shah said barring three days of violence last week, the overall situation in Manipur has been calm and the government has been working to restore peace in the restive northeastern state. "We are talking to both the communities for maintaining peace. We are also preparing a roadmap for a permanent peace in Manipur," he said. The home minister said fencing of 30 km of the international border with Myanmar has been completed while funds have been approved for a total of 1,500 km and the work will start soon. He said that the government has already scrapped the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR), which allows people residing close to the India-Myanmar border to venture 16 km into each other's territory without any documents. "Now people will be able to enter each other's territory only with a visa," he said. The 1,643 km long India-Myanmar border, which passes through Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, had the FMR. It was implemented in 2018 as part of India's Act East policy. Ethnic violence has been going on in Manipur since May 3 last year after a tribal solidarity march in the hill districts of the state to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Since then, over 220 people belonging to both the Kuki and Meitei communities and security personnel have been killed in the continuing violence. Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took to X to wish a happy birthday to her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi who turned 74 on Tuesday and said they will continue to strengthen the ties between the two countries. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Girogia Meloni during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, in Apulia on June 15, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Meloni, 47, who has been serving as the prime minister of Italy since October 2022, also shared a photograph of herself shaking hands with the Indian prime minister. 'Happy birthday to the Prime Minister of India @narendramodi . I am sure that we will continue to strengthen our friendship and collaboration between Italy and India, to face together the global challenges that await us,' Meloni wrote on X. Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in a small town in Gujarat. He was sworn-in as India's prime minister for a historic third time on June 9, 2024. Modi spent most of his day in Odisha during which he launched the state government's flagship women-centric initiative, Subhadra Yojana, besides railway and national highway projects. Speaking at an event in Bhubaneswar, Modi recalled how he used to visit his mother on his birthday and take her blessings. Maratha activist Manoj Jarange on Tuesday launched a fresh indefinite fast, his sixth in a span of over a year, to press for the demand for reservation to his community under the OBC category. IMAGE: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil speaks to the media at Galaxy Hospital, Aurangabad on February 27, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo He began the stir from midnight at his native Antarwali Sarati village of Jalna district, around 75 km from here. Addressing reporters before his agitation, Jarange accused the Maharashtra government of not giving reservation to the community deliberately, and said the Marathas were giving 'once more chance' to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to resolve the quota issue. He also warned the ruling parties that they will have to face the consequences in the upcoming assembly elections if the community's demands are not met. Jarange has been demanding implementation of the draft notification that recognises Kunbis as 'sage soyare' (blood relatives) of Maratha community members and granting reservation to the latter under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. He said he also wants cases registered against several members of the Maratha community during his agitation earlier to be withdrawn. "The Maratha community is important to me, but the government is not giving reservation deliberately. Moreover, they say that we are speaking a political language...Now, I will no longer make political statements, but we are giving one more chance to Deputy CM Fadnavis (to resolve the issue)," he said. The leaders who support Fadnavis should talk to him. The community is watching who is going to provide reservation, the activist said. "My community doesn't want to enter politics. But if the demands are not met, don't blame me for the consequences in the upcoming assembly elections. Give reservation, and I will not make political statements. But don't blame me for what will happen in the upcoming elections if we don't get reservation," he added. The notification of 'sage soyare' should be implemented immediately, Jarange said. Questioning the government's 'inaction' over the draft 'sage soyare' notification, he sought implementation of gazettes from the erstwhile princely states of Hyderabad and Satara and Bombay Presidency. "These documents recognised Marathas as Kunbis," he said. This is Jarange's sixth indefinite fast since September 1 last year, when police had lathi-charged protesters at Antarwali Sarati. That protest brought Jarange into limelight. "Students who are filling forms (for admission to educational courses) from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category are being removed without any reason. This should be stopped. All three options of EWS, OBC and Socially and Economically Backward (SEBC) should be kept open. The Maratha community candidates will choose one of them," he said. In February this year, the Maharashtra legislature unanimously passed a bill providing 10 per cent reservation for the Marathas in education and government jobs under a separate category, but Jarange has been firm on his demand for a quota to the community under the OBC head. Famous Ukrainian musician and co-founder of the band Okean Elzy Pavlo Gudimov is convinced that Ukraine urgently needs to build a new cultural policy, paying attention to the dominance of our culture. He spoke about this in an interview with OBOZ.UA. ADVERTISIMENT Pavlo Gudimov reminded that Russians continue to aggressively impose their culture on the world. Ukrainians should take this into account, because "victory is not only an advantage in war, but also in the information and cultural field." "We have an extremely difficult period ahead of us," says Pavlo Gudimov. "I do not believe that when the war is over, it will be enough to hear: "It was a mistake." And everyone will go home. This will not happen. In addition to some repentance, there will be compensation for the huge losses with gas rubles. And then we will have to somehow build interaction, because we will not be able to live separately behind the wall." ADVERTISIMENT "Of course, our neighborly relations will never be the same as before, and that's a good thing, because we have already seen what the dominance of Russian culture on foreign territory can lead to. We need to build a new cultural policy, namely, to pay attention to the dominance of our culture. The Russians are pushing theirs everywhere. Look at how they have now sneaked the propaganda film Russians at War into the Canadian Film Festival. It is clear that such methods weaken the full scale of the tragedy we are experiencing. What are our next steps? This is the task for the near future. Victory is not only an advantage in the war, but also in the information and cultural field. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes. 'The lack of opportunities here remains the biggest worry.' 'We have seen investment summits, but if you look around, much of it is only on paper and not on the ground.' Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com IMAGE: Engineer Rashid's supporters shout slogans during his election road show ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections in the Tral area of Pulwama district in South Kashmir, September 15, 2024. Nineteen-year-old Farooq Mattoo from Munawarabad in Srinagar has been grappling with a dilemma for the past few weeks. Heavy rains have left his lane and much of the city flooded, forcing him to miss work on a couple of days. But the young Kashmiri's concerns extend beyond the immediate challenges. "I don't know what to do about it and who I go to or write to. We have the public works department, but with barely any accountability, everything is at a standstill. Even if we have to protest, who do we protest against? Hopefully, things will get better in a month," Mattoo said. Mattoo is among the over 90,000 new voters who will cast their ballots for the first time in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. The Union Territory is voting in three phases from September 18. The results will be declared on October 8. According to the Chief Electoral Officer, the number of young voters in the age group of 18 to 19 has grown by 45,964, with over half being women (24,310). The total number of young electors in J&K now stands at 2.53 million. For a generation that has been disconnected from a functioning government for a decade, the upcoming elections represent more than just a democratic exercise. "People voted in large numbers during the Lok Sabha polls as they wanted to be part of the democratic process. For the past 10 years, people haven't had access to the government, no connection at all. Without a government, you can't even protest against anyone for the lack of work. So, people are enthusiastic about the upcoming polls," said a Valley-based expert, speaking on the condition of anonymity. The expert's sentiment resonates strongly with many first-time voters. For Yusuf (name changed), who works at a garment shop in the Abi Guzar Market, Lal Chowk, employment and education are the primary concerns for people his age. He had applied for several government jobs but to no avail. While he claims the removal of Article 370 has been a hindrance, he believes reinstating it might not be the only solution. "If you remove it (Article 370), we also need to have a system that benefits us. I don't think Article 370 was the appropriate solution, but if states like Maharashtra can demand something similar, we need as well. Until I was at the receiving end of it, I never understood the importance of Article 370," Yusuf said. His experiences, from witnessing the death of militant Burhan Wani in 2016 to the fall of the Mehbooba Mufti government and the abrogation of Article 370, have made him realise the significance of these elections -- the first in 10 years. Gul Wani, a professor at Kashmir University, said the younger generation had seen excessive presence of the state. "And this may not necessarily be physical. So they will keep this in mind while going to vote. This generation is quite informed because of social media. But the loss of livelihoods will be an important factor," said Wani. The Union Territory has been grappling with high unemployment rates -- 23.1 per cent as of April 2023, one of the highest in the country. Although the J&K administration's 2023 economic survey showed a declining trend in unemployment (6.7 per cent in FY20 to 5.2 per cent in FY22), the situation on the ground remains dire, with over 352,000 youth registered as job seekers in early 2024. Of them, 109,000 were graduates and post-graduates. Mattoo said tourism is the mainstay of the local economy, but it has been hit hard by demonetisation, the COVID-19 pandemic, and militancy. "The government job scenario is bad. If you have enough money, you can leave the place and move to Delhi or elsewhere. If not, you have to resort to tourism. That too has been dealt with hammer blows," Matoo said. Wasim, a driver in his 20s in Pahalgam, said tourism had increased since people feel more safe now. "Before the abrogation of Article 370, some tourists visiting Kashmir had second thoughts. But the fear among tourists has subsided now." Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com IMAGE: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference supporters attend an election rally addressed by party Vice President Omar Abdullah in support of alliance candidate Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Mir from the Rajpora assembly seat in Pulwama, September 15, 2024. According to the expert quoted above, new voters (18 to 25) are the post-identity voters. "While Article 370 remains an issue, it doesn't resonate strongly with this group as it does with the older generation. For them, employment and education are the primary concerns," the expert said. For this bunch, higher education is an important aspect, the expert added. "The state of higher education in J&K is abysmal. A lot of schemes have been introduced, but haven't had the desired effect. However, infrastructure has been a plus point in the past decade. Roads have been built and health care facilities improved." With one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, the Valley's youth are set to vote on these pressing issues, said Wani. "The lack of opportunities here remains the biggest worry. We have seen investment summits, but if you look around, much of it is only on paper and not on the ground. First-time voters are going to vote on these issues," said Wani. Mattoo found a lot of positivity around these elections. "We turned out in record numbers for the Lok Sabha polls, and we plan to do the same this time," said Mattoo. "Our parents might not be as enthusiastic as they used to be, but we will be out there to make the most of it." Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com IMAGE: Delhi Chief Minister and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal addresses the party workers after being released from the Tihar jail in New Delhi on September 13, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo The Aam Aadmi Party will announce the name of the leader who will replace Arvind Kejriwal as the Delhi chief minister at 12 pm on Tuesday after the legislative party meeting, the party said. Kejriwal had announced his decision to resign from the post of chief minister on Sunday. He had said that he will only sit on the CM's chair when people give him a "certificate of honesty". "The name of the new CM will be announced at 12 noon today after the legislative party meeting," a party functionary said. On Monday, AAP held a series of meetings as Kejriwal sought feedback from members of the political affairs committee, the party's highest decision-making body, on his successor in one-on-one meetings at his official residence. He had met senior leaders, including former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha, about the party's choice for chief minister. Names of Delhi ministers Atishi, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot and Saurabh Bharadwaj are making the rounds as contenders, party insiders said and added that Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal and assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel were also probables. Mangolpuri MLA Rakhi Birla, who is also the deputy speaker in the assembly, and Kondli legislator Kuldeep Kumar are also potential candidates, they added. The AAP sources said the surprise candidate could also be a member of the minority community as the party has witnessed its support among the community wavering since the 2020 Delhi riots. In such a scenario, Delhi minister Imran Hussain may be the surprise face, they added. The BJP said Kejriwal's decision to resign as chief minister was borne out of "compulsion" and not driven by "principle". The saffron party has described his move as "drama" and a "confession of crime" and wondered if he had offered to quit because of infighting in AAP. Addressing party workers on Sunday, Kejriwal sought polls in the national capital in November. The Delhi Assembly's term ends on February 23 and the polls are expected to be held some time in early February. India on Monday strongly deplored comments made by Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the condition of minorities in India, calling the remarks "misinformed and unacceptable". IMAGE: Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, addressing a gathering of clerics in Tehran on Monday, talked about what he described as "suffering" of Muslims in Gaza, Myanmar and India . Photograph: @khamenei_ir/X External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said countries commenting on minorities in India should look at their "own record" before making any observations about others. "We strongly deplore the comments made regarding minorities in India by the Supreme Leader of Iran. These are misinformed and unacceptable," he said. "Countries commenting on minorities are advised to look at their own record before making any observations about others," Jaiswal said. The Iranian leader, addressing a gathering of clerics in Tehran on Monday, talked about what he described as "suffering" of Muslims in Gaza, Myanmar and India. "The enemies of Islam have always tried to make us indifferent with regard to our shared identity as an Islamic Ummah. We cannot consider ourselves to be Muslims if we are oblivious to the suffering that a Muslim is enduring in #Myanmar, #Gaza, #India, or any other place," he posted on 'X' as part of series of posts on the event. In a remarkable demonstration of communal unity, a mosque in Gothkhindi village in Sangli district of Maharashtra has been hosting Lord Ganesh's idol for the past 44 years during the annual festival. Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: ANI Photo Members of the New Ganesh Mandal have celebrated the festival inside the mosque, highlighting an enduring example of harmony between two communities. Ilahi Pathan, president of the mandal, said Hindus and Muslims celebrate the Ganesh festival with great zeal and devotion every year. "The tradition began in 1961 when, due to heavy rains, local Muslims invited their Hindu neighbours to place the Ganesh idol inside the mosque," Ashok Patil, former president of the mandal, told a Marathi news channel. Although the festival was not observed for several years afterwards, the New Ganesh Mandal was formed in 1980 and has continued this unique tradition ever since. "It has been 44 years since then this Ganesh idol is being installed at this mosque," said Patil. He emphasised the significance of this practice, noting its ongoing impact on community relations. Majid Jamadar, another former president, echoed the sentiment of unity and harmony among Hindus and Muslims. Another member of the mandal highlighted that festivals such as Moharram, Diwali, and Eid are also celebrated together in Gothkhindi, located 32 km away from Sangli city in western Maharashtra. The 11-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival was celebrated from September 7 to 17 this year. Idols of Lord Ganesh are immersed on the concluding day of the festival. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a three-day visit to the United States beginning September 21 to attend the annual Quad Summit and address the 'Summit of the Future' at the UN General Assembly. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Modi will also address a gathering of the Indian community in New York on September 22 during his three-day visit, the external affairs ministry said on Tuesday. The two key engagements of the prime minister during the visit are expected to be his participation at the Quad Summit and the 'Summit of the Future'. US President Joe Biden will host the fourth 'Quad Leaders Summit' in Wilmington, Delaware, on September 21. Besides Modi and Biden, it will be attended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida. It was India's turn to host the Quad Summit. But following a request from Washington, India agreed to host the Summit next year. Prime Minister Modi will address the 'Summit of the Future' at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said announcing his trip. The theme of the Summit is 'Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow'. It will bring 'leaders from various countries to forge a new international consensus on how to deliver a 'better present and safeguard the future', according to the UN. "On the sidelines of the Summit, the prime minister would be holding bilateral meetings with several world leaders and discuss issues of mutual interest," the MEA said. On the Quad Summit, it said India will host it in 2025. 'Following the request of the US side to host the Quad Summit this year, India has agreed to host the next Quad Summit in 2025,' the MEA said. 'At the Quad Summit, the leaders will review the progress achieved by the Quad over the last one year and set the agenda for the year ahead to assist the countries of the Indo-Pacific region in meeting their development goals and aspirations,' it said in a statement. In New York, Modi would also be interacting with CEOs of leading US-based companies to foster greater collaborations between the two countries. 'The prime minister would also be interacting with CEOs of leading US-based companies to foster greater collaborations between the two countries in the cutting-edge areas of AI, quantum computing, semiconductors and biotechnology,' it said. While in New York, the prime minister will address a gathering of the Indian community on September 22, the MEA said. 'The prime minister is also expected to interact with thought leaders and other stakeholders active in the India-US bilateral landscape,' it said. 'For decades, we have heard only lofty claims. We have become accustomed to empty assurances, and it seems that political leaders see us merely as voters' IMAGE: Kashmiri Pandits participate in a religious procession to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami festival, in Srinagar on August 26, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo With the first phase of assembly elections set to be held on Wednesday in Jammu and Kashmir, the Kashmiri Pandit community is raising urgent calls for action on their long-standing issues of unemployment and housing. Nearly 35 years after the mass exodus of 1990, many in the community feel that political parties have repeatedly failed to address their concerns. Babloo Ji Butt, a representative voice of the community, expressed frustration over the unmet promises of political leaders. "For Kashmiri Pandits, it feels like the old saying: Hathi ke daant khane ke kuch aur, dikhane ke aur. For decades, we have heard only lofty claims. We have become accustomed to empty assurances, and it seems that political leaders see us merely as voters," Butt lamented. Despite the challenges, Butt emphasised that relationships between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslim communities remain strong, even as many Pandits have settled outside the region. "Home is still home," he asserted. He highlighted the ongoing issues with the Prime Minister's package, which promised 6,000 jobs and construction of housing quarters for displaced Pandits. While 2,500 quarters have been completed, another 2,500 remain unfinished after four years, leaving many families in rented accommodations. "If the government truly wanted to bring us back, they could have done so within a year," he said, criticising both central and regional parties for their lack of action. Sunita Bhan, another member of the community, echoed Butt's sentiments, saying that political leaders only remember Kashmiri Pandits during election season. "If they genuinely wanted to help us, initiatives could have been enacted much earlier," she said, pointing out that many children of Kashmiri Pandits have left Jammu and Kashmir in search of better opportunities. She also criticised the inadequate salary of Rs 20,000 under the PM package, calling for an increase to support families. The sentiments of disillusionment are shared by many in the community, who feel overlooked once elections conclude. Yet, there remains hope among the younger generation for a secular Kashmir where Hindus and Muslims coexist harmoniously. Yatin Pandita, another Kashmiri Pandit, emphasised the need for employment opportunities and effective rehabilitation policies. "Development must encompass all sectors, and the government should create jobs. Our youth deserve platforms to showcase their talents," he said, adding that many still live in rented accommodations despite the promises made. Srinagar is set to go to the polls on September 25, with a total electorate of 7,74,462, including 3,86,654 male voters, 3,87,778 female voters, and 30 individuals from the third gender. The district comprises eight assembly constituencies: Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Lal Chowk, Chanapora, Zadibal, Eidgah, and Central Shalteng. As the elections draw near, the Kashmiri Pandit community remains hopeful that their voices will be heard, and their demands for rehabilitation and employment finally addressed. Tral, the former hotbed of terrorism, rocks to the music of democracy, discovers Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com. Photographs: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com IMAGE: Security personnel keep a strict vigil at Engineer Rashid's roadshow in Tral, Kashmir. Every outsider is looked at with suspicion, and that is the norm of Tral in south Kashmir. And every outsider asking questions is being photographed by unknown faces. There is an eerie silence in the air, and you can feel it only if you know the history of this town. Yes, it is mandatory to carry your Aadhar ID card on you. Be prepared for security agencies to scan your QR code to confirm your Aadhar ID and address. Every resident is mapped with his address, so lying to security agencies is out of the question. And the reason for all this surveillance is obvious: Burhan Wani. Welcome to Tral, Wani's hometown. Wani became the poster boy of terrorism in Kashmir after he started posting his pictures with guns and encounters with the Indian Army on social media in early 2016. By July 2016, Wani was eliminated and his body was buried in Tral, with thousands of protestors shouting slogans of 'Azaadi'. Wani's death was followed by a phase of protests, stone pelting and a jump in terror cases, only to subside later with the removal of Article 370. Eight years later, Burhan Wani's ghost still haunts Tral. But right this moment, Tral,which votes on September 18, is gripped in election fever and people are waiting for the new political messiah of Kashmir, Engineer Rashid. Unlike Wani who took to arms, Engineer Rashid speaks of democracy and a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue. Rashid Tantray, 26), has travelled from his village Midora, which is in Tral constituency, to attend Rashid's rally. Asked what attracted him to Rashid's Awami Ittehad Party, Tantray says, 'Hope, to be followed with change in my life.' He points out that the government school in Midora has been the same since his grandfather's days. "The school building and the classes are the same, with little change. I feel for the last 100 years there is no change in my village. There is no hospital for us. I hope all this will change with Engineer Rashid's victory," Tantray adds. The Awami Ittehad Party has fielded Harbaksh Singh Sassan from the Tral assembly seat. The Congress in alliance with the National Conference has fielded another Sikh candidate, Surinder Singh Channi, and the Peoples Democratic Party has fielded Rafiq Ahmad Naik. Asked about two Sikh candidates in Tral which has 93 percent Muslim voters, Manzoor Ishi, an engineer, says, "The people of Tral are very secular. They do not see the religion of a person, and we love India." Manzoor was with the PDP before the assembly elections as the youth president. He dumped the party after he realised that PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti only speaks of the people living in Tral, he says, and not the 110 villages that surround the town. Asked if Burhan Wani was an issue in this election, Manzoor says, "Burhan Wani is forgotten in Tral now. Terrorism is over. People are happy there is normalcy in Tral." Tral with other parts of south Kashmir like Shopian, Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam and Rajpora was a hotbed of terrorism till 2022. At any given time it was said there were 100 terrorists roaming the south Kashmir area. It has not been an easy life for youngsters in Tral as they were constantly cornered by terrorist organisations to join them or by intelligence agencies asking them to work for them. "For residents of Tral and its adjoining villages it was always a choice between the devil and the deep sea," recalls a young man who wishes to be anonymous. "And not to forget the torture which many youngsters had to undergo either from intelligence agencies or terrorist organisations." IMAGE: People gather to hear Engineer Rashid in Tral. Life had only two outcomes for the youth of Tral: Become a militant or become a police informer. "If you joined a terrorist group like the Hizbul Mujahideen you are sure to get killed by the security agencies, and if you become an informer for the intelligence agencies your death is imminent at the hands of terrorists," recalls the afore-mentioned youth. By 2022, every known terrorist in south Kashmir was neutralised; terrorist activity is mostly restricted to the Jammu region. Asked why terrorism took off in Tral in the last decade, Ayaz Ahmed, a mutton seller, says, "Nobody back then knew the final results of terrorism. When we look back, we know terrorism was poison. Therefore, no youngster is ready to take up the gun and fight against India now." "The tragedy of Tral is that it runs on waves," Ahmed adds. "If there is a hate wave everyone falls for the hate wave. If there is a terrorism wave, everyone falls for the terrorism wave. Luckily, that is gone and now everyone is falling for the election wave." Ahmed predicts that Tral may be known for Burhan Wani but in this election he says it will be known for a record voter turnout. "What a politician needs, Engineer Rashid has it," affirms Ahmed. "It is called understanding the pain of the people. NC and PDP leaders don't have it." But was Tral not a strong base of Mehbooba Mufti's PDP? "She and her party are history in Kashmir after they joined hands with the BJP," says Ahmed adding, "Mehbooba lost to the National Conference candidate in June from Anantnag in which the Tral assembly seat falls." "There will be a shift of power in Kashmir which will be led by Engineer Rashid," predicts Ahmed. "This is what my gut feeling says." Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. High around 65F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Low 39F. Winds light and variable. The Vermont State Police is looking for information about a man suspected of stealing a trail camera near Country Club Road in Rockingham. Federal agents of the Department of Homeland Security arrested rapper Sean Combs, known as P. Diddy, at the Park Hyatt Hotel in New York, USA, on Monday evening, September 16 following official charges. The detention took place amid lawsuits concerning sexual assault. ADVERTISIMENT Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, explained that the detention was "based on a sealed indictment," so details cannot be disclosed yet. This event was reported by ABC News. "Earlier this evening, federal agents arrested Sean Combs, based on a sealed indictment filed by the SDNY (Southern District of New York - Ed.). We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time," the prosecutor said. The rapper's lawyer Marc Agnifilo called the arrest an "unjust prosecution." "We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorneys Office. Sean "Diddy" Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community," the lawyer, who tried to manipulate federal agents over the detention of a black man, said in a statement. ADVERTISIMENT He added that the rapper is innocent of anything and has "nothing to hide." "He looks forward to clearing his name in court," Agnifilo said. It is known that Sean Combs has been under investigation for more than a year after his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura filed sexual assault charges. In May of this year, a video dated 2016 surfaced on the Internet, in which the rapper allegedly mocks a woman who looks like his ex. The video shows a man running out of a hotel room in a towel as fast as he can to the elevator to stop her, while she tries to escape from her attacker. Catching up with her, the rapper throws his partner to the floor and starts kicking her. ADVERTISIMENT Also, adult film actor Adria English claimed that the rapper not only sexually assaulted her but also trafficked her body for years. Following these allegations, at least 10 additional lawsuits were filed, which Combs denies. After that, his homes in Los Angeles and Miami were searched and he was later forced to move to New York. Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! You are the owner of this article. More than 125 Putney taxpayers attended a forum Monday night to ask questions and hear answers about Putney's controversial reappraisal. Are you or a loved one slipping? Tristan Roberts would love to hear about it at tristan@tristanroberts.org. Rep. Roberts writes from his farm in Halifax, where he represents Windham-6 in the Legislature. Wang Zhenyi, a world-leading scientist whose breakthrough in the field of leukemia treatment has saved hundreds of thousands of lives at home and abroad, has been awarded China's top honor. According to an order signed on Friday by President Xi Jinping, Wang was among the four notable figures to be given the Medal of the Republic, the nation's highest honor. In 1986, Wang was the world's first medical scientist to convert cancer cells in leukemia patients into normal ones in clinical practice, a treatment that has drastically improved the remission rate of the highly fatal type of blood cancer acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), and has been used in many other countries and regions, including Europe, Japan, the United States, Italy, Australia and Cuba. "In retrospect, I focused on doing just one thing throughout my entire career to be responsible for patients," said Wang, 99, a tenured professor at Shanghai Ruijin Hospital and an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering. When first embarking on his medical career, he witnessed patients afflicted by leukemia, especially APL, which took their lives within half a year in 90 percent of cases. As a result, Wang, who later became the only physician so far among the laureates of China's highest science honor, the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award, made conquering the disease his lifelong goal. His research in this field began in 1979, and in 1986 he prescribed the medicine, all trans-reinoicacid (ATRA), that he had discovered in order to treat APL patients, to a 5-year-old girl suffering from the disease and in a critical condition. The girl took the medicine for a week, and her condition was reversed. She was completely cured after a month. This was widely recognized as the world's first case that put the theory of induced differentiation of leukemia cells into practice. Moreover, the woman is still alive and healthy today. Wang and his team treated a total of 24 patients that way within a year and all of them went into complete remission. The results were later published in a paper, which immediately caused a sensation around the world. Wang, whose therapy was soon promoted throughout China, then focused on the pricing of the medicine to make it affordable to patients and their families. He decided to abandon the patent application and do his best to reduce the price of the drug. When the medicine was first launched in the domestic market more than three decades ago, the price of a box of 10 capsules was about 11 yuan ($1.55). Today, a box of the medicine is priced at 290 yuan, and it has been included in the National Reimbursement Drug List. Other similar tumor therapies are priced at over 20,000 yuan. "I never calculated how much I could personally earn from the development of the medicine. My only hope was that more patients could be saved," Wang said. Years later, Wang and his students Chen Zhu and Chen Saijuan proposed the treatment method of ATRA combined with the traditional Chinese medicine compound arsenic trioxide, raising the five-year survival rate of APL, which was once regarded as the most dangerous type of leukemia, from 10 percent in 1978 to over 95 percent, and making it the world's first curable leukemia. Some media overseas hailed the treatment method as "the Shanghai Plan", and listed it as "one of New China's eight major contributions to the world's medical field "along with the invention of qinghaosu, or artemisinin. Chen Zhu, former minister of health, said, "Wang is not only our teacher, but also a role model who deserves our respect for a lifetime for his scientific spirit, superb medical skills, ethics as a teacher, and his personality." New geologic data from researchers at Monash University (Australia) suggest that the Earth may have once been surrounded by a debris ring. That is, it was similar to Saturn. ADVERTISIMENT According to the study, approximately 466 million years ago, a ring was formed around the Earth as a result of the disintegration of a massive asteroid, which remained for tens of millions of years. Scientists emphasize that the existence of this ring could have had a profound impact on the climate of our planet, contributing to significant cooling and shaping its geological landscape, DailyGalaxy reports. It was formed from debris The idea that Earth once had a Saturn-like ring stems from an unusual distribution of impact craters 466 million years ago. A research team led by Professor Andy Tomkins examined 21 known craters from that period, which were mostly concentrated near the Earth's equator. This looks like an anomaly because meteorite impacts usually spread randomly across the planet. ADVERTISIMENT The scientists mapped these craters to their original locations using tectonic plate movement models and found that all the impacts occurred within 30 degrees of the equator. The research team suggests that the large asteroid was captured by the Earth's gravity and subsequently torn apart. This formed a ring of space debris that orbited the planet. Over tens of millions of years, this debris gradually fell to Earth. The impact of the ring on the climate Scientists believe that the existence of such a ring could have affected the Earth's climate. After all, about 20 million years after the ring's formation, our planet entered a sharp cooling period known as the Huronian glaciation, one of the coldest periods in Earth's history. Scientists speculate that the ring may have contributed to this cooling by shading parts of the planet from sunlight, especially near the equator. ADVERTISIMENT According to Tomkins and his colleagues, the ring created an equatorial shadow zone that reduced the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface, lowering global temperatures. Comparison with other planets Although the idea of Earth having a ring is new, planetary rings are not uncommon in the solar system. Saturn's rings are the most famous, but other planets such as Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune also have faint ring systems. These rings usually consist of ice and rock particles that orbit the planets. Interestingly, planetary rings are not necessarily permanent elements. Saturn's rings are believed to be relatively young, about 10 million years old, and are gradually disintegrating. ADVERTISIMENT Similarly, Mars is currently being torn apart by one of its moons, Phobos, which could eventually form a ring around the Red Planet over the next 20-40 million years. Scientists emphasize that understanding these cosmic events can not only shed light on the Earth's past but also offer valuable lessons for future planetary science and exploration. Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! As a result of the exchanges on September 13-14, 152 Ukrainian soldiers returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity. The health of most of the released Ukrainians is very serious, they are terribly exhausted, and many of them have lost 20, 30, and even 40 kilograms of weight. Their appearance speaks volumes about the horrors that Ukrainian defenders went through in Russian prisons. ADVERTISIMENT Photographers Kostyantyn and Vlada Liberov published photos of Ukrainian soldiers who returned from Russian captivity just a few days ago. The artists emphasized that the photos show only those who agreed to be photographed and gave their consent to the publication of the photos. The soldiers released from Russian captivity showed their photos taken before they fell into the hands of Russian inhumans. They are simply unrecognizable. ADVERTISIMENT The photo is proof that the Russians starved, mocked, and tortured Ukrainian prisoners of war. The photographers appealed to the international community to force Russia to comply with the Geneva Convention, which is fully observed by the Ukrainian side. "We are writing this in English because people in Ukraine already know that Russia is violating the Geneva Convention and holding our prisoners in inhumane conditions. These photos are evidence of this, and with this publication, we once again want to draw the attention of the Western audience and emphasize it: Russia is torturing, abusing, and starving those who were simply defending their homes," the Liberovs emphasized. ADVERTISIMENT These photos are further proof that Russia is a fascist country. It does not allow international commissions to visit its prisoner-of-war camps to hide the terrible evidence of crimes committed against humanity. "Today, only the sympathy and outrage of the whole world can help Ukraine speed up the return of all our defenders from Russian captivity. Please do not remain silent. Help us bring all our people home!" the Liberovs emphasized. ADVERTISIMENT About 100 thousand users from around the world commented on the photo. They are amazed by the atrocities of the Russians, comparing their actions to those of the Nazis in concentration camps. "So much torture has been experienced"; "A real Buchenwald"; "This is what the world should know and see, this is the so-called Russian humanity." "It is very painful to look at these photos and it is unrealistic to imagine the hell these people went through." "The eyes... just look at them - how much pain, suffering, fear they have seen and endured." "The whole world should see this. Fascism is not in the past, the Russians are proof of this..."; ADVERTISIMENT "This is some kind of horror of the 21st century. Wars and abuse of prisoners. I wouldn't be surprised if there is something similar to Auschwitz in Russia, where they burn...", - followers from different parts of the world write. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA: On September 13, 49 Ukrainians returned home during the prisoner exchange, including 15 Azovstal defenders. On September 14, another 103 people were returned from captivity: 82 privates and sergeants and 21 officers. Among the Heroes are 23 servicemen who were part of the Azov Regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! 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. 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 2 Flooding from Storm Boris, a slow-moving low-pressure system, has claimed lives across the region -- seven in Romania, five in Poland, three in the Czech Republic, and one in Austria. The storm has unleashed months' worth of rainfall in just days. KOSOVO -- Dragan Nikolic worked for two decades in the Kosovo Police before quitting in November 2022 after the Belgrade-backed Serbian List party called on all ethnic Serbs to leave Kosovar institutions amid a dispute with Pristina over license plates. Now a driver in Kosovo's Communities and Returns Ministry, he regrets the decision he said he made under pressure and hopes someday to return to his previous line of work maintaining law and order. "The news that we had to leave the institutions deeply affected me. I still cannot come to terms with it," Nikolic, who is from Leposavic in northern Kosovo, told RFE/RL this week. He said he is one of many Kosovar Serbs hoping to turn back the clock on their careers, describing himself and others as "victims of pressures and someone's politics." When Pristina began to enforce a law in late 2022 that all cars registered in Kosovo must have Kosovar license plates, the influential Serbian List party kicked up a political storm, urging ethnic Serbs to leave their jobs and triggering what would become the biggest crisis in the region in years. As tensions boiled over, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, a populist whom experts say yearns to create a Greater Serbia that includes northern Kosovo, ordered several thousand troops to the border just as the United States and Europe were bogged down with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. If Vucic was hoping to cause an uprising that would allow him to regain northern Kosovo, a province of Serbia until its independence in 2008, he miscalculated. Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti used the mass resignations of ethnic Serbs to fill jobs with ethnic Albanians and dismantle the remaining Serbian institutions that gave Belgrade leverage in its former province. On September 13, Vucic demanded that Kosovo rehire ethnic Serbs who quit government institutions, such as the police and judiciary, and hold regional elections. It was part of a package of demands aimed at making progress on talks to normalize relations. Serbia does not recognize Kosovo's independence. Two years after his life was upended by Belgrade's gamble, Nikolic now feels "betrayed and deceived." Returning To Work? The ball is now in Kosovo's court, and local Serbs might not be able to turn back the clock. Kurti's office has declined to comment on Vucic's demands. Kosovo's parliamentary speaker Glauk Konjufca, a member of Kurti's party Vetevendosje, told reporters on September 16 that rehiring en masse those who quit would be unconstitutional. Meanwhile, Kosovar Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla sees a Trojan horse in Vucic's proposal, claiming the Serbian leader is seeking to "instrumentalize" the ethnic Serbs in Kosovo. The European Union, which is facilitating the talks between Belgrade and Pristina, said it would like to see the hundreds of ethnic Serbs who quit their jobs in protest return to work. "The EU has consistently called for Belgrade to encourage and for Pristina to enable the reintegration of Kosovo Serbs," Peter Stano, spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, said in an e-mailed response to RFE/RL. "We welcome the willingness expressed by President Vucic to continue engagement in the EU-facilitated dialogue," he added. When contacted by RFE/RL, Kosovo's Interior Ministry and the Kosovo Police declined to comment on the issue of reintegration of ethnic Serbs who quit. The Kosovo Prosecutorial Council (KPC) told RFE/RL it would consider requests by ethnic Serbs to return to work but added it had not received any requests to date from former prosecutors. In their response to RFE/RL, the Kosovo Judicial Council said reintegration "will be examined when the [council] deems it the right time" and "according to the established procedure for such situations." Even if there was the political will, there might not be an easy way. Former Constitutional Court Vice President Kadri Kryeziu told RFE/RL that the reintegration of Serbs into Kosovar institutions would be possible but not automatic. As for rejoining the police, he said there are legal hurdles. "Those who resign from the police cannot return. Only in cases where someone is sick or has family issues...otherwise, they cannot return," Kryeziu said. Astrit Kolaj from the Kosovo Institute for Justice said police officers like Nikolic can't automatically return to their old job but could legally apply for an open position. The situation is different with judges and prosecutors, Kryeziu said, since their resignations have not been formalized and thus relevant institutions could consider their return. Kolaj said reintegrating judges and prosecutors "would be a kind of goodwill gesture, which would demonstrate that the Republic of Kosovo is just and equal for all its citizens." Squeezing Out Serb Institutions Ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo have been guided for decades by Belgrade and its parallel structures in the region, including Serbian banks, a pension system, and unemployment benefits. As a result, the area often turns into a hotspot of tensions when those structures are threatened. This year, Kurti's government took several steps to dismantle those parallel structures in an effort to extend Pristina's authority in the north as much as possible. His government has also phased out the Serbian currency, the dinar, which many Serbs received their salaries or pensions in, replacing it with the euro. While the integration of ethnic Serbs into Kosovar institutions has been part of agreements between Pristina and Belgrade, Western governments criticized Kurti for the timing of those steps with tensions still running high. Speaking to RFE/RL on September 16, a State Department spokesperson called for both sides to act responsibly. "We call again on Serbia and Kosovo to refrain from further escalatory rhetoric, uncoordinated actions, or legislative acts that run contrary to the normalization of their relations or jeopardize stability and security," the spokesperson said. Branimir Stojanovic, a member of the Serbian National Movement in Kosovo, told RFE/RL he did not expect Vucic's demands to improve the lot of ethnic Serbs. "Nothing will change on the ground," he said. People are "demoralized and disappointed with the circumstances in which they live." He pinned the blame on Serbian List's strategy. "A bad policy has collapsed, and now the ordinary people will pay the price. Politicians or officials won't pay it," he said. Serbian List did not respond to RFE/RL's request for comment regarding Vucic's demands or the local Serbs' criticism of the party. The large Honda Accord sedan was shown for the 2025 model year. The car has undergone a neat modernization and with new strength will compete with the famous Toyota Camry. ADVERTISIMENT Details about the car have become known to Motor1. The update of the Honda Accord 2025 model is small - the sedan has received revised configurations and equipment. Now the base price of the Honda Accord is $29,390. Earlier, Car and Driver experts decided to hold a competition between inexpensive sedans in the mass segment. Premium expensive cars did not participate. They chose between Toyota Camry, Subaru Legacy, Honda Accord, and Hyundai Sonata. After thorough testing and head-to-head comparisons, the winner was determined the Honda Accord. The authors liked the smooth ride and low fuel consumption. Among the disadvantages, they noted a limited list of equipment and cheap finishing materials. ADVERTISIMENT The other three models were criticized for their unpleasant handling. The Hyundai Sonata also did not like the brakes, and the Toyota Camry had poor noise insulation. At the same time, the disadvantage of the Subaru Legacy was called too high a price compared to competitors, while the advantages were powerful engines and a spacious interior. The Camry's advantages included high-quality assembly. The Sonata sedan was noted for its stylish design and good interior finish. Russian forces are continuing to advance toward Pokrovsk, an important transport hub in eastern Ukraine. Regional authorities have warned civilians that the area is not safe, and thousands have already evacuated. But in Myrnohrad, a few kilometers east of Pokrovsk, some residents are determined to stay, even after supply lines were cut off by a strike on a main road. Volunteers in eastern Ukraine are risking their lives to rescue abandoned pets from frontline towns and villages. The dogs, cats, and sometimes birds that the team catches and moves to safety are often in states of extreme distress after being left behind by fleeing or missing owners. Animal Rescue Kharkiv recently filled its animal carriers in the town of Hirnyk. Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods. I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and this week I'm drilling down on two big issues: the meeting of NATO's military committee in Prague and the continued weakening of the EU's Russia sanctions. Briefing #1: NATO Military Committee Chair On Ukraine's Request To Strike Deep Into Russia What You Need To Know: The NATO Military Committee gathered in Prague for its annual conference over the weekend (September 13-14) taking stock of two things: the continued Western military support for Ukraine and the readiness of the alliance in case of a military threat. The committee brings together the defense chiefs (usually the country's top military officer) from the 32 members of the alliance and is NATO's highest military authority, tasked with giving advice to NATO's strategic commanders and the civilian side of the organization led by the secretary-general. After the Prague meeting, I spoke to the chair of the Military Committee, Dutch Navy Admiral Rob Bauer, who has been in the role since 2021 in a period dominated by Russia's full-scale war on Ukraine. Naturally, our conversation centered on Ukraine, especially amid signs that key allies are ready to allow Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia with Western-made weapons. Deep Background: Admiral Bauer was keen to point out that the discussion on allowing Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia did not take place during the meeting in Prague and that he hasn't been part of these talks, ultimately because it is a political discussion taking place in various national capitals, notably Washington, D.C. But he quickly added that Kyiv's request has merit from a strategic perspective: "If you ask me as a military person, if it is a logical thing to ask for the Ukrainians, then the answer is yes, because basically, in accordance with the UN Charter and, in accordance with the law of armed conflict, if you are attacked by a nation, then you are allowed to defend yourself. That defense doesn't stop at your borders." He likened the situation to that of someone being targeted by an archer, with Ukraine having the air defenses to protect itself against the arrows but also needing an opportunity to hit the archer too. "That is basically what you do if you attack them, attack their launchers, attack their ammunition storage sites. If you attack their fuel storage sites, then you limit their ability to hurt and attack you in the future. So, militarily, that's the logical thing to do," he said. Drilling Down Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that a decision to allow Western-made weapons to hit deeper inside Russia would entail a direct war between Moscow and NATO. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was even more explicit, saying that the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, could be targeted by a nuclear strike. Bauer, however dismissed this as Kremlin saber-rattling: "I think it's primarily a proof of how frustrated they are because Russia has not achieved any of their strategic goals in Ukraine, and that is now ongoing for 2 1/2 years." He added that "you have to take every threat seriously. But I don't think necessarily this discussion will change that threat immediately." So, going into fall and winter, what do things look like on the Ukrainian front lines? The admiral noted that both Russia and Ukraine essentially are grappling with similar problems: "Both sides are looking for more personnel, more weapons systems, more ammunition. And both sides do not have an easy task finding those three elements. And once you have the people, you need to train them. Once you have the weapons systems, you need to maintain them. Once you have the ammunition, you have to be able to use it properly. So those are things both sides are working on now." Bauer praised Ukraine's summer incursion into the Russian region of Kursk, calling it "a strategic dilemma for Putin," who has pledged "to defend the motherland but can't." He did caution, however, that it remains to be seen how long Ukraine will be able to hold on to the occupied territory. In a similar vein, the Dutch admiral also cautioned against too much negativity regarding Russia's recent advances around the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, which could open up the front perilously close to one of Ukraine's largest cities, Dnipro. "It's moving forward slowly," he told me. "But it's moving forward at the cost of a lot of casualties. But they haven't taken everything they want. So, it's difficult for them as well. The Ukrainians are defending themselves very courageously and professionally." We also touched on NATO's own readiness. While alliance officials have said they still plan to defend "every inch of allied territory," NATO diplomats have told me on background in recent months that there are elements missing, notably when it comes to sufficient air defense, ammunition, and prepositioned equipment in the eastern part of the alliance. These will be some of the issues NATO defense ministers will discuss when they assemble in Brussels on September 17-18. Bauer said that NATO now has 500,000 troops at high readiness compared to only 300,000 two years ago. "There's a number of things that we still need to improve on that [have] been discussed. I'm not going to talk of all the details, of course, as you can understand, but I think we can be proud of what we have achieved and...we are readier than ever before," he concluded. Briefing #2: Chipping Away At The EU's Russia Sanctions What You Need To Know: On September 11, the European Union approved the rollover of the asset freezes and visa bans that the bloc has imposed since February 2022, mainly on Russians, for undermining the territorial integrity of Ukraine. But with the six-month prolongation, there were also two deletions to the blacklist of over 2,300 people and companies: Nikita Mazepin, a former Formula One driver and son of the Russian oligarch Dmitry Mazepin; and Violetta Prigozhina, mother of the late Russian oligarch and Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. Deep Background: These deletions follow a pattern in which a few people are delisted every six months ahead of the formal rollover dates in mid-March and mid-September. This time around, the discussions on the removals were concluded on a lower political level already in July in what some diplomats in Brussels refer to as the biannual "sanctions dance." Normally, the discussions are initiated at the behest of Hungary, which has been publicly critical of the bloc's sanctions policy. Typically, Budapest presents a number of sanctioned people to the other member states in political working groups that it wants taken off the lists in order to give its go-ahead. (Rollovers require unanimity from all 27 EU member states.) These have tended to be heavy-hitter oligarchs with extensive Russian business interests and Kremlin ties such as Alisher Usmanov, Pyotr Aven, Viktor Rashnikov, Mikhail Fridman, Dmitry Mazepin, Grigory Berezkin, and Vyacheslav Moshe Kantor. Previous rounds have shown that most other member states militantly oppose taking such people off the lists. They have argued it would undermine the whole idea of EU sanctions if people close to President Vladimir Putin were removed and have countered by suggesting that the sanctions should only be prolonged once a year instead of twice. Compromise has always been reached, but the result is a weakened sanctions instrument. Plus, Budapest usually manages to leverage its veto, extracting political favors from Brussels in other policy areas. After this diplomatic tug-of-war, lawyers from the Council of the EU, one of the bloc's main decision-making bodies, usually step in to resolve the issue by proposing a list of so-called "weak cases" with less legal justification to be sanctioned. As the EU claims to be an entity guided by the rule of law, its lawyers must be able to present evidence that can be found in the public domain. And like with every other EU policy, those on the sanctions list can -- and do -- take the EU to court. Some of those sanctioned have already won cases against Brussels, and they include both Prigozhina and Nikita Mazepin. Drilling Down This is, of course, a slight blow for the Russia sanctions regime, but the EU has been here before. In March, three other names were removed -- Arkady Volozh, co-founder of the Russian Internet giant Yandex; Russian businessman Sergei Mndoiants; and Jozef Hambalek, a Slovak national and head of the Russian nationalist Night Wolves motorcycle club in Europe. In my conversations with them, EU diplomats have tried to play down the latest deletions, saying it could be much worse. Prigozhina and Mazepin weren't that big of players anyway, they say, and the important thing is that the high-rolling oligarchs -- such as Mazepin's father -- are still blacklisted There is already talk about who will be delisted at the next opportunity in March 2025. During the EU ambassadors meeting in Brussels on September 11, the Hungarian and Slovak diplomats pledged that, for the next rollover, they will aim to remove Gulbakhor Ismailova, the sister of Usmanov who has been linked to various key Russian assets. The statement, circulated among diplomats and seen by RFE/RL, noted that "in our view, the grounds on which the listing of Ms. Ismailova have been based, no longer hold. Ms. Ismailova should be removed from the sanctions list." Based on this, Slovakia and Hungary will maintain this position during the next review. Will there be any more? It seems like family members of oligarchs are increasingly seen by EU lawyers as "weak cases," as it is legally difficult to prove that spouses and children are directly connected to the Russian war machine. Two possible candidates for the removal would be Galina Pumpyanskaya and Aleksandr Pumpyansky, the wife and son of Russian oligarch Dmitry Pumpyansky. An EU court annulled the sanctions against Aleksandr Pumpyansky in 2023, so he is certainly seen as being a "weak case." Two others on the blacklist, Aven and Fridman, have both won cases in EU court against their sanctions. The same as with Pumpyansky junior, they remain blacklisted because Brussels has argued that the cases they won in EU courts concern old listing criteria and refer to a previous sanctions period. Looking Ahead On September 19-20, I will be in Ukraine for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. I will be in Kyiv for the EU Accession Exchange Forum to meet with politicians and policy analysts from around the region. I'll be reporting back with my thoughts in next week's briefing. That's all for this week! Feel free to reach out to me on any of these issues on Twitter @RikardJozwiak, or on e-mail at jozwiakr@rferl.org. Until next time, Rikard Jozwiak If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition subscribe here. Three boats ran aground on Sunday last on Lough Ree. The Lough Ree RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew responded and assisted the seven people on board the three vessels. The return of good weather this past weekend saw additional activity on Lough Ree and proved to be a busy a day for the volunteer crew at Lough Ree RNLI responding the three callouts in seven hours. Just after midday the lifeboat crew of Kieran Sloyan, Paul Kelly, Denis Begley and Patrick Walsh launched the charitys lifeboat Tara Scougall in response to a call for assistance to a cruiser with three people on board. On arrival at the scene at 12.40pm near the Hexagon Shoal, which is on the eastern side of the lake, the crew found a large cruiser stranded on the rocks. Following an inspection of the boat and confirming that all three people on board were safe and well the cruiser was towed to open water where it continued under its own power. Later in the afternoon the Irish Coast Guard tasked Lough Ree RNLI following reports of cries for help from a boat near Killinure Point, Glasson. Under volunteer helm Liam Sheringham and with crew of Billy Henshaw Jnr. and Amy O Connor the lifeboat launched at just before 4.30pm. Inside a few minutes the crew reached the stricken vessel on rocks near Green Island with two people on board. Following a search of the area to confirm there were no further casualties the RNLI escorted the boat to the safety of the jetty at Coosan Point. On Sunday evening volunteers were back at the Hexagon Shoal again responding to a call-out to a 30ft. cruiser with two people on board. The volunteer lifeboat crew of Liam Sheringham, Amy OConnor and Kieran Sloyan arrived at the scene at 6.45pm. Following inspection, the stricken vessel was towed to Portaneena Marina. Reflecting on a busy day on the water Lough Ree RNLI Launch Authority Declan Moran said; Due to the reduced water levels on Lough Ree and the River Shannon boat users should be mindful that rocks and shoals previously hidden in high water can now pose a significant danger. He reminded boat users to follow navigation charts and to call the emergency services on 999 if in danger. MPs are planning to establish a National Commission on Mental Health in Ukraine. The new body will be responsible for implementing the state policy in the field of mental health. In addition, businesses will be required to create a mental health service for employees. ADVERTISIMENT The new National Council is to be created under draft law No. 12030, which was registered in the Verkhovna Rada on September 13. The draft law states that it will be a permanent collegial body with the legal status of an institution that is directly managed by the Cabinet of Ministers. The description of the draft law specifies the main powers of the new commission: coordination and supervision of the implementation of state policy in the field of mental health care. It will be composed of representatives of ministries and self-regulatory organizations they will ensure interaction between various executive authorities, professional associations, and public organizations. It is proposed that the members and staff of the National Commission should not be civil servants, but should be funded from the state budget and other sources not prohibited by law, including international technical assistance. However, the financial and economic justification does not contain calculations of how much budgetary funds will be needed to create a new budgetary institution. ADVERTISIMENT The Labor Code also proposes to establish that the employer shall establish a mental health service. Each employer must develop and approve a policy or plan for the protection and promotion of mental health in the workplace. Accordingly, the Labor Protection Law stipulates that an employer with 50 or more employees shall establish a mental health service. At an enterprise with fewer than 50 employees, the functions of the mental health service may be performed on a part-time basis by persons with appropriate training. At an enterprise with fewer than 20 employees, third-party specialists with appropriate training may be engaged on a contractual basis to perform the functions of the mental health service. The functions and powers of mental health care and its standard regulations are approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote about another bill passed by MPs that allows employers of strategic enterprises to dismiss employees for non-compliance with the rules of conduct, in particular for concealing ties with persons in the occupied territories. This law also allows for internal audits and termination of employment contracts in case of violation of the established rules. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Budget stories, the latest assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump and the latest Irish citizenship ceremony are just a few things leading Ireland's front pages on Tuesday. The Irish Times leads with a story about an investigation at An Bord Pleanala into governance issues, a story about firms who got deals at University Hospital Limerick being staff-owned, and a story about speeding detections being down since Drew Harris directed all uniformed gardai to do 30 minutes of road policing per shift, alongside a picture from the latest conferring of Irish citizenship. The Irish Examiner leads with a story about rural voters being concerned about the cost of living, stories about chemical cannabis allegedly causing psychosis, former BBC presenter Huw Edwards avoiding jail, and the suspect in the latest assassination attempt on Donald Trump, alongside a picture of rugby star Bundee Aki after receiving Irish citizenship. The Irish Independent leads with a story about the number of empty shops in towns across the country, alongside a photo of the suspect in the latest assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump. The Echo leads with a story about 250 new jobs being created in Cork, alongside a food court plan for Paul Street Shopping Centre in Cork City, and a warning by Siptu about ambulance wait times. The Herald leads with a story on the arrest of a man in Dublin for his alleged role in a shooting two years ago. The Irish Daily Mail leads with a story about losses at RTE coming to 9.1 million last year, and with the sentencing of former BBC presenter Huw Edwards. The Irish Daily Mirror and Irish Daily Star both lead with budget stories ahead of Finance Minister Jack Chamber's first budget in the role. The sentencing of veteran BBC presenter Huw Edwards after he admitted to possessing indecent images of children leads Tuesdays UK front pages. The i, the UK Daily Mirror and UK Daily Mail all lead with the former broadcaster being handed a six-month suspended sentence after he accessed images of children as young as seven. Daily Mail: DISGRACED, REVILED... BUT NOT A DAY IN JAIL #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/14gylJ8s0r George Mann (@sgfmann) September 16, 2024 The UK Sun also splashes on Edwards sentencing, saying his full depravity had been laid bare in court. The Daily Express reports the lenient sentence had sparked fury, while Metro says the BBC is appalled by the incident. Daily Express: 'Reputation in tatters' over child abuse images #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/bTDzXv6xMe George Mann (@sgfmann) September 16, 2024 Tomorrow's Paper Today LUCKY HUW! BBC NEWS ANCHOR AVOIDS JAIL OVER CHILD SEX VIDEOS Edwards called images 'amazing', court told Beeb appalled amid anger at 'soft sentence'#tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/epFPHuXYph Metro (@MetroUK) September 16, 2024 Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended the decision to accept gifts from a Labour donor, the Daily Telegraph reports. The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: 'Starmer defiant over peer's freebies'#TomorrowsPapersToday Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4OoUh6 pic.twitter.com/S4OnJtUueq The Telegraph (@Telegraph) September 16, 2024 The UK Times leads on Labours claims flexible working rules make staff more productive. The Times: Working at home boosts productivity, says Labour #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/aIrdW0ez5I George Mann (@sgfmann) September 16, 2024 In world news, the Financial Times reports the EU is gearing up to provide 40 billion euros (33.7 billion) in new loans for Ukraine this year. Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Tuesday 17 September https://t.co/PWDtwmdoM9 pic.twitter.com/vY5o07crPz Financial Times (@FT) September 16, 2024 The Guardian says a suspect arrested in connection with a second attempt on former US president Donald Trumps life has been charged with two gun-related offences. The Guardian: Suspect charged after apparent assassination attempt on Trump #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/DR0ROhZ3Sz George Mann (@sgfmann) September 16, 2024 Lastly, the UK Daily Star says Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance has admitted to lying about immigrants eating household pets. Astrologers urge you not to miss two incredible astronomical phenomena. Tonight, on September 17, the Harvest Supermoon will rise in the sky, and in the pre-dawn hours of September 18, a partial lunar eclipse will take place. ADVERTISIMENT These two fantastic events will be visible in Europe, North and South America (except Alaska), most of Africa, Western Asia, and parts of Antarctica. And of course, residents of Ukraine can join the skywatching. Using the Time&Date resource, you can track the exact time of the eclipse of the Moon in a particular area. In particular, in Ukraine, the eclipse will begin at 03:41 with the Moon's immersion in the Earth's penumbra (this event is invisible visually). At 05:13, our satellite will begin to sink into the Earth's shadow at this point, the darkening of the southern lunar limb will be clearly visible. But the maximum shadow phase of the eclipse will occur at 05:44 Kyiv time. And at 06:16 the Moon will completely emerge from the Earth's shadow, and at 07:47 from the penumbra. ADVERTISIMENT However, astrologers emphasize that the partial lunar eclipse will be visible only if the sky is clear. But to see this double astronomical miracle in its full glory, you can turn on a free online broadcast that will take place on YouTube thanks to The Virtual Telescope Project. The September full moon is the second of four consecutive supermoons in 2024. According to scientists, the term "supermoon" describes the full Moon that is closest to the Earth in its slightly elliptical orbit. At this time, the full moon may appear slightly larger and brighter in the sky. ADVERTISIMENT However, the brightness of the Harvest Supermoon will be eclipsed by a partial eclipse. Scientists emphasize that 8.7% of the upper part of the moon will be immersed in the darkest part of the Earth's shadow. Lunar eclipses occur when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on our natural satellite. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Atishi Marlena Named Delhi's New Chief Minister After Arvind Kejriwal's Resignation Arvind Kejriwal recently came out of jail after the Supreme Court granted him bail. Delhi New Chief Minister Atishi Marlena Latest News: In a significant political development, Atishi Marlena has been appointed as Delhi's new Chief Minister following a meeting of Delhi Legislative members. The decision was made after Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced his resignation, days after being granted bail by the Supreme Court. Kejriwal, in his resignation speech, called for early Delhi elections and expressed his desire to return to the CMs chair only after gaining renewed confidence from the people. His move comes as a surprise, creating a dynamic shift in Delhi's political landscape. Atishi, a key figure in Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has long been involved in significant policy decisions and is known for her work in the education sector. Advertisement The transition of leadership from Kejriwal to Atishi marks a new chapter for Delhi politics, with expectations high regarding her leadership as the newly appointed CM. The coming weeks will reveal more about the impact of this shift and Kejriwals call for early elections. (For more news apart from Delhi New Chief Minister Atishi Marlena, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) September 17, 2024 A roundup of local and world news Newsflash Newsroom, 17.09.2024, 13:55 EUROPEAN COMMISSION The EC president Ursula von der Leyen today unveiled the new college of commissioners. Romanias nominee for one of the 27 European Commissioner posts, the former minister for EU funding and incumbent MEP Roxana Minzatu, was appointed Executive Vice-President for People, Skills and Preparedness and will also be the new Commissioner for Skills, Education, Quality Jobs and Social Rights. The team proposed by Ursula von der Leyen will next be interviewed by the European Parliament. Given the length of the procedures, the new commission might begin their term in office later than scheduled, possibly as late as December. FLOODS The government of Romania approved direct financial aid for the victims of the recent floods in the east of the country, which left 7 people dead and nearly 6,500 homes damaged. Hydrologists warn that the risk of flash floods is not over, and have issued code red, orange and yellow alerts for the counties already affected by heavy rainfalls and floods. People are still accommodated in the temporary sites arranged by the local authorities, and interior ministry personnel are helped by emergency inspectorate staff from other counties, who have brought over intervention vehicles and large capacity pumps to take out the water and mud from the flooded houses. Meanwhile, water and food supplies are being distributed to the victims, both from the state reserve and from private citizens and companies that have donated clothes, footwear, blankets and mattresses. The Red Cross also dispatched trucks with water and food to the area. LAW The Constitutional Court of Romania is to review today, after several postponements, a notification lodged by the High Court of Cassation and Justice with respect to the so-called Fugitives Act. The law endorsed by the Chamber of Deputies in November 2023 stipulates that citizens subject to a final court sentence who fail to turn themselves in within 7 days to be incarcerated are to be declared fugitives and receive a further 6 month to 3 year sentence. The supreme court believes the law comes against the right to fair trial and individual freedom. Sorin Oprescu, a former mayor of Bucharest, and Alina Bica, a former chief of the Directorate Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism Offences, are some of the high-profile officials who managed to leave the country in order to escape a prison sentence. Italy and Greece are the countries preferred by the fugitives. CLIMATE Romania plans to be carbon neutral by 2045, as opposed to its previous target, 2050, according to a new version of the National Integrated Plan on Energy and Climate Change. Bucharest also intends to cover 38% of the countrys total energy demand from renewable sources by 2030. The energy ministry announced on Tuesday additional policies and measures to increase the share of renewable energy, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions substantially and to implement innovating solutions in all economic sectors. The revised plan includes measures to cut emissions in essential sectors such as energy, transport, housing and industry, and aims to implement advanced technologies such as the use of renewable hydrogen. ENESCU The 19th edition of the George Enescu International Classical Music Competition takes place in Bucharest until September 27, under the high patronage of the Romanian Presidency. Enrolled in this years competition are a record 667 musicians aged 13 to 35. The George Enescu International Competition, initiated in 1958, is one of the most important events of this kind in the world, providing a platform for rising musicians to prove their skills. Over the years, the competition has consolidated Romanias standing in the global cultural arena, and is the only competition in the country affiliated to the World Federation of International Music Competitions. The Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation is one of the co-producers of the event. FESTIVAL The 12th edition of Bucharest Music Film Festival continues until September 22nd. The event has been redesigned to include concerts in a variety of music genres, from classical to jazz, film music and pop fusion, and it brings together hundreds of celebrated artists and orchestras. The festival is organised by the Bucharest City Halls cultural centre ARCUB, and is part of the Days of Bucharest series that marks 565 years since Bucharest was first mentioned in official documents. (AMP) September 17, 2024 UPDATE A roundup of local and international news. Newsflash Newsroom, 17.09.2024, 20:02 EUROPEAN COMMISSION The EC president Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday unveiled the new college of commissioners. Romanias nominee for one of the 27 European Commissioner posts, the former minister for EU funding and incumbent MEP Roxana Minzatu, was appointed Executive Vice-President for People, Skills and Preparedness and will also be the new Commissioner for Skills, Education, Quality Jobs and Social Rights. In Bucharest, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu hailed the fact that Romania obtains for the first time since joining the EU the position of Commission vice-president, and also the fact that Roxana Minzatu will coordinate a major portfolio with a budget of 235 billion euros a fifth of the Unions budget. The team proposed by Ursula von der Leyen will next be interviewed by the European Parliament. Given the length of the procedures, the new commission might begin their term in office later than scheduled, possibly as late as December. COOPERATION The Romanian Chamber of Deputies passed the draft law on the Romania Moldova cooperation agreement in the military field. According to the document, the two states will support each other in all aspects regarding the preparation and participation in multinational missions and operations under the auspices of the UN, OSCE, NATO or the EU. Deputy Daniel Gheorghe said that the Chisinau administration must give up the neutrality that keeps it captive in the ex-Soviet space, and that the agreement with Romania is a step towards standardization with the North Atlantic area. FLOODS The government of Romania approved direct financial aid for the victims of the recent floods in the east of the country, which left 7 people dead and nearly 6,500 homes damaged. People are still accommodated in the temporary sites arranged by the local authorities, and interior ministry personnel are helped by emergency inspectorate staff from other counties, who have brought over intervention vehicles and large capacity pumps to take out the water and mud from the flooded houses. Meanwhile, water and food supplies are being distributed to the victims, both from the state reserve and from private citizens and companies that have donated clothes, footwear, blankets and mattresses. The Red Cross also dispatched trucks with water and food to the area. DIPLOMACY Romania will continue to stand by the Republic of Moldova on a bilateral level, on a European level in the negotiations for EU accession, but also in concrete aspects related to economic development, infrastructure consolidation and, above all, energy security, the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminita Odobescu said Tuesday in Chisinau. The head of Romanian diplomacy co-chaired the fifth Ministerial Conference of the Partnership Platform for the Republic of Moldova. She said that the Platform was created with the goal of supporting both financially and sectorally the Republic of Moldova, seriously affected by the consequences of the war waged by Russia in Ukraine. In this context, a Joint Declaration of the Foreign Ministers of Romania, France, Germany and the Republic of Moldova was adopted, reconfirming the important role of this cooperation format and the joint commitment to support the Republic of Moldova in the European integration process, as well as in the efforts for economic development and consolidation of resilience. In Chisinau, the head of the Romanian diplomacy was received, along with the other ministers, by the Moldovan president, Maia Sandu. FUGITIVES The Constitutional Court of Romania postponed, for Thursday, the discussions on the notification lodged by the High Court of Cassation and Justice with respect to the so-called Fugitives Act. The law endorsed by the Chamber of Deputies in November 2023 stipulates that citizens subject to a final court sentence who fail to turn themselves in within 7 days to be incarcerated are to be declared fugitives and receive a further 6 month to 3 year sentence. The supreme court believes the law comes against the right to fair trial and individual freedom. Sorin Oprescu, a former mayor of Bucharest, and Alina Bica, a former chief of the Directorate Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism Offences, are some of the high-profile officials who managed to leave the country in order to escape a prison sentence. Italy and Greece are the countries preferred by the fugitives. CLIMATE Romania plans to be carbon neutral by 2045, as opposed to its previous target, 2050, according to a new version of the National Integrated Plan on Energy and Climate Change. Bucharest also intends to cover 38% of the countrys total energy demand from renewable sources by 2030. The energy ministry announced on Tuesday additional policies and measures to increase the share of renewable energy, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions substantially and to implement innovating solutions in all economic sectors. The revised plan includes measures to cut emissions in essential sectors such as energy, transport, housing and industry, and aims to implement advanced technologies such as the use of renewable hydrogen. ENESCU The 19th edition of the George Enescu International Classical Music Competition takes place in Bucharest until September 27, under the high patronage of the Romanian Presidency. Enrolled in this years competition are a record 667 musicians aged 13 to 35. The George Enescu International Competition, initiated in 1958, is one of the most important events of this kind in the world, providing a platform for rising musicians to prove their skills. Over the years, the competition has consolidated Romanias standing in the global cultural arena, and is the only competition in the country affiliated to the World Federation of International Music Competitions. The Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation is one of the co-producers of the event. Assistance for people affected by flooding At least 7 people have been killed by flooding in eastern Romania, a region that in a couple of days saw the total amount of rain it usually gets the whole year Severe flooding in Galati County (photo: www.gov.ro) Corina Cristea, 17.09.2024, 14:00 The state of alert has been instated in the counties of Galati and Vaslui, in eastern Romania, a region that bears the brunt of the latest flooding. The measure was aimed at enabling local authorities to access resources to rebuild the areas destroyed by the flooding waters. According to official data released, 26 towns and villages in the county of Galati and 20 in Vaslui, have been affected by heavy flooding, and the number of the households destroyed stands at 65 hundred. The urgent rebuilding of houses and buildings, as well as parts of the affected infrastructure such as roads and bridges, is a top priority, authorities say. In a special meeting on Monday, the Executive approved emergency aids of up to 2 thousand Euros for every affected family and another 2 thousand for the families who lost people, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has announced. Marcel Ciolacu: The total amount of this first assistance programme is around 100 million lei. And I can assure the people affected by flooding that we arent going to stop until we have repaired all the bridges and roads in the area and have rebuilt all the households destroyed so that their lives may come back to normal as soon as possible. 214 tons of food and over 200 thousand liters of water have been dispatched to the affected areas and the first supplies have already been distributed. Another priority, the Prime Minister went on to say, is to enable the children in the affected areas to resume school classes. Marcel Ciolacu: For this reason we are providing four modular buildings that may serve as makeshift schools where children can attend classes until the situation comes back to normal. Local authorities jointly with the Ministry of Education are presently working in order to turn these temporary schools operational. Camps have also been made available for the flood victims and many institutions have launched appeals to solidarity and started collecting things. The Romanian Red Cross has launched an assistance campaign and has already sent trucks with water and food supplies. The Romanian Waters has deployed teams which are operating in the areas consolidating the defence lines against flooding. Through its Solidarity Fund and Civil Protection Mechanism, the European Union will be providing assistance to the Romanians and the Europeans in the other member countries, the chief-negotiator for the Unions budget, Romanian MEP Siegfried Muresan says, adding that he will call for a more flexible multi-annual budget, so that the bloc may react faster in emergency situations. (bill) Partnership for the prevention of child trafficking The Romanian and American governments have signed a compact partnership in the field of child protection (foto: pixabay.com) Mihai Pelin, 17.09.2024, 13:50 Romania is the first country in Europe to benefit from an American financial support package worth 10 mln USD, designed to improve the national system for preventing and combating child trafficking. In a ceremony hosted by Bucharest, the Romanian and American governments signed a compact partnership for child protection, intended to be implemented over a period of five years. Human trafficking is an evil that deprives millions worldwide of their dignity and freedom. [] In order to help the most vulnerable, the United States Government will develop jointly with the Romanian Government and civil society organizations a five-year Child Protection Compact Partnership, the United States ambassador in Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec, said. The American official stated that the United States will support Romania in its efforts to develop a victim-centered prevention strategy, to increase protection for child victims of trafficking, and to improve investigations in order to prosecute and convict perpetrators of child trafficking. The Romanian Interior Minister, Catalin Predoiu, said, in turn, that the signing of this partnership is in fact a continuation of previous cooperation, showing at the same time the determination of Bucharest authorities to combat child abuse in any form. In recent years, such phenomena have grown alarmingly all over the world, including online and other forms of child exploitation and trafficking, and Romania has not been spared from this scourge, the Romanian official argued. The agreement is structured around four objectives: prevention, protection, prosecution and cooperation between government authorities and civil society. The signing of the Partnership opens a new front in the fight against human trafficking and seeks to ensure childrens online safety. Thus, the implementation of certain objectives assumed in the 2024-2028 National Strategy against Human Trafficking is ensured. Protecting children and teenagers against the dangers of human trafficking is a priority assumed by the Ministry of the Interior, through the National Agency against Human Trafficking. As part of the Partnership, authorities will set up the National Center for Combating Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Minors Online, which will operate within the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police, in addition to a Center of Excellence for Childrens Digital Security, created at the level of the National Authority for the Protection of Childrens Rights and Adoption. Additionally, relevant authorities expect an increase in the level of awareness of the population regarding the risks of child trafficking and their sexual exploitation online. The Ministry of the Interior reasserted its commitment to continue efforts, in cooperation with the other relevant institutions and authorities, to combat human trafficking and improve the protection and assistance offered to victims of such crimes. (VP) Business inventories in the U.S. increased by slightly more than expected in the month of July, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Tuesday. The Commerce Department said inventories climbed by 0.4 percent in July rising by 0.3 percent in June. Economists had expected business inventories to increase by another 0.3 percent. The slightly bigger than expected increase by business inventories came as retail inventories advanced by 0.8 percent in July after jumping by 0.9 percent in June. Wholesale inventories also rose by 0.2 percent in July after coming in unchanged in June, while manufacturing inventories inched up by 0.1 percent in July after edging down by 0.1 percent in June. The Commerce Department also said business sales shot up by 1.1 percent in July after coming in unchanged in June. Retail and wholesale sales surged by 1.3 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively, while manufacturing sales climbed by 0.9 percent. With sales increasing by much more than inventories, the total business inventories/sales ratio edged down to 1.37 in July from 1.38 in June. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Dr Mamphela Ramphele and Dr Pakiso Tondi with the recipients of Rev Dr Simon Gqubule Student Leadership Award By: The Division of Communications & Advancement Rhodes Universitys Division of Student Services and Development (DSSD) proposed the creation of the Rev Dr Simon Gqubule Student Leadership Award in collaboration with the Gqubule Family, the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA), and critical leaders supporting student leadership. The award was launched at the Rev Dr Simon Gqubule Memorial Lecture during the annual Leadership Week organised by the Student Representative Council (SRC), where Dr Mamphela Ramphele delivered an Annual Lecture. The life and legacy of Reverend Dr Simon Gqubule remain profound sources of inspiration, not only for those who knew him but also for future generations aspiring to ethical leadership, education, and activism. Dr Gqubule was an exceptional figure whose journey from humble beginnings in the Eastern Cape to becoming the first Black PhD graduate from Rhodes University in 1978 symbolises resilience, intellectual rigour, and a commitment to social justice. His life is a testament to the power of education as a tool for liberation, particularly for Black South Africans under the oppressive apartheid regime. Colonialism and apartheid left indelible scars on the African continent, eroding the cultural, spiritual, and intellectual heritage of its Indigenous peoples. Yet, Dr Gqubule and other leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Robert Sobukwe, and Oliver Tambo found a pathway to resist this humiliation and reclaim their dignity in education. For Gqubule, education was not merely about personal advancement; it was sacred. He believed sincerely in the equal right to quality education for all South Africans, regardless of race. This was evident in his advocacy for a unified education department that served all racial groups equally, something that was anathema to the apartheid government's segregationist policies. Dr Gqubules commitment to education was not only theoretical but deeply practical. Even in his retirement, he mobilised volunteer tutors to teach disadvantaged youth, helping many achieve outstanding academic results, especially in critical subjects such as mathematics and science. His efforts led to schools for the poorest children achieving 100% pass rates. This remarkable feat reflected his unwavering belief in the potential of young people, even in the face of systemic deprivation. Dr Gqubules leadership extended far beyond education. He was a formidable theologian and an advocate for Black Theology. This movement sought to present the Christian gospel that resonated with Black South Africans' experiences, particularly within the context of their liberation struggle. His teachings emphasised the need for theology to engage with the lived realities of oppression and struggle, pushing for a theology that would serve as a tool for liberation rather than a justification for apartheid's racial hierarchy. In his leadership roles, including his presidency at the Federal Theological Seminary (FedSem) and his involvement with the South African Council of Churches (SACC), Dr Gqubule remained steadfast in his commitment to non-racialism, social justice, and community development. His time at FedSem, particularly, was marked by tumultuous challenges, with the apartheid regime relentlessly persecuting the institution due to its radical theological teachings and its production of politically engaged ministers. Despite these challenges, Dr Gqubule exhibited resilience, moving the seminary multiple times to ensure its survival. Under his leadership, FedSem became a symbol of inter-denominational collaboration and a breeding ground for progressive theological thought and activism. For Dr Gqubule, leadership was deeply rooted in Ubuntu's values, an African philosophy emphasising communalism, interdependence, and the inherent dignity of all people. His leadership was marked by ethical integrity, courage, and a deep sense of responsibility to his community. Whether in the church, academic circles, or broader political activism, Dr Gqubules life was a servant leadership model, where his success was always linked to the upliftment of others. In recognition of his immense contributions to leadership and education, Rhodes University has honoured Dr Gqubule by establishing the Rev. Dr Simon Gqubule Memorial Lecture and the Student Leadership Award. The award honours outstanding student leaders committed to social justice, engaged citizenship, and ethical leadership. The launch ceremony included a candle-lighting event led by the Gqubule family, symbolising a commitment to ethical leadership, followed by the presentation of the leadership awards by Dr. Pakiso Tondi, Director of Student Services and Development, who had this to say: These initiatives aim to preserve his legacy by inspiring future generations of leaders to embody the values he stood forethical leadership, social justice, and a commitment to community service. The Student Leadership Award seeks to recognise student leaders who exemplify collaborative, values-based leadership, champion social justice, and engage meaningfully with the community, especially the Makana area surrounding Rhodes University. According to Dr Tondi, the Student Leadership Award aims to instil in these young leaders a sense of responsibility for the greater good, mirroring Dr Gqubules selflessness and his dedication to the upliftment of others. The award also emphasises the importance of mentorship, allowing recipients to be paired with experienced leaders who can guide them in their personal and professional development. Also linked to the award is the Young Leader's Bootcamp that was recently launched, which offers a focused, interactive environment where young leaders from schools around Makhanda can hone their skills, learn from one another, and benefit from the rich legacy of figures like Dr Gqubule. Through this initiative, the university hopes to build a generation of leaders who, like Dr Gqubule, can break new ground, navigate challenges with resilience, and lead with integrity and purpose. The legacy of Rev. Dr Simon Gqubule is also an urgent reminder of the unfinished work in South Africa. While the country has made strides since the end of apartheid, many socio-economic inequalities that Dr Gqubule and his contemporaries fought against persist. Racism, poverty, and systemic inequities continue to plague the nation, and the values of Ubuntu, which Dr Gqubule so passionately advocated for, are more needed than ever. In many ways, the generation of young leaders being groomed through the Memorial Lecture and Student Leadership Award will need to take up the mantle Dr Gqubule carried throughout his lifefighting for a society where the dignity of all people is recognised and respected. Rev. Dr Simon Gqubules life and work offer invaluable lessons for todays leaders. His belief in the power of education, his commitment to social justice, and his unwavering adherence to ethical leadership serve as a blueprint for those who seek to lead with purpose and integrity. His legacy inspires, challenging us to reach our full potential and contribute to creating a more just and equitable society. Racism, oppression, and hatred are three of the most valuable weapons of the weak; as leaders, we must teach our people to always embrace love over racism, forgiveness when oppressed and hope in the face of difficulties. Rev Dr Simon Gqubule With the updated Punch, Tata Motors has made it vastly more appealing than it already was, which could yield them a major sales boost Tata Motors heralds in the festive season with multiple offers and discounts. Their best-seller, Punch, just got a minor update which could prove a major boost in sales. Tata Punch is positioned above the Tiago and below Nexon. The Punch SUV is among the best-selling cars in India across all genres. With the new update, Tata has added a few necessary features. Making Punch a lot more complete than it ever was. Prices for updated Tata Punch start from Rs 6.12 lakh (Ex-sh) and the overall trim hierarchy and variants along with mechanical aspects have been carried over. Updated Tata Punch Launched Up until now, Tata Punch got enough features and creature comforts to position it below the Nexon. This way, Tata created a clear distinction between Punch and Nexon. However, with the updated model, Tata Punch is now much closer to a Nexon, than it ever was, packing in more features and creature comforts. For starters, Tata Punch continues to be sold in Pure, Pure (O), Adventure, Adventure Rhythm, Adventure S, Adventure+ S, Accomplished+, Accomplished+ S, Creative+, and Creative+ S trim levels. Or Personas, as Tata Motors calls them. The new features are also likely to make it to Punch facelift which has been spied testing. Punch used to get features such as a single-pane sunroof, reverse parking sensors with camera, cruise control, start/stop button, a 7 inch Harman infotainment system supporting wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 6 speaker sound system, dual front airbags, ABS and ISOFIX child seat mounts. Punch is renowned for being the most affordable 5 Star crash-rated vehicle on sale in India. With the recent update, Tata has given Punch a few niceties like a front centre armrest and rear AC vents to enhance comfort for front and rear occupants. Catering the tech-savvy audience, Tata is offering the larger 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There is a wireless charging pad now for front occupants and Tata is even bundling faster Type-C USB charging port. There are new variants in Creative and Adventure trim levels and Tata is also offering more affordable sunroof variants with Punch as well. Engine Specs Engine specs also remain unchanged and updated Tata Punch continues to be powered by a 1.2L Revotron petrol engine offering 84 bhp of peak power at 6,000 rpm and 113 Nm torque at 3,300 rpm mated to a 5 speed manual and AMT gearbox options. As seen with the leaked brochures, Punch CNG has received similar feature upgrades as well. Interestingly, there was no price hike announced by Tata Motors as of yet. Lithuania is planning to introduce fines for possession of Nazi and Soviet symbols with the intent to distribute them, although the amount of fines is not yet known. In Ukraine, fines and criminal liability with up to five years in prison are provided for the production and propaganda of totalitarian symbols. ADVERTISIMENT In April 2024, the chairman of the Seimas Committee on Culture, Vytautas Juozapaitis, and Defense Minister Laurinas Kasciunas registered a bill proposing to expand the ban on the use of symbols of the Nazi and Soviet regimes. The draft law proposes to ban not only the distribution and display of these symbols in Lithuania but also their importation and transit through the country. The Ministry of Culture supported these changes but added one more important detail: the introduction of liability for the storage of such symbols for the purpose of distribution. The Ministry of Culture proposes to give Lithuanian customs officers the authority to initiate cases of administrative offenses related to the transportation of prohibited symbols. Currently, this is done by the police and the State Border Guard Service, but given the new rules, customs officers will also be able to draw up protocols and conduct investigations in such cases. This will significantly improve control over border crossings and identify violators faster. ADVERTISIMENT Lithuania already has a ban on the public display and distribution of Nazi and Soviet symbols and images of the leaders of these regimes. Violation of this law is punishable by serious fines. For individuals, the fine ranges from 300 to 700 euros, and for heads of legal entities, from 600 to 1,200 euros. The draft law is currently under consideration by the Lithuanian government, and once adopted, it will be submitted to the parliament for further approval. If the document is approved, Lithuania will become one of the countries with the most stringent restrictions on the storage and use of symbols of totalitarian regimes, which will help to further strengthen its memory policy. In September of this year, Lithuanian customs officials have already fined two companies for violating sanctions against Russia, which demonstrates the country's readiness to actively monitor compliance with the law. Each of the companies was fined EUR 10 thousand for providing services for the storage and processing of customs documents for sanctioned goods. ADVERTISIMENT Fines and penalties for the use of prohibited symbols in Ukraine Ukraine also has strict legislation on the use of symbols of totalitarian regimes. According to Article 173-3 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses, the production and propaganda of the St. George's ribbon is punishable by a fine of 50 to 150 tax-free minimum incomes (850 to 2550 UAH) with confiscation of the ribbon or items containing its image. More serious is the punishment for the production, distribution of communist and Nazi symbols, as well as propaganda of communist and national socialist (Nazi) totalitarian regimes. This is a criminal offense under Article 436-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which provides for imprisonment for up to five years. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! ADVERTISIMENT The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Canada is over, but the scandal over the screening of the propaganda film Russians at War by Russian-Canadian director Anastasia Trofimova is still ongoing. Although the organization refused to broadcast the film during the festival, it found a loophole and will show it on another day. ADVERTISIMENT This scandal has reached the international level and, in addition to the protests of people in Toronto, the Ukrainian government has joined in. The Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications has listed the director as a person who poses a threat to Ukraine's national security, the ministry's website says. "The former employee of the propaganda channel Russia Today was included in this list, in particular, for the documentary film Russians at War, which she directed. Although the film was screened at the Venice Film Festival, it was banned at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). After the first screening, the film was withdrawn from the program due to security measures caused by the outrage of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Ukrainian and foreign government officials," MCIP reported. ADVERTISIMENT The film Russians at War clearly has a propagandistic vibe, especially since, as we know, the director worked for Russia Today TV channel in Russia, so she knows how to manipulate information well. With her movie, she wanted to show that Russians are not as cruel as Ukrainians and foreign influencers say they are. However, she does not dare to depict the numerous rapes, abuses, and murders committed by the occupiers. "The film also promotes the idea that this war is a 'conflict between two fraternal peoples' and that Russians are allegedly just as much its victims as Ukrainians, which is unacceptable in the context of the real events taking place in Ukraine. Every such product that distorts reality or absolves the aggressor of responsibility is a threat to all those who are fighting for their freedom and dignity," the ministry explains. ADVERTISIMENT Despite all the warnings, the Canadian government has previously allocated 340 Canadian dollars for the filming of Russians at War, so the organizers are trying to win the right to show the project to the world. The scandal over the film did not subside throughout the festival, so the film was canceled until it was "safe to screen." It was supposed to be shown three times from September 13 to 15, but was still canceled. As we can see, it became "safe" too soon, and the organizers decided to show the project on September 17. On the TIFF website, you can buy a ticket for the movie for two different times. As reported, the film Russians at War was screened at the Venice Film Festival in Italy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine condemned the premiere of the pro-Russian film and noted that its screening was offensive to the victims of the war unleashed by Russia on Ukrainian soil. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, the distribution of the film, which was intended to "whitewash" the reputation of the occupiers and destroy "stereotypical impressions" of them, also caused outrage among representatives of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. In particular, the director Anastasia Trofimova most likely did not have permission to visit the territories of Ukraine that are currently under occupation by the enemy army. After massive protests, the planned screening was indeed canceled, but it concerned only television, not the film festival. Then TIFF canceled the premiere of Russians at War at the festival, but not because of Ukrainians' outrage. The reason for this was the fear of a security threat at the event. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Indian filmmaker Soham Shah has filed a lawsuit against Netflix for copying his movie Luck to create the popular series Squid Game. The creators of the Internet hit called the accusations groundless. ADVERTISIMENT Shah's movie was released in Hindi in 2009, while Squid Game was released in 2021, the Independent writes. The work of director Hwang Dong-hyuk is a South Korean dystopian series that tells the story of a group of participants who have no money. They fight to the death for a fateful sum. The show quickly became the most popular on Netflix of all time, with more than 142 million accounts joining the viewing in the first four weeks after its release, outpacing the romantic series Bridgerton. ADVERTISIMENT Shah's film tells the story of a group of people recruited by an "underworld kingpin" to participate in a "series of challenges designed to test their 'luck' factor as gamblers around the world place bets on them," according to the official synopsis on IMDB. "The main plot, characters, themes, mood, setting and sequence of events of Squid Game are strikingly similar to that of Luck, defying any likelihood that such similarities could be coincidence," the Indian director's lawsuit says, according to Bloomberg. ADVERTISIMENT According to the document, Shah wrote his screenplay "around 2006," while Hwang wrote his in 2009, the same year that Luck was released, TMZ reports. The report also says that Netflix had access to the movie Luck because it was released in theaters in India, the UK, the US and the UAE in July 2009, and because of "significant advertising and marketing." ADVERTISIMENT Soham's lawsuit also alleges that Netflix continues to infringe his copyrights by creating further content based on Squid Game, such as a reality show set to release in 2023 and an immersive theater scheduled to launch in New York City in October. He believes the show has increased Netflix's market value by more than $900 million. Shah is seeking reimbursement of unspecified damages, as well as an injunction against Netflix from infringing his copyright by marketing and broadcasting Squid Game, profiting from the sale of merchandise, and developing other shows and works that may infringe in the future. Netflix responded to this in a statement, "This claim has no merit. Squid Game was created by and written by Hwang Dong-hyuk and we intend to defend this matter vigorously." ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! NASA's Curiosity rover, which celebrated the 12th anniversary of its landing on the Red Planet this month, has sent back a rare photo. During its recent observation, the robotic explorer was able to capture our Earth and one of Mars' moons, Phobos, in one shot. ADVERTISIMENT This is the first time the rover has taken such a picture. Interestingly, in the photo, Phobos seems larger due to its proximity to Mars, and the Earth is just a blurry blue speck in the darkness of space, Mashable writes. "You're on Mars, looking up at the night sky and you notice... That's Phobos, one of Mars' two moons, and the tiny evening 'star' to its right is Earth! This is the first time we've ever captured them together in a photo," reads the caption to Curiosity's post on the X network. ADVERTISIMENT Scientists emphasize that Mars has two satellites, Phobos and Deimos, which are only 12 and 22 kilometers in diameter. And Phobos in this picture is more than 100 times smaller than the Earth's Moon, which is 3474 kilometers wide. However, from the surface of Mars, its satellite seems quite large. The Curiosity rover has been roaming the surface of the Red Planet for 12 years in search of signs of ancient microbial life. It also collects rock samples. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Almost one in five Ukrainians is ready to move to the United States or the European Union if they become citizens. The number is significantly lower than in 2020, but much higher than in 2022. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, almost 80% of Ukrainians say they would stay in Ukraine. This is evidenced by the results of a survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology in the first week of September this year. Sociologists asked respondents whether they would move to the United States or the European Union for permanent residence if they were granted citizenship without conditions. The affirmative answer to this question was given by 19% of respondents. Sociologists asked Ukrainian citizens the same question in October 2020 and September 2022. Before the full-scale invasion, 28% of Ukrainians were ready to move abroad. But in the first year of the great war, the number of those who were ready for such a step dropped to 7%. Sociologists attributed this to both the fact that some of the citizens who wanted to emigrate went abroad because of Russian aggression and to the growth of patriotism and optimism about Ukraine's future. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, as of September 2024, the vast majority of Ukrainians 79% claim that they would not agree to move even if they were granted US or EU citizenship. Compared to 2022, the number of people willing to emigrate abroad has increased in all regions. However, in almost all regions, except for eastern Ukraine, there are fewer such people than in 2020. In the eastern regions, this figure is the same as four years ago. And in all regions of our country, the absolute majority from 75 to 81% want to stay in Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT Compared to 2022, the number of people willing to leave has increased among all age groups, but 74 to 86% of Ukrainians of all ages choose Ukraine. Sociologists also paid attention to the moods of young people citizens of our country aged 18 to 29. In 2020, almost half of the representatives of this age group (46%) wanted to emigrate. In September 2022, only 13% of Ukrainian youth were ready to move, and in 2024, 26% of respondents under the age of 30 expressed this desire. However, 74% of this age group want to stay in their homeland. The situation is similar among 30-44-year-old Ukrainians, 75% of whom are not ready to move abroad. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, the survey showed that among men of military age (25-55 years old), more people are willing to go abroad permanently than among women. 27% of men and 18% of women are ready to emigrate. 70% of men and 80% of women would refuse to move to European countries or the United States. However, this trend is not only due to general mobilization. In 2020, significantly more men wanted to emigrate. Commenting on the results of the survey, KIIS Executive Director Anton Hrushetskyi emphasized that the outflow of population, especially young people, has been a "chronic problem" in Ukraine throughout the years of independence. And the full-scale invasion of Russia has only exacerbated this problem. ADVERTISIMENT Both Russia and some actors inside Ukraine use demographic issues to manipulate the mood of Ukrainians, in particular by spreading narratives that our fellow citizens "want to leave Ukraine and settle in the West" and "Ukraine is a concentration camp that restricts the rights of the population, particularly men" with the obligatory "clarification" that Ukrainians do not want to defend their land and their country. However, sociology shows a completely different picture. "The results of the survey show that in fact, the majority of Ukrainians (in particular, Ukrainian men of mobilization age and younger/middle-aged women) want to stay in Ukraine despite all the difficulties and risks. The image of a young man crossing the Tisza River or a young woman leaving for a better life in Europe, which is common in the media, is not representative of men and women in Ukraine. Of course, there are problems, but Ukrainians keep faith in Ukraine, keep faith in a better future, and demonstrate their willingness to stay and work to achieve their dream future," emphasized Hrushetsky. ADVERTISIMENT The survey was conducted on September 1-6 via telephone interviews based on a random sample of mobile phone numbers in all government-controlled regions of Ukraine. A total of 1022 respondents who remain in Ukraine took part in the survey. The margin of error does not exceed 4.1% for figures close to 50%, 3.5% for figures close to 25%, 2.5% for figures close to 10%, and 1.8% for figures close to 5%. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Estonian President Alar Karis is convinced that there are no other alternatives but for Ukraine to join NATO and the European Union. However, according to him, this should happen after the war is over. Europe does not need a "gray zone" where the enemy can invade again. ADVERTISIMENT The Estonian leader said this in an interview with TSN. He is convinced that there are enough countries in NATO that will firmly stand by the fact that the EU and NATO are the only possible future for Ukraine. "But if you look at the map, there is no alternative Ukraine must become a member of NATO, a member of the European Union. We don't need a "gray zone" that the enemy can invade again sooner or later," Karis said. He did not rule out that the issue of Ukraine's membership in NATO could be raised as a matter of negotiations with Russia, saying that this is nothing new. "Of course, Russia will do everything to prevent this, as they did with us. But now even neutral countries like Sweden and Finland have suddenly joined NATO. And they came very well prepared to be full members of the Alliance," the Estonian leader emphasized. ADVERTISIMENT He is convinced that the same applies to Ukraine. According to Karis, in the military sense, our country will come out of this war much stronger than it was before. As reported by OBOZ.UA: Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna said that Ukraine will be part of NATO as a sovereign and independent country within the 1991 state borders. Other options were not discussed. Former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Ukraine deserves an invitation to join NATO, even before the next NATO summit in The Hague (Netherlands) on June 26-27, 2025. And "when there is a will, there is a way," he said. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Teresa Ruiz, 35, says that from the moment she stepped on stage, she knew she was going to be an actress until she was an old lady. Thanks to her talent, she has been able to carve a place for herself on the national and international scene, starring in film and TV productions in both Mexico and the United States. Her role in the TV series Narcos opened the door to stardom, but the actress already had a decades worth of work to her name at that point. As a young Mexican woman raised in California, she was able to work on both sides of the border. This experience also gave her a different perspective, one that was not always comfortable. Ruiz says she felt like she was from everywhere but didnt fit in anywhere completely. It took me a long time to stop going around with my fists up, she tells EL PAIS. Her recent performances in Manolo Caros movie Down the Rabbit Hole and Natalia Beristains Noise have allowed her to showcase her great versatility as an actress. Those who know her say that Ruizs career is only just taking off and that, with her talent, there is no doubt she will go far. This will soon be seen in her upcoming projects, which is not allowed to talk about just yet. Teresa Ruiz in May. Inaki Malvido Question. You have worked on Narcos, Down the Rabbit Hole, Noise, productions that all address violence in Mexico. Do you think that Mexican cinema needs to talk about this violence as a form of catharsis? Answer. Of course, we are living it, and we need to get it out. It is like an exercise in exorcism and in recording [what is happening], as a way to try to get rid of some of the pain. I remember in Noise, Natalia told me that that film was a kind of spell, an amulet so that nothing would ever happen to her daughter and so many other women. Cinema has become something that matters to us, that is why we do it and continue to do it. I have helped several filmmakers tell the story of drug trafficking in Mexico, and I think that each one has their own different visions. I think that my face has helped them and my voice has helped them because I come from a town, I know violence and I have also lived on many borders. I have been telling the story of drug trafficking in Mexico in a community and that has been very nice. I have done it with people from the film industry that I grew up with: the directors, the producers, the actors... I think that we are a generation that was touched by this time in Mexico, and that together we are portraying this moment of who we are as a country. Q. Have you experienced this violence in your daily life? A. Yes, all the time. As a Mexican, you experience it all the time. I was born in Oaxaca, but when I was 12, my father was transferred from work, and we went to live in Ciudad Juarez. We lived on the outskirts, in the desert, and my playground was literally a square of pink crosses because of the femicides that occurred in those years. Yes, the place where I played was a cemetery. Q. And how did that affect you as a teenager and as a woman later on? A. The nights were quite terrifying. I remember coming home from school, passing by the narco graves and seeing the bodies of murdered people. So when I turned 13, I was sent to live with my aunt in Los Angeles, California. I come from a family of migrants from Oaxaca who went to the United States because of the insecurity. When I arrived in Los Angeles, my family helped me get into a theater school. When I got on stage, I felt a feeling that never left me. I guess there was something I wanted to express, and I found it there. Its like a connection with myself that I dont feel anywhere else except when Im praying. Q. Are you a religious person? A. Yes, quite a bit. I think that the subject of religion is very confused with Catholic dogmas and with the terrible things that have happened in the churches. For me, religion is a daily choice that leads me to believe that life has meaning, despite the circumstances you are going through. Q. Would you say that everything you experienced in your childhood, in Ciudad Juarez, shaped you as an actress? A. Yes, because the actor brings their point of view to things. I have noticed this more and more as I grow up and have a voice in the films or series I do. Your perspective becomes unique. I think the best way to act is to live. Teresa Ruiz in her apartment. Inaki Malvido Q. What new projects would you like to undertake? A. Now that Im re-exploring the music that I love so much and I like love songs, that caress the other with the lyrics, I think it would also be nice to start making films like that, that caress things, that help you to see the beauty of things. For me, Down the Rabbit Hole is a bit like a caress: delicacy within that hyper-violent environment. Its nice to see that in movies. My friend Lazaro Rodriguez, who is also an actor, says something very true: actors are often the ones who teach people what kissing is, what fucking is, what fighting is. We learned everything in a movie. Q. What are the differences between the film industry in the United States and in Mexico? A. The pressure. In the United States, there is more space, because there is more money. Here [in Mexico] we learn the hard way to do things faster and when you get there, you are a pro. You land every shot because in Mexico you have less time to do things right, and its better not to make mistakes. Sometimes people who get into acting and do well very quickly see it as glamorous, but cinema is not glamorous at all, its a matter of effort. Its a lot of hours. Q. What would you say is missing in the industry? A. I dont want what I said about pressure to sound romantic. Its not right, but thats how we have to work. Im concerned that budgets are increasingly being cut in Mexico and creatives have to do more with less and save the day. Thats not cool either. Q. What was your experience as a migrant woman in the United States? A. On the one hand, I was very privileged because of where I came from. My aunt was one of the first migrants to walk the desert, with the first groups of Mexicans to cross the border. When I arrived, there was already a community that had understood what was needed to migrate, although there is a lot of nostalgia for migrating. Los Angeles, at the end of the day, is a desert, and it is a place where there is a lot of sadness, there is a lot of nostalgia and above all there are a lot of migrants and that is felt, its palpable. Q. What do you mean by sadness? A. There is a lot of deep sadness for having left your land, your family. Migrants do not go to the United States because of the American dream, but because of the Mexican nightmare. I know very few people who want to go of their own free will, they go out of necessity. I did not want to leave either. When I arrived at my school, my accent when speaking English was made fun of a lot, there was a lot of bullying, there was a lot of contempt. From a very young age, I felt contempt that I had never felt in Mexico. I did not understand what was wrong with me. That, at an age when adolescence begins, is very hard. And you start walking around with your fists up, all the time, and it takes a long time for that to go away. Q. And what was it like to return to live in Mexico after so many years? A. It was very strange because I had a little bit of the same experience, and I didnt expect that. I was asked with a lot of disdain why I spoke English if I was so dark. I think it could be a feeling of tradition. I even lost friends all of a sudden. Im not Chicana, but I can identify myself as Chicana. I feel more Mexican than gringo, but at the same time, I have a lot of gringo customs because I grew up there. It has to do with your identity. The people who make fun of you dont know about all the buses you got on, all the times you were scared, all the bullying you endured. Nobody knows that, that in that little bit of mockery there are a lot of things that happened to you. Q. What roles would you like to play, where do you want to focus your career? A. For the past year, the theme Im wondering about and exploring has to do with love. Love, heartbreak... Im interested in it, and Id like to do more stories about love. Our cinema lacks stories like this: tender, beautiful and real ones about love. Q. Why? A. Because we experience a lot of violence and because its nice to be told stories that give us hope, thats what makes you get up every day. If we could tell more of that kind of story, perhaps society could flourish better. At least in my experience, love is my source of greatest creativity. Q. Do you love being an actress, do you love cinema? A. Yes, very much. It is one of my greatest loves. Teresa Ruiz has a leading role in director Manolo Caro's film produced by Netflix, 'Down the Rabbit Hole' (2024). Inaki Malvido Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Cosmetics company Warpaint posted a jump in first-half sales and profit on Tuesday, with a record level of sales delivered at a significantly higher margin. In the six months to the end of June, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose 66% to 12m, while group pre-tax profit came in at 10.9m, up from 6.2m in the same period a year earlier. Revenue grew 25% to 45.8m, with UK revenue up 17% at 15.5m and international sales 30% higher at 30.3m. Sales of the W7 brand rose 25% during the half to 30.2m, with particularly strong growth in the UK and Europe. Meanwhile, the Technic brand saw a 34% rise in sales to 14.5m, also with particularly strong sales in Europe and the UK. Warpaint said gross profit margin increased by a further 334 basis points to 42.5%, mainly due to successful launches of new product lines, sourcing and volume savings, growing e-commerce revenue and increased US profitability. Chief executive Sam Bazini said: "I am delighted with the group's performance in the first half, with continuing strong growth in sales and profits reflecting the ongoing success of the group's strategy of focusing on growing profitable sales of its branded products globally, whilst increasing overall margins. "There continues to be significant growth opportunities for Warpaint, and the group is very well positioned to achieve further growth with additional improvement in margins. As in previous years, the group's sales are expected to be second half weighted, reflecting Christmas seasonal sales and ongoing sales momentum." Shares in Kingfisher surged on Tuesday as the B&Q owner lifted the lower end of full year profit guidance despite consumers avoiding big ticket items and a sharp fall in sales at its French outlets. The company on Tuesday said it now expected adjusted pre-tax profit of 510-550m, up from 490-550m. Reported pre-tax profit for the six months to July 31 rose 2.3% to 324m. Shares in the company were up 6% in London trade. Like-for-like sales fell 2.4%, while total sales were down 1.8% to 6.75bn. Kingfisher also upgraded its free cash flow range to 410-460m from 350-410m and said in the weeks since the end of the reporting period, like for like sales overall were down by 0.3%, as a wet UK summer impacted home DIY projects. "Trading overall in the first half was in line with our expectations. This was underpinned by customers continuing to repair, maintain and renovate their existing homes, driving resilient volume trends in our core product categories, said chief executive Thierry Garnier. As expected, demand for 'big-ticket' categories has remained weak, in line with the broader market, while seasonal category sales trends have improved since early July. Against this backdrop we maintained a strong focus on effectively managing our costs and inventory. The company, which owns Brico Depot and Castorama in France along with Screwfix in the UK, said French sales fell 7.2% year on year, citing a soft consumer backdrop, with sales of big-ticket items down 6.8%. Interactive Investor analyst Richard Hunter said the results "reveal once more that it is fairly clear where the repair work needs to be done". "France accounts for 31% of group sales yet only 16% of profits, following a drop of 34% compared to the previous year...although the pressure on Castorama has been in evidence for some time." "The warm reaction to the numbers represents something of a round of applause and adds to a share price which had already seen an increase of 23% over the last year, as compared to a hike of 7.4% for the wider FTSE100. Even so, the shares remain down by 21% over the last three years which reflects that the company remains a work in progress despite the advances it has made." "In terms of the market consensus, the general view of the shares as a hold could conceivably come under some positive pressure should investors recognise an improving direction of travel. Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com At the National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner on November 20, the National Book Foundation will present its lifetime achievement award to author Barbara Kingsolver and the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community to W. Paul Coates, publisher, community activist, and founder of Black Classic Press and BCP Digital Printing. (Photo: Evan Kafka) Kingsolver will be presented with the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters by Sam Stoloff, president & principal of the Frances Goldin Literary Agency. The Foundation noted that Kingsolver's "extensive oeuvre includes works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, investigative journalism, and science writing. Her most recent novel, Demon Copperhead, won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and was named an Oprah Book Club selection." Her works include eight other novels, The Bean Trees, Animal Dreams, Pigs in Heaven, The Poisonwood Bible, Prodigal Summer, The Lacuna, Flight Behavior, and Unsheltered; the children's book, Coyote's Wild Home, co-authored with Lily Kingsolver; the short-story collection Homeland; the poetry collections Another America (Otra America) and How to Fly (In Ten Thousand Easy Lessons); the essay collections High Tide in Tucson and Small Wonder; and the nonfiction works Last Stand: America's Virgin Lands, with photographer Annie Griffiths Belt, Holding the Line: Women in the Great Arizona Mine Strike, and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life, co-written with Steven L. Hopp, Camille Kingsolver, and Lily Hopp Kingsolver. David Steinberger, chair of the board of directors of the National Book Foundation, said, "Spanning genres, Barbara Kingsolver's exceptional writing and authenticity, on and off of the page, has inspired generations of writers and readers. Kingsolver's books--which have been translated into dozens of languages--have had a vast impact on the national and global literary landscape." Ruth Dickey, executive director of the National Book Foundation, added, "Barbara Kingsolver's writing embraces the personal and the political, examining complex issues of social justice, exalting the natural world, and exploring progressive social change with care and specificity. For Kingsolver, writing is a tool for community activism--a way of shining a light on some of the most intricate environmental and social injustices of our time, and an art form through which she can share stories of her beloved Appalachia with the world. We have all benefited from her brilliance." (Photo: Rosalyn Coates) The winner of the Literarian Award, W. Paul Coates, was cited in particular for Black Classic Press, which since 1978 "has published remarkable, and often out of print, works by and about people of the Black diaspora.... [He is] a lifelong advocate for celebrating the life of Black writers and bolstering their literary legacies." The Award will be presented by his son Ta-Nehisi Coates, author of The Beautiful Struggle, We Were Eight Years in Power, The Water Dancer, and Between the World and Me, which won the National Book Award in 2015. David Steinberger said, "Over the course of his career, W. Paul Coates has recovered and discovered countless essential works of Black literature, and readers everywhere have reaped the benefits of his passion and care for the written word. Since the 1970s, Coates has modeled what it means to be a community-focused independent publisher and tireless advocate for Black diasporic writers and books. The Foundation is proud to count him among the former members of our Board of Directors." Ruth Dickey added, "As a librarian, publisher, and community activist, W. Paul Coates has been instrumental in preserving the legacy of remarkable writers and elevating works that have shaped our personal and collective understanding of the Black experience within the borders of the United States and around the globe. Coates has demonstrated for more than 40 years the importance of reading the past and nourishing the creative imagination of present and future writers of the Black diaspora." After leading the local chapter of the Black Panther Party for several years in Baltimore, Md., Coates established the George Jackson Prison Movement--a prison literacy program to provide incarcerated readers access to progressive Afrocentric literature. The movement led to the opening of the Black Book bookstore in Coates' basement, which evolved into the Black Classic Press and later inspired the development of BCP Digital Printing. As founder and publisher of Black Classic Press, Coates has published original works by Yosef Ben-Jochannan, John Henrik Clarke, John G. Jackson, Walter Mosley, and many others, in addition to reissuing titles by Amiri Baraka, Edward Blyden, Amy Jacques Garvey, Larry Neal, J.A. Rogers, Bobby Seale, Carter Woodson, and W.E.B. Du Bois, among many others. The 51st annual fall conference of the New England Independent Booksellers Association, held in Newton, Mass., concluded last Friday with the third of three busy, lively days of panels, keynotes, trade show, author appearances, rep picks, parties, the association annual meeting, and a banquet dinner celebrating the winners of the New England Book Awards. Altogether some 325 booksellers and 63 exhibitors (including 200 staffers) attended. In addition, 91 authors were on hand, making total attendance more than 600, up from last year's 507. The conference moved from its longtime location in Providence, R.I., after losing its dates at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Many compared the new setting, the Boston Marriott Newton, with an M.C. Escher print because of its unusual labyrinthine structure (the main floor was the fourth floor, for example), but once attendees figured it out, most were happy with it, particularly the lakeside setting and huge outdoor tent where some events were held. For the NEIBA staff, having the fall conference in a new location was a greater challenge than going to the same spot again, but the show ran smoothly and successfully. At the NEIBA annual meeting, Emily Russo, co-owner of Print: A Bookstore, Portland, Maine, whose term as NEIBA president ended after the annual meeting, acknowledged that "the 2020s continue to challenge us and don't show many signs of letting up." The challenges include ongoing book bannings; the election year; rising rents, book costs, and credit card fees; wars; climate change; increasing authoritarianism worldwide; disease; and more. "It is not easy," she said. But Russo had good news about the association: it added 23 new member stores in the past year on top of the 18 in the past fiscal year. Since the last fall conference, NEIBA has facilitated programs and events that have included virtual and in-person meetings, education, forums, and office hours, and issued holiday catalog and summer reading campaigns. The Spring Forum, she said, "has become a highlight of our year." In her report, NEIBA executive director Beth Ineson noted that the association has had several "spendy years," in part because of its wonderful 50th anniversary celebration last year, higher conference costs, a full summer reading catalog, retreats, increased programming, and more. She emphasized that "we're spending money that we have" and the association's balance sheet is in "excellent shape." Still, there are ongoing budget pressures from lower holiday catalog income and the costs of conferences (nearly double pre-pandemic costs for space and food). Going over budget, however intentionally, Ineson continued, is "not sustainable, so we're going to need to figure out a way to move forward" and keep the association's high level of service to members while staying within budget. Among "irons in the fire" for this fiscal year, Ineson said, NEIBA plans to create a bookstore roadmap for New England like the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association's bookstore map, which it hopes will be done in time for next year's Independent Bookstore Day. In addition, the board has approved an investment in HR education for members ("HR feels like it's a pain point for everyone") that will include ongoing training resources. Among changes on the board and staff, Evelyn Maguire joined NEIBA as marketing coordinator; Ineson called her "a joy to work with" and praised her for her work helping put the show together. On the NEIBA board, Kelsy April, formerly of Bank Square Books, Mystic, Conn., became a Norton rep earlier this year and left the board. She was replaced by Ryan Clark from Gibson's Bookstore, Concord, N.H., who was elected to a full term on her own. In addition, Hannah Harlow, co-owner of the Bookshop of Beverly Farms, Beverly, Mass., and Steve Iwanski, owner of Charter Books, Newport, R.I., were elected to the board. Besides Emily Russo, Meghan Hayden, owner of River Bend Bookshop, Glastonbury and West Hartford, Conn., and NEIBA treasurer and clerk, is leaving the board. With those changes, Liz Whitelam, owner of Whitelam Books, Reading, Mass., has become president. Sam Kaas, co-owner of the Norwich Bookstore, Norwich, Vt., becomes secretary and treasurer. David Sandberg, co-owner of Porter Square Books, Cambridge and Boston, Mass., continues as vice-president. Next year's NEIBA fall conference will be held September 9-11 in Manchester, N.H., where this year's first-class Spring Forum took place. --John Mutter A patient's wife gives her husband an intravenous antibiotic in San Antonio, in May. Brenda Bazan Infections, surgeries and ordinary medical practices have become life-or-death situations for many people, just as they were before 1928, when penicillin was discovered and antibiotics were born. Antibiotics have saved the lives of millions of people, who if not for treatment would have died from simple bacterial pneumonia (in the 1930s it killed almost 40% of patients) or from the after-effects of a common infection. But over the years, bacteria have learned to resist the effects of antibiotics. So much so that antibiotic resistance is one of the top 10 threats to humanity, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). A projection published by The Lancet on Tuesday estimates that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could directly kill more than 39 million people and indirectly kill 169 million (due to problems associated with other pathologies) in 25 years a total of 208 million people. According to the study which analyzed 520 million individual records from 1990 to 2021 AMR will hit the over-70 demographic particularly hard, with deaths rising by 72% in high-income countries and 234% in North Africa and the Middle East. We are reaching the post-antibiotic era, when we will no longer have resources that work, says Luis Ostrosky, head of infectious diseases and epidemiology at UTHealth Houston, who was not involved in the study. Medicine depends on the use of antibiotics for things as routine as surgeries, therapies or transplants, and we are in a very dangerous time in history because antimicrobial resistance is increasing. In daily medical practice, we are finding infections that are not treatable with the antibiotics that exist now, and that is very serious. The deadly effects of the post-antibiotic era began to be recorded 30 years ago. Between then and 2020, more than one million people (between 1.06 and 1.14 million) have died annually due to antimicrobial resistance, with adults 70 years and older experiencing a more than 80% increase in AMR mortality, according to the new study by the Global Research Project on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM). If this trend continues, the study projects that the annual number of AMR deaths will rise to 1.91 million by 2050 nearly double the current figure. If AMR-associated deaths are also included, the number of fatalities is projected to rise to between 4.71 million and 8.22 million per year an increase of almost 75%. On the rise These findings highlight that AMR has been a significant global health threat for decades and that this threat is growing, said study author, Dr Mohsen Naghavi, from the Institute for Health Metrics (IHME) at the University of Washington. Understanding how trends in AMR deaths have changed over time, and how they are likely to shift in the future, is vital to make informed decisions to help save lives. The study reflects a mixed trend: while it warns that the over-70 population is projected to see a rise in AMR deaths, children under five are expected to see a fall. According to the research, AMR deaths will drop from 488,000 to 193,000, while AMR-associated deaths will fall from 2.29 million to 840,000. This positive trend is due to improvements in infection prevention and control measures. The decline in deaths from sepsis [an extreme immune system response to an infection that damages tissues and organs] and AMR among young children over the past three decades is an incredible achievement, said Kevin Ikuta, Ph.D., from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and co-author of the study. However, these findings show that while infections have become less common in young children, they have become harder to treat when they occur. Further, the threat to older people from AMR will only increase as populations age. Now is the time to act to protect people around the world from the threat posed by AMR. To prevent this from becoming a deadly reality, we urgently need new strategies to decrease the risk of severe infections through vaccines, new drugs, improved healthcare, better access to existing antibiotics, and guidance on how to use them most effectively, added study author Dr Stein Emil Vollset of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and affiliate professor at IHME. According to the research, improving infection care and access to antibiotics could prevent 92 million deaths. The importance of preventive measures is supported by the fact that the sustained upward trend in AMR temporarily decreased in 2021 due to social distancing and other disease control measures implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic. But the biggest game changer would be the discovery of new antibiotics as, antimicrobial medicines are one of the cornerstones of modern healthcare, and increasing resistance to them is a major cause for concern, said Naghavi. New antibiotics For years, Cesar de la Fuente, from the University of Pennsylvania, has been fighting to find new molecules with antibiotic capacity. He has found thousands of compounds in ancestors such as the Neanderthals, extinct animal species such as the mammoth, and even in our own digestive system. De la Fuente agrees with the WHO warnings about AMR. Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest existential threats to humanity, he told EL PAIS. According to this study [in The Lancet], this crisis is already associated with millions of deaths each year, and it is estimated that antibiotic-resistant infections could be associated with 8.22 million deaths annually by 2050, if urgent action is not taken. This alarming forecast underscores the immediate need to discover and develop new antibiotics, as bacteria are acquiring resistance to current treatments, putting global health at risk and exacerbating the health crisis. In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence has made it possible to significantly speed up the process of discovering new antibiotics, reducing the time from years to just hours. I am convinced that AI can play a key role in solving this global health problem, he added. The researchers of the newly published forecast acknowledge the limitations of the study, such as the lack of data for some low- and middle-income countries, the limited information prior to 2000, and the fact that some of the records used to produce the estimates may contain errors or biases. For Samuel Kariuki, from the Kenya Medical Research Institute, who was not involved in the study, it is now necessary to understand how the burden of AMR is developing, and to provide evidence for action by all stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding interventions. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Delhis Aam Admi Party Minister Atishi is set to become the Chief Minister following Arvind Kejriwal's resignation after his meeting with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena this afternoon. The decision was made during an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators' meeting held today. At the meeting, party leader Dilip Pandey suggested that Mr. Kejriwal choose the new Chief Minister. When Mr. Kejriwal proposed Atishi's name, all AAP MLAs supported it, and Atishi was elected as the leader of the legislature party. Having earned a degree from Oxford University and being awarded the Rhodes scholarship, Ms Atishi now holds significant positions in the Delhi government including Education and Public Works Department. She has played an extensive role within AAP's leading initiative to reform education among schools in Delhi. After Mr. Sisodia was arrested in connection with Delhi's abolished liquor policy, the 43-year-old MLA from Kalkaji became a minister. When both Mr. Kejriwal and Mr. Sisodia were imprisoned due to corruption charges, Atishi represented the party at media exchanges and events while articulating its stance accordingly. Ms Atishi was chosen by Mr Kejriwal on August 15 to hoist the tricolour at Delhi government's Independence Day event. Despite being thwarted by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, it was evident that Ms Atishi had garnered significant trust from the AAP leadership. Followed by the resignation of former CM of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal and supreme courts decision of granting bail to Kejriwal in a corruption case linked to Delhi's now-scrapped liquor policy. It helped him to get release. The national capital's Assembly elections are planned for February. However, Mr. Kejriwal has requested that they coincide with the Maharashtra election in November. The leader of AAP and his former Deputy Manish Sisodia have declared their intention to seek public approval instead of returning to their positions without a clear endorsement from voters. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- If youre craving take-out but dont want to pay the exorbitant prices, you might want to check out Too Good to Go a marketplace app that allows users to pick up a surprise bag of surplus food from local restaurants at a hefty discount. The one catch? You never know what youre gonna get. Too Good To Go connects consumers to extra food from local restaurants, cafes, bakeries and grocery stores, such as pastries, fresh produce, sushi and more, the company noted on its website, detailing a concept that allows users to purchase a couple of slices of pizza, a dozen bagels or a random box of doughnuts, usually for $5 or less. Too Good To Go provides a simple way for food businesses to redirect their surplus, and consumers to help fight climate change in a fun, delicious way. Syracuse, N.Y. A Syracuse man pleaded guilty Tuesday to aiding in a scheme to traffic guns from Georgia to Central New York. Julius Anderson, 34, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree conspiracy, first-degree criminal sale of a firearm and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, prosecutor Cindi Newtown said. Anderson admitted to repeatedly traveling to Macon, Georgia, to provide money for illegal gun purchases and then transporting the weapons back to Syracuse, according to the indictment. Anderson also admitted to possessing and illegally selling guns from Georgia in the Syracuse area. Anderson was promised a sentencing range of no better than 11 years in prison and no worse than 16 years, Newtown said. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 16. Anderson was one of three people charged in the trafficking scheme. Veronica Williams, 37, and Raeneisha Evans, 31, are charged as codefendants. Evans is accused of illegally purchasing 52 guns in Georgia and giving them to Williams and Anderson to transport back to Syracuse. Evans had reported the guns were stolen from her home in Georgia, Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile has said. Four of the guns were confirmed to have been used during crimes, Cecile said. One gun was used in a murder-suicide, Cecile said. Some of the guns were used by gang members, and three guns were used in more than one crime, he said. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, in Georgia notified agents in Syracuse that someone with ties to the area had purchased many handguns. The ATF branch in Georgia flagged the buyer for buying so many weapons. Police determined the guns were being trafficked to Syracuse between May 25 and Sept. 2, 2021. The cases against Williams and Evans are still pending. Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The NYPD is asking for the publics help to locate a 17-year-old boy sought for questioning in connection with an incident where shots allegedly were fired in New Brighton. It was reported to police that an individual discharged a firearm multiple times on Aug. 21 just after 5 p.m. in the vicinity of Jersey Street and Winter Avenue, according to a written statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. The individual then fled on foot toward Benziger Avenue, according to the police statement. No injuries were reported as a result of this incident. The NYPD statement identified the person sought for questioning as Nelson Vanleuvan and supplied a photo of the 17-year-old boy to the media. Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on X @NYPDTips. All calls are strictly confidential. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A man who was imprisoned by federal authorities for drug trafficking on Staten Island was caught last month with fentanyl and other drugs in his home community of Dongan Hills, authorities allege. Michael Calabria, 56, who was convicted in 2019 for his role in a major opioid-distribution ring on Staten Island, was seated in a gray, 2010 Ford Edge when NYPD officers approached him on Aug. 19 at about 10 a.m. at North Railroad and Delaware avenues, according to the criminal complaint. Officers confiscated two bottles of red-colored liquid methadone stored in a plastic zipper bag that was laid on a passenger seat and a total of $919 in cash and three cell phones were found on the defendants person, police allege. Officers obtained a search warrant and swarmed Calabrias apartment on Evergreen Avenue later that morning. The complaint alleges that officers confiscated opioids, including a vial holding fentanyl powder and a prescription bottle with someone elses name on it that was tainted with residue of oxycodone. A blue bottle containing methadone was also recovered, police say. Calabria has been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and criminal possession of a controlled substance. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been released on his own recognizance and is due back in Criminal court on Oct. 1, according to public records. Attorney Mark Geisser, who is representing the defendant, declined to comment at this time. Multiple raids at Calabrias homes Police raided Calabrias home on Evergreen Avenue and searched his person on Sept. 14, 2023. Officers allege they confiscated seven glassine envelopes of heroin, three plastic-zipper bags containing crack cocaine, a glass pipe tainted with cocaine residue, $206 in cash and five cell phones, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation. Calabria was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and criminal possession of a controlled substance. For last years arrest, Calabria completed a treatment program and then pleaded guilty to a violation and conditional discharge. The defendant was arrested twice in 2022 on Staten Island on drug-related charges following his release from prison in February of that year, according to public records and a law-enforcement source. Calabria allegedly handed bags of heroin and cocaine to another man in exchange for cash on the morning of Dec. 1, 2022, near the intersection of Seguine Avenue and Wilbur Street in Princes Bay. Police alleged they recovered the drugs from the buyer. On the evening of July 18, 2022, police allege they caught Calabria with heroin on his person on Hylan Boulevard near Ebbitts Street in New Dorp. In plain view inside a car, police found a scale with cocaine residue, the complaint alleges. In connection with the December 2022 arrest, the defendant pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and after successfully completing 10 days of community service, was sentenced to a violation and a conditional discharge. As for the July 2022 arrest, Calabria pleaded guilty to a violation and received a conditional discharge after the defendant participated in drug counseling sessions with Bridge Back to Life. Federal conviction detailed Calabria was sentenced in December 2020 to 70 months of incarceration and three years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin. Calabria and his brother, Joseph Calabria, also of Staten Island, were among several defendants accused by Brooklyn federal prosecutors of trafficking in drugs that included oxycodone and heroin from September 2016 through February 2017. Joseph Calabria, 58, was sentenced in October 2021 to two concurrent sentences for a total of 150 months incarceration and three years of post-release supervision after pleading guilty to oxycodone-distribution conspiracy and felon in possession of a firearm. The Calabria brothers were arrested in 2017 following an investigation where law-enforcement agents intercepted narcotics-related telephone communications between the defendants and others, prosecutors said. Using their Staten Island homes as opioid supermarkets, the defendants distributed highly addictive and potentially lethal drugs on a daily basis, said then-United States Attorney Richard P. Donoghue when the Calabria brothers pleaded guilty in 2019. The Eastern District and our law enforcement partners will continue working tirelessly to hold drug dealers accountable for contributing to the opioid epidemic, which has caused profound human suffering on Staten Island and elsewhere. The Staten Island defendants accused of drug trafficking were busted in a series of wiretap conversations arguing over money and setting prices for heroin and pills, authorities said. A 27-year-old New Jersey man is facing a slew of charges accusing him of selling a synthetic drug called pink cocaine and eight guns to undercover officers in several parts of Manhattan, authorities said. Rodrigo Zapata, of Union City, arranged the deals on WhatsApp between April and Sept. 11, the Drug Enforcement Administration said in a statement. He sold drugs on nine occasions in Harlem, Hells Kitchen, Manhattanville, near Central Park and in Greenwich Village, officials said. Pink cocaine generally doesnt contain cocaine it is a synthetic drug containing a mix of ketamine and MDMA and dyed with pink food coloring, authorities said. It has effects similar to LSD or ecstasy. Two of the sales took place near the Christopher Street PATH station in Lower Manhattan on July 18 and Aug. 14, according to investigators. On the July date, Zapata sold a Glock 9mm pistol and a Springfield Armory 9mm pistol as well as ammunition, 100 grams of cocaine and 50 grams of pink cocaine for $7,500 cash. Weeks later he received $5,300 cash for a SIG Sauer 9mm handgun, a Taurus 9mm handgun, and a BUL Transmark 9mm handgun as well as ammunition. The first sale took place on April 19 on 10th Avenue near 50th Street when Zapata sold nine grams of pink cocaine for $625, authorities allege. He is charged with several counts of selling and possessing drugs as well as weapons offense. A New York City judge set bail at $250,000 cash o a $750,000 bond. The NYPD and the DEA partnered on the investigation. Attorney information for Zapata wasnt immediately available. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Seven new members will join Project Hospitalitys board of directors this month. Giovanna Aquilano, Anne Boyle, Heather M. Butts, Rabbi Michael Howald, former North Shore Councilwoman Debi Rose, Yvette Washington-Weatley and Dr. Wahid Zafar will add their voices to individuals who oversee decisions which impact residents and neighbors in need. I am excited to welcome such a diverse group of community people who will champion the mission of Project Hospitality, bring new energy, fresh experience and needed expertise to the board of directors, said Rev. Janet Jones, Project Hospitality board president Giovanna Aquiliano For nearly three decades Aquiliano has worked at JP Morgan Chase, where shes an accountant and managing director. She also supports the ever-evolving culture of the institution as the Diversity Champion and its DEI decision leader. A graduate of Villanova University, she volunteers as a mentor to current and past Villanova School of Business students. Giovanna AquilianoStaten Island Advance Acquilano supports the arts and historic institutions. She is involved in serving others through her contributions to borough nonprofits, including Project Hospitality and citywide through City Harvest. She is also a volunteer at Staten Island Academy, helping organize food, clothing and gift drives for impoverished families. An active member of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Acquilano resides in Randall Manor with her husband of 28-years, Michael, and their children. Anne Boyle As the executive vice president and head of HR for the chief operating officer at Wells Fargo, Boyle created a system for overseeing the well-being of 100,000 of the banks employees both nationally and internationally. Prior to Wells Fargo, she was the managing director of HR at the Bank of New York Mellon for 14 years. Anne BoyleStaten Island Advance A graduate of Cornell University with a masters in human resources, Boyle is the president of the 15,000-member Pride Employee Resource Network at Wells Fargo and served on the Staten Island Childrens Museum Board. She became a Project Hospitality volunteer along with her son, Jonathan, during the pandemic. Boyle organized hundreds of pallets of donated food that fed Staten Island homebound, with Covid or unemployed during the pandemic. She is an annual volunteer at the Our Lady Help of Christians Dorothy Day Thanksgiving Dinner in Port Richmond. Heather M. Butts An attorney and professor with a specialization in health care and the law, Butts is a leading voice in patients rights, compliance and ethics in the medical field. She also is a relentless advocate in the fight against hunger and serves as vice-chair of the Staten Island Hunger Task Force and founding executive director of the 14-year-old HEALTH for Youth on the Islands North Shore, which focuses on college readiness and preparation. Heather M. ButtsStaten Island Advance Butts is an assistant professor at Columbia University School of Public Health and teaches courses on patient ethics, law and health care disparities at Long Island University and St. Johns University School of Law in Queens. She is a faculty lead at the Mailman School of Health and has taught adolescent psychology at SUNY Westchester. She serves as a regulatory specialist at the Columbia University Medical Center and a senior associate of health care regulatory compliance at Price Waterhouse Coopers, as well as having held high-level positions at the US Department of Human Services, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and St. Johns School of Law, Elder Law Clinic. She is a graduate of Columbia Teachers College, Harvard University School of Public Health and St. Johns University School of Public Health. Butts has been recognized by many organizations for her contributions to community. She was a NY1 New Yorker of the Week in 2017 and has received awards for her excellence in teaching from several universities. The National Council of Negro Women and New Yorkers for Parks both honored her for service to the greater good. She is a board member of the Greenbelt Conservancy. Rabbi Michael Howald Rabbi Howald graduated both from Stanford University and its School of Law, where he was an editor of the Stanford Law Review, and Hebrew Union College from which he was ordained in 2006. The spiritual leader of Congregation Temple Israel in Randall Manor for the past 14 years, Rabbi Howald sits on the board of the Wagner College Holocaust Center and the Hillel of the College of Staten Island. He is active in the boroughs Inter Religious Leadership, where he serves as co-chair, and is an advocate for social justice. Rabbi Michael Howald (Photo courtesy of Rev. Terry Troia)(Photo courtesy of Rev. Terry Tr For over a decade, Rabbi Howald has hosted and led Friendship Dinners that bring together people from different races, ethnicities and religions to share a meal and build bridges between peoples on Staten Island. In addition to his rabbinic study and his commitment to his faith community, he is a frequent speaker at borough and citywide vigils, rallies and press conferences and has written editorials on pressing issues ranging from anti-immigrant bias, gun violence, anti-Semitism and the imperative of equality for all, regardless of background, beliefs, gender or sexual identity. Debi Rose Rose was the first Black person ever voted into public office on Staten Island when, in 2009, she won the City Council seat representing the North Shore. By the time she retired in 2021 after serving 12 years in the office, Rose had an established track record of far-reaching vision and robust representation for all of Staten Island and working every angle to improve the lives and visibility of communities of color across the city. City Councilwoman Debi Rose (Courtesy/Project Hospitality)Staten Island Advance She was executive director of the Liberty Partnership at the College of Staten Island, whose mission it is to uplift at-risk intermediate- and high-school students. During Roses 19 years at the organization, the high school graduation rate for these students went from 82 to 91 percent. A civil rights activist, she was instrumental in the formation of the Staten Island African American Political Association, is a leader in the SI NAACP and is the longest-serving president of the National Council of Negro Women, SI Chapter. She was as a leader on Community Board 1 for 28 years, and during that time was the only person to speak in favor of Project Hospitalitys Carpenter House Transitional Residence, which has since shepherded thousands of marginalized community members from the streets to stability. Roses myriad accomplishments as a councilmember include bringing the first anti-gun violence contracts to Staten Island with the True to Life violence prevention program. She served on the Human Rights, Education, Aging, Land Use, Transportation, Rules, Privileges and Elections Committees. She was the Chair of the Waterfront Committee and in that role was key to bringing Empire Outlets to the borough. She brought three new schools to the borough, two of which are in design, as well as the new annex to Curtis High School. Roses efforts resulted in the opening of Waterfront Park in Mariners Harbor. She was a driving force behind the restoration and expansion of parks and playgrounds across the North Shore, including Faber Park, Richmond Terrace Park, McDonald Park and Levy Playground. As deputy majority leader for the City Council and a member of the Budget Negotiations Team, Rose ensured essential funding would continue to bolster numerous nonprofits on Staten Island. Yvette Washington-Wheatley A 2023 Staten Island Advance Woman of Achievement, Washington-Wheatley is a classically trained violinist/violist who has brought the joy of music and the spirit of service to young people across the borough. She grew up in the Stapleton Houses and attended University of Miami School of Music on scholarship, where she was a music therapy major. Yvette Washington-WheatleyStaten Island Advance For more than four decades she has been an inspiration to thousands of students at the Staten Island Academy. As the instrumental music teacher, she shows by example what it means to cherish music as a language. Her enthusiasm for the arts, natural discipline and generosity of spirit are at the heart of the college prep school, which has become a second home for her. Washington-Wheatley also shares her talents and energy beyond the boundaries of the school. As part of her initiative Be Moved to Action Not Just Emotion, she has devoted herself to giving back to the community where she grew up. She founded, and leads the Brighton Heights Reformed Church Youth Orchestra, which has grown from a handful of budding instrumentalists to a large cadre of accomplished young musicians who perform across NYC. Widely recognized for her singular approach to creating connections through music she has earned more than a dozen teaching and service awards from Community Board 1s Distinguished Service Award, the Lamda Kappa Mu Sorority Community Service Award and the Richmond County Veterans Association Special Recognition Award. The NAACP recognized her with the 2016 William A. Morris Humanitarian Award. In 2018, Project Hospitality applauded Washington-Wheatleys contributions with the Richard E. Diamond Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to the People of New York City. Dr. Wahib Zafar The son of the late Dr. Salman Zafar has understood the meaning of service from an early age. He stood alongside his father preparing and serving meals at the Project Hospitality soup kitchen, organizing health screenings for impoverished immigrants, and raising funds for victims of catastrophes. Throughout most of his life, he also had the opportunity to observe and then take part in his fathers humble and effective leadership of Staten Islands Muslim and Pakastani communities. Before Dr. Salman Zafars untimely death in 2022, he had been an active member and officer of the Project Hospitality Board for over two decades. Dr. Wahib ZafarStaten Island Advance He follows in his fathers footsteps both as a physician. A hematologist/ oncologist at Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC), the native Staten Islander volunteered at El Centro del Inmigrante during the height of the pandemic to administer vaccines to the impoverished and uninsured immigrant community. Dr. Zafar served as chief resident during his residency in internal medicine at RUMC. He completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology at Westchester Medical Center. He is widely published in medical journals and teaches and gives lectures as a faculty member at RUMC. One in eight women will be affected by breast cancer at some point in their lives, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. This staggering statistic is universal and does not discriminate, no matter your background, line of work, wealth, fame, status, or any other factor. The disease is equal-opportunity and impacts all women equally. When celebrities are diagnosed with breast cancer, however, their cases often attract more attention than most, their heightened visibility serving as a powerful reminder that the challenges of a breast cancer diagnosis are universal and that early detection is key. The fame that accompanies celebrities breast cancer diagnoses is a significant platform to advocate for breast cancer awareness. By using their influence, they continue to shine a spotlight on the importance of annual mammograms for all women, espcially if they have a family history or high risk factors. * * * Learn more about early detection of breast cancer by clicking here: Breast Cancer Early Detection and Diagnosis * * * Olivia Munn arrives at the 17th Annual Hollywood Film Awards Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)John Shearer/Invision/AP Here are 24 notable women who have leveraged their prominence to raise awareness about breast cancer risks and the critical need for early detection: Olivia Munn : Diagnosed in 2023 with Luminal B breast cancer despite normal mammograms and gene tests, Munn underwent a double mastectomy after a risk assessment revealed a 37% lifetime risk. Shannen Doherty : Doherty, diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in 2015 that later spread to her brain and bones, publicly revealed her cancers return in 2020 and its progression in 2023 before passing away in July 2024. Wanda Sykes : After elective surgery in 2011, Sykes was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and opted for a double mastectomy due to a family history of the disease. Sheryl Crow : Crow was diagnosed with DCIS in 2006 following a problematic mammogram, leading to a lumpectomy and seven weeks of radiation therapy despite no family history of cancer. Christina Applegate : After regular mammograms detected cancer in her left breast, Applegate initially chose a lumpectomy and radiation but later opted for a double mastectomy upon testing positive for the breast cancer gene. Robin Roberts : Diagnosed with fast-growing triple-negative breast cancer in 2007, Roberts underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy after discovering a lump during a self-exam. Melissa Etheridge: Etheridge was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer at age 43, which was later downgraded to stage II, and she performed bald at the 2005 Grammy Awards after completing her treatment. In this Jan. 27, 2018 file photo, Olivia Newton-John attends the 2018 G'Day USA Los Angeles Gala at the InterContinental Hotel Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP Olivia Newton-John : Diagnosed in 1992, Newton-John became a leading advocate for breast cancer awareness, battling recurrent cancer for 30 years before passing away in 2022. Hoda Kotb : Kotb, diagnosed in 2007, viewed her cancer as a wake-up call after having a mastectomy, which led to positive changes in her personal life. Julia Louis-Dreyfus : Diagnosed with breast cancer the day after winning an Emmy, Louis-Dreyfus underwent chemotherapy and used her experience to advocate for universal health care and breast reconstruction. Kathy Bates : Bates, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, had a double mastectomy and manages lymphedema with compression sleeves, following a family history of the disease. Kylie Minogue : Minogues 2005 diagnosis, following a missed detection, led to a lumpectomy and chemotherapy, and she now encourages women to trust their instincts and seek second opinions. Betsey Johnson: Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999 after a breast implant leaked, Johnson initially kept it private but later became a vocal advocate for breast cancer awareness. Suzanne Somers arrives at the 26th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, in Palm Springs, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Cynthia Nixon : With a family history of breast cancer, Nixon began regular mammograms at 35 and credits her doctor for catching a small tumor 5 years later despite previous screenings. Rita Wilson : Diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma in 2015, Wilson underwent surgery to remove and reconstruct both breasts, having been initially found with lobular carcinoma in situ. Amy Robach : After a live TV mammogram in 2013 led to a stage II breast cancer diagnosis, Robach underwent surgery and chemotherapy while continuing to work at the Winter Olympics. Sandra Lee : Diagnosed with DCIS in 2015, Lee chose a double mastectomy after tumors were found in multiple areas of her breast and documented her journey for an HBO documentary. Giuliana Rancic: At age 36, Rancic discovered an early-stage tumor during IVF treatments in 2011 and opted for a double mastectomy after a lumpectomy failed and to avoid potential complications with fertility treatments. Hoda Kotb attends "A Toast to Kathie Lee," the Kathie Lee Gifford farewell party at The Times Square Edition on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)Charles Sykes/Invision/AP A former Italian teacher in the Kearny school district has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for possessing and distributing child pornography. Anselmo Girimonte, 53, distributed videos in December 2021 and January 2022 that showed children being sexually abused, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a statement. Investigators found more than 100 illicit photos and videos on Girimontes phone when they searched his Wharton home in March 2022. The IP address from which the videos were sent had previously been traced to Girimontes address. Girimonte taught grades 3 through 8 in Kearny starting in 2006. He was placed on administrative leave in March 2022 before being fired, education officials said. Girimonte pleaded guilty to the charges in April. Girimonte will be subject to 10 years of supervised release when he is released from prison. A federal judge also ordered him to pay $68,000 in restitution to the victims. CITY HALL Mayor Eric Adams urged against painting city employees with a broad brush and pointed to his predecessor when asked about corruption in city government Tuesday. A series of corruption scandals have rocked city agencies in recent weeks from the mayors office to the NYPD to the FDNY, but Adams said that behavior was not characteristic of the more-than 300,000 city employees. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday accused Jose Maria Basoa and Andres Martinez Adasme, two Spanish citizens arrested by Venezuelan authorities, of being terrorists without presenting any evidence to back up the claim. He insisted on linking them to Spains National Intelligence Centre (CNI), a claim that the Spanish government has categorically denied. During the broadcast of his television program, Con Maduro +, the president delved into the diplomatic tension between Caracas and Madrid, asserted that the two detainees are undercover agents for Spain, and rejected the versions offered by the mens families, who a week ago reported their disappearance and assured that both had entered Venezuela as tourists on August 17. The Maduro governments accusations come amid a crisis between Spain and Venezuela that intensified shortly after the Venezuelan presidential election on July 28. First, there was pressure from numerous international bodies to force Maduro to produce the vote tallies and prove his claim that he was the most voted candidate. Then came the confrontation with the opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, whose team released online data supporting his own claim to victory at the polls. In this context, Maduro entrenched himself and decided to launch an offensive against Spain after Gonzalez Urrutia went into exile in Madrid as a political refugee. The announcement by Spains lower house of parliament calling for the recognition of Gonzalez Urrutia as Venezuelas president-elect, and statements by the Spanish Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, who described the Maduro administration as a dictatorship, triggered an immediate reaction. The president of Venezuelas National Assembly and Maduros right-hand man, Jorge Rodriguez, proposed that the executive expel large Spanish companies from the country, a threat that received no public response and which for the moment seems to have been put on hold. Meanwhile the foreign minister, Yvan Gil, recalled the Venezuelan ambassador in Madrid and last Friday he also summoned the Spanish representative in Caracas, a common move during diplomatic crises. Then, on Saturday, Diosdado Cabello, one of the most hardline figures of Chavismo, announced the arrests of two Spaniards near Puerto Ayacucho, in the south of the country, linked them to the Spanish intelligence services and implicated them in a crazy plot against the president. Maduro had Cabello as a guest on his television show. The newly appointed Minister of Interior and Justice was the person in charge of the police operation that led to the capture of Adasme and Basoa. Cabello said that they were intercepted in an irregular situation, taking photographs near the local airport. And he broadened the focus of the accusations by pointing to the Joe Biden Administration and stating that Spanish intelligence depends on the CIA. Cabello recalled that there are five people arrested in total, two Americans, one Czech citizen and the two Spaniards. They, together with mercenaries of French origin, are all allegedly involved in a plot to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro. Cabello also showed Maduro part of a large arsenal of weapons, including machine guns, that were allegedly seized in the operation. There were 400 weapons in total, according to the police. All were shown to the press. The Spanish government has categorically denied any suggestion that it is involved in a plot to politically destabilize Venezuela and has demanded proof of its accusations against its citizens. Sources from the Spanish Foreign Ministry say that they are in touch with the families of the two detainees. The Spanish Embassy in Caracas has reported, for its part, that it is in permanent contact with local authorities, and has informed them that it will provide diplomatic and consular protection for its nationals. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A Staten Island community board voted unanimously to oppose Mayor Eric Adams new mandatory garbage can program set to start in November. Community Board 1, which represents the boroughs North Shore, penned a letter to Adams and every Staten Island elected official informing them of their opposition to the program that wont be fully implemented until 2026. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New York City is continuing its mission to transform the public school system through an expansion of reading and math initiatives, more opportunities for college and career readiness, widening the Civics for All program, and using artificial intelligence to personalize learning. City Schools Chancellor David C. Banks held the 2024 State of Our Schools on Tuesday morning to announce how existing, expanded and new initiatives are advancing student learning. Heres a closer look at the state of New York City public schools for the 2024-2025 school year, as outlined by Banks. READING AND MATH INITIATIVES Banks first pointed to the hallmark initiatives New York City has tackled around reading, writing and math NYC Reads and NYC Solves. Literacy initiative NYC Reads expanded to every elementary school this year, while NYC Solves launched for the first time in more than 400 high schools and about 100 middle schools. We are laying the foundation for all our students to be on grade level by third grade, and that is long-term work, as weve seen in other states and districts that have successfully overhauled their literacy approach, explained Banks. I am confident we are on the right track, and that the effects of NYC Reads and NYC Solves will ripple across our city for years to come. In every elementary school classroom, students are learning from the same phonics-based curriculum with an aim for every student to read on grade level. A high-quality research-based curricula will also be implemented across districts to standardize how math is taught in schools. COLLEGE AND CAREER PATHWAYS The chancellor explained that the citys new promise is to have students graduate high school with more than just a diploma -- but with real workforce skills and experience, college credits, industry credentials and a personalized plan after graduation. Youll be fully prepared to continue learning and growing and to pursue a rewarding, 21st-century career, one that will build economic security and generational wealth, said Banks. In an ever-evolving economy, were guaranteeing each of our students a real shot to achieve the American Dream. This year, about 135 schools serving 15,000 students are participating in the citys signature FutureReadyNYC program. The city has expanded the program to include two new industry focus areas social work and decarbonization. Mt. Sinai Health System is the newest anchor partner for the program. FutureReadyNYC also allows more flexibility for students to complete coursework virtually whether they need to catch up on high school credits or are on an accelerated pathway to earn credits faster. This flexibility will be a game-changer for students who are under-credited, or who are struggling to balance schoolwork with family responsibilities or a part-time job. It will also be a boon to students on accelerated paths to graduation, who want to get ahead on their courses. Who said it has to take four years to graduate from high school? said Banks. CIVIC EDUCATION The city has expanded its Civics for All partner program to 30 school districts in 1,100 schools to model civic engagement in action when difficult topics or situations arise. Most recently, the city released a new addition to the Hidden Voices series Hidden Voices on Americans with Disabilities. The next Hidden Voices series focused on the Latino community will launch very soon, said Banks. To build the leaders of the next generation, I believe we need to provide our students opportunities to practice that leadership, said Banks. And I believe those opportunities must extend beyond the four walls of the classroom because you cant be a citizen of the world with a neighborhood mentality. USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE The chancellor shared ways the city can use artificial intelligence (AI) to solve challenges in schools. That includes using AI to understand student performance analyzing the work children are producing in school to give teachers a daily, accurate and comprehensive picture of a childs progress. Another way to use AI is to personalize learning by offering teachers and families a personalized learning plan for every child. Banks also said that AI can lead students to opportunity through college and career advising by gaining access to comprehensive, up-to-date and actionable information on their options. Of course, these ideas must be coupled with best-in-class data security and privacy. They must also be coupled with a sense of urgency, said Banks. AI is going to dramatically change the workforce our students are entering, so its not only a matter of asking what AI can do for us, but rather what we need to do to keep pace with AI. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Eighth-grade students who want to apply to a Catholic high school in New York City for the 2025-2026 school year will need to take a test to get in. The Test for Admission to Catholic High Schools (TACHS) is administered annually and is required for admission into high schools in the Archdiocese of New York. It has been given remotely since 2020. Its designed to measure school aptitude and scholastic achievement in reading, mathematics and language. It will be administered on Friday, Nov. 8, during two sessions either 8:30 a.m. or 10 a.m. Students looking to take the exam will need to register by Thursday, Oct. 30. There are two ways to register: Via the Internet (preferred): Visit www.tachsinfo.com By phone at 1-866-61TACHS (1-866-618-2247). Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Students requesting an extended time accommodation must send an email to secondary.schools@adnyeducation.org by Friday, Oct. 4. All extended-time students will be assigned to the 8:30 a.m. session. There is a registration fee of $71 per student, payable by credit card, debit card or pre-paid card. Debit cards will be processed as credit transactions, and processing will be at the discretion of each individuals bank. The fee will include a student handbook, test materials, and the reporting of scores to three high schools of your choice. Since the exam will be administered as an online, at-home, remote test, its important that you prepare your testing device several days before the exam. Do not wait until the day of testing, or it may negatively affect your experience. After 1 p.m. on Nov. 6, youll receive an email from tachs@tachs.riverside-insights.com with your test session information. If you do not receive an email, check your spam or junk folder. You may also access your test session code by going to tachsinfo.com and clicking the top navigational Prepare for Testing tab and click on Get Test Session Code. You will be required to enter the students TACHS id and the email address you provided at the time of registration. If you are still unable to access your test session code, you may call our help desk at 1-866-618-2247 for further assistance. Without the session code, students will be unable to access their exam. Start times are randomly assigned for the exam, with students not permitted to request a preferred time. On the day of testing, using only Google Chrome, go to www.riversideonlinetest.com. Regular testing time is about two hours and 10 minutes, plus a five-minute optional break after each of the first three sub-tests, and a one-minute pause after each of the fourth and fifth sub-tests. There are six sub-tests in all. Students test at their own pace and may complete the exam sooner. After you register, enter your high school choices which may be entered/changed until Nov. 8 at 11:59 p.m. Failure to complete this information by the deadline will result in scores being unavailable to your high school choices. Each student may enter up to three choices. If you wish to apply to additional schools, you may access a copy of your Home Report online on Jan. 19, 2024, after 5 p.m. Admissions decisions will be released on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. Forget about Pennsylvania, Georgia or North Carolina. One state won just a single time by the Democrats could actually help propel Kamala Harris to the White House. Newsweek reported polling guru Nate Silver as saying that Harris has a better shot of winning reliably red Alaska than she does of winning Florida or Texas. The only time Alaska has gone Democratic, Newsweek said, was 1964, when its votes went to President Lyndon Johnson. Our model gives Harris a 22 percent chance of carrying Alaska: considerably higher than her chances in Florida or Texas, for instance, Silver wrote in a Substack post over the weekend. He said, Its Voter Power Indexessentially, the marginal value of an additional voteis actually the seventh-highest in the country because although theres only about 1 percent chance that its the tipping-point state, it also has relatively few voters. Trump carried the state by nearly 15 points when he won in 2016, but by only 10 points four years later, the smallest GOP presidential margin in Alaska since 1992, Newsweek said. Silver asked rhetorically if a scenario where Alaska helps Harris win the election was some sort of progressive election nerd wet dream. He said, Yeah, probably. But our election models job is to think through every plausible scenario. And it thinks this contingency is possible, albeit unlikely. In the scenario, Harris gets 271 electoral votes, just one more than the 270-vote threshold needed, by winning the swing states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Nevada and Arizona and winning Alaska. Trump would win the swing states of Georgia and North Carolina in this scenario. Polling conducted by Alaska Survey Research from September 11 to 12, after the Harris-Trump debate, showed the Democrat down by just 5 points with likely voters in the state. Trump had the support of 47% of voters to 42% for Harris, the poll said. Former President Donald Trump has been the target of assassins twice in a little over two months. But in 1975, an American president was targeted by would-be assassins two times within 18 days. GOP President Gerald R. Ford had taken office on Aug. 9, 1974 following the resignation of President Richard Nixon over the Watergate scandal. On Sept. 5, 1975, Ford was in Sacramento, Calif., to meet with then-Gov. Jerry Brown. Ford was walking to the state capitol building from his hotel and was shaking hands with people along the route. Ford in an interview with the History Channel said, I went to shake a hand, looked down, and instead of a hand to be shaken, it was a gun pointed directly at me. The gun was a Colt 1911 semi-automatic .45 caliber pistol held by a woman named Lynette Fromme, a follower of Charles Manson who was known as Squeaky Fromme, Fox News reported. Manson had been jailed for his part in the Helter Skelter slayings of actress Sharon Tate and others in 1969. Fromme said that the Ford assassination attempt was driven by her desire to save redwood trees she believed were at risk. She had recently spoken to a government official in San Francisco to plead for them to save the trees but was unsuccessful and returned home to Sacramento. When I came home from that trip, I saw on the news that [President] Ford was coming into town, Fromme said. My original thought was Ill go and talk to him, but then I realized you dont get attention for that. As I walked along, Ford said. I couldnt help but notice a lady in a very vivid red dress who kept following me, referring to Fromme. Fromme said she initially didnt want to shoot Ford as he got closer but decided to go ahead with her plan at the last moment. As Fromme pointed her gun at Ford, Secret Service Agent Larre Buendorf managed to place his thumb between the hammer of the gun and the gun itself, preventing it from firing. Fromme was arrested and received a life sentence for the crime. She was paroled in 2009. Following the attempt on his life, Ford continued toward the capitol building and met with Brown, who remained unaware of the attempt on the presidents life. I didnt mention anything about the incident, Ford said. Why should I? A little over two weeks later, on Sept. 22, 1975, Sara Jane Moore fired a shot from a .44 caliber Charter Arms Bulldog handgun at Ford as he exited the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco following a speech to the World Affairs Council. The first shot missed, but as Moore pulled the trigger a second time, her arm was grabbed by bystander Oliver Sipple, and her shot missed the president, according to the National Archives. The bullet ricocheted and hit a local taxi driver in the groin. Moore, who said she shot at Ford in order to spark a violent revolution in America, was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. She was paroled in 2007. Ford began wearing a bulletproof trench coat following the assassination attempts. He was defeated for election to the presidency by Democrat Jimmy Carter in 1976. Ford died in 2006. Nine people have been killed and 2,800 others including an undetermined number of members of the Lebanese militia Hezbollah were injured Tuesday when hundreds of handheld pagers exploded simultaneously on Tuesday, in an apparently unprecedented operation by the Mossad, Israels notorious foreign secret services. The Hezbollah militia said it holds Israel fully responsible for the attack. This criminal and treacherous enemy will definitely receive a fair punishment for this sinful assault, both in ways that are expected and unexpected, it said, vowing retribution. The coordinated attack brings to an even more dangerous point the war of attrition that Israel and Hezbollah have been waging for almost a year. It is also one of Hezbollahs biggest security breaches since its birth in the 1980s, precisely during the occupation of southern Lebanon, which Israel ended in 2000. In the early afternoon, social networks and messaging groups began to be flooded with images capturing the explosion and of wounded people on the ground in different parts of Lebanon, including in Hezbollah fiefdoms such as Dahieh, on the outskirts of Beirut, and in the south of the country. The explosions began around 16.00 local time and lasted about an hour. It is not known how they occurred. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported at least nine people have died and 2,800 are injured, of whom 200 are in very serious condition. Two of the victims are members of Hezbollah and another is a 10-year-old girl, the militia said. Some hospitals have collapsed due to the arrival of so many wounded people in such a short time. Irans ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was also mildly injured, according to the Mehr news agency. Fourteen Hezbollah members in Syria were also wounded, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, was not affected, according to the group. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al Sudani has ordered Iraqi medical teams to be sent to Lebanon to provide urgent aid. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the United States was not aware of who caused the explosions. The US was not aware of this incident in advance, and at this point, were gathering information, Miller said in a statement. I dont have any assessment to offer one way or other at this point, he added. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Search for any Mexican city online and news articles on recent violence will likely come up: kidnappings, murders, missing persons, armed attacks, dismembered bodies, narco-messages, locals fleeing their homes due to shooting... It is the reality of a country about to mark 20 years of violence a crisis initially linked to drug trafficking that has long since evaded any simplistic explanation. Today, violence in Mexico is due to a multitude of reasons and situations, deeply rooted in the ease of obtaining weapons on the street. None of Mexicos last three governments has found a solution to the violence. The administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador which ends in 15 days when Claudia Sheinbaum takes office blames the Felipe Calderon government (2006-2012), claiming it was responsible for stirring up the hornets nest. The outgoing administration argues that Calderon wanted to use cannon fire to solve a problem that, at the beginning of his government, was not as serious as it is today. In 2007, Mexico reported 8,867 murders, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). The next government, led by Enrique Pena Nieto (2012-2018), is rarely mentioned by Lopez Obrador, despite the fact that it was in the last two years of his administration that homicidal violence skyrocketed, with Mexico recording more than 30,000 murders the highest figure since records began. All three presidents Lopez Obrador, Pena Nieto and Calderon have tasked the armed forced with solving the crisis, or at the very least, containing the violence. But two decades later, it is difficult to point to significant progress. Unless keeping annual homicides from rising above the 30,000-mark is considered progress. Thats the current situation. Mexico is on track to record more than 30,000 murders for the eighth consecutive year. Its a shocking figure, but one that does not seem to have led to any reflection from the government. Over the years, authorities have responded to outbreaks of violence in different regions by temporarily deploying the armed forces. While the soldiers are able to contain the violence, the situation in the country remains unchanged, waiting for the next spark to start a new round of attacks. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on September 12, 2024. Mario Jasso (Cuartoscuro) Right now, it is Sinaloa that is under attack. The war between the two main factions of the Sinaloa Cartel has struck fear into the Mexican state, particularly in Culiacan, the state capital. On Sunday alone, 14 people were killed in Sinaloa, including five men, who were found tied up, with hats on their heads, next to a water park in southern Culiacan. Amid the violence, the governor of Sinaloa, Ruben Rocha, was forced to cancel Mexicos Independence Day celebrations in Culiacan, one of the most important holidays of the year. But there are more hotspots of violence, each one as complex as the last, with criminals thriving thanks to rampant impunity and corruption. Of particular note is the Tierra Caliente region in the state of Michoacan and surrounding regions. From Coahuayana to Buenavista and Tepalcatepec to Apatzingan, Mexicans in Tierra Caliente have not seen a day without violence in the past 10 years. With organized crime controlling the productive industries, local mafias at war for control and self-defense forces also in the mix, the region is constantly on edge, always waiting for the next battle. Last week, one of Buenavistas best-known lemon growers, Jose Luis Aguinaga, was murdered on his ranch, allegedly at the hands of one of Los Viagras a veteran criminal group that was accused last year of murdering Hipolito Mora, one of the historic leaders of the Michoacan self-defense forces. Citrus growers responded to Aguinagas murder by announcing they would stop work. Crime is on the rise and if it has not caused permanent damage to the government it is precisely because it is seemingly permanent. In Mexico, violence no longer comes as a surprise. A crime has to be very serious if it is to grab societys attention for more than a passing moment. With all eyes on Sinaloa, there is little attention on the violence affecting several regions on the border of the Mexican state of Chiapas and Guatemala an area subject to the vicissitudes of organized crime, where criminal groups fight to the death to control the routes to traffic migrants, drugs and weapons. Not even 10 days have passed since the disappearance of Anibal Roblero Castillo, the mayor-elect of Frontera Comalapa, the most important municipality in the area. On Monday, his desperate son called authorities to continue the search. Dont stop looking for him, he said in a video. Each state in Mexico has its own problems. In Guerrero, for example, the election campaign this year left a bloody trail. In the city of Taxco alone where authorities recently arrested more than a dozen police officers for corruption 16 people were victims of attacks during the campaign. It was the city with the highest number of these attacks, followed by Chilpancingo, the capital of Guerrero, with 12. But if it is not the election, it is something else: crime, economy and politics are part of the same universe and, often out of interest or obligation they speak the same language. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Two years ago, still wearing a honeymoon glow, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese followed his address to the Business Council of Australias annual dinner by offering a few lucky CEOs a ride on his private plane Toto One to Canberra for the governments jobs and skills summit. Times have changed now a politically battered Albo is stumbling toward an election, big business is a lot crankier with federal Labor, and the BCA is facing questions about whether its influence has become too anaemic. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrives at the Business Council of Australia Annual Dinner at the Hyatt Regency with BCA president Geoff Culbert (centre) and chief executive Bran Black. Credit: Wolter Peeters Fresh from getting roasted by the Minerals Council last week, the PM copped it again from BCA chief Bran Black, whose speech about Australia losing its way because of workplace relations laws was dropped to the media ahead of time. A fairly lukewarm address, truth be told, but somehow hot enough to trigger the fire alarm, which went off as Black wound up. The two smiled and made nice for the cameras once the PM made his red carpet arrival. But Albanese had little time for small talk on arrival, hurriedly whisked through the throng of well-wishers into the Hyatt Regencys Maritime Ballroom. Alexis Pogorelskins painstakingly researched book provides an insightful background to what all the fuss was about. Noting that, by 1941, The Mortal Storm was still the only [American] feature film devoted to the plight of Europes Jews, she proposes that the primary source of the noise was the antisemitism that drove much of the resistance to the US entry into World War II. Set in 1933, the film is a romantic melodrama starring James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan. But its also much more than that: the romance develops alongside the consequences of Hitlers coming to power for a small university town in southern Germany, and the rise of a nationalist fervour fuelled by his promise to make Germany great again. From the vantage point of 2024, it might be difficult to fully appreciate the controversy that accompanied the release in 1940 of MGMs adaptation of British novelist Phyllis Bottomes The Mortal Storm. In the same year, America First, a national organisation committed to isolationism, protectionism and US nationalism, called for a boycott of the film because it showed Nazis terrorizing a Jewish scientist. In the first of several scenes to which America First was referring, a physiology professor (Frank Morgan) summons science to support his resistance to the idea that non-Aryan blood is any different from anybody elses, only to be howled down by the Nazi supporters in his class, whove been emboldened by Hitlers election. Credit: Pogorelskin points out that MGM, under the leadership of mogul Louis B. Mayer, had been greatly troubled from the start by the scripts identification of the professor as Jewish. As a result, over the protests of Bottome and screenwriter Claudine West, the character was referred to only as non-Aryan which he remains until his disappearance into a concentration camp. Pogorelskin cites a letter Bottome wrote to a colleague in which she accuses Mayer and the other Jewish moguls in Hollywood of being too timid to present their [own] case. Essentially, Hollywood and the Nazis on the Eve of War tells two overlapping stories. One tracks the route of the film from page to screen. Drawing on a wide range of published and unpublished source material, Pogorelskin, professor emerita of history at the University of Minnesota, traces the contributions of most of the key personnel involved (except, curiously, director Frank Borzage). She also outlines the various modifications made to the film because it was viewed as propaganda on behalf of those who believed that the US should involve itself in the hostilities taking place across the Atlantic. Especially illuminating is her tracing of the influences on the shaping of the original novel. For Bottome, she explains, a key model was the American author and abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe. In her plot and characters, Pogorelskin writes, she took inspiration from Stowe, hoping that The Mortal Storm would prove as influential in denouncing antisemitism as Uncle Toms Cabin had in denouncing slavery. 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 Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley are sitting side by side as we chat over Zoom, which is appropriate, as they play the same woman in the hilariously shocking body horror film The Substance. Well, sort of. Moore, who is 61, and Qualley, 29, actually play two versions of this woman, both of whom exist, thanks to the movies bizarre central conceit, in more or less the same place and time. Elisabeth Sparkle (Moore) is a former actor and host of a Jane Fonda-style TV exercise program who, at the age of 50, is deemed too old by her sleazy station boss (Dennis Quaid). But when she comes across a mysterious cosmetic treatment known as The Substance, she is suddenly able to generate a younger version of herself called Sue (Qualley), and thus extend her time in the spotlight. The promise is compelling: one consciousness, two bodies. The catch: they must switch back every seven days, or else. The dilemma: Sue is having such a good time she just doesnt want to hand over the reins. The result: sheer bloody mayhem. Its utterly singular, says Qualley of Coralie Fargeats film, which is set in Hollywood, was shot in France, and is now showing in Australia. It kind of reads as this f---ed up inverted fairytale on the world. From left: Margaret Qualley, Coralie Fargeat and Demi Moore at a screening of The Substance at the Toronto International Film Festival this month. Credit: AP I had some caution, admits Moore of her initial response to the script. It felt like this could either be something amazing or an absolute disaster. But I was intrigued enough that I ultimately really wanted to do it. Make no mistake, The Substance is fuelled by rage. As she explains in her directors statement for the film, Fargeat is taking aim at the beauty myth and the male gaze, and shes squeezing the trigger hard. Advertisement Everything around us, in commercials, movies and magazines, showcases fantasised versions of ourselves, she says. Always beautiful and thin and young and sexy. The version of the ideal woman that is supposed to bring us love, success, happiness. And if we step out of those boxes whether it is with age, weight, curves society tells us, Youre done, we dont want to see you any more. We dont want you on our screens. We dont want you on the covers of our magazines. We will just erase you from the public space. Youre not worth societys time and attention. Fargeat wrote her movie, she says, to make a political statement to the world: we should be done with this shit. So do Moore and Qualley share the directors anger about all this? I do not, says Moore unequivocally. No, I do not, says Qualley. I mean, I really understand it, I really have compassion, Moore qualifies. And I know culturally the level of judgment and repression that women have experienced. I just choose not to buy into that as my reality. And I feel like I dont hold men as the object of my discontent. Advertisement Moore certainly knows what its like to ride the Hollywood rollercoaster. She broke through as a 20-year-old on TV soap General Hospital, had by the mid-1980s been shoehorned into the so-called Brat Pack, and became, after a string of smash hits in the early 1990s Ghost, A Few Good Men and Indecent Proposal chief among them one of the industrys most bankable stars. In 1996 she was paid $US12.5 million for Striptease, a movie that could well serve as a definitive illustration of the male gaze. It was the most any actress had been paid to that point, but the film was panned so mercilessly by critics many of whom singled out Moores performance for special vitriol that it marked both the high and low point of her career. Does any of that make her feel particularly able to relate to Elisabeths experience in The Substance as a woman once feted for her beauty but now feeling somewhat cast aside? I think we all have certain personal experiences as we age, theres certain things that we are aware of, she says. Its what we choose to make that mean about us. I feel like Im very different from Elisabeth. While I have awareness and can really understand and identify with what shes experiencing, its Well, Qualley jumps in, Elisabeth never would have played this part. Demi is starring in one of the most cutting-edge stories and baring every single bit of herself. And shes writing the rules for her own game. Both women appear naked in the film. They also appear covered in massive amounts of prosthetics as the negative consequences of the devils bargain Elisabeth has made with the shady purveyors of The Substance assert themselves. Which was harder the nudity or the latex? Advertisement The tonnes and tonnes of latex, absolutely, says Qualley, who is the daughter of Four Weddings and a Funeral star Andie MacDowell and an actor very much on the rise. I think the prosthetics, agrees Moore. The nudity was really more about the vulnerability that needed to be illustrated. In terms of the process, eight hours of prosthetics is no walk in the park for anybody not on your skin, not on your psyche, not on your emotional stability. I think body horror might feel like body horror when youre making it, adds Qualley. The only time the two women share the screen is in those brief moments of crossover, at the end of the seven-day cycle. But the logistics of making the movie meant they were on set together much of the time. Margaret Qualley describes The Substance as utterly singular. Credit: Madman There was so much intense prep to go into every single shot, so shed be prepping, Id be shooting, Id be prepping, shed be shooting, says Qualley. Wed be just tapping in and tapping out. I think we were really grounded in looking out for each other and just being there for each other in what was obviously a very shared experience, says Moore. Not to mention when our bodies had to be lying on top of each other on a cold tile floor for hours. Move your leg a little bit that way; cover it that way. Advertisement If the actors were putting their bodies at the service of Fargeats vision, their minds remained and remain very much their own. Their directors unflinching take on the male gaze is legitimate and clearly heartfelt, but each of them has their own way of making sense of it that perhaps sits slightly at odds with Fargeats own. Loading While the circumstance is all about the male gaze, for me it was much more about the perception of the male gaze that was trying to be met, says Moore. Its what she was doing to herself based on that, not what was being done to her. Yeah, yeah, agrees Qualley. Its very much Coralies interpretation of the male gaze, so when I would feel lost, she would kind of be my compass, in the sense that when I felt miles away from Sue, or miles away from what [Fargeat] needed Sue to experience, I would imagine what she experienced. In Moores mind, if Elisabeth/Sue is a victim, she is not one without a certain degree of culpability, because given the chance to reset she merely hits repeat. When Sue emerges, theres this opportunity, shes got everything available to her, says Moore. But isnt it interesting that she still seeks the same approval, shes repeating the same pattern? It would have been a different movie, but Sue could have said, You know what, I want to produce my own show, Im going to be in charge. But she doesnt. She still goes after the same acknowledgement, the same validation, getting the same job. Advertisement Advertisement Review Eating outDouble Bay Does Neil Perrys new Chinese restaurant Song Bird hit all the right notes? Dive into a big bowl of pipis and wrap Peking duck in Mandarin pancakes at the veteran restaurateurs grand new Cantonese banquet house. Terry Durack September 17, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 1 / 7 Song Bird is a gorgeous space to be in by day, and more intimate and celebratory at night. Wolter Peeters 2 / 7 Lobster and scallop spring rolls with vinegar sauce. Wolter Peeters 3 / 7 Inside Song Bird, its like being on a luxury liner. Wolter Peeters 4 / 7 Go-to dish: Peking duck with hoisin sauce and Mandarin pancakes. Wolter Peeters 5 / 7 XO pipis in a fruity chilli sauce with egg noodles. Wolter Peeters 6 / 7 Chicken and cucumber salad with shallot dressing. Wolter Peeters 7 / 7 Black sesame choux and vanilla soft-serve sandwich is served as a trio. Wolter Peeters Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat 15.5 / 20 How we score Chinese$$$$ Its a looker, all right, Neil Perrys new Song Bird. Even the Maseratis slow to a crawl outside the heritage-listed Gaden House, with its multiple layers of dining rooms and kitchen of white-coated chefs framed by glass, as if on television. This is the veteran chefs fifth Asian-inspired restaurant in Sydney, in a career that spans nearly 40 years; from Wokpool (1996) and XO (2005), to Spice Temple (2009) and Jade Temple (2017). After the early modern Asian concepts, Spice Temple was the breakthrough, with its spicy, oily, smoky cooking pulled from Sichuan and Hunan provinces (and helmed by chef Andy Evans, who is just as much a force today, Perry having left the building). But Perry has always revered the lighter, cleaner, classic Cantonese cuisine for its celebration of the fresh, natural taste of fish, seafood and vegetables. Jade Temple didnt crack it in the CBD, but Song Bird might, with a newly invigorated Double Bay at its feet. Advertisement Lobster and scallop spring rolls with vinegar sauce. Wolter Peeters From the inside, its like being on a land-locked luxury liner. Designers ACME and Caon Design have contrasted the strong horizontal lines with cedar panelling, green marble and graceful songbird motifs. A goldfish bowl filled with light by day, its more intimate and celebratory at night; the three levels linked by the slow curve of a heritage staircase. Head chef Mark Lee, who was born in Fiji to Chinese parents, rose through the ranks at Rockpool and then Margaret. He oversees a kitchen sectioned into dumplings, roast meats, live seafood, braises and stir-fries, noodles and rice. Song Birds strengths are the duck, fish or seafood, including lobster and mud crab from the tank. Start with pickles ($9) because theyre fresh, snappy and slightly sweet. Then add white-cut chicken salad ($28), for the soft, supple chicken (Sommerlad breed, via Sun Farm), and the gentle, refreshing nature of the cucumber, spring onion and shallot dressing. Advertisement Tables for two, beware. As at all grand Cantonese banquet houses, portions are big, and designed for the table to share. Lobster and scallop spring rolls ($26), for instance, come in sixes but order them anyway because theyre small, tightly wrapped and sea-sweet. Dumplings come in fours, and while you can taste the premium Spencer Gulf prawn in the har gau ($24), theyre not going to knock Mr. Wong off its perch just yet. Go-to dish: Peking duck with hoisin sauce and Mandarin pancakes. Wolter Peeters Peking duck ($62/$115) is a no-brainer order, with glazed skin like a French-polished veneer over tender, fatty, juicy meat. Wrap it in a steamer-load of Mandarin pancakes with sauce, cucumber, spring onions, white sugar and crisp golden breadcrumbs; the last two being fun additions designed to add crunch and absorb the fat. An order of soft-serve ice-cream sandwich ($19) comes, rather crazily, as three big, crisp choux pastries encasing smooth, vanilla ice-cream. Three! Why? It makes no sense. Advertisement Service is deft and interactive and the mood is eastern-suburbs comfortable. The wine list shows off the long-term connections made by both Perry and wine director Richard Healy, from the 2023 Grosset Riesling ($19/$90) to a Premier Cru Chateau Latour ($2495). The latter would be terrific with the meaty, crunchy, pepper beef pancake ($26), which looks to me like a riff on Spice Temples famous lamb and cumin version. XO pipis in a fruity chilli sauce with egg noodles. Wolter Peeters And oh, the pleasure of diving into a big bowl of XO pipis in a deliciously dirty, fruity, chilli sauce, heavy on dried shrimp. Add on fresh or fried noodles ($10), if you need filling up, which you may not. In the basement lies the plush Bobbies cocktail bar; all curved banquettes, tinkling ice, green olives and live jazz. A collaboration with New York bar tsar Linden Pride, its another upscale addition to the hood. At 66, Neil Perry thought hed be retired. Instead, hes transforming Double Bay Advertisement Song Birds strengths are the duck, fish or seafood, including lobster and mud crab from the tank; and the commitment to elegant, sophisticated dining. Its the produce that defines the quality Perry isnt going to change his core values now making it the perfect old-fashioned Chinese banquet restaurant for the 21st century. The low-down Vibe: Canto classics get a Neil Perry glow-up Go-to dish: Peking duck with hoisin sauce and Mandarin pancakes, $62/$115 Drinks: Well-engineered cocktails; thorough 250-bottle wine list that plays both classic and modern Cost: About $165 for two, plus drinks First Look: Chef Neil Perry opens first standalone bar with New York bar guru Correction: An earlier version of this story referred to Jade Temples opening year as 2020. Its been updated to say 2017. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Authorities are considering a long-term shutdown of Medlow Dam in the Blue Mountains, as independent tests show high levels of cancer-linked PFAS chemicals are embedded in the sediment in nearby waterways. WaterNSW said it may upgrade drinking water filtration infrastructure, or try and isolate the source of contamination away from the dam network. Western Sydney University water scientist Ian Wright takes a sample in Adams Creek, which feeds Medlow Dam. Credit: Wolter Peeters Extra water may be pumped in from Oberon Dam to supply the drinking water to Blue Mountains residents after Medlow Dam and neighbouring Greaves Creek Dam were closed off from the drinking water system on August 28. A WaterNSW source said there is no obvious solution to the problem, and investigations into the origin of the PFAS pollution may take weeks. 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 Labors reluctance to include a climate trigger in environmental legislation (PM to force Greens hand on housing policy, September 17) implicitly acknowledges that, on proper consideration, the scientific evidence would rule out any further investment in fossil fuel projects. Fossil fuel proponents, evidenced by their strident opposition to a climate trigger, have clearly drawn the same conclusion. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned Countries must phase out coal and other fossil fuels to avert climate catastrophe. There remains a continuing disconnect between science and climate policy. Labor correctly says it has much better climate and energy policies than the Coalition, but it can also be true that their policies fall well short of what is required. Garry White, Lindfield I used to be a Greens supporter but now not so much. It started with the rejection of Rudds emissions trading scheme in 2009. The perfect being the enemy of the good. Perhaps they will learn from this, I thought. Seems not. Unless a policy aligns precisely with their view of the world, they spit the dummy no room for compromise or trading. Our way or the highway. Perhaps it should be pointed out that a democracy works by consensus. I think I was about four when I learnt that I couldnt get my own way all the time. Maybe the Greens didnt get the memo. Neville Turbit, Russell Lea What is being built and called housing? Credit: Ross Swanborough In my area each new house replaces an existing house. Developers demolish an existing one to build a new one, hence the net gain in supply is nil. I have no doubt this is occurring in other suburbs too. The simple fact is housing has become overpriced and only a property crash will rectify the situation. Like other economies, ours has become unstable. There are many reasons for this. The attack on unions and reduction in their influence via legislation means that wages have remained flat in relation to prices. Removal of so called red tape has enabled unscrupulous businessmen to flourish. Scams are prevalent. Too many government services have been transferred to the private sector. This has increased costs to consumers and reduced services. We have a system that controls wages but has no limitation on prices. The ultimate insult is those on million dollar salaries claiming businesses cannot afford to pay adequate wages to cover the cost of living. Barry OConnell, Old Toongabbie I live in the Southern Highlands and I often travel up and down the freeway. I have often thought that in the suburbs being built near the new expressway to the new airport, there would be plenty of room for housing plus necessary infrastructure and open space. But I am horrified to see cheek-to-cheek houses built with not much space between them facing the M31. They are uniformly white/grey and I think that the two side windows would enable neighbours to shake hands across the divide. Is this the answer to the question of more housing in NSW? I cant see any parkland from the car, but I am sure residents would enlighten me if I am wrong. I would love to know where the schools and shops are too again, no sighting. This ugliness is gradually creeping along the M31, kilometres from anywhere and taking down every tree in sight as they are built. I do not envy them come summer as they are in one of the hottest areas between the highlands and Sydney. Carol Humphreys, Bowral Super lesson not learned The Coalitions hatred of compulsory superannuation is once again on display (Coalitions plan could save $1b, but theres a catch, September 17). While in government, the Coalition permitted raiding of superannuation, ostensibly to provide support during the pandemic. Now it is suggesting using retirement savings to prop up a failing housing market and to resolve the current housing crisis again proposing a scheme that will leave millions of Australians worse off in retirement. I suggest a new motto for the Coalition: Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it (George Santayana). Tony Heathwood, Kiama Downs Advertisement In 1943-44 when the states (temporarily) handed over taxation functions to the Commonwealth for the war effort, there was a separate social security levy to fund pensions. After the 1949 election, when the Coalition won, they gradually incorporated the social security pension levy into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, then in 1956 removed the legislation covering that levy. Now, nearly 80 years later, they are at it again, trying to destroy the age pension base for (some) financial security of those Australians who dont have the wherewithal to afford to save during their working lives. It almost looks as though the Coalition is running a continuing campaign against young and disadvantaged Australians. Denis Cartledge, Tenterfield Monkey business The Business Council of Australia is nothing if not predictable (Business to confront PM on direction of economy, September 17). Along with the Minerals Council of Australia, their criticism of the Albanese governments industrial relations reforms is an all too familiar whinge predicting doom and gloom. What is conveniently overlooked by these two councils is that under the previous Coalition government the balance between capital and labour shifted significantly in favour of employers and the ALP came to power committed to redress some of that imbalance. Now, with an election looming and the government on the back foot, there is an attempt to apply pressure on these businesses, many being the beneficiaries of market concentration, to undertake internal reform and improvements to become more efficient and productive. In many business sectors the community is not well served due to a small number of dominant players who consistently oppose any changes that represent fairness and a more equal sharing of the benefits of that privileged position. Ross Butler, Rodd Point ABS figures show that business profits for most sectors of the economy are at record levels or close to record levels. Our global economic ranking has improved substantially since Labor took power. The BCAs claim that Labor is taking the economy backwards is not backed up by the evidence. Graeme Finn, Earlwood Off the rails The decision to cut train services boggle the mind (Peak-hour trains slashed in shake-up, September 17). It seems the governments solution to attracting more people to commute to the office is a longer wait time and even more crowded peak hour trains. Where do all the trains and drivers being left idle by the upcoming Metro conversion on the Bankstown Line go? Kin-Yat Lo, Croydon Buried within the upcoming Sydney Trains timetable changes is the re-introduction of Liverpool to City via Regents Park services (removed in 2013) as part of the new Inner West Line. This is a major win residents of Berala, Regents Park, Sefton, Chester Hill, Leightonfield, Villawood, and Carramar, who were facing the removal of all trains to Central because of the Sydney Metro Southwest. After 11 years of community campaigning, we are grateful for the NSW government decision to override Transport for NSW planning to isolate the west of Bankstown. Now only Birrong and Yagoona will be without a train to Central, but we are grateful that both stations are continuing to be serviced by trains once Sydney Metro opens at Bankstown. Roydon Ng, Berala Advertisement Bring forgotten children home Thank you, Deborah Snow (Australians in living hell , September 17), for reminding us of the Australian women and their children still living under hellish conditions in the Kurdish refugee camp in Syria. Its well past time that the Australian government placed humanity over petty politics and repatriated these citizens, in particular their innocent children. Leo Sorbello, West Ryde Women and children in the foreign annex of a camp in Syria Credit: Kate Geraghty Bring them home. Just do it. No more excuses, no more forgetting. They are our responsibility. Rhyan Andrews, Faulconbridge Twelve women and 22 children. Why are we so terrified of them? Bring them back. Ian Adair, Hunters Hill Indictment on society Two tragic, disturbing and unacceptable occurrences. The death, unobserved, of a woman in severe mental distress, imprisoned as the result of an apparent administrative error (Mother died in jail after run of errors, September 17), is reported alongside the suicide of a 12-year-old girl (Parents distraught after daughters tragic final act, September 17). It is a grotesque failure of all of us as a community that we allow anguish of this kind to go unnoticed, that we fail to take action, and that we believe providing the services required to help those in distress is too difficult or too expensive or too impractical. Mental suffering is not only intolerable to the sufferer, it should be intolerable to us as a society, but there is a gaping black hole of awareness, care and services. We need not ask who is responsible we are all responsible. James Wall, Sutton Forest Advertisement The death of 12-year-old Charlotte is heartbreaking. Its a shocking indictment on society that a child should find life so unbearable. We are collectively responsible for the bullying, intolerance and lack of respect for one another, and whatever we are doing to address this issue isnt good enough. Our children deserve so much better. Shame on all of us. Graham Lum, North Rocks The tragedy of Tammy Shipleys death in custody is deeply concerning. Drinking too much water, which proved fatal to her, is not a well-known hazard. Apparently, five litres drunk close together causes cognitive dysfunction from brain swelling, so people dont know to stop. Many conditions can cause a thirst thats not easily quenched. This risk needs to be made widely known. Andrew Cohen, Glebe Lost language If you think the shortage of maths teachers is dire (Letters, September 17), take a look at the situation with languages teachers. At my school Ive not had a trainee languages teacher this century. For last years HSC only 6 per cent of the cohort studied a foreign language, and no doubt this year that number will further decline. Universities have been closing their language courses at an alarming rate: three have closed their Indonesian departments in recent years. Last year a paltry 73 students sat an Indonesian language HSC exam; 40 years ago the figure was almost 1000. This years numbers are below 50. A number of HSC language courses are going to be discontinued because of a lack of numbers. In a world where the vast majority of humans are multilingual and less than one in eight speaks English, is it wise to be so obdurately monolingual? Ryszard Linkiewicz, Caringbah South Women at work Your correspondent (Letters, September 17) has lanced the sore of kids unable to walk the suburbs fearlessly, highlighting how women at work have so affected our security. The way forward is clear. It is now the turn of men to stay at home as women march to work. Female financial independence and abuse minimisation would be a great side product. Ramani Venkatramani, Rhodes Women at work in 1971 Credit: Fairfax Media Advertisement Most adult women I know did work and did have a car in the 1970s, despite having young children. And we did not have parental leave. Our now middle-aged children mostly turned out to be outstanding human beings, and have given us equally outstanding grandchildren. Ann Babington, Lambton Heat test I recall a ghastly hot day in Sydney (Letters, September 17) when our students sat for the HSC in a gym with a corrugated iron roof. Some had to leave the room suffering heat stress. At another school, students sat the same exams in an air-conditioned hall. Hardly a level playing field. Catherine Turner, Cremorne Respect your vote Repeal compulsory voting (Letters, September 17) and you take away a commitment to the democratic process. Complainers can surely manage an hour or two in election years to do their civic duty and perhaps even think about the issues at local, state and federal levels. Voting by all was a hard-won privilege. It should be appreciated. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach Greek coffee Im also from a Greek background and I can so relate to Fotis Kapetopoulos article (I love servo coffee and refuse to be ashamed, September 17). On our holiday drives to Smiths Lake from Sydney I cant wait for my $2coffee at a petrol station on the highway. Its the best. Angie Miller, Bondi Junction Advertisement Students at dozens of Sydney high schools have been banned from bringing a date to their year 12 formal under a new policy which also forbids parents from enjoying a glass of wine at end-of-year celebrations in the name of safety. The new rules for systemic schools within Sydneys Catholic archdiocese come after one of its schools attracted national media attention last year for ordering a female student not to bring her girlfriend to its formal. St Ursulas College in Kingsgrove overturned its ban on same-sex partners last year. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone Released earlier this year, the policy prohibits external partners from end-of-school events and bans alcohol for all attendees. A Sydney Catholic Schools spokesperson said some leniency would be shown with the no-partner rule this year, but there would be no reprieve for parents wanting an alcoholic refreshment. On a Tuesday night, a mother sent a message to her daughters school. It was thick with shock, sorrow and guilt. Charlotte, who had faced relentless friendship issues and cried on her way to class almost every day, had been found dead that morning. Her farewell note cited bullying. She was 12 years old. I was scared to label it bullying but thats exactly what it was, her mothers message to the school read. Id begged the school to intervene now she is gone forever. I wish I had been stronger. My darling baby angel is gone because I didnt make a big enough noise for her. Im sorry, baby, Im sorry. Charlotte, aged 12, died last Monday night. Her family are critical of her schools response to claims she was bullied. Charlottes death has shocked Sydney and raised questions about how schools are handling bullying. Rachael Murrihy from The Kidman Centre says many institutions dont know what to do about it, and parents and educators were resorting to lawyers to represent or investigate students. Charlottes parents told 2GB broadcaster Ben Fordham on Monday that they did not blame their daughters fellow year 7 students they are just little girls but had repeatedly asked for help from her school, Santa Sabina College in Strathfield. The wild saviour Back in the 90s and 2000s, genetically modified crops had a bad rap. There were a number of small and disputed animal studies that claimed eating GM foods caused harm. Non-GMO became a ubiquitous marketing slogan. Public suspicion drove a worldwide crackdown on GM crops, including a moratorium in NSW that began in 2003 and only lifted in 2021. Professor James Dale studying Panama-resistance banana genes in the lab in 2001. Credit: Angela Wylie But Dale was convinced genetic modification was the only way to save the banana. As he hunted for a way to make the Cavendish resistant to Panama disease, an American plant pathologist, Ivan Buddenhagen, was in South-East Asia surveying crop fields razed by the fungus. On one farm, a stand of banana plants grew lush and fruitful amid the destruction. They were wild plants. Buddenhagen gathered their seeds and sent them to Dale. Seedless, sterile, and susceptible to death By the hand of human selection, domestic bananas have become seedless and sterile, losing the evolutionary force that could have allowed them to adapt to Panama disease via natural selection. Luckily, there are still wild bananas that go through their normal evolutionary process, Dale says. In the wild bananas, Dale and his team identified the gene suspected to underpin resistance to Panama disease. A PhD student discovered the RGA2 gene was present in the kind of Cavendish they worked with, the Grand Nain, but it wasnt expressed, or turned on. But it was turned on in the wild bananas. Bingo! They set to work getting the RGA2 gene into Grand Nains. These were the days before the easy gene-editing tool CRISPR, so they hijacked bacteria to do their bidding. Professor Dale with a GM banana plant ahead of a field trial in 2017. Credit: Anthony Weate Agrobacterium is a natural genetic engineer, thats its lifestyle, Dale says. It infects huge numbers of plants and transfers a bit of its DNA into its host plant. That bit of DNA encodes sugars that only it can live on. By swapping out that sugar-producing DNA with the RGA2 gene, the scientists reprogrammed the agrobacterium to deliver the fungus-resistant gene to Grand Nains. The most important test Then Dale struck a problem the team couldnt do field trials because they werent allowed to bring Panama fungus into Queensland. But then the plant pathologist Buddenhagen came back into frame: hed met with a Northern Territory farmer whod bought a patch of land riddled with the fungus in Humpty Doo near Darwin. The QCAV-4 undergoes its most important test after 25 years of research. Credit: QUT Buddenhagen introduced Dale to the farmer, who decided to help fund and host the trials. On his field, they tested seven kinds of GM banana plants and found one QCAV-4 was particularly resistant to Panama disease. Their momentum was dashed again when they were forced to destroy those plants in 2015 due to biosecurity measures triggered to control an outbreak of a different disease, banana freckle. But in 2018 they returned to grow 50 QCAV-4 plants. Today, 47 of them are alive and thriving. In February this year, the government approved the commercial release of the QCAV-4 banana after rigorous regulatory checks and, last week, QUT announced the fruit had passed its most important milestone: the taste test. They taste great, Dale says. Theyre as good as any well-grown Cavendish. But will the broader public share this taste for GM fruit? Allergens and vitamin A Hundreds of pages of regulatory data submitted to Food Standards Australia New Zealand and the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and an enormous amount of work got QCAV-4 over the line. One of the regulatory tests involved screening the gene-edited crop for potential allergens and toxins, an important undertaking given that a 1996 study found when scientists transferred genes from brazil nuts into soybeans to improve the crops nutritional value, they also transferred allergens from the nuts that could cause anaphylaxis. But Dale says onerous regulatory requirements hold back innovation in this space. QCAV-4 is the first genetically modified crop thats been developed at a university and released in Australia. That gives you an idea of how difficult it is. Professor Dales bananas biofortified with pro-vitamin A could save thousands of lives if grown in places where people die of nutrient deficiency, such as Uganda. The biofortification gives the GM bananas a golden colour (left). Credit: Jean-Yves Paul He has also developed a biofortified banana that could help children suffering from vitamin A deficiency, which kills 750,000 children a year in places such as Uganda. The vitamin-rich plants are ready to go, but the biosecurity bill that would allow the deregulation of the potentially life-saving crop has been held up in the Ugandan parliament since the project started. Its unbelievably frustrating, Dale says. Loading Would you eat a GM banana? Once theyre cleared for allergens and toxins, theres no compelling evidence GM foods pose a risk to human health. A recent systematic review found studies that reported adverse effects were badly designed, prone to bias, and based on animal studies, the lowest hierarchy of evidence. On home soil, it will be interesting to see how genetically modified foods are embraced as more hit the market. Dale says climate change will leave us no choice but to splice in heat-resistant genes to wheat, that wont go to seed above certain temperatures. On December 2, 2020, then-president Donald Trump appeared before Americans to denounce the massive and widespread fraud that had robbed him of his re-election. On July 18, 2022, just a year and a half later, the far-right politician Jair Bolsonaro questioned Brazils electronic voting system, with less than three months before the elections in which Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva emerged victorious. In both cases, the unfounded accusations ended with physical assaults on the seats of public power and, in Bolsonaros case, with his political disqualification. These are not isolated incidents. On the contrary, questions about electoral legitimacy seem to be increasingly frequent around the world, according to a report called The Global State of Democracy 2024, published by the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA). The disease of electoral denialism has become a global phenomenon, said Kevin Casas Zamora, the secretary general of IDEA, in the wake of the publications release on Tuesday. Between May 2020 and April 2024, one in five elections was challenged there were 221 national ones in 159 countries which includes boycotts by opposition parties, the refusal of losing candidates to accept the results, legal challenges in court, violence with civilian deaths and riots. Allegations of fraud have been made in places as far away from one another as Peru, Myanmar and Israel. These accusations, the report underlines, combine to challenge public confidence in political processes. The data is overwhelming. Over the past 15 years, the global rate of electoral participation has declined by ten percentage points from 65.2% to 55.5%. And while in 1975 the percentage of elections that were followed by protests was 3.8%, today it is 27.6%. In the 135-page document, the intergovernmental organization states that this is an era of radical uncertainty, in the midst of which, to keep democracy alive it is necessary to preserve public confidence in electoral avenues for political change. Pro-Trump protesters storm into the U.S. Capitol during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, on January 6, 2021. SHANNON STAPLETON (REUTERS) The causes Casas Zamora says that this loss of confidence is a multi-causal phenomenon that can be explained by at least four reasons. On the one hand, the growth of inequality and corruption. In his opinion, democracies have great problems protecting equity, while corruption scandals feed the notion that political systems work to protect the interests of increasingly smaller groups. For the former vice president of Costa Rica (2006-2007), the way capitalism has been functioning in the last four decades has had very visible consequences for democracy. On the other hand, there are the difficulties of democracy in managing rapid social change. In Casas Zamoras opinion, technological and environmental changesthe report also talks about migration, armed conflicts and the development of artificial intelligenceproduce a high level of anxiety, in which society embraces authoritarian figures who promise a restoration of order. Finally, democracies face a hostile environment in which the consequences that an authoritarian regime pays on the international stage are not as forceful as they were just a generation ago. When you add those four things together, the effect is toxic, he says. This effect is reflected, for example, in the very high levels of political polarization, which is growing hand in hand with social networks. We need to have a serious conversation about their regulation, which cannot be left to the discretion of private platforms, he asserts. The adherence of young people to democracy has also been greatly weakened. The secretary of IDEA highlights that this population tends to participate around very specific causes that mobilize them, where they do not have to reach a compromise with others, as those who participate in traditional political spaces must do. Any social progress, Casas insists, implies compromising, but this is conceived by a large part of young people as a betrayal. Supporters of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro are pictured through broken glass as they hold a demonstration against President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in Brasilia on January 8, 2023. ADRIANO MACHADO (REUTERS) The report Democracy continued its decline in 2023. Last year, 82 countries regressed in their democratic performance, while only 52 advanced. In total, the report analyzed the situation in 173 countries. According to IDEA, 2023 was the worst year they have seen in terms of political representation, especially due to the levels of uncertainty regarding norms, practices, standards of conduct and acceptance of legitimate results in elections. Disinformation, threats of foreign interference and possible uses of generative AI in campaigns are some of the challenges for representative democracy. In terms of fundamental rights, the organization assessed factors such as the existence of a fair legal system and respect for civil liberties. According to the report, compared to 2018 data, peoples rights have been restricted, especially in terms of economic equality and freedom of expression (in 22% of the countries analysed). In contrast, the most common progress was in freedom of expression, which improved in 17 of the 173 countries examined. The report also states that more countries have experienced declines than progress when it comes to the rule of law. For IDEA, a relevant element for the analysis of this category is the role of the courts, since the factors that have suffered the most are judicial independence and the predictable application of the law. In contrast, the only area of democratic practice that has not been affected by the negative trend is citizen participation. Grouped by region, here are some relevant data on the state of democracy in the world at the end of 2023, according to the intergovernmental organization IDEA: Latin America and the Caribbean The indicators are of particular concern in El Salvador, where President Nayib Bukele has has systematically derailed democratic checks on power by weakening term limits, starving the opposition of funding, intimidating the press and instituting a state of emergency that has allowed him to severely restrict human rights. In Ecuador, growing public insecurity has also been met with harsh state responses. Haiti was the country with the most pronounced decline in its democratic performance in the region. In relation to the rule of law, the report highlights that sometimes the courts are co-opted to support certain candidates or guarantee certain electoral results. As examples, it cites Guatemala, where the measures taken by prosecutors to strip President Bernardo Arevalo of his immunity were seen as an attempted coup detat, or Peru, mired in a political crisis following the self-coup of President Pedro Castillo and the rise to power of Dina Boluarte in 2022. In terms of gender equality, it highlights the election of Claudia Sheinbaum as the first female president of Mexico as positive. USA and Canada The report highlights that no election is receiving as much international attention as the one in the United States, which this November will finally choose between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The country experienced a period of democratic contraction between 2017 and 2021, during the first term of Donald Trump, both due to the actions taken in the executive branch and the performance of Congress. Afterwards, the country has improved in indicators in terms of absence of corruption and access to justice, but other indicators, such as the credibility of elections, civil liberties and political equality, have not recovered in a scenario of strong polarization. This is evidenced by the fact that at least 1 in 10 Americans are open to the use of political violence. Similarly, a recent IDEA poll found that less than half of Americans agreed that the 2020 election [won by Joe Biden and challenged by Trump] was free and fair. In Canada, the report highlights the countrys decline in economic equality, as the wealth gap between high- and low-income households widened at the fastest pace in history in the first quarter of 2023. Europe In Europe, 44% of countries declined in at least one factor of democratic performance. In particular, 11 countries retreated in terms of ensuring access to justice, and seven did so in indicators related to the credibility of elections. The country in the region that retreated the most was Belarus, where Aleksandr Lukashenko has crushed the opposition and rules with an iron fist. The report also highlights how the push for certain countries to join the European Union as a result of Russias war in Ukraine has translated into advances in access to justice, economic equality and freedom of expression, in countries such as Albania, Kosovo and Moldova. IDEA stresses that the far right made significant gains in several countries in the European elections, and that this outcome raises questions related to the future direction of support for democracy across the continent. Nevertheless, the report stresses that the elections remain promising as a means of facilitating the peaceful transfer of power between political parties and ideologies. It cites as an example Poland, where the 2023 elections marked the departure from power of the ultra-conservative Law and Justice (PiS). Africa 56% of African countries have regressed on at least one indicator of democratic quality. The report highlights the serious impact of coups on the continent, especially in terms of political representation and the guarantee of fundamental rights. The bloody war in Sudan, where at least 10.4 million people have fled within or outside the country, is one of the conflicts that have had an immense human cost. The organization highlights small signs of change that offer hope, such as the appointment of Judith Suminwa as the first female head of government in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or the possibility that Namibia may elect a woman president in the November elections. It also considers positive the emergence of a new generation of political leaders in countries such as Mozambique and Senegal. Asia and Pacific region The region has seen declines in terms of political representation and guarantees of fundamental rights in several of the countries that held elections this year. These include India, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Korea and Sri Lanka. The report highlights that elites have taken measures to restrict opposition parties and limit transparency in order to tilt the playing field in many countries in the region. Asia and the Pacific is, along with Africa, the region that has declined the most in democratic performance indicators (51% of countries). In Myanmar, for example, the authorities have restricted the right of journalists to operate freely as well as the right of people to assemble. Afghanistan is one of the countries with the sharpest decline in indicators, on issues such as fundamental rights, especially those of women, economic equality, freedom of parties or parliamentary control. The arrival of the Taliban to power completely deprived the country of a functioning parliament, notes the report. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has gone on the offensive in a row with business over economic reform, telling corporate chiefs that Labor was sparing them from extreme policies including Coalition ideas against their interest. In a sharp response to growing attacks on his government, Albanese said he was acting on business fears about the nations fortunes but he gave no quarter on their demands for a retreat on workplace laws that help big unions. The nations peak business group redoubled its warnings about both major parties by predicting the country would fragment if populism took hold, saying too many employers were being turned into scapegoats in political debate. The pointed exchanges at a business dinner on Tuesday night followed a clash in the Senate on housing policy, with the Coalition and the Greens joining forces to drag out debate on a Labor proposal to use federal funds to help 40,000 people buy their first homes. 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 Apologies come in different varieties. Formal and informal, public and private, genuine and insincere. Theres sorry and theres sorry you got caught. Sorry not sorry. And then theres an apology by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton that belongs in another category again. Its the apology that those he offended cant remember, which he wont repeat and doesnt like to discuss. Some wonder whether he made it at all. Hassan Awada is a Muslim in a broad church. A Liberal Party councillor and former deputy mayor in Sydneys Sutherland Shire, he came to Australia from Lebanon in 1988, got married and had children. He was running a barbershop in Cronulla when the suburb erupted in race riots in 2005. Awada remembers what Dutton said seven years ago, when he was immigration and border protection minister. Advertisement First, Dutton said on Sky News that the Liberal government under former prime minister Malcolm Fraser had made immigration policy mistakes in the 1970s. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called for a complete halt to arrivals from Gaza. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Labor pressed him for days on what he meant. Which people, from which country, does the minister believe should not have been allowed into Australia when Mr Fraser was prime minister? Bill Shorten, the then-opposition leader, asked in parliament. Dutton arrived at the despatch box prepared. The advice that I have is that, out of the last 33 people who have been charged with terrorist-related offences in this country, 22 are from second- and third-generation Lebanese Muslim backgrounds, he said. One terrorism researcher later described the number as statistically meaningless. In 2016, Australia was home to 34,000 Muslims born in Lebanon. Advertisement As the heckling from the opposition benches grew, Dutton said he did not want to see people who are hardworking, who have done the right thing by this country, including Lebanese immigrants, being tarred with the actions of a criminal few. But many within the community heard him doing exactly that; in his eyes, their lives in Australia were mistakes. Those comments were very much ill-informed, Awada says. His father-in-law, Assad, came to Australia under Fraser in 1976. Assad, he says, had served with the British army in the 1940s and in Australia went to work for BHP before he was killed in a steelworks accident. He was one of those people [Dutton] was referring to, Awada says in a quiet voice. Comments like that go to someone like him. He would be extremely offended to hear those comments. Advertisement In a Venn diagram showing members of the Lebanese Muslim community and members of the Liberal Party, Awada is in the sliver of overlap. Loading He says he cannot remember an apology from Dutton, who last year appeared on a national TV program claiming he had already made one. Questions about his atonement have grown over the past month, after the opposition leader repeatedly accused the Albanese government of having endangered Australias national security by letting in Arab Muslims fleeing another warzone: Gaza. In August, five Lebanese Muslim community leaders, including representatives of the Lebanese Muslim Association and Muslim Women Australia, said they could not recall any apology. Malcolm Turnbull, who was prime minister when Dutton made the comments in 2016, says he cant either. Writer Lech Blaine, who spent seven months on a 36,000-word Quarterly Essay on Dutton, published this year, says he hasnt come across one. Advertisement Searches by this masthead of newspaper archives as well as Duttons X/Twitter account and the years of interview and speech transcripts stored on his personal website have failed to yield a result. Of all the people likely to have heard about an apology, Mehal Krayem would come near the top of the list. She has a PhD in representations of Muslim men in Australian film and TV and in 2019 published an academic paper about Duttons comments and their framing in the media. Perhaps one does exist somewhere, says Krayem, a manager at the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion at the University of Technology Sydney. Id be keen to hear it if its true. In an episode of the 2023 series of Kitchen Cabinet on ABC TV, journalist Annabel Crabb travelled to Duttons farmstead in south-east Queensland, a rum-spiked custard slice in her basket. Advertisement The federal government is working to water down a forceful United Nations resolution at the end of the week calling for an arms embargo on Israel and demanding the Jewish state withdraw from the West Bank and Gaza within a year. The United Nations General Assembly is scheduled to vote on Thursday (Friday AEST) on a Palestinian motion demanding Israel comply with an International Court of Justice (ICJ) opinion, delivered in July, that found Israels occupation of the Gaza Strip and West Bank was illegal. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has instructed Australian diplomats to soften the wording of the draft resolution. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen While Palestinian advocates are urging the government to back the resolution, Jewish groups said it would be inconceivable for Australia to vote any way but against the motion because it was inconsistent with the nations longstanding support for a negotiated two-state solution. The Albanese government has angered Israel with its past two high-profile UN votes on the Israel-Palestine issue by backing a December resolution calling for a ceasefire in the war on Gaza and a May resolution expanding Palestinians right to participate at the UN. A reminder: the recorded meeting we just detailed was held on March 19, 2023 the day after the Let Women Speak rally. Other than Moira Deeming and John Pesutto, the meetings attendees included deputy Liberal leader David Southwick, leader of the opposition in the upper house Georgie Crozier, then-deputy leader of the upper house Matt Bach, and Pesuttos then-chief of staff Rodrigo Pintos-Lopez. Moira Deeming in June 2023. Credit: Joe Armao They will all give evidence at the defamation trial. Bach has since left the parliament and moved to the UK, and was ordered to fly to Melbourne for the case. Bach told Deeming in the meeting: I dont think there is a way forward. These are your people. Southwick told the meeting that Deemings views were not mainstream. Pesutto said in the meeting that his leadership team could not force anything on Deeming but, added: I am concerned about the damage that this has done to the party. Pesutto ultimately told Deeming he was going to move a motion for the parliamentary party room to expel her. If you wanted to, you could resign in the meantime. But thats for you, Pesutto said. If you do want to resign, let me know. Im very sorry its come to this, but I just dont feel I have a choice. He said it was not personal and explained the logistics of the process to expel her. We are committed to winning in 2026 I am already being attacked again on social media but this time by ministers and the government who are already gunning for me this week, Pesutto said. Deemings barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC told the court that Deeming was ambushed. She said Deeming had already made concessions but that Pesutto never intended on giving her the opportunity. I was reading a travel column the other day that I vehemently disagreed with which would be fine, except the author of that column was me. This is the thing: if you write opinion pieces for long enough, you will end up disagreeing with yourself. Opinions change over time, as your worldview changes, as life teaches you a few humbling lessons. Anyone whose opinions dont change at all over 20 or 30 years is either lying, or hasnt been paying attention. Still, how could I have got it so wrong? Reflecting on revisiting Cambodian landmark Angkor Wat. Credit: Getty Images A few weeks back, the editors of Traveller passed on a link to the Wayback Machine, the digital archive of Traveller content from days long past. This link was to the columns I used to write under the name The Backpacker, when I could properly claim to be such a thing back in the mid-2000s. Copenhagen, Denmark: Last year had the worst decline in credible elections and parliamentary oversight in almost a half-century, driven by government intimidation, foreign interference, disinformation and the misuse of artificial intelligence in campaigns, an organisation promoting democracy said on Tuesday. The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, or International IDEA, said election credibility was threatened by turn-out dropping and results were increasingly being contested. One in three elections were being disputed in some way, it said. Democracy sausages for sale outside the voting centre at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, in Canberra last year. Australia is proud of its democratic processes. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The organisation with 35 member governments said the average percentage of the voting age population who actually cast ballots has declined from 65.2 per cent in 2008 to 55.5 per cent in 2023. Elections remain the single best opportunity to end democratic backsliding and turn the tide in democracys favour, said International IDEAs Secretary-General, Kevin Casas-Zamora. The success of democracy depends on many things, but it becomes utterly impossible if elections fail. There have been very few post-debate polls in any of the seven states. In fact, many of the changes in our state averages are attributable to polls fielded before the debate, but released after. What changed: pre-debate Its worth divvying up whats changed into two groups: the polls fielded before the debate, and the polls since. First, the pre-debate polls released this past week: They might sound like old news, but its not so simple. In many states, there havent been many recent surveys, as the Labor Day holiday in the US put a pause on many polls. A string of high-quality state polls found Harris faring well, at least in relative terms, in Wisconsin, Iowa, Virginia, North Carolina and even Alaska. Trump, on the other hand, earned solid results in Georgia and Michigan. These results didnt shift our state polling averages too much, but they were still good news for Harris and arguably a bit of a surprise. After all, the polls wed seen before the debate showed a close and tightening race, with several high-quality outlets Times/Siena, YouGov/Economist, Marist, Pew Research and KFF finding the race within 1 point or so. A close race nationwide might have been expected to yield a clear Trump lead in the battleground states. People watch the debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris at a club in Las Vegas. Credit: AP But thats not what happened. Instead, Harris inched ahead in our average in North Carolina, after Quinnipiac and SurveyUSA polls found her up 3 points, while Trump now has the edge in Georgia. And Harris firmed up her modest lead in Wisconsin, where the venerable Marquette Law School poll found her up 4 points. What changed: post-debate The relatively few post-debate polls show signs of a Harris bounce. According to our average, she has already gained about 1 point nationwide, rising from a 1.7-point lead Wednesday morning to a 2.7-point lead as of Monday morning. That 1-point shift has been reasonably consistent across the six national polls that took surveys before and after the debate. In the days ahead, Harris may gain even more ground. For one, most of the post-debate polls have come from online panels. They tend to shift less than other polls, as theyre often composed of highly engaged voters and weighted more heavily than the typically more volatile phone surveys, which will probably arrive this week. Theres another reason: Many people dont watch debates, but they do hear the post-debate coverage like the continuing discussion of Trumps false claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, have been eating pets. Extended coverage of a debate can help the perceived winner just as much as the debate itself, and yield additional polling gains in the days or even weeks thereafter. Will a polling bump last? The time after a debate is fraught for pollsters. Loading On the one hand, debates can change the race in a lasting way just ask President Joe Biden. Even setting aside that recent example, the polls routinely shift after the first debate without ever reverting to their previous levels. Thats what happened in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. On the other hand, debates can create shifts in the political environment that simply dont last. Just ask Hillary Clinton, who built a big lead after the debates in 2016, only to see it fade in the final week. Something similar happened to Biden in 2020. These post-debate swings were fleeting, but they could have reflected real changes in stated preference that is, driven by people who would have given different answers to a pollster before the debate. You can imagine, for instance, some Nikki Haley voters who were coming around to Trump, but who might now say theyre undecided after watching the debate. Even if these voters eventually come around to Trump in the end, wed see him slip in post-debate polls. Its also possible that these post-debate swings were partly a mirage: They might simply be attributable to changes in who responds to surveys, not any changes in the preferences of voters. Either way, its an excellent reminder of the limitations of polling. If the election were held on Tuesday, would Harris bounce really materialise? Would those undecided Haley voters ultimately vote for Trump, stay home or vote for Harris? Did Harris secure new support from voters who hadnt heard enough about her, but saw in the debate someone capable of handling the presidency? We just cant say. All of these same questions will exist on the morning of the election. We wont know if undecided voters will break in one direction, if the polls have been skewed by varying response rates or if, maybe, the polls are dead-on. What we do know is that the polls are so close that even an ordinary polling error could give either side a decisive victory. If the polls erred as they did in 2020, Trump would sweep the battlegrounds. Conversely, Harris would win big if it turned out the polls were wrong as they were in 2022. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Positive and Elektralyets Foundations, in collaboration with St. Maarten Laboratory Services, St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), and NAPA Auto Parts, are pleased to announce a follow-up event for the recent prostate cancer screenings. Event Details: Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024 Saturday, September 21, 2024 Time: From 9:00 AM to 2 PM From 9:00 AM to 2 PM Location: St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) in Cayhill Join us for the annual Mens Health Day, where we will review the PSA test results from the screenings held on September 7 and 14. This event will also feature a variety of other health screenings and informative sessions aimed at promoting mens health and wellness. On September 21, we have partnered with the St. Maarten Aids Foundation, SZV, Guardian Group, FLOW and the SMMC team will be present to provide additional support and information. Please note that we will not be doing any PSA testing of September 21, 2024. Screening Recap: On September 7, 213 men received a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test performed by the St. Maarten Laboratory Services (SLS) AND On September 14, 162 men were tested for PSA. Bringing the total number of men tested to 375. The Foundations issued 100 vouchers to cover the uninsured. We are committed to improving mens health in our community, said Shelly Alphonso, President of the Positive Foundation. Early detection of prostate cancer can save lives, and we encourage all eligible men to participate in these screenings and follow-up events. For more information, please contact Shelly Alphonso or Mercedes Van Der Waals Wyatt at +1-721-580-9658 or +1-721-523-7418, or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . About the Positive and Elektralyets Foundations: The Positive and Elektralyets Foundations are dedicated to promoting health and wellness in the community through education, screenings, and support services. About St. Maarten Laboratory Services: St. Maarten Laboratory Services is an accredited lab that provides high-quality diagnostic testing and is committed to supporting public health initiatives. About St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC): SMMC is a leading healthcare provider in Sint Maarten, offering a wide range of medical services to the community. About NAPA Auto Parts: NAPA Auto Parts is a trusted provider of automotive parts and services, committed to supporting community health and wellness initiatives. Oranjestad;--- Arubas economy is rapidly growing. The image shown by government finance is also a positive one. Since 2022, the budgets have been adopted timely. However, the justification information falls behind, as shown by the fact that both the implementation reports and the annual accounts are submitted late. This undermines Parliament's budgetary right and control function. The CAft applauds the initiated improvement trajectory to durably restore order in financial management. It is of importance that Aruba now makes significant steps and prioritizes the improvement trajectory. Budget and justification cycle The draft budget for 2025 has been timely submitted to Parliament. For 2025, as well as multiannually, the budget amply meets the central budgetary standard, which prescribes a minimum surplus of 1 percent of the gross domestic product. The Cft appreciates these positive results. However, the implementation and justification process is still lagging behind. Both the implementation reports and the annual accounts are submitted late. Since late 2022, the delay in the submission of implementation reports has risen to three months. The CAft and Parliament are, therefore, unable to sufficiently assess to which extent the budget is realistic, which means the implementation of their control tasks is hindered. Aruba is also far behind in adopting the annual accounts. The 2019 accounts, for example, have not yet been submitted to Parliament. Therefore, it is unclear when these annual accounts will be adopted. Improvement trajectory financial management Aruba is currently working on a new reporting system and on the improvement of the supervision of the countrys income and expenses. The CAft would like to emphasize that the responsibility for due financial management extends beyond the Minister of Finance. Each Minister will have to make efforts to ensure it is implemented at their department. Adequate financial management is important when it comes to ensuring that public resources are adequately used, without wasting or misusing them. Also, it provides Parliament with a better insight into the actual financial standing of the country. This is essential for a reliable government. It is therefore of the utmost importance that Aruba now realizes substantial improvements. Government entities Recently, the Court of Audits of Aruba has identified shortcomings in the management and the supervision of government entities. For many government entities, the justification process is not in order. The government must supervise the justification duty of the government entities more strictly. A lack of transparency and justification may lead to future risks. The CAft has already drawn attention to the improvement of justification of entities like Serlimar and Arubus N.V. The CAft has reiterated its concerns and urges Aruba to increase financial self-reliance of government entities. Implementation of the National Ordinance on Corporate Governance is of importance in this context. Lastly, the CAft has observed an increase in government services that are carried out remotely without this having been duly substantiated. PHILIPSBURG:--- Demissionary Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis has ordered the suspension of former acting head of the Landsrechereche Chief Inspector Lucy Gachette as of Monday, September 16, 2024. Gachette was suspended with pay as the internal investigation heightened. Gachette took the government of St. Maarten to court on Friday, September 13th, 2024, when she asked that the internal investigation against her person be sped up. SMN News learned that the Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis appeared with a government attorney and agreed to speed up the investigation. It is understood that when an internal investigation occurs, the person or persons involved, or the investigation is against, cannot be on the job. ` In May 2024, Minister Lewis removed the acting head from the position because, according to the Minister, the position did not exist. Since then, the position has been opened, and persons interested can apply. Chief Inspector Lucy Gachette served as Acting Head of the Landsrecherche for the past 12 years. In May, the Minister told SMN News that when Chief Inspector Gachette was removed from her position, she did not suffer any losses. He said the removal as temporary head was to facilitate an in-depth investigation since the countrys security was threatened. Lewis further explained that the position of head of the Landsrecherche had opened several times, and Gachette did not apply for it. On Monday, the Minister said in an invited comment that his safety had been threatened by persons close to the Chief Inspector. He said information relating to the case has also been leaked to third parties. Minister Lewis said he was confronted on the French side of the island by persons close to the Chief Inspector and the same person he said approached him again since the court case on Friday. The Minister made clear that the Chief Inspector was asked to stay off the property while the investigation intensified. He said she was asked not to report to duty, but that did not affect her salary and other benefits. KYODO NEWS - Sep 18, 2024 - 07:47 | All, Podcast Where do you want to go again? Three Kyodo News reporters -- Yamaguchi-san, Peter and Nakanishi-san talk about why Japan was chosen by international travelers as the country they most wish to revisit. Listen as they discuss what activities people are willing to pay for during their visits to Japan, as well as where they would personally like to go again. Article mentioned in the podcast: Japan picked as No. 1 country travelers wish to revisit: survey Kyodo News presents a bilingual podcast for English learners about the ins and outs of news writing and how to translate tricky Japanese phrases into English. Have fun listening to journalists discuss recent articles as they occasionally go off on unrelated tangents. Recent episodes: Podcast [English World] Episode 62: Conbini fashion Podcast [English World] Episode 61: Japanese wrestling Olympian Nao Kusaka Podcast [English World] Episode 60: Japanese Olympian B-girl Ami The St Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation got a first-hand glimpse into the havoc Hurricane Beryl wreaked on St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) when a relief team of volunteers from St Maarten joined by a team from the Taiwan embassy visited the destination on September 4, to distribute about 1,000 packages of relief supplies to affected families. St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, who welcomed the volunteers, thanked the foundation for its continuous support since the 2021 La Soufriere volcanic eruptions and expressed hope that all Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) put their efforts together to help the SVG islands. Tzu Chis visit to SVG was to help with the distribution of two 20ft containers both containing US $54,375 worth of essential food items to help families in need in wake of hurricane Beryl. The containers were shipped from St Maarten on August 21, and August 22, 2024, and arrived in St Vincent on August 27. The two containers contained a combined total of 1,000 bags of rice; 500 bags of flour; 4,000 packs of pasta; 4,000 packs of dried peas; 1,000 bags of brown sugar; 2,000 bottles of cooking oil; 1,000 bags of soap powder; 1,000 plastic basins and 3,500 bottles of drinking water. The first container, which contained relief items for 500 families, went to affected families in three islands in the Grenadines: 300 families in Union Island; 120 families in Canouan and 80 families in Mayreau. PHILIPSBURG:---The relief items in the second containers went to 167 families affiliated with the Park Hill Evangelical Church; 167 families from the Northeastern section of St. Vincents Langley Park, Georgetown, and four villages: Fancy, Owia, Pointe, and Sandy Bay. Relief packages were also for 167 families (which were distributed by Dr. Mineva Glasgow); the Roland Hill Shelter, Rillan Hill, Campden Park, Gibson Corner, Questelles, Clare Valley, Penniston and Vermont. Each family received one 10kg bag of Love Rice from Tzu Chi Taiwan, one 25lb bag of flour, four 1lb packs of pasta, four 1lb packs of dried peas, one 2kg pack of brown sugar, two 1kg bottles of cooking oil, six 1 litre bottles of drinking water, one 1kg bag of soap powder, and one bucket or plastic basin. The St Maarten Tzu Chi relief team, consisting of Commissioner Sandra Cheung, her husband Kit Wing Cheung, Commissioner Jane Sanchez and volunteers Chino Egidio Lusia and Martin Rudolph, embarked on their first day of distribution the day after arriving in SVG, September 5. The team was accompanied by the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, five local volunteers, and seven volunteers from the Taiwanese Embassy when they traveled to Union Island, Canouan, and Mayreau via ferry. Cheung said the destruction witnessed was devastating. In Union Islands, an estimated 90% of the private homes and dwellings were heavily damaged. Following the disaster, the majority of affected families relocated to mainland shelters. Prime Minister Gonsalves and Taiwan Ambassador Fiona Huei-Chun Fan were on hand to welcome Tzu Chi when the team arrived on Union Island, where an estimated 98% of the homes were damaged and there was limited water and electricity supply. This, coupled with the extreme heat, made the situation for affected families dire. Ambassador Fan delivered a brief introduction about Tzu Chi, which originated in Taiwan. Prime Minister Gonsalves was grateful for the assistance noting that Tzu Chi and Taiwan are greatly supporting the islands. He is cognizant of the foundations assistance to the island since the volcanic eruptions of 2021. Tzu Chi went door to door in Union Island to distribute the relief packages. When the second container was released by the St Vincent Port Authority on Monday, September 9, the team went straight into action, braving rainy weather to offload the container while carefully preventing the items from getting wet. The items were then delivered for distribution to the various areas on September 10 and 11: the Chauncey Methodist Church Hall, Rolland Hill Shelter, Park Hill Evangelical Church, and Langley Park Georgetown (northeastern of SVG). Recipients were grateful for the assistance received. Conroy Huggins, who was at the Park Hill Church distribution, said he has been engaged with Tzu Chi for the past three years since the Foundation assisted after the volcanic eruption. Huggins said he is very happy to see that a team from St Maarten has now visited St. Vincent and the Grenadines to personally assist in the distribution of aid after another disaster on the island. One grateful recipient, Ivan, said he is proud to see that the foundation is assisting residents, and he is thankful to the foundation for lending a helping hand. A Park Hill villager extended thanks to Tzu Chi Founder, Master Chen Yen, and the Tzu Chi Foundation for the relief provided. We are delighted and grateful for what was received and our hearts are touched with your outreach program. May god continue to bless you and the foundation in giving, said the villager. A Vincent and the Grenadines native, who volunteered at the Langley Park Georgetown distribution center said: Thank you for your love and compassion from over the seas coming here to share with the people who are in need. 167 households were supposed to be fed, but over 300 households were helped with the little that we had. Little by little we are growing like that tree, said the volunteer. Cheung said she was grateful to all the authorities in St Vincent and the Grenadines for accommodating Tzu Chi and all those who were involved in the process including government, churches and everyone else who were involved. The relief plan was coordinated with three Tzu Chi volunteers from St. Vincents mainland in collaboration with SVGs National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) in connection with the Ambassador of the Taiwan Embassy and her assistant. Cheng said Tzu Chi is grateful for the opportunity to spread more seeds of love in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Metro Bank Forges Strategic Collaboration with Infosys to Accelerate Digital Transformation To enhance digital capabilities, improve automation, refine data, and embed further AI capabilities Metro Bank (https://apc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metrobankonline.co.uk%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cvishwa.desai%40infosys.com%7C4ec35b959f2640094dc308dcd64d4f5e%7C63ce7d592f3e42cda8ccbe764cff5eb6%7C0%7C0%7C638620874756516448%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=TpJdHqujYpxS%2FREuHB4gg03%2B2uLkq3sqnh2hpj6XRfQ%3D&reserved=0), the UK s community bank, has entered into a long-term collaboration with Infosys (http://www.infosys.com/) (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, to enhance some of its IT and support functions, while digitally transforming the bank s business operations. The collaboration supports the bank s ongoing efficiency and cost saving efforts. Collaborating with a global leader like Infosys will allow Metro Bank to enhance its digital capabilities, improve automation, refine data, and embed further AI capabilities, leveraging Infosys Topaz (https://www.infosys.com/services/data-ai-topaz.html), an AI-first offering using generative AI technologies, to deliver a simpler more consistent customer experience for its FANS. Infosys vast experience and capability will help Metro Bank continue to build a more agile bank, poised for meaningful growth. Daniel Frumkin, Metro Bank Chief Executive Officer, said, This collaboration with a world class provider like Infosys builds on the solid foundations we have already laid, unleashing our true potential, and creating a sustainably profitable and scalable organization that is fit for the future. At the end of this transformation, we will be a very different business, but the true essence of Metro Bank will remain the same a high-quality service organization putting customers centre-stage. Metro Bank expects to deliver 80m of annualized cost savings this year across multiple initiatives, as it progresses towards the target of reaching mid-to-high teen Return on Tangible Equity by 2027. Our vision for Metro Bank in 2025 and beyond, places our store network firmly at its heart, as we continue with our plans to open new stores and bring the Metro Bank experience to the north of England. Dennis Gada, EVP and Global Head of Banking and Financial Services, Infosys, said, Metro Bank s strategic vision and unique business model, combined with Infosys global expertise in driving growth and enhancing efficiencies for mid-sized banks, will significantly contribute to creating value and establishing a top-tier, customer-centric bank. We are excited to collaborate with Metro Bank in driving this transformation by leveraging advanced digital and AI capabilities, banking domain experience, as well as modernization and automation focus through Infosys Topaz. Our shared goal is to continually enhance customer engagement, community focus, and the integration of physical and digital experiences, thereby accelerating growth and value creation for Metro Bank. About Infosys Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses and communities. We enable clients in more than 56 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by cloud and AI. We enable them with an AI-first core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace. Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE, BSE, NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next. Safe Harbor Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, or our future financial or operating performance, are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the safe harbor under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the execution of our business strategy, increased competition for talent, our ability to attract and retain personnel, increase in wages, investments to reskill our employees, our ability to effectively implement a hybrid work model, economic uncertainties and geo-political situations, technological disruptions and innovations such as Generative AI, the complex and evolving regulatory landscape including immigration regulation changes, our ESG vision, our capital allocation policy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity, capital resources, our corporate actions including acquisitions, and cybersecurity matters. Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/4364085/Infosys_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/metro-bank-forges-strategic-collaboration-with-infosys-to-accelerate-digital-transformation-302250152.html Contact: PR_Global@Infosys.com Original-Content von: INFOSYS, ubermittelt durch news aktuell Spacewalk an 'emotional experience' for private astronauts Washington, Sept 17 (AFP) Sep 17, 2024 The commander of the daring space voyage that included the first-ever spacewalk by private astronauts described opening the hatch into the void as an "emotional experience" that left him in awe, yet deeply aware of the dangers. Jared Isaacman, the 41-year-old founder and CEO of Shift4Payments, led the recently concluded SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission, where a team of four ventured farther into the cosmos than any humans in half a century. On the mission's third day in orbit, Isaacman and crewmate Sarah Gillis, a SpaceX engineer, conducted the first extravehicular activity (EVA) by non-government astronauts -- marking a giant leap forward for the commercial space industry. "What an emotional experience, a sensory overload," Isaacman said during a Space on social media site X on Tuesday. "There's the physical exertion, there's the pressure changes, the temperature changes -- it gets a little cold -- and then, of course, the overwhelming visual sensation, when you see Earth with no kind of barrier between you other than the visor that's in front of you." Since Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov performed the first spacewalk in 1965, national space agencies have executed hundreds of EVAs. Isaacman and Gillis gripped onto a hatch structure called "Skywalker" for the few minutes they each spent partly outside their Dragon spacecraft, while government astronauts have carried out far more daring feats, including floating away on a tether, or flying jetpacks untethered. But Isaacman stressed the importance of his commercial endeavor was the benefit it brought to accelerating the evolution of SpaceX's next-generation spacesuit, as Elon Musk's company sets its sights on the colonization of Mars. He added that while he was overwhelmed by the planet's beauty, the experience was far from peaceful. "This is a hard, very threatening environment," he said, likening his experience to that of early maritime explorers sailing to the ends of the Earth. Crewmate Gillis, who followed Isaacman outside, didn't have the same stunning views of Earth. Still, the classically trained violinist was thrilled as she recapped the experience of playing a rousing rendition of "Rey's Theme" by Star Wars composer John Williams. Bringing a violin into space came with its own set of challenges. Gillis had to use a smaller bow, and the instrument underwent rigorous testing to ensure it could withstand exposure to the vacuum during the spacewalk, as the Dragon spacecraft lacks an airlock. "It was so interesting to be able to play an instrument in space," she said. "There were so many instances where you're just trying to keep it still enough that you can actually play successfuly." The violin will be auctioned off, along with copies of a children's book authored by astronaut Anna Menon and read from space, to raise funds for St. Jude's Hospital. KYODO NEWS - Sep 17, 2024 - 07:06 | All, Japan The president of Yamaha Motor Co. sustained an arm injury Monday after his adult daughter allegedly attacked him with a kitchen knife at their house in central Japan, local police said. The police arrested Hana Hidaka on suspicion of attempted murder of her father Yoshihiro, 61, by assaulting him with the weapon at around 3 a.m. Monday at the house in Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, they said. The police responded to a call by the 33-year-old daughter, who told them that her father beat her. She had also called the police at around 5:30 p.m. the previous day, they added. An official of the Iwata-based company that manufactures motorcycles and other vehicles said it will refrain from commenting on the allegation as it is "a private matter that is under investigation." Related coverage: 40% of child abuse deaths in FY 2022 involved babies under 12 months Widow pleads not guilty to murder of Japanese "Don Juan" 2 Japanese in Thai custody over charge of murdering compatriot Lithuania's Kubilius given new EU defence commissioner role Strasbourg, France, Sept 17 (AFP) Sep 17, 2024 Lithuania's Andrius Kubilius was tapped Tuesday for a new defence commissioner role in the European Commission, billed as central to the EU's ambitions to rearm faced with the threat from Russia. As commissioner for defence and space, the former Lithuanian prime minister "will work on developing the European defence union and boosting our investment in industrial capacity," EU chief Ursula von der Leyen told reporters. Lithuania's Kubilius gets new EU defence commissioner role Strasbourg, France, Sept 17 (AFP) Sep 17, 2024 Lithuania's Andrius Kubilius was tapped Tuesday for a new defence commissioner role in the European Commission, billed as central to the EU's ambitions to rearm faced with the threat from Russia. As commissioner for defence and space, the former Lithuanian prime minister "will work on developing the European defence union and boosting our investment in industrial capacity," EU chief Ursula von der Leyen told reporters at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Faced with Russia's war on Ukraine, von der Leyen promised to name a designated defence commissioner as a key part of her new top team. But while the position was originally billed as central to the EU's ambitions, there are doubts over how much power it will actually have. Kubilius, a two-time prime minister of Lithuania and member of the European Parliament since 2019, has been a vocal supporter of Kyiv's fight to repel the Russia's invasion and a noted hawk towards both Moscow and Beijing. Addressing the European Parliament ahead of von der Leyen's press conference, Kubilius argued that the EU needs "to radically ramp up production of our military industry and to integrate Ukraine's military industry with the European one. "And we need to remove any red lines in the defence of Ukraine," he said. Fluent in Russian, Kubilius was a leading light in Lithuania's drive for independence from the Soviet Union and not afraid to take on Moscow during his time as premier. The mild-mannered physicist-turned-politician, who pursued an unpopular austerity drive while prime minister, sits with von der Leyen's centre-right European People's Party in parliament. Until now, von der Leyen had been tight-lipped about what exactly the new defence job would entail. One thing is sure -- the new defence commissioner is not an EU defence minister: the 27-nation bloc has no army of its own and is not planning to set up one any time soon. Instead the main focus will be overseeing efforts to try to bolster the continent's defence sector, a major preoccupation since Russia's tanks rolled into Ukraine in 2022. After years of underinvestment, Europe has struggled to ratchet up capacity and remains a long way behind Russia in the race to churn out arms. While von der Leyen has estimated that the bloc will need to invest 500 billion euros ($550 billion) overall on defence over the next decade -- the figures on the table at an EU level are far below that. According to diplomats, the questions swirling over the new job led EU powerhouses such as France and Poland to switch their priorities to obtaining other positions. That means Kubilius could face a challenge carving out a niche in a turf war for influence in Brussels with some of the big names in the next commission. Two more Chinese ships join Russia for exercises Moscow, Sept 17 (AFP) Sep 17, 2024 Two Chinese Coast Guard ships arrived in Russia's far east on Tuesday for a series of joint drills and patrols with Moscow's forces, the Russian foreign ministry said. The exercise, dubbed "Pacific Patrol 2024", comes just a week after Chinese and Russian warships sailed through the Sea of Japan for a different drill, and as both countries ramp up their military co-operation. "The Chinese Coast Guard ships Meishan and Xiushan are visiting Vladivostok," a local branch of the Russian foreign ministry said on Telegram. "During the visit, a number of events are planned, including joint exercises and patrols. A welcoming ceremony for the flotilla was held on 17 September," it added. Moscow and Beijing have deepened military and economic cooperation in recent years, an alliance that has drawn anxiety from the West as both countries seek to counterbalance what they see as a United States-led global order. China sent four warships and a supply vessel to Russia last week for the start of Moscow's Ocean-2024 exercise, part of the largest drill of its kind for three decades. China says it tailed US aircraft over Taiwan Strait Beijing, Sept 17 (AFP) Sep 17, 2024 The Chinese military tailed a US aircraft that flew through the politically sensitive Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, Beijing's army said, vowing to "resolutely defend national sovereignty". "On September 17, a US P-8A anti-submarine patrol aircraft flew through the Taiwan Strait," Li Xi, a senior captain and spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), said in a statement. The PLA theatre command "organised fighter jets to tail and stand guard against the US aircraft's flight, dealing with it in accordance with the law", Li said. "Theater troops are on constant high alert to resolutely defend national sovereignty and security and regional peace and stability." Beijing views self-ruled Taiwan as a renegade province and claims jurisdiction over the body of water that separates the island from the Chinese mainland. The US Navy's Seventh Fleet said in a statement that a "P-8A Poseidon transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on Sept. 17 (local time)". The statement did not mention the aircraft being tailed by the Chinese military. "By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations," it said. "The aircraft's transit of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific." Taiwan's defence ministry said in a statement "a US P-8A aircraft passed through Taiwan Strait from south to north this morning". "The military has monitored the situation and no anomaly was detected in our surroundings," it said. China also accused Germany of heightening security risks in the Taiwan Strait on Saturday after two of its military vessels sailed through the waterway. Taipei thanked Washington on Tuesday for approving $228 million worth of "return, repair, and reshipment of spare parts" for its aircraft and related equipment, the 16th such sale of arms to the island under US President Joe Biden. Taiwan's defence ministry said in a separate statement the deal was expected to take effect in a month and "will help maintain the combat readiness and safety of various types of aircraft equipment of our air force". Ukrainian defence industry worker jailed for treason Kyiv, Ukraine, Sept 17 (AFP) Sep 17, 2024 A Ukrainian defence industry worker who collected sensitive military information and passed it on to Russia has been jailed for 15 years, the office of Ukraine's Prosecutor General said Tuesday. The man, whom prosecutors did not name, allegedly passed sensitive details about the results of artillery and rocket attacks on Kyiv and surrounding area to an intermediary of the Russian defence ministry. "In addition, he repeatedly provided the enemy with detailed information about the positions, numbers and routes of the Ukrainian Defence Forces, as well as the location of checkpoints, engineering fortifications and weapons depots in the Kyiv region," the prosecutor's office said. "He was sentenced to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property." Ukraine has prosecuted and investigated thousands of people it accuses of having collaborated with Russian forces since they invaded in February 2022, many in the east and south of the country. The United Nations said last year Kyiv had opened more than 6,600 criminal cases "against individuals for collaboration and other conflict-related crimes" since the war began. KYODO NEWS - Sep 17, 2024 - 17:34 | Others, All The average overall price of land in Japan as of July 1 rose 1.4 percent from a year earlier, marking the third consecutive year of increase and the sharpest advance since 1992, amid growing inbound tourism and foreign investment due to the weak yen, government data showed Tuesday. Commercial land saw a 2.4 percent jump and residential land a 0.9 percent rise, both also advancing for the third straight year and at the sharpest pace since 1992, when land prices tumbled as the country's asset-inflated economic bubble burst, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. "Unlike the short-term buying and selling during the bubble period, prices are steadily increasing, reflecting actual demand," the ministry report said. After recovering from the financial crisis triggered by the collapse of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and the coronavirus pandemic, the market has been increasingly on an upward trend. Regional land prices also climbed for the second year in a row, but the report showed some dark spots, with a significant price drop observed in central Japan's Noto region, still affected by an earthquake that struck on New Year's Day. Prices increased significantly across the board in Japan's three largest urban areas centered on the cities of Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, with residential prices climbing for the third consecutive year and prices of land for commercial use increasing for the 12th straight year. In regional areas of Japan, residential land prices rose 0.1 percent, commercial-use land prices rose 0.9 percent, and land prices overall grew 0.4 percent. Prices for residential land increased in 17 of Japan's 47 prefectures. Commercial land prices, easily influenced by growth in inbound tourism, rose in 28. The Meidi-ya Ginza commercial building site in Tokyo's Ginza shopping district fetched the highest price per square meter of 42.1 million yen ($300,000), topping the list for the 19th consecutive year. Sweden boosts 2025 defence budget to 2.4% of GDP Stockholm, Sept 17 (AFP) Sep 17, 2024 Sweden on Tuesday said it was upping its defence budget for next year by 13 billion kronor ($1.3 billion), keeping the new NATO member well in line with the alliance's military spending minimums. The increase will mean that Sweden's defence budget in 2025 would amount 138 billion kronor, or 2.4 percent of GDP, the government said, above the 2 percent of GDP minimum that NATO expects its members to allot to defence. For 2024, defence spending was expected to stand at 2.2 percent of GDP, according to government estimates. The Nordic country dropped two centuries of military non-alignment and applied for membership in the US-led alliance in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine -- becoming the 32nd member in March of this year. "The security situation has continued to deteriorate," Defence Minister Pal Jonson told a press conference. Further investments were also announced going up to 2030, which were expected to bring the total military budget to the equivalent of 2.6 percent of GDP by 2028. In April, a Swedish parliamentary commission recommended measures to strengthen the country's armed forces and bring defence spending to 2.6 percent of GDP. The Swedish Defence Commission said the Scandinavian country needed to respond to new conditions, citing heightened tensions in Europe following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Sweden's recent integration into the NATO military alliance. It recommended additional army brigades and navy personnel, a rise in the number of conscripts trained up every year and the creation of Sweden's first ever rocket artillery unit. In a statement, the government said the 2025 defence budget aimed to "increase the Swedish Armed Forces' operational capacity by investing in personnel, materiel and infrastructure." It said the target for 2025, was for "8,000 conscripts to complete basic training." Sweden drastically slashed its defence spending after the end of the Cold War but reversed course following Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. In March 2022, after Russia's full-fledged invasion of Ukraine, Stockholm announced it would increase spending again, aiming to dedicate two percent of GDP to defence "as soon as possible". US, Israeli defense chiefs discuss Mideast tensions Washington, Sept 17 (AFP) Sep 17, 2024 US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin discussed heightened Middle East tensions with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant on Tuesday, saying it is important to reduce them, the Pentagon announced. The call between the defense chiefs came on the same day that hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded in an attack the Lebanese militant group blamed on Israel, but the Pentagon declined to say whether the explosions were discussed. "Secretary Austin spoke by phone today with his Israeli counterpart to touch base regarding ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the threats facing Israel," Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder told journalists. Austin "reiterated the need for a ceasefire and hostage deal, and the importance of reducing tensions through diplomacy to prevent the potential for a wider regional conflict," he said. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the wave of pager explosions, which killed at least nine people and wounded some 2,800. The blasts came just hours after Israel announced it was broadening the aims of the war sparked by the Hamas attacks to include the safe return of residents of northern Israel who have been displaced by its fight against Hezbollah along its border with Lebanon. US MQ-9 drone crashes near Yemen: Pentagon Washington, Sept 17 (AFP) Sep 17, 2024 A US MQ-9 Reaper drone crashed near Yemen, the Pentagon said Tuesday, after Iran-backed Huthi rebels claimed to have downed several of the aircraft in recent days. "Yesterday, an MQ-9 did crash in the vicinity of Yemen. That is being investigated, but I don't have any additional details to share," Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder told journalists. The Huthis claimed Tuesday that they had shot down three MQ-9s over the past week -- a figure Ryder described as "too high." The Pentagon spokesman said he could not provide a specific number for security reasons, but that the Huthis' figure "is not accurate." The latest drone crash came after the Pentagon confirmed in February that another MQ-9 -- which can be used for both reconnaissance and strikes -- went down off the Yemeni coast after apparently being struck by a Huthi missile. The Huthis -- who are opposed to government forces in Yemen and are one of several militant groups arrayed against Israel -- began attacking shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in November. They say they are attacking Israel-linked vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza, which has been ravaged by the Israel-Hamas war, but ships from multiple countries that have no ties to the conflict have been targeted. You are here: World Flash A file photo taken on July 15, 2020 shows Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala attending a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland. [Photo/Xinhua] World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will seek another four-year term as chief of the trade body, the WTO spokesperson announced on Monday. According to the spokesperson, her decision was formally conveyed on Monday to the WTO General Council. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the seventh director-general of the WTO. She took office on March 1, 2021, becoming the first woman and the first African in this position. Her term of office will expire on Aug. 31, 2025. By Ryotaro Urago, KYODO NEWS - Sep 17, 2024 - 18:35 | Feature, All An urban redevelopment project near Osaka's main transportation hub has reached its final stage, with expectations high that it will become a gateway to western Japan. Known as Umekita, the development around JR Osaka Station, led by the Osaka prefectural and city governments, is transforming the "last prime zone in Osaka" -- the site of a former rail freight yard -- into a lush park, commercial facilities and luxury hotels. With a view of improving access to Kansai International Airport, located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay to the southwest of the bustling western Japan city, the parties involved aim to link the project to the overall growth of the Kansai region in conjunction with the 2025 World Exposition to be hosted by the city. Umekita is an area of approximately 240,000 square meters centered on the former site of JR Umeda Freight Station, where the first phase of the project, a large-scale complex called Grand Front Osaka, opened in 2013. The second phase of development began in 2020, with full opening scheduled for fiscal 2027. "It used to be a bare ground of freight yards," Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura, said, referring to Umekita Park -- the showpiece of the second phase of Umekita, occupying half of the area of the spaced called Grand Green Osaka. According to the developer, at approximately 45,000 square meters, the new urban park is one of the largest in the world that directly connects to a large station, "fusing greenery with innovation." With the partial advance opening of the site on Sept. 6, luxury hotel Canopy by Hilton Osaka Umeda and cultural facilities designed and supervised by architect Tadao Ando were unveiled. In the spring of 2025, Honda Motor Co. plans to open a new software development center, and Kubota Corp. will relocate its head office to the site's new Park Tower, northwest of JR Osaka Station. In July, Japan Post Co. and West Japan Railway Co. (JR West) simultaneously opened large complexes in the neighborhood. Yuichi Kanbayashi, manager of real estate company Mitsubishi Estate Co., which is leading the project to build Grand Green Osaka, suggested there has already been a synergy to the redevelopment of the area, saying, "The flow of people there has already changed." Grand Green Osaka will feature a green space and an event venue, as well as other facilities that can accommodate many people. JR West and Nankai Electric Railway Co. are planning to open the new Naniwasuji Line, an underground heavy rail line that will run north-south through central Osaka, in the spring of 2031. Hankyu Corp. is planning to run a direct train service between JR Shin-Osaka Station and Kansai International Airport. The Kita north area, centered on Osaka Station, has functioned primarily as an access hub for Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures. With the new line shortening travel time to Kansai International Airport, the area's profile as a nexus between the Kansai region and other parts of Japan will likely grow. Osaka is scheduled to open the World Expo in April next year, with a casino-centered integrated resort on Yumeshima island in Osaka Bay to follow around the fall of 2030. With this, expectations from the public and private sectors are high for the second phase of the Umekita project, with hopes it will spark a surge in inbound tourism to Japan. When Osaka Gov. Yoshimura won last year's gubernatorial election, he positioned the prefecture- and city-wide growth strategy on the Umekita project as a key pledge, along with the success of the World Expo and free tuition for high schools. It remains to be seen whether the stated aim of the project "becoming the hub of Osaka and western Japan" will come to fruition. Related coverage: FEATURE: Trailblazing jazz club marks 50th anniversary in Japan FEATURE: The Japan prosthetist platforming Paralympic hopefuls FEATURE: A quest to harness wind for offshore power generation in Japan * 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. Trump is a chaos agent in a world filled with accelerants of his own worst instincts. Take Laura Loomer, the gal pal who has been jetting about on his private plane in Melanias very obvious absence. Loomer flew with Trump to a commemoration of 9/11 at Ground Zero, despite calling the World Trade Center attacks an inside job. In 2022 she was filmed with white supremacist Nick Fuentes, toasting the hostile takeover of the Republican party. Then, she was trying and failing to win a Republican primary for a seat in Congress for Trumps Mar-a-Lago district in Florida. Now that the former president has rallied to her defence and applauded her free spirit, who knows what her next move will be? From there a short path leads to the little town of Duras with its narrow lanes, boulangeries and small shops. Guests at Le Jardin Du Chateau have the option of booking a private chef and we were lucky enough to be looked after by Yann Florio, a former Masterchef: The Professionals finalist. I met Florio at the towns thriving market for his guided tour of the stalls and he explained how he was selecting the ingredients for that evenings meal. The chef, who was born in Lorraine but is now based in Hackney Wick, tossed me a peak season Charentais melon from a local farm as he wound his way around the cobbled streets. His mission was to source our dinner entirely from the market and nearby farms. These included courgettes he saw being harvested on his way to the market that he used in a tartare for grilled mackerel, with a confit of violet garlic and preserved lemon. It is clear the man shown in the footage was an innocent bystander and he was dearrested as soon as this was established by officers at the scene. Your constant dedication and hard work will lead us to a world where inclusion and equality can be realised across our Commonwealth The message from the King SYDNEY, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- A deadly strain of avian influenza may be spread by the food-stealing behavior of some seabirds, Australian scientists said in a study published on Tuesday. The H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has killed millions of birds, as well as thousands of sea lions and elephant seals, since 2021 and has spread to every continent except Australia. Researchers led by a team at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney identified kleptoparasitism - a feeding strategy where some seabirds force others to regurgitate their prey and steal it - as a possible transmission path for the strain. The researchers said if a bird targeted for food theft is infected, the regurgitated food could be coated in saliva with a high viral load, infecting the kleptoparasite, which in turn could infect others. Simon Gorta, lead author of the study from UNSW Sydney's Centre for Ecosystem Science, warned that H5N1 could enter Australia via the pathway. "Understanding transmission is critical to monitoring and management efforts, particularly when at-risk species or regions are involved, and it's helpful to understand threats to other animals and people," Gorta said in a media release. "We have identified that migratory kleptoparasites, alongside predatory and scavenging species, could be some of the first species to become infected when H5N1 reaches Australia," he said. Kleptoparasitism is a common behavior among seabirds, including frigatebirds and skuas which the researchers focused on. Co-author Richard Kingsford from UNSW Sydney said seabirds are especially vulnerable to the H5N1 panzootic because of the way they densely group together during the breeding season. The study also involved researchers at Deakin and Monash universities in Melbourne and BirdLife International, which is a global partnership of NGOs that aims to conserve birds and their habitats. Experts have previously said an outbreak of H5N1 in Australia is inevitable. Julie Collins, Australia's Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, early in September convened a meeting of biosecurity agencies, environmental authorities and industry groups to test the country's preparedness for, and response to, an outbreak of the strain with a focus on wild birds and marine mammals. UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday urged the United States to take tangible actions to push Israel to cease its military operations in the Gaza Strip without delay. "We urge the United States to show a responsible attitude, use the significant influence it holds over the party, and take tangible actions to push Israel to cease its military operations without delay, as demanded by the Council resolutions, to give the long-suffering Palestinian people a chance to live," Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. Geng noted that over the past year, despite strong joint international calls for a ceasefire and the cessation of killings, Israel has not halted its military operations in Gaza, which have led to the death of over 41,000 Palestinian civilians. "This is alarming. This is past belief," the ambassador stressed. Geng pointed out that as the analysis point out, had the United States not stood in the way on all those occasions, the Security Council could have adopted a resolution demanding a ceasefire early on after the conflict erupted, and had the United States not shielded one side time and again, multiple resolutions of the Security council would not have been flagrantly rejected and defied. "China supports further actions on the part of this Council to put out the flames of war, mitigate the humanitarian disaster, and bring peace to the region as soon as possible," he said. The 20th anniversary edition of the Bucharest International Film Festival (BIFF), the only international feature film competition organized in Bucharest, will screen from Thursday to September 29 eight awarded films in the Panorama section, inform the organizers in a press release sent to AGERPRES. Conceived as a festival open to art cinema, which encourages newly emerging cinema trends, discovers talents and promotes young filmmakers, the 20th edition will include the following sections: Official Feature Film Competition, Panorama, History and Cinema, Romanian authors, Radu Mihaileanu Retrospective and Philippe Lesage Retrospective. The BIFF anniversary edition will have nine films in competition, respectively eight films in the Panorama section. The "Panorama" section includes films awarded or nominated at the most important film festivals around the world, presented for the first time in Bucharest. In the Panorama section, the following films will be presented: "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" - directed by Mohammad Rasoulof (Iran), "Slow" - directed by Marija Kavtaradze, "Eternal" - directed by Ulaa Salim, "The Master and Margaret" - directed by Michael Lockshin, "My Favorite Cake" - directed by Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha, "The Sparrow in the Chimney" - directed by Ramon Zurcher, "Mr. Blake at your Service" - directed by Gilles Legardinier, "Hors du Temps". The honorary president of the BIFF XX anniversary edition is the film critic Irina-Margareta Nistor, and the members of the international BIFF Jury are: the Canadian director and screenwriter Philippe Lesage, the president of the BIFF Jury this year, Paul Cozighian, French-Romanian independent director and journalist, the actress Ana Ularu, the director, screenwriter and actor Valeriu Andriuta and the Lithuanian film producer Marija Razgute. At the Panorama Closing Gala, which will take place at the Muzeul Taranului Cinema, on September 29, starting at 7:30 p.m., the award-winning films from the Competition section will be announced. Also at this Gala, the French director, of Romanian origin, Radu Mihaileanu, the special guest of the 20th edition of the Festival, will receive the Award for Excellence. The films that will bear the imprint of BIFF will run this year in four spaces - Cinema Muzeul Taranului, Cinema Union, CREART - Gradina cu filme and Cinemateca Eforie. The National News Agency AGERPRES is the media partner of the event. Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Daniel Suciu said on Tuesday that there will be an analysis of whether or not additional security screening before entering the building are needed after an incident in which a person started a fire at the Palace of Parliament, adding that he would not want the incident to be used to close down the building or tighten public touring rules. "Let's establish some things and take any measures after a very accurate analysis of this incident and see if additional measures are required, because evry year between 200,000 and 240,000 visitors, Romanian and foreign alike, enter this building, and the area where this incident took place is the entrance area; it is the public area, the area where tickets are issued and before the security scanning. We will look into adding another scanner - we already have two screening systems purchased - before entering the building," Suciu said at Parliament Palace when asked if more drastic measures should be taken, including in the exhibition area. He added that he does not want this incident to be used to tighten public touring rules. "I wouldn't want this incident, serious as it is, to be used to close down this building, to tighten up the touring rules even more for all the people who want to visit it." The speaker added that he was alerted about this fire within five minutes of its occurrence. "I asked if the evacuation was necessary in more than that area, I was told that it was not and in a few minutes I went down to see what happened. The fire was already extinguished and I confess that I was very concerned about the health of our employee," Suciu said. According to him, the incident was captured on the surveillance cameras in the dispatch of the Chamber of Deputies and firefighters, the Police and the special protection service were immediately alerted, while in the meantime Parliament employees from that area stepped in with fire extinguishers. Asked if the person who set the fire was still in the building, he said: "I could not say, but I think that, since he is wanted outside the perimeter, it means that he was captured on the surveillance cameras leaving the premises of Parliament." Suciu added that the evacuation of the entire building was not required. "The evacuation of the entire building was not required. That area is somewhat a contained area, because there is the waiting area for those who are going to pass the security screening and enter the building," Suciu said, adding that there was only one fire outbreak. Regarding the employee's condition, he said: "It was a panic attack and, at least at the time when I spoke with the doctors on the ambulance, I understood that the lady did not want to be hospitalised, she was being medicated." The Romanian Gendarmerie said on Tuesday that the fire at Parliament Palace was not in the security area of the building, and the man who set fire to some stuff he owned had not reached the screening area of the Special Guard and Protection Service (SPP). "Around 13:50hrs, at Parliament Palace, in the area of a souvenir shop located near the Constantin Brancusi Exhibition Hall, a man set fire to some stuff he had in his possession, after which he left the scene. Access to the area where the incident happened is free, according to the Regulation of Access to the Chamber of Deputies and Senate, before the security screening area of the SPP. It should be known that the man did not enter the security area inside the building." Workers of the local Fire Department went to the affected area to extinguish the fire and measures were taken to evacuate people. Law enforcement officers swept the area inside and outside the building searchin for the arsonist. The former deputy general secretary of NATO, Mircea Geoana, wished success to Roxana Manzatu on Tuesday in her role as European commissioner from Romania, stating, however, that our country "deserved a portfolio with more significance". "I welcome the news that a young woman like Roxana Minzatu will have the position of vice-president of the European Commission. She is a prepared lady, who deserved a better portfolio, but that's all the current leaders could get. And Mrs. Valean, in the last mandate, did a good job. But, I repeat, Romania deserves more, a portfolio with more significance", Geoana wrote on his Facebook account. Candidate in the presidential elections this autumn, Mircea Geoana says that he will fight for the Romanian youth to be "massively" promoted on all lines. "I also said at my NATO withdrawal ceremony that I dedicate the appreciation of the Alliance to the young men and women of Romania, who have a huge potential to succeed at home and anywhere in the world. (...) As president, I will fight for Romania to be respected and our young people to be massively promoted at NATO, the EU and in all international organizations where Romania's interests must be defended. I wish Roxana Minzatu success," Mircea Geoana wrote. Roxana Minzatu, Romania's candidate for the European Commission, received the post of executive vice-president for People, competence and training, as announced in Brussels by the President of the European Executive, Ursula von der Leyen. Cyber threats against our national infrastructures are becoming increasingly dangerous and sophisticated, Israeli Ambassador to Romania, Lior Ben Dor, told a speciality forum on Tuesday, informs Agerpres. "I am greatly honored to open this forum where Romania and Israel will focus on strengthening and expanding their partnership in cyber security. As we all know, cyber threats against our national infrastructures are becoming increasingly dangerous and sophisticated. That is why we must unite, why we must work together, we must collaborate to protect our nations against those threats. This partnership that you are creating here is just a natural extension of the partnership, friendship, cooperation and mutual support already existing between Romania and Israel," said the Israeli official. He added that his goal, as ambassador, is to "develop and strengthen the partnership and cooperation between the two countries" in order to "protect us in the fields of cyber security". The Embassy of Israel in Romania, in partnership with the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute (IEICI), is organizing, on Tuesday, the event "Romania - Israel Homeland & Cybersecurity Forum". "Israel is known worldwide as a pioneer in the field of security. With considerable experience in the development and implementation of security solutions, the 14 companies that will participate in this year's HLS & Cyber in Bucharest have proven that they can provide effective and flexible answers to complex challenges. The forum aims to provide a framework for presentations and technology demonstrations, facilitating the exchange of ideas and exploring opportunities for collaboration between Israeli companies and key national security institutions/companies in Romania," the organizers note. New orders in the manufacturing industry increased in nominal terms, overall, by 1.2% in the first seven months of this year, compared to the corresponding period last year, on account of the advance recorded in the capital goods industry (+5.3%), the National Institute of Statistics (INS) announced on Tuesday, informs Agerpres. Decreases were recorded by the current goods industry (-4.5%), the durable goods industry (-4.3%) and the intermediate goods industry (-4.2%). In July, new orders in manufacturing increased in nominal terms by 0.4% compared with June, owing to increases in intermediate goods industry (+2.5%), durable goods industry (+1.7%) and capital goods industry (+1%). The capital goods industry fell by 0.8%. New orders in manufacturing rose, in nominal terms, by 7.5% in July 2024 compared with July 2023, on account of increases in the capital goods industry (+12.8%), the durable goods industry (+4.1%) and the consumer goods industry (+2.8%). The intermediate goods industry dropped by 0.1%. New orders in the manufacturing industry represent the value of contracts concluded in the reference month between a producer and a customer and relate to the deliveries of goods and services related to the producer, regardless of the period in which they are to be honored. It does not include product-related taxes (such as VAT), rebates and discounts, when these are granted contractually, the INS said. ISTANBUL, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Five people were detained in Turkiye's Istanbul on Tuesday in an operation targeting individuals who use social media to solicit and redirect donations to the Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. According to Anadolu, the operation was conducted by the Istanbul police's anti-terror department to uncover terrorist activities and identify the financial sources of terrorist organizations. Police discovered that the suspects had posted ads on social media platforms claiming to offer "winter stove and fuel assistance," "sacrificial animal assistance during Eid al-Adha," and "support for families in refugee camps." The funds collected in both U.S. dollars and cryptocurrency were redirected to members of the IS and al-Qaeda, including their spouses and children residing in the al-Hol refugee camp in Syria, the report said. The camp is under the control of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party and its Syrian affiliate, the Kurdish People's Protection Units, it added. After identifying the suspects, police launched simultaneous operations at five locations in Istanbul, capturing the suspects along with numerous digital documents. The Turkish government designated the IS as a terrorist organization in 2013, blaming it for a series of deadly attacks in the country since 2015. Turkiye's southern border with Syria has been a major transit route for Syrians and foreign fighters since the Syrian civil war began in 2011. Over 45 companies from various fields will exhibit advanced technologies and products at the most important event in the area of sustainable energy in Romania, Smart Energy Expo 2024, which will take place September 19- 21, at the Constanta Exhibition Pavilion. The Constanta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Navigation and Agriculture (CCINA) informed on Tuesday that Smart Energy Expo 2024 brings together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, authorities and specialists from Romania and abroad, offering an ideal platform for promoting innovative solutions in the field of renewable energy and smart technologies. More than 45 companies from various fields will showcase advanced technologies and products, including: renewable energy and photovoltaic solutions; smart lighting systems; charging stations for electric vehicles; Smart Cities and Smart Homes technologies; construction materials for buildings with high energy performance; software and hardware solutions for optimising energy consumption. Part of the exhibition will be thematic workshops held by experts offering participants free access to presentations and debates on topics of major interest, such as energy efficiency, transition to renewable sources and smart infrastructure. "The event brings an important premiere on the international scene: the participation of a delegation from Hungary, coordinated by the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which will present innovative solutions and state-of-the-art technologies in the field of green energy through seven leading companies," according to organisers. A special networking area is also provided to facilitate dialogue among companies, experts and authorities, promoting collaboration and partnerships for the development of a sustainable energy future. In addition, the Start-up Arena sector is ready to offer young companies an opportunity to present their solutions and interact with potential partners and investors. Smart Energy Expo 2024, now in its third edition, is organised by CCINA Constanta, with the Ministry of Energy as a strategic partner, enjoying support from prestigious energy organisations. Romania will continue to stand by Moldova at the European level in terms of negotiations for accession to the European Union, and also in concrete aspects of economic development, infrastructure consolidation and energy security, Romania's Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu said on Tuesday in Chisinau, Moldova. The head of the Romanian diplomacy co-chaired the fifth ministerial conference of the Moldova Support Platform. She said that the Support Platform was created to support Moldova both financially and sectorally, seriously affected by the consequences of the war waged by Russia in Ukraine. "We have managed in this format, through the four ministerial conferences and through the activity of the platform's working groups, to mobilise important resources to support the Republic of Moldova. Thus, through their own consistent effort and with support from international partners, the pro-European officials in Chisinau managed to speed up the implementation of a wide range of reforms," Odobescu told a news conference after the meeting. At the same time, she added, the authorities "have efficiently and responsibly managed the series of crises generated by the wave of refugees, the disruptions of trade and transport chains that have led to economic contraction and, obviously, to the use by the Russian Federation of energy resources as a geopolitical weapon, and lately to cope with targeted hybrid attacks from Moscow." She pointed to exceptional results in relation to the Moldova's resources and the difficulty of the situation in which it has been since the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. According to the minister, Moldova "is today in a better position, strengthened in all aspects, as against the moment when the support platform was established." She also mentioned the transformation of the Moldova Support Platform - initiated by the foreign ministers of Romania, France and Germany in 2022 - into the Moldova Partnership Platform. "In particular, in order to adapt to the current stage of reforms in the Republic of Moldova and the negotiation process for accession to the European Union, we have also decided together on changes in the format of the working groups, which would provide the Republic of Moldova with better targeted technical support for a rapid advancement of the reform and negotiation process for accession to the European Union," said Odobescu. Part of the ministerial conference was issuing a joint statement of the foreign ministers of Romania, France, Germany and Moldova reconfirming the important role of this cooperation format and the joint commitment to supporting Moldova's European integration process, as well as its efforts of economic development and resilience building. Odobescu and the other attending ministers were welcomed by Moldova's President Maia Sandu. She had separate meetings with Moldova's Prime Minister Dorin Recean and Moldova's Foreign Minister Mihail Popoi. On the sidelines of the ministerial conference, the head of the Romanian diplomacy had brief meetings with her counterparts from France and Germany, as well as with the UK Minister for Europe. Odobescu also had a brief exchange of views with the USAID Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia Erin McKee on strengthening bilateral cooperation in support of Moldova, including by coordinating the assistance efforts of the two sides. A joint commitment for funding and building an overhead power line for the Romania- Moldova interconnection between Gutina and Straseni was reconfirmed. Romania is fully committed to and supports carbon neutrality by 2050, as mentioned in Romania's long-term energy strategy, the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Energy, Dan-Dragos Dragan, told the specialised conference "Developing infrastructure for the production, storage and supply of energy from renewable sources", organised by the Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Romania) on Tuesday, informs Agerpres. He mentioned that the Ministry of Energy has published an updated version on the institution's website of "Romania's Energy Strategy 2025-2035, with an outlook to 2050", which will be sent to the European Commission in early October, after being adopted by the government. "What is very important if we look at the whole energy sector? We need to see what is happening in each area of this sector. If we focus on generation, on energy production, we must know that we will develop in three categories: renewables, with at least 10,000 GW added by 2030, nuclear energy and gas," said the secretary of state. He explained that renewable energy technology is linked to photovoltaic panels, which are advancing faster than others. "The installed capacity is already making us reach the intermediate targets for 2026. We are also developing on-shore and off-shore wind capacity. We must also focus on hydropower because we have potential in Romania. We have seen in recent days the impact on the population and we need to take the necessary steps in this direction. We are also focusing on biomass, biogas and geothermal energy. We have resources in western Romania and in the vicinity of Bucharest and we want to use these resources to promote geothermal energy as well, thus reducing CO2 emissions by heating with geothermal energy. This energy can also be used for electricity production," said Dan-Dragos Dragan. As far as nuclear energy is concerned, he said that Romania will have two more CANDU units at Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant. "We have had this technology for a long time and we will install two other units, which will be commissioned by 2030-2031 and will also be connected to the grid," the Energy Ministry representative said. He said, at the same time, that our country has significant natural gas resources and that 80% of the national needs are provided by domestic production. In addition, the ministry is also considering allocating additional funds from the modernisation amounts for digitalisation in the energy sector. "450 million EUR has been allocated for the development of new renewable energy production capacities. We have reached our targets for 2026 and these production units will be connected to the grid, regardless of whether they are produced at the consumer level or not. Another important aspect mentioned here concerns the rehabilitation of cogeneration units. We have already signed contracts with local authorities to replace their new and old installations with cogeneration. 350 million have already been allocated for this purpose," Dan-Dragos Dragan added. According to him, 400 million EUR have been allocated for public authorities to renew their district heating network. The Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Romania) organized, on Tuesday, a conference on "Developing infrastructure for the production, storage and supply of energy from renewable sources". The conference is part of the project initiated and financed by the Federal Ministry of Economy and Climate Protection (BMWK) for German and Romanian companies interested in bilateral business in the field of infrastructure development for renewable energy and aims to promote German systems and products in this field on the Romanian market. The event will be attended by German and Romanian experts who will present current legislative and financial aspects, potential risks and technological opportunities for the development of green energy infrastructure in Romania. Romania's accession to the Schengen Area with land borders, migration management and border security were the main subjects discussed by Romania's Home Minister Catalin Predoiu and his Hungarian counterpart Sandor Pinter at a videoconference on Monday. Amid Romania's efforts to finalise the Schengen accession file, Predoiu had a working meeting via videoconference with Pinter. According to the Romanian Ministry of Home Affairs, the discussions were part of this year's series of meetings of the two dignitaries focused on issues of common interest regarding migration management and border security. Predoiu thanked Hungary for its constant position and consistency over Romania's accession to the Schengen area. He pointed out that this is an extremely important moment in terms of the second stage of accession to the Schengen area - the elimination of controls at the internal land borders. Romania has demonstrated that it secures European borders at a high level, applies all Schengen rules and legislation, uses all European systems, issues Schengen visas and has not recorded any syncope since the elimination of air and sea border controls, on March 31, 2024. Also highlighted was the particularly advanced level of Romania's readiness for getting operational the future European information system, the Entry/Exit System, and the fact that Romania is a "top standard in the application of the Schengen provisions." Pinter reconfirmed Hungary's support - including in its capacity as the current holder of the rotating presidency of the European Council - for the completion of Romania's accession process during this year, by facilitating discussions within the Justice and Home Affairs Council. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has announced that at a meeting on Tuesday at the Government House, "important steps" were set for the completion of an aid scheme for large strategic investment in the manufacturing industry and another one that is the basis of the support programme for Romania's large industries - metallurgy, steel and chemicals. "The first component of the plan for strategic investment in the manufacturing industry involves a state-aid scheme of EUR 500 million and tax incentives for investment projects in excess of EUR 150 million that directly create at least 250 jobs and develops in regions with a per-capita GDP below the national average. The second component of the industrial plan is the national support programme for large industries in Romania - a six-year state aid scheme of EUR 1 billion for the decarbonisation of production processes and energy efficiency," Ciolacu wrote in a social media post. According to him, an estimated 30 metallurgical and chemicals companies will receive support of up to EUR 100 million per beneficiary. "There are companies that will implement investments of eligible costs of at least EUR 8 million that which reduce direct greenhouse gas emissions from industrial facilities by 40% and/or reduce energy consumption in industrial facilities by at least 20% in relation to the supported activities. Funds for the state aid scheme come mainly from the sale of greenhouse gas emission certificates related, and the investment has to stay in place for five years from the date of its completion," said Ciolacu. He added that a third component of the plan involves a state aid scheme of RON 1.25 billion for 15 companies that implement investment in the production of industrial raw materials. "These three support programmes are in line with the measures proposed in the Draghi Plan to increase the industrial competitiveness of the European economy. The three aid schemes mean increasing industrial production and GDP through investments, narrowing the trade balance deficit, creating new well-paid jobs, as well as decarbonising production processes and increasing energy efficiency," Ciolacu said. A meeting of the governing coalition was held on Tuesday at the Government House attended by national leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL) Nicolae Ciuca, the party's secretary general, Lucian Bode, and PNL leaders Rares Bogdan, Dan Motreanu and Alina Gorghiu. On behalf of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), in addition to the prime minister, there were PSD leaders Sorin Grindeanu and Alfred Simonis, among others (EUR 1 = RON 1.47). The head of the National Liberal Party (PNL) Nicolae Ciuca declared on Tuesday that in the governing coalition it was decided to back the "Romania produces" plan for the reindustrialization of Romania, noting that it is a project that he announced and defined when he was prime minister. "Romanian industry can revive itself and become a catalyst of the economy again if it receives the support it needs. I asked the Minister of Finance, Marcel Bolos, to present the "Romania produces" plan - a project which I announced and defined when I was a prime minister - and whose goal is to unlock the country's economic potential. We decided today in the governing coalition to support, through this concrete plan, the reindustrialization of Romania," Ciuca wrote on Facebook. He said that "the liberal project pumps billions of euros into the real economy, through three programs carried out in the following years. "The 'Industrial Renewal of Romania' program has a value of 3 billion euros and has three directions. To attract private investments in the economy, one billion euros has been allocated. Thus, projects worth at least 150 million euros will receive a 30% grant of value. Through the second direction, 450 million euros is granted to support the industry with an impact in reducing the differences between the country's regions. The third direction aims at the accelerated decarbonization of the industry, through a support of one billion euros", explained the liberal leader. Ciuca mentioned that the second program of 250 million euros from the national plan will stimulate the processing of deposits in the country: "Romanian resources must be processed in the country, ensuring jobs for people and a consistent strengthening of our exports". According to Ciuca, "the third program will invest 300 million euros in the development of local businesses. Domestic companies can increase their value and strength to become relevant on international markets. Romania is a country of innovation, brave people and opportunities". "I am convinced that, through a revitalization plan, the country's industry will be more solid and more competitive", added the PNL leader. ST. LOUIS COUNTY Hazelwood School District officials said theyre working with law enforcement to address a situation involving a teacher accused online of inappropriate relations with a minor. In Instagram stories Monday evening, Dustin Lampros, an MMA fighter and founder of 561 Predator Catcher, posted videos of him scolding a man at a gas station who he said attempted to meet a decoy 14-year-old boy for sex. The man is alleged to be a sixth-grade teacher at Hazelwood. The district is aware of a situation regarding a staff member at Hazelwood West Middle School and is working with law enforcement to address the situation, the school said in a statement on the schools website. All students are safe and the school is calm. As this is a personnel matter, we are unable to provide additional information. Tameika Sanders, Normandys police chief, confirmed that the department is investigating. But, in a written statement, Sanders said the department has only received superficial information from the reporting party about what happened. Despite our ongoing efforts to gather and validate these details, the same reporting party chose to release unvetted and unsubstantiated information to the public, before providing the gathered intelligence to our law enforcement agency, Sanders said. Furthermore, we have not been contacted by, nor have we identified, any potential student victims, parents, or community members in relation to this case. Lampros mentioned the mans name in the video, but no charges had been filed as of 2 p.m. Tuesday. His name also did not appear in Hazelwood School Districts staff directory. On Facebook, Lampros wrote that the man agreed to pick up the boy and take him to his house to have sex with him. But when the man didnt show up, Lampros said he called the man, who denied the communications. Lampros asked to meet to discuss who was stealing his identity. Once he met me, we started discussing it, and he denied it all until I played the voice recording of him talking to the 14 y/o boy and then finally admitted it, Lampros wrote. Around 5:11 p.m. Monday, Hazelwood Police said they responded to Hazelwood West Middle School for a miscellaneous school incident. Officers said they contacted the schools principal and Lampros, who told police his organization attempts to apprehend child predators. During their investigation, Lampros stated they were talking to an adult male who allegedly works for the school district, police said in a release. Nothing illegal occurred within the Hazelwood Police Departments jurisdiction, police said. In one of the videos, Lampros called the alleged teachers mother, saying Your son is obviously a teacher and around children. Its very alarming hes talking this way. Lampros handed the phone to the man, who admitted guilt to his mom. I didnt do anything but I almost did something and I screwed up, he said. Sanders described the information released on social media as unvetted and unsubstantiated. Unfortunately, much of what has been circulated online is not only unproductive but also harmful, as it fosters false narratives and spreads misinformation, Sanders said. People across China have organized a variety of vibrant cultural activities to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Sept. 17 this year. #GLOBALink ST. LOUIS A man was sentenced Monday to probation for causing a crash that killed a 17-year-old girl in downtown St. Louis. La'Javion D. Ramsey, 29, of East St. Louis, pleaded guilty in July to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Sierra Rubymae Ward-Micke, of De Soto. Ward-Micke was riding in the bed of a pickup truck at about 2:30 a.m. Aug. 17, 2020, near the intersection of 10th Street and Washington Avenue when the truck collided with a speeding 2014 Dodge Challenger driven by Ramsey, court documents say. At a sentencing hearing Monday, Ramsey's lawyer said his client showed immediate remorse at the scene of the crash, and Ramsey said he continues to think about Ward-Micke every day. "I am truly sorry," he said. Ramsey was ultimately sentenced to 60 days in jail time he already served followed by five years of probation. As part of his sentence, he will be required to be screened for substance abuse treatment and complete a driving program. JEFFERSON CITY A St. Louis County state Senate candidates plan to tear down a historic capital city property and replace it with a castle was stalled Monday night amid local opposition. Before the Jefferson City Council meeting Monday, Councilman Mark Schwartz said the council would seek to negotiate the purchase of another vacant lot with the candidate, David Gregory, the Jefferson City News Tribune reported. Speakers at the meeting were told the demolition was off the table, according to the newspaper. The announcement came after local residents criticized the plan by Gregory and his wife, Paige, to demolish the 1883 Italianate-style house, called the Daniel H. McIntyre house after the former Missouri attorney general who lived there in the late 19th century, the News Tribune reported. The couple planned to erect Paiges Castle in its place, saying Gregory intended to self-occupy the building and also rent it on a platform like Airbnb. Their plan said that Gregorys previous work in the Missouri House kept him from his wife for half the year. He vowed to her that, if he ever returned, he would build her another home so she and their family could always be with him, the plan said. David is on a mission to build Paige her castle and create a new, historic trend for Jefferson City living. A spokesman for Gregory did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. His Democratic opponent in the race for the 15th Senate District, Joe Pereles, used the episode to portray Gregory as detached from the district. Joe is focused squarely on talking with voters over the next seven weeks not building castles in Jefferson City, Megan Shackelford, spokesperson for Pereles, said Monday. Gregory said in a statement later Monday that Clearly, my opponent wants to talk about my family because he doesnt want to talk about the liberal policies he supports that hurt families in my district. Alderman Scott Spencer, who represents Jefferson Citys 3rd Ward, said in an email: David Gregory has worked with us every step of the way and its wrong that some people are playing politics with this property, which we have wanted to redevelop for decades. MANILA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- An improvised bomb killed a man in Zamboanga del Sur province in the southern Philippines on early Tuesday, police said. Police said the explosion, which occurred in Tukuran, a seaside town, killed the man instantly and damaged a beachside store. According to the police, the store owner immediately alerted the police after discovering the body of the victim and the wrecked motorbike. Witnesses also said that a utility vehicle was seen fleeing the crime scene after the explosion. Police have been looking into the witness statements that the bomb was hidden inside the motorbike's storage or top tail box. Police said they have launched an investigation to determine whether the deadly blast was a terror attack or an accident. JERUSALEM Israel said Tuesday that halting Hezbollahs attacks in the countrys north to allow residents to return to their homes is now an official war goal, as it considers a wider military operation in Lebanon that could ignite an all-out conflict. Israeli officials have repeatedly threatened to take heavier military action to halt the near-daily attacks, which began shortly after the outbreak of the nearly yearlong Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Israel has regularly launched airstrikes on Lebanon in response and has targeted and killed senior Hezbollah commanders. As recently as last month it appeared a full-blown war was imminent. Tuesdays statement by Israels security Cabinet signaled a tougher stance at a time when Israeli leaders have stepped up their warnings. But it also appeared to be largely symbolic and may not herald an immediate change in policy. The tit-for-tat strikes have displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the Israeli-Lebanon border. Hezbollah has said it would halt the attacks if there is a cease-fire in Gaza, but those talks have repeatedly bogged down. The United States has pressed for restraint even as it has rushed military aid to Israel, warning its close ally that a wider war would not achieve its goals. Israeli media have meanwhile reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering firing Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and replacing him with Gideon Saar, the leader of a small right-wing party who is seen as more hawkish. That would be the biggest leadership shakeup in Israel since Hamas Oct. 7 attack triggered the war in Gaza and set off wider regional tensions. The announcement on Lebanon came after Israels security Cabinet met late into the night. It said the Cabinet has updated the objectives of the war to include safely returning the residents of the north to their homes. Israel will continue to act to implement this objective, it said. U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, who has made several visits to Lebanon and Israel to try to ease tensions, met with Netanyahu on Monday. Hochstein told Netanyahu that intensifying the conflict with Hezbollah would not help return Israelis evacuated from the border area to their homes, according to a U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private talks. According to the official, Hochstein argued that Netanyahu risked sparking a broad and protracted regional conflict if he moved forward with a full-scale war in Lebanon and said the Biden administration remained committed to finding a diplomatic solution in conjunction with a Gaza cease-fire or on its own. Netanyahu told Hochstein that residents cannot return without a fundamental change in the security situation in the north, according to a statement from the prime ministers office. It said that while Netanyahu appreciates and respects U.S. support, Israel will do what is necessary to safeguard its security. Defense Minister Gallant has meanwhile said the focus of the conflict is shifting from Gaza to Israels north. He told U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin this week that time is running out for an agreement with Hezbollah, saying the trajectory is clear. Hezbollah has said that while it does not want a wider war it is prepared for one. Raed Berro, a member of Hezbollahs bloc in the Lebanese parliament, said Monday that the militant group is ready for confrontation and has a lot in its pocket to deter the enemy and protect Lebanon in case Netanyahu thinks of expanding the war. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a close political ally of Hezbollah, largely dismissed the warnings, telling a local newspaper that the Lebanese have grown used to the increasing Israeli threats even if their tone has become louder recently. The war in Gaza began when Hamas launched a surprise attack into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking another 250 hostage. Militants are still holding around 100 captives, a third of whom are believed to be dead, after releasing most of the rest during a cease-fire last year. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed over 41,000 Palestinians in the territory since Oct. 7, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The ministry does not differentiate between fighters and civilians in its count but says a little over half of those killed were women and children. Iran supports Hamas, Hezbollah and other militant groups across the region, which have carried out strikes on Israeli and U.S. targets in solidarity with the Palestinians. A missile launched by Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Sunday set off air raid sirens in central Israel without causing casualties. Israel has hinted at a military response. Israel and Iran traded fire directly for the first time in April, and Iran has threatened to avenge the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in an explosion in Tehran in July. The targeted killing was widely blamed on Israel, which has not said whether it was involved. The U.S., Qatar and Egypt have spent most of this year trying to broker an agreement in which Hamas would release the hostages in exchange for a lasting cease-fire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. President Joe Biden endorsed the framework of the agreement in May and the U.N. Security Council backed it days later. But since then, both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of making new and unacceptable demands, and the talks appear to be at an impasse. Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani in Washington, and Abby Sewell and Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut contributed to this report. As former President Donald Trump and his acolytes busily build an alternate reality in which Americas elections are rife with conspiracies and fraud, its worth noting that here in the real world, spreading the biggest of MAGAs Big Lies can still backfire on its purveyors. Were happy to report that the disinformation peddlers behind The Gateway Pundit, the national right-wing conspiracy site based (to our regions shame) in the St. Louis area, are a step closer to facing well-deserved justice. A St. Louis judge last month finally set a trial date in a defamation suit by two Georgia election workers whose lives were disrupted after the site repeatedly targeted them with debunked and slanderous allegations of ballot fraud in the 2020 election. In setting the March trial date for site founder Jim Hoft and others behind this putrid platform, the court has effectively ended their strategy of indefinitely delaying the case by pursuing bankruptcy. Should justice prevail, Hoft & Co. will soon find themselves joining Rudy Giuliani, Alex Jones, Fox News and other professional liars who have learned the expensive way that facts still matter. After the 2020 election, Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Shaye Moss, Freemans daughter, became the focal point of a smear campaign by Trump and his supporters based on a video that falsely purported to show the women of producing suitcases full of illegal ballots and running them through vote-counting machines multiple times. Even after election officials debunked the claims, Trump himself and others continued spreading the lie about the women. The Gateway Pundit was among the most aggressive promoters of that lie. The women sued Hoft and his site after its sustained campaign against them resulted in a deluge of harassment and death threats so onerous that, on the advice of the FBI, Freeman moved out of her home for two months. Hoft sought bankruptcy protection for the site, claiming this and other litigation against it was threatening to drive it out of business. But a federal judge in July threw out the bankruptcy claim, ruling that it was a bad-faith action filed purely as a litigation strategy to stall the defamation suit. Hofts lawyers had sought a stay in that suit while they appealed the dismissal of the bankruptcy case. But St. Louis Circuit Judge Elizabeth Hogans order on Aug. 26 setting a trial date for the defamation case effectively rejects that strategy. She ordered the jury trial to begin March 10. The jury will have plenty evidence to consider. The website repeated its false allegations against the two women again and again, naming them, showing their pictures and declaring them dirty Crooks, all with the histrionics that are familiar to Gateway Pundit viewers screaming uppercase copy, exclamation points everywhere and unsupported claims of criminality presented as established fact. Now we have evidence mother Ruby sent the same stack of votes through a tabulator ... three times, falsely declared one of the numerous articles the site posted on the issue. ... (N)obody did more to steal the election for Joe Biden than this mother-daughter combo. The good people in Georgia need to stand up. The kind of people who read The Gateway Pundit reacted like youd expect. As a direct result of Defendants campaign of lies, reads the defamation suit, Ms. Freeman and Ms. Moss began receiving almost immediately an onslaught of extremely violent and graphic threats and dangerous harassment. Among more than 400 emails and 75 text messages threatening Freeman was one that read, We know where you live, we coming to get you. The two women have already won a defamation suit against Giuliani, Trumps former lawyer, for damages of almost $150 million, for spreading the same lies against them. In that case, Giulianis defense team tried to shift blame for the lies to The Gateway Pundit. As if all these toxic Trump sycophants werent rowing in the same direction. Then theres Fox News, which paid out an astronomical $787 million in a settlement with Dominion Voting Systems after allowing various Trump water-carriers on their shows to falsely accuse the company of helping throw the 2020 election. How anyone continues turning to a network for information after such an unprecedented admission of peddling fake news is beyond us. Its gratifying that these bad actors are getting the legal comeuppance they all deserve. Seeing The Gateway Pundit sued out of existence next year a real possibility now would be a win for decency and democracy. But the more important takeaway voters should glean from these examples of lies coming home to roost is that Trumps current attempts to cast doubt on the sanctity of the upcoming election are every bit as flimsy and false as are the ones already adjudicated. If Trump loses on Nov. 5, he will, virtually without a doubt, claim (again) that he was robbed. And it will be every bit as much of a lie as it was last time. A gastronomic landscape differs from a conventional food-producing landscape in that it is cultivated or managed with a focus on broader culinary values, such as nutrition or taste, rather than solely the caloric output of its produce. In this way, gastronomy can be practised by everyone and motivate people, including farmers, hunters, and a wide diversity of cooks, to think more carefully about how food is produced and prepared. Culinary craftsmanship as a driver of resilience The research underscores how years of consolidation and rationalization of food production in many places around the world have led to the erosion of traditional and artisanal food knowledge. Yet, this knowledge is crucial for future resilience and sustainability of food systems. The authors argue that culinary craftsmanship can offer innovative pathways to overcome this and regenerate our biocultural landscapes. By focusing on locality, diversity, and quality, the gastronomic landscape approach can enhance the capacity of ecosystems to adapt and thrive, while simultaneously supporting food sovereignty. By embracing culinary traditions and innovation, we can unlock new possibilities for how we steward the biosphere. Food is deeply connected to our landscapes, and through thoughtful culinary craftsmanship, we have the opportunity to promote both ecological and cultural diversity, summarizes lead author Amanda Jonsson. Six global case studies Drawing from six diverse cases across the globe, the paper explores how different landscapes, from forests to coastlines, can be sustainably governed through culinary practices. In the Pamir Mountains of Afghanistan, traditional recipes boost food security. In Sweden, sustainable management of a lamb farm increases yields and lowers climate impact. US salmon restoration projects, led by indigenous groups, strengthen food sovereignty. In Spain, reviving traditional ecological knowledge promotes shorter food chains. In South Africa, local foraging practices address biodiversity and equity, and in Sapmi, Sami knowledge links land stewardship to high-quality produce. The six cases illustrate the variety of knowledge systems that can inform the creation and nurturing of gastronomic landscapes. By doing so, the authors propose a typology that can be used to analyze these landscapes and their contribution to food system sustainability. Drive the development of biosphere stewardship In conclusion, the authors hope that the gastronomic landscape approach emphasizing high-quality, nutritious, and diverse ingredients can spark a greater interest in the stewardship of land and seascapes that produce essential culinary resources. By using the lens of gastronomy in understanding landscapes, we highlight how culinary craftsmanship, tradition, and innovation, from cooks in local communities to chefs of leading restaurants, have the potential to drive the development of biosphere stewardship that leads to more biocultural, diverse, and resilient landscapes, the authors write. Read "Nurturing gastronomic landscapes for biosphere stewardship" A commemorative graphic created for the Kaiserslautern Military Community, which houses one of the busiest Air Force bases outside of the continental United States: Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Christian Conrad/U.S. Air Force) From concerts and balls to commemorative flights, the U.S. military community is celebrating the day that the U.S. Air Force became an independent branch of the military, 77 years ago. The Department of the Air Force was formally established on Sept. 18, 1947, months after the July 26 signing of the National Security Act. Though the U.S. military had air power for decades preceding the National Security Act, it was primarily under the purview of the U.S. Army. The Second World War saw the U.S. Army Air Corps turn into the nearly autonomous U.S. Army Air Forces, growing from 20,000 men and 2,400 planes in 1939 to 2.4 million personnel and 80,000 aircraft by 1944. (The Department of the Air Force currently counts 689,000 personnel, including active duty airmen and Space Force guardians, Air National Guard members, Air Force reservists and civilian workers for the Air and Space Forces.) After that, as the Air Force Historical Support Division puts it, independence for the air forces was virtually inevitable. Stuart Symington was sworn in as the first Secretary of the Air Force by Chief Justice Fred Vinson on Sept. 18, 1947, establishing the USAF as truly an independent arm of the U.S. military. (U.S. Air Force) Celebrations were held or are being planned across the country. Dover Air Force Base in Delaware held an annual Air Force Ball on Sept. 7, Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina held its ball a week later and Hanscom AFB in Massachusetts has its ball set for Sept. 21. The Air Force Band also held a concert at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va., last Friday. In Oklahoma, media were invited for a demonstration flight at Tinker AFB. Outside of the United States, RAF Mildenhall in England held an early Air Force Ball last month. Team Dover members take their seats before the opening remarks are given in recognition of the 77th Anniversary Air Force Ball at King Cole Farms in Dover, Delaware, Sept. 7, 2024. Dover Air Force Base celebrated the anniversary with a red carpet-themed event. (Amanda Jett/U.S. Air Force) Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Mark Kelly, guest speaker and former commander of Air Combat Command, accepts a gift from 4th Fighter Wing leadership during Seymour Johnson Air Force Bases Ball at the Walnut Creek Country Club in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Sept. 14, 2024. (Rebecca Tierney/U.S. Air Force ) News teams interview pilots and boom operators, assigned to the 465th Air Refueling Squadron, following an orientation flight on a KC-135 Stratotanker with the 507th Air Refueling Wing Sept. 16. Reporters were invited for this flight to learn more about the 507th ARW mission ties into the mission of Tinker Air Force Base for news segments celebrating the 77th birthday of the U.S. Air Force Sept. 18, 2024. (Carter Denton/U.S. Air Force) Team Mildenhall members prepare for the start of the official ceremony during the 77th Air Force Ball at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, Aug. 17, 2024. (Alvaro Villagomez/U.S. Air Force ) Even as the USAF celebrates its birthday, it is preparing for the future. Nearly eight decades after a major restructuring created it as an independent branch of the military, the force on Sept. 10 announced an overhaul that will see its major commands turn into Institutional Commands and Service Component Commands. Over the last three decades, our Air Force has incrementally become more fragmented, said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin. The reorganization is aimed at streamlining and consolidating the forces command structure for a more challenging strategic environment. That announcement came just days before the Air Force inactivated the storied 354th Fighter Squadron, as part of its long-term goal to retire its iconic A-10 attack jets (commonly known as Warthogs). Both of those changes, among others, are part of the Air Forces Great Power Competition initiative. Facing peer or near-peer powers such as China and Russia, the force is recalibrating to face a new security landscape. After all, the USAF has been the worlds most powerful airforce for its entire history and it plans to stay that way. Army Lt. Gen. Xavier Brunson presents the oath of enlistment to high school recruits during a ceremony at Saint Martin University, Wash., in 2022. Brunson is nominated to command American and UN forces in South Korea. (Richard Carlisi/U.S. Army) Secret aspects of a new pact between Russia and North Korea are more concerning than the missiles that Pyongyang has shipped to Moscow for use against Ukraine, the Army general nominated to command American and UN forces in South Korea told senators Tuesday. Army Lt. Gen. Xavier Brunson said it was unclear precisely what Russia was providing North Korea in exchange for ballistic missiles and artillery shells, which it has used recently against targets across Ukraine. Brunson, who commands Armys I Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., said tracking down information about Russias aid to North Korea would be among his top priorities if he was confirmed for the new job. The exchange of lethal aid between [North Korea] and Russia is a thing to be alarmed about, but most importantly what we have to do is see whats coming back in, Brunson said during his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill. And in order to see that its going to take the [intelligence community] to help us to see and understand whats coming back, because, if confirmed, my job as [U.S. Forces Korea] commander would be to mitigate that, and that is part of our plans. Brunson said current USFK commander, Army Gen. Paul LaCamera, who he would replace if confirmed, is already working on finding that information, but he declined to provide specifics, citing security concerns. LaCamera has led the command and its more than 28,500 U.S. troops since July 2021. Brunson was nominated Sept. 11 by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to serve as the next USFK commander, a promotion that would earn him a fourth star. The USFK commander also oversees the UN Command in South Korea and the Joint Forces Command, which includes South Korean troops. Brunson appeared poised for easy confirmation, with multiple senators expressing their support for his nomination during the hearing. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Brunson had the experience, the background and the values necessary for the job. Brunson, the son of a retired Army sergeant major who fought in Vietnam, has commanded at every level in the Army, including a battalion in the 82nd Airborne Division, a battlefield surveillance brigade and the 7th Infantry Division at Lewis-McChord. He has commanded I Corps since October 2021. The corps oversees more than 40,000 soldiers in Washington, Hawaii and Alaska who work closely with the Indo-Pacific Command, according to the Army. Senators said they were worried about recent aggression from North Korea, including ballistic missile launches, the public unveiling of a uranium enrichment facility and its growing ties to Russia. Reed said he worried Russia would share advanced arms or technologies with North Korea, potentially even supporting its nuclear weapons program. The threat from North Korea is real and growing, he said. To meet it, the United States must continue to invest in the fight tonight mentality alongside our South Korean allies. Indeed, North Koreas relationship with Russia continues to strengthen, and [North Korean leader] Kim Jong Un is likely receiving technical assistance and lessons learned from [Russian President Vladimir] Putins invasion of Ukraine particularly for North Koreas missile and nuclear capabilities. The hearing came just days after a Sept. 14 meeting between Kim and Russian security council chief Sergei Shoigu, in which the two nations vowed even closer cooperation. The two nations in June signed a strategic cooperation pact, pledging mutual military assistance, which Putin described as the strongest ever treaty between the two authoritarian nations. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said North Korea has sent Russia more than 16,000 containers of munitions for use in Ukraine in recent months and more were likely to come as North Koreas factories are now operating at full capacity so they can keep up supply to Russia. Kelly added Russia has used dozens of North Korean missiles against Ukraine. Its unclear what North Korea is getting from this cooperation, but Im concerned that Russia will provide them with more advanced military technology, and weve got to do what we can to curtail these illegal arms transfers, he said. Theyre killing Ukrainians, and theyre harming the security of our allies. Brunson said he suspects the arrangement is a quid pro quo relationship and might indicate strained relations between North Korea and China, which has traditionally been Pyongyangs closest partner. The general vowed to push hard on the intelligence committee to find ways to exploit the Russian-North Korean partnership if he is confirmed. He said he believed such relationships among authoritarian partners cannot stand up to the power of the decades-old relationships that the United States has forged with allies in the region, including South Korea and Japan. I think that what we are learning from this is one of our strengths around the world is that our United States forces are part of a network of friends, allies and partners that make us strong, Brunson said. The Korean peninsula is a great example of that for 70 years this alliance has stood, and it is an example for other nations to look to. When you look toward authoritarian collusion that occurs between China and [North Korea] and Russia and Iran and others they dont have the same benefits that we have. The U.S. Naval Academy campus in Annapolis, Maryland. (Jerry Jackson, The Baltimore Sun/TNS) BALTIMORE An attorney for the U.S. Naval Academy said Monday that the elite military school should continue using race and ethnicity in admissions because it was not where it needed to be in building a diverse student body. Real progress is being made, Joshua Gardner said in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. Were just not there yet. The Annapolis-based service academy has been sued by Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA). The group won a victory in the U.S. Supreme Court last year in its case against affirmative action policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina, with the justices rejecting the use of racial and ethnic preferences in college admissions. But the high court specified in its ruling that the militarys service academies may have distinct interests in considering race and ethnic background, carving out a potential exemption, which SFFA is challenging. U.S. officials have argued that a diverse leadership is necessary for cohesion within the armed ranks and is vital to national security. But an attorney for the Students for Fair Admissions disputed that the use of racial preferences in Naval Academy admissions would necessarily achieve such diversity. Were told its all about making Naval officers, Adam Mortara said in his opening statement in court, noting that just 28% of Naval officers graduated from the Academy, so the impact of affirmative action there would ultimately be minimal. The admissions group presented its first witness, retired Air Force Brigadier Gen. Christopher S. Walker, to provide boots-on-the-ground support for its argument against racial and ethnic considerations. Walker, who is Black and graduated from his services academy, went through his 40 years in uniform, deploying to multiple combat zones and serving in operational and command positions. He was asked by an SFFA attorney repeatedly about what impact race played in his units lethality and effectiveness, or how he chose who to add to a crew. His answer, repeatedly: Not a bit. Gardner made a point that race and ethnicity are among multiple factors that are considered, and only after candidates meet a range of other qualifications. Its not considered in isolation, he said. No candidate is admitted solely because of race. The opening statements provided something of a road map to what is expected to be about a two-week trial in which Naval Academy officials will testify. 2024 The Baltimore Sun Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon flies somewhere over the Pacific Ocean, Nov. 7, 2023. (Anthony Lagunes/U.S. Navy) A U.S. Navy surveillance aircraft flew over the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday for the first time in five months and just days after German naval vessels made their own trip through the contentious waterway. The P-8A Poseidon, a long-range aircraft equipped with an advanced sensor suite, flew through international airspace over the 110-mile-wide channel that separates mainland China from Taiwan, the U.S. 7th Fleet said in a news release Tuesday. The aircrafts transit of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, the Navy said in the release. The United States military flies, sails and operates anywhere international law allows. The flight began around 12:15 p.m. and concluded around 1 p.m., 7th Fleet spokeswoman Cmdr. Alison Maruca told Stars and Stripes by email Tuesday. She did not elaborate on the direction the aircraft traveled. The transit was routine and not a response to any particular event, Maruca added. The U.S. routinely sends warships and, less frequently, aircraft, through the strait. The Navy typically describes the transits as a routine means of traveling between the South China Sea and East China Sea. China has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the waterway, former Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said in June 2022. He is now Chinas ambassador to Cambodia. Referring to the waterway as international waters is an attempt to manipulate Chinas claim over Taiwan, he said at the time. The communist government in Beijing views the transits as provocative and regularly condemns them as support for Taiwan. China considers the island a breakaway province that must be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. Chinas Eastern Theater Command had not publicly commented on the transit as of Tuesday afternoon. A 7th Fleet Poseidon aircraft last flew over the strait on April 17, prompting Beijing to scramble jets to track the flight. The Poseidon on Tuesday encountered foreign military forces, but the flight was not affected, Maruca said. She did not specify what nation or forces were involved. All interactions with foreign military forces during the transit were consistent with international norms and did not impact the operation, she said. Tuesdays transit came four days after the German frigate Baden-Wuerttemberg and support ship Frankfurt am Main made their own transit from the East China Sea and into the South China Sea. It was the first such transit by German ships in more than two decades, The Associated Press reported that day. Adm. Robert P. Burke (Ret.), 62, of Coconut Creek, Fla., was arrested on federal bribery charges. (U.S. Navy) Eight current or former Navy officials, including five admirals, could be compelled to testify in a bribery case against the Navys former second-highest ranking official that includes allegations of a spurned lover and an illicit deal sketched on a napkin, according to new court documents. The documents, filed in recent weeks in the case against retired four-star Adm. Robert P. Burke and two executives of a New York company, outline more details about the origins of the investigation and how those involved might seek to defend themselves. Burke, 62, of Coconut Creek, Fla., is accused of awarding a sole source contract to the executives, Charlie Kim, 50, and Meghan Messenger, 47, in exchange for a $500,000-a-year post-retirement job and stock options at their technology services firm, Next Jump. All have pleaded not guilty, questioning the logic of offering a $500,000-a-year job for what was ultimately a $355,000 sole-source award. The recent filings from Burke, Kim and Messenger take aim at a key witness in the case, identified only as Person 3, a career Pentagon official alleged to have been in a romantic relationship with the married Burke. According to a filing from Burkes lawyer, the investigation stemmed from a complaint Person 3 made to the Pentagons inspector general. Person 3, prosecutors allege, attended a key lunch meeting in July 2021 where Burke, Kim and Messenger agreed on the plan to award a contract for leadership training services to their firm, then have Burke join it with salary and stock options. In Person 3s telling to investigators, Kim sketched the illicit proposal on a napkin. But attorneys for Burke and the executives allege that Person 3 had mischaracterized the interaction between Burke and the executives because she was upset that Burke had ended their romantic relationship and reconciled with his wife. Prosecutors, they say, also intentionally omitted from law enforcement probable cause affidavits typically used to obtain search and arrest warrants that a Virginia appeals court confirmed in 2013 that Person 3 committed perjury in her recently finalized divorce and child custody case. The only evidence of this alleged agreement is the deeply flawed eyewitness testimony of Person 3, Burke attorney Tim Parlatore wrote. By embellishing certain elements of the conversation, Person 3 was able to recast an entirely legal conversation into a criminal transaction. With her prior perjury finding undisclosed to investigators Person 3 misled the IG and the FBI as to her credibility in all matters, instead reinforcing her senior position within the DOD as a false mantle of credibility. A former divorce attorney for the woman did not immediately comment. She has not been accused of any crimes. Prosecutors did not respond to claims about the womans credibility, but they said in court filings that Kim repeated the plan to investors in a July 2021 email. After Burke was hired, Messenger confided to Kim in a text that she had erupted at the ex-admiral in a bout of frustration when the company didnt immediately get the contract, saying no contract no job, prosecutors alleged. Kim put the pieces of scheme in writing, but it was Messenger who said the quiet part out loud, prosecutors Joshua S. Rothstein and Trevor Wilmot wrote. The executives said the statements were taken out of context, and that the contract award was also supported by Burkes predecessor as vice Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. William Moran. Moran unexpectedly retired instead of taking over as Chief of Naval Operations in August 2019 because of his ongoing work with a former top Navy spokesman accused of sexual misconduct. The executives recently won a federal judges permission to issue trial subpoenas to five former or current Navy admirals and three other current or former Navy officials, including Person 3. Kim and Messengers public court filings did not identify the subpoena targets by name, but said the requests were calibrated to uncover facts that will undercut the governments version of events and show that there was no bribery scheme. Defendants intend to show, through subpoena-derived evidence, that Next Jump had a bona fide, $100 million engagement with the United States Navy that predated any alleged bribery scheme, lead Kim attorney William A. Burck wrote in a joint filing with Messengers defense. A Navy spokesperson declined to comment, referring questions to the Justice Department. All three of those charged face counts of conspiracy to commit bribery and bribery, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Burke faces additional counts of performing acts affecting a personal financial interest and concealing material facts, punishable by up to 30 years. While all the defendants jointly attacked the credibility of Person 3 in their filings, the executives also sought to be tried separately from Burkes, asserting that they relied on his advice to make sure what they were doing was legal. Lawyers for the executives wrote in a court filing Monday that they expect the government to rely on statements Burke made during a recorded knock-and-talk interview with Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents and Defense Criminal Investigate Service agents with the inspector generals office on Oct. 3, 2023. Burke, in essence, confessed to the charged offenses in these statements he made to the agents, the executives alleged, although further details about the interview were redacted. The executives asserted that they could not get a fair trial if tried alongside Burke because Burke would have a right not to testify or face cross-examination. Burkes attorney denied that the admiral confessed and also sought a separate trial from the executives. He has said that the executives appeared to be blaming the admiral for any wrongdoing when it was Burke who harbored concerns about his partners ethics. Burkes defense called Kim an entrepreneur who is prone to exaggeration and, in many cases, outright false statements, and accused the Next Jump leader of embellishing and even outright fabricating portions of the conversations [with Burke] to inflate their investors confidence. Burke was chief of naval personnel from 2016 to 2019, and vice Chief of Naval Operations from 2019 to 2020, before retiring in summer 2022 as commander in Europe. He has said he turned to Next Jump for leadership training after reports of Navy command failures and corruption that included two deadly warship collisions weeks apart in 2017. JAKARTA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia recorded its 52nd consecutive month of trade surplus in August, amounting to 2.90 billion U.S. dollars, the Statistics Indonesia (BPS) announced on Tuesday. This figure is higher than the previous month but lower than the same period last year, which was 3.12 billion dollars. "The surplus from non-oil and gas trade transactions was actually higher, at 4.34 billion dollars, but it was reduced by the oil and gas trade deficit of 1.44 billion dollars," said BPS Deputy for Distribution Statistics and Services Pudji Ismartini at a press conference. Cumulatively, from January to August 2024, the total surplus reached 18.85 billion dollars, with 32.54 billion dollars from non-oil and gas sectors and a reduction due to the oil and gas sector deficit of 13.69 billion dollars. Exports for the month amounted to 23.56 billion dollars, supported by the largest increase in the animal/vegetable fats and oils group, although the precious metals and jewelry/gemstones group decreased by 11.88 percent. The largest non-oil and gas exports were to China (5.33 billion dollars), the United States (2.61 billion dollars), and Japan (1.80 billion dollars). Meanwhile, imports for the month reached 20.67 billion dollars, supported by increase in the precious metals and jewelry/gemstones category by 34.44 percent and decreased in the machinery/mechanical equipment group by 6.30 percent. The main suppliers of commodities to Indonesia for the month were China (6.43 billion dollars), Japan (1.42 billion dollars), and Australia (0.98 billion dollars). Maj. General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, presents the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross to the niece (Donna Cramer of Albany, N.Y., at left) and grand-niece (Cheri Gagliardi of Rotterdam, N.Y.) of Pvt. John Greschiak during a ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham, N.Y., on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (Stephanie Butler/U.S. Army National Guard) The family of a WWII soldier who was killed in action in September 1944 in Germany received the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross in his honor at New York National Guard headquarters on Monday, 80 years after his death. Purple Heart recipient (posthumous) Pvt. John Greschiak was 19 when he was killed during a rescue mission conducted outside Niedersgegan, Germany. Greschiaks niece, Donna Cramer of Albany, N.Y., and grand-niece, Cheri Gagliardi of Rotterdam, N.Y., were presented the medal on his behalf by Maj. General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, during a ceremony recognizing his military service as a New York resident. Being at the tip of the spear in ground combat is the very essence of serving ones nation and fighting for the welfare of their fellow soldiers, Shields said. Thats what Private Greschiak was doing when he was killed by enemy fire. Army Pvt. John Greschiak, a member of the 5th Armored Division, was killed in action on Sept. 16, 1944. (Donna Cramer) Maj. General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, displays a photograph of Pvt. John Greschiak during a ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham N.Y., on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (Stephanie Butler/U.S. Army National Guard) Greschiaks family members did not know much about their relative since he died at a young age until they met Peter Clouse and his son, Zachary, according to a New York National Guard news release about Mondays ceremony. The Clouses were trying to find more details about the military career of Peter Clouses uncle, James Scalzo who was also involved in the fight in Niedersgegen. According to Clouses findings, on Sept. 16, 1944, Tech Sgt. John Scalzo was assigned to the 245th Engineer Combat Battalion. Whle on patrol at Niedersgegen, his unit was ambushed by 50 German soldiers. Two officers and two enlisted men were wounded, and one jeep was destroyed. Scalzo reported what happened, and the commander of the divisions Combat Command Reserve sent a rescue mission. The division sent a married platoon from the 47th Armored Infantry Battalion a combined arms team of one M-4 Sherman tank and two M-3 halftracks with about 17 soldiers to assault the farm and rescue the Americans. The Clouses learned that Greschiak was one of those soldiers. The rescue mission was a success, but Greschiak was killed during the fight. The Clouses were compelled to get in touch with Greschiaks family, who coincidentally lived nearby. Their meeting helped lead to the application for the Conspicuous Service Cross. Its good to know that he was saving people and he did not die in vain, a grateful Donna Cramer said. Supporters cheer during a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump, at Desert Diamond Arena on Aug. 23 in Glendale, Ariz. The rally, held in partnership with Turning Point PAC and Turning Point Action, came two weeks after Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris held a rally at the same location. These days, it seems like theres more political conflict than there used to be. (Rebecca Noble, Getty Images/TNS) These days, theres no surer way to start a fight than to talk politics with someone who disagrees with you. And with election day drawing near, political conversations are increasingly difficult to avoid. You could muddle your way through the next two months and hope for the best. Or you could take Tania Israels advice and embrace the opportunity to help bridge Americas political divide. Israel, a professor in the Department of Counseling, Clinical and School Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has been facilitating difficult conversations since the 1990s, when she brought together people on opposite sides of the abortion debate. It was a transformational experience for me, Israel recalled. It didnt change anything about how I felt about reproductive rights, but it changed so much about how I felt about people who disagreed with me. In the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election, she stepped up her efforts to connect with people outside her bubble and wrote a book to guide others willing to do the same. Facing the Fracture: How to Navigate the Challenges of Living in a Divided Nation, inspires readers to listen to their fellow Americans rather than debate them. Israel spoke to The Times about how individual conversations can help the country heal. The conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity: Los Angeles Times: Why does it seem like theres more political conflict than there used to be? Tania Israel: People are struggling not just with arguments with their uncle, but arguments with their phone, with the news and in their own heads. All of that makes us very emotionally activated, which is part of the reason stress-related political conflict is on the rise and keeps going up. Its not healthy for us, its also not healthy for our relationships, and its not healthy for our democracy. Is it good to try to bridge the divide, or is it better for your mental health to steer clear? I think whats best for people is to build the capacity to be able to do both to be able to have those conversations, and also to be able to know when its best not to. What motivates people to engage with someone from the other side? Some people say, I want to maintain a relationship with somebody in my life and were having trouble doing that because of political conflict. Some people say they want to persuade or convince someone else. Some people say they want to find common ground or heal the divide. And then some people say, I simply cannot fathom how people can think or act or vote like they do, and theyre looking for some insight. Are we so used to being on our phones and that makes it hard to deal with people in real life? Its much easier to have stereotypes of people when were engaging with them only as social media accounts. It distorts our understanding of who other people are. Are stereotypes the only problem? As humans, we have these cognitive biases where we see ourselves as being very rational, basing our ideas on solid information. But we see people on the other side as being irrational, illogical and being brainwashed by misinformation. Both sides are seeing things this way. My favorite cognitive bias is called motive attribution asymmetry, where we see ourselves as being motivated by protective, caring motives, and we see the other side as being driven by selfishness and by hostility. How can we correct our cognitive biases? Recognizing them is probably the most important thing. We can recognize the other sides biases. If we just recognize that we are susceptible to all of those same things, that can help us to have that curiosity to correct them. If you find yourself in the middle of a polarizing argument, how can you turn things around? The best thing we can do if were trying to find common ground, persuade somebody, or gain insight is to try to understand them better. The way we do that is we listen. We encourage people to elaborate. We manage our own emotions. And when we do share with people, we share stories instead of statistics and slogans. Thats not what people think theyre supposed to be doing. They think theyre supposed to be having a debate, where theyre bringing in all the information and the stats and the rationale. Why are stories better than statistics? When were using stats and arguments, were drawing those from our trusted sources, which are very often not the same as the trusted sources of the person that were talking to. Confirmation bias causes us to accept information that supports what we already believe to be true, and ignore or dismiss information that conflicts with our beliefs. So when were telling people things that are in conflict with what they believe, they are more likely to dismiss what were saying and frankly, to dismiss us as a trusted source. When we embed information in stories, people remember it better and they accept it more. Its also how humans relate to each other. Not only is it more effective, its a more interesting conversation. Scientists will say an anecdote is not data. But youre saying an anecdote is better than data. Right. We can have all of the information, but when weve got another human being involved, it turns out that just telling them all the information doesnt help. If we believe in science, we also need to believe in the science that says thats not the way you get someone to change their behavior. Why would someone who doesnt trust your facts trust your story? Stories feel more true. And you cant argue with stories, you know? Heres my story of my life. You cant argue with my story of my life. Also, if theres some emotion in the story, people connect with that. We often put our ideas out there to say, Here are my ideas. This is why you should believe it. Or to say, Here are my ideas. This is why this justifies what I think or do. We very rarely put our ideas out there to say, Here are my ideas. Here are the limits of my understanding of this. What am I missing? That is a completely disarming approach because it brings intellectual humility into it. We can have very strong beliefs but still have curiosity about and respect for views that might be different from our own. Thats going to help to broaden our understanding. It seems like youd have to be in the right mindset to want to talk with someone youre used to disagreeing with, no? We have to work up the capacity to do this. There are habits we need to form and habits we need to reform. All of that training is going to help us be able to face political division, as well as other challenges in our lives. Whats involved with that training? The first step is to reduce polarizing input. We can consume news more wisely, use social media more intentionally and correct our cognitive biases. Thats going to help us be in a space of equilibrium. Next is building our individual capacity through emotional resilience. Thats being able to face a person or a lawn sign and not completely melt down. Intellectual humility helps us broaden our minds, and youre absolutely right that you have to want to do that. Its about having the curiosity to recognize that you might not have the full story and that theres something more you can learn. And then theres compassion. Youve got to take all these steps before you can even get to building empathy and compassion. Once youve done all of that, now youre ready to strengthen connections. How? If you want to engage across the divide, you want to do so effectively listening to others, telling stories, all of that. Its also engaging with our communities and our country. Civic engagement is a really important activity. Do something meaningful to support the causes that you care about. Volunteering not only benefits us as society, it also benefits our mental health. Posting something on social media is not a very effective form of advocacy. Turning away from our screens and engaging with other three-dimensional human beings is probably the best thing we can do for any of these issues. Theres also this thing most people have never heard of, which is the bridging movement. Whats that? There are over 500 organizations that are working on bridging divides and strengthening our democracy. If people join that movement, its great. But just knowing that thats happening can make people more optimistic about their fellow Americans, and about the future of our country. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall speaks at the Air and Space Forces Associations Air, Space & Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Md., Sept. 19, 2022. (Wayne Clark/U.S. Air Force) Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall on Monday became the latest U.S. defense official to draw attention to China as a threat in the Indo-Pacific region. During an address to the Air & Space Forces Association, Kendall said the Chinese Communist Party continues to heavily invest in capabilities, operational concepts and organizations that are specifically designed to defeat the United States and its Western Pacific allies. Ive been closely watching the evolution of [Chinas] military for 15 years. China is not a future threat; China is a threat today, Kendall said at the convention just outside Washington, D.C., according to a report posted on Defense.gov. Beijing is focused on developing weapons to target U.S. land and sea assets like air bases and aircraft carriers, according to the report. Kendall joins a series of defense higher-ups warning recently of Chinese designs on becoming the dominant player in the Indo-Pacific. In August, Adm. Samuel Paparo, head of Indo-Pacific Command, spoke in Hawaii about Chinas threat to take control of Taiwan, which Chinese President Xi Jinping has asserted will become Chinese territory by force, if necessary. At the same symposium on irregular warfare, Christopher Maier, assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, reiterated the Pentagon position that China remains its pacing challenge. China, along with Russia and North Korea, are threats to regional peace and stability, Maier said. In July, Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, said Chinese aggression toward territorial rival the Philippines has transformed the security environment in the region. He described the reinvigorated shoulder-to-shoulder commitment by the U.S. to defend its Philippine ally as one of the most vital defense partnerships in the world. In his turn, Kendall said he sees growing concern and sometimes alarm over Beijings increasing strength and assertiveness in the region over the past 15 years. He noted by example Chinas larger, more sophisticated exercises aimed at overwhelming Taiwan. In addition, China continues to expand its nuclear forces and its ability to operate in cyberspace, Kendall said. We can expect all these trends to continue. The U.S. must be prepared for a potential conflict, Kendall said. The Air and Space Forces are working on their own massive modernization initiative, he said. I am not saying war in the Pacific is imminent or inevitable. It is not, Kendall said. But I am saying that the likelihood is increasing and will continue to do so. An Uber taxi operates in Tokyo in this undated photo. (Comyu/Wikimedia Commons) TOKYO Uber, the ride-hailing service common in the United States but less so in Japan, is taking to the streets of Tokyo for a test drive. Uber is cooperating with several car-share and taxi companies to offer a service for Uber drivers who do not have their own vehicle, according to a Sept. 3 news release on Uber Japans website. Foreigners in Japan can use their app as normal and choose between a traditional taxi or the new Uber vehicles. Uber began working with car rental company Times Mobility and taxi company Royal Limousine to source vehicles for Uber drivers, according to the release. Uber has operated in Japan since 2018, but its service is hard to come by for several reasons, including the availability and lower cost of taxis, according to a November post on the Japan Dev blog. Since 2019, however, the number of taxi drivers has declined by almost 20% due to older drivers retiring and younger drivers switching to other jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to public broadcaster NHK on April 22. The operations of ride-hailing companies in Japan must be run by a taxi company, which is responsible for hiring, training and paying the drivers. Currently, while recruiting ride-sharing drivers, we have had issues where many of them, unfortunately, had to give up because they do not have their own cars, Royal Limousine CEO Kensaku Kaneko said in the release. Also, we only have a few unused taxi vehicles, so it is difficult to prepare vehicles to be rented to ride-shares, especially with the current limited operating hours, he said. The car-share trial started with two cars in Yurakucho, one of central Tokyos 23 wards. Over time it will expand to the other 22 wards and Musashino and Mitaka cities with the goal of being fully operational by years end. Through this initiative, we will provide an opportunity for people, who do not own their own cars, to become ride-sharing drivers, and support the recruitment activities of taxi companies, the release stated. Ride-hailing services in Japan are only allowed to operate in areas and at times the ministry approves, based on the shortages of taxis, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourisms website. Ride-hailing and ride-share services operate in 22 prefectures with nine more preparing to begin offering the service, but these services will be further expanded, according to the ministry. The drivers must operate under the management of taxi companies and fares are set in accordance with taxi fares, it stated. The car-share trial period between the three companies in Tokyo will last until Nov. 30, according to the release. Ride-sharing services began operating in Japan in April to resolve taxi shortages, according to the ministry. The Japanese government will come to a decision about letting ride-share companies operate on their own and expanding the availability of these services after assessing the results of the initial trial, according to the Japan Times article. Sailors aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton relay maritime domain awareness information to Green Berets assigned to 10th Special Forces Group on Wales, Alaska, during Operation Polar Dagger, Aug. 19, 2024. (Bryon Davidson/U.S. Army) The U.S. Coast Guard recently encountered four Russian naval vessels in U.S. waters near Point Hope, Alaska, the service said Monday. The crew of the cutter, Stratton, on a routine patrol in the Chukchi Sea on Sunday, spotted a Russian surface action group 57 miles northwest of the city, according to a news release. The flotilla included two submarines, a frigate and a tugboat, the Coast Guard said. The vessels moved southeast inside Russian territory before crossing into U.S. Arctic waters to avoid sea ice. The vessels transited about 30 miles into U.S. waters, a move permitted by international rules and customs, according to the Coast Guard. We are actively patrolling our maritime border in the Bering Sea, Bering Strait, and Chukchi Sea, with our largest and most capable cutters and aircraft, to protect U.S. sovereign interests, U.S. fish stocks, and to promote international maritime norms, Rear Adm. Megan Dean, commander of Coast Guard District 17, said in the release. The 17th District encompasses more than 3,853,500 square miles and over 47,300 miles of shoreline throughout Alaska and the Arctic. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton ensured there were no disruptions to U.S. interests, Dean said. The Stratton is a 418-foot Legend-class national security cutter homeported in Alameda, Calif. It is patrolling under Operation Frontier Sentinel to meet Russian and Chinese vessels operating in and around U.S. waters, according to the release. The encounter is the latest in a series of recent incidents involving Russian forces approaching U.S. territory or that of its allies. Two Russian IL-38 maritime patrol aircraft were tracked in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone on Saturday, according to North American Aerospace Defense Command. The Russian aircraft flew into the zone where the U.S. expects international aircraft to identify themselves but remained outside U.S. and Canadian territorial airspace. Elements of the U.S. Armys 11th Airborne Division and the 1st and 3rd Multi Domain Task Forces deployed last week to Shemya Island in the Aleutians in response to recent Russian and Chinese air and sea probes. Around 130 soldiers are on the nearly 3-mile-wide island 1,200 miles west of Anchorage as a show of force in response to the probes into the region, said Maj. Gen. Joseph Hilbert, commander of the 11th Airborne Division, which has its headquarters at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage. As the number of adversarial exercises increases around Alaska and throughout the region, including Junes joint Russian-Chinese bomber patrol, the operation to Shemya Island demonstrates the divisions ability to respond to events in the Indo-Pacific or across the globe, with a ready, lethal force within hours, Hilbert said in a statement Friday. The latest incident is intended to send a message to Americans, according to James Brown, an international affairs expert at Temple Universitys Japan campus. The Russian Ministry of Defence is working exceptionally hard to convince the West that Russia remains a global military power, he said by email Tuesday. This is about prestige but also about deterrence. Via such shows of force, Moscow wants to deter the West from actions that it opposes. However, Washington wont be too concerned, Brown added. If Russia carries out such activities near the US, it justifies the U.S. conduct of comparable activities near Russia, he said. Protesters gather at a square in Brussels, Belgium, Sept. 16, 2024. Thousands of people took to the streets of Brussels, Belgium on Monday, in solidarity with workers from the Audi factory that is scheduled to close and to call for a support plan to maintain industrial jobs. According to the police, 5,500 people took to the streets of the Belgian capital. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang) BRUSSELS, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of people took to the streets of Brussels, Belgium on Monday, in solidarity with workers from the Audi factory that is scheduled to close and to call for a support plan to maintain industrial jobs. According to the police, 5,500 people took to the streets of the Belgian capital. The strike was prompted by Audi's decision to close its factory in Forest, one of the Brussels neighborhoods, where some 3,000 people are employed. Local unions have called for a strike day in solidarity with Audi workers. "It means that 3,000 families today are left behind directly, but also all subcontractors, co-contractors..." said Marie-Helene Ska, general secretary of the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (CSC). "And we hear nothing from politicians as if the fate of these 3,000 families and all subcontractors didn't interest them," she added. Trade unions also called for a cutting-edge reindustrialization, for the economy, for dynamism, and for quality jobs. The union claims that austerity measures imposed by the European Union (EU) are counter-productive at all levels. The CSC is joined by other unions: the General Labour Federation of Belgium (FGTB) and the General Confederation of Liberal Trade Unions of Belgium (CGSLB). FGTB asked for a strong industrial plan to protect quality industrial jobs and investments. "The EU doesn't have a clear vision for our market," said Gert Truyens from CGSLB. "The U.S. and China are gaining market shares over us as they invest massively in their industries. Meanwhile, we're debating about subventions for electric vehicles, while the foundations of our industry are cracking." In an open letter, employers have warned that the strike would cost tens of thousands of euros, asking for stability and cooperation. Employers also called on politicians to put the survival of industries in the country on the top of their list. Protesters gather at a square in Brussels, Belgium, Sept. 16, 2024. Thousands of people took to the streets of Brussels, Belgium on Monday, in solidarity with workers from the Audi factory that is scheduled to close and to call for a support plan to maintain industrial jobs. According to the police, 5,500 people took to the streets of the Belgian capital. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang) Protesters gather at a square in Brussels, Belgium, Sept. 16, 2024. Thousands of people took to the streets of Brussels, Belgium on Monday, in solidarity with workers from the Audi factory that is scheduled to close and to call for a support plan to maintain industrial jobs. According to the police, 5,500 people took to the streets of the Belgian capital. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang) Protesters gather at a square in Brussels, Belgium, Sept. 16, 2024. Thousands of people took to the streets of Brussels, Belgium on Monday, in solidarity with workers from the Audi factory that is scheduled to close and to call for a support plan to maintain industrial jobs. According to the police, 5,500 people took to the streets of the Belgian capital. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang) Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese village of Taybeh on Sept. 16, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Lebanons Hezbollah fighters. (Ammar Ammar, AFP, Getty Images via TNS) (Tribune News Service) Israel said enabling residents displaced by Hezbollah attacks to return home is now a formal war objective, a signal the country is considering an all-out offensive against the Lebanese militant group. Hezbollah, which is trained and receives funding from Iran, has been trading fire with Israel since the war in Gaza erupted almost a year ago. The group has sent thousands of rockets, missiles and drones into northern Israel in solidarity with Hamas, which is also backed by Tehran and designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. Israel has responded in kind, and tens of thousands of Israeli and Lebanese civilians have fled the border area as a result of the hostilities. The security cabinet has updated the objectives of the war to include the following: returning the residents of the north securely to their homes, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said after a late-night meeting on Monday. Netanyahu and his ministers have warned for months that Israel may have to escalate its military operations against Hezbollah, which is considered the most powerful non-state actor in the Middle East. They say that may be the only way to stop Hezbollah firing on Israel and get its fighters to move back several kilometers from the border, something seen as essential to enabling the return of the Israeli evacuees. Many Israelis fear that Hezbollah, which like Hamas vows to destroy the Jewish state, could carry out an incursion like the Oct. 7 rampage that triggered the Gaza conflict. Netanyahus government has said it prefers a diplomatic solution but time is running out. The issue is causing tension with the U.S., which is trying to prevent an escalation of unrest across the broader Middle East. Israels 10-member security cabinet originally passed a war resolution addressing only Gaza. It committed to destroying Hamas as a governing and military force and to recovering hostages seized by the Palestinian militants. Amos Hochstein, one of U.S. President Joe Bidens senior Middle East advisors, met Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Israel on Monday. Netanyahu made it very clear to Hochstein, who handles the Israel- Lebanon file, that it will not be possible to return our residents without a fundamental change in the security situation in the north, the prime ministers office said. While Israel appreciates and respects the support of the U.S., it will ultimately do what is necessary to safeguard its security. Hochstein told Netanyahu the U.S. doesnt believe a broader conflict in Lebanon will help northern Israelis return to their homes and, if anything, will risk a wider regional conflict, according to an American official, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive material. The U.S. remains committed to a diplomatic solution, the official said. Gallant, in a separate meeting with Hochstein, made similar remarks to his boss. The defense minister emphasized that the possibility for an agreement is running out as Hezbollah continues to tie itself to Hamas, and refuses to end the conflict, according to a statement from the ministry. The only way left to ensure the return of Israels northern communities to their homes will be via military action. Hezbollah has said it will pause fighting if Israel does the same in Gaza. But U.S.-, Qatari- and Egyptian-mediated efforts to achieve a truce between Israel and Hamas have been deadlocked for months. Stone Age Gallant, whose prospects of staying in office are in doubt after repeated clashes with Netanyahu, has previously warned that Israel could take Lebanon back to the Stone Age if Hezbollah didnt back down. Hezbollahs arsenal is believed by Israeli intelligence to include precision-guided missiles capable of knocking out large numbers of infrastructure targets. It has enough projectiles to potentially overwhelm Israels vaunted air defenses. Action is approaching, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in reference to the northern front shortly before the security-cabinet vote. The balance of power between Israel and Hezbollah will be very clear at its conclusion, he told Israels Channel 14. The outcome will be that Hezbollah will be hit hard, will lose capacity and will have to back off. Tensions have spiraled since Israels assassination of Fuad Shukr, a top Hezbollah commander, via an airstike on Beirut in late July. Hezbollah has said it will take revenge. On Tuesday, Israels internal security service Shin Bet said it foiled a Hezbollah plot to assassinate a senior Israeli ex-official, who it did not name, using an anti-personnel mine primed to be remote-operated from Lebanon. There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah on the alleged plan. With assistance from Dana Khraiche. 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Renna Hall dormitories being renovated April 5, 2024, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. (Adisen Smith/U.S. Air Force) The number of military construction projects delayed for more than a year has doubled in the last five years and the problem could be mitigated through better oversight from the Defense Department, according to a new government watchdog report. The Government Accountability Office found the number of projects delayed jumped from 73 to 158 from 2019 to 2024. More so, 25% of all projects in that time delayed for at least a year, which can happen for a variety of reasons, can increase the construction costs of the project by millions of dollars. GAO investigators focused their review largely on the design phase of projects that is typically overseen by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command. The Defense Department closely watched a handful of high-profile projects but heavily relied on those two organizations to monitor progress. Some facilities included in military construction are child care facilities, aircraft hangars, roads and barracks. We definitely think more oversight is needed here given the magnitude of the issue, said Alissa Czyz, director the defense capabilities and management team at GAO. She authored the report released Monday titled Military Construction: Better Information Sharing Would Improve DODs Oversight. At the close of fiscal 2023, which ended Sept. 30 of that year, the military had about 598 ongoing construction projects worth more than $28 billion, according to the report. Military officials have requested $15 billion in funding for fiscal 2025 for new construction. The report highlighted some of the majorly delayed projects across the military, such as a communications and crypto facility at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii that was supposed to be completed in April 2021 for a total of $49.8 million. Construction is ongoing and the cost for the project has grown to $124 million, in part because of design errors, material delays and issues with heating and cooling systems. The financial costs of delayed construction dont quantify the loss to operations from the stalled projects when new facilities are put on hold as building drags on. The Hawaii facility is meant to improve the Navys ability to conduct information warfare missions. The delays also contribute to other ongoing problems such as the shortage of child care facilities and housing for junior enlisted. A GAO report last year found junior troops were suffering with poor living conditions in barracks and dorms. Problems included sewage overflow, mold, water-quality issues, rodent infestations, broken air conditioning and missing kitchenettes. Some installations, such as Fort Cavazos in Texas, do not have enough rooms in barracks, which has forced some soldiers to double up. As the military services wait for new child care facilities, officials have had to get creative with unused space on bases to reduce the waitlists for care. At Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland, officials converted an old conference center into a youth center. Czyz said investigators tried to pin down a reason why the number of delayed construction projects continues to increase but found there were so many contributing factors that they could not find a clear answer. For road construction at Camp Lejeune, N.C., the project was delayed for more than two years in part because of significant rainfall and contractors striking a utility pipe that they were unaware existed at the site. Officials told the GAO that the design phase didnt include a completed survey with data about utilities, and a 24-inch water line was discovered during construction. [Navy] officials emphasized that a lesson learned from this project could be to invest more money into quality surveys at the beginning of the project rather than dealing with issues during construction, according to the report. The report offered seven recommendations to improve oversight that focused on better documentation, analysis and review of projects to track trends and lessons learned, as well as training personnel to document post-project reviews and validate the information. Michael Rosenblatt, director of military construction at the Pentagon, wrote to the GAO that the Defense Department agreed with the recommendations. However, he did not provide a timeline to implement them. Czyz said she did not anticipate the changes would create a burden for the military because theyre collecting information already. They agree that its something that they can do, she said. A Falcon 9 rocket carrying a GPS satellite launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., June 17, 2021. This was the second launch and landing of this Falcon 9 stage booster, which previously supported launch of GPS lll Space Vehicle 04. (Dakota Raub/Space Force) The Federal Aviation Administration wants to fine SpaceX $633,009 for allegedly failing to follow launch rules, drawing an online rebuke from Elon Musk, the spaceflight companys billionaire founder whom Donald Trump has said he would consider appointing to fight regulations in a Trump administration. The FAA alleges SpaceX bypassed several safety measures that the company had agreed to when it previously applied for launch licenses, according to enforcement letters the agency posted on its website. SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday afternoon. Musk, in responding to a post about the fines on X, appeared to suggest his company is being unfairly targeted by regulators, replying more lawfare. The FAA says its penalties are meant to ensure the company is being safe in its operations. Safety drives everything we do at the FAA, including a legal responsibility for the safety oversight of companies with commercial space transportation licenses, FAA Chief Counsel Marc Nichols said in a statement. The agencys proposed fines are based on technical issues. It alleges SpaceX used an unapproved launch control room without conducting a required readiness poll during a June 18, 2023, launch, drawing a proposed $350,000 civil penalty. The remaining $283,009 in proposed penalties stem from using an unapproved rocket propellant storage site for a different mission a month later. The two penalties come on top of an earlier $175,000 penalty for failing to provide regulators with collision avoidance trajectory data in a 2022 satellite launch, which the FAA confirmed was later paid by the company. Musk has expressed interest in being part of a government efficiency commission under Trump aimed at eliminating wasteful regulations and spending. He has often tussled with regulators and shareholders in running his various businesses. In 2022, Musk was sued over Tesla investment losses after a public tweet saying he had secured funding to take the electric vehicle manufacturer private, although he was later found not liable in that case. The SEC also investigated him in relation to his takeover of Twitter, now called X. Musk has broadly criticized federal regulation of the commercial spaceflight industry, which he says moves too slowly and stifles innovation. In an appearance last week at the All-In Summit in Los Angeles, Musk said his company is waiting for regulatory approval for the next flight of Starship, the companys biggest and most powerful rocket to date. It really should not be possible to build a giant rocket faster than paper can move from one desk to another, Musk said. Musk has said he wants Starship to reach Mars in 2026, as part of his aspiration for humanity to become a space-faring species. The trade publication Space.com reported that the approval of the next Starship flight is not expected before late November. If we can get some improvement in the speed of regulation we can actually move a lot faster, Musk said. Its not to allow anything unsafe, its to ensure the processing of the safe thing is done faster than the rocket is built, not slower. The issue of regulating the private space industry has also drawn the attention of Republican Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott of Florida, who positioned the issue as part of a geopolitical competition with Russia and China to develop the best space technology. In a Tuesday letter to FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker, Rubio and Scott said unspecified industry stakeholders have reported significant challenges in getting licenses for launch or reentry under a new regulation because of overly specific, cumbersome and often restrictive requirements. Rubio has reported campaign contributions from several leading defense contractors that develop space technology, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing and RTX, according to OpenSecrets. The FAAs licensing timelines must keep pace with commercial space activity, and we cannot allow management issues to give China an edge in the race back to the Moon, Rubio and Scott wrote. A Kansas man has been convicted of assault with a deadly weapon for an incident last year in which he was accused of abducting his 3-year-old daughter at gunpoint at the Armys Fort Riley, the Justice Department announced. (U.S. Army) A Kansas man has been convicted of assault with a deadly weapon for an incident last year in which he was accused of abducting his 3-year-old daughter at gunpoint at the Armys Fort Riley, the Justice Department announced. Jordan Thompson, 24, of Galena was convicted by a federal jury last week for assaulting an adult male with a 9mm pistol during a domestic dispute on Nov. 24, 2023, at the home of his estranged wife, who lived on the Army post, according to federal officials. Thompson is set to be sentenced by a federal district court judge on Dec. 12. He faces a maximum 10 years in prison. Law enforcement officials at the time said after the altercation with the unnamed man and his estranged wife, a soldier stationed at Fort Riley, Thompson took his daughter without permission and fled the installation. State police issued an Amber Alert, asking the public to help them locate a bright orange 2015 BMW X1 driven by Thompson from the scene. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation described the girl as being in imminent danger in the alert. The daughter was recovered safe later that day in Butler County about 100 miles south of Fort Riley, law enforcement officials said. Thompson and another woman were arrested at that time, and the Justice Department announced Nov. 27, 2023, that it had charged Thompson with assault. Fort Riley officials said Tuesday that Thompson was not a soldier. The Justice Department said the Army Criminal Investigation Division, the Fort Riley Department of the Army civilian police, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the FBI, and the Butler County Sheriffs Office were involved in the investigation. UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, renewed the call on Monday for Israel to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law by putting lives and humanity first. At the UN Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, Geng said that despite the four resolutions adopted by the Security Council, the International Court of Justice orders on provisional measures, and the huge efforts of the UN and other humanitarian agencies, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has been constantly worsening, and violations of international law, in particular, international humanitarian law, have persisted non-stop. He noted that just last week, a UN convoy supporting the polio vaccination campaign in Gaza approved by Israel was forcibly detained for nearly eight hours, during which shots were fired. Also last week, six employees of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) were killed in an airstrike. "China strongly condemns such appalling attacks on humanitarian agencies and personnel, which are unacceptable," he said. The UNRWA is mandated by the UN General Assembly to provide relief for Palestinian refugees and is a pillar of strength for humanitarian operations in Gaza, Geng stressed. Even at the most perilous times, UNRWA has not abandoned Gaza, and to date, 224 of its staff have perished in the line of duty, said the ambassador. "We pay highest tribute to all the humanitarian workers who are still hanging in there, and our condolences over the demise of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice," he said, calling on Israel to investigate in earnest all attacks on humanitarian workers and hold the perpetrators accountable. Geng emphasized that the continuation of polio vaccination campaign is a telling proof that when the parties show political will, scaling up humanitarian operations in Gaza is perfectly achievable. "China renews its call to Israel to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law by putting lives and humanity first, immediately lift the blockade, open all crossings, scrap restrictions on humanitarian deliveries, cease and desist from attacking UN and other humanitarian agencies, and provide safe and unimpeded access to the operations of those agencies," the ambassador said. The pair, aged 18 and 17 respectively, cannot be named owing to the age of the younger accused The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has consented for two brothers to stand trial charged in connection to a violent assault at a train station in Co Longford that left a teenager fighting for his life in hospital. The pair, aged 18 and 17 respectively, cannot be named owing to the age of the younger accused. Both were arrested and charged with assault causing harm on their alleged victim at Edgeworthstown Train Station on April 6 this year. That incident, the court previously heard, resulted in the youngster sustaining a fractured skull, a bleed on the brain and bruising to his head and body when he was attacked by a four-man gang. It was revealed the alleged assault, all of which was captured on CCTV, also coincided in a clawhammer being produced which was used to strike the teen The young boy was initially taken to Mullingars Midland Regional Hospital, but was later transferred to Dublins Beaumont Hospital owing to the deteriorating nature of his condition. The court was told the injured party was punched twice to the face and up to 16 times to the back. The younger of the two accused is currently in detention at Oberstown Children Detention Campus having made no application for bail since going into custody only a matter days after the incident while his older sibling remains subject to strict bail conditions. When the case was recalled before Judge Bernadette Owens at a sitting of Longford District Court on Tuesday afternoon, Sgt Enda Daly for the State revealed the DPP had consented for the two brothers to be sent forward for trial. He also added there was no consent to the pair going forward on a signed guilty plea should that arise in due course. In defence, solicitor Fiona Baxter said she would be seeking for the case to be given priority ahead of the servicing of books of evidence ahead of Novembers scheduled sittings of Longford Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Owens said the court was obliged to afford the younger of the two accused the protection of a hearing under Section 75 of the 2001 Children's Act before he could be sent forward. Such a hearing, which is heard by a District Court judge, deals with issues including the accused minor's age and maturity, or any other relevant facts, and must be heard before any decision is made to send the accused minor forward for trial. The section also allows a District Judge to deal summarily with a child charged with an indictable offence, other than an offence required to be tried before the Central Criminal Court. The younger of the two accused was remanded in continuing custody to a sitting of Longford District Court next Tuesday (September 24) for the purposes of a Section 75 hearing. His older sibling, meanwhile, was remanded on bail to October 22 for the service of a book of evidence. Ross Mason (28) swung his arms and legs and kicked out as gardai tried to deal with him on a Dublin city centre street A drunken man who got into a cab that already had a passenger on board, refused to leave and violently resisted arrest, was himself a trainee taxi driver. Ross Mason (28) swung his arms and legs and kicked out as gardai tried to deal with him on a Dublin city centre street, a court heard. Adjourning the case, Judge Bryan Smyth said he would strike the charges out, sparing Mason a criminal record if he made a charity payment. Mason, a father of two from Church Road, East Wall, pleaded guilty to public intoxication, threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour, garda obstruction and criminal damage. Dublin District Court heard gardai were on duty on Parnell Street on May 26 when a taxi driver pulled up and said Mason had jumped in even though there was already a fare in the cab. When asked to leave, Mason declined and began to shout verbal abuse at all persons. He kicked and swung his arms and legs and violently resisted arrest. At a garda station, he remained aggressive and urinated on the cell floor. Mason had no previous convictions. The accused went out drinking on the anniversary of his mothers death and drank too much, his solicitor Eoghan OSullivan said. Mason was working in Dublin port and training to be a taxi driver. The incident was completely out of character and he was embarrassed and remorseful, the solicitor said. Judge Smyth told the accused to pay 150 for the garda cell clean-up and another 350 to charity. Christian Topiter, 38, who has been in custody on remand for over three months, appeared before Judge Alan Mitchell at Cloverhill District Court today A man accused of arson and destroying "priceless" ancient mummies following a fire at St Michan's Church in Dublin has been further remanded in custody while prosecutors provide evidence for his trial. Christian Topiter, 38, who has been in custody on remand for over three months, appeared before Judge Alan Mitchell at Cloverhill District Court today. Mr Topiter, previously of Grand Canal House, Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6, was charged with causing criminal damage by arson on June 11 at St Michan's Church to mummified remains, property of Church of Ireland Archdeacon of Dublin & Vicar of St Michan's Church David Pierpoint. Judge Mitchell noted that the State needed more time to complete the book of evidence, which needs to be served on the accused before he is sent forward for trial. The case resumes on October 15 next. Earlier, Garda James Kenny said the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that Mr Topiter be sent forward for trial on indictment before a judge and jury in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which has broader sentencing power. The DPP also said Mr Topiter could go forward on a signed plea of guilty, should that arise. A blaze broke out at around 4 pm on June 11, and water damage was believed to have ruined five mummified remains, including an 800-year-old artefact known as 'The Crusader'. The other mummies date back 400 years. Garda Kenny had told a bail hearing on June 12 that there was CCTV evidence and alleged the accused was arrested shortly afterwards wearing distinctive clothing. A witness allegedly told gardai that there was a person "locked behind gates where this incident occurred, where he would have had to forcibly enter". Mr Topiter lived 200 metres away in a hostel beside Merchant Quay. Garda Kenny said historical artefacts of this nature were priceless and irreplaceable. The garda maintained that the offence was at the higher end of criminal damage offences, which could carry a maximum 10-year sentence. Responding to bail objections, the defence had said Mr Topiter had "clear ties" to Ireland and was in a four-and-a-half-year relationship with his fiancee. His solicitor argued that there was no evidence before the court that his client would interfere with witnesses. That court hearing was also told the accused had been in a stable relationship, worked as a security guard, received social welfare payments, and participated in a charity soup run. The defence submitted that Mr Topiter had an immigration identity card issued by gardai, was presumed innocent, and would obey conditions. The hearing also told he had no history of serious offences. Counsel for the group claimed they were unlawfully refused service during a hostile and febrile encounter at Robinsons Bar Father Ted creator Graham Linehan during a Let Women Speak rally in Belfast in April 16 last year Twenty-three people, including Father Ted writer, Graham Linehan were allegedly subjected to discrimination in a Belfast pub because of their gender critical beliefs, a court heard. Counsel for the group claimed they were unlawfully refused service during a hostile and febrile encounter at Robinsons Bar. It was also alleged that one of the plaintiffs was assaulted and left with a permanent facial scar. A total of 23 civil actions have been lodged in the first case of its kind in Northern Ireland. The group is suing Wine Inns Ltd, the owner of Robinsons, over incidents in the city centre pub on April 16, 2023. As the case came before Belfast County Court for the first time, details of the alleged circumstances were disclosed. Mr Linehan and others in attendance had taken part in a Let Women Speak rally headed by controversial activist Kellie-Jay Keen. Robinson's bar Following the demonstration they were said to have spent up to 90 minutes in Robinsons Bar. But according to their barrister, Peter Girvan, members of the group were then denied any further service. The claims are for direct discrimination on the basis of political and philosophical beliefs with regard to my clients approach to gender, he confirmed. Lawyers are now attempting to identify test cases for an anticipated trial hearing early next year. One of them is expected to be a lawsuit lodged by a man seeking 20,000 damages for personal injuries. We say he was assaulted (by a member of staff), leaving him with a permanent scar on his face, Mr Girvan submitted. Another two plaintiffs who say they witnessed what happened to him are claiming up to 8,000 compensation as alleged secondary victims. With separate cases also advanced on behalf of the remaining 20 members of the group, the barrister contended: It was such a hostile and febrile environment towards the end of the incident. The court heard some of them had gone into the bar in clothing with logos in support of womens rights. Mr Girvan argued: They were discriminated against and refused service because of their belief. That applied across the board, whether they were wearing T-shirts or not. Judge Orla Murray agreed to list the cases for a further review next month. Speaking outside court, the plaintiffs solicitor explained that lead cases will be selected rather than making an unwieldy attempt to run all 23 claims at the same time. Simon Chambers said: My clients are delighted the matter is being progressed in a productive and orderly fashion towards the eventual hearing date, which I anticipate will be in early 2025. We could see Des was gone but we had to try. A young crew member fell off a ladder on board a fishing vessel fracturing his upper neck causing cardiac arrest and instant death, an inquest has heard. The Coroners Court in Bantry, Co Cork heard that Desmond (Des) Hurley (29) lost his balance whilst on a ladder in the accommodation deck of a family owned fishing vessel, the Breizh Arvor II, on December 14th, 2023. Des, his brother Mark and other crew members had been fishing at the Porcupine Bank off the south west coast of Ireland when the accident occurred. Coroner Frank OConnell said that unfortunately it was a case of lightning striking leading to a one in a million death. Mark Hurley, who is a brother of the deceased, said that he asked Desmond to take over at the wheelhouse at close to midnight on December 13th, 2023. Desmond went down stairs to change his jumper. Mark went looking for his brother when he didnt come back up from accommodation deck in a matter of minutes. He went looking for Des in the accommodation deck. He saw his brother lying on the floor. Mark told the Coroner that he and another crew member administered CPR on Des but to no avail. We could see Des was gone but we had to try. Mark said that Des had sustained a mark on his forehead. Mark, in his role as Skipper, instructed the crew to haul in their nets so that they could return back to shore. Mark contacted Valentia Coastguard. He then called Medico to speak to a nurse. Crew member Haralambie Floren said that he had experience in first aid and assisted Mark with CPR on Des. He stated that the administering of CPR was difficult because of sea swells. Poignantly, the inquest heard that the crew members didnt want to leave Des lying on the floor as they made the journey back to Castletownbere, Co Cork. They made a decision to lift him to his bunk bed to give him dignity in death.. Sgt Stephen OSullivan who was on duty at Castletownbere Garda Station on December 14th of last year said that they were informed that a death had occurred at sea. The fishing vessel returned to Castletownbere that evening. He said that having accessed the scene his opinion was that Des probably slipped on a step as he made his way back up the timber stairs of the accommodation deck having retrieved his jumper. He stated that Des possibly hit his head off the door frame of the room. Scenes of crimes investigators assessed the scene. However, this was only a formality as there was no suggestion of anything untoward having happened. The Marine Casualty Board and the HSE were contacted as a matter of course. Dr Margaret Bolster carried out a postmortem on the body of Mr Hurley at the morgue in Cork city. She said that Des sustained a fracture of the upper neck bone. She stated that injuries of this type can lead to cardiac arrest. Dr Bolster reassured family members of the deceased that death would have occurred very quickly. She indicated that the injury had caused Dess heart to stop. In conclusion, the Coroner Frank OConnell noted that there was strong circumstantial evidence that Des lost his footing on the ladder, sustained a neck injury and suffered cardio respiratory failure. He offered his heartfelt condolences to the Hurley family and said that the death had occurred as a result of extreme bad luck. He acknowledged that the passing of Des was a terrible blow to the family. Inspector Triona OMahony and the foreman of the jury also offered their sympathy to the relatives of the deceased. The foreman said that what had happened to Des was unimaginable. Meanwhile, the town of Kinsale came to a standstill on December 18th, 2023 for the funeral of Mr Hurley. Des who was from Eltins Wood in Kinsale, is survived by his parents Jimmy and Noreen, his siblings Chris, Mark, Jemma and Vikki, his grandparents Christy and Eileen and partner Larissa. James was a past pupil of Kinsale Community School. He also studied at the BIM fisheries college. He was laid to rest at St Eltins cemetery following a funeral mass at St John the Baptist Church in Kinsale. The cortege stopped off at the pier in Kinsale on the day of the funeral amid poignant scenes. His family did a large amount of fundraising for the emergency services in the months following his death. BEIRUT, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese army said it received a 15-million-U.S.-dollar donation from the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) on Tuesday. According to an army statement, the financial donation will be used to provide fuel for the army for three months, enhancing its ability to confront the increasing security challenges in light of Lebanon's dire economic conditions. In a meeting with Qatari Ambassador to Lebanon Sheikh Saud bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani and Sultan Al-Aseeri, deputy director general of QFFD, Lebanese Army Commander Joseph Aoun expressed appreciation for "this grant, which comes in the context of the continuous initiatives by the State of Qatar, in commitment to the fraternal relations between the two sides, and to support Lebanon's security and stability during the current exceptional circumstances." The Lebanese army has been heavily impacted by a lingering economic and financial crisis that hit the country in 2019. The crisis has caused a collapse of the Lebanese pound and a devaluation of wages for public sector employees, including military personnel. Mr Szentesi said that he had a new paint roller that had a glossy handle and he was sanding it down because it was too slippery A man who was charged with masturbating in his car as a schoolgirl walked past the window has told the district court that he was actually sanding the handle of a paint roller that was between his legs. Prosecuting Inspector Tony OSullivan told Mallow District Court that Csaba Szentesi, 52, of Evergreen Buildings, Cork was charged with a single count of masturbating in public under Section 45-2-C of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017. A Hungarian interpreter was present in court to assist Mr Szentesi who denied the charge. Garda Shay Dempsey said that the alleged incident occurred in Midleton Co. Cork on September 29, 2021 at 8.20am. A video recording of an interview with the alleged injured party who was 16-years-old at the time of the incident was played to the court. During the interview the girl said that she was walking to school when she walked past a parked car that had its engine running. She said she glanced at the car because she heard the engine and saw a middle-aged, bald, white man sitting in the drivers seat. She said the man was squinting and looked like he was masturbating by moving up and down. The girl said she walked a few paces further on and looked once more and saw the mans erect penis and said that his pants were pulled down about half way between his waist and his knees. The girl said that after she realised what was happening she took a picture of the car. She added that she saw two younger schoolgirls approaching and stood in the way so they would not see the man at which point he drove away. The girl said she was very upset by what happened and had to be sent home from school. She added that she did not feel safe walking to school for about a week afterwards. Defence counsel John Colthurst BL acting for solicitor Killian McCarthy said that it was not the defences case that the girl was lying but that she was simply mistaken. In a statement Mr Szentesi told the court that he was a painter by trade and was married with two children. He said that he had arrived in Midleton that morning on his way to a job and stopped for something to eat and a cigarette. Mr Szentesi said that he had a new paint roller that had a glossy handle and he was sanding it down because it was too slippery. He told the court that it was between his legs and that anyone looking in the window might think it was a penis. He said: I am convinced what the young girl saw was the paint roller. Even an adult could confuse the situation. Mr Colthurst said that there were minor discrepancies in the girls evidence. He said in earlier statements the girl said she did not see Mr Szentesis hands while in a latter statement she did see them. Similarly in an early statement she said that Mr Szentesi was not moving aggressively while in a later statement she said he was. Mr Colthurst said that the witness could be filing in the blanks of her memory and may not have actually seen what she thought she saw. Judge Colm Roberts commended the girl for how she conducted herself in court where she appeared by video link and in the video interview. He said: If this was decided on the balance of probabilities I would have no problem convicting this man but because of the seriousness of the charge it must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. On that basis I cannot convict because the evidence does not reach the required threshold. The judge said he found the defendants explanation novel and told Mr Colthurst: If your client is cleaning handles again make sure he doesnt do it near schoolchildren. The case was dismissed. Ilona Tintari was not a rich person and was under pressure, her defence said. A mother of one has been left without a criminal record after she was found with a detagger in her pocket, having stolen from four Dublin stores. Ilona Tintari (28), who shoplifted clothes and groceries worth a total of 289 was not a rich person and was under pressure, her defence said. Judge David McHugh dismissed her case under the Probation Act at Blanchardstown District Court after she made a 100 charity donation. He remarked that a restorative justice report on the accused was also in order. Tintari, with an address Elder Heath Row, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to theft at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre on April 12. She stole four Victorias Secret items worth 140 at Next; food worth 49 at Marks & Spencer; a 25 blouse at Zara; and clothing worth 72 at Bershka. The court heard she was seen leaving Next without paying for items. She then went to Marks & Spencer. Gardai stopped her and she had the other items on her. A detagger was also found in her trouser pocket. Tintari, from Moldova, had a young child and was under pressure at the time, her solicitor Simon Fleming said. She apologised for the offences and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. Daniel Murray Jnr (34) was convicted on a single count of sexual assault against the 17-year-old girl at Laganside Magistrates Court in Belfast on Friday. A Belfast pizza boss who kissed a teenage trainees neck and offered to be her sugar daddy is facing jail. Daniel Murray Jnr (34) was convicted on a single count of sexual assault against the 17-year-old girl at Laganside Magistrates Court in Belfast on Friday. During the hearing the victim, who had just celebrated her 17th birthday at the time, claimed he had made a series of remarks about her legality before and after the incident in 2021. I was setting up the pizza dough balls and he came over and was talking about my wages, she said. He put down a 10 note on the marble and said: I will be your sugar daddy. I felt a bit awkward so I laughed it off. He then went in for a hug and buried his head in my neck and kissed it. His lips were pursed and it made a noise, I think it was done with sexual intent because he would make comments like you move your hands very well when I was shaping the dough. He asked my age once and when I told him I was 17 he said, happy days youre legal, and would keep making comments about me being legal. I pushed him off (after the incident) and he left. I asked a colleague if she had heard it and then I was pretty zoned out for the rest of the shift, I wasnt really engaged. The incident took place at one of the Roccos Pizza & Treats branches in Belfast and the victim said it caused her to have a panic attack afterwards. About an hour before the end of the shift I felt a panic attack coming on so I went to the walk-in fridge and was comforted by a colleague, she continued. It made my skin crawl, I didnt know how to react because it was disgusting and I had never experienced anything like that before. The court heard how Murray Jnr sent the girl a text message at 2.15am the following morning which read: Hi love, hope youre ok, well done tonight you did very well followed by two heart emojis. The victim informed her parents and supervisor the next day and later received a call from Murray Jnr and handed her phone over to her father. She said she contacted police but was initially told that making a statement of complaint was more of a hassle than simply providing an account of the incident for information purposes only. She contacted police a year after the incident following her 18th birthday to prevent it from happening to anyone else. Murray Jnr denied sexually assaulting the victim in 2021 or offering to be her sugar daddy but admitted sending her a late-night text message, agreeing it was unprofessional. It was unprofessional to say love, I dont text staff like that anymore. I sent heart emojis because I am used to interacting with my sisters in that way, I texted her because it was her first shift and she was nervous, he said. The court heard that he had previously told police he sent the message because shes a child and I like to look after my staff. The owner of Roccos Pizza & Treats, Ryan Morton, gave evidence on behalf of the defendant, as did an employee. However, despite the witnesses, Murray Jnr was convicted by District Judge Anne Marshall, who said she believes he did exactly what she said he did. Following his conviction, he was freed on bail pending the completion of reports ahead of sentencing next month. Reece Murphy was charged with violent disorder, production of a hammer as a weapon at Military Road and two counts of dangerous driving A 19-year-old man charged with violent disorder and brandishing a hammer as a weapon during an incident in Dublin's Phoenix Park in June had bail terms relaxed yesterday. Reece Murphy, of Rowlagh Avenue, Clondalkin, Dublin was charged with violent disorder, production of a hammer as a weapon at Military Road and two counts of dangerous driving in Phoenix Park on June 17. He had been given bail with strict terms on June 24 and faced his second hearing at Dublin District Court yesterday. Reece Murphy Judge Catherine Hayden heard that gardai have submitted a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions and are waiting to get directions. The State was granted a six week adjournment. Defence solicitor David Linehan asked for his clients bail condition compelling him to sign on three days a week to be reduced. He said the term affected the defendant's college attendance and the judge noted there was no Garda objection. She agreed to the defence application to change the order to two days a week. The apprentice steel fabricator has yet to indicate a plea and a decision has yet to be reached on whether the case would stay in the District Court or go to the Circuit Court which has wider sentencing powers. At his first hearing the defence said: "My client wishes me to mention in open court that he is not someone who is in any way homophobic, and this isn't some sort of attack on the gay community, Judge. I am instructed to say that in open court. His other bail terms state he has to "remain out of Phoenix Park, and any other public park", and a 11 pm6 am curfew and remain contactable on a phone number he has provided. He had surrendered his passport and was ordered to notify gardai of any address change and must not contact witnesses. Samuel McCaughey was due to stand trial at Belfast Crown Court on two terrorism charges which he initially denied A 33-year-old man yesterdayadmitted recording details of police vehicles parked within Lurgan PSNI station on his mobile phone. Samuel McCaughey was due to stand trial at Belfast Crown Court on two terrorism charges which he initially denied. After he entered the dock, his barrister Aaron Thompson asked that his client be re-arraigned on the two charges levelled at him. From Kilwilkie Road in Lurgan, McCaughey was charged that on May 27, 2020, he recorded information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, namely details of vehicles situated at Lurgan PSNI Station. When asked how he pleaded, McCaughey replied guilty. He was further charged that on the same date, he published information about two people who are, or have been, members of His Majesty's Forces namely vehicle details of two individuals who are members of the PSNI which was likely to be useful to a terrorist. The Co Armagh man also admitted this charge. McCaughey's barrister said both charges related to recordings which his client made on his mobile phone in the car park area of Lurgan police station in an incident which was captured on CCTV. Mr Thompson added that he was seeking a pre-sentence report. A Crown prosecutor told Judge Philip Gilpin that it was her intention to play the CCTV footage in court during the plea hearing. Judge Gilpin set the date for that hearing as Friday, November 8, 2024, and told McCaughey to engage with probation who will be compiling the pre-sentence report. After no objections were raised by the Crown, McCaughey was released on continuing bail. The suspect (34), who is from Dublins north inner city, was arrested yesterday A man who is suspected of playing a key logistical role in the murder of a drug dealer nearly two years ago has been arrested, as new details of the plot to kill Cormac Berkeley can be revealed. The suspect (34), who is from Dublins north inner city, was arrested yesterday. He is not believed to be the gunman in the case and his arrest is the first in the Berkeley murder investigation. Berkeley (37), from Tallaght, was shot several times as he sat in a car in his driveway at Harelawn Park in Ronanstown, west Dublin, at around 10pm on December 5, 2022. Detectives are investigating if an alleged stab attack involving the victim and one of his close associates is the motive for the fatal shooting of the father of one. It is understood that a veteran criminal from Crumlin held a deep grudge over this attack, but was not able to target Berkeley until a drug debt was cleared. Berkeley is understood to have owed a five-figure sum to west Dublin drugs gang, The Family, at the time. Nothing could be done to Berkeley until he paid off his debt to that gang and he was making payments on an almost weekly basis to clear it, a source said. As soon as the money, which was a significant amount of cash, was cleared, Berkeley was murdered. It is not known at this stage if the gang gave the green light for it or not. The Family gang have been in existence for decades, dealing heroin and cocaine. Berkeley was just one of dozens of drug dealers who have owed large sums of money to the dangerous drugs gang. The suspect, who was arrested by gardai from the Lucan district, has not previously been linked to the crime gang or the Crumlin criminal who is suspected of ordering Berkeleys murder. He is well known to gardai and has multiple convictions for driving offences and minor criminal matters such as shoplifting. Berkeley had been warned by gardai of an active threat to his life following his involvement in an alleged stabbing of a veteran criminal. The warning was issued just a month before his own murder. The risk to his safety, and that of his criminal associates, was deemed so severe that gardai across south Dublin were notified. Specialist gardai were also appraised of the threat. In the weeks before the murder, gardai received intelligence that a teenage associate of the Crumlin criminal was appearing outside Berkeleys family home in an act of intimidation. It is understood that well over 100 gardai were involved in the search operations across three counties. Gardai have dealt a major blow to one of Irelands biggest drugs gangs after nearly 7 million worth of cocaine was seized following co-ordinated raids across the country. The raids were primarily targeting an organised crime gang, known as The Family, who control a large portion of Irelands cocaine and heroin trade. However, it is believed a number of other criminal gangs were also the targeted in the operation. Properties in Dublin, Meath and Wexford were raided by officers from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau who were supported by a number of different garda .agencies. It is understood that well over 100 gardai were involved in the search operations across the three counties. A large amount of cash, believed to be a six-figure sum, was also recovered at the scene of one of the raids where a suspect was also arrested. A number of police from other European countries were involved in the planned raids here in Ireland. Sources say the searches were part of an international police operation which is being coordinated by international police agency Europol. Searches are still ongoing this afternoon and are being led by the the gardais Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GDOCB). It is understood that five people have been arrested and are being held in various stations in the Eastern Region as well as Dublin. Gardai have been involved in an international operation that has dismantled an encrypted mobile phone network used by criminal networks to order murders, drug shipments and money laundering. Europol said the operation is the latest law enforcement initiative to disrupt the activities of high-risk criminal organisations operating across the world. The countries that took part are Ireland, Australia, Canada, France, Iceland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States. A garda spokesman said they do not comment on ongoing operational activity. The Family. drugs gang are based in West Dublin and are involved in large-scale heroin and cocaine trafficking. They are suspected of laundering more than 100m of drug money every year. Numerous multi-million euro drug seizures have been linked to them in recent years, while gardai have also confiscated several firearms and millions of euro as part of operations targeting the gang. Since large parts of the Kinahan Cartels network has been dismantled in Ireland, The Family have expanded their network and become the number one target for gardai. The mob is lead by a convicted heroin dealer who is currently before the court on serious criminal charges. He controls a network of close associates who have struck up close ties with international crime gangs across Europe - including so-called Turkish Mafia gangs based in the UK. While the gang previously had dealings with members of the Kinahan Cartel, they have always operated separately and have been involved in trafficking drugs into Ireland on small aircraft. No injuries were reported and fire officers quickly got the blaze under control. Gardai at the scene of protests in Coolock, Dublin, last month. Photo: Colin Keegan/Collins Photos The former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, north Dublin, which was at the centre of a protest over plans to redevelop it to house asylum seekers (Niall Carson/PA) The former Crown Paints factory on fire last night Gardai have launched an investigation after a site earmarked to asylum seekers in Coolock was set on fire last night. Dublin Fire Brigade rushed to the scene in North Dublin shortly after 10.15pm after being alerted to the fire by locals. Last nights blaze is the sixth time the former Crown Paints factory has been set on fire in recent months. The site, on the Malahide Road, has been the focus of major protests and has seen some protestors involved in major clashes with gardai. No injuries were reported in last nights incident and fire officers quickly got the blaze under control. A garda spokesman said they have launched an investigation into the fire. He said: Gardai and Dublin Fire Brigade attended a fire at a premises on the Malahide Road, Coolock, Dublin 17 on Monday, 16th September 2024. The incident occurred at around 10.15pm and the fire was brought under control by fire services. No injuries were reported. Investigations ongoing. In July, the ex-Crown Paints factory was set alight four times in the space of just four days. The fires were started after protestors were involved in running battles with gardai The Public Order Unit was deployed on several occasions as protests turned violent at the site earmarked to house asylum seekers. The government have previously said they plan to house up to 500 international protection applicants in the former factory in Coolock. For months, groups of protestors have camped outside the site and have held a number of demonstrations condemning the plan to house asylum seekers in the buuilding. The former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, north Dublin, which was at the centre of a protest over plans to redevelop it to house asylum seekers (Niall Carson/PA) Taoiseach Simon Harris has previously defended the actions of Gardai and hit out at those engaging in anti-social behaviour in Coolock Speaking at the MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Co Donegal, Mr Harris admitted the Government must do a better job at consulting communities over migration. He said: Shame on every single one of those people who try to divide our country or our community because that is not us. When you saw those scenes in Coolock, the way my brain works is that I think of the man or woman who got up that morning and kissed their kids goodbye, put on their Garda uniform and then had people throw bricks at them. But what warmed by heart was the local community calling them out. This is not Coolock, this is not Ireland. This is not who we are. Local informs us that Jim left without a word over 12th holiday A veteran UDA leader who was named as ordering the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane has left his west Belfast home, the Sunday World can reveal. It is understood ex-UDA boss Jim Spence disappeared from his home in the greater Shankill area of Belfast a number of weeks ago. Sources have told the Sunday World that Spences disappearance has sparked a wave of rumours across paramilitary circles. His alleged ties to British Service agents has become the focus of speculation in Spences West Belfast base, according to local sources. Jim just disappeared. He was out walking his dog one day and the next day he was gone, a local told us. Our man Hugh Jordan gets no answer at Jim Spences door Spence a one-time UDA Brigadier and Military Commander has been repeatedly named in loyalist and legal circles as the mastermind behind the murder of Catholic solicitor Patrick Finucane. He has denied any involvement in the murder. But confirmation of 64-year-old Spences sudden disappearance emerged only this week, hours after the British government announced its intention to conduct a public inquiry into the lawyers collusion-linked killing. Solicitor Pat Finucane (39) was shot dead as he ate dinner with his family when a two-man UDA murder gang smashed its way into their north Belfast home on Sunday February 12 1989. Using a pistol and a revolver, his killers fired 14 shots at the father of three, all of which hit their target. Ken Barrett has been heavily implicated in the 1989 murder of lawyer Pat Finucane Pat Finucanes wife Geraldine was also wounded in the foot during the attack, which was witnessed by the couples three children, including their son John, who is the current Sinn Fein MP for North Belfast. And loyalist and Special Branch agent Ken Barrett who claimed in a recorded TV interview he acted as a getaway driver repeatedly named Spence as the UDA boss who hand-picked the men who took part in the murder mission. In a secretly recorded film, Barrett also told Panorama Reporter John Ware that Spence introduced him to the RUC Special Branch. Mo Courtney Loyalist thug William Mo Courtney has in the past allegedly boasted about his hands-on role in the Finucane murder. He was recently photographed walking down the Ormeau Road to his new flat after he was forced out of the Glencairn area of west Belfast. Courtney has been repeatedly quizzed by police over his alleged involvement in the Finucane murder. However, it is understood the man who fired the fatal shots has never been arrested in connection with the case. It is believed he still lives quietly in a respectable area of south Belfast. Our investigations this week revealed Jim Spence slipped out of his plush detached home in the greater Shankill area weeks ago, as the annual 12th of July celebrations got underway. As expected, the former UDA boss wasnt in when the Sunday World called to his family home in a smart area of west Belfast earlier this week. However, a local who said he had known Jim Spence for many years told us: Jim left without a word over the 12th holidays. In recent years he rarely left the house, apart from to walk his dog along the West Circular Road and then straight back home, the local said. Later the same day, a member of the Spence family also confirmed to us that the one-time all-powerful UDA boss had recently quit his luxury home near the Ballygomartin Road. And despite also leaving a phone number, Jim Spence failed to respond to our request for him to contact us. Pat Finucane At the height of his paramilitary career, twice-married Spence held the ranks of UDA Brigadier for West Belfast and Military Commander B Coy of the Woodvale Defence Association a semi-autonomous grouping within the loyalist terror organisation. During the upsurge in loyalist violence after the Anglo-Irish Agreement was signed in 1986 and preceding the historic paramilitary ceasefires in 1994, Spence saw himself as a stabilising influence on Johnny Mad Dog Adair, who led the UDAs notorious C Coy based in the lower Shankill. And in spite of repeated denials issued as recently as last Thursday Spences name has been continuously linked to the 1989 murder of defence solicitor Pat Finucane, who had successfully represented many republicans appearing brought before the courts on terrorist charges. On Friday morning, Spences spokesman issued a statement on his behalf, stating: Mr Spence had no involvement in the incident, therefore he has nothing to say in that regard. He notes the abject failure of many of those supporting the Finucane campaign to condemn IRA terrorism inflicted on the Protestant, Unionist, Loyalist community. The Sunday World has spoken to a number of former paramilitaries based in Belfast who claimed Jim Spence told them personally about a trip he made to England to meet with MI5 agents at a top hotel. Jim said he was approached by MI5 and he only decided to go with a view to finding what they knew about us and to see what information he could glean about the IRA, said an ex-UDA member. According to Spence, MI5 hired out an entire floor in the hotel for the weekend, he added. Jim Spence Now 64, Jim Spence was a 19-year-old when he first came to the attention of the police as a suspected UDA bank robber. Living in Brookmount Street a location synonymous with Shankill Butchers notorious leader Lenny Murphy Spence was part of a two-man UDA gang which robbed 10,000 from Ballygomartin Post Office. But when he appeared before a court along with his co-accused, 26-year-old Thomas Harris of Palmer Street, Belfast, Spence said he was under orders to commit the crime. Both were given 10-year sentences after admitting armed robbery. In 1985, Spence was arrested in connection with the burning of a motorbike used as a getaway vehicle following the shooting of Catholic man Harry Fitzsimmons near his home in the Unity Flats complex. Despite substantial evidence, Spence was held for just five days before being released without charge. Many of his former paramilitary pals now believe it was at that point that Spence opted to enlist as an RUC Special Branch agent. The UDAs links to British Military Intelligence are likely to to be a focus of the new enquiry into Finucanes murder. In his role as a UDA Military Commander, Spence held scores of photographic montages of republican suspects, which had been passed to him by sympathetic members of the Security Forces. But Spence was arrested during the Sir John Stevens Inquiry and held on remand for nine months. And during a follow-up search of a UDA arm hide under Spences control, officers discovered an army issue camouflage jacket and a warrant card in the name of Plotts. The find led to much speculation in security circles that Brigadier Spence may have had several paymasters. When Spence appeared before a judge charged with the illegal possession of security forces photographic montages of IRA suspects, he beat the rap and walked from court a free man. Kyle Clifford has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court today A 26-year-old man accused of killing the wife and two daughters of a BBC racing commentator in a crossbow attack has been charged with their murders. Kyle Clifford has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday following the incident in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on July 9, Hertfordshire Police said. Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of BBC racing commentator John Hunt, and two of their daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found fatally injured at the family home in Ashlyn Close. Pictures left on floral tributes at Ashlyn Close, Bushey, Hertfordshire (Jonathan Brady/PA) Clifford has been charged with three counts of murder, false imprisonment and two counts of possession of offensive weapons, the force said. Police were previously unable to speak to the suspect while he received treatment for an injury in hospital. Detective Chief Inspector Nick Gardner, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: "Our thoughts remain with the Hunt family and their loved ones as they continue to come to terms with their loss. "Over the past couple of months, we have been working hard to gather as much evidence as possible and establish the full circumstances of what happened that day. "Today, we have managed to secure charges against Kyle Clifford in connection with the murders of Carol, Hannah and Louise Hunt. "Although it has taken some time to reach this stage, we can now move forward with the judicial process and seek justice for their family." BBC racing commentator John Hunt Clifford, of Rendlesham Road, Enfield, north London, will appear remotely in court on Tuesday and has been under arrest since July 10, the force said. Mr Hunt and his third daughter Amy previously issued a statement following the incident, which said: "The devastation we are experiencing cannot be put into words." Flash A pro-Palestinian demonstrator holds a paper written with slogan during the protest on Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the United States, May 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] As students return to campuses across the United States this fall, many universities have implemented new policies aimed at restricting protest activities, which critics say has a chilling effect on both students and faculty. The new wave of administrative policies include encampment bans, severe restrictions on when or how demonstrations may occur, and suspensions of student organizations. Expanded conduct rules and harsher sanctions for violations often go together with these measures. For instance, Case Western Reserve University now requires administration approval for protests, while Rutgers University demands protesters obtain permits. Indiana University bans "expressive activity" between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. University of California and California State University systems prohibit encampments and the use of masks to "conceal identity" across their 33 campuses. New York University takes a controversial step by unveiling new student conduct policies prohibiting criticism of Zionism. These changes come in the wake of the widespread pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the spring semester, which called for universities to disclose and divest from financial ties to Israel. Palestine Legal, a civil rights organization, reported that throughout the spring of 2024, universities experienced levels of student protest reminiscent of the Vietnam anti-war and South African anti-apartheid eras. In response, university administrators called in law enforcement to arrest more than 3,000 students, professors, and solidarity activists on more than 80 campuses. These policy changes also come amid significant pressure from pro-Israel groups and lawmakers. U.S. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, a Republican from North Carolina and chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, has demanded information from some universities about their plans to prevent disruptions, antisemitic harassment, and intimidation on campus this fall, according to The Washington Post. Adam Lehman, president and chief executive of the Jewish campus organization Hillel International, has encouraged universities to be more proactive this school year, putting in place bias-reporting procedures that are inclusive of and responsive to Jewish student complaints. The U.S. Department of Education has also contributed to this shift. From Oct. 7, 2023 to this May, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the department opened 137 investigations into antisemitism and Islamophobia at universities and K-12 school districts. The office has admonished colleges for not having clear policies to assess and respond to reports of discrimination. However, these policy changes have faced significant criticism from civil rights organizations and academic groups. The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has condemned the new wave of administrative policies as "broadly chill students and faculty from engaging in protests." The AAUP argues that many of these policies are being imposed with little to no faculty input, bypassing the central role of elected faculty bodies in university governance. A pro-Palestinian protest is held inside Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the United States, May 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Palestine Legal cautions that while these rules have been instituted to target speech critical of Israel, they can be used to prevent students from speaking out about other issues as well, such as climate change and police violence. The organization said it is working to ensure that students know their rights in this rapidly changing environment and have support if they face repression. Edward Ahmed Mitchell, deputy director at the Council on American-Islamic Relations, urges universities to respect the rights of all students and avoid repeating the "heavy-handed enforcement" seen in spring. "If they give students room to protest peacefully, and if they engage with students respectfully about their demands, then we can see a much more civil discussion on college campuses this fall," Mitchell said. At Columbia University, the school year began with the New York Police Department arresting student picketers demanding divestment on the first day of classes. At University of Michigan, four people were arrested, and two were hospitalized after police reportedly slammed students on the ground during a peaceful die-in demonstration. Despite these new restrictions, campus pro-Palestinian activism has shown no signs of abating. National Students for Justice in Palestine has called for a "day of action" on campuses, declaring, "University repression will not stop us. Draconian speech codes will not stop us." BRATISLAVA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Slovak Parliament dismissed Michal Simecka as deputy speaker in a secret ballot on Tuesday, local media reported. Among 77 members of parliament present for the vote, one ballot was declared invalid and the other 76 members voted for Simecka's dismissal, according to the News Agency of the Slovak Republic (TASR). Many members of the 150-seat parliament were absent from the vote. A special parliamentary session was held last week to discuss the removal of Simecka, leader of the opposition Progressive Slovakia Party. The motion was initiated by members of the Direction-Social Democracy Party and the Slovak National Party, two of the three parties forming the coalition government. According to TASR, the primary reasons cited for the vote against Simecka were the abuse of state subsidies by individuals close to the opposition party leader and suspicions of manipulation in the allocation of these subsidies. Simecka, however, rejected the criticism, describing the proposal as retaliation for his effective performance as an opposition leader. Simecka was one of the four deputy speakers of the Slovak Parliament. The position of Parliament speaker remains vacant after former speaker Peter Pellegrini was sworn in as the country's president in mid-June. Mary was always smiling and she will be sorely missed A Co Down care home has paid tribute to one of their nurses who passed away suddenly following childbirth, describing her as someone who was always smiling. The Carnalea Care Home in Bangor said Mary who was originally from the Philippines had a son and new born daughter and said the fundraiser would help her partner Homer with funeral arrangements and transport back home to the Philippines. They added: We are so deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our Fetherston Nurse Mary. I'm sure a lot of you would have seen her in the unit, Mary was always smiling and she will be sorely missed, we as a family in Carnalea want to help Mary's family in any way we can. It was confirmed Mary arrived in Ireland two years ago to work as a nurse alongside her partner Homer and son Hermes. The fundraiser added: They grew a life here and made real connections, Mary fell pregnant again in January and they welcomed beautiful baby girl Hera this September. "Unfortunately a few short days after Hera was born Mary suffered complications following childbirth and sadly Mary passed away on 13.09.24, at the age of 34, leaving her partner Homer and their two beautiful children. Due to these unforeseen circumstances this has left Homer having to cope financially and to afford funeral costs while also looking after his 6-year-old son and new born baby. As a family here at Carnalea we want to help Homer in any way possible towards funeral costs and to ease their financial burden, including their flights home, so please if you can make any small donation its greatly appreciated. So far almost 9,000 has been raised for the family. The GB News presenter was snapped sticking out his tongue as he sat beside the Van Helsing star Eamonn Holmes has gone viral after posing with with a suggestive collection of vegetables held by Hollywood A-lister Kate Beckinsale. The GB News presenter was snapped sticking out his tongue as he sat beside the Van Helsing star at an event in the UK. Writing on her Instagram account, Kate said was gripped with the urge to ask the Belfast broadcaster to pose for the camera next to a pair of lemons and a cucumber. "I dont know what to say . "When you see @eamonnholmes at a party the urge to ask him to pose with suggestive veg is unprecedented for reasons even I dont understand . This did not happen when I met @springsteen so I have to conclude its either intrinsic to Eamonn or something to do with the approaching harvest festival. Eamon Homes and Kate Beckinsale and the vegetable On his Instagram account, Eamonn also paid tribute to the British-born actress writing: After years of being SM [social media] friends an ambition fulfilled tonight with the wonderful actress." 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 It comes as Holmes has reportedly returned to the UK after a luxury Mediterranean cruise with his girlfriend Katie Alexander. Now back to reality, he could be set for divorce proceedings, with Metro reporting that his ex, Ruth Langsford, has hired a lawyer. Holmes married Langsford in 2010 and they have a son, Jack. It was reported in May that the two were separating. Holmes was pictured at Heathrow Airport on Monday with Alexander, using his wheelchair. Before leaving on their cruise, Holmes and Alexander were seen in Barcelona struggling with the wheelchair as they prepared to board the liner. The pictures showed the health issues that Holmes is continuing to face as he prepares to return to GB News as their main breakfast show anchor. Holmes, 64, has been battling ill health for some time. In 2016, he underwent a double hip replacement operation lasting three-and-a-quarter hours after living with acute pain for many years. Things worsened in 2021 when he slipped three discs in his back, causing him to lose mobility. And last year, his back surgery went wrong, leaving him in need of a wheelchair ever since. Holmes has spoken of his fear that he might never regain mobility but he has seen some progress in recent times. On July 8, he posted a photo of himself standing without assistance. And then on July 24, he demonstrated to his Instagram followers how he was using a special treadmill to try and regain his walking ability. So this gives me a certain amount of freedom and the idea is that I build up muscle memory and y'know things will happen, hopefully in the future, he said. After some fans noticed his absence from GB News, he reassured his 1.1 million followers that it was all due to something as simple as a summer holiday, writing: People seem unfamiliar with the concept of Summer Holidays. He dismissed any concern and added: See you next week! Old is the New Black is a photography competition designed to break down the walls of ageism, tearing down stereotypes and shining a spotlight on Taurangas senior stars in a fabulously stylish way. With a photography exhibition planned for downtown Tauranga in October, people will be able to see the freedom, joy, wisdom, and creative expression that accompany aging, rather than focusing entirely on the decline often associated with aging. Its about kicking ageism to the kerb. Old is the New Black has been a really exciting project for The Incubator to be involved with, said The Incubator director Simone Anderson. She says they are partnering with Tauranga City Council to help facilitate the Young at Heart Festival, a weeklong programme of events and activities for all ages, but with a focus on the older person in our community. The Incubator thought a visual representation of this would speak volumes. As part of the programme, they created a photograph competition with the older person at the heart. The team came up with six categories, all kicking ageism to the kerb, and visually depicting our wonderful older community in fun, vibrant ways, said Anderson. They went to the community and got 108 entries, and next the all-important judging. The three judges are Tauranga city councillor Rod Taylor, Kale Print brand manager Tessa Lawrence, and Studio 59s Tracy Stamatakos. All three brought with them a different lens for this competition, said Anderson. Tracy with her over 30 years in the photographic sector, Tessa as a graphic designer and in the printing industry, and Rod for his eye and empathy and long business career. The three judges of 'Age is the New Black' photography competition are Tauranga city councillor Rod Taylor, Kale Print brand manager Tessa Lawrence, and Studio 59s Tracy Stamatakos. Photo: Supplied. Simone said all three judges agreed that the standard was high. Maybe not so technically excellent in some cases, but all responded to the captivation, first impressions, creativity, emotive connection, and technical ability. All of the entries had connected with love with their subject, who all had to be over the age of 65, had to tell a story, and you certainly feel that when looking at the images. It was a pleasure to be invited to judge this celebration of our community, coming together to capture the hearts and souls of some fantastic seniors through the eyes of their admirers, said Stamatakos. Whether recognised for their voluntary work or simply living their best lives, we truly have some vibrant individuals among us who have proved that age is just a number. It was an absolute joy being involved in the judging, said Lawrence. The warmth and appreciation for our seniors coming through the entries made for quite an emotional experience. Lawrence said there were so many outstanding submissions, creating lively debate amongst the judging team. Thanks to Tauranga City council and The Incubator team for bringing this idea to life, said Lawrence. What a fabulous way to celebrate and illuminate our senior community who are out there thriving! Im excited to see the winning submissions on display for the public, and to celebrate our winners. The six categories for Age is the New Black, are: Vibrant Attire: Capturing the diversity of rich cultural attire, snazzy flamboyance or just way out! Sporty Spice: Exhibiting a senior citizen busting a move or being active doing what they do keeping fit or doing their mahi. Volunteers: Sponsored by Acorn Foundation: Capture our golden heroes flaunting their volunteer mojo from sunny beaches to lively events. Our Grandies: The snapper must be a youngster under 14 years old, capturing the essence of an elderly individual. This could be your Koro, Nana or some cool older person you admire. Our Whanau: Displaying an older person/s in a classic family scene or in a cultural environment. Just My Favourite: An epic shot of a respected senior superstar. The winning photographs will be exhibited along Taurangas waterfront The Strand, from October 1-20. Photo: Supplied. The Old is the New Black exhibition will be showcased along Taurangas waterfront The Strand, during the Young at Heart Festival celebrating our groovy older people. The competition closed on August 31, with the official prizegiving taking place at 6pm on Monday, September 30. The Old is the New Black exhibition will be on show on The Strand, Tauranga from October 1-20, 2024. Taurangas Maori ward councillor wont be paid while he is on a leave of absence due to illness. Mikaere Sydney was elected to council in July, but is on an extended leave of absence until December 31 for medical reasons. At a Tauranga City Council meeting on Monday the council voted not to pay him the $135,900 councillor salary. Its the first time in New Zealand a councillor has been elected but unable to take office because of illness. Sydney was granted his leave of absence at the councils inaugural meeting in August, but there was confusion over whether it was agreed to pay him at that time. On Monday, councillor Hautapu Baker acknowledged the extreme rarity of the situation. Councillor Hautapu Baker said paying Mikaere Sydney would send a message of unity to the community. Photo / Alisha Evans. Never has an elected member gone down sick in such an extreme situation before, let alone an elected member who won quite overwhelmingly. People he had spoken to in the Te Awanui Maori ward were supportive of paying Sydney the same as the other councillors, which was a decision he thought they made at the first meeting. We are a team of 10 and we stand by one another. It sends a message of unity to our community. Councillor Rod Taylor said he also thought they had agreed to pay Sydney. He wanted to consider what those in the Te Awanui ward who voted for Sydney would do. Im quite supportive that we do actually follow through and pay him as a member of the team of 10. Councillor Glen Crowther said it was an awkward situation. Photo / Alisha Evans. Councillor Glen Crowther said he thought they had agreed to the leave of absence but not to pay Sydney. It was an awkward situation and Crowther said his heart went out to him. He needed to look at it from a dispassionate view that if the councillors were employees, they wouldnt get sick leave because you need to be in a job six months to qualify. Councillors are independent contractors and arent entitled to the same benefits as employees either, said Crowther. He asked if there had been change in what was reported of Sydneys condition. Mayor Mahe Drysdale said he had visited Sydney and it was a private matter but nothing had significantly changed. Drysdale said he was torn; his personal feeling was council should be supportive of Sydney who was in a very tough situation. But this was tempered by the fact it was ratepayer money being spent on his salary, said Drysdale. Mayor Mahe Drysdale said he was torn over whether to pay Mikaere Sydney during his medical leave. Photo / Alisha Evans. This is an interesting situation and the fact that he has been elected and through no fault of his own has not been able to take up that position. If there was a by-election to replace Sydney it would be more expensive than his salary, said Drysdale. Councillor Rick Curach said it was with a heavy heart he supported not paying Sydney. Were not an organisation that provides welfare, were not a charity. There is a member that cannot act as a councillor, therefore cannot do the job. In the real world it wouldnt be a debate, he said. Councillors salaries come from a remuneration pool of $1,242,581 which must all be spent. With Sydneys salary it will remain unspent, and the council can decide how to allocate it if he returns or resigns from his position after December 31. Councillors were split over whether to pay Sydney. Councillors Crowther, Curach, Marten Rozeboom and Steve Morris voted not to pay him. Drysdale, Baker, Taylor and Kevin Schuler voted to pay him. Because Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular was absent, and the vote was even Mayor Drysdale had the casting vote. He changed his vote and opted not to pay Sydney. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. Police arrested two men on the South-Western motorway, following a fleeing driver incident that began near Matamata this morning. A stolen vehicle had earlier been seen in the Mt Maunganui area and police said it had failed to stop for a police unit. "Police did not pursue the vehicle at the time, however at around 3.44am the same vehicle was sighted on State Highway 27 near Matamata," said a police spokesperson. "The vehicle was signalled to stop, but fled and was not pursued. "Spikes were successfully deployed as the vehicle travelled north towards the Auckland region." Police said Eagle deployed to the southern part of Auckland and began monitoring the vehicle from the Bombay Hills as it entered the motorway network. "The vehicle continued to travel north on State Highway 1, before moving onto State Highway 20. "Eventually, just before 5.30am, it came to a stop on the motorway near the Puhinui Road offramp." The 29-year-old man driving, and a 17-year-old passenger were both taken into custody without further incident. "As the incident concluded on the motorway, there was some disruption to morning commuters travel as the scene was cleared. "Police would like to thank members of the public for their patience and cooperation this morning as we responded to this incident. "Charges are being considered in this matter." Encarni Hinojosa Malaga Tuesday, 17 September 2024, 09:42 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads In Philip K. Dick's famous science fiction novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? there are no children. This literary work, which inspired Ridley Scott's famous film Blade Runner, really explores the essence of the human species. The leading man, android-hunter Rick Deckard, spends the whole story obsessed with acquiring a real flesh and blood pet - he already has an electric sheep. He doesn't even think about having a son or daughter. What was written in the 1960s does not seem so much like science fiction today. For several years now, the number of pets has outnumbered children in many countries around the world. Spain is one of them, where pets outnumber children by a factor of two. At provincial level, in Malaga this proportion was almost repeated on 1 January 2024, with 499,172 known and logged dogs and cats compared to the census figure of 289,836 children and adolescents (population aged from zero to sixteen years). That makes a ratio of 1.7 pets per child. The data are from Cacov (the Andalusian council of official veterinary associations) and IECA (Andalucia's institute of statistics and cartography). "In 'screen societies' we need to humanise that animal instinct to express emotions. It is paradoxical, but digital societies are simultaneously cold and emotional. And that emotional need, in a cold society, finds refuge in domestic animals," explained sociology professor Luis Ayuso from the University of Malaga (UMA). "Digital societies are simultaneously cold and emotional. And that emotional need, in a cold society, finds refuge in pets." This is compounded by an ageing population and, consequently, a declining birth rate. This phenomenon becomes more concerning in rural areas and small towns. This is confirmed by the data. In all the municipalities of Malaga there are more pets than children and under-17s. Moreover, in 86 of the 103 municipalities in the province (83.5%), dogs and cats outnumber those under 17. This pets to children ratio is only lessened in the larger towns, with the city of Malaga as the main stronghold, (it has the lowest figure in the whole province of 1.19). At the other end of the scale the proportion of pets soars in villages such as Juzcar in the Serrania de Ronda, with the highest ratio of 11.85 pets per child. There are various factors that encourage this state of affairs. Juan Antonio de Luque, president of the Malaga Veterinary Association, lists them as follows: "The rural infrastructure itself, the customs, the depopulation of these areas, the tradition of keeping animals..." Furthermore, it is a fact that, contrary to what happens with children, even if there is a lower population in a given municipality, the number of pets per household does not change and it even increases. Villages such as Cartajima, Benadalid, Canete la Real, Sedella, Comares, Serrato or Jubrique are above a pets to children ratio of seven to one. "Rural areas are much friendlier to animals, they require less care, there is more living space to have two or three pets... I don't think it is so much the ageing that exists in these small towns, because in big cities there are also a lot of elderly people living on their own. I think it's more the quality of life that the countryside offers to any animal," explained Dr Jose Saez, an academic in social work from the University of Murcia. "The concept of the multi-species family is not intended as a substitute, but as a complementary concept." This researcher is one of the leading experts in Spain on the role of pets in new family models, so much so that he is one of the advocates of the concept of the 'multi-species family'. He explained it as follows: "It is the bond established from animals to people and from people to animals. But it is not seen as a substitute, but as complementary. You can wish to have children at the same time as you wish to have pets." Lockdown as the springboard This "desire to have pets" is, on many occasions, based on human need or opportunism. This is made clear by the data on how dog registrations have progressed over the last ten years in Malaga province. In the year of the Covid-19 pandemic (2020), the annual variation shot up by 8%. Yet in 2021 the decrease was almost double, 15.1%. During the main lockdown phase when we were confined to our homes, one of the exceptions to being allowed to leave the house was to walk the dog so it could do its business. "Taking care of the health of the family also means taking care of the health of the pet. And this is being penalised with the IVA [Spain's sales tax] at 21%." "I don't rule out that many sought pet adoption in order to get out of the house. But most of them, I think, also needed to combat the loneliness. Post-confinement did not mean an abandonment of animals, quite the contrary. There was an upturn in adoptions and veterinary care", said Juan Antonio de Luque, who also maintains that "looking after the health of the family also means looking after the health of the pet. And this is being penalised with the IVA (Spain's sales tax) rate at 21%." While dogs still outnumber cats in the official pet registers, in Malaga city the felines are showing a steady increase. From 2021 to 2023 cat registrations have increased by 4,381 (24.8% up) compared to a decrease in dog registrations for the same period, that means 13,787 fewer canines (-15.6%). Another analysis of the data reinforces what experts such as Luis Ayuso advocate: "Pets allow us to enter a new phase of human individualisation. You are accompanied, but at the same time alone. You are more individual with animals than with children. But you still have to take an animal to the vet, feed it, take the dog outside to urinate... Now it's pets that provide that companionship instead of children. In the future, it will be machines." A powerful conclusion: will children and adolescents dream of electric sheep? Sources and methodology: The data on pets refer only to dogs and cats (as they are the most representative domestic animals) registered at the end of each year; and come from the Andalusian council of official colleges of veterinarians. These can be consulted at the provincial level and at a lower geographic level (municipalities, towns, localities and residential developments), which have been grouped into municipalities to produce this information. The data on children and adolescents refer to the population from zero to sixteen years of age, inclusive, at the end of each year; and come from the Junta de Andalucia's institute of statistics and cartography. The index of the weight of pets on children and adolescents has been calculated by dividing the number of dogs and cats by the population from zero to sixteen years of age. Rocio Jimenez Cantabria Tuesday, 17 September 2024, 17:06 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X (antes Twitter) LinkedIn Telegram Threads At the entrance to the bay of Santona and the Parque Natural de las Marismas de Santona, Victoria and Joyel, at the foot of the cliffs of Monte Buciero - a 600-hectare peninsula that conserves the best patch of Cantabrian holm oak forest in the country - stands the Faro del Caballo (or horse lighthouse in English), one of the most spectacular picture-postcard shots of the Cantabria region in the north of Spain. This lighthouse, which takes its name from the Alto del Caballo, the highest point in the area, began operating on 31 August 1863. In the early days the building was divided into two blocks, the first was the lighthouse keeper's house and the other was the lighthouse tower itself. The house had a rectangular layout with two floors and a facade of square-cut, dressed masonry that has been plastered and whitewashed. The tower is cylindrical in shape and the lantern, now removed, was located in the upper part of a glazed structure with a prismatic, glazed, hemispherical covering. It is topped by a narrow passageway on the outside secured by a metal railing. The lantern top stands 24 metres above sea level and 13.36 metres above ground level. Zoom View of the cliffs jutting out from Monte Buciero. Turismo de Cantabria In 1993 the lighthouse stopped working and suffered several acts of vandalism, which led to the demolition of the lighthouse keeper's house a year later. In 2013 the inmates of El Dueso penitentiary centre refurbished the surroundings and the steps as part of the Nacar (Nature and Prison) project. How to get there Due to the rugged terrain, this magical viewpoint can only be reached on foot via a flight of steps - all 763 of them. If the sea is calm, it is also possible to walk down to the water via a further flight of 111 steps. Swimming is not allowed in this area as it is dangerous, but it is very common to see people jumping into the water. Zoom To reach the lighthouse you have to descend 763 steps. Turismo de Cantabria To reach this lighthouse that stands below some steep cliffs, you can choose one of the different walks available. The trail from Santona to the lighthouse, which starts at the church of Santa Maria del Puerto, passes by the Fort of San Martin (originally more of a battery than a fort, equipped with four cannons and named after the shrine that previously existed on the site) and then by the viewpoint of La Punta or Pena del Frail , a place with spectacular views of the area where you can, of course, enjoy great panoramic views. This route is only 3.86 kilometres long, but with a gradient of 475 metres it is classed as medium difficulty. The estimated walking time is about 80 minutes. Zoom Image of the fort of San Martin in Santona. Turismo de Cantabria Another option is the trail that leaves Santona and passes through El Dueso and Berria beach, which stretches for 2,200 metres between Mount Brusco to the west and the Buciero massif to the east, then on past the Faro del Pescador, a working lighthouse that was lit for the first time on 1 February 1864, eventually reaching the Faro del Caballo. This route is 6.31 kilometres long, with a gradient of 540 metres and thus also of medium difficulty. Finally, there is the circular route, which is 10.17 kilometres long, with a cumulative difference in altitude of 1,015 metres and of medium difficulty. This option combines the two previous routes to cover all the points of interest in the area. The average time is around three to four hours. For those who go with children or simply do not want to make this effort, they can choose to approach the lighthouse by boat and photograph it from the sea. To do this, you can take different boat trips that depart from Santona or Laredo, and the more adventurous can choose to paddle to the turquoise waters surrounding the lighthouse in a kayak or canoe. Interesting facts - The closest car park to the lighthouse is next to the church of Santa Maria del Puerto. - The hiking trails run mostly along stone and dirt tracks with steep slopes, so it is advisable to wear suitable and comfortable footwear. Zoom The path is stony and uneven, so it is advisable to wear comfortable clothes and footwear. Turismo de Cantabria - The trails are not lit, so it is advisable to walk them during sufficient natural daylight or, if not, to carry a torch or headlamp to avoid accidents. - Access to the lighthouse is free. To date, it has not been necessary to book or obtain a ticket in advance but, due to recent overcrowding, the regional government is considering limiting access to the lighthouse. In fact, since the end of August, a pre-booking system has been introduced as a test during the month of September, with the aim of "gathering data, identifying real needs and being able to adjust measures in the future", according to the regional government. The system offers daily bookings in five two-hour time slots, issuing 100 places every two hours. Reservations can be made here. VIENTIANE, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- A high-level forum on ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Supply Chain Connectivity: "Key Issues and Challenges" was held in Lao capital Vientiane, with participants discussing the critical need to enhance integration amid evolving global challenges. The forum, held on Monday and co-hosted by Laos' Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), brought together government officials, experts, and business leaders from across the region, Lao National Radio reported on Tuesday. The discussions centered on strategies to bolster regional cooperation in supply chain management, aligning with Laos' ASEAN chairmanship in 2024 under the theme of "ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience." Speaking at the event, Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaythong Kommasith addressed the key factors impacting ASEAN's supply chains, including geopolitical changes, digital advancements, and the growing emphasis on sustainability. He emphasized the need for stronger digital infrastructure and policy coordination to boost competitiveness in emerging sectors such as electric vehicles, semiconductors, and digital services. Enhancing the free flow of data and supporting the mobility of digital talent within ASEAN were also identified as priority areas for regional collaboration. In addition, Malaythong called for the development of institutional mechanisms to safeguard supply chains from potential disruptions, including global health risks. The event concluded with insights from a distinguished panel of experts, who stressed the importance of supply chain connectivity in driving ASEAN's long-term growth. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Red Lobster, known for its affordable seafood and cheddary biscuits, has exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. A U.S. bankruptcy judge approved the casual seafood chains reorganization plan earlier this month, which included a lender group led by asset manager Fortress Investment Group acquiring the business. The green light arrives under just four months after Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy protection as it pursued a sale, following years of mounting losses and dwindling customers while it struggled to keep up with competitors. The Orlando, Florida-based chain, which lost $76 million in 2023, shuttered dozens of its North American restaurants over recent months both leading up to and during the bankruptcy process. That included more than 50 locations whose equipment was put up for auction just days before the Chapter 11 petition, followed by additional closures throughout the bankruptcy process. Red Lobsters that closed include at least eight locations in Upstate New York. Red Lobsters new CEO is Damola Adamolekun, former chief executive of P.F. Changs. Adamolekun was previously appointed to head RL Investor Holdings, the newly formed entity that acquired Red Lobster. He previously said that the companys long-term investment plan included a commitment of more than $60 million in new funding. Red Lobster is now a stronger, more resilient company, and today is the start of a new chapter in our history, Adamolekun said in a statement on Monday. Red Lobster is now an independent, privately-held company with 545 restaurant locations in 44 states and four Canadian provinces. Roy S. Gutterman is a professor and director of the Tully Center for Free Speech at the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. The campaign for president has been tough on cats. With almost two months to go, cats have found themselves, well, in the doghouse. First, Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance referred to his Democratic opponents as childless cat ladies. Then, in last weeks highly anticipated (and hyped) debate, Donald Trump launched the seemingly innocuous town of Springfield, Ohio, into the maelstrom of the campaign when he said that immigrants were eating peoples pets, particularly cats, maybe some dogs, too. Both statements met with a cacophony of rebukes and criticisms, shifting both political campaigns away from public-policy driven debate and discussion to fact-checking and countering a bizarre accusation that is so far off the playing field it is practically insane to focus on. Both statements reach offensiveness on many different levels the cat lady comment because it denigrates women who havent borne children, the pet-eating comment because it demonizes Haitian immigrants. With Trumps debate accusation, it is especially hard to fathom such a statement that can get equal discussion and analysis from the highest levels of mainstream news operations as well as any comedian looking for an easy joke. As divided as we are politically, the cat-dog divide has often been the subject of debate, friendship and even matchmaking. It is important to acknowledge that there are many people who like both cats and dogs. This piece is not intended to disparage either cat-lovers or dog-lovers. Were all Americans. Animals, particularly presidential pets, have played a significant role in helping politicians shape their personal identity and even divert attention from other more pressing issues. Richard Nixons historic 1952 Checkers Speech, which saved his political career after a fundraising scandal, is famous for his declaration that the dog was a gift sent by a supporter to his daughter Tricia, then 6 years old, who named it because of his black and white pattern. Bill Clinton famously walked the political line with both a presidential cat, Socks, and a dog, Buddy. Television news cameras captured Clinton with Buddy, a playful chocolate labrador, during one of his scandals. Commentators at the time speculated that Buddy might have been Clintons only friend in Washington. Of course, theres Harry Trumans famous line: If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog. He had a cocker spaniel named Feller. Lyndon Johnson was also famously criticized for picking up his Beagle, Him, by its ears to pose for an Associated Press photographer. He was widely criticized by animal lovers. And, most recently, President Joe Bidens German shepherd, Major, was kicked out of the White House for repeatedly biting people, particularly Secret Service agents. Perhaps all the controversy with presidential dogs may be some form of vindication for cat lovers. There have not been any major reports of cats destroying White House furniture with their claws or doing other cat stuff that could drive even a pet lover mad. Reports of immigrants killing and eating pets are just as unfounded. And yet they are having real-world effects in Springfield, Ohio, where threats of violence are disrupting daily life and raising fears that people will be hurt. In his Checkers Speech, Nixon knew that focusing on a pet humanized him and could tug at Americas heartstrings. And you know, the kids, like all kids, love the dog, and I just want to say this, right now, that regardless of what they say about it, were gonna keep it, he said. At least nobody was accused of wanting to eat Checkers. Though the Nixon speech still resonates, it shows how far we have come in American politics and public discourse. As flawed and as problematic as Nixon was, who would have thought in 2024 we would be longing for some of the simplicity and stability of a Nixonian universe. By Brendan J. Lyons | Times Union, Albany Albany, N.Y. A coalition of business, energy and labor organizations aligned with the Business Council of New York State is urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to veto the proposed Climate Change Superfund Act, which would establish regulations seeking to collect roughly $75 billion from companies some controlled by foreign nations deemed responsible for greenhouse gas emissions due to their refinement and production of fossil fuels. The legislation was stripped from the state budget this year but passed by the state Senate in May and the Assembly a month later. It would task the state Department of Environmental Conservation with establishing regulations to identify responsible parties and the procedures for collecting payments from those companies after issuing notices of cost recovery demands. Although the state attorney generals office and Department of Taxation and Finance would be given authority to enforce the payment demands, its unclear how that would work, including if the targets are in Russia or other nations at odds with U.S. interests. The coalition supported by the Business Council characterized the legislation as bad public policy in a letter they are scheduled to send to Hochul on Monday morning. A draft of the letter, obtained by the Times Union, noted there are significant questions about the implementation of the regulations, whether they would meet constitutional muster, and the potential for unintended consequences and increased costs for households and businesses. The group said that the legislation also ignores the direct culprit for carbon emissions consumers and is discriminatory because it targets only the largest fossil fuel extraction and processing firms, including those that produce petroleum, natural gas and coal. State and federal lawmakers who support the legislation have taken varied positions on fossil fuels. Under former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, the state created the FUEL NY initiative in response to Superstorm Sandy in 2012, a catastrophic event that created extensive power outages and disruptions to fuel supply systems. That initiative, which remains in place, notes that New York relies on the continuous availability and resupply of gasoline and diesel fuel to maintain public safety, commerce, and the well-being and economic vitality of its residents, businesses, and governments. The FUEL NY plan seeks to mitigate disruptions in fuel distribution and establish two fuel reserves, as well as a back-up generator program for gas stations in strategic locations, to make it easier for New Yorkers to resume daily life following a severe storm. Now, state government is proposing to penalize the very same suppliers of gasoline, natural gas, and other fossil fuel-based products, the business coalition group wrote. By targeting and imposing strict liability only on the extraction and refinement of fossil fuels, the bill disregards the fact that most emissions are generated by the actual use of fossil fuels and not by their refinement or extraction. Imposing a fee on this past activity means is not designed to impact business or consumer behavior, suggesting the main goal of the legislation is to receive funding from the fuels sector. Still, the legislation has received staunch support from many Democratic lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, a Manhattan Democrat who wrote a letter to Hochul last month urging her to sign the bill. The Climate Change Superfund Act is unique in that it holds the companies responsible for the largest greenhouse gas emissions accountable in a way that keeps those costs from being passed on to the public, Nadler wrote, adding that it is expected to cost hundreds of billions of dollars to shore up New York against the impacts of climate change. A memo circulated in the Legislature last year by state Sen. Liz Krueger, another Manhattan Democrat, and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowtiz, a Bronx Democrat, cited a peer-reviewed article that they said ranked a list of violators and helped establish the amount of money they should pay New York. The article analyzed global emissions since 2000 and based the penalties on each companys annual assessment, and places the burden of the damages caused on the manufacturer, not the users, even if the substance was legally produced and emitted at the time the harm was caused. That annual assessment list ranges from $222 million for Exxon Mobil to $100 million for Lukoil in Russia and $23 million for Novatek, an oil and gas company that is Russia second-largest producer of natural gas. There are also more than a dozen U.S. companies on the bills list. Under this legislation, New York state would be imposing a $75 billion assessment on the energy sector during a time of heightened concerns of affordability facing households and businesses alike, the business coalition wrote. While opinions may differ as to how the cost of this legislation may be directly allocated, there is concern that these payments could impact the states overall economy and individual households. The legislation entitles a fossil fuel company to contest any financial assessments consistent with due process requirements of the U.S. Constitution. ___ (c)2024 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com Deer Park, Texas A massive pipeline explosion that sent a towering flame over neighborhoods near Houston for hours on Monday began after a vehicle drove through a fence and struck an above-ground valve, officials said. Deer Park officials said police and local FBI agents found no evidence of terroristic activity and said it appears to be an isolated incident. The ongoing investigation includes an effort to identify the driver. The blaze forced evacuations and shelter orders in the area, including at schools. Operators shut off the flow of natural gas liquids in the pipeline, but so much remained in the miles of pipe that firefighters could do nothing but watch and hose down adjacent homes until it burned itself out. That could take hours, perhaps into Tuesday, Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton Jr. said. The fire, its very hot, so a lot of the house structures that are adjacent to that are still catching on fire even though were putting a lot of water on them, Mouton said at an afternoon news conference. Firefighters were dispatched at 9:55 a.m., after an explosion at a valve station in Deer Park and right next to La Porte rattled adjacent homes and businesses, including a Walmart. Deer Park officials said an SUV drove into the valve after going through a fence on the side of the Walmart parking lot. Nearly 1,000 homes were in the evacuation area, said Lee Woodward, a spokesperson for La Porte. At the news conference, officials said only one person, a firefighter, sustained a minor injury. Later, Deer Park spokesperson Kaitlyn Bluejacket said four people were injured. She didnt provide details about the severity of the injuries. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a statement that 20 miles (32 kilometers) of pipeline between the two closed vales must burn off before the fire stops. Anna Lewis, who was walking into the nearby Walmart when the explosion happened, said it sounded like a bomb went off. She said everyone inside was rushed to the back of the store and then taken across the street to a grocery store before being bussed to a community center. It scared me, she said. You really dont know what to do when its happening. Geselle Melina Guerra said she and her boyfriend heard the explosion as they were having breakfast in their mobile home. All of a sudden we hear this loud bang and then I see something bright, like orange, coming from our back door thats outside, said Guerra, who lives within the evacuation area. Guerras boyfriend, Jairo Sanchez, said theyre used to evacuations because they live close to other plants near the highway, but he hadnt seen an explosion before in his 10 years living there. We just drove as far as we could because we didnt know what was happening, Sanchez said. Houston, Texas largest city, is the nations petrochemical heartland and is home to a cluster of refineries and plants and thousands of miles of pipelines. Explosions and fires are a familiar sight in the area, including some that have been deadly, raising recurring questions about the adequacy of industry efforts to protect the public and the environment. Letting the fire burn out is better, from an environmental perspective, than trying to attack the flames with some kind of suppressing foam or liquid, said Ramanan Krishnamoorti, a petroleum engineering professor at the University of Houston. Otherwise its going to release a lot of volatile organics into the environment, he said. Still, there will undoubtedly be negative environmental consequences, including a release of soot, carbons and organic material, he said. The pipelines owner, Dallas-based Energy Transfer, said air monitoring equipment was being set up near the plume of fire and smoke, which could be seen from at least 10 miles (16 kilometers) away at one point. A statement from Harris County Pollution Control on Monday afternoon said no volatile organic compounds had been detected. The statement said particulate matter from the smoke was moderate and not an immediate risk to healthy people, although sensitive populations may want to take precautions. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said it was also monitoring the air. Natural gas liquids are used primarily in the manufacturing of plastics and basic and intermediate chemicals, Krishnamoorti said. The fire burned through nearby power lines, and the website PowerOutage.us said several thousand customers were without power at one point in Harris County. In addition to damage closest to the flame, the areas extensive pipeline infrastructure will also have to be closely inspected and monitored for damage, Krishnamoorti said. He said that in the grand scheme of things, the fire wont be a major disrupter of supply chains. The Railroad Commission of Texas, which regulates oil and gas in the state, said its safety inspectors were investigating. The agency said they were receiving information from other pipeline operators about what they were doing to ensure the safety of their systems. Margaret Newman, who lives on the edge of the evacuation zone, said that when she heard the explosion she went out into her yard and could see the flame shooting above the trees. She lost electricity but has a generator that will keep one of the rooms in her home cool, so she planned to stay. Newman said that in general, shes not bothered by living so close to such industry. She said she thought the flame was getting smaller by Monday afternoon. I keep waiting for it to go out, poof! she said. Im tired of this. KUNMING, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The China-Laos Railway has so far handled over 10 million tonnes of imported and exported goods since it was put into operation in December 2021, according to local authorities. The goods were valued at about 40.77 billion yuan (about 5.74 billion U.S. dollars) in total as of Monday, customs data showed Tuesday. Goods transported via this railway have expanded from the initial 500 varieties to more than 3,000 currently, thanks to a series of measures implemented by Kunming Customs, such as the construction of a smart port, In the first eight months of 2024, the railway handled over 3.58 million tonnes of imported and exported goods, up 22.8 percent year on year. As a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, the 1,035-km China-Laos Railway connects Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, with the Laotian capital Vientiane. TAIYUAN, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- In the city of Datong in north China's Shanxi Province, a coal mining subsidence area once scarred by mining activities is now adorned with a vast array of glinting solar panels. The photovoltaic base covering an area of nearly 50,000 mu (about 3,333 hectares) has generated over 12 billion kilowatt-hours of green energy since 2016. "This photovoltaic base has epitomized the country's energy transition. Over eight years of operation, it has validated the reliability of photovoltaic products," said Yin Xulong, chairman of Yingli Solar Co., Ltd., a supplier of solar panels. At the recently held Taiyuan Energy Low Carbon Development Forum in Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi, Francesco La Camera, director-general of the International Renewable Energy Agency, highlighted China's significant contributions to global renewable energy expansion in a video speech. In 2023, China contributed 63 percent of the world's new renewable energy installed capacity. As of the end of July this year, the installed capacity of renewable energy reached 1.68 billion kilowatts, making up over 54 percent of the country's total installed power capacity. In Shanxi, the proportion of installed capacity from new and clean energy rose from 33.9 percent in 2019 to 47.2 percent in the first half of 2024, while the share of electricity generated from these sources increased from 18.1 percent to 28.2 percent during the same period. Shanxi has a unique advantage in developing green energy sources. For example, coke oven gas, a byproduct of coke production, contains about 60 percent hydrogen, making it a cost-effective source for hydrogen production. In recent years, steel and coke companies in the province, such as Jinnan Steel Group, Meijin Energy, and Pengfei Group, have raced to enter the hydrogen energy sector. By the end of last year, Shanxi's capacity for producing high-purity hydrogen from coke oven gas, chemical tail gas, and electrolysis reached 31,000 tonnes per year, and the number of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in operation had increased to 885. In July this year, delegations from two coal-producing provinces in Indonesia visited Shanxi. At energy companies such as Meijin Energy, visitors were impressed by China's concrete efforts to transform its traditional energy sector. Putra Adhiguna, managing director of Energy Shift Institute, said that Shanxi's existing industries are being well-used as a stepping stone for a green transformation, and China sees this shift not only as a challenge but also as a significant opportunity. At the recently held China (Taiyuan) International Energy Industry Expo, innovative displays, including intelligent mining technologies and space capsule-inspired ground control platforms, captivated attendees. In March this year, an intelligent platform was launched to store vast amounts of data from over 400 coal mines in Shanxi. It utilizes large model training to help enterprises lower the barriers to technological development and accelerate the innovation of intelligent products. Due to the rapid development of intelligent mining technology, the province's energy consumption per unit of GDP has decreased cumulatively by 10.9 percent since 2021. "China's cumulative installed capacity of renewable energy now accounts for about 40 percent of the global total, and China's exports of wind and solar products have contributed to a reduction of 810 million tonnes in carbon emissions for other countries," said Lu Junling, chief economist at the National Energy Administration. Lu added that international cooperation should be strengthened in the energy fields such as wind, solar, hydrogen, storage, and smart energy technologies. Support for developing countries' green and low-carbon energy development should be intensified, and new opportunities for diversified energy partnerships should be actively explored. The big picture: The US Postal Service operates the government's largest fleet of vehicles so it's no surprise that under the Biden Administration, it's moving toward an all-electric fleet. However, reaching this point wasn't an easy task for Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who initially struggled to justify the cost of switching to EVs. The first Postal Service EVs are hitting the streets, much to the delight of postal workers tired of the current fleet of trucks, some of which are over 30 years old. Their complaints are understandable: their vehicles lack modern safety features, often catch fire, don't have sufficient cargo capacity, and, perhaps worst of all, are not equipped with air conditioning. The new mail trucks are part of a 10-year, $40 billion transformation led by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. This initiative also includes renovating aging facilities and overhauling the processing and transportation network. The vans have all the amenities the old fleet lacked, plus one more critical feature: they are electric. This marks a significant development for the Postal Service, which initially found the cost of converting to electric vehicles too steep for its already overburdened budget. However, USPS now plans to procure a total of 21,000 commercial off-the-shelf EVs and add at least 45,000 battery-electric Next Generation Delivery Vehicles by 2028, bringing the total number of EVs in the delivery fleet to more than 66,000. The new trucks are being built by Oshkosh Defense in South Carolina. In addition, hundreds of new sorting and delivery centers across the country will be equipped with charging stations, powering what is set to become the nation's largest EV fleet. USPS has partnered with Siemens, Rexel/ChargePoint, and Blink to manufacture its first 14,000 EV chargers. These stations will be capable of charging Postal Service EVs overnight, ensuring they are ready for the next day's deliveries. DeJoy initially proposed that 90 percent of the next-generation vehicles in the first wave would be gas-powered, sparking outrage among environmentalists, who eventually filed lawsuits demanding the Postal Service electrify its fleet. "Everybody went nuts," DeJoy told The Associated Press. The primary issue was the high cost of the vehicles and the expense of installing thousands of charging stations. However, after a meeting with John Podesta, the Biden Administration's lead environmental adviser, DeJoy struck a deal in which the government provided $3 billion to the Postal Service, partially for the installation of electric charging stations. Finally, in December 2022, DeJoy was able to announce that the Postal Service was buying 106,000 vehicles, including 60,000 next-generation vans 45,000 of which would be electric models along with 21,000 other EVs. He also pledged that starting in 2026, all new vehicle purchases would be electric. Now, the agency expects to reduce carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030. This summer, the Postal Service also received a Presidential Federal Sustainability Award, capping off what DeJoy called "an interesting journey." What just happened? Amazon is ending the pandemic-era remote and hybrid work arrangements that many of its corporate employees have become accustomed to over the past few years. In a memo this week, CEO Andy Jassy made it clear that starting in 2025, employees will be required to work in the office five days a week, unless they have an approved exception. The new stance marks a significant shift from earlier this year, when Amazon required corporate employees to come into the office at least three days a week. However, Jassy believes being together full-time makes "collaborating, brainstorming, and inventing" easier and more effective. He also emphasized that it helps employees better learn, practice, and strengthen Amazon's "corporate culture" while staying connected as a team. "Our expectation is that people will be in the office outside of extenuating circumstances," Jassy wrote, noting that employees could still work remotely for things like sick days, family emergencies, business travel or just needing "a day or two to finish coding in a more isolated environment." However, the general expectation is regular attendance at the office. The transition to pre-pandemic norms won't happen immediately. Amazon is giving employees until January 2025 to begin adhering to the updated policy, acknowledging that some may need time to adjust. In addition to the office mandate, Jassy revealed that Amazon is also streamlining its corporate structure. The goal is to "remove layers and flatten organizations" by increasing the staff-to-manager ratio across teams by at least 15 percent by early 2025. He also called for the creation of a "bureaucracy mailbox" where employees can report excessive rules or processes. It's worth noting that Amazon rapidly expanded its workforce during the pandemic before Jassy took over as CEO in 2021. Since then, he has implemented significant cuts, including the largest layoffs in Amazon's 27-year history, starting in 2022. Jassy's stance reflects a broader trend of companies bringing employees back to the office full-time. Last month, London-based hardware company Nothing stated that remote work is "not compatible with a high ambition level plus high speed," demanding that employees return to the office five days a week or leave the company. Whether the shift will result in higher productivity remains to be seen. Research on the effects of working from home versus working from the office has been mixed. A study from August 2023 found that productivity among remote workers declined by 18 percent, while a survey from the same period showed that a majority of employees felt more productive working from home. CANBERRA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- A folk music concert performed by artists from southwest China's Guizhou Province was staged on Tuesday in Canberra, capital city of Australia, to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and cultural exchanges between the two countries. Sun Yong, minister at the Chinese Embassy in Australia, said at the opening ceremony that 13 musicians will perform 14 classical pieces, enhancing Australians' understanding of Chinese culture and fostering mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. The pieces included Spring Blossoms on the Moonlit River, and the Kam Grand Choir of Dong ethnic group, world intangible cultural heritage. The Mid-Autumn Festival, or the Moon Festival, is one of the most important traditional Chinese festivals, for family reunion and happiness with full moon. Climate fund chief targets poor countries Paris, Sept 17 (AFP) Sep 17, 2024 Green Climate Fund chief Mafalda Duarte is on a mission to help vulnerable nations that have yet to receive a penny from the world's largest dedicated source of climate finance. The United Nations' flagship organisation for chanelling climate funding was set up for developing countries worst hit by climate impacts even if they are least responsible for carbon pollution that drives warming. Money disbursed helps nations to draw down their greenhouse gas emissions, on the one hand, and adapt to storms, droughts and heatwaves made worse by climate change, along with sea level rise, on the other. The fund, which began doling out grants a decade ago, has identified 19 climate-vulnerable nations that have received no or very limited funding. "We are deliberately targeting those," Duarte told AFP in an interview, taking stock of her first year in charge and outlining her ambitions. - Adjusting the mechanism - The GCF's priority target list includes Algeria, the Central African Republic, Chad, Iraq, Lebanon, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea and South Sudan. "Our goal is to equip the organisation such that it becomes a partner of choice for the most vulnerable... and that it delivers where the funds are most needed," said the Portuguese development economist. Also on the list is war-torn Somalia, hit by major floods last year and still reeling from its worst drought in decades. The GCF has pledged to invest more than $100 million over the next year to help the East African nation unlock investments and develop climate projects. These include funding off-grid solar energy in rural communities, boosting resilience of the agricultural sector and helping with access to more money in the future. "We need to adjust our mechanisms to be responsive to this type of country with weak institutional capacity," she said, insisting on the need for projects to reach isolated populations despite security challenges. - Beating the bureaucracy - The GCF was first funded by wealthy nations a decade ago as a key component in the landmark 2015 Paris climate agreement. It funnels grants and loans for projects mostly in Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, Latin America and the Caribbean. But its ambitions have been hindered by limited resources and a cumbersome bureaucracy, making it hard for some of the world's most at-risk countries to access funding. How to streamline the process for getting money in a timely manner will be critical issues at November's COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan. Duarte aims to triple the GCF's capital to $50 billion by 2030 -- an ambitious goal, but a small fraction of the trillions experts say is needed overall. - 'A big difference' - Founded in 2010, the fund today has some 250 partners implementing projects on the ground, spanning UN agencies, development banks, government ministries and agencies, the private sector and NGOs. Another 200 have expressed interest in aligning with the fund. "If we are able to work with this vast network of partners that are closer to the realities on the ground where investments are happening, we can make a really big difference," she said. As of last month, the fund has committed $15 billion to 270 projects. In the last 12 months, the GCF approved close to $790 million for the world's poorest countries -- a fourfold increase compared to 2022. But it remains a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed, experts say. Currently, donor nations decide what contributions they make to the fund. At COP29, countries are expected to set a new global climate finance goal, though divisions over its size and scope have hampered negotiations. As discussions enter a critical phase, Duarte has a simple message for governments: "Be bold. We don't have the luxury of waiting." Medical charity MSF says leaving Russia after 32 years The Hague, Sept 17 (AFP) Sep 17, 2024 Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it was leaving Russia after 32 years following a justice ministry decision to remove it from a list of approved foreign organisations. MSF is the latest in a string of Western-funded charities, rights groups and non-government organisations (NGOs) to halt operations in Russia since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Last year, Russia declared NGOs Greenpeace, Transparency International and WWF "undesirable", effectively banning them from operating in the country. "It is with a heavy heart that we have to close our activities in Russia," MSF said late on Monday, adding that it had overseen dozens of programmes there since 1992. The charity said it had received a letter last month from the justice ministry removing it from the register of foreign NGOs in Russia. The decision applied to the Dutch branch of MSF in Russia but since this was the only association active in the country, it effectively ended the group's presence there. There is still a "branch office" dealing with non-operational activities in Russia, MSF spokeswoman Maria Borscheva told AFP. "To comply with the decision, we had to close our operations in the country and terminate the contracts of our staff in accordance with all legal requirements," she said. Since the conflict with Ukraine erupted in 2022, MSF said it had provided humanitarian aid to more than 52,000 refugees and displaced people. More than 15,400 people had received free medical, mental health and psychosocial support, the group said. Borscheva said more than 50 staff were working in Russia. According to the MSF website, it spent 3.4 million euros ($3.8 million) on programmes in the country last year. "We are very sad to conclude our programmes in the country as many people in need of medical and humanitarian assistance will now be left without the support we could have provided to them," said Norman Sitali, MSF operations manager in Russia. "MSF would like to still work in Russia again, if and when possible," added Sitali. burs-ric/gil Storm Boris toll rises to 19 in central Europe Vienna, Sept 17 (AFP) Sep 17, 2024 The death toll has risen to 19 in the extreme weather and flooding let loose by storm Boris in central Europe, authorities said Tuesday after a new victim was reported in Austria. High winds and unusually heavy rainfall have hit swathes of Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia since Friday. An 81-year-old woman is Austria's fifth victim of the floods, a police spokesman told AFP. The fire brigade found the woman's body on Tuesday in her flooded home in Lower Austria, the worst-impacted province in the Alpine nation. In addition to the five people killed in Austria, Storm Boris has caused the deaths of seven people in Romania, four in Poland, three in the Czech Republic, according to the latest tallies. Although the weather seemed to be stabilising in several places, the ground remained saturated and rivers were overflowing, with authorities asking people to remain cautious. In Austria, 26 communities were cut off and with the weather improving, "we are discovering the scale of the disaster", Lower Austrian governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner said. In the Czech Republic, more than 60,000 homes were still without electricity, mainly in the country's northeast, and 500 people were evacuated on Monday evening, including children. The largest Czech retention basin, the Rozmberk pond in the country's south, has been overflowing its banks. Experts say climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activities is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as torrential rains and floods. Andreas von Weissenberg of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said studies to determine whether climate change is linked to these events are expected in the coming months. Von Weissenberg said local Red Cross teams were helping the rescue and evacuation efforts, including attending to people's "emotional and mental health". He said the floods have been "branded as historic", but warned that "climate change has a way of moving the goalposts". bur-apo-bg-kym/jm Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a press conference in Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 16, 2024. Pezeshkian asserted on Monday that his country has no intention of developing nuclear weapons, pushing back against international concerns over its uranium enrichment program. (Xinhua/Shadati) TEHRAN, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asserted on Monday that his country has no intention of developing nuclear weapons, pushing back against international concerns over its uranium enrichment program. "We have repeatedly emphasized that we do not seek nuclear weapons," Pezeshkian said at a press conference in Tehran. "Our goal is to meet our technical and scientific needs." His remarks came in response to a recent alarm from the International Atomic Energy Agency over Iran's enrichment of uranium to 60 percent purity. Pezeshkian maintained that Iran remains committed to the framework established by the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). However, he warned that Iran's continued adherence depends on other signatories honoring their obligations. "If the United States and certain European countries fulfill their commitments, we will do the same," he said. "If they do not, neither will we." The Iranian president also addressed the country's missile program, a point of contention with Western powers. While acknowledging pressure from the U.S. and European nations to curtail its missile development, Pezeshkian insisted on Iran's right to maintain its defense capabilities. The JCPOA, signed in 2015, saw Iran agree to limit its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. The agreement has been in jeopardy since the United States withdrew in 2018 under former President Donald Trump, reimposing sanctions on Tehran. Efforts to revive the deal have stalled since August 2022, despite multiple rounds of negotiations in Vienna. As tensions persist, the international community continues to watch Iran's nuclear activities with heightened scrutiny. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a press conference in Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 16, 2024. Pezeshkian asserted on Monday that his country has no intention of developing nuclear weapons, pushing back against international concerns over its uranium enrichment program. (Xinhua/Shadati) Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a press conference in Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 16, 2024. Pezeshkian asserted on Monday that his country has no intention of developing nuclear weapons, pushing back against international concerns over its uranium enrichment program. (Xinhua/Shadati) Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a press conference in Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 16, 2024. Pezeshkian asserted on Monday that his country has no intention of developing nuclear weapons, pushing back against international concerns over its uranium enrichment program. (Xinhua/Shadati) Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a press conference in Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 16, 2024. Pezeshkian asserted on Monday that his country has no intention of developing nuclear weapons, pushing back against international concerns over its uranium enrichment program. (Xinhua/Shadati) Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a press conference in Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 16, 2024. Pezeshkian asserted on Monday that his country has no intention of developing nuclear weapons, pushing back against international concerns over its uranium enrichment program. (Xinhua/Shadati) Stellantis will no longer get EU funds for gigafactory: Italy Milan, Italy, Sept 17 (AFP) Sep 17, 2024 Italy is withdrawing some 250 million euros ($280 million) in European Union funds initially earmarked for a Stellantis electric car battery "gigafactory" amid uncertainty over the project's time-table, government sources said Tuesday. In June, ACC -- a joint venture including automakers Stellantis and Mercedes and French oil and gas giant TotalEnergies -- said it was pausing construction of the Termoli plant in Italy, along with another in Germany, while it updated the technology behind its batteries. ACC's plan for the gigafactory in Italy's eastern Molise region envisages a total investment of around two billion euros, including at least 250 million euros from the EU's recovery fund. Industry Minister Adolfo Urso told ACC and union representatives at a roundtable meeting in Rome that EU funds would be "re-deployed towards other investments consistent with the sector's energy transition", the sources said. The minister said the government stood ready, however, to allocate state funds should ACC present a new industrial plan for Termoli. The move comes amid tensions between Stellantis and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government, which accuses the car manufacturer of moving production out of Italy to lower-cost countries. Stellantis brands include historic Italian carmakers such as Fiat and Alfa Romeo. ACC said Tuesday it "intends to confirm its development plan and strategy for building gigafactories in the first half of 2025 in Italy and Germany". It said it had been "ready to start construction" of the Termoli plant "at the end of June 2024, but has had to deal with a "slower than expected transition to electric mobility that led to an evolution in the technology demanded by the customers". Emissions from fossil fuel-powered cars are a key driver behind deadly climate change. Europe intends to stop selling new fossil fuel cars in 2035 and encourages Europeans to start driving electric cars, but uptake of battery-electric vehicles has been hobbled by their high prices and limited range. Toll in Poland from Storm Boris toll rises to six Warsaw, Sept 17 (AFP) Sep 17, 2024 Polish police reported on Tuesday that two more people had died as a result of Storm Boris, raising the toll in the country to six. In all, 21 people have died in central Europe due to torrential rains and flooding since Storm Boris began battering the region last week. The police said they believe all six Polish victims had drowned. The latest were discovered in the southwestern district of Klodzko. "The body of an 82-year-old man was discovered in a car," district police spokeswoman Wioletta Martuszewska told AFP. "A couple of hours later, mountain rescue services said the body of a man had been found near a riverbed," she added. There were unofficial reports of additional victims elsewhere but police cautioned against publishing unverified information. "We ask everyone not to report false information about the number of flood victims in the media," the police said on X. Storm Boris toll rises to 21 in central Europe Warsaw, Sept 17 (AFP) Sep 17, 2024 The death toll has risen to 21 in the extreme weather and flooding let loose by Storm Boris in central Europe, authorities said Tuesday after two more victims were reported in Poland and one in Austria. High winds and unusually heavy rainfall have hit swathes of Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia since last week. Although the weather seemed to be stabilising in several places, the ground remained saturated and rivers were overflowing, with authorities asking people to remain cautious. Two big cities in Poland -- Opole in the south and Wroclaw in the west -- were still awaiting the flood wave and there were concerns that the dykes there could break. Polish police reported on Tuesday that two more people had died as a result of Storm Boris, raising the toll in the country to six. The police said they believe all six Polish victims had drowned. The latest were discovered in the southwestern district of Klodzko. "The body of an 82-year-old man was discovered in a car," district police spokeswoman Wioletta Martuszewska told AFP. "A couple of hours later, mountain rescue services said the body of a man had been found near a riverbed," she added. There were unofficial reports of additional victims elsewhere, but police cautioned against publishing unverified information. "We ask everyone not to report false information about the number of flood victims in the media," the police said on X, formerly Twitter. - 'Disaster' - A new victim was also reported on Tuesday in Austria. An 81-year-old woman was Austria's fifth victim of the floods, a police spokesman told AFP. The fire brigade found the woman's body on Tuesday in her flooded home in Lower Austria, the worst-impacted province in the Alpine nation. In addition to the five people killed in Austria and six in Poland, Storm Boris has caused the deaths of seven people in Romania and three in the Czech Republic, according to the latest tallies. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Monday announced one billion zloty ($260 million) in aid for those in Poland hit by the storm. In Austria, on Tuesday, 26 communities were cut off and with the weather improving, "we are discovering the scale of the disaster", Lower Austrian governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner told reporters. In the Czech Republic, more than 60,000 homes were still without electricity, mainly in the country's northeast, and 500 people were evacuated on Monday evening, including children. The largest Czech retention basin, the Rozmberk pond in the country's south, has been overflowing its banks. Experts say climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activities is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as torrential rains and floods. Andreas von Weissenberg of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said studies to determine whether climate change is linked to these events are expected in the coming months. Von Weissenberg said local Red Cross teams were helping the rescue and evacuation efforts, including attending to people's "emotional and mental health". He said the floods have been "branded as historic", but warned that "climate change has a way of moving the goalposts". burs-amj/rox Zimbabwe defends elephant cull as easing drought pressure Harare, Sept 17 (AFP) Sep 17, 2024 Zimbabwe's wildlife authority on Tuesday defended in an interview with AFP its planned cull of 200 elephants to ease pressure on drought-strained resources after criticism. Announced last week, the body said the country's first cull in around 35 years was necessary as Zimbabwe was struggling to cope with an overpopulation of the massive animals along with a withering drought that has left thousands facing food shortages. It came after neighbouring Namibia said it was planning to cull more than 700 wild animals, including 83 elephants, to relieve pressure on its drought-affected grazing and water supplies, and to provide meat for food aid programmes. Both culls faced criticism from conservationists and animal rights groups. But with Zimbabwe's elephant population estimated at 84,000, the cull will be a "drop in the ocean", Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) spokesman Tinashe Farawo told AFP. ZimParks had earlier estimated there to be around 100,000 elephants in the country. "If you do the maths, it's insignificant," Farawo said, adding that while culling had been shown to be effective "people don't want to be factual" about the emotive issue. Their meat will be distributed to people in need of food aid and the tusks will join a stockpile of 130 tonnes of ivory, the spokesman said. The move to hunt the elephants for food was criticised by some, not least because the animals are a major draw for tourists. "Government must have more sustainable eco-friendly methods to dealing with drought without affecting tourism," said Farai Maguwu, director of the nonprofit Centre for Natural Resource Governance. "They risk turning away tourists on ethical grounds. The elephants are more profitable alive than dead," Maguwu added. - 'Overpopulation' - Estimated to have the second biggest elephant population in the world after Botswana, Farawo said Zimbabwe was "battling an overpopulation of elephants". "They knock down trees, they destroy everything, because the numbers are not sustainable. Our ecosystem cannot sustain what we currently have," he said. Farawo added that the drought was sending elephants and other wildlife into human settlements in search of food and water, encounters that are sometimes fatal. In the first quarter of this year, 30 people were killed in confrontations in wildlife, with elephants accounting for 60 percent of fatalities, he said. In 2023, ZimParks received 3,000 distress calls related to wild animals. Farawo argued that conservation is expensive and Zimbabwe's wildlife protection measures such as anti-poaching patrols cost $6-7 million, which it has to secure from various partners. The country is meanwhile unable to sell its stockpile of tusks due to a global ban on ivory trading. It also does not have the means to distribute elephants to less congested parts of the country, with the last such move in 2019. Namibia and Zimbabwe are among a swathe of countries in southern Africa that have declared a state of emergency because of drought. MOSCOW, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. social media giant Meta's move to block Russian media outlets RT and Rossiya Segodnya from its platforms is unacceptable, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday. Peskov said that Moscow views this decision "very negatively" and has raised concerns about the company's credibility. "Meta has discredited itself by taking these actions, and of course, such selective measures against Russian media are unacceptable," Peskov said, adding this complicates the prospects for normalizing relations with Meta. The U.S. State Department imposed additional sanctions against RT on Friday, claiming that the outlet is allegedly involved in "information operations, covert influence, and military procurement." On Sept. 4, the U.S. Treasury issued sanctions against RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan, among other senior Russian media officials. Louisiana may be the state most at risk from climate change, and the year 2050 could prove to be an inflection point as seas rise and more land is lost. Explore our interactive data to see projected land loss, damage and flood depths both statewide and by parish. Eight years after harnessing the power of social media to demand Cardinal Pell return to Australia for a royal commission into institutional child abuse, Tim Minchin concedes he no longer feels comfortable with public shaming. Released in 2016, Come Home (Cardinal Pell) quickly became a viral hit. It shined a spotlight on Pell, Australias most high-profile Catholic, and raised questions about his inability to return home to meet with victims and give evidence at the commission. Eight years after Come Home (Cardinal Pell) became a viral success, Tim Minchin is no longer convinced that public shaming is the right mechanism for change. Credit: Stephen Kiprillis Come Home (Cardinal Pell) notched up millions of views while also raising funds to send Ballarat abuse survivors to Rome to hear Cardinal Pell testify. On the latest episode of Good Weekend Talks, Minchin admits his relationship with the song has changed due to his increasing discomfort about social media pile-ons and cancel culture. LUSAKA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The 11th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Annual Research Forum opened on Tuesday, with a focus on emerging issues in regional integration. The forum, held virtually under the theme "Fostering Economic Integration and Inclusivity in COMESA through Value Addition, Green Investments, and Tourism," has brought together about 100 participants comprising policymakers, academics, think tanks, and the private sector from member countries and beyond. The three-day forum is expected to discuss issues of green investment, climate financing, value chain development, tourism, and the inclusion of women and youth in regional economic integration. COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Kapwepwe said the use of scientific research and evidence has become crucial for sound policy formulation and significantly reduced the rate of policy failure. "This forum helps us stay connected with current policy challenges while drawing upon new knowledge and insights from scholars, researchers, academics, and policymakers," she said at the start of the meeting. According to her, Africa is experiencing the most devastating effects of climate change, with some countries in the region suffering long spells of drought, hence the need to refocus priorities. It is imperative for countries in the regional bloc to prioritize greening investment as they try to scale up industrialization, said Kapwepwe, adding that research efforts should lead to innovative green investment options. Dorothy Tembo, deputy executive director of the International Trade Center, emphasized the need for accurate and timely data for exporters, policymakers, and small businesses. According to her, the biggest hurdle standing in the way of greater integration through value addition, green investment and tourism is the lack of timely, comprehensive data on trade and market trend analysis and export requirements. The CFMEU administrator is pushing reluctant state and federal policing agencies to back his broadening investigations into violence, graft and organised crime influence in the construction sector as he moves to clean out the bikies and corruption that have infiltrated union ranks. In a statement released on Tuesday night, administrator Mark Irving, KC provided a detailed outline of how he will combat corruption in the sector, revealing he would seek to force bikies out of influential roles in the CFMEU or with building firms. CFMEU administrator Mark Irving, KC, photographed in his chambers on September 5. Credit: Joe Armao I am of the view that members of outlaw motorcycle gangs and those connected with organised crime should not play any role in industrial relations in the construction industry, whether on the side of employees or the side of the employer, Irving said. I will be working with a range of stakeholders (including regulators, governments and employers) to make it so. Very sorry to see that Pauline McGinley (and Granny) have fallen for the old Pia Zadora (C8) canard from the 80s, asserts Richard Mason of Newtown. Moving the story from Broadway to London doesnt make it any more true. There is no evidence Zadora ever played Anne Frank. She did, however, win a Golden Globe for new star of the year and two Razzies (worst actress and worst new star) for her debut movie Butterfly. Richard is correct, the tale is a true denigration myth that has actually been applied to other less-than-adequate performers, including a former Wheel of Fortune letter turner who had a dash at the acting caper. But we dont feel bad, even the Guardian once published it as fact. In response to Mark Morgans TV dangers (C8), Serin Lynn of Jerrabomberra says that as a young child I remember promising myself to forever avoid the area in and around the vicinity of the Bermuda Triangle. We dont hear much about it any more, so perhaps that myth has been squared away. Michael McFadyen of Kareela could relate when Mark mentioned giant clams: As an inquisitive person and avid scuba diver for coming up to 40 years, every few years when on a dive trip in warmer waters, I have tested the propensity of giant clams to grab and hold a person underwater. Every attempt at placing my body parts in a clam has failed to replicate what is shown on the big screen as the clams let go within seconds. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, one constant fear was Russians, recalls Chris Keane, currently in Ukraine. Then I grew up, the Soviet Union collapsed, and I was no longer concerned about Russians. Now, through a confluence of unusual circumstances, I am once again worried about Russians. Maybe Chris should consider a visit to Prague: My friend Doug recounted a conversation with a waiter in a Czech cafe some years ago, writes Tony Sullivan of Adamstown Heights. He had asked for a serviette (C8) and the waiter replied that they had gotten rid of the soviets and no one wanted them back. Pause, comprehension all around and laughs. The ousted leader fighting the forced administration of the CFMEU is not confident a High Court challenge will be successful. Stood-down former Queensland state secretary Michael Ravbar made the comments at a rally attended by thousands in Brisbanes CBD from 11am on Tuesday. Were not planning to win were hoping to win, but this campaign is a political campaign, he told Brisbane Times at the protest. Former state secretary of the CFMEU Michael Ravbar. Credit: William Davis This is a test case in regards to the public interest Everyone in the legal fraternity and around Australia is watching this case. Thats all from our blog today, folks. Before we sign off, however, we bring you the story of a multimillion-dollar skyscraper project slated for Perths north that has nearby residents up in arms. Warwick locals say they have been blindsided by plans to inject three skyscrapers and more than 1000 apartments into the suburb and the fracas has put the local council and state government at odds. Silkchime wants permission to construct seven buildings of up to 25 storeys with a combined 1042 apartments between them in the heart of Warwick. Credit: Artist impression attached to the submission by Rowe Group. Read Jesinta Burtons full report here. Also making headlines today was revelations in a Corruption and Crime Commission report that the body held concerns over excessive and unlawful force used by Perth transit guards. The report, tabled in parliament today, followed a probe into an incident where an alleged fare dodger had his collarbone broken during an altercation with transit guards on the Mandurah line. Speaking of parliament, question time was a bit heated today, with Liberal and Labor MPs sparring over unions and Basil? Scroll down to read our coverage of the exchanges. And staying with politics, we brought you the news that Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman was retiring after more than two 20 years in parliament. He joked he was considering getting an agent and playing cameo roles, which is a nod to his involvement in the development of the Perth Film Studio and his tendency to break into song during the last sitting day before Christmas each year. I love a song, I love a bit of a performance, thats me. Thanks again for joining us today, tune in tomorrow for another busy day of headlines. Loading [The government has] been itching for something to clobber me with and this is it, its coming, Pesutto said in the clandestine recording. We could find [then-premier] Daniel Andrews robbing a 7-Eleven, but if you bring Katherine Deves down [from Sydney], everyones going to go, Dont care about that, Katherine Deves is in town. Thats all its going to be about. In 2022, Deves apologised after she compared her anti-trans activism to resistance against the Nazis and claimed in a tweet that half of all males with trans identities are sex offenders. Pesutto told Deeming in the meeting that the public would now think the Liberal Party turned the other cheek to Nazism because of the rally. Nazism is like the most toxic acid that can run through any political party, and its running through us, he said. Deemings barrister, Sue Chrysanthou, SC, told the court the audio recording showed her client was ambushed in the meeting despite her willingness to address the problem, but that Pesutto never intended to give her the chance. Chrysanthou said the leadership team had been changing the goal posts by stating Deeming was summoned to the meeting because of the neo-Nazis, but repeatedly raised her views about trans and gender diverse people. In the meeting, Pesutto said he was open to options but that Deeming would have to disown the other women and that she might be better off as an independent MP to give you that complete freedom. He finished the meeting by saying he could see no path but to seek Deemings expulsion, but offered her the option to resign instead. Im very sorry its come to this, but I just dont feel I have a choice, Pesutto said. Deeming addresses the Let Women Speak rally in Melbourne in March last year. Credit: Youtube Deeming could be heard on the recording repeatedly condemning Nazism. Pesutto and the leadership team also acknowledged this repeatedly. Very obviously, Im not a Nazi, Deeming said. If you want to fix it, Im open to suggestions. Loading Deeming also said she would condemn any suggestions that LGBTQ people were comparable to paedophiles, but questioned whether the people she associated with had actually made such comparisons. However, Bach said in the meeting that there was no way back, while Southwick said Deemings views were not mainstream. On Tuesday, Deeming accepted that she held controversial views about trans and gender diverse people, but she denied she harboured extremist views. During cross-examination, Deeming was also shown a February 2023 news article in which Pesutto defended her, but she told the court the party leader had still failed to correct the extremist characterisation of her in the media. Deeming had also been hauled into a meeting at that time. On Monday, the court heard Pesutto had exchanged text messages with colleagues in the hours after the rally indicating he was already considering expelling her from the parliamentary Liberal Party. Deeming was instead suspended for nine months in a last-minute compromise deal, but was ultimately expelled in May last year after threatening to bring in lawyers. Deeming and Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull at the Let Women Speak rally in March 2023. Credit: Twitter Deeming alleges Pesutto defamed her as a Nazi sympathiser, which Pesutto rejects. Chrysanthou on Monday told the court the neo-Nazis at the rally were an entirely separate group. Deeming said in evidence she had no idea the men in black outside parliament were neo-Nazis until they were escorted away by police. She agreed that she had helped organise the rally, by paying some upfront costs for security and sound systems, and said she might have been reimbursed for some costs. Neo-Nazis square off against police at the rally. Credit: Chris Hopkins Deeming stood by a 2016 claim that the authors of the safe schools program were paedophile apologists. The safe schools program provides resources to teachers to support LGBTQ students and to keep students safe from bullying. Pesutto previously settled separate defamation action launched against him by Keen-Minshull and Jones. New Creative Campaign Educates Parents on Proper Child Car Seat Practices During National Child Passenger Safety Week With crashes a leading cause of death for children, NHTSA and the Ad Council inspire parents and caregivers to make sure their kids are in the right seat for their age and size. WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- During Child Passenger Safety Week, the Ad Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) debuted a new creative campaign, titled "Love Protects," in support of their larger child car safety campaign. This campaign speaks to parents and caregivers of children 14 and younger, reminding them that loving and protecting their children means making sure they are in the right car seat or booster seat for their age and size. "It's crucial that parents and caregivers prepare to protect their children from injury or death in the event of a crash," said NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman. "Taking a few moments to make sure your child is properly secured in the appropriate car seat, booster seat, or seat belt can save a child's. Our campaign with the Ad Council continues to provide parents and caregivers vital, life-saving information." Developed pro bono by creative agency Leo Burnett, the new "Love Protects" creative celebrates child car safety as an act of love. The PSAs encourage parents and caregivers to demonstrate their love by double checking that their children are in the right car seats, booster seats or seat belts for their age and size. The campaign directs audiences to NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat for more information on correctly securing children in vehicles. The PSAs, available in both English and Spanish, will run nationally in donated TV, radio, print, outdoor, and digital space. "Nothing's better than being able to use creativity to inspire action where it matters most where it just might save lives," says Aaron Pendleton, SVP creative director of Leo Burnett. "Through this campaign, we want to encourage parents to start thinking of one of their most routine tasks as an intentional act of love and protection." WATCH THE PSA HERE "The Ad Council is honored to continue our life-saving collaboration with NHTSA, making sure children and youth are safe on America's roadways," said Michelle Hillman, chief campaign development officer, the Ad Council. "We're reminding parents and caregivers that one way to demonstrate their love for their children is making sure they're safe, like double checking their child is correctly secured in a car seat, booster seat or seat belt that is appropriate for their age and size." The new work debuts as motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death for children under 14, showing the critical need for parents and caregivers to make sure their children are in the right seat for their age and size. When used effectively, car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. The Ad Council and NHTSA have collaborated for more than a decade encouraging parents and caregivers to secure their children in age and size appropriate car seats and booster seats. This year, the campaign continues to spread this important message during Child Passenger Safety Week, running from September 15-21, and beyond. In addition to the new "Love Protects" PSA, NHTSA and Ad Council are teaming up with Second Chance Productions and their upcoming animated movie GRACIE & PEDRO: PETS TO THE RESCUE to extend the child car safety message. The upcoming family film, premiering October 18, 2024, takes audiences on a journey packed with mischief, humor, and heart, reminding us that friendship isn't just life's greatest rewardit's the ultimate adventure. Featuring the voices of Susan Sarandon, Bill Nighy, Brooke Shields, Danny Trejo, Alicia Silverstone, and Al Franken, the animated feature's support of child passenger safety will encourage kids and adults to buckle up and stay safe while traveling. Child Passenger Safety Week concludes with National Seat Check Saturday, a day for parents and caregivers to receive free car seat checks and instruction on correctly installing and using the right car seats for their kids. In 2024, there are nearly 5,000 registered car seat inspection stations nationwide where families can go to receive hands-on education from a certified child passenger safety technician. For more information on safe car seat practices and to find a local car seat inspection station, visit NHTSA's website. About NHTSA For more than 50 years, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has served as the key federal agency charged with improving safety on our nation's roadways. As part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, NHTSA is working to reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries by promoting the use of seat belts and child safety seats; helping states and local communities address the threat of distracted, drunk and drug-impaired drivers; regulating vehicle safety standards and investigating safety defects in motor vehicles; establishing and enforcing fuel economy standards; conducting research on driver behavior and traffic safety; and providing consumer information on issues ranging from child passenger safety to impaired driving. For more information visit www.nhtsa.gov. About Leo Burnett Leo Burnett is a creative solutions company founded on the idea that "what helps people helps business." By solving human problems with the power of creativity, Leo Burnett delivers value for people and prosperity for brands across more than 50 offices in 45 countries. To learn more about Leo Burnett and its rich, 89-year history, visit LeoBurnett.com. About The Ad Council The Ad Council convenes creative storytellers to educate, unite and uplift audiences by opening hearts, inspiring action and accelerating change around the most pressing issues in America. Since the non-profit's founding, the organization and its partners in advertising, media, marketing and tech have been behind some of the country's most iconic social impact campaigns Smokey Bear, A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste, Love Has No Labels, Tear the Paper Ceiling and many more. With a current focus on mental health, gun safety, the opioid epidemic, skill-based hiring and other critical issues, the Ad Council's national campaigns encompass advertising and media content, ground game and community efforts, trusted messenger and influencer engagement, and employer programs, among other innovative strategies to move the needle on the most important issues of the day. To learn more or get involved, visit AdCouncil.org, join the Ad Council's communities on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X, and view campaign creative on YouTube. SOURCE The Ad Council BEIRUT, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of Hezbollah members were injured as the pagers they use to communicate exploded on Tuesday, Al-Jadeed local TV channel reported. The Israeli military targeted the batteries of these pagers, leading to the explosions, said the report, adding the injured were being transported to hospitals in Lebanon's capital Beirut and Dahieh in its southern suburbs. There has been no report of fatalities in the incident so far, the report noted. A drone light show in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival is staged in Hong Kong, south China, Sept. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei) HONG KONG, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Rabbits, moon cakes, red lanterns, fire dragon...a drone show was staged above Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor on Tuesday evening, with 1,000 drones weaving multi-screen Mid-Autumn festival scenes to convey holiday blessings. "Hong Kong has a rich festive atmosphere! It's very special to see traditional Chinese cultural elements appeared in the sky," said a tourist from Beijing surnamed Ji, who came to Hong Kong with her family for the Mid-Autumn Festival. A variety of celebrations have already started leading up to the Mid-Autumn Festival. The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance began on Monday, drawing a large crowd to witness the time-honored custom in Hong Kong. The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance is a local intangible cultural heritage (ICH) item selected as one of the Remarkable Examples of Good Practice for Safeguarding the National ICH Items in 2019. This year's event featured a 67-meter fire dragon made of incense sticks led by 300 performers and accompanied for the first time by a 20-meter LED version carried by around 100 children. They paraded through the streets of Tai Hang, a neighborhood in the vicinity of Hong Kong's Victoria Park. Large-scale lantern carnivals were being held in Hong Kong. The one held in Victoria Park showcased lanterns on four major aspects of daily life: clothing, eating, living and traveling. This year's lantern displays featured numerous highlights including Chinese traditional clothing, local cuisine, and giant pandas, attracting people to take photos in front of them. The festive atmosphere in Hong Kong will continue as the National Day draws near. John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said over 400 activities will be held in Hong Kong in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Highlight activities included a flag-raising ceremony and National Day reception on the morning of Oct. 1, and a fireworks display that evening. The HKSAR government will also introduce a rich array of special offers covering areas including public transport, culture, arts and leisure to encourage public participation to share the joy of National Day. A drone light show in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival is staged in Hong Kong, south China, Sept. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei) A drone light show in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival is staged in Hong Kong, south China, Sept. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei) A drone light show in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival is staged in Hong Kong, south China, Sept. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei) A drone light show in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival is staged in Hong Kong, south China, Sept. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei) People pose for photos with red lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong, south China, Sept. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Duo) People pose for photos with red lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong, south China, Sept. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Duo) People watch a dragon dance during the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong, south China, Sept. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Duo) People visit a lantern fair during the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong, south China, Sept. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Duo) People pose for photos with red lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong, south China, Sept. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Duo) By Xinhua writers Han Qiao and Ren Ke BEIJING, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- China has used fewer natural resources while increasing its GDP, and the country has managed it very well, a German expert said. "China has consistently improved energy efficiency in its industries year after year," said Raimund Bleischwitz, scientific director of the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research in Germany, in a recent interview with Xinhua. The professor of global sustainable resources at the University of Bremen has been working on sustainable development for many years and has advised the European Commission and the British government. He has also collaborated on circular economy research with China's Shanghai Jiaotong University and other Chinese scholars. "China's resource productivity has doubled since 1990, and its energy efficiency has risen too, thus lowering environmental pollution and carbon emissions," Bleischwitz noted. Figures show that China's energy intensity has decreased steadily over the past decade, leading to energy savings equivalent to about 1.4 billion tonnes of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by around 3 billion tonnes, according to the white paper on China's energy transition released last month. Bleischwitz highlighted China's position as the world's largest investor in renewable energy, with the biggest production capacity globally. Additionally, China has emerged as the world's leader in electric vehicle production, which he found particularly impressive. The white paper revealed that in 2023, China accounted for more than half of newly installed global renewable energy capacity. From 2014 to 2023, the global share of non-fossil fuels in energy consumption rose from 13.6 percent to 18.5 percent -- with China contributing 45.2 percent to this increase. Bleischwitz said China and Germany both have a long tradition in circular economy, which dates back more than 20 years. He pointed out that one area of potential collaboration between energy and the circular economy lies in the circular design of renewable energy technologies, such as creating wind turbines and blades in a way that allows components like carbon fibers to be reused. "This is the next frontier where both countries can benefit, given that China is the largest exporter of these technologies," he explained. According to Bleischwitz, if China adopts an eco-design model with clear material specifications, like a "material passport" for renewable technologies, such materials could be reused and recycled in other countries, significantly contributing to global ecological civilization. He also praised China's development of eco-industrial parks, noting that a significant portion of the country's production takes place in such parks, which play a much larger role in China compared to Germany and other countries in Europe. "Within these industrial parks, the emergence of eco-industrial parks is particularly important," Bleischwitz said. "What we found interesting is the systematic assessment of these parks. Successful examples are scaled up in China. This mechanism of upscaling demonstration projects allows innovations to eventually become general standards." Concerning climate change, Bleischwitz highlighted the need to look at the agriculture sector. He suggested that China could learn from the EU in the field of agro-photovoltaic systems, which combine producing green electricity with providing shade for crops during times of drought. "This makes agriculture more energy independent as electricity is produced on farms. It also reduces water demand and helps to green agricultural vehicles," Bleischwitz explained. Bleischwitz also applauded China's concept of ecological civilization, which calls for reflection on whether economic growth should always be prioritized, or whether a broader understanding of prosperity is needed. He called for making the development of ecological civilization not just a long-term goal, but also part of annual reforms. "Finding alternatives beyond GDP as a measure of success is important for both Europe and China," he said. Angry villagers set ablaze former Sarpanchs house Ex-Sarpanch feared dead Our Correspondent : KAWARDHA TENSIONS flared in Loharidih village under the Rengakhar police station of Kabirdham district, where angry villagers attacked the family of former Sarpanch Raghunath Sahu and set their house on fire. One person has been confirmed dead, while another is reported missing following the violent incident. The deceased is suspected to be former Sarpanch Raghunath Sahu, although the identity is pending. The unrest escalated when police attempted to enter the village, but villagers blocked their entry, resorting to stone pelting and physical assaults. SP Abhishek Pallav and several other police officers sustained injuries in the skirmish and were subsequently hospitalised. With tensions rising, police reinforcements and battalion personnel from across the district were deployed to regain control of the situation. Only after the villagers fled did the authorities manage to enter the village and restore order. The house of Raghunath Sahu was completely gutted in the fire by the explosion of a gas cylinder. Several family members were found injured and were rushed to the hospital for treatment. Over 80 villagers, both men and women, have been arrested in connection with the violence. The violent confrontation followed the discovery of the body of Shivprasad Sahu, a villager, found hanging from a tree in the forest of neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, around ten kilometres from Loharidih. Suspecting foul play, the villagers accused the former Sarpanchs family of involvement in Shivprasads death, which they believe was a murder disguised as suicide. In retaliation, they stormed Sahus residence, assaulted the family, and set the house on fire. Family members of the Sarpanch, including Vinod Sahu, have accused the villagers of setting the house on fire after pouring petrol. He stated that his brother and father are missing, and a charred body has been found, whose identity is yet to be confirmed. Police are investigating the incident, said Police officer Pushpendra Baghel confirming that the violence stemmed from a local dispute. He said the identity of the deceased remains unknown, and further details will be known once investigations are complete. IG Deepak Jha has also reached the site to oversee the situation. India best bet for 21st century, its solar revolution a golden chapter: PM GANDHINAGAR : INDIA is unique in terms of diversity, scale, capacity, potential as well as performance and the world feels the country is the best bet for the 21st century, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday. When the history of the 21st century will be written, the chapter of Indias solar revolution will be written in golden letters, the PM said in his address at the 4th edition of Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet and Expo (RE-INVEST 2024) in Gandhinagar. He also said his Government in the first 100 days of its third term had tried to address every sector and factor for rapid progress of the country. India is preparing the base for development for the next 1000 years and the focus is not just to reach the top but to sustain the rank. In the first 100 days, you can witness our priorities, speed and scale, he said. India knows its energy requirements to become a developed nation by 2047 and since the country does not have its own oil and gas resources and is not energy independent, it has decided to build its future on the strength of solar, wind, nuclear and hydro power, Modi said. Indias diversity, scale, capacity, potential and performance are unique and that is the reason I say Indian solutions for global application. The world is understanding this very well. Not just Indians, today the entire world feels India is the best bet for the 21st century, he asserted. For us green future and net zero are not just fancy words. These are requirements of the country and we are committed to achieve it. The Government is working to develop Ayodhya and 16 other cities as model solar cities, he said at RE-INVEST 2024. Modi said his Government has taken many big decisions in the green energy sector, including the viability gap funding scheme for offshore green energy projects with an outlay of Rs 7000 crore, as well as approval of more than Rs 12,000 crore for 31,000 MW hydro power generation. Indias 140 crore people are working with the commitment to get the country into the top three economies. Todays event is not an isolated one but part of a big vision and mission. It is part of our action plan to make India a developed nation by 2047, the PM said. Indore Hit-and-Run: Arrested BMW driver was in rush to take birthday cake for friend Senior Special Correspondent ; Main accused of Indores tragic accident has been arrested. Two young women were killed on Sunday after a speeding BMW hit them. Initial investigation reveal that accused was coming from wrong side. Local court has sent accused driver Gajendra Pratap Singh Gurjar (28) to 14-day judicial custody, an official said. The victims, Diksha Jadon (25) and Lakshmi Tomar (24), were on the scooty, were seriously injured in the collision with the BMW and died during treatment in the hospital. Gajendra Gurjar is arrested for allegedly crashing his BMW into two women on a scooty in Indore was driving in a hurry to take a birthday cake for his friend, police said on Monday. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Amarendra Singh said that the police arrested Gajendra Pratap Singh Gurjar, an employee of a private company, for the accident in the Khajrana police station area around 11.30 pm on September 14. Gurjar wanted to reach his friends house at midnight with a cake to celebrate the latters birthday, and was driving in a hurry in the wrong lane, he said. The accused fled with the cake, leaving the badly damaged BMW behind. Singh said that the victims, Diksha Jadon (25) and Lakshmi Tomar (24), riding the scooty, were seriously injured in the collision with the BMW and died during treatment in the hospital. A case has been registered against Gurjar under Section 105 (culpable homicide) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), he said. Deputy Commissioner of Police Abhinay Vishwakarma said, Initial interrogation of the accused revealed that he had bought the BMW car from a person in Chandigarh on an agreement. He said that both the car and scooty were badly damaged, and the women were thrown off the two-wheeler on opposite side of the road due to the impact. The BMW was mangled so badly that it was no longer drivable. The accused parked the car and fled with the cake, Vishwakarma said. JMC to take action against those breaking the law during Bhandara Staff Reporter : The Jabalpur Municipal Corporation has placed special emphasis on monitoring Bhandara in the city. It will take strict action against activities such as littering, obstructing traffic, using plastic and taking illegal power connection. The civic body would impose heavy penalty on such illegal acts. It may be noted that Ganeshotsav is being celebrated with great enthusiasm in Sanskardhani and a large number of Bhandaras are organized near Ganesh pandals. Municipal Commissioner Preeti Yadav has instructed officials to prevent and take action against the littering caused during these public feasts. Accordingly, a Bhandara was organised on Sunday night at the Rampur Chowk Ganesh pandal, where the committee was found to have spread litter by using disposable plates that were scattered across the road. Following the same, the JMC initiated legal proceedings against the committee President and sent the case to the court. Municipal Commissioner has urged all devotees to avoid using plastic for distributing offerings during the feasts, not to obstruct traffic and to ensure that no litter is spread on the streets. JPC receives 84 lakh suggestion emails on Waqf (Amendment) bill NEW DELHI : THE Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), formed to review the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, has so far received around 84 lakh suggestions via email from across India. Additionally, JPC has received approximately 70 boxes filled with written suggestions. The JPC had earlier invited feedback from the public and various organisations with regard to the bill. To accommodate more input, the deadline for submissions was extended until midnight on September 16. JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal informed the media that the committee aims to engage with all relevant stakeholders to gather their views on the bill. Addressing concerns related to Islamic preacher Zakir Naiks appeal and reports of a QR code-based campaign against the bill, Pal clarified that Naik, who has been declared a fugitive and currently resides in Malaysia, has no connection with the JPC or the legislative process. He also denied any involvement of the JPC in issuing QR codes or participating in related campaigns in any manner. Refuting claims that the bill is anti-Islamic, Pal questioned the legitimacy of such accusations, stating that this was the first time in history that such a large volume of emails (84 lakh) had been received on a bill. He pointed out that there has been a Waqf law in place since 1913, which has been amended multiple times, including significant revisions in 1995 and 2013. The JPC will only consider suggestions relevant to the 44 proposed amendments and those with legal significance. The next JPC meetings are scheduled for September 19 and September 20. The committee will hear first from Professor Faizan Mustafa, Vice Chancellor of Chanakya National Law University, and representatives from various organisations, including the Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz and the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board. Next, the JPC will engage with members of the All India Sajjadanashin Parishad (Ajmer), the Muslim National Forum, and Bharat First (Delhi). Between September 26 and October 1, the JPC plans to visit Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore to meet with Waqf Board officials, Muslim scholars, and Bar Council representatives. Additional visits to cities like Lucknow and Kolkata in October are also being planned. Notably, the two bills -- the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, were introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8, with an aim to streamline the Waqf Boards work. WELLINGTON, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's dairy giant Fonterra is seeking opportunity from the Chinese mooncakes that might use butter as one of the ingredients. As Chinese people all over the world celebrate the mid-autumn Festival, or the Moon Festival, on Tuesday, they gather for family reunions with the full moon and enjoy mooncakes that may have butter produced in Edgecumbe, a town in the Bay of Plenty of New Zealand's North Island. The lamination butter sheets, a Fonterra product designed for bakeries to create soft and flaky pastries, have been manufactured in Edgecumbe through raw milk processing. With warmer spring weather bringing rapid grass growth and a jump in milk production, the company is seeing strong demand for butter sheets from the mooncakes, a Chinese pastry with a golden crust and sweet or savory fillings such as lotus paste, red bean and salted egg yolk. Chinese consumers are shifting from plant-based to dairy-based products, as a growing number of bakeries in China are favoring dairy as an ingredient over lard or vegetable oil, said Janek Tomaszewski, Fonterra Edgecumbe's cream plant manager. Traditionally, the pastry skin surrounding the usually sweet dense filling of mooncakes would not have included dairy, but butter is now common in some traditional Chinese pastries such as mooncakes and egg tarts, creating more opportunities for Fonterra's butter sheets, Tomaszewski said. Demand for butter sheets has rapidly grown in the last three years. Edgecumbe exported over 8,300 tons of butter sheets last season, mainly to China and Southeast Asia. During peak season, the Edgecumbe site can process up to 3.7 million liters of milk every day, according to the company. Mamata, agitating doctors meet Directors of Health Services, Medical Edn removed Kolkata CP, DCP (North) to be shunted out KOLKATA : THE first round of talks between the West Bengal Government and the agitating junior doctors at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees residence on Monday evening to address the RG Kar impasse concluded after nearly two hours, though it took two-and-a-half hours more to finalise the minutes of the meeting. Banerjee announced that Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, Director of Health Services and Director of Medical Education would be removed, giving in to the demands of the agitating junior doctors. Following a meeting with the medics, she claimed that talks were fruitful and nearly 99 per cent of their demands have been accepted, Banerjee said. The name of the new Kolkata Police Commissioner will be announced after 4 pm on Tuesday, she told reporters after the meeting held at her residence to resolve the RG Kar impasse. She also announced to remove Kolkata Polices Deputy Commissioner of North division. The Chief Minister urged the doctors to return to work as most of their demands were accepted. No punitive action will be taken against the doctors I would request them to rejoin work as common people are suffering, she said. A delegation of 35 junior doctors arrived at Banerjees Kalighat residence MLA Rohani fetes Paralympicssilver medallist Rubina Francis MLA Ashok Rohani along with public representatives welcoming Rubina at the Railway station. Staff Reporter ; Rubina Francis, who brought glory to India by winning a bronze medal in shooting at the Paralympics Games 2024 accorded a grand welcome upon her arrival in her hometown, Jabalpur, on Monday. As soon as she arrived at the railway station, MLA Ashok Rohani along with a number of public representatives and citizens warmly greeted her. In recognition of her achievement, MLA Rohani felicitated Rubina with a shawl, shriphal and a bouquet of flowers. He expressed gratitude to her for making the country, the State and her hometown proud. It may be noted that Rubina Francis, hailing from Jabalpur won the bronze medal in the 10-meter Air Pistol SH1 event at the 2024 Paralympics Games held in Paris. Rubina made history by becoming the first Indian woman to clinch a Paralympics medal in pistol shooting by winning a bronze. Muslim brethren celebrate Eid Milad-un-Nabi Staff Reporter : The birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, known as Eid Milad-un-Nabi was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Sanskardhani, on Monday. From early morning, Muslim-majority areas of the city buzzed with Eid festivity. The main programme was organised at Anjuman Islamia School. In the afternoon, a grand procession Juloos-e-Muhammadi taken out from Naya Mohalla under the sieges of Gulshan-e-Madina Committee. Mufti-e-Azam of Madhya Pradesh, Hazrat Maulana Mushahid Raza Qadri Burhani led the procession. The committees patron, Khalid Mubeen, accorded welcome to him. People from both Hindu and Muslim community welcomed the procession. Along the routes, various committees organised langar-e-aam and welcomed Mufti-e-Azam. The procession passed through different routes and finally reached Anjuman School in Madatal. Mufti-e-Azam of Madhya Pradesh extended warm greetings of Eid Milad-un-Nabi to all the people of Jabalpur. Afterward, the Asr prayer was offered, followed by prayers for the countrys prosperity and well-being. A number of dignitaries including public representatives, senior administrative and police officials were present on the occasion. Nagpur secures improved 15th rank Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan By Kaushik Bhattacharya : Nagpur improved by three ranks in list of 47 cities with population over 10 lakh. Amravati ranked 2nd after Firozabad among 41 cities with population from 3 to 10 lakh. Nagpur also achieved 10% reduction in PM10 levels in 2023-24, with 23 other cities. Nagpur, the second capital of Maharashtra, was successful in improving its Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan ranking this year by reducing its bad air quality as compared to previous year. Nagpur scored rank 15 this year among 47 cities with a population of over 10 lakh. Nagpur scored 169.6 marks this year to gain the rank 15. Whereas, in 2023, city scored 166 marks and bagged 18th rank out of 47 cities in the country out of 200 points in the survey by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav released the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan ranking during the 4th meeting of Apex Committee of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) on the occasion of Swachh Vayu Diwas (International Day of Clean Air for blue skies) in Jaipur recently. The survey was conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the NCAP. Swachh Vayu Survekshan ranks cities on the basis of implementation of activities approved under city action plan and air quality in 131 NCAP cities, which are divided into three categories on the basis of their population, over 10 lakh (47 cities), between 3-10 lakh (44) and less than 3 lakh (40). Under NCAP, a performance-based grant of Rs 19,612 crore has been allocated to 131 cities for implementation of city action plans from 2019-20 to 2025-26. So far Rs 11,211 crore was provided to these cities to achieve the targets of 40% reduction or achieving National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in PM10 levels by 2025-26. Air quality improvement activities undertaken in 131 cities in sectors of road dust, vehicular pollution, waste management, greening of urban spaces and industrial pollution. In the meeting, it was informed that under NCAP, 95 cities have improved its air quality and 18 cities meeting National Ambient Air Quality Standards in PM10 levels in 2023-24. As per the data provided by MoEF&CC, Nagpur city has achieved 10% reduction in PM10 levels in 2023-24 along with 23 other cities. The ranking has been given to cities for their significant improvements in air quality, achieved through the various best practices aimed at mitigating air pollution. Some of the key activities they implemented includes: End to end paving on roads; Promoting mechanical sweeping; Bioremediation of legacy waste; C&D and solid waste management; Nagar vatika from reclaimed land of dumpsite; Green belt development; Intelligent traffic management system; and Miyawaki forestation. Amravati, this year bagged the 2nd rank in Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan ranking with 195 marks among 41 cities list with a population from 3 to 10 lakh. In 2023, Amravati was rank 1 in the same category. This year, Firozabad toppled Amravati with full marks. In 2021, Amravati was on 3rd place whereas Firozabad was 2nd and Moradabad was Rank 1. ULAN BATOR, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia plans to build a total of 2,100 km of roads in 2025, local media reported on Tuesday, citing the country's Ministry of Finance. "For example, in addition to continuing the construction project of Khavirga and Ulikhan port roads, new Shiveehuren, Bichigt and Artssuuri port roads will be built. Plans also include developing new roads to enhance provincial connectivity and support tourism in high-traffic areas," the Department of Development Financing and Investment of the ministry said in a statement. One of the key goals of Mongolia's medium-term development program, the "New Revival Policy," is to achieve economic independence through port revival. As part of the port revival, the landlocked country aims to upgrade existing paved roads leading to the ports and construct new paved roads and railways to improve connectivity between these ports and various provinces. As of 2023, Mongolia's state road network spans over 112,400 km, with just over 7,800 km paved, according to official data from the Ministry of Road and Transport, indicating that the majority of the roads in Mongolia remain unpaved. Magna International Inc. (NYSE:MGA Get Free Report) (TSE:MG) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 9,820,000 shares, a drop of 31.6% from the August 15th total of 14,360,000 shares. Currently, 3.7% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,590,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 6.2 days. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MGA has been the topic of a number of research reports. Wolfe Research restated an underperform rating on shares of Magna International in a research note on Thursday, September 5th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Magna International from $60.00 to $55.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. CIBC dropped their price target on Magna International from $50.00 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. Evercore decreased their target price on Magna International from $60.00 to $50.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 15th. Finally, Barclays decreased their target price on Magna International from $55.00 to $50.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Magna International has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $51.06. Get Magna International alerts: View Our Latest Report on Magna International Institutional Inflows and Outflows Magna International Price Performance Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Magna International during the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. boosted its position in shares of Magna International by 2,179.2% during the first quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 547 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 523 shares during the period. LRI Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of Magna International during the first quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Magna International during the first quarter valued at approximately $49,000. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Magna International by 32.0% during the first quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,315 shares of the companys stock valued at $72,000 after buying an additional 319 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.49% of the companys stock. NYSE:MGA traded down $0.05 on Monday, reaching $40.15. 1,736,820 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,624,641. The firm has a market cap of $11.54 billion, a PE ratio of 11.41, a P/E/G ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.59. Magna International has a 12 month low of $38.01 and a 12 month high of $60.32. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $41.78 and a 200-day simple moving average of $45.93. Magna International (NYSE:MGA Get Free Report) (TSE:MG) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, August 2nd. The company reported $1.35 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.46 by ($0.11). The company had revenue of $10.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.01 billion. Magna International had a return on equity of 12.53% and a net margin of 2.29%. The companys revenue was down .2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.50 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Magna International will post 5.58 earnings per share for the current year. Magna International Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 30th. Investors of record on Friday, August 16th were given a $0.475 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 16th. This represents a $1.90 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.73%. Magna Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 53.98%. Magna International Company Profile (Get Free Report) Magna International Inc designs, engineers, and manufactures components, assemblies, systems, subsystems, and modules for original equipment manufacturers of vehicles and light trucks worldwide. It operates through four segments: Body Exteriors & Structures, Power & Vision, Seating Systems, and Complete Vehicles. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Magna International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Magna International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Admiral Group plc (OTCMKTS:AMIGY Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 6,900 shares, a drop of 27.4% from the August 15th total of 9,500 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 4,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.7 days. Admiral Group Stock Up 0.2 % Shares of OTCMKTS:AMIGY traded up $0.10 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $38.19. The company had a trading volume of 982 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,802. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $36.03 and its 200-day moving average price is $34.78. Admiral Group has a one year low of $27.89 and a one year high of $39.27. Get Admiral Group alerts: Admiral Group Cuts Dividend The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 21st. Investors of record on Friday, September 6th will be paid a $0.2564 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 6th. Admiral Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 64.83%. Admiral Group Company Profile Admiral Group plc, a financial services company, provides insurance and personal lending products in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, and the United States. It operates through four segments: UK Insurance, International Insurance, Admiral Money, and Other. The company offers underwriting services, which includes motor, household, pet, travel, and other insurance, as well as car and home insurance; and unsecured personal loans and car finance products. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Admiral Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Admiral Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BOGOTA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming UN Biodiversity Conference will be an opportunity for nations to develop actions to protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and promote new models of green economy, Colombian Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Yesenia Olaya Requene has said. With the second-highest biodiversity on Earth, Colombia will host the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) from Oct. 21 to Nov. 1 this year. In a recent interview with Xinhua, Olaya said that the UN Biodiversity Conference is a pivotal event that "will foster geopolitical strategies that enable participating countries to accelerate and advance scientific research, which is crucial for informed political decision-making." The sociologist noted that Colombia, as the chair of COP16, is sending a clear message to the world that we have to face climate change and address its related challenges. "How to produce renewable energies? How to decolonize economies?" asked the minister. Olaya, 35, highlighted that science and technology are fundamental tools for solving these problems and improving human living conditions. She said that Colombia is collaborating with countries like Japan, China, South Korea, the United States, Brazil, and others to develop a shared agenda to address these challenges with a collective vision for humanity. "To promote the new development model, we have to bring together all different actors in society, including our grandfathers and grandmothers, whose knowledge can contribute to modern developments," added the minister. According to local media, around 15,000 representatives from over 190 countries will gather in Cali, Colombia's third most populous city and the capital of the department of Valle del Cauca, for COP16 on the theme of "Peace with Nature." Alpha Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in General Electric (NYSE:GE Free Report) during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund purchased 1,339 shares of the conglomerates stock, valued at approximately $213,000. Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in GE. Capital World Investors boosted its stake in General Electric by 2,818.1% in the first quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 12,749,560 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $2,237,930,000 after acquiring an additional 12,312,648 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors lifted its stake in General Electric by 9.9% in the first quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 59,100,643 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $10,373,936,000 after purchasing an additional 5,309,543 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board grew its holdings in General Electric by 221.6% during the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 7,121,741 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,250,079,000 after purchasing an additional 4,907,530 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA purchased a new stake in General Electric in the second quarter worth $580,200,000. Finally, Evergreen Quality Fund GP Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of General Electric in the first quarter valued at $385,745,000. Institutional investors own 74.77% of the companys stock. Get General Electric alerts: General Electric Stock Up 1.8 % GE stock opened at $181.46 on Tuesday. General Electric has a 1-year low of $84.42 and a 1-year high of $181.52. The stock has a market cap of $198.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 59.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95. The companys 50 day moving average is $166.93 and its 200 day moving average is $171.00. General Electric Dividend Announcement General Electric ( NYSE:GE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The conglomerate reported $1.20 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.99 by $0.21. General Electric had a net margin of 7.66% and a return on equity of 16.07%. The firm had revenue of $9.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.44 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.68 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that General Electric will post 4.2 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 25th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.28 per share. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.62%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 26th. General Electrics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 36.72%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have recently weighed in on GE shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on General Electric from $195.00 to $209.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 10th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of General Electric from $175.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of General Electric from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of General Electric from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on General Electric from $192.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $191.14. Get Our Latest Stock Report on GE About General Electric (Free Report) General Electric Company, doing business as GE Aerospace, designs and produces commercial and defense aircraft engines, integrated engine components, electric power, and mechanical aircraft systems. It also offers aftermarket services to support its products. The company operates in the United States, Europe, China, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for General Electric (NYSE:GE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for General Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Auckland International Airport Limited (OTCMKTS:AUKNY Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Tuesday, September 17th, investing.com reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 20th will be given a dividend of 0.0302 per share on Friday, October 11th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.62%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 19th. Auckland International Airport Trading Down 4.8 % OTCMKTS:AUKNY opened at $21.42 on Tuesday. Auckland International Airport has a twelve month low of $20.93 and a twelve month high of $26.56. The company has a fifty day moving average of $23.17 and a 200-day moving average of $23.47. Get Auckland International Airport alerts: Auckland International Airport Company Profile (Get Free Report) Read More Auckland International Airport Limited provides airport facilities, supporting infrastructure, and aeronautical services in Auckland and New Zealand. The company operates through three segments: Aeronautical, Retail, and Property. The Aeronautical segment provides services that facilitate the movement of aircraft, passengers, and cargo, as well as utility services, which support the airport; and leases space for facilities, such as terminals. Receive News & Ratings for Auckland International Airport Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Auckland International Airport and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,820,000 shares, an increase of 20.5% from the August 15th total of 1,510,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 687,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.6 days. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, CIO Matthew H. Birenbaum sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $208.90, for a total transaction of $1,044,500.00. Following the transaction, the executive now directly owns 65,967 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,780,506.30. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other AvalonBay Communities news, SVP Keri A. Shea sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $207.17, for a total value of $414,340.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 4,383 shares of the companys stock, valued at $908,026.11. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CIO Matthew H. Birenbaum sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on 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 transaction, the executive now owns 65,967 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,780,506.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.42% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Get AvalonBay Communities alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On AvalonBay Communities Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AVB. Norges Bank bought a new stake in AvalonBay Communities during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,271,756,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 2.4% in the first quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 4,759,095 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $883,098,000 after buying an additional 109,585 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 0.7% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,074,269 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $429,145,000 after acquiring an additional 13,631 shares in the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board raised its holdings in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 14.4% during the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 1,980,675 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $367,534,000 after acquiring an additional 249,400 shares during the period. Finally, Clearbridge Investments LLC lifted its position in AvalonBay Communities by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 1,847,511 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $342,824,000 after acquiring an additional 8,809 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.61% of the companys stock. AvalonBay Communities Trading Down 0.2 % AVB stock traded down $0.45 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $232.41. The companys stock had a trading volume of 448,103 shares, compared to its average volume of 729,685. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $214.83 and its 200-day simple moving average is $199.96. The company has a quick ratio of 2.03, a current ratio of 2.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. AvalonBay Communities has a 52 week low of $160.45 and a 52 week high of $236.26. The stock has a market cap of $33.05 billion, a PE ratio of 34.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.41 and a beta of 0.97. AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The real estate investment trust reported $1.78 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.71 by ($0.93). The firm had revenue of $726.04 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $718.49 million. AvalonBay Communities had a net margin of 29.61% and a return on equity of 7.16%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.66 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that AvalonBay Communities will post 11.01 EPS for the current year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms have commented on AVB. Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $225.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Monday. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on AvalonBay Communities from $207.00 to $214.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Truist Financial increased their price target on AvalonBay Communities from $213.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, August 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $206.00 to $249.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. Finally, BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a report on Wednesday, September 11th. They issued an outperform rating and a $250.00 target price on the stock. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $223.12. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on AvalonBay Communities 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. See Also 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. Bluebird Merchant Ventures Limited (LON:BMV Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as GBX 0.48 ($0.01) and last traded at GBX 1.04 ($0.01), with a volume of 1082367 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 0.98 ($0.01). Bluebird Merchant Ventures Stock Up 6.5 % The companys 50 day moving average price is GBX 1.11 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 1.05. The company has a quick ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 0.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.83. The firm has a market capitalization of 7.40 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 215.00 and a beta of 0.62. Bluebird Merchant Ventures Company Profile (Get Free Report) Bluebird Merchant Ventures Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in mining and developing of mineral properties. The company primarily explores for gold and silver deposits. It holds interests in the Gubong project and Kochang project located in South Korea. The company was incorporated in 2014 and is based in Road Town, the British Virgin Islands. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Bluebird Merchant Ventures Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bluebird Merchant Ventures and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Tower (NYSE:AMT Free Report) had its target price raised by BMO Capital Markets from $246.00 to $260.00 in a report released on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on AMT. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on American Tower in a research note on Monday, July 1st. They issued a buy rating and a $230.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on American Tower from $230.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Barclays dropped their price target on American Tower from $234.00 to $223.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on American Tower from $225.00 to $236.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on American Tower from $225.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Tower has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $233.29. Get American Tower alerts: View Our Latest Report on AMT American Tower Price Performance Shares of NYSE AMT opened at $240.32 on Friday. American Tower has a fifty-two week low of $154.58 and a fifty-two week high of $243.56. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $221.93 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $201.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.42, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $112.25 billion, a PE ratio of 54.37, a P/E/G ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.83. American Tower (NYSE:AMT Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.44 by ($0.52). The business had revenue of $2.90 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.82 billion. American Tower had a net margin of 21.95% and a return on equity of 23.06%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.46 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that American Tower will post 10.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. American Tower Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 25th. Investors of record on Wednesday, October 9th will be paid a $1.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 9th. This represents a $6.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.70%. American Towers dividend payout ratio is presently 146.61%. Insider Activity at American Tower In related news, EVP Olivier Puech sold 10,005 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $233.27, for a total value of $2,333,866.35. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 51,746 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,070,789.42. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Olivier Puech sold 10,005 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $233.27, for a total transaction of $2,333,866.35. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 51,746 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,070,789.42. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CAO Robert Joseph Meyer, Jr. sold 2,181 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $232.93, for a total value of $508,020.33. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 31,873 shares in the company, valued at $7,424,177.89. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 33,723 shares of company stock valued at $7,795,397 over the last 90 days. 0.18% of the stock is owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Tower Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allstate Corp grew its position in American Tower by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Allstate Corp now owns 1,750 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $378,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares during the period. NBT Bank N A NY lifted its stake in shares of American Tower by 3.3% during the 2nd quarter. NBT Bank N A NY now owns 1,693 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $329,000 after buying an additional 54 shares in the last quarter. O Brien Greene & Co. Inc lifted its stake in shares of American Tower by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. O Brien Greene & Co. Inc now owns 2,476 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $481,000 after buying an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Glassman Wealth Services lifted its stake in shares of American Tower by 4.7% during the 4th quarter. Glassman Wealth Services now owns 1,242 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $268,000 after buying an additional 56 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CFO4Life Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of American Tower by 5.4% during the 1st quarter. CFO4Life Group LLC now owns 1,119 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $221,000 after buying an additional 57 shares in the last quarter. 92.69% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About American Tower (Get Free Report) American Tower, one of the largest global REITs, is a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate with a portfolio of over 224,000 communications sites and a highly interconnected footprint of U.S. data center facilities. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for American Tower Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Tower and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of Hold by the eleven brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $86.91. A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on CF shares. Scotiabank boosted their target price on CF Industries from $80.00 to $88.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on CF Industries from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of CF Industries from $87.00 to $83.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of CF Industries from $80.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, August 26th. Finally, Barclays upgraded shares of CF Industries from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $80.00 to $90.00 in a research report on Friday, August 16th. Get CF Industries alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on CF CF Industries Stock Up 0.7 % Shares of NYSE CF opened at $79.73 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.24, a PEG ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 4.70 and a quick ratio of 4.19. CF Industries has a one year low of $69.13 and a one year high of $87.90. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $76.85 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $77.91. CF Industries (NYSE:CF Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The basic materials company reported $2.30 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.80 by $0.50. The company had revenue of $1.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.52 billion. CF Industries had a net margin of 17.87% and a return on equity of 12.96%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.70 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that CF Industries will post 5.83 EPS for the current fiscal year. CF Industries Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th were issued a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.51%. CF Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 33.22%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of CF Industries in the 2nd quarter worth about $1,297,000. Coronation Fund Managers Ltd. grew its holdings in CF Industries by 8.4% in the second quarter. Coronation Fund Managers Ltd. now owns 128,320 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $9,511,000 after purchasing an additional 9,943 shares during the period. 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of CF Industries by 2.4% during the second quarter. 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC now owns 10,410 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $772,000 after purchasing an additional 242 shares in the last quarter. Kimelman & Baird LLC purchased a new position in shares of CF Industries during the second quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Finally, B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of CF Industries in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $438,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.06% of the companys stock. CF Industries Company Profile (Get Free Report CF Industries Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of hydrogen and nitrogen products for energy, fertilizer, emissions abatement, and other industrial activities in North America, Europe, and internationally. It operates through Ammonia, Granular Urea, UAN, AN, and Other segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for CF Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CF Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Citigroup downgraded shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE Free Report) from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report issued on Friday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They currently have $125.00 price target on the real estate investment trusts stock, down from their previous price target of $130.00. A number of other equities analysts also recently commented on ARE. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $126.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. Bank of America cut Alexandria Real Estate Equities from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price target for the company from $151.00 to $126.00 in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Jefferies Financial Group cut Alexandria Real Estate Equities from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their price target for the company from $136.00 to $127.00 in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Wedbush cut Alexandria Real Estate Equities from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price target for the company from $140.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $135.00 to $130.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $130.70. Get Alexandria Real Estate Equities alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Alexandria Real Estate Equities Alexandria Real Estate Equities Price Performance Shares of NYSE ARE opened at $124.71 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $21.81 billion, a PE ratio of 116.55, a PEG ratio of 4.20 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a current ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has a 1-year low of $90.73 and a 1-year high of $135.45. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $118.74 and a 200 day moving average price of $119.85. Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, July 22nd. The real estate investment trust reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.34 by ($2.09). The company had revenue of $766.70 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $775.03 million. Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a return on equity of 0.68% and a net margin of 5.09%. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.24 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Alexandria Real Estate Equities will post 9.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Monday, September 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.17%. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess payout ratio is currently 485.98%. Institutional Trading of Alexandria Real Estate Equities Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ARE. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 26,784,689 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,452,814,000 after acquiring an additional 156,643 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in Alexandria Real Estate Equities during the 4th quarter worth $2,086,085,000. APG Asset Management US Inc. increased its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. APG Asset Management US Inc. now owns 7,216,689 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $914,860,000 after acquiring an additional 39,243 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 4,073,312 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $476,455,000 after acquiring an additional 35,216 shares during the period. Finally, M&G Plc increased its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter. M&G Plc now owns 1,659,092 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $194,114,000 after acquiring an additional 77,686 shares during the period. 96.54% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Alexandria Real Estate Equities (Get Free Report) Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc (NYSE: ARE), an S&P 500 company, is a best-in-class, mission-driven life science REIT making a positive and lasting impact on the world. As the pioneer of the life science real estate niche since our founding in 1994, Alexandria is the preeminent and longest-tenured owner, operator, and developer of collaborative life science, agtech, and advanced technology mega campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, including Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Alexandria Real Estate Equities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alexandria Real Estate Equities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Clearstead Trust LLC increased its stake in WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC Free Report) by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 17,889 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 220 shares during the quarter. Clearstead Trust LLCs holdings in WEC Energy Group were worth $1,404,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of WEC. Vantage Financial Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of WEC Energy Group by 25.2% in the 4th quarter. Vantage Financial Partners LLC now owns 7,685 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $647,000 after acquiring an additional 1,547 shares in the last quarter. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC increased its stake in WEC Energy Group by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC now owns 22,785 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,918,000 after purchasing an additional 315 shares in the last quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC increased its stake in WEC Energy Group by 5.9% during the 4th quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 47,099 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,964,000 after purchasing an additional 2,628 shares in the last quarter. Financial Advocates Investment Management increased its stake in WEC Energy Group by 85.7% during the 4th quarter. Financial Advocates Investment Management now owns 5,889 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $496,000 after purchasing an additional 2,717 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brown Advisory Inc. increased its stake in WEC Energy Group by 7.6% during the 4th quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 24,683 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,078,000 after purchasing an additional 1,739 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.20% of the companys stock. Get WEC Energy Group alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, VP Anthony Reese sold 1,362 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.78, for a total value of $120,918.36. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 1,462 shares in the company, valued at $129,796.36. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, VP Anthony Reese sold 1,362 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.78, for a total value of $120,918.36. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 1,462 shares in the company, valued at $129,796.36. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Joshua M. Erickson sold 350 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $89.75, for a total transaction of $31,412.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 2,377 shares in the company, valued at $213,335.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 11,702 shares of company stock worth $1,078,058. Insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock. WEC Energy Group Price Performance NYSE WEC opened at $96.13 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $30.38 billion, a PE ratio of 20.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 0.44. WEC Energy Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $75.13 and a 52 week high of $96.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $88.52 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $83.54. WEC Energy Group (NYSE:WEC Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The utilities provider reported $0.67 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.63 by $0.04. WEC Energy Group had a return on equity of 12.26% and a net margin of 15.85%. The firm had revenue of $1.77 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.87 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.92 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that WEC Energy Group, Inc. will post 4.88 earnings per share for the current year. WEC Energy Group Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, September 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 14th were given a $0.835 dividend. This represents a $3.34 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.47%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 14th. WEC Energy Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 72.93%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have commented on WEC. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of WEC Energy Group from $80.00 to $86.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of WEC Energy Group from $91.00 to $93.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, August 23rd. KeyCorp boosted their price target on shares of WEC Energy Group from $95.00 to $98.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday. StockNews.com lowered shares of WEC Energy Group from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of WEC Energy Group from $98.00 to $103.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 21st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $90.42. View Our Latest Stock Report on WEC Energy Group WEC Energy Group Profile (Free Report) WEC Energy Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides regulated natural gas and electricity, and renewable and nonregulated renewable energy services in the United States. It operates through Wisconsin, Illinois, Other States, Electric Transmission, and Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure segments. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WEC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for WEC Energy Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WEC Energy Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Piper Sandler restated their overweight rating on shares of CNO Financial Group (NYSE:CNO Free Report) in a research report released on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $37.00 target price on the financial services providers stock. Several other equities research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on CNO Financial Group from $30.00 to $38.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on shares of CNO Financial Group from $30.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, July 8th. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of CNO Financial Group from $27.00 to $29.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $33.75. Get CNO Financial Group alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on CNO CNO Financial Group Price Performance CNO opened at $33.95 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 0.19 and a quick ratio of 0.19. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $32.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $28.96. The firm has a market cap of $3.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.90 and a beta of 1.01. CNO Financial Group has a 1 year low of $22.27 and a 1 year high of $35.45. CNO Financial Group (NYSE:CNO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 29th. The financial services provider reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.33. CNO Financial Group had a return on equity of 18.30% and a net margin of 9.96%. The firm had revenue of $1.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $929.99 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.54 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts predict that CNO Financial Group will post 3.43 earnings per share for the current year. CNO Financial Group Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 24th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.16 per share. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.89%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 10th. CNO Financial Groups payout ratio is presently 18.66%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other CNO Financial Group news, insider Jeanne L. Linnenbringer sold 5,435 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.26, for a total value of $186,203.10. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 37,663 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,290,334.38. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other CNO Financial Group news, insider Jeanne L. Linnenbringer sold 5,435 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $34.26, for a total transaction of $186,203.10. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 37,663 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,290,334.38. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Jeanne L. Linnenbringer sold 5,364 shares of CNO Financial Group stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.88, for a total transaction of $187,096.32. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 44,884 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,565,553.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 3.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in CNO. Norges Bank purchased a new position in CNO Financial Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,295,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of CNO Financial Group by 455.1% in the second quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 777,271 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $21,546,000 after buying an additional 637,254 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in shares of CNO Financial Group by 19.4% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 2,117,416 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $58,695,000 after acquiring an additional 343,819 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its stake in CNO Financial Group by 97.2% during the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 622,348 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $17,251,000 after acquiring an additional 306,751 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Denali Advisors LLC increased its holdings in CNO Financial Group by 725.0% in the 2nd quarter. Denali Advisors LLC now owns 231,000 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $6,403,000 after acquiring an additional 203,000 shares during the last quarter. 95.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. CNO Financial Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) CNO Financial Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, develops, markets, and administers health insurance, annuity, individual life insurance, insurance products, and financial services for senior and middle-income markets in the United States. It offers Medicare supplement, supplemental health, and long-term care insurance policies; life insurance; and annuities, as well as Medicare advantage plans to individuals through phone, online, mail, and face-to-face. See Also Receive News & Ratings for CNO Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CNO Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP Get Free Report) declared an annual dividend on Tuesday, September 17th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 23rd will be given a dividend of 2.9084 per share by the bank on Friday, October 18th. This represents a dividend yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 23rd. Credicorp has decreased its dividend by an average of 6.1% per year over the last three years. Credicorp has a dividend payout ratio of 44.7% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect Credicorp to earn $21.22 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $9.29 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 43.8%. Get Credicorp alerts: Credicorp Stock Up 0.6 % NYSE:BAP traded up $1.00 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $175.23. 131,942 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 232,409. Credicorp has a 52 week low of $116.42 and a 52 week high of $180.21. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $170.00 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $167.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 1.02. About Credicorp Credicorp ( NYSE:BAP Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The bank reported $4.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $4.64 by ($0.15). Credicorp had a net margin of 19.31% and a return on equity of 14.86%. The business had revenue of $1.37 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.32 billion. On average, equities analysts predict that Credicorp will post 18.81 EPS for the current fiscal year. (Get Free Report) Credicorp Ltd. provides various financial, insurance, and health services and products primarily in Peru and internationally. It operates through Universal Banking, Insurance and Pensions, Microfinance, and Investment Banking and Equity Management segments. The Universal Banking segment grants various credits and financial instruments to individuals and legal entities; and various deposits and current accounts. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Credicorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Credicorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. VIENNA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- China will open 12 nuclear research facilities and testing platforms to international scientists and institutions to enhance global cooperation, a senior Chinese official said here on Monday. These include the China Advanced Research Reactor, the new-generation tokamak device Huanliu-3, and the Beishan Underground Research Laboratory, Liu Jing, vice chairman of the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA), said at a meeting on the sidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) annual general conference. The facilities span areas such as basic nuclear research, isotope production, nuclear environment simulation, equipment testing, and radioactive waste treatment and disposal. Monday's meeting, themed "Share for Development," was organized by the CAEA to promote international cooperation in nuclear technology research and development, as China marks the 40th anniversary of its accession to the IAEA. Yu Jianfeng, chairman of China National Nuclear Corporation, said at the event that the company aims to deepen cooperation with the IAEA and expand international collaboration. He expressed hope that opening China's nuclear research facilities will contribute to advancing nuclear technology globally. IAEA's Deputy Director General Mikhail Chudakov commended China's remarkable achievements in nuclear energy development and highlighted the long-standing, fruitful relationship between the IAEA and the CAEA. Welcoming China's decision to open up more of its nuclear research and development facilities, Chudakov said the move will further strengthen the agency's technical capacity to support its member states. On Monday evening, the CAEA and China's permanent mission to the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations in Vienna jointly held a reception at the UN headquarters in Vienna to celebrate the 40th anniversary of China's accession to the IAEA. More than 200 participants, including IAEA representatives and foreign envoys to Vienna, attended the event. Li Song, China's permanent representative to the UN and other international organizations in Vienna, said at the reception that China and the IAEA have expanded practical cooperation and jointly promoted the development of nuclear energy over the past 40 years. China, he said, will continue to strengthen collaboration with the IAEA and its member states to address emerging challenges in international security, safeguard the global non-proliferation regime, and promote the use of nuclear energy and technology for the benefit of the Global South. At the reception, Liu, Li and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi jointly unveiled a bronze statue of Qian Sanqiang, a renowned Chinese nuclear physicist and one of the founders of China's nuclear industry. The statue, donated by China, will be permanently displayed at the IAEA headquarters, alongside sculptures of Polish-French physicist Marie Curie and other prominent figures who have made significant contributions to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Deckers Outdoor (NYSE:DECK Get Free Report) had its price target cut by investment analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $887.00 to $147.83 in a report issued on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a hold rating on the textile makers stock. Stifel Nicolaus price target would suggest a potential downside of 3.34% from the companys current price. A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on DECK. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on shares of Deckers Outdoor from $30.83 to $30.56 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 15th. BTIG Research upped their target price on shares of Deckers Outdoor from $31.11 to $33.33 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, June 25th. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an outperform rating and set a $30.56 price target on shares of Deckers Outdoor in a report on Friday, July 26th. Wedbush reissued an outperform rating and set a $28.61 price target on shares of Deckers Outdoor in a report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Deckers Outdoor from $23.89 to $28.33 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, May 24th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $37.06. Get Deckers Outdoor alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Deckers Outdoor Deckers Outdoor Stock Down 2.1 % DECK stock traded down $3.34 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $152.94. The companys stock had a trading volume of 381,145 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,288,669. Deckers Outdoor has a 52-week low of $80.67 and a 52-week high of $184.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.23, a PEG ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 1.05. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $167.30 and a 200-day simple moving average of $158.93. Deckers Outdoor (NYSE:DECK Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The textile maker reported $0.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.10 by $0.03. Deckers Outdoor had a net margin of 18.45% and a return on equity of 40.52%. The company had revenue of $825.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $808.40 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.07 earnings per share. Deckers Outdoors revenue for the quarter was up 22.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Deckers Outdoor will post 31.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In other Deckers Outdoor news, Director David Powers sold 140,832 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.97, for a total transaction of $3,376,368.96. Following the transaction, the director now owns 2,450,808 shares of the companys stock, valued at $58,756,760.24. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.70% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Deckers Outdoor Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Deckers Outdoor by 18.9% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,923,154 shares of the textile makers stock worth $2,751,448,000 after buying an additional 464,020 shares during the period. TD Asset Management Inc grew its holdings in Deckers Outdoor by 191.1% during the 4th quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 305,949 shares of the textile makers stock worth $204,505,000 after acquiring an additional 200,850 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Deckers Outdoor in the 4th quarter valued at about $196,814,000. Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in Deckers Outdoor by 231.2% in the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 233,810 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $226,316,000 after purchasing an additional 163,210 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Epoch Investment Partners Inc. lifted its position in Deckers Outdoor by 90.4% in the 4th quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. now owns 216,709 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $144,855,000 after purchasing an additional 102,882 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.79% of the companys stock. About Deckers Outdoor (Get Free Report) Deckers Outdoor Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, designs, markets, and distributes footwear, apparel, and accessories for casual lifestyle use and high-performance activities in the United States and internationally. The company offers premium footwear, apparel, and accessories under the UGG brand name; footwear and apparel for ultra-runners and athletes under the Hoka brand; and sandals, shoes, and boots under the Teva brand name. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Deckers Outdoor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Deckers Outdoor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Denali Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Alexanders, Inc. (NYSE:ALX Free Report) by 51.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 19,500 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 6,600 shares during the period. Denali Advisors LLC owned about 0.38% of Alexanders worth $4,385,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Alexanders by 19.8% during the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 351,115 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $74,988,000 after purchasing an additional 57,951 shares during the last quarter. Inspire Investing LLC grew its holdings in shares of Alexanders by 14.3% during the 1st quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 2,012 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $437,000 after purchasing an additional 251 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its holdings in Alexanders by 5.5% in the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 3,466 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $753,000 after acquiring an additional 181 shares during the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in Alexanders in the 1st quarter worth $201,000. Finally, CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co grew its holdings in Alexanders by 7.0% in the 1st quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 1,119 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $243,000 after acquiring an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 31.99% of the companys stock. Get Alexander's alerts: Alexanders Trading Down 0.2 % Shares of Alexanders stock opened at $244.17 on Tuesday. Alexanders, Inc. has a 12-month low of $162.50 and a 12-month high of $247.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.09, a current ratio of 12.66 and a quick ratio of 12.66. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $229.38 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $220.38. Alexanders Dividend Announcement Analyst Ratings Changes The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 12th were given a $4.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 12th. This represents a $18.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.37%. Alexanderss dividend payout ratio is 86.04%. A number of brokerages have issued reports on ALX. StockNews.com lowered shares of Alexanders from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Piper Sandler cut their price target on shares of Alexanders from $135.00 to $125.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. View Our Latest Analysis on Alexanders Alexanders Company Profile (Free Report) Alexanders, Inc (NYSE: ALX) is a real estate investment trust (REIT), incorporated in Delaware, engaged in leasing, managing, developing and redeveloping its properties. All references to we, us, our, Company and Alexanders refer to Alexanders, Inc and its consolidated subsidiaries. We are managed by, and our properties are leased and developed by, Vornado Realty Trust (Vornado) (NYSE: VNO). Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ALX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Alexanders, Inc. (NYSE:ALX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Alexander's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alexander's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Denali Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Hilltop Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HTH Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 45,000 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $1,408,000. Denali Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.07% of Hilltop at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in HTH. Quest Partners LLC boosted its position in Hilltop by 1.3% during the second quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 29,978 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $938,000 after purchasing an additional 375 shares during the period. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System boosted its position in Hilltop by 1.7% during the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 23,300 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $729,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Inspire Investing LLC boosted its position in Hilltop by 4.7% during the first quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 11,452 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $359,000 after purchasing an additional 514 shares during the period. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp boosted its position in Hilltop by 1.3% during the first quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 40,485 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,268,000 after purchasing an additional 514 shares during the period. Finally, ProShare Advisors LLC boosted its position in Hilltop by 7.4% during the first quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 9,407 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $295,000 after purchasing an additional 647 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 57.13% of the companys stock. Get Hilltop alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on HTH shares. Stephens upped their target price on Hilltop from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on Hilltop from $33.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Hilltop from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, August 20th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, According to MarketBeat, Hilltop presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $34.50. Insider Transactions at Hilltop In other news, Director Hill A. Feinberg sold 17,157 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.99, for a total transaction of $566,009.43. Following the sale, the director now owns 544,979 shares in the company, valued at $17,978,857.21. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 28.90% of the companys stock. Hilltop Stock Up 0.9 % Shares of HTH stock opened at $32.61 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $32.22 and a 200-day moving average of $31.09. The firm has a market cap of $2.13 billion, a PE ratio of 19.07 and a beta of 1.13. Hilltop Holdings Inc. has a 12 month low of $26.78 and a 12 month high of $35.66. Hilltop (NYSE:HTH Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The financial services provider reported $0.31 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.26 by $0.05. Hilltop had a return on equity of 5.30% and a net margin of 7.10%. The business had revenue of $297.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $283.22 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.28 earnings per share. Hilltops revenue was down 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Hilltop Holdings Inc. will post 1.36 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hilltop Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 16th were issued a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.09%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 16th. Hilltops payout ratio is presently 39.77%. Hilltop Company Profile (Free Report) Hilltop Holdings Inc provides business and consumer banking services. It operates through three segments: Banking, Broker-Dealer, and Mortgage Origination. The Banking segment offers savings, checking, interest-bearing checking, and money market accounts; certificates of deposit; lines and letters of credit, home improvement and equity loans, loans for purchasing and carrying securities, term, agricultural and commercial real estate, equipment loans, and other lending products; and mortgage, commercial and industrial loans, and term and construction finance. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Hilltop Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hilltop and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Denali Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc. (NYSE:AMR Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 9,202 shares of the energy companys stock, valued at approximately $2,581,000. Denali Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.07% of Alpha Metallurgical Resources as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AMR. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. acquired a new position in Alpha Metallurgical Resources in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $32,999,000. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Alpha Metallurgical Resources in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $21,900,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in Alpha Metallurgical Resources by 523.6% in the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 75,966 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $25,746,000 after acquiring an additional 63,784 shares in the last quarter. Gendell Jeffrey L raised its holdings in Alpha Metallurgical Resources by 21.8% in the 1st quarter. Gendell Jeffrey L now owns 350,125 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $115,951,000 after acquiring an additional 62,725 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Alpha Metallurgical Resources by 5.4% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,213,584 shares of the energy companys stock worth $411,308,000 after buying an additional 61,915 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.29% of the companys stock. Get Alpha Metallurgical Resources alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on AMR. Benchmark reissued a hold rating on shares of Alpha Metallurgical Resources in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. B. Riley dropped their target price on Alpha Metallurgical Resources from $374.00 to $336.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 6th. Alpha Metallurgical Resources Trading Down 0.5 % Shares of AMR opened at $209.65 on Tuesday. Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc. has a 1 year low of $185.00 and a 1 year high of $452.00. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $255.93 and a 200-day simple moving average of $294.95. The stock has a market cap of $2.73 billion, a PE ratio of 5.08 and a beta of 1.30. Alpha Metallurgical Resources (NYSE:AMR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 5th. The energy company reported $4.49 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.46 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $804.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $733.05 million. Alpha Metallurgical Resources had a return on equity of 28.63% and a net margin of 13.52%. Alpha Metallurgical Resourcess revenue for the quarter was down 6.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $12.16 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc. will post 20.67 EPS for the current fiscal year. Alpha Metallurgical Resources Company Profile (Free Report) Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc, a mining company, produces, processes, and sells met and thermal coal in Virginia and West Virginia. The company offers metallurgical coal products. It operates twenty-two active mines and nine coal preparation and load-out facilities. The company was formerly known as Contura Energy, Inc and changed its name to Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc in February 2021. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Alpha Metallurgical Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alpha Metallurgical Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB Free Report) by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 2,074,269 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 13,631 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LPs holdings in AvalonBay Communities were worth $429,145,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC lifted its holdings in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 11.7% during the 2nd quarter. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC now owns 47,700 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $9,869,000 after purchasing an additional 5,000 shares in the last quarter. Mystic Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 4.4% during the 2nd quarter. Mystic Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,390 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $494,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 300,039 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $62,075,000 after purchasing an additional 7,939 shares in the last quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 11.1% during the 2nd quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 5,638 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,166,000 after purchasing an additional 563 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Federated Hermes Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 8.1% during the 2nd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 7,730 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,599,000 after purchasing an additional 580 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.61% of the companys stock. Get AvalonBay Communities alerts: AvalonBay Communities Stock Performance NYSE AVB opened at $232.85 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $214.83 and a 200-day moving average of $199.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 2.03 and a current ratio of 2.03. The stock has a market cap of $33.11 billion, a PE ratio of 34.65, a P/E/G ratio of 3.41 and a beta of 0.97. AvalonBay Communities, Inc. has a 52-week low of $160.45 and a 52-week high of $236.26. Insider Transactions at AvalonBay Communities AvalonBay Communities ( NYSE:AVB Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The real estate investment trust reported $1.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.71 by ($0.93). The company had revenue of $726.04 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $718.49 million. AvalonBay Communities had a return on equity of 7.16% and a net margin of 29.61%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.66 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that AvalonBay Communities, Inc. will post 11.01 EPS for the current year. In other AvalonBay Communities news, SVP Keri A. Shea sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $207.17, for a total value 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 transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, CIO Matthew H. Birenbaum sold 5,000 shares of AvalonBay Communities stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $208.90, for a total transaction of $1,044,500.00. Following the sale, the executive now directly owns 65,967 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,780,506.30. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Keri A. Shea sold 2,000 shares of AvalonBay Communities stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $207.17, for a total transaction of $414,340.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 4,383 shares in the company, valued at $908,026.11. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.42% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have commented on AVB shares. Scotiabank boosted their target price on AvalonBay Communities from $229.00 to $244.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their target price on AvalonBay Communities from $206.00 to $249.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on AvalonBay Communities from $222.00 to $244.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, August 26th. Truist Financial boosted their target price on AvalonBay Communities from $213.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 27th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price 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. Thirteen equities 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.com, AvalonBay Communities has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $223.12. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on AVB About AvalonBay Communities (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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AVB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB Free Report). 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. Dominos Pizza Enterprises Limited (OTCMKTS:DPZUF Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 322,200 shares, a growth of 22.8% from the August 15th total of 262,400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3,222.0 days. Dominos Pizza Enterprises Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:DPZUF opened at $20.96 on Tuesday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $21.15 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $24.71. Dominos Pizza Enterprises has a fifty-two week low of $19.19 and a fifty-two week high of $39.43. Get Domino's Pizza Enterprises alerts: About Dominos Pizza Enterprises (Get Free Report) Featured Stories Domino's Pizza Enterprises Limited operates retail food outlets. The company holds franchise rights for the Domino's brand in Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Japan, Cambodia, Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. It operates various stores. Receive News & Ratings for Domino's Pizza Enterprises Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Domino's Pizza Enterprises and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tieton Capital Management LLC trimmed its holdings in Enova International, Inc. (NYSE:ENVA Free Report) by 1.7% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 162,023 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 2,845 shares during the period. Enova International makes up about 5.6% of Tieton Capital Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 4th biggest holding. Tieton Capital Management LLCs holdings in Enova International were worth $10,086,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in Enova International by 27.6% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 855 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 185 shares in the last quarter. J.Safra Asset Management Corp grew its position in shares of Enova International by 83.8% in the 1st quarter. J.Safra Asset Management Corp now owns 930 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $58,000 after acquiring an additional 424 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of Enova International in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $223,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Enova International by 21.1% during the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 3,649 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $228,000 after acquiring an additional 636 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Smith Shellnut Wilson LLC ADV acquired a new stake in shares of Enova International during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $235,000. 89.43% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Enova International alerts: Enova International Stock Up 1.5 % ENVA stock opened at $80.52 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $2.27 billion, a PE ratio of 14.48 and a beta of 1.43. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $78.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $67.21. Enova International, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $35.30 and a fifty-two week high of $88.42. The company has a quick ratio of 12.07, a current ratio of 12.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.78. Analysts Set New Price Targets Enova International ( NYSE:ENVA Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The credit services provider reported $2.21 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.07 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $628.44 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $622.92 million. Enova International had a net margin of 7.52% and a return on equity of 16.53%. Enova Internationals revenue was up 25.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.57 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Enova International, Inc. will post 7.84 EPS for the current year. A number of equities analysts have commented on ENVA shares. BTIG Research started coverage on shares of Enova International in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. They issued a buy rating and a $90.00 price objective for the company. Janney Montgomery Scott lowered shares of Enova International from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, August 26th. JMP Securities increased their price objective on shares of Enova International from $78.00 to $93.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, TD Cowen raised their target price on shares of Enova International from $70.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Three 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 presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $79.00. Read Our Latest Analysis on ENVA Insider Activity at Enova International In other Enova International news, CEO David Fisher sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.45, for a total transaction of $844,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 413,239 shares in the company, valued at approximately $34,898,033.55. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Enova International news, CEO David Fisher sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $84.45, for a total transaction of $844,500.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 413,239 shares in the company, valued at approximately $34,898,033.55. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, General Counsel Sean Rahilly sold 10,158 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.36, for a total transaction of $826,454.88. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 101,949 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,294,570.64. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 56,725 shares of company stock worth $4,690,053 in the last three months. 7.80% of the stock is owned by company insiders. About Enova International (Free Report) Enova International, Inc, a technology and analytics company, provides online financial services in the United States, Brazil, and internationally. The company provides installment loans; line of credit accounts; CSO programs, including arranging loans with independent third-party lenders and assisting in the preparation of loan applications and loan documents; and bank programs, such as marketing services and loan servicing for near-prime unsecured consumer installment loan. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ENVA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Enova International, Inc. (NYSE:ENVA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Enova International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enova International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fortive Co. (NYSE:FTV Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 2,610,000 shares, an increase of 23.7% from the August 15th total of 2,110,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,200,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.2 days. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have weighed in on FTV shares. Truist Financial dropped their price target on Fortive from $89.00 to $82.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Wolfe Research downgraded Fortive from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research note on Friday, September 6th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Fortive from $84.00 to $75.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. TD Cowen upgraded Fortive from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from $75.00 to $90.00 in a research note on Monday, July 8th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Fortive from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $86.23. Get Fortive alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on FTV Insider Activity Institutional Inflows and Outflows In other Fortive news, SVP Jonathan L. Schwarz sold 14,223 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.80, for a total transaction of $1,049,657.40. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 68,161 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,030,281.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . In other news, SVP Jonathan L. Schwarz sold 14,223 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, September 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.80, for a total transaction of $1,049,657.40. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 68,161 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,030,281.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link . Also, CFO Charles E. Mclaughlin sold 6,864 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, September 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.03, for a total value of $508,141.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 73,391 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,433,135.73. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Corporate insiders own 1.01% of the companys stock. Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Fortive during the 2nd quarter worth $985,000. New Century Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Fortive by 36.2% in the 2nd quarter. New Century Financial Group LLC now owns 3,694 shares of the technology companys stock worth $274,000 after acquiring an additional 982 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its stake in shares of Fortive by 7.5% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 56,497 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $4,187,000 after buying an additional 3,951 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp grew its position in shares of Fortive by 1.1% during the second quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 142,068 shares of the technology companys stock worth $10,527,000 after buying an additional 1,519 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brown Shipley& Co Ltd raised its holdings in Fortive by 3.0% in the second quarter. Brown Shipley& Co Ltd now owns 56,174 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $4,163,000 after acquiring an additional 1,655 shares in the last quarter. 94.94% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Fortive Stock Up 0.2 % Shares of NYSE FTV opened at $73.72 on Tuesday. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $72.28 and its 200-day simple moving average is $76.36. Fortive has a 52-week low of $63.05 and a 52-week high of $87.10. The firm has a market cap of $25.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. Fortive (NYSE:FTV Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The technology company reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.92 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $1.55 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.57 billion. Fortive had a net margin of 14.39% and a return on equity of 12.32%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 1.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.85 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that Fortive will post 3.82 EPS for the current fiscal year. Fortive Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be given a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. Fortives payout ratio is presently 12.65%. Fortive Company Profile (Get Free Report) Fortive Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and services professional and engineered products, software, and services in the United States, China, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Intelligent Operating Solutions, Precision Technologies, and Advanced Healthcare Solutions. The Intelligent Operating Solutions segment provides advanced instrumentation, software, and services, including electrical test and measurement, facility and asset lifecycle software applications, and connected worker safety and compliance solutions for manufacturing, process industries, healthcare, utilities and power, communications and electronics, and other industries. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Fortive Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fortive and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco Municipal Trust (NYSE:VKQ Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 44,800 shares, an increase of 49.3% from the August 15th total of 30,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 135,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days. Invesco Municipal Trust Stock Performance Shares of Invesco Municipal Trust stock traded down $0.04 during trading on Monday, reaching $10.35. The company had a trading volume of 157,783 shares, compared to its average volume of 145,205. Invesco Municipal Trust has a fifty-two week low of $7.94 and a fifty-two week high of $10.47. The firms fifty day moving average is $10.08 and its 200-day moving average is $9.80. Get Invesco Municipal Trust alerts: Invesco Municipal Trust Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.0628 per share. This represents a $0.75 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.28%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 17th. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Invesco Municipal Trust Company Profile Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in Invesco Municipal Trust by 7.1% during the first quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 294,349 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,855,000 after purchasing an additional 19,600 shares during the last quarter. Nomura Holdings Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Invesco Municipal Trust in the 4th quarter valued at about $101,000. Weiss Asset Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Invesco Municipal Trust in the 4th quarter valued at about $175,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Invesco Municipal Trust by 93.1% during the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 176,750 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,714,000 after buying an additional 85,239 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp raised its stake in Invesco Municipal Trust by 5.5% during the first quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 441,667 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $4,284,000 after acquiring an additional 22,902 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 32.00% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Invesco Municipal Trust is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Invesco Ltd. The fund is co-managed by Invesco Advisers, Inc, INVESCO Asset Management (Japan) Limited, INVESCO Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, INVESCO Asset Management Limited, Invesco Hong Kong Limited, INVESCO Senior Secured Management, Inc, and Invesco Canada Ltd. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Municipal Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Municipal Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Renaissance Technologies LLC cut its stake in Invesco Senior Loan ETF (NYSEARCA:BKLN Free Report) by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,153,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 48,300 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC owned 0.94% of Invesco Senior Loan ETF worth $66,339,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 38.4% in the second quarter. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. now owns 129,473 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,724,000 after acquiring an additional 35,944 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its holdings in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 45.1% during the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 2,176,999 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $45,804,000 after purchasing an additional 676,999 shares during the period. Angeles Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 76.9% during the second quarter. Angeles Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,720,390 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $57,237,000 after purchasing an additional 1,183,000 shares during the period. Inspire Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 38.3% during the second quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 427,964 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $9,004,000 after purchasing an additional 118,577 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 13.4% during the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,220,550 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $88,800,000 after purchasing an additional 497,129 shares during the period. Get Invesco Senior Loan ETF alerts: Invesco Senior Loan ETF Price Performance Shares of NYSEARCA:BKLN opened at $21.11 on Tuesday. Invesco Senior Loan ETF has a 1-year low of $20.61 and a 1-year high of $21.25. The companys fifty day moving average is $21.01 and its two-hundred day moving average is $21.08. Invesco Senior Loan ETF Company 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. YANGON, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar marked World Ozone Day on Monday with various awareness activities across several regions and states, the state-run daily The Mirror reported on Tuesday. In Yangon Region, an event to commemorate World Ozone Day was held at a high school in Sanchaung township, attracting over 260 participants, including Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, officials, students, and teachers. A similar event was held at the state hall in Mawlamyine, Mon State, attended by Mon State Chief Minister U Aung Kyi Thein, along with officials, students, and teachers, the report said. In Magway Region, another event took place at the city hall of Magway, attended by the region's natural resource minister, officials, teachers, and students, the report added. These events featured awareness booths focused on ozone layer preservation, and prizes were awarded to students who won the essay competition to mark World Ozone Day, it said. The theme for the 2024 World Ozone Day is "Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Action." Abbot Financial Management Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE:IRM Free Report) by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 11,133 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 117 shares during the quarter. Abbot Financial Management Inc.s holdings in Iron Mountain were worth $998,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of IRM. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System raised its stake in shares of Iron Mountain by 2.4% during the first quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 321,492 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $25,787,000 after purchasing an additional 7,486 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its stake in shares of Iron Mountain by 22.9% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 592,773 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $47,547,000 after acquiring an additional 110,551 shares in the last quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Iron Mountain by 19.8% in the second quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 75,809 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $6,794,000 after purchasing an additional 12,540 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its stake in Iron Mountain by 6.7% during the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 940,090 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $65,787,000 after purchasing an additional 59,381 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Centersquare Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Iron Mountain by 7,892.6% in the first quarter. Centersquare Investment Management LLC now owns 1,538,486 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $119,263,000 after buying an additional 1,519,237 shares during the last quarter. 80.13% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Iron Mountain alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Iron Mountain In other news, EVP Edward Baker-Greene sold 2,262 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.75, for a total transaction of $248,254.50. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 9,049 shares of the companys stock, valued at $993,127.75. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Edward Baker-Greene sold 2,262 shares of Iron Mountain stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.75, for a total value of $248,254.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 9,049 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $993,127.75. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO John Tomovcsik sold 35,084 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.76, for a total transaction of $3,114,055.84. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 20,366 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,807,686.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 65,787 shares of company stock valued at $6,025,002. Corporate insiders own 2.10% of the companys stock. Iron Mountain Trading Up 1.6 % NYSE:IRM opened at $118.19 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $34.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 179.08, a PEG ratio of 6.85 and a beta of 1.00. The business has a fifty day moving average of $106.61 and a 200-day moving average of $90.31. Iron Mountain Incorporated has a 1 year low of $56.51 and a 1 year high of $118.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 674.63, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.79. Iron Mountain (NYSE:IRM Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The financial services provider reported $0.42 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.01 by ($0.59). Iron Mountain had a return on equity of 595.44% and a net margin of 3.94%. The firm had revenue of $1.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.50 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.94 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Iron Mountain Incorporated will post 4.17 earnings per share for the current year. Iron Mountain Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be given a $0.715 dividend. This is a positive change from Iron Mountains previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 16th. This represents a $2.86 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.42%. Iron Mountains payout ratio is 433.33%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Iron Mountain from $106.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Iron Mountain from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on shares of Iron Mountain from $86.00 to $103.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Iron Mountain from $82.00 to $121.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Iron Mountain currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $99.83. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Iron Mountain Iron Mountain Profile (Free Report) Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE: IRM) is a global leader in information management services. Founded in 1951 and trusted by more than 240,000 customers worldwide, Iron Mountain serves to protect and elevate the power of our customers' work. Through a range of offerings including digital transformation, data centers, secure records storage, information management, asset lifecycle management, secure destruction and art storage and logistics, Iron Mountain helps businesses bring light to their dark data, enabling customers to unlock value and intelligence from their stored digital and physical assets at speed and with security, while helping them meet their environmental goals. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Iron Mountain Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Iron Mountain and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sargent Investment Group LLC cut its position in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF (NYSEARCA:EWW Free Report) by 3.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 6,680 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 250 shares during the period. Sargent Investment Group LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF were worth $378,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. CWM LLC boosted its stake in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF by 63.5% during the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 515 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Lowe Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF by 16.2% during the second quarter. Lowe Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,848 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $105,000 after acquiring an additional 258 shares during the last quarter. MGB Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF by 6.3% during the 1st quarter. MGB Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,051 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $350,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Management raised its holdings in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Management now owns 30,579 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,120,000 after acquiring an additional 320 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Greenwood Capital Associates LLC lifted its stake in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Greenwood Capital Associates LLC now owns 22,195 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,538,000 after purchasing an additional 321 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI Mexico ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Mexico ETF Price Performance Shares of iShares MSCI Mexico ETF stock opened at $54.56 on Tuesday. iShares MSCI Mexico ETF has a 1-year low of $50.78 and a 1-year high of $71.12. The stock has a market cap of $1.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.53 and a beta of 0.87. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $55.64 and its 200-day simple moving average is $61.32. About iShares MSCI Mexico ETF iShares MSCI Mexico Capped ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Mexico Capped Investable Market Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the MSCI Mexico IMI 25/50 Index (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Mexican Stock Exchange. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Mexico ETF (NYSEARCA:EWW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Mexico ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Mexico ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JAPAN POST BANK Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:JPSTF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 4,310,100 shares, a decrease of 18.9% from the August 15th total of 5,317,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3,315.5 days. JAPAN POST BANK Trading Down 2.4 % Shares of JPSTF stock traded down $0.22 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $9.04. 7,680 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,816. JAPAN POST BANK has a 12-month low of $8.66 and a 12-month high of $10.15. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $9.53 and its 200-day simple moving average is $9.71. Get JAPAN POST BANK alerts: JAPAN POST BANK Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Stories JAPAN POST BANK Co, Ltd. provides various banking products and services to retail and corporate clients in Japan and internationally. The company offers liquid deposits, including transfer deposits, savings deposits, ordinary deposits, etc.; fixed-term deposits, such as time deposits, TEIGAKU deposits, etc.; and other deposits, as well as negotiable certificates of deposit. Receive News & Ratings for JAPAN POST BANK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JAPAN POST BANK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. L & S Advisors Inc trimmed its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report) by 4.7% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 63,072 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,114 shares during the quarter. Novo Nordisk A/S comprises about 1.0% of L & S Advisors Incs investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest position. L & S Advisors Incs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $9,003,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of NVO. First PREMIER Bank bought a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel Inc. bought a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Novo Nordisk A/S in the first quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Gilliland Jeter Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 200.0% in the second quarter. Gilliland Jeter Wealth Management LLC now owns 180 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. 11.54% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Performance Shares of NVO opened at $136.90 on Tuesday. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 52 week low of $86.96 and a 52 week high of $148.15. The stock has a market cap of $614.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 0.42. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $133.90 and its 200-day moving average price is $133.14. 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 Cuts Dividend Novo Nordisk A/S ( NYSE:NVO Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $0.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.71 by ($0.06). Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 87.43% and a net margin of 34.86%. The firm had revenue of $9.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.91 billion. Equities research analysts anticipate that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 16th were issued a $0.5126 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 16th. Novo Nordisk A/Ss payout ratio is 24.83%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have commented on NVO shares. 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. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 19th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on Novo Nordisk A/S from $170.00 to $160.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $156.00 target price for the company. Finally, Argus upped their price target on Novo Nordisk A/S from $125.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $145.17. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on NVO Novo Nordisk A/S Profile (Free Report) Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease. Featured 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. Lear Co. (NYSE:LEA Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 2,310,000 shares, a growth of 7.9% from the August 15th total of 2,140,000 shares. Approximately 4.1% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 674,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.4 days. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lear A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of LEA. Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Lear in the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in Lear during the first quarter worth $29,000. Riverview Trust Co bought a new position in Lear during the first quarter worth $32,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Lear by 70.5% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 266 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Central Pacific Bank Trust Division bought a new position in shares of Lear in the first quarter valued at about $62,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.04% of the companys stock. Get Lear alerts: Lear Stock Down 0.7 % LEA stock opened at $104.04 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $114.58 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $124.65. The company has a market cap of $5.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.35, a P/E/G ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 1.45. Lear has a twelve month low of $101.67 and a twelve month high of $147.11. Lear Announces Dividend Lear ( NYSE:LEA Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The auto parts company reported $3.60 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.34 by $0.26. Lear had a return on equity of 14.75% and a net margin of 2.30%. The company had revenue of $6.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.02 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.33 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up .2% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Lear will post 12.79 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 23rd. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.77 per share. This represents a $3.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 4th. Lears payout ratio is currently 33.59%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms have issued reports on LEA. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Lear from $132.00 to $131.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating and set a $132.00 target price on shares of Lear in a report on Tuesday, September 10th. StockNews.com raised shares of Lear from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Bank of America dropped their price objective on shares of Lear from $205.00 to $185.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Finally, Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Lear in a research note on Thursday, September 5th. They issued a peer perform rating for the company. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $151.40. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Lear About Lear (Get Free Report) Lear Corporation designs, develops, engineers, manufactures, assembles, and supplies automotive seating, and electrical distribution systems and related components for automotive original equipment manufacturers in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. Its Seating segment offers seat systems, seat subsystems, keyseat components, seat trim covers, seat mechanisms, seat foams, and headrests, as well as surface materials, such as leather and fabric for automobiles and light trucks, compact cars, pick-up trucks, and sport utility vehicles. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Lear Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lear and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:MITEY Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 17,800 shares, an increase of 19.5% from the August 15th total of 14,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 52,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.3 days. Mitsubishi Estate Stock Up 0.6 % Shares of OTCMKTS MITEY traded up $0.10 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $16.30. The company had a trading volume of 34,588 shares, compared to its average volume of 45,306. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.72 billion, a PE ratio of 18.11 and a beta of 0.48. Mitsubishi Estate has a twelve month low of $12.21 and a twelve month high of $20.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.46 and a current ratio of 2.10. The stocks 50 day moving average is $16.33 and its 200-day moving average is $16.92. Get Mitsubishi Estate alerts: Mitsubishi Estate (OTCMKTS:MITEY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $0.10 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $2.11 billion during the quarter. Mitsubishi Estate had a return on equity of 5.47% and a net margin of 11.38%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Citigroup upgraded shares of Mitsubishi Estate to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, August 16th. Check Out Our Latest Report on MITEY About Mitsubishi Estate (Get Free Report) Mitsubishi Estate Co, Ltd. engages in the real estate activities in Japan and internationally. The company develops, leases, manages, and sells office buildings and commercial facilities; operates rental offices, coworking space, virtual offices, hourly meeting rooms, home delivery storage service, commercial nursing homes, and building garages; offers real estate management, as well as building management services, such as security, facility management, cleaning, and planting services; and operates hotels and airports. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Mitsubishi Estate Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mitsubishi Estate and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. One Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (NYSEARCA:IGM Free Report) by 2.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 30,504 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 654 shares during the quarter. One Capital Management LLCs holdings in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF were worth $2,877,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Signature Estate & Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF by 76.7% during the second quarter. Signature Estate & Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,783,263 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $168,180,000 after acquiring an additional 774,192 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC lifted its position in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF by 17.7% during the second quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 868,769 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $81,934,000 after purchasing an additional 130,619 shares during the last quarter. Gray Foundation lifted its position in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF by 500.0% during the first quarter. Gray Foundation now owns 522,084 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $44,993,000 after purchasing an additional 435,070 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its position in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF by 57.5% during the second quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 427,716 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $40,338,000 after purchasing an additional 156,117 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. lifted its position in iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF by 572.9% during the first quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 325,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $28,008,000 after purchasing an additional 276,700 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF alerts: iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF Trading Down 0.2 % Shares of IGM opened at $92.29 on Tuesday. iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF has a twelve month low of $60.65 and a twelve month high of $98.70. The company has a market cap of $4.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.11 and a beta of 1.53. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $91.58 and its 200-day simple moving average is $89.18. iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF Profile iShares North American Tech ETF, formerly iShares S&P North American Technology Sector Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, of the United States-traded technology companies, as represented by the S&P North American Technology Sector Index (the Index). Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IGM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (NYSEARCA:IGM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Q2 Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:QTWO Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $76.54 and last traded at $76.31, with a volume of 141638 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $74.61. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on QTWO shares. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Q2 from $60.00 to $76.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Truist Financial restated a buy rating and set a $78.00 price objective (up from $68.00) on shares of Q2 in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Q2 from $59.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Q2 from $65.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, Needham & Company LLC lifted their price objective on Q2 from $65.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $72.38. Get Q2 alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on QTWO Q2 Trading Up 2.1 % The company has a 50 day moving average price of $69.95 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $60.90. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -55.27 and a beta of 1.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 2.44 and a current ratio of 2.44. Q2 (NYSE:QTWO Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The technology company reported ($0.06) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.03) by ($0.03). Q2 had a negative net margin of 10.40% and a negative return on equity of 3.95%. The company had revenue of $172.89 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $170.67 million. On average, research analysts forecast that Q2 Holdings, Inc. will post -0.01 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at Q2 In other news, EVP Jonathan Price sold 11,000 shares of Q2 stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.00, for a total value of $660,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 226,079 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,564,740. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Jonathan Price sold 11,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.00, for a total value of $660,000.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 226,079 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,564,740. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CRO Michael A. Volanoski sold 1,428 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.93, for a total transaction of $102,716.04. Following the transaction, the executive now owns 227,672 shares in the company, valued at $16,376,446.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 54,916 shares of company stock valued at $3,896,644 over the last quarter. 3.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Q2 Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Wasatch Advisors LP raised its stake in Q2 by 10.8% during the first quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 4,078,877 shares of the technology companys stock worth $214,386,000 after purchasing an additional 398,871 shares during the period. Brown Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Q2 by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Brown Capital Management LLC now owns 2,565,647 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $134,850,000 after buying an additional 11,000 shares during the period. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Q2 by 2.5% in the second quarter. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC now owns 2,273,894 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $137,184,000 after acquiring an additional 54,970 shares during the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC grew its position in Q2 by 14.6% in the first quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 1,852,407 shares of the technology companys stock worth $97,363,000 after acquiring an additional 235,582 shares during the period. Finally, Hood River Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Q2 by 5.7% during the second quarter. Hood River Capital Management LLC now owns 1,261,924 shares of the technology companys stock worth $76,132,000 after acquiring an additional 67,757 shares during the last quarter. Q2 Company Profile (Get Free Report) Q2 Holdings, Inc provides cloud-based digital solutions to regional and community financial institutions in the United States. The company offers Digital Banking Platform, an end-to-end digital banking platform supports its financial institution customers in their delivery of unified digital banking services across digital channels. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Q2 Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Q2 and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quantbot Technologies LP grew its stake in Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV Free Report) by 177.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 117,042 shares of the airlines stock after acquiring an additional 74,891 shares during the quarter. Quantbot Technologies LPs holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $3,349,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of LUV. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in Southwest Airlines by 21.6% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 5,828,166 shares of the airlines stock valued at $166,742,000 after purchasing an additional 1,034,496 shares during the last quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Southwest Airlines in the second quarter worth approximately $206,000. Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of Southwest Airlines by 19.9% during the second quarter. Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC now owns 8,781 shares of the airlines stock valued at $251,000 after buying an additional 1,458 shares during the last quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale increased its position in shares of Southwest Airlines by 3.1% during the second quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 55,730 shares of the airlines stock valued at $1,606,000 after acquiring an additional 1,682 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Southwest Airlines by 3,949.1% in the 2nd quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,535 shares of the airlines stock worth $130,000 after acquiring an additional 4,423 shares during the last quarter. 80.82% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Southwest Airlines alerts: Southwest Airlines Stock Down 0.5 % LUV stock opened at $28.54 on Tuesday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $27.39 and its 200-day moving average price is $28.10. The stock has a market cap of $17.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 45.30, a PEG ratio of 27.22 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Southwest Airlines Co. has a twelve month low of $21.91 and a twelve month high of $35.18. Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend Southwest Airlines ( NYSE:LUV Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The airline reported $0.58 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.51 by $0.07. Southwest Airlines had a net margin of 0.41% and a return on equity of 5.92%. The business had revenue of $7.40 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.32 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.09 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 0.23 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 25th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.18 per share. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.52%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 4th. Southwest Airliness dividend payout ratio is currently 114.29%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have commented on the company. Evercore ISI upgraded Southwest Airlines from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and increased their target price for the company from $30.00 to $35.00 in a research note on Tuesday, September 3rd. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $26.00 to $19.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $29.00 to $28.25 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Argus reiterated a hold rating on shares of Southwest Airlines in a research note on Tuesday, May 28th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating and set a $29.00 price objective (down previously from $32.00) on shares of Southwest Airlines in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $28.38. Get Our Latest Analysis on LUV About Southwest Airlines (Free Report) Southwest Airlines Co operates as a passenger airline company that provides scheduled air transportation services in the United States and near-international markets. As of December 31, 2023, the company operated a total fleet of 817 Boeing 737 aircraft; and served 121 destinations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as ten near-international countries, including Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LUV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Southwest Airlines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southwest Airlines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BQE Water Inc. (CVE:BQE Get Free Report) Senior Officer Songlin Ye acquired 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 13th. The stock was bought at an average price of C$8.75 per share, with a total value of C$26,250.00. Songlin Ye also recently made the following trade(s): Get BQE Water alerts: On Tuesday, July 30th, Songlin Ye sold 800 shares of BQE Water stock. The shares were sold at an average price of C$60.80, for a total transaction of C$48,640.00. On Monday, July 8th, Songlin Ye sold 300 shares of BQE Water stock. The stock was sold at an average price of C$61.00, for a total transaction of C$18,300.00. BQE Water Trading Down 0.6 % BQE stock traded down C$0.35 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching C$53.75. The companys stock had a trading volume of 882 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,346. BQE Water Inc. has a 12 month low of C$25.50 and a 12 month high of C$69.00. The company has a current ratio of 5.62, a quick ratio of 3.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.98. The businesss 50 day moving average price is C$59.29 and its 200 day moving average price is C$55.03. The company has a market cap of C$68.80 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.85 and a beta of 0.68. About BQE Water BQE Water Inc, a water treatment company, provides wastewater management and treatment solutions to the mining and metallurgical industry in Canada, the United States, Latin America, China, and internationally. It offers water treatment solutions for mine drainage, run-off, waste rock seepage, tailings water, groundwater, and lime plant influent and/or effluent streams for treating metals, sulphate, selenium, nitrate, ammonia, and cyanide in the mining sector; smelting and refining services for treating metals and sulphate; and hydrometallurgy services for the treatment of metals, cyanide, and acids. Read More Receive News & Ratings for BQE Water Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BQE Water and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Today marks the first anniversary of the Cultural Landscape of the Old Tea Forests of Jingmai Mountain in Pu'er, southwest China's Yunnan Province, being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Far away on the European continent, people are also doing a meticulous job to protect a cluster of traditional fishing villages in Italy, called Cinque Terre, or "five lands." Check out the video and find out how the ecological wisdom aids the preservation of these cultural heritage wonders. Produced by Xinhua Global Service The Berkeley Group Holdings plc (OTCMKTS:BKGFF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 48,100 shares, a decline of 25.9% from the August 15th total of 64,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently days. The Berkeley Group Price Performance OTCMKTS BKGFF remained flat at $60.06 during mid-day trading on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $60.85 and a 200-day moving average price of $59.19. The Berkeley Group has a twelve month low of $51.49 and a twelve month high of $64.71. Get The Berkeley Group alerts: About The Berkeley Group (Get Free Report) Featured Articles The Berkeley Group Holdings plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the residential-led and mixed-use property development and ancillary activities in the United Kingdom. The company is involved in land selling activities. It operates under the Berkeley, St Edward, St George, St James, St Joseph, and St William brand names. Receive News & Ratings for The Berkeley Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Berkeley Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Swiss Helvetia Fund Inc. (NYSE:SWZ Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, September 6th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Thursday, September 19th will be paid a dividend of 0.129 per share by the closed-end fund on Monday, September 30th. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.75%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 19th. The Swiss Helvetia Fund Stock Up 1.4 % Shares of NYSE SWZ opened at $8.97 on Tuesday. The Swiss Helvetia Fund has a twelve month low of $7.12 and a twelve month high of $9.02. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $8.60 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $8.15. Get The Swiss Helvetia Fund alerts: The Swiss Helvetia Fund Company Profile (Get Free Report) Recommended Stories The Swiss Helvetia Fund Inc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Schroder Investment Management North America Inc The fund invests in public equity markets of Switzerland. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund primarily invests in value stocks of companies across all market capitalizations. Receive News & Ratings for The Swiss Helvetia Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Swiss Helvetia Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Yarger Wealth Strategies LLC grew its holdings in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG Free Report) by 14.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,442 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 183 shares during the quarter. Yarger Wealth Strategies LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $238,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Wulff Hansen & CO. lifted its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 16,292.0% in the 2nd quarter. Wulff Hansen & CO. now owns 3,675,902 shares of the companys stock valued at $606,230,000 after purchasing an additional 3,653,477 shares in the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc increased its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 114.9% in the 1st quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 3,568,671 shares of the companys stock valued at $579,017,000 after purchasing an additional 1,907,716 shares in the last quarter. Swedbank AB acquired a new stake in Procter & Gamble in the 1st quarter valued at $233,788,000. Ilex Capital Partners UK LLP purchased a new position in Procter & Gamble in the first quarter valued at about $228,212,000. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors boosted its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 24.4% in the first quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 5,560,887 shares of the companys stock worth $902,254,000 after buying an additional 1,089,102 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.77% of the companys stock. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Procter & Gamble Trading Up 1.8 % NYSE PG opened at $177.25 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $418.33 billion, a PE ratio of 28.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.76 and a beta of 0.41. The Procter & Gamble Company has a one year low of $141.45 and a one year high of $177.94. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $169.59 and a 200-day simple moving average of $165.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.73. Procter & Gamble Dividend Announcement Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.40 EPS 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 return on equity of 33.46% and a net margin of 17.71%. The businesss revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.37 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.97 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 19th were issued a dividend of $1.0065 per share. This represents a $4.03 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.27%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 19th. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 65.85%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. TD Cowen initiated coverage on Procter & Gamble in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. They set a buy rating and a $189.00 target price on the stock. BNP Paribas assumed coverage on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research note on Monday, June 24th. They set an outperform rating and a $187.00 price objective on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $157.00 to $161.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. Wolfe Research upgraded shares of Procter & Gamble to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group downgraded Procter & Gamble from a buy rating to a hold rating and lowered their target price for the company from $182.00 to $175.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $175.79. Get Our Latest Research Report on PG Insider Buying and Selling In other Procter & Gamble news, CEO Ma. Fatima Francisco sold 96,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total transaction of $16,320,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 13,721 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,332,570. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CEO Jon R. Moeller sold 87,979 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.40, for a total value of $14,991,621.60. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 300,777 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $51,252,400.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Ma. Fatima Francisco sold 96,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total transaction of $16,320,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 13,721 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,332,570. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 375,553 shares of company stock valued at $63,829,141 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock. About Procter & Gamble (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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG Free Report). 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. JERUSALEM, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Tuesday expanded its goals of the military operation in Gaza to include the safe return of northern Israel residents who were evacuated due to the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah along the Israel-Lebanon border. A statement from his office said the decision was approved during an overnight meeting of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet. The ministers updated the goals "to include the following clause: the safe return of northern residents to their homes," the statement said. On Monday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told White House special envoy Amos Hochstein, who arrived in Tel Aviv to discuss efforts toward de-escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, that "the window for a diplomatic resolution is closing." Military action is the only way to achieving calm on the northern border, said Gallant. Tens of thousands of residents on both sides of the border have been displaced due to the fighting. Hezbollah has said it would cease fire if Israel and Hamas agree to end the fighting. TAIPEI, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- As Mid-Autumn Festival arrived once again on the 15th day of the eighth month on the Chinese lunar calendar, Yang Ming-quan, who resides in Taipei, called his cousin, thousands of miles away in southwest China's Yunnan Province. The voice with a familiar accent from across the Taiwan Strait was the deeply-cherished sound Yang wanted to hear during this holiday. This year, Taiwan shortened the usual three-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday to just a one-day break on Tuesday. However, the festive atmosphere remained undiminished, and longing for reunion still drove people to gather. Hundreds of Hakka descendants in Taiwan, whose ancestors were from Fujian and Guangdong provinces on the mainland, gathered in Taipei for a grand Mid-Autumn Festival banquet on Monday. "Hakka people have migrated to Taiwan continuously over the years, but respecting traditions and honoring our ancestors have always been key characteristics of our culture," said Huang Chen-long, deputy secretary-general of the Taiwan Hakka General Chamber of Commerce. Organizing this "grand reunion" during the Mid-Autumn Festival is meant to remind Hakka people in Taiwan of where they came from, Huang said. The development of Taiwan was closely tied to waves of migration from various corners of the Chinese mainland over generations. While moon-gazing and eating moon cakes are unchanged Mid-Autumn rituals on the island, various types of moon cakes sold in Taiwan, from Guangdong-style lotus seed paste to Suzhou-style flaky crust and Yunnan-style ham, all tell stories of nostalgia. Liu Hua-cheng, president of the Shandong Association of Kaohsiung City, recalled the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations of his childhood. "My parents were both from Qingdao (in east China's Shandong Province). After coming to Taiwan, they lost contact with their relatives back home for a long time. When the Mid-Autumn Festival came, their longing for home intensified," he said. His parents would always face the direction of their homeland and present offerings to their ancestors during the holiday. The farther away people are from home, the stronger their sense of longing becomes. Lee Cheng-yen, whose ancestral home is in the northwestern Gansu Province, described his hometown as "distant but cherished." "Taiwan is located on the southeastern coast of China, while my hometown is in the northwestern region of the mainland, thousands of kilometers apart -- that's what makes it distant," Lee said. Lee's father left Gansu for Taiwan in the 1920s and never returned, but he often spoke to his son about their hometown. "My nostalgia about my hometown is both for the place and for the people, especially my father who has passed away," he said. Deep connections with ancestral homes on the mainland led to the establishment of many townsmen associations across Taiwan. Today, dozens of them remain active, organizing events during holidays such as the Lunar New Year, Qingming Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival. For the older generation, these associations were a spiritual home to help alleviate homesickness. Today, they serve as a bridge to maintain blood ties and bring the hearts of people across the Strait closer together. Although the two sides of the Strait have been separated since 1949, the complete cutoff that once existed between people of Taiwan and their ancestral homes on the mainland is now in the distant past. This year, Yang Ming-quan, who recently became president of the Taipei Yunnan Association, led a group of Yunnan descendants living in Taiwan back to their hometown shortly ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival. "People on both sides of the Strait share the same ancestry and bloodline. The natural closeness we feel when celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival together is undeniable," he said. Zhu Peng-jun, from a Hakka family in Miaoli, performed a Hakka song at a recent Mid-Autumn Festival gala held in Longyan of Fujian. "This was my first time visiting a Hakka community on the mainland, and it felt both fresh and familiar," said Zhu. During the trip, he interacted with several young Hakka people from the mainland. "I could feel the continuity of traditional culture among young people on both sides of the Strait," he said. GAZA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army claimed on Tuesday that it had killed an official of the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), in a raid in the southern Gaza Strip. Based on intelligence information, the army conducted an operation on Monday inside the humanitarian area in Khan Younis and killed Ahmed al-Hashash, commander of the PIJ's rocket and missile unit for the Rafah area, army spokesperson Avichai Adraee said in a press statement. He added that al-Hashash was considered an "important expert in the missile field and during the war, he served as the commander of the fighting and launch operations towards Israeli territory from inside the humanitarian area where he was stationed." So far, PIJ has not commented on the incident. Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza 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 Gaza Strip has risen to 41,252, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday. Three drunk people, a police constable, a civic volunteer (CV) and a home guard were arrested on charges of allegedly assaulting a bar owner and his employees in the Sankrail police station (PS) area of Howrah on Sunday night. The three accused are Punjab Mondal, constable, Arindam Kongar, CV and Bijoy Pal, contractual home guard. According to police sources, the incident occurred when the three accused were involved in a brawl with the owner and his employees at the bar at Dhulagarh along Mumbai Road on Sunday night. Advertisement They assaulted the owner and other staff, alleging inflated bills for food and drinks made by the latter. Police force from the concerned Sankrail PS rushed to the spot soon after they were informed of the trouble at the bar-cum-restaurant and detained the three accused. The constable is attached with Domjur PS. Praveen Kumar Tripathi, commissioner of Howrah police commissionerate, said that three persons were arrested after preliminary investigation. They allegedly in an inebriated state assaulted some people, including a bar owner on Sunday night, he added. Indias trade deficit stood at $29.65 billion in August compared with $23.5 billion in July and $20.98 billion in June, as per the Ministry of Commerce and Industry data released here on Tuesday. The trade deficit widened to a 10-month high in August as imports increased and damp global demand amid geopolitical challenges led to a drop in exports from a year ago. According to the data shared by the ministry, the merchandise exports during August 2024 were USD 34.71 billion as compared to USD 38.28 billion in August 2023. Merchandise imports during August 2024 were USD 64.36 billion as compared to USD 62.30 billion in August 2023. Advertisement Further, the data shows that the merchandise trade deficit during April-August 2024 was USD 116.64 billion compared to USD 99.16 billion during April-August 2023. Indias total exports, combining merchandise and services, for August 2024 is estimated at USD 65.40 billion, registering a negative growth of (-) 2.38% vis-a-vis August 2023. Total imports, merchandise, and services combined, for August 2024 is estimated at USD 80.06 billion, registering a positive growth of 3.45% compared to August 2023. The estimated value of services export for August 2024 is USD 30.69 billion as compared to USD 28.71 billion in August 2023, the ministry data said. While the estimated value of services imports for August 2024 is USD 15.70 billion as compared to USD 15.09 Billion in August 2023. Services exports is estimated to grow by 10.84 per cent during April-August 2024 over April-August 2023, the ministry said in a statement. The top 5 export destinations, in terms of change in value, exhibiting positive growth in August 2024 over last year are the Netherlands (28.92%), Kenya (105.72%), Russia (44.61%), Brazil (27.05%) and UK (14.57%). The top 5 import sources, in terms of change in value, exhibiting growth in August 2024 are USE (72.7%), Switzerland (80.45%), China P Rp (15.55%), UK (124.55%) and Oman (274.95%). Rebel Wilson has revealed that her journey into directing drew profound influence from her former co-star Elizabeth Banks, known for her role in Pitch Perfect. In a recent interview with People, Wilson opened up about how Bankss success as a first-time female director on Pitch Perfect 2 sparked a significant shift in her own career ambitions. Wilson described Bankss achievement as groundbreaking, noting, Elizabeth Banks stepped into the role of a first-time female director with Pitch Perfect 2, and it was a massive success. Watching her accomplish that was incredibly inspiring for all of us. This inspiration, according to Wilson, ignited a sense of possibility among the cast, encouraging them to pursue their own directorial dreams. Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rebel Wilson (@rebelwilson) The camaraderie among the Pitch Perfect cast continues to thrive, with Wilson revealing that they stay connected through a group chat. Were constantly updating each other on our projects and offering support, she said. Even though our individual projects are quite different, the mutual encouragement remains strong. Elizabeth Banks has since expanded her directing portfolio beyond Pitch Perfect 2, including a 2019 reboot of Charlies Angels and the 2023 hit horror-comedy Cocaine Bear. Meanwhile, Anna Kendrick, another prominent Pitch Perfect alum, has also ventured into directing. Her film, Snows Parachute, a drama centered on an eating disorder, premiered in 2022. Kendricks upcoming project, Woman of the Hour, a true-crime thriller about serial killer Rodney Alcala, is ready to release on Netflix next month. Despite Kendricks talent for musicals, Wilson expressed surprise at her choice of genre. She said, It is of surprise Anna didnt go for a musical, given how iconic she is in that genre. Rebel Wilsons own directorial debut, The Deb, made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. Initially, Wilson had only planned to act in the film, taking on the role of Janette, a salon worker and mother to a local bully. However, to secure financing, she agreed to direct as well. It had to be a musical for me, Wilson said. The dedication and passion required for directing meant that the project had to be something I truly loved. Kim Woo Bin, the popular South Korean actor, recently opened up about his harrowing battle with nasopharyngeal cancer on the YouTube show Zzanbro Shin Dong Yup, which aired on September 16. Kim, who appeared alongside his Officer Black Belt co-star Kim Sung Kyun, shared candid details about his journey from diagnosis to recovery. In the interview, Kim Woo Bin, popular for his upbeat demeanor, talked about his experience with cancer after receiving the diagnosis report in 2017. By 2019, the doctors declared him cancer-free. Reflecting on his ordeal, Kim recalled the moment he was told he had only six months to live, a prognosis that left him stunned and fearful. It felt like a scene straight out of a drama, Kim admitted. Despite the gravity of his situation, he revealed that he never entertained the thought of not overcoming the disease. His resolve remained unshaken, even in the face of such a grim prognosis. Kims positive outlook, he explained, played a crucial role in his recovery. Although staying optimistic was challenging, he approached his illness as an opportunity for rest after a decade of intense work. He likened his situation to a pause granted by fate, offering him a chance to regroup. The actor also expressed deep gratitude for the immense support he received from fans and friends during his treatment. Their prayers and encouragement, he noted, were a significant source of strength for him. BTS rapper RM and Megan Thee Stallions peppy collaborative track Neva Play debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The track has taken over fans who cant stop grooving over the collaborative efforts of two global musical icons. Featuring a blend of Megans bold rap style and RMs verses in a deep voice adding more layers, the track features a catchy hook. On September 16, Billboard announced that Megan Thee Stallions Neva Play ft RM had entered the Hot 100 chart at No. 36. The track entered the chart just within 10 days of its release. The entry is RMs second feature in the Billboard Hot 100 as a soloist and Neva Play gives him his personal best debut to date. Previously, RM (Namjoon) debuted on the list with his 2022 track Wild Flower. Moreover, the Mamushi hitmaker also expressed her appreciation for the BTS boy saying This is one of my favourite RM verses Ive heard! Ive never heard him rap in this style before. Billboard Hot 100 week of Sep 21st, 2024 Advertisement 30. #Jimin of #BTS Who 36. Megan Thee Stallion & #RM Neva Play 88. #LE_SSERAFIM Crazy KOREAN SALES (@koreansales_twt) September 17, 2024 Moreover, on September 13, the UK Singles Official Chart announced the debut of Neva Play at No. 66. The chart is the UK equivalent to the US Billboard chart. The impressive feature on the chart is also RMs career-best ranking on the UK chart. His previous solo tracks Come Back to Me peaked at No. 80 and LOST reached No. 93. Neva Play released on September 6. The track resembles a video game setting with an animated version of RM. On the other hand, Megan is seen in her real avatar donning a red ensemble. The video starts with Megan kicking off the track with her bold rap style as she plays pinball. Adding a layer of depth and elevating the track, RMs segment adds more freshness. His deep voice and calm vocals help bring out Megans power-packed and peppy lyrics. Fusing different rap cultures and styles, Megan Thee Stallion and RM have created a fresh and catchy song. Also Read: SEVENTEEN teases mini-album Spill the Feels ahead of World Tour Meanwhile, RM is currently completing his mandatory military service. In May, he released his second solo album, Right Place, Wrong Person. The BTS rapper also collaborated with Megan Thee Stallion on her recent release, Neva Play. Additionally, his documentary Right People Wrong Time will premiere at the Busan Film Festival. On the other hand, On June 28, Megan Thee Stallion dropped her third studio album Megan. The album included tracks like Cobra, Hiss, Boa, and Mamushi. The track Hiss became Megans first solo to reach No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200 charts. In a decisive move to address sexual misconduct and abuse within the film industry, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce convened a meeting on Monday. The session, chaired by Nagalakshmi Choudhary, aimed to tackle the pressing issue of sexual offenses and other forms of abuse experienced by women in the cinematic field. The meeting saw the participation of prominent film personalities including actresses Bhawana, Sanjana Garlani, and Tara, alongside director Kavita Lankesh. Numerous other actresses and film industry professionals joined them, all united in their goal to address and prevent sexual misconduct. Central to the discussion of the Karnataka film chamber was the creation of a dedicated committee responsible for handling and mitigating cases of sexual offenses within the industry. This initiative comes in response to increasing concerns about the safety and well-being of women working in film. Advertisement The urgency of the meeting came after the recent release of the Hema Committee Report, which details severe exploitation and mistreatment of women in the Malayalam film industry. The report, compiled by a three-member panel led by a former Kerala High Court judge, was finalized in December 2019 but only became public last month. The Hema report provides a harrowing account of the challenges faced by women in the industry, including instances of harassment and ill-treatment. In response, the Kerala government has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to delve into these issues further and provide justice for the affected individuals. The Aam Aadmi party is set to announce the new Delhi Chief Minister by 12 pm today after the partys legislative meeting in the national capital. According to the Aam Aadmi Party, the meeting will be held at the Chief Ministers residence today. Following this, Arvind Kejriwal will meet the Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena at 4:30 p.m. today and the newly chosen leader of the legislative party will simultaneously stake a claim for the post of Chief Minister. Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj remained tight-lipped about who will succeed Arvind Kejriwal as Chief Minister, stating only that the successor could be either a current minister or an MLA. It does not matter who sits on the CM chair because the mandate was for Arvind Kejriwal. The public chose Arvind Kejriwal. He has said that he will not sit on the CM chair until the people ask again but the chair belongs to Arvind Kejriwal for these and the next 5 years One of us will sit on the chair until the elections take place. It will be similar to the way Bharat ruled in the absence of Lord Ram, Bharadwaj said. On being asked who will replace Arvind Kejriwal, Bharadwaj said, It can be an MLA or any present minister. There will be a discussion with the MLAs today and the name may be decided. Advertisement Kejriwal announced on Sunday that he would resign and would not resume the CMs post until the people of Delhi declared him honest. He has also called for advancing polls in the national capital to November this year, ahead of the scheduled February elections. Kejriwal stated that if re-elected by the public, it would serve as a certificate of his honesty. He added that he would push for early elections, alongside those in Maharashtra. The announcement by the 54-year-old leader came two days after he was released from the Tihar jail after being granted bail by the Supreme Court in a corruption case related to the alleged Delhi Excise Policy scam. The apex court also imposed certain conditions on Kejriwals release, including that he must refrain from making public comments about the case and must attend all hearings before the trial court unless exempted. A 38-year-old youth from Edavanna in Keralas Malappuram district, who showed symptoms of Mpox, has been put under observation at the Manjeri Medical College hospital. The youth, who returned from Dubai only last week, reached Manjeri Medical College Hospital with fever and rashes on his hands on Monday. Dermatologists, who examined him, grew suspicious and isolated him for further examination. His serum samples have already been sent to the virology laboratory at Government Medical College, Kozhikode. Health department officials are now waiting for the sample result. Advertisement Meanwhile, with the virus infection confirmed in the 24-year-old man who died at a hospital last week, the health department has placed the district on high alert Masks have been made mandatory in Malappuram district. Five wards in Tiruvali and Mampad grama panchayats have been declared containment zones. Schools, colleges, madrasas, anganwadis and cinema halls in these zones will remain closed until the Nipah restrictions are lifted. In this connection, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said on Tuesday that 13 people who came into contact with the youth who died of Nipah virus in Malappuram district last week, have tested negative for the disease. She further said of the total 175 people on the contact list of the deceased man, the samples of 13 people, in the high-risk category, tested negative at the Manjeri Government Medical College Hospital in Malappuram. BEIRUT, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- At least 1,000 Hezbollah members were wounded when the pagers they use to communicate exploded on Tuesday, MTV local channel reported, updating previous reports of dozens of injuries by other local media outlets. Israeli military targeted the batteries of these pagers, leading to their explosions, said the report, adding the injured were being transferred to hospitals in the capital Beirut and other regions. There has been no report of fatalities in the incident so far, it noted. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged the mobilization of all departments of the Public Health Ministry to follow up on medical care for the wounded. The ministry's Emergency Operations Center issued an urgent statement requesting all hospitals across Lebanon to be on high alert and enhance preparedness to meet the massive need for emergency health services. Meanwhile, the ministry asked all citizens to discard their pager devices immediately over safety concerns. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday picked Education Minister Atishi to succeed Arvind Kejriwal as the new Chief Minister of Delhi following Kejriwals announcement of resignation from the post. The decision was taken during a Legislative Party meeting of the Aam Aadmi Party. Her name was proposed by Kejriwal and she was unanimously elected as Delhi AAPs Legislative Party Leader. Advertisement Speaking to reporters after the meeting, senior AAP leader and Delhi minister Gopal Rai said that Atishi will carry out the responsibilities as the new CM untill elections. When he (Arvind Kejriwal) decided to resign, legislative party meeting was held today. In the meeting it was unanimously decided that until the next elections, that we want to be held in October-Novemver at the earliest, and people make Arvind Kejriwal the Delhi CM with a thumping majority, Atishi would carry out the responsibilities as the new CM, Rai said. After a series of meetings over the past few days, AAP ministers and MLAs convened at the party office this morning to select the new Legislative Party Leader. Atishi, a senior leader and key member of Kejriwals cabinet, emerged as the unanimous choice to lead Delhis government. Atishis appointment comes amidst intense speculation about Kejriwals successor, with many names considered in the run-up to todays announcement. The name of Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Arvind Kejriwal was also being speculated but she reportedly refused to take over the reins. Atishi is expected to take the oath of office later this week. Her appointment signals a new chapter in Delhis political landscape as she will be the first woman CM to lead the national capital after Sheila Dikshit. Atishi, a prominent face in AAP, is said to be close to both Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia. She was the face of the Aam Aadmi Party in the absence of Kejriwal and Sisodia. Kejriwal, who announced his decision to step down as Delhi CM on Sunday, will formally submit his resignation to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena at around 4:30 pm today, marking the end of his tenure as Delhis CM. Reacting to Delhi Education Minister Atishi elevation, Gupta said, Atishi will function like a rubber-stamp CM with the real control in Kejriwals hands. She will do exactly as Kejriwal directs. She will remain only a dummy CM of Delhi. The leader of the Opposition said, By appointing Atishi, who is a supporter of leftist ideology, as CM, Kejriwal has revealed his own left-leaning face to the public. It is deeply saddening that Delhis leadership is being handed over to a woman whose family members were active in efforts to save Afzal Guru, the main accused in the Parliament attack. By installing a leftist-minded person like Atishi as CM, Kejriwal is covertly trying to implement a leftist agenda in Delhi. By being forced to resign, he has made it clear that he is attempting to escape responsibility for 10 years of misrule and corruption under the AAP government. Kejriwal is avoiding presenting his report card to the public, Gupta said. Advertisement Taking a swipe at Atishi, he said, The situation in Delhi will deteriorate even further as Atishis tenure as a minister has been entirely unsuccessful. As water minister, she failed to take action on the hundreds of incidents of waterlogging caused by the monsoon. As PWD minister, the current state of Delhis roads is evident to all. He urged the people of Delhi not to be under any illusions about Atishi. Warning the people of Delhi against having any illusions about Atishi, he said the BJP has already exposed the rampant corruption due to financial irregularities in educational institutions during her tenure as education minister. Her appointment as CM will not change the states condition or direction. In the next Assembly elections (2025), the people must decide what kind of government they want in Delhi one aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a Developed India, or the AAP government, which is deeply entrenched in corruption, said Gupta. The Congress on Tuesday ridiculed the BJP claim of containing terrorism in the Jammu region, accusing the ruling party of misleading the public with hollow assurances. The region has witnessed a sharp increase in terrorist activities, killing of pilgrims, and infiltration in the last couple of years, it remarked. Interacting with media persons, senior AICC and Congress Working Committee member Gurdeep Singh Sappal highlighted the rise in attacks on civilians and security personnel in areas that were earlier considered relatively peaceful, asserting that the BJPs claims of controlling terrorism are far from reality. Advertisement The gravity of the situation can be gauged from the fact that hours before the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Doda, terrorists struck in the same region in the Chhatroo area in which two soldiers of the Army attained martyrdom, Singh said. The increase in terror incidents in the Jammu division is a glaring failure of the BJPs security policy, he said, criticising the government for being complacent and failing to adopt a comprehensive approach to combat the growing threat of terrorism in the region. Pointing to the rising number of attacks in districts like Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, and Udhampur, the Congress leader emphasised that Jammu is no longer immune to the wave of terrorism that has traditionally plagued the Kashmir Valley. He accused the BJP of using national security as a political tool while neglecting the safety and well-being of the people living in Jammu. Singh underscored the BJPs failure to fulfil its promise of ensuring a secure and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir. He, however, said that the ground reality paints a different picture. The resurgence of terrorist attacks, especially targeting civilians, security forces, and infrastructure, demonstrates that the BJPs approach to security in J&K has been ineffective, he said. He accused the BJP of adopting a strategy that is more focused on political posturing rather than addressing the root causes of militancy in the region. Singh argued that the BJPs claims of normalcy and development in J&K, particularly after the revocation of Article 370, are misleading, as the security situation remains volatile. The Centre has invited platform aggregators to register themselves and their workers on e-Shram Portal. The Ministry of Labour & Employment has taken another major step in extending social security benefits to gig and platform workers by inviting the platform aggregators to register their workers on the e-Shram portal. This registration is crucial to ensuring workers access to social welfare schemes, while aggregators will help develop an accurate registry of beneficiaries, the Ministry said on Tuesday. To monitor the process, the Ministry has issued an advisory with a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlining aggregator responsibilities, including registering workers and updating their data. Upon registration, the platform workers will receive a Universal Account Number (UAN), which will allow them access to key social security benefits. Advertisement The Central government, working with a few aggregators, has successfully completed testing for API integration and is advancing the registration process. This joint effort aims to ensure full coverage of gig workers, with ongoing collaboration between the Ministry and platform aggregators. Through the guidelines, the aggregators have also been requested to regularly update workers details, including work engagement and payments. Any workers exit must be reported promptly to maintain accurate records, the Ministry said. To assist with the onboarding of workers and aggregators, a toll-free helpline (14434) has been set up to provide information, guide registration, and resolve any technical issues encountered during the process. The Ministry has also scheduled a meeting with the Aggregators on Wednesday which will be chaired by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Labour and Employment to sensitise and encourage them in this important initiative. The Congress on Tuesday slammed the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre after it completed 100 days of its tenure and said it is a directionless government as it has no vision to solve the issues concerning the public. Reacting to 100 days of completion of the Narendra Modi-led government, Congress general secretary in-charge of Organisation KC Venugopal said, During the election (Lok Sabha) campaign, PM Modi boldly said that he had a grand 100-day agenda. As we look back at the 100 days of the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government, we see a whole host of disasters, reversals and a directionless government that is completely failing the people of India. He asserted that only a brief scan of the major events since 4th June will tell how disastrous this regime has already been. Advertisement Referring to the situation in Manipur, the senior Congress leader said, Manipur is still on fire, with advanced weapons like rocket launchers and drones being used by militants. Notably, the Congress has been attacking the Prime Minister over the situation in the strife-torn state. Highlighting other issues, Venugopal said, After the NEET-UG fiasco, multiple examinations have been cancelled due to paper leaks. Thirty-eight railway accidents since June 2024. A disastrous budget that levied fresh taxes on the middle class. Lateral entry scheme that would be the first step towards destroying reservations. There is still no vision to solve the unemployment crisis, rural distress or skyrocketing price rise that the ordinary citizen is suffering from. All that the government can do is create fake PR and spread falsehood and hatred to divert attention. But the people have completely lost faith in the regime and the current trajectory suggests that this NDA government will only prolong the misery of the common man, he said in a social media post. Echoing similar sentiments, Congress general secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh said, Yesterday marked a hundred days of this unstable, crisis-ridden government. Amidst a litany of U-turns and a series of scandals, the government has yet again failed to act on Indias mass unemployment crisis an issue which the Indian National Congress has been consistently sounding the alarm on for the past five years at least. He claimed that Indias unemployment rate is the highest in 45 years, with the unemployment rate for graduate youth at 42 per cent. As the violence in Manipur persists, the Indian government is ramping up efforts to mediate between the Kuki and Meitei communities for lasting peace in the state, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said. Addressing a press conference to mark the first 100 days of Prime Minister Modis third term on Tuesday, the home minister emphasised the governments commitment to resolving the deep-rooted ethnic conflict. He outlined the roadmap for a permanent peace through dialogue as a crucial tool in addressing the ongoing tensions. Despite some progress, violence erupted again in early September 2024 with clashes between armed Kuki and Meitei groups claiming lives and exacerbating tensions. Advertisement Over 220 people have been killed since the outbreak of violence in May 2023 following protests against a court ruling in favour of the Meitei community. Tensions have been fueled by issues such as illegal immigration from Myanmar, drug trafficking, and deforestation, as alleged by state officials. The government has also focused on beefing up security at the India-Myanmar border, identifying it as a key factor in the conflict. A fencing project is underway while 30 kilometers have already been completed with an aim to curb illegal infiltration, which many believe has contributed to the unrest. The India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime that allowed people to cross the border without documents has been nullified. Now, visas are required for cross-border movement. Meanwhile, essential supplies are being expanded across Manipur, with 16 new Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandars, half of which are located in hill areas, aimed at providing relief to conflict-affected communities. While violence remains a pressing issue, the government hopes its dialogue-driven approach and strategic measures will lead to a peace and stability in the troubled northeastern state. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, among prominent leaders from across the party lines greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 74th birthday. BJP National President JP Nadda, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal extended their best wishes to the prime minister on the occasion. PM Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar in Gujarat. Advertisement The President led the nation in greeting the prime minister on his birthday. In a post on X in Hindi, she said, Hearty congratulations and best wishes to Prime Minister Shri@narendramodiji on his birthday. On the strength of your personality and work, you have provided extraordinary leadership and increased the prosperity and prestige of the country. I wish that your innovative efforts with the spirit of nation first pave the way to make India a developed nation. I pray to God that you live long and always remain healthy and happy. In a post on X, Vice-President Dhankhar wrote, Heartfelt wishes to @narendramodi ji on his birthday! In governance for over two decades, and as Prime Minister over a decade in historic third continual term, he has aroused the soul of Bharat, stimulated its cultural values, nurtured its civilisational ethos and firmly set it on the unprecedented developmental trajectory towards #ViksitBharat by 2047. With new insights and resolute will, may you continue to lead Bharat for many years to come! Pray Almighty to give you the strength and be blessed with good health. Taking to his X handle to greet the prime minister on the occasion, Home Minister Shah said, In the form of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, the country has got such a decisive leader, who has worked to bring about a change in the lives of the deprived by bringing them into the mainstream, starting from the security of the country. Along with increasing the self-esteem of the countrymen, the global outlook towards India has also changed under his leadership. Modi ji, who has increased the prestige of the country from the depths of the sea to the heights of space, is an inspiration for peace, compassion and empathy all over the world. #HappyBdayModiji. Lauding PM Modis commitment to the service of the nation, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, Many congratulations and best wishes to the successful Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi on his birthday. Not only India but the whole world has seen and experienced his visionary and strong leadership. Modiji has led the country with full readiness, concentration and asceticism and is still doing so. #HappyBdayModiji Commending PM Modis leadership, Nadda said the goal of building a developed India has become the resolve of every person. Under your leadership, our goal of service, good governance and development is taking a concrete shape. Your leadership and guidance are always an inspiration for millions of BJP workers. I pray to God for your long life and good health. Best wishes! #HappyBdayModiji, he said in a post on X. In his birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi wrote on X, Happy Birthday PM Narendra Modi ji. Wishing you a long and healthy life. Many other leaders from Opposition parties greeted Prime Minister Modi. Mallikarjun Kharge posted on X, Best wishes to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi Ji on his birthday. May he be blessed with good health and long life. Arvind Kejriwal said, Heartiest birthday wishes to Honble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji. I wish you a long and healthy life. Warmest birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Wishing you a long life with enduring health in the years ahead, read a post of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on X. Meanwhile, the BJP celebrated Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday by organising seva pakhwara (service fortnight) across the country from September 17 to October 2. Various welfare activities across the country will be held during the seva pakhwada, which commenced on September 17 and continue till October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. India and THE US convened the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) Ministerial meet and reviewed the initiatives undertaken across the technical pillars, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas said on Tuesday. The ministerial meet was convened by the US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri in Washington DC. The initiatives undertaken across the technical pillars under the SCEP, including Power AND Energy Efficiency, Responsible Oil and Gas, Renewable Energy, Emerging Fuels and Technologies, and Sustainable Growth were reviewed. Advertisement The ministers welcomed progress made under the partnership to drive clean energy innovation, strengthen energy security, and accelerate clean energy transitions, including through more focused efforts on clean energy manufacturing and building resilient, responsible, stable, secure and diversified supply chains. While recognizing the need to work towards a just, orderly and sustainable energy transition, which prioritizes access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy supplies, the sides welcomed the important role that energy trade plays in supporting the national priorities of both countries. The ministers recognized the progress the two countries have made to accelerate development and deployment of emerging clean energy technologies, advancing renewable energy deployment and reliable grid integration, promote energy efficiency, and advance decarbonization of high-emitting sectors like industry, buildings, and transport. Both the sides stressed the importance of supporting large-scale grid integration of renewable energy while enabling flexible and reliable grid operations through energy storage. The two countries highlighted the importance of modernizing the power distribution sector to supply 247 reliable power to consumers, welcomed support for Indias smart metering deployment, as well as expanded efforts on inverter-based resources, power market reforms, system inertia estimation, and cybersecurity. The ministers also commended the Indian Railways (IR) efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 and welcomed collaboration to support Indias first round-the-clock renewable energy procurement of over 1.5 GW and development of an energy efficiency policy and action plan for all railway facilities. The two countries reiterated their commitment to enhance energy efficiency and welcomed collaboration on super-efficient appliances to improve efficiency standards. They also welcomed new collaboration on electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. At the discussion, the ministers stressed the importance of supporting large-scale grid integration of renewable energy while enabling flexible and reliable grid operations through energy storage. Further, both the countries welcomed collaboration on the new National Centre for Hydrogen Safety in India and partnership on the 2nd International Conference on Green Hydrogen held in September 2024. In a Sharp criticism of the Aam Aadmi Partys announcement to name Atishi as Chief Minister of Delhi, its Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Tuesday termed it as a sad day for Delhi claiming that Atishis parents had fought to save convicted terrorist Afzal Gurus death penalty who was hanged in 2013 for his involvement in 2001 parliament attack. Taking to social media platform X, she posted, Today is a very sad day for Delhi. A woman is being made the Chief Minister of Delhi whose family fought a long battle to save terrorist Afzal Guru from the death penalty. In the post , she added that, Atishsis parents wrote mercy petitions to the President for saving terrorist Afzal Guru who, according to them, was innocent and trapped in a political conspiracy. Advertisement The MP further mentioned, Although Atishi will merely act as a Dummy CM , this issue is related to national security. God save the people of Delhi from such a CM, she added. To prove her point, Maliwal shared on X, the mercy letter written by Atishis mother and Delhi University professor Tripta Wahi to the President to stop Afzal Gurus hanging at that time. In response to this statement, AAP leader Dilip Pandey told the media that Maliwal reads BJPs script despite being sent to Rajya Sabha by the AAP. Swati Maliwal reached Rajya Sabha on AAP ticket but speaks the language of BJP. Further, Pandey added, If she has even a little shame left, she should immediately resign as AAP MP and seek her re-election from BJP. Both Maliwal and Atishi were once prominent AAP leaders raising various issues , particularly about women. However, Swatis relation with AAP took a turn for the worse after she reported that she was assaulted inside the CMs house by Arvind Kejriwals close aide Vibhav Kumar on May 13. The party had initially accepted the allegations but soon changed its stance. After Maliwals allegations in May, Atishi in a press conference then refuted these charges claiming that the BJP orchestrated this assault incident, using Swati Maliwal as a pawn. However, Vibhav was later arrested in the assault case by Delhi Police and was released on bail earlier this month. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Tuesday, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government has brought political stability to the country, and the people have witnessed the implementation of policies. The Home Minister was addressing the media in the national capital on completing the first 100 days of the third term of PM Modis government. Accompanied by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Home Minister Amit Shah launched a booklet highlighting the governments achievements and initiatives on the 100th day of Prime Minister Narendra Modis third term. Advertisement Amit Shah said, After dedicating 10 years to the development, security and welfare of the poor in India, the people of India gave a mandate to the BJP and its alliance parties This happened for the first time in the last 60 years This has brought an environment of political stability in the country. We have seen the execution of policies In the last 10 years, the Modi government has been successful in establishing a strong India by strengthening internal and external security PM Modi brought the New Education Policy which includes our ancient education system and modern education, which also honours our regional languages, said the Home Minister. In the 100 days, projects worth Rs 3 lakh crore have been announced, Shah said. In the last ten years, the Modi government has provided homes, toilets, gas connections, drinking water, electricity, five kilograms of free grains, and healthcare facilities up to five lakh rupees to 60 crore poor people annuallyOur goal is that in the next elections, no person in this country will be without a home, the Home Minister said. Highlighting Indias position on the global stage today, Shah said, For the first time since Independence, the world has seen a foreign policy with a backbone under the Modi government. Previously, many, including myself, couldnt see this backbone in Indias foreign policy. Now, it is clearly visible. IANS BEIRUT, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah said through a video on Tuesday that it had taken control of an Israeli drone that dropped leaflets over Lebanon's southeastern village of Wazzani on Sunday. The video broadcast by Hezbollah media outlets showed "clips of Israeli soldiers preparing and equipping the drone with leaflets before launching it into southern Lebanon." Lebanese military sources confirmed to Xinhua on Sunday that an Israeli drone fell in the Wazzani area, saying its fall was due to a technical malfunction, not gunfire. Earlier on Sunday, the fallen drone dropped leaflets over Wazzani and surrounding areas, calling on residents to evacuate to the north of the town of Khiam. Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported that dropping the leaflets was an unauthorized action under the order of a brigadier general, rather than a decision by the Israeli military or government. The Israeli army is investigating the incident. Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda unveiled the logo and brochures of the Global Food Regulators Summit (GFRS) 2024 here on Tuesday, saying the Summit would create a global platform for food regulators to exchange perspectives on strengthening food safety systems. The Summit is being held from 19th to 21st of September at Bharat Mandapam by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, alongside the World Food India 2024 event being organised by the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries. Speaking on the occasion, the Union minister, underscoring the importance of food safety on the global stage, said, While food security has long been a focus of international efforts, food safety must be given equal priority to ensure the health and well-being of global populations. Advertisement He said that the Summit would create a global platform of food regulators to exchange perspectives on strengthening food safety systems and regulatory framework across the food value chain. The health minister stressed the need for continuous adaptation in the food safety and regulatory landscape to address emerging hazards, technological advancements, and shifting consumer demands, emphasising the role of knowledge exchange in ensuring global food safety and quality. This is the second global food regulator summit with participation from 30 international organisations and over 70 countries including food safety regulators and those from Risk Assessment Authorities, Research Institutes and Universities. There will be nearly 5,000 delegates at the summit and around 1.5 lakh people joining virtually. We will be discussing strategies and means of collaboration. The key issues of regulators will also be discussed, he said. This will be the first time that a regional food regulators conference is being organised out of Rome and it is a proud moment for Bharat to be hosting it. The conclave is focused on enhancing regional collaboration in the standard-setting process within the Codex Alimentarius Commission, he added. He said this would provide a dedicated platform for Asian countries to discuss food safety, trade, and regulatory challenges unique to the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing it of disrespecting Hindu traditions and using divisive tactics, at a gathering in Bhubaneswar. Referring to the viral image of a Ganesh idol inside a police van in Karnataka, PM Modi remarked that those who seek to divide society, are irked by religious festivals like Ganesh Utsav. The British, who worked on the policy of Divide and Rule, were irked by the Ganesh Utsav. Today also, the people who are trying to divide and break Indian society are irked by Ganesh Utsav. People who are hungry for power, have an issue with Ganesh Pooja, PM Modi said in a sharp jab at the Congress. Advertisement He added, The people of Congress and its ecosystem are agitated because I attended Ganpati Poojan. In Karnataka, where they are in power, they committed an even bigger sin. They put Lord Ganeshs idol behind bars. The whole country is disturbed because of those pictures. PM Modis remarks came in the backdrop of a recent incident in Karnataka, where a Ganesh idol was spotted inside a police van during a protest at Bengalurus Town Hall. The image, which went viral, sparked outrage, with the BJP accusing the Congress of disrespecting Lord Ganesha. However, it was later turned out that the idol was recovered by the Karnataka police from a protest site and was immersed with full respect. Clarifying on the incident, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Bengaluru Central Division, said, On September 13, 2024, Hindu groups protested at Bengalurus Town Hall over the Nagamangala Ganesh procession incident, defying a High Court order. Demonstrators were detained, and the Ganapati idol was later immersed by authorities with rituals. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while inaugurating Vishwakarma Jayanti and the Swachhata Hi Seva Program-2024 at the Rudraksha Convention Centre, here on Tuesday, said that the transformation of Kashi since 2014 is visible to all. Just as Kashi has undergone a remarkable change, so has Uttar Pradesh and the entire nation, he said. He distributed e-vouchers, training certificates, and loan cheques to beneficiaries of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana. Additionally, by the press of a button, he also launched the Vidya Shakti Yojana in partnership with IIT-Chennai in 104 council schools of Varanasi, while also inaugurating smart classrooms in 1,143 council schools. He added: Today, India takes pride in its blend of development and heritage, boasting world-class infrastructure. The vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat has become a reality. Advertisement The CM said: Under the leadership of PM Modi, India, once among the most backward nations, has become the fifth-largest economy in just ten years, and is on track to become the third-largest within the next three years. PM Modi has already outlined the roadmap for Indias future leading to 2047. The CM also unveiled QR codes installed in 54,000 houses in the Bhelupur zone of Varanasi Municipal Corporation, launched a QR code system for depositing shop rents, and kicked off a plantation drive at Kanchanpur Park and Sarang Talab under the Upvan Yojana. He extended his wishes on the occasion of Anant Chaturdashi, the birth anniversary of the creator of the universe, Lord Vishwakarma, and the birthday of the architect of modern India, Kashi MP Narendra Modi, praying for the PMs good health and long life. The CM reflected on the remarkable transformation of Kashi, saying, Who could have imagined ten years ago that the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor would be developed so magnificently? That the city would have such exceptional connectivity through air and waterways, with beautifully designed four-lane roads and rejuvenated ghats? The temples and monasteries have been beautifully restored, and our heritage is receiving the recognition it deserves. Who could have predicted the grandeur of the Prayagraj Kumbh, the construction of a majestic Shri Ramlala temple in Ayodhya, the removal of Article 370 in Kashmir, or the enhanced security of Indias borders? Today, 4 crore underprivileged families have homes, 10 crore households have toilets, 12 crore people have benefited from the Ujjwala Yojana, and 80 crore individuals receive free rations. All of this, which once seemed unimaginable, is now a reality. Reflecting on the period before 2014, CM Yogi remarked, Anarchy was rampant, and the people had lost all faith in governance. The nations security was at risk, with terrorism, separatism, and extremism at their peak. Corruption defined the previous government, youth faced widespread unemployment, and businesses were in disarray. He added: Basic facilities were lacking, self-employment was virtually nonexistent, and India was often a passive observer on the global stage, sitting at the back row. Rural areas lacked even the most basic infrastructure, and connectivity was non-existent. Governments of that time indulged in extreme appeasement, undermining Indias pride and conspiring to keep the nation from rising to its full potential. He further said, Even an ordinary MP does not devote as much time to their constituency as PM Modi does to his. Under his leadership, Kashi has been elevated onto the global stage, while preserving its unique cultural and spiritual identity, as well as its connectivity by land, air, and water. India is continuously advancing under his vision. The CM stated that PM Modi has provided a visionary roadmap for the country, with Digital India being a key pillar of that vision. He added, As part of this, the Vidya Shakti program, in collaboration with IIT Chennai, introduces an innovative approach for students in the first, second, and third grades. Simultaneously, smart classes are being launched across schools in the region. Education is the cornerstone of a progressive, civilized, cultured, and capable society. Through direct benefit transfer (DBT) and a range of other schemes, PM Modi has transformed the lives of the youth, sparking a new revolution that has given wings to their aspirations, he said. The CM further noted that the PM Vishwakarma Yojana is bringing to life Mahatma Gandhis vision of Gram Swaraj. Historically, villages were largely self-sufficient, with minimal reliance on government support. Now, artisans are receiving the respect, training, stipends, and toolkits they deserve. After skill development and training, they are connected to the banking system to further enhance their livelihoods, he pointed out. Police arrested two persons in connection with alleged waving of Palestinian flag in two separate processions of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi in two tribal-dominated districts of Madhya Pradesh. In the first incident in the Balaghat district, the police arrested one, Shakib, and registered a case against him, along with some unidentifed persons, under Section 197 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). The other incident was reported from the the Mandla district of the state where the police arrested a man named Fardeen and booked him and some unidentifed persons under Section 197 (2) of the BNS. Advertisement Investigations in both the incidents were underway. The latest assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, while alarming, highlights the growing risks presidential candidates face in an increasingly polarised political climate. As the US prepares for a contentious election, this incident underscores the tension permeating American society, raising important questions about security, the role of political rhetoric, and the need for a more civil discourse. In recent years, political violence has become a troubling feature of the American landscape, with high-profile figures often becoming targets. While the United States has a long history of political discord, the intensity of personal attacks and threats against leaders in the current era is especially disconcerting. The attempt on Mr Trump is not an isolated event; it follows his escape just over two months ago at a Pennsylvania rally, demonstrating how candidates can become focal points for rage in an environment fraught with ideological extremes. What is particularly striking about this latest incident is the suspects apparent political leanings. The reported online activity of the assailant, with posts supporting Ukraine and ridiculing Mr Trump, reveals a disturbing convergence of global and domestic issues. Political actors and ideologies have become inextricably linked in todays interconnected world. This has made it easier for individuals to justify extreme actions, mistakenly believing that their causes, no matter how extreme, are justified within the broader framework of political advocacy. The ramifications of this assassination attempt are two-fold. First, it exposes the limits of security for high-profile individuals, even when surrounded by elite protection forces. While Mr Trump was safeguarded by the Secret Service, the attacker still came close to fulfilling his aim. This incident should serve as a wakeup call for security agencies and government officials, who must re-evaluate the protective measures in place for candidates, particularly those who are no longer in office yet remain high-risk targets due to their political prominence. Advertisement Second, and perhaps more troubling, is the environment that allows such actions to seem viable to individuals. Political discourse in the United States has become more than a debate of ideas ~ it has, in some cases, devolved into a battleground of personal attacks and incendiary rhetoric. Extremism thrives in such spaces, where compromise and respect take a back seat to outrage and division. Political leaders on all sides must recognise their responsibility in fostering a climate of reasoned debate rather than fanning the flames of division. In the wake of this latest attempt, it is crucial for American society to reflect on the trajectory it is following. Escalating violence and threats of violence erode democratic institutions and trust in the electoral process. The absence of effective gun control adds a menacing dimension to the problem. With the election just weeks away, voters and candidates alike must demand more than just policy discussions ~ they must call for a return to civility, where dialogue replaces destruction and where the safety of all participants in the political process is paramount. Indias recent decision to remove the minimum export price (MEP) for basmati rice marks a significant shift in the countrys agricultural and export strategy. The move is expected to not only boost the countrys share in the global premium rice market but also provide muchneeded relief to farmers who have been grappling with rising production costs and debt. As the new basmati crop season approaches, this timely policy adjustment could be a game-changer for both exporters and farmers. Historically, India has set a floor price for basmati rice exports to ensure premium pricing in international markets. However, the previous floor prices ~ starting from $1,200 per metric ton, later reduced to $950 ~ placed Indian exporters at a disadvantage in a highly competitive global market. With Pakistan as the only other major producer of basmati rice, the price floor restricted Indias ability to compete effectively on price, particularly in key markets such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Europe. The removal of the MEP addresses this issue directly, allowing India to export basmati rice at more competitive rates, which is expected to drive higher export volumes. This decision comes at a crucial time, as farmers prepare to harvest the new crop. Without the burden of surplus stocks from the previous season, farmers can expect smoother sales and better prices for their produce. The timing is particularly important because farmers have been dealing with increased input costs, especially for fuel and fertilisers, which have eaten into their profits. Indias decision also reflects a larger strategy to regain its share in the international basmati market. The country has long held a dominant position in the premium rice sector, thanks to the unique qualities of its basmati varieties. Advertisement However, price constraints have limited its ability to fully capitalise on global demand. By eliminating the MEP, India can now cater to a broader range of buyers, particularly those seeking more affordable basmati varieties priced around $700 per metric ton. This not only helps clear existing stocks but also ensures a better flow of income for farmers, many of whom are financially vulnerable. Beyond economic factors, the decision also carries political significance. The government has faced increasing pressure from rural constituencies, particularly in light of recent export restrictions on other agricultural products like onions. Farmers, who form a significant voting bloc, have expressed discontent over policies that they feel prioritise international trade at the expense of their livelihoods. By removing the MEP on basmati rice, the government sends a clear signal that it is responsive to farmers concerns, especially ahead of upcoming state elections. In essence, Indias decision to lift the floor price for basmati exports is a win-win situation. It strengthens the countrys position in the global market while offering critical support to farmers at home. As the new crop season approaches, this policy adjustment could pave the way for increased exports, higher incomes, and a more sustainable agricultural sector in the long run. The pandemic claimed countless victims across India for several months now. It was expected, once the lethal effects of the Wuhan virus were known. Till such a time as a vaccine was discovered, all were helpless. And the media was full of news about the scourge, with no space or stamina left for any other news. But then, it must be said that the media were discharging their responsibility towards the general public. Away from the public gaze, however, the pandemic claimed another victim, a most improbable one, so to say institutional in tegrity. A landmark judgment of a Division bench of the apex court, headed by the then Chief Justice had ruled that good governance implies that the Executive must ensure integrity of the institutions so that the rule of law is safeguarded. This buttressed the earlier finding of the World Bank that rapid economic growth is brought about not by individuals, however bright but sound institutions, however imperfect. India is a signatory to the UN Convention on Human Rights, committed to protect individual freedom and liberty. It is as it sho uld be, being the worlds largest democracy under the rule of law. In order to protect individual liberty, India enacted the Human Rights Protection Act, 1993, in concert with other democracies. The Act provides for the establishment of a National Human Rights Commission, to be headed by a former Chief Justice of India and four other members, including a Chief Justice of a state high court. Ever since the establishment of the Commission, it has been headed by a former Chief Justice of India, in accordance with law. Advertisement In a departure from law, the Government appointed a retired judge of the Supreme Court. This has serious implications for the rule of law. Secondly, it sets up an unhealthy precedent by vesting the Executive with discretion to pick and choose retiring judges who may be most convenient. Thirdly, and which is most serious, it will compromise the independence of the judiciary, part of the basic structure of the Constitution. It is a violation of the apex court judgment in the celebrated case of Keshvananda Bharti outlining the inviolability of the basic structure of the Constitution. The preamble to the Commission outlines the institution as an aid to better protection of human rights. The next logical issue that is seldom raised in the public narrative is protection against whom? Obviously, against the State and its everexpanding coercive agencies. It implies that the Commission must be independent of the Government so that it can be effective in safeguarding the rights of the common man. For this reason, the Parliament in its wisdom provided for the appointment of a retired Chief Justice of India so as to leave no discretion with the Executive to pick and choose convenient judges. By appointing a retired judge other than the Chief Justice, the government has through this seemingly minor deviation from the law, assumed, through the back door the authority to pick and choose retiring judges. This has the potential to compromise the independence of the judiciary, contrary to the basic structure of the Constitution. Once this possibility is there before the serving judges of the apex court, the temptation to go soft on the executive cannot be ruled out. A Supreme Court judge retires at 65 years but in the Commission, he can serve up to 70 years. As a great judge of the US Supreme Court, Justice Jackson put it: It is easier to bribe a judge by ambition than by money. His wisdom was repeated in the Indian context by the distinguished former Chief Justice of India, late P.N. Bhagwati. As it is, the composition of the Commission vests with the Government. But the discretion of the Government was circumscribed by the Act itself. Another member is a sitting or retired judge of the Supreme Court. Regarding the high courts, the Executive has the limited discretion to appoint only a retiring or retired chief justice. There is some kind of check on appointment of sitting members of the higher judiciary in the form of man datory consultation with the Chief Justice of India. Two other members must be those having practical experience relating to human rights. Basically, the Commission serves as a kind of check on Executive exce sses on the hapless citizen. It is authorized by law to investigate offences by the main coercive arm of the state ~ the police. Year after year, the maximum number of complaints with the Commission relate to police excesses. And yet a retired police officer is invariably appointed as a member. The government in its great wisdom is of the view that unless the accused, so to say, is a part of the investigation agency, human rights cannot be upheld. Never mind that the First Police Commission had specifically recommended that to obviate the politicisation of the police, retiring senior officers should not be tempted with post-retirement sinecures. The subtle attempt to manipulate what might be called the last vestige of police accountability did not escape international opprobrium. The then chief of South Asian UN Human Rights body resigned in protest. The Governments response was on expected lines ~ bash on, regardless. The current Commission also comprises a retired police officer, besides a retired jud ge of the apex court as the Chairman. This subtle attempt to subvert an institution set up under an international Convention is bound to get noticed, sooner or later. It will further demote India in the UNs Human Rights index. Coming back to the current composition of the Commission, it must be said with respect that the Chairman was not exactly lauded by the nation for his independence from the ruling executive while serving in the apex court. His formal address before an international jurists meet, openly extolling the ruling political dispensation was widely reported in the national media. With the advantage of hindsight, it could be said that the Honble Judge was preparing for his post-retirement reward. His somewhat embarrassing paeans of praise for the political executive did get favourably noticed. The judge retired in 2020. He was residing in prime Government accommodation in the heart of Lutyens Delhi, which he was expected to vacate soon thereafter, ironically in terms of several rulings of the apex court itself. The Court has repeatedly frowned upon the practice of politicians and government servants lingering in official accommodation even after their term is over, on one pretext or another. But the judge lingered on for several months, perhaps in the surety of a post-retirement sinecure. Several months later, he was appointed to the present post, even though not eligible. Obviously, he must have meanwhile kept his political contacts alive. In sum, another hallowed institution has been hollowed out. (The writer is a retired IAS officer) Indias handling of the influx of undocumented Rohingya Muslim and Christian Chin refugees who fled persecution in Myanmar is a complex issue that requires a balance between compassion and national interest. While there is understandable international pressure for their release and resettlement, India cannot afford to integrate these refugees permanently, given the strains on its resources and the security challenges posed by an unchecked influx of migrants. India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, and, therefore, it is not legally bound by international obligations to resettle refugees. The country has consistently maintained that its primary responsibility is towards its own citizens, and rightly so. Indias socio-economic fabric is already stretched thin, and allowing undocumented refugees to settle and start new lives would only exacerbate existing challenges, such as overpopulation, unemployment, and resource allocation. Instead of yielding to demands for their release, India should focus on improving conditions in the detention camp in Assam where they are housed. Reports of poor healthcare and lack of basic amenities need to be addressed urgently, but this camp can still serve as a temporary holding space for refugees until the situation in Myanmar stabilises. The government should work to ensure that these camps meet humanitarian standards, but the ultimate goal should be to return these refugees to their homes once conditions improve. Rather than providing a permanent solution in India, diplomatic efforts should be intensified to facilitate the return of normalcy in Myanmar. Working with international organisations and neighbouring countries, India should aim to create the conditions necessary for these refugees to go back safely. Humanitarian aid and support for rebuilding Myanmars institutions would go a long way in helping stabilise the country, allowing these refugees to return without fear of persecution. Advertisement Moreover, India must expedite efforts to seal its border with Myanmar to prevent further influx of undocumented migrants. The current refugee crisis has exposed the vulnerabilities in Indias border management system, and stricter measures need to be implemented to prevent illegal crossings. This is not just a humanitarian issue but a matter of national security, as unchecked migration can lead to challenges in law and order, strain public services, and increase the risk of extremist elements exploiting refugee populations. Indias approach to this issue also has significant geopolitical implications, particularly in its relationships with neighbouring countries and its role on the global stage. By taking a firm stance on managing undocumented refugees, India sends a clear message about its sovereignty and the need for regional stability. Myanmars internal conflicts have regional ramifications, and India must work with its neighbours to prevent further destabilisation. Collaborative efforts with Bangladesh and Thailand, as well as stronger diplomatic ties with Myanmar, could create a framework for addressing refugee crises collectively. Indias role should be to act as a stabilising force, using diplomatic channels to push for internal reforms in Myanmar. Sixty-five years ago, when the first democratically elected Communist government of the world was unilaterally dismissed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru there were cries of murder of democracy and violation of democracy in political and media circles across India. It was 31 July 1959 and Presidents Rule was declared in the state of Kerala, brushing aside claims of its chief minister EMS Namboodiripad, who headed a majority government of the Communist Party of India (CPI) since 1957. EMS, as he was popularly known, was a veteran Communist leader, a former member of the Congress Socialist Party, on friendly terms with not only Nehru but socialist stalwarts Jayaprakash Narayan, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and JB Kripalani. EMS, with the versatile vision of a Communist statesman and the flexible realism of a political activist, conformed to the constitutional paradigm and political compulsion of the Nehru era, commented VR Krishna Iyer, who was a minister in the EMS government, and later an eminent Supreme Court judge. What was the secret of this masterpiece of statecraft which held at bay the reactionary cabals and cliques and enabled this radical leader to push through his socialistic programmes? He adopted a strategy that dumbfounded his adversaries in politics by declaring that his government would implement the progressive policies of the Nehru Congress and the Avadi thesis which the Congress high command professed and consistently betrayed, he added. The 70th session of the Indian National Congress was held at Avadi, near Chennai, in February 1955 under the presidency of U.N. Dhebar. The Avadi thesis refers to the resolution to set India on a socialist economic path. When it came to electioneering, and sidelining political opponents, Nehru was unflagging in his campaigns. In 1957, said MJ Akbar in Nehru-The Making of India, he campaigned for the Congress as ardently in Kerala as anywhere else. If anything, Nehru had become even more scathing about the Communists. He questioned both their patriotism and their intelligence. Speaking at Ernakulam on 24 February 1957 he said: The clock of the world has moved on while the clock of communist minds in India stopped long ago. Advertisement But the voters of Kerala preferred local time; the Communists won and formed their first government under one of their most brilliant leaders, EMS Namboodiripad. Nehrus dismay was tempered with pleasure that India had provided such a triumphant display of democracy, and he was happy to let the CPI have its chance in authority. Not for long, as the Kerala governments focus on land reforms and social justice soon became a sore point with Congress leaders and Nehru. EMS as the chief minister insisted that land reforms, which was the nations pledge on gaining Independence, would be implemented without delay, that peasants would not be evicted by latifundists (or large landowners) with clout, that labour would be assured of a fair deal and that the police would not interfere in peasant struggles and labour strikes on the side of the landlords and industrial magnates, enumerated Krishna Iyer in a media article, paying his homage to EMS. As the land reforms movement picked steam, the anti-communist movement grew exponentially in different quarters. Explained Krishna Iyer, land reforms were integral to social changeour edifice of freedom was to be built on the slogan of land to the tillers. EMS knew the pulse of the people and gave broad guidelines for the transformation process. Thus, a pioneering adventure in distributive agrarian justice was given statutory shape, with the Kerala Agrarian Relations Bill. Of course, the Supreme Court struck down the Bill on a technical ground. The court could knock down a Bill but could not wipe out a militant demand of the people. So, land reforms reincarnated substantially in the same form and no one can refuse to attribute this glorious achievement to EMS who was leading Kerala in essence, the nation from its feudal slumber. Regrettably, many parts of India still remain primitive and under the heels of de facto landlordism. In education, Prof. Joseph Mundassery, the minister started a series of reforms and stirred a political storm. He introduced a Bill to regulate private educational institutions in Kerala; and the Education Bill was passed on 2 Sept 1957. The Church and other reactionary establishments started Operation Overthrow. It must be remembered that with the tacit connivance of the Congress high command and Central government departments, this upsurge took a violent turn, throwing the rule of law to the winds and violating all norms of democracy and constitutional order, recalled Krishna Iyer, the Home Minister. The State Government desisted from using the police and insisted on minimal force where engineered clashes threatened the peace of the State. I can claim that never in free Indias history was so little force used against so large a violent turbulence masterminded by the Church, the Nair Service Society (NSS) and other vested interests supported by motivated dollars from abroad and concealed support from the Congress leadership. Political memory may be short and so, I may remind the present generation of Indians that, aided by American dollars, para-military training was being imparted in several Church compounds for the battle to oust the legally constituted EMS Government, said Krishna Iyer, never one to mince his words. By July 1958, Nehru served a charge-sheet on EMS Namboodiripad, accusing the CM of violence in the state, favours for communists and no freedom for dissenters. In August 1958 Nehru spoke for the first time against the Kerala Government when he referred to police firings. Political commentators have highlighted the role which the new Congress President Indira Gandhi played in publicly maligning and bringing down the CPI government in Kerala. Wrote Ashok K Singh, in a curious turn of history, Indira was appointed Congress President on 2 February 1959, two years after Namboodiripad formed the government. Nehru wasnt enthusiastic about her appointment but he didnt actively dissuade her or party leaders not to take up the leadership. Taking advantage of the situation, Gandhi saw an opportunity for the Congress to regain lost ground in Kerala. She mounted pressure on Nehru to dismiss the government, arguing that the failure of the state machinery had created anarchy. Nehru resisted for some time but in due course succumbed to pressure from her and the partys right-wing leaders. Interestingly, it was the first of many such undemocratic dismissals of non-Congress state governments that became Indira Gandhis controversial legacy. It was in June 1959 that Nehru arrived in Trivandrum and commented on the hostile atmosphere and violence on streets. He suggested that EMS should call for fresh elections to test the claims of the opposition on the failures of the government. There were lastditch efforts by senior CPI leaders AK Gopalan and Ajoy Ghosh to convince Nehru in New Delhi, but to no avail. On 31 July 1959, the EMS Namboodiripad government was sacked on the insistence of Indira Gandhi. The dismissal followed large-scale law and order disturbances over the governments attempt at land and educational reforms in Kerala, which became a battleground between the entrenched casteist, religious organisations on one side, and the communists on the other. Nehru felt it was a decision hurled upon us by circumstances; a bad precedent which went against democratic conventions. When the Kerala elections were conducted, Congress won with a comfortable majority. EMS Namboodiripad became Chief Minister of Kerala again in 1967 heading a United Front ministry till 1969. History, when retold with authenticity, will reveal the great developmental work executed by the EMS Ministry, wrote Krishna Iyer, adding, new industries were started, false charges were resisted and dauntlessly we marched on without fear of honest contradiction. I may claim that so much was done in such a short span to put Kerala on the map of dynamic socialist advance under the luminous and dialectically guided leadership of one man, EMS Namboodiripad. There was no personality cult and there was no pomp or propaganda either. I could and did sometimes disagree, and frank exchange of views resolved friction. In every field we acted collectively. New medical and engineering colleges, new irrigation projects and hydel plants were constructed. There were many agricultural reforms. On the whole the Legislative Assembly itself was lively and constructive. Many new courts were started; many legal aid programmes were initiatedHe was among the rarest of the rare in power. (The writer is a researcher author on history and heritage issues and a former deputy curator of Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya) At least eight people were killed and 2,750 others were injured, many critically, following simultaneous explosions in communication pagers across Lebanon, the countrys health ministry confirmed on Tuesday. The blasts reportedly targeted members of Hezbollah, Lebanons powerful armed group. International media outlets claimed Hezbollah members were among the dead and wounded. Addressing a press conference in Beirut, Lebanons Health Minister Firas al-Abyad claimed that the deceased included an eight-year-old girl. L Advertisement He also stated that more than 200 of the injured are in critical condition, with nearly 100 hospitals across the country treating the wounded. al-Abyad warned death toll could increase further and added, Hospitals in the south have exceeded their capacity. Most injuries have been to the face, arms, and in some cases, the abdomen, the minister added. Meanwhile, the Iranian embassy in Lebanon has reportedly confirmed that its ambassador, Mojtaba Amani, was injured in the blasts but was out of danger. The pager explosions come amid rising tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. Last month, both sides nearly came close to a full-fledged war after Hezbollah launched a barrage of missiles into Israel, prompting strong retaliation from the Israeli military, which struck multiple Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. While todays pager blasts are being blamed on Israel, there has been no official response from the Israeli government as of yet. This photo taken on Sept. 16, 2024 shows the smoke of the air raid carried out by Israeli warplanes in Kfarchouba, Lebanon. According to the sources, Israeli warplanes and drones carried out four airstrikes on Monday on three villages and towns in the border area in southern Lebanon, and the Israeli artillery shelled 10 towns and villages in southern Lebanon with about 50 shells. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) This photo taken on Sept. 16, 2024 shows the smoke of the air raid carried out by Israeli warplanes in Kfarchouba, Lebanon. According to the sources, Israeli warplanes and drones carried out four airstrikes on Monday on three villages and towns in the border area in southern Lebanon, and the Israeli artillery shelled 10 towns and villages in southern Lebanon with about 50 shells. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) Union Minister Hardeep Puri, who is in the US to hold discussions on energy cooperation has lauded the partnership between the two countries stating that New Delhi draws great strength from this cooperation on sustainable energy. Puri, the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that he will continue the bilateral discussions with US Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm in Washington. Speaking to ANI, Hardeep Puri said, Im here to continue the bilateral discussions with United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. We have a US-India strategic Energy Cooperation partnership, we have annual meetings in that, under that programme there are several sub-groups which have been meeting. These sub-groups are related to power and energy efficiency, renewable energyin these groups, the concerned departments of the government of India, they meet their counterparts in the US govt and they put together the work done. The amount of work done has been considerable. Today we are cooperating in the context of the global biofuel; we are cooperating on the development of the green hydrogen, he said. The Union Minister also hailed the progress made by India in ethanol blending in the last 10 years. He said India achieved its target of 10 per cent blending before target and now aims to achieve 20 per cent blending by 2030. Advertisement The Union Minister put forward his expectations that several MoUs will be signed between India and the US during his visit. When PM Modi assumed responsibility in May 2014, we were only blending 1.5 per cent of our total fuel with bio-fuel. PM set a target of 10 per cent blending by November 2022, we were able to do that 5 months in advance. Then we had a target of 20 per cent blending by 2030, we are going to do it by October, 2025. US, Brazil, India and members of Global Biofuel Alliance. Recently, there was a conference in Delhi on green hydrogen and US was a partner country, Puri said. We draw great strength from our cooperation with US on this cooperation on sustainable energyI am going to Houstonnumber of MoUs will be signed there. In order to enhance our Exploration and Production sector, PM decided that out of our 3.5 million sq km of sedimentary basin, 1 million sq km, which was a no-go area has been made completely free, we are inviting collaboration from other global entities to come and prospect there, the minister said. Asked about whether India has been under any Western pressure to not purchase Russian oil, the former Indian envoy said that there hasnt been any such suggestion. He also appreciated the oil trade with Russia, and said it has helped in keeping the global oil prices down. I have had the privilege of being associated with this ministry for close to three years. I am not aware of any point in my three years if anyone has even made that suggestionRussia, before events of February 2022, produced 13 million barrels of crude in a day. Just imagine a situationif that 13 million barrels had gone out of the equationthat 13 million barrels would have had to be accessed from somewhere else in that case, the prices would have shot up to USD 120-130 a barrel per day, Puri said. In fact, today also Europe buys more oil and energy from Russia than we do in India. So, we have a situation that at least the stability and predictability scenario helps the market. So, no. At no stage has anybody said itThe suggestion that was made was there should be a price cap on which purchases should be made from the Russian Federation, that price cap is thereThe oil prices has actually come down, Puri said. Women and girls continue to face severe repression in Iran, the Secretary of State of the United States and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement issued on Monday, on the second anniversary of the death of Mahsa Zhina Amini. Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian-Kurdish woman, was arrested by police in Tehran on 13 September 2022 for allegedly ignoring Irans strict veiling laws, and died in a Tehran hospital three days later following physical abuse while in custody. Her death sparked a nationwide protest movement, led by women and girls, which was unwavering in its demand for a better future. Advertisement We stand with women and girls in Iran, and Iranian human rights defenders, across all segments of society in their ongoing daily fight for human rights and fundamental freedoms. At least 500 persons died and over 20,000 were detained in the Iranian security forces brutal crackdown on displays of dissent in 2022 and 2023. But the global Woman, Life, Freedom movement remains united, the ministers said in the joint statement on Monday. It mentioned that the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Iran, established by the United Nations Human Rights Council, has established that many of the human rights violations perpetrated against protesters amount to crimes against humanity. The Iranian government has yet to address these allegations and has not cooperated with this internationally recognised mandate. In daily life, women and girls continue to face severe repression in Iran. The renewed Noor hijab crackdown, which enforces Irans law requiring women to wear headscarves, has spurred a fresh round of harassment and violence, the statement added. The foreign ministers stated that the Iranian government has bolstered its surveillance infrastructure to arrest, detain, and in some cases torture women and girls for their peaceful activism. According to human rights organisations, Iran is one of the foremost executioners of women globally. We call on the new Iranian administration to fulfil its pledge to ease pressure on civil society in Iran and to end the use of force to enforce the hijab requirement, the joint statement detailed. It also stated that the recent surge in executions, that have largely occurred without fair trials, has been shocking. We urge the Iranian government to cease its human rights violations now. We, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, will continue to act in lockstep to hold the Iranian government accountable and will use all relevant national legal authorities to promote accountability for Iranian human rights violators, including through sanctions and visa restrictions, the ministers said jointly. One person was dead and another seven went missing due to floods caused by extreme rainfall in the Czech Republic, police said on Monday. Police President Martin Vondrasek told Czech Radio that one person drowned in a river near Bruntal in the countrys northeastern region, and police have also registered seven missing in floods. Rivers and streams in the country have been swollen after the heavy rain since Friday. On Sunday, authorities said more than 10,500 people had been evacuated, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting Czech Radio. Advertisement Due to severe weather conditions, around 260,000 households had no power supply on Sunday morning, and by 6:00 p.m. Sunday local time, there were still 135,000 households left without power. Disruptions were also reported from road and railway transport. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute said on Sunday that most of the rain from this episode had fallen, expecting rainfall to stop by Tuesday. The Philippines Department of Health has detected three more mpox cases, which have brought the number of confirmed cases around the country to 18 so far this year, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said Monday. Five of the 18 patients have recovered, and no patient has died from the infectious viral disease, he said, Xinhua news agency reported. Herbosa said the three newly detected Mpox cases were all male and were from Metro Manila and the adjoining region. Advertisement The good thing is that all 18 patients have not infected anyone. They have no epidemiological link, meaning that the patients did not transmit the virus during their isolation, Herbosa said at a press conference. However, it is not yet known whether the new strain is linked to the more virulent and contagious Clade1b strain, which is behind the current global outbreak, especially in Africa. Following the surge of cases in several parts of Africa, the World Health Organization in August declared the Mpox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern. Currently, about 15 countries in Africa have seen a rise in Mpox infections. The outbreak is majorly caused by the Clade1b strain, which is more virulent and contagious than the Clade 2 strain responsible for the 2023 global outbreak. Outside of Africa, Sweden and Thailand have reported one case each from the Clade1b strain. Globally, 103,048 laboratory-confirmed cases and 229 deaths have been reported from 121 countries between January 2022 and July 31, 2024, according to the WHO. 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. Meanwhile, with the shipment of vaccines arriving in Congo, the WHO believes the ongoing Mpox outbreaks in Africa can be stopped in the next six months. The Democratic Republic of Congo, which is the worst hit, expects to roll out vaccines from next month. Palestinian children play in the Al-Bureij refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Sept. 18, 2024. Israeli forces launched airstrikes on the houses of Palestinians in the Al-Bureij refugee camp of the central Gaza Strip on Tuesday, causing large casualties, Palestinian Civil Defense said. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua) GAZA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces launched airstrikes on the houses of Palestinians in the Al-Bureij refugee camp of the central Gaza Strip on Tuesday, causing large casualties, Palestinian Civil Defense said. Tens of dead and wounded people were under the rubble of homes targeted by the Israeli army in the camp, Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Civil Defense in Gaza, told Xinhua, without providing further details. Eyewitnesses said Israeli aircraft and artillery shelled several houses in the camp simultaneously. A large number of residents were trapped under the ruins of collapsed houses as ambulances and civil defense vehicles faced difficulty in reaching them amid the intensive shelling, the witnesses added. The Israeli army has not commented on the incident yet. Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza 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 Gaza Strip has risen to 41,252, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday. Palestinian children walk in the Al-Bureij refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Sept. 18, 2024. Israeli forces launched airstrikes on the houses of Palestinians in the Al-Bureij refugee camp of the central Gaza Strip on Tuesday, causing large casualties, Palestinian Civil Defense said. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua) Palestinians check destroyed buildings in the Al-Bureij refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Sept. 18, 2024. Israeli forces launched airstrikes on the houses of Palestinians in the Al-Bureij refugee camp of the central Gaza Strip on Tuesday, causing large casualties, Palestinian Civil Defense said. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua) Palestinians check destroyed buildings in the Al-Bureij refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Sept. 18, 2024. Israeli forces launched airstrikes on the houses of Palestinians in the Al-Bureij refugee camp of the central Gaza Strip on Tuesday, causing large casualties, Palestinian Civil Defense said. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua) Palestinians check destroyed buildings in the Al-Bureij refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Sept. 18, 2024. Israeli forces launched airstrikes on the houses of Palestinians in the Al-Bureij refugee camp of the central Gaza Strip on Tuesday, causing large casualties, Palestinian Civil Defense said. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua) Palestinians check destroyed buildings in the Al-Bureij refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Sept. 18, 2024. Israeli forces launched airstrikes on the houses of Palestinians in the Al-Bureij refugee camp of the central Gaza Strip on Tuesday, causing large casualties, Palestinian Civil Defense said. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua) 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. TIRANA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Albania's trade deficit in August reached 46.4 billion Albanian lek (around 520.1 million U.S. dollars), up by 15.6 percent year-on-year, the country's Institute of Statistics said on Tuesday. The value of exports fell by 18.2 percent in August to 22.5 billion lek, while imports rose 1.9 percent to 68.9 billion lek. Weak overseas demand and the strong value of the lek continue to affect foreign trade negatively. In the first eight months of 2024, exports dropped 14.9 percent to 255.1 billion lek, primarily due to declines in sectors such as minerals, fuels, electricity, textiles, footwear, construction materials, and metals. Italy remained the top destination for Albanian exports in the first eight months, with shipments totaling 111.5 billion lek, a 13.2 percent decrease compared to the previous year. Exports to China meanwhile showed year-on-year growth, rising from 5.7 billion lek to 7.4 billion lek in the January-August period. (1 Albanian lek = 0.011 U.S. dollar) Job Title: ICT Assistant (Fresher NGO Jobs) Organisation: Hunger Fighters Uganda (HFU) Duty Station: Isingiro, Uganda Reports to: ICT & Documentation Officer About the Company: Hunger Fighters Uganda (HFU) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization initiated in 2008, pursuing a vision of A hunger and Malnutrition free Uganda. HFU is engaged in activities of fighting hunger in Uganda with a local, national and global perspective. The organisation programmes are focused on a goal of creating empowered food secure communities. The main areas of work are Agriculture and sustainable livelihoods, Food and Nutrition Security, Humanitarian support, Research, Advocacy and Capacity Development. At the core of fighting hunger, the organization considers gender and sustainable environmental conservation as important crosscutting issues. Job Summary: Under the guidance and direct supervision of the ICT and Documentation Officer, the ICT Assistant will provide technical ICT and administrative support services to the entire HFU Team in the respective location. She/he will provide daily technical support to users of information management tools and technology infrastructure. The ICT Assistant will provide operational support to the HFUs core ICT operations as well as quality first line technical support to system users at the field level, to ensure optimal performance of both system infrastructure and personnel. The position holder will ensure that all project ICT Systems are maintained and operational to support management of the GFA implementation activities. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Implementation of ICT management systems and strategies. Ensure effective functioning of the HFU Field office ICT hardware and software packages. Support to establishment the robust Computer networks and administration. Ensure Security of the ICT hardware and software Components. Contribute to web and systems management services. Conduct timely and periodic assessments on the HFU ICT systems and make recommendations to the effective functioning of the Information systems. Support in organization branding, re-branding and communication. Facilitation of knowledge sharing and staff capacity building. Support the field office in implementing set standards for applications and systems that meets the needs of the users and supports the overall ICT infrastructure. Support the installation of the software packages, basic repair/maintenance of computer hardware and other IT equipment. Ensure that ICT problem recovery is done as quickly as possible and make regular system back-ups. To decide on appropriate resolution to ICT related incidents and escalating incidents that cannot be resolved at the field office level. Participate in the formulation of HFU ICT and documentation proposals, processes, policies for planning and business continuity plan for approval. Monitor and maintain the LAN, Network Servers, Routers, Printers, LAN Points, Switches, Patch panels, Access points to prevent faults from occurring. Respond to user needs and questions regarding network access. Support the organization of off-site storage of backups. Support the maintenance, trouble-shooting and monitoring of the HFU website, systems and Intranet. Support in designing engaging graphical content to enhance HFUs communication and branding efforts Maintain the up-to-date inventory of ICT equipment and keep track of movements of ICT equipment. Evaluate needs for upgrading and eventually replacing ICT equipment in the field, to meet with HFU standards. Maintain the filing system ensuring safekeeping of confidential materials. Provision of ICT support during key events like Trainings, monitoring, reporting and any other cerebrations or functions Train HFU staff on email system and utilization of available communication channels and systems. Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Participate and support the organization of trainings for the staff and partners on ICT issues. Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and information dissemination Other Project-Based Responsibilities Support in the set-up of the management and programmes information systems to enable effective and efficient project implementation. Support the configuration of servers and the setup of networks at Food Distribution Points (FDPs) during General Food Assistance (GFA) activities to ensure reliable connectivity and efficient operations. Support the M&E Officer in developing workplans, detailed budgets and systems for monitoring and evaluation activities. Support in the extraction of data from various sources in collaboration with the M&E unit or other partners. Contribute to the development of the Field Implementation Plan (FIP), ensuring alignment with Field strategy, agreement on programme indicators and inclusion of monitoring and evaluation activities in the work plan. Perform other duties and tasks as assigned or required to support the ICT Unit. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: Qualification Bachelors Degree (Honors) in Computer Science, Information Communication Technology, Computer engineering, Information Systems or related course from the recognized institution of higher learning. Post graduate training in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems or Industrial Art and Graphics Design is an added advantage Should have at least one IT verification preferably Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA) or CCNP, Information technology infrastructure library (ITIL), CompTIA A+ At least 2 years of experience in an ICT Department of an NGO setting. Experienced in windows server configuration and management. Experienced in local and wide areas network and computer security management. Experienced in end user support for systems and applications. Knowledgeable about CISCO routing and switching, VPN connectivity Knowledge of windows operating systems and Microsoft office. Fluent in English and interpersonal relations. ICT/Proficiency in the use of computers for: Word processing, simple accounting, Databases, Spreadsheets, E-mail, and Internet. Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices, and ensure that own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization. Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization. Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques. Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve operations of the organization and to create new opportunities. Focus on Client Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external beneficiaries to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters. Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness. Lead: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization. Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and collaborate with the ICT & Documentation officer to make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization. Organize: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities. Plan: Participate in determining strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results. Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem. Extra Commitment and Flexibility: The ICT -Assistant must have the ability to follow work a standard but may be required to work some evenings and weekends under particular circumstances. How to Apply: Applications should be addressed to The Head of Human Resource, Hunger Fighters Uganda, P.O Box, 28175, Kampala. Hand deliver to Hunger Fighters Uganda Head Office or through email: hr@hfug.org and copy: p.agaba@hfug.org Deadline: 25th September 2024 by 5:00 PM. NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. HFU offers equal opportunities to both women and men. Solicitation will lead to automatic disqualification For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline Date Posted 2024-09-17T14:03 Valid Through 2024-09-25T17:00 Employment Type FULL_TIME Hiring Organization Hunger Fighters Uganda Job Location Kampala, Kampala, Kampala , 0256, Uganda Related Jobs A senior US Air Force official observed that China is not a future threat to the United States and its allies, but it is a threat today as Chinese Communist Party has been investing heavily in the operational concepts and capabilities of its defence forces. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, while addressing a gathering of Air and Space Forces Association convention in Washington recently, said he has been closely watching the evolution of China's military for the past 15 years. ALSO READ: China's new J-35 stealth fighter set to amplify capabilities of Chinese aircraft carriers He said the aforementioned concepts and capabilities are specially designed to defeat the ability of the US and its allies to project power in the Western Pacific region, and includes weapons targeting the US land and sea assets like air bases and aircraft carriers. "China is not a future threat; China is a threat today," Kendall said, according to a Department of defence release. He observed that China continues to expand its nuclear forces and its ability to operate in cyberspace. READ MORE: India, US deepen defence innovation ties with a new MoU at INDUS-X Summit He cited the example of China coming up with bigger and highly sophisticated military exercises that are suited for an invasion and blockade of Taiwan and said, "I am not saying war in the Pacific is imminent or inevitable. It is not. But I am saying that the likelihood is increasing and will continue to do so." "To prevent conflict, we must be ready; to prevail in conflict, we must be ready," he said, suggesting that the US must be ready to contain and prevent any potential future threats. In a bid to encourage cleanliness and sanitation at the workplace, the Department of Defence Production (DDP) conducted as many as 446 cleanliness drives in all its divisions, attached offices, and subordinate offices from November 2023 to August 2024. As part of the #SwachhataHiSeva2024 Swachhata Pledge administered in Department of Defence Production (M/o Defence) today by Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary(DP) along with senior officials at South Block,New Delhi, encouraging everyone to commit to cleaner and greener future. pic.twitter.com/mmbjyLkBXM Defence Production India (@DefProdnIndia) September 17, 2024 The cleanliness activities conducted include weeding out physical files, removing old items, and quick and proper disposal of public grievances. During the aforementioned 10-month period, DDP disposed of 57 pending references from MPs, 17 pending references from the PMO, as many as 1,432 pending public grievances and 214 public grievances appeals. ALSO READ: Indian Air Force pilot develops AI-powered inspection system that helps reduce aviation accidents Besides, a total of 13,356 physical files were removed after being reviewed. All organisations under the department have also been sensitised from time to time about the Swachhata Campaign. It is noteworthy that the Department of Defence Production conducted Pan-India demonstration of cleanliness campaigns through the conduct of Special Campaign 3.0 on Swacchata across its offices located in New Delhi and in all field offices and local units, a defence ministry release stated. READ MORE: Army, IAF sign MoU with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya to enhance skills of armed forces in logistics operations These campaigns have resulted in an overall improvement in the office atmosphere, with better space management and a healthier environment, the release further said. The prime accused of the 2017 actress assault case, Pulsar Suni, has been granted bail by the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Suni has been in jail since February 2017, after being named the prime accused in a case of abduction and sexual assault of a prominent actress in Kochi on February 17, 2017. Suni said accused actor Dileep of being the mastermind. ALSO READ: Dileephero turned villain 'Pulsar' Suni, whose real name is Sunil N.S., said in his bail plea that his trial had faced unnecessary complications due to the actor's involvement and the delay, leading to a seven-and-a-half-year pre-trial detention. In his plea, he also mentioned his mother's declining health and the need for him to be present with her and his family. Justices Abhay S. Oka and Pankaj Mithal, while allowing the bail, ordered Suni to appear before the court for his release on bail within the week. ALSO READ: Ex-DGP claims Dileep innocent, evidence fabricated This is the second time that Suni has been granted bail. Last year, he was given a one-day bail to perform the last rites of his father, in April. Suni has appealed for bail multiple times over the years, to both the Kerala High Court and Supreme Court, but was denied. On June 3, upon filing his 10th bail application, Suni was fined Rs 25,000 for using different lawyers to file for bail repeatedly. ALSO READ: Fallen hero: Mohanlal's diminishing stardom in the times of Dileep The bail comes a month after the release of the Hema Committee report, which details harassment against women and pay disparity in the Malayalam film industry. The report was an initiative of the Women's Collective in Cinema (WCC), which was formed in response to the 2017 assault case. What happened in 2017? The actress was allegedly abducted and sexually assaulted by five men, inside a moving car in the late hours of February 17, 2017, in Kochi. Suni had worked as a driver for multiple celebrities. The assault was videotaped by the perpetrators, to be used to blackmail her. The actress filed an FIR against them the same night. Three people were arrested the following day, including Suni, who alleged Dileep planned the assault. Speculations were rife that the actress instigated Dileep's now ex-wife Manju Warrier to file for divorce, and hence, the actor planned the attack as an act of revenge. The police has arrested several persons in connection with the case. Dileep was also arrested and was later released on bail. Aam Aadmi Party minister Atishi will succeed Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi Chief Minister following his decision to step down from the post. The party will stake claim to form a new government under Atishi after Kejriwal resigns on Tuesday evening. Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai said an AAP delegation will meet Lt Governor VK Saxena to stake claim for the new Atishi-led government. The new cabinet members will be decided later, said the AAP Delhi convener. Atishi currently holds multiple portfolios, including finance, education and PWD in the AAP-led Delhi government. The AAP legislative party leaders reached the decision after Kejriwal proposed Atishi's name. All AAP MLAs stood up and accepted Atishi as the chief minister. ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE | 'Only President's rule can bring down AAP govt': Atishi Other contenders to chief minister post included Delhi ministers Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot and Saurabh Bharadwaj besides speculations about Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal and Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel being picked for the position. Kejriwal reportedly had "one-on-one" interactions with party leaders to get their feedback on his successor. He is expected to tender his resignation during a meeting with the Lieutenant Governor at 4.30 pm on Tuesday. Kejriwal announced on Sunday that he would resign from as Delhi chief minister, saying he would return only if the voters give him a certificate of honesty. He was released from prison on Friday after Supreme Court bench granted him bail in the liquor policy case registered by the CBI. Earlier, there were speculations that Aam Aadmi Party may choose a Dalit or Muslim legislator for the chief minister post ahead of the assembly polls. Following this, the names of Mangolpuri MLA Rakhi Birla, who is also the deputy speaker in the assembly, and Kondli MLA Kuldeep Kumar made the rounds. Around half a dozen constituencies in Delhi have sizeable minority populations while a dozen others are reserved seats. The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, came down heavily on state authorities resorting to "bulldozer justice" saying that even if there is one instance of illegal demolition, it is against the ethos of the Indian Constitution. Halting such demolitions across the country until October 1when the matter will be heard againwithout its permission, the apex court said no property should be demolished without its permission unless they are unauthorised structures on public roads, or footpaths. The SC bench, comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan, was hearing petitions that alleged that properties of those accused of crime were being demolished in several states. The SC, which had earlier condemned "bulldozer justice" that is meted out by several states, said, "Heavens won't fall if we ask you to hold your hands till the next hearing." When Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that a "narrative" was being built over the demolition of properties, the court said, "Rest assured that outside noise is not influencing us." In a country where actions of the state are governed by the rule of law, the transgression by a family member cannot invite action against other members of the family or their legally-constructed residence. Alleged involvement in crime is no ground for the demolition of a property," the court had earlier said. "Moreover, the alleged crime has to be proved through due legal process in a court of law. The court cannot be oblivious to such demolition threats inconceivable in a nation where law is supreme. Otherwise, such actions may be seen as running a bulldozer over the laws of the land," it added. People wait to donate blood for those wounded in pager explosions at a hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 17, 2024. Eight people were killed, and over 2,800 others, including Hezbollah members, were wounded on Tuesday in different areas of Lebanon as their pagers exploded, said Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) BEIRUT, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Eight people were killed, and over 2,800 others, including Hezbollah members, were wounded on Tuesday in different areas of Lebanon as their pagers exploded, said Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad. Elnashra news website reported that the son of Hezbollah parliamentarian Ali Ammar was among those killed, and Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani was among the injured. Israeli military targeted the batteries of these pagers, leading to their explosions, said the report, adding the injured were being transferred to hospitals. In a statement, Hezbollah said it is conducting security and scientific investigations to identify the reasons behind these explosions, adding that the group is "at the highest level of readiness to defend Lebanon and its people." In a separate statement, the Shiite group blamed Israel for "this criminal attack," vowing to retaliate. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged the mobilization of all departments of the Public Health Ministry to follow up on medical care for the wounded. The ministry's Emergency Operations Center issued an urgent statement requesting all hospitals across Lebanon to be on high alert and enhance preparedness to meet the massive need for emergency health services. The ministry also asked all citizens to discard their pager devices immediately over safety concerns. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Council of Ministers stressed that the government, shortly after the deadly explosions, began contacting the concerned countries and the United Nations to hold the perpetrators accountable. People donate blood for those wounded in pager explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 17, 2024. Eight people were killed, and over 2,800 others, including Hezbollah members, were wounded on Tuesday in different areas of Lebanon as their pagers exploded, said Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) People register to donate blood for those wounded in pager explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 17, 2024. Eight people were killed, and over 2,800 others, including Hezbollah members, were wounded on Tuesday in different areas of Lebanon as their pagers exploded, said Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) People wait to donate blood for those wounded in pager explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 17, 2024. Eight people were killed, and over 2,800 others, including Hezbollah members, were wounded on Tuesday in different areas of Lebanon as their pagers exploded, said Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) People donate blood for those wounded in pager explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 17, 2024. Eight people were killed, and over 2,800 others, including Hezbollah members, were wounded on Tuesday in different areas of Lebanon as their pagers exploded, said Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) A man donates blood for those wounded in pager explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept. 17, 2024. Eight people were killed, and over 2,800 others, including Hezbollah members, were wounded on Tuesday in different areas of Lebanon as their pagers exploded, said Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) Even as ethnic violence in Manipur continues to be a cause of concern, Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Union government has taken several steps to restore peace in the state, and also added that the government was holding talks with the Meitei and Kuki communities to find a lasting and peaceful solution. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on the 100 days of the Narendra Modi government, Shah claimed that barring three days of violence last week, the state has not seen any major incidents in the past three months. ALSO READ: Manipur violence: Centre sends 2,000 more CRPF troops; colleges to remain shut till Sep 12 "We are talking to the Kuki and Meitei groups. We have prepared a roadmap and will take all possible steps (to ensure peace)," he said. Shah denied speculations of N. Biren Singh being replaced as the Manipur chief minister. He said the porous Indo-Myanmar border was the issue. At the core of this problem is infiltration. The government has started fencing the 1,500km long border. 30km is already done and budget has been approved for the 1,500-km stretch the state [shares with Mayanmar], the home minister said. Shah also highlighted the scrapping of the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR), which allows people living close to the border to venture 16km into each other's territory without any documents. Now people can cross into each other's territory only with a visa. Shah also said the Central Reserve Police Force personnel have been deployed at strategic locations across Manipur. The home minister added that the government has addressed several lapses in the security infrastructure in the state and the roadmap has been drawn to deal with the situation. Comprehensive policy on railway accidents soon Another big announcement by Shah was that a new policy to deal with the railway accidents was in the pipeline. Flanked by Information and Broadcasting Minister and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, he said, I have spoken to the railway minister. He has prepared a detailed roadmap. If the incidents are a sabotage, they will not continue for long. But whatever gaps are there, will be addressed. Shah said the CBI, NIA, police and the home ministry were preparing a scheme to protect the railway network from sabotage. He also said that the Modi 3.0 government has approved eight new railway line projects in its first 100 days. Shah also asserted that the One Nation, One Election poll promise will be fulfilled in the current tenure of the NDA government. ALSO READ: Will Modi govt implement 'One Nation, One Election' in its current tenure? He also touched upon other achievements of the government in its first 100 daysfrom approving projects worth over Rs 15 lakh crore (of which three lakh crore are for infrastructure) to health insurance scheme for senior citizens above 70 years, and 75,000 new medical seats to meet the current demand. On the impact of three new laws, Shah said, in the next three years, any FIR registered will get addressed till the level of Supreme Court within one year as many changes have been made in the criminal justice system, particularly at the level of judiciary, prosecution and investigation. It will help in curbing the pendency of cases, he said. A multi-layered security setup has been implemented for the first phase of the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which begins on Wednesday. Over 23.27 lakh voters are set to cast their ballots in this phase, deciding the fate of 219 candidates in 24 assembly constituencies spread across seven districtsAnantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam in the Kashmir Division, and Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar in the Jammu Division. According to the Inspector General of Police for Kashmir, V. K. Birdhi, all polling stations are secure. "We have set up special checkpoints at inter-state and inter-district levels, with area dominance and night patrolling in place to ensure smooth, incident-free polling," Birdhi said. Paramilitary Forces (CAPF), Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP), and Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) have been deployed as part of a multi-tier security plan for the elections in the union territory. J&K Police claimed to have made arrangements to ensure that the elections are free, fair, and conducted in an atmosphere free of fear. Elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases. Voting for 24 seats will take place in the first phase on Wednesday, followed by 26 seats in the second phase on September 25. The third phase, covering 40 seats, will be held on October 1, with counting scheduled for October 8. Political observers believe the National Conference (NC) has an edge in some seats in south Kashmir, while in other constituencies, the contest is expected to be close between the NC and the People's Democratic Party (PDP). Independent candidates, especially those who didnt receive their party's mandate, could pose a challenge. The first phase involves 23,27,580 eligible voters, including 11,76,462 male voters, 11,51,058 female voters, and 60 third-gender voters. Youth make significant portion, with 5.66 lakh voters between 18 and 29 years old. Among them, 1,23,960 are aged 18-19, including 10,261 male and 9,329 female first-time voters. Also, 28,309 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and 15,774 voters over 85- years will participate. There are 3,276 polling stations set up, all equipped for webcasting. Special arrangements include 24 Pink Polling Stations (manned by women), stations for PwDs, youth-managed polling stations, and eco-friendly "green" polling stations. Voting will take place from 7 am to 6 pm. The junior doctors' protests in Kolkata saw another dramatic day. On Monday, the protesters finally met with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at her residence in Kalighat. The meeting, called positive by the CM, lasted for more than five hours. At the end of the meeting, Chief Minister Banerjee declared that, in response to the doctors' demand, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and DCP North of Kolkata Police, along with two senior health department officialsthe Director of Medical Education (DME) and the Director of Health Services (DHS)would be transferred after 4 pm on Tuesday. CM Banerjee requested the junior doctors, who have been on strike, to resume duty as soon as possible. We have accepted 99 per cent of their demands. Now we request them to return to work. Theres flood situation in the state. We are also fighting malaria and dengue, she told the press after the meeting. In the meeting, attended by a delegation of over 30 protesters, they presented a five-point demand as part of their movement, seeking justice for the trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. One of their demands included enhanced safety and security measures, such as designated rooms and washrooms for on-duty doctors, sufficient female security personnel, and the installation of CCTV cameras. In response, the chief minister announced that the state government has set aside Rs 100 crore for this purpose. The protesting junior doctors also called for an end to the culture of threats on state-run medical campuses. During the meeting, it was mutually agreed that they would collaborate closely with the chief secretary to address and resolve the challenges faced by the medical fraternity. The meeting, also joined by West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty among several others from the state administration, is thought to have ended on cordial terms. However, the junior doctors expressed that some of their demands remained only partially addressed. We also wanted that some actions be taken against the Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department and DCP Central of Kolkata Police. These demands remain unfulfilled, said Dr. Aniket Mahato of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in a statement. He noted, however, that the meeting would be viewed positively by them if Chief Minister Banerjee follows through on the rest of her commitments. The junior doctors went back to their dharna at Swasthya Bhavan where they would hold a general body meeting to decide the future course of their movement. Earlier on the day, Mr. Pant had invited the protesting junior doctors for the meeting, saying that there wont be live-streaming or videography of the meeting. Instead, minutes of the meeting will be recorded and signed by both the parties, the mail from the chief secretary said. Junior doctors replied, stating three conditions for the meeting: either it be videographed by both parties; or, a copy of the recording be handed over to them immediately after the meeting; or, they be allowed to take their own stenographer who will transcribe minute by minute details of the meeting. In the end, junior doctors were permitted to attend the meeting along with their stenographer. The meeting was documented in detail by both the protesters and the government, with every minute recorded. Both sets of notes were compared and then signed by all participants. Senior IPS officer Manoj Kumar Verma took over as the Kolkata Police Commissioner on Tuesday after the Mamata Banerjee government removed Vineet Goyal from the post, meeting a key demand of the protesting junior doctors in the state. A 1998-batch IPS officer, Verma was the ADG and IGP (Law & Order) in his last assignment. Goyal was, meanwhile, made the ADG and IGP of West Bengal Police's Special Task Force (STF). Goyal, a 1994-batch officer, was under fire over the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the RG Kar medical college hospital in the state capital. The decision to remove him from the top cops post was taken after a meeting between the protesting doctors and Chief Minister Banerjee at her residence on Monday night. A 42-member delegation of the doctors agreed to talk to the chief minister after the government agreed to their demand for a signed copy of the minutes of the meeting. Earlier, they had turned down four times the government invitation for a dialogue after the latter rejected their demand for a live-streaming of the meeting. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition seeking the resignation of Chief Minister Banerjee in the wake of the rape-murder incident and the ensuing protests in the state. "We are not here to see what you feel about a political functionary. We are dealing with the specific grievances of the doctors. If you ask me to direct that CM should resign that's not part of our remit," the top court told the petitioner. West Bengal has been witnessing widespread protests by junior doctors and medical students ever since the body of the 31-year-old trainee doctor was found at the seminar hall of the RG Kar hospital on August 9. A civil volunteer has been arrested in the case. The CBI, which took over the probe following a directive by the Calcutta High Court, has arrested former principal of the RG Kar medical college Sandip Ghosh in connection with a separate corruption case, while Abhijit Mondal, the officer-in-charge of Tala Police Station, was taken into custody for allegedly tampering with evidence and delaying registration of the FIR. The new NDA government completed 100 days on September 17, which marks Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 74th birthday. As the ministers of various departments hope to show off their achievements in the first three months, the Congress has slammed the Modi for proving to be a "weak" PM in his third term, setting new records for U-turns. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw are scheduled to hold a press meet at 10.15 am on Tuesday. Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh and MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi will also hold separate press conferences. Singh will be accompanied by Ministers of State S P Singh Baghel and George Kurian. The NDA government has also scheduled events across the country to mark its first 100 days in office on Tuesday. This includes a blood donation camp in New Delhi. Modi said the opposition has made fun of him during the first 100 days of his new term. "But I chose not to respond to any of their insults and ensure the government's 100-day agenda gets fulfilled," said the PM on Monday. However, the Centre has drawn flak for withdrawing its earlier decisions, including pulling down an advertisement for lateral entry in UPSC as well as scrapping a draft of the controversial Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said Modi does not have a solution or vision to resolve India's problems, claiming the PM has a habit of turning a blind eye to issues and running away from problems. Alleging that the 100 days of Modi 3.0 saw "instability, indecision and immaturity", she said the government is trying to inflate a puncture balloon. "Do you remember the tall claims made during the election campaign that Narendra Modi was planning for the first 100 days? Where is that plan now?" asked Shrinate. She also slammed Vaishnaw over 38 train accidents in 100 days, killing 21 people and injuring 112 others. "The Railways minister is busy making reels, dismissing these accidents as minor incidents," she alleged. She listed a slew of infrastructure failures in the recents months, pointing out how the airports in Delhi, Jabalpur and Rajkot could not withstand rains. She pointed out that the sanctum sanctorum of Ayodhya Ram Mandir and the roof of the new Parliament building are leaking while the Shivaji statue broke within eight months. The Atal Setu, the six-lane trans-harbour bridge in Mumbai, and the Sudarshan Setu in Gujarat have developed cracks or potholes, she added. In a landmark event in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Subhadra Yojana scheme for women, a flagship initiative of Odishas first BJP government. The programme attended by a massive gathering at Janta Maidan in the capital city coincided with Modis 74th birthday and his third term governments 100th day. The scheme, aimed at the economic empowerment of women as per the governments claim, marks a significant milestone in the states social welfare programmes. Over one crore women within the age group of 21 to 60 will get Rs 10,000 within a year in two equal installments under Subhadra Yojana. It is a five year programme during which each beneficiary will get Rs 50,000 in total. By launching the scheme, the prime minister fulfilled a key electoral promise of the party made before 2024 elections. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida announced that an impressive 72 lakh women have already applied for the scheme. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to womens empowerment and financial independence, she said. Prime Minister Modi, addressing the gathering, emphasized the transformative potential of the scheme. Subhadra Yojana is not just a financial aid programme; its a step towards ensuring that every woman in Odisha can achieve her dreams and aspirations, he said. The prime minister transferred the first installment of Rs 5,000 to the accounts of 25 lakh women in the scheme through technical device. Starting his speech with a prayer to mother Goddess Subhadra of Puri Srimandir temple, Modi said the double-engine government will push Odisha to a new pinnacle. He said, during the election the BJP had promised to open all four doors of Puri temple and open the Ratna Bhandar and the same has now been fulfilled. Modi launched rail projects worth Rs 2,800 crore besides national highway projects of Rs 1000 crore. Before the programme, Modi inaugurated the homes of PMAY-Urban beneficiaries at Sabar Sahi slum in Gadkana, a part of the city. There he relished the local delicacy kheeri during the Gruha Pravesh ceremony of one beneficiary. Later in his speech, he reminisced his mother who was serving him this delicacy. Though his mother is no more, a tribal sister has fed him this item with affection and blessings on the occasion of his birthday, Modi said. PM said in the meeting that today 30 lakh beneficiaries in the country have been given pucca houses out of whom 26 lakh live in villages and rest are in towns. In addition to this, 10 lakh rural beneficiaries have received the first installment in PM Awas Yojana. For 15 lakh houses acceptance letters were also given. Modi also launched Awas + 2024 App. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said Odisha will observe its formation anniversary in 2036 and by that year its GSDP will be 500 billion dollars and by 2047 when India will celebrate centenary of its independence, Odisha economy will touch 1.5 trillion dollars. The programme was attended by union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Juel Oram and Annapurna Devi and other dignitaries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the United States from September 21 to 23 to attend the Quad Summit. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared a detailed itinerary of PM Modi's US trip on Tuesday. Quad Summit The prime focus of PM Modi visit would be the Quad Summit, which will be held on September 21 in Wilmington in Delaware. The meet will be hosted by US President Joe Biden at his hometown. In the wake of the US presidential election 2024, the Modi-Biden meeting gains significance. Next year when India hosts the Quad summit, the US will have a new president. The US elections are set to be held on November 5. Japans Fumio Kishida and Australian Premier Anthony Albanese will also attend the summit. According to MEA, the leaders of the Quad will review the progress achieved by the alliance in the last year. They will set the agenda for the year to assist the countries of the Indo-Pacific region in meeting their development goals and aspirations, MEA added. 'Modi & US Progress Together' event in New York On September 22, PM Modi in New York will be addressing the Indian diaspora at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Over 24,000 members of the Indian diaspora have signed up for the event. The PM will also interact with CEOs of the leading US-based companies to foster greater collaborations between the two countries in the cutting-edge areas of AI, quantum computing, semiconductors and biotechnology, the MEA said. Summit of the Future at UNGA On September 23, PM Modi will address the 'Summit of the Future' at the UN General Assembly in New York. This year, the theme of the Summit is Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow. On the sidelines of the Summit, PM would be holding bilateral meetings with several world leaders and discuss issues of mutual interest, the MEA statement read. Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad has kicked up a row by announcing a Rs 11 lakh reward to anyone chopping off Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's tongue for his remarks on scrapping the reservation system. As the remarks triggered a political firestorm and raised calls for action, police on Monday night registered a case against the Buldhana MLA. While he was abroad, Rahul Gandhi said that he wanted to finish off the reservation system in India. This has exposed the true face of the Congress, Gaikwad told reporters, before announcing the bizarre reward. "During his recent US visit, Rahul Gandhi talked about ending reservations. It shows the mindset that is inherently opposed to reservations. I will reward anyone who cuts off Rahul Gandhi's tongue with Rs 11 lakh, Gaikwad said. The Congress had defeated Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in elections, he added. "Gandhi's comments are the biggest treachery of the people. Communities like Marathas, Dhangars and OBCs are fighting for reservation but before that, Gandhi is talking about ending its benefits," the MLA said. "Rahul Gandhi used to show the Constitution book and spread a fake narrative that the BJP would change it. But it is the Congress that plans to take the country back by 400 years, he said. As the controversy raged over Gaikwad's remarks, the Shiv Sena ally, BJP distanced itself from Gaikwad's comments. "I will not support or endorse Gaikwad's comments. However, we cannot forget that the first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had opposed reservations saying it would affect the progress," state BJP president Chandrashekar Bawankule said. Rajiv Gandhi had said giving reservations means supporting idiots. Now Rahul Gandhi says he would end reservations, the BJP leader said. State Congress president Nana Patole on Monday asked Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to clarify his stand over Gaikwad's remarks and demanded legal action. There should be legal action, otherwise, Congress party workers will take some decisive action against Gaikwad, Patole said. Atul Londhe, spokesperson of Maharashtra Congress said, "Sanjay Gaikwad does not deserve to live in society and politics. We want to see whether Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis invokes charges of culpable homicide against Gaikwad." A case was registered against Gaikwad under Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita section 351 (2) and other relevant sections, a Buldhana Police official said on Monday night. Earlier in the day, Congress workers staged a sit-in protest at Buldhana city police station. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray questioned the status of the law and order situation in Maharashtra over Gaikwad's remarks. "During the agitation over the Badlapur incident, (Shinde Sena leader) Waman Mhatre made offensive remarks against a woman journalist. No action was taken against Mhatre, but an FIR was filed against the woman journalist. Several such incidents are taking place. It seems the state has no home minister," he said targeting Fadnavis. Speaking on the seat-sharing talks in MVA, Thackeray said the allocation of seats will be announced soon. Asked about the decision on the CM face from MVA, he countered the question and asked whether the Mahayuti will contest elections with its face of "corruption and betrayal". Gaikwad is no stranger to controversies. Last month, a video of a policeman washing the Shiv Sena MLA's car had gone viral on social media. Gaikwad had later explained that the policeman cleaned the vehicle voluntarily after vomiting inside it. In February, Gaikwad claimed that he had hunted a tiger in 1987 and has been wearing its tooth around his neck. Soon after, the state Forest department sent the purported tiger tooth for forensic identification and charged Gaikwad under the Wildlife Protection Act. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rejigged the Kolkata police department in a sudden move in the wee hours of Tuesday following her meeting with a delegation of 42 agitating junior doctors. Accepting doctors' demands, the CM removed Vineet Goyal as Kolkata Police Commissoner. Why did doctors want Vineet Goyal removed? The doctors have slammed Goyal over inaction when RG Kar hospital was vanadlised by a mob on August 14. Earlier, Mamata said Goyal was ready to resign but she had denied the request. Besides Goyal, Mamata has also removed the Director of Medical Education (DME), the Director of Health Services (DHS) besides the Deputy Commissioner (North Division) who allegedly offered money to the parents of the RG Kar hospital postgraduate intern who was raped and murdered on August 9. Mamata said the new police commissioner will be announced after 4 pm on Tuesday following the Supreme Court hearing on the RG Kar hospital case. The move comes after the chief minister met the junior doctors at her Kalighat residence where she accepted the demands by the agitators to put an end to the deadlock. Doctors had stopped working across West Bengal for 38 days, affecting the healthcare system in the state. The decision by the CM was reached after Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and the doctors came to an agreement. We have accepted almost all demands of the doctors. Keeping in mind the plight of the common people, we did the best we could. I now appeal to the doctors to return to work, Mamata said. The CM said no disciplinary action would be taken against the protesting medics. However, the doctors said the decisions are still on paper and they will continue protesting until the government takes action. We will decide on what our next step would be after the hearing at the Supreme Court and after we confirm the government issuing those transfer orders it has promised, said Dr Debasish Halder, one of the agitating doctors. Dr Aniket Mahato, another protester, said Mamata is yet to agree on removal of the principal secretary of the health department or the DC (Central). The discussions on the operating threat syndicate in hospitals and the thriving corruption racket remain incomplete. We only have verbal assurances on those matters so far. So our fight is far from over, he added. The government has also agreed to sanction Rs 100 crore for infrastructure development in hospitals for doctors and rebuilding of patient welfare committees. It has also agreed to set up a special task force headed by the chief secretary to tackle safety measures at hospitals. Other members include the home secretary, DGP, CP Kolkata and doctors' representatives. Another demand accepted by the government was to form an effective and responsive grievance redressal mechanism in infrastructure across hospitals and medical colleges of the state. Thousands of activists and leaders of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Tuesday rallied in the nation's capital to demand a democratic transition through an election as an interim government has yet to outline a timeframe for new voting. The supporters gathered in front of BNP headquarters in Dhaka, where they chanted slogans demanding a new election. The interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has rolled out a number of plans to reform various sectors of the country, from the Election Commission to financial institutions. But major political parties including the BNP, which is headed by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia want the new election sometime soon. Yunus took the helm after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country during a mass uprising last month, ending a 15-year spell in power. The protests began in July and morphed into an anti-government movement. Hasina has been living in India since. In his recent speeches, Yunus hasn't outlined when a new national election would be held and said they would stay in power as long as the people want them to stay. A team of newspaper editors recently said that Yunus should complete crucial reforms first and stay in power for at least two years. The BNP initially demanded an election in three months, but later said it wants to allow the interim government time for reforms. The country's main Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party, which was once officially an alliance partner under Zia's party, also wants to give the Yunus-led government more time before an election. Tarique Rahman, heir apparent to Zia and the BNP's acting chairman, spoke online from London where he has been living in exile since 2008. He said Tuesday that his party supported the interim government's plans for reforms, but such changes would only be sustained if the people have their say in the process. He didn't specify when a new election should be held, but said any reforms must be endorsed in the next parliament. Only a free and fair election can ensure the political empowerment of the people, he said. He said that reforms by the Yunus-led government should focus on installing an elected parliament and a new government that would empower the people politically. To ensure such an election, reforms must be made in the Election Commission, public administration and security agencies, enabling them to perform effectively, Rahman said. In another development, a court in Dhaka on Tuesday allowed interrogators to question two senior journalists facing murder charges while they are held in custody. Shyamal Dutta, editor of Bengali-language Bhorer Kagoj and former general secretary of the National Press Club in Dhaka, and Mozammel Babu, managing director and editor-in-chief of private station Ekattor TV, were arrested on Monday as they reportedly attempted to flee to India. Both of them face murder charges related to student-led protests. Both of them were known as being close to Hasina. More than 150 journalists have faced charges such as murder and crimes against humanity since Hasina's fall from power, drawing criticism from groups like Paris-based Reporters Without Borders, or RSF, and the Human Rights Watch. After two other journalists were arrested last month and more cases were filed against others, the RSF demanded a halt to such cases. The purge of journalists who are considered to be affiliated with the former government has reached a new level. Media professionals are bearing the brunt of the need for vengeance that permeates this terrible legal cabal, which is hurting the image of the political transition underway in Bangladesh," said Antoine Bernard, RSF's director of Advocacy and Assistance. The interim authorities, headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, must do everything in their power to end this vicious process, Bernard said. Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy director of the agency's Asia division, told The Associated Press last month that it was extremely concerning that the justice system is replicating its abusive and partisan behavior since the fall of the Awami League government (of Hasina), with arbitrary arrests and failure in due process, merely reversing those targeted. GAZA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- A Hamas official said on Tuesday that the movement's leader, Yahya Sinwar, will remain in the Gaza Strip and is willing to die for Palestine. Osama Hamdan, a member of Hamas' political bureau, told Al-Aqsa TV that "Sinwar is prepared to martyr himself countless times in Palestine and will not leave." The statement was made in response to a recent Israeli proposal offering a safe exit for Sinwar from Gaza in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages. Israeli hostage coordinator Gal Hirsch told U.S. media earlier this month that if all 101 remaining hostages are returned, Israel would consider providing safe passage for Sinwar and anyone else who wants to leave Gaza with him. Israel accuses Sinwar, a top Hamas figure, of being the chief planner for the attack on Oct. 7, 2023, in which Palestinian militants killed 1,200 people in Israel and took over 250 hostages. In early August, Sinwar was appointed head of Hamas' political bureau, succeeding Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran while attending the swearing-in ceremony of Iran's newly-elected President Masoud Pezeshkian in late July. Israel claims that Sinwar, 61, who has not been seen publicly since the Oct. 7 attack, remains at large in Gaza's extensive tunnel network, moving frequently and possibly surrounded by hostages. In a huge setback to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada's ruling Liberal Party lost its seat in the Montreal parliamentary constituency. As per Elections Canada, with 100 per cent of the votes counted in LaSalle-Emard-Verdun, Liberal candidate Laura Palestini had been pushed into second place by the separatist Bloc Quebecois candidate, Louis-Philippe Sauv. Palestini received 27.2% of the vote compared to 28% for the Bloc and 26.1% for the New Democratic Party candidate, reported Reuters. The election in Montreal was held to fill a single vacant seat in Parliaments House of Commons. A Liberal legislator had quit paving the way for the election. The result will put more pressure on Trudeau's political future, who has become increasingly unpopular after almost nine years in office. Experts also say that it could be an end game for Trudeaus third term. The election results also throw light on how the Liberal party is losing ground in Canada. Montreal's seat was long held by Liberals. The Conservatives are blaming Trudeau for rising prices and the housing crisis in the region. While talking to the reporters in Ottawa, Trudeau said, There are all sorts of reflections to take on the election outcome. It would have been nicer to be able to win, he added. Though some legislators are calling for change at the top, Trudeau insisted that he will lead the Liberals into the elections to be likely held in October 2025. The party also performed poorly in a second special election in Elmwood-Transcona, in the central province of Manitoba. The NDP retained the seat while the Liberals took only 5% of the vote, compared to 15% in the 2021 general election. During that election, the Liberals won the Montreal seat with 43% of the vote, ahead of the Bloc on 22% and the NDP on 19%. With a surge in the cost of living and the housing crisis, Trudeaus popularity waned over the years. In June, the Liberals had lost a safe seat in a special election in Toronto. At least eight people, including members of the Hezbollah group, died in the pager blasts that occurred in Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday. According to officials, over 2,500 people were injured in the explosion. Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the explosions and warned Tel Aviv "will receive just punishment". Breaking: Tens of Hezbollah communication devices are exploding during the past hour. Initial reports state that over one hundred Hezbollah terrorists already injured. Here's footage from two such explosion pic.twitter.com/rMwdRWsTGB Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) September 17, 2024 "We hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression," a statement by Hezbollah read. A number of Hezbollah members arrived at hospitals after their pagers exploded. Photos and videos of the pager blast circulated on social media. Several people suffered wounds to their hands and legs after the pagers exploded. The pagers are generally kept in their pockets. This means Israel is literally blowing off Hezbollah testicles all across Lebanon today. Hundreds of them. Well deserved. pic.twitter.com/uzKvjDa6DA (@NiohBerg) September 17, 2024 The new brand of handheld pagers used by the group first heated up, then exploded, killing at least two of its members and wounding others, a Hezbollah official told The Associated Press. Israel is no ordinary country. Yesterday, they escalated their war goals to include the return of 60,000 northern Israeli residents to their homeswho had fled Hezbollah's attacks from Lebanon. What unfolded today is a plot more audacious than any spy thriller. Hundreds of pic.twitter.com/wAFmKkn1CE THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) September 17, 2024 Meanwhile, the Iranian state-run IRNA news agency said that the country's ambassador, Mojtaba Amani, was wounded by an exploding pager and was being treated at a hospital. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah previously warned the group's members not to carry cell phones, saying that they could be used by Israel to track their movements and to carry out targeted strikes. Dozens of injuries were mainly reported from Beirut's southern suburbs and the eastern Bekaa Valley--Hezbollah's strongholds. Reportedly, the new pagers the Hezbollah members were carrying had lithium batteries. Lithium batteries, when overheated, can smoke, melt and even catch on fire. The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Lebanon and Israel. On the backdrop of Hamas-Israel war and intensified Gaza attacks, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Israeli forces have been clashing near-daily for more than 11 months. Between 2011 and 2020, Gisele Pelicot endured unimaginable horror, systematically drugged and sexually assaulted by numerous men orchestrated by her former husband, Dominique Pelicot, in a shocking and devastating case of prolonged exploitation and abuse. While taking the stand on Tuesday, the 71-year-old Dominique said, "I am a rapist, like others in this room." Along with Dominique, 50 other men were accused of raping Gisele. Dominique had been allegedly inviting these men, most of them he met online, to rape his ex-wife. "I am guilty of what I did- I say to my wife, my children, my grandchildren...I regret what I've done and I ask for forgiveness, even if it's unforgivable...She did not deserve this," said Dominique. Dominique had been administering anti-anxiety drugs to Gisele, due to which she was unconscious when he and other men raped her. Dominique also admitted that those men knew that she was unconscious. The mass lengthy trial began on September 2. The proceedings of the case were halted for a few days due to Dominique's health issues. How it all came into light The abuse came to light by chance, when he was caught by a police officer filming up women's skirts at a local supermarket. During the investigation into his background, police had access to his phone and computer, where they discovered photos and videos of the abuse. In 2020, a French police officer disclosed to Gisele that her husband had been secretly drugging her for 10 years. Also, Gisele began to suspect something was amiss after experiencing strange memory lapses for years. Upon hearing the news, she was devastated as Dominique always seemed like a loving husband. Dominique filmed all the horrific acts and had it stored on his personal computer. Police had recovered the detailed records of the abuse. Most of the alleged assaults occurred at the couple's home in Mazan in southern France. "For me, it's difficult to listen to Mr Pelicot because, in 50 years, I never imagined for a second that he could rape. It's difficult for me to hear this today...the acts of violence and barbarity...I had full trust in that man," Gisele had told the court. Both together had three children. Dominique's childhood trauma While describing his childhood, Dominique had told the court that he was sexually abused at a young age. At the age of nine, he was raped by a nurse when he was in a hospital for a head injury. Dominique described his parents as always subjected to violent sex. At the age of 14, he was forced to witness and take part in a group rape of a woman. His testimony will be decisive for the 50 other men aged 26 and 74, who are on trial. Though some of the men admitted that he told them he was drugging his wife, others claimed they thought it was part of a swinger couple's fantasy. France witnessed widespread protests demanding an end to rape and in support of Gisele. Ahmedabad, India, September 17, 2024: In recent times, global collaboration has been paramount, especially in medicine. It not only facilitates research and innovation but contributes to effective methods of treatment, diagnosis and more. One mans vision of connecting a doctor in rural India to a top-notch specialist in Boston eventually transforms the medical terrain. Meet Mr. Gazi Varteji, the founder of Dr.iZaG's World. On July 1st, 2024, he launched this innovative platform Dr.iZaG's World (www.drizagsworld.com), where doctors across the world can collaborate, offer second opinions, and save lives. This platform, the first of its kind, is a testament to Mr. Vartejis entrepreneurial and visionary skills. His journey from a medical dropout to a healthcare innovator into a platform reshaping medical collaboration further explains the foresight he harbours. Dr.iZaG's World is a dedicated space where verified doctors worldwide can unite, share research, and provide second opinions. Born from Mr. Varteji's unique perspective, it addresses a crucial need in today's healthcare environment. Mr. Varteji's journey is as inspiring as the platform itself. His family's connection to India's independence movement instilled a deep sense of purpose and social responsibility. His heritage, pharmaceutical sector experience, and passion for healthcare innovation led to Dr.iZaG's World's creation. "I realised doctors needed a secure, professional space to collaborate freely," says Mr. Gazi Varteji. "Dr.iZaG's World is that sanctuary of knowledge, where medical professionals can focus on advancing healthcare and saving lives." The platform's key features meet diverse medical community needs. From allowing certified physicians to share ongoing research to building a space for postgraduate medical students to learn from seasoned healthcare physicians, Dr. iZaGs World is the ultimate destination for medical practitioners to engage, collaborate, and discuss. Remarkably, the platform is entirely free for doctors, highlighting Mr. Varteji's dedication to prioritising global medical advancement over profit. As a proudly Indian innovation, it bridges traditional wisdom and cutting-edge technology. "We're not just building a platform; we're nurturing a global community of healers," the founder states. "Every doctor who joins brings unique insights. Together, we're creating a collective intelligence that has the power to transform healthcare." With Dr.iZaG's Worlds launch, Mr. Varteji announces a new beginning in the field of medical sciences. Backed by Indian innovation, the platform offers doctors worldwide an invitation to redefine healthcare collaboration's future. In a world where medical challenges know no borders, Dr.iZaG's World emerges as a symbol of hope - a platform where knowledge knows no boundaries, and every interaction could save a life. As Mr. Varteji and his team bring this vision to life, the global medical community watches anxiously, ready to embrace a new era of collaboration and innovation with an Indian at its helm. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with HT Syndication and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR NEW DELHI, Sept. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Deakin University has launched its highly anticipated annual event, 'Deakin Interactive Week (i-Week) 2024' at Le Meridien, New Delhi today. Designed specifically for Indian students, Deakin i-Week offers a series of interactive, immersive and informative sessions with Deakin academics, current students and alumni and will run across seven major cities in India from 16 September - 27 September. Deakin's faculty and subject matter experts have flown in from Australia for the event, bridging the gap between the university and its student base in India. Here is a look at the schedule for Deakin i-Week 2024 sessions: New Delhi | Monday, 16 September 2024 | Inspire Hall, Le Meridien Chandigarh | Wednesday, 18 September 2024 | Livingroom, JW Marriot Pune | Saturday, 21 September 2024 | Royal Room 1, The Westin Hyderabad | Monday, 23 September 2024 | Rendezvous, Vivanta, Begumpet Chennai | Tuesday, 24 September 2024 | Clive & Dupleix, Taj Coromandel Bengaluru | Friday, 27 September 2024 | Vijayanagar hall, Taj MG Road To register for a Deakin i-Week Session in your city please visit Deakin i-Week 2024 (deakinuniversity.in). Ravneet Pawha, Vice President (Global Engagment) and CEO (South Asia) of Deakin University, said 'Deakin i-Week 2024 exemplifies our deep commitment to empowering Indian students with the knowledge, global insights, and experiences essential to thrive in today's fast-evolving world. Each year, we are proud to provide students with the most up-to-date information and personalized guidance, ensuring they excel both academically and professionally in emerging fields. Our goal is to offer an unparalleled international student experience, supported by seamless assistance at every step.' 'This event presents a unique opportunity for ambitious students, along with their parents and guardians, to gain valuable insights and make informed decisions for a successful future. I wholeheartedly invite everyone to take full advantage of what Deakin i-Week has to offer.' Now in its seventh year, i-Week promises to empower Indian students with the knowledge and inspiration they need to shape their future careers, with all students invited to attend this one-of-a-kind initiative. Through live interactions with Deakin academics, current students, and alumni, participants can gain valuable insights into what studying in Australia is like, the academic programs available to them, and future career paths. Sharing his experiences with students in New Delhi, George Duke, Associate Head of School, International and Engagement, School of Humanities and Social Science, Deakin University said, 'It has been a fantastic experience talking to so many students and their parents to get a sense of just know how fascinated they are in the subject areas of their interest. The Deakin interaction resonates very well with the students because it makes a lot of difference to be able to speak to an academic face to face rather than to be just looking for all the information online.' 'It is great to be able to look into the students' eyes and tell them that the career path that they are in has a great future for them.' This year students attending Deakin i-Week can look forward to interacting with distinguished members of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Faculty of Health, Faculty of Arts and Education, and Faculty of Business and Law. They are accompanied by key Deakin staff from the student support services team such as Talent Development and Employment Services and Deakin Residential Services. The event has received widespread acclaim amongst current Indian students at Deakin University and those faculty who are visiting India. Isha, a commerce graduate from New Delhi is excited about a bright future at Deakin in commerce and finance and shares, 'I came with a lot of questions not just about academics but also about accommodation and support for students on campus in Australia. Information like this is difficult to find and the Deakin team here has been very helpful in putting me in direct touch with someone who can help me sort out all of that.' 'I got a chance to interact with Deakin alumni who shared firsthand information about the best ways to settle down, make friends and thrive at Deakin.' Among the many parents and guardians attending the session today, Manik Kheda's parents took the opportunity to interact with the faculty and student support team and felt reassured of their son's overseas education in computer science at Deakin. They mentioned, 'Our son always wanted to go to Australia knowing it's a good educational destination. The world is open, and we want the best for him. This event has provided exposure not just for the students but also for the parents to know more about Deakin. We interacted with the academics as well as student support team and it definitely instilled a lot of confidence in us.' Students can visit the website Deakin i-Week 2024 (deakinuniversity.in) and register for a Deakin i-Week session as per the city of choice to interact with Deakin's experts. About Deakin University: Established in 1974, Deakin University successfully combines excellence in teaching, research, and effective partnerships with industry and government to deliver high-quality courses and undertake research that makes a difference to the domestic and international communities it serves. Deakin's South Asia operations commenced in 1994 in New Delhi, India, making it one of the first overseas education providers to set up operations in this region. In India, Deakin engages with the government, industry, and academia to share its vibrant education and research culture. This year marks Deakin's 30 years of 'Impact in India', a celebration in tandem with Deakin's pioneering establishment of India's first international university branch campus. For more information on Deakin University, please visit https://www.deakin.edu.au/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2506366/DeakinlaunchesInteractive_Week.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Over the past few decades, the trading landscape has transformed significantly. Over time, processes have become streamlined, and today traders benefit from advanced technologies, algorithmic trading, artificial intelligence, and automationtools that once seemed like science fiction. Platforms like MintCFD made risk management tools a part of daily trading. Traders have started looking for advanced tools to enhance their trading experience. As the world grows increasingly interconnected, capital flows are no longer confined, creating new opportunities in the market. Here are the emerging trends that have brought about a more transparent and dynamic trading era, globally. Algorithm Trading In recent years, numerous technological breakthroughs have significantly influenced global trading. Algorithmic trading, or algo-trading, can process vast amounts of data within seconds, enabling traders to make informed decisions quickly. This method also offers the ability to explore various trading opportunities and access to real-time portfolio analysis. It relies on multiple criteria, including timing, pricing, and mathematical models. Automated Trading Automated trading is another transformative technology that has revolutionized global trading. It enables trades to be executed automatically, including buying and selling decisions. Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence in trading has provided traders with valuable market predictions and forecasts. Blockchain Another significant trend is blockchain technology, which has led to the rise of various cryptocurrencies. Blockchain opens new investment opportunities for traders to diversify their portfolios and achieve returns. The growing popularity of cryptocurrencies has also spurred the creation of new financial instruments, including crypto-exchange trading products. Data-driven Data-driven trading has emerged as a key trend reshaping global trading practices. By utilizing quantitative and historical data, this approach facilitates more precise trading strategies and enhances risk management. Complex computing algorithms execute these strategies, which include methods such as stop-loss orders and position sizing. These strategies rely on robust data rather than emotions, making them a reliable choice. Common data analysis methods used in global trading include volatility graphs, linear regression, and sentiment analysis, which simplify the trading process. Moreover, the advent of zero-brokerage fee platforms has made trading more accessible and affordable for a broader audience. Advances in technology and communication have opened up previously inaccessible markets to individuals. Online trading platforms now allow anyone with a secure internet connection to buy and sell stocks, bonds, commodities, and other assets from the comfort of their home, while also providing access to online trading reports. Globalization has indeed made the world more interconnected and compact, and traders have benefitted from these changes as well. It has linked global financial markets and significantly impacted international investing. This interconnectedness allows economies to invest in each other while protecting their domestic markets and generating new profits. To leverage this market interconnectedness, traders need to analyze factors such as geopolitical events, economic indicators, and cross-border regulations for a comprehensive understanding of the global market. With these emerging trends, traders can navigate across different global markets, asset classes, and financial instruments. MintCFD is a premier trading platform offering a seamless trading experience across Indian and global markets. Focusing on transparency, cost-effectiveness, and user empowerment, MintCFD is committed to providing traders with the best possible trading environment with zero brokerage and 100x leverage. Trade stocks, cryptocurrency, indices, commodities and forex: all at one place. Become a smart trader visit: https://www.mintcfd.com/ (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with HT Syndication and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Bhopal, Sep 17 (PTI) Customer base of Amazon Business has expanded at a compounded annual growth rate of 111 per cent in the country in the last six years, a top company official said on Tuesday. Director of Amazon Business Mitranjan Bhaduri told reporters here that 65 per cent of overall orders on Amazon Business are now received through mobile phones. The customer base of the platform (Amazon Business) across India has increased at a CAGR of 111 per cent in the last six years, Bhaduri said. Amazon Business, the B2B online wholesale market started in 2017, is completing seven years in India, he said.. Bhaduri said that Amazon Business has witnessed significant growth outside metro areas, particularly in Bhopal, where it has seen a 2.4-times year-over-year (YoY) increase in new customers. He said that a study reveals strong consumer enthusiasm for online festive shopping. In the study, 89 per cent of respondents expressed their excitement for the upcoming festivities with 71 per cent indicating that they intend to shop online, he said. Nearly 50 per cent of respondents said they intend to shop online and they would spend more on online festive shopping compared to last year, he claimed. Mumbai, Sep 17 (PTI) Benchmark equity indices declined in early trade on Tuesday after surging to record high levels in the previous trading session, amid profit-taking and sluggish trends from the global markets. The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 90.8 points to 82,897.98. The NSE Nifty dipped 26.9 points to 25,356.85. From the 30 Sensex firms, Tata Motors, Tata Consultancy Services, Maruti, Bajaj Finserv, Tata Steel and Adani Ports were the biggest laggards. Hindustan Unilever, NTPC, Nestle and ICICI Bank were among the gainers. In Asian markets, Tokyo and Shanghai were trading lower while Hong Kong quoted with gains. The US markets ended mostly higher on Monday. "Globally equity markets were flat yesterday signalling a wait and watch mood in anticipation of the Fed rate action tomorrow," said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 1,634.98 crore on Monday, according to exchange data. Global oil benchmark Brent crude climbed 0.45 per cent to USD 73.08 a barrel. The BSE benchmark climbed 97.84 points or 0.12 per cent to settle at a new record peak of 82,988.78 on Monday. During the day, it jumped 293.4 points or 0.35 per cent to hit a fresh lifetime intra-day high of 83,184.34. The Nifty went up by 27.25 points or 0.11 per cent to settle at 25,383.75. During the day, the benchmark gained 89.2 points or 0.35 per cent to hit a new intra-day record peak of 25,445.70. New Delhi, Sep 17 (PTI) COP29 host Azerbaijan has called on nations to commit to a six-fold increase in global energy storage capacity from 2022 levels, aiming for 1,500 gigawatts by 2030. This proposal was outlined in a letter by President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev to all participating countries ahead of the UN climate conference in Baku in November. In the letter to both party and non-party stakeholders, Babayev also suggested the creation of a climate action fund which would be supported through voluntary contributions from fossil fuel-producing countries and companies. Azerbaijan has also urged nations to commit to reducing methane emissions from organic waste and lowering the carbon footprint of the tourism sector. The COP29 Presidency said that these pledges and other commitments packaged as a non-negotiated "action agenda" will supplement the formal negotiated agenda at this year's UN climate summit. "Successive COP Presidencies have supplemented their mandated programmes with non-negotiated action agendas, bringing together state and non-state actors, civil society, indigenous peoples, youth, and private and philanthropic organisations to achieve ambitious outcomes," Babayev wrote. These non-binding pledges are distinct from the formal agreements negotiated under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which require extensive consensus. At COP29 in Baku this November, countries are required to reach an agreement on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) -- the new amount developed nations must mobilise every year starting in 2025 to support climate action in developing countries. However, slow progress in last week's technical talks in Baku has cast doubt on the possibility of setting an ambitious new climate finance target at the conference. Washington, Sep 17 (AP) Instagram is introducing separate teen accounts for those under 18 as it tries to make the platform safer for children amid a growing backlash against how social media affects young people's lives. Beginning Tuesday in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, anyone under under 18 who signs up for Instagram will be placed into a teen account and those with existing accounts will be migrated over the next 60 days. Teens in the European Union will see their accounts adjusted later this year. Meta acknowledges that teenagers may lie about their age and says it will require them to verify their ages in more instances, like if they try to create a new account with an adult birthday. The Menlo Park, California company also said it is building technology that proactively finds teen accounts that pretend to be grownups and automatically places them into the restricted teen accounts. The teen accounts will be private by default. Private messages are restricted so teens can only receive them from people they follow or are already connected to. Sensitive content, such as videos of people fighting or those promoting cosmetic procedures, will be limited, Meta said. Teens will also get notifications if they are on Instagram for more than 60 minutes and a sleep mode will be enabled that turns off notifications and sends auto-replies to direct messages from 10 pm until 7 am. While these settings will be turned on for all teens, 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to turn them off. Kids under 16 will need their parents' permission to do so. The three concerns we're hearing from parents are that their teens are seeing content that they don't want to see or that they're getting contacted by people they don't want to be contacted by or that they're spending too much on the app, said Naomi Gleit, head of product at Meta. So teen accounts is really focused on addressing those three concerns. The announcement comes as the company faces lawsuits from dozens of US states that accuse it of harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms. In the past, Meta's efforts at addressing teen safety and mental health on its platforms have been met with criticism that the changes don't go far enough. For instance, while kids will get a notification when they've spent 60 minutes on the app, they will be able to bypass it and continue scrolling. That's unless the child's parents turn on parental supervision mode, where parents can limit teens' time on Instagram to a specific amount of time, such as 15 minutes. With the latest changes, Meta is giving parents more options to oversee their kids' accounts. Those under 16 will need a parent or guardian's permission to change their settings to less restrictive ones. They can do this by setting up parental supervision on their accounts and connecting them to a parent or guardian. Nick Clegg, Meta's president of global affairs, said last week that parents don't use the parental controls the company has introduced in recent years. Gleit said she thinks teen accounts will create a big incentive for parents and teens to set up parental supervision. Parents will be able to see, via the family center, who is messaging their teen and hopefully have a conversation with their teen, she said. If there is bullying or harassment happening, parents will have visibility into who their teen's following, who's following their teen, who their teen has messaged in the past seven days and hopefully have some of these conversations and help them navigate these really difficult situations online. US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said last year that tech companies put too much on parents when it comes to keeping children safe on social media. We're asking parents to manage a technology that's rapidly evolving that fundamentally changes how their kids think about themselves, how they build friendships, how they experience the world and technology, by the way, that prior generations never had to manage, Murthy said in May 2023. (AP) NPK NPK LISBON, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Wildfires that erupted Sunday are continuing to ravage central and northern Portugal while at least seven people have been killed and more than 40 injured, local authorities reported on Tuesday. The fires also destroyed dozens of homes and forced the closure of major roads and highways. As of Tuesday afternoon, the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority is coordinating efforts to control four significant fire outbreaks in the Aveiro district. The fires have spread over an area with a perimeter of approximately 100 km. Authorities have arrested three people in connection with the fires: two women and a man from the municipalities of Pombal, Alvaiazere, and Condeixa-a-Nova. In response to the escalating crisis, the Portuguese government has extended the national alert level until Thursday. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, along with other political and religious leaders, has expressed condolences and solidarity with those affected. Lahore, Sep 17 (PTI) A college teacher belonging to the Ahmadi minority community has been terminated following a large scale protest by students at a college in Pakistans Punjab province for being an Ahmadi, a statement from the community body said on Tuesday. Syed Ahmad, who has been teaching for the last 11 years at the Superior College Sambrial at Sialkot, some 100 km from Lahore, was terminated on Monday as the protesting students held demonstrations at the boys and girls campuses he taught at both the campuses demanding his removal. "When it was revealed a month ago that Ahmad is an Ahmadi, local clerics approached the college administration and demanded his removal forthwith. They also hurled threats at him," the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Pakistan (JAP) said in a statement. On Monday, the students held a demonstration in front of the principal's office for several hours demanding Ahmads removal for being an Ahmadi. They said they would not end their sit-in till the principal announced Ahmads termination as it was a sin to have them taught by an Ahmadi, the statement said. Giving in to the pressure, the college principal told Ahmad the college administration can't afford unrest in the campuses (and) thus firing him, it said. The JAP said that discriminating against and harassing someone based on their beliefs is a severe violation of human rights and Pakistan's Constitution and the laws are clear on this matter. According to Article 25 (1) of Pakistans Constitution, all citizens are equal before the law and entitled to equal protection. Similarly, Article 27(1) states that no citizen who is otherwise qualified for a public appointment shall be discriminated against based on race, religion, caste, gender, residence, or place of birth. In Pakistan, religious extremists are intensifying their hateful campaigns against Ahmadis, leading to increased harassment at workplaces and dismissals from jobs. Similarly, the public is being encouraged to boycott Ahmadi shopkeepers. The government needs to take immediate and effective action against these religious extremists and ensure the protection of Ahmadis, JAP said. Although Ahmadis consider themselves Muslims, Pakistans Parliament in 1974 declared the community as non-Muslims. A decade later, they were not just banned from calling themselves Muslims but were also barred from practicing aspects of Islam. Washington, Sep 17 (PTI) China and Russia are concerned about the strengthening India-US relationship because it promotes inclusivity, peace, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, along with valuing diverse voices in society, a top US diplomat said Monday. "Frankly, why do you think China and Russia are so concerned about this partnership? Because we bring a way of life to the rest of the world, that is about inclusivity, about peace, about the peaceful resolution of disputes, about the rule of law, and it's about hearing everyone's voice in a society," Richard Verma, the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources said at the prestigious Hudson Institute, in response to a question, after he delivered remarks on India-US relationship. Verma said the relationship between India and US is "a very different mode" than how some of the adversaries of the latter operate. The diplomat noted that this uniqueness is why President Joe Biden has described the relationship between both countries as the "defining relationship of this century". He recalled that nearly 20 years ago, when he stood with then-Senator Biden and staff director Tony Blinken in the Senate, Biden had remarked that if the US and India were the closest friends and partners by 2020, the world would be a safer place. "Not just because we have two big militaries, not just because we have two big economies, but because we actually stand for something that matters to people in their daily lives across the world, Verma said. In response to a question on QUAD, Verma said it aims to promote peace, security, stability and prosperity. "I look at what the Quad has, the kinds of statements and pronouncements it's made on technology, for example technology for good, not to harass, not to surveil, not to misinform, laying out a set of key principles, going even further on some of our work on quantum computing and cybersecurity, he said. "When I look at what the Quad has said and done on energy transition, trade, rule-based order, I don't think it has to take on a military character. Indians are not supportive of that. Frankly, I don't think we need that. I think there are other venues to deal with core military issues, he said. "I think this is about like-minded countries, two of which are treaty allies of the United States, coming together in a different form, in a different architecture, bringing in the most populous country in the Indo-Pacific to actually chart some new territory that we hadn't charted before," Verma said. "I think it has positive impact to security without being a treaty-based security organisation. There's great promise and excitement in the QUAD. I think this weekend's meeting will be quite significant. It'll be historic. QUAD will continue to just build in many ways, said the top American diplomat. US President Joe Biden will host the fourth in-person Quad leaders summit at his Delaware residence next week, in a rare gesture for his counterparts from Australia, India and Japan, a presidential spokesperson announced Thursday. India, which was scheduled to host QUAD this year, would host the summit next year. QUAD leadership summit is an initiative of Biden and is one of the key foreign policy legacies for the outgoing American president. Washington, Sep 17 (PTI) Observing that there is a lack of information about how much progress India has made, former Indian minister Smriti Irani on Monday said the financial prospects of the country have not been fully explored internationally. "I don't think the financial prospects of our country are fully explored internationally. India as an economy is looked upon from the myopia of the lens, let's say that gets discussed at Davos or that gets discussed at the (World) bank, but operationally, we create opportunities in so many layers that are not visible," Irani said in response to a question during her appearance at the Observer Research Foundation America. Irani, who is currently on an unofficial trip to the US, said there is a lack of information about how much India has progressed. "There isn't much information about the climate action that has been undertaken by India. Similarly, let's say in precision manufacturing, in agro-based industry, the misconception is that our economy is open only for big business," she said. "Currently, if you look at the small traders in our country, 90 percent of retail trade is conducted in the so-called unorganised sector. From a business perspective, small shops, often referred to as 'kirana dukaan' in Delhi or 'mom-and-pop' stores in the US, are generating a turnover of USD 844 billion," according to the former union minister. Irani also highlighted India's achievement of administering 2.2 billion doses of vaccine in less than three months. "They were surprised because they never, when I say they, I'm saying anybody outside of India, especially in the Western world, were shocked that we could get together an app and deliver not only doses, but 600,000 villages knew exactly what to do in a pandemic," the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said. She said other nations were also surprised that India could become a major force in PPE suit manufacturing in just three months, becoming the world's second-largest supplier, competing with China, and breaking financial barriers in the supply chain. We also need to harness and keep harping about the fact that we in India have made a case for how supply chains globally will not be held hostage for political reasons. That is one message that India can time and again deliver to the world. Our stupendous success in how we handled COVID is a conversation that is not repeated often," Irani said. "But when our backs were to the wall, we not only made our vaccine, we not only protected to the best of our ability our citizens, we have been since then giving food at the doorstep of 800 million Indians, which is not doable by any country in the world. So, I think that it is an imperative morally on us Indians, whenever we are outside our country, to keep talking about these issues, to say we got this much done," Irani said. She added that India is not waiting for the world to act but has created solutions for the world to benefit from. Washington, Sep 17 (PTI) The US-India relationship has entered an era of convergence with solid foundations and bright path ahead, a top Biden administration official has said. Richard Verma, the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, said the two nations now have greater convergence on how to work together and how they assess shared global threats and opportunities. I think it is safe to say we have entered an era of convergence in US-India ties, especially in the past three and a half years," Verma said in his address on Monday at an event titled 'The United States and India: Milestones Reached and the Pathway Ahead' at the Hudson Institute think-tank. Verma is the highest-ranking Indian American ever in the State Department. He said like any other country, the US and India do not agree on everything. "Yet this is an era that now has solid foundations and a bright path ahead, said Verma, who served as US Ambassador to India from 2015 to 2017. There are at least four important vectors -- science and technology, building and developing the architecture of the Indo-Pacific and multilateral institutions, defence and trade and people-to-people relationships -- where two nations can work together in the coming years. So long as we are not complacent and do not take the recent gains of the past quarter century for granted, then I do believe our years ahead can be even better, even stronger, and even more impactful," he said. "I wholeheartedly believe this era of convergence will and must continue, Verma said. The top American diplomat said it was former president Bill Clinton who once and for all de-linked US-India and US-Pakistan policy. Indo-Pak would be set aside in favour of a robust set of policy initiatives that were not only significant, but they were creative, too. There was no more creative and, yes, difficult policy decision than to construct the US-India Civil Nuclear Deal, he said. This was a landmark initiative to deliver safe and reliable nuclear energy to India while simultaneously bringing India into the international atomic energy compliance and safety regimes," he said. Verma said the deal was critical as it showed that the two countries were willing to bend with history and take extraordinary steps that would have lasting effects. That certainly proved to be true. Civil nuclear cooperation led to new advances in defence cooperation, he added. The designation of India as a major defence partner of the United States, a designation no other nation holds, is a significant marker of this defence relationship and a testament to strong bipartisan support for the US-India relationship on Capitol Hill, he said. Our two militaries understand each other. It wasn't that long ago that we weren't really allowed to talk about interoperability or convergence. We now practice and train together," the Indian-origin diplomat said. He said the two countries are now jointly developing and producing some of the world's most sophisticated systems, all in the name of promoting greater peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. The ripple effects of this cooperation should not be underestimated especially when integrated into arrangements like the Quad, he said. This leads to another milestone achieved with global ramifications, our joint work in combating climate change. From Copenhagen to Paris, there was a sea change in the approach and mutual commitments made to tackle this global challenge," he said. Once India joined the Paris Agreement, many like-minded countries followed, which spurred the rapid move towards a greener, more sustainable future, he added. Verma said there are challenges in this relationship as well. I am clear-eyed about the challenges we face, and there are many. I am concerned, for example, about increasing Russia-China collaboration, especially in the security sphere. This partnership could aid Russia in its unlawful war against Ukraine, he said. Russias assistance also could give China new capabilities that pose a challenge to the security of the Indo-Pacific, he added. I am mindful of the need to deepen our economic cooperation, with clear rules of the road, and more government-to-government efforts to ensure transparency and fairness. I am mindful of the need to continue to support our collective civil societies to ensure every voice is heard and supported, with the freedom to speak out, he said. It is our shared values and the commitment to inclusive, pluralistic, democracies that bind us together in special ways and give us the credibility to speak difficult truths to each other as close friends must, said the top American diplomat. Melbourne, Sep 17 (AP) Days of tribal violence in Papua New Guinea's mountainous interior have left more than 35 people dead, a police official said on Tuesday. Police Assistant Commissioner Joseph Tondon in Enga province said the death toll from the violence blamed on illegal miners was still being assessed. There was a fierce battle on Sunday. It's estimated 35-plus men were killed in action, Tondon told The Associated Press. I'm putting all the figures together. There were some innocent bystanders also murdered, he added. A United Nations' humanitarian adviser for the South Pacific island nation, Mate Bagossy, on Monday estimated that between 20 and 50 people were killed in days of violence in Enga. Fighting in the Porgera Valley broke out near the New Porgera gold mine, which has halted most of its operations because of the violence until at least Thursday. Homes and businesses in Suyan village were razed in the fighting, the Post-Courier newspaper reported. The conflict occurred near the site of a massive landslide in Enga on May 24. The national government estimates more than 2,000 villagers were buried and hundreds more displaced. The United Nations estimated only 670 villagers died but does not dispute that the death toll could be far higher. A disaster management team led by the government and the UN Development Programme was meeting on Tuesday in the national capital, Port Moresby, to coordinate a humanitarian response to the violence, which broke out in a dangerous and remote area. Tribal warfare is a growing security problem across Papua New Guinea and is rife in Enga, where recovery has been slow since the landslide. (AP) GRS GRS Taipei (Taiwan), Sep 17 (AP) Chinese warplanes tailed a US military aircraft through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, China's military said. The US aircraft was a P-8A Poseidon patrol and reconnaissance plane, capable of conducting long-range anti-submarine warfare, according to a statement by the People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command. Chinese military forces organized warplanes to tail and monitor the US aircraft's flight and handled it in accordance with the law, said Li Xi, a senior colonel and spokesperson for the command. Theater command troops will remain on constant high alert and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability, he added. The US Navy didn't immediately comment on the incident. China claims the self-ruled island of Taiwan as its own territory and bristles at other countries' patrolling the body of water separating it from the island. On Friday, Germany sailed two warships through the Taiwan Strait in its first transit of the disputed waters in more than two decades, drawing criticism from Beijing. In 2001, a US surveillance plane and a Chinese navy fighter collided mid-air near the Chinese island province of Hainan, resulting in the Chinese pilot's death. The US said its plane was in international airspace and the accident was the result of reckless flying by the Chinese side. (AP) NPK NPK Colombo, Sep 17 (PTI) Ahead of the September 21 presidential election, the main Tamil minority party TNA remains optimistic that whoever wins the polls, Tamil issues could be sorted out through discussion. MA Sumanthiran, the senior Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader, said on Monday that the Tamil party wishes to work in cooperation with the candidate elected. Over 2.2 million out of the 17 million registered voters come from the Tamil regions in the north and east. The TNA, in a divided decision, has already announced to back the main opposition challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party. However, the party leader S Sritharan remains committed to P Ariyanethran, who is contesting as a Tamil common candidate. Sumanthiran said Premadasa was the candidate who gave the most positive assurance among the other candidates the incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Marxist NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake to resolve Tamil issues. During talks with TNA, all three candidates had agreed to devolve powers leading to a political solution for the Tamils, Sumanthiran said. Asked if either Wickremesinghe or Dissanayake were to be the winner instead of their candidate Premadasa, Sumanthiran said as both had given assurances for a political solution no problems would arise. It is the primary focus of all Tamil parties to win over a political solution to the Tamil problems, Sumanthiran said. The TNA decision to back Premadasa has come under fire from the Tamil hardline Tamil National Peoples Front leader Gajen Ponnambalam. He dubbed the TNA decision as one, which is not in the best interests of Tamils, and advocated a vote boycott as the Tamils cannot take part in an election to elect a Sinhalese leader to head the country. Earlier last month, the TNA announced to field Ariyanethran as the joint Tamil candidate. He is one of the 38 candidates in the fray. Washington, Sep 17 (AP) Instagram is introducing separate teen accounts for those under 18 as it tries to make the platform safer for children amid a growing backlash against how social media affects young people's lives. Beginning Tuesday in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, anyone under under 18 who signs up for Instagram will be placed into a teen account and those with existing accounts will be migrated over the next 60 days. Teens in the European Union will see their accounts adjusted later this year. Meta acknowledges that teenagers may lie about their age and says it will require them to verify their ages in more instances, like if they try to create a new account with an adult birthday. The Menlo Park, California company also said it is building technology that proactively finds teen accounts that pretend to be grownups and automatically places them into the restricted teen accounts. (AP) NPK NPK Beirut, Sep 17 (AP) Dozens of people were wounded in Beirut's suburbs and other parts of Lebanon after their handheld pagers exploded Tuesday, Lebanese state media and security officials said. It wasn't immediately clear if people were killed. A senior military intelligence official and an official with a Lebanese group with knowledge of the situation, both of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said that pagers carried by Hezbollah members were detonated. The second official said it was believed to be an Israeli attack. The Associated Press reached out to the Israeli military, which declined to comment. Photos and videos from Beirut's southern suburbs circulating on social media and in local media showed people lying on the pavement with wounds on their hands or near their pants pockets. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah previously warned the group's members not to carry cellphones, saying that they could be used by Israel to track their movements and to carry out targeted strikes. Lebanon's Health Ministry called on all hospitals to be on alert to take in emergency patients and for people who own pagers to get away from them. It also asked health workers to avoid using wireless devices. AP photographers at area hospitals said the emergency rooms were overloaded with patients, many of them with injuries to their limbs, some in serious condition. The state-run National News Agency said hospitals in southern Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley and Beirut's southern suburbs all areas where Hezbollah has a strong presence had called on people to donate blood of all types. The news agency reported that in Beirut's southern suburbs and other areas the handheld pagers system was detonated using advanced technology, and dozens of injuries were reported. A Hezbollah official said that at least 150 people, including members of the group, were wounded in different parts of Lebanon when the pagers they were carrying exploded. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said the explosions were the result of a security operation that targeted the devices. The enemy (Israel) stands behind this security incident, the official said, without elaborating. He added that the new pagers that Hezbollah members were carrying had lithium batteries that apparently exploded. Lithium batteries, when overheated, can smoke, melt and even catch on fire. Rechargeable lithium batteries are used in consumer products ranging from cellphones and laptops to electric cars. Lithium battery fires can burn up to 590 C (1,100 F). The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between Lebanon and Israel. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Israeli forces have been clashing near-daily for more than 11 months against the backdrop of war between Israel and Hezbollah ally Hamas in Gaza. The clashes have killed hundreds in Lebanon and dozens in Israel and displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border. (AP) GSP Bhopal, Sep 17 (PTI) A video of a man dancing in an obscene manner in front of Gond queen Rani Kamalapati's statue here has gone viral, prompting the police to detain one of its employees on the suspicion of being involved in the act. After the video went viral, Bharatiya Janata Party's Bhopal MP Alok Sharma sought that the stringent National Security Act (NSA) be invoked against the accused and also submitted a memorandum of this demand to Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra. Police commissioner Mishra said, "A suspect has been caught in connection with the video." "The suspect works in the 23rd Battalion of police and is being interrogated. The face of the suspect matches with the man dancing in front of the statue," he said, adding that further legal action will be taken after verification. A first information report (FIR) has been registered at the Shyamla Hills police station in the state capital in this connection, and further investigation is underway, he said. Rani Kamlapati reigned over the Bhopal region in the 18th century. She was considered the Gond queen of the region. Her statue is located on the suspension bridge of Bhopal's Lower Lake. Bhopal's Habibganj station was renamed after Rani Kamalapati. JERUSALEM, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a security assessment meeting at the HaKirya military base in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, following deadly pager explosions in Lebanon allegedly carried out by Israel. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the incidents, in which handheld pagers simultaneously exploded, killing at least eight people and injuring over 2,800 others, including Hezbollah members, according to figures from the Lebanese Health Ministry. In a statement, Hezbollah said it is conducting security and scientific investigations to identify the reasons behind these explosions, adding that the group is "at the highest level of readiness to defend Lebanon and its people." In a separate statement, the Shiite group blamed Israel for "this criminal attack," vowing to retaliate. An Israeli government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that the security assessment meeting was focusing on potential Israeli responses to a possible escalation triggered by the explosions. Local authorities in northern Israel have asked residents to remain near shelters and have reinforced safe rooms, citing concerns of a potential escalation. The incidents came after Israel's security cabinet decided earlier in the day to expand the goals of the military operation in the Gaza Strip to include the safe return of residents in northern Israel who were evacuated due to the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah along the Israel-Lebanon border. The decision, widely seen as a step toward further escalation, followed warnings from Netanyahu and Gallant that Israel was prepared to intensify the conflict. Aizawl, Sep 17 (PTI) Mizoram is facing a shortage of fuel and essential commodities, as hundreds of trucks are not plying along a key stretch of a national highway due to poor road condition, officials of several transport associations said. The stretch of National Highway-306 and National Highway-6, particularly in the Kawnpui-Khamrang sector in Kolasib district, needs immediate repair, they said. Mizoram Oil Tanker Drivers' Association (MOTDA) and Petroleum Entrepreneurs & Transporters' Union of Mizoram (PETUM) have decided to suspend operations along that portion of the national highway from Tuesday, MOTDA president Romel Lalruatdika said. Romel said the NH-306 and NH-6 between Kawnpui and Sairang near Aizawl are not fit for transportation of oil. "The poor condition of the road poses a risk to the lives of drivers, and can also lead to oil spill from tankers. Therefore, we have decided to cease operations from September 17 for the safety of drivers and the general public," he told PTI. The Mizoram Distributors Association also said that many trucks carrying essential commodities are not operating owing to the dilapidated condition of the road. Most filling stations in Aizawl ran out of stock on Tuesday, the officials said. Meanwhile, the states Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department Director Saizikpuii said that barring Aizawl, the government has regulated the purchase of oil in other districts. Officials of the Supply Department have urged people not to panic, and said the state government is taking all measures to repair the road stretch. On Monday, Chief Minister Lalduhoma had interacted with leaders of the Mizoram Commercial Vehicles Union on the issue. He had said torrential rainfall and landslides have severely impacted the state's infrastructure. Kohima, Sep 17 (PTI) A Congress leader on Tuesday asserted that the party would soon launch a campaign for the 2028 Nagaland Assembly election. The 2024 Lok Sabha election was a boost for the Congress party in Nagaland as despite not having any MLA, party candidate S Supongmeren Jamir won the Nagaland Lok Sabha seat, AICC secretary, Christopher Tilak said while addressing a press conference here. "We are hopeful and positive that in the months to come we will come up with a proper road map and strategy to hit the districts and Assembly levels across Nagaland," he said. Congress has not been in power in Nagaland since 2003. In the next few months, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president S Supongmeren Jamir and other office bearers of the party will start touring districts beginning from Eastern Nagaland area and also cover other districts holding interactions with civil societies to re-strengthen the party at all levels. Tilak said during his two-day stay visit, he interacted with Nagaland party leaders to understand the key issues of the state and to figure out the strategies for keeping the 2028 state Assembly election in mind. The Congress leader also touched on issues of the state, particularly the unresolved Naga Political Issue while expressing happiness that the Congress MP and three other officials of the party are members in the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) constituted by the state government. Formation of PAC is a good initiative, he said. "PAC wants to expand their inputs and wants much broader inputs from civil societies but they have to be provided with the agreements which will help them to be clear about what they are speaking about," he said. On the Frontier Nagaland Territory demand of Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation, Jamir expressed hope that the tripartite talk between the Centre, ENPO and Nagaland government would soon bring it to a logical conclusion. Asked about the poor performance of Congress in the urban body elections of the state after the win in the Lok Sabha election, Jamir said despite not having a single MLA, the Congress has won eight seats in the municipal elections and it is a good starting point for the party. "Definitely within the next four years we are looking forward to working at the grassroots and expecting for the best in the 2028 elections," he said. Kohima, Sep 17 (PTI) Nagaland on Tuesday launched the 'Swacchta Hi Seva' campaign with a call to take up the responsibility of managing their own waste. Launching the campaign, Principal Secretary of Public Health Engineering Department, E Mhonbemo Patton sought the cooperation of all stakeholders including urban local bodies and village councils as well as general public towards the success of the programme. This is the 10th edition of the campaign, he said, adding that a lot of efforts are being taken to spread the message that sanitation is everyone's business. Commissioner and Secretary for Urban Development Department and Municipal Affairs, Kekhrievor Kevichusa said that Swacchta Hi Seva aims to raise awareness about cleanliness and hygiene through community participation, while this year's theme is "Swabhav Swachata, Sanskar Swacchta" - cleanliness of nature, cleanliness of culture. In this, the state would move ahead with the campaign through three innovative approaches which include adopting the slogan 'Moi laga jabrah, moi laga kaam' (my waste, my responsibility) and adopting the 'Lao-Ong-Mo' festival, a post-harvest celebration of the Konyak Naga tribe, which falls on September 28 and is observed by cleaning footpaths and streets with community celebration. The campaign steering committee of the state has also decided to prolong the Swachhata campaign till November 30, to coincide with the start of Hornbill Festival and participate in the 2 mass social work programme of the state planned in October and November, he said. The cleanliness campaign is an annual fortnight long cleanliness drive usually from the second half of September till October 2 to coincide with Gandhi Jayanti. It is a part of the Swachh Bharat Mission which aims to eliminate open defecation, create open defecation-free (ODF) villages and improve both solid and liquid waste management. The mission consists of two parts urban and rural (or grameen). Kevichusa informed that the two government departments Urban Development and PHE have identified 189 black spots in 39 urban areas and 23 in rural areas in the state for cleanliness and maintenance during the campaign period. The senior bureaucrat also administered the Swachhta pledge on the occasion. New Delhi, Sep 17 (PTI) With Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expected to resign later on Tuesday, AAP MLAs will hold a crucial meeting at 11.30 am at his residence to pick his successor. Kejriwal is likely to meet Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena at 4.30 pm and tender his resignation. After being released from Tihar jail on bail in the excise policy case, the AAP national convenor said on Sunday that he would resign within 48 hours and sought early polls in Delhi. He vowed not to sit in the chief minister's chair till people gave him a "certificate of honesty". On Monday, AAP held a series of meetings as Kejriwal sought feedback from members of the political affairs committee, the party's highest decision-making body, on his successor in one-on-one meetings at his official residence. He had met senior leaders, including former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha, about the party's choice for chief minister. Names of Delhi ministers Atishi, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot and Saurabh Bharadwaj are making the rounds as contenders, party insiders said and added that Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal and Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel were also probables. Mangolpuri MLA Rakhi Birla, who is also the deputy speaker in the assembly, and Kondli legislator Kuldeep Kumar are also potential candidates, they added. The AAP sources said the surprise candidate could also be a member of the minority community as the party has witnessed its support among the community wavering since the 2020 Delhi riots. In such a scenario, Delhi minister Imran Hussain may be the surprise face, they added. The BJP said Kejriwal's decision to resign as chief minister was borne out of "compulsion" and not driven by "principle". The saffron party has described his move as "drama" and a "confession of crime" and wondered if he had offered to quit because of infighting in AAP. Addressing party workers on Sunday, Kejriwal sought polls in the national capital in November. The Delhi Assembly's term ends on February 23 and the polls are expected to be held some time in early February. New Delhi, Sep 17 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the BJP-led NDA government has shown to the world in the past decade that India's foreign policy has a spine. Addressing a press conference to mark 100 days of the third tenure of the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah said the country has witnessed unprecedented stability in governance and policy over the past decade. "After Independence, for the first time in the past decade, the world saw a spine in India's foreign policy," Shah said. He slammed the foreign policy pursued by the previous Congress governments. "Earlier, India's foreign policy lacked spine, it was not visible. Now, the spine in the foreign policy is visible clearly," Shah said at the press conference where he was flanked by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. A presentation on the achievements of the Modi government in its third tenure circulated at the press conference cited the Prime Minister's visits to Russia and Ukraine as the hallmarks in the field of foreign policy. It noted that President Droupadi Murmu was honoured with Fiji's highest civilian award, the 'Order of Fiji', and Timor-Leste's 'Order of Timor-Leste'. The prime minister was also awarded the 'Order of St. Andrew the Apostle' during his visit to Russia. The first 100 days of the new government also was prime ministerial visits to Singapore and Brunei Darussalam, the first-ever visit by an Indian prime minister. Modi's visits to Austria and Poland were also the first by an Indian prime minister in 41 and 45 years respectively. The government noted that India hosted the third 'Voice of the Global South' Summit which saw participation by over 120 countries. India also hosted the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting for the first time, it said. New Delhi, Sept 17 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday said the government is talking to both the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur to ensure lasting peace and has begun fencing the country's border with Myanmar to check infiltration. Addressing a press conference on the achievements of the 100 days of the Modi 3.0 government, Shah said barring three days of violence last week, the overall situation in Manipur has been calm and the government has been working to restore peace in the restive Northeastern state. "We are talking to both the communities for maintaining peace. We are also preparing a roadmap for a permanent peace in Manipur," he said. The home minister said fencing of 30 km of the international border with Myanmar has been completed while funds have been approved for a total of 1,500 km and the work will start soon. He said that the government has already scrapped the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR), which allows people residing close to the India-Myanmar border to venture 16 km into each other's territory without any documents. "Now people will be able to enter each other's territory only with a visa," he said. The 1,643 km long India-Myanmar border, which passes through Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, had the FMR. It was implemented in 2018 as part of India's Act East policy. Ethnic violence has been going on in Manipur since May 3 last year after a tribal solidarity march in the hill districts of the state to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Since then, over 220 people belonging to both the Kuki and Meitei communities and security personnel have been killed in the continuing violence. New Delhi, Sep 17 (PTI) The Congress on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of misusing religion for politics, saying as Maharashtra elections were around the corner, he decided to go with an elaborate camera crew for Ganesh Puja to Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud's house in "contravention of all principles of judicial separation". The opposition party also said such proximity between the chiefs of the executive and the judiciary raises doubts about the PM's intentions. The grand old party's attack came after Modi said the Congress and its "ecosystem" was angry with him for taking part in Ganesh Puja, claiming that "power-hungry" people who were dividing society were also having problems with this festival. Modi made the comment in an apparent reference to the criticism by the opposition parties for participating in Ganesh Puja rituals at the residence of the Chief Justice of India while addressing a rally after launching the Odisha governments flagship programme Subhadra Yojana here. Reacting to the prime minister's remarks, Congress general secretary, in-charge organisation, K C Venugopal, said, "The difference between true bhakti and misuse of religion for politics is not hidden from anyone." "Just when Maharashtra elections are around the corner, the non-biological PM decides to go with an elaborate camera crew, in full Maharashtrian attire, for the Ganesh Puja. Not only that, this is to the CJIs house, in contravention of all principles of judicial separation. Did the PM not think about what message goes across?" Venugopal said. Such proximity between the chiefs of the executive and the judiciary raises doubts about the PMs intentions, he said. "The BJP-RSS disregard for institutional integrity and constitutional values is well known, which raises further questions about why the PM chose to make this visit," he said. "Mr. Prime Minister, stop misusing Lord Ganesha to deflect from the genuine questions raised about your impropriety," Venugopal said. In his remarks at the rally, Modi said, "Ganesh Utsav is not just a festival of faith for our country. It played a very important role in the freedom movement. "Even at that time, the British who followed the policy of divide and rule used to hate Ganesh Utsav. Even today, the power-hungry people, who are busy in dividing society are having problems with Ganesh Puja. You must have seen that the people of Congress and its ecosystem are angry because I participated in Ganesh Puja," Modi said. He also said that Lord Ganesh was "put behind bars" in Congress-ruled Karnataka by these people. Modi was apparently referring to a viral photo of Ganesh idol in a police van in the southern state. Chandigarh, Sep 17 (PTI) The high-stakes Haryana assembly election will witness a multi-cornered contest with the ruling BJP set to face the anti-incumbency test as well as a resurgent Congress as it looks to script a hat-trick in the state. Among the 1,031 candidates in the fray for the October 5 polls are several kin of Haryana's three famous 'Lals' -- former chief ministers Bansi Lal, Devi Lal and Bhajan Lal -- with some even taking on each other. The entry of a few more from other prominent political families has made the electoral battle an interesting one. Besides the BJP and the Congress, AAP has also fielded candidates for the polls. The Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and Azad Samaj Party are contesting the election in alliance, as are the INLD and the BSP. Prominent names in the fray are BJP candidates Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini from Kurukshetra's Ladwa and Anil Vij from Ambala Cantt, the Congress' Bhupinder Singh Hooda from Rohtak's Garhi Sampla-Kiloi and Vinesh Phogat from Julana, JJP's Dushyant Chautala from Uchana Kalan, INLD's Abhay Singh Chautala from Ellenabad and AAP's Anurag Dhanda from Kalayat. According to the election department, over two crore voters are eligible to cast their votes in the state -- 1,07,75,957 men, 95,77,926 women and 467 transgender voters. Among the kin of the three 'Lals', Congress candidate Anirudh Chaudhry, Bansi Lal's grandson and former treasurer of the BCCI, is contesting from Bhiwani's Tosham seat against his cousin and ex-MP Shruti Choudhry, fielded by the BJP. From the Dabwali seat, Devi Lal's grandson Aditya Devi Lal, an INLD candidate, will take on the JJP's Digvijay Singh Chautala, the great-grandson of the former deputy prime minister. In Hisar's Adampur constituency, Bhajan Lal's grandson Bhavya Bishnoi of the BJP is seeking re-election. The Congress and the BJP are contesting on 89 seats each. The Haryana assembly has a strength of 90. While the Congress has left the Bhiwani seat for the CPI(M), the BJP pulled its candidate from Sirsa, leaving the seat for its ally Haryana Lokhit Party. Both the BJP and the Congress faced rebellion on a few seats but several of these leaders withdrew from the race before the last date for nomination withdrawal. The BJP is aiming for a hat-trick in the state but faces a tough challenge from a resurgent Congress looking to cash in on the anti-incumbency factor to return to power in Haryana after a decade. To offset the Congress challenge, the BJP made a bold move in March by replacing Manohar Lal Khattar with Nayab Singh Saini as the chief minister ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Khattar is now a Union minister. Saini is the BJP's chief ministerial face but senior party leader and six-time MLA Anil Vij has thrown his hat in the ring by declaring that he would stake claim for the post if the party won. The BJP came to power in Haryana on its own for the first time in 2014. Following the 2019 assembly polls, the Dushyant Chautala-led JJP joined hands with the BJP to form the government after the saffron party failed to get a clear majority. However, the alliance ended in March after Saini replaced Khattar. While the Congress is the main challenger to the BJP in the assembly polls, the other outfits and the Aam Aadmi Party make it a multi-cornered contest. The split in the Jat vote among parties like the INLD and the JJP may not work to the Congress' advantage. Congress leader Bhupinder Hooda, a two-time former chief minister, maintains that it is going to be direct fight. "In Haryana, the direct contest is between the Congress and the BJP. All the parties like the INLD, JJP and HLP have been fielded only to cut the votes of the Congress. BJP has also given this responsibility to many Independents. The public needs to be cautious of such candidates," Hooda said. On the other hand, Chief Minister Saini has maintained that the BJP will come to power for a third time and said people know that the Congress spreads "falsehood". The BJP is looking to cash in on the "clean image" of Chief Minister Saini, on whom Prime Minister Narendra Modi lavished praises while during a poll rally in Kurukshetra recently. The party claims to have provided "transparent administration" and jobs on merit and undertaken equitable development, as against the alleged favouritism in jobs, corruption and regional bias that prevailed earlier during the Congress regime. The BJP has the added advantage of being in power at the Centre which allows it to pitch to voters its "double-engine capability". However, being in power in the state for 10 years, the party will have to counter the anti-incumbency factor. To counteract this, the party has been highlighting the work done by its governments at the Centre and in the state over the past decade and welfare schemes brought for various sections of society, including farmers. The Congress and other opposition parties have made farmers, unemployment and law and order major poll issues. The Congress also ran a "Haryana Maange Hisab" campaign and attacked the BJP over these issues. It also got a boost in the recent general election as it wrested five of the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana from the BJP. However, BJP leaders have also been raking up infighting within the Congress, dubbing it as a "divided house". The JJP and INLD are facing an uphill task as both outfits faced a rout in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The INLD, led by former chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, currently has just one member in the Haryana Assembly. AAP leaders, meanwhile, are hopeful that the people of Haryana will give them a chance this time. Firozabad (UP), Sep 17 (PTI) Five persons, including two children and a woman, were were killed in a sudden explosion at a firecracker godown-cum-factory in Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad district, a police official said on Tuesday. Eleven persons were injured in the incident, they said. Police said the explosion happened in the factory located in the Naushera area under Shikohabad police station limits on Monday night, "Five persons including two children were killed in the explosion, which had taken place in a firecracker godown-cum-factory. Eleven persons were injured in the incident," Circle Officer Shikohabad Praveen Tiwari told PTI. Deepak Kumar, IG, Agra range, who reached the incident spot late on Monday night for inspection had told PTI that a team of fire and police departments, and the district administration are engaged in relief work under supervision of the superintendent of police and CMO officials, he said. According to local residents, around 10.30 pm, there was a sudden blast in the firecracker godown due to which the walls of the building collapsed and about seven people of the same family living in it got buried under the debris. According to information obtained from the district hospital, the deceased who have been identified are Meera Devi (45), Aman (20), Gautam Kushwaha (18) and Kumari Ichha (3). The identity of one of the deceased child is yet to be ascertained, police said. The bodies of the deceased were sent for postmortem and the injured have been hospitalised, the official said. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognisance of the accident that took place at the firecracker godown in Shikohabad area of Firozabad district, according to UP government. The chief minister has directed the district administration officials to provide them proper treatment to the injured and has directed the district administration officials to reach the spot and expedite the relief work, it said. Srinagar, Sep 17 (PTI) With the first phase of assembly elections set to be held on Wednesday in Jammu and Kashmir, the Kashmiri Pandit community is raising urgent calls for action on their long-standing issues of unemployment and housing. Nearly 35 years after the mass exodus of 1990, many in the community feel that political parties have repeatedly failed to address their concerns. Babloo Ji Butt, a representative voice of the community, expressed frustration over the unmet promises of political leaders. "For Kashmiri Pandits, it feels like the old saying: 'Hathi ke daant khane ke kuch aur, dikhane ke aur.' For decades, we have heard only lofty claims. We have become accustomed to empty assurances, and it seems that political leaders see us merely as voters," Butt lamented. Despite the challenges, Butt emphasised that relationships between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslim communities remain strong, even as many Pandits have settled outside the region. "Home is still home," he asserted. He highlighted the ongoing issues with the Prime Ministers package, which promised 6,000 jobs and construction of housing quarters for displaced Pandits. While 2,500 quarters have been completed, another 2,500 remain unfinished after four years, leaving many families in rented accommodations. "If the government truly wanted to bring us back, they could have done so within a year," he said, criticising both central and regional parties for their lack of action. Sunita Bhan, another member of the community, echoed Butt's sentiments, saying that political leaders only remember Kashmiri Pandits during election season. "If they genuinely wanted to help us, initiatives could have been enacted much earlier," she said, pointing out that many children of Kashmiri Pandits have left Jammu and Kashmir in search of better opportunities. She also criticised the inadequate salary of Rs 20,000 under the PM package, calling for an increase to support families. The sentiments of disillusionment are shared by many in the community, who feel overlooked once elections conclude. Yet, there remains hope among the younger generation for a secular Kashmir where Hindus and Muslims coexist harmoniously. Yatin Pandita, another Kashmiri Pandit, emphasised the need for employment opportunities and effective rehabilitation policies. "Development must encompass all sectors, and the government should create jobs. Our youth deserve platforms to showcase their talents," he said, adding that many still live in rented accommodations despite the promises made. Srinagar is set to go to the polls on September 25, with a total electorate of 7,74,462, including 3,86,654 male voters, 3,87,778 female voters, and 30 individuals from the third gender. The district comprises eight assembly constituencies: Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Lal Chowk, Chanapora, Zadibal, Eidgah, and Central Shalteng. As the elections draw near, the Kashmiri Pandit community remains hopeful that their voices will be heard, and their demands for rehabilitation and employment finally addressed. LISBON, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Six students were stabbed by a classmate at a school in the municipality of Azambuja, central Portugal, leaving one child in serious condition, according to local Civil Protection authorities on Tuesday. The attack took place at the Basic School 1, 2, and 3 of Azambuja, located in the Lisbon district, during school hours. The victims, all between 12 and 14 years old, were targeted by their peer in an unexpected assault. One of the students sustained critical injuries to the chest and head and was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment. Local emergency services, including six ambulances, the Azambuja Fire Department, and the National Institute for Medical Emergency (INEM), responded swiftly to the scene. The condition of the remaining victims has been reported as stable. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the motive behind the attack, which remains unclear. Chennai, Sep 17 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, Chief Minister M K Stalin and a host of political party leaders extended their birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who turned 74 on Tuesday. Tamil superstar Rajinikanth also wished the PM on the occasion. In his message, Ravi said, "The people of Tamil Nadu extend their heartfelt wishes to our beloved Prime Minister Thiru Narendra Modi on his birthday for his long and healthy life. Under his revolutionary transformative leadership this nation is confidently marching ahead to her destiny of Viksit Bharat by 2047." Modi's steadfast focus on infrastructure development in Tamil Nadu, including highways, railways, airports and seaports and numerous welfare schemes for the people shows his profound love for the Tamil people. A Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre in Singapore, a Thiruvalluvar Chair in an university in Malaysia, a Subramaniya Bharathi Chair in the Banaras Hindu University, annual Kasi Tamil Sangamam, Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam and restoration of the Holy Sengol in Parliament reflect his immense love for Tamil language and culture, the Governor said in a Raj Bhavan statement. Chief Minister M K Stalin said, "Warmest birthday wishes to Prime Minister Thiru Narendra Modi. Wishing You a long life with enduring health in the years ahead." AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami also wished the PM. "Heartiest birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Wishing a long and healthy life with continued public service," he said. Actor Rajinikanth said, "A very happy birthday to our most respected Prime Minister Dear Narendra Modi ji. I pray to God to always bless you with good health and happiness." Tamil Nadu BJP President, K Annamalai said, "on behalf of BJP Tamil Nadu, heartiest birthday greetings to our beloved PM Thiru Narendra Modi." Anbumani Ramadoss, the leader of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) which is an ally of the ruling BJP at the Centre, wished PM Modi many more years of good health, happiness, strength and success in public life. Modi was born on September 17, 1950 in a small town in Gujarat. He was sworn-in as Prime Minister for the third time on June 9, 2024. 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. The next generation of Buffetts Howard, Susie and Peter is poised to become one of the most powerful forces in philanthropy when their 94-year-old father, the legendary businessman and leader of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett, eventually passes away. But it wasnt always going to be that way. Buffett announced in June that he would donate his fortune, now valued at nearly $144 billion, to a charitable trust managed by his three children when he dies, instead of giving it to the Gates Foundation, as he indicated 18 years ago. The next generation of Buffetts will then have 10 years to give the money away, Warren Buffett said. In the meantime, the elder Buffett continues to make huge annual donations to the Gates Foundation and his four family foundations, which will continue throughout his lifetime. He first mentioned plans for a new charitable trust in November. Howard Buffett told The Associated Press hes learned what his father told him and his siblings about philanthropy was true: Its not so easy to give away money if you want to do it smart, if you want to be intelligent about it. The middle Buffett child, Howard said his father is as sharp as ever and that he hopes he lives a long time, adding: Its pretty amazing that hes giving us this opportunity. Buffett has entrusted Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates with significant annual gifts to their foundation since 2006 a remarkable $43 billion to date . Wealthy people dont tend to give their money to other people to give away, said James Ferris, founding director of The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy at the University of Southern California. But many of the wealthiest people are also hesitant to hand over their fortunes to the next generation over concerns that it hampers their ingenuity, he said. Ferris thinks the story of Buffetts changing philanthropic intentions is a positive one. It shows how a donor is making choices and is adapting to circumstances, he said. The Gates Foundation did not say when it learned of Buffetts decision or what the impact will be on its budget. It previously said in a statement that Warren Buffett has been exceedingly generous, and that he has played an invaluable role in championing and shaping the foundations work to create a world where every person can live a healthy, productive life. Over the years, Buffett gave the Gates Foundation large annual donations, but also donated billions to foundations run by his three children and a fourth family foundation. Their work offers some insight into the priorities of the next generation of Buffetts. The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, named after Warren Buffetts first wife, is the largest in terms of donations. It supports organizations that provide reproductive health care and access to contraception and abortion around the world. Susie Buffett, 71, is its board chair and Peter Buffett, 66, is a board member. Susie Buffett also leads The Sherwood Foundation, a major supporter of early childhood development nationally that gives grants to organizations and projects within Omaha, Nebraska, the Buffetts hometown. Peter Buffetts NoVo Foundation has been an important funder of organizations advocating for the autonomy of girls and women and against gender-based violence. In 2020, Peter and his wife, Jennifer, decided to reorient their focus, expanding their support for Native American communities and projects to build sustainable, local communities with a focus on agriculture and food access. The Howard G. Buffett Foundation has focused on conflict mitigation and agriculture around the world. Since 2022, it has donated some $800 million more than most countries to humanitarian initiatives in Ukraine during the countrys war with Russia. These include supporting food distribution at schools, demining activities, and the rebuilding of a major publishing company and a key bridge transporting grain. In a relatively rare interview for a family that seldom makes time to speak with the media, Howard Buffett, 69, said he couldnt predict exactly how he and his siblings would give away their fathers fortune. However, he said they would continue to take risks and find ways to make the biggest difference as their father recommended. I can tell you, well sit down in a room when the time comes, and well get it figured out pretty quickly, he said, acknowledging that the directive to donate all the money within 10 years was a challenge. The siblings different ways of thinking and approaches to giving are assets, he said. What this is going to do is were going to bring all of our collective experience together, he said. But dont expect to find the family name on a lot of buildings, which the siblings have largely avoid even as theyve given away more than $15 billion of their fathers money since 2006. Kathleen Enright, president and CEO of the Council on Foundations, said the Buffetts have effectively made philanthropy a family business, with the next generation now seasoned donors who have built enduring institutions in their foundations. It is a big deal, she said, of the amount of money that the Buffetts are poised to give away, noting that because the fortune will likely continue to grow, they will have to give away highly visible sums to spend it down. The tight timeframe to give away his fortune after his death reflects one of Warren Buffetts longstanding conditions for receiving charitable funding. He has instructed the Gates Foundation and his familys foundations to grant out the full amount they received within a year. The next generation of Buffetts have run their foundations with tiny staffs much like how Warren Buffett oversees his massive Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate with only about two dozen people at its headquarters in Omaha. Howard Buffett said his foundation employs less than 10 staff members. It granted $458.1 million in 2023, according to tax documents. He acknowledged that his lean staff puts some limits on their capacity, but said the way theyve scaled their work is through creating strong and enduring relationships with other organizations to help implement their ideas. In contrast, the Gates Foundation has one of the largest endowments at $75.2 billion, funded by donations from Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. It employs more than 2,000 people, many of them technical experts all over the world, and is known for making highly directed grants with rigorous reporting requirements. The foundation has said it will wind down its operations within 25 years after its founders deaths. Howard Buffett said he likes a challenge and thinks that in general, wealthy people should give their money away within their lifetimes, rather than holding it in perpetual foundations. Somebody is going to spend that money. Somebody is going to give that money away, he said. So, I would rather do that with my brother and sister and do it together, as a partnership, than see it done any other way. (AP) A Christian pastor from California has been freed from China after nearly 20 years behind bars and is back home in the U.S., the State Department said Monday. David Lin, 68, was detained after he entered China in 2006, later convicted of contract fraud and sentenced to life in prison, according to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and advocacy groups. We welcome David Lins release from prison in the Peoples Republic of China. He has returned to the United States and now gets to see his family for the first time in nearly 20 years, the State Department said. Lin frequently traveled to China in the 1990s for religious purposes, according to China Aid, an U.S.-based advocacy group for persecuted activists in China. The group said Lin sought a license from the Chinese government to carry out Christian ministry. Its unlikely he was granted permission, and he was detained in 2006 when assisting an underground church, China Aid said. Lin was formally arrested in 2009 on suspicion of contract fraud and, after a court review, was sentenced to life in prison, China Aid said. The charge is frequently used against leaders in the house church movement, which operates outside state-sponsored faith groups, and is a crime that Lin denied, according to the Dui Hua Foundation, a humanitarian group that advocates for prisoners in China. The commission on religious freedom says those who participate in and lead house churches often face intimidation, harassment, arrest and harsh sentences. In China, all Christian churches must pledge loyalty to the ruling Communist Party and register with the government. Any unregistered church is considered an underground church, and its activities are considered unlawful in China. Beijing has always cracked down on unlawful preaching, and efforts have only intensified in the past decade. Lins sentence had been reduced and he had been due for release in April 2030. The commission on religious freedom noted in 2019 that there were reports Lin was in declining health and faced possible threats to his safety in prison. The Chinese foreign ministry didnt immediately respond to requests for comment about Lins release. It comes after national security adviser Jake Sullivan visited China late last month, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top officials, in a bid to keep communication open as tensions have increased between U.S. and China. Other Americans known to remain detained in China include Mark Swidan, who was sentenced on drug charges, and Kai Li, a businessman who is being held on espionage-related charges that his family says are bogus. Rep. Michael McCaul, the Texas Republican who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he was extremely glad Lin was released after 17 years behind bars in China and called for Li and Swidan to be freed immediately. Lins capture, like so many others, marks a rising trend of hostage diplomacy by authoritarians around the world, McCaul said on the social platform X. (AP) Trying to defend their narrow Senate majority with a challenging slate of contests on Republican-leaning turf, Democrats are pumping $25 million into expanded voter outreach across 10 states. The new spending from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, first shared with The Associated Press, comes less than two months until the Nov. 5 election and as Democrats are benefiting from a fundraising surge since President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid in July and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the party standard-bearer. A formidable ground game makes all the difference in close races, DSCC Chairman Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan said in a statement. We are reaching every voter we need to win. The latest investment will be distributed across Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin. The money will go toward efforts to defend five Democratic incumbents and open seats in Michigan, Maryland and Arizona that are currently included in Democrats majority, as well as efforts to unseat GOP incumbents in Florida and Texas. Plans for the money will vary by state but will include hiring more paid field organizers and canvassers; digital organizing programs targeting specific groups of voters online; texting programs; and in-person organizing events targeting younger generations and nonwhite voters. Democrats currently hold a 51-49 Senate advantage, a split that includes independent senators who caucus with Democrats. But of the 33 regular Senate elections this November, Democrats must defend 23 seats, counting the independents who caucus with them to make their majority. Theyve devoted few national resources to West Virginia, a Republican-leaning state where Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat-turned-independent, is retiring. The playing field gives Democrats little margin for error. If they lose West Virginia and hold all other seats, they still would have to upset Florida Sen. Rick Scott or Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to win a majority or hope Harris wins the presidential election an outcome that would allow her running mate, Tim Walz, to cast the tiebreaking vote for Democrats as vice president, as Harris did in a 50-50 Senate during the first two years of Bidens administration. The DSCC declined to disclose a state-by-state distribution of the $25 million. But its no secret that Democrats defense of the majority starts with tough reelection contests for Sens. Jon Tester of Montana and Sherrod Brown of Ohio. Both are relatively popular, multiterm incumbents, but theyre running in states where Donald Trump, the former president and current Republican nominee, has twice won by comfortable margins. That means Tester and Brown would need a considerable number of voters to split their tickets between Trump and their Senate choice. Senate Democrats already have financed field offices in Montana and Ohio, since those are not presidential battleground states where the Harris campaign leads Democrats coordinated campaign operations. And even with the money coming from national coffers, the additional on-the-ground spending will reinforce the two Democratic senators strategies of distancing themselves from Harris and the national party. Five of the 10 states getting money, meanwhile, overlap with the presidential battleground map: Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Biden won all of them four years ago, while Trump won all except Nevada in 2016. Both presidential campaigns see the states as tossups this fall. The voter outreach spending comes alongside an ongoing $79 million advertising effort by Democrats Senate campaign arm and builds on staffing and infrastructure investments that the national party arm already has made. The outlay comes after Harris, who has raised more than $500 million since taking over the Democratic presidential ticket in July, announced plans to distribute $25 million to party committees that focus on down-ballot races. Senate and House Democrats respective campaigns each got $10 million of that money, an acknowledgment that Democratic majorities on Capitol Hill would make a Harris presidency more successful and that Harris and down-ballot Democrats can help each other at the ballot box. Democratic aides said the on-the-ground spending was always in the Senate committees plans, but Harris bounty certainly expands options for all party-affiliated campaign groups. Democrats believe they have a superior campaign infrastructure to Trump and the rest of the GOP in a campaign year where the White House and control of Capitol Hill could be decided by marginal turnout changes among the parties core supporters and a narrow band of persuadable voters. Still, the National Republican Senatorial Committee has outraised and outspent Senate Democrats this cycle, though Democrats had more cash on hand at the end of July, the last reporting period disclosed to the Federal Election Committee. Through July 31, the NRSC had raised $181.3 million and spent $138.5 million. Republicans reported a balance of $51 million. Democrats had raised $154 million and spent $103.3 million. They reported a balance of $59.3 million. (AP) The U.S. government and TikTok will go head-to-head in federal court on Monday as oral arguments begin in a consequential legal case that will determine if or how a popular social media platform used by nearly half of all Americans will continue to operate in the country. Attorneys for the two sides will appear before a panel of judges at the federal appeals court in Washington. TikTok and its China-based parent company, ByteDance, are challenging a U.S. law that requires them to break ties or face a ban in the U.S. by mid-January. The legal battle is expected to reach the U.S. Supreme Court. The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, was a culmination of a years-long saga in Washington over the short-form video-sharing app, which the government sees as a national security threat due to its connections to China. But TikTok argues the law runs afoul of the First Amendment while other opponents claim it mirrors crackdowns sometimes seen in authoritarian countries abroad. In court documents submitted over the summer, the Justice Department emphasized the governments two primary concerns. First, TikTok collects vast swaths of user data, including sensitive information on viewing habits, that could fall into the hands of the Chinese government through coercion. Second, the U.S. says the proprietary algorithm that fuels what users see on the app is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to shape content on the platform in a way thats difficult to detect. TikTok has repeatedly said it does not share U.S. user data with the Chinese government and that concerns the government has raised have never been substantiated. In court documents, attorneys for both TikTok and its parent company have argued that members of Congress sought to punish the platform based on propaganda they perceived to be on TikTok. The companies also claimed divestment is not possible and that the app would have to shut down by Jan. 19 if the courts dont step in to block the law. Even if divestiture were feasible, TikTok in the United States would still be reduced to a shell of its former self, stripped of the innovative and expressive technology that tailors content to each user, the companies said in a legal brief filed in June. It would also become an island, preventing Americans from exchanging views with the global TikTok community. Opponents of the law stress a ban would also cause disruptions in the world of marketing, retail and in the lives of many different content creators, some of whom also sued the government in May. TikTok is covering the legal costs for that lawsuit, which the court has consolidated with the companys complaint and another filed on behalf of conservative creators who work with a nonprofit called BASED Politics Inc. Though the governments primary reasoning for the law is public, significant portions of its court filings include classified information that has been redacted and hidden from public view. The companies have asked the court to reject the secret filings or appoint a district judge who can ferret through the material, which the government has opposed because it will cause a delay in the case. If admitted into the court, legal experts say those secret filings could make it nearly impossible to know some of the factors that could play a part in the eventual ruling. In one of the redacted statements submitted in late July, the Justice Department claimed TikTok took direction from the Chinese government about content on its platform, without disclosing additional details about when or why those incidents occurred. Casey Blackburn, a senior U.S. intelligence official, wrote in a legal statement that ByteDance and TikTok have taken action in response to Chinese government demands to censor content outside of China. Though the intelligence community had no information that this has happened on the platform operated by TikTok in the U.S., Blackburn said there is a risk it may occur. In a separate document submitted to court, the DOJ said the U.S. is not required to wait until its foreign adversary takes specific detrimental actions before responding to such a threat. The companies, however, argue the government could have taken a more tailored approach to resolve its concerns. During high-stakes negotiations with the Biden administration more than two years ago, TikTok presented the government with a draft 90-page agreement that allows a third party to monitor the platforms algorithm, content moderation practices and other programming. TikTok says it has spent more than $2 billion to voluntarily implement some of these measures, which include storing U.S. user data on servers controlled by the tech giant Oracle. But it said a deal was not reached because government officials essentially walked away from the negotiating table in August 2022. Justice officials have argued complying with the draft agreement is impossible, or would require extensive resources, due to the size and the technical complexity of TikTok. The Justice Department also said the only thing that would resolve the governments concerns is severing the ties between TikTok and ByteDance given the porous relationship between the Chinese government and Chinese companies. But some observers have wondered whether such a move would accelerate the so-called decoupling between the U.S. and its strategic rival at a time when other China-founded companies, such as Shein and Temu, are also making a big splash in the West. Last week, the Biden administration proposed rules that would crack down on duty-free products being shipped directly from China. For its part, ByteDance has publicly said TikTok is not up for sale. But that has not stopped some investors, including former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and billionaire Frank McCourt, from announcing bids to purchase the platform. However, even if such a sale would occur, it would most likely be devoid of TikToks coveted algorithm, leaving a big question mark on whether the platform would be capable of serving up the type of personally tailored videos that users have come to expect. The political alignments on the issue are playing out in unconventional ways. The law, which passed with bipartisan approval in Congress, had encountered resistance from some progressive and Republican lawmakers who voiced concerns about giving the government the power to ban a platform used by 170 million Americans. Former President Donald Trump, who tried to ban TikTok while in office, is now opposing a ban because that would help its rival, Facebook, a platform Trump continues to criticize over his 2020 election loss. In court, free speech and social justice groups have submitted amicus briefs in support of TikTok, arguing it restricts the First Amendment rights of users and suppresses the speech of minority communities by disrupting a tool many of them use to advocate for causes online. Some libertarian groups with ties to ByteDance investor Jeff Yass have also filed briefs supporting the company. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has received the backing of more than 20 Republican attorneys general, former national security officials and China-focused human rights groups who are asking the court to uphold the law. (AP) Irans new reformist president insisted Monday that Tehran didnt want to enrich uranium at near-weapons grade levels but had been forced to by the U.S. withdrawal from its nuclear deal with world powers. The comments by President Masoud Pezeshkian, in response to a question by The Associated Press at his first news conference, underlines a campaign promise he made to try to see international sanctions on the Islamic Republic lifted. However, it remains unclear just how much room for negotiation Pezeshkian will have and just who will be in the White House come next year. I think, we said many times, we dont want to do this at all. We want to solve our technical and scientific needs, we are not looking for nuclear weapons, Pezeshkian said. We adhered to the framework written in the (nuclear deal). We are still looking to maintain those frameworks. They tore them, they forced us to do something. He added: If they dont continue, we will not continue, Pezeshkians comments came as Iran enriches uranium up to 60% purity, which is just a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. Iran long has insisted its nuclear program is peaceful, but Western nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency say Iran had a military nuclear program up until 2003. Irans supreme leader, the 85-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has opened the door to possible negotiations by earlier telling its civilian government there was no harm in engaging with its enemy. There have been indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. in recent years mediated by Oman and Qatar, two of Washingtons Middle East interlocutors when it comes to Iran. Pezeshkians new foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, also was deeply involved in negotiating the 2015 deal. Meanwhile, tensions between Iran and Israel have hit a new high during the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Tehran launched an unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel in April. A shadow war between the two countries over the years reached a climax with Israels apparent attack on an Iranian consular building in Syria that killed two Iranian generals and others. The July assassination in Tehran of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, suspected to have been carried out by Israel, also prompted Iran to threaten to retaliate against Israel. Pezeshkian, meanwhile, said that Iran wouldnt give up its ballistic missile arsenal unless all are disarmed in our region. He made a point to say that Israel should disarm after earlier criticizing its conduct in the ongoing war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. We need military power for the security of our people and country, he said. We will not lose our defense power unless all are disarmed in our region. If America also respects our rights, we have no dispute. Do not sanction or threaten us, we will not be threatened. (AP) The United States announced new sanctions Monday against a commercial spyware company headed by a former Israeli military officer whose program allowed easy access to almost any information stored on a smartphone. U.S. officials and private researchers say Intellexa Consortiums products have been used for mass surveillance campaigns around the world, allowing unscrupulous users to track and obtain sensitive information from dissidents, journalists, political candidates and opposition figures. The penalties target five people and one organization connected to Intellexa, a Greece-based network of companies with subsidiaries in North Macedonia, Hungary, Ireland and the British Virgin Islands. The company developed and sold a suite of spyware tools known as Predator that allowed entry into a targets device without requiring them to click on a link or attachment. The program would then grant access to the camera and microphone as well as any data or files stored on the compromised phone. The United States will not tolerate the reckless propagation of disruptive technologies that threatens our national security and undermines the privacy and civil liberties of our citizens, said Bradley T. Smith, acting undersecretary of the Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence. Several subsidiaries of Intellexa and two employees, including its founder, were sanctioned earlier this year by the Biden administration. Last year, the Commerce Department blacklisted Intellexa and one of its subsidiaries, denying them access to U.S. technology. The five people subject to the new penalties each held senior positions at Intellexa or one of its subsidiaries, U.S. officials say. The Aliada Group, another subsidiary based in the British Virgin Islands, also was sanctioned over allegations of enabling financial transactions for Intellexa that totaled tens of millions of dollars, officials said. Messages left with Intellexa and its executives were not immediately returned Monday. Intellexa was created in 2019 by former Israeli military officer Tal Dilian. Dilian and Sara Hamou, a corporate offshoring specialist who has provided managerial services to Intellexa, were penalized earlier this year in what Biden administration officials said was the first time sanctions were issued over the misuse of spyware. Individuals and organizations under sanctions are prohibited from engaging in business or financial transactions within the U.S. or with U.S. entities. Amnesty Internationals Security Lab published a report last year that found Predator had been used to target but not necessarily infect devices connected to the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and the president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-Wen, as well as Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D. Europe also has faced a number of spyware incidents. Predator spyware was reportedly used in Greece, a revelation that helped precipitate the resignation in 2022 of two top government officials, including the national intelligence director. (AP) Venezuelas main opposition coalition on Monday called on the U.S. to cancel the licenses that allow Chevron and other energy companies to operate in the South American country to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to negotiate a transition from power. The appeal came from an adviser to the campaign of Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, who represented the Unitary Platform coalition in the July 28 election, and his main backer, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Gonzalez and Machado claim their campaign won the vote by a wide margin, contradicting the decision of national electoral authorities to declare Maduro the winner. We want them canceled this is a lifeline to the regime, adviser Rafael de la Cruz said in reference to the licenses during a panel discussion hosted by a Washington-based think tank. We want all the oil companies to go to Venezuela. So, its not about the companies. Its about the situation that is impoverishing the country so badly that practically the whole population wants this regime gone. California-based Chevron is the largest company to have received an individual permission from the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden to do business with Venezuelas state-owned oil company Petroleos de Venezuela S.A., better known as PDVSA. The Treasury Department sanctioned PDVSA in 2019 as part of a policy punishing Maduros government for corrupt, anti-democratic and criminal activities. Chevrons license was issued in 2022 after Maduro and the opposition coalition jumpstarted a negotiation process. In October, the Treasury Department granted Venezuela a broad reprieve from sanctions after Maduro and the opposition agreed to work to improve electoral conditions ahead of the 2024 presidential contest. But as hopes for a democratic opening faded, the Biden administration clawed back the relief. The White House left open the possibility for companies to apply for licenses exempting them from the restrictions, which could attract additional investment to the country with the worlds largest proven oil reserves. European companies have benefited from individual licenses. De la Cruz said the Gonzalez-Machado campaign wants to find common ground with oil companies. But, he said, their presence in Venezuela at the moment give Maduro the ability to try to normalize de facto dictatorship that he is trying to set up in Venezuela. Chevron did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from The Associated Press. Venezuelas electoral authorities declared Maduro the victor hours after polls closed on July 28 but unlike previous presidential elections they never released detailed vote tallies to back up their claim, arguing that the National Electoral Councils website was hacked. To the surprise of supporters and opponents, Gonzalez and Machado shortly afterward announced not only that their campaign had obtained vote tallies from over two-thirds of the electronic voting machines used in the election but also that they had published them online to show the world that Maduro had lost. Global condemnation over the lack of transparency prompted Maduro to ask Venezuelas high court, stacked with ruling party loyalists, to audit the results. The court reaffirmed his victory. After the disputed election, legislation was introduced in the U.S. Congress to prohibit American investments in Venezuelas oil sector and to impose visa restrictions on current and former Maduro government officials. Resolutions recognizing a Gonzalez victory were also introduced in the House and Senate. Gonzalez, a former diplomat, earlier this month departed for exile in Spain after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with an investigation into the publishing of the vote tally sheets. Last week, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions against 16 allies of Maduro, accusing them of obstructing the vote and carrying out human rights abuses. Those targeted included the head of the countrys high court, leaders of state security forces and prosecutors. (AP) CAIRO, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Tuesday urged the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor. Abdelatty made the remarks during his meeting in Cairo with Tor Wennesland, the United Nations special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. During the meeting, the Egyptian minister stressed the need for Israel to accept the return of the Palestinian Authority (PA) to manage the Rafah crossing, which would allow the resumption of the crossing's operation. He also stressed support for the efforts of the UN coordinator to preserve the status of the PA as the central government for the administration of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Abdelatty reiterated Egypt's commitment to facilitating a ceasefire and delivering humanitarian aid to the strip, emphasizing the importance of enabling all UN agencies, particularly the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, to carry out their responsibilities. The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Niger is complete, an American official said Monday. A small number of military personnel assigned to guard the U.S. Embassy remain, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters. Earlier this year, Nigers ruling junta ended an agreement that allowed U.S. troops to operate in the West African country. A few months later, officials from both countries said in a joint statement that U.S. troops would complete their withdrawal by the middle of September. The U.S. handed over its last military bases in Niger to local authorities last month, but about two dozen American soldiers had remained in Niger, largely for administrative duties related to the withdrawal, Singh said. Nigers ouster of American troops following a coup last year has broad ramifications for Washington because its forcing troops to abandon critical bases that were used for counterterrorism missions in the Sahel. groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group operate in the vast region south of the Sahara desert. One of those groups, Jamaa Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, known as JNIM, is active in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, and is looking to expand into Benin and Togo. Niger had been seen as one of the last nations in the restive region that Western nations could partner with to beat back growing jihadi insurgencies. The U.S. and France had more than 2,500 military personnel in the region until recently, and together with other European countries had invested hundreds of millions of dollars in military assistance and training. In recent months Niger has pulled away from its Western partners, turning instead to Russia for security. In April, Russian military trainers arrived in Niger to reinforce the countrys air defenses. (AP) Five thousand firefighters struggled Tuesday to contain multiple wildfires raging across northern Portugal that are blamed for causing at least six deaths including four firefighters and forcing an unknown number of residents to flee their homes. Some 100 fires reported by national authorities stretched the firefighting brigades. Authorities have yet to give figures on how many people have had to evacuate and how many homes have been lost. Over 50 people have been injured. Civil Protection official Andre Fernandes said that three firefighters had died while traveling by road Tuesday, but it was not known if their vehicle had crashed before it was engulfed by flames. The deaths of two civilians were confirmed, one from burns and the other from cardiac arrest, and one more firefighter died from an unspecified illness while on duty, over the weekend. With no rain forecast, national authorities prolonged an alert for fires until Thursday. The measure included a ban on farmers using heavy machinery to harvest crops because of the risk of sparks that could start more fires. The hot, dry conditions behind the outbreaks in Portugal came while downpours caused flooding in central Europe. I would like to say within a word of calm and tranquility we also need to be realistic, Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said late on Monday. We will endure difficult hours in the coming days. We need to prepare for it and we need to come together for it. Among the hardest hit areas is the district of Aveiro, south of the northern city of Porto, but blazes were also raging out of control in other wooded areas. Portuguese state broadcaster RTP showed images of houses burnt to the ground and smoke billowing over charred terrain in the area of Castro de Aire. Ground units were supported by Portuguese water-dropping aircraft. Fellow European Union members Spain, France Italy and Greece have committed to providing eight more planes to help local forces. The EU stands with Portugal as it battles major wildfires, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a message on X. I thank France, Greece, Italy and Spain for their rapid reaction. This is EU solidarity at its best. Still, televised images showed some residents wielding tree branches and buckets of water to try to save their homes from encroaching fires. Portugal was devasted by massive fires in 2017 that killed over 120 people and burned over half a million hectares. (AP) Prominent columnists have resigned from the Jewish Chronicle newspaper over allegations that it published fabricated articles about the Israel-Hamas war. The resignations on Sunday came after the London-based newspaper removed multiple articles by a freelance journalist and apologized to readers, saying it conducted an investigation into the writer and was not satisfied with some of his claims. The newspaper didnt specify which articles by the journalist, Elon Perry, were problematic. Among other claims, Perry who described himself as a commando in the Israel Defense Forces alleged that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar planned to smuggle himself and Israeli hostages out of Gaza through the border area with Egypt known as the Philadelphi corridor. Israeli media initially circulated the article, but later came to question its sourcing. The report has drawn speculation that it may have been part of a disinformation campaign in support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because the claims largely mirrored those made by the leader about the Philadelphi corridor earlier this month. Long-time Jewish Chronicle columnist Jonathan Freedland resigned in protest on Sunday, saying the latest scandal brings great disgrace on the paper and that it has departed from the traditions that built its reputation as the worlds oldest Jewish newspaper. Too often, the JC (Jewish Chronicle) reads like a partisan, ideological instrument, its judgements political rather than journalistic, Freedland posted on X. Fellow columnists Hadley Freeman and David Aaronovitch also announced they were quitting, while a spokesperson for author and comedian David Baddiel said he had no plans to write any more columns for the paper. Freeman said in a post that she resigned because recent events have made it impossible for me to stay. The newspapers editor, Jake Wallis Simons, said it was every newspaper editors worst nightmare to be deceived by a journalist and that the newspaper has cut all ties with Perry. His work has now been removed from our website. Readers can be assured that stronger internal procedures are being implemented, he wrote on X. Perry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. The Observer and other British outlets cited him over the weekend as saying that the Jewish Chronicle made a huge mistake with its statement and calling the criticism a witch-hunt. (AP) In a statement published on Monday, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar commended the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen for their recent missile attack on Israel. The congratulatory letter, posted on the Hamas website, celebrated the Houthis missile strike, which targeted central Israel on Sunday. The attack set off sirens across a wide area, from east of Tel Aviv to Modiin. The Houthis, who control northern Yemen, fired a ballistic missile that was intercepted by an Israeli defense missile. However, the missile was not entirely destroyed, breaking apart in midair and causing minor damage from falling debris, according to an Israeli Air Force report. Despite the Israeli probe concluding that the missile was not hypersonic, as the Houthis had claimed, the Yemeni group doubled down on their assertion. On Monday, they released a nearly two-minute video, claiming it documented the missile launch, which they called Palestine 2. The Houthis have previously launched over 220 missiles and drones toward Israel, most of which were intercepted or missed their targets. In his letter, Sinwar praised the Houthis success, writing to their leader Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, Congratulations on your success in reaching the depth of the enemy entity. Sinwar also reassured his counterpart about Hamas resilience in its ongoing conflict with Israel, saying, I can assure you the resistance is fine. We have prepared ourselves to fight a long battle of attrition. He dismissed reports suggesting Hamas was struggling, labeling them psychological warfare. In his letter, Sinwar also invoked the broader regional alliance against Israel, highlighting the involvement of other Iranian-backed groups, including Hezbollah. Our efforts, along with the resistance in Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq, will defeat the enemy, Sinwar declared, pointing to a wider axis of Iranian proxies across the Middle East. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Israels security cabinet has added a new war goal: to return the residents of the north to their homes, the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) announced early Tuesday morning. Israels security cabinet met in the Kiryah in Tel Aviv on Tuesday night following the meetings of US special envoy Amos Hochstein with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant earlier in the day. Hochstein flew to Israel as part of the Biden administrations last-ditch attempt to forge a diplomatic solution to the Hezbollah terror groups ongoing attacks on Israel. However, both Gallant and Netanyahu made it clear to Hochstein that the window for a diplomatic solution has passed and Israel must do what it takes to restore security to its northern border. There are currently 68,500 displaced Israelis who were evacuated from their homes close to the northern border in the wake of the October 7 assault and subsequent Hezbollah attacks on Israel. And of course, there are hundreds of thousands of Israelis living in the north in communities that were not evacuated but are under constant Hezbollah fire. Returning those residents to their homes, which will not be possible without an all-out war with Hezbollah, has now been added to the preexisting war goals of the destruction of Hamas and the return of the hostages, an apparent signal that Israel has decided to launch a war with Hezbollah Ynet reported that senior IDF officials support extending the war to the north, saying that theres no possibility of returning northern residents to their homes with a diplomatic agreement alone. Even those who initially supported a diplomatic agreement have changed their minds in the wake of Hezbollahs increasingly aggressive attacks that have lasted for almost a year. The IDF has learned more about the operations of Hezbollahs Radwan Force along the border. Although most Radwan terrorists have been killed or fled northward, they left behind much infrastructure and military sources say that IDF forces must carry out a ground operation to dismantle it. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The IDF announced on Tuesday that it eliminated Ahmed Aish Salame al-Hashash, the head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihads rocket unit in Rafah, in an airstrike on Monday. As per Gazan terrorists customary mode of operation, Al-Hashash was using Gazan civilians as human shields and firing rockets at Israel from the humanitarian area in Khan Younis. After taking measures to protect civilians, IDF fighter jets carried out a precision strike, killing Al-Hashash. Al-Hashash was responsible for the Islamic Jihads rocket attacks from Rafah and was an important source of knowledge in PIJs rocket array, the IDF said. During the war, Al-Hashash was responsible for firing rockets from inside the humanitarian area toward Israeli civilians. At the time of the strike, Al-Hashash was embedded and operating inside the humanitarian area in Khan Younis. 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. Terror organizations in the Gaza Strip are systematically violating international law, exploiting civilian institutions and the population as human shields for terrorist actions. The IDF will continue to operate with strength and determination against these terrorist groups. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The Shin Bet thwarted a Hezbollah attempt to assassinate a former senior Israeli security official which was set to be carried out in the coming days, the Shin Bet revealed on Tuesday afternoon. In its announcement, the Shin Bet also revealed for the first time that Hezbollah was behind the attempted attack in Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv in September 2023. The Shin Bet found a Claymore explosive device, which is known to be used by Hezbollah, with a remote activation mechanism based on a camera and a cell phone that was set to be activated by Hezbollah from Lebanon. Operational preparation and the activity of the forces prevented the attack in the final stages of implementation, the Shin Bet stated. The target of the attack has been briefed by the security forces and is being updated accordingly. At this stage, it is not possible to provide further details. The device is similar in its characteristics to the Claymore device used by Hezbollah on September 15, 2023 in Yarkon Park, which was intended to hit an Israeli official. The assessment in the security system is that the Hezbollah elements involved in the current incident were behind the attack in September 2023. It should be emphasized that the infrastructure was under surveillance for a long time. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The negotiations for Gideon Saars entry into the government were suspended on Tuesday due to a complex security event which complicates replacing Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at this time, according to a source involved in the talks. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is currently at the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, where he held a lengthy meeting with Mossad chief David Barnea. According to a Maariv report, the security system received very serious warnings in recent hours the element of surprise against Lebanon has been lost and may have flipped. A political source stated, There is currently an ongoing not simple security incident, during which it may not be feasible to replace the Defense Minister, and they might have to wait a bit for it to conclude. The source added, The Prime Minister is currently in security consultations and has not been personally involved in the negotiations since this morning. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Israels Defense Ministry and the IDF on Monday completed the process of equipping 97 rapid-response civilian teams along the northern border. On October 9, several terrorists infiltrated Israel from Lebanon and were eliminated by IDF forces and other terrorists were killed while still inside Lebanon. However, IDF officials have warned that the threat of a ground infiltration from Lebanon still exists. The civilian security teams in communities near the border received weapons, including 9,000 assault rifles, combat and rescue gear, medical equipment, and uniforms. Defense Ministry Director-General Maj.-Gen. (res) Eyal Zamir said: Since the start of the war and as part of our lessons learned, the ministry has been working to strengthen the emergency resonse units that fought heroically on October 7th. After re-equipping the communities in the Gaza border area, we are now completing the re-equipment of approximately 100 units in the north with combat equipment, including the Arad an advanced rifle developed in Israel. This initiative is part of our policy to strengthen border defense while increasing independent production of high-quality Israeli weapons. The 97 teams are defending yishuvim in the Upper Galil, Maale Yosef, Mevoot HaChermon, Merom HaGalil, Mateh Asher, Metula, and Shlomi, as well as cities such as Kiryat Shmona, Nahariya, and Maalot-Tarshiha. The second stage of the operation equipping security teams in Ramat HaGolan is now ongoing, and when completed, will increase the number of fully equipped security teams to 120. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The Iranian ambassador to Lebanon and two of his bodyguards were injured when Hezbollah-provided pagers exploded on Tuesday. The devices, which were distributed throughout Lebanon and Syria, were the latest model acquired by Hezbollah in recent months, according to three security sources who spoke to Reuters. The blasts have resulted in over 1,000 injuries, with a Hezbollah source describing it as the most significant security breach in nearly a year of clashes with Israel. While Israel has yet to issue an official statement, an associate of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu suggested that Jerusalem may have been involved in the attack. However, the premiers office promptly denied this claim. In response to the crisis, Beiruts health ministry is urging citizens to donate blood. Hospitals in regions with high injury numbers are being placed on high alert and instructed to coordinate with the ministry to distribute resources to other areas. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) BAGHDAD, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Tuesday directed the dispatch of medical teams to Lebanon for urgent assistance following the deadly pager explosions allegedly carried out by Israel. "The Iraqi government is following the dangerous security developments in Lebanon and the Zionist cyberattack that led to the martyrdom and injury of a large number of civilians," Iraqi government spokesman Basim al-Awadi said in a statement. The explosions and other attacks committed by Israel, as well as the threat to wage a large-scale war on Lebanon, entail "urgent international intervention" to prevent the expansion of war in the Middle East region, al-Awadi said. Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad said Tuesday that at least nine people were killed and about 2,800 others wounded, including around 200 in critical condition, across Lebanon earlier in the day when their pagers simultaneously exploded. In Lebanon's neighboring country Syria, 14 Hezbollah fighters were injured when their communication devices exploded in the capital, Damascus, according to war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The mass casualties followed Israel's declaration of shifting its military focus from the Gaza Strip to Lebanon after an 11-month devastating war. Israel has not claimed responsibility for Tuesday's blasts, but Hezbollah, Syria, Iran, Yemen's Houthis, Iraq, and the Arab League have all accused it of being behind them. Sky News in Arabic reported on Tuesday evening that Israels Mossad is behind the explosion of Hezbollah operatives communication devices in Lebanon. According to the report, the Mossad inserted explosive materials into the batteries of the communication devices and detonated them by raising the temperature of the batteries. The Mossad spy agency intercepted Hezbollahs communication devices before they were delivered to the group. The Mossad reportedly attached PETN, a powerful explosive, to the devices batteries and remotely triggered the explosions by increasing the batteries temperature. It was also reported that the insertion of the explosive materials was carried out before the devices reached Hezbollah. A Lebanese security source told Al Jazeera that the pagers were pre-loaded with explosives before they reached Hezbollah. The source noted that each explosive charge embedded in the pagers did not exceed 20 grams. Hezbollah reportedly received the devices five months ago. Some of the operatives felt that their devices were overheating and disposed of them before they exploded. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Air France, the Lufthansa Group, and British Airways have all suspended flights to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv until at least September 19th. The airlines are likely anticipating a potential Hezbollah response after close to 4,000 Hezbollah terrorists were injured in a series of pager blasts in Lebanon and Syria. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Landlords are bracing for another onslaught of regulation, fees and restrictions which could eat into profits and strangle their investments with red tape. The Government's new Renters' Rights Bill is expected to become law by next summer and is likely to be the final straw for many of Britain's 2.3 million landlords. On top of that, next month's Budget statement could make buy-to-let even tougher. Money Mail trawls through the small print to unearth what the bill will mean for landlords and everything you need to know to make sure you are ready when it comes into force. Hairy tennants: The incoming Renters' Rights Bill will mean landlords will not be able to refuse 'reasonable' demands from tenants to have a pet in their property Why are they so worried? Polly Neate, head of housing charity Shelter, describes the bill as a 'watershed moment for England's 11 million renters'. It is designed to increase rights for tenants, for example by banning no-fault evictions and discrimination against tenants with children or who are receiving government benefits. However, landlords warn that unintended consequences could leave them and tenants worse off. Jonathan Rolande, co-founder of the National Association Of Property Buyers, warns that costs for tenants will only increase as landlords deal with more red tape and many exit the market. 'Because there will be the same demand for rentals but a smaller supply of landlords there will be, say, 12 people looking at every property instead of ten,' he says. 'Rents will go up because of this.' A survey from Simply Business, which provides landlord insurance, said 59 per cent are considering selling in the next 12 months due to the new legislation. 'It goes without saying that landlord/tenant relationships should be transparent and fair, but it's clear from our data that the increased costs associated with new regulations are forcing many to consider whether they'll be able to continue letting property,' says Bea Montoya, chief operating officer of Simply Business. Greg Tsuman, lettings director of Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents and former president of ARLA Propertymark, a trade association for lettings agents, adds: 'There's quite a lot of thought going into this legislation, although it is very clearly weighed in tenants' favour. 'The perception is that over the past several decades, the scales have tipped the other way [in favour of landlords]. I think that's a perception rather than reality and the unintended consequence of this new legislation is that tenants will end up paying higher rents, not lower ones. 'In reality, there's just not enough supply of rental property and the Government is putting a Band-Aid on a massive wound that was formed over decades.' So what are the key changes upsetting landlords? End of no-fault evictions One of the key changes will be a ban of Section 21 evictions. At present, landlords are permitted to give tenants two months' notice to exit without giving a reason. Although this element of the bill has been given the most attention, Bea Montoya at Simply Business says that for most landlords other elements of it are likely to be more concerning. As many as 70 per cent of landlords have never used the rule to evict a tenant. Key change: Under the new bill, landlords will be required to give tenants four months' notice instead of two when they want to sell or move into their own property Jonathan Rolande, from Worthing, whose company has a number of properties in West Sussex, Stoke-on-Trent and London, agrees. 'How many landlords are throwing out tenants with a Section 21 when they're good at paying and they're at roughly the market rate? I would say almost none. Why would they?' Rolande is more concerned about another element. Under the new bill, landlords will be required to give tenants four months' notice instead of two when they want to sell or move into their own property. However, tenants need only give two months' notice. 'In the property market four months is a massive chunk of time, so things can change,' says Rolande. 'You can decide to sell in August, for example, and then you get an empty property at Christmas, when the property market is at its worst and you struggle to sell for months.' Fixed-term tenancies will also be banned. That means tenants will be able to stay indefinitely until they decide to end the tenancy by giving two months' notice. Landlords will still be able to go to court to evict tenants if they do not pay their rent, but they must wait until three months of arrears have built up, rather than the two required currently. It is still unclear whether the fixed-term tenancies ban will apply to student housing, where contracts may be only for term time or for fixed lengths. If it does, it could have a huge impact on rental prices, says Graham Hayward, head of rental guarantor service Housing Hand. 'This would have a major impact on occupancy rates for these types of providers. That could have a knock-on effect on prices and payment terms that sends a shockwave across the entire rental sector.' Landlords can't ban pets The bill will mean landlords will not be able to refuse 'reasonable' demands from tenants to have a pet in their property. They will, though, be able to request that tenants take out insurance against damage caused by animals they keep in it. Rolande says he 'feels a bit sorry for neighbours' when it comes to tenants having pets. 'Potentially where tenants are able to force the issue and get a dog into a flat or something like that, that may disturb neighbours, so there's going to be issues around that. But, in my experience, most tenants are sensible.' If tenants feel they have been unreasonably denied a pet they can take their case to a new free ombudsman or to court. Landlords cannot discriminate against those on benefits or with children. The Government says landlords will still 'have the final say' on who they let their property to and can ask for references. But they must do this based on affordability, not on the basis that the prospective tenant has children or is in receipt of benefits. How will I choose who to rent to? Dog lover: but Neel Patel is concerned that he won't be able to refuse pets Neel Patel, who has 15 properties in London, calls the rental act 'scary'. 'Landlords are seen as social pariahs now,' says Neel, 39. 'I understand there are some bad landlords out there and something needs to be done.' He is concerned by several issues in the bill, including the stipulation that he cannot unreasonably refuse pets. 'I love dogs, but I don't believe a dog should be in a studio flat upstairs.' Neel is also worried that, because of the extreme demand for property, anyone who he does not rent to might have a claim for discrimination. 'At the moment when I put a two-bedroom flat on the market I might get 100 calls in 24 hours. People can't bid so how can I decide who to rent to? Someone's going to have a claim and they're going to bring this new ombudsman into play which, on the face of it, seems great but how much is this going to cost us?' The father of two is also concerned at properties being left empty because of having to give long notice periods before selling. 'Who pays the mortgage at that point? Why would anyone want to be a landlord now?' he asks. 'Everyone is selling and then what will happen?' Changes on how to set rents Landlords will only be able to increase rent once a year and they will have to give two months' notice. They can only increase it to the 'market rate' the price that the property would achieve if it was newly advertised to let. Landlords will also no longer be able to write rent review clauses into tenancy contracts that set out when bills will rise and by how much. Landlords will also be banned from accepting offers above the advertised rent. If they are not happy, tenants will be able to challenge rent increases for free at a First-Tier Tribunal if they believe they are above the market rate. New rules on maintenance The Decent Homes Standard, which applies to social housing, means that kitchens cannot be more than 20 years old and that properties must have adequate insulation. These standards will also apply to private rentals when the bill becomes law. Landlords will also be bound by Awaab's Law, which means that any health hazards in a private rental property must be investigated within 14 days. Rising cost of red tape While the new ombudsman will be free for tenants, landlords fear they will end up paying extra for this service as well as extra fees for compliance with other rules within the Renters' Reform Bill. Greg Tsuman, from Martyn Gerrard, said the way lettings agents charge their clients will 'radically change', with costs rising, which will in turn push up rents. 'The more regulation and legislation is introduced, the more pressure there is on the rents to go up,' he says. 'And as landlords exit the market because they haven't got the confidence to keep in the business and new landlords are dissuaded from entering the market the prices will continue to rise, as that is what supply and demand will dictate.' Rent rises: Landlords fear the extra fees and costs they face from the Renters' Reform Bill will force them to hike rents Councils will have greater power to fine landlords who flout the rules, with minor offences incurring a 7,000 fine and serious ones attracting penalties of up to 40,000 or criminal prosecution. Property experts are also concerned that the bill will create a backlog in court as landlords are forced to use more formal methods to evict tenants. There are already court delays in this area, and though Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has pledged to 'invest in additional court and tribunal capacity to handle any extra hearings generated by these reforms', Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns at Propertymark, says that there are still concerns. 'There must be a commitment to ensure the court system and grounds for possession are robust and fit for purpose,' he says. Other things to Make life harder Experts warn there are other changes that may make being a landlord less attractive and rents more expensive. These include a requirement for rented properties to be more energy efficient, with an energy performance certificate rated C or above by 2030 as part of the Warm Homes Plan. This could require landlords to make homes more energy efficient by, for example, changing the windows or boiler or installing insulation. Speculation is also mounting that Chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce an increase in capital gains tax. Currently landlords pay CGT of 18 per cent or 24 per cent on profit they make on selling a property, depending on whether they are a basic or higher-rate taxpayer. But the Government could raise the rates in line with income tax, meaning landlords would face paying 20 per cent, 40 per cent or 45 per cent on capital gains depending on their income tax band. moneymail@dailymail.co.uk Kingfisher shares soared on Tuesday after it raised the bottom end of its annual profit guidance, noting improved seasonal sales trends despite continued weak 'big-ticket' demand. The Screwfix owner told shareholders trade has been anchored on customers repairing, maintaining and renovating their homes during the six months to 31 July. The FTSE 100 company, which also owns B&Q, now expects to post a full-year adjusted pre-tax profit of 510million to 550million, up from previous guidance of 490million to 550million. Screwfix's parent company now expects adjusted pretax profit to be between 510million and 550million for the current financial year Kingfisher shares jumped 6.4 per cent to 309p in morning trading on Tuesday. The update also helped to lift the shares of rival Travis Perkins, which was up 2.8 per cent to 942p, as investors eye improvement in the sector's fortunes. Despite the increase, the forecast will still fall considerably short of the 568million Kingfisher made last year. In a statement, the company said there were 'positive early signs' of a housing market recovery, notably in the UK. The group said profit on the same measure fell 0.5 per cent to 334million for the first half to 31 July, with like-for-like sales declining 2.4 per cent. Performance in France was the biggest contributor to the dip, with like-for-like sales falling by 7.2 per cent, although it said this was 'broadly in line with the market'. Kingfisher put this down to 'the soft consumer backdrop throughout the period'. The firm added that like-for-like sales were down 0.3 per cent in the third quarter so far. Thierry Garnier, chief executive officer, of Kingfisher said: 'Trading overall in the first half was in line with our expectations. 'This was underpinned by customers continuing to repair, maintain and renovate their existing homes, driving resilient volume trends in our core product categories.' Food fight: ITV boss Carolyn McCall has hit out against the move to ban on junk food advertisements before 9pm ITVs boss has warned the Governments ban on junk food advertisements before 9pm could cost the broadcaster millions of pounds. Carolyn McCall has hit out against the move as ministers pledged to press ahead with the policy, despite complaints about nanny state curbs and their impact on broadcasters. The move is intended to tackle childhood obesity amid alarm that a third of youngsters are overweight by the end of secondary school. The Government has announced that the restrictions will not take effect until October next year. But McCall, speaking at the Royal Television Society convention in London, said Labours measures would be ineffective and ultimately damage the UKs television production industry. Weve done loads of research to show this is not going to make a dent on childhood obesity, she said, stating the move would cost the maker of Love Island millions of pounds. Shares in ITV gained 0.6 per cent, or 0.45p, to 81.1p yesterday. Pret A Manger global sales jumped to above 1billion last year as it pursued international expansion. The UK-based coffee and sandwich chain said 1 in every 4 spent by customers now came from outside the UK as sales shot up 22 per cent in 2023. A total of 81 shops opened up abroad including in India and Canada, as well as in Greece and Spain. Sales boost: Pret A Manger said 1 in every 4 spent by customers now came from outside the UK as sales shot up 22% in 2023 Privately-owned Pret said it had opened more shops in 2023 than any year in its history, including 15 shops in India. These stores have helped the group, founded by Julian Metcalfe and Sinclair Beecham in 1986, to double in size, three years ahead of its target. And profits jumped 12 per cent to 166million last year. Pret A Manger chief executive Pano Christou said: We set ourselves some tough targets to get Pret going again after the pandemic, and we have delivered. The fact that 1 in every 4 is now spent outside the UK is both an achievement and an opportunity for our business. It shows how big the appetite is from customers all over the world for Prets menu. Looking to the future, our recipe for success is to focus on doing what Pret does best: creating delicious, freshly made food for our customers, only using the high-quality ingredients that were proud to have in our kitchens. He said it had been investing more into new recipes such as bespoke soya and coconut satay and shawarma sauces. Some 87 per cent of openings have been outside London since January 2023. Many office workers in the UK and beyond continue to spend part of the week at home, which is hitting demand in Prets city and town centre outlets. Since the pandemic, the business has been expanding into other areas, such as suburbia, that are not as dependent on white collar workers. But there are signs of this customer base returning to their office hubs. And New York is now Prets overseas capital, having the highest sales after London. The company signed a deal with a new franchise partner, Dallas International, in February. This has helped to fast track growth across the US, with ten shops planned on the East Coast by 2026. Six shops across Scotland will open in the medium term. But sales growth has slowed over the first half of 2024, from 3 per cent compared to 15 per cent last year. Clive Black, an analyst at investment group Shore Capital, said the update was no doubt seeking [to] raise awareness that the firm is alive & kicking, maybe ahead of some wider capital event or organisation change, lets see. Pret operates more than 690 shops and employs around 12,500 people globally. It has a 9,000-strong workforce in the UK. DOHA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Joint mediation efforts towards reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip are ongoing, Qatar's Foreign Ministry affirmed Tuesday. "Qatar continues to coordinate with Egypt, Palestine and international partners to achieve a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said during the weekly media briefing. Qatar's goal is to "contain the conflict and prevent a regional spillover," he said, warning of the potentially wider impact of the conflict on the region. He reiterated Qatar's stance that "the two-state solution remains the only path to achieving lasting peace and security," as well as its call for restoring full control of the Rafah border crossing and other borders to the Palestinian Authority, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, including the Philadelphi Corridor. Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza 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 Gaza Strip has risen to 41,252, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement Tuesday. WARSAW, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Two more flood victims were found in Poland, raising the death toll to seven, Polish police said on Tuesday, according to the Polish Press Agency (PAP). Senior Inspector Wioletta Martuszewska of the Klodzko County in Lower Silesian province told PAP that one victim was found in a car in Ladek-Zdroj, and the other in the riverbed in Stronie Slaskie. Authorities have confirmed their identities. According to police data, these are the sixth and seventh victims of the flood caused by heavy rainfalls over central and eastern Europe. The flooding has led to evacuations, widespread damages, and significant disruptions. However, Polish local media reported that the death toll may have risen to ten. During a crisis management meeting in Wroclaw, Lower Silesia, in the morning, Minister of Interior and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak announced the expansion of the natural disaster zone to include seven more counties. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that ministries are working on a reconstruction program for the flood-affected areas. The program will be presented once the rescue operations are completed. Lower Silesia Governor Maciej Awizen described the situation in the province as "very critical" but the weather forecast indicates an improvement in the meteorological situation. CAIRO, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Jordanian King Abdullah II on Tuesday warned of the dangers of the ongoing Israeli war in the Gaza Strip and escalating violations in the West Bank. During a phone conversation, the two leaders stressed the recent developments could escalate the conflict, negatively affecting all peoples of the region as well as international peace and security, the Egyptian Presidency said in a statement. They reiterated their rejection of all attempts to undermine the Palestinian cause or turn the Palestinian territories into uninhabitable areas to force the displacement of the Palestinians. Both leaders emphasized the urgent need to end the war immediately and save Gaza from the devastating humanitarian catastrophe. 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 about 250 kidnapped. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 41,252, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday. BEIRUT, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Three Hezbollah members were killed and two civilians wounded on Tuesday in an Israeli airstrike on a house in the village of Blida in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese military sources. The sources, who spoke anonymously, told Xinhua that an Israeli warplane targeted a two-story house in the center of Blida with four air-to-ground missiles. "The raid killed three Hezbollah members, wounded two civilians, destroyed the house, and caused extensive damage to five neighboring homes," they said. "Civil defense vehicles transported the casualties to a hospital in southern Lebanon," they added. According to the sources, the Israeli military carried out five air raids on four border towns and villages in southern Lebanon and shelled ten others with about 45 shells. For its part, Hezbollah said its fighters targeted several Israeli military sites with missiles and drones. Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. The Government should use the Apple back taxes windfall to future proof investment in house building, Micheal Martin has said. The Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader said the 14 billion euro should also be used for investment in Irelands water infrastructure and the expansion of the electricity grid. Ireland is to receive the back taxes from Apple as a result of a landmark ruling in the European Court of Justice last week. The judgment restored a 2016 European Commission ruling that found Ireland gave undue tax benefits to Apple, contrary to EU state aid rules. The Tanaiste said the state could receive the money before March next year but made clear it would not factor in the upcoming budget. At todays Parliamentary Party Think-In, @fiannafailparty colleagues have been discussing various priorities for the upcoming Budget. We want to give working people and families a break, while also investing in public services, education, health, housing and much more. pic.twitter.com/0aP1PqGhWg Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 16, 2024 Mr Martin, who said the funds could provide certainty around house building plans for the next five years, also said the official Government target of building 30,000 new homes per year is set to rise by the end of this year. He was speaking in Killiney in Co Dublin ahead of the second day of the Fianna Fail think-in event. The Apple money gives us additional capacity to say to people, if we ring-fence it for housing, or a certain proportion of it to housing, we can future proof house spending for the next five years on the capital side, or at least support the necessary investment over the next decade. We could capitalise the Land Development Agency, for example, he told RTE Radio One. So the issue will be: how do we give consistency and certainty that housing is the number one issue? Young people need houses. We need to build more, faster. Mr Martin said the Government ultimately wanted to double the house building target to 60,000 per annum. I mean, it was 20,000 when this government started, now its close to 40,000 per annum. The targets are one thing, but we need to get to 60,000, he said. Mr Martin also identified water and energy as other priorities when it came to spending the Apple money. Water is a big, big issue, its a big enabler of housing, but its stopping a lot of towns from developing more strongly and expanding more than they otherwise would, he said. He added: (The Apple) money to me, and this my own perspective on it, (should be used for) housing, water and grid. Expanding the grid to make sure that we have energy capacity given the new developments in wind energy and the expansion of the grid is important. Tipperary Dance Festival has unveiled the programme for its 15th edition, running from October 8 to October 18. Bringing together dance communities from across Ireland, the world, and the county, this years festival features dance artists from the US, Australia, Germany and Luxembourg, young dancers from local schools in Tipperary, and established and up-and-coming artists from Ireland. The rich and diverse programme presents performances by turns philosophical and playful, with inspirations ranging from the beauty of our natural world to the feminism of the Amazons; from our funeral rituals to landmarks of the town of Nenagh. The festival is organised annually by Tipperary Dance, with events happening in venues across the county in Thurles, Nenagh and Clonmel, for people of all ages and for both dance practitioners and the widest public.This years brilliant line-up of performances will begin on Thursday 10th October, with an international dance bill featuring In The Heart Of The Heart Of The Moment by Germanys Alexandra Waierstall. The evening will also feature the results of the residency of Alexandra Paal and Alice Ortona Coles at Tipperary Dance as they present From One Skin to Another, a story of transformations from cocoon to butterfly, of a snake shedding its skin, to move forward, to let go. On Friday 11th October a second double bill will open with Amazone, a duet exploring the quest for gender equality shared by the Amazons and the feminst movement. This work-in-progress from Laura Arend is the result of her residency at Tipperary Dance. The second work is Lumen from Irelands Maria Nilsson Waller & Stace Gill aka Flora Fauna Project, in which three dancers bring animals, insects, plants and fungi to life. On Saturday 12 October, the festival will present the Irish premiere of the acclaimed After All by Solene Weinachter, a light show about the dark subject of funerals. A public performance of Monsters on 15 October and schools performances during the festival, is sure to delight younger audiences. This captivating dance performance about friendship, filled with humour, heart, and a sprinkle of magic, is by contemporary urban dance artist Matt Sczczerek in collaboration with Alessio Motta.Connecting communities, Nenagh Arts Centre will be home to All Day Do Dance on Tuesday 15th October, a vibrant programme for all dance enthusiasts. Everyone will be welcome to join the mornings Age in Movement Workshop for people aged 40+, led by dance artist Mia DiChiaro. The days programme will include a public performance of Monsters and related workshops for schools with Matt and Alessio. The public will also have the chance to see the work of the local community in a lunchtime screening of two short dance films. The stop-motion film Curious Encounters is the outcome of a series of workshops directed by dance artist Rocio Dominguez and photographer and visual artist Jairo Alvarez, working with primary school pupils from Gaelscoil Thiobraid Arann and transition year students from St Ailbes Secondary School in Tipperary Town. In the enchanting Let's Spraoi! by Mia DiChiaro, a group of children embark on a vibrant dancing journey, playfully exploring the nature and the castle in their hometown of Nenagh. This year will also be the inaugural year for the Festivals new SPLASH Lab initiative, created to foster a growing community of practice. The 2024 edition of the Lab will gather a core group of dance professionals with strong connections to Tipperary Dance for a week of cross-pollination, facilitated by Murielle Elizeon (FRA/USA). Australian dance artist Jana Castillo will be offering two master classes open to all dance practitioners, working to release dancers full physical potential and to improve body awareness, flexibility, and strength. These workshops are Presented by Luail - Ireland's National Dance Company. Find out more about this years programme online as well as where to see all the performances at www.tipperarydance.com. TEHRAN, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Ten people were killed and 36 others injured after a bus overturned in the central Iranian province of Yazd early Tuesday, the official news agency IRNA reported. The incident occurred at around 2:20 a.m. local time (2250 GMT Monday) on an intercity road near Saghand village in Ardakan County, as the bus veered off the main road, entered a mining access road, and overturned, Iran's Traffic Police Chief Hassan Momeni was quoted as saying. The bus was traveling from the southern Iranian province of Bushehr to the northeastern city of Mashhad, Momeni said, adding that the injured have been transferred to medical centers in Yazd. The cause of the incident will be announced later in the day following investigations, he said. Speaking to the Iranian Students' News Agency, Managing Director of Yazd's Red Crescent Society Mohammad Eshqi said 51 people were on the bus, of whom five were not injured. THE HAGUE, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Dutch King Willem-Alexander said on Tuesday that the Netherlands will pursue a stricter migration policy as he delivered his annual speech at the traditional opening of the parliamentary year. The new parliament welcomed the new coalition government under the leadership of Prime Minister Dick Schoof. Traditionally, the first day of the parliamentary year is held on the third Tuesday of September, in the Dutch administrative center of The Hague. First formed in July 2024, the new government comprised the Party for Freedom (PVV), the New Social Contract (NSC), the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), and the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB). Last Friday, the coalition presented its policy program, which prioritized taking stronger control over asylum and migration. Echoing this sentiment in his address, King Willem-Alexander emphasized the government's intention to reduce asylum numbers in the coming years. "Due to various forms of migration, the Dutch population has grown faster than expected, reaching 18 million inhabitants," said the king. "The government is going to reduce the number of asylum applications. Stricter, faster and more modest (numbers) are the key words." Under the proposed plan, the government will activate an emergency law as soon as possible by declaring an asylum crisis. This law would allow the government to immediately implement measures to limit asylum seeker numbers without prior approval from the House of Representatives or the Senate, although these bodies will assess the law at a later date. UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The UN General Assembly on Tuesday resumed its 10th emergency special session on the issue of Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, with member states deliberating a draft resolution introduced by the State of Palestine. Introducing the draft resolution demanding an end of Israel's occupation of Palestinian land within 12 months, Riyad Mansour, the permanent observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, said the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has fulfilled its mandate by unequivocally identifying the legal consequences for Israel, urging the General Assembly to uphold its mandate. "Delayed justice is denied justice," he said, calling for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He stressed that the Palestinian people have been steadfast in the pursuit of their inalienable rights, just like all other citizens worldwide who seek self-determination. "The Palestinians want to live, not survive -- they want to be safe in their homes, they want their children to go to school without fear. They want to be free in reality as they are in spirit." The General Assembly is expected to vote on the draft resolution, which was co-sponsored by more than two dozen nations, on Wednesday. Danny Danon, Israel's permanent representative to the United Nations, said the draft ignored the truth and did not mention Hamas, and the process to table it "has been politicized." "This resolution is diplomatic terrorism," he said, adding that more than 150 resolutions have been adopted at the United Nations against Israel. "Perhaps you have forgotten, but we did not start this war -- nor did we choose it," he said. In his remarks, General Assembly President Philemon Yang said "it is incumbent on the General Assembly and the Security Council to bring to an end the unlawful presence of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory." Lebanese Ambassador Hadi Hachem said his delegation is at the "top of the list" supporting the draft resolution and the State of Palestine. The historic ICJ decision stresses the unlawful nature of Israel's occupation and the need to put an end to the illegal presence in Palestinian territory, he said. The 10th emergency special session of the General Assembly was convened for the first time in April 1997. The session has resumed multiple times since then, including shortly after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel that triggered the current ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. by Xinhua writers Cui Li, Zhang Zhang SLUBICE, Poland, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Germany reinstated checks at all land borders on Monday, as a response to illegal immigration and security issues. On the bridge connecting the Polish city of Slubice and Frankfurt in Germany, which face each other across the Oder river, a long line of cars travelling from Poland to Germany could be seen waiting on Monday. The border bridge is a regular route for people living in Poland who commute to work in Germany. On the bridge, Bartosz Anusewicz was walking from Slubice to Frankfurt, beside a queue of cars. "I've heard that Germany has reinstated land border controls. The day after tomorrow, I'll be driving back to our home in France with my family, so today, I came to the border to see what's happening," he said. His family spends several months a year living between Poland and France, he explained. When they heard the news about Germany reintroducing border checks, they were at their home in Slubice. "I chose to walk to the bridge because the traffic is almost paralyzed in Slubice. I really hope that we can drive back to France without waiting for too long," he said. A local resident said that some of his friends live in Slubice but work at the Tesla factory in Berlin, Germany. If they continue to commute by car every day, they are likely to wait for long hours in the morning as the roads will certainly be congested. On Monday, German police officers could sometimes be seen getting out of their cars on the German side to check pedestrians they thought might be suspicious. However, most pedestrians were able to walk directly into Germany without being checked. Traffic jams were visible throughout Slubice. At a gas station about two kilometers from the checkpoint, Xinhua reporters met Magdalena Kiss, a Polish woman who lives in the Netherlands and was on a road trip with a friend in Europe. She had not paid attention to the news about Germany reinstating border checks, she said, but noticed the trip from Warsaw to Slubice was smooth until they reached the border. At that point, traffic became particularly congested. Discovering that the road to Germany was even more jammed, they decided to take a break at the gas station. "We've been stuck here for two hours, trying to drive to Germany and then to the Netherlands. Traveling by car within the EU has always been easy. We've been able to move freely within the borders of the EU. But with the current traffic situation, we may have to wait much longer, which is really a surprise for me," she said. Later that afternoon, reporters visited Swiecko, around five kilometers south of Slubice. A high-speed border bridge between Swiecko and Frankfurt mainly serves container trucks and heavy goods vehicles traveling from Poland into Germany. From Poland to Germany, trucks and container vehicles formed a long, slow-moving queue stretching from one end of the bridge to the other. By contrast, the traffic from Germany into Poland appeared relatively smooth. Natallia Baradzina, a truck driver working for a Polish freight company, frequently drives between Poland and Germany. She said: "Usually, crossing the border is quick, and there are a lot of vehicles here. It's rare to see congestion as bad as today. But we have no choice, all we can do is wait." Public data shows that road transport accounts for over 70 percent of freight between Poland and Germany. Some experts believe that if border controls persist, traffic congestion might directly impact the strong economic ties between the two countries. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently said that Germany's decision to restore border checks is "unacceptable," calling it a "de facto large-scale suspension" of the Schengen Agreement. China's new foxtail millet variety sets summer yield record Xinhua) 08:58, September 17, 2024 Experts check the growth of the new foxtail millet variety, Zhonggu 25, cultivated in a demonstration field in central China's Henan Province, Sept. 10, 2024. (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Handout via Xinhua) BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese agricultural scientists have developed a new variety of foxtail millet, setting a summer yield record, with the breakthrough expected to provide strong support for boosting grain production and revitalizing the country's millet industry. The new foxtail millet variety, Zhonggu 25, was developed by researchers from the Institute of Crop Science (ICS) under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and cultivated in a demonstration field in central China's Henan Province. A recent expert measurement recorded a yield of 625.92 kilograms per mu (about 9,389 kilograms per hectare), breaking China's 2014 summer foxtail millet yield record per mu. This new variety has achieved a record-breaking high yield, despite adverse weather conditions such as heavy rainfall and lack of sunlight this year. The success can be attributed to the superior traits of this millet variety, including lodging resistance, high productivity and excellent disease and stress tolerance, along with the use of optimized planting techniques that further enhanced its performance, according to experts. This achievement lays the foundation for scientific breeding, the exploration of new cultivation techniques and further development of the millet industry, offering a model for increasing millet yields on a large scale, said Diao Xianmin, a researcher with the ICS and leading scientist of China's millet and sorghum industry and technology system. Foxtail millet is one of the oldest domesticated crops in the world and a staple crop in the formation of the Asian agricultural civilization and it held a dominant position in the Chinese agricultural system before the introduction of high-input agricultural practices like irrigation and chemical fertilizers. Moreover, because it is a crop that can grow across a wide range of environments, including arid lands, it has the potential to be important for food security under climate change, according to experts. The new variety is suitable for spring planting in regions like Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning and Jilin, and for summer planting in areas such as Henan, Hebei, Shandong and Beijing, Diao said. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Zhong Wenxing) TEHRAN, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will depart for New York on Sunday to attend and deliver a speech at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79), the official news agency IRNA reported Tuesday. His speech is scheduled for Sept. 24, the first day of the high-level General Debate, during which he will expound on the Iranian people's viewpoints, IRNA said. During his stay in New York, Pezeshkian is expected to meet with Iranian nationals living in the United States, media and think tank directors, high-ranking officials from other countries, and religious leaders, it said. The president told a press conference in Tehran on Monday that his participation in the UNGA 79 would be aimed at defending the rights, attitudes, and beliefs of Iranians. Pezeshkian was sworn in as Iran's ninth president on July 30, replacing Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May. TEHRAN, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has strongly condemned the targeting of Lebanese citizens in simultaneous pager explosions in the Arab state, calling it a "terrorist action by Israel." He made the remarks during a phone call with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib on Tuesday, after pagers simultaneously blew up earlier in the day across Lebanon, killing at least eight people and wounding over 2,800 others, including Hezbollah members, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Araghchi expressed solidarity and extended condolences to Lebanon, voicing Iran's readiness to provide assistance to treat the injured or transfer them to Tehran. He pointed to the injury sustained by Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani in the incident and thanked the Lebanese government for its immediate measures to treat the Iranian envoy. The Lebanese foreign minister emphasized that his government would pursue and investigate the "terrorist" incident. Lebanon's Elnashra news website accused the Israeli military of targeting the batteries of the pagers, leading to their explosions across Lebanon. It added that the injured were transferred to hospitals. The Iranian Red Crescent Society announced on Tuesday that it is prepared to send emergency treatment teams to Lebanon to assist those injured in the simultaneous explosions. After the explosions, Hezbollah declared it was "at the highest level of readiness to defend Lebanon and its people," blaming Israel for the "criminal attack" and vowing to retaliate. RAMALLAH, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army killed a Palestinian man in Tulkarem city in the northern West Bank, according to a statement by the Ramallah-based Health Ministry on Tuesday. Samir Amer, 55, was shot in the chest near the separation wall west of the village of Al-Jarushiya, according to local sources and eyewitnesses. They said that Red Crescent Society workers had transported Amer to the city's government hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. There was no immediate comment from Israel regarding the incident. Also on Tuesday, Israeli forces demolished two inhabited homes in the village of Khirbet Jabara, south of Tulkarm, according to the Palestine Liberation Organization's Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission. A statement issued by the commission said that Israeli forces, accompanied by military bulldozers, stormed the village and demolished the homes. Mohammed Jabara, one of the homeowners, told Xinhua that bulldozers tore down his house without allowing him to evacuate its contents, as soldiers forcibly removed his family from the property. Tensions in the West Bank have heightened since the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023. NIAMEY, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Eight people died on the spot and another succumbed to injuries at a local hospital following two road accidents in Niger on Monday, reported the national television. More than 100 were injured, including 30 in critical condition, said the report. Both accidents occurred in Dosso, a city in western Niger. The first occurred at the village of Seyti and the second at the city's entrance. The victims were returning from the city of Kiota, where they celebrated Mouloud, a holiday marking the birth of the Prophet of Islam. The two accidents involved vehicles unsuitable for transport or overloaded, reflecting a lack of respect for road traffic rules, said the governor of the region, General Iro Oumarou, during his visit to the hospital and the scene of the accidents. The B-21 Raider is one of many reasons to be happy about living in the US and not some godforsaken place that was cursed with oil and natural resources. With more B-21s in production . . . Congressman Alford wants Missouri to host the advanced military tech and the HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF JOBS that will follow. Here's the word . . . Whiteman Air Force Base is home to the current B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. Missouri Congressman Mark Alford, who sits on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, said the base is the perfect home for the new aircraft. So many times, in my job that Ive been on the job for almost 19 to 20 months now, a lot of it is bad news that we have to share with the American people. This is something actually positive that I, along with my predecessor, Vicky Hartzler, worked on and others on the Armed Services Committee have helped with. One of the big things that we had in our advantage is the main operating base for the B-2 stealth bomber, Alford told Missourinet. And so, we are adding military construction out there that will help. Theres some things were going to need to do different. Alford, a west-central Missouri Republican, said the head of Global Strike Command has his eyes on Whiteman Air Force Base for even bigger things. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . NAIROBI, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Tuesday published a performance benchmarking study report for energy-consuming facilities to reduce greenhouse emissions in the country. Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, director-general of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, told journalists in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that the study targeted the cement, sugar, tea, dairy, flower sectors, fast-moving consumer goods and hospitality sectors. "The study is central to our collective efforts on improving energy efficiency in our industries and other businesses," Kiptoo said. According to the study, some of the industries performed poorly in terms of energy use index, while others performed better compared to other jurisdictions. Kiptoo noted that the Kenya tea sector lags behind Sri Lanka and India in energy efficiency performance while the sugar industry performs worse than Brazil and Thailand. He revealed, however, that in the cement sector, Kenya outperformed Egypt and Canada while the country's fast-moving consumer goods categories performed above that of Nepal. Kiptoo said that the study recommends that Kenya adopt electricity efficiency utilization ratio benchmarks because it provides some of the quickest and most cost-effective emission mitigation options while lowering the overall cost of production. TUNIS, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Abdelhafidh and Saudi Arabia's Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih on Tuesday discussed ways to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries. During a video conference, which also saw the presence of Saudi Ambassador to Tunisia Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Saqr, Abdelhafidh reviewed the overall bilateral partnership and the two countries' economic cooperation, particularly in investment and finance, said a statement by the Tunisian ministry. Abdelhafidh voiced the Tunisian government's willingness to create all favorable conditions to strengthen Saudi investment in Tunisia, said the statement. He also invited Al-Falih to visit Tunisia and get to know closely the real opportunities available for profitable investment and fruitful partnership, the statement said. For his part, Al-Falih expressed Saudi Arabia's interest in investing in Tunisia in various sectors, including tourism, maritime transport, industry, and renewable energy, especially green hydrogen, according to the statement. HANOI, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's gold bar prices jumped 1.86 percent to 82 million Vietnamese dong (3,335 U.S. dollars) per tael Tuesday morning, the highest since June 1, VnExpress reported. Saigon Jewelry Company (SJC) listed each tael of their gold at about 80 million (3,252 dollars) for sellers and 82 million dong for buyers on Tuesday morning. The prices went up 1.5 million dong (61 dollars) per tael compared to the previous day, Vietnam News Agency reported. DOJI gold and jewellery corporation quoted SJC gold at the same prices on Tuesday morning. The gold ring price sold by SJC remained steady at 77.8 million dong (3,164 dollars) to 79.2 million dong (3,221 dollars), down 100,000 dong (4 dollars) per tael compared to the previous day. A tael equals 37.5 grams or 1.2 ounces. The Vietnam's gold price reached its record high of over 92 million dong (3,741 dollars) per tael in early May. Gov. Greg Abbott sent a letter to Texas universities schools warning them to be "vigilant" as the anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel approaches. "As I have already made clear, antisemitism is never acceptable in Texas and there is zero tolerance for acts of antisemitism on Texas college and university campuses," Abbott wrote on Thursday. "I commend the leadership of your institutions for acting quickly to condemn antisemitism and taking necessary action to address violent protests and dismantle illegal encampments." Abbott commended schools for quickly addressing antisemitic incidents and reminded leaders of his March executive order, which required universities to update free speech policies, enforce consequences for antisemitic actions and dismantle illegal encampments. "It is imperative that you continue taking the necessary steps to combat antisemitism on your campuses and ensure a safe environment for Jewish staff, students, and faculty. Texas will continue to stand with Israel and the Jewish community in the fight against antisemitism," he said. Abbott's letter comes as campus protests ramp up again across the country in response to the ongoing Israel-Gaza war. Demonstrations have already taken place at Columbia University and the University of Michigan, leading to several arrests. Dozens of University of Colorado Boulder students were forced out of their off-campus apartments due to city-identified safety violations. The city of Boulder shut down the property citing unapproved construction that created additional bedrooms per unit without the necessary permits. The city issued an immediate closure order on Monday, giving residents only a few hours to pack their belongings and vacate. In a letter distributed to students, officials said the building at 891 12th St. was being closed "due to safety violations" posed by illegal modifications made by the property owner. "This is an incredibly unfortunate situation, and we truly regret the inconvenience and disruption for renters," Brad Mueller, director of Planning and Development Services, told Denver 7 News in a statement. "However, safety is always first, and the conditions discovered represent an immediate risk. The building code exists to ensure minimum safety, health and quality of life standards exist for all rental housing. The city determined swift action was needed given the egregious nature of the violations." The property, known as Ash House, had been approved to house 48 students in 16 three-bedroom units. However, following a tenant complaint, city inspectors discovered that 15 additional bedrooms had been constructed without approval, permits, or safety inspections. As a result, 60 students were displaced, including 13 who must now find permanent housing. The city has prohibited anyone from living in the building until it is restored to its previously permitted condition, according to the outlet. The forced move-out took students by surprise. Senior Charlie Thomson told CBS News the notice came in the afternoon, leaving them just three hours to leave. "They came around 2, 3 p.m. so we had 3 hours," he said. Students also reported not receiving alternative housing arrangements, and Boulder city officials are exploring legal actions to hold the property owners accountable. The property company criticized the lack of communication and is seeking a court order to delay the eviction until a hearing is held. University of Texas at Austin police arrested Nicholas Clisby, a McCombs School of Business human resources employee, this month for allegedly failing to register as a sex offender in the state. Clisby, a registered sex offender in Oregon, was required by law to register within seven days of moving to Texas but reportedly did not, despite living in the state since 2023, according to The Daily Texan, the university's student newspaper. He started his position at the university in June. He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 27. Clisby, previously convicted in 2014 in Oregon for "using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct," claimed his conviction was "overturned" and he didn't need to register in Texas. However, Oregon officials told the outlet that there is no record of an appeal. University spokesperson Mike Rosen told The Daily Texan that Clisbys employment was terminated after the school learned of his sex offender status and failure to register. The University conducted a background check before hiring him, but it did not reveal his complete criminal history. Clisby is registered as a level-two sex offender in Oregon, though this level does not appear in the public database. September 17 2024 A major residential development in Glasgow's Calton district has edged a step closer with the submission of a planning application by Manson Architects. Collegelands Park will provide 595 student beds spread across two blocks alongside a further 147 rental apartments and an arts centre. Dawn Developments, the developer behind the original Collegelands master plan, has teamed up with Drum Property to deliver the final phase as a joint venture known as Glasgow Enlightenment. Paul ODonnell of Glasgow Enlightenment said: We have lowered the heights of the buildings to address concerns around visual impact and have taken on board the feedback on how the park should look from local residents and community groups. We are very excited about plans for the development, which will deliver new green space, cultural activities and rented accommodation for the local community, along with much needed homes for students in Glasgow, which has the largest shortage of purpose-built student accommodation in the UK." The arts hub will be operated by Dream Machine Productions, a local community hub which is fundraising for a new facility. Opening onto 2.5 acres of parkland with sliding glass walls it will serve as a venue for nurturing the talents of locals, students and residents via hireable event space, a community lounge and a cafe. The courtyard will also host Happy to Chat benches, free Wi-Fi, charging points and spaces that encourage outdoor remote working. (@ChaudhryMAli88) LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Sep, 2024) Lahorites celebrated the 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal, the birth anniversary of the beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) with religious zeal and fervour. The day dawned with 21-gun salute in the provincial capital as Pak Army presented the gun salute. The Pak Army Jawans raised slogans of Allah-o-Akbar, Ya Rasool Allah (SAWW) and Pakistan Zindabad. Prayers were also offered in different mosques of the city for peace, progress and prosperity of the country. The main procession of Eid Milad-un-Nabi was taken out from Railway station, which concluded outside Data Darbar, after passing through its traditional routes. Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan also participated in the main procession. A large number of people of all age groups participated in the procession with religious zeal. The participants raised slogan of Allah-o-Akbar, Ya Rasool Allah (SAWW), recited Darood Sharif besides Naat-e-Rasool-e-Maqbool (SAWW). People showered rose petals on the participants in the procession, while special cleanliness arrangements were made on the routes. Speakers highlighted the significance of the day besides presenting glorious tribute to the benefactor of the humanity, the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Besides the main procession, small and big rallies were also taken out from Outfall Road, Ferozpur Road, Chungi Amar Sadhu and other parts of the city. Different Mehfil-e-Milad-e-Mustafa (PBUH) programmes were also held which were attended by a large number of people. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also attended the Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) ceremony in the provincial capital and highlighted the importance of following the glorious teachings of beloved Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz extended greetings to the Muslims on the auspicious occasion of birth anniversary of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). In her message, the chief minister said, "The birth of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is the most propitious happening in the entire human history". She said "Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), who is the benefactor of the all mankind, emerged as a supreme example for the whole world through his immaculate character and 'Uswa-e-Husna' and introduced an exemplary socio-economic order. There is a need that exemplary state of Madinah should be remembered by all of us today so that we could solve our problems in the light of lifestyle of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)," she added. She said Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) taught the human beings about golden principles of love, peace, affection, equality, justice and respect of humanity. The menace of injustice, cruelty and lawlessness could be eradicated by following the golden teachings of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). "Pakistan can be made a citadel of peace and harmony by following 'Uswa-e-Husna' of the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)," she asserted. Various buildings and different educational institutes had been illuminated in the city. People decorated and illuminated their homes and bazaars, set up 'Sabeels' and 'Langar' (free food). Beautifully prepared replicas of 'Khana Kaba' and Roza-e-Rasool had also been placed in different bazaars for the viewers. Foolproof security arrangements were put in place in the city to avoid any untoward incident on this auspicious occasion. (@ChaudhryMAli88) PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Sep, 2024) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Tuesday greeted the entire Muslim Ummah, especially the people of Pakistan, on Eid Milad-ul-Nabi, saying that the birth of the Holy Prophet (SWA) is a blessing not only for the world of islam but also for the entire humanity. Addressing the National Rahmatul Alameen Conference, he called for following the teachings of the Holy Prophet in letter and spirit as beacon for all humanity. He paid tribute to the authorities of the Department of Religious Affairs and other related departments for organizing Ashra Rahmatul Alameen in the province on the occasion of Eid Milad-ul-Nabi. The CM said that the teachings of the Prophet covers all spheres of life, clearly defines the rights of all, including women, children, orphans, minorities and slaves. He said by following these teachings a person can achieve success in this world and the hereafter. Ali Amin Khan Gandapur said that the Holy Prophet has taught humanity, love, peace, justice and standing up against oppression. Referring to last sermon "Hujta Al-Wida" he said it was a manifesto that would guide mankind for the rest of the world. The CM further said that Islam spread in the entire world not by wars rather by highly good character nobility and integrity of the Prophet (SAW) adding that non-believer accepted Islam after being inspired by His (SWA) good character. CM said that we have to make our children aware of these great teachings of the Holy Prophet, because without showing the future generations the way He (SWA) told us, it is not possible to establish an Islamic welfare society. The Chief Minister further said that Islam is a religion of peace and we have to prove by our actions that we are peaceful people. Later the CM distributed prizes to those who performed well in recitation from the Holy Quran, and Naat Khwani organized on the occasion. A large number of elected representatives, government officials, political and social figures and scholars of all schools of thought and representatives of the minority community participated in the conference. Addressing the conference, the Provincial Minister of Religious Affairs, Adnan Qadri, the scholars shed light on various aspects of the Prophet's life. It should be remembered that on the special instructions of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, Rahmatul Alamin conferences were officially organized for the first time in the province at the levels of divisions and districts. APP/adi (@FahadShabbir) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Sep, 2024) Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Tuesday condemned the Acting Consul General of Afghanistan for disrespecting the host countrys national anthem, describing it as a violation of diplomatic norms. In response to media queries about the Afghan envoys disrespect towards the national anthem at a Peshawar event, Ms Baloch, stated that a strong protest is being conveyed to Afghan authorities in both Islamabad and Kabul. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Sep, 2024) Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexei Overchuk is scheduled to arrive here for a two-day visit from September 18-19, 2024. A high-level delegation will accompany the Russian deputy prime minister, according to a Foreign Ministry press release During the visit, Overchuk will hold meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Pakistan and Russia enjoy cordial relations based on goodwill, amity and trust, which is reflected in the multi-faceted bilateral cooperation including in trade, energy and connectivity. (@FahadShabbir) LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Sep, 2024) On the occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH), special camps for distributing sweets and beverages were set up in the provincial capital on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza told media on Tuesday that these camps were operational at Data Darbar, Mughalpura, and Milad Chowk Delhi Gate. Field staff, under the supervision of Assistant Commissioners, were assigned duties, and teams from MCL, WASA, and LWMC were actively working in the field. Participants in the processions will be provided with beverages and sweets. The celebration of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) will be conducted with religious devotion and respect. The DC emphasized that society can only become a cradle of peace by following the noble example and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). VIENTIANE, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Representatives from the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have met in the Lao capital Vientiane to discuss enhancing regional trade by simplifying trade barriers and implementing trade facilitation measures. The representatives gathered on Monday for the 38th ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) Council Meeting, according to a report from Laos' Ministry of Industry and Commerce on Tuesday. In his opening remarks, Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaythong Kommasith highlighted the importance of the meeting in continuing to integrate ASEAN as a single competitive production hub. Trading among ASEAN countries has made significant strides since the ASEAN Free Trade Area was established in 1992. ASEAN has eliminated tariffs on 98.6 percent of all tariff items, and is continuing to refine the ASEAN Single Window Tax Notification System to reduce trade costs and facilitate business in the region. These measures have led to a marked growth in trade, with the value of intra-ASEAN trade in 2023 reaching 759 billion U.S. dollars, accounting for 21.5 percent of the total trade value by ASEAN countries. "In the past year, we have fulfilled work plans on creating the ASEAN Free Trade Zone and achieved many goals. In particular, we were able to resolve issues arising from the ASEAN Trade Agreement and the use of electronic trade documents through the ASEAN Single Window Tax Notification Service System," said Malaythong. To broaden and deepen regional trade and further integrate trade, the meeting focused on considering and adopting a report from an ASEAN senior economic officials committee, a report from a negotiating committee on upgrading the ASEAN Trade Agreement, and a joint statement of the 38th AFTA Council Meeting. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Brussels, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Sep, 2024) The European Commission's list of responsibilities is exhaustive: from acting as the European Union's powerful competition and digital watchdog to negotiating trade deals. The commission is frequently referred to as "Brussels" after the Belgian city where its headquarters is based, opposite the European Council representing the 27 member states and the European Parliament down the road. The only EU institution with the power to propose new laws, the commission is also responsible for enforcing EU legislation and represents the bloc in trade negotiations on behalf of member countries, which form a single market. It acts as the EU's powerful antitrust regulator, with power to probe violations and impose hefty fines. And supercharged with two landmark laws to police content online and bring tech titans like Apple and microsoft to heel, the commission has in recent years emerged as the bloc's digital watchdog. The new laws give it the power to launch probes and slap heavy fines for violations. In the tech field and elsewhere, the size and wealth of the bloc means many EU laws influence other jurisdictions around the world in what is called the "Brussels effect," as with the bloc's mammoth data protection rules for instance. Around 32,000 people work for the commission, which is led by a president chosen by the bloc's leaders with the approval of the parliament. By comparison, about 50,000 people work for the city of Paris. The current commission chief is German conservative Ursula von der Leyen, who won a second five-year mandate in July. Such is her apparent dedication to the job, she even has a space where she can -- and does -- sleep on the 13th floor of the main commission building. Von der Leyen heads up the "college of commissioners", similar to a national leader's cabinet made up of ministers. Customarily there are as many commissioners as there are member states, with one from each. They are nominated by their governments to reflect the union's political landscape and must be approved by the EU parliament. On Tuesday, von der Leyen is due to present the carve-up of portfolios within her new college. The list of nominees is dominated by conservatives, who won the most votes in June's EU polls, but it also includes representatives of the social democrats, liberals, Greens and now far-right parties. Like the president, commissioners serve for five years and are in charge of a variety of portfolios, including agriculture, economy, competition, trade, justice and energy. Each one then oversees different departments known as directorate-generals where hundreds of experts handle various topics to guide policy. One of the most public-facing commissioners, known as the "high representative and vice president", coordinates foreign and security policy with member states. EU leaders have already named Estonian former prime minister Kaja Kallas to succeed Spain's Josep Borrell in the role, but she will need the parliament's approval too. The president is the captain of the ship, deciding the institution's priorities and future direction, usually laid out during a State of the Union speech in September. The commission puts forward legal proposals after recommendations by member states and consultations with citizens and businesses on how a piece of legislation should be shaped in the best way to meet its goals. These only become law after the texts are negotiated and drafted by representatives of member countries and the EU parliament. (@FahadShabbir) Strasbourg, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Sep, 2024) After weeks of fierce political horse-trading, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen unveiled Tuesday her new top team to help steward the EU through the next five years of global uncertainty. Faced with Russia's war in Ukraine, the potential return of Donald Trump as US president and competition from China, the formation of the new commission comes at a crucial moment. "It's about strengthening our tech sovereignty, our security and our democracy," von der Leyen said as she announced the team at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. To confront the challenges, von der Leyen handed French candidate Stephane Sejourne a powerful executive vice president role overseeing industrial strategy, and also named a new commissioner for defence to help Europe rearm. Spain's candidate Teresa Ribera, a socialist climate campaigner, was also made an executive vice president, tasked with overseeing the bloc's economic transition toward carbon neutrality. The new defence brief went to former Lithuanian prime minister Andrius Kubilius, one of several hawkish Russia critics in eastern Europe to receive a prominent role. Those include Estonia's ex-premier Kaja Kallas, already chosen by EU leaders as the bloc's foreign policy chief. As part of the bloc's careful balancing act, the German head of the EU executive had to choose the lineup for her second term from nominees put forward by the other 26 member states. That has meant treading a political tightrope between the demands of competing national leaders -- and putting some noses out of joint. The highest-profile casualty was France's first-choice candidate Thierry Breton, who quit suddenly as internal market commissioner on Monday accusing von der Leyen of pushing Paris to ditch him. Von der Leyen fell short in her efforts to get a gender-balanced administration, ending up with 40 percent women after pressuring member states to put forward female nominees. The choice of who gets which job is an indication of where Brussels wants to steer the European Union -- and the weight commanded by the member states and political groupings after the EU Parliament elections in June. - Controversial Italian pick? - Among the six powerful commission vice presidents is Italy's Raffaele Fitto, handed a cohesion brief in a nod to gains made by far-right parties in the June elections. The prospect of giving a top role to a member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's post-fascist Brothers of Italy a top job has raised heckles among centrist and leftist groups. After losses by Green parties at the June ballot, defending the environment had skidded down the list of priorities in Brussels, and how the various aspects of environmental policy were split between commissioners was a subject of particular scrutiny. As well as Ribera's overarching green transition role, the centre-right Dutchman Wopke Hoekstra will also carry on in a role handling climate and the push to make the EU carbon neutral. Among other eye-catching choices were decisions to hand Finland's Henna Virkkunen a powerful tech and security job, Croatia's Dubravka Suica a new role overseeing the Mediterranean region, and Slovenia's Marta Kos -- yet to be confirmed as her country's candidate -- the enlargement gig. All the would-be commissioners will need to win over broad political support as they have to still get approval from the European Parliament. Hearings are set to start in Brussels in the coming weeks and lawmakers could flex their muscles by rejecting some candidates. Chief among those suspected for the chopping block are Hungary's Oliver Varhelyi, nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban's man in Brussels over the past five years. Varhelyi was handed a diminished role this time round covering health and animal welfare. The stated target is to have a new commission in place by November 1, but diplomats say that looks like an ambitious goal, with a December 1 start more likely. Small-business owners can learn about fraud in government contracting Tuesday, Sept. 24. Various speakers will lead a Colorado APEX Accelerator webinar titled Government Contract Virtual Training: Fraud Awareness from 2-4 p.m. The webinar is open to Wyoming APEX Accelerator clients and federal employees. To register, go here. Registration is free. Wyoming APEX Accelerator, part of the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network housed at the University of Wyoming, is the states expert in government contracting assistance. The federal government loses about $30 billion annually in fraud. Federal law enforcement agents from the General Services Administration, the Department of Defense and other federal agencies will help small-business owners identify, avoid and, if necessary, report any fraud they may encounter as government contractors. During the webinar, topics to be covered include product substitution, kickbacks, bribery, collusion and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certification fraud. 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. 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 UW with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. COLOMBO, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- "A Moonment to Remember" Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering and the 10th Anniversary Celebration of China Cultural Center in Sri Lanka were held in Colombo on Monday. The event was attended by more than 200 people, including the Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong, Counselor Jin Qian, as well as envoys from various countries to Sri Lanka and overseas Chinese in the country. Abeywardena said the Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important traditional festivals in China, and the Sri Lankan Poya Day (full-moon day) is also important in the country's culture and people's lives. Such cultural integration reminds us of the traditional friendship between the two countries, and the celebration is also an inheritance of this friendship, he said. Qi said the moon carries the aspirations and hopes of both the Chinese and Sri Lankan people for a better life. It connects us and draws our hearts closer, building a bridge of cultural understanding between our two nations. This evening's activity conveys the heartfelt wishes for reunion, allowing us to experience the resonance of our hearts during the warm and festive occasion, said the ambassador. During the event, students from Sri Lanka Lumbini Confucius Classroom recited classic Chinese poems. Folk songs were also played by Chinese intangible cultural heritage music instruments, showing Mid-Autumn Festival culture and the exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and Sri Lankan civilizations. The Exhibition of 10 Years' Journey of China Cultural Center in Sri Lanka was held simultaneously on site, reviewing more than 300 activities the center has promoted in the past 10 years for cultural and tourism exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. A small town in the Midwestern state of Ohio finds itself at the center of a controversy involving fake news about migrants eating residents pet cats and dogs. VOAs Creole Service traveled to Springfield and has this report, narrated by Elizabeth Cherneff. Analysts say this weeks visit to Washington by Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang shows advances in cooperation between the two countries, despite rising Vietnamese nationalism that may indicate rising anti-American sentiment in Vietnam. A U.S.-based analyst told VOA on September 12 that Giangs trip set the groundwork for Hanoi to potentially purchase military cargo planes from the United States this year. Giang met with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon on Monday. [September 9] Both leaders "reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Vietnam partnership," the Defense Department said in a statement, and noted the one-year anniversary of the elevation of the countries ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest tier in Hanoi's diplomatic hierarchy. The leaders also underscored the importance of working together to address the lasting impacts of the U.S.-Vietnam War. Austin announced that the U.S. would budget $65 million over the next five years to complete the decontamination of Bien Hoa airbase of dioxin, bringing the total from department to $215 million. The airbase was the primary storage site for the toxic chemical Agent Orange during the U.S.-Vietnam War and remains an environmental and public health hazard for those nearby. Andrew Wells-Dang, who leads the Vietnam War Legacies and Reconciliation Initiative at the United States Institute of Peace, told VOA by phone on September 5 that diplomatic visits are key to advancing war-remediation efforts, including finding and identifying the remains of missing soldiers. He said that along with the U.S. visit of Deputy Defense Minister Vo Minh Luong in July, visits from authorities provide "opportunity for them to have high level support." Zachary Abuza, a professor at the National War College in Washington and an expert on Southeast Asia, said joint war-reconciliation efforts also set the groundwork for defense cooperation more broadly. "The United States is very pleased with the growth in bilateral defense relations, and it started from very low levels and was built on humanitarian missions," Abuza said during the August 29 call. "We've just continued to build on that," he added. Cargo planes Reuters reported in July that Hanoi was considering purchasing Lockheed Martin C-130 cargo planes from the U.S., according to unnamed sources. The U.S.-based analyst, who asked that his name to be withheld because he has not been cleared to discuss the topic, said the C-130 deal was discussed but not finalized during Giang's visit. The analyst said the deal was held back by the "massive [U.S.] bureaucracy" and because solidifying the purchase during the Washington visit would be "too inflammatory for the Chinese." Ian Storey, senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, noted Vietnam's delicate diplomatic balancing act, illustrated by Giang's travel itinerary before the Washington trip. "Vietnam aims to keep its relations with the major powers in balance," he wrote in an email on August 30. "As such, Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang visited Russia and China in August." Storey added that the purchase of C-130 planes would not pose a threat to China in its maritime territorial disputes with Vietnam. "C-130 aircraft would enable the Vietnamese to transport troops and supplies to its occupied atolls in the South China Sea, but these assets are non-strategic and won't shift the dynamics in the South China Sea," he wrote. Nguyen The Phuong, a maritime security expert at the University of New South Wales Canberra, said the C-130 purchase would be a "symbolic move." "Vietnam will try to explore more areas of security and defense cooperation between Vietnam and the United States to upgrade to a higher, more meaningful level," he told VOA on August 30. "The C-130 would be the symbol of that kind of evolving relationship," he said. Phuong said a C-130 is a likely entry point as there is still mistrust between the former foes regarding lethal weapons, and the deal would not rankle China too much. "It could be quite advantageous for Vietnam," he said of a potential C-130 purchase. "Vietnam can improve its relationship with the United States, and at the same time, we could not anger China because Vietnam would just buy non-lethal weapons." Rising nationalism Although there are positive signs to improving Hanoi-Washington relations, there have also been recent instances of anti-Western sentiment that could be an impediment to the countries relations, Phuong said. Fulbright University Vietnam, which has significant backing from the United States, is facing accusations of fomenting a color revolution, similar to the popular uprisings in former Soviet republics. On August 21, Vietnam National Defense TV aired a critique of Fulbright for allegedly not displaying the Vietnamese flag at a graduation ceremony and facilitating a color revolution. The report has since been taken down, but Phuong said the Fulbright issue and other recent incidents show tension between Vietnam's conservative and liberal factions. "It's a presentation of a continuous struggle between different factions, one conservative and one liberal," Phuong said. Abuza said that Vietnamese authorities may be attempting to tighten control ahead of the anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. "Next April is the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon," he said. "The Vietnamese want to control that narrative 100%. There are a lot of sensitivities." Along with the Fulbright incident, Phuong pointed to recent uproar around Vietnamese celebrities who were pictured with the South Vietnam flag while traveling to the United States. In addition, a Vietnamese high school student faced cyber bullying and was summoned by police after posting in September that he wanted to leave the country and would "probably never see the [Communist] Party positively again." "There's extreme nationalism in Vietnam at the moment," Phuong said. "It's against Western values." Human rights groups have urged Britain not to copy Italys approach in trying to reduce the number of migrants arriving on its shores. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer traveled to Rome this week to learn more about its success in tackling migration, as a surge of people arrive on small boats across the English Channel. Henry Ridgwell reports from London. The Chinese military tailed a U.S. aircraft that flew through the politically sensitive Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, Beijing's army said, vowing to "resolutely defend national sovereignty." "On September 17, a U.S. P-8A anti-submarine patrol aircraft flew through the Taiwan Strait," Li Xi, a senior captain and spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, PLA, said in a statement. The PLA theater command "organized fighter jets to tail and stand guard against the US aircraft's flight, dealing with it in accordance with the law," Li said. "Theater troops are on constant high alert to resolutely defend national sovereignty and security and regional peace and stability." Beijing views self-ruled Taiwan as a renegade province and claims jurisdiction over the body of water that separates the island from the Chinese mainland. The U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet said in a statement that a "P-8A Poseidon transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on Sept. 17 (local time)." The statement did not mention the aircraft being tailed by the Chinese military. "By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations," it said. "The aircraft's transit of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific." Taiwan's defense ministry said in a statement "a US P-8A aircraft passed through Taiwan Strait from south to north this morning." "The military has monitored the situation and no anomaly was detected in our surroundings," it said. China also accused Germany of heightening security risks in the Taiwan Strait on Saturday after two of its military vessels sailed through the waterway. Taipei thanked Washington on Tuesday for approving $228 million worth of "return, repair, and reshipment of spare parts" for its aircraft and related equipment, the 16th such sale of arms to the island under U.S. President Joe Biden. Taiwan's defense ministry said in a separate statement the deal was expected to take effect in a month and "will help maintain the combat readiness and safety of various types of aircraft equipment of our air force". Meta said it's banning Russia state media organization from its social media platforms, alleging that the outlets used deceptive tactics to amplify Moscow's propaganda. The announcement drew a rebuke from the Kremlin on Tuesday. The company, which owns Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, said late Monday that it will roll out the ban over the next few days in an escalation of its efforts to counter Russia's covert influence operations. "After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets: Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity," Meta said in a prepared statement. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov lashed out, saying that "such selective actions against Russian media are unacceptable," and that "Meta with these actions are discrediting themselves." "We have an extremely negative attitude towards this. And this, of course, complicates the prospects for normalizing our relations with Meta," Peskov told reporters during his daily conference call. RT was formerly known as Russia Today. Rossiya Segodnya is the parent company behind state news agency RIA Novosti and news brands like Sputnik. "It's cute how there's a competition in the West who can try to spank RT the hardest, in order to make themselves look better," RT said in a release. Rossiya Segodnya did not respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. Meta's actions comes days after the United States announced new sanctions on RT, accusing the Kremlin news outlet of being a key part of Russia's war machine and its efforts to undermine its democratic adversaries. U.S. officials alleged last week that RT was working hand-in-hand with the Russian military and running fundraising campaigns to pay for sniper rifles, body armor and other equipment for soldiers fighting in Ukraine. They also said RT websites masqueraded as legitimate news sites but were used to spread disinformation and propaganda in Europe, Africa, South America and elsewhere. Earlier this month, the Biden administration seized Kremlin-run websites and charged two RT employees of covertly providing millions of dollars in funding to a Tennessee-based content creation company to publish English-language social media videos pushing pro-Kremlin messages. Moscow has rejected the allegations. Meta had already taken steps to limit Moscow's online reach. Since 2020 it has been labeling posts and content from state media. Two years later, it blocked state media from running ads and putting their content lower in people's feeds, and the company, along with other other social media sites like YouTube and TikTok, blocked RT's channels for European users. Also in 2022 Meta also took down a sprawling Russia-based disinformation network spreading Kremlin talking points about the invasion of Ukraine. Meta and Facebook "already blocked RT in Europe two years ago, now they're censoring information flow to the rest of the world," RT said in its statement. Moscow has fought back, designating Meta as an extremist group in March 2022, shortly after sending troops into Ukraine, and blocking Facebook and Instagram. Both platforms as well as Elon Musk's X, formerly known as Twitter, which is also blocked were popular with Russians before the invasion and the subsequent crackdown on independent media and other forms of critical speech. The social media platforms are now only accessible through virtual private networks. When French prosecutors took aim at Telegram boss Pavel Durov, they had a trump card to wield - a tough new law with no international equivalent that criminalizes tech titans whose platforms allow illegal products or activities. The so-called LOPMI law, enacted in January 2023, has placed France at the forefront of a group of nations taking a sterner stance on crime-ridden websites. But the law is so recent that prosecutors have yet to secure a conviction. With the law still untested in court, France's pioneering push to prosecute figures like Durov could backfire if its judges balk at penalizing tech bosses for alleged criminality on their platforms. A French judge placed Durov under formal investigation last month, charging him with various crimes, including the 2023 offence: "Complicity in the administration of an online platform to allow an illicit transaction, in an organized gang," which carries a maximum 10-year sentence and a $556,300 fine. Being under formal investigation does not imply guilt or necessarily lead to trial, but indicates judges think there's enough evidence to proceed with the probe. Investigations can last years before being sent to trial or dropped. Durov, out on bail, denies Telegram was an "anarchic paradise." Telegram has said it "abides by EU laws," and that it's "absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform." In a radio interview last week, Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau hailed the 2023 law as a powerful tool for battling organized crime groups who are increasingly operating online. The law appears to be unique. Eight lawyers and academics told Reuters they were unaware of any other country with a similar statute. "There is no crime in U.S. law directly analogous to that and none that I'm aware of in the Western world," said Adam Hickey, a former U.S. deputy assistant attorney general who established the Justice Department's (DOJ) national security cyber program. Hickey, now at U.S. law firm Mayer Brown, said U.S. prosecutors could charge a tech boss as a "co-conspirator or an aider and abettor of the crimes committed by users" but only if there was evidence the "operator intends that its users engage in, and himself facilitates, criminal activities." He cited the 2015 conviction of Ross Ulbricht, whose Silk Road website hosted drug sales. U.S. prosecutors argued Ulbricht "deliberately operated Silk Road as an online criminal marketplace ... outside the reach of law enforcement," according to the DOJ. Ulbricht got a life sentence. Timothy Howard, a former U.S. federal prosecutor who put Ulbricht behind bars, was "skeptical" Durov could be convicted in the United States without proof he knew about the crimes on Telegram, and actively facilitated them - especially given Telegram's vast, mainly law-abiding user base. "Coming from my experience of the U.S. legal system," he said, the French law appears "an aggressive theory." Michel Sejean, a French professor of cyber law, said the toughened legislation in France came after authorities grew exasperated with companies like Telegram. "It's not a nuclear weapon," he said. "It's a weapon to prevent you from being impotent when faced with platforms that don't cooperate." Tougher laws The 2023 law traces its origins to a 2020 French interior ministry white paper, which called for major investment in technology to tackle growing cyber threats. It was followed by a similar law in November 2023, which included a measure for the real-time geolocation of people suspected of serious crimes by remotely activating their devices. A proposal to turn on their devices' cameras and mouthpieces so that investigators could watch or listen in was shot down by France's Constitutional Council. These new laws have given France some of the world's toughest tools for tackling cybercrime, with the proof being the arrest of Durov on French soil, said Sadry Porlon, a French lawyer specialized in communication technology law. Tom Holt, a cybercrime professor at Michigan State University, said LOPMI "is a potentially powerful and effective tool if used properly," particularly in probes into child sexual abuse images, credit card trafficking and distributed denial of service attacks, which target businesses or governments. Armed with fresh legislative powers, the ambitious J3 cybercrime unit at the Paris prosecutor's office, which is overseeing the Durov probe, is now involved in some of France's most high-profile cases. In June, the J3 unit shut down Coco, an anonymized chat forum cited in over 23,000 legal proceedings since 2021 for crimes including prostitution, rape and homicide. Coco played a central role in a current trial that has shocked France. Dominique Pelicot, 71, is accused of recruiting dozens of men on Coco to rape his wife, whom he had knocked out with drugs. Pelicot, who is expected to testify this week, has admitted his guilt, while 50 other men are on trial for rape. Coco's owner, Isaac Steidel, is suspected of a similar crime as Durov: "Provision of an online platform to allow an illicit transaction by an organized gang." Steidel's lawyer, Julien Zanatta, declined to comment. Germany began implementing checks on all its land borders Monday as the government tries to crack down on irregular migration. As Henry Ridgwell reports, many of Germanys neighbors have criticized the plan, which they say undermines the core European Union principle of freedom of movement. Israel announced Tuesday the expansion of its war against Hamas to include the goal of making it possible for residents of northern Israel to return to homes they evacuated due to clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants along the Israel-Lebanon border. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said the security cabinet approved the move late Monday. Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, began its near-daily attacks shortly after the war in Gaza began, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee their homes. Hezbollah, which like Hamas is supported by Iran, has said it would halt the attacks if there is a cease-fire deal for Gaza. Hezbollah is a U.S.-designated terrorist group. Efforts to achieve that cease-fire have stretched on for months, with U.S., Egyptian and Qatari officials trying to find terms agreeable to both Israel and Hamas. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels to Egypt on Tuesday amid ongoing efforts to engage key regional partners in the Middle East to present a revised cease-fire proposal. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters Monday, We continue to engage with our partners in the region, most specifically with Egypt and Qatar, about what that proposal will contain, and making sure or trying to see that it's a proposal that can get the parties to an ultimate agreement. The U.S. has not provided a timetable for the revised proposal, though officials have indicated that it would be presented soon. The proposal seeks to resolve key issues behind the impasse, aiming to secure a truce between Israel and Hamas and the release of remaining hostages taken by the Hamas militants at the start of the war on October 7, 2023. In Cairo, Blinken will co-chair the opening session of the U.S.-Egypt Strategic Dialogue with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. Blinken will also meet with Egyptian leaders to discuss efforts to secure a cease-fire in Gaza, ensure the release of all hostages, alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and promote broader regional security, according to Miller. However, Blinken's trip does not include a stop in Israel for talks with its leaders. Blinken met Monday with Yair Lapid, Israels opposition leader and former prime minister. After the meeting at the State Department, Lapid told reporters that Israel needs a hostage deal and an end to the war in Gaza, emphasizing that no political process or turbulence should affect the deal. Lapid urged the U.S. not to let Hamas skirt a hostage deal. Israel as a nation will not heal unless we will bring [the remaining hostages] back home. This is essential to our existence, Lapid said. U.N. meeting At the United Nations, the General Assembly on Tuesday reopened an emergency meeting on Gaza. The Palestinian delegation has requested the body debate and vote on a resolution that seeks to force Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian lands within 12 months and impose sanctions on those who are engaged in the maintenance of Israels unlawful presence in Palestinian territories. It also calls on states to take steps toward ending arms shipments to Israel that could be used in Palestinian areas. It is trying to build on momentum from an advisory opinion issued in July by the U.N.s top court, the International Court of Justice, that said annexation and occupation of Palestinian territories is unlawful and Israels discriminatory laws and policies against Palestinians are tantamount to the crime of apartheid. We are committed to the rule of international law and to just and lasting peace in our region, Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour said. This requires ensuring that the same rules apply to all. No bias. No double standards. No exceptionalism. And no exception. Israel rejected the courts opinion, and their ambassador urged countries not to support the proposed resolution. Anyone who supports this circus is a collaborator, Ambassador Danny Danon told the meeting. Every vote you cast in support of this circus fuels the violence. The United States also urged countries to vote against the measure. There is no path forward or hope offered through this resolution today, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the assembly. Its adoption will not save Palestinian lives, bring the hostages home, end Israeli settlements or reinvigorate the peace process. General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, but they carry the weight of the international community. More than 90 countries plan to speak at the debate and a vote is expected on Wednesday. Observers expect the measure to be adopted. Hamas triggered the conflict with its October 2023 attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of 250 hostages. Israels counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 41,200 Palestinians, a death toll Israel says includes thousands of militant fighters. Hamas has been designated a terror group by the U.S., the U.K., EU and other Western nations. VOA State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching, U.N. correspondent Margaret Besheer, Kim Lewis and Natasha Mozgovaya contributed to this report. Jailed Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi on Monday urged the international community to act to end the oppression of women in Iran, two years after the start of a women-led protest movement. "I call on international institutions and people around the world... to take active action," she said in a letter written in Tehran's Evin prison on Saturday, and published by her foundation on Monday. "I urge the United Nations to end its silence and inaction in the face of the devastating oppression and discrimination by theocratic and authoritarian governments against women by criminalizing gender apartheid," she said. The "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests were sparked by the death in custody of a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd called Mahsa Amini on September 16, 2022, after she was arrested for allegedly breaching the country's strict dress code for her gender. Mohammadi who has campaigned against the compulsory wearing of the headscarf for women and the death penalty in Iran has been in Tehran's Evin prison since November 2021. She has spent much of the past decade in and out of jail. On Sunday she was one of 34 women in the Evin prison to stage a 24-hour symbolic hunger strike on the second anniversary of the protest movement "in solidarity with the protesting people of Iran, against the government's oppressive policies," her foundation said. Mohammadi's children received the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf in 2023 while she was incarcerated. Since the Islamic revolution of 1979, women in Iran have to cover their hair and neck in public. The "Woman, Life, Freedom" demonstrations were crushed by the authorities, with rights group Amnesty International saying security forces used assault rifles and shotguns in the crackdown. Human rights groups say at least 551 people were killed. Thousands more were arrested, according to the United Nations. But Mohammadi was defiant. "Despite the challenging road ahead, we all know that nothing is as it was before," she wrote. "The people feel the greatest change in their beliefs, lives, and society. A change that, while it has not yet toppled the Islamic Republic regime, has shaken the foundations of religious tyranny." SYDNEY, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Almost 10 percent of men in New South Wales (NSW), Australia's most populous state, have faced legal action from police for domestic and family violence offenses, a government study said on Tuesday. According to the research, which was published by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), 6.3 percent of people born in the east coast state of NSW were found to have been proceeded against by police for a family and domestic violence offense by the age of 37. It found that the rate was significantly higher for men at 9.6 percent compared with 3.0 percent of women. Conducted in collaboration with the Griffith Criminology Institute at NSW's Griffith University, the study examined three population cohorts - those born in the state in 1984, 1994 and 2004 - and analyzed offenses recorded by NSW Police. Overall it found that 1.2 percent of people born in NSW were responsible for more than 50 percent of recorded family and domestic violence offenses. Family and domestic violence offenses accounted for nearly half of all criminal offenses committed by people in the three cohorts. Rick Brown, deputy director of the AIC, said the research highlights the high prevalence of family and domestic violence perpetration in Australia. "By identifying and targeting those who commit domestic violence, especially early in their offending trajectory, we can not only reduce violence against intimate partners and family members but prevent crime more generally," he said in a statement. "This report is the first estimate of the prevalence of recorded family and domestic violence offending in a population sample in Australia, and is an important step towards increasing the visibility of family and domestic violence perpetrators," Brown said. One in four Australian women and one in 14 men have experienced violence from an intimate partner since the age of 15, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier in September announced that Australia's federal, state and territory governments agreed to invest 4.7 billion Australian dollars (3.1 billion U.S. dollars) in a five-year plan to prevent domestic violence and support victims. A government-commissioned report released in August called for Australia to treat domestic violence as a national emergency. Islamic militants attacked a military training camp in Mali's capital Tuesday, sparking a deadly gunbattle and the temporary closure of a nearby airport before troops were able to subdue the assailants, officials said. No details of casualties were immediately released. The militants tried to infiltrate the Faladie gendarme school in Bamako, prompting a sweep by government troops who later were able to "neutralize" the attackers, army Chief of Staff Oumar Diarra said on national TV, without elaborating. The attack caused a "loss of life and material damage," a security official told The Associated Press, but didn't provide any numbers or details. At least 15 suspects were arrested, said the official, who was inside the training camp at the time of the attack. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to talk to reporters. The al-Qaida-linked militant group JNIM claimed responsibility for the attack on its website Azallaq. The group said it had inflicted "major human and material losses" and set aircraft on fire. Militant groups often exaggerate their claims. An AP reporter heard two explosions in the area earlier Tuesday and saw smoke rise from a location on the outskirts of the city where the camp and airport are located. Soon after the attack, Mali's authorities closed the airport, with Transport Ministry spokesman Mohamed Ould Mamouni saying flights were suspended because of the exchange of gunfire nearby. The airport reopened later in the day. The U.S. Embassy in Bamako told its staff to remain at home and stay off the roads. Mali, along with its neighbors Burkina Faso and Niger, has for more than a decade battled an insurgency fought by armed groups, including some allied with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Following military coups in all three nations in recent years, the ruling juntas have expelled French forces and turned to Russian mercenary units for security assistance instead. Since taking power, Colonel Assimi Goita has struggled to stave off growing attacks by the militants. Attacks in central and northern Mali are increasing. In July, about 50 Russian mercenaries in a convoy were killed in an al-Qaida ambush. The mercenaries had been fighting mostly Tuareg rebels alongside Mali's army when their convoy was forced to retreat into militant territory and ambushed south of the commune of Tinzaouaten. Attacks in the capital of Bamako are rare, however. "I think JNIM wanted to show they can also stage attacks in the south and in the capital, following the battle on the north near the Algeria border where Wagner suffered losses," said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, which promotes democracy. In 2022, gunmen struck a Malian army checkpoint about 60 kilometers outside the city, killing at least six people and wounding several others. In 2015, another al-Qaida linked extremist group killed at least 20 people, including one American, during an attack on a hotel in Bamako. Tuesday's attack is significant because it showed that JNIM can stage a large-scale attack, Wassim Nasr, a journalist and senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, told the AP. It also shows that they are concentrating their efforts on military targets, rather than random attacks on civilian targets, he said. More than 50 Burmese Americans gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, protesting China's alleged interference in Myanmar's internal affairs. The protest on Saturday, part of a global campaign, called on China to withdraw its support for Myanmar's military junta and respect the will of the people, who have been fighting for democracy since the February 2021 coup. The protest with demonstrators waving banners that read "Reject Junta's Sham Elections" and "Solidarity With the People of Myanmar" was sparked by a statement released earlier Saturday by the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar, saying that China was not interfering in the country's affairs and would continue to promote peace and stability. "We reject the Chinese Embassy's statement that they're not interfering in Myanmar's internal matters," said Yin Aye, a protest leader who has been organizing demonstrations in the Washington area since the 2021 coup. "If they would stop supporting sham elections and truly pressure the military to stop causing so much pain to our people, we might believe them." Yin Aye referred to China's close ties with Myanmar's military junta and its alleged interference in the operations of ethnic resistance forces in northern Shan State, actions that have drawn widespread criticism from Burmese and pro-democracy groups. On August 29, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, or TNLA, an armed ethnic group fighting against the junta in northeastern Myanmar, said it had received a letter from Chinese authorities in the border town of Ruili warning the group to halt its offensive in northern Shan State, where key Belt and Road Initiative projects are located, or face consequences. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a veteran observer of China-Myanmar relations, said China's recent actions, particularly its warning to the TNLA, have sparked outrage among the Myanmar public, who view it as a direct threat to ethnic resistance forces fighting for democracy. "The language used in the letter was undiplomatic and threatening," Hla Kyaw Zaw told VOAs Burmese Service. A spokesperson for the TNLA told VOA that Chinese authorities had warned the group in the letter to stop fighting, maintain stability along the China-Myanmar border and protect Chinese citizens. The letter warned that failure to comply would result in China "teaching them a lesson" and holding the group responsible for any consequences. When asked about the letter at a regular press briefing in late August, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Jian did not confirm or deny Beijing had sent the letter. China is closely following the situation in Myanmar and the developments of the conflict in northern Myanmar and has been working to promote peacetalks and ceasefire, spokesperson Liu Jian said. As Myanmars biggest neighboring country, China has all along sincerely hoped that Myanmar will achieve stability and development and has worked actively to this end. Since then, members of the Myanmar diaspora have intensified protests outside Chinese embassies worldwide, accusing China of supporting Myanmar's military coup. Protests worldwide Saturday's protest in Washington was part of a series of coordinated demonstrations by Burmese diaspora communities worldwide. In July, activists in Washington, New York, San Francisco, London and Tokyo protested outside Chinese embassies and consulates. In the July protest in Washington, protesters attempted to hand deliver an open letter to Chinese authorities, urging Beijing to halt its support for Myanmar's military junta. However, the letter went unanswered. "When we handed the letter to the Chinese embassy here in D.C., they refused to accept it. They didn't even acknowledge our demands," said Yin Aye. Activists were instructed to send the letter by post, but previous attempts to mail similar letters to the Chinese Embassy were returned undelivered. Despite the lack of formal response, Myanmar activists say the Chinese Embassy in Washington has been monitoring their protest activities in recent weeks. "Now, we see them videotaping our protests," Yin Aye said. Voice of America reached out to the Chinese embassies in Washington and Yangon for comment about the protests but did not receive a response by the time of publication. War crimes allegations The Myanmar diaspora argues that China's support for Myanmar's military is not only undermining the will of the people but also enabling war crimes, including aerial bombardments and the targeting of internally displaced persons. Minmin Berwald, an activist of Myanmar descent, was compelled to participate in the protest on Saturday. "I want to ask China to immediately stop supporting this military regime and interfering in Burma's internal affairs," Berwald said. "It's not just homes being set on fire. Internally displaced people who have fled war are being bombarded." China's contradictory stance China has maintained a complex position toward Myanmar since the February 2021 coup, balancing its own interests with regional stability, Hla Kyaw Zaw said. She noted that China has sent high officials to Myanmar, called for peace in the country and sponsored mediating talks between the junta and the armed ethnic groups. After the coup, however, China's official Xinhua news agency described the military's takeover and replacement of elected ministers as a "major cabinet reshuffle," avoiding the use of the term "coup." Beijing called for all parties in Myanmar to "resolve their differences" and refrained from condemning the military. In 2022, China also abstained from voting on U.N. Security Council Resolution 2669, which called for an end to violence in Myanmar. However, critics argue that China's actions on the ground suggest deeper involvement. A veteran China-Myanmar affairs expert in Yangon, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said China's statements often appear contradictory. "It's clear that China wants to control the situation to its advantage," the expert said, referring to China's public calls for peace while its actions suggest otherwise. China, for its part, has denied interfering in Myanmar's internal affairs on multiple occasions. In its statement Saturday, the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar reiterated its position of noninterference and called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The embassy also condemned what it called "unjustified accusations" from individuals and media. The fight continues Protesters also called for China to take a more active role in cutting off support to Myanmar's junta, including halting the supply of jet fuel used in airstrikes against civilians. Amnesty International has documented multiple cases of the Myanmar military using airpower to target civilian areas, and activists argue that China's continued engagement with the junta implicates them in these atrocities. For now, the protesters have vowed to keep returning to the Chinese Embassy in Washington. "We will continue to protest, continue to speak out," said Yin Aye. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. Congress has appropriated $174 billion, including U.S. weapons and materiel, to respond to the crisis and help Ukraine defend itself against Russias aggression. U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General Robert Storch calls the oversight of U.S. security assistance to Ukraine his offices job one, with more than 200 people assigned to that task. In an interview with Voice of Americas Ukrainian Service, Storch discussed the challenges in obtaining the information necessary for such oversight in a country that is fighting a war, suffers from endemic corruption and has no large-scale U.S. military presence. According to the most recent quarterly Special Inspector General report to the U.S. Congress on Operation Atlantic Resolve (the name of the U.S. military response to Russian operations in Ukraine), issued in mid-August, there were 57 open investigations as of June 30, 2024. They involved grant and procurement fraud, corruption, theft, program irregularities, and diversion and counter-proliferation of technology of weapons systems components. In January, Ukraines SBU security service reported that it had uncovered a $40 million corruption scheme, implicating defense ministry officials and arms supplier managers, that involved the embezzlement of funds for purchase of 100,000 mortar shells. That case did not involve U.S.-provided materiel. However, in September 2023, Oleksii Reznikov was removed as Ukraines defense minister over various corruption cases despite enjoying a solid reputation in representing Ukraine in its discussions with Western allies, Reuters reported. Storch told VOA that the Pentagon is working with Ukraines military to ensure that it provides timely and accurate information, and with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys government to fight corruption. He said that in the days immediately following Russias full-scale invasion, Ukraines armed forces were delinquent in providing information, but that the situation has improved, in part thanks to oversight. While corruption remains endemic in Ukraine, Storch said that Ukraines anti-corruption institutions are maturing and that the oversight community is working to ensure that such progress continues. The following has been edited for length and clarity. VOA: You are overseeing numerous Pentagon programs. How robust is oversight of the delivery of weapons to Ukraine? Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Defense Robert Storch: We are leading a robust, comprehensive oversight effort that really covers all aspects of U.S. assistance to Ukraine. I have responsibility over the security assistance that's provided, and we partner very closely, hand-in-glove, with our great colleagues from the State Department Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Agency for International Development Office of Inspector General to make sure we're covering all aspects of humanitarian or other assistance that's being provided to Ukraine. VOA: How large is your team that is overseeing the Ukrainian program? Storch: We have a lot of things pulling at us and lots going on in the world with the Department of Defense. But Ukraine is very much job one. I always say it's really a matter of the highest priority for my office and for my colleagues offices as well. So, in the case of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, we have over 200 people who are engaged in one aspect or another of oversight over U.S. security assistance to Ukraine. That includes about 30 people who were forward deployed in the region. We have several offices in Germany. We have folks in Poland. And we have both investigators and programmatic oversight personnel at the [U.S.] Embassy in Kyiv. If you take all of our partners from State and AID in oversight entities, it is between 300 and 400 people who are engaged in oversight in this whole-of-government effort. VOA: When you talk to Ukrainian officials, do they appreciate the importance of reporting? Storch: Without exception, they acknowledge the importance of making sure that we get the information we need to be able to do our oversight to make sure there's accountability, and frankly to be able to tell the decision-makers here in Washington that that's going on. I go up to the Hill [Capitol Hill, location of the U.S. Congress] not infrequently. And you know, I'm not a policymaker. It's up to the administration and the Congress to set what the policies are. But one of the things I get asked all the time is, Are we getting the information we need to carry out our work? and we have been getting that, and we're going to work to make sure we continue to. VOA: The Pentagon transfers materiel to the Ukrainian armed forces. Do they understand the importance of oversight, and do they provide timely self-reporting? Storch: We work really closely to make sure that's the case. That's one of the big lines of effort with regard to our oversight. We've done a number of reports looking at the monitoring and the reporting. There are obligations that the Ukrainian armed forces have for reporting on the status of the equipment, and U.S. personnel keep track and there's a database. When things are lost or destroyed, they have to be reported in a certain way. [T]hat's one area where I like to think that our oversight has really made a difference. When we first started on that, the level of delinquency in that reporting was really pretty high, and some of that was because, when the war started, the U.S. personnel had to leave the country. There was equipment being provided and really no one doing that sort of accountability and inventory. So, a lot of it has been playing catch-up. And there are challenges with a wartime setting and a lot of this equipment is being used on the front lines and [in] really difficult and sad situations. And so being able to maintain accountability is difficult, but we do a lot of work on that. VOA: In one of your reports, you mentioned endemic corruption in Ukraine. You worked in Ukraine in 2007 to 2009 to help the country overcome corruption. Can you compare the situation in Ukraine now to what you saw back then? Storch: I actually had the opportunity to work and live in Ukraine back in 2007 to 2009, when I was with the Department of Justice working with the Ukrainians to help them develop measures to address official corruption. And I had the opportunity to go back on a number of occasions and provide assistance in the drafting of the anti-corruption legislation, and that created the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Office of the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor, so I have had a lot of experience out there and have seen the way these institutions have matured. The Ukrainians made it happen ... But Ukraine has had long-standing issues with corruption, obviously, and people are working to address it. One of the things we talk about in our quarterly reporting is that they're continuing to make efforts to address it, and we continue as the United States both to provide assistance in that, and then, in the oversight community, to do oversight over that to make sure that progress is being made. VOA: Your report mentions that there are 57 investigations ongoing into allegations ranging from irregularities in procurement to corruption, diversion and theft. Have any of those allegations been substantiated? Storch: At this point, based on our completed work, we haven't substantiated those allegations, but obviously the investigations continue, right? VOA: About half of the allegations involve the proliferation of weapons. How high is the risk of diversion? Storch: Sure, there's a significant risk there, but we always want to make sure we're doing everything we can to address it, and that's why I mention the programmatic oversight. We have a website [with] links to the hotlines that my office and our counterparts operate. I really encourage folks to take advantage of that to report that information. So, people can look into it. VOA: There is reporting that the Pentagon overestimated the value of some of the U.S. equipment destined for Ukraine. Do you think this accounting error will persist or is it being corrected? Storch: We're doing everything we can to help the [Defense] Department to address it. We became concerned about that pretty early on and consulted with the department about it and, without getting too complex, basically the department was using a methodology to value the materiel that was being provided that resulted in an overvaluation of it. If you were donating your car, you probably wouldn't be able to donate the cost of buying a new car like that, right? It's a little more complicated than that, but basically it resulted in an overvaluation. Initially the Department looking into it found about $6.2 billion that they thought was overstated. We came in and did additional oversight, which is reflected in our reporting, and found about $1.9 billion additionally. So, the answer to your question is we made recommendations to help the Department address the issues, and we're going to keep working to make sure those recommendations are carried out and the problems addressed. The trial of a French citizen arrested in Russia on charges of unlawfully collecting information on military issues started Monday but was quickly adjourned for a month. Laurent Vinatier, arrested in Moscow in June, had earlier admitted guilt, setting the stage for a fast-track trial without a detailed examination of evidence. But quickly after the trial opened on Monday, the judge adjourned the hearing until October 14 when prosecutors will declare the sentence they will seek. Vinatier's lawyer, Aleksey Sinitsyn, said the trial was adjourned because the prosecution needed more time to prepare for final arguments. If convicted, Vinatier could face up to five years in prison. Detentions on charges of spying and collecting sensitive data have become increasingly frequent in Russia since it sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. Vinatier's arrest came as tensions flared between Moscow and Paris following President Emmanuel Macron's comments about the possibility of deploying French troops in Ukraine. Russian authorities accused Vinatier of failing to register as a "foreign agent" while collecting information about Russia's "military and military-technical activities" that could be used to the detriment of the country's security. The prosecutors accused Vinatier of collecting military information during his meetings with three Russian citizens in Moscow in 2021-2022. The Russian citizens weren't named in the indictment. Vinatier is an adviser with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, a Switzerland-based nongovernmental organization. The NGO in June said it was doing "everything possible to assist" him. The charges against Vinatier relate to a law that requires anyone collecting information on military issues to register with authorities as a foreign agent. Human rights activists have criticized the law and other recent legislation as part of a Kremlin crackdown on independent media and political activists intended to stifle criticism of its actions in Ukraine. Ahead of Russia hosting the 2024 BRICS Summit from Oct. 22-24, Turkeys application to join the group of major emerging economies is coming under scrutiny. The BRIC, or Brazil, Russia, India and China, platform was initiated by Russia in 2009 as an informal club to provide members with a conduit for challenging the world order dominated by the U.S. and its Western allies. South Africa joined in 2010, making them BRICS. While analysts say Turkeys membership bid is more about playing both sides than challenging its Western allies, some also voice concerns that Ankara is moving away from the West. Turkeys BRICS bid is one more example of the countrys drift away from the Transatlantic community, Asli Aydintasbas, visiting fellow at the Brookings Institutions Center on the United States and Europe, told VOA Mandarin. Turkeys formal application last week for membership in the BRICS bloc of emerging economies confirmed speculation of the plan after the Kremlin in June welcomed Turkeys interest in the work of BRICS and promised to support Ankaras aspirations to join it. Ankaras move marks the first time a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and a candidate to join the European Union has applied to join a group dominated by Russia and China. NATO is a political and military alliance of 32 countries created by the U.S. for collective security against the former Soviet Union. The body also serves as a medium for member-state consultation, cooperation, dispute resolution and crisis management. BRICS aims to challenge the political and economic dominance of mainly Western, developed nations. Critics say it struggles to accomplish much and is uniting authoritarian and corrupt governments that seek to silence opposition. In January 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates were formally added to the group. Theres a process of enlarging BRICS that China and Russia are engaged in, Gallia Lindenstrauss, a fellow at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies Turkey Policy Research, told VOA Mandarin. This bid announcement is directly tied to the S-400 sales to Turkey, and it comes as a prelude to the upcoming October BRICS meeting in Russia. In 2020, the Trump administration slapped sanctions on Turkey for a $2.5 billion acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile system, which is said to pose a risk to the NATO alliance and to U.S. F-35 fighter jets. Despite the Russian missile deal, Turkey still has clear differences with the BRICS members and summit host concerning Moscows war on Ukraine, a key NATO concern. While most BRICS members have taken a neutral or Russia-leaning stance on Moscows invasion, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week expressed unwavering support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and said Russia must return annexed Crimea to Kyiv, prompting a mild rebuke from Moscow. Turkey is going through an anti-Western mood at the moment, Aydintasbas says. This is made worse by events in Gaza. Turkey, whose citizens are mostly Muslims, has been an outspoken critic of U.S. ally Israels fight against Hamas in Gaza. The conflict began after Hamas attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 and took as hostages 250 people. Israels counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 42,000 Palestinians, according to the territory's health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. Analysts say Turkeys impatience over stalled negotiations to join the EU has also fueled its desire to form closer relations with BRICS. Ankaras EU bid launched in 2005 has been delayed by concerns about its crackdown on Turkish opposition. Muhdan Saglam, Ankara-based Russian Energy and Russia-Turkey relations commentator, told VOA Mandarin that Turkeys BRICS bid is a way to show it has different faces one for the East and another facing West. Erdogan is using this to show the West Turkey has alternatives, Saglam explains. But BRICS is not an alternative and Western authorities know that. It is important, though, because not one NATO member has applied for membership in a different organization. In this case, the political impact may be more important than economic or defense implications. But Saglam says the BRICS bid is also a means for facilitating deals with business partners like China. BRICS member countries make up about 45% of the worlds population and 28% of the global economy. BRICS countries produce more than a third of the worlds crude oil. If Saudi Arabia joins the group, which it has indicated it may, BRICS nations would produce some 43% of global crude oil. But analysts note while Turkeys trade with China has grown, to more than $48 billion in 2023, the vast majority were imports from China while Ankara has a more balanced trade with its top partner the European Union. Turkey may ultimately be in BRICS, Lindenstrauss said. But theres no practical serious meaning here in terms of trade partners and it doesnt change export/import trade factors. In June, Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, during a talk at Londons Chatham House think tank, referred to BRICS as a dialogue platform versus a formal economic bloc like the EU. The EU remains our core partner in terms of trade investments, tourism flows ... so we remain focused (on the EU), but that doesnt mean we do not look at alternatives if they present value, he told the forum. Aydintasbas, of the Brookings Institution, said Turkeys bid to join BRICS should not be dismissed. BRICS membership may not mean much in practical terms and Turkey is still keen to retain its NATO membership. But it is gradually, inch-by-inch, drifting from the West and that requires greater strategic thinking on the part of U.S. and other NATO allies, given Turkeys regional heft and geographic location. Is this an outcome we want? The presidents of China and Iran have already confirmed they will attend the October summit in Russia. Although Russian and Chinse state media report the Turkish president has said he will attend the summit, Erdogans office has to make an official confirmation. A village in northwestern Syria has been under siege by a Turkish-backed group of armed militants following a women-led protest against ongoing abuses carried out by the Syrian faction. The Kurdish village of Kakhira in Syrias Afrin district came under siege Sunday after fighters affiliated with the Suleiman Shah Brigade cut off internet access and set up additional checkpoints in and around the community, Kurdish news network Rudaw reported on Monday. The village and other parts of Afrin came under the control of Turkish military and Turkish-backed Syrian groups in March 2018 following a major military offensive against Kurdish forces. Many armed factions operating in the area, including the Suleiman Shah Brigade, are extremist groups that have imposed stringent restrictions on the local Kurdish population. International rights groups, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have accused these groups of carrying out violations against civilian residents of Afrin. The recent protest in Kakhira was sparked by the announcement of a new set of taxation against olive farmers and the subsequent arrests of several residents who had opposed the new levy, according to local sources. The demonstrators were met with harsh beatings and live bullets by the armed group, leaving at least six people wounded, including four women, said Sozdar Rizgar, a former village resident who currently lives in a displacement camp elsewhere in northern Syria. She told VOA that the militiamen have restricted all access to and from the village. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights, which has researchers throughout the war-torn country, put the number of those wounded at eight. Another source inside Afrin, who insisted on anonymity for fear of retribution, told VOA that fighters linked to the Suleiman Shah Brigade have in recent weeks seized several properties belonging to Kakhira villagers. The most recent example was last week, when the fighters confiscated a civilian house whose owner later died of a heart attack, the source said. Last year, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on the Suleiman Shah Brigade and another armed group called the Hamza Division for serious human rights abuses against those residing in the Afrin region of northern Syria. In a report released last week, the U.N. Syria Commission of Inquiry said armed groups in northwest Syria use brutal torture tactics in their detention centers that are like those of the Syrian government. Ahmed Qitme, a researcher at the Paris-based advocacy group Syrians for Truth and Justice, said such international designations and condemnations have not deterred armed groups in Afrin from carrying out these abuses. They act with impunity because they feel that nobody could stop them as long as they have the backing of Turkey, he told VOA. The Kurdish National Council in Syria, an opposition group based in northern Syria, has called on Turkish authorities to exert pressure on armed factions and put an end to rights violations in Afrin. The Turkish government has not publicly commented on the ongoing events in northwest Syria. Officials at Turkey's Foreign Ministry did not respond to VOA's requests for comment in time for publication. The Syrian National Army an umbrella group for all armed factions in northwest Syria, including Suleiman Shah Brigade also did not respond to VOA's request for comment. This story originated in VOAs Kurdish Service. A Ukrainian Navy missile strike demolished Russian ammunition depots near the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol, according to a statement on Tuesday from the Ukrainian navy. The statement said that its strike destroyed not only the tons of ammunition that the Russians had stockpiled but also the infrastructure containing the ammunition. The claims could not be independently verified immediately. Mariupol was the scene of a four-month seize by Russian forces at the beginning of Russias invasion of Ukraine. An estimated 25,000 people were killed in the siege and the city was left in ruins. Meanwhile, Russia said it captured another town in the eastern Donetsk region, Ukrainsk, the Russian state-owned RIA news agency and pro-Russian bloggers reported. One of the bloggers said the town has been taken almost intact. Neither the Russian nor the Ukrainian defense ministries commented on the claim. Earlier, Russian drone attacks overnight targeted energy facilities in northeastern Ukraine, officials said Tuesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his daily address Tuesday that repair crews have been dispatched to the region. The attacks knocked out power in the Sumy region, where officials said Ukrainian air defenses shot down 16 of the drones. The assault on Sumy was part of a wider drone attack, during which Ukraines military said it shot down a total of 34 of 51 Russian drones. Intercepts also took place over the Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv and Poltava regions. Russias Defense Ministry said Tuesday it shot down 15 Ukrainian drones over the Bryansk region, where authorities reported no damage or casualties. Another Ukrainian drone targeted Russias Kursk region. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Tuesday that Russia is boosting the size of its army due to threats along the countrys borders. "It is caused by the extremely hostile environment on our western borders and instability on our eastern borders. This demands appropriate measures to be taken, Peskov said. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered his military to expand its number of troops by 180,000, bringing the total to 1.5 million. Putin last called for a troop increase in December. The move comes as Russian forces try to push out Ukrainian forces who moved into Russias Kursk region in early August. Russias military said Monday it reclaimed control of two villages in Kursk, Uspenovka and Borki. Kursk Governor Alexei Smirnov announced Monday the evacuation of villages in the Rylsky and Khomutovsky districts, which are located about 40 kilometers north of Uspenovka. The announcement, on Telegram, gave few specifics about the reason for the order other than saying it was to ensure security. Also Monday, Ukraine called on the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to send teams to areas of Kursk under Ukrainian control to evaluate the situation there. Russia quickly responded by calling Ukraines action a provocation. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said later in New York that the U.N. is ready to do it, but that it would need authorization from Russia to make such a visit. Some information for this story was provided by Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. On Monday, after the U.S. State Department announced the release of David Lin, an American pastor, from nearly two decades of imprisonment in China, officials said more work remains to secure the freedom of other Americans held in China. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters that the U.S. government had been working to secure Lin's release for some time. When it comes to David Lin, we are glad to see he is released. We welcome it. Well continue to push the release of other Americans, Miller said during a regular press briefing. Lin, 68, was detained in 2006 after entering China. He was later convicted of contract fraud and given a life sentence in 2009. After Chinese courts reduced his sentence, he was set to be released from Beijing in 2029. Bob Fu, a pastor and founder of ChinaAid, a nonprofit dedicated to religious freedom in China, called the original charges against Lin a scam and said they were facilitated by the Chinese government as a gambit to unjustly take hostages. The imprisonment and now release of Lin, Fu told VOA, is especially significant as China is increasingly cracking down on religious practices within the country, with human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet and growing governmental restrictions on Christian traditions. Despite this, Fu said that the success of Lins release could be attributed to two factors: the souring of the global public opinion on China and the hard work of U.S. officials. This shows that if our top political leaders really take this seriously and persistently, it will bear fruits for our citizens' freedom, he said. According to the Dui Hua Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to freeing detainees through dialogue with China, over 200 American nationals in China under coercive measures, including wrongful detentions and exit bans. The State Department has listed two other detained individuals as priority cases: Businessman Kai Li, accused of espionage in 2016, and Mark Swidan, convicted of drug trafficking in 2019. Well continue to push the release of other Americans, Miller said. Its something that we have been working on for some time. Miller declined to say if Lin's release had been the result of a swap, according to a report by Reuters. China's embassy in Washington declined to comment when asked if Beijing had received anything from the U.S. in return for Lin's release, according to Reuters. The embassy also told Reuters that Chinese authorities handle criminal suspects in accordance with the law and "treat them equally regardless of their nationality." Later this week, a U.S. congressional hearing is set to be held on Americans who have been arbitrarily imprisoned in China. Some material for this report came from Reuters. A United Nations fact-finding mission Tuesday warned that repression in Venezuela has worsened following flawed presidential elections on July 28, with the government of Nicolas Maduro quashing all dissent to retain power at any price. We are facing a systematic, coordinated and deliberate repression by the Venezuelan government, which responds to a conscious plan to silence any form of dissent, Marta Valinas, chair of the fact-finding mission, told journalists at a briefing in Geneva. As part of this plan, the government has instrumentalized the entire state apparatus, including especially the justice system, with a view to silencing any type of difference of opinion that opposes its scheme and to staying in power at any price, she said. The three-member panel said the 20-page report, which covers the period between September 1, 2023, and August 31, 2024, set a new milestone in the deterioration of the rule of law. The figures we have presented reveal the extent of violations committed, said Francisco Cox Vial, member of the fact-finding mission. We cannot ignore that these violations represent a clear and deliberate line of conduct by the authorities of politically motivated persecution. We have come to the conclusion that many of these violations constitute crimes against humanity, he said, adding that previous reports have documented how the government has used systematic repression to remain in power. Today, in this report, we confirm that this repression has reached an unprecedented level, he said. We have previously warned that the government could activate the repressive apparatus at will, and indeed, that is what we are observing. Repression and human rights violations are widespread and systematic, and we must act urgently to protect victims and ensure that those responsible are held into account. The report finds that violations and levels of violence have intensified in the post-election period. It has documented 25 confirmed deaths since July 29, most of them young people under age 30, including two children, and one member of the Bolivarian National Guard. Of these 25 victims, we have confirmed that 24 died from gunshot wounds. The other was beaten to death, Valinas said, noting that the panel does not have sufficient evidence to attribute responsibility for the deaths. However, we can confirm the presence of security forces such as the Bolivarian National Guard and the Bolivarian National Police, sometimes accompanied by groups of armed civilians who fired on demonstrators during the protests, she said, adding that the Venezuelan authorities admitted to having arrested more than 2,200 people between July 29 and August 6. Of these we have confirmed the arrest of at least 158 children, some with disabilities and accused of serious crimes, such as terrorism and incitement to hatred, she said. This phenomenon is something new and extremely worrying. The report describes detention in prisons with abysmal conditions, including the detention of elderly persons with serious health problems, for whom their lawyers requested humanitarian measures that were not granted. The fact-finding mission says it has received many allegations of detainees being subjected to torture or cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment, as well as sexual violence, including electric shocks, beatings with blunt objects, suffocation with plastic bags, immersion in cold water and sleep deprivation, among others. The anguish and fears of families in this situation is indescribable, said mission expert Patricia Tappata Valdez. She also expressed concern about the increasing intense closure of civic space, which has severely limited freedom of expression. Valdez singled out Venezuelas so-called anti-NGO law, which was passed during post-election protests, for reproof, explaining that it places arbitrary limitations on the autonomous functioning of civil society organization, especially human rights defenders. We are deeply concerned about the safety of all human rights defenders and that of their families. Their voices are essential to ensure that violations continue to be documented and that victims are not forgotten, she said. Maduro has been in power since 2013. He declared himself a winner for another six-year term in the latest presidential election, despite convincing evidence that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won by a large margin. The U.N. investigators recognize that ending Maduros dictatorial rule will not be easy, but they agree that countries in the region have a key role to play in maintaining pressure on the government to go. The government will continue to suffocate, to try to eliminate, in a symbolic, but also in a physical way, all kinds of opposition to maintain the power, the business and the benefits to be in power, Tappata said. Her colleague, Marta Valinas, noted it was not part of the fact-finding missions mandate to make recommendations regarding a political solution to the humanitarian crisis engulfing Venezuela. However, she stressed the importance of keeping the ideas and concepts of justice and reparation at the center of a possible negotiated exit strategy. Whatever could be the solution to the current political crisis in Venezuela what needs to be at the center is justice, accountability for the violations that have been committed, reparation for the victims that have suffered these violations, she said. The Maduro government has not responded to the findings in the report, which will be submitted Friday to the U.N. human rights council. Zimbabwe's government has given in to pressure from rights groups and is now providing free treatment to women with obstetric fistula, a condition that makes it hard for mothers who went through difficult labor to control their bowels. For a closer look, VOA visited Chinhoyi, a farming and mining area about 150 kilometers west of Harare, where early marriages are common, and where the treatment is being offered. Among the first beneficiaries of the treatment were young women at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital after government gynecologists had performed surgery to address their cases of obstetric fistula. Twenty-three-year old Chiedza, not her real name as she requested that VOA protect her identity, was visibly happy as she had not been able to control her bowels since giving birth to her son seven years ago. When I gave birth I tore my private parts, so I couldnt hold my feces, she said. It would just come out on its own. I would just feel something on my body flowing. I stayed like that because I did not have money to seek services of gynecologists to correct my condition. So, when I heard about this free service on a WhatsApp group for women, I called a toll-free number which was there and I came here. So I am now going to live a comfortable life. I can now perform even house chores comfortably. Another woman who asked to be called Tendai ruptured her bladder after protracted labor at home while giving birth at the age of 16. I would share nappies with my baby so as to block my smell from others, she said. At one time I almost committed suicide because people kept on laughing at my condition. I thought I had been bewitched till I came here and saw that there are some people in my condition. I am grateful for this procedure for it has given me hope. The World Health Organization estimates that between 50,000 and 100,000 women experience obstetric fistula every year and that about 2 million women in sub-Saharan Africa are living with the condition. Dr. Stanley Ngwaru, a senior gynecologist in Zimbabwes ministry of health, says the condition is an abnormal communication between the woman's genital tract and the urinary tract or the rectum. They suffer shame and they suffer social segregation, he said. It's very common in young women, because the genital tract is not well developed and when they go into labor, they are more likely to suffer from obstruction and this can lead to these communications are developing between the genital tract and the unit tract and the rectum. Lucia Masuka, head of Amnesty International in Zimbabwe, says she commends the government for offering the free service. However, she believes authorities needs to develop a strategy to help prevent this condition from afflicting young women in the first place. If we therefore facilitate access to sexual reproductive health services for this group, it will reduce instances of early pregnancies, and in turn, reduce cases of obstetrics fistula, she said. Whilst treatment is a positive development, it's akin to trying to mop water from an open tap; you will never really be able to mop that water as long as the tap is open. Amnesty International in Zimbabwe last year pleaded with parliament to push the government to make obstetric fistula treatment a national issue after its research had revealed that the condition was rampant among young women in Zimbabwe and was not getting enough attention. Jacques Villeneuve has harshly criticized Sauber, claiming that the Swiss outfit isnt even trying to be competitive in Formula 1. Sauber, which is in the process of transitioning into the works Audi team, still lingers at the bottom of the Constructors standings, with zero points on the board after 17 races. The Hinwil squads Azerbaijan Grand Prix was another case of the team seemingly being absent from any mid-field battle, with Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas concluding their day in Baku a lowly 14th and 16th respectively. Hampered by poor performances and ongoing technical issues, the team continues to paint a bleak picture weekend in and weekend out, which has raised concerns ahead of Audis takeover in 2026. Speaking after last Sundays race, Sky F1 reporter Ted Kravitz attempted to find some positives in Saubers situation, noting how close the lap times across the grid have been. I mean the funny thing is about Sauber is that theyre at the back more or less every qualifying and more or less every race, Kravitz said. But you look at the times, the grid is so close, its only about a second, maybe a second-and-a-half that theyre off pole. So, its obviously not a bad car, its just compared to everybody else it is. Villeneuve, however, dismissed Kravitzs view, pointing to what he sees as a critical lack of ambition on the part of Sauber. Theyre just surviving until Audi takes over, said the 1997 World Champion. They dont seem like theyre pushing much into the car. Theyre not even trying to be that competitive, so, theres not much to say there. Ahead of Audis full takeover, the team appears indeed to be in a holding pattern, awaiting the influx of new resources and management rather than aggressively pursuing performance improvements. Mattia Binotto, the former Ferrari team boss, has taken over as Saubers Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer, replacing Andreas Seidl. Red Bull's long-time stalwart Jonathan Wheatley is also set to join the outfit as its team pprincipal next season. Binotto, who started his new role on August 1, has made it clear that Saubers current performance is unacceptable. We cannot afford it, said the Italian, speaking at Monza earlier this month. I think this is the team that has to become, in the future, a winning team. And the only way to do that is starting to move up, progressing. We need to train our muscles for the future. So, yes, I think we need certainly to improve. Thats important for ourselves, thats important for the team. Its important for the brand. Its important for our partners. And we cannot somehow accept the current position. Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter Authorities in Nairobi are trying to tackle the Kenyan capitals chronic and worsening air pollution. With help from the U.S. Agency for International Development, authorities are placing sensors that can monitor air quality around the densely populated city. Victoria Amunga reports from Nairobi. Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) 'interim secretary-general' Sengezo Tshabangu says he has not fired party leader Welshman Ncube but only sought a legal opinion, where he was advised that the term of all those elected through the 2019 party congress has expired. Tshabangus spokesman Khaliphani Phugeni says as a result, the CCC lawyers have advised that the party should hold a congress. He says Tshabangu will brief the media soon, to explain the next process. Phugeni tells Studio 7 that Tshabangu and Ncube met and discussed last Friday and last month, the legal issues, which came out on 12 August this year. However, CCC spokesman Willias Madzimure, spokesman for Ncubes party, says they are aware of the need for a party congress, but it is not Tshabangus mandate to enforce it. Madzimure denies that Ncube and Tshabangu recently met to discuss the latest developments, saying the party leader only learnt of the legal opinion on expired terms of office last Sunday. Abuja, Nigeria Nigerian authorities said 281 inmates escaped after devastating floods brought down a prisons walls in the country's northeast. A major dam collapsed on Sept. 10, unleashing severe flooding that left 30 people dead and over a million displaced, and prompted evacuations across the state of Borno. Officers attempted to evacuate the city of Maiduguri's main prison last week when they found out that the prisoners had escaped, Umar Abubakar, spokesperson for the Nigeria Correctional Services said in a statement Sunday night. The floods brought down the walls of the correctional facilities including the Medium Security Custodial Centre, as well as the staff quarters in the city, Abubakar said. Security personnel were able to recapture seven of the inmates and an operation is still ongoing to locate the rest, he said. The collapse caused some of the states worst flooding since the same dam collapsed 30 years ago. The state government said the dam was at capacity due to unusually high rains. Two years ago, heavy flooding in Nigeria killed more than 600 people across the country. West Africa has experienced some of the heaviest flooding in decades this year, affecting over 2.3 million people, a threefold increase from 2023, according to the U.N. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Americas adversaries are ramping up efforts to impact the outcome of the U.S. presidential election and down-ballot races. VOA National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin reports on the expanding array of sophisticated influence operations taking aim at U.S. voters By Ken Bredemeier U.S. Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance defended his claim Sunday that Haitian migrants in his home state of Ohio are abducting and killing neighbors cats and dogs for food, even as the states Republican governor and local officials said there is no evidence the animal cruelty is occurring. "My constituents are telling me firsthand that they're seeing these things," an unapologetic Vance told CNN anchor Dana Bash during a contentious interview on the networks State of the Union show. Vance blamed Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate for president, for the alleged attacks on the pets in Springfield, Ohio, saying that she allowed 20,000 Haitian migrants to move there, overwhelming city services and hospitals. Kamala Harris opened the border, Vance said, although most of the Haitians are not undocumented migrants and instead were admitted to the U.S. under a federal program granting them temporary protected status to work. Vance denied any responsibility for several recent threats against Springfield, blaming them on "psychopaths" and "losers." Springfield's mayor and a local sheriff have said they have no evidence to back up Vance's claims that residents pets have been killed for food. On Sunday, the states Republican governor, Mike DeWine, also rejected Vances contention. "These discussions about Haitians eating dogs and cats and other things need to stop," DeWine told ABCs This Week show. "What we know is that the Haitians who are in Springfield are legal. They came to Springfield to work (and)... they are very good workers." Appearing on CNN just after Vance, Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro of the neighboring state of Pennsylvania, who once was touted as a possible Harris vice-presidential running mate, accused Vance of reckless rhetoric. "When they go out and they lie about this stuff, they put their fellow Americans at risk," he said. "JD Vance should be ashamed of himself. ... This is dangerous stuff." Vances claims about the attacks on cats and dogs gained new prominence last Tuesday when Republican former President Donald Trump brought it up in his debate with Harris as he sought to portray Harris as lax on controlling the U.S. border to keep undocumented migrants from entering the country. Immigration is a prominent concern for many voters heading to the November 5 national election. ABC News debate moderator David Muir fact-checked Trump, telling debate watchers that Springfields city manager had assured the network that the alleged attacks on peoples pets had not occurred. Trump later in the week claimed that some of the migrants were stealing geese from a city pond to kill and eat. But a man captured on a video carrying two dead geese across a street said he had merely picked them up to dispose of them after they had been hit by a passing car. Vance, in the CNN interview, pressed his case that Americans have suffered terribly under the (immigration) policies of Kamala Harris. He contended that CNN and other national media are letting Kamala Harris coast and not forcing her to account for her performance over the 3 years she has been vice president. At the debate, Harris defended immigration control efforts by her and President Joe Biden, saying that Trump had urged congressional Republican lawmakers several months ago to defeat a bipartisan effort to impose new restrictions so that he could run on the issue ahead of the election. After the proposal was scuttled in Congress, Biden signed an executive order that imposed new regulations at the U.S.-Mexican border that has greatly cut the influx of migrants. As part of his campaign, Trump says that if he wins the White House, he will institute a mass deportation of millions of migrants, starting in Springfield and Aurora, Colorado, where Venezuelans have moved. As president I will immediately end the migrant invasion of America, Trump said Saturday on his social media account. On September 10, 2024, Israeli settlers, who claim to be fulfilling a divine plan by settling in the West Bank (Judea-Samaria, in their words), went from being Israeli citizens living in disputed territories to illegal immigrants in the sovereign state of Palestine. At the opening of its seventy-ninth session, the United Nations General Assembly implemented its resolution ES-10/23 of May 10 [1]. The State of Palestine has become a full member of the United Nations (UN). No one can now oppose the exercise of its rights as a sovereign state. If Palestine is a sovereign state, this changes the interpretation of the Interim Agreement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip (known as the Oslo II Agreement). The Palestinian Authority is no longer a transitional administration, but a government in the full sense of the term. The Palestinian Territories are no longer disputed areas, but the internationally recognized territory of a sovereign state. Since the 1967 war (known as the Six-Day War), the settler movement has steadily gained ground. There are now over 700,000 settlers in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. On July 19, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - the internal court of the United Nations, consulted by the UN General Assembly - defined the rules of law concerning Israels policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory [2]. This opinion has not been acted upon, as only the Security Council has the power to compel Israel to apply it. Lets not forget that international law, unlike criminal law, does not rely on a police force and a penitentiary system. It is simply the obligation of governments to honor the signature of their state. In this case, by joining the UN, Israel signed its charter [3]. Chapter XIV of the Charter commits each member to abide by the decision of the International Court of Justice in any dispute to which it is a party. The Court ruled ( 229) that these policies and practices violate the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. According to the Court, de facto, Israel is practicing a form of apartheid (cf. art. 3 of the said Convention). This is exactly what the UN General Assembly proclaimed on November 10, 1975: Zionism is a form of racism and racial discrimination (resolution 3379) [4]. This text was only repealed to facilitate the Madrid peace conference in 1991 [5]. However, as Israel has not fulfilled its commitments of the time and has intensified its policies and practices, this text should be reinstated. The Court also observed ( 263) that the Oslo Accords do not authorize Israel to annex parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory in order to satisfy its security needs and obligations. Nor do they authorize it to maintain a permanent presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory for the same purpose. What was true in July is even truer now that Palestine is an internationally recognized sovereign state. As a result, last week, after this decision and before Palestine entered the General Assembly, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) suddenly evacuated the main West Bank towns they had occupied. On the other hand, the Israeli government told the High Court of Justice on September 12 that there was no reason to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, since Israel does not control the territory and therefore has no responsibility there.. This being the case, the Court concluded that Israel is under an obligation to make full reparation for the damage caused by its internationally wrongful acts [occupation and apartheid] to all natural or legal persons concerned ( 269). This includes Israels obligation to return all land and other real property, as well as all assets confiscated from any natural or legal person since the beginning of its occupation in 1967, and all cultural property and buildings taken from Palestinians and their institutions, including archives and documents. It also demands that all settlers in existing settlements be evacuated, that those parts of the wall built by Israel which are situated in the Occupied Palestinian Territory be dismantled, and that all Palestinians displaced during the occupation be allowed to return to their original place of residence ( 270). Note that the Court does not order reparations for damage caused before 1967. This was not the question put to it. Moreover, the guns have spoken and the Palestinians have lost several military operations, the consequences of which they must also bear. The wrongs are shared, even if it is clear that both the wrongs and the damage suffered by the Palestinians are out of all proportion to those suffered by the Israelis. The Court has ruled on the consequences of the occupation since 1967. Its decisions are not retroactive. It notes facts that have continued to worsen since 1967. Addressing all member states of the United Nations, the Court notified them that they are under an obligation not to recognize any change in the physical character or demographic composition, institutional structure or status of the territory occupied by Israel on June 5, 1967, including East Jerusalem, other than those agreed upon by the parties through negotiations, and to make a distinction, in their dealings with Israel, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967. The Court considers that the obligation to distinguish, in exchanges with Israel, between that States own territory and the Occupied Palestinian Territory includes, in particular, the obligation not to maintain treaty relations with Israel in all cases where the latter purports to act on behalf of the Occupied Palestinian Territory or part thereof in matters concerning the said territory; not to maintain, with regard to the Occupied Palestinian Territory or parts thereof, economic or commercial relations with Israel which would be of such a nature as to strengthen the latters illicit presence in that territory; they must refrain, in the establishment and the maintenance of diplomatic missions in Israel, to recognize in any way its illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory; and to take measures to prevent trade or investment which helps to maintain the illegal situation created by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory ( 278). This is why, on September 9, Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, opening the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, declared: No State should accept blatant disregard for international law, including the binding decisions of the UN Security Council and the orders of the International Court of Justice, not in this situation [the Israeli occupation of Palestine], nor in any other situation. Each and every one of us must be aware that the rules have changed. Israels occupation of the State of Palestine is illegal. Since September 10, this state has been internationally recognized, even if several permanent members of the Security Council have not done so in their personal capacity. It now has legal means at its disposal that it previously lacked. The Anglo-Saxon umbrella behind which Tel Aviv sheltered no longer exists in law. We are entering a new period in which Washington and London will have to use force to maintain this system of oppression. This legal revolution marks the victory of President Mahmoud Abbass (89) strategy. Paradoxically, it comes at the end of his life, at a time when his government is discredited for its collaboration with Israel and corruption. One of the most striking aspects of Ferrantes writing in the Neapolitan Quartet, Ive always thought, is that Lenus perspective is so intense that it overwhelms the narrative by the time you get to the end of each book, you feel like youre part of Lenus brain. Maybe this is why when reading the novels its easier to understand, and even sympathize, with her obsession with Nino, while watching it play out on television is pure torture. After last weeks episode, I turned to a friend who is also a fan of the books but has yet to watch the new season and raged, Fucking Nino. I love Nino, she replied matter-of-factly and, I think, insanely. It feels different to relive the fever dream of their affair on the visual medium partly because we are more aware of what exceeds the boundaries of Lenus perspective. Reading the books, we know that she has become almost irreparably lost within herself; one of the most recognizable signs of obsession is self-involvement, and Ferrante makes sure we know this. But seeing Dede and Elsa in the background of her phone calls or watching the way they watch their distracted mother carefully brings a whole new dimension to Lenus torment. Its deeply frustrating, and it makes you wish you could just jump into the television and shake her by the shoulders and tell her to get real. This is what a friend would do; it is what Lila is trying to do, by the way, when shes not getting shoved off the phone by Lenu. Granted, Lenu is not the only selfish person populating this world. The Dispersion opens on Nino showing her a massive apartment with a phenomenal view of the ocean which he has just picked out for them, and for which he plans on paying with the riches of his important new job, the one Lila told Lenu about at the cafe. Lenu demands to see Eleonora: she doesnt believe what Nino has told her about the way his marriage ended, and she wont trust him anymore. When he tries to dismiss her worries, Lenu gets physical: She shoves him and calls him a liar and a piece of shit (finally). Like any manipulative little weasel would do, he gets all sensitive about Lenus outburst and proposes to explain everything: When he tried to end his marriage to Eleonora before he went to Montpellier with Lenu, she threatened to kill herself in a number of different ways, so he finally told her it was over between him and Lenu, fearful that shed follow through with the threat. When later she realized Nino had lied about his affair, Eleonora simply resolved to pretend nothing had happened. This fiction, as he calls it, protected Nino from having to actually commit either way: He lived peacefully within it with his belly full, knowing he could have his cake and eat it, too. He cries all while telling Lenu this. By the grace of God, it doesnt work on her. She leaves him on the floor of the apartment sitting against the floral wallpaper and declares, Its over between us. Nino wont take no for an answer. Over the course of the next several weeks, he calls Lenu over and over again, begging her to come back, saying he cant live without her and all the other things weve become accustomed to hearing him say. Lila also calls Lenu at Adeles to see how her friend is faring, but Lenu is short on patience. She yells and curses on the phone with Nino, startling even Tania, Adeles housekeeper. When Adele comes into the room to reproach Lenu for her Neapolitan swearing all pretense of being enlightened to the plight of the working class having flown out the window, Adele is all classism, a revelation further emphasized by the tone with which she addresses Tania Lenu gives it to her straight. At least she owned up to her mistake in front of everyone, even her daughters, when Adele never had the courage to take responsibility for her own affairs. Taken aback by this accusation, Adele says that not only is Lenu a bad person, but she will never know what true sacrifice is; its a shame the girls will have to grow up with someone so selfish. But Lenu has lost the ability to give one single shit what Adele thinks of her, which is honestly for the best. She will pack her and her daughters things herself, without Tanias help, who looks relieved to be left out of this mess. With her newfound freedom from Adeles judgment, Lenu has also freed herself, it seems, from any ability to make a rational decision. At the train station with Dede and Elsa, she changes course at the last minute. Shed been planning to show up with her daughters at Nino and Eleonoras doorstep in Naples she wanted him to take responsibility for his share in this turmoil to pay for his part. But she ends up boarding the train to Milan instead. Sometimes, its a good thing to have a little shame, to be a little embarrassed of the lengths to which youd go for a man, like schlep your children all the way to his house without considering how this might damage them. Lenu is frustrated with Nino and with herself, and she takes it out on Dede and Elsa emotionally and verbally in the way that she separates their fighting a little too aggressively. But she catches herself; she knows that she is behaving badly, that she loves Nino too much to even be in the same city as him without losing her mind. She takes the girls to Mariarosas, who, as usual, is housing another one million people, including Franco still. Mariarosa is generous toward Lenu and her nieces without being a pushover: She wont accept the way Lenu speaks about her mother, and she tries to remind her of how much Adele helped her before they became sworn enemies. No doubt exhausted mentally and physically from the journey, the sight of all their luggage makes Lenu cry. Stupidly, she calls Nino, just to be disappointed by him again. He acts as if he doesnt know why she is distancing herself from him. When she brings up the fact he never left his wife while she blew up her whole life for him, he says, Stop fixating on that, as if shes being silly to mention it. The phone nearly explodes from ringing so much in the days that ensue. Mariarosa, Franco, and the girls watch Lenu carefully every time she picks up the receiver. Caught up in her problems, she might have forgotten that her daughters are living, thinking beings rather than just avatars in the tangled knot that has become her life, but Dede is observing everything quietly. One night, she sits with her sister as Lenu talks to a group of feminists gathered at Mariarosas about motherhood and the mothers body, which is rarely understood as a body at all. The doorbell interrupts her talk, and Dede goes to answer it. Two police officers came to check in on the noise, which the neighbors complained about. With a smirk and a hostile, sarcastic confidence, Mariarosa ridicules the cops: She asks them to sit in the meeting. Will they talk a little about their mothers bodies? Before they leave, Dede mischievously tells one of the officers her aunts full name and what she does for work. She has reason to be pissed at all of these adults who seem willing to play with her life, and I dont think Dede acts innocently. She shows she has a grasp of what injustice is when she is quizzed by Franco on the relationship between the work of the common people and the full stomachs of the patricians. When Lenu, tired from work, gets home, Dede accuses her: I eat but its you who gets fat. Still oblivious to the fact that the girls are catching onto more than they think, Franco and Lenu look amused; Franco even laments that theyre not his own daughters with Lenu. Just as they start to wonder about what couldve been but wasnt, Pietro arrives home with Mariarosa in a surprise visit to his daughters. There, Pietro learns that his daughters are not going to school; they are just studying at home, where the police came the night before. Not unreasonably, he freaks out. He accuses Lenu and Mariarosa of being irresponsible for taking the girls out of an environment where they had a routine, discipline, and method and plunging them into a house with no rules or responsibilities, where they can stay up talking all night and not have to go to school the next day. Lenu and Mariarosa both argue that this practical education will be valuable for the girls; besides, everyone swears this arrangement is temporary, though no one has any idea when it will end. Franco butts in to suggest that one day, Dede and Elsa will look back on this period of their lives as a happy time when they got to be in the room with the adults. Its only once a man has spoken that Pietro starts to calm down, which has been true at least since Nino told him to wash a cup once in a while, but he holds his ground. When Franco says that soon Lenu will take them back to a more regimented life, Pietro asks: Will they be able to go back to a regular life? If adults struggle to do it, imagine them. Of course, Pietro is absolutely right. Lenu knows it, too, and she enrolls the girls in school, where Elsa already looks like she will have trouble adjusting. Lenu is once more filled with shame by the centrality of Nino to her life, the way she puts him above everything else, including her daughters and her own self. As if sensing her agony from afar, Nino materializes in front of her apartment after three months without contact. He feeds her all of his old lines I cant leave Eleonora, but I cant live without you, etc. before finally admitting the real reason why he wont leave his wife: She is seven months pregnant, which puts the time of conception somewhere around when he and Lenu were in their honeymoon period. Lenu looks like she will actually faint or die or perhaps disintegrate into a pile of dust. She fully freaks out, screaming and sobbing and heaving, and begs Franco to throw Nino out of the apartment. Franco holds her and helps her regain her breath, but then argues in Ninos defense that hes come all the way here just to tell her the truth, which should count for something. What if this is the only way he can love you? He poses. In response, Lenu tells Franco to go fuck himself. She similarly slams Ninos car door on his face, as she should! With time, a routine slowly establishes itself in the three-person unit formed by Lenu, Dede, and Elsa. There are a few hiccups at first: when theyre finished eating dinner, Lenu tells her daughters to put on their pajamas without realizing they already have, which the girls find hilarious. Its a relief to see Lenu laughing with her daughters instead of scolding them or hiding her sadness from them; for once, they seem like a family. As they finish up their dinner, Franco comes into the room, looking and sounding melancholy. Him and Lenu talk briefly about her work she is under contract for another book but is having trouble writing before Franco advises that, if she really loves Nino more than she loves herself, she has to accept him as he is, wife, children and all. In love, he says, its only over once you can become yourself again, without fear or disgust, a balance Lenu hasnt been able to strike since Nino showed up at her and Pietros house in Florence. But the way Franco speaks, and what he says, is bigger than Lenu or her problems: you can tell that he is talking about himself. Normality is just about established in the house the girls fight coming home from school as any pair of siblings would, they like to watch cartoons on the TV, they are picked up from school by their mom and they eat lunch together when Elsa brings Lenu a note thatd been taped to Francos room door, asking Lenu not to let the girls in. When she goes to check on him, she discovers his body in a pool of blood, both of his wrists slit. In this context, his note is almost unbearable, akin to Sylvia Plaths famous plate of cookies left out for her children in her final hours. Franco was larger than himself; in his darkest hour, he still considered the girls. He was good for Lenu because he was an example of someone who could live for others as well as himself, something she or Nino have never been able to do. Lenu has a dream that at Francos funeral, no one would speak or see her, except for Mirko, Silvias son with Nino; and in the coffin lay Ninos own body, also unreachable. When she wakes up, she checks his breathing to make sure it is really just a dream. In the aftermath of Francos death, Mariarosa became hostile towards her and the girls, so Lenu packed her bags and came back to Naples, where she could share in Ninos fiction and play house in the beautiful, light-flooded apartment together. Lenu watches the sunrise from one of the windows, considering for the third time in this episode that, despite her convictions and her talk, despite the fact that she makes a living thinking and writing about womens autonomy and independence, she has sacrificed her life and her daughters lives time and again to a man who cannot even give her the respect of committing fully to her. The answer to this never-ending conundrum, maybe, will be where it all started. Dede and Elsa in tow, Lenu decides its time to face the neighborhood. In Piu I know I said it last week, but I think it bears repeating that Alba Rohrwacher is bringing a subtlety to this role that is catapulting it into the next level. Not that Margherita Mazzucco didnt do a wonderful job, but Rohrwacher brings a confidence that makes the older Lenu seem all the more alive. I wasnt sure how I felt about the dissolves transitioning between Ninos repeated calls to Lenu in the middle part of this episode. So far, the direction of the show has found inventive ways to signal the passage of time real news footage last week, for example, or even just a cleaner cut from the nightmare to the apartment this same episode and the dissolves felt kind of like an after-thought. Why not a series of jump cuts of the phone slamming, for example? I do think some of the framing this week was inspired; I was particularly fond of the way a wall separated Nino from Lenu and Franco as he tried to calm her down. Dede looked absolutely adorable as Pippi Longstocking during what Im assuming was Carnevale, a crossover that filled the heart of my 7-year-old self ! As were all well accustomed to by now, each episode of Only Murders in the Building usually starts off with a different character delivering a little soliloquy over voice-over relating to the episode were about to see. Normally, we recognize the voice right away, whether it be a major or minor character but this week, I couldnt place the voice, which spoke in an Irish accent about the special, albeit at times unbalanced, relationship between an actor and his stunt double (something were hearing a lot about this season). Daniel Day-Lewis didnt sign on to this show without me realizing it, did he? After an eerie dream where Sazz leads him to Paradise, Charles spends the night making a second murder board. We had just settled into the idea that Sazz wasnt the target but was only shot because the killer thought she was Charles. But after the voice on the ham radio suggests that Sazz was killed for poking around the Dudenoff apartment, it seems like she could have been the target after all. So they have two murder boards, one for each potential victim. As Mabel puts it, theyre not just searching for the killer; theyre searching for the victim, too. But imagine if after all of this, it turns out that Scott Bakula was the intended target? However, for now, were focusing on Charles and Sazz. Mabel welcomes this new thread to follow because shes hit a dead end investigating the cult-y Westies, whove iced her out ever since she started squatting next door. Meanwhile, Oliver, as usual, is more preoccupied with his own personal storyline than with the investigation at hand. Specifically, hes insecure about his long-distance relationship with Loretta and (in a relatable moment) starts agonizing over a mysterious arm around her in one of her Instagram posts. So naturally, he did what any reasonable person would do: He created a finsta under a fake name to surveil Loretta and get to the bottom of who the man was. But his online stalking isnt necessarily unproductive it reveals that Sazz was following Loretta, and they see on Sazzs account that the day she died, she posted a photo from a stuntman bar called Concussions. So off to the bar they go, where their orders of a Cabernet and cosmopolitan immediately signal to the bartender that theyre not stuntmen. Charles is just one of the faces, which is the term used to describe the on-camera actors that stunt people protect, and faces arent welcomed there. Especially ones profiting off of Sazzs death, as the bartender thinks theyre doing with their podcast. But speaking of the podcasts subjects, someone suddenly tumbles into the bar in true stuntman form, falling before our trio who all gasp in shock. Its the long-dead Ben Glenroy, played by Paul Rudd except its not actually Ben, its Bens stunt double, whos such a dead-ringer for the actor that Paul Rudd is back to play this new character. Thats how much actors love being on this show; theyre using every move from the soap opera playbook to stick around. His character died, so first, he came back as a ghost, then a lookalike, and next up, well find out that he was an identical twin. The only differences between Ben and his stunt double Glenn Stubbins, are that Glenn has a questionable Irish accent (ah, thats whose voice we heard at the beginning of the episode), one less tooth, and a beard. He also keeps seeing and trying to stomp out invisible rats around the bar a surely meaningful quirk that we should probably bookmark for later. Before Glenn threatens them out of the bar, they spot a purple light coming from a back room, which Mabel recognizes from Sazzs selfie. They have to get back there, and luckily, Glenn follows them out with a deal. The threat was just keeping up appearances he explains, and asks them for help landing work. Mabel tells him they can get him a gig on their movie if he takes Charles to the back room, where a chiropractor named Dr. Maggie helps the clientele. Honestly, more bars should have resident chiropractors and masseuses. Glenn tells them that Dr. Maggie had helped Sazz with chronic pain, which Charles didnt even know she was suffering from and hes visibly upset to be finding out about it since taking his hits was what caused it. While the purpose of this investigation is of course to find Sazzs killer, its become just as much of an investigation into Charless relationship with her. And the more he finds out, the more he becomes riddled with guilt over how imbalanced that relationship was that guilt, more than the podcast, is fueling his eagerness to find justice this season. So he has questions for Dr. Maggie, who insists on answering them while giving the visibly tense Charles an adjustment. She tells him that Sazz was looking forward to her retirement and getting out of a relationship where she was giving more than she got which Charles thinks is about him. Sure, everything weve found out would suggest that, but I think thats too obvious. I think theres somebody else, maybe someone we havent met yet, that Sazzs comment could have been referring to. Dr. Maggie then pulls a move that sends Charles momentarily back to the dreamscape, where a bloodied Sazz again leads him to Paradise. Meanwhile, Mabel is still trying to get Oliver to stop catfishing his girlfriend. He confesses that he almost proposed to Loretta out in L.A., but stopped himself out of fear that another marriage would fail, just like everything he does in life fails. Before we can dig much deeper into the painful insecurity that Oliver hides under his bombastic persona, Howard enters. Now, this whole episode, Howard has been doing a little side quest of his own. While Mabel still refuses to do his animal jobs podcast, she recruited him to guard the Dudenoff apartment (and babysit the pig) while shes away. But while standing guard, he found a casting call flier for the movie and decided to audition to play himself for the Brothers Sisters and Bev Melon who quickly turned him down. As it turns out, Howards role has already been given to Josh Gadd. So a disgruntled Howard arrives to Olivers, pig in tow, to finally stand up for himself and exit this one-sided relationship with Mabel. Giving more than youre getting in a friendship seems to be a theme in this episode, but Howard is putting a stop to it now, unlike Sazz, who died without ever resolving that imbalance. But Mabels more concerned with the fact that Howard left the apartment unmanned so she rushes over there, where she finds the cultish Westies already trying to move her out. She threatens to call the cops unless they finally come clean and tell her what their whole deal is and they reluctantly oblige after some consideration. Theyre not a cult, as Mabel thought, but they are running a rent control scheme. As it turns out, theyre all illegally subletting rent controlled apartments from Professor Dudenoff, who rented out the entire floor years ago before retiring to Portugal. He sends them ham, they send him rent. How much is the rent exactly? Well, heres the biggest gasp-worthy twist of the whole series: $200. And they get ham! They offer to let Mabel in on the deal if she agrees to leave the scheme out of the podcast. But what about the threatening voice on the radio? Apparently, that was Rudys unhinged ex-girlfriend, Helga from Finland. He blocked her number, so she tried to reach him via ham radio. Who among us? Mabel seems to buy their story, but then again, a $200-a-month apartment is a pretty good incentive to believe them. But its also pretty good incentive to kill. If someone came poking around, who could potentially cost them that sweet deal, I can see a world in which theyd kill to keep their units. Plus, something felt off about the Helga story. I do think she could have been the person whose face was scratched out in Vinces group photo in the last episode, but history has shown me that when someone calls their ex-girlfriend crazy, the ex-girlfriend is almost always in the right. Mabel, Charles, and Oliver go over everything theyve learned over a game of Oh Hell, during which they also finally convince Oliver to ditch his burner account. But his little funeral for his online alter ego gives Charles an idea for something that he can still do for Sazz, even in her absence. He can turn tables and be her stunt double for once, stepping in and playing the role of her body so that the patrons at the bar can have the traditional stuntmans funeral. This involves Charles lying on the pool table as each of them says their goodbyes to Sazz before smashing a breakaway glass bottle over his head. But Glenn accidentally uses a real bottle, briefly knocking Charles out. In his third state of unconsciousness in this episode, Charles remembers Sazz telling him about her dream to open the Sazz Pataki Impact Academy in her retirement and where exactly she planned to build it. So after coming to, Charles takes Oliver and Mabel to Sazzs paradise Paradise, New Jersey where they find Sazzs unopened academy. After hearing a rustling coming from one of the buildings, they investigate what looks like a hideout and see a familiar face. Its the Paramount executive, Bev Melon, who points a gun at them and says, Dont move, or Ill blow your fucking brains out. A cliffhanger where Molly Shannon is making death threats? Sounds like my paradise. Company Logo Dublin, Sept. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "List of the 1,000 largest property managers Germany [2024]" database has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Property management is one of the most common real estate services - a service that is in demand for rented apartment buildings, apartment complexes, houses with condominiums and commercial properties. The property manager takes care of maintenance and management. Services of German property managers: WEG, rental and condominium management The range of services offered by property managers is broad and covers in particular the three core areas of residential property management (WEG management), rental management and condominium management. Some companies specialise in certain areas (usually WEG management), while others cover the complete range. For professional investors and asset managers, property management companies that are active in the area of WEG management are particularly relevant. Private owners are more likely to look for property managers who can handle rental or condominium management. You will find all types of property management companies in our comprehensive database. We wish you success in identifying the most suitable company for your needs. House managers from Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Co. The special feature of our list is the coverage of numerous cities from all over Germany. Of course, our database includes property managers from Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne and Co. But property managers from smaller cities in all German federal states are also included in our list. This means we can help you contact potential partners throughout Germany and save you hours of research. The top property managers from Germany are, in fact, especially those who are market leaders in certain regions. Perfect partners for brokers, owners, investors, asset managers and more When compiling the list, our research team took a close look at the entire German real estate market, so you can contact companies from all over Germany. In particular, the list contains many medium-sized property managers who, due to their regional relevance, are particularly valuable partners for players in the real estate scene in Germany. Property managers are valuable partners for numerous players in the real estate industry. First of all, real estate agents like to enter into long-term partnerships with property managers to assist with leasing and brokerage. Reanovo Deutschland, Essen The absolute leader - in terms of the number of units managed - is the real estate service provider Reanovo from Essen. In the field of property management, the industry leader, which is part of Emeria Holding, has over 200,000 units under management throughout Germany. Approximately 1,000 employees in around 60 offices ensure that the management of properties in 400 cities runs smoothly. The service portfolio is as extensive as it is complex, ranging from the preparation of operating cost statements and janitor services for minor repairs to the holding of owners' meetings. Story continues Update 2024: Nick Deppe has been at the helm of the residential property manager since the end of 2023. He replaces Philippe Salle and is now responsible for the Reanovo, Optima, R&M and Haferkamp brands. Treubau Verwaltung GmbH, Mannheim Treubau Verwaltung is a subsidiary of Familienheim Rhein-Neckar eG - a Mannheim-based building cooperative - and part of Immobiliengruppe Rhein-Neckar, an association of regional real estate companies with different orientations. The Treubau business focuses on technical, commercial and infrastructural building management. The property management business is operated from 10 locations throughout Germany. The main focus is on southern Germany, the Bonn region and Berlin and its environs. DIM Holding AG, Berlin DIM Deutsche Immobilien Management has been around since the 1990s. After having belonged to the French real estate manager Gestrim in the meantime, the company has been majority-owned by some private investors since 2013. DIM operates its business throughout Germany from eight locations. The main focus is on Berlin, northern Germany and Bavaria. A milestone in 2017 was the acquisition of the German property management business of Augsburg-based real estate fund company PATRIZIA. Heinrich Bossert Immobilien KG, Munich Bossert Immobilien has been around since 1925, and managing rental properties was part of its business model from the very beginning. Later, the company also operated as a real estate broker, developer and real estate investor. This is still the case today. Today Bossert Immobilien offers property management, management of rental houses, WEG management and rental management in the area of property management. Other locations besides Munich are Frankfurt/Main and Dusseldorf. Update 2023: In March 2023, Heinrich Bossert Immobilien KG opened a location in Karlsruhe. The reason for opening the Karlsruhe office is the acquisition of the Baden-Wurttemberg real estate portfolio of a German pension reinsurance company. As a result, the company now operates locations in Munich, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and now Karlsruhe. Update 2024: In January 2024, Heinrich Bossert Immobilien KG announces that it is taking over the property management for a portfolio of 28 commercial properties for a Munich-based family office. The total lettable area is around 65,000 square meters. ACKERMANN Hausverwaltung GmbH, Munich The history of the ACKERMANN group of companies goes back to 1919. Even then, the company was involved in property management for rental properties. In the 1950s, the brokerage business was established and expanded in Munich. Today, the company sees itself as a full-service provider in the real estate sector. The business focus is on Munich and the surrounding area. ACKERMANN offers residential and rental property management as well as property management for commercial properties. CAPERA Immobilien Service GmbH, Neu-Isenburg CAPERA is part of the CORESTATE Capital Group, a Luxembourg-based real estate investment company. CAPERA Immobilien Service has only been around since 2021, and CORESTATE will be bundling its property management activities under this brand in the future. The offering is targeted at the German market. The new subsidiary has 14 locations across Germany and manages 29,000 residential and commercial units. The property management offering includes residential real estate, commercial real estate, residential property, janitor services, real estate leasing and sales. For more information about this database visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/38y7hs 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. CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 In this article, we will look at the 25 countries with the highest natural gas consumption. You can skip our detailed discussion of the perfume industry and see the 5 Countries With the Highest Natural Gas Consumption. Overview of the Global Natural Gas Sector Natural gas is an odorless, gaseous mixture of hydrocarbons. It is primarily made up of methane and is one of the most important energy sources in the modern world. Not only is it less harmful to the environment than petroleum products and coal, but it is also affordable and abundantly available. According to a report by the Business Research Company, the global natural gas market was valued at $1.02 trillion in 2023. It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7% between 2024 and 2028, reaching $1.51 trillion by the end of the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region holds the largest market share in the global oil and gas market, with North America taking the second place. Some of the primary factors behind the continuous growth of the global gas industry include growing competitiveness in the sector, increasing demand for natural gas and oil, increasing financial capital, and public scrutiny regarding environmental concerns. Industrialization, economic growth, and the increasing demand for electricity are other growth drivers. Oil and gas exploration activities across the globe are thus increasing, further causing industry expansion. In addition, rising prices worldwide and technological advancements also have a pivotal role to play in increasing market growth. READ ALSO: 20 Countries That Import the Most Natural Gas in the World and 13 Best Natural Gas and Oil Dividend Stocks To Buy Global Trends in Natural Gas Consumption The International Energy Outlook 2023 by the World Energy Administration shows that natural gas is the fastest-growing fossil fuel worldwide. Estimates show that its consumption will go from 4.36 trillion cubic meters in 2022 to a range between 4.8 trillion and 6.8 trillion cubic meters by 2050. Although this growth is expected to occur globally, it is expected to be highly concentrated in certain regions, such as Africa, the Middle East, India, and China. The primary sectors driving this increased consumption include the electric and industrial sectors. Natural gas is replacing coal-fired power generation in the electric power sector, and is boosting industrial production in the industrial sector. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global natural gas demand is expected to grow by 2.5% in 2024 to 4.19 trillion cubic meters. Gas companies across the globe are scrambling to meet this increasing demand. Gas companies are increasing their quest for new natural gas deposits despite several calls by the United Nations to avoid a climate crisis by phasing out hydrocarbons. In addition, a majority of them are leveraging artificial intelligence and big data analytics to streamline their processes and expand their operations. Story continues Artificial Intelligence in the Gas Sector By leveraging AI, big oil and natural gas companies are improving their operational decisions and drilling, overcoming challenges, and positioning themselves for success. Shell plc (NYSE:SHEL) is one such company. This energy and petrochemical company specializes in refining, producing, along with marketing natural gas and oil and manufacturing and marketing chemicals. Shell's (NYSE:SHEL) segments are divided into Integrated Gas, Chemicals and Products, Renewables and Energy Solutions, Marketing, and Corporate. The Integrated Gas segment covers liquified natural gas, and the conversion of natural gas into gas-to-liquids fuels and other products. In contrast, the Upstream segment encompasses the extraction and exploration of natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids. The Chemicals and Products segment deals with chemicals manufacturing plants, their respective marketing networks, and refineries that turn crude oil and other feedstock into a number of oil products. Furthermore, the Renewables and Energy Solutions segment covers power activities, such as marketing and trading of pipeline gas and power, as well as electricity generation. Shell (NYSE:SHEL) has more than 160 active AI projects, and is leveraging artificial intelligence throughout its oil and gas supply chain. It has implemented various technologies supporting AI advancement, such as machine learning, deep learning, virtual assistants, computer vision, robotics, and autonomous vehicles. It employs reinforcement learning in its drilling and exploration programs to slash gas extraction costs and establish itself as a leader in the domain. In fact, the company also offers an AI Residency Program, giving AI engineers and data scientists experience with AI across different company operations. The company is thus on the growth path, investing in technological advancements and operational efficiency to increase its market share and run side by side with the increasing global demand for natural gas. While we acknowledge the potential of SHEL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than SHEL but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. Now that we have taken an overview of the trends in the gas industry, let's look at the 25 countries with the highest natural gas consumption. For more context, you can also look at Top 15 Natural Gas Producing Countries in the World in 2024. 25 Countries with Highest Natural Gas Consumption 25 Countries with Highest Natural Gas Consumption Our Methodology To compile a list of the 25 countries with the highest natural gas consumption in the world, we have taken dry natural gas consumption in billion cubic feet (BCF) as the sole and primary metric. We sourced data from the US Energy Information Administration for the most recent year: 2022. The 25 countries with the highest natural gas consumption are arranged in ascending order of their dry natural gas consumption in billion cubic feet as of 2022. 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). 25 Countries with Highest Natural Gas Consumption 25. Qatar Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 1,466 Qatar takes the 25th spot on our list of the 25 countries with the highest natural gas consumption in the world. The country's terrain on the Arabian Peninsula comprises an arid desert, and a long Persian Gulf shoreline dotted with dunes and beaches. Its capital city of Doha lies on the coast, famous for its futuristic landscape. Qatar's dry natural gas consumption was 1,466 BCF as of 2022. 24. Turkmenistan Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 1,468 Turkmenistan is a Central Asian country bordered by the Caspian Sea. Its landscape is predominantly covered by the Karakum Desert, and is famous for the archaeological ruins of Merv and Nisa. The country has a dry natural gas consumption of 1,468 BCF as of 2022. 23. Malaysia Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 1,501 Malaysia takes the 23rd spot on our list of the countries with the highest natural gas consumption, with a dry natural gas consumption of 1,468 billion cubic feet as of 2022. The Southeast Asian country lies on parts of the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo. It boasts a mix of Indian, Chinese, Malay, and European cultural influences. 22. Uzbekistan Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 1,527 With a dry natural gas consumption of 1,527 billion cubic feet as of 2022, Uzbekistan ranks 22nd on our list. Uzbekistan is located in Central Asia, and is a part of the former Soviet republic. It is linked to the ancient trade route between the Mediterranean and China. It ranks 22nd on our list. 21. Argentina Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 1,633 Officially known as the Argentine Republic, Argentina is located in the southern half of South America. It has a population of 46.23 million individuals as of 2022, according to estimates by the World Bank. It ranks 21st on our list as one of the countries with the highest natural gas consumption. 20. Pakistan Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 1,640 The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is the thirty-third largest country in the world in terms of area, and has a population of more than 210 million, according to the United Nations. That makes it the fifth most populous country in the world. It has a natural gas consumption of 1,640 billion cubic feet, ranking it 20th on our list. 19. Algeria Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 1,694 Algeria takes the 19th spot on our list of the countries that consume the most natural gas globally. It has a dry natural gas consumption of 1,694 billion cubic feet as of 2022. It is the largest nation in Africa, and has a population of 44.9 million individuals as of 2022. 18. Thailand Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 1,727 The southeast Asian country of Thailand is famous for its majestic royal palaces, tropical beaches, ancient ruins, and intricately built temples that display ancient figures of Buddha. It has a population of 71.7 million people as of 2022, and consumed 1,727 billion cubic feet of dry natural gas in 2022. 17. Australia Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 1,772 Officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, Australia comprises the mainland of the Australian continent, Tasmania Island, and several other smaller islands. It is the largest country in Oceania by area and the sixth-largest country in the world. According to estimates by the World Bank, Australia had a population of 26.01 million as of 2022. 16. Turkiye Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 1,868 Turkiye consumed 1,868 billion cubic feet of dry natural gas in 2022, ranking it 16th on our list. The country lies at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, with the Bosphorus Strait dividing it between West Asia and Thrace in Europe. It has a population of 84.98 million as of 2022, according to estimates by the World Bank. 15. India Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 2,079 India is the most populous country in the world. The South Asian nation surpassed China in June 2023, with a more than 1.417 billion population. It ranks 15th on our list of the countries with the highest natural gas consumption, and consumed 2,079 billion cubic feet of dry natural gas in 2022. 14. South Korea Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 2,101 With a dry natural gas consumption of 2,101 billion cubic feet as of 2022, South Korea takes the 14th spot on our list. The East Asian country shares one of the most militarized borders in the world with North Korea on the Korean Peninsula. The country has a perfect blend of towering skyscrapers, lush green rural segments, coastal fishing villages, and centuries-old Buddhist temples. 13. Egypt Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 2,122 Egypt dates back to the time of the pharaohs. It links the Middle East to northeast Africa, and boasts an array of historical artifacts and millennia-old monuments, such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and Luxor's Valley of Kings. The country lies along the fertile Nile River Valley, and ranks 13th on our list. 12. UAE Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 2,334 The United Arab Emirates is located in the Middle East, and takes the 12th spot on our list. The country has a dry natural gas consumption of 2,334 billion cubic feet in 2022. 11. Italy Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 2,427 Italy is a European country with a long Mediterranean coastline and a population of around 58.94 million people as of 2022, according to estimates by the World Bank. The country consumed around 2,427 billion cubic feet of dry natural gas in 2022, giving it the 11th spot on our list. 10. The United Kingdom Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 2,477 The United Kingdom comprises the countries of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This island nation lies in the northwestern wing of Europe. The UK had a dry natural gas consumption of 2,477 billion cubic feet in 2022. 9. Germany Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 2,737 The ninth spot on our list of countries with the most natural gas consumption is held by Germany. The western European country boasts more than 2 millennia of history. It consumed 2,737 billion cubic feet of dry natural gas in 2022. 8. Mexico Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 3,198 Officially known as the United Mexico States, Mexico is one of the three countries in the North American continent. It lies on North America's southern wing, and is the 13th largest country in the world by area. It has a population of 127.5 million as of 2022, according to estimates by the World Bank. 7. Japan Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 3,279 Around 125.1 million people live in Japan, taking its dry natural gas consumption to 3,279 billion cubic feet in 2022. It ranks seventh on our list of the countries with the highest natural gas consumption in the world. 6. Saudi Arabia Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 4,304 Saudia Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East, and boasts a wealth of oil reserves. The country lies over the Arabian Peninsula, stretching across a land area of more than 2.15 million square kilometers. It ranks sixth on our list. 5. Canada Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 4,602 Canada is a North American nation with ten provinces and territories extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It has a population of 38.93 million people, and consumed 4,602 billion cubic feet of dry natural gas in 2022. 4. Iran Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 8,648 The fourth spot on our list of the 25 countries with the highest natural gas consumption is held by Iran. Also known as Persia, this West Asian country has a population of 88.55 million people as of 2022, according to World Bank estimates. 3. China Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 12,931 China is the second largest country in the world by population after India, housing around 1.40 billion people. This translates to around 17.4% of the global population. The country takes the third spot on our list with a dry natural gas consumption of 12,931 billion cubic feet as of 2022. 2. Russia Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 16,677 Russia consumes the second most dry natural gas in the world. Its consumption stood at 16,677 billion cubic feet in 2022, ranking it right behind the USA. Russia is the largest country in the world by area, spanning North Asia and East Europe. 1. The United States of America Dry Natural Gas Consumption in BCF as of 2022: 32,288 The United States of America consumes the most natural gas in the world. It ranks first on our list of the 25 countries with the highest natural gas consumption, and consumed 32,288 billion cubic feet of dry natural gas in 2022. The North American country has a population of 333.3 million people as of 2022, according to World Bank estimates. 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 was originally published at Insider Monkey. Leonardo Express to leave Fiumicino airport after midnight. Rome's express train service between Termini station and Leonardo da Vinci airport, better known as Fiumicino, will run later at night from Wednesday 18 September. The Leonardo Express, which links Termini and Fiumicino in 32 minutes, will make two additional journeys at night, the Lazio region announced on Monday. The last train from Roma Termini will leave at 23.35 while the last service from Fiumicino will depart at 00.23, thanks to the collaborative initiative between Trenitalia and the Lazio region. These two new trains are a concrete improvement for travellers who take late-night flights, but also for the many workers at Fiumicino airport, Lazio transport councillor Fabrizio Ghera said, noting that the move comes ahead of the Vatican's Jubilee Year 2025 when Rome is set to welcome an estimated 32 million tourists and pilgrims. The Leonardo Express will now run every 15 minutes (in some cases every 30 minutes) from Roma Termini from 04.50 to 23.35, and from Fiumicino from 05.38 to 00.23, with a one-way fare of 14. Photo credit: bellena / Shutterstock.com. By Jonathan McCambridge and David Young, PA Micheal Martin has insisted that Fianna Fail MEPs opposition to the re-election of European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen had no influence on the portfolio handed to Irelands new EU commissioner. Ms von der Leyen nominated former Fianna Fail minister for finance Michael McGrath as the next Commissioner for Justice on Tuesday. Ireland had been lobbying for an economic portfolio when the posts in the new-look Commission were distributed among member states. Fianna Fail leader Mr Martin was asked on Tuesday whether Ireland might have stood a better chance of getting a post with fiscal responsibilities if not for the failure by his partys four MEPs to publicly back the re-election of Ms von der Leyen in July. Mr Martin, who was attending the second day of his partys think-in event in Killiney, Co Dublin, dismissed the suggestion, saying he had spoken to Ms von der Leyen and she made clear the vote in the European Parliament was not an issue. She was very clear to me that the parliamentary vote, she was long past that, he said. She had met Michael, she was impressed with him, and she had to balance a whole range of other issues, so that was not a consideration in her determination in respect of the composition of the commission and the allocation of portfolios. Mr McGrath insisted his portfolio was an indication of Irelands standing as a country, and Taoiseach Simon Harris said it was a strong and influential appointment. The European Commission president revealed the portfolios for the new team of commissioners in Strasbourg on Tuesday morning. The appointments still have to be ratified by the European Parliament. Mr McGrath was handed the Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law portfolio. I am honoured to be proposed for the Justice portfolio by President von der Leyen and I look forward to engaging with the European Parliament ahead of the hearings for the new commission in the weeks ahead, he said. The portfolio is a vitally important one for Europe. Protecting our democratic values, rule of law and the rights of our citizens is fundamental to the future development of the EU and of the single market. It is the first time that Ireland will hold this portfolio and is a recognition of our standing as a country with a strong democratic and open society. Ursula von der Leyen (Joe Giddens/PA) He added: In addition to the core justice elements of my portfolio, I am very pleased to be given responsibility for the protection of consumer rights across the EU. I welcome this opportunity to apply my skills to new areas of responsibility and I am grateful for the confidence placed in me by the Government and by President von der Leyen. The Commissioner for Justice is responsible for leading the EUs efforts to tackle breaches of law by member states. The commissioner is also responsible for enforcing legislation such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Ms von der Leyen said: I have entrusted him (Mr McGrath) with the responsibility to take forward the European Democracy Shield. He will also lead our work on the rule of law, anti-corruption and consumer protection. Michael McGrath has an excellent track record, and he has experience in a leading ministry. So working his way through political questions, the commissioners are not technical experts. They are political leaders. Mr Harris said: I have worked closely with President Ursula von der Leyen in recent weeks and todays announcement is a vote of confidence in Irelands candidate. Anti-corruption and consumer protection will be amongst his many powers and duties, as well as the wide-ranging justice portfolio. I have worked with Michael at Cabinet and he has the skill set and the work ethic to make a massive impact in this brief. Sarah Slater A man aged in his 70s died in a workplace accident in Co Carlow on Monday. Emergency services were called to a premises close to the town of Tullow however the man was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was taken to University Hospital Waterford (UHW) where a post mortem examination will be carried out in due course. The coroners office has been notified, and a file will be prepared for the court. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) also attended the scene and are carrying out an investigation which is part of protocol. In a statement gardai confirmed that they and emergency services were alerted to a fatal workplace accident at a premises near Tullow, Co Carlow on Monday morning. Gardai continued: A male in his 70s was pronounced deceased at the scene. His body has been removed to the mortuary in University Hospital Waterford, where a post-mortem examination will take place in due course. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) were notified and attended the scene. A file will be prepared for the Coroner's Court. Louise Walsh The wife of a Navan doctor who was criticised for standing up against child beatings in schools run by religious orders in the 1960s says he was finally and fully vindicated by the recently published scoping report on abuse in such schools. Dr Paddy Randles lost patients and faced a backlash from comrades in the medical profession for his stance against the religious orders in corporal punishments and also his crusade to stop the recruitment of young children taken from families by religious orders. Paddy felt so strongly against the alleged abuse that he went to the News of the World in England to expose the suffering that was endured by the children in the town who went to a school run by the De La Salles Order. The newspaper ran the feature 'Children of the Lash' over three weeks. The newspapers were taken off the shelves before early mass-goers had a chance to leave the Church on the first week and mysteriously disappeared from all newsagents in the town on the last two Sundays. "It only took nearly 60 years, but Paddy was fully vindicated by this report. He was painted to be the devil at the time and this report just shows that he was a good man who wanted children to have a childhood free from any kind of abuse at school, said Dr Mary Randles of her husband who died in his 90s in 2017. "Paddy just held the belief that corporal punishment had to stop, that it was damaging children," "I remember the viciousness of people who didn't agree. I don't want to bring the church too much into it but there was a complete upheaval about it that he was anti-church. "He was to be side-lined and his views weren't of value to anybody. "I remember a senior medical person in Meath coming to our house and telling Paddy to back off, stop his campaign and get on with his work because there was no support for him. "I remember he got one letter of support and encouragement from a local dentist at the time. "That was the system then. That was the way things were run and you didn't have any other options. If you spoke out against education, it was assumed that you were anti-clerical and that was the assumption of Paddy. He was anti-clerical and could be sidelined and you were wasting your time listening to him and what he was saying. "In those days, people said and led by what they heard off the pulpit and what they were or were not told to believe. "We were so convinced that children should not be beaten in schools and that this was cruelty, we didn't mind speaking out. We never lost a night's sleep because we were convinced we were right. "We were thinking in a straight line and if people didn't agree with you, it didn't bother you." "Paddy also spoke out about why he thought recruiting children as young as 12 years old by the Christian Brothers was wrong. "Parents of large families were delighted that their child would be further educated but they were taken away too young and moulded into celibate Christian Brothers and teachers, let loose with a strap for a tool of teaching. "I remember when corporal punishment was banned in the 80s and I asked Paddy what he thought and he said it was about time, and that is exactly what I think of this report. Paddy's campaign was about corporal punishment but any kind of abuse in schools should be and is being finally called out. The Scoping Inquiry was told of some 2.395 allegations of historical sexual abuse involving 884 alleged abusers in 308 schools across all parts of the country between the years 1927 and 2013. It includes two allegations made against one abuser in a school run by the De La Salle order in the town. "Paddy was quite elderly in 2009 when the Ryan Inquiry was published on widespread child abuse at State and Catholic Church-run institutions. "Paddy cried when that report was published and asked me to drive him to the Mansion House where a book of solidarity was opened for the public to show their support for the victims. "I had to get a wheelchair and then he had to haul himself up the steps of the Mansion House to sign the book but he signed it. "In recent years, Paddy had a bench dedicated to him erected in Navan and my family and I were just overwhelmed and delighted. "But it was the direct opposite of Paddy. The last thing he ever wanted was publicity. He wasn't looking for kudos. He was painted as a devil and this bench and this report has vindicated him as the good man he was." Dr Randles also expressed her delight on the Government initiative to give free contraception for women. "It is one of life's freedoms that everyone should be afforded." The now retired Dr Mary Randles was a trailblazer in her own right, opening up the first family planning clinic outside Dublin in the early 70s. "When I came to Navan, I noticed that women were having families of 14 and 16 and 18 children and this was not happening in Dublin," "I came to Navan at the same time as the pill was becoming available. I was young and full of ideas and enthusiasm and I was going to improve the lot of Irish women. "One of the things holding women back in Ireland then was the gigantic families that they were having. Women were all the time either pregnant or childminding and you would want to be mentally deficient not to jump in there and offer alternatives to women to choosing and spacing the length of their families. "It wasn't a great enlightenment, it was just common sense. "I didn't get a lot of opposition when I opened. At the time, Paddy was getting the attention for his stance on corporal punishment so I kind of sneaked in the back door and gradually integrated family planning into my practice. "There was a quiet enthusiasm from women for the option of contraceptives. "But some were coming in and asking me for a letter to say they had to take contraceptives for medical reasons. They wanted to bring the letter into the confession on a Saturday and show the Priest. "I remember when they said they had to get the priest's opinion. I laughed and said I'd be asking the bus driver for his opinion or anyone else before I'd go to the priest!" A tragic fire engulfed the home of a local couple from Dunkitt, Kilmacow yesterday as the family appeal for donations to the couple in the aftermath of the blaze. Patrick and Maria Walsh of Dunkitt, Kilmacow both survived the house fire, which took place in the early morning hours of Monday, September 16. Their family has appealed on social media for people to donate to the couple who were unable to insure their home due to financial struggles amid a family illness. Mandy Lynch, a relative of the unfortunate couple, has started a GoFundMe to raise funds. They thankfully survived, which we are all forever grateful for. Ms Lynch continued, They have been left in the position of absolutely everything they owned and cherished being burnt to a crisp and being left with only the clothes on their back, which doesn't even include a pair of shoes. Ms Lynch explained that the couple had encountered some financial difficulties in recent years due to a severe brain issue that Mrs Walsh suffered. Her husband, Patrick, then left his permanent job with Irish Rail and became a full-time carer for his wife. Sadly, illness struck the family again, with Patrick recently being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing radiation. In the next few weeks he will be undergoing major surgery, Ms Lynch explained. They are the most selfless family and do not deserve this, Ms Lynch explained, Nothing will bring back what they have lost but I want to fundraise to at least try and get them clothes, food, and possibly a mobile home to live in while they try and seek help." If you would like to donate to the GoFundMe, please find the link here. Going onstage unrehearsed must be stomach-churning. We have all experienced a dry onstage and its not for the faint-hearted. Professional actors have thrown in the towel after such events. I can understand why. Being onstage in front of an audience when the lines dont come is as scary as being Shakespeares naked, new born babe abroad in a storm. I can feel the nervous tension in the actors voices when the cast come to greet us in the foyer and in the auditorium. Performing Shakespeare with only your own part as script and without any rehearsal is high-stakes gambling for any actor who values reputation. Its all part of the First Folio performance schedule - reputedly in vogue - during Shakespearean times when vellum was pricey, scribes were expensive, breach-of-copyright feared and rehearsals costly. Simon Purse, one of the UKs leading experts on Shakespeares First Folio method expands on his theory on Shakespearean rehearsal or lack of it. The Globes actors were not given a complete copy of the play but worked from individual parts (a Cue Script). With little time for rehearsal, preparation would mostly be private, and the performances would have come together in a spontaneous semi-improvised way. Actors did have apprentices, however, and would have worked with the younger cast to improve their performances. For the last five days or so, Simon has lead workshops with the cast of Shakespeare Squared in preparation for staging some eight scenes from well-known Shakespearean texts to a live Theatre Royal audience. Not one of the scenes has been rehearsed. The actors only meet their fellow actors for the first time onstage and they have only their own script to work from. Hardly ideal for building a character. Still, the plotline does survive. Information is as scant for the audience as it is for the cast. No programme, no cast list and no information on what play excerpts are to be performed. Were basically looking at a performance in rehearsal. To increase the casts uncertainty, the plays are randomly drawn from a bowl and announced by Simon Purse who acts as the prompt. Sotheres no opportunity for actors to build a character from interacting with their opposite in a scene. Even finding the other actor is problematic. Tonight, however, the Bard of Avons words are beautifully delivered although characterisation is often ropey enough. How could it be otherwise? Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, Hamlet and Ophelia, Iago and Emilia receive no more than cursory entries and exits. The bit in the middle belongs entirely to the performers. To be fair, the actors do not leave themselves or us down. Simon Purse tells us that he expects a curates egg of a performance. Good in parts. And so it proves. Some sparkle. Paula Weldon is outstanding. Joe Meagher and Andrew Holden give powerful performances as do others unfortunately, I do not have a cast list. Some struggle with lines; others pull through with the prompts assistance. Actors who dont know their lines make an audience nervous. Still, this audience understands context and is a forgiving lot. They recognise that were really in the middle of a first rehearsal and that, somewhere deep within us all. We identify with the actors and feel for their edgy performances. I certainly dont recognise any it-shoulda-bin-me cries when a Hamlet or a Brutus or a Hotspur appears. Safe within our seats, were content to let them at it! The whole experience is like being at a rehearsal as actors struggle to build a character and remember their lines. Rarely enjoyable and usually painful. Wellit was differentI suppose. ABCs news chief has warned that agenda-driven attacks on the ABC and its journalists, disguised as scrutiny, are contributing to a crisis of trust in Australia and risk permanently eroding the reputation of journalism. Speaking to the Melbourne Press Club on Tuesday, Justin Stevens said while he did not shy away from legitimate scrutiny of the ABCs news content from social media and traditional media outlets, some of the criticism often turned to bullying. ABC news director Justin Stevens says some of the criticism of the broadcaster develops into bullying. Credit: Janie Barrett Sometimes whats called scrutiny is really an agenda-driven attack motivated by ideological, personal or commercial interests, often directed at specific journalists with the goal of denting their reputations, Stevens said in the address. This trend across social media and from some media outlets and lets be honest and call it what it often is: bullying is about more than just the ABC. Spurious attacks on some journalists can potentially erode the reputation of all journalists. And that feeds the publics crisis of trust. Ron Sachs / CNP for NY Post / Shutterstock.com As the November election approaches, high-income earners across the country are closely watching the potential impacts of a Kamala Harris presidency on their paychecks. While changes in tax policy could affect wealthy individuals nationwide, experts suggest that residents of certain states might feel a more significant pinch. Read Next: 5 Things You Should Stop Wasting Money on If Kamala Harris Wins in November, According to Experts Check Out: 9 Things You Must Do To Grow Your Wealth in 2024 GOBankingRates spoke with financial experts to find out the states where upper-class paychecks could see the most changes if Harris wins the election. Eloi_Omella / Getty Images/iStockphoto California and New York: Double Taxation Whammy Cliff Ambrose, FRC, founder and wealth manager at Apex Wealth, pointed out that states with already high tax burdens could see the most dramatic effects. If Kamala Harris wins, states like California and New York are likely to see upper-class paychecks take a hit, Ambrose said. Both states already have high state income taxes, and Harris proposed tax increases on higher earners could further reduce take-home pay for the wealthy. Anthony DeLuca, CFP and expert for Annuity.org, echoed this sentiment, noting that any state that already holds state income tax will become quite burdensome to any upper-class member. He specifically highlighted New York, where residents could potentially face a 43.9% federal-state capital gains tax under a Harris administration. The expert added that New York and California host the most S&P 500 Headquarters. This concentration of major corporations in high-tax states could possibly lead to broader economic impacts. Consider This: Im an Economist My Prediction for Household Incomes in 2025 If Trump Wins the Election Find Out: What a Trump Presidency Could Mean for Social Security in 2025 Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week. Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com Florida: Federal Tax Impact States without income tax might not be immune to changes. Ambrose said, In states like Florida, which doesnt have a state income tax, the impact could come from federal tax increases rather than state-level changes. This could mean that upper-class residents in tax-friendly states might still see changes in their paychecks due to potential federal policy shifts. Learn More: Trump Wants To Eliminate Income Taxes How Would That Impact You If You Are Retired? SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images New Jersey and Massachusetts: High-Tax States DeLuca added New Jersey and Massachusetts to the list of states where upper-class paychecks could potentially be affected. He said these states, along with New York and California, will rise above the 40% mark in terms of combined federal and state tax rates for high earners. Story continues benedek / Getty Images/iStockphoto Wyoming and New Mexico: Energy Policy Impacts While much of the focus is on income and capital gains taxes, DeLuca pointed out another important factor: energy policy. States that are reliant on fossil fuel industries could see some economic shifts under a Harris administration. Wyoming produces 41% of U.S. coal production, he shared. Any employer or family business grounded in this industry would be at serious risk for [Harris] economic and energy administration ideas. Similarly, he said that New Mexico, which produced 13% of the total U.S. crude oil in 2022, could possibly face challenges if funding is redirected to alternative energy sources. Richard Ellis/UPI / Shutterstock / Richard Ellis/UPI / Shutterstock The Broader Picture Of course, its important to know that these potential changes are likely part of a bigger policy vision. Harris proposed tax increases on higher earners are aimed at funding programs like healthcare and infrastructure, which could have wide-reaching effects on the overall economy. As DeLuca said, many of the states that could see the biggest impact on upper-class paychecks are also major contributors to the national GDP. The interplay between tax policy, economic growth and income distribution is complex and multifaceted. And perhaps most importantly, its good to remember that campaign proposals dont always translate directly into policy, and any changes would need to pass through Congress. Editors note on election coverage: GOBankingRates is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. For more coverage on this topic, please check out 7 States Where Upper-Class Paychecks Could Benefit Most If Trump Wins in November. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 States Where Upper-Class Paychecks Could Suffer If Kamala Harris Wins in November Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is plotting an unlikely pathway to The Lodge by picking up four new metropolitan and urban fringe seats in the state where the Liberal Party has been a basket case Victoria. Duttons campaign team is focused on picking up the seats of Aston and Chisholm in Melbournes eastern suburbs, McEwen in the outer north, and baysides Goldstein, positioning the city as pivotal to the next federal election due to unrest about a weak economy and a diminished state Labor government. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen After a decade of dire results in Victoria, and six years after Dutton famously said Melburnians were scared to eat out due to African youth gangs, Liberal strategists are growing in confidence that Duttons hardman image can work in a progressive state where polling shows his popularity is similar to Albaneses. Labors negative campaign on Dutton is yet to be fully realised, however. Victoria, the Coalitions weakest state, where Dutton is more unpopular than in NSW and Queensland, has not factored into electoral calculus to this level since 1990, when Bob Hawke lost nine seats. Traditional marginal contests and newer Labor v Greens and Liberal v teal contests mean more electorates are up for grabs. The Liberals lost Kooyong, Goldstein, Higgins and Chisholm in 2022, leaving the party with only a handful of Melbourne seats. A sweeping review into Australias military justice watchdog kept secret for the last six months has been accidentally published online, revealing recommendations to make the body truly independent and allow it to investigate more deaths in the defence force. The 141-page report into the office of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force, which investigates deaths and complaints of misconduct, was briefly uploaded to the website of the royal commission into veterans suicides on Tuesday before being taken down. Senator Jacqui Lambie has released a report the government kept secret for six months. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The independent report, which Defence Minister Richard Marles has refused to release for six months, calls for the inspector-generals office to be granted greater independence from the Department of Defence via new legislation, its own physical offices and a separate email system. These changes recommended by former attorney-general and Federal Court judge Duncan Kerr are designed to combat the perception of critics, including the families of some dead soldiers, that the inspector-generals office was umbilically linked to the command structure of the ADF. Washington: Music mogul Sean Diddy Combs was allegedly the kingpin of a years-long sex-trafficking enterprise that forced women to take part in drug-fuelled orgies, which he would often film and use as collateral against them. In an explosive indictment that was unsealed on Tuesday (US time), the multi award-winning producer and record executive was accused of overseeing so-called freak offs, in which his victims would be forced to engage in recorded sex sessions that often lasted for days. Sean Combs at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in 2020. Credit: Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP Prosecutors allege Combs, 54, would use his power and prestige to lure women often with promises of a romantic relationship before using intimidation and threats to get them to engage in sex acts for his own gratification. Those who took part in his orgies would be plied with drugs such as ketamine and ecstasy, the indictment said, and victims typically received IV fluids to recover from the physical exertion and drug use. In the immediate aftermath of yet another assassination attempt this week, presidential hopeful Kamala Harris posted on X that Violence has no place in America. Her running mate, Tim Walz, posted much the same: Violence has no place in our country. Its not who we are as a nation. This is surely one of the biggest and most enduring lies that Americans tell themselves. Violence is embedded in American political history; it is foundational to the nation. It occupies a central place in the United States past and present, and it will continue to shape its future. Donald Trump was the subject of a second assassination attempt on Sunday local time. Credit: AP And it goes all the way down. There are the top-level assassinations and attempted assassinations that litter American history sometimes devastatingly successful and era-defining, sometimes minor blips on the campaign trail. On the ground, there is the endemic, racist violence that is a daily feature of American life and is currently rearing its ugly head in the small town of Springfield, Ohio. And there is the all too common, and apparently entirely acceptable, gun violence inflicted on children in classrooms. For the better part of two years, no trend has excited investors more on Wall Street than the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). The lure of AI is twofold. First, there's the ability for AI-driven software and systems to learn over time without human intervention. The capacity for software and systems to become more proficient at their tasks, or perhaps even learn new jobs/skill sets, gives this technology utility in almost every sector and industry around the globe. The other reason investors can't seem to get enough of AI stocks is the eye-popping addressable market attached to this game-changing technology. According to the researchers at PwC, AI is forecast to add $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with these gains coming from a combination of consumption-side benefits and productivity improvements. With a seemingly limitless ceiling for AI and an addressable market that dwarfs pretty much every other next-big-thing innovation for three decades, it's not a surprise to see investors flock to AI colossus Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA). Just be mindful that not everyone on Wall Street expects Nvidia to maintain its lofty valuation. Image source: Getty Images. Nvidia's ascent has been virtually textbook When 2022 came to a close, Nvidia had a $360 billion market cap and was an important, but not critical, company in the tech sector. Less than 18 months later, it briefly became the largest publicly traded company in the world, with a peak market cap of $3.46 trillion. Nvidia's historic gains are a reflection of the otherworldly demand for its H100 graphics processing unit (GPU) used in high-compute data centers. Based on estimates from the analysts at TechInsights, Nvidia has accounted for a roughly 98% share of the GPUs shipped to data centers in 2022 and 2023. In other words, its hardware is being relied on as the undisputed preferred choice for training large language models (LLMs) and running generative AI solutions. In addition to its hardware being in high demand, Nvidia's CUDA software platform is doing its part to keep enterprises loyal to its ecosystem of products and services. CUDA is the toolkit developers use to build LLMs and maximize the computing capacity of their Nvidia GPUs. There's also plenty of excitement surrounding future innovation. Nvidia's next-generation Blackwell chip, which will be far more energy-efficient than its predecessor, is set for its debut in the coming months. CEO Jensen Huang also teased the release of his company's Rubin GPU architecture in 2026, which will run on a new processor, known as Vera. Investing in innovation makes it likely that Nvidia will maintain its No. 1 spot in terms of AI-GPU computing capacity. Story continues Despite this array of positives, big-time Nvidia bears do exist. Could Nvidia plunge 98%? Perhaps no Nvidia skeptic has been more vocal on Wall Street than financial writer and economist Harry Dent. In an interview with Fox News Digital in June, Dent highlighted that the mammoth increase in money supply has set the U.S. economy and stock market up for disaster. He referred to the current market as the "bubble of all bubbles," with Nvidia expected to be a victim of an upcoming crash. Dent pegged Nvidia's potential decline at 98%. Dent further opined, This bubble has been going for 14 years. Instead of most bubbles [going] five to six, it's been stretched higher, longer. So you'd have to expect a bigger crash than we got in 2008 to '09. As an Nvidia bear myself, I don't expect it to come anywhere close to a 98% downdraft. Although we have witnessed a couple of next-big-thing market leaders eventually plummet by 98%, including Canopy Growth following the hype in cannabis stocks, and 3D Systems, which has lost just shy of 98% of its value after 3D-printing buzz failed to materialize, a 98% peak-to-trough loss for a market leader is rare. Furthermore, Nvidia had other established sales channels in place prior to its AI revenue windfall. It's a leading provider of GPUs used in gaming and cryptocurrency mining, and should enjoy steady gains from its virtualization software segment. While these now-ancillary operations won't offset substantial weakness if the AI bubble were to burst, they'd almost certainly keep Nvidia from losing 98% of its value. But even though a 98% decline isn't in the cards, a sizable drop that could extend beyond 75% is quite possible. Image source: Getty Images. Dent is right about one thing: History Although Harry Dent's call for a 98% plunge in Nvidia may be out in left field, he did hit the nail right on the head when discussing history. While history doesn't repeat to a "t" on Wall Street, it does have a tendency to rhyme. Since the advent of the internet roughly three decades ago, every highly touted innovation, technology, and trend has worked its way through an early stage bubble-bursting event. Though the timing of when the music stops will differ in every instance, the end result is always the same -- market leaders getting pummeled. Without fail, investors overestimate the utility and uptake of game-changing innovations and technologies. While artificial intelligence appears to have a bright long-term future, the fact that most businesses lack a well-defined game plan to profit in the near-term from their AI investments is a pretty clear indication that investor expectations are vastly outpacing real-world utility. In other words, it points to the formation of an AI bubble. The vast majority of market-leading businesses for game-changing innovations over the last 30 years have shed 75% or more of their value on a peak-to-trough basis. There are other potential concerns, too. For instance, insiders have been selling stock for 45 months without a single insider purchase. Though there are benign reasons for selling stock, such as for tax purposes, there's only one reason to purchase shares on the open market -- you think they'll increase in value. No insider has bought shares of Nvidia on the open market since Chief Financial Office Colette Kress in December 2020. It's also logical to expect Nvidia's monopoly like AI-GPU market share to come under pressure in the quarters that lie ahead. The interesting thing is that internal competition might be even more worrisome than the AI-GPUs its rivals are bringing to market. Nvidia's four largest customers by net sales are all internally developing AI-GPUs for use in their data centers. Even with Nvidia's chips having superior computing capacity, these four customers will likely be incented to utilize their own hardware over Nvidia's. This is a recipe for fewer orders in the future. Although a 98% decline is highly unlikely for Nvidia, a steep drop still appears very likely. Should you invest $1,000 in Nvidia right now? Before you buy stock in Nvidia, 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 Nvidia 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 $729,857!* 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 16, 2024 Sean Williams has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends 3d Systems. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Will Artificial Intelligence (AI) Colossus Nvidia Plummet 98%? was originally published by The Motley Fool From 9 to 13 September 2024, the WCOs Anti-Corruption and Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme team and Member experts successfully hosted, in a collaborative effort, a week-long roundtable with various State Customs Service (SCS) departments responsible for Ukraine SCSs anti-corruption strategy at the Ukrainian-Polish border, in Przemysl. The meeting built on the discussions that were held with SCS Corruption Prevention team in Brussels in early July and significantly advances the SCSs work to develop trust in Customs under its anti-corruption and National Revenue Strategies. The week helped strengthen the engagement between the SCSs Corruption Prevention team and key Customs departments by facilitating a shared view of each departments obligations under the SCSs anti-corruption strategy. By bringing in expert counterparts from the Customs administrations of Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and Slovakia, the roundtable also enabled SCS participants to leverage expertise and experiences in combatting corruption in Customs and see how these efforts can be practically embedded into the day-to-day work of a Customs organization. Priorities emerged throughout the week for the continued work of Ukraine under the WCO A-CIP Programme over the next year, enabled through funding from Norway. In particular, WCO tools, instruments and resources that may aid the SCS in its anti-corruption and Customs reforms were identified. These included the WCOs Performance Measurement Mechanism (PMM) and the WCOs Customs Integrity Perception Survey (CIPS). Ukraine has already begun to make use of the WCOs new PMM online platform, and CIPS data collection is currently happening on the ground in Kyiv and various border crossing points in Ukraines western regions throughout the month of September. The WCO A-CIP Programme team and Member experts will continue to work with Ukraine to ensure these and other tools are used effectively and in ways that will best enable SCS to meet its anticorruption and Customs reform goals. The WCO A-CIP Programme, funded by Norway, is a comprehensive initiative that provides technical assistance and capacity-building support to WCO Member administrations implementing integrity-related initiatives in line with the WCO Revised Arusha Declaration. The Programme aims to enhance the integrity and transparency of Customs operations and promote anticorruption efforts. For more information, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org. AI is increasingly being applied to protein design, the process of creating new proteins with specific, target characteristics. Protein design's applications are myriad, but it's a promising way of discovering drug-based treatments to combat diseases and creating new homecare, agriculture, food-based, and materials products. One among the many vendors developing AI tech to design proteins, Arzeda, was founded by a group of researchers at the University of Washington's Baker Lab in 2009. After bootstrapping the company for nine years, Arzeda's founders -- Alexandre Zanghellini, Daniela Grabs, Eric Althoff and David Baker -- decided to bring the Seattle-based firm's protein design platform to market and take on outside VC investment. "It is difficult to go from lab to commercial scale in industrial biotech, and many companies have failed to do so," Zanghellini, Arzeda's CEO, told TechCrunch. "It is a testament to our progress that we have been able to raise capital in a difficult fundraising environment, with many companies in the space going out of business." Zanghellini says that Arzeda's tech combines "biophysics-informed" AI models with generative AI methods, including large language and diffusion models. To train these models, Arzeda uses a proprietary dataset of protein sequences and structures that the startup compiled itself. Arzeda focuses not on biomedical applications, but on redesigning chemical-heavy goods to use alternative, ostensibly more sustainable AI-designed proteins -- and enzymes. The startup's first product is a natural stevia-based sweetener for an unnamed consumer brand; others in the pipeline include laundry detergents for Unilever and biodegradable materials co-developed with W. L. Gore. Arzeda also handles the validation and manufacturing of the proteins and enzymes it designs, making money through both sales of its proteins and enzymes and sales of end products that the company creates with contracted partners. "We have developed filters based on our understanding of structural biology and biophysics to further select designs before they move to experimental testing," Zanghellini said. "All our designs are assayed experimentally, which allows us to weed out hallucinations." Arzeda's has proven to be a successful strategy. Zanghellini tells me that the 70-person company is generating revenue and that, in addition to Unilever and Gore, Arzeda has clients in AAK (a confectionery fats company) and the Department of Defense. He declined to say more about the Defense Department deal, save that it has "shown very promising results" and "gained a lot of interest." Story continues The growth helped Arzeda close a $38 million oversubscribed funding round led by Sofinnova Partners with participation from Fall Line Capital, Sucden Ventures, Silver Blue, Gores corporate venture arm, Continental Grain Company, Bunge Ventures and Lewis & Clark AgriFood. Zanghellini said that the proceeds, which brought Arzeda's total raised to $83 million, are being put toward scaling up production of Arzeda's natural sweetener and supporting the commercialization of other enzymes in the firm's portfolio. "Our syndicate brings marquee investors covering industrial and agrifood biotech with the domain expertise, network, and capital necessary to support Arzedas growth," Zanghellini said. "The combination of this latest equity round with our revenues traction provide a comfortable runway and a clear path to 'corporate-EBITDA-positive.'" (Bloomberg) -- Bankrupt trucker Yellow Corp. and its hedge fund owners lost a key court ruling over $6.5 billion in debt that pension funds claim the defunct company owes them, likely wiping out most recovery for shareholders. Most Read from Bloomberg US Bankruptcy Judge Craig T. Goldblatt sided with pension funds over how to calculate the penalty Yellow must pay for canceling workers retirement plans when the company shut down last year. The ruling, issued last week, means there is little chance the company will have any cash left for shareholders like hedge fund MFN Partners after Yellow finishes selling its real estate portfolio and paying the pension penalty. Goldblatt didnt set a payment amount, but the ruling means the 11 pension funds involved have the upper hand in how that debt is calculated. Yellow last year sold its trucking terminals for $1.9 billion, enough to cover all of Yellows secured debt but not pension claims. Shares, which had been trading above $5 most of this year, plunged a record 88% on Sept. 13, when the ruling was released. Shares were trading at 70 cents Tuesday. The pension funds alleged Yellow is required to pay a withdrawal liability for canceling the retirement benefit. The funds asked Goldblatt to rule that billions of dollars in federal grant money they received from the US last year should be ignored when that liability is calculated. Yellow asked the judge to do the opposite. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., which regulates retirements funds like those set up for Yellows union workers, argued that other companies with traditional pension plans would have an incentive to cancel their retirement benefits if Yellow won since shareholders wouldnt be forced to pay a hefty penalty. Yellow claimed it was unfair to make it pay the penalty since federal grants made the pensions solvent for decades. The case is In re Yellow Corp., 23-11069, US Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware (Wilmington) --With assistance from Jonathan Randles. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong income characteristics for investors to consider today, September 17th: China Coal Energy CCOZY: This company which is engaged in integrating engineering and technological service businesses comprising of coal production, sales and trading, has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 3.6% over the last 60 days. China Coal Energy Co. Price and Consensus China Coal Energy Co. Price and Consensus China Coal Energy Co. price-consensus-chart | China Coal Energy Co. Quote This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company has a dividend yield of 7.3%, compared with the industry average of 3.4%. China Coal Energy Co. Dividend Yield (TTM) China Coal Energy Co. Dividend Yield (TTM) China Coal Energy Co. dividend-yield-ttm | China Coal Energy Co. Quote Banco De Chile BCH: This company, is principally engaged in commercial banking in Chile, providing general banking services to a diverse customer base that includes large corporations, small and mid-sized businesses and individuals, has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing nearly 10.2% over the last 60 days. Banco De Chile Price and Consensus Banco De Chile Price and Consensus Banco De Chile price-consensus-chart | Banco De Chile Quote This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 4.9%, compared with the industry average of 3.8%. Banco De Chile Dividend Yield (TTM) Banco De Chile Dividend Yield (TTM) Banco De Chile dividend-yield-ttm | Banco De Chile Quote SK Telecom Co. SKM: This company which is the world's first commercial CDMA digital cellular service, has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing nearly 7.5% over the last 60 days. SK Telecom Co., Ltd. Price and Consensus SK Telecom Co., Ltd. Price and Consensus SK Telecom Co., Ltd. price-consensus-chart | SK Telecom Co., Ltd. Quote This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 4.4%, compared with the industry average of 1.9%. SK Telecom Co., Ltd. Dividend Yield (TTM) SK Telecom Co., Ltd. Dividend Yield (TTM) SK Telecom Co., Ltd. dividend-yield-ttm | SK Telecom Co., Ltd. Quote See the full list of top ranked stocks here. Find more top income stocks with some of our great premium screens Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (SKM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Banco De Chile (BCH) : Free Stock Analysis Report China Coal Energy Co. (CCOZY) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Kenneth Fox A major Garda operation is taking place nationwide targeting an organised crime group. Numerous officers from all over the country are taking part in the sting. It is understood millions of euros worth of cocaine has already been recovered in this operation and a number of arrests have been made. It is believed they are targeting a crime group that is based in the west of Dublin. Hundreds of officers are involved in the operation which began last night in Co Wexford and is continuing this afternoon with searches in Dublin. Gardai say this is a live operation and so they will not be commenting any further on it. Ballyglass RNLI launched both its all-weather and inshore lifeboats last weekend (Sunday 15 September) to assist the crew of a 26m cutter vessel that got into difficulty west of the Mullet Peninsula. Malin Head Coast Guard requested the volunteer crew to launch their all-weather lifeboat shortly after 4pm following a report that a boat had lost navigation. As the lifeboat made its way to the scene, a further update came to say the vessel had lost all power and as it was close to shore, there was a request for the inshore lifeboat to also launch which it did at 4.20pm. The Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118 from Sligo and Ballyglass Coast Guard were also tasked. The all-weather Severn class lifeboat was launched under Coxswain Francie Gibbons and with mechanic Stephen Togher, crew Hughie Carlin, Patrick Coyne and Sean Reilly onboard, while the inshore D class lifeboat was helmed by Alan Murray with Francis Dixon and Matthew Togher onboard. Weather conditions at the time were moderate to fair with good visibility. There was a force 2-3 wind blowing and a 1.5 - 2m swell. Once on scene, the lifeboat crew observed a local vessel standing by and offering assistance. The crew proceeded to assess the situation and in consultation with the vessels crew, found that the boat did have power and steering. A decision was made to escort the boat to the nearest port at Blacksod, at the southern tip of the peninsula. The local vessel assisted by going in front while the lifeboats shadowed the vessel until it was safely anchored. Speaking following the call out, Ballyglass RNLI Coxswain Francie Gibbons said: Thankfully once on scene we noted that the situation wasnt as serious as first thought as we were happy along with the crew on the local vessel to assist the boat safely back into Blacksod Bay. We would encourage anyone planning a trip to sea, to go prepared checking the forecast and tides times in advance, carrying a means of communication to call for help if needed, wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid and ensuring your engine is well maintained. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. Protestors in Ballina calling for a ceasefire in Gaza are hoping that a mural dedicated to a young Palestinian girl placed next to the mural of Joe Biden will send a clear message to his administration regarding their role in the ongoing conflict writes Paul O'Malley. A mural of Hind Rajab was erected at Market Square last week just a few feet away from the mural of the current US President. Hind was a six-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by the Israeli Defence Forces in January of this year during an attack on the Gaza Strip. The mural hits out at President Biden for the role he has played in the conflict with the message; Joe Biden sent billions of dollars to Israel to murder me and thousands like me. I watched my family die. My last words were; I am so scared, please come get me but they killed my rescuers too." The mural of Hind Rajab in Ballina. Pic: Paul O'Malley Debbie McCole, a local protestor involved in creating the Hind Rajab mural, said that it is understandable why Ballina would have previously wanted to celebrate its ties with Joe Biden but said it is clear now he does not share Ballinas values when it comes to the conflict in Gaza. There has been a lot of discontent around the Biden mural, particularly since October 7 last year when the genocide in Palestine was taken up by several notches. I understand why it went up intially. Why wouldnt you take pride in a US President having a connection to your area? But in the past while, Joe Biden has made it clear where he stands on this issue. She said protestors wanted to send a clear message to Joe Biden with the erection of the Hind Rajab mural. We are ashamed with his actions, it does not align with our values in Ballina. We do not agree with funding and giving political cover for a genocide. How dare he talk proudly about his roots in Ballina." Ms McCole said that as a mother to young children herself, Hinds story has particular resonance. We want to show the humanity of the Palestinians and unfortunately, we could have chosen tens of thousands of children, men and women to be the face of this mural. I remember hearing the story about Hinds tragic murder, I was shocked and appalled. She urged anyone who feels similarly regarding the situation in Gaza to attend the weekly bridge vigils held every Friday at 5pm on the Ham Bridge in Ballina. There is a positive atmosphere on the bridge every Friday with people finding support and showing solidarity. It is a community effort and one that is completely apolitical. We have had local politicians join us in the past and I would hope that all politicians come down at some point, this is an issue that goes beyond party lines, she said. The sinking of a former smuggling vessel into Killala Bay for it to become an artificial reef is scheduled to take place tomorrow. The MV Shingle was seized by Customs officers at Drogheda Port as part of a 14m tobacco seizure in 2014 and was held by the Revenue Commission. It sat in the dry dock at New Ross in the years since. Earlier this year, a Maritime Area Consent licence was granted to the Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef project team, a group of diving enthusiasts, to allow them to tow the Shingle to Killala Bay for sinking. Planning permission was then granted by Mayo County Council in July of this year for the preparation, transportation, positioning and placement of the MV Shingle on the seabed of Killala Bay. As Irelands first artificial reef, it is hoped that the project can bring a boost in diving tourism to the west of Ireland as well as promoting local marine ecology. The MV Shingle was videoed just off Eagle Island, Erris Head on its way to Killala Bay before tomorrow's scheduled sinking. (Video taken by Padraic & Pat Cowman) Boeing (NYSE: BA) got more bad news this week. Its unresolved negotiations with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) threaten the company's cash situation and could lead it to raise funding or even resort to layoffs. Despite the uncertainty, a UBS analyst recently maintained a buy rating on the stock and a $240 target. Shares currently trade around $155. Boeing faces extended strike action Boeing reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with union representatives, but 95% of the IAM's members voted to reject the contract, and 96% voted to strike. The company does not need a strike now. It ended the second quarter with $57.9 billion in consolidated debt and just $12.6 billion in cash. Wall Street expects a cash outflow of $7.1 billion in 2024, leading to net debt of $46 billion at the end of 2024. Those figures exclude the impact of the strike, which some analysts estimate could cost Boeing as much as $1.5 billion in cash monthly. It also comes at a crucial time when Boeing needs to ramp up airplane output following production curtailments this year. Where next for Boeing? The potential for near-term pressure on the stock is significant, a point the UBS analyst acknowledges. The buy case rests on the idea that once the issue is resolved, the stock will be de-risked, and airplane production will ramp up. An extended strike and an improved contract agreement will cost cash, but management, equity investors, debt holders, and the IAM want the matter to be resolved as soon as possible. One positive is that the company will undoubtedly have work for IAM members because it needs to deliver on a multi-year backlog. As such, management can reach an agreement with the IAM on the assumption that it won't be saddled with cost increases just as its work volume is about to decrease. This makes Boeing an exciting stock to monitor; if the dispute proves short-lived and the cost increase is not too much of a drain on cash, it will have upside potential. Should you invest $1,000 in Boeing right now? Before you buy stock in Boeing, 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 Boeing 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 $729,857!* 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 16, 2024 Lee Samaha has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is Boeing Stock Going to $240? One Wall Street Analyst Thinks So. was originally published by The Motley Fool Boeing is set to restart negotiations this week with a union representing 33,000 workers who walked off the job last week, demanding better pay and retirement benefits. Away from the bargaining table, the company and its employees face a test of wills over the financial losses they're willing to withstand should the standoff potentially stretch on for days, weeks or longer, experts told ABC News. Workers will face a significant pay cut as they rely on relatively meager strike payments from the union to pay their bills. Boeing, meanwhile, could risk billions in lost revenue, as well as a credit downgrade that would threaten to balloon its already substantial debt. "Each side is going to lose income," Harry Katz, a professor of collective bargaining at Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, told ABC News. "It's a question of which side is able to sustain that." MORE: How scandals at Boeing helped bring about the current strike Boeing reached a tentative agreement last week with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), the union representing tens of thousands workers at Boeing plants in Washington State, Oregon and California. PHOTO: Boeing factory workers and supporters gather on a picket line during the third day of a strike near the entrance to a Boeing production facility in Renton, Wash., Sept. 15, 2024. (David Ryder/Reuters) However, 94.6% of union members voted last Thursday night to reject the tentative agreement. IAM's members went on strike at midnight on Friday after 96% of them voted in favor of the action. In response to an ABC News request for comment, Boeing shared a message sent to union members by CFO Brian West on Monday. This strike jeopardizes our recovery in a significant way and we must take necessary actions to preserve cash and safeguard our shared future. Importantly, we will protect all funding for safety, quality and direct customer support work, the message said. The IAM did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment. Union members are set to receive $250 per week from a strike fund, beginning in the third week of the work stoppage. That compensation would mark a major pay cut for many of the employees. Mid-ranking workers involved in the strike typically make $20 per hour, which totals $800 per 40-hour work week, while higher-paid members earn salaries upward of $100,000 per year, or nearly $2,000 per week. By comparison, the strike payments would amount to about half of the weekly income received by members of the United Autoworkers during their six-week work stoppage last year. "If the workers haven't saved enough money and that's a difficult thing to do at some point their savings accounts will be depleted," Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst at Atmosphere Research Group, told ABC News. Story continues Even so, IAM workers voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike despite its financial risks, experts said. The most recent IAM strike against Boeing in the Pacific Northwest, in 2008, lasted 57 days. Work stoppages undertaken by unionized Boeing employees in the same region have historically lasted an average of 60 days, a Bank of America Global Research analysis found after examining seven previous strikes, the earliest in 1948. "This is why unions have war chests," Richard Aboulafia, managing director of aerospace consulting firm AeroDynamic Advisory, told ABC News. If the current strike continues for several weeks, financial pressures will mount for Boeing, experts said. The company is already weathering financial pressures in the aftermath of management mishaps and high-profile product failures, they added. PHOTO: Boeing factory workers and supporters gather on a picket line during the third day of a strike near the entrance to a Boeing production facility in Renton, Wash., Sept. 15, 2024. (David Ryder/Reuters) On Jan. 5, a door plug blew out of the company's 737 Max 9 aircraft at around 15,000 feet in altitude during an Alaska Airlines flight, prompting a federal investigation. The renewed scrutiny arrived roughly five years after Boeing 737 Max aircraft were grounded worldwide following a pair of crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia that killed a combined 346 people. The Federal Aviation Administration mandated a production cap of 38 737 Max planes per month from Boeing earlier this year following the door plug incident. Boeing recently delayed until March 2025 a production increase that was scheduled to begin this month, Bank of America Global Research said. "The story for Wall Street is that Boeing needs to get that 737 Max production rate going," Tony Bancroft, portfolio manager at financial firm Gabelli Funds, which focuses on the aerospace industry, told ABC News. Boeing is carrying nearly $60 billion in debt, Stephanie Pope, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and COO, noted in a letter to union members earlier this week. The company's share price has plummeted almost 40% since the start of 2024. A strike would cost Boeing $108 million per day in lost revenue, amounting to between as much as $5.5 billion in losses should the work stoppage last 50 days, investment bank TD Cowen said in a report reviewed by ABC News. Fitch, a credit rating agency, said on Friday that the company's credit could be reduced to junk status if the strike lasts longer than a couple of weeks. "The company is in a very tough spot," Aboulafia said. MORE: Boeing union workers reject contract; 96% vote to strike Despite Boeing's financial vulnerability, some experts said the company has reason for optimism in an industry where it holds significant market share and has only one major competitor: Airbus. "Boeing's long-term financial outlook is quite solid, even though they face a fair amount of debt," said Katz, of Cornell University. For now, both sides appear prepared for a high-stakes game of chicken. "The key question is: How long are they willing to suffer?" said Bancroft, of Gabelli funds. Boeing strike tests which side can best withstand financial losses originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Overview of Comparing Mining Careers and Salaries Across five countries in five continents China, the US, Russia, South Africa and Brazil and five of the highest-paid careers in mining (drilling operations director, site manager, engineer, geologist and health and safety coordinator) this discrepancy is obvious. Drilling operations director One of the highest-paid careers in mining is the most dramatically varied, with SalaryExpert reporting that American directors receive an average of $120,217 per year, compared to $12,215 for their Russian counterparts. Russias mining industry is responsible for 5% of the countrys GDP and 16% of its total exports, and is the worlds largest producer of diamonds and palladium; yet mining salaries have not grown alongside the industry. With salaries of up to $400,000 reported for some drilling directors, the low Russian wages are even more surprising. In China, drilling directors earn an average of $86,199, making the position the highest-paid of the five in the country. While South African directors can expect to earn a similar figure ($66,713), this is not the countrys highest-paid mining jobs. Only South Africa and Russia have careers in mining with higher average salaries than drilling operations directors. Site manager South Africas highest-paid mining job is that of a site manager, with salaries ranging from $91,775 - $105,895, according to Careers24. The countrys laws are based on a polluter pays principle, which requires individual mining operations to cover the costs of environmental damage caused by excavation, and pay for environmental rehabilitation. The importance of skilled mine managers is reflected in the positions salary, which is the second-highest average salary of the five jobs assessed, behind drilling operations directors in the US. While American managers can expect to earn a relatively high figure of around $68,665, according to SalaryExpert, salaries in China and Russia are considerably lower, at $18, 218 and $9,146, respectively. According to Trading Economics and the World Bank, the USs GDP is almost five times larger than Russias, contributing to the low salary a manager can expect in Russia, which is the lowest of the five careers in these countries. Engineer While an engineers salary is the highest of the careers studied in Russia averaging $15,396 according to SalaryExpert this is still the lowest salary of an engineer among the five countries observed. Engineers in China earn on average $32,406 while their South African counterparts can make between $45,049 and $65,257, according to News24. Story continues As with drilling directors, the US offers the highest average salary, at $86,547, according to Salary.com, and engineers can expect to earn up to $99,224. While figures for Brazils entire industry are hard to come by, salaries at formerly state-owned iron ore miner Vale are available online. Vale engineers can expect to earn between $25,048 and $26,784, an intermediate sum that reflects work at a miner with significant production figures, but one that has struggled in recent years. Geologist Geologists salaries vary greatly, both across countries and within one country, due to the diversity of the role. Geologists can be involved in conducting sampling, ensuring mining is done in the correct place, and finding and assessing new resource deposits. Consequently, the salary of a geologist in the US alone can range from $45,136 to $112,706, with an average of $72,558, according to Salary.com. Salaries in Brazil are even more varied, with Payscale reporting salaries between $10,413 and $151,985, depending on job responsibilities and candidate experience. The wide range of geologist roles also means that average salaries are neither extremely high nor extremely low. The average geologists salary in Russia is $11,932, the median salary of the five careers studied, while the average in China is $22,922, making it the fourth-highest average figure in the country. Geologists in South Africa, however, can expect to earn the lowest of the five careers in the country, with salaries averaging $36,384. As geologists are often involved in exploration and identifying new mineral reserves, a country such as South Africa, which already boasts vast mineral reserves, may not value the career as highly as in other countries. In 2016, South Africa was estimated to have 95% of the worlds platinum group metal deposits, 85% of the worlds chromium reserves, and around a quarter of the worlds manganese, vanadium and zirconium reserves. Health, safety and environmental professionals These employees are tasked with ensuring operations do not endanger workers or local environments, and are well-paid across the countries. Health, safety and environmental (HSE) workers are paid the most in the US, earning an average of $92,390, ahead of South Africa, where the polluter pays principle means they are highly valued, earning an average of $44,426. In Russia, professionals can expect to earn $11,720, in line with the other consistently low salaries in Russia. HSE workers earn an average of $24,745 in China, enough to make the career the third-highest paid of those observed, but this is perhaps lower than expected China is the worlds largest producer of coal, sitting on proven reserves of 114.5bn tonnes, and its consequently high levels of air pollution could result in calls for more and more highly-valued environmental officers. "Careers in mining: how do salaries compare around the world?" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. The Data Science Strategic Group: Lunchtime Talk When: Wednesday, 18 September 2024 Where: Please join us at the IBM Research Laboratory in Braamfontein or online https://ibm.webex.com/meet/zkara. Start time: 13:00 Enquiries: diane.dowejko@wits.ac.za RSVP: diane.dowejko@wits.ac.za The Data Science Strategic Group: Lunchtime Talk Etienne Vos, Research Manager and Research Scientist at IBM Africa, will be presenting the next Data Science Strategic Group talk on 18 September from 13:00 to 14:00. The talk will discuss the phenomenon of Urban Heat Islands. Join at the IBM Research Laboratory in Braamfontein or online https://ibm.webex.com/meet/zkara. This article examines Chinas retirement age hike sparks urgency: 8 critical fixes the U.S. retirement system needs now. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis, you may go to Chinas Retirement Age Hike Sparks Urgency: 5 Critical Fixes the U.S. Retirement System Needs Now Learning from Chinas Retirement Age Hike With countries around the world grappling with aging populations and shrinking workforces, governments are being compelled to figure out how to fund their retirement systems. Chinas bold move to raise its retirement age is a natural consequence of such circumstances, implying how many other countries could soon be (and already are) following suit. READ NEXT: 15 Best States to Help You Boost Your Retirement Savings and 17 Best Places to Retire in the US in 2024 Proposals to gradually raise the statutory retirement age were approved by the top legislative body, with the retirement age for women in blue-collar jobs increasing from 50 to 55, while those in white-collar jobs increasing from 55 to 58. Men, on the other hand, will see an increase from 60 to 63. This move is being undertaken to make the best use of Chinas human resources, according to Mo Rong, director of the Chinese Academy of Labor and Social Security. The country has had its life expectancy rise from 40 years in the 1950s to over 78 years today, on par with the United States. "The previous ages were set in the early 1950s. In 70 years, the country's economic, social and demographic situation has changed enormously, and workers' needs have diversified too, necessitating adjustments to the legal retirement age. -Wang Xiaoping, Minister of Human Resources and Social Security As of today, Chinas retirement age is still among the lowest globally60 for men, 55 for women in white-collar jobs, and 50 for working-class women. The proposed increase in retirement ages is part of a set of resolutions approved during the Third Plenary Session, a top-level Communist Party meeting held every five years. The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences projected in 2019 that Chinas main state pension fund would be depleted by 2035, even before the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the countrys population has continued to decline, with birth rates falling for the second year in 2023. Similarly, the U.S. faces a projected depletion of its Social Security Trust Fund by the mid-2030s, raising concerns about the financial readiness of Americans nearing retirement. In the US, 55-year-olds are, in particular, critically underprepared for retirement. The lack of sufficient savings among Americans highlights the increasing reliance on Social Security, which, as mentioned, is itself projected to face significant shortfalls in the coming years. According to a report by Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU), 55-year-olds are far less financially secure than their older generations, which is going to make their retirement time quite challenging. Story continues This challenge is further exacerbated by the fact that Social Security funds are projected to be depleted by the time this generation retires. Ultimately, they are going to be the first ones to experience retirement without full Social Security benefits. Attention today is rightly centered on the approximately 11,000 65-year-olds entering retirement every day, but we must also focus as an industry on the opportunity to help a slightly younger generation of workers entering the critical 10-year countdown to retirement. Further, the financial futures of certain cohorts such as women are especially precarious, -Caroline Feeney, CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) U.S. Businesses. Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU) is capitalizing on a significant global opportunity driven by aging populations and the growing demand for retirement products. With historic numbers of Americans turning 65, known as the Peak 65 trend, and millions of 55-year-olds entering the critical decade before retirement, the U.S. retirement market alone is projected to reach $137 trillion by 2050. Being a leader in pension risk transfer and individual annuities, Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU)s Retirement Strategies division is delivering solutions that secure customers financial futures. With nearly $22 billion in sales in the first half of the yeara 67% increasethe company is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of retirees both in the U.S. and abroad. While we acknowledge the potential of PRU as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than PRU but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. Chinas Retirement Age Hike Sparks Urgency: 8 Critical Fixes the U.S. Retirement System Needs Now Methodology To compile our list of 8 Critical Fixes the U.S. Retirement System Needs Now, we analyzed China's recent retirement reforms, focusing on the factors driving the changes, such as an aging population, a shrinking workforce, and pension fund sustainability. We then identified similar challenges facing the U.S., including the projected depletion of Social Security funds by 2035, rising life expectancy, and under-preparedness of near-retirement workers. Drawing parallels between these issues, we evaluated existing proposals and emerging trends, making our final list. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any government, agency, or institution. The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only 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). Here are 8 Critical Fixes the U.S. Retirement System Needs Now: 8. Bolstering Bipartisan Support Last but not least, the US must learn to navigate its complex political divides. A key fix for the U.S. retirement system is building bipartisan support for comprehensive reform. This could include a combination of raising the retirement age, adjusting taxes, and expanding immigration. Building consensus across party lines will be essential to enacting meaningful change, which China can achieve more easily under its political system. 7. Public Pension Reforms The U.S. needs to look at reforms to state and local government pension systems, which often face underfunding challenges. Introducing measures like adjusting pension benefits, increasing contribution rates, and adopting hybrid pension plans (a mix of defined benefits and defined contributions) could make these systems more sustainable in the long term. 6. Increasing Taxes on Higher Earners As of 2024, millionaires reached the Social Security payroll tax cap of $168,800 by March, freeing them from further payroll tax obligations for the rest of the year. That said, ideas like billionaire taxes to keep the program afloat are widely being welcomed by many registered voters around the country, several polls show. By removing or raising the cap, higher-income earners would be able to contribute more to the system. This way, the Social Security program will remain solvent for longer without impacting lower and middle-income earners. 5. More Immigration While many Americans wont like the sound of this, America needs more immigrants to keep its labor force from shrinking. Back in 1960, an estimated 5.1 workers were supporting each person receiving a Social Security check. As of 2022, that ratio stands at 2.8 workers per beneficiary. That said, the current level of payroll taxes is insufficient to keep the program afloat. Longer lives, an aging population, a shrinking workforce, and slower birth rates have all come together to form a looming retirement crisis. According to a 2023 report from the SSA, the Social Security program can stay solvent for longer if more immigrants keep coming in. Retirement is very far away for these immigrants who come in young and work longer. 4. Encouraging Population Growth While Chinas one-child policy is responsible for its low birth rate and its ultimate retirement reforms, the declining birth rates in America are largely due to social and economic reasons. Women in the country are more motivated to establish their careers, delaying family planning in the process. Rising costs of living, lack of paid family leaves and other family-friendly policies are further leading to failing fertility levels in the country. Offering economic policies to American citizens such as affordable housing, subsidized childcare, and similar incentives will in turn encourage Americans to start family planning. 3. Incentives for Late Retirement (Additional Incentives) While the Social Security program already provides higher Social Security payouts to those who wait until the age of 70, it isnt apparently enough. Many seniors think they wont be able to survive by that time or are already in need of retirement funds due to a lack of savings on their end. This is why additional incentivessuch as further tax breaks, enhanced pension contributions, or healthcare benefitscould encourage more Americans to delay retirement. 2. Extending the Years Required for Social Security Eligibility Beginning in the year 2030, the Chinese would have to contribute more to the Social Security system to receive pensions. A total of 20 years of contributions will be required by 2039. Similar to the move, the US should also consider raising the number of years individuals contribute to Social Security to be eligible for full benefits. Raising the retirement age and extending years of work can be a potential solution to the insolvency challenge that the program is facing. Even BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK) CEO Larry Fink agrees, stating that the USs current retirement age is a bit crazy given the current circumstances. "Think about someone who was 65 years old in 1952, the year I was born. If he hadn't retired already, that person was probably getting ready to stop working. But now think about that person's former colleagues, all the people around his age who he'd entered the workforce with back in the 1910s. The data shows that in 1952, most of those people were not preparing for retirement because they'd already passed away. -BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK) CEO wrote. 1. Gradually Raise the Retirement Age Social Security benefits can start as early as age 62, but the full retirement age for those born in 1960 or later is 67. Today, the life expectancy at birth is in the late 70s, around 77 years. When the Social Security program was enacted in 1935, life expectancy at birth was approximately 61 years, while the eligibility to retire was 65. As of today, things need to change urgently for the program to keep solvent. Social Security funds are at stake due to shrinking workforces and an ever-aging population, similar to China. Just like Chinas incremental retirement age is designed to address this growing imbalance, the US needs to do the same. A gradual rise in the retirement age can help the system adjust slowly, all while giving future retirees sufficient time to plan their future. 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 was originally published on Insider Monkey. One Capital Management LLC bought a new position in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (NYSE:HPF Free Report) in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm bought 66,283 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,125,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cetera Advisors LLC purchased a new position in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II in the 1st quarter worth $180,000. Simplicity Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II during the 2nd quarter valued at about $285,000. Private Advisor Group LLC raised its stake in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 5.5% during the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 21,297 shares of the companys stock valued at $352,000 after buying an additional 1,106 shares during the last quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. raised its stake in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 20.2% during the 2nd quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 22,229 shares of the companys stock valued at $377,000 after buying an additional 3,729 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its stake in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 5.4% during the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 65,032 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,104,000 after buying an additional 3,361 shares during the last quarter. Get John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II alerts: John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Trading Up 0.1 % NYSE HPF opened at $17.39 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $16.88 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $16.79. John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II has a fifty-two week low of $12.99 and a fifty-two week high of $17.78. John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Increases Dividend About John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.1235 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.52%. This is a positive change from John Hancock Preferred Income Fund IIs previous monthly dividend of $0.12. (Free Report) John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC. It is co-managed by John Hancock Asset Management. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in securities of companies operating across diversified sectors. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HPF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (NYSE:HPF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Peregrine Asset Advisers Inc. bought a new stake in General Motors (NYSE:GM Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 75,888 shares of the auto manufacturers stock, valued at approximately $3,526,000. General Motors accounts for 1.4% of Peregrine Asset Advisers Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest position. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of GM. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. lifted its holdings in General Motors by 34.5% during the 2nd quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 792 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 203 shares in the last quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC increased its position in shares of General Motors by 56.1% during the second quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 626 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 225 shares during the period. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in General Motors by 3.5% in the second quarter. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,804 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $316,000 after purchasing an additional 227 shares during the period. Institute for Wealth Management LLC. grew its stake in General Motors by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Institute for Wealth Management LLC. now owns 36,624 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $1,702,000 after purchasing an additional 230 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Beech Hill Advisors Inc. raised its position in General Motors by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Beech Hill Advisors Inc. now owns 15,233 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $708,000 after purchasing an additional 233 shares in the last quarter. 92.67% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get General Motors alerts: General Motors Price Performance Shares of NYSE:GM opened at $46.87 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $53.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 0.99. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $46.20 and its 200-day simple moving average is $45.08. General Motors has a 12 month low of $26.30 and a 12 month high of $50.50. General Motors ( NYSE:GM Get Free Report ) (TSE:GMM.U) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The auto manufacturer reported $3.06 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.67 by $0.39. General Motors had a net margin of 6.22% and a return on equity of 15.77%. The firm had revenue of $47.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $45.13 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.91 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 7.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that General Motors will post 9.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. General Motors announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback program on Tuesday, June 11th that allows the company to buyback $6.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the auto manufacturer to purchase up to 10.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually an indication that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. General Motors Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 6th will be issued a $0.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 6th. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.02%. General Motorss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5.87%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other General Motors news, CFO Paul A. Jacobson bought 25,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $44.11 per share, for a total transaction of $1,102,750.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief financial officer now owns 261,872 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,551,173.92. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, CFO Paul A. Jacobson acquired 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $44.11 per share, with a total value of $1,102,750.00. Following the purchase, the chief financial officer now directly owns 261,872 shares of the companys stock, valued at $11,551,173.92. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Rory Harvey sold 12,795 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.02, for a total value of $627,210.90. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 8,513 shares of the companys stock, valued at $417,307.26. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.72% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages recently commented on GM. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating and set a $53.00 target price on shares of General Motors in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of General Motors from $58.00 to $54.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of General Motors from $60.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of General Motors from $34.00 to $33.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. Finally, Nomura downgraded General Motors from a neutral rating to a reduce rating and set a $34.00 target price for the company. in a report on Monday, August 5th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, General Motors currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $55.27. View Our Latest Stock Report on GM General Motors Profile (Free Report) General Motors Company designs, builds, and sells trucks, crossovers, cars, and automobile parts; and provide software-enabled services and subscriptions worldwide. The company operates through GM North America, GM International, Cruise, and GM Financial segments. It markets its vehicles primarily under the Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Baojun, and Wuling brand names. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for General Motors (NYSE:GM Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U). Receive News & Ratings for General Motors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Motors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alpha Family Trust purchased a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor purchased 9,330 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock, valued at approximately $387,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. ESL Trust Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. LGT Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 42.7% in the 2nd quarter. LGT Financial Advisors LLC now owns 759 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 227 shares in the last quarter. Fairman Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter worth $42,000. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 1st quarter worth $47,000. Finally, Accent Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth about $46,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.41% of the companys stock. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com raised Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $53.00 to $45.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Barclays lifted their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $41.00 to $42.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $45.00 to $53.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have assigned a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $55.00. Bristol-Myers Squibb Price Performance BMY stock opened at $50.00 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $46.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $46.47. The stock has a market cap of $101.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -16.13, a PEG ratio of 12.59 and a beta of 0.46. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a fifty-two week low of $39.35 and a fifty-two week high of $59.46. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.86. Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, July 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.07 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.64 by $0.43. The firm had revenue of $12.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.54 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a positive return on equity of 12.51% and a negative net margin of 14.06%. The firms revenue was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.75 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 0.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 4th will be paid a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.80%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 4th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently -77.42%. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile (Free Report) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Abbot Financial Management Inc. decreased its position in RTX Co. (NYSE:RTX Free Report) by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 9,699 shares of the companys stock after selling 313 shares during the quarter. Abbot Financial Management Inc.s holdings in RTX were worth $974,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Briaud Financial Planning Inc increased its position in RTX by 64.1% during the 2nd quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc now owns 256 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Lynx Investment Advisory purchased a new position in RTX in the second quarter worth $26,000. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in RTX in the second quarter valued at $32,000. Fairfield Financial Advisors LTD purchased a new stake in shares of RTX during the 2nd quarter worth $41,000. Finally, Alaska Permanent Fund Corp purchased a new stake in shares of RTX during the 1st quarter worth $42,000. 86.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get RTX alerts: Insider Transactions at RTX In related news, CEO Christopher T. Calio sold 4,235 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.00, for a total value of $482,790.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 88,509 shares in the company, valued at $10,090,026. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, VP Amy L. Johnson sold 6,734 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.88, for a total transaction of $766,867.92. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 12,318 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,402,773.84. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Christopher T. Calio sold 4,235 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.00, for a total transaction of $482,790.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 88,509 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,090,026. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 178,333 shares of company stock worth $20,861,880 in the last three months. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. RTX Stock Down 0.0 % RTX stock opened at $119.10 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $114.49 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $105.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $158.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.71, a PEG ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 0.82. RTX Co. has a one year low of $68.56 and a one year high of $123.70. RTX (NYSE:RTX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $1.41 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.30 by $0.11. RTX had a return on equity of 11.37% and a net margin of 3.12%. The business had revenue of $19.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.29 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.29 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that RTX Co. will post 5.45 EPS for the current year. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of RTX from $102.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of RTX from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on RTX from $110.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on RTX from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Melius Research upped their target price on RTX from $490.00 to $493.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, RTX presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $157.31. Read Our Latest Research Report on RTX About RTX (Free Report) RTX Corporation, an aerospace and defense company, provides systems and services for the commercial, military, and government customers in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. The Collins Aerospace Systems segment offers aerospace and defense products, and aftermarket service solutions for civil and military aircraft manufacturers and commercial airlines, as well as regional, business, and general aviation, defense, and commercial space operations. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RTX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for RTX Co. (NYSE:RTX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for RTX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for RTX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of Hold from the seven brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have 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 12-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $49.67. A number of research firms have weighed in on MO. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research note on Monday, September 9th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $43.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Monday, September 9th. Argus upgraded shares of Altria Group to a hold rating in a report on Friday, May 31st. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, June 28th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $52.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Get Altria Group alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on MO Institutional Investors Weigh In On Altria Group Altria Group Stock Performance Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Altria Group by 154.4% in the first quarter. Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 575 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 349 shares during the last quarter. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group in the second quarter worth about $27,000. BNP Paribas purchased a new position in Altria Group in the first quarter worth about $27,000. Hobbs Group Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Westend Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group in the first quarter worth approximately $29,000. 57.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Shares of NYSE:MO opened at $51.70 on Thursday. Altria Group has a 52-week low of $39.06 and a 52-week high of $54.95. The company has a market capitalization of $88.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $51.00 and a 200 day simple moving average of $46.57. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $1.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.35 by ($0.04). Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 232.55% and a net margin of 42.25%. The company had revenue of $6.21 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.39 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.31 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Altria Group will post 5.11 earnings per share for the current year. Altria Group Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be issued a $1.02 dividend. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.89%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 16th. This is a positive change from Altria Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.98. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 85.36%. Altria Group Company Profile (Get 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. Featured 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. Shares of WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE:WCC Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the eight analysts that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $184.71. A number of research firms recently weighed in on WCC. KeyCorp dropped their target price on WESCO International from $205.00 to $195.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Baird R W downgraded WESCO International from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 29th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on WESCO International from $175.00 to $171.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Loop Capital decreased their price target on WESCO International from $200.00 to $190.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. Finally, Stephens reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $190.00 price target on shares of WESCO International in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Get WESCO International alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on WESCO International Hedge Funds Weigh In On WESCO International WESCO International Stock Performance Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in WCC. Rise Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of WESCO International during the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. increased its stake in shares of WESCO International by 71.1% during the second quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 166 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 69 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of WESCO International by 65.4% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 253 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of WESCO International during the second quarter valued at approximately $152,000. Finally, TimesSquare Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of WESCO International during the first quarter valued at approximately $463,000. 93.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Shares of WCC opened at $163.94 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $161.74 and a 200-day moving average price of $165.66. The company has a market cap of $8.06 billion, a PE ratio of 13.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 2.03. WESCO International has a 12-month low of $122.30 and a 12-month high of $195.43. The company has a current ratio of 2.28, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07. WESCO International (NYSE:WCC Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The technology company reported $3.21 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.48 by ($0.27). The firm had revenue of $5.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.55 billion. WESCO International had a return on equity of 14.44% and a net margin of 3.30%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.71 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that WESCO International will post 12.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. WESCO International Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.4125 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $1.65 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.01%. WESCO Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 13.74%. About WESCO International (Get Free Report WESCO International, Inc provides business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Electrical & Electronic Solutions (EES), Communications & Security Solutions (CSS), and Utility and Broadband Solutions (UBS). Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for WESCO International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WESCO International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC Free Report) by 10.0% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 182,354 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 16,606 shares during the period. Axxcess Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $7,252,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Bank of America by 5.9% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 644,460,334 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $24,437,936,000 after purchasing an additional 36,124,363 shares during the period. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main raised its stake in shares of Bank of America by 360.9% during the 4th quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 37,290,357 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,255,514,000 after buying an additional 29,198,846 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in shares of Bank of America by 10.5% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 104,030,844 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,502,720,000 after buying an additional 9,879,524 shares in the last quarter. AMF Tjanstepension AB grew its stake in Bank of America by 959.6% in the 2nd quarter. AMF Tjanstepension AB now owns 9,327,332 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $370,948,000 after acquiring an additional 8,447,091 shares during the period. Finally, Swedbank AB purchased a new stake in Bank of America in the 1st quarter worth $261,923,000. 70.71% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Bank of America alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently issued reports on BAC. Seaport Res Ptn upgraded shares of Bank of America from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Bank of America from $39.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Bank of America from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $45.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, September 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on Bank of America from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, July 3rd. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $48.00 target price (up previously from $46.00) on shares of Bank of America in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Bank of America currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $42.22. Insider Activity at Bank of America In other Bank of America news, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc sold 12,690,693 shares of Bank of America stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.07, for a total value of $559,278,840.51. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 1,020,161,313 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $44,958,509,063.91. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc sold 12,690,693 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.07, for a total transaction of $559,278,840.51. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,020,161,313 shares in the company, valued at $44,958,509,063.91. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Bernard A. Mensah sold 92,000 shares of Bank of America stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.80, for a total transaction of $3,661,600.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 96,082 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,824,063.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 114,391,986 shares of company stock worth $4,719,796,383. 0.29% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Bank of America Trading Up 1.2 % NYSE BAC opened at $39.10 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $305.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.53, a PEG ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.33. The firms 50-day moving average is $40.11 and its two-hundred day moving average is $38.77. Bank of America Co. has a 12 month low of $24.96 and a 12 month high of $44.44. Bank of America (NYSE:BAC Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.83 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.04. Bank of America had a net margin of 13.28% and a return on equity of 10.56%. The firm had revenue of $25.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.22 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.88 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up .7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Bank of America Co. will post 3.28 earnings per share for the current year. Bank of America Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 6th will be paid a $0.26 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 6th. This is a boost from Bank of Americas previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.66%. Bank of Americas payout ratio is presently 35.99%. Bank of America announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to buyback $25.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the financial services provider to reacquire up to 7.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are generally a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. About Bank of America (Free Report) Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, and Global Markets. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Bank of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. (Bloomberg) -- Shares of Chinese appliance maker Midea Group Co. rose in their debut after Hong Kongs biggest listing in three years, reviving hopes of a turnaround for the citys struggling market. Most Read from Bloomberg The stock jumped almost 8% from its issue price of HK$54.80 to finish the first trading session at HK$59.10. The Foshan, China-based companys offering was priced at the top of its marketed range and upsized to raise $4 billion making it Hong Kongs biggest since Kuaishou Technologys offering in early 2021. The market had been pinning hopes on the much-feted deal after IPO volumes in Hong Kong slumped in recent years against the backdrop of Chinas economic struggles. Subscription levels for Chinas largest appliance maker, whose brands include Comfee and Eureka, showed sizable demand still exists in the city for stocks with established business lines and offered a glimmer of hope for investor confidence. If this manages to hold on to gains for the week, it would definitely create a better IPO environment, paving the way for more to come, said Benjamin Wong, chief investment officer at Rockpool Capital Ltd., a Hong Kong-based wealth management firm. Live from Mar-A-Lago with President Donald Trump X Spaces Midea sold 566 million shares after exercising an option to boost the size of the offering by 15% due to demand, it said. The international portion, which represents 95% of the offer, was subscribed more than eight times before taking into account the offer size adjustment option, it said in a filing. The listing, along with Chinas vow to encourage the nations leading companies to sell shares in Hong Kong, could engender momentum for the citys market looking for more deals. The initial public offerings currently in the works, such as that of China Resources Holdings Co.s beverage unit, could further gain support, according to a note by Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Ada Li and Joyce Ho. China Resources Beverage Holdings Co. had met some resistance to its $6 billion valuation target, Bloomberg News reported in August. Other Hong Kong share-sale deals in the pipeline include: ride-hailing company Didi Global Inc., which was forced to delist from the New York Stock Exchange by Chinese authorities; and Shenzhen-traded express-delivery company S.F. Holding Co. Story continues Midea, whose shares are already traded in Shenzhen, sells air conditioners, washing machines, elevators and other products. Some of the proceeds from the latest share sale would be used to expand its global distribution channels and sales network to boost overseas sales, it said. Its Hong Kong debut may be arriving at an opportune time for the company. Home appliances are Citis most preferred sector among Chinas consumer discretionary industries in the second half of this year given higher earnings visibility, Citigroup Inc. analysts Xiaopo Wei and Vincent Young wrote in a note. Second-half sales growth could accelerate as the Chinese government continues to promote its trade-in policy, in which consumers and businesses are encouraged to upgrade existing appliances and equipment. We expect the Trade-in policy to cover all China provinces by October, the Citi analysts wrote in another note. Mideas listing has pushed Hong Kong IPO proceeds to $6.5 billion this year, more than the total volume in all of 2023 but below bumper levels in past years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. IPOs in the Asian financial hub before Mideas debut generated an average 2.1% gain on their first day of trading this year. The listings cornerstone investors who generally commit to keeping shares for at least six months have agreed to buy $1.26 billion of its stock. They include a subsidiary of container-shipping company Cosco Shipping Holdings Co. and a unit of UBS Asset Management AG. Midea offered a roughly 20% valuation discount to its stock price in Shenzhen before the deal launched. After the debut in Hong Kong, the deal size could be increased to $4.6 billion later if an overallotment option is exercised. (Updates with closing levels.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. China Feihe Limited (OTCMKTS:CHFLF Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 14,253,500 shares, a drop of 14.7% from the August 15th total of 16,709,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently days. China Feihe Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS CHFLF remained flat at 0.41 during midday trading on Tuesday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is 0.42 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is 0.47. China Feihe has a one year low of 0.41 and a one year high of 0.65. Get China Feihe alerts: About China Feihe (Get Free Report) See Also China Feihe Limited, an investment holding company, produces and sells infant milk formula products in Mainland China, Canada, and the United States. It operates through two segments, Raw milk; and Dairy Products and Nutritional Supplements Products. The company provides a range of raw milk, adult milk powders, children's milk powder, liquid milk products, maternity milk powder, and health care products, as well as soybean powder and goat milk powder. Receive News & Ratings for China Feihe Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Feihe and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Clearstead Trust LLC increased its stake in shares of Eaton Co. plc (NYSE:ETN Free Report) by 63.5% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 309 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 120 shares during the quarter. Clearstead Trust LLCs holdings in Eaton were worth $97,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of ETN. Congress Wealth Management LLC DE grew its position in Eaton by 8.1% in the 4th quarter. Congress Wealth Management LLC DE now owns 76,731 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $18,479,000 after acquiring an additional 5,725 shares during the last quarter. Norden Group LLC bought a new position in Eaton in the 1st quarter valued at $2,176,000. Weiss Asset Management LP bought a new position in Eaton in the 4th quarter valued at $1,001,000. Prospector Partners LLC grew its position in Eaton by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Prospector Partners LLC now owns 71,307 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $17,172,000 after acquiring an additional 415 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Griffin Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Eaton in the 1st quarter valued at $813,000. Institutional investors own 82.97% of the companys stock. Get Eaton alerts: Eaton Trading Up 0.2 % Shares of NYSE ETN opened at $306.55 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $300.31 and a 200 day moving average price of $311.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.07. Eaton Co. plc has a 1-year low of $191.82 and a 1-year high of $345.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $122.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 1.01. Eaton Announces Dividend Eaton ( NYSE:ETN Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.73 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.61 by $0.12. Eaton had a return on equity of 21.45% and a net margin of 15.12%. The company had revenue of $6.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.35 billion. Equities research analysts expect that Eaton Co. plc will post 10.74 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 23rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 5th were paid a $0.94 dividend. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.23%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 5th. Eatons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 44.39%. Insider Buying and Selling at Eaton In other news, insider Taras G. Jr. Szmagala sold 335 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $288.72, for a total value of $96,721.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 9,900 shares in the company, valued at $2,858,328. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, insider Michael Yelton sold 3,136 shares of Eaton stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $303.12, for a total transaction of $950,584.32. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 3,914 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,186,411.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Taras G. Jr. Szmagala sold 335 shares of Eaton stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $288.72, for a total value of $96,721.20. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 9,900 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,858,328. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 52,511 shares of company stock worth $15,809,326. 0.53% of the stock is owned by insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have commented on ETN. Wolfe Research raised Eaton from an underperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Friday, September 6th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on Eaton from $376.00 to $371.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Eaton from $370.00 to $385.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Raymond James dropped their price target on Eaton from $375.00 to $365.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, September 9th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on Eaton from $318.00 to $319.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $337.41. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ETN Eaton Profile (Free Report) Eaton Corporation plc operates as a power management company worldwide. The company's Electrical Americas and Electrical Global segment provides electrical components, industrial components, power distribution and assemblies, residential products, single and three phase power quality and connectivity products, wiring devices, circuit protection products, utility power distribution products, power reliability equipment, and services, as well as hazardous duty electrical equipment, emergency lighting, fire detection, explosion-proof instrumentation, and structural support systems. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ETN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eaton Co. plc (NYSE:ETN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eaton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eaton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Clearstead Trust LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Brookfield Co. (NYSE:BN Free Report) by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 17,571 shares of the companys stock after selling 312 shares during the quarter. Clearstead Trust LLCs holdings in Brookfield were worth $730,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Brookfield by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 57,480,308 shares of the companys stock worth $2,406,700,000 after acquiring an additional 1,063,110 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors boosted its stake in shares of Brookfield by 5.1% during the 1st quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 51,922,031 shares of the companys stock worth $2,173,923,000 after acquiring an additional 2,497,509 shares during the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc boosted its stake in shares of Brookfield by 16.2% during the 4th quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 26,542,983 shares of the companys stock worth $1,069,892,000 after acquiring an additional 3,702,266 shares during the last quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. raised its position in shares of Brookfield by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 22,605,567 shares of the companys stock valued at $946,495,000 after purchasing an additional 299,029 shares during the period. Finally, CIBC Asset Management Inc raised its position in shares of Brookfield by 7.3% during the 4th quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 16,187,795 shares of the companys stock valued at $651,399,000 after purchasing an additional 1,098,854 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 61.60% of the companys stock. Get Brookfield alerts: Brookfield Stock Performance Shares of NYSE BN opened at $50.41 on Tuesday. Brookfield Co. has a 52-week low of $28.84 and a 52-week high of $50.46. The company has a market cap of $82.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 82.64 and a beta of 1.53. The firms fifty day moving average is $46.93 and its two-hundred day moving average is $43.62. 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 Dividend Announcement Brookfield ( NYSE:BN Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $1.35 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 business had revenue of $23.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.24 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.75 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that Brookfield Co. will post 3.84 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 12th. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.63%. Brookfields dividend payout ratio is presently 52.46%. Analyst Ratings Changes BN has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of Brookfield from $57.00 to $56.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Scotiabank raised their price objective on shares of Brookfield from $50.50 to $51.25 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on shares of Brookfield from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Brookfield from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of Brookfield from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 11th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $51.59. Read Our Latest Report on Brookfield Brookfield Company 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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brookfield Co. (NYSE:BN Free Report). 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. Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc. grew its position in Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL Free Report) by 0.3% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 45,547 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the quarter. Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Colgate-Palmolive were worth $4,421,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in CL. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 79,894,344 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,368,378,000 after purchasing an additional 416,853 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 27.8% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 41,067,130 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,698,096,000 after purchasing an additional 8,933,912 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 40.7% during the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 8,969,498 shares of the companys stock valued at $870,400,000 after purchasing an additional 2,593,313 shares during the period. GUARDCAP ASSET MANAGEMENT Ltd boosted its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 4.1% during the 1st quarter. GUARDCAP ASSET MANAGEMENT Ltd now owns 6,987,454 shares of the companys stock valued at $629,220,000 after purchasing an additional 278,150 shares during the period. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Colgate-Palmolive by 108.4% during the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 5,682,280 shares of the companys stock valued at $551,367,000 after purchasing an additional 2,955,442 shares during the period. 80.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Colgate-Palmolive alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In CL has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Citigroup boosted their price target on Colgate-Palmolive from $103.00 to $112.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Colgate-Palmolive from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $103.00 to $95.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered Colgate-Palmolive from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and set a $100.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Monday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered Colgate-Palmolive from a buy rating to a hold rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $107.00 to $109.00 in a research report on Monday, September 9th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Colgate-Palmolive from $103.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $102.79. Insider Activity at Colgate-Palmolive In related news, Director Martina Hundmejean sold 2,313 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $103.86, for a total transaction of $240,228.18. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 11,755 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,220,874.30. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other Colgate-Palmolive news, EVP Gregory Malcolm sold 10,533 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $103.10, for a total value of $1,085,952.30. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 10,377 shares in the company, valued at $1,069,868.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Martina Hundmejean sold 2,313 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.86, for a total value of $240,228.18. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 11,755 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,220,874.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 43,490 shares of company stock valued at $4,486,063. Company insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock. Colgate-Palmolive Stock Down 0.3 % Shares of Colgate-Palmolive stock opened at $105.43 on Tuesday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $102.26 and its 200-day moving average is $95.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $86.50 billion, a PE ratio of 33.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.72 and a beta of 0.40. The company has a quick ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.90. Colgate-Palmolive has a 12-month low of $67.62 and a 12-month high of $109.30. Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 26th. The company reported $0.91 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.87 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $5.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5 billion. Colgate-Palmolive had a return on equity of 470.19% and a net margin of 14.21%. Colgate-Palmolives quarterly revenue was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.77 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Colgate-Palmolive will post 3.57 earnings per share for the current year. Colgate-Palmolive Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 15th. Investors of record on Friday, October 18th will be given a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 18th. Colgate-Palmolives payout ratio is 63.29%. About Colgate-Palmolive (Free Report) Colgate-Palmolive Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells consumer products in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. The Oral, Personal and Home Care segment offers toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, bar and liquid hand soaps, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants and antiperspirants, skin health products, dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners, and other related items. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Colgate-Palmolive Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Colgate-Palmolive and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ Get Free Report)s stock had its outperform rating reissued by equities research analysts at Royal Bank of Canada in a report released on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $308.00 price target on the stock. Royal Bank of Canadas price target suggests a potential upside of 21.35% from the stocks current price. A number of other analysts have also issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Constellation Brands from $305.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 26th. Barclays boosted their target price on Constellation Brands from $287.00 to $295.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, July 19th. BMO Capital Markets reissued an outperform rating and set a $315.00 target price on shares of Constellation Brands in a research report on Friday, July 5th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Constellation Brands from $320.00 to $295.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, September 9th. Finally, Roth Mkm decreased their target price on Constellation Brands from $303.00 to $298.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $296.78. Get Constellation Brands alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Constellation Brands Constellation Brands Stock Up 0.1 % Constellation Brands stock traded up $0.16 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $253.81. 44,954 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,167,875. The companys fifty day moving average price is $245.91 and its 200-day moving average price is $253.94. The company has a market cap of $46.44 billion, a PE ratio of 18.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.19 and a quick ratio of 0.53. Constellation Brands has a fifty-two week low of $227.50 and a fifty-two week high of $274.87. Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 3rd. The company reported $3.57 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.46 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $2.66 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.67 billion. Constellation Brands had a return on equity of 23.72% and a net margin of 22.70%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.91 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Constellation Brands will post 13.53 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity at Constellation Brands In other news, EVP Kaneenat Kristann Carey sold 977 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $261.00, for a total value of $254,997.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 2,706 shares of the companys stock, valued at $706,266. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Constellation Brands news, EVP Kaneenat Kristann Carey sold 977 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $261.00, for a total transaction of $254,997.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 2,706 shares in the company, valued at $706,266. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Daniel J. Mccarthy sold 1,854 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $252.43, for a total value of $468,005.22. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 3,232 shares in the company, valued at approximately $815,853.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 16,414 shares of company stock valued at $3,982,922 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 12.19% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Constellation Brands Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Sanctuary Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Constellation Brands in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $16,327,000. Brown Financial Advisors bought a new position in Constellation Brands during the 2nd quarter valued at about $710,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new stake in Constellation Brands in the 2nd quarter worth about $285,000. Souders Financial Advisors bought a new stake in shares of Constellation Brands during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $3,067,000. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in Constellation Brands by 9.4% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 44,541 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,460,000 after buying an additional 3,825 shares during the period. 77.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Constellation Brands (Get Free Report) Constellation Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company provides beer primarily under the Corona Extra, Corona Familiar, Corona Hard Seltzer, Corona Light, Corona Non-Alcoholic, Corona Premier, Corona Refresca, Modelo Especial, Modelo Chelada, Modelo Negra, Modelo Oro, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Constellation Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Constellation Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW Free Report) by 5.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 360,026 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 17,699 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned 0.73% of W.W. Grainger worth $324,841,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of W.W. Grainger by 170.0% during the first quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 27 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 17 shares during the period. Scarborough Advisors LLC purchased a new position in W.W. Grainger during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. raised its position in W.W. Grainger by 275.0% during the 4th quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 45 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares in the last quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. raised its position in W.W. Grainger by 225.0% during the 1st quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. now owns 39 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 27 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of W.W. Grainger in the 1st quarter worth $41,000. Institutional investors own 80.70% of the companys stock. Get W.W. Grainger alerts: Insider Activity In related news, SVP Matt Fortin sold 511 shares of W.W. Grainger stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $915.20, for a total value of $467,667.20. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 1,848 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,691,289.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 9.50% of the companys stock. W.W. Grainger Price Performance Shares of GWW opened at $1,008.21 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $961.14 and a two-hundred day moving average of $954.95. The company has a market cap of $49.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a quick ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 2.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a twelve month low of $674.41 and a twelve month high of $1,034.18. W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The industrial products company reported $9.76 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $9.58 by $0.18. W.W. Grainger had a return on equity of 53.25% and a net margin of 10.86%. The firm had revenue of $4.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.35 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $9.28 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 3.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts predict that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 38.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. W.W. Grainger Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 12th were issued a dividend of $2.05 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 12th. This represents a $8.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.81%. W.W. Graingers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.64%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Baird R W downgraded W.W. Grainger from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, May 29th. StockNews.com lowered shares of W.W. Grainger from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, May 29th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of W.W. Grainger in a research note on Friday, September 6th. They set an equal weight rating and a $990.00 price objective on the stock. Erste Group Bank reissued a hold rating on shares of W.W. Grainger in a research note on Friday, June 14th. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut W.W. Grainger from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the company from $1,000.00 to $975.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 29th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $1,014.11. View Our Latest Stock Report on W.W. Grainger W.W. Grainger Company Profile (Free Report) W.W. Grainger, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes maintenance, repair, and operating products and services primarily in North America, Japan, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment. The company provides safety, security, material handling and storage equipment, pumps and plumbing equipment, cleaning and maintenance, and metalworking and hand tools. See Also Receive News & Ratings for W.W. Grainger Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for W.W. Grainger and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 9.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,126,834 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 274,872 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned about 0.20% of Philip Morris International worth $316,849,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 684.4% in the 2nd quarter. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC now owns 251 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 219 shares during the last quarter. Sachetta LLC boosted its stake in Philip Morris International by 64.8% in the second quarter. Sachetta LLC now owns 267 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares in the last quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC grew its holdings in Philip Morris International by 57.4% in the second quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 318 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares during the last quarter. Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 250.0% during the first quarter. Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH now owns 322 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 230 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Olistico Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Philip Morris International during the second quarter worth $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.63% of the companys stock. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades PM has been the topic of several research analyst reports. 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 note on Thursday, July 25th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $125.00 to $139.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $95.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research report on Monday, September 9th. Finally, Barclays raised their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $130.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, September 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Philip Morris International has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $117.05. Insider Activity at Philip Morris International In other Philip Morris International news, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 20,000 shares of Philip Morris International stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.01, for a total value of $2,260,200.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 158,447 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,906,095.47. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, insider Massimo Andolina sold 9,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.35, for a total transaction of $1,038,150.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 85,629 shares in the company, valued at $9,877,305.15. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.01, for a total transaction of $2,260,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 158,447 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,906,095.47. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Philip Morris International Stock Performance Philip Morris International stock opened at $125.99 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $195.86 billion, a PE ratio of 24.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.55. Philip Morris International Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $87.23 and a fifty-two week high of $128.22. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $116.78 and a 200 day moving average price of $103.89. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.57 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $9.47 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.19 billion. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 9.41% and a negative return on equity of 113.32%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.60 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.45 earnings per share for the current year. Philip Morris International Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 26th will be issued a dividend of $1.35 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 26th. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.29%. This is a positive change from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 101.56%. Philip Morris International Company 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 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. EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE:EGP Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the fifteen ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and nine have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $192.00. A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on EastGroup Properties from $172.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Evercore ISI upgraded EastGroup Properties from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $192.00 to $204.00 in a research report on Monday. BNP Paribas began coverage on EastGroup Properties in a research report on Tuesday, June 4th. They set a neutral rating and a $167.00 price objective for the company. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on EastGroup Properties from $158.00 to $186.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, Mizuho upgraded EastGroup Properties from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price target for the company from $175.00 to $200.00 in a report on Thursday, September 5th. Get EastGroup Properties alerts: View Our Latest Report on EastGroup Properties EastGroup Properties Trading Up 1.5 % Shares of NYSE EGP opened at $190.24 on Tuesday. EastGroup Properties has a one year low of $154.75 and a one year high of $192.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.16 billion, a PE ratio of 41.27, a PEG ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a current ratio of 0.21, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $184.64 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $174.45. EastGroup Properties (NYSE:EGP Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The real estate investment trust reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.05 by ($0.91). EastGroup Properties had a return on equity of 8.69% and a net margin of 37.16%. The business had revenue of $159.09 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $156.70 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.89 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 13.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts predict that EastGroup Properties will post 8.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. EastGroup Properties Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Monday, September 30th will be issued a $1.40 dividend. This is a positive change from EastGroup Propertiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.27. This represents a $5.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.94%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. EastGroup Propertiess payout ratio is 121.48%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On EastGroup Properties Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in EGP. Gradient Investments LLC bought a new position in EastGroup Properties in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Quest Partners LLC increased its position in EastGroup Properties by 10,400.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 210 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 208 shares during the period. Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in EastGroup Properties in the 1st quarter worth approximately $42,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in EastGroup Properties by 1,938.5% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 265 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 252 shares during the period. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. bought a new position in EastGroup Properties in the 4th quarter worth approximately $55,000. 92.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. EastGroup Properties Company Profile (Get Free Report EastGroup Properties, Inc (NYSE: EGP), a member of the S&P Mid-Cap 400 and Russell 1000 Indexes, is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in major Sunbelt markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for EastGroup Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EastGroup Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Edgestream Partners L.P. grew its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 150.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 13,387 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 8,039 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company makes up approximately 0.6% of Edgestream Partners L.P.s portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest holding. Edgestream Partners L.P.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $12,120,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. GDS Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter valued at $240,000. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 10.6% in the second quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. now owns 1,356 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,228,000 after acquiring an additional 130 shares in the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 6.3% during the second quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 20,882 shares of the companys stock valued at $18,906,000 after acquiring an additional 1,229 shares during the last quarter. Excalibur Management Corp increased its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 6.4% during the 2nd quarter. Excalibur Management Corp now owns 1,372 shares of the companys stock worth $1,242,000 after purchasing an additional 83 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Luts & Greenleigh Group Inc. acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at about $812,000. 82.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:LLY opened at $924.05 on Tuesday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $897.24 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $835.09. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1-year low of $516.57 and a 1-year high of $972.53. The stock has a market capitalization of $878.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 136.09, a P/E/G ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.42. 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 Announces Dividend Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly 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. The company had revenue of $11.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.83 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 18.86% and a return on equity of 67.52%. Equities analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 16.49 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 15th were given a dividend of $1.30 per share. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 15th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 76.58%. Insider Activity In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 17,229 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $902.38, for a total transaction of $15,547,105.02. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 97,556,910 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $88,033,404,445.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders have sold 451,900 shares of company stock worth $418,732,178 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Truist Financial reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $1,000.00 price target (up from $892.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Tuesday, June 25th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $913.00 to $1,025.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Guggenheim increased their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $884.00 to $1,030.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,050.00 to $1,100.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday. Finally, Citigroup assumed coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Friday. They set a buy rating and a $1,060.00 target price for the company. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $977.35. Read Our Latest Report on Eli Lilly and Company 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Excalibur Management Corp increased its stake in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 1.9% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 10,830 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 198 shares during the period. Excalibur Management Corps holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $1,097,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in PM. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Philip Morris International by 684.4% in the 2nd quarter. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC now owns 251 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 219 shares during the last quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Sachetta LLC grew its holdings in Philip Morris International by 64.8% in the 2nd quarter. Sachetta LLC now owns 267 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH lifted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 250.0% in the 1st quarter. Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH now owns 322 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 230 shares during the period. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC lifted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 57.4% in the 2nd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 318 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 116 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.63% of the companys stock. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Insider Activity at Philip Morris International In related 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 sale, the insider now owns 158,447 shares in the company, valued at $17,906,095.47. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related 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 sale, the insider now owns 158,447 shares in the company, valued at $17,906,095.47. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Massimo Andolina sold 9,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated 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 owns 85,629 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,877,305.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Philip Morris International Price Performance PM stock opened at $125.99 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $195.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.61, a P/E/G ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.55. Philip Morris International Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $87.23 and a fifty-two week high of $128.22. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $116.78 and a 200 day moving average price of $103.89. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.57 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $9.47 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.19 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 113.32% and a net margin of 9.41%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.60 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Philip Morris International Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 26th will be issued a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 26th. This is an increase from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 101.56%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have commented on PM. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Philip Morris International from $120.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. StockNews.com upgraded Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised 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. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on Philip Morris International from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Barclays raised their target price on Philip Morris International from $130.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, September 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Philip Morris International currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $117.05. View Our Latest Research Report on Philip Morris International Philip Morris International Company 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. Recommended Stories 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. Overview of the LCV Leasing Growth Market Even in an age of economic uncertainty, light commercial vehicle (LCV) leasing has been a dependable option for asset finance providers. Christopher Marchant speaks to leasing companies specialising in the sector, profiling customers and examining resilience in light of factors such as Brexit, emissions regulations and competition in the marketplace. As with any area of the asset finance industry, an accurate profile of the types of customer who are leasing is key to sustaining growth in the LCV sector. According to Mark Richards, head of equipment and logistics at BNP Paribas UK: Typical businesses include plumbers, builders, carpenters people who are owner-operators of the business, very much the small of the SME sector. Predominantly, the transactions that BNP Paribas conducts in the LCV market are for one or two vans at a time. Richards notes the effect of the click and collect economy on leasing, in which independent, single-van business attached to large multinational retailers such as Amazon specialise in last mile delivery, often focused on a single postal area. The mass increase in online orders in the last 10 years has had a corresponding effect on package delivery and, accordingly, the leasing of vans specifically for this purpose. Julian Humphreys, chief revenue officer for Maxxia Group in the UK, gives a breakdown of the demographics most receptive to LCV leasing: There is strong demand for LCV leases across all sectors, both private and public. In the private sector we have clients as small as sole traders and as large as UKwide distribution businesses. For some large organisations, where distribution is at the heart of their business, the correct financing arrangements for their large LCV fleet can make up a very considerable part of their overall financial wellbeing. At the other end of the scale, you can have small businesses totally reliant on the effectiveness of just one or two vans for their entire income stream. Here, being able to ensure mobility and the minimum of vehicle downtime become of paramount importance. According to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the 357,325 van registrations in the UK for the year 2018 was the fourth-best year on record. In the typically slow month of February, there were still 14,384 LCV units registered in 2019, a year-on-year rise of 1.8%. GROWTH IN LCV LEASING A consideration for all leasing providers regards whether this growth will continue. Mark Anderson, vehicle finance director at Academy Leasing, a group company of 1pm, has not seen any slowdown in demand. There is also cautious optimism about the market growing and 1pms position within that, he notes. Story continues According to Paul Kirby, commercial vehicle director at Leaseplan: The market has grown steadily over the last five years, and has returned to the levels we saw immediately before the 2008 financial crash. Whats really important, if the sector is to see continued growth, is flexibility. The leasing industry needs to continue to adapt its offering, as this will allow businesses to change their vehicle requirements with their evolving needs. ELECTRIC VANS In April this year, London introduced the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). The 24-hour ULEZ regulations replaced the T-Charge to tighten standards and deter the most-polluting vehicles from entering the zone, meaning a 12.50 (14.55) daily charge for diesel LCVs that do not meet the Euro 6 standard. These changes stem from a government desire to reduce NOx pollution in urban areas. Shoreham Vehicle Auctions reports that used electric car and van demand has escalated, with the Nissan e-NV200 van having appreciated in value year-on-year by around 1,000. However, there is still concern in the LCV leasing sector regarding the viability of electric replacing diesel as the dominant form of power behind vans. Richards says: Cost and product availability are still a concern. Originally, when Renault came out with its electric proposition, the batteries were leased separately from the vehicle, and that created issues that took time to resolve. Regardless, legislation is going to force people to go down this road, obviously by the nature of diesel emissions. While BNP Paribas is yet to see a significant increase in the takeup of electric vehicles, that is not to say there is not support for it. Electrified vans are well within the funding policy, and there are a number of manufacturer partners that are promoting the concept heavily. Anderson also approaches the market with both hope and a level of scepticism for the immediacy of any mass electric van adoption. Electric vans are quite new; there are not a lot of them out there and, as a result, the awareness is not great, he says. They are also very expensive, and ultimately, if anything is going to prevent these things from taking off, it is going to be the cost. Manufacturers need to get their costs to a level where companies realise they can save money. Electric vehicles must be able to do a large mileage, while not being prohibitively priced against vans with internal-combustion engines. Things will improve moving forward with regards to cost, but at this moment in time it is a lot of talk with very little coming to fruition. The take-up of electric vans may require more than emissions regulation, with infrastructure such as charging points also something that requires careful consideration from the perspective of a commercial enterprise looking to purchase LCVs. Kirby notes a further issue for the leasing of electric vans: that of a limited supply of the vehicles themselves. Manufacturers have a very important role to play in ensuring that the right vehicles are available at the right price point, he notes. Ideally, we would see manufacturers committing to guaranteed volumes for the UK market. WLTP Arriving a year after its disruptive introduction to the new car sector, Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) regulations are being rolled out in the LCV sector. Like the low-emission zones being introduced in a number of European cities, this development is forcing the sector to adapt. Anderson says: I certainly hope manufacturers have learned lessons from the car WLTP situation that the industry is still feeling the effects of now. Perhaps the sector will get its act together early and have things done comprehensively, so it does not affect supply like it certainly has in the car world. BREXIT Following WLTP and government emissions regulations, another ongoing potential disruptor for the LCV sector, especially in the UK, is the ongoing status of Britains intention to leave the EU. While Brexits impact on car manufacturing has been studied at length, how it may impact vehicle leasing has been less considered. Given that the date and form of Brexit remains entirely ambiguous, the key word here is prudence, says Humphreys. This doesnt necessarily mean the tightening of access to asset finance, it simply means that we need to work together with our clients to assess what likely impacts different forms of Brexit could have on their business, and take a sensible view of how this could affect their finance arrangements. Other than that, we obviously monitor the likely effects on vehicle residual values very closely, as this is an important aspect of our own business model. However, with strong demand for used LCVs, it is unlikely that well see too adverse an effect in the short term. Richards notes that LCV leasing companies must be well attuned to wider economic signals, adding: We are seeing an increase in our cost of debt and an increase in the propensity for default. It is a consideration in the overall LCV market, and how the manufacturers are going to manage their stock flow to their dealers. There is a degree of concern both around that and relative stock availability as we go forward. TELEMATICS Technology is also having the power to revolutionise the LCV leasing sector. Most pointedly, this can be seen through telematics, in which data on the cars performance can be continuously sent digitally to a central hub. Richards sees telematics as especially prevalent in the contract hire market. The company can monitor driver behaviour, and use fleet visibility, where available, to assess the location of the vehicle at any point in time, he explains. That gives consumers greater vehicle utilisation and co-ordination with the person who is potentially receiving the delivery or the goods, as they can be told approximately when they are expected to be there. Humphreys adds: Telematics has been a major discussion point with many of our LCV clients for a number of years now. This subject is being somewhat overtaken by the broader topic of vehicle connectivity, as all vehicles, including LCVs, acquire technology that allows them to communicate with not only their transport manager, but also other vehicles and the environment around them. Maxxia is seeing increasingly sophisticated uses of these systems and the data that is being collected. Benefits such as mileage recording, predictive maintenance management and route planning have been commonplace for many years now, and have delivered very significant benefits to LCV fleets. There is now more of a focus on the monitoring and changing of driver behaviour to improve the overall efficiency of the fleet and to assist in the reduction of accident rates. SECTOR COMPETITION On a surface level, LCVs may be seen as one of the most tempting hard assets to lease, being both an easily understandable item and a business-critical asset for many of the commercial enterprises that acquire vans through finance. However, both regulation and a resulting increase in competition present their own hurdles. Anderson says: It has always been a highly competitive market. A lot of companies actually do not provide vans, they are purely car brokers, for they feel they are not suitably equipped to provide commercial vehicles for their clients. It is a real specialism with vans, with all the makes and models and types and sizes available. We find, in our business, that people are car and van experts, but most people tend to be one or the other. Richards is also unsure of the potential accessibility of the LCVs compared to other hard asset markets. You have got to be fairly nimble in terms of your ability to process the number of transactions that van leasing is typically involved in on a monthly basis, he cautions. If there is a new-entrant finance house that is relying entirely on manual non-systemised credit decisions and having to touch every transaction on a manual basis, it is a market that will challenge purely due to the number of transactions. The barriers to entry are relatively low, but they are increasing, and most leasing companies want each of their brokers to be accredited by the [British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association] BVRLA. This can require a compliance department, but it would not be a completely straightforward thing for a one-man band. It could be a struggle to get the lenders. Humphreys identifies another advantage for LCV leasing: LCVs and vans are essential business tools. There is usually a very clear revenue stream attached to these assets and this means that they will be one of the last items that the business would want to lose if they are facing difficult times. Therefore, despite the relative ease of disposal of leased LCVs, default rates are certainly no worse than for any other asset type. BUMPS IN THE ROAD? LCV leasing may be facing an unprecedented number of challenges from all angles, yet it is imperative to remember that this is still a growth market. For those companies willing to build an infrastructure around the leasing of this asset, there can be continuing rewards. Rather than an industry in reverse, van leasing may be better prepared than almost all other areas of vehicle finance for the challenges and opportunities ahead. "Commercial finance: assessing the drivers of LCV leasing" was originally created and published by Leasing Life, 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. Fidelity European Trust (LON:FEV Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Monday, August 5th, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 19th will be given a dividend of GBX 3.60 ($0.05) per share on Friday, October 25th. This represents a yield of 0.93%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 19th. The official announcement can be seen at this link. Fidelity European Trust Stock Up 0.4 % FEV stock opened at GBX 388.98 ($5.14) on Tuesday. Fidelity European Trust has a 52-week low of GBX 311.50 ($4.11) and a 52-week high of GBX 412.50 ($5.45). The stocks 50 day moving average is GBX 391.69 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 391.94. The company has a market capitalization of 1.59 billion, a PE ratio of 668.11 and a beta of 0.80. Get Fidelity European Trust alerts: About Fidelity European Trust (Get Free Report) Featured Articles Fidelity European Trust PLC is an open-ended equity fund launched and managed by FIL Investment Services (UK) Limited. It is co-managed by FIL Investments International Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of Continental Europe. It makes its investments in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. Receive News & Ratings for Fidelity European Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fidelity European Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gafisa S.A. (OTCMKTS:GFASY Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Tuesday, September 17th, investing.com reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 20th will be given a dividend of 0.0059 per share on Thursday, September 26th. This represents a yield of 1.14%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 19th. Gafisa Stock Performance GFASY opened at $1.50 on Tuesday. Gafisa has a one year low of $0.75 and a one year high of $6.94. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $1.26 and a 200-day moving average price of $1.93. Get Gafisa alerts: Gafisa Company Profile (Get Free Report) Read More Gafisa SA operates as a development and construction company under the Gafisa brand name in Brazil. The company is involved in residential, commercial, and hotel projects. It also provides technical consultancy services, and real estate management and construction services to third parties. Gafisa SA was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Receive News & Ratings for Gafisa Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gafisa and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. GDS Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Ford Motor (NYSE:F Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 12,529 shares of the auto manufacturers stock, valued at approximately $157,000. Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Newport Trust Company LLC increased its position in shares of Ford Motor by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Newport Trust Company LLC now owns 155,177,214 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $1,891,610,000 after purchasing an additional 6,667,808 shares during the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Ford Motor by 6.3% in the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 59,150,709 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $721,047,000 after buying an additional 3,521,520 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Ford Motor in the 4th quarter valued at about $475,899,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of Ford Motor by 27.4% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 36,190,972 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $453,732,000 after buying an additional 7,793,944 shares during the period. Finally, LSV Asset Management boosted its stake in Ford Motor by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 20,115,487 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $252,248,000 after purchasing an additional 312,496 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.74% of the companys stock. Get Ford Motor alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have issued reports on F shares. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on shares of Ford Motor from $14.00 to $12.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Ford Motor from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Sanford C. Bernstein assumed coverage on shares of Ford Motor in a research report on Thursday, May 23rd. They set an outperform rating and a $16.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Ford Motor from $10.00 to $9.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, September 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and set a $16.00 price target on shares of Ford Motor in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $12.95. Ford Motor Stock Up 1.0 % F stock opened at $10.80 on Tuesday. Ford Motor has a 52-week low of $9.49 and a 52-week high of $14.85. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $11.43 and its 200-day simple moving average is $12.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.30, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $43.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.13, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.62. Ford Motor (NYSE:F Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The auto manufacturer reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.68 by ($0.21). Ford Motor had a net margin of 2.13% and a return on equity of 15.28%. The firm had revenue of $47.81 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $47.79 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.72 EPS. The firms revenue was up 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Ford Motor will post 1.88 EPS for the current year. Ford Motor Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 7th were given a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 7th. Ford Motors payout ratio is presently 61.86%. Ford Motor Company Profile (Free Report) Ford Motor Company develops, delivers, and services a range of Ford trucks, commercial cars and vans, sport utility vehicles, and Lincoln luxury vehicles worldwide. It operates through Ford Blue, Ford Model e, and Ford Pro; Ford Next; and Ford Credit segments. The company sells Ford and Lincoln vehicles, service parts, and accessories through distributors and dealers, as well as through dealerships to commercial fleet customers, daily rental car companies, and governments. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Ford Motor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ford Motor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:PAC Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Tuesday . 34,243 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 36% from the previous sessions volume of 53,475 shares.The stock last traded at $177.97 and had previously closed at $177.43. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an underweight rating on shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico in a research note on Thursday, September 5th. Citigroup raised shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico from $177.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $205.00. Get Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico Stock Performance The firm has a market capitalization of $9.27 billion, a PE ratio of 15.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.13. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $163.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is $165.78. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (NYSE:PAC Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, July 22nd. The transportation company reported $2.55 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.01 by ($0.46). The company had revenue of $421.54 million for the quarter. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico had a net margin of 29.26% and a return on equity of 47.50%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. will post 9.88 EPS for the current year. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 22nd were given a dividend of $3.8657 per share. This is a positive change from Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacificos previous semi-annual dividend of $2.09. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 22nd. This represents a dividend yield of 4.7%. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacificos dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 33.84%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in PAC. Creative Planning bought a new stake in Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $348,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its position in Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico by 5.6% in the second quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 70,614 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $11,000,000 after purchasing an additional 3,754 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP raised its stake in Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico by 9.7% during the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 15,787 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $2,459,000 after purchasing an additional 1,391 shares in the last quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. bought a new position in Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico during the second quarter valued at $13,976,000. Finally, Sei Investments Co. grew its stake in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico by 7.4% in the 2nd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 13,373 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $2,083,000 after buying an additional 927 shares in the last quarter. 11.73% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (Get Free Report) Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, holds concessions to develop, operate, and manage airports in Mexico and Jamaica. The company operates twelve international airports in Guadalajara and Tijuana areas, Mexico; and two international airports in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Haemonetics Co. (NYSE:HAE Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 6,090,000 shares, a growth of 20.6% from the August 15th total of 5,050,000 shares. Approximately 12.0% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 582,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 10.5 days. Insider Transactions at Haemonetics In other Haemonetics news, insider Stewart W. Strong sold 4,312 shares of Haemonetics stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.15, for a total value of $393,038.80. Following the sale, the insider now owns 18,196 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,658,565.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Anila Lingamneni sold 2,136 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.00, for a total value of $192,240.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 21,410 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,926,900. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Stewart W. Strong sold 4,312 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.15, for a total transaction of $393,038.80. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 18,196 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,658,565.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.80% of the companys stock. Get Haemonetics alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Haemonetics Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its stake in Haemonetics by 3.3% during the second quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 3,673 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $304,000 after purchasing an additional 117 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Haemonetics by 6.9% in the second quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,031 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $333,000 after acquiring an additional 260 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System grew its position in Haemonetics by 2.0% during the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 14,217 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $1,176,000 after acquiring an additional 272 shares during the period. State of Michigan Retirement System increased its stake in Haemonetics by 2.5% during the first quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 12,474 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $1,065,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Qtron Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of Haemonetics by 5.7% in the 4th quarter. Qtron Investments LLC now owns 6,310 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $540,000 after purchasing an additional 343 shares during the period. 99.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have commented on the company. JMP Securities reiterated a market outperform rating and set a $125.00 target price on shares of Haemonetics in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Barrington Research boosted their price objective on shares of Haemonetics from $107.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. CL King started coverage on shares of Haemonetics in a report on Friday. They set a buy rating and a $116.00 target price for the company. BTIG Research initiated coverage on shares of Haemonetics in a report on Tuesday, September 10th. They issued a buy rating and a $112.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Haemonetics from $94.00 to $85.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Haemonetics has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $106.14. View Our Latest Research Report on HAE Haemonetics Trading Down 0.7 % Shares of NYSE HAE traded down $0.56 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $76.16. 360,699 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 533,692. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $81.20 and a 200-day moving average price of $84.05. The company has a current ratio of 3.76, a quick ratio of 2.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35. The company has a market capitalization of $3.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.49, a P/E/G ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.30. Haemonetics has a 52-week low of $70.74 and a 52-week high of $97.97. Haemonetics (NYSE:HAE Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The medical instruments supplier reported $1.02 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.03 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $336.17 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $335.08 million. Haemonetics had a return on equity of 21.86% and a net margin of 8.61%. The firms revenue was up 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.05 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Haemonetics will post 4.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Haemonetics Company Profile (Get Free Report) Haemonetics Corporation, a healthcare company, provides suite of medical products and solutions in the United States and internationally. The company offers automated plasma collection systems, donor management software, and supporting software solutions including NexSys PCS and PCS2 plasmapheresis equipment and related disposables and solutions, as well as integrated information technology platforms for plasma customers to manage their donors, operations, and supply chain; and NexLynk DMS donor management system and Donor360 app. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Haemonetics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Haemonetics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Harleysville Financial Co. (OTCMKTS:HARL Get Free Report)s share price traded down 1.1% on Monday . The company traded as low as $22.00 and last traded at $22.00. 1,384 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 5% from the average session volume of 1,463 shares. The stock had previously closed at $22.25. Harleysville Financial Stock Down 1.1 % The company has a market cap of $79.86 million, a PE ratio of 7.72 and a beta of 0.34. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $21.80 and a 200-day moving average of $21.43. Get Harleysville Financial alerts: Harleysville Financial (OTCMKTS:HARL Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 17th. The bank reported $0.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Harleysville Financial had a net margin of 25.16% and a return on equity of 11.50%. The company had revenue of $6.94 million during the quarter. Harleysville Financial Dividend Announcement Harleysville Financial Company Profile The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 14th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 31st were paid a dividend of $0.31 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, July 31st. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.64%. Harleysville Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 43.51%. (Get Free Report) Harleysville Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Harleysville Bank that provides various banking products and services in Pennsylvania. The company offers various deposit products, including savings, money market, and checking accounts, as well as certificates of deposits. It also provides consumer loans, including residential mortgages, savings account loans, and home equity line of credit, construction, and non-real estate consumer loans; and commercial loans, such as commercial mortgages, line of credit, and commercial business loans. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Harleysville Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Harleysville Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hugoton Royalty Trust (OTCMKTS:HGTXU Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 800 shares, a decline of 11.1% from the August 15th total of 900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 42,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.0 days. Hugoton Royalty Trust Price Performance Hugoton Royalty Trust stock remained flat at $0.49 during midday trading on Tuesday. The company had a trading volume of 7,020 shares, compared to its average volume of 32,951. Hugoton Royalty Trust has a 1 year low of $0.42 and a 1 year high of $0.78. The companys 50-day moving average is $0.50 and its 200-day moving average is $0.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.79 million, a P/E ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.17. Get Hugoton Royalty Trust alerts: About Hugoton Royalty Trust (Get Free Report) Read More Hugoton Royalty Trust operates as an express trust in the United States. It holds 80% net profits interests in various natural gas producing working interest properties in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming under conveyances. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in Dallas, Texas. Receive News & Ratings for Hugoton Royalty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hugoton Royalty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Vistra (NYSE:VST Free Report) in a research report released on Friday, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage issued a buy rating and a $99.00 price target on the stock. Separately, Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Vistra from $109.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $89.43. Get Vistra alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on VST Vistra Price Performance NYSE:VST opened at $89.42 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $30.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.68 and a beta of 1.08. Vistra has a 52-week low of $31.16 and a 52-week high of $107.24. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $79.90 and a 200 day moving average of $79.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.89, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 0.98. Vistra (NYSE:VST Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $0.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.59 by ($0.69). Vistra had a return on equity of 21.05% and a net margin of 4.61%. The firm had revenue of $3.85 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.04 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.03 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Vistra will post 4.86 EPS for the current fiscal year. Vistra Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 20th will be given a dividend of $0.2195 per share. This is a positive change from Vistras previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 20th. Vistras payout ratio is presently 53.37%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vistra Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new position in Vistra in the 2nd quarter valued at about $69,000. Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Vistra in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $7,829,000. Gordian Capital Singapore Pte Ltd purchased a new position in Vistra in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $297,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Vistra during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $576,000. Finally, New Century Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Vistra during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $220,000. 90.88% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Vistra Company Profile (Get Free Report) Vistra Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company. The company operates through six segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, Sunset, and Asset Closure. It retails electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across states in the United States and the District of Columbia. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Vistra Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vistra and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. L & S Advisors Inc lifted its stake in Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE:STNG Free Report) by 17.2% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 36,770 shares of the shipping companys stock after purchasing an additional 5,396 shares during the quarter. L & S Advisors Incs holdings in Scorpio Tankers were worth $2,989,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its position in Scorpio Tankers by 5.0% during the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 1,313,815 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $106,800,000 after buying an additional 62,600 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA acquired a new position in shares of Scorpio Tankers during the second quarter valued at about $2,721,000. Qsemble Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Scorpio Tankers during the second quarter valued at about $681,000. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in shares of Scorpio Tankers by 20.3% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,185,762 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $96,391,000 after purchasing an additional 199,858 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC grew its position in Scorpio Tankers by 1,912.2% during the 2nd quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC now owns 986 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $80,000 after purchasing an additional 937 shares during the last quarter. 54.64% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Scorpio Tankers alerts: Scorpio Tankers Stock Up 1.0 % Scorpio Tankers stock opened at $68.68 on Tuesday. Scorpio Tankers Inc. has a 52 week low of $47.88 and a 52 week high of $84.67. The firm has a market cap of $3.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 0.16. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $72.88 and its 200 day moving average price is $74.51. The company has a quick ratio of 2.63, a current ratio of 2.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. Scorpio Tankers Announces Dividend Scorpio Tankers ( NYSE:STNG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The shipping company reported $3.60 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.52 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $380.70 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $368.62 million. Scorpio Tankers had a net margin of 47.36% and a return on equity of 23.83%. The firms revenue was up 15.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.41 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Scorpio Tankers Inc. will post 12.71 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 15th were given a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.33%. Scorpio Tankerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 14.84%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades STNG has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on shares of Scorpio Tankers from $84.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on Scorpio Tankers from $99.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Bank of America cut their price objective on Scorpio Tankers from $85.00 to $82.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a $90.00 target price on shares of Scorpio Tankers in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Scorpio Tankers from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, August 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Scorpio Tankers presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $84.17. Read Our Latest Research Report on Scorpio Tankers Scorpio Tankers Company Profile (Free Report) Scorpio Tankers Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the seaborne transportation of crude oi and refined petroleum products in the shipping markets worldwide. As of March 21, 2024, its fleet consisted of 110 owned and leases financed tanker, including 39 LR2, 57 MR, and 14 Handymax with a weighted average age of approximately 8.1 years. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding STNG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE:STNG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Scorpio Tankers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Scorpio Tankers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Liquor Stores N.A. Ltd. (TSE:LIQ Get Free Report)s stock price was up 1.9% on Monday . The company traded as high as C$9.28 and last traded at C$9.25. Approximately 106,114 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 10% from the average daily volume of 117,621 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$9.08. Liquor Stores N.A. Stock Performance The firms 50-day moving average is C$9.25. Liquor Stores N.A. Company Profile (Get Free Report) Liquor Stores N.A. Ltd. engages in the retail of wines, beers, and spirits in Canada and the United States. As of March 14, 2018, the company operated 230 retail liquor stores consisting of 174 stores under Liquor Depot, Liquor Barn, and Wine and Beyond brand names in Alberta; 33 stores under Liquor Depot and Liquor Barn brand names in British Columbia; and 22 stores under Brown Jug brand name in Alaska. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Liquor Stores N.A. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Liquor Stores N.A. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. For 56 years, the Hilton Oakland Airport welcomed travelers just steps from the tarmac. Now its doors have closed for good. 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 Spread across 20 acres, with 360 guest rooms and 15,000 square feet of event space, the hotel stood as a landmark in hospitality. On August 28, its final customer was checked out and the doors were closed for good. Employees heartbroken For many employees, the final day at Hilton was a hard goodbye. They hugged each other, marking the end of years even decades of working together. Egigu Lemma, affectionately known as Gigi by his colleagues, dedicated 35 years to serving as a bellman and guest service agent at this Hilton. This is my last day today. Were all heartbroken right now. I spend more time here than my house, so the emotional effect is very high, he told CBS News Bay Area. Jude Correa, after 20 years at the hotel, had envisioned to retire from this very place. I have 150 people that I've known and now we're going to be split apart, Correa said. While Hilton has not given a specific reason for the closure, many employees said they believe COVID and persistent crime are to blame. "Crime is high. A lot of our customer vehicles were broken into. Hotel buses were stolen, catalytic converters were taken," Lemma explained. Closing time The Hilton Oakland Airport hotel is one of many businesses shutting down in the area. Denny's, formerly at 601 Hegenberger Road, closed its doors on January 31, 2024, after 54 years, citing safety concerns. Closing a restaurant location is never an easy decision or one taken lightly. However, the safety and well-being of Dennys team members and valued guests is our top priority. Weighing those factors, the decision has been made to close this location, the company said in a statement. In March 2024, In-N-Out also shuttered its only Oakland location. COO Denny Warnick, pointed to "ongoing issues with crime", including frequent car break-ins, property damage, theft and armed robberies affecting customers and employees. We feel the frequency and severity of the crimes being encountered by our Customers and Associates leave us no alternative, Warnick stated. Story continues Additionally, Starbucks has closed two locations in the Hegenberger area, though the company has not publicly disclosed the reasons for these closures. Read more: Dont leave your family unprotected find life insurance coverage up to $2 million with no medical exam or blood test It's crumbling The recent closures along the Hegenberger business corridor have been a source of significant concern for Oakland councilmembers Treva Reid, who represents the area. The area holds a deep personal significance for her. We feel the weight. I mean (that area is) my father's legacy, she said. For decades, it took a lot for him to build up that corridor in partnership with other leaders, the Port of Oakland, the businesses. Reid shared a call to action with fellow elected officials to bolster resources needed to combat the crime in the area, which has become a significant barrier. I don't think that we're failing, I think that it's crumbling, Reid said. There has been a failure of commitment to our district and to having our back. What to do if you live in a crumbling area If you find your community facing economic decline, here are some practical strategies to help stabilize or improve your situation. Build an emergency fund: Economic instability can bring job uncertainty. An emergency fund covering three to six months of living expenses provides a financial cushion to help you weather unexpected challenges. Diversify income streams: Look for ways to generate additional income beyond traditional employment. This could include freelance work, starting a small side business, renting out an unused space or investing for passive income. Diversifying income reduces the impact of local economic challenges. Invest in skills development: Use downtime to learn new skills in growing industries, such as technology and healthcare. Many online platforms offer courses and certifications that can bolster your employability in these industries. Leverage remote work opportunities: Explore remote work opportunities to bypass local economic limitations. Use online job platforms and professional networks to find virtual positions, expanding your prospects beyond your local market and tapping into more stable industries. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Luts & Greenleigh Group Inc. acquired a new position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 608 shares of the credit services providers stock, valued at approximately $268,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. WealthPLAN Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Mastercard by 5.3% during the 2nd quarter. WealthPLAN Partners LLC now owns 11,897 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $5,249,000 after acquiring an additional 601 shares during the period. Wulff Hansen & CO. boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 37,608.0% during the second quarter. Wulff Hansen & CO. now owns 337,487 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $148,886,000 after purchasing an additional 336,592 shares during the period. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI grew its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 70.5% in the second quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI now owns 9,688 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $4,274,000 after purchasing an additional 4,005 shares during the last quarter. Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in Mastercard by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc. now owns 57,039 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $25,194,000 after buying an additional 835 shares during the period. Finally, American Planning Services Inc. bought a new position in Mastercard in the 2nd quarter worth about $2,539,000. 97.28% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Mastercard alerts: Insider Transactions at Mastercard In related news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 90,000 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $468.80, for a total value of $42,192,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 91,649,308 shares in the company, valued at approximately $42,965,195,590.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other Mastercard news, CFO J. Mehra Sachin sold 13,439 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $455.00, for a total transaction of $6,114,745.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 27,304 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,423,320. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 90,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $468.80, for a total value of $42,192,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 91,649,308 shares in the company, valued at $42,965,195,590.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 720,467 shares of company stock valued at $331,875,955 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes MA has been the subject of a number of research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Mastercard from $500.00 to $570.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, August 20th. KeyCorp upped their target price on Mastercard from $490.00 to $515.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Compass Point began coverage on Mastercard in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. They set a neutral rating and a $525.00 price target on the stock. Susquehanna upped their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $535.00 to $540.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Mastercard from $500.00 to $526.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-one have issued a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Mastercard currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $510.88. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Mastercard Mastercard Trading Up 0.9 % Shares of Mastercard stock opened at $497.74 on Tuesday. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12-month low of $359.77 and a 12-month high of $498.32. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $461.70 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $460.35. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95. The firm has a market capitalization of $462.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.57, a PEG ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.10. Mastercard (NYSE:MA Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The credit services provider reported $3.59 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.51 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $6.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.85 billion. Mastercard had a net margin of 46.45% and a return on equity of 179.78%. Analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 14.29 EPS for the current year. Mastercard Profile (Free Report) Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Madison Wealth Partners Inc cut its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG Free Report) by 15.7% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 10,625 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,984 shares during the quarter. Madison Wealth Partners Incs holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF were worth $1,031,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AGG. Vawter Financial Ltd. increased its stake in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Vawter Financial Ltd. now owns 11,001 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,068,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Bank Hapoalim BM grew its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 1.2% during the second quarter. Bank Hapoalim BM now owns 8,782 shares of the companys stock valued at $852,000 after buying an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. CGN Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 0.4% during the first quarter. CGN Advisors LLC now owns 25,898 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,536,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 44.8% in the 1st quarter. Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. now owns 346 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cambridge Advisors Inc. lifted its position in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Cambridge Advisors Inc. now owns 6,458 shares of the companys stock valued at $627,000 after acquiring an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 83.63% of the companys stock. Get iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF alerts: iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Price Performance iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF stock opened at $101.98 on Tuesday. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a 12 month low of $91.58 and a 12 month high of $102.04. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $99.71 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $97.85. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Profile IShares are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on national securities exchanges as well as certain foreign exchanges. iShares are attractive because of their relatively low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AGG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc. reduced its stake in Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A Free Report) by 4.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 7,965 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 329 shares during the period. Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Agilent Technologies were worth $1,034,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Agilent Technologies by 18.2% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 29,884,345 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $4,348,471,000 after acquiring an additional 4,605,228 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its position in Agilent Technologies by 5.7% during the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 15,064,660 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,952,832,000 after purchasing an additional 809,149 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in Agilent Technologies by 13.9% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 8,542,054 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,242,956,000 after buying an additional 1,042,926 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Agilent Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at about $509,904,000. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp raised its position in shares of Agilent Technologies by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 2,793,189 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $362,081,000 after buying an additional 18,205 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.42% of the companys stock. Get Agilent Technologies alerts: Insider Activity at Agilent Technologies In other news, CEO Padraig Mcdonnell sold 1,958 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $145.00, for a total transaction of $283,910.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 24,118 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,497,110. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.33% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of Agilent Technologies from $147.00 to $136.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a $135.00 target price (down previously from $152.00) on shares of Agilent Technologies in a report on Monday, June 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on Agilent Technologies in a report on Tuesday, August 27th. They set an overweight rating and a $157.00 price target for the company. UBS Group raised their price objective on Agilent Technologies from $141.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their target price on Agilent Technologies from $130.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $141.60. View Our Latest Stock Report on A Agilent Technologies Trading Up 0.7 % NYSE:A opened at $138.31 on Tuesday. Agilent Technologies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $96.80 and a 52 week high of $155.35. The firms fifty day moving average is $137.00 and its 200-day moving average is $139.25. The firm has a market cap of $40.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.70, a P/E/G ratio of 6.43 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a current ratio of 1.78. Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 21st. The medical research company reported $1.32 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.26 by $0.06. Agilent Technologies had a net margin of 21.75% and a return on equity of 25.26%. The business had revenue of $1.58 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.56 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.43 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that Agilent Technologies, Inc. will post 5.24 earnings per share for the current year. Agilent Technologies Company Profile (Free Report) Agilent Technologies, Inc provides application focused solutions to the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Life Sciences and Applied Markets, Diagnostics and Genomics, and Agilent CrossLab. The Life Sciences and Applied Markets segment offers liquid chromatography systems and components; liquid chromatography mass spectrometry systems; gas chromatography systems and components; gas chromatography mass spectrometry systems; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instruments; atomic absorption instruments; microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry instruments; inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry instruments; raman spectroscopy; cell analysis plate based assays; flow cytometer; real-time cell analyzer; cell imaging systems; microplate reader; laboratory software; information management and analytics; laboratory automation and robotic systems; dissolution testing; and vacuum pumps, and measurement technologies. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Agilent Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agilent Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG Get Free Report)s stock price gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $4.06, but opened at $3.95. Mizuho Financial Group shares last traded at $3.95, with a volume of 167,282 shares trading hands. Mizuho Financial Group Stock Down 3.0 % The company has a market cap of $49.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.17, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.39. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $4.18 and its 200-day moving average price is $4.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.96. Get Mizuho Financial Group alerts: Mizuho Financial Group (NYSE:MFG Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The bank reported $0.13 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.11 by $0.02. Mizuho Financial Group had a net margin of 6.38% and a return on equity of 6.64%. The firm had revenue of $15.27 billion for the quarter. On average, analysts anticipate that Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. will post 0.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Mizuho Financial Group Mizuho Financial Group Company Profile Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MFG. Sanctuary Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Mizuho Financial Group during the second quarter worth $91,000. Creative Planning lifted its stake in Mizuho Financial Group by 13.5% in the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 738,074 shares of the banks stock valued at $3,122,000 after acquiring an additional 88,011 shares during the last quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Mizuho Financial Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $47,000. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Mizuho Financial Group by 139.4% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 225,432 shares of the banks stock valued at $954,000 after buying an additional 131,271 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP bought a new position in Mizuho Financial Group during the 2nd quarter worth $387,000. Institutional investors own 3.26% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Mizuho Financial Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in banking, trust, securities, and other businesses related to financial services in Japan, the Americas, Europe, Asia/Oceania, and internationally. It operates through Retail & Business Banking Company, Corporate & Institutional Company, Global Corporate Company, Global Markets Company, Asset Management Company, and Others segments. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Mizuho Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mizuho Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Nomura Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:NMR Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $5.47, but opened at $5.35. Nomura shares last traded at $5.32, with a volume of 150,587 shares traded. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms recently issued reports on NMR. StockNews.com cut shares of Nomura from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, September 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of Nomura in a research note on Thursday, August 29th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Get Nomura alerts: View Our Latest Report on NMR Nomura Stock Performance The company has a 50-day moving average of $5.70 and a 200-day moving average of $5.89. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.30 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.24. Nomura (NYSE:NMR Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The financial services provider reported $0.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Nomura had a net margin of 5.61% and a return on equity of 6.09%. The company had revenue of $7.81 billion for the quarter. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nomura A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of NMR. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its position in Nomura by 21.3% during the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 3,933,656 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $17,741,000 after purchasing an additional 689,849 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its holdings in shares of Nomura by 997.0% during the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 112,720 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $724,000 after acquiring an additional 102,445 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Nomura during the second quarter worth about $1,140,000. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Nomura in the 2nd quarter worth about $118,000. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in Nomura by 89.2% in the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 26,107 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $168,000 after purchasing an additional 12,309 shares during the last quarter. 15.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Nomura Company Profile (Get Free Report) Nomura Holdings, Inc provides various financial services to individuals, corporations, financial institutions, governments, and governmental agencies worldwide. It operates through three segments: Retail, Investment Management, and Wholesale. The Retail segment offers various financial products and investment consultation services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Nomura Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nomura and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY Free Report) had its target price decreased by Mizuho from $76.00 to $72.00 in a research report report published on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. Mizuho currently has a neutral rating on the oil and gas producers stock. A number of other brokerages also recently commented on OXY. Susquehanna decreased their target price on Occidental Petroleum from $81.00 to $78.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $67.00 to $65.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 12th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $68.00 to $65.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Scotiabank decreased their price target on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $90.00 to $80.00 and set a sector outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 12th. Finally, Wolfe Research began coverage on Occidental Petroleum in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. They set an outperform rating and a $81.00 price objective on the stock. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Occidental Petroleum presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $72.33. Get Occidental Petroleum alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on OXY Occidental Petroleum Trading Up 0.5 % Shares of OXY opened at $51.30 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $46.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.02 and a beta of 1.58. Occidental Petroleum has a twelve month low of $49.90 and a twelve month high of $71.18. The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $57.66 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $61.52. Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:OXY Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.26. The company had revenue of $6.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.93 billion. Occidental Petroleum had a net margin of 16.62% and a return on equity of 17.91%. Occidental Petroleums revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.68 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Occidental Petroleum will post 3.71 EPS for the current year. Occidental Petroleum Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 10th will be given a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.72%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 10th. Occidental Petroleums dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.04%. Insider Buying and Selling at Occidental Petroleum In other news, major shareholder Petroleum Corp /De/ Occidental sold 19,500,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.75, for a total transaction of $697,125,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 165,681,578 shares in the company, valued at $5,923,116,413.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.31% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Occidental Petroleum A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Investment Research & Advisory Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Occidental Petroleum by 75.2% in the 1st quarter. Investment Research & Advisory Group Inc. now owns 389 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. LifeSteps Financial Inc. purchased a new position in Occidental Petroleum in the 1st quarter worth about $34,000. Able Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Occidental Petroleum during the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. purchased a new stake in shares of Occidental Petroleum during the 1st quarter valued at about $44,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of Occidental Petroleum in the first quarter worth approximately $44,000. 88.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Occidental Petroleum (Get 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. Recommended Stories 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. Oceana Lithium Limited (ASX:OCN Get Free Report) insider Qingtao Zeng acquired 467,308 shares of Oceana Lithium stock in a transaction on Friday, September 13th. The shares were purchased at an average price of A$0.03 ($0.02) per share, with a total value of A$14,486.55 ($9,788.21). Oceana Lithium Stock Performance Oceana Lithium Company Profile (Get Free Report) Oceana Lithium Limited operates as a lithium pegmatite exploration company. It holds 100% interest in the Solonopole lithium project that consists of 10 exploration permits covering approximately 124 square kilometers located in Brazil; the Napperby lithium project, which consists of a granted exploration license covering an area 650 square kilometers and an exploration license application covering an area of approximately 512 square kilometers located in Northern Territory, Australia; and 100% interest in the Monaro project comprising 207 mineral claims, which covers 104.4 square kilometers located in Quebec, Canada. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Oceana Lithium Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oceana Lithium and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in Birkenstock Holding plc (NYSE:BIRK Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 83,428 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,539,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Element Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Birkenstock during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $6,325,000. Federated Hermes Inc. grew its stake in shares of Birkenstock by 42.0% during the second quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 1,071,235 shares of the companys stock worth $58,286,000 after purchasing an additional 316,935 shares in the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Birkenstock during the second quarter worth $136,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Birkenstock in the second quarter valued at $18,755,000. Finally, TD Asset Management Inc lifted its holdings in Birkenstock by 22.6% during the 2nd quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 244,372 shares of the companys stock worth $13,296,000 after buying an additional 45,000 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 19.93% of the companys stock. Get Birkenstock alerts: Birkenstock Trading Up 4.3 % Shares of BIRK stock opened at $48.24 on Tuesday. Birkenstock Holding plc has a twelve month low of $35.83 and a twelve month high of $64.78. The company has a current ratio of 2.91, a quick ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The businesss 50 day moving average is $55.23 and its two-hundred day moving average is $51.55. The company has a market capitalization of $9.06 billion and a P/E ratio of 55.27. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Birkenstock ( NYSE:BIRK Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 29th. The company reported $0.49 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.56 by ($0.07). Birkenstock had a return on equity of 5.79% and a net margin of 6.26%. The firm had revenue of $564.76 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $628.70 million. Equities analysts forecast that Birkenstock Holding plc will post 1.37 EPS for the current year. A number of research firms have recently commented on BIRK. Bank of America upgraded Birkenstock from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the company from $62.00 to $65.00 in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Birkenstock from $58.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, May 31st. Evercore ISI restated an outperform rating and issued a $77.00 target price (up previously from $63.00) on shares of Birkenstock in a report on Monday, August 26th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $60.00 target price on shares of Birkenstock in a research report on Friday, August 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Birkenstock from $56.00 to $64.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, June 3rd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Birkenstock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $62.23. Get Our Latest Research Report on BIRK Birkenstock Profile (Free Report) Birkenstock Holding plc manufactures and sells footwear products. It also offers sandals, shoes, closed-toe silhouettes, skincare products, and accessories. The company sells its products through e-commerce sites and a network of owned retail stores, as well as business-to-business channels. It operates in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Europe, APMA, and internationally. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BIRK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Birkenstock Holding plc (NYSE:BIRK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Birkenstock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Birkenstock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Baytex Energy (TSE:BTE Get Free Report) (NYSE:BTE) had its target price reduced by equities researchers at Royal Bank of Canada from C$6.50 to C$5.50 in a research report issued on Tuesday, BayStreet.CA reports. Royal Bank of Canadas price target would suggest a potential upside of 30.33% from the companys previous close. Separately, Canaccord Genuity Group upped their price target on shares of Baytex Energy from C$6.25 to C$6.50 in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$6.25. Get Baytex Energy alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on BTE Baytex Energy Trading Up 0.7 % Shares of BTE traded up C$0.03 on Tuesday, hitting C$4.22. 2,745,537 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,597,874. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 62.33. The firm has a market capitalization of C$3.40 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.12, a P/E/G ratio of 0.12 and a beta of 2.65. The stocks 50 day moving average is C$4.75 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$4.78. Baytex Energy has a 1 year low of C$3.92 and a 1 year high of C$6.37. Baytex Energy (TSE:BTE Get Free Report) (NYSE:BTE) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported C$0.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$0.16 by C($0.03). The firm had revenue of C$1.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$1.04 billion. Baytex Energy had a negative net margin of 11.92% and a negative return on equity of 9.55%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Baytex Energy will post 0.6550633 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Transactions at Baytex Energy In other Baytex Energy news, Senior Officer Chadwick Kalmakoff acquired 12,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 6th. The stock was bought at an average price of C$4.18 per share, with a total value of C$50,160.00. Company insiders own 0.82% of the companys stock. Baytex Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Baytex Energy Corp., an energy company, engages in the acquisition, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin and in the Eagle Ford, the United States. The company offers light oil and condensate, heavy oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Baytex Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Baytex Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China MeiDong Auto Holdings Limited (OTCMKTS:CMEIF Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 731,600 shares, an increase of 15.0% from the August 15th total of 636,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 13,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 53.4 days. China MeiDong Auto Stock Performance OTCMKTS CMEIF remained flat at $0.25 during trading hours on Tuesday. China MeiDong Auto has a 12-month low of $0.21 and a 12-month high of $0.64. The stocks fifty day moving average is $0.26 and its 200 day moving average is $0.32. Get China MeiDong Auto alerts: About China MeiDong Auto (Get Free Report) Featured Articles China MeiDong Auto Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, operates as an automobile dealer in the People's Republic of China. The company is involved in the sale of new passenger cars and spare parts; and provision of service and survey. It also provides after-sales services, such as auto registration, insurance, auto parts, repair and replacement, sales and maintenance of automotive supplies, etc.; financing referral solutions; and other value added services. Receive News & Ratings for China MeiDong Auto Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China MeiDong Auto and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Paul Nash's Impact on the Leasing Industry Paul Nash is one of the UKs most experienced asset finance professionals. After an 11-year stint at PWC as partner and global head of asset finance, he is moving on to pastures new as a 50% shareholder at motor finance provider Creditplus. Christopher Marchant spoke to Nash about his time in the industry, and what he wants to see more of in asset finance for 2019 and beyond. Prior to joining PwC in 2007, Paul Nash had worked for Arthur Andersen and Deloitte from 1996. Following graduation from Loughborough University in 1984, Nash worked at thennamed PriceWaterhouse for a first 11-year period. In his career as a tax and leasing specialist, Nash worked on projects such as the privatisation of British Rail and the expansion of GE Capital across asset classes. Further interests adopted by Nash over his career include areas as varied as aircraft leasing and SME finance. Assessing what has changed in the leasing process during this time, Nash says: When I look back, Id spend a lot of time structuring deals in a much more complex way. Tax tended to be a bigger part of the deal, with first-year allowances affecting the price of the leases. Having spent time working in Europe and the US, Nash has often dreamed of seeing London transformed into an international hub of leasing, matching the citys clout in the wider financial sector. He is, however, also realistic about the immediate prospects of this transformation. We dont really have international leasing companies here, and that was originally because our tax laws prejudiced against leasing, he explains. Id love to see a truly international asset finance company develop; I think that would be good for the UK, but I dont know if Ill see it in my lifetime. Weve never really had a large international lessor based in the UK, something like GE Capital or CIT Group. I dont think the current turmoil will stop it happening, but it might reinforce the mindset of banks being much more focused on the home territory. Yet the UKs tax laws are favourable, our legal system is favourable, the skill sets are favourable as well, so weve got all the ingredients. In terms of immediate consideration, there is, of course, important legislation affecting UK leasing companies to be implemented in 2019. Of the accounting challenges that IFRS 16 may represent, Nash says: Number one: I dont think its going to change whether people are going to lease or not. What it will do is remind people that leasing is a great way of getting secured finance, paying for the asset as the asset generates income for you. Story continues The fact that some of the operating leases will now go on the balance sheet is concerning some people, but another reality is its the same for everyone. As well as a shift in culture, there has also been a shift in the knowledge base of asset finance professionals since Nash began in the late 1980s. As an expert on tax, he is all too aware of how this intertwines with regulation and the essential need to make a profit Its more of a volume game now, whereas before wed be trying to optimise accounting and tax, he notes. You now have to utilise those skills in order to not be at a disadvantage; the rules are so complicated you could easily get taxed on more than you profit if youre not careful, and that then hits the deal value. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Nash pinpoints the digital revolution as where the asset finance industry is likely to undergo the most significant changes. Its about the process of getting from customer inquiry to completed deal. This includes technology changes such as Open Banking, he explains. Take, for example, a hairdresser who wants to finance a new salon: thats a difficult industry to finance. The hairdresser may well find that the banks wont lend but by going into Open Banking they may find a loan. I think artificial intelligence will help in terms of selecting who to lend to in terms of the asset usage and working out what the right asset is, but I think, overall, the big technology-driven change is the smartphone. This has allowed us to move away from a traditional lease to temporary subscription. He adds: However, subscription is expensive and it doesnt seem to fit into any consumer need category, but I think it will grow and once you get to a certain level of size, it could work. Outside the specifics of trends, Nash is able to take a more general look at what the asset finance industry needs. He says: Im not a fan of people who think of leasing as a product as opposed to an industry, and I think the banks that have pushed the leasing area into the bank product area have generally not prospered. There is a different mindset and set of skills needed to be a lessor and to be a lender. For leasing to prosper, they need to keep hold of that industry; they need to do more to streamline the process to get from the inquiry to completed deal as quickly as possible. He continues: What Id like to see the industry develop into is to have much more knowledge about the product so they can take more risk on credit, knowing that if the customer defaults, that asset is there to secure the debt. Recently, Nash has also become aware that he does not want the generation that revitalised and defined modern asset finance to be the one that ultimately ends up retiring from the industry without passing on its knowledge; a related key issue being that younger, aspiring finance professionals are simply not seeing asset finance as an option. Outside the car industry, its hard to think of a large multinational company where the main product is leasing, he notes. Lessors are divisions of banks, so its unlikely youre going to apply for the leasing division of a bank consciously. You may join a bank and then be pushed into that division; you may love it and carry on, but I think its not well known enough as a subject matter at a more junior age to make people think: Thats what I want to do. Nash is by no means galloping off into the sunset just yet, and as well as offers of nonexecutive board positions, he will be kept busy by the 50% stake he has taken in Creditplus. Nash entered this area of the industry following his passion for the complexities and uniqueness of car leasing, and he intends to use his interests to great effect. Creditplus is an online car-supply company. You pick a car from the internet, then the car is dropped off at our garages. You dont actually see the car until it arrives, and then you have five days to reject it if you dont like it. Offering some final thoughts on the impact of the asset finance industry, Nash says: It has been right at the forefront of providing finance to SMEs, and thats incredibly important for it to carry on. In joining Creditplus, I know how difficult and challenging it can be to raise finance, and having asset finance there is actually incredibly important not just to SMEs but also to the UK economy. Long may it last, and I think the sooner we can promote leasing as a viable job within the industry, the better. From his position of experience in the industry, Nash remains adamant that asset finance is in a positive place. This is not to say it is perfect, and he admits: A complex tax system has been very good for me. As a tax advisor its worked very well, but I do think its now overly complicated, and I just dont think its delivering what it needs to deliver. There is also the continuing need to ensure a fresh batch of asset finance professionals, an issue inextricably linked to a desire for growing awareness of the very process of asset finance itself. Nash identifies this as one of the top concerns for leasing, and something he hopes to work to rectify in his own career. "The dash for Nash: an asset finance pro reflects on time at PwC" was originally created and published by Leasing Life, 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. Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA Get Free Report) saw a significant decrease in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 7,710,000 shares, a decrease of 11.0% from the August 15th total of 8,660,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 3,040,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.5 days. Currently, 1.1% of the companys stock are sold short. Corteva Stock Performance Shares of NYSE CTVA traded up $0.77 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $57.04. 1,922,521 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,319,169. Corteva has a 12 month low of $43.22 and a 12 month high of $58.76. The companys 50 day moving average price is $54.21 and its 200 day moving average price is $54.66. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $39.76 billion, a PE ratio of 72.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.77. Get Corteva alerts: Corteva (NYSE:CTVA Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $1.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.74 by $0.09. Corteva had a net margin of 5.31% and a return on equity of 7.30%. The company had revenue of $6.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.15 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.60 EPS. Cortevas quarterly revenue was up 1.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts predict that Corteva will post 2.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Corteva Increases Dividend Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be given a $0.17 dividend. This is an increase from Cortevas previous quarterly dividend of $0.16. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 3rd. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.19%. Cortevas dividend payout ratio is presently 86.08%. CTVA has been the topic of several recent research reports. Argus downgraded Corteva from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Corteva from $57.00 to $55.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and issued a $65.00 price objective on shares of Corteva in a report on Wednesday, June 12th. OTR Global restated a negative rating on shares of Corteva in a report on Friday, June 7th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Corteva from $67.00 to $65.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $61.67. Get Our Latest Research Report on CTVA Hedge Funds Weigh In On Corteva A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in CTVA. &PARTNERS boosted its holdings in Corteva by 4.3% in the 1st quarter. &PARTNERS now owns 4,829 shares of the companys stock valued at $278,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. Herr Investment Group LLC increased its stake in Corteva by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Herr Investment Group LLC now owns 7,400 shares of the companys stock worth $427,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV raised its holdings in Corteva by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV now owns 48,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,600,000 after acquiring an additional 203 shares in the last quarter. Albion Financial Group UT lifted its position in shares of Corteva by 77.2% during the 1st quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 505 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 220 shares during the period. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Corteva by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 17,986 shares of the companys stock worth $1,037,000 after purchasing an additional 227 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.54% of the companys stock. About Corteva (Get Free Report) Corteva, Inc operates in the agriculture business. It operates through two segments, Seed and Crop Protection. The Seed segment develops and supplies advanced germplasm and traits that produce optimum yield for farms. It offers trait technologies that enhance resistance to weather, disease, insects, and herbicides used to control weeds, as well as food and nutritional characteristics. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Corteva Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Corteva and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Meridian Mining UK Societas (OTCMKTS:MRRDF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 96,800 shares, an increase of 15.2% from the August 15th total of 84,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 36,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.6 days. Meridian Mining UK Societas Trading Up 3.2 % Meridian Mining UK Societas stock traded up C$0.01 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching C$0.30. The stock had a trading volume of 952 shares, compared to its average volume of 29,226. Meridian Mining UK Societas has a 12 month low of C$0.20 and a 12 month high of C$0.44. The firms 50-day moving average price is C$0.31 and its 200 day moving average price is C$0.32. Get Meridian Mining UK Societas alerts: About Meridian Mining UK Societas (Get Free Report) Read More Meridian Mining UK Societas, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Brazil. It explores for manganese, gold, copper, and tin deposits. The company holds a 100% interest in the Espigao polymetallic project and the Ariquemes tin project located in Rondonia. Receive News & Ratings for Meridian Mining UK Societas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Meridian Mining UK Societas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ORIX Co. (OTCMKTS:ORXCF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 205,700 shares, a drop of 37.4% from the August 15th total of 328,500 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2,057.0 days. ORIX Price Performance ORXCF stock remained flat at $22.25 during mid-day trading on Monday. 2,100 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,135. The stocks 50 day moving average is $22.31 and its two-hundred day moving average is $21.88. ORIX has a 52-week low of $16.92 and a 52-week high of $27.34. Get ORIX alerts: ORIX Company Profile (Get Free Report) Recommended Stories ORIX Corporation provides diversified financial services in Japan, the United States, Asia, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East. The company's Corporate Financial Services and Maintenance Leasing segment is involved in the finance and fee; leasing and rental of automobiles, electronic measuring instruments, and ICT-related equipment businesses; and provision of life insurance and environment and energy-related products and services. Receive News & Ratings for ORIX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ORIX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Analysts at StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Express (NYSE:EXPR Get Free Report) in a report released on Sunday. The brokerage set a sell rating on the stock. Express Stock Performance Shares of EXPR opened at $0.05 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $0.28 and a two-hundred day moving average of $0.69. Express has a one year low of $0.35 and a one year high of $17.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.83, a quick ratio of 0.19 and a current ratio of 0.98. The stock has a market cap of $205,655.40, a P/E ratio of 0.00 and a beta of 1.40. Get Express alerts: About Express (Get Free Report) See Also Express, Inc operates as a fashion retail company that offers apparel and accessories in the United States and Puerto Rico. The company sells its products under the UpWest and Express brands for men and women through its retail and factory outlet stores; express.com, an online store; and Express mobile app, as well as franchisees Express locations in Latin America. Receive News & Ratings for Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Suncor Energy (TSE:SU Get Free Report) (NYSE:SU) had its price target decreased by equities researchers at Royal Bank of Canada from C$67.00 to C$64.00 in a research note issued on Tuesday, BayStreet.CA reports. Royal Bank of Canadas price target would suggest a potential upside of 27.19% from the stocks current price. Several other brokerages also recently commented on SU. BMO Capital Markets raised Suncor Energy from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a C$62.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. National Bankshares upped their price objective on Suncor Energy from C$75.00 to C$77.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Scotiabank cut their price objective on Suncor Energy from C$61.00 to C$60.00 in a research report on Friday, July 12th. Wolfe Research raised Suncor Energy to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. Finally, Desjardins upped their price objective on Suncor Energy from C$56.00 to C$59.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$61.25. Get Suncor Energy alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on SU Suncor Energy Price Performance Shares of SU traded up C$0.40 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting C$50.32. 1,016,257 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,407,303. The company has a market cap of C$63.91 billion, a PE ratio of 8.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.15 and a beta of 1.49. Suncor Energy has a 52-week low of C$40.07 and a 52-week high of C$57.32. The firm has a 50-day moving average of C$53.16 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$52.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 34.98, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 1.46. Suncor Energy (TSE:SU Get Free Report) (NYSE:SU) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported C$1.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$1.06 by C$0.21. Suncor Energy had a return on equity of 17.68% and a net margin of 14.87%. The company had revenue of C$13.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$11.59 billion. On average, equities analysts predict that Suncor Energy will post 4.7260019 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Senior Officer Jacqueline Sue Moore sold 37,700 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$56.54, for a total transaction of C$2,131,558.00. In other Suncor Energy news, Senior Officer Kristopher Peter Smith sold 100,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$51.66, for a total value of C$5,165,900.00. Also, Senior Officer Jacqueline Sue Moore sold 37,700 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$56.54, for a total value of C$2,131,558.00. 0.01% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Suncor Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Suncor Energy Inc operates as an integrated energy company in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; and Refining and Marketing segments. The Oil Sands segment explores, develops, and produces bitumen, synthetic crude oil, and related products. Featured Stories 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. Suruga Bank Ltd. (OTCMKTS:SUGBY Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $72.20 and last traded at $72.20, with a volume of 0 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $72.20. Suruga Bank Price Performance The company has a market cap of $1.42 billion, a PE ratio of 13.78 and a beta of -0.07. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $70.07 and a 200-day moving average price of $64.45. About Suruga Bank (Get Free Report) Suruga Bank Ltd. provides various banking and financial products and services to individuals and corporate customers in Japan. The company offers deposit products, such as time, ordinary, savings, foreign currency, and other deposits, as well as current and general accounts; card, housing, second house, startup, and business up term loans, as well as loans by purpose; credit and debit cards; overdrafts; and other financing products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Suruga Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Suruga Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Citigroup upgraded shares of Tesco (OTCMKTS:TSCDY Free Report) to a strong-buy rating in a research note released on Friday, Zacks.com reports. Separately, Sanford C. Bernstein raised shares of Tesco to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. Get Tesco alerts: Get Our Latest Report on TSCDY Tesco Trading Up 2.4 % About Tesco TSCDY opened at $14.83 on Friday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $13.38 and its 200 day simple moving average is $12.14. Tesco has a 52 week low of $9.34 and a 52 week high of $14.83. The company has a quick ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. (Get Free Report) Tesco PLC, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a grocery retailer in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. It offers grocery products through its stores, as well as online. The company is also involved in the food and drink wholesaling activities. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Tesco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tesco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (NYSE:TEVA Get Free Report)s share price dropped 2.4% on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $17.58 and last traded at $17.64. Approximately 815,307 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 92% from the average daily volume of 9,939,606 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.07. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts recently weighed in on TEVA shares. UBS Group boosted their target price on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $24.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 3rd. Argus upgraded shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $20.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $21.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Saturday, August 3rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $19.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, June 27th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $18.89. Get Teva Pharmaceutical Industries alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Stock Performance The company has a market capitalization of $20.18 billion, a PE ratio of -44.07, a PEG ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 0.88. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $17.59 and a two-hundred day moving average of $15.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.59, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.52. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE:TEVA Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $0.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.55 by $0.03. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries had a negative net margin of 2.73% and a positive return on equity of 39.66%. The firm had revenue of $4.16 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.99 billion. Research analysts anticipate that Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited will post 2.33 EPS for the current year. Insider Transactions at Teva Pharmaceutical Industries In other news, insider Eric A. Hughes sold 24,537 shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.25, for a total value of $423,263.25. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 45,060 shares of the companys stock, valued at $777,285. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.55% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. purchased a new position in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries during the first quarter worth approximately $28,000. EntryPoint Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries during the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. Beach Investment Counsel Inc. PA purchased a new stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in the second quarter valued at about $48,000. Byrne Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries during the second quarter worth about $52,000. Finally, Industrial Alliance Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries during the first quarter worth about $54,000. 54.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Company Profile (Get Free Report) Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes generic medicines, specialty medicines, and biopharmaceutical products in North America, Europe, Israel, and internationally. It offers generic medicines in various dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, injectables, inhalants, liquids, transdermal patches, ointments, and creams; sterile products, hormones, high-potency drugs, and cytotoxic substances in parenteral and solid dosage forms; and generic products with medical devices and combination products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 3,092 shares of the mining companys stock, valued at approximately $204,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Rio Tinto Group during the 2nd quarter worth about $26,000. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Rio Tinto Group during the first quarter worth approximately $26,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Rio Tinto Group by 55.4% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 415 shares of the mining companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 148 shares in the last quarter. YHB Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Rio Tinto Group during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Finally, LifeSteps Financial Inc. bought a new position in Rio Tinto Group in the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. 19.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Rio Tinto Group alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets RIO has been the topic of several research reports. Citigroup lowered Rio Tinto Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, May 20th. HSBC upgraded shares of Rio Tinto Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. StockNews.com raised shares of Rio Tinto Group from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, September 6th. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Rio Tinto Group to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. Finally, Berenberg Bank cut shares of Rio Tinto Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Rio Tinto Group Stock Performance Shares of NYSE RIO opened at $63.19 on Tuesday. Rio Tinto Group has a 52-week low of $59.35 and a 52-week high of $75.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 1.70. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $63.43 and a 200 day moving average price of $65.70. Rio Tinto Group Cuts Dividend The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 16th will be issued a $1.77 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 6.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 16th. About Rio Tinto Group (Free Report) Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. The Iron Ore segment engages in the iron ore mining, and salt and gypsum production in Western Australia. The Aluminum segment is involved in bauxite mining; alumina refining; and aluminium smelting. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Rio Tinto Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rio Tinto Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. decreased its position in shares of Franklin FTSE Australia ETF (NYSEARCA:FLAU Free Report) by 21.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 16,323 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,478 shares during the quarter. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. owned 1.81% of Franklin FTSE Australia ETF worth $470,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Separately, Eagle Bay Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Franklin FTSE Australia ETF by 105.0% during the first quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 2,460 shares of the companys stock valued at $71,000 after buying an additional 1,260 shares during the last quarter. Get Franklin FTSE Australia ETF alerts: Franklin FTSE Australia ETF Stock Performance Shares of NYSEARCA:FLAU opened at $31.11 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $28.00 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.29 and a beta of 1.11. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $29.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $28.99. Franklin FTSE Australia ETF has a fifty-two week low of $23.99 and a fifty-two week high of $31.11. About Franklin FTSE Australia ETF The Franklin FTSE Australia ETF (FLAU) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE Australia RIC Capped index. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted index of large- and mid-cap Australian stocks. FLAU was launched on Nov 2, 2017 and is managed by Franklin Templeton. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Franklin FTSE Australia ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Franklin FTSE Australia ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. By Bart H. Meijer AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Netherlands' right-wing government said on Tuesday it would cut development aid by more than two thirds over the next three years amid an expected deterioration in state finances. The move follows the election victory late last year of nationalist far-right leader Geert Wilders, who after months of tense negotiations formed a government with three other right-wing parties. That coalition, which had already said it would drastically cut the aid budget, is led by Prime Minister Dick Schoof, an unelected career civil servant who took the top job as other parties were unwilling to accept Wilders as government leader. Its first budget, unveiled on Tuesday, showed that the government deficit would rise to 2.8% of gross domestic product (GDP) next year, up from 2.2% this year and close to the maximum level of 3% agreed among EU member states. The government said it aims to cut the development aid budget by 300 million euros ($330 million) in 2025 and by 500 million euros in 2026. The budget cuts will total 2.4 billion by 2027. The aid budget was about 3.5 billion euros this year. The Netherlands has traditionally been among major donors of development aid, usually aiming to spend the internationally agreed level of 0.7% of GDP. However, the government deficit has risen quickly in recent years due to lavish spending to compensate for the COVID-19 pandemic and soaring energy prices. The new government has vowed to protect consumers' spending power and next year will lower taxes on the use of gas and scale down tax rates for lower incomes. Earlier this month, it said it would hike spending on defence by more than 10% next year and would spend more on border controls as part of a broader clampdown on asylum migration. ($1 = 0.8988 euros) (Reporting by Bart Meijer; Editing by Gareth Jones) United States Steel Co. (NYSE:X Get Free Report)s share price traded down 3.1% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $34.78 and last traded at $35.24. 2,426,943 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 46% from the average session volume of 4,478,630 shares. The stock had previously closed at $36.37. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts have weighed in on X shares. Glj Research raised United States Steel from a sell rating to a buy rating and set a $38.57 price objective for the company in a report on Monday, September 9th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on shares of United States Steel from $47.00 to $41.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, September 5th. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of United States Steel from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $40.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, September 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded United States Steel from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price target for the company from $40.00 to $42.00 in a research note on Monday, September 9th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on United States Steel from $48.00 to $49.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. Five equities 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 stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $39.76. Get United States Steel alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on X United States Steel Stock Performance The companys 50 day moving average price is $38.19 and its 200-day moving average price is $38.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.72. The stock has a market cap of $8.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.66 and a beta of 1.88. United States Steel (NYSE:X Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The basic materials company reported $0.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $4.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. United States Steel had a net margin of 3.40% and a return on equity of 7.93%. The companys revenue was down 17.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.92 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that United States Steel Co. will post 2.15 EPS for the current fiscal year. United States Steel Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 11th. Investors of record on Monday, August 12th were given a $0.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 12th. This represents a $0.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.55%. United States Steels dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5.87%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On United States Steel Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank bought a new stake in United States Steel in the 4th quarter worth $200,952,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its holdings in United States Steel by 4,305.6% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 3,634,364 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $137,379,000 after purchasing an additional 3,551,870 shares in the last quarter. KRYGER CAPITAL Ltd bought a new stake in shares of United States Steel during the 4th quarter valued at about $95,529,000. KGH Ltd raised its stake in United States Steel by 68.2% in the second quarter. KGH Ltd now owns 4,255,000 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $160,839,000 after buying an additional 1,724,670 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Nova Scotia purchased a new position in shares of United States Steel during the 4th quarter worth approximately $53,338,000. 81.92% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About United States Steel (Get Free Report) United States Steel Corporation produces and sells flat-rolled and tubular steel products primarily in North America and Europe. The company operates through North American Flat-Rolled (Flat-Rolled), Mini Mill, U. S. Steel Europe (USSE), and Tubular Products (Tubular) segments. The Flat-Rolled segment offers slabs, strip mill plates, sheets, and tin mill products, as well as iron ore and coke. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for United States Steel Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for United States Steel and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. L & S Advisors Inc lessened its stake in Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT Free Report) by 16.2% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 92,100 shares of the retailers stock after selling 17,862 shares during the quarter. L & S Advisors Incs holdings in Walmart were worth $6,236,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Walmart by 19.8% in the second quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 263,911 shares of the retailers stock worth $17,869,000 after acquiring an additional 43,642 shares in the last quarter. Perennial Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Walmart by 4.4% during the second quarter. Perennial Investment Advisors LLC now owns 15,202 shares of the retailers stock valued at $1,029,000 after purchasing an additional 640 shares during the last quarter. Yarger Wealth Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Walmart in the second quarter worth $212,000. Plancorp LLC boosted its holdings in Walmart by 2.5% during the second quarter. Plancorp LLC now owns 52,282 shares of the retailers stock valued at $3,540,000 after acquiring an additional 1,268 shares during the period. Finally, Sargent Investment Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Walmart by 7.0% during the 2nd quarter. Sargent Investment Group LLC now owns 71,203 shares of the retailers stock worth $4,821,000 after purchasing an additional 4,677 shares during the last quarter. 26.76% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Walmart alerts: Insider Transactions at Walmart In related news, EVP John D. Rainey sold 25,578 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.58, for a total value of $1,728,561.24. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 390,165 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,367,350.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 29,124 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.39, for a total transaction of $1,991,790.36. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 3,960,402 shares of the companys stock, valued at $270,851,892.78. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP John D. Rainey sold 25,578 shares of Walmart stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.58, for a total transaction of $1,728,561.24. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 390,165 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $26,367,350.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 10,203,360 shares of company stock worth $788,678,803. 45.58% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Walmart from $75.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 16th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Walmart from $74.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 16th. Truist Financial upped their target price on Walmart from $64.00 to $76.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday, August 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Walmart from $73.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 16th. Finally, Guggenheim raised their price objective on shares of Walmart from $75.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 16th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-six have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Walmart has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $78.99. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Walmart Walmart Stock Performance Shares of WMT opened at $80.60 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $647.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.49, a PEG ratio of 3.99 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.22 and a current ratio of 0.80. Walmart Inc. has a twelve month low of $49.85 and a twelve month high of $81.02. The firms 50 day moving average price is $72.73 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $66.34. Walmart (NYSE:WMT Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 15th. The retailer reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.65 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $169.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $168.56 billion. Walmart had a net margin of 2.34% and a return on equity of 21.72%. The companys revenue was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.61 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Walmart Inc. will post 2.44 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Walmart (Free Report) Walmart Inc engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, other units, and eCommerce worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, PhonePe and other sites; and mobile commerce applications. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WMT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Walmart Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Walmart and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. We recently compiled a list of Morgan Stanley's Best Stock Picks: 15 Stocks To Own For 2025. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) stands against Morgan Stanley's other stock picks. The tail end of 2024 is seeing a market shift in the stock market as the Federal Reserve has finally signaled that interest rate cuts are on the horizon. This means that cheaper capital might be on the horizon, with the rate cuts coming just as the labor market starts to feel the pinch through lower growth. It also means that consumer spending can pick up if economic output remains robust. For investors, it creates an opportunity to gain an early foothold into stocks that could benefit from the new environment. On this front, investment banks have been analyzing the situation diligently for quite some time. One bank that's out with regular reports is Morgan Stanley. It releases monthly reports that cover the latest trends in the economy and the stock market. The bank's August report covered some recent trends. It shared that the labor market was one of its most closely watched economic indicators as it was "vulnerable to a further deceleration in economic activity." To explain why, the bank shared that US excess labor supply, that is the demand minus supply, was at pre pandemic levels that had sustained since 2018. This implies that employers no longer have the incentive to offer lucrative pay packages to attract workers, which in turn leads to less money flowing into the economy to contribute to inflation. MS added that the three month national unemployment average was 0.5% above the 12 month average, which is a warning bell for the economy. This is because according to one of the most widely used recession indicators, the Sahm Rule, a recession has started once the rate is 0.5% or higher than the 12 month average. MS is not the only one that is ringing warning bells on this front, as JPM also confirmed in early August that the rule was triggered when the unemployment rate jumped to 4.3%. However, it did add that we "do not think a recession is imminent" and "remain constructive on U.S. equities despite increased volatility, and see opportunity to lock in rates before they fall." SEE ALSO 15 Best European AI Stocks According to Morgan Stanley and Best Humanoid Robot Stocks According to Morgan Stanley Returning to MS, it also sees an opportunity in the battered commercial real estate market. It cites the commercial real estate cap rate, which is the rate of return based on its income generation capability, to argue that commercial real estate valuations are currently depressed enough to warrant an investment. The office real estate market had a cap rate of 9% in March 2024 as per MS, for a two percentage point and three percentage point lead over retail and residential real estate, respectively. As for the stock market, the bank shared in August that it still prefers large cap stocks (an important point as you'll find out when you check out the stocks in this piece). The bank believes that small caps "are lower in quality, more volatile and carry greater exposure to cyclical sectors relative to large cap," meaning that their outperformance "requires economic growth acceleration with lower interest rates." MS warned that "softer economic data may constrain" small cap performance. In terms of data, it argues that small cap performance is dependent on bond yields. This data set shows that when we assume an index value of 100 for US small caps had led benchmark S&P stocks except the Magnificent 7 at a time when 10 year US bond yields were around 1.5% in July 2021, the indexed returns dropped to 90 in July 2023 when the yields were approximately 4.3%. August's final week was pivotal for the stock market as Fed Chair Jerome Powell finally signaled that the time for interest rates had come. "The time has come for policy to adjust," stated Powell at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. "The direction of travel is clear, and the timing and pace of rate cuts will depend on incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks," he added. Following the Fed Chair's remarks, MS was out with its September report. Commenting on the economy, the bank shared that it does not "believe the economy is set to accelerate over the next few months, which makes the S&P 500 around 5650 our near-term upper bound. At the same time, the economy is not collapsing, which makes 5200 attractive and 5350 seem fair. We plan to trade around the ranges." MS also shares key details for the unemployment rate, which are important when analyzed in tandem with the Sahm Rule. It comments that higher immigration "may be supporting a higher labor force participation rate, which in turn would contribute to a higher reported unemployment rate. From this perspective, a higher unemployment rate is not signaling weakness but rather an increase in the labor supply that would help bring inflation down without affecting growth." Subsequently, the bank believes that the percentage of total unemployed accounted for by people who lost their jobs (Job Losers) and the number of total layoffs (Challenger Layoffs) might be more relevant when analyzing the labor market. Job Losers currently sit at 50%, while Challenger Layoffs are less than 50,000 after having jumped to 100,000. In short, this paints a more robust labor market picture that might not signal a recession as the Sahm Rule might have suggested. Remaining bearish on small caps, it believes that the "window for small cap outperformance is too narrow requiring Goldilocks growth and inflation." This sentiment is also echoed in the bank's Vintage Values 2025 stock report, where it comments that its strategists "currently recommend avoiding small caps, and Vintage Values 2025 reflects that view. It skews heavily toward large-cap stocks: 80% of the names are classified as either mega-cap or large-cap." Mind you, this sentiment was also echoed in the 2024 report, verbatim. Our Methodology To make our list of MS' top stocks for 2025, we ranked MS' Vintage Value 2025 stock picks by their share price percentage upside based on the bank's price target. For these stocks, we also mentioned the number of hedge fund investors. 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 In Q2 2024: 100 Share Price Target Upside: 20% Share Price Target: $1,106 Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) is one of the hottest stocks these days due to its commanding presence in the weight loss drug market. The shares are up by 56% year to date, as investors continue to remain optimistic about its potential to lead the weight loss drug market. However, this market has rapidly evolved, and after the initial wave of products has made its mark, drug makers are now eager to expand their market share. This means that early movers like Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) are under pressure to reduce prices to expand access. Additionally, as the first weight loss drugs were released in 2014, their patents are expiring which could flood the market with a slew of low cost generics. Consequently, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)'s hypothesis now depends on its ability to introduce newer weight loss drugs with higher efficacy and products that are competitively priced to ensure a commanding market share. Additionally, the firm's considerable resources allow it to target other markets too, and the latest bit on this front is Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY)'s FDA approval for a skin disease treatment. Morgan Stanley is also aware of this potential, as it notes that "LLY has the most robust new product cycle (and hence growth) outlook in Pharma as the company could launch five new drugs over the next two years (across large end markets such as diabesity, Alzheimers disease, cancer and immunology)." Baron Funds mentioned Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) in its Q2 2024 investor letter. Here is what the fund said: "In biopharmaceuticals, we remain bullish on the market opportunity for new diabetes and obesity medicines. In June at a medical meeting, the principal investigators of the SURMOUNT-OSA trial presented the full data which demonstrated that Eli Lilly and Companys Tirzepatide reduced obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity by up to 62.8%, and up to 51.5% of participants met the criteria for disease resolution. This impressive data set paves the way for Tirzepatide to be used as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea in overweight and obese individuals." Overall LLY ranks 7th on our list of Morgan Stanley's best stock picks for 2025. While we acknowledge the potential of LLY as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than 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. Councillors to debate motion against controversial cuts to Winter Fuel Allowance Wrexham councillors are to debate a motion on the scrapping of the Winter Fuel Allowance for all but 1.5 million pensioners. The motion, submitted by all seven Plaid Cymru councillors, states that almost a third of households in Wales will be impacted by the UK Labour Governments decision to cut the Winter Fuel Allowance for all but those on Pension Credits. It calls on the council to condemn the recent decision by the UK Labour Government to cut the Winter Fuel Allowance and to halt the proposed cuts with a view to ensuring the most vulnerable in our society are not put at risk due to the loss of this critical payment. The motion, which will be debated at full council on September 25, has been put forward in response to the UK governments decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment. The payment provided 200 to households with recipients under 80, and 300 for those with someone over 80 to help cover heating costs in the winter Last year, an additional 300 per household was provided as a cost of living payment. However the UK government announced that the payment will now be means tested with those not in receipt of Pension Credit no longer receiving the Winter Fuel Payment from this year onwards. As a result, eligibility has been drastically reduced from 11.4 million people to approximately 1.5 million. In Wales it is estimated that 360,000 pensioners will lose out on vital financial support. It will be debated by all councillors at a meeting on September 25. The motion states: Limiting the Winter Fuel Allowance to those on pension credit will mean that the vast majority of pensioners currently living below the poverty line will lose out. Its estimated that 80,000 pensioners eligible for Pension Credits in Wales are not currently taking up that benefit. Taking away this critical payment of up to 300 annually is directly putting at risk pensioners ability to heat their homes this winter. The End Fuel Poverty Coalition have estimated that 4,950 excess winter deaths in the UK were caused by living in cold homes during winter 2022/23. With energy bills set to rise by an additional 149 this October and possibly further in January, the decision to cut this payment for such a vulnerable group is unacceptable and will have a detrimental impact on the health and well-being of a significant number of households in our borough. The motion calls for the council to condemn the recent decision by the UK Labour Government to cut the Winter Fuel Allowance and to halt the proposed cuts with a view to ensuring the most vulnerable in our society are not put at risk due to the loss of this critical payment. Wrexham Council will debate the Plaid Cymru motion on the scrapping of the Winter Fuel Allowance at its next council meeting on September 25. Welsh government drops controversial gender quota plans for 2026 election The Welsh Government is to abandon its controversial plan to require political parties to ensure at least 50% of candidates in the 2026 Senedd election are women. Originally introduced under former First Minister Mark Drakeford, the gender quota proposal had faced ongoing legal challenges and concerns about its feasibility. Social justice secretary Jane Hutt confirmed the decision, saying the government remains committed to gender balance in politics but will now focus on more practical and timely policy objectives. The decision comes ahead of a scheduled debate on 24 September, when Members of the Senedd (MSs) were set to vote on whether to withdraw the bill from further consideration. The plans were originally intended to come into effect for the 2026 election, before being delayed to 2030. They were split from a broader package of reforms to expand the Senedd from 60 to 96 members, which has already been given Royal Assent. The decision to drop the gender quota bill followed advice from presiding officer, Elin Jones, who raised concerns over whether the Senedd had the legal authority to implement such a law. A committee of MSs also warned that the proposal could face legal challenges, which might disrupt the 2026 election. Additionally, the Equality and Human Rights Commission raised concerns that allowing candidates to self-identify their gender could be unlawful under existing UK laws. While the Welsh Government disagreed with these legal interpretations, they acknowledged that pushing ahead with the quota could risk a legal battle. The government has pledged to accelerate guidance to political parties on diversity and inclusion, shifting away from the legislative approach. Plaid Cymru expressed disappointment, with MSs Sioned Williams and Heledd Fychan criticising First Minister Eluned Morgan for not securing support for what they called radical measures necessary for gender parity in politics. Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for the Constitution Darren Millar welcomed the decision, calling the gender quotas divisive and praising the move to scrap the bill. This decision was inevitable given the legal challenges that would have ensued if Labour had tried to force through these election quotas, Millar said. He also urged the government to reconsider its Senedd expansion plans, accusing ministers of focusing on increasing the number of politicians instead of addressing urgent needs in the Welsh NHS. New EV charging point regulations proposed for new builds in Wales New building regulations that would electric vehicle (EV) charge points in both new residential and non-residential buildings could soon be introduced in Wales. The Welsh Government has launched a new consultation on the proposals which are part of Wales broader efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and ensure that necessary infrastructure is in place across the country. The consultation, which runs until 29 November 2024, seeks input on potential changes, including the requirement for new homes with parking spaces to be equipped with EV chargepoints. The mandate would also apply to buildings undergoing significant renovations or changes of use, such as office-to-residential conversions. These proposals align with Wales Net Zero Wales: Carbon Budget 2 plan, which aims to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles in favour of electric alternatives. By 2030, 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold across Great Britain must be zero-emission, with the goal of reaching 100% by 2035. Requirements for New Buildings The consultation outlines specific requirements for new residential developments. Any new home with an associated parking space would need to have an EV chargepoint installed. For larger residential buildings with over 10 parking spaces, each space would require the necessary infrastructure for future chargepoint installations. Non-residential buildings, including offices, supermarkets, and other commercial properties, are also covered under the new proposals. Buildings with more than 10 parking spaces would be required to install at least one chargepoint and provide cable routes for one in five parking spaces. Addressing Costs and Practical Concerns In the consultation the Welsh Government said that it recognises that installing EV infrastructure can increase building costs, particularly for older buildings undergoing major renovations. Retrofitting chargepoints after construction can be significantly more expensive than installing them during the build phase. Installing a chargepoint during construction is estimated to cost around 1,100, compared to 2,300 if installed later. To ease the financial burden on developers, the government is proposing a cap that limits installation costs to 7% of total renovation expenses. Additionally, exemptions may apply to buildings where the local electrical grid cannot accommodate the increased demand, as well as to listed buildings and properties in conservation areas, where installing chargepoints could alter their character. Environmental and Consumer Benefits The proposed regulations are seen as a key step toward achieving Wales decarbonisation goals. The initiative aims to improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions. Long-term cost savings are also expected, as early installation of chargepoints avoids more costly retrofits. Surveys indicate public support for the proposals, with a recent AA poll revealing that 68% of respondents are in favour of requiring EV chargepoints in new buildings. The Welsh Government is encouraging input from residents, developers, and businesses before finalising the regulations. A final decision will be made after the consultation closes at the end of November. You can take part in the Welsh Government consultation here. LONDON (AP) Meta said it's banning Russia state media organization from its social media platforms, alleging that the outlets used deceptive tactics to amplify Moscow's propaganda. The announcement drew a rebuke from the Kremlin on Tuesday. The company, which owns Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, said late Monday that it will roll out the ban over the next few days in an escalation of its efforts to counter Russia's covert influence operations. After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets: Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity," Meta said in a prepared statement. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov lashed out, saying that such selective actions against Russian media are unacceptable, and that Meta with these actions are discrediting themselves. We have an extremely negative attitude towards this. And this, of course, complicates the prospects for normalizing our relations with Meta, Peskov told reporters during his daily conference call. RT, formerly known as Russia Today, and Russia Segodnya, also denounced the move. Its cute how theres a competition in the West who can try to spank RT the hardest, in order to make themselves look better, RT said in a release. Rossiya Segodnya, the parent company behind state news agency RIA Novosti and news brands like Sputnik, said Meta's decision was not unexpected for us. "Meta is a deeply politicized organization. We will continue our work in the countries where we are present and this decision will not affect our work, Rossiya Segodnya said in a statement. Meta's actions comes days after the United States announced new sanctions on RT, accusing the Kremlin news outlet of being a key part of Russias war machine and its efforts to undermine its democratic adversaries. U.S. officials alleged last week that RT was working hand-in-hand with the Russian military and running fundraising campaigns to pay for sniper rifles, body armor and other equipment for soldiers fighting in Ukraine. They also said RT websites masqueraded as legitimate news sites but were used to spread disinformation and propaganda in Europe, Africa, South America and elsewhere. Earlier this month, the Biden administration seized Kremlin-run websites and charged two RT employees of covertly providing millions of dollars in funding to a Tennessee-based content creation company to publish English-language social media videos pushing pro-Kremlin messages. Story continues Moscow has rejected the allegations. Meta had already taken steps to limit Moscow's online reach. Since 2020 it has been labeling posts and content from state media. Two years later, it stopped Russian state media from running ads and putting their content lower in peoples feeds, and the company, along with other other social media sites like YouTube and TikTok, stopped European Union users from accessing RT and Sputnik channels after the outlets were sanctioned by Brussels. Also in 2022 Meta took down a sprawling Russia-based disinformation network spreading Kremlin talking points about the invasion of Ukraine. Meta and Facebook already blocked RT in Europe two years ago, now theyre censoring information flow to the rest of the world, RT said in its statement. Moscow has fought back, designating Meta as an extremist group in March 2022, shortly after sending troops into Ukraine, and blocking Facebook and Instagram. Both platforms as well as Elon Musk's X, formerly known as Twitter, which is also blocked were popular with Russians before the invasion and the subsequent crackdown on independent media and other forms of critical speech. The social media platforms are now only accessible through virtual private networks. ___ Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia contributed to this report. Tetradi verkhne-uralskogo politicheskogo izoliatora 1932-1933, ed. by Alexei Gusev, A. Reznik, A. Fokin, V. Shabalin, Moscow: Trovant 2022. 479 pages. Unless otherwise indicated, all page references are to this volume. Translations from the Russian by this writer. In 2022, documents by the Soviet Left Opposition that were found in 2018 in a prison in Chelyabinsk were finally published in Russian in a small circulation of 100 copies. The volume, whose title translates as Notebooks of the Verkhne-Uralsk Political Isolator, 1932-1933, is one of the most important publications of political documents in decades. The cover of the Russian volume with the prison notebooks by the Left Opposition Published for the first time 90 years after they were written, the documents are an irrefutable vindication of the century-long struggle by the Trotskyist movement against Stalinism and for historical truth. In their analysis and perspective, they also powerfully demonstrate the historical continuity of Trotskyism that is today embodied in the International Committee of the Fourth International. The volume consists of three parts. The first and most important part comprises the bulk of the manuscript of The Crisis of the Revolution and the Tasks of the Proletariat, a major programmatic document of 1932 by the orthodox Trotskyist majority in the prison. The second part includes minutes of debates held among the imprisoned oppositionists, as well as statements and articles that were published in their prison journals. The third and shortest part includes lists of books that the prisoners ordered from the administration. It is impossible to provide a comprehensive assessment of the documents within the scope of this review. In a comment on the discovery of these documents in 2018, the World Socialist Web Site quoted at length from the document about the threat of fascism in Germany. This review will focus on explaining their historical significance and discuss the most important of them, the 150-page long document, The Crisis of the Revolution and the Tasks of the Proletariat. The historical context: The Trotskyist movement in prison and exile In order to understand the content and significance of these documents, it is necessary to briefly review the historical context in which they were written. The years 1932-1933 marked one of the most difficult periods in the history of the Trotskyist movement and the international working class. They witnessed the final demise of the Communist International which had been founded in 1919 as the world party of socialist revolution and its transformation into a tool of the counterrevolutionary bureaucracy in the Soviet Union. In January 1933, Hitler was able to come to power in Germany after the Comintern had sabotaged the struggle by 6 million socialist and communist workers against the threat of fascism, by working to prevent them from forming a united front. Leon Trotsky responded to this historic defeat by issuing the call to build the Fourth International. In the Soviet Union, the Stalinization of the Communist International and the Soviet Communist Party found its sharpest expression in the ever more violent repression of the Trotskyists who, up until 1933, had fought for a fundamental reform of the party. After the expulsion of the Opposition from the Communist Party in the wake of the 1927 defeat of the Chinese revolution, most active Oppositionists were imprisoned and exiled. While direct killings were still rare, the Bulletin recognized as early as 1929 that the goal of the bureaucracy was nothing less than the physical annihilation of the Bolshevik-Leninists. [ 1 ] This was not hyperbole. The places of exile were chosen with the intent to create conditions where Oppositionists would suffer severe illness and eventually die. Leon Trotsky and his wife, and many of his closest political allies, including Christian Rakovsky, were sent to remote places in the Soviet Union which were known to be stricken by cholera and malaria epidemics, and fell severely ill. Many Oppositionists suffered from tuberculosis and were denied medical treatment. Several of them died as a result, among them Trotskys youngest daughter, Nina, who died in 1929. Christian Rakovsky (middle) in exile. He was one of Trotsky's closest co-thinkers and played a central role in leading the Opposition in 1928-1932. Image: Harvard University Houghton Library, Leon Trotsky Soviet Papers, MS Russ 13, T 1086. In 1930-1931, more and more Oppositionists were sent to so called political isolators. The one in Chelyabinsk, Verkhne-Uralsk, where the documents were found, was the largest. By 1931, over 200 Trotskyists were imprisoned there. Ante Ciliga, a Yugoslav Communist who was imprisoned as an Oppositionist in those years, recalled that despite severe restrictions on communication, the Trotskyists managed to obtain pamphlets and letters from Trotsky and Rakovsky and even communicate with the Opposition abroad. The political life in the prison, Ciliga noted, made it a university in the social and political sciences, the only independent university in the USSR. [ 2 ] During walks, debates and political meetings were held, at least some of which were recorded in written form. In addition, several journals were issued by different political tendencies within the Opposition. Written and copied by hand, often difficult to decipher, the documents survived hidden behind the walls of the prison. Ante Ciliga, an early leader of the Yugoslav Communist Party, supported the Opposition for a few years and was imprisoned in the Verkhne-Uralsk Political isolator. He later turned sharply to the right and became an ideologue of the fascist Ustasha. The Opposition was preoccupied with working through the most fundamental political, historical and theoretical questions confronting the international workers movement under conditions of intense political crisis. After the defeats of the British General Strike in 1926 and the Chinese revolution in 1927, the world was now in the grips of the Great Depression, and the Nazi movement was on the rise in Germany. In the Soviet Union, the Stalinist bureaucracy had initiated the Five-Year Plan in 1928, embarking on a program of rapid industrialization and forced collectivization of peasant households which led to civil war-like conditions in the Soviet countryside by 1931-1932. In his introduction to the volume, Russian historian Alexei Gusev, who teaches at Moscow State University, the countrys most elite institution, mentions virtually none of this context, rendering the documents all but incomprehensible. Instead, he cites isolated historical facts in a manner aimed at minimizing the political significance and program of the Trotskyist movement in those years. This is not a coincidence. Like several of the other editors, Gusev is affiliated with the Pabloite tendency that has rejected the program and continuity of Trotskyism since the post-war period. This anti-Trotskyist political outlook has clearly informed the way that the editors chose to present the documents. Thus, Gusev writes that, in 1929-1930, the majority of its membership and 10 out of 13 leaders of the Opposition who had signed the Platform of the Opposition in 1927 had capitulated. First, it must be stated there is no documentary evidence that confirms that the majority of the Opposition capitulated. On the contrary, there is evidence to suggest that in 1928-1930, in particular, the Opposition experienced significant growth, above all among young workers, thousands of whom were sent into exile and in prison almost as soon as they began their opposition activities.[ 3 ] Second, while it is true that 1928-1929 saw the capitulation of a large portion of the old leadership of the Opposition, Trotskys political intervention and struggle for clarification meant that, by 1930-1931, the Opposition had emerged as a politically consolidated international tendency, with a firm leadership at its head. The most important document of this struggle was Trotskys 1928 Critique of the Draft Program of the Sixth Congress of the Communist International. In it, Trotsky drew the lessons of the previous five years of the struggle against Stalinism and developed the hitherto most comprehensive critique of the international and domestic implications of the reactionary nationalist program of socialism in one country. It famously opened with the words: In our epoch, which is the epoch of imperialism, i.e., of world economy and world politics under the hegemony of finance capital, not a single communist party can establish its program by proceeding solely or mainly from conditions and tendencies of developments in its own country. This also holds entirely for the party that wields the state power within the boundaries of the USSR. ... The revolutionary party of the proletariat can base itself only upon an international program corresponding to the character of the present epoch, the epoch of the highest development and collapse of capitalism. . In the present epoch, to a much larger extent than in the past, the national orientation of the proletariat must and can flow only from a world orientation and not vice versa. Herein lies the basic and primary difference between communist internationalism and all varieties of national socialism. [ 4 ] The Third International After Lenin by Leon Trotsky In North America and China, supporters of the Opposition now proceeded to form organized tendencies. In the Soviet Union, the document served as the basis for the political consolidation of the Opposition in the face of the capitulations of many of its old leaders, including Evgeny Preobrazhensky, Ivar Smilga, and eventually Alexander Beloborodov. Trotsky, indignant though he was about the capitulations, understood them as part of an objective process of political differentiation. In a comment on the capitulation by Preobrazhensky, Radek and Smilga in 1929, Trotsky stressed that, even before they abandoned the Opposition, they rejected the perspective of permanent revolution and the independent role of the proletarian party in the Chinese revolution of 1925-1927an event that Gusev does not even mention in his introduction. As Trotsky noted, all three of them had earlier defended the subordination of the Chinese Communist Party to the bourgeois nationalist Guomindang during the Chinese revolution: It is a striking fact: all those in the ranks of the opposition which defended the subordination of the Communist Party to the Guomindang have turned out to be capitulators. Leaders of the Left Opposition in 1927. (Front from left) Leonid Serebryakov, Karl Radek, Leon Trotsky, Mikhail Boguslavsky, Yevgeni Preobrazhensky; (back) Christian Rakovsky, Jacob Drobnis, Alexander Beloborodov, and Lev Sosnovsky Anticipating the arguments of Pabloites like Gusev, who interpret the capitulations as a sign of the weakness of the opposition, Trotsky continued, The capitulation of the oppositionists who support the troika are now of course a trump card in the hands of the apparatus. The apparatchiks, gossips and street gawkers are talking about the disintegration of the Trotskyist opposition. Yaroslavsky writes about the twilight of Trotskyism. [ 5 ] Trotsky rejected these claims about the demise of the Opposition with contempt and history has confirmed his assessment. The International Left Opposition went on to form the Fourth International in 1938, a fact that Gusev fails to mention. The documents now published provide irrefutable evidence that the Soviet Trotskyist movement was able to continue its political struggle at the highest theoretical level even under the most difficult conditions. The fact that Gusev, in introducing these historic documents, is reviving this old Stalinist narrative about the supposed demise of the Opposition can only be interpreted as an attempt to neutralize the political impact of these documents. But to any honest reader, the documents will speak for themselves. The Crisis of the Revolution and the Tasks of the Proletariat, 1932 The most important document in the volume is The Crisis of the Revolution and the Tasks of the Proletariat, which was completed by July 1932. It was written as a major programmatic statement by the Soviet Trotskyist movement, aimed at orienting the work of the Opposition in the coming period, and drawing a balance sheet of the first decade of struggle. It elaborated on the main theses of a shorter document, from 1930, also titled The Crisis of the Revolution, which was known to Trotsky and published in parts in the Bulletin of the Opposition. The cover of the pamphlet The Crisis of the Revolution and the Tasks of the Proletariat. Source: Tetradi Verkhne-Uralskogo politicheskogo izolatora The manuscript consists of 11 parts. It begins with a discussion of the strategic line of the proletarian revolution and a defense of the perspective of permanent revolution, continues with an analysis of the development of class relations in the USSR, the international situation and the betrayals of the Communist International, the Soviet economy under the First Five-Year Plan and the situation confronting the Soviet working class and peasantry. The concluding parts developed the analysis of Soviet Bonapartism that had been initiated by Trotsky in 1930, discussed the state of the party, and the tactics and programmatic proposals of the Bolshevik-Leninists. Only 9 of the 11 parts have been found and published; the appendix is missing as well. Even so, we are talking about a book-length document of over 150 tightly printed pages, that must rank among the most important in the history of the socialist movement. To give a sense of the theoretical level and political orientation of this work, it is appropriate to provide a few longer quotes from its key sections. The document opens with the assertion that the October revolution had been based on Lenins adoption of the theory of permanent revolution. In the October revolution, the democratic revolution became directly intertwined with the first stage of the socialist revolution. The program of the Bolshevik Party, elaborated by Lenin at the 8th Congress [in March 1919], regards the October revolution as the first stage of the world revolution, from which it is inseparable. In this provision of our program the basic principle of permanent revolution is expressed. Lenin tirelessly repeated that our salvation from all these difficulties lies in the all-European revolution and that we are far from completing even the transitional period from capitalism to socialism. We never seduce ourselves with the hope that we can finish it without the help of the international proletariat (Lenin). These Leninist provisions, which form the basis of the theory of permanent revolution, define the strategic line of Marxism-Bolshevism. It is opposed by the theory of socialism in one country, which gives sanctification to the completed revolution, detaches it from the international revolution and is the strategic basis of National Socialism (p. 24). An entire chapter is devoted to analyzing the roots of the national socialism of the Stalin faction in the history of the Bolshevik Party and the development of the revolution. This new variety of national socialism in Russia, the authors explain, was based ideologically in the right wing of the Bolshevik Party, which ... resolutely opposed the seizure of power by the proletariat and limited our revolution to bourgeois democratic issues. In 1917, during the period of February-March, all the present-day epigones without exception, and, after Lenins arrival, Kamenev, Rykov, then Zinoviev and other right Bolsheviks, waged a relentless struggle against Lenin, finally slipping to the position of the left wing of radical petty-bourgeois democracy, which made Lenin even raise the question: Is there a place for right-wing Bolshevism in our party? (Lenin, Collected Works, Vol. 11, p. 29). The document recognizes Stalinist centrism and its national socialism as the ideological successor of right-wing Bolshevism. By contrast, it continues, the Len[inist] opposition is the only representative of the positions of the proletariat. Under difficult conditions it continues to defend the strategic line of Marxism-Bolshevism against National-Socialism and assesses every step of our revolution from the standpoint of the development of the world revolution, basing on it, and only on it, its main historical perspective (p. 37). This analysis is in line not only with Trotskys major works on the history of the Bolshevik Party and the revolutionincluding Lessons of October, his autobiography, his history of the Russian Revolution and his Stalin biography. It also resonates with the analysis of the different tendencies within the Bolshevik Party developed by the International Committee in the aftermath of 1991. In a lecture from 2001, Toward a Reconsideration of Trotskys Place in the 20th Century, the chairman of the WSWS editorial board and the Socialist Equality Party in the US, David North, explained that Trotskys perspective of permanent revolution marked a critical theoretical breakthrough. In contrast to the Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks, Trotsky proposed to understand revolution in the modern epoch as essentially a world-historic process of social transition from class society, which is rooted politically in nation-states, to a classless society developing on the basis of a globally-integrated economy and internationally unified mankind. However, within the Bolshevik Party, countervailing nationalist and petty bourgeois democratic tendencies developed as a reflection of the intermingling of national-democratic and socialist tendencies in the revolution.[ 6 ] Lenin and Trotsky (standing in the middle) with delegates to the 10th Party Congress of the Russian Communist Party, held in Moscow in March 1921. These tendencies underlay the opposition of the Bolshevik right to the 1917 seizure of power, which Trotsky analyzed extensively his 1924 Lessons of October. In the period before 1917, Lenin had opposed the theory of permanent revolution. While he opposed collaboration with the liberal bourgeoisie, he still conceived of the revolution as essentially bourgeois-democratic and saw no way for the working class to seize power alone in as economically backward a country as Russia. However, based on his analysis of imperialism during World War I, by April 1917, Lenin adopted Trotskys understanding of the dynamic of the revolutionary process in his April Theses. This shift by Lenin formed the basis for his determined struggle against this nationally oriented, petty-bourgeois-democratic wing of the party leadership. A central part of this struggle and the reorientation of the Bolshevik party was the admission of Trotsky and his supporters from the so called Interdistrict Committee (mezhraiontsy) to the Bolshevik Party in the summer of 1917, and the immediate elevation of Trotsky to the leadership of the Bolsheviks. During the seizure of power and the civil war, the political alliance between Lenin and Trotsky ensured the survival and expansion of the revolution to large portions of the former Russian Empire. But in the absence of an international extension of the revolution, the nationalist tendencies within the Bolshevik Party were strengthened considerably in the early 1920s, especially after Lenins death in early 1924. They would become the political lever for the bureaucracys usurpation of state power and its nationalist reaction against the October revolution. The Soviet Union at its founding in December 1922. [Photo: David Benson/WSWS] The Soviet Trotskyists carefully analyzed the implications of this process for the development of the Communist International. The document explains the betrayals of the international revolution in China, India and England, as the consequence of the abandonment of the strategy of world revolution of Lenin and Trotsky. The world-historical significance of the 3rd International lies in the fact that it began to realize the dictatorship of the proletariat, a slogan which, in Lenins words, summed up the century-long development of socialism and the workers movement. In the struggle for this basic slogan, the Communist International under Lenins leadership based its strategy on Marxs theory of permanent revolution, which sees the proletarian revolution in individual countries as links in the developing world revolution, and the latter as a single process arising from the conditions of development of the entire world economy. The theory of socialism in one country created by its epigones in 1924-25 ignores and denies these two main positions of Marxism (p. 155). Several chapters discuss in detail the development of the Soviet economy under the First Five-Year Plan. Particularly striking about the document is the high degree of political consciousness by the Opposition of what it represented. The section on the tactics of the Opposition opens with an outline of its historical origins and development: The Leninist opposition is above all an international tendency. Its emergence and development are rooted in the profound changes in the whole international situation in the wake of the defeat of the first wave of the European revolution in [19]21-23. The so-called stabilization of capitalism brought with it a strengthening of the position of social reformism, the decline of the world communist movement and a strengthening of center-right elements in its ranks. The left Leninist wing of the Comintern suffered a series of defeats, until finally it was formally excluded from the ranks of the Comintern [in late 1927]. The defeat of the left wing of Communism marked the conclusion of a shift in world relations. However, this defeat did not lead to the liquidation of the opposition movement. The contradictions of the world economy have steadily undermined the stabilization [of capitalism], leading to partial upsurges of the proletarian class struggle, on the wave of which the left wing was again strengthened and received new sources of life. The modern epoch holds the greatest revolutionary possibilities (p. 120). Based on this internationalist orientation, the orthodox Trotskyist majority offered an objective analysis of the different political currents that had developed within the Left Opposition in the preceding period. One of these currents is designated as left centrist. It was represented first by Grigory Zinoviev and Lev Kamenev, who formed a bloc with the Trotskyist Opposition from 1926 through early 1928, and later by Evgeny Preobrazhensky, Ivar Smilga and Karl Radek, who capitulated in 1929. Underlying their capitulation to Stalinism, the Opposition asserts, was an adaptation to the national orientation of the bureaucracy. They failed to recognize the theory of socialism in one country as the strategic basis of centrism, which is closely connected with its international and internal policy. Instead, the left centrists viewed all their differences with the Stalinist bureaucracy as relating only to the methods by which this economic policy of Stalinism is carried out and to questions of the regime[They are] ignoring the fact that both the methods of policy and questions of the regime are not self-sufficient, but are entirely connected with the strategic line of Stalinism, that they derive from it, and form an inseparable component of Stalinist policy itself (p. 155). The second minority tendency was that of the Democratic Centralists. Formed during the civil war as an ultra-left opposition to the party leadership under Lenin and Trotsky, the Democratic Centralists early on developed a critique of the bureaucratization of the Soviet state. However, they did so, in contrast to Lenin and Trotsky, from a petty-bourgeois radical and national standpoint, anticipating state capitalist conceptions of the Soviet Union that were taken up by broader layers of the radical intelligentsia in the 1930s. In 1923, the Democratic Centralists entered a bloc with the Trotskyists to form the Left Opposition. However, fundamental political differences always remained. The document summarizes the positions of the Democratic Centralists concisely but sharply: The attempt to escape from the contradictions of the transitional period within a national framework, to build an ideal isolated national workers state; to eliminate bureaucratism definitively by means of methods which, by their function, would constitute an absolute guarantee against the rebirth of the vanguard and would ensure a crisis-free development within a national framework, is a petty-bourgeois utopia, which has long since been outdated in the course of the workers movement and which represents only the ultra-left anarcho-syndicalist underside of Stalinist national socialism (p. 158, italics in the original). Both of these tendencies, the left centrists and the Democratic Centralists, continued to exert influence in the Opposition through the 1930s. Some of this is reflected in the documentsincluding minutes of debates, letters and article fragmentsthat are compiled in the second part of this volume. Unfortunately, the documentation of these discussions and differences is of a fragmentary character, often with only one side of the debate documented. The Pabloite editors of the volume have done virtually nothing to contextualize or explain these differences. This is despite the fact that they were discussed extensively in the Bulletin of the Opposition, for they reflected social pressures and political conceptions that, by the early 1930s, had taken hold not only in the Soviet but the International Left Opposition. In many articles and statements, Trotsky addressed state capitalist conceptions of the Soviet Unioncharacteristic of the Democratic Centralistsand various forms of centrist conceptions that emerged in the ranks of the International Left Opposition. Instead, in his introduction, Alexei Gusev stresses these differences and divisions within the Opposition in a purely national context while failing to note the obvious: That the majority, which signed the 1932 document, stuck to the political and historical principles laid out by Leon Trotsky in all major documents of the Opposition of the first decade of its existence. These distortions are in line with the long-standing efforts by Gusev and other Pabloite writers on the Opposition like Alexander Reznik, and Simon Pirani, who broke from the International Committee of the Fourth International in 1985-1986 on a nationalist basis. In their books on the Opposition over the past two decades, Gusev, Reznik and Pirani have sought to downplay the significance of Trotsky and the perspective of permanent revolution, by unduly elevating the significance of the Democratic Centralists. The essential implication of this argument is the denial of the continuity of the Trotskyist movementa position that has been central to the political outlook of the Pabloites ever since their break with the Fourth International in 1953. But the documents prove that this is false to the core. They show that the Soviet Opposition continued to be led by Marxists who, even under the most difficult conditions, upheld and developed the principles of revolutionary internationalism and the strategy of permanent revolution. Not only the documents themselves but also the biographies of those who authored them powerfully speak to the continuity of Bolshevism and Trotskyism which was expressed in the struggle of the Opposition against Stalinism. They were authored by a set of extraordinary revolutionaries whose outstanding contributions to the fight for socialism were eradicated for an entire historical period because of the crimes of Stalinism. One of the most important contributions to the historical record of this volume is that it makes it possible for workers and young people inside and outside the former Soviet Union to get an inkling of their immense political and theoretical stature, and to take inspiration from their political struggle. To their credit, the editors added brief biographies of dozens of imprisoned Trotskyists to their volume. Strikingly, the vast majority of them were representatives of the younger generation of the Opposition. Born for the most part around the turn of the century, they experienced the October revolution as youth and joined the Bolsheviks in its aftermath. They were steeled and tested, above all, in the fires of the civil war and the struggle against Stalinism in the 1920s, in the course of which they assimilated the traditions, perspective and methods of struggle of Leon Trotsky and the Old Bolshevik leaders of the Opposition. We shall name four of them here: Fyodor Dingelshtedt. Born in 1890 in St. Petersburg, he was a member of the Bolshevik Party since 1910 and emerged as an important leader of the partys work among students and industrial workers during the First World War. A mid-level Bolshevik agitator in 1917, he participated in both revolutions of that year and later the civil war. He attended the Institute of Red Professors, an elite party training institution in Moscow, and authored several books and pamphlets, including a study of The Agrarian Question in India (1928). Beginning in the late 1920s, he suffered for over a decade in exile, prisons and camps. His wife, a Democratic Centralist, and his son, were both shot on March 30, 1938 after participating in the Vorkuta hunger strike. Dingelshtedt is believed to have died in a camp in the early 1940s. An image of exiled Left Oppositionists. It was sent to Leon Trotsky in late 1931. Standing on the far left (under the number 1) is Fyodor Dingelshtedt. Harvard University Houghton Library, Leon Trotsky Soviet Papers, MS Russ 13, T 1086. Elizar Solntsev. He was born in 1897 in Vinnitsya, now southern Ukraine, to a Jewish middle-class family. He joined the Bolshevik Party in the early stages of the civil war, in 1919, in a period when the political stature of Leon Trotsky as a party leader was second only to that of Lenin. He then studied at the Institute of Red Professors. Like the majority of the Institutes student body, Solntsev voted in 1923 for the Left Opposition. Trotsky considered him one of his closest associates.[ 7 ] While in New York as an official of the Soviet trading organization, Amtorg, in 1927-1928, he laid the groundwork for the American Left Opposition which was eventually formed by James P. Cannon in the fall of 1928. He was arrested soon after his return to the USSR and would spend the rest of his life in prison and exile. Weakened and disease-striken after several hunger strikes, he died in late 1935. Grigory Yakovin. Like Solntsev, Yakovin was born in what is now Ukraine, in 1899. He joined the Bolsheviks during the civil war and studied at the Institute of Red Professors where he specialized in history. In his testimony before the Dewey Commission, Trotsky described him as a brilliant scholar, who was an exceptionally brilliant man.[ 8 ] In 1927, Yakovin helped write the Platform of the United Left Opposition. He was a member of the central underground leadership of the Opposition after its expulsion from the party at the 15th Party Congress in December 1927. Following his arrest in 1928, he spent the last decade of his life in various prisons and camps. He was murdered on March 1, 1938 in a summary execution of Trotskyists who had led a hunger strike in the labor camp of Vorkuta. Georgy Stopalov. Born in 1900 in Ukraine, Stopalov was part of the same generation as Solntsev and Yakovin and also graduated from the Institute of Red Professors. He worked for the Opposition in Baku in the Caucasus before he was arrested in 1929 and sent from prison to prison and camp to camp. He and his wife, Viktoria Lemberskaia, also a Trotskyist, were both shot in 1937 in the Kolyma camp in Magadan, within four weeks of each other. The political, intellectual and theoretical culture that these individuals embodiedand many more that cannot be named heretheir moral integrity and keen sense of their own place in history make them among the most impressive figures of the 20th century and the October revolution. No one summarized the chief characteristics of the Bolshevik revolutionary type that they represented better than Leon Trotsky. In a moving tribute to his long-standing comrade and friend, Kote Tsintsadze, an Old Georgian Bolshevik who died from tuberculosis in exile in 1930, Trotsky wrote, Tsintsadzes death removed from the stage one of the most attractive figures of the old Bolshevism. This fighter, who more than once put his own breast to the fire and knew how to punish his enemies, was a man of exceptional gentleness in personal relations. Good-natured mockery, a little bit of sly humor were combined in this hardened terrorist with a tenderness that can be called almost feminine. The severe illness, which did not release him from its claws even for an hour, could not break his moral firmness, nor could it darken his always cheerful mood and gentle attention to people. Kote was not a theorist. But his clear thought, his revolutionary instinct and his vast political experiencethe living experience of three revolutionsarmed him better, more seriously and more reliably than formally perceived doctrine arms the less staunch. As in Lear, in the words of Shakespeare, every inch is a king, so in Tsintsadze every inch was a revolutionary. Maybe his character was most vividly manifested during the last 8 years of continuous struggle against the impending and strengthening domination of the idea-less bureaucracy. Tsintsadze was a living denial and condemnation of any and all kinds of political careerism, i.e. the ability to sacrifice principles, ideas, objectives of the whole in the name of personal goals. This does not mean denying the legitimacy of revolutionary ambition. No, political ambition is an important motivation of struggle. But the revolutionary begins where personal ambition is fully and completely put at the service of the great idea, freely subordinated to it and merged with it. To flirt with ideas, to fence with revolutionary formulas, to change ones position for reasons of personal careerthis is what Tsintsadze ruthlessly condemned with his life and his death. Kotes ambition was an ambition of unwavering revolutionary loyalty. This is what the proletarian youth must learn from him. [ 9 ] With the unsentimental clear-sightedness that was so characteristic of the Soviet Trotskyists, Tsintsadze himself recognized very well what fate history had in store for him and his comrades. However, he also understood the objective significance of their struggle for future generations. In a letter to Trotsky from June 1928, he wrote, So many of our comrades and of those close to us await the thankless fate of having to part with life somewhere in prison or exile, but ultimately all of this will be an enrichment of revolutionary history, from which new generations will learn. The proletarian youth, once it will have familiarized itself with the struggle of the Bolshevik opposition against the opportunist wing of the party, will understand on whose side the truth lies.[ 10 ] Conclusion Early on, Leon Trotsky realized that at stake in the struggle against Stalinism were not simply matters of tactics or individual policies, but the entire continuity of Marxism. He therefore emphasized that the principal basis for this struggle had to be a defense of historical truth about the October revolution and the documentary record of the political struggle within the revolutionary movement. In his Stalin School of Falsification, Trotsky stressed that ... it remains an incontestable historical fact that the preparation of the bloody judicial frame-ups [of the Moscow Trials] had its inception in the minor historical distortions and innocent falsification of citations. The most prominent place in the struggle against Trotskyism was accorded to historical questions... [ 11 ] No slander and no lie was too big for the Stalinist bureaucracy to employ against the Trotskyist movement. It systematically confiscated and destroyed documents, books and pamphlets that were authored by the Opposition and leaders of the revolution and civil war, and locked away others for decades. The ultimate historical function of this ferocious campaign of falsification was the destruction of the historical and, thereby, the class consciousness of the working class. As a result, up until now, documentary evidence about the Soviet Opposition and its political struggle in the 1930s was extremely scarce. To the extent that it was available, it was largely limited to correspondence in Trotskys archives and anecdotal recollections in memoirs by survivors of the Stalinist terror. The Stalinist reaction against October culminated in the 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union by the bureacracy and the restoration of capitalism. The International Committee of the Fourth International responded to the destruction of the Soviet Union and the crisis of political consciousness it laid bare by calling for a campaign to uncover the historical truth about the crimes of Stalinism. This campaign included a lecture tour and the publication of the works by Soviet historian Vadim Rogovin on the struggle of the Left Opposition. It also involved the detailed refutation of the post-Soviet school of historical falsification by Western academics, who, after 1991, revived the Stalinist slanders of Leon Trotsky in order to preempt a turn by a new generation of workers and youth toward his legacy. This struggle is documented in volumes such as In Defense of Leon Trotsky and The Russian Revolution and the Unfinished Twentieth Century by David North, the chairperson of the Socialist Equality Party (US) and the international editorial board of the WSWS. Helen Halyard speaks at a reception for Nadezhda Joffe (center), daughter of Bolshevik leader Adolph Joffe and author of Back in TimeMy Life, My Fate, My Epoch, in New York City, 1994. Seated with Joffe is Soviet historian Vadim Rogovin. In 1992, North explained the historical significance of this campaign, [W]e see this as a task that benefits not only the working class in the narrow sense, but all of progressive humanity. Exposing the crimes of Stalinism is an essential part of overcoming the damage they caused to the development of social and political thought. Having defended the principles and traditions of Marxism during the many decades when Stalinism appeared to be an invincible force, the Trotskyist movement must leave no stone unturned to establish the historical truth, and on this basis lay down the necessary foundations for the renaissance of Marxism in the international working class. The publication of these documents vindicates this decades-long struggle by the Trotskyist movement and provides it with a new historical and political impetus. They prove yet again that historical truth and the documentary record are more powerful and long-lasting than even the most repressive state apparatus. Whatever the limitations of this edition, the publication of these documents portends a broader political shift. A protracted historical period, in which the magnitude of the crimes of Stalinism made it extremely difficult, and in some cases impossible, to establish the factual and political record of the revolutionary tendency that defended Marxism against the nationalist reaction against October within the Soviet Union has come to a close. We are confident that they will inspire great interest among workers, intellectuals and youth throughout the world and help initiate a renewal of a serious study of the history of the revolutionary Trotskyist movement. More than seventy people, including at least 35 civilians, were killed amid a series of attacks across the province of Balochistan in southwestern Pakistan on August 26. According to official reports, 10 districts were targeted by Baloch ethno-nationalist separatist insurgents. They attacked military installations and police stations, blew up a railway track and bridges, blocked highways connecting the province with other parts of the country and burned trucks carrying coal and food. In an especially vile and reactionary act, the Baloch insurgents checked the identity cards of the passengers on an inter-city bus travelling through Musakhail to Punjab province and separated them into those who were Balochi and those who were not. They then shot and killed 23 people, most of them poor workers, whom they had identified as ethnically Punjabi or Pashtun. One other person survived after being left for dead. Several Punjabi truck drivers were also gunned down. People look at burnt vehicles, torched by Balochi separatist gunmen after they blockaded a highway in Musakhail, a district in southwestern Pakistan, on August 26, 2024. [AP Photo/Rahmat Khan] According to the armys media wing, 14 security personnel were killed, including in twin suicide bombings in Bela, and close to two dozen insurgents died in their counterattacks. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which is fighting for Balochistans secession from Pakistan, has claimed responsibility for the August 26 attacks. In a social media post released by the BLAs Fidayeen Majeed Brigade, it was claimed that one of the suicide bombings in Bela was carried out by a 23-year-old female student at Turbat Law College, Mahel Baloch. The Fidayeen Majeed Brigade is exclusively aimed at organizing suicide attacks against Pakistani security forces and Chinese personnel working on projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Baloch separatist insurgents have a long and bloody history of targeting Punjabi and Pashtun workers, whom they decry as outsiders. To mention just two recent atrocities: on April 9, insurgents intercepted a bus on the Quetta-Taftan N-40 Highway, identified and offloaded nine Punjabi passengers travelling with visas to Iran, and then shot them; in May, seven Punjabis who were working in Gwadar barber shops were killed in the middle of the night while they were sleeping. The BLA is the largest and most prominent of a series of Baloch insurgent groups, some of which are also aligned with like groups in Irans majority Baloch-speaking southeast. These include the Baloch National Army (BNA), which was itself formed through the merger of the United Baloch Army (UBA) and the Baloch Republic Army (BRA). For most of the past two decades Balochistan has been under effective Pakistani military occupation. Incapable of offering any progressive response to the democratic and social aspirations of the people, successive governments in Islamabad and the military have responded to the growth of opposition in what is Pakistans most impoverished province with brutal repressionincluding enforced disappearances, torture and extrajudicial killings. The contempt and brutality with which Islamabad deals with the legitimate grievances of the population has fueled the growth of numerous Balochi nationalist groups and an exclusivist insurgency that has seen atrocities on both sides. The current insurgency and the BLAs exclusivist, pro-imperialist program The current insurgency erupted in 2004 during the rule of the US-backed dictator General Musharraf, whose government was playing a pivotal role in facilitating American imperialisms neocolonial Afghan war. It intensified after the military killed Nawab Akbar Bugti, a tribal leader and former Chief Minister and Governor of Balochistan, in 2006. Bugti had taken up arms against the Pakistani state after it rejected his 2005 plan for greater autonomy for the province and a moratorium on the construction of new military bases. The August 26 attacks, timed to mark the 18th anniversary of Bugtis death, were the largest and most audacious military operation mounted by the BLA to date, and have clearly rattled the government and military establishment. Pakistans Balochistan province represents some 44 percent of the countrys territory, but with a population of 15 million, little more than 6 percent of its population. It is rich in minerals, including copper and gold, and in natural gas, and borders both Afghanistan and Iran. The BLA and other Balochi separatist groups invoke a tradition of nationalist insurgency against the reactionary Pakistani bourgeoisie and its state. Over the past three-quarters of a century, tens of thousands, including countless civilians, have been killed in clashes between bourgeois nationalist separatist insurgents and security forces in a series of insurgencies. However, the Balochi separatist movement, despite its militant garb and the self-sacrifice of many of its youthful adherents, is a reactionary blind alley. It is based on an exclusivist-chauvinist program, targeting Punjabi workers and other non-Balochis for murderous attack, and it is openly pro-imperialist. For years the Balochi separatists have sought to win the backing of Washington and its alliesmost importantly India, Pakistans arch-strategic rivalby presenting themselves and acting as their anti-China attack dog. This under conditions where the US and its imperialist allies have initiated a global war for the repartition of the world. The US-NATO instigated war against Russia over Ukraine, the Israeli genocide against the Gaza Palestinians which the imperialist powers are backing to the hilt as they intensify military-economic pressure on Iran and the US military-strategic offensive against China are all fronts in this war. The democratic and social rights of the Balochi masses and of all the workers and toilers of South Asiaincluding genuine equality among its myriad peoples irrespective of religion or ethnicity, and freedom from imperialist oppressioncan and will only be won through working class-led socialist revolution in opposition to all factions of the bourgeoisie and the subcontinents reactionary communal-based nation-state system. Partition and the Balochi national question The Baloch bourgeois-nationalist separatist movement is a misbegotten product of the suppression of the mass anti-imperialist movement that convulsed South Asia between 1917 and 1948. Terrified of the revolutionary dimensions of that movement, and especially the growing militancy of the working class, the rival wings of the colonial bourgeoisie struck a deal with British imperialism to assume control of the colonial capitalist state and communally partition the subcontinent. This betrayal was facilitated by the Stalinist Communist Party of India (CPI), which both subordinated the working class to the Gandhi-Nehru-led Indian National Congress and endorsed the Muslim Leagues reactionary demand for a separate Muslim state, Pakistan. A train carrying people displaced during the partition of India Partition led to a massive bloodletting, defied economic, historical and cultural logic, enshrined communalism in the very state structures of South Asia and gave rise to a reactionary strategic conflict between India and Pakistan that has led to numerous wars and war crises. But Partition was only the most striking manifestation of the failure of the national bourgeoisie to fulfill the tasks associated in previous centuries with the democratic revolution, including the radical restructuring of agrarian relations, the separation of Church (religion) and state and the elimination of all feudal and semi-feudal vestiges. The first Balochi separatist insurgency broke out in 1948 in response to the Khanate of Kalats incorporation into the new Pakistani state. The Khanate, whose boundaries included a significant swathe of contemporary Pakistani Balochistan, had been a princely (that is subordinate) state within the British India Empire. But with the departure of the British colonial overlords, the Khan made an abortive bid for independence. While he soon relented, his brother, Prince Agha Abdul Karim, supported by various tribal chiefs, mounted a brief-lived insurgency. A second Balochi separatist insurgency erupted in the late 1950s and a third, the largest, raged from 1973 to 1977. In the 1970s and 1980sand within the context of the Cold War, in which Pakistan was a staunch ally of the United States and veritable frontline state in Washingtons efforts to threaten and destabilize the Soviet Unionthe Balochi separatist movement, like many other bourgeois national liberation movements in Asia and Africa, assumed socialist garb and appealed for support from Moscow. However, since the Stalinist bureaucracy restored capitalism and dissolved the USSR, the Balochi separatists and ethno-chauvinists have oriented ever more explicitly and nakedly toward imperialism. The Balochi nationalists supported the two-decade-long US-NATO invasion and occupation of Afghanistan. Representing a section of the weak, historically backward Baloch bourgeoisie (with its roots in feudal-tribal relations), they have developed a perspective for a separate Greater Balochistan, including Irans majority-Baloch Sistan region, meant to appeal to Washingtons predatory geostrategic interestsand all with the hope of securing their own state and the ability to cut their own deals with imperialism at the expense of the working class and toiling masses. The Baloch separatists and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Since the launching of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project in 2014, the Baloch secessionist movement has further aligned itself with US imperialism and its European and regional allies, principally India. Both Washington and New Delhi have opposed the CPEC, with Washington pressuring Pakistan to shut it down and distance itself from China. India has opposed the CPEC from the outset, on the pretext that the transport corridor it has established crosses Gilgit-Baltistan (a part of Kashmir) that India claims as its own. The CPEC is an element in Beijings response to the US moves to heavily militarize the Asia-Pacific region, including the South China Sea, in order to threaten Chinas trade routes at a series of choke points in the event of a war crisis. Its pivotal component is the construction of a transport corridor linking Gwadar, a Balochistan Arabian Sea port, via highways, railways and pipelines to China, thereby allowing it to, at least partially, bypass a US blockade of sea lanes. US imperialisms embrace of India as a frontline state in its preparations for war with Beijing drove Pakistan over the past decade and a half to develop ever closer economic and military relations with China. As a result, Islamabads traditional partnership with Washington has badly frayed. Israels genocide in Gaza, with US backing, and their joint war preparations against Iran further intensify the geostrategic significance of Balochistan. The BLA and the Balochi separatist movement are staunchly against the CPEC and the China-Pakistan strategic partnership in the region and seek to win popular support for this stance by citing the projects impact on the local fishery and other environmental concerns. In November 2018, the BLA targeted the Chinese consulate in Karachi and in a statement justifying it declared: the objective of this attack is clear: we will not tolerate any Chinese military expansionist endeavors on Baloch soil. In August, the pro-separatist Baloch Human Rights Council wrote a letter to the UN secretary-general calling for the imperialist-dominated UN to intervene in Balochistan on the grounds that its people were being crushed by Chinese socialist colonialism and that the CPEC is a corridor of death and destruction. Balochistan and the question of how to secure the democratic rights of the Balochi people are thus increasingly being dragged into US imperialisms rivalry against China with disastrous consequences for the entire region. Pakistan has already created a 20,000-strong security force to protect Chinese investment projects and personnel, in particular, and to counter Balochi secessionist attacks. However, Chinese security concerns are growing. During the visit of a senior Chinese official to Islamabad in June, Beijing`s message was delivered publicly in an unusually sharp manner. He warned that security issues could threaten CPECs future and said the deteriorating security situation was shaking the confidence of Chinese investors. Oppose Pakistani state repression! The August 26 attacks have shaken the Pakistan establishment, leading to a push for intensified military operations and a slew of new anti-democratic measures. At the conclusion of a high-profile meeting in Quetta, Balochistans capital, attended by top military and federal and provincial ministers, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed that the enemies of Pakistan, bent on creating unrest in Balochistan, would be defeated with full force, and said dialogue was only possible with those who respect the Constitution of Pakistan and salute the national flag. On the same day, Washington, which retains ties with Pakistan principally through the seven-decade-old Pentagon-Pakistan military alliance, condemned the attack, but there is a section of the political and military-security establishment that is cultivating ties with the Balochi separatists. The Biden-Harris administration is using US imperialisms dominant position within the IMF and the urgent attempts of Sharif and his Muslim League (Nawaz)-led minority coalition government to obtain an IMF bailout loan to pressure Islamabad to reduce its ties with Beijing, including by demanding it establish no more CPEC-connected Special Economic Zones, something that in other contexts it strongly favours. The military and government are using the August 26 attack to justify giving the military and other security forces increased powers to detain people and make warrantless raids and arrests, with a bill to render these draconian changes reportedly approved by cabinet. As always, the Pakistani state will use these new powers and its anti-terrorism measures to brutally crack down on opposition and suppress the democratic rights of the downtrodden and oppressed masses of the entire country, including those of Balochistan. Throughout Paksitan, there is seething opposition to the government which came to power last February in military-rigged elections as it imposes yet another round of brutal IMF-dictated measures, including a massive increase in electricity charges and new indirect taxes. Two-and-a-half weeks prior to the August 26 attacks, there were long and huge protests carried out by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) in Gwadars Marine Drive in protest against missing persons, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and exploitation of the resources of Balochistan. Sit-in in Turbat, Balochistan, in late 2023 protesting the extra-judicial killing of 24-year-old Balaach Mola Bakhsh [Photo: Assad Baloch/Facebook] The chief minister of the Balochistan provincial government, which was stitched together by the military and is led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), responded by shutting down internet services across the area and deploying large numbers of security forces to block the roads and prevent the public from attending the Gwadar rally. Four people died in the ensuing clashes and many were injured. In response, the BYC called sit-in protests in 14 locations, which paralysed all of Balochistan. Responding to these massive protests, the military publicly denounced the BYC as a proxy of foreign forces and terrorists. The BYC is demanding that the thousands of persons who have been abducted by the security forces be recovered, whether now dead or alive, and those responsible tried in the courts according to the law. Forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, endemic poverty and mass joblessness have radicalised broad sections of the youth, including young women, providing the BYC with its main base of popular support. The demands for an end to Pakistani state repression and lawlessness are entirely legitimate and can only be realised by mobilising the workers and rural toilers across the region and throughout Pakistanregardless of national-ethnic, linguistic or religious differences. Missing persons, extrajudicial killings, along with an end to military operations and other state crimes, including the promotion of communalism and ethno-chauvinism, are burning issues in Balochistan, but they exist generally everywhere in Pakistan and across the subcontinent. Moreover, the more than three-quarters of a century of post-independence rule by the rival national bourgeoisies of South Asia have demonstrated that the struggle to secure basic democratic rights is inseparably bound up with the struggle against capitalism and imperialist oppression, which are at the root of the catastrophic situation facing the masses throughout the region. The way forward for the workers of Balochistan While the grievances of the Baloch people are real and deep-rooted, the various separatist insurgent groups and nationalist parties in no way represent their interests. Rather they represent privileged sections of the bourgeoisie, including the semi-feudal sardars, whose principal grievance is that the Pakistani state denies them a just share of Balochistans natural resources and mineral revenue and the profits otherwise made from the exploitation of its workers and toilers. As the International Committee of the Fourth International has previously explained, the failure of the independent capitalist states established in Asia and Africa in the aftermath of World War II to resolve any of the basic problems of the democratic revolution and the emergence in the 1980s of a new stage in capitalist global integration has given rise to a series of new national movements, mired in exclusivism and oriented to imperialism, and therefore hostile to the democratic and social aspirations of the masses: In India and China, the national movement posed the progressive task of unifying disparate peoples in a common struggle against imperialisma task which proved unrealisable under the leadership of the national bourgeoisie. This new form of nationalism promotes separatism along ethnic and religious lines, with the aim of dividing up existing states for the benefit of the local exploiters, under the service of global-mobile capital. Such movements have nothing to do with the struggle against imperialism, nor do they in any sense embody the democratic aspirations of oppressed. They serve to divide the working class and divert the class struggle into ethnic-communal warfare. The murderous violence routinely directed against non-Balochi workers and residents in Balochistan by the ethno-nationalist separatists is a clear expression of the anti-working-class nature of the Balochi nationalist movement. This goes hand in hand with its courting of the favor of the Indian bourgeoisie, offering itself as an ally of New Delhi in its reactionary strategic rivalry with the Pakistani elite, and of the imperialist powers in their ever more aggressive and open drive to thwart Chinas rise, including through world war. Balochistans workers and toilers cannot gain anything by supporting the BLA and the other ethno-separatists in their attempts to secure an independent capitalist Balochistan that would be a client state of US imperialism and India, or the demands for greater autonomy within a reformed capitalist Pakistan advanced by other sections of the Baloch bourgeoisie. The working class and all young people who sincerely want to oppose national and all forms of oppression should learn the lessons of the struggle waged by the ICFI and its Sri Lankan sectionthe Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka) and its predecessor the Revolutionary Communist League (RCL)in opposition to the Sinhala bourgeois-dominated states denial of the democratic rights of the Tamil minority. Throughout the almost three decades of racist civil war incited and provoked by the Sri Lankan state, and in the face of state repression and violent attacks by both the Sinhala-chauvinist JVP and Tamil separatists, the RCL-SEP alone fought for the immediate and complete withdrawal of Sri Lankan security forces from the majority Tamil north and east. At the same time, it explained that the democratic rights of the Tamils could and would only be secured through a common struggle of the Tamil and Sinhalese masses against bourgeois rule and for a United Socialist States of Lanka and Eelam. This stance has been vindicated by history. If the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was defeated it was because it was hostile to any and all efforts to forge unity with the oppressed Sinhalese workers and rural masses in opposition to capitalism and imperialism. Instead, it based its drive for a separate state on maneuvers with India (which in pursuit of its own predatory interests promptly dumped the LTTE in 1987 and by force of arms sought to compel it to come to terms with Colombo) and appeals to the US and other imperialist powers. Fifteen years on, in pursuit of an Indian and US-backed power-sharing deal with Colombo, the remnants of the LTTE and other political representatives of the Tamil bourgeoisie have accommodated themselves to a continuing massive presence of security forces in the north and east, support IMF austerity and advance themselves as the foremost champions of Sri Lankas alignment with US imperialism against China. Meanwhile, working peopleSinhalese and Tamil alikeare engaging in mass social struggles, cutting across the ethno-communalism fostered by all sections of the bourgeoisie and creating the objective conditions for the securing of the democratic rights of Tamil people in a joint struggle against capitalism and the growing threat of an imperialist-led global war. In opposition to imperialism, the Pakistan bourgeoisie and the entire reactionary communalist state system of South Asia, Balochi workers and youth must base their struggle on the strategy of Permanent Revolution. The most basic democratic rights and social aspirations of working people, including genuine independence from imperialism and real equality among the various ethnic-linguistic and religious groups of South Asia, can only be realized through the struggle to unite the masses of the region in the fight for workers power. The working class must rally the rural toilers and oppressed behind it in opposition to all factions of the bourgeoisie and forge unity with workers around the entire region on the basis of a socialist program aimed at reorganizing socioeconomic life and creating a framework for the amicable and equitable development of all peoplesthe Socialist United States of South Asia. Cheborah and Tywaun Long [Photo] Tuesday marks five months since the tragic death of Tywaun Long at the Ford Rouge Dearborn Truck Plant on April 17, 2024, at the age of 46. An autopsy found that Long had died of a massive heart attack. Long was in perfect health, with no history of heart disease or underlying medical conditions of any kind, according to his family. Tragically, this past weekend saw the funeral of yet another autoworker, Jimmy LaWayne Carter. Carter worked at the Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly Plant and would have turned 50 this December. After Carters funeral, the World Socialist Web Site spoke with Cheborah Long, Tywaun Longs widow. Coincidentally, Cheborah was a childhood friend of Carters and was shocked and saddened by his death. Cheborah said that Tywaun had no history of heart disease or any other underlying health condition that would have brought on the heart attack that killed him. I know that he caught COVID at work, she said. He did not go out. And the whole family were masking religiously to protect my mom, who lives with us. He took very good care of himself, did not drink or use drugs of any kind. He would not take an aspirin for a headache. The only place he couldve got COVID was Ford Motor Company. And he was very sick with COVID in the fall of last year. Infectious disease researchers have found that even a mild COVID-19 case can significantly impact the heart and the entire vascular system. A study of tens of thousands of COVID-19 patients records in the Veteran Affairs system found that those with COVID-19 were 2.4 times more likely to suffer a heart attack 30 days later compared to those who had the flu. All they care about is the profits from the trucks they are building A report from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) provides a cynical whitewash of the conditions in which Longs early death took place. Cheborah recently received a letter from MIOSHA that stated: On August 16, 2024 the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) General Industry Safety and Health Division concluded its investigation surrounding your husbands death. During the investigation, our agency was unable to determine that the cause of the fatality was a hazard covered by MIOSHA regulations; therefore, no violations of MIOSHA Standards were cited. With this letter, MIOSHA included a recommendation that an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) machine be supplied within a short walk from every line in the factory for the emergency treatment of the potential victim of a heart attack. The letter stated: Compliance with safety and health regulations is the responsibility of the employer. The employer is urged to ensure all emergency response carts are equipped with an AED, and readily accessible in the event of a medical emergency. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration encourages an AED be readily available in the workplace to provide medical response to employees who may experience sudden cardiac arrest. Cheborah denounced the conclusions in MIOSHAs report, saying, They said he died of natural causes. But what was unnatural is that they do not have an AED unit that is accessible in a plant of more than 7,000 employees. Not even the medical staff that is supposed to protect the employees knows CPR. All they care about is the profits from the trucks they are building. Tywaun Long is a victim of corporate Americas industrial slaughterhouse Tywaun Long is a victim of corporate Americas industrial slaughterhouse, said Jerry White, the Socialist Equality Partys vice presidential candidate. Every day, 15 workers die in the US from traumatic injuries on the job, according to the CDC. This is no doubt a major underestimate of the real toll of fatalities related to working conditions. The corporations and the financial aristocracy subordinate everythingincluding workers health and livesto the endless pursuit of profit and personal wealth. In the auto industry, the UAW bureaucracy has overseen and enabled the continual decline in working conditions, making the eight-hour day a thing of the past. The historic contracts pushed through by UAW President Shawn Fain last year have allowed the companies to lay off or fire thousands, while drastically increasing the workloads of those who remain. The Socialist Equality Partys campaign insists that workers have inalienable social rights, White said, including the right to a healthy and safe workplace. But these rights and other rights can only be secured through the fundamental reorganization of economic life, a vast redistribution of wealth and the fight by workers for political power. Workers are getting up every morning thinking that if something happens to them on the job, their family members will be okay. But that is not true. Cheborah described the difficulties she has faced receiving financial support from Tywauns life insurance policy, saying, They are giving me the runaround financially. For me to have to fight with somebody about something that is rightfully mine so that my son and I can be okay financially is crazy. Workers are getting up every morning thinking that if something happens to them on the job, their family members will be okay. But that is not true. Even if I win nothing, I want to get the point across to the other workers that your family is not secure. You are giving them 40, 50, 60 hours a week and if something happens to you, your family is screwed. If your wife is my age or younger, she gets nothing for 12 years. Social Security sent me a letter saying that my son turned 16, and I do not qualify for Social Security to take care of him. Then I called MetLife, and they said that Social Security has to pay me until my son finishes high school, but they cannot provide benefits until Social Security has been exhausted. Too many people that are working on the shop floor are going down Cheborah denounced the brutal conditions in the plants and the disregard for human life of both the global auto giants and the United Auto Workers union bureaucracy, which acts like a company police force both on and off the shop floor. His co-workers at the funeral home were talking to us about Tywaun and relaxing with the family. When the union showed up, they started to leave. It was as if they felt threatened. They have a lot of nerve to come to Pee Wees family hour [Pee Wee was Tywauns nickname] and tell me a bold-faced lie about how he died. I believe the union came to intimidate his coworkers who came there. Before the union people got there, they were socializing. They were talking to my family and my in-laws. When they saw the union officials, they were making their exit quickly. It was like they were threatening them or something. Why were they rushing to leave a family hour? I have a question for the employees at any of these auto companies: Would you guys actually go to work and be committed to a job thats not committed to you when you know where youre going your family is not secure? I just dont see them getting up going to work and doing that. The day that Tywaun died, the staff at Corewell Hospital in Dearborn said over and over that the President of Ford Motor Company ordered an autopsy. But when I went to pick up a copy of the autopsy report, they changed their story. The lady at the morgue said the STATE OF MICHIGAN ordered it. She was rude and aggressive saying the state can do whatever they want with a body. Just because you have a heart attack does not mean you have to die. I had a heart attack 15 years ago, and Im still here. Too many people that are working on the shop floor are going down, and there is no one there to help them. Even the medical staff in the plant did not know CPR. They did not have an AED machine. There has to be a full investigation into the death of my husband by a committee of rank-and-file workers that can be trusted. University administrations, working hand in hand with the Biden-Harris administration, Republican and Democratic state governments, and local, state and national police, are conducting an unprecedented crackdown on the democratic rights of students and of all those seeking to oppose the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza and the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators and police face off on the UCLA campus, May 23, 2024, in Los Angeles. [AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes] At college campuses throughout the United States, students face an array of new conduct rules limiting protests, outright prohibition of the encampments that were the focus of the mass student protests earlier this year against the genocide in Gaza, as well as suspensions and banishments of students to punish them for past actions and intimidate them going forward. On numerous campuses, particularly in California, students have been doubly and triply victimized. Resident assistants, who live in campus housing, have been barred from the campus and thus deprived of both a place to live and a job that pays the rent or a stipend. Others could not gain possession of their own computers or get access to the college network or classrooms, thus making it impossible to complete assignments or meet other course requirements. Last week, the ACLU Foundation of Northern California, the Center for Protest Law & Litigation, and civil rights attorney Thomas Seabaugh filed a lawsuit against the University of California Santa Cruz, arguing that its decision to ban more than 100 students and faculty from campus after they were arrested for protesting the genocide in Gaza last semester is unconstitutional. Our clients did not engage in conduct that posed a threat of significant injury to anyone or anything, Seabaugh said. Banning them on the spot was not just heavy-handed, it was unconstitutional and a violation of basic democratic rights and academic freedoms. Were suing to ensure that in the coming school year, UCSC officials comply with the law and respect the constitutional limits on their power to ban students and faculty from campus. State governments run by the Democratic Party, like those in California, Michigan and New York, have been particularly vicious in targeting student opponents of the Gaza genocide. In Michigan, Attorney General Dana Nessel is bringing criminal charges against 11 University of Michigan students for their actions last spring. Seven are being charged with trespassing and obstructing a police officer, a felony with a maximum two-year sentence. Two are charged with trespassing only, and another two face misdemeanor charges like disturbing the peace. One of the most flagrantly anti-democratic actions was taken last Monday, September 9, when local Ann Arbor, Michigan police stopped supporters of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) from informing students and campus workers about an on-campus meeting the following day to be addressed by SEP presidential candidate Joseph Kishore. The police, following the provocative actions of a Zionist professor, barred the SEP supporters from distributing leaflets and campaign literature. Even more outrageous was the written order handed out by the police barring the four SEP supporters from setting foot on the campus for the next year, under the threat of being arrested and prosecuted for trespassing. On Monday, the SEP supporters issued a formal objection to the citations, which states: The presidential election is seven weeks away, and we wish to continue campaigning for our candidate on campus. Each day these bans remain in effect, the weight of the violation of our constitutional rights becomes greater. This is not a tin pot dictatorship where police are allowed to harass supporters of candidates that oppose the status quo, and we plan to assert our rights to the fullest. Opposition to the escalating attack on democratic rights requires the mobilization of the broadest sections of the working class. Workers must recognize that what is being done today to students opposed to the Gaza genocide is the preparation by the capitalist state for far wider attacks on the democratic rights of the working class as a whole. It is well known that the mass student antiwar movement of the 1960s became the target of such repressive operations as the FBIs COINTELPRO, which spied on and sought to victimize students active in campaigning against the war in Vietnam. But it must be said that what has already taken place, under the auspices of the Biden-Harris administration and fascist Republicans in Congress, goes far beyond the anti-democratic methods employed then. The last school year has been characterized by political and media witch-hunting of an unprecedented character, with protests against genocide smeared as antisemitic, while students have been teargassed, pepper-sprayed, fired on with rubber bullets, beaten with truncheons, and subjected to various forms of criminal, academic and employment retaliation. Several university presidents have been forced to resign on the grounds that they supposedly did not crack down hard enough on antisemitic protests. And huge pressure has been brought to bear, both from wealthy donors and the government, to make sure that there is no further upsurge of protests this fall. The preemptive character of this repression is particularly noteworthy. The concern in the corporate elite and its military-intelligence apparatus is not simply that there will be a repetition of last years anti-genocide protests, although the Israeli regime is still carrying out massive war crimes against the Palestinian people. The ruling elite fears that the anti-war sentiments sparked by the events in Gaza have set the stage for a much wider movement of opposition, directed against the US-NATO imperialist war against Russia in Ukraine, the escalating military provocations against Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iran in the Middle East, and the build-up toward full-scale war with China in the Indo-Pacific region, which some top US military figures have predicted could erupt as soon as next year. In this mounting crisis, the greatest fear of the financial oligarchy is the coming together of the political opposition to imperialist war and the mass struggles of the working class to defend jobs, living standards and social rights like healthcare, education and decent housing. In particular, they fear the growing influence of the Trotskyist movement, the Socialist Equality Party and the IYSSE, which fight consciously to unite the working class and youth in a common struggle for socialism and against imperialist war. Stellantis Warren Truck workers leaving plant on July 9, 2024 With the deadline for the layoff of 2,450 workers at the Stellantis Warren Truck Assembly Plant just north of Detroit fast approaching, UAW President Shawn Fain spoke at a sparsely attended rally near the plant last Thursday, where he proposed zero action while promoting various Democratic Party politicians as supposed allies of workers. The mislabeled Day of Action, held at the UAW Local 140 union hall a few blocks from Warren Truck, was largely boycotted by workers, who have seen Fain betray one promise after another. Perhaps a hundred, mostly lower and middle level union officials, joined the crowd that heard speeches from Fain, as well as Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens and other Democrats. Outside the rally, Socialist Equality Party presidential candidate Joseph Kishore distributed a statement calling for the mobilization of a rank-and-file rebellion of the working class against the apparatus, to unify all workers to fight against the cuts. The statement was warmly received by the workers who did attend. At the rally, Fain touted the UAWs Keep the Promise campaign supposedly aimed at forcing Stellantis to honor commitments made in the 2023 contract. In reality the 2023 contract was a sellout. The UAW leadership knowingly gave Stellantis, as well as Ford and General Motors, the green light to carry out a massive restructuring for electric vehicle production on the backs of workers. Shortly after signing the contract, Stellantis announced a wave of job cuts, including the firing of thousands of temp workers who the UAW leadership falsely claimed were to have been promoted to full-time status. At the Day of Action, Fain essentially acknowledged that the supposedly historic 2023 UAW contract sanctioned the massive cuts taking place, including the provocative announcement last month by Stellantis that it plans to delay reopening the shuttered Belvidere, Illinois Assembly Plant. While theyre not yet in violation of the agreement at Warren Truck, they are in violation at plants across this nation, and we intend to fully enforce our contract from the grievance procedure to the right to strike because what affects one of us affects all of us, Fain blustered. Meanwhile, UAW Local President Eric Graham was more explicit, stating that the coming layoffs at Warren Truck were a done deal. I wanted to have this rally to show those members who are facing this indefinite layoff that they are not alone, that a lot of us here have went through similar circumstances, and we recovered from it. We made it back. He continued, We went through struggles, but the UAW always comes back. So, you cant give up hope. Stellantis, meanwhile, issued a press statement Thursday reaffirming its drive for massive cost cutting by streamlining operations and finding efficiencies that will enhance our competitiveness and ensure our future sustainability and growth. It announced a minuscule $97 million investment that will support Warren Trucks role in this transition as part of a more than $400 million investment in the state of Michigan. The $97 million that Stellantis says it will invest in Warren Truck is only a tiny fraction of what would be needed to retool the plant for a new product. It points to the fact that the elimination of the second shift, set for early October, is the prelude to the permanent closure of the entire facility, the oldest plant that Stellantis currently operates. We have got to stand up and stand together. It is corporate greed and it is a terrible CEO running the company, said Fain repeating his claim that Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, as a foreign-born executive, was not concerned about American workers and was mismanaging the company, in contrast to the American CEOs running Ford and GM. This is only the latest iteration of the UAWs bankrupt nationalist and corporatist Buy American campaign that has done nothing over the years but devastate workers jobs and wages while funneling countless billions into the coffers of the US automakers. As for the supposed friend of autoworkers Congresswoman Stevens, she is a typical corporate shill, whose promises of solidarity with Warren Truck workers mean nothing. She praised the humble, the very hard-working UAW President Shawn Fain, calling him the man who knows how to cut the deals. She continued, We bailed these guys out. You took the cuts for years and years, she declared, shamelessly referring to her despicable role as part of the Obama administrations auto industry task force that slashed starting pay for new hires by 50 percent in 2009. A quick check of Stevens campaign contributors shows that in addition to auto companies Ford, General Motors and Toyota NA, her list of donors is a Whos Who of Corporate America, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Recent donors include Delta Airlines, Rock Financial, Boeing, Bank of New York Mellon, General Mills, JP Morgan Chase, Walmart, Google and Comcast among others. Stevens has fully endorsed the US-backed genocide in Gaza and has received $700,000 from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Fains remarks underscore the urgency for rank-and-file workers to take action independently of the UAW apparatus in defense of jobs by joining and building rank-and-file committees at every Stellantis plant. Jobs will not be saved through futile appeals to management to see reason but by mobilizing the enormous power of the autoworkers. Stellantis workers must reject the UAWs poisonous American nationalism, pitting US workers against workers in Mexico and other countries. American autoworkers must join forces with their brother autoworkers globally who are facing similar attacks, including workers in Italy where Stellantis is threatening 25,000 jobs. A veteran Warren Truck worker told the WSWS that workers had no confidence in either Shawn Fain or the local UAW leadership. The UAW leadership is terrible. They dont do anything. I know this is just the beginning (of the layoffs). Ive called and asked questions. I know it is just time before it is in my area. I know it wont be long. People are on work one week and off another. They are getting sub pay and unemployment, but it is wacky. It is messing with peoples paychecks. It is scary. You dont know anything. My son was hired and laid right off last year when they were trying to get the contract passed. The temp workers thought they were going to get rolled over. They hired a lot in at all the plants, and as soon they got the contract passed, they got laid off. Speaking of Local 140 President Graham, she remarked, They reran the local election in June, because he [Graham] claimed he was cheated in the previous election where he lost. Theyre so crooked, who knows? They get who they want in office. They are all crooked and stay in office. Two officers of the New York Police Department (NYPD) opened fire on and severely wounded 37-year-old Derrell Mickles on Sunday inside of a subway car waiting at the Sutter Avenue station in Brooklyn. Three others, two passengers and a police officer, were injured by the police gunfire. NYPD officers stand aboard a train at the West Fourth Street subway station, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in New York [AP Photo/Peter K. Afriyie] Police were following Mickles because they believed he had walked through a station gate without paying his $2.90 fare. According to police accounts, the cops began their pursuit after Mickles failed to stop when asked. He allegedly pulled a knife out and told them that they would have to kill him. The cops attempted to taser him and when that failed opened fire. The two officers struck Mickles, who remained in the hospital Monday in critical condition, with several bullets to his midriff, as well as two bystanders, one of whom was struck in the head and is in critical condition at a hospital, and another who was lightly wounded. One of the cops shot the other, who has now been released from the hospital. Video footage taken by a bystander and posted on YouTube shows chaos on the stations crowded elevated platform in the station immediately after the shooting. Mothers can be seen rushing their children away from the confrontation and one witness can be overheard saying, Theyre shooting recklessly. Both police officers, including the one who was wounded, can be seen standing over the victim. Media reports on Sunday night initially focused on the wounding of the copit was not made clear that it was by friendly fireand the visit of Mayor Eric Adams, a former police captain, to the hospital where the officer was staying. Mickles, meanwhile, has been portrayed by the police as a a career criminal. There is, however, every reason, given the systematic lying over decades of the NYPD about its own activities, to be wary of the police account of the incident. In the latest developments, the NYPD claims that the knife Mickles was carrying was stolen from the crime scene. What is clear is that the shooting occurred at a subway station in Brownsville, Brooklyn, one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city, at a time when the police have been unleashed by the Democratic Party across the city and other parts of the country where it is in control, in a rampage of brutality and suppression of democratic rights. Governor Kathy Hochul deployed National Guard soldiers to the subway system in March on the pretext of providing additional security on top of the hundreds of NYPD officers who routinely patrol stations and harass riders. The shooting on Sunday also takes place in the aftermath of the mass arrests of students on college campuses across the city over the past few months as opposition to the Gaza genocide becomes the most forbidden of political views. The Democrats, who run both the city and the state, are preparing a vast implementation of war aims of American imperialism in the Middle East, and against China and Russia. Any opposition by workers or young people in New York City elicits a response by the most militarized units of the NYPD. Under Mayor Adams there has been a large rise in the number of stop-and-frisk actions by the NYPD, a policy by which cops illegally stop and question predominantly minority youth who have committed no crime. According to a recent review in the magazine Hellgate, stop-and-frisks have increased 89 percent over the last two years. ProPublica reports that over 400 police misconduct cases are being tossed by the NYPD, in what it describes as a lax effort to call cops to account for abuses under Police Commissioner Edward Caban. Caban resigned on Thursday amid a major FBI corruption investigation into the Adams administration. The military-police occupation of New York subways also reflects the deepening social crisis in other ways, such as the unaffordability of housing for large sections of New York Citys working class. A recent report from the citys Department of Youth and Community Development shows a sharp increase in the number of youth who cannot find a bed in the system and must sleep somewhere, including on a subway all night. Asylum seekers who live in the citys shelter system are regularly expelled and may end up in the subway system. These most vulnerable layers of society, along with the mentally ill, are people least able to pay the $2.90 fare. The attack on Sunday, however, is unquestionably the product of a major state crackdown on workers and youth who cannot afford to pay the fare, which began several weeks ago, facilitated by the corporate media. The New York Times has featured several articles, at least six since late August, on fare evasion in the citys transit system, noting for example, that only 48 percent of bus riders in the city pay their fare. The fact that the MTA loses $690 million in revenue from riders who cannot pay their fares is relentlessly repeated in the media and by politicians. This was followed by extensive reporting on the efforts of the state-run Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to harass and arrest those unable to pay the fare on its buses, almost universally riders in the poorest areas of the city. Indeed, the MTA is in a significant financial crisis due to decades of austerity and underfunding. New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli issued a report this month that notes there is substantial variation in the projected capital needs and uses, ranging from $57.8 billion to $92.2 billion, with a midpoint of $75 billion and the MTA continues to have greater needs than it will have funding. While a slowdown in investment would not be a new phenomenon for the MTA, it would have compounding effects on the systems state of good repair and services over time. The MTA has a long-term bond debt of about $48 billion, most of which is owned by giant investment firms such as Blackrock. Since there is no money coming from the 110 billionaires who live in New York City to prevent the complete collapse of the MTA, there are only two possible sources of income: to squeeze riders and MTA workers. Riders have been stuck with repeated fare raises and, now, with a direct assault on the poorest riders and workers in the MTA system, through the connivance of the Transport Workers Union Local 100, de facto wage cuts, subpar healthcare for retirees and union-management collaboration to cut down on so-called absenteeism. The shooting on Sunday is part of this crackdown and demonstrates that for both workers and riders, it will be implemented ruthlessly. But the crisis of the MTA itself has deeper roots in the decay of capitalism and its inability to meet the most basic social rights of the working class. The upscale convenience store chain Foxtrot will reopen its 1562 N. Wells St. location in Old Town Thursday, the company said Tuesday. The chain, which abruptly shuttered in April months after a failed merger with upscale grocery chain Doms Kitchen & Market, has started reopening Chicago locations with the backing of a New York-based investment firm and under the leadership of original founder Mike LaVitola. The first store to reopen was a Gold Coast location earlier this month. The company plans to eventually reopen about a dozen stores by spring, moving at a slower pace than originally planned. At a virtual event hosted by the Executives Club of Chicago last week, LaVitola said hiring of new staff, city licenses and lease renegotiations were among the hurdles facing the company in its comeback. Meanwhile, prospective class-action lawsuits filed by former Foxtrot and Doms employees who found out they were out of their jobs in the middle of their shifts back in April are in limbo pending the resolution of parent company Outfox Hospitalitys Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings in Delaware. The new Foxtrot is not a party to those lawsuits. The company said some former Outfox workers had been rehired to work at the new entity but declined to say how many. At the Executives Club event, LaVitola said Foxtrot planned to revamp some of its processes and offerings in the reopened stores, including by narrowing the number of individual products on shelves and refreshing its cafe selections. In a news release Tuesday, the company said the new cafe menu in Old Town would include breakfast tacos, pressed paninis and exclusive coffee blends from Chicago-based partners including Metric and Kyoto Black. German Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Robert Habeck speaks at the Startup Germany Summit 2024 of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection. Carsten Koall/dpa German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck said that US tech giant Intel's decision to postpone plans to build a major chip factory in Germany won't change the government's strategy around building up semiconductor production in Europe. Habeck on Tuesday said Intel's decision had to do with corporate policy and "financial requirements," but that the German government has "done our homework" on attracting chipmakers. Habeck said he expects imminent European Commission approval for Germany's scheme of state subsidies aimed at the sector, and said Germany's goals remain unaltered despite the Intel decision, which was announced on Monday. "After all, the strategy is not focused on a single company, but on ensuring that we have economic security, that we also have a certain level of expertise in this critical industrial sector in Europe and are not 100% dependent on south-east Asian markets," said Habeck, a Green. The German government plans to subsidize the Intel plant in the city of Magdeburg with around 10 billion ($11 billion). The money is supposed to come from Germany's Climate and Transformation Fund (KTF), which is set aside for environmental projects as well as efforts to boost important technologies. Around 4 billion have been earmarked for Intel from the KTF in this year's budget. "We will discuss behind the scenes in the government how to proceed with the reserved funds," said Habeck. German Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Robert Habeck speaks at the Startup Germany Summit 2024 of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection. Carsten Koall/dpa (Bloomberg) -- GoTo Group agreed to use to cloud services from Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., which pledged to not sell down its stake in the Indonesian ride-hailing provider any further for the duration of the pact. Most Read from Bloomberg The deal could support GoTos stock price, which has declined about 80% since its 2022 initial public offering as Alibaba and other major holders reduced their holdings. Early investor Alibabas stake has shrunk to about 7.5% from roughly 9% in 2022 as it sold billions of shares. As part of the five-year deal, GoTo will use Alibabas computer infrastructure to help run its services, which span ride-hailing and delivery in Indonesia and Singapore. GoTo and its more than 50 million users represent a win for Alibaba, whose cloud division has struggled to sustain growth in the face of stiff competition both at home and abroad. The companies didnt disclose the value of the deal, which came in the form of a non-binding memorandum of understanding. GoTo previously signed a cloud deal with Alphabet Inc.s Google. Unprofitable GoTo, which vies with Singapores Grab Holdings Ltd. in the cut-throat Southeast Asian market, has slashed jobs as user growth cools. Its exited Vietnam and Thailand and late last year relinquished control of loss-making e-commerce arm Tokopedia to ByteDance Ltd.s TikTok in a $1.5 billion deal. Since Patrick Walujo took over as chief executive last year, the company has moved closer to profitability. The company reiterated this month it expects to reach positive adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the full year. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The story of Buena Vista Social Club, the musical ensemble primarily comprised of Cuban musicians (many of them elderly), whose acclaimed debut album from 1997 became a global sensation, will arrive on Broadway early next year, producers Orin Wolf, John Styles and Barbara Broccoli announced on Monday (Sep. 16). The musical BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, which had its world premiere off-Broadway in December 2023, will begin preview performances at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater (36 West 45th St) in New York on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, before opening officially on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. More from Billboard With a book by Marco Ramirez inspired by true events, the Saheem Ali-directed show will feature a band of international musicians to narrate the legendary story of the artists who brought the original album to life. BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB will features music from Cubas golden age, with choreography by Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck and a music team led by David Yazbek and musical supervisor Dean Sharenow. The Broadway company features Natalie Venetia Belcon as Omara Portuondo, Julio Monge as Compay Segundo, Mel Seme as Ibrahim Ferrer and Jainardo Batista Sterling as Ruben Gonzalez with Isa Antonetti, Davon Moody, Wesley Wray and Leonardo Reyna as their younger versions, respectively. Renesito Avich will play Eliades Ochoa, and Ashley De La Rosa a young Haydee. Also performing are Angelica Beliard, Carlos Falu, Hector Juan Maisonet, Ilda Mason, Marielys Molina, and Sophia Ramos, among others. The musical band will consist of Marco Paguia (piano, musical direction, composition, and arrangements), David Oquendo (guitar, additional arrangements), Gustavo Schartz (bass), Hery Paz (wind instruments), Eddie Venegas (trombone), Jesus Ricardo (trumpet), Javier Diaz (percussion, additional arrangements), Mauricio Herrera (percussion) and Roman Diaz (percussion). Buena Vista Social Club was formed in Cuba 1996, in a project organized by World Circuit executive Nick Gold, produced by American guitarist Ry Cooder and directed by Juan de Marcos Gonzalez, who named the group after a popular music venue in Havana in the 1940s. To showcase popular styles of the time, such as son, bolero, and danzon, they recruited a dozen veteran musicians, some of whom had been retired for years. The groups eponymous debut album was released in September 1997 and quickly became an international sensation. On the Billboard charts, it reached No. 1 on Tropical Albums, where it stayed at the top for 24 weeks and spent a total of 266 weeks on the chart. It also reached No. 1 on Top Latin Albums and World Albums, and spent 19 weeks on the Billboard 200. In 1988, it won the Grammy for Best Tropical Latin Album, and the Billboard Latin Music Award for Tropical/Salsa Album of the Year by a Group. Its been my honor to help develop Buena Vista Social Club into a new musical alongside Marco Ramirez, Saheem Ali, Patricia Delgado, Justin Peck and David Yazbek all artists at the very top of their game, producer Orin Wolf says in a press release. From our trips to Cuba getting to meet the incredible artists who created the album to our O-Broadway premiere, the artistic process has been as invigorating as the energy and music that will begin pouring out of the Schoenfeld Theatre next year. I first heard the Buena Vista Social Club as a precocious youngster growing up in Nairobi, wearing out the original album from my fathers eclectic CD collection, adds director Saheem Ali. Though we spoke Swahili and not Spanish, I memorized the lyrics in my broken accent. I felt connected to the beautiful songs embodying the spirit of a distant culture. Decades later, Im thrilled to be joining Orin, Marco and the entire creative team on the journey to bringing this extraordinary, singular musical to Broadway. Book writer Marco Ramirez says: In 1968, my grandfather left Cuba and got a job washing dishes a block from the Schoenfeld Theatre. Almost 60 years later, well be blasting his favorite songs there. Alongside some of the best artists and people Ive ever met, Im humbled by the chance to forge connections between two of the most musically iconic islands the world has ever known- Cuba and Manhattan. BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB is produced on Broadway by Orin Wolf, John Styles, Barbara Broccoli, Atlantic Theater Company, Luis Miranda, LaChanze and John Leguizamo, with executive producer Allan Williams. The off-Broadway production was nominated for Best Musical by the Drama League and Outer Critics Circle organizations. For tickets and more details, click here. Best of Billboard Sign up for Billboard's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The birthday bash was reportedly also attended by Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King and Alicia Keys Kevin Mazur/Getty; Monica Schipper/Getty (Left) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the 2024 ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on July 11, 2024; (Right) Tyler Perry at the Centrepiece Screening of "Maxine's Baby: The Tyler Perry Story" during 2023 AFI Fest at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Oct. 23, 2023 in Hollywood, California. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry celebrated their friend Tyler Perry on the eve of the Duke of Sussex's milestone 40th birthday. On Sept. 14, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were seen leaving a birthday bash for Perry, as seen in pictures obtained by the Daily Mail. The filmmaker turned 55 on Sept. 13, the day prior. The photos showed Prince Harry and Meghan sitting together in the backseat of a car, where Meghan laughed and Harry held up a phone. According to the outlet, the celebration was also attended by Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Alicia Keys, actor Aaron O'Connell, Paramount and Nickelodeon CEO Brian Robbins and his fashion designer wife Tracy Robbins. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are friendly with the couple and marked their sixth wedding anniversary in May with a double date dinner. The Daily Mail reported that an employee from a lighting company apparently hired to help decorate for the party said he observed "a lot of music, dancing and singing" as he left. The outlet reported that the event was held at a Montecito home. Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Cartagena, Colombia on Aug. 17, 2024. Related: No, Meghan Markle Wasn't Cropped from Prince Harry's Birthday Photo Used by King Charles and Prince William "Lots of speeches and food too. Everyone was having a lot of fun. It was a good party," the staffer said about what he saw. "There were a lot of famous people, but I cannot say any more." The celebration was held the day before Prince Harry turned 40 on Sept. 15. PEOPLE understands that Harry planned to mark the occasion with a private celebration in Montecito, surrounded by friends and family. Prince Harry and Meghan, 43, are known to be close with the multi-hyphenate entertainer, and Perry is the godfather of their daughter, Princess Lilibet, 3. The couple first connected with Perry when he reached out to Meghan around the time of her royal wedding to Harry in 2018. The Madea creator let the Duchess of Sussex know he was praying for her "and that he understood what this meant, and that he could only imagine what it was like," she told The Cut in 2022. Perry told her that he was always available for support or advice, and she later took him up on that invitation. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty; Slaven Vlasic/Getty Meghan Markle in Bath, England in 2018; Tyler Perry in New York City in 2020. Related: Prince Harry Reveals the 'Best Gift' Hes Ever Received Ahead of 40th Birthday (Exclusive) "Sometimes, you can tell your life story to a stranger on a plane as opposed to some of the people that are closest to you," the Duchess of Sussex said, referencing her rapport with Perry. In 2020, she filled him in on her family's stay in Vancouver, Canada amid an uncertain future as she and Prince Harry announced their decision to step back from their duties as working royals. Before the actor-director had even met the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, he offered his Los Angeles home as a place for them to stay with their son, Prince Archie, now 5, along with a security detail while transitioning out of their royal roles. As Harry and Meghan put down roots with a "permanent home" in Montecito later that summer, a source told PEOPLE that they were truly appreciative of Perry's compassion. "They're really grateful to Tyler Perry for his kindness," the insider said in summer 2020. "They have endless gratitude to him for helping them during a complicated time." "With COVID and as they were stepping back from their royal duties, he provided them a safe haven," they added. Noam Galai/Getty Tyler Perry at the "Mea Culpa" premiere at The Paris Theatre on Feb. 15, 2024 in New York City. Perry even welcomed them to their new abode with a grand piano as a housewarming gift, telling them, "Write the soundtrack for your life," according to The Cut. He appeared in the docuseries Harry & Meghan, which debuted on Netflix in December 2022, where he shared the story of how the Sussexes asked him to be Lilibet's godfather. During an interview with the six-part series, Perry said that Harry and Meghan got "pretty serious" on a phone call. "I go, 'Okay, what's going on?' They said, 'Well, we'd like for you to be Lili's godfather.' I go, 'Whoa.' I had to take a minute to take that in. And I thought, 'I'd be honored. I'd absolutely be honored,' " Perry remembered. After hopping off the phone, the director realized his agreement came with a bit of a condition. "I called them back and go, 'Uh, hold on a second does this mean we gotta go over [to the U.K.] and do all of that in church with [the royal family] and figure all that out? 'Cause I don't wanna do that,' " Perry said in the series. " 'Maybe we can do a little private ceremony here [in the U.S.] and let that be that, and if you have to do it there, then that's okay.' " Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Images Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in Cali, Colombia on Aug. 18, 2024. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Princess Lilibet was christened in a small ceremony at Prince Harry and Meghan's Montecito home in March 2023. Perry flew in for the christening ceremony from his home in Atlanta with a 10-person gospel choir that sang "Oh Happy Day" and "This Little Light of Mine," a song that played at Meghan and Harry's wedding. Over the summer, the Paley Center for Media announced that Perry will be honored at the Paley Honors gala in Beverly Hills on Dec. 4 with Prince Harry and Meghan expected to help helm the celebrations. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are among the tribute chairs alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Gayle King, Taraji P. Henson, George Lucas, Kerry Washington and more. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Michaela DePrince, who danced with the Dutch National Ballet and Boston Ballet, died last week, her family said. She was 29. (Charles Sykes / Invision / Associated Press) Ballet dancer Michaela Mabinty DePrince, who defied the odds of her early childhood in war-torn Sierra Leone to become a trailblazing performer and choreographer, has died. DePrince died Tuesday, her family said in a statement Sunday on her sister Mia DePrince's Instagram. In a previous statement released Friday, the family said the dancer, who performed with the Dance Theater of Harlem, the Dutch National Ballet and Boston Ballet, leaves "an indelible mark on the world of ballet, and beyond." She was 29. A cause of death was not revealed in either statement, though Sunday's missive shut down speculation that DePrince's death was related to that of mother Elaine DePrince, who adopted Michaela and Mia in the 1990s. Elaine DePrince "died during a routine procedure in preparation for a surgery" on Wednesday and did not know of her daughter's death "at the time of her procedure," Sunday's statement clarified. "The only way we can make sense of the senseless is that Elaine, who had already lost three children many years ago, was by the grace of God spared the pain of experiencing the [loss] of a fourth child," the family said. "What the family is going through right now is truly unimaginably painful. Grieving two family members to die within a 24 hour period is tragic and devastating." Read more: Misty Copeland is putting on for her village of dancers by paying it forward As news of DePrince's death spread over the weekend, ballet and dance luminaries including trailblazing American Ballet Theater principal dancer Misty Copeland and Debbie Allen paid tribute to her. "Michaela had so much more to give, not just to ballet, but to the world. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations of dancers, but her absence leaves a void that will be felt deeply," Copeland said on Instagram. "Your footprints will forever reverberate around the world," Allen said of DePrince, who was recently a guest artist at Allen's dance academy's summer program. "You brought a light that inspired millions of brown girls to rise to an unprecedented level of resilience and continue to dream." DePrince seemingly knew no bounds onstage as she executed pieces from ballet classics including "Don Quixote," "Swan Lake" and "Coppelia" to George Balanchine's "Who Cares" and "Jewels" with undeniable grace, strength and precision. Beyond the ballet world, DePrince brought her talents mainstream, appearing on "Dancing With the Stars" and collaborating with brands including Nike and Tommy Hilfiger. She also worked with pop divas Beyonce, for her "Lemonade" visual album, and Madonna, who was set to adapt the dancer's life for the screen. Michaela DePrince rehearses in 2012 for a Johannesburg performance of "Le Corsaire." (Denis Farrell / Associated Press) DePrince was prominently featured in the ballet competition documentary "First Position," in which she spoke of the "miracle" of her survival. "Everywhere you looked you saw someone die and it was just for no reason," she said in the film before recalling how rebels had shot her parents. Offstage, DePrince used her platform to raise awareness for children affected by war as an ambassador for War Child, speak about her vitiligo and her experiences as a Black dancer, and advocate for more diversity in the ballet world. "I would like to change the way people see Black dancers," she told the Guardian in 2012. "I just want to be a great role model for kids. I would hate to disappoint anybody." DePrince was born Jan. 6, 1995, in Sierra Leone amid a civil war that counted her parents among its tens of thousands of casualties. Labeled "the devil's child" for her vitiligo at her orphanage, DePrince found hope in a magazine photo of an American ballerina in pointe shoes. "I ripped the page out and I stuck it in my underwear because I didnt have any place to put it," she told the Associated Press in 2012. Read more: Ballet documentary 'First Position' entertains, uplifts Elaine DePrince and Charles DePrince adopted Michaela and her sister in 1999. DePrince studied at the Rock School of Dance in Pennsylvania and had competed at Youth America Grand Prix, the prestigious international ballet competition at the center of "First Position." The ballet competition awarded DePrince with a scholarship to continue her studies at the American Ballet Theater's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. She graduated in 2012 and joined the Dance Theater of Harlem, where she became the company's youngest dancer to perform principal roles. In 2013, she took her career overseas to perform with the Dutch National Ballet, where she climbed the ranks from the junior company to soloist in the main troupe. She returned to the U.S. in 2022 as a soloist with Boston Ballet. "We were so fortunate to know Mabinty," Boston Ballet said in an Instagram tribute. "She was a beautiful person, a wonderful dancer, and she will be greatly missed by us all." DePrince published her memoir, "Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina," in 2014. She also received recognition in Time's Inspiring Women in the World and Forbes 30 Under 30 in Arts & Culture. Michaela is survived by her sisters, Mia, Beelee, Jaye, Mariel and Amie, and her brothers, Adam and Erik. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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. Reggaeton star Nicky Jam seems to be rolling back his support for Donald Trump after the Republican nominee mistakenly introduced him as a hot woman at a Las Vegas rally over the weekend. Jam initially made light of the gaffe in an Instagram postits caption referred to himself, in Spanish, as a hot woman, accompanied by no fewer than 22 crying-laughing emojis. But, as of Sunday night, the post had been deleted. The comment section on his most recent post before it, which was unrelated to Trump, was also deactivated. Jams Trump endorsement, amplified by the buzz surrounding the awkwardly inaccurate rally introduction, has made him the subject of relentless criticismand mockeryacross the internet. Commentators flooded the most recent post on Jams Instagram with jokes at the vocalists expense. Trump thought you were a girl! He didnt even take the time to look you up, and youre here kissing his toes, reads a comment by @nataliaalcazar91, with nearly 8,000 likes. Others speculated in comments that the former president confused Jam with the rapper Nicki Minaj, punctuated by laughing emojis. Jam has faced more backlash beyond jokes from faceless internet trolls. Mana, a Mexican rock band, scrubbed their collab with Jam, De Pies a Cabeza, from streaming services on Sunday. They also released a statement condemning the Trump endorsement. Mana doesnt work with racists, read an Instagram post from the bands official account. Although the deleted post seems to hint at a change of heart from Jam, he hasnt yet released any official update to his stance on the former president. 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 original member of The Jackson 5 was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital on Sunday, Sept. 15 Gareth Cattermole/Getty Tito Jackson on September 5, 2017 in London, England. Tito Jackson, who died at 70 years old on Sunday, Sept. 15, suffered a medical emergency at a New Mexico shopping center earlier that evening, according to a Gallup Police Department press release obtained by PEOPLE. Around 6:15 p.m. on Sunday in Gallup, N.M., a Gallup Police Department officer was notified that was "an individual requiring medical attention and promptly requested an ambulance" near the American Heritage Plaza, per the GPD press release. The individual was then transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Afterward, he was identified as Toriano "Tito" Jackson from Tulsa, Okla. A cause of death was not listed in the police report. The preliminary investigation into Jackson's death is still ongoing. Witnesses are still being interviewed and investigators are still examining both physical and electronic evidence. Related: Tito Jackson, Original Member of The Jackson 5 and Brother of Late Michael Jackson, Dies at 70 Dave J Hogan/Getty Tito Jackson on October 9, 2017 in London, England. 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. Siggy Jackson, Titos nephew and Jackie Jacksons son previously confirmed Titos death to PEOPLE. Entertainment Tonight was the first to report the news. Before his death, Tito had been performing with brothers Jackie Jackson and Marlon Jackson as The Jacksons, and had shows in Scotland, Calif., and England over the summer. They performed as recently as Sept. 8 in Surrey, England, and had appearances set for Oct. 25 in Atlantic City, N.J., and Nov. 1 in Cincinnati. While Tito was in Munich, Germany, with The Jacksons earlier this week, the brothers "visited the beautiful memorial dedicated to our beloved brother, Michael Jackson," Tito wrote on Facebook. "We're deeply grateful for this special place that honors not only his memory but also our shared legacy. Thank you for keeping his spirit alive." Getty Images Tito Jackson Related: Tito Jackson's Sons Pay Emotional Tribute to Their Father After His Death at 70: 'We Love You Pops' The late musician was an original member of The Jackson 5, which also featured Michael, Jackie, Jermaine Jackson and Marlon (and, later, Randy Jackson). The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Tito went on to have a solo career, releasing two studio albums: Tito Time in 2016 and Under Your Spell in 2021. His three sons, Taj, TJ and Taryll, posted a tribute remembering their father on Sept. 15. Tito also managed the trio's band, 3T. In a joint post with their band's Instagram account, Taj, TJ and Taryll wrote, Its with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson is no longer with us. We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken. Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being," they continued. "Some of you may know him as Tito Jackson from the legendary Jackson 5, some may know him as 'Coach Tito' or some know him as 'Poppa T.' Nevertheless, he will be missed tremendously. It will forever be 'Tito Time' for us. Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is 'Love One Another.' We love you Pops. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. In our Inside Look stories, The State's journalists take you inside places around South Carolina that you maybe haven't seen before. Read more. Story idea? statenews@thestate.com. Drew Kalagher says he knows hes gotten it right when the texture is like meat butter. The owner and chef at Publick House, the 30-year-old Columbia bar best known for its ballyhooed chicken wings, makes this observation as he carves a batch of his homemade corned beef, served daily on the bars gloriously sloppy Reuben. Kalagher said hes the only chef he knows of in South Carolina that regularly makes corned beef in house, noting hes been told by a distributor that theres one other chef that does it twice a year. He wants to find out where that restaurant is and go see how it compares to his. Watching Kalagher go through the laborious process, it becomes clear why more restaurants dont go through the undertaking. The brisket has to be boiled low and slow and then sit and preserve for three weeks in a homemade brine seasoned with regular salt, pink curing salt, brown sugar, cinnamon, black pepper, mustard seed, cloves, allspice berries, ground ginger, juniper berries and crushed bay leaves. Kalagher dialed in his spice blend himself, inspired by his family. Drew Kalagher cuts thick slices of corned beef brisket. He makes his own corned beef at Publick House. Ive always liked corned beef. [I] come from an Irish family, he said. My grandmothers, great-grandmothers would actually make theirs. Unfortunately, I never inherited any of their recipes, but I think Ive come pretty close. My great-grandmother was a fantastic cook, and I grew up next door to her for a few years. I spent a lot of time in her kitchen. Once each of the 2-3 briskets Kalagher goes through each week is properly brined, he takes them out cold and scrapes off the fat by hand. Getting them to this point, where enough fat has rendered into the meat to make it tender and buttery, requires painstaking precision during the boil. The boiling process takes about three and a half hours, Kalagher said. Ive checked them before at three and a half hours and theyre not ready. 10 minutes later, a whole piece of meat, it all [falls apart] at once. If you push it in the pot while its boiling, it should move like the water, itll ripple. If its not doing that, leave it in the pot. The corned beef, which Kalagher previously whipped up just once a year for St. Patricks Day, is now a permanent fixture on the menu. Its one of many changes rolled out since January 2023, when Publick House reopened following an extensive renovation. Rebooting the bar has been an ongoing project since, including a rolling overhaul of the menu that is now largely complete. Publick House Lunch offerings from Publick House including a pimento cheeseburger, in front and house made corned beef. Rebooting Publick House The business has been deliberately slow-rolling its changes, waiting until its new ideas are fully formed to market them in earnest to the community. The Reuben and its deliberately crafted protein are indicative of the approach the business is taking to sprucing up its menu and its environment, honing and emphasizing things the neighborhood bar has done well through the years. Seating was updated, and the previously dark barroom walls were lightened with gray paint and a jovial whale-and-diver mural trumpeting that the pub is still a place to turn when you need a Guinness. Mario Villegas, Madison Burlett and Austin Shealy dine at Publick House. Publick House But theres much more on offer for those looking for a beer, as a top-of-the-line beer cooler with 18 taps was added, designed to keep each of those brews pouring at the specific temperature that suits it best. The menu was paired down to emphasize quality, with a selection of weekly specials to keep things interesting including the juicy and peppery Wednesday prime rib, another item that Kalagher proudly preps, and a Monday burger night paired with a pint special to motivate customers to explore those draft beers. Publick House is open for lunch again, part of an effort to get people to see them as much as a restaurant as a bar. Turning 30 this year, the Columbia staple on Devine Street, sandwiched between the bougie-leaning Shandon neighborhood and the far-less-buttoned-up Five Points, the doorstep to the University of South Carolina, has reshaped itself to survive another three decades in the location, offering a compromise likely to satisfy both of the key crowds that surround it. Asha Jamison takes lunch orders from Austin Shealy, left, Madison Burlett and Mario Villegas at Publick House. Patrons dine at Publick House. Get women and families back Matt Catchpole, who worked previously as the general manager at West Columbia fine-dining spot Terra, was brought in as a consultant to help with the overhaul. He said Publick House had become a spot where husbands would come when their wives were busy or out of town. Get women and families back was the big thing, Catchpole said. A big part of it was that we had retained a crowd of people that were pretty loyal regulars, but we had inadvertently sort of eroded the breadth of our base. Catchpole and Kalagher said this is why they honed and enhanced the food selection, trying to make Publick House a restaurant people will come to even when they dont want to drink. Its also why they added the new beer cooler along with a selection of craft cocktails, looking to add options to bring in beer patrons looking for more elevated libations. Draft beer taps at Publick House. The need to open up Publick House to people beyond its regulars is also why they put a big emphasis on updating the space, which had simply gotten old. The back bar was still designed for mini bottles, Kalagher noted, referring to the time before state law changed in 2006 that bars were required to serve liquor from those tiny receptacles. The last part of the Public House overhaul is yet to come, as the business has held the lease on an adjacent bar space, previously home to Black Market Tavern, for a few years now. We had initially conceived that that would be more Publick House and maybe used as private events, Catchpole said of how plans have developed, noting that they hope to bring the two spaces together by knocking down the wall separating them. We now conceive that we may open it just Friday and Saturday nights as a sort of adjacent, but not branded the same, cocktail bar. Publick House wings and raw fries. The wings arent changing One thing that wont be changing are the beloved wings and raw fries, often cited as among the best in Columbia. Kalagher, who started working at Publick House in 2007 before purchasing the bar in 2012, said the only changes he ever made there were to one or two of the wing sauces, including the hottest sauce, now known as Caro-Lava! Hes the only one whos ever made that sauce. Unlike the other homemade sauces, nobody else knows that recipe. He was inspired to concoct it when he first arrived in the Publick House kitchen. I was kind of wondering the first week why nobody ever ordered it. Somebody finally did, Kalagher recalled. The other two cooks looked around and just started grabbing the hottest things they could find and dumping it in a pan So is there a recipe? Oh, no, just grab whatevers hot and throw it in there. Publick House I immediately started working on a recipe, the chef added. The hope in Publick Houses new era is for it to continue to exist as a comforting neighborhood bar, putting fresh emphasis on classic dishes and others that Kalagher enjoys making. Another expression of this is coming back soon. For a second year, he will roll out a selection of German specialties for Oktoberfest. Drew wanted to keep some of these classics that were the old Publick House from 30 years ago, Catchpole said. But we also wanted to have the ability to have something thats a little bit fresher. Drew Kalagher cuts thick slices of corned beef brisket. He makes his own corned beef at Publick House. Leaflet Map - Publick House Publick House on Devine Street Map Whether youre a fan of Disneys Hercules or the ancient Greek god, Black Tomato is bringing the classic tale to life with a new family-friendly adventure. The luxury tour operatorwhich often launches set-jetting packages for shows like Yellowstone and Ripleyjust unveiled a new itinerary within its Take me on a Story series inspired by the mythology of Hercules. The concept essentially offers travelers a chance to step into the pages of their favorite books and follow in the footsteps of beloved characters like Alice in Wonderland or Jim Hawkins from Treasure Island, to name a few. More from Robb Report Knossos Palace in Crete This nine-day adventure will take travelers on a Greek odyssey through the lens of a demigod where theyll have to tackle a number of challenges, including completing his famed 12 labors imposed by Eurystheus. The quest kicks off in ancient Athens where youll stay at the Athens Capital M Gallery Hotel. Once you get the blessing of the goddess Athena at the Acropolis, youll learn to read and write Greek as you search for clues and treasure. Next, youll set sail across the Saronic Gulf and visit the Temple of Poseidon. Before you leave the ruins, guests will have to race to swim to shore as fast as possible while collecting gifts, not unlike the legendary contest between Athena and the god of the sea. Then, its off to Olympia to compete in the stadium where the 2024 Paris Olympics torch was lit. From there, youll hop aboard a plane to Crete to track down the fictious Cretan bull, a mythical creature whos hiding among apple trees and oregano bushes. Other highlights of the trip include trekking though the oak forests of Foloi in search of Centaur Pholus, solving a riddle with Pythia at Mount Parnassus, and crafting your own artifact with the help of a skilled sculptor. The Temple of Apollo As someone whos personally passionate about mythology, Hercules teaches timeless lessons around courage, perseverance, and humilityvalues that I wish to instill upon my daughters, said Tom Marchant, co-founder of Black Tomato. Greece also holds a special memory in my heartIve shared unforgettable moments there with my kids and am thrilled to undertake this adventure in a place they love while helping other families create their own treasured memories. According to the Black Tomato, the launch of the Hercules experience aligns with a recent surge in travel to Greece. The company says that 25 percent of its bookings are for this fall during whats considered the Aegean countrys shoulder season and that families make up roughly 50 percent of its bookings to Greece this year. Prices for the itinerary start at $49,000 for a family of four and include stays at the Dexamenes Hotel and Domes of Elounda Hotel, plus all transportation, activities, and some meals. 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. Realty Income (NYSE: O) is a well-known net lease real estate investment trust (REIT). In fact, it is roughly four times larger than its closest competitor. That said, it has one of the highest yields in the net lease niche at roughly 5%. Is it still worth buying after a sizable rally? It just might be when you compare it to some of its most popular net lease peers. A quick look at Realty Income Realty Income's portfolio includes over 15,400 properties, which is far and away the largest collection of net lease assets of any publicly traded net lease REIT. A net lease requires the tenant to pay for most property-level operating costs. As noted, the REIT's $54 billion market cap is multiples of its next closest peer's. No other net lease REIT comes close to matching Realty Income's scale. Image source: Getty Images. That size comes with other positives. For example, Realty Income has an investment grade rated balance sheet. Its portfolio spans across the pond into Europe. It owns retail assets and industrial properties, along with some unique one-offs like casinos and vineyards. The really big positive, however, is that Realty Income's size, geographic diversification, and financial strength give it advantaged access to capital markets. That means it can bid aggressively on acquisitions and still make a profit. It also has the ability to do deals (buying portfolios, single large assets, or entire companies) that smaller peers couldn't even consider. Don't forget the impressive 29-year streak of annual dividend increases. Noting that the average REIT has a dividend yield of just 3.7%, using the Vanguard Real Estate Index ETF as a proxy, Realty Income looks pretty attractive overall. But the stock is up about 20% over the past three months. Is it too expensive? O data by YCharts. What are some other net lease options? If your goal is to maximize the income your portfolio generates today, Realty Income stands out from the pack. Only W.P. Carey has a higher yield among REITs, but you have to take its dividend cut at the start of 2024 into consideration. Some investors will probably find it hard to forgive that transgression, despite it being driven by a strategic decision to exit the office sector. Meanwhile, if you use yield as a rough gauge of valuation, then REITs like Essential Properties Trust (NYSE: EPRT) and Agree Realty (NYSE: ADC), with yields of 3.6% and 3.9%, respectively, look way more expensive. In fact, in Essential Properties Trust's June investor presentation, it actually highlighted just how expensive it is relative to Realty Income. Story continues At that point, Essential Properties Trust's price to adjusted funds from operations (FFO) ratio using full-year 2024 projections was 15.5 times. That was the highest on the list, followed by Agree at 14.4 times. Realty Income's figure was 12.5 times. No question, Realty Income looks relatively cheap. But here's the interesting part. While Essential Properties' projected adjusted FFO growth topped the list at 5.5%, Realty Income was second at 4.4%, followed by Agree at 4.2%. So, despite being notably cheaper, Realty Income is performing just as well as the net lease REITs that investors love the most. EPRT data by YCharts. Meanwhile, as the chart above highlights, Essential Properties Trust and Agree Realty have outperformed Realty Income since June. So the value disparity here has actually widened. Big, boring Realty Income is a core holding Realty Income's stock price has been lower, and its yield has been higher. It might again become cheaper again in the future, given that stock prices wax and wane over time. But if you are a conservative dividend investor looking for a reliable net lease REIT, don't overlook Realty Income because it isn't as cheap as it was just a few months ago. It remains one of the most attractively priced stocks in the net lease niche. Should you invest $1,000 in Realty Income right now? Before you buy stock in Realty Income, 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 Realty Income 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 $729,857!* 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 16, 2024 Reuben Gregg Brewer has positions in Realty Income and W.P. Carey. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Realty Income and Vanguard Real Estate ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is High-Yield Realty Income Stock Too Expensive? Not If You Compare It to Industry Peers. was originally published by The Motley Fool Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Green Carpet Fashion Awards I was born and raised in a small village in North Macedonia, says Angela Busheska, who is a senior studying electrical engineering, computer science at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. In her home country, she says, because of a lack of opportunity and societal pressure to marry young, You really didnt see a lot of women growing up to be something. But Busheska wanted moreto learn, and to escape what she described as a challenging childhood. Her family had a low income and she was bullied often. She found a solace in math, sneaking into advanced classes at her school to learn as much as she could. I was not good at the beginning, actually, she says. But, she explains, I just really liked it. When I was doing math, that was all I needed. However, the more she threw herself into studying, the worse the bullying got. One day, after a particularly unpleasant altercation, she went to the principals office. But instead of reporting the bully, she recalls, I signed up to take part in the [schools] math competition held two weeks later. She wanted her revenge to be success. And success she has found. By eighth grade she had qualified for math regionals. By ninth grade shed reached nationals. A scholarship to a private school out of town followed, and in her junior year, not only had she won regionals and nationals, she had medals on a European level and qualified for the International Young Physicists Tournament. A scholarship to study STEM in the US came hot on the heels, and in 2020 she launched a successful nonprofit appEnRouteto help combat the impact of fast fashion. Alongside her nonprofit and studying, shes also had internships at both Microsoft and Google. And now shes turning her sights on the global climate emergency. If anyone can achieve positive change in this area, its Angela Busheska. Glamour: What do you wish more people knew about STEM fields, and what would you tell other young women who want to go into them? Angela Busheska: When you are into STEM, you have a chance to really shape our future. Look at the past, for example: I realized that gym machines are made for men. Then, in my junior year we were working with a braincomputer interface cap that didnt even work for womenbecause the people who made itthere were no women [involved]. Our health depends on us. Not having a woman in these places means its worse for humanity because if you dont have one that works for women, youre leaving out 50% of the population. What do you love most about studying STEM? Whats the thing that gives you the most inspiration every day? A nonpredictable path. I am never living in certainty. You dont know what is going to happen, and I really love the chance to just explore things. So for example, a lot of my classes, especially electrical engineering classes in school, depend on labs. And youll spend sometimes hours and hours of working, leading nowhere, and then in just one hour you will solve a problem. That thrill really gives me the motivation to go on. And with computer science or engineering, you can scale your solutions to millions. I honestly look at myself as a child in a chocolate factory. I think that STEM can really help a lot of the population in the world. When you were a kid, before you knew completely about this world in front of you, what was your hope? What was your childhood dream job? I once told my mother that I would be a director of NASA! So your dream of NASA is actually not that far from where you are. What do you want to do now? Right now I think the challenge is helping with climate change because it is an emergency. It cannot wait. Which woman inspires you right now? Oh, so I honestly look up to a lot of people. Even though its not STEM, one person that I really was inspired by, I met her this year at the Green Carpet Fashion Awards, was Zendaya. We were speaking about spreading her message for fast fashion. I am also part of Neo Scholars community, where I see a lot of women starting companies. So those women, even though theyre notas of now, theyre very small startupsseeing firsthand how theyre building startups is also very inspiring. Youve made thousands of miles of progress, in a sense, so how do you celebrate yourself? I am not really great at celebrating myself, to be honest. However, one thing is that I never say no to something that I have a first chance to do. For example, this is my second summer in New York, and I had a chance to see a Broadway show for the first time. I really am in love with time and trying to use the time as much as I can. When I see a one-time opportunity to do something, Im going to take it. Traveling is huge for me, and maybe having a chance to go on a Christmas trip back home and see my friends and family. Im really grateful for my parents, especially my mom, because she gave up everything for me. She was not working. She was a stay-at-home mom, so I hope I repaid everything she did for me. What are you most proud of the work that you have done? Well, I would say three things. One is getting the admissions into the US. That was the greatest dream. The second is scaling the nonprofit and talking to millions of people around the world. I started it as really as a joke, as a high school project, and seeing it endure four years after that, I found my passion in a very interesting way. I never searched for it. It was just me starting a project. And third is seeing the miracles. None of this was planned. All of this was just because I followed my curiosity and tried to ask. I had millions of failures across the way. So maybe Im proud of trying to use every opportunity, and every time I fail, trying to understand why I failed and how to continue further. Photographed by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Green Carpet Fashion Awards Originally Appeared on Glamour SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) In Argentina, the sizzle of meat over an open flame is much more than just a cooking method. According to Chef Andres Villasuso of Asado Gaucho, Argentine asado, or barbecue, embodies the countrys rich heritage, bringing together people in a celebration of flavors, traditions and the gaucho spirit. I believe theres no better way to share with people, just being outdoors, turning on a fire and just talking around it, Villasuso said to FOX 5/KUSI. MORE: Hispanic Heritage Month In Argentina, we dont arrive when the food is ready; we arrive two to three hours prior to the party starting. We drink matte, maybe a beer, and we share the moment, Villasuso added. The method of cooking dates back to the 16th century, when Spanish colonizers introduced cattle to the vast pampas. But it was the gauchos the cowboys of the region who perfected the technique of slow cooking the meat over an open flame. Back in the day in Argentina, gauchos which is what were dressed as today they used to travel throughout the pampas and they use this device similar to that cross over there, Villasuso said. The 45-degree angle is something that not a lot of people have seen before. We do whole pig and whole lamb on that 45-degree angle as well, Villasuso added. The method involves slow cooking various cuts of beef, lamb or pork on a parrilla, or grill, or over a fire on a cross-like stake. What it does, this slow roasting, is it lets the fat get inside of the meat and make it more tender, more juicy as well, Villasuso said. And through the centuries, chef Andres says this style of cooking has transformed into a social ritual. Everything is just a mix of cultures in Argentina so thats what makes it so unique and everybody gets to try a little of everything, and theres a flavor for everyone on the table, Villasuso said. So the next time you try asado, Villasuso says remember its not just barbecue its a symbol of Argentinas national pride and a way to bring people together. I dont know if were the best at meat and cooking, but were passionate about our friendships, our family and our traditions, Villasuso 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 5 San Diego & KUSI News. The best excuse to take a vacation: Study reveals how travel slows aging Dying to book your next trip? Then go ahead and live a little. Traveling can delay the aging process and improve physical and mental health, a new study published in the Journal of Travel Research found. Researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia conducted the study believed to be the first-ever that applied the theory of entropy the general trend of the universe towards death and disorder to tourism. Researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia conducted the study believed to be the first-ever that applied the theory of entropy the general trend of the universe towards death and disorder to tourism. Getty Images Ageing, as a process, is irreversible. While it cant be stopped, it can be slowed down, ECU PhD candidate Fangli Hu said in a press release. The team discovered that the positive physical and mental health benefits of traveling such as exercising and relaxing do help the body slow the signs of aging. And the results can last much longer than your tan will. Trips that include active experiences like hiking or swimming encourage people to get moving and enjoy the many well-known benefits of exercise. Trips that include active experiences like hiking or swimming encourage people to get moving and enjoy the many well-known benefits of exercise. Jakub stock.adobe.com Meanwhile, leisurely travel could reduce chronic stress, slow an overactive immune system, and encourage normal functioning of the self-defense system, which in turn can allow the body to reach a a low-entropy state. Tourism isnt just about leisure and recreation. It could also contribute to peoples physical and mental health, Hu said, noting that the reverse is also true. Meanwhile, leisurely travel could reduce chronic stress, slow an overactive immune system, and encourage normal functioning of the self-defense system, which in turn can allow the body to reach a a low-entropy state. Getty Images/iStockphoto To put it simply, positive experiences might mitigate entropy increase and enhance health, while negative experiences may contribute to entropy increase and compromise health. In response to their study, the experts suggested that travel therapy could serve as a groundbreaking health intervention. The discovery comes as adults are more stressed about aging than ever and people continue to book wellness travel. Almost half of women (47%) express that aging causes them stress more so millennials (57%) and Gen Z (56%). Meanwhile, some men are going to extreme lengths to slow the aging process. So instead of scheduling your next Botox or stem cell injection, maybe just book a flight. The New York real estate market is not for the faint of heart. Exacting clients dead set on the right location (location! location!) will bide their time as long as it takes to nab a just-right address. That was the case for utterly Parisian jewelry maison Boucheron, whose first-ever Manhattan boutique just opened its doors at 747 Madison Avenue. New York has been on our radar since I joined the company, according the maisons CEO Helene Poulit-Duquesne who started at Boucheron a decade ago. Five years after a search began in earnest (and two after signing a lease), the 3,900-square-foot on Madison Avenue welcomed its first clients. (The same block is also home to Chanel and Boucherons fellow Kering brand Pomellato.) More from Robb Report Boucheron Madison Avenue Boutique In the meantime, Poulit-Duquesne and her team were hardy idle; the brand extended its reach in locations where it already had a significant foothold, specifically in Japan, where it had a presence since 1973. It also focused on Korea, Taiwan and China, taking the latter from zero boutiques to 17 during her tenure. But as the brands top high jewelry buyers, the time arrived to turn attention to American clients, who usually would visit the storied Place Vendome flagship to acquire the imaginative, boundary-pushing one-off creations dreamt up by creative director Claire Choisne. (Her collections have been inspired by everything from Pop Art to the ephemeral nature of flowers. The latest embeds the sound of crashing water within jewels using binary code.) Boucheron Madison Avenue Boutique In the New York boutique, those clients will find decorative elements that echo those in the historic Place Vendome salonchandeliers made by French firm Maison Delisle, a green lacquered chest resembling the one that dominates the entry to the Parisian flagshipbut its stateside setting plays a large part in the spaces look and feel. The distinctly American take on Art Deco, the design movement that originated in Paris in the early 20th century before migrating across the Atlantic, is a dominant theme, informing elements from the elegant geometry of the boutiques exterior, with its gleaming glass and metal facade to the warm color palette punctuated by strokes of black lacquer. According to Poulit-Duquesne, Boucheron designs its boutiques to reflect their settings wherever they are in the world. Each boutique is different, she explained. Everything is specific. All the VIP rooms are different, telling different stories in each boutique. One unifying theme is a comforting, relaxed ambiance. It is about the feeling of being at home, being in a family home. Boucheron Quatre Necklace Another consistent theme is the consistent assortment of jewels that reflects the maisons point of view. A centerpiece of the offering is the Quatre collection, a series of pieces that combine contrasting, layered textures and gold colors, launched 20 years ago this year. Its innovative. Its very recognizable. It so fits perfectly the American taste. Other favorites are also present, like its cast of jeweled animal charactersWladimir the Cat, Hopi the Hummingbirdand the Jack collection resembling 18-karat gold cables. A three-day pop-up exhibition alighted on the Cooper-Hewitt Museum some 30 blocks away from the boutique to celebrate its American debut. For the first time in the USa complete high jewelry collection from the brand, plus vintage treasures from its heritage collection, like an Art Nouveau diamond and ruby brooch and a bracelet that once belonged to Wallis Simpson. Boucheron diamond and rock crystal Ondes high jewelry necklace Now that the house has established a new US foothold, it will extend its domestic reach quickly and steadily. Within the next twelve months, boutiques in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Miami are on the agenda, according to the CEO, with more to come at a pace of about two boutiques per year in the US. Poulit-Duquesne acknowledges that tackling the US market wont be done overnight or in a year. Coming to the US is not a one-shot deal. You have to invest for ten years at minimum to be sure that you have the right presence in the USA. 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. The temari balls are displayed at Sanuki Kagari Temari in Kawaramachi, Kagawa prefecture, Japan, on Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Ayaka McGill) KAWARAMACHI, Japan (AP) Time seems to stop here. Women sit in a small circle, quietly, painstakingly stitching patterns on balls the size of an orange, a stitch at a time. At the center of the circle is Eiko Araki, a master of the Sanuki Kagari Temari, a Japanese traditional craft passed down for more than 1,000 years on the southwestern island of Shikoku. Each ball, or temari, is a work of art, with colorful geometric patterns carrying poetic names like firefly flowers and layered stars. A temari ball takes weeks or months to finish. Some cost hundreds of dollars (tens of thousands of yen), although others are much cheaper. These kaleidoscopic balls arent for throwing or kicking around. Theyre destined to be heirlooms, carrying prayers for health and goodness. They might be treasured like a painting or piece of sculpture in a Western home. The concept behind temari is an elegant otherworldliness, an impractical beauty that is also very labor-intensive to create. Out of nothing, something this beautiful is born, bringing joy," says Araki. "I want it to be remembered there are beautiful things in this world that can only be made by hand. Natural materials The region where temari originated was good for growing cotton, warm with little rainfall, and the spherical creations continue to be made out of the humble material. At Araki's studio, which also serves as head office for temari's preservation society, there are 140 hues of cotton thread, including delicate pinks and blues, as well as more vivid colors and all the subtle gradations in between. The women dye them by hand, using plants, flowers and other natural ingredients, including cochineal, a bug living in cacti that produces a red dye. The deeper shade of indigo is dyed again and again to turn just about black. Yellow and blue are combined to form gorgeous greens. Soy juice is added to deepen the tints, a dash of organic protein. Outside the studio, loops of cotton thread, in various tones of yellow today, hang outside in the shade to dry. Creating and embroidering the balls The arduous process starts with making the basic ball mold on which the stitching is done. Rice husks that are cooked and then dried are placed in a piece of cotton, then wound with thread, over and over, until, almost magically, a ball appears in your hands. Then the stitching begins. The balls are surprisingly hard, so each stitch requires a concentrated, almost painful, push. The motifs must be precise and even. Each ball has lines to guide the stitching one that goes around it like the equator, and others that zigzag to the top and bottom. Appealing to a new generation These days, temari is getting some new recognition, among Japanese and foreigners as well. Caroline Kennedy took lessons in the ball-making when she was United States ambassador to Japan a decade ago. Yoshie Nakamura, who promotes Japanese handcrafted art in her duty-free shop at Tokyo's Haneda airport, says she features temari there because of its intricate and delicate designs. Temari that might have been everyday in a faraway era is now being used for interior decoration, she said. I really feel each Sanuki Kagari Temari speaks of a special, one-and-only existence in the world." Araki has come up with some newer designs that feel both modern and historical. She is trying to make the balls more accessible to everyday life for instance, as Christmas tree ornaments. A strap with a dangling miniature ball, though quite hard to make because of its size, is affordable at about 1,500 yen ($10) each. Another of Araki's inventions is a cluster of pastel balls that opens and shuts with tiny magnets. Fill it with sweet-smelling herbs for a kind of aromatic diffuser. A tradition passed down through generations Araki, a graceful woman who talks very slowly, her head cocked to one side as though always in thought, often travels to Tokyo to teach. But mostly she works and gives lessons in her studio, an abandoned kindergarten with faded blue paint and big windows with tired wooden frames. She started out as a metalwork artist. Her husband's parents were temari masters who worked hard to resurrect the artform when it was declining in the modern age, at risk of dying out. They were stoic people, rarely bestowing praise and instead always scolding her, she remembers. Its a tough-love approach thats common in the handing down of many Japanese traditional arts, from Kabuki acting to hogaku music, that demand lifetimes of selfless devotion. Today, only several dozen people, all women, can make the temari balls to traditional standards. The most challenging aspect is nurturing successors. It typically takes over 10 years to train them, so you need people who are willing to continue the craft for a very long time, Araki said. When people start to feel joy along with the hardship that comes with making temari, they tend to keep going. ___ AP journalist Ayaka McGill contributed to this report. ___ Yuri Kageyama is on X: https://x.com/yurikageyama Around 23 years ago, Paul Theroux picked up a private retreat off the coast of Maine. Now the Hawaii-based travel writer and prolific novelist of more than 50 booksamong them The Mosquito Coast, which was adapted into a 1980s movie, as well as a more recent TV series starring his nephew Justin Therouxhas decided to part ways with his longtime Calf Island home, hoisting the place on the market for a relatively affordable $1.275 million. Tucked away on a seven-acre parcel offering sweeping coastline views paired with more than 3,000 feet of waterfront footage on Wheeler Bay, the property features a post-and-beam main home and separate guesthouse that were handcrafted in the 1970s by late contemporary artist and furniture-maker Duane Paluska. In addition to a combined four bedrooms and two baths in a little more than 1,700 square feet of living space, there are also pathways meandering through serene spruce-lined meadows, a mix of sand and pebble beaches, and a ramp leading down to a floating dock with a row boat. More from Robb Report The floating dock houses a boat used for padding to the nearby mainland. Highlights of the primary dwelling include a window-lined living room displaying rustic hardwood floors and a vaulted wood-beam ceiling, along with a simple, functional kitchen that has an accompanying dining area warmed by a wood-burning stove. Per the listing, which is held by Joseph Sortwell of Christies International Real Estate, a large open room upstairs also has plenty of space for a bedroom and a living area. Elsewhere is the wood-shingled guesthouse, which has two bedrooms, a bath, and an open living room sporting a loft and another wood-burning stove, plus its own porch. A small shed and boathouse also can be found on the premises. The main home has an open-concept great room housing a living and dining area, plus a kitchen. Being a coastal New Englander really shaped my life, the 83-year-old Maine native once told National Geographic. I would find it almost impossible to live in an inland city or town. I simply cant do it. I need to live where theres the smell of the sea, where theres water. I also like the idea of forest next to a sealike the Maine coast or the California or Oregon coasts, Theroux added. Where theres sea and forest going up to the sea. Thats heaven to me. Click here for more photos of Paul Therouxs private island retreat. Paul Theroux House Maine 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. Here's your guide to Hispanic Heritage Month events in Milwaukee this year Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off this week to celebrate the histories and culture of the Latino and Hispanic communities across the country. In Milwaukee, there are several events honoring Hispanic Heritage Month across the city. Here's a look at how to get involved: When is Hispanic Heritage Month? Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3203 N. Downer Ave. Multiple events at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will take place over the next month celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. You can find a full schedule here. Hispanic Heritage Month Film Screening-Multiple days Oriental Theater, at 2230 N. Farwell Ave. Several films will be screened at the Oriental Theater to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. You can find a full schedule here. Hispanic Heritage Business Network Event- Sept. 19 Fiesta Cafe, 1407 S. Street Attendees can network and connect with professionals at the Hispanic Heritage Business Network on Sept. 19 at the Fiesta Cafe. The event features Latin food, drinks, and a tour bus for anyone interested in a tour of Milwaukee's Latino Community. Market on the Riverwalk Celebrating Hispanic Heritage-Sept. 21 Schlitz Park, at 1515 N. Rivercenter Drive The Market on the Riverwalk Celebrating Hispanic Heritage is a free event featuring culture, live music, food trucks and Latino vendors. Located at Schlitz Park, the event is free and runs from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Mexican Fiesta's Flores Hall, at 2997 S. 20th St. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the screening of "Roots and Legacy: Jesus Salas" on Wednesday, Sept. 25. The documentary highlights the memoir of Jesus Salas, an activist who dedicated his life to improving conditions for migrant farm workers across in Wisconsin. You can register here. Hispanic Heritage Month at the Milwaukee Art Museum- Oct. 5 Milwaukee Art Museum, at 700 N. Art Museum Drive Attendees can celebrate Hispanic and Latino history and culture on an tour of artworks in the Museum's collection on Oct. 5 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. UMOS Hispanic Awards Banquet Gala- Oct. 25 The Pfister Hotel, at 424 E. Wisconsin Ave. The UMOS Hispanic Awards Banquet and Gala starts at 5 p.m. at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. The event features food, photo ops, and the awarding of notable local Hispanics. You can find more information here. RELATED: These dishes help make Hispanic Heritage Month delicious in Milwaukee RELATED: Families Celebrate Mexican Independence Day and Hispanic Heritage Month at Zocalo This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Hispanic Heritage Month 2024 events in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Until the lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunter. Kenechi Uzor understood that African proverb long before he first saw a lion in the flesh, 7,200 miles from his Nigerian homeland. A handful of these majestic animals roamed their territory at Utahs Hogle Zoo: a few grassy acres dotted with human-made grottos and sunlit perches backed by the Wasatch Mountains. Uzor gawked at the animals, aware that many of those around him may assume hed be used to seeing them. Uzor moved here from Lagos, a metropolis of 21 million residents on the Gulf of Guinea, the most populous urban area in Africa. Growing up, he moved among high-rise apartment buildings, grand theaters and churches, modern bridges and expressways. There were bookstores and libraries where he learned about American culture from authors like Mark Twain. But there were no lions. As far as (Americans) are concerned, we in Nigeria live next door to all of these wild animals, he says. Instead of blaming them for ignorance, I understand its just because they dont have enough to be well informed about Africa. When he came to the United States in 2016, Uzor was dismayed at the lack of African titles on bookshelves. He enrolled in a masters program for creative writing at the University of Utah and found that all his assigned readings were written by Western authors. Even students driven by curiosity had trouble finding books by African writers. Now, as a professor at that school, he thinks about what his students miss by seldom reading African perspectives. And he worries that his daughters are growing up with limited access to stories that could help them explore and embrace their own heritage. The lions at the zoo are powerless to shape their narrative, but Uzor knew he was not. So two years ago, he launched an independent publishing house based in Salt Lake City. He named it Iskanchi Press, inspired by the Hausa word for nonconformity. The Hausa are an ethnic group native to West Africa, and Hausa is their language. But his purpose is larger: to make sure Americans can read the literature and hear the voices of his home. The proverb that acts as Uzors guiding principle is famously articulated by Chinua Achebe, known as the father of modern African literature. In a 1994 interview with the Paris Review, the late Nigerian author spoke of stories he read as a young man that depicted Africans as savages. He found that positive representations of his culture were seldom seen in the broader literary world; instead, depictions were monolithic, stereotypical and negligent. That was the way I was introduced to the danger of not having your own stories, he said. I had to be that historian. Its not one mans job. Its not one persons job. But it is something we have to do, so that the story of the hunt will also reflect the agony, the travail the bravery, even, of the lions. Achebes seminal 1958 novel, Things Fall Apart, recounts the arrival of European colonial forces to a fictitious Nigerian village in the late 19th century through the eyes of a local leader and warrior who is eventually demoralized by his peoples utter surrender. That point of view was revolutionary. Now a classic, the book has been translated into nearly 60 languages, with more than 20 million copies sold worldwide and is frequently taught in American schools. Western audiences tend to credit him with creating African literature, but that is not quite accurate. Uzors purpose is larger: to make sure Americans can read the literature and hear the voices of his home. Northern Africa played key roles in the development of Western culture. Egypt helped pioneer written language with hieroglyphics. St. Augustine of Hippo wrote The City of God and Confessions (probably the first memoir) in Latin, from his home on the coast of modern Algeria. Jewish philosopher Maimonides wrote Mishneh Torah in Hebrew and The Guide for the Perplexed in Arabic, both seminal texts, while living in Egypt. And the University of al-Qarawiyyin, founded in Morocco in 859, became a magnet for literature and learning while Europe struggled through its dark ages. Go a little deeper, and most African literature simply wasnt accessible to Western audiences. Somalia is known as a nation of poets, but many compose and recite their works on the spot. Sub-Saharan cultures have relied on oral storytelling since time immemorial. This egalitarian and intimate practice is still used to impart traditions and social norms. They can be told by specialized storytellers, like griots in West Africa, or shared from parent to child. Many stories are still told this way, exploring themes like identity and existence, war and migration, life and death. Some are trickster tales, in which anthropomorphized and mischievous animal characters play out human moral quandaries. Others are epics, following the trials and victories of fabled heroes. These are the foundations that modern writers like Achebe built upon. It was only in the 20th century that these stories could finally be printed in European languages. Since that time, African authors have unlocked new viewpoints, lessons and imaginings for a wider audience. Contemporary authors like Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Abdulrazak Gurnah have graced bestseller lists and garnered National Book Awards and Nobel Prizes. And Afrofuturism, which mingles science fiction with Black culture, has gifted us the first mainstream African superhero through Marvels Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda comic book series. Still, those examples are recent and relatively few. Uzor wants to remedy that. What we do that is different is that we are all Africans, Uzor says, with a few minor exceptions. We are trying to portray African perspectives as clearly and as originally as possible. In its first two years, Iskanchi Press has published 10 books spanning genres from Afrofuturism to mystery and coming of age. An eponymous magazine publishes shorter, more experimental pieces by African writers. Uzor also plans to publish childrens and young adult books, adding to the 14 percent of titles published in the United States that are by Black or African authors. I think every perspective should be included. Every voice should be heard as much as possible, he says. In The Emperors Son, by Liberian author Vamba Sherif, a boy and his father traverse the savannah. Zaiwulo, who is almost 13, carries a sapling he considers precious for the fire-colored blooms it will soon produce. But he hears hooves thundering toward him across the grasslands. In a flash, a horse races by, close enough to snatch the sapling in its teeth. The boy screams and the horses mysterious rider pulls back on the reins. What does the tree mean to you, child? he asks. Before Zaiwulo can answer, in all his pride and bravery, his father rushes over to apologize. Its only then that Zaiwulo realizes the rider is a fearsome warrior just as the warrior sees something in Zaiwulo, something that makes him more remarkable than either he or his father know. Sherifs book is a work of historical fiction that follows a 19th century African leader dubbed the Black Napoleon for his resistance to English and French colonizers, who is celebrated for being as much of a scholar as he is a warrior. Sherif grew up hearing legends of the characters inspiration, Samori Toure, but never encountered Toure's legacy in writing. I wanted not only to tell the story of the African resistance to colonialism, I wanted to paint a picture of a society that was very advanced and that was very civilized, a society that appreciated scholarship, Sherif says. Because thats my story. Kenechi Uzor, editor-in-chief and publisher of Iskanchi Press, poses for photos at his home in Lehi on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. | Spenser Heaps His novel was first published in Dutch, but Sherif struggled for years to have it translated into English for an American audience. But his agent got a different response when he pitched it to Iskanchi Press. It felt like homecoming, he says. Industry consolidation and mergers have narrowed opportunities for writers to get published. About 80 percent of the trade book market is now controlled by just five publishing houses, each a for-profit business that rarely bets on outliers or underdogs. That is even more daunting for international authors. Just 3 percent of books published in the U.S. are translated into English from another language, almost half from French, Spanish or German. About 60 percent of all translated books come from presses that are affiliated with universities or simply independent a category Uzor is proud to be a part of. Since their stories were first printed in the 20th century in European languages, African authors have unlocked new viewpoints, lessons and imaginings for a wider audience. Independent presses serve a vital role in this whole ecosystem in terms of bringing voices to light that could be passed over by mainstream publishing, says Jill Smith, director of the University of Denvers Publishing Institute. And they are frequently in a position to publish books that would not be acquired by the big five. While Iskanchi Press may never get an office on Madison Avenue, it has the freedom to focus on authenticity, provocative retellings of history and stories that can only be told by those who experienced their impact. Consider Angola Is Wherever I Plant My Field, a collection of postmodern short stories infused with humor by Angolan author Joao Melo. Contemporary history is full of examples that confirm the profound and multiple irresponsibilities of Angolans, he writes. Firstly, when millions were taken to the Americas as slaves, not only did they resist being completely destroyed by brutal exploitation and unknown diseases such as influenza and syphilis, but they taught their very oppressors how to forge iron, extract diamonds and gold from the ground and how to plant (and harvest) sugar cane and coffee. More than revisiting this piece of shared history from a perspective that is probably new to most American readers, Melo is offering them something grander: empathy. This is a significant benefit of literature that has only recently come to scientific light. It also makes projects like Iskanchi Press feel that much more essential. Marybeth Timmermann has never been to Mauritania. The Islamic country in northwest Africa lies more than an ocean away from her home in Greenville, Illinois. She never had a reason to feel anything for a land so distant or its people until she translated Barzakh: The Land In-Between by Mauritanian author Moussa Ould Ebnou from French into English. The novel recounts an odyssey through time, history and philosophy as the protagonist Gara traverses the Saharan desert in a state like limbo, somewhere between living and dead, known as Barzakh in Arabic. It broadened my horizons and made me understand theres so many different, interesting ways of looking at the world, Timmerman says. She has translated plenty of material, from works of fiction to the scholarly writings of French philosopher Simone de Beauvoir, but none expanded her world like this one. She fought for the book, pitching it to literary agents and small presses before it eventually landed at Iskanchi Press, because she believed it can break down stereotypes and help Americans to learn about a place few have even heard of. Reading fiction can shape perceptions and alter the brain, allowing us to vicariously experience the places and events we read about. Research in neuropsychology shows that when we read, activity lights up our temporal lobe (which processes language), motor cortex (which processes movement) and olfactory bulb (which processes smell). By psychologically mimicking the experience, we not only learn from the choices of others but get to see through their eyes, boosting our empathy and emotional intelligence. Reading about other cultures, reading stories from other perspectives helps us develop an understanding of people who are different but also helps us find commonalities with other cultures, Smith says. It helps with our cultural and global awareness to read outside of ourselves and our own experience. When he reflects on the power of literature, Uzor thinks back to the awe he felt at the lions he saw at the zoo. But he also remembers his first winter in Utah, his first snowfall. He scooped up a handful of the white powder and inspected it. OK, so thats how it feels, he thought to himself. Not as strange as hed anticipated. Kind of like the inside of a refrigerator. Unfamiliar but easy to understand. What had prepared him for that moment, and all the other changes that came with a new life in a new place, were the stories hed read back home. Books like Twains Adventures of Huckleberry Finn taught him about snow how it falls, crunches underfoot and captures tracks. But they also helped him to understand a culture and lived experience that was far removed from his own. When I moved to America, it seemed like I already knew what America was about, he says. It wasnt so much of a shock to me because Ive been reading. This story appears in the September 2024 issue of Deseret Magazine. Learn more about how to subscribe. NC family visited Sioux Falls on a 50-day run to help kids in need of smiles This story was updated to add a new photo. A North Carolina family ran through Sioux Falls on Tuesday in support of Smile Train, an international nonprofit that supports free surgeries for cleft-affected children. A small community of local runners joined the family of four at Falls Park, beginning their 5K fun run on the bike trail and looping back. I couldn't get over the really nice park and trail system, said Jeremy Hough, who is the father of the family and has been planning this trip for more than a year. You all are so lucky to have that here. The Hough family ran at Falls Park on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, as part of their charity run for Smile Train. Jeremy, his wife, Kelly, and teenage daughters Campbell and Caroline began a 50-day charity run on Sept. 11 in Anchorage, Alaska. Their goal is to run 50 5Ks for 50 days straight in all 50 states. They've made it through Alaska, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and South Dakota, and are on their way now toward North Dakota and Wisconsin. They'll continue to loop clockwise through the U.S. and end their endeavor Oct. 31 in Maui, Hawaii. Campbell Hough, 17; Kelly Hough, Jeremy Hough; and Caroline Hough, 15, are running in every state for 50 days straight to support cleft-affected surgeries worldwide. Were looking to generate awareness, maybe raise some money and interact with people as we travel around the country, Jeremy Hough said. We want people to cheer us on or come alongside us and share their stories. Since 2018, the work of Smile Train is made possible by training hospital staff worldwide and providing resources that allow dentists, orthodontists and oral surgeons to offer cleft-affected children high-quality, necessary care. A cleft palate or a cleft lip is a common birth condition in which the roof of the mouth and / or the lip has an opening or a split that can make it difficult for infants and children to eat, breath, speak or hear. Its the most common facial difference in children worldwide and is also associated with ostracization from society, bullying in school and even children being rejected by their parents or family members. The Houghs oldest daughter, Campbell, 17, was born with a cleft lip. Her experience is her familys inspiration to take this on. Since birth, she has endured a lip repair at 3 months old, a palate repair at 10 months old, a bone graft and lip revision at 8 years old and an oral surgery to pull down a tooth just this past year. Campbell Hough, 17, was born with a cleft lip. Her family is running a 5K in every state for 50 days straight to support free cleft-affected surgeries worldwide. Oh, my word, she was in so much pain, Kelly Hough said. It was horrible. But Smile Train has a whole team of social workers, psychologists, oral surgeons, dentists and orthodontists to help families like us afford multiple surgeries. Its an incredible comprehensive team approach. Their fundraising adventure is called Miles for Smiles: Run 50 Strong. The Houghs thus far have raised $100,000 for Smile Train and hope to raise $50,000 more during their 50-day nationwide jaunt this fall. They first flew from home to Alaska, then flew to Seattle from Alaska for their second run and will now continue the remainder of their trip in their camper by staying at KOAs. They spent time in the Black Hills before visiting Sioux Falls and were able to attend the nightly lighting ceremony at Mt. Rushmore. Let me tell you, it was so moving to be there, said Jeremy Hough. The ranger spoke so well and passionately about our history and the importance of voting. Jeremy Hough recently retired from the military and said that, at the ceremony, all veterans were called down to the stage to retire the flag together. I got to stand on the stage with fellow serviceman, he said. I could never had known I would get to experience that! It was really incredible. Where will the Houghs be next? Follow along to see which state the family will be in every day. Kelly Hough said a lot of friends have scoffed at the family's decision to embark on a two-month, cross-country road trip in a camper and with their two dogs. But we get to see every state, she said. We feel called to do this, and its for such a good cause. Campbell is a senior in high school. She and her sister are doing online learning until they return to their school for spring semester. I kept asking Caroline, Are you sure you want to miss half of your senior year of high school? Kelly said. And she said to me, Mom, Im not missing anything. I want to be here for these kids, its important to me. Give a smile! Donate to 'Miles for Smiles: Run 50 Strong.' There are so many families that have no idea Smile Train even exists, Campbell added. They are in countries that dont have the same resources as we do and need serious help. But this is such an easy fix and a simple surgery. Why wouldnt I want to talk about that and help kids? Kelly Hough said the typical cost of a cleft repair surgery in a foreign country is about $250. Thats someone skipping their Starbucks for a month, she said. That can transform the patients life and a familys life. What an incredible impact a dollar can make. Smile Train has supported more than 2 million free cleft surgeries in more than 75 countries, and the Hough family has raised more than $100,000 for the organization. It was a lot of work to get here, but we are absolutely committed to this, Jeremy Hough said. Itd be great if we could get a smile out of our visit from Sioux Fallsor even more would be incredible. To donate, visit SmileTrain.org. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: NC family in Sioux Falls as part of a 50-day cross-country charity run The Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) has joined forces with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for the #BehindTheSeams campaign, which is aimed at boosting organic fiber production. Running through September, the #BehindTheScenes campaign was designed to urge industry stakeholders to support farmers transitioning to organic cotton by offering insights about the people and practices behind the cultivation of organic textiles. The transition from conventional to organic farming can take up to three years and presents a number of challenges for farmers trying to navigate fluctuating crop conditions and market uncertainty. More from Sourcing Journal The OCA has worked with a number of these farmers to provide resources such as capacity-building assistance, premium payments and market linkages. During the 2023-2024 cotton growing season, OCA worked with more than 35,000 organic-in-conversion farmers in India and Pakistan. The effort was part of a broader program supporting more than 80,000 farmers in the region. The organization also provided an online Organic Cotton Training Curriculum for Pakistan course for farmers tailored to the agriculture of the region. As part of the #BehindTheSeams campaign, the OCA looks to secure more brands willing to buy in-conversion cotton to allow farmers to produce income while they make the transition to organic farming. This commitment helps farmers navigate the challenging transition period, resulting in certified crops with significant environmental and economic benefits. OCA enables and facilitates this process, but more brands need to join OCAs Farm Program to expand support for farmers, the organization said in a statement. OCA has worked with GOTSthe worldwide standard for organic cottonon other initiatives, such as the international ISO IWA 32:3019 proficiency test. The test offers a protocol for global labs to screen for the presence of genetically modified cotton in the organic value chain. Last year, more than 70,000 farmers benefitted from the OCAs Farm Program, according to its 2023 annual report. Those farmers represent more than 91,000 hectares of production and a rise in organic cotton procurement to more than 87,000 metric tons. The organization operates programs in Pakistan and Turkey. (Bloomberg) -- Hip-hop impresario Sean Diddy Combs was arrested by federal agents Monday evening based on a sealed indictment filed by the US Attorneys Office in Manhattan. Most Read from Bloomberg We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time, Manhattan US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. Marc Agnifilo, an attorney for Combs, said in a separate statement that his client is innocent and he looks forward to clearing his name. We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs, Agnifilo said. He is an imperfect person but is not a criminal. Combs has been cooperating with the investigation and voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of the charges, Agnifilo said. Combs will be in a Manhattan federal court Tuesday morning after the indictment is unsealed. The music mogul has been accused of sexual abuse several times over the years. Earlier this year, CNN published a video of him assaulting his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a 2016 incident. Combs apologized. The rapper, who has gone by other names, including Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, achieved some of his greatest success as a record producer and executive helping promote the careers of other stars. He later branched out further into business with a clothing line and other projects. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. These Zodiac Signs Will Be Most Affected by Trifecta Super Eclipse Originally appeared on E! Online If you're one of these zodiac signs, prepare for a total eclipse of the heart. The first lunar eclipse of the year is set to take place on the night of Sept. 17 during this months full moon, which is also a Harvest moonthe closest full moon to the autumnal equinox. And considering the full moon, Harvest moon and lunar eclipse fall on the same date, astrologists predict that four out of the twelve star signs will be most affected by this "trifecta" phenomenon. According to astrology influencer Solel Nastro, if your rising sign is Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces, you truly need to fasten your seatbelts!! As Nastro shared in a Sept. 16 message on X. "This pisces lunar eclipse 9/17 will affect you the strongest & its likely that youll experience major turning points & emotional transformations within your relationships (with yourself or others)." And the astrology expert had some advice for those who identify with those zodiac signs, advising them to "try to be as open-minded as possible." "Instead of resisting the discomfort," she added, "lean into it." And while Geminis, Virgos, Sagittariuses and Pisces might experience the greatest energy shifts, the lunar eventwhich will be a partial lunar eclipse visible on Sept. 17 into Sept. 18 across North Americawill impact other signs as well. More from E! Online "Eclipse energy can bring clarity your way in the house it transits through in your birth chart," astrology influencer wetneptune wrote on X Sept. 16. "Rather than experiencing an upheaval in that area of life, you may only receive clarity in that area of life, which will then prompt you to make necessary changes." The astrologer added, "Sometimes an eclipse will give you the opportunity to make the change first, before making a decision/change for you." Read on for everything to know about the forthcoming eclipse... Mariano Sayno What is a lunar eclipse? "A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the Earths shadow," Wentworth Institute of Technology assistant professor Dr. Benjamin Boe explained to Today in an interview published Sept. 16. "That is, the Earth blocks out the sun as seen from the moon. While the moon is in the Earths shadow, it will become much darker." And the Sept. 17 spectacle will be a partial eclipse, as opposed to a total or penumbral version of the lunar event. This eclipse will only be a partial eclipse with a small fraction of the moon going dark and having that red color," the professor continued. "The rest of the moon will be in a partial eclipse, so it will get fainter but not too dramatically. As far as lunar eclipses go, this one is very minor. How can I see the first 2024 lunar eclipse on Sept. 17 and Sept. 18? The partial lunar eclipse will be visible to the parts of the earth with clear night skies on Sept. 17 into Sept. 18. Places including North and South America, Europe, eastern Polynesia, the Atlantic Ocean, most of Africa, parts of the Middle East and the western Indian Ocean are expected to be able to witness the display. But the sky show won't last too long. The entire event will span about three hours, with the maximum eclipsewhen the moon is covered most by the earth's shadowoccurring at 10:44 p.m. ET or 7:44 p.m. PT, according to TimeAndDate. Why is the 2024 lunar eclipse being called a "Trifecta" super eclipse? While lunar eclipses always occur during the full moon, the Sept. 17 eclipse is considered a "trifecta" eclipse because it will also be during September's Harvest Moon, a.k.a. a supermoon that appears larger than usual because its orbit is close to the earth. What Zodiac signs will be most affected by the lunar eclipse on Sept. 17? Astrology influencer Solel Nastro predicted that Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces signs will experience the biggest energy shifts following the lunar eclipse, explaining on X, "Its likely that youll experience major turning points & emotional transformations within your relationships (with yourself or others)." But that doesn't mean the remaining eight star signsScorpio, Taurus, Libra, Cancer, Aquarius, Aries, Virgo and Leoare exempt from feeling the change. As the astrology expert Astro Maji put it on X, "The Full Moon Eclipse happening tomorrow is a significant astrological event. Its a partial lunar eclipse in Pisces, which brings heightened emotional sensitivity, intuition, and a strong spiritual or dreamy influence." The astrologer added, "Eclipses tend to bring closure & highlight emotional wounds, past traumas, or unresolved feelings, asking you to let go of baggage." For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Sean "Diddy" Combs is charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution Roy Rochlin/Getty Sean "Diddy" Holmes Sean Diddy Combs, one of the most powerful figures in the music industry, was hit with a three-count federal indictment charging him with of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. The indictment lays out stunning allegations against the Bad Boy Records founder, including claims that he coerced women into performing orchestrated sex acts with male sex workers. Combs has pleaded not guilty, according to the Associated Press. His lawyer Marc Agnifilo says his client plans to plead not guilty, and Agnifilo said he would fight like hell to get Combs released from federal custody. Combs was arrested at a Manhattan hotel a day before the indictment was unsealed on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Here are some of the disturbing allegations made by prosecutors: Related: Sean 'Diddy' Combs in Court Live Updates: What to Know About His Alleged Sex Crimes Combs Allegedly Forced Victims to Participate in 'Freak Offs' According to the indictment, obtained by PEOPLE, Combs used coercion to make women participate in so-called freak offs, described by prosecutors as "elaborate and produced sex performances. Prosecutors allege that Combs would lure victims under the pretense of a romantic relationship before allegedly using "force, threats of force and coercion" in order to get them to participate. The alleged "freak offs" would sometimes last several days and sometimes featured multiple commercial sex workers. Combs is alleged to have arranged and directed the freak offs;" prosecutors claim he recorded them electronically and masturbated while they were going on. Related: Inside the Alleged 'Freak Offs' at Center of Sex Crimes Charges Against Sean 'Diddy' Combs Combs Allegedly Used Drugs, Influence and Intimidation to Coerce Women Combs, who has amassed enormous power and influence within the music industry over the past three-plus decades, is accused of using that influence to ensure the women participated in the freak offs. Combs allegedly would exert control over victims careers and leverage his financial support by threatening to cut them off, the indictment alleges. The mogul also allegedly recorded the freak offs, which was sometimes not known to the victims. Further, prosecutors claim that Combs provided drugs to the victims to foster compliance. The drugs supplied allegedly included cocaine, oxycodone and ketamine, among others, according to the indictment. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Sean "Diddy" Combs Victims Received IV Fluids Because the alleged freak offs were physically exerting and sometimes lasted several days, prosecutors say Combs and the victims needed IV treatment after freak offs. The need for the IVs stemmed from the need to recover from the exertion as well as the drug use, the indictment alleges. Alleged Physical Abuse The physical abuse allegedly inflicted by Combs dates back to at least 2009, prosecutors claim in the indictment. Combs allegedly punched, kicked, dragged and threw objects at women, and his alleged behavior was sometimes witnessed by others, according to the indictment. One alleged incident in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 was captured on camera, prosecutors say. In the video, prosecutors alleged Combs kicked, dragged and threw a vase at a woman. In an attempt to ensure silence, prosecutors allege that Combs attempted to bribe a hotel staff member who had tried to intervene. Alleged Involvement of Combs' Employees Though Combs is accused of arranging the freak offs at the center of the indictment, prosecutors also say his employees helped facilitate them. The employees, including high-ranking supervisors, security staff, household staff and personal assistants, allegedly helped book travel for the victims and sex workers and booked travel, the indictment states. They are also accused of having stocked hotel rooms with supplies, cleaned the rooms afterward in addition to having resupplied Combs, delivered cash to pay sex workers and scheduled delivery of IV fluids. 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. More Than 1,000 Bottles of Baby Oil When Combs homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided in March, prosecutors say authorities found "freak off supplies," including drugs and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant. 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. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that Wichita State Universitys Biomedical Campus has been awarded a $1 million grant. The grant from the departments Economic Development Administration will support workforce training. According to a news release, the grant will provide state-of-the-art audiology equipment. Wichita Public Library to hold Banned Book Week events Wichita State University is equipping students with the skills they need to provide excellent medical care and excel in their careers, Sen. Jerry Moran said. This investment from the Economic Development Administration will deliver state-of-the-art technology to WSU to provide students with top-notch training in audiology medicine. The EDA investment will be matched with $1 million in local funds and is expected to create 50 jobs, according to estimates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. STARKVILLE, Miss. (WJTV) Officials with Mississippi State Universitys (MSU) Fred Carl Jr. Small Town Center announced the recipients of a community-focused placemaking and revitalization program. The Small Town Revitalization program, supported by the Small Town Center, received 27 applications and was able to award funds to 11 communities to support projects. The projects range from master plans to pocket parks to street art to retail hubs. Mississippi releases school accountability grades for 2023-24 The following communities will receive grants: Booneville Carthage Columbia Eupora Falcon McComb Pascagoula Ripley Saltillo Tunica Water Valley The Small Town Center will work with these selected communities to design and implement their proposed projects. We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to help communities realize their visions in an impactful way through our wholistic approach, said Small Town Center Director Leah Kemp. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our state and are humbled that our longstanding record of service to our communities has been entrusted to carry out this task. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. The boy, whose name was not released, is the fourth to die while subway surfing this year ABC7NY/Youtube 11-Year-Old Boy Dies on N.Y.C. Subway An 11-year-old boy was killed subway surfing in Brooklyn, New York, on Monday, Sept. 16, the MTA confirms with PEOPLE. At 10:10 a.m., the victim, who has not been publicly identified, struck his head on an overhang at the Fourth Ave./Ninth St. stop in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Once hit, he fell to the tracks and was run over by the G train, NBC News 4, ABC News 7 and New York Daily News report. The child died at the scene. This is another avoidable heart-wrenching reminder that riding outside trains is not a game, and the subway is not a social media studio, Demetrius Crichlow, NYC Transits interim president, said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE on Monday. The statement continued: It should not take more tragic termination of young lives for parents and classmates of those who would climb on top of subway cars to help them comprehend the devastating risk. Subway surfing is when a person rides on top or on the side of a moving train. These prohibited acts are often captured on video and published to social media. Related: NYC Subway Rider Dies After Getting Caught in Closing Doors, Dragged and Struck by Oncoming Train N.Y.C. Mayor Eric Adams released a statement to X (formerly known as Twitter) on Monday afternoon. It is heartbreaking to hear another life cut short due to subway surfing, he wrote. Sending my prayers to the family of this young New Yorker. He continued, We will continue to do everything we can to discourage this dangerous activity, but we need everyone to join our efforts. Through our #RideInsideStayAlive campaign, we're going to continue working to keep our kids safe. Getty Stock image of subway train, New York City, USA City officials, the MTA and the New York Police Department are working to warn young people about the dangers of subway surfing. An MTA staff member told PEOPLE that the public transit organization is flagging social media posts of subway surfing to combat and remove content that glorifies that deadly trend; the MTA has removed 10,650 posts across various social media platforms. The childs death is now the fourth and youngest child to die this year by subway surfing. The other children who were killed were all young teenagers, ages 13, 14 and 15, per The New York Times. Related: N.Y.C. Subway Surfer Dies After Falling Off Train, Getting Hit By Another Near Williamsburg Bridge In January, 14-year-old Alam Reyes died after he fell while surfing a Coney Island-bound F train, per the NY Daily News. The child followed several subway surfers on social media. Six months later, in June, Geradm Ashitey, 13, died after falling from a northbound No. 6 train in the Bronx neighborhood of Pelham Bay, the NY Daily News reported. The next month, 15-year-old Anthony Bhagwandeen was discovered deceased with a severe head injury at the Beach 90th St. station elevated tracks in Rockaway, Queens. The cops believe Bhagwandeen died of subway surfing, per NY Daily News. In addition to the four deaths, a 10-year-old boy was caught trying to subway surf in March, per PIX11. The child wanted to ride atop an A train in the Rockaway, Queens, but authorities removed him and returned him to his mother. GoFundMe Anthony Bhagwandeen, 15-year-old who died subway surfing Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The New York Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for more information on Monday. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Local authorities said the rescue went well into the early morning hours as they tried to free the child who had slipped and fell in between two boulders The Hillsboro Fire and EMS/Facebook A scene from the rescue of an 11-year-old boy trapped in between two boulders An 11-year-old New Hampshire boy was rescued after being trapped for several hours between two boulders. Hillsboro Fire and EMS responded to a report of a boy trapped between two boulders at Camp Wediko in Windsor at around 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15, according to WHDH-TV, Boston 25 News and the New York Post. Fire officials said in a statement obtained by Boston 25 News and WHDH-TV that when fire crews arrived they found the child stuck in the crevasse of two boulders before the incident quickly escalated. Hillsboro Fire and EMS described the rescue as a technical one in an update on Facebook and said that it lasted throughout the night and well into the early morning hours. Authorities further thanked several of its mutual aid companies, including Concord, Washington and Manchester departments among others, for assisting. Related: Boy, 2, Trapped for Over 3 Days After Falling 360 Feet Down Well: We Are 'Broken,' Dad Says Manchester Fire Battalion Chief Jon Fosher told the Post that fire crews were unable to move the boulders or chip them away, so crews ended up having to dig him out from between the boulders. We basically had to tunnel underneath the boulder to get access to the childs feet which allowed us something to push on from the bottom, Fosher said. Hillsboro Fire and EMS also shared a photo of the rescue to Facebook showing several fire trucks and rescue vehicles along with equipment, including large lights, ladders and boxes of tools laid out on the ground. Related: Boy, 11, Rescued from House Fire After Making a Phone Call to His Mom While Trapped Inside Cupboard The department told local outlets that after working through the night, they were finally able to free the boy at around 3:16 a.m. on the morning of Monday, Sept. 16. The child was then transported to a nearby hospital. Fire crews eventually cleared the area around 4:30 a.m. Hillsboro Fire and EMS and Camp Wediko did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. 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. Wediko, a residential treatment center that the boy attended, shared in a statement with the Post that while under supervision, a student exploring a rocky area on campus slipped between two boulders when sticks and debris gave way beneath them. The school continued, Despite multiple staff members efforts to free the student, they were unsuccessful and promptly called local emergency rescue services. Emergency responders worked tirelessly through the night, successfully rescuing the student in the early morning. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. A dozen Democrats are urging the Biden administration to quickly approve new projects that can ship natural gas to Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe. In a new letter sent Friday but announced late Monday afternoon, the lawmakers called for the Energy Department to prioritize and expedite review of projects that will supply Eastern Europe with gas. We believe that prioritizing and expediting review of LNG projects that will supply Ukraine and Eastern Europe will support geopolitical stability and advance the national security interests of the United States, wrote the lawmakers. The letter comes after a court ordered the Biden administration to resume approvals for new gas export projects. The administration had previously paused this process in order to evaluate whether it adequately considers impacts, including climate, when it permits companies to ship gas abroad. After the court order, the administration has approved some new gas exports. But the letter highlights a split in the way that Democrats are thinking about gas exports. The 12 lawmakers who signed it appear to approve of gas exports, while climate hawks have raised environmental concerns about such shipments. Prior to its invasion of Ukraine, Russia was a major source of gas used in Europe. After the invasion, Russia cut off much of that supply, and opponents of the invasion imposed sanctions on the fuel. The letter was led by Rep. Marcy Kaptur (Ohio) and was also signed by Reps. Lou Correa (Calif.), Jim Costa (Calif.), Don Davis (N.C.), Chris Deluzio (Pa.), Sylvia Garcia (Texas), Vicente Gonzalez (Texas), Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.), Mary Peltola (Alaska), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.), Marc Veasey (Texas) and Susan Wild (Pa.). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 12-year-old from Texas faces multiple charges after making two bomb threats against Georgia schools last week. In the days after the Apalachee school shooting in Barrow County, school threat hoaxes poured in across the metro, the state and the nation. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, a 12-year-old from Texas made threats against two schools in southwest Georgia, leading to an investigation. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Sept. 11, staff at Miller County Middle School in Colquitt, Ga. found a message sent to the schools social media that said a bomb was on campus. The sheriffs office asked the GBI to help them investigate. After GBI bomb technicians cleared the school without finding anything to worry them, other agents worked to find out who sent the message. RELATED STORIES: The next day, another email with a claim about a bomb on campus was sent to Spring Creek Charter Academy in Bainbridge. The GBI said the Decatur County Sheriffs Office asked for their help investigating the message, and agents cleared that school without any concerns. After conducting interviews and tracking the messages, the GBI said they found the threats had come from a 12-year-old in Texas, and there was no indication theyd traveled to Georgia recently or that there had ever been a legitimate safety risk at either school. The GBI said that anyone with information is asked to call the GBI Thomasville Office at 229-225-4090. Officials said that after speaking with authorities in Texas, as well as district attorneys in South Georgia and Pataula Judicial Circuits, the Texan minor will be prosecuted by the State of Texas. Local charges in Georgia may still be filed if the investigation identifies any others who assisted or conspired in the making of these hoaxes. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: A 13-year-old girl was arrested Monday after authorities said she posted threats aimed at an elementary school and a high school in Manteca. The Manteca Police Department alleged the teenager targeted specific students at Sequoia Elementary School in her threats on Instagram, and mentioned a shooting at Manteca High School. Police said her threats were separate from the school shooting threats and rumors that were circulating on social media last week. Stockton police: Teen arrested over threats against Lincoln Unified "While we believe the suspect did not have the means to carry out these threats, the intent to create fear and anxiety among our community's students is something we take very seriously," Manteca Police Chief Stephen Schuler said. The girl's parents were contacted and she did not attend school on Monday, according to police. They have been cooperative with the investigation. Schuler said police have stepped up their presence in affected areas, and are working to ensure all named victims and their families are contacted. Wave of threats after Georgia shooting: Kids arrested, schools closed "I urge all parents to speak with their children about the serious consequences of making threats, whether online or in person," Schuler said. "These threats are not to be taken lightly, and they will be fully investigated, with legal consequences for those involved." The 13-year-old suspect was booked into the San Joaquin County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of criminal threats and threatening a public officer. Manteca detectives will continue to investigate the case, and the separate posts about school shootings made online last week. Anyone with information or leads can call the Manteca Police Department at (209) 456-8101. Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow. This article originally appeared on The Record: Girl, 13, arrested over online threats against Manteca Unified schools UPDATE: MoDOT says the bridge located on U.S. Highway 169 at Cookingham Drive has reopened after inspection. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Missouri Department of Transportation has closed westbound Cookingham Drive in the Northland where it meets 169 Highway. MoDOT said the bridge was struck by a driver on Monday. They say the closure will be in place until the bridge inspection is complete and if need be, until any repairs can be made. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android MoDOT suggests using I-435 to get around the closure. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Vikram Sinha, president director and CEO of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison and Senthil Ramani, senior managing director and global Data & AI lead at Accenture on stage at the Banking AI Day event in Jakarta. (Photo: Business Wire) JAKARTA, Indonesia, September 17, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (Indosat or IOH) Group, through its subsidiary Lintasarta, has partnered with Accenture (NYSE: ACN) in a strategic collaboration to accelerate its sovereign AI cloud platform, aimed at propelling AI-driven digital transformation in Indonesia. This initiative uses the Accenture AI Refinery platform to help Indonesian enterprises build cutting-edge AI solutions, tailored for various industry sectors, while ensuring sovereign data governance. The collaboration will initially focus on AI solutions for Indonesias financial services sector, one of the key pillars of the countrys economy. Powered by the AI Refinery platform, Accenture will provide pre-built solutions that can significantly reduce time to value, with a modular architecture to meet client needs wherever they are in their AI journey. These solutions will enable Indonesian banks to harness AI, driving profitability, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth in a highly competitive market. Vikram Sinha, president director and CEO of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, highlighted the companys vision, "At Indosat, we are deeply committed to supporting Indonesias vision of becoming a digitally empowered nation by 2045, and see AI as a key enabler for both economic resilience and technological empowerment in Indonesia. This collaboration with Accenture and Lintasarta brings us closer to achieving that goal, as we combine global expertise with local market insights. Together, we are building the infrastructure that will allow businesses across Indonesia to leverage the transformative power of AI, driving growth, innovation, and a stronger digital economy." Senthil Ramani, senior managing director and global Data & AI lead at Accenture said, "With Accenture AI Refinery, we are supporting Indosat and Lintasartas efforts to help Indonesian enterprises unlock unprecedented value from AI, while adhering to local and industry regulations and ensuring that sensitive data remains within national borders. This is a significant step forward in the journey toward AI sovereignty and together, we will help Indonesian enterprises across industries redefine their future in the age of AI-driven reinvention." This collaboration underscores Indosats larger purpose of empowering Indonesia, contributing to the nations digital transformation and technological sovereignty. By developing the country's first sovereign AI platform, Lintasarta and Accenture are working to unlock the potential of AI while upholding the critical tenets of data security, sovereignty, and innovation. The Accenture AI Refinery, part of Accentures foundation model services, represents a groundbreaking step in the use of generative AI for enterprises. It empowers organizations to convert AI technologies and tools into scaled, enterprise AI systems that reflect their unique business needs. These custom AI systems can drive reinvention not only within individual companies but across entire industries. About Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (Indosat, IDX: ISAT) has the vision to become the most preferred digital telecommunications company in Indonesia. Together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, Indosat provides cellular services, ICT solutions, data centers, Fiber to the Home (FTTH), electronic payment services, financial services, and other digital services. Indosat has a larger purpose of empowering Indonesia, and with the spirit of Gotong Royong, Indosat wants to be the main collaborator in realizing it and creating meaningful change. About Lintasarta (Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison Group) Since 1988, Lintasarta has been a leading provider of Data Communication, Internet, and IT Services for various industry sectors. Currently, Lintasarta serves 2,289 corporate customers with 74,196 networks, offering services that include fiber optic data communication, satellite networks, managed security & collaboration, data centers and DRC, cloud computing, managed services, e-Health, and comprehensive data communication solutions with network connection availability guarantees (SLAs) of 99%, 99.9%, and 99.99% to meet customers' needs. Our professional services are supported by skilled IT professionals, many of whom hold international certifications, and are spread across more than 54 cities in Indonesia. Lintasarta's infrastructure is based on the Next Generation Network (NGN) platform. For quality assurance, Lintasarta has obtained ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001:2013, ISO 20000-1:2011, ISO 14001:2015, OHSAS 18001:2007, PCI DSS, CMSP (Cisco Managed Service Partner), and SMK3 PP 50/2012 certifications. About Accenture Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the worlds leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen servicescreating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with approximately 750,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the worlds leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. We are uniquely able to deliver tangible outcomes because of our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Song. These capabilities, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360 value, enable us to help our clients reinvent and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360 value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com. Disclaimer This document may contain financial information and the results of certain operational activities, and may contain a number of projections, plans, strategies, and objectives of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, which are not statements of historical fact which will be treated as forward-looking statements in accordance with applicable law. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could result in actual events and future achievements of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison different from those expected or indicated by the statements. No warranty can be given as to the results expected by Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, or indicated by such statements, to be achieved. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240916642816/en/ Contacts Garima Misra Punia Accenture + 65 83460316 garima.misra.punia@accenture.com Steve Saerang Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison steve.saerang@ioh.co.id Lintasarta Communications corporate.communication@lintasarta.co.id (WIVT/WBGH) Another arrest of an immigrant in Upstate New York has sparked more heated debate between the two candidates for New Yorks 19th Congressional District. Republican Congressman Marc Molinaro held a virtual news conference in response to the arrest of 34-year-old Julio Cesar Pimental Soriano in Rochester on charges that he murdered a family of four. Investigators say Soriano is also wanted for a 2019 murder in the Dominican Republic. He allegedly traveled to Puerto Rico illegally and got a fake New York ID, which he used travel to New York. Molinaro blames President Biden and Democrats for immigrant crime and says Upstate New York families are scared. All of this has put added pressure and burden on our communities and most notably, has resulted in crime and the taking of lives. We cannot afford it any longer. Its why I voted a year and a half ago to secure the border. And I believe that the House Border Security Bill is the most necessary first-step. Shut the border, says Molinaro. Molinaros opponent, Democrat Josh Riley, says the bill he supports would install physical barriers along the Southern border, would add thousands of border patrol agents, and would upgrade the technology used to identify drug trafficking. If Marc Molinaro was serious about solving this problem, what he would do, is not call a press conference and keep talking about it. He would walk down the hall, and he would sign his name to the bi-partisan bill thats supported by the Border Patrol Union and would secure the border immediately, says Riley. According to police, Soriano was just one of the people responsible for the heinous attack. He was arraigned on four counts of murder last week and is being held at the Monroe County Jail. Riley and Molinaro will face off in a rematch on November 5th. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Deputies in Rutherford County announced Tuesday that two juveniles have been arrested in relation to threats that were made on social media targeting schools. The Rutherford County Sheriffs Office (RCSO) said the school district has received more than a dozen threats since the tragic school shooting that occurred at Apalachee High School in Georgia, which resulted in the death of two students and two staff members. Tennessee Sheriffs Association releases joint statement in light of increased volume of school threats Authorities said each threat was investigated by school resources officers, patrol deputies and detectives. According to RCSO, an investigation revealed that those responsible showed no intent to carry out these threats. However, the investigation resulted in the arrests of two juveniles who reportedly made threats on social media that were related to Whitworth Buchanan Middle School and Riverdale High School. In addition, deputies said an investigation showed that students are reposting old social media threats or copying posts from threats that took place in other states. Officials said reposting these threats cause unnecessary panic. Student arrested after 2nd alleged threat at Cookeville High School in 1 month In fact, one post that was made Monday actually came from a screenshot of a social media post that was made in 2018, deputies said. The sheriffs office is now urging people to Report it, Dont Repost it when it comes social media posts or texts that contain potential threats to a school. In a statement, officials said this will allow them to establish the validity of threat much faster. READ MORE | Latest headlines from Murfreesboro and Rutherford County The safety and security of our students and teachers are paramount and we need the cooperation of students and parents to help us to resolve these incidents as quickly as possible, said Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh. School districts across Middle Tennessee have recently dealt with potential threats that ended up being non-credible. A recent report by News 2 found that a Tennessee law that made school threats a zero-tolerance offense has led to a surge in expulsions. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 2 brothers arrested, accused of hooking ATM to truck and pulling it, Sacramento sheriff says Two brothers were arrested this weekend after the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office said they hooked an ATM in Gold River to their truck and attempted to pull it away. Investigators received an alert of a burglary just after 4 a.m. Sunday at a Bank of America ATM near Gold Country Boulevard and Coloma Road. Deputies, who were already in the area observing an black Ford SUV driving with its lights off, attempted to stop the vehicle. The same bank branchs ATM was severely damaged last year after burglars burned the metal and attempted to pry it loose. No suspects have been identified in connection to that incident. The suspects and deputies engaged in a pursuit that ended when the brothers vehicle hit a curb and became disabled, according to a news release from the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office. The 36-year-old and 38-year-old brothers were arrested and booked into the downtown Sacramento County Main Jail. They each face a felony charge of grand theft and a misdemeanor charge of having burglary tools. The 36-year-old also faces charges of having a concealed firearm in the vehicle, carrying a loaded firearm and having a firearm as a felon, according to the jail log. Both are scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Sacramento Superior Court. Deputies requested the public to come forward with more information about these types of incidents. Call the Sheriffs Office at 916- 874-5115 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357. Tipsters may be eligible for a $1,000 reward. THIEVES CAUGHT TRYING TO STEAL AN ATM IN GOLD RIVER Just after 4 AM on Sunday, September 15, 2024, Deputies received a burglary alarm from the Bank of America ATM near Gold Country Boulevard and Coloma Road in Gold River. A black Ford SUV pulled an ATM from its housing, pic.twitter.com/O5qEtIdIU8 Sacramento Sheriff (@sacsheriff) September 17, 2024 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Two conservation officers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources have been honored for putting their lives on the line. Sgt. Dan Bigger and Conservation Officer Logan Turner each received DNR Distinguished Service Awards at a ceremony last week in Lansing. The men were honored for their quick thinking and bravery in dangerous situations. DNR approves proposal to allow e-bikes on state-owned trails Turner was commended for his response to a crash on Feb. 1 in Traverse City. He arrived on scene to a two-vehicle crash where both drivers were hurt and pinned in their cars. While attending to one of the trapped patients, oil and other flammable fluids in the vehicle caused the engine to catch fire. Turner quickly ran back to his truck, grabbed a fire extinguisher and put out the fire before it could spread. DNR tracking surge of deadly virus among deer The department is proud of CO Turners quick thinking and action, which prevented this situation from becoming much worse, DNR Law Enforcement Division Chief Jason Haines said in a statement. Turner was also honored for his actions on Oct. 8, 2022, along with Sgt. Bigger. The two responded to the Lake Michigan lakeshore near Point Betsie Lighthouse in Frankfort to rescue a kayaker who capsized in rough conditions. Strong winds had triggered a small craft advisory and, given the conditions, the Coast Guard was not sure whether its helicopter would be able to deploy a rescue swimmer. So the duo manned a 23-foot DNR vessel and headed out into the chop, with waves estimated between 4 and 6 feet. Bigger controlled the vessel, while (Turner) scanned the water and located the kayaker, the agency described in a statement. DNR adds new plant to invasive watch list The Coast Guard was able to lower a rescue swimmer and secure the kayaker, though he ultimately died from exposure to cold air and water. We are deeply saddened with the outcome of this mission, Haines stated. (But) we are grateful that our officers and the Coast Guard personnel returned safely, and we recognize the great risk that each of them took to their personal safety to attempt this rescue. Bigger, a Navy veteran with experience operating boats on the Great Lakes, has worked as a conservation officer since 2002. Turner joined the DNR as a CO in 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 WOODTV.com. Two Milwaukee teens charged with gunning down a Domino's pizza delivery driver during a botched robbery earlier this year now admit to committing the crime. Armier McArthur and Keyshaun McNealy each pleaded guilty Monday in Milwaukee County Circuit Court to felony murder. They were 17 when they were charged with felony murder in the Jan. 10 killing of 33-year-old Antoine Gee Jr., of Milwaukee. Prosecutors believe the pair, now 18, ordered a pizza so they could rob the delivery person. The plan went horribly wrong and ended with Gee's death. A third person, Damain N. Patrick, 18, of Milwaukee, pleaded guilty in the case earlier this month to felony murder, online court records show. He will be sentenced Nov. 1. More: Milwaukee teen charged in death of Prince McCree, 5, will remain in adult court According to a criminal complaint: Milwaukee police discovered Gee dead shortly after 10 p.m. on Jan. 10 in the 4400 block of North Sherman Boulevard. Gee suffered three gunshot wounds, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office. A witness told investigators she heard multiple gunshots, looked out her window and saw three younger males running from the area, according to the complaint. She also saw a person lying in the median of the street, and called police. Surveillance footage captured from a resident showed Gee interacting with two people while a third person remained several feet away. A struggle ensued with the two people and the third person ran away. Two shots are fired. More: Just how horrible is Milwaukees crime? A look at the midyear stats. The document says the third person returned and charged at Gee. At that point, two additional gunshots were heard. Then a fifth and sixth shot. The video later showed the three males running away, leaving Gee in the Sherman Boulevard median. McArthur and McNealy are scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 7. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 2 Milwaukee teens confess to killing Domino's pizza delivery man 2 ordered to trial in Bakersfield womans abduction from gym parking lot, robbery and rape BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) On a December morning last year, she left In-Shape Family Fitness on Coffee Road and walked to her car. She got in, adjusted the heat and was about to buckle up when a masked man holding a gun opened the drivers side door and ordered her into the passenger seat. First he drove to two banks and forced her to withdraw money. Bakersfield police seeks help in identifying suspect in TJ Maxx theft Then he took her to an orchard near Taft and raped her. Afterward, he left her at the Vallarta Supermarket on Panama Lane, warning her not to contact police or cancel her credit and debit cards. She ran inside and got help. The woman sobbed as she told police what happened during the hourslong incident. She said the man told her she should have been more careful and that hed been waiting for her for over an hour, authorities said during testimony at a two-day preliminary hearing that ended Tuesday. Happy holidays, he told her before driving away. Vincent Zavier DeLeon, was arrested the same day after leading police on a chase in her car. Taken to DeLeons location, the woman identified him as her kidnapper and rapist. 17 News is not identifying the woman because shes a victim of sexual assault. DeLeon, 42, told police he chose the victim because she had a nice car and he figured she had money. Despite admitting to kidnapping and robbing her, he claimed they had consensual sex, police said. On Tuesday, Judge John R. Brownlee ordered DeLeon to stand trial on charges including rape, robbery, kidnapping to commit rape and gang participation. Co-defendant Javier Chavez Torres, 36, was also ordered to stand trial on multiple charges, kidnaping and robbery among them. Its alleged Torres was with DeLeon in the parking lot before the abduction, followed him in another vehicle and met with him after the victim was released to buy clothing using her stolen cards. He told police theyd gone to In-Shape in DeLeons girlfriends car to pop windows burglarize vehicles. Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage Both men admitted to being gang members and have multiple gang-related tattoos, police said. Gang enhancements are filed with many of the charges. The two are accused of multiple vehicle thefts in addition to the one at In-Shape. Held without bail, theyre due back in court Sept. 30. District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer the countys top law enforcement official is prosecuting the case herself. She conducted most of the questioning during the hearing. Parking lot abduction The woman told police she arrived at the gym around 7 a.m. on Dec. 15, 2023, and returned to her car about 45 minutes later. The car was parked just north of the main entrance, in the middle row. A man opened the car door, pointed a gun at her head and told her to move over, she said according to Bakersfield police Officer Jorge Ramirez, who interviewed her immediately after the incident and provided a summary of her account in court. The man said he needed money. She gave him her PIN number and directed him to a Chase Bank. He went through the drive-thru and tried using her card but was unable to withdraw money. He became upset. They then went to a Citibank. She leaned over to use the ATM herself and withdrew $500. The man kept driving. The woman said she felt as if they were driving all over town. Eventually, they arrived at orchards near Taft. He backed the car into an orchard and turned off the engine. Then he got out and raped her. Man sentenced to over 3 years in prison for assaulting immigration detention officer The man left her at the Vallarta and police were called. Ramirez said she described her kidnapper, including what he wore and tattoos including on his eyelids that were visible. He removed his mask at times. Ramirez spent the next few hours with her. That afternoon, he was notified of the arrest of a possible suspect who was taken to Memorial Hospital. He took her there to get a look at DeLeon and she identified him as the man who raped her, Ramirez said. Detective Fred Martinez testified DeLeon was taken to the hospital after complaining of chest pains following a vehicle chase in which he drove the womans vehicle in East Bakersfield. He was later cleared to be booked into jail. Martinez testified surveillance footage shows DeLeon removed his mask at the drive-thru of one of the banks, and video at the gym shows him quickly approach the womans vehicle after she gets in. The detective, who interviewed the victim at a later date, said she told him DeLeon threatened to kill her, and when he dropped her off warned her not to say anything to her husband or police. During the abduction, the woman told Martinez, she overheard multiple phone calls to someone DeLeon referred to as T. I got the money. Lets meet at the spot, he said during one call, according to Martinezs testimony. After the rape, she overheard another, more ominous call. Dont worry, I trust her, DeLeon said according to Martinezs testimony. If she does anything, its on me. DeLeon told the woman the person on the other end of the line wanted to keep her captive, but he was going to let her go home, according to Martinezs testimony. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 2 people reported dead in China as Typhoon Bebinca is downgraded to a tropical storm In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, workers remove fallen trees along a street in the aftermath of Typhoon Bebinca in Shanghai, China, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (Chen Haoming/Xinhua via AP) BEIJING (AP) Two people died in Chinas eastern Jiangsu province as Typhoon Bebinca brought torrential rains and powerful winds before easing into a tropical storm, state media reported Tuesday. Two residents of Zhoushi Town, about 80 kilometers (31 miles) northwest of Shanghai, were hit by a falling high-voltage power line and electrocuted on Monday, according to state broadcaster CCTV. They are the only known deaths thus far to be caused by Bebinca, which swept over the megacity of Shanghai and neighboring provinces on Monday, flooding roads with water and broken tree branches and knocking out power to some homes. One resident of Shanghais Chongming Island was also reported injured by a falling tree. More than 414,000 people were evacuated ahead of the powerful winds and torrential rain. Schools were closed and people were advised to stay indoors, while flights, ferries and train services were suspended. The typhoon, which weather authorities described as the strongest to hit Shanghai since at least 1949, weakened as it moved inland. Around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, it was downgraded to a tropical storm. The National Meteorological Center warned that parts of Anhui, Henan, Hebei, Shandong and Jiangsu provinces could see heavy or torrential rains, with up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) of rainfall, through Wednesday afternoon. In Shanghai, roads were cleared and traffic had returned to normal by Monday evening, while the power supply had been completely restored by midnight Tuesday, authorities said. 2 Sets of Twin Boys Died Alone in House Fire While Their Mother Went Shopping: Prosecutors The boys' mom, 29-year-old Deveca Rose, denies four counts of manslaughter Facebook Kyson, Bryson, Leyton and Logan Hoath A court has heard from prosecutors that two sets of twins who tragically died in a house fire in England were left home alone while their mother was out shopping. According to the BBC, Sky News and U.K. newspaper The Times, the Old Bailey in London heard how 4-year-old twins Bryson and Kyson Hoath, and their younger brothers Logan and Leyton Hoath, 3, died after failing to escape the fire in the locked house in the Sutton area of south London in December 2021. Per the BBC, a discarded cigarette or upturned tea light allegedly started the fire at their home, which prosecutors say was filled with trash and human waste. The outlets report that 29-year-old Deveca Rose has denied the four counts of manslaughter against her. According to a Dec. 2023 news release from the Metropolitan Police, Rose was charged with four counts of manslaughter on Nov. 9, 2023. She was also charged with child cruelty, which she also denies, per the outlets. She either dropped a lit cigarette before she left or left tea lights burning, or both, Kate Lumsdon KC of the prosecution said of Rose, per Sky News. A fire started on or under the sofa, and due to the amount of rubbish in the house it took hold quickly. Jordan Pettitt/PA Images via Getty Deveca Rose arrives at court in London in January 2024 Per the BBC, the boys are believed to have run upstairs and shouted for help while their mother was a grocery store. Their neighbors realized the house was on fire and could hear the children were inside, but Lumsdon told the jury that after kicking down the door the fire was too intense for them to enter. The children ran upstairs and shouted to the neighbors, Lumsdon said, per Sky News. "The children were, we suggest, locked in the house and could not escape. They ran upstairs to get away from the fire and shouted to the neighbors. But it was too late for anything to be done." According to the outlet, the prosecution said Bryson, Kyson, Logan and Leyton were found limp and unconscious under a bed upstairs before later being pronounced dead at the hospital. The cause of death given was inhalation of fire fumes. SplashNews The home in south London after the December 2021 incident Per The Times, the prosecution said firemen discovered rubbish all over the floor and human excrement. There was a mattress and a door on the stairs. Lumsdon added that the toilet and the bath were full of rubbish and not in use. Buckets and pots were used instead," while the prosecution also said the boys had not attended school for three weeks before the fire. 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 outlet, the court was told that when Rose returned from shopping, she told firefighters that she left her children under the care of a woman called Jade. However, according to prosecutors there was no sign of another person at the property, and police investigations found that Jade did not exist, or, if she existed at all, she did not play the role ascribed to her by Ms Rose that night," the court was told. Her trial continues, per the outlet. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. WALNUT CREEK, CA Two Walnut Creek restaurant businesses were among 19 in Contra Costa County, and 278 statewide awarded $5,000 grants as part of the California Restaurant Funds' fourth consecutive Restaurants Care Resilience Fund, it was recently announced. The grants were made possible by donations from San Diego Gas & Electric, So Cal Gas and The PG&E Corporation Foundation (funded by shareholders, not PG&E customers). The three utility foundations have contributed to the fund since 2021, amid the pandemic. "We're incredibly thankful to our generous donors for their continued support, which has afforded us the opportunity to assist thousands of business owners in Californias food industry since 2021," said Alycia Harshfield, executive director of CRF. "Together, we have proudly sustained the Resilience Fund for the past four years, ensuring that California's independent restaurant owners and caterers remain a vital and vibrant part of our state's culinary landscape and economy for many years ahead." Recipients can use the $5,000 assistance for equipment and technology upgrades, unforeseen hardships, employee retention bonuses, and employee training, all of which allow Californias independent restaurant owners and caterers to invest in the longevity of their businesses and employees. Among the 278 restaurants awarded, 154 are in Pacific Gas and Electrics service area, 90 in SoCalGas region and 34 in San Diego Gas and Electrics territory. Eighty-eight percent are single-unit establishments, with an average of 10 years in business. Notably, 76 percent of the grant recipients identify as female, and 73 percent identify as people of color. Here are the recipients in Contra Costa County: Montperi Catering and Events, Walnut Creek Chicken Pie Shop, Walnut Creek Big House Beans, Antioch Butter Pecan Bakeshop, Pinole Da Nang Restaurant, Inc., Antioch Dream Bowlz, Bay Point Elevation 66 Brewing Company, El Cerrito Fiya Spice Caribbean LLC, Pittsburg Isla Restaurant, Concord Kaleidoscope Coffee, Richmond Lady Js Soul Food, Pittsburg Lemongrass Bistro LLC, Martinez Navarros Italian Deli, Richmond R&Rs Cafe, San Pablo Royal Indian Restaurant, San Pablo Royal Siam, Moraga The Corner Kitchen, Concord The Great Impasta, Danville The Powder Keg Pub Inc, Hercules See the complete list of 2024 Restaurants Care Resilience Fund grant recipients. Over 70 percent of this years recipients plan to use the $5,000 grants for kitchen equipment or technology upgrades, and 17 percent will dedicate the funds to employee retention bonuses. To qualify, the restaurants and caterers needed to have fewer than five units, and less than $3 million in revenue. "Receiving this grant is a great honor and feels like recognition of our efforts at Whitey's Jolly Kone to continue to grow and serve our community," said Jennifer Havson, co-owner of Whiteys Jolly Kone in Sacramento. "As third-generation owner-operators, we aim to revitalize the foundation that our grandfather and parents established for us, by expanding a family-friendly space to meet the needs of the current and ever-growing community throughout Sacramento. This grant will allow us to make technological upgrades to our building which was built in the early 1960s." Since 2021, during the coronavirus pandemic, the Resilience Fund has provided financial assistance to more than 1,600 independent restaurants and caterers across California. The Fund is currently accepting additional support from corporations, foundations, and individuals who want to invest in Californias food community. Donations of all sizes are accepted and celebrated at Restaurantscare.org/resilience. The California Restaurant Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1981 that empowers and invests in California's 1.6 million-strong restaurant workforce. CRF supports the restaurant community through relief grants for restaurant workers facing hardship, job and life skills training for 14,000 high school students each year, and scholarships. 2 Walnut Creek Restaurants Awarded $5K Resilience Grants originally appeared on the Walnut Creek Patch The 1,820 cancellations NJ Transit reported between June 1 and Aug. 31 outnumber those in the same three-month period of every year of Murphys time in office except the summer of 2020. (Photo by Edwin J. Torres/N.J. Governors Office) NJ Transit faced the second worst summer of hell of Gov. Phil Murphys tenure this year, with its more than 1,800 train cancellations driven mostly by mechanical issues, Amtrak, and a rising number of unpreventable stoppages, according to agency performance data. The 1,820 cancellations NJ Transit reported between June 1 and Aug. 31 outnumber those in the same three-month period of every year of Murphys time in office except the summer of 2020, when damage from a tropical storm entirely stopped trains on multiple NJ Transit rail lines, in some cases for days. NJ Transit spokesman Jim Smith acknowledged Amtrak as a major source of cancellations and noted factors outside the agencys control like weather and utility problems had helped drive summer disruptions, but pointed to Gov. Chris Christies administration to explain rising mechanical failures. In terms of our rail equipment, we cant speak to decisions made during the previous administration, Smith said. The agency reported 527 trains were canceled this summer because of Amtrak issues, the single largest source of cancellations. NJ Transit leases tracks and related infrastructure from the quasi-public corporation for some of its rail lines, including the northeast corridor, the busiest commuter rail line in the nation. Amtrak has repeatedly drawn rebukes from New Jersey officials this summer over signal issues and failures in overhead catenary wires from which NJ Transit trains draw power. Those wires can sag when stretched by extreme heat and contract when exposed to severe winter weather, and either extreme can cause disruptions. Newer technology that allows operators to remotely adjust their tautness could make the system more resilient, but that technology hasnt been broadly adopted on the networks busiest line, said Alex Ambrose, a policy analyst for New Jersey Policy Perspective. The Northeast Corridor has the oldest infrastructure in New Jersey and, I believe, some of the oldest infrastructure in the nation, and because of the disinvestment both at the state and federal level, we really havent seen the infrastructure improvements that we need to be a 21st century rail company, she said. An overwhelming share of this summers Amtrak-related cancellations, 415, came in June amid a weekslong heatwave. The agency has applied for grants to fund signal and catenary upgrades and other infrastructure projects to address aging infrastructure and boosted inspections in response to the disruptions. Weather and other unpreventable issues stopped 484 trains over the three-month period. Mechanical issues are a growing source of NJ Transit cancellations, accounting for 462 canceled trains this summer, more than any other three-month summer stretch of Murphys tenure. NJ Transit is in the process of replacing its aging train fleet and has ordered 174 new trains, the first of which are due to arrive for testing later this year, the agency said in July. If not for the pandemic, and the resulting manufacturers production delays and supply chain issues, many of those cars would likely be in passenger service today, Smith said Monday, adding, These cars will have a substantial, positive impact on mechanical reliability. Disruptions due to crew availability, the primary source of cancellations during Murphys first three years in office, have all but disappeared. Ten trains were canceled because of staffing issues this summer, compared to 572 in 2018. On-time performance for NJ Transits trains fell close to record lows under Murphy in June. Only 83.2% of NJ Transit trains arrived within six minute of their scheduled time that month. With delays and other disruptions caused by Amtrak excluded, 92.3% of trains arrived on time in June. The overall performance figure for June is the lowest reported since November 2018, when severe winter weather snarled roads and railways throughout the state. That month, 82.2% of the agencys trains arrived within six minutes of schedule. NJ Transit has met its monthly on-time performance goal 94.7% of trains arriving within six minutes of their scheduled time in only nine months since Murphy took office, and most of those instances came in the earliest months of the pandemic when transit and business restrictions were in full effect. In July, 87.8% of NJ Transit trains arrived on time, and in August, the figure was 87.1%. Workforce shortages were the most significant driver of cancellations in the first years of Murphys administration, but they have seldom forced trains to stop running since 2020 following efforts to bolster the agencys ranks of locomotive engineers. Except when an unauthorized sick-out by NJ Transit locomotive engineers in June 2022 over Juneteenth holiday work forced the cancellation of more than 250 trains, crew issues have only rarely caused more than 10 cancellations in a summer month, and they have often caused zero. NJ Transit ramped up hiring and training to historic levels to successfully fill the ranks of locomotive engineers during the Murphy administration, virtually eliminating this as a source of cancellations, Smith said But a long-running labor dispute could cause a resurgence in workforce cancellations next year. The agencys locomotive engineers have been working under an expired contract since 2019 and were released from mediation in late June. President Joe Biden in July convened an emergency board to oversee another round of negotiations and earlier this month the board, in a nonbinding recommendation, sided with NJ Transit. If unresolved, the contract dispute could boil over into disruptive strikes in March. Not being able to use New Jersey Transit, we already know what that looks like because of the disruptions this summer, Ambrose said. Now imagine that at a systemwide level. Our economy would entirely collapse. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX By Makiko Yamazaki TOKYO (Reuters) -The new classification of 7-Eleven's parent company as "core" to Japanese national security will not raise hurdles to a potential buyout, Japan's finance minister said on Tuesday, comments that appeared aimed at easing investor concerns about the move. "We can't say the core classification makes a buyout more difficult," Suzuki told reporters, days after Seven & i Holdings became one of 88 companies added to the government's list of companies regarded as crucial to national security. The change prompted speculation among some market participants that Seven & i, which was previously designated as "non-core" was attempting to better defend itself from a potential takeover by Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard. Seven & i this month rejected a $38.5 billion offer from Circle-K owner Couche-Tard, citing concerns about price. The potential deal is being closely watched not only for the implications for the retail industry - where it would create a globe-spanning convenience store giant - but also for further clues about the trajectory of Japan's governance reform. The benchmark Nikkei share average has powered through a series of record highs this year, a once seemingly impossible feat, as foreign investors have rallied behind what they see as meaningful governance change. Any whiff of protectionism such as blocking of foreign takeovers on less-than-credible grounds could blunt enthusiasm for both the stock market and mergers and acquisitions (M&A), market participants have said. "In principle Seven & i's reclassification to core-sector should not change the deal outcome," Jefferies analysts said in a note on Tuesday. "It's a litmus test for government resolve on enhancing corporate/shareholder value through a fair M&A market." SELF-REPORTED It was not immediately clear what part of Seven & i's sprawling businesses justified the change. The conglomerate runs a security business and a bank, both of which are widely seen as more critical to Japan's security than its vast network of 7-Eleven stores or its Denny's family restaurants. Finance ministry officials said repeatedly at a Friday briefing that the national security classifications that appear in its list are mainly self-reported by companies and not a government acknowledgement that those in the "core" list are crucial for national security. Whether a business categorised as "core" is crucial or not will be determined during an actual review, they said. Story continues "Japanese companies had long been unattractive targets, so buyout proposals like this are welcome, especially as Japan is eager to expand foreign direct investment," one senior government official told Reuters. "A buyout by Couche-Tard will boost Japan's market reputation," the official added. When a company is categorised as core, foreign entities seeking to buy a stake of 1% or more in the Japanese firm must in principle file for a national security review with the Japanese government prior to the purchase. In cases where control is sought, however, Suzuki said prior notification for a review is mandatory "regardless of whether they are categorised as core or non-core." (Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki; Editing by David Dolan, Edwina Gibbs and Jamie Freed) Vice President Kamala Harris has held her lead over former President Donald Trump among bettors as the reaction to their debate settled and in the aftermath of a foiled assassination plot against Trump. The weekend also saw an admission by Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, that he propagated fake stories about Haitian migrants that led to multiple threats in the town of Springfield, Ohio, including threats against two elementary schools Monday. Harris' lead held steady on Monday at U.K. bookmaker Bet 365 and offshore bookmaker Bovada, compared to the immediate aftermath of the debate, and grew slightly at offshore bookmakers BetOnline and Oddschecker. The action, which U.S. bookmakers cannot legally take, switched in favor of Harris approximately halfway through the debate. Trump had a lead over then-presumptive Democratic nominee President Joe Biden after the assassination attempt in July and Biden's poor debate performance led to him dropping out of the race. Presidential betting odds timeline Presidential betting odds as of 9/16 Bet 365 Kamala Harris : -125 Donald Trump: EVEN via Covers.com Bovada Kamala Harris : -115 Donald Trump: -105 BetOnline Kamala Harris : -125 Donald Trump: +105 Oddschecker Kamala Harris : -108 Donald Trump: +116 This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Presidential election betting odds Harris maintains lead over Trump 21 kids charged in connection with 60 school threats in South Carolina There have been 60 threats targeting schools in 23 South Carolina counties since Sept. 4, officials with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division announced on Tuesday. 15-year-old student arrested, charged with bringing loaded gun to high school These threats are extremely serious and will be treated as such, SLED officials stated in a news release. Authorities have charged 21 juveniles in connection with the threats. School threats are not a joke, said SLED Chief Mark Keel in the news release. Law enforcement takes every threat seriously, and everyone needs to understand that there are serious consequences. (WKBN) Ohios burn ban is normally in October and November, but some parts have been put under it early. Its right on the fringe of the Mahoning Valley. The ground is dry. Ohio has 28 counties under a ban on open burning. Kevin Reardon is the state fire marshal. He issued the burning ban based on any part of a county experiencing extreme or exceptional drought conditions as labeled by the Department of Agriculture or other government agency. We are in drought conditions that Im told have been the worst in 22 years, Reardon said. That means that the ground conditions are very, very dry. Very susceptible to any form of a spark that can start a fire from any number of sources, but they all begin with an open flame of some sort. According to the National Park Service, nearly 85% of wildfires are caused by humans, and some of the main causes are unattended campfires or bonfires, the burning of debris, and negligently discarded cigarettes. Things prohibited by the burn ban include any open burning of trash, debris or waste, even leaf piles, campfires and bonfires, throwing down a cigarette, even using fireworks. The burn ban has been issued to keep everybody safe. We want people to be able to protect themself, protect their property, and their neighbors property and their communities, Reardon said. The burn ban is in effect until further notice and will be reviewed each week. The Drought Monitor Map is updated on Thursday, which would be when any updates would be made to the counties on the list. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KAMUELA, Hawaii (KHON2) Three Hawaii Island juveniles have been arrested and charged with first-degree terrorist threatening charges after they allegedly made an online threat towards a South Kohala School. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Officials said a school official filed the complaint to Hawaii Police personnel on Friday, expressing protection and safety concerns for the schools students and staff. Escaped inmate captured by HPD, HDC According to police, the three juveniles were loitering on the schools property on the 65-0000 block of Lindsey Road in Kamuela on Thursday around 4 p.m. The next day, the suspects were seen making a verbal threat in an online video that was posted on the internet. Area II Juvenile Aid Section detectives identified all three suspects, who were later arrested, charged and released to the custody of their parents. Police take threats of violence extremely seriously, especially those directed towards students and schools. We would like to thank parents and other community members for their vigilance and for coming forward to provide information to the police. Hawaii Island Police in a news release Officials ask those who may have any information regarding the incident to contact Detective Sheldon Nakamoto at (808) 326-4646 ext. 304 or through email at sheldon.nakamoto@hawaiicounty.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 KHON2. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Police say they have arrested three Nashville men and are searching for another after an investigation revealed they were involved in the trafficking of a teenage girl from Kentucky. According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), detectives with the Youth Services Division began investigating the trafficking of the 13-year-old girl after she ran away from Oak Grove, Kentucky on Christmas Eve. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Authorities reported the girl was found in the Cayce Homes neighborhood on Jan. 9. Now, three Nashville men are facing a slew of charges for their connection to the case. Octavius Stepheny (Courtesy: MNPD) Kemar Robinson (Courtesy: MNPD) Corey Chambers (Courtesy: MNPD) Wilbert Pollard (Courtesy: MNPD) MNPD said 31-year-old Octavius Stepheny was arrested Monday, Sept. 16 on a grand jury indictment for trafficking for a commercial sex act. He is being held in Metro Jail on a $100,000 bond. | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County Another suspect identified as 32-year-old Kemar Robinson was taken into custody on Jan. 2 and transported to Sumner County on an outstanding sexual battery charge, police said. He was brought back to Davidson County on March 1 and booked on several charges and indictments, which includes: aggravated statutory rape, and especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor. He remains jailed on $85,000 bond. Meanwhile, 47-year-old Corey Chambers was arrested on Aug. 29 on a grand jury indictment for aggravated statutory rape. He is being held in Metro Jail on a $75,000 bond. Detectives said an investigation revealed that others may have been involved with the victim during the two weeks she was in Nashville, including 26-year-old Wilbert Pollard. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee According to MNPD, Pollard is wanted for questioning as he is believed to have direct knowledge of those who had contact with the 13-year-old. If you have information about Pollards whereabouts, you are asked to call 615-742-7463. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. After 3 years of sitting idle, Beauforts old bowling alley site is getting a new look A plan has finally been approved for a highly visible piece of property along Beauforts Ribaut Road that once was home to the citys sole bowling alley. In the new plan for the property at Ribaut Road and Firehouse Lane, recreation is no longer in the mix. Instead, up to 28 commercial office spaces will front those roads while personal storage units will be hidden in the back. Two apartments will be constructed on the second floor as part of expansions planned at the old bowling alley building. But the old maple bowling lanes will get a new life as the flooring for a condominium thats also planned for use by owners Doc and Andy Burris, who own the property. The father and son received final approval for the project by the Planning Commission Monday. They give a nod to the former use of the property in the name of their company Gutterball LLC but Doc Burris says the dilapidated building and site is being overhauled into what he calls a lifestyle community named Ribaut Station. The mixed-used development will be anchored by 28 lower cost commercial offices that will range in size with some as small as 10 feet-by-10 feet. Each office will have access to a conference room, break rooms, restrooms and even a recreation center that will feature a golf simulator and other games including race car driving and trap shooting. A design of the storage units will replace the former bowling alley on Ribaut Road. Some residential and office space also is part of the plan. The bowling alley was built in the late 1960s and early 1970s. After the bowling alley closed, Burris said, a plumbing company initially bought the property for its plumbing supplies but that plan didnt work out because of city code restrictions. After Doc and Andy Burris bought the site, they met with Station 300, a bowling alley and recreation center in Bluffton, about the possibility of building something similar in Beaufort but an agreement couldnt be reached. Fun parks, Doc Burris said, have never really caught on in Beaufort. Then we had the challenge of redevelopment of a dilapidated structure to meet codes and thats what we did and thats why it was approved, Burris said. Its a community center. Its not a self-storage facility. The main focus is Ribaut Station. Its a lifestyle community. Ribaut Station will include personal storage units, two rental apartments, an apartment for an on-site manager and commercial office space. The property owners are now taking applications from tenants for the commercial space, which can be built to order, with construction is set to begin by Nov. 1. Residents have been eager to find out what will be built on the property since the bowling alley closed, Doc Burris said. Oh my goodness, he said, noting people drive through the parking lot daily. The father-and-son team, who have redeveloped other run-down properties in the area, originally planned a self storage but that use became secondary once the developers found out about the citys code requirements, Doc Burris said. The Community Bowling Center on Ribaut Road in Beaufort closed in August 2021. In Beaufort, self storage is only allowed in a T-5UC zone where the bowling alley property is located if it is part of a multi-story building located 300 feet behind a road, or if a liner building is constructed between the storage and the street, said Curt Freese, the citys community development director. The addition of the second-story apartments and the liner buildings changed the project into a mixed use plan, which now meets city code, he said. The existing bowling alley building will be expanded to allow for the apartments. The commercial office space be located within liner buildings that will front Firehouse Lane and Ribaut Lane. Liner buildings are retail or business structures built to camouflage an unsightly use. Doc Burris says the architecture planned in the project will make the buildings look like a bank. Landscaping around the facility including the planting of trees will also spruce up the property, he says. Ribaut Station on Ribaut Road will including commercial office space, storage units and a few apartments. This embedded content is not available in your region. The Community Bowling Center closed in August of 2021. At the time of its closure, it had been owned by Love House Ministries, a church on Parris Island Gateway. The closure of the center, which also offered laser tag, left no other general public bowling options north of the Broad River. Bowling centers are located at Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Parris Island in Port Royal and at the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort. Civilians can bowl at those locations but only if they have an affiliation with the base. The church, which owned the property for eight years, put the property up for sale following a sharp decline in business after the COVID-19 pandemic. The approval of the personal storage project in Beaufort comes as the nearby town of Port Royal is trying to reign in personal storage units after some residents complained the area has too many fronting major corridors in the town. The Town Council earlier this month unanimously approved an ordinance that would remove personal storage facilities as a permitted use inside the so-called T4 Neighborhood Center-Open Zoning District. Another large personal storage project is getting underway on Ribaut and Waddell roads in Port Royal, just down the road from the Beaufort project on the old bowling alley property. It was approved prior to the towns recent storage unit restrictions. That project calls for 100,000 square feet of self storage. New storage units are being constructed on Waddell Road just off of Ribaut Road. A 34-year-old Dayton accused of having child sexual assault material was indicted on Monday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Anthony Sharamitaro was indicted on three counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor with the intent to create, reproduce, or publish and three counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor with the intent to buy or possess, according to Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas records. Dayton police opened an investigation into Sharamitaro after receiving a referral from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force accusing him of having child sexual assault material in a Dropbox account, a spokesperson from the Montgomery County Prosecutors Office said. Court records indicate that Sharamitaro is not in custody and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 1. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A Sioux Falls resident votes in the city and school board election at Southern Hills United Methodist Church on April 9, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) A Sioux Falls resident votes in the city and school board election at Southern Hills United Methodist Church on April 9, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) A coalition of Christian clergy members announced support Tuesday for a ballot measure that would establish the right to an abortion in the South Dakota constitution. The 35 faith leaders are from five Christian denominations the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church USA, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ. Our pastoral care experiences have taught us that complicated health care decisions are best left to the patient in consultation with families and health care providers, and as part of faith conversations, the group wrote. This should happen without interference from politicians or the courts. On the other side of the debate, the South Dakota Catholic Conference has taken a stance against the ballot measure and is encouraging Catholics to vote no. Voters will decide on the constitutional amendment in the Nov. 5 general election, with early and absentee voting beginning Friday. After the U.S. Supreme Courts 2022 decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, a trigger law that the South Dakota Legislature had adopted in 2005 immediately banned abortions in the state except when necessary to preserve the life of the pregnant female. The proposed amendment would prohibit regulation of abortion during the first trimester. In the second trimester, regulations would be allowed if they are reasonably related to the pregnant womans physical health. During the third trimester, abortion could be regulated or prohibited, except when necessary to preserve the life or health of the woman, as determined by her physicians medical judgment. Meanwhile, a lawsuit from a group called Life Defense Fund that aims to invalidate the ballot measure is scheduled for trial next week. The group alleges various legal infractions by the petition circulators who gathered signatures to place the measure on the ballot. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE CHICAGO Four people, including a child, were shot in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on the citys Southwest Side on Monday night. The shooting happened just before 8:30 p.m. at a dance studio in the 1500 block of West 51st Street, near the intersection with Ashland Avenue. Sources say ShotSpotter picked up 22 rounds fired in that area right around the time of the shooting. LAKE COUNTY: Thieves target couple for casino winnings, get away with leftover dinner: Police Chicago police said when officers arrived at the scene, they found the victims inside the studio. The victims said they were inside at a Zumba class when they heard multiple gunshots and then the windows breaking. According to police, a 48-year-old woman was shot in the upper left arm and taken to the University of Chicago Hospital in good condition; a 57-year-old woman was shot in the middle finger of her right hand and taken to St. Bernard Hospital in good condition; a 13-year-old girl was shot in the lower back and taken to Comer Childrens Hospital in fair condition; and a 29-year-old man was shot in the back of the neck and taken to the University of Chicago Hospital initially in critical condition, but hes now in good condition, CPD says. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines No arrests have been made, and Area One Detectives are investigating. Anyone with additional information may leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.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 WGN-TV. ORANGE COUNTY, Va. - A 6-year-old child brought a gun to their elementary school in Virginia Monday, according to the Orange County Sheriffs Office. According to authorities, the school resource officer at Orange Elementary School was notified by staff about a loaded firearm that was found inside the school around 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 16. The school was placed in safe school mode and the SRO and a school administrator took possession of the backpack that contained the firearm. Investigators say the 6-year-old student brought the gun to school and an instructional assistant later discovered it. Nobody was injured and no threats were made prior to the discovery of the gun. The Orange County Sheriffs Office is investigating this incident. No arrests have been made at this point, but the investigation is ongoing. School leaders say out of an abundance of caution, there will be additional law enforcement at the school Tuesday. No further details will be released pending the outcome of the investigation. We recently compiled a list titled Jim Cramers Top 10 Stocks to Track for Potential Growth. In this article, we will look at where FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) ranks among Jim Cramer's top stocks to track for potential growth. In a recent episode of Mad Money, Jim Cramer advised investors to hold onto their stocks, anticipating a rebound after the markets downturn. This advice proved useful as the Dow rose by 484 points or 1.16% and the NASDAQ also climbed by 1.16%, indicating that selling during the market decline was not the best choice. Last week, I advised you to hold off on selling everything and just wait, as I believed that once the pain ended, we would see a rebound. The average investor saw gains, with the Dow up 484 points, or 1.16%, and the NASDAQ also climbing 1.16%. While it might not be a full recovery, it shows that selling into Fridays downturn wasnt the best strategy. Jim Cramer noted that the previous week was tough for economically sensitive and tech stocks, despite a mixed August employment report. This report suggested a balanced economic outlook, not too strong or weak, which initially seemed favorable for those hoping for Federal Reserve rate cuts. Despite this, Wall Street reacted negatively, shifting away from cyclical stocks to more recession-proof sectors like consumer goods and pharmaceuticals, with industries such as industrials and semiconductors being particularly affected. Cramer observed that recession-proof stocks, such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices, have performed well recently but have seen significant gains, raising concerns about a potential correction. Today, recession-proof stocks like pharmaceuticals, drug wholesalers, and medical devices continued to perform well, which is dangerous as these stocks have seen parabolic gains and could be due for a correction. He highlighted that historically, when the Federal Reserve is about to cut rates, it signals a shift in investment strategy. With the Fed expected to ease rates soon, Cramer suggests investors consider moving away from recession-proof stocks and look into more cyclical companies that could benefit from economic stimulus. While investing in cyclical stocks during a downturn is challenging, the anticipated rate cuts could make these stocks more attractive. Cramer advises maintaining diversification but being ready to adjust investment strategies based on the economic outlook. Historically, when the Fed is about to start cutting rates, we know that its time to shift focus. With the Fed leaning towards easing and an expected rate cut next week, its time to consider moving away from recession-proof stocks and investing in more cyclical companies. While its challenging to buy cyclical stocks during a slowdown, anticipating that the Fed will boost the economy can make them strong investment opportunities. Its important to maintain diversification but be ready to adjust as needed. Story continues Our Methodology This article reviews a recent episode of Jim Cramers Mad Money, where he talked about several stocks. From there, we picked ten companies and discussed how hedge funds are investing in them. Finally, we rank these companies from those least owned to those most owned by hedge funds. 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). A driver unloading packages from a van for a time-critical delivery. FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 59 Jim Cramer believes that FedEx Corporations (NYSE:FDX) CEO, Raj Subramaniam, has done an impressive job in steering the company toward a long-term recovery. According to Cramer, this turnaround wont lead to immediate or dramatic results, but it will unfold over several years. He suggests that investors consider buying FedEx Corporations (NYSE:FDX) stock before the companys next earnings call, as he expects Subramaniam to present a compelling case for FedExs future growth. Cramer is confident that Subramaniams vision will provide a strong narrative, making it a worthwhile investment ahead of the conference. FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX)s Raj Subramaniam has done a remarkable job. I believe its a multi-year turnaroundnothing thats going to blow anyone away in the short termbut I think you should be in the stock ahead of the conference call because I believe hes going to tell a very compelling story. FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) is an attractive investment option due to its strong financial performance, effective cost-saving strategies, and solid market position. For fiscal 2025, FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) projects impressive earnings with an EPS forecast of $18.25 to $20.25 and expects revenue growth in the low to mid-single digits. FedEx Corporations (NYSE:FDX)s DRIVE transformation initiative aims to save $2.2 billion by optimizing its network and modernizing its fleet, boosting operational efficiency. Additionally, FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) plans to return substantial value to shareholders through $2.5 billion in stock repurchases and a 10% increase in dividends, showing confidence in its cash flow and future growth. Analysts are optimistic, with a 12-month price target averaging $317.78 and some estimates reaching $359, reflecting strong profitability and return on equity. Institutional interest and unusual options activity also suggest positive sentiment towards FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX)s stock. Longleaf Partners Fund stated the following regarding FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) in its Q2 2024 investor letter: FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) Global logistics company FedEx was the top contributor for the quarter. Late in the quarter, FedEx reported strong fiscal year results, highlighting a year of strong cost management in a challenging revenue environment. Earnings per share (EPS) increased by 19%, and reduced capital expenditures narrowed the gap between EPS and FCF per share. With the increase in FCF, the company has become a significant share repurchaser, which is a welcome change. The company also announced a strategic review of their Freight segment. Our appraisal has long accounted for the underappreciated value in FedExs less-than-truckload operations. A potential spin-off or sale could unlock substantial value, as comparable companies like Old Dominion trade at significantly higher multiples on revenue, cash flow, and earnings than those applied to FedEx Freight by the market and our appraisal today. Overall FDX ranks 5th on the list of Jim Cramer's top stocks to track for potential growth. While we acknowledge the potential of FDX as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that under the radar 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 FDX 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 was originally published on Insider Monkey. A trial jury that determined a defendant who in 2021 shot to death a man outside of a Fort Worth apartment complex was guilty of murder concluded on Monday that he should serve life in prison. Harold Yazzie was 62 when, the jury found, he died after Michael Williams at close contact fired a bullet into Yazzies left thigh. The round transected Yazzies femoral artery and femoral vein and left his body. The encounter between Yazzie and Williams occurred about 1:30 a.m. on April 25, 2021, at the complex at Normandy Road and Handley Drive, in the Meadowbrook section of east Fort Worth. Williams, who is 57, was in July 2021 indicted on capital murder in the killing. The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office alleged three theories under which Williams was guilty of capital murder, including that Yazzies death occurred during a robbery. The jury on Friday found Williams guilty of murder, a lesser-included offense on which Judge Chris Wolfe, who presided at the trial in the 213th District Court in Tarrant County, instructed the panel at the request of the defense. The jury also was permitted to consider that the killing was manslaughter, a reckless killing. More top stories from our newsroom: Fort Worth school board to discuss superintendents job As Panther Island develops, efforts to preserve Northside Racial slurs at Arlington Heights-North Side football game [Get our breaking news alerts.] Williams did not testify in the guilt-innocence phase of trial. In the punishment phase, and too late for the jurys consideration of self-defense justification, Williams took the witness stand, defense attorney Kevin Rousseau said in an interview with a reporter. Rousseau was appointed to represent Williams, as was defense attorney Sean Colston. Williams testified that an initial encounter ended and Williams was walking away when he was called back to Yazzies vehicle. Yazzie assaulted Williams before Yazzie was shot, the defendant testified, according to Rousseau. Tarrant County Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Peter Gieseking and Ashton Moore prosecuted the case. Williams approached Yazzie as he sat in his truck at the complex, and Williams stole Yazzies cellphone and wallet, according to the district attorneys office. Yazzie was shot when Yazzie tried to defend himself, according to the states argument. Accomplice Lucille Wilson testified against Williams. In the hours after the defendant was sentenced on Monday, the district attorneys office, under its discretion, filed a motion to dismiss the capital murder indictment in which Wilson was a codefendant. A person cannot be convicted on the testimony of an accomplice unless that testimony is corroborated, the jury was instructed. Because of Williams status as a habitual offender, the jury was directed to select a prison term of between 25 and 99 years or life. Williams was in 1989 convicted of felony theft in state court in Alaska and in 2010 of felon in possession of a firearm in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Tennessee. Oregon's U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas tours Little Prince of Oregon Nursery near Wilsonville Fri., April 5, 2024. The nursery will receive $250,000 from the USDA to begin installing solar panels that will eventually take care of nearly all of the nurserys electricity needs. (Alex Baumhardt/Oregon Capital Chronicle) Incumbent Democratic Rep. Andrea Salinas, who's frequently meet with constituents, like this visit to Wilsonville in April 2024, is fighting a close race against Republican challenger Mike Erickson. (Alex Baumhardt/Oregon Capital Chronicle) By most political rules of thumb, Oregons 6th Congressional District race this year shouldnt be particularly competitive. But both the Democratic and Republican national political parties have declared the district a priority, a place where significant money and support will be sent. Theres a case for why that shouldnt be so. Two years ago, when the brand new district had no incumbent, neither party had an incumbents advantage. The winner then, Democrat Andrea Salinas, is running as an incumbent now, and she has the advantages most incumbents can have. She has visited her district rigorously, worked on constituent projects and requests, kept in touch with key constituencies and raised plenty of money, typically an incumbent advantage. She also is a Democrat running in a district that leans gently Democratic, and isnt particularly bedeviled in her district by issues or controversies from the Beltway. The Cook Political Report lists the district as leaning Democratic. And one more thing: She is running against the same candidate she defeated two years ago, Republican Mike Erickson. Reruns are a dynamic that more often than not unless the candidate has some particular and specific political problem of the sort Salinas seems not to have usually results in a repeat of the earlier result, even more so. Erickson is an experienced candidate, but his track record doesnt inspire confidence: He has run for the U.S. House three times, and twice for the Oregon Legislature, and lost all those races. While the two candidates spent comparable amounts of money, each between $3 million and $4 million, this cycle Salinas has reported raising and spending far more than Erickson. Erickson is, however, wealthy enough to self-fund a substantial campaign, but reports of that havent surfaced as of the most recent federal campaign report at the end of June. These considerations may be one reason why the national Republican congressional committee decided only last month to add Erickson to its priority list of candidates. Given all that, you have to wonder why the sixth is considered so close. But there are reasons for that, too. Even if you dismiss the recent poll released by the Erickson campaign, the only poll of the race so far that showed the two candidates nearly tied, with Salinas at 45% and Erickson at 43%), there are some reasons to class this race as competitive. First, the general election of 2022 was close. Salinas took 50% of the vote to Ericksons 48%, a gap of just 7,210 votes. In 2022, the ballot also included a Constitution Party candidate, who pulled 6,762 votes. If you assume, reasonably, that many of those votes would have gone to Erickson absent that candidate, then the outcome would have been exceedingly close. There are no third-party candidates on the ballot in the sixth this year, with Salinas cross-nominated by the Independent Party of Oregon. Second, the voting base of the sixth was close two years ago and seems close and fluid now. For years, the numbers of registered Democrats and Republicans both have been in decline while the number of nonaffiliated voters has picked up significantly. That trend has held in this district in recent years. While the number of registered voters has increased by about 10,000 to 474,332 as of August according to the Secretary of States Office, the numbers of both Democrats and Republicans have fallen from two years ago by almost identical percentages. We can only guess at how that will translate to votes in November. Third, while Ericksons campaign as such seems lightly funded, it has allies. Pro-Erickson third party mailers have hit the district, at least one blasting Salinas over a lawsuit Erickson has filed against her. Erickson could also benefit from some name familiarity after his earlier races. All that said, the advantages Salinas should accrue this year still give her the edge. The changes from last cycle to this one do soften or even eliminate some advantages she had then, but shes added some new ones from her incumbency. Its not a wrapped-up contest. The parties are not wrong to put a priority on it, and Oregonians would be wise to pay it some attention too. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Seven Shahed UAVs shot down over Mykolaiv Oblast The Ukrainian defence forces shot down seven Russian Shahed UAVs in Mykolaiv Oblast on the night of 16-17 September. Source: Vitalii Kim, Head of Mykolaiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote from Kim: "On the night of 16-17 September, the air defence forces and assets destroyed seven Shahed 131/136 UAVs in Mykolaiv Oblast." Details: The head of Mykolaiv Oblast Military Administration added that at 02:37 on 17 September, the Russians fired mortars at the waters near Ochakiv hromada in the Mykolaiv district. '[A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.] Preliminary reports indicated that there were no casualties. Background: Russian troops launched attack drones on Ukrainian territory on the evening of 16 September. Support UP or become our patron! 79% of Ukrainians wouldn't move to the US or Europe even with citizenship, poll finds The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology has found that 79% of Ukrainians would choose to remain in Ukraine even if granted citizenship by the US or any European country. Source: results of a poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) Details: From 1-6 September 2024, KIIS conducted a nationwide public opinion survey called Omnibus via phone interviews. Sociologists asked: "Would you move to the US or the EU if you received citizenship without any conditions?" Graph 1 Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) 79% of Ukrainians said they would stay in Ukraine, while 19% said they would move to another country. Graph 3 Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) Sociologists found that 74% of young Ukrainians would stay in the country, with a similar trend among those aged 30-44, at 75%. Graph 4 Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) 70% of men do not wish to leave Ukraine, with only 27% wanting to emigrate. Among women, 80% would not leave the country, and 18% would be willing to move. KIIS highlights that these figures include both men and women to show that mens desire to leave cannot be solely attributed to mobilisation. Quote: "The vast majority of Ukrainian men of mobilisation age would not want to leave Ukraine even if they had legal opportunities." Details: In September 2022, 91% of Ukrainians stated they would stay in Ukraine despite everything, with only 7% expressing a desire to move abroad to build a life in the US or Europe. Sociologists suggest this shift is linked to increased patriotism and optimism about Ukraine's future. In 2020, the highest percentage of those wanting to move to another country was 28%, while 69% chose to remain in Ukraine. Note: A total of 1,022 respondents aged 18 and over living in government-controlled areas of Ukraine were surveyed. The margin of statistical error did not exceed 4.1% for figures close to 50%, 3.5% for figures close to 25%, 2.5% for figures close to 10%, and 1.8% for figures close to 5%. Support UP or become our patron! ABC News has again insisted that no topics or questions were shared with either Vice President Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, and their respective campaigns, in advance of last weeks presidential debate. The networks statement came after it declined to directly address allegationsmade in an allegedly sworn statement, purportedly by one of its staffthat it helped Harris in the debate. The claims are made in a document which has itself become a viral sensation among MAGA influencers and been amplified by leading Trump allies like Marjorie Taylor Greene. The document was first published Sundayby an X account with nearly 100,000 followers, and the name Black Insurrectionistas a six-page affidavit, which claimed to have been written by an ABC technical worker the day before the debate. ABC Slams Trumps Latest Conspiracy Theory About Debate Loss The name of the person who signed the document is obscured, but in the six pages they makes claims whichif truewould be explosive. The allegations include that Harris team allegedly negotiating specific camera angles to portray her more favorably than Trump. The document also claims the campaign negotiated rules with ABC without involving the Trump team, and it managed to get the network to avoid specific topics including President Joe Bidens health; Harris tenure as Attorney General in San Francisco; and her brother-in-law and advisor Tony West. In a statement to the Daily Beast, ABC News did not address any of the specific allegations: ABC News followed the debate rules that both campaigns agreed on and which clearly state: No topics or questions will be shared in advance with campaigns or candidates. The alleged whistleblowers claims have received support and online bolstering from right-wing figures like billionaire Bill Ackman; a pinned post on X by him is an open letter to Disney CEO Robert Iger demanding an investigation into the matter. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) also rushed to amplify the claims. If this is accurateand I do not know that it isit would constitute one of the gravest violations of journalist ethics in presidential debate history, Cruz wrote on X. If true, multiple senior people at @abc should be fired. The existence of the affidavit was first raised by the Black Insurrectionist on Thursday which posted that they would be releasing an affidavit from an ABC News whistleblower regarding the debate. On the same day, a website called Leading Report, which traffics in misinformation, boosted the claim on X that alleged Harris received questions ahead of the debate and received assurances only Donald Trump would be fact-checked. Ackman shared that post to his 1.4 million X followerssuch as Elon Musk, who responded to the websites post with !! As many conspiracy theories do, it made its way to Trumps Truth Social feed. ABC categorically denied to The Daily Beast last week that Harris was given any questions ahead of last weeks debate, shooting down one of the talking points that Trump and other right-wingers tried to use to explain the former presidents dismal debate performance. Absolutely not, an ABC News spokesperson told The Daily Beast. Harris was not given any questions before the debate. The networks debate rules stated that no topics or questions will be shared in advance with campaigns or candidates. The spokesperson also said no aides were in contact with moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis. Trump aides have attacked the moderators as agents of the Harris campaign following their efforts, which have been almost universally lauded. A source familiar with the matter also dismissed the purported fact-check assurances as untrue. Harris campaign did not respond to a request for comment on Monday. The Black Insurrectionist account, having grown by nearly 30,000 followers, eventually shared the six-page affidavit on Sunday. The document is dated Sept. 9, the day before the debate. The personwhose name, address, and signature are blacked out, other than they live in Manhattan New Yorkalleges they have been with ABC news for over 10 years, but they have somehow observed significant transformations in the nature of news reporting at the organization since it was acquired by Disney in 1996. The person then makes their claims, including that Harris was given a significantly smaller podium than Trumps and would be given split-screen television views that would favorably present her better than Trump. It also alleged it was widely known throughout ABC that Trump would be fact checked and that Harris camp demanded he would bewithout looping in his team. It also alleged the network agreed not to raise certain topics, including Bidens age and allegations that Tony West, an Obama Justice Department official and her brother-in-law, embezzled billions of dollars in taxpayer funds. Donald Trump, left, and Kamala Harris at their ABC debate. Win McNamee/Getty Images The document also claims to have been verified by a notary public, though the document does not provide a notary seal. An article on a little-known blog indicated the alleged whistleblower had been killed in a car crash before they could unveil the affidavit. That proposition was pushed by Greene on X, who claimed that the whistleblower had died according to news reports. She then retracted the claim and demanded a serious investigation into the document. Even the Gateway Pundit, a far-right website that delves in misinformation and false stories, warned its readers: Its clear to us that this is a complete hoax. (The Black Insurrectionist account later claimed they put the website in touch with the whistleblowers attorney.) Still, the Black Insurrectionist account has doubled down on the claims and has insulted users whove cast doubt. When one user questioned why the document had no notary seal, the account responded angrily: It was notarized you jagoff (sic), it was blocked out. But that's OK more to come on this, even though ABC moderators have started to admit it's true, you can keep groveling. Even that claim, however, was untrue. The account later cited a Breitbart article that claimed, Linsey Davis Admits: Fact-checking Was Only Planned for Trump. It pointed to her comments in an Los Angeles Times interviewthough Davis never said she wanted to limit her fact checks to Trump, or excuse Harris from fact checks. Instead, Davis said she wanted to make sure fact checks were done because people were concerned that statements were allowed to just hang and not [be] disputed by the candidate Biden, at the time, or the moderators. 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. ABC News' David Muir dismissed post-debate "noise" about the performance of the candidates and moderators in an interview on Monday, defending how he and Linsey Davis conducted the event. "All of the noise that you hear afterward about you know, Which candidate won the debate, did the moderators win or lose?" Muir told the audience on ABC's "Live With Kelly and Mark." "That's just noise. You all know that. The most important thing to remember is you all have the power." Muir said he felt it was the "duty" of him and Davis to discuss issues Americans cared about, citing their questions about the economy, the border crisis, reproductive rights, Afghanistan and the peaceful transfer of power. "These are all really important issues, the issues of our time, really, and I always say as a moderator, what the candidates decide to do with that time you can ask the questions, but they'll answer with whatever they choose to answer with, and you have to be ready for whatever might come your way, even the most unexpected of moments," he said, to chuckling from the audience. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump during the debate in Philadelphia on Sept. 10, 2024. ABC NEWS REBUKED BY PRO-LIFE GROUP, ASKED FOR CORRECTION OF ABORTION CLAIM BY DEBATE MODERATOR Muir said he disappeared at the end of the summer because of the weight of the debate and the amount of time necessary to prepare for the event. He praised the "extraordinary" team that helped him get ready. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Muir and Davis were criticized by conservatives for fact-checking Trump during the debate five separate times while never fact-checking Vice President Kamala Harris once. Trump, whose uneven performance at the debate received criticism, fretted afterward that it was "three on one." While conservatives fumed, liberal media pundits widely praised Muir and Davis, contrasting them with the more passive performance of CNN's Dana Bash and Jake Tapper when they moderated the debate in June between Trump and President Biden. Biden's frail, dismal showing at the CNN debate led directly to him exiting the 2024 race and being replaced by Harris. Davis, whose "fact-check" of Trump on an abortion claim went viral, referenced CNN in a post-debate interview. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ARTICLES ABOUT MEDIA AND CULTURE "People were concerned that statements were allowed to just hang and not [be] disputed by the candidate Biden, at the time, or the moderators," Davis told the Los Angeles Times. Muir also discussed the second assassination attempt on Trump on Monday, expressing disbelief and calling the situation "horrific." "We have to condemn political violence, all violence in this country," the "World News Tonight" anchor said. "We have to keep the former president, we have to keep the current vice president, we have to keep both of them safe, get to Election Day, and I just hope we get back to a time in this country where the temperature comes down." Original article source: ABC's David Muir dismisses post-debate 'noise' about moderators ABCs "World News Tonight" anchor David Muir may have driven away some viewers after the Disney-owned network irked conservatives during last weeks presidential debate. Muir and co-moderator Linsey Davis fact-checked former President Trump five times without ever correcting Vice President Kamala Harris, prompting a plethora of conservatives to suggest the debate wasnt fair. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America even called for a correction after Davis made an abortion claim made during the debate during one of the fact-checks on Trump that the group said was "100% inaccurate." Muirs "World News Tonight" averaged 6.7 million viewers on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the three episodes following the debate, after averaging 7.6 million in 2024 leading up to the debate. The 12% drop in viewers for "World News Tonight" is more significant than slight declines "CBS Evening News" and "NBC Nightly News" saw when comparing the three episodes following ABCs debate to the year-to-date totals, although Muirs newscast remained the No. 1 broadcast evening newscast. ABC'S DAVID MUIR DISMISSES POST-DEBATE NOISE ABOUT MODERATORS David Muir and Linsey Davis pose with ABC News crew members at the end of the debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Sept. 10, 2024. While its unclear if Trump supporters have tuned out ABCs newscast on the heels of the debate, the former president has blasted it as "one-sided." Trump told Fox News that he believed Harris should have been fact-checked on a variety of claims. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Every one of them should have been questioned by David Muir, who I've lost a lot of respect for. Everyone's lost respect for him," Trump said last week. "It was so ... one-sided," he continued. "It was one against three." ABC News defenders have pointed to a two-week blackout of Disney-owned stations on DirectTV because of a carriage disagreement from Sept 1-14. However, the six weekday episodes of "World News Tonight" that aired prior to the debate were down only 8% from the program's year-to-date totals compared to a 12% drop for the episodes that aired after the debate. Davis admitted in a post-debate interview that her fact-checking of Trump was influenced by the CNN debate that went disastrously for President Biden in June. "People were concerned that statements were allowed to just hang and not [be] disputed by the candidate Biden, at the time, or the moderators," Davis told the Los Angeles Times last week. ABC Presidential Debate co-moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis. ABC HOST PRESSES KAMALA HARRIS ALLY ON VP'S FALSE CLAIM ABOUT ACTIVE US TROOPS: WHY WOULD SHE SAY THAT?' On Sunday, ABC News' Martha Raddatz even noted that Harris was wrong when she said there is "not one member of the United States military who is in active duty in a combat zone in any war zone around the world." "Our fact-checkers found that to be false," Raddatz said. "There are currently 900 U.S. military personnel in Syria, 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq. All have been under regular threat from drones and missiles for months. We also have action in the Red Sea," Raddatz continued. "Also, every single day, the Navy SEALs, Delta Forces special operators can be part of any sort of deadly raid." Muir and Davis failed to correct Harris in front of the debates massive audience of nearly 70 million people. Editors note: This article has been updated to reflect that weekday episodes of ABCs "World News Tonight" that aired in September during the DirectTV blackout, prior to the debate, were down 8% from the program's year-to-date totals. An earlier version stated it was down 3%. Fox News Digitals Hanna Panreck contributed to this report. Original article source: ABC's David Muir sees newscast ratings decline after controversial debate performance The Brown County Courthouse is located in Aberdeen and is connected to other county offices, such as the Auditor's Office and the Brown County Jail. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) The Brown County Courthouse is located in Aberdeen and is connected to other county offices, such as the Auditor's Office and the Brown County Jail. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) A 56-year-old Aberdeen man has become the first person charged under a new South Dakota law that bans computer-generated child pornography. William Webster Bragg was indicted by a Brown County grand jury on one count of distributing child pornography and six counts of child pornography possession for crimes that occurred on or about Aug. 13, 2024, according to a news release from Attorney General Marty Jackley. If Bragg is convicted, the distribution charge is punishable by up to 15 years in prison; each possession charge carries a sentence of up to 10 years. Jackley argued last winter for a bill that would criminalize the possession of both computer-generated child porn and sexually explicit deepfakes, which are images of real people manipulated into pornography by computer programs. His bill was later folded into a broader update to the states child pornography laws, which became law on July 1. Before the laws passage, cases involving possession of computer-generated child porn were only prosecuted in federal court, where several cases have appeared over the past few years under a statute rarely used in the state until 2022. The Bragg case, like the federal cases, was investigated by a federal, state and local law enforcement partnership called the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. This case demonstrates why the Legislature needed to, and did, act to protect children, Jackley said in a news release. Computer-generated child pornography, including those images and videos created using artificial intelligence, has become an increasing concern nationwide and in South Dakota. Bragg is free on bond and is being monitored by GPS through the 24/7 sobriety program, according to court records. He is set to appear in court on Oct. 15. His bond conditions also specify that he is only to leave his house for court, is to have no contact with children and cannot use alcohol or marijuana. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) An Aberdeen man has been indicted on seven counts of computer-generated child porn. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says William Webster Bragg, 56, was indicted on Sept. 11 by a Brown County Grand Jury on one count of distributing child pornography, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years. Bragg was also charged with six counts of possessing child pornography, where each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years and a mandatory minimum sentence of one year. South Dakota State Penitentiary on lockdown again The crimes occurred on or about Aug. 13. The new computer-generated child pornography statute is part of a new South Dakota law that took effect this past July 1. The new statute, proposed by Jackley, makes possession, distribution, and manufacturing of computer-generated child pornography, including those images and videos created using artificial intelligence, a crime. That includes deepfake images or videos of an actual child that have been manipulated to make it look like the child was engaged in prohibited sexual acts. Braggs next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 15. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) An Abilene man accused of sexually assaulting a teen after getting her intoxicated has been arrested. Jason Phillips was taken into custody Friday on a warrant for Indecency with a Child in connection to the allegations. Court documents state a 15-year-old girl made an outcry in Abilene that Phillips sexually assaulted her when she went to stay the night with her friend, who was related to him. This teen said Phillips drove her and other teens to the store to get alcohol so they could drink it at Phillips house, according to the documents. While she was there, the documents state the teen had 6 drinks then fell asleep only to wake up the next day in Phillips bed while he was touching her inappropriately. She got up and called her mother, which then instigated the outcry. Phillips was released from the Taylor County Jail after posting a $75,000 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. (Reuters) -JPMorgan Chase is in talks with Apple about replacing Goldman Sachs as the tech giant's credit-card partner, a source familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. The discussions started earlier this year and have advanced in recent weeks, but any potential deal could still be months away, said the source, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private. The Wall Street Journal reported the news earlier. Goldman Sachs declined to comment, while Apple did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. Goldman and Apple reportedly pulled the plug last year on their partnership, which included credit cards and savings accounts. Goldman is facing a costly exit from the partnership that is seen by other lenders as too risky and unprofitable, sources told Reuters in December last year. After its foray into consumer banking flopped, Goldman has refocused on its traditional mainstays - investment banking and trading. The consumer business that CEO David Solomon championed has lost billions of dollars. The card, launched in 2019, was one of the hallmarks of Goldman's retail strategy. Apple and Goldman granted cards to customers with lower credit scores in an attempt to boost revenue, a source told Reuters last year. The card offered perks like "no fees" and cashback. But Goldman had to set aside bigger provisions for bad loans, leading to higher paper losses for its consumer business. Goldman is also exiting a credit-card partnership with automaker General Motors. Earlier this month, Solomon dismissed the notion that the bank's early exit with GM was messy, saying the bank had anticipated the problems. Investors have supported Goldman's attempt to refocus on its Wall Street operations, pushing its stock up nearly 27% so far this year. (Reporting by Nupur Anand, Manya Saini and Niket Nishant in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Saeed Azhar; Editing by Arun Koyyur, Lananh Nguyen and Nick Zieminski) Abilene sex offender accused of trying to meet minor for sex. . . again ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) An Abilene sex offender who is on the registry for Online Solicitation of a Minor is accused of trying to meet a minor for sex once again. Skyler Otto was taken into custody on warrants for Online Solicitation of a Minor and Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Duty to Register Sunday in connection to the allegations. Court documents state an undercover agent made contact with Otto online in October 2021. After this agent told Otto they were 15-years-old, the documents state Otto sent sexually explicit messages. Otto eventually agreed to meet the teen for sex, according to the documents, and when he arrived at the scene, he was arrested by officers who were there waiting. Otto admitted that he was communicating with someone he thought was a fifteen-year-old boy and that the conversations were sexual in nature, according to the documents. Since his arrest, Otto has been held in the Taylor County Jail on a $70,000 bond. The Texas Public Sex Offender Registry shows Otto was sentenced to 7 years probation for Online Solicitation of a Minor in April 2022. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Amber Nicole Thurman and her son in a selfie she posted online in 2020, two years before her death. (Photo via Facebook) In her final hours, Amber Nicole Thurman suffered from a grave infection that her suburban Atlanta hospital was well-equipped to treat. Shed taken abortion pills and encountered a rare complication; she had not expelled all of the fetal tissue from her body. She showed up at Piedmont Henry Hospital in need of a routine procedure to clear it from her uterus, called a dilation and curettage, or D&C. But just that summer, her state had made performing the procedure a felony, with few exceptions. Any doctor who violated the new Georgia law could be prosecuted and face up to a decade in prison. Thurman waited in pain in a hospital bed, worried about what would happen to her 6-year-old son, as doctors monitored her infection spreading, her blood pressure sinking and her organs beginning to fail. It took 20 hours for doctors to finally operate. By then, it was too late. The otherwise healthy 28-year-old medical assistant, who had her sights set on nursing school, should not have died, an official state committee recently concluded. Tasked with examining pregnancy-related deaths to improve maternal health, the experts, including 10 doctors, deemed hers preventable and said the hospitals delay in performing the critical procedure had a large impact on her fatal outcome. Their reviews of individual patient cases are not made public. But ProPublica obtained reports that confirm that at least two women have already died after they couldnt access legal abortions and timely medical care in their state. There are almost certainly others. Committees like the one in Georgia, set up in each state, often operate with a two-year lag behind the cases they examine, meaning that experts are only now beginning to delve into deaths that took place after the Supreme Court overturned the federal right to abortion. Thurmans case marks the first time an abortion-related death, officially deemed preventable, is coming to public light. ProPublica will share the story of the second in the coming days. We are also exploring other deaths that have not yet been reviewed but appear to be connected to abortion bans. Bleed a little bit more Doctors warned state legislators women would die if medical procedures sometimes needed to save lives became illegal. Though Republican lawmakers who voted for state bans on abortion say the laws have exceptions to protect the life of the mother, medical experts cautioned that the language is not rooted in science and ignores the fast-moving realities of medicine. The most restrictive state laws, experts predicted, would pit doctors fears of prosecution against their patients health needs, requiring providers to make sure their patient was inarguably on the brink of death or facing irreversible harm when they intervened with procedures like a D&C. They would feel the need to wait for a higher blood pressure, wait for a higher fever really got to justify this one bleed a little bit more, Dr. Melissa Kottke, an OB-GYN at Emory, warned lawmakers in 2019 during one of the hearings over Georgias ban. Doctors and a nurse involved in Thurmans care declined to explain their thinking and did not respond to questions from ProPublica. Communications staff from the hospital did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Georgias Department of Public Health, which oversees the state maternal mortality review committee, said it cannot comment on ProPublicas reporting because the committees cases are confidential and protected by federal law. The availability of D&Cs for both abortions and routine miscarriage care helped save lives after the 1973 Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade, studies show, reducing the rate of maternal deaths for women of color by up to 40% the first year after abortion became legal. But since abortion was banned or restricted in 22 states over the past two years, women in serious danger have been turned away from emergency rooms and told that they needed to be in more peril before doctors could help. Some have been forced to continue high-risk pregnancies that threatened their lives. Those whose pregnancies werent even viable have been told they could return when they were crashing. Such stories have been at the center of the upcoming presidential election, during which the right to abortion is on the ballot in 10 states. But Republican legislators have rejected small efforts to expand and clarify health exceptions even in Georgia, which has one of the nations highest rates of maternal mortality and where Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. When its law went into effect in July 2022, Gov. Brian Kemp said he was overjoyed and believed the state had found an approach that would keep women safe, healthy and informed. After advocates tried to block the ban in court, arguing the law put women in danger, attorneys for the state of Georgia accused them of hyperbolic fear mongering. Two weeks later, Thurman was dead. Thurman, who carried the full load of a single parent, loved being a mother. Every chance she got, she took her son to petting zoos, to pop-up museums and on planned trips, like one to a Florida beach. The talks I have with my son are everything, she posted on social media. But when she learned she was pregnant with twins in the summer of 2022, she quickly decided she needed to preserve her newfound stability, her best friend, Ricaria Baker, told ProPublica. Thurman and her son had recently moved out of her familys home and into a gated apartment complex with a pool, and she was planning to enroll in nursing school. Pregnancy was just past six weeks The timing could not have been worse. On July 20, the day Georgias law banning abortion at six weeks went into effect, her pregnancy had just passed that mark, according to records her family shared with ProPublica. Thurman wanted a surgical abortion close to home and held out hope as advocates tried to get the ban paused in court, Baker said. But as her pregnancy progressed to its ninth week, she couldnt wait any longer. She scheduled a D&C in North Carolina, where abortion at that stage was still legal, and on Aug. 13 woke up at 4 a.m. to make the journey with her best friend. On their drive, they hit standstill traffic, Baker said. The clinic couldnt hold Thurmans spot longer than 15 minutes it was inundated with women from other states where bans had taken effect. Instead, a clinic employee offered Thurman a two-pill abortion regimen approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, mifepristone and misoprostol. Her pregnancy was well within the standard of care for that treatment. Getting to the clinic had required scheduling a day off from work, finding a babysitter, making up an excuse to borrow a relatives car and walking through a crowd of anti-abortion protesters. Thurman didnt want to reschedule, Baker said. At the clinic, Thurman sat through a counseling session in which she was told how to safely take the pills and instructed to go to the emergency room if complications developed. She signed a release saying she understood. She took the first pill there and insisted on driving home before any symptoms started, Baker said. She took the second pill the next day, as directed. Deaths due to complications from abortion pills are extremely rare. Out of nearly 6 million women whove taken mifepristone in the U.S. since 2000, 32 deaths were reported to the FDA through 2022, regardless of whether the drug played a role. Of those, 11 patients developed sepsis. Most of the remaining cases involved intentional and accidental drug overdoses, suicide, homicide and ruptured ectopic pregnancies. Baker and Thurman spoke every day that week. At first, there was only cramping, which Thurman expected. But days after she took the second pill, the pain increased and blood was soaking through more than one pad per hour. If she had lived nearby, the clinic in North Carolina would have performed a D&C for free as soon as she followed up, the executive director told ProPublica. But Thurman was four hours away. On the evening of Aug. 18, Thurman vomited blood and passed out at home, according to 911 call logs. Her boyfriend called for an ambulance. Thurman arrived at Piedmont Henry Hospital in Stockbridge at 6:51 p.m. ProPublica obtained the summary narrative of Thurmans hospital stay provided to the maternal mortality review committee, as well as the groups findings. The narrative is based on Thurmans medical records, with identifying information removed. The committee does not interview doctors involved with the case or ask hospitals to respond to its findings. ProPublica also consulted with medical experts, including members of the committee, about the timeline of events. Within Thurmans first hours at the hospital, which says it is staffed at all hours with an OB who specializes in hospital care, it should have been clear that she was in danger, medical experts told ProPublica. Her lower abdomen was tender, according to the summary. Her white blood cell count was critically high and her blood pressure perilously low at one point, as Thurman got up to go to the bathroom, she fainted again and hit her head. Doctors noted a foul odor during a pelvic exam, and an ultrasound showed possible tissue in her uterus. Acute severe sepsis The standard treatment of sepsis is to start antibiotics and immediately seek and remove the source of the infection. For a septic abortion, that would include removing any remaining tissue from the uterus. One of the hospital networks own practices describes a D&C as a fairly common, minor surgical procedure to be used after a miscarriage to remove fetal tissue. After assessing her at 9:38 p.m., doctors started Thurman on antibiotics and an IV drip, the summary said. The OB-GYN noted the possibility of doing a D&C the next day. But that didnt happen the following morning, even when an OB diagnosed acute severe sepsis. By 5:14 a.m., Thurman was breathing rapidly and at risk of bleeding out, according to her vital signs. Even five liters of IV fluid had not moved her blood pressure out of the danger zone. Doctors escalated the antibiotics. Instead of performing the newly criminalized procedure, they continued to gather information and dispense medicine, the summary shows. Doctors had Thurman tested for sexually transmitted diseases and pneumonia. They placed her on Levophed, a powerful blood pressure support that could do nothing to treat the infection and posed a new threat: The medication can constrict blood flow so much that patients could need an amputation once stabilized. At 6:45 a.m., Thurmans blood pressure continued to dip, and she was taken to the intensive care unit. At 7:14 a.m., doctors discussed initiating a D&C. But it still didnt happen. Two hours later, lab work indicated her organs were failing, according to experts who read her vital signs. At 12:05 p.m., more than 17 hours after Thurman had arrived, a doctor who specializes in intensive care notified the OB-GYN that her condition was deteriorating. Thurman was finally taken to an operating room at 2 p.m. By then, the situation was so dire that doctors started with open abdominal surgery. They found that her bowel needed to be removed, but it was too risky to operate because not enough blood was flowing to the area a possible complication from the blood pressure medication, an expert explained to ProPublica. The OB performed the D&C but immediately continued with a hysterectomy. Promise me youll take care of my son During surgery, Thurmans heart stopped. Her mother was praying in the waiting room when one of the doctors approached. Come walk with me, she said. Until she got the call from the hospital, her mother had no idea Thurman had been pregnant. She recalled her daughters last words before she was wheeled into surgery they had made no sense coming from a vibrant young woman who seemed to have her whole life ahead of her: Promise me youll take care of my son. There is a good chance providing a D&C earlier could have prevented Amber Thurmans death, the maternal mortality review committee concluded. Every state has a committee of experts who meet regularly to examine deaths that occurred during or within a year after a pregnancy. Their goal is to collect accurate data and identify the root causes of Americas increasing maternal mortality rate, then translate those lessons into policy changes. Their findings and recommendations are sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and their states publish an annual report, but their reviews of individual cases are never public. Georgias committee has 32 regular members from a variety of backgrounds, including OB-GYNs, cardiologists, mental health care providers, a medical examiner, health policy experts, community advocates and others. This summer, the committee reviewed deaths through Fall 2022, but most states have not gotten that far. After reviewing Thurmans case, the committee highlighted Piedmonts lack of policies/procedures in place to evacuate uterus immediately and recommended all hospitals implement policies to treat a septic abortion on an ongoing basis. It is not clear from the records available why doctors waited to provide a D&C to Thurman, though the summary report shows they discussed the procedure at least twice in the hours before they finally did. Piedmont did not have a policy to guide doctors on how to interpret the state abortion ban when Thurman arrived for care, according to two people with knowledge of internal conversations who were not authorized to speak publicly. In the months after she died, an internal task force of providers there created policies to educate staff on how to navigate the law, though they are not able to give legal advice, the sources said. In interviews with more than three dozen OB-GYNs in states that outlawed abortion, ProPublica learned how difficult it is to interpret the vague and conflicting language in bans medical exceptions especially, the doctors said, when their judgment could be called into question under the threat of prison time. Take the language in Georgias supposed lifesaving exceptions. It prohibits doctors from using any instrument with the purpose of terminating a pregnancy. While removing fetal tissue is not terminating a pregnancy, medically speaking, the law only specifies its not considered an abortion to remove a dead unborn child that resulted from a spontaneous abortion defined as naturally occurring from a miscarriage or a stillbirth. Thurman had told doctors her miscarriage was not spontaneous it was the result of taking pills to terminate her pregnancy. There is also an exception, included in most bans, to allow abortions necessary in order to prevent the death of the pregnant woman or the substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. There is no standard protocol for how providers should interpret such language, doctors said. How can they be sure a jury with no medical experience would agree that intervening was necessary? ProPublica asked the governors office on Friday to respond to cases of denied care, including the two abortion-related deaths, and whether its exceptions were adequate. Spokesperson Garrison Douglas said they were clear and gave doctors the power to act in medical emergencies. He returned to the states previous argument, describing ProPublicas reporting as a fear-mongering campaign. Republican officials across the country have largely rejected calls to provide guidance. When legislators have tried, anti-abortion groups have blocked them. Possibility of prosecution looms over physicians In 2023, a group of Tennessee Republicans was unable to push through a small change to the states abortion ban, intended to give doctors greater leeway when intervening for patients facing health complications. No one wants to tell their spouse, child or loved one that their life is not important in a medical emergency as you watch them die when they could have been saved, said Republican Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes, a nurse who sponsored the bill. The states main anti-abortion lobbyist, Will Brewer, vigorously opposed the change. Some pregnancy complications work themselves out, he told a panel of lawmakers. Doctors should be required to pause and wait this out and see how it goes. At some hospitals, doctors are doing just that. Doctors told ProPublica they have seen colleagues disregard the standard of care when their patients are at risk of infection and wait to see if a miscarriage completes naturally before offering a D&C. Although no doctor has been prosecuted for violating abortion bans, the possibility looms over every case, they said, particularly outside of well-funded academic institutions that have lawyers promising criminal defense. Doctors in public hospitals and those outside of major metro areas told ProPublica that they are often left scrambling to figure out on a case-by-case basis when they are allowed to provide D&Cs and other abortion procedures. Many fear they are taking on all of the risk alone and would not be backed up by their hospitals if a prosecutor charged them with a crime. At Catholic hospitals, they typically have to transfer patients elsewhere for care. When they do try to provide care, it can be a challenge to find other medical staff to participate. A D&C requires an anesthesiologist, nurses, attending physicians and others. Doctors said peers have refused to participate because of their personal views or their fear of being exposed to criminal charges. Georgia law allows medical staff to refuse to participate in abortions. Thurmans family members may never learn the exact variables that went into doctors calculations. The hospital has not fulfilled their request for her full medical record. There was no autopsy. For years, all Thurmans family had was a death certificate that said she died of septic shock and retained products of conception a rare description that had previously only appeared once in Georgia death records over the last 15 years, ProPublica found. The family learned Thurmans case had been reviewed and deemed preventable from ProPublicas reporting. The sting of Thurmans death remains extremely raw to her loved ones, who feel her absence most deeply as they watch her son grow taller and lose teeth and start school years without her. They focus on surrounding him with love but know nothing can replace his mother. On Monday, she would have turned 31. Cassandra Jaramillo, Mariam Elba and Kirsten Berg contributed research. This story is republished from ProPublica. People walk together during a rally against Floridas six-week abortion ban held at Lake Eola Park in April in Orlando. Florida is one of 10 states with abortion protection measures on the November ballot, though Republicans are fighting to prevent voters from weighing in. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Measures that would protect abortion access are on track to appear on the ballot in 10 states in November, but abortion opponents are engaged in last-ditch legal maneuvering to try to prevent voters from weighing in on the proposals. In Republican-dominated Missouri, for example, the state Supreme Court ruled this week that a constitutional amendment to legalize abortion up to the point of fetal viability must be put before voters issuing its decision less than three hours before a constitutional deadline to finalize the ballot. The day before, Missouri Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft had decertified the measure in a bid to quash it. Anti-abortion state lawmakers and activists had sued Ashcroft last month, alleging his initial certification of the ballot measure was invalid because it failed to meet all legal requirements. This fight was not just about this amendment, Rachel Sweet, campaign manager for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, said in a statement. Her group led the effort for the ballot measure. It was about defending the integrity of the initiative petition process and ensuring that Missourians can shape their future directly. In Nebraska and South Dakota, two other states where Republicans dominate state government, last-minute legal battles have created uncertainty about whether abortion access measures will stand even if voters approve them. And in Florida, GOP officials used a state website to warn people against voting for a ballot measure that would expand abortion rights, while state police have shown up at the homes of people who signed the ballot measure petition to confirm that they actually signed it. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said police are investigating possible fraud, but abortion advocates argue the real goal is to intimidate voters. Republicans also control both chambers of that legislature. These last-minute efforts are part of a relentless campaign to make it harder for voters to weigh in on an issue they care deeply about and that can permanently alter their lives. Alice Clapman, senior counsel for voting rights at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University The 10 states with abortion protection measures on the ballot are Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York and South Dakota. In eight states, the measures were initiated by citizens who had to gather hundreds of thousands of signatures and navigate bureaucratic red tape to get them in front of voters. In two other states, Democratic-controlled Maryland and New York, legislators placed the measures on the ballot. In several states, anti-abortion activists have tried to remove the measures from the ballot by arguing that they are overly broad, or that the citizen groups behind them didnt fully comply with state requirements. Missouri state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman and state Rep. Hannah Kelly, both Republicans, along with two other anti-abortion plaintiffs, filed the lawsuit that wound up before the Missouri Supreme Court. The Missouri Supreme Court turned a blind eye and ruled Missourians dont have to be fully informed about the laws their votes may overturn before signing initiative petitions, the plaintiffs said in a joint statement shared by Kelly. Nebraska voters will see dueling constitutional amendments on the ballot: One would establish the right to abortion up to fetal viability, while the other would ban nearly all abortions in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. But whether Nebraskans will get to vote on them depends on three lawsuits currently before the Nebraska Supreme Court, two of which target the abortion rights amendment. The third was filed by abortion rights advocates, asking the court to either allow both amendments on the ballot or neither of them. Nebraska Republican Secretary of State Bob Evnen must decide by today whether to certify the ballot. A lawsuit over South Dakotas abortion amendment goes to trial later this month, and isnt expected to finish before early voting begins. An anti-abortion rights group sued in June to block the ballot question, challenging the validity of the petitions signatures. The proposed amendment, which would limit how and when the state can regulate abortion, will appear on South Dakotas ballot regardless of the trials outcome because the case wasnt decided by the Aug. 13 certification deadline. But if the court later rules the signatures invalid, it would nullify the results of the vote. These last-minute efforts are part of a relentless campaign to make it harder for voters to weigh in on an issue they care deeply about and that can permanently alter their lives, said Alice Clapman, senior counsel for voting rights at the Brennan Center for Justice, a voting rights group based at the New York University School of Law, in an email to Stateline. In states under one-party control, like Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota, abortion opponents are trying to close off the only remaining avenue voters have to reform their laws, she wrote. In Florida, the state health agency launched a Florida is Protecting Life website earlier this month that says Floridas abortion amendment threatens womens safety and warns voters, Dont let the fearmongers lie to you. The site makes several other unsubstantiated claims, including that the amendment would lead to unregulated and unsafe abortions. Asked about accusations that leadership misused public funds to launch the site, the agency defended the website in a statement: Our new transparency page serves to educate Floridians on the states current abortion laws and provide information on a proposed policy change that would impact care across the state. But amendment advocates have decried the use of public money. Natasha Sutherland, communications director for Floridians Protecting Freedom, an organization behind the ballot measure, called it a state-sponsored and taxpayer-funded political ad. Florida politicians are trying to take away our power to decide our future, which is why they are weaponizing a state agency and using taxpayer dollars to undermine the democratic process and threaten the freedoms of every Floridian, she told Stateline in an email. Florida agency director Jason Weida said in a statement on the social platform X shared by the agencys account that the page was launched to combat the lies and disinformation surrounding Floridas abortion laws. The agency also released a video this week directing people to the site. Meanwhile, the Florida Department of State is reviewing thousands of signatures that were collected to get the amendment on the ballot, despite the signatures being verified by local supervisors months ago. Last month, the Florida Supreme Court sided with the state in allowing language on the ballot that abortion-rights activists say improperly inflates the amendments projected costs. Since the U.S. Supreme Court dismantled the federal constitutional right to an abortion in June 2022, voters in half a dozen states, including conservative Kansas and Kentucky, have voted to protect abortion access. So far, voters have not defeated any abortion rights ballot measure. A majority of likely Florida voters said theyd vote for the abortion rights measure there, according to a poll released last week by The Hill and Emerson College Polling. Fifty-five percent said they would vote yes on the amendment, while 26% plan to vote no, with 20% unsure. Nearly two-thirds of Arizona voters said theyd vote for Arizonas constitutional amendment to establish the right to an abortion up to fetal viability, according to a Fox News poll in August. Clapman said chances of passage vary by state, based on factors including public opinion, the states current abortion policy and how the ballot measures are worded. Although voters in South Dakota, Missouri and Florida tend to be relatively conservative on abortion issues, she said, they also may be particularly motivated to support abortion rights because theyre currently living under abortion bans and are seeing and experiencing the dire effects of these bans. 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. SELMA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A doctor from Selma is being accused of malpractice, and according to the Medical Board of California, this is his fourth time facing disciplinary action. The medical board says the most recent accusation was filed against the license of Virender S. Kaleka, M.D. on Aug. 22. According to documents, Kaleka first began treating a 68-year-old man in 2003. Between Sept. 2017 and Jan. 2018, Kaleka inappropriately prescribed Tramadol to the man despite an increased risk of negative health outcomes. Records reveal Kaleka is accused of: Repeated negligent acts Prescribing controlled substances without an appropriate examination or medical indication Excessive prescribing Failure to maintain accurate records During the course of the regimen, court records state Kaleka allegedly failed to monitor his patient. The doctor also failed to provide accurate record-keeping, making it impossible to determine which medications were being prescribed, when they were being prescribed, with what instructions, and in what quantities. New treatment for common but deadly heart condition now available in Fresno The medical board says the doctors first complaint was filed in 1995 and resulted in his license being suspended for 30 days and being placed on probation for five years. In 2014, a public letter of reprimand was issued to the doctor, and in 2016 his license was again placed on probation, but this time for three years. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. WASHINGTON - A new report from the American Civil Liberties Union has revealed troubling data about police encounters in Washington, D.C., showing a stark racial disparity in stops made by the Metropolitan Police Department. The study, titled "Bias at the Core?", examined nearly 140,000 police encounters from January 2022 to December 2023 and found that police disproportionately stop Black people compared to other racial groups. According to the ACLU, police stop about one person every ten minutes in the District. Despite Black people making up approximately 40% of the city's population, they account for over 70% of police stops during the study period. The report points to racial bias as a significant factor in these disparities. The study also highlights that less than 1% of the stops led to the seizure of firearms, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the stop-and-frisk practice. WASHINGTON D.C, UNITED STATES - FEBRUARY 15: FBI and United States Secret Service officers raid the Venezuelan Ambassador's Residence in Washington, DC, United States on February 15, 2024. At approximately 8:50 PM, agents yelled 'surrender' after calling out that they were on site and 'police'. (Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images) The ACLU noted that the data shows racial disparities consistent with racial bias. The report also found that white residents, who make up about 39% of D.C.'s population, were only stopped 13% of the time. The ACLU says it has reached out to D.C. police and city officials for a response to the findings but has not yet received a comment. The ACLU's report calls for immediate action, including police retraining, to address these racial disparities and improve community trust in law enforcement. In a statement sent to FOX 5, the Metropolitan Police Department says it "continues its commitment to transparency by publishing comprehensive stop data twice a year, which supports the work of partners such as the ACLU in studying this data. However, it would be helpful for the public if descriptions about the data were also transparent. For example, whereas the ACLU gives the impression that all of the 68,940 stops in 2023 were stops and frisks, this is not at all accurate. Of the almost 69,000 stops, only 4,471 (less than 7%) included a protective pat down, sometimes called a frisk. Only 1% include a consent search." MPD released its own data: The stops had a clear purpose. Almost 4 of every 5 stops resulted in enforcement action, either a ticket (58%) or an arrest (23%). The rest ended with investigation or other public safety response, such as mediating a dispute, educating a violator, or referral to services. The stops included many people traveling in or through the District. Sixty percent of the stops were traffic stops. Only 30% of the vehicles stopped and issued tickets for traffic violations were registered in the District; 70% were registered in another state. Most stops were resolved without any physical contact between the officer and the person stopped or his or her property. Only 10% of stops involved a protective pat down or a pre-arrest search of either a person or property. MPD stops play a vital role in supporting Vision Zero and making our streets safe for all users. Fifty-eight percent of all stops result in a ticket. Of these, almost one-third of the tickets were warning tickets. Eleven percent of arrests include a charge for a criminal traffic violation. Most stops are for traffic violations and have nothing to do with gun or gun crimes, but some stops help remove a significant number of guns from our neighborhoods. In 2023, MPD officers were able to remove 2,057 guns64% of all guns recoveredfrom DC streets as a result of police stops.[1] Most stops are brief. More than three out of four were resolved in about 15 minutes; 86% lasted 30 minutes or less. The Department says it is committed to fair, professional, and constitutional policing in all aspects of its work as it strives to safeguard people and property in the District of Columbia. The Department works continuously to strengthen its service to the city. In the past year, the Department has focused on providing updated and comprehensive training for all its officers on the Fourth Amendment, including 10 hours of online and classroom training developed in partnership with the US Attorney for the District of Columbia. The Department is also supporting an independent study on Equity in Traffic Stops conducted by the University of Connecticut Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy. Researchers regularly stress that disparities, in and of themselves, are not sufficient evidence of racial profiling. We expect this study to be available in Fiscal Year 2025. Read the full report below: Click to open this PDF in a new window. Editor's Note: This story originally said that African American individuals in D.C. had a police encounter every ten minutes. The ACLU corrected their original statement to clarify that the report showed that one person in the District was stopped every ten minutes. The story has been updated to accurately reflect the report. The Native Americans arrived in Paris in the winter in 1892, Toka Devilliers (Thomas SAMSON) (Thomas SAMSON/AFP/AFP) The descendant of a Native American teenager who survived being exhibited at a "human zoo" in 19th-century Paris is urging France to repatriate the remains of six others who died there. Corinne Toka Devilliers says the bones of these six human beings have been lingering in storage at the French capital's Musee de l'Homme (Museum of Mankind) for more than a century. "They've been in a box for 132 years," she told AFP, indignant. She is campaigning for them to be returned to their ancestral land in French Guiana, an overseas territory in South America, so they can receive the proper rituals. In early 1892, 33 Native Americans boarded a ship in Paramaribo, the capital of then Dutch Guiana, which became Suriname after independence, according to Devilliers' research. Aged just three months to 60 years old, they were children, women and men from the Kali'na and Arawak tribes from the mouth of the Maroni river that today runs between French Guiana and neighbouring Suriname. Since 1877, a park in Paris had been organising so-called "ethnological shows" of human beings from far-flung continents -- today denounced as "human zoos". The manager of the Jardin d'Acclimatation, an attractions park in Paris, had requested French explorer Francois Laveau bring back Native Americans to be part of the latest exhibit. Laveau had promised the 33 indigenous people that he would pay them and that they would return, according to Toka Devilliers. But "they were never paid and eight of them never again saw their homeland," she said. - 'Descendants of Moliko' - Toka Devilliers grew up hearing their tale because her ancestor Moliko, a teenage girl at the time, was among them and survived. "My grandfather often told me her story, but I didn't pay attention," she said. But after seeing a 2018 documentary about these deeply racist "human zoos", she decided to take action. She created the Moliko Alet+Po non-governmental organisation, whose name means "The Descendants of Moliko" in the Kali'na language, to seek reparations for the treatment of her ancestors. From 1877 to 1931, the Jardin d'Acclimatation hosted around 30 "ethnological shows", according to its website. They featured people then called "savages" from Africa, the Americas, Oceania, the Arctic and sub-Arctic, some who were paid, it says. Only "some anthropologists" denounced the events. Toka Devilliers says that, of the 33 who left Guiana to arrive in Paris in the middle of winter, eight developed "bronchitis or other lung problems". Of those eight, one was buried and a second was dissected for alleged scientific research. The remains of the six others are at the Musee de l'Homme. "If they had known, they would never have got onto that boat," she said. Toka Devilliers's efforts to repatriate them have so far been in vain. France's parliament last year passed a bill that paves the way towards human remains contained in its museum collections being repatriated to their countries of origin. But that law did not include provisions for French territories overseas. Contacted by AFP, the French culture ministry said it was looking into the issue. "Discussions are underway to allow us to find the appropriate judicial framework," it said. - Shamanic ceremony - Until a solution is found, Toka Devilliers has brought over a shaman -- a spiritual healer -- to conduct a ceremony around the remains at the museum on Tuesday. Toka Devilliers and her team were able to identify 27 of the 33 people who arrived in 1892. She is now looking for a copy of the contract between Laveau and the then governor of Dutch Guiana, hoping it will include a complete list of names and details of promised payment. "Maybe it was just an oral contract," she said. "Or perhaps the document ended up in the Netherlands after the independence of Suriname" in 1975. Once she has managed to return the remains of the six, Toka Devilliers says she will continue fighting for the memory of her ancestors. Next she will seek a plaque inside the Paris park that showed off her people's ancestors to curious visitors, she said. And she would also like one in France's western port of Saint-Nazaire where they docked, and another in the Paris train station of Saint-Lazare where they arrived in the capital. The only memorial so far exists in French Guiana. In August two statues were erected there in memory of those taken to France to be exhibited. They commemorated another smaller group of people who left in 1882. fro-jt/ah/sjw/rox (COLORADO SPRINGS) A new addiction treatment facility is now open in Pueblo, thanks to an allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham posted about the facilitys grand opening on her Facebook page on Friday, Sept. 13, during a ceremony with Crossroads Turning Points to celebrate the new home of the Circle Program. Mayor Graham said $750,000 was allocated from ARPA funds to complete this addiction treatment and behavioral health center, which Mayor Graham called much needed. The program offers a a higher level of care than typical in-patient recovery services and is based on a medical model, which requires nurses, counselors and doctors for treatment of patients at the facility, said Mayor Graham. Courtesy: Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham Courtesy: Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham Courtesy: Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham Courtesy: Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham Courtesy: Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham Courtesy: Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham Courtesy: Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham The project was spearheaded by CEO Charlie Davis, who worked hand in hand with City officials, construction personnel, and numerous community partners to reopen the state-funded Circle Program, which provides a 20-bed inpatient 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 FOX21 News Colorado. Advocates say overdose reversal drug should be in peoples first aid kits Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, has been proven to save lives and Channel 9s Jonathan Lowe looked into who has access to it and how it makes a difference. CMS approves Narcan on school campuses Overdoses are 27% to 46% lower when the OD-reversal drug is publicly available, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Its been 10 years since Lauren Kestner overcame her struggle with illicit drug use. Shes proud that she has stayed sober. I should have been dead a really long time ago, she told Lowe. Theres so many things that happened in my life that intersected, and I think my daughter was also a really big catalyst. Kestner said she had to be intentional about living a healthier life. I had the opportunity to go to treatment, she said. I also had people in my life who, without me realizing it, were introducing me to harm reduction. Harm reduction programs have been around since the 1980s. They use safe syringe services, which provide clean items to users, along with counseling and resources. Kestner is with Queen City Harm Reduction. Theres so much stigma with drug use, which means there is going to be a lot of stigma with accessing naloxone, Kestner said. FDA approves over-the-counter Narcan. Heres what it means Laws in North Carolina that provide access to Narcan are relatively new. People should be able to access whatever they need that is available on the shelf, without being questioned about it, she said. In 2016, North Carolina became the third state in the nation to allow pharmacies to distribute naloxone without a prescription. South Carolina enacted similar legislation in 2018. Its free in many cases if the person has insurance. Thats in addition to doses available at local health departments. We provide naloxone for free, Kestner said. You can walk in. Its a judgment-free zone. State law spells out how naloxone should be distributed and to whom. Sheriffs office unveils vending machine filled with Narcan Pharmacists may require written communication from a doctor that a person is at risk of an overdose before the opioid antagonist, or naloxone, could be prescribed. It should be as common as having a Band-Aid and Neosporin in your first aid kit, said Mary Ferreri, the CEO at east Charlottes Emerald School of Excellence, a high school for teens in recovery. Educators also guide students to their diplomas in accordance with state standards. Kids that come here have to be 30 days or more sober, whether theyre dealing with mental health or substance use, everybodys committed to being substance-free, Ferreri said. Naloxone doses are still a vital part of their first aid kits. It is so important to have it onsite because you just never know, Ferreri said. Mecklenburg County reported 375 opioid overdose emergency visits between January and June of this year, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Thats down from 538 in the same period in 2023. Patients younger than 25 have accounted for more than 10% of this years visits. Youre seeing people having earlier starts to their use, which just means that number is going to get younger and younger, Ferreri said. Emerald School of Excellence tries to catch drug use before its too late. And I think that says a lot about the strength of the Charlotte recovery community is were wrapping kids early on and thats part of what our school is, helping to serve with early intervention and prevention, before things get to the point of frequent overdose, Ferreri said. Emerald School of Excellence has grown from two students to 36. This summer, 12 students completed their high school education and earned their diplomas. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools approved adding naloxone in every school. School nurses underwent training to use the spray and the district said it would be stored in the front office of each school. No Accountability What tech companies have claimed so far about the energy costs of building enormous AI models may have been incredibly misleading. Or, depending on your perspective, they lied to you. The Guardian reports that the actual emissions made by data centers owned by AI leaders including Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Apple, are about 662 percent higher than what they've officially reported. And this may just be the tip of the iceberg: the newspaper's analysis was limited to emissions made between 2020 and 2022, a window that captures the cusp of the AI boom but not the staggering heights that it's reached now. According to the analysis, Amazon was overall the largest emitter by far, but couldn't be included in the above figure because data center-specific emissions weren't available. Still, it's just as guilty as all the rest for obfuscating its environmental impact. All five of the tech companies, The Guardian notes, have at various points claimed laughably to be carbon neutral. "It's down to creative accounting," a representative from the advocacy group Amazon Employees for Climate Justice told the newspaper. Parks and Recs When a tech company reports its emissions, what they're showing you are "market-based" emissions, which are tamped down by purchasing energy certificates, or "Recs," which they then factor into their calculations. These supposedly certify that a company is offsetting its dirty energy consumption with an equivalent amount of renewable energy. You'll want to note that the renewable efforts don't have to be undertaken by the company getting the certificates. Some third party that they pay can handle doing the work of producing the renewables on their behalf convenient, right? Any of these tech companies can buy Recs, and in practice little is done to verify how much is actually being "offset." Basically, it's like money laundering except for an energy bill. And as the report shows, even if the offsetting is taking place, the ulterior motive almost certainly isn't to save trees, but to shave off a few zeroes on a carbon balance sheet, all so we can go on pretending this stuff isn't gutting the environment. Location, Location, Location Instead, a truer reflection of the actual toll would be "location-based emissions." No nonsense here: it's the amount emitted by each data center, straight up. Bear in mind that all the firms don't report specific data center related emissions the same way. But using the location-based emissions that are available, the biggest liar of the bunch appears to be Meta. In 2022, Meta's official emissions from in-house data centers was just 273 metric tons of CO2. But using location-based data, that soars to 3.8 million metric tons a 19,000 times increase, in case you were wondering. Microsoft is likely more representative of a big AI company's environmental toll today. Officially, it claimed its data center-related emissions for that year was 280,782 metric tons. The location-based figure? 6.1 million. We'd like to say there's a silver lining, but there probably isn't. By all accounts, AI's energy demand is going to keep growing. "The trend in those emissions is worrying," the report reads. "If these five companies were one country, the sum of their 'location-based' emissions in 2022 would rank them as the 33rd highest-emitting country, behind the Philippines and above Algeria." More on AI: Microsoft Secretly Selling AI to Fossil Fuel Companies While Bragging About Environmental Progress The Air Force said Monday it will meet its recruitment goals in fiscal 2024, one year after all components of the service missed the mark for the first time in decades. And the Air Force is setting an even more ambitious recruitment goal in 2025. Air Force Recruiting Service commander Brig. Gen. Christopher Amrhein told reporters in a roundtable that the service will hit its goal of 27,100 non-prior service enlisted recruits this year. And next year, he said, the active-duty Air Force wants to recruit 32,500 new airmen a 20% increase. The Department of the Air Force is still hiring, Amrhein said this week at the Air and Space Forces Associations Air Space Cyber conference just outside Washington. Amrhein acknowledged the 2025 goal will be challenging, particularly as the Air Force faces competition for talented young people from the private sector. But he expressed confidence that the service will be able to meet its 2025 goal, in part by adding 377 more personnel to its recruiting ranks. Before that expansion began, the Air Force had 1,390 recruiters, he said. Some of the 377 airmen the recruiting service is adding will focus on special warfare recruiting, while others will fill support roles, he said. The first 80 of those new recruiters have already finished training and are hitting the field, Amrhein added, and 20 more are coming in November and December. At this time last year, the Air Force had about 8,800 new recruits waiting to ship out to basic training, Amrhein said. That number has now grown to 11,000, and is a sign that the Air Forces recruitment is healthier and more likely to reach its higher goal in 2025, he added. Many of the new recruiters will be stationed throughout the southern United States, he said, but a few will be assigned to locations in Europe and the Pacific. Additionally, some will be part of a new concept called agile recruiting cells. Those cells will be made up of two or three recruiters and assigned to squadron headquarters, he said, where they can follow leads or be temporarily surged to areas that need more recruiters. Amrhein noted that a series of changes to recruiting processes including reinstating the enlisted college loan repayment program, an accelerated naturalization program, greater use of medical waivers and more lenient policies on tattoos and marijuana helped the service hit its goal this year. But the changes do not mean the Air Force has lowered its standards or brought in less-qualified recruits, he said. The Air Force in January also cut the time non-citizens must hold a green card from 10 years to two before they can join, Amrhein said. That change, in conjunction with an accelerated naturalization program at basic military training, has broadened the pool of highly qualified people, he said. Weve had 1,400 folks get accelerated naturalization at basic training, Amrhein added. And in 2025, the Air Force wants to further expand opportunities for airmen who are on their way to becoming U.S. citizens, he said. The Air Force is considering allowing recruits who are green card holders to be conditionally selected for jobs that are typically only open to U.S. citizens. Those recruits would then be able to enter their job once they become naturalized, Amrhein said. The military has also loosened its requirement on how long new recruits have to be off medication for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and reduced the medical reviews that happen for recruits who had childhood asthma, he said. Amrhein said the Air Force this year started working with the Civil Air Patrol to buttress its recruiting network and encourage more young people to join. hamzaturkkol / Getty Images/iStockphoto In 2017, former U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) into law. It brought about some significant tax breaks for Americans, such as reducing the top tax bracket from 39.6% to 37%, doubling the standard deduction, reducing estate taxes and more. These tax cuts are set to expire at the end of 2025, leaving the next president to deal with the outcome of potentially higher taxes on average Americans if nothing is done about them. If Kamala Harris is elected president in November 2024, would she be likely to save or reinstate these tax cuts? Lets take a look at what Harris has proposed on her presidential campaign trail. Check Out: 5 Things You Should Stop Wasting Money on If Kamala Harris Wins in November, According to Experts See More: 9 Things You Must Do To Grow Your Wealth in 2024 Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week. Riding Bidens Agenda While Harris has not explicitly said she will preserve the TJCA tax cuts, she has said that she plans to reduce taxes for the average middle-class American in her own ways. Harris has kept in stride with President Joe Bidens proposals around taxing the rich, for one. While Trump dropped the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, Harris falls in line with Bidens proposal to bring it back up to 28%. She also proposes raising the capital gains tax from 20% to 28% for those making more than $1 million annually. Learn Next: Trump Wants To Eliminate Income Taxes: Heres What That Would Mean for the Economy and Your Wallet Beefing Up the American Rescue Plan Shes also stated that she plans to build on or beef up aspects of President Bidens American Rescue Plan, passed in 2021, which includes making permanent the expanded child tax credit (from $2,000 to $3,600), as well as adding a new child tax credit of up to $6,000 for families with a new child in the first year of their life. Additionally, she would restore the earned income tax credit (EITC), which was around $1,500 for workers without dependent children. Middle-Class Tax Breaks Other tax breaks that could positively affect those of lower and middle income is abolishing taxing tips (which Trump was the first to propose) and not raising taxes on anyone making less than $400,000. Restoring Premium Healthcare Subsidies Furthermore, though not a tax issue per se, she has promised to try and extend the soon-to-expire premium subsidies of the Affordable Care Act. A $10,000 Tax Credit for First-Time Homebuyers In addition, Harris has made some hefty promises to help homebuyers, including a $10,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, $25,000 in down payment assistance and tax credits that seem designed to create new housing construction and affordable rental units. Story continues Tariff Taxes Though not a past tax break, Trump has said that if elected again, he plans to impose a 10% tariff on goods imported from most countries into the U.S. and a 60% tax on goods from China. However Harris refutes this idea, calling it a sales tax on Americans. As usual, most of these tax plans require congressional approval, so not only would Harris need to be elected, there would need to be some changes in the House and Senate to gain a Democratic majority in order to pass these changes. Editors note on election coverage: GOBankingRates is nonpartisan and strives to cover all aspects of the economy objectively and present balanced reports on politically focused finance stories. You can find more coverage of this topic on GOBankingRates.com. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Would Kamala Harris Save the Trump-Era Tax Cuts? An Alabama city council member is speaking out against her colleagues for kicking all residents out of a meeting while they were asking questions about Haitian migrants in their small town of only 12,000 residents. Sylacauga city council member Laura Barlow Heath took aim at council president Tiffany Nix for abruptly calling to adjourn the meeting in an interview with Fox News Digital, warning it could have unintended consequences. "I will never agree that it's okay to shut people down. Whether I agree with what they're saying, whether it's an uncomfortable conversation, they still have to be heard and validated," she said. Residents have been speaking with Heath about their anger and fears about the migrants in their community, questioning why they are there and how they will provide for themselves without any jobs. She is concerned that an incident could occur that would engulf the community in turmoil. ALABAMA RESIDENT REACTS TO 'TOTALITARIAN' COUNCIL PRESIDENT DISBANDING MEETING OVER MIGRANT QUESTIONS Sylacauga City council member Laura Barlow Heath speaks about Haitian migrants crisis hitting her tiny town. "Why Sylacauga?" she said. "We already have a housing crisis, and we don't have a lot of jobs. And there's just so many uncertainties. And their uncertainties lead to conspiracy theories and stuff because there's no leads. And so I have a lot of concern that it's going to cause civil unrest if we continue to not have answers to give to the people." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "I believe that people [in this town] are very protective of their properties and, you know, there's fear with them not working. That when people are hungry or are in need, that they're going to start breaking in," she added. "The results would be disastrous." Heath said she felt bad for the Haitian migrants because they are in an unfamiliar country. OHIO RESIDENTS IN SMALL TOWN ERUPT OVER HAVOC CAUSED BY MASSIVE INFLUX OF 20,000 OF HAITIANS The migrant issue came to head for the small town when Nix adjourned the meeting after several attendees pressed the council for answers. Nix dismissed concerns and said she believed the Haitians should instead be welcomed into the town as contributors to the economy. "I'm going to ask all of you to leave because this meeting is over," Nix told the residents. She then motioned to adjourn, which was supported by other board members. "To cut off public comment in the middle of a meeting is a violation of public law," a resident told President Tiffany Nix. Residents could be heard groaning and complaining in the background. "Good to know they don't want to hear the truth," a resident said. "I don't know what you want us to do," Nix responded. "To cut off public comment in the middle of a meeting is a violation of public law," another resident said. KAMALA HARRIS NEW CAMPAIGN HIRE ATTACKS AMERICA AS A 'CULT,' 'BLOODTHIRSTY IMPERIAL BEAST' Heath said the locals are feeling "unsafe" because there's no documentation of who is coming in or what their backgrounds are. "We don't know these people," she said. However, there are some in the community that have embraced their new neighbors. "When it comes to legal and illegal immigration, that's a discussion for city hall. In the church, our message is 'Jesus Loves You,' and that's what we're focusing on," First Baptist Church of Sylacauga Pastor Rick Patrick told a local news outlet. The pastor is holding an event to help English-speaking members of the congregation to learn some Haitian Creole. According to State Representative Ben Robbins, there isn't a lot of information about the number of migrants in Sylacauga and how they got there. "I think we as a community are entitled to answers to these basic questions, where are they working, why did they get here, how are they being supported then on the back end there's questions we need to ask on behalf of the immigrant, why would you bring them to a community that doesn't have available jobs or creole speaking support systems, why or how are you allowing this to happen if you're not directly allowing it, you're indirectly allowing it," Robbins said. "Because we don't know how many people are here, you can't definitively say how all of them got here. Some might've come by a federal program, some might've come by a van load with the promise of work, some might've driven their car here because their cousin was here. It's probably a mixture of things, but because we have no way of monitoring, we have no way of answering that question." Heath is worried that her town could face "There is a fear here of becoming the next Springfield, Ohio. You know, when is enough enough? When do they stop coming in?" she said. Springfield has become a flashpoint for national narratives about the migrant crisis. Residents have been pointing to an uptick in crime, mayhem and car crashes due to the massive influx of new residents. In a town of 58,000 people, about 20,000 Haitians have arrived in recent years, according to city officials . Original article source: Alabama city council member worried her town could be the next Springfield, Ohio A vacant hallway at Vaughan Regional Medical Center in Selma, AL, Tuesday, Sep. 3, 2024 in Selma, Ala.Alabama hospitals say that Medicare's wage reimbursement index isn't keeping up with their needs. (Will McLelland for Alabama Reflector) SELMA An entire section of the third floor of Vaughn Regional Medical Center sits empty. Demand is not the issue, said David McCormack, the hospitals CEO. Vaughn Regional sees patients from every surrounding county, and if they opened the empty ward, theyd have more room in the emergency room, where some rooms may be routinely taken up by non-emergency patients. The majority of people who come to the emergency room arent going to be admitted, but we do have to take care of them, get them medicine and get them home or fix up whatever is wrong, McCormack said. But right now theyre having to wait because half the emergency room has in-patients in it, so we cant use it for the ER patients. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The issue, McCormack said, is Medicare, which McCormack said is the hospitals largest payer. Vaughn, like other hospitals, gets paid through a formula known as the Medicare reimbursement wage index. Because the wage index is calculated on wages from the previous three years, there is a lag in the wages the hospital can pay, McCormack said. If we raise our wages today, we will not get credit for it until three years, and if we go three years with higher wages, we wont be able to well actually go under. We wont be able to pay the bills. So the way the system is designed, it forces us to keep lower wages, because we dont have any money to pay the higher wages, McCormack said. A man gesturing If McCormack could hire just 10 more nurses, he said, he could open the empty ward. With nursing pay significantly rising post-pandemic, that would take about $1 million yearly, not including other support staff. The hospital has to employ travel nurses because they cant find local nurses to hire. McCormack said they are paying travel staff three to four times more than before the COVID-19 pandemic, while they have not gotten a raise in reimbursements. The hospital has to take the bite of that, because weve got to pay them more to get them to come here than to go to other places. That wears on the hospital to try to fund that, he said. Hospital survival A hospital Rural hospitals across Alabama have been caught in a cycle of financial instability, partly driven by the states low Medicare reimbursement wage index. This issue, which McCormack said is an outdated model that has overwhelmed hospitals for decades, threatens the survival of health care facilities in some of the states most underserved regions. The Medicare wage index, a complex formula used by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), adjusts hospital payments based on the local cost of labor. Its implementation has had severe consequences for Alabama, a state with historically lower wages and economic activity compared to more urban states like California and Massachusetts. The wage index for rural Alabama for the fiscal year 2025 is 0.65 the lowest among the 50 states and only higher than Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands which means that Alabama gets paid 65% of the service cost. Californias rural wage index is 1.26 for the same fiscal year, meaning California gets paid 26% more to cover labor costs. If a service costs $100, for example, an Alabama rural hospital would get paid $65 while a Californian rural hospital would get $126. Dr. Scott Harris, state health officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health, called the system frustrating. If youre a hospital in Alabama and you have a patient with this diagnosis and you give him great care and they get better and go home if only he had done that across the state line in Tennessee or Georgia, they would have gotten a higher reimbursement for the same exact services, Harris said. We're having a hard time keeping the lights on, much less working to increase salaries, which we desperately need to be able to do. Danne Howard, deputy director of the Alabama Hospital Association The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to adjust hospital payments based on regional wage differences, CMS spokesperson Gregg Ross said in a statement. This is done by applying a wage index, which compares a hospitals local wage levels to the national average. This adjustment factor is the wage index. We currently define hospital geographic areas (labor market areas) based on the definitions of Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) established by the Office of Management and Budget. The wage index also reflects the geographic reclassification of hospitals to another labor market area, Ross said. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must update the wage index annually using data from sources such as the Medicare Cost Report and hospitals payroll records, according to Ross. The index is calculated by dividing a regions total hospital wage costs by the total hours worked, and comparing it to the national average. Haneen Ali, an associate professor and health services administration program director at Auburn University, describes the situation as a vicious cycle. Low wages lead to lower Medicare reimbursements, which in turn prevent hospitals from raising wages, thereby perpetuating the cycle. Having a lower wage index in Alabama means that our hospitals receive a reimbursement payment less than other hospitals that do provide the same service, Ali said. This has a direct impact on the financial status of hospitals that can lead to bigger challenges, that could also lead to hospital closures in the long term run. The causes A sign saying Emergency Room on first floor Fewer economic opportunities in Alabama and other rural states lead to lower wages across various sectors, including health care. That means fewer high-paying jobs and a lower wage index. Ali said that the cycle not only affects the hospitals but also exacerbates health care disparities in rural areas. When hospitals have financial pressure, they need to decide on what services they can provide. And when that happens, Ali said, hospitals tend to focus on immediate care and not preventative, which Ali said is important in managing chronic diseases. She said this could lead to higher long-term health care costs, poorer health care outcomes for the population, and a more ill population in general. The combination of lower reimbursement rates and the challenges of providing care in rural areas can widen the health disparities, particularly for low-income patients, for elderly patients, and chronically ill patients, she said. Its not as easy as raising Alabamas reimbursement rate. The program must be budget neutral. If Alabama were to receive a rate increase, other states would have to have their rates decreased. Local health officials say the system, initially intended to reflect varying labor costs across states and designed to adjust for regional cost-of-living differences, disproportionately harms low-wage states like Alabama. The premise itself makes sense, said Danne Howard, deputy director of the Alabama Hospital Association, adding that part of the formula should account for the cost of living and wages paid depending on the state. She said the problem stems from manipulations over the years regarding how the wage index is calculated for rural areas. Hospitals in these less rural states have significantly raised wages, even for non-clinical staff, to boost Medicare reimbursement. Alabama, struggling to keep its hospitals financially afloat, cannot afford to raise wages similarly. Were having a hard time keeping the lights on, much less working to increase salaries, which we desperately need to be able to do, Howard said, adding that if Alabama hospitals could have more competitive salaries, they may not have as much of a workforce shortage. One example of the wage indexs flaws is known in health policy circles as the Bay State Boondoggle, in which case a hospital in the affluent Nantucket Island region of Massachusetts the only rural hospital in the state manipulated the system to boost wages artificially, raising Medicare reimbursement rates across the state. Hospitals across Massachusetts benefited from higher wage index rates for years, overpaying their hospitals by $133.6 million. Howard said this type of payment manipulation comes at the expense of hospitals in states like Alabama because federal law requires these changes to be cost-neutral. When states like Massachusetts and California raise hospital wages, their Medicare reimbursements go up, causing states like Alabama to get less. Its a death spiral for our hospitals. It has been for decades. despite our efforts for a congressional fix, and the acknowledgement of CMS and others that the formula is flawed and should be reformed nothing changes, Howard said. Ali said that Alabama lack the ability to engage in the same payment manipulation as other states because it lacks the same resources needed to invest in hospitals. California is a rich state, right? So they do have the resources, which we dont in Alabama. There are two important factors, the funding, the money, right, and the political will or desire or action. I think the main issue we have is the funding in the state of Alabama, Ali said. U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, said that these other states are fighting to keep their wage indexes the same. Certainly, theres going to be a battle about the wage index to try to keep this thing neutral in the budget, and its hard to get people to give up money, Moore said in a recent appearance in Montgomery. Moore did not say whether any direct action has been taken on the issue in Congress other than advocating for change. Nobody got raises for two years Medical equipment McCormack said that while Vaughn Medical Center has managed to maintain the quality of care, it has come at the cost of overburdening staff and delaying necessary upgrades to medical equipment. We just have to look at every dime we spend, and how can we operate without spending it, he said. We dont waste money, is my point. The hospital also invested about $3 million in a cath lab, or cardiac catheterization laboratory, a hospital room with imaging equipment used to examine and treat heart chambers and arteries. McCormack said its the only cath lab in the surrounding area, and the hospital routinely sees people from other counties that need its cath lab. McCormack said sacrifices had to be made so they could afford it. Nobody got raises for two years. Now, that wasnt just because of that piece of equipment. That was just because of the difficulty you know, you only got so much money to go around, McCormack said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, speaks at a news conference on March 15, 2024, with Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon) Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, speaks at a news conference on March 15, 2024, with Gov. Mike Dunleavy. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon) Consequences are mounting for Alaska as a dispute continues between the states education officials and their federal counterparts over whether the state spent pandemic relief equitably. The U.S. Department of Education has said it will withhold $17.5 million in federal grant funds from the state until it comes into compliance with federal guidelines for equity for the states lowest-income school districts. The states education department disputes the assertion that it has not equitably funded schools and is appealing the decision. On Friday, Adam Schott, the principal deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, alerted Alaska Education Commissioner Deena Bishop that he would withhold another $5.56 million in federal relief funds from the state. That brings the total forfeit of federal grant money to roughly $17.5 million after a first withholding of $11.89 million at the end of June. The sum equals the amount the federal government says the state owes certain school districts. Now the state must choose to either see the American Rescue Plan Act funds return to the federal government or distribute them to certain school districts. In a Tuesday email, Bishop said the state would continue with appeals it has been pursuing. Alaska distributed the ARP Act funding according to the federal guidelines. The challenge of the program is not about how much the State of Alaska spends on education, but how it disperses its own money, she said. I stand behind our bi-partisan legislatively approved education funding formula, and will continue to do so in the best interest of our students. The announcement of lost federal dollars for the two fiscal years stretching from July 2021 to July 2023 comes in the same week as the Anchorage Daily News reported the state lost out on $52 million in federal transportation dollars due to an error-filled application. Schott noted that the federal education department has made technical assistance available to the state for nearly two years to help it meet its obligations. Alaska is the only State that has not complied with these statutory, non-waivable requirements for FY 2022 and one of just two States to have not met the corresponding FY 2023 requirements, Schott wrote. His letter reminded state officials that they agreed to meet those requirements when they accepted nearly $359 million in federal education funds. Bishop said the state department could not determine how the federal government came to its conclusions and sent a letter in August that asked for an explanation. She said the ability to determine program guidelines is minimal and pointed out that the requirements are not codified in law and only available on a government website. Other states facing the same circumstance, and having been frustrated with this process, have settled with the US DOE simply to halt the endless circles of appeals and unresponsiveness, her email said. This penalty comes after Alaska incurred a federal high risk designation in March that could cost the state grant funding and a federal restriction placed on roughly $1 million in grant funds in May. The dispute Alaska officials have resisted a federal warning that said the state underfunded certain school districts and failed to fully comply with requirements for spending $359 million in pandemic relief grants. The grant funds are from the American Recovery Plan Act, which was intended to stabilize schools after pandemic closures. When the federal government awarded those grants, it required that states not reduce the amount of funding per student to certain school districts below the amount they received in 2019, the year directly preceding the pandemic. The covered districts include schools that serve high-poverty areas or high-needs students. That is called maintenance of equity. This is where federal officials say Alaska has run afoul of their guidance; some districts got less state money in 2022 than they did in 2019. They say the state owes the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District $5.48 million and Anchorage School District $6.4 million for the 2022 fiscal year. To make up for 2023 shortfalls, federal officials say the Juneau, Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula and Fairbanks districts are owed a total of $5.56 million by the state. The latest penalty reflects the total amount the federal government says the state government owes for the 2023 fiscal year. Schotts letter says the state must make the required supplemental payments now, or enter a formal written agreement for payment at a future date. At a June Board of Education and Early Development meeting, Bishop sought to assure board members the federal dollars meant for school districts had already been dispersed and are already used, and theres not a problem with them. These are the grants from which the federal government is now withholding millions of dollars. State education officials have said that they believe the state did follow federal law, and that a decline in some districts aid was due to the state applying a federally approved formula for per-student funding. In June, a national education funding expert said many states struggled to comply with the federal requirements. However, all other states have reached an agreement with the federal department. Legislature and administration at odds Commissioner Bishop maintained the state did no wrong in a May letter to Schott, but offered federal officials $327,015, an amount less than 2% of what the feds say all districts are owed. That offer was not accepted; Schott said the federal government may not waive the equity requirement. The Legislature included $11.89 million in the operating budget for this fiscal year for the state to come into compliance with the federal governments grant requirements and recover its good standing for the 2022 fiscal year. The budget amount equals the total 2022 funding for Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage schools cited by the federal government. Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed it. Schotts letter pointed to that action as part of the reason for his decision to withhold funding. Sen. Loki Tobin, D-Anchorage, is chair of the Senate Education Committee and has pushed for the state to comply with federal guidelines. She said that it is ultimately students who lose if the state does not get reimbursed for the $17.5 million. Its not imaginary money, its real money that has already been spent to help move us through and pass the pandemic, she said. And there will be budget gaps and holes that need to be filled, or, as weve seen over the last few years, program closures, less educators in the classroom, higher class sizes. She criticized the Department of Education and Early Development for not updating lawmakers on the issue. The communication that we received is that until the issue is settled, the department will not be providing additional information. Weve primarily been working with the U.S. Department of Education to receive information, she said. Tobin said she is looking for direction from DEED, but that she anticipates it will be an issue the Legislature will have to take up in the next session in January. Letters from the federal government to the state say the $11.89 million may not be obligated by the state, which means the state may not enter into an agreement to spend them. Letters from the federal government show that the state has not yet spent $64 million in federal grant money, from which that sum would be withheld. Whats next Letters from the federal government indicate that the state was unsuccessful in an appeal of the June decision to withhold $11.89 million. The federal government will lift the withholding if the state comes into compliance by paying the Anchorage and Kenai Peninsula Borough School Districts the $11.89 million. The state may appeal the federal governments most recent decision to withhold the additional $5.56 million by Oct. 15. The federal government will lift the withholding if the state comes into compliance by paying the school districts the $5.56 million. It looks as though the state will either lose $17.5 million in education dollars or distribute that money to certain districts as the federal government has directed if its appeals are unsuccessful. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Algae that looks like wet tobacco, can kill pets, sicken people, is growing in Lake Wylie Thick mats of toxic material are creeping into Lake Wylie, rising to the surface and threatening to grow. Experts have the winter to figure out the best way to stop it. Weve got a new problem on our hands, and were going to do the best we can to fight it, Lake Wylie Marine Commission executive director Neil Brennan told York County Council Monday night. That problem is lyngbya, or blue-green algae that can cause sickness for people and pets who come in contact with it. It only covers about 5 acres of Lake Wylie, but theres been significant spread on other water bodies connected by the Catawba River. And its expensive to control. Brennan updated York County Council on the growing lyngbya concern Monday. He could return to request funding for whats estimated at a $31,000 treatment plan. The marine commission is funded by all three counties surrounding Lake Wylie, the other two being Mecklenburg and Gaston in North Carolina in addition to York County. This is a bigger elephant than we can handle with our budgets here, Brennan said. What is lyngbya? South Carolina lists lyngbya as a harmful algal bloom, where microscopic organisms grow to create thick scums or mats on surface water. Blooms can vary in color or in how harmful they are for people and pets. There have been reports in recent years of dogs dying after drinking or swimming in waters containing blue-green algae. Lyngbya forms on a lake bed and in warmer months, given enough nutrients like phosphorus or nitrogen, can break free, Brennan said. Its pungent, he said. Its toxic. It appears as mats that rise to the surface. It looks like wet tobacco. People or pets can get sick by swimming, kayaking, fishing, wading in, breathing in, drinking or eating fish impacted by an algae bloom, according to the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services. Pets can experience labored breathing, seizures and neurological symptoms. This Charlotte Observer file photo shows a pond covered in the toxic blue-green algae in Charlotte, N.C. The algae is fed by sunlight and nutrients and can make people and animals sick. Where are the algae blooms? A Duke Energy survey of more than 1,800 sites on Lake Wylie last year found five pockets of lyngbya near Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park in Belmont, North Carolina. Lake Norman has 10 acres of lyngbya, and Mountain Island Lake has 20 acres, Brennan said. Lake Gaston in North Carolina isnt on the Catawba chain, but its cause for concern after 1,200 acres of lyngbya were discovered three years ago, Brennan said. Lake Wateree, south of Wylie, has the largest harmful algal bloom watch area in South Carolina, according to the state environmental department. South Carolina has more than 100 monitoring stations, most of them along the coast or north of Columbia. All of Lake Wateree, south of Great Falls, is a watch area. There have been incidents of blue-green algae, sometimes cited as lyngbya, on smaller local waters. It was detected on an Anne Springs Close Greenway pond near a dog park five years ago in Fort Mill. A Charlotte park pond also tested positive in 2019, and the city advised residents to avoid a dozen area ponds. Lake Wylie also has a history with it. Three years ago blooms were detected near Tega Cay and Lake Wylie dam, and near Boyds Cove on the North Carolina end of Lake Wylie. It happened again near Tega Cay two years ago. What can be done to stop algae growth? Groups like the marine commission, Duke Energy and state environmental agencies have had varying degrees of success stopping invasive or harmful plant growth in Lake Wylie. Fast-growing hydrilla was found in 2006 and grew to about 90 acres by 2008. Stocking of sterile Asian grass carp for a decade largely wiped out hydrilla beds. Alligatorweed was first detected in the mid-1980s, and is still the most commonly found invasive plant. It was found in more than 17% of those 1,800 test sites on Lake Wylie last year. Grass carp eat hydrilla, while it takes chemicals or pulling out alligatorweed to stop it. A new program from North Carolina State University involves putting algaecide on the lake bed to prevent lyngbya from surfacing, Brennan said. Treatments run monthly, April through September. They arent cheap. Lake Norman spent about $60,000 for its treatments, and it cost more than $700,000 to treat Lake Gaston three years ago, Brennan said. Treatment could cost $1.3 million for Lake Gaston this year, he said. Lake Wateree is looking at $110,000 in treatments, Brennan said. Those areas all have a larger infestation of lyngbya than Lake Wylie does. But the costs highlight how important it is to keep the impacted acreage low, Brennan said. His group and others that work along the lake will hold a symposium in December to figure out how to control the blooms and pay for treatment. Lake Norman and Mountain Island Lake used treatment programs this year. The marine commission began a pilot study this spring that identified the 5 acres on Lake Wylie. It also treated two sites, both on the Riverview Inn cove just north of the Wilkinson Boulevard bridge in Belmont. The commission had reserve funds to put toward the work, but doesnt have a funding source in its annual budget for larger and more expensive treatments. Past problem species like hydrilla and alligatorweed could grow rapidly, clogging up coves and making areas unusable for recreation. Lyngbya can do that too, but with the added element of danger for people or pets who get near it. Its different from anything else weve seen, Brennan said. This is an adapted excerpt from the Sept. 14 episode of "Velshi." Before Donald Trump took office, he promised to deliver a Supreme Court that would overturn Roe v. Wade and thats exactly what he did. Now hes running for president against the dystopian backdrop of forced birth and denial of care he helped create. The difficulty of running with that record is evident in the increasing desperation of the lies he tells about abortion and womens health care. By now, you have probably heard Trump and his acolytes talk about what theyre calling post-birth abortion. They claim that Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrats want to allow, as Trump puts it, the execution of babies. This lie, which sounds so insane and fringe that its hard to imagine anyone could believe it, was repeated by Trump at last weeks debate: Under Roe v. Wade, you could do abortions in the seventh month, the eighth month, the ninth month, and probably after birth. The governor of Virginia said, We put the baby aside, and then we determine what we want to do with the baby. In other words, well execute the baby. What Trump described there is murder, not abortion. The post-birth abortion lie is a deliberate attempt to equate actual abortion which is health care to murder, as a means to stigmatize women who need abortions and doctors who provide them. But because you might encounter someone in your own life who believes this dangerous lie, lets get into the details. Though he did not say his name, Trump was referencing Ralph Northam, the former Democratic governor of Virginia. In 2019, then-Gov. Northam did a radio interview in which he was asked a question about proposed legislation that would have loosened restrictions on late-term abortions. Northam gave a long and somewhat circuitous answer that touched on the tragic circumstances surrounding the very rare cases of late-term abortions: When we talk about third-trimester abortions, that decision is made with the mother and with the consent of the physician, more than one physician. And its done in cases where there may be severe deformities, there may be a fetus thats nonviable. Then, in the same answer, Northam also talked about what would happen if a baby was born with a fatal diagnosis: In this particular example, if the mother is in labor, I can tell you exactly what would happen: The infant would be delivered, the infant would be kept comfortable, the infant would be resuscitated if thats what the mother and the family desired. And then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother. As Northams office explained at the time, he was speaking of two different circumstances, one in which a catastrophic diagnosis or circumstance would cause a patient to need a late-term abortion which is extremely rare and done, as Northam notes, only with approval from more than one physician. The other hypothetical case he addressed was if a patient goes into labor and delivers a baby with a fatal diagnosis. In that case, Northam explained the heartbreaking circumstances such families would face, including the very difficult decisions around keeping their baby comfortable in their final moments or taking extraordinary measures to prolong their life. The anti-abortion movement took the interview, twisted it and ran using it to claim that Democrats were promoting abortion after birth, aka the murder of newborns, and now, five years later, the same lie is cropping up on the Republican campaign trail. But lets look at the facts: A full-term pregnancy lasts between 39 and 40 weeks. By definition, a late-term or late-in-pregnancy abortion occurs at or after 21 weeks of pregnancy, and they are extremely rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021, fewer than 1% of all abortions occurred at or after 21 weeks, 80.8% occurred at or before 9 weeks of pregnancy, and just 5.7% occurred between 14 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, which is during the second trimester. Zero abortions are happening after birth. It sounds bizarre to even have to say that, but in fact we have been building to this moment for a long time. The anti-abortion movement has been painting women who have abortions and physicians who perform them as murderers for decades. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a "common harassment tactic was to find and publicize personal information about doctors in the form of 'Wanted' posters. Other times, they would send letters to a doctors neighbors, telling them, 'There is a killer in your neighborhood.'" For the last four decades, anti-abortion activists have been performing what they call rescues. This has involved everything from blocking entrances to abortion clinics and medical centers to harassing patients, doctors and workers, and even invading the clinics. It has often involved carrying signs and calling patients and staff who enter clinics murderers. The 1980s saw a huge wave of clinic bombings. In 1984, attackers set fire or bombed 29 clinics across the country. According to the National Abortion Federation, since 1977, there have been 42 bombings and 200 cases of arson at clinics across the U.S. And, yes, over the years the anti-abortion movement did cross the threshold into straight-up murder. At least 11 people have been killed by the militant wing of the anti-abortion movement since 1977, according to the group. Two of the most well-known cases are the murders of Dr. George Tiller and Dr. David Gunn. In the '90s and early 2000s, Tiller was a frequent target of violence because he was one of a few physicians at the time who were performing late-in-pregnancy abortions. His clinic was bombed in 1986. In 1993, he was shot but survived. In 2009, a man named Scott Roeder walked into Tillers church, during service, where Tiller was serving as an usher and shot him in the head, killing him. Roeder said he did it to protect babies from being murdered. The first known abortion provider to be assassinated was Dr. David Gunn in 1993. The gunman was a member of the anti-abortion group Rescue America. He shot Gunn in the back three times as he entered his clinic in Pensacola, Florida. In response, Rescue America released a statement saying while Gunns murder was unfortunate, the fact is that a number of mothers would have been put at risk today and over a dozen babies would have died at his hands. For decades, the anti-abortion movement has been inviting the violence of extremists among their ranks by equating abortion to murder. The rhetoric that Trump and others on the right are now spewing fits seamlessly into this tired, yet dangerous, strategy. The post-birth abortion lie was designed to justify the brutal regime of forced birth under which millions of American women are now suffering. Its being used as a lazy but dangerous strategy to turn our attention away from the tragedies that have sprung up in the wake of the end of Roe: the rush of stories of women being denied care, left to bleed and suffer, forced to flee their states and saddled with wholly preventable life-altering medical conditions. Tragedies all because of the anti-abortion crackdown ushered in by Trump. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com ALLEGAN, Mich. (WOOD) Michigan State Police are actively searching for a sex offender who failed to show up for a bond hearing Monday, according to Allegan County Prosecutor Myrene Koch. Daniel Albert Loew was scheduled to appear Monday afternoon in Allegan County District Court, but Koch said the convicted sex offender cut off his tether and did not appear in court. This defendant should not have been on bond, Koch wrote in an email to Target 8 Monday afternoon. Our office argued multiple times at multiple hearings that this defendant was a flight risk and a danger to the community. Judge (William) Baillargeon nonetheless allowed the defendant to remain on bond. Dishonor and shame: West Michigan judge blasts colleagues over private emails in trial Target 8 contacted Baillargeons office for comment but did not hear back immediately. Last week on Sept. 11, the Michigan Supreme Court denied Loews motion to reconsider its prior decision not to afford him a new trial. That denial reaffirmed Loews conviction on multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct, according to Koch, setting the stage for his return to prison to serve out his 20- to 40-year sentence. On 9/11/24, we filed a motion to revoke his bond which was scheduled for a hearing 9/13/2024, Koch explained. Judge William Baillargeon adjourned that hearing on 9/13/2024 ex parte after receiving a motion filed by the defense attorney. The Prosecutors Office filed an objection immediately. When Loew failed to appear for Mondays hearing, Koch said Baillargeon issued a bench warrant for Loews arrest with a $1 million cash/surety bond. The Michigan State Police are actively searching for Daniel Loew and any possible accomplices, wrote Koch Monday afternoon. They will all be brought to justice. Loews 2019 conviction and the back-and-forth appeals that followed served as backdrop for heated words leading up to the August prosecutorial primary election, in which voters ousted veteran prosecutor Koch in favor of Michael Villar. MI high court upholds bond of man convicted of sexual assault An Allegan County jury found Loew guilty in August 2019 on two counts of first-degree crimnal sexual conduct, a count of second-degree CSC and two counts of third-degree CSC. Kock said Loew, convicted as a habitual offender, had sexually assaulted a girl repeatedly, beginning when she was 13 and he was 21. Judge Baillargeon granted Loew a new trial after it was discovered that Circuit Court Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, while presiding over Loews trial, sent three brief, private emails to Koch questioning the quality of the investigation by Michigan State Police. In January 2022, the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed Baillargeons order for a new trial, prompting Loews attorneys to appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court. In July, the state supreme court again rejected a new trial for Loew, though it did call the private emails between Zuzich Bakker and Koch unethical, and in the trial judges case, a violation of the Michigan Code of Judicial Conduct. Though the Supreme Court deemed the email exchange inappropriate, it determined it did not impact the outcome of Loews trial, which is the bar that must be met to retry a case. After the Supreme Courts first ruling, Baillargeon declared during a hearing that the actions of Zuzich Bakker and Koch had brought dishonor and shame to the Allegan County Courts. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) An Allegany man and an Olean woman were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to produce child pornography, the United States Attorneys Office announced Tuesday. Officials said on March 2, 2024, officers were called to Walmart in Olean for a report of a domestic dispute between Kayla Kio, 26 and her ex-boyfriend David Johnston, 55. Kio said that in February 2024, Johnston allegedly asked her to produce and send to him sexually explicit videos of a 5-year-old child. Troopers then seized her cell phone and found multiple videos and images of child pornography. Police executed a search warrant on March 13 at Johnstons residence where they seized four cell phones and a tablet, which allegedly contained videos of child pornography and sexually explicit communications exchanged between Kio and Johnston. The two were both charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Johnston was charged with possessing a sexual performance of a child and Kio was charged with promoting a sexual performance by a child. Officials said in 2007, Johnston was also convicted of indecent assault and corruption of minors in McKean, PA. The charge of conspiracy to produce child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years and a $250,000 fine. Kio was released on conditions and Johnston is being held pending a detention hearing on Sept. 17. Latest Local News Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view 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 News 4 Buffalo. ALEXANDRIA, VA As the COVID-19 pandemic has changed patterns of in-person work, coworking spaces like ALX Community could thrive by offering short-term commitments for office space. ALX Community, a homegrown, dog-friendly coworking concept, announced the opening of its fourth location open on the Alexandria waterfront. While other ALX Community locations have spaces ranging from single desks to offices, the new location at 101 N. Union Street is geared toward small and medium-sized businesses with staff between five and 30 people. The 17,000-square-foot space has two floors with 12 office suites, three meeting rooms, two lounge spaces and kitchens on each floor. Offices come fully furnished with Potomac River views and are move-in ready. The office suite floor plans provide a mix of private offices and open desk space to support different businesses' needs. "Post-pandemic, many organizations have restructured to hybrid teams after realizing they dont need the office sq. footage that they used to especially when not everyone is in the office every day," said Kelly Grant, partner of ALX Community Office Suites. "We realized there was a gap in the workspace market for mid-size teams of 5-30 people that were looking to rightsize from their large office spaces into something more flexible and cost effective." Laura Hatcher According to a spokesperson for ALX Community, members can take advantage of hybrid working options for employees working on different days. For example, a member business can sign an agreement for a 14-person office, but they can book extra seats to make the suite accessible to 30 or more employees. The concept comes from partners Scott Shaw, Kelly Grant, and Amanda Kate Galbraith. The first ALX Community space opened in April 2018 at Founders Hall building at 106 North Lee Street and now focuses on private office space. Other ALX Community locations at the Atrium (277 S. Washington Street) and the Waterfront (201 N. Union Street) include options from day passes to shared space and dedicated space memberships. Along with office space, ALX Community provides monthly programming like rooftop yoga and member perks with partner businesses. ALX Community's New Location Opens On Alexandria Waterfront originally appeared on the Old Town Alexandria Patch Ambulance provider will take over Southwest Arkansas hospital; purchase finalized last week Hope-based Pafford Medical Services is set to buy the area's hospital out of bankruptcy. Pictured is the Hempstead County Courthouse in Hope. (Hempstead County website) A Southwest Arkansas-owned medical service company is set to take over operations of Hopes only hospital later this month after a Texas bankruptcy judge finalized the companys purchase of the facility from its previous corporate owner on Thursday. The court ordered in July that Pafford Health Systems won the auction for Wadley Regional Medical Center, which will be renamed Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center. The company will pay Dallas-based Steward Healthcare Group $200,000 for the hospitals assets, according to Thursdays sale order from Judge Christopher Lopez of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. Steward previously owned 31 hospitals in eight states before declaring bankruptcy in May and has been auctioning off its hospitals since then. Paffords acquisition of the hospital came after the nonprofit Southwest Arkansas Healthcare Authority formed with the goal of securing local control for the last hospital on Interstate 30 before entering Texas, Pafford chief operating officer Clay Hobbs said at that time. Additionally, the Hempstead County Quorum Court and the Hope board of directors each passed resolutions in June pledging $1,000,000 to support the hospital in 10 installments of $100,000 per month. The city and county are equally committed to keeping the hospital open, in the interests of both public health and economic development, according to both resolutions. Hope hospital sale approved The city, county and Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation issued a joint news release Friday celebrating the successful transition of ownership of the hospital and the power of partnership and community-focused leadership. This transition marks a significant milestone in stabilizing and securing essential healthcare services for the residents of Hempstead County and Southwest Arkansas, the release states. Pafford will take over operations from Steward as early as next week, said Anna Lee Powell, HCEDC president and a member of the healthcare authority, who spoke to the Advocate Monday. Citizens should anticipate a smooth and uninterrupted transition of services, the news release states. The entities supporting the hospital have asked state officials for American Rescue Plan Act funds to support the hospital in the emergency transition, Powell said. Legislative committees are not expected to vote on the request this month. The sale order requires Steward to terminate the hospitals employees and Pafford to rehire at least 60% of them as long as they meet eligibility requirements. Rehired employees will retain insurance benefits eligibility, and their original hire dates will be used to determine their pension and retirement benefits, according to the order. Background The 48-bed acute care hospitals services include an emergency room, an intensive care unit and a geriatric psychiatric unit. It does not have a maternity ward. In addition to Hempstead County, the soon-to-be Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center serves three counties that do not have hospitals: Lafayette, Nevada and the southern portion of Pike. Pafford began as an ambulance company in Magnolia, according to its website, and now provides services in Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas as well as Arkansas. The company serves all seven counties that border Hempstead County. Local ownership was important to Hope and Hempstead County citizens after more than a decade of corporate ownership put the hospital through financial hardship, Powell and Hobbs both said. This transition marks a significant milestone in stabilizing and securing essential healthcare services for the residents of Hempstead County and Southwest Arkansas. Hope, Hempstead County and the Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation in a joint news release In 2012, the hospitals then-owner James Cheek and his business partner were convicted and sentenced to federal prison after failing to pay $1.8 million in taxes deducted from the paychecks of employees at a Texas hospital they also owned. IASIS Healthcare bought the hospital later that year, and Steward and IASIS merged in 2017. Steward then became the nations largest physician-owned and operated health care system in 2020 when it transferred a controlling interest of the company to a separate management group of Steward doctors, led by CEO and founder Dr. Ralph de la Torre, Hopes local news outlet reported. Since filing for bankruptcy, Steward has kept its hospitals open with $75 million from Alabama-based Medical Properties Trust, which owns the physical buildings, according to WBUR in Massachusetts, where Steward owned nine hospitals before declaring bankruptcy. MPT gifted the Hope hospital building to the local community for free, Powell said Monday. Pafford did not purchase the Wadley Regional Medical Center in Texarkana, the Hope hospitals sister facility, but the two will maintain a close working relationship, Hobbs said in August. NOTE: This is the fifth of seven stories previewing the seven different ballot questions South Dakota voters will weigh in on in the 2024 General Election. Absentee voting starts Sept. 20, the voter registration deadline is Oct. 21 and Election Day is Nov. 5. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) South Dakota residents will vote on the state of reproductive healthcare and abortion in the upcoming November election. In 2022, the Supreme Court ruled to remove the nationwide right to abortion, or Roe v. Wade, which pushed the responsibility of abortion law onto individual states. The states trigger law, which banned abortions, went into effect. South Dakota joins seven other states voting on abortion access this election. Under current South Dakota law, abortion is banned and considered a Class 6 felony punishable by up to two years in prison and up to a $4,000 fine. The only exception to the law is if there is an appropriate and reasonable medical judgment that an abortion would save the mothers life. There is no exception for rape or incest. Also under South Dakota law, the female may not be held criminally liable for the abortion. What you need to know about whooping cough Although Amendment G will be on the ballot, there is a chance it wont take effect, even if it passes. Anti-abortion group Life Defense Fund is currently suing the organization that got the measure on the ballot. Depending on the outcome of the lawsuit, the amendment may become retroactively invalid and wouldnt take effect. Despite the ongoing legal battle, South Dakotans will weigh in on the issue of abortion at the ballot box for the third time since 2006 and first time since Roe v. Wade was overturned. What does a yes or no vote mean? A yes vote would support South Dakota providing a state constitutional right to an abortion under a trimester framework: First trimester: the state would be prohibited from regulating a womans decision to have an abortion, Second trimester: the state may regulate abortion, but only in ways that are reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant woman, Third trimester: the state may regulate and interfere with a womans abortion unless it is medically necessary to preserve the life of a mother. A no vote would oppose the amendment and South Dakotas current abortion laws will remain. Yes and no support Dakotans For Health, the organization that got the amendment on the ballot, said one of the reasons they brought the issue forward in order to reinstate a womans right to choose. It doesnt impose one persons view over another persons view when it comes to reproductive health care, Dakotans for Health Co-founder Rick Weiland said. If a woman gets raped and she becomes pregnant, she should have a choice. She doesnt have one right now in South Dakota. A woman has no freedom; If she gets raped and pregnant, she has to carry the pregnancy to term. The same thing for a victim of rape or a victim of incest. KELO Sioux Falls voting election ballot vote voters KELOLAND News election resources Weiland said the amendment is nearly identical to Roe v. Wade. This way, doctors can continue operating under the same language they have been for 50 years when the national abortion law was signed in the 70s. A lot of doctors are pretty concerned about being sued, losing their career, being incarcerated because in South Dakota, under the current abortion law, its a class 6 felony if they assist a woman in the process of terminating the pregnancy, Weiland said. The anti-abortion group, Life Defense Fund, said people should vote no on Amendment G because they believe its a radical amendment that would allow abortions at any point in the pregnancy. There would be absolutely no health and safety protections for women for most abortions. Itll be the Wild West, Life Defense Fund Spokesperson Caroline Woods said in a statement. Abortions would no longer have to be done by a doctor, and laws ensuring facilities are clean and safe would be canceled. Under Amendment G, parental rights will be stripped. Parents will be left in the dark when a trafficker or rapist forces their young daughter to abort her baby, cutting parents completely out of the picture. Weiland said these claims were false and that women had protections and parents had rights under Roe v. Wade, which they say will continue under Amendment G. The rights women had for 50 years under Roe v Wade would be restored because Amendment G is Roe v Wade, he said in an emailed statement to KELOLAND News on Tuesday. Women had health and safety protections, parents had rights, licensed medical professionals performed abortions in licensed medical facilities. Amendment G allows abortions in the first 2 trimesters but the state can regulate in the 2nd trimester but only if it reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant female. In Attorney General Marty Jackleys official statement on the amendment, he said the trimester framework would override existing laws and regulations on abortion. Judicial clarification of the amendment may be necessary, Jackleys statement read. The Legislature cannot alter the provisions of a constitutional amendment. Abortion Lawsuit Life Defense Fund sued Dakotans for Health in June on the grounds of invalid petition signatures, hoping to get the amendment removed from the ballot. The lawsuit has extended further beyond the dates for ballots to be circulated and early voting starts, so voters will still weigh in on the amendment, despite its future being uncertain. The next hearing is scheduled for late September. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. (Bloomberg) -- Iran-backed Hezbollah accused Israel of orchestrating an attack that killed several people and left almost 3,000 wounded across Lebanon, increasing fears of an all-out war. Most Read from Bloomberg Israel didnt comment on Tuesdays events, which left hundreds of members of the Hezbollah militant group injured. The two sides have exchanged fire on a near-daily basis for much of the last year, with tensions rising over the past several weeks. A string of medical emergencies were reported Tuesday afternoon following the mysterious explosion of thousands of pagers used by Lebanese people, including members of the militant group. Hezbollah and Lebanons government were both quick to describe the events as an Israeli attack, with the former vowing to respond. Israel declined to comment. American officials said Tuesday that the US was neither involved nor informed in advance of the pagers incident. The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, said in a statement that nine people had been killed, including children, calling the episode an extremely concerning escalation and adding that under international humanitarian law civilians are not a target and must be protected at all times. The wireless devices likely overheated before the blasts took place, indicating foul play, Lebanons Telecommunications Minister Johnny Corm told Bloomberg. Experts theorized the pagers had been modified earlier in the supply chain before delivery, possibly including planting explosives that could be triggered remotely. Oil prices rose on traders concern the deadly blasts would reignite geopolitical tensions. If the blasts were carried out by Israel, it would mark one of the most sophisticated attacks ever executed by either of the two parties, which have been fighting in intermittent clashes for around four decades. Pagers, which have been largely obsolete in the West for several years, are popular among Hezbollah fighters, who believe they can avoid interceptions by Israeli intelligence thanks to their low-tech nature. Late Tuesday the New York Times cited US and other officials it didnt identify as saying Israel was responsible for the operation and that it had planted small amounts of explosives in the pagers, which had been sourced from Taiwan. Story continues Gold Apollo Co., a small closely-held Taiwanese company identified in some media reports as the manufacturer of the pagers that exploded, denied that it made the devices. Those devices arent ours, said a company official, asking not to be named before a formal statement. The person added that Gold Apollo licenses its brand to at least one other company, without providing more details. Such devices could be modified after being exported, Taiwans economy ministry said in a statement, citing the company. The New York Times report said the pagers got a message at 3:30 pm local time that appeared to be from Hezbollah leadership just before the explosives detonated. About 1,500 members of Hezbollah were wounded in the attacks, according to a Lebanese military official with knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue. While thats probably one of the biggest single-day casualties for the group, it would hardly make a dent in its fighting force, believed to be around 100,000. These pagers were detonated with high-tech by the Israeli enemy, Hezbollah lawmaker Ibrahim Mousawi told the groups television channel. Lebanon Information Minister Ziyad Makari called the attack a serious violation of Lebanese sovereignty and a crime by all standards. The alleged attack adds to tensions that have been building since July when Israel assassinated a key commander of the organization in Beirut. Hezbollah has vowed to avenge the death, which was quickly followed by the killing in Tehran of the political leader of Hamas, which carried out last Octobers assault on Israel and is also backed by the Islamic Republic. While Israel hasnt claimed or denied responsibility for the killing of the Hamas figure, Irans promises of a retaliation raised the fears of a widening war in the Middle East. Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are increasingly warning that a full-on war against Hezbollah is inevitable. Late Monday, the Israeli cabinet said enabling residents displaced by Hezbollah attacks to return home is now a formal war objective, signaling the country is closer to a large-scale offensive. Tens of thousands of civilians have been evacuated in southern Lebanon and northern Israel because of the skirmishes, which began after the Israel-Hamas war erupted in Gaza. US Push The US has been trying to calm tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. Amos Hochstein, one of President Joe Bidens senior Middle East advisers, met Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Israel on Monday. He told Netanyahu the US doesnt believe a broader conflict in Lebanon will help northern Israelis return to their homes and, if anything, will risk a wider regional war, according to an American official, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive matters. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the incident underscored the urgency of a diplomatic solution to the conflict on Israels northern border, which has gone on for way too long, as well as the war in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Cairo early Wednesday morning and is scheduled to meet top Egyptian officials including President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Egypt has been a key moderator in peace talks with Israel and Hamas. During Tuesdays blasts, 2,750 people were hurt and eight were confirmed dead, according to Lebanese authorities. About 200 of those injured were in critical condition. Hezbollah said two of its members were killed, including the son of a lawmaker. The explosions took place mainly in the southern suburbs of Beirut, where Hezbollah has a strong presence. Blood Donations Lebanese authorities called for blood donations and asked hospital staffs across the country to report to duty. One of Beiruts main hospitals said it was at full capacity and urged people to go elsewhere for treatment. Television footage from Beirut showed a man covered in blood sitting on the ground as many others apparently wounded in the explosions were being carried away. The Lebanese Red Cross said more than 50 ambulances were dispatched. --With assistance from Marissa Newman, Jenny Leonard, Courtney McBride, Augusta Saraiva, Jane Lanhee Lee, Cindy Wang and Iain Marlow. (Adds Blinkens arrival in region and Taiwan pager companys denial starting from 10th paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Herchel Hestor (right) and 24 other men are ordained as deacons in the Catherdral of the Madeleine Church by Bishop George Niederauer (left) in Salt Lake Utah in January 2004. The share of Americans who identify as religiously unaffiliated has surged since the center first asked about it in 2007, growing from about 16% of the U.S. adult population to 28% today. | Michael Brandy This article was first published in the State of Faith newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox each Monday night. Pew Research Center, one of the survey firms I work with regularly as I cover religion in the United States, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its launch this year. As part of the festivities, Pew put together a list of the key changes its researchers have observed over the past two decades. Unsurprisingly, many of the highlighted shifts are connected to religion. For example, the share of Americans who identify as religiously unaffiliated has surged since the center first asked about it in 2007, growing from about 16% of the U.S. adult population to 28% today. Religious nones are currently one of the largest religious groups in the United States. They trail Protestants, who make up 41% of U.S. adults, but make up a larger share of the population than Catholics (20%) and all other faiths (8%), wrote Jenn Hatfield, a writer and editor for Pew, in the list of key changes. Here are some other faith-related shifts that Pew is highlighting as it celebrates its 20th anniversary and recalls what life was like in 2004. Americans have lost trust in major institutions, like the Supreme Court and federal government. The overall drop in trust has complicated the work of religious organizations. People are losing interest in joining churches as their skepticism of institutions grows. U.S. adults are much more online than they used to be. The share of American adults who browse the internet has jumped from 63% in 2004 to 95% today, per Pew. That was a blessing during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when much socialization, including worship, needed to take place online, but it can be a curse when it fuels conspiracy theories and polarization. The country has become more politically polarized. Speaking of polarization, U.S. adults have grown more divided over religion-related political issues like abortion over the past 20 years, according to Pew. In the case of abortion, the polarization primarily stems from Democrats becoming more supportive of abortion rights, while Republican views went mostly unchanged. Support for same-sex marriage has doubled. In 2004, 31% of U.S. adults supported same-sex marriage. By 2023, 63% did. The surge in support has fueled a surge in legal protections for members of the LGBTQ community, which has led to some high-profile religious freedom lawsuits. Fresh off the press FBI investigating new assassination attempt against Trump; suspect detained What Patrick Mahomes said about presidential endorsements Why people prayed outside the Supreme Court last week What Kamala Harris said about faith and abortion during the presidential debate These religious voters like Harris more than Biden I believe in the power of prayer, says Aaron Rodgers in new documentary Person of the week: Keir Starmer Keir Starmer is the prime minister of the United Kingdom. He assumed the role in early July, becoming the first openly atheist politician to hold the office, according to Religion Unplugged. Religion Unplugged noted that Starmers religious identity is notable even though disengagement from organized religion has become the norm in the U.K. As in the United States, most British politicians have continued to advertise their religious values in recent years even as their constituents have grown less interested in faith. Over the years, the UK has evolved into a more secular society where religious affiliation plays a less-central role in political identity. Despite this shift, atheist leaders are still a rarity on the global stage, the article said. Today, around 46% of people in the United Kingdom identify as Christian, while 6.5% identify as Muslim and 1.7% identify as Hindu, the U.S. State Department reports. More than one-third of people say they have no religious affiliation. What Im reading ... Christian leaders in Springfield, Ohio, are playing a major role in efforts to keep the community safe amid growing national scrutiny, according to Christianity Today. Republican leaders, including former President Donald Trump, have spread misleading or outright false information about Haitian immigrants in Springfield recently while describing their immigration-related policy plans. I have yet another Katelyn Beaty-related recommendation. Last week, I wrote about her podcast series Tell Katelyn What to Do With Her Life, and this week Im writing about her blog on turning 40, which reviewed some of the key lessons shes learned in recent years. Emily McDowell, the mind behind my favorite stationary brand, wrote a beautiful essay honoring the life of her mother, Ruth B. McDowell, who was an internationally renowned quilter. Her work will be remembered for its unusual and innovative use of printed fabrics. ... These unexpected, odd, and often objectively hideous prints added richness and detail to her quilts, Emily wrote. (My mom) explained all this, in her last weeks of life, to the nurses and doctors who rotated in and out of her hospital room: A piece of fabric that looks ugly by itself sometimes turns out to be exactly what the quilt needs. Odds and ends We ordered from a new-to-us pizza place this weekend, and I was blown away by the macncheese pizza. If you ever have a chance to try that topping, do it! How Americans can register to vote ahead of Election Day (NewsNation) The 2024 election is less than two months away, and Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day. Heres what Americans need to do to prepare to vote. The first step to voting in any election is to register to vote, or if you think you are already registered, to check your registration status. Most Americans have three options when it comes to registering to vote: online, by mail or in person. Breaking down the policies and issues that matter in 2024 Who can vote? To vote in the states, you must be a U.S. citizen, meet your states residency requirements, be 18 years old on or before Election Day and be registered to vote by the states voter registration deadline, according to USA.gov. Who cant vote? Even if you meet all the requirements above to vote, there are still a few reasons why you may not be able to vote. Heres who cant vote on Election Day: Noncitizens, including permanent legal residents Some Americans cannot vote after being convicted of a felony Some Americans who have a mental disability may not be able to vote U.S. citizens living in U.S. territories cant vote for president Donald Trump vs. Kamala Harris vs. RFK Jr.: How policies compare Registering to vote According to Vote.gov, most states offer online voter registration. Most Americans can register in their state or territory through Vote.gov. Other ways to register to vote include downloading the National Mail Voter Registration Form and mailing it to the location listed for your state. Americans who prefer to register in person can visit their state or local election office to sign up. However, please note that some states have registration deadlines as early as 30 days before Election Day. Find your state: District of Columbia and territories What are Donald Trumps stances on major issues to voters? Alabama Alabamas voter registration deadline is Oct. 21. To register to vote in Alabama: Submit the Alabama application electronically Download the Alabama Voter Registration Form and mail it to the local office of the Board of Registrars in which the registrant resides Alabamians can also request the state mail them an Alabama Voter Registration Form by using the online voter registration form request on the Alabama secretary of state website. Check your voter registration status here. Alaska Alaskas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 6. To register to vote in Alaska: Check your voter registration status here. Arizona Arizonas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7. To register to vote in Arizona: Submit the Arizona application electronically Print the State of Arizona Voter Registration Application to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to the recorders office in your county. Register using the National Mail Voter Registration Form prescribed by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission Check your voter registration status here. Arkansas Arkansas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7. Online registration is currently not available to register to vote in Arkansas. However, heres how you can register to vote: Print the Arkansas Voter Registration Application to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your the clerks office in your county. Request the state mail a registration form to you by using the Request for a Voter Registration Application on the Arkansas secretary of state website. Check your voter registration status here. California Californias voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 21 for online and mail registration, and Nov. 5 for in-person registration. To register to vote in California: Submit the California voter registration application electronically For those who want to register using a paper voter registration application, you can pick one up at your county elections office, library, Department of Motor Vehicles offices or U.S. post office. The application must be filled out and postmarked or hand-delivered to your county elections office at least 15 days before the general election. Register to vote in person on Election Day at your countys elections office, polling place or vote center otherwise known as Same Day Voter Registration. Check your voter registration status here. Colorado Colorados voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 28, 2024, for online and by mail registration and Nov. 5, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in Colorado: Submit the Colorado voter registration application electronically Print the Colorado Voter Registration Application to complete and sign. Mail, deliver or scan the signed form and email it to your county clerk and recorder. Register to vote in person on election day at your countys elections office, polling place or vote center if you miss the deadlines listed above. Check your voter registration status here. Connecticut Connecticuts voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 18, 2024, for online and by mail registration and Nov. 5, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in Connecticut: Submit the Connecticut voter registration application electronically Print the State of Connecticut Mail-in Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person on election day at your countys elections office, polling place or vote center if you miss the deadlines listed above. Check your voter registration status here. Delaware Delawares voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 12, 2024. To register to vote in Delaware: Submit the Delaware voter registration application electronically Print the State of Delaware Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. You can also call the Department of Elections are request that a form be mailed to you. Register to vote in person at any Department of Elections office or a voter registration event hosted by a Delaware Organized Voter Registration (OVR) Program group of trained voter registrars. Check your voter registration status here. Florida Floridas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7, 2024. To register to vote in Florida: Submit the Florida voter registration application electronically Print the Florida Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your supervisor of election. Register to vote in person before the Oct. 7 deadline. Check your voter registration status here. Georgia Georgias voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7, 2024. To register to vote in Georgia: Submit the Georgia voter registration application electronically Print the State of Georgia Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send or deliver the completed form to the Secretary of State or your county voter registration office. Register to vote in person at your county voter registration office before the Oct. 7 deadline. Check your voter registration status here. Hawaii Hawaiis voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 28, 2024, for mail-in registration and Nov. 5, 2024, for in-person and online registration. To register to vote in Hawaii: Submit the Hawaii voter registration application electronically Print the Hawaii Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send or deliver the completed form to your County Elections Division Register to vote in person at your local DMV, post office, library, city hall, countys election division or Office of Elections if you miss the deadlines listed above. Check your voter registration status here. Idaho Idahos voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 11, 2024, for mail-in and online registration and Nov. 5, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in Idaho: Check your voter registration status here. Illinois Illinois voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 8, 2024, for mail-in registration; Oct. 20, 2024, for online registration; and Nov. 5, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in Illinois: Submit the Illinois voter registration application electronically Print the Illinois Voter Registration form and send the completed form by mail to your county clerk or Board of Election commissioner. To register to vote in person, visit your county clerks office, Board of Election commissioners office, city or village offices, township offices, schools, public libraries, military recruitment offices or locations specifically designated by the election authority. Check your voter registration status here. Indiana Indianas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7, 2024. To register to vote in Indiana: Submit the Indiana voter registration application electronically Print the Iowa Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person before the Oct. 7 deadline. Check your voter registration status here. Iowa Iowas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 21, 2024, for online and by mail registration and Nov. 5, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in Iowa: Submit the Iowa voter registration application electronically Print the Iowa Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person on election day at your countys elections office, polling place or vote center if you miss the deadlines listed above. Check your voter registration status here. Kansas Kansas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15, 2024. To register to vote in Kansas: Submit the Kansas voter registration application electronically Print the Kansas Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person before the Oct. 15 deadline. Check your voter registration status here. Kentucky Kentuckys voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7, 2024. To register to vote in Kentucky: Submit the Kentucky voter registration application electronically Print the Kentucky Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at your local County Clerks Office before the Oct. 7 deadline. Check your voter registration status here. Louisiana Louisianas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15, 2024, for online registration and Oct. 7, 2024, for in-person and by-mail registration. To register to vote in Louisiana: Submit the Louisiana voter registration application electronically Print the Louisiana Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at your local Registrar of Voters Office, Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, WIC offices; food stamp offices, Medicaid offices, offices serving persons with disabilities such as the Deaf Action Centers and Independent Living Offices or Armed Forces recruitment offices. Check your voter registration status here. Maine Maines voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15, 2024, for online and by mail registration and Nov. 5, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in Maine: Submit the Maine voter registration application electronically Print the Maine Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at your local city or town hall. Check your voter registration status here. Maryland Marylands voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15, 2024, for online and by mail registration and Nov. 5, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in Maryland: Check your voter registration status here. Massachusetts Massachusetts voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 26, 2024. To register to vote in Massachusetts: Submit the Massachusetts voter registration application electronically Print the Massachusetts Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at your local town clerks, election commission, and Boards of Registrars; the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division; or the Secretary of the Commonwealths regional offices. Check your voter registration status here. Michigan Michigans voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 21, 2024, for online and by mail registration and Nov. 5, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in Michigan: Submit the Michigan voter registration application electronically Print the Michigan Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at your local Secretary of State branch office; city or township clerks office or your county clerks office; or at any state agency that provides public assistance or services to people with disabilities. Check your voter registration status here. Minnesota Minnesotas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15, 2024, for online and by mail registration and Nov. 5, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in Minnesota: Submit the Minnesota voter registration application electronically Print the Minnesota Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person on Election Day at polling places or early voting locations before Election Day. Check your voter registration status here. Mississippi Mississippis voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct.7, 2024. To register to vote in Mississippi: Online voter registration is not available Print the Mississippi Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at your local Circuit Clerks Office, Municipal Clerks Office, Department of Public Safety or any state or federal agency offering government services, such as the Department of Human Services. Check your voter registration status here. Missouri Missouris voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 9, 2024. To register to vote in Missouri: Submit the Missouri voter registration application electronically Print the Missouri Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your designated election authority. Register to vote in person at your local Department of Motor Vehicles office or any state agency providing service to the public. Check your voter registration status here. Montana Montanas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7, 2024, to register by mail and Nov. 5, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in Montana: Online voter registration is not available Print the Montana Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your countys election office. Register to vote in person at any state agency providing service to the public. Check your voter registration status here. Nebraska Nebraskas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 18, 2024, for online and by mail registration and Oct. 25, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in Nebraska: Submit the Nebraska voter registration application electronically Print the Nebraska Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at any state agency providing service to the public. Check your voter registration status here. Nevada Nevadas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 23, 2024, for online registration; Oct. 8, 2024, to register by mail; and Nov. 5, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in Nevada: Submit the Nevada voter registration application electronically Print the Nevada Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at any Department of Motor Vehicles office, at your county clerk or registrar of voters office, at various social service agencies, and on college campuses. Check your voter registration status here. New Jersey New Jerseys voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15, 2024, for online and in-person registration. Those registering by mail must have their form postmarked 21 days before Election Day. To register to vote in New Jersey: Submit the New Jersey voter registration application electronically Print your countys New Jersey Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at any state agency providing service to the public. Check your voter registration status here. New Mexico New Mexicos voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 8, 2024, for online and by mail registration and Nov. 5, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in New Mexico: Submit the New Mexico voter registration application electronically Print the New Mexico Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your county clerks office. Register to vote in person on election day at your countys elections office, polling place or vote center. Check your voter registration status here. New York New Yorks voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 26, 2024. To register to vote in New York: Check your voter registration status here. North Carolina North Carolinas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 11, 2024, for online and by-mail registration. Same-day in-person registration is available during the early voting period. To register to vote in North Carolina: Submit the North Carolina voter registration application electronically Print the North Carolina Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. In-person voting registration is available during early voting, beginning on Oct. 17, 2024, and running through Nov. 2, 2024, at early voting sites. Check your voter registration status here. North Dakota North Dakota does not require voter registration. Ohio Ohios voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7, 2024. To register to vote in Ohio: Submit the Ohio voter registration application electronically Print the Ohio Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at any state agency providing service to the public. Check your voter registration status here. Oklahoma Oklahomas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 11, 2024. To register to vote in Oklahoma: Submit the Oklahoma voter registration application electronically Print the Oklahoma Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your County Election Board. Register to vote in person at your County Election Board office. Check your voter registration status here. Oregon Oregons voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15, 2024. To register to vote in Oregon: Submit the Oregon voter registration application electronically Print the Oregon Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at your county elections office. Check your voter registration status here. Pennsylvania Pennsylvanias voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 21, 2024. To register to vote in Pennsylvania: Submit the Pennsylvania voter registration application electronically Print the Pennsylvania Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your county elections office. Register to vote in person at your county election office, PennDOT and many other government agencies. Check your voter registration status here. Rhode Island Rhode Islands voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 6, 2024. To register to vote in Rhode Island: Check your voter registration status here. South Carolina South Carolinas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 6, 2024, for online registration; Oct. 7, 2024, to register by mail; and Oct. 4, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in South Carolina: Check your voter registration status here. South Dakota South Dakotas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 21, 2024. To register to vote in South Dakota: Online voter registration is not available Print the South Dakota Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your County Auditor. Register to vote in person at your local county auditors office; drivers license station (when you are renewing or applying for a drivers license you may also register to vote on the drivers license application); City Finance Office; public assistance agencies providing food stamps, TANF or WIC; Department of Human Services offices which assist the disabled; and military recruitment offices Check your voter registration status here. Tennessee Tennessees voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7, 2024. To register to vote in Tennessee: Submit the Tennessee voter registration application electronically Print the TennesseeVoter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your county election commission. Register to vote in person at your local County Election Commission Offices, County Clerks Offices, Public Libraries, Register of Deeds Offices or during a transaction with one of the following agencies: Department of Health (WIC program), Department of Human Services, Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Department of Mental Health, Department of Safety (motor vehicles division) and Department of Veterans Affairs Check your voter registration status here. Texas Texas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7, 2024, for in-person and mail-in registration. Online registration is not available. To register to vote in Texas: Online registration is not available Print the Texas voter registration application to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your county election office. Register to vote in person by checking with your county. Check your voter registration status here. Utah Utahs voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 25, 2024, for online and by-mail applications and Nov. 5, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in Utah: Submit the Utah voter registration application electronically Print the Utah Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your your county clerk. Register to vote in person at your county clerks office. Check your voter registration status here. Vermont Vermonts voter registration deadline for the general election is Nov. 5, 2024. To register to vote in Vermont: Submit the Vermont voter registration application electronically Print the Vermont Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town clerk. Register to vote in person at your local town clerks office. Check your voter registration status here. Virginia Virginias voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15, 2024. To register to vote in Virginia: Submit the Virginia voter registration application electronically Print the Virginia Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at your local voter registration office. Check your voter registration status here. Washington Washingtons voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 28, 2024, for online and by-mail registration and Nov. 5, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in Washington: Submit the Washington voter registration application electronically Print the Washington Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at your countys election office. Check your voter registration status here. West Virginia West Virginias voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15, 2024. To register to vote in West Virginia: Submit the West Virginia voter registration application electronically Print the West Virginia Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form to your local county clerks office by mail or in person. Register to vote in person at your local county clerks office. Check your voter registration status here. Wisconsin Wisconsins voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 16, 2024, for online and by-mail registration and Nov. 5, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in Wisconsin: Submit the Wisconsin voter registration application electronically Print the Wisconsin Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your local municipal clerk. Register to vote in person at your municipal clerks office. Check your voter registration status here. Wyoming Wyomings voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 21, 2024, to register by mail and Nov. 5, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in Wyoming: Online voter registration is not available Print the Wyoming Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your county clerks office. Register to vote in person at your county clerks office and other state agency locations listed on the county clerks website. Check your voter registration status here. Kamala Harris political views, from the border to the economy Federal District and Territories Washington, D.C. District of Columbia voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15, 2024, for online and by mail registration and Nov. 5, 2024, for in-person registration. To register to vote in the District of Columbia: Submit the District of Columbia voter registration application electronically Print the District of Columbia Mail-in Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to the D.C. Board of Elections. Register to vote in person on election day at your countys elections office, polling place or vote center if you miss the deadlines listed above. Check your voter registration status here. American Samoa American Samoas voter registration deadline is Oct. 7, 2024. To register to vote in American Samoa: Register in person at your local election office Check your voter registration status here. Guam Guams voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 26, 2024. To register to vote in Guam: Submit the Guam voter registration application electronically Register in person at the Guam Election Commission Office, Department of Revenue & Taxation, Motor Vehicle Division, your local Mayors Office or local Volunteer Voter Registrar before the Oct. 26 deadline. Check your voter registration status here. Northern Mariana Islands Northern Mariana Islands voter registration deadline for the general election is Sept. 6, 2024. To register to vote in the Northern Mariana Islands: Register in person at your local election office; the Northern Mariana Islands requires residents to fill out an Affidavit of Voter Registration Application and an Affidavit Questionnaire to determine voter eligibility. Check your voter registration status here. Puerto Rico Puerto Ricos voter registration deadline for the general election is Sept. 6, 2024. To register to vote in Puerto Rico: Submit the Puerto Rico voter registration application electronically Register to vote in person at any local government agency providing the service. Check your voter registration status here. U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Virgin Islands voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 6, 2024. To register to vote in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Register to vote in person at one of the following locations here. Check your voter registration status 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 NewsNation. Facing a growing budget shortfall, the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation will institute wait list for employment services for people with disabilities. (Luis Alvarez/Getty Images) Editors note: This story was updated 10:08 a.m. Tuesday to include a statement from the U.S. Department of Education. Facing a worsening budget shortfall, an Idaho state government agency that helps people with disabilities gain and retain employment has been offered another $10 million in federal emergency funds that will help the agency continue to pay for people it already committed to support. But for the foreseeable future, the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation will process new applications through an order of selection, which lets the state implement a waitlist. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US In May, the federal Rehabilitation Services Administration part of the U.S. Department of Education notified Idaho that it placed the states vocational rehabilitation grant on high risk status due significant concerns about the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitations ability to ensure appropriate financial accountability, according to a letter the Sun obtained in a public records request. Since then, the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation part of the State Board of Education has been working to address the federal agencys concerns, the Idaho State Board of Educations new executive director, Joshua Whitworth, told the Sun in an interview Monday. Idaho submitted a corrective action plan to the federal government that hasnt been approved yet. To fully access the federal emergency funds, Idaho would need to use $2.7 million in state funds, which the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation expects to ask for in a supplemental budget request, interim agency administrator Judy Taylor wrote in a letter on Thursday to the co-chairs of the Idaho Legislatures powerful budget setting committee, which the state board provided to the Sun. Taylor told lawmakers the agencys deficit, created by mismanagement of services, would grow to around $15.6 million by next summer. She committed to work toward cutting costs in the meantime. We take our obligation to be financially solvent seriously and are currently in the process of implementing both policy and operational changes to correct this situation, Taylor wrote to the co-chairs of the Idaho Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. (The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation) is committed to serving our clients with the work and training assistance they need, in an efficient manner and within our financial means. How does the order of selection work? An order of selection involves prioritizing services for people with most significant disabilities, and people on waitlists would receive referrals and wait time estimates, according to Idaho Reports. The order of selection wont affect applications already processed, so people already receiving benefits will still see their benefits, Whitworth said. The U.S. Department of Education on Sept. 6 approved Idahos order of selection, Taylor wrote. The Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation has started to notify clients applying to services that they may be placed on a waitlist until funding is available for more service plans, she wrote. These measures are necessary to align (the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation) spending with our current appropriation, Taylor wrote. We believe this will reduce the rate of expenditures and reduce the overall shortfall for (fiscal year 2025). Based on this new waitlist, we expect the supplemental amount to be reduced once we have better projections from this new implementation. In April, when the budget issues became public, the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation was serving over 8,000 Idahoans with disabilities. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Idaho agencys budget shortfall on track to keep growing. An extra budget request is expected. In the letter, Taylor told legislative budget writers that the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is facing an immediate budget and spending authority shortfall that without immediate attention to increase federal funding and federal spending authority will result in a shutdown of services to over 4,000 (agency) clients. That could risk up to $2 million monthly in financial losses to the agencys service providers, she wrote, and could threaten Idahos future Workforce and Innovative Opportunity Act funds that support agencies beyond the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, such as the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Idaho Department of Labor, the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education and the Idaho Workforce Development Council. Based on the cost of previous obligations and projections for future new obligations, Taylor estimated by the end of September, Idaho would exhaust federal spending authority and will no longer be able to serve clients without additional funds. She projected the agencys deficit, created by mismanagement of services, would grow to around $15.6 million by the end of Idahos fiscal year 2025, which Idaho is currently in and ends June 2026. Those projections include $7.6 million in obligations from fiscal year 2024, which ended in June, along with other agency obligations through Sept. 6, she wrote. The agencys total trustee and benefit budget is $10.9 million for Idahos fiscal year 2025, which began in July. How Idaho would use the federal emergency funds The federal governments Rehabilitation Services Administration offered the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation $10 million in emergency funding by Oct. 1 to ensure services continue for Idahoans until we are able to address this during the legislative session beginning in January 2025, Taylor wrote. This emergency funding will ensure (the division) can pay the current obligations to local community providers and continue to support service plans for existing clients. Without this funding, local service would stop by the end of the month, Taylor wrote in the Sept. 12 letter. The Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation would request a $2.7 million supplemental appropriation from state funds, Taylor wrote, to draw down the second half of regular federal funding in March 2025 to ensure we can cover the full costs and deficit for this fiscal year. In a written statement Tuesday morning, a U.S. Department of Education spokesperson said the additional $10 million in federal funds werent emergency funds. The federal agency awarded Idaho the additional funds by prioritizing Idaho in a reallotment process in which state agencies relinquish unused federal funds that the federal government can then reallocate to states, said the spokesperson, who requested to not be named. The Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and State leadership informed (the federal Rehabilitation Services Administration) that it would not appropriate additional State funds to the (vocational rehabilitation) program nor request an increase in State spending authority, which could have led to shut down on September 3, the spokesperson said. While Taylor wrote that the agency was looking at all options to slow spending, cut costs and cover the shortfall, she wrote that the agency currently has very limited options to address this immediate problem. The goal, Taylor said, is to get the agency on a corrective course that will ensure service expenditures stay within the appropriation for next fiscal year. How did we get here? In the May letter, the Rehabilitation Services Administration said the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation failed to implement a financial and data management system that meets Federal requirements. The agencys case management system to manage finance and data about program recipients is not aligned with the States accounting system, as it should be, the federal letter said. The agency had overcommitted resources for three years, Whitworth said. And Whitworth, who has a background in finance and formerly served in the Idaho State Controllers Office, welcomed the additional scrutiny. This high risk (designation), although, if not addressed, could create an area where those federal funds wouldnt be available to Idaho to utilize for that population, Whitworth said. But, the change of leadership and the focus on correcting those, I think, has opened up and provided confidence, in my opinion. That the feds see that even though weve been designated high risk, the actions that Idaho is taking to deliver services appropriately with what the regulations are for the feds, (has) been met with a positive reaction. The federal Rehabilitation Services Administration placed conditions on Idahos current grant award and the additional, allocated federal funds, the U.S. Department of Education spokesperson said. The Rehabilitation Services Administration said it remains in frequent communication with the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to resolve underlying accounting issues and ensure that the state agency continues to serve its vocational rehabilitation program participants with approved plans, the spokesperson said. In April, as the Idaho Legislature was preparing to adjourn for the year, lawmakers drafted and then shelved a supplemental budget request for the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Sun reported. The Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation has had three fiscal officers since 2022, former agency administrator Jane Donnellan told JFAC co-chairs in an April letter. Donnellan resigned in June, Idaho Reports reported. Taylor, the director of the Idaho Commission on Aging, in June began heading the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. The agency has frozen new hires and canceled all non-essential travel, State Board of Education spokesperson Mike Keckler told the Sun. Whitworth said Taylors mentality is to look at all the non-essential costs, operating costs and all things, and make sure that every one of those state dollars is going towards delivering those services, saying the agency has the right type of leadership thats needed. In mid-June, the agency had new leadership in place to determine the full impact and make recommendations for immediate corrective action, Taylor wrote to legislative budget writers. In reviewing past financials and preparing for (the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation) budget submission, it became clear that the problem was immediate. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE IDVR_LettertoJFAC_co_chairs "The reasons for the discharge logjams are many and complex." (Getty Images) Our health care system is strained. While this is not breaking news, the impact that it continues to have on patient care is critical. At a time when hospital capacity is challenged, alternative post-acute in-patient care options face similar issues. But have we fully explored home health care as a viable and cost-effective option? Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, our hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities faced a number of challenges that impacted their ability to provide appropriate levels of care to patients when and where they needed it. Today, post-pandemic, those issues continue to be front and center. One of the leading drivers of the health care crisis in New Hampshire is the inability of hospitals to discharge patients to safe, appropriate post-acute-care facilities like nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities. In many cases, it means simply going home. Discharges are an important metric in determining the success of our health care system, and for hospitals it also means having beds available to care for more patients. The reasons for the discharge logjams are many and complex, and are outlined in a June report from the New Hampshire Hospital Association. Among the barriers to discharge noted in the NHHA report, insurance was the leading impediment to hospital discharge: long waits for Medicaid determination, insurers who dont provide coverage for post-acute care, denial of requests for authorization from insurers, or inadequate post-acute care networks are some of the causes. Housing concerns, staffing constraints at nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities, and lack of access to necessary community services are also among the leading causes of delays in discharge. And when those patients cant be safely and appropriately discharged, where do they go? They stay right where they are, in hospital beds; beds that are in demand by so many waiting patients. In the worst cases, some of those patients continue to be boarded in hospital emergency rooms, placing additional and unnecessary stress on beleaguered emergency department doctors, nurses, and staff. In the first six months of 2024, according to the NHHA, the number of medically cleared patients waiting for discharge actually declined, from a high of 130 in September 2023, to 79 in June 2024. Of those 79 patients, 15 were boarded in emergency departments, waiting for an inpatient bed. A greater concern, though, is the staggering number of medically unnecessary extra days those patients spent waiting for discharge: 7,455 days of beds occupied by patients with no other place to go. One of those patients has spent more than 400 days in a hospital, waiting for discharge. Studies have found that, when appropriate, home health care can provide better outcomes than institutional settings. Thats where home health agencies around the state are ready and willing to help. They provide skilled nursing, physical and occupational therapy, wound care, and other clinical services at lower cost, in patients homes, where they are most comfortable. There is substantial work being done at the state level here in New Hampshire: in its DHHS Roadmap 2024-2025 released in June, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has highlighted increasing the percentage of people receiving home- and community-based services (HCBS) instead of care in a nursing facility. Programs like New Hampshire Choices for Independence provide services to people with disabilities and senior citizens with medical needs to return to their homes, without having to wait for placement in a nursing home or skilled nursing facility. Home health agencies also help patients and caregivers manage health issues before they develop into urgent or emergent needs that require hospitalizations and prevent re-hospitalizations with wellness and education programs, immunization clinics, and other helpful services. The cost of these programs is small compared to the costs of hospitalizations and high-acuity care. All of us in health care from hospitals, to post-acute care facilities, to home- and community-based health care providers have a stake in overcoming the challenges facing us here in the Granite State and across the nation. Organizations like Granite VNA can be part of the solution to this vexing and costly problem; delivering quality health care and promoting wellness in homes and communities through all stages of life is the goal. By Michel Rose PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron has emerged weaker on the European stage after agreeing to yield to Ursula von der Leyen and sacrifice his heavyweight EU Commission nominee, Thierry Breton, experts say. Breton abruptly quit on Monday with tough words for the EU's re-elected executive chief von der Leyen, in an unexpected twist in the highly political power transition that follows June's European elections. Although Macron's people say he has carved a more influential role for his replacement, Stephane Sejourne, a close Macron loyalist, it is becoming clear von der Leyen is the biggest winner of that swap, having won her fight with Macron. Von der Leyen named a new "college" of commissioners - the team that will lead the European Union's most powerful institution for the next five years - on Tuesday. Each of the bloc's 27 member-states has one seat at the table. "President (von der Leyen) intends to lead ... on her own," said Jean-Dominique Giuliani, President of the Robert-Schuman Foundation, a think-tank, in a note. "Inside her college, free spirits have no place, which explains Thierry Breton's resignation," he added. "A weakened French president did not feel he should fight the battle to impose him, and that's really a shame." Breton, 69, a former French finance minister with extensive experience as the CEO of French blue-chip companies, had become a heavyweight of the European Commission for the past five years - and von der Leyen's main rival. He had grabbed headlines by sparring publicly with tech billionaire Elon Musk and playing a key role in shaping the EU's Big Tech regulation, its COVID-vaccine response and efforts to boost defence industries. The two had clashed publicly on several occasions, and Breton had helped to torpedo von der Leyen's decision to give a highly-paid EU job to a member of her party, the German CDU. But until last week he was still expected to be reappointed, having been publicly confirmed in June by Macron, who had given von der Leyen his backing for her re-election in return for a big economic portfolio, sources close to Macron have said. FRENCH ELECTION CHANGED BALANCE OF POWER It was only after von der Leyen came back to Brussels from her summer break on Aug. 19 that she told Macron she would not give France the big portfolio he wanted unless he gave up on Breton, diplomatic sources told Reuters. By then, she had gained the upper hand, with her confirmation by EU lawmakers already in the bag. Macron, on the other hand, was mired in intractable talks with French political bigwigs to try to square the circle of who could become prime minister with the hung parliament his failed gamble of calling an early legislative election had given him. "She struck with Machiavellian timing," an EU diplomat told Reuters. Her team declined to comment on Breton. Giving in on Breton marks a loss of influence for Macron, who had been instrumental in choosing von der Leyen five years ago and had shaped the bloc's agenda. People close to Macron say the only thing that mattered for him was the portfolio France held in the new commission and that, although he still had total trust in Breton, the identity of the commissioner came second. Sejourne, the outgoing foreign minister, will keep Breton's main job, heading the powerful industry brief, with access to new "financial tools" currently scattered among other portfolios, the people close to him said. He will also be given an executive vice-president title, overseeing a cluster of four commissioners. But people with knowledge of the EU's machinery say what matters in Brussels is the number of directorates-general - the equivalent of ministerial departments - you have under your direct control. Breton had three and Sejourne just one, even if French officials say he will also "supervise" the commissioners in his cluster. "That's fanciful," one of the people in Brussels said. "That title doesn't matter. Everything in Brussels is a question of power dynamics. You must have direct control of the bureaucracy and a very strong personality to make things move." Sejourne was one of the strategists behind Macron's rise, but he has yet to make a mark in public roles such as foreign minister. At 39, he does not have the experience of running a big company or big bureaucracies that Breton had, and cannot claim to command the same respect from top global executives, which will be tested by Musk and others, his critics say. In terms of policy, some specialists say the EU will miss Breton's ability to get things done. "Just what Europe and notably European defence didn't need," Francois Heisbourg, a geopolitical analyst, said on X. "Though I'm not a dyed-in-the-wool fan of Thierry Breton, the fact is that he had brought much energy and know-how to the building-up of EU arms procurement policy," Heisbourg said. (Reporting by Michel Rose; Editing by Alex Richardson) The Animation Guild is back at the table with the studios this week, hoping to seal the deal on a new contract by Friday. Last month, the union said it was still far apart from the studios on several key issues, prompting a second scheduled week of negotiations to hammer out the details. The negotiating committee voted to extend the contract until September 20 and, as the clock ticks, some in the animation community have taken matters into their own hands to raise awareness on the key issues plaguing these creatives. More from Deadline Its really difficult, and its especially painful, because the animation industry was the only thing functioning in Hollywood during the lockdown. So whatever money they were making, they [were] making it from our labor, Gene Goldstein, president of Jellybox Studio, told Deadline. Then it seems like, as soon as there was a hint of a recessionthe industry as a whole has been kind of kicked to the curb. Goldstein has helped shepherd a series of animated shorts highlighting the threats to animation in hopes of reaching the broader Hollywood labor community and beyond for support. Jellybox began publishing the shorts in May, beginning with an explainer titled Animation in under attack! The 46-second video provides a rundown of the most pressing issues in animation, calling attention to the fact that last years historically long WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes were actually only a fraction of Hollywood labors fight with the major studios. The series of four shorts, written by Sean Aitchison with Adam Conover voicing the host, is not officially affiliated with the Animation Guild. But, they do break down some of the priorities that the guild and its negotiating committee are hoping to address at the bargaining table, including artificial intelligence and staffing. AI poses an obvious threat to both animators and writers who tell Deadline they are already suffering from a lack of jobs due to the massive production contraction that has impacted nearly all Hollywood workers, as well as the elimination of staff positions, which has made getting (and keeping) a steady gig nearly impossible. As one veteran animation writer explained of their own situation: In 2021, all that year, I was staffed on a show, and in 2022, all that year, I did freelance. I wrote 19 scripts for seven different shows. I made 33% less in 2022the math isnt mathing. This writer adds that, while writers rooms have been dwindling for some time, theres been a great increase in the elimination of staff positions over last few years in favor of staffing a head writer and hiring freelancers to craft each script. Deadline understands that the Animation Guild is seeking staffing minimums, similar to those that the WGA secured in its own contract, to help curb the issue. Not only does eliminating staff positions create a financially unstable environment, it also shuts up-and-coming writers out of the workforce almost entirely. Its a real barrier, especially to anybody who doesnt come from a privileged background, the veteran writer said. Basically, if you dont have a cushion, it becomes, frankly, a hobby, which is not what we want. Its not good for the industry. Its not good for the shows. Its not good for the writers. Its not good for [anyone]. That problem is expected to be, and in some ways already is, exacerbated by generative AI tools, which threaten to replace many entry level positions. The Hollywood labor community has been sounding the alarm on AI for more than two years, and the conversation reached a fever pitch last year, when both strikes hinged on the guilds securing AI protections, among other provisions. But, despite the fact that some unions have already managed to address AI with the major studios, some are still struggling. SAG-AFTRA is currently on strike again, this time against the major video game developers, due to the same issue. Generative AI isnt sophisticated enough just yet to replace all human creatives, and it will be a long while before that happens (if it ever does), but especially in animation, workers say that it can already perform some of the basic tasks that were once included in entry level positions. As those disappear, workers worry it will begin to erase the pipeline for work altogether. You cant have an entry level position that requires 10 years of experience, and youre basically an art director already. Especially as an artist, [but] even in production, you have to know everything about the pipeline and be able to manage it on your own, a TAG member and production worker told Deadline. They, like many, called moved to transition toward AI short-sighted, and explained that TAG is taking what theyre dubbing a multi-pronged approach to combatting the use of the technology to replace workers. In addition to pushing for contract provisions, they are joining other Hollywood unions in lobbying at the state and federal level for AI-related legislation as well. There are several AI bills circulating in Washington, D.C., and more in California, including some that have already been sent to the Governors desk. Even these softwares, they cant do it on their own. They need someone with knowledge and the skills to be able to do this. If these companies push us outmaybe itll work for a couple of years, but then youll just have a beige bag of mush, because itll all just be regurgitating the same exact thing. Thats all they have. They dont have any creativity, the production worker continued. Jellybox has a short for this, too. The most recent video in its series, released in July, encourages animation lovers to support human art to prevent the medium from becoming an AI hellscape. By its very nature, technology is meant to rid us of putting us in dangerous positions, putting us in places where we are overworking ourselves, Aitchison said. Its meant to give us more time to make art, not take away our ability to. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Annual naloxone distribution day started in West Virginia expands to at least 32 states this year Joe Solomon, co-director of WV SOAR, and Sarah Stone, board president for the overdose prevention organization, pose with some of the naloxone wall boxes that will go out to participating counties during this years Save a Life Day. The annual naloxone distribution event will take place Sept. 26. (Lori Kersey | West Virginia Watch) An annual naloxone distribution event that started in 2020 with two West Virginia counties will expand to more than 30 states when its held this year on Sept. 26, but a co-founder of the event is most hopeful about what will happen in the days after that. I think the thing that most excites me about Save a Life Day is the day after, said Joe Solomon, a co-founder of the West Virginia overdose prevention group SOAR WV, which sponsors the event. So many people get hooked on saving lives, and they ask, Whats next? They get involved with advocating for harm reduction or starting up street outreach teams. Basically, Save a Life Day is about new beginnings in more ways than one, he said. Its about second chances for communities, not just individuals. The event started in response to increasing overdoses during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This year, volunteers from 343 counties in every state east of the Mississippi River and beyond will distribute the opioid antidote drug during Save a Life Day. All 55 counties in West Virginia have volunteers participating. During last years event, volunteers distributed more than 45,000 doses of naloxone throughout Appalachia. In 2024, coordinator Caroline Wilson has her sights set even higher. Its going to be huge hopefully, Wilson said. I keep saying that Im hoping were going to get out 100,000 doses of naloxone this year. Wilson, a Maryland resident who works in Berkeley County, has been a county organizer for Save a Life Day for the last three years. This is her first year coordinating the event. This is really meaningful work for me, as a person in recovery, Wilson said. We all want to help people just like us and also people not like us. With grant funding, this year organizers are sending 60 naloxone vending boxes to a dozen West Virginia counties and to at least one every participating state. The metal boxes resemble newspaper boxes. The boxes cost about $500 each and are made by a Texas company that sells them on the e-commerce website Etsy. Charleston has four of the vending boxes, which are used frequently, said Sarah Stone, a co-founder and co-director for SOAR. The boxes are often stocked also with Plan B pills, drug testing strips and COVID-19 tests. What makes those really unique is that if anyone has any shame [about drug use] theres nobody waiting at the box to ask them questions, Stone said. About half of SOARs naloxone distribution these days is done through the boxes, Solomon said. In addition to the vending boxes, organizers are sending wall boxes that hold naloxone and CPR masks to sites all over the country. The boxes are converted yellow pencil boxes sold at Target. A sticker on the boxes outside notes its emergency naloxone. One on the inside has instructions for the drugs use. Adhesives to hold them to the wall. Solomon said they were inspired to make the boxes after seeing what harm reduction group Project Mayday has done with pencil boxes and the Drug Institute of West Virginia has done with their drug overdose reversal kit, ONEBox. We wanted to make something that still felt like it would be really handy and adrenaline proof, he said. Grant funding has also allowed organizers to mail more than 400 wall boxes to sites within Kanawha County. A goal of the event is to save lives by distributing the opioid overdose antidote. In West Virginia, the number of drug overdose deaths was down nearly 2%t last year compared with 2022, but still double the national rate, according to preliminary data. Nationally, the number of drug overdose deaths was down by roughly 3% last year, according to preliminary data. The event is also about reducing the stigma associated with naloxone. Wilson said she can tell by the reaction that people have to being handed the opioid antidote that stigma has lessened over the years. I feel like its definitely more accepted and I think a lot more people who arent involved in substance use work, who arent involved in the recovery community see it as something valuable and something that they can do to just be prepared, she said. Its just a small way to find a solution. Solomon said it feels remarkable that West Virginia a place he describes as Americas overdose capital because it has historically had the countrys highest drug overdose death rate can send a siren of hope when it comes to addiction. In a city and state where officials have made it more difficult for drug users to access clean syringe services, Solomon, who is also a member of Charleston City Council, said hes hopeful that the event eventually leads to more expanded harm reduction access. As more people save lives on Save a Life Day, after its done, they ask, How else can I save lives? Solomon said. And the number one way you can save lives in Kanawha County, is to advocate for and expand and syringe service programs. Editors note: An earlier version of this story had the incorrect title for Sarah Stone, who is the co-director of SOAR WV. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Alondra Nunez, left, and her sister Monserrat, second from right, sit with family members outside of The Market, where their brother owns the restaurant Chido's Tacos, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) Their city has been in the eye of a political storm since former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, falsely accused legal Haitian immigrants in Springfield of eating dogs and cats. One consequence: a rash of hoax bomb threats that forced evacuations and closures of schools, government buildings and elected officials homes. But the immigrants and their neighbors in this predominantly white, blue-collar city of about 60,000 have gone on with their lives going for a run through downtown, shooting hoops with friends, gathering with family for supper at a food hall called The Market. Some out-of-towners seeking to show support for the Haitians have joined locals in patronizing the Rose Goute Creole Restaurant, which features Haitian cuisine. Undismayed by the far-flung political rancor, lifelong Springfield residents Kelsey Fannon and Kassidy Fannon sat happily on their front porch Monday evening, playing with their new puppy and celebrating how they had spent the day deep-cleaning their entire house. Thousands of Haitian immigrants have settled in recent years in Springfield, where they have found work in factories and warehouses that were struggling to fill job openings. The sudden influx has strained schools, health care facilities and city services and driven up the cost of housing but the mayor, civic leaders and local pastors have welcomed them. Kadin Mills ICT WASHINGTON Naelyn Pike was just 13 years old when she testified in front of the U.S. Congress for the first time. She was speaking out against a planned mining project that would destroy her peoples sacred land. This has been my entire life, she told ICT, to protect the planet, to protect my people's religious freedom and the environment. Twelve years later, Pike, who is enrolled Chiricahua Apache and from the San Carlos Apache Tribe, is once again in the nations capital this time at the U.S. Supreme Court as Apache Stronghold officially files their case with the nations high court. Apache Stronghold v. United States centers the Apache peoples right to freely practice their religion in their sacred places. Apache Stronghold argues mining will destroy Oak Flat, or Chichil Bidagoteel as it is called in the Apache language. They say this is an infringement on their right to free exercise of religion. On Sept. 11, members of the Apache Stronghold movement convened in front of the Supreme Court to formally appeal a narrow 2023 decision from the Ninth Circuit Court. The petition asks the justices to reconsider the lower courts opinion, which held the proposed mining project under Oak Flat does not pose a substantial burden to Apache religious exercise. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals declined to rehear the case in May 2024. Naelyn Pike, Chiricahua Apache from the San Carlos Apache Tribe, stands in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on Sept. 11, 2024, as Apache Stronghold files their petition. Pike is Nosies granddaughter. (Photo by Kadin Mills, ICT) The weekend in Washington marked the end of a two-month-long prayer journey, as described by the movements leader, Wendsler Nosie Sr., former chairman of the San Carlos Apache. He said people of all faiths need to come together to protect sacred spaces. Apache Stronghold made 20 stops across the country, meeting with religious and tribal leaders and building solidarity. The Hyattsville Mennonite Church in Maryland hosted members of the Apache Stronghold for a reception on Tuesday Sept. 10. I love being able to work for justice and gather people to work for justice together, said the churchs pastor, Cynthia Lapp. There is nothing just about taking people's holy, religious lands, said Rev. William Barber to the crowd of about 100 people gathered at the Supreme Court Wednesday. Barber is co-chair of the Poor Peoples Campaign and founding director of the Center for Public Theology and Public Policy at Yale Divinity School. Organizers from the People of Red Mountain, a group fighting a proposed lithium mine in Nevada, drum in solidarity with Apache Stronghold at the U.S. Supreme Court. (Photo by Kadin Mills, ICT) Supporters of Apache Stronghold, Native and non-Native, singing and dancing in front of the Supreme Court. Some people joined the prayer journey along the way, including from cities like Los Angeles and Philadelphia. (Photo by Kadin Mills, ICT) I guarantee you, he shouted with a fervor, nobody would stand for drilling at the National Cathedral. He compared Oak Flat to Mecca or Mount Sinai. Attorney for Apache Stronghold Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel at Becket Law, also spoke. Come December, there's going to be nine judges looking at those very papers that we just prayed over and filed today, he said. What goes on in their hearts is really what's going to decide how they're going to act. The court is expected to decide whether or not to hear the case by December. Where the acorn grows, the Apaches go Named for its abundant Emory oak trees, Oak Flat is sacred to the Apache people, as well as several other tribes. These include the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe, Gila River Indian Community, Salt-River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Hopi Tribe, and Pueblo of Zuni Tribe. For the Apache, Emory oak is just one of many important plants growing at Oak Flat. JoAnn Williams is an elder from the San Carlos Apache tribe. She came to Washington with Apache Stronghold and she remembers picking acorns in the area around Oak Flat as a little girl, but she has never physically been to the holy site. JoAnn Williams, San Carlos Apache Tribe, has never been to Oak Flat. She says she and other Apache people still have deep spiritual ties to the land. (Photo by Kadin Mills, ICT) Williams was raised by her grandparents, who taught her to speak the Apache language. She recalls her grandmother telling her never to speak to strange men. But one night, she went to Oak Flat in a dream and she disobeyed her grandmothers order. In my dream, this guy told me (in Apache), Come on, follow me, Williams said. She followed her intuition and asked, Where? The man proceeded to show her the place where the Apache people used to cook and prepare dried medicines. Years ago, the Apaches used to live here, Williams remembers the man told her in her Native language. So, people say that there's nothing here, but I'm telling you I'm showing it to you because you're the ones going to tell them, he told her in the dream. And I saw it, she said. Located about one hour east of Phoenix in Arizonas Tonto National Forest, Oak Flat is still a place where Western Apache and other Native people go to attend sweat lodge ceremonies, pray and collect foods and medicines. Songs, dances and other traditions are passed from generation to generation at Chichil Bidagoteel. The Apache deities are also believed to live there, and their religion says it is the place God touched the Earth. Oak Flat, preparing for a sunrise dance. (Photo by Molly Peters, Courtesy Apache Stronghold) Pike said Oak Flat is a cornerstone of their spirituality, the birthplace of their religion. In an 1852 Treaty with the Apache, the U.S. government promised to protect Oak Flat in perpetuity. But just 20 years later, many Apache people were forced off their land and onto the San Carlos Indian Reservation. Then in 1955, the land was once again expressly protected from private mining interests by the Eisenhower administration with the expansion of the Tonto National Forest. Copper was later discovered in the 90s and mining company Resolution Copper, owned by UK-based Rio Tinto and the Australian BHP Group, has been working to obtain the land ever since. After several failed attempts by Congress to pass legislation that would transfer roughly 2,400 acres of land including Oak Flat from the Tonto National Forest into Resolution Coppers ownership, Arizona Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake added a bill called the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act to the annual defense budget for fiscal year 2015. According to reporting from The Intercept, The addendum, known as a rider, incurred no congressional debate. It was signed into law by President Obama on Dec. 14, 2014. Sen. McCain accepted $7,500 from the Rio Tinto America Political Action Committee during the 2013-14 election cycle, according to data from OpenSecrets. Sen. Flake previously worked as a lobbyist and formerly represented Rossing Uranium Limited, which was majority-owned by Rio Tinto, according to a 2012 report by the Associated Press. Flake did not receive lobbying dollars from Rio Tinto America PAC at the time of the land exchange act. He accepted $4,500 from the PAC between 2005 and 2018. Protecting Oak Flat solidarity for religious freedom Copper is considered a critical material in the transition to greener energy sources and Resolution Copper. Through the land exchange between Resolution Copper and the Tonto National Forest, the mining company would swap nearly 5,500 acres of conservation lands to mine what is believed to be one of the largest undeveloped copper deposits in the world under Oak Flat. Organizers from the People of Red Mountain wave a flag reading, life over lithium in front of the Supreme Court in solidarity with Apache Stronghold. Like copper, mining companies are eyeing tribal lands for lithium extraction as a critical resource for energy production. (Photo by Kadin Mills, ICT) Resolution Copper said the project has the potential to supply up to 25 percent of U.S. copper demand, and has proposed tunneling under the sacred site and using dynamite to blast the ore. The activity would cause the surrounding earth to cave in, forming a crater roughly two miles wide and 1,000 feet deep, which would have a significant impact on the surface flora and fauna. A technical report from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management also criticized the final environmental impact statement for its lack of consideration of groundwater impacts, stating certain findings did not meet the analysis standards of (the National Environmental Policy Act). Others lacked sufficient evaluation or made unsupported conclusions. The final environmental impact statement was published in January 2021, in the final week of former President Donald Trumps term. This started the clock on a 60-day deadline to complete the land transfer. After President Joe Biden took office, his administration promptly directed the U.S. Forest Service to rescind the environmental impact statement to continue environmental evaluation and government-to-government relationships with local tribal nations. Over 6,000 feet under ground at the Resolution Copper mine in Arizona, July, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Resolution Copper) In February 2021, Apache Stronghold filed their lawsuit against the federal government in the Arizona District Court, which sided with Resolution Copper. They have continued to fight the issue, taking the case to the Supreme Court. It's very rare for Indigenous rights, and cases like this, to go to the Supreme Court especially when it comes to our religious freedom, she said. So for me, I feel like my ancestors are here with us today, and we're just carrying on that next fight. In an email to ICT, a spokesperson for Resolution Copper said the case is unworthy of Supreme Court review. This case is about the governments right to pursue national interests with its own land, the company said, an unremarkable and longstanding proposition that the Supreme Court and other courts have consistently reaffirmed. Those opposed to the project see the issue differently, saying the decision has lasting ramifications for tribal sovereignty and freedom of religion for all people. Apache Stronghold argues the destruction of Oak Flat is an infringement upon their right to freely practice religion under the Freedom Restoration Act and the Free Exercise Clause. They say the proposed mine also violates the National Environmental Policy Act. Wendsler Nosie Sr., San Carlos Apache Tribe, speaks in front of the Supreme Court on Sept. 11, 2024, after attorneys for Apache Stronghold filed the groups petition asking the justices to reevaluate a ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court. (Photo by Kadin Mills, ICT) Wendsler Nosie Sr. addresses a crowd of supporters in front of the Supreme Court. Alongside him are his granddaughters. (Photo by Kadin Mills, ICT) Organizations such as the Religious Freedom Institute and the Mennonite Church USA, as well as numerous other churches and religious groups, have joined the fight to save Oak Flat by submitting amicus briefs in support of Apache Stronghold. Other supporters include Notre Dame Law Schools Religious Liberty Clinic, the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery, and the Poor Peoples Campaign. Apache Stronghold also has the support of grassroots movements like the Save Chinatown Coalition in Philadelphia and the LA Tenants Union, as well as other Indigenous movements. Organizers from each joined the prayer journey to Washington, led by Nosie. The San Carlos Apache Tribe, under the leadership of Chairman Terry Rambler, continues to oppose the land transfer between the U.S. and Resolution Copper. In 2021, the White Mountain Apache Tribe also reaffirmed its opposition to the deal. Former Chairwoman Gwendena Lee-Gatewood said, We truly are a family. In solidarity we stand with our sister tribe the San Carlos Apaches, according to a press release. The next Supreme Court term will begin Oct. 7. The justices will meet in the final week of September to discuss any additional cases to the upcoming docket. If the Court accepts Apache Stronghold v. United States, oral arguments will likely take place in January or February, 2025, and a decision will be made by summer. ICT is owned by IndiJ Public Media, a nonprofit news organization. Will you support our work? All of our content is free. There are no subscriptions or costs. And we have hired more Native journalists in the past year than any news organization and with your help we will continue to grow and create career paths for our people. Support ICT for as little as $10. Sign up for ICTs free newsletter. Apalachee High School Teacher Posts Heartfelt Thanks for Students and Faculty Member Who Saved His Life The Sept. 4 attack killed two students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and two teachers, Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53. Jessica McGowan/Getty Apalachee High School An Apalachee High School teacher posted a heartfelt thanks on social media to students and a faculty member who helped save his life after a mass shooting at his Georgia school. In a Facebook message posted on Sunday, Sept. 15, David Phenix, a teacher at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., praised those who, in the course of all the chaos, found it in themselves to take my life in their hands. The Sept. 4 attack killed two students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and two teachers, Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Nine others, including Phenix, were injured in the attack that was allegedly carried out by 14-year-old Colt Gray. The suspect has been charged with four counts of murder. AP Photo/Charlotte Kramon A poster with images of shooting victims from left, Cristina Irimie, Mason Schermerhorn, Richard Aspinwall and Christian Angulo is displayed at a memorial outside Apalachee High School, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Winder, Ga. Related: What Are the Accusations Against Father of Georgia School Shooting Suspect That Led to Arrest on Murder Charges? According to a student who spoke to CNN, Phenix was struck by gunfire but was still able to close his classroom door, preventing the shooter from entering. In his post, Phenix, who said he was shot in the side and foot, thanked a fellow math teacher who managed to put pressure on my wound while, at same time, managing and calming a class of 23 scared, terrified, and panicked teenagers, as well as two 14-year-old students who helped pressurize his wound while his colleague called for help. HANDOUT/Barrow County Sheriff's Office/AFP via Getty (2) Colt and Colin Gray 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. Phenix also praised the first responders involved in stopping this horrible event that would have been much worse had you not been there and the hospital staff who treated him. He also thanked his family, whose love has remained constant, steadfast, and unwavering through all of this. Related: 4 Killed in Georgia School Shooting Identified: 'Truly Heartbroken' To put into words the events of these past days escape all description, he wrote. The images, sights, sounds, and actions are immense and will be forever etched in my memory and will take weeks, months, and even years to processFrom anger to mourning to sadness to gratefulness to even feeling blessed to be able to sit here and write this post, processing the reasons behind September 4th will be a long road which will most likely, never be truly understood. The suspect's father Colin Gray was also arrested and charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children. Colin's charges stem from "Mr. Gray knowingly allowing his son Colt to possess a weapon, authorities alleged at a Sept. 5 press conference. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The number of global Christian leaders, who recently have had to confess and repent of moral failure or step aside from leadership duties due to some moral indiscretion, is staggering. At the heart of the problem is the leaders inability to exercise moral integrity as a critical lifestyle in Christian living. Leadership of any sort can be a challenging endeavor and Christian leadership sets some of the highest standards of morality for those in positions of power and influence. Some of the Christian leaders found culpable of moral failings have been bold enough to publicly own up to them. Others have even written about their experiences as a challenge to others who may be struggling with persistent sins of the flesh. In my opinion, leadership refers to being in a position of influence. Those who bear the name of Jesus Christ and confess him as Lord are leaders called to bear the marks of Christ-like integrity and to exercise it in both the private and public spheres of life and service. Integrity such as the Bible requires is always a critical ingredient for journeying in leadership and ministry. All around us we see that the values of our wider societies are distorted due to a lack of understanding the biblical standards of integrity. In all spheres of life, people have become more concerned about success, money, power, fame, and winning at whatever cost, at the expense of a higher standard of moral integrity. Past examples of leadership failure Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up In the mid 1990s, Pastor Jim Bakker wrote "I Was Wrong: The Untold Story of the Shocking Journey from PTL Power to Prison and Beyond". In the 1980s, Jim Bakker and his then wife, Tammy Faye, led one of the largest televangelism ministries in the world. In 1989, he was incarcerated for fraudulently misapplying donations from ministry partners in one of the most high-profile cases of that nature in the twentieth century. The details of the story, for our purposes, are not as important as the reason Jim Bakker himself gives for writing the book: "For most of my life I believed that my understanding of God and how He wants us to live was not only correct but worth exporting to the world. One reason I have risked putting my heart into print is to tell you that my previous philosophy of life, out of which my attitudes and actions flowed, was fundamentally flawed." At the heart of this confession is a Christian leaders inability to uphold the integrity of the Bible as regards wealth and prosperity. Sadly, the wrongful interpretation of scripture to support lifestyles of greed, covetousness, flamboyance, and materialism is what was exported to other parts of the world, facilitated by modern media technology. In writing the book, Bakker draws attention to the importance of integrity in biblical hermeneutics: "When I really studied the Bible while in prison, it became clear to me that not one man or woman... led a life without pain. God does promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us, no matter what trial or pain we must go through... whether it be loss of reputation, loss of position or power, financial calamity, addiction, separation, divorce, or imprisonment." Subsequently, Jim Bakker followed up his words with another book, Prosperity and the Coming Apocalypse in which he corrects some of his flawed ideas on prosperity as a Christian lifestyle. As the Jim Bakker story was unfolding, one Christian leader who publicly criticized and chastised him severely and mercilessly, was his prosperity-preaching compatriot, Jimmy Swaggart. But it was not long after Bakkers experience, that Swaggart himself appeared on television in tears, having been caught purchasing the services of prostitutes rather than, as a Christian leader would be expected to do, sharing with them the God's word. At the heart of these stories and many others that have unfolded through the years, even still today, is the word integrity. Moral integrity according to God's standards is clear in the Old Testament (for example, in Ezekiel 34), Jesus teaches it in the Sermon on the Mount, and Paul admonishes the Philippian Christians regarding it when he wrote to them: "Finally beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Philippians 4:8). Paul adds in verse 9, "Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me," meaning, his life and ministry display the marks and standards of integrity and so do not just listen to what he preaches but imitate his whole lifestyle. Elsewhere, Paul makes it clear that the ultimate standard of integrity is not Paul himself but rather Jesus, for he writes in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." Integrity is when our private thoughts, decisions, actions, and claims, not only reflect our outward talk and behavior, but also bring about the public good. Defining integrity In the Christian life, integrity always manifests as loyalty to Jesus Christ. The gospel, as the word became flesh, carries within it its own integrity, and Christian ministers and disciples are called to embody and defend that integrity. A simple definition of integrity is when our private thoughts, decisions, actions, and claims, not only reflect our outward talk and behavior, but also bring about the public good. For more reading on this subject, refer to Henry Cloud's "Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality" as well as "Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership" by Gary L. McIntosh and Samuel D. Rima. The Latin origin of the word "integrity" relates to something that is "intact" or "integrated"something that is "whole", from which we get the word, "holistic". The concept of integrity can be applied to many things, from building structures that have been formed well to human behavior that is not corrupted. If, for example, we take the issue of doctrinal integrity, the historic creeds of the global Church are crafted to ensure that heretical teaching does not hold sway in the church. Integrity is a form of moral capital that one builds up over years of work and when people know they can trust your word, you will go very far. There are specific areas in the life and ministry of Christian leaders where integrity is especially crucial. They include personal/moral integrity, pastoral/relational integrity, and theological/doctrinal integrity. A biblical passage that summarizes these three forms of integrity is when Paul tells Timothy, "Pay close attention to yourself [personal integrity] and to your teaching [doctrinal integrity]; continue in these things [pastoral/leadership integrity, 4:6-10], for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers" (1 Timothy 4:16). In the world of construction, when buildings collapse, causing human fatalities at times, such buildings are said to lack "structural integrity". When physical structures lack structural integrity, they lack internal strength and cannot stand the test of time. Good integrity exists when the whole structure is working as it should, undivided, integrated, well supported, and intact. In the same way, an organization with "institutional integrity" has all its various arms, departments, and ministries interconnected and working well. For Christian organizations, integrity includes observing the basic demands of scripture and doctrinal fidelity. People respect you for who you are before they can respect you for what you do. This is especially true for leaders. Integrity, or the lack of it, defines our character. Jesus says in Matthew 15:11, "It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles." What comes out of the mouth depends on what we feed on. In effect, Jesus is saying that what you say or do will ultimately reveal who you are and who you become is affected by what you internalize. Integrity is important to develop accountability and trust, especially where it involves our relationships with other people. Moral integrity's closest associated characteristics include honesty, truthfulness, candor, and transparency. Candor, for example, it refers to the state of or quality of being frank, open, and sincere in speech or expression; and, for Christians, we must remember to "speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ" (Ephesians 4:25). Christian integrity as redemptive For followers of Jesus, integrity flows out of our character and is revealed in our commitment to the purposes of God. The ultimate example of altruistic integrity is Jesus himself, who although God, "did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself" (Philippians 2:6-7) in the cause of human redemption. The integrity of Jesus Christ is affirmed by the Nicene Creed, when it refers to him as, "...the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made..." In the example of Jesus, we find that Christian integrity is redemptive in its purposes. In exercising integrity, we embody the words of Jesus when he says, "you will know the truth and the truth will make you free" (John 8:32). The lack of integrity creates a dysfunctional persona and guilty conscience in which words and actions do not cohere and so we become conflicted. When we act with biblical integrity, the world may hate us, even persecute us, but we live with the peace of the Lord in our hearts and lives; and, in the end, we honor the name of the Lord in our lives. In contrast, the shepherds of Israel were castigated by God for lacking pastoral integrity because they exploited the sheep for their selfish ends: "You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fatlings; but you do not feed the sheep. You have not strengthened the weak, you have not healed the sick, you have not bound up the injured, you have not brought back the strayed, you have not sought the lost, but with force and harshness you have ruled them" (Ezekiel 34:3-4). If people are without integrity, they lack the courage for the pursuit of truth. They are pretenders who are loyal to destructive causes, depravity, and falsehood. But we are to see and imitate Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, disregarding the shame (Hebrews 12:2). Conclusion Leaders, act with integrity. Act with honesty and transparency, and in an altruistic spirit, serving the interests of the greater good as revealed by God in the scriptures. Consider the exhortation of Paul when he said, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility, regard others as better than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3). His exemplar modelling this standard is none other than Jesus, who emptied himself of all but love, becoming a servant human being, and dying on the cross for human redemption that we might live to the praise of Gods glory. Let all Christian leaders also follow in his footsteps in every church, ministry, and workplace. J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu is the Baeta-Grau Professor of Contemporary African Christianity and Pentecostal/Charismatic Theology at the Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon, Ghana. He is the immediate past president of the seminary and a fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences. He also serves as a member of the Lausanne Theology Working Group. This article originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of the Lausanne Global Analysis and is published here with permission. DNY59 / Getty Images/iStockphoto There is a romanticized image of living in New York City the hustle and bustle, along with the extravagant restaurants, fashion and culture. But many people do not live that lifestyle in New York, with lots of residents not even living inside the city limits, but upstate in various other towns. This includes a significant number of retirees. In fact, retirees paid nearly $2 billion in real property taxes in 2021, which amounts to about 3.1% of the total collected in New York statewide, according to the Retired Public Employees Association, which estimates that there are close to 500,000 retirees who call the Empire State home. GOBankingRates spoke with a retiree in Somers, New York, who wished to remain anonymous, about the ways that they spend their Social Security benefits to live in one of the most expensive states in the nation. I do not specifically use my Social Security payments to purchase any one item, the Somers retiree said. My monthly amount is an automatic deposit to my bank account. In addition, my New York State retirement pension is also an automatic deposit and they both arrive on almost the same date each month. This allows me to use these funds for all necessary expenses. Here are the four ways this New York retirees spends their Social Security. Find Out: What a Trump Presidency Could Mean for Social Security in 2025 Read Next: 9 Easy Ways To Build Wealth That Will Last Through Retirement Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week. Groceries Everyone has to eat, including retirees. While some might like to go out and hit up their favorite restaurants on occasion, many try to make their Social Security dollars stretch every month by meal planning, cooking at home and shopping at their local grocery store. This Somers New York retiree mostly uses a credit card for grocery shopping and dining out. Then, at the end of the month, pays off the credit card with part of their Social Security check. I always have payment on my two credit cards and that varies month to month, ranging from $200 to $1,500, the retiree shared. Check Out: 8 States To Move to If You Dont Want To Pay Taxes on Social Security Travel Being able to travel during retirement can be considered either a luxury or a right, depending on who you ask. After all, once retirees have clocked out of the workplace for the last time, there is a lot of space on the calendar for travel, not to mention plenty of destinations locally and internationally to check out. Thanks to their Social Security benefits, this New York retiree can go almost anywhere they want and use the funds from their monthly check to help do that. Though, they noted that their many earlier travel expenses have been reduced significantly due to being on a fixed income and that lots of travel related expenses could be qualified as transportation with their payment on a car lease at $389 per month. Story continues This means that much of their current out-of-town travel is by train to New York City to meet up with friends and family or catch the latest show on Broadway. Utilities Retirees might not be working, but there are still bills to pay. Everything from gas, electric, water, internet and cable, amongst others. Living in New York, the winters can get extremely cold while the muggy summers can get scorching hot. My electric [bill] depends on usage of heat/AC, stove for cooking and all other electric use, said the Somers retiree, who has to keep an eye on this with additional expenses that include rent at $3,500 a month. However, this same retiree mentioned that having the ability to pay their utility bill with their Social Security benefits is a prime example of what the program was designed to do: allow retirees to pay their cost-of-living expenses each month. Taxes Another fact of life that does not escape anyone, including retirees: taxes. New York State is known for having some higher taxes across the board, which retirees still have to pay even though they are not working. Social Security benefits, while also taxed as income, can help offset the amount that retirees send to the local and federal government. The Somers New York retiree noted how Social Security is great for paying a variety of costs, one of which includes any taxes that I need to pay during the year. This includes property taxes, which in Westchester County is about 1.62% of a propertys assessed fair market value, one of the highest median property tax rates in the United States. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Im a New York Retiree: 4 Ways I Spend My Social Security KANSAS CITY, Mo. After more than a week of investigations, the City of Overland Park gave an update regarding an apartment fire that left 16 units displaced on Sunday, Sept. 8. According to the city, fire investigators found that at least three of the four heavily damaged units at London Square Apartments did not have working smoke alarms at the time of the fire. Suspect arrested after attempted armed robbery at Overland Park business The city said, In reaction to this finding, the Overland Park Fire Department will conduct a Smoke Alarm Canvas on Wednesday morning. Well be going door to door in the complex, offering to check alarms and providing them for those in need. Original reports of the apartment fire show that it started at about 1 a.m. Crews with the Overland Park Fire Department said that after they arrived, they saw smoke and fire coming from the two-story apartment where evacuations had already started. One resident was still reported to be inside, so crews started their fire rescue operations and quickly located the person, bringing them to safety. OPFD said fighters then knocked down an exterior fire on a second-story balcony, but as they attempted to stop it from spreading, the fire had already made its way into the attic. It took approximately one hour for crews to bring the fire under control. Four units suffered significant water and fire damage, and the power had been cut to the entire complex. This resulted in 16 units being displaced. KC-area elected officials address unacceptable USPS delivery delays According to OPFD, no injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. However, fire investigators believe that a careless discard of smoking materials is to blame. It was originally reported that fire investigators believed that several of the damaged units had no working smoke alarms. This was confirmed in Tuesdays announcement by the City of Overland Park. Fortunately, residents were alerted about the fire by a neighbor. Overland Park Fire wants to remind smokers to completely extinguish smoking materials in sand or water before discarding. Additionally, everyone should have and maintain working smoke alarms. If you need assistance with smoke alarms, please contact your local fire department. OPFD said. Belton homeowner questions $1,260 monthly water bill Although multiple units did not have working alarms, each apartment is considered privately owned, the city said. This leaves each owner responsible for maintaining their own alarms. Fire crews will be at the London Square Apartments at 9 a.m. on Wednesday to get working smoke alarms in each unit and spread awareness about fire safety. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Austin Police Department provided more details about the Sept. 10 shooting in north Austin, including the name of the man who was shot by officers, the agency said in a news release Monday. That man was identified as Franklin Earl Miller, 59, according to police. A call came in around 10:59 p.m. to Austin 911 for a report of a man, later identified as Miller, who was attempting to break into their business and pulling on the doors, at 1724 West Anderson Lane, the release said. The caller told dispatch they were watching on cameras and saw Miller holding a rock. The caller also reported Miller appeared to have a gun in his waistband. PAST STORY | Man dead after being shot by officers in north Austin Then, around 11:11 p.m., officers arrived on the scene and saw Miller, but he was non-compliant with the officers direction. On-scene officers continued de-escalation efforts with Miller. At one point, he was seen gripping a pistol in his hands, and officers repeatedly told Miller to put down his firearm, but he was non-compliant, according to police. Approximately 14 minutes after trying to get Miller to comply with officers commands, police said he raised the gun he was holding in the direction of officers around 11:25 p.m. That is when officers discharged their department-approved firearms at Miller and then began life-saving measures on him immediately after, the release said. Austin-Travis County EMS arrived on the scene around 11:30 p.m. and pronounced Miller dead at 11:33 p.m., according to police. A total of five officers discharged their department-approved firearms, the release said. Those officers time with the department ranges from four months to six and a half years of service. Additionally, a sixth officer deployed his department-issued pepperball launcher at the same time shots were fired. That officer has four months of service with the department, according to police. APD will conduct two concurrent investigations into this incident: a criminal investigation conducted by the APD Special Investigations Unit in conjunction with the Travis County District Attorneys Office and an administrative investigation conducted by the APD Internal Affairs Unit, with oversight from the Office of Police Oversight, police said in the release. Officers captured this incident on body-worn cameras, and the video will be released within 10 business days, per APD protocol. Anyone with any information on this case can call APDs Special Investigation Unit at (512) 974-6840 or Capitol Area Crime Stoppers at (512) 472-8477, the release said. Tipsters can also submit an online tip via the Crime Stoppers website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. PHOENIX - Pamela Carter is running for the Arizona House in Legislative District 4, covering parts of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. The 'America First' Republican grew up in Scottsdale and went to Arcadia High School. The retired business owner was a state director for the Trump campaign in 2020. Pamela Carter and Sen. JD Vance Carter ran for the Scottsdale City Council in 2022. In a podcast that year, she said she opposes the city's anti-discrimination ordinance and is also against abortion. Her famous sister, Phoenix native and Wonder Woman actress, Lynda Carter, is not endorsing her and instead is throwing her support behind her Democratic opponents. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 12: Lynda Carter attends The 15th Annual CNN Heroes: All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on December 12, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Dominik Bindl/Getty Images) On social media on Saturday, Lynda wrote, "As a native Arizonan, I am proud to endorse @KelliButlerAZ and @KarenGreshamAZ for the two LD4 seats in Arizona's State House. Kelli and Karen are both strong, experienced candidates, born and raised in Arizona. They are working mothers fighting for the rights that matter most to Arizonans, especially every childs right to a quality education." As a native Arizonan, I am proud to endorse @KelliButlerAZ and @KarenGreshamAZ for the two LD4 seats in Arizona's State House. Kelli and Karen are both strong, experienced candidates, born and raised in Arizona. They are working mothers fighting for the rights that matter most to Lynda Carter (@RealLyndaCarter) September 14, 2024 Kelli Butler is a former state lawmaker and a current governing board member of the Maricopa Community College District. Karen Gresham is the president of the Madison Elementary School Board. State Representative Matt Gress is the other Republican in the race. Lynda Carter has also endorsed Kamala Harris for president and is a vocal supporter of women's reproductive rights. FOX 10 reached out to Pamela Carter for comment, but has not heard back. This story was published by Votebeat in partnership with ICT. Votebeat is a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Jen Fifield Votebeat FLAGSTAFF, Arizona The group of Navajo speakers gathered at the Coconino County Elections Center were deep into translating the pages stacked in front of them when they began deliberating over how to best describe fentanyl. It wouldnt be a straight translation almost nothing is, from English to Navajo. But these county and state election officials, charged with translating Arizonas long and complex ballot for a key group of voters on the Navajo Nation, would try their best to get it right. "Not azee'," someone said. "Azee' is medicine. It's to heal." They looked down at the English text: Criminalizes selling fentanyl that causes the death of a person. Azee, they decided, gave the wrong impression. The group would need new wording, and quickly. This was just a single sentence, a small piece of just one of the 13 propositions set to appear on Arizonas November ballot. By the end of the day, the group had to finish translating all of them into Navajo. Because Navajo is a historically oral language and many who speak it cannot read it, the goal was to come up with an audio translation that voters who are not proficient in English could listen to at the polls. Several of the proposals on the ballot are hotly contested, from abortion rights to open primary elections. While the English language used to describe those propositions has been the subject of debate in the press, public, and courts, the translations into Navajo and other languages receive little attention or public scrutiny, even though they are covered by federal law. Section 203 of the federal Voting Rights Act requires places around the country to translate election information into specific languages if they have significant numbers of residents who share a common language and dont understand English well, or if they meet other criteria. More than 100 counties or municipalities in 12 states are now required under the law to translate ballots into one or more Native languages. Nationwide, ballots are translated into more than 12 different Indigenous languages. Multiple Arizona counties fall under the law, including seven counties subject to Native language requirements. Some counties are required to translate into multiple Native languages, including Navajo, Hopi and Apache. Some exceptions have been granted to counties for Paiute and Pueblo translation requirements, officials said. The Hopi and Navajo translations are done by the state, and three counties separately handle translations into Apache. Its a challenge to do these translations, and do them correctly, especially for counties such as those in Arizona that must translate historically oral languages. Over the years, courts in Arizona and elsewhere in the country have found that election officials havent done enough for such voters and have ordered them to do more. The translations in Arizona this year largely took place in private meetings, such as the Navajo gathering, held over two days at the Coconino County Elections Center. The publics view into the translation process is limited. A Votebeat reporter accompanied by a videographer obtained advance permission from the Arizona Secretary of States Office to sit in on the second day of the Navajo meeting, and were allowed to watch, after briefly being barred from attending. The meeting provided a window into the complexity of the process, as well as the limits of Arizonas efforts to make elections fully accessible to Navajo speakers. Navajo vote is pivotal Navajo-speaking voters are a closely watched group. High turnout from the Navajo Nation which sweeps across the northeast portion of Arizona before stretching into Utah, Colorado and New Mexico has heavily influenced the outcome of some statewide elections. In 2020, Indigenous voters were a critical voting bloc that helped decide the presidential election in favor of Joe Biden in this swing state, and their choices could determine the fate of high-profile ballot measures this year. Around 71,000 Arizonans of voting age speak Navajo, and about one in 10 of them arent fluent in English, according to a Votebeat analysis of 2022 U.S. Census estimates. View the original article to see embedded media. Navajo voters who dont speak English well may get less information this election than voters who do. A 2019 settlement agreement between the Arizona Secretary of States Office and the Navajo Nation requires the office to use certified Navajo translators to coordinate and make available a translation of all text describing each proposition that is included within each elections publicity pamphlet, an English-language guide the secretary of state sends to all voters before each election. The full text in that guide includes not only the text of the ballot measure as it appears on the ballot which has to be very short, under state law but also a full separate description of what a yes or no vote on the measure would mean. Those yes/no descriptions are also provided to voters in their mail ballot packet, or as a handout at the polls. But attendees at the Navajo translation meeting discussed only the proposition text on the ballot, not the additional yes/no descriptions. Secretary of States Office spokesperson JP Martin said the counties were provided a translation of the yes/no section. Its unclear whether voters will be provided with a uniform translation in the form of an audio recording. Asked why the Navajo meetings were closed to the public, Martin wrote in an emailed response that it minimized disruptions and allow interpreters to focus on their work. Leonard Gorman, Dine, the executive director of the Office of the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission, said he has repeatedly found problems with the state translations over the years. He wasnt permitted to attend the Navajo translation meetings. Navajo-speaking voters will not understand what they are voting for if the translation is flawed, Gorman said. That is not what Section 203 is about. The Navajo Nation Office of the President did not receive an invitation to the meeting, either, according to George Hardeen, a spokesperson. Sensitivity over abortion complicates translations This year, the Arizonas Secretary of States Office hired translators and helped develop uniform ballot translations for Spanish, Navajo, and Hopi, but not for Apache. The three counties that must translate into Apache will handle the requirement on their own. Martin did not directly answer a question about whether the office was assisting with those translations. If its not, the four counties would have to arrange translations for those languages on their own. The one county required to translate into Pueblo, Apache County, was told by the Pueblo governor it is not necessary, said elections director Rita Vaughan. The Navajo translation is supposed to be used to train bilingual poll workers on the reservation. An audio recording of the final translation is also available on the accessible voting device at each polling location, so voters can listen to it if they choose. Final election results in Arizona in 2020 show enthusiasm was high among voters in Indian Country, where some said they were especially motivated because of the pandemic and issues of race. Turnout was significantly higher in places like Apache County, home to parts of the Navajo Nation and the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. (Photo by Franco LaTona/Cronkite News) The careful conversations and sensitivity to language throughout the Navajo translation meeting hinted at the complications inherent in translating from English to Navajo. Translating one English word often requires creating a multi-word Navajo phrase that aims to capture its meaning. There are typically multiple ways to translate something, especially terms commonly used in elections. The culturally sensitive topics on the ballot this year made agreeing on the proper Navajo translation even more complex, according to some of the county officials who participated. Take Proposition 139, which would guarantee abortion rights for Arizona residents. Navajo culture traditionally does not approve of abortions, said Melvatha Chee, an assistant professor of linguistics at the University of New Mexico and director of its Navajo language program. Some interpreters will intentionally soften language on topics such as abortion when translating into Navajo, in an effort to avoid offending anyone, Chee said. Chee, Dine, who has helped translate ballots for New Mexico but wasnt part of the Arizona discussions, said that could mislead voters about what the proposed change to state law would do. Chee listened to a recording provided by Votebeat of the draft form of the Navajo translation of the abortion proposition discussed at the meeting. In it, the word abortion, which doesnt have a direct counterpart in Navajo, was translated to awee' too atsa haaleeji. Chee said she was concerned Navajo voters could believe the phrase referred to a miscarriage rather than an abortion. So this word, atsa haaleeji, is flushed out of the belly, like it flowed out like liquid. That is what that means. And that describes a miscarriage, Chee said. That is not an abortion. An abortion is, someone goes in there, and they remove a fetus. So, right away, you can tell that cultural sensitivity, that cultural aspect of that, is already showing up in the first four words of this translation. She said changing the verb construction would better convey the idea that a deliberate action was causing the fetus to come out. She said that she frequently hears from Navajo interpreters that they dont want to use certain language. Karen Shupla, who is Hopi and is the Coconino County Recorders Office Hopi translator, said her own personal view on abortion meant she had a mental block as she tried to participate in the Navajo translation meeting, and she had to set aside her own feelings. I had to be open, she said. I cant be personal on these propositions. Isaura Nez, Dine, Navajo Countys voter outreach coordinator, said there were also sensitive questions when translating Proposition 313, which would change the punishment for child sex trafficking. She said she didnt believe the description of sex trafficking should use the word for rape. We had to go back and revisit that one, she said. We went round and round with it, because saying rape was a lot harsher, I thought. Translation gaps persist County officials came to the meeting with a Navajo language elections glossary and dozens of pages of handwritten notes, and debated extensively even over words as anodyne as border or economic opportunity. After the meeting, Shupla stressed how important it was to get the translation exactly right. But despite the groups diligence, theres no guarantee that voters and their advocates will be satisfied with the outcome. Since at least 2016, Gorman, of the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission, has been monitoring the language assistance offered to Navajo voters. In all those years, he said, he has not issued a positive report. In 2018, just after the November midterm election, the Navajo Nation filed a sweeping lawsuit against the state and Apache, Coconino, and Navajo counties, claiming, among other things, that the counties did not provide sufficient Navajo translation resources. The counties and state settled the case, each signing separate agreements with the Navajo Nation. Navajo County agreed to continue providing translators at each polling place on the Navajo Nation, to make sure at least one person is available to translate at early voting sites, and to continue to provide an interpreter's guide. The county also must use a trained translator or interpreter to train poll workers on providing effective language assistance to Navajo-speaking voters. The Secretary of States Office believes those agreements have led to improved oral translation services at voting sites. The agreements have guided more structured and proactive approaches, ensuring compliance and addressing potential issues before they arise, Martin told Votebeat. The states settlement in the case requires a Navajo translation of the full proposition language in the pamphlet, including the text of the ballot measures as they appear on the ballot, as well as the yes/no language. During the August meeting, Nez from Navajo County and Shupla from Coconino County both told Colleen Connor, policy director in the Secretary of States Office, that they were concerned that they werent discussing the translation for the yes/no language, which they said contained important details. That part will be handed to voters at the polls in English. Shupla told Connor that just providing the ballot translation, without the yes/no section, could be misleading, and she worried the counties would get backlash from voters. I can hear one person already saying, Why didnt you provide us the full information? You misled us, Shupla said. Connor, who attended the meeting via video, responded to their concerns by saying that she agreed that the separate language provides a better explanation of all components of the ballot measure, but did not explain why they were not discussing the translation. Coconino County Recorder Patty Hansen said in an email after the meeting that the countys staff will make sure that the interpreters are trained so that the voter will understand what the question is and what a yes and no vote means. It may not be done in the same manner as what is on the English language ballot, she added. Allison Neswood, Dine, a lawyer for the Native American Rights Fund who litigates Section 203 violations, said she believes that, for historically unwritten languages such as Navajo, the law requires election officials to orally translate into Navajo any election material available in English. Neswood said that if Arizona wants to allow for meaningful participation the standard set in the federal law it should be translating the full pamphlet. She said an exception in the law that election officials do not have to offer a written translation for historically unwritten languages has allowed counties to get out of the full scope of the program. Neswood pointed to a 2013 case in Alaska, where the Native American Rights Fund represented Alaska Native groups and residents in a lawsuit claiming the state wasnt honoring an agreement to translate election information into Alaska Native languages. In that case, Neswood said, the plaintiffs pointed out how English voters were offered a pamphlet more than 100 pages long explaining the candidates and ballot initiatives, while speakers of Alaska Native languages received just one page stating where and when to vote. The judge looked at that and said this is completely wrong, she said. The judge then ordered that the state translate the entire pamphlet, and all other election material offered in English. Asked to respond to the idea that Arizona should be translating more materials, Martin, the Secretary of States Office spokesperson, said the state is committed to seeing that all voters covered by Section 203 receive the assistance they deserve. When feasible and beneficial for the community, written translations of voter education and informational materials are also made available, he wrote. Can language assistance improve? Gorman, from the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission, said in an interview that the settlement agreements have not led to improved language assistance for Navajo voters. After the November 2022 election, he sharply criticized the translation provided at the polls, in an email that was forwarded to the Secretary of States Office. In the email, which Votebeat obtained through a public records request, Gorman said he had trouble understanding the translation, even though he is proficient in both Navajo and English. That was particularly the case when he tried listening to the audio recording on the device at his polling place, he wrote. For example, he wrote, the instructions explaining how many candidates a voter can choose from were translated in Navajo as something like there are two, with no further context. Not many voters actually rely on that recording, according to county officials and Native voting advocates. Nez, in Navajo County, said it takes a long time to listen to the whole thing. She predicts that will especially be true this November, since the ballot is unusually long. Navajo elders are more likely to need help at the polls, Nez said. Many of them bring family to the polls to help them, she said, or call on the translators. That reinforces findings in the U.S. Census data, which shows that nearly all of the Navajo speakers in the state who dont speak any English are over the age of 65. A lot of them are going to say, I dont want to do this, whatever, just vote no, or just vote yes, Nez said. Neswood said she believes a close look at how counties around the country are providing language assistance would show that most of them are not meeting federal law, especially in the Native language context, though she acknowledged that doing so is challenging. She said she believes Congress needs to change Section 203 so that Indigenous voters receive adequate language assistance. For example, she said, traditionally spoken languages should be treated the same under the law as written languages, but a tribe could opt out of a written translation. Neswood also recommends requiring written translations for use by translators who will be helping voters. And she believes that election material provided by the secretary of state should be explicitly covered by translation requirements, along with county material and ballots. I dont think thats clear enough in statute, she said. Chee, the linguistics professor, said that counties should hire more than one professional translator, so that they can review one anothers work. The translations they use should include all proper context and be as thorough as possible. Otherwise, Chee said, she imagines a scenario where an elderly Navajo voter might ask a question, and before you know it, the poll worker might be telling a story that might not be true. Jen Fifield is a reporter for Votebeat based in Arizona. Contact Jen at jfifield@votebeat.org. Sign up for Votebeat Arizonas free newsletter here. Votebeat data journalists Kae Petrin and Thomas Wilburn contributed. Video: Shannon Spencer, Elaine Cromie and Jen Fifield. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Lawmakers are continuing to discuss recommendations on potential changes to gun laws in Arkansas. In Mondays Arkansas Legislative Council-Game & Fish/State Police committee meeting, legislators focused on gun laws as part of a year-long study thats been conducted in the state. Arkansas lawmakers look at gun laws, consider recommendations from attorney general Discussion at the meeting centered around multiple topics, including clarifying the word journey in laws that give a person the right to carry a handgun after leaving their home either on foot, bicycle or vehicle. Lawmakers are also looking to remove the word enhanced in reference to the states concealed carry license. They have not yet settled on which version of the rules will accompany that change. Discussion also focused on conflicting state and federal laws regarding the age requirement for concealed carry, with federal law being age 21 and state being 18. Arkansas Supreme Court rules lawyers can bring guns into courthouses but not courtrooms Though no changes are up for consideration to this law, State Rep. Tippi McCullough (D-Little Rock) and people speaking out in public comment expressed concern over current state law allowing firearms at bus stops. I think thats definitely a red flag that we all need to be concerned about, McCullough said. That might be a different issue for someone that lives in a rural area versus an urban area. State Sen. Justin Boyd (R-Fort Smith) said that is something that needs continued discussion. Theres a lot of public discussion on this issue, bus stops, he said. I think that were trying to work through clarity and were trying to find the right balance of rural versus urban and what exactly is a bus stop. What does that mean? Is it covered by federal law? Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin co-leading 21-state lawsuit challenging ATF on new gun show loophole rule The committee will continue discussing this at their next meeting on Oct. 3 and will then hand over the recommendations to the Arkansas Legislative Council. After that, itll still be up to the whole legislative body on whether or not to pass these changes in the 2025 session. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Its Tuesday, September 17. Take a look at our top stories with KELOLAND On The GO. Another school threat surfaced on Monday to Arlington School District, according to a social media post from the Kingsbury County Sheriffs office. School threat to Arlington School District Monday An Aberdeen man has been indicted on seven counts of computer-generated child porn. Aberdeen man indicted on computer-generated child porn Scattered showers and thunderstorms this morning are moving northeast. Some may contain brief heavy rainfall. Active pattern ahead House Speaker Mike Johnson will move ahead with a temporary spending bill that would prevent a partial government shutdown when the new budget year begins on Oct. 1, despite the headwinds that prompted him to pull the bill from consideration last week. Speaker Johnson sets House vote on government funding bill after a one-week postponement The Senate will vote for the second time this year on whether to consider legislation that would establish a nationwide right to in vitro fertilization Democrats latest election-year attempt to force Republicans into a defensive stance on womens health issues. Senate to vote again on IVF fertility protections in election-year push Download the KELOLAND News app to find the latest headlines while on the go. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Roughly 1 million Ukrainians and Russians have been killed or wounded in Moscow's all-out war against Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Sept. 17, citing undisclosed sources and Western intelligence estimates. Kyiv and Moscow have mostly avoided commenting on the casualties their forces suffered during the war, which has been ongoing for two and half years. A "confidential Ukrainian estimate from earlier this year" put Kyiv's losses at 80,000 soldiers killed and 400,000 wounded, the WSJ wrote, citing undisclosed sources. President Volodymyr Zelensky presented a much lower number of military fatalities in February - 31,000. He did not reveal the number of wounded troops. Western intelligence estimates cited by the WSJ placed Russian losses at up to 200,000 dead and 400,000 wounded. This is close to Kyiv's estimates on Moscow's casualties, which is over 635,000 killed and wounded as of Sept. 17. Read also: Demographic disaster: Ukraines biggest post-war threat Leaking Pentagon documents reported on by The Economist in July suggest that Russian losses could be even more serious, with the highest estimate being 728,000 troops killed, injured, or captured. Moscow has not disclosed its casualties during the war. The last figure provided by Russian authorities was 5,937 killed soldiers as of September 2022. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. Both Ukraine and Russia have sought to replenish the ranks of their militaries as there appears to be no end of the war in sight. Kyiv adopted new legislation on mobilization in the spring, lowering the conscription age from 27 to 25 and imposing stricter penalties for dodging draft. In turn, Russia carried out a partial mobilization in September 2022 and, according to Ukraine's intelligence, continues "covertly" drafting roughly 30,000 troops every month. Moscow primarily targets residents of economically weaker regions and migrants rather than men from wealthy urban centers to avoid discontent and an economic downturn. The war brought a demographic shock to both countries, already struggling with population growth. An estimated 14 million Ukrainians have been displaced by the war, including nearly 6.5 million who fled or were forced out abroad. Around 650,000 Russians have permanently relocated abroad since the start of the invasion in 2022, motivated by fears of draft or opposition to the war. Read also: As Russian losses in Ukraine hit 500,000, Putin buries future demographic risks at home Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Around 40% of those released from Russian captivity are people who were reported missing Ukraine's Human Rights Commissioner Lack of prisoner-of-war status does not affect the return process. Photo: Lubinets on Telegram Almost 40% of the people whom Ukraine managed to bring back from Russian captivity are those who had the status of missing persons under special circumstances and whose detention in Russia was not confirmed by the International Committee of the Red Cross. Source: Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliamentary Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman), during a meeting with the families of prisoners of war and missing persons Quote: "For us, there is no legal distinction between them and those who have the status of prisoners of war. We are making every effort to bring back each and every one of them." Details: A soldier is considered missing if they have not come back from a combat mission, their status as a prisoner of war has not been confirmed, or if neither their brothers-in-arms nor their relatives have received their body. Even if their brothers-in-arms witnessed how the Russians took him/her captive, the fighter has the missing in action status until other information is confirmed by the International Committee of the Red Cross or another source. In addition, personal data about a soldier held by a military unit may differ from the information about him/her in the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War or other government agencies. However, the confirmed or unconfirmed status of a prisoner of war does not affect the prisoner swap process. Background: Earlier, Lubinets stated that more than 14,000 Ukrainian civilians were being held in Russian captivity, and it is even more difficult to release them than children or military personnel. At the same time, Ukraine has captured a sufficient number of Russian soldiers to conduct prisoner swaps and bring home Ukrainian defenders. Support UP or become our patron! JUNCTION CITY (KSNT) Police arrested a juvenile following alleged threats to USD 475. On Wednesday, Sept. 11, the Junction City Police Department (JCPD) learned of threats made on TikTok against the Junction City Middle School. According to the police department, the threats were made as part of a state-wide trend. Later they deemed the threat unfounded. On Friday, Sept. 13, the JCPD learned of other social media activity that included a list of names and staff from USD 475 that was posted on Snapchat. After an investigation that went on throughout the weekend, police identified a juvenile who they believed to be responsible for the post, according to the JCPD. The police arrested the juvenile on charges of aggravated criminal threat, a level 5 felony and was later released to their parents. Three hospitalized after car vs. cow crash in Lyon Co. The investigation remains ongoing, with detectives planning additional interviews in the coming days and weeks, the JCPD wrote in a press release. Due to the age of the individuals involved and the active nature of the investigation, no names or further information will be released at this time. The JCPD said that based on their findings the threat of violence wasnt believed to be credible. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Donald Trump has claimed that Kamala Harriss rhetoric is to blame for the attempt on his life - AP When Donald Trump emerged, bloodied but unbowed, from a would-be assassins line of fire in July, he had a message for America. The nation, he said, should stand united, and show our true character as Americans following the shooting at his rally in Pennsylvania. His conciliatory tone appeared to heed the advice of his senior campaign aides, who, insiders say, were acutely attuned to the mood of the undecided voters who will determine Novembers election. The critical constituency includes voters who, frustrated with the rising cost of living, are considering casting their ballots for Trump, but are wary of the chaos that engulfed his first term. It is shocking that, just two months on, Trump and his campaign have been forced to consider their messaging in response to yet another apparent attempt on his life. But this time around, the Republican candidate has taken a very different tack. He pointed the finger of blame squarely at Kamala Harris and Joe Biden. Their rhetoric, he said, was quite literally sending bullets... flying. The claim may strike some as ironic, coming from a bombastic former president whose ad-hominem attacks are a hallmark of his political brand. But it could also be a strategic error, with polls suggesting Trump holds the upper hand among voters on the two issues they have identified as their top concerns: immigration and the economy. In his tirade against his opponents on Monday, Trump railed against not just Ms Harris, but the rigged and highly partisan debate he claims ABC News conducted last week. He drew a connection between the Democrats and the numerous criminal and civil cases against him, to claim the countrys politics had reached a whole new level of hatred, abuse and distrust. It was an angry message that resonated with his most ardent supporters. The more outspoken have already speculated, without evidence, that the two incidents involving Trump may not be the product of lone wolves. It echoes Trumps narrative of a deep state establishment whose machinery is set against him. Theyre not coming after me, theyre coming after you, is his common refrain. Yet it also risks alienating the moderate, swing voters who the Republican candidate must reach if he is to prevail in November and win back the White House. Ms Harris, meanwhile, is shrewdly pursuing the same group. In recent days her campaign has secured the endorsement of more than a dozen former staffers of Ronald Reagan, even claiming the late revered Republican president would have supported her. And yet, it is Trump who is best positioned to echo Reagans winning campaign line: Are you better off today than you were four years ago? Stark figures from the Federal Reserve in the last few days reveal the highest rate of Americans struggling with credit card bills in over a decade. With 50 days until election day, the polls show no clear leader in the race. Trumps advisers know that focusing on substantive issues offers their best route to success, and they cannot afford any distractions. Whether or not they can get their candidate to stay on message remains to be seen. 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) -- Microsoft Corp. and G42 are establishing two artificial intelligence centers in Abu Dhabi, months after they inked a $1.5 billion deal and the United Arab Emirates firm agreed to divest from China. Most Read from Bloomberg One center will help develop best practices and industry standards for the responsible use of AI, according to a statement Tuesday. The US firm will also open its first AI for Good Research Lab in the region to support social goals, including advancing food security and strengthening climate resilience. We are committed to additional steps with G42 that advance responsible AI use for customers and that strengthen the relationship not only between our two companies, but between our two countries, Brad Smith, vice chairman and president of Microsoft, said in a statement. The moves build on Microsofts partnership with G42, which is seeking to become an AI superpower in the Middle East. Its part of the $1.5 trillion empire of Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whos one of Abu Dhabis deputy rulers, national security adviser of the UAE and brother to its president. G42 has also teamed up with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, which is looking to expand in the Gulf region. The Abu Dhabi-based firm has drawn criticism in Washington in the past, with one lawmaker calling for sanctions citing alleged links to Chinese businesses including Huawei Technologies Co. G42 denied it had connections to the Chinese government and their military industrial complex. Also Read: Middle Easts Emerging AI Powerhouse G42 Chooses US Over China The US has limited chip exports to the Middle East in part due to concerns that Chinese companies, which are largely cut off from cutting-edge American technology, could access them through data centers in the Middle East. The UAEs minister for artificial intelligence told Bloomberg Television in June that US concerns were justified. Still, Semafor reported earlier this month that the US had approved the sale of Nvidia Corp. chips to the Abu Dhabi firm. Also Read: Abu Dhabis Lunate Said to Take On AI Firm G42s China Fund G42 will adopt processes to harden AI systems against probing, testing and attacks in connection with the commitments made to the US and UAE governments, according to the joint statement. Story continues Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. ATLANTA - An Atlanta-area mom is mad at Delta Air Lines response to a security breach on an August flight. The mother says her family was stalked by a man at a Washington D.C. airport who eventually snuck onto their Delta plane to Atlanta without a boarding pass for that flight. FOX 5 told you about the story last month, but now the family says Delta told her the man was just simply confused, but she says that is just plain wrong. "My husband and I have a vastly different interpretation of reality than what Delta's interpretation of reality is," said Lauren Benton. Benton says on August 4, a man followed her family around the terminal at Washington Dulles International Airport before their flight. At one point, she says he was in the womens bathroom with her and one of her young daughters. Then she says he stalked them onto their plane to Atlanta. She told a flight attendant and said it turned out he was supposed to fly another airline to a different destination. "My daughters at the time were panicking, crying, scared that the man was going to harm them," Benton said. RELATED: Suspected stalker follows Atlanta family onto plane at DC airport Benton says in the weeks since the flight, Delta told her the person was able to get past a gate agent while they were busy, but says they blamed the situation on the passenger being "confused and had diminished mental capacity." Benton disputes that and says his behavior and responses to their questions werent one of confusion. She says she was told the man was supposed to meet his family at another gate. "They are minimizing the severity of the issue to protect their brand and their employees," Benton said. Lauren Benton says she and her family were stalked at Washington Dulles International Airport with the person even following them onto a Delta Air Lines plane even though he did not have a boarding pass for that flight. (Supplied) Benton says she does not believe Delta took the situation seriously. She says each family member was given a $500 gift card as an apology, but says it is not about the money because her familys sense of safety was shattered that day. "They're apologizing and they're acknowledging the anxiety that it caused, to say that the man was confused really seems to discredit the emotional turmoil that it caused my children in particular," Benton said. FOX 5 reached out to Delta for an update on this story, but the airline declined to comment. In a previous statement, the airline said they have processes in place to prevent unauthorized people from being onboard flights. As for the man in question, he was not charged by police that day. Atlanta police want to identify 2 persons of interest in home burglary Atlanta police want to identify two men they consider to be persons of interest in a home burglary. On Sept. 1, police responded to a report of an alarm at a home on Pine Crest Drive NE. Officers discovered that the home had forcibly been broken into. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The homeowner reported that multiple items were stolen. If you recognize the men, police ask you to submit a tip through Crime Stoppers Atlanta by calling 404-577-8477, online at www.StopCrimeAtl.org, or by texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES (274637). Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 for the arrest and indictment of the suspects. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Attorney who formerly operated GA real estate firm pleads guilty to financial crimes An attorney who formerly operated a Georgia-based real estate law firm has pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining nearly $300,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) during the COVID-19 pandemic and laundering over $250,000 for investor fraud schemes. According to U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, between August 2020 and March 2021, Sanjay Patel, 45, of Mobile, Alabama, submitted four fraudulent EIDL loan applications to the Small Business Administration (SBA) asking for at least $421,000 to operate his business, including his law practice, Worden & Associates. On the applications, Patel repeatedly lied about the number of employees his law firm employed, its gross revenues, and at least one application, the existence of his business. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The SBA funded two of his loans totaling about $300,000. Instead of spending the funds on things like payroll, rent or mortgage, utilities, and other ordinary business expenses, Patel spent the loan money on various things, including spending money at casinos, personal expenses, and payments towards non-business loans. In addition to the fraudulent loans, Patel used his Interest on Lawyer Trust Account (IOLTA) to launder money from various investment frauds. On May 14, 2020, Patel received $350,000 from an investor who believed the funds were going to be used for an energy project. But Patel immediately wired $250,000 to someone unrelated to the investment. Although Patel was not involved in the fraudulent activity, he knew the funds were derived from investor fraud schemes. Patel will be sentenced on Dec. 12, 2024. A booking photo is unavailable because Patel faces federal charges. Booking photos are not taken in the federal system. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) An audit has accused the late Ontario County Clerk Matthew Hoose of embezzling nearly a half-million dollars. The investigation began after the Department of State noticed delayed reports and payments from Hoose. In February 2023, the Ontario County Board of Supervisors passed a no-confidence vote against Hoose, and announced an independent audit would be initiated. Hoose passed away a few days later, which delayed the audit to March. The Bonadio Group was hired to conduct the audit. They confirmed not only that Hoose was delinquent in filing reports and payments, but he stole over $453,000 over a period of ten years. Investigators said the thefts began in August 2012 eight months after Hoose took office. It was alleged that Hoose put received checks into the DMV deposit and removed an offsetting amount of cash to ensure the deposit was correct. This practice continued until his death in 2023. After the New York State Police launched an investigation into the matter, it was determined that Hoose acted alone and the employees of the County Clerks Office were not involved. The County says it has no legal way at this time to recover the stolen money. The full report can be read below: Ontario-County-Clerk-ReportDownload Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATE TUESDAY SEPT. 17 12:03 A.M. FROM THE AUGUSTA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE: FISHERSVILLE The Augusta County Sheriffs Office received information about a threat targeting Wilson Memorial High School on Monday at approximately 6:05 p.m. The threatening posts alleged gun violence at the school would occur on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Per a release from the Augusta County Sheriff's Office, the threats mirrored the same messages that targeted Harrisonburg City Schools Monday. The threatening posts appeared to follow the same format, per the Sheriff's Office. "It was quickly determined that the threats originated from the same SnapChat profile as the threats that targeted Harrisonburg City Schools," said the Sheriff's Office. "The Harrisonburg City Police Department has the juvenile in custody that is responsible for posting these threats." The Sheriff's Office said that, at this time, there is no threat to any of the schools in the Wilson complex. "Students, faculty, parents and our community can be assured that the individual responsible for these threatening messages is in custody at this time," the Sheriff's Office said. Out of an abundance of caution, there will be an increased police presence around the Wilson Complex throughout the day Tuesday. I know these types of threats and messages bring great fear, anxiety, and uncertainty to our community," said Sheriff Donald Smith. "Please know that the Augusta County Sheriffs Office and Central Office works extremely hard to keep our community and schools safe at all times. If the origin was not determined, we would be cancelling school." ORIGINAL POST MONDAY SEPT. 16: FISHERSVILLE A threat posted on social media targeting Wilson Memorial High School is being investigated by the Augusta County Sheriffs Office. A press release said the threat was posted Monday evening. The Augusta County Sheriffs Office said they are in contact with Augusta County Public Schools and administration at Wilson Memorial. "The Sheriffs Office is working diligently to investigate the origin of this threat," the release said. Per the Sheriff's Office, additional information will be released as it becomes available. This is an ongoing investigation at this time, we will update our community as soon as possible, said Sheriff Donald Smith. This is the third threat to Augusta County Public Schools in less than three weeks. On Aug. 30, information was received that a student was threatening to shoot up an unnamed Augusta County school. A spokesperson for the sheriff's office said they were not naming the school at the time because it was before school was in session, therefore there was no threat to the school. That same day, Friday, Aug. 30, school administration at Fort Defiance High School were notified about a student who said that there was a bomb, according to law enforcement. Just north of Augusta County a threat closed Harrisonburg and Rocktown high schools Monday as law enforcement investigated a threat made against Harrisonburg High School. More: What can Shenandoah Valley expect when a potential tropical storm arrives in Virginia? More: 35th annual African-American Heritage & Multicultural Festival happening this weekend Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com. This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Augusta County Sheriff: Threat to Wilson Memorial High School being investigated (Bloomberg) -- Australia has reached a trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates that is expected to boost shipments of agricultural products and resources, as well as provide Abu Dhabi with greater access to investment in green energy and critical minerals. Most Read from Bloomberg Trade Minister Don Farrell announced the accord at a press conference in Canberra on Tuesday, marking the center-left Labor governments first trade pact since coming to office in May 2022. The deal is expected to boost Australian exports by A$678 million ($458 million) annually, Farrell said. In addition to the trade benefits, the deal may help unlock UAE investment in important policy areas such as Australias shift to renewable energy and building supply chains of critical minerals, Farrell said. Where theres been a free trade agreement with the UAE, the sovereign wealth fund has followed, Farrell told reporters. Im absolutely certain because of the interest in the critical minerals space by so many countries, including the UAE, that well get lots and lots of extra investment. The trade deal comes after two years of difficult negotiations between Australia and the European Union in an attempt to strike a free trade accord. The talks eventually fell apart in October 2023 over differences around access to EU markets for Australias agricultural produce. Both sides blamed each other for the breakdown in talks, which are unlikely to come to any conclusion before Australias election due by May 2025. Farrell has also been working to strike a full free trade agreement with India. What this agreement shows is that Australia is not the problem in terms of free trade agreements, Farrell said. We can enter free trade agreements where the deal is the right one for Australia. --With assistance from Zoe Ma. (Updates with comments from ministers press conference) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. This handout image courtesy of the Innocence Project shows Robert Roberson photographed through plexiglass at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Texas, on December 19, 2023 (Ilana Panich-Linsman) (Ilana Panich-Linsman/Innocence Project/AFP) Lawmakers in Texas, medical experts and the best-selling novelist John Grisham are pushing to save an autistic death row inmate whose daughter died in 2002 in a tragedy blamed on shaken baby syndrome. Robert Roberson, 57, is scheduled to be executed on October 17 for the death of his two-year-old daughter Nikki in 2002. Roberson took the girl to a hospital with severe head trauma and the child died the next day. Lawyers for Roberson filed papers Tuesday with Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles seeking clemency, or failing that, a 180-day stay of execution. They argued that the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome, made at the hospital where the child died, was erroneous. In a letter to Texas officials, 34 doctors argued that the cause of death was in fact severe pneumonia, aggravated by the little girl's being prescribed the wrong medication. The appeal also argues that Roberson's autism, which was not officially diagnosed until 2018, was misconstrued at the time as showing indifference to the death of the toddler and that this perception weighed heavily in his conviction. "What's amazing about Robert's case is that there was no crime," Grisham, author of best-selling thrillers such as "The Firm" and "A Time to Kill," told a news conference. Grisham is a former lawyer who has been active in fighting cases of wrongful conviction. "When you get into wrongful convictions you realize how many innocent people are in prison and how we could stop it, if we had the political gumption to do so. These cases really keep me awake at night," he said. Roberson's attorney, Gretchen Sween, said "the state of Texas is preparing, in essence, to execute Forrest Gump." She was alluding to the gentle, mildly disabled character played by Tom Hanks in the 1994 film of the same name. Sween argued that during the medical crisis involving his daughter, Roberson "shut down, and his external lack of affect was judged as a lack of caring." Former police officer Brian Wharton, who led the investigation at the time, said the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome "led the investigation from that point forward to the exclusion of all other possibilities." "Knowing everything that I know now, I am firmly convinced that Robert is an innocent man," said Wharton, who is now a Methodist minister. Wharton said that for the rest of his life he will regret his role in Roberson's arrest and prosecution. Eighty-four Texas lawmakers signed a letter in support of the request for clemency for Roberson, more than a third of them Republicans. These legislators said they are acting out of "grave concern that Texas may put him to death for a crime that did not occur, as new evidence suggests." sst/mdz/dw/st Photo by Getty Images With fewer than two months to go until the election, uncertainty still surrounds the fate of a ballot measure that would ask voters to do away with Arizonas partisan primary elections. And the Arizona Supreme Court just added to the confusion. On Monday, the states high court vacated a statement from its Aug. 23 ruling that said if a trial court determines that the Make Elections Fair Act did not collect enough voter signatures, the judge should order the Secretary of State not to count the votes for it. Its clearly been extremely deleterious to our campaign, to put this uncertainty around an issue that has already been ordered on the ballot, Chuck Coughlin, whose public affairs firm, Highground, is leading the campaign behind the act, told the Arizona Mirror. And its unfair to us. Its a violation, in my opinion, of civil rights. And well argue that in front of the court. The ballots have already been printed, with the Make Elections Fair Act, also known as Proposition 140, already on them. The only question is whether votes cast for the proposition will be counted. The Make Elections Fair Arizona Act, one of two citizen initiatives that made it onto the November ballot, would amend the Arizona Constitution to create an open primary system where all candidates for federal, state and local offices would face off in a single primary election in place of segregated partisan elections. Those primaries would include all candidates who qualify for the ballot, whether they are affiliated with a political party, or not. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The goal of the campaign behind the act is to eliminate partisan influence in elections. A trial court judge already approved Prop. 140 to be placed on the November ballot, saying the political action committee behind it had gathered 40,000 more voter signatures than necessary. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Frank Moskowitz initially declined to hear evidence from an opposition group who claimed that Make Elections Fair had not, in fact, collected enough signatures to make the ballot. But the Arizona Supreme Court overturned that decision and told Moskowitz to reopen the case. On Wednesday, Moskowitz is set to consider evidence that opponents of the proposition allege shows that Make Elections Fair submitted too many duplicate signatures. In the same order, the high court also wrote that, if the trial court determined Prop. 140 had insufficient signatures to make the ballot, Moskowitz should order Secretary of State Adrian Fontes not to count any vote for the proposition. Both Fontes, a Democrat, and the campaign behind Make Elections Fair argued to the Arizona Supreme Court that allowing a court challenge to continue after ballots were printed upended 80 years of the courts own precedents and its own rules. It would also disenfranchise voters, to allow them to mark their choice for or against the proposition, and then decide not to count them, Fontes and the campaign both argued. In the order issued Monday, the high courts Chief Justice Ann Timmer wrote that the campaign behind Make Elections Fair should get the chance to make its argument to the trial court that an order telling Fontes not to count the votes would disenfranchise voters. The issue should be decided in the first instance by the trial court and would benefit from full briefing and argument, Timmer wrote. Coughlin is optimistic that the issue will be resolved before its necessary for Make Elections Fair to argue that point. A random sample of the more than 560,000 signatures collected for the proposition determined that more than enough were valid to make it onto the ballot. The group challenging the Make Elections Fair Act the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, along with three voters has argued that more than 40,000 of the signatures they collected were actually duplicates, making them invalid. That would ultimately bring down the signature validity rate for the proposition and disqualify it for the ballot, they argued to the court. Coughlin told the Mirror that around 9,000 of those challenged signatures had already been eliminated and did not count toward the total that got the act on the ballot. You cant eliminate them twice, he said. And thats what this is about. We feel good about the math. We cant envision an environment where we dont win on that. Those who oppose the Make Elections Fair Act take issue with its allowance of ranked choice voting in general elections, wherein voters rank their choices if there are multiple candidates they like running for the same office. But Prop. 140 only allows for the possibility of ranked choice voting in the general election, giving the Arizona Legislature the final say on what those elections would look like. Attorneys representing the challengers did not respond to a request for comment from the Mirror. But in a post on X last week, the Arizona Free Enterprise Club accused Fontes of using taxpayers funds to make a politically motivated argument that the vote for Make Elections Fair Act should be counted, no matter what. Fontes office told the Mirror last week that his argument to the court was based on decades of the Arizona Supreme Courts own precedents, as well as state statute. Moskowitz is set to hear evidence from the opponents of Prop. 140 on Wednesday. The Make Election Fair Act campaign will only have to argue on the issue of possible voter disenfranchisement if the judge determines that it didnt collect enough signatures. Coughlin told the Mirror that he expects the judge to make a ruling this week. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Igor Malka fell from height after a scissor lift was pushed over by a nearby crane [Family handout] Construction giant Balfour Beatty has been fined 285,000 after a worker died during the building of a university facility. Igor Malka, 62, fell 10m to the ground while working on a scissor lift installing cladding for an engineering hall at the University of Birmingham. A second man, Edmund Vispulskis, suffered serious injuries when the machine was pushed over by a nearby crane. The firm admitted breaching health and safety regulations at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday. A Health and Safety Executive probe found the two victims, from Lithuania, might not have sustained their injuries if Balfour Beatty had implemented better controls. There was also no lift supervisor present at the time of the incident and on-site communication was poor, investigators added. Inspector Gareth Langston said the incident highlighted the importance of having proper plans in place. "This was a tragic incident that led to the death of a worker with another being seriously injured and still experiencing difficulties today as a result," he said. Balfour Beatty was ordered to pay 21,768 in costs on top of the fine. The University of Birmingham was not prosecuted by HSE. A Balfour Beatty spokesperson said: "Our heartfelt thoughts remain with Igor's family, friends, and colleagues. "The health and safety of our workforce will always be our primary concern. This tragic event has prompted further improvement to our processes and we have shared the lessons we have learnt across our business." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Related internet links When are ballots mailed out in Colorado? When are ballots mailed out in Colorado? Editors note: This story has been updated to clarify who is responsible for mailing ballots. DENVER (KDVR) While election day for the 2024 general election is Nov. 5, mail ballots in Colorado are sent out almost a month in advance. Every registered voter in the State of Colorado is sent a ballot through the mail. The county clerks will begin to send out ballots on Friday, Oct. 11, and ballots are required to be sent out by Oct. 18. Denver releases sample ballot for November election: Heres whats on it All ballots must be received by the county clerk by the 7 p.m. election day deadline. Postmark dates do not count, so mailed ballots should be sent in advance. People will be able to register and vote in person through 7 p.m. on election day, but there is a deadline for people to register and receive a mail-in ballot. The following is a timeline of important dates around the Nov. 5 election: Oct. 11 to Oct. 18 : Mail ballots are sent out. Oct. 21 : The first day that county drop boxes must be open. They will stay open until 7 p.m. on Nov. 5. Polling centers will also open on this day and remain open through election day. Oct. 28 : Last day to register to vote and receive a mail ballot. Anyone registering after this date has to vote in person. Nov. 5 Election Day. People can get in line to vote in person or drop off mail ballots until 7 p.m. Anyone who got in line before 7 p.m. will not be turned away and will be able to vote. Nov. 13: Deadline for voters to cure ballot defects (including missing signature, signature verification and missing IDs) Election officials statewide can begin to count mail-in ballots on Oct. 21, but results will not be released until after 7 p.m. on election day. How to register or confirm voter registration Anyone can register to vote online with a valid Colorado drivers license, state-issued ID card or the last four digits of their social security number. An application can also be submitted through the mail, at a voter registration agency or at a local drivers license exam facility. People can also register at a voter registration drive until Oct. 15. 14 statewide initiatives included on Colorados November ballot People can enter their name, zip code and birthday on the Colorado Secretary of State website to find out their voter registration status. This website can also be used to fix any potential issues, such as a wrong or outdated address. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DUBAI (Reuters) - Microsoft and United Arab Emirates-based artificial intelligence company G42 will open two centres in Abu Dhabi to work on "responsible" AI initiatives, the companies said on Tuesday. The UAE, led by government-backed firm G42, is striving to become a global leader in AI and is investing heavily in it to diversify away from oil. The push comes amid rising competition in the region as Qatar and Saudi Arabia pitch themselves as potential AI hubs outside the United States, as well as Washington's concerns over deepening ties between China and Gulf states over potential technology transfers to Beijing. The companies said the deal built on their April partnership, under which Microsoft is investing $1.5 billion in the Emirati firm. The first centre will bring together academic researchers and AI practitioners from the private sector to develop and share best practices in responsible AI. The other centre will focus on tasks including developing large language models - computer programs that draw from vast amounts of text to generate responses to queries - for "underrepresented languages". Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and U.S. private equity firm Silver Lake hold stakes in G42, whose chairman, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the UAE's national security advisor and the president's brother. G42 said earlier this year it had divested its investments in China and at the time of the Microsoft partnership, both firms noted that the deal was backed by assurances to the U.S. and UAE governments over security. Microsoft and G42 said on Tuesday the centres will work to ensure "generative AI models and applications are developed, deployed and used safely." G42 and its affiliates do not conduct business with any entity listed on a U.S. government list of parties for which Washington maintains restrictions on certain exports, re-exports, or transfers of items, the firms said. (Reporting by Federico Maccioni; Editing by Abinaya Vijayaraghavan) BALLWIN, Mo. Four armed robbers wearing Halloween masks were caught on-camera stealing more than half a million dollars worth of valuable jewelry within minutes from a Ballwin store. The suspects arrived to Dahab Jewelry Store in the 1400 block of Manchester Road around noon Saturday. The first one that came and rang the doorbell, had an old man mask on. I didnt look twice; I buzzed the door (open) and it was too late to do anything as the second armed man came in at gun point, Manager Islam Abdelmajed said. As three individuals stuffed their bags with jewelry, two employees hid behind the counter as they were held at gunpoint by another person. Take the family to see The Illusionists Magic of the Holidays coming to the Fox Theatre! He came in limping, Abdelmajed said. Caught me off guard. The family-owned jewelry store has been in Ballwin for almost four years. The owner is glad no one was injured but hopes police can catch those responsible. We are working hard to get everythingthey took a lot of inventory and its sad, he said. The search continues as police look for the thieves who fled the scene in two vehicles. Anyone with information surrounding the incident 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 FOX 2. The families of victims who died in the Baltimore Bridge disaster are planning to file a request to stop the ships owner from escaping liability. The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River on March 26 after being hit by the Dali, a 984ft cargo vessel, which had experienced two electrical failures the day before the incident and lost power shortly before it hit the structure. Six construction workers who were on the bridge at the time were killed: Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez, Jose Mynor Lopez, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Carlos Daniel Hernandez, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval. The cargo ship Dali stuck under part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the collision on March 26. Three families of victims are are planning to take legal action against the Dalis owner The families of Luna Gonzalez, Lopez and Castillo Cabrera now intend to submit a limitation of liability proceeding against Grace Ocean Private Limited, the ships owner, according to a Tuesday press conference. Grace Ocean Limited filed a motion in April along with the ships operator, Synergy Marine, seeking to limit its liability in the incident to $43.7million, the value of the ship and its cargo at the time of the disaster. The families motion will be filed in Marylands District Court before a September 24 deadline, set by the federal court, after the companies filed their petition. Maria del Carmen Castellon, Luna Gonzalezs wife of seven years, said that the disaster destroyed the dreams and hopes she had of a happy life with her husband. Maria del Carmen Castellon, the wife of Miguel Luna, a welder who died during the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, speaks during a press conference on Tuesday (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Miguel was not only an incredible husband. He was a father to five children, a proud grandfather and a darling son, she said. The day he disappeared, created a wound in my heart that will never heal, she added. Days before the tragedy, she said that her husband surprised her by taking her to a space that they were trying to rent to start a restaurant. They already had a food truck which they operated together in the Baltimore area. As we looked through the windows, we spoke of a future in which he would not have to suffer in a dangerous job and deteriorating health, she said. The families are not currently seeking a specific amount of monetary damages. A portrait of Miguel Luna, a worker who died during the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, is displayed among articles of his welding gear during a news conference on Tuesday (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Accountability here means, first and foremost, figuring out what went wrong and holding those who are responsible to account for their actions in the tragedy, said Matthew Wessler, an attorney representing the families, during the news conference. The families goal is to bring about legislation that creates new working protections for migrants and grants work permits for immigrants already in the US, according to Gustavo Torres, the executive director of CASA, an advocacy organization supporting the victims loved ones. He condemned the companies decision to try and limit their liability in the disaster. Grace Ocean has chosen the path of impunity over the path of justice. Driven by profit and self-interest, their actions seek to erase the accountability they owe to these families, to these men whose lives were stolen. But we will not let that happen, he said. The Independent has contacted Grace Ocean Limited and the ships operator, Synergy Marine, for comment. Barrick Gold suspends operations at Papua New Guinea mine after violence kills at least 20 FILE PHOTO: Small toy figure and gold imitation are seen in front of the Barrick logo in this illustration SYDNEY (Reuters) - Barrick Gold has suspended operations at its Porgera gold mine in Papua New Guinea until Thursday after tribal violence in the region killed at least 20. Papua New Guinea has granted police emergency powers, including the use of lethal force, to contain the violence in Porgera between illegal settlers squatting near the gold mine and local landowners, newspapers Post-Courier and The National reported late on Sunday. "The Porgera gold mine has suspended the majority of its operations until 19 September for the protection of its employees while the government restores law and order in the surrounding region," a spokesperson said in a statement late on Tuesday. Two of its employees were killed in the violence, the spokesperson added. Home to hundreds of tribes and languages, the Pacific nation to the north of Australia has a long history of tribal warfare. Violence has increased over the past decade as villagers swapped bows and arrows for military rifles and elections deepened existing tribal divides. (Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Sandra Maler) The battle over widening I-275 is happening again. Heres what to know Shirley Smith knew the pros and cons when she bought a house in Old Seminole Heights in 2017, less than a couple hundred feet from Interstate 275. She got used to the hum of traffic at night, the occasional blaring music and truck horns. And she held out hope for a noise-reducing wall, completed this year, to eventually make her life easier. But she learned last month that her slice of the highway might get wider, allowing more cars to pile onto the thoroughfare that cuts through Tampas urban core a con she cant accept. Smith was moved to speak out at a public meeting for the first time. The highways decimated communities and neighborhoods, said Smith, who directs the office of community engagement for the University of South Floridas College of Medicine. We know better, so why arent we doing better? Since June, activists and residents of Tampa neighborhoods have rallied against a revived attempt by Hillsborough Countys Transportation Planning Organization to widen I-275 from the Hillsborough Avenue exit, near Old Seminole Heights, to Bearss Avenue, north of USF. The planning organization, which prioritizes federal and state transportation funds, had previously ditched the proposed widening project in 2021 amid resident opposition. But County Commissioner Joshua Wostal, in an 8-7 vote, led the charge to bring widening back as a funding priority. Wostal said previous transportation planners set a bad precedent when they cut a vetted project from the list. A 2019 study from the Florida Department of Transportation suggested a wider I-275 from Hillsborough to Bearss avenues could reduce congestion and aid emergency evacuation in the county. Transit advocates think differently. Those who have fought a wider I-275 for the better part of a decade see the plan as another $260 million down the drain that could instead fund the regions slow-moving public transit priorities. For transportation advocates like Rick Fernandez, the renewed spat over I-275 is a reminder that, for now, his side of the bay is headed in the wrong direction. New lanes are already under construction for some segments of the interstate in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, including the section that grazes his street in Tampa Heights, Elmore Avenue. Fernandez, president of the Tampa Heights Civic Association and a citizen adviser to the Transportation Planning Organization, was assured that the state transportation agency wouldnt have to claim more land to widen the interstate. The same assurance has been made to residents of the Hillsborough to Bearss avenues section now waiting for funds to begin widening. But in Tampa Heights, lanes will jut out in some areas by an extra 50 feet, bumping back a pedestrian trail and wiping out greenery, Fernandez said. They already owned the green space, already purchased and destroyed the homes [decades ago], he said. I felt we were lied to. The regions heated conversations over a larger interstate began in 2015, when the state transportation department proposed a 90-mile widening project that would have expanded the footprint of I-275 throughout Tampa Bay. Fernandez, a Tampa Heights native, had moved into his interstate-adjacent home three years prior. The project, called TBX at the time, propelled his engagement with transportation policy. Other activists followed, forming an advocacy group called Sunshine Citizens. I left that meeting angry and pretty well convinced that this was going to become a big part of my life, Fernandez said. The wave of opposition forced the state agency to take a step back. Two years later, state officials introduced Tampa Bay Next, which split the interstate widening plan into segments, allowing regional planners to halt or alter particularly unpopular proposals. The plan also funded a study to put a dedicated bus lane on the interstate. Since Tampa Bay Next was introduced, multiple I-275 widening projects have moved quickly. Cars drive along express lanes in Pinellas County approaching the Howard Frankland Bridge. The new bridge will have express lanes, too. More lanes along the interchange between I-4 and I-275 are under construction. TBX collapsed, but pieces of it are still manifesting, Fernandez said. It was this huge souffle. Now its coming back to us in cupcakes. Meanwhile, the transit promises of Tampa Bay Next are in the same position: stuck in the study phase, without local dollars to begin design or construction. Stalled public transit projects Wostal said hes a fan of faster bus service, too but hes trying to plan on behalf of an entire county, where residents from Temple Terrace and Wesley Chapel use I-275 as the main artery between work and home. Elizabeth Grimes drives I-275 between Hillsborough and Bearss avenues most days to pick up her daughter from her daycare in New Tampa. On a Friday during afternoon rush hour, she inched her car forward along the interstate, dodging hastily merging SUVs. Her arrival time ticked up 10, 20, then 30 minutes beyond the initial estimate on her GPS. Grimes opposes widening the segment of I-275 she drives near-daily. I dont think its going to help. I think its going to be more st like this, she said, eyeing the wall-to-wall traffic. I dont know what the solution is, but I dont want to live like this, she added. Grimes has tried to use Tampas patchy public transit. Shell ride Tampas TECO streetcar to events at Amalie Arena. But sometimes service stops before she leaves the venue. Its not enough, she said. In a Hillsborough County transportation survey of 4,600 residents, about three-quarters said they favored proposed transit projects. Around 61% supported widening I-275. The regions Achilles heel is a lack of local funding, said David Gwynn, District 7 secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation, in an email. The city of Tampa has yet to provide a local match to the $67.3 million grant awarded four years ago by the state agency to modernize and extend the streetcar into Tampa Heights. Local public transit projects, unlike the interstate, often require local funds on top of state and federal dollars. The same can be said for rapid bus service between downtown Tampa and USF. That project, which has been studied since 2019, was kneecapped when the Florida Supreme Court struck down a Hillsborough County transportation sales tax as unconstitutional. Hillsboroughs transit agency has operated a limited version of the service while it waits for local funds. Political will Dayna Lazarus, an urban planner and co-founder of the Facebook group Transit Now Tampa Bay, said the lack of local funding stems from inconsistent political will. Transit projects get floated, then underfunded, then forgotten, she said. We have political amnesia here, where if someone isnt yelling, our elected officials forget about it, Lazarus said. Lazarus hasnt given up on finding a more permanent funding source for Hillsborough Countys roughly $29 billion in unfunded transportation needs. Her group of advocates plans to petition to put the transportation sales tax back on the ballot in 2026 after voters rejected it in 2022. Meanwhile, she has reason for hope. This month, Tampa City Council members took an initial step to allot $1.5 million to a yearlong free bus route, plus more frequent service, between downtown Tampa and USF. If ridership numbers increase, the trial could lead to permanent rapid bus service along that route, Lazarus said. Lazarus posed funding Hillsborough County buses to council member Lynn Hurtak in June, right after she learned I-275 could get wider. I was fed up. I was pissed, Lazarus said. I started organizing and said we need to move stuff forward. Three months later, shes busy moving something forward a welcome reprieve from this summers battle. One Facebook user posted a photo of waste they had found on a Delaware beach. Beaches in Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware were closed to swimmers this week after large amounts of medical and other waste were found to have washed ashore on Sunday. The source of the waste remains under investigation. (Delaware DNREC/Facebook) Beaches have been closed to swimming this week along the East Coast after hypodermic needles, syringes, and other medical waste were discovered. The closures affected beaches in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, and the cause of the mystery waste remains under investigation. Visitors and residents have been advised to avoid the ocean and wear shoes while strolling on the sand. Medical waste poses serious risks to human health and can carry harmful and drug-resistant microorganisms. Plastic waste on beaches is also a threat to marine life. Pieces can become lodged in animals throats and stomachs when they mistake it for food. The ocean remains closed at this time. We continue to work with state agencies to assess beach and ocean conditions. We will allow ocean access as soon as it is safe to do so! Delawares Town of Dewey Beach wrote on Facebook on Tuesday morning. One Facebook user replied to the post with a photo of waste they had found. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control said it was working with federal, state, and local authorities to monitor its spread. One Facebook user posted a photo of waste they had found on a Delaware beach. Beaches in Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware were closed to swimmers this week after large amounts of medical waste were found to have washed ashore on Sunday. (Delaware DNREC/Facebook) Reports first emerged on Sunday of waste washing ashore from Indian River Inlet to Fenwick Island, just up the coast from Virginias Chincoteague public beach. An emergency response team was sent to the site. The Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce confirmed closures at the Chincoteague Public Beach and Marylands Assateague Island National Seashore on Sunday. All ocean-facing beaches at the National Seashore were closed to swimming or wading, and the northern end was closed to all visitor access. Included in the closures were North Beach, Oceanside Camping Beach, and South Beach. The bayside remained open for kayaks, canoes, and other water activities. Medical waste is washing up on Ocean City's beaches. Right now, the ocean remains closed to swimming and surfing as emergency management looks into the cause. Rangers are primarily finding used needles, used tampon applicators and cigar tips. Video Courtesy: Eric Wong @wbaltv11 pic.twitter.com/zRv7zOTMtA Tommie Clark (@TommieClarkWBAL) September 16, 2024 We believe it started to come ashore this morning, so those who were in the water on earlier days should have nothing to worry about, the Assateague Island National Seashore said Sunday. We do not know how much more material is out there, when it will stop coming ashore, and how long it will take for cleanup. Maryland reported a significant amount of waste on Sunday, as well. The states Department of Natural Resources said on Monday that rangers had found even more needles and other plastic debris in the hours since. There have not been any reports to park staff of any visitors encountering these items while swimming, nor any reports of injuries, the department said. Multiple state and federal agencies were working to contain the waste, according to The Baltimore Sun. The states Department of Emergency Management has raised its state response level to partial, which indicates an incident requiring signifcant resources. In Ocean City, officials worked to test the water, according to local station WBALV. We are pleased to report that, as of this afternoon, the amount of debris on the beach significantly decreased, Emergency Services Director Joe Theobald said in a statement. While this is an encouraging development, the Town of Ocean City will keep a close eye on the situation, particularly as we approach the next high tide cycles, which are expected at 7:24 p.m. and 7:36 a.m. In 1988, the Ocean Dumping Ban Act banned the disposal of medical waste in the ocean. Violating the act could lead to up to five years in prison, civil penalties up to $125,000, and criminal penalties up to $250,000. WASHINGTON, N.C. (WNCT) Beaufort County Schools and Beaufort County Board of Elections gave their students an opportunity to speak to county commissioners, school board members, the registrar of deeds, municipal council members and a North Carolina senator Tuesday to celebrate Civics Day. Civics Day is a celebration of the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution. I think its especially important to reach voters. Young, the impressions that they get from these elected officials and what theyre doing today makes an impression on them for the rest of their life, Beaufort County Director of Elections Kellie Harris Hopkins said. And if we can impress on them that voting is important and that everybody has a voice, I think thats a truly amazing thing to do at a young age. Click the video above for more information. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. Michael Rockefeller (pictured here, far right in the back row) famously disappeared during an expedition to New Guinea in 1961. His father, New York Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, is to the right of his first wife, Mary Todhunter Clark, with daughters, Mary (far left) and Anne (right). Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images When author and travel writer Carl Hoffman was thinking about ideas for his next book project, he knew he wanted to explore a story that resonated deeply with readers. What could be more intriguing than akin to the disappearance of Amelia Earhart the Michael Rockefeller death theories? In 1961, the 23-year-old son of prominent political figure Nelson Rockefeller disappeared. The official cause of his death was drowning. The truth, however, is harder to digest. The Asmat people, whose art and culture Rockefeller loved and respected, are the same people who most likely killed and consumed him, according to Hoffman. 'I Think I Can Make It' Anthropologist Rene Wassing heard Rockefeller's last known words as the young man jumped from their catamaran, which had overturned in the Betsj River 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the shore of West Papua. Rockefeller had decided to try to swim to shore through crocodile-infested waters to seek help. His final words to Wassing were: "I think I can make it." For 50 years, the belief was that he didn't make it, likely because he drowned or was eaten by crocodiles in the long swim to shore. But with no body and no evidence, rumors that he'd "gone native," been eaten by sharks, or worse, cannibals circulated for decades. Drowning was the most logical answer to the tragic question of Michael's disappearance. But as Hoffman discovered and writes in his book, "Savage Harvest: A Tale of Cannibals, Colonialism, and Michael Rockefeller's Tragic Quest," it turns out that Michael's death was neither simple nor accidental. People Were Finally Willing to Talk When Hoffman began investigating Rockefeller's disappearance, he realized that after the initial search party failed to find Rockefeller in 1961, no one had really given it a good look. There was never closure for his family nor the millions of people who wondered what happened to the wealthy son of one of America's most powerful families. "When you type Michael Rockefeller in Google, you get a billion hits or something. But if you start looking at all those hits, they're all regurgitation of the same basic data, which was a lot of conjecture," Hoffman says. "I realized that nobody had ever done a systematic substantive look at what happened." A True Investigation In 2012, Hoffman began looking into Rockefeller's story. He hired a Dutch investigator who dug through archives for two years, revealing invaluable information. Hoffman interviewed Asmat villagers and former Dutch officers to corroborate the details of Rockefeller's death. He suspected that, 51 years later, people might be ready to tell him the truth, and he felt certain it wasn't sharks that got Michael. "In my time as a journalist, I learned that with these things there is sometimes a sweet spot in which people would be willing to talk about it. Maybe even the Rockefellers," he says. After a bit of research and archival digging to find the right people to talk to, Hoffman was right. They were ready to talk. But, to begin with, it's important to know why Rockefeller was in New Guinea in the first place. Michael Rockefeller was the youngest son of New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller. T. Nielsen/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Why Was Michael Rockefeller in Indonesia? Michael and his father, Nelson, had a strong bond over art, especially tribal art, according to Michael's twin sister, Mary Rockefeller, who eventually published a book, "When Grief Calls Forth the Healing: A Memoir of Losing a Twin," about overcoming the grief of Michael's loss. It was this pursuit of the Asmat people's beautiful artwork, particularly their bis or "bisj" poles, that took him to the villages of the Asmat tribes. (Asmat art that Nelson Rockefeller collected is still on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan.) His father had just opened the Museum of Primitive Art a few years before and put Michael on the board. Michael wanted to make a statement with the family's museum and curate a collection of art from the source the Asmat warriors directly. When Michael eventually met the Asmat people, including at the Otsjanep and Omadasep villages, he realized, as Hoffman did in his own travels, that the Asmat were acutely intelligent people with an emotionally vivid culture. "They weren't savages, however, but biologically modern men with all the brainpower and manual dexterity necessary to fly a 747 with a language so complex it had 17 tenses," writes Hoffman in his book. How Michael Rockefeller Allegedly Died The how of why Rockefeller died, according to Hoffman, is straightforward. He washed ashore, exhausted and weak from swimming for miles after the boat he and Wassing were in overturned. On shore, he saw familiar faces those of the Otsjanep warriors. Instead of the rescue Rockefeller hoped for, one of the men stabbed him in the ribs. The art-loving heir was killed in the precise actions of ritualistic headhunting, and the warriors consumed him. According to Hoffman, the Otsjanep had never killed a white man before, and they knew Rockefeller to be a kind, respectful young man who paid well for their art. So why did they allegedly kill him? There are two parts to this question. First, why did they kill Rockefeller? Second, why did they eat him? Reacting to Colonialism Ritualistic cannibalism, also called anthropophagy (cannibalism specific to humans) has been performed by various native cultures for thousands of years, particularly those in ecosystems with scarce food and resources. For the Asmat, cannibalism was not their sole purpose. Rather, it was only part of the sacred ritual of headhunting that brought meaning to their culture. To understand why the Asmat killed Rockefeller in the first place is to know that his death was the result of hundreds of years of colonialism and a native people's struggle for the power to hold on to the deepest seeds of their culture. "What happened with Michael," Hoffman says, "... was a moment of the Otsjanep, in particular, trying to retake and maintain their power in a world in which they were being stripped of it; the power of their own cultural view, power over their own destiny." A native of New Guinea holds a piece of art, the type Michael Rockefeller sought for the New York Museum of Primitive Art. The museum officially closed in 1974, and the collection was eventually transferred to The Met, becoming what is today The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing. Bettmann/Getty Images The Forces That Led to Rockefeller's Death In the years before Rockefeller stepped foot in an Asmat village, Dutch colonialists occupied West Papua. Hoffman's book explains the historical context in great detail. In short, Dutch official Max Lapre took a troop of officers to the Otsjanep and Omadesep villages Feb. 6, 1958. They burned homes, places of spiritual significance and canoes, and took the villagers' weapons to try to curb violence and stop the Asmat tribes from killing each other. Lapre arrived at the shore of an Otsjanep village and told them to lay their weapons down. "A man came out of a house," Hoffman writes, "bearing something in his hand and he ran toward Lapre ... shots rang out from all directions." It ultimately led to the deaths of five of the most prominent men of the village. Their spirits would haunt the villagers until their deaths were avenged. A Question of Vengeance Enter Michael Rockefeller in 1961. The villagers remembered every detail of that day of violence in 1958. When a white man swam to shore in nothing but his boxer briefs, some of the men felt this was their opportunity to avenge the spirits of their brothers. Hoffman says: "I think those men who killed Michael were feeling this loss of power. To them, at that moment, Michael had always been with other people and whites were powerful. Literally, they had guns and big boats ... they represented power and wealth the Asmat couldn't even imagine and so they didn't attack them. But when Michael swam up at that moment, he had no power. He was alone. Exhausted. To me, the moment they speared him was a moment I'm not saying it was calculated; I'm not saying they articulated this of retaking their own power and self-esteem and identity." News of Rockefeller's death by the Ostjanep warriors traveled until a local priest, Cornelius van Kessel, caught wind. Upon inquiring about the death, a message was sent to Dutch government officials. However, because Dutch officials feared the impact the news would have on the reputation of Dutch New Guinea, the message never made it out of Indonesia. That is, until Hoffman's Dutch investigator pulled it from the archives five decades later and spoke with a former Dutch patrol officer, Wim van de Waal, who had helped recover Rockefeller's remains. "I never talked about it publicly," van de Waal told Hoffman for his book, "I guess no one's going to be hurt by it now." Despite Hoffman's attempts to discuss his findings with the Rockefeller family, they've chosen not to comment and to leave Michael at rest, wherever he may be. Now That's a Plot Twist Filmmaker Fraser Heston's 2007 documentary, "The Search for Michael Rockefeller," includes intriguing footage taken in 1969 by photographer Malcolm Kirk. Some speculate the white man in the footage is Michael Rockefeller. Original article: Behind the Michael Rockefeller Death Mystery Copyright 2024 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company A view of the Watergate Club in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg which is closed due to corona. The well-known Berlin techno club Watergate announced on Tuesday that it would close in December after 22 years, the latest in a slew of closures that have hit Berlin's world-famous club scene. Kristin Bethge/dpa The well-known Berlin techno club Watergate announced on Tuesday that it would close in December after 22 years, the latest in a slew of closures that have hit Berlin's world-famous club scene. Watergate, located directly on the River Spree in Kreuzberg, cited rising costs and a shift in clubbing culture, including the rising popularity of big festivals, for the closure. "It is with a heavy heart that we have decided to end our club operations at the end of the year and not to extend the lease," Watergate's operators wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. "The party is over - long live the party." The club said a number of big farewell events would be held until New Year's Eve. Ulrich Wombacher, one of three club operators, told the Berliner Zeitung newspaper: "The situation in Berlin is crucial for us, and it has changed a lot. After Covid, business simply didn't really pick up again." Techno fans are also consuming music differently today, Wombacher said. The long closure of the clubs during the pandemic made a big difference, while tourism by budget-travelling young people has declined. "Berlin, with its individual, small and established club culture, has lost international relevance," he said, adding that it's became impossible to keep up with high fees for DJs. "If all the tourist glamour falls away, what remains is Berlin with its make-up removed," he added. Wombacher complained that the Berlin district of Kreuzberg, home to Watergate as well as many other popular clubs, in particular has lost much of its charm, and also now faces issues with drug users, homeless people and crime. "Nothing is forever. Berlin's corner pubs no longer exist either," he said. "So why shouldn't clubs also be a temporary phenomenon? Club culture is incredibly fragile." He also rejected suggestions that more state funding for clubs could be an answer to the growing number of closures: "Club culture doesn't work like that ... Club culture is fast, individual. You can't force it into a planned economy, even if we have benefited from the funding." These are the best colleges in Wisconsin, according to the Wall Street Journal From classes to campus life to job and internship opportunities, many things make up the college experience. Some students look for a fun social atmosphere, while others seek to be set up for career and financial success. And, of course, many consider a mixture of these and other factors. Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal released its list of 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S.. In collaboration with research partners College Pulse and Statista, WSJ determined the nation's top 500 colleges and universities. Rankings were based on numerous factors, including student outcomes and graduate salaries, career preparation, learning facilities and opportunities, and multiple diversity measures. WSJ also used the data to rank the 500 schools in specific categories: Student Experience, Best Salaries, Social Mobility and Best Value. Multiple Wisconsin colleges and universities performed well in these and the overall rankings. Here's how they measured up: Rosie Stone, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences at Marquette University, works on her laptop outside on campus Oct. 4, 2023. Here are the Wall Street Journal's Best Colleges in Wisconsin Milwaukee's Marquette University ranked highest on WSJ's list among Wisconsin colleges, while the University of Wisconsin-Madison finished highest among the state's public universities. No. 55: Marquette University No. 73: University of Wisconsin-Madison No. 165: Milwaukee School of Engineering No. 213: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater No. 275: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire No. 342: University of Wisconsin-River Falls No. 351: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee No. 357: Carthage College No. 453: Lawrence University More: WSJ's complete list of Best Colleges The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater was ranked the best college in Wisconsin for student experience. Best colleges for student experience in Wisconsin WSJ's Student Experience rankings considered the quality of campus food and housing facilities, extracurricular activities, community and social life, and ethnic, ability and socioeconomic diversity. These Wisconsin schools scored the highest: No. 281: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater No. 318: Lawrence University No. 334: University of Wisconsin-Madison No. 391: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee No. 398: Marquette University No. 458: Milwaukee School of Engineering No. 460: Carthage College No. 484: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire No. 491: University of Wisconsin-River Falls More: WSJ's complete list of colleges with the best Student Experience MSOE University sophomore Noah Hernandez moves in Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, at Hermann Viets Tower at 1121 N. Milwaukee St., Milwaukee. Wisconsin colleges where graduates earn the best salaries WSJ also ranked its 500 Best Colleges in terms of graduate salaries and how long it takes to pay back attending. Milwaukee School of Engineering ranked among the top 15. Here's where the others finished: No. 12: Milwaukee School of Engineering No. 69: Marquette University No. 92: University of Wisconsin-Madison No. 217: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater No. 226: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire No. 232: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee No. 282: University of Wisconsin-River Falls No. 322: Carthage College No. 479: Lawrence University More: WSJ's rankings of colleges with the best salaries Justin Jenkins, a freshman from Sun Prairie, unloads his car while moving in at Sandburg Residence Hall as part of move-in day on the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus in Milwaukee on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. Best colleges for social mobility in Wisconsin The Social Mobility rankings reward "universities that take in the highest proportion of students coming from lower-income families while maintaining high graduation rates and having a positive impact on graduate salaries and minimizing the costs of attending the college," WSJ said. Here are the top-ranked Wisconsin schools in this category: No. 159: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater No. 190: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee No. 224: Milwaukee School of Engineering No. 249: Carthage College No. 257: Marquette University No. 270: University of Wisconsin-River Falls No. 319: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire No. 362: Lawrence University No. 401: University of Wisconsin-Madison More: WSJ's ranking of colleges with the best Social Mobility scores Best Value colleges in Wisconsin Finally, WSJ ranked its 500 Best Colleges in terms of how quickly students can pay back their education, based on the median graduate salary. Here are WSJ's Best Value colleges in Wisconsin: No. 73: Milwaukee School of Engineering No. 75: University of Wisconsin-Madison No. 209: University of Wisconsin-River Falls No. 219: Marquette University No. 222: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire No. 229: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater No. 290: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee No. 433: Lawrence University No. 436: Carthage College More: WSJ's list of Best Value colleges This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What are Wall Street Journal's Best Colleges in Wisconsin? Old-growth trees in the Nantahala National Forest in western North Carolina. Photo: U.S. Forest Service Environmental advocates in North Carolina are worried that the Biden administrations draft National Old-Growth Amendment fails to sufficiently protect the countrys remaining old-growth forests. Speaking at a virtual press conference on Tuesday, a trio of advocates urged the federal government to prohibit logging of old-growth trees and provide clear guidelines on how to restore those vital ecosystems. The old-growth forests are essential for mitigating climate change and supporting the endangered species that live within them. Theyre facing threats from ongoing logging projects. The U.S. Department of Agricultures proposal would aim to conserve old-growth forests and the biodiversity that they provide. But environmental advocates say it isnt enough. Theyre frustrated with the amendments lack of clarity and inclusion of loopholes that they say could worsen current management practices. Advocates are asking the public to submit comments urging the USDA to embrace stronger language and more protection. Emily Mason, an advocate from the Environment North Carolina Research and Policy Center, said the proposal doesnt do enough to protect the remaining old-growth trees in North Carolina. North Carolinas old-growth trees are worth more standing and need to be protected for generations to come, she said. Josh Kelly, resilient forest director for MountainTrue, was born in western North Carolina. Hes spent his personal and professional life learning the geography, culture, ecology, and history of the region. MountainTrue has worked towards documenting and protecting the old-growth forest in North Carolinas Blue Ridge for 40 years, according to Kelly. In the time since European colonization, endangered species populations in the area have shrunk and deforestation has been rapid. Kelly encouraged the federal government to prohibit activities that liquidate old-growth forests from federal lands. Humans and old-growth forests can thrive together, side by side, but greed and arrogance are the enemy of both, Kelly said. David Reid is a volunteer with the North Carolina chapter of the Sierra Club. The organization works nationally to protect old-growth forests and has called for the Biden administration to do more. Mature old-growth trees are crucial to reducing carbon emissions, with bigger trees providing more carbon sequesters and stores, Reid said. This amendment needs to ensure that the decision to protect old growth is spelled out at the plan level and not open to interpretation by local project managers, he added. The public has until 11:59 p.m. on Friday to submit comments about the proposal to the U.S. Forest Service. The Legacy of Exploitation in Mica Mining Eight-year-old Frederic works morning or afternoon shifts, depending on his school schedule, sorting mica alongside his elder brother. His hands are marked by traces, wounds and scars caused by the repetitive task of removing the calcite. Thirteen-year-old Felicia, who has never attended school, works Monday to Sunday for a sorting company. The money she earns helps support her mother and eight siblings, but is having a negative impact on her health. These are just two stories of child labour in the illegal mica mining sector of Madagascar detailed by a new report by NGOs Terre des Hommes and SOMO. Researchers from the organisations found that, despite ongoing initiatives, entire families are routinely working in the extraction and processing of the mica, which can be found in hundreds of Western products. Overall, they cautiously estimate that around 22,000 people work in the informal sector in Madagascar, of which at least half are minors. Digging for mica Mica is the name for a group of different minerals that form in distinct layers. The commodity is particularly coveted for its heat resistant and highly reflective properties and can be found in everything from paints to soil conditioners to make-up and smartphones. The mineral is produced predominately in China, and then India, but the East African island of Madagascar has become a notable source in recent years. The country was the fourth largest mica exporter worldwide in 2015, and since then it has overtaken India as the biggest global exporter of sheet mica, the grade of mica that is used extensively in the electronics and automotive industries. Madagascar has among the highest poverty rates in the world and informal mining of mica has become a life-line for many. In these remote areas where mica mining takes place, many children lack education [or] social services and there are weak local institutions; often mining is a family affair, as its where the sole income is derived, says Claire van Bekkum, a senior project manager at Terre des Hommes Netherlands. Mining the mineral involves dangerous digging of vertical shafts of one to two metres wide and around 15 metres deep, extracting and then sorting the mica. Once extracted and sorted, the commodity is exported primarily to China. From there it finds its way into Western products. Ending child labour Poverty is the key driver in child exploitation and illegal mining of mica in Madagascar and also India, but it requires a multi-stakeholder response to eliminate, including action from the private sector, communities and government, says van Bekkum. Story continues It can start with companies taking responsibility by thoroughly doing their due diligence and looking beyond tier one and tier two to further down their supply chain, she says. While awareness about child labour used in mica production is growing, thanks to the work of NGOs such as Terre des Hommes and the Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI), a global do-tank, companies have often been ignorant about the mineral and its origins. For example, van Bekkum has spoken to some that were completely unaware mica is used in their products. To keep up to date on the issues and to be part of the solution, firms with mica in their supply chain should join and support the RMI, and invest in NGOs that are trying to tackle and raise awareness of the problems, she says. Companies can really make sure suppliers clean up their supply and governments take action, she adds. Some sectors, such as the cosmetics industry however, which uses a very small amount of mica to achieve the shimmer in their products, have been proactive in engaging with NGOs and RMI. However, others such as the automotive and electronic sectors, which are the biggest uses of mica, have shown little interest, with the exception of German carmaker Daimler, which is working with Terre des Hommes. In June 2018, the company, which owns Mercedes-Benz, announced it would increase the checks on the products it uses to avoid using mica mined in unregulated conditions by children. Chinas role in the mica trade Nearly all mica products pass through China, which also presents a challenge for those conducting due diligence. According to the report, 87% of Madagascan mica goes to China by ship and then ends up in products from companies such as Japans Panasonic and Fujikura, European Prysmian Group, Swiss-based Van Roll and Isovolta. Companies in China importing mica should also do their due diligence and make sure they are using legal mica, says van Bekkum. However, China is not a front runner in this respect and this is an issue for companies further downstream, making it more difficult to check their supply chains, but still they should be trying and putting on the pressure. Despite the complexity and opaqueness of the mica supply chain, van Bekkum is keen to stress that firms shouldnt boycott the mineral altogether. This would have a devastating impact on the mica mining communities because it is often their only source of income. Paying more for the mineral, however, could be part of the solution. The floor price of four euro cents per kilo means there is serious exploitation of the mica workers, according to the report. The communities need to understand their bargaining power and we also need to consider the many middlemen that are in the supply chain and how they can really bargain for better pay, says van Bekkum. Informal small-scale miners in South America have had some success in this regard, by working together and forming cooperatives. Ongoing developments from the Netherlands to India Progress to tackle the problem is slow. In north-east India, where child labour in the mica industry has been on the radar of the cosmetics industry for around 10 years, the government did decide to formalise the mines with licences in a bid to stamp out child labour and poor conditions. However, van Bekkum says although action to do this is happening, it is very slow moving. In the international community, RMI and the Responsible Minerals Initiative, an Initiative of the Responsible Business Alliance, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work toward ending the use of child labour and to improve working conditions in mica industry supply chains globally. The Netherlands has also committed to implement its Child Labor Due Diligence Act, which will require supply chain due diligence and reporting by a significant number of foreign-based multinationals providing goods or services in the country. It comes into force in 2022. However, wider Europe is slow to act, says van Bekkum. More needs to be done, especially from governments and the business community, particularly the automotive and electronics sector. They need to be part of the multi-stakeholder approaches - companies do have a role but the question is, will they take it up? They, of course, should. And there is increasing pressure to, not just from NGOs, but from a legal standpoint, as a recent lawsuit against Apple, Google, Dell, Microsoft and Tesla shows. The companies are being sued by Congolese families who say their children were killed or maimed while mining for cobalt used in smart phones. This type of law suit is being brought against big western companies who do not source minerals responsibly more and more often. It may only be a matter of time until major mica users are brought to task. "Mining mica: can the industry overturn its legacy of exploitation?" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Biden announces more than $1B for historically Black colleges and universities WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Historically Black colleges and universities produce nearly 20% of Black graduates in the country, but the institutions are also historically underfunded. At the 2024 National HBCU Week Conference Monday, President Joe Biden said hes working to change that. Black excellence is American excellence, President Biden said. All of our students, all of our colleges and universities should be able to succeed. The president announced his administration is investing more than $1 billion in HBCUs, bringing its total contributions to the schools to more than $17 billion. The most ever any administration has ever, ever, ever committed, President Biden said. The Trump administration reauthorized $225 million in mandatory funding to minority-serving institutions, which included $85 million in recurring funds for HBCUs. Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, an HBCU grad herself, have both vowed to make the schools a top priority if they win in November. HBCUs have always outperformed other institutions by doing more with less, said Dr. Tony Allen, the president of Delaware State University. Allen said support for HBCUs should be bipartisan, in part, because of their larger impact. We are an economic engine wherever you find an HBCU, Allen said. Allen said HBCUs collectively provide more than $16 billion every year to their communities. Our students are trying to change their lives for their families, for their communities, he said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. SUNBURY, Ohio (WCMH) A phone call may have led to Big Walnuts school board deciding not to enlist a lawyer who previously sent bills for more than $20,000 a month to another central Ohio district. Board of education members for Big Walnut, based in Sunbury, held votes on multiple law firms that pitched their services to the district in two special meetings. Solo practitioner Omar Tarazi was among them, but in an August vote 3-1, the board decided not to hire him. One member was absent and did not vote. The district did move forward with a selection of other candidates. We did select multiple firms, we selected those firms because we thought they would best meet the needs of our district at this time, Big Walnut Superintendent Ryan McLane told NBC4. Before Big Walnuts vote in August, Board Vice President Angela Graziosi flagged an issue with Tarazi to the other members in attendance. She said he acquired her personal cellphone number from Zach Duffey, her sole colleague to vote in favor of hiring the attorney. Tarazi called her, attempting to discuss district business after she told him she was in a hospitals ICU with her mother, who later died. Then he continued on like nothing was going on, Graziosi said. Why he would think it would be good to call a personal board member, and then continue on after Ive told him Im in the ICU, to ask about more business items of the day as if nothing had happened. So, from my opinion, this person does not have situational awareness as to whats going on. Tarazi also shared his perspective on Big Walnuts decision with NBC4, noting the district contacted him first requesting he submit a proposal. Nine firms submitted proposals and were invited for interviews, and our firm was one of them, but I could only offer limited consultation services because of my many other time commitments, Tarazi said. We wish them the best as they move forward working for the families and students of the Big Walnut Local community. Tarazi, who previously spent time on Hilliard City Council, was looking to work for a second district after he secured a six-month contract with South-Western City Schools. Before that, he racked up $117,146 in charges, with roughly two thirds covering his legal services, and the other portion going to invoices he sent for the districts superintendent search. INVOICE PERIODS INVOICE TOTALS Jan. 22-March 1 $23,823 March 2-25 $22,932 March 26-July 3 $31,261.18 March 26 (superintendent search) $22,980 May 24 (superintendent search) $16,150 PRE-CONTRACT TOTAL* $117,146.82 Around the same time Tarazi was making his bid to Big Walnut in July, the South-Western board also voted 3-1 to place him in the official contract. This guaranteed him a flat rate of $9,000 a month $54,000 in total with the option to bill extra up to $300 per hour for non-routine services. Parents in the South-Western district have expressed frustration with the high bills from Tarazi, citing the multiple law firms the district already has on retainer. They have also taken issue with the secrecy surrounding his work, as itemized invoices released by the district to NBC4 are completely redacted. Tarazi has told NBC4 in the past that he can't comment on the legal services he provides, citing attorney-client privilege. But when he entered talks with Big Walnut Local Schools' Board of Education, he explained some of what he offered during a July 15 meeting. "One of the advantages I would bring would basically be that I come with a lot of background in board governance, as well as, I've got 15 years of litigation experience, et cetera," Tarazi said. "The main value that lawyers provide is being able to give attorney-client privileged, clear advice ... and can really help guide a board without necessarily being in the public sphere." Tarazi added that the board members would be able to call him "day or night" and receive independent, confidential guidance on what to do in certain situations. While he referenced South-Western City Schools and individual charter schools for past experience, he couldn't share specific examples, also citing attorney-client privilege to Big Walnut. "You have board counsel that's directly helping the board through all of the things that need helped at the board level," Tarazi said. "Is everybody in the district rowing in the right direction?" NBC4 previously reached out to multiple South-Western board members about their decision to contract Tarazi, including board president Chris Boso. They said any questions should be sent to Evan Debo, executive director of communications for the district, who had already said he could not speak on behalf of board members. Board members did not respond to NBC4s emails explaining Debos 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. (WHTM) Although neither customers nor companies like them, recalls are more prevalent than people realize. Companies make mistakes with their products, but many wonder what are some of the costliest mistakes in history. Peanut Corp. of Americas Salmonella Outbreak 2009 COST: $12 million According to a report from NPR, a factory in Georgia owned by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) sold peanut butter infected with salmonella. A nationwide outbreak ensued, infecting over 700 people and killing nine. NPR said when one of the companys top executivesStephen Parnellwas told that a shipment was delayed because results of salmonella tests werent yet available, Parnell responded in a famous email, Just ship it. Parnell was sentenced to 28 years in prison for his role in the outbreak, along with his brother (20 years) and another executive (five years), per NPR. The case was settled for $12 million, and the PCA filed for bankruptcy in 2009, per Findlaw.com. Johnson & Johnsons Tylenol Recall 1982 COST: $100 million According to a retelling from Johnson & Johnson, in 1982, Extra Strength Tylenol capsules in Chicago pharmacies were laced with cyanide, resulting in the death of seven people. The New York Times reported that J&J spent $100 million to issue a mass recall of 31 million bottles. J&J says the company developed an industry-leading triple tamper-evident seal, and then returned the capsules to the market. Polpeo.com called J&Js handling of the crisis a masterclass in leadership and it has huge lessons for businesses today. J&J attributed their brand rebound to their policy of transparency and its effective response to the incidents. Toyotas Floor Mat Recall 2010 COST: $3.2 billion According to a CBC report, Toyota was forced to recall over 3.8 million vehicles due to the potential for gas pedals to get stuck in floor mats. CBC said the unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles caused 89 deaths and 57 injuries from 2000 to 2010. NPR reported one specific incident in August 2009 in which the sticky floor mats caused a rental car to speed out of control, killing California Highway Patrolman Mark Saylor and his family. According to the DOJ, Toyota reported the recalls cost at $2 billion in 2010, but four years later, the company paid a $1.2 billion fine to avoid prosecution for covering up their knowledge of the defective mats and other safety problems, totaling $3.2 billion in recall costs. Takatas Air Bag Recall 2008 and counting COST: $24 billion In 2008, the now-bankrupt Japanese automotive parts company Takata was forced to begin recalling faulty airbags used by virtually every major auto company on Earth. According to Auto Body News, the airbags inflators can explode and propel metal shrapnel at vehicle occupants even in minor crashes. Auto Body News says airbag inflators have now been linked to 28 fatalities in the U.S., with the most recent death occurring in a 2018 crash in Alabama. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports 9 million vehicles from 13 manufacturers can explode and hurl shrapnel into drivers and passengers. As of April 2024, the Consumer Report says that 88% of the 67 million Takata airbags recalled have been repaired or replaced, however millions of airbags remain at risk. The Schiffman Firm says Takatas estimated total recall cost is over $24 billion, however that number is subject to change. Mercks Vioxx Recall 2004 COST: $4.85 billion After what seemed like a revolutionary breakthrough quickly turned into a catastrophe, Mercks recall of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx will live in infamy. According to the National Library of Medicine, similar to Pfizers Bextra (an arthritis painkiller from 2005 that caused life-threatening skin reactions and heart issues and was recalled for $3.3 billion), Vioxx became a huge hit for arthritis prescriptions upon its release in 1999. NPR reported that not long after its release, Merck launched a study hoping would prove that Vioxx was superior to older painkillers, because it caused fewer gastrointestinal problems. Instead, the study showed Vioxx could be deadly, causing heart attacks and strokes. Five years later, the drug was withdrawn, but billions of Americans had already taken the drug, causing over 88,000 Americans to have heart attacks, and 38,000 deaths, per NPR. NPR added that in November 2007, Merck announced it would pay $4.85 billion to end thousands of lawsuits over its painkiller Vioxx. The amount, to be paid into a so-called settlement fund, is believed to be the largest drug settlement ever. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Biggest Revelations From The Titan Submersible Hearing So Far The ill-fated Titan submersible is back in the spotlight this week as the U.S. Coast Guard holds an investigatory hearing into the circumstances surrounding the implosion of OceanGates deep-sea vessel last year, a tragedy that killed all five people on board. The first two days of testimony have painted an alarming picture of the way OceanGate founder Stockton Rush, who died while piloting the vessel, allegedly ran his company, handled safety concerns from his employees, kept outsiders away from the project, and rushed to bring his submersible to the Titanic wreckage. Here are the biggest new pieces of information that have been revealed at the hearing thus far, including new images of the vessels wreckage and details about the crews last communications. Crews Eerie Final Messages Were Revealed One of the last messages the crew sent to its support, Polar Prince, was all good here, according to a visual re-creation the Coast Guard showed on the first day of the hearing. In a still from a video animation provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, an illustration of the Titan submersible is shown near the ocean floor of the Atlantic Ocean. via Associated Press The actual final message the crew sent was dropped two wts, a reference to the vessel weights used for ascending and descending, investigators revealed. Contact was lost six seconds later. Rob McCallum, a former advisor to OceanGate, spoke about that message last summer shortly after the implosion, saying it indicated something had gone wrong and the submersible was trying to return to the surface. First Image Of The Titans Wreckage Released The Coast Guard shared the first image of the Titans debris on the ocean floor, showing its tail cone submerged in the sand and surrounded by other fragments from the submersible. It was taken by a remotely operated vehicle, or ROV. That detached tail cone, which is not part of the crews hull, was the conclusive evidence the Coast Guard needed to know the Titan had suffered a catastrophic implosion due to water pressure. The Titan submersible's detached tail cone. U.S. Coast Guard Titan Was Damaged Years Ago, Called Unsafe Tony Nissen, whom OceanGate hired in 2016 as its engineering director, delivered some of the most alarming testimony Monday. The Titans original hull was struck by lightning during a 2018 test mission, doing serious damage to its experimental carbon fiber hull, Nissen testified. He later found a crack in the hull he didnt think could be repaired, so he refused to approve a planned 2019 mission to the Titanic wreckage. A new hull was eventually put on the submersible that imploded last year. Coast Guard investigators also said that while in storage, the Titan was left exposed to the elements for about seven months in 2022 and 2023. Bonnie Carl, OceanGates former finance and human resources director, testified Monday that operations director David Lochridge described the Titan as unsafe. Lochridge testified Tuesday that he had no confidence whatsoever in the submersibles design. I knew that hull would fail, he said. Its an absolute mess. A close-up of the Titan submersible's detached tail cone. U.S. Coast Guard Head Engineer Refused To Get In The Submersible Nissen said he had so little faith in OceanGates leaders that he refused when Rush asked him to pilot Titans missions to the Titanic wreckage. I told him, Im not getting in it, Nissen testified, saying he didnt trust the operations crew or Rush, as well as that there was no designated safety officer at OceanGate. Nissen added that he sparred with Rush over language disclosing the Titans experimental design, saying he made him include that word in the waivers passengers needed to sign before going on a mission. Carbon fiber is typically used in aerospace design, but its an unusual material to deploy in deep-sea exploration. Marine experts and former OceanGate employees all warned against its use years before the fatal implosion. OceanGate Forced Out Employees Who Raised Concerns Nissen and Lochridge both testified they lost their jobs after sparring with Rush about the safety of OceanGates designs. I wouldnt sign off on it, Nissen said of a planned voyage in 2019. So I got terminated. Lochridge said he was fired in 2018 after pushing back against Rushs decisions. I didnt want to lose my job, Lochridge said. I wanted to go to Titanic. It was on my bucket list. I wanted to dive this, but dive it safely. OceanGate founder Stockton Rush had a history of ignoring safety concerns, former employees testified. JASON REDMOND via Getty Images Both men described Rush as volatile, impatient and pushy. Lochridge said he liked to do things on the cheap and was driven by a desire to get to the Titanic as quickly as we could to start making profit. Nissen said he often fought with Rush behind the scenes and that most people would eventually just back down to Stockton. It was almost death by a thousand cuts. The Titans Hull Was Never Reviewed By Third Parties Even with its experimental design, the Titan never underwent the standard safety review by a third party, Coast Guard investigators said Monday. Reports last summer revealed that the Marine Technology Society, an organization comprising ocean engineers and policymakers, expressed concerns about that lack of a safety check. The Associated Press also reported at the time that in a 2019 company blog post, OceanGate criticized the third-party certification process as time-consuming and innovation-limiting. Lochridge also testified about Rushs opposition to outside help, saying he cut off a University of Washington lab that had been helping with development and decided to keep everything internal because of his own arrogance. Stockton Rush Once Crashed A Submersible And Lost His Temper Lochridge, an experienced submersible pilot, testified about a harrowing trip in 2016 when Rush refused demands to hand over the controls after he crashed a submersible into a ships wreckage with passengers on board. Stockton Rush, left, in one of his submersibles in 2013, alongside pilot Randy Holt. via Associated Press Lochridge said he strongly objected to Rush piloting the journey to the Andrea Doria shipwreck off the Massachusetts coast, but Rush insisted. Lochridge joined the journey and said that Rush chaotically deployed the submersible, ignored Lochridges pleas to keep a safe distance from the shipwreck, smashed straight down when landing, and then basically drove it full speed into the ships wreckage. Rushs actions jammed the submersible under the shipwreck, and he immediately began panicking, Lochridge testified, adding that Rush asked him about life support reserves and the possibility of a dive team rescuing them in front of the passengers. When Lochridge asked Rush to hand over the controls, he became agitated and refused. Lochridge said that it wasnt until one of the three passengers on board began tearfully pleading with Rush to hand the reins over that he finally complied, flinging the controller at Lochridges head. The disturbing incident was also recounted in a Vanity Fair article last year. Related... On Tuesday, Billie Eilish and her brother, Finneas, endorsed Kamala Harris for president in a video posted on Eilishs social media urging people to register to vote. Its National Voter Registration Day. We are voting for Harris-Walz. The choice is clear. Check your voting status here: https://t.co/ZPKcYDR7aFpic.twitter.com/PiFfQpkARW billie eilish (@billieeilish) September 17, 2024 We are voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz because they are fighting to protect our reproductive freedom, our planet and our democracy, Eilish said in the video. We cant let extremists control our lives, our freedoms and our future, Finneas, who often collaborates with and produces his sisters music, added. The only way to stop them and the dangerous Project 2025 agenda is to vote and elect Kamala Harris. Vote like your life depends on it because it does, Eilish concluded. Harris campaign account on X, formerly called Twitter, reposted the video and added the caption Birds of a feather, a nod to one of Eilishs songs. The nine-time Grammy winner has been vocal about her political views in the past. In 2021, when she was performing at the Austin City Limits music festival in Austin, Texas, she told the crowd that she almost didnt go through with the show because of the states anti-abortion bill passed that same year. When they made that shit a law, I almost didnt want to do the show, Eilish said at the time. Because I wanted to punish this fucking place for allowing that to happen here. But then I remembered its you guys who are the fucking victims and you guys deserve everything in the world. And we need to tell them to shut the fuck up. My body, my fucking choice. Eilishs endorsement of Harris comes a week after fellow pop artist Taylor Swift backed the Democratic presidential nominee in a post on Instagram, writing that Harris fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them and is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos. Swifts support of Harris apparently upset former President Donald Trump so much that on Sunday, he wrote on Truth Social, I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT! Related... Billie Eilish and Finneas have endorsed Kamala Harris in her 2024 presidential bid. The sibling musicians took to Instagram on Tuesday, National Voter Registration Day, to share their election preference. More from The Hollywood Reporter We are voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz because they are fighting to protect our reproductive freedom, our planet and our democracy, Eilish says in a video reel. Vote like your life depends on it, because it does. Finneas adds, We cant let extremists control our lives, our freedoms and our future. The only way to stop them and the dangerous Project 2025 agenda is to vote and elect Kamala Harris. The duo urged people to go to iwillvote.com to check their voter registration status and make a plan to cast their ballot. In 2020 Eilish supported Joe Biden, speaking and performing at the Democratic National Convention, where she criticized then-President Donald Trump. You dont need me to tell you things are a mess Donald Trump is destroying our country and everything we care about. We need leaders who will solve problems like climate change and COVID not deny them, Eilish said at the time, during the pandemic-affected virtual convention. Leaders who will fight against systemic racism and inequality. And that starts by voting for someone who understands how much is at stake; someone who is building a team that shares our values. It starts with voting against Donald Trump and for Joe Biden. The endorsement from the multiple Grammy- and Oscar-winning duo comes a week after Taylor Swift endorsed Harris. Her highly anticipated announcement, coming after the presidential debate between Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump, led to nearly 400,000 visits to the vote.gov website, the government website she highlighted where U.S. citizens can register to vote and check their registration status. Beyonce previously gave Harris permission to use her 2016 song Freedom as the candidates campaign anthem. And Megan Thee Stallion, Bon Iver, Barbra Streisand and John Legend have all expressed their support for the Harris-Walz ticket. Additionally, Pink, The Chicks, Lil Jon and DJ Cassidy all showed up at the 2024 DNC. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Binghamton HS delayed school out of 'abundance of caution' following social media threat Binghamton City School District delayed classes at the high school Monday morning due to a possible threat. Binghamton High School students started their school day at 11:58 a.m. after the district said they were made aware of two social media posts "alleging a threat of violence at Binghamton High School." "Out of an abundance of caution," the district said, "the start of the school day was delayed." City of Binghamton Police investigated the claims and determined there was no credible threat Monday. According to the district, the first post brought to their attention was a "non-specific threat" that had been "circulating throughout the region and parts of the State for more than a week." The second post was made by a Binghamton High School student claiming to have knowledge of the event. The district said the student did not in fact have knowledge of the event and had made the post "as an attempt to 'warn' people" in response to the first post. Anyone with information to aid in the investigation is asked to contact Binghamton Police Department at 607-723-5321. This report will be updated as more information becomes available. This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton HS social media threat investigated: What we know HONOLULU (KHON2) Blood donors around the islands have been called to help in a critical shortage, specifically those with O-negative and O-positive blood. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The Blood Bank of Hawaii revealed there is less than a days worth of blood remaining due to high hospital demand and a decline in donor turnout. New facility to provide shelter, care for Oahus medically vulnerable homeless O-Blood or O-Red Cells is the universal donor type and thats because when patients come into the emergency room, if theyre unknown, we dont know their blood types and so the only blood type that we can give them safely is type-O blood. And thats why type O is always short, Kim-Anh Nguyen M.D., President and CEO of Blood Bank of Hawaii explained. Currently, the BBH is looking to secure 150 to 200 daily appointments to help meet hospital needs. We usually need 150-200 donors every day, every single day, whats amazing to know is of these 150 only 3 out of 100 are going to be type O-negative, she said. Officials stressed, however, the immediate need for O-negative and O-positive donations. Unfortunately, this morning we opened our doors with less than one days supply of universal O-negative blood and that makes us really nervous for a couple of reasons, Nguyen added. As trauma, violence and patients from motor vehicle accidents flood Hawaiis emergency rooms, blood centers are prompted to issue urgent appeals for group-O red cells. In addition, Heart Week is approaching for the Kapiolani Women and Childrens Medical Center where blood is needed to support major open-heart surgeries. Weve got quite a way, quite a hole that we need to dig out of and thats why we need people in this community to step up. Check out more news from around Hawaii New and returning donors must schedule an appointment for any day of the week at the following locations: Young Street Donor Center Waikele Center Mobile blood drives Donors can register on the BBHs website or call (808) 848-4770 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 KHON2. Blood test still pending in case of accused Rockford spree killer ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) A blood test to show whether accused Rockford spree killer Christian Soto smoked laced marijuana before the attacks is still pending. Attorneys in the case agreed during a Sept. 13 hearing that blood drawn from Soto after he allegedly killed four people on March 27 may be consumed for testing at SSM SLU Care Forensic Toxicology Lab. Soto, 22, declined to have an expert witness present during the testing process, records show. According to a police report, Soto told detectives that he fatally stabbed three victims before beating a 15-year-old girl to death with a softball bat. Seven other people were wounded. Soto told police that marijuana he claims he smoked with one of his victims before the attacks may have been laced with another drug that made him paranoid. A test of his urine came back negative for drugs, according to court documents. Soto is due back in court on Nov. 1. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. A Delta Airlines flight had to return minutes after takeoff as passengers noses began bleeding when the cabin failed to pressurize as it climbed high into the air. The Boeing 737-900 plane departed from the Salt Lake City airport around 8.30 a.m. and was headed to Portland International Airport. Shortly after takeoff, passengers said they began experiencing pressure in their noses and eardrums. One passenger said it felt like someone was stabbing her in the ear. She felt her ear pop from the cabin pressure and then begin to bubble. I grabbed my ear, and I pulled my hand back, and there was blood on it, Jaci Purser told KSL TV. Passengers said they felt the plane dip shortly after takeoff. The plane started circling the Salt Lake City area and then returned back to the airport. The Delta flight left from Salt Lake City and quickly returned to the airport after passengers started to have the medical problems. (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) The FAA said the airline reported a possible pressurization issue as the plane crossed 10,000 feet and is investigating the incident. The Independent has contacted Delta Airlines and Boeing for comment. Passengers claim that Delta did not tell them about the pressurization issues or why they had to turn back. In a statement to KSL TV, Delta confirmed the pressurization issues but did not state what caused it. Valerie Walker, a retired Delta Air Lines pilot who spoke to the outlet, said the planes captain most likely saw the cabin pressurization issue, heard it and tried to solve the problem while in the air before returning back to the airport. Airplanes only make money when theyre in the air, she said. Plus, we have people that have to go somewhere. They have to make connections. If its safe, and we can fix it in the air, well do it. If theres any doubt that it poses a safety problem, then no, we go to the nearest airport where we can get it fixed and land. Something like this, Walker stated, is not likely to be caused by pilot error. Paramedics tended to the injured after the plane arrived back at the airport. The airline told the outlet that 10 people were evaluated by paramedics. However, some might have sought medical treatment on their own after landing. Purser said that she went to the hospital and was diagnosed with a ruptured eardrum. She was prescribed antibiotic drops to prevent infection, steroids and nose spray. The aircraft was returned to service on Monday after it was examined and fixed by technicians. Mining Vehicles Ride Time and Efficiency in Mining Operations 1500s The original minecart The minecart was developed hundreds of years ago, with examples of this style of vehicle dating back at least to the 1500s. They were used to help move earth and minerals out from the deep tunnels bored into mountainsides. While they significantly predate it, minecarts are particularly associated with the American Gold Rush period, which began in the 1840s. The simple cart was generally constructed of wood and metal, and moved along fixed tracks. They are seldom used in mining operations today, having been superseded by trucks and conveyor systems; however, they remain one of the most identifiable and iconic mining vehicles. Early 1900s Continuous miners It is unclear exactly when the first continuous mining vehicle was developed. The English Channel Machine built in the 1870s and ran on compressed air could possibly be counted, but most agree that the technology was first used in mining in the early 1900s. In 1912, for example, the Hoadley Knight Machine was developed for mining coal. Primitive by modern standards, it used an electric motor, hydraulic swings and water sprays to breakdown rock faces. Since the early 1900s there have been great advancements in continuous mining vehicles, but most still consist of rotating steel drums with tungsten teeth which dislodge chunks of coal. These lumps then fall to the floor and are pushed into the throat of the machine by rotating arms. The rock is then moved via conveyor belt to be collected in trucks behind the machine. They account for as much as 45% of coal mining in the US, and many modern continuous mining vehicles are automated. 1934 The first dump truck In 1934, Euclid designed and built the Model 1Z truck, which is generally considered to be the first off-highway rear dump truck for mining. The heavy-duty vehicle was fitted with a 100HP Waukesha gasoline engine and was just 6.4m long. Small by modern standards, the Model 1Z was the first step on the path to the monster dump trucks we see in the mining industry today. Euclid, now part of Terex Trucks, created the truck as a solution to haulage in the increasingly industrialised mining process in the US. 1978 The Bagger makes everything bigger The Bagger 288 remains the biggest land vehicle in the world, forty years after its creation, weighing 13,500t and standing as tall as an eight-story building. At 315ft-high and 788ft-long, this beast requires 16.56KW of external power to its colossal 21.60m bucket wheel. The bucket-wheel excavator was built by the Krupp Company for Rheinbraun, originally to operate at its Tagebau Hambach strip coal mine in Germany. It is capable of extracting 240,000t of coal per day, and exhausted the Tagebau Hambach mine in just 23 years. Story continues In 2001, the Bagger 288 made the 14-mile trip down the road to the Garzweiler mine over the course of three weeks. Roughly 100 million tonnes of coal per year is produced at the Garzweiler mine in the Rhine region, some 15% of German all energy supplies. 1998 The classic CAT The CAT 797 is one of the most successful and recognisable dump trucks ever developed. Made by Caterpillar, it has been reincarnated multiple times, most recently in 2009 when the Cat 797F was launched. This model is the second-biggest dump truck in the world, with a payload of 400t, 40t more than the original. Its 20-cylinder engine can produce up to 4,00HP, enough to move even the machines bulk. At 14.8m in length, 6.52m in height and 9.75m in width, it was the biggest dump truck for years and despite being overtaken by the Belaz 75710, remains a common sight. 2008 Automating mining Automation is one of the biggest themes of the 21st Century so far, and within the mining industry this is most notable in the automation of vehicles. Capable of running for 24 hours a day without breaks, this new generation is efficient, economic and increasingly commonplace. Possibly the greatest example of adopting this new technology is Rio Tintos Pilbara iron mine, which uses 80 driverless Komatsu trucks. Using GPS, radar and laser sensors, the trucks can make their way around the mine site avoiding obstacles and delivering high-grade ore to be processed. In 2017, the trucks moved their one-billionth tonne of material and, overall, have cut unit costs at the mine by 15%. Rio Tinto began developing autonomous mining technology in 2008, and the company continues to invest heavily in the process. In 2017, Rio Tinto announced that it would be expanding its autonomous fleet to 140 in two years, as well as launching a retrofit programme to automate 48 trucks already in use. Other mining vehicle companies are developing their own autonomous fleets, with the likes of BHP Billiton and Suncor releasing driverless mining trucks. BHP Billiton has also begun deploying its trucks in iron ore mines in Australia, which it hopes will increase production levels. 2013 The biggest dump truck The worlds biggest dump truck, the Belaz 75710, weighs in at an incredible 496t. It was developed by Belaz, a mining manufacturing company from Belarus, in 2013, and sales began in 2014. At 20.6m-long, 8.16m-high and 9.87m-wide, the house-sized truck was the first to be able to transport more than 450t. The giant has two pivoted axis to increase its manoeuvrability, two diesel engines and eight wheels. It has entries in the Guinness World Records as both the biggest two-axial dump truck and the biggest body with capacity of 645.4m3. Then in 2015, the truck was featured on a stamp in Belarus, highlighting its popularity and public appeal. In the 75710s first year of operation at Chernigovets coal mine in Russia, it transported 4.6 million tonnes of rock. Thats the equivalent of the weight of 1,115 railway locomotives. 2015 Moving underwater The European Unions Viable Alternative Mine Operating System (VAMOS) project is developing underwater mining vehicles specifically for flooded mine sites. Remote operated underwater vehicles controlled by a programmable logic controller use cutterheads to gently dislodge rock without disturbing the groundwater. The ore is then collected and pumped to the surface for processing, and waste sediment and water is returned to the mine. In Europe alone there are 30,000 flooded mine sites and VAMOS, which was established in 2015, hopes to take advantage of the vast resources within them. The project will run to later this year, after which point the company intends to make the technology commercially available. Elsewhere, similar amphibian vehicles are being used in the pursuit of underwater mining at sea by companies such as Nautilus. 2017 Electrifying mine machines ETFs modular technical platform was developed as a potential solution to problems faced by its founders while working on mining projects in South East Asia and the Middle East. In 2016, ETF produced a proof-of-concept for modular haulage trucks, where each element or module could be switched in or out of the vehicle within the hour. It now readies itself to produce hybrid trucks with payloads from 100 to 300 Tons. Initially powered by a mix of electric and diesel, these trucks have been specifically designed to enable retrofitting, so they can become fully electric within a week when battery developments reach a point where more practical haul cycles are possible. The company is currently developing the next wave of trucks, which will be digital, AI and machine learning enabled. These futuristic devices will allow for a complete streamlining of services, drastically cutting repair and maintenance times using predictive technologies. Because these trucks are fully automated, you do not require a broad spectrum of payloads, explains ETF chief client officer Geoffrey Ejzenberg. Because they can interact with themselves, know the payloads of their peers, calculate the haul load. Using this technology, the trucks will be able to automatically reorder haul load sequences, should for example a truck or a shovel breakdown. "Mining vehicles a ride through time" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Blow for Trump as judge rules RFK Jrs name must stay on ballot in swing state Blow for Trump as judge rules RFK Jrs name must stay on ballot in swing state Robert F Kennedy Jrs name will remain on the presidential ballot in Wisconsin after a judge denied his request for it to be removed, with the ruling marking a potential blow for Donald Trumps re-election chances. RFK Jr abandoned his own independent presidential campaign late last month to endorse the former president who offered him a cabinet post if he returns to office. The former Democrat has since scrambled to remove his name from the ballots across swing states, noting that if his name remains, I would likely hand the election over to the Democrats, he said after culling his presidential run. RFK Jrs removal from the ballots across swing states could cement key votes for the Republicans in the tight race for the White House between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. The former environmental lawyer filed a lawsuit in Wisconsin on September 3, as he attempted to be wiped off the ticket. But on Monday, Dane County Circuit Judge Stephen Ehlke denied the request to erase his name from swing statess ballot, ruling that only death can wipe a candidate from the ballot. The bottom line here is that Mr Kennedy has no one to blame but himself if he didnt want to be on the ballot, the judge said. RFK Jr argued that Democrats and Republicans are treated more favorably than independent candidates. RFK Jr attended a campaign event in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday (AP) Candidates from the two major parties have until 5pm on the first Tuesday of September (September 3 this year) to strike their names from the ballot, while third-party candidates can only do so before the August 6 deadline for submitting nomination papers. The statute is plain on its face, Ehlke said as he abruptly denied the politicians request. The judge noted that many ballots etched with RFK Jrs name have already gone out for printing ahead of Wednesdays deadline. Lawyers of the newly-pledged Republican suggested that clerks cover up his name with stickers a practice implemented when a candidate dies. His legal team approached the state appellate court to take the case days before Ehlkes ruling. The 2nd District Court of Appeals said it was awaiting Ehlkes decision before deciding whether to take the case. RFK Jrs name on the ballot could help Harris in turning Wisconsin from a red state to blue. Previously, between 5,700 and 23,000 votes have decided which way the state swung in four of the past six presidential elections. Its the latest twist in RFK Jrs attempts to strike his name from the ballots across the battleground states, marking a stark U-turn from when he vied to be on the ballot nationwide as a third-party candidate. He won a court order in North Carolina to remove his name from the states ballot, while Michigans Supreme Court ruled he would remain on the ballot there. RFK Jr remains on the ballot in 33 states, including swing states Michigan and Wisconsin. He is off the ballot in 18 states, including swing states Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania. According to The Hills analysis of 74 polls, RFK Jr has still garnered 2.4 per cent of the national vote. Vice President Kamala Harris leads Trump by 49.5 per cent to 43.2 per cent according to the same analysis which includes RFK Jr as a voting option. RIDGWAY, Colo. (KREX) Colorado tourism continues to grow as people from all over the world discover the towering jagged mountains and brilliant blue lakes one of which is right here on the Western Slope just outside of Ridgway. Ouray District Ranger Dana Gardunio tells WesternSlopeNow the Blue Lakes Trail, located in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness, sees about 13,000 hikers through the summer season. The hike continues to increase in both exposure and popularity, and Gardunio says some major changes need to be made to keep the wilderness wild. The trail will limit day-use hikers to about 40 a day, and camping will only be allowed in designated spots. She says there will be only four sites available for camping each night. Permits will have no cost. Additional changes will be seen across 16,000 acres in the same area, including limitations on canines heading to Mount Sneffels Peak. These changes will go into effect by 2026. About four hours away in Glenwood Springs, a hike bringing in a whopping 70,000 visitors each summer also implemented a permit system back in 2019. Visit Glenwood Director of Tourism Lisa Langer says there was a lot of pushback at first, especially by locals, but overall the permit system is seen as a big improvement for both the landscape and tourists. Over three million people visit the Grand Junction area each year, Visit Grand Junction Director Elizabeth Fogarty tells WesternSlopeNow. She says even with all of these visitors, the city is proactively working to make sure no trails get overcrowded enough for a permit system. Grand Junction local Pamela Schultz agrees the Grand Valley isnt in need of a permitting system. The Colorado National Monument is one of the main local hiking hot spots, and CNM Interpretation Program Manager Kait Thomas says more than half a million people come each year. Still, she claims visitations at a level the monument can accommodate, so there are no plans currently to implement a permit system. Camping within the monument does require a reservation, though Thomas tells WesternSlopeNow if spots are available, permits can be given the day of. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. Body of Allisha Watts, missing woman last seen in Charlotte, found: deputies CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) The remains of Allisha Watts, a missing woman last seen alive in Charlotte, were found in Montgomery County Thursday, according to the sheriffs office. James Dunmore, Wattss boyfriend, was taken into custody and arrested for murder, authorities said. I cant imagine how somebody could be so wicked and evil, said Bridget Cotts, a friend of Watts family. "I can't imagine how somebody could be so weak and evil." Family and friends of Allisha Watts, a missing woman last seen in Charlotte, are speaking out after her remains were found in Montgomery County Thursday. Latest: https://t.co/z5FdDNTM6L pic.twitter.com/EgXLqn5K4b Queen City News (@Queen_City_News) August 24, 2023 Montgomery County Sheriff Pete Herron held a news conference regarding the situation Thursday at 4 p.m. Related | Warrants reveal disturbing new details as search for Allisha Watts enters week 3 The full news conference can be watched below: Watts, 39, of Southern Pines, was last seen July 16 at Dunmores home in Charlotte on Pamela Lorraine Drive; two days later, Dunmore was found in Watts car in Anson County. We just have to do the very best we can and move forward and lift Ms. Wattss name up, another Montgomery County official said. There will be a day of reckoning for this individual that was arrested. Related | CMPD on missing person case: Our laser focus is to find Allisha According to warrants, Dunmore made an apparent suicide attempt before troopers discovered him at the Anson County DMV parking lot. He was reportedly treated, but his whereabouts have been unknown since. CMPD said as a result of the investigation into Watts disappearance and a collaborative effort with other agencies, including the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office, the case was no longer a missing persons investigation. In a series of interviews with media earlier this month, CMPD pushed back on any assertion that they have not been forthcoming with family about the case, saying they have been in contact daily with Watts close family members. There have been hundreds of hours that have gone into this, Capt. Joel McNelly told Queen City News two weeks ago. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Boston man is celebrating a big win. Tayoan De Lima Santos of Dorchester is the winner of a $4 million prize in the Massachusetts State Lotterys $4,000,000 Lions Share instant ticket game, state lottery officials said Tuesday. He chose the cash option on his prize and received a one-time payment of $2,600,000, before taxes. Santos said he plans on traveling and doing some home improvements with his winnings. He purchased his winning ticket at Mikes Fuel & Food Mart, 1455 Trapelo Rd. in Waltham. The store will receive a $40,000 bonus for its sale of this ticket. 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 DENVER (KDVR) The city of Boulder gave notice Monday to the tenants of a privately owned, off-campus student housing building that the property would be closing because the owner had created bedrooms in each unit without city approval. The building is located at 891 12th St. on University Hill and was historically known as the Marpa House. Its currently known as the Ash House. The city said the building was approved for residential use over a year ago to help provide market-rate rental housing for students at the University of Colorado Boulder. Right thing to do: Man sacrifices truck to save unconscious driver on highway The city said the property owners, 891 12th St. LLC., converted the building into 16 three-bedroom apartments all of which were required to meet the citys current building code. The city said applications were submitted and approved to allow 48 students to live in the building. However, the closure notice will displace approximately 60 student renters, and at least 13 of those students will need to find new permanent housing. No one will be allowed to live at the Ash House and access will be severely limited until the units are restored to approved and permitted conditions, the city said Monday. This is an incredibly unfortunate situation, and we truly regret the inconvenience and disruption for renters, said Brad Mueller in a city release. Mueller is the director of Planning and Development Services, which includes the Code Compliance division. However, safety is always first, and the conditions discovered represent an immediate risk, Mueller added. The building code exists to ensure minimum safety, health and quality of life standards exist for all rental housing. The city determined swift action was needed given the egregious nature of the violations. Residents were notified Monday afternoon. Legal services of the University of Colorado Boulders Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations Office and Student Legal Services are providing assistance and information about housing resources. The city said it is also pursuing legal remedies to hold the owners accountable for the apparent building violations. Code and zoning violations addressed during construction The city said that during the primary construction of the building during the 2023-24 school year, Boulder officials addressed several zoning violations and issued parking warnings. Each of the issues was subsequently resolved by the owners, the city explained. But last week, the Code Compliance Division of the Planning and Development Service Department was informed through a tenant complaint and an investigation of a new and serious violation of an illegal division of living space. Parents help kids cross busy Boulder County roads after 2 students hit The city said 891 12th St. LLC had constructed 15 new bedrooms without building permits, land use approval or life-safety inspections. The city said the bedrooms were evidently constructed immediately after city building inspectors had conducted inspections on the previously allowed and permitted construction. The city said that as of Monday, 13 of those 15 bedrooms were occupied. We anticipate there will be significant de-construction disturbance within a confined space to remedy the situation. There was also unpermitted work that causes immediate safety concerns, Mueller said in the citys release. We recognize the upheaval this causes and will be working with the owner to address the dangerous situation as expeditiously as possible. The city said it could not have approved fourth bedrooms for the apartments under the current zoning and code of the Ash House. Boulder officials also noted that the owners did not have electrical work permits for when the bedrooms were 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 FOX31 Denver. Bouncer charged, others wanted in theft of $41K from car at Atlantic Beach gentlemans club ATLANTIC BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) A bouncer who worked at an Atlantic Beach gentlemans club was involved in the theft of $41,000 from the trunk of a car on Friday night at Thee DollHouse, the towns acting police chief told News12 on Tuesday. Jonathan Gerard Laurent, 28, was captured on surveillance footage taking a black safe containing the cash out of a vehicle, and authorities say he didnt act alone. Laurent is charged with grand larceny of $10,000 or more and breaking into a motor vehicle. He was booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center early Saturday morning and released Monday after posting bond, jail records show. According to interim Police Chief Carlos Castillo Jr., the money was stolen from the car of a person who had been in jail. The victim was released from jail, he came back to get his car, and he noticed the safe was missing, he said. Thats when he notified dispatch. Castillo said investigators turned to the camera, which caught the entire incident. He said the footage shows more than just Laurent taking part in the crime. More charges are expected. Castillo said the other suspects were subcontractors. Police said the theft was a crime of opportunity, and that there is no threat to the public. * * * 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. * * * Jackie LiBrizzi is a multimedia journalist at News13. Jackie is originally from Hamilton, New Jersey, and was raised in Piedmont, South Carolina. Jackie joined the News13 team in June 2023 after she graduated as a student-athlete from the University of South Carolina in May 2023. Follow Jackie on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Boy rescued after being trapped between two boulders for nine hours Boy rescued after being trapped between two boulders for nine hours New Hampshire authorities worked tirelessly overnight to rescue an 11-year-old boy who was stuck between two boulders. The child was trapped between two boulders on property owned by Wediko Children's Services, a boarding school in Windsor, New Hampshire. According to Boston 25 News, the child was found on the grounds of Camp Wediko, a camp for children with emotional difficulties. The Manchester Fire Department told Patch that several agencies were called to the scene shortly before midnight on Sunday. The child was found "conscious and alert and located approximately 4 to 5 feet down between boulders with narrow access to either side," the Patch reported. 3-YEAR-OLD BOY FOUND DEAD AFTER FALLING INTO SEPTIC TANK WHILE PLAYING OUTSIDE: POLICE "Manchester's Rescue 1 worked in conjunction with on-scene Fire and EMS companies to clear a tunnel to the side of the boulders, which allowed a member to reach the victim's legs and assist with removal from the top of the boulders," the statement read. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Authorities reportedly used shovels, jackhammers, power saws and a lubricant to "vertically hoist" the boy between the boulders. Boston 25 News reported that the child had been stuck for nine hours by the time he was finally removed. The current condition of the child is unknown, but the Patch reported that he only sustained minor injuries. MULTIPLE PEOPLE ELECTROCUTED IN FREAK ACCIDENT WHILE ENJOYING SWIM IN POOL: POLICE New Hampshire authorities said they used several tools to rescue the boy. In a Facebook post, the Hillsboro Fire Department thanked the agencies that responded to the scene. "The Hillsboro Fire and EMS would like to thank all of our mutual aid companies that assisted with the technical rescue conducted at Wediko Childrens [S]ervices last night and well into the early morning hours," the post read. Fox News Digital reached out to the Manchester Fire Department and the Hillsboro Fire Department for additional information. Original article source: Boy rescued after being trapped between two boulders for nine hours Boys who died in fire called for help, court hears The Old Bailey heard a neighbour tried to rescue the boys, but the fire was too intense for them to enter the home [Unknown] Four young boys who died in a fire after being left home alone repeatedly called "there's a fire here" amid desperate attempts to rescue them, the Old Bailey has heard. Deveca Rose, 29, denies the manslaughter of her two sets of twins, Leyton and Logan Hoath, aged three, and Kyson and Bryson Hoath, aged four, and child cruelty. The four children died after a discarded cigarette or upturned tea light sparked a blaze at their terraced home in Sutton, south London. London Fire Brigade (LFB) station officer Darren Woodhams has told the court a neighbour tried to rescue the children but the fire was too intense for them to enter the home. Mr Woodhams told jurors there was a smoke detector on the first-floor landing of the home, but it was "inoperable" as it had no batteries inside. The court heard that on 16 December 2021, the family's neighbour was alerted to the fire next door by a passerby, who banged on her door, and she made the first of four calls to the fire brigade, saying there were children inside the property. Mr Woodhams said the neighbour had seen there were "smoke and flames" coming from next door and also alerted her husband. The fire investigator said the husband "observed the front-floor windows were black". "He could hear the children's voices saying there was a fire here, over and over." The court heard the boys' mother Deveca Rose, pictured arriving at the Old Bailey in January, left the boys to go to Sainsbury's [PA Media] "A neighbour forced the front door of the property open to try to get into the property to access the children. "However, due to the fire's intensity in the front room of the property they were unable to enter," he added. The court was told eight fire engine units were deployed to the blaze in Collingwood Road, with the first arriving at 18:54 GMT. Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and carrying a thermal imaging camera entered the home to rescue the children. The fire was extinguished and they began searching the ground floor before moving upstairs, but Mr Woodhams said they "experienced some difficulties due to a mattress and possibly a door on the stairs". 'Friend called Jade' The two firefighters found one child under a bed, before locating the other three boys under another bed, the court heard. Mr Woodhams told jurors that by then, they were all unconscious and not breathing and they were brought outside. He said firefighters assisted with chest compressions and the use of a defibrillator before the children were taken to two hospitals. Jurors have heard that the childrens mother, who was taken in by a neighbour, claimed she left the boys with a friend called Jade. Mr Woodhams said firefighters were therefore instructed to go back into the house after being made aware there might be someone else inside. However, extensive police inquiries led investigators to the conclusion Jade either did not exist or was not present that evening, the court heard. During the hearing, jurors were shown pictures of the fire damage found by investigators in the days that followed the tragedy, including a mattress, the remains of a wooden bed frame and detritus said to be about 20cm (7.75in) deep. The trial continues. 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 links TechCrunch Speaking at an Oracle financial analysts meeting, Oracle founder Larry Ellison said he expects AI to one day power massive law enforcement surveillance networks. As the Washington Post notes, police data in the U.S. is historically biased, and feeding it into an AI model could lead it to suggest more criminal activity is in those areas, creating racially and socioeconomically biased feedback loops. In 2019, the LAPD suspended its crime prediction program after an audit showed it resulted in subjecting Black and Latino people to more surveillance. 'Brazil cannot take part in Russia-Ukraine war,' Lula says after Zelensky's criticism Brazil cannot interfere in the Russian-Ukrainian war, and those who want to engage in a dialogue with the Brazilian government should have done so before the war, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Sept. 16, Metropoles reported. The South American country has positioned itself as neutral in the war, refusing to join sanctions or provide military aid while proposing a peace initiative in cooperation with China. President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Brazil's and China's joint plan, calling it "destructive." "You either support the war, or you don't support the war. If you don't support it, then help us stop Russia," Zelensky said. The president added that he offered to discuss peace proposals with Chinese and Brazilian leaders. Lula gave a speech during the graduation ceremony for diplomats at the Rio Branco Institute and, without explicitly mentioning Zelensky's recent statement, said that "those who want to talk to us now could have done so before the war started." "Brazil has never been so important in the world as now. It's not just because of agriculture business, it's not just because of iron ore, it's not just because of soy or meat. It's because Brazil is an unbeatable country when it comes to energy," Lula said. "That's why it's important for Brazil not to take part in the war in Ukraine and Russia, that's why it's important for Brazil to say that we want peace, we don't want war. Those who want to talk to us now could have talked to us before the war started," he added. Read also: China claims its Ukraine peace plan has support of more than 110 countries At the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Brazil's president was a far-right politician and Lula's rival, Jair Bolsonaro. Lula took office in January 2023, when the all-out war had already lasted for almost a year. Prior to that, Lula was head of the Brazilian state from 2003 until 2011, three years before Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and the beginning of the partial occupation of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts by Russian forces. In May, Brazil and China pitched a six-point peace plan that called on both Russia and Ukraine to avoid "escalation of hostilities" and "provocations." It came as a parallel plan to Ukraine's peace efforts based on Zelensky's 10-point peace formula, which included a global peace summit in Switzerland in June. China did not attend the summit despite the invitation, while the Brazilian representative who was present did not sign the resulting communique. The six-point plan from Brazil and China calls for: Non-escalation or provocations by either side. An international peace conference accepted by both Russia and Ukraine and which includes a "fair discussion" of all peace plans. An increase of humanitarian assistance to "prevent a humanitarian crisis on a larger scale," as well as an exchange of POWs and no attacks on civilians. All possible efforts must be made to "prevent nuclear proliferation and avoid a nuclear crisis." Attacks on nuclear power plants and other peaceful nuclear facilities "must be opposed." Enhanced international cooperation on several issues to "protect the stability of global industrial and supply chains." Moscow has previously said it would accept Brazil and China as intermediaries for possible peace talks. While the two countries refused to publicly take sides in the war, China served as Russia's key economic lifeline and a source of dual-use goods. There have been no direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia since early 2022. Moscow named Ukraine giving up on occupied territory and ceding additional ground as conditions for talks. In turn, Kyiv's 10-point peace formula includes a complete Russian withdrawal from the country. Read also: Explainer: Why Zelensky slammed the China-Brazil peace plan Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Spend management platform, RedOwl, joins as latest partner; Nium has seen monthly payment volume grow by 3X over the last twelve months, in the Oceania region SYDNEY, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nium, the global leader in real-time cross-border payments, today announced that its monthly payment volume grew by 3X in Oceania, over the last year. This growth has been driven by a surge in adoption from financial institutions and spend management platforms, with AI platform, RedOwl, being the latest partner to join the Nium network. RedOwl's immediate goal is to bring AI to corporate cards, joining spend management category leaders Weel and Budgetly, who have turned to Nium for white-label card issuing and cross-border payouts. RedOwl is bringing the power of AI into payment rails, championing intelligence and real-time decision making when it comes to card related payments. "We chose Nium because of their unparalleled infrastructure and expertise in powering modern payments. Their solutions allow us to enter the market faster and deliver greater value to our customers," said Jitto Arulampalam, Co-founder and CEO at RedOwl. Budgetly has been a Nium customer since 2020. The company tapped Nium to provide more convenience and control to its SME clientele through the provision of pre-paid cards for expense management processes. "Partnering with Nium has been a game-changer for Budgetly," said Simon Lenoir, CEO and Founding Director at Budgetly. "Through Nium, we recently launched our international bill payment solution, offering our customers the ability to make payments effortlessly via one portal. This partnership has allowed us to scale rapidly and offer seamless experiences for our customers." "The spend management industry is booming in Australia, with businesses increasingly turning to Nium for its white-label card issuing and cross-border payment solutions," said Anupam Pahuja, EVP and GM for APAC, Middle East, and Africa at Nium. "Our platform solves complex payment problems across a wide range of verticals, including travel, payroll, insurance, and e-commerce. Our card issuance solution has already issued over 75 million cards globally, supporting major global brands. This, along with Nium's extensive geographical coverage and B2B infrastructure focus, positions the company as a critical enabler for businesses looking to scale in Australia, New Zealand, and beyond." In addition to its success in Australia, Nium recently achieved another critical milestone by registering as a Financial Service Provider in New Zealand. This pivotal step marks the company's entry into the dynamic financial landscape of New Zealand, allowing it to extend its comprehensive suite of financial solutions to local businesses. Nium expects that its offerings will range from virtual accounts and global payouts to debit and prepaid cards, enabling businesses to streamline operations and improve their financial efficiency. Story continues "Becoming a registered Financial Service Provider in New Zealand reaffirms our commitment to delivering innovative financial solutions globally," continued Pahuja. "Our presence in New Zealand, alongside our established operations in Australia, positions us as a key player in the region's financial ecosystem, empowering businesses to thrive through our technology." Since its founding ten years ago, Nium has raised over $300 million USD (up to Series E). In October 2023, Nium celebrated its Centaur status, reaching $100 million USD in aggregate net revenue a milestone achieved by only 1% of startups globally. This achievement underscores Niums rapid growth and leadership in enabling seamless global financial services for businesses. About Nium Nium, the global 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 authorizations 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. Media contacts: Anjali DMello, +6591812542, anjali.dmello@nium.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1678669/4916279/Nium_Logo.jpg Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nium-expands-across-australia-and-new-zealand-driven-by-increased-adoption-from-financial-institutions-and-spend-management-platforms-302250568.html SOURCE Nium Brazilian mayoral candidate Jose Luiz Datena attacked rival Pablo Marcal with a chair mid-debate. Datena struck Marcal during a live debate after Marcal referenced past sexual harassment claims. Marcal received medical treatment and plans to take legal action, his reps said. A Brazilian mayoral candidate smashed a chair into his opponent during a live debate on Sunday. Jose Luiz Datena, 67, swung the chair at his rival Pablo Marcal, 37, during an intense exchange that was broadcast by TV Cultura and shared by multiple outlets, including CNN, NBC, and The Washington Post. Datena, a news anchor, and Marcal, a far-right influencer, were among six candidates campaigning to become the next mayor of Sao Paulo, one of the world's largest cities. Speaking to TV Cultura, Datena said he struck Marcal because he had, in a previous debate, spoken about sexual harassment allegations made against him that had been dismissed several years prior, the reports said. "He came with a case that was archived, that was not even investigated by the police because there was no evidence. Something from 11 years ago that caused a very serious situation within my family," Datena said, per CNN. After threatening to hit Marcal during the previous debate, Datena launched the attack on Sunday when his opponent said he wasn't man enough to do so, NBC reported. Datena said that "he lost his cool," but did not apologize, The New York Times reported. "I made a mistake, but I don't regret it in any way," he said, according to the report. Marcal was given medical treatment at Sirio Libanes Hospital, CNN reported. The seriousness of his injuries is not fully known. CNN reported that he was treated for a possible fracture in the chest area, adding that there was trauma to both the wrist and chest without any significant complications. Meanwhile, local media cited by The Washington Post, reported that he had a fractured rib and a dislocated finger. Marcal compared the attack to the assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump in July, writing on Instagram, "Why all this hate?" alongside a photo of the incident. Marcal's representatives told CNN they would be taking legal action. "Pablo Marcal was cowardly attacked by Jose Luiz Datena, who hit him in the ribs with an iron chair," a spokesperson for Marcal told the outlet. At the time of writing, it's unclear what if any impact the altercation will have on the mayoral election. Datena is polling in fifth place, while Marcal is polling third behind Ricardo Nunes and Guilherme Boulos, NBC reported. "Most voters had no idea he was a candidate and now everyone is talking about him. He could grow in the polls," Andre Cesar, a consultant and political analyst at Hold Assessoria Legislativa consultancy, told NBC. "It was good theater, aimed to help a lagging campaign," he added. Both candidates did not immediately respond to a request by Business Insider for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider Will Breton's final salvo rock von der Leyen's boat even further? | Radio Schuman Will Breton's final salvo rock von der Leyen's boat even further? | Radio Schuman Thierry Breton's surprisingly public last-minute resignation as France's European Commission nominee was the talk of the town on Monday. While Paris quickly replaced the outgoing Commissioner with former MEP and Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Sejourne, Breton's final salvo aimed at Commission President Ursula von der Leyen further made sure her new mandate was off to a rocky start. Will von der Leyen weather the storm, and is she really as opposed to critical voices among her Commissioners as Breton insinuated? Today, Radio Schuman asks Elvire Fabry, a senior researcher at the Institut Jacques Delors, to comment on the Commission's fiery start to the week. We also glance at the agenda for today's Parliament's Strasburg plenary session. Notably, a few last-minute changes occurred, with floods preventing Hungary's Prime MInister Viktor Orban from making an appearance. On a lighter note, we'll tell you which country in Europe has the best work-sleep balance and why. Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maia de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas. Briar Forest shooting: 2 bodies discovered in West Houston, authorities on scene investigating HOUSTON - Houston police are on the scene investigating after two bodies were discovered in West Houston on Monday evening. Details are limited, but officials said the discovery was made in the 14500 block of Briar Forest shortly before 8 p.m. FOX 26 Houston is now on the FOX LOCAL app available through Apple TV, Amazon FireTV, Roku, Google Android TV, Samsung TV, and Vizio! Officials said the victims appeared to sustain gunshot wounds. No other details have been released. This is a breaking news story. We'll keep you up-to-date with the very latest. EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio (WKBN) If youre looking to cross the Ohio River from East Liverpool, youll have one less option this week. Read next: Seen on WKBNs weather camera: What is the massive machine in the Ohio River near East Liverpool? The Wayne Six Toll Bridge more commonly known as the Newell Bridge is now closed for inspections. Officials say they plan to reopen it to traffic by the weekend but if they run into any unforeseen circumstances requiring more work, theyll reopen it once its safe. The bridge connects East Liverpool to Newell in Hancock County, West Virginia. It has been in operation since 1905. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, attended a summit on small boats this month, chaired by Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary - BENJAMI CREMEL/PA WIRE British crime fighters are to be sent to Austria to stop migrants being smuggled into Europe. Officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) are being deployed to Austria and Romania to help crack down on people-smuggling gangs who are transporting migrants and equipment through the two countries from Italy, Greece, the Balkans and eastern Europe to the coast of northern France. The moves are part of a 75 million cash injection announced on Tuesday to help set up Labours new Border Security Command, which will co-ordinate hundreds of investigators from the NCA, MI5, Border Force and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Police in Austria check cars and vans arriving from Slovakia. The number of asylum applications have nearly doubled in Austria over the past two years - HEINZ-PETER BADER/GETTY IMAGES Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, wants more officers to be deployed upstream to work with other countries law enforcement agencies to stem the flow of migrants, small boats, engines and other equipment into the EU and on to northern France. On Monday, Sir Keir Starmer and Martin Hewitt, the newly appointed border security commander, met government officials and police in Italy to see how they have worked with other EU states and source countries to reduce the number of migrant sea crossings from North Africa by more than 60 per cent. Austria has seen the number of asylum applications nearly double in the past two years and, like Italy, has proposed introducing an offshoring scheme for migrants where their claims would be processed in a third country. Britain has already established a similar presence in Bulgaria, where NCA officers at a key road transit point with Turkey intercepted 40 small boats and engines in recent weeks. They could have enabled up to 2,400 people to attempt the Channel crossing. The number of NCA officers are also being increased in Southeast Asia in key countries where the people-smuggling gangs are advertising Channel crossings. More migrants from Vietnam are now crossing the Channel in small boats than any other nationality. The funding also covers an extra 100 specialist investigators for the NCA, announced by the Government last month. This represents a 25 per cent increase in the agencys dedicated personnel tackling organised immigration crime. Ms Cooper said: Criminal gangs are getting away with undermining our border security and putting lives at risk. The Border Security Command will deliver a major overhaul and upgrade in law enforcement against smugglers and trafficking gangs to boost our border security. State-of-the-art technology and enhanced intelligence capabilities will ensure we are using every tool at our disposal to dismantle this vile trade. The 75 million will also pay for covert cameras and state-of-the-art surveillance and eavesdropping technology, to improve the quality of evidence, speed up investigations and increase the likelihood of successful prosecutions. Mr Hewitt, former head of the National Police Chiefs Council, clinched the job after presenting a detailed plan to ministers to boost the use of undercover tactics, covert surveillance and intercepts to track down and stop the people smugglers. The money will fund staff to support Mr Hewitt in his command centre in the Home Office and establish a new unit to collect, process and share intelligence on the people-smuggling gangs from across the UKs 44 police forces. That will be allied to the recruitment of extra CPS prosecutors with the aim to provide the same rapid justice for people smugglers as was deployed against the rioters this summer. Retake control of our borders Sir Keir foreshadowed the approach earlier this month. Im absolutely determined to take the same approach here, active Government, operational summit, making sure that we are going to retake control of our borders, take these gangs down, he said. Rob Jones, director general of operations at the NCA, said the extra money would boost its technology, data exploitation and capacity-building both internationally and in the UK. Tackling organised immigration crime remains a top priority for the NCA. We are currently leading around 70 investigations into the gangs or individuals involved in the highest echelons of criminality, and we are devoting more resources to it than ever before, he said. We are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle these networks, wherever they operate. 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. Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Officials from an English zoo are searching for a capybara that escaped from the facility and is believed to be camped out by a nearby brook. The Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in Telford said Monday that the capybara, named Cinnamon, escaped onto the zoo grounds Friday and was found to have gotten outside the perimeter fence Saturday when she was spotted on an area road. "Despite searching throughout the night there were no sightings of Cinnamon," the zoo said in a Tuesday morning update. "However, we have received some very useful information from local residents and now believe that Cinnamon is likely living in and around the Humber Brook on our northern border." Officials said a thermal drone would be joining in the search Tuesday and keepers from the nearby Exotic Zoo have offered to assist. Capybaras, native to South America, are the world's largest living rodents. "Cinnamon is very timid and any attempt to capture her by untrained individuals could result in driving her further away from her home -- which we want to avoid," the zoo said. THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) A Bronx community organization gives free programs for youth all year round. They are hoping to go to Puerto Rico with their junior dance group so they can experience the history and culture firsthand. They reached out to PIX11 News for support. There are three generations of women who are helping preserve the culture of bomba a dance of Puerto Rico. More Local News Three-year-old Naila Green is the youngest member of the Bombazo Youth Dance Company in Hunts Point. Her mom and grandma say she is just learning the dance, but the rhythm is in her blood. Milteri Tucker Concepcion is the founder and director of the Bombazo Dance Company and says for nearly two decades shes been teaching children Bomba Puertorriquena and its connection to the African and Hispanic communities. One Sunday night back in April, she got a call that changed her life. Filmmaker and philanthropist Spike Lee visited in May and asked to feature the company in an upcoming movie called High and Low starring Denzel Washington. Twelve young members from the company will be traveling to Puerto Rico to perform and meet the bomba elders in November. All under the age of 17, it will be their first time going to Puerto Rico for many of them. They have raised $15,000, but they still have $10,000 left to reach their goal so every child can go. The group is having a fundraiser on Oct. 15 to help. Bombazo Youth Dance Company Fundraiser When: Tuesday, October 15 at 7 p.m. Location: Barrio BX (Puerto Rican restaurant in the Bronx) For more information about the Bombazo Dance Company and how to donate, 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 PIX11. (WIVT/WBGH) Airports in Broome and Chenango Counties are receiving federal funding to improve their infrastructure as well as their daily operations. On Tuesday, Congressman Marc Molinaro announced over that over $5 million will go to the Greater Binghamton Airport, Tri-Cities Airport, and Lt. Warren E, Eaton Airport. Im excited to announce these significant investments in our airports across Upstate New York. This funding will support important infrastructure advancements to ensure our local airports remain competitive and provide comfort for travelers, said Molinaro. The Greater Binghamton Airport will receive $4,937,777. The money will be used to reconstruct 51,000 square feet of existing terminal building, upgrade the security screening area, hold room area, baggage claim area, restrooms, HVAC, roadway canopy, and sidewalks, and replace two passenger boarding bridges. The project will also reconstruct existing edge lighting on a taxiway, rehabilitate 6,720 feet of the existing paved taxiway, and rebuild 46 existing airfield signs. The Tri-Cities Airport in Endicott will receive $117,249. The funds will aid in reconstructing runway end identifier lights system for existing runways. The Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport in Norwich will receive $161,527 to remove on and off airport trees from the runway to bring the airport into conformity with current standards. The funds are available through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Infrastructure Grant Program and the Airport Improvement Grant Program. Molinaro also granted a total of $5,106,292 to the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport, Columbia County Airport, and the Albert S Nader Regional Airport in Oneonta Molinaro serves on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, which oversees the FAA, and voted to pass legislation that increases funding for the FAAs safety and infrastructure programs. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Brussels to copy Starmer with call for ban on smoking outside cafes and restaurants The European Commission wants to crack down on smoking in public spaces - EYCTG/Alamy Stock Photo The European Commission will call for a ban on smoking on cafe terraces and in other outdoor spaces as part of a crackdown that will also hit airports and workplaces. Last month, Sir Keir Starmer said he was considering a similar move amid reports of new tobacco curbs on top of a smoking ban for anyone born in or after January 2009, launched under the Tories and taken on by Labour. Recommendations by Brussels will also cover vaping and new nicotine-free products, according to documents leaked before an announcement on Tuesday. They aim to cut second-hand exposure to both cigarette smoke and, amid concerns over the health risks of vaping, other aerosols. The level of coverage of smoke-free rules varies greatly based on the type of smoke-free environments, and the general level of coverage of outdoor spaces in smoke-free policies is low, the commission said. Brussels does not have the power to ban smoking in the European Unions 27 member states. That remains among the powers reserved for national governments. The suggestions expand existing guidelines for workplaces, public transport and public places, which were set out in 2009. While the new guidelines are not binding, EU officials argue that the older recommendations led to a cut in exposure to second-hand smoke. It is part of a wider effort by Brussels to cut down cancer rates in Europe. Individual EU member states have so far chosen how or whether to regulate smoking in outdoor places. The guidelines say smoking should be banned in outdoor or semi-outdoors areas such as patios, terraces, balconies and rooftops. Such areas are closely associated with restaurants, bars and cafes or used as smoking areas at workplaces. Airports, bus stops and other public transport hubs will be covered by the ban, as well as outdoor areas in hospitals, nursing homes, schools and universities. Airports and other public transport hubs would be covered by the ban - Pascal Pochard Casabianca/AFP via Getty Public playgrounds, amusement parks, swimming pools and zoos are also included as part of the measures to protect children from second hand smoke. The Euronews broadcaster reported that the new guidelines targeted emerging products including heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes, whether containing nicotine or nicotine-free, while tobacco surrogates and any other smoke and/or aerosol emitting products are also included. The document also casts doubt on whether such products help people give up smoking. The evidence on the use of emerging products as a cessation aid is inconclusive, it said. Second-hand exposure to aerosols from electronic cigarettes, both with and without nicotine, expose bystanders to quantifiable levels of particulate matter and key toxicants and contaminants, the draft said. 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. Soldiers fill and arrange sandbags to help strengthen the embankments and to prevent flooding near the city of Wroclaw, southwestern Poland, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Krzysztof Zatycki) WARSAW, Poland (AP) Soldiers and firefighters used sandbags to reinforce river embankments and delivered food and drinking water to cut-off communities as the worst flooding in years moved Tuesday across a broad swath of Central Europe, taking lives and destroying homes. Heavy flooding has affected a large part of the region in recent days, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria. Around 20 deaths were reported in the flooding, which followed heavy rainfall but the full human cost was still not clear. Casualties have been reported in Romania, Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland. In some areas, the waters were receding, leaving behind mounds of debris. As reports of looting came in, government and military authorities vowed to crack down on perpetrators. Gen. Wiesaw Kukua, Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Army, said the military was deploying soldiers equipped with night vision and thermal imaging devices to support the police in areas where people had to leave for higher ground. Looters, night and lack of electricity will no longer be your ally, he tweeted late Monday. Other places braced for the worst yet to come, including two Central European gems: Budapest, the Hungarian capital on the Danube River, and Wroclaw, a city in southwestern Poland on the Oder River which boasts a Gothic cathedral and other historic landmarks. Hungary deployed soldiers to reinforce barriers along the Danube as thousands of volunteers filled sandbags in dozens of riverside settlements. In Budapest, authorities closed the lower quays, which were expected to be breached by rising waters. The lower half of the citys iconic Margaret Island was also closed. In Wroclaw, firefighters and soldiers worked through the night to reinforce river embankments with sandbags. The city zoo, located on the Oder, appealed for volunteers to fill sandbags on Tuesday morning. We and our animals will be extremely grateful for your help, the zoo said. The city said it expected the flood wave to peak there around Friday, though some had predicted that would happen sooner. Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk met with a crisis team early Tuesday and said there are contradictory forecasts from meteorologists. Tusk's government has declared a state of natural disaster across southern Poland. To the south of Wroclaw, residents spent the night fighting to save Nysa, a town of 44,000 people, after the Nysa Klodzka River broke its banks the day before. Mayor Kordian Kolbiarz said 2,000 women, men, children, the elderly came out to try to save their town from the rising waters, forming a human chain that passed sandbags to the river bank. We simply did everything we could," Kolbiarz wrote on Facebook. "This chain of people fighting for our Nysa was incredible. Thank you. We fought for Nysa. Our home. Our families. Our future. Later on Tuesday, authorities in Nysa said the city center had been saved from the flooding. In Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, the deputy mayor for the environment, Jakub Mrva, said the level of the Danube had peaked and would slowly decrease. He said that mobile barriers had saved the historic center, but that there was still damage, including to tram lines. We also observed major damage at the zoo, which is flooded, and there is relatively high damage in the city forests of Bratislava, where many trees have perished, Mrva told The Associated Press in an interview, speaking next to the flooded banks of the Danube. In the Czech Republic, waters have been receding in the two hardest-hit northeast regions. The government approved the deployment of 2,000 troops to help with clean-up efforts. The damage is expected to reach billions of euros. The Czech government also scrambled to help local authorities organize regional elections on Friday and Saturday as several schools and other buildings serving as polling stations were badly damaged. However, a planned evacuation of some 1,000 in the town of Veseli nad Luznici could be postponed as the waters had not reached critical levels so far. ___ Associated Press journalists Justin Spike in Budapest, Hungary, Karel Janicek in Prague, and Tomas Hrivnak in Bratislava, Slovakia, contributed to this report. Many of us have had the displeasure of hearing the smug motto if youre on time, youre late. At least Fortune has while doing man-on-the-street interviews in the corporate desert known more commonly as the Financial District in New York City. But it seems as if the expression could be growing just as outdated as the bees knees. The rules of work were thrown into the air when the pandemic first struck, like a game of 52-card pickup. And office workers found themselves at the epicenter of many new debates. When people can work from home or in an office, what does getting in late really mean? Only 14% of employees cite punctuality as the most important workplace manner, according to Monster's August survey of more than 1,000 workers. I was surprised that number was so low, Vicki Salemi, career expert for job-recruitment company Monster, told Fortune. Pointing to a whopping 76% of respondents saying that being consistently late to meetings was one of the top five rude behaviors, she notes that 14% figure seems especially low since it falls under the umbrella of punctuality. Furthermore, only 51%or one in two employersemphasize workplace punctuality, per Monsters poll. Perhaps lateness slips through the cracks easier unless theres a group project. If there is a meeting, whether the employee is remote or on-site, their tardiness is more easily detectable when there's a hard start and everyone is already present but you, added Salemi. Instead, the top five irritating behaviors and the number of workers who found them the most annoying are as follows: Not cleaning up after oneself (88%) Gossiping (81%) Using inappropriate language (78%) Being unresponsive to messages (77%) Consistently being late to meetings (77%) Indeed, people may not care when you clock in unless it starts to eat into their time. Employees may be fine with their coworkers coming in late, but if it impacts their ability to be productive, its extremely frustrating, Jennifer Moss, author of Unlocking Happiness at Work, told Fortune. New way of working comes with slightly different hours Jen Fisher, global expert on wellbeing at work, noted theres a general trend towards the loosening of strict punctuality over the last five yearswhich, of course, varies based on ones sector and industry. She attributed this phenomenon, in part, to the rise of flexible and distributed work. With the increasing adoption of remote and hybrid work models, especially accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the concept of a rigid 9-to-5 workday has become less relevant for many, she said. The focus on effectiveness over simply showing up, changing workplace cultures that emphasize work-life balance, and technology that enables asynchronous work, also feed into this trend, Fisher noted. Story continues Looking anecdotally at the bigger picture, it seems that people may care the same or slightly less about punctuality over the last five years, added Salemi. Everyone is doing their own thing, more or less. You may not be as cognizant of your coworkers' schedules or lose track if they're in the office or working remotely that day, there's more flexibility in where we work and when, she explained. I see this as an opportunity to rethink what punctuality means, said Moss, pointing to how some workers, specifically women, might be late due to childcare duties. If there are fair reasons for being late and its not impacting others, we can relax the expectations. Its when were burdening someone else that causes the most concern. Of course, some bosses have responded to this scattered workflow with a heightened level of paranoia as they emphasize presentism, turning to mandates or tracking productivity. Even though that needle may have moved slightly, it's still important to be on time, said Salemi, adding that it signifies a message that you do not care. Experts agree the rules change based on the sector: For instance, teachers or healthcare workers might not be given the same liberty to roll in whenever they want. The same goes for those with hourly jobs in the service sector. Those in higher seniority roles across the board, though, might have a bit more leeway to come in late. Maybe the best rule of thumb isnt to throw the rulebook out entirely, even if it is a little silly. Perhaps its about being strategic with your tardiness, as one person said in Fortunes street interview who said being late is arriving after your boss. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Inside Look is a Modesto Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories. In a few weeks, Chinook salmon once again will swim up the Tuolumne River looking for places to spawn. They will encounter a dam that has blocked migration past La Grange since 1893. They also will find that mining many decades ago ruined some of the gravel beds where salmon lay their eggs. And the water can be too low during droughts such as that of 2020 to 2022. The salmon are getting help from a pair of projects at La Grange that launched over the summer. One is by the Tuolumne River Trust, an environmental group. The other is just upstream and sponsored by the rivers main diverters, the Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts and San Francisco. Both projects put bulldozers and other heavy equipment to work in reshaping the Tuolumne channel back toward its natural condition. Theres a lot of short-term disturbance for the long-term benefit, said Julia Stephens, restoration program director for the trust. She led a Sept. 12 tour of the project site for The Modesto Bee. A dredging pit was filled in to reestablish a low flood plain (bottom left) as part of the Basso/La Grange floodplain and spawning habitat restoration project along the Tuolumne River in La Grange, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. State grants and ratepayer money The trust got a $3.7 million grant from the California Department of Water Resources for its project, which also involves the Tuolumne River Conservancy. It will completed this fall on about 10 acres in the main river channel and floodplain just downstream of the Old La Grange Road Bridge. The other project has $2.3 million in funding from city and district ratepayers and $5.5 million from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. It totals 10 acres and will be finished in 2025. The Bees visit happened to be one day before the diverters hosted other media at their restoration site. It is the first of about $80 million in projects they plan over the next decade, guided by the nonprofit River Partners. Were excited, said Michael Cooke, director of water resources and regulatory affairs for TID, in a San Francisco Chronicle story. This definitely gives the fish a much better opportunity than they had before. The trust has long urged that the districts and San Francisco leave more water in the Tuolumne. They have offered to boost reservoir releases somewhat while also enhancing habitat with projects like the current ones. Obviously, we think habitat restoration is important, trust Policy Director Peter Drekmeier told the Chronicle. The problem is that ... gravel (for spawning) is not the limiting factor. There are other critical factors. That debate goes on. For now, the two sides are coordinating their habitat work at La Grange. It required detailed planning and permitting, with safeguards against dust, water pollution and other impacts. Both projects will be monitored in future years to see how the fish do with the fresh gravel beds and floodplain. The two projects are in a portion of La Grange Regional Park. The public can visit but should watch out for the earth-moving. It will be done by Oct. 15 to avoid harming the arriving salmon. A crew works on grading the floodplain as part of the Basso/La Grange floodplain and spawning habitat restoration project along the Tuolumne River in La Grange, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. Tuo lumne begins amid Yosemite glaciers The Tuolumne arises amid 13,000-foot glaciers and runs freely across most of Yosemite National Park. The first diversion is at Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, owned by San Francisco. The city has rights to about an eighth of the river and supplies all or part of the water to about 2.7 million people in four Bay Area counties. The Tuolumne turns somewhat wild again in the renowned whitewater rafting stretch north of Groveland. The paddlers end their journey in the wide, still waters of Don Pedro Reservoir. It is shared by MID and TID, which have rights to about half of the river volume. The districts irrigate about 210,000 farmland acres. Water also goes to treatment plants that reduce reliance on wells for residents of Modesto, Turlock and Ceres. Don Pedro Dam was completed in 1971 about two miles upstream of La Grange Dam. The latter still stands as a barrier to salmon migration after 131 years. Below the dam, the Tuolumne is reduced further by smaller water rights holders before it flows into the San Joaquin River. The Tuolumne is about 20% of its historical level in an average year. Drought can knock it to 10%. The trust and its allies would like to see at least 40% in the future, an issue still before state and federal agencies. Work on a dredging pit in August. The pit was filled in to reestablish a low wetland. A few years at sea before returning The Tuolumne is near the southern end of the Chinooks range along the Pacific coast of North America and Russia. The fish spawn in hundreds of rivers and then spend two to five years at sea. The Tuolumnes baby fish must contend each spring with massive pumps in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta that send much of its water south. Striped and black bass, introduced in the late 1800s for sport fishing, prey on the native salmon. The delta can be too warm and polluted in below-average years for runoff. The off-shore fishing season can be canceled if conditions warrant. Adult salmon run the gauntlet in reverse when they come back to spawn on the Tuolumne. This happens mainly from October to December upstream of the Hughson area. The females look for gravel bars where they can deposit their eggs, fertilized by the males. Ideally, the river has numerous riffles, undulations caused by small rocks that provide oxygen for the fish. The adults then die and decompose into food for microbes and other creatures. A dredging machine extracted gold along the Tuolumne River at La Grange, California, from 1938 to 1951. It damaged salmon habitat that is being restored in September 2024 by the Tuolumne River Trust and other parties. Before the dams were built, the spawning beds were replenished often by heavy flows from upstream. The salmon also have suffered from mining with dredges, far more destructive than the gold panners of the 1850s. These machines moved large rocks aside to get at the gold-bearing sediment below. They left piles of waste known as tailings in place of what should be a relatively flat floodplain. The largest dredge ran from 1938 to 1951. A lot of what was lost with this upending of the layers of sediment was wetland habitat, Stephens said. The dredging left holes in the riverbed that are deeper than desired and attract the predatory bass. They are being filled in, and the river will get riffles in several spots. Naturally, the river would have more complexity to it, Stephens said. It would have more meanders. A dredging pit was filled in to reestablish a low flood plain (bottom left) as part of the Basso/La Grange floodplain and spawning habitat restoration project along the Tuolumne River in La Grange, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. Precise work by backhoe operator The trust hired a Sacramento-based company called Triangle Properties for the earth-moving. It is part of Teichert Inc. based in Sacramento, which mainly builds roads and other public works. The crews will haul about 31,000 cubic yards of rock and dirt overall, said Triangle supervisor Mike Peterson. He spoke next to a spot where backhoe operator Ernesto Gutierrez was creating the 0.1% slope needed for this type of floodplain. Hes an artist, Peterson said. Other employees were driving excavators, bulldozers, front loaders, dump trucks and water trucks to keep down the dust. Earlier this summer, the site had a gravel washing machine, turning out the clean rock favored by salmon. The site will get about 27,000 native plants and grass seed to prevent erosion. The plants will include fast-growing trees such as willow, cottonwood and ash. They will shade young salmon as they prepare for the ocean journey. The branches also harbor mayflies and other bugs that fall into the water and become fish food. This year is the first phase of a $26 million effort that is mostly unfunded, Stephens said. Its formal name is the Basso/La Grange Restoration Project. Basso Bridge is part of a footpath about two miles downstream. Stephens suggests another bridge, on Old La Grange Road, where the public might spot the returning salmon this fall. You can see them shaking their tails at times to lay their eggs. The project also could aid steelhead trout, which spend time in the ocean. Resident creatures could benefit as well, such as the Western pond turtle and foothill yellow-bellied frog. Gravel beds are being created in the Tuolumne River bed to give salmon shallow rocky areas for spawning as part of the Basso/La Grange floodplain and spawning habitat restoration project in La Grange, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. Other restorations down to Dos Rios La Grange has small pieces of a restoration effort that also is happening around Modesto and farther downstream. The largest by far is Dos Rios Ranch, where the Tuolumne meets the San Joaquin. It has about 1,600 acres of floodplain forest and in June became a state park. San Francisco helped fund Dos Rios, which also had support from River Partners and the Tuolumne River Trust. The citys new La Grange project is the start of an $80 million commitment with MID and TID, the Chronicle reported. Frankly, what were seeing is a new era of working together on habitat restoration, said Steve Ritchie, an assistant general manager at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. A crew works on grading the floodplain as part of the first phase of the Basso/La Grange floodplain and spawning habitat restoration project along the Tuolumne River in La Grange, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. This dredging pit along the Tuolumne River, right, will be filled in to create a low flood plain as part of the Basso/La Grange floodplain and spawning habitat restoration project in La Grange, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. The Tuolumne River Conservancy will fill in deep pools left by past mining, where striped bass and other non-native predators can lurk. Counterfeit Wonka bars - such as these seized in London in 2022 - have been found on sale across the UK [PA Media] A business has been fined for selling fake Wonka chocolate bars around the UK, which included nuts that were not mentioned on the packaging. The director of SP Wholesale Limited in Luton, Mayank Soneji, pleaded guilty to food safety and trademark offences on 3 September. Luton Council said staff at SP Wholesale were spotted removing the outer wrappers from cheap, imported chocolate bars and replacing them with Wonka Bar wrappers during an inspection in March 2022. Soneji, 37, was fined 5,265 while the company was ordered to pay 5,824. An environmental health officer visited the company on the Britannia Estate in Leagrave Road to inspect its hygiene standards. The officer said the warehouse conditions were unhygienic and unclean, with mice and pigeons in the unit. A shop owner in Powys was also fined last year for selling counterfeit Wonka bars [Powys County Council] The council also discovered that the chocolate contained allergens such as peanuts and almonds, which were not listed on the packaging. Paperwork revealed that these fake Wonka Bars were being supplied to shops across the UK. As a result, the business had to carry out a nationwide product recall. The label also had a fake address, and the company did not obtain permission from the trademark holder, Ferrero Group, to use the Wonka Bar wrappers. Gerard McCleave, the council's corporate director for inclusive economy, said Mr Soneji had shown "a complete disregard for the safety of his customers". "Its vitally important that food labelling includes all ingredients, as they can pose a health risk to anyone who suffers from a related food allergy. "This sentencing sends out a message to all food businesses that selling counterfeit goods will not be tolerated," he added. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Related stories Related internet links Protesters in New York have demanded accountability after police fired at a suspected fare-evader in a busy subway station, hitting a bystander in the head. The man, Gregory Delpeche, remains in the hospital in critical condition and has undergone cranial surgery, according to US media. Police said two officers shot at the suspected fare-evader on Sunday after he refused to comply with orders, muttered threats and drew a knife. A second bystander, another officer and the suspect also were injured. New York authorities have made reducing crime on the subway and buses a top priority following a series of violent attacks, robberies and murders. A crackdown on fare evasion is part of that push. But critics have questioned how the pursuit of a minor offender escalated into the use of lethal force in a crowded space. Jennvine Wong, of the Legal Aid Society Cop Accountability Project, told The New York Times that police had endangered lives after choosing "in an enclosed space ... to use disproportionate force". At a Tuesday protest that began outside the Sutter Avenue L Station in Brooklyn, where the shooting incident occurred, police made 18 arrests as community members spoke out and gave out swipes for subway rides. "Two dollars and 90 cents is not [worth] a bullet shot to the head," one protester told CBS News, the BBC's US partner. Mr Delpeche, 49, was in a different car from the suspected fare-evader, on the way to the job he has held at a local hospital for more than 20 years. Relatives told US media the wound to his head has left him with possible brain damage. He is sedated and breathing through a tube after undergoing surgery to reduce brain swelling, they added. Tom Donlon, the city's interim police commissioner, has ordered a full investigation. But he told reporters: "Make no mistake, the events that occurred... were the results of an armed perpetrator". New York Mayor Eric Adams, a former officer, also defended the officers' response. "He was not shot for fare evasion. He was shot because he had a knife and he went after the police officers," he said on Tuesday. "I thought those officers responded accordingly." The officers involved have not been named but have reportedly been assigned to desk duty pending an investigation. In a press conference, NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said that two officers had seen a man - later identified as Derrell Mickles - go through barriers without paying. Mr Maddrey said body camera footage showed the suspect threatening to "kill" the officers if they followed him, before confronting them with a knife. The footage shows a train pull into the station as the confrontation escalates. The officers fired Tasers at the man - to no effect - as he attempted to board the train, before he jumped back to the platform. "At one point, he is advancing on one of the officers with his knife," Mr Maddrey said. "The officer stands back, he draws his weapon, and both officers at this point fire." Two bystanders, a police officer and the suspect were hit. Mr Maddrey said that the officer realised he had been shot in the armpit but continued to perform "life-saving measures" on the suspect. Both officers then realised that two bystanders had also been hit by gunfire. Two other officers then arrived and aided the wounded. Officials said that the suspect had a record of 20 previous arrests and a significant history of mental illness. Janno Liever, the chief executive of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said that the incident "started because somebody wanted to come to the transit system with a weapon, somebody who... had a history of crime and a history of violence and even gun charges". [NYPD] The police said on Sunday that a knife had been recovered and posted a picture on social media. The next day, however, it posted another message saying the knife had been taken from the crime scene by an unidentified man. Officers recovered a different knife from the scene, thinking it was the one that the suspect had been carrying, according to the Gothamist. An NYPD spokesman told the news website that the knife they picked up must have been left behind by another subway rider. City authorities have attempted to expand the police presence on its transport system following a surge in crime. All stations on the city's system have security cameras and pilot schemes are being run to scan passengers for weapons. The MTA last year announced a crackdown on fare evasion, backed by enforcement by police. Officials say that aggressive enforcement can help in catching criminals and removing weapons from New York's trains. But the problem continues to grow, with NYPD statistics showing 2,227 arrests and more than 30,000 summonses in the second quarter of this year - around double that of the same period five years ago. Cabin pressure issue on Delta flight causes bloody ears and noses for passengers Some Delta Air Lines passengers are recovering after a pressurization issue on a flight from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Portland, Oregon, caused bloody noses and other issues, according to airline and passenger statements. We sincerely apologize to our customers for their experience on flight 1203 on Sept. 15, said a statement from a Delta spokesperson. The flight crew followed procedures to return to SLC where our teams on the ground supported our customers with their immediate needs. Flight 1203 passengers were accommodated on another aircraft. Delta technicians fixed the pressurization issue on the aircraft, the airline said, and the plane was returned to service the following day. Jaci Purser told CNN it felt like somebody was stabbing her in the ear. I heard some air come out and then it started bubbling. It sounded like my ear was bubbling, my right ear, and I touched my ear, and there was blood coming out, Purser said. Purser, who was on a business trip, said her colleagues and other passengers also experienced similar issues. Our ears just started hurting really, really bad. Everybody around us was grabbing their ears, peoples ears started bleeding, peoples noses started bleeding, she said. A photo taken by passenger Jaci Purser after the Delta flight she was on returned to the airport due to a cabin pressure issue that caused bloody noses and other problems for passengers. - Jaci Purser It didnt take very long for passengers to notice something was wrong on the flight, fellow passenger Caryn Allen told CNN affiliate KSL. I looked over at my husband, and he had both of his hands over his ears, you know, kind of leaning forward, Allen said. I looked about a row behind me, over on the other side of the aisle, and there was a gentleman that clearly had a very bad bloody nose, and people were trying to help him. No serious injuries were reported, but medical personnel identified 10 individuals in need of evaluation or treatment following the flight. The Federal Aviation Administration said it will investigate. CNNs Zenebou Sylla and Monique Smith contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Caddo Parish (KTAL/KMSS) Hunting season will be soon upon us, and in preparation for it, the Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office (CPSO) is opening its academy. More first responder news Caddo Sheriff Henry Whitehorn, Sr. is pleased to announce that the Caddo Sheriffs Regional Training Academy will be open to the public for rifle sightings in preparation for the upcoming hunting season. The public rifle sight-in day is Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Time slots are available for registration at the following times: 7:30 am, 8:30 am, 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 3:30 pm. All sighting-in activities will conclude by 4:30 pm. Targets will be provided, and trained Caddo sheriffs deputies will assist participants. To reserve a time slot, participants must call ahead. All shooters must bring the following: own ammunition eye protection ear protection weapons unloaded upon arrival The Academy is at 15639 Highway One South, next to Lock and Dam #5. To register for the public sightseeing, please contact Cpl. Trey King or Sr. Dep. Cory Bourn at 681-0735. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Beverly Cassirer and her husband, Claude Cassirer, both now deceased, at their home in San Diego with a copy of the Pissarro painting that was looted from the family by the Nazis. Their son David is still fighting for the painting in court now with the help of California lawmakers. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) California lawmakers have bucked one of the nation's most powerful federal courts by enacting a new state law designed to reunite a Jewish family with an exquisite Impressionist painting that was looted by the Nazis at the dawn of World War II. The law, which Gov. Gavin Newsom put into immediate effect with his signature Monday, was crafted in response to a U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in January. That ruling found that the painting "Rue Saint-Honore in the Afternoon. Effect of Rain" by Camille Pissarro was lawfully owned by a Spanish museum and need not be returned to the American descendants of Lilly Cassirer Neubauer, who surrendered the masterpiece to the Nazis for a visa to flee Germany in 1939. The law's passage after nearly two decades of court battles sets the stage for a renewed, last-ditch effort by the family to reclaim the masterpiece, estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars. Assembly Bill 2867 makes clear that California law requires that Nazi looted artworks such as the Pissarro as well as other valuables stolen during past or future acts of genocide or political persecution be returned to their rightful owners. "For survivors of the Holocaust and their families, the fight to take back ownership of art and other personal items stolen by the Nazis continues to traumatize those who have already gone through the unimaginable," Newsom said in a statement. "It is both a moral and legal imperative that these valuable and sentimental pieces be returned to their rightful owners, and I am proud to strengthen California's laws to help secure justice for families." Newsom signed the bill during a small gathering with the families of Holocaust survivors at the Holocaust Museum LA. Neubauer's great-grandson David Cassirer, who lives in Colorado, attended the event and praised Newsom and the lawmakers behind the bill including Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), co-chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus for "taking a definitive stand in favor of the true owners of stolen art." Cassirer said his late father, Claude Cassirer, who discovered the Pissarro painting had survived the war and launched the family fight for its return two decades ago, would be thrilled with his adopted state's support. "As a Holocaust survivor, the proudest day of my father's life was in 1947, when he became a U.S. citizen," Cassirer said. "He would be so happy, and grateful, that the people of the state of California have taken action to ensure the return of looted art to its rightful owners." Thaddeus Stauber, an attorney for the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, the Madrid museum that holds the Pissarro, said late Monday that he could not immediately comment. Read more: A battle over a Nazi-looted masterpiece has plunder holders around the world on notice The new law is broad in the sense that it sets out clear standards for how claims of looted artwork should be handled under California law providing a clearer path to reclaiming such art for American families suffering political persecution in the past, present or future. However, it is also extremely precise in its application to the Cassirer case, which it was built around and references. Neubauer looked for the painting for years after the war with no luck and died without knowing whether it had survived the war. Four decades later, in the early 2000s, her grandson Claude Cassirer discovered that the painting, to which she had left him the rights, had survived and was in the vast collection of the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, a prominent museum owned by the Kingdom of Spain. When Claude Cassirer asked for the painting's return, the museum refused. So he sued in U.S. federal court. In January, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit ruled that the nature of the dispute required it to apply an archaic Spanish law allowing titles to stolen goods to be transferred over time and justifying the museum's acquisition of the painting rather than a modern California law that comports with international agreements by calling for Nazi looted artwork to be returned to its original, rightful owners. One of the judges on the panel, appointed entirely by President George W. Bush, said she agreed with the ruling even though it went against her "moral compass." When a larger group of judges reviewed the decision, some found that the smaller panel had misapplied the law but they were overruled. Read more: A shocking turn: Nazi-looted Pissarro painting wont return to Jewish family With the passage of the new law, California's lawmakers made it explicit that they think the court misinterpreted state law. The text of the new legislation specifically states that it applies to the Cassirer case and should change the outcome. Sam Dubbin, the Cassirers' longtime attorney, said the family will now formally challenge the 9th Circuit's decision, including by citing the new law, which he called a "bright line" that will "prevent the ability of museums with stolen art to delay and distort, when truth and justice lie within easy reach." "This new law is essential for truth, history, and justice, for the Cassirer family, and future cases as well," Dubbin said. What form the family's legal challenge will come in, and in which court, was not yet clear. The long court battle has substantially raised the profile and likely the value of the Pissarro painting itself and could set precedent useful for other families seeking the return of looted art. Attorneys, art historians and others involved in such litigation the world over have watched the Cassirer case closely. Gabriel said his intent was for the state's new law to protect all victims of genocide, persecution and political plundering. "Our effort will make it crystal clear that California law must triumph over foreign law, that California stands with Holocaust survivors, and that cases must be decided based on truth, justice, and morality, not the misapplication of legal technicalities," he said. Read more: California legislators push law change after ruling against family in Nazi looted art case David Schaecter, president of the Holocaust Survivors Foundation USA, said Holocaust survivors and their families are "very grateful" to Gabriel, Newsom and other lawmakers for passing the new measure. "Looting art and other assets from Jewish families was an essential part of Hitlers plan to annihilate the Jewish people, and eradicate all traces of Jewish life and culture. Spain's insistence on keeping the Cassirers' Pissarro perpetuates the crimes of the Nazi regime, and demeans the memory of six million Jewish souls," Schaecter said. "The people of California should be proud that their lawmakers will not allow this to happen." 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 president of the California firefighters union slammed Donald Trump on Friday for suggesting he would withold federal firefighting aid if the state didnt go along with his political priorities. Former President Trump should be ashamed for threatening to withhold federal firefighting aid from California should he be elected, California Professional Firefighters president Brian K. Rice wrote in a statement on Facebook on Friday. As of today, thousands of firefighters are on the front lines responding to wildfires throughout the state, and countless Californians are in harms way as they heed evacuation orders, he added. Nevertheless, former President Trump expressed that he would play with their lives and their homes if he doesnt get what he wants. Earlier that day, Trump tore into California and its governor Gavin Newsom, whom the former president refers to as Newscum, over the states water policies, which have come under fire from farmers in red-leaning areas. The automobile industry is dead, the water coming here is dead, and Gavin Newscum is gonna sign those papers, Trump said at his Rancho Palos Verdes golf club. And if he doesnt sign those papers, we wont give him money to put out all his fires. And if we dont give him all the money to put out fires, hes got problems. Hes a lousy governor. Trump has long railed against California fire policy (AFP via Getty Images) The Independent has contacted the Trump campaign for comment. Newsom hammered Trump on X, saying the former president was putting lives at risk to settle political vendettas. Today its Californias wildfires, Newsom wrote. Tomorrow it could be hurricane funding for North Carolina or flooding assistance for homeowners in Pennsylvania. Donald Trump doesnt care about America he only cares about himself. Every voter should be made aware of this.@realDonaldTrump just admitted he will block emergency disaster funds to settle political vendettas. Today its Californias wildfires. Tomorrow it could be hurricane funding for North Carolina or flooding assistance for homeowners in pic.twitter.com/bIg6v2lMJ1 Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) September 13, 2024 The comments come as California faces 11 simultaneous active wildfires which have burned over 650,000 acres, according to Cal Fire. A combination of hot weather, climate change, and fuel built up in remote areas after a series of wet winters have primed the state for another deadly fire season. Trumps remarks, Rice noted, echoed similarly controversial claims Trump made about California fires in 2018, when he downplayed the link between fires and climate and instead claimed the state needed to do a better job raking and cleaning forests. "I was with the president of Finland and he said ... were a forest nation, he called it a forest nation, and they spend a lot of time on raking and cleaning and doing things. They dont have any problem, and what it is, its a very small problem," Trump said in 2018. The Finnish president at the time said they never discussed raking. Trumps comments from California last week touched on a long-running, if slightly obscure, state political debate. California moves large volumes of its water, much of which comes from snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, further south, dividing it between farmers in the Central Valley and residential areas throughout the state, including populous, water-starved cities like Los Angeles. Because of a series of court decisions, the state also allows some of its water to flow unused into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and out through the San Francisco Bay, in order to protect fish species that support larger ocean ecosystems. Some California farmers have pushed the state to divert more water for agriculture, and the Trump administration, working with an interior secretary who was a former Central Valley lobbyist, changed Obama-era rules to put more water in the fields. Environmental groups and the Newsom administration sued to stop the changes, and the Biden administration is reportedly racing to lock in wildlife protections for the water before the end of the year. Trumps comments are unlikely to make much political difference in heavily blue California, where Biden carried a nearly 30-point lead over the Republican. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A California man has been indicted of scamming a Lawrence County couple on the internet, stealing at least $325,000. According to a press release from the Attorney Generals Office, Chao Zheng, 30, of Monterey, California pleaded not guilty Tuesday when he was arraigned in Lawrence County Circut Court. He was charged with one felony count of Aiding and Abetting Grand Theft of more than $100,000 but less than $500,000 by Deception and one felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Grand Theft by Deception. The exact amount stolen is still being investigated. This case involved the alleged theft of at least $325,000, said Attorney General Jackley in the release. I appreciate the courage of the victims to come forward, and the work of our investigators to protect our consumers. We encourage everyone who receives such solicitations via the internet or telephone not to respond but to call law enforcement or someone you trust. SD surgical hospital pays out millions to settle False Claims Act Violations The theft occurred between July 26 and August 23, 2024. The couple received pop-up messages on their computer for Microsoft Security. They were asked to call a fraud investigator at a bank and made to pay large amounts of money to cover up so-called commissions of crimes that were supposedly linked to their accounts. The couple paid the money three different times. Zheng was arrested when he tried to personally collect a fourth payment on August 23. Zheg faces a ,maximum of 15 years in prison on the Aiding and Abbeting charge and a maximum of 10 years in prison for Conspiricy. He is held on a $100,000 bond and his next court appearance is 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 KELOLAND.com. California school mourns death of student who appeared on Americas Got Talent RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. (KTLA) Students and staff at Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California, are grieving the loss of varsity dance team captain Emily Gold, just months after she appeared with her team on Americas Got Talent. Gold, 17, was found dead on a freeway Friday, Rancho Cucamonga police said. The investigation is ongoing, but authorities confirmed Gold died by suicide. Friends and loved ones described the high school senior as beautiful, kind, loving, and a leader. 11-year-old child dies in Brooklyn subway surfing incident: sources In one of her final Instagram posts, Gold wrote that performing on AGT was the most incredible experience. She also thanked her high school team for being the best family she could ever ask for. The Los Osos High School dance team competed on Season 19 of AGT, making it to the quarterfinals. In a statement Tuesday, AGT shared its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and team members of Emily Gold. She was a bright young soul and will be deeply missed, the statement added. Los Osos High School made grief counselors available to support students and staff. Emily was a cherished member of the Los Osos High School campus and was beloved by her fellow students and teachers, the Chaffey Joint Union High School District superintendent said in a statement. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Golds family pay for funeral expenses. Golds death comes during National Suicide Prevention Month. A suicide and crisis hotline is available 24 hours a day to anyone in need of support and can be reached by dialing 988. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jennifer Siebel Newsom, right, California's First Partner and wife of Gov. Gavin Newsom, with California Surgeon General Dr. Diana Ramos, left, speaks at USC in 2023. Siebel Newsom and Ramos have announced an initiative aimed at reducing the maternal mortality rate in California. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) California's surgeon general has unveiled an initiative to reduce maternal mortality and set a goal of halving the rate of deaths related to pregnancy and birth by December 2026. Health officials say that more than 80% of maternal deaths nationwide are preventable. California has achieved a much lower rate of such deaths than the U.S., but maternal mortality resurged in recent years amid the COVID-19 pandemic, state data show. "We have the lowest rate in the country. Now we can do better," California Surgeon General Dr. Diana E. Ramos said in an interview. Ramos was joined in announcing the effort Tuesday by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of Gov. Gavin Newsom. In California, leading causes of such deaths include heart disease, bleeding, "behavioral health" issues such as mental illness and substance use, and infection. More than a fifth of pregnancy-related deaths in California occur the day of delivery, but the majority happen in the days, weeks and months that follow, according to state data. In California, about 70 pregnant and birthing people die annually from pregnancy or childbirth complications, according to the state public health department. Read more: Birth can be dismal for Black women. What this hospital is doing to stop that The crisis has been especially stark among Black women, who have faced a maternal mortality rate more than three times that of white women in California. In Los Angeles County, there has been a public outcry in recent years over the deaths of women like April Valentine, 31, and Bridgette Burks, 32 Black mothers who left behind devastated families. Health researchers have faulted numerous factors for the higher rates of maternal mortality among Black women, including the physical effects on the body of enduring years of racism; higher rates of diabetes and other chronic conditions that increase risk; and inequities in the care received by Black patients. California officials said they are also concerned about rising rates of maternal mortality among Latinos and Asian/Pacific Islander communities in the state. The "Strong Start & Beyond" initiative, officials said, would help patients understand potential risks before they become pregnant and prompt earlier action to address hazards such as heart disease. It would also alert Californians to doula services and other programs intended to support people before, during and after birth. Ramos said California had reached the lowest rate of maternal mortality in the nation through its system of reviewing maternal deaths and other efforts centered on hospitals, physicians and other healthcare professionals. Up until now, "the focus has been primarily on the healthcare setting," she said. But "if we keep on doing the same thing just focusing on the healthcare team we're going to get the same results," Ramos said. Health officials and experts decided they needed to bolster that work, "and that's why we're bringing in the patient." "It seems so simple, but oftentimes, the pregnant person doesn't feel like they have a voice or they have the information they need to make informed decisions," Ramos said. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra said in a statement accompanying the launch of the new effort that "reducing maternal mortality isn't a 'should,' it's a 'must.' California gets it." The planned strategies outlined in the California Maternal Health Blueprint, released Tuesday, include a new questionnaire that patients can take at home to assess their risk of pregnancy complications and get recommendations for next steps based on their results. As an obstetrician-gynecologist, Ramos said she found that it was often at their first prenatal appointment that a patient would first hear, "You're going to be a high-risk patient.' And more times than not, patients would say ... 'I wish I would have known that I could have done X, Y or Z to decrease my risk.'" Read more: Cedars-Sinai terminates OB-GYN's hospital privileges after complaint investigation California officials also want all medical facilities in the state to use an existing screening tool for gauging the risk levels of pregnant patients. Ramos said those results could help guide where patients go for births. Hospitals with limited resources could refer patients with a higher risk of complications such as someone who "is going to be at risk for hemorrhage, is going to be at risk for ICU admission" to the medical facilities best equipped to handle them. The new effort comes as pregnant patients may face dwindling choices for hospital births: Nationally, roughly 1 in 25 obstetric units closed in 2021 and 2022, according to a March of Dimes report. Under "the modern fee-for-service healthcare model ... hospitals must fund round-the-clock capacity but are only reimbursed when their facilities and staff are in action," wrote Dr. Anna Reinert, an assistant professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at USC's Keck School of Medicine, in a recent op-ed. "So if not enough deliveries are happening, expenses outweigh reimbursement. This drives hospitals to get out of the baby delivery business altogether," Reinert wrote. California has faced a wave of such closures in the last decade, including at many hospitals in Los Angeles County. A CalMatters analysis found that such closures had disproportionately affected Black, Latino and low-income communities. Among the latest hospitals to announce it would shut down a labor and delivery unit is USC Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale, which plans to halt maternity care on Nov. 20. 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) -- The Pentagon will award $269 million to 33 chip research projects across the US, marking the second disbursement of funds from a program designed to bolster semiconductor efforts for the military. Most Read from Bloomberg The funding comes from the 2022 Chips and Science Act, which aims to revitalize the US semiconductor industry and reduce reliance on Asia. The Chips Act allotted the Pentagon $2 billion across five years for whats known as the Microelectronics Commons program, and officials last year designated eight hubs around the country. Those hubs which now involve around 1,200 organizations in 27 states and Washington, DC will help run the projects announced Tuesday. Theyll focus on technologies ranging from AI to quantum computing. Microelectronics Commons is one of several federal semiconductor research initiatives to emerge in the past year. The Commerce Department, which is responsible for most of the Chips Act money, announced a selection process in July for three new government-backed chip research entities. Theyre focused on design, machinery and prototyping, and leverage money from two new Chips Act funds: a $5 billion National Semiconductor Technology Center, or NSTC, and $3 billion National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program, or NAPMP. The Defense Department the next week made its own prototyping announcement, separate from the Chips Act push, which it described as the first-ever national center for advancing US-based microelectronics manufacturing. The Microelectronics Commons program, meanwhile, seeks to fill a key gap between prototypes made in the lab and those at the factory level, according to David Honey, deputy under secretary of defense for research and engineering. Asked about overlap between those initiatives, a Commerce official emphasized that there is close coordination across projects. The official pointed to the Pentagons membership on the steering committee for the NSTC, as well as the fact that the director of Commerces packaging program, the NAPMP, had previously led the Defense Departments prototyping effort. Packaging involves encasing chips in materials to protect them and connect them to other components. Story continues Still, a recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine urged the US government to better coordinate across agencies to avoid duplication and ensure the exchange of promising advances. The researchers specifically cited the four programs across Commerce and the Pentagon and said that there should be fewer efforts, and national centers, with perhaps a drive toward only one. Past disagreements among US officials have hampered chip research goals. Earlier this year, a funding spat involving Commerce, the Pentagon and Congress over a military chip manufacturing program led Commerce to scrap a Chips Act effort focused on commercial R&D and ultimately decline to fund an Applied Materials Inc. project that many felt was key to the broader undertaking. Of the government-run research initiatives, Microelectronics Commons was the first to commit Chips Act funding to specific projects. But theres still some concern that the eight hubs may struggle to operate as a unified network. In particular, hub participants have struggled with a lack of shared tools for chip design, according to people involved in the planning who requested anonymity to speak candidly. Theres also been concern about the cost of those tools called electronic design automation, or EDA without the student discounts sometimes offered to university research programs, the people said. The funding announced Tuesday includes $39 million for a cross-hub enablement solution award, which would provide shared EDA access to six of the eight hubs, according to a Pentagon spokesperson, who added that officials are working to finalize contracts with EDA vendors. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. A California teacher is expected to lose his job after two former students came forward and accused him of sexual abuse. Lexington Junior High School band director Steve Graves, 61, is accused of sexually abusing two students in the 1980s. The Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) recently announced that school officials have begun the process of firing Graves, who is now on administrative leave. Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, the law firm representing the two victims, told Fox News Digital that the abuse began in 1986, while Grave taught at Loara High School in Anaheim. The teacher would have been around 23 or 24 years old at the time. Both of the women were 16 when they were sexually abused. One of the victims, who asked to be identified as Reiko, told FOX 11 Los Angeles that she gave birth to Graves' child when she was 17. PENNSYLVANIA MAN ACCUSED OF RAPING WOMEN FROM DATING WEBSITE, INCLUDING TEENAGER Steve Graves, 61, works as a band director at Lexington Junior High School. Reiko transferred to a different school after becoming pregnant and giving birth. Nearly four decades later, Reiko connected with the other victim through social media, and the two began sharing their stories. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The Anaheim Police Department is involved in the investigation, but no charges against Grave have been filed yet. The women are planning to pursue a civil suit against him. Attorney Morgan Stewart told FOX 11 Los Angeles that he has proof that supervisors "knew that [Graves] was a predator and yet kept him on and kept him on for the past 30+ years," but has not released the evidence publicly. NEBRASKA MAN WHO POSED AS HIGH SCHOOLER AND COMMITTED SEX CRIMES IS DESCRIBED AS 'PREDATOR OF THE WORST KIND' One of the victims, who asked to be identified as Reiko, told FOX 11 Los Angeles that Graves fathered her child when she was still underage. In a statement shared with Fox News Digital, the AUHSD said that it was "shocked, saddened, and upset," to learn of the "credible allegations." "Once the District became aware of this situation at the end of August, Graves was placed on administrative leave and removed from campus," the statement added. "AUHSD has been fully cooperating with the Anaheim Police Department as they investigate this incident to identify any other possible instances of inappropriate behavior, harassment, or sexual misconduct by Graves." CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Fox News Digital reached out to the Anaheim Police Department for more information. Original article source: California teacher accused of fathering student's child decades ago: 'Shocked, saddened' Elizabeth Spencer is calling for the creation of a Catholic secondary in Aberdeen [BBC] Aberdeen needs to build a Catholic secondary school to ensure young people of faith are not "left behind", campaigners have said. Calls for a fresh consultation into the potential new school will be discussed at a full council meeting later this year, after an amendment by opposition councillors on the education committee was voted through earlier. The local authority held a feasibility study this year in which 1,081 people responded saying they would want to send their school-age children to the potential new school. Council officials had ruled it unlikely that the school would meet the threshold of 1,000 pupils needed to build a new secondary. Campaigners believe the questioning in the initial study was not clear and the survey was not publicised in the best way. An amendment for the new consultation was put forward by Labour councillors and defeated the motion by administration members. The SNP and Liberal Democrats had called for nothing to be done on the situation. The most recent census found there were more than 19,000 Roman Catholics living in the city. Dundee, Edinburgh, Perth, Stirling and Glasgow all have Catholic high schools. Elizabeth Spencer, who is leading the campaign to build the secondary, told BBC Scotland News that Aberdeen was not meeting the needs of the Catholic population. She added: "We have a lot of incoming migrants and international students, as well as Catholics already staying here, so the Catholic population has increased. "People are not seeing the clear need for it, we are being left behind." 'Safe space' Ms Spencer said Dundee had a similar-sized Catholic population and had 12 denominational primary schools, compared with Aberdeen's three, in addition to a secondary. "I feel the council officials don't have a clear picture of the situation", she said. "I have been fighting for this for a while now and I'm hoping they dig deep to find some funding for these people who are marginalised. "It is important for Catholic teenagers to have a safe space where they can explore and strengthen their faith." Committee convener Martin Greig - who saw his motion defeated - said he was "proud" that the authority supported Catholic education but warned of a lack of funding. He added: "We are providing well beyond what is wanted and we have to make very difficult decisions based on our finite resources. "I think you have to be realistic about what you offer and what you discuss." Cameras allowed in court for hearing against former Marion police chief in newspaper raid Cameras allowed in court for hearing against former Marion police chief in newspaper raid WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Cameras will be allowed in court during a hearing involving former Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, charged with raiding the Marion County Record last year. Cody is facing charges related to interfering with the judicial process in the case On Monday, a district court judge ruled in favor of several media organizations, including KSN News. They are allowing one television camera, two still cameras, and an audio recording device. Drought continues to impact Cheney Lake levels Cody asked the judge to deny cameras, saying they could jeopardize his right to a fair trial by increasing publicity. State-v.-Cody-Cameras-OrderDownload Cody now lives in Hawaii. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Oct. 7, to which the request for media access would apply. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Camp Pendleton Marine sentenced to prison for selling ghost guns SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A Camp Pendleton Marine was sentenced Monday to about three years (37 months) in prison for selling ghost guns to undercover agents without a license, prosecutors said. Christian Ferrari, 23, of El Cajon, admitted to the sales of 22 ghost guns to ATF agents in exchange for $23,000 over four separate transactions between March 13 and May 9, 2023, the Office of the United States Attorney Southern District of California said in a news release. National City man arrested after deadly shooting in Barrio Logan During one of the transactions, undercover agents told Ferrari those guns were going to be taken to Mexico. Ferrari responded, alright, perfect, and agreed to sell the agents 10 more ghost guns for $10,000, prosecutors said. Ferrari was arrested following the final transaction. Ghost guns, which are made using specialized tools to construct the parts into a functional firearm, do not have a serial number, making it hard to trace them. Ferraris arrest is a result of the Privately Made Firearm Crime Reduction Project that has led to the seizure of 165 ghost guns and the prosecution of 33 people from February to May of 2023, according to the U.S. Attorney Southern District of California. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Canada's Trudeau says there's 'more work to do' after his party suffers another by-election loss Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responds to questions during Question Period, in Ottawa, Ontario, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP) VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday hes focused on the work ahead after the ruling Liberals lost in another by-election, raising more questions about his ability to lead the party into the next federal election. For the second time in recent months the Liberals lost in a former stronghold when the Bloc Quebecois won the vote in the electoral district of LaSalle-Emard-Verdun Monday in Montreal in a tight three-way race with the New Democratic Party. Obviously it would have been nicer to be able to win . . . but theres more work to do, Trudeau said in Ottawa. The big thing is to make sure that Canadians understand the choice they get to make in the next election," Trudeau said. "Thats the work were going to continue to do. Election Canada results show the Bloc candidate Louis-Philippe Sauve finished with 28% of the vote. Liberals' candidate Laura Palestini collected 27.2% and finished just 248 votes behind the winner. The NDP collected 26.1% and was about 600 votes behind the winner. Its the second time in three months that Trudeaus party has lost a by-election in a riding they held for years. In June, the Conservatives narrowly defeated the Liberals in Toronto-St. Pauls. The Liberals won every seat in Toronto and almost every seat on the Island of Montreal in the last election. Monday's loss is a major blow for the Liberals, said Daniel Beland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal. This is a riding we would expect them to win under normal circumstances, Beland said in an email. Not only did this not happen, they lost by nearly 16 percentage points in popular votes compared to their score in the riding back in 2021, when they had easily won there. Andrew Perez, a longtime Liberal supporter and strategist, posted on social media that the loss is yet another nail in Justin Trudeaus coffin. If Trudeaus Liberals cant hold this safe seat, it will spell even bigger trouble for the partys prospects in Quebec and across Canada in a critical election year, Perez said in a statement before the final vote. Beland doesnt believe Trudeau will step down as party leader before the next election, which is scheduled for next fall. Some Liberals might try to convince him to step down but its not sure at all he would, said Beland. Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne was asked Tuesday if Trudeau should remain as prime minister. Champagne said there is concern, theres anxiety among Canadian voters. Theyre ready for a positive vision of the country, he said. I think if theres someone who can really inspire Canadians, its Justin Trudeau. Most polls show the federal Conservatives well ahead of the Liberals. Trudeau is also very unpopular with many Canadians. The NDP recently ended its supply and confidence agreement with the Liberals that helped keep the minority government in power. That led to speculation there could be an early federal election. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has said his party plans to put forward a non-confidence motion at the earliest possible opportunity in hopes of bringing down the Liberal government. Neither the NDP nor Bloc, a party based only in Quebec and devoted to Quebec sovereignty, has said if they will help bring the government down. Beland said its difficult to predict if there will be an early election. It seems that only the Conservatives want a federal election right now so either the Bloc or the NDP could still decide to support the Liberals at the next confidence vote, he said. They (the Liberals) only need the support of one of these opposition parties to stay alive. In another by-election Monday, the NDP held onto its seat in Winnipeg in a race closer than previous votes. The NDP defeated the Conservative candidate by 1,200 votes. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh took to social media to call the decision a big victory. Cancer impacts all of us. This year alone, 2 million Americans are expected to receive a cancer diagnosis. And for many patients, early screenings can be the difference between life and death. This is something Gloria Garcia knows all too well. The most beautiful blue eyes, beautiful soul, and just a warm person, she said while describing her sister. READ: Join Action News Jaxs Dawn Lopez at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk of Jacksonville Garcia said her older sister was just 38 years old when she died from an aggressive case of breast cancer. She said her sister discovered the lump during a self-examination and sought out further testing. Nearly 15 years later, Garcia is honoring her sisters life by raising awareness. The research is so key and so important to getting those early detection better treatment options, Garcia said. READ: So much joy: Clay County boy fighting cancer gets a brand-new playset On Tuesday, nearly 750 cancer survivors, advocates, and volunteers met with hundreds of lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Theyre pushing for increased access to new tests being developed that can screen for multiple types of cancer at their earliest stages. All these volunteers are here and theyve all experienced cancer, and they are then taking that experience and saying, I dont want my mom, my child, myself to go through that again, Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Lacasse said volunteers and advocates are urging lawmakers to pass the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act. It would allow Medicare to provide reimbursement for new testing once its approved by the FDA and shown to have clinical benefits. We know that equitable access to care is all about coverage and if someone has to pay for something, many cant afford it, she said. Advocates want Congress to pass this bill by the end of the year. The push comes amid a busy time in Washington as lawmakers work to avoid a pending government shutdown. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] But Lacasse believes theyre making a strong for case for support. Weve recently done some polling that really looked at the fact that people support having good health care, they want that health care to be affordable and they want to find out if they have a disease early, Lacasse said. Advocates are also calling for more money for federal cancer prevention programs. Lacasse said one Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initiative helps women who are underinsured or dont have insurance get screened for breast and cervical cancers. 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. RAVENNA, Ohio (WKBN) A Canfield man learned his sentence Monday in a Kent sexual assault case. Read next: Coitsville police investigating death of man who was hit by truck in hotel parking lot McCoy Watkins, 23, was ordered to serve 365 days in the Portage County Jail, with work release. He will also be on probation for five years and will have to register as a Tier 1 sex offender for 15 years, according to court records. He was also ordered to pay fines and have no contact with the victims in the case. Watkins pleaded guilty to two fourth-degree felony charges of gross sexual imposition in August as part of a plea deal. Watkins was arrested in April, accused of raping a 19-year-old woman and an 18-year-old woman at a home near Kent State University on Nov. 11. According to a report from the Kent Police Department, the two women reported being sexually assaulted by Watkins after a party at the home in November. One victim said Watkins got into bed with her and sexually assaulted her until she was able to get him off of her. Another woman at the house reported that Watkins also forced her down on a couch and forcibly touched her. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)The candidates for Chatham County District Attorney (DA) spoke to residents during a candidate forum Monday night for voters to get to know them before the election. Attendees packed into the Coastal Georgia Center to hear Democratic incumbent Shalena Cook Jones and Republican challenger Andre Pretorius. The event allowed attendees to get to know the candidates starting right at the door as they were greeted by the candidates before the moderatedQ&A session with questions submitted by voters. WSAV asked both candidates why people on the fence should vote for them. Weve done great work, Jones said. Im glad for tonights event so that the citizens themselves know what great work weve done, and that work must continue. Pretorius said, I want to make sure that we have a DA thats gonna care about victims. And care about the safety of our community. The forum was put on by the League of Women Voters of Coastal Georgia. This candidate forum exemplifies our dedication to fostering an informed electorate, said Chassidy Malloy, President of the LWVCGA. By providing a platform for voters to hear directly from both candidates for Chatham County District Attorney, were empowering our community to make educated decisions at the polls. The League of Women Voters remains committed to nonpartisan voter education, believing that a well-informed citizenry is the cornerstone of a robust democracy. Early voting in Georgia starts on Oct. 15th and Election Day is Nov. 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 WSAV-TV. Get your car seat checked for free in Texarkana ATLANTA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) A car seat can be a lifesaver, but only if installed and used correctly. Knowing how to install a car seat correctly is vital for anyone, whether a car ride is for going to school or taking a family trip. According to DOTD, in the Atlanta District in 2023, seven children younger than eight years old were seriously injured in passenger vehicle crashes. Two children between the ages of eight and 12 were killed, and nine others in the same age group were seriously injured in passenger vehicle crashes. The Atlanta District includes Bowie, Camp, Cass, Harrison, Marion, Morris, Panola, Titus, and Upshur counties. More: Texarkana News This Saturday, September 2, is National Seat Check Saturday, and TxDOT, along with other certified technicians, will offer free car seat safety checks from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Red River Federal Credit Union, 4405 Summerhill Road in Texarkana. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly half (46%) of all car seats have been installed incorrectly. Its extremely important that parents schedule a car seat check today, TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said. Ensuring car seats are installed correctly is one of the most important things a parent or caregiver can do to protect their children in a crash. If you cant make it to the event, TxDOT invites parents to schedule a free car seat safety check by visiting Save Me With a Seat and entering their ZIP code to find the nearest TxDOT traffic safety specialist in their area. TxDOT offers free car seat safety checks year-round. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) Multiple card skimming devices have been discovered at Cumberland Farms locations throughout western Massachusetts. Amherst expands use of translation devices to improve communication for non-english speakers 22News has contacted Cumberland Farms for a full list of locations where card skimmers have been discovered in September. EGA Media Relations, the media contact for Cumberland Farms, said that between September 4th and September 13th of this year, card skimmers were found at these locations: What is a credit card skimmer? Great Barrington Police Department Courtesy of Southampton Police Department Courtesy of Southampton Police Department Credit: Springfield Police Department Denver police officer finds credit card skimmer on ATM in convenience store. (Denver Police Department) Courtesy: Clay County Sheriffs Office How to spot a skimmer scanner at the ATM gas skimmer example_636544 agawam skimmer 2_638350 agawam skimmer 1_638298 credit card skimmers_653937 Credit card skimmers becoming more present at ATM's gas station skimmers_1544477989666.jpg.jpg Card skimmers are illegal devices installed at gas pumps, ATMs, and other locations that can steal credit and debit card information. When swiped, the skimmer scans your card information and uses Bluetooth to send card information to the thiefs computer or phone. 22News asked Cumberland Farms if work is being done to prevent card skimming devices from being installed, EG America is aware of the skimming devices recently found in some of our Cumberland Farms stores and is working closely with local law enforcement to investigate this further. If you made a purchase at our Southampton, Williamsburg, Amherst, Great Barrington or Pittsfield stores between the dates of 9/4/24 and 9/13/24, we encourage you to monitor your bank accounts for any suspicious activity. The safety of our guests is our top priority, and we will remain vigilant to ensure our stores are a secure place for all. No matter how protective you are of your credit card information, card skimming is largely unavoidable. How to detect a card skimmer Before putting your card into a reader, the FBI says, there are some easy and effective ways to protect your information. Police also warned about other, harder-to-detect skimming devices. These newer devices cannot be detected from the outside. Inspect the reader and look for any loose parts or damage. Scratches or damage to adhesive tape can also be indicators of tampering. Give the skimmer a light shake, and if it feels loose, tell an employee. Cover the keypad with one hand to block any hidden cameras. To be extra careful, pay with cash. Checking card transactions regularly and setting up account alerts can also help you spot suspicious activity. If you notice something wrong, call your card issuer immediately so they can cancel the card and protect your information. 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. By Angelo Amante, Federico Maccioni and Joanna Plucinska ROME/ABU DHABI/LONDON (Reuters) -Ryanair has seen better momentum in bookings since last month and less need to cut prices, CEO Michael O'Leary told Reuters on Tuesday, adding that annual profit was likely to be slightly down on last year but remained "very strong". His comments provided reassurance after a tough few months for the industry. Shares in Ryanair spiked higher, also giving a boost to rival European airline groups including easyJet, IAG, the owner of British Airways, Air France-KLM and Lufthansa. "We think we are past the worst of the 'fare scare' which hit European airlines this summer, given the upward trend in European macro indicators," said RBC analyst Ruairi Cullinane. Other smaller European airlines have reported either slower price growth or flat ticket prices as the post-pandemic travel boom settled into something more akin to regular demand. Ryanair shares slumped in July after it reported ticket prices had seen annual falls of 15% in the three months to the end of June, heightening fears of a weak summer for Europe's airlines. Prices will likely be down 5-9% in the three months to the end of September from the same period last year, O'Leary said, with signs of improvement in recent weeks. "We were having to discount heavily to hit our load factor objectives. I think, from about August onwards... there's a better momentum of bookings, we're having to discount less," O'Leary said, adding that smaller discounts are expected until November. O'Leary said the Irish carrier was producing "very strong profits" but conceded they "could be slightly down this year against the prior year" despite traffic being up 8%. AIRLINE PRICES NORMALIZE Other carriers said they also saw a slight impact on prices as travel demand stabilizes but have not been affected as dramatically as Ryanair. Latvian carrier AirBaltic, which is a rival to Ryanair, said that its ticket prices had also gone down, but that in turn its bookings had risen, meaning revenue wasn't impacted. Airline shares have broadly been down in the last six months, with some shortsellers targeting airline stocks given ongoing issues facing the sector. Wizz Air, which was listed as one of the carrier's targeted by shortsellers in a recent Hazeltree report, also said that its prices hadn't been impacted as strongly, especially given the busy summer season. "Summer is behind us - but we are still on positive territories year-on-year, or at least not on negative territory," rival low-cost carrier Wizz Air's CEO told Reuters on Monday. Story continues BOEING TROUBLES CONTINUE Ryanair is one of few European carriers that has a mostly Boeing fleet, making it particularly vulnerable to ongoing turbulence at the planemaker. O'Leary cautioned that he was optimistic rather than confident that Boeing would be able to deliver on time the airline's next big aircraft order, the MAX 10. Asked about a strike at planemaker Boeing which is involving more than 30,000 workers in the United States, he said he feared delays to deliveries, although he was confident an agreement to end it would be reached "in the next three or four weeks". Ryanair, Europe's largest by passenger numbers, already has 150 firm orders for the MAX 10, the largest jet in the 737 family, and options for 150 more, with the first deliveries due in 2027. He said Boeing told Ryanair the MAX 10 was expected to get certified in the second half of 2025 and that made him "optimistic but not confident" about the timing. O'Leary said Ryanair was not interested in taking over slots that will be given up at Milan's Linate airport to preserve competition following a planned tie-up between state-owned ITA Airways and Lufthansa. He made clear Ryanair wanted to achieve stronger growth at Milan's main airport of Malpensa - further from the city - especially if EasyJet wanted to move more operations to Linate. (Reporting by Angelo Amante; Additional reporting by Conor Humphries; Editing by Jason Neely and Keith Weir) The Care Quality Commission suspended its previous 'outstanding' rating for the trust in January [NCJ Media] A health watchdog has lifted restrictions imposed on an NHS trust that was downgraded over alleged bullying earlier this year. The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust saw its rating fall from 'outstanding' to 'requires improvement' and a series of conditions imposed on its licence last December. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) spokesperson confirmed the requirements had been lifted and added it would "continue to monitor the trust closely". A spokesperson for Newcastle Hospitals said it would "continue to focus on our improvement plan". The trust, which runs the Royal Victoria Infirmary and the Freeman Hospital, had its rating downgraded after a CQC report published in January outlined serious concerns over alleged bullying and a "significant deterioration" in the leadership. Inspectors highlighted particular concern over the Freemans cardiothoracic department, with claims of serious incidents being "deliberately covered up" and a culture of bullying. The findings also included worries about a shortage of staffing in the RVIs maternity unit, which left it unable to provide "basic fundamental standards of care", as well as accusations of favouritism and nepotism within the trust. The trust said at the time it fully accepted the report. Improvements made The trust was required to make improvements and submit monthly reports to prove it was making progress, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. These included ensuring staff being able to report concerns without fear of reprisals, putting effective systems in place to support the delivery of safe and quality care, and properly recording and escalating risks. A CQC spokesperson said: "The trust has submitted action plans and provided assurance that they have made improvements, therefore the conditions have now been met. "Well continue to monitor the trust closely and will return to check on their progress to ensure people are receiving safe and effective care." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. More stories from BBC North East and Cumbria Related internet links WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) CASA of Wichita Falls is asking the community for candy donations for the non-profits annual Trunk or Treat event in October. CASA Volunteer Coordinator Casey Washington said each year, they host this event for kiddos they support through their organization, which helps advocate for children who have gone through traumatic events. MSU Small Business Development Center invites all to cybersecurity symposium But Washington said this year, they are going to open up the event to the public as well, giving every kid a chance to come out and have fun while forgetting the hardships they may be going through, even if its just for a short time. A lot of the kids that we work with, they come from very vulnerable homes, and they have a lot of different trauma that they endure. And so we host events like these just so the kids can kind of come out and enjoy themselves. And so not only are you helping our organization, but youre also helping the kids that we work with, Washington said. Washington said they are also accepting monetary donations. If you want to drop off your donations, you can stop by the CASA office at 808 Austin Street during business hours. Of course, CASA of Wichita Falls is always looking for volunteers to help continue its mission of helping those in need in our community. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. The News Rory Stewart led the UKs international development ministry for two years and later became the Africa secretary. But after leaving government he became president of the cash transfer nonprofit GiveDirectly, which changed his perspective on aid. Now Stewart wants the aid community to overhaul its collective approach. Rather than design complex programs to monitor, control, and train people in areas like agriculture, and health, he has a simpler solution: cash. In many, many cases, the most effective way of helping people in extreme poverty is simply to give them unconditional cash in a single lump sum transfer and get out the way, said Stewart in an interview breaking down his recent TEDtalk on the same topic. His argument is that we can rely on people to spend the money far more efficiently and intelligently than well-meaning aid agencies might have planned. Know More The cash approach is not unique or unheard of, others have taken this approach particularly in crisis situations such as after a natural disaster or during conflict. But Stewart says evidence has shown that giving a more substantial one-time payment of around $1,000 can have a more transformative impact than smaller monthly amounts. You can see people really beginning to put that money to work, turn their lives around, be it investing in a business or fixing their house, theyll make capital decisions with it. Stewart points to examples of projects in Liberia, Rwanda, and Uganda where GiveDirectly, where he is still a senior advisor, has taken this approach. Mobile money has been key to scaling up this approach because using phone networks makes it much easier logistically to reach those most in need. Catholic churches and other religious institutions in Florida are pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into the campaign to defeat an amendment intended to overturn the states controversial restrictions on abortion access. Defeating the Amendment 4 proposal has become a major goal for the states Republican leadership, with Gov. Ron DeSantis throwing considerable political weight behind the effort. And faith-based groups rank among the most vocal and generous partners in the battle creating websites, mounting social media campaigns and pushing congregations to join the fight. Money may be the most telling measure of their influence. Religious institutions accounted for more than a third of the total contributions almost $850,000 including check and in-kind donations according to calculations by the Miami Herald to the Florida Voters Against Extremism PAC, the political committee behind the Vote No on 4 campaign. Catholic organizations and churches accounted for almost $834,000 alone, while Florida Baptist organizations contributed around $10,500. The Amendment 4 issue is a key one for both parties with Republicans hoping to defend a severe restriction that bans most abortions after six weeks and Democrats hoping to restore and even broaden access, making abortion legal until viability, which most medical experts agree is around 22 to 24 weeks of pregnancy. Its an issue that could also bring more voters to the polls in what is shaping up as a potentially close presidential race. Under tax laws, nonprofits such as churches and charities cant make donations to partisan candidate races like congressional seats but they are legally allowed to donate to campaigns on certain issues or ballot questions that align with their mission. Amendment 4, legal experts say, fits that definition. There is basically a lot of discretion that .... nonprofits have in terms of their spending on issues, said Daniel Smith, a professor of political science at the University of Florida. Issues, the Supreme Court long ago ruled, are very different than candidate races. They are not partisan technically, although theres a lot of evidence that suggests they have become politicized in that partisan way. In a statement to the Miami Herald the Archdiocese of Miami said the Catholic Church does engage in political issues; however, it does not endorse any political candidates. Amendment 4 does generate special engagement on our part, the statement said. No one is surprised that abortion has long been recognized as a preeminent concern because it is a direct attack on human life. Organizations such as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, according to the Archdiocese, often advise the government on matters of concern to the Catholic Church. In a column in the Florida Catholic earlier this year, Archbishop Thomas Wenski argued that Catholics have an obligation to make their opinions heard to the public. The church has long been a vocal pro-life force. To bear witness is our duty as faithful Catholics and it is our right as faith filled citizens. Vote no on Amendment 4! Wenski wrote. This is not to impose our views but to make our proposal about what is necessary for human flourishing in society. Aside from financial donations, the Catholic Church has been urging Floridians to vote no on Amendment 4 for months, touting a campaign which uses videos, social media posts, fact sheets, prayer events and voter workshops to help spread the message. The Archdiocese of Miami, together with the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, is working hard to oppose this dangerous and deceptive amendment and urges all Floridians to vote NO on Amendment 4, the Archdiocese wrote on its website. This matter concerning the respect for human dignity and the fundamental value of human life is of grave importance to both our Church and our state. The Vote No on 4 campaign echoes talking points repeated by DeSantis and other conservatives. It argues that the amendment is too extreme and that the vague language could allow for late-term abortions. It also points out that key terms of the amendment, such as viability and health care provider are not defined, which would allow for broader interpretations of the measure. Archbishop Thomas Wenski wrote a column earlier this year in the Florida Catholic urging all residents to vote No on Amendment 4, which seeks to broaden abortion access for Floridians. In the past few weeks, the DeSantis administration has used its political power and resources to wage a war against the abortion measure. The administration launched a state-sponsored website in opposition to Amendment 4, claiming that the measure threatens womens safety. DeSantis has also been investigating verified Amendment 4 petitions that has led to tens of thousands of signatures being pulled for review and has called out Republicans who have not yet donated to help defeat the amendment. The Florida Baptist Convention, which represents thousands of churches across the state, also put out a public statement in opposition of Amendment 4, and has partnered with a pro-life advocacy organization, One More Child, to help spread the message. We encourage you to rise for lifetell your church and communities how Amendment 4 will endanger precious lives, share with them the enclosed informational flyer, and most of all, VOTE NO on Amendment 4, the Florida Baptist Convention wrote in a letter directed to pastors. Supporters of the opposing campaign, Vote Yes on 4, argue that the governor and conservative lawmakers have rolled back decades-old law in Florida, imposing restrictions that polls show are opposed by most residents. The pro-choice campaign, backed by a group called Floridians Protecting Freedom, has focused on the impacts of the current abortion ban in Florida and features testimonies from women who were unable to terminate their pregnancy after serious complications, resulting in dangerous health risks for the mothers. Grassroots advocacy for Amendment 4 So far, the financial support from religious groups has been decidedly one-sided. There doesnt appear to be any substantial donations from faith-based groups to the political committee supporting the Vote Yes on 4 campaign, Floridians Protecting Freedom, according to the states campaign finance database. The top donors for the PAC supporting of the amendment, which raised over $48.5 million, are philanthropic organizations such as the Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, individual activists, Marsha Zlatin Laufer, and nonprofit advocacy groups like American Civil Liberties Union Of Florida and Planned Parenthood. But, some faith-based groups, including the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC) and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami, among others, have advocated in support of Amendment 4 in other ways. Weve been involved with Amendment 4 since the very beginning, said Rabbi Jessica Jacobs of Temple Beth Sholom, a Reform Jewish synagogue in Miami Beach thats a part of RAC Florida. Through a grassroots campaign including writing postcards, phone banking and door knocking, RAC Florida has been a powerful advocate of Amendment 4, receiving over 17,000 signed petitions from Florida voters. Jacobs said petitioning and getting congregants to register to vote was a priority at the synagogue during holidays, Shabbat dinners and different community events. When people think about religious groups being conservative on abortion, or believing that abortion is murder, that is not consistent with our religious ideology, Jacobs said. And so its really important for us to, among other reasons, engage in the campaign. Though fundraising isnt RAC Floridas largest endeavor, Jacobs said they do ask people to contribute to RAC Florida or to the Vote Yes on 4 campaign directly. Jacobs said abortion is one of the least divisive issues for Jews, who believe that life begins at birth, not at conception. For us, it says in the Talmud and in our Rabbinic tradition that the life of the mother is always paramount to the life of the unborn ... literally, even until the moment of birth, Jacobs said. The National Council of Jewish women and congregants from Temple Beth Sholom protest in support of more abortion access for Floridians. RAC Florida is also advocating for Amendment 4 on the grounds of religious freedom. Judaism also believes in the dignity of all people, and that for us, we interpret dignity to mean access to healthcare, access to housing, access to safety, access to autonomy, and so this feels very clearly in line with what it means to give people a sense of dignity, Jacobs said. The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami, a progressive congregation in South Miami, is hosting a photo exhibition next week, showcasing stories of people who have had personal experiences with abortion in an effort to create civil public discourse around the divisive issue. UU Miami was a strong advocate last year in petitioning to get the abortion amendment on the November ballot. Weve always advocated for reproductive rights, said Christine Hughes Pontier, member of the board of trustees for UU Miami. Were really trying to educate people on what it means, how it would impact people and families in Florida and really just to get out the vote. This story was produced with financial support from Trish and Dan Bell and from donors comprising the South Florida Jewish and Muslim Communities, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work. I celebrated my 40th birthday twice first with family, then with friends. I'm so happy I kept them separate. Emma Morrell first celebrated her 40th on a safari in Namibia with her husband and kids. Emma Morrell Emma Morrell planned two trips to celebrate her 40th birthday. The first was a 15-day road trip through Namibia with her husband and two kids. For the second, she left the family behind and caught up with girlfriends in Paris. My 40th birthday was looming. I wanted to do something special to mark it, but the idea of a big party where I was the center of attention sounded awful to an introvert like me. Still, though, I wanted to celebrate with friends and family. I knew I didn't want presents, experiences that I would remember forever sounded more appealing. So, instead of a flashy celebration, I planned two incredible trips. It started with a road trip in southwest Africa with my family "You're going where?" everyone asked when we announced our intention to drive 1,500 miles around Namibia in 15 days. We smiled at their reactions. The first trip took place in April and had been planned for months, with several route iterations exchanged between us and our tour operator. It was timed to fit between my husband's 40th in December and mine in June. We were tired of kid-centered vacations, often involving waterslides and family-friendly resorts. This was about us, and it needed to be something different. Of course, any travel with kids requires both mental and logistical preparation, but a road trip with this amount of driving was next level. I downloaded hours of age-appropriate audiobooks and scheduled a variety of activities to fit their physical stamina while scratching our travel itch. Author climbed the sand dunes around Dead Vlei with her family. Emma Morrell We climbed the dunes around Dead Vlei early and tumbled down the slopes toward 1,000-year-old black petrified trees in the salt pan, but settled for observing Sossusvlei's tallest dune, Big Daddy, from a distance. In Swakopmund, we found kid-friendly restaurants, took a 4x4 tour instead of windsurfing lessons, and browsed gift shops rather than going dolphin-watching. In Etosha National Park, we spent most of our time devouring ice cream at the campsite's watering hole. Elephants lumbered from north to south in front of us, while giraffes ambled to the water and cautiously lowered themselves to drink. For accommodation, we kept it varied, sandwiching guesthouse stays between nights in the tents that unfolded from the top of our car. Every evening, we gathered around a barbecue or firepit to journal, toast marshmallows, or just watch flames dancing in the receding light. It felt like a perfect balance between our pre- and post-kids travel identities. My family's trip to Namibia in 2019, booked with Namibia Tours and Safaris, cost $5,000, excluding flights. The author reunited with childhood friends in Paris. Emma Morrell For the second celebration, I met up with friends in Paris Ten weeks later, and five days after my actual birthday, I was on the move once more, only this time on my own. I was headed to Paris for a reunion with my besties from school: three girls I'd known since we were 5 and who now live in the US, UK, and France. I was exhilarated to be traveling solo again. The foray to France would conclude my birthday celebrations. We all met at my friend's house in Saint-Germain-En-Laye, a serene suburb of the French capital. The plan was just to sleep there for the single day that we could be together, we wanted to meander around the City of Lights. Our only commitment was an evening dinner reservation. Beyond that, the day was ours. Never mind the landscape, in terms of planning and travel companions, this was about as far from Namibia as I could have imagined. The sun beamed down while we explored Montmartre, where winding, cobbled streets were lined with pastel-painted buildings and topped by Sacre Coeur Basilica's brilliant white walls. There, we sipped on glasses of crisp rose wine, watched market-goers pass by, and gorged on onion soup topped with gooey layers of melted cheese. From Montmartre, we made our way to the Arc de Triomphe, then walked the length of the Champs-Elysees complete with a tourist-priced cocktail to fuel us through a tree-lined Jardin des Tuileries, and on to the majestic Eiffel Tower, all while relishing some extended time to catch up properly. We found our restaurant tucked down a back street behind the Musee du Louvre, basking in the luminous evening light. The only feeling better than dining on perfectly cooked steak frites was the overwhelming gratification of lasting friendships. Chilled Champagne fizzed for toast after toast. The two trips in three months were an extravagance I felt lucky to experience. The differences between a 15-day adventure in Africa with my family and a one-night stay in Europe could not have been more striking yet they were the perfect way for me to celebrate. Read the original article on Business Insider HONOLULU (KHON2) As the first Mexican-American to hold the title of Mrs. Hawaii United States, Ashley Howell-Wasson has embraced her heritage with remarkable passion. Her journey from a small farming town in California to the spotlight of the pageant world illustrates a deep connection to her roots and an unwavering commitment to cultural advocacy. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You During Hispanic Heritage Month, Howell-Wassons story offers a powerful example of how personal history and cultural pride can shape a meaningful public life. Born and raised in Exeter, California, Howell-Wasson grew up in a community where Hispanic culture thrived. Exeter, located in the Central Valley, is known for its agricultural richness and a large Hispanic population. Growing up in a small town like Exeter, I was surrounded by people who were a lot like me, Howell-Wasson said. My best friends were Hispanic, and we shared many of the same traditions and experiences. It made being Hispanic feel normal and part of the fabric of our everyday life. However, her transition to Brigham Young University (BYU) was a stark contrast. At BYU, I found myself among only a few fellow Mexicans. It was eye-opening, Howell-Wasson reflected. I went from being surrounded by my Mexican family to being in a minority. It humbled me and gave me a new perspective on what it means to share my culture. At BYU, Howell-Wasson found solace and connection in the Latin Dance Club. Participating in Latin Dance Club was a way to celebrate my heritage and connect with others who had similar backgrounds, she explained. During Culture Night, we danced our hearts out, showing the audience who we were. It was a moment of pride, and it made me feel very proud of my Hispanic identity. Her experiences in pageantry also highlighted the role of cultural bonds. In the pageant world, almost all of my pageant sisters spoke Spanish, Howell-Wasson noted. We would chat in Spanish, and it created a strong sense of community among us. Despite our different backgrounds, we connected over our shared language and culture. Howell-Wassons advocacy extends beyond personal experiences. She has been vocal about the struggles faced by immigrants and the importance of cultural appreciation. A lot of immigrants come here with fear, whether they are here legally or not, she said. They escape difficult situations and face challenges navigating a new world. I try to use my Spanish to ease their fears and help them feel welcomed. Her approach to cultural appreciation is inclusive. I believe theres a difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation, Howell-Wasson stated. If youre engaging with a culture respectfully and with genuine interest, its a good thing. For instance, if someone wears a sombrero out of respect and admiration for Hispanic culture, it can be seen as a positive gesture. During Hispanic Heritage Month, Howell-Wasson highlights the importance of celebrating and sharing cultural traditions. Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to showcase and appreciate our culture. We celebrate with parades, festivals, and food, she said. Its about being proud and showing others the beauty of our traditions. Even if people arent from our culture, their interest and participation in our celebrations are wonderful. The month-long celebration, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, honors the history, culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Events across the United States feature music, dance and food from various Hispanic cultures which provide opportunities for both Hispanics and non-Hispanics to learn and engage with these rich traditions. One of Howell-Wassons cherished memories is the festive spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month events. My favorite part is seeing everyone come together, dressed in traditional attire, dancing, and sharing their food, she shared. Its a time when people from all backgrounds come together to celebrate. Even if youre not from the culture, appreciating and participating in these celebrations fosters a sense of unity. Howell-Wassons personal connection to her heritage extends into her daily life. I love cooking traditional Mexican dishes, and Ive taught my family and friends in Hawaii how to make them, she said. Its been wonderful to share my culture through food, and its also a way to keep my traditions alive even far from home. Her journey through pageantry has also been a platform for showcasing her heritage. In pageants, theres a lot of focus on talents and personal stories, Howell-Wasson noted. When I competed, I wanted to highlight my heritage. I planned to sing a Spanish version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow with my ukulele. Although the pandemic interrupted that plan, I hope to continue sharing my culture in future opportunities. In her role as Mrs. Hawaii United States, Howell-Wasson is determined to break barriers and set new precedents. Being the first Mexican-American Mrs. Hawaii is a huge honor, she said. I hope to inspire others to embrace their cultural identity and show that its possible to achieve great things while staying true to who you are. Howell-Wassons story is a testament to the power of embracing ones heritage while navigating new challenges. Her advocacy for immigrants, dedication to cultural appreciation, and role in pageantry illustrate how personal identity and public life can intertwine to create a positive impact. As Hispanic Heritage Month continues, Howell-Wasson encourages everyone to celebrate and share their cultural backgrounds. Whether youre Hispanic or not, take the time to learn about and appreciate different cultures, she said. Its through these interactions that we build understanding and respect. Embrace your heritage, share your story, and be proud of who you are. In celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond, Howell-Wassons journey reminds us that cultural pride and advocacy are integral to building a more inclusive and understanding society. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 Her experiences and insights offer a powerful example of how personal heritage can shape a meaningful and impactful public life. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The school year is back in full swing and so is a newly signed law in Ohio regarding cell phone use in the classroom. At East High, Principal Debra Campbell says there have been some positive improvements with the new law. Weve seen increased engagement with our scholars, and fewer distractions due to the phones. You know, they were really a big distraction to our scholars, both because of communicating with each other via cell phone, social media, and maybe playing games. And so weve seen a reduction in that in the classroom. So thats fewer classroom disruptions as well, said Campbell. Though it is still early in the school year, the principal and assistant principal both think the cell phone ban will benefit kids more than just their education. Nothing would drive me more crazy in the last couple of years than, you know, you have a table full of scholars sitting at the cafeteria table, and instead of talking to one another, theyre sending messages back and forth. So yeah, hopefully, those social skills will start to develop again. and you know, well see some more positive interactions with our kids, said East Assistant Principal Adam Loudin. The district is still waiting for the delivery of Yondr pouches, designed to temporarily lock away cell phones and other devices during the school day. They hope to get these next week. As for students caught with their phones, they are taken away and the parents are the ones who have to come and pick the device up at the end of the school day. So far, that too has been receptive to families 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 WKBN.com. CENTERVILLE, Ohio (WDTN) The Centerville Police Department requested the publics help in locating a missing teenager Tuesday afternoon. The teen was found safely according to a post from Centerville PD on social media. Previous coverage: According to Centerville Police, authorities are searching for a missing girl. She is described as being 15-years-old, stands at 5-feet and weighs 120 pounds. The child also has blonde hair and brown eyes. Officials believe the girl could be somewhere around the Kettering area. It is also a possibility the teen could be near Kettering Health Main Campus, according to police. If you have information on the missing childs whereabouts, you are urged to call police at 937-433-7661. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Theres a new man in charge of Californias ambitious statewide high-speed rail project. On Monday, the California High-Speed Rail Authority welcomed its new chief executive officer, Ian Choudri. Choudri was officially sworn in as the CEO of the state agency, taking the reins from former chief Brian Kelly, who announced his plans to retire earlier this year after six years in the role. Choudri was chosen to succeed Kelly in August following a nationwide search. He joins the Authority after spending the last several years as Senior Vice President for HNTB Corporation, an infrastructure design firm headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Ian Choudri is sworn in as the new CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority on Sept. 16, 2024. (CAHSR) Ian Choudri is sworn in as the new CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority on Sept. 16, 2024. (CAHSR) Officials for the Authority say Choudri has more than 30 years of experience in the transportation sector and has worked on high-speed rail projects in France and in Spain. Hes also been involved with past transit projects in the Golden State, having worked on developing future connections between the Ontario Airport and the Rancho Cucamonga station for Brightline West. Whats the difference between Californias 2 high-speed rail projects? Outgoing CEO Kelly was responsible for getting the project back on track and acquiring funding for the high-speed rail systems Initial Operating Segment connecting Merced to Bakersfield, which is expected to begin operations in the early 2030s. In the coming years, Choudri will be tasked with overseeing the official opening of that segment, as well as procuring additional funding for the hundreds of other miles of track that is yet to be acquired. Map of the phased implementation of the California High-Speed Rail, which is broken up into segments. (California High-Speed Rail Authority) There are currently more than two-dozen active construction sites in the Central Valley, and the authority is working to expand beyond the current 119-mile construction zone to the 171 miles of eventual track that will comprise the Initial Operating Segment. Plan to connect L.A. to Bay Area by bullet train gets full environmental approval Since construction crews broke ground on the California High-Speed Rail almost a decade ago, 46 critical structures have been built, 34 are currently underway and 57 miles of guideway have been completed, according to BuildHSR.com, the Authoritys construction tracking website. Still, an exact timeline for when the entire project, billed as San Francisco-to-Los Angeles, remains uncertain. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Utahs capital has a new honor, being named as one of 25 cities and counties across the nation certifiably recognized as a Welcoming City. What exactly does that mean? It means Salt Lake City is a bastion of inclusivity, unifying people of all backgrounds to build a diverse and vibrant community. Welcoming America, a non-profit organization that bestows the honor, says communities that reach these standards are strong with a competitive edge in local talent and workforce. Salt Lake City joins Salt Lake County on the list, which was the first county to be recognized as certified welcoming in 2018. Salt Lake City is a place committed to ensuring that every individual, no matter their background has achieved the 3-star Certified Welcoming designation, said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. Becoming a Certified Welcoming city is a meaningful step in breaking down barriers and creating pathways for everyone to call our city home. How this dog is improving safety at an Ogden high school Utahs capital city earned the designation thanks to several initiatives, partnerships, and programs available throughout the city. These include the work from the Salt Lake City Arts Council which enriches the citys cultural landscape through equity and inclusion programming and the City Connect Program which provides available wi-fi at parks, community centers, and other public spaces. The city also hosts the Know Your Neighbor Program which emphasizes building relationships between immigrant and non-immigrant residents. Mendenhall said the city will continue to build on these programs and initiatives to create a community where everyone feels valued, heard, and welcomed. Rachel Peric, the Welcoming America executive director, applauded Salt Lake City saying the organization was excited to honor the city for its commitment to inclusivity and belonging. The citys work to connect diverse communities through robust programs like Know Your Neighbor shows a real effort to create an inclusive environment and provides a rich roadmap for building a strong sense of belonging within cities, said Peric. We look forward to supporting Salt Lake City as it continues to build a welcoming community. Other cities recognized as being Certified Welcoming include Detroit, Boise, Dallas, Louisville, and New Orleans, among others. A full list of cities and counties that earned the national honor can be found online, here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. (Bloomberg) -- Salesforce Inc. is unveiling a pivot in its artificial intelligence strategy this week at its annual Dreamforce conference, now saying that its AI tools can handle tasks without human supervision and changing the way it charges for software. Most Read from Bloomberg The company is famous for ushering in the era of software as a service, which involves renting access to computer applications via a subscription. But as generative AI shakes up the industry, Salesforce is rethinking its business model for the emerging technology. The software giant will charge $2 per conversation held by its new agents generative AI built to handle tasks like customer service or scheduling sales meetings without the need for human supervision. The new pricing strategy also seeks to protect Salesforce if AI contributes to future job losses and business customers have fewer workers to buy subscriptions to the companys software. Salesforce is even leaning into the employee-replacement potential of the new technology. Its new AI agents will let companies increase their workforce capacity during busy periods without having to hire additional full-time employees or gig workers, Chief Executive Officer Marc Benioff said Tuesday during a keynote speech at the companys annual Dreamforce conference. Despite a breathless focus on AI since early 2023, application software makers like Salesforce, Workday Inc. and ServiceNow Inc. have little to show for their efforts. Revenue and valuation gains from AI have largely flowed instead to makers of hardware such as Nvidia Corp. or cloud infrastructure like Oracle Corp. Many software vendors have launched AI assistants that can summarize or draft written content the most well-known of which is Microsoft Corp.s Copilot. Generally, customers havent been quite ready to pay for these additional features. I think the results that people saw from the copilots did not meet their expectations, said Chief Operating Officer Brian Millham in a late August interview. I think the hype was a little ahead of the results on the copilot front. The new iteration of Salesforces AI products is meant to run without supervision in contrast to now-outdated copilots and chatbots that rely on human requests and struggle with complex or multistep tasks, the company said in a statement. For example, publisher John Wiley & Sons Inc. said it was able to boost the number of customer service claims it resolved using Salesforce agents without employee interaction. Story continues This represents a change for Salesforce, which until recently focused on building human-assisting AI tools. We have a principle called human in the loop we dont know enough yet to introduce technology that is fully autonomous, Patrick Stokes, an executive at the company, said in September 2023. At Dreamforce this week in San Francisco where 45,000 in-person attendees are expected the company will make the case for its new strategy. Its venture arm also announced a new $500 million fund oriented for AI startups. Benioff on Tuesday argued the new AI products will be highly accurate and secure because Salesforce already holds a massive amount of customer data. Thats in contrast to what he called those nasty copilots. The pivot by Salesforce addresses another investor fear that job losses from AI could hurt the software-as-a-service business model. One of the main pitches of AI is labor efficiency. A company that uses AI tools for customer service will need fewer human representatives to serve the same base, for example. But slower-growing corporate workforces will dent revenue growth at software companies, which largely charge based on the number of workers authorized to use the products. Wall Street analysts have spent recent earnings calls sparring with software company management teams over this risk. By pricing its new AI features based on outcomes rather than the number of employees using it, Salesforce is insulating itself from customer job cuts. Millham, the COO, gave an example of a 5,000-person call center needing 30% fewer workers within five years. Others may just elect to hire fewer going forward, he added. We like to think, Lets re-skill and move people up and and do more complex work, Millham said. But there are companies certainly who are looking through the lens of Hey, I think AI can do a lot of the work of the humans today. (Updates with comments from CEO beginning in the fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- A top financial regulator is closely monitoring offshore, unregulated companies that allow Americans to trade on US election outcomes. Most Read from Bloomberg We are observing any activity thats occurring offshore and providing exposure to US customers, Rostin Behnam, chairman of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission, said Tuesday at a conference hosted by Georgetown Universitys Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy. Behnam was asked what the agency intended to do about Polymarket, a crypto-betting platform with about $1 billion in trading volume tied to dozens of US election outcomes. If anyone, Polymarket or otherwise, conducts themselves in a way that breaks the law, we will use our civil enforcement authority to make sure that conduct stops, Behnam said. Polymarkets financial products are structured as derivatives contracts that fall under the CFTCs jurisdiction. A Polymarket representative didnt immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. In 2022, CFTC brought an enforcement action and a $1.4 million settlement with Polymarket for failing to register with the commission and offering trading to US-based customers. New York-based Polymarket agreed to block its platform from US traders, but American users have said they continued to trade on the popular platform, Bloomberg reported in August. Polymarket was unique in that it only offered trading using digital assets. But another company has decided to join its ranks. Wintermute Trading Ltd. announced Tuesday that it plans to launch a crypto-based competitor to Polymarket and allow traders to wager on the US presidential election using so-called smart contracts. The CFTC has been grappling with how to regulate the burgeoning market for trading politics-themed derivatives. In May, it introduced a proposed rule to block them altogether. The agency is waging a court battle against Kalshi Inc., a regulated event contracts exchange that allows traders to stake money on everything from the weather to Federal Reserve interest-rate movements. Its fighting another one with PredictIt, a long-running elections trading platform that operated under a CFTC authorization that didnt require it to register until the agency revoked the measure in 2022. At Tuesdays conference, Behnam said the proliferation of elections-based event contracts on CFTC-registered exchanges risks will force the regulator to become an elections cop if there are allegations of fraud or manipulation in their trading. Supporters of political prediction markets say the price discovery and near-instant trading opportunity off of news and analysis produce better predictions compared with traditional elections polls. But the speed of news and misinformation about a candidate or a political race could easily affect pricing on the contracts tied to them, Behnam said. The CFTC could be pulled into investigating any allegations of price manipulation, he said. I just dont think that Congress or the general public wants a federal financial regulator policing elections, he said. Behnam said the asset class would be better regulated at the state level as a form of gambling. --With assistance from Sridhar Natarajan. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. ST. ALBANS, Queens (PIX11) The NYPD has released images of a suspect accused of fatally shooting a driver, causing him to crash into a pedestrian and a building in Queens on Monday. Gunshots rang out in St. Albans around 5 p.m., according to authorities. A group of young people were seen standing outside a store when the shots were fired, causing them to scatter, surveillance video showed. More Local News A gray Nissan SUV, driven by 66-year-old William Alcindor, was then seen crashing into a building near 117th Road and Farmers Boulevard. He was shot in the head, which caused him to lose control of his car and crash into a 23-year-old woman as well as the building, according to authorities. The woman is in critical condition. Alcindor died at the hospital, police said. More Crime News It was a big, chaotic moment, said Roberto Tendilla, a store manager. What I heard was, at that moment, was the car just hitting the building. You can hear a big bang. Police described the suspect as a male between the ages of 15 and 18 and dressed in dark clothing, white sneakers and a black face mask. Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) With Election Day just 50 days away, the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections (BVRE) is urging residents to step up and serve as election workers for the fall election cycle. As November 5th approaches, the county still needs hundreds of volunteers to ensure a smooth, efficient, and secure voting process at polling locations across Charleston County. This is an opportunity for citizens to play a vital role in one of the cornerstones of our democracy, said Isaac Cramer, Executive Director of the Charleston County BVRE. By stepping up as an election worker, you are not only serving your community, but you are also helping to protect the integrity of our electoral process. We need civically engaged community members to maintain the gold standard of service in our county. Requirements and Pay for Election Workers To serve as an election worker, volunteers must be registered voters in South Carolina or at least 16 years old. All workers must attend and complete mandatory training prior to Election Day and must commit to non-partisanship while upholding election integrity. The role also requires a full-day commitment to work at polling locations, from opening to closing. Election workers can earn up to $250, including pay for training and work on Election Day. Those serving as clerks, who take on leadership roles, can earn $410. Training and How to Apply Training will be provided by BVRE staff, and prior experience as an election worker is not required. The county is seeking workers of all abilities to fill a variety of roles at polling sites. Interested individuals can apply online, email SCVotes@appleone.com, or visit election headquarters at 4340 Corporate Road in North Charleston. For questions, potential volunteers can call 843-744-VOTE. The BVRE is responsible for conducting municipal, state, and federal elections in Charleston County, as well as hosting outreach events that encourage voter education and participation. For more information or to check voter registration, visit CHSVotes.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. (Bloomberg) -- Electric cars could reach a market share of as much as 24% in Europe next year as carmakers start to release cheaper models to turn around the slump in EV demand, according to the Transport & Environment lobby group. Most Read from Bloomberg There is a glut of new, more affordable models coming, said Lucien Mathieu, cars director at T&E. In a report released Tuesday, the group said it expects rapid growth of EV sales, citing its own analysis of first-half auto sales and forecasts. A market share of above 20% would be a significant jump from this year. From January to July, fully electric vehicles have made up 12.5% of all new car registrations in the EU, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. Europes auto industry is struggling to weather a steep downturn in EV demand after governments reduced incentives and Chinese carmakers started to expand in the region. Volkswagen AG is weighing factory closures in Germany for the first time in its history, while Frances Renault SA has warned that carmakers will incur billions in fines if they dont meet ambitious EU climate goals. According to T&E, manufacturers should forge ahead with EV plans, which include seven new electric models under 25,000 ($27,810) coming to market this year and next. The Renault 5 and Stellantis NVs Citroen e-C3 are among those that will help bridge the gap with stricter 2025 EU emissions, the report said. While T&E is bullish on future EV growth, workers at plants running below capacity are feeling the pain. Thousands of them brought chaos to Brussels on Monday in a demonstration to show solidarity with employees from an Audi car factory facing possible closure. In northern Italy, production at Stellantis Mirafiori plant slumped 63% in the first half due to tepid demand for the electric Fiat 500. T&E called on EU and national lawmakers to do more to support EV demand with policies such as corporate fleet targets, charging infrastructure and social leasing programs. Meanwhile, automakers struggling with EV targets next year will be able to pool with other manufacturers to cut their average emissions further, the T&E added. For now, Europes manufacturers remain divided over the looming C02 emissions rules. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association hasnt yet taken a formal position on the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Cherokee Nation releases new demographic data better reflecting where its citizens live Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. talks to the media during the tribe's legislative advocacy day in February. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY For the first time in over a decade, the Cherokee Nation has released demographic maps reflecting where the tribes over 466,000 members reside. Oklahoma remains home to the highest number of Cherokee citizens, with over 283,000 residing there, according to the tribes analysis. Just over 31% of the tribes citizens live within its eastern Oklahoma reservation lands, the maps show. Texas has the second highest population of Cherkoee citizens at about 29,400 while nearly 28,000 live in California. Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Washington, Arizona, Colorado and Oregon round out the Top 10 states where Cherokee citizens reside. Understanding where our citizens live is crucial in how we maintain connection to our citizens and continually improve the services we provide them, including access to culture and language activities, Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said in a statement. These new maps replace outdated maps that were last updated in 2013 and provide us with a clear look at Cherokee citizen population diversity. Tribal leaders have requested that the demographic maps be updated every odd-numbered budget year to ensure population changes are accurately reflected, according to a statement from the tribe. The tribe also plans to create additional maps, including one that tracks fluent Cherokee language speakers. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE (Bloomberg) -- The oil and gas industry is zeroing in on the Biden administrations moratorium on new liquefied natural gas export permits as the key policy they want changed under the next US president. Most Read from Bloomberg Chevron Corp. Chief Executive Officer Mike Wirth called on the administration to reverse the pause, labeling the policy as a failure that elevates politics over progress. The permitting halt, which went into effect earlier this year, will raise energy costs, threaten supplies for Americas European allies and increase emissions by slowing the transition from coal to gas, Wirth said in a speech at the GasTech conference in Houston Tuesday. When it comes to advancing economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection, an LNG permitting pause fails on all three, he said. The administration should stop the attacks on natural gas and embrace the benefits its already delivering around the world. The White House in January halted new licenses to export LNG, citing the need to more heavily scrutinize how the shipments affect the environment and national security. The ruling sent shockwaves through the industry, threatening to end a construction boom in terminals along the Gulf Coast that turned the US into the worlds biggest exporter of the super-chilled fuel. In Australia and the US, were seeing quite a bit of wobbliness around support for the industry, said Meg ONeill, CEO of Woodside Energy Group Ltd. I do worry theres going to be a long-lasting ripple of concern from key LNG-buying nations caused by the pause, even if the pause is short-lived. The industry has pushed back on the policy as it struggles with a surplus of natural gas, much of it a by-product of shale oil production. A federal judge in Louisiana lifted the temporary moratorium in July after several states sued. While the Energy Department is appealing the ruling, it also has granted an LNG export license following the decision. We can double down on the either/or approach that dominates todays discourse, which too often pits people and solutions against each other, Wirth said. Or we can evolve toward an all-in approach that recognizes many solutions are needed. Both US presidential candidates have voiced their support for fracking, which makes up the majority of US oil and gas production. But some executives are still concerned about what Democratic nominee Kamala Harris may do in the White House, given her current role as Bidens vice president. She hasnt yet weighed in on whether she would reverse the LNG ban. We hope cooler heads do prevail, and maybe shes sincere, on her support for fracking, said Jack Fusco, chief executive officer of Cheniere Energy Inc., an LNG exporter. I have to trust until I dont. Wirth said the LNG pause was self-defeating because natural gas replaces more heavily polluting coal in power generation in many cases. In recent years, environmental groups have cast doubt on the claim, citing often-undocumented methane emissions in gas-gathering systems and the amount of power need to chill LNG. The CEO said the emissions the US avoided by switching to gas from coal are more than double the reductions from all the wind and solar power added in the past 15 years, citing data from McKinsey & Co. Making the switch to gas from coal globally could represent the single greatest carbon reduction initiative in history, he said. It will also be vital for the development of artificial intelligence, he said. AIs advance will depend not only on the design labs of Silicon Valley, but also on the gas fields of the Permian Basin, Wirth said. Even with the permit pause, the US is on track to double LNG export capacity by 2030, ensuring plenty of supply for allies thereafter, said Brad Crabtree, of the Department of Energy. It is not sufficient to assert that natural gas will displace more greenhouse-gas-intensive fuels like coal and oil, he said. The industry must demonstrate through concrete actions, a credible pathway that puts natural gas firmly on the trajectory to net zero emissions by 2050. Last year, participants in the United Nations Climate Change Conference agreed to phase down fossil fuels for the first time while also leaving room for natural gas as a transition fuel. Even so, Wirth called for a more balanced conversation about the future of energy. These choices should be informed by realistic science and impartial data, untainted by advocacy agendas, he said. --With assistance from Ari Natter. (Updates with industry CEOs comments from fifth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Chicago crime: 4 shot, including 13-year-old girl, while inside Back of the Yards business CHICAGO - Four people were shot, including a 13-year-old girl, while inside a business in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood on Monday night. At about 8:30 p.m., Chicago police officers responded to a call of shots fired in the 1500 block of West 51st Street. When officers arrived, they located four people who were struck by gunfire inside a business. A 48-year-old woman was shot in the left upper arm and taken to the University of Chicago Hospital in good condition. A 57-year-old woman was shot in the right hand and was taken to St. Bernards in good condition. A 13-year-old girl was struck in the lower back and was taken to Comer Children's Hospital in fair condition. A 29-year-old man was shot in the back of the neck and was transported to the University of Chicago Hospital in critical condition. Police later said his condition was updated to good. No suspects are in custody as police continue to investigate. Child dies after he was found in backyard pool; fire leaves apartment residents homeless | Nightly Roundup PHOENIX - From a child who died after he was found in a backyard pool in Phoenix to a crash along a West Valley freeway that left a motorcyclist badly injured, here's a look at some of the top stories on FOX10Phoenix.com for Monday, September 16, 2024. 1. Phoenix boy has died after he was found in backyard pool A two-year-old boy has died after reportedly being found unconscious in a backyard pool. Read More 2. Residents wonder what's next after fire destroys their homes About 40 residents were left without anywhere to call home after a fire ripped through a four-story apartment complex in the area of 8th Avenue and Osborn. Read More 3. Motorcyclist rear-ended along Loop 303 The incident happened between Northern Parkway and Peoria Avenue, and the motorcyclist suffered life-threatening injuries. Read More 4. Crest Fire prompted evacuation orders in Yarnell Residents along South Looka way and residents along South Crest Way in Yarnell were told to evacuate Monday afternoon as a result of the Crest Fire. The evacuations have since been lifted. Read More 5. Latest Lake Pleasant drowning highlights concerns over water safety The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says since 2000, there have been over 300 drownings in lakes and rivers in the county. These include incidents along the Salt River and at Lake Pleasant, as well as incidents at Bartlett, Apache, Canyon and Saguaro lakes. Read More Also, your weather forecast for tonight WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) After a no-show in court, an arrest warrant was ordered for a man charged with the sexual assault of an 8-year-old girl last year. The Wichita County Jail booking photo for Keivin Martinez-Hernandez. Keivin Martinez-Hernandez was on the docket in 78th District Court Friday, Sept. 13, for a procedural conference for his trial for aggravated sexual assault of a child. When he did not appear after his case was called, the judge ruled that his $250,000 bond was in default and ordered an arrest warrant with a $500,000 bond. Martinez-Hernandez was arrested in October 2023 and released on bond on Jul. 5, 2024, for the alleged assault in August 2023. The 8-year-old victim told police he warned her he would do it again if she told anyone. The childs guardian said she did not tell anyone because she feared what Martinez-Hernandez would do. Details emerge after assault at High Point Village apartments On Oct. 13, 2023, police were informed the child had fainted while at school and was taken to United Regional. The alleged victim was then transported to Cook Childrens Hospital in Fort Worth. Police said medical records showed the girl was hyperventilating and diagnosed with an anxiety attack. A psychiatrist and a sexual assault nurse examiner from Cook Childrens Hospital said the girl made an outcry to them about the alleged assault. A social worker at Cook Childrens Hospital confirmed that the victim was diagnosed with conversion disorder, which was triggered by recent significant stress or emotional or physical trauma. Police officers, detectives, and CPS officials approached Martinez-Hernandez at a home in the 1500 block of Kemp Boulevard, and he agreed to answer questions. Police said Martinez Hernandez said he knew what he was being investigated for. He said that he was told that he sexually assaulted the girl while he was drunk. He stated that he was blacked out drunk, so he didnt remember exactly what happened, but said he does not believe he could have sexually assaulted her. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. Authorities have released the chilling first photo of the Titan sub remains on the ocean floor. Last summer, on June 18, the OceanGate Titan submersible took off on a voyage to explore the wreck of the Titanic. However, within hours after the descent, the vessel lost contact with the surface. It was later declared that the submersible had ultimately imploded in the Atlantic Ocean. More than a year later, the Coast Guards Marine Board of Investigation began the hearing into what caused the implosion that killed all five people on board. Among the people onboard the Titan included the OceanGate co-founder and CEO, Stockton Rush. The other passengers were British explorer Hamish Hardin, Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his son Suleman. Authorities release Titan submersible wreck photo after 2023 implosion On Monday, the U.S. Coast Guard officials provided a look inside the final moments of the Titan submersible. They released the Titan subs photo of the debris that was later discovered on the ocean floor. During the presentation, the Coast Guard also showed the animation of the Titan and its support ship, the Polar Prince, depicting the final dive and how the tragedy occurred. It included the final communication between the two vessels before the sub went silent into the ocean. People Magazine reported that a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) was used to obtain the photo of Titans remains. The debris was discovered on June 22, 2023, four days after the vessel lost contact. The submersibles tail cone was found more than 12,000 feet below the surface, sitting on the ocean floor. The officials presented the photo as the conclusive evidence of a catastrophic loss of the vessel and confirmed the death of the passengers on board. Titan had begun its descent at 9:20 a.m. local time off the coast of Canada. The presentation also revealed that before the communication was lost, the Polar Prince had asked about the Titans status. It read, Status? do you see polar prince on your display? The sub responded, yes, and added, all good here. Titans final message was received at 10:47 a.m. It read that the vessel had dropped two wts, reportedly referring to its weights. Following the incident, OceanGate suspended its exploration and commercial operations. The post Chilling First Photo of Titan Sub Reveals Wreck Site appeared first on Mandatory. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has confirmed that the 2021 census may have overestimated the number of transgender individuals in the UK because of some respondents misunderstanding the question, the BBC reports. The census indicated that approximately one in 200 people aged over 16 identified as a different gender from their sex at birth. However, a subsequent review revealed that individuals who do not speak fluent English might have misinterpreted the census question and incorrectly identified as transgender. Despite earlier defense of its methodology by the ONS, concerns about its accuracy had been raised by some academics. In the 2021 census, residents of England and Wales were asked: "Is the gender you identify with the same as your sex registered at birth?" The ONS reported that 262,000 peopleabout 0.5% of the populationanswered "no." On Wednesday, Mary Gregory, a deputy director at the ONS, suggested that some individuals might have misunderstood the question. On the ONS's website, she noted that there was "potential bias" in responses from those with lower levels of English proficiency, some of whom may have inadvertently indicated they were transgender. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up Gregory acknowledged that the number of mistaken responses was likely "relatively small" but significant enough to distort the data in areas with higher numbers of non-English speakers. In April, Michael Biggs, a professor of sociology at Oxford University, publicly questioned the census statistics. Writing in the British Sociological Society journal, he observed that a disproportionate number of those recorded as transgender did not speak English (or Welsh in Wales) as their first language. While only 10% of respondents reported not speaking English as their main language, they constituted 29% of the transgender population, according to Prof. Biggs. For instance, the London Borough of Newham, which had the highest proportion of people identifying as transgender (1.51%), also has one of the highest rates of non-English speakers35%, compared to 9% nationally. In response, the Office for Statistics Regulation has reclassified the data from "accredited official statistics" to "official statistics in development" to reflect these potential issues. However, the regulator affirmed that other statistics from the 2021 census remain fully accurate. The ONS had previously claimed that its estimates of the transgender population were consistent with international comparators. FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Simpli.fi , the Advertising Success Platform providing programmatic advertising and workflow software to agencies, brands, and media companies, today announced it has been named a winner for the 2024 Digiday Technology Awards in the Best Location Data Platform category. The awards recognize tech companies that are empowering advertisers and publishers to provide more personalized campaigns across multiple channels for stronger targeting, enhanced customer experiences, and increased returns. Simpli.fi teamed up with CGR Communications to assist with Krispy Kreme's expansion to Jamaica. Through implementation and execution of Simpli.fi's solutions, including Geo-Fencing technology, Conversion Zones, and Keyword Search Retargeting, CGR Communications was able to draw precise target fences around 20 competitor retail stores, track in-store visits from users who were served an ad, and implement over 1,500 keywords to capture online behavior and interest accurately. The campaign resulted in an in-store foot traffic increase at Krispy Kreme at a cost-per-acquisition (CPA) significantly lower than the target goal. It also led to improved engagement metrics, enhancing the brand's visibility in a competitive market. "Consumers in Jamaica have an abundance of choice when deciding where to grab a quick meal, but with Simpli.fi's precise targeting and granular attribution, we were able to help Krispy Kreme achieve their objectives while outperforming the campaign's CPA and click-through-rate goals," said Simpli.fi co-founder and CTO, Paul Harrison. "This recognition is a testament to Simpli.fi's ability to target relevant audiences with best-in-class solutions." Simpli.fi, which is backed by leading private equity firms GTCR and Blackstone, is a holistic Advertising Success Platform that spans best-in-class programmatic solutions such as CTV, addressable, mobile, video, display, native, and audio - as well as omnichannel managed services and workflow software. For more information about SImpli.fi, please visit their website . About Simpli.fi Simpli.fi is the leading Advertising Success Platform, providing programmatic advertising solutions and workflow software to over 2,000 media teams, agencies, and brands. Simpli.fi empowers advertisers to maximize relevance in what they do, in the connections made, and in the results delivered across CTV, mobile, display, and other media types. Our platform delivers performance on budgets of all sizes, executing over 140,000 campaigns for 30,000 advertisers in a typical month. Simpli.fi's investors include leading private equity firms Blackstone and GTCR. To learn more about Simpli.fi, please visit Simpli.fi . Story continues Media Contact simpli.fi@allisonworldwide.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/simplifi-named-winner-for-best-location-data-platform-in-digidays-2024-technology-awards-302247269.html SOURCE Simpli.fi Chinese national accused of trying to steal computer software, code from NASA and other agencies A man has been indicted on charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft due to his attempts to fraudulently get computer software and source code created by NASA, research universities, and private companies. According to U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, Song Wu, a Chinese national, engaged in a multi-year spear phishing email campaign, creating email accounts to impersonate U.S.-based researchers and engineers and then used those imposter accounts to get specialized restricted or proprietary software used for aerospace engineering and computational fluid dynamics. That specialized software could be used for industrial and military applications. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Song is accused of sending spear phishing emails to people working for the U.S. government, including the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Army, and the Federal Aviation Administration. Buchanan says the emails appeared to the targeted victims as having been sent by a colleague, associate, friend, or someone else in the research or engineering community, and would ask the victim to send available source code or software. According to the indictment, Song was employed as an engineer at Aviation Industry of China, a Chinese-state-owned aerospace and defense conglomerate headquartered in Beijing, China. The company manufactures civilian and military aircraft are is one of the biggest defense contractors in the world. Wu, 39, is charged with 14 counts of wire fraud and 14 counts of aggravated identity theft. TRENDING STORIES: He faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud. He also faces a mandatory, two-year consecutive sentence in prison if he is convicted of aggravated identity theft. Once again, the FBI and our partners have demonstrated that cyber criminals around the world who are seeking to steal our companies most sensitive and valuable information can and will be exposed and held accountable, said Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. As this indictment shows, the FBI is committed to pursuing the arrest and prosecution of anyone who engages in illegal and deceptive practices to steal protected information. A booking photo is unavailable because Wu faces federal charges. Booking photos are not taken in the federal system. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: CISCO, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) In April 2024, the Cisco Police Department initiated an investigation that led to the arrest of a man from Cisco on the charge of possession of child pornography. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted a forensic search of his electronic devices, which resulted in the issuance of a Federal Warrant charging Killian Devin Salter with the possession of prepubescent child pornography. Salter was taken into custody on September 13 and is currently held without bond in the Eastland 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The San Angelo City Council has approved its agreement with the San Angelo Police Officers Coalition to implement a new payment plan to increase officers pay. Heres what happens next and how much officers can expect to be paid in the future. SAPOC representatives attended the City Councils Sept. 17 meeting to present the adjusted plan. The City Council approved the plan with a 7-0 vote. I think both sides are to be applauded for their efforts in working this, District Six Councilmember Larry Miller said. This is a tough thing to do every year, and you guys have done a marvelous job of it. According to the City Councils agenda for the meeting, the plan will be effective from Oct. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2025. It is designed to be cost-neutral, reallocating funding from unfilled positions within the San Angelo Police Department to supplement the increased pay. The agenda stated that the new agreement will include the following effects: Increased pay for officers within current budgetary limits Additional add pay for specialized duties Increased lateral transfer opportunities Modifications to the assessment center process Freezing of six vacant officer positions to help supplement pay The agenda also offered a list of what the new pay for SAPD officers will be. According to the agenda, the updated pay plan is as follows: Civil Service Pay Plan Grade Step Position Annual Pay P23 1 Recruit $58,208 P27 1 Police Officer: Basic $62,595 P27 2 Police Officer: Intermediate $70,085 P27 3 Police Officer: Advanced $76,505 P27 4 Police Officer: Master $81,855 P29 1 Sergeant: Intermediate $83,460 P29 2 Sergeant: Advanced $89,880 P29 3 Sergeant: Master $94,695 P30 1 Lieutenant: Advanced $105,930 P30 2 Lieutenant: Master $111,280 Additional Pay Crisis Negotiation $100/month Critical Incident $100/month Special Weapons & Tactics $100/month Incentive/College Training maximum of $400/month Longevity Per Year of Service (25-year maximum) $4/month Loyalty Per Year of Service (no maximum) $25/month Drone Pay (four positions maximum) $100/month Training Officer $100/month Training Officer Assignment $50/day The agenda stated that on-call response overtime will be paid at 150% and be eligible for FLSA overtime. Overtime will be capped at a budgeted amount, and once this value is exceeded, on-call response overtime will be converted to call-out pay. Any expenses that exceed the budgeted amount will need to be funded through the police operating budget. The City Council also held the first reading and public hearing of an ordinance to amend the budget for the SAPD salary adjustments during the Sept. 17 meeting. According to the agenda, the amendment is scheduled to be finally passed on Oct. 1. The agreements approval comes after the City announced its tentative approval on Sept. 9. In the announcement, the City stated that the adjusted payment plan will better position the department to recruit new officers and retain existing officers. To view the entire Sept. 17 City Council meeting, watch the City of San Angelos livestream recording on 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 ConchoValleyHomepage.com. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) A local construction companys plan to relocate in the city has hit a road block for now. Sioux Citys city council unanimously voted not to rezone the 3700 Jefferson Street property in the Leeds neighborhood from General Commercial to General Industrial. Knife River had proposed the purchase of 30 acres of land to be used for a ready mix plant, aggregate stone stockpile area, and mixing truck parking area. The company said it had run out of space at its current location. Ramps on I-29 near Sloan to close for paving project Some of those living in the neighborhood voiced concerns to the council Monday before the vote about heavy traffic, dust, and chemical odors. I just think it would be such a congestive mess if they were to be a block away from the school, one resident said. We are a family community, we have many children in our community, and were trying to improve the area, not make it harder for people to be there, another resident said. Please do not rezone that area for any industrial anything, a third resident said. Plymouth CSO: Pickup truck goes into Big Sioux River while launching boat Council members had already approved first and second readings of the rezoning request, but after hearing the publics comments, Mondays third reading failed. We will continue to work with the city if this rezoning doesnt happen, Knife River general manager Chris Winkel said. We want to find the right spot that works for everyone. I appreciate Knife Rivers willingness to look at mitigation efforts, but at the end of the day, I understand and I recognize that it may not be enough and it may not be the right location, council member Alex Watters said. Knife River will now have to figure out another place to relocate in the city. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. What is the city doing about homeless encampments? Mayor Lund just provided an update Bellingham is taking action toward removing a pair of large homeless camps by pursuing a lawsuit against one landowner and working with neighbors and property owners regarding another, Mayor Kim Lund told the City Council during a committee meeting Monday. Removing the camps is a slow process, but city officials have taken several recent steps forward, Lund said as she gave an update on the status of site at Stuart and Deemer roads, and another camp near Bakerview and Northwest roads. Both sites involve private property with several owners, she said in remarks to the council. While the city is responding as quickly as possible within our authority and resources, it is the private property owners who bear the primary responsibility for addressing unauthorized encampments on their land, Lund said. City officials filed a response to a neighboring property owners request for summary judgment against the owner of a 20-acre camp behind Walmart at at Stuart and Deemer, where nearby residents said they feel terrorized. In addition, the city has created an internal team of officials to address large homeless camps and added a page about encampments at its website, Lund said. We are monitoring each situation closely and we are very aware of the impacts they have on area residents and businesses. We remain committed to finding long-term solutions that balance public safety, private property rights, and the well-being of individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders and/or behavioral health challenges, Lund said. Extra police patrols have been requested to help deter criminal activity and the city is offering technical assistance to property owners through the Police, Public Works, Planning and Legal departments, she said. Private property owners are being encouraged to work together. For example, I convened a productive meeting with the property owners from the parcels impacted by the Northwest Drive and West Bakerview Road encampment, urging them to take action together to secure their properties. We participated last week in a community meeting with area residents and local businesses, whose employees are impacted, to discuss this encampment, Lund said. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The Food Bank of Siouxland lit the city hall clock tower with orange in support of Hunger Action Month. The food bank said that for the month of September, the orange clock tower will show support for those who lack access to food. The nonprofits initiative is an annual campaign that brings attention to the need for food in the U.S., as well as promote ways for the community to get involved. Hardline Coffee Co. to close location in downtown Sioux City The food bank says that one in nine people are food insecure in Iowa. The organization serves as the main food supplier for nonprofit organizations around Siouxland. Orange is the color of Hunger Action Month, Valerie Petersen said. During September, the food banks get together and try to make activities and provide education to get our communities involved in fighting hunger. For more information on how you can help end hunger, visit the Food Bank of Siouxlands 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. City officials want to pay businesses and apartment complexes to remove their lawns here's how it will help With Tucson facing record-setting heat amid a national heat wave, local water officials are getting proactive in their efforts to conserve water. As KJZZ reports, city officials are specifically targeting the landscaping of businesses and apartment complexes. The new initiative dangles $5 for every square foot of highly water-dependent grass that is removed. This program is occurring alongside the emerging anti-lawn movement in nearby Phoenix and a front lawn ban for new homes in Scottsdale. By replacing grass with more drought-resistant plants and turf, the goal is to save more than nine million gallons of water over the next two years. The emphasis on local landscaping is not a coincidence, according to Tucson Water administrator James MacAdam. Unlike water used inside that can be recycled in the system, MacAdam noted to KJZZ that water used outside is "just being used once." A specific example is the ornamental lawn features that you might find in parking lots. Those cosmetic plots of grass you park next to look innocent enough. However, MacAdam says that the city can save 36 gallons a year for each square foot replaced with more drought-resistant landscaping. When you think about all those slabs of grass, the amount of water that can be saved is enormous. Beyond saving water, using native plants over manicured grass provides benefits for the local ecosystem, including plants, pollinators, and other local animals. These native plants will also require less fertilizer and be better suited to deal with the Southwest region's extreme heat and common pests. While this initiative is currently limited to Tucson businesses and apartment complexes, homeowners in Tucson and elsewhere are considering rewilding as an eco-conscious and cost-saving move for their own yards. MacAdam told KJZZ that the program could extend to private homes in the future, which would provide even more incentive for local residents to substitute in more drought-resistant options. Ultimately, the cost of getting water to Tucson is high, and it's something the city knows it needs to address head-on. As MacAdam relayed, Tucson's water source is the Colorado River, and "that is coming from a long way" and "takes a lot of money, energy, resources." As the new initiative takes off, Tucson can reap the benefits of converting to more drought-resistant plants that will save the city water, lower costs, aid the local ecosystem, and reduce the use of chemicals. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. ROCKVILLE, Md. (DC News Now) Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day, and with Election Day less than two months away, the City of Rockvilles leaders are encouraging people to register to vote. Its very important that everybody has a voice in our democracy, said Sarah Taylor-Ferrell, city clerk and director of town operations for the City of Rockville. Taylor-Ferrell and other members of the City of Rockvilles Board of Supervisors of Elections plan to stand outside the Rockville Memorial Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., encouraging people to register to vote and update their information. Rockville leaders and community members gather to encourage people to register to vote on National Voter Registration Day. (DC News Now/Ya-Marie Sesay) [ Were asking them] are they ready to vote and providing any resources and were hoping to get at 50 to 100 new registers, said Taylor-Ferrell to DC News Now. Alsobrooks leads Hogan in Maryland Senate race, DC poll finds Emily Brown attended Tuesdays event. She recently moved from New York and wanted to ensure she was registered in Maryland. Its so important to vote; your vote counts, especially this year, so I wanted to make sure that Ill be good on election, said Brown. The message on National Voter Registration Day is clear: registering to vote is easy. You just have to be 18 years old, a U.S. Citizen and a resident of the state where you are registering. Grab a form and fill it out. Your voter card will be mailed to you if youre eligible. For those that cant register in person, Maryland, D.C. and Virginia also have online options. Marylands Senate race is at the top of many voters minds. A recent poll by DC News Now, Emerson College and The Hill shows Maryland voters will most likely support Angela Alsobrooks over Larry Hogan. I know the best one will succeed. So far, theyre both very good, so I wont go wrong with either choice, said voter Rita Hatwell. Interested voters have until mid-October to register to vote in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATE: The Memphis Police have announced that Lendey Godinez has been found safely. She was located safely in the 1900 block of Ezell Street. Memphis Police arrested Cristobal Perez on Tuesday. Hes been charged with four counts of aggravated statutory rape and one count of aggravated assault. ******** MEMPHIS, Tenn. The Memphis Police have issued a City Watch for a 14-year-old girl who was abducted at gunpoint on Monday. At 3:00 p.m., Juarez Godinez said he was involved in a verbal altercation with the suspect Cristobal Perez regarding his 14-year-old daughter Lendey Godinez. Lendey Godinez was sitting inside Perezs gray 2017 Nissan Rogue with TN tags reading BRT1109. Juarez Godinez said Perez pointed a handgun at him and then pointed it at Lendey and told her he would shoot her if she got out of the car. Perez left with the teenager and has not been seen since. Suspect dead after shootout with Memphis Police in Frayser The incident took place in the 800 block of Brower Street. Lendey Godinez has been described as a 14-year-old who is 54 with black medium-length hair. She was last seen wearing a navy blue shirt. If you have seen Lendey or have any information about her whereabouts, Memphis Police asks that you call 901-545-2677. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Melissa Borja holds her dog, Jollibee Chickenjoy, at a drive during National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 17, 2024. Borja hopes to encourage voters to check their registration and help unregistered Hoosiers submit applications before the Oct. 7 registration deadline. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) The first time Jeannie Reed voted, she was 40 years old. I will never forget that day I get goosebumps talking about it now. Because my voice is important, Reed said. Reed had been incarcerated or otherwise involved with the states justice system for decades, dating back to her youth. Upon release, Reed was led to believe that shed lost her right to vote. My vote matters, and to be told that I couldnt was devastating to me, Reed said. please get out there and register. I think its very important we all have a say, and we all have a voice. And for those who are previously incarcerated, weve been told for years, You dont matter. Be still and be quiet. But we do. And our voices united can make a change. Indiana is among a minority of states that automatically grants a formerly incarcerated person their right to vote without restrictions though that protection isnt widely known. Hoosiers like Reed often dont know they can register to vote after incarceration. Getting these Hoosiers and others to register to vote before the Oct. 7 deadline is a goal for a coalition of civic groups known as All IN for Democracy. During a press conference Tuesday in downtown Indianapolis on National Voter Registration Day, representatives from Common Cause Indiana, the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, the League of Women Voters Indiana, Hoosier Asian American Power, the League of Conservation Voters and the Indiana Alliance for Retired Americans urged every Hoosier to check their voter registration before Election Day. In Indiana, registrations must be completed one month in advance, meaning Hoosiers have just a few weeks left to check their voter status and register. Despite the heat, the registration drive attracted at least one voter before its official kickoff: an unhoused man who didnt know he could still register without a permanent address. Indianas low voter turnout Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales announced Tuesday that over 90% of eligible Hoosiers more than 4.7 million Hoosiers are registered to vote and that Indianas voter registration rate continues to grow leading to the Nov. 5 General Election. But over the last decade, Indiana has consistently ranked in the bottom ten states for voter turnout. In the most recent elections at the municipal level, only 21% of the states registered voters cast their ballots. In 2022 a larger election with several statewide races turnout was 40%. During the 2020 presidential election, which is traditionally a high point in terms of voter turnout, just under two thirds of registered Hoosiers voted, all according to reports compiled by the Secretary of States Office. The coalition of groups pointed to various hurdles to voting, such as new requirements for first-time voters and proof of citizenship. Our work is made more difficult by Indianas regressive election policy. We need changes to Indianas voting laws to make registration and voting more convenient and accessible to all Hoosiers, said Julia Vaughn, executive director of Common Cause Indiana. We must remove the barriers that exist and that are keeping Indiana at the bottom of the pack when it comes to turnout. A representative with the ACLU said it hopes to reach voters like Reed with a statewide advertising campaign that includes buses, radio ads, posters and video testimonials. Efforts to educate Hoosiers also include traditional methods including volunteers with the League of Women Voters handing out forms after naturalization ceremonies or Second Chance Workshops alongside nontraditional advertising, such as a dog named Jollibee Chickenjoy wearing a QR code sign. Melissa Borja, with Hoosier Asian American Power, brought her dog as part of the drive and used her time at the podium to detail the gift of voting for her immigrant family. My parents are immigrants from the Philippines, where they had relatively few voting rights growing up, voting was a gift. It was a joy. It wasnt just a responsibility; it was a delight. Because its something my family doesnt take for granted, Borja said. Current political rhetoric has frequently been anti-immigrant, Borja noted, even as immigrants prove to be a boon for cities, states and the nation as a whole. Additional identity requirements can be cumbersome, especially in an age when online retailers seem to already have reams of customer data on everyone, said Randy Schmidt with the Indiana Alliance of Retired Americans. How is it that the government doesnt seem to be able to know a damn thing about any of us? And they say, Oh, weve got to have 30 days to process all of this information to figure out that theres no fraud going on. Its all nonsense, Schmidt said. The Fort Wayne resident called for changing state law to allow same-day voter registration just like he used when he was a first-time voter in Wisconsin. Nearly half of states allow voters to register on Election Day. This is the most important thing that we should be fighting for because all of the other things we claim to care about, all of the other rights all spring from our ability to vote, Schmidt said. Vaughn acknowledged that same-day voting might be a stretch for the General Assembly. Both chambers currently have a Republican supermajority. Rather, she proposed pushing back the voter registration deadline from Oct. 7. While that may have made sense decades ago, there is no reason to have such an early deadline when we have a statewide electronic list of registered voters. Were calling on the leadership of the Indiana House and Senate to stop ignoring the fact that our Hoosier democracy is on life support and desperately in need of extensive reforms to become vibrant once again, Vaughn said. Extending the voter registration deadline closer to Election Day would be a good place to start. Voter Resources Registered voters and Hoosiers not yet registered can check their status as indianavoters.in.gov. Early voting opens in Indiana on Oct. 8, the day after the deadline to register to vote. Early voting availability depends on a voters location, so interested Hoosiers should check local county offices for specific dates and times. On Election Day, all polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. The ACLUs website notes that formerly incarcerated Hoosiers can vote as well as transgender Hoosiers whose gender doesnt match their government issued ID. Polling places must be accessible and Hoosiers lacking permanent addresses can still register to vote though officials ask for a persons general sleeping area to identify their voting precinct. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Break-ins and thefts can happen at any small business, no matter how tight the security. In the retail sector alone, more than half of small businesses said they had been victims of shoplifting in the prior year, according to a 2022 survey by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. And break-ins and thefts occur across all sectors. So, it is important for small business owners to prepare in advance and have a plan for dealing with a break-in or theft, to minimize damage. Roxie Lubanovic, co-founder of Frostbeard Studio in Minneapolis, which makes candles, had her studio broken into in 2016 over a holiday weekend. Thieves stole equipment and supplies, then damaged locks and doors getting in and out. Insurance covered the losses, but it was still difficult recovering. The hardest part was feeling violated in a space we had put so much work into, she said. There are several steps small business owners should take after a theft or break-in occurs. First, don't wait to notify the police and file a police report. You can take inventory of stolen or damaged items after the police have finished their investigation. Once you've inventoried and documented the damage, file an insurance claim. You'll need photos or receipts for items stolen. Call your bank and notify them of what has occurred. Have a transparent conversation with your employees about what happened. Analyze what went wrong and enhance security where needed. Once you have an updated business security plan, inform your employees about how the break-in has been addressed. Lubanovic reviewed her security plan and upgraded her security system and installed cameras, new locks and an alarm. I also asked neighbors to keep an eye out, and had employees stagger their schedules for a while so someone was always present during business hours, she said. Thankfully, we havent had another incident since. She advised small businesses to include building a strong relationship with their local community and neighboring businesses as part of their security plan, saying it can be invaluable for support and vigilance. Rich Main, owner of Vista Glass in Tucson, Arizona, had his warehouse broken into six months ago, losing nearly $10,000 in equipment and supplies. He had to stop operations for two days waiting for replacements to arrive. Insurance only partly covered the damage. For other small businesses facing a similar situation, my advice would be to act quickly to secure your premises and reassure your customers, he said. Its also crucial to review and update your insurance policy regularly to ensure adequate coverage. One tip: Check state regulations to see if aid is available. In New York, for example, the 2025 state budget will include a $5 million tax credit to help small businesses enhance their security measures, such as installing cameras. It also will include a $3,000 tax credit for small businesses that meet a spending threshold on retail theft prevention measures. Civil servants are threatening to boycott the office for a year after bosses at Britains official statistics agency banned working from home full-time. More than a thousand staff at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) who belong to the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) have refused to go into the office since May in protest at being ordered to come in two days a week. The boycott could now be extended and last for a full year, as the union ballots members for a new mandate to continue action for six more months. Managements mandatory workplace attendance regime does nothing to improve productivity but everything to disrupt the lives of ONS staff, who were led to believe they could continue to work from home indefinitely, said Fran Heathcote, PCSs general secretary. A PCS spokesman said if that the union secured a yes vote with a turnout of at least 50pc, then staff would continue to refuse to go into the office and refuse any overtime work or doing anything outside of their contract. Members would also consider escalating the dispute to encompass full strike action. The move comes as Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, criticises efforts by the previous Conservative government to get workers back into the office, singling out a push by Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg to ensure workers in Whitehall were at their desks more often. Mr Reynolds said efforts by Sir Jacob to encourage a culture of office working were bizarre. Targets across government departments generally require civil servants to attend the office for at least 60pc of their contracted hours, allowing two days a week to be spent at home. However, civil service job adverts posted since Labour came to power seem to be out of step with the target, requesting just two days a week of office work. Whitehall sources said they were keen to go into the office more, but due to a lack of space could end up working on the floor of office corridors. A growing number of companies in the private sector are cracking down on remote working, with Amazon telling its white-collar workers that they must turn up at the office five days a week from next year. Last year, Fiona Cicconi, Googles chief people officer, also praised working in the office, saying there was just no substitute for coming together in person. The PCS said earlier this year that many staff already spent 40pc of their working time in the office, but that mandated attendance would remove flexibility for the sake of meeting an unnecessary attendance percentage. An ONS spokeswoman said: It would be wrong to say theres a boycott of office working the industrial action is over the 40pc mandatory office attendance policy, which is not the same thing. It should also be noted that the dispute involves only around a quarter of ONS total workforce. We do not expect disruption to our statistical outputs. 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. Claims of immigrants eating pets have led to safety concerns in Ohio. Here's what happened. During the Sept. 10 presidential debate, former President Donald Trump promoted the falsehood that migrants in Springfield, Ohio, are eating peoples pets. It's led to some safety concerns in the community. Springfield city officials have dismissed these accounts as untrue and that they have not received any credible reports of these claims. Springfield police also told a local news outlet they have received no reports of pets being stolen and eaten. Republican vice presidential candidate and Sen. JD Vance has accused Haitian migrants of causing chaos in his home state of Ohio, including allegations that they are responsible for stealing residents cats and eating them, and causing diseases like TB and HIV to rise in numbers. In the last several weeks, my office has received many inquiries from actual residents of Springfield whove said their neighbors pets or local wildlife were abducted by Haitian migrants, Vance said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. 'They hate us': Haitian residents in Springfield, Ohio, fear for their safety Do you know whats confirmed? That a child was murdered by a Haitian migrant who had no right to be here. That local health services have been overwhelmed. That communicable diseases--like TB and HIV--have been on the rise, Vance continued. Haitian immigrants in the community have spoken out about the danger to their community as their city remains a part of the national debate. Despite local officials efforts to debunk the pet-eating rumors, Trumps campaign and Republican party leaders, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, have continued to spread the claims. This is it! He saw ALF on TV, an illegal alien eating peoples pet cats. Hes confused an 80s sitcom with Ohio. https://t.co/7f2AIei7kx Anne Campbell (@filmgatereviews) September 11, 2024 Here's what you need to know: What did Trump say about immigrants in Springfield, Ohio? In Springfield, theyre eating the dogs. The people that came in, theyre eating the cats. Theyre eating... theyre eating the pets of the people that live there, Trump said during the debate. In Springfield, theyre eating the dogs. Theyre eating the cats. pic.twitter.com/vHcyvxoBDC Brian Klaas (@brianklaas) September 11, 2024 Are people eating cats in Ohio? A 27-year-old woman was arrested in August in Canton after police said she likely killed and ate a cat in a residential area in front of multiple people, according to an arrest report obtained by USA TODAY. Canton is located about 170 miles northeast of Springfield, where Vance has accused Haitian immigrants of causing damages. The woman involved in the case was not a Haitian immigrant but an Ohio resident, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network. Have cats or pets have been harmed by immigrants? Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck said theres no evidence of any cats or other pets being harmed or eaten by the Haitian immigrants. 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 statement said. It also addressed other rumors circulating online: 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. What have been the effects of the rumors? Springfield City Hall and two elementary schools were evacuated after receiving bomb threats. On Saturday, threats forced lockdowns on two area hospitals. Wittenberg University announced Saturday that it was taking "extreme precautions" and increasing security following an email threatening a potential shooting on campus targeting Haitian members of the school's community on Sunday. Wittenberg is a small liberal arts college located in Springfield. Founded in 1845, it is associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: How rumors about eating pets have affected Springfield, Ohio, community Somalia may be one of the poorest countries in the world and beset by violence, but it is fixable, according to its top climate official. The country has been torn apart by more than 30 years of overlapping conflicts - including an Islamist insurgency, a civil war, and a series of regional and clan confrontations. Yet Abdihakim Ainte, the Somali prime ministers climate advisor, still regards his country as as story of potential - of promise. What makes his optimism all the more surprising is the fact climate change is amplifying virtually all the challenges his country faces. One commentator described climate change as a chaos multiplier, because it exacerbates existing tensions and entrenches conflict in fragile states like this. Listen to Justin Rowlatts reporting from Somalia on The Climate Question But Somalia, the easternmost country in continental Africa, cant be held responsible for our changing climate. The figures are staggering. Somalia has emitted roughly as much carbon dioxide from fossil fuels since the 1950s as the US economy does in an average three days. The most obvious effects of climate change here have been in agriculture. Somalia is still overwhelmingly an agricultural economy, with about two thirds of the population depending on farming and animal herding for most of their income. A smiling Somali woman crouching in a makeshift tent [Alyona Synenko/ICRC] In 2022 the country experienced its worst drought for 40 years an event scientists estimate was made 100 times more likely by human-caused climate change. The extent of the challenge Somalia faces became clear as the convoy of International Red Cross (ICRC) Land Cruisers we were travelling in rumbled into the dry scrub that covers most of the country. We were accompanied by three guards clutching AK47s - Somalia is the only country in the world where Red Cross staff travel with armed security as standard. Persistent drought has left farmers and herders fighting for access to water and grazing ground [Alyona Synenko/ICRC] The camel herders and small-scale farmers we met are on the front line of climate change here. For thousands of years Somalis have been eking out a living moving their herds of camels and goats from one pasture to the next across this dry land. But climate change is disrupting the patterns of rain that made this way of life possible. Sheik Don Ismail told us he lost all his camels during the drought, when grazing grounds dried up and the fodder he grew on his small farm wasn't enough to sustain them. The well became dry and there was no pasture, so the animals began to die, he said, shaking his head. The life we lead now is really bad - really bad. That drought left farmers and herders fighting for access to water and pasture. Sheik Don said he was sometimes forced to defend his land at gunpoint. There is no respect if you dont have a gun, he said. The herders who lead their animals into the farm stay back when they see my weapon. They get scared. In a country divided into rival clan groups and already scarred by violence, these localised disputes can easily spiral into full-blown battles, said Cyril Jaurena, who runs the ICRC operation in Somalia. Access to boreholes and pastureland gets more and more difficult to find, and so the population in the area might end up fighting - competing for those resources, and sometimes it goes to people shooting at each other, he warned. And drought isn't the only problem here. Last year Somalia experienced terrible floods as a result of rains scientists say were made twice as intense by human-caused global warming. The floodwater washed away precious soils killing hundreds of people and displacing one million others. The UN estimates more than 1.5m children under the age of 5 are acutely malnourished in Somalia [ Alyona Synenko/ICRC] The effects of Somalias climate change double whammy are all too evident in the hunger clinic the Red Cross runs in a hospital in the port city of Kismayo on the south coast. Every day a steady stream of mothers bring their malnourished babies here. Many have had to cross from territory controlled by al-Qaedas lethal affiliate, Islamist militants al-Shabab, to get here. The UN estimates more than 1.5m children under the age of five are acutely malnourished in Somalia. Around four million Somalis have been driven into vast makeshift refugee camps about a fifth of the total population. Displaced people make their homes out of anything they can get hold of pieces of old fabric, plastic sheets and rusty corrugated iron - all draped over a web of dry sticks. Some people even unroll tin cans into strips to form parts of their walls. There is little international support, if any. At the refugee camp I visited, just outside the city of Garowe in the north of Somalia, families have to pay for their food and water, as well as pay rent for the scraps of land where they build their shacks. After more than three decades of war, Somalia has fallen way down the list of international priorities. Its problems have been eclipsed by what seem like more urgent conflicts, in places like Ukraine and Gaza. The UN calculates Somalia needs at least $1.6bn (about 1.2bn) to meet the basic humanitarian needs of the people this year, but so far just $600 million has been pledged by donor governments. Halima's husband and four of her sons have taken jobs as paid fighters with local militia [Alyona Synenko/ICRC] The entwined impacts of climate and conflict have created a huge reservoir of potential recruits for the countrys many conflicts. Those in the camps are desperate for money, and the easiest work to come by - according to the people I spoke to - is as a paid fighter with one of the many rival armies. One woman told me of her fears for her husband and four of her five sons after they became fighters with a local militia. They are rural people with no skills, so the only work they could get was in the army, Halima Ibrahim Ali Mohamud said as we sat on carpets laid over the dirt floor of her hut. They were desperate, and when you are without food long enough, and your children are looking at you, you will do anything. As we went from shack to shack, mothers told us similar stories of husbands and sons who had left to become fighters, some of whom had been killed. Somalia once relied on diesel generators and other fossil fuels to meet its energy needs - but the country has substantial renewable energy potential [Alyona Synenko/ICRC] But many Somali people are taking action. The local power station in Garowe has been investing in wind and solar power, for example. The decision wasnt prompted by some international initiative, says the company CEO. Abdirazak Mohamed said he hasnt received any grants or aid from abroad. The National Energy Corporation of Somalia (NECSOM), who he works for, is making the investments because renewables - energy derived from natural sources like the sun and the wind - are much better value than the diesel generators the power station used to rely on. Refugee Amina uses the money she makes at her cafe to care for her husband and eleven children [Alyona Synenko/ICRC] I met Somali entrepreneurs setting up businesses, including a woman who had arrived in the Garowe refugee camp with nothing, but who set up a thriving business. Amina Osman Mohamed explained how she had borrowed food from a local stall, cooked it, and used the small profit she made to do the whole thing again the following day. The small but busy cafe she created generates the extra cash she so desperately needs to care for her sick husband and 11 children - including those of her widowed daughter. As I left Aminas bustling cafe, I began to understand why the Somali prime ministers climate advisor is optimistic about his countrys future. There is hope. But with climate change turbo-charging the conflict here, this country will need continued international help to make peace and build resilience against our changing climate. [BBC] Sign up for our Future Earth newsletter to get exclusive insight on the latest climate and environment news from the BBC's Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt, delivered to your inbox every week. Outside the UK? Sign up to our international newsletter here. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Its a case that rattled New Mexicos Muslim community after three men were shot and killed seemingly at random in the summer of 2022. Investigators at the time wouldnt call it a hate crime before a suspect was identified. Today, with Muhammad Syed behind bars for the murders, the motive remains a mystery. Syed was convicted earlier this year in one of the murders, then recently took a plea deal in the remaining two killings. This week on the New Mexico News Insiders podcast, Gabby and Chris break down the case that thrust Albuquerque into the national spotlight with KRQE News 13 reporter, Natalie Wadas, and prominent defense attorney, Ahmad Assed. Story continues below Download new episodes of the New Mexico News Insiders every Tuesday, starting around 5:30 a.m., Mountain time. Episodes are available on most podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, among others. You can now watch our podcasts in video form both on-air or online. Tune in to an abbreviated version of the New Mexico News Insiders podcast on broadcast television every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. on Fox New Mexico. Full video episodes are posted on KRQEs YouTube page at youtube.com/krqenews13. Having trouble finding the show? Try searching your favorite podcast player with the term KRQE or New Mexico News Insiders (without the quotes). You can also use the links above to find the podcast on each respective service or listen to the audio player at the top of this post. If you have a question, comment, or suggestion as to who should be interviewed on the podcast, let us know! Email the hosts at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. CLYDE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) For the past few weeks, the city of Clyde has remained silent after defaulting on a water bond payment that has left many in the community seeking answers. Now, Clyde Mayor Rodger Brown has spoken out about the citys recent financial troubles. They were very forthcoming Clyde residents get answers from city following heated public comment at Tuesday council meeting Since missing the August 1st payment, the city has slowly begun revealing information regarding the situation to the public and even invited their citizens to personal meetings with city leadership to discuss in detail the issues the city is facing and what solutions they are working on to rectify the situation. The mayor of the City of Clyde, Rodger Brown, recently spoke to KTAB/KRBC in an effort to address one of the citizens main concerns: transparency from city officials. When asked what led the city to miss the scheduled bond payment, Mayor Brown highlighted some potential sources. Three years ago, when we were trying to figure out how to grow our community, we took on some obligations, and we started working on these things with the sincere understanding that we would generate the revenue to cover all that. I really believe that a lot of factors all came together at one time at very bad timing, and were working now to fix those, Brown explained. How could you do this to our city? Clyde council faces public outcry at city council meeting To cover that growth, the city of Clyde took out a series of certificates of obligations in 2022 and 2023 that totaled about $25.5 million. However, some of those investments havent yet generated the capital the city was hoping for, which is one of the reasons for the missed bond payment. Brown said that they are taking steps to correct that loss. Weve had to take the hard steps of raising rates so that we can generate that revenue. Everybody that weve talked to, the professionals, and our CFO are the ones weve got to come in. These are the things that theyve suggested we have to do. Along with that, we cut $1.1 million out of our budget, Brown shared. Clyde residents upset over potential water bill increase amid citys defaulted payment The rate that Brown is referring to is the citys tax rate, and the raise that was implemented at the last Clyde city council meeting saw an increase of 20 cents. That changes the tax rate in Clyde from its previous 68 cents to 88 cents per $100 valuation. Because of the changes, the city plans to take more steps toward public transparency. Linnie Branton is a Clyde citizen who was outspoken about the issues at the city council meeting and has since talked extensively with city leaders. Because of that meeting, Branton said she now understands the situation better and is encouraging her fellow Clyde citizens to help find solutions. City of Clyde remains quiet after defaulting on bond payment This is a time now to put aside the blame for either side. Come together and work together as we can. Thats why we want to have this city hall meeting tomorrow evening, Branton expressed. Branton and Mayor Brown are now working together further to inform the public at a town hall meeting. Citizens are encouraged to not only ask questions but also help provide solutions for the current issue. That town hall meeting will be held Tuesday, September 17th, at 7:00 p.m., at the Community and Seniors Center in downtown Clyde. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CNN host says 'it's rich' for Trump to be complaining about rhetoric: 'Unbelievable' CNN's Sara Sidner scoffed at former President Trump for blaming Democratic Party rhetoric for the second attempt on his life on Tuesday, saying his unsubstantiated "eating the pets" claim against illegal immigrants during the debate has caused threats in one Ohio town. "Theres a lot of talk about rhetoric right now, especially from Trump campaign and from Vance's team and the Republicans. And then you hear what this rhetoric has done, their rhetoric has done to this town. Its rich," Sidner said, just two days after an assassination attempt against the former president. "Unbelievable," she added. Schools and hospitals in Springfield have received bomb threats in recent days, which prompted closures and evacuations. The threats came after Trump and JD Vance both made unverified claims there were Haitian migrants eating dogs and cats in the town. On Sunday, Trump said President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris "rhetoric" was what caused him to be "shot at," following the second assassination attempt against him since July. The former president told Fox News Digital that the suspected gunman "acted" on "highly inflammatory language" of Democrats. TRUMP TALKS ABC NEWS PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE, WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, IN FOX NEWS INTERVIEW CNN's Sara Sidner called out Trump's complaints about Democratic rhetoric on Tuesday and said it was "rich," citing Springfield, Ohio. CNN's Brynn Gingras joined Sidner to discuss the threats in Springfield. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "The amount of resources that it's taking to deal with all of these threats, the governor is saying 33 bomb threats just within this last week based off of these claims which we know, of course, JD Vance has doubled down multiple times on and that is a serious amount of resources that are now needing to be moved to these schools like you just pointed out, to basically do sweeps of these schools before the kids can go in," Gingras said. Gingras also said two colleges in the Springfield area also had to go virtual. Trump has taken aim at Biden and Harris following a second attempt on his life on Sunday. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "He believed the rhetoric of Biden and Harris, and he acted on it," Trump said of the gunman in an interview with Fox News Digital. "Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country, and they are the ones that are destroying the country both from the inside and out." Trump pointed to Biden and Harris past comments casting him as a "threat to democracy," while telling Americans they are "unity" leaders. "They are the opposite," Trump said. "These are people that want to destroy our country." Fox News' Brooke Singman contributed to this report. Original article source: CNN host says 'it's rich' for Trump to be complaining about rhetoric: 'Unbelievable' CNN GOP Rep. Tom Emmer refused to directly address JD Vances unfounded conspiracy theories about Haitian immigrants in Ohio when asked multiple times Monday morning on CNN, leaving anchor Kate Bolduan exasperated by the exchange. Bolduan called the Minnesota congressmans attention to how Vance admitted over the weekend that he had no issue repeating the false story about immigrants in his state supposedly eating petsdespite Ohios Republican governor calling the conspiracies harmful and disgusting. Does this continued focus and digging-in by your candidates create a problem for you guys down-ballot? Bolduan asked. Emmer sidestepped the question entirely. This story is actually about a programan illegal program, I would suggestcreated by Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, Emmer said. Don Lemon Returns to CNN to Criticize Trumps Assassination Blame Game Many Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, are there legally, according to city officials, through the federal governments Temporary Protected Status classification. Its been paused because of all kinds of fraud. And listen, Kate, if you dont want to talk about the Cuba-Haitian-Nicaraguan-Cuban-Venezuelan program that was created by Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, which brought tens of thousands of migrants to this country, Emmer went on, as Bolduan jumped in. You can talk about this policy without creating stories, she said, noting bomb threats to schools, government offices and hospitals due to the language from Vance and Donald Trump, who, when given the chance, didnt denounce those bomb threats. Bolduan repeated her question, but Emmer again didnt engage. Whats a problem is the mainstream media refusing to report what caused this, he said, prompting the CNN anchor to reject his response. No, no, no, no, no, she said. You and I talk policy all the time. But this one, get past the wrong, and move on to the policy! Chaos Dogs City Where Trump Says Haitians Eat Pets Emmer continued to discuss something else. How about talk about the wrong? The wrong is that weve got an administration that is lawless, he said, leaving Bolduan essentially no choice but to believe that Emmer has no issue with deliberately false claims about Ohioans by Vance, who spent Monday night preaching the need to love our neighbors. If this story about eating pets is completely, factually wrong and is not true, you are OK with the story continuing and your candidate continuing to talk about it? she asked. Emmers response was more of the same: I hope you start reporting on the problem that causes all of this, which is the administration. Kamala Harris is responsible for allowing thousands of migrants here improperly because they lie on their applications. As Bolduan asked him if he would answer yes or no, Emmer kept talking. Congressman, she concluded, the inability to answer yes or no on the simple question kind of takes away the heft of wanting to talk about the policy. Well, Id love it if you would talk about the actual policy created by the Biden administration, Emmer insisted. We will, Bolduan replied, once you get to answering the yes or no. Emmer punted once more, and Bolduan let out an exasperated sigh as the interview wrapped. 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 Schwarze Pumpe power station has long been part of the landscape in the German state of Brandenburg (John MACDOUGALL) (John MACDOUGALL/AFP/AFP) White clouds still billow from the cooling towers of a coal plant near Spremberg in Germany's ex-communist east but the end is in sight as Berlin phases out the dirty fossil fuel. Thousands of jobs have already been lost in the region, where wind farms now rise near abandoned open-pit mines and many people look with dread towards 2038, the deadline for the "coal exit". Their fears help explain the strong local support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which does not just rail against migrants but also rejects the green energy push and questions man-made climate change. At local elections held in Spremberg in June, the AfD scored 39.3 percent -- an omen ahead of regional elections next Sunday in the state of Brandenburg, which polls suggest it could win. Lignite, or brown coal, may be a climate killer, but since the 19th century it has been key to the identity of the Lusatia industrial region on the Polish border, known as the Lausitz in German. "Thousands of people here have been linked to coal their whole working lives," said the town's mayor, Christine Herntier, an independent who has held the post for a decade. "We are proud of our tradition," said Herntier, 67, pointing to a huge map on her office wall of the Schwarze Pumpe plant and its surrounding industrial complex. Most people in Spremberg, population 25,000, have grudgingly accepted the coal phase-out plan, under which the government has earmarked billions for structural transition plans, she said. But, she added, ahead of the state election the winding down of coal "is still a big issue". - Anger over wind farm - Michael Hanko, the AfD's top representative in Spremberg, said he is certain that the looming demise of the lignite industry is "one of the main reasons" residents are voting for his party. "I don't think the government has really got them on board with this whole prescribed transformation, saying that we now have to do everything with renewable energies," Hanko said. The AfD, founded about a decade ago, scored a triumph earlier this month when it won an election in the eastern state of Thuringia and came a close second in Saxony. It now also has a good chance of winning in Brandenburg, the state that surrounds Berlin, where it is polling narrowly in first place at around 27 percent. When the German government decided five years ago to phase out coal, it pledged around 40 billion euros ($44 billion) to help coal regions adapt, with 17 billion euros for the Lausitz alone. Much of the money is intended to flow into developing the renewables and hydrogen sectors, helping the region maintain its identity as an energy hub. But residents complain the investment has been too slow to materialise and is flowing into the wrong places. In Spremberg, plans to extend a nearby wind park have caused outrage among some locals, who fear it will be a threat to 150-year-old trees, a protected swallow species and drinking water. - 'Something different' - Coal has long been synonymous with the Lausitz region, which takes in parts of Brandenburg and Saxony and a small strip of Poland, and where lignite was discovered in the late 18th century. But the industry all but collapsed after German reunification in 1990, when most of the region's open pit mines were shut down and thousands of jobs vanished. Today, only around 8,000 people are employed in the lignite industry across the Lausitz, with 4,500 of them in Brandenburg, though the industry is still one of the largest private employers in the state and coal remains a strong part of the region's identity. Already weary from the problems caused by reunification, people in the region have felt "overwhelmed" by recent global challenges, said Lars Katzmarek, a board member of the Pro-Lausitz campaign group. "The coronavirus, the energy crisis, the Ukraine war -- these are all very difficult things that people still haven't fully digested... and perhaps at some point they just close their ears," he said. On a rainy morning in Spremberg, Joachim Paschke, 81, who used to work in mechanical engineering and welding, was buying bread rolls in the bakery opposite the town hall. "I'm definitely not an AfD supporter but I can understand people who are," he said. "The established parties have nothing concrete and the AfD is offering something different. People want change." fec/fz/gv Coitsville police investigating death of man who was hit by truck in hotel parking lot COITSVILLE, Ohio (WKBN) Township police are investigating the death of a man who died after being hit by a pickup truck Sunday in the parking lot of a U.S. 422 hotel. Read next: Local man receives sentence for killing, dismembering wife Police Chief Michael Morris said the man was hit about 9:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Kings Hotel and died at St. Elizabeth Health Center. Morris said a woman who claimed to have been held against her will by the victim was driving the truck that hit the man. Police impounded the truck for evidence. No one has been charged yet. Morris said police are investigating the incident and the womans claims that she was being held against her will. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. For a company that has lost $33 billion since 2019, a strike that virtually halts production of its major product is the last thing it needs. But thats the reality for embattled aircraft maker Boeing. How long the strike lasts will determine how serious the problems are for Boeing. If the strike lasts a week or so, it will barely be a blip on the bottom line of a company that has seen debt soar and its credit rating plunge as it sought to cover losses over the last five years. The last strike, which took place in 2008, was a $1.2 billion hit to Boeings net income. This strike could be similarly costly if it continues for months, as has happened in past work stoppages at Boeing. The strike will impact production and deliveries and operations and will jeopardize our recovery, CEO Brian West told investors Friday, hours after the start of the walkout. Boeing has a long way back to profitability, no matter how long the strike lasts. It is being limited in the rate it builds 737 Max jets, as the Federal Aviation Administration oversees efforts to improve the quality of its assembly line. Boeings next planned jet, the 777X, which is crucial to a return to profitability, ran into trouble on its test flights and is years overdue in being certified to carry passengers. Boeing has not had the cash it needs to develop a new model jet to serve the market, and its sales have fallen far behind rival Airbus. So as bad as the strike might be for Boeing, it has plenty of other problems to deal with. A key factor working in Boeings favor is that the company is part of a global duopoly with Airbus. Boeing and Airbus are the only manufacturers of full-size commercial jets and demand for aircraft orders is strong, with a backlog stretching for years. If an airline canceled an order with Boeing to make a similar order with Airbus, that airline would be stuck on a waiting list for years. And once an airline orders one model of a jet, theyre pretty much locked into using that model, because owning a competing model from the other manufacturer significantly increases operating costs. So even with financial problems that might kill another company, Boeing isnt going anywhere. The strike could last a while Negotiations between Boeing, the union and federal mediators are expected to resume early this week. Despite both sides saying they want to reach a deal to end the work stoppage, the history of labor relations at Boeing, and the overwhelming rejection of the tentative agreement, suggest the strike could be a long one. The company had offered the 33,000 production workers at its unionized factories in Washington state and at some parts centers elsewhere a four-year deal with raises of at least 25% over the life of the deal, including an immediate 11% pay hike, cost-of-living increases that could take pay even higher, more contributions to their 401(k) accounts and lower employee share of health insurance premiums. Boeing called it the best contract it ever offered the union, and union leadership called it the best contract it had ever negotiated with the company. Story continues But 96% of the rank-and-file members who voted on the deal Thursday disagreed and walked out to strike a few hours later. The strike in 2008 lasted for more than eight weeks. Boeing wont necessarily lose sales from this strike, but the delay in deliveries will hurt its already damaged cash flow, since most of the money it receives from the sales of a plane come at the time of delivery. Credit rating agencies Fitch and Moodys signaled Friday that a downgrade of Boeings credit rating into junk bond status is now expected. Standard & Poors had already signaled such a downgrade was likely even before the strike. In a memo to Boeing employees Monday, West said the company would take steps to preserve cash during the strike, which would include a hiring freeze, stopping non-critical travel, prohibiting first class or business class travel by executives and the possibility of temporary layoffs. When asked if Boeing would also prohibit use of its corporate jets for travel, a Boeing spokesperson said the company had no comment beyond Wests statement. Affording increased costs Boeing has said it is committed to finding a new deal that will be acceptable to union members. Despite the ongoing losses at the company, it will be able to afford the increased costs. Part of that is because actually assembling an aircraft makes up only about 15% of the cost, said Richard Aboulafia, a managing director at aerospace consulting firm AeroDynamic Advisory. Most of the costs go to paying suppliers for airplane parts, from avionics to seats to the fuselage itself. The 15% that Boeing spends includes all costs, from the raw materials to operating the factories to the labor. So, paying the 33,000 production workers amounts to just a low single-digit percentage of an aircrafts overall cost. They could have doubled everyones wages, and it wouldnt have made a difference, Aboulafia said. Thats one of the reasons workers on the picket lines were so quick to reject Boeings offer, which appeared to be generous on first glance. Union members have gone 16 years with little in the way of pay increases and been forced to give up benefits like a traditional pension plan or be threatened with the loss of unionized jobs to nonunion factories that Boeing considered building. They were forced into those concessions when the company was making money, not during its current period of financial distress. If Boeing touts that were the best in the industry, they need to treat us like the best in the industry, Jim Bloomer, a 28-year-old Boeing employee in Renton, Washington, told CNN affiliate KING-TV early Friday from the picket line outside the plant that builds the 737 Max. If youve got a $180 million airplane, the percentage of (cost of) labor is miniscule. This story has been updated with additional content. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com COLBERT COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) The Colbert County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) is warning residents about scammers who are pretending to be with the sheriffs office. CCSO said it received several reports on Monday of residents getting phone calls from individuals posing as representatives of the sheriffs office. Man booked into Mississippi jail following multi-state chase, deputy involved shooting According to authorities, the scammers were requesting personal information or money from residents while pretending it was an official communication from CCSO. The sheriffs office said it and its employees will never ask for personal information or money over the phone. CCSO said any calls claiming to be from the sheriffs office and asking for those things are a scam and not a legitimate contact from the sheriffs office. Residents should never give any personal information or money to any person claiming to with the sheriffs office over the phone. CCSO said residents should not give any personal or financial information, and they should instead get off the phone and call the sheriffs office directly at (256) 383-0741. If you believe you have been targeted by a scam, you should report the incident to local law enforcement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) A Colorado man accused of robbing a convenience store in Abilene has been arrested. Jeremy Eden was taken into custody on a warrant for Robbery Saturday in connection to the 2023 incident. Court documents state Eden walked into a convenience store in in Abilene in December 2023 while wearing a mask, brandishing a weapon, and demanding money. Soon after, the documents state a clerk at another store noticed a truck drive around the store, then the driver came inside and asked what time they closed. This made the clerk suspicious, so he called police. The documents state Eden was soon contacted and inside his truck was clothing matching the description used in the first convenience store robbery. After his arrest, the documents state Eden confessed to the robbery and showed officers where he was keeping the cash. Eden remains held in the Taylor County Jail on a $100,000 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. Columbia Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles new financial disclosure to show missing loan U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, a Tennessee Republican, listed for the first time on his financial disclosure a 2022 loan worth between $500,001 to $1 million. (Photo: John Partipilo) U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, a Tennessee Republican, listed for the first time on his financial disclosure a 2022 loan worth between $500,001 to $1 million. (Photo: John Partipilo) U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles acknowledged a previously undisclosed six-figure loan almost 10 months after news reports revealed its existence. On his 2023 U.S. House financial disclosure form, filed on Sept. 13, Ogles listed for the first time a loan worth between $500,001 to $1 million from FirstBank in September of 2022. The one-term congressman failed to disclose this on previous forms, a fact noted by Nashville NewsChannel 5 in November 2023, when it first reported on the loan. The missing loan was part of a complaint by the Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan watchdog organization, which alleged that Ogles had nearly $1 million in financial discrepancies between his House disclosure form and campaign finance reports. Campaign finance discrepancies have plagued Ogles since he launched his bid for Tennessees 5th Congressional District in April 2022. Ogles told the public in a news release during the start of the campaign that he raised $450,000, but in reality, Ogles raised around $250,000 and claimed to loan his campaign $320,000. His claim of an early cash haul and his promise to use personal funds helped him secure support from conservatives on his way to winning a crowded 2022 Republican primary. In May 2024, he amended campaign finance reports for the prior two years, stating that he had only loaned $20,000 to his campaign. Following the filing of his amended disclosures, Ogles said the additional $300,000 was in a joint account he shared with his wife. He claimed he only learned after the fact that transferring joint account funds for personal campaign use wasnt allowed and said his campaign never used the cash. Ogles has since made various other adjustments to his campaign finance reports, drawing letters from the Federal Election Commission as recently as July. The financial disclosure forms, which are filed annually with the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, differ from the campaign finance reports filed with the FEC. Ogles received an extension to file disclosure forms on Aug. 13, and if he hadnt filed it by Sept. 13, he would have owed a $200 late filing fee, according to the Clerks office. The 2023 form also shows that Ogles has an investment property in Columbia worth between $500,001 to $1 million, earning him $5,001 to $15,000 a year in income and that his 401k from work as a lobbyist with Americans for Prosperity has decreased from $100,001-$250,000 to $15,001-$50,000. Following Ogles Republican primary win in August, FBI agents searched his property and seized his phone as part of a fraud investigation. Ogles disclosure 10060354 COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The Columbus City Schools Board of Education held a special meeting Monday night to talk about the actions of member Brandon Simmons. Board members passed a resolution to censure Simmons and asked him to resign immediately. They said they came to this decision because of Simmons continually disruptive behavior. CCS board member Sarah Ingles read the resolution aloud during the meeting. Because of the boards extreme disappointment in Board Member Simmons disregard of such policies and the repeated nature of the disregard, Board Member Simmons is officially requested by those voting in favor of this resolution to submit his resignation from the Columbus City Schools District Board of Education effective immediately. Watch: Columbus City Schools board censures member This is the second time Simmons has been censured, with the first time happening just months ago for his role in a controversial leaked memo. The board said Simmons was censured again and asked to resign because he has created disturbances and threatened the education of CCS students. During the special meeting, Ingles read the resolution and censure that shared some of Simmons behavior. They said he entered school buildings without permission multiple times, intentionally blocked another board member from exiting a room after a board meeting and communicated with other board members in a threatening manner. The resolution also gave Simmons some restrictions, including that he cant go onto school property without express permission from the board president and the districts general counsel. Hell now be escorted by security in and out of all board meetings, and he cant represent the school board at any event or meeting. Everyone but Simmons voted yes on the resolution and censure. Simmons tried to speak during the vote and asked if he was going to be denied the opportunity to speak about the censure. The school board president, Christina Vera, responded to Simmons that he was out of order and would be asked to leave if he did not comply. Simmons left before the meeting was over. President Vera said the censure is necessary for student and district safety. I recognize that this is hard on everybody. Most importantly our students and our families deserve better. At the end of the day, as a board we will not tolerate or compromise the safety of this district for anyone, Vera said. The board has its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday at 6 p.m. View the full resolution from the CCS school board in its entirety below: CCS-BOE-Resolution-Safety-09.16.24Download Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Column: Trump talks tough on Russia now, but as president he bowed to Putin Nothing good could come of this huddle between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in 2017. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) Once again, Donald Trump is talking about his candidacy as if he doesnt have a presidency we can refer to. This time the topic is the construction of Nord Stream 2, a controversial gas pipeline between Russia and Germany. For years members of both parties had opposed Nord Stream 2, fearing it would increase Europes dependency on Russia for energy. As president, Trump imposed sanctions on the company building the pipeline in December 2019 , with the State Department saying the pipeline is a tool Russia is using to support its continued aggression against Ukraine. President Biden waived those sanctions in 2021 , and Trump is using that decision to criticize his vice president, Kamala Harris. It is true that Biden lifted sanctions, in part to repair the U.S. relationship with Germany, which was strained under Trump. But Biden also did it because the pipeline was 90% completed when he took office. Trumps on the trail saying he stopped the pipeline from happening, but the truth is most of it was built during his time in the White House. Moreover, construction on the pipeline resumed in 2020 despite his 2019 sanctions. And Biden imposed a new round of sanctions in 2022 . Read more: Opinion: How Ukraine can press its advantage after seizing Russian territory The real question isnt why Biden lifted the sanctions in 2021, but rather why did Trump wait until the end of 2019 to act? The answers lie in the pages of the Mueller report, which investigated interference in the 2016 election. In December 2013, the Trump Organization entered a branding agreement for residential property in Moscow that would have netted Trump close to $20 million. Read more: Opinion: Western aid isn't prolonging the war in Ukraine. This is In February 2014, Russia invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea. In March, the United States along with our allies responded with crippling economic sanctions. As a result, Russias economy cratered, and Trumps 2013 deal fell off. However, Russias invasion added to the laundry list of criticisms regarding the foreign policy decisions of President Obama and by extension Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. As the primary season rolled on in 2015, the attacks became part of GOP debates. Read more: Opinion: Helping Ukraine to strike inside Russia is already paying off That November, during the fourth installment, when asked, What does President Trump do in response to Russias aggression? the first thing Trump said was: Well first of all, its not only Russia. He then brought up North Korea, Iran and China. When Trump finally said Russian President Vladimir Putins name, he first talked about their time together in a 60 Minutes green room before voicing support for Russias growing influence in the Middle East. Today on the campaign trail, Trump talks tough about Russia. But as a private citizen, he tried to do business in Moscow even after Putin invaded Ukraine. And on that 2015 debate stage, Trump did not denounce Putins actions in Ukraine. Perhaps it was because Trump had signed a new property deal for a tower in Moscow the week before. In fact, he signed the letter of intent the day of the third GOP debate. He spoke less than six minutes on stage that night, and his lack of courage about Russia didnt end there. While president in July 2018, Trump stood next to Putin in Helsinki and refused to confront him about interfering in the 2016 election. To the contrary, Trump took Putins side and questioned U.S. intelligence. Then later that year, Russia captured three Ukranian navy vessels and 23 sailors . Most notably, it was the first time Putins government fired weapons at Ukraine. The incident sent shock waves around the world as leaders quickly denounced Putins act of aggression on social media. However, Trump was not among them. More than a full day would go by before the leader of the free world told reporters he wasnt happy about Putins aggression and hopefully it will get straightened out. Obama underestimated Putin in 2012. During his debate against Mitt Romney, the GOP nominee said Russia was the countrys top geopolitical foe. Obama mocked him, saying, the 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back, because the Cold Wars been over for 20 years. Perhaps for America, that was true. But for Putin the war never ended, and Romney recognized that. Concerns regarding Russias influence over Europes energy were realized back in 2006, after Ukraine welcomed a Western-friendly president. Putin quadrupled Ukraines fee for natural gas. When Ukraine balked, Putin shut off the nations gas supply in the dead of winter. At the time, the pipelines through Ukraine carried roughly 80% of Russias gas to Europe. So, when Putin shut the gas off the morning of Orthodox Christmas in 2009 again because of his anger at Ukraine more than 10 European countries suffered. Trump cannot be allowed to rewrite this critical period of history because the consequences would be dire. Yes, Russia annexed Crimea under Obama. Yes, Russia invaded Ukraine under Biden. But the first Russian bullet in this war was fired while Trump was in office, and he said, Hopefully it will get straightened out. The national security risks with that kind of wishful thinking cannot be overstated. If Ukraine falls, Putin will control about a third of the worlds wheat production and more than 60% of sunflower seed oil, which is used in countless food products. The Middle East and Africa depend largely on Ukraine for grains. Do we really think Putin, with his history of shutting off gas to punish democracies, would hesitate to weaponize food security as well? The notion that candidate Trump would be tough on Putin in that moment is laughable. Trump had his chances, and we saw how weak he was. @LZGranderson If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Wall Street Journal data shows that the total number of Ukrainian and Russian military personnel who have been killed or injured since the start of the full-scale Russian aggression has reached approximately 1 million. Source: The Wall Street Journal Details: The publication notes that determining the exact number of casualties in the war is challenging because both Russia and Ukraine refuse to release official data, and sometimes publish figures that many find unreliable. The WSJ reports that, according to a confidential Ukrainian estimate from earlier this year, the number of Ukrainian military casualties stands at 80,000 killed and 400,000 injured. Western intelligence estimates of Russian losses vary, with some data suggesting nearly 200,000 dead and about 400,000 wounded. Quote: "The losses are causing problems for Russia as it uses waves of poorly trained soldiers to try to advance in Ukraines east while also trying to counter a recent Ukrainian incursion in the Kursk Oblast," the article reads. However, the WSJ notes that these losses are more damaging to Ukraine, whose population is significantly smaller than Russia's. Quote: "Ukraines government, like that of Russia, keeps its war casualties secret. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in February that around 31,000 soldiers have so far been killed. Several former political and security officials said that underestimate was largely designed to placate society and help continue the mobilisation of much-needed new recruits. A spokesman for Zelenskyy declined to comment," the text reads. The WSJ mentions that, according to former Ukrainian officials, one of the significant reasons Zelenskyy avoids mobilising the key cohort of men aged 18 to 25 typically the main component of any combat force is that most of these people do not yet have children. If conscripts in this age group were to die or become incapacitated, further demographic prospects would be even more bleak, say Ukrainian demographers. Thus, the article notes, Ukraine resists Western calls to deploy more men into combat and has conducted only partial mobilisation. Government and military estimates suggest that the average age of Ukrainian soldiers now exceeds 43 years. To increase numbers, Kyiv is recruiting a few convicts and foreigners. The number of civilian casualties remains unknown. However, according to the non-governmental organisation Human Rights Watch, the Russian occupation of the southeastern port city of Mariupol in 2022 alone claimed more than 8,000 lives, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. Background: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that, as of 17 September 2024, the total losses of Russian troops in the war against Ukraine have reached 635,880 personnel. Support UP or become our patron! Commander Drapatyi transferred to Donetsk Oblast after stabilisation of situation on front line in Kharkiv Oblast Mykhailo Drapatyi. Stock photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine After the line of contact in Kharkiv Oblast was stabilised, Brigade General Mykhailo Drapatyi, who has been the chief of the Kharkiv Operational Strategic Group since the first days of the Russian breakthrough, was transferred to the position of commander of the Luhansk Operational Strategic Group. Source: source of Ukrainska Pravda in the Ukrainian military Details: This is not Drapatyis first week in this position. He arrived at the Luhansk Operational Strategic Group on 5-10 September. A strip from the settlement of Bilohorivka (Luhansk Oblast) to Toretsk and New-York (Donetsk Oblast) will now be in his zone of responsibility. The settlements of Chasiv Yar, Toretsk and New-York are among the hottest spots of this axis. Before Drapatyi, the Luhansk Operational Strategic Group was led by Colonel Ledovyi. Background: Brigade General Mykhailo Drapatyi led the Ukrainian forces breakthrough near Chervonopartyzanske in Luhansk Oblast, enabling 260 soldiers and 300 pieces of military equipment to escape the Izvaryne encirclement. Drapatyi is a holder of the full Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi: he was awarded the first order in August 2016, the second in 2018 and the third in July 2022. Support UP or become our patron! A 17th-century tavern that played a significant role in the Salem Witch Trials as well as the Revolutionary War is deteriorating, prompting the town of Danvers and other community members to take action. Nathaniel Ingersolls Ordinary or tavern sits vacant on Hobart Street. It is believed to have been built around 1670 and, over the centuries, changed shape, size and purpose. There are written documents that there were examinations of witches and testimony taken here at this site, said Dave McKenna, president of the Danvers Historical Society, standing before the centuries-old building. We have accusers that made accusations in that building. We have judges that stayed in that house. And several of the actual victims they were arrested, were brought and held in the upstairs building while they waited to be questioned. Decades later, before the first shots of the American Revolution, the building served as a meeting place for militia who trained nearby. Theyd train there on a Saturday morning, break for lunch, probably come down here, have lunch and a few beers and try not to shoot each other when they get back to drilling in the afternoon, McKenna said. Despite its rich history and importance to the community, the building is in disrepair. Bought more than a decade ago by a New Hampshire man, the structure is falling apart. A tarp covers a hole in the roof, and a crumbling barn is now torn down. A red square with a white X on the facade warns firefighters of structural hazards inside in case of a fire. The place is falling apart. Hes not able to fix it up, McKenna said. One of the sills on the back rotted right through. Thats the beam that sits on the ground, on the foundation. Theres a hole that big through it. But the owner will not allow the Board of Health or Danvers firefighters inside, documents from the Town of Danvers Historic District Commission state. McKenna has been working as a middleman between the town and the property owner, but he hasnt been allowed inside either. Multiple attempts to meet have been delayed or canceled, and communication is sparse, McKenna said. Im hoping to find a solution so that we can save it, McKenna said. Its part of the fabric of the town, part of the history of the town. You cannot erase history. You need to learn from it, especially if its something painful, because if you dont learn from it, its going to happen again. Frustrated and concerned, the town is currently working toward receivership with the attorney generals office, requesting a third party manage and fix up the property. Fearing complete destruction of the building, local history buffs and other community members formed a Facebook group, Save Ingersolls Tavern. Member Lori Tinkham hopes to find a non-profit that will take on the property and preserve it for future generations. Its the most important house still standing from the 1692 Salem Witch Trials It has so much history, and I dont like seeing history erased, Tinkham told Boston 25 News. Danvers has put some protections in place, but were looking to get the owner to protect it even further. While some suspect the owner is purposely letting the property deteriorate until demolition is inevitable, McKenna remains hopeful he has good intentions to preserve the property but is simply overwhelmed. Although the owner has requested the Historical Society step in, McKenna said, the organization does not have the funds or the ability to take on such a project, especially without seeing the interior of the property and knowing just how much restoration would cost. McKenna plans to meet the owner on Tuesday to discuss his current plans. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Community invited to celebrate the life of late sheriff in Clovis Community invited to celebrate the life of late sheriff in Clovis FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) The community is invited to celebrate the life of the late Fresno County Sheriff, Richard G. Pierce, this Tuesday. The Sheriffs Office says the ceremony will take place on Sept. 17 starting at 10 a.m. at the Well Community Church on 325 Nees Ave. in Clovis. Lunch will be provided. We lost a good one: Fresno leaders on passing of former Fresno County Sheriff In lieu of flowers, the Sheriffs Office says the public can donate to Elim Place, a Memory Care Center in Sanger. [Sheriff Pierce] had a booming laugh. So when he was in his office on the second floor of the sheriffs office, everybody on the floor could hear him laugh and it made everybody smile and wonder what was going on but his booming laugh was extremely memorable, retired Sheriff Mims said. Sheriff Pierce served as Fresno County Sheriff between 1998 and 2007. He passed away peacefully with his family at his side at the age of 80. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 | News from CBS47 and KSEE24. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Mayor Domenic Sarno, Congressman Richard Neal and community leaders gathered at union station for the grand opening of a new cyber-security center. This new cybersecurity center is located right at Union Station. One U.S. official and city leader spoke to 22News to see what this new space means for the community. The Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence is the newest addition to Union Station in Springfield. This regional center was named in honor of Congressman Richard Neal to acknowledge his commitment to cybersecurity education and his dedication to enhancing Union Station. The number one responsibility of the federal government of the United States is to provide for the security of its people. National Security is a really critical part of the democracy that we enjoy. Congressman Richard Neal Neal says this cybersecurity space will also present members of the community with job opportunities. And the next generation of cybersecurity professionals now have a place to get the training that they need for the workforce. Springfield Mayor Sarno says theres a need for more people in the cybersecurity workforce. This is a talent field that needs more and more individuals no matter what creed, color or background to get involved in. Whether you are doing your bills at home, or running a multi million dollar corporation.. cybersecurity is so important. Mayor Dominic Sarno Sarno says this is an entryway to a great career that will help to ensure the safety of those in the city. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -AT&T has agreed to pay $13 million to resolve an investigation over a data breach of a cloud vendor in January 2023 that impacted 8.9 million AT&T wireless customers, the Federal Communications Commission said Tuesday. The FCC said the fine will resolve its investigation over whether AT&T had failed to protect the information of its customers and added AT&T had agreed to boost its data governance practices to increase supply chain integrity in the handling of sensitive data to protect consumers from similar vendor data breaches in the future. The FCC said the data exposed in 2023 covered customers from 2015 through 2017 that should have been deleted in 2017 or 2018. The exposed data included information like the number of lines on an account and in a few cases bill balance and rate plan information but did not contain credit card information, Social Security Numbers, account passwords and other sensitive personal information, AT&T and the FCC said. AT&T said the prior vendor experienced a hacking incident exposing customer data. "Though our systems were not compromised in this incident, we're making enhancements to how we manage customer information internally, as well as implementing new requirements on our vendors' data management practices," the company said. FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said "carriers have a duty to protect the privacy and security of consumer data, and that responsibility takes on new meaning for digital age data breaches." The FCC is also investigating a much larger data breach at involving AT&T. The carrier disclosed in July a massive hacking incident in April that resulted in the illegal downloading of about 109 million customer accounts. AT&T disclosed call logs were copied from its workspace on a Snowflake cloud platform covering about six months of customer call and text data from 2022 from nearly all its customers. (Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by David Evans) A girl kneels in front of a memorial for Elijah Hadley, a 17-year-old Mescalero Apache boy killed by an Otero County Sheriffs deputy on June 25. (Photo by Bella Davis / New Mexico In Depth) New Mexico In Depth first published this article. It is republished here with permission. Calls for justice for a 17-year-old Mescalero Apache boy killed by a sheriffs deputy in June rang out Sept. 7 as the sun disappeared behind the hills bordering the tribes reservation in southern New Mexico. Drivers sped past, some honking to show support for the dozens of people walking along U.S. Highway 70 to honor Elijah Hadley. People helped older relatives make their way, and mothers pushed their children in strollers. Grief and outrage over Hadleys death hung over the crowd as they traveled about a mile from a nearby church to the spot on the highway median where Hadley was killed. The teenager was making that same walk on June 25 when Otero County Sheriffs Deputy Jacob Diaz-Austin was dispatched to conduct a welfare check on him. Diaz-Austin ordered Hadley to show his hands, then shot Hadley just as he was dropping what turned out to be an airsoft pistol a replica gun thats designed to shoot non-metal rounds. Its just a BB gun, Hadley screamed, falling to the ground. For three minutes after the initial barrage of bullets, Hadley lay on the ground, covered in his own blood, as Diaz-Austin kept his distance. At one point, Hadley said to Diaz-Austin, Youre going to kill me and Im going to fucking die, the deputy told a state police agent during a July 1 interview. When Hadley rolled onto his stomach, Diaz-Austin shot him at least a dozen more times. Hadley died at the scene. Valerie Vanaya Espinoza (Mescalero Apache) said she happened to be driving by the site of the shooting, in between Bent and Mescalero, the morning after and knew something was wrong when she saw investigators working. He complied in every way, Espinoza told New Mexico In Depth on Sept. 7. He did what he was supposed to. The fatal shooting has sparked protests in nearby Alamogordo and demands for Diaz-Austin to be criminally charged. Some have also called on Otero County Sheriff David Black to resign through an online petition that had just over 1,000 signatures as of publication. A brutal death on a dark highway Hadley was making his way along the highway, heading toward the Mescalero Apache reservation when a driver spotted him and called 911 to report a person walking in the median. The caller later told a New Mexico State Police agent she was concerned for the persons safety, and thats why she alerted law enforcement, according to the agencys investigative report obtained through a public records request. Diaz-Austin responded shortly before 11 pm. Dashboard camera footage shows Diaz-Austin pull into the median behind Hadley, who turned around and started walking toward the patrol vehicle. Diaz-Austin reversed, telling Hadley to stop right there. You alright? Whatre you doing? Diaz-Austin said. Hadley put a hand up to shield his eyes from the vehicles lights. His other hand was concealed by a shirt draped over his arm. Let me see your other hand, bro, Diaz-Austin told Hadley. Let me see your other hand, dog. Hadley reached for the airsoft pistol in his waistband, which had been hidden by the shirt. Holding it upside down by the handle, he dropped it. As the pistol hit the ground, Diaz-Austin fired four times, the footage shows. Hadley clutched his stomach and fell down, screaming repeatedly, Its just a BB gun. With his gun still pointed at Hadley, Diaz-Austin said, Let me see your hands. Body camera footage shows Hadley lying on his back with his arms spread out as Diaz-Austin gave the command. Shots fired, Diaz-Austin told dispatch. A minute after shooting Hadley, Diaz-Austin ran to the other side of his vehicle and picked up a medical kit. But Diaz-Austin did not render aid. Nor did he approach Hadley to move the airsoft pistol away. About two minutes later, Hadley rolled onto his stomach. Dont go to that gun, Diaz-Austin yelled a moment before starting to shoot Hadley again, firing at least a dozen bullets before pausing to reload his gun and then firing a few more bullets. Wheres my closest people? Diaz-Austin asked the dispatcher, adding that he couldnt see the gun or Hadleys hands. Diaz-Austin asked if he should render aid. He says if you cant see the firearm, just to stand by, the dispatcher replied. The dispatcher asked where Hadley was shot. Diaz-Austin said, In the face, in the chest, his arm, and I believe in the back of the head, like the top of his head area. Seven minutes after the last round of bullets, another deputy arrived and the two approached Hadley. Diaz-Austin threw the airsoft pistol to the side and rolled Hadley onto his back. I got no pulse anywhere, Diaz-Austin said. Later that night, as paramedics and more officers arrived, Diaz-Austin told the other deputy, I was just about to turn around too because I didnt see him. I was literally turning around right there and then I saw a glimpse of him. Apache lives matter In the months since Hadleys death, people who knew him have taken to social media to share who he was. He loved our Mescalero Apache culture so much he participated in singing and dancing with our late uncle, Hadleys sister wrote in a TikTok post. In the winter, he would chop wood to get the house warm for his family before going to school, she added. A woman who worked at the school Hadley attended wrote on Facebook he was reserved and respectful. A friend wished she could have one more conversation with Hadley to tell him what a good artist he was and how much his family loves him, she wrote on TikTok. Saturdays memorial walk for Hadley began in the parking lot of a church a little over a mile away from where he was killed. His family and friends passed out water and glow sticks. Its really impacted me a lot because I have grandchildren that are that age, Mimi Fossum (Mescalero Apache) said. My grandson knew him, and its just tragic, horrible. Fossum has protested in front of the sheriffs office in Alamogordo, about half an hour south of the shooting. Shes often been joined by Kristin Bryce and Danielle Testa. The two friends arent tribal members, but when they saw a news story about the shooting and then a Facebook post about a protest, they felt compelled to attend. Bryce said she and Testa watched a portion of the dashboard camera footage on TV and it was probably the worst thing we ever did, was watching on a big screen. He did everything he could have, that any 17-year-old would have thought to do, Bryce said. After taking each others hands in prayer, attendees set off walking on the side of the highway. The spot where Hadley was killed slowly came into view, where his loved ones had put up a cross bearing his name and who he was to them: a son, a brother, and an uncle. With the last bit of daylight fading, community members gathered around the memorial and took turns sharing their feelings about Hadleys death. Many in the crowd wept as they listened. Others mostly expressed anger toward the deputy. Patricia Ramos said shes not a tribal member but was born and raised in Mescalero and knew Hadley since he was a little boy. When I saw that video of him being shot, I couldnt stop crying, Ramos said. To see something like that happen to him, not only shot four times and wasnt even rendered aid. He didnt deserve to die like this. Ramos said Diaz-Austin is able to be home with his family and not sitting in jail, not behind bars. Apache lives matter and your voice counts. We didnt stand tall this long just to be pushed out like were nothing, one woman said, adding that if Hadley wasnt Indigenous, Diaz-Austin wouldve already been criminally charged. What comes next Diaz-Austin graduated from the law enforcement academy in May 2021 and had no law enforcement experience prior to joining the Otero County Sheriffs Office, he told New Mexico State Police during the July 1 interview. The Albuquerque Journal reported on Aug. 29 that Diaz-Austin was on paid administrative leave. Black, the Otero County sheriff, wouldnt confirm whether Diaz-Austin remained on leave Sept. 9, writing in an email the administrative leave status of any sheriffs office employee is the result of an internal inquiry being conducted. This procedure could result in matters of disciplinary action, precluding the release of this information at this time. On Thursday, Albuquerque-based attorney Chris Dodd who is representing Hadleys family, said its significantly concerning that the public doesnt know whether an officer who shot and killed a 17-year-old on a welfare check is currently on administrative leave or back on the streets or terminated. State police completed an investigation of the shooting in July. The agency acts as a fact-finder and doesnt determine whether a police shooting was justified. Citing potential conflicts of interest, the Twelfth Judicial District Attorneys Office, which serves Otero and Lincoln counties, handed the case off for review and possible criminal charges to the Bernalillo County District Attorneys Office, led by Sam Bregman. Bregman is no stranger to fatal law enforcement shootings. He represented then-Albuquerque police officer Keith Sandy, who was charged with second-degree murder in the 2014 fatal shooting of James Boyd, a man experiencing homelessness in the Sandia foothills. In 2016, a judge declared a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a verdict. More recently, Bregman represented the family of Amelia Baca, a 75-year-old who was killed in April 2022 by a Las Cruces police officer responding to a mental health call from Bacas family. The city settled a $3 million lawsuit with Bacas family in July 2022, according to the Las Cruces Sun-News. Dodd expressed the same hope as many of the tribal and non-tribal members who attended the Sept 7. memorial walk. I hope that this officer gets charged, Dodd said. It looks like the kind of situation where there certainly has been wrongdoing. But Im not a district attorney and thats not my call to make. NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) Compass Collegiate Academy has moved to a new, permanent space. Local leaders, parents, and students celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The school was previously located in Downtown Charleston where it served 60 kindergarteners and first-graders in August 2021. Each year, the school is expanding until it reaches students between K-8. The enrollment is now over 170 students, which prompted the move to North Charleston. Weve had incredible interest from families in Charleston, Elizabeth Simpson, the founding executive director, said. We have roots now, to be in a building where we can continue to expand and grow and offer our families that world-class education that they want and deserve. The academy is also a part of North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgesss plan to push academics and allowing for students to succeed during his term. Kathi Love, North Charleston Mayors Office Director of Children and Family Services, said how this school targets one piece of the Mayors goal. The reading. Getting them on reading level, that is the number one thing that we are noticing that children are not reading on the level of what grade they are, Love said. We find this that this is really important that they focus on that, where the children are exceeding on that. Compass Collegiate Academy is accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year. However, next year they will open up enrollment for fifth grade. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Completely different: From vendor to brick-and-mortar, Latina-owned coffee shop serves up chisme, authenticity WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) Brewnita Cafe is a unique, hole-in-the-wall coffee shop on Kemp that brings a different feel than any other coffee shop. Between flavors inspired by Mexican treats, ingredients imported from Latin America, and the classic concha, your palate might have you craving more. Why Hispanic Heritage Month begins September 15th Theyre completely different from other coffee shops here in town, owner Amanda Luevano said. Since its humble beginning, Luevano started serving coffee from a stand with four flavors on the menu. In November 2023, Brewnita Cafe expanded to a brick-and-mortar, expanding its menu and becoming the only Latina-owned coffee shop in Wichita Falls. It is kind of overwhelming, like, all the flavors that I have, Luevano said. Churro is definitely like the number one seller. I started making the Tres Leches one. That ones really good as well. Between Cafe de Olla, Cajeta, and other authentic ingredients, Luevano serves up flavors you cant find at any other coffee shop. It takes you back to the candies or the treats you used to eat whenever you were little, Luevano said. All my coffee is sourced from Latin America, which I feel like a lot of people dont know. They just think its just regular coffee beans from wherever. Whether you reminisce with a hot or cold drink, a concha will dig deeper into your memory bank. Everyone always goes for the concha, Luevano said. Not all pan dulces, or sweet breads, are created equal. The sugary confections date back to possibly when France ruled Mexico. Its unclear for historians, but regardless, its become a symbol for coffee lovers. Its definitely been a long process. Ive had help from local panaderos, Luevano said. Everybody takes a bite of it, and youre just back. Youre with your grandma, having coffee in the middle of the night after playing Loteria or whatever. Nearly a year in business, Luevano said her short time as a coffee shop owner has taught her a lot. Ive met so many people with the chisme. Theyll be here, chismeando with me for, like, an hour or two hours. These are literally people that I just met here at the coffee shop, Luevano said. HISPANIC HERITAGE: See more stories about Hispanic Heritage Serving coffee, conchas, and chisme for the next customer. Luevano recently extended her hours just in time for the fall weather. Brewnita Cafe is open Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sundays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Luevano is planning a few activities throughout Hispanic Heritage Month and occasionally hosts a local vendor in the shop. Visit the Brewnita Cafe Facebook page for upcoming events and more. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. AUSTIN (KXAN) Concordia University Texas named a new president and CEO this week, who will become the first woman to serve as president for the university. Concordia University Texas announced Monday its Board of Regents named Dr. Kristi Kirk as president and CEO, the 10th executive leader in the universitys nearly 100-year history. Kirk will become the first woman to serve as president of Concordia, according to the university. Air Forces 1st female fighter pilot is a UT alum, and shes this years commencement speaker Kirk has served as the universitys provost and executive vice president since July 2015. She was appointed to the new role after what the university said was a comprehensive, nationwide search, reflecting a rigorous and multi-faceted process to select the Universitys next leader. She replaces outgoing President and CEO Dr. Donald Christian, who is set to retire. Concordia University noted in the announcement that a formal inauguration and press conference to introduce Kirk in her new role will be announced later. Dr. Kristi Kirk named as president and CEO of Concordia University Texas, becoming the first woman named to the role in the universitys nearly 100 years of history. (Photo courtesy: Concordia University Texas) Kirk has more than three decades of experience in higher education, and according to the university, was also the first woman in Concordias history to hold the position of provost and executive vice president. Kirk began her career as an office admissions manager at Concordia University Texas in 1993 and stayed in that role for five years while progressively taking on more responsible positions, from assistant director of admissions to vice president of student and enrollment services, according to the announcement. Kirk is an alumna of Concordia Texas, and the university said her journey from student to president exemplifies her deep connection to the Universitys mission and values. Her own transformative experience at Concordia Texas, grounded in Christ-centered education, has shaped her vision for the institutions future, the announcement said. This unique perspective enables her to lead with both professional expertise and a personal understanding of the life-changing impact Concordia Texas has on its students. For more than 30 years, Dr. Kirk has been a stalwart champion of Concordia University Texas, advancing and bolstering higher education opportunities for thousands of students in an environment that welcomes and values Christ our Lord, Rev. Dr. Stephen Sohns, chairman of the Concordia Texas Board of Regents, said. Her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment will continue to make Concordia University Texas a higher education leader in the Central Texas region. According to the announcement, during her time at Concordia, Kirk has spearheaded landmark initiatives that made higher education more attainable for people of all backgrounds. In October 2023, she helped launch The Right Call Initiative, which implements a new, simplified tuition pricing structure that provides transparency and breaks down financial barriers to further increase access for undergraduate students, the announcement said. The Right Call reduced the universitys published tuition price by about 40% beginning with the current academic year (2024-25), according to the university. Kirk also helped Concordia University Texas secure a $2.71 million Title V grant in May 2023. The university said the funding will enhance the Concordia Con Corazon project, which prioritizes services and support measures to ensure that Hispanic and low-income students especially Hispanic female students who seek a post-secondary degree at Concordia University Texas are successful, according to the university. At Concordia University Texas, we believe anyone deserves the opportunity to attain a higher education, and it has been my mission to fulfill this vision while reinforcing a culture that welcomes and values every student, Dr. Kirk said. I am humbled and honored to be named president and CEO, which would not have been possible without the mentorship of Dr. Christian and the generous support of the Board of Regents and the broader Concordia community. I am committed to empowering our students to lead lives of critical thought, compassionate action, and courteous leadership. Concordia Texas is a place where students of all backgrounds encounter Christ through a Christ-centered education and are welcomed and supported as they pursue their goals. Concordias announcement said Kirk has been an active and engaged member of the Central Texas community throughout her time here, and she has played a key role in strengthening partnerships with local churches and schools to support Christian higher education. She has also served on the Board of Directors for Concordia High School and Acts of Love, a nonprofit organization, and has been involved in her congregation at Faith Lutheran Church in Georgetown. Kirk and her husband Daniel are also parents to six children and have been licensed foster parents for five years. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Congress appears unlikely to pass any of the laws it has been promising to safeguard this years election from the threat of artificial intelligence. With experts warning about threats to democracy from AI deepfakes that mislead voters, lawmakers said they had to act and they introduced multiple bills this year that could have banned deepfakes in elections and mandated clear labels on AI-generated content. Despite the appetite for laws and some bipartisan support, those efforts are foundering. But interviews with lawmakers and Hill staff and a reading of fall's brief remaining legislative schedule suggest that time has already run out for what was supposed to be a top priority protecting elections from a powerful tool of deception. I would certainly love to see something on the floor. But I'm not sure that we're going to, said Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), one of four members of a bipartisan Senate group chosen by Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to work on AI last year. Its a dramatic comedown from when the Senate first began grappling with generative AI last year, dedicating a full closed-door meeting with experts to the threat AI posed to elections. Speaking at the end of that session last November, Schumer warned that the coming vote would be the first national elections with widely available AI technologies that can accelerate the spread of mis- and disinformation, so we must act quickly. Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, part of Schumers handpicked, bipartisan team to shepherd AI laws through the Senate, told POLITICO in January that AI in elections was probably going to be one of the most important items that we look at as early as possible. Schumer did not confirm whether the leading bills to regulate AI-generated election content are toast this Congress, but in an emailed statement he hinted he had extended his timeline. Efforts to address AI in elections can and must continue beyond the 2024 election, Schumer wrote POLITICO in response to questions for this story. Young and his fellow Republican in Schumers AI group, Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, did not immediately respond to questions on AI and elections. Republicans have already blocked Senate bills to regulate voter-facing AI-generated content, with no indication that anything will change before Nov. 5. The House is even further behind, with a planned report containing legislative recommendations on a number of AI issues including the use of generative AI in elections yet to be released. For the remaining weeks of the 2024 campaign, that means the only safeguards against deepfakes in elections are in states that passed their own laws, and in federal agencies that have stepped in though they are hamstrung by the limits of their power and internal partisan fights. We've seen deepfakes be decisive in elections around the world, argued Robert Weissman, co-president of the nonprofit advocacy group Public Citizen. It is irresponsible to act as if it cannot happen. Americans first reckoned with the malicious use of generative AI in elections back in February when deepfaked robocalls impersonating the voice of President Joe Biden targeted New Hampshire voters, telling them not to vote in the state primary. By May, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) had introduced a trio of bills for markup. One would prepare election administrators for AI. Another would ban deepfakes of federal political candidates, and a third would require disclosures on AI-manipulated political ads. The Senate Rules Committee advanced all three in May, despite Republican fears of hampering technical innovation and free speech. But the two bills about voter-facing AI-generated content failed to pass a unanimous consent Senate vote in July. Rules Committee ranking member Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), whose objection tanked the unanimous consent vote, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a statement to POLITICO in late August, Klobuchar wrote, As I said on the Senate floor in July, this is a hair-on-fire moment and we must take action. Still, she appeared to be making contingency plans. An aide wrote, Senator Klobuchar plans to ask for unanimous consent again. And if the legislation doesnt pass as a standalone bill or part of a package, she will introduce it in the next Congress. Klobuchars bills were the highest profile on AI in elections and gathered support from Republicans including Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, Maines Susan Collins and Alaskas Lisa Murkowski. None of them responded immediately to requests for comment. In the House, work on AI has stalled even further behind. Bipartisan House leadership launched a task force in February. The task force has been meeting regularly to discuss legislative proposals on AI but has yet to recommend any laws for passage. The task force's assigned deliverable a report that will guide the House's actions on AI is still in the drafting process with no set release date. Task force Chair Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) and Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Given the state of the proposals and the pace of lawmaking in Washington, Its not realistic to expect action before elections, said Minnesotas Democratic state Secretary Steve Simon, who has watched Congress closely as his state passed its own law in 2023 to criminalize deepfakes in elections and updated it the following year to remove candidates from running or from office if they are found guilty of using deepfakes in elections. Eighteen other states have passed laws to limit deepfakes in elections, according to Public Citizens tracker. Weissman said the laws are no substitute for federal law, but they do indicate an appetite for action. "The clock is running out, and what should be a common sense consensus issue has been tarnished by reflexive partisanship, he said. In the meantime, agencies have used their powers to prosecute the misuse of AI, using existing rules. Following the New Hampshire robocalls, the Federal Communications Commission issued a cease-and-desist order to the Texas telecom company that carried the calls on its network. The agency later proposed a $2 million fine against Lingo Telecom (which later settled for $1 million) and a $6 million fine against 55-year-old Steven Kramer of New Orleans for using call-spoofing technology. Though FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel has said she wants to write new rules to regulate AI in campaign materials airing on TV and radio, efforts there are hitting the same Washington calendar. She published a proposal in July, and the FCC will be collecting public comment on the rules through nearly mid-October. It is highly unlikely the commission will vote on finalizing a rule before Election Day, and almost impossible the rule would take effect before the vote. There has been a bit of jostling between the FCC and the Federal Elections Commission, where the Republican chair, Sean Cooksey, has insisted that only his agency has authority to enforce election law. Writing to Rosenworcel about her proposals, he said, I believe these would invade the FECs jurisdiction. Cooksey laid out his own view of the FECs role in an August op-ed titled The FEC Has No Business Regulating AI. The FECs Democratic vice chair, Ellen Weintraub, told POLITICO she saw little possibility that her Republican-controlled panel would issue new rules on AI in elections. At best, she said the FEC could potentially rule on individual cases of election fraud. John Hendel contributed to this report. Congressional hearing will be the first one to address slaying of 6-year-old Palestinian boy from Chicago area Faith leaders, community activists and family members of victims are heading to Washington for a congressional hearing Tuesday to address the alarming rise in hate crimes in America, with a focus on tragic cases like that of Wadee Alfayoumi, the 6-year-old Palestinian boy who was stabbed to death in Plainfield. On Monday morning, Maaria Mozaffar, legislative lead at Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition, was flying to Washington with Wadees 33-year-old mother, Hanaan Shahin. At the end of the day, shes a mom who lost her baby, Mozaffar told the Tribune while waiting at OHare International Airport. Shahin was hospitalized after the Oct. 14 attack in which Joseph Czuba the familys landlord allegedly stabbed her dozens of times and stabbed Wadee 26 times because they were Muslim and Palestinian, according to police. Law enforcement and authorities from Will County said Czuba, then 71, targeted the family after Hamas Oct. 7 attacks in Israel and Israels ensuing bombardment in Gaza. Czuba was charged with two counts of hate crimes in addition to first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Mozaffar said Wadees case is the first casualty on false narratives, misinformation and hate in the Israel-Gaza conflict that resulted in death in America. And then Hisham Awartani and his friends were also shot for being Palestinian on U.S. soil and thats what we cannot allow our nation to gloss over is that these hate crimes existed and these are the victims, she said, referring to the Brown University student who was shot and paralyzed in Burlington, Vermont, while wearing a keffiyeh in November. We have not seen that surface and highlighted in the halls of Congress and we think its very, very important to do so. The Chicago-based coalition made a request to Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin for the hearing, building on the Wadee Resolution, introduced in the U.S. House by Rep. Delia Ramirez of Chicago in December 2023 and in the U.S. Senate by Durbin and Sen. Tammy Duckworth in January, to spotlight the boys killing. The resolution calls for national awareness and action to combat hate crimes targeting the Palestinian, Arab and Muslim communities. In that resolution, we directly tie the danger of political rhetoric and misinformation by elected officials that resulted in dehumanization that resulted in the death of Wadee, said Mozaffar, who drafted the resolution. We have to recognize that any language that dehumanizes a people has real, on-the-ground impact on everyday lives. Mozaffar said that before the resolution went to Congress, she unsuccessfully took it to state Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, who represents the 49th District, where Wadee lived. Mozaffar said she was not able to get Loughran Cappel to sponsor it. Loughran Cappels office did not respond to the Tribunes request for comment. Were so happy that Senator Durbin and congresswoman Ramirez took leadership against dehumanization and highlighted the case of Wadee Alfayoumi at the congressional hearing. Unfortunately, we did not see that reality at the state level in Wadees district, Mozaffar said. Media, elected officials and public narratives all play a role in ending dehumanization and every elected official can play a powerful role. In a written statement, Durbin said he hopes to show that hate in all its forms has no place in America. We must confront the rise in hate crimes targeting vulnerable communities in our country, including Jewish, Palestinian, Arab and Muslim Americans, Durbin said. Our hearing on Tuesday will do exactly that. Ill be honored to welcome Wadee Alfayoumis mom Hanaan Shahin to our nations capital and pay my respects in person for the horrific loss of her son that shocked so many in Illinois and across the nation. Since Durbin became chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the committee has held several hearings to examine hate crimes, including one shortly after the Jan. 15, 2022, synagogue attack in Colleyville, Texas, and one on the threat of domestic terrorism following a mass shooting by a white supremacist in Buffalo in May 2022. Mozaffar said the Wadee Resolution addresses multifaith issues and seeks protection for anyone subject to hate because of the expression of their ethnicity or religion, whether verbally or through the wearing of items such as hijab, keffiyeh, turban, mitpachat, tichel, shpitzel, sheitel, kippah or yarmulke. Tuesdays 10 a.m. hearing will feature experts who will discuss the ongoing systemic discrimination against Palestinians and Muslims in the United States, the Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition said. Shahin will be in the front row, along with community members who have been outspoken about the horrors they have witnessed in Gaza as well as its impact on families in America. Thaer Ahmad, an emergency physician from the South Side of Chicago who traveled to Gaza earlier this year, will be joining the coalition in D.C., where he hopes the hearing will mark a turning point. Were at a critical juncture: We either have to do something right now and really start to combat (hate crimes) in a serious way, or expect that its going to continue to happen and its going to get worse and worse, Ahmad said. Everybody is really, really upset and grieving about whats taking place in Gaza. And we see that connection. Youve got tens of thousands of kids who have been killed, maimed, injured; and then here you have this very visceral image of this 6-year-old being stabbed to death by this grown man. Ahmad, who is Palestinian and a father of two young girls, said widespread misrepresentation of Muslims, including Arab Americans, has contributed to a lack of nationwide support and outcry for tragedies in those communities. How come our kids arent given that sort of presumption of innocence? he said. We have to fight and claw our way to create that safe space for our children. Ahmad said the hearing will also be a space to share stories about who Wadee was a little boy who celebrated his 6th birthday a few days before being killed. In a photo shared by Wadees father following the attack, Wadee is wearing a sparkly blue birthday hat with the TV screen behind him paused on a Happy Birthday to You song remix. Its not just a 6 year old that was stabbed to death who happened to be Palestinian. He was an actual person who had a story, Ahmad added. He had his own dreams as a 6-year-old what did he use to imagine when he played make believe? What was his favorite food? We want to be able to share that as part of this whole idea that false narratives have led to these crimes. What are you going to tell me about a 6-year-old once you find out his name, once you see his picture, once you see how he smiled? The Illinois Civic Muslim Coalition said the hearing is the first-ever congressional hearing on anti-Palestinian hate crimes. Organizers with the group said the hearing follows months of delays and political debates regarding the urgency of addressing anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim discourse. Its very important for Congress and the policymakers in this nation to be in the know of who the victims of hate crimes are in this, in the aftermath of Oct. 7, on U.S. soil, Mozaffar said. And that includes Palestinians, Muslims, Jews, Arabs and their allies, and not one person should be overlooked, not one group should be overlooked. A construction project at San Pedro High School in Los Angeles revealed nearly 9-million-year-old sea creature fossils buried under the school. Scientists believe the area was once fully underwater, which would explain the bounty of marine fossils. Along with beds of shells and millions of fish bones, researchers discovered the fossil of a prehistoric megalodon. Most high schoolers only get to study fossils through textbooks and videos. But students at San Pedro High School in Los Angeles got a much more up-close-and-personal experience thanks to the discovery of millions of fossils dated millions of years old underneath their campus. When a construction project to renovate the school kicked off in 2022, fossilsranging from a saber-tooth salmon to shorebirds and sea turtles to a prehistoric megalodonstarted turning up pretty quickly. I thought this stuff was something that never happens, especially around here, student Taya Olson told KABC. It only happens in textbooks. And those finds have not slowed. For the next two years, the fossil finds kept coming, with numbers of bones from sea creatures of all sorts growing into the millions. It represents an entire ecology of the ocean nine million years ago, said Wayne Bischoff, director of cultural resources at Envicom Corporation. So far, the project has uncovered out over 200 species, but it could take years before experts know the true extent of the find. The fact that millions of fossils have been unearthed on this site has led to a new era of concentrative studies that will bring notoriety to this community and this high school, said Alberto Carvalho, Los Angeles Unified School District superintendent. Located west of Long Beach on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the campus was unknowingly sitting atop two different fossil hotspotsa bone bed from the Miocene era (nearly nine million years ago), and a shell bed from the Pleistocene era (roughly 120,000 years old ), according to the Los Angeles Times. Theres never been this type of density of fossils ever found at a site like this before in California, Bischoff told the newspaper, adding that the find confirms the existing scientific idea that ancient Los Angeles was once underwater. The oldest of the fossils were trapped within a fossilized algae known as diatomite.The algae concentration points to a nutrient-rich area that could have fed a variety of marine lifeeven including dolphins and whales. Bischoff said that the wealth of fossils mixed with shore material has given rise to the theory that a whole prehistoric island once washed onto what is now the L.A. shore. The fossilized finds are now mostly in the hands of researcherswhether from the school district, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, Cal State Channel Islands, or the natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Milad Esfahani, a San Pedro High School student, even got in on the research at the Natural History Museum by sorting fossilized shells. It was sort of like gold panning, he told the Times, adding he now hopes to become a marine paleontologist. Mining the fossilized beds can give researchers an exceptional view into the past. Its the entire ecosystem from an age thats gone, Bischoff told LAist. We have all this evidence to help future researchers put together what an entire ecology looked like nine million years ago. Thats really rare. You Might Also Like The logo of AT&T outside of AT&T corporate headquarters on March 13, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. The telecom reached an agreement with union workers in the Southeast this weekend to raise pay 19.3% for all employees. (File/Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) AT&T workers with the Communication Workers of America (CWA) in the Southeast returned to work Monday after a 30-day strike. Approximately 800 AT&T technicians, customer service representatives and other workers in South Carolina were on strike for the past month. They joined 17,000 CWA District 3 members on strike across the Southeast. The AT&T Southeast union contract covers workers in Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky and North Carolina. That ended when AT&T and the union made a strong tentative agreement on Sunday according to the unions press release. AT&T and CWA reached a five-year contract with a focus on wages and healthcare costs. The agreement calls for all workers to receive a 19.33% wage increase, while wire technicians and utility operations would see an additional 3% increase. Healthcare premiums will remain the same this year but will lower in the second and third years. The union reports that there will be modest monthly increases in the final two years. We are incredibly proud of our members and thank CWA members, retirees and allies across the country for the solidarity that has sustained us through these difficult negotiations, said CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt. Their willingness to make sacrifices in order to win major improvements in their contract not just for themselves, but for future members is truly inspiring. AT&T Chief Operating Officer Jeff McElfresh said the companys initial goal was to come to a fair contract for the workers. As weve said since day one, our goal has been to reach fair agreements that recognize the hard work our employees do to serve our customers with competitive market-based pay and benefits that are among the best in the nation and thats exactly what was accomplished, said McElfresh. These agreements also support our competitive position in the broadband industry where we can grow and win against our mostly non-union competitors. Prior to the agreement, CWA filed unfair labor charges against the Dallas-based telecom with the National Labor Relations Board. It accused the company of not bargaining in good faith, engaging in surface bargaining, and not sending representatives to the bargaining table with the authority to make decisions. Negotiations had been taking place since June. The tentative agreement is not set yet. Union members will review the agreement and then hold a ratification vote. If more than 50% of the members vote for the agreement, then the districts bargaining committee will recommend ratification. McElfresh said that is expected to happen in the coming weeks. Like SC Daily Gazette, Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com. Follow Alabama Reflector on Facebook and X. (WSPA) When you are signing a contract for a product or service, what you dont read can harm you. In this 7NEWS Consumer Exclusive, a warning about auto-renewal policies that can lock you into a decade of payments, even if you dont want the service. The quiet life for Herbert McCoy, in Greenwood, was anything but, after 5 years locked into an agreement with a home security company that he says would not let up. They just kept calling aggravating, I bet they would call 50 times in a week, Herbert said. McCoy said Alder Home Security failed to protect him for the last 3 years of payments after the system broke. So he told them over the phone he would not renew and then? They told me I couldnt get out of this contract. He had fulfilled his original 5-year contract, so he told his bank to block all drafts, and thats when the debt collection calls started. Dangers of auto-renewal The problem: Since the contract had a built-in auto-renewal policy, it signed him up for another 5 years and McCoy said Alder refused to cancel it over the phone. He had never been given a paper copy so he didnt know he had to cancel in writing. McCoys son-in-law, Adrian Little, reached out to 7NEWS after tracking down what turned out to be a 13-page contract through the Better Business Bureau. We did not sign this, this is not my father-in-laws signature in either of those places, Little said pointing to the contract. We had not seen the contract until a few weeks ago, so we had not signed the contract either, he added. Like I told them, I said, thats not my signature, McCoy confirmed. He then showed 7NEWS the real McCoy on his drivers license. When he compared it to the contract signature, McCoy said it looked nothing like the other. Attorney Rodney Pillsbury, in Greenville, said forgery makes any contract void, but even without that possibility, he said the document raises red flags. The disparity, and the terms and the application, it is so one-sided in favor of the corporation, Pillsbury said. He pointed to examples like the 60-month renewal period with early termination charges of 90% of all monies due for the remaining term. It would have added up to more than $3,000 for McCoy, but he didnt have to pay it because 7NEWS Here to Help got Alder to cancel the contract. Id a still be being harassed by them people if you hadnt come here and checked into this, McCoy said. Switched without consent Just when the quiet life was returning and the phone calls had stopped came a heart-stopping notice in the mail. It was one of those cases where your jaw really does sort of hit the floor when you read something like this, Little said. The letter from Alder said it had exciting news to share, informing McCoy his account had been transferred to ADT. And soon after, the bills started to arrive. It was like being rescued from a sinking boat and finding the helicopter youd been rescued in was going down into the sea and youre going to need to be rescued again, Little said. Alders response So what does Alder have to say? The company sent us a video showing what appeared to be McCoy agreeing to the initial service agreement while speaking with a virtual assistant who said Did you sign and do you fully understand the terms and conditions in your agreement? McCoy and his family told 7NEWS they never recall seeing that video, and that McCoy was never made clear about the terms and conditions. Alder also sent a full statement that read, in part: For the safety of our customers, Alder requires a formal written notice of cancellation, either via email or letter. Our records indicate that Alder attempted to contact Mr. McCoy on at least four occasions to notify him that we were awaiting his written cancellation request. The statement also addressed the transfer of service calling the contract inadvertently assigned to ADT. Pattern of complaints More than 1,000 Better Business Bureau complaints show a pattern of that unexpected transfer leaving customers locked into new service they didnt approve and stuck with hefty bills. 7NEWS reached out to ADT, and that service was canceled, too, with no charge. However, many of those BBB complaints show ADT did not cancel the service. How to fight these types of contracts Whether or not you have a news team on your side, you can fight these types of contracts in small claims court. The cost is minimal since you dont need an attorney to represent you, but you would be wise to consult with one about your strongest arguments. Civil claims in Magistrate Courts in South Carolina must not exceed $7,500 in damages. The first step is to file this complaint form, which you can also do at the courthouse where the clerk of court may be able to give you some guidance on filling it out, but no legal advice. The form information required includes: Parties names and addresses Brief description of the claim The amount of money (or other relief) the plaintiff is seeking Any supporting document can be attached There will be a filing fee, but if cant afford it, you can file a motion to have it waived. McCoy is once again enjoying the peaceful life, and if any stranger comes round, he said, I will never buy nothing else from a door salesman. They can come in here selling Bibles, I aint buying one. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (WSAV) The beaches on Hilton Head Island are big draws for locals and visitors alike and part of the selling point is the fact there are no or small fees to park near the sand. But the Town Council could soon change that. The Hilton Head Island Town Council will debate increased parking fees for all parking lots at Island beaches. In the proposed resolution, visitors could pay as much as $5 an hour or $30 a day to park in beach parking lots at Fish Haul Beach Park, Folly Field Beach Park, Driessen Beach Park, Chaplin Community Park/Burkes Beach, Coligny Beach Park and Alders Lane. Weve heard from council members that they think $3 an hour may be appropriate on the high end, said Gruber. Its closer to $5 an hour with a mix of daily caps built in or just flat fees. And again, theyre looking at data from other communities and trying to evaluate with the market thats out there, where do we find ourselves so that were not necessarily at the bottom, were not necessarily at the top, and probably in a sweet spot somewhere in between. Hilton Head Island leaders say the increased fees would help cover the costs of the $625,000 the Island is paying for parking services at those seven spots. We want to influence peoples parking decisions, said Josh Gruber, Assistant Town Manager for Hilton Head Island. We want to be able to provide them with better information about parking availability. And then, ultimately, we want to have a better-managed program that balances enforcement with the ability to provide quality service. Residents could get a break. Right now they pay $15 a year for parking permits. But in this proposal, they could get two permits for free. The Town wants the day trippers and visitors who come just to use the beach to help pay for the services needed to make sure Hilton Head Island remains beautiful. The reality is people who live outside of Hilton Head Island do want to come here and by looking at the license plates, the majority come from Georgia and South Carolina, says Gruber. I think it makes sense for Council to continue these discussions to figure out where is that balance between making sure that those folks are paying for the benefits that they receiving, but not being overly burdened in terms of having to pay more than what they would have to go to any other beach community? Lee Lucier is the Chief Operating Officer of the Richardson Group, which owns multiple businesses on the Island. The original parking study was done in 2020 or 2021 and its 2024. Its almost 2025, explains Lucier. Lets be realistic. Things have hugely changed in those three or four years. He says more information should be gathered before any new fees are put in place. Our question in the town is, can we get the data that says we actually need this? What is the economic background on what it could do to tax base and the customer base? says Lucier. What study, what dynamic, what financial analysis has been done not just so cleanly. You know, theres 115 businesses on the Pope Avenue corridor. Have we looked at that? Have we looked at the tax impact the labor impact, the merchants impact and generally the state of local businesses? Lucier says local business is down significantly already in this post-Covid year. So he doesnt want any more barriers to people spending when they come to Hilton Head Island. We should be respectful of people and come in here and open doors to them because theyre bringing their investment, their money to the community. So we need to be easy to do business with, not tough to do business with, said Lucier. Its really curious to us why the town would go down this path of charging and limiting parking and impact on the businesses when these are 95% of local businesses that live here have raised their families here, are raising their families, and they invest in the community. Lucier says Coligny Plaza, right across the street from Coligny Beach, already has to pay for security to keep beachgoers from parking in their lot and not spending in their businesses. This could make that more necessary, and more costly. It comes back to why is it needed, whats it for and what is the real purpose of it? says Lucier. Are we trying to limit traffic? Are we trying are we truly trying to impact businesses? You know, employee housing is no, I think it comes up so much. Gruber says while the issue is on the Council agenda, there are still questions to be answered and changes that could be made. The hours of operation, the times that youll charge for parking, says Gruber. The times that you wont charge for parking in one of the most recent things that weve talked about is just a seasonal collection of parking fees to really target our busiest times of the year. Town Council will take up the issue at their meeting on Tuesday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TikTok and the US government clashed in court Monday over the constitutionality of a looming US law that, if left in place, would shutter the Chinese-owned social media app unless it sells to an American owner. The law the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act bars US foreign adversaries China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from controlling certain US mobile applications. TikTok and a group of its users asked the US Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., to block the government from enforcing the act, which requires TikToks Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to either divest its US operations to a US company by Jan. 19 or face a nationwide ban. The matter, however decided, is expected to be challenged in a petition to the US Supreme Court. According to TikTok and a group of content creators who use the platform, the law violates the US Constitution by singling them out and infringing on their protected speech. What its doing is taking away the rights of an American speaker, TikToks lawyer, Andrew Pincus, said during a hearing before a three-judge panel. TikTok Attorney Andrew Pincus, left, accompanied by his team, leaves the federal courthouse in Washington, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, after a hearing on TikTok's lawsuit against the federal government. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Justice Department lawyer Daniel Tenny disagreed. His view: The act was a valid decision by Congress to protect Americans data from abuse by foreign adversaries, targeting only foreign covert manipulation of content that doesn't qualify as protected speech. If you call the covert manipulation of content expression ... it is not expression by Americans in America. It is expression by Chinese engineers in China, Tenny said. The motivation for the law, he said, was national security and had nothing to do with protected speech and TikToks sale to a US entity would allow expressive activity on the platform to persist. The judges, Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan, Circuit Judge Neomi Rao, and Senior Circuit Judge Douglas Ginsburg, pressed both sides on whether TikToks US entity, ultimately controlled by its Chinese parent ByteDance, is entitled to speech protection and whether a strict or intermediate level of scrutiny should apply to evaluate the laws constitutionality. Tougher scrutiny is applied when certain types of speech restrictions are imposed on US citizens and US entities. Judge Rao, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, asked TikTok why the court should extend any constitutional protections to TikTok when the US Supreme Court has held that no such right exists for foreign speakers outside the US. Does the First Amendment even apply? Rao asked. TikTok's Pincus characterized both TikTok and its users as constitutionally protected speakers and argued that TikTok gained constitutional protection by establishing its US arm, TikTok US. Story continues Jeffrey Fisher, a lawyer for TikToks users, argued that the act directly implicates his clients First Amendment rights by taking away their right to select a publisher of their choice. Once that speech is directed into the US, and certainly once that speech is in concert with other Americans, and indeed propagated by other Americans, the speech is not Chinese speech, it is American speech that, at most, is curated by a foreign company, Pincus said. Judge Ginsburg, a Reagan appointee, shot back at TikToks contention that the law singled out the platform. Thats a rather blinkered view that the statute just singles out one company, Ginsburg said, adding that TikTok happens to be an entity subject to the law after it engaged in two years of negotiations with the US government and failed to reach an agreement. Talia Cadet, TikTok creator and advocate, speaks to reporters outside of the US Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) (Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images) Judge Srinivasan, an Obama appointee, expressed concern that content curated abroad by TikTok is still consumed by American recipients who are entitled to First Amendment protection. What you're doing is you're targeting curation, he told Tenny, ... its just that the curation that's being targeted is happening abroad. But Tenny argued that because the law does not target TikTok users, the expressions they receive on the app are not automatically protected by the First Amendment. Tenny said the law addresses a particular problem for the US in that the data collected by TikTok for its commercial purposes is also valuable to the Chinese government. That data, he said, includes users patterns, contacts, where they go, who they interact with, and what sort of content interests them, and foreign adversaries use that information to recruit Americans as intelligence assets or to cater messages that support their own national security. Under Chinese law, the data can be used to compromise US security, he said, because TikTok must turn over its user data to Chinese officials if they demand it. The judges' ruling could turn on the level of scrutiny applied in their review of the act. Judge Rao asked TikTok why the court would need to apply its toughest standard to TikTok's expressions, even if the platform were entitled to First Amendment rights as a US corporation. Pincus reiterated TikTok's contention that it was signaled out by the law and that in those cases strict scrutiny applies. He said in such cases where a foreign speaker's speech is restricted, US courts have, at most, required a label explaining the content's purported risk. Correction: A previous version of this article misspelled the name of Justice Department lawyer Daniel Tenny. We regret the error. Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on X @alexiskweed. Click here for the latest technology news that will impact the stock market Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance COUNCIL BUFF, Iowa (KCAU) A Council Bluff man was sentenced after being charged with possessing with the intent to distribute meth and marijuana. According to a press release, Dereck Meyer, 34, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison on Sept. 13 for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana. Former Armstrong, Iowa police chief changes plea after jury set for trial Meyer pled guilty on April 19 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Evidence at the pled showed that on Nov. 19, 2022, officers stopped Meyers vehicle in Dension, Iowa. There he admitted to having marijuana, failed to follow the officers commands, and drove off resulting in a pursuit. Meyer drove into an alley and was taken into custody. Officers searched his vehicle and found 55.46 grams of methamphetamine. Officers also seized four plastic bags each containing about 28 grams of marijuana, a clear plastic bag of 4.4 grams of marijuana, and a clear plastic bag containing 3 grams of suspected cocaine. Meyer intended to distribute some or all of the drugs to another person or persons. In 2011, Meyer was previously convicted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa for possession with intent to distribute more than 5 grams of methamphetamine within a protected location. Meyer was sentenced to 144 months and he must serve an eight-year term of supervised release. Meyer remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WVNS) An open burn ban was announced for Raleigh County on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. According to the Raleigh County Commission, a countywide open burn ban for Raleigh County was announced due to drought conditions in the state. The open burn ban will last until further notice. Countywide burn ban announced for Greenbrier County Exceptions to the burn ban include: Fires for chemical production use, such as when fire is necessary for operation. Fires for commercial land clearing, which includes highway construction and development, and mining, as long as a permit is gathered from the West Virginia Division of Forestry before the burn begins. Training fires held under the immediate control and supervision of qualified instructors at a training facility ran by a fire department or government entity, as long a permit is obtained from the West Virginia Division of Forestry before burning starts. Fires for outdoor cooking held for fundraising events and charitable organizations. Necessary permits need to be obtained from the West Virginia Division of Forestry before burning begins, and a water source that can put out the fire needs to be present. Liquid fueled gas grills, lanterns, or liquid fueled gas fire stoves. Other laws that apply to burning and in the West Virginia Code for outdoor burning will also need to be followed. Burn ban announced for Fayette County The Raleigh County Commission stated that anyone who violates the open burn ban will be guilty of a misdemeanor, and will be fined between $5 and $50 if convicted. If a person violates the open burn ban a second time, they will be fined between $25 and $100 if they are convicted. People who violate the ban three or more times and are convicted will be fined between $100 and $500 or put in the county jail for a maximum of 90 days, or the person could be both fined and put in prison. Not only will the people who violate the burn ban face fines or even possible jail time, they will also be responsible for the cost needed to put out the fire by certified fire or volunteer fire departments. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) A man and woman pleaded guilty and were sentenced in a Warren child endangering case on Tuesday. Zackary Woomer, 25, and Adrianna Bellar, 27, each pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child endangering charges in Warren Municipal Court, according to court records. They were sentenced to probation. The two were charged after police reported finding a 3-year-old child living in filthy conditions at an apartment on South Street SE. When officers arrived, they saw bugs crawling out from underneath the front door, and inside they saw feces matted everywhere on the carpeting, raw trash thrown about, and the child was discovered sleeping on a bare mattress in a bedroom where insects were flying around, according to a police report. According to court records, a caseworker reported that the only issue in the home was cleanliness and that has since been resolved. She reported making multiple visits to the home with no other issues. 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. FILE - This undated booking photo provided by the Missouri Department of Corrections shows Marcellus Williams. (Missouri Department of Corrections via AP, File) ST. LOUIS (AP) The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office will appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court a judge's ruling upholding the conviction and death sentence for Marcellus Williams, whose execution is one week away. A notice of appeal filed Monday night did not include any details about the basis for the appeal. Meanwhile, a clemency petition to Gov. Mike Parson emphasizes how relatives of the murder victim oppose the execution of Williams. And attorneys for Williams on Tuesday asked a federal court to reconsider a previous denial of an appeal alleging that Black prospective jurors were not selected for Williams' 2001 criminal trial because of their race. Williams is Black. Williams, 55, is set to die by injection Sept. 24 for the 1998 stabbing death of Lisha Gayle inside her home in University City, Missouri. It would be the third execution in Missouri this year and the 14th nationwide. Democratic St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell cited questions about DNA evidence on the murder weapon in requesting a hearing challenging Williams' guilt. Bell said the evidence indicated that someone elses DNA was on the butcher knife used to kill Gayle, but not that of Williams. But days before an Aug. 21 hearing, new testing showed that the DNA evidence was spoiled because members of the prosecutor's office touched the knife without gloves before the original trial in 2001. With the DNA evidence unavailable, Midwest Innocence Project attorneys working on behalf of Williams reached a compromise with the prosecutors office: Williams would enter a new, no-contest plea to first-degree murder in exchange for a new sentence of life in prison without parole. Judge Bruce Hilton signed off on the agreement, as did Gayles family. But at Republican Attorney General Andrew Baileys urging, the Missouri Supreme Court blocked the agreement and ordered Hilton to proceed with an evidentiary hearing. Hilton ruled on Sept. 12 that the first-degree murder conviction and death sentence would stand. Every claim of error Williams has asserted on direct appeal, post-conviction review, and habeas review has been rejected by Missouris courts, Hilton wrote. There is no basis for a court to find that Williams is innocent, and no court has made such a finding." The Midwest Innocence Project provided The Associated Press with a copy of the clemency petition that asks Parson to spare Williams' life. Parson, a Republican and a former county sheriff, has been in office for 11 executions, and he has never granted clemency. The petition focuses heavily on how Gayle's relatives want the sentence commuted to life without parole. The family defines closure as Marcellus being allowed to live, the petition states. Marcellus execution is not necessary. A spokesman for Parson said in an email Tuesday that attorneys for the governor's office have met with Williams' legal team, and Parson will announce a decision later, typically at least a day before the scheduled execution. At the August hearing, Assistant Attorney General Michael Spillane said that DNA evidence aside, other evidence pointed to his guilt. They refer to the evidence in this case as being weak. It was overwhelming, Spillane said. Also at the hearing, the man who prosecuted Williams, Keith Larner, was asked why the trial jury included just one Black juror. Larner said he struck just three potential Black jurors, including one who he said looked like Williams. Hayley Bedard, a spokesperson for the Death Penalty Information Center, said there have been no verified instance of an innocent person being executed in the U.S. since capital punishment was reintroduced in 1972, but there have been nearly two dozen people executed despite strong and credible claims of innocence. Prosecutors at Williams original trial said he broke into Gayles home on Aug. 11, 1998, heard water running in the shower, and found a large butcher knife. When Gayle came downstairs, she was stabbed 43 times. Her purse and her husbands laptop were stolen. Authorities said Williams stole a jacket to conceal blood on his shirt. Williams girlfriend asked him why he would wear a jacket on a hot day. The girlfriend said she later saw the laptop in the car and that Williams sold it a day or two later. Prosecutors also cited testimony from Henry Cole, who shared a cell with Williams in 1999 while Williams was jailed on unrelated charges. Cole told prosecutors Williams confessed to the killing and offered details about it. Williams attorneys responded that the girlfriend and Cole were both convicted of felonies and wanted a $10,000 reward. Williams has been close to execution before. In August 2017, just hours before his scheduled death, then-Gov. Eric Greitens, a Republican, granted a stay after reviewing the same DNA evidence that spurred Bells effort to vacate the conviction. A change.org petition signed by 525,000 people calls for a halt to the execution. (FOX40.COM) After more than a year of the Department of State Hospitals looking for a location to place sexually violent predator William Stephenson, Placer County has gained court permission to expand the search area into Sacramento County. During a continuation hearing on Monday, the Placer County District Attorneys Office filed a motion of extraordinary circumstances that would allow the Department of State Hospitals to broaden their search to both Placer and Sacramento counties, according to the district attorneys office. Sacramento PD chase ATV through town as suspect live streams on social media Since the initial announcement of Stephensons release from prison in July 2023, DSH has faced continuous pushback from Placer County and its residents on his placement in Placer County. Stephenson has told the court that he has a greater connection to Sacramento County as he was born and raised there and has family that still lives in the county. Representatives from the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office were present at the meeting and objected to the expanded search. Approval of the motion does not mean that Stephenson will be placed in Sacramento, as the court ordered DSH to look for suitable placement locations in both counties. Stephensons placement hearings will continue at 11 a.m. on Dec. 16 in Department 32 in Roseville. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Hoosier inmates could access gender-affirming surgeries, striking a state law banning such procedures. (Getty Images) A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction on Tuesday halting a statewide ban on gender-affirming procedures for those incarcerated by the Indiana Department of Correction. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Young granted to motion, presented by the ACLU of Indiana, in a lawsuit concerning Autumn Cordelliones access to gender-affirming surgery while incarcerated. Today marks a significant victory for transgender individuals in Indianas prisons. Denying evidence-based medical care to incarcerated people simply because they are transgender is unconstitutional. We are pleased that the Court agreed, said Ken Falk, the ACLUs legal director, in a statement. A 2023 law prohibits spending any state or federal funds on such health care, even if recommended by a provider, though access to hormonal therapy is still allowed. In 2023, roughly 36 people were receiving hormonal therapy, according to testimony, but none had received a gender-affirming surgery. However, the filing indicates that two transgender IDOC prisoners were approved for surgery before the July 1, 2023 law went into effect and had surgeries at Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis. Tuesdays court filing doesnt specify how the costs associated with those surgeries were covered. Cordellione requested her gender reassignment surgery in 2022, providing follow-up information in the months prior to the states new law, according to the filing. Background from the ruling Cordellione, a transgender woman, is currently being held in a male prison and has received hormonal therapy since 2020. Her court filing claimed the prohibition on gender-affirming surgery violated her right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment and violated the Fourteenth Amendments Equal Protection Clause. The 42-page ruling from Young found that Cordellione had established that gender-confirming surgery is a medically necessary treatment option for some individuals with gender dysphoria and that she qualified to receive that care. Much of the evidence cited and presented in the March hearing stems from medical testimony and academic articles presented by the state. Young agreed to strike some of these filings from the court record, since they didnt come from the states expert witnesses. While some transgender persons are able to be comfortable with their gender identity without surgery, for some, nonsurgical treatments are not sufficient to relieve their severe gender dysphoria, Young wrote, citing standards established by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Some transgender women, for example, might try to remove their own testes and penis via self-surgery, Young added. When gender dysphoria remains marked and sustained, it is medically necessary to provide the surgery Without such surgery, a genderdysphoric person may suffer increasingly debilitating symptoms of anxiety, depression, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and other manifestations of psychological decompensation and may resort to suicide, Young wrote. Cordellione has a history of both self-harm and suicide attempts, as detailed in the court filing, including attempts to remove her genitals. For these individuals, surgery is medically necessary and is recognized as such by the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the World Health Organization, among others, Young said. Young went on to cite studies finding high acceptance rates and greater life satisfaction for transgender people who access gender-affirming surgeries. However, like with all surgeries, informed consent must be part of the process, Young added. Currently, IDOC covers surgeries that include the removal of sexual reproductive organs for cisgender prisoners, Young observed. Cordellione reported that her gender dysphoria is getting worse and seeks gender-affirming surgery as soon as possible, which she believes would alleviate her gender dysphoria and allow her to live without constant thoughts of harming or killing herself. the court believes that Ms. Cordellione feels great distress concerning her genitalia and credits her belief that gender-affirming surgery would alleviate some of the pain she experiences from her gender dysphoria and would reduce the likelihood that she engages in self-harm or tries to commit suicide, Young wrote. Young notes that IDOCs own policy allowed prisoners to be evaluated and approved for gender-affirming surgeries prior to the General Assemblys intervention, and the agency didnt alter its stance because of changes within the medical community. Youngs ruling orders a 90-day review of the injunction until surgery is provided to Cordellione. pi_order SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The man accused of killing a Providence nurse faced an updated charge of first-degree murder in court during a hearing Monday afternoon, according to the Washington County District Attorneys Office. Bryce Schubert, 27, is accused in the murder of Melissa Jubane after she was reported missing on Wednesday, Sept. 4 and found dead two days later. Bryce Schubert, the accused killer of Melissa Jubane, as he was seen in his arraignment on a first-degree murder charge in Washington County, September 16, 2024 (KOIN) Schubert originally faced a charge of second degree-murder, but it as since been updated to first-degree murder, according to the DAs office. He also faces first-degree kidnapping and abuse of a corpse charges. Portland traffic among the worst in the U.S., report shows The Washington County courtroom of Judge Rebecca Guptill was packed, with Jubanes friends sitting in the back of the court. For the second time in as many weeks, Schubert did not physically appear in court to hear these updated charges, instead appearing on a screen behind a cell door at the county jail. Judge Guptill asked Schubert if he was able to hear the proceedings. Yes, maam, he said. His attorney, Gregory Scholl, entered a not guilty plea on Schuberts behalf to the amended charges. The judge accepted the plea. The details of the crime remain sealed. Schuberts next court appearance is set for the afternoon of October 15. After the proceeding, Scholl offered only a no comment when asked about the case by KOIN 6 News. Jubanes friends who spoke with KOIN 6 News said they dont know what to say regarding these amended charges. At a vigil last week, her friends and colleagues remembered her best moments, that she was bubbly, passionate, knowledgeable and interesting. Melissa Jubane in an undated photo provided September 7, 2024 (Courtesy) Schubert had been Jubanes neighbor at an apartment complex in Beaverton and was arrested in connection to the case after her remains were collected by law enforcement. On Sept. 9, a lawyer pleaded not guilty on Schuberts behalf. On the day Jubane went missing, her co-workers immediately reported that she had missed her shift at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. Officials later confirmed that Jubane had died on the same day as her disappearance. Large vegetation fire burns in St. Johns neighborhood According to a Providence spokesperson, Schubert had been briefly employed as a Providence Portland Medical Center nurse from September 2022 to October 2023. However, Schubert was not employed at the Providence location where Jubane had worked. Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Angie Mogensen, left, and Jeanne Lupo run a Court Watch program that monitors sentencing trends in Milwaukee County reckless driving cases. Mogensen's daughter-in-law Erin Mogensen was killed Nov. 2, 2023, in a crash involving an alleged reckless driver. Angie Mogensen is supposed to be babysitting right now. Her little grandchild should be bouncing in her arms or giggling in front of the living room TV, watching episodes of "Bluey" and "Peppa Pig" for the umpteenth time. Instead, a car crash last November that police and prosecutors say was completely avoidable changed everything. Since then, getting justice has been a long, painful journey. Mogensen and Jeanne Lupo are quickly becoming fixtures at the Milwaukee County courthouse as part of a new and growing volunteer effort aimed at keeping court officials accountable. The women head up a new Court Watch Program that aims to monitor court proceedings of selected reckless driving cases, particularly those in which a victim is hurt or killed. Mogensen became an active member after the death of her daughter-in-law, Erin Mogensen, and the ending of her pregnancy. Lupo is the organization's president. Its dozen or so members are often pretty noticeable in court; they carry clipboards and wear lime-green credentials on their chests that read "Court Watch." Their visibility is intentional: They want to stick out. They want prosecutors and judges to know someone is keeping an eye on them. "My friends and family and I just decided we're tired of seeing all these reckless driving cases on TV and in the headlines," Lupo said. "Something has to be done about this. And it all starts with the court system." Court Watchers are tracking about 800 felony reckless driving cases in the county. They also plan to record prosecutors' sentencing recommendations and judges' sentencing decisions. Lupo said the group intends to report the outcomes and any sentencing patterns they observe to the public. Milwaukee County continues to wrestle with reckless driving Milwaukee and its surrounding suburbs have for years struggled to get the upper hand on reckless driving and speeding. This year has been no different. At least 63 people have died in crashes on Milwaukee County roads in 2024 through Sept. 8, the most updated figure provided Monday by the state Department of Transportation. A year ago at this time, there were 91 road fatalities reported in the county. Milwaukee police have issued 2,960 citations for speeding so far in 2024, compared with 6,518 tickets in all of last year, city traffic data shows. In all, roughly a third of the citations this year were handed out to drivers who were stopped for driving more than 20 mph over the posted speed limit. Erin Marie Mogensen, 32, of Shorewood, was killed on her fourth wedding anniversary in a Nov. 2, 2023 crash involving an alleged reckless driver. Her mother-in-law Angie Mogensen volunteers with a group that monitors judges and lawyers in reckless driving cases. A mother-to-be is killed in reckless driving crash For Mogensen, the problem of reckless driving hits close to home. It was around 10:40 a.m. on Nov. 2, 2023, that a Wauwatosa police officer attempted to pull over a BMW that was missing a license plate on West Capitol Drive. The BMW took off. The officer initially gave chase, but then terminated the pursuit for safety reasons, and then came upon a crash scene at West Capitol Drive and North 100th Street in Milwaukee. Surveillance video shows the BMW running a red light and crashing into a Toyota. Mogensen's daughter-in-law was in the Toyota and was killed. The driver of the BMW ran away on foot, but was later apprehended. Erin Mogensen, a 32-year-old Shorewood native, was two months pregnant at the time. The day Erin Mogensen died also marked her fourth wedding anniversary with Angie Mogensen's son, Alex. "There's a significant increase in reckless driving here, and we don't know why," Angie Mogensen said. "Maybe this (program) will raise awareness to where people become more engaged, and try to help us identify what we need to do to get rid of this problem." Prosecutors have charged Frank Mosley with four felonies, including first-degree reckless homicide, in the crash that claimed Erin Mogensen's life. Mosley, 20, of Milwaukee, is a local rapper known as Lil Frank. His trial is set to begin Monday. Several laws have recently been created to fight reckless driving In April, Gov. Tony Evers signed a bipartisan bill support increasing all penalties for reckless driving, this includes an increase in jail time for reckless driving that causes bodily harm from one year to two years. The sentence for reckless driving resulting in great bodily harm increases from 2 years to six years. Saying reckless driving in Milwaukee County has reached "a crisis level," County Executive David Crowley in August signed legislation affirming the county's commitment to Vision Zero, a strategy that seeks to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries. The county had previously been awarded nearly $2 million in state and federal funding that is intended to increase multimodal safety and reduce reckless driving. 'Any of us can be a victim of reckless driving' Lupo said the group is in the final stages of putting together the first report on its findings. The group also has for several months been providing victim and community impact statements to judges for sentencing consideration. It did so for the sentencing for Robert Lavelle Jones, who pleaded guilty earlier this month to killing an aspiring Milwaukee barber in a crash. "We want to encourage neighborhoods and residents to participate in court proceedings," Lupo said. "We need to send the message that reckless driving is no longer acceptable in our communities." "If the consequences aren't meted out in the courtroom, then the criminal gets the message that what he did isn't going to have consequences, and the public isn't being protected," Lupo said. "And any of us can be a victim of reckless driving." Here's how you can help If you spot a reckless driver, you can report the person by calling (414) 935-3925 or by filling out the online Traffic Safety Unity form. This report will go directly to the city of Milwaukee's traffic safety unit analyst and will help police determine the areas for deployments. You can also report unusual or dangerous driving behavior in a Driver Condition or Behavior Report MV3141 to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. You can also call (608) 266-2327. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Court Watch tracks reckless driving cases through Milwaukee courts A makeshift memorial of flowers and signs outside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022. UVALDE, Texas Relatives and friends of the victims of the Uvalde school shooting shouted Coward! Coward! on Monday as one of the only two officers charged in the 2022 massacre sat in a white pickup outside a jail courthouse. The anger and emotion erupted at former Uvalde school district police officer Adrian Gonzales after a procedural hearing attended by family members and friends of the 19 children and two teachers who were killed. Gonzales and former school district police chief Pete Arredondo had been in the courtroom a few minutes earlier for the hearing. The encounter outside the jail courthouse is the first time since the shooting on May 24, 2022, that families of the victims have been in close proximity to Arredondo. The shooting is one of the worst mass school shootings on record. Despite the presence of hundreds of local, state and federal officers, the shooting has been blasted as a colossal failure after officers waited more than 70 minutes to breach the classroom and kill the gunman, who carried an AR-15 style rifle. Arredondo has been accused of failing to assume command. A Justice Department report said it was possible some children might have been saved had officers gone into the classroom earlier. Gonzales attorney had stopped to talk to the media. Family members gathered as he was finishing his comments and began shouting, sending him quickly into the truck, which quickly left the parking lot. Brett Cross, the father of Uziyah Garcia, one of the children who was killed, was among those at the hearing and in the crowd shouting Coward. Just to see him [Arredondo] sitting there so smugly, like he didnt do anything wrong, was upsetting, Cross said. Gonzales attorney told reporters that investigative reports on the shooting by the Justice Department and the Texas House did not suggest prosecuting his client. As law enforcement officers waited, children were dialing 911 and calling their parents asking for help. Recently released video and 911 calls include a call from a child survivor begging for rescue, saying, I dont want to die. Many families were also outside the school begging to be allowed in to get their children, but officers kept them back. Arredondo and Gonzales have been charged in connection with the massacre. Arredondo faces 10 counts of abandoning or endangering a child. The indictment says he intentionally, knowingly, recklessly and with criminal negligence placed 10 children in imminent danger of bodily injury, death, physical impairment and mental impairment. Both have pleaded not guilty. Arredondo has maintained that officers did not hesitate, that he was not the officer in charge and that he has been made a scapegoat. Gonzales is charged with 29 felony counts of abandoning or endangering a child; the indictment says he placed 29 children in imminent danger of injury or death. 'Frustrating' Its frustrating that these men just get to walk around free, smiling and joking and having fun, when our children are no longer here, said Cross, who wears a bracelet with his sons ashes and has his name tattooed on his right shoulder. Uziyah was 10 when he was killed. Arredondo had already left the grounds which is on Uvaldes outskirts well before families could confront him, family members said in the parking lot. At the hearing, Arredondo sat stoically in profile facing a side wall, making no eye contact with the family members in the approximately 45 minutes they were in the small and tightly controlled courtroom. Gonzales sat apart from Arredondo, facing the judge. Family members were in reserved benches to the left of Arredondo and Gonzales. They sat a few feet from the officers, behind the court rail. Jacklyn Cazares, 9, was among the victims. Jesse Rizo, her uncle, was waiting outside before the hearing when Arredondo arrived. He said they locked eyes and Arredondo turned away. He told NBC News that anger and tension welled up inside him when he saw Arredondo. In the courtroom, he showed a reporter that his hand was shaking. There had been some doubt among families that Arredondo would be in the courtroom, Rizo said. He said before the hearing that Arredondo needed to show in court. He didnt show up the day of the shooting you know his mind was absent that day, Rizo said, referring to Arredondos failure to stop the shooter for over an hour or breach the classrooms. The indictment accuses Arredondo of evacuating officers from the wing of the school before they confronted the shooter, even though he had been told an injured child or children were inside. It says he failed to determine whether the classroom door was locked or to provide keys or tools to get inside classrooms 111 and 112, the adjoining classrooms where the gunman killed the children and the teachers. Arredondo was in court because his attorney was trying to have the indictment dismissed, arguing he did not have a legal duty to perform his job well. At the hearing, attorneys for the state and for the officers discussed the sharing and non-sharing of documents and evidence. Arredondos attorney asked for time to read the voluminous evidence. He said that the case report from the district attorney is at least 3,500 pages and that evidence will be much more; he said combing through it will be a monumental task. The prosecutors told the judge that Border Patrol agents in the case have been cooperating. Another hearing was set for Dec. 19. Family members were also upset at the continued slow pace of the case. After the hearing recessed, Khloie Torres father, Ruben Torres, lashed out at 38th Judicial District Attorney Christina Mitchell, saying she was not doing her job and calling her lazy and unprofessional because some documents and reports were not yet complete. Mitchell had him removed from the courtroom. They are bullies, he said outside the courthouse. Asked about seeing Arredondo, he said, I could care less about that piece of s---. The shooter was finally stopped by a Border Patrol tactical team that led a group of officers into the classrooms who killed him. But a Customs and Border Protection report released last week criticized the 188 Border Patrol agents who were on the scene for failing to establish command and for inadvertently placing gunshot wound victims on a school bus without their first getting immediate medical treatment. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com (PUEBLO, Colo.) Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officers found a dead pronghorn near the Swallows State Wildlife Area on Sunday, Sept. 1, and CPW is asking for the publics help in identifying the person who shot it. According to CPW, the pronghorn was found 80 yards from the Swallows Road, which leads to the wildlife area. It was early in the morning, right around daylight on the first day of dove hunting season, said Gretchen Holschuh, District Wildlife Manager for the Pueblo West region. Were asking any dove hunters or visitors to the SWA that would have been out at that time for help. Holschuh said that anyone who illegally injures or kills wildlife could face misdemeanor charges, including harassment of wildlife, hunting big game without a license, illegal taking of wildlife, and careless use of a firearm. This was a senseless act where someone willfully killed this animal and just left it. These are poachers, not hunters, and we are going to investigate this fully, Holschuh said. Convictions may lead to fines from $750 to $13,000 and up to six months in jail, depending on the charge, she added. CPW asks anyone with information about the incident to contact CPW Southeast Region The CPW field office numbers are listed here. For those who wish to remain anonymous, contact Operation Game Thief at (877) 265-6648. A reward of up to $500 may be granted if the information provided leads to an arrest or citation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- TikTok is becoming a regular news source for a growing number of Americans, including young adults, according to a new survey, a sign more people are turning to the video app for online debate about politics. Most Read from Bloomberg About 17% of US adults say they regularly get news from the site owned by China-based ByteDance Ltd. a fivefold increase from 2020, according to survey data from Pew Research published Tuesday. Young adults from ages 18 to 29 are the most likely to use TikTok for news, and Pew found that 39% of the people in that age group say they regularly get news from the app. That is up from 32% just a year ago. Almost 50% of those adults say they use the app to keep up with politics or political issues, Pew found in an earlier survey. The increase is notable given TikToks standing in the US, where lawmakers are actively trying to ban the app for fear that its Chinese parent company could abuse user data or try and sway political opinions through the apps feed. Some elected officials worry that TikToks ties to China could affect the apps algorithm, which may subtly influence the content users see and shape Americans views on important issues. TikTok has sued the US government to try and stop the ban or divestiture requirement. In a US Court of Appeals hearing on Monday, the US government repeated its argument that the apps threat to national security outweighs free speech concerns. Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Matthew Schettenhelm said the hearing went poorly for TikTok, and cut the companys odds of stopping the ban to 30% from 70%. The government has set a January deadline for ByteDance to sell or divest its ownership stake in TikTok. Another survey from Pew Research released earlier this month found that American support for a TikTok ban has decreased over the past 18 months. The results released Tuesday were based upon a survey conducted from July 15 to Aug. 4 of more than 10,650 US adults. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.2 percentage points. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. A meeting Tuesday morning at Jacksonville City Hall discussed 95 different drainage system rehabilitation projects across the city, including help for flooded garages, easement issues, and flooded streets damaging homes. The discussions were led by Jacksonville City Councilmen Jimmy Peluso - who oversees the Riverside area and Joe Carlucci - who oversees San Marco. Weve just had that consistent rainfall, we havent had that major event yet, and yet we are still seeing the cracks in our system, Peluso pointed out Tuesday afternoon, referring to recent record-high rainfall and flooding across Northeast Florida. Its the business owners having a day-to-day operation shut down, its peoples cars that are being completely totaled, Carlucci added, referring to the urgency of these improvement projects. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] City officials outlined during Tuesday afternoons meeting that the 95 projects are prioritized based on a variety of factors, with damage to homes and businesses being the chief deciding factor in ranking each projects sense of urgency. Carlucci outlined undersized pipes on Trent Way, drainage issues on Larue Avenue, and flooding damaging homes on Mayfair Road as three of his highest priority fixes, with San Marco neighbors outlining the need for something to be done. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] I grew up in the area for years, especially with storms like we had last week, something needs to be done about it, San Marco resident Wes Farmand told Action News Jax. Im not sure what it is, but the problem is pretty bad. Councilmen Peluso and Carlucci also outlined during Tuesday mornings meeting the need for more funding beyond the $6 million for each of their districts in capital improvement projects. However, the citys chief financial officer, Anna Brosche, said that may be difficult with the citys current high capital improvement project budget being considered unsustainable as is. 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. Crash leads to full closure of 15 Freeway in northeast San Bernardino County A crash on the 15 Freeway in northeastern San Bernardino County brought traffic to a standstill Tuesday morning. Little information surrounding the crash was immediately available. Still, according to the Caltrans QuickMap, the northbound 15 is fully closed at Nipton Road near the California-Nevada state line due to emergency work. Reports from KTLAs sister station KLAS indicate the collision involved a semi-truck. Whether other vehicles were involved or if there were any casualties is unknown. Authorities looking to identify boy found riding scooter on freeway in Los Angeles The closure starts about five miles north of Wheaton Springs in San Bernardino County, KLAS reported. No estimated time for reopening was immediately disclosed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) First responders recovered a person from a river in Dayton Tuesday morning. According to the Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Center, crews were dispatched shortly before 7:30 a.m. to the 600 block of West Monument Avenue, near Code Credit Union, on report of a possible water rescue. According to the dispatch center, a deceased individual was recovered from the water. (Spencer Neuman/WDTN) Our 2 NEWS crew spoke to a sergeant on scene who said that a fisherman called emergency services about the person in the water. Fire crews arrived on scene after the call and pulled the individual out the water. According to the sergeant, after a preliminary investigation, there is no sign of trauma to the deceased. The coroners office is at the scene according to our 2 NEWS crew. The coroners office will continue to investigate the precise cause of death. The incident is being investigated by the Dayton Police Department, Five Rivers MetroParks, and the Montgomery County Coroners Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, left, and his family have a strong hold on the country (Handout) (Handout/Press Srvice of the President of Azerbaijan/AFP) Azerbaijani rights defender and climate advocate Anar Mammadli was picking up his son from kindergarten when police arrested him in front of the children. His arrest was one of the latest in a series which critics say undermines the oil-rich nation's credibility as a host of the United Nations COP29 climate change conference in November. Mammadli has been locked up since April 29 and risks up to eight years behind bars on smuggling charges human rights groups say are "bogus". He and activist Bashir Suleymanli had formed a civil society group called Climate of Justice Initiative. The organisation set out to promote environmental justice in the tightly controlled Caspian nation. Suleymanli told AFP that the group "was forced to close under government pressure even before it began raising awareness of environmental issues". "We have no platform through which we could be heard -- not to mention the fact that we will not be able to stage protests during COP29," he said. International rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have denounced Mammadli's prosecution on "bogus" charges and demanded his release. Amnesty said it was part of a "continuing crackdown on civil society activists" ahead of COP29. - 'Harsh measures' - In the streets of Baku, roads are being repaired and buildings getting fresh coats of paint as authorities add lustre to the capital in preparation for hosting thousands of foreign guests during COP29, which runs from November 11 to 22. International rights groups have urged the UN and Council of Europe rights watchdog to "use the momentum of COP29" to "put an end to the persecution of critical voices" in Azerbaijan. But rather than an easing of repression, Kenan Khalilzade of the Baku-based Ecofront ecological group said the run-up to COP29 has seen more government pressure on activists. He said he was briefly detained last year during an anti-pollution protest in the remote village of Soyudlu in the country's western Gadabay region. In 2023, police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at villagers protesting the construction of a pond intended to drain toxic waste from a nearby gold mine. Locals argued that the pond would cause serious environmental damage to their pastures. Several villagers were arrested after the violent police crackdown and Soyudlu remained under lockdown for weeks. "Police threatened me with harsh measures if I ever tried to return to Soyudlu," Khalilzade told AFP. An investigation by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a global network of investigative journalists, found the mine -- formally operated by British company Anglo Asian Mining Plc -- is in fact owned by Aliyev's two daughters. - 'Biased and unacceptable' - Any sign of dissent in Azerbaijan is usually met with a tough response from Aliyev's government, which has faced strong Western criticism for persecuting political opponents and suffocating independent media. The 62-year-old has ruled the country with an iron fist since 2003, after the death of his father, Azerbaijan's Soviet-era Communist leader and former KGB general Heydar Aliyev. The Union for Freedom of Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan has published a list of 288 political prisoners, including opposition politicians, rights activists, and journalists. Among them are several journalists from AbzasMedia and Toplum TV, media outlets critical of Aliyev, and prominent anti-corruption advocate Gubad Ibadoglu who remains in custody despite poor health. In May, Human Rights Watch said the crackdown in Azerbaijan "raises grave concerns" about how activists "will be able to participate meaningfully and push for ambitious action at COP29". Azerbaijan's foreign ministry has rejected the accusations as "biased and unacceptable". "Conditioning Azerbaijan's presidency of COP29 with inappropriate political motivation contradicts the very essence of the idea of cooperation addressing climate change that Azerbaijan has undertaken," it said in May. But Khadija Ismayilova, an investigative journalist who has spent months in jail after revealing official corruption, said COP29 delegations should be mindful of Azerbaijan's human rights record. "Countries that take part in COP29 must be aware that civil society is crushed and downtrodden in Azerbaijan," she said. bur/fg/fox CAPE VINCENT, N.Y. (WWTI) The Cape Vincent Arts Council and Cape Vincent Community Library are teaming up for their second year to offer the Ten Evenings series of author lectures in cooperation with Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures. The 10-part series will feature a roster of authors sharing their creativity, insights, research, and humanity with the audience. This will be available to the public via streaming at the Cape Vincent Community Library, 157 North Real Street. Pulaski businesses boom on first day of salmon season The streaming series is free to the public and will take place at the library on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The lecture will be followed by a discussion session for local audiences. Each of the 10 authors will be featured once on a Tuesday and again on a Saturday. Here is the series of authors and books: Colm Toibin Long Island (Sept. 17 & 21); Pico Iyer The Half Known Life (Oct. 1 & 5); Heather Cox Richardson Democracy Awakening (Oct. 29 & Nov. 2); Billy Collins Water, Water (Nov. 19 & 23); Leif Enger I Cheerfully Refuse (Dec. 10 & 14); Antonia Hylton Madness (Feb. 11); Cat Bohannon Eve (March 4 & 8); Percival Everett James (March 25 & 29); R.F. Kuang Yellowface (April 29 & May 3); and Elizabeth Kolbert/Terry Tempest Williams H Is For Hope (May 13 & 17). Advance registration is recommended by calling the library at 315-654-2132. Individual screenings can also be scheduled using the same number. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. A general view of the high level water of the Danube in Bratislava. Michal Svitok/TASR/dpa The situation in the flood-stricken areas of the Czech Republic remains tense, with numerous gauging stations still at the highest flood alert level, posing a danger to people and property. In the northern Bohemian city of Usti nad Labem, near the border with Germany, the Elbe river's crest is not expected until Tuesday evening. In South Bohemia region, the historic Rozmberk fish pond is at risk of overflowing. If the large body of water rises too high, it would dramatically escalate the situation for communities along the Luznice river. The government in Prague gave the green light on Monday evening for the deployment of up to 2,000 soldiers in the disaster areas in the east of the country. At least three people have died due to the flooding. In neighbouring Slovakia, people are anxiously watching the Danube. The crest of the river reached the capital, Bratislava, early on Tuesday. A peak of around 9.7 metres above the local zero gauge point was recorded. Normally, it remains around 2 metres. The waterfront areas were submerged but flood protection walls shielded the historic Old Town. Zoo animals were taken to safety. In the outer district of Devinska Nova Ves, people had to leave their homes due to the high water. Environment Minister Tomas Taraba estimated the damage in Slovakia to be at least 20 million ($22.2 million). A man moves over a flooded street in Litovel in the east of the Czech Republic. Deml Ondej/CTK/dpa Rescue workers evacuate people from the floods areas in Chomutov near the German border. Deml Ondej/CTK/dpa Insurers in the Czech Republic have provided an extremely gloomy initial estimate of the extent of the destruction caused by the current flooding. A spokesman for the national insurance association said on Tuesday that the association expects insured damages of around 670 million ($745 million), according to the CTK news agency. Half of this is attributable to private households and the other half to businesses. This would make this year's floods the second costliest natural disaster in the country's history, surpassed only by the devastating floods of 2002. Aid organizations have launched appeals for donations to help those people who are insufficiently covered, or with no insurance at all. The state forestry company Lesy CR put the initial estimate of its losses at more than 8 million. It says that around 260,000 cubic metres of timber have been damaged in the state forests. People have been urged not to enter the forests because trees could fall over without warning, even in calm conditions. The damage to the transport infrastructure is also likely to be enormous, with many bridges destroyed or unusable. The main railway station in Czech Republic's third largest city, Ostrava, is under water, and it's unclear when it will be accessible by rail again. A roe deer swims across the Lunice watershed after the heavy rainfall. Pavlieek Lubo/CTK/dpa Czech Republic to vote as planned this week, despite flood disaster Rescue workers evacuate people from the floods areas in Chomutov near the German border. Deml Ondej/CTK/dpa Elections in the Czech Republic will take place as scheduled later this week despite the flood disaster unfolding in parts of the country, the government said on Tuesday. Representatives will be elected on Friday and Saturday to the assemblies of the country's 13 regions, with the exception of the capital Prague. In addition, first-round elections to the Senate will be held in some districts on September 20 and 21. One third of the members of the upper house of parliament are newly elected every two years. If election workers are unable to make it, party representatives or firefighters could help out at polling stations, said Interior Minister Vit Rakusan. The liberal-conservative government in Prague rejected calls for a postponement from several political figures, including the mayor of the heavily affected city of Opava. The argument put forward was that the legitimacy of the postponed votes could be challenged in court. Entire towns and rural areas in the east of the Czech Republic have been flooded. Many schools, which normally serve as polling stations, are currently under water, and power and mobile phone networks are down in several places. An aerial view shows the Nearka River watershed surrounding the village after the heavy rainfall. Pavlieek Lubo/CTK/dpa DALLAS - The families of two murder victims faced the killer at his plea hearing in a Dallas County courtroom. Kevin Sheffield was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the seemingly random murders of two men. The convicted murderer sat without expression Monday during victim impact statements. A judge sentenced Sheffield to 50 years after he pleaded guilty and confessed to two murders. Two 50-year prison sentences will run concurrently. Sheffield shot and killed 65-year-old Joseph Syas as he was walking home from the store in May 2022. Joseph was walking home off Eastridge Drive in Northeast Dallas when Sheffield 20 years old at the time drove past Joseph in his moms car, turned around and shot him. "And just walking back from the store, and bullets hit him left and right for no reason. No reason," said his niece, Kenyetta Peters. Police say there was seemingly no motive. "I hate you. I pray you never see daylight again. I hate you," said Ceola Syas, Josephs sister. "I dont know what your mind is going through. I dont even know what type of animal you are, but you didnt have to kill my brother." License plate readers led detectives to Sheffields parents apartment in Lake Highlands. Ballistics from a handgun found inside the apartment linked to another murder from one month prior. 64-year-old Mohamed Kamara, who lived across the street from Sheffield, was killed outside his Skillman Street apartment while leaving for work. Kamara moved to North Texas from Sierra Leone, West Africa. "He was in search of greener pastures," Kamaras cousin said. Joseph Syas (Family Photo) Kamaras cousin says he leaves behind a wife, three kids and was preparing for retirement. He says he does not see remorse from Sheffield. "Thats what Im struggling with," his cousin said. "Two years, I waited for this day just to see you," said Anthony Syas, Josephs brother. "What you did to my brother, you didnt kill him; you murdered my brother. You shot my brother, went down the street and came back and shot my brother again and watched my brother die." Josephs family expressed anger, despair and sadness. "I wish theyd given you two years because I promise to God Id blow your f----- head off!" Anthony said. "Im not going to touch him. Im gone." The family members also point out that Sheffield seemed to have no remorse. "He just sat there and looked like he didnt care," said Tamara Syas, Jospehs niece. "We know he is off the streets. My family, were going to do everything we can to make sure he serves every bit of those 50 years." Judge Brandon Birmingham made mention of additional cases Sheffield might be connected to. "There were some other cases, but Im not sure that theyve been filed. But theyre not going to be pursued. Is that right?" he asked prosecutors. Prosecutors told the judge the two cases were the only cases they filed and declined to comment further with FOX 4. Dallas police said Sheffield is not a suspect in any other murder case. Sheffields plea deal comes just weeks before he was scheduled for trial. He gets credit for time served. Hell be eligible for parole after serving 25 years. Elizabeth Esteve-Coll as director of the V&A Museum: her private warmth and generosity won the loyalty of a wide circle - colaimages/Alamy Dame Elizabeth Esteve-Coll, who has died aged 85, was a brave and far-sighted director of the Victoria and Albert Museum from 1987 to 1995 a polarising period which she looked back on as the troubles and for which she paid a heavy personal price. She followed Sir Roy Strong, who had been forced to resign despite ground-breaking exhibitions on the plight of country houses, and impeccable credentials as a democratising former director of the National Portrait Gallery. On top of deterioration to the South Kensington building and its finances, a National Audit Office report had singled out the V&A together with the British Museum for failure in a duty to conserve and care for its vast reserves of precious historical objects. Steadying the ship required Elizabeth Esteve-Coll to make a number of unpopular decisions from the off. In 1988 she hinted at a wholesale rebranding of the museum when she hired Saatchi and Saatchi to produce a soon-notorious advertising campaign. Posters plugging an ace caff with a rather nice museum attached were intended to draw in a younger and more urbane crowd of new visitors. Instead they were scorned by many in the art world as crass. The mood only worsened when, in January 1989, Elizabeth Esteve-Coll announced a plan to cull the number of long-standing museum curators. The scheme elicited loud cries of protest from interested parties, many of whom feared a consequent loss of expertise. One of her predecessors, Sir John Pope-Hennessy, denounced her as a vulgar populist, while three of the V&As four unions called for her resignation. From the campaign series V&A - An ace caff with quite a nice museum attached produced by Saatchi & Saatchi, 1988 - Courtesy V&A Yet Elizabeth Esteve-Coll held firm to her vow to forge a strong museum to face the pressures of the late 20th century, creating a Department of Research and raising sponsorship for eight new galleries as part of that push towards modernisation. Under her tenure, many thought, the building became cleaner, better maintained and better signposted than it had been under Sir Roy. By 1994 she could boast of a year-on-year rise in visitor numbers, drawn by eye-catching exhibitions which sometimes divided the critics but mostly delighted the public. One on the alternative dressing of subcultures (Streetstyle: From Sidewalk to Catwalk) was a prototype for the hugely successful fashion surveys of more recent decades. Though her personal detractors remained unpersuaded even after her departure, Elizabeth Esteve Colls commitment to the welfare of the museum was seldom in doubt. She endeavoured to prove herself through sheer hard work (14-hour days were routine) and by making occasional doughty appearances in the British press. I am not as weak-kneed as I think people would like to hope, she told The Sunday Times in 1989. Asked what her chosen epitaph would read, she replied: She made it work. She certainly made it more popular, having inherited an annual audience numbered in hundreds of thousands. Although rising visitor numbers were suddenly halved after her tenure, when voluntary donations gave way to compulsory admission charges, they surged again with free entry to reach a pre-Covid record of 4.4 million in 2017-18. A pioneering director of deep personal modesty may have felt herself finally vindicated. With the outgoing director Sir Roy Strong in the Pirelli Garden at the V&A museum in London, July 1987 - Bryn Colton/Getty Images She was born Elizabeth Anne Loosemore Kingdon on October 14 1938, a bookish only child who spent much of the wartime years living with grandparents near Whitby while her father served in the Army. Both parents were keen book-collectors, who encouraged the same interest in their daughter. After the war the family moved to Darlington, Co Durham. There Elizabeth attended the local girls school and spent many of her weekends on visits to the areas historic buildings, churches and museums. From the outset she had a passionate love of culture and travel. Briefly embarked on a degree in Spanish and English at Trinity College Dublin, she ran away to sea, aged 19, after encountering the warm brown eyes of Catalan captain Jose Alexander Timothy Esteve-Coll (known by his English name of Alex). An exile from Francos Spain, 30 years her senior, Alex had served in the Royal Navy during the war then joined the mercantile marine. The couple married in 1960 and Elizabeth Esteve-Coll revelled in sailing the world for a decade. The only woman aboard a series of cargo ships, she continued her studies by reading in English, French, Spanish and Italian and cultivating a love of Japanese culture. This was supplemented with carrier bags full of texts that she picked up every time they came into port. Books would cascade through her life. Although never able to conquer the scourge of seasickness, and despite her fragile appearance and love for good clothes she became a dab hand in the robust shipboard arts of maintenance: chipping, hammering and oxy-acetylene welding. With Alex nearing the naval retirement age, the couple returned to dry land in the 1970s. In 1976, through evening studies, Elizabeth Esteve-Coll took a First in history and history of art from Birkbeck College, London. By the time of her husbands death in 1980 she had an administrative role at Kingston College of Art, followed by a spell as librarian at the University of Surrey. Although these credentials led to her successful stint as head of the National Art Library at the V & A, they would spur attack from those who judged her too much of an outsider having failed to take the usual educational route via the Courtauld Institute of Art to hold a senior position at the V & A. With The Three Graces in 1994 - UPP In an era with few women in leading managerial roles, she was widely derided as another Iron Lady. Unlike Margaret Thatcher, however, her newspaper of choice remained The Guardian and she was sustained by broad reading, music, conversation and an ironic sense of humour. Reappointed for a second five-year directorial term, Elizabeth Esteve-Coll resigned in 1995 after being offered the position of vice-chancellor of the University of East Anglia. That same year she was appointed DBE for services to the arts. Already there may have been intimations of the ill-health which would force her early departure from the UEA post when, in 1997, she revealed a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. As travel continued between homes in Norfolk and France, her stoical stamina survived until the curtailing cruelties of lockdown. By that point she had served as chancellor of the University of Lincoln (2001-08) and helped to give away many millions in Wolfson Foundation funding. Belying the apparent coolness of her public image, private warmth and generosity and a certain nobility of bearing won the undying loyalty of a wide circle. Her book choice of T S Eliot on Desert Island Discs brought in the authors widow, Valerie. Friendship with Lisa Sainsbury led to Elizabeth Esteve-Coll giving guidance to the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts and the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures in Norwich. She received Japans Order of the Rising Sun for her cultural contribution in 2005. Partnered in latter decades by her fellow academic Moya Willson, who survives her, Elizabeth Esteve-Coll never looked back in anger. Neither did she keep her thoughts wholly to herself. Candid memories were recorded for the British Library and will be released with her death. Dame Elizabeth Esteve-Coll, born October 14 1938, died September 16 2024 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 Scoop The US Justice Department will overhaul its reviews of bank deals and other mergers involving financial services firms, Jonathan Kanter, the agencys top antitrust cop, told Semafor. The move will have major implications for the financial industry by casting a broader antitrust spotlight onto nonbank players, like private equity, private credit, and fintech companies that act as lenders. Our analysis has to focus on market realities, Kanter said, speaking at a Semafor event in New York Monday evening. The new rules would replace the DOJs existing guidelines, which focus on branch overlap and deposits when deciding whether two banks can merge. They could be announced as soon as Tuesday, a person familiar with the matter said. The DOJs guidelines for regulating bank mergers havent been updated since 1995, when ATM cards were cutting-edge and banks were offering toasters to new customers, Kanter said to an audience heavy on M&A lawyers. As a result, it looks at things narrowly like branch overlaps [and] deposits. I dont believe that is the appropriate, most state-of-the-art, effective way to think about concentration in banking. The changes could cut both ways for banks looking to merge, potentially easing the path for community or regional lenders looking to shore up their deposit bases and cut costs by consolidating branches. The FDICs brass is set to finalize its own approach to bank mergers on Tuesday, and the coordinated timing suggests its likely to square with the DOJs. But a key consideration is whether the Federal Reserve, which reviews deals based on their impact on the financial system, among other criteria, is on board. It operates independently of the DOJ, which can still sue to block deals approved by the Fed. Know More Kanter and his counterpart, Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, are at the center of the Biden administrations crackdown on corporate consolidation and power. They have been aggressively swatting down mergers, taking companies that fight them to court. They have also brought monopoly cases against companies including Google and Apple that, if successful, could reshape Big Tech. The DOJ won one of its cases against Google, over the companys search dominance. Another, targeting its role in online ads, is underway. The government has also gone after corporate middlemen that connect buyers and sellers, accusing Live Nation and RealPage of illegally monopolizing the ticket sales and rental housing markets, respectively. It is also investigating pharmacy benefit managers, which sit between pharmacies and insurers, and help set prescription drug prices. Story continues Other takeaways from Semafors interview with Kanter: Deal fixes dont work: Companies expecting to get their deals approved by agreeing to sell some assets should think again. By the governments own math, a third of company remedies including divestitures either failed at restoring competition or took many years to do so. Many of the spun-out companies went bankrupt. We will always listen to remedies, and we are not categorically opposed to them, but we need to learn from our experiences, Kanter said. On AI: We think about substance over form, he said of partnerships between big tech companies and AI startups, which the DOJ and FTC are jointly investigating as potential stealth takeovers, designed to avoid government review. Microsoft, Google, and Amazon have invested billions of dollars into AI firms, hired their employees en masse, and in some cases paid out their venture investors all hallmarks of M&A deals. Often the next competitive threat comes from the innovative startup that might disrupt an incumbent, he said. Earlier antitrust regimes waved through arrangements that headed off that disruption Facebook buying Instagram, for example and Kanter sounded determined not to repeat that with AI. Across the aisle: Antitrust isnt a partisan issue anymore, with some Republicans most notably vice presidential candidate JD Vance taking as strong a stance against corporate consolidation as Democrats historically did. Kanter was careful about wading into the 2024 race, but said hes heartened by the degree to which the broader public believes antitrust is good for society. Lizs view Sweeping nonbanks into antitrust reviews is a no-brainer and an overdue acknowledgement that the financial landscape has changed dramatically. It could hand the DOJ significant power to police a huge and growing part of the economy that has escaped regulatory attention for too long. The wave of bank mergers in the 1990s that prompted the previous rules were about building national branch networks and gathering deposits, so it made sense to review them that way. Regional tie-ups produced Bank of America and, a few years later, todays JPMorgan Chase. If Kanters guidelines are just a new way to police bank mergers, thats all well and good. But Ill be watching to see if it ushers in a broader look of competition in the lending market, particularly among banks lightly regulated cousins in the asset-management industry. Firms like Apollo and KKR have created parallel lending universes, vertically integrated to a degree that John Rockefeller would have admired. The Fed, in its role as the financial systems safety cop, hasnt been all that interested. The arrival of antitrust cops could be interesting. Another note: Kanter didnt comment on any specific transactions, but his view bodes poorly for the pending $35 billion merger of Capital One and Discover. The two firms have little overlap in deposits and branches and would likely have sailed through a traditional merger review. But a DOJ with the explicit mandate to look at competition in credit cards, payments rails, and merchant fees will likely have concerns. Room for Disagreement The Progressive Policy Institute, a centrist Democratic think tank, says that even under a broader review, the Capital One-Discover deal isnt a clear-cut case of a merger that is likely to substantially lessen competition. If they challenge it in court, antitrust regulators risk losing in the first big test of their new approach, PPIs Diana Moss writes. Notable FTC Chair Lina Khan may have to fight to stay in the next administration, no matter who wins the presidential race, Semafor reported. VERMILION COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) A man from Danville has been sentenced to prison for drug and weapon possession charges. According to the Vermilion County States Attorneys Office, 34-year-old Andrew Sanchez will serve seven years for possession of cannabis with intent to deliver and five years for the possession of a weapon by a felon. The charges will be served concurrently. UIPD makes arrest after domestic incident in tailgate lot On Dec. 30, 2020, the Vermilion County Metropolitan Enforcement Group agents were given a search warrant for Sanchezs residence. Inside, they found a safe with more than 800 grams of cannabis, U.S. money, firearms, firearm ammunition, an empty gun case, a bulletproof vest and drug paraphernalia. There was also a receipt for the safe, showing it was purchased by Sanchez. Student arrested in connection to social media threat to Mattoon school I appreciate the vital work of the Vermilion County Metropolitan Enforcement Group in their fight to keep our neighborhoods safe from illicit drugs, Vermilion County States Attorney Jacqueline Lacy said. My office will continue to work closely with Vermilion County Metropolitan Enforcement Group to keep our community safe. The Vermilion County States Attorneys Office said Sanchez was sentenced Sept. 11, 2024 by Judge Mark Goodwin to the Illinois Department of Corrections. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Lack of citizenship documents might keep many from voting in Arizona state and local races PHOENIX (AP) Nearly 100,000 voters who haven't submitted citizenship documents might be prevented from participating in Arizona's state and local elections, a significant number for the battleground state where races have been tight. The announcement Tuesday of an error in state-run databases that reclassified voters comes just four days before county election officials are required to mail ballots to uniformed and overseas voters. Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said the error was resolved Tuesday morning, but the voter status of those caught up in it hasn't. Fontes and Stephen Richer, the Republican recorder for Maricopa County, disagree over whether the voters should have access to the full ballot or the ability to vote only in federal races. Richer filed a special action Tuesday asking the state Supreme Court to settle the question. It is my position that these registrants have not satisfied Arizonas documented proof of citizenship law, and therefore can only vote a FED ONLY ballot, Richer wrote on the social platform X. Arizona is unique among states in that it requires voters to prove their citizenship to participate in local and state races. Those who havent but have sworn to it under the penalty of law are allowed to participate only in federal elections. Arizona considers drivers licenses issued after October 1996 to be valid proof of citizenship. However, a system coding error marked more than 97,500 voters who obtained licenses before 1996 roughly 2.5% of all registered voters as full-ballot voters, state officials said. While the error between the states voter registration database and the Motor Vehicle Division wont impact the presidential race, that number of voters could tip the scales in hotly contested races in the state Legislature where Republicans have a slim majority in both chambers. It also could affect ballot measures, including the constitutional right to abortion and criminalizing noncitizens for entering Arizona through Mexico at any location other than a port of entry. Richer said his office discovered earlier this month that someone was classified as both a noncitizen and a full-ballot voter in violation of state law. The person registered to vote in 2022 but has not cast a ballot in Arizona elections, Richer said. The discrepancy led to a larger systemic issue with state databases, according to the court filing. Fontes said the roughly 97,500 voters who were reclassified because of the error more than half in Maricopa County are longtime Arizonans and mostly Republicans who should be able to fully participate in the general election. This was discovered not because somebody was voting illegally and not because somebody was attempting to vote illegally as far as we can tell, Fontes said at a Tuesday afternoon news conference. And this was basic voter roll maintenance and it showed us that there is this issue. Richer said Fontes ignored state law by advising county election officials to let affected voters cast full ballots. Fontes said not allowing the voters who believed they had satisfied voting requirements access to the full ballot raises equal protection and due process concerns. I am unwilling to disenfranchise this many voters by limiting them suddenly, and with little notice, to a federal only ballot when none of them had notice of or blame for this issue, Fontes wrote in a letter to county recorders. Fontes said elections officials eventually will contact the voters but not until the high court settles their status. He said his office would set up an electronic portal where voters can submit citizenship documents, if needed. Fontes and Richer agreed that the voters would be required to prove they are U.S. citizens to participate in state and local elections after the 2024 general election. (Bloomberg) -- Weeks after restoring the Liberal Democrats to their traditional third-place in UK politics, the question facing jubilant leader Ed Davey was what his centrist party tries next. In his speech to its annual conference in Brighton on Tuesday, the message was clear: If its not broken, dont fix it. Most Read from Bloomberg Over about 45 minutes, Davey urged the new Labour government to end the pessimism and defeatism he said has marked the beginning of Keir Starmers premiership, and to boost spending on the ailing National Health Service by raising tax on banks and investment. Britains struggles can only be solved by rising to our challenges with guts, determination, and hope, he said. Set against Starmers warnings about the state of the UK his Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has used the time since the July 4 election to make the case for a tough budget to fix a 22 billion fiscal black hole Daveys urgings are unlikely to fall on sympathetic ears in 10 Downing Street. Yet the Liberal Democrat leaders tone appeared carefully calibrated, to try to nudge the premier toward choices any Labour leader typically wants to make. Party officials call it constructive opposition, allowing the Liberal Democrats to push their interests while maintaining pursuit of the ousted Conservatives. Daveys party won 72 seats in the election, quadrupling its Members of Parliament - in large part due by winning over centrist voters alienated by a Tory party led by Rishi Sunak that was veering to the right. Strategists are now focused on 20 Conservative seats where the Liberal Democrats came second, which would put them in touching distance of usurping the Tories as the UKs official opposition. On Tuesday, Davey vowed to finish the job of winning the so-called blue wall traditional Tory areas in southern England where the Liberal Democrats made gains in July. Even Sunaks seat in Yorkshire could be up for grabs, strategists think, if he steps down as an MP. Our job is to consign the Conservative Party to the history books, Davey said. While party officials insist their strategy follows logic rather than preference and that the Liberal Democrats will continue to fight Labour at local level in cities like Liverpool and Sheffield, the reality is Daveys party sees itself far closer to Labour than the Conservatives. Brexit and the Tory-led campaign to take the UK out of the European Union is a major part of that. The two leaders, though, also have much in common politically. Davey spent much of the election campaign focused on fixing the NHS and the UKs crisis in social care, and some of his most powerful interventions were personal videos about caring for his disabled son. Starmer, meanwhile, often referenced his sister working in the care sector, and has said whether the government can fix the NHS a task he said will take a decade would define his premiership. I urge Labour: do not make the same mistakes the Conservative Party did, Davey said in his speech. Be more positive. Act now. Show the ambition and urgency this moment demands and save our NHS for good. He also addressed Starmer directly on fixing social care: Prime Minister: if you are willing to find a solution, I am ready and willing to work with you and get it done. For carers. Even with Starmers working majority of 167 seats in the House of Commons, Daveys approach has potential implications for the government. Social care, in particular, is considered something of a third rail in British politics, given the cost and political compromises needed to engage on it. The bigger question, though, lies in Starmers intentions for government. The prime minister has faced fierce criticism already from some in his party who have accused him of scaling down ambitions and focusing too much on the UKs public finances. Starmer has countered that nothing is possible until the economy and government spending is on a sounder footing. Daveys ideas are politically sensitive for Labour. The Liberal Democrats want Reeves to increase the surcharge on bank profits, capital gains tax, introduce a 4% share buyback tax on FTSE100 companies, and reform inheritance tax to help fund a 9.8 billion package it says is needed for health and social care. Banks would face a 4.25 billion increase in levies under Daveys plans. He also wants the government to set up a winter-proof NHS task force with an allocated 1.5 billion fund over four years to build resilience in hospitals and ambulance services, as well as more funding to increase the number of doctors and dentist appointments. For now, at least, thats far from the governments messaging. Starmer warned last week that more money will not fix the NHS without fundamental reforms, while the Liberal Democrats also strongly opposed Reevess decision to cut winter energy assistance for millions of pensioners ahead of her Oct. 30 budget. Still, Davey used his speech to promise Labour his party wont antagonize for the sake of it. We will scrutinize their plans carefully, and strive to improve them, and we will oppose them if we think theyve got it wrong, he said. But where ministers act in the national interest to solve such problems and improve peoples lives we will support them. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC owners David and Nicole Tepper are donating $1 million to the CMS Foundation. The CMS Foundation is the nonprofit partner for the district, bridging CMS and the philanthropy community. The announcement came at the CMS Foundations luncheon Tuesday. The gift will support the CMS Teaching Residency Program, the CMS Foundation Innovation Center, and other projects over a four-year period. The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation worked with the CMS Foundation to target specific areas where the donation will make the most impact. (VIDEO: David and Nicole Tepper Foundation donates $3M to local food bank) DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Foodbank will host a mass food distribution at UD Welcome Stadium later this week. The Foodbank, Inc. has planned a free food distribution drive-thru event for Thursday, Sept. 19. The event will be held in the parking lot of the University of Daytons Welcome Stadium, located at 1601 S. Edwin C. Moses Boulevard. Jets Pizza offering free pizza slice on Tuesday Montgomery County residents in need of food assistance can attend the event between 10 a.m. and noon. Residents must be in line by noon to receive items. Traffic patterns have been adjusted for this years event. Arrive at the site via Entrance B on Edwin C. Moses Boulevard and drive around the left side of UD Arena. Once in line, residents can receive fresh produce and other food items free of charge. The Foodbank asks that people do not arrive before 9 a.m. for safety purposes. This is a drive-thru event. It is recommended to have plenty of space in the trunk or backseat for food to be placed. In addition to food, residents will also see distributions of free childrens books from Dolly Partons Imagination Library of Ohio. SICSA Pet Adoption and Wellness Center will offer free pet food, and Premier Health will bring their mobile clinic for free biometric readings. CareSource is sponsoring the event, with employees volunteering to distribute food. CareSource will also provide free toothbrushes. For those unable to attend the event, the Foodbank offers a pantry locator tool and other resources 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 WDTN.com. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Police in D.C. have released the name of the man who was killed in a shooting near Dupont Circle early Monday morning. In an update, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) identified the victim as 35-year-old Ifeanyi Maximus, of Bladensburg, MD. Police said shortly after 4:30 a.m. on Sept. 16, officers were called to the 1700 block of Rhode Island Avenue for a shooting. ACLU: DC police data shows racial disparities in stop-and-frisks There, they found Maximus suffering from a gunshot wound and unconscious. He died at the scene. Crime scene tape is up after a man was shot and killed near Dupont Circle on Sept. 16. (Timothy Corley/ DC News Now) This case remains under investigation and no arrests have been made, as of Tuesday. Anyone with information about what led to the shooting is encouraged to call police at 202-727-9099 or text 50411. MPD is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire on a road in Junqueiro, Agueda Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire on a road in Junqueiro, Agueda By Pedro Nunes and Silvio Castellanos NELAS, Portugal (Reuters) -Three Portuguese firefighters died on Tuesday in one of dozens of forest blazes ravaging the country's central and northern regions, bringing the death toll from the latest wildfires to seven people since Saturday, authorities said. Portugal is fighting over 50 active wildfires on its mainland and has mobilised around 5,300 firefighters, as well as calling for European Union help. Authorities have closed several motorways, including a stretch of the main highway linking Lisbon and Porto, and suspended train connections on two railroad lines in northern Portugal. ANEPC civil protection authority commander Andre Fernandes told reporters that three firefighters from the Vila Nova de Oliveirinha fire brigade had died while fighting a fire in Nelas, a town about 300 km (190 miles) northeast of Lisbon. Reuters footage overnight showed local residents pouring buckets of water on advancing flames near Nelas. Fernandes' deputy Mario Silvestre said earlier the overall situation was "calmer but still worrying and complex ... with many villages and settlements being affected, and the teams very dispersed across this theatre of operations". He spoke from the command centre in Oliveira de Azemeis in the northwestern Aveiro district where a cluster of four blazes has caused the most damage so far, burning down dozens of houses, and where four people have died. Fernandes said late on Monday the Aveiro fires that had burned through more than 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres) of forest and shrubland could engulf a further 20,000 hectares. Portugal and neighbouring Spain have recorded fewer fires than usual after a rainy start to the year, but both remain vulnerable to the increasingly hot and dry conditions that scientists have blamed on global warming. Temperatures topped 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) across the country over the weekend, when the fires first broke out and were fanned by strong winds. Jorge Ponte of the meteorology agency IPMA told Reuters that Monday was "one of the worst days ever" for fire risk in Portugal, combining high temperatures even close to the sea, wind gusts that reached 70 kmh and very low humidity, all brought by an anticyclone. These factors create "a cocktail of dangerous conditions," he said. The situation could improve by Wednesday afternoon, he added, with a chance of showers on Thursday, although the danger would still persist. The government on Monday requested help from the European Commission under the EU civil protection mechanism, leading Spain, Italy and Greece to send two water-bombing aircraft each. (Reporting by Sergio Goncalves, Writing by Andrei KhalipEditing by Tomasz Janowski, Alexandra Hudson) Four people have lost their lives in the 23 forest fires raging in Portugal since Sunday, with the number of injured at 40, the latest count from the civil protection agency ANEPC showed, the Lusa news agency reported on Tuesday. More than 5,000 firefighters, members of the civil defence and soldiers are fighting the nearly two dozen blazes, mainly in the north and centre of the country, the agency said. A total of 21 firefighting aircraft and helicopters are also said to be in use. EU partners send rapid assistance Eight fire-fighting aircraft sent by EU partners in response to a call for help from Lisbon on Monday assisted with the extinguishing work, with two planes each coming from Spain, Italy, France and Greece. The forest fire alarm, which was originally set to expire on Tuesday, has been extended until Thursday evening. "We will have a hard time in the next few days. We have to prepare for it," warned Prime Minister Luis Montenegro. Portugal had been spared major forest fires this year, but in less than 48 hours, more than 10,000 hectares have now been affected, according to official figures. While there were fires in many places, the Aveiro district, some 50 kilometres south of Porto, was the worst affected. Three of the four fatalities were recorded there: a firefighter and a civilian who suffered heart attacks while fighting the flames, and an employee of a forestry company. In the neighbouring district of Viseu, the body of an 83-year-old woman was recovered. According to official figures, around four dozen buildings and countless vehicles were destroyed by the blaze in Albergaria-a-Velha, Sever do Vouga and other municipalities in the Aveiro region. More than 100 people were evacuated, according to reports. Four people were detained on suspicion of arson. It is not yet known whether the arrests are related to the current major fires. Several motorways and some country roads were still partially closed on Tuesday. Train and long-distance bus services were severely disrupted. The smoke darkened the sky over the district capital Aveiro and other communities. Citizens were urged to stay at home and use as little water as possible. Villagers try to get away from the burning houses as the wildfire approaches the village in Busturenga. Diogo Baptista/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa The death toll from severe flooding in central and eastern Europe continued to rise on Monday, with more heavy rains on the way. More than a dozen casualties have now been confirmed across Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic and Romania due to the floods that began inundating the region over the weekend, with the toll of at least 17 expected to continue rising. In large parts of the extensive disaster zone, kilometres of land remain submerged, with roads and field flooded, basements and houses filling with water and dams and dykes overwhelmed. In Poland, authorities said on Monday afternoon that three men and one woman have died in separate incidents across the affected regions. The latest developments saw the mayor of the small south-western town of Paczkow order a compulsory evacuation after a crack appeared in the wall of a nearby reservoir. Paczkow Mayor Artur Rolka warned that "no one can guarantee that the damage will not worsen" in an appeal on social media and said on Polish television that he decided on a compulsory evacuation after residents failed to heed his calls for them to leave their houses voluntarily. He called on all remaining residents to leave low-lying districts which could soon be overrun by floodwaters after days of historic rainfall. An immediate evacuation was also ordered in Nysa, another town in the Opole region with more than 40,000 inhabitants which had seen dramatic scenes on Sunday as 33 patients were rescued from the local district hospital in rubber dinghies. The situation in Nysa had initially seemed under control on Monday, but sirens later wailed through the town and television footage showed long queues of cars on the city's bridges after the mayor warned that a dyke could breach and flood the city. "The situation is very dangerous, the health and lives of the residents are at risk," said a statement from local authorities. After an emergency Cabinet meeting in the western city of Wrocaw on Monday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced 1 billion zloty ($260 million) in aid for victims of the flooding. Tusk said he would speak to his counterparts in Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia about jointly seeking European Union funding to help with reconstruction efforts. Those affected by the flooding can submit applications for funds to municipal administrations with immediate effect, the prime minister said. Tusk also addressed reports of looting in flooded areas, promising to take tough action against perpetrators exploiting the plight of those affected by the flooding. Further downstream, Wrocaw is preparing to be hit with high water later this week, Mayor Jacek Sutryk said on Monday morning. There is round-the-clock monitoring of flood dykes as well as the canals and tributaries of the Oder river, which runs through the city, Sutryk said in a video posted on Facebook. Flooding is currently expected to reach Wrocaw on Wednesday, with earlier forecasts suggesting the city could avoid the worst of the weather being revised, the mayor warned. However, the flooding is not anticipated to reach the level of the catastrophic conditions of 1997, when one-third of the city was inundated. At least three dead in Lower Austria The latest victims in Austria included two elderly men who died in their homes in the flood-hit state of Lower Austria, which has been declared a disaster zone by the national government. Another deceased person discovered late on Monday could bring the death toll up to four if confirmed as a flood victim. The flood situation in the eastern region - which surrounds the capital Vienna and borders the Czech Republic - is still serious despite a brief let-up in rain overnight, Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner said on Monday. "It is not over, it remains critical, it remains dramatic," Mikl-Leitner added. In Lower Austria, up to 370 millimetres of rain have fallen in recent days, several times the monthly average of precipitation. A firefighter lost his life while pumping out a basement over the weekend. The situation could ease somewhat from Tuesday, when an end to the persistent rain is forecast. Three dead, seven missing in Czech 'apocalypse' The Czech Republic confirmed on Monday three deaths from the flooding, while reporting up to seven people missing. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has described the situation as a once-in-a-century flood. The government announced on Monday it would deploy up to 2,000 soldiers to support civil authorities through the end of October due to the flood disaster. Defence Minister Jana Cernochova said that army helicopters will supply people in the most severely affected regions in the north-east with drinking water and food. Over the weekend, streets in town including Jesenik in the Altvater Mountains, Opava on the river of the same name and Krnov on the border with Poland turned into raging torrents. In Jesenik, emergency services rescued hundreds of people with boats and helicopters. The mayor of the town said on television: "It was an apocalypse, there is mud everywhere, everything is destroyed." The main square in the city centre temporarily turned into a single body of water, with cars floating on it. Several houses collapsed in the region, while authorities reported a risk of landslides after the floodwaters receded. On the Morava river, entire streets were underwater in Litovel, the CTK news agency reported. Authorities in the small town of almost 10,000 residents appealed to the population to heed the emergency services. Levels continued to rise in many other places. Evacuation orders have been expanded in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic after dykes were breached. A state of danger was declared for the area around the town of Frydlant in North Bohemia. Casualties in Romania as Orban cancels obligations Other countries have also been affected by the historic storm front, with Hungarian President Viktor Orban announcing on the social media platform X that he has postponed all "international obligations" due to "extreme weather conditions and the ongoing floods in Hungary." As Germany prepares for swollen rivers to bring flooding to its border regions, the government in Berlin pledged support to countries coping with the flooding should they ask for help. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the floods were "distressing," adding: "We will help as much as we can." The worst-hit country so far is Romania, where at least seven people are now known to have died in heavy rain and severe flooding since the weekend. The regions of Galati, Vaslui and Iasi in the east of the country were particularly hard hit. About 300 people had to be evacuated, and around 6,000 farmhouses were impacted by the flooding. The water mostly affected remote villages, where people climbed onto rooftops to avoid being swept away by the floods. An ambulance drives through the streets in the centre of the town after the heavy rainfall. Peina Ludik/CTK/dpa Local residents walk among debris in a flooded street as a result of the heavy rainfall. Peina Ludik/CTK/dpa Emergency workers are on duty in the aftermath of heavy rains and floods in Otovice. Taneeek David/CTK/dpa A park is seen flooded after the Elbe river flooded its banks, following heavy rains. Hajek Vojtich/CTK/dpa A drone image shows the BorsodChem MCHZ chemical plant is under water following heavy rains. Sznapka Petr/CTK/dpa A drone image shows a flooded area following heavy rains. Sznapka Petr/CTK/dpa Donald Trumps statements about abortion in the debate with Kamala Harris on September 10 like much of what he said were false and misleading. Access to abortion is a major issue in the November elections. There are ballot initiatives in 10 states about abortion. Additionally, it is a crucial issue to many voters. Harris made her position clear in the debate. She believes that the Supreme Court was wrong to overrule Roe v. Wade. She said that if Congress passes a bill to reinstate the protections that were guaranteed by Roe v. Wade, she would proudly sign it into law if elected president. She lamented the laws that have been enacted in over 20 states that prohibit all or almost all abortions, relating instances of pregnant women who were unable to get emergency medical care or forced to carry pregnancies to term because of restrictive laws. What did Trump say? He said that the Democrats position on abortion is so extreme that they support execution after birth. Of course, that is absurd. No one favors execution of a baby after birth; that is murder in every state. Trump said the same thing in the debate with Joe Biden, when Trump declared the Biden Administration want to take the life of the baby in the ninth month, and even after birth. That is not the position of the Biden administration or Harris or abortion rights activists. Opinion Harris says she supports returning the law to what it was before 2022, where a woman had a right to an abortion until viability, when the fetus could live outside the womb. Abortions did not occur in the ninth month before Roe v. Wade was overruled and do not happen now in states like California where abortion remain legal. Trump lauded the Supreme Court for overruling Roe and took credit for putting three justices on the Court who voted to do so. He said that every legal scholar favored leaving abortion to the states. That, too, is nonsense. Dozens of legal scholars signed briefs to the Supreme Court urging it not to overrule Roe v. Wade. Having attended countless academic conferences on abortion, I think it is clear that a significant majority of legal scholars like the majority of Americans favor a constitutional right to abortion. In the debate, Trump several times said that it was good that the issue was returned to the states to decide whether and how to regulate abortion. By phrasing it this way, Trump obscured what this means: no longer is there a constitutional right to abortion. States can prohibit all or virtually all abortions. Fourteen states have prohibited all abortions except to save the life of the woman. Six other states prohibit abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy, a time before many women know that they are pregnant. Kamala Harris expressed this well at the debate. In over 20 states there are Trump abortion bans which make it criminal for a doctor or nurse to provide health care, she said. In one state it provides prison for life. Trump abortion bans that make no exception even for rape and incest. Whichunderstand what that means. A survivor of a crime, a violation to their body, does not have the right to make a decision about what happens to their body next. That is immoral. And one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree: The government, and Donald Trump certainly, should not be telling a woman what to do with her body. The difference, of course, is not just between Trump and Harris, but between Democrats and Republicans. If Harris wins and Democrats gain control of both houses of Congress (and Democrats can overcome a Republican filibuster), there is sure to be a law passed to create a national right to abortion. Conversely, if Trump wins the election and Republicans take both the House and the Senate (and can overcome a Democratic filibuster), there is sure to be a law adopted that prohibits abortion everywhere in the country, which would preempt laws in California and other states that allow abortions. The stakes for reproductive freedom could not be higher and the difference between the two candidates, and their parties, could not be clearer. Erwin Chemerinsky is dean and professor of law at the UC Berkeley School of Law. UK Secures Additional Doses Of Bavarian Nordic Mpox Vaccine To Combat New Variant Threat The U.K. government has secured over 150,000 doses of the mpox vaccine from Bavarian Nordic A/S (OTC:BVNRY) (OTC:BVNKF) to strengthen the nation's defenses against clade I mpox. The vaccines will be distributed across the country, with the National Health Service (NHS) prioritizing individuals at higher risk of exposure to the virus. Almost two weeks ago, the European Commission said around 100,000 mpox vaccine doses arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), making these the first vaccine delivery to the country. Also Read: Moderna's Investigational Mpox Vaccine More Effective Than Current Approved Shot, Animal Study Shows. The rollouts will occur in stages, depending on vaccine availability and clinical need. No cases of clade I mpox have been detected in the U.K. This purchase comes in response to growing concerns over the spread of clade I mpox, which the World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The virus has seen a significant uptick in cases, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and parts of Africa. Last month, Lord Collins of Highbury, the U.K.'s Minister for Africa, visited the DRC and announced over 3 million pounds ($3.95 million) in funding to partner with UNICEF. The collaboration aims to strengthen the DRC's response to both mpox and cholera outbreaks, benefiting 4.4 million people in affected areas. The U.K. has committed 340 million pounds from 2020 to 2024 to support global health emergency preparedness and response efforts. The government is also providing an additional 3 million pounds to WHO's Regional Office for Africa to address regional health emergencies. Furthermore, the UK is the second-largest donor to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, contributing 1.65 billion pounds from 2021 to 2025. Gavi has played a key role in the global vaccine response, unlocking $2.9 million to aid the DRC's vaccination campaign against mpox. Bavarian Nordic has also submitted clinical data to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to support the extension of the Imvanex (MVA-BN) smallpox and mpox vaccine indication to include adolescents 12 to 17 years of age. Jynneos is known internationally as Imvamune or Imvanex. Read Next: Photo by NIAID via Flickr UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Story continues Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article UK Secures Additional Doses Of Bavarian Nordic Mpox Vaccine To Combat New Variant Threat originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Water flows from a well to irrigate an orchard in Visalia in 2021. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) In 2014, Gov. Jerry Brown signed historic legislation establishing a framework for California to begin managing groundwater in an effort to curb widespread overpumping, which had sent aquifer levels into rapid decline, left hundreds of wells dry, and caused the ground to sink in parts of the Central Valley. The law was based on the idea that groundwater could best be managed at the local level, and it called for newly formed local agencies to gradually adopt measures to address chronic declines in groundwater levels. The legislation laid out an implementation timeline stretching more than a quarter-century, giving many areas until 2040 to address their depletion problems. Today, experts and state officials say implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act , or SGMA, is unfolding largely as expected. But while California has made some preliminary progress toward safeguarding groundwater, the hardest tests loom ahead. This is a generational shift in water management in the state, said Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board. What we do in these next years is critical. The state has taken several foundational steps, including the creation of local agencies and the adoption of more than 100 local groundwater plans. The law has led to the collection of more groundwater data and nearly $1 billion in state funding, and has raised public awareness about how heavy pumping, particularly for agriculture, has depleted underground supplies. However, water levels have continued to decline in many areas as pumping restrictions have yet to be fully imposed and as local agencies continue to issue permits for more high-capacity wells. Research has shown that parts of California have recently had some of the fastest-declining aquifer levels in the world. In some places, the land has been sinking as much as 1 foot per year. According to state data, more than 5,000 wells have run dry in the last decade, and scientists warn that thousands more could be at risk unless stronger measures are put in place. Achieving sustainability goals in groundwater basins deemed to be in critical overdraft will be particularly challenging and is expected to require allocation and pumping restrictions that will sharply reduce agricultural water use. Researchers project that large portions of the Central Valleys irrigated cropland will need to be permanently left dry to comply with the restrictions. We have good momentum here, 10 years on, Esquivel said. But we also are starting to see the phase of implementation and the difficulty that that will pose. Read more: Groundwater depletion is worsening worldwide. Parts of California are suffering rapid declines Initial steps toward regulation, such as collecting water-use data, charging fees and imposing water allocations and mandatory reductions in pumping, have been contentious and in places have sparked lawsuits. State Department of Water Resources officials have reviewed plans submitted by local agencies and approved many of them. But in six areas of the San Joaquin Valley, officials have declared the local groundwater plans inadequate , a step that allows the state water board to place an area on probationary status to compel them to take stronger measures. After the board took its first vote to intervene in one area, the Tulare Lake subbasin, farmers sued in an effort to overturn that decision, arguing that the state is making demands that are unreasonable, damaging to the local economy and overreaching beyond the law's requirements. That case in Kings County Superior Court has effectively placed the states determination on hold and paused a requirement that growers begin measuring and reporting how much water they pump. When a judge last week temporarily blocked the state's measures and called the water boards actions nontransparent, Dusty Ference of the Kings County Farm Bureau said it was a major win for the areas farmers and California agriculture. We agree as an industry that efforts need to be made to balance groundwater extractions and overdraft, but that all has to be done in a way that doesn't decimate our industry and our community, Ference said. Read more: California lawmakers reject proposal to curb well-drilling where nearby wells could run dry The states approach to intervention, he said, would saddle growers with an estimated $10 million annually in pumping fees, and would bring rapid and extreme restrictions on water use. He said farmers hope the court will overturn the states decision, allowing the region to implement plans for sustainability in other ways that will support the economy. State regulators disagreed with the judges preliminary ruling, saying the water board has clear authority to intervene . "Under SGMA, local agencies are responsible for the sustainable management of their groundwater basins," said Edward Ortiz, a spokesperson for the state water board. "However, state agencies namely the Department of Water Resources and State Water Board are responsible for ensuring local groundwater management achieves SGMA's goals. State officials say the temporary freeze on state requirements affects only the Tulare Lake subbasin, and they are moving ahead with separate processes to consider probationary measures in other areas of the San Joaquin Valley. Groundwater accounts for approximately 40% of the states total water supplies in an average year and can make up roughly 60% of supplies during droughts. The last two wet winters have helped boost aquifer levels after years of pervasive declines. State water managers have also sought to promote efforts to capture stormwater to replenish aquifers. In recent months, dry conditions have reemerged alongside extreme heat. As of this week, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported 71% of the state as abnormally dry or in moderate drought. Esquivel said the law was intended to help California adapt to worsening droughts brought on by global warming. It's climate change that brought us the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act to begin with, Esquivel said. When the law was developed a decade ago, rural communities were dealing with hundreds of dry wells during the 2012-2016 drought. The latest drought, from 2020 through 2022, set a record as Californias driest three-year period on record, and state data show more than 2,600 dry wells were reported during that time. Read more: Despite storms, many Californians are still coping with dry wells and awaiting fixes The state has been providing assistance for low-income residents in rural communities that have run out of water, including paying for water deliveries to fill household tanks while people wait to have new wells drilled or to be connected to nearby water systems. According to state agencies, about 95% of all groundwater pumping in California is now subject to a locally adopted sustainability plan. I'm absolutely confident we are going to be successful in achieving groundwater sustainability, said Paul Gosselin, the Department of Water Resources' deputy director of sustainable water management. The state agency is responsible for reviewing annual reports from local agencies and determining whether they are taking adequate steps to avoid undesirable results, such as significant and unreasonable lowering of groundwater levels, degraded water quality, land subsidence, seawater intrusion or effects on surface water and ecosystems. The Department of Water Resources staff is also preparing to give local agencies guidance on how to manage land subsidence and how to prevent levels of pumping that cause significant depletion of surface water, Gosselin said. He and other state officials say major challenges for communities include protecting vulnerable wells during droughts and establishing demand management through mandatory reductions in pumping, which some areas have begun to do. The state has started some programs intended to help, such as grants paid to growers who agree to limit pumping, and a program that aims to support multibenefit land repurposing , helping to convert fallow farmland to other uses, such as solar farms or habitat restoration areas. Another challenge is coordination among various local water-managing agencies. In some areas, groundwater agencies have recently been splitting and forming new agencies , increasing the number of entities that must work together on a single local blueprint. My fervent hope is that that coordination is happening in the context of really moving the entire region forward, versus bifurcating into ever smaller jurisdictions that sort of solve the problem at the expense of their neighbor, said Karla Nemeth, director of the Department of Water Resources. They are solvable problems if we're working together and if we're communicating together. Read more: How a water scientist hopes to save California habitats that could be pumped dry Speaking at a UC Davis conference ahead of the laws 10th anniversary, Nemeth said the state is on track to manage groundwater sustainably, even though officials don't have all the answers about what steps will ultimately be needed to achieve the laws goals. I believe we are well positioned to address those challenges as they come, Nemeth said. There's a whole lot of change that's coming, particularly in our overdrafted areas, but what's really important about it is in 2040 everybody who lives in those areas, their water supply will be more reliable than it is today. Advocates for rural communities that are dealing with dry wells or contaminated water supplies have urged state officials to prioritize measures to protect drinking water and limit overpumping. We can't wait until 2040 to be in sustainability. We need to make sure we have demand management now, said Tien Tran, a senior policy advocate for the group Community Water Center. Tran pointed out that reviews of the first round of local plans found many wouldnt adequately protect drinking water, small farmers or the environment. She said the fragmentation of agencies that should be working together is also a problem. When a moderator asked her to give a letter grade for the laws implementation so far, Tran said its been between a C-plus and a B-minus. There's still so much infighting that's happening because there's not a culture of collaboration, Tran said. There's a scarcity mindset where people are fighting over water. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Photo by Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline. If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988. When Pooja Mehtas younger brother, Raj, died by suicide at 19 in March 2020, she felt blindsided. Rajs last text message was to his college lab partner about how to divide homework questions. You dont say youre going to take questions 1 through 15 if youre planning to be dead one hour later, said Mehta, 29, a mental health and suicide prevention advocate in Arlington, Virginia. She had been trained in Mental Health First Aid a nationwide program that teaches how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness yet she said her brother showed no signs of trouble. Mehta said some people blamed her for Rajs death because the two were living together during the COVID-19 pandemic while Raj was attending classes online. Others said her training should have helped her recognize he was struggling. But, Mehta said, we act like we know everything there is to know about suicide prevention. Weve done a really good job at developing solutions for a part of the problem, but we really dont know enough. Rajs death came in the midst of decades of unsuccessful attempts to tamp down suicide rates nationwide. During the past two decades federal officials have launched three national suicide prevention strategies, including one announced in April. The first strategy, announced in 2001, focused on addressing risk factors for suicide and leaned on a few common interventions. The next strategy called for developing and implementing standardized protocols to identify and treat people at risk for suicide with follow-up care and the support needed to continue treatment. The latest strategy builds on previous ones and includes a federal action plan calling for implementation of 200 measures over the next three years, including prioritizing populations disproportionately affected by suicide, such as Black youth and Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Despite those evolving strategies, from 2001 through 2021 suicide rates increased most years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Provisional data for 2022, the most recent numbers available, shows deaths by suicide grew an additional 3% over the previous year. CDC officials project the final number of suicides in 2022 will be higher. In the past two decades, suicide rates in rural states such as Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming have been about double those in urban areas, according to the CDC. Despite those persistently disappointing numbers, mental health experts contend the national strategies arent the problem. Instead, they argue, the policies for many reasons simply arent being funded, adopted, and used. That slow uptake was compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a broad, negative impact on mental health. A chorus of national experts and government officials agree the strategies simply havent been embraced widely, but said even basic tracking of deaths by suicide isnt universal. Surveillance data is commonly used to drive health care quality improvement and has been helpful in addressing cancer and heart disease. Yet, it hasnt been used in the study of behavioral health issues such as suicide, said Michael Schoenbaum, a senior adviser for mental health services, epidemiology, and economics at the National Institute of Mental Health. We think about treating behavioral health problems just differently than we think about physical health problems, Schoenbaum said. Without accurate statistics, researchers cant figure out who dies most often by suicide, what prevention strategies are working, and where prevention money is needed most. Many states and territories dont allow medical records to be linked to death certificates, Schoenbaum said, but NIMH is collaborating with a handful of other organizations to document this data for the first time in a public report and database due out by the end of the year. Further hobbling the strategies is the fact that federal and local funding ebbs and flows and some suicide prevention efforts dont work in some states and localities because of the challenging geography, said Jane Pearson, special adviser on suicide research to the NIMH director. Wyoming, where a few hundred thousand residents are spread across sprawling, rugged landscape, consistently ranks among the states with the highest suicide rates. State officials have worked for many years to address the states suicide problem, said Kim Deti, a spokesperson for the Wyoming Department of Health. But deploying services, like mobile crisis units, a core element of the latest national strategy, is difficult in a big, sparsely populated state. The work is not stopping but some strategies that make sense in some geographic areas of the country may not make sense for a state with our characteristics, she said. Lack of implementation isnt only a state and local government problem. Despite evidence that screening patients for suicidal thoughts during medical visits helps head off catastrophe, health professionals are not mandated to do so. Many doctors find suicide screening daunting because they have limited time and insufficient training and because they arent comfortable discussing suicide, said Janet Lee, an adolescent medicine specialist and associate professor of pediatrics at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. I think it is really scary and kind of astounding to think if something is a matter of life and death how somebody cant ask about it, she said. The use of other measures has also been inconsistent. Crisis intervention services are core to the national strategies, yet many states havent built standardized systems. Besides being fragmented, crisis systems, such as mobile crisis units, can vary from state to state and county to county. Some mobile crisis units use telehealth, some operate 24 hours a day and others 9 to 5, and some use local law enforcement for responses instead of mental health workers. Similarly, the fledgling 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline faces similar, serious problems. Only 23% of Americans are familiar with 988 and theres a significant knowledge gap about the situations people should call 988 for, according to a recent poll conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Ipsos. Most states, territories, and tribes have also not yet permanently funded 988, which was launched nationwide in July 2022 and has received about $1.5 billion in federal funding, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Anita Everett, director of the Center for Mental Health Services within SAMHSA, said her agency is running an awareness campaign to promote the system. Some states, including Colorado, are taking other steps. There, state officials installed financial incentives for implementing suicide prevention efforts, among other patient safety measures, through the states Hospital Quality Incentive Payment Program. The program hands out about $150 million a year to hospitals for good performance. In the last year, 66 hospitals improved their care for patients experiencing suicidality, according to Lena Heilmann, director of the Office of Suicide Prevention at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Experts hope other states will follow Colorados lead. And despite the slow movement, Mehta sees bright spots in the latest strategy and action plan. Although it is too late to save Raj, addressing the social drivers of mental health and suicide and investing in spaces for people to go to get help well before a crisis gives me hope, Mehta said. Cheryl Platzman Weinstocks reporting is supported by a grant from the National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF and Subscribe to KFF Health News free Morning Briefing. Del Valle school administrators stopped a student with a handgun at the front doors of the high school Tuesday morning before classes started, district spokesman Christopher Weddle said. The student didn't enter the school and the gun wasn't fired, Weddle said. Administrators learned of the armed student after receiving a tip from another student, he said. "The student did what they should have done," Weddle said. "They heard about something and they did something." The district wouldn't share specific information about disciplinary action taken against the armed student, but Weddle said administrators planned to follow district procedures. "Anything like this causes concern with parents," Weddle said. "As we saw today, our administration reacts quickly when we get information." Weddle noted that he understood many parents have been left with heightened anxiety after districts across Texas and the country fielded a spate of false threats last week that caused some campuses to go on lockdown. Several Austin-area districts also fielded false threats. Two students in the Hays school district were charged last week with making a false alarm or report, and another student was charged with terroristic threat. In Austin, a man was arrested Sept. 11 for terroristic threat after a threat was made to Hill Elementary School in Northwest Austin. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin area district confirms student brought gun to campus Delta Flight 1203 had to divert back to Salt Lake City after the incident occurred on Sept. 15, leaving passengers in need of medical attention Stockbyte / Getty Images Bloody Nose Delta Flight 1203 diverted back to Salt Lake City on Sunday, Sept. 15 after the plane was unable to pressurize The incident that occurred on a Boeing 737-900 aircraft left 10 passengers in need of medical attention Passengers recalled experiencing severe ear pain and bloody noses as a result of the pressurization issue Multiple passengers were injured after a Delta plane heading to Portland experienced a cabin pressurization issue mid-flight. Delta Flight 1203 returned to its departure destination of Salt Lake City after the aircraft was unable to pressurize above 10,000 feet on Sunday, Sept. 15, a spokesperson for the airline confirmed to PEOPLE. The Boeing 737-900 aircraft was carrying 140 passengers and oxygen masks did not deploy during the incident. At least 10 individuals needed medical evaluation or treatment and were met by medics when the plane returned to Salt Lake City, according to the airline. Related: Disorderly Passenger Ordered to Pay Airline Nearly $6,000 for Wasted Fuel After He Forced Flight to Divert Getty Passengers described the terrifying experience while speaking to KSL TV on Monday, Sept. 16. I looked over at my husband, and he had both of his hands over his ears, you know, kind of leaning forward, passenger Caryn Allen recalled. I looked about a row behind me, over on the other side of the aisle, and there was a gentleman that clearly had a very bad bloody nose, and people were trying to help him. Jaci Purser, another passenger on the flight, said, I grabbed my ear, and I pulled my hand back, and there was blood on it. The outlet reports that Purser said it felt like somebody was stabbing her in the ear before she realized she was bleeding. She also felt her ear pop followed by a bubbling sensation. Allen added, "they finally announced that we were going to head back to the airport and still didnt say why, after passengers felt the plane dip and start to circle the Great Salt Lake. Related: Plane Collision Nearly Severs Tail of Aircraft From Body at Atlanta Airport: Video George Frey/Bloomberg via Getty Images Salt Lake City International Airport A spokesperson for Delta noted that the airline covered transportation to the hospital for passengers. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. We sincerely apologize to our customers for their experience on flight 1203 on Sept. 15, the airline said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. The flight crew followed procedures to return to SLC where our teams on the ground supported our customers with their immediate needs. They also noted that the aircraft was taken out of service on the morning of Sept. 15 and went back into service on Sept. 16 after Delta technicians successfully fixed the pressurization issue. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Several Republican members of Congress are accusing a liberal political action committee of impersonating a GOP staffer to extract potentially damaging information from elected officials and raise funds for Democrats with one text exchange that targeted a female lawmaker including antisemitic and sexist language, Fox News Digital has learned. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said she received a text this summer from a person posing as Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts chief of staff. Before long, however, the individual launched into personal attacks, denigrating Luna as a "fake" Jew and making lewd comments about her. Luna says she's currently facing a different harassment campaign, too, as her re-election bid comes down to its final weeks. She revealed the bizarre details about the opposition research scheme when Fox News Digital inquired about the other allegations. A person posing as Abbotts new chief of staff in July attempted to set up a phony phone call between Luna and Abbott regarding Luna's re-election effort, according to screenshots of a text conversation supplied to Fox News Digital by Luna's office. JUST BECAUSE HUNTER BIDEN PLEADED GUILTY DOESN'T MEAN OUR JOB STOPS: REP. ANNA PAULINA LUNA Rep. Anna Paulina Luna attends a news conference with House and Senate Republicans at the U.S. Capitol on May 17, 2023. "Rep. Luna Hello, Im the new [Chief of Staff] to Gov Abbott. May we set up a call for tomorrow? Robert Black," the first text to Luna on July 18 reads. Robert Black is the name of Abbotts actual chief of staff, who officially joined the office on July 22, according to a press release from Abbotts office at the start of July. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Luna responded: "Yes! What time?" "He wants to talk about how to help you beat Fox," the supposed Abbott staffer said, while suggesting a time for the alleged call. Luna is facing Democratic opponent Whitney Fox in her re-election battle this year. "Whitney Fox?" Luna asked, before brushing off concerns over the race. "Im always willing to take advice but full transparency Im in a R + 8 so were not super concerned. Did he see a poll or something?" she asked. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna walks to a candidate forum with House Republicans in the Longworth House Office Building on Oct. 11, 2023, in Washington, D.C. "Hearing from Dems she raised a lot and has oppo," the phony Abbott staffer responded. Another screenshot from the text exchange shows the Abbott office impersonator asking Luna about her border policies and "what do you want Gov to say on border," but Luna stopped responding. The person then asked Luna, "You there?," before launching into a series of personal attacks. "You are really clever APL. But you're going to lose. At least you still got your fake t--s," stated one text. "Fake smile. Fake life. Fake Jewish person," the texts continued. "If you were a real Jew, you wouldn't be texting on the Sabbath." ANNA PAULINA LUNA CALLS FOR $10,000 PER DAY FINE ON GARLAND FOR BIDEN-HUR AUDIO TAPE Luna said she believes the scheme was concocted by a liberal PAC that has targeted fellow lawmakers, including Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert. Boebert told Fox News Digital she set up a time and place to meet with the alleged Abbott staffer when she received similar texts a meeting that she said could have left her in a "dangerous and compromising situation" if she had actually attended. Boebert told Fox News Digital that during the 2024 Republican National Convention in July, her staff received text messages from a person posing as Abbott's chief of staff. "The phone number used, which had an area code from Austin, Texas, claimed Gov. Abbott wanted to meet with me," Boebert said. She also accused a liberal PAC of carrying out the scheme, which included the individual sending her office "numerous details and texts, including a room number at a specific hotel where many VIPs were staying" for a meeting. Rep. Lauren Boebert told Fox News Digital that during the 2024 Republican National Convention in July, her staff received text messages from a person posing as Abbott's chief of staff. The meeting was never held, however, as Boebert figured out "the whole thing was a hoax," but said "if there had been a credible threat waiting for my arrival, this could have been a dangerous and comprising situation for my staff and me." "The people involved with this shady organization have a regular pattern of behaving in a mentally deranged manner and have the potential to cause harm, if given the opportunity," she said. "These sad, obsessed stalkers should be placed on a law enforcement watchlist." Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz was also reportedly targeted and had a text exchange with a person he believed worked in Abbotts office regarding an endorsement during primary season, screenshots of the texts posted by a liberal PAC to X showed. FLORIDA REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT TEAM UP TO TACKLE STUDENT LOAN DEBT AS BIDEN-HARRIS FORGIVENESS BIDS DERAIL Rep. Matt Gaetz speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill on Nov. 30, 2023. Fox News Digital reached out to the PAC and its president in direct messages on X but did not receive a response. Fox News Digital also called the number that originally texted Luna and left a message inquiring about the matter, but did not receive a call back. THERE'S NO WAY THAT I THINK BIDEN WILL BE THE NOMINEE FOR THE ELECTION CYCLE: REP. ANNA PAULINA LUNA The revelation of the scheme against Luna comes as she faces additional harassment in her Florida district. Luna was first elected to Congress in 2022. Luna on Saturday posted a lengthy statement on social media explaining that supporters of her political opponent, whom she did not name in the post, launched a social media campaign on Friday "to publicly dox, coordinate, and solicit individuals to send threatening packages to my home address." "If she is hiding , I know where she lives if anyone is interested in sending her a love letter.something. She dwells riiiiight around the corner," one message posted to Foxs campaign Facebook account states, according to Luna. Luna said she contacted the FBI, local sheriffs office and police regarding the threatening messages. The sheriff's office confirmed to Fox News Digital that it is investigating the matter. The FBI told Fox Digital when asked about the matter that under DOJ policy, it "can neither confirm nor deny the existence of a specific investigation," as the agency cannot "comment on complaints or tips we may or may not receive from the public." Luna unequivocally denounced all political violence in a comment to Fox Digital, and said the menacing social media messages surfaced after her political opponent labeled her a "threat to democracy." Anna Paulina Luna attends a news conference in the Capitol Visitor Center on Feb. 6, 2024. "Political violence should never be tolerated," Luna said on Sunday. "After labeling me a threat to democracy, my opponent has yet to condemn her supporters doxxing as well as calling for threatening packages to be sent to my home. This was all done publicly on her social media." Luna went on to cite the July assassination attempt on former President Trump, and on Sunday there was an apparent second attempt on Trump's life. "This speaks to a bigger issue," Luna said of the harassment shes facing. "The radical left is engaging rhetoric that is getting people hurt. Mind you, this is only a few months after an attempted assassination on President Trump. I am one of the most targeted members of Congress and her supporters were soliciting strangers to send things to my home address (that they were providing). This is not just abhorrent but shameful. I have a baby at home." "I will never tolerate this type of behavior and I thank my supporters for not engaging in this violent rhetoric," Luna added. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub. Original article source: Dem operative fished for oppo research in antisemitic, lewd text messages, House Republican charges CARLSBAD, Calif. In a heated race for San Diego Countys District 3 supervisor seat, incumbent Terra Lawson-Remer and former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer faced off Monday night, addressing issues including homelessness, housing and the Tijuana River sewage crisis. The race could shift the balance of power on the board of supervisors. Lawson-Remer, a Democrat, is fighting to maintain the boards Democratic majority, while Faulconer, a moderate Republican, seeks to flip the seat. In a moderated candidate forum Monday night in Carlsbad, Lawson-Remer criticized Faulconers record on homelessness, saying, Under Kevin Faulconer, we saw homelessness double on his watch. He was responsible for the biggest financial debacle the city of San Diego has ever experienced, the supervisor went on to say. Faulconer countered by accusing Lawson-Remer of inaction. The county needs to act. Unfortunately, we have a supervisor who doesnt show up to work, he said. Homelessness remains a key issue in the race, with North County seeing a significant rise in homelessness, according to the countys annual Point-in-Time Count. Both candidates addressed the need for different approaches to solving the crisis. We are going to insist that people get off the streets and into shelters, Faulconer said. New affordable housing complex coming to South Bay Meanwhile, Lawson-Remer highlighted her step-by-step approach to finding solutions for varying demographics, saying, You really have to take different approaches for different parts of our population. The debate also touched on the SANDAG mileage tax, which has divided residents and politicians alike. Lawson-Remer defended her record on the issue, noting that she voted against the tax both on the SANDAG board and as a county supervisor. Faulconer, however, claimed Lawson-Remer was inconsistent. My opponent voted for the mileage tax before she voted against it, he said. Its not a good idea to tax people for every mile they drive. The candidates also discussed the ongoing Tijuana River sewage crisis, which has plagued South Bay residents with polluted air and water. Lawson-Remer touted her efforts to secure $400 million in funding to address the issue, calling it a top priority. This is why I ran for office in the first place, she said. Faulconer criticized the pace of progress, arguing that the county needs more urgency in solving the crisis. We have the opportunity to turn this around, he said. With less than 50 days until the Nov. 5 election, the race is expected to be close. Both candidates are vying for the support of undecided voters, while Democrats appeal to labor groups and Republicans target law enforcement advocates and business communities. Supporters of both candidates weighed in following the debate. I would like to see more candidates of the caliber of Terra Lawson-Remer, said Roseanne Sharp, a Lawson-Remer supporter. Shes a lawyer, an educator, a scientistshe deals with data. Eleanor Thompson, a Faulconer supporter, said she believes its time for a change. Im leaning toward the new candidate with common-sense policies. I think change is good, and Im voting for Kevin Faulconer, Thompson 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 5 San Diego & KUSI News. From left: Democrat Jonathan Gracia is challenging Republican incumbent Janie Lopez in state House District 37, which covers part of the Rio Grande Valley and includes Harlingen and part of Brownsville. Credit: Social media HARLINGEN Texas Democrats hope to retake a state House seat in the Rio Grande Valley by attacking the incumbent Republican a first-term legislator over her support for a private school voucher system. Jonathan Gracia, an attorney and former Cameron County justice of the peace, is running to reclaim state House District 37, which is currently held by state Rep. Janie Lopez, a San Benito Republican, by positioning himself staunchly against school vouchers. Both parties have named the seat a priority. Texas Democratic Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said the race will be close, but believes Gracia will win the seat back. We should do well, Hinojosa said. The race puts Republicans who have a wide majority in the House on the defense. The seat was one of the partys pickups in 2022. Lopez won the seat by about 4 points, becoming one of the few Republican representatives for the Rio Grande Valley including state Rep. Ryan Guillen, R-Rio Grande City. Guillen was a Democrat for years, before joining the Republican Party in 2021. While control of the House is not in doubt, a handful of races, including this one, could determine whether Republican leaders will have enough votes to pass the highly contentious voucher legislation. [After decades of lobbying by Christian conservative donors, school voucher legislation may finally have the votes] District 37, which includes parts of Cameron and Willacy counties, is a rare competitive seat in Texas, after the Legislature redrew maps in 2021. Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, carried the district by 11 percentage points in 2022. That same year U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, a Democrat, defeated Mayra Flores, the Republican incumbent, by 8.5 percentage points there. Both state House candidates, Lopez and Gracia, see themselves as educational advocates, agreeing that Texas public education is underfunded. Lopez is a school counselor and previously served on the school board of her local district. Gracia is married to a public school educator. Gracia seizing on one of the states hottest political debates says Republicans in the Texas House are taking the wrong approach in their attempts to approve Abbotts voucher program that would allow parents to use tax dollars to send their children to religious or private schools. Abbott named the voucher program a priority during the 2023 regular legislative session. He lobbied state lawmakers for months over multiple special sessions, to no avail. In November, 21 Republicans joined with Democrats to spike the voucher legislation, but Lopez was not one of them. After several failed attempts to sway GOP lawmakers who were hesitant about the voucher proposal, Abbott successfully campaigned to remove many of his fellow Republicans who voted against the voucher program. Lopez, who supported the program, accepted Abbott's endorsement in December. The governor attended a fundraiser for Lopez here last month. Abbott has said the House now has enough votes to pass a voucher program, though the margin remains tight, with a narrow pro-voucher majority that can withstand few losses in November. Voucher opponents view the general election as perhaps their last chance to stop the policy, and the Gracia-Lopez contest is one of several at the center of the battlefield. Gracia questioned Lopez's support for school vouchers given her background in education. "You would think that that person would understand the struggle," Gracia said. "And maybe they do, but they don't care, and that's just not good enough for South Texas." Gracia and other voucher opponents argue that the program diverts money away from public education, which they say is already struggling from lack of resources. "They have this money and they simply don't want to use it in the correct fashion," Gracia said. "We need to make sure that what we have currently is working before we start thinking about trying to expand who's going to take public education dollars. And that's the real travesty of this all." According to a campaign finance report filed in July, Gracia has received support from a pro-charter schools political action committee, Charter Schools Now. The group received donations from Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, a major Democratic donor and advocate for charter schools, as well as from GOP donors such as Walmart heir Jim Walton. While Abbott pushed for a voucher program that would be open to all students, Lopez supported a limited voucher program debated in the House because it prioritized students from low-income families and those with disabilities. That proposal, an attempt to compromise between different factions of Republicans, would have created education savings accounts, for up to 40,000 students. Families who exited the states public education system would have received $10,500 annually for private school expenses or up to $1,000 for homeschooling. The impasse cost public schools an additional $7.6 billion that was included in the failed compromise. "It's unfortunate that we didn't get this additional funding, and I promise to fight for more funding," Lopez said. Candidates diverge on other issues The candidates contrast on several other issues of state policy, especially health care. Gracia, the Democrat, favors expansion of the Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act, which would allow more than a million additional Texans to qualify for health insurance. Texas is one of 10 states to refuse to fully expand the program since the initial rollout of the Affordable Care Act. "We're talking about the underprivileged community that's going to be able to benefit from Medicaid expansion," Gracia said. "What an easy vote." Lopez, the Republican, would not commit to voting for or against Medicaid expansion, stating that she would be in favor of a program that would benefit her region. "I will be voting for anything that's going to help the Valley," Lopez said. She added that the state had already poured millions into mental health services for adults and children. She noted a psychiatric facility in Harlingen will be expanded thanks to the $1.5 billion approved by lawmakers last year to improve or build new health care facilities. On the issue of abortion, Gracia said he favored abortion access as was allowed under Roe v. Wade. "Right now we're not even having this conversation because, well, the Legislature doesn't want to take up the topic," he said. Lopez declined to say whether she supported any exceptions to the states current abortion ban but said the state needs to focus on supporting women having children. "If Texas is a pro-life state, then we need to support women who are having babies," she said, adding that women were getting Medicaid coverage for an entire year after childbirth. Lopez is backed by the Texas Alliance for Life PAC, an anti-abortion group, according to her campaign finance report. Though they deviate on some key issues, both candidates lean more to the moderate side of their respective parties. Both favor strong border security with Lopez supporting more technology and manpower at the border. Lopez helped author House Bill 7 which would have created a new division of the Texas Rangers called the Texas Border Force to conduct border enforcement measures. Like Senate Bill 4, which passed the legislature but is not being enforced while it is being challenged in courts, the house bill would have made it a state crime to unlawfully enter the state anywhere but a port of entry. Gracia said the state needed to act so their federal partners understood the issues on the ground. "That means being able to pass legislation at the Texas Legislature that's going to be able to show our federal partners that if they're not engaging in this problem, they're passing it on," he said. In their most recent campaign finance report from July, Gracia received $122,375 including $50,000 from himself. He reported spending $11,823 and maintaining $95,486. Lopez reported she received $142,402 in all contributions and spent $37,318. She maintained $103,032. Among the donations to her campaign were a $10,000 contribution from the Border Health PAC, a Valley-based group that has backed Democratic candidates but often supports Republicans as well, and a donation of more than $25,600 from Coalition Por For Texas PAC, a group that backs Republican Hispanics in an effort to flip Democratic seats. Gracia hopes his reputation in office as a justice of the peace presiding over small claims court and officiating marriages and as an attorney will convince voters of his engagement in the community. It's a different type of politics, and that's one of engagement, showing that you care, not through words, but through actions, Gracia said. If elected to a second term, Lopez said she would work to bring more funding for infrastructure, decrease or eliminate school district taxes and address issues at the border. During her first term, Lopez introduced bills that would have increased funding through the Texas Water Development Board for projects in economically distressed areas. Funding for water projects continue to be a top concern for many farmers and ranchers in the area who have been cut off from water due to drought conditions affecting water reservoirs. We need to find solutions here in Texas just like we did for the border issues, Lopez said. Reporting in the Rio Grande Valley is supported in part by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. Senior Democratic Party lawmakers are reportedly concerned that Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson could try and sabotage a Kamala Harris election victory. Top-level meetings are secretly being held to guard against several eventualities that could impede the smooth transfer of power if Donald Trump loses in November, according to Politico. While Democratic lawmakers say such a scenario is unlikely, they worry how Johnson will react if the Republicans retain control of the House and oversee Harris being certified as president. House Speaker Mike Johnson Endorses Trumps Mass Deportation Fantasy In the past, the certification was a relative formality, but the January 6, 2021, uprising has thrown the process into doubt. It would be silly to ignore the history here, Rep Joe Morelle (D-NY), senior Democrat on the House Administration Committee, told Politicos Playbook. I have faith in people, he said, adding that he thinks Johnson would do the right thing. But he said: Were prepared for any eventuality andwell be in a position to press forward and make sure theres a peaceful transfer. Another concern, says Politico, is that Johnson may want to win the further approval of Trump and his MAGA supporters by vowing to challenge the election results if they go against the GOP. Their worries are tempered by the fact that Harris will preside over the certification as vice president. In 2021, Mike Pence famously continued with the count for an opposition party president; in 2025, Harris would be certifying herself. The Electoral Count Act was also changed in 2022 to require 20% of each chamber to object to the vote count. But Politico theorized four possible ways that Johnson and Trump supporters could challenge a Harris victory. He could rewrite the rules for the certification that have been in place for over a century, object to contested blocks of electoral votes, delay the vote count, or throw a roadblock into the entire process by challenging the Electoral Count Act. A Johnson aide dismissed the claims as part of an alarmist narrative from Democrats. 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. Denver residents can put up political signs, but there are rules Denver residents can put up political signs, but there are rules DENVER (KDVR) The November general election is coming up, and Denver residents are already decorating their front yards with political signs. While these political signs are legal in the city, there are rules around what and where residents can put them. Is it illegal in Colorado to remove a campaign sign from someones yard? If you plan to represent a political party on your Denver property, follow the Denver Zoning Code Section 10.10.3. Where can you put up a campaign sign? When putting up a campaign sign, or really any sign in Denver, you need to follow the zoning code, which states that any sign must be on private property. The city of Denver also said that signs cant be in the public right-of-way. Public rights of way include: Tree lawns Median strips Highway entrance and exit ramps Traffic signs and posts Utility poles It also states that the sign must follow zoning regulations. Political signs can be shown on residential property without a permit, but there are only specific places and types of signs you can put up. When are ballots mailed out in Colorado? These are the types of signs allowed: Wall signs Window signs Ground signs no more than 6 feet above grade unless mounted to a single pole no taller than 25 feet Signs must be maintained in a clean, orderly and sightly condition Signs cant be animated, flash, blink or fluctuate Signs cant be illuminated No sign larger than 15 square feet in size As long as its on your private property and following the zoning code, youre allowed to have a political sign in Denver. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) Showers will clear out of the forecast tonight ahead of thunderstorms that could produce strong wind gusts moving into Denvers weather forecast Tuesday. A Pinpoint Weather Alert Day has been issued for Tuesday for the risk of thunderstorms that could produce damaging wind gusts. The front range, including the Denver area, is on track to see the biggest impact from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., then the storm will move east. Weather tonight: Clearing, mild Showers will wrap up Monday night, followed by clearing clouds. Temperatures will only fall to the upper 50s, which is nearly 10 degrees above normal. FOX31 Weather: View the latest Denver forecasts, maps and radar Weather tomorrow: Pinpoint Weather Alert for gusty storms Tuesday will start off with sunshine. Then, as temperatures climb to the mid-80s, there will be increasing clouds ahead of afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Thunderstorms will move into the front range around 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., then move east through the evening. Some storms could be strong to severe producing wind gusts up to 60 mph. In preparation for the storms, it is recommended that residents secure or bring inside loose objects and stay off the water. The area with the largest risk for gusty storms is in northeast Colorado, where the Storm Prediction Center has issued a slight risk. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up for weather alerts from the Pinpoint Weather team Looking ahead: Dry, pleasant weather Dry and pleasant weather moves into the forecast for the end of the workweek. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will look similar with a morning low near 50. Then sunshine helps to boost high temperatures to the low to mid-80s, which is slightly above Denvers 80-degree average. The next big change moves in this weekend. A system will pass through the area bringing up the chance for showers on Saturday and decreasing temperatures. Saturdays high will only reach the lower 70s, then seasonally cool air sticks around Sunday and Monday with highs in the mid-70s and drying conditions. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In a week marked by significant rebounds in U.S. stocks and notable interest rate cuts from the European Central Bank, market sentiment has been cautiously optimistic. As investors navigate through these dynamic conditions, identifying stocks with strong fundamentals becomes crucial for uncovering potential opportunities. When considering undiscovered gems, its essential to focus on companies with robust financial health and growth prospects that can withstand economic fluctuations. Top 10 Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals Name Debt To Equity Revenue Growth Earnings Growth Health Rating Mobile Telecommunications NA 3.85% -0.40% Ovostar Union 0.01% 10.19% 49.85% Impellam Group 31.12% -5.43% -6.86% Tianyun International Holdings 10.09% -5.59% -9.92% Amana Cooperative Insurance NA -1.95% 20.64% MOBI Industry 28.24% 6.15% 18.49% Transnational Corporation of Nigeria 44.55% 26.40% 54.06% MAPFRE Middlesea NA 14.56% 1.77% A2B Australia 15.83% -7.78% 25.44% Wilson 64.79% 30.09% 68.29% Click here to see the full list of 4740 stocks from our Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals screener. Underneath we present a selection of stocks filtered out by our screen. Simply Wall St Value Rating: Overview: Singer Thailand Public Company Limited, with a market cap of THB9.62 billion, distributes household electrical and commercial appliances in Thailand through its subsidiaries. Operations: Singer Thailand generates revenue primarily through trade sales (THB1.33 billion) and hire-purchase and loans (THB1.85 billion). The company also earns from service-related activities amounting to THB98.73 million, while eliminations reduce the total by THB684.46 million. Singer Thailand has seen a remarkable turnaround, reporting a net income of THB 28.42 million for Q2 2024 compared to a net loss of THB 2.40 billion the previous year, with diluted EPS improving from -THB 2.94 to THB 0.03. The companys debt to equity ratio has impressively dropped from 95.9% to 26.4% over five years, and it trades at nearly 81% below estimated fair value despite high share price volatility recently and interest coverage challenges (1.4x EBIT). SET:SINGER Debt to Equity as at Sep 2024 Simply Wall St Value Rating: Overview: Great Giant Fibre Garment Co., Ltd. manufactures and sells garments and textiles in Taiwan, with a market cap of NT$14.17 billion. Story continues Operations: The primary revenue stream for Great Giant Fibre Garment comes from its Clothing Business Sales and Manufacturing, generating NT$5.74 billion. Great Giant Fibre Garment Co., Ltd. has shown promising growth, with earnings rising 13.4% over the past year, outpacing the Luxury industrys 12.6%. For the half-year ending June 30, 2024, net income increased to TWD 453.76 million from TWD 309.29 million a year earlier, reflecting strong performance despite sales dipping to TWD 2,271.08 million from TWD 2,539.07 million previously reported. The companys P/E ratio stands attractively at 16x compared to the TW market's average of 21.1x. TPEX:4441 Debt to Equity as at Sep 2024 Simply Wall St Value Rating: Overview: Thinking Electronic Industrial Co., Ltd. manufactures, processes, and sells electric devices, thermistors, varistors, and wires in Taiwan, China, and internationally with a market cap of approximately NT$22.55 billion. Operations: Thinking Electronic Industrial generates revenue primarily from its subsidiaries, with Dongguan Welkin Electronic Co. contributing NT$3.56 billion and Xing Qin adding NT$3.20 billion. Thinking Electronic Industrial has shown promising growth, with earnings rising 24.3% over the past year, outpacing the electronic industrys 0.4%. The company reported TWD 1,949.79 million in sales for Q2 2024, up from TWD 1,816.45 million a year ago and net income increased to TWD 437.58 million from TWD 311.54 million last year. Additionally, their price-to-earnings ratio of 15.4x remains attractive compared to the TW market's average of 21.1x. TWSE:2428 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Sep 2024 Seize The Opportunity Reveal the 4740 hidden gems among our Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals screener with a single click here. Already own these companies? Link your portfolio to Simply Wall St and get alerts on any new warning signs to your stocks. Invest smarter with the free Simply Wall St app providing detailed insights into every stock market around the globe. Ready For A Different Approach? 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 SET:SINGER TPEX:4441 and TWSE:2428. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Robert Nix, a 62-year-old lawyer from Philadelphia, was a lifelong Republican before Donald Trump came to office. Hes voted red in every election since he turned 18, and things were no different in 2016 when he voted for the GOP candidate. But Nix quickly felt he had made a mistake. He was bothered by Trumps boisterous comments and attacks on freedom of the press. By the time the next election rolled around in 2020, Nix put aside his ideological differences with President Joe Biden and voted Democrat for the first time in his life. I wasn't happy about it, but I didn't see any choice, Nix said in an interview with Salon. This year, hes encouraging others to do the same. Nix is one of hundreds of Republicans sharing their experience in the hopes it will resonate with center-right voters in swing states like Pennsylvania. He is part of Republican Voters Against Trump (RVAT), a $3.5 million ad campaign started by Defending Democracy Together, an advocacy organization for conservatives "dedicated to defending Americas democratic norms, values, and institutions." In 2020, the same group launched a similar project, dubbed Republican Accountability, to share testimonials from conservative voters on their decision not to vote for Trump and encourage others to vote blue. This year's campaign has the same objective: to use personal stories to reach center-right voters in battleground states who are concerned about Trump but hesitant to vote Democratic for the first time. The campaign is a community of these voters who feel politically homeless, who need a new home, who want to reject Donald Trump, but don't necessarily identify as Democrats, John Conway, RVAT's director of strategy, said in an interview with Salon. RVATs website has over 300 recorded testimonies from former-Trump voters who are voting Democrat this time around. Voters share the dangers of a second Trump term and encourage other conservatives to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris. Many of the testimonies, including Nixs, are also on billboards and streaming service ads in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Kyle Sweetser, a 35-year-old construction worker and father of two from Mobile, Ala., voted for Trump in both 2016 and 2020. As a small business owner in the South, Sweetser liked that Trump was "business minded" and thought he would bring a fresh perspective to the Oval Office. When Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum in 2018, Sweetser directly felt the effects on his construction business and started to question Trump's economic policy. He still voted Republican in 2020, but did so reluctantly. After the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, however, Sweetser lost all faith in the former president. Trump winning the Republican primary earlier this year "shook" Sweetser "to the core," he said. He decided he would vote Democrat for the first time in his life this fall. Like Nix, Sweetser started speaking out against Trump, mostly criticizing his views on the economy and approach to foreign policy. With his children's futures in mind, he even spoke at the Democratic National Convention in August. "I really started to really look at Trump's record under a microscope and realize how wrong he was, you know, on foreign policy, on trade, on the economy," he said in an interview with Salon. "I've never really been somebody that goes online and talks about things, but I felt like it was the right thing to do." While much of Sweetser's decision to vote Democrat is about policy, for Nix this years election transcends issues of the economy, foreign affairs or immigration. This election is about preventing a narcissistic authoritarian from entering office, he said. We can overcome bad policy. We can't overcome if one of our political parties becomes a movement that is no longer part of democracy, that takes us over the edge, Nix said. We can't come back from that. Nix was one of 156,000 Republican voters who voted for Nikki Haley in Pennsylvania's Republican primary election in April, netting her over 16% in a presidential race that she had already dropped out of a month before. The former UN ambassador, who has since endorsed Trump, also received 20% of the primary vote in Maryland, 21.7% in Indiana and 17.9% in Nebraska. The support for Haley, despite her no longer being a candidate, suggests there are many Republicans out there with qualms about the direction of their party, Nix said. "Those people that voted for Haley after she dropped out as purely a protest vote against Trump, those are the ones that have to be reached as carefully as possible," Nix said. Harris is trying to do just that, making a deliberate effort to reach moderate Republicans, particularly Haley supporters. In August, her team launched, "Republicans for Harris," a campaign that aims to create a "permission structure" for GOP voters to vote Democrat. The campaign has hosted events in Arizona, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, with a focus on "Republican-to-Republican voter contact." Household Republicans are supporting the movement too. Former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, has said she will vote for Harris in November because of the "danger Donald Trump poses." It is crucially important for people to recognize not only is what Ive just said about the danger that Trump poses something that should prevent people from voting for him, but I dont believe we have the luxury of writing in candidates names, particularly in swing states, Cheney said at a Duke University event. Her father followed suit. In August, more than 230 former GOP staffers who worked for George Bush presidents, as well as the late Sen. John McCain released a letter endorsing Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. McCain's son Jimmy recently announced he too is voting for Harris. The GOP alumni stated their support for Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, despite ideological differences because voting for Trump would be untenable. At home, another four years of Donald Trumps chaotic leadership, this time focused on advancing the dangerous goals of Project 2025, will hurt real, everyday people and weaken our sacred institutions, the letter reads. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. But despite the high-profile endorsements, recent polling shows that Trump still is perceived as more moderate than he is in reality. According to the latest New York Times/Siena College poll, just 32% of voters said Trump was too conservative, whereas 47% of voters said Harris was too liberal. Five percent of registered GOP voters said they would vote for Harris if the election were held today, according to the same poll. Convincing lifelong Republicans to jump ship isnt easy. Conway said tribal instinct is strong among Republican voters and it may be hard for some to stray from the pack. Indeed, since Nix began sharing his experience and campaigning against Trump, hes felt incredibly isolated within the Republican movement. Hes been cut off by friends, removed from email lists, and excluded from right-wing circles, he said. Each day I wake up and think, 'I can't possibly be more depressed, disgusted and horrified,' and each day Im surprised to find I am, he said. Sweetser too has had isolating and even dangerous experiences. His home address was released online and seen by over 100,000 people. His wife received via text message from an anonymous number. "It is what it is, you know? The more threats, the more I feel that it's important to continue to speak out," Sweetser said. Its a common experience, Conway said. Their target voters are in Republican families and Republican communities where they may be the only person deeply concerned about Trump. Hearing stories like Nixs can show someone theyre not alone, That's what makes these testimonials so powerful: establishing permission structures for other voters to reject Donald Trump's extremism, Conway said. (FOX40.COM) A woman suffered several gunshot wounds in a shooting in Grass Valley that ended with officials finding the body of the suspect inside a home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Nevada County Sheriffs Office. The agency said it received several emergency calls just before 3 p.m. about a disturbance and gunshots heard at a home on Conifer Lane, including one call from the victim. The area is about 70 miles northeast of Sacramento. The sheriffs office said that the victim was found near the home and taken to the hospital and that she said two additional family members were in the home, including a child. Nearby homes were evacuated and a woman and child were eventually able to exit the home, but deputies were not able to contact the suspect for a while. After getting a search warrant, drones were used to check the home, where the suspect was found and appeared to have a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the sheriffs office said. The man was pronounced dead at a hospital around 7 p.m. The victim had several gunshot wounds affecting her neck, face and back, and was in stable condition, the sheriffs office said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. RUSSELL SPRINGS, Ky. (FOX 56) A deputy is dead after a shooting Monday in Russell County. According to Kentucky State Police (KSP), troopers and the Russell County Sheriffs Office (RCSO) were conducting an investigation on Bluebird Drive in Russell Springs around 5:30 p.m. CDT when the shooting involving a deputy took place. Read more of the latest Kentucky news This embedded content is not available in your region. Bobbi Emerson, a homeowner in the area, told FOX 56 News that she heard what sounded like gunshots near a mobile home between Hopper Street and Lakeway Drive and then saw a person run behind her house. All of a sudden there were 15 to 20 cops and an ambulance at the trailer park pointing their guns at a camper, Emerson said. According to Kentucky State Police (KSP), troopers and the Russell County Sheriffs Office (RCSO) were conducting an investigation on Bluebird Drive in Russell Springs around 5:30 p.m. CDT when the shooting involving a deputy took place. (FOX 56 News) Trailer park damage from Russell Springs officer-involved shooting. (FOX 56 News) According to Kentucky State Police (KSP), troopers and the Russell County Sheriffs Office (RCSO) were conducting an investigation on Bluebird Drive in Russell Springs around 5:30 p.m. CDT when the shooting involving a deputy took place. (FOX 56 News) Several sources told FOX 56 News that a deputy and a man were shot. The man was taken to an area hospital and was later declared dead, per KSP. Rita Campbell lives in the camper the alleged shooter ran into. She told FOX 56 she was not home at the time but her niece was. Fortunately for her niece, the police told her to leave the camper. Its just overwhelming and theres a lot to have to be fixed now, Campbell said. The bedroom. Pretty much everything in there is going to have to be took out and destroyed. She said she hasnt been able to sleep yet and probably wont be able to for a day or two. It makes me feel real uneasy of about even being here. Like my daughter stayed until almost daylight, and I left the door open, and I sat right there, like where I can watch out the whole time. And its like Im trying to live in fear that something like thats going to happen with me being in there, Campbell said. Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news Kathy Kean lives in a trailer near the camper and told FOX 56 she saw everything. She admitted to being scared for her life and the life of her granddaughter, who was with her at the time. She came outside a few times and saw the police running through the area. Kean said she didnt know who the shooter was and that her trailer was not struck by any gunfire. The Russell County Fiscal Court said Monday night that RCSO deputy Josh Phipps was killed. According to KSP, he was a three-year veteran of the sheriffs office. We are devastated to announce we have lost one of our own this evening, Deputy Joshua Phipps. We know Deputy Phipps family is grieving, and we grieve with them tonight. We appreciate your consideration for the familys privacy and ask you to keep them and us all in your prayers, KSP Trooper Houk shared on behalf of Russell County Sheriff Derek Polston in a Facebook post. The Russell County Fiscal Court said Monday night that RCSO deputy Josh Phipps was killed. According to KSP, he was a three-year veteran of the sheriffs office. (Russell County Sheriff Derek Polston) According to the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD), Phipps started with the department in June 2020 and graduated from the Metro Academy in February 2021. He was with LMPD until May 2021. Attorney General Russell Coleman released the following statement Monday evening: Tonight, Russell County Sheriffs Deputy Joshua Phipps ended his watch to his county and his Commonwealth. All Kentucky mourns his loss and honors his selfless sacrifice. Along with Deputy Phipps brothers and sisters in uniform across Kentucky and the nation, we send our prayers and condolences to his family and colleagues. The full resources of the Office of the Attorney General and our Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are ready to support the Russell County Sheriffs Office and this community during this tragic time. In a KSP news release Tuesday morning, Gov. Andy Beshear said: Tragic news for our commonwealth as a Russell County deputy was killed in the line of duty last night. Britainy and I ask all of Kentucky to join us in praying for his family, fellow law enforcement officers and the entire Russell County community. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Russell County High School said in a Facebook post the school would be closed on Tuesday. The City of Russell Springs shared a Facebook post about a prayer vigil that will be held at 5:30 p.m. CDT Tuesday at the top field of Russell Springs City Park in memory of Phipps. Camille Hantla 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 FOX 56 News. One day after federal prosecutors filed gun charges against a man suspected of attempting to ambush Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course, Floridas governor elbowed his way into the case, saying he wants the state to pursue its own investigation and seek an attempted murder charge against the former presidents would-be assassin. On Tuesday, DeSantis took the unusual step of signing an executive order that directs a statewide prosecutor under Floridas attorney general to ensure that charges are brought for all violations of state law. He also directed Floridas Office of Statewide Prosecution to ensure public transparency in the investigatory process, questioning the federal governments ability to be impartial to Trump. In my judgment, it is not in the best interest of our state or of our nation to have the same federal agencies that are seeking to prosecute Donald Trump leading this investigation, especially when the most serious, straightforward offense constitutes a violation of state law, not federal law, DeSantis said during a Tuesday morning press conference in West Palm Beach. DeSantis announced the states plans after Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg backed away from the case to allow federal investigators to take the lead. Aronberg, a Democrat, said Tuesday that his office would consider filing charges if a law enforcement agency requested it. We work together with our federal partners and do not engage in turf wars, Aronberg said. INTERACTIVE: How close was golf course gunman to Trump? Map lets you see for yourself DeSantis executive order thrust him into the national conversation over what appears to be the second attempt on Trumps life in little more than two months though its unclear whether the federal government or even the former president welcome his actions, which legal experts said could complicate the case. Neither the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, which is prosecuting suspect Ryan Wesley Routh, the FBI nor Trumps campaign would comment on Tuesday. DeSantis office declined to answer questions. Former veteran prosecutors in Miami said the proposition of parallel federal and state investigations of the same crime and suspect may be legal, but would be counterproductive. Jon Sale, a former federal prosecutor in Miami and New York who worked on the Watergate case, said the Trump investigation has been politicized by Floridas governor, a former prosecutor with the U.S. Navy. Right after the incident, there was a model over the way local and federal law enforcement were working together cooperatively, Sale said. As soon as the investigation was turned over to the federal prosecutors, it turned into a political football. When the investigation turned into an attempt on the life of a former president, it became clear there was a compelling federal interest, Sale said. That interest should be vindicated. If its not for any reason, then the state can pursue their own case. State prosecutors and investigators should be working with the federal authorities, not competing with them. RELATED CONTENT: Suspected Trump assassin had delusions of grandeur, political views all over the map We will not wait on the federal government to act Investigators believe Routh, 58, had been waiting at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach overnight for nearly 12 hours when he was first spotted hiding in the bushes near the sixth green by a Secret Service agent on Sunday afternoon as Trump played a round of golf several hundred yards away. Secret Service personnel fired at Routh, who according to law enforcement never got off a round from his SKS-style rifle. He fled the scene, and was stopped in Martin County. Routh is likely to eventually face federal charges of making threats against a former president, or against a candidate for president who is protected by the Secret Service. But on Monday he was initially charged with gun-related crimes in the apparent assassination attempt of Trump. DeSantis said the state will prosecute Routh to the fullest extent of the law. This deranged, would-be assassin broke Florida law, and we will not wait on the federal government to act, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a statement Tuesday. Moody said she directed statewide prosecutors to assist the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Florida Highway Patrol to work quickly to uncover the facts behind this latest attempt on President Trumps life and provide trust and transparency to the American people. Trump hasnt publicly commented on the ongoing FBI investigation, though he has praised the Secret Service and law enforcement officials for their response to the apparent assassination attempt. Two Trump allies said that theres no reason to doubt the FBIs ability to probe the incident at least for now but added that they hope to see a steady flow of information coming from investigators soon, arguing that more public disclosures would be necessary to head off any concerns about the probe. READ MORE: Ominous questions fuel probe into attempted Trump assassination in Florida A question of jurisdiction Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, who has been a central figure in the case since Sunday, joined DeSantis at Tuesdays press conference and thanked the governor for getting involved. Martin County Sheriff William Snyder also attended the event, as did FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. But several attorneys familiar with state and federal cases questioned whether a parallel investigation into the same crime and suspect would hurt, rather than help. It makes the situation more complicated, said Miami attorney David Weinstein, a former chief of the National Security Section in the U.S. Attorneys Office in Miami. Weinstein, who also served as a state prosecutor in Miami-Dade County, said the FBI and U.S. Attorneys Office are better equipped to run the investigation because of the facts of the case: Routh, a convicted felon in North Carolina, is suspected of traveling to Florida while carrying a semi-automatic rifle with an obliterated serial number in an apparent attempt to assassinate Trump on his golf course in West Palm Beach. I do think this is a better fit for the feds, with state and local investigators assisting them, Weinstein said. Based on my experience, unless the state and federal investigations work together, the investigations dont succeed. Weinstein said the only way a statewide prosecutor would have jurisdiction over this matter is if the offense were committed across judicial circuit lines, and thats not the case here. The Office of Statewide Prosecution can only prosecute crimes that impact two or more judicial circuits in the State of Florida, or that focus on complex, often large scale organized criminal activity, according to its website. Martin and Palm Beach counties are in separate judicial districts. DeSantis mentioned the arrest in Martin County in the executive order assigning the case to the Office of Statewide Prosecution. The governors press secretary, Jeremy Redfern, declined to comment on the rationale for the multi-jurisdictional argument. Judges have previously tossed out cases brought by DeSantis Office of Election Crimes and Security, ruling the attorney generals statewide prosecutors didnt have jurisdiction to bring the charges. Prosecutions in Miami-Dade and Broward were revived on appeal after the Florida Legislature changed state law clarifying that statewide prosecutors could handle the cases. McClatchy Chief White House Correspondent Michael Wilner and Miami Herald reporter Max Greenwood contributed to this report. The Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation has unveiled its design on Monday for a National Mall monument honoring journalists killed in their line of duty, representing the first memorial for slain journalists on federal grounds. The Washington D.C. monument, projected to open in 2028, is made up of various cast glass blocks that form a path to the memorials center, which culminates in a cylindrical space that includes the text of the First Amendment. The purpose, architect John Ronan said, was to mimic both the transparency journalism provides and the disparate parts that make up a complete story. It's a journey of discovery that unfolds slowly, space by space, like a journalists story unfolds line by line, Ronan told The Daily Beast. The idea is to cast the visitor in the role of an investigative journalist, pursuing truth wherever it leads. Artist renderings of the Fallen Journalist Memorial in Washington, D.C. Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation/John Ronan Architects The design was completed by Ronans Chicago-based firm, which was selected earlier this year after a yearlong process led by Pulitzer-Prize winning architecture critic Paul Goldberger. The design will be presented to the U.S. Commission on Fine Arts on Thursday for review, and the National Capital Planning Commission will review it next month. The love for journalism is reflected through each element of the memorials open-air design. Ronan incorporated a classroom space for planned programming on the importance of journalism, and there will be a space reserved for broadcast journalists to do their live shots. Many of the glass slabs will also include quotes related to journalism or said by journalists themselves. Even the memorials locationsituated on one-third of an acre between Independence and Maryland avenues and Third Street SW with a direct view of the U.S. Capitol domeis meant to reflect how journalism is interwoven into U.S. history. Artist renderings of the Fallen Journalist Memorial in Washington, D.C. Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation/John Ronan Architects The road to getting the memorial going was almost miraculous amid the hyperpartisanshipand sunken trust in the mediabegetting the U.S. The Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation was formed in June 2019 by former U.S. representative and ex-Tribune Broadcasting Company CEO David Dreier, a Republican, to celebrate the journalists who were killed at the Capital Gazette newsroom in Maryland in 2018. The foundation was memorialized by Congress in 2020 after it passed a bill letting the group build a memorial on federal landsthough it cannot receive federal funds. President Donald Trump signed the bill into law in December 2020. Its that bipartisan spirit, foundation president Barbara Cochran said, that emphasizes the memorials importance and its place on federal land. These stories, I think, underscore both the important job that journalists are doing and the risks that they face, Cochran said. You know, it's not just in war zones, or covering corruption, covering autocrats and authoritarian regimes, and even just covering their community news in a place like Annapolis, Maryland, where journalists can encounter danger. So I think that those stories really resonate with people. Artist renderings of the Fallen Journalist Memorial in Washington, D.C. Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation/John Ronan Architects Still, even those noble ideas can still risk inducing partisan attacks. GOP politicians have assailed U.S. journalists over their coverage of the 2024 presidential election, with lawmakers like Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene resorting to dubious documents to attack ABC over their debate. One of their safeguards, Cochran said, is their advisory board. The group is composed of reporters and editors from a wide swath of publications, including everyone from former New York Times and Washington Post executive editors Dean Baquet and Marty Baron to Fox News anchor Bret Baier to Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy. When I asked people to be on the board of advisors, it was an immediate yes in almost all instances, Cochran said.I think journalists especially are acutely aware of the dangers and the threats, and they recognized immediately how important it is to have this. Its why such fears of partisan attacks dont worry Cochran as much. There will always be criticism of individual journalists, individual news organizations, Cochran said, but she cited Thomas Jeffersons love for newspapers as an example of press rising above partisanship. He preferred a society with free journalism, with free press, she said. And I think officials really do feel that. (Note: The Daily Beasts Chief Content Officer Joanna Coles is on the foundations board of advisers.) 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. Despicable: Ohio sheriff criticized for telling followers to write down addresses of Harris supporters PORTAGE COUNTY, Ohio (WJW) A sheriff in Portage County, Ohio, is being criticized for encouraging his Facebook followers to keep tabs on community members who support Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. In posts he shared Friday from two separate accounts, Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski wrote that he tells people to write down the addresses of Harris supporters for future reference. He then suggests sending undocumented immigrants whom he referred to as locust to those homes. When people ask meWhats gonna happen if the Flip Flopping, Laughing Hyena Wins?? I saywrite down all the addresses of the people who had her signs in their yards! Sooowhen the Illegal human Locust (which she supports!) Need places to liveWell already have the addresses of the their New familieswho supported their arrival! Zuchowski wrote. Zuchowski did not use the vice presidents name in his post, but included screengrabs of a Fox News broadcast which mentioned Harris. Zuchowski uses the pages to update residents on community events, crime and his political fundraisers. But he also uses one of the pages specifically, the one under Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski to publicize his political beliefs and opinions. (His other page just reads Bruce Zuchowski.) Trump-Taylor Swift feud may pose risks in tight election When asked, the Portage County Sheriffs Office told Nexstars WJW that neither page is an official county account. The one under Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski is his personal campaign account, the office added. The sheriffs office declined an interview. Nexstars WJW did, however, did get an interview with current Republican Portage County Commissioner Tony Badalamenti, who felt it was ignorant to post such a message on Facebook, even if it wasnt under an official county account. I just thought it was pretty ignorant. Once it goes on Facebook, nobody really cares where it came from. If its you, its you, Badalamenti said. Badalamenti also resigned as the Republican representative of the Portage County Central Committee, citing Zuchowskis post as the reason. Everyone has their own thought process on how they should represent their party. I disagree with that behavior. Also speaking with WJW was former U.S. Marine and current Portage County resident William Lane, who expressed disappointment on a personal level. I took an oath to the Constitution to protect all of those foreign and domestic. That had nothing to do with party. Its the same oath that Bruce (Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski) took. Elon Musk deletes Harris assassination joke Also denouncing Zuchowskis comments were the Ohio affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), who called his posts despicable. Sheriffs are elected officials who have a duty to serve ALL members of their community, the ACLU of Ohio wrote on X. They are sworn to protect the public from intimidation and oppression. For the sitting sheriff of Portage County to be engaging in the very type of behavior hes meant to combat is despicable. Some of Zuchowskis critics have also filed complaints with the Justice Department, the Akron Beacon Journal reports. That sort of doxxing, sanctioned by a gun-toting man with a badge, is downright scary, one county resident wrote in their complaint, according to the outlet. Zuchowski has been sheriff in Portage County since 2021 and has served in Ohio law enforcement for nearly three decades. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin, left, and House Majority Leader Jamie Long, DFL-Minneapolis, called on GOP Rep. Jeff Dotseth to suspend his reelection campaign at a Capitol press conference on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Photo by Michelle Griffith/Minnesota Reformer. Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin and House Majority Leader Jamie Long, DFL-Minneapolis, on Monday urged state Rep. Jeff Dotseth, R-Kettle River, to suspend his reelection campaign after the Star Tribune reported that the first-term lawmaker was arrested in 2008 after his then-wife alleged he physically abused her and her son for over a decade. Martin and Long also called on Minnesota House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, to expel Dotseth from the House Republican caucus. No one who has engaged repeatedly in domestic violence, child abuse and threats of murder has any business writing the laws that govern our state, Martin said at a Capitol press conference on Tuesday. Dotseths wife in her divorce petition described allegations of abuse, including incidents of Dotseth throwing her to the floor, kicking and choking her in 1993 or 1994. She also said that Dotseth slammed her against a wall, slapped her and forced her head between his legs and squeezed tightly, the Star Tribune reported. Dotseths then-wife said her son, who was a child at the time of the alleged abuse, tried to intervene multiple times and was also allegedly abused by Dotseth, the Star Tribune reported. In 2008, Dotseth was charged with misdemeanor domestic assault, and he later pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct, the Star Tribune reported. A judge issued a yearlong order for protection against Dotseth, ordering him to cease contact with his then-wife. Dotseth was also prohibited from using or possessing firearms and only allowed supervised visits with their daughter. When reached by the Star Tribune, Dotseth in a written statement denied the allegations against him, and he said that he now has a cordial relationship with my ex-wife, and have worked to put this difficult chapter of my life behind me. Demuth did not immediately publicly respond to the DFLs calls for her to remove Dotseth from the House Republican caucus. In a statement sent to the Reformer that was also provided to the Star Tribune, Demuth said that domestic violence is an absolute red line for me its never acceptable under any circumstances. But Demuth also said that the case was resolved through the legal process more than 15 years ago, concluding with no charge or conviction for domestic assault. I spoke with Rep. Dotseth and he reiterated the contents of what was in his affidavit denying the allegations that were made during the divorce proceedings. Long questioned why Demuth and the Minnesota Republican Party had not taken immediate action in light of the reporting published Monday. If domestic assault really is a red line for leader Demuth, as she said, then why is she giving Representative Dotseth a pass here? Long said Tuesday. Both Martin and Long said they had heard rumors of Dotseths past misconduct, but they didnt know the full extent of it until they read about it in the Star Tribune. Rep. Paul Novotny, R-Elk River, who was a sergeant with the Sherburne County Sheriffs Office at the time of the 911 call, was one of two officers who responded to the 2008 domestic assault call against Dotseth, but he doesnt recall specifics about the interaction. Democrats in 2021 also ran into trouble with candidate vetting after then Rep. John Thompsons past allegations of domestic violence surfaced. Thompson was removed from the House DFL caucus but stayed in the Legislature. He was eventually defeated in a primary election. A Benner Township supervisor accused her fellow board members and the townships longtime secretary Monday of violating the Pennsylvanias open meetings law. Township Supervisor Kathy Evey alleged the group violated the states Sunshine Act when they hired a Bellefonte woman to perform transcription duties without providing ample notice to the public. A message was left Tuesday with the townships solicitor. Eveys attorney declined additional comment Tuesday. Evey was informed by the woman in August that she had been hired by Benner Township Secretary Sharon Royer to transcribe the townships board of supervisors meeting, attorney Christine Line wrote in the filing. Royer had been the one responsible for taking meeting minutes, but Line wrote that the townships board did not discuss whether those duties should be delegated to a third party. There was also no discussion about whether the job should be posted openly, compensation or whether they would be required to attend meetings, Line wrote. There was no executive session to discuss the position either, Line wrote. Evey said she raised the potential violation of state law at the boards public meeting earlier this month. Chairman Randy Moyer modified the meeting agenda to include discussion on the position, but Evey claimed it was improper since timely notice was not given to residents. Royer said at the meeting that the woman was already hired and was being paid by her directly not with taxpayer money, Line wrote. Evey asked a Centre County judge to void the womans hiring because of the potential violation. No hearings were scheduled as of Tuesday. The boards next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 7. After months of sexual assault lawsuits, allegations, and Homeland Security raids, Diddy has officially been arrested. The 54-year-old artist was taken into custody in New York City. Earlier this evening, federal agents arrested Sean Combs, based on a sealed indictment filed by the SDNY, United States Attorney Damian Williams wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday evening (Sept. 16). We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time. The Associated Press reported that the former REVOLT chairman was arrested in a hotel lobby in Manhattan. Upon unsealing the indictment Tuesday morning (Sept. 17), it was revealed via ABC7 that the New York City businessman was arrested for racketeering conspiracy due to allegations of him running an enterprise including sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, and other crimes. He was also charged with sex trafficking by force and transportation to engage in prostitution. USA Damian Williams: Earlier this evening, federal agents arrested Sean Combs, based on a sealed indictment filed by the SDNY. We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time. US Attorney SDNY (@SDNYnews) September 17, 2024 TMZ released a video of Diddy chilling outside 30 minutes before he got arrested pic.twitter.com/hvqvlelhvn Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod ?? (@big_business_) September 17, 2024 shortly before his arrest Diddy was spotted in New York hanging in Central Park via Daily Mail pic.twitter.com/n0jS88UF3Z SOUND (@itsavibe) September 17, 2024 He just got arrested in NY lmaoooooooo https://t.co/YItWCWwhrN Joke ? (@Jokeeee_) September 17, 2024 Diddys attorney, Marc Agnifilo, claims that Puff knew this was coming, returning to New York from California two weeks ago in preparation. We knew this day would come and its here, he added. Hes dealing with this head on the way he has dealt with every challenge in his life. Despite accepting their present circumstances, his legal team is committed to proving his innocence. We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. attorneys office, Agnifilo said in a statement on Monday. Sean Diddy Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community. He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal, Agnifilo added. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court. After the Monday evening arrest, Daily Mail shared a TikTok showing Diddy in Central Park before he was arrested. TMZ released footage of him hanging outside in NYC, seemingly in good spirits exchanging handshakes with unidentified men. One X user tweeted that he saw the former Making The Band star in the Van Cleef store. Diddy was handed his first lawsuit for rape, sexual assault, and sex trafficking by ex-girlfriend Cassie in November 2023. The former couple settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount outside of court, but it was the first domino to fall, leading to seven more lawsuits being filed against the I Need A Girl artist. He shared a statement on Instagram denying all allegations, only for Homeland Security to later raid his Los Angeles and Miami homes due to a federal investigation. Footage of him abusing Cassie would soon follow. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. (Reuters) - The United States and Japan are close to a deal to curb tech exports to China's chip industry despite alarm in Tokyo about Beijing's threat to retaliate against Japanese companies, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday citing people familiar with the matter. (Reporting by Disha Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) Diddy Enters A Not Guilty Plea After His Arrest For Racketeering And Sex Trafficking Diddy refuses to accept his indictment without a fight and stands by his innocence to three criminal charges brought against him. The embattled rapper's legal troubles began in November 2023 after his former lover, Cassie, accused him of rape and physical abuse. Other women followed in her footsteps with sexual assault lawsuits. The mounting allegations against Diddy eventually led to his arrest and indictment on three criminal counts, including sex trafficking and racketeering. However, he has denied all claims against him. Diddy's First Court Appearance Kicks Off With His Innocence Plea MEGA According to new reports, Diddy appeared in court on Tuesday afternoon after being held in custody following his arrest on Monday night. He entered a not guilty plea, refuting the charges against him. The disgraced rapper was indicted on three criminal counts, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, cause or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The sex trafficking crimes allegedly occurred between 2009 and 2018, while the prostitution allegations happened between 2009 and 2024. The indictment, per Forbes, alleged that Diddy: "Abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct." Inside The Gruesome Allegations Against Diddy MEGA According to the indictment, Diddy used his business empire to "create a criminal enterprise," where his associates allegedly engaged in or attempted to engage in "sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice." Prosecutors also detailed Diddy's alleged "persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse," claiming that his crimes included "verbal, emotional, sexual and physical abuse." They accused him of "striking, punching, dragging, throwing objects at and kicking" women. The allegations extended to Diddy's employees, who were accused of helping to facilitate and cover up his abuse. The gut-wrenching details continued with claims of women being manipulated into engaging in "extended sex acts with male commercial sex workers." Diddy allegedly referred to these sexual acts as "Freak Offs" and would transport sex workers across state lines with his associates. Prosecutors claimed these acts portrayed sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, with the women allegedly being drugged to make them "obedient and compliant." The Rapper Was Willing To Pay A Hefty Price For His Bail MEGA Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, told reporters that prosecutors would ask Diddy to remain in prison until his trial. However, the record producer has no plans to be detained. Diddy's team reportedly filed an impressive offer of $50 million to secure his release on bail until his trial. The documents revealed he listed his mansion on Miami's Star Island as collateral, a property worth $48 million. The remaining $2 million would be covered by his mother's Miami home. The offer did not end there, as Diddy expressed his willingness to cooperate with prosecutors by limiting his travel to Florida, New York, and New Jersey. According to documents obtained by TMZ, Diddy noted that he could also wear a GPS monitor to allow the feds to track his whereabouts. Surprisingly, these plans for his release were underway long before the rapper's arrest. The Music Mogul Might Have Been Preparing For His Arrest MEGA According to Diddy, he had been preparing for his arrest and paid off the remaining $18 million debt on his Miami home so he could list it as collateral. In May, he also informed the feds about his plans to sell his private jet. Unfortunately, Diddy could not find a buyer for the plane but reassured authorities that he would park it in Los Angeles while he stayed in Florida. Per his documents, the rapper also surrendered his passport to his attorneys in April, along with those of his mother and children. While Diddy seemed willing to cooperate and pay a hefty fine to secure his release on bail, prosecutors want him to remain behind bars. The Blast reported that they regarded him as a flight risk and might oppose his eligibility for bail. Prosecutors Are Pushing For Diddy's Detention MEGA The Blast reported that U.S. Attorney Damian Williams expressed the prosecutors' desire for Diddy to remain in custody to the press, saying: "We will be seeking detention. There is a presumption of detention in a case like this, and we think that's warranted." He defended their stance against Diddy's release on bail, citing the numerous weapons seized during raids on Diddy's homes. The list included AR-15s, which were discovered in the rapper's bedroom closet. When concerns for Diddy's safety behind bars were raised, with reference to Jeffrey Epstein's suicide, Williams dismissed the possibility. "We are concerned with anyone's safety whenever they are detained prior to trial. It's part of our obligation," he stressed. Will Diddy's hefty bail offer be accepted, or will prosecutors prevail in their motion to detain him? Disclaimer: The article contains mentions of sexual abuse. Reader discretion is advised. Many people are wondering about what a freak off means when it comes to Sean Diddy Combs after his arrest in New York. Damian Williams, the US Attorney for New Yorks Southern District, provided details of the unsealed federal indictment against Combs in a September 17 news conference, where he mentioned the phrase freak off multiple times. Various lawsuits filed by multiple victims against the hip hop mogul in 2024, including the one made by his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, reveal what these alleged Freak Offs were about. What would happen at a Diddy Freak Off? A Freak Off or FO refers to Diddys sex parties, which Williams alleges that he would force victims to participate in when he didnt get his way. He further describes these freak offs, per CNN, as extended sexual performances that could last days at a time where his victims were forced to engage with male commercial sex workers. It is alleged that Combs would also often electronically recorded them and used these recordings as collateral against the victims. Allegedly, these parties often involved drugs, including ketamine, ecstasy, and GHB, in part so that he could keep his victims obedient and compliant. These details about so-called freak offs match those in the lawsuit filed by Cassie Ventura in November 2023. The documents describe a Freak Off where Combs allegedly directed Ventura to perform sexual acts with an unnamed man as he watched. The lawsuit also says Combs would suggest to Ventura during certain points of their relationship to have an FO weekly, and that these FOs would take place across various international hotels in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, and more. Venturas legal case was settled one day after it was made. Sean Combs has been charged with racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. He is expected to appear in court at 11:30 am PT / 2:30 pm ET on September 17. A documentary about the downfall of Diddy produced by rapper 50 Cent is set to release on Netflix. The post What Is a Diddy Freak Off? Meaning Explained appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Diddy was arrested Monday evening (Sept. 16) after facing a mountain of allegations ranging from sex trafficking to sexual abuse after being indicted by a federal grand jury in Manhattan. Details surrounding the indictment were sealed at the time of the arrest, but were revealed to the public on Tuesday (Sept. 17). Sean Combs has since been charged with racketeering or a RICO charge, transportation to engage in prostitution, and sex trafficking, all of which stem from his much discussed and mocked freak offs, which were recorded and then used to coerce and bribe victims into more unhinged activities. During the unsealing of the documents, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams finally revealed the contents found during the March raid of the moguls Miami mansion. Williams stated that a whopping 1,000+ bottles of lubricant and baby oil were confiscated, along with AR-15s, ammunition, and more. To tell a more complete story of the federal action implemented against Sean Combs, VIBE used a series of photos to illustrate better how we got here. Check them out below. More from VIBE.com Best of VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Originally appeared on E! Online Content warning: this article details alleged violence as well as physical and sexual abuse. Sean Diddy Combs appeared in court to face his legal troubles. The music mogulwho was arrested in New York and accused of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitutionpleaded not guilty to the charges on Sept. 17. According to NBC News, a solemn Diddy, wearing a black T-shirt and sweatpants, showed few facial expressions in the courtroom. He was later denied bail after proposing a $50 million bond package. A federal indictment unsealed and obtained by NBC News Sept. 17 outlined the charges as well as Diddy's alleged decades-long crimes involving the coercion of female victims to engage in sexual acts called freak offs. These alleged sexual encounters were compelled through force, threats of force, and coercion, to cause victims to engage in extended sex acts with male commercial sex workers,all while Combs, per the docs, arranged, directed masturbated during and often electronically recorded them. During Freak Offs, Combs distributed a variety of controlled substances to victims, in part to keep the victims obedient and compliant, the indictment alleged. After Freak Offs, Combs and the victims typically received IV fluids to recover from the physical exertion and drug use. More from E! Online Combs allegedly used multiple corporate entitiescollectively called the Combs Businessto disguise a criminal organization with other members and associates involved. Per the documents, he relied on his employeesincluding supervisors, security, household staff, personal assistants and othersto help facilitate travel, book hotel rooms and stock them with supplies, make sure he had cash to pay the sex workers and schedule IV fluids. Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images for Sean "Diddy" Combs Thus, the docs alleged, creating a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice." In fact, the documents outline whats described as an instance in March 2016, in which Combs alleged violence and racketeering was caught on video in a Los Angeles hotel. Combs kicked, dragged, and threw a vase at a woman as she was attempting to leave, the documents read. But when a member of the hotel security staff intervened, Combs attempted to bribe the staff member to ensure silence. Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock The indictment also detailed that following his arrest, authorities seized various Freak Off supplies, including narcotics and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, along with firearms and ammunition, including three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers, as well as a drum magazine. And while his attorney has said that Combs had been cooperative with the investigation, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams provided more context surrounding the claim. The word cooperative or cooperating has taken on tremendous elasticity and no longer really bears any relation to what the word means when we use it in a very specific context, he explained during a Sept. 17 press conference. Responding to lawful process and the like does not qualify as cooperation when we use that term here. Combs' attorney shared after his Sept. 16 arrest, "Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court. For more details on Diddys case, keep reading. Search Warrants Executed on Diddys L.A. and Miami Properties Federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed search warrants at Sean Diddy Combs Los Angeles and Miami properties on March 25, multiple law enforcement sources confirmed to NBC News. The sources told the outlet the warrant was out of the Southern District of New York, and a spokesperson for HSI New York confirmed to E! News it executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners. Law enforcement sources told NBC News the music mogul was in the Miami area when the search warrants were executed. News about the investigation broke after Combs faced allegations of sexual misconduct in lawsuits filed by multiple accusers starting in November, with the musician denying the allegations. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday, he wrote in a December statement posted on Instagram. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth. Diddys Attorney Speaks Out The day after HSI executed the search warrants at Combs' L.A. and Miami properties, his lawyer spoke out. "Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs' residences," attorney Aaron Dyer said in a March 26 statement to E! News. "There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated." Dyer noted Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities. Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way, his lawyer's statement continued. This unprecedented ambushpaired with an advanced, coordinated media presenceleads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits. And Dyer expressed Combs' intent to defend himself. There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations, he added. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name. Details About the Raid Revealed As for what actually went down during the searches, multiple law enforcement sources familiar with the warrant told NBC News authorities with the Department of Homeland Security seized phones from Combs home in Miami before he was scheduled to travel to the Bahamas, and several sources familiar with the matter added that guns were discovered during the search. One source familiar with the matter also told NBC News three women and one man were interviewed by prosecutors and investigators from the Southern District of New York about allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault, the solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms purportedly tied to Combs. Diddys Associate Brendan Paul Arrested on Suspicion of Drug Possession On the same day the search warrants were executed at Combs Miami and Los Angeles properties, one of his associates, Brendan Paul, was arrested by the Miami-Dade police on suspicion of drug possession, a law enforcement source familiar with the matter told NBC News. According to the Miami-Dade arrest affidavit obtained by the outlet, Paul was taken into custody for allegedly possessing suspected cocaine and suspected marijuana candy. Prison records obtained by NBC News show Paul was released on March 26 after posting bond. We do not plan on trying this case in the media, Pauls attorney Brian Bieber said in a statement obtained by the outlet, all issues will be dealt with in court. In May, Paul accepted a plea deal, with his lawyer Bieber telling People, "Brendan accepted the prosecutors offer to permit his entry into the diversion program which, after completion, the case against him will be dismissed in its entirety." Diddy Arrested in New York He was arrested in the lobby of a New York hotel on Sept. 16, 2024, according to NBC News. It's unclear what Combs has been charged with and if the arrest has any potential connection to the raids. We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorneys Office," his lawyer Marc Agnifilo said in a statement to E! News. "He is an imperfect person but Is not criminal. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges." The lawyer added, "Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court. Diddy Charged With Sex Trafficking & Racketeering After Combs was arrested based on the sealed indictment, the indictment was unsealed on Sept. 17. The 54-year-old was charged with racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; as well as transportation to engage in prostitution, according to court documents obtained by NBC News. The indictment alleged Combs abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct for more than a decade, with prosecutors saying the purported behavior started around 2008. "To do so," the documents stated, "Combs relied on the employees, resources, and influence of the multi-faceted business empire that he led and controlledcreating a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice." According to NBC News, Combs attorney Marc Agnifilo told reporters outside the New York courthouse that the Grammy winner would plead not guilty. Hes going to fight this with all of his energy and all of his might, the lawyer added, per the outlet, and the full confidence of his lawyers." If the awful allegations detailed in a three-count indictment against Sean Diddy Combs are to be believed, the hip-hop mogul is both a crime boss and a monster a violent, cruel, abusive, hedonistic man who committed crimes in our backyard at his Star Island mansion on Miami Beach. His neighbors, along with the rest of us, are no doubt horrified by the accusations of what Combs did to women, men, and anyone he felt like. The allegations included descriptions of forced sex parties called Freak Offs where drugged victims were forced to take part, sometimes for days.. Combs videotaped the parties, then used the evidence against his victims. Combs has owned two homes on the exclusive island over the years but were betting hes worn out his welcome this time. And probably not just on Star Island. Miami and Miami Beach gave him a key to their city, a blunder, in hindsight. But, who knew? In March, when Combs homes in Miami Beach and Los Angeles were raided by federal agents, we got a hint of the wrongdoing. by an alleged victim, who also sued Combs. But on Tuesday, as Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, rattled off the stomach-turning allegations against Combs, the room fell silent. What Williams described Combs did to women and men at his home was brutal and cruel. A 14-page federal indictment accuses Combs of racketeering, sexual tracking and interstate transportation for prostitution. He did it, Williams said, to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct. Combs attorney said his client is innocent and seemed offended that Combs was abruptly arrested in a New York hotel Monday night after he had cooperated with authorities as if that would help absolve him from crimes, Williams implied. Federal prosecutors say Combs hired, coerced, kidnapped and threatened sex workers in Miami, New York and Los Angeles to have sex in front of him with women who thought they were having a romantic relationship with Combs but became his victims. And yes, some of the women believed the music mogul would help them with their singing careers. There is more. During parties that later in the evening turned into the so-called Freak Offs, Combs drugged men and women to keep them obedient and compliant, sometimes for days. He then provided them IVs to help them recover. These activities, conducted at his luxurious Star Island mansions and other lavish properties, were not parties but calculated crimes designed to satisfy his desires while ensuring his illicit operations remained concealed, Williams said. When Mr. Combs did not get what he wanted, he became violent, subjecting victims to physical, emotional and verbal abuse, Williams said. Women appear to have gotten the worst of it. Earlier this year, a security hotel video from 2016 appears to show Combs dragging, kicking and shoving his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a hallway. Ventura filed suit in 2023. The suit was settled in a day. For decades, Combs has been celebrated as a mogul, a visionary who turned his musical talents into a multimillion-dollar empire as co-founder of the Bad Boy record label. Now, though, hell be seen through the lens of the indictment, as the alleged leader of a criminal enterprise involving sex trafficking, forced labor and bribery. More charges may be filed in the case. The federal raids on Combs properties netted traces of narcotics use and sexual supplies but also three AR-15s with scratched-off serial numbers in his bedroom. It all comprises a chilling portrait of a man who didnt think the laws apply to him. Combs has denied all the charges but a judge in New York on Tuesday smartly refused to set bail, keeping Combs in custody. Combs has put his Los Angeles home on the market. Lets hope he does the same with his Star Island property. Click here to send the letter. The University of Kentucky is moving to fire its former equine testing lab director amid allegations of misconduct and mismanagement, including falsifying the results of at least one drug test, the university said Tuesday. Scott Stanley, a professor at the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and former director of the Equine Analytical Chemistry Lab, falsified negative results of a test for a banned blood-doping agent called Erythropoietin, and at least four other results from his lab are in question, according to a preliminary audit released Tuesday by UK. Lisa Lazarus, CEO of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, said during a news conference after UKs announcement that federal law enforcement officials are also investigating Stanley and trying to determine if he was acting in concert with anyone else. We dont know motive, and I imagine that will be their focus, Lazarus said. Lazarus said its of tremendous concern if Stanley was communicating with any trainers, owners or other racing participants. HISA is seeking more than $1 million from UK for tests that were billed but not conducted properly. Under HISA, the private anti-doping regulatory agency created in 2020 by Congress, racing has moved toward uniform standards in drug testing across the country. UKs lab was one of six in the U.S. accredited by HISA to drug test samples for horses. UK tested samples for HISA for eight months, from May 22, 2023, to February 2024. In all, HISA sent the university between 8,000 and 9,000 samples from Kentucky and Florida. But in March the same month Stanley was removed from his administrative role at the university the national racing authority dropped UKs testing lab its accredited list, meaning drug tests could no longer be performed there for state regulators. Stanley was head of the lab, which also performed drug test for the U.S. Equestrian Federation, beginning with the labs formation in 2019. And in 2022, the lab began performing racing drug testing for the state of Kentucky. Lazarus said testing issues at the lab predated HISA using it to test samples. This was an institutional, pre-existing problem, Lazarus said. Federal legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Lexington, that created HISA required the organization use UKs lab, Lazarus said. According to UK, before HISA took over drug testing for many states including Kentucky, the UK lab performed testing for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on Thoroughbreds from January 2022 to May 2023, on Standardbreds from January 2022 to March 2024 and for one quarter horse meeting in 2023. The lab did not conduct testing on Medina Spirit, the 2021 Kentucky Derby winner who was disqualified after testing positive for a banned substance. Mandaloun with Florent Geroux up, center, crosses the finish line behind Medina Spirit, right, during the 147th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in 2021. Medina Spirit was later disqualified based on a drug test, and Mandaloun was declared the winner. UK and HISAs anti-doping unit, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit, conducted separate investigations of Stanley. HIWU informed the university that it had evidence Stanley had lied about analyzing a sample. Ben Mosier, HIWU executive director, said at Tuesdays news conference that the organization determined the UK lab misrepresented its abilities to test for substances including EPO and cobalt. No EPO testing was being done at all, he said, and cobalt testing was being done incorrectly. Both are banned blood doping agents. He said the UK lab reported as negative some samples that never had any testing done. HIWU reanalyzed all the tests that were still available and found two false positives and two false negatives. The false positives will be dropped, Lazarus said, and the impacted parties will be made whole. HIWU will pursue the two false negatives. Mosier would not provide details on medications, states or horses involved. He said that would be made public after the trainers were notified officially. EPO testing not done The audit, released Tuesday, found that in at least one case, Stanley told HISA that his lab had found no Erythropoietin in a sample received on Nov. 9, 2023, but the lab had not tested for the substance. His UK lab wasnt even equipped to do that kind of work, according to the audit. It is unclear what state or horse was involved. According to UK, in four cases, all of which were used in racing investigations, the samples lacked results documentation, meaning no results were recorded in the universitys system, even though in two of the cases Stanley emailed results to racing officials. The audit could not substantiate any additional falsifications but found that the labs internal systems were inadequately controlled and that there were numerous opportunities in the (labs) standard workflow that could potentially allow for sample tampering or records to be changed, including unfettered access by Dr. Stanley to samples and to records. UK said its in talks with HISA regarding reimbursement for any tests that were billed but were not performed, but it is unclear yet how many tests may be involved. The auditors said they are continuing to evaluate all accounts to which Dr. Stanley has access over his tenure as EACL director for fraudulent activity. According to the audit, investigators made attempts to meet with Dr. Stanley to discuss these concerns but he stopped responding to their requests for an interview. The audit also found that Stanley was paid more than $20,000 by a company that sold scientific equipment to the lab, shared data from the lab with the company and expensed travel for the company to visit UK. Scott Stanley, a professor at UKs Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and former director of the Equine Analytical Chemistry Lab, is accused of falsifying horses drug test results. Relationship with lab assistant Auditors also found that Stanley created a job in the lab to hire a woman with whom he was having a relationship that went beyond professional. The woman was a former Thoroughbred horse trainer with numerous family connections in the horseracing industry, according to the audit; the relationship between Stanley and the woman was never disclosed to the university. According to documents in the audit, Stanley asked that the woman be excused from classes at Eastern Kentucky University for her assistance in-person for what actually was a trip to Palm Beach for the Eclipse Awards, racings annual top awards banquet. Recommendations for security There were several recommendations in the audit of lab, including that a request for proposal be issued for a vendor to provide and maintain a lab information system, and that the lab implement a cybersecurity policy to control access to sensitive data. We appreciate our partners HIWU and HISA bringing forth concerns so that we could investigate the problem and act decisively to take corrective action, said Martin-Gatton CAFE Dean Nancy Cox. Racing regulators in Kentuck and Florida were informed of issues in Stanleys labs, and they were told that samples would be sent to a lab in Colorado instead. Stanley exploited vulnerabilities in technology, governance and oversight, the audit review concludes, the university said. Additionally, the investigation found that Stanley potentially engaged in business and employment relationships that constitute conflicts of interests. Specifically, Stanley purposefully chose not to disclose external work, violating university rules requiring disclosure. Stanley was recruited to UK in late 2018 from the University of California-Davis to run Kentuckys equine program and expand it to a commercial testing lab in partnership with the U.S. Equestrian Federation. He holds a tenured faculty position separate from the lab director role, and university officials found that additional disciplinary measures are necessary, including revoking his tenure and firing him from the university. UK might sell testing lab UK is in discussions with private parties about future partnerships or acquisition of the testing lab, UK said. Additionally, university officials are in talks with HISA to reimburse the group for any tests that were billed but not completed. The following steps have been taken to address quality control in the lab moving forward: A quality assurance manager has been hired who reports to the associate dean of research, outside of the labs chain of command Monthly meetings will be held with the college to review financial compliance, quality control and general operations The university is exploring partnerships to maintain the laboratory. The research and services provided by our labs, institutes and centers on campus must adhere to the highest standards; be conducted in an ethical manner and follow industry and university regulations, Cox said. The university and Martin-Gatton CAFE have an enduring commitment to Kentuckys signature equine industry. The EACL is integral to that commitment, and we will work to reconstitute the lab with new oversight, policies and procedures to ensure we meet those commitments going forward. Like Tim Walz, I spent 24 years in the Army National Guard. During that time, I learned a lot about life that applies to our current election and will try to express my observations about two matters. There are lots of men and women like Walz in the National Guard and Reserves. We come from small towns and cities across the United States. We are teachers like Walz, and also law enforcement officers, lawyers, nurses, farmers and almost every other occupation one can think of. We join for a variety of reasons. I did because I was a young attorney who started a law practice and needed some extra income. A good friend of mine talked me into joining. Others enlisted because they wanted to serve their country and community or because their father or mother had a positive military experience. Others joined because of the educational benefits, or they wanted to learn a skill. People also leave the service for a variety of reasons. Some finish their initial enlistment term and chose not to reenlist, while others stay 30 years or more. Soldiers often leave the service because their spouses do not like them gone or they have small children. Some leave to take advantage of opportunities elsewhere. Service members who choose to leave the military should be congratulated for serving, not disparaged because of why they left. Those who served sacrificed, at a minimum, weekends and annual training with their families. Many deployed for a year or more and lost jobs or income during that time. Why do we stay in the National Guard? Again, people stay in the National Guard for 20, 25, 30 or even 40 years for a variety of reasons. For some it is the money and health insurance. For me and many others, it is because of our brother and sisters in arms. The Kansas National Guard was like an extended family to me. Nor should anyone who served in the National Guard or Reserves be criticized for not deploying overseas. I recently saw a photo of a military dog, with the comment that the dog had deployed more times than Walz. That really torqued me. I had several friends who served more than 30 years in the Kansas National Guard and never deployed because of a variety of reasons. Some served during a period of time when deployments were rare and they never had a chance to deploy. Some held a military specialty that was not needed in the deployment. Some held civilian or military jobs at home that were critical. Some had medical conditions that kept them from deploying, or they had family issues. Another thing I learned is that members of the National Guard are usually courteous, down-to-earth, motivated and great problem-solvers. We know how to get the job done. We have skills that members of the active armed forces do not. For example, teams from the National Guard regularly win the U.S. Army marksmanship trophy. The National Guard is much better at taking care of service members and their families, because they are our neighbors and friends. I do not know if Kamala Harris and Walz will get elected, but I am convinced Walz is capable of being vice president of the United States and could step in to serve as president, if need be. My confidence is, in large part, based upon his service in the National Guard. Hooah, Tim Walz. Troubling echoes in Bosnian political strife In 2003, I deployed to Bosnia with the Kansas Army National Guard as a member of the 35th Infantry Division. We were a peacekeeping force. After the former Yugoslavia broke up, war and the three ethnic groups who had existed peacefully before engaged in a brutal war. Nearly 11,000 Bosnian men and boys who were Muslim were slaughtered at Srebrenica by Slobodan Milosevic and his Serbian army. In Bosnia, neighbors who had lived in peace for years suddenly turned on one another because of ethnic and political differences. When I left Bosnia, many of the schools had classes in the morning for one ethnic group and classes in the afternoon for another ethnic group, all to avoid strife. My fear is that violence might erupt in the United States over Americans political differences. Much this discord has been initiated by politicians themselves. It seems like every time I hear a politician speak or watch a political ad, I hear declarations that they will fight for me and condemnations of those who have dissimilar views. Condemnation is still too mild a word when it comes to some politicians. Politicians, especially those who support Donald Trump, pretty much declare that those of us who disagree with them want to destroy the country that we are misfits and degenerates. And many of those opposed to Trump brand his followers as ignorant or redneck. The current political divide has affected many people on a personal level. They worry that if they put certain political bumper stickers on their vehicle, it might get vandalized. Yard signs for political candidates disappear or are defaced. The division in this country has become sad and dangerous. The National Guard has a history of preventing divides in this country and abroad. In the oath we take when we join, we pledge to uphold the Constitution, not one faction or the other. While on duty, members of the National Guard are prohibited from engaging in political activity. On every National Guard Division staff is a civil affairs section whose duty it is to enhance the relationship between military forces and civilian authorities. In 1957, President Dwight Eisenhower federalized the Arkansas National Guard to prevent the governor from using the Guard to block Black students from integrating a high school in Little Rock. In Bosnia, we collected weapons from different factions and provided medical and dental care to locals. Trump has no history of reaching across aisles. And he has already said that if he wins, he would take retribution against those who wronged him. How far would that go if he is elected? Tom Arnhold is a retired attorney, judge and a 24-year veteran of the Kansas Army National Guard, where he served as a JAG officer. He lives in the Kansas City suburb of Olathe, Kansas. The Florida Department of Health will neither confirm nor deny that it's investigating Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, the Destin area surgeon who is accused of mistakenly removing an Alabama man's liver instead of his spleen and causing his death during surgery. According to FDOHs website, the status of Shaknovskys medical license is clear and active. However, that doesnt mean an investigation is not underway, its simply the way the state agency handles complaints. If a complaint against a medical practitioner is filed with FDOH, there is no public record of it until it has been investigated and only if probable cause is found to sustain the complaint will it then become public. Patient dies on operating table: Alabama man dies in Destin hospital after surgeon removes wrong organ. How it happened. The Department of Health can either confirm nor deny the existence of any ongoing investigation or receipt of a complaint until 10 days after probable cause is found, said Director of Communications for the Florida Department of Health Jae Williams. Any disciplinary complaints that were filed, they're not going to be available until after the Board of Medicine issues a finding. The explanation was provided after the News Journal filed a public information request for any public records FDOH has available for Shaknovsky, the 42-year-old surgeon who allegedly removed 70-year-old William Bill Bryans liver instead of his spleen. Bill Bryan died on the operating table on August 21, at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Miramar Beach, Florida, according to Bryans widow, Beverly, and her attorney. William and Beverly Bryan were visiting Okaloosa County last month when William was hospitalized for suspected problems with his spleen. He died after the surgeon mistakenly removed his liver instead of his spleen. Last month, the Bryans were visiting their condo in Destin, in Okaloosa County, when Bill began experiencing pain in his left-side. The retired boilermaker was hospitalized over suspected medical problems with his spleen. Although he and his wife said multiple times that they wanted to return to their home in Muscle Shoals, Alabama for surgery, according to medical records, Shaknovsky and the hospitals chief medical officer, Dr. Christopher Bacani, told the Bryans that leaving would be against medical advice because he could experience potential deadly complications, like bleeding, infection or stroke, if he waited. Beverly Bryan took part in a press conference after her husbands death to warn others. We do not want this to happen to anyone else by this particular individual especially, said Beverly. I didn't realize it takes so long for a doctor to lose a license. I thought it would be something, as soon as this was known, it would be immediate, but apparently that is not the case. According to the health department, all complaints are investigated to determine if theres probable cause that the licensed medical professional operated outside of the standard of care. If the board determines a medical care provider operated outside the standard of care, any disciplinary actions would be carried out at the Florida Board of Medicines next board meeting. Public records are available on the FDOH website regarding a case from last year that Shaknovsky settled for $400,000. According to a report filed with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, Shaknovsky mistakenly removed a portion of a patients pancreas instead of performing surgery on a mass on the left adrenal gland, which caused an alleged abscess and infection from the removal of the pancreas tail. Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky was operating on William Bryan at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in August when he mistakenly removed Williams liver instead of his spleen which lead to the patients death. That surgery was also performed at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Miramar Beach. The insurance document states the patient suffered permanent, non-disabling injuries from the surgery including loss or damage to organs, and minor loss of fingers. No details are given as to why the patients fingers were injured, but the pancreas is responsible for regulating the bodys blood sugar. Beverly Bryans attorney, Joe Zarzaur of Pensacola, says he has not filed a medical malpractice lawsuit yet because Florida law requires parties to go through a pre-suit period where they determine if the issue can be resolved without filing a lawsuit. That process he said normally takes six to nine months. The Walton County Sheriffs Office is also looking into Bill Bryans death and says the investigation is still active and open, but theres no timeline when it will be complete. This is an extremely complex case. I know there is a lot of concern from the public, but these types of cases take time, said Walton County Sheriffs Office Public Information Officer Corey Dobridnia. In response to the incident involving Bill Bryan, Ascension Sacred Heart released the following statement: We take allegations like this very seriously, and our leadership team is performing a thorough investigation into this event. Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast has a longstanding history of providing safe, quality care since the hospital opened its doors in 2003. Patient safety is and remains our number one priority. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family. We hold the privacy of our patients in the highest regard. We do not comment on specific patient cases or active litigation. In the meantime, the Florida Department of Health expects to release some public records on file for Shaknovsky including his applications for a Florida medical license. According to his physician profile on the FDOH website, Dr. Shaknovsky, an osteopathic physician, graduated from Midwestern University in 2009. He received his license to practice medicine in Florida in 2020. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky removed organ not spleen killing Florida man When does early voting begin in my state? (NewsNation) With the 2024 general election fast approaching on November 5, many Americans will look to vote early to avoid Election Day lines and potential confusion. The early voting windows vary by state, with some states like Minnesota opening in-person and absentee voting as early as Sept. 20. Heres a look at when early voting begins in all 50 states along with information on how to register to vote and how to check your registration status in your state. How Americans can register to vote ahead of Election Day Alabama Alabama does not have early voting. Alabamas voter registration deadline is Oct. 21. To register to vote in Alabama: Submit the Alabama application electronically Download the Alabama Voter Registration Form and mail it to the local office of the Board of Registrars in which the registrant resides Alabamians can also request the state mail them an Alabama Voter Registration Form by using the online voter registration form request on the Alabama Secretary of State website. Check your voter registration status here. Alaska Early voting in Alaska for the November general election begins Oct. 21 and will continue though Election Day. Alaskas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 6. To register to vote in Alaska: Check your voter registration status here. Kamala Harris political views, from the border to the economy Arizona Early voting in Arizona will begin Oct. 9 and will end Nov. 1. Arizonas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7. To register to vote in Arizona: Submit the Arizona application electronically Print the State of Arizona Voter Registration Application to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to the recorders office in your county. Register using the National Mail Voter Registration Form prescribed by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission Check your voter registration status here. Arkansas Early voting in Arkansas begins Oct. 21 and ends Nov. 4. Arkansas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7. Online registration is currently not available to register to vote in Arkansas. However, heres how you can register to vote: Print the Arkansas Voter Registration Application to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to the clerks office in your county. Request the state mail a registration form to you by using the Request for a Voter Registration Application on the Arkansas Secretary of State website. Check your voter registration status here. What are Donald Trumps stances on major issues to voters? California Early voting begins Oct. 7 but varies by county. Voters should contact their county elections office to see if they offer early voting. Californias voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 21 for online and mail registration, and Nov. 5 for in-person registration. To register to vote in California: Submit the California voter registration application electronically For those who want to register using a paper voter registration application, you can pick one up at your county elections office, library, Department of Motor Vehicles offices or U.S. post office. The application must be filled out and postmarked or hand-delivered to your county elections office at least 15 days before the general election. Register to vote in person on Election Day at your countys elections office, polling place or vote center otherwise known as Same Day Voter Registration. Check your voter registration status here. Colorado Colorado has all mail voting, but in-person voting centers are open beginning Oct. 21 and will continue through Election Day on Nov. 5. Colorados voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 28 for online and by mail registration and Nov. 5 for in-person registration. To register to vote in Colorado: Submit the Colorado voter registration application electronically Print the Colorado Voter Registration Application to complete and sign. Mail, deliver or scan the signed form and email it to your county clerk and recorder. Register to vote in person on election day at your countys elections office, polling place or vote center if you miss the deadlines listed above. Check your voter registration status here. What is Project 2025? Connecticut Early voting in Connecticut will be from Oct. 21 to Nov. 3. Connecticuts voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 18 for online and by mail registration and Nov. 5 for in-person registration. To register to vote in Connecticut: Submit the Connecticut voter registration application electronically Print the State of Connecticut Mail-in Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person on election day at your countys elections office, polling place or vote center if you miss the deadlines listed above. Check your voter registration status here. Delaware Early voting in Delaware begins Oct. 25 and ends Nov. 3. Delawares voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 12. To register to vote in Delaware: Submit the Delaware voter registration application electronically Print the State of Delaware Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. You can also call the Department of Elections are request that a form be mailed to you. Register to vote in person at any Department of Elections office or a voter registration event hosted by a Delaware Organized Voter Registration (OVR) Program group of trained voter registrars. Check your voter registration status here. Where are Trump, Harris, Vance and Walz campaigning today? Washington, D.C. Early voting for Washington, D.C., begins Oct. 28 and ends Nov. 3. District of Columbia voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15 for online and by mail registration and Nov. 5 for in-person registration. To register to vote in the District of Columbia: Submit the District of Columbia voter registration application electronically Print the District of Columbia Mail-in Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to the D.C. Board of Elections. Register to vote in person on election day at your countys elections office, polling place or vote center if you miss the deadlines listed above. Check your voter registration status here. Florida Early voting in Florida begins Oct. 26 and ends Nov. 2. Floridas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7. To register to vote in Florida: Submit the Florida voter registration application electronically Print the Florida Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your supervisor of election. Register to vote in person before the Oct. 7 deadline. Check your voter registration status here. What is Donald Trumps net worth? Dive into his assets, liabilities Georgia Early voting begins in Georgia Oct. 15 and ends Nov. 1. Georgias voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7. To register to vote in Georgia: Submit the Georgia voter registration application electronically Print the State of Georgia Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send or deliver the completed form to the Secretary of State or your county voter registration office. Register to vote in person at your county voter registration office before the Oct. 7 deadline. Check your voter registration status here. Hawaii Early voting in Hawaii begins Oct. 22 and will end Nov. 5. Hawaiis voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 28, 2024 for mail-in registration and Nov. 5, 2024 for in-person and online registration. To register to vote in Hawaii: Submit the Hawaii voter registration application electronically Print the Hawaii Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send or deliver the completed form to your County Elections Division Register to vote in person at your local DMV, post office, library, city hall, countys election division or Office of Elections if you miss the deadlines listed above. Check your voter registration status here. Idaho Not all counties allow early voting. For those that do, early voting begins Oct. 21 and ends Nov. 1. Voters should contact their county elections office for additional information. Idahos voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 11 for mail-in and online registration and Nov. 5 for in-person registration. To register to vote in Idaho: Check your voter registration status here. Illinois Early voting begins Sept. 26 and ends Nov. 4. Illinois voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 8 for mail-in registration; Oct. 20 for online registration; and Nov. 5 for in-person registration. To register to vote in Illinois: Submit the Illinois voter registration application electronically Print the Illinois Voter Registration form and send the completed form by mail to your county clerk or Board of Election commissioner. To register to vote in person, visit your county clerks office, Board of Election commissioners office, city or village offices, township offices, schools, public libraries, military recruitment offices or locations specifically designated by the election authority. Check your voter registration status here. JD Vance vs. Tim Walz: VP picks political views Indiana Early voting begins Oct. 8 for Indiana residents and ends Nov. 4. Indianas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7. To register to vote in Indiana: Submit the Indiana voter registration application electronically Print the Indiana Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person before the Oct. 7 deadline. Check your voter registration status here. Iowa In-person and absentee early voting in Iowa begins on Oct. 16 and ends Nov. 4. Iowas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 21 for online and by mail registration and Nov. 5 for in-person registration. To register to vote in Iowa: Submit the Iowa voter registration application electronically Print the Iowa Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person on election day at your countys elections office, polling place or vote center if you miss the deadlines listed above. Check your voter registration status here. Kansas Early voting in Kansas begins Oct. 16 and ends Nov. 4. Kansas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15. To register to vote in Kansas: Submit the Kansas voter registration application electronically Print the Kansas Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person before the Oct. 15 deadline. Check your voter registration status here. Get fact-based, unbiased news coverage 24/7 with the NewsNation app. Download it here. Kentucky Early voting in Kentucky for the general election is Oct. 23 to 30 for in-person absentee voting with an excuse. For in-person absentee voting without excuse, voters may cast their ballot from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. Kentuckys voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7. To register to vote in Kentucky: Submit the Kentucky voter registration application electronically Print the Kentucky Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at your local County Clerks Office before the Oct. 7 deadline. Check your voter registration status here. Louisiana In Louisiana, early voting will be from Oct. 18 to Oct. 29. Louisianas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15 for online registration and Oct. 7 for in-person and by-mail registration. To register to vote in Louisiana: Submit the Louisiana voter registration application electronically Print the Louisiana Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at your local Registrar of Voters Office, Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, WIC offices, food stamp offices, Medicaid offices, offices serving persons with disabilities such as the Deaf Action Centers and Independent Living Offices or Armed Forces recruitment offices. Check your voter registration status here. Maine Early voting in Maine begins Oct. 6 and ends Oct. 31. Maines voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15 for online and by mail registration and Nov. 5 for in-person registration. To register to vote in Maine: Submit the Maine voter registration application electronically Print the Maine Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at your local city or town hall. Check your voter registration status here. How much is Kamala Harris net worth? Maryland Early voting in Maryland begins Oct. 24 and will end Oct. 31. Marylands voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15 for online and by mail registration and Nov. 5 for in-person registration. To register to vote in Maryland: Check your voter registration status here. Massachusetts In Massachusetts, early voting will be from Oct. 19 to Nov. 1. Massachusetts voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 26, 2024. To register to vote in Massachusetts: Submit the Massachusetts voter registration application electronically Print the Massachusetts Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at your local town clerks, election commission, and Boards of Registrars; the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division; or the Secretary of the Commonwealths regional offices. Check your voter registration status here. Michigan Early voting in Michigan begins Oct. 26. Michigans voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 21 for online and by mail registration and Nov. 5 for in-person registration. To register to vote in Michigan: Submit the Michigan voter registration application electronically Print the Michigan Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at your local Secretary of State branch office; city or township clerks office or your county clerks office; or at any state agency that provides public assistance or services to people with disabilities. Check your voter registration status here. Minnesota In Minnesota, early voting will be from Sept. 20 to Nov. 4. Minnesotas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15 for online and by mail registration and Nov. 5 for in-person registration. To register to vote in Minnesota: Submit the Minnesota voter registration application electronically Print the Minnesota Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person on Election Day at polling places or early voting locations before Election Day. Check your voter registration status here. How much is JD Vances net worth? Mississippi Early voting in Mississippi begins Sept. 23 at the County Circuit Clerks office and ends Nov. 2. Only some people qualify. Read more about who can qualify to vote early in Mississippi here. Mississippis voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct.7. To register to vote in Mississippi: Online voter registration is not available Print the Mississippi Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at your local Circuit Clerks Office, Municipal Clerks Office, Department of Public Safety or any state or federal agency offering government services, such as the Department of Human Services. Check your voter registration status here. How do Donald Trump, Kamala Harris net worths compare? Missouri Missouri offers in-person no-excuse absentee voting at locations designated by local county election authorities starting Oct 22. A qualifying photo ID is required to vote by no-excuse absentee ballot in person. Missouris voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 9. To register to vote in Missouri: Submit the Missouri voter registration application electronically Print the Missouri Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your designated election authority. Register to vote in person at your local Department of Motor Vehicles office or any state agency providing service to the public. Check your voter registration status here. Montana Early voting in Montana will be from Oct. 7 to Nov. 4. Montanas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7 to register by mail and Nov. 5 for in-person registration. To register to vote in Montana: Online voter registration is not available Print the Montana Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your countys election office. Register to vote in person at any state agency providing service to the public. Check your voter registration status here. Nebraska Nebraskas early voting starts Oct. 7 and will end Nov. 4. Nebraskas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 18 for online and by mail registration and Oct. 25 for in-person registration. To register to vote in Nebraska: Submit the Nebraska voter registration application electronically Print the Nebraska Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at any state agency providing service to the public. Check your voter registration status here. How much is Tim Walzs net worth? Nevada Early voting in Nevada will begin Oct. 19 and end Nov. 1. Nevadas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 23 for online registration; Oct. 8 to register by mail; and Nov. 5 for in-person registration. To register to vote in Nevada: Submit the Nevada voter registration application electronically Print the Nevada Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at any Department of Motor Vehicles office, at your county clerk or registrar of voters office, at various social service agencies, and on college campuses. Check your voter registration status here. How do Donald Trump, Kamala Harris differ on the economy? New Hampshire New Hampshire does not offer in-person early or no-excuse absentee voting. New Jersey Early voting in New Jersey will be from Oct. 26 to Nov. 3. New Jerseys voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15 for online and in-person registration. Those registering by mail must have their form postmarked 21 days before Election Day. To register to vote in New Jersey: Submit the New Jersey voter registration application electronically Print your countys New Jersey Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at any state agency providing service to the public. Check your voter registration status here. New Mexico New Mexicos early voting begins Oct. 8. New Mexicos voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 8 for online and by mail registration and Nov. 5, for in-person registration. To register to vote in New Mexico: Submit the New Mexico voter registration application electronically Print the New Mexico Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your county clerks office. Register to vote in person on election day at your countys elections office, polling place or vote center. Check your voter registration status here. New York Early voting begins Oct. 26 and ends Nov. 3 in New York state. New Yorks voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 26. To register to vote in New York: Check your voter registration status here. What Trump and Harris say they will do about affordable housing North Carolina Early voting begins Oct. 17 and ends Nov. 2 in North Carolina. North Carolinas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 11 for online and by-mail registration. Same-day in-person registration is available during the early voting period. To register to vote in North Carolina: Submit the North Carolina voter registration application electronically Print the North Carolina Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. In-person voting registration is available during early voting, beginning on Oct. 17, and running through Nov. 2, at early voting sites. Check your voter registration status here. How Donald Trump, Kamala Harris differ on border security North Dakota Varies by county. Voters should contact their county elections office for additional information. North Dakota does not require voter registration. Ohio Ohio voters can begin casting ballots in the general election on Oct. 8. Early voting ends Nov. 3. Ohios voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7. To register to vote in Ohio: Submit the Ohio voter registration application electronically Print the Ohio Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at any state agency providing service to the public. Check your voter registration status here. Oklahoma Oklahomas early voting begins Oct. 30 and ends Nov. 2. Oklahomas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 11. To register to vote in Oklahoma: Submit the Oklahoma voter registration application electronically Print the Oklahoma Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your County Election Board. Register to vote in person at your County Election Board office. Check your voter registration status here. Oregon Oregon has all mail-in ballots. The state will begin sending mail ballots to voters on Oct. 16, and voters can either drop off ballots at official sites on Election Day or return them by mail. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day. Oregons voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15. To register to vote in Oregon: Submit the Oregon voter registration application electronically Print the Oregon Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at your county elections office. Check your voter registration status here. Harris, Trump in almost tied race in Michigan: DDHQ president Pennsylvania Voters in Pennsylvania can request, complete and return mail-in ballots all at once before Election Day in their local County Election Office. Pennsylvanias voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 21. To register to vote in Pennsylvania: Submit the Pennsylvania voter registration application electronically Print the Pennsylvania Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your county elections office. Register to vote in person at your county election office, PennDOT and many other government agencies. Check your voter registration status here. Where Trump and Harris stand on Social Security Rhode Island Early voting begins Oct. 16 in Rhode Island and ends Nov. 4. Rhode Islands voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 6. To register to vote in Rhode Island: Check your voter registration status here. South Carolina Early voting in South Carolina is from Oct. 21 to Nov. 2. South Carolinas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 6 for online registration; Oct. 7 to register by mail; and Oct. 4 for in-person registration. To register to vote in South Carolina: Check your voter registration status here. South Dakota South Dakota doesnt have early in-person voting, but voters can cast an absentee ballot at the county auditors office from Sept. 20 to Nov. 4. South Dakotas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 21. To register to vote in South Dakota: Online voter registration is not available Print the South Dakota Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your County Auditor. Register to vote in person at your local county auditors office; drivers license station (when you are renewing or applying for a drivers license you may also register to vote on the drivers license application); City Finance Office; public assistance agencies providing food stamps, TANF or WIC; Department of Human Services offices which assist the disabled; and military recruitment offices Check your voter registration status here. Tennessee Early voting in Tennessee is from Oct. 16 to Oct. 31. Tennessees voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7. To register to vote in Tennessee: Submit the Tennessee voter registration application electronically Print the TennesseeVoter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your county election commission. Register to vote in person at your local County Election Commission Offices, County Clerks Offices, Public Libraries, Register of Deeds Offices or during a transaction with one of the following agencies: Department of Health (WIC program), Department of Human Services, Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Department of Mental Health, Department of Safety (motor vehicles division) and Department of Veterans Affairs Check your voter registration status here. Texas Early voting in Texas is from Oct. 21 to Nov. 1. Texas voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 7 for in-person and mail-in registration. Online registration is not available. To register to vote in Texas: Online registration is not available Print the Texas voter registration application to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your county election office. Register to vote in person by checking with your county. Check your voter registration status here. Latest News Utah Early voting in Utah is from Oct. 22 to Nov. 1. Utahs voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 25 for online and by-mail applications and Nov. 5 for in-person registration. To register to vote in Utah: Submit the Utah voter registration application electronically Print the Utah Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your your county clerk. Register to vote in person at your county clerks office. Check your voter registration status here. Vermont Early voting in Vermont will be from Oct. 1 to Nov. 4. Vermonts voter registration deadline for the general election is Nov. 5. To register to vote in Vermont: Submit the Vermont voter registration application electronically Print the Vermont Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town clerk. Register to vote in person at your local town clerks office. Check your voter registration status here. Virginia Early voting in Virginia is from Sept. 20 to Nov. 2. Virginias voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15. To register to vote in Virginia: Submit the Virginia voter registration application electronically Print the Virginia Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at your local voter registration office. Check your voter registration status here. Washington Early voting in Washington state will be from Oct. 18 through Election Day. Washingtons voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 28 for online and by-mail registration and Nov. 5 for in-person registration. To register to vote in Washington: Submit the Washington voter registration application electronically Print the Washington Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your town hall or voter registration agency. Register to vote in person at your countys election office. Check your voter registration status here. West Virginia From Oct. 23 to Nov. 2, voters in West Virginia will be able to cast ballots early ahead of Election Day. West Virginias voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 15. To register to vote in West Virginia: Submit the West Virginia voter registration application electronically Print the West Virginia Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form to your local county clerks office by mail or in person. Register to vote in person at your local county clerks office. Check your voter registration status here. Wisconsin Early voting in Wisconsin will be from Oct. 22 to Nov. 3. Wisconsins voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 16 for online and by-mail registration and Nov. 5 for in-person registration. To register to vote in Wisconsin: Submit the Wisconsin voter registration application electronically Print the Wisconsin Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your local municipal clerk. Register to vote in person at your municipal clerks office. Check your voter registration status here. Wyoming Early voting in Wyoming will be from Oct. 8 to Nov. 4. Wyomings voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 21 to register by mail and Nov. 5 for in-person registration. To register to vote in Wyoming: Online voter registration is not available Print the Wyoming Voter Registration form to complete and sign. Send the completed form by mail to your county clerks office. Register to vote in person at your county clerks office and other state agency locations listed on the county clerks website. Check your voter registration status 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 NewsNation. When does early voting start in Florida? Dates, times differ county-by-county The general election is less than two months away, but many Florida voters already know who and what they'll be voting for. When does early voting start? The important dates are: Voter registration deadline: Oct. 7 Deadline to request vote-by-mail ballots: 5 p.m., Oct. 24 Early voting mandatory dates: Oct. 26 - Nov. 2 Each county Supervisor of Elections may choose to offer more early voting days, starting up to five days earlier or lasting one day longer. Election Day: Nov. 5 Every Florida county will have a mandatory eight-day early voting period before the election but most counties are opting to start earlier and some will be allowing early voting on the Sunday before the election. Many early voting sites will be open earlier and/or later than they were during early voting for the primary. Here's what you need to know. When is the Florida General Election for 2024? The general election in Florida is on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. What is early voting? There are often long lines at the polls every Election Day, especially in areas without enough polling locations, with voters sometimes waiting for hours to cast their ballots, and some people can't get to the polls on a Tuesday. To help alleviate that, early voting was established to let people to vote early at a more convenient time, with the same equipment used on Election Day. Ready to vote? Here's how and where to register in Florida When does early voting in Florida start and end? Any election that includes a state or federal race is required to offer early voting, which must run from at least the 10th day before the election to the 3rd day before the election. Each county Supervisor of Elections may choose to offer more early voting days, starting up to five days earlier or lasting one day longer. Here are the early voting dates by county in Florida. Click the county names for more information and locations. Do I need an ID for early voting in Florida? To cast a ballot at an early voting site, you must have a photo ID. Acceptable IDs include: Florida Driver License Florida ID Card (issued by DHSMV) U.S. Passport Debit or Credit Card Military ID Student ID Retirement Center ID Neighborhood Association ID Public Assistance ID Veteran Health ID (issued by the US Department of Veterans Affairs) Concealed Weapon License (issued pursuant to F.S. 790.06) Employee ID card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality. If your photo ID does not include your signature, you will be asked to provide another ID that has your signature. Can I still vote in Florida if I forgot or don't have an ID? If you don't have an ID with you when you vote you'll still be allowed to, but you will be required to vote a provisional ballot which will later be evaluated by a canvassing board to make sure it's eligible. How do I register to vote in Florida? ONLINE: Go to RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov to submit your voter registration application. You'll need: Your most current and valid Florida driver license (Florida DL) or Florida Identification (Florida ID) card The last four digits of your social security number If you do not have the required information, you can still use the online system to prefill an online voter registration application form that you can print. Sign it and either mail it to your county Supervisor of Elections office or drop it off. IN PERSON: You can also apply to register to vote at: Any Supervisor of Elections office (by mail or in person) Any office that issues Florida DLs or Florida ID cards The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles online system for renewing a Florida DL or Florida ID Any voter registration agency such as a public assistance office Any voter registration drive by an organization that has met Florida's updated standards Any public library This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Early voting in Florida starts as early as Oct. 21 in some counties The Reality of Abortion Up To and During Birth NEWS PROVIDED BY Sept. 17, 2024 ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 17, 2024 / Christian Newswire / -- Despite what pro-abortionists want people to believe, the truth is children are being murdered before and after their birth in America. Data from just nine states alone shows that 277 babies were born alive after a failed abortion since 2006, and in some cases were left to die. Especially after the recent presidential debate between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, mainstream media outlets have been quick to deny abortion is happening in the ninth month and propagate the claim that infanticide is illegal in every state. Unfortunately, these statements are demonstrably false. Abortion in the ninth month is legal in 21 states and 15 states do not actively prevent infanticide. During the debate, President Trump stated that support for "abortion in the ninth month" is a "radical" position and that Democratic Vice-Presidential Nominee Tim Walz supported what Trump called "execution after birth." ABC News moderator Linsey Davis then seemed to want to enter the debate herself by inserting her own statement directed to President Trump. She said, "There is no state in this country where it is legal to kill a baby after it's born." Then Davis immediately invited Harris to respond. Harris added, "Nowhere in America is a woman carrying a pregnancy to term and asking for an abortion. That is not happening. It's insulting to the women of America." While federal law states infants who are born alive after a failed abortion are "full persons" under the law, it does not require health care practitioners to give those babies medical care. Currently, it is up to the states to regulate late-term abortions as well as the legal protections for born-alive infants. In some states, the law allows unregulated abortion throughout pregnancy, and in others the law either indirectly permits abortions after birth or the authorities just passively allow it. In Minnesota alone, Governor Tim Walz's Department of Health reports that there were at least six abortions in the ninth month and that 19 babies were born alive and left to die between 2015 and 2021. According to data from the state's 2021 report, five babies were born alive where in all five instances no life-preserving measures were taken and in only two instances were "comfort care measures" taken. However, these are just the reported cases. In the future, there may not be any further statistics from Minnesota, for in 2023, Governor Walz repealed Minnesota's "Born Alive Infant's Protection Act" where health care practitioners are no longer required to report about infants born alive and are certainly not required to provide life-saving efforts for them. He then signed the "Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act" that sets no limits on abortion. Currently, the state has no provision requiring medical professionals to hospitalize or render the same care to infants surviving abortions as any other child born alive. Instead, Governor Walz has helped create a legal landscape in Minnesota that permits abortion in the ninth month while setting conditions in the state that do not prevent infanticide. The available data further contradicts Harris and the ABC moderator showing at least nine other states have recorded failed abortions where infants were born alive with no indications that life-saving measures were performed. According to a September 2024 report from the Family Research Council's Center for Human Dignity, the 277 known cases of babies being born alive during an abortion since 2006 involved states which are required by law to report such cases, such as Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas. Currently, Michigan no longer has these reporting requirements. The report titled, "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors: Just the Facts," indicates the data from just these nine states suggests the actual number of infants born alive during an abortion is much higher. Abortion in the Ninth Month A diligent "fact check" will reveal that 21 states allow abortion in the ninth month of pregnancy and up to the moment of birth. According to data compiled by the Family Research Council and the World Population Review, these 21 states either allow unrestricted abortion throughout pregnancy or allow late-term abortions through a "health" exception. The states are Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Vermont, and Virginia. Specifically, the states that allow unrestricted abortion in the ninth month are Alaska, Colorado, California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont. Notably, of all these states, California, Michigan, and Vermont have state constitutional amendments protecting a "right" to an abortion at any point in pregnancy. In addition, Colorado, Maryland, New York, and Nevada all have ballot measures in 2024 attempting to amend each state constitution to enshrine abortion protections at any stage of pregnancy. Abortion After Birth (Infanticide) Despite claims infanticide is illegal in every state, there are 15 states that either offer no protections for infants born alive during an abortion or have recently removed such protections. The born-alive protection map from the Family Research Council shows that Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, and Vermont all have conditions where infanticide could be passively permitted. Each of these 15 states: lack any requirement that health care practitioners must exercise the same skill, care, and diligence for infants who survive abortion that would be rendered to any child born at the same gestational age. have no hospitalization requirement to transport the surviving infant to a hospital. do not have any legal penalties for letting an infant die after a failed abortion. lack any reporting requirements. Under these conditions, there is nothing to stop an abortion after birth if the mother and physician want it to happen. However, many people would rather deny and dismiss these facts out of hand than acknowledge the dark reality of abortion. Many people even have no idea about the abortion procedure in general how babies are torn apart in the womb by forceps or starved to death by a pill. It is understandable that many people do not want to closely examine such violence. So it follows that the thought of living, breathing, and born human babies being dispassionately left to expire, as if he or she had no intrinsic worth, becomes an unbelievable notion. This reality, which is all too easy to dismiss and ignore as fiction, must not be denied or obfuscated any longer. Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "Sadly, children are being aborted long after they feel pain, even up to and during birth. The deliberate strategy to cover up this horrible fact is shameful. Late term abortion up to birth and infanticide cannot be ignored and must be stopped." More information on abortion as well as Liberty Counsel's document "The Truth About Abortion" can be viewed here. Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost. SOURCE Liberty Counsel CONTACT: Mat Staver, 407-875-1776, Liberty@LC.org Image source: Getty Images I recently let my Costco membership lapse because I wasn't using it enough to justify the annual price. I love finding great deals on everything I buy -- and Costco's great for that -- but I can score good food prices at stores that are a bit closer to my house than my local Costco. With Costco's annual membership prices recently increasing to $65 for Gold Star memberships (up $5 annually) and $130 for Executive memberships (up $10), some members may be asking themselves if the cost is worth it. If you decide it's not, here's how to get a membership refund. How to get a Costco membership refund If you're ready to cancel your Costco membership and get a refund, it's very easy to do. Costco gives you two options for canceling memberships, including: In person: You can visit any Costco warehouse store and speak with an employee at the membership counter. You'll be able to cancel your membership right there and receive an immediate refund. Over the phone: If you don't want to cancel your membership in person, you can cancel it over the phone by calling 1-800-774-2678. There's also an online form you can use to cancel your membership and receive a refund if the membership has automatically renewed. Just fill out this form and your membership will be canceled and refunded. Here's the really good news about canceling your Costco membership: You can cancel at any time and receive a full refund. Costco is well known for its generous return policy and 100% customer satisfaction, which extends to its memberships. The company says on its website, "We will cancel and refund your membership fee at any time if you are dissatisfied." That's a pretty sweet deal. So, if you find the recent increase in membership fees too steep for your budget, you're not using the membership enough, or for any other reason, you can just ask Costco for a refund. How to decide if you're ready to cancel your membership I often assess my monthly subscriptions and annual memberships to ensure I only pay for services I use. I'm pretty ruthless about it, and any recurring payment that I can't justify gets cut, whether it's an unused gym membership or that extra streaming service I barely use. I did the same recently with my Costco membership, and it didn't make the cut. Everyone's budget is different, though, so here are a few ways to figure out if the annual membership is worth it for you. You can find better deals elsewhere: My family frequently shops at Aldi and finds great BOGO deals at our local grocery store. The combination of those two made our annual Costco membership fee hard to justify. You don't buy Costco gas: Costco gas can be up to $0.30 cheaper per gallon than many gas stations. That's an impressive savings, but Costco's fuel stations may not be convenient to where you live. That could be a deal breaker if you bought a membership to save on gas. You're not using all the membership perks: If you're not filling your prescriptions at the Costco Pharmacy, buying tires at its Tire Center, or getting your glasses through Costco Optical, then a membership may not be worth it to you. Story continues It's also worth mentioning that if you're an Executive member and you're not earning as much cash back rewards as you'd like, a membership may not be worth it. Executive members earn 2% back on their purchases, and Costco just raised the annual amount you can earn to $1,250 (up from the previous $1,000). However, if you're not tapping into that benefit, then it might be time to cancel your membership. An annual Costco membership is probably a good way for many people to save money. But if you're like me and aren't using all the benefits, it might be time to cancel your membership and get a refund. Just be sure you're ready to give up Costco's $1.50 hot dog combo meal before you do. Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!) We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America's favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco. Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it's no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card. Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends! We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Chris Neiger has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Want Your Costco Membership Refunded? Here's What to Do was originally published by The Motley Fool Address Confidentiality Program Coordinator Karen Hall speaks at a roundtable discussion in Kalamazoo, Michigan talking about the first year of Michigan's Address Confidentiality Program on September 16, 2024 | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols More than 200 people seeking protection from domestic and sexual violence and stalking have been enrolled in Michigans Address Confidentiality Program to keep their addresses safe in the last year since the program began. Survivors of violence have been able to vote, get library cards and enroll their children in school without their addresses becoming available to their abusers, Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) Program Coordinator Karen Hall said during a roundtable discussion at YWCA Kalamazoo Monday with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and domestic and sexual violence care providers from around the state. To say that this program is a way for people to hide it is not, Hall said. Our participants are really grateful that this program exists because some of them have been in the shadows for so long and this program really gives them an opportunity to kind of step out into the light. So it is needed, and Im grateful to be a part of it. Hall announced that 215 participants have joined the ACP, including 104 children and 111 households. The program, which allows participants to receive a designated legal mailing address to be used in lieu of their actual address, would have been a game changer in her life, YWCA Kalamazoo CEO Susan Rosas said, as she was a victim of stalking in the past. When it was happening, it was terrifying, Rosas told the roundtable, recalling how when she built up the courage to report the stalker to the police, they laughed at her and she was left on her own to protect herself. Stakeholders had the opportunity Monday to ask questions about the program and learn more about how they can spread the word about how to apply. Forty states had some version of an ACP before Michigan, the attorney generals office reports. But where Michigan differs is its one of the only programs that doesnt require a person to have received a personal protection order (PPO), Rosas notes. Instead it requires a notarized letter in which the applicant to the program explains why they are at risk of violence. In many other states, one of the eligibility requirements is that you have to have a PPO, you have to have already gotten your order. You have to show a police report to demonstrate your victimization. The program is activated by somebody else saying this person is victimized, Rosas said. What Michigan has done, which I think is so remarkable and so important, is Michigan says Your word is good enough for me. The idea that registering to vote or updating a drivers license could lead to an abuser getting access to a victims address is unconscionable, Nessel said, as processes of government should never be the reason a person is made to become unsafe. Nessel noted that the ACP is a complicated program, one that requires a survivor to be somewhere in the process of moving prior to putting their new address on any government documents, in order to fully shield the new address. There are resources available on the Michigan Attorney Generals website on how the program works, as well as a database of individuals trained on how to assist in the application process. The ACP was not an easy program to put into law and then coordinate between branches of government to create its structure, Nessel said. It took violence survivors, care providers and bipartisan elected officials several years of being vocal advocates for violence victims around the state, highlighting the importance of elected officials understanding the nuances of violence. A concerning element about this election season, Nessel said, is one candidate, who she did not name, making comments about how women should stay in violent marriages for the sake of their kids, despite the negative health impacts of growing up around domestic violence. Republican U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, former President Donald Trumps running mate, has made similar comments. In 2021, Vance told a California high school why he thinks divorce has become more common with each generation. 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, Vance said. And maybe it worked out for the moms and dads, though Im skeptical. But it really didnt work out for the kids of those marriages. Although public understanding of domestic violence is improving, Nessel said that its important for those who work with victims and survivors of violence to correct the record as misconceptions surrounding violence still circulate. Michigan has outpaced some other states participation in its address confidentiality program, and Hall said she looks forward to increasing accessibility for participants, with the greatest challenge right now being that not many people in the state know about the program. Individuals need to be accepted into the ACP before they go to change their address at the Secretary of State. That got Hall and Nessel thinking that there could be conversations that need to be had with the Department of State in this second year of the program about potentially adding a box on documents to alert people to the program, further ingraining access to resources for survivors. After the roundtable, the Michigan Advance sat down with Hall, Nessel and other individuals to hear more about the impact of the ACP and state of care for survivors in Michigan. Nessel recalled starting her career in the Wayne Prosecutors Office in the 1990s, often feeling restrained by her role in the legal system as many victims didnt want to go through the trauma of being questioned by a defense attorney. We dont pressure people into prosecuting anymore, and I feel like I know I used to do that because I really wanted to help and I didnt know any other way to help people, Nessel said. I feel like it was openly hostile to people who really needed someone to care about them. A criminal conviction isnt the only way for someone to achieve justice or move forward in life, Nessel said. And as staff in courts and other government institutions listen to survivors of violence and learn, more systems can adapt to help survivors continue their lives in safety. I felt like as a young prosecutor, This is all I have to offer you. That was it, Nessel said. Now what were really trying to do is say thats not all we have to offer in terms of the criminal justice system or the state or all these great nonprofits that are doing all this work. We can help you with therapy. We can help you relocate. We can help you not be found by a person that really scares you. All many survivors want to do is get their life back after so much has been taken from them, Rosas said. And the ACP starts by believing victims of abuse, simply asking them to explain to the government why they need the program. Rosas says that sends a powerful message of trust and care from Michigans government to victims of abuse. Gaining back that freedom to go to a public library or enroll kids in school is justice for some survivors of violence, Hall said. Justice looks different for everybody and some people, they may not want to prosecute. They want to just reclaim their life and this is one way that they can do it, Hall said. So I think it gives people a lot of hope, those who have been kind of sitting in the background and shadows, not being able to come out of fear of them being found. Stalking as a form of violence is particularly unnerving for victims, Nessel said, adding that she and her wife, Alanna Maguire, have been victims of several cases of stalking as a result of being in elected office. Earlier this year, a 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of stalking after showing up at Nessels home in Plymouth, ringing the doorbell and sitting on the porch after attending a meeting the day prior of the Plymouth City Commission, of which Maguire is a member. Having to go through court to prosecute her stalkers and watching her wife experience trauma from having to testify, Nessel said she understands why people dont want to go to court. If I can be attorney general and if this is this hard and it really, it does make me just want to be like, You know, just forget about it, I dont want to deal with this anymore. I mean, I want this man to leave us alone, but thats all I want at this point, Nessel said. The process of leaving abusive and controlling situations often is the most dangerous period of abuse, members of the roundtable discussion reiterated during the conversation. And theres a lot of planning required to safely leave a situation Christina Hayes, human trafficking program director for YWCA Kalamazoo, told the Michigan Advance. Figuring out safe housing is a top priority. This program has outlaid an opportunity for people to still participate in the things that theyve always done with their address remaining confidential, Hayes said. Ive been doing this work for a few years now and I think this is just a game changer. Its a piece of a puzzle, but it opens so many doors. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The University of Law has warned against the perils of non-inclusive language - Oversnap/iStockphoto Trainee lawyers have been told to avoid using the phrase falling on deaf ears amid fears it could offend clients who are hard of hearing. The University of Law has uploaded an online guide which warns students against the use of non-inclusive language. Phrases such as policeman, manpower, housewife and hysterical have been deemed inappropriate. Trainee barristers and solicitors have also been instructed to avoid using pronouns in legal documents, The Sun reported. The universitys website says it is the largest provider of legal education in the UK, and its origins can be traced to 1876. The Inclusive language guide for law was posted on the universitys website on September 11. It says: If youre hoping to work in the profession youll need to ensure the language you use is not only clear and legally solid, but also inclusive. We explore the importance of inclusive language, how it can support your work and create a fairer workplace for everyone. Under the subheading What is inclusive language in the legal profession?, it states: Inclusive language avoids words and expressions which could potentially exclude or marginalise individuals based on several characteristics. These characteristics include, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation (LGBTQ+), ethnicity or race, religion or beliefs, wellbeing, caring responsibilities and socioeconomic status. It can also help challenge stereotypes and prejudices. It adds that although students will likely already have a good idea of words and phrases to avoid, if its going to have a detrimental result, then its simply best to avoid it. According to the guide, students should also challenge others when they deem their language to be inappropriate, adding: Dont be afraid to suggest a change. A specific set of non-inclusive phrases are then listed on the site. It states: Youll still encounter countless examples of non-inclusive language, some of which weve highlighted above. However, youll soon learn to recognise those words and phrases phrases such as manpower, housewife, mental, and falling on deaf ears which may cause offence and substitute them for more appropriate and inclusive alternatives. Finally it adds: By embracing inclusive language youll be better prepared to represent a wide range of clients and build respectful relationships with everyone you encounter. The guidance comes after University College London students were told to avoid the term vulnerable. UCL suggested avoiding using the term because it could disempower people. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Dont swim at these beaches on North Carolinas coast, officials say WILMINGTON, N.C. (WNCN) State officials have recommended against swimming at several beaches and areas along the North Carolina coast amid heavy flooding and impacts from Potential Tropical Cyclone 8. The storm system that moved ashore on Monday afternoon, dumped more than 18 inches of rain in New Hanover County, and more than 15 inches in parts of Brunswick County, according to North Carolina Emergency Management. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality advised against swimming at several beaches. Those beaches are in New Hanover, Carteret and Brunswick counties. THE LATEST: Outer Banks beach added to list of swimming advisories in NC Wilmington Fire Dept photo of a dog being rescued in Carolina Beach Monday. Makatoka Rd in Supply. Photo from Brunswick County Sheriffs Office. A Jeep fell into a washed out part of N.C. 211 between Dosher Cut Off and River Mist subdivision. Photo from Brunswick County Sheriffs Office. US 17 underwater from Potential Tropical Cyclone 8. Photo from Brunswick County Sheriffs Office. A woman was safe after her car was pushed off US 17 near mile marker 25 in Brunswick County. Photo from Brunswick County Sheriffs Office. Wilmington Fire Dept photo of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach water rescues Monday. US 17 underwater from Potential Tropical Cyclone 8. Photo from Brunswick County Sheriffs Office. Wilmington Fire Dept photo of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach water rescues Monday. East Moore Street washed out in Southport. Photo from Southport Police Dept. Carolina Beach near Lake Park Boulevard. Image from Erica H Dunn The Outer Banks where the north end of Ocracoke Island was partly underwater. Photo from the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Sunset Harbor Road in Brunswick County. Photo from Brunswick County Sheriffs Office. The agencys Division of Marine Fisheries also advised against swimming near Doe Drive in Emerald Isle due to the town pumping stormwater into the ocean. On Tuesday, officials added more areas both ocean-side and sound-side to the swimming advisory. According to a release, floodwaters are being pumped into the ocean at Fawn Drive, 7th Street and 15th Street in Emerald Isle, as well as into the sound at Channel Drive. These waters can contain pollutants such as waste from wildlife and pets, oil and gasoline from parking lots and waste from septic systems or sewers, a N.C. Department of Environmental Quality news release said. Massive flooding at NC coast after 18 inches of rainfall, high surf Beaches in Brunswick and New Hanover counties where people should not swim include: Holden Beach Long Beach Oak Island Caswell Beach Bald Head Island Kure Beach Carolina Beach Wrightsville Beach Avoid swimming near ocean outfalls, including the wet sand where the floodwater is pumped, state officials said. Swimmers should avoid the waters until testing has indicated they are likely safe. Officials said testing will begin on Tuesday and authorities will later release information about when it is safe for swimming. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. After two serious attempts to assassinate him within weeks, Donald Trump will be looking for ways to avoid the lethal attention of future would-be assassins in the run up to Novembers Presidential election. Perhaps he should take some tips from a leader who successfully survived more than 30 attempts to kill him, before dying in his Berlin bunker by his own hand: none other than Adolf Hitler. After one such attempt in November 1939 when a home made bomb destroyed the Burgerbrau Beerhall in Munich, killing half a dozen people only minutes after Hitler had left the building prematurely, the Nazi dictator reflected that it was impossible to prevent a determined assassin from achieving his goal if the killer was ready to sacrifice himself as well. However, Hitler added, there were certain precautions that leaders could take to make the assassins task more difficult. Here are five rules that the Fuhrer laid down to thwart even the most resolute assassin. RULE 1: Vary routine. Most assassination bids take place after the assassin becomes aware of the time and place when and where he will come into contact with his victim for example Lee Harvey Oswald was able to kill President Kennedy in Dallas in 1963 with a snipers rifle because JFKs visit to Texas had been well flagged up in advance, with maps printed of the Presidents route through the city. Hitler was apt to change his schedules at the last minute, giving potential killers less chance to plan their deeds in advance. RULE 2: Limit interaction with the public. Before the Munich bomb exploded, Hitler enjoyed personal contact with crowds of hero worshipping fans. German vacationers would gather outside his Bavarian mountain home, the Berghof, in the hope of meeting their leader. Hitler would frequently emerge from his villa to wade into the crowds and accept bouquets of flowers and other gifts from them. After the bombing, such one on one interaction was banned, and bouquets had to be presented to Hitlers SS bodyguards for examination first. RULE 3: avoid firearms. It may seem an obvious danger, but before November 1939, army officers were allowed to bring their sidearm pistols into their conferences with Hitler. Such weapons were strictly forbidden after the Beerhall bombing. The Fuhrer was right to mistrust his military aides: in July 1944 Colonel Count Claus von Stauffenberg smuggled a bomb concealed in a briefcase into one such conference. It exploded, killing four people, but only slightly injuring the dictator. RULE 4: Ensure escape routes. Hitler enjoyed flying, but was terrified of being trapped aboard a doomed aircraft. He reputedly kept a parachute under his seat in a bid to avoid such a fate, and the military cap he usually wore was lined with metal as a shield against bullets. During the war a bomb was smuggled aboard his plane on a visit to the Eastern Front. Disguised as two bottles of Benedictine liquor, the device failed to explode. RULE 5: Trust in Providence. Hitler believed, like Trumps mission to make America great again, that he was on a divinely inspired path to restore Germany to its place of power in the world. Without mentioning God, he frequently invoked Providence, which he believed would protect him from harm until he had fulfilled his mission. Ultimately, Hitler was ready to trust in his devils own luck to avoid a premature early demise at the hands of an assassin. Without making any invidious parallels to such an evil dictator as Hitler, Donald Trump looks ready to emulate the Fuhrer, and trust to the Almightys helping hand and his own personal mojo rather than his Secret Service guards to see him safely back to the White House. His luck has held so far, but there are still nearly two months to get through until until polling day. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Former President Donald Trump drew criticism over his latest rant about Democratic rival Kamala Harris, in which he accused the vice president of KILLING BLACK AND HISPANIC HERITAGE. The GOP nominee hurled out the accusation in all-caps on his Truth Social platform on Monday in the middle of a lengthy rant about immigration, a key issue in the 2024 election. Illegal Migrants are POURING INTO OUR COUNTRY and taking the JOBS away from Black and Hispanic people who have held them for years, alleged Trump, echoing his previous racist remarks about Black jobs being taken by immigrants, a claim that economists have debunked. Trump and running mate JD Vance have come under increasing scrutiny in recent days for pushing the baseless claim that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, are eating residents pets. Trump has also repeatedly questioned Harris racial identity and falsely suggested his opponent, the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, had only happened to turn Black recently to boost her political career. Harris, though, has always identified as Black. The PatriotTakes account shared Trumps latest rant on X, formerly Twitter: Trump claims Kamala Harris is killing Black and Hispanic heritage and killing their legacy and their rights. pic.twitter.com/hne4QG5Dx6 PatriotTakes (@patriottakes) September 16, 2024 Critics noted Trumps inflammatory language, which came soon after Republicans called for the dialing down of political rhetoric following an apparent second attempt on the former presidents life. More inflammatory language. He never learns. SitaRose (@SitaRose27) September 16, 2024 Every Republican accusation is their own confession. Trump has been killing Black and Hispanic Heritage for decades. Jeremy H (@jeremyfromga) September 16, 2024 Saying that other black and brown people are taking jobs away from the black and brown people of the United States is racist. Obama had a black job. Kamala has a black job. Debunk The Right (@DebunkTheRight) September 16, 2024 He definitely isnt toning it down at all after yesterday now is he? Seems like hes toning it up even more. Hes just unfit to be president and its more obvious than ever today. Isiah Sanders (@MrZaySanders) September 16, 2024 They must of told Donald it was Hispanic Heritage Month over coffee this morning. Witty B (@WittyBiscuit) September 16, 2024 Related... Donation of enough water to fill a small reservoir now headed to the Great Salt Lake The start of the Jordan River along the north shore of Utah Lake is pictured. The start of the Jordan River along the north shore of Utah Lake is pictured on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. The Utah Division of Natural Resources recently announced a 10,000 acre-foot donation of water to the Great Salt Lake, conveyed by the Jordan River. (Kyle Dunphey/Utah News Dispatch.) Enough water to fill a small reservoir is now headed north through the Jordan River, the latest effort from the state and its partners to help the ailing Great Salt Lake. On Monday, water managers and state officials announced a 10,000 acre-foot donation of water, stemming from Utah Lake, that will be conveyed through the Jordan River into the south arm of the Great Salt Lake. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Thats enough water to fill some of northern Utahs smaller reservoirs, including the 7,100 acre-feet Porcupine Reservoir in Cache County, or the 5,100 acre-foot Smith and Morehouse Reservoir in the Uinta Mountains. An acre-foot is the amount of water required to submerge an acre of land by one foot, or almost 326,000 gallons. The delivery is the result of a three-part donation, with about 5,300 acre-feet coming from the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, 1,700 acre-feet from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and an additional 3,000 acre-feet leased by the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust. According to the Great Salt Lake Strategic Plan released earlier this year, the lake needs between 471,000 and 1,055,000 acre-feet of additional water delivered each year for it to reach 4,198 feet in elevation, which is considered the low end of the healthy range. Currently the south arm of the lake sits at about 4,192.6 feet, with the north arm, separated by a railroad causeway, about a foot lower. The release announced Monday is just one time, according to the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust. It pales in comparison to a recent agreement between the state and Compass Minerals, which operates on the Great Salt Lake, that would keep about 200,000 acre-feet in the lake. But Joel Ferry, the executive director of the Utah Division of Natural Resources, remained optimistic Monday, calling it a huge step in the Great Salt Lakes recovery. Division of Natural Resources Executive Director Joel Ferry speaks during a news conference on a bridge over the Jordan River near Utah Lake. Even a short-term win is a win. Even if its one or two years, we can get some of this water down to the Great Salt Lake, its a win, Ferry said. The donation also comes at a critical time for the Jordan River, which typically experiences lower flows this time of year. The river is getting a boost after the Utah Division of Water Quality received a nearly $5 million federal grant to help restore its wetlands and riparian zones. That, coupled with an additional 10,000 acre-feet flowing through it, will make a noticeable difference in the rivers levels this fall, said Soren Simonsen, executive director of the Jordan River Commission. More water in the river means a healthier riparian habitat for a lot of wildlife that are migrating through here right now on their way back to Central and South America, he said. We know that more water in the river also improves water quality. Alan Packard, the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy Districts general manager, said several key factors made the donation possible. For starters, two years of above-average snow in northern Utah put more water in the states rivers and lakes Utah Lake, which feeds the Jordan River, has been full for most of the summer and as of Monday, was at about 86% capacity. Homeowners and businesses in the districts service area were also able to conserve about 5,300 acre-feet of water, which is roughly how much the district is donating, Packard said. And, the Utah Legislature in 2022 passed HB410, which allocated about $40 million to set up the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust, tasked with getting more water to the lake. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Donation of enough water to fill a small reservoir now headed to the Great Salt Lake The start of the Jordan River along the north shore of Utah Lake The start of the Jordan River along the north shore of Utah Lake is pictured on Sept. 16, 2024. The Utah Division of Natural Resources recently announced a 10,000 acre-foot donation of water to the Great Salt Lake, conveyed by the Jordan River. (Kyle Dunphey/Utah News Dispatch.) Enough water to fill a small reservoir is now headed north through the Jordan River, the latest effort from the state and its partners to help the ailing Great Salt Lake. On Monday, water managers and state officials announced a 10,000 acre-foot donation of water, stemming from Utah Lake, that will be conveyed through the Jordan River into the south arm of the Great Salt Lake. Thats enough water to fill some of northern Utahs smaller reservoirs, including the 7,100 acre-feet Porcupine Reservoir in Cache County, or the 5,100 acre-foot Smith and Morehouse Reservoir in the Uinta Mountains. An acre-foot is the amount of water required to submerge an acre of land by one foot, or almost 326,000 gallons. The delivery is the result of a three-part donation, with about 5,300 acre-feet coming from the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, 1,700 acre-feet from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and an additional 3,000 acre-feet leased by the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust. According to the Great Salt Lake Strategic Plan released earlier this year, the lake needs between 471,000 and 1,055,000 acre-feet of additional water delivered each year for it to reach 4,198 feet in elevation, which is considered the low end of the healthy range. Currently the south arm of the lake sits at about 4,192.6 feet, with the north arm, separated by a railroad causeway, about a foot lower. The release announced Monday is just one time, according to the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust. It pales in comparison to a recent agreement between the state and Compass Minerals, which operates on the Great Salt Lake, that would keep about 200,000 acre-feet in the lake. But Joel Ferry, the executive director of the Utah Division of Natural Resources, remained optimistic Monday, calling it a huge step in the Great Salt Lakes recovery. Utah Division of Natural Resources Executive Director Joel Ferry speaks during a news conference Even a short-term win is a win. Even if its one or two years, we can get some of this water down to the Great Salt Lake, its a win, Ferry said. More water in Jordan River means healthier wildlife habitat The donation also comes at a critical time for the Jordan River, which typically experiences lower flows this time of year. The river is getting a boost after the Utah Division of Water Quality received a nearly $5 million federal grant to help restore its wetlands and riparian zones. That, coupled with an additional 10,000 acre-feet flowing through it, will make a noticeable difference in the rivers levels this fall, said Soren Simonsen, executive director of the Jordan River Commission. More water in the river means a healthier riparian habitat for a lot of wildlife that are migrating through here right now on their way back to Central and South America, he said. We know that more water in the river also improves water quality. Alan Packard, the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy Districts general manager, said several key factors made the donation possible. For starters, two years of above-average snow in northern Utah put more water in the states rivers and lakes Utah Lake, which feeds the Jordan River, has been full for most of the summer and as of Monday, was at about 86% capacity. Homeowners and businesses in the districts service area were also able to conserve about 5,300 acre-feet of water, which is roughly how much the district is donating, Packard said. And, the Utah Legislature in 2022 passed House Bill 410, which allocated about $40 million to set up the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust, tasked with getting more water to the lake. Utah News Dispatch, like the Idaho Capital Sun, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Utah News Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor McKenzie Romero for questions: info@utahnewsdispatch.com. Follow Utah News Dispatch on Facebook and X. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE By Laila Bassam BEIRUT (Reuters) -Militant group Hezbollah promised to retaliate against Israel after accusing it of detonating pagers across Lebanon on Tuesday, killing nine people and wounding nearly 3,000 others who included fighters and Iran's envoy to Beirut. Lebanese Information Minister Ziad Makary condemned the late-afternoon detonation of the pagers - handheld devices that Hezbollah and others in Lebanon use to send messages - as an "Israeli aggression". Hezbollah said Israel would receive "its fair punishment" for the blasts. The Israeli military, which has been engaged in cross-border fighting with Iran-backed Hezbollah since the start of the Gaza war in October, declined to respond to questions about the detonations. The death toll rose from eight to nine on Tuesday night while the number of injured remained at 2,750, Lebanon's health ministry said. Hezbollah confirmed in an earlier statement that the deaths included at least two of its fighters and a young girl. The pagers exploded in southern Lebanon, the southern suburbs of Beirut known as Dahiyeh and the eastern Bekaa Valley - all Hezbollah strongholds. In one instance, closed-circuit surveillance video carried by regional broadcasters showed a person paying at a grocery store as what appeared to be a small handheld device placed next to the cashier exploded. A Hezbollah official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the incident was the "biggest security breach" for the group in nearly a year of conflict with Israel. The New York Times reported that Israel hid explosive material in the Taiwan-made Gold Apollo pagers before they were imported to Lebanon, citing American and other officials briefed on the operation. The material was implanted next to the battery with a switch that could be triggered remotely to detonate. The Palestinian militant group Hamas, which is waging war with Israel in Gaza, said the pager blasts were an "escalation" that will only lead Israel to "failure and defeat". UN special coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert deplored the attack in a statement and said it marked an extremely concerning escalation in the conflict. Washington said it was not involved in the explosions and did not know who was responsible. The U.S. renewed calls for a diplomatic solution to tensions between Israel and Lebanon. It urged Iran - which with its allies Hezbollah, Yemen's Houthis and armed groups in Iraq has formed an "Axis of Resistance" against Israeli and U.S. influence - not to take advantage of any incident to raise instability. Without commenting directly on the explosions in Lebanon, an Israeli military spokesman said the chief of staff, Major General Herzi Halevi, met with senior officers on Tuesday evening to assess the situation. No policy change was announced but "vigilance must continue to be maintained", he said. Hezbollah fighters have been using pagers as a low-tech means of communication in an attempt to evade Israeli location-tracking, two sources familiar with the group's operations told Reuters this year. A pager is a wireless telecommunications device that receives and displays messages. MANY INJURED Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, suffered a "superficial injury" in Tuesday's pager blasts and was under observation in hospital, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency said. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report. The casualties included Hezbollah fighters who are the sons of top officials from the armed group, two security sources told Reuters. One of those killed was the son of a Hezbollah member of the Lebanese parliament, Ali Ammar, they said. "This is not a security targeting of one, two or three people. This is a targeting of an entire nation," senior Hezbollah official Hussein Khalil said while paying his condolences for Ammar's son. Air France announced late on Tuesday it was suspending flights connecting Paris with Beirut and Tel Aviv through Thursday due to security concerns. Earlier on Tuesday, Israel's domestic security agency said it had foiled a plot by Hezbollah to assassinate a former senior defence official in the coming days. Hezbollah has said it wants to avoid all-out conflict with Israel but that only an end to the Gaza war will stop the cross-border clashes. Gaza ceasefire efforts remain deadlocked after months of talks mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States. While they saw a threat of escalation, experts were more skeptical, for now, about the potential for an imminent full-scale Israel-Hezbollah war, which the U.S. has sought to prevent and which it believes neither side wants. SCREAMING IN PAIN After Tuesday's blasts, ambulances rushed through the southern suburbs of Beirut amid widespread panic. At Mount Lebanon Hospital outside Beirut, a Reuters reporter saw motorcycles rushing to the emergency room and people with bloodied hands screaming in pain. The head of the Nabatieh public hospital in the south of the country, Hassan Wazni, told Reuters that around 40 wounded people were being treated at his facility. The wounds included injuries to the face, eyes and limbs. Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel immediately after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas gunmen on Israel that triggered the Gaza war. Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire ever since, while avoiding a major escalation. Hezbollah has lost more than 400 fighters in Israeli strikes over the past year, including its top commander Fuad Shukr in July. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced from towns and villages on both sides of the border by the hostilities. On Tuesday, Israel added to its formal war goals the return of citizens to their homes near the border with Lebanon. (Reporting by Laila Bassam, Maya Gebeily, Emilie Madi and Tom Perry; Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick; Writing by Nadine Awadalla, Clauda Tanios, Michael Georgy and Cynthia Osterman; Editing by Gareth Jones, Rod Nickel and Stephen Coates) Residents of a Houston suburb have been evacuated with major roads and businesses shut down after an oil pipeline caught fire just before 10 a.m. in the areas of Deer Park and La Porte, TX on Monday. The blaze was still ongoing by afternoon, with officials reporting that it could be Tuesday before the fire is contained. The local Spencer Highway was closed in both directions on Monday, with the areas surrounding a nearby Walmart and H-E-B grocery store blocked off to traffic. More than 700 customers in the area were likewise without power, with evacuated residents unable to return to their homes due to the heat emanating from the flames. One firefighter was injured and treated for minor injuries as emergency personnel struggled to contain the heavy flames, which could be seen shooting hundreds of feet into the air in harrowing video circulating online. "The fire is contained within a set perimeter, but it will take several hours for the product to burn off, said Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton Jr. in a statement. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, however oil and gas expert Bob Cavnar told Click2Houston that the fire may have been caused by a crude line, and possibly the result of a mechanical failure. "The way the fire looks, the smoke, it looks like a product or a crude line and not natural gas. Natural gas doesnt tend to burn that dirty," Cavnar said. "They should be able to shut the pipeline off. Im not sure why its been going this long unless theyre having a hard time getting to terminal valves." Energy Transfer, the company that owns the pipeline, said that the fire, involving a 20-inch natural gas liquids pipeline, occurred at a valve station. "We experienced an incident this morning in La Porte, Texas, at a valve station along Spencer Highway for a 20-inch natural gas liquids line that resulted in a fire," read the statement, via KHOU 11 News. There are no reports of injuries at this time. The LaPorte Fire Department is on the scene and has evacuated all homes and businesses within a half mile of the incident site. The line has been isolated so that the residual product in the line can safely burn itself out." "We have no timeline at this point on how long that process will take, but we are working closely with local authorities," the statement continued. "We are aware of early reports indicating that an unknown passenger car entered our right-of-way and struck the value location. Air monitoring equipment is in the process of being set up in the area. We will continue to release details as they become available." Dramatic Pipeline Fire Burns in Texas as Residents Say They Saw the Car Crash That Started It: 'Like a Bomb' Police said an SUV drove through a Walmart parking lot's fence before it eventually "struck an above-ground pipeline valve" in Deer Park Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Flames burn from a pipeline in the 8700 block of Spencer Highway on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 in La Porte. The La Porte Fire Department responded to a fire at 9:55 a.m. in the 8700 block of Spencer Highway, City of La Porte spokesperson Lee Woodward said in a news release. An evacuation order has been issued for residents and community members between Spencer Highway and Fairmont Parkway between Luella Boulevard and Canada Road, according to Woodward. A dramatic pipeline fire continues to light up the sky near Houston, and police say the blaze was started by a car crash. Officials with the City of La Porte Office of Emergency Management crews responded to the scene on the 8700 block of Spencer Highway around 9:55 a.m. local time on Monday, Sept. 16. The pipeline, owned by Energy Transfer, was already on fire as crews arrived at the scene, according to a news release from the Deer Park Police Department. The impacted pipeline carried natural gas liquids, according to a statement from Energy Transfer, shared by authorities. Deer Park police said a chemical called Y Grade NGL is what is burning. Police later announced a white sport utility vehicle drove through a fence on the west side of Wal-Marts parking lot at 9025 Spencer Highway before it entered the adjacent pipeline right-of-way and struck an above-ground pipeline valve. Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Emergency vehicles line Spencer Highway responding to a pipeline fire near Spencer and Summerton on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 in La Porte. The fire caused road closures and shelter-in-place advisories Monday afternoon in the area, with evacuations to homes and businesses in the immediate area near the fire site. Bystanders Sherry and Chad Richard told ABC affiliate KRTK-TV they were headed to the Walmart and saw the crash occur. They said it was like something out of a movie. Initially, Chad said the car caught his eye because the car was moving so slow as we passed it. Then, he added, We circled around to get a parking spot, and as soon as we got a parking spot, the car just veered off. 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. Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Flames burn from a pipeline in the 8700 block of Spencer Highway on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 in La Porte. The La Porte Fire Department responded to a fire at 9:55 a.m. in the 8700 block of Spencer Highway, City of La Porte spokesperson Lee Woodward said in a news release. An evacuation order has been issued for residents and community members between Spencer Highway and Fairmont Parkway between Luella Boulevard and Canada Road, according to Woodward. Bystander Anna Lewis told the Associated Press she was walking into the same Walmart when she heard what sounded like a bomb went off. She said, It scared me. You really dont know what to do when its happening. In its statement shared with authorities, Energy Transfer said that the line was isolated so that the residual product in the line can safely burn itself out. The fire is still burning as of early Tuesday, Sept. 17, according to Deer Park police. Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Firefighters protect a neighborhood from a fire in a pipeline carrying liquified natural gas burns near Spencer Highway and Summerton on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 in La Porte. The fire caused road closures and shelter-in-place advisories Monday afternoon in the area, with evacuations to homes and businesses within a half mile from the fire site. Harris County Pollution Control initially said there were no detections for volatile organic compounds in the area around the blaze. On Sept. 17, Deer Park police said, Air quality monitoring continues to show no impact to the air quality. Additionally, Energy Transfer and Harris County HazMat contracted a third-party air monitor to check San Jacinto College and both La Porte ISD campuses to ensure the safety of students and staff, according to La Porte emergency management. Related: Whole Town Bands Together to Help Bride and Groom After Venue Burns Down Hours Before Their Wedding (Exclusive) Several roads were closed and many areas around the pipeline were evacuated, according to authorities. Some areas have since been reopened as the fire dies. Deer Park police and local agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigations said based on their initial investigation, preliminary reports suggested there was no terroristic activity involved in the crash. Chad told KTRK-TV that he believed he was an elderly woman with glasses behind the wheel of the car. An investigation into the blaze is ongoing. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. (Bloomberg) -- Princeton Digital Group, a Warburg Pincus-backed data center operator, is considering a private fundraising round to raise as much as $1 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg The Singapore-based company is working with a financial adviser on a potential deal that could involve debt and equity, said the people, asking not to be named as the process is private. Proceeds will likely be used to refinance debt and expand its business in the region, the people said. Deliberations are at an early stage and the firm could still decide not to pursue a deal, the people said. Representatives for Princeton didnt immediately respond to requests seeking comment. Princeton Digital plans to double the capacity of its data centers in three years to meet surging demand from global artificial intelligence developers and to add more than 300 employees in markets including Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and India by the end of 2025 as AI propels its growth, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rangu Salgame said in an interview with Bloomberg in July. The company said in a statement last year that it was looking to raise $1 billion in debt across multiple projects as it seeks to expand its business. Global investors have been eyeing digital infrastructure assets as they seek to tap into increasing demand for technology while looking for stable returns. Blackstone Inc. has agreed to acquire Australian data-center operator AirTrunk in a deal valuing the firm at A$24 billion ($16.1 billion), including debt and capital expenditure for committed projects. DigitalBridge Group Inc. is considering options including a sale of EdgePoint Infrastructure, Bloomberg News has reported. In June, a consortium of KKR & Co. and Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. agreed to invest S$1.75 billion ($1.3 billion) for a minority stake in ST Telemedia Global Data Centres. Princeton Digital, established in 2017, invests in, develops and operates data center infrastructure in China, Singapore, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan, according to its website. The company operates more than 20 data centers in six countries. Warburg Pincus invested in and helped set up the company, along with Princeton Digitals founder Salgame. Story continues In 2022, Princeton Digital raised more than $500 million in a funding round led by Abu Dhabi sovereign fund Mubadala Investment Co., which contributed more than $350 million, according to a statement. The data center operators existing shareholders Warburg Pincus and Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board also participated. The proceeds were earmarked to strengthen the firms presence in Japan, India, Singapore and China and to accelerate its expansion into other parts of Asia. --With assistance from Manuel Baigorri and Gao Yuan. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Draught horses are being put to work in King Georges Park, Wandsworth [Getty Images] Draught horses are being put to work in south-west London as part of a council's bid to "enhance" its grasslands. The horses are pulling mowers and harrows - heavy frames with teeth or tines that are dragged over land to stir the soil - in Wandsworth Park and King Georges Park to create wildflower meadows. Wandsworth Council said the traditional method allowed horses hooves to create small gaps in the grass, helping wildflower seeds to take root more effectively. Locals will be able to see the horses in action at King Georges Park on Tuesday from 10:00 BST. The horses are being used to help prepare the soil for wildflowers, the council said [Getty Images] King Georges Park has benefited from the city-wide Rewild London project, which aims to rewild urban spaces and promote the recovery of nature, the council said. Rewild London is funded by the London Wildlife Trust, in partnership with the mayor of London. Wandsworth Council's cabinet member for environment, Judi Gasser, said: The rewilding efforts in King Georges Park have focused on the creation of wildflower meadows and the development of biodiversity-rich woodlands. "These new habitats will act as crucial corridors for pollinators, such as wild bees and butterflies." Residents can see the horses in action in King Georges Park on Tuesday from 10:00 BST [Wandsworth Council] The draught horses, from Richmond-based working horses group Oakwood Clydesdales, took on the same role last year and in 2022, preparing the park for wildflower growth. Mick Green is from Enable, the not-for-profit organisation responsible for managing Wandsworths green spaces on behalf of the council. He said the organisation was "committed to fostering a deeper connection between local people, and the nature around them". The Rewild London scheme as a whole has great potential to improve access to nature across London," he added. 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 More on this story Related internet links Driver killed after truck goes down embankment in NC mountains: HP ASHE COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A driver was killed after his vehicle went down an embankment in the North Carolina mountain region last month, North Carolina State Highway Patrol said Tuesday. Troopers responded to calls regarding the incident around 3:10 p.m. on Clint Gilley Road at Heavenly Mountain View. Warrensville resident John John Shoemake was found suffering from injuries and was pronounced dead on scene. An initial investigation stated that Shoemake was in a Chevy truck loaded with gravel and was backing down Heavenly Mountain View when his truck drove off the right side of the road and went down an embankment. Troopers said the vehicle was not equipped with seatbelts. The roadways were closed for two hours during the course of the investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. A driver was fatally shot in the head in Queens on Monday, a blast that sent his out-of-control vehicle careening into a woman crossing an intersection before crashing into a building, police said. The horrific crackup unfolded around 4 p.m., when the 66-year-old driver, William Alcindor, was going through the intersection at 117th Road and Farmers Blvd. in St. Albans just as a bullet struck him the head, according to police, setting off the horrific chain of events. I heard the bang. It was the car crashing into the building across the street, said Roberto Tendilla, 32, manager of A&E supermarket near the intersection. It was crazy. Ive never seen anything like it in the 17 years Ive worked here. Multiple witnesses said the driver may not have been the intended target of the gunshot, but rather was hit by a stray bullet fired by someone in a group of teenagers fighting in the parking lot of a nearby Popeyes. The shooting appears to be random, a police source told the Daily News. The kids who shot him started to run that way, Tendilla said, pointing in the direction of 177th Road. There was a shot and a bunch of kids fighting in the parking lot, said another witness who did not want to share their name. He went up onto the sidewalk and crashed into the building. The driver was all bloody, they added. EMTs transported Alcindor to Jamaica Hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead, police said Monday night. Police officers confirmed after the driver was shot, he plowed into a female pedestrian; officers were not immediately able to give any information about her condition. The investigation is ongoing. CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) As the first day of autumn approaches, West Virginia is still under severe drought conditions, which could affect the fall foliage. According to the West Virginia Department of Tourisms Fall Foliage Forecast, peak fall color is expected to start in West Virginias higher elevations in late September, but that could be changed by the drought. Generally, dry and warm conditions will delay the leaf change and make the colors more muted. Even though places like the Monongahela National Forest saw the first peaks of fall color in August and should be approaching their peak fall color, the third week of the 2024 Eastern Region Fall Color Report said that the Mon still has a lot of green. The leaves that are changing are turning brown and falling instead of changing into the breathtaking oranges, pinks and reds that West Virginians are used to seeing. However, the U.S. Forest Service said that it is hopeful that the still green leaves could evolve into more impressive fall color. Meteorologists said early in the drought that it could change West Virginias leaf-peeping season, including cutting it short, especially compared to last year which West Virginia Tourism called the best fall foliage of the decade. So although the fall color might be later and more muted than last year, it will still be worth taking a leaf-peeping trip in the coming weeks. West Virginians fall tourism season is also being affected in other ways. The Monongahela National Forest announced Tuesday that the Dolly Sods Wilderness is under a fire ban due to drought conditions and wildfire risk, and several rivers and lakes have extremely low water, affecting boating and fishing conditions. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Drug-resistant bacteria deaths are projected to jump 70% by 2050. Heres what can reverse the trend This illustration released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a group of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae bacteria. Drug resistant superbugs could kill more than 39 million people by 2050. | Melissa Brower Drug resistant superbugs could kill more than 39 million people by 2050, according to a new study. Deaths from antibiotic resistant infections, already blamed for the loss of more than a million lives worldwide annually from 1990 to 2021, are projected to increase by almost 70% in 25 years, the study published Monday in The Lancet found, estimating 1.91 million people could die then as a direct result of whats known as AMR, or antimicrobial resistance. And over that same time period, whats described as the first in-depth analysis over time of the global health impacts of antimicrobial resistance estimated the number of deaths where antimicrobial resistant bacteria plays a role could rise almost 75%, from 4.71 million to 8.22 million per year. Older people will continue to be most at risk, the study found. Deaths of children from AMR declined 50% between 1990 and 2021, but went up more than 80% among those ages 70 and older. The study predicted that would continue, with the number of children under 5 dying from AMR expected to halve by 2050, while deaths among those 70 or older doubled. Location is also a factor. Future deaths from AMR are anticipated to be highest in South Asia, with the study forecasting a total of 11.8 million deaths directly related to AMR between 2025 and 2050. The numbers are also expected to be high in other areas of southern and eastern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Its a big problem, and it is here to stay, Christopher J. L. Murray, senior author on the study and director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington in Seattle, told The Washington Post. He called for a concerted global effort to reverse the trajectory. Thats going to require interventions that incorporate infection prevention, vaccination, minimizing inappropriate antibiotic use, and research into new antibiotics, according to an American Association for the Advancement of Science news release. The study estimated such measures could prevent 92 million global deaths between 2025 and 2050. The United Nations is set to hold a high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance later this month. The issue is not new. A Deseret News editorial in 2001 called for an end to the misuse of antibiotics, citing an estimate from what is now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that 75% of antibiotics prescribed in outpatient settings were for respiratory infections, offering little or no benefit but contributing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Increasingly, were seeing that antibiotics are being overused or misused, which just puts more pressure on bacteria to become more resistant as time goes on, Kevin Ikuta, a lead author on the new study and assistant professor of clinical medicine at UCLA, told The Washington Post. Ikuta said that the 39 million deaths projected over the next 25 years equates to about three deaths every minute. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Drury University has announced a new initiative that offers additional resources to students within a commutable distance of the school. In what is being called the Springfield Promise, Drury plans to offer an additional $2,000 scholarship on top of any other academic scholarships students may qualify to receive, according to a press release. Admitted students who demonstrate exceptional financial need will also be eligible for an additional grant that will limit out-of-pocket expenses to $3,000 for tuition and student fees. City Utilities breaking ground on natural gas line renewal According to the release, the Drury Springfield Promise will be open to students who will enroll in fall 2025, and is open to high school graduates from eight counties in the area, including Greene, Christian, Polk, Taney, Stone, Webster and Lawrence (including all of Monett). Homeschooled students are also eligible. Transfer students from Ozarks Technical College associate degree holders, Drury GO graduates and transfer students from other four-year institutions, but who graduated from high schools in the eight-county area, may also qualify. A valid FAFSA must be filed by Feb. 1, 2025 and students may not be NCAA-recruited athletes. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) Dublin City Schools is redrawing the neighborhood boundaries for its elementary and middle schools, as the district is readying to expand an existing high school and open a new elementary school. The district is collaborating with Cropper GIS, a central Ohio-based consultant specializing in school planning, to outline each elementary and middle schools new boundary. Possible zones will be presented later this fall, and community members will be able to give feedback through a survey and during an input session at Jerome High School on Oct. 21. Mixed-use proposal doesnt align with Dublin neighborhood, residents say Dublins goal is to have the new boundaries formally published by January, then have the boundaries go into effect at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. The redistricting is needed given Dublin is one of the fastest growing districts in central Ohio. The districts upcoming Bishop Elementary will be overcapacity when the building opens next fall, said John Marschhausen, superintendent of Dublin schools, during a city planning meeting earlier this summer. Marschhausen also noted Eversole Run Middle School and Abraham Depp Elementary already use modulars for overflow. Dublin schools is comprised of a preschool, fifteen elementary schools, five middle schools, three high schools, and a specialty secondary campus. (Courtesy Photo/Dublin City Schools) Eversole Run and Abraham Depp are among the eight schools the district is anticipating will be impacted by redistricting, including the following: Deer Run Elementary Glacier Ridge Elementary Pinney Elementary Grizzell Middle School Karrer Middle School Sells Middle School Elementary and middle school students, including rising 5th graders, will not be permitted to remain at their current school if they are impacted by the new boundaries. The districts website reiterates that all students and their siblings will attend school in the attendance area outlined in the redistricting plan. After putting Springfield in spotlight, J.D. Vance says, Im still going to keep on talking Marschhausen also announced last month that the district is pursuing a 60,000-square-foot addition to Dublin Scioto High School. The superintendent said the expansion would allow the district to shift 500 to 600 students to Scioto, helping alleviate an anticipated increase in high school enrollment throughout the next decade. Our enrollment projections indicate, by moderate projection, that well have 2,000 new high school students by 2034, said Marschhausen during an August meeting. Were still going to need room for about 1,500 additional students by 2034. But, this is the short-term solution. When at capacity, Scioto currently is home to about 1,400 students, while Dublin Coffman serves 2,000 and Dublin Jerome has 2,400. Dublin schools aims to break ground on the Scioto addition next summer, with a targeted opening for August 2026. Once the elementary and middle school redistricting process is nearing completion, the district said it will begin redrawing the boundaries for its high school. However, no work will be done on high school redistricting until after the new year, and answers about how boundaries will shift will not be available until the summer of 2025. Why central Ohio school districts struggle to hire aides, bus drivers and other workers The Scioto expansion announcement came after the district said it was pausing a nonbinding agreement with Cardinal Health the buy the 250,000-square-foot west campus headquarters at 7200 Cardinal Place for $37 million. Marschhausen paused the Cardinal agreement after the citys planning commission signaled they were unsupportive of the zoning changes needed to repurpose the building. Dublin schools had entered into the purchase agreement earlier this year, which allowed the district more than a year to determine if the building can be effectively configured to serve as a school. The Cardinal Health building is something that is going to require collaboration and ongoing conversations with our partners at the city and our largest employer and business in Dublin, said Marschhausen. There is a mutual commitment between the three of us to have these conversations in search of a long-term solution. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Dueling visits from VP candidates emphasizes the fight for Georgia in battle for the White House The running mate of Democratic Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris brought his campaign to Georgia Tuesday, following a visit from Republican Vice-Presidential Nominee J.D. Vance just a day earlier. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz first campaigned in Macon before arriving in Atlanta on Tuesday afternoon. His visit highlights the critical role Georgia will play in the November elections. Channel 2s Richard Elliot joined the motorcade as Walz made three stops around Atlanta, rallying young voters to vote Democrat. Elliot was also with Vance Monday night as he tried to rally evangelical voters to vote Republican. Walzs stops included Georgia Tech, Rocky Mountain Pizza, and a small business near Morehouse and Spelman Colleges. He encouraged young voters to register and vote, stressing the narrow margins in this election could make Georgia a deciding factor. RELATED STORIES: This is an opportunity, as many of you know. This is going to be razor-close, Walz said. It is not out of the realm to think a group of folks in here getting five more groups of people getting five more groups of people that this presidential election could run through Rocky Mountain Pizza. A day earlier, Vance spoke at the Faith and Freedom Coalition, emphasizing the significance of Georgia. He addressed the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump and called for reduced inflammatory political rhetoric. But I do think we should take this opportunity to call for a reduction in the ridiculous inflammatory political rhetoric coming from too many corners of our politics, Vance said. At Rocky Mountain Pizza, Walz acknowledged the same and expressed relief that Trump was unharmed. These are horrific things. They have got to stop. Thank God hes alive. Thank God for the Secret Service and the police that were there, Walz said. However, despite Vances call for an end to name-calling, Donald Trump took to social media yesterday, continuing to insult his opponents. RELATED NEWS: PRATT, Kan. (KSNW) A fire at a duplex in Pratt killed a person and a dog on Monday morning. A news release from the Kansas State Fire Marshals Office said its Investigation Division was called to look into a fire at 601 N. Oak St. in Pratt. They were requested by the Pratt Fire Department after firefighters responded to the structure fire at 8:18 a.m. Final messages from doomed Titan submersible released during hearing A news release from the Pratt Fire Department said crews entered by the front door and started an attack line. The fire was quickly extinguished, and firefighters searched the home to find Marjorie Meis, 67, and a dog. Meis was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, where she died. KSFM said the fire originated in and was contained in the kitchen. The house suffered smoke damage throughout. The other half of the duplex suffered light smoke damage, and those occupants were able to escape safely without injury. The incident is still under investigation, pending autopsy results. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Dutch Defence Minister says "we need to be realistic" about ending war in 2025 Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans believes that the Russo-Ukrainian war will not end in 2024 or 2025, and therefore it is necessary to consider the long term and not create false expectations. Source: Brekelmans in an interview with Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT, as reported by European Pravda Details: The journalists asked Brekelmans whether he believed that the war in Ukraine could end this year. Quote: "I don't think the war will end this year; I don't think it will end next year either." More details: Brekelmans said that it is necessary to provide Ukraine with as much military support as possible, "but we need to be realistic" because the situation on the battlefield is very difficult. "This means that we have to do more, but we also have to be realistic," he said. Brekelmans also believes that Ukraine needs to be supported while taking a long-term view, so that people in Europe are ready to support the country for a long time. "Therefore we should not create false expectations so that people are not disappointed," he said, adding that it is necessary to be optimistic and at the same time remain realistic. Background: Recently, the Netherlands condemned Iran's supply of ballistic missiles to Russia and called for tougher sanctions by the European Union. At a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (Ramstein) on 6 September, the Netherlands announced a new package of military assistance to Kyiv related to the maintenance of F-16 fighter jets. Support UP or become our patron! If you're someone who gets a big chunk of your retirement income from Social Security, then you may be itching to know what 2025's cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, will amount to. Each year, Social Security benefits are eligible for an automatic COLA. And the higher that number is, the more buying power you stand to enjoy. But as eager as you may be to learn about 2025's Social Security COLA, you're going to have to sit tight a bit longer. Social Security COLAs are determined using inflation data from the third quarter of the year. Since we're not quite done with 2024's third quarter, we don't have a full data set to work with just yet. In fact, the Social Security Administration won't be able to announce an official COLA until Oct. 10. Image source: Getty Images. But there are estimates out there as to what 2025's Social Security COLA might entail. And it's important to know what sort of monthly raise you might be looking at so you can plan accordingly. Your monthly paychecks could go up by $48 The average retired worker on Social Security today collects $1,920.48 per month. Meanwhile, the most recent estimate of next year's Social Security COLA by the nonpartisan Senior Citizens League is 2.5%. If we do the math, we see that the average retired worker is looking at a $48 boost to his or her monthly Social Security checks. That's $576 more per year, which isn't a life-changing amount, but it also isn't nothing. Medicare Part B will be the wild card factor It may be that you're collecting Social Security but you haven't yet enrolled in Medicare, either because you aren't old enough or because you have group health coverage through a job and therefore don't need it. In that case, once an official Social Security COLA announcement comes through, you can run the numbers to see how much of a raise you'll get based on your specific monthly benefit. But if you're enrolled in Medicare, you'll need more than just an official Social Security COLA announcement to see how much your monthly benefits will increase in 2025. That's because seniors who are signed up for both programs at the same time have their Medicare Part B premiums deducted from their Social Security benefits. If the cost of Medicare Part B rises a lot in 2025, then you monthly Social Security benefit won't increase as much. So while the average retired worker may be looking at $48 more per month before accounting for Medicare Part B, that raise could get whittled down if the cost of Part B rises substantially. This year, the cost of Medicare Part B rose by $9.80. A similar increase could erode 2025's Social Security COLA for a lot of people. For this reason, it's important to look at the big picture in the course of figuring out how much your monthly income is likely to increase in the new year. And if you're not happy with the number you're seeing, you may want to take steps to improve your financial picture. Those could include rethinking some expenses or finding ways to turn your home into a cash source, such as renting out a room or downsizing and pocketing your sale proceeds. You could also turn to the gig economy for a flexible job that puts extra cash in your pocket. Doing so could buy you some breathing room even if 2025's Social Security COLA increases your monthly benefits by more than $48. The $ 22,924 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $22,924 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. View the "Social Security secrets" The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. We're Closer to Nailing Down a 2025 Social Security COLA. Here's How Much of a Boost the Average Retiree's Benefit Might Get was originally published by The Motley Fool BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) An on-duty New York City employee was arrested in Brooklyn Tuesday morning, according to the NYPD. The arrest happened at around 11:52 a.m. More Local News Britania Evans, 35, an NYPD School Crossing Guard, faces weapon and menacing charges. 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). 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. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources conservation officers are seeking information after a cow moose was reportedly killed with archery equipment and left to waste earlier this month. According to a press release, DWR biologists first learned about the dead moose after its GPS collar gave out a mortality signal, indicating it died and was no longer moving. Biologists responded to the scene, which was in Strawberry Valley, to learn more about the cause of death when they found the moose had been shot with archery equipment. Over 100 wildlife illegally poached in one month, DWR officials say Following an investigation, DWR conservation officers believe the incident happened on Sept. 2. DWR said no attempts had been made to salvage any of the meat, and the moose had been left to waste. DWR said that there was a bull moose hunt taking place at the time of the incident, but the hunt for the cow moose, which are typically antlerless, doesnt begin until Sept. 21. DWR also noted the carcass was found in an area where it wouldnt be difficult to find and retrieve it. DWR is asking that anyone with information regarding the illegal killing of this moose or any other wildlife report it in one of the following ways: By calling the UTiP Hotline at 800-662-3337 The UTDWR Law Enforcement app By texting 847411 DWR said anyone with information can also call Officer Ethan Justinger at 385-450-0276, adding that a reward may be available for information that helps find those responsible. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) A Clinton County judge sentenced an East Lansing woman to two years of probation with the first 6 months in jail for her role in the 2022 death of an 82-year-old woman. Colleen Kelly OConnor, 58, was convicted of one count of second-degree Vulnerable Adult Abuse in June after the victim, who was under OConnors care at Clinton County assisted living facility Vista Springs Imperial Park at Timber Ridge, died of exposure after being left unsupervised. Booking photo of Colleen Kelly OConnor (image: Clinton County Sheriffs Office.) Evidence submitted to the court found that in the early morning of Dec. 23, 2022, OConnor watched the victim attempt to go outside multiple times without proper attire into a blizzard with single-digit temperatures, subzero windchill, and blowing and drifting snow. As a caregiver, OConnor had the responsibility to act to prevent the victim from going outside into the blizzard but failed to do so. The victim was found partially buried in snow in the facilitys parking lot at around 7 a.m. that same day by a snowplow driver, and it is unknown how long she was outside before she was found. She was transported to a hospital via ambulance and died of hypothermia shortly after arrival. After an investigation by the Bath Township Police Department and the Department of Attorney General, OConnor was arrested and charged on Nov. 21, 2023. In addition to her jail time and probation, OConnor will also have to pay $1,115.00 in restitution to the daughter of the victim. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Borne out of the pandemic, Rhode Islands Witches Parade has become an October tradition for local families but theres change afoot. After three years of bringing Halloween cheer to historic Main Street in Wickford, the witches are taking their brooms across the Washington Bridge to East Providence. This years parade will be held at 11 a.m. on Oct. 19 along the water in Riverside. Well be traveling from Riverside Square, down Bullocks Point Avenue, down to the Crescent Park Carousel, New England Witches Guild Providence chapter head witch Sandie Gauthier told 12 News. Organizers said the change of venue will allow them to expand the parade to include a large festival and better accommodate the growing number of people who want to be involved. In previous years, its been just the dancing witches, I mean hundreds of them, Gauthier said. This year we have Dark New England in the parade, we have the Providence Drum Troop joining us again. The festival will include food trucks, live music acts, and lots of family-friendly activities including free face painting and a bounce house. Initially the guild said they planned to travel the parade to different cities and towns, but credited East Providences warm reception for convincing them to stay. The mayor of East Providence was in the parade last year, as with the banner as the 2024 parade host. Since then, Gauthier said city officials have been just really accommodating and so helpful that were thinking were going to stay here. The guild is also hoping the move will bring a little economic boost the area thats still grappling with the burden of the Washington Bridge crisis. So were hoping to really help out the small business owners in East Providence by bringing everyone to the area and having the festival in Riverside as well, Gauthier said. East Providence roadway to close for Washington Bridge work I have heard from people. Theyre sad that were not [in Wickford] this year, but weve got to go where were needed, Warwick chapter head witch Jennie Mulholland added. Organizing the October parade and festival is the guilds biggest endeavor, followed by their annual ball in December and numerous flash mob events throughout the year. But when the witches arent dancing, chapters come together for monthly meetings. We have a craft and we have snacks and we just have a great time together, Mulholland said. And its a good way to get out of the house. This month, their meeting will feature broom bedazzling as they prepare for the big day and they say all are welcome. Basically, people bring their brooms and we put out a ton of glue guns and craft materials and we practice the dance and get ready for the parade, Gauthier said. And bling up the broom, Mulholland said. You can learn more about the upcoming Bling Your Broom event on the groups Facebook page. 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. LONGVIEW, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)The inaugural Green Street Monster Fest will transform downtown Longview into an 11-hour music festival on Saturday, September 21st. The event pays tribute to the iconic Green Street Bridge, nicknamed The Green Street Monster. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. and the festival begins at noon at the intersection of Green and Tyler Streets, featuring 14 bands on two stages. In addition to the musical acts, the festival will feature food vendors, unique merchandise vendors, art and games. More: Entertainment News MUSIC LINEUP: Peters Main Stage: The Polyphonic Spree Jonathan Terrell Slow Joy Seratones Die Spitz The Hollow Decks MoonKill Second Stage: Treasure Mammal Pedal Steel Noah Gorgeous Jetson The KuL Fiction Love Josh Mandreger Real Live Wire General admission tickets are $45 and can be purchased online at www.greenmonsterfest.com, or with cash at the gate. VIP tickets can be purchased for $150. They will allow access near the main stage to view the show, VIP parking, an air-conditioned area, indoor restrooms, numbered lithograph festival posters, and refreshments. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. How do you know property taxes are too high in this state? Most homeowners if asked that question would laugh at the notion that there was any doubt. But there hardly could be starker evidence than that local politicians, led by Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi, are proposing to have taxpayers cough up more money potentially lots of it to help lower-income households cover their property tax bills. Wait, you might say. Arent property taxes supposed to fund local government? Are you telling us that government now needs to find money to help pay a substantial slice of the property taxes that are meant to well fund the government? The irony couldnt be richer. But thats where we are in Illinois, and more particularly in the south suburbs of Cook County, where homeowners recently suffered massive sticker shock when they opened their property tax bills. The median increase in that part of Cook County was nearly 20%, according to the county treasurers office. But the hikes were far steeper for many, adding thousands to their annual bill. The reasons for the unusual spike are multifaceted, but essentially homeowners are bearing a significantly higher share of the burden to fund their schools, municipal governments and the county (among other taxing bodies) than used to be the case. Commercial property values generally have suffered since the pandemic while residential values have performed relatively well. Taxing bodies get their money no matter who pays what, so reductions for businesses mean increases for homeowners if, as is the case now, residential values hold steady or rise. For the south and west suburbs, local governments approved $265 million more in property tax this year. Households are paying all of that increase and more, seeing their bills rise collectively by $400 million while commercial owners experienced a collective $122 million decline. This frustrating zero-sum aspect of property taxes wouldnt make for such a crisis if the tax levies themselves werent so high. In recent weeks, Kaegi has said hes putting together proposed state legislation that would establish a circuit breaker for households with low and modest incomes. If their taxes rose above a certain level, the rest of what they owed would be covered by a fund, established by the state, Cook County, or both. The assessor says this approach isnt unusual; 29 states have some form of property tax circuit breaker. Until about a decade ago, Illinois provided one for low-income seniors. (The circuit breaker was distinct from and in addition to the senior exemptions, which still exist.) The cost of subsidizing property tax bills in the south and west suburban region alone likely would be in the tens of millions, according to the assessors office, which says it will have a better idea of the price tag next month after it completes an analysis of that question. Similar residential spikes occurred in the north and northwest suburbs last year. Kaegis office is reassessing values in Chicago as we write, and there is trepidation around whether Chicago homeowners will see similar increases next year. One can only imagine the cost for providing such relief throughout the Chicago region and even statewide. Its not as if property tax stress is confined to Cook County. The Cook County Board has discussed using late fees to help cover such a subsidy program yet another irony, since those fees are largely the result of unaffordable tax bills in the first place. The county as of May collected $54 million in late fees, well above the $35 million that was projected. Another clear sign of the pain being felt. It is certainly true that property tax bills in the south suburbs, which are home to a greater percentage of low-income residents than other parts of the region, constitute an emergency. Too many people could lose their homes because their property tax bills simply arent affordable. So a governmental response is in order. Whether its the proposal Kaegi is putting together or some other relief, well wait for the details to opine on the particulars. But any meaningful response will cost big money, its clear. And the state government, which for decades has acknowledged that Illinois extraordinarily high property taxes (second only to New Jersey nationwide) are an issue, is likely to be the body voters and municipal officials look to for answers. Last year, Gov. JB Pritzker signed a budget that imposed $900 million in new taxes, taking care to keep the vast bulk of that increase away from residents. But in so doing, Pritzker and fellow Democrats in the General Assembly used up most of the painless revenue options at their disposal. A moribund state economy, caused in no small part by a Chicago economy thats stuck in the mud, is likely to mean more tough budgetary choices next year. In 2025, Springfield already has to address a funding gap of something like $700 million for Chicagos transit agencies. Now, it appears, Pritzker and company will be asked to provide another large sum, not for infrastructure or services or new programs, but simply to subsidize local residential tax bills. Who will be asked to foot the bill? Businesses already pay a state income tax that is among the highest in the nation. In the absence of far more robust economic growth and, yes, the state and local tax burden is a big reason Illinois economy is so lackluster Democrats in Springfield, who enjoy supermajorities allowing them to call all the shots, need to face the reality that continuing to raise taxes and boost spending in this environment ultimately will lead to painfully deep cuts when the next recession hits. Their mindset needs to change fundamentally. Start trimming and prioritizing now. They also need to think bigger about how to rely less on property taxes to finance the local government services police, fire, schools, parks felt most directly by Illinoisans. Kaegis coming circuit breaker proposal should be seen as a canary in a coal mine. The path were on right now is leading us deeper into the shaft. _____ FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Three Central Valley students and their parents are heading to New York to visit the 9/11 memorial and museum. The students are the grand prize winners in this years spirit of 9/12 art and poetry contest. Josephine Allen is an art teacher at Roosevelt High School and she believes art can be used to teach students about many subjects. For the past six years, she has used art to educate students about the history of 9/11. Its important for the kids to understand our history, Allen said. I would like them to create art poetry or a logo to educate and remember what I went through in my generation. Natalie Zamorano and Cindy Parra both are 16 years old and they were not yet born when terrorists attacked the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001, but they are learning about that moment in history and honoring it through art. People that were there during the event and happening, they went through it, they understand what pain and suffering that other people went through and heck they might have been in the incident as well but us now we havent been there we dont understand, Parra said. For years the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools has sponsored the spirit of 9/12, an art and poetry contest to not only teach students about the terrorist attack on the U.S. but also what happened in the days following. This opportunity through an academic endeavor, art and poetry is just a very appropriate academic response to our history, said Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher for Fresno County Superintendent of Schools. Nearly 300 students participated in the contest submitting entries in the categories of art, poetry and logos. Rajikiran Kaur Jandu was one of the grand prize winners of the contest. A lot of people unfortunately passed away and I wanted to show that the hurt that it caused their families but how it also brought together so many people, Jandu said. Included in Jandus award is a trip to New York to visit the 9/11 memorial. Natalie Zamoranos artwork was among the top three. Zamorano won a $1,000 scholarship, but organizers say what students can take away from this event can have a lasting impact. Dr. Lisa Benham is the director of the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools. What we want them to do through poetry and through even the logo contest, they can take skills that theyve learned and transfer it into a future career, Benham said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | News from CBS47 and KSEE24. EDWARDS, Miss. (WJTV) A boil water notice has been issued for the Town of Edwards. According to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), the notice affects all customers and was issued due to a water main break. Pike County bridge to close for nearly two months Health officials strongly recommend that all water be boiled vigorously for one minute before it is consumed. Residents will be notified when the advisory has been lifted. For more information, customers may contact 601-852-5461. 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. EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) As the Coastal Empire continues to boom with growth, so does the passion people have to protect historic places in their communities. Some people who live in Effingham County are trying to stop the rezoning of almost 26 acres from residential (AR-1) to planned development (PD-MU). The land is located in Historic Ebenezer, the fifth district. There are historic markers all around this area leading down to Ebenezer Road. Residents of the area said that they dont want any more gas stations and developments welcoming people to Historic Ebenezer. They want things to stay the way they are, and the commissioners said that theyre listening. John Schwartzkopf, a history buff, started a petition last week. It has gained over 400 signatures, as of Sept. 16 at 10:30 p.m. In Southeast Georgia, they tend to bulldoze things and put up a plaque saying, this was here and then put commercial development next to the plaque. And that doesnt work for me, Schwartzkopf said. He said that theres plenty of room in Effingham County for development away from this rural area, which is already experiencing growing pains. Traffic on Ebenezer Road is already an issue at the school at drop off and pick up time, he said. It backs up into the roundabout. The area is a gateway to Historic Ebenezer, according to Schwartzkopf. The Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church is the oldest operating Lutheran Church in Georgia. The area is also home to the New Ebenezer Retreat Center and Salzburger Museum. The Salzburgers settled in Ebenezer in 1734, escaping from religious persecution. Its worth preserving, and this is a nice area, Schwartzkopf said. Everybody here takes great pride in their homes, and we dont want it developed. Were going to keep fighting it. WSAV reached out to the Effingham County Commission for comment, and County Manager Tim Callanan made this statement: The Effingham County Board of Commissioners is aware of the residents concerns. We are considering possibilities and will be scheduling a community meeting for Ebenezer Road residents. The planning board has recommended denying this request, according to the next commission agenda. This topic will be addressed on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Effingham County Administration Complex at 804 South Laurel St. in Springfield. As far as the community meeting, a spokesperson tells News 3 that details will be released soon. WSAV will keep you updated on air and online as we learn more. 1033Download Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Lebanese army soldiers secure the area for an ambulance to enter the premises of the American University hospital. Eight people have been killed and some 2,750 injured in suspected coordinated explosions of hand-held telecommunications devices across Lebanon, Health Minister Firas Abiad said during a press conference in Beirut on 17 September. Marwan Naamani/dpa Eight people have been killed and some 2,750 injured in suspected coordinated explosions of hand-held telecommunications devices across Lebanon, Health Minister Firas Abiad said during a press conference in Beirut on Tuesday evening. Abiad said a child was among those killed when pagers in numerous Lebanese regions exploded earlier on Tuesday. Some 200 people are in critical condition, he said. Most of the victims suffered injuries to the hand, while some were also injured in the face, abdomen and the eyes, according to the minister. The Iranian-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah said its members are among the injured, including fighters of the Radwan Force, an elite unit within the group. A source close to Hezbollah said high-ranking Hezbollah representatives have also been injured. The group said it was looking into the cause of the detonations. Unconfirmed reports were circulating that Israel had targeted communications devices used by Hezbollah and was behind the detonations. The Israeli army initially did not comment on the events in Lebanon. Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was also reportedly injured in the explosion of a pager. The detonations occurred in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold, as well as in the south of the country. Similar reports also came from neighbouring Syria. The broader stock market might not have had a thrilling Monday, but there was plenty of action and interest in AT&T (NYSE: T) shares. The telecom company was the subject of hot speculation in the satellite broadcasting world, and investors bid up its share price by nearly 3% on the scuttlebutt. This was more than sufficient to crush the S&P 500 index's performance, as the indicator closed only marginally higher. An old merger idea revived? After market hours Friday, Bloomberg reported that AT&T and its business partner TPG are holding discussions on a merger of their DirecTV satellite unit with Dish, currently owned by EchoStar. Citing unnamed "people familiar with the matter," the financial news agency added that the talks are currently in an early stage. Bloomberg said that unnamed spokespeople from both DirecTV and Bloomberg declined comment. TPG and EchoStar representatives also turned down similar requests. DirecTV and Dish are the two largest satellite TV providers in this country. A merger would create a business with roughly 20 million customers, according to Bloomberg. This is not the first time a tie-up of the two satellite entities has been floated. In 2002, the pair attempted a merger, but the U.S. Justice Department quashed it on antitrust grounds. It's a streaming world these days These are not salad days for the satellite TV industry, as it's largely been overshadowed by streaming video. Subscription plans in the highly competitive streaming space can be very inexpensive compared to traditional pay TV offerings like satellite; presumably, a marriage of DirecTV and Dish would result in synergies that could bring down costs (and reduce those subscription rates). Should you invest $1,000 in AT&T right now? Before you buy stock in AT&T, 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 AT&T 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 $729,857!* 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 16, 2024 Story continues Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why AT&T Stock Was a Market-Beater Today was originally published by The Motley Fool Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gestures as he delivers his message as he and his wife, Sister Jennifer Carole Hulme Kearon, both speak at the BYU devotional in Provo on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News The newest apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and BYUs president pulled a playful joke on students at the start of Tuesdays campus devotional. Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve noted that university President Shane Reese and his wife Wendy spoke at last weeks devotional, then he had President Reese come to the stand with some papers. Elder Kearon asked, Oh, is this the list? Then he turned to the 13,515 students, faculty and staff at the Marriott Center and said, This is the list of those of you who werent here. After laughing delightedly with the audience and while Reese smiled broadly, he joked that, The Reeses are still smarting over your absence. (For the record, attendance at the two devotionals was similar.) Elder Kearon and his wife, Sister Jennifer Kearon, connected to the audience with a mixture of spiritual encouragement, empathy and self-deprecation, rooted in his recent calling as an apostle and what he said was a last-minute assignment to speak. I have a particular sensitivity to the freshmen amongst you, as I am one, feeling at least as raw and somehow homesick as you might be, said Elder Kearon, who joined the Quorum of the Twelve in December 2023. Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve had been scheduled to speak Tuesday, but the Kearons received the assignment at the end of last week, Sister Kearon said. To say that Im surprised to be here is an understatement, Elder Kearon said. Im constantly apologizing for the fact that you havent got, as I would say, a real apostle with you here today. There was in fact a senior one lined up, and hell be here in a few months. Become flecks of gold Elder Kearon invited students to become flecks of gold. He showed a clip of a story told by the late President M. Russell Ballard about a 49er who was angry to find that the California Gold Rushs promise of gold nuggets so large he could barely carry them was an empty one. Another man showed him that he had accumulated thousands of gold flecks and made a fortune. Like the small flecks of gold that accumulate over time into a large treasure, our small and simple acts of kindness and service will accumulate into a life filled with love for Heavenly Father, devotion to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ and a sense of peace and joy each time we reach out to one another, he said. Elder Kearon said a visit to BYU in his 20s was part of his two-year journey of conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ. He said he was struck by the beauty of BYUs setting and by what he said was BYUs anxiously engaged students. Sister Jennifer Carole Hulme Kearon gestures as she speaks ahead of her husband, Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at the BYU devotional in Provo on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News The extraordinary thing was the students, and dear friends, you still are, he said. You are not meant to be like everybody else, he added. Youre just not meant to be like every other student at every other university around the world. This is meant to be special. It is meant to be higher, it is meant to be holier, and goodness knows, is meant to be much more joyful. I pray that youll be that. He said another key component to his conversion was the Latter-day Saint teaching that all people are spirit children of a Heavenly Father who loves them, and he asked the students to deepen their understanding of that relationship and avoid becoming complacent about it. Elder Kearon said the mission of BYU, the flagship school of the churchs educational system, is to develop students who would take that truth and others with them upon graduation. This institution is not meant to be like any other institutions, he said. It has been blessed, it has been consecrated so that you can come here and become ambassadors to take what you learn, in terms of your studies but also in terms of the development of your character, the development of this nature, around the world. Elder Kearon encouraged the students to look outside themselves and to God in their quest to become flecks of gold. I pray you will enjoy this process, that youll receive this invitation and that youll act upon it, starting today, with small acts of kindness, blessing those around you and realizing that as you look out and you look up, you will be blessed, and that millions will be blessed as you go forth into the world. A womens choir sings prior to Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Jennifer Carole Hulme Kearon, speaking at the BYU devotional in Provo on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Students listen during a devotional with Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Jennifer Carole Hulme Kearon, at the BYU devotional in Provo on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Students listen during a devotional with Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Jennifer Carole Hulme Kearon, at the BYU devotional in Provo on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Sister Jennifer Carole Hulme Kearon speaks ahead of her husband, Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at the BYU devotional in Provo on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints delivers his message as he and his wife, Sister Jennifer Carole Hulme Kearon, both speak at the BYU devotional in Provo on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Sister Jennifer Carole Hulme Kearon gestures as she speaks ahead of her husband, Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at the BYU devotional in Provo on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News God only gives bread, never stones Sister Kearon said she had planned to be in St. George on Tuesday with some of her besties, but was grateful for the surprise assignment to speak at BYU. Generally speaking, the human mind doesnt like surprises, she said. It prefers order. We like routine, stability, predictability. We like to know whom and what we can count on. We make nice neat plans for our lives, and we assume things will go a certain way the way we have envisioned, the way we think is best. And then, surprise! They dont go that way. Elder Kearon said he appreciated his wifes message because he could relate, as President Reese said the Kearons had their lives turned upside down by the calling as an apostle. I love the idea of surprising God, Elder Kearon said, because, goodness knows, hes really surprised me lately. Some surprises are wonderful, others are shocking, jolting and even disastrous, Sister Kearon said. But she said that Jesus Christ taught in Matthew 7 that while a surprise might appear like God was giving a stone, he only gives bread, promising that all things work together for a persons good. Some of Gods surprises are wonderful, some confusing, some difficult to navigate, and some perfectly heartbreaking, she said, but hold on to him through it all. If you have eyes to see and if you choose faith, he will surprise you with his goodness and love. He will surprise you with his wisdom and foresight. He will surprise you with his miracles and his perfect divine design for your life. He really is that good. Sister Kearon also had an invitation for students. She asked them to surprise God back, noting that because he is omniscient, he will not be surprised. Surprise him with your faith, she said. Surprise him with your loyalty to him and to his prophets. Surprise him with your worship privately at home, publicly at church and in his holy house as often as you can get there. Surprise him with your persistent repentance dont you give up. Surprise him with your joyful, consecrated life. Surprise him with your choice to choose him, always. Because he will always choose you. The Kearons daughter, Emma, a BYU senior studying psychology, gave the opening prayer. The devotional can be watched now at BYUtv.org. The texts of the Kearons talks will be available soon on speeches.byu.edu. an image of a cell phone with the words "NOW ACCEPTED AS NC VOTER ID" Image: onecard.unc.edu The debate over who should be able to vote in U.S. elections is, of course, as old as the republic. For two-and-a-half centuries, members of the nations economic and political elites have sought to limit the franchise to favored groups that more closely resemble themselves, while denying it to others. In the colonial days, it was only white men of property who could vote. The Constitution expanded that to the nations white male inhabitants and during the centuries that followed, white women and then, after the enactment of 20th Century Civil Rights laws, people of color finally obtained the right. The 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18. But, as anyone whos been paying attention is well aware, the matter is not and has not ever been completely settled. Todays debates are more subtle few people will publicly admit a blatant desire to prevent entire races, genders or classes from voting or influencing elections but the centuries-old campaign by people of wealth and privilege to thwart the voting rights of those who lack it persists. This is particularly true in the South, where despite the delusional pronouncements of the U.S. Supreme Court a decade ago, relentless efforts by conservative white politicians to limit voting by disfavored groups particularly Black citizens never stopped. A goodly part of this effort takes the form of gerrymandering that is rigging electoral districts to guarantee certain outcomes by corralling voters of color into districts that dilute their overall power. North Carolina Republicans have been especially adept at this tactic and have gotten so skilled at it (and concocting legal explanations to rename, excuse and justify it), that they now readily and publicly concede that it is a cornerstone of their governing strategy. But another component of modern voter suppression efforts involves the pursuit of what the political right misleadingly describes as election integrity. Here, the goal is to make voting more of a chore especially for younger, non-white, non-wealthy voters who, it is assumed, are more likely to vote for Democratic candidates. Fanning the flames of public distrust and paranoia in order to boost Donald Trumps false claims is a bonus benefit. Tactics include: limiting early voting and voting by mail making it harder to register to vote imposing photo ID requirements conducting voter roll purges that are more likely to burden lower wealth citizens who change addresses more frequently sending partisan observers into polling places closing polling places in lower income and college neighborhoods promoting false narratives about noncitizen voting dirty tricks like misleading social media posts and phony robocalls designed to confuse voters Several of these tactics have been on display again in key presidential election swing states in recent days in a series of lawsuits filed by Republicans and right-wing advocacy groups against state election officials. The suits filed in North Carolina are typical. One seeks to purge 225,000 people from the voter rolls in violation of federal law. And last week, another was filed seeking to bar UNC-Chapel Hill students from using their digital ID cards (known as the One Card) to vote the only official credential they need and use for all kinds of basic campus ID purposes, including, for instance, safe entry into dorms. (On Monday, a Wake County judge delayed a hearing on a GOP request a temporary restraining order in the case till Thursday afternoon.) The stated reason for all of these lawsuits and similar actions is to prevent corruption and voter fraud, but as dozens of experts have repeatedly demonstrated and common sense confirms, widespread voter fraud is simply an illusory problem. First of all, voter fraud pretending to be someone you are not, voting multiple times or when youre ineligible is a serious felony thats very hard to commit. Second, enabling and convincing enough people to commit such felonies in numbers sufficient to sway an election of any size is almost impossible. Thats why it almost never happens. Indeed, bipartisan experts have repeatedly testified that North Carolina is home to some of the nations most honest and transparent elections elections, notably, that Republicans have dominated for decades in presidential contests. Ironically, the states only major voting scandal in modern times involved an illegal scheme in 2018 by the campaign of Republican congressional candidate Mark Harris to harvest a handful of absentee ballots in rural Bladen County. The scheme was later exposed and resulted in criminal convictions, an election do-over that another GOP candidate won, and some strengthened procedures. Now, six years later, in a you cant make this stuff up development, the man whose campaign orchestrated the scheme, Mark Harris, is once again a Republican nominee for Congress this time in a district rigged through gerrymandering to guarantee his election in the fall. So much for Republican concerns about election integrity. In short, like so many other actions designed to make voting more complicated and inaccessible to average citizens, the student ID lawsuit has nothing to do with genuine security concerns. Rather, its another blatant and meritless effort to suppress voters the GOP fears will support Democratic candidates while promoting further distrust in election outcomes. The courts should toss it out. MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) The election director in Cobb County, an Atlanta suburb where votes will be fiercely contested in this year's presidential race, recently organized a five-hour training session. The focus wasn't solely on the nuts and bolts of running this year's election. Instead, it brought together election staff and law enforcement to strategize on how to keep workers safe and the process of voting and ballot-counting secure. Having a local sheriffs deputy at early voting locations and panic buttons that connect poll managers to a local 911 dispatcher are among the added security steps the office is taking this year. Tate Fall, Cobb Countys election director, said she was motivated to act after hearing one of her poll workers describe being confronted during the state's presidential primary in March by an agitated voter who the worker noticed was carrying a gun. The situation ended peacefully, but the poll worker was shaken. That made it really real for me that its so easy for something to go sideways in life, period, let alone the environment of Georgia and elections, Fall said. I just cant have someone being harmed on my conscience. Across the country, local election directors are beefing up their security in advance of Election Day on Nov. 5 to keep their workers and polling places safe while also ensuring that ballots and voting procedures won't be tampered with. Their concern isn't just theoretical. Election offices and those who run them have been targets of harassment and even death threats since the 2020 presidential election, primarily by people acting on former President Donald Trump's lies that the election was stolen from him through widespread fraud or rigged voting machines. The focus on security comes as threats of political violence have been on the rise. Trump was the target of a potential assassination attempt over the weekend, just nine weeks after another threat on his life. Federal agents last year fatally shot a Trump supporter who threatened to assassinate President Joe Biden, and the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was severely injured in a hammer attack by a man promoting right-wing conspiracy theories. In just the last year, a gun was fired at a window of the Cuyahoga County, Ohio, election office, bogus 911 calls were made to the homes of top state election officials in Georgia, Maine, Michigan and Missouri in a potentially dangerous situation known as swatting, and election offices in multiple states were sent letters filled with a white powder that in some cases tested positive for the powerful opioid fentanyl. On Tuesday, the FBI and U.S. Postal Service said they were investigating suspicious packages received by election officials in at least a dozen states, although there was no indication any of them contained hazardous substances. "This is one of the things that I have to say is just crazy, outrageous to me the election threats to workers of both parties and their families, the bullying, the harassment, Jen Easterly, director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, said during a recent agency-sponsored online event. These folks, they are not doing it for pay. Theyre not doing it for glory. Theyre doing it because they believe its the right thing to do to defend our democracy. Her agency has completed more than 1,000 voluntary physical security assessments for election offices since the start of 2023. Election officials have been using that help to identify gaps and request money from their local governments to make upgrades. They also have been aided by a U.S. Election Assistance Commission decision in 2022 that allowed certain federal money to go toward security features such as badge readers, cameras and protective fencing. California's Los Angeles County and Durham County, North Carolina, will have new offices with significant security upgrades for this year's election. They include bulletproof glass, security cameras and doors that open only with badges. Election workers across the country also will have new procedures for handling mail, including kits of Narcan, the nasal spray used for accidental overdoses. In Durham County, a central feature of the new office will be a mail processing room with a separate exhaust system to contain potentially hazardous substances sent in the mail. We have countless reasons why this investment was critical, said the county's election director, Derek Bowens, pointing to threats against election officials in Michigan and Arizona and the suspicious letters sent to offices in Oregon, Washington, California and Georgia. Bowens and others who have worked in elections for years said their jobs have changed significantly. Threats and harassment are one reason why some election officials across the country have been leaving. In some places, election workers are being trained in de-escalation techniques and how to respond to an active shooter. Security to this extent wasnt on the list before. Now it is, said Cari-Ann Burgess, the chief election official in Washoe County, Nevada. We have drills that we work through, we have emergency plans that we have prepared. We are a lot more cautious now than we ever have been. In Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, about a four-hour drive from where Trump was wounded in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in July, election officials estimate they now spend about 40% of their time on security and working with local law enforcement and emergency managers on election plans. This involves regular trainings to prepare for anything that might interfere with voting or counting ballots. Its very volatile, and Luzerne County reflects what is going on across the country said County Manager Romilda Crocamo, who oversees the election office staff. It seems that people are very emotional, and sometimes that emotion escalates. Crocamo is considering purchasing panic buttons for poll managers who will be at some 130 voting locations throughout the county on Election Day. State law in Pennsylvania prohibits law enforcement from being inside polling locations, but Crocamo and her team are speaking with local officials about having emergency responders with their radios at the sites should something happen. Many local officials said they have increased the law enforcement presence at election offices, including on election night when poll workers are bringing in ballots and other material from voting locations. Added law enforcement also is planned in the weeks after Election Day, during the canvass of the votes and certifying the results. In Los Angeles, law enforcement canine teams will be helping scan incoming mail ballots for suspicious substances. Its part of an updated approach that includes a new $29 million election office that consolidates operations that previously had been spread across the county. Dean Logan, who oversees elections for Los Angeles County, said security remains a top concern. He pointed to social media posts suggesting ways to damage ballot drop boxes and hamper mail voting. He said the letters with white powder were designed to disrupt election operations, and it's the responsibility of election officials to ensure that doesnt happen. The office will have round-the-clock security and additional staffing from the county sheriffs department for the November election. Its important to me that we can tell voters they dont have to be worried about the security of their ballots," he said. "Weve taken steps to keep them safe. Election officials say security is a balancing act, ensuring safety while making sure polling places are welcoming spaces for voters and providing enough access to election offices so the public can trust the process. In Michigan four years ago, a large crowd of Trump supporters created a tense and chaotic scene when they gathered outside Detroit's ballot counting operation the day after the election, chanting Stop the count! as they banged on the windows and demanded access. Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey said her office is much better prepared this time, with more cameras, armed security and bulletproof glass. Observers will now be checked in and screened by security outside a large room used for counting ballots at the city's convention center. My biggest concern was to protect the staff and the process," Winfrey said. "And in doing so, our building it may look the same, but its not the same. MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) The election director in Cobb County, an Atlanta suburb where votes will be fiercely contested in this years presidential race, recently organized a five-hour training session. The focus wasnt solely on the nuts-and-bolts of running this years election. Instead, it brought together election staff and law enforcement to strategize on how to keep workers safe and the process of voting and ballot-counting secure. Having a local sheriffs deputy at early voting locations and panic buttons that connect poll managers to a local 911 dispatcher are among the added security steps the office is taking this year. Tate Fall, Cobb Countys election director, said she was motivated to act after hearing one of her poll workers describe being confronted during the states presidential primary in March by an agitated voter who the worker noticed was carrying a gun. The situation ended peacefully, but the poll worker was shaken. That made it really real for me that its so easy for something to go sideways in life, period, let alone the environment of Georgia and elections, Fall said. I just cant have someone being harmed on my conscience. Across the country, local election directors are beefing up their security in advance of Election Day on Nov. 5 to keep their workers and polling places safe while also ensuring that ballots and voting procedures wont be tampered with. Their concern isnt just theoretical. Election offices and those who run them have been targets of harassment and even death threats since the 2020 presidential election, primarily by people acting on former President Donald Trumps lies that the election was stolen from him through widespread fraud or rigged voting machines. The focus on security comes as threats of political violence have been on the rise. Trump was the target of a potential assassination attempt over the weekend, just nine weeks after another threat on his life. Federal agents last year fatally shot a Trump supporter who threatened to assassinate President Joe Biden, and the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was severely injured in a hammer attack by a man promoting right-wing conspiracy theories. In just the last year, a gun was fired at a window of the Cuyahoga County, Ohio, election office, several election offices in five states were sent letters filled with a white powder that in some cases tested positive for the powerful opioid fentanyl, and bogus 911 calls were made to the homes of top state election officials in Georgia, Maine, Michigan and Missouri in a potentially dangerous situation known as swatting. This is one of the things that I have to say is just crazy, outrageous to me the election threats to workers of both parties and their families, the bullying, the harassment, Jen Easterly, director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, said during a recent agency-sponsored online event. These folks, they are not doing it for pay. Theyre not doing it for glory. Theyre doing it because they believe its the right thing to do to defend our democracy. Her agency has completed more than 1,000 voluntary physical security assessments for election offices since the start of 2023. Election officials have been using that help to identify gaps and request money from their local governments to make upgrades. They also have been aided by a U.S. Election Assistance Commission decision in 2022 that allowed certain federal money to go toward security features such as badge readers, cameras and protective fencing. Californias Los Angeles County and Durham County, North Carolina, will have new offices with significant security upgrades for this years election. They include bulletproof glass, security cameras and doors that open only with badges. Election workers across the country also will have new procedures for handling mail, including kits of Narcan, the nasal spray used for accidental overdoses. In Durham County, a central feature of the new office will be a mail processing room with a separate exhaust system to contain potentially hazardous substances sent in the mail. We have countless reasons why this investment was critical, said the countys election director, Derek Bowens, pointing to threats against election officials in Michigan and Arizona and the suspicious letters sent to offices in Oregon, Washington, California and Georgia. Bowens and others who have worked in elections for years said their jobs have changed significantly. Threats and harassment are one reason why some election officials across the country have been leaving. In some places, election workers are being trained in de-escalation techniques and how to respond to an active shooter. Security to this extent wasnt on the list before. Now it is, said Cari-Ann Burgess, the chief election official in Washoe County, Nevada. We have drills that we work through, we have emergency plans that we have prepared. We are a lot more cautious now than we ever have been. In Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, about a four-hour drive from where Trump was wounded in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in July, election officials estimate they now spend about 40% of their time on security and working with local law enforcement and emergency managers on election plans. This involves regular trainings to prepare for anything that might interfere with voting or counting ballots. Its very volatile, and Luzerne County reflects what is going on across the country said County Manager Romilda Crocamo, who oversees the election office staff. It seems that people are very emotional, and sometimes that emotion escalates. Crocamo is considering purchasing panic buttons for poll managers who will be at some 130 voting locations throughout the county on Election Day. State law in Pennsylvania prohibits law enforcement from being inside polling locations, but Crocamo and her team are speaking with local officials about having emergency responders with their radios at the sites should something happen. Many local officials said they have increased the law enforcement presence at election offices, including on election night when poll workers are bringing in ballots and other material from voting locations. Added law enforcement also is planned in the weeks after Election Day, during the canvass of the votes and certifying the results. In Los Angeles, law enforcement canine teams will be helping scan incoming mail ballots for suspicious substances. Its part of an updated approach that includes a new $29 million election office that consolidates operations that previously had been spread across the county. Dean Logan, who oversees elections for Los Angeles County, said security remains a top concern. He pointed to social media posts suggesting ways to damage ballot drop boxes and hamper mail voting. He said the letters with white powder were designed to disrupt election operations, and its the responsibility of election officials to ensure that doesnt happen. The office will have round-the-clock security and additional staffing from the county sheriffs department for the November election. Its important to me that we can tell voters they dont have to be worried about the security of their ballots, he said. Weve taken steps to keep them safe. Election officials say security is a balancing act, ensuring safety while making sure polling places are welcoming spaces for voters and providing enough access to election offices so the public can trust the process. In Michigan four years ago, a large crowd of Trump supporters created a tense and chaotic scene when they gathered outside Detroits ballot counting operation the day after the election, chanting Stop the count! as they banged on the windows and demanded access. Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey said her office is much better prepared this time, with more cameras, armed security and bulletproof glass. Observers will now be checked in and screened by security outside a large room used for counting ballots at the citys convention center. My biggest concern was to protect the staff and the process, Winfrey said. And in doing so, our building it may look the same, but its not the same. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Elon Musk is widely known as a wannabe memelord who struggles with the medium no matter how many jokes he steals. All the money in the world, it seems, is no substitute for a decent sense of humor. But until this election season, Musks attempts at comedy have been largely self-serving. Now, his Super PAC, the creatively-named America PAC, is spending to blast out dire memes on social media in support of former president Donald Trump as his campaign against Vice President Kamala Harris enters the home stretch. Its not clear how much money Musk has contributed to America PAC he has repeatedly denied a report that he planned to give $45 million a month to the group but the Tesla CEO has taken credit for creating the Super PAC, and it has attracted generous donations from Musk allies in the tech world. The MAGA-aligned Super PAC, which is being steered by some of the strategists responsible for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis botched 2024 primary run, spent $33 million over the last month, with a significant portion funneled toward more than a dozen competitive House races. Across Metas Facebook and Instagram, and the Musk-owned X (formerly Twitter), it appears that electing Trump is the Super PACs primary focus, as the groups ads tend to target swing states, attacking Harris as a socialist who is soft on immigration and promising that Trump will save America. Between those more conventional ads, however, are paid posts that attempt to leverage popular meme templates to make a political point. The trouble is, whoever they have making these ads suffers from the same comedic instincts as Musk. In the case of their Disaster Girl spot, which makes use of an iconic photo of a little girl casting a conspiratorial glance at the camera as if she is responsible for the house fire in the background of the picture, the author labeled the house America Under Kamala Harris. This dull, zero-effort gag is visually muddled by the placement of the America PAC logo over the girls head, which makes it appear that she, too, is supposed to represent America or that the PAC itself set the country on fire. Elsewhere, a Drake meme referring to Harris as a Failed Border Czar (there is no such position) could have used an edit, since it misspells the word survivor in declaring Trump a Badass Assassination Surviver [sic]. Its unclear what value an implied endorsement from Drake, recent loser of a major rap beef that saw rival Kendrick Lamar call him a certified pedophile in the hit diss track Not Like Us, might carry. An America PAC take on the Distracted Boyfriend stock photo at least manages to be coherently unfunny, though along with the other image macros it suggests that the social team behind this strategy has not learned of any new memes since 2017. Other choices are more puzzling still but lead straight back to Musk. An America PAC post on Instagram, for example, features a picture of Trump following a gunmans attempt to assassinate him at a rally in July, with the caption Impeached. Arrested. Convicted. Shot. Still Standing. Except rather than framing the meme itself, the post is a screenshot of a tweet from an anonymous X account with which Musk often interacts, an account known to heavily promote the meme cryptocurrency Dogecoin. The resulting image is small and grainy, though it does double as an accurate ad for the kind of content you can find on X, if any of America PACs 398 Instagram followers are interested. And on its own X account, the organization perhaps inadvertently made itself the butt of the joke with a phone text meme format that showed its messages being ignored by a recipient. https://twitter.com/theamericapac/status/1836068470150008986 While its hard to say whether Musk has had any direct input on these ads, hes reportedly taken a hands-on approach when it comes to America PAC, and its not a stretch to think he may have thrown out a few suggestions. Certainly the posts that misleadingly claim Comrade Kamala wants to defund the police are in line with Musks criticisms of the Democratic candidate. At least one of the anti-Harris video ads depicts the vice president laughing while engulfed in flames an extreme image for a political commercial, falling closer to the kind of trollish right-wing content that Musk has allowed and amplified on his platform. Screenshot Following an apparent second attempt on Trumps life by an armed individual on Sunday, Musk tweeted that no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala, with a thinking-face emoji. Many users condemned the post as an incitement to violence, leading Musk to delete it. Some critics called for the U.S. to revoke his security clearance and government contracts. The Secret Service has said it is aware of Musks tweet, but stopped short of announcing an investigation. Musk tweeted several follow-up comments after evidently recognizing the irresponsibility of the remark, writing in part, Turns out that jokes are WAY less funny if people dont know the context and the delivery is plain text. Spoken like a man who will never admit that hes just not funny at all. 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. A former Electrolux facility in Memphis, Tennessee, on June 10, 2024. Elon Musk's xAI plans to develop a new facility in Memphis to house a giant supercomputer. Credit - Houston CofieldBloomberg/Getty Images In July, Elon Musk made a bold prediction: that his artificial intelligence startup xAI would release the most powerful AI in the world, a model called Grok 3, by this December. The bulk of that AIs training, Musk said, would happen at a massive new training center in Memphis, which he bragged had been built in 19 days. But many residents of Memphis were taken by surprise, including city council members who said they were given no input about the project or its potential impacts on the city. Data centers like this one use a vast amount of electricity and water. And in the months since, an outcry has grown among community members and environmental groups, who warn of the plants potential negative impact on air quality, water access, and grid stability, especially for nearby neighborhoods that have suffered from industrial pollution for decades. These activists also contend that the company is illegally operating gas turbines. This continues a legacy of billion-dollar conglomerates who think that they can do whatever they want to do, and the community is just not to be considered, KeShaun Pearson, executive director of the nonprofit Memphis Community Against Pollution, tells TIME. They treat southwest Memphis as just a corporate watering hole where they can get water at cheaper price and a place to dump all their residue without any real oversight or governance. Some local leaders and utility companies, conversely, contend that xAI will be a boon for local infrastructure, employment, and grid modernization. Given the massive scale of this project, xAIs foray into Memphis will serve as a litmus test of whether the AI-fueled data center boom might actually improve American infrastructureor harm the disadvantaged just like so many power-hungry industries of decades past. The xAI is displayed on a phone screen in front of Elon Musk in Ankara, Turkiye on July 13, 2023. Hakan NuralAnadolu Agency/Getty Images The largest data center on the planet In order for AI models to become smarter and more capable, they must be trained on vast amounts of data. Much of this training now happens in massive data centers around the world, which burn through electricity often accessed directly from public power sources. A recent report from Morgan Stanley estimates that data centers will emit three times more carbon dioxide by the end of the decade than if generative AI had not been developed. Read More: How AI Is Fueling a Boom in Data Centers and Energy Demand The first version of Grok launched last year, and Musk has said he hopes it will be an anti-woke competitor to ChatGPT. (In practice, for example, this means it is able to generate controversial images that other AI models will not, including Nazi Mickey Mouse.) In recent interviews, Musk has stressed the importance of Grok ingesting as much data as possible to catch up with his competitors. So xAI built its data center, called Colossus, in Southwest Memphis, near Boxtown, a historically Black community, to do a bulk of the training. Ebby Amir, a technologist at xAI, boasted that the new site was the largest AI datacenter on the planet. Local leaders said the plant would offer good-paying jobs and significant additional revenues for the local utility company. Memphis Mayor Paul Young praised the project in a statement, saying that the new xAI training center would reside on an ideal site, ripe for investment. But other local officials and community members soon became frustrated with the projects lack of details. The Greater Memphis Chamber and Memphis, Gas, Light, and Water Division (MLGW) signed a non-disclosure agreement with xAI, citing privacy of economic development. Some Memphis council members heard about the project on the news. It's been pretty astounding the lack of transparency and the pace at which this project has proceeded, Amanda Garcia, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, says. We learn something new every week. For instance, theres a major divide between how much electricity xAI wants to use, and how much MLGW can provide. In August, the utility company said that xAI would have access to 50 megawatts of power. But xAI wants to use triple that amountwhich, for comparison, is enough energy to power 80,000 households. MLGW said in a statement to TIME that xAI is paying for the technical upgrades that enable them to double their power usageand that in order for the company to reach the full 150 megawatts, there will need to be $1.7 million in improvements to a transmission line. There will be no impact to the reliability of availability of power to other customers from this electric load, the company wrote. They also added that xAI would be required to reduce its electricity consumption during times of peak demand, and that any infrastructure improvement costs would not be borne by taxpayers. In response to complaints about the lack of communication with council members, MLGW wrote: xAI's request does not require approvals from the MLGW Board of Commissioners or City Council. But community members worry whether Memphiss utilities can handle such a large consumer of energy. In the past, the citys power grid has been forced into rolling blackouts by ice storms and other severe weather events. And Garcia, at the SELC, says that while xAI waits for more power to become available, theyve turned to non-legal measures to sate their demand, by installing gas combustion turbines on the site that they are operating without a permit. Garcia says the SELC has observed the installation of 18 such turbines, which have the capacity to emit 130 tons of harmful nitrogen oxides per year. The SELC and community groups sent a letter to the Shelby County Health Department demanding their removalbut the health department responded by claiming the turbines were out of their authority, and referred them to the EPA. The EPA told NPR that it was looking into the matter. A representative for xAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Much of Memphis is already smothered by harmful pollution. The American Lung Association currently gives Shelby County, which contains Memphis, an F grade for its smog levels, writing, the air you breathe may put your health at risk. A local TV report this year named Boxtown the most polluted neighborhood in Memphis, especially during the summer. Boxtown and its surrounding neighborhoods have historically suffered from poverty and pollution. Southwest Memphiss cancer rate is four times the national average, according to a 2013 study, and life expectancy in at least one South Memphis neighborhood is 10 years lower than other parts of the city, a 2020 study found. The Tennessee Valley Authority has been dumping contaminated coal ash in a nearby landfill. And a Sterilization Services of Tennessee facility was finally closed last year after emitting ethylene oxide into the air for decades, which the EPA linked to increased cancer risk in South Memphis. A representative for the Greater Memphis Chamber, which worked to bring xAI to Memphis, wrote to TIME in response to a request for comment: We will not be participating in your narrative. A cut lead pipe is shown after being dug from the ground in Memphis, Tennessee on April 19, 2024. Kevin Wurm for The Washington Post via Getty Images Potential impact on water Environmentalists are also concerned about the facilitys use of water. Industries are attracted to us because we have some of the purest water in the world, and it is dirt cheap to access, says Sarah Houston, the executive director of the local environmental group of the nonprofit Protect Our Aquifer. Data centers use water to cool their computers and stop them from overheating. So far xAI has drawn 30,000 gallons from the Memphis Sand Aquifer, the regions drinking water supply, every day since beginning its initial operations, according to MLGWwho added that the companys water usage would have no impact on the availability of water to other customers. But Houston and other environmentalists are concerned especially because Memphiss aging water infrastructure is more than a century old and has failed several winters in a row, leading to boil advisories and pleas to residents to conserve water usage during times of stress. xAI is just an additional industrial user pumping this 2,000 year old pure water for a non-drinking purpose, Houston says. When youre cooling supercomputers, it doesnt seem to warrant this super pure ancient water that we will never see again. Memphiss drinking water has also been threatened by contamination. In 2022, the Environmental Integrity Project and Earthjustice claimed that a now-defunct coal plant in Memphis was leaking arsenic and other dangerous chemicals into the groundwater supply, and ranked it as one of the 10 worst contaminated coal ash sites in the country. And because xAI sits close to the contaminated well in question, Houston warns that its heavy water usage could exacerbate the problem. The more you pump, the faster contaminants get pulled down towards the water supply, she says. MLGW contends that xAIs use of Memphiss drinking water is temporary, because xAI is assisting in the the design and proposed construction of a graywater facility that will treat wastewater so that it can be used to cool data centers machines. MLGW is also trying to get Musk to provide a Tesla Megapack, a utility-scale battery, as part of the development. Houston says that these solutions will be beneficial to the cityif they come to fruition. We fully support xAI coming to the table and being a part of this solution, she says. But right now, its been empty promises. We're not opposed to ethical economic development and business moving into town, says Garcia. But we need some assurance that it's not going to make what is already an untenable situation worse. Disproportionate harm For Pearson, of Memphis Community Against Pollution, the arrival of xAI is concerning because as someone who grew up in Boxtown, he says hes seen how other major corporations have treated the area. Over the years, Memphis has dangled tax breaks and subsidies to persuade industrial companies to set up shop nearby. But many of those projects have not led to lasting economic development, and have seemingly contributed to an array of health problems of nearby residents. For instance, city, county and state officials lured the Swedish home appliance manufacturer Electrolux to Memphis in 2013 with $188 million in subsidies. The companys president told NPR that it intended to provide good jobs and stay there long-term. Six years later, the company announced it would shut down their facility to consolidate resources for another location, laying off over 500 employees, in a move that blindsided even Mayor Jim Strickland. Now, xAI has taken over that Electrolux plant, which spans 750,000 square feet. Companies choose Memphis because they believe it is the path of least resistance: They come here, build factories, pollute the air, and move on, Pearson says. Pearson says that community organizations of southwest Memphis have had no contact or dialogue with xAI and its plans in the area whatsoever; that theres been no recruiting in the community related to jobs, or any training related to workplace development. When presented with claims that xAI will economically benefit the local community, he harbors many doubts. This is the same playbook, and the same talking points passed down and passed around by these corporate colonialists, Pearson says. For us, it is empty, it's callous, and it's just disingenuous to continue to regurgitate these things without actually having plans of implementation or inclusion. Contact us at letters@time.com. While details on the findings of the Air Forces yearlong deep dive into electronic warfare capabilities are largely classified, Secretary Frank Kendall said Monday the findings will shape near-term budget and architecture decisions. There are a number of things that I think offer a lot of potential for us that were trying to explore, Kendall told reporters on the sidelines of the Air Force Associations Air, Space and Cyber conference. So, I think, writ large, you can expect more emphasis on electronic warfare. ... But I cant give you any specifics at this time. The study is part of a broader Air Force effort to understand key technologies that affect operations across multiple mission areas and it follows a push from the service in recent years to better leverage the electromagnetic spectrum for communication, sensing, intelligence and non-kinetic warfare. While there is a widespread understanding of the potential impact of these capabilities, Kendall said electronic warfare systems have not traditionally fared well in funding fights, with larger platforms and weapons programs almost always taking priority. My own experience suggests that this is a historically neglected area that can have an oversized impact but doesnt compete well in our internal budget battles relative to other priorities, he said in a keynote speech Monday. Asked by reporters whether the fiscal 2026 budget would elevate these systems, Kendall declined to comment. However, he said the study the Air Force has been conducting was meant to inform its spending plan for FY26 and beyond, adding that it yielded very promising findings. He didnt discuss those findings in detail, but noted that the service is particularly interested in the role of electronic warfare systems in combating both space and counter-air threats. We believe we can counter advanced adversary kill webs by integrating a combination of electronic warfare tools, operationalized cyber capability and other elements, Kendall said in his speech. Im excited to see us making fast progress on this mission area for the Department of the Air Force. The service is already in the process of developing an open architecture for electronic attack capabilities and has been working to increase the speed at which it can update these systems with real-time operational data. Speaking in April at the virtual C4ISRNET Conference, Commander of the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing Col. Josh Koslov said the Air Force is making progress toward completing those updates in a matter of hours a process that previously would have taken days. We have to be able to continue to add pressure to the adversary in a war in order to seize the advantage and achieve our objectives, Koslov said. Data is the weapon that will allow this to happen, and data processing is the way to do that. The primary election for Los Angeles City Council District 2 in the east San Fernando Valley was packed with seven candidates seeking to fill the soon-to-be-open seat now held by Council President Paul Krekorian. We picked the person with the most legislative experience former Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian and we again recommend him in the Nov. 5 runoff. Nazarian served in the state Assembly for a decade until 2022, and his district overlapped with much of Council District 2, which stretches from Toluca Lake and Studio City in the south through North Hollywood and Valley Glen to Sun Valley in the north. He was also Krekorians chief of staff, first in the Assembly and then in the City Council when Krekorian took office in 2010. Read more: L.A. Times electoral endorsements for 2024 November election Hes deeply familiar with the districts challenges and opportunities, and he has the relationships and knowledge to be an effective member of the council immediately. Nazarian describes himself as a problem solver an elected official who spends the time listening to constituents, understanding their concerns and then working collaboratively to get issues resolved. Thats not always easy, especially with deep-rooted problems such as housing affordability, homelessness and street safety that evolved from decades of bad decisions and inaction. Nazarian has shown persistence in fighting for change, even when it's difficult. In the Assembly, he repeatedly introduced bills to increase seismic safety, even after governors vetoed his efforts. Still Nazarian didn't give up and passed smaller reforms, including opening up financing programs to help people afford to retrofit their properties, knowing that even modest steps could help make homes and businesses more resilient to earthquakes. Read more: Endorsement: These five candidates will make great Los Angeles County Superior Court judges Hes an advocate for not just building a lot more housing in the district but also diversifying the types of new development. That means he will encourage a mix of affordable, middle-income, market-rate, rental and for-sale homes in this district. He wants to see more housing on major corridors and near transit, which is good. But Nazarian should also be willing to consider opening single-family zone areas near transit and commercial corridors for low-rise apartments, townhomes and bungalow courts, which will facilitate the kind of diverse housing portfolio he promotes. Nazarian said hes committed to a humane approach to addressing homeless encampments, including working with Mayor Karen Bass Inside Safe program to move people into temporary housing and then permanent housing. He supports hiring more mental health and crisis intervention workers to respond to nonviolent service calls instead of police. But he also supports hiring more police officers so the department has sufficient staff to be responsive to community concerns and to investigate and solve crimes. Read more: Editorial: Many big decisions on the Nov. 5 ballot. Our recommendations can help Nazarian is facing off against Jillian Burgos , an optician and owner of a theater company who joined the North Hollywood Neighborhood Council in 2021. Burgos has helped organize support for tenant protections and unarmed response pilot programs. Like Nazarian, she wants the city to spend more money on civilian teams that can respond to calls for mental health and homelessness issues, but she supports reallocating money from the police budget to pay for these services. Burgos is a smart and committed grassroots advocate, but Nazarian is the stronger of the two candidates because of his on-the-ground experience, his lengthy record of service and his demonstrated ability to collaborate and deliver for the community. We think he will be a strong representative for the district and a valuable voice on the City Council. 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. By Curtis Williams HOUSTON (Reuters) -U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris understands natural gas prices will rise if fracking is banned, industry executives said on Tuesday, explaining their confidence that the Democratic candidate will not ban the production method if she becomes president. Fracking, a major industry in battleground state Pennsylvania, has become a big issue in the presidential campaign. Harris opposed fracking as a U.S. senator from California, but now she says she would not ban it on federal lands as president. "I think she is changing her views," Baker Hughes oil field services Chief Executive Officer Lorenzo Simonelli said on the sidelines of the GasTech conference in Houston, when asked about Harris. A spokesperson for Harris said she would not ban fracking, and referred to her comments in a recent debate where she said: "I was the tie-breaking vote on the Inflation Reduction Act, which opened new leases for fracking. My position is that we have got to invest in diverse sources of energy so we reduce our reliance on foreign oil." Harris's Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, supports fracking and says he believes Harris would seek to ban it. The head of the largest U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter, in a separate conversation at GasTech, said Harris had to pivot to being more open to fracking, because natural gas prices would be much higher without it. Cheniere Energy CEO Jack Fusco, whose Sabine Pass facility in Louisiana is the largest U.S. LNG export plant, said he trusts Harris's support of fracking unless proven otherwise and wants cooler heads to prevail on the energy transition debate. Woodside CEO Meg O'Neill, whose Australian energy company is buying U.S. LNG plant developer Tellurian, voiced the same rationale. "If you stop fracking in the U.S., it will be devastating for the economy," ONeill said. "I suspect the statements she made earlier were made without full understanding of the benefit and potential consequences." Harris is locked in a tight race with Trump, and both are campaigning hard in Pennsylvania, one of the nation's largest producers of natural gas. Several executives at the conference also called on the Biden administration to make it easier for U.S. companies to export LNG. The White House in January paused new LNG permits to consider the environmental impact. "You gotta stop this crazy LNG pause from going forward," said ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance. A debate over whether one is pro or against fracking "is not the right question", he added. (Reporting by Curtis Williams; Additional reporting by Georgina McCartney, Sabrina Valle and Gnaneshwar Rajan; Writing by Peter Henderson; Editing by David Gregorio and Sonali Paul) Swaths of Europe have been battered by deadly extreme weather, as rivers threaten to burst their banks in central Europe following torrential rainfall, and wildfires tear through Portugal. Seven people have now died in fires in Portugal since Sunday, including three firefighters, whose vehicle burst into flames on Tuesday. At least 17 have been killed in what authorities have called the worst floods to hit central and eastern Europe in decades. The mayor of Nysa in Poland ordered the evacuation of all 44,000 residents as water levels in the citys river rose and threatened to send more floods through its neighborhoods. Grzegorz Grochowski from Nysa recounted how rescuers and residents ferried sandbags down to the river embankment, working through the night into the early hours of Tuesday morning to ensure it didnt break its banks. There was a human chain here, people were passing on sandbags to each other, Grochowski told Reuters on Tuesday. The helicopter was also carrying sand in big bags and they were dropping it to enforce the wall throughout the night until around 4 or 5 oclock in the morning. Patients, including pregnant women, were evacuated from the citys hospital after surging floodwaters forced it to shut down before all of Nysas residents were told to leave. Just rescuers and those trying to stem the flow from the river remain. Local residents transport sandbags as they attempt to protect the embankment of the Nysa Klodzka river on Monday. - Mateusz Slodkowski/AFP/Getty Images Local residents rescue a man from rising floodwaters in the Romanian village of Slobozia Conachi over the weekend. - Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images The rainfall is expected to calm through Tuesday, but officials have warned that water levels in rivers remain dangerously high and risk flooding low-lying urban areas. The heaviest rains have shifted to parts of northern and eastern Italy, where an orange rainfall warning is in place Tuesday. Along Polands border with the Czech Republic, emergency services have carried out several helicopter rescues in the town of Ladek Zdroj after residents became trapped in their homes. Floodwaters there have finally begun to recede after days of downpours caused extensive damage to rural villages. In the town of Jesenik, residents more used to welcoming visitors to its famed spa resorts have instead been grappling with torrents of dirty water. Flooding has impacted the breadth of Czech-Polish border, stretching as far down as the city of Ostrava, where thousands of residents were left without hot water on Monday. The operators of the regions main heating plant ordered a complete shutdown. Fires force highway closures across Portugal Wildfires across Portugal forced authorities to close highways and roads, disrupting travel throughout the country, the Interior Ministry said Tuesday. Blazes close to six highways have forced them to shut, the ministry said, including the countrys main link between the capital Lisbon and its second largest city Porto. In total, 19 large roads have been cut off because of their proximity to the flames. Residents leave the Portuguese village of Almofrela by car on September 17. - Octavio Passos/Getty Images People watch a wildfire in Canas de Senhorim, Portugal, on Monday. - Pedro Nunes/Reuters More than 5,000 firefighters are battling wildfires on Tuesday, as nearly two dozen large, rural fires are active across the country, the Portuguese Civil Protection Agency has said. Civilians have been evacuated from their homes and schools have also been closed in some areas, CNN Portugal, a CNN affiliate, reported Tuesday, as much of the country remains under a yellow alert for risk of fire. Huge plumes of smoke from the wildfires can be seen from space, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) said Tuesday. A spokesperson for Portugals Civil Protection said that the weather is hampering firefighting efforts, as overnight humidity remained low. Firefighters usually rely on lower nighttime temperatures and higher humidity to help them tackle the blazes, but the dry weather conditions have caused the fires to spread further. CNN Weathers Robert Shackelford contributed to this report For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Young Professionals Opt For 'Microretirements,' Sacrificing $600K In Future Retirement Savings An emerging trend among young professionals is microretirements the idea of taking an extended sabbatical to travel or relax during one's younger years rather than waiting until retirement. The biggest concern among financial experts is that this break could cost individuals upward of $600,000 in future retirement savings, among other sacrifices. Don't Miss: As the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) puts it, those taking microretirements are "borrowing years of freedom from their future selves to enjoy some of their retirement while they are still young. This trend is particularly prominent among individuals in their 20s and 30s. Instead of banking their earnings toward a distant retirement, they want to take a break now, while they're young and may be able to enjoy it more. See Also: Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? How does it compare to the average? The American Psychological Association (APA) reported that the average stress level among 18- to 34-year-olds is six out of 10, compared to those aged 65 and older, who reported stress levels of 3.4 out of 10. Younger generations, with high stress levels, are more prone to burnout, which fuels the desire to take a microretirement and recharge. WSJ spoke to a 31-year-old marketing professional, Dana Saperstein, who exemplifies this trend. Saperstein left her job to hike the Pacific Crest Trail for six months. If I keep working myself to the bone until 60 years old, I might physically never be able to hike the 2,650-mile Mexico-to-Canada trail, she told The Journal. Trending: A billion-dollar investment strategy with minimums as low as $10 you can become part of the next big real estate boom today. Saperstein and her fiance saved $60,000 for their trip. During that time, she suspended her retirement savings and car insurance and sublet her apartment to cover the rent. She said she'd rather prioritize spending money and time on experiences than buying a home they are tied to. Saperstein's experience highlights some of the sacrifices microretirees are committing to. Beyond missing out on contributions and the compounding effects of retirement accounts during that time, these individuals may also miss out on salary growth. Not all jobs will allow employees to take a six- to 12-month break (or longer), meaning they may need to find new jobs at lower salaries or miss out on promotions. Story continues Trending: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." These high-yield real estate notes that pay 7.5% 9% make earning passive income easier than ever. According to Julie Everett from Financial Finesse, taking multiple breaks throughout ones career could result in about $600,000 less in retirement funds by age 65. This estimate is based on a scenario where a 30-year-old earning $90,000 annually, contributing 15% to a 401(k), takes several career breaks and then returns to work at the same salary. These financial implications could also lead to individuals needing to delay retirement and work longer to get the savings required for full retirement. See Also: The number of 401(k)' Millionaires is up 43% from last year Here are three ways to join the club. Despite the financial risks, individuals like Saperstein believe the benefits outweigh the costs. An extended break from work can provide much-needed time to recharge and focus on what one wants from life. It may even propel some toward a new career path. Experts recommend careful planning for those considering microretirements. It isn't something to take lightly, especially if you don't have the financial means. Important factors to consider are ensuring that debts are paid off and that you have a financial cushion to cover your expenses during your break. Consulting with a financial advisor can help you navigate these decisions and balance your immediate and future financial goals. Read Next: Warren Buffett flipped his neighbor's $67,000 life savings into a $50 million fortune How much is that worth today? 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 UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Young Professionals Opt For 'Microretirements,' Sacrificing $600K In Future Retirement Savings originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 52-year-old man was arrested after he kidnapped a 26-year-old woman and her 2-year-old daughter at the Cielo Vista Mall parking lot and then forced the woman to drive him to the bank and withdraw money, according to the El Paso Police Department (EPPD). Victor Hugo Escobedo, 52, is facing a charge of aggravated robbery and two counts of aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon, police said. He was booked into the El Paso County Detention Center under bonds totaling $550,000. Gadsden Independent School District confirmed that Escobedo is a former teacher at the district. EPPD said at 12:05 p.m. Sept. 6 officers responded to a reported kidnapping at Cielo Vista Mall. When officers arrived, they met with a 26-year-old victim who said she had been approached by an unknown man in the parking lot of Cielo Vista Mall just after she had put her 2-year-old daughter in the rear car seat. Crimes Against Persons detectives arrived at the scene for further investigation. The victim said the man, later identified as Escobedo, displayed a black-and-yellow handgun and told her to get in her truck. The man then forced the victim to drive to a bank and in fear for her life and her daughters life, the victim went inside the bank and made a withdrawal while the man stayed in the vehicle with the victims daughter, according to EPPD. When the victim returned, the man made her drive him back to the Cielo Vista Mall parking lot. The man took the victims money and her phone and fled the scene, according to EPPD. Gadsden ISD sent KTSM the following statement: Victor Hugo Escobedo is no longer employed with Gadsden ISD. Due to privacy policies, we cannot disclose further details regarding his employment, including specific classes or grades he taught. EPPD is asking the public if they have any further information on this incident to call the non-emergency line at (915) 832-4400 or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers of El Paso at (915) 566-8477 (TIPS). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Ghislaine Maxwells desperate appeal of her sex trafficking conviction was rejected Tuesday by the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan. Maxwell, 62, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for helping Jeffrey Epstein recruit young women and underage girls for sexual abuse under the guise of massages and financial support. The former British socialite attempted to get her conviction tossed by claiming she was covered by a sweetheart deal Epstein received in 2007 from federal prosecutors in South Florida. However, the 2nd Circuit justices voted 3-0 to reject that argument. They said the deal only shielded Epstein and his co-conspirators from prosecution in South Florida and did not cover the federal case in New York. The central promise in the nonprosecution agreement is a promise by the Southern District of Florida not to prosecute Epstein in that district, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Rohrbach argued in March, when Maxwell filed her appeal. It says nothing about the national scope. Epstein died by suicide at age 66 in August 2019 inside a cell at Manhattans notorious and now-closed Metropolitan Correctional Center. He was awaiting trial in New York on numerous sex trafficking charges. From 1994 to 2004, Maxwell recruited girls as young as 14 to visit Epsteins various houses across the country, where they were raped and sexually assaulted. She reportedly introduced Britains Prince Andrew to Epstein. After Epsteins death, Maxwell was tried in 2021 and convicted on five counts related to her enticement and transportation of teen girls in the scheme. In 2022, she was sentenced to 20 years behind bars, which she is currently serving at a low-security federal prison in Tallahassee, Fla. She will be eligible for release in 2037. Though dozens of girls and women accused Epstein and others of abusing them and Maxwell of facilitating that abuse only a few allegations were heard at Maxwells trial. Epstein and Maxwells long list of famous friends, including Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, were not a focus of the trial. With News Wire Services Eric Hovde says early voting starts before his one debate with Tammy Baldwin. Is he right? While many eyes were recently on the debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, theres another debate coming up in Wisconsin. Thats the one between Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Republican challenger Eric Hovde, scheduled for Oct. 18. It will be hosted by WMTV in Madison and aired throughout Wisconsin. After the debate was announced, Hovde pushed Baldwin to participate in two more debates that hes agreed to, in Milwaukee and Green Bay. And now, hes arguing the debate happens after voting starts. "Typically you have three to four debates in a U.S. Senate race. She's given me one debate, almost a month after early voting has started, Hovde said in a NewsNation interview on Sept. 3, 2024. Lets tackle this claim in two parts. First, has Baldwin agreed to fewer debates than normal for a U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin? And second, does the debate take place almost a month after early voting has started in Wisconsin? Tammy Baldwin at left and Leah Vukmir at right before the debate started. U.S. Senate debate between Leah Vukmir and Tammy Baldwin at the UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts. Baldwin has agreed to three debates in past campaigns for Senate, but four is a stretch PolitiFact Wisconsin reached out to the Hovde campaign for backup, and spokesman Ben Voelkel cited examples of debates from past U.S. Senate cycles in Wisconsin. The most recent Senate race was in 2022, between Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and Democratic challenger Mandela Barnes. Johnson agreed to up to three debates, and Barnes accepted two. Those took place on Oct. 7 and Oct. 13, so slightly earlier than the Baldwin-Hovde debate but in the same timeframe. In 2018, when Baldwin faced Republican opponent Leah Vukmir, there were three debates: Oct. 8, Oct. 13 and Oct. 19. In 2016, Johnson and Democratic challenger Russ Feingold took part in two debates: Oct. 14 and Oct. 18. In 2012, during Baldwins first run for Senate against former Gov. Tommy Thompson, there were three debates: Sept. 28, Oct. 18 and Oct. 26. So, in that race, a much wider time range than other cycles. It looks like between two and three debates is normal in recent Senate races in Wisconsin. Hovde is on the mark when he says three is typical, but four goes a little too far. PolitiFact Wisconsin reached out to Baldwins campaign for a response, and they cited only the two debates in the 2022 Johnson-Barnes race. They also noted there was only one debate between Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican challenger Tim Michels in 2022. That debate took place on Oct. 14. Campaign spokesman Andrew Mamo sent a statement similar to one earlier this year, noting Baldwin travels the state constantly to meet Wisconsinites and the debate will air in every region of the state. So, it doesnt look like more debates between Baldwin and Hovde will be added. Early voting starts after debate, but voters could still return absentee ballots before it Now, lets take a look at the second part of Hovdes claim: Does the Oct. 18 debate take place almost a month after early voting starts in Wisconsin? Early voting is another name for in-person absentee voting, which can take place in Wisconsin from Oct. 22 through Nov. 3. Early voting involves going to your clerks office or another designated location and casting an absentee ballot in-person, before the election. Its up to each city, village or town to decide how many dates, times and locations to offer early voting. Early voting cannot start more than two weeks before the election, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. That date in 2024 Oct. 22 is after the Oct. 18 debate, and definitely not almost a month before the debate. But the full picture is a little more complicated than that. Theres still a way for voters to cast their ballots voting absentee by mail before the Oct. 18 debate. Hovdes campaign cited the deadline to send out absentee ballots in federal elections. The state deadline is even earlier, Sept. 19, and clerks are told to mail absentee ballots as soon as theyre available. Clerks must send absentee ballots to voters with active requests by that deadline, and voters will start receiving them soon after. Certainly some voters will receive ballots by the Oct. 18 debate, though whether voters will get them in the mail a month before the debate is hard to predict. Voters could choose to fill out their ballot and return it immediately. But spoiling ballots essentially taking your ballot back and voting a different way is no longer allowed in Wisconsin. So if a voter submits their ballot then changes their mind after the Baldwin-Hovde debate, theres no reversing that vote. And again, the Oct. 18 debate doesnt take place later than normal in Wisconsin that falls in the same timeframe as past election cycles. Our ruling Hovde said typically you have three to four debates in a U.S. Senate race. (But Baldwin has) given me one debate, almost a month after early voting has started. Baldwin agreed to three debates in her previous campaigns for Senate, though some recent statewide races have had two. Hovde is on par with three, but saying theres typically four debates is a stretch. The debate does not start before in-person absentee voting in Wisconsin, also known as early voting. But some voters could still receive, fill out and return absentee ballots before the debate, so that portion of his claim does have merit. Our definition of Mostly True is the statement is accurate but needs clarification or additional information." That fits here. Mostly True Sources Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, WBA Foundation announces date for U.S. Senate debate, June 24, 2024. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Eric Hovde pushes Tammy Baldwin to agree to more debates in Wisconsin U.S. Senate race, June 26, 2024. NewsNation, Republican Senate candidate Eric Hovde inches ahead in Wisconsin, Sept. 3, 2024. Email exchange, Ben Voelkel, campaign spokesman for Eric Hovde, Sept. 5, 2024. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson says he's willing to participate in three debates with Democratic Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Sept. 16, 2022. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mandela Barnes and Ron Johnson have their first televised debate Friday. Here is how to watch, Oct. 5, 2022. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin U.S. Senate race: High drama as Tammy Baldwin, Leah Vukmir clash over numerous issues in first debate, Oct. 9, 2018. PolitiFact, Senate debate primer: Ron Johnson vs Russ Feingold, Oct. 14, 2016. PolitiFact, Tommy vs. Tammy: A US Senate debate primer, Sept. 27, 2012. Email exchange, Andrew Mamo, campaign spokesman for Tammy Baldwin, Sept. 5, 2024. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Tony Evers, Tim Michels agree to a single debate ahead of the Wisconsin governor election. Here's how to watch, Sept. 21, 2022. Wisconsin Elections Commission, In-Person Absentee Voting at your Municipal Clerk's Office (Early Voting). Wisconsin Elections Commission, Deadlines for the Nov. 5, 2024 General Election. Wisconsin Elections Commission, Calendar, Sept. 2024. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Drop boxes, overseas voters, deadlines: Answers to your questions about absentee voting, Sept. 9, 2024. Wisconsin Elections Commission, Election Administration Manual for Wisconsin Municipal Clerks, Feb. 2024. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Does the Baldwin-Hovde debate take place after early voting starts? HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) An inmate who escaped the Blair County Prison in December pleaded guilty Monday to charges in that case, as well as the case that initially put him in pre-trial confinement. With his jury waiting just down the hallway to enter the courtroom for the first day of the scheduled trial, Isaiah Robert Tilghman, Jr. pleaded guilty to conspiracy, drug delivery, escape and theft. But in a decision that shocked even the district attorney, he refused to accept the negotiated sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Jury seated for trial of escaped Blair County Prison inmate Tilghman is now scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 5. But that sentencing could result in him spending even longer in prison than what he would have if he had accepted the negotiated sentence, even up to the rest of his life. When the judge asked Tilghman why he did not want to accept the negotiated offer, he said its because he felt the offer was more aggressive and would prefer to leave his sentencing up to the discretion of the court. Tilghman claimed that he was under the impression that the plea offer was for only a sentence of 15 years in prison, but Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks said that offer was taken off the table nearly two weeks ago. I certainly was not going to make the original offer that was done before a jury had been selected and this entire week had been set aside to try this defendants case, but at the request of the court, I did make another offer as 20 to 40 years, said Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. Weeks explained that for the felony charges Tilghman pleaded guilty to, standard sentencing guidelines provide for a sentence of 51 to 56 years in prison. If Tilghman were to receive the maximum sentence at the judges discretion, he would face 170 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 WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. HONOLULU (KHON2) Chauncey K. Lopes, who is a work furlough inmate, failed to return to the Laumaka Work Furlough Center on Sunday, Sept. 15. The Public Information Office of the Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation stated that he has been apprehended. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Lopes, who is 25, was captured by state sheriffs deputies in Kaneohe at 8:15 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 16. Laumaka work furlough inmate Chauncey K. Lopes was returned to custody at the Oahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) after state sheriffs deputies apprehended him in Kaneohe at 8:15 a.m. today, a public information officer for the Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Lopes had missed his 9 p.m. curfew on Sunday, prompting a search by the State Sheriffs and the Honolulu Police Department. He was serving time for manslaughter at Laumaka, which is a minimum-security facility where inmates work or seek employment in the community. In addition to his original sentence, Lopes now faces a new charge of escape, which could add up to five years to his prison time. He may face an escape charge, a Class C felony thats punishable by up to five years in prison, if convicted, said the public information office. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 Lopes had been classified as a community custody inmate, the lowest security status. He had pass privileges as part of the work furlough program. This program is set up to allow inmates to leave the facility during the day for work or job searching. Anyone with further information about similar cases is encouraged to contact the authorities. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Ursula von der Leyen announced an ambitious restructuring of her European Commission, adopting some of former European Central Bank President Mario Draghis proposals aimed at making the bloc more competitive. Most Read from Bloomberg Von der Leyen, who is German, announced key roles in the European Unions executive arm for France, Spain and Italy to lead a fresh industrial strategy aimed at digitalizing the blocs economy and making it more climate-friendly at a time of increased rivalry with the US and China. Draghi warned last week that the EU would face a slow agony if it didnt boost its competitiveness to better contend with Beijing and Washington, which have invested more in their own economic transformations. Not everyone in the bloc agrees, with countries including Germany and Sweden pushing back against his bid for joint borrowing to finance the transformation. Von der Leyen told reporters on Tuesday that her new commission was designed to promote prosperity, security and democracy. She said this would prepare the EU for what she described as its twin transitions: decarbonization and digitalization of the economy. This is one of the main recommendation of the Draghi report, she said. Strengthening our tech sovereignty, security and democracy. Building a competitive, decarbonized and circular economy, with a fair transition for all. Von der Leyen granted key portfolios in the commission to larger member states, cementing influential capitals support as she seeks to implement an ambitious legislative agenda. In addition to the EUs economic transformation, the commission will be contending with a war raging on its border as well as a surge in populist parties particularly in France and Germany thats rewritten the European political script. Her slate of commissioners still needs to be approved by the European Parliament, which will hold confirmation hearings in the coming weeks. Despite a warning from European Socialists not to offer a key position to the far right, von der Leyen appointed Italys Raffaele Fitto to one of six executive vice president roles, overseeing the expenditure of nearly 400 billion ($445 billion) under the EUs cohesion budget. Fitto comes from Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis conservative, populist Brothers of Italy party. Meloni, who voted against von der Leyens appointment, praised Fittos assignment, hailing the newfound central role of Italy in the EU. The fact that a candidate from a far-right government is nominated as vice president of the European Commission remains a big concern for our group, Terry Reintke, president of the Green party in the European Parliament, said after the announcement. Appointing Raffaele Fitto could create a dangerous shift toward the far right in the commission and endanger the pro-democratic majority in the European Parliament that voted for Ursula von der Leyen in July. Green Ambitions The protests by farmers against the Green Deal, and concerns from industry that the costs of the ambitious net-zero goal for 2050 will hamper European manufacturers, led von der Leyen to change her tactics in the second term. She is poised to continue the energy transition, nominating Spains Teresa Ribera as an executive vice president in charge of both preparing the ground for a new 90% emissions reduction target for 2040 and coordinating the work on the Clean Industrial Deal. Ribera will also hold the influential antitrust portfolio. The new initiative that aims to ensure the competitiveness of the EU industry during the shift to sustainable future will also involve oversight from Frances Stephane Sejourne. Von der Leyen pledged to unveil the details of the plan within the first 100 days of the new term. Von der Leyen aligned skillfully her team toward a clean industrial deal as the next stage for the Green Deal, said Jos Delbeke, a professor at the European University Institute in Florence and a former senior climate official at the commission. There is, however some risk that the overlapping responsibilities of her team could lead to internal conflicts over policy. Chris Glueck, managing director at Forefront Advisers, a political intelligence firm, said that Ribera, who championed green policies in Spain, will have to work with Dutch conservative Wopke Hoekstra, who is expected to continue in his role as climate commissioner, where he has pushed a more pragmatic approach. He added that pair could also find themselves at odds with Sejourne and his mission. This is the apparent fault line for conflicts in the next term, Glueck said. Budget Reform The shape of the EUs next long-term budget is set to be one of the most contentious issues for the next commission. Von der Leyen is seeking to reform the way the 27-nation bloc allocates and spends its common funds in the next seven-year budgetary period starting in 2028, making it simpler, more focused and responsive. The next budget commissioner, Polands Piotr Serafin, a well-known figure in Brussels and skilled political operator, was tasked with designing the overhaul. Serafin will be one of the new heavyweights together with seasoned members of the EU executive such as Valdis Dombrovskis and Maros Sefcovic, part of a centralized chain of command designed to strike a delicate balance. Von der Leyen had said she wanted a gender-balanced commission, but struggled to persuade countries to put forward both male and female nominees, meaning she had to settle for a slate where only 11 of the 26 choices were women. Four of her six picks for executive vice president roles, however, were women. She had 11 women when her first commission took office in 2019. Beyond its borders, the European bloc will face mounting pressure stemming from Russias invasion of Ukraine and the tensions from Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. To face a more unstable and hostile environment, von der Leyen nominated candidates from the Baltic and Nordic nations some of the most hawkish among their colleagues especially when it comes to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Together with the leaders choice of Kaja Kallas from Estonia as EUs top diplomat, she proposed Henna Virkkunen to deal with issues of security and the protection of democracy among others, as her home nation Finland is accustomed to dealing with the risks of hybrid warfare and is an expert on civil preparedness. Meanwhile, Lithuanias Andrius Kubilius will drive the common push to launch the European defense industry as the EU seeks more autonomy and ramp-up its arsenal. --With assistance from Andrea Palasciano. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. FILE PHOTO: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen holds a press conference on the suggested structure and portfolios of the college of European Commissioners in Strasbourg By Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission wants to set up a fund to support strategic sectors, a document showed on Tuesday, as the bloc seeks to compete more effectively in new technologies, especially against China and the United States. The proposal for a Competitiveness Fund was put forward in a letter to Budget Commissioner-designate Piotr Serafin from Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, who on Tuesday named her new team to lead policy-making for the next five years. The European Union is concerned it needs to invest massively in technology to avoid being overtaken by global competitors and to avert economic decline. Previous ideas of financing strategic spending through joint EU borrowing, building on the experience of the 800 billion euro($890 billion) post-COVID recovery fund, have met with resistance from the bloc's wealthier northern countries, including Germany and the Netherlands. Von der Leyen said the EU's net long-term budget for 2028-2034 should better use the money at its disposal through leveraging, or attracting private funds to boost the impact of national spending. The letter did not specify where the money would come from or the amount. "I want you to develop a new approach for a modern and reinforced EU budget, moving to a policy-based budget from a programme-based budget," von der Leyen wrote. The EU's long-term budget is around 1% of EU GDP. Roughly one third of that supports EU farmers, one third seeks to equalise living standards across the 27-nation bloc and the rest is spent on other policies. This division has been criticised by some member states because it does not give the EU enough resources to spend on policies to adapt to the changing environment - climate change, security and defence or industrial policy - and instead focuses on support programmes. EU enlargement, which might start during the 2028-2034 period, will be a further challenge, especially if the budget's structure remains unchanged, EU officials have said. Von der Leyen said there could be a stronger link between the cash EU regions get from the EU budget and reforms and investment, an idea officials said would be likely to attract criticism from some EU members. The EU budget gets money from customs duties, a share of the value added tax collected by EU countries, from unutilised plastic packaging waste and national contributions based on GDP. The letter said it would have to find new sources of EU income, called "own resources" in EU jargon. Expected new income sources include a share of revenues from the CO2 emissions trading system, a tax on goods imported from outside the EU from countries that do not observe the same climate-friendly regulations and a cut of the tax on company profits, but officials said that will not be enough. ($1 = 0.8991 euros) (Reporting by Jan Strupczewski; editing by Barbara Lewis) EU chief unveils her new team with women in top roles in right-leaning Commission European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, left, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, talk prior to the start of a session at the European Parliament, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 in Strasbourg. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias) BRUSSELS (AP) European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen put women in many of the top roles on her new team for her next five-year tenure at the head of the bloc on Tuesday, despite the reluctance of many EU member states to give in to her demand for gender parity. Von der Leyen named only two men in her top echelon with four women as vice presidents, including Kaja Kallas as foreign policy chief. Kallas was already agreed on by government leaders. Von der Leyen on Tuesday added Spanish Socialist Teresa Ribera to lead the green transition, along with Ribera also becoming the competition czar. Finland's Henna Virkkunen was her pick for rule of law and digital leader, and Roxana Minzatu of Romania for social affairs leader. The appointments of the Commission team which veers to the right after the June elections saw a surge of far-right parties still have to be confirmed. The appointment as executive vice president of Raffaele Fitto of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's hard right Brothers of Italy party is bound to cause controversy during the parliamentary confirmation hearing in the coming weeks. Also on Tuesday, von der Leyen gave French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne the industrial portfolio, after French heavyweight Thierry Breton resigned and openly criticized the EU chief for allegedly questionable governance on Monday, It left France with a strong voice in the Commission, and many saw Breton's shock resignation more as a removal by von der Leyen of one of her most open internal critics after exerting pressure on French authorities. Compounding such problems was the defiance of many of the 27 member states as von der Leyen struggled to get anywhere close to gender parity on her Commission team they staunchly refused to give her a choice between a male and a female candidate. She said that originally, EU nations only proposed 22% female candidates before she started to push for more. So I worked with the member states and we were able to improve the balance to 40% women and 60% men. And it shows that as much as we have achieved there is still so much more work to do, von der Leyen said. If she could not get full gender parity in numbers, von der Leyen made sure they were more than well represented in the top jobs. After days of secret talks with individual European governments about their picks, von der Leyen huddled with the leaders of the political groups at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, to discuss the makeup of her college before making the final announcement. Now attention will center on the hearings in the European Parliament, where each candidate can be rejected to force a member state to put another candidate forward. All eyes are expected to be on Fitto, with some already criticizing his appointment. Greens lawmaker Rasmus Andresen said it was completely incomprehensible to name a representative of a far-right party, to the post of executive vice president of the Commission. Can an anti-European manage EU funds, Andresen asked. For the first time, our European executive will have among its leaders, someone who comes from the far right, said Manon Aubry, the leader of The Left group. Its without precedent. However, von der Leyen said the Commission team had to reflect Italy's weight as a founding member and major economy. "I think the balance is also very well kept, said von der Leyen, who has long sought to keep Meloni, whose political roots are steeped deep in the extreme right, close once she became prime minister in 2022. Meloni welcomed Fitto's appointment to a high-ranking position, calling it an important recognition that confirms the newfound central role of our nation in the EU." "Italy is finally back as a protagonist in Europe, Meloni said. Even if the Commission's makeup has hardly become the talk of bar rooms or barber shops across the vast EU of 450 million people, it has enthralled the upper echelons of politics and bureaucracy, as they sought to boost one candidate or undermine another. The Commission proposes legislation for the EUs 27 member countries and ensures that the rules governing the worlds biggest trading bloc are respected. Its made up of a College of Commissioners with a range of portfolios similar to those of government ministers, including agriculture, economic, competition, security and migration policy. The Commission is to start work on Nov. 1, but speculation is rife that it might not get down to business before January. The News The European Union has begun drafting a new proposal to raise up to $44 billion in loans for Ukraine. The loan could offer a plan B after a previous proposal drafted by the group of seven member states to use frozen Russian assets to back Ukraine was vetoed by Hungary, whose Prime Minister Viktor Orban is sympathetic to the Kremlins cause. The frozen-assets program is still Europes plan A, the Financial Times wrote, but if it collapses, Brussels may try to raise its own money. The EU has sought to extend the freeze on Russian assets, from a rolling six-month stretch to 36 months, with the aim of providing more legal and financial stability to Ukraine. SIGNALS Hungarys presidency of EU Council is an obstacle to the blocs decisions Sources: Foreign Policy, Semafor Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has undermined the European Unions support for Ukraine, particularly in the period since he took on the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in July. At that point, Orban became the extension of Russias foreign policy, an analyst told Foreign Policy. The Hungarian PM repeatedly violated EU rules by falsely claiming to represent the bloc while on self-declared peace missions to several countries, including Russia. Orbans siding with Moscow is as much personal as political, Foreign Policy added: Its not that Orban loves Putin. Its that he hates the West. Outcome of decision could change after US election in November Source: Voice of America Viktor Orban has suggested that any decisions on further European funds for Ukraine should wait until after the US presidential election in November, when the calculus could change dramatically depending on which candidate wins, Voice of America wrote. A second Trump presidency would be likely unpredictable, beyond his promise to end the conflict. Its not entirely clear how hell do that, a foreign policy expert told the outlet. Harris, on the other hand, has repeatedly expressed support for Ukraine, and has seemed committed to preserving Bidens policy there. IMF prepares to return to Russia in symbolic victory for Putin Sources: The Guardian, Fortune While the European Union discussed more funding to Ukraine, the International Monetary Fund was set to become the first major international financial body to return to Russia, with staff apparently returning to Moscow by the end of the week. Some European countries have expressed anger and dismay at the announcement, while other experts have argued that the IMF may help Russia improve its economy and strengthen it in its fight against Ukraine, The Guardian noted. The move is a symbolic victory for Putin, and could project a false veneer of legitimacy for the Kremlin, experts argued in Fortune. EU prepares Plan B loan to Ukraine using Russian assets in case of US' non-participation The European Union plans to provide a new loan of up to 40 billion to Ukraine by the end of 2024, regardless of US participation, after the G7-approved plan for a US$50 billion loan using frozen Russian assets ran into problems. Source: Financial Times, as reported by European Pravda Details: Journalists noted that the EU is preparing to provide Ukraine with up to 40 billion in loans by the end of the year, regardless of whether the US will be able to agree on participation. This is a US$50 billion loan plan for Ukraine agreed by the G7 leaders, which will be repaid by the profits from the frozen Russian assets. However, the EU and the US have since disagreed on the details. Initially, it was planned that the EU and the US would each provide US$20 billion, with the remaining US$10 billion to be shared by the UK, Japan and Canada. The US wants safeguards to ensure the stability of the income that will service the loan. These safeguards should include frozen Russian assets most of which are in Europe remaining frozen. Brussels has proposed changing the model for extending sanctions that block Russian assets and making the extension period 36 months rather than 6 months, which would provide more certainty. There were also proposals for a five-year term. Hungarian PM Viktor Orban supposedly strongly opposed this idea and did not want to go back to the issue before the name of the new US president was known. The European Commission's Plan A remains the initial arrangement with the US. However, European officials want to prepare options in case Budapest continues to hold a veto until the 5 November elections. According to a draft document obtained by the FT, the EU plans to prepare a billion-euro aid package for Ukraine by the end of the year, which will complement the existing European aid programme. The decision will require a majority support, not unanimity, which will allow the Hungarian veto to be overridden. The figure could range from 20 billion to 40 billion, and the European Commission will finalise it after consulting with the member states. If the EU uses the alternative option, it will need to increase EU borrowing and back it up with a joint budget. To implement Plan B, preparations will have to begin in the coming weeks to complete all formalities in time. The draft states that it is important to approve the proposal by the end of October so that the loan itself can be finalised by the end of 2024 and then gradually allocated to Ukraine in tranches. It also provides for the use of proceeds from frozen Russian assets, estimated at 2.5 billion to 3 billion a year, to repay the loan. Background: Earlier, it was unofficially reported that the growing popularity of US presidential candidate Kamala Harris has reduced the prospects for a quick agreement on the terms of a US$50 billion loan to Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! (Bloomberg) -- Zimbabwes creditors may be willing to consider a debt-for-climate swap with the nation as part of a restructure of its $21 billion in arrears. Most Read from Bloomberg Interactions with the nations development partners indicate it is an option that they are willing to consider, Raul Fernandez, a United Nations Development Program project manager for climate development frameworks, said at a summit Monday hosted by the countrys Treasury in the resort city of Victoria Falls. They need to see some action from the government, this commitment to structural reforms, he said. There is that willingness, they have this on their radar. Sign up for the twice-weekly Next Africa newsletter for the latest business and economic news from the continent. Debt swaps, such as those for climate and nature, are innovative financial mechanisms where a portion of a developing countrys external liabilities are forgiven in exchange for commitments to invest in climate or marine-conservation projects. Barbados, Belize, Gabon and Ecuador have rolled out similar instruments, Fernandez said in an earlier presentation. The long-term nature of debt-for-climate swaps provides nations with room to borrow and service obligations, Fernandez said in an interview Tuesday. The basic idea stems from Zimbabwes inability to access concessional loans, he said. In the southern African nations case, creditors will have to consider writing off some debt for this to work, he added. A debt-for-climate swap would be more suitable for bilateral creditors and the option is a part of a policy presentation for a conference to be convened by the environment ministry in the capital next month, according to Fernandez. While the so-called Climate Investment Plan is a strategy for resource mobilization, it must not be seen as replacing the ongoing debt talks, he said. It will be complementary, he said. Zimbabwe has been locked out of international capital markets since 1999 after it defaulted on its debts. Unable to meet its obligations, interest payments have ballooned. In 2022, it solicited the help of African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina and former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano to lead restructuring talks with creditors, who include the Paris Club, the World Bank, European Investment Bank and the AfDB. Story continues Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube didnt respond to questions sent to his mobile phone seeking comment. You can follow Bloombergs reporting on Africa on WhatsApp. Sign up here. (Updates with comments on debt write-off from fifth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- The European Union should consider issuing joint debt to fund significant air-defense investments to better protect its airspace from possible Russian strikes, according to a new report from the Brussels-based think tank Bruegel. Most Read from Bloomberg The issue of air defense has taken on new urgency in recent months after several Iranian-made drones launched from Russia violated EU airspace, including one that crashed in Latvia earlier this month. Germany launched the European Sky Shield Initiative in 2022 with the aim of making the continent less vulnerable to air strikes at a time of increasing geopolitical tension. But its funding path remains uncertain, particularly since Berlin remains strongly opposed to issuing joint EU debt, a stance it repeated after European Central Bank chief Mario Draghis recent report on EU competitiveness. The topic is a priority for Germany. They want this to fly, Guntram Wolff, a senior fellow at Bruegel and the author of the report, said in an interview. Some 21 nations, including the UK and Turkey, have signed up to the initiative, but now the more difficult part is to get them to spend money, Wolff added. Focusing on a specific issue, such as air defense, might help move the needle on persuading reluctant member states to accept the idea of joint EU debt, he added. Air defense is so important because it is extremely visible that its a European public good: What you provide in any individual country provides benefits its neighbors, Wolff said. Air-defense projects require a capital-intensive upfront investment. A single Patriot missile battery costs around $1 billion, and the Bruegel report estimates the blocs total investment would need reach into the hundreds of billions. In August, the security level was raised at a NATO air base in Germany following suspected Russian drone activity. Latvia and Romania both reported incidents involving Russian drones violating its air space in early September, a sign of increasing aerial threats posed to Moscows neighbors. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Tuesday condemned Spain in a case involving a Jehovah's Witness who had received blood transfusions during an operation against her will. The Strasbourg-based court ruled unanimously that there had been "a violation of Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life) of the European Convention on Human Rights read in the light of Article 9 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion)," the ECHR said in a statement. The court ordered Spain to pay 26,000 euros in damages and legal costs. The case concerned blood transfusions administered to Rosa Edelmira Pindo Mulla, an Ecuadorian national living in Spain, during emergency surgery against her will. "Treating the situation as an emergency, the usual consent protocol was not followed at the hospital," the court said. Jehovah's Witnesses believe it is against God's will to receive blood and, therefore, they refuse blood transfusions. In March 2020, she lodged an application with the ECHR, which rules on violations of the European Convention on Human Rights in the 46 member states of the Council of Europe. "Pindo Mulla had not been able to exercise her autonomy in order to observe an important teaching of her religion," the statement said. In a statement to AFP, the 53-year-old said she was "very happy that justice has been done" and expressed hope that the ruling would "allow the rights of other people to be respected in the future." One of her lawyers, Petr Muzny, said the court decision would "put an end to a few exceptions that are practised in certain countries, including France." "France was still a country where, in certain cases, it was still possible to force a patient. But that's over now," he added. At a hearing in January, Muzny maintained that his client had become a victim of "medical paternalism," despite the fact that she had repeatedly indicated that she wanted "to be treated in accordance with her conscience." Heide-Elena Nicolas Martinez, a lawyer representing Spain, stressed that the decision to give Pindo Mulla blood transfusions had been taken with "great urgency." Jehovah's Witnesses are members of a US-based Christian evangelical movement, which claims to have over 8.6 million followers worldwide, from Finland to the Falkland Islands and Peru to the Philippines. The Witnesses reject modern evolutionary theory and also oppose blood transfusions, believing that blood is sacred. The Witnesses have lobbied doctors to adopt clinical strategies that minimise the need for blood transfusions. pau-as/sjw/yad The News European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced her appointments for the European Unions top jobs Tuesday, with a focus on reversing the blocs ailing economy, energy and building up security. Key nominations include Lithuanias Andrius Kubilius as the EUs first defense commissioner, who will be tasked with building up military manufacturing, a rising concern as Russias war in Ukraine drags on. Frances Stephane Sejourne will be in charge of industrial strategy, a position previously held by Thierry Breton, who made a name with his combative stance toward Big Tech. Breton resigned Monday, having repeatedly clashed with von der Leyen throughout her last term. Polands Piotr Serafin will oversee the EUs budget. Von der Leyens appointments await final approval by the European Parliament. SIGNALS Commission includes defense post to shore up eastern borders Sources: Reuters, Politico President von der Leyen appointed her first defense commissioner: Lithuanias Andrius Kubilius, a staunch Ukraine supporter who has previously suggested that Russian-friendly European nations should look into the possibility to offer to Putin territory in their own country, Politico noted. Kubilius will be tasked with unifying the blocs fragmented defense industry as it tries to bolster itself against further Russian aggression and continue support for Ukraine. European officials are worried that both may be in greater jeopardy depending on the outcome of Novembers US election. Nominations put renewed emphasis on tech regulation and innovation Sources: Financial Times, Leo Lictevout President von der Leyen said in a statement that her team would be dedicated to competitiveness, digitalization, and decarbonization with the top industry jobs given to more interventionist countries namely, Spain, Italy, and France, the Financial Times reported. All three nations governments have previously called for more joint EU spending to boost innovation, looser budget deficit rules, and a larger role for industry to counter Europes economic sluggishness. Leo Lictevout, a journalist at political magazine Contexte, noted on X the number of tech-focused nominees: We lost a tech commissioner yesterday, he wrote, referring to former markets commissioner Thierry Bretons surprise resignation, Today we get 7. Thierry Breton, one of Europes highest-profile technocrats, is out Source: Politico A member of the European Commission under von der Leyens last term, Thierry Breton had overseen some of the EUs highest-profile portfolios, including its regulation of Big Tech and its efforts to ramp up arms production. France Europes second-largest economy and a founding member of the EU had been vying for a vice presidential position for Breton in the new commission, according to French officials, as well as an expanded portfolio that would encompass the blocs industrial and defense policy. Breton, however, quit: In announcing his departure, he said von der Leyen was the reason he left. Europe's new energy commissioner takes on housing as well as fuel By Julia Payne BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union's newly announced Energy Commissioner will for the first time have the task of leading an EU housing division as well as dealing with more typical duties, such as seeking to lower fuel prices and implement green policy. Dan Jorgensen, named on Tuesday by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as part of her new team, is a former EU parliamentarian and a climate leader in his native Denmark, which has a track record of linking energy and energy-efficient housing policy. As commissioner, his challenges include helping to implement the EU's ambitious Green Deal to try to keep the bloc on track to reduce carbon emissions. He must also deal with the ongoing impact on energy of Russia's war on Ukraine. Europe's energy prices have normalised since the extremes of the 2021-2022 energy crisis, but they remain high, making the continent increasingly uncompetitive compared with the rest of the world. Germany in particular has suffered from the loss of cheap Russian gas that fuelled its industry. A lack of grid interconnections in Germany - the EU's biggest economy - also means a lot of cheap renewable energy produced in the north of the country is wasted and cannot boost the south. A report by former Italian prime minister and former European Central Bank president Mario Draghi presented to von der Leyen last week included warnings about the continent's economic future. At the level of individual citizens, rather than big business, Jorgensen will have to address that in part as the Commission's first dedicated commissioner for housing, helping to provide sustainable, affordable accommodation and "addressing energy poverty," his mission letter made public on Tuesday says. ONGOING CHALLENGES. He also inherits tasks from previous commissioners seeking to lower energy costs. They include expanding a joint EU buying scheme started last year by senior Commission executive Maros Sefcovic to help member states source alternative natural gas sources and drawing up a roadmap to end Russian energy imports. That also means accelerating alternative sources of energy and modernising power grids. The Commission has taken some measures to improve the permitting process, but many companies complain it is still too cumbersome and has delayed fast charging stations for electric cars and the development of similar stations for electric and hydrogen-fuelled trucks. As Europe seeks to shift to greener energy, von der Leyen also wants Jorgensen to work with climate chief Wopke Hoekstra to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, which remain present through different taxation regimes across member states. Another responsibility likely to divide opinion across the bloc is Jorgensen's task to accelerate the deployment of small modular nuclear reactors that require less cooling water. Many projects have been proposed and launched across the continent but the costs are high and funding uncertain. Infrastructure security is another potential headache after an increase in cyber attacks and sabotage since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. (Reporting by Julia Payne; editing by Barbara Lewis) Josep Borrell: "So it's not a matter of waiting for tomorrow. Tomorrow is already too late." (Giuseppe CACACE) (Giuseppe CACACE/AFP/AFP) The European Union's foreign policy chief called Tuesday for more pressure on Israel and Hamas for a Gaza ceasefire as a deal remained out of reach despite several rounds of talks. Josep Borrell said Israeli hostages and the people of Gaza could not wait any longer, as the clock ticks down to one year since the October 7 attacks that triggered the war. "The only thing I can say is that all actors involved have to continue putting pressure on both parties to reach this agreement," he said in Dubai during a visit to the United Arab Emirates. "But it's coming late. Every day that the agreement is not being reached, it means more hostages will be retained and more people will be killed. "So it's not a matter of waiting for tomorrow. Tomorrow is already too late." Mediator Qatar earlier said talks were "ongoing" and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced his 10th visit to the region since the war started. Months of negotiations brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States have failed to halt the fighting between Hamas and Israel, apart from a one-week truce beginning in late November. Borrell said he also discussed Gaza's future with UAE officials, adding: "If there is not a political project, the war is just a repetition one after another, always the same story." "The Emirates are doing a lot from a diplomatic point of view and humanitarian point of view," he said. "And I am sure that for any solution, the day after, they can continue playing an important role." saa/th/srm DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) The European Union's top diplomat warned Tuesday that every day that passes without a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war risks the lives of the hostages held by the militants and of those in the Gaza Strip as well as a regional war breaking out. Josep Borrell, the EU foreign policy chief, came before journalists just after news broke from Lebanon of at least eight people killed and 2,750 others wounded by exploding pagers across the country, including members of the militant group Hezbollah. Suspicion immediately fell on Israel, which earlier Tuesday stressed that halting Hezbollahs attacks on Israel's north to allow residents to return to their homes was now an official war goal. Borrell said he would seek more information from Beirut, where he just traveled from, but acknowledged it could escalate the already-boiling tensions in the region. Certainly there is the possibility of the war spilling over to Lebanon, Borrell said. Borrell, when asked repeatedly about when he hoped a cease-fire could be reached, insisted he couldn't offer a time. Months of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas has not seen any major hostage release, while the Gaza Strip has been decimated by an Israeli offensive. Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage. The Israeli military operation has killed over 41,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Meanwhile, Israel has launched repeated, dayslong operations in the West Bank, which the Palestinians also hope will form a part of a future state. President Biden announced a plan for a cease-fire. Everybody was expecting it to be agreed and quickly, Borrell said. I cannot foresee what can happen in the next days or weeks. The only thing I can say is that all actors involved have to continue pressure on both parties to reach this agreement. He added: The trouble is not a matter of waiting for tomorrow. Tomorrow is already too late. Meanwhile, Borrell stressed that attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea also threatened both economies and the environment. He brought up the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion, which carries 1 million barrels of oil and has been burning for weeks after a series of Houthi attacks. An EU naval mission called Operation Aspides just towed the Sounion away from Yemen so salvagers can attempt to offload the crude on board as the vessel remains on fire. Borrell stressed the mission would remain defensive and wouldn't attack Houthi positions, even if they come under fire. The Houthi campaign is not against Israel, it's against the freedom of navigation and about the economy of Egypt, Borrell said, referencing the slowdown in traffic through the Suez Canal, a key source of hard currency for Cairo. Just before the war in Gaza, the prospect were good for the situation in Yemen, he added, referring to peace talks to end a yearslong Saudi-led war sparked by the rebels seizing the capital, Sanaa. Then everything became stalled. And it is still stalled. This is one the examples of the spillover effect of the war" in Gaza, he said. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sits in the European Parliament building ahead of the Conference of Presidents. The heads of state and government had previously nominated candidates for the College of Commissioners. Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen nominated on Tuesday far-right Italian politician Raffaele Fitto to be an executive vice president in her commission - setting a controversial precedent likely to meet resistance in the European Parliament. Fitto, a member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, is to hold the cohesion and reforms portfolio in von der Leyen's team of EU commissioners. If confirmed, it would be the first time a politician from the FdI has held a post in the EU executive arm. As vice president, he would oversee several commission portfolios. The decision is expected to meet major opposition from left-wing and liberal groups at the EU parliament, which has to approve all appointed commissioners. Meloni did not back von der Leyen for a second term in the commission, however the German conservative needed to consider the risk of Italy drifting further to the right in opposition to the EU like Hungary. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sits in the European Parliament building ahead of the Conference of Presidents. The heads of state and government had previously nominated candidates for the College of Commissioners. Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, gives a press conference on the report of the future of European competitiveness. Christophe Licoppe/European Commission/dpa European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is to announce her new leadership team to the European Parliament on Tuesday amid the angry and abrupt resignation of France's Thierry Breton. The former EU internal market commissioner said that von der Leyen asked Paris to nominate another person in exchange for "an allegedly more influential portfolio for France" in the EU executive arm in a resignation letter on X. Breton, who is the incumbent French commissioner, said this "political trade-off" was made "for personal reasons that in no instance" von der Leyen discussed directly with him. The former French candidate, who publicly criticized von der Leyen's leadership during the recent European Parliament elections, said this was "further testimony to questionable governance" in the commission. The German conservative politician has often been criticized by opponents for her centralized approach to governing the European Union's executive arm. A spokeswoman for the commission declined to comment on the public contents of Breton's letter and the attack made on von der Leyen's leadership. Breton's surprise resignation has added to the speculation as von der Leyen wrangles with EU countries over policy portfolios, trying to balance geographic and political factors. The process has already been delayed over a domestic political row in Slovenia about the nomination of a candidate to the commission. There is also the matter of where to appoint the Italian candidate, Raffaele Fitto, from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy party in the commission. Meloni did not back von der Leyen for a second term in the commission, however von der Leyen needs to consider the risk of Italy drifting further to the right in opposition to the EU like Hungary. Complicating matters further is von der Leyen's request for EU member states to nominate a man and a woman for the commission roles in pursuit of gender parity among her 26 commissioners. The commission president made exceptions to this request for EU countries that wished to nominate their sitting European commissioner, like Breton, for another term. However, most EU member states defied von der Leyen's request and nominated only one candidate to the commission, the majority of them being male. There is no legal requirement in EU treaties to nominate a male and a female candidate. After the surprise resignation of Breton, the Elysee Palace announced the nomination of Stephane Sejourne, the outgoing French foreign minister. Paris did not nominate a woman to replace Breton. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Tuesday, Sept. 17 is National Voter Registration Day and the El Paso County Elections Department wants to spread the word about the importance of exercising your right to vote. Every eligible voter should have the option to exercise his or her right to be heard. National Voter Registration Day is the perfect day to start by getting registered to vote. Counties across the country, in all 50 states, are planning to use National Voter Registration Day to get voters registered. El Paso County is excited to do our part, the local elections department said. The El Paso County Elections Department is planning to host simultaneous events from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the following locations: El Paso County Elections Department, 500 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 314 El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus, 100 W. Rio Grande Ave. El Paso Community College-Transmountain Campus, 9570 Gateway North Blvd. El Paso Community College-Valle Verde Campus, 919 Hunter Dr. Southwest University, 6101 Montana Ave. 79925 The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave. Western Technical College-Diana Campus, 9451 Diana Dr. Western Technical College-Plaza Campus, 9624 Plaza Cir. For more information, visit www.epcountyvotes.com or call (915) 546-2154 Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FOR EVER: French sustainable dye start-up Everdye has appointed fashion industry veteran Philippe Berlan as chief executive officer. Berlan formerly held CEO roles at Lancel, Petit Bateau and La Redoute, and will lead the start-up as it scales up its natural dye technology, which uses bio-sourced pigment, made of vegetal waste and minerals. He will take the reins of the company to foster key partnerships as the company grows. More from WWD Im thrilled to join Everdye at such a pivotal moment, Berlan said. The environmental impact of textile dyeing is a pressing issue, and Everdyes solutions are a concrete response to this challenge. I look forward to working with the team to set new standards in sustainability for the textile industry worldwide. The company produced our first commercial production in two colors last month, a year after raising 3.4 million euros in a seed funding round led by MakiVC and Asterion Ventures to commercialize its process. Philippes extensive experience in steering both business growth and sustainability initiatives makes him the perfect leader for Everdyes next phase, added cofounder Amira Erokh. Berlan takes the helm from cofounder Ilan Palacci. Everdye took home the ANDAM Innovation Prize in 2022. A Zara store in Paris. FOSSIL FUELED: The Changing Markets Foundations latest survey of 50 major fashion brands found that reliance on polyester and other fossil-fuel based fabrics is increasing. The nonprofit released the findings in a report titled Fashions Plastic Paralysis. In the survey, Spanish fast-fashion behemoth Inditex revealed that its use of fossil-fuel based fabrics grew by 20 percent since the last questionnaire in 2022. The Zara and Massimo Dutti parent company disclosed the highest use of synthetics by volume at 212,886 tons in 2023, a significant increase from 178,030 tons in the 2022 survey. Fast-fashion player Shein reported the highest use of synthetics by percent of garments on offer. It reported that 82 percent of its clothes are made up of fossil fuel-based fibers. The company did not disclose its percentages in 2022, and did not reveal its total volume of textiles used. Boohoo had the second highest percentage of fibers in its product mix at 69 percent, up from 64 percent in 2022, followed by Lululemon at 67 percent of its garments, an increase from 62 percent in 2022. Fashion is at a critical juncture, with major brands doubling down on the fast-fashion model, flooding the market with disposable, polluting fabrics. These companies continue to bet big on plastic fibers, showing little intention to change and resorting to tactics borrowed from the fossil fuel industry to distract and delay real progress, said Changing Markets Foundations senior campaign manager Urska Trunk. We need strong, decisive action to steer fashion away from its dependency on fossil fuels and toward creating high-quality clothes that people want to keep for longer. The report also noted that while the majority of companies participated in the survey in 2021, 27 brands, more than half the 50 asked to take part, failed to respond in part or in full. Changing Markets noted that Reformation, which has committed to reduce synthetics to less than 1 percent of total sourcing by 2025 is on track to do so, with synthetics currently 2.56 percent. Several brands including Benetton Group, Esprit, G-Star Raw, Hugo Boss, Inditex, Mango and Reformation, among others, said they plan to decrease their use of synthetics. However Esprit, which had previously pledged to decrease its use of synthetics, upped its use 15 percent by volume in 2023. In 2022, Esprit had slimmed down from more than 200 suppliers to just a handful in an effort to upscale the core brand with more expensive materials. However the relaunch didnt take off and the company entered bankruptcy in Europe and is in the process of rightsizing its business in the U.S. Primark, which is on a growth spurt in the U.S. with 24 stores and 60 more planned by 2026, said it plans to increase their use of fossil fuel-based textiles in the future. Overall, fossil fuel fibers are projected to reach 73 percent of textile production by 2030. The Or Foundations Time Square takeover. SPEAK UP: The Or Foundation took over New Yorks Times Square with its Speak Volumes campaign to call for fashion brands to transparent and accountable about how many items of clothing they actually produce per year. The Times Square takeover encompasses three of the areas giant billboards, including one about Forever 21, to show images of fashion waste, as well as an 8-foot-tall art installation made from piles of discarded clothing. The project sets out to highlight global crisis of overconsumption and the consequent fashion waste dumped in the global south. The nonprofit is based in Ghana, which is one of the worlds leading receivers of secondhand clothing with 15 million garments shipped there per week, much of which ends up being incinerated or washing into the ocean and creating marine waste. Theres incredible innovation, theres amazing ideas, theres a lot of investment going into developing solutions to fashions waste crisis. But the reality is that none of those solutions are going to make a dent if we are not honest about the business model of overproduction and the fact that these solutions are currently being buried under an endless, limitless supply of product, said The Or Foundation cofounder and executive director Liz Ricketts. If fashion is to move towards circular solutions to solve the waste crisis there needs to be accurate data in order to develop meaningful policies, she added. The foundation is calling for companies to be transparent about their production volumes by number of garments and not by weight in order to develop global extended producer responsibility policies. The group created minute-long ads with lots of white space to draw attention from the flashing billboards that dominate the square. It was also personal for Ricketts, who worked as a designer for brands in New York before launching the foundation. It was really important to come back here with this message of asking everyone who loves fashion, who loves clothes, to be honest about the impact that overproduction has had on our industry, she added. The Times Square takeover will last until Sunday, and Ricketts will take the stage during NYCs Climate Week to speak on a panel addressing fashion waste solutions panel on Sept. 26. Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. There are numerous closing costs when buying a house, from the home inspection and appraisal to application and credit report fees. Depending on your location and situation, you may need to add a real estate attorney fee to your list of closing costs. Real estate attorneys are mandatory in certain U.S. states. But even if they arent required where you live, you might still decide theyre worth the cost. Learn more: Closing on a house What to expect and how to prepare This embedded content is not available in your region. In this article: What does a real estate attorney do? A real estate lawyer specializes in property transactions, including residential and commercial property. Real estate attorney fees vary according to their services. Lawyers who focus on real estate are trained to understand the rights and responsibilities of both buyers and sellers, review paperwork, check that funds are properly transferred, ensure compliance with local regulations, and verify all title issues are resolved before the transaction is complete. The duties of a real estate attorney vary from one state to another and depend on the individual transaction. In many cases, a real estate attorney will handle the following responsibilities: Conduct a title search to confirm that all owners are identified Look for unpaid claims or liens against the property Review contracts Provide conflict resolution Prepare financial documents Assist with the closing process Read more: What is title insurance? Pros and cons of hiring a real estate attorney Whether you are the buyer or seller, you may want to hire a real estate lawyer to represent your interests and protect your investment. Some states require a real estate lawyer to be involved in every transaction. If youre buying or selling a home in a complex situation, such as the house being in foreclosure, a real estate lawyer can be helpful. Even if you dont have these specific issues, when you have a choice, you may want to consider the following benefits and disadvantages of hiring a real estate attorney: Pros You can have an expert review contracts before you sign them. If youre buying or selling without the help of a real estate agent, you can benefit from help negotiating terms and understanding the legal language of the contract, as well as using the protection of a legal review of your contract. If there are concerns about a property, such as illegal living spaces on the land, a lawyer can help resolve them. If the buyer and seller have a conflict, a lawyer may be able to find a solution. Cons Real estate attorney fees for the home closing process add to the total real estate transaction cost. Some real estate transactions, particularly when real estate agents are involved, are simple enough that legal assistance is not required. Learn more: Can you sell a house without a real estate agent? How much do real estate lawyers cost? Real estate attorney fees vary according to your location and the work youre hiring them to do for your transaction. They may also charge more if they have substantial experience. In addition, real estate attorney fees are charged in different ways depending on the transaction and local customs. You may pay a real estate attorney an hourly fee ranging from $150 to $500 or more per hour. Or they may charge a flat fee, such as $750 or $1,500 for closing, or a lower fee for a specific task, such as reviewing a contract. Some also charge an up-front retainer fee. Dig deeper: How much money do I need to buy a house? How do you find a real estate attorney? Just as with any other professional you hire, its smart to get recommendations, read reviews, and contact references. You can talk with more than one real estate attorney to find the right fit. To find a real estate lawyer, try these sources: Friends, family, and coworkers Your real estate agent and mortgage lender The American Bar Association Your state bar association Some states, such as Connecticut and Rhode Island, typically require you to use a real estate lawyer for certain transactions. Several states dont have any laws about whether you need a real estate attorney. Talk to your mortgage lender and real estate agent about whether you need a lawyer, where to find one, and how much you can expect to pay based on your situation. Real estate attorney FAQs Who does a real estate lawyer represent? A real estate lawyer represents the client who hires them, either the buyer or the seller, but not both. It is possible for the buyer and the seller to hire real estate attorneys from the same law firm without a conflict. If I sell my house to a relative, do I need a real estate attorney? Yes, if you live in a state that requires a real estate attorney to handle real estate transactions. Even if you live in a state that doesn't require an attorney, you may want to hire a real estate lawyer to be sure that your interests are protected, and that the paperwork for the transaction is completed accurately and recorded according to state laws. Do I need a real estate attorney if I buy new construction? While you might not need to hire a real estate attorney when buying a new construction home, you may want to hire one to review all contracts and ensure your interests are represented. You probably dont want to just rely on the builders title company to take care of the details. This article was edited by Laura Grace Tarpley. Everything we know about the Hezbollah device explosions and the questions that remain At least 12 people including two children have been killed and thousands wounded after electronic pagers belonging to Hezbollah simultaneously exploded in Lebanon and Syria. The majority of the explosions took place in the southern suburbs of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. Additional explosions were recorded in the Syrian capital of Damascus, where Hezbollah members are based. On Wednesday, more explosions have been heard in Beirut and other cities with reports walkie-talkie devices had been detonated. Tuesdays blasts began in Beirut about 3.30pm local time. Witnesses reported seeing smoke coming from people's pockets, before seeing small explosions that sounded like fireworks. In one clip, CCTV footage appeared to show an explosion in a mans trouser pocket as he stood at a shop till. The explosions continued for around an hour, with people starting to pour into hospitals. Lebanese Public Health Minister Firass Abiad said damage to the hands and face made up the majority of injuries. Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran and allied to Hamas, controls southern Lebanon, where they have been exchanging rocket fire with Israel across the border for nearly a year, connected to the war in Gaza. That was triggered when Hamas launched a bloody act of terror in Israel on 7 October, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages into Gaza, which is run by Hamas. A day later, after Israel began its aerial and later ground attack in the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians according to the local health ministry, Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel. They have vowed not to stop firing rockets until Israel ends its war in Gaza. The explosions of hundreds, if not thousands of electronic pagers used by Hezbollah to communicate to one another could spell the latest iteration of this ongoing conflict. It also threatens to escalate the conflict yet again. Who is responsible? Hezbollah legislator Ali Ammar, whose son was reportedly one of those killed in the attack on Tuesday, was pictured being consoled by fellow officials (AP) Both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government - they are separate authorities - quickly blamed Israel for the attack. The Israeli military, in keeping with its policy of not remarking on attacks outside of its own territory, told The Independent that it is refraining from commenting. After initially releasing a statement saying they were investigating the explosions, Hezbollah issued a second comment saying they held Israel fully responsible for the attack, though they provided no evidence to substantiate this claim. After examining all the facts, current data, and available information about the sinful attack that took place this afternoon, we hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression that targeted civilians too, the group said. They vowed to punish Israel by way of response. Lebanons foreign ministry condemned what it called an Israeli cyber attack. The ministry said in a statement that it is preparing to submit a complaint to the United Nations Security Council. This dangerous and deliberate Israeli escalation is accompanied by Israeli threats to expand the scope of the war against Lebanon on a large scale, and by the intransigence of Israelis positions calling for more bloodshed, destruction and devastation, it said. How has this happened? Lebanese army soldiers stand guard at the entrance of a hospital (background) in Beirut (AFP via Getty Images) Sources claimed to Reuters that Israel's Mossad spy agency planted explosives inside 5,000 pagers imported by Hezbollah. A senior Lebanese source said the devices had been modified by Israel's spy service "at the production level" meaning somwhere along the supply chain during manufacture or transit. Attacks using this method to hack software are known, but modifying hardware is rarer, as it will involve a bigger plan to get their hands on all the devices. "The Mossad injected a board inside of the device that has explosive material that receives a code. It's very hard to detect it through any means. Even with any device or scanner," the source said. The source said 3,000 of the pagers exploded when a coded message was sent to them, simultaneously activating the explosives. Another security source told Reuters that up to three grams of explosives were hidden in the new pagers and had gone "undetected" by Hezbollah for months. Another Hezbollah security source added that the new pagers that Hezbollah members were carrying had lithium batteries that apparently exploded. A Hezbollah official told the Associated Press the pagers were a new brand, but declined to say how long they had been in use but it is believed they were brought into the Lebanon earlier this year. Taiwanese company Gold Apollo said it authorised its brand on the pagers that exploded in Lebanon and Syria, but they were manufactured by a company based in Budapest. The AR-924 pagers were manufactured by BAC Consulting KFT, based in Hungary's capital, according to a statement by Gold Apollo. It said: "According to the co-operation agreement, we authorise BAC to use our brand trademark for product sales in designated regions, but the design and manufacturing of the products are solely the responsibility of BAC." Other Hezbollah officials speculated that the devices may have been contaminated with malware that caused the pagers to overheat and explode. Independent intelligence analysts have suggested the explosions looked like the type of sophisticated operation characteristic of Mossad, the Israeli intelligence services. Attackers would have needed to know at least the make and models of the individual pagers to do this. That the attacks were coordinated suggests the attackers may have also known the serial numbers of the devices. However the attack was coordinated, it represents a serious security breach for Hezbollah. What does this mean for tensions in the area? This photo taken from a position in northern Israel shows a Hezbollah UAV intercepted by Israeli air forces over north Israel on 25 August 2024 (AFP via Getty Images) Fears that Israels war in the Gaza Strip could escalate to a war with Hezbollah in Lebanon have abounded for months. At various points this year, Hezbollah officials, including top commander Fuad Shukr, were killed by what appeared to be Israeli airstrikes on Beirut and the Iranian embassy in Damascus. Hezbollah vowed to respond to each attack - and they have done the same with this latest incident. How that could manifest itself is unclear but previous responses have involved firing volleys of rockets and missiles into northern Israel. The area has been evacuated while these attacks are ongoing but Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday officially included the safe relocation of the displaced civilians back to northern Israel as one of their main war aims. What does whoever is behind this get out of it? Most clearly, the assault has significantly destroyed Hezbollahs communication systems and will have hit morale given the scale of the security breach. If it is Israel, sowing such confiusion and discord could be a prelude to a wider attack on the Israeli-Lebanon border, although there have been few signs of the required military build-up. Beyond that, intelligence analysts have suggested that the culprit may be signalling to Hezbollah that it has access to its deliveries, which would be a major setback for the group. It will make Hamas question its entire security apparatus. On Tuesday, before the cascading expolsions of pagers, Israels Shin Bet domestic security service claimed they had foiled a plan by Hezbollah to kill a former Israeli security official by remotely detonating an explosive device from Lebanon. So a case of whatever you can do, we can do better may also have been a factor. What is a pager and why do Hezbollah use them? Pagers pre-date mobile phones, having been widely used in the 1980s and 1990s. They are a one-way communications device, allowing people to send a short message via radio signal to the pager. Often it would be a number to call back. Hezbollah has been very cautious with its communications. Previous airstrikes targeting their private meetings have highlighted the strenth of Israeli intelligence. Aware that mobile phone conversations could easily be hacked and traced, they are likely to have switched to the lo-fi pager alternative to make it harder to be watched by the Israeli intelligence services. The dangers of mobile phones have long been clear to Hezbollah. In 1996, Israels assassination of the Hamas bomb-maker Yahya Ayyash was conducted by his phone exploding in his hand. It is reported that senior Hamas officials, including the groups leader Yahya Sinwar, who is hiding out in tunnels beneath the Gaza Strip, has resorted to using handwritten notes to communicate with his fellow Hamas personnel for this same reason. Who has said what about it? Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly blamed the attack on Israel (AP) Responses across the world have varied. A source at the British foreign office said they were monitoring the situation closely. We are particularly concerned by reports of civilian casualties, they said. The US expressed a similar sentiment, as did the United Nations. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric described the developments in Lebanon as extremely concerning, adding: We deplore the civilian casualties that we have seen. We cannot underscore enough the risks of escalation in Lebanon and in the region. Iranian state-run IRNA news agency said that the country's ambassador, Mojtaba Amani, was superficially wounded by an exploding pager and was being treated at a hospital. Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has strongly condemned what he and other officials also claimed was an Israeli attack. Iran state media reported that Mr Araghchi made the comments in a phone conversation with his Lebanese counterpart, Abdallah Bou Habib. Hamas issued a statement on the Telegram messenger app saying they strongly condemned what they also believed was an Israeli attack. The Houthis, another Iran-backed militia based in Yemen, described the incident as a heinous crime and a violation of Lebanese sovereignty. We are certain that Lebanon is capable of facing all challenges, and has a resistance movement capable of deterring [Israel] and making it pay a heavy price for any escalation it may undertake against Lebanon, spokesperson Mohammed Abdelsalam wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Two retired FDNY chiefs were arrested Monday on federal charges for allegedly accepting $190,000 in bribes to speed up building inspections. Brian Cordasco and Anthony Saccavino pleaded not guilty to all charges and were released on bond. Photo courtesy of FDNY Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Two retired FDNY chiefs were arrested Monday on federal charges for allegedly accepting $190,000 in bribes to speed up building inspections. Retired Chief Brian Cordasco and retired Chief Anthony Saccavino were arrested at their homes following an investigation into nearly two years of safety inspections, covering approximately 30 projects in New York. The 43-page indictment unsealed Monday accuses both chiefs of soliciting and accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribe payments from companies and individuals in exchange for speeding up fire inspections. They "repeatedly abused their positions of trust as high-ranking officials in the New York City Fire Department," the indictment reads. "They allegedly created a VIP lane for faster service that could only be accessed with bribes," said Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. "That's classic pay-to-play corruption." Cordasco and Saccavino pleaded not guilty to all charges, including solicitation and receipt of a bribe and wire fraud, during Monday's arraignment in Manhattan federal court, where they surrendered their passports and $250,000 bond. Earlier this year, the FBI searched the chiefs' homes and offices, as the FDNY placed them on modified duty. The FDNY's Brooklyn headquarters was also searched. Despite accusations of bribes, the FBI said there is no evidence the alleged scheme compromised the safety of any building. Robert Tucker, the current fire commissioner, promised the department will cooperate with the investigation. "Every member of the FDNY takes a sworn oath to conduct themselves honestly and ethically. Anything less will not be tolerated. The department will fully cooperate with any ongoing investigations," Tucker said. "Keeping New Yorkers safe remains our top priority." New York Mayor Eric Adams has been the target of a number of federal investigations, including one involving expedited building inspections. Adams said the accusations against the two retired fire chiefs began under the previous mayor, Bill de Blasio. "I take them extremely seriously," Adams said last week, in reference to the investigations. "I've spent more than 20 years in law enforcement, and so every member of my administration knows my expectations that we must follow the law." Saccavino, who was a 9/11 first responder, retired in March of this year and will receive an annual pension of $261,789. "He deserves the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, just like any citizen," Saccavino's attorney Joseph Caldarera said in a statement. "Chief Saccavino's legacy as a firefighter and a leader should not be overshadowed by these claims." Cordasco retired in June and is set to receive an annual pension of $125,573. "He's a dedicated firefighter for two decades, serving fearlessly and faithfully," Cordasco's lawyer Frank Rothman told reporters outside the courtroom Monday. "This is indeed a sad and troubling day." Ex-police officer accused of killing shoplifting suspect goes on trial in Virginia FILE - Timothy McCree Johnson's parents Melissa Johnson, center, and Timothy Walker, left, address reporters along with attorney Carl Crews, right, outside Fairfax County Police headquarters, March 22, 2023, in Fairfax, Va. (AP Photo/Matthew Barakat, File) FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) A trial for a former northern Virginia police officer began Tuesday in the fatal shooting of an unarmed man suspected of shoplifting a pair of sunglasses. Wesley Shifflett is charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless discharge of a weapon in the killing of 37-year-old Timothy McCree Johnson near a busy shopping mall on Feb. 22, 2023. On Monday, authorities began selecting 12 people for the jury. Opening arguments are scheduled to begin Wednesday once officials complete jury selection. Shifflett pleaded not guilty in the case. Shifflett and another Fairfax County police officer chased Johnson on foot after receiving a report from security guards that Johnson had stolen sunglasses from a Nordstrom department store in Tysons Corner Center. Police body camera footage shows the nighttime chase and shooting. Shifflett can be heard ordering Johnson to stay on the ground and later to stop reaching. Both officers open fire, but Shifflett fired the fatal shot. Later, Shifflett tells another officer that he saw the suspect reaching for a weapon in his waistband. Police searched for a weapon but found nothing. The Fairfax County Police Department fired Shifflett the following month for what Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis called a failure to live up to the expectations of our agency, in particular use of force policies. Initially, a grand jury declined to indict Shifflett in the shooting, but Fairfax County Commonwealths Attorney Steve Descano sought and received court approval for a special grand jury to reinvestigate, which he said gave prosecutors a greater ability to oversee the investigation. The second panel chose to indict Shifflett. Descano said at the time that an involuntary manslaughter charge is appropriate when a killing occurs due to gross or wanton conduct that lacks malice. Caleb Kershner, Shiffletts attorney, blasted Descanos decision to impanel a special grand jury and the subsequent indictment. Few people understand what its like to have a gun pulled on you and regularly being put in risk of death, Kershner said at the time. These men and women in uniform serve by putting their lives on the line every day. In recent hearings, attorneys squabbled over what evidence could be presented at trial. Barry Zweig, the lead prosecutor, filed a motion to be allowed to introduce evidence that Shifflett had aimed his weapon at other shoplifting suspects in other instances, but Circuit Court Judge Randy Bellows denied that request. Bellows agreed to allow Shifflett's defense team to present evidence concerning Johnson's criminal history. Johnson was 17 years old when he tried to steal a vehicle belonging to an off-duty agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Maryland. As he tried to flee in the vehicle, Johnson nearly hit the agent, who responded by shooting him. In 2004, Johnson pleaded guilty as a juvenile to second-degree assault. Johnson also pleaded guilty in 2019 to involuntary manslaughter in a fatal Washington car crash while he was driving under the influence. Bellows ruled this incident would not allowed to be presented to trial jurors, a spokesperson for the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office said Monday. ___ Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. The ex-wife of the so-called Monster of Avignon spoke out after her former husband stunned a French courtroom by admitting all the abuse charges against him and saying: I am a rapist like the others in the room. Dominique Pelicots surprise confession that he drugged and raped his unwitting wife Gisele over 10 years during their outwardly happy marriage also appears to have implicated the 50 co-defendants accused of sexually assaulting her. They all knew, they cannot say the contrary, said Pelicot, a 71-year-old former electrician. French Rape Monster Whines That HIS Life Has Been Ruined by Arrest Referring to his wife, he told Vaucluse Criminal Court in Avignon, France: I was very happy with her She did not deserve this. Gisele Pelicot was offered the opportunity to respond to her now ex-husbands testimony. Looking impassively at him, she said: It is difficult for me to listen to this. For 50 years, I lived with a man who I wouldve never imagined could be capable of this. I trusted him completely. She waived immunity before the September 2 start of the trial. Her attorneys said she opened the court to the public with the intention of ensuring that any shame was focused on her former spouse. Earlier in the trial, a psychologist testified that Pelicot blamed his then-wife for his actions in drugging her because she refused to share his desire to participate in swinging. In the dock on Tuesday, Pelicot said: I am guilty of what I did. I subjected my wife, my children, my grandchildren to this. I regret what I did. I ask for forgiveness even if it is not forgivable. He blamed his abuse on being raped by a male nurse when he was nine. I only remember shocks and traumas from my youth. She did not deserve this, Pelicot added. I admit it. We are not born perverts, we become them. I think that what I have experienced is preponderant in my story. Talking about the child abuse he said he suffered, Pelicot told the hushed court: It was in the dark, I had a bandage and a headache. A guy came and said to me, My name is Basile, do you want some candy? There were caresses, I felt a mustache, a great deal of pain, I didnt understand what was happening to me. Pelicot insisted he didnt abuse any other members of his family. We had three children, and grandchildren, whom I never touched, he said. I can look my family in the eyes and tell them that nothing else occurred. He denied hating his wife, claiming that he was crazy about her during their marriage and still loved her. I loved her well for 40 years and badly for 10, he said. Asked why he didnt stop drugging his wife and filming her being raped by strangers after she exhibited signs of illness that turned out to be side effects from the medication, Pelicot answered: I tried to stop, but my addiction was stronger, the need was growing. I was trying to reassure her, I betrayed her trust. I shouldve stopped sooner. In fact, I shouldve never started at all. Pelicot entered court using a cane after being absent from court for several days suffering from a kidney infection. Pelicots lawyer Beatrice Zavarro told French television, according to the BBC, that her client was sharing his truth. The confession is now underway and he will continue, she added. We will get to the end of this trial and we will know everything about Dominique Pelicot. 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. YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A former Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) president and treasurer for Wellsville Elementary School is accused of racking up thousands of dollars worth of personal purchases on the organizations bank card. According to the charges filed by State Police at Lykens, Jennifer Beck, 41, of Dover, allegedly stole a total of $4,811.03 from personal buys and withdrawals from the PTO account from June 2020 to December 2021. Chambersburg Police investigating homicide, two persons of interest detained Beck took over the position of President and Treasurer in March 2020 and was the only person allowed to use the organizations bank card. State Police said they talked with PTO officials regarding reported stolen money and learned that Beck was suspected of making withdrawals for personal use. Beck was allegedly making the withdrawals even throughout the pandemic when all events and meetings were canceled, State Police said. A new Treasurer was elected for Wellsville PTO, and after that, Beck claimed there was a banking error, according to the charges. After she stepped down, Beck deposited a check into the PTO funds and didnt tell anyone, according to State Police. A booklet containing the card transactions at the bank showed that Beck made eight withdrawals and 56 transactions for personal use, State Police said. The transactions included meals, gas stations, and groceries. The elementary school reported to State Police that it had gotten a letter from Beck and that a check had been written out to the Wellsville PTO. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter When Beck was interviewed, she said that if she made personal purchases with the card, then it was a mistake and that she destroyed the card, according to the charges. Beck was charged with felony counts of theft and access device fraud. She posted her bail in August and is out of York County Prison. Beck is scheduled to be formally arraigned Oct. 15. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Officials in Lebanon reported that hundreds of people had been arriving at hospitals after the simultaneous explosion of pagers - Wael Hamzeh/Shutterstock Israel is suspected of being behind an audacious attack on Hezbollah commanders after nine people were killed and 2,750 wounded by the simultaneous explosion of pagers. Video footage showed Hezbollah members being struck in the body and face as the pagers, which they use to communicate, blew up after seemingly being booby-trapped en masse. Around 200 of the injured were said to be in a critical condition after what Iran-backed Hezbollah described as its biggest security breach since cross-border fighting broke out in the wake of the Oct 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, Hezbollahs Palestinian ally. Irans ambassador to Beirut was among the injured. Lebanons prime minister and Hezbollah blamed Israel for the attacks, with the terror group vowing revenge. The US urged restraint from Iran in response. It came hours after Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, announced that Israel was broadening its aims in the current conflict to include the return of thousands of its citizens to homes near the border with Lebanon, which had been evacuated because of constant missile attacks. Until now, Israels stated objective had been to crush Hamas and bring home the hostages seized by its terrorists during the attacks that started the war in Gaza almost a year ago. Fears of a full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah which controls southern Lebanon have been growing after Israel warned the US on Monday that the chance of a diplomatic solution to the conflict on its northern border was fading. Mr Netanyahu has spoken of the need for a fundamental change to the security situation on the border. It is unclear whether the pagers attack for which Hezbollah said it held Israel fully responsible was designed to weaken the terror group before a possible invasion or was simply a show of strength by the embattled Mr Netanyahu to appease hawks in his country. Hezbollah responded by saying that Israel will certainly receive its just punishment for this sinful aggression. The affected pagers were from a new shipment that was received by Hezbollah in the last few days, multiple sources reported. A Hezbollah official said hundreds of fighters had the devices. The attack was co-ordinated for 3.30pm local time (1.30pm UK) and according to reports the pagers beeped for several seconds before exploding. The pagers received a message that appeared as though it was coming from the leadership of Hezbollah, The New York Times reported, citing a US official. Explosive material was hidden in pagers and shipped to Lebanon, according to the newspaper. Officials said one to two ounces of explosive material were hidden in each pager next to the battery along with a switch that could remotely detonate the device. About 3,000 AP924 pagers had been ordered from a company in Europe and many of them were tampered with before Hezbollah received them. Hezbollah had instructed its members to avoid mobile phones after the Gaza war began and to instead rely on pagers to prevent Israel from intercepting communications. Prof Alan Woodward, a cyber security expert at the University of Surrey, told The Telegraph: A tiny amount of explosive can injure badly, especially when right next to the body. If this proves to be real, I dont think its a cyber attack, but rather an old-fashioned explosive booby trap. Ive heard of lithium ion batteries spontaneously igniting, but to make it happen on demand is a different matter entirely. Pager explosions also injured Hezbollah members in Syria, Iranian media reported. There were unconfirmed reports of deaths as well, and seven people reported to have been injured in Damascus. The son of a Lebanese member of parliament was killed, while Mojtaba Amani, Irans ambassador to Beirut, and two of his bodyguards were injured when a pager exploded in Lebanon. Video footage showed one mans device appearing to explode in a bag slung over his shoulder while he shopped in a supermarket, and bleeding men were seen lying on the streets in the city of Baalbek. Firas al-Abyad, Lebanons health minister, said more than 100 hospitals in Lebanon had received wounded patients after blasts across the country. Among the dead was the 10-year-old daughter of a Hezbollah member. The girl was killed when her fathers pager exploded as she was standing beside him, her family and a source close to Hezbollah said. Explosions also occurred in the Dahiya neighbourhood in Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold where a top commander was assassinated by Israel in July, and in the eastern Bekaa Valley, according to a Hezbollah spokesman. Lebanons foreign ministry said it had prepared a complaint to submit to the United Nations Security Council, as the countrys prime minister called it a serious violation of our sovereignty. Israeli officials told The Telegraph they had been instructed not to comment on the attacks in Lebanon, but Topaz Luk, a close adviser of Mr Netanyhau, retweeted a post from an Israeli journalist who predicted that the prime minister would not launch a major attack in Lebanon before flying to New York next week. This didnt age well, Mr Luk responded. Mr Netanyahus office quickly issued a statement in which it said Mr Luk hasnt been serving as the prime ministers spokesman for a few months now, and isnt in the close circle of discussion. A man injured after his pager exploded is taken for treatment at the al-Zahraa hospital in Beirut - Hussein Malla/AP On Tuesday, the US said it was not aware in advance and had no involvement in the mass explosions as it urged restraint by Iran. I can tell you that the US was not involved in it, the US was not aware of this incident in advance and, at this point, were gathering information, Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesman, told reporters. We would urge Iran not to take advantage of any incident to try to add further instability and to further increase tensions in the region. Residents of three Israeli towns near the Lebanese border were asked to stay near bomb shelters shortly after the attacks in Lebanon because of the unique security situation. The Foreign Office on Tuesday night called for calm heads and de-escalation. A UN spokesman said the developments in Lebanon were extremely concerning, especially given the extremely volatile situation in the Middle East. Mr Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, his defence minister, held discussions at the defence ministrys HQ at the Kirya base in Tel Aviv about how Israel should respond to a potential escalation by Hezbollah. The prime minister said on Sunday that the current situation in the north, with daily attacks from Hezbollah, will not continue, adding: This requires a change in the balance of forces on our northern border. Mr Gallant informed Lloyd Austin, his American counterpart, that hopes for a diplomatic solution were dwindling and a full-scale war was looming, blaming Hezbollahs ongoing position of tying itself to Hamas. The trajectory is clear, said Mr Gallant, indicating that Israel would have to go to war with Hezbollah to end the rocket and drone attacks. He had previously warned Hezbollah that Israel would take Lebanon back to the Stone Age in the event of a full-blown war. 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. Hezbollah has suffered what it described as the biggest security breach in almost a year of conflict with Israel after at least nine people were killed and thousands wounded on Tuesday after their pagers exploded, according to officials. Lebanons health minister says some 2,800 people were wounded, including 200 seriously, mostly impacting the face, eyes, limbs, and abdomen. The National News Agency, the Lebanese government-owned news agency, reported injuries in Beirut and the Marjeyoun District in southern Lebanon and blamed the explosions on the Israel Defense Forces, claiming the pagers were detonated using advanced technology. The IDF declined to comment to Reuters. Among those killed were a 10-year-old girl in the village of Saraain and two Hezbollah members, said Hezbollah-controlled Al-Ahed News. Iranian state television reported that the countrys ambassador to Lebanon had one of the pagers that exploded and was injured. BREAKING via Reuters Hundreds of members of Hezbollah were seriously wounded on Tuesday when the pagers they use to communicate exploded. Here is one video of one of the pager explosions. pic.twitter.com/UDepHvkkEe Yashar Ali (@yashar) September 17, 2024 Officials told all citizens who own pagers to throw them out immediately. Footage circulated on social media, verified by Reuters, shows detonations taking place at food markets and by cashier stations. The explosions, which began around 3:45 p.m. local time and lasted for about an hour, come as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a series of top-level security meetings on mounting tensions along Israels northern border. The IDF also released footage of recent airstrikes conducted on suspected Hezbollah weapons stores in Southern Lebanon. Hezbollah, a Shia Islamist political party and paramilitary group, began using pagers, which were popular in the 1990s to receive and display messages, as part of a bid to frustrate Israels formidably high-tech surveillance infrastructure. Hezbollah has used other seemingly antiquated methods like landlines and coded messages to evade sophisticated detection. 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. DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Residents across the Midstate are receiving emails threatening to expose personal information and photos in this extortion scam, according to the Lower Paxton Township Police Department. Police said that they have received multiple calls regarding an extortion scam being emailed to residents. Residents are told that malware has been installed on their computers and that personal information and photographs will be leaked to friends, family, and colleagues if residents do not send money via Bitcoin. In the last few months, there have been reports of similar scams sent via email across the Midstate that include threats of extortion, pictures of residents homes, and their addresses. According to AARP, recipients of these emails shouldnt panic. Scammers tend to send these emails out in large batches following corporate data breaches. Even if an email contains some sort of personal information, its likely just a scare tactic. Police encourage anyone receiving this or similar emails to contact local police and not send money to the scammers. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HONOLULU (KHON2) State and community leaders unveiled Oahus newest medical services facility in Downtown Honolulu that aims to serve medically vulnerable homeless individuals. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The Aala Respite is located at 445 N. King St. and comes staffed with a full medical team to establish care for incoming patients. Oahus 2024 homeless population census increases by 12% Aala Respite represents a new and innovative approach that has quickly shown promising results in our efforts to ease the pain and suffering of our homeless population. Rick Blangiardi The facility offers 32 treatment beds where individuals who are too sick to stay in shelters to receive 24-hour care from on-site physicians and staff. Additionally, the City has installed 30 kauhale units in the parking lot, where patients can receive medical treatment and support from their own space. Our medically fragile homeless population can come here, get better, and then from here, this is a transient place to stay. They can then get placed in the most appropriate setting, Honolulu EMS Department Director Dr. Jim Ireland explained. Officials said the state-funded facility addresses the homeless issues promised by Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Governor Josh Green M.D. The state has partnered with Premier Medical Group Hawaii, who is managing the facility, on a $4 million annual contract through June 2025. We need a place that doesnt say no because there are so many facilities that say no. We cant do that. We cant take that. So thats what this is. This is a place ready to care for all of our homeless, no matter how sick and ill they are, said Dr. Scott Miscovich of Premiere Medical Group Hawaii. Check out more news from around Hawaii According to the City and County of Honolulu, Aala Respite began accepting patients in July. As of Monday, approximately 45 patients are currently receiving treatment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Claim: An "ABC News whistleblower" died in a car crash following the Sept. 10, 2024, U.S. presidential debate. Rating: Rating: False In the days following the Sept. 10, 2024, U.S. presidential debate presented by ABC News, online users shared a rumor claiming a purported "ABC News whistleblower" died in a car crash. The rumor suggested ABC News provided U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris with the moderators' questions prior to the televised event, giving her an unfair advantage against former President Donald Trump. However, the rumor claiming a whistleblower from the news channel died in a car crash was false. Further, we have yet to uncover any credible evidence of the existence of a "whistleblower" releasing an authentic "report" or "affidavit" regarding such a claim, nor did we locate reliable data suggesting Harris received debate questions in advance. The Daily Beast reported that an ABC News spokesperson denied the rumor about the network providing Harris with questions. "Absolutely not," the spokesperson said, adding, "Harris was not given any questions before the debate." Snopes also obtained the following statement from an ABC News spokesperson: "ABC News followed the debate rules that both campaigns agreed on and which clearly state: 'No topics or questions will be shared in advance with campaigns or candidates.'" The False Rumor Spread on X As one example of how this rumor spread online, on Sept. 13, an account on X named Retro Coast (@RetroCoast) posted (archived): "Breaking: The ABC News whistleblower who revealed Kamala Harris was given the debate questions in advance has DIED in an auto accident. The crash happened early on the morning of September 13 outside Bethesda #Maryland." The post had more than 300,000 views. Other users mentioned the rumor on X, including one Sept. 14 post (archived) that received more than 3.3 million views. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene Shared It U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., also posted (archived) on Sept. 15, "The ABC whistleblower who claimed Kamala Harris was given debate questions ahead of the debate has died in a car crash according to news reports." Greene did not cite any sources. Instead, she simply shared speculation in a post seen by millions of users. Hours after Greene's post, she clarified in a second post (archived), "This story appears to be false and I'm glad to hear it. We need a serious investigation into the whistleblower's report that Kamala Harris was given debate questions ahead of time from ABC!" Greene's history of sharing either false or unfounded rumors also included promoting the Qanon conspiracy theory, questioning the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, falsely claiming George Floyd died of a drug overdose, spouting 9/11 conspiracy theories and baselessly suggesting the Rothschilds, a Jewish banking family, were part of a conspiracy regarding "lasers or blue beams of light" started the 2018 California wildfires. The Source of the Rumor An X "community note" displayed under Greene's initial post said the rumor about the car crash death originated in an article published on a generic blog on Sept. 13. The blog's name showed as Bgrnd Search or Background Searched Articles and was hosted on CountyLocalNews.com a website having nothing to do with a specific U.S. county or local news. The website displayed no author names other than "admin" and featured scam advertisements and unfinished template elements at the bottom of every page, including the words "custom footer text left" and "custom footer text right." We emailed the website's owner or owners to ask questions. Soon after, one of the owners removed the story from the website. We did not yet receive any answers to our email. The appearance of the article suggested its creator possibly used an artificial-intelligence tool to write it. The article began: So, a bombshell revelation has just hit the news cycle that has sent shockwaves through the political world. An ABC News whistleblower who exposed that Kamala Harris was given debate questions in advance has tragically passed away in a car accident. The incident occurred in the early hours of September 13 outside Bethesda, Maryland. The news of the whistleblower's death has sparked a flurry of speculation and conspiracy theories online. Many are questioning the circumstances surrounding the accident and whether foul play was involved. Some are even suggesting that the whistleblower may have been targeted because of the information they revealed about Harris. This tragic turn of events has reignited debates about media ethics and the role of whistleblowers in our society. It serves as a stark reminder of the risks that individuals take when they come forward with sensitive information that could potentially damage powerful figures. The timing of the whistleblower's death is particularly eerie, coming just days after the initial report about Harris receiving debate questions in advance. The incident has raised eyebrows and led to calls for a thorough investigation into what really happened. One user on X mentioned the creator of the false rumor possibly based the story on a genuine bus crash occurring in Maryland on Sept. 13 the same date mentioned in the false article. The Associated Press' account of the crash said the matter involved a senior living facility's bus and a dump truck, with the bus driver and two bus passengers dying as a result of the incident. The reporting mentioned nothing of ABC News or a "whistleblower." Further, this real crash occurred in the settlement of Nanjemoy, which is not located near Bethesda the city featured in the dubious website's story. Sources: "3 Are Killed When a Senior Living Facility Bus and a Dump Truck Crash in Southern Maryland." The Associated Press, 13 Sept. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/nanjemoy-maryland-senior-living-bus-crash-ba35077d8c0c7ccadddf7bcf4817db42. Bolies, Corbin. "ABC Slams Trump's Latest Conspiracy Theory About Debate Loss." The Daily Beast, 12 Sept. 2024, https://www.thedailybeast.com/abc-denies-kamala-harris-was-given-questions-before-trump-debate. Evon, Dan. "Qurious About QAnon? Get the Facts About This Dangerous Conspiracy Theory." Snopes, 21 Aug. 2020, https://www.snopes.com//news/2020/08/21/qanon-2020-election/. Google Maps. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Nanjemoy,+Maryland+20662/Bethesda,+Maryland/. Ibrahim, Nur. "Did Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Say 'Jewish Lasers' Caused CA Wildfires?" Snopes, 1 Feb. 2021, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/greene-jewish-lasers-wildfires/. Izzo, Jack. "Did George Floyd Actually Die of a Drug Overdose, as Tucker Carlson Claimed?" Snopes, 30 Dec. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/george-floyd-die-of-overdose/. MacGuill, Dan. "Did Marjorie Taylor Greene Confront a Parkland Shooting Survivor and Call Him a 'Coward'?" Snopes, 28 Jan. 2021, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/marjorie-taylor-greene-parkland/. "Nanjemoy." House Buyer of America, https://www.housebuyersofamerica.com/maryland/nanjemoy. Slodysko, Brian. "A Glance at Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's Incendiary Words." The Associated Press, 5 Feb. 2021, https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-technology-las-vegas-mass-shooting-media-social-media-700f28747d856a9bad22a59674a9afe6. Updates: Sept. 16, 2024: We updated this report after receiving a statement from ABC News. Fact Check: No, Map Doesn't Show All French Churches 'Set on Fire, Vandalized or Attacked in Recent Years' Claim: A map shows all of the churches in France that were "set on fire, vandalized or attacked in recent years." Rating: Rating: Miscaptioned Social media users are sharing a map with the false claim it shows French churches "destroyed," "vandalized" or "attacked" in "recent years." On Sept. 15, 2024, an X (archive) post with the map claimed, "Churches burned or vandalized in France in recent years. We all know it's not random." At least two other posts one on X (archive) and another on Reddit (archive) posts made the same claim in September 2024. Churches burned or vandalized in France in recent years. We all know it's not random. pic.twitter.com/B6fPpenH0x RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) September 15, 2024 The map often spreads in the wake of large fires at French churches that make global headlines. According to the Catholic News Agency, a historic church in the French town Saint-Omer was damaged in a fire on Sept. 2. That outlet alleged it was arson. We first observed the map spreading across social media platforms after the Notre Dame cathedral caught fire in April 2019. In July 2024, posts started to spread the map once again as a fire that was later contained broke out on the spire of a French cathedral. When we fact-checked the claim in 2019, we found posts blamed the Notre Dame fire on Muslims and connected the incident (which authorities reportedly said was likely an accident at the time) to churches that had been recently vandalized in France. Social media posts containing the claim in 2024 continued to baselessly blame Muslims for the incidents documented on the map. One X account commented on a post that contained the map: "This will only get worst. Those Islamists will first burn churches, then murder Christians and Jews." However, those claims weren't true. In 2019, we found this map came from christianophobie.fr, a website dedicated to tracking acts of "Christianophobia" in France and the rest of the world. While this image is often shared as if it shows all of the churches that were "destroyed" in France, the map actually documented a wide range of nefarious activity such as vandalism, theft, and arson that occurred at both churches and cemeteries over an apparent span of two years covering 2017 and 2018. It should also be noted that while this map documented some relatively serious crimes, such as arson or the toppling of church statues, many of these pins corresponded to graffiti-related incidents. We also found one pin related to a person simply interrupting a church service. We've fact-checked other claims about French churches before, like whether photographs authentically showed the real skull of Mary Magdalene inside a gold reliquary. Sources: Bayer, Lili. "Rouen Cathedral Fire Brought under Control in Normandy." The Guardian, 11 July 2024. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/11/france-rouens-cathedral-spire-on-fire. Evon, Dan. "Does a Map Shared Online Depict All Churches 'Destroyed' in France in the Last 4 Years?" Snopes, 18 Apr. 2019, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/churches-destroyed-in-france/. "https://x.com/BennettRobertJ/status/1118530361502334977." X, 17 April 2019. "L'observatoire de la Christianophobie." L'observatoire de la Christianophobie, 12 July 2024, https://christianophobie.fr/category/carte. Lytvynenko, Jane; Silverman, Craig. "A Timeline of How the Notre Dame Fire Was Turned Into an Anti-Muslim Narrative." Buzzfeed. 16 April 2019. McPartland, Ben. "'Turn France's Empty Churches into Mosques'." The Local. 15 June 2015. "Notre Dame Fire Was Likely Accident Prosecutor DW 04/16/2019." Deutsche Welle, https://www.dw.com/en/notre-dame-fire-was-likely-accident-not-arson-prosecutor/a-48348777. Accessed 12 July 2024. "This Map Doesn't Just Show Churches 'Destroyed' in France." Full Fact, 30 Apr. 2019, https://fullfact.org/online/french-church-map/. Tharoor, Ishaan. "The Notre Dame Fire Ignites the West's Far Right." Washington Post. 17 April 2019. Wazer, Caroline. "Real Pic of Mary Magdalene's Skull in French Church?" Snopes, 29 June 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/mary-magdalenes-skull/. What we know about the deadly pager blasts in Lebanon People gather outside a hospital, as more than 1,000 people, including Hezbollah fighters and medics, were wounded on Tuesday when the pagers they use to communicate exploded across Lebanon, according to a security source, in Beirut (Reuters) - At least nine people were killed and nearly 3,000 wounded when pagers used by Hezbollah members - including fighters and medics - detonated simultaneously across Lebanon. Here's what we know so far about the pager blasts. WHEN AND WHERE DID THE BLASTS TAKE PLACE? The detonations started around 3:30 p.m. (1230 GMT) in the southern suburbs of Beirut known as Dahiyeh and the eastern Bekaa valley - strongholds of the anti-Israel militant group Hezbollah. They lasted around an hour, with Reuters witnesses and residents of Dahiyeh saying they could still hear explosions at 4:30 p.m. (1730 GMT). According to security sources and footage reviewed by Reuters, some of the detonations took place after the pagers rang, causing the fighters to put their hands on them or bring them up to their faces to check the screens. HOW BIG WERE THE EXPLOSIONS? The blasts were relatively contained, according to footage reviewed by Reuters. In two separate clips from closed-circuit video of supermarkets, the blasts appeared only to wound the person wearing the pager or closest to it. Video from hospitals and shared on social media appeared to show individuals with injuries to their faces, missing fingers and gaping wounds at the hip where the pager was likely worn. The blasts did not appear to cause major damage to buildings or start any fires. WHAT TYPE OF PAGER EXPLODED? Israel's Mossad spy agency planted a small amount of explosives inside 5,000 Taiwan-made pagers ordered by Lebanese group Hezbollah months before Tuesday's detonations, a senior Lebanese security source and another source told Reuters. The Lebanese source said the group had ordered pagers made by Taiwan-based Gold Apollo, which several sources say were brought into the country earlier this year. The source identified a photograph of the model of the pager, an AR-924. Images of destroyed pagers analysed by Reuters showed a format and stickers on the back that were consistent with pagers made by Gold Apollo, a Taiwan-based pager manufacturer. Hezbollah did not reply to questions from Reuters on the make of the pagers. Gold Apollo's founder said the company did not make the pagers used in the explosions in Lebanon. They were manufactured by a company in Europe that had the right to use the Taiwanese firm's brand. Hezbollah fighters began using pagers in the belief they would be able to evade Israeli tracking of their locations, two sources familiar with the group's operations told Reuters this year. Three security sources told Reuters that the pagers that detonated were the latest model brought in by Hezbollah in recent months. WHAT CAUSED THE PAGERS TO EXPLODE? Iran-backed Hezbollah said it was carrying out a "security and scientific investigation" into the causes of the blasts and said Israel would receive "its fair punishment." Diplomatic and security sources speculated that the explosions could have been caused by the devices' batteries detonating, possibly through overheating. But others said that Israel might have infiltrated the supply chain for Hezbollah's pagers. The New York Times reported that Israel hid explosive material within a new batch of the pagers before they were imported to Lebanon, citing American and other officials briefed on the operation. Several experts who spoke with Reuters said they doubted the battery alone would have been enough to cause the blasts. Paul Christensen, an expert in lithium ion battery safety at Newcastle University, said the damage seemed inconsistent with past cases of such batteries failing. "What we're talking about is a relatively small battery bursting into flames. We're not talking of a fatal explosion here...my intuition is telling me that it's highly unlikely," he said. Another reason to doubt the explosions were caused by overheating batteries is that typically only a fully charged battery can catch fire or explode, said Ofodike Ezekoye, a University of Texas at Austin mechanical engineering professor. "Below 50% (charge)...it will generate gases and vapor, but no fires or explosions. It is highly unlikely that everyone whose pager failed had a fully charged battery," he said. Israeli intelligence forces have previously placed explosives in personal phones to target enemies, according to the 2018 book "Rise and Kill First". Hackers have also demonstrated the ability to inject malicious code into personal devices, causing them to overheat and explode in some instances. WHAT HAVE THE AUTHORITIES SAID? Lebanon's foreign ministry called the explosions an "Israeli cyberattack," but did not provide details on how it had reached that conclusion. Lebanon's information minister said the attack was an assault on Lebanon's sovereignty. Israel's military declined to respond to Reuters questions on the pager blasts. The U.S. State Department said Washington was gathering information and was not involved. The Pentagon said there was no change in U.S. force posture in the Middle East in the wake of the incident. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ISRAEL-HEZBOLLAH CONFLICT? Analysts see the threat of escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, which have exchanged cross-border fire since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza last October. But experts are more skeptical, for now, about the potential for triggering an imminent all-out Israel-Hezbollah war, which the U.S. has sought to prevent and which it believes neither side wants. Matthew Levitt, former deputy director of the U.S. Treasury's intelligence office and author of a book on Hezbollah, said the pager explosions could disrupt its operations for some time. Jonathan Panikoff, the U.S. government's former deputy national intelligence officer on the Middle East, said Hezbollah might downplay its "biggest counterintelligence failure in decades" but rising tensions could eventually erupt into full-scale war if diplomacy continues to fall short. (This story has been corrected to change the designation of the pager to AR-924 from AP-924 in paragraph 10) (Reporting by Laila Bassam, Maya Gebeily, Timour Azhari, Christopher Bing, Raphael Satter, James Pearson, Matt Spetalnick, Jonathan Landay, Humeyra Pamuk, Phil Stewart, Raphael Satter and David Brunnstrom; writing by Maya Gebeily and Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Don Durfee, Cynthia Osterman, Michael Perry and Jacqueline Wong) Two students have been arrested by the Fairfield County Sheriffs Office for making threats to local schools, the department said Tuesday. The FBI notified the sheriffs office of the threats Monday, the sheriffs office said in a statement posted to Facebook. Upon investigating, the sheriffs office linked the threats to two students from the Fairfield Union School District, arrested the students and transported them to the Fairfield County Multi-County Juvenile Detention Center, according to the statement. The sheriffs office did not disclose the charges filed against the juveniles. Anyone with information on the case can contact the Fairfield County Sheriffs Office at 740-652-7911, the department said. Schools face threats this fall Several schools in Ohio have dealt with threats already this school year. Whitehall Police Department said Thursday that it had arrested a 16-year-old boy who had posted a photo of a firearm and said he would "shoot up some area schools." The schools were not in the Whitehall area, police said, and the boy had only been living in Whitehall for about a week. The teen did not have access to firearms and did not appear to actually have plans to go forward with a shooting, police said. He was charged in juvenile delinquency court for the threats. Grandview Heights High School went forward with classes Friday after a shooting threat posted to social media was found not to be credible. And on Monday, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said schools in Springfield had received 33 bomb threats after baseless claims that Haitian immigrants ate pets circulated on social media, and former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, doubled down on the rumors. DeWine said the threats have been hoaxes and many have come from overseas. Nonetheless, Highway Patrol explosive sniffing dogs will work with the Springfield Police Department. Three dozen state troopers will provide additional security to the districts 18 school buildings. bagallion@dispatch.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Fairfield County school threats lead to 2 students' arrests, sheriff says Fake Babies in Slings Are Showing Up on Statues of Men in the United Kingdom Heres Why These efforts are headed by a group called the Dad Shift, which is advocating for improved paternity leave options in the U.K. The Dad Shift Statue with a baby in a sling Men across the United Kingdom have found a unique way to advocate for improved paternity leave options: tying life-size baby dolls to statues using slings. Activists have affixed these symbols of parenthood to statues of prominent figures in London and Edinburgh as they push government officials to expand the current requirements for parental leave, according to The Guardian and Edinburgh Evening News. According to both outlets, statues of Gene Kelly, Thierry Henry and Isambard Kingdom Brunel are among those that have been targeted in London, while statues of Robert Fergusson, Ken Buchanan and Wojtek the Soldier Bear in Edinburgh found themselves part of the grassroots campaign. These efforts are headed by an advocacy group called the Dad Shift, which shared on Instagram (alongside a carousel of photos of the statues) that "we want to draw attention to the important role that fatherhood plays in mens lives and why the UK government needs to give dads and co-parents better paternity leave." The group also reportedly plans to deliver an open letter to newly-appointed Prime Minister Keir Starmer later this month. The open letter, shared on the Dad Shifts website, asks Starmer to help implement better options for father and co-parents, which the advocates believe would help grow the economy while helping British families. The Dad Shift A Thierry Henry statue outside the Emirates Stadium Related: Alexis Ohanian Challenges Paternity Leave 'Stigma': 'Men Are Conditioned to Be Breadwinners' Proper parental leave for fathers and co-parents is good for mothers, good for babies, good for fathers and good for society too including improving health outcomes for all, the advocacy group said in its letter. They are also suggesting that countries with six or more weeks paternity leave also have a gender pay gap thats 4% smaller and a workforce participation gap that is 3.7% smaller too. Currently, the U.K. mandates up to two weeks of parental leave, which the Dad Shift described in its letter as the worst statutory paternity offer for new fathers across the whole of Europe. Fathers and co-parents who take the leave only receive 184.03 (or $242.11) a week in compensation, according to The Guardian and Evening News. Additionally, the Dad Shift said, One in three fathers take no leave at all when a new baby arrives. Half of those who do take the leave report struggling financially because of it, they added. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Dad Shift A statue with a baby sling tied around it Related: Everything Celebs Have Said About Taking (and Not Taking) Leave from Work After Welcoming a Baby In their plea to the prime minister, the Dad Shift reminded Starmer of his commitment he showed to his family during the election, when he was criticized for spending time with his loved ones. Its because of that commitment and that conviction that we wanted to write and ask for your help, making sure dads across the country can show up for their families just as you show up for yours, the group said. The Dad Shift The Isambard Kingdom Brunel statue at Paddington station The Dad Shifts letter calls on Starmer to meet with the group and consider getting behind the advocacy groups call for parental leave that is affordable for people to take, gives a substantial allowance of time, and supports equality among parents. Give dads the time they need to spend with their kids and figure out the fathers they want to become, the group concluded. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Fake Kamala hit-and-run story is the work of Russian propaganda group, Microsoft says By Christopher Bing (Reuters) - A false claim circulating on social media that Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris left a 13-year-old girl paralyzed after an alleged hit-and-run in San Francisco in 2011 is the work of a covert Russian disinformation operation, according to new research by Microsoft. Researchers found that the operation created a video, paid an actor to appear as the alleged victim, and spread the claim through a fake website for a non-existent San Francisco news outlet named "KBSF-TV". The Russian group responsible, which Microsoft dubs Storm-1516, is described as a Kremlin-aligned troll farm. The discovery is a sign of Russia ramping up its foreign influence efforts ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election, Microsoft said. A spokesperson for the Russian embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment. "Russian influence operations initially struggled to pivot operations aimed at the Democratic campaign following President Bidens departure from the U.S. 2024 presidential race," a blog published on Tuesday by Microsoft said. "In late August, however, elements of prolific Russian actor Storm-1516 began producing content implicating Vice President Harris and Governor Walz in outlandish fake conspiracy theories," Microsoft said, referring to Harris' running mate, Tim Walz. Storm-1516 is known for producing misleading videos featuring on-screen or voice actors who impersonate whistleblowers or journalists that share false, scandalous information, experts say. A website for KBSF-TV was created shortly before publishing its first related article about the alleged driving incident, according to online registration records. The claim was circulated on social media platforms, including X.com, using the hashtag #HitAndRunKamala. The video was also shared on Sept. 3 on X.com by Aussie Cossack, who describes himself as a "Registered foreign agent for Sputnik News," with the message "make this go viral MAGA folks." In total, it is estimated the video has been viewed more than 2.7 million times. "Many entities within the pro-Russian ecosystem advanced the video and its claims," said Microsoft's Threat Analysis Center. "Storm-1516 relies on some of these personalities, such as Aussie Cossack, to drive amplification of its videos." Cossack did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Earlier this month the U.S. Justice Department filed money-laundering charges against two employees of Russian state media network RT for what officials said was a scheme to hire an American company to produce online content to influence the election. U.S. officials say Russia's goal is to exacerbate U.S. political divisions and weaken public support for American military aid to Ukraine. Harris says if elected she will continue supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russia's invasion. (Reporting by Christopher Bing; Editing by Stephen Coates) Maria del Carmen Castellon, the wife of Miguel Luna, a welder who died during the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, places a rose near a portrait of her husband and his welding gear before speaking during a press conference, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) BALTIMORE (AP) Years after immigrating to the U.S. and settling in the Baltimore area, Maria del Carmen Castellon was working toward a new chapter of her familys American dream, hoping to expand her successful food truck business into a Salvadoran restaurant. Her husband, Miguel Luna, was right there beside her. Years of welding and construction jobs had begun taking a toll on his health, but he kept working hard because he couldnt afford to retire yet. He was filling potholes on an overnight shift when disaster struck. A massive container ship lost power and slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, sending Luna and five other men plunging to their deaths as the steel span collapsed into the water below. Several months later, Lunas family is still struggling to construct a future without him. That day, a wound was opened in my heart that will never heal, something I would not wish on anyone, Castellon said in Spanish, speaking through a translator at a news conference Tuesday. She appeared alongside other victims relatives and attorneys to announce their plans to take legal action against the owner and manager of the Dali, arguing the companies acted with negligence and ignored problems on the ship before the March 26 collapse. A last-minute mayday call from the ships pilot allowed police officers to stop traffic to the bridge, but they didnt have time to alert the road work crew. Most of the men were sitting in their construction vehicles during a break and had no warning. One survived falling from the bridge by manually opening the window of his truck and climbing out into the frigid waters of the Patapsco River. Following the disaster, salvage divers worked around the clock to recover the victims bodies. The underwater wreckage blocked the main channel into the Port of Baltimore for months, disrupting East Coast shipping routes and putting many longshoremen temporarily out of work. All six of the victims were Latino immigrants who came to the U.S. seeking better-paying jobs and opportunities for their families. Most had lived in the country for many years, including Luna, who grew up in El Salvador. He left behind five children. Luna would often go straight from a construction shift to helping at the food truck, where his wife served up pupusas and other Salvadoran dishes. The business attracted a diverse clientele and had a loyal following in their close-knit Latino community south of Baltimore. Castellon said the business symbolized their shared vision for the future. Just days before his death, Luna surprised her with a visit to the storefront they hoped to rent. Every mile driven in that food truck, every vegetable chopped took us a step closer to our dreams, she said. She recalled how he stopped by the food truck before heading to work the last time. She gave him dinner and he gave her a kiss. In seeking justice for her family, Castellon said, she hopes to prevent future tragedies by advocating for safer working conditions. She wants more robust protections for immigrant workers who too often find themselves taking dangerous jobs no one else is willing to do. She displayed a pair of her husbands old welding uniforms, noting holes in the fabric caused by flying sparks. Gustavo Torres, executive director of the Maryland-based advocacy group CASA, said it should come as no surprise that the victims of the collapse were immigrant workers. He said their suffering must not be brushed under the rug by corporate interests. No financial loss can compare to the loss of human life, Torres said at the news conference, calling the victims six irreplaceable souls whose loved ones are trying to pick up the pieces after their worlds were destroyed in an instant. The Dali is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and managed by Synergy Marine Group, both of Singapore. The companies filed a court petition days after the collapse seeking to limit their legal liability, a routine procedure for cases litigated under U.S. maritime law. The joint filing seeks to cap their liability at roughly $43.6 million in what could become the most expensive marine casualty case in history. Darrell Wilson, a spokesperson for the ships owner, said the victims upcoming challenge was anticipated and noted there is a Sept. 24 deadline for such filings in the case. He declined to comment further on the pending litigation. Several other interested parties, including city officials and local businesses, have already filed opposing claims accusing the companies of negligence. Filings on behalf of the victims and their families are expected in coming days. Preliminary findings from a National Transportation Safety Board investigation show that the Dali experienced a series of electrical issues before and after leaving the Port of Baltimore. The ship was destined for Sri Lanka when it experienced a power blackout and lost steering at the worst possible moment. The FBI launched an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the crash. A plan is underway to rebuild the bridge, but it could take years. Meanwhile, Castellon said she plans to continue pursuing her dream of opening a restaurant now in her husbands honor. I know he is up there watching down on me, celebrating all of the victories with me, she said. I will continue to make him proud. China announced last week it was ending its international adoption program, devastating hundreds of families in the U.S. in the process of adopting a child. "A lot of these families have persevered, believing that there would be a way for these children, many of whom they've met face-to-face, to be brought home through intervention. So this announcement was a real gut punch," Herbie Newell, president of Lifeline Children's Services, told Fox News Digital. Lifeline Children's Services is a faith-based ministry that helps vulnerable women in unexpected pregnancies and facilitates adoptions both domestically and internationally. The group works with 17 nations across the globe, including China. That relationship is uncertain now after Beijing told U.S. diplomats in China last week it "will not continue to process cases at any stage" except for blood relatives adopting a child or stepchild, according to The Associated Press. CHINA TO END FOREIGN ADOPTION PROGRAM, LEAVING HUNDREDS OF U.S. FAMILIES IN LIMBO A nurse examines newborn chinese children at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 30 April 2012 in Hong Kong. Photo by Victor Fraile (Photo by Victor Fraile/Corbis via Getty Images) "This is in line with the spirit of relevant international conventions," Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in a news conference . "We are grateful for the desire and love of the governments and adoptive families of relevant countries to adopt Chinese children." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Newell was "flabbergasted" to learn of the sudden policy change after three decades of working with China since the country opened its doors to international adoptions in 1992. "It really felt like from a personal perspective, it felt like a good friend had died because there had been such long term, stable participation with the People's Republic of China and the United States in finding homes for children with needs, children who were languishing in orphanages, to families that wanted to provide a loving, stable home here in the United States," he explained. I'M A CHRISTIAN AND I'M SUING MY STATE BECAUSE IT REFUSED TO LET ME ADOPT CHILDREN China announced last week it was ending its international adoption program, devastating hundreds of families in the U.S. in the process of adopting a child. Families were also left "reeling" from the sudden decision after waiting years to bring their children home. "I think the thing that hit the hardest was that we know there are anywhere between 200 and 400 children that had been matched with U.S. families pre-Covid 19. And those families have been in the process waiting to bring these children home," he continued. Since February 2020, no additional U.S. families they've worked with have been matched to Chinese children, he explained. Twelve of the children had already visited their adoptive families in the U.S. through a hosting program, he said, and trusted that they would eventually be brought to the U.S. "The families have actually had the opportunity to send care packages and to send via liaison communication to these children to let them know we're not giving up. We're fighting for you. So this comes as a huge blow," Newell said. "Again, I'm sad for ongoing participation. I'm sad that the program is ending. It's tragic for these kids that could become the collateral damage in this decision," he continued. The State Department said last week that the embassy is seeking clarification in writing from Chinas Ministry of Civil Affairs. "We understand there are hundreds of families still pending completion of their adoption, and we sympathize with their situation," the State Department said. Newell says Lifeline has been petitioning the U.S. government and Chinese government on behalf of these families since the beginning of the pandemic. He pledged to continue fighting for these families to get answers and hopefully bring home children with pending adoption cases. Over 80,000 children from China have been adopted by American parents since 1999, making up about 29% of all U.S. overseas adoptions, the U.S. State Department says. Fox News' Joshua Q. Nelson contributed to this article. Original article source: Families waiting to adopt children in China shocked by sudden policy change: 'Gut-punch' Family behind El Meson uses food to honor their heritage Family behind El Meson uses food to honor their heritage Nothing says family more than recipes handed down generation to generation, especially when those dishes give you a taste of home. A West Carrollton family honors Hispanic Heritage Month every day by bringing authentic dishes from Argentina, Puerto Rico and many other countries to Dayton. Anyone can say they make chicken and rice, but its how your grandmother made it, said Bill Castro, owner of West Carrolltons El Meson. Theres pride behind every family how they do it. The Castros, one of the Miami Valleys most famous families, have owned El Meson since 1978. Over the decades, Herman Castro has carefully orchestrated El Mesons authentic Hispanic dishes, with true tastes of Argentina, Chile, Puerto Rico and many more. Our food is very flavorful, said family matriarch Gloria Castro. It has a lot of good taste but not spicy. We dont put any hot things in our food. Herman and Gloria had the honor of being Hispanic Heritage grand marshals in 2023. So in 2024, theyre doing what theyve done best for over 70 years: simply dancing in the rain. We learned how to dance in the rain, said Herman. We have to dance and make things happen and even it is raining, have fun, so thats what makes us successful and proud of where we are. So dance in the rain, remember where youre from, but most importantly: Honor your familys heritage by cooking one dish at a time. Be proud of your own roots, said Bill. It doesnt matter if its African, German, Asian. Think back on your memories. Hispanic Heritage just shows us in a different light. It shows our versatility in language, culture, music, food, art, its so unique by showing where youre from. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WAUPACA, Wis. (WFRV) Stanges of Waupaca, a popular family-owned furniture store west of the Winnebago, has announced it will close its doors and go out of business. In a social media post, the owners, Mark and Liz Stange, confirmed that Stanges of Waupaca, located at 110 W. Union St., will be going out of business and having a total liquidation sale. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources offering $25 rebate for specific specialty license plate For 72 years and two generations, Stanges of Waupaca has been proud to serve the good people of central Wisconsin and beyond with their premier home furnishing needs, read a statement. So, it is with reserved excitement that we have made the decision to retire and close Stanges of Waupaca. As a result of the closure, the business has a short window of time to sell off all remaining inventory, and a total liquidation sale is underway. Stanges has set aside five days, from Sept. 19 through Sept. 23, for a special preferred customer sale. Youll save hundreds, even thousands of dollars on the finest name brand home furnishings from Century, Ekornes, Stressless, Hekman, Southern Motion, Fairfield, BDI, Lexington, USA Premium Leather, Trica, Lazar, Hometrends, Rowe, Mobican, Riverside, El Ran, Spring Air, Howard Miller, and other names cherished by American consumers must be sold immediately, added officials in the statement. All living rooms, including 100% fine leather, dining rooms, bedrooms, mattress sets, adjustable bed frames, occasional tables, recliners, sofas, tables, motion furniture, loveseats, lift chairs, lamps, wall art, and accessories will be reduced in price. All lights, pictures, mirrors, and accessories will be sold at 40% off the lowest ticketed price. Please take advantage of this opportunity to shop early for the best selection while quantities last, read the statement. When its gone, its gone. Customers shopping during the liquidation sale are also encouraged to register to win a $500 gift card from Stanges. Mark and Liz Stange expressed their gratitude toward central Wisconsin, concluding, Thank you again for your past patronage and friendship. The five-day special going out of business sale hours are as follows: Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m.; and Monday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. During the sale, Stanges will accept cash, checks, Visas, MasterCards, Discover, Amex, and financing. An outpour of love flooded the social media post, with customers congratulating the two owners on their retirement. Appleton International Airport officially breaks ground on 100-acre business park expansion [Im] so sad to learn, said Cory R. Thank you for great memories, neighbor. You and your family are always in my heart! For more information about Stanges of Waupaca, 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. COMSTOCK TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) A lawsuit filed by Soil Friends farm against Comstock Township and its officials in federal court has been dismissed, according to court documents. Since part of the farms suit included federal claims, the court has decided that the defendants, both Comstock Township attorneys, were barred from being sued on those claims by absolute immunity. Absolute prosecutorial immunity is a common-law doctrine that shields prosecutors from liability under the federal civil rights laws, a federal court document reads. Because its dismissing the federal claims, the court also decided not to consider the state-law claims. The farm owners could potentially file those claims again in a different court if they choose to do so. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in December by Soil Friends LLC and its owners, stems from disagreements two years ago between the farm and the township. Farm sues Comstock Township over citations Comstock Township issued several citations to the farm, saying its operations were not up to code, including operating a cider tasting room and a market that sold items not grown on the farm. The Kalamazoo County District Court issued a compliance order to shut the business down in December of 2022. But Soil Friends said its actions were within the law, citing a tasting room permit approved in 2018. Soil Friends had sued the township for First Amendment retaliation, unconstitutional conditions, violation of due process, regulatory takings, conspiracy to interfere with civil rights, state law preemption by Michigan Liquor Control Code, state law preemption by Michigan Right to Farm Act, interference with a business relationship, defamation under state law, violation of Michigans Open Meetings Act, intentional infliction of emotional distress under state law and civil conspiracy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Fremont Family YMCA will be hosting the Going for Gold Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. The event, sponsored by Methodist Fremont Health, will offer a range of health and wellness activities for the whole family. Attendees can enjoy free haircuts from Liz Does Hair, relaxing chair massages by Beyond Wellness, and have fun in an obstacle course bouncy house. A food truck will be on-site, and there will be a skills challenge, friendly competitions, and health-focused vendors. This event is a great way for our community to come together for a day of health and fun, said Lana Minton, event organizer at Fremont Family YMCA. We look forward to promoting well-being and fostering connections among families. The fair is open to everyone. For more details or to inquire about vendor opportunities, contact Lana Minton at 402-721-6952 or lanam@fremontfamilyymca.org. A farmers wife who led a double life as the head of a family drug-dealing business before going on the run for 16 months is finally behind bars. Lynne Leyson, 51, was convicted for her part in a huge cocaine and cannabis dealing operation run from Pibwr Farm in Capel Dewi, Carmarthenshire. Her husband Stephen and son Samson were handed substantial prison terms for their part in the operation in July last year, but she did not turn up at court and went on the run. She was sentenced in her absence. On Tuesday, she faced justice as she began a nine-year prison sentence after being apprehended on Sunday evening upon returning to the farm. A 26-year-old woman was also taken into custody on suspicion of aiding an offender and has since been released on police bail pending further inquiries. Stephen Leyson was also convicted of a gun offence - WALES NEWS SERVICE Dyfed-Powys Police has revealed that during her time as a fugitive, Leyson travelled extensively across the UK. The Leyson family was at the heart of a criminal network operating out of their Capel Dewi compound near Carmarthen, flooding parts of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Swansea with substantial amounts of cocaine and cannabis. In a raid during October 2021 at the property, police seized more than half a kilo of cocaine valued up to 60,200 and 1.4kg of cannabis. More than 17,000 in cash was found at the scene. The operation also uncovered a semi-automatic pistol an Italian Kimar 85 Auto 9mm self-loading weapon owned by Stephen Leyson and notably the first handgun of its design confiscated by the Dyfed-Powys Police. This bust was part of Operation Hilston which further led the police to unmask two Pembrokeshire-based drug dealers distributing narcotics for the syndicate, including one known alias Mr Pickles. Pistol discovered when gang was arrested - DYFED-POWYS POLICE/ATHENA PICTURES The three were found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs after a two-week trial. Stephen was also convicted of firearm possession. In July 2023, Stephen was jailed for 11 years, while Samson was handed six years. Lynne Leyson was sentenced in her absence to nine years in September, with Judge Catherine Richards stating she was convinced that she was the dominant force behind the operation and had been directing events from the farm. Dyfed-Powys Police have been tirelessly searching for Leyson since her disappearance, utilising significant investigative resources, launching a UK-wide wanted person appeal, and even featuring the case on the Crimewatch TV programme. Cannabis seized by police - WALES NEWS SERVICE Detective Chief Inspector Rhys Jones, who spearheaded the search, expressed his gratitude to the public for their assistance. He said: The arrest shows our determination to find those who think they can evade justice. I would like to thank officers for their commitment, dedication, support and persistence in bringing this element of the investigation to a successful conclusion. I would like to thank members of the public for their assistance and information provided over the last 16 months which has been greatly appreciated. This will send a strong message that the activities of those individuals linked to organised crime groups operating within the area of Dyfed-Powys will not be tolerated, and that they will be brought to justice. 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. Farmers wife named most wanted woman for drug dealing caught after 16 months on the run Lynne Leeson was caught near her farm in Carmarthenshire after 16 months on the run (Dyfed Powys Police) A fugitive farmers wife who led a double life by running a secret cocaine ring in Wales has finally been caught after spending 16 months on the run from the police. Lynne Leyson, 52, was arrested near her countryside farm in Capel Dewi, Carmarthenshire, where she and her husband had been secretly operating a drug smuggling network. She was convicted in May 2023 for Conspiracy to Supply Class A and B drugs, and possession of criminal property, but failed to show for her sentencing at Swansea Crown Court. In her absence, she was jailed for nine years while her husband Stephen Leyson and his son Samson were jailed for a total of 17 years in July after the farm was raided by police. The family were arrested in May 2023 following the discovery of 592g cocaine, with a street value of 47,760 to 60,200, and 1.4kg of cannabis, with a street value of around 15,615. Stephen Leyson and his son Samson were jailed for 11 and six years respectively (Heddlu Dyfed-Powys Police) Officers also discovered 17,190 in cash and a semi-automatic pistol, after a search warrant was issued for Pibwr Farm. Police launched a search operation to discover her location, which included a wanted appeal and a Crimewatch appeal offering a reward of 1,000, while she was also added to their Most Wanted section of British fugitives. At the time of their arrests, neighbours expressed their shock with the culprits described as a normal farming family. Detective Chief Inspector Rhys Jones, who was leading the search, said: The arrest shows our determination to find those who think they can evade justice. I would like to thank officers for their commitment, dedication, support, and persistence in bringing this element of the investigation to a successful conclusion. I would like to thank members of the public for their assistance and information provided over the last 16 months which has been greatly appreciated. This will send a strong message that the activities of those individuals linked to Organised Crime Groups operating within the area of Dyfed Powys will not be tolerated, and that they will be brought to justice. BOULDER, Colo. (AP) The father of a mentally ill man who killed 10 people at a Colorado supermarket testified Tuesday at his murder trial that he thought his son may have been possessed by an evil spirit before the attack. Sometime before the attack in Boulder in 2021, Moustafa Alissa recalled waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and his son, Ahmad Alissa, telling him to go talk to a man who was in his room. Moustafa Alissa said they walked together to his son's room and there was no one there. Moustafa Alissa also said his son would sometimes talk to himself and broke a car key fob he feared was being used to track him, echoing testimony on Monday from his wife. He said he didn't know exactly what was wrong with his son but that in his native Syria people say someone acting that way is believed to be possessed by an evil spirit, or djin. We thought he probably was just possessed by a spirit or something, Moustafa Alissa said through an Arabic interpreter in court. Ahmad Alissa was diagnosed after the shooting with a severe case of schizophrenia and only was deemed mentally competent to stand trial last year after a doctor put him on the strongest antipsychotic medication available. No one disputes he was the gunman at the supermarket but he has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The defense says he should be found not guilty because he was legally insane and not able to tell the difference between right and wrong at the time of the shooting. Prosecutors and forensic psychologists who evaluated him for the court say that, despite his mental illness, he did not experience delusions and knew what he was doing when he launched the attack. They point to the planning and research he did to prepare for it and his fear that he could end up in jail afterward to show that Alissa knew what he was doing was wrong. However, the psychologists said they thought the voices played some role in the attack and don't believe the attack would have happened if he had not been mentally ill. When District Attorney Michael Dougherty asked why Moustafa Alissa did not seek out treatment for his son, he said it would be very hard for his family to have a reputation for having a crazy son. "Its shameful in our culture," he said. During questioning, Moustafa Alissa, whose family owns several restaurants in the Denver area, also acknowledged that Ahmad Alissa had promised to return a gun he had that had jammed a few days before the shooting and that he went to the shooting range at least once with his brothers. Despite his concerns about his son's mental state, he said he did not do anything to try take guns away from him. Given that, Dougherty suggested that his son's condition may not have been as bad as his family is now portraying it. He was not normal but we did not expect him to do what he did, Moustafa Alissa said. UPDATE: The Frederick County Sheriffs Office identified the man and he was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Criminal charges against him are pending. FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) The Frederick County Sheriffs Office (FCSO) said deputies are looking for a suspicious man who entered Urbana High School and assaulted a staff member on Tuesday. According to FCSO, at around 11 a.m., the man entered the high school through an outside door. A staff member noticed the man inside the school and escorted him out. As the employee was closing the door, the suspect assaulted him before running off of the campus, according to the sheriffs office. No students or other staff were harmed. Do you live in one of the most rodent-infested cities in the US? The school resource officer was immediately contacted and began investigating. As a result, deputies will be in the Urbana area for school dismissal on Tuesday. Police encourage anyone with information to call 911 or the non-emergency line at 301-600-2071. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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) An FDNY employee was arrested in Manhattan on Monday, according to the NYPD. Damiya Coram, a 25-year-old FDNY EMT, was taken into custody around 11 p.m. More Local News She was charged with assault, acting in a manner injurious to a child and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with a domestic incident, according to authorities. Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. NEW YORK (PIX11) New York City Mayor Eric Adams was peppered with questions Monday about if there is a culture of corruption at City Hall. The mayor faced scrutiny at an event where he attempted to highlight what he perceives as the successes of his administration. More Local News I was elected by the people of the city, and Im going to fulfill my obligation to the people of the city, Adams said when asked about if he would consider stepping down. Adams repeatedly attempted to brush off questions about his ability to continue on as mayor with federal authorities putting his city government under a microscope. Adams downplayed federal indictments brought against two former fire chiefs Monday saying the alleged corruption began during former Mayor Bill de Blasios time. Trips for homeless students went to NYC school employees kids: officials Our administration became aware of it, took the proper steps, and reported the action, Adams said. But the FDNY indictments are only adding fuel to the fire. The feds have for some time been looking at the mayors fundraising practices, and more recently at top NYPD officials. Separately, top staff close to the mayor, including First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Schools Chancellor David Banks, and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks, had their homes raided by the FBI. The U.S. attorney refused to update those other investigations while charging the fire chiefs Monday. Over the weekend, the Mayors Chief Council at City Hall Lisa Zornberg suddenly resigned. She reportedly told Adams to begin firing those around him. Adams was asked if Zornberg told him to clean house. The mayor said he would not comment on a private conversation and quickly pivoted. Adams repeatedly tried to direct the conversation to the latest Mayors Management Report, which shows falling crime numbers, increases in child care support, and the city becoming the biggest composter in the nation. Oftentimes history is someone else writing your story. Im going to write my own story, Adams 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 PIX11. Sen. Brian Boquist, then I-Dallas, sits on the Senate floor in December 2022. (Connor Radnovich/Oregon Capital Chronicle) A panel of federal judges on Tuesday tossed out a nominal $1 in damages and more than $375,000 in attorney fees awarded to a Republican Oregon state senator who argued he was retaliated against for political comments understood as threats. The decision by a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is the latest twist in a long-running lawsuit filed by Sen. Brian Boquist, R-Dallas, against fellow senators who required him to give advance notice before he entered the Capitol because lawmakers and Senate staff said they feared for their safety. U.S. District Judge Michael McShane determined last year that the Senate Conduct Committee violated Boquists First Amendment rights by requiring that notice, but the appeals court said neither Boquists arguments nor McShanes ruling proved that Senate leaders violated clearly established laws or constitutional rights. The case stems from Boquists comments during a 2019 Republican-led Senate walkout, including telling then-Senate President Peter Courtney If you send the state police to get me, Hells coming to visit you personally. The same day, Boquist told a reporter that he told the state police superintendent to send bachelors and come heavily armed if officers would try to compel his presence at the Capitol. Those comments were both widely interpreted as threats from a senator who was known to carry a gun at the Capitol. The four members of the Senate Conduct Committee, two Democrats and two Republicans, voted unanimously in July 2019 to require Boquist provide 12 hours of notice before he planned to enter the Capitol. Guns are also now banned in the Capitol. The Senate stopped enforcing its rule requiring Boquist to give notice in November 2022. The appeals court said Boquists case was moot because that rule no longer exists. Additionally, any complaints about senators conduct to be submitted within five years under legislative rules, and the five-year period for complaints about Boquists 2019 comments expired this summer. Boquists theory that the Senate defendants may reimpose the notice rule is speculative, the judges wrote in their opinion, first reported by the Oregonian/OregonLive. Boquist said in an email to the Capital Chronicle that he hadnt yet reviewed the appeals courts opinion, and that hell be looking at his options to appeal. Understand the court and state ran out the clock over five years so now claiming it is moot, he wrote. Typical government case of spend the tax dollars money on appeals until moot. A spokesman for Democratic Senate President Rob Wagner declined to comment. Boquist is now running for state treasurer against a fellow senator, Democrat Elizabeth Steiner of Portland. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A Grand Rapids man accused of shooting into an occupied restaurant in 2022 will spend years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Michigan announced Tuesday. Rundy Lamar Williams, 35, has been sentenced to 7.5 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release, according to a release from the office. In July of 2023, Williams who had active warrants for his arrest, in addition to prior felony convictions that meant he was not allowed to have a firearm was a passenger in a car that was stopped by the Grand Rapids Police Department, the release says. According to the attorneys office, Williams hid a loaded pistol in the leg of his pants and showed officers fake identification to conceal his identity. More than a year before that encounter, Williams and another person allegedly fired multiple rounds into an occupied restaurant, the attorneys office says. It happened on the evening of May 5, 2022, at Wing Heaven, located on Eastern Avenue SE near Burton Street SE. Police said two people got out of a vehicle and started shooting. No victims were found, but the restaurant was temporarily forced to shut its doors. Multiple shots close restaurant, damage Jesus statue Williams has been charged by the Kent County Prosecutors Office for his role in this shooting and is presumed innocent of these charges until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, the attorneys office wrote in a release. Williams was arrested on these charges, but after he was released on bond, he failed to appear in court, the office says. Officials say Williams was ultimately taken into custody on Feb. 8, 2024, after an hourslong standoff at a home in Grand Rapids. Man taken into custody after standoff with GRPD News 8 reported on a standoff that day on the 1700 block of Newark Avenue SE near Orville Street, which began around 1:40 p.m. and didnt end until nearly four hours later. The attorneys office says police had to deploy chemical agents to get Williams to exit the home. In a statement, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge James Deir described Williams as a career criminal. Mr. Williams is believed to have been involved in an incident that could have resulted in mass casualties, Deir said. Simply put, firing rounds into an occupied restaurant is a really bad choice and reprehensible. Our communities deserve better from its members and will be a safer place with Mr. Williams behind bars. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. The federal government will send Oregon nearly $43 million to reimburse for repairs to roads and other infrastructure damaged by severe weather, including this January 2023 landslide on U.S. Highway 101 near Port Orford. (Oregon Department of Transportation/Flickr) Oregon will receive nearly $43 million from the federal government to repair roads damaged by recent natural disasters, the states two U.S. senators announced Monday. The influx of federal funding comes as the state struggles to fill transportation funding gaps. The Oregon Department of Transportation estimated it will face a deficit of more than $350 million in the 2025-27 budget if lawmakers dont pass a substantial funding package in the upcoming legislative session. The new federal money, part of more than $800 million allocated nationwide, will reimburse state and federal agencies for repairing damage caused by winter storms, atmospheric rivers and thunderstorms since 2019. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, both Democrats, said theyll continue working to bring back money when natural disasters strike. Oregonians in every corner of the state have faced dangerous storms in recent years, which have taken a heavy toll on the infrastructure they need to move safely, Merkley said. State and federal agencies went to work to repair and rebuild the roads and other important infrastructure that powers our communities, and these investments will help cover the cost of their essential efforts. I will keep working to ensure Oregon has the tools needed to recover and become more resilient in the face of future storms while we take on the climate chaos that is intensifying these disasters. Oregons award was one of the largest in the country, behind California, Puerto Rico, Florida, Vermont and Tennessee. Californias $183 million will go toward addressing damage caused by fires, flooding, tropical storms and earthquakes. Florida and Puerto Rico each received $110 million for damage caused by hurricanes, while Vermont received $55 million and Tennessee $46 million for severe storms and landslides. From northeast Oregon to southwest Oregon and many points in between, natural disasters have slammed communities throughout our state, Wyden said. This federal aid will help Oregon cities and counties cover the expenses they incurred recovering from severe storms, floods and more. About half of the new federal money, more than $21.3 million, was for damage from severe winter storms in December 2022. Heavy rain caused landslides, including one that threatened to block Interstate 84 near Ontario and one that wiped out a portion of U.S. Highway 101 for several days in January 2023. Another $11.4 million was for Oregon Department of Transportation repairs to signs and roads damaged by a storm this January that blanketed much of the state in ice and led to flooding and landslides in southern Oregon. ODOT will also receive three smaller grants: almost $738,000 for responding to June 2023 thunderstorms in Harney and Malheur counties that closed U.S. 20 for five days, $631,000 for washouts west of the Cascades caused by atmospheric rivers in December 2023 and $80,000 for storms in May and June 2022 that damaged Interstate 84, U.S. 26 and Oregon 204 in central and eastern Oregon. The U.S. Forest Service will receive about $5.8 million as reimbursement for roads and culverts damaged by a six-day atmospheric river in and around the Umatilla National Forest in February 2020 and almost $641,000 for its response to a December 2022 atmospheric river in southwest Oregon. Its also getting $600,000 for repairing forest service roads and culverts damaged by late winter storms in southern Oregon in 2019. About $1.4 million is for the Bureau of Land Managements work restoring roads and culverts damaged in southwest Oregon in December 2023, when warm temperatures and heavy rain paired with melted snow to wash out roads and down trees. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (The Hill) An all good here text was one of a handful sent by the crew of the Titan submersible shortly before it imploded in June 2023 while on its way to visit the wreck of the Titanic. The texts were shown during a hearing held by the Coast Guards Marine Board of Investigation on the Titan, which also showed animated images of the Titan sub. According to investigators, the Titan began its dive around 9:17 a.m. on June 18, 2023. While the crew reported having communication troubles, they sent an all good here text to their support vessel, Polar Prince, about an hour into their expedition. Continuing coverage of the Titan Submersible Hearing Roughly a half hour later, at 10:47 a.m., the Titan told those on the Polar Prince it had dropped two wts, a note indicating the sub had shed weights in what could have been an indication the crew knew something was wrong, CNN reports. That would be the last message sent by the Titan crew. Six seconds later, the submersible was pinged for the final time. The Polar Prince continued trying to contact the Titan but received no response. At its last ping, the Titan was about 3,346 meters deep, less than 500 meters from the Titanic wreckage. Its unlikely those on board ever saw the Titanic. This June 2023 image provided by Pelagic Research Services shows remains of the Titan submersible on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. (Pelagic Research Services via AP) Wreckage of the Titan was found about 330 meters from the bow of the Titanic, according to the Coast Guard. Family of man who died in Titan sub implosion sues OceanGate for $50 million The implosion killed all five people aboard the Titan: pilot and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush; Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, members of a notable Pakistani family; British explorer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. It took more than a week for presumed human remains to be found by the Coast Guard. OceanGate, the company behind the Titan submersible, later suspended its expeditions and was hit with a lawsuit in August from the estate of Nargeolet. The public hearings being held by the U.S. Coast Guards Marine Board of Investigation this week in North Charleston, South Carolina, aim to piece together the Titans implosion and what lead up to it. Following the two-week hearing, a detailed report is expected to be released. Findings could be presented to the Department of Justice if theres any detection of a criminal act, the Coast Guard Chief of Office of Investigations Jason Neubauer said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Chili dogs and chili cheese dogs are coming to Fountain. Wienerschnitzel, the self-described world's largest hot dog chain that was founded more than 60 years ago in Southern California, is targeting a Sept. 25 opening for its second Pikes Peak region location, at 8045 Fountain Mesa Road, near Cross Creek in Fountain, south of Colorado Springs. Franchisees Scott Wohlman and Manny Singh opened the area's first current-day Wienerschnitzel in 2021 at 4095 Austin Bluffs Parkway in the Springs, just east of Academy Boulevard, and have sought to add more locations since then. (A previous location on Circle Drive that operated under the chain's original name of Der Wienerschnitzel closed several years earlier). They've been encouraged to expand, in part, because of strong sales at the Austin Bluffs location, Wohlman said. Sales out of the gate three years ago were tops among Wienerschnizel's more than 300 locations, and have remained in the top 25% of all outlets over that period, he said. A loyal following among California and Texas transplants in the Pikes Peak region, who were familiar with the Wienerschnitzel brand in those states, has helped boost sales, Wohlman said. His franchisee group also has made a strong commitment to service that's helped attract customers, about 70% of whom order through Wienerschnitzel's drive-thru, Wohlman said. At the same time, customers like the value they get in Wienerschnitzel food, Wolhman said. Among other items, the quick-serve concept specializes in burgers, fries, Tastee Freez ice cream and a wide variety of hot dogs including Texas-, Chicago- and sauerkraut-style dogs and Wienerschnitzel's signature chili and chili cheese dogs. In fact, a Wienerschnitzel marketing campaign launched this year and dubbed "MMM-erican Food," sought to brand the chain as a place to "enjoy quintessential American food," according to an advertising industry publication. Wienerschnitzel also has joined other quick-serve concepts to offer specials to help attract customers, Wohlman said. Its "Wiener Wednesdays" promotion, for example, has included deals such as a free chili dog with any purchase, then a free soft-serve ice cream with any purchase, he said. "Each week is a little bit something different, trying to encourage people to come in and give us a try and get something extra to try and encourage future business," he said. Sign up for free: Gazette Business Receive a weekly roundup of business news around El Paso County. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Featured Local Savings In looking to Fountain, the city's population growth and proximity to Fort Carson, where many personnel also are familiar with Wienerschnitzel from other markets, made it an attractive expansion target, Wohlman said. "It's blowing up down there," he said of Fountain's growth. "We found property that fit in our budget. The big thing is the overwhelming military population there." At one point, Wohlman said, the franchisees thought they were in the running to open their Wienerschnitzel as part of the Fort Carson exchange, which is essentially an on-base, military friendly department store. That deal didn't work out, but it opened up the franchisees' eyes to the market potential of Fountain and nearby Fort Carson, he said. The Wienerschnitzel in Fountain, at about 2,600 square feet, was built from the ground up, Wohlman said; it will be roughly twice as large as the Austin Bluffs location, which took over an existing building that was remodeled. The Fountain restaurant will have indoor seating for about 75 people, also twice as much as the Wienerschnitzel on Austin Bluffs, though the new location won't have outdoor seating, Wohlman said. The new location also is expected to do about 70% of its business via its drive-thru, he said. The Wienerschnitzel in Fountain won't be the area's last, Wohlman said. Wohlman said he and Singh, who have franchise rights stretching from Castle Rock to New Mexico, own a parcel on Colorado Springs' west side that they're eying for a third location, though he declined to provide its exact address. Wienerschnitzel was founded in 1961 with a single location south of Los Angeles by former Taco Bell employee John Galardi. Today, it has 332 locations in 12 states, with a half-dozen openings scheduled this year, Ted Milburn, director of U.S. franchise development for Wienerschnitzel parent company The Galardi Group, said via email. All Wienerschnitzels are franchised and there are no corporate-run stores, he said. Colorado has one other Wienerschnitzel, which operates in Grand Junction, according to the chain's website. The Hamburger Stand, Wienerschnitzel's sister company, has six Denver-area locations. HONOLULU (KHON2) Fire crews on both Oahu and Kauai had a busy Sunday battling multiple brush fires, with some still going. Check out whats going on around the nation on our National News page Honolulu Fire Department entered day two of battling a wildland fire in Kapolei, ending the night containing 100% of the fire. Flames broke out around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday on Coral Sea Road and Ranger Road. In Sundays last report issued by the Incident Commander, the fire had been 65% contained. Kapolei fire 65% contained, drone team deployed for fire watch An early morning Monday report stated that the fire involved 100 acres. Firefighters also extinguished multiple hot spots and flare-ups in the burned-out area. In a 4:30 update, HFD announced that fire operations had been suspended for the day with assessments scheduled throughout the night on Monday and Tuesday morning. The fire has since been 100% contained with no evacuations or road closures issued and no injuries reported. Oahu firefighters then moved to a wildland fire incident in the Fort Shafter area shortly after 3 p.m. on Monday. Reports said the fire involved mostly ground cover and pine needles that burned about five to six acres. Air 1 commenced water drops on the perimeter. Due to darkness, fire operations were suspended around 6 p.m., and reported that the fire had been 75% contained with no active burning on the perimeter. Just a start, 20 Lahaina families gifted new set of wheels The final media alert also stated that HECO has de-energized power lines in the area. Over on Kauai, firefighters battled multiple brush fires on Sunday night near Kalepa Ridge in Hanamaulu, which officials believe were intentionally set. The call came in around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday when firefighters found several small fires and hot spots in a 100-foot by 50-foot area behind an industrial area and Kalepa Village apartments. KFD personnel used tank water to extinguish flames and bring the fire under control. The next morning, crews responded to a flare-up around 6:15 a.m. and cleared the scene at 7 a.m. There really is no excuse for this type of reckless behavior which is putting lives and property at serious risk. We urge the public for their help in identifying anyone involved in Sundays incident, said Kauai Fire Chief Michael Gibson. Check out more news from around Hawaii Officials said no injuries were reported and structures were not threatened. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Those with information should call Crime Stoppers Kauai at (808) 246-8300 or by submitting a tip through the mobile app. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Anna Morshedi with the gun-safety group Moms Demand Action, testifies before Arkansas lawmakers as they discuss proposed firearm policies on Sept. 16, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) A man whose grandson was killed by gun violence and the owner of a gun range were among the speakers who testified Monday before lawmakers who are considering updating Arkansas gun laws during the 2025 legislative session. The proposed policy changes from the Arkansas Legislative Councils Game & Fish/State Police Subcommittee are the culmination of a year-long study to clarify the states overlapping and sometimes conflicting firearm laws. The study was approved last August, and lawmakers expect to present their final recommendations in the coming weeks. Members have reviewed thousands of laws that mentioned guns and developed about a dozen proposed policies. Draft legislation will be posted online on Sept. 26 for the public to review before the subcommittees next meeting on Oct. 3, said co-chair Sen. Ricky Hill, R-Cabot. The proposed recommendations detail firearm usage while hunting and various features about concealed and open carry. If the Legislature approves the subcommittees suggestions without any changes next year, Arkansans would be permitted to carry firearms at school bus stops and near schools. The school-related policies garnered the most attention Monday from gun-safety activists who shared concerns about 18-year-olds who can purchase their firearms from a private sale being permitted to bring their guns to those locations. Before public comment began Monday, lawmakers approved two minor changes to proposals that clarified firearms would be allowed inside courthouses, but their presence in the courtroom would be decided by the presiding judge, and amended the definition of journey to be more specific about leaving ones house. Public input has been available throughout the study process, Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View said, though few people have spoken about the proposed policies. I feel like [we] have given wide deference to this being a process that includes public input, Irvin said. I want to note that we have not really heard much from the public by their choice, not by ours. Eight people signed up to speak at Mondays meeting, and six took to the microphone. The first and last speakers both opposed the policy recommendations, and the remaining four spoke in support of them. Whit Hall, who said he was a long-time hunter and a pediatrician with 50 years of experience, told lawmakers he became a gun violence survivor after his grandson was shot and killed in 2022. According to the obituary posted by the Roller-Chenal Funeral Home in Little Rock, the 18-year-old died from multiple gunshot wounds after breaking up a fight. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Hall made comparisons of alcohol prohibitions for teenagers to that of guns. He said teenagers judgements are oftentimes not good and having guns near schools would make school kids sitting ducks. In response to Halls testimony, co-chair Rep. Josh Miller, R-Heber Springs, said, I think theres been a misunderstanding that were just, you know, going to arm every 18-year-old and send them to school. Thats not whats happening. Nathan House, the owner of Arkansas Armory, a gun store and range in North Little Rock, praised the proposal, but suggested more concise language and grammatical corrections. House also suggested that business owners who dont want firearms in their establishment be held liable for the safety of their patrons. Robert Steinbuch, a columnist and professor at the University of Arkansas William H. Bowen School of Law, also spoke in favor of the proposed policies. Steinbuch complemented a recommendation to limit local governments from enacting laws superseding state law, and suggested lawmakers enact a penalty for cities that violate the policy. We need to have some teeth in these laws because the localities thumb our noses and say things like, Were the independent Republic of Little Rock-istan, Steinbuch said. But the fact is these soviet republics populating our state are thumbing their noses at the legislature over and over again. Anna Morshedi, a representative from the gun-safety group Moms Demand Action, spoke against the firearm policy proposals. During a response to a lawmaker who questioned guns as the leading cause of death among children because it could include self-inflicted violence, Morshedi said students without their own firearms but knowledge of classmates guns could also be a risk. Youre introducing someone who has access to a gun at a school in a parking lot, and if their vehicle is unlocked, and if its known that they bring their firearm to school every day you are now giving someone who is having a moment of suicidal thoughts access to lethal means at school, Morshedi said. Moms Demand Action operates under the organization Everytown Research and Policy, which advocates for stricter gun laws in the country through various groups. Morshedi cited statistics from the organization, such as Arkansas rank as 50th in the country for gun law strength. Lawmakers questioned the information Morshedi cited. Sen. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, suggested that Morshedi visit Guatemala, presumably for a comparison to their violence rates, and Morshedi replied that her children go to school in Arkansas, which is why her focus remains in the state. Co-chair Miller interrupted and stopped the discussion. When Irvin questioned Morshedi about school bus stops on private property, Morshedi said she believed they should remain as protected gun-free zones because children are often unaccompanied there. Youre thinking about a parent protecting their children at the bus stop compared to now were going to allow strangers the legal ability to stand next to your children on your property, if thats where your bus stop is, Morshedi said. It feels very dangerous and vulnerable for the children in my perspective. The Arkansas Legislative Councils Executive Subcommittee will hear a presentation of the proposed gun legislation on Thursday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)The second part of the KTAL News Digital docuseries Beyond the Headlines will examine the impact of firearms on our community. Part one of the docuseries explored responsible gun ownership and the laws governing firearms sales. Part two will examine the effects of gun violence in our community. Firearms advocates want to exercise the Second Amendment freely and without government intervention. Oppositely, those who reside in communities stricken by gun violence or those who fear becoming a mass shooting victim want something to be done about the prevalence of firearms and the ease with which they are acquired. Dont miss Part Two of Firearms: Impact & Responsibility | Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 9p.m. The debate is so hot that a peculiar war of words occurred during the 2024 Special Crime Session in the Louisiana Legislature. Representative Mike Johnson of Pineville introduced a bill related to expungements that called for expanding the definition of a crime of violence. However, he chose the verbiage illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities rather than specify the tool used most frequently in violent crime. The expanded definition would be applied to prevent a person from having a criminal offense expunged. While Johnsons House colleagues agreed and understood the bills purpose, they argued such vague language could lead to unintended consequences. The debate continued for much of the day as they pressed Johnson to define the dangerous instrumentality. Was it a fork or pencil? Perhaps it was a moving vehicle or a paperweight. Either way, the point was that by not specifying guns in the language of the bill, the right prosecutor could indict a person under this statute for an accidental injury. That analogy may seem silly, but that is at the heart of the gun debate. Legislators at the state and federal levels know that violent gun crime is a problem but choose to dance around labeling a gun as the problem. The gun is not a problem but a tool like a hammer or saw; how the person chooses to use a firearm is when the problem begins. We know that we cant arrest our way out of the problem; if so, Louisiana, consistently at the top of the nations rankings for incarceration for many years, would be the safest state to live in. But if you listen to lawmakers, they highlight just the opposite. So what is the solution? The solution lies in agreement that our collective well-being supersedes individual liberty. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio (WKBN)- Firefighters are battling a house fire in East Liverpool Tuesday morning. Crews were called to the 3000 block of Kingsridge Court around 6 a.m. WKBN The East Liverpool Fire Department said that occupants made it out of the house. Crews did not say whether or not there were injuries. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. First baby beavers born in Hampshire for 400 years The kits were born to two beavers who were released in Ewhurst Park in 2023 [Ewhurst Park/PA Media] Beavers have been born in Hampshire for the first time in 400 years. Two kits were spotted in early July in an enclosure on the Ewhurst Park estate near Basingstoke - making them the first born in Hampshire since they went extinct in Britain in the 16th century. Beavers play a key role in ecosystem management and mitigating flood risk. The park's head of ecology management, Fiona Kenny, said it was "an incredible moment" when she first spotted the baby beavers. "I was showing a group around the beaver enclosure when I heard a distinctive sploshing sound," she said. "All of a sudden we were amazed to see a baby beaver splashing about in the water." The kits have since been captured on camera, swimming, splashing and gnawing on bark. Beavers are a keystone species that can provide vital habitats and mitigate flood risk [Ewhurst Park/PA Media] Beavers were hunted to extinction in Britain in the 16th century. "They were hunted for predominantly their fur but also for the castoreum which is an internal gland that was used for medicinal purposes and, until very recently, in perfumes," said Robert Needham, restoration manager at Beaver Trust. "It was a very valuable animal." The two babies were born to parents Chompy and Hazel, who were released into the enclosure in January 2023. It was one of several places across England they were reintroduced to act as "ecosystem engineers", building dams and felling trees to provide vital habitat and resources for insects, fish, plants, birds and bats, and help to mitigate flooding risks. The Ewhurst Park project is part of wider rewilding efforts on the former shooting estate, which was bought by Malaysian-born model and entrepreneur Mandy Lieu four years ago. She said the changes the beavers had made to the landscape were "extraordinary". Once the kits' sexes are known, a naming competition will be held for local children to take part in. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. More on this story Related Links A Placer Superior Court jury on Tuesday found a man guilty of second-degree murder in the fentanyl death of his friend, a 20-year-old man who ingested a lethal dose of the synthetic opioid. Along with the murder charge, Carson David Schewe was convicted of two felony counts of possessing drugs for sale. Schewe was accused of selling fentanyl three years ago to Kade Kristopher Webb, who died from an overdose in the bathroom of a Roseville Safeway. Schewe, 23, of Roseville faces a maximum sentence of 21 years to life in prison; 15 years to life for the murder charge and an additional six years in prison for the drug charges. Webbs parents said they hope the murder verdict deters others street dealers from selling fentanyl. They also hope it shows other youths how dangerous fentanyl is and stops them from buying Percocet and Xanax pills that could be laced with fentanyl. Now its gonna give us some foundation to make change, Kurt Webb, the victims father, said about the verdict. There has to be a change. Were losing too many kids, too many people. Fentanyl is a powerful and potentially addictive drug that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin. The California Department of Justice has said two milligrams of the opioid can result in overdose and potentially death. Carson David Schewe, 23, stands in Placer Superior Court in Auburn on Tuesday after being found guilty of murder for selling fentanyl-laced pills to 20-year-old Kade Kristopher Webb. First murder charge in fentanyl death Two years ago, Schewe was the first defendant in Placer County to be charged with murder in a fentanyl death. Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire and other prosecutors in California have taken a new approach to fentanyl deaths: filing murder charges against people who sell or provide fentanyl to someone who later dies from ingesting the drugs. In August, James Scott Teahan Jr., 34, became the fifth person in Placer County to be charged with murder in connection with a fentanyl death. Teahan is accused in the April 24 death of Stephen Windham. Three other men, all in their 20s, have agreed to plea deals with Placer County prosecutors. Each were convicted of homicide in connection with a fentanyl death. Schewes fentanyl-related murder case is the first one in Placer County, and the state, that has gone to trial. This is an important decision by the jury, because it validates what we have been working on, which is essentially the notion that when people put profit over peoples lives, they commit murder, said Deputy District Attorney David Tellman, who spoke to reporters on behalf of the District Attorneys Office. Deputy D.A. Devan Portillo, the lead prosecutor in the case, told the jury that Schewe sold a fentanyl-laced pill to his friend, Webb, moments before Webb walked into that bathroom on Dec. 3, 2021, crushed the pill and snorted it. Portillo told jurors that Webb died within minutes; emergency responders found his body face down in the bathroom about five hours later. Webb had been released from a drug rehab facility six days before he died. Portillo said Schewe made a video not long before meeting Webb the day he died; the video shows pills in a small plastic food storage bags containing the fentanyl that killed Webb. The drug he peddled was found inside Kade Webb, the prosecutor said while playing the video in court. Ladies and gentlemen, thats the murder weapon. Rohan Beesla, one of Schewes defense lawyers, argued in court the prosecution failed to prove Webb died from fentanyl intoxication. He told the jury the District Attorneys Office relied solely on a toxicology report, and the forensic pathologist who was not called to testify in the trial chose not to conduct an internal autopsy exam that wouldve provided a more accurate amount of how much fentanyl was in Webbs system in the moments leading up to his death. Thats not how you build a murder case, Beesla said during court Thursday as attorneys gave closing arguments. Beesla declined to comment after the verdict was announced. Carson David Schewe, 23, stands in Placer Superior Court in Auburn on Tuesday after being found guilty of murder for selling fentanyl-laced pills to 20-year-old Kade Kristopher Webb. Second murder trial Schewes first trial ended abruptly March 1, four days after it began, because a lab failed to provide the prosecution and the defense a report detailing a summary of results from Webbs blood tests. Placer Superior Court Judge Michael Jones was forced to declare a mistrial, and he ordered a second trial for Schewe with a new jury. Coming back to the courtroom and reliving it has been difficult, Webbs father told reporters Tuesday. Schewes second trial began Aug. 26 with jury selection. For nearly three weeks, jurors heard testimony and viewed evidence presented in the case. The jury began deliberations about 4 p.m. Thursday. The jurors returned Tuesday morning to the courtroom with their verdict. I think that we were just hoping that they were going through all of the evidence and making a good decision that represents the community in Placer County, Elizabeth Dillender, Webbs mother, said about the jurys deliberations. I think they were being thorough. Its been a long few days. Its been a long two and a half years. She said her family would continue to advocate on behalf of her son and others killed by fentanyl because they knew that even a murder conviction in this case wouldnt bring her son back. Theres no closure when you lose a child, Dillender said outside the courthouse in Auburn. Theres no moving on or moving forward. Its just every day is like Groundhog Day. And then we just get through that day, and it attaches to the next day. Elizabeth Dillender, center, hugs her two-year-old granddaughter Indigo Kade Webb while speaking to the media on Tuesday after the murder conviction of Carson David Schewe in Placer Superior Court in Auburn. Schewe sold fentanyl-laced pills to Kade Kristopher Webb, Dillenders son and Indigos father. Kurt Webb, Kades father, stands at left. Defense says prosecution strategy wont work In his closing argument last week, Schewes attorney told the jury this prosecution strategy to target street dealers in response to a rising number of fentanyl deaths doesnt make common sense and wont work. Beesla argued that drug cartels trafficking fentanyl into the United States, wholesale suppliers and regional distributors remain shielded from murder liability. The prosecutor argued that the implied malice theory to support a murder charge applies to Schewe, who knew how dangerous fentanyl was and continued to sell it as the bodies were dropping all around him. Portillo told the jury that Schewe had two other friends die from fentanyl overdoses, along with an ex-girlfriend who died in a bed next to him a few months before Webb died. The defense attorney said his client was guilty of selling drugs, but he was dealing as he struggled with his own addiction. Beesla called Schewes statements in the social media videos ugly, but it was just a persona he adopted as a low-level street dealer. It was more bravado than anything, Beesla said, with Schewe holding cash in his hands that was about as much as a minimum wage worker took home in a month. This is not a kingpin, Beesla said about his client. He told the jurors that the prosecution built a campaign of innuendo to falsely characterize Schewe as a monster to cause you to revile him, to be repulsed by him. Beesla said this trial has shown that this was a group of friends who grew up together, started using drugs together and started snorting (crushed) pills together, and Schewe was the friend who would get them their drugs. But the defense attorney argued no evidence was presented in the trial that shows Schewe sold them the drugs that led to their deaths. Schewe has remained in custody at the Placer County Jail since his February 2022 arrest. The judge scheduled him to return to court Dec. 5 for his sentencing hearing. An Ohio sheriff has made a chillingand possibly illegalrequest of his countys 161,000 residents. Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski asked his constituents on Facebook to note the addresses of homes that have yard signs supporting Kamala Harris and Tim Walzthat way undocumented immigrants can be directed there. The sheriff referred to immigrants as being illegal human locust in a pair of posts to his personal and public pages that have since turned their comments off. Zuchowski is the top cop in Portage County, which is home to Kent State University just and is just east of the Akron-Cleveland corridor. When people ask me Whats gonna happen if the Flip-Flopping, Laughing Hyena Wins? Zuchowski wrote, referring to Harris. I say... write down all the addresses of the people who had her signs in their yards! He continued: Sooo... when the Illegal human Locust (which she supports!) Need places to live... Well already have the addresses of the their New families... who supported their arrival! The late-night post, shared at 11:42 p.m. Friday, included images from Fox News reports about a migrant crime wave and Kamalas open borders. Zuchowski, who regularly posts screenshots of Fox News broadcasts and traveled to the southern border last year, suggested hed only support the bussing of migrants to Harris supporters homes if she wins in November. Some residents appeared to heed Zuchowskis call to note the addresses of Harris supporters almost immediately. At least one commenter shared the name and approximate address of a Harris backer and another commenter confirmed, Ill add that name to the list. Zuchowskis post, which uses a head-scratching amount of ellipsis, has received significant blowback in Ohio, which has recently been the epicenter of anti-immigrant rhetoric amid the infamous pet-eating hoax. Even a top Republican in Portage County said he was disgusted by Zuchowskis dystopian suggestion. Tony Badalamenti, a commissioner, resigned from the countys Republican Central Committee and claimed Zuchowskis post was the last straw. This is not the leadership I want to be part of, he said in a video shared on his Facebook. Chaos Dogs City Where Trump Says Haitians Eat Pets Badalamenti said he was saddened to step down, but said he had to speak out against bullying from the highest law enforcement [official] in Portage county. Residents who spoke to the countys local paper, The Portager, said the sheriffs request was not normal and scary. Others feared for their loved ones safety. My parents are elderly and have been very politically active Democrats, a resident reportedly told the paper. I am afraid for them now. I dont want to scare them or suggest they take down their signs, but I am sick to my stomach with worry. Zuchowski, who was elected to his position in 2020, has not addressed the posts backlash publicly and did not respond to questions sent by the Daily Beast. The sheriff has posted once since his controversial request. In that post, from Saturday, he showed off his American flag button-up, a cowboy hat, and his boots as he thanked supporters who turned up to a fundraiser. Collin Marozzi, the deputy policy director of ACLU in Ohio, told the NPR station Ideastream that Zuchowskis pressuring of local Harris supporters was flat out illegal. It is against federal law to intimidate voters into not casting their vote of their choice, so this is very serious, he said. Jon Barber, a Democrat whos opposing Zuchowski in November, has seized on the post to win favor with the conservative-majority countys voters. People shouldnt be out here and be afraid that when they call police, Are they going to look up my voting record? he said. Are they going to look to see if I have a sign that's maybe supporting someone they don't like or a point of view about something they dont like? And they drive by instead of helping. 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. Floods and mudslides kill more than 200 in Myanmar Myanmar's military junta issued a rare appeal for foreign help at the weekend [Getty Images] The number of people in Myanmar who have died in the wake of Typhoon Yagi rose to more than 220, with nearly 80 others still missing, the military government said. The storm swept through northern Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar in early September and has killed more than 500 people across the region so far, according to official figures. It triggered severe floods and mudslides in Myanmar, leaving at least 226 dead as whole villages were wrecked. With hundreds of thousands of acres of crops destroyed, the UN also warned that more than half a million people in the war-torn country are in urgent need of food as well as drinking water, shelter and clothes. More than 600,000 acres of crops were destroyed - the Naypyidaw region was among the worst-hit [Getty Images] Heavy rains and nearly submerged whole villages - this was in the Bago region to the south [Getty Images] At least 500 people have been killed across Southeast Asia in the wake of Typhoon Yagi [BBC] The UN said the storm's devastation spanned nine states and regions, including the the country's capital Naypyidaw in the interior, as well as Mandalay to the north, Magway to the west, and Bago to the south - regions that lie along the Irrawady, Myanmar's largest river. Also hit were Shan State in the north-east and Mon, Karenni and Kayin states, which lie to its south. A civil war has engulfed the country since early 2021, when the army sized power after ousting the democratically-elected government. Since then thousands have been killed and millions forced from their homes as various armed resistance groups battle the ruling military junta. In the last year or so, the army has lost control of large parts of the country, creating an unstable patchwork of governance. That, coupled with poor communication in remote areas, has meant information about casualties has been slow to emerge. Rescue and relief efforts are under way in some parts [Marga Ambulance & Rescue] But the UN has warned of a bigger challenge: an urgent need for food, clothes and shelter [Getty Images] The United Nations said the floods are among the worst in Myanmar's recent history. Its disaster response agency estimated that some 630,000 people have been affected by the flooding with blocked roads, damaged bridges and severed communication lines, all of which have severely hampered relief efforts. Aid agencies also have little or no access to many parts of the country, including Shan State, one of the worst-hit by the flooding, which is now largely controlled by a rebel army. A volunteer rescuer in the state's south told BBC Burmese that entire homes had been buried under mudslides. "We have collected over 100 dead bodies so far, including children and elderly people. We're still searching for over 200 more," he added. This flooding is the worst I have ever seen in my life, said a resident in the east of Shan State. The situaiton is just as dire more than 500 miles away, in the south-east: People are in urgent need of food," Khon Matia, a senior official in rebel-controlled Karenni State (also known as Kayah State) told BBC Burmese. "There is no offer of international aid. People are in a more difficult position here because everything is blocked because of the floods and the war. So it is very difficult to reach us." The UN said this is the worst flooding in Myanmar's recent history [Getty Images] The ruling military junta issued a rare appeal for help at the weekend, with neighbouring India so far the only country to respond. It sent aid, including food, clothes and medicine. Typhoon Yagi also caused 10 deaths in Thailand and one in Laos. In Vietnam, the death toll stands at 292, with 38 missing, more than 230,000 homes damaged, 280,000 hectares of crops destroyed and major manufacturing hubs heavily damaged, according to authorities. Florida Missing Child Alert: Lake City teen ran away, took cat with her, authorities say A Florida Missing Child Alert has been issued for a Lake City teen who is believed to have run away from home and taken her cat with her. Emma Peebles, 16, was last seen in the 400th block of Southwest Ralph Terrace in Lake City, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The Columbia County Sheriffs Office posted on social media Saturday about Emmas disappearance. Missing Juvenile: Detectives are seeking the public's help in locating 16-year-old Emma Peebles who is believed to have... Posted by Columbia County Sheriff's Office on Saturday, September 14, 2024 FDLE said she has been missing since Friday. Emma is described as 54, weighing 170 pounds and authorities do not know what she was last seen wearing or the direction she was traveling in. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is asked to contact CCSO at 386-719-2005. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [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. TALLAHASSEE, Florida Floridians will vote on a ballot measure this November that would add party labels to local school board races for the first time in decades, potentially supercharging what have already become contentious contests across the state. These offices have been under increasing scrutiny since the pandemic, when the lessons and content taught to students became a front and center issue that grabbed the attention of parents and policymakers. Gov. Ron DeSantis and his allies view winning control of school boards as key to reshaping the states education system, something GOP leaders have been chipping away at over the last few years. And it isnt just in Florida there have been increasingly fierce fights over school board seats across the country, from swing counties in Pennsylvania to Republicans trying to gain a toehold in blue California. DeSantis waded into 30 school board contests in 2022 with endorsements and fundraising help a near unprecedented level of involvement for a governor in these local elections and won nearly all of them. This year, facing more organized opposition from Democrats and the states largest teacher unions, DeSantis had a mixed record in school board contests in August with a handful of races still to be decided in November. Now, voters will have a chance to decide whether they want to officially scrub the nonpartisan veneer off these contests that have already seen significant involvement from the parties, possibly reversing a choice from 1998 to strip away party labels for local school leaders. The Florida Republican Party, GOP lawmakers and some school board candidates support the idea, believing that the proposed change to Floridas constitution will give voters more clarity about who is running for office in their communities. This is not something that is an insane idea, said state Rep. Spencer Roach, the North Fort Myers Republican who sponsored the legislation in the House. Why should you be able to use the cover of the law to hide your ideology or platform from voters? Those who oppose the measure, however, contend that fully embracing partisanship in these races will siphon attention away from setting sound education policy for kids, in lieu of politics charged by culture war battles. I dont think our children should be politicized or that our teachers and children should be caught in the middle of social issues, said Cindy Pearson, a Duval School Board member and registered Republican who won a reelection bid in August against a candidate endorsed by DeSantis. The upcoming November referendum, slotted as Amendment 1 on the ballot, comes after the latest round of school board elections influenced by partisan fighting and riffing on school choice and culture war issues such as the states contentious book bans. These races, which featured dueling endorsements from DeSantis and Florida Democrats and teachers unions, could prove to be the last officially nonpartisan campaigns in Florida. Out of 23 candidates endorsed by DeSantis this year, six won their races, with another six heading to November runoffs. DeSantis officials heralded the election cycle as a win for flipping Duval Countys school board to lean conservative, yet candidates backed by the governor also lost races in deep red areas like Sarasota and Indian River counties. DeSantis supports adding partisan labels to school board races, with a spokesperson pointing to comments he made in 2023. "What we've seen over the years is you have counties in Southwest Florida that voted for me by like 40 points. And yet they're electing people, the school board, who are totally the opposite philosophy, DeSantis said in January 2023. But those people are running saying that they're sharing the philosophy, then they get on and they do something different." If the amendment passes, school board candidates starting in 2026 would be nominated in partisan primaries ahead of the general election. Long debated by lawmakers at the statehouse, it was added to the ballot against the wishes of the majority of legislative Democrats who voted against the idea. But the proposed school board amendment is flying under the radar this year, with Floridians contemplating major constitutional amendments surrounding abortion rights and legalizing recreational marijuana. Unlike those two amendments, which have seen tens of millions of spending, there has been comparatively little outreach or ad spending from supporters or opponents. One August poll conducted by Suffolk University reported that 48 percent of voters were against the amendment compared to 33 percent who supported it. A July poll from the University of North Florida found that a significant number of voters have not made up their minds on the issue: Forty percent said they would vote no and 37 percent said they supported it, with the remainder undecided. Amendments need 60 percent to pass. School board races are nonpartisan in the vast majority of states, with only four Louisiana, Alabama, Pennsylvania and Connecticut listing partying affiliation on the ballot for all school board contests, according to Ballotpedia. More than 90 percent of school board members across the country are picked by voters without any party labels. Opponents of the amendment worry it will lead to more political influence in these races and could choke out grassroots efforts by local candidates running for office. The state Democratic Party also opposes the measure, with the party's executive committee voting this weekend to urge Floridians to vote no, as the party slips further behind the GOP in voter registrations in the one-time swing state. Partisan politics should not be in our school districts, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried told reporters in August. We should all be focused on one thing and one thing only: teaching our children. But supporters contend there is a need for transparency with conservatives and liberals fighting for different ideologies in public education. Ive seen the scenario where someone will go to an area they know is leaning one direction and present themselves in that way, said Layla Collins, a DeSantis-endorsed candidate who ran for Hillsboroughs school board. The next day, what they say in another area has someone convinced the opposite is true. U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley Receives Christian Statesman Honor: 'Faith is what Holds this Country Together' For 28 years, the Distinguished Christian Statesman Award has spotlighted public servants who actively incorporate faith into their service to the American people NEWS PROVIDED BY Center for Christian Statesmanship Sept. 16, 2024 WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- Prominent U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is joining the ranks of standout elected officials to receive the Distinguished Christian Statesman Award. While accepting the honor at the Museum of the Bible, Sen. Hawley pointed to faith as a unifying force in a nation that's more divided than ever. "Faith is what holds this country together," Sen. Hawley said. "The Left's attempt to eradicate religion divides America. That's what's divisive. Faith actually is a great unifier in our national life." Sen. Hawley previously served as Missouri's Attorney General and is recognized as one of the nation's leading constitutional lawyers fighting for people's liberties. "I took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States. That means also defending the principles, the ideals and the realities on which that Constitution is founded. And the witness of the Bible is absolutely foundational to all of that," Sen. Hawley said. The D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship, a Capitol Hill-based project of the Florida-based Coral Ridge Ministries, has annually spotlighted Christian leaders serving the nation since 1996. "The future of our nation depends on the character and integrity of our leaders," said Dr. Rob Pacienza, CEO and President of Coral Ridge Ministries. "We established this award to promote faith, virtue, and excellence in public service." Sen. Hawley follows in the footsteps of John Ashcroft, who also served as an Attorney General and Senator for Missouri and was the first recipient of the Distinguished Christian Statesman Award in 1996. Other notable personalities to receive the award include Governor Mike Huckabee, Sen. Tim Scott, and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. "Hawley is a wonderful representation of what a Christian statesman should be," Center for Christian Statesmanship Executive Director William Russell said. "He has his priorities in line: his faith, his family and his work. That shows through the work that he's doing right now on Capitol Hill. But he also is resolute in his beliefs." About Center for Christian Statesmanship: Established in 1995, the D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship is a spiritually-based outreach to men and women in positions of influence and authority in our nation's government. Our mission is to support, equip, and empower Christian statesmanship and cast vision for the next generation of Christian leaders in the halls of government. SOURCE Center for Christian Statesmanship CONTACT: Brian Peterson, 612-325-0470 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) A Florida sheriff fed up with a spate of false school shooting threats is taking a new tactic to try to get through to students and their parents: hes posting the mugshot of any offender on social media. Law enforcement officials in Florida and across the country have seen a wave of school shooting hoaxes recently, including in the wake of the deadly attack at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, that killed two students and two teachers. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood on Floridas Atlantic Coast said hes tired of the hoaxes targeting students, disrupting schools and sapping law enforcement resources. In social media posts Monday, Chitwood warned parents that if their kids are arrested for making these threats, hell make sure the public knows. Since parents, you dont want to raise your kids, Im going to start raising them, Chitwood said. Every time we make an arrest, your kids photo is going to be put out there. And if I can do it, Im going to perp walk your kid so that everybody can see what your kids up to. Law enforcement speaks out about recent school threats, how it affects agencies Chitwood made the announcement in a video highlighting the arrest of an 11-year-old boy who was taken into custody for allegedly threatening to carry out a school shooting at Creekside or Silver Sands Middle School in Volusia County. Chitwood posted the boys full name and mugshot to his Facebook page. This undated photo provided by Volusia County, Fla. Sheriff office shows Volusia County Sheriff Michael J. Chitwood (Volusia County, Fla. Sheriff office via AP) In the video, which had more than 270,000 views on Facebook as of Monday afternoon, the camera pans across a conference table covered in airsoft guns, pistols, fake ammunition, knives and swords that law enforcement officers claim the boy was showing off to other students. Later, the video cuts to officers letting the boy out of a squad car and leading him handcuffed into a secure facility, dressed in a blue flannel button-down shirt, black sweatpants and slip-on sandals. The boys face is fully visible at multiple points in the video. Right this way, young man, an officer tells the boy, his hands shackled behind his back. The boy is led into an empty cell, with metal cuffs around his wrists and ankles, before an officer closes the door and locks him inside. Do you have any questions? the officer asks as he bolts the door. No sir, the boy replies. The video prompted a stream of reactions on social media, with many residents praising Chitwood, calling on him to publicly identify the parents as well or press charges against them. Trump Florida assassination attempt suspect: What we know Others questioned the sheriffs decision, saying the 11-year-old is just a child, and that the weight of the responsibility should fall on his parents. Under Florida law, juvenile court records are generally exempt from public release but not if the child is charged with a felony, as in this case. Law enforcement officials across Florida have been tracking a stream of threats in the weeks since the 2024-2025 school year began. In Broward County, home to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, officials said last week they had already arrested nine students, ages 11 to 15, for making threats since August. For my parents, to the kids who are getting ready for school, Im going to say this again, Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said at a press conference, Nothing about this is a laughing or joking matter. Parents, students, its not a game, he added. ___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) A Florida sheriff fed up with a spate of false school shooting threats is taking a new tactic to try get through to students and their parents: hes posting the mugshot of any offender on social media. Law enforcement officials in Florida and across the country have seen a wave of school shooting hoaxes recently, including in the wake of the deadly attack at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, that killed two students and two teachers. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood on Floridas Atlantic Coast said hes tired of the hoaxes targeting students, disrupting schools and sapping law enforcement resources. In social media posts Monday, Chitwood warned parents that if their kids are arrested for making these threats, hell make sure the public knows. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood on Floridas Atlantic Coast said hes tired of the hoaxes targeting students, disrupting schools and sapping law enforcement resources. In social media posts Monday, Chitwood warned parents that if their kids are arrested for making these threats, hell make sure the public knows. (Volusia County Sheriffs Office) Since parents, you dont want to raise your kids, Im going to start raising them, Chitwood said. Every time we make an arrest, your kids photo is going to be put out there. And if I can do it, Im going to perp walk your kid so that everybody can see what your kids up to. Chitwood made the announcement in a video highlighting the arrest of an 11-year-boy who was taken into custody for allegedly threatening to carry out a school shooting at Creekside or Silver Sands Middle School in Volusia County. Chitwood posted the boys full name and mugshot to his Facebook page. In the video, which had more than 270,000 views on Facebook as of Monday afternoon, the camera pans across a conference table covered in airsoft guns, pistols, fake ammunition, knives and swords that law enforcement officers claim the boy was showing off to other students. Later, the video cuts to officers letting the boy out of a squad car and leading him handcuffed into a secure facility, dressed in a blue flannel button-down shirt, black sweatpants and slip-on sandals. The boys face is fully visible at multiples points in the video. Right this way, young man, an officer tells the boy, his hands shackled behind his back. The boy is led into an empty cell, with metal cuffs around his wrists and ankles, before an officer closes the door and locks him inside. Do you have any questions? the officer asks as he bolts the door. No sir, the boy replies. The video prompted a stream of reactions on social media, with many residents praising Chitwood, calling on him to publicly identify the parents as well or press charges against them. Others questioned the sheriffs decision, saying the 11-year-old is just a child, and that the weight of the responsibility should fall on his parents. Under Florida law, juvenile court records are generally exempt from public release but not if the child is charged with a felony, as in this case. Law enforcement officials across Florida have been tracking a stream of threats in the weeks since the 2024-2025 school year began. In Broward County, home to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, officials said last week they had already arrested nine students, ages 11 to 15, for making threats since August. For my parents, to the kids who are getting ready for school, Im going to say this again, Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said at a press conference, nothing about this is a laughing or joking matter. Parents, students, its not a game, he added. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. A Florida sheriff released the mug shot and video of an 11-year-old child charged with a felony for allegedly making a written threat of a mass shooting. The release came just days after the sheriff said he would start releasing the mug shots of students who are arrested for making school shooting threats; two teenagers and the 11-year-old child were taken into custody within the last few days. "Since parents, you don't want to raise your kids, I'm gonna start raising them," Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said at a news conference Friday. "Every time we make an arrest, your kids' photo is going to be put out there and if I can do it, I'm gonna perp walk your kid so that everybody can see what your kid's up to." On Monday, the sheriff's office announced the arrest of the 11-year-old Creekside Middle School student who allegedly threatened to commit a school shooting and had a "written list of people he claimed he would kill," authorities said. The boy, of Port Orange, is accused of showing off "several weapons" during a video chat with friends and threatening to commit the shooting at Creekside or Silver Sands Middle School, the sheriff's office said in a news release. Detectives were alerted through Fortify Florida, which allows people to make anonymous reports of suspicious activity to law enforcement and school officials. The sheriffs office released the childs name, mug shot and a video of him being escorted into the jail. NBC News is not naming the child or showing his picture because he is a minor. Police in Florida's Volusia County say they recovered airsoft rifles, pistols and fake ammunition along with knives, swords and other weapons, from a middle school student who threatened to commit a school shooting. In the video, the child is handcuffed behind his back as deputies take him inside the jail. He's then cuffed around his ankles as he's told to wait in a holding cell until deputies can gather some paperwork. "Do you have any questions?" the deputy asks. "No, sir," the boy responds. Authorities searched the child's room and allegedly found a large number of airsoft rifles, pistols and fake ammunition along with knives, swords and other weapons, the news release states. The alleged list of targets was also recovered. The child told deputies that the threat was a joke, according to the news release. Sheriff Chitwood said it's no laughing matter. "Go talk to the families who have lost a loved one in a school shooting. These little knuckleheads think its funny. Go talk to those parents and see how funny this is. Its not," he said at Friday's news conference. The sheriff said that upward of 54 tips had recently been reported through Fortify Florida, and investigators and school districts "have been running around the clock to investigate these tips which are all turning out to be false." He said the situation was "absolutely out of control" and that it was costing investigators thousands of dollars. "Were gonna have a poster out, Im gonna show you every kid thats been arrested and where they go to school. And from there on out, were going to publicly shame them and their parents," the sheriff told reporters. "So parents, do your job. Dont let Sheriff Chitwood raise our kids. This is absolutely ridiculous." The 11-year-old's arrest came days after two Heritage Middle School students were taken into custody. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office said in a news release on Friday that two teenagers, ages 13 and 14, allegedly posted threats on TikTok and Instagram. They were both charged with felony making written threats to kill. Volusia County Schools said in a joint statement with the sheriff's office that "safety is the number one priority" and that every possible threat is thoroughly investigated. "Any students or individuals found responsible for making threats or spreading false information will face serious consequences. This includes disciplinary actions at the school level, such as suspension or expulsion, as well as potential legal action, including arrest," the statement read. "We need the continued support of our parents and community members to reinforce the seriousness of these offenses to your children." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Kids in Florida are getting vaccinated at extremely amidst years of anti-vaccine misinformation post-pandemic, exhausting pediatricians and healthcare providers in the state, the Tallahassee Democrat reported. Just 90.6% of Florida kindergarteners have been vaccinated for highly contagious diseases this school year, 5% below the baseline vaccination rate recommended by healthcare experts to prevent the spread of disease. It's the lowest child vaccination rate Florida has seen since 2009. "Kids aren't getting the protection they need. We're just one step away from another outbreak," Miami pediatrician Dr. Lisa Gwynn told the newspaper The data is very clear. Vaccines are safe and effective, but we're up against this polarization right now. It's difficult; it's hard to do the work that we've been trained to do." Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, skepticism of vaccination has steadily risenn. According to a recent national survey, just 40% of parents think it is extremely important to vaccinate their children, down from 58% in 2019 and 64% in 2001. The survey also found that the declining belief in the importance of vaccines is essentially confined to Republicans and Republican-leaning independents. In the red state of Florida, vaccine skepticism is as high as ever, leading the state to have some of the lowest vaccination rates in the country. Floridas own Department of Health has repeatedly spread vaccine misinformation, the Tallahassee Democrat reported, even calling for an end to all COVID-19 vaccinations. The misinformation is exhausting for doctors, who cant keep up with higher infection rates, Gwynn told the outlet. Others refuse to see unvaccinated children altogether. It's not just about the individual child, but it's also about family members and also their classmates within the classroom, and then it's the community at large. I think we've gotten away from that, she said. Former Albuquerque firefighters accused of rape could go to trial early next year ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The three former Albuquerque firefighters charged with rape could be going to trial early next year. Aden Heyman, Angel Portillo, and Anthony Martin are accused of sexually abusing a woman during an off-duty party last year. Rio Rancho teen accused of murder will be held behind bars Investigators said the men took turns raping her in Martins home before the woman escaped through a bathroom window. The court is looking to set the trial for the end of February or March. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jeff Flake, U.S. ambassador to Turkiye, speaks in an interview with the Deseret News at Crossroads of the World International Trade Summit at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Thursday, May 23, 2024. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Veteran U.S. politician, former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and BYU alumnus Jeff Flake has just been named the new board chairman for World Trade Center Utah. The Arizona native and father of five children recently became a resident of Utah following the end of his ambassadorship earlier this month. Im thrilled to join WTC Utah, Flake said in a press release. Utah has strong global partnerships, and its innovative business ecosystem and entrepreneurial spirit create opportunities for international expansion. Im confident that we can enhance Utahs position as a key player in the global economy and create lasting opportunities for business across the state. In 2000, Flake won a seat as a Republican representing Arizona in the U.S. House of Representatives and served six consecutive terms before heading to the upper house as an Arizona senator, where he served a six-year term from 2013 to 2019. While a senator, Flake served as chairman of the Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology & the Law as well as chairing the Africa Subcommittee of the Foreign Relations Committee. In 2021, Flake was appointed the U.S. ambassador to Turkey by President Joe Biden, where he served in that diplomatic role until Sept. 1 of this year. Prior to entering Congress, Flake served as executive director of the Goldwater Institute in Arizona. He also directed the Foundation for Democracy in Namibia during that nations transition to independence. While at BYU, Flake earned degrees in international relations and political science. World Trade Center Utah said Flakes background and experience aligns perfectly with WTC Utahs mission to elevate Utah companies on the global stage and drive economic resilience. Ambassador Flakes appointment as chair reinforces our ongoing commitment to combining diplomatic expertise with business acumen, said Jonathan Freedman, president and CEO of WTC Utah. In addition to announcing Flake as WTC Utahs new board chairman on Monday, succeeding former Utah governor and U.S. ambassador Jon Huntsman Jr., WTC Utah also shared news that Paul Burdiss, president and CEO of Zions Bank and former CFO of Zions Bancorporation, has joined WTC Utahs board of directors. Together (Ambassador Flake and Paul Burdiss) ... will enhance our ability to create new global opportunities for Utah companies, continuing our established focus on the intersection of commerce and international relations, Freedman said. Earlier this year, Flake spoke to Deseret News political reporter Samuel Benson about his work as a diplomat in an area that became an unexpected hot zone when, just a month after he assumed the duties of his U.S. ambassadorship, Russia invaded Ukraine, just across the Black Sea from Turkey. Then, a year-and-a-half later, war broke out to the south, when Hamas attacked Israel. Turkey borders Syria, Iraq, Iran, Armenia and Georgia. It shares the Black Sea with Ukraine and Russia. As a Muslim-majority country, its population is sympathetic to Palestine. Theres a lot going on, Flake said. When the White House asked if Id consider something, I said, Only if its consequential, Flake said in the May interview. He laughed. We overshot the mark. A former autism center employee tried to report fraud to the state. Nobody responded. Smart Therapy Center is an autism center housed inside this building on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis. Photo by Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer. A former supervisor at a Minneapolis autism therapy provider called Smart Therapy Center made repeated attempts to report what she said were negligence and fraud to state officials. The woman, who was granted anonymity because she fears retribution for speaking out, said she worked at the autism center for almost two years. Clients arent learning anything from this agency. This agency will do anything to keep clients from going to other centers to seek the additional assistance they require or need, she wrote in an email to the state Department of Human Services. The former Smart Therapy workers account offers clues as to why and how federal investigators are examining potential Medicaid fraud in the state autism program, as the Reformer first reported in June. Minnesota doesnt license autism centers, so theres virtually no regulatory oversight. A federal investigation of a fraud-riddled federal child nutrition program unearthed connections to Minnesota autism centers, which have exploded in growth since 2018. The number of autism therapy providers increased 700% in the past five years, while payments to providers increased a whopping 3,000%. Smart Therapy Center hires relatives or young people with no education or experience so they can pay them less and conceal their activities, the former worker said. I and other former employees witnessed some neglect regarding clients education needs and self-care. The clients goals arent being run by the behavioral therapist there, she told DHS, which administers Minnesotas version of Medicaid, known here as Medical Assistance, a federal-state health plan for poor and disabled people. Smart Therapy did not respond to a request for comment. The state is investigating 15 autism providers, has already withheld payments to providers and forwarded five to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. Although the identities of the centers are unknown, an immigrant autism provider complained that DHS discriminates against minority providers. The autism investigation comes close on the heels of the Feeding Our Future scandal, which is believed to be the biggest pandemic relief fraud in the nation and has underscored state governments failure to stop program fraud in recent years. The woman said that even months after contacting the DHS Office of Inspector General which can halt payments and refer cases for prosecution nobody followed up with her. Without licensing, DHS cant track caseload size or staffing ratios. Last year, the Legislature directed DHS to study whether to begin licensing autism centers and better regulate them. Despite the rapid growth of the state autism program since launching in mid-2015, many children with autism spectrum disorder still arent receiving the services they need due to a shortage of providers, which illustrates the problem with widespread fraud in government programs resources that should be supporting children in need are instead lining the pockets of scammers. Smart Therapy is still an active provider, according to DHS. A DHS spokesperson said in a statement that all reports of suspected fraud or abuse are reviewed, but due to the volume of reports received, the department only reaches out to people if more information is needed. And investigatory data is not public under state law, so the agency isnt able to share updates about investigations until theyre resolved. Smart Therapy formed in 2019 and quickly became one of the highest paid providers, reimbursed over a half million dollars by the state in 2020 the 14th highest amount out of 85 fee-for-service providers that year. (Some Medicaid recipients get their insurance directly through the Minnesota Medicaid program, with providers billing DHS on a fee-for-service basis. Other people on Medicaid get services from private health insurance companies that the state contracts with known as managed care organizations for a fixed price per person.) Smart Therapy was paid the ninth most out of 142 providers in 2021, when it was reimbursed $2.1 million. It was paid the third most out of 206 providers in 2022, at $2.8 million, and the seventh most out of 280 providers last year, when it was paid $2.6 million. While Smart Therapy rocketed to the top quickly after opening, the autism center also got money from the federal child nutrition program that federal prosecutors say was rife with fraud during the pandemic. Smart Therapy claimed it served over 199,400 meals and snacks in 2020 and 2021 under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future the nonprofit at the center of the federal fraud. No one from Smart Therapy has been charged in the Feeding Our Future case. The child nutrition program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Minnesota Department of Education was designed to feed hungry children as schools and child care centers shuttered. But prosecutors have said very few meals were actually given away; instead, fraudsters filed phony invoices and fake rosters of children to steal over $250 million. Seventy people have been charged so far, and 23 have been convicted while dozens more await trial. Smart Therapy was reimbursed over $465,000 for the child nutrition program in 2020-2021, and over $85,000 in 2019, when it was reimbursed for nearly 41,000 meals and snacks under the sponsorship of Partners in Nutrition, the other nonprofit enmeshed in the federal case. DHS Inspector General Kulani Moti said in a statement that fraud is unacceptable, and DHS set up programs to prevent it as often as possible. She said some of the people with connections to Feeding Our Future have been disqualified from working in a DHS-funded provider organization for 15 years. Some of the individuals were controlling individuals in the provider organizations and we revoked the licenses and stopped payments, she said, without providing specifics. But to the former Smart Therapy employee, DHS is failing to do even the basics. No one has contacted me, she said about a month after the Reformer forwarded her concerns to the OIG at her request. Some were absolutely horrific An early childhood special education public teacher said she and colleagues have been concerned about questionable practices at some Minnesota autism centers. These are popping up and its super shady. This year theyre coming out of the woodwork. The source, who was granted anonymity because she was not authorized to speak by her employer, does initial evaluations of children up to age 5, and talks to parents about any concerns. Some 3- to 5-year-old children attend her schools half-day program and then get bused to autism centers. She said some operators of those autism centers are unhappy that the school has children for half of the day, e.g., taking their clients. Theres been a lot particularly this year of families opting out of early childhood special ed options because they dont want to lose their programming with this autism center, said the employee. Families she worked with said they were told by autism providers to continue with autism center programming rather than starting school, which has specialized programming for ages 3 to 5. Often immigrant families have little understanding of the autism centers purpose, she said. Some parents have never heard of autism, even though their kids are in an autism center. Some think their children are going to regular child care, when actually theyre going to an autism center. One father told her the autism center offered free child care. His daughter was diagnosed with a speech delay, not autism. The teacher made it her mission to get inside some of the autism centers to see what they were like, and said she got into five last year. Some of the centers were located in crazy business parks, she said. Its like somebody had taken a business office and gotten rid of everything, she said. Often she found a lot of young staff members many glued to their phones and few children. Not one had a speech clinician on site. There were few toys or core boards, visuals or other learning or therapy materials. Sometimes, she said, the employees seemed to be putting on a show for their visitors. Some were absolutely horrific, she said. Some were using a decades-old, now-controversial intensive, one-on-one treatment called applied behavior analysis, or ABA, but she said it was poorly done: She saw one behavior technician instruct a child to sit, stay, and spin. It was terrible, she said. Meanwhile, the parents rarely get past the waiting room if they get there at all, since many children are transported alone in taxi cabs or vans, free of charge to see whats happening, she said. Somali autism moms call for more training A 2009 Minnesota Department of Health study found the proportion of 3- to 4-year-old Somali kids receiving autism services was as much as seven times higher than non-Somali children. More recent data show the disparity has only grown. The prevalence of autism is significantly higher among Somali 4-year-olds, at 1 in 16, compared to the overall Minnesota rate of 1 in 53, according to Jennifer Hall-Lande, investigator with the Minnesota Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, which is funded by CDC to research the number of children with autism in Hennepin, Anoka and Ramsey counties. The rate among 8-year-old Somali children is comparable to all Minnesota children 1 in 34 children which is slightly higher than the average among 11 states tracked by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hall-Lande said the data cant explain why the prevalence is so high among Somali 4-year-olds. Anecdotally, Hall-Lande said, there could be greater awareness of autism in some communities, resulting in earlier referral and identification. Some children may be served under a different eligibility category at older ages, or some older children may leave the public schools and go to charter schools, she said. In the wake of news that autism centers are under federal scrutiny, a group of self-described autism moms say more training is needed for providers serving the many Somali-descended children on the spectrum. Idil Abdull is a Somali-American immigrant whose son has autism, which led her to advocacy. She opened an autism therapy agency and co-founded the Somali American Autism Foundation of Minnesota. She and other Somali parents of children with autism fought for years to get the state Medicaid program to pay for applied behavior analysis for low-income children on managed care plans. ABA focuses on changing behaviors and takes more hours of repetitive therapy, and thus higher reimbursement. Abdull said before immigrant providers entered the field, white providers bullied and discriminated against parents of children of color. Minority providers saw the need to provide autism services beyond the 9-to-5 workday and stepped in to provide evening and weekend hours, she said. She said DHS needs to do a better job of educating some communities about autism, and the rules and regulations governing autism centers, to help them succeed. When a minority agency sneezes the wrong way, DHS has a meltdown, but when a non-minority agency does something wrong, they dont even blink, Abdull said. We worked too long and too hard since 2007 for our children in Minnesota and nationwide to let anyone, including DHS, dismiss our pain and challenges. Fatima Molas, co-founder of the Multicultural Autism Action Network, said Somali parents met a few times with a DHS autism official to give ideas for how to help the community, but there was no follow through. Molas and other Somali autism moms called on DHS to provide culturally appropriate training to minority providers. Molas said before more immigrant providers entered the market, families were wait-listed and would never get a phone call from autism centers. Newer providers that better represent diverse communities are more flexible, offering services beyond the traditional 9-5 work day, some of them advertising that theyre open seven days a week. The number of providers who diagnose and treat autism has increased from 41 providers in 2018 to 328 last year. The amount paid to providers during that time climbed from about $6 million to nearly $192 million. The Autism Treatment Association of Minnesota says the rapid increase in the number of providers and payments correlates with the launching of the state program in 2018. But the group has advocated for stronger licensure and oversight of service providers, supporting a bill passed last session requiring people who practice applied behavior analysis and use the title of behavior analyst to be licensed by the Minnesota Board of Psychology. Abdull opposed licensing behavior analysts but supports licensing autism centers, because, she said, These are vulnerable kids; they cant speak for themselves. Eric Larsson, executive director of clinical services for Lovaas Institute Midwest, which provides autism services to children in their homes and community, serves on a national certification board that responded to 2018 fraud allegations in Florida by setting up a special unit to process the complaints. That state found therapy providers billing for more than 24 hours in a day, billing for 31 consecutive days, and falsifying qualifications. Larsson used to think Minnesota had too many bureaucratic hurdles. But he said without the safeguard of licensing, the same type of fraud could happen here. Employees defend center Smart Therapy Center is inside a brick building with blue awnings on the front and an outdoor play area, on Hennepin Avenue just south of Franklin Avenue. On a recent morning, the front door of the building was locked, with a buzzer that nobody answered, although a few minutes later three Smart Therapy employees came out so one could show the other two her new car. They said there were two children inside the center that day, fewer now that regular school is in session. They said its a good place to work. They declined to give their names. Another woman showed up but wouldnt give her name and said shes worked there for three years. She said Smart Therapy gave away food during the pandemic and does an amazing job. Parents express gratitude for the therapy, she said. The owner would not be coming, she said, and the center director was out for a medical issue. She declined to allow a reporter inside to see what was behind the locked front door. City of Pittsburgh employee accused of using wasp spray during road rage incident A Pittsburgh city employee is off the job and charged with assault after an alleged road rage incident on the Panther Hollow Bridge. Hes just defending himself, like why are these people attacking me? Im a city employee doing my job, defense attorney Phil DiLucente told Channel 11. DiLucente says thats what was going through Pittsburgh Public Works employee, Paul Grguras mind, as he allegedly sprayed wasp spray in another drivers face. Police say it happened last week when Grguras was driving a backhoe over the Panther Hollow Bridge. Investigators say the driver of a car behind Grguras beeped his horn because Grguras was swerving. Police say Grguras then stopped the backhoe and began arguing with the other driver. Thats when Grguras allegedly broke the victims side mirror and sprayed him in the face with wasp spray. However, DiLucente told Channel 11, his client is the victim. He gets out, and before you know it, they roll up the window, almost pinning his hands, and pull the car back up. Thats when his body hits the side mirror It didnt end there police say Grguras began yelling racial slurs at the victims two children and threatened to beat them up. I think this was something that was just said, if said at all, out of anger but not something that was derogatory toward a certain race or ethnicity, DiLucente added. Thats when another public works employee who was passing by, stopped and de-escalated the situation. As for Grguras, his future with public works is unclear, as a city spokesperson told Channel 11, that hes going through their disciplinary process, and have since pulled him from work. The spokesperson added that the City apologizes to the family who interacted with this worker and they do not condone his behavior. There are lots of allegations. Its one-sided in this criminal complaint, but I think at the end of the day, everything is going to get worked, DiLucente added. Investigators say the victims children recorded the incident. Grguras lost his job with the city in 2007 after being accused of not disclosing a previous criminal record on a background check. He sued the city and got his job back in 2010. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Time releases Worlds Best Companies, 7 are based in Pittsburgh Charleroi residents, leaders respond to former President Trumps comments on immigrant population 2 people charged after man shot, killed over cleanliness of house in South Side Slopes, police say VIDEO: Girl, 13, still recovering after she was shot in Duquesne home DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley said she will vote for former President Donald Trump during an event at the Hudson Institute on May 22, 2024 in Washington, DC. Haley, who challenged Trump, her former boss, for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, was named the Walter P. Stern Chair of the institution. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will host a weekly radio show on SiriusXM starting Sept. 25 and running through the presidential inauguration in January. The American people are smart, Haley said in a press release announcing the show with the satellite radio provider. Theyre sick of distractions in D.C. and noise from the mainstream media. They want to know what the issues are and how the solutions will impact them. The show, Nikki Haley Live, will air from 8-9 a.m. every Wednesday. It will be hosted on SiriusXMs Triumph Channel 111 and will be available on podcast platforms after airing. The hour-long program will include Haleys analysis of the news and conversations with guests and callers, according to the release. It did not say how much theyre paying her, and a spokesperson for SiriusXM did not immediately answer the SC Daily Gazettes question about it. Whether the show continues past January depends on whether Americans like what they hear, Haley told The Associated Press. The show is the latest in a series of new roles Haley has taken on since dropping out of the Republican presidential primary in the spring. Haley has said shes not looking for a job in a potential second Trump administration. Earlier in September, the Washington-based Edelman Global Advisory, a public affairs division with the Edelman company, announced Haley was joining as a vice chair. This spring, she also took a job with the conservative, Washington, D.C.-based Hudson Institute think tank as the Walter P. Stern Chair. In 2023, Haley jumped into the Republican presidential primary, opposing her former boss. She ended as the last serious challenger to Trump. Haley ultimately suspended her campaign after Super Tuesday, having won just Vermont and Washington, D.C. while Trump cruised to victory even in her home states GOP primary. Although Haley declined to endorse Trump when she left the race, her public support for him since has grown from confirming she would vote for him to fully endorsing him at the Republican National Convention. Haley was a state legislator when voters elected her in 2010 as the Palmetto States first female and first minority governor. She left midway through her second term, in January 2017, after Trump named her his first United Nations ambassador. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A former Poland Township Police Officer and Austintown trustee will have to report to prison after losing an appeal in his case. Read next: Local marijuana dispensary facing closure due to recreational sales ban Steve Kent filed an appeal in September of 2023 after a jury convicted him of a felony tampering with evidence charge in August of 2023 when prosecutors said he reset his cell phone to impede an investigation against him. He was also facing sex charges involving a Poland high school student who alleged she had been involved in a sexual relationship with him while he was working as a school resource officer at the time. Kent was acquitted of the sex charges and was released from the Mahoning County Jail last October after he was granted a stay in the case. The 7th District Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that Kents conviction of felony tampering with evidence will stand. In his appeal, Kent argued his conviction was based on insufficient evidence on all of the material elements of the crime. He also argued his one-year sentence was disproportionate. The appeals court affirmed his conviction and sentence. WKBN has learned that Kent is being instructed to report to the Mahoning County Justice Center 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 WKBN.com. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A former public official and a former corporate executive have both been charged with felonies in connection with a multimillion-dollar state behavioral health services contract, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Wesley Landers, 55, of Cumming, Georgia, and Jeffrey Wells, 54, of Canton, Georgia, have been charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice and to commit perjury in connection with a $123 million contract for behavioral health services for the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC). National Voter Registration Day: Check your registration status in Tennessee The DOJ said Landers was the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Financial Officer for TDOC from 2012 until March 2020. From at least 2018 until February of 2021, Wells was the vice president of an unnamed company, labeled only as Company B. According to the DOJ, TDOC had a contract for behavioral health services with a different company, labeled Company A, for all inmates in 2019. When state officials knew the contract was set to expire, they sent out a request for proposals (RFP) for a new contract. Through the bid process, Wellss company, Company B, was awarded the new contract, valued at $123,513,819, in July 2020. However, before the new contract was awarded, Landers allegedly used his personal email to provide confidential TDOC information related to the bidding process to Wells. This allegedly occurred from September 2018 until February 2020, according to the DOJ. When Landers left TDOC, he was then hired at Company B as the Vice President of Operations, where he reported to Wells. This position, the DOJ said, was created specifically for Landers; it was not advertised to other candidates and neither Landers nor any other candidates were interviewed before he was hired. By February 2021, the DOJ said senior leadership at the company learned Landers had given Wells confidential TDOC information during the RFP process, and the CEO of the company fired them both. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The information came out after Company A filed a civil lawsuit related to the RFPs in October 2020, according to the DOJ. That lawsuit named both Company B and the State of Tennessee as defendants in the suit. Both Landers and Wells were issued subpoenas for all their TDOC RFP-related communications. According to the DOJ, Landers and Wells actively impeded the investigation by conspiring to commit perjury in the federal suit and covering up alleged bribery on their parts. Landers allegedly began using a specialized program to delete his personal emails with Wells that were related to the subpoenas. Landers and Wells also got new cellphones which they used to discuss the need to hide information in response to the subpoenas and deposition notices, per the DOJ. The two also gave false testimony during their depositions, including about whether they shared documents related to the RFPs, when they last spoke, and if they communicated on WhatsApp, the DOJ said. While charges are merely an accusation and no one has been adjudicated, if convicted, both men face up to five years imprisonment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Federal prosecutors have levvied criminal charges against the Tennessee Department of Correction's former chief financial officer and a high-ranking health care executive who prosecutors say schemed together to rig the bidding process for a $123 million contract. Wesley Olan Landers and Jeffrey Scott Wells are charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice and to commit perjury, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee announced Tuesday. Landers worked as deputy commissioner and CFO for TDOC from 2012 until March 2020 before joining Centurion, the prison health care company where Wells was a vice president. If convicted, they each face up to five years in federal prison, the attorney's office stated in a news release. The alleged misconduct first surfaced in discovery in a lawsuit brought by a competing health care company that lost the contract to Centurion. In 2019, TDOC started taking bids from health care companies for a new contract for providing behavioral health services to inmates. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, between September 2018 and February 2020, Landers shared confidential information about TDOC's bidding process with Wells using his personal email account and the messaging program WhatsApp. In March 2020, Landers stopped working at TDOC and took a position at Centurion specifically created for him, where he reported to Wells, according to prosecutors. In July 2020, TDOC announced it had chosen Centurion over other candidates. The company had landed a $123 million contract. Corizon, now known as YesCare, sued Centurion in October 2020, alleging "Centurion was awarded the Contract under terms only Centurion could meet." As the case progressed, Centurion's senior leadership learned that Landers had provided Wells confidential information, according to prosecutors. In February 2021, they were both fired. Shortly after, according to the attorney's office, they both began deleting their messages to conceal their scheme. A court filing states that the day Corizon served him with a subpoena, Landers created an account on Quora, a question-and-answer website, to visit pages posing questions such as "How do I delete WhatsApp chats permanently?" and "If the police seize my phone can they still recover all of my WhatsApp messages even if I deleted the app?" Here are the sites Landers visited: quora.com/unanswered/If-the-police-seize-my-phone-can-they-still-recover-all-of-my-WhatsApp-messages-even-if-I-deleted-the-app quora.com/How-is-the-police-able-to-backtrackmessages-on-WhatsApp-even-though-they-are-end-to-end-encrypted-Is-WhatsApp-cheating-people-by-stating-that-the-messages-are-encrypted?top_answ=240742156 quora.com/According-to-WhatsApp-chats-between-two-people-are-end-to-end-encrypted-How-are-they-accessed-by-NCBCBI-or-police-Even-WhatsApp-cannot-read-them-How-do-these-agencies-get-those-chats?top_ans=240243301 quora.com/unanswered/If-I-delete-WhatsApp-will-my-messages-be-deleted-permanently-or-could-they-be-retrieved-from-a-server-if-they-company-was-legally-required-to-provide-them quora.com/How-do-I-delete-WhatsApp-chats-permanently?top_ans=85717595 The filing states Landers and Wells lied during depositions in the lawsuit, with Landers stating he had "no recollection" of sending Wells documents related to the contract solicitation and Wells stating he had no communications with Landers about the request for proposals by the state while solicitation was ongoing. Corizon and Centurion settled the lawsuit in early 2022, court records show. A news release from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office in 2022 identifies Landers as a district manager for food services provider Aramark. His voicemail also identifies him as "Wes Landers with Aramark." TDOC had a contract with Aramark from 2016 to at least June 30, 2024, according to the Tennessee Department of General Services' website. The U.S. Attorney's Office did not name Centurion or Corizon in the charging document for Landers and Wells, but the information matches and is corroborated by previous reporting and court records. TDOC declined to comment. Centurion, Aramark, Landers and Wells did not respond to requests for comment. Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him at emealins@gannett.com or follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @EvanMealins. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Ex-TDOC official, health care exec charged in $123M contract scheme Mark Meadows, Donald Trumps former White House chief of staff, failed to convince a judge that his criminal case related to the 2020 election in Arizona should be moved to federal court, which could have made it easier to have the charges dismissed. Meadows similarly failed in his bid to move the criminal case against him in Georgia related to the 2020 election to federal court but has asked the US Supreme Court to weigh in. Meadows and 17 other Trump associates, including the fake electors from that state and several individuals connected to his campaign, were indicted earlier this year over their efforts to overturn Trumps 2020 election loss. Meadows has pleaded not guilty to the charges. US District Judge John Tuchi ruled that Meadows had mounted the effort too late and disagreed with his arguments as to why the untimely bid should be allowed to proceed. But Tuchi, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, also wrote in the 15-page ruling that Meadows had failed to show how the conduct at issue in his criminal case related to his official duties as Trumps last chief of staff, an argument that Meadows has been pushing as hes sought to avoid criminal prosecution. The States charged conduct is unrelated to Mr. Meadowss official duties, the judge wrote Monday. Although the Court credits Mr. Meadowss theory that the Chief of Staff is responsible for acting as the Presidents gatekeeper, that conclusion does not create a causal nexus between Mr. Meadowss official authority and the charged conduct. Meadows plans to appeal the judges ruling, according to a source close to Meadows legal team. CNN has reached out to Meadows attorney in Arizona for comment. Tuchi went on to criticize Meadows for what he described as an attempt by the former chief of staff to rewrite the states indictment against him. Contrary to Mr. Meadowss assertions, the State has not indicted Mr. Meadows for merely facilitating communication to and from the President or for simply staying abreast of campaign goings-on, he wrote. Instead, the State has indicted Mr. Meadows for allegedly orchestrating and participating in an illegal electioneering scheme. Few, if any, of the States factual allegations even resemble the secretarial duties that Mr. Meadows maintains are the subject of the indictment. He continued: None of the factual allegations at issue here mention management of the Presidents time or facilitation of communication to and from the President, much less that any such time management or communication facilitation constitutes the charged conduct in this case. Similarly, contrary to Mr. Meadowss reframing of the indictment, he is not being prosecuted for receiving text messages intended to simply keep him apprised of what was happening with the Trump campaign. This story has been updated with additional details. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows lost a bid to move criminal charges against him in Arizona to a federal court, a repeat of a similarly unsuccessful effort in Georgia. U.S. District Judge John Tuchi ruled Monday that Meadows' case should continue in a state court, where Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes' office secured a grand jury indictment in April. Meadows and seven other Trump aides, as well as 11 Arizona Republicans, were charged with nine felonies that allege they tried to shift the state's 11 electoral college votes to Donald Trump in 2020, though Democrat Joe Biden won the state. Citing federal law, Meadows sought to move the case to federal court by making an argument that his involvement was in the course of official duties as chief of staff. That could have opened a path for Meadows to argue those official duties were immune from prosecution. Mark Meadows, left, Stephen Binhak and Jim Eastman appear virtually during a pretrial hearing in the fake electors case in Maricopa County Superior Court. But Tuchi said Meadows' request came too late, and the law on moving cases to federal court requires it be done within 30 days of an arraignment. Meadows' lawyers argued they had reason for filing 48 days after the arraignment. Tuchi disagreed. The Arizona judge said that in a similar election subversion case in Georgia for which Meadows has the same lawyers he filed a notice seeking to move the case to federal court two days after his arraignment. Beyond the timing issue, Tuchi also echoed an appeals court ruling in the Georgia case that said Meadows was not acting in an official capacity when he furthered alleged efforts to sway the election result. Meadows argued that, as chief of staff, he was a "gatekeeper" to the president, a filter for the Presidents time and attention, Tuchi's order says, quoting Meadows' motion to move courts. Meadows and his lawyers contended that his various text messages to others involved in the alleged effort to cast doubt on the election and create slates of false electors were part of his official role. But Tuchi rejected that argument. "The State has not indicted Mr. Meadows for merely facilitating communication to and from the President or for simply staying abreast of campaign goings-on," Tuchi wrote. "Instead, the State has indicted Mr. Meadows for allegedly orchestrating and participating in an illegal electioneering scheme. Few, if any, of the States factual allegations even resemble the secretarial duties that Mr. Meadows maintains are the subject of the indictment." Prosecutors said in court it was Meadows who gave former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey's phone number to former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, who is also facing charges and was a key figure in the efforts to discount Arizona's election result. Ducey withstood a pressure campaign and certified Biden's win in 2020. Meadows sent other messages that he was "working on" or "pushed" the alleged electors scheme, Tuchi wrote in his order. Lawyers for Meadows did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment. The Arizona Attorney General's Office sent Tuchi's order out via news release on Tuesday but declined to comment on the ruling. A federal appeals court earlier this year tossed aside Meadows' efforts to move charges in a similar election case to a federal court in Georgia. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in February said that former federal officials were not protected from state-level charges, USA Today reported. Furthermore, the appeals panel said, "the events giving rise to this criminal action were not related to Meadows's official duties." Meadows has pleaded not guilty to the charges in Arizona and Georgia. The Arizona case is set for trial in January 2026. Reach reporter Stacey Barchenger at stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com or 480-416-5669. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former Trump aide loses bid to move criminal case to federal court Former U.S Marine and FWC officer honored for saving man trapped in his car in the water NOKOMIS, Fla. - Two heroes were honored Monday afternoon in Sarasota County for the part they played in rescuing a man from a sinking car last December. Nine months ago, the weather outside Pops Sunset Grill in Nokomis wasnt sunny. It was foggy, rainy and dark. Bartender Dominic Yacca wont forget what happened next. "The band stopped playing, and they announced there was a vehicle in the intercostal," he said. Yacca, a former U.S Marine, told his co-workers hed be back. "I ran across the street to my vehicle, got in it and drove over the bridge," said Yacca. When he got there, he knew hed have to act fast. "The vehicle was already bouncing off the bridge, and passing high tide, rainy, windy. It was just bad conditions. The water was just moving," he recalled. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Officer Specialist Kelsey Dalton had been patrolling nearby and met Dominic at the bridge. "I said I have to get him out. Without hesitation, he said Ill go with you and I grabbed my baton out of the truck," said Dalton. The two jumped into the water, where Eric Peterson was trapped in his car. OTHER NEWS: Dog left outside for hours by Pinellas County pet resort employee dies from heat exhaustion: Document "The windows wouldnt work, the doors wouldnt work. I was locked in the car. It was a floating tomb basically," said Peterson. Peterson had tried kicking out the door and a window. "I kept thinking, oh Jesus please dont let me die like this," he told FOX 13. Yacca and Dalton were able to break out the back window and pulled Eric from his car, just as it went under. "You dont know what to say other than when there was no hope, they provided the hope I needed, and they are true heroes to even risk their own lives diving in water at night. They made the comment that if the car went down they would have found a way to get me out of there," said Peterson. Congressman Greg Steube honored both Dalton and Yacca for their heroism. "Its important to give attention to what happened. Its important for the community to see that this type of stuff, every day Americans every day are doing things to save Americans because they see people in need and they react," said Steube. Connections and bonds were formed over a rescue mission no one expected. "I told him, if this isnt your calling. I dont know what is. You dont see this every day in people, its pretty amazing," said Dalton. As the former Marine explores the possibility of joining the FWC he said everything happened for a reason. "I think we were both just at the right place at the right time," said Yacca. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: FORT PAYNE, Ala. (WHNT) Police say a student was arrested after making threats towards Fort Payne Middle School Monday afternoon. According to the Fort Payne Police Department, a school resource officer responded to a possible threat toward the middle school. After an investigation, the department said a student was arrested for the threat in conjunction with the Fort Payne City Schools System. The school system said there is no ongoing threat to the safety of the school community. The school system also said the student will face significant disciplinary consequences consistent with its Code of Conduct. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Authorities arrested a man after four people were injured in a car crash on Chuckanut Drive in Whatcom County around 7:44 p.m. Saturday. The cause of the crash was reckless driving, according to the Washington State Patrol. Nathan Singh, 20, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of vehicular assault. No drugs or alcohol were involved in the collision, and witnesses reported that Singh was driving with no regard for others, according to Washington State Patrol Trooper Kelsey Harding. Singh was heading south on Chuckanut Drive in a 2024 BMW M4. The second vehicle, a 2020 Hyundai Tucson, was being driven north, according to a news release from the Washington State Patrol. The BMW lost control and drove into the other lane, hitting the Hyundai. Both vehicles came to rest in the northbound lane, closing the road for several hours, according to the release. Singh and his passenger were not injured but the four people in the Hyundai, including two young children were injured. All four were taken to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham. Doctor doesnt always know best. In his new book, Blind Spots: When Medicine Gets It Wrong, and What It Means for Our Health, Dr. Marty Makary examines how some of the medical establishments biggest health recommendations in recent decades have been unfounded and even dangerous. Much of what the public is told about health is medical dogma an idea or practice given incontrovertible authority because someone decreed it to be true based on a gut feeling, writes Makary, a surgeon and professor at John Hopkin University. Here, a looks four instances where many doctors got it wrong. There are many commonly held assumptions in the medical world that have little data supporting them. I Viewfinder stock.adobe.com A new book looks at the effect of groupthink on public health. Wrong: Young children should avoid peanuts to be safe In 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a recommendation that children under age 4 and pregnant and lactating women avoid peanuts if there was potentially a high risk of allergy. That recommendation was based on a UK recommendation connected to a 1996 study from the British Medical Journal that actually found no association between pregnant mothers eating peanuts and their baby developing an allergy. Furthermore, the studys lead author, Jonathan Hourihane, told Makary that he opposed the guidance. Its not what I wanted people to believe, he said. Its ridiculous. Doctors once advised that young children and pregnant women avoid peanuts in the name of safety, but allergies spiked in the wake of the guidelines. yaroshenko stock.adobe.com In the wake of the AAP guidelines, peanut allergies saw a huge increase and became increasingly deadly. Suddenly emergency department visits for peanut anaphylaxis a life-threatening allergic swelling of the airways skyrocketed, and schools began enacting peanut bans, writes Makary. In 2007, roughly 5% of medical claims for anaphylactic food reactions were for peanuts; by 2016, 25% were. By 2019, there were reports that one in every 18 children in America had a peanut allergy. The AAP recommendation had created a vicious cycle, Makary writes. The more prevalent peanut allergies became, the more people avoided peanuts for young children. This, in turn, caused more peanut allergies. Today, many doctors recognize that early exposure to peanuts is best, but the remnants of the peanut avoidance recommendation still linger, write Makary. The US and UK have the highest rates of peanut allergies in the world. Wrong: Hormone replacement therapy is dangerous For decades HRT was considered something of a godsend for women in menopause, helping with symptoms such as hot flashes and depression, while also lowering the risk of heart attacks and Alzheimers. But in 2002, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) declared that HRT resulted in a 26% higher incidence of breast cancer. The pronouncement came from a study of nearly 17,000 women by Stanford and Harvard researchers, but it wasnt backed up by the actual data. A generation of women avoided using hormone replacement therapy because of unfounded breast cancer fears. Cultura Creative stock.adobe.com There was no statistically significant difference in the rates of breast cancer among women on HRT compared to those who took a placebo, writes Makary. The authors had misrepresented their data. But amazingly, hardly anyone noticed. Those who did and spoke out were drowned out by the masses. US prescriptions for HRT plummeted by 80%, and they remain low to this day, Makary notes. Tragically, a generation of millions of women were denied a life-changing treatment. Wrong: Antibiotics are harmless Theres no question that antibiotics save lives, but Makary notes that theyre wrongly thought to have no downsides and are being overprescribed to potentially devastating effect With ear infections in children, doctors once did a careful examination to distinguish between a bacterial and a viral infection, the latter of which is much more common and cant be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics save lives, but they can have negative effects. Steve Cukrov stock.adobe.com Today, doctors, aside from specialists, might not have the knowledge or time to make such a distinction or it might be a telehealth visit so theyll just write a prescription for antibiotics to cover their bases. But, he writes, the overprescribing of antibiotics is causing more harm that we may realize namely to gut health, which can potentially lead to a host of health issues. For a study published in 2021, Mayo Clinic followed all children born in Olmsted County, Minnesota for 11 years. Of those kids, about 10,000 were given an antibiotic in their first two years life. They had significantly higher rates of obesity, asthma, learning disability, ADHD and celiac disease compared to the roughly 4,000 children who did not receive antibiotics early in their life. Mayo Clinic doctors recently repeated the study, and it yielded similar results. Other research has suggested that everything from the rising number of food allergies to higher rates of breast and colon cancers in recent decades may be due, in part, to our declining microbiome health. Wrong: Fluoride in drinking water is a must Fluoride was first added to tap water in America starting in the 1940s to prevent tooth decay, and its now in roughly two-thirds of American homes. (In Europe, only about 3% of residents have it.) An analysis by the Cochrane Collaboration an international non-profit that reviews medical research found very little contemporary evidence that water fluoridation successfully prevented cavities, noting that studies suggesting otherwise were dated, poorly designed and did not take into account the fact that many people now use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride was first added to drinking water in America in the 1940s, but some are now questioning the practice. Kitch Bain stock.adobe.com Meanwhile, some research has raised concerns about the effect of fluoride on gut health and IQ in babies, as it can settle in fetal brain regions and effect neurotransmitters. A 2019 study in JAMA Pediatrics found that maternal exposure to higher levels of fluoride during pregnancy was associated with lower IQ scores in young children. More research is needed, but Makary notes this is yet another assumption we shouldnt take for granted. If someone tells you that fluoridation of the water supply is entirely safe and essential for public health, that is an opinion, not a fact. (Bloomberg) -- Ursula von der Leyen proposed sweeping portfolios for Italy and Spain, as well as a new role overseeing financial and industrial policy for France in her next European Commission. Most Read from Bloomberg The president of the blocs executive arm unveiled her proposed slate of commissioners in Strasbourg on Tuesday. Teresa Ribera, Spains climate minister, was tapped to be in charge of the powerful antitrust portfolio and oversee the clean-energy transition, while Italys European affairs minister, Raffaele Fitto, is tasked with cohesion policy, which involves overseeing significant EU funding, and regional development. Finlands Henna Virkkunen, who has spent a decade in the European Parliament, will have a portfolio that includes technology sovereignty, security and democracy. On Monday, France named outgoing foreign minister Stephane Sejourne to be its nominee to replace EU internal market chief Thierry Breton, who blasted von der Leyens judgment Monday in a sharply worded resignation letter. Sejournes proposed role which would give him oversight of trade, financial services and the economy sets France up for a central role in the EUs increasingly urgent debate over how to boost its competitiveness. The bloc is under pressure to respond to growing industrial challenges from China and the US as it digests the findings of a new report from former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi. The whole college is committed to competitiveness, von der Leyen told reporters, saying she was implementing some of Draghis recommendations. We have dissipated the former rigid stovepipes. Von der Leyen has spent weeks balancing a set of competing demands from political parties and the EUs 27 member states as she tried to find a slate of nominees and portfolios that would pass muster with governments and survive scrutiny in the European Parliament. When von der Leyen appointed her first set of commissioners in 2019, she said, the topic of global warming was absolute top. This time, she noted, that while climate change remains a key topic, the topic of security and competitiveness has much more impact on the composition and the design of political guidelines. The slate of 26 commissioners need to be approved by the European Parliament following a series of confirmation hearings. Von der Leyen would like to have the new commission in place by Nov. 1 but that target could slip to December. Von der Leyen had said she wanted a gender-balanced commission, but struggled to persuade countries to put forward both male and female nominees, meaning she had to settle for a slate where only 11 of the 26 choices were women. Four of her six picks for executive vice president roles, however, were women. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who had voted against von der Leyens bid for a second term as commission president, praised Fittos assignment. In a post on X, she called it an important recognition that confirms the newfound central role of our Nation in the EU. Italy is finally back to being a protagonist in Europe. Fitto will oversee the expenditure of nearly 400 billion under the EU budget, one of the biggest pots of funding. This porfolio has also become instrumental over the past years in disputes with countries, most notably Hungary, over rule of law and corruption concerns, as Brussels blocked the disbursement of these funds to force governments to amend national laws. The commission is also considering using these powers with Slovakia over corruption concerns, Bloomberg previously reported. Competition Role In a commission thats majority male, Ribera, Spains deputy prime minister, will have a top seat at the table overseeing the transition and competition policy. The 55-year-old has been consistently one of the most climate ambitious on the EUs green deal. But she is also pragmatic, successfully bridging divides between Germany and France on nuclear power during Spains presidency of the 27-member bloc and helping lead climate negotiations at COP29 in Dubai last year. Ribera will be responsible for enforcing the blocs heavy arsenal of antitrust rules against some of the worlds largest companies. This includes ongoing probes into Google, Gucci, Red Bull, and Apple, as well as the blocs merger rules at a time of increasing consolidation in the telecom, tech and airline sectors. Shes also help manage enforcement of the EUs powerful new Big Tech law the Digital Markets Act and police potentially distortive foreign subsidies into the EU. The biggest challenge for Ribera will be to ensure the EU keeps its ambitious climate policy after fears about the costs of the Green Deal triggered protests from farmers and industry. In a bid to allay the concerns, von der Leyen already pledged a Clean Industrial Deal that would ensure European companies stay competitive during the massive green overhaul. Virkkunen, meanwhile. takes on an influential new role spearheading EU policies on digital and cutting-edge technology, as well as strengthening the blocs security and rule of law. A center-right member of EU parliament, Virkkunen, 52, has built a track record as a digitally savvy policymaker. As a member of the parliaments influential industry, research and energy committee, she worked on several tech and cybersecurity rulebooks, including the landmark Digital Services Act the EUs attempt to rein in online platforms with strict rules on content moderation. Before moving to Brussels, Virkkunen had served as Finlands minister of education and minister of public administration. Some of the other key proposed roles include: Climate and Energy Former Dutch finance minister Wopke Hoekstra will continue his role overseeing climate policy for the EU, including on a diplomatic level meaning he will likely represent the bloc at upcoming global climate negotiations in Baku, Azerbaijan. Hell also oversee tax. Denmarks climate minister Dan Jorgensen is set to become the EUs next energy chief, overseeing the blocs transition away from fossil fuels. The 49-year-old social democrat was at key meetings through the brunt of the energy crisis following Russias invasion of Ukraine and is seen as a trusted pair of hands on the world stage, landing key roles during international climate negotiations. His key priority will be lowering the high cost of energy, which is hampering the economy, and also weaning the bloc off Russian fossil fuels. Defense Andrius Kubilius, a two-time prime minister of Lithuania, is being tapped for the defense portfolio. Hes a staunch Ukraine ally and is recognized as a Russia expert in the European Parliament, where hes served since 2019. He notably was in favor of using all of Russias frozen assets not just the windfall profits to help Ukraine. He also advocated for European countries to devote 0.25% of their GDP to military help for Ukraine. Kubilius also led his country through the global financial crisis on an agenda of painful austerity measures that were later praised by the European Commission. With Kubilius in the defense seat and former Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas serving as the blocs top diplomat, the EUs foreign policy focus will clearly be on the war on its eastern flank. Financial Services Maria Luis Albuquerque of Portugal will be in charge of financial services and the savings and investments union. She served as finance minister in a center-right coalition government between 2013 and 2015, when Portugal finished implementing a bailout program provided by the EU and the International Monetary Fund. Justice Irelands Michael McGrath will take on the justice portfolio. That means the former finance minister who oversaw his countrys surplus grow thanks to record corporation tax receipts will be responsible for upholding the rule of law and enforcing data protection regulations across the bloc. Dublin is home to the Data Protection Commission, the body which safeguards consumers data in the EU. He has also been tasked with taking forward the so-called European democracy shield, a structure set up to protect EU democracy by countering foreign manipulation and interference. Trade Slovakias Maros Sefcovic was tapped to run the trade portfolio, focusing on customs policy and economic security. He was in charge of the European Green Deal in the previous commission. He will also the commissions lead on relations with the UK to manage post-Brexit tensions. Von der Leyen, in a letter describing his role, also said Sefocvic willl work with the US on bilateral trade issues and, when it comes to China, will address the spillover of nonmarket policies and practices, market distortions and harmful overcapacities. Sefcovic take over from Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, who faced a difficult period given the tensions with the US and China. The commission failed to conclude landmark agreements with countries and regions including Mercosur, or settle for good a dispute with the US over steel and aluminum tariffs. Dombrovskis will be now in charge of economic policy, as well as a new portfolio for simplification of EU rules. --With assistance from Andrea Palasciano, Olivia Fletcher, Milda Seputyte, Katharina Rosskopf, Gian Volpicelli, Ewa Krukowska, Alberto Nardelli, Lyubov Pronina and Joao Lima. (Updates with additional details on antitrust, trade roles starting in 16th paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. PARIS France plans to launch a maneuverable satellite into low Earth orbit in the next two years that can target other satellites, something French Space Command said is necessary to show the country can take action to protect its space assets. French nanosatellite builder U-Space will supply the demonstrator in partnership with missile maker MBDA, French Space Command boss Maj. Gen. Philippe Adam and company executives said at an industry conference in Paris on Tuesday. They didnt detail the satellites offensive capabilities, though a presentation video showed the satellite targeting another orbiter with a green laser beam. France wants to avoid putting kinetic weapons in space that would risk creating debris in orbit, and the demonstrator wont be weaponized, though it may include a dazzling capacity, Adam said on the sidelines of conference. Low Earth orbit, or LEO, is the busiest orbital range, with more than 5,000 satellites launched and thousands more planned, according to U.S. Space Operations Command. We need to better understand whats happening in space, and make sure that we can oppose any misconduct in space actively, if necessary, Adam said at the Space Defense & Security Summit in the French capital. We need also to take into account whats happening in lower altitudes. Its probably about time, if we consider all thats happening in this lower orbit. France expects to launch the demonstrator satellite, called Splinter, in the next 12 to 24 months, Adam said. The overall project, dubbed Toutatis, will also include a low Earth orbit observation satellite called Lisa-1, and the goal is to test operational scenarios. Several speakers at the conference highlighted the growing threat in space from adversaries including Russia. The general public should realize that access to space is not a given, and an arms race in space would be destabilizing and should be seen as a threat, according to Marjolijn van Deelen, the special envoy for space at the European External Action Service. Were dealing with adversaries whose level of restraint is going down and down, said Lt. Gen. Bertrand Le Meur, Frances director for defense strategy, foresight and counter-proliferation. The French plan for us a big step, showing that we are anticipating some potential threats in low Earth orbit, he said. Destructive space arms are not a French priority, and neutralizing an opponent in space could mean moving a satellite between an adversary and a friendly asset to prevent hostile action, according to Adam. Dissuasion also requires being able to see what adversaries are doing and make them aware they are being seen, in addition to having the means to intimidate and discourage, the general said. Nevertheless, for deterrence to be effective, we also need real means of action, and those means of action have to be known and recognized as effective, Adam said. He said adversaries already have the means to destroy French satellites. France still hasnt launched its experimental patroller nanosatellite Yoda, which is ready and waiting to be lifted into geostationary orbit, according to Adam, who declined to say when that might happen. Originally planned for 2023, Yoda has been delayed due to a lack of available launch slots. The country is the worlds fourth-biggest spender on space defense and security, behind the U.S., China and Russia, according to space-industry consultant Novaspace, which organized the summit. French military space spending was around $1.3 billion in 2023, dwarfed by the U.S. with $38.9 billion and China with $8.8 billion, and about half the Russian budget, according to Novaspace. Pan-European missile maker MBDA has been experimenting with laser weapons, and has participated in Frances AsterX military space exercise in the past two years. The Toutatis project will move space defense beyond simulation, said Nicolas Lefort, MBDAs head of new markets and business development. Space defense starts on the ground, and the good news is that we at MBDA already cover that mission very well, Lefort said. Our ambition is to bring defense to low Earth orbit, where the threats have now become real. We really look forward to demonstrating that the Space Command can deal with suspicious activities in LEO in the most reactive way. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sits in the European Parliament building ahead of the Conference of Presidents. The heads of state and government had previously nominated candidates for the College of Commissioners. Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen nominated France's Stephane Sejourne on Tuesday to be an executive vice president for industrial strategy in her next commission. Sejourne, the outgoing French foreign minister, was put forward by Paris after the abrupt resignation of former EU internal market commissioner Thierry Breton. Breton alleged that von der Leyen had asked French President Emmanuel Macron to nominate another candidate in a "political trade-off" for a more influential portfolio in her commission line-up. France has prioritized industrial, technological and economic portfolios in the formation of the new commission, which is being assembled following European Parliament elections in June. The damaged remains of J.C. Allen's home in Bayou Dularge on Sept. 12, 2024, one day after Hurricane Francine made landfall in Terrebonne Parish. The damaged remains of J.C. Allen's home in Bayou Dularge on Sept. 12, 2024, one day after Hurricane Francine made landfall in Terrebonne Parish. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration Tuesday for eight Louisiana parishes that saw the greatest impact from Hurricane Francine last week. More parishes could be added as state officials continue to assess damage, according to Gov. Jeff Landry. The declaration covers Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes. The action from the White House paves the way for the federal government to reimburse Louisiana for any recovery-related costs it cannot cover on its own. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help home and business owners recover, according to the Federal Emergency Management Administration. Federal funding is also available statewide on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures. Resources are being made available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis. This federal assistance is vital to help Louisiana rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine. I appreciate the hard work our federal delegation, local officials and our administration put in to get this over the finish line, Landry said in a statement. State officials ask that Louisiana residents and business owners from the eight designated parishes begin the application process for assistance. Three options are available: DisasterAssistance.gov, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) Use the FEMA App. FEMA also announced Tuesday that Sandra Eslinger has been named the coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the areas Francine affected. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) The Frederick County Sheriffs Office (FCSO) is celebrating one of its own as he has been honored with the state-wide recognition of Deputy of the Year. I was honored for one shock for another, Cpl. Brady Parson said. Frederick County organizations give back to community in honor of 9/11 Thats how Parson summed up how it felt to receive Deputy of the Year at the Maryland Sheriffs Association Conference. There are so many other people that have led me to this position and led me to like the opportunities that Ive had within the agency that would even put me in this category of people, Parson said. Its not just my work, but its other people around me that do just as good a job. For as long as he remembers, Parson said he has always wanted to serve his community. So far through their Pro-Active Criminal Enforcement (PACE) Team, he has been able to do just that and more. Just having the time and opportunity to be certified and all those things, and within that kind of putting those training roles to try and help some of our younger deputies learn the ropes to be a good deputy, Parson said. Several Frederick County schools test positive for PFAs in drinking water He said that although he was given the award, he sees it as a win for all his other colleagues as well. This is not just a one-man show, although Im grateful to be recognized for this, its everyone whos laid the groundwork for me from day one of being a deputy, Parson 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. Free speech or intimidation? Ohio sheriff says to 'write down' homes with Harris signs PJ Errera of Kenet says he refuses to take down his sign supporting Democrat Kamala Harris for president, despite a social media post by the Portage County sheriff urging his followers to write down the addresses of yards supporting Harris. I would like to turn to law enforcement but what happens when law enforcement is the one making those threats,u0022 he says. At least a handful of Portage County residents have filed complaints with the U.S. Department of Justice and local authorities over an inflammatory social media post last weekend by Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski. Many more, however, have expressed unease for their safety after the post, which suggested residents begin tracking the addresses of neighbors who have Kamala Harris campaign signs in yards. If Harris wins in November, Zuchowski wrote, her supporters should open their homes to undocumented immigrants, whom he referred to as locust. Zuchowski, a Republican in the county near Akron, is up for reelection in November. He did not make any overt threats in the post, but some residents said they felt unnerved by the idea of residents being put on a list because of their political beliefs. Kent resident Bob Springer said he filed a complaint with the federal Department of Justice. Collecting addresses of people from the opposing party is voter intimidation, he said. That sort of doxxing, sanctioned by a gun-toting man with a badge, is downright scary, Springer wrote in his complaint. Expert says post 'very well could be voter intimidation' Jonathan Diaz, with the non-partisan Campaign Legal Center, said the post from the sheriff was at the bare minimum, irresponsible and very well could be voter intimidation. Voter intimidation isnt just trying to stop someone from voting at a polling place, he said. U.S. laws protecting voters during federal elections are rooted in armed militias and the Ku Klux Klan who harassed people before elections or burning crosses in their yards, efforts aimed at making them too scared or intimidated to cast a ballot. Its troubling when anyone makes a post like that, he said, but the words carry extra weight coming from a law enforcement officer. People listen to their elected leaders when they say things that are going on in their communities, he said. Kent residents walk past a Harris/Walz sign, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Kent, Ohio. Community members this weekend had already started following the sheriffs lead, posting a few addresses of people with Kamala Harris signs under the sheriffs post calling for them to do so. Yet most appeared opposed. By Monday, 682 people had reacted with an angry emoji face to the post, 234 gave it a thumbs up and 68 loved it. Kent resident PJ Errera was among those rattled by the sheriffs post. Hes a top law enforcement official in Portage County. Hes supposed to be upholding the law, Errera said. What that statement was on Facebook was intended for oppression, intimidation, and suppression of freedom of speech. I would like to turn to law enforcement but what happens when law enforcement is the one making those threats. Portage County GOP backs sheriff The Portage County Republican Party Monday stood by Zuchowski, saying it also opposes illegal immigration. I believe the sheriffs statement is a bit of artistic license getting toward the principal belief that elections have consequences, chairwoman Amanda Suffecool said in a statement that also alluded to debunked allegations that have lead to numerous bomb threats, school closures and community unrest in Springfield, Ohio, which is about 180 miles southwest. Bruce Zuchowski for Sheriff signs stand next to Trump signs, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Ravenna, Ohio. Donald J. Trump and his running mate Ohio Sen. JD Vance have repeatedly insisted that Haitian immigrants in Springfield are eating the dogs and cats of their neighbors. Springboros city manager, Ohios GOP Gov. Mike DeWine and the woman who first posted the false rumor on social media have all said the assertion is untrue. But Trump and Vance continue to repeat their claims even though some immigrants in the small city are now scared to leave their homes. Suffecool, echoing the Trump and Vance narrative, said Monday that Springfield is an example of what can happen to each and every community when and if they are overrun with people who do not understand our laws, nor share our customs. Election 2024: Who is Portage County Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski? Republican embroiled in controversy The community suffers. Our sheriffs are elected to stand for the citizens of the county, and Bruce Zuchowski stands for Portage, she said. Political challenger criticizes Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski's post Zuchowskis challenger in Novembers election, Jon Barber, said on Facebook that he, too, believes the sheriffs post was voter intimidation. Jon Barber, candidate for Portage County sheriff, speaks about the current sheriff's Facebook post, Moreover, he said Zuchowskis description of Kamala Flip-Flopping, Laughing Hyena and of immigrants as locusts was racist. On Monday, Barber was inundated with requests for interviews and citizens visiting his home in Kent to pick up yard signs supporting him. Ohio sheriffs, he said, take an oath to protect everyone they serve. "Now it's like you are deciding who you are going to protect and who you aren't if they are not like minded, Barber said. I certainly hope the sheriff's office isn't looking up voter registration before he offers to send people out, but people have a right to wonder about that," he said. Harris/Walz signs are often seen with John Barber signs, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Kent, Ohio. Kent resident calls for state investigation into sheriff's Facebook post Kent resident Christopher Clevenger filed a complaint with Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, accusing Zuchowski of "enabling the intimidation of voters" and "empowering his followers to then dox those Democrats." How many complaints were filed with LaRose was unclear. Neither his office nor that of Attorney General Dave Yost returned messages on Monday. Clevenger said he also filed complaints with Kent police and the Portage County Prosecutor's office over the sheriffs social media posts. Clevenger, vice chair of the Portage County Democratic Party, said he filed the complaints as a citizen, not on behalf of the party. "Voters are protected from intimidation at the state and federal level," Clevenger said in his complaints. "I urge you to investigate this matter immediately, as it appears to be a clear violation of the law." It remains unclear if the sheriffs post violates laws aimed at protecting voters from undue influence. There might be a firmer case if Zuchowski made the post after early voting started in Ohio, which is Oct. 8, said Diaz of the non-partisan Campaign Legal Center. Free speech? But most, even those opposed to what Zuchowski wrote on Facebook, acknowledged the sheriff had a Constitutional right to free speech. Eugene Volokh, a retired UCLA law professor who specializes in First Amendment law, said Monday almost all free speech is protected under U.S. law. A rare exception, he said, is a person who falsely shouts fire in a crowded theater, causing an immediate panic. Another exception, he said, is someone who aims to incite immediate violence. If someone is saying abortionists are slaughtering children right nowthis moment is the time to burn down the clinic, that would not be protected speech, said Volokh, who is now with the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. Regardless, Zuchowskis post was too much for fellow Republican and Portage County Commissioner Tony Badalamenti. Badalamenti resigned from the countys GOP Central Committee over the weekend, calling Zuchowski's post "bullying." "The new leadership team at the central committee is not one I want to be part of," Badalamenti said. "This is not the leadership I would follow, and I would encourage others not to follow the same." By Monday, Portage County appeared largely divided. And those who help immigrants tried to straddle that divide. Rick Squier, executive director of Catholic Charities of Portage County, said the charity focuses on the needs of the people it serves, and doesn't worry about the individual's immigration status. "We focus on the human person in front of us," Squier said. Record-Courier reporter Diane Smith and Beacon Journal reporter Alisson Toro-Lagos contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio sheriff says to track homes with Harris signs for migrant housing PJ Errera of Kent says he refuses to take down his sign supporting Democrat Kamala Harris for president, despite a social media post by the Portage County sheriff urging his followers to write down the addresses of yards supporting Harris. I would like to turn to law enforcement but what happens when law enforcement is the one making those threats," he says. (This story has been updated to add new information.) At least a handful of Portage County residents have filed complaints with the U.S. Department of Justice and local authorities over an inflammatory social media post last weekend by Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski. Many more, however, have expressed unease for their safety after the post, which suggested residents begin tracking the addresses of neighbors who have Kamala Harris campaign signs in yards. If Harris wins in November, Zuchowski wrote, her supporters should open their homes to undocumented immigrants, whom he referred to as locust. Zuchowski, a Republican who is up for reelection in November, did not make any overt threats in the post, but some residents said they felt unnerved by the idea of residents being put on a list because of their political beliefs. Kent resident Bob Springer said he filed a complaint with the federal Department of Justice. Collecting addresses of people from the opposing party is voter intimidation, said Springer, a former writer and editor with the Beacon Journal. That sort of doxxing, sanctioned by a gun-toting man with a badge, is downright scary, Springer wrote in his complaint. Zuchowski did not respond to a text message Monday seeking comment. However, in a post Tuesday afternoon on his Facebook page, he defended his original post. "As the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Portage County, I have sworn to protect ALL citizens of my County," he wrote. "Recently, I placed a post on my personal facebook page that may have been a little misinterpreted?? "I...as the elected sheriff, do have a first amendment right as do all citizens. If the citizens of Portage County want to elect an individual who has supported open borders (which I've personally visited Twice!) and neglected to enforce the laws of our Country...then that is their prerogative. With elections, there are consequences." Expert says post 'very well could be voter intimidation' Jonathan Diaz, with the non-partisan Campaign Legal Center, said the post from the sheriff was at the bare minimum, irresponsible and very well could be voter intimidation. Voter intimidation isnt just trying to stop someone from voting at a polling place, he said. U.S. laws protecting voters during federal elections are rooted in armed militias and the Ku Klux Klan who harassed people before elections or burning crosses in their yards, efforts aimed at making them too scared or intimidated to cast a ballot. Its troubling when anyone makes a post like that, he said, but the words carry extra weight coming from a law enforcement officer. People listen to their elected leaders when they say things that are going on in their communities, he said. Kent residents walk past a Harris/Walz sign, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Kent, Ohio. Community members this weekend had already started following the sheriffs lead, posting a few addresses of people with Kamala Harris signs under the sheriffs post calling for them to do so. Yet most appeared opposed. By Monday, 682 people had reacted with an angry emoji face to the post, 234 gave it a thumbs up and 68 loved it. Kent resident PJ Errera was among those rattled by the sheriffs post. Hes a top law enforcement official in Portage County. Hes supposed to be upholding the law, Errera said. What that statement was on Facebook was intended for oppression, intimidation, and suppression of freedom of speech. I would like to turn to law enforcement but what happens when law enforcement is the one making those threats. Portage County GOP backs sheriff The Portage County Republican Party Monday stood by Zuchowski, saying it also opposes illegal immigration. I believe the sheriffs statement is a bit of artistic license getting toward the principal belief that elections have consequences, chairwoman Amanda Suffecool said in a statement that also alluded to debunked allegations that have lead to numerous bomb threats, school closures and community unrest in Springfield, Ohio, which is about 180 miles southwest. Bruce Zuchowski for Sheriff signs stand next to Trump signs, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Ravenna, Ohio. Donald J. Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, have repeatedly insisted that Haitian immigrants in Springfield are eating the dogs and cats of their neighbors. Springfields city manager, Ohios GOP Gov. Mike DeWine and the woman who first posted the false rumor on social media have all said the assertion is untrue. But Trump and Vance continue to repeat their claims even though some immigrants in the small city are now scared to leave their homes. Suffecool, echoing the Trump and Vance narrative, said Monday that Springfield is an example of what can happen to each and every community when and if they are overrun with people who do not understand our laws, nor share our customs. Election 2024: Who is Portage County Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski? Republican embroiled in controversy The community suffers. Our sheriffs are elected to stand for the citizens of the county, and Bruce Zuchowski stands for Portage, she said. Political challenger criticizes Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski's post Zuchowskis challenger in Novembers election, Jon Barber, said on Facebook that he, too, believes the sheriffs post was voter intimidation. Jon Barber, candidate for Portage County sheriff, speaks about the current sheriff's Facebook post, Moreover, he said Zuchowskis description of Kamala Flip-Flopping, Laughing Hyena and of immigrants as locusts was racist. On Monday, Barber was inundated with requests for interviews and citizens visiting his home in Kent to pick up yard signs supporting him. Ohio sheriffs take an oath to protect everyone they serve, said Barber, who works as a Stark County sheriff's sergeant. "Now it's like you are deciding who you are going to protect and who you aren't if they are not like minded, Barber said. I certainly hope the sheriff's office isn't looking up voter registration before he offers to send people out, but people have a right to wonder about that," he said. Harris/Walz signs are often seen with John Barber signs, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Kent, Ohio. Kent resident calls for state investigation into sheriff's Facebook post Kent resident Christopher Clevenger filed a complaint with Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, accusing Zuchowski of "enabling the intimidation of voters" and "empowering his followers to then dox those Democrats." How many complaints were filed with LaRose was unclear. Neither his office nor that of Attorney General Dave Yost returned messages on Monday. Clevenger said he also filed complaints with Kent police and the Portage County Prosecutor's office over the sheriffs social media posts. Clevenger, vice chair of the Portage County Democratic Party, said he filed the complaints as a citizen, not on behalf of the party. "Voters are protected from intimidation at the state and federal level," Clevenger said in his complaints. "I urge you to investigate this matter immediately, as it appears to be a clear violation of the law." It remains unclear if the sheriffs post violates laws aimed at protecting voters from undue influence. There might be a firmer case if Zuchowski made the post after early voting started in Ohio, which is Oct. 8, said Diaz of the non-partisan Campaign Legal Center. Free speech? But most, even those opposed to what Zuchowski wrote on Facebook, acknowledged the sheriff had a Constitutional right to free speech. Eugene Volokh, a retired UCLA law professor who specializes in First Amendment law, said Monday almost all free speech is protected under U.S. law. A rare exception, he said, is a person who falsely shouts fire in a crowded theater, causing an immediate panic. Another exception, he said, is someone who aims to incite immediate violence. If someone is saying abortionists are slaughtering children right nowthis moment is the time to burn down the clinic, that would not be protected speech, said Volokh, who is now with the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. Regardless, Zuchowskis post was too much for fellow Republican and Portage County Commissioner Tony Badalamenti. Badalamenti resigned from the countys GOP Central Committee over the weekend, calling Zuchowski's post "bullying." "The new leadership team at the central committee is not one I want to be part of," Badalamenti said. "This is not the leadership I would follow, and I would encourage others not to follow the same." By Monday, Portage County appeared largely divided. And those who help immigrants tried to straddle that divide. Rick Squier, executive director of Catholic Charities of Portage County, said the charity focuses on the needs of the people it serves, and doesn't worry about the individual's immigration status. "We focus on the human person in front of us," Squier said. Record-Courier reporter Diane Smith and Beacon Journal reporter Alisson Toro-Lagos contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Portage County residents file complaints over sheriff's Facebook post Fremont East businesses left in the dark, pleading to the City of Las Vegas for help Fremont East businesses left in the dark, pleading to the City of Las Vegas for help LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Businesses in Downtown Las Vegas are pleading for the citys help after they say theyve been left in the dark for years. Amy Hybarger and Victoria Hogan own Sure Thing Wedding Chapel, which is located in the Fremont East area of Downtown Las Vegas. Both of them reached out to 8 News Now in hopes of seeing some needed changes on their block, particularly regarding better lighting. We would like Councilwoman Diaz and the city to keep their end of the bargain up with restoring the vintage neon signs that are across from the chapel, Hogan said. They were funded by a project called Project Enchilada, so a lot of city funding went into it. Hogan said that Tony Hsiehs estate and the Downtown Project were supposed to maintain the signs but havent due to copper wire theft. Hybarger said that shes seen the improvements made to areas nearby and wants the same attention brought to where her business lies. We want to see the city step up for Fremont East because theyre doing it for the Arts District, Hybarger said. It really just feels more scary down here because we dont have lighting at nighttime, so if we were well-lit, it would feel a lot better, like Main Street has all of lighting and theres a lot more activity and socialization down there in the evening. Charles Wicks, who works at the Downtown Tattoo next door to the chapel, said that the blocks vandalism has worsened, calling for action from the city. We had graffiti on our shutters, and theyre sending us notices about having to pay a fine [] we dont want that on our shutters; its not like we asked for that, Wicks said, adding that it feels like the area has been left to rot. At night, its kind of dark down here and its not very welcoming. Officials from Sure Thing Chapel plan to open a second location in 2024 on the same block, hoping the lighting issues can be resolved soon and to see the historic motels across the street reopen soon to bring more positive traffic to the neighborhood. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Just days after formally endorsing a constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana in Florida, the state's Democratic Party laid out plans for overhauling a statewide cannabis system in place for almost a decade. The pitch Tuesday by Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried sets out a likely clash with Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Legislature if Amendment 3 is approved by the required more than 60% of voters in November. DeSantis and the Florida Republican Party oppose the amendment and are behind aggressive campaigns aimed at defeating the amendment. Similarly, DeSantis and the GOP oppose Amendment 4, an abortion rights measure going before voters, which the Florida Democratic Partys executive committee also formally endorsed on Saturday. Amendment 4 would overturn Floridas current law prohibiting most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. If the amendment is approved, most abortions would be allowed up until fetal viability, usually at 24 weeks, the standard in place before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Fried challenges DeSantis' 'free state of Florida' claim This is about freedom, this is about (the) opportunity to make sure that we go back to the libertarian state that we always have been, said Fried, before lifting a phrase often used by Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz. Mind your own business. Polls show that both the marijuana measure and abortion rights proposal are supported by a majority of voters, but whether they will clear the 60% threshold remains unclear. Fried, though, acknowledged that even if Amendments 3 and 4 are approved by voters, GOP leaders in the Legislature will be positioned to set strict limits on how the new marijuana and abortion access amendments are implemented in the state. On the marijuana measure, Fried called for sweeping changes to a state regulatory structure, parts of which date to 2014 and the Florida Legislatures first approval of a non-intoxicating THC product. Fried said that if Amendment 3 is approved, anyone held in county jail on misdemeanor charges of possession of 20 grams of marijuana or less should be immediately freed and have their records cleared. System reboot called for The states vertical distribution system, which requires that the same company grow, process and distribute cannabis products to obtain one of the states coveted licenses, also needs dramatic change, Fried said, with the goal of opening potentially one of the nations largest marijuana markets to more companies. Fried, a former marijuana industry lobbyist and Florida's statewide-elected agriculture commissioner in 2019-23, said lawmakers should refrain from trying to bar smokeable marijuana or impose restrictions on homegrown cannabis. And she said the powerful hemp industry should be encouraged to participate in the expanding cannabis world, should Amendment 3 be approved. DeSantis sows doubt In uphill fight to defeat abortion, marijuana measures, DeSantis throws around bold claims Cash sought for fight Florida Gov. DeSantis launches Freedom Fund, will fight abortion, marijuana measures The Democratic party chief also sees the general popularity of the two amendments as helping steer voters to her partys candidates. Republicans hold supermajorities in the state House and Senate, and electing more Democrats to blunt GOP lawmakers from interfering with the intention of voters is part of the partys pitch this fall, she acknowledged. If you have spent the time coming out to vote and all of a sudden the Legislature comes in and says, not so fast, were going to make sure there are caps on the potency of the THC products ... or they say that a dispensary cant be within five miles of a school, Fried said. Or they ban smokeable products, because DeSantis has been talking about the odor of marijuana. Fried concluded: If in fact, we are able to break the supermajorities in the Legislature and get more Democrats elected, there are enough Republicans in the Legislature who are scared to speak up and speak out against leadership to side with Democrats to make sure the amendments are property executed. "But that takes voters getting out to the ballot box. John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com, or on X at @JKennedyReport. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida Democrats see clash with DeSantis if amendments 3, 4 approved Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz speaks at the 150th Social Policy Evening Congress of the Ruhr Political Forum. David Young/dpa German opposition leader Friedrich Merz will run as the conservative candidate for chancellor in next year's nationwide elections, party sources told dpa on Tuesday. Merz will aim to lead the CDU/CSU bloc to victory and replace Chancellor Olaf Scholz's unpopular centre-left coalition. Merz is meeting on Tuesday with Markus Soder, the conservative premier of Bavaria long viewed as a top potential rival for the candidacy. Soder is expected to announce he will not seek the nomination and will instead back Merz for the job at a joint press conference called for noon (1000 GMT) on Tuesday in Berlin, sources in the CDU/CSU told dpa. Merz leads the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), while Soder is the leader of the CDU's Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU). On Monday evening, Merz also earned the endorsement of another potential rival for the chancellor candidacy, Hendrik Wust, the CDU premier of North Rhine Westphalia, Germany's most populous state. The final official decision on the CDU/CSU candidate is expected to be made by the leadership committees of both parties. Merz will likely be viewed as the favourite to lead the CDU/CSU back into government next year, four years after the disastrous 2021 elections pushed the bloc from power after 16 years under former chancellor Angela Merkel. Scholz, a centre-left Social Democrat (SPD), has been plagued by miserable poll ratings and infighting among ministers in his coalition government with the Greens and pro-business liberal Free Democrats (FDP). Friendly challenge over Pirates vs. Royals series leads to 2 $20k donations to charity A friendly challenge on social media led to two major donations that will make a positive impact on two communities. It all began on X, formerly Twitter, when Sheetz and QuickTrip, patch partners for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals, agreed to a bet. The deal was simple: if the Pirates defeated the Royals, then QuickTrip would donate $20,000 to Special Olympics Pennsylvania. If the Royals won, then Sheetz would donate $20,000 to the Royals Literacy League. Just realized this weekend is the inaugural C-Store Series. Should we make a bet with @Sheetz? pic.twitter.com/NDm3Oqn0Ej QuikTrip (@QuikTrip) September 12, 2024 The Royals did emerge from the series as the winner, so Sheetz made its $20,000 donation. The Royals Literacy League is dedicated to promoting literacy among elementary students in Kansas City public schools. Even though the Pirates lost this series, were honored to support such a meaningful cause on behalf of QuikTrip, said Travis Sheetz, president and CEO at Sheetz. The Royals Literacy League is making a lasting impact on young students, and were proud to contribute to their efforts. But, the donations dont end here. QuickTrip won bragging rights but still opted to donate $20,000 to Special Olympics Pennsylvania. While we are happy to accept friendly bragging rights, QuikTrip will also donate $20,000 to Special Olympics Pennsylvania in recognition of the long history that both companies have of supporting their communities, said Aisha Jefferson, QuikTrips corporate communications manager. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Time releases Worlds Best Companies, 7 are based in Pittsburgh Charleroi residents, leaders respond to former President Trumps comments on immigrant population 2 people charged after man shot, killed over cleanliness of house in South Side Slopes, police say VIDEO: Girl, 13, still recovering after she was shot in Duquesne home DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts GA inmate may have orchestrated jewelry store robberies from behind bars... again Federal agents say a Georgia inmate may have been the mastermind behind a North Carolina jewelry store robbery. A criminal complaint says Deuntria Lyons communicated and helped guide the thieves before the robbery. Lyons is currently serving six life sentences for doing the same thing more than a decade ago. The level of sophistication here is unusual compared to what we typically see in the state of Georgia, Chris Timmons, a former prosecutor, told Channel 2s Michael Doudna. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] According to a criminal complaint, a suspect scoped out the North Carolina store a few weeks before the robbery. The suspect then sent videos of the layout to an Instagram account that authorities would later link to Lyons. Messages between the suspect and Lyons included the planning of multiple thefts. There has to be something the prison system can do to prevent this guy from getting cell phones, quite frankly, this is embarrassing for the prison system in the state of Georgia, Timmons said. Georgias Department of Corrections did not respond to a request for comment. Back in 2012, Deuntria Lyons was off the streets serving a 20-year sentence for armed robbery, but authorities say he still was the mastermind behind multiple crimes. It was almost disbelief that somebody inside prison, serving a sentence for armed robbery, is now coordinating other armed robberies, Sgt. John Wilbanks told Channel 2 Action News at the time. They said Lyons continued his crime spree because prepaid cell phones are readily available behind bars. He sent text messages on where he wanted these guys to be, where to meet up, what he wanted them to do, Detective David Brucz said. In the first robbery, thieves shoved customers to the ground inside Barrons Fine Jewelry in Snellville in February 2011. A month later, a crew used hammers to smash the cases and attack customers at Tara Fine Jewelry in Buford. Investigators said Lyons arranged to have the loot pawned and fenced. When they questioned Lyons, they said he was wearing a cellphone watch. Lyons was sentenced to six life sentences for the crimes. TRENDING STORIES: Somebody like this, who is serving multiple life sentences, doesnt really have an incentive to behave on the inside, Timmons said. Timmons said smuggled cell phones in prisons is not a new issue. He said right now, the incentives for smuggling the illegal phone often outweigh the perceived risks. Timmons says the case in North Carolina does have federal agents involved, and a federal complaint may get him sent to a higher security prison. Maybe something like Supermax in Colorado would prevent this guy from doing what he is doing, Timmons said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: GA Superintendent calls for crisis alert systems in all state schools in wake of Apalachee shooting Georgia State Schools Superintendent Dr. Richard Woods announced Monday hed be seeking legislation in the next session to include funds for crisis alert systems in all state schools and additional school resource officers. The state comes in direct response to the tragedy at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, where 14-year-old student Colt Gray shot and killed four students and faculty and injured nine others. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: As we reflect on the tragedy at Apalachee High School, it is crucial that we redouble our efforts to secure our schools and protect every student in our state, Woods said. In the upcoming legislative session, I will advocate for the state budget to include additional state funding for school safety, with the goal of providing a School Resource Officer and a crisis alert system in every Georgia school. Woods said the states strong commitment to school safety had included common-sense measures to increase security at schools throughout Georgia, and is now seeking a line-item funding additional measures. In addition to the extra resources and the crisis alert system, Woods said hell be advocating for the development of a clear school safety plan in collaboration with local law enforcement and emergency management teams, saying that having an SRO and crisis alert system should be the standard for every school in Georgia. Woods also said hed be requesting the expansion of Georgias APEX mental health program in state schools and would push to enact policies that support more timely and effective sharing of reports, records and alerts among law enforcement, school districts and across agencies. He ended his letter announcing these policy goals by saying he was confident it could be achieved in the 2025 legislative session. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Gannon University hopes to expand reach with new Ursuline College partnership In recent years college enrollment has been on the decline, but Gannon University has a plan to expand its reach. On Monday, the Catholic university announced a letter of intent to partner with Ursuline College just outside Cleveland. Surprise! Unpredictable Hurst Day festivities kick off for Mercyhurst students The plan will help Gannon expand their footprint into Ohio to help attract students, staff and employees to their ranks. Gannons president Walter Iwaneneko is optimistic about their new partnership. Greene Twp. receives thousands in funding to help aid water project Ursuline College has been a fantastic, fantastic leadership team that has been open to a lot of different ideas, a lot of suggestions, and I look forward to working with them for the weeks, months and years ahead, said Iwaneneko Iwanenko also said the new partnership will create a larger delivery of Catholic higher education. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KAHULUI, Hawaii (KHON2) Maui first responders are investigating a hazmat incident on Hanakai Street in Kahului. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news According to Maui police, the call came in around 6:32 p.m. when it was reported that gas was expelled out of a propane tank at a nearby business. Two swimmers dead, drowned off southwest corner of Maui The Maui Emergency Management Agency released an alert, issuing an immediate evacuation of the area and warning the public to stay away for their safety. As a result of the leak, Hanakai Street was closed from Hana Highway to Alamaha Street. The road was then reopened at approximately 7:30 p.m. and evacuations were lifted. Check out more news from around Hawaii At this time, no injuries have been reported. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the countrys toughest lawbanning digitally altered political deepfakes on Tuesday, following through on a vow to act after rebuking Elon Musk for sharing a doctored video of Vice President Kamala Harris. The new California law which will take effect before the November election channels rising alarm about artificial intelligences capacity to disrupt elections by sowing misinformation, with voters increasingly confronted with deepfake images and audio impersonating candidates. Musk, who owns X, stoked that debate when he shared the AI-altered video of Harris in July, drawing Newsoms public promise to prohibit similar practices. I could care less if it was Harris or Trump," Newsom told Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff during a conversation on Tuesday. "It was just wrong on every level. Newsom also signed a companion bill on Tuesday that targets deepfakes by compelling platforms to pull down such content when users flag them, although that bill will not take effect until next year. He signed a third measurerequiring disclaimers on political ads that use AI. The new laws help cement Californias leading role in regulating emergent AI even as the states homegrown tech industry has pushed back and blocked some laws. Democratic state lawmakers have embraced those efforts as a divided Congress struggles to advance meaningful legislation and concerns about AIs potentially anti-democratic downsides reverberate around the world. Newsom signed the measures on the same day Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, the front-runner to become Californias next senator, helped introduce a similar bill to ban fraudulent AI campaign ads. Deputy U.S. Attorney General Lisa Monaco highlighted AI threats, including those emanating from foreign adversaries, during POLITICOs AI and Tech summit on Tuesday. It is the ultimate double-edged sword: it holds great promise but also exceptional peril because it's lowering the barrier to entry for all sorts of malicious actors, Monaco said. There will be changes in law, Im confident, over time. The California ban on campaign deepfakes will allow courts to issue injunctions blocking people from distributing intentionally deceptive political content during election season, and it exposes people who share deepfakes to civil penalties. The bill was intentionally written to take effect before the November election. Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, a Santa Cruz Democrat and former county elections official who carried the bill, has repeatedly warned that the 2024 cycle represented the nations first AI election. The measure also includes deceptive content about election officials to shield against candidates and others targeting poll workers in the aftermath of elections, as former President Donald Trump has explicitly done. The debate about AI in politics has set concerns about misinformation and election integrity against warnings about eroding free speech protections. Tech companies have argued restrictions on AI alterations may undercut the First Amendment, and Musk noted in an X reply to Newsom that parody is legal in America. The back-and-forth between Newsom and Musk over AI content adds another chapter to their tumultuous, yearslong relationship. A former San Francisco mayor with deep tech industry ties, Newsom has lauded Musk for helping to launch the electric car industry through Tesla, growing the company with the help of generous state subsidies. But they have clashed as Musks politics have veered to the right and he has blasted California officials for pandemic shutdown orders as well as transgender student privacy legislation. Some of those disputes have played out in court. An appeals court recently backed Xs challenge to a 2022 law, signed by Newsom, that requires social media companies to disclose more information about their content moderation policies. GEORGIA (WJBF) A 12-year-old from Texas is facing charges after making two bomb threats to two schools in southwest Georgia last week. Following an investigation into the threats, the GBI identified the 12-year-old as the person responsible. On Wednesday, September 11th, Miller County Middle School staff discovered a message sent to the schools Facebook account that claimed a bomb was on campus. The Miller County Sheriffs Office responded and requested GBI assistance. GBI bomb technicians cleared the school without finding anything of concern while other agents and intelligence analysts worked to identify who sent the message. On Thursday, September 12th, staff with the Spring Creek Charter Academy in Bainbridge, Georgia discovered an email sent to an administrator that claimed a bomb was on campus, similar to the Miller County threat the day before. The Decatur County Sheriffs Office responded and requested GBI assistance with investigating the message. The school was cleared without finding anything of concern. After tracking the messages and conducting multiple interviews, investigators determined a twelve-year-old from Texas made both threats. There is no indication that the 12-year-old traveled to Georgia recently, nor is there any indication there was ever a legitimate safety risk at either school. Anyone with information is asked to call the GBI Thomasville Office at 229-225-4090. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app. After consulting with Texas authorities and the District Attorneys for the South Georgia and Pataula Judicial Circuits, the minor will be prosecuted for these threats by the State of Texas. Additional local charges may be brought if the investigation identifies any others who assisted or conspired in the making of these hoaxes. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Georgia Bureau of Investigation and local authorities are seeking tips to help identify and arrest a man who murdered a senior store clerk during an armed robbery 15 years ago. The victim, 62-year-old Maryanne Murphy, a grandmother, was fatally shot after she struggled with the robber at the Circle K convenience store on West Stewart Mill Road in Douglasville in September 2009. For fifteen years I have always wondered why. As the years passed and the case grew colder and colder, why did this happen? What motivated that person to make the decision to take the life of someone so pure-hearted, said granddaughter Kailyn Kaiser. The GBI presented two new composite sketches at a news conference to refocus community attention on the cold case. One depicts the killer at the time of the crime, and the other of what he may look like now. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] We will never stop seeking justice for Maryanne, her family, friends and the community, said GBI Investigative Division Director Cynthia Adkins. The Douglas County Sheriffs Office also displayed a pair of limited-edition basketball sneakers that the killer was wearing during the crime. Investigators worked with shoemaker Reebok, to obtain the sneakers called Talkin Krazy. Investigators are hoping someone can help identify the suspect by connecting him to the sneakers. RELATED STORIES: (These shoes) what makes them so special is they were released around the time of the homicide. Not a lot of people had them at that time, there were only so many put out, said Douglas County Sheriffs Capt. John Mauney. A $25,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest in the case. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Getty Images On the morning of November 6, 2016, I was full of hope. Less than 24 hours later, my friends were sitting in a gutter in the suburbs of Phoenix late at night, begging me to stop talking to strangers before I became the subject of a true crime podcast. We had skipped class to fly to Arizona and serve as election poll observers. (Side note: If your school doesnt give students time off on Election Day to vote and participate in nonpartisan election activities, lets see if we can change that.) That evening, as I watched the results come in, an overwhelming mixture of adrenaline, confusion, and despair flooded my veins until I found myself walking outside into the night, alone. Over the years, Id been told by family, friends, and even professors at some of Americas most elite schools that voting doesnt really matter and cant make a difference. In that moment, I worried maybe they were right. But heres the thing theyre not. Seven years later, I returned to Arizona. This time, I was surrounded by roughly 70,000 fellow Swifties all screaming at the top of our lungs. That crowd was larger than the number of votes in each of the three closest states that decided the last two presidential elections. In the United States, the president isnt elected based on the total number of votes cast by Americans across the country. Instead, presidents are picked based on whether a candidate can secure at least 270 Electoral College votes by winning elections across a hodgepodge of states. Despite the fact that over 158 million Americans voted in the 2020 presidential election, the election was ultimately decided by just 42,918 votes cast across three states. Similarly, even though over 137 million Americans voted in the 2016 presidential election, it was ultimately decided by a mere 77,744 votes cast across three states. When we look closer, we see just how much power young Americans have at their fingertips. In each of the states mentioned above, 18- to 24-year-olds voted in numbers far larger than the vote margin in 2016 and again in 2020. But its also true that in both of those elections, hundreds of thousands of young Americans within that same age group either didnt vote or didnt even register to vote. This isnt me saying young Americans dont matter quite the opposite. Young Americans have more power to shape the future than we might realize. And while its easy to get swept up in the excitement of presidential elections, they arent the only ones that matter. If you care about Americas stance on foreign and domestic affairs, its approach to the economy, which justices sit on the Supreme Court, and which laws govern our country, then you care about congressional elections. More importantly, you have the power to influence all of those decisions. For example, it wasnt always the case that young adults could stay on their parents health plans until the age of 26, or that insurers were prohibited from discriminating against people with preexisting conditions (including an estimated 135 million people under the age of 65). This is now true because of a federal law known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was passed in 2009. Believe it or not, passage of this law was made possible by a mere 312 Minnesotan votes cast in one U.S. Senate race in 2008. America could very well have young voters to thank for this policy: an estimated 279,000 voters aged 18 to 24 years old voted in Minnesota that year. Young Americans can also shape the future by voting in state and local elections. Not only are votes more powerful in these elections, but the outcomes will often have a more direct and tangible impact on your daily life. Offices like state legislators, governors, state attorneys general, secretaries of state and more are voted on at the state level. If you care about any type of policy whether its abortion rights, healthcare, climate change, law enforcement, free school lunches or voting rights then you should know you have the power to help shape these decisions, too. For example, Minnesota recently passed laws protecting reproductive rights; restoring and expanding voting rights; taking positive steps on climate and gun safety; and providing workers with paid family and medical leave. These decisions were impacted by control of the Minnesota Senate, which was determined by just 321 votes cast in one legislative district in a 2022 election. This is not an outlier situation. In the year 2016 alone, more than 340 state-level elections were decided by less than 500 votes, and of those, more than 85 were determined by less than 100 votes. Local governments and elected boards make critical decisions that impact Americans daily lives, including zoning decisions (which determine where you can live, work and shop), housing services, law enforcement, emergency medical services, road maintenance, quality of education and more. Local-level voter turnout tends to be low, making each vote cast more powerful. For example, Virginia is one of the top states in the nation for book bans. An analysis of the 404 school board seats up for election in Virginia in 2023 reveals that over one-third of those elections were decided by under 500 votes, and over 80% were decided by under 2,000 votes. That means you could very well be the deciding vote on whether the next generation gets to enjoy the same books you grew up with. Young voters: The power is in your hands. Use it. 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? Georgia seems to always be tinkering with its election rules and laws. Problem is, they wont leave well enough alone. The five-member State Election Board recently enacted some controversial rule changes for the upcoming elections certification process, creating a firestorm. Its all about party politics due to what happened there in 2020 when Joe Biden turned the state Democratic blue and won Georgia over former Republican president Donald Trump. Republicans in the Peach State went a little nuts after that, furiously believing Democrats stole the 2020 election, thus enacting measures to keep it from happening again. Mac Gordon Despite a bevy of investigations and much sound and fury about the results of the 2020 vote, no solid evidence was ever uncovered that the vote was stolen from Trump in Georgia or anywhere else. In fact, its Trump whos under indictment on state charges of unlawfully conspiring to change the elections outcome in Georgia. The 2020 Georgia results are still being questioned by some Republicans, but not Gov. Brian Kemp or Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, both of whom stood up to fight Trumps efforts to toss the results. Raffensperger, most will recall, was asked by Trump to find 11,780 votes to change the final tally. I heard a speech six months after the 2020 voting when Trump was still claiming the election was stolen. Then-Republican state Sen. Dean Burke, a physician from Bainbridge, said no evidence existed that votes were taken from Trump. I also heard a local county election official, another Republican, say there were no irregularities. Whats at stake now is whether the State Election Board and its adjunct county election boards will have the power to delay or refuse to certify this years election results with a reasonable inquiry that could hinder the count. The state board in August voted 3 (Republicans) to 2 (Democrats) to give the county boards the discretionary authority to conduct a review of the election results for any irregularities, even rumored this despite a longstanding view that the certification process was routine stuff not left to the discretion of the boards. Theyve even given individual members of a board the right to examine all ballots, potentially causing a huge certification delay. (In Mississippi, election boards are directed to certify results in a timely manner, according to the Mississippi County Election Handbook issued by the secretary of states office. Certainly the state each state, for that matter has occasionally suffered claims of voting irregularities and disputes of final election counts, but theres never been anything like the Trump-led brouhaha in Georgia after the 2020 vote.) All of this arises at a time when many believe Trump is preparing another vote-count roadblock to overturn what is looking like according to pre-election polling another Democratic win in Georgia on Nov. 5. It also comes as Trump continues to try to get a 98-page indictment against him dismissed in state court for acts following the 2020 election. After the State Election Board arbitrarily passed the new rules, Georgia Democrats asked Republican Gov. Brian Kemp to fire the three Trump-aligned members praised publicly by Trump for doing a good job of the state board for holding an alleged secret meeting and passing the new rules allowing the county boards to delay certification if the votes. Kemp, time is fleeting. Georgia Democrats fear that another years-long series of charges by Republicans of a stolen election will sow seeds of discord in the Southeasts economic powerhouse state, causing an uproar that would make the post-2020 protest seem like childs play. Hopefully, the courts, where both parties have filed lawsuits, or Gov. Kemp, will intervene. Mac Gordon, a native of McComb, is a retired newspaperman. He can be reached at macmarygordon@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Georgia Democrats preparing for more Republican claims of voter fraud Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz is making two campaign stops in Georgia on Tuesday. Walz stops in Georgia come less than a full day after his Republican counterpart, Sen. J.D. Vance, was in Cobb County speaking at the Faith & Freedom Coalition dinner at the Cobb Galleria. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Minnesota governors first stop will be a morning arrival at the Middle Georiga Regional Airport in Macon, followed by an early afternoon stopover in Atlanta at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Following his Atlanta event, Walz will fly to Asheville, N.C. TRENDING STORIES: The dueling visits to Georgia by both vice presidential candidates, just hours apart, highlights the states ongoing status as a battleground state for the November presidential election. Since the 2020 election, where current President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris defeated former President Donald Trumps reelection bid by just under 12,000 votes, Georgia has remained top-of-mind for political strategies from both parties. Before Harris was named the Democratic nominee in the wake of Bidens exit from the 2024 campaign, both Trump and Biden had made appearances in Georgia, including the debate in Atlanta that precipitated Bidens exit from the presidential race. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Georgia officer uninjured in crash along I-85 in Coweta County COWETA COUNTY, Ga. - A Georgia Department of Public Safety vehicle was involved in a wreck along Interstate 85 on Monday, but officials say the officer was not injured. The vehicle, which showed signs of being hit from behind, was seen being loaded onto a flatbed tow truck in the northbound lanes of I-85 just north of U.S. 27 around 6:30 p.m. Monday. According to the Georgia State Patrol, the officer was part of the Georgia Department of Public Safety Motor Carrier Compliance Division, which is tasked with inspecting vehicles, mostly trucks, along the Peach State's highways. The name of the officer has not been released. The GSP is investigating the rear-end crash. This story is breaking. Check back for details. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com. In a year of record municipal water use, the town of Monument has drilled three new wells that are set to go online by the end of November. Public Works Director Tom Tharnish said he hoped the wells would be the last needed before the town joins a regional water project years in the works. "The less you pump out of the ground, the more will remain," said Tharnish, referring to the underground aquifers at varying depths that supply water to a portion of Monument. The municipality supplies water to a section of the town west of Interstate 25, while other water districts supply the rest of the town. Monument currently pumps water from 10 wells. The three new wells will increase water production, keeping the town from enacting additional use restrictions in times of shortage. The wells also allow the town to keep guaranteeing water supply to proposed new developments. "We have to calculate demand and make sure we have enough available," said Tharnish. The wells are a stopgap measure in the long term, however. Aquifers that supply Monument are being depleted over time as regional use exceeds the rate that water collects underground. The U.S. Geological Survey says areas of the west side of the Denver Basin, a large Front Range aquifer system that supplies Monument, are at risk of depletion within 10 to 15 years. This year Monument had a record use month in July at over 21 million gallons. The last record, said Tharnish, was 19 million gallons. The wells, in addition to sustainability concerns, are also part of an imperfect system for water treatment. Tharnish said that since most of the wells are treated separately, if one well begins producing water with contaminants higher than the state-allowed level, that well's water cannot be diluted down to safe levels by mixing with other sources before entering the distribution system. A scenario like this happened in 2017, when one Monument well began producing higher levels of radium. Monument shut down the well entirely to build a system to filter out the naturally occurring radioactive metal that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Featured Local Savings The longer-term solution for Monument is connecting to regional water infrastructure. The Triview Metropolitan District, a Monument water provider east of Interstate 25, brought online its own replacement for groundwater wells this August: the Northern Delivery System. A $73 million project years in the making, the NDS connection to Monument brings newly purchased water from Fountain Creek and the Upper and Lower Arkansas River via a Colorado Springs Utilities water-treatment facility. The project allows the metro district to keep its current groundwater wells on reserve rather than as a primary source. West Monument had the option to join onto the NDS, but is currently planning a partnership project with three other entities in El Paso County. The Loop Water Authority was created among the partners of Monument, Cherokee Metro District, Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District and Donala Water and Sanitation District. The project is currently planning to create a "loop" of water flowing down Fountain Creek and back up via a Loop Water System Pipeline, flowing through each of the partnered districts and Monument. The project also will allow Monument to recycle water pulled from wells. Cost estimates presented last year were $165 million to more than $250 million for the overall project. Monument would pay a smaller percentage based on the share of water it provides. The project is still in the planning phase, but Tharnish said he hoped The Loop would solve Monument's long-term water problem. "It reduces your reliance on groundwater, which has been a concern for 20 years," said Tharnish. The News Georgian lawmakers led by the ruling Georgian Dream party passed a controversial family values and the protection of minors law Tuesday. Human rights groups and the European Union criticized the bill for imposing strict limits targeting LGBTQ+ people. The legislation gives authorities the power to ban Pride events, censure public displays of the rainbow flag, and the power to censor media. The new law also prevents people from changing their gender on official documents. This law is the most terrible thing to happen to the LGBT community in Georgia. We will most likely have to shut down. There is no way for us to continue functioning, the director of campaign group Tbilisi Pride told Reuters. SIGNALS Georgia borrows from Russias playbook Sources: CNN, The Guardian, Politico, Center for European Policy Analysis Georgias ruling political party Georgian Dream appeared to borrow from the Kremlins playbook on LGBTQ+ rights: Russia made it illegal to praise LGBTQ+ relationships in 2022, and has since banned gender transition. The backsliding of human rights could jeopardize Georgias long-standing goal of EU membership, but the government appears to be sabotaging that over fears that answering to the EU might loosen the partys grip over the country, Politico reported. It could backfire, too: Some 86% of Georgians support EU accession, the Center for European Policy Analysis noted. Georgias opposition may steer clear of campaigning on pro-EU platforms Sources: The Jamestown Foundation, openDemocracy Georgias October parliamentary elections could offer a referendum on whether the country remains aligned with Western democratic ideals or veers closer to Russias sphere of influence, conservative DC-based think tank The Jamestown Foundation argued. Opposition leaders should avoid that framing, a columnist argued in openDemocracy. Rather than campaigning on an explicitly pro-EU platform, they should instead portray the government as tired, out of ideas, and incapable of offering a positive future for Georgia, he wrote. (Bloomberg) -- Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili urged two opposition forces to unite against the ruling party at parliamentary elections that she said would decide whether the country will join the European Union or return to Russias orbit. Most Read from Bloomberg A turning point in Georgian history is approaching, she said in a speech ahead of talks with the parties planned for Tuesday. The Oct. 26 election will determine whether our future will be Europe or whether well be under the influence of Russia. Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvilis ruling Georgian Dream party is seeking to retain power after triggering mass protests with legislation the US and the EU say resembles laws used by President Vladimir Putin to crush civil liberties in Russia. The EU has frozen membership negotiations with Georgia and the US State Department on Monday imposed visa restrictions on more than 60 Georgians for undermining democracy in the country. Georgian Dream is supported by 34% of voters, while 19% back the opposition Unification grouping, according to a survey of 1,000 people by Edison Research conducted Aug. 29 to Sept. 8. Nearly 11% favor ex-Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharias For Georgia party and another 10% back former banker Mamuka Khazaradzes Lelo Strong Georgia party. Zourabichvili said shes invited Lelo Strong Georgia and For Georgia to take part in coalition talks to offer a positive pro-European alternative for undecided voters. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said the president was interfering in the electoral process and clearly violates the constitution. The ruling party on Tuesday passed legislation in parliament banning LGBT propaganda that outlaws portrayals of same-sex relationships in films, television and advertising, prevents the registration of same-sex marriages and makes it illegal for non-heterosexual couples to adopt children. Zourabichvili sided with protesters who gathered in the capital Tbilisi for weeks to oppose a foreign agent law adopted by Georgian Dream in May that targets non-governmental organizations and independent media receiving at least 20% of their income from abroad. Those refusing to register with the government as pursuing the interests of a foreign power face fines and imprisonment. The government overrode a presidential veto and ignored warnings from Washington and Brussels that the foreign agent law endangered Georgias ambitions of joining the EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Kobakhidze called the criticism insulting blackmail. He has backed claims by Ivanishvili that a global war party in the West is plotting to oust the government using NGOs and to push the country into a war with Russia. Ivanishvili on Saturday blamed external forces and the government of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili for a 2008 war between Georgia and Russia over two breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Speaking in the city of Gori, close to territory occupied by Russian troops, he said Georgia should apologize for the war to those living in nearby South Ossetia. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. ATLANTA (AP) Georgia prosecutors on Tuesday dropped all 15 counts of money laundering that were levied against three Atlanta organizers accused of misusing a bail fund to aid violent protests against the citys proposed police and fire training center. Atlanta Solidarity Fund leaders Marlon Kautz, Adele MacLean and Savannah Patterson still face racketeering charges, along with 58 others who were indicted last year following a yearslong investigation into the Stop Cop City movement. Prosecutors have portrayed the decentralized movement as being led by militant anarchists hell-bent on radicalizing supporters and halting the construction of the facility by any means necessary, including arson. At the center of the case is the Atlanta Solidarity Fund, which has provided bail money and helped find attorneys for arrested protesters. Prosecutors said the three defendants funneled money that was supposed to be for charitable causes and instead used it to reimburse protesters who spent months camping in the South River Forest, near the site of the facility in DeKalb County, just outside Atlanta. Transactions that prompted the 15 counts of money laundering included $93.04 for camping supplies and $12.52 for forest kitchen materials, according to the indictment. But just as a motions hearing was about to start Tuesday, Deputy Attorney General John Fowler told Fulton County Judge Kimberly Esmond Adams that he would be filing paperwork to dismiss the 15 counts. A spokesperson for Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr did not say why the money laundering charges were dropped but emphasized that the racketeering charges remain. Kristen Novay, the attorney for Patterson, applauded the decision. The entire indictment is defective, but with those particular counts, I think it is a wise move for a seasoned prosecutor to say, This isnt worth it,' Novay told The Associated Press. Sometimes the hardest call as a prosecutor is to not go for something. Demonstrators and civil rights organizations have condemned the racketeering indictment and accused Carr, a Republican, of levying heavy-handed charges to try to silence a movement that has galvanized environmentalists and anti-police protesters across the country. Opponents say the 85-acre, $110-million facility will worsen police militarization and harm the environment in a poor, majority-Black neighborhood. Despite various attacks against the site and contractors equipment over the past couple of years, construction on the training center has continued, and officials say they are planning to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony in December. Supporters say the city must replace outdated facilities and that it is key to better train officers to avoid improper use of force. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of signed petitions to let voters weigh in on the project have spent the past 12 months sitting untouched in boxes as officials await a court ruling on whether nonresidents were wrongly allowed to collect signatures. City officials are hoping the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will kill the petition drive either because it is illegal under state law or because organizers missed their original deadline. The court, which heard arguments in December, has yet to issue its ruling. Outrage over the stalled referendum continued Monday, when dozens of protesters testified in front of the Atlanta City Council and then hurled hundreds of pingpong balls throughout the chamber as they chanted, You have dropped the ball. Efforts to prosecute those responsible for numerous violent Stop Cop City protests have hit multiple stumbling blocks. Last year, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston, a Democrat, announced she would withdraw from criminal cases tied to the protests, citing disagreements with Carr. And in July, Judge Esmond Adams castigated prosecutors for committing gross negligence for mishandling confidential email conversations that Kautz, MacLean and Patterson had with their attorneys, though Esmond Adams denied defense attorneys' motion to dismiss the case on those grounds. State School Superintendent Richard Woods announced Monday he will push for additional state funding for school safety initiatives during the 2025 General Assembly session in the aftermath of this months school shooting in Barrow County. The goal will be providing a school resource officer and a crisis alert system in every Georgia school. Building on the strong commitment to school displayed by Governor Kemp and the General Assembly in previous sessions - including the addition of line-item funding for school safety in 2024 - these are common-sense measures that will increase the security of schools throughout our state, Woods said. There is also early evidence they made a difference at Apalachee. Two students and two teachers were shot and killed at Apalachee High School near Winder on Sept. 4 and nine others were injured. Two school resource officers played a key role in taking 14-year-old Colt Gray, the alleged shooter, into custody and preventing further violence. Gov. Brian Kemp has included school safety measures in previous state budgets. This years spending plan set aside about $109 million for school districts to use in safety efforts. The governor also signed the Safe Schools Act last year, which requires schools to conduct intruder alert drills and submit school safety plans to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. But legislative Democrats, and some Republicans, are calling for more. Democrats are pushing for legislation requiring gun owners to lock their firearms and store them in a safe place and for a red flag law allowing the temporary seizure of firearms from a person deemed a danger to themselves or others. On the GOP side, Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns, R-Newington, late last week called for legislation offering tax credits to Georgians for the purchase of firearm storage safety devices including trigger locks and gun safes. The House overwhelmingly passed a tax-credit bill this year, but it failed to reach the Senate floor for a vote. Woods also announced Monday that he will propose expanding a state program that promotes mental- health counseling in the schools and the enactment of policies requiring more timely and effective sharing of information between law enforcement agencies and school districts. Amber Thurman in a selfie with her son. Thurman died in a Georgia hospital in 2022 after doctors delayed a procedure that was criminalized in Georgia after the Supreme Court ended nationwide access to abortion (Facebook) The death of a 28-year-old pregnant woman from an infection has been blamed on Trump abortion bans by Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Amber Nicole Thurman, from Georgia, died two years ago after delays in her care as doctors grappled with the states restrictive abortion laws. Her death was later ruled preventable by a state committee, which included 10 doctors, investigative outlet ProPublica reported on Monday. Harris issued a statement Tuesday on what happened to Thurman, the mother of a six-year-old boy, and spoke of her story during an interview with the National Association of Black Journalists later in the day. This young mother should be alive, raising her son, and pursuing her dream of attending nursing school, Harris said in a statement. This is exactly what we feared when Roe was struck down. In more than 20 states, Trump Abortion Bans are preventing doctors from providing basic medical care. Amber Thurman takes a selfie with her son. Thurman died in a Georgia hospital in 2022 after doctors delayed a procedure that was criminalized in the state after the Supreme Court overturned nationwide access to abortion (Facebook) Women are bleeding out in parking lots, turned away from emergency rooms, losing their ability to ever have children again, she continued. Survivors of rape and incest are being told they cannot make decisions about what happens next to their bodies. And now women are dying. These are the consequences of Donald Trumps actions. Amber Thurmans grave. Thurman asked her mother to care for her son, who was six years old at the time, before she died (Nydia Blas for ProPublica) During his presidency, Trump nominated three justices to create the Supreme Courts 6-3 conservative majority: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. This conservative majority enabled the court to oveturn Roe v Wade in 2022 - the ruling that had guaranteed access to abortion nationwide. Some states began enacting legislation to restrict abortion after Roe was overturned. Thurman, a medical assistant, was taken to Piedmont Henry Hospital in a suburb of Atlanta after she vomited blood and passed out in 2022, ProPublica reports. Doctors discovered Thurman had taken abortion medication and developed a rare complication in which there was some fetal tissue left in her uterus, according to the outlets investigation. Demonstrators rally in support of abortion rights at the Supreme Court. After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, the decision that guaranteed abortion access nationwide, states like Georgia began to enact restrictions on the procedure (AFP via Getty Images) At that point, Thurman needed a procedure called dilation and curettage, which would allow doctors to remove the rest of the tissue, ProPublica reports. But Georgia had recently passed a law making the procedure a felony with few exceptions. Doctors delayed Thurmans care and finally operated 20 hours after she arrived at the hospital, according to ProPublica. She died on the operating table. Piedmont Henry Hospital did not respond to requests for comment from ProPublica, according to the report. The Independent has contacted the hospital for comment. Over the last two years, Thurmans family members knew only that she died from an infection due to retained products of conception, ProPublica reports. Her loved ones only learned that medical experts deemed Thurmans death preventable due to ProPublicas reporting. Her family is now focused on caring for Thurmans son, according to ProPublica. Thurmans mother told the outlet that the last words she heard her daughter say were promise me youll take care of my son. Deaths caused by complications from abortion medication are exceedingly rare with 32 deaths reported to the Food and Drug Administration from 2000-2022. These deaths were reported regardless of whether the abortion medication played a role, according to ProPublica, and many of those recorded deaths were the result of other causes, such as drug overdose or homicide. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, also issued a statement in response to the ProPublica report. Amber Nicole Thurmana mother to a 6-year-old sondied after routine medical care was delayed, Senator Warren wrote. Her doctors feared criminal prosecution under Georgias abortion ban. Her death was preventable. Donald Trump said abortion bans are a beautiful thing. This summer, Trump called states enacting laws restricting abortion access a beautiful thing to watch. The Republican presidential candidate has spread outrageous false claims about abortion including last week when he said that some states executed babies after birth during the debate against Harris. Since the fall of Roe, pregnant people have faced significant barriers to abortion access which can have life-altering, and at times life-threatening, consequences. In states where there are little to no exceptions to abortion bans, people are being forced to continue with life-threatening pregnancies that are not viable. People living in more than 700 counties must travel more than 200 miles to access their nearest abortion clinic, according to the Myers Abortion Facility Database by Middlebury College. The Independent has contacted the Trump campaign for comment. Boris Pistorius, Minister of Defence of Germany, hopes that the German federal government approves supplementary funds for the supply of armament to Ukraine. Source: European Pravda with reference to Spiegel Details: During his visit to the German town of Saarlouis, Pistorius stated that the negotiations regarding the 7.5 billion increase of current budget for 2024 for Ukraine are "promising" and are likely to finish by the end of the week. "Then we will talk about a considerable amount of hundreds of millions of euros," Pistorius said, referring to the amount that may be allocated for further military aid for Ukraine. Starting from the NATO summit in July 2024, Pistorius warned that the billions from the budget, provided for the military assistance for Ukraine, were already used up to a considerable extent. So he publicly urged the German government to increase this years budget. Pistorius did not want to reveal on 17 September how much money would be allocated by the German government this time. Spiegel reports that his ministry hopes to receive almost 500 million more. This would allow them to order at least very urgent packages of spare parts, without which the armament systems already delivered to Ukraine from Germany cannot be prepared for further use in the combat zone. Spiegel reports that some time ago Pistorius presented a list, which provided for additional needs of up to 4 billion for 2024 alone, in the government. The minister wants to use this money to supply Ukraine with more ammunition, urgently needed spare parts for already delivered armament systems, as well as a larger quantity of the Leopard 1A5 tanks. However, Christian Lindner, Minister of Finances of Germany, urged the federal government to save money. He also hinted a few times that the office of Pistorius did not submit specific lists of what Ukraine urgently needed. The increase of German funding would be a success for Ukraine, even if it was significantly smaller than the really needed 4 billion. It is not just because Kyiv is concerned that, due to a dire financial situation, Germany might stop providing military support for Ukraine. Since Berlin is the second biggest partner of Kyiv at the moment, other allies, such as the US, the UK and other European countries worry that a kind of the domino effect might occur. Earlier German media reported that the current budget planning of the German federal government did not provide additional funds for the support of Ukraine, and additional applications of the Ministry of Defence of Germany regarding the military aid for Ukraine would no longer be approved on the chancellors demand. At the same time the German government denied its intention to shorten the military assistance for Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Palestinian walk past the damaged Al-Aliya Kindergarten, after it was bombed by an Israeli aircraft in Jabalia camp, north of Gaza. Mahmoud Issa/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Media companies from Germany are demanding that the governments of Israel and Egypt grant their journalists access to report on the conflict in the Gaza Strip. In an open letter published on Tuesday the organizations say that after almost a year of war the governments are still preventing journalists from reporting "unaccompanied and independently" in Gaza. "The almost total exclusion of international media from a crisis of this enormous global scope is unprecedented in recent history," it continues. The letter has been signed by editors-in-chief and directors of both public and private national media organizations, including some of the country's biggest outlets such as news journal Der Spiegel, daily newspaper Die Zeit, tabloid Bild, public broadcasters ARD and ZDF, international broadcaster Deutsche Welle and others, as well as the organizations Reporters Without Borders and the German Association of Journalists. It was also signed by dpa editor-in-chief Sven Gosmann, who said that "nothing is more truthful than the eyewitness accounts of independent journalists - especially for us as a news agency. That's why we support the demand to enable this independent reporting." The open letter was sent on Monday and is personally addressed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi. It says that the news organizations "are not a party to the conflict," and makes the point that those who make independent reporting on this war impossible are damaging their own credibility. "Anyone who prohibits us from working in the Gaza Strip is creating the conditions for human rights to be violated." The appeal concludes that "we are aware of our risk. We are prepared to take it. Grant us access to the Gaza Strip. Let us work - in the interest of all!" The war began after the attack by terrorists from the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023. More than 1,200 people were killed in Israel in the attack, and around 250 others were taken hostage in Gaza. According to the local authorities, which are controlled by Hamas, the number of people killed in Gaza since the start of the war has risen to more than 41,000. The figure does not distinguish between combatants and civilians and is almost impossible to verify. A photograph, taken during an embed with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and reviewed by the IDF censorship office prior to publication, shows destroyed building amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Media companies from Germany are demanding that the governments of Israel and Egypt grant their journalists access to report on the conflict in the Gaza Strip. In an open letter published on Tuesday the organizations say that after almost a year of war the governments are still preventing journalists from reporting "unaccompanied and independently" in Gaza. "The almost total exclusion of international media from a crisis of this enormous global scope is unprecedented in recent history," it continues. The letter has been signed by editors-in-chief and directors of both public and private national media organizations, including some of the country's biggest outlets such as news journal Der Spiegel, daily newspaper Die Zeit, tabloid Bild, public broadcasters ARD and ZDF, international broadcaster Deutsche Welle and others, as well as the organizations Reporters Without Borders and the German Association of Journalists. It was also signed by dpa editor-in-chief Sven Gosmann, who said that "nothing is more truthful than the eyewitness accounts of independent journalists - especially for us as a news agency. That's why we support the demand to enable this independent reporting." The open letter was sent on Monday and is personally addressed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi. It says that the news organizations "are not a party to the conflict," and makes the point that those who make independent reporting on this war impossible are damaging their own credibility. "Anyone who prohibits us from working in the Gaza Strip is creating the conditions for human rights to be violated." The appeal concludes that "we are aware of our risk. We are prepared to take it. Grant us access to the Gaza Strip. Let us work - in the interest of all!" The war began after the attack by terrorists from the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023. More than 1,200 people were killed in Israel in the attack, and around 250 others were taken hostage in Gaza. According to the local authorities, which are controlled by Hamas, the number of people killed in Gaza since the start of the war has risen to more than 41,000. The figure does not distinguish between combatants and civilians and is almost impossible to verify. The Gaza Strip itself is effectively sealed off. In the open letter, the media organizations demand general access from the Israeli side, and access from Egypt via the Rafah border crossing. Only a few international journalists have been able to travel to the Gaza Strip, accompanied by the Israeli army. A separate open letter from numerous journalists was published on Monday. Among other things, they demand the lifting of an Israeli entry ban on independent international reporters travelling to the war zone. Germany to provide additional 100 million in aid to Ukraine this winter Germany plans to provide an additional 100 million in aid to Ukraine this winter. Source: Reuters, citing German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during a visit to Moldova, as reported by European Pravda. Details: The agency noted that Baerbock stressed before the ministerial conference in Chisinau that Russia was once again planning a "winter war with the aim of making the lives of people in Ukraine as terrible as possible". Ukraine's energy system is still recovering from nine massive Russian attacks, with a power shortage and emergency and scheduled repairs continuing at power facilities. Background: The European Commission recently announced that it was working to increase the maximum volume of electricity supplies to Ukraine before the approach of winter. Later, the European Commission announced the allocation of additional 40 million to Ukraine amid constant Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. On Thursday, 5 September, the Swedish government decided to allocate almost 44 million to support heat and power supply in Ukraine. On 11 September, the Confederation of Finnish Industries started collecting donations of energy equipment and machinery to help Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! The mother of the man accused of shooting ten people to death at a Boulder King Soopers took the witness stand Monday dressed in a full hijab. Khajidah Alhidid said over and over again through a translator: "He is sick. He is sick." Monday was the eighth day of testimony in the murder trial that began with the jury selection on Aug. 26. Alhidid's testimony came after the prosecution rested earlier on Monday. The small, soft spoken woman said her son, who was "cute" and "smart" as a child, started behaving strangely in 2019 and then spiraled downward in 2020 when the entire family came down with COVID. "He did not know right from wrong. No sane person would do something like this. He got sick during COVID," said Alhidid. "We did not know his condition. Normal persons dont do that." By pleading not guilty by reason of insanity, the defense team is trying to prove Ahmad Alissa didn't know right from wrong during the mass shooting because of mental illness. Prosecutors must prove he did know right from wrong. They showed evidence of his planning, gun purchases, mass shootings research and his preparations that day. Alissa, 25, started biting his nails when he watched his mother take the stand Monday. It was the first time he had seen her since 2021 when she told him to visit a barber for his flyaway hair the morning of March 22, 2021 the day of the shooting. He did not go to the barber. Instead, he backed his brother's Mercedez Benz out of the family driveway in Arvada and headed to Boulder. At 2:29 p.m. that day, he parked in the Table Mesa King Soopers parking lot and allegedly shot dozens of people, killing 10, before he was arrested. Jurors looked from Alhidid to her son as she spoke of how he laughed to himself and even talked to himself on the phone, sometimes complaining that he was being followed by the FBI. 20th Judicial District Attorney Michael Dougherty asked her on cross examination about a package that was delivered the day after it snowed. "I saw that package. It was a big one. We thought it was a violin. We didnt know what was inside. No. God, no," said Alhidid. A gun used in the mass shooting was in that box, testimony revealed. Earlier testimony on Monday showed that the alleged gunman was planning the shooting, but he couldn't explain to doctors why he chose a neighborhood grocery store in Boulder. He shrugged off an ice cream and a barbecue event before he chose to commit the 2021 mass shooting. His aim was to bring his guns to a large gathering, but he didn't know why he chose King Soopers. He revealed those thoughts and others to a forensic psychiatrist in videotaped interviews done three months before trial. How did you pick King Soopers? asked Forensic Psychiatrist Jeffrey Janofsky Monday in the Boulder County courtroom. Random, answered the alleged gunman in an interview recorded on June 9 and 10, 2024. Why a mass shooting? Cause of the voices in my head, he said. The video interview was shown to the jury while Dr. Loandra Torres, a forensic psychologist with the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo, was on the stand interpreting Alissas answers for the prosecution. On the video, the defendant acknowledged that he had watched mass shootings on the national news. Featured Local Savings I guess the voices wanted a mass shooting, he told Janofsky. Alissa has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, but forensic psychologists who work for the state and evaluated Alissa have said that the schizophrenia is separate from insanity. The 25-year-old faces 55 counts overall, including 10 counts of first-degree murder, 38 counts of attempted first-degree murder, one count of first-degree assault and six counts of possessing large-capacity magazines during the commission of a felony in connection to the mass shooting that occurred at the King Soopers on Table Mesa Drive on March 22, 2021. Ten people were killed and dozens injured that day. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Torres testified that many of the defendants behaviors before and during the shooting proved to her that he was not insane. Included in those behaviors was fact that he searched on his phone for crowded events and that he thought about a mass shooting during gun practice. That he bought a carrier vest to protect himself, Torres said, demonstrates carrying out an action in a reasonably logical manner. Torres said that when she first saw Alissa six months after the shooting, he was unmedicated and, thus, unresponsive. In December 2021, he was transferred to the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo, and, by January, his treatment team sought a court order to force him to take his medications. By March 2023, they changed his anti-psychotic medication to Clozapin, which requires them to draw blood periodically. Torres said that once the defendant was taking his medications, he was much more calm and expressive with the mental health professionals who were evaluating him. Its her opinion that the alleged gunman never exhibited delusional thinking and that he was sane at the time of the shooting. Dr. Thomas Gray, a forensic psychologist who helped evaluate Alissa's sanity at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo following the shooting, had the same determination that Alissa was legally sane. Gray told jurors Alissa was able to understand the difference between right and wrong at the time of the March 22, 2021 shooting. On the video, Alissa is dressed in a black sweatshirt, appeared agitated, often cracked his knuckles, fingered a full growth of beard and looked down as he recounted what happened. He said that the voices in his head never commanded him to do anything and only said Ah, Oh and Hey. He never gave a motive for the shooting except to blame the voices in his head, which he said were "young." Sometimes, he said, he heard only one voice but other times, he used the term "voices." He told the court that he first heard the voice in late October 2019. During cross examination of Torres, defense attorney Samuel Dunn noted that Alissa's family first observed paranoid behaviors in late 2018. Alissa taped over his computer camera and told his family that the FBI was following him, but when they looked outside, there was no one there, Dunn said. Some jurors took notes on yellow legal pads while others just listened. Torres was the prosecution team's final witness, and they rested on Monday afternoon. The defense started its case with testimony from Dr. Hareesh Pillai, who was the defendant's primary psychiatric provider at the state mental hospital. Pilliai said that, in recent months, Alissa had been less isolated, even interacting with other patients at the mental health hospital with karaoke, in Sherlock Holmes and Dungeons and Dragons group sessions, and in Cornhole games. "It's evidence of improving negative symptoms of schizophrenia," said Pillai, who added that the negative symptoms are still present. The trial continues on Tuesday in 20th Judicial District Chief Judge Ingrid Bakke's courtroom. Germanys Habeck Says Trade Conflict With China Must Be Averted (Bloomberg) -- Supply Lines is a daily newsletter that tracks global trade. Sign up here. Most Read from Bloomberg German Economy Minister Robert Habeck urged the European Union and China to find a political solution in a dispute over Chinese-made electric vehicles and said a trade conflict should be avoided at all costs. The EU is aiming to hold a vote on introducing definitive tariffs on EVs imported from China on Sept. 25, people familiar with the plan told Bloomberg last week. Germany has joined fellow car manufacturer Spain in trying to persuade member states to drop the plan as they each have significant financial incentives to avert tit-for-tat measures. In a statement published after talks in Berlin Tuesday with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, Habeck said that while Germany embraces competition with the Asian nation, it must be on fair terms. At the same time, he said officials in Berlin absolutely want to avoid a trade conflict with spiraling tariffs that ultimately harms both sides. That is why my position is clear: we need a political solution, Habeck added. The European Commission and China should make every effort to find a negotiated solution. I am also in contact with the European Commission on this. The EUs executive arm launched the EV investigation last year, saying that Chinese companies unfairly benefit from state subsidies and are flooding Europe with excess production. In response, Beijing launched anti-dumping probes into EU exports of brandy, dairy and pork products. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Germany will provide an additional 100 million euros ($111 million) in aid to Ukraine this winter, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced during a visit to Moldova on Sept. 17, Reuters reported. Russia is once again planning a "winter war with the aim of making the lives of people in Ukraine as terrible as possible," Baerbock said before a ministerial conference in Chisinau. Ukrainians have been living with intermittent power outages throughout the summer and autumn since Russia stepped up its campaign of strikes against energy infrastructure. Serhiy Kovalenko, the CEO of energy supplier Yasno, warned in June that Ukrainians may have electricity for just 6-7 hours per day in the winter, depending on how much of the grid can be repaired. Ahead of the coming winter, Ukraine has ensured that 85% of its energy infrastructure is protected against further Russian attacks, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Sept. 10. Shmyhal said it is impossible to predict how many hours of blackouts Ukrainians will endure during the winter. According to the prime minister, the Ukrainian government has allocated Hr 19 billion ($461 million) for the protection of energy facilities, and another Hr 13 billion ($315 million) has been provided by foreign partners. Read also: A near-death feeling: Largest-yet Russian attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure brings back widespread power outages Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Germany says Moldova could be next in line if Ukraine falls Members of the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service patrol along the Ukraine-Moldova border in Odesa region Members of the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service patrol along the Ukraine-Moldova border in Odesa region By Alexander Ratz and Alexander Tanas CHISINAU (Reuters) -Support for Ukraine guarantees the survival of neighbouring Moldova, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Tuesday at a conference to address concerns about broadening Russian interference in the region. "Everything that we do to support Ukraine also means fostering stabilisation with regards to Moldova," Baerbock said. "It is clear what the greatest concern of the people here is: that if Ukraine falls, Moldova is the next country in line." Baerbock was visiting Chisinau for the Moldova Partnership Platform, together with her counterparts from France, Romania, Poland, the Netherlands and Lithuania. Germany, one of Kyiv's main military supporters in Europe, initiated the platform after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, painting it as part of broader efforts to stabilise Moldova's economy and shield it from Russian disinformation. Moldova, which has a Romanian-speaking majority and large Russian-speaking minority, has alternated between pro-Russian and pro-Western governments since the fall of the Soviet Union, and now has a strong Western-oriented administration. Moscow has troops stationed in a region where pro-Russian separatists broke from Chisinau's control in a short war in the early 1990s. Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who has accused Russia of trying to overthrow her government, said Moldova still faces serious challenges and urged partners to increase their support. "Russia's war against Ukraine, which we condemned from the very first day, has caused enormous damage to our economy," Sandu said. "The uncertainty caused by the war continues to seriously hinder our economic development and will continue to hinder it as long as the war lasts," she added. Within the framework of the platform, agreements were signed to provide Moldova with more than 300 million euros ($334 million) in loans and 80 million euros in grants, the government's press service said. Allies also welcomed Moldova's efforts to join the European Union. Under Sandu, Moldova, which lies between Ukraine and NATO and EU member Romania, hopes to join the bloc by 2030. France, Germany and Poland voiced their "unwavering and continuous support for Moldova" in its bid to join, according to a draft resolution seen by Reuters following a meeting of the three countries' top diplomats. The countries, known as the Weimar Triangle, also promised support to the Moldovan armed forces to defend the country, both bilaterally and as EU partners. In May, Moldova signed a security and defence partnership with the EU, the first country to agree such a deal with the bloc. ($1 = 0.8982 euros) (Reporting by Alexander Ratz and Alexander Tanas in Chisinau, Writing by Rachel More, Editing by Angus MacSwan) Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz speaks at the 150th Social Policy Evening Congress of the Ruhr Political Forum. David Young/dpa German conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz has continued to line up support for his chancellor candidacy in next year's nationwide election. Merz secured a key endorsement on Monday evening from Hendrik Wust, the popular premier of the western German state of North Rhine Westphalia and fellow member of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU). On Tuesday morning, the conservative state premier of Bavaria, Markus Soder, announced that he would join Merz for a joint press conference in Berlin at noon (1000 GMT). It is widely expected that the choice of chancellor candidate will be discussed at the press conference, though there have not been indications of whether Soder would endorse Merz or not. Whoever is ultimately picked would be the favourite to defeat current Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) in the next nationwide election, scheduled for September 2025. Scholz's squabbling three-party coalition has become widely unpopular in Germany, while the CDU has held consistent leads in national polls. Soder, who leads the CDU's Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), has long been viewed as Merz's top rival for the chancellor candidacy. His interest in the chancellorship is considered an open secret in German politics, and he unsuccessfully angled to be the top candidate for the CDU/CSU in 2021. Wust has long been viewed as Merz's other potential rival for the candidacy. The 49-year-old Wust leads Germany's most populous state and is generally viewed as a more charismatic and polished option compared to the gaffe-prone 68-year-old Merz. But on Monday evening, Wust said he would not be a candidate in the election and pledged his support to Merz instead. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during his meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, and Kazakh President Kassym-Shomart Tokayev during the Central Asia Summit. Michael Kappeler/dpa Several Central Asian leaders urged Germany to normalize relations with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan at a summit with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Kazakhstan on Tuesday. Germany has been critical of the hard-line Islamist Taliban group, and for two decades deployed combat troops to the country as part of a US-led war that drove the Taliban from power. Scholz is in the Kazakh capital of Astana for a summit of five Central Asian countries. Afghanistan borders three of the countries: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Scholz was cautious in his comments about Afghanistan on Tuesday, referring in particular to the massive restrictions on women's rights imposed by the Taliban in the country. "What is happening there is intolerable," said Scholz. "It is very clear to us that this government has come to power illegitimately and many developments are currently taking place in the country that are very depressing." The Taliban seized Kabul and returned to power amid the chaotic withdrawal of the US-led Western forces in August 2021. The Western-supported Afghan government quickly collapsed. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during his meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, and Kazakh President Kassym-Shomart Tokayev during the Central Asia Summit. Michael Kappeler/dpa COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The Ohio Supreme Court has approved the language voters will see when they decide on a statewide amendment, but the judges also requested two changes before it heads to the ballot. The court was reviewing contested language on Issue 1, a ballot initiative led by Citizens Not Politicians to place the responsibility of drawing Ohios electoral maps in the hands of a new, independent commission, instead of the current one made up of politicians. The 15-member group would decide on district borders. Ohioans push to end sub-minimum wage for some workers When Citizens Not Politicians submitted the language to go on ballots to the Ohio Ballot Board under Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose the former said it came back as the most biased, inaccurate and unconditional ballot language ever adopted by the Ohio Ballot Board, prompting a lawsuit. The first line voters will see at the ballot box reads, The proposed constitutional amendment would repeal constitutional protections against gerrymandering, while another portion describes creating the commission, whose appointees would be required to gerrymander. But in a 4-3 decision, the Supreme Court announced Monday evening that it would allow six provisions in the current version to stay as they are while asking for changes to two. The four judges in the majority called for changes to language on when the public can file a lawsuit to challenge a redistricting plan, as well as different language on how the public can share input on the map-making process. The majority decision came from Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy and Justices Patrick Fischer, R. Patrick DeWine, and Joseph Deters. In an opinion on the ballot language, Fischer wrote that the new independent commission would be required to gerrymander the boundaries of state legislative and congressional districts to favor either of the two largest political parties. He wrote that the Ohio Ballot Boards inclusion of the word gerrymander for the ballot should stay, because the commissions drawn districts would negatively impact independent and third-party voters. Justices Michael Donnelly, Jennifer Brunner, and Melody Stewart all dissented. Brunner wrote that stating the amendment would require gerrymandering is misleading, deceitful, and a fraud upon the voters, which could persuade them to reject it. Donnelly, in another opinion, referenced a July ruling on a chicken bone lawsuit. Gahanna residents speak out on proposed skateparks location The four members of this court in the majority today apparently think that the word boneless means you should expect bones,' Donnelly said. Im sure it comes as no great surprise that they think that a constitutional amendment to ban partisan gerrymandering means to require gerrymandering.' View the Ohio Supreme Courts per curiam opinion below: 2024-Ohio-4547Download Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Opposition supporters argue that without a proper audit, December's vote may not be transparent [BBC] Thousands of supporters of Ghanas main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have been protesting nationwide to demand an independent forensic audit of the countrys voter register. Party officials say they have identified errors in the electoral roll for Decembers nationwide poll that require correction. The election authority says errors that were previously identified have been corrected. Ghana, which has held a series of peaceful but hotly contested votes over the past three decades, is heading for another knife-edge presidential election. In the capital, Accra, demonstrators clad in red and white T-shirts, carried placards with inscriptions such as we need justice in this election. The NDC alleges discrepancies, including illegal name transfers, missing voters and the inclusion of the names of over 50,000 dead people. NDC director of elections Dr Omane Boamah said an independent audit of the electoral roll is the only way to ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process. He said his party had suggested the Electoral Commision (EC) allow the UN Development Programme to facilitate the process, but that this idea was rejected. The EC has said calls for an audit are misguided and unnecessary, but the opposition warns that thousands of registered voters risk being disenfranchised if errors persist. The commission said mistakes highlighted previously have been corrected. The communications director of the governing New Patriotic Party, Richard Ahiagba, said his party has faith in the Electoral Commission's independence to ensure a credible vote in December. Ghana goes to the polls in December 2024 in a two-horse race between John Mahama - an opposition candidate and former president - and current Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia. Both are promising to fix the countrys poor economic situation. 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 Supporters of Ghana's main NDC party protest what they suspect to be voter roll irregularities, in Accra Supporters of Ghana's main NDC party protest what they suspect to be voter roll irregularities, in Accra By Maxwell Akalaare Adombila ACCRA (Reuters) - Ghana's main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) party on Tuesday held nationwide protests against alleged voter roll irregularities, demanding an independent forensic audit to rid the register of errors for free and fair elections. Voters in the West African gold- and cocoa-producing nation will head to the polls on Dec. 7 to elect a successor to President Nana Akufo-Addo, who will step down in January after serving the constitutionally mandated eight years. The election will pit ex-president John Dramani Mahama of the NDC against current Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party. The NDC party leaders said the electoral commission illegally transferred voters to different voting stations without their knowledge, compromising the integrity of the register. Clad in red and black, thousands of supporters marched through principal streets in the capital Accra, blaring reggae and campaign songs from loudspeakers and calling on international bodies, Ghana's peace council and religious and civil society groups to intervene. Protest leaders presented petitions to parliament and the electoral agency in Accra. Protests also took place across Ghana's other 15 regions, according to local media. Protester Kwame Acheampong, 68, told Reuters in the local Akan language that his registration had been transferred from the capital to the northern city of Tamale. "How can I go to Tamale to vote?" he said. The electoral commission has said identified errors have been corrected. In August, it suspended a district director in the northeastern town of Pusiga for "using his credentials to transfer voters without their knowledge." Ghana is one of Africa's most stable democracies, but about eight people died during the last election, which was also marred by opposition accusations that the government unfairly influenced the outcome, which it denied. Allegations of irregularities dent the electoral authority's image. A July survey by pan-African research group Afrobarometer showed trust in Ghana's electoral commission at historic low since confidence polls started in 1999. NDC party chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia told protesters he wanted "nothing but transparent elections. "Ghana's democracy is on a serious test and we want (it) to prevail. It's time for war to remove anything that has the tendency to push us into a bigger war." (Reporting by Maxwell Akalaare Adombila; Editing by Alistair Bell) Ghislaine Maxwells appeal has been rejected by a US court - Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images North America Ghislaine Maxwells appeal against convictions for helping the disgraced late financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse teenage girls has been rejected by a US court. The British socialite, 62, has been serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2021 on five charges for having recruited and groomed four underage girls for Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 2004. The decision to reject her appeal was issued by the Manhattan-based 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday. Epstein was once Maxwells boyfriend. The financier died by suicide at the age of 66 in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019, five weeks after being arrested and charged with sex trafficking. Ghislaine Maxwell was previously in a relationship with Jeffrey Epstein - US Department of Justice/PA Maxwells appeal focused in significant part on a legal argument related to a 2007 non-prosecution agreement between Epstein and federal prosecutors in southern Florida, which she said barred her from being prosecuted in Manhattan 13 years later. Her lawyer argued that references in Epsteins agreement to the United States signalled the governments intent to bar prosecutions nationwide of potential co-conspirators, including four named in the agreement. Maxwell was not among them. A prosecutor countered that the mention of the United States was a throwaway reference, and Epsteins agreement was intended to bind only prosecutors in southern Florida. In addition, Maxwell argued in her appeal that prosecutors scapegoated her because Epstein was dead and the public demanded that someone else be held accountable. She also said her trial was tainted because one juror did not disclose that he had been sexually abused as a child. Writing for the three-judge panel, Jose Cabranes, the circuit judge, found no errors in Maxwells original convictions and found the punishment to be reasonable. He cited the trial judges assessment that the sentence reflected Maxwells pivotal role in facilitating the abuse of the underaged girls through a series of deceptive tactics and the significant and lasting harm it inflicted. A lawyer for Maxwell suggested she will appeal the decision to the US Supreme Court. We are obviously very disappointed by the courts decision and we vehemently disagree with the outcome, Arthur Aidala, Maxwells lawyer, said in a statement. We are cautiously optimistic that Ghislaine will get the justice she deserves from the Supreme Court of the United States. In 2008, Epstein ultimately pleaded guilty to a Florida state prosecution charge and served 13 months in jail, an arrangement now widely considered too lenient. His victims have since recouped hundreds of millions of dollars from his estate and from banks accused of handling transactions that financed his sexual misconduct. Maxwell has been serving her sentence in a low-security prison in Tallahassee, Florida. She is eligible for release in July 2037. 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. Gov. Greg Gianforte and Ryan Busse. (Photos courtesy Governor's Office, by Nicole Girten, Daily Montanan) After publicly sparring for weeks about whether they would participate in a debate, Republican Gov. Greg Gianfortes and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busses campaigns have agreed to participate in a televised debate in mid-October. The debate will be hosted by NonStop Local on Oct. 16; longtime Montana political reporter Mike Dennison and news reporter Bradley Warren will host it, said NonStop Local News Director Paul Bergen in a phone call Tuesday morning. The exact time, location, and parameters for the debate were still in the works, Bergen said, but both candidates had committed to participating. Two other debates the Busse campaign had agreed to and had been trying to get Gianforte to commit to, one hosted by Montana Television Network on Oct. 1 and another hosted by Montana PBS, Lee Newspapers, and Montana and Yellowstone Public Radio for Oct. 7, have been canceled because Gianfortes campaign declined to participate, the news outlets said. On Monday afternoon, Busses campaign sent out a news release saying Gianforte had canceled the other two debates. Earlier this month, Busse released years of tax returns to the Associated Press, which the Gianforte had called on him to do before his campaign committed to any debates, saying Busse otherwise was not a serious candidate. The Gianforte campaign did not at the time to commit to any specific debates, but Busses campaign manager said that day he believed that releasing the returns meant Gianforte would participate in both the Oct. 1 and 7 debates. On Monday, Busse campaign manager Aaron Murphy said the news organizations hosting the Oct. 1 and 7 debates had said they were off. Governor Gianforte is the most inaccessible, least transparent governor in the history of this state, and its no wonder why he doesnt want to defend his disaster of a record in a public forum, Busse said in a statement. Gianfortes campaign manager, Jake Eaton, shortly afterward accused the Busse campaign of lying, saying the two campaigns had committed to the Oct. 16 NonStop Local debate. After dragging his feet for weeks and saying he was too busy to release his taxes, Busse finally did, and we immediately began debate talks, Eaton said in an emailed statement. Ryan Busse should stop lying to Montanans and instead focus on how hes going to defend his work for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on the debate stage. Murphy said Tuesday that when he sent the Busse campaigns news release out, the NonStop Local debate was still under negotiation and the campaign was not lying. Murphy said deadlines last week for both campaigns to commit to the two other debates had come and gone without Gianfortes campaign committing to either. Emails viewed by the Daily Montanan on Tuesday confirm Gianfortes campaign, in an email sent last Friday, declined to participate in the debate hosted by Montana PBS, Lee Newspapers, Montana Public Radio and Yellowstone Public Radio. While Bergen had said Tuesday morning the parameters of the debate were still being set, Murphy said Tuesday afternoon the debate would be prerecorded in Missoula on Oct. 16 and air later that evening. Murphy said there would be no studio audience. Kaiser Leib, the Libertarian candidate for governor, said he had not been invited to participate in the NonStop Local debate. Keagan Harsha, the statewide news director for MTN News, said in a statement that Gianforte had declined an invitation to participate in the networks debate. It is disappointing for residents of our state. MTN has held candidate debates every election cycle for at least the last 30 years, and up until this year all major party candidates have participated, Harsha said in an emailed statement. We believe debates serve an important purpose as opportunities for voters to learn more about the candidates, their policies and intentions. Harsha said MTN has canceled the debate since Gianforte decided not to appear, but MTN has requested long-form, one-on-one interviews with both Gianforte and Busse. Busse has already accepted, and Harsha said MTN is hopeful Gianforte will as well. John Twiggs, a public affairs director for the University of Montana and Montana PBS, confirmed the debate the outlet, along with others, planned to host was canceled after Gianfortes campaign declined to participate last week. He said Busses campaign had accepted their invitation, which initially was sent out the day after the June primary. Twiggs said it was disappointing the debate between the top two candidates would not take place as the outlets had planned. You can get certain things from daily coverage, and you can get certain things from other forms that the reporting takes, but this is the only piece of it where youre going to get them in the same room at the same time, right? Twiggs said. And, unfortunately, they dont see any utility in that. One user on Reddit said it all: This is like trying to get (Taylor Swift) Eras Tour tickets. But for a restaurant. After more than a year of hosting invite-only dinners, Casa Bonita officially opened public reservations on Monday, allowing eager fans to finally book a table at the iconic Denver restaurant. Hopeful and excited diners ran into a new slew of problems, however, with the new, overwhelming demand for reservations sparking long queues and technical frustrations, according to reports on social media. On the reservations landing page, the restaurant provided a list of things to know. In it, the list explains that the most recent reservation opening includes dates for bookings in October and November and gives customers 12 minutes to complete the process. Only one reservation is allowed per customer, and while credit card information must be entered, charges will only apply if cancellations occur within 24 hours of the reservation date. The Denver Gazette confirmed that about an hour-and-a-half after the reservation system launched at 9 a.m. on Monday morning, the line stood at about 50,000 hopefuls and continued to grow. Our experience with the reservation system revealed that even after entering the lobby, users frequently encountered errors or saw their selected slots quickly taken by others. This led to a frustrating trial-and-error process where they had to repeatedly adjust times, dates, and party sizes before the system would finally confirm a booking. It required patience and flexibility to secure a reservation, as availability changed rapidly, and errors were common. A second queue opened at 3 p.m., but users continued to face similar issues. Denver Gazette staff successfully secured reservations from both the morning and afternoon queues, though this required multiple site refreshes and settling for available slots rather than preferred choices. Some members of our newsroom were unable to secure reservations altogether, however, reporting site errors and being kicked out of their place in reservation queue before eventually giving up. Featured Local Savings Thats what happens when you dont believe in your dreams. Dreams that include cheesy, melty, enchiladas and pillowy sopapillas laced with fresh honey. For the afternoon queue, it took approximately two hours from the time we entered the queue (2:20 p.m.) to the time a reservation was successfully completed (4:17 p.m.). This experience mirrored what was being reported online via social media channels. Reddit user u/everybodyneedspants gave tips for the booking process, saying: I was able to make a reservation for 3 at 7 p.m. on a Tuesday in November despite starting out with 21,000+ ahead of me... Be quick, be flexible with times, dates, and even the number in your party. It is easier to get tickets to the Super Bowl than it is reservations at Casa Bonita, said one person identified as Jake Chavez, on social media platform X. One improvement to the new reservation system is that guests no longer need to prepay for their meal, and all will receive table service. However, credit card details are still required when booking, as cancellations made within 24 hours or no-shows will incur a $10 fee. Our hands-on experience with both Casa Bonitas initial, invite-only reservation model and the current public roll-out shows that while the previous method involved long waits and uncertainty about receiving an email invite, it ultimately made securing a reservation easier. In contrast, the current system, though open to the public, presents additional challenges, such as technical issues and fierce competition for limited slots requiring more persistence and flexibility from users to book a table. Casa Bonita, a Denver landmark known for its cliff divers, cave, and sopapillas, reopened in 2023 after $12 million in renovations by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. The restaurant, which filed for bankruptcy in 2021 due to the pandemic, is now under the culinary direction of James Beard nominee Dana Rodriguez, who has revamped the menu with freshly made items. The location retains its original atmosphere, albeit with the improved menu and some nods to the South Park connection. You can read our full guide to the new and improved Casa Bonita here. The Denver Gazette reached out to Casa Bonita directly through their online press inquiry form for comment, but a comment was not provided in time for publication. In late August, Detroit's 20-story whale mural on Broderick Tower was once again obscured; this time by a giant QR code that, when scanned, offers an augmented reality (AR) experience for audiences at nearby Comerica Park to see whales swimming across their phone screen. The Wyland Foundation, founded by native metro Detroiter and internationally renowned artist Robert Wyland, who painted the mural in 1997, says it's a slap in the face to replace Wyland's public art with cartoon whales, but Skies Above Media, the third-party advertising company that rents out the mural space, calls it "modernizing the imagery" of the mural, as said in a statement to the Free Press. The whale mural and the usage of the space has long been a point of contention for Detroiters. Some locals are passionate about their whales going as far as to begin a movement on X to #BringBacktheWhales that trended along with the start of the Detroit Tigers 2022 season while others are indifferent, sometimes citing the absence of whales in Michigan's Great Lakes. Broderick Tower in Detroit on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. But when Wyland painted the Broderick Tower whale mural, he did so to remind Detroiters of the importance of conservation, and that despite being thousands of miles away from the ocean, local water bodies like the Detroit River and Great Lakes are still connected to the sea and play a role in protecting marine wildlife. Additionally, Wyland painted the mural for free, as a gift to Detroit at a time when the building was abandoned and the city was covered in blight. The Broderick Tower whale mural was Wyland's 76th out of 100 "Whaling Wall" murals that span the globe. It's estimated that 1 billion people see Wyland's Whaling Walls each year. Whale mural on Broderick Building in Detroit on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Video: Detroit artist behind Whales mural by latest obstruction Beginning in 2006, the mural has been covered off-and-on by advertisements in attempts to sell to audiences at nearby Comerica Park. In 2022, Wyland attempted to take the issue to the Michigan Supreme Court, but Michigan courts have continued to rule that using the mural space for advertising is lawful and valid under the city's coding ordinances, as reiterated by Skies Above Media in their statement to the Free Press. Additionally, Skies Above Media and the Broderick Tower property owners have used the revenue generated from advertisements to help pay rent when the building's occupancy was low. "It has been over 20 years since the City of Detroit first approved advertising signage over the mural at Broderick Tower. Since that time, Skies Above Media, and Detroit Media Group have utilized this space to promote a wide range of brands and causes, all the while paying monthly rent and helping keep Broderick Tower afloat when tenant occupancy throughout downtown Detroit was struggling," read the statement, provided by Glyn Williams, CEO of Skies Above Media. A February 2024 email shared with the Free Press from Skies Above Media to the Wyland Foundation revealed that new Broderick Tower property owners had intended to cover Wyland's whale mural. Hoping to collaborate with the Wyland Foundation, Skies Above reached out to the foundation to suggest the QR code and AR experience as a "solution" to modernize the mural while keeping the whale imagery and the foundation's message alive. "Skies Above Media and the property owners at Broderick Tower, alongside Detroit Media Group, made numerous attempts to collaborate with the Wyland Foundation to preserve and enhance the mural, modernizing the imagery with an augmented reality element that would facilitate donations to the Wyland Foundation within user experience free of charge," reads their statement to the Free Press. The proposed collaboration would involve no out-of-pocket cost to the Wyland Foundation, Skies Above said in their statement, and would additionally include a link inside the experience so that people could donate directly to the foundation. But if the Wyland Foundation wanted to keep the mural unobstructed, it would cost them $45,000 per four weeks, or $585,000 annually. More: Company wanted $585K to leave Detroit's whale mural uncovered: 'A slap in the face' Skies Above's statement to the Free Press assures that the $585,000 a year is the amount that the advertising space would lose between rent paid and lost revenue if the mural was left uncovered, and that $585,000 was never demanded from the Wyland Foundation. However, in the email proposal shared with the Free Press, Skies Above Media tells the Wyland Foundation: We can keep the Wyland Whales on that wall, unobstructed to allow you to continue to use the platform to draw attention and advertise for donations to the Wyland Foundation. We would charge you a Non Profit rate for the wall at $45,000 per 4 weeks - $585,000 annually. For context, we have sold the wall for $75,000 - $85,000 per 4 weeks so were offering a 40-45% discount. Steve Creech, president of the Wyland Foundation, shared that the foundation would be unable to afford such a sum without diminishing the funds used for their educational programs and initiatives, like their Clean Water Mobile Learning Center, which travels to underserved schools and educates over 15,000 kids a year about lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. Creech said that he attempted to bargain with the company, asking if the QR code could be placed in the space above the mural, but was told that high construction costs would prevent the company from doing so. Skies Above Media's statement says that any potential collaboration with the Wyland Foundation came to a halt once the AR concept was presented, after the foundation indicated that they would never agree to any terms that included covering the mural. In a response email to Skies Above's proposal, the foundation states that they hope for a solution that respects the mural's integrity and significance to the community and aligns with their commitment to public art. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Giant QR code covering Detroit whale mural reveals AR experience Sweetheart of a girl: Community in mourning after 17-year-old killed in Duxbury car crash A teenage girl who passed away after a crash in Duxbury over the weekend struck a tree and had to be extricated from the wreckage, authorities announced in an update on Tuesday. Officers responding to a report of a single-car crash into a tree in the area of Harrison Street just before 12:30 a.m. on Saturday found a 17-year-old Pembroke girl trapped in her wrecked vehicle, according to the Duxbury Police Department. The juvenile was unresponsive and needed to be extricated from the vehicle with the Jaws of Life, the department said in a news release. The girl was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital, where she died from her injuries on Monday night. She has been identified as Madison Straub, known as Maddie. I got to know her pretty well, said George Howe, a board member of Pembroke Youth Baseball and Softball. She was just a sweetheart of a girl. Working essentially as her manager, Howe got to know Straub because she worked at the snack shack adjacent to the organizations baseball fields. You know, she was just one of those girls you meet, kids that you meet, that you can tell was just going places, Howe said. Was gonna do things in this world. Howe said despite the fact Straub had braces she had a big smile and was always laughing and joking. When she laughed, she just lit up the place, he said. She was just that type of kid just a great, great kid. Howe had the difficult task of letting Straubs co-workers know she wasnt coming back that included his 15-year-old daughter. Its been nothing but heart emojis and prayers, he said. Just a great young girl. Dynamic. Were going to miss her greatly. Howe organized a vigil for Straub Wednesday night at the PYBS field complex. What were gonna do is just light up the fields and send her a message that we love her and we miss her, he said. Our deepest condolences go out to the friends and family of the victim, Duxbury Police Chief Michael Carbone said in a statement. Massachusetts State Police are assisting Duxbury police with an investigation into the cause of the crash. There were no additional details immediately available. 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 Girls with an interest in flying can learn more about the variety of available careers at an annual event at the Quad Cities International Airport, 3200 69th Avenue (Cargo) in Moline. The airport, John Deere Aviation and Elliott Aviation, are hosting the fourth annual Girls in Aviation Day A Women in Aviation International (WAI) Event on Saturday, September 21 from 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Girls ages 5 years and older can attend a day of activities and exploration and talk about educational and career paths with women representing a wide range of careers in aviation. Groups that will be at the event include: Elliott Aviation, John Deere Aviation, Revv Aviation, ABLEd, Quad Cities International Airport, Quad Cities International Airport Public Safety, QCIA Airport Services LLC, Civil Air Patrol Davenport, Iowa State University, Iowa Lakes Community College, University of Dubuque, Department of Homeland Security, Envoy Air: An American Airlines Group Company, UNIFI Aviation, EAA, Quad Cities Aero, National Weather Service Quad Cities, CMT, Eaton The event is a global celebration that introduces girls to all the careers possible in STEM and aviation. Less than 10% of pilots, maintenance technicians and airline executives are women, according to a 2019 WAI workforce report. Commercial air travel is seeing staffing shortages like never before, meaning diversity is crucial to the industry. Captain Susan Potter, the first woman to become an international captain with John Deere Aviation, will be the keynote speaker and will deliver her presentation starting at 12 p.m. Scan the QR code below to register. 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 WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Giuliani Takes Another L in Court as Judge Tosses His Suit Against Biden Cash-strapped former Donald Trump adviser Rudy Giulianis defamation lawsuit against President Joe Biden has been dismissed after the judge handling the case determined that the former New York City mayor utterly failed to carry his burden. Last October, Giuliani sued Biden for saying during a 2020 presidential debate that Giuliani was a Russian pawn. Bidens lawyers contended that the complaint was utterly devoid of well-pled factual allegations, and after Giuliani failed to respond to their motion to have the suit dismissed, New Hampshire District Court Judge Paul Barbadoro warned that he would rule on their request unless Giuliani gave a legally sufficient reason to withhold action. After no action came from Giuliani, Barbadoro on Friday dismissed the lawsuit without prejudice, meaning Giuliani can file the suit again in another court. Whether Giuliani intends on doing so is unclear, especially considering his massive debts and other legal predicaments. Trump Ally Rudy Giuliani Goes Down Hard at Republican National Convention A representative for Giuliani didnt respond to a request for comment from the Daily Beast. Last December, Giuliani was ordered to pay $148 million to two Georgia poll workers he defamed following the 2020 presidential election. Giuliani subsequently filed for bankruptcy, but that effort failed in July when the New York judge handling the matter called him a recalcitrant debtor amid his failure to produce required documents. In that time, Giuliani lost his accountant handling the case and was also sued by his former lawyer, Robert Costello, for failing to pay $1.6 million in legal fees. Now disbarred for his election lies, Giuliani is also a defendant in election interference cases in Georgia and Arizona. On top of that, the former New York City mayor has been accused of sexual harassment by a former assistant. 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. Who is giving money to political candidates in the Central Valley? Search them here Who is giving money to political candidates in the Central Valley? Search them here FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) With less than 50 days until election day 2024, candidates running for office want to get their voice out there and there are several companies, organizations and individual people keen to give local candidates money to make that happen. But who is giving candidates the money to pay for all this? You can find out using the links below. All counties (and a handful of cities) in the Central Valley post their candidates campaign statements online, giving the informed voter an easy way to find out who is helping pay their campaign bills. Why was a Fresno Police cadet arrested? Court filing shows allegations According to the California Secretary of State, campaign filing requirements apply to every candidate, political committee and lobbying entity. For example, in Fresno Countys online CampaignDocs search the first page gives you the option to search by the filers name, where you can search any candidate running for a Fresno County office. Click down to Advanced Search and under Contributor/Recipient Name you can type the name of a group to see if they have helped finance a campaign. For example, a search for PG&E brings up 21 results. YourCentralValley.com reached out to PG&E for a statement on their political donations and the company revealed that like many individuals and businesses, PG&E participates in the political process. PG&E holds itself to the highest standards of public disclosure and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Political contributions are paid for with shareholder funds, not customer dollars. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) To search candidates running for office in the counties below, click the links below: A statewide list of California counties and cities that post their campaign reports and statements online can be found here. If you would like to search for who is financing candidates for statewide office, 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 YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. Will minimum wage go up for hotel workers in Glendale? What voters need to know The Arizona Supreme Court declined on Sept. 16 to take up the case challenging the legality of an initiative to raise the minimum wage for hospitality workers in Glendale to $20 per hour. That means that voters will be able to vote on the measure, called Proposition 499, in the Nov. 5 election. In a notice to the attorneys involved in the case that was provided to The Arizona Republic, the Supreme Court did not provide a reason for the decision, which is the latest ruling in a series of legal challenges by the city of Glendale. In addition to the wage increase, the proposition also includes other labor regulations for hotel and event center workers, such as limits on how many rooms hotel attendants can clean in one shift before their pay is increased. The fact that Proposition 499 addresses both wages and benefits, the city argues, means that it fails to meet the "single-subject" rule in the state constitution. In July, Worker Power, the labor union backing Proposition 499, submitted the initiative with almost double the amount of signatures necessary to get it on the ballot. Glendale City Clerk Julie Bower denied the measure on the grounds that it involved too many topics. Worker Power then sued Glendale in Maricopa County Superior Court, which ruled the proposition legal. Glendale appealed, and on Aug. 22, the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court ruling, allowing ballots to be printed with Proposition 499 on them. All the challenged provisions relate to one general subject: protecting hotel and event center employees wages," the decision read. On Aug. 30, the city petitioned the Supreme Court for an expedited review of the decision, which it called "incorrect." The Supreme Court's Sept. 16 denial of the petition is the decisive ruling on whether votes for the measure will count. "Today's Arizona Supreme Court's decision is a victory for voters and all of Glendale. Voters will have the chance, clear of any more uncertainty, to make their voices heard on Proposition 499 this November," said Brendan Walsh, executive director of Worker Power. Adriana Rojas, a concessions worker at State Farm Stadium whose wages would be increased by Proposition 499 if it passes, also weighed in on the decision. "I was so happy to hear today's news about the Arizona Supreme Court decision," Rojas said. "I work two jobs just to make sure I can keep a roof over my family's heads and food on the table." "We are convinced that once Glendale voters learn how devastating Proposition 499 will be to the citys economy they will strongly reject it," said Kim Grace Sabow, CEO of Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, which filed an amicus brief in support of the city's position. At the time of writing, the city of Glendale was not available to comment on the ruling. This is a developing story; check back for more details. Reach the reporter at reia.li@gannett.com. Follow @Reialirui on X, formerly Twitter. Analysis: Economists weigh impacts of Glendale's minimum wage measure for hospitality workers This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hotel workers could get minimum wage boost in this metro Phoenix city Goddard, Cortner sentenced to life in prison for murder of Detective Del Rio Goddard, Cortner sentenced to life in prison for murder of Detective Del Rio DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The two men charged with the killing of Dayton Police Detective and DEA Task Force Officer Jorge Del Rio were sentenced on Monday. Four months after receiving guilty verdicts, Nathan Goddard was sentenced to life in prison plus 10 years. Cahke Cortner was sentenced to life in prison plus five years. The prosecution and defense classified one of the sentences as extreme. Both Cortner and Goddard were involved in a drug raid by Dayton police in 2019 where Det. Del Rio was shot and killed. Cortner was found guilty of supplying the firearm Goddard used to shoot Det. Del Rio. Goddard received four concurrent life sentences for four charges, including obtaining with the attempt to sell narcotics, attempt to distribute, intent to distribute said narcotics and intentional killing. He also received two 120-month sentences for two other charges. The defense says this sentencing is not necessary for the situation. However, the presiding judge says the extreme sentence is to deter future crimes like this. The Del Rio family shared their reaction to the sentencing, and how theyre finally ready to move forward. Were more than thankful for the outcome of this whole situation and were glad that everything is said and done and over with. Its such a relief, said Kathy Del Rio, Det. Del Rios wife. Both are expected to begin those sentences immediately. According to the judge, the court desires that Goddard is never released from prison. Nathan Goddard Trial Previous 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 WDTN.com. GoFundMe started for funerals for victims of fatal Collier I-75 crash: What to know A GoFundMe has been started for the family of the five victims involved in the fatal car crash on Sept. 14 on Interstate 75 in Collier County. Four of the five people in the car died. One remains in the hospital with serious injuries. Here's the latest updates on the crash victims and how you can donate. More: Collier I-75 crash kills four, survivor teen out of critical condition: What we know How did the crash happen? According to the FHP report, the sedan was traveling south on I-75 in the center lane. The driver changed lanes and lost control of the vehicle, causing it to travel off of the roadway and into the grass. The vehicle collided with a tree and broke into two separate parts. The driver and two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene. One other passenger died later at the hospital and another passenger, 16-year-old Jefry Garcia was left in critical condition at the time. The crash is still under investigation. Photo of the vehicle involved in the crash on I-75 Who was in the car? The driver, 18-year-old Edwin Jenri Garcia Ramos, and two 19-year-old men, Luis Garcia and Yony Garcia, were pronounced dead at the scene by rescue officials. Karla Tol Martin, a 21-year-old passenger, was the passenger transported to a local hospital who later died. An FHP official said his injuries are seemingly survivable, but TV stations are reporting that Jefry's stepmother says the doctor is "not very hopeful." How can you help the victims' family? Jossie Macedo, a co-worker of the victims, started a GoFundMe to raise money for the affected family. She says the victims were on their way to work before the crash. "These four individuals who are named below were very hard working and dedicated individuals who did not deserve this," Macedo wrote on the GoFundMe page. GoFundMe is a crowdfunding platform. The money raised through GoFundMe will go toward funeral costs. So far, the fundraiser has collected more than $3,580. There were 44 donations as of Tuesday (Sept. 17). You can also donate to the family at several local businesses. Here's a few of the locations: Mexicanisimo's: 12275 Collier Blvd, Suite 11 Molcajetes: 12275 Collier Blvd Variedades Guatemala LLC: 12285 Collier Blvd Tiki Hut of Naples: 11273 Tamiami Trail E This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: GoFundMe started for victims of fatal crash on I-75 in Collier "All good here": Last messages and new images Titan submersible implosion emerge as hearings begin Hearings by the U.S. Coast Guard's Board of Investigations commenced Monday in South Carolina, as officials seeks answers about the deaths of five people killed in an undersea implosion of the Titan experimental submersible in June 2023. Investigative hearings will last two weeks, which have so far revealed new images of debris of the Titan submersible on the ocean floor, as well as the crew's final communication: "all good here." On Tuesday, David Lochridge, a former employee at OceanGate, the private ocean exploration company that operated the Titan, testified to the U.S. Coast Guard panel that Stockton Rush, OceanGate's chief executive and founder, previously crashed another submersible into a shipwreck before angrily throwing the controls, as reported by the New York Times. The submersible imploded in the Atlantic Ocean during an attempted tour of the wreck of the Titanic. The Titan's owners, OceanGate suspended operations following the implosion in which OceanGate co-founder Stockton Rush was among those killed. A board statement said "hearing will examine all aspects of the loss of the Titan, including pre-accident historical events, regulatory compliance, crewmember duties and qualifications, mechanical and structural systems, emergency response and the submersible industry," as reported by the Associated Press in July. Marine Investigations Board Chair Jason Neubauer told NBC News on Monday the hearings aim to determine the extent of any criminal negligence or misconduct which may then be referred to the Justice Department. And to provide necessary safety recommendations for federal and international agencies to consider so no family will experience such a loss again. As previously reported by Salon's Nicole Karlis, the Marine Technology Society was among several industry organizations which had for years issued warnings that the Titan's plans could lead to catastrophe. "Our apprehension is that the current experimental approach adopted by Oceangate could result in negative outcomes (from minor to catastrophic) that would have serious consequences for everyone in the industry," the Society said in its March 2018 letter. Along with Rush, the four people who died in the implosion were 19-year-old Suleman Dawood, son of Pakistani and British billionaire Shahzada Dawood; British billionaire Hamish Harding; and French maritime expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday announced new actions the Lonestar state is taking against Tren de Aragua a violent Venezuelan gang that has been causing havoc in multiple states across the United States. Abbott announced that he is declaring the gang a foreign terrorist organization and establishing a database to verify if arrests being made are TdA members or not. "We will bring the full weight of the government against the TdA," Abbott said. "By declaring TdA a foreign terrorist organization, Texas will use the courts to halt their operations, use civil asset forfeiture to take the property and use enhanced criminal penalties to keep them in jail behind bars for longer periods of time." BLOODTHIRSTY VENEZUELAN STREET GANG SPARKS FEAR IN US AMID MIGRANT SURGE: WHAT TO KNOW These images from a CBP intelligence bulletin, show tattoos and identifiers for Tren De Aragua. The gang is believed to have originated in Venezuelan prisons and moved north over the last decade. But its reputation within the U.S. has grown this year, in part due to a number of high-profile crimes linked to the gang, with many believed to have arrived by coming across the southern border as part of the sharp increase in migration in recent years. Border officials told Fox recently they are targeting the gang as a priority, and officials in Dallas told Fox that they have seen gang activity in the north Dallas area linked to TdA. The gang hit the headlines over reports of a takeover of apartment buildings in Aurora, Colorado. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF THE BORDER SECURITY CRISIS Texas Gov. Greg Abbott addresses the Republican Jewish Coalitions annual leadership meeting, on Sept. 5, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada Fox News Digital reported in July that TdA members have been given a "green light" to fire on or attack law enforcement in Denver. The Biden administration designated the group a "significant transnational criminal organization" in July and offered up to $12 million for information leading to the arrest of three of its leaders. Abbott said that the database being created would look at common characteristics of gang members, including tattoos, scars, types of crime and methods of operation. Abbott had already launched a statewide operation to deter and disrupt the gang, and said that now there are nine anti-gang centers across the state, with more than $100 million in funding. Recently, a hotel in El Paso where TdA were active has been shut down. AFTER VIDEO OF ARMED VENEZUELAN GANG SHARED BY LOCAL OFFICIAL GOES VIRAL, COLORADO CITY TAKES ACTION He also noted more than 100 gang members were arrested during a riot at the U.S.-Mexico border near El Paso earlier this year. On Tuesday, he said that strike teams were being formed to surge resources to areas where gang members are believed to be working. "Our goal among law enforcement in the state of Texas is to defend our state from the growing threat of TdA," he said. "We are not going to allow them to use Texas as a base of operations to terrorize our citizens. Texas is a law and order state, and I will ensure that law enforcement has every tool they need to keep our community safe." Original article source: GOP governor takes aggressive action against bloodthirsty Venezuelan street gang: Growing threat Editor's note: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. A Colorado Springs man who shot up his own apartment and wounded a sleeping neighbor before going on a destructive shooting frenzy told police that he had intended to kill himself at the end of his rampage, according to arrest documents obtained by The Gazette. Rupesh Jain, 53, on Monday was on a mental health hold at the El Paso County jail, where he faces several felony and misdemeanor charges including illegal discharge of a firearm, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief, police said. The initial call for service came at 6:15 a.m. Sunday, when a woman reported that a bullet had come through the wall of her apartment at 11395 Nahcolite Point, near Interquest and Voyager parkways, and hit a friend of hers. When police arrived, they found the wounded man had a through-and-through gunshot wound to the right forearm. He was treated at a nearby hospital and is expected to recover. When officers saw the bullet hole in the wall, they went next door to the adjoining apartment, which was unlocked and unoccupied. There, they found several shell casings on the floor, bullet holes in the walls and windows, and several gun cases, according to the arrest document. Mail found on the kitchen counter was addressed to Jain. As officers were assessing the apartment, they heard gunshots coming from nearby. At about the same time, the communication center received a shots-fired call in the area of Middle Creek and Voyager parkways. Officers found extensive damage from multiple gunshots at the KeyBank on Spectrum Loop, not far from the apartment complex. Not long after that, CSPD dispatch received a call that another KeyBank, near Lexington Drive and Woodmen Road, had been attacked by gunfire. Featured Local Savings Just before 7 a.m., the communications center received a call about a possible burglary at the Village on Duryea Drive and Woodmen Road, less than two miles from the second KeyBank. The caller said a man in a black Tesla had fired several rounds at the door before driving off. According to the arrest document, the Village Inn manager told police that a man fired several rounds at the restaurant, which was occupied at the time, before asking for a pie. Rather than further agitate an armed man, the employee reportedly provided him with a key lime pie, and the man left, telling the employee not to worry about trying to identify him because he intended to kill himself. The suspect, by then confirmed to be Rupesh Jain, drove back to his apartment complex, where he was arrested by waiting police. Jain told officers that he had been planning to kill himself and that he had attempted suicide before. He reportedly asked one of the arresting officers to shoot him. In addition to the gunshot wound to his neighbor, Jains shooting rampage caused more than $100,000 in damages, including the destruction of two ATMs, police said. Police note in the arrest affidavit that Jain also threatened to shoot up a Key Bank location on Hartsel Drive back in July of this year. At that time the bank staff declined to press charges. A LinkedIn page and at least two online physician directories show Rupesh Jain as a plastic surgeon with a practice in Colorado Springs. Jain is being held on $500,000 bail, according to arrest records. Kentuckys governor signed an executive order Wednesday that he says will ban a controversial therapy practice that has been discredited by nearly all major medical associations. The practice of so-called conversion therapy hurts our children. It has no basis in medicine, it has no basis in science, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said in the Capitol rotunda, joined by LGBTQ allies. We cannot sit back and do nothing, he added. Beshear said his order is about protecting our youth from an inhumane practice that hurts them. The order, which takes effect immediately, will prohibit the use of state and federal dollars to pay for conversion therapy. Kentucky joins at least 23 other states and the District of Columbia in restricting or banning the practice. It does not amount to a total ban on private practice of conversion therapy, though it encourages certain professional boards to penalize or ban it. Aside from banning the use of federal or state dollars for the practice, the executive order also does the following: State agencies are required to report any licensed providers engaging in conversion therapy on minors to the relevant professional board for potential disciplinary action. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services must update policies to prohibit the use of funds for conversion therapy and highlight its dangers Departments providing medical or mental health services should explore further steps to protect minors from conversion therapy. Professional boards and agencies not supervised by the Governor are encouraged to prohibit conversion therapy on minors and classify it as unprofessional conduct. Conversion therapy is a discredited form of counseling that involves interventions attempting to change an individuals sexual orientation, sexual behaviors or gender identity. As the American Medical Association puts it, at the foundation of so-called conversion therapy a practice that often includes unethical techniques is the assumption that homosexuality and gender non-conformity are mental disorders and that sexual orientation and gender identity can be changed. The AMA, which supports conversion therapy bans, added that these assumptions are not based on medical or scientific evidence. Chris Hartman, executive director of the Kentucky Fairness Campaign, thanked Beshear for his bold and necessary action, calling him one of the most pro-fairness governors in Kentucky history. Today we all join the governor to send a crystal clear message to all of Kentuckys queer kids and their families: you are perfect as you are, Hartman said. The move from Beshear comes as legislative efforts to ban conversion therapy have floundered with those efforts coming primarily from Democrats and as GOP efforts to limit the rights of trans youth have ramped up. In 2023, Republicans proposed a raft of anti-LGBTQ bills, including ban on gender-affirming health care for trans youth against the advice from Kentucky doctors who warned of the harm it would bring. That policy became law last summer. Months later, during the 2023 race for the Kentucky governors mansion, then-Attorney General Daniel Cameron ran a gubernatorial campaign against Beshear that hinged largely on an anti-trans sentiment. Meanwhile, Democrats in both chambers of the state legislature have continually filed bills that would put a statewide ban on conversion therapy in place. Democratic Rep. Lisa Willner, a psychologist in Louisville, has seen multiple bills on the issue garner attention but not enough traction to be passed. Alice Forgy Kerr, a former Republican member of the state Senate from Lexington, repeatedly tried to pass a bill banning the practice when she served in the Senate up until 2022, but her proposals never gained significant traction. On Wednesday, Willner praised Beshears order, saying, after working on this bipartisan legislation for the past six sessions, and as the only licensed mental health professional in the Kentucky General Assembly, Im feeling such relief that young Kentuckians will finally have protections in place from this discredited and too-often deadly practice. A handful of cities have already passed local ordinances to ban conversion therapy, including Lexington, which became the third city in Kentucky to ban the practice in 2021, following Covington and Louisville. Rebecca Blankenship, executive director of Ban Conversion Therapy Kentucky, heralded Beshears to-come action, saying Tuesday night, this is five years too late, but better late than never. Thank you to Gov. Beshear for taking steps to protect Kentucky kids. Though legislative proposals to ban the practice have included Republican sponsors, some in the GOP were quick to criticize Beshear for his order. Why is Gov. Beshear determined to keep vulnerable children confused? Rep. Josh Calloway, R-Irvington, posted to X. I will fight this with every fiber of my being, Calloway continued, vowing to, if reelected, file legislation on day one to stop this governor from pushing his harmful far-left agenda on struggling kids. Calloway said he was also exploring other legal options to stop this egregious overreach. Anticipating blowback like this from some Republicans, Beshear said he wanted to address misinformation or re-casting that some may try after today. The order does not force an ideology on anybody, the governor said It does not expose anybody to anything in a library or school, he said. It simply stops a so-called therapy that the medical community says is wrong and hurts our children. Beshear has been calling on the legislature to pass its own measure to ban conversion therapy since at least 2020, when he became the first Kentucky governor to speak at a statewide LGBTQ rally. At that rally, he called on the legislature to pass a bill filed by then-Rep. Forgy Kerr to ban the controversial therapy practice. Similarly, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman has become more vocal in her support of LGBTQ rights. She spoke at this years Pride event at the Louisville waterfront, and during the 2023 legislative session wherein Republicans passed a bill banning gender-affirming health care for transgender youth, Coleman slammed that policy, saying shame on any adult that would use our kids as pawns in their political game. Beshear also criticized that policy, saying at the time, We are sitting at a time of great promise in Kentucky, but Kentucky cannot reach its full potential unless all people feel free to be themselves. MULLENS, WV (WVNS) The arrival of new firefighting equipment was announced by Governor Jim Justice at Twin Falls Resort State Park. According to a press release, new firefighting equipment for West Virginia was announced by Governor Justice and the West Virginia Division of Forestry on Monday, September 16, 2024. Countywide burn ban announced for Greenbrier County With fire season just around the corner in West Virginia, its perfect timing to get this new equipment. These arent just new dozers and trucks. They are difference makers in protecting our forests and citizens. The day they received this machinery, they immediately put it to use to tackle a fire. Thats how bad these guys needed new equipment. We need to keep doing all we can to ensure they have what they need to protect our beautiful forests and keep our homes safe. This drought is also making things worse, and as it gets dry, things could really get bad. Im really praying we get some rain soon, but weve got to be ready for whatever comes our way. At least we know that if disaster does strike, our teams are ready to face the challenge head-on with safe and reliable equipment. Governor Jim Justice, (R) WV The new firefighting equipment included: Two Type 3 Bulldozers equipped with specialized forestry and firefighting packages. Three Type 6 Wildland Fire Engines designed specifically for combating wildfires. Six new drones equipped with thermal imaging technology to assist in fire detection. Eight UTVs outfitted with skid units and water tanks for improved wildfire response in hard to reach areas. Seventeen pickup trucks fitted with skid units for enhanced firefighting capabilities. Photo Courtesy: Governor Justice Photo Courtesy: Governor Justice Photo Courtesy: Governor Justice Photo Courtesy: Governor Justice Photo Courtesy: Governor Justice Photo Courtesy: Governor Justice The press release stated that Governor Justice signed a bill in 2023 for $4 million dollars from the West Virginia Legislature for new firefighting equipment for foresters with the West Virginia Division of Forestry. Its one thing to fight the fires and to do all they do, but when they look back, theyve got to see us. They got to see us charging up the mountain with them. Thats all there is to it. Thats all they want and and we need to do that. Governor Jim Justice, (R) WV Burn ban announced for Fayette County The new firefighting equipment was unveiled at Twin Falls Resort State Park on Monday, September 16, 2024 with the Division of Forestrys bi-annual Fire School, which offers basic fire training for all new employees at the West Virginia Division of Forestry, West Virginia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Section and West Virginia State Parks. We are grateful for the leadership of Governor Justice and the legislature for their support and the commitment of the employees of WV Division of Forestry as they work each day to protect the people, property and wonderful forests in our state. Although Fall Fire Season officially begins October 1, our foresters work tirelessly year-round to protect one of our states most valuable assets. We ask the public to be cautious and careful as they enjoy the outdoors. James Bailey | Secretary of the WV Department of Commerce Officials say that there are not many forest fires caused by debris. They attribute this to the media getting the word out there to be cautious when it comes to burning items. You know a good example of that we had 13 or 14 fires yesterday. I think only one of those was caused by debris burning. The rest of them were caused by other causes like power lines or unfortunately felony arson. Jeremy Jones | Director of the Division of Forestry Not only does the new equipment help fight fires in West Virginia, but it also helps foresters with the West Virginia Division of Forestry when they need to help with wildfires outside of the Mountain State. Governor Justice announces record-breaking tourism growth in West Virginia We sincerely thank Governor Justice and the West Virginia Legislature for this historic investment. This equipment not only creates more efficient ways for us to fight fires around the state and the nation but it increases our capabilities to fight fires in remote and hard-to-access locations. Not only is this the first time we have had dozers, its the first time WV DOF has had nationally certified fire engines. Most importantly, this equipment provides a safer way for us to keep our beautiful state and our communities safe. Jeremy Jones | WV DOF Director/State Forester Fall fire season in the Mountain State starts on October 1, and burning regulations can be found on the West Virginia Division of Forestrys 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 WVNS. Each GP in England is now responsible for 2,085 patients each on average - SOLSTOCK GPs are working an average of 26 hours a week, a study showing the decline of the family doctor has revealed. The contracted hours fulfilled by each fully qualified GP has fallen from 30 a week on average in 2016, to 26 a week in 2022, according to new analysis of NHS data. Dr Rosa Parisi, the studys lead author from the University of Manchester, which conducted the research, suggested that GPs may be working less because they were likely to be unwilling or unable to face more of the intense day-to-day pressures. The study revealed that despite there being about 6 per cent more GPs in 2022 than there were in 2015, they were delivering 2.7 per cent fewer hours in total. This is despite an increase of almost 250 patients per GP, with each family doctor now responsible for 2,085 patients each on average. Researchers said the decrease in total working hours was down to a combination of family doctors retiring early, poor recruitment and retention and more GPs doing fewer hours. The NHS in England is facing a year-on-year reduction of the total working hours by general practitioners, Dr Parisi said. This decrease is down to early retirement, high levels of GP turnover and low retention, insufficient number of newly trained GPs joining the workforce, and lack of overseas recruitment. But reduction in working hours is also a major factor. The analysis compared the number of full-time equivalent GPs there were in each year with the total number of fully qualified GPs doing NHS work. One full-time equivalent GP could be made up of multiple doctors working part-time, which is increasingly the case. The latest NHS data show that of the 37,677 fully qualified GPs in England, they are filling 27,662 full-time equivalent roles. The NHS standard contract puts a full-time week at 37.5 hours, although there is some debate about what full-time looks like for a GP. Other studies have shown they often work beyond their contracted hours on tasks such as admin. The study found that in 2015, GPs were contracted to work an average of 30 hours a week on average, delivering about 80 per cent of the total hours they would if they had all worked full-time. By 2022, this had fallen to just under 26 hours a week, with family doctors contracted to work 69 per cent of a week on average. This reduction was largely driven by male GPs cutting their hours from 2015, when many worked more than the hours required under a full-time contract. This fell to almost 32 hours a week on average in 2022, while female doctors remained stable at about two-thirds of a week between 24 and 25 hours on average. Dr Parisi said they were not entirely sure why male GPs are reducing their hours, but policies are desperately needed to incentivise them to work longer. The study also found GP surgeries in the most deprived areas had 17 per cent more patients and 19 per cent more chronic conditions per full-time equivalent GP, compared with the least deprived areas. Prof Kamila Hawthorne, the chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said that many GPs feel as though cutting their clinical hours is the only way to avoid burnout and keep their patients safe. She said the number of family doctors was not keeping pace with the growing number of patients, who increasingly have multiple and complex needs. GPs are highly skilled at delivering this care for patients, but it is becoming more difficult to deliver in the face of intense workload and workforce pressures, she said. We cant keep doing more with less. 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. WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Nearly 150 people have been arrested, and 57 guns have been taken off Polk County streets because of the Violent Gang Investigative Task Force. The VGITF was created in February 2023 and is made up of the Polk County Sheriffs Office, county law enforcement agencies, FDLE, and the state attorneys office to investigate, disrupt, and dismantle gangs in the county. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said his agency began investigating gang drive-by shootings in 2019 after gang members disrespected the grave of a teenager who drowned. According to Judd, the gang members took videos of them dancing on the teens grave and posted them on social media. Sheriff Judd said that set the teens brothers off and a conflict began. In 2019, Judd said there was an investigation into a nationwide gang and 41 arrests were made in that operation. Judd stressed that deputies arrested the entire hierarchy of the gang in Florida. The president of the North Carolina chapter was also arrested. READ: Dog left outside for hours by Pinellas County pet resort employee dies from heat exhaustion: Document "We decimated that gang," Judd said. Yet, the gangs went on. In 2020, Judd said there were six drive-by shootings. He acknowledged that it was a low number and credited it to busting up the Florida chapter of the nationwide gang. In 2021, the number of drive-by shootings increased to 16. Judd said a 20-year-old man was shot and killed that year when the suspects left a bowling alley and had a running gun battle on the streets of Winter Haven. In 2022, there were 63 drive-by shootings. Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office That year, there were two drive-by shootings on the same night. In one of the shootings, a 19-year-old was shot in bed, and in the other shooting a 12-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl were shot while they lay in bed. Judd said the people in the house had nothing to do with the gang. Instead, according to Judd, the gang members shot up the wrong house to get back at a gang banger. Judd said," They will kill you graveyard dead and, unfortunately, we have the evidence to prove that." In February 2023, the Violent Gang Investigative Task Force was created and the investigations were centralized. Judd said deputies learned they were getting older, more organized gang members, but not the "kids that were running and gunning." He added, "We are not going to allow kids to kill kids." In 2023, there were 32 shootings in Polk County. READ: Grady Judd: Polk County man accused of shooting into neighbors home overdoses during SWAT standoff Judd said there are several different operations underway. Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office According to Judd, between Feb. 2023 and Aug. 2024 there was a 30% reduction in gang shootings and 45% fewer gang shootings in the county. "Well always give them the opportunity to mend their evil ways, or well help them mend their evil ways," Judd stated. READ: 'We need answers on this:' DeSantis to sign order for state jurisdiction over Trump assassination attempt Judd said, of the 144 suspects arrested, they had 1,599 prior arrests. He added that they had a total of 2,839 criminal charges before they were arrested in these operations. The sheriff vowed that more people would be arrested in the future. "Were going to make a positive difference and these folks who run and gun and think theyre going to get away with it theyre wrong," Judd stated. "Theyre super wrong. Im going to send them to prison for a very long time." Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office The sheriff mentioned that there is a GRIP unit, which stands for Gang Restrictive Intervention Program. According to Judd, this is a mentoring program within the schools. Judd also said he is working with churches in Polk County to try to keep kids out of trouble. He said the challenge is that the absence of an event cant be measured. He said its easy to show the suspects who have been arrested, but difficult to show someone who didnt commit crimes due to these initiatives. "If you have one kid that shoots one kid, thats unacceptable," Judd said. "So, when we get to zero drive-by shootings. Zero gang retaliations. Zero kids being shot and zero kids getting these guns. Theyre getting them off the streets, they cant just walk in and buy them. Then were successful. As long as you have anyone shooting at anyone, its not acceptable." Judd added that crime in Polk County is at a 50-year low. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: The Maricopa County Attorney's Office announced Monday that a grand jury had indicted a man accused of murdering a Phoenix police officer and injuring another during a shooting earlier this month. Officers Zane Coolidge and Matthew Haney responded to a call about someone breaking into a vehicle on Sept. 3 at around 6:30 p.m. near 16th Street and McDowell Road when they encountered 41-year-old Saul Bal, whom police say fled after they approached him. The officers reported that Bal fired at Haney and Coolidge, injuring both, and they returned fire, as detailed in the police statement. Bal initially escaped but was arrested after a search lasting over three hours, which led to the closure of several city blocks, police stops and searches of vehicles in the area. Police lights illuminated the area in red and blue as dozens of officers scoured the area with much of McDowell Road shut down with the search stretching as far as Seventh Street and Interstate 10 to the west and State Route 51 to the east. At a short news conference held that evening in front of the hospital where Coolidge and Haney were being treated, Phoenix interim police Chief Michael Sullivan said this was the eleventh time an officer had been the target of gunfire in 2024. "It angers me. I hope you share my anger, he said. Coolidge remained in critical condition until Sept. 6 when he passed. Haney was protected from serious injury by his ballistic vest. Josh Maxwell, a prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, asked Commissioner Jane McLaughlin that Bal be held on a $2 million cash-only bond, which McLaughlin granted. MCAO announced on Monday that a grand jury had since indicted Bal on five felony charges that include first-degree murder, attempt to commit first-degree murder, aggravated assault, first-degree burglary and misconduct involving weapons. "The men and women in blue are heroes," Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a statement. "It is unthinkable that someone would take one of their lives. The person who took Officer Coolidges life will be held accountable." A trial date had not been set as of Monday afternoon. A private funeral for Phoenix police Officer Zane Coolidge will be held on Wednesday. The service, which is closed to the public, will be held at 10 a.m. at Dream City Church in north Phoenix. The public can view the funeral through the Phoenix Police Department's YouTube channel. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Grand jury indicts man suspected of murdering Phoenix officer BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH) A Kentucky man who served five years of felony probation, was exonerated in Binghamton City Court today, and dismissed of all of his charges. In 2012, Thomas Shafer plead guilty to grand larceny for stealing three pieces of artificial jewelry in Johnson City. Back when Shafer gave his guilty plea, it was thought that one of the stolen pieces of jewelry was his mothers engagement ring, valued at $1,600. However, new testimony revealed that his mother, Theresa, found the engagement ring before he plead guilty, meaning, Shafer never stole the engagement ring. Without the engagement ring being included in the total value, the other pieces of jewelry were too low to warrant a felony conviction. Shafers case was supported by the Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation for Justice from the Bronx. Founder Jeffrey Deskovic says he himself was wrongfully convicted, and now that hes out, hes dedicated to helping those in the same position. I myself was wrongfully convicted. I spent sixteen years in prison from years seventeen to thirty-two for a murder and rape by which I didnt commit. Prior to DNA exonerating me. Upon my release eighteen years ago, I got a bachelors, got a Masters, I used some of the compensation that I received to start the organization. We have been able to free fourteen wrongfully convicted people, weve helped pass nine laws aimed at preventing wrongful conviction, says Deskovic. Shafer, says hes turned his life around, after recovering from his drug addictions. He currently works at an engineering firm and is married with a child. Shafer says hes been wanting to obtain his license to become a land surveyor, but the felony prevented him. It gives me so many more opportunities in my life to be able to advance my career and my personal life. My family and I dont have to try and figure out ways to work around this anymore. This is freedom that we all get to experience, says Shafer. Shafer says hes excited that he gets to vote again, and just in time for this years presidential election. Deskovic says there has been 350 people in New York who have lived with wrongful convictions. Shafer was also represented by Jacob Sher, special counsel from Hinman Howard and Kattell. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WDTN) A Liberty Township woman accused of shooting her infant grandchild late last year has pleaded guilty. According to Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser, Mia Harris pleaded guilty to one count of felonious assault with a three-year firearm specification. Gmoser confirmed additional charges were dropped for the plea. In December 2023, authorities were sent to a residence in Liberty Township in reference to a reported shooting. Harris was set to face trial on Sept. 30, but has since been canceled due to the guilty plea. The Butler County court has scheduled a disposition hearing for Harris to occur on Oct. 29. Mia 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 WDTN.com. TIVERTON, R.I. (WPRI) Donna Goulet-Truppi and her husband Paul Truppi are frustrated. They say the abrupt closure of St. Marys Home for Children and then of the George N. Hunt School on the homes North Providence campus has been very difficult for their grandchild, a former resident. My grandchild has a seizure disorder, has depression, and was suicidal due to a lot of death in our family, Goulet-Truppi told 12 News. It got to the point where they had to move my grandchild out of Hasbro [Childrens Hospital], and the only availability was St. Marys Home. Goulet-Truppi and her husband said theyd heard stories about St. Marys Home and were clear with social workers from the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) that they did not want to see their grandchild placed at that residential psychiatric treatment facility. It came down to, Well, if you dont go to St. Marys, he could end up in Tennessee, other parts, like Florida,' said Goulet-Truppi, who lives in Tiverton. And we didnt want that, because thats not going to keep our family together. So we went with St. Marys. St. Marys Home for Children In an interview with 12 News, Truppi and Goulet-Truppi described multiple concerning incidents that happened to their grandchild at St. Marys, including one where a staff member left an office unlocked, which allowed the child to access sharp objects and begin to self-harm. Goulet-Truppi also detailed a time when her grandchild ran away from the home around 8 p.m. She said a staff member told her they were looking for the teen, but by the time she arrived in North Providence just after 11 p.m., that staff member had gone home. I went to the police department and I said, Youve got to do something,' Goulet-Truppi recalled. And their advice to me was, Get your friends and family out here to help you look.' She said North Providence police didnt show up on campus until 2 a.m. So nobody was out there looking for him at all. RELATED: North Providence police logs reveal hundreds of missing juvenile reports from St. Marys About 10 hours after her grandchild was originally reported missing, Goulet-Truppi received a phone call from the St. Marys program coordinator, whom she had not been able to reach the night before. A motorist had spotted her grandchild on I-295 and called Rhode Island State Police. When he left, he didnt have his medicine, Goulet-Truppi said. I didnt know if he was somewhere dead or something like that. I was begging for help. St. Marys did nothing. She told 12 News she still cant sleep at night. DCYF let me down. Pawtucket-based Tides Family Services took over the day-to-day operations of the embattled St. Marys Home back in May, including the organizations outpatient programs and the George N. Hunt School. While St. Marys Home for Children could not be reached for comment, Tides spokesperson Frank McMahon told 12 News, If a child leaves the school premises, staff members follow immediately and use de-escalation techniques to encourage the child to return safely, adding, In the event that staff lose sight of the child, the family is notified immediately, and emergency personnel are contacted for assistance. Closure of St. Marys Home Goulet-Truppi and her husband told 12 News that no one from St. Marys reached out to let them know the residential psychiatric treatment facility would be closing its doors, saying they found out from a reporter theyd been in contact with. They had to find new placements for [the children who were still living at St. Marys], Truppi said. They were trying to find a placement for our grandchild, but it was determined that there wasnt anything available or appropriate, and they decided to send him home with additional support. The grandparents claim that the additional support provided by DCYF does not meet their grandchilds needs. There are some good people, but the thing is, theyre just limited because the services we actually need are not the services that theyre being contracted to provide from DCYF, Truppi said. Relocation of St. Marys School One of the bright spots about him being at St. Marys was the school, Truppi told 12 News. His grandchild was getting straight As, which made both grandparents and grandchild very happy. So the grandparents were shocked when, two weeks before the first day of school, they learned all the students at the George N. Hunt School would be moved to a Tides facility in Pawtucket. The way they left it was that the school would still remain on the St. Marys property, Goulet-Truppi recalled. They couldnt have kept that campus open for one year? Because right now the school theyre using is in Pawtucket. Theres no playground, theres nothing there. Its just a cement building. Even though you have the same staff and a lot of the same kids, for a kid that has anxiety, and doesnt like change, its very difficult, Truppi said. When asked to respond to complaints that the new location wasnt conducive to learning, McMahon said, Due to the unexpected financial challenges faced by [St. Marys Home for Children], Tides tapped into underutilized space in an existing facility to relocate the George N. Hunt School to allow for the continuity of educational programming. We are committed to continuously evaluating programming. This includes assessing the suitability of the current site and considering potential adjustments to better meet the needs of the students and their families, McMahon continued. We will keep all stakeholders informed and involved in this process to ensure that any changes made are in the best interest of the students and their families. Transportation concerns While Tides said the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) approved the location change for the George N. Hunt School, the closure of St. Marys Home means that Goulet-Truppi and Truppis grandchild has to be transported between their Tiverton home and the schools Pawtucket campus each day. And Goulet-Truppi says the drivers are not trained to deal with her grandchilds disabilities. Theres kids that are disabled that are riding on these vans or buses where people dont even know what their disability is, she said. Nobody knows he has seizures, so hes going to be in the back and have a seizure and nobodys gonna know whats going on. ALSO READ: RIDE says executive order not necessary for Dattco busing issues Like with other out-of-town school placements, local school departments are responsible for arranging transportation to Pawtucket for Tides students. Tiverton School Department they are working on it, but its the bus company thats not doing anything, Goulet-Truppi confirmed. I tried calling and youre on hold. Theres nobody in the office to call to speak to on something like that. She added that because it has been so difficult to contact the bus company and make sure the drivers are trained to follow her grandchilds seizure plan, theyve had to rely on DCYF and its contractors for transportation. But theres different people every day, she said, adding that DCYFs personnel are also unaware of the seizure plan. So, you know, thats another thing that our grandson has to deal with. When asked for comment, DCYF told 12 News, Long-term transportation needs are being coordinated through the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), and immediate transportation needs are being supported by a DCYF social worker. All social workers are trained to immediately contact 911 in the event of a medical emergency. DCYF involvement Goulet-Truppi and Truppi say they regret ever seeking help from DCYF to deal with their grandchilds behavioral issues. We were told by doctors that they could provide more services for us if we got DCYF involved, Goulet-Truppi said. I personally regret it 100%. In the state of Rhode Island, that was really the only place that was the go-to place for DCYF to send kids to. DCYF licensed St. Marys, they funded St. Marys, and they were the regulatory body for St. Marys. And I think that thats part of the problem, Truppi said. DCYF needed St. Marys to have a place for kids to go to that they couldnt place anywhere else So they allowed things to slide. But in the end, it didnt do anybody any good. Leah Crowley contributed to this report. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. (WFRV) A 34-year-old Green Bay woman was taken into custody on Monday after leading authorities on a dangerous pursuit on U.S. Highway 151. According to a release, deputies with the Fond du Lac County Sheriffs Office were made aware of a reckless driver traveling north on U.S. Highway 151, entering into Fond du Lac County. Three arrested after traffic stop on U.S. Highway 14 leads to located narcotics Multiple eyewitnesses reported the vehicle was varying speeds and weaving all over the highway. It was also noted that it hit several construction cones in Dodge County. One deputy located the vehicle traveling north on U.S. Highway 151, south of Thill Rd. in Oakfield. As the car approached the deputy, he observed it nearly hit another vehicle due to its erratic driving. A traffic stop was attempted, but the vehicle did not yield to the deputys lights and sirens, resulting in a pursuit. The car continued to travel erratically, swerving all over the roadway and nearly hitting a squad car in the median. The pursuit ended as the vehicle began slowing down. Deputies eventually boxed the vehicle in, bringing it to a safe stop. The driver and lone occupant was a 34-year-old woman from Green Bay. She was taken into custody without further incident. Deputies searched the vehicle and found suspected fentanyl pills. The woman is currently being held at the Fond du Lac County Jail for felony eluding, first-degree recklessly endangering safety, possession with intent to deliver schedule I and II narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia, and operating while intoxicated, her first offense. Wisconsin man sentenced to federal prison following gun & drug convictions The Fond du Lac County Sheriffs Office says nobody was injured during the pursuit, and no property damage occurred despite the reckless driving. The pursuit is said to have lasted around five miles. The Wisconsin State Patrol assisted the Fond du Lac County Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Over the last several years, much ink has been spilled over the fact that one of Americas political parties has been capturedif not contorted into an outright cult of personalityby an aging, megalomaniacal autocrat apologist and repeat loser who cares about little outside accruing power and personal enrichment. You are probably conjuring the image of Donald Trump. Youre not wrong, but this dynamic actually applies to two of Americas political parties: the GOP under Trump and the Green Party under Dr. Jill Stein. Stein, now in the midst of her third long-shot bid for the White House, has been largely ignored by both major-party nomineesthat is, until recently. As reported by The Bulwarks Marc Caputo, in just the last few days, Democrats appear to have launched an effort to snuff out her campaign. Last Monday, DNC spokesperson Matt Corridoni released a statement reading: Jill Stein is a useful idiot for Russia. After parroting Kremlin talking points and being propped up by bad actors in 2016 shes at it again. Jill Stein wont become president, but her spoiler candidacythat both the GOP and Putin have previously shown interest incan help decide who wins. A vote for Stein is a vote for Trump. Corridonis criticism was likely spurred by a recent Stein event in Tampa, where she championed the cause of three members of the African Peoples Socialist Party indicted back in April for participating in a malign influence campaign on behalf of the Russian government. On Thursday, famed comms knife-fighter and DNC operative Lis Smith tweeted a video of Stein floundering in response to a question from Angela Rye on The Breakfast Club about the number of members in the House of Representatives. WOW Smith wrote, Jill Stein doesnt know how many members of the House there are in Congress. 600?!?! Just the latest sign shes a deeply unserious candidate only there to help Trump win. Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined the fray as well, circulating another clip from The Breakfast Club interview with the caption: Nobody needs talking points to know Jill Stein hasnt won so much as a bingo game in the last decade and if you actually give a damn about people, you organize, build power and infrastructure, and win. It was the second broadside AOC sent Steins way last week. On Sunday, the congresswoman posted a now viral video to Instagram eviscerating the Green standard-bearer. Yall, this is a little spicy, but I have thoughts, Ocasio-Cortez began. What I have a problem with is the fact that if youre running for president, you are the de facto leader of your party. Trust me on this, Ive run as a third-party candidate in New York. Ive also run as a Working Families Party candidate in addition to running as a Democrat. Ive been on record about my criticisms of the two-party system, so this is not about that. If you run for years and years and years and years in a row, and your party has not grown and you dont add city council seats and you dont add downballot candidates and you dont add state electeds, thats bad leadership. That, to me, is what is upsetting. If you have been your partys nominee for 12 years in a row, four years ago and four years before that and four years before that, and you cannot grow your movement pretty much at all and cant pursue any successful strategy, and all you do is show up once every four years to speak to people who are justifiably pissed off, but youre just showing up once every four years to do that, youre not serious. To me, it does not read as authentic, it reads as predatory. How has Stein fared as a leader? By AOCs perfectly reasonable standard, shes done abysmally. As of July 2024, a mere 143 officeholders in the United States are affiliated with the Green Party. None of them are in statewide or federal offices. In fact, no Green Party candidate has ever won federal office. And Steins reign has been a period of indisputable decline, during which time the partys membershipwhich peaked in 2004 at 319,000 registered membershas fallen to 234,000 today. This meager coalition cant possibly kick-start a legitimate political movement, capable of organizing voters and advancing ideas outside of perennial electoral events. Its just large enough, however, to spoil the work of those who put in this kind of work. Thats why even if you put aside Steins toxic brand of leadership, Democrats broader disdain for Stein is understandable. Back in 2016, had Pennsylvanian, Michigan, and Wisconsin voters cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton in lieu of Stein, Trump never would have entered the Oval Office. Naturally, reasonable people can argue that Clinton herself should have been capable of doing more in those states to win (at the very least, she could have stepped foot in Wisconsin). Fair enough: But unleashing the MAGA king on the American people is far from the only reason many find Stein detestable. Leaving the complaints and condemnations of Democrats aside, the people who should be most aggrieved with Stein are anyone who aspires to have a functional, effective Green Party. As long as shes mixed up with it, its dead in the water. The Ivy Leagueeducated doctor is less an earnest political practitioner than a cynical narcissist addicted to media attentionmuch like the man she put in the White House. In 2016, to much fanfare, she crashed the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia with a Fox News crew in tow. Later that year, she used an interview with Politico to describe Clinton as a far greater threat to the American system than Donald Trump: Donald Trump, I think, will have a lot of trouble moving things through Congress. Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, wont.... Hillary has the potential to do a whole lot more damage, get us into more wars, faster to pass her fracking disastrous climate program, much more easily than Donald Trump could do his. Curiously, in earning her two Harvard degrees, it seems Stein never took time to learn how the Supreme Court works, or who gets to appoint replacements to it. When Stein hasnt been busy lobbing patently deranged criticisms at centrist Democrats, shes worked to smear progressives. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, for example, is a D.C. insider corrupted by corporate money, according to Steina bizarre charge, given that she herself has received tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Google, Lockheed Martin, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, and McKinsey. Indeed, Stein has long had a complicated relationship with money. As Yashar Ali reported for The Daily Beast in 2017, the Green Party icon has a particular penchant for railing against big banks, Big Pharma, Big Tobacco, Big Carbon, and defense contractors while simultaneously holding sizable investments in them via mutual or index funds. Ali noted that on October 26, 2015, Steins campaign sent out a statement calling for Exxon to get the death penalty for its climate-change fraud. Yet, according to her financial disclosures, Stein has invested $995,011 to $2.2 million in funds such as Vanguard 500 that maintain significant stakes in Exxon and other energy companies like Chevron, Duke Energy, Conoco Phillips, and Toho Gas. To be clear, making use of mutual and index funds is an extremely common practice in Washingtoneven by avowed progressives. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, for a time, was even invested in the same Vanguard fund as Stein. However, the Green Party leaders predilections for hard-line purity tests and uber-priggish rhetoric are difficult to square with her wealth management. Always quick to forgive herself for the sins for which she excommunicates others, Stein has defended herself in the past by asserting that she has no control over the investment decisions of the mutual and index funds that are enriching her. That is correct, but as Ali observes, she did have a choice of whether to invest in these funds to begin with. He continues, While Stein claims that she had difficulty finding funds that aligned with her values, she didnt explain why she chose to remain in funds that are completely disjointed from her values. Ali ends his piece by noting that Stein retired from teaching and medicine in 2006 in order to fully dedicate herself to politicsa decision likely only possible because of the payoff from investments in companies she claims to abhor. Steins ethical compromises have led to meaningful results, as long as youre not invested in the success of the party upon which she has so famously forced herself. The Green Party is arguably weaker now than its been in years. Its quite literally become a laughingstock; social media erupted this week after it was reported that the Nevada Green Party inadvertently filed forms to put up Jill Stein as a public referendum question instead of as a candidate for president. It is to be hoped that the Green Partys been so enfeebled by Steins leadership that it wont end up electing Donald Trump president once again. Perhaps one day the Green Party will blossom and become a real player in American politics, instead of the host body for a malignant egomaniac to cling to in perpetuity. Our politics could use some alternatives: With young peoples growing concerns around climate change, it would be beneficial if the Greens could send a candidate to be one of the Houses 435not, as Stein would have you believe, 600members in the next decade. For that to happen, though, the party will need to summon courage and good sense to dump Jill Stein once and for all. One male has been arrested following a brief stand-off early Monday morning. Just before 7 a.m., officers with the Colorado Springs Police Department's Stetson Hills division were dispatched to the 3600 block of Haven Circle near Village Green Park for a suspicious/wanted person call for service. Upon arrival, information was provided to officers that the suspicious person was inside the residence behind a locked bedroom door. The man, later identified as 24-year-old Joseph Friend, was initially unable to be contacted. Officers obtained a search warrant for the residence, and then entered the residence. While completing the search warrant, Friend exited out of the bedroom window and went onto the roof of the residence. Police say they made multiple attempts to get him to vacate the roof. Friend did not initially comply, according to police. Members from the department's Tactical Enforcement Unit responded to assist and after additional efforts were made, Friend complied and was taken into custody on his outstanding arrest warrant. No officers or other citizens were injured during the incident, police say. GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) A man from Greenville was arrested on Tuesday on charges of possession of child sexual abuse material. The South Carolina Attorney General announced that the Greenville Police Department and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force have arrested 29-year-old Marqis Daquan Lomax on five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Investigators with the U.S. Marshals Service, also a member of the states ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation. This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney Generals Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. Groundbreaking for Costco, apartment development in South Los Angeles slated for this week The groundbreaking for a new mixed-used apartment development, which will bring the first Costco to South Los Angeles and 800 new apartments, is slated for Wednesday. Thrive Living, the real estate company behind the project, announced last year that it wanted to build the mixed-used complex in a five-acre commercial lot near the intersections of La Brea Avenue and Coliseum Street. Thrive Living, the real estate company behind the project, announced last year that it wanted to build the mixed-used complex in a five-acre commercial lot near the intersections of La Brea Avenue and Coliseum Street. (Thrive Living) Thrive Living, the real estate company behind the project, announced last year that it wanted to build the mixed-used complex in a five-acre commercial lot near the intersections of La Brea Avenue and Coliseum Street. (Thrive Living) Thrive Living, the real estate company behind the project, announced last year that it wanted to build the mixed-used complex in a five-acre commercial lot near the intersections of La Brea Avenue and Coliseum Street. (Thrive Living) About 23%, or 184, of the 800 apartment units will be set aside for low-income households. Chipotle testing food prep automation at 2 restaurants in California The project is also the first new housing project under AB 2011 in Los Angeles, Thrive Living officials told KTLA. AB 2011 is a California law that streamlines the approval process for eligible residential developments in specific areas. The law went into effect on July 1, 2023. Mayor Karen Bass, L.A. City Councilmember Heather Hutt, California Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, Thrive Living and Costco company officials, and others are slated to attend the groundbreaking. The new Costco, the anchor for the 800 apartment units, will have optical and delivery services, a pharmacy and offer residents healthy food options, including fresh produce. The new layout will differ from other Costco stores typically housed in warehouses. Thrive Living and Costco said last year that they plan to hire residents and offer a job training program for the open 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 KTLA. GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH) Grove City High School announced it has dismissed its students early on Tuesday morning. The school announced that students were released beginning at 9:50 a.m. because of a power outage in the building. The districts electricians determined that power will not be restored for a significant amount of time and will disrupt daily operations. Westerville school board to appoint first Somali Muslim member, filling vacant seat This embedded content is not available in your region. Arrangements have been made for bus riders to leave early while the school district said carpoolers, student drivers, and walkers will be released in stages. An update on the buildings power status is expected to be delivered to families later Tuesday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Deputy Chief Kristen Rogers is retiring from the Grand Rapids Police Department after 28 years. Rogers joined GRPD in 1996 as a patrol officer in the South and West Neighborhood Service Areas. GRPD said she was transferred to the detective unit in 2000 where she served for 16 years. While with that unit, she was also assigned to the Childrens Advocacy Center of Kent County and the Family Services Team. In 2015, she was promoted to lieutenant and served as a watch commander for two years before returning to the detective unit. GRPD said she was promoted to captain in 2019 and was assigned as the commander of the East Neighborhood Service Area. She became the deputy chief of administration and investigative services in 2021. She has received several awards while with GRPD including a Lifesaving Medal, four Commendation Awards, two Achievement Awards and more. GRPD said she was also nominated for Police Officer of the Year in 2011. (Deputy Chief) Rogers has been a tremendous asset to GRPD, the Grand Rapids community, and to me personally in my first few years as chief, Police Chief Eric Winstrom, said in a release. She has an exemplary service record, has been integral to our successful recruiting and retention efforts, and has a long history of seeking justice on behalf of children, sexual assault victims, and victims of domestic violence. She is leaving us as the highest-ranking female officer in GRPD history. Rogers, who is retiring on Oct. 5, will be replaced by Capt. Michael Maycroft. An undated courtesy photo of Capt. Micahel Maycroft. Maycroft joined GRPD in 1997 after beginning his career as an officer with the Norton Shores Police Department. He has worked within several areas of the police department, most recently as captain. He was also assigned as commander of the North Neighborhood Service Area. I am so very grateful for Deputy Chief Rogers amazing contributions to the success of GRPD in serving the Grand Rapids community and am excited to welcome Deputy Chief Maycroft into his new role, Winstrom said in a 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 WOODTV.com. The Grumpy dwarfgoby, known by scientists as Sueviota aethon, has a grumpy-looking mug and serious canine teeth. But, its incredibly small. (Viktor Nunes Peinemann) Researchers have discovered a new fish in Saudi Arabia that looks to be a little crabby. The Grumpy dwarfgoby, known by scientists as Sueviota aethon, was first found off Saudi Arabias Farsan banks: an area of reefs that line the Red Sea. The fish were swimming in small caves and under overhangs, at depths between 33 and 174 feet beneath surface waters. Later, more specimens were seen near the Makkah Province village of Thuwal. At a length of less than two centimeters, the rare fish is characterized by its large canine teeth and intimidating expression. Some were dark red and others were yellowish-orange and white, with dark black pupils and iridescent golden rings that surround them. Their red coloration helps them to blend into their habitat: the walls of the reefs, which are covered in red algae. The fish use their large canines to seize tiny prey. The Grumpy dwarfgoby, known by scientists as Sueviota aethon, has a grumpy-looking mug and serious canine teeth. But, its incredibly small. (Viktor Nunes Peinemann) The discovery was made by scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and the University of Washington. Initially, they believed they had rediscovered the known fiery dwarfgoby, which was initially found in the early 1970s. But, then they took a closer look. Their findings were published last week in the journal ZooKeys. I imagine in its own tiny world, it is a fearsome predator. Its grumpy expression and large canines certainly make it look the part, despite its small size, study co-author Lucia Pombo-Ayora said in a statement. The region, known for its high levels of species that do not occur anywhere else in the world, has been disturbed by climate change in recent years. A CT scan shows the skull of The grumpy dwarfgoby. The distinctive fish is rare. Scientists worry that endemic species like this could be wiped out by climate change before theyre event found. (Viktor Nunes Peinemann) Around 94 percent of the oceans surface experienced at least one marine heat wave in 2023. Under the pressure of marine heat, corals can drive out the algae that sustain their ecosystems, turning them white and susceptible to disease. Rising ocean temperatures combined with increasing acidification have created inhospitable environments for coral. Increasing ocean acidity - as the ocean absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere - causes reefs to dissolve, as well as other organisms shells and skeletons also made from calcium carbonate. Coral structures, themselves, are animals and comprise thousands of tiny creatures called polyps. Those polyps secrete a hard outer skeleton of calcium carbonate. The Red Sea has seen widespread coral bleaching events and coral deaths. Of course, there are other reasons for coral bleaching, like pollution, low tides, and too much sunlight. Some of the grumpy dwarfgoby fish were yellow and red, with variation in color. They also have striking golden rings around their black pupils. (Viktor Nunes Peinemann) Finding the grumpy dwarfgoby, they believe, only increases the urgency of continuous conservation and research in the area. The ongoing discovery of distinctive new species like this grumpy dwarfgoby shows how much biodiversity remains undiscovered in the Red Sea, Viktor Nunes Peinemann said. Peinemann first found the fish during a diving expedition to check out the diversity in the reef. This is concerning given the recent environmental changes in the region. In some cases, species could go extinct before we even describe them. The Independent will be revealing its Climate100 List in September and hosting an event in New York, which can be attended online. Al-Qaeda-linked group says it was behind Mali attack Bamako reportedly remained tense after authorities said they had thwarted the attack [EPA] An al-Qaeda-linked group has said it was behind an early morning attack in the Malian capital, Bamako. Armed men targeted a military training school and other areas in the city, the authorities said, blaming a group of terrorists for the assault. Jihadist group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility, saying it had inflicted heavy human and material losses. The attack was the first of its kind in years to hit Bamako. Before Tuesday, the city had largely avoided the Islamist insurgency that has wracked Mali for more than a decade. JNIM is considered to be one of the most active militant groups in the wider Sahel region, having staged numerous attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. It said "special operation" on Tuesday struck both the training centre and Bamako's military airport, leading to casualties on the military's behalf. The New York Times also reported losses - members of Mali's security forces told the US paper "several" officers had been killed or injured. The sources also said that a dozen ambulances had carried the troops to hospital. The government did not mention any such losses, but said the military training school was among a number of "sensitive points" "targeted by terrorist attacks" at dawn. A military statement issued at about 08:00 local time (08:00 GMT) said the situation "was under control", while a statement from the security ministry said residents could go about their business as normal. AFP news agency later reported "heavy exchanges of fire" had taken place in the early afternoon near a police station controlling access to the civilian airport terminal. At a similar time, JNIM said that it had taken complete control of the nearby military airport. The BBC has not been able to verify this claim. Earlier, Mali's state television channel broadcast footage appearing to show roughly 20 prisoners. The men all had blindfolds on and their wrists tied. "The terrorists have been neutralised. The sweep is continuing," army chief-of-staff Oumar Diarra said during the ORTM news report. The news report also showed footage of three unmoving bodies laying on the ground. International organisations such as the UN have reportedly advised their staff to restrict their movement. Videos posted earlier on social media showed black plumes of smoke rising from a part of the city. As shots rang out, people heading to the mosque for morning prayers had to turn back, news agency Reuters said. Bamako's Modibo Keita International Airport was closed following the attack. The military seized power in a coup in 2021, accusing the government of failing to do enough to quell the insurgency. The junta expelled French troops and UN peacekeepers and brought in Russia's Wagner group to help fight the jihadists, but there is no sign of the insurgency ending. Footage shows plumes of smoke rising above the city [AFP] More BBC stories from Mali: [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 Moms Demand Action gun safety buttons cover a table at a Kansas Statehouse rally earlier this year. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector) The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call 988. Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential. Suicide attempts run in my family. Depression is in our genes, passed down through the generations. My mom, my sister, and several of my six children have been through the worst of times but survived. This past spring my cousins son Joshua, just 24 years old, ended his life outside a hospital ER with a gun. No second chances, no time to see what wonderful things might happen down the road. September marks National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to remember the lives taken by suicide, honor the survivors of suicide loss, and promote hope and healing. Every September, Everytown for Gun Safety and its grassroots networks, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, recommit to honoring survivors of firearm suicide with action. This month, we reflect on the increasing number of gun deaths among Kansans. More than two-thirds of gun deaths in Kansas are suicides, higher than the national average. While many people are aware that veterans are at a higher risk of suicide and that youth suicide is on the rise, it may be surprising to learn that farmers have a much higher rate of suicide than the general population due to occupational demands and a culture in which conversations about mental health are often stigmatizing, according to the National Institute of Health. Firearm suicide is a preventable public health crisis. It is important that we have conversations about mental health, share support resources, and also do everything we can to put time and space between a person in crisis and their access to firearms. Access to a firearm triples someones risk of death by suicide, and 90% of suicide attempts with a firearm are fatal. Most people who attempt suicide do not die unless they have access to a gun. Suicidal crises are often brief, so ensuring that someone experiencing a crisis does not have easy access to lethal means can prevent a moment of despair from becoming an irreversible loss. Even five minutes can make the difference in deflecting a suicide attempt, and once passed, a subsequent attempt is unlikely to be made. Locked-up guns, guns stored elsewhere, waiting periods with background checks, extreme risk protection orders or other red flag processes, and caring support can save lives. Stronger gun safety laws have the ability to prevent suicides, not just divert individuals in crisis to other means. In fact, research shows that states with strong gun laws have a significantly lower overall suicide rate than those states with weak gun laws, demonstrating that there is a role lawmakers across the country can play in addressing firearm suicide by enacting life-saving gun safety measures. If all states had the same gun suicide trend as states with the strongest gun laws, 72,000 fewer lives would have been taken by gun suicide over the past two decades. Gun safety measures such as Extreme Risk laws, waiting periods after firearm purchases, and those that require or encourage the secure storage of firearms save lives. I am sorry to report that Kansas legislators have had opportunities to pass secure firearm storage laws for guns in our state, but turned their backs on policies that would make our state and our homes and our schools safer. They should consider a different course going forward. Finally, if you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, you can call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org/chat to chat with a counselor from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It provides 24/7, free, and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress anywhere in the US. Importantly, you dont have to be in crisis to call this numberyou can call when youre struggling with a relationship, family problems, or financial troubles. We all have a role to play in reducing suicides and preventing gun violence. My cousins son Joshua shot himself outside a hospital doorway, leaving a note to say he hoped his vital organs could be donated to help others. They were, and several other people around the country now have a chance to live a full life that he didnt. Cori Sherman North is a Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America volunteer in Salina. 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. Gunsight Lake in Glacier National Park. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan) A couple of conservation groups are asking a federal court to stop a Glacier National Park plan to put endangered bull trout in Gunsight Lake, where they have never lived. The plan is called the Westslope Cutthroat and Bull Trout Preservation in Gunsight Lake Project. The lake is in the mountains of the St. Mary drainage in Glacier. In a lawsuit filed this week, the two groups allege the project ignores a separate $100 million plan to rebuild the St. Mary Diversion Dam, which is projected to help bull trout; it added a third species of fish after public comment; and will illegally take bull trout from donor streams. In fact, the organizations allege the plan that aims to create a refugia for bull trout could backfire altogether. The park is creating an artificial resident population of bull trout isolated by waterfalls that risks inbreeding and environmental events that could wipe out the entire population, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit was filed Monday in U.S. District Court of Montana in Missoula by Friends of the Wild Swan and the Council on Wildlife and Fish. Friends of the Wild Swan was one of the groups that filed the 1992 Endangered Species Act petition that led to the classification of bull trout as threatened. The lawsuit said the group feels responsible for overseeing agencies compliance with the ESA to protect bull trout. The groups are suing the regional director of the National Park Service, the superintendent of Glacier National Park, the head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the federal agencies themselves. The nonprofits allege the Park Service sent a vague plan for comment to the public, then worked on it afterward with the Fish and Wildlife Service, outside of the public eye and in violation of federal law. Glacier Park is keeping the public in the dark and planning this experiment in secret, said Arlene Montgomery, of Friends of the Wild Swan, in a statement. They are tinkering with a threatened species to create an isolated population of bull trout in a place they never lived before. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it does not comment on pending litigation, and the other agencies could not be reached for comment early Tuesday by email. However, a Glacier scientist earlier said the project aims to help protect bull trout and give them a fighting chance by placing them in a cold lake as the climate warms. The project would remove rainbow trout from the lake, also stocked there and the only fish present, the lawsuit said. It would also pull bull trout or gametes from streams outside Glacier, propagate them in a hatchery, and stock them and westslope cutthroat trout in Gunsight. (But) the environmental document never analyzes or discloses key questions on how many bull trout it will take from streams, from what particular streams it will take them, at what hatchery it will propagate them, or how many it will introduce into Gunsight Lake, said a memo from the groups about the lawsuit. And the conservation groups said the plan is flawed on other fronts. For one thing, no recovery plan showed any need for the project at Gunsight Lake, which historically had no fish because none could swim up the waterfalls to reach it. The groups also said the Park Service plans to introduce fish into a habitat where the species hasnt ever lived. They said the agency prohibits introducing fish for sport fishing, but nonetheless, the project intended to increase sport fishing at Gunsight Lake. It also failed to consider cumulative effects on bull trout of the Gunsight and St. Mary dam project, a violation of the National Environmental Policy Act, the lawsuit said. Second, it failed to obtain public comments when it decided to introduce mountain whitefish as a third exotic species in historically fishless Gunsight Lake and change the whole ecology, the groups allege. They said no commenter could have foreseen the addition of a third species, which far exceeds the spectrum of alternatives the Park Service presented to the public. And adding mountain whitefish creates unexpected impacts. Mountain whitefish might eat insects that bird species or amphibian species would otherwise eat, so they may disrupt the food web, the lawsuit alleges. Public comment could have pointed out gaps in that new analysis before the Park Service approved the Gunsight Project. Now, the public has no more options to comment. The groups are asking the court to declare the project violates the Endangered Species Act by taking bull trout and to stop its implementation. They said the Park Service put the cart before the horse by issuing a finding of no significant impact before the Fish and Wildlife Service issued a permit, and in doing so, the project illegally calls for actions the permit doesnt authorize. In a statement, Steve Kelly with the Council on Wildlife and Fish said the Fish and Wildlife Service is falling down on the job with the project. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is out of control, neglecting its primary duty to recover the threatened St. Mary bull trout population, Kelly said. All this dithering and speculative experimentation detracts from the basic immediate needs of bull trout. A version of this story first appeared on The Ankler . The morning after an awards show always feels a bit deflating, doesnt it? Even with the Emmys coming right at the start of the movie awards season, and the buzz of the Toronto awards still lingering (dont worry, well get there later this week), theres a Monday morning sense of the sequins being just a little bit less sparkly. Thats not even a hangover speaking: My colleague Elaine Low was on Emmy weekend party duty, and well be discussing it all in a special early edition of the Prestige Junkie podcast arriving later today. Turns out I thought I was tired of talking about how Shogun, The Bear and Baby Reindeer would win everything, but when the Emmys threw in some actual surprises, it felt exciting enough to keep this season going a few more months. I kid, I kid! Weary publicists, lay down your head just a moment, because SAG Awards and Golden Globes campaigns are right around the corner. For now, lets look back at the evenings surprises good and bad from thrilling victories to the product placement idea that never, ever should have left the brainstorming session. Sweeps Are Out Emmy hosts Eugene and Dan Levy know perfectly well how much these awards love a sweep. Four years ago, during a virtual ceremony while the world was really not doing its best, the Schitts Creek team picked up every single major award in the comedy category, a remarkable swan song for a show that barely made a blip when it first started airing in the U.S. That particular kind of sweep has not been replicated since, but theres still been a sense of repetition at Emmys ceremonies since. Succession and Beef and the first season of The Bear didnt win every award they were up for, but it sure felt like it. At the 2023 Emmys, held earlier this year, each shows stressful theme music started to feel like a warning bell: Get out of our way or risk being steamrolled. Most of us expected more or less the same at this years event, with Shogun, the second season of The Bear and the limited series Baby Reindeer all tipped for multiple victories in their respective categories. All three did great and with the exception being Hacks stunning victory over The Bear in the comedy category have more or less all the bragging rights they could have hoped for this morning. But its in the categories where the favorites didnt win that the Emmys gave us some genuine excitement. Rather than voting straight ticket for the shows they loved the most, Emmy voters really seemed to pay attention, singling out shows for their specific accomplishments and the performers who best represented what their shows do best. Far from the Emmys era of rubber-stamping the same winner year after year, these awards reflect a genuine desire to spread the wealth and a much better representation of this still-golden era of television than I would have thought possible. Comedy vs. 'Comedy' I cannot count how many times I heard grumbling this season about whether or not The Bear is really a comedy, a debate so sticky that it made its way to red carpet chatter last night. You could certainly argue, as my friend Joe Reid did at Vulture, that it ultimately did in The Bear in the top comedy category. The Television Academy, after all, is filled with people who have made their careers in comedy, and they might be even more perplexed than the average viewer by the rise of comedies as likely to rip your heart out as make you laugh. As the Hacks team took the stage, I thought about my conversation with comedy directing nominee Mary Lou Belli, a sitcom veteran who told me that what her show had in common with most of her fellow nominees is that theyre funny. (The Bears Christopher Storer won that category anyway.) I dont know how to solve the category problem presented by The Bear, and I do wonder if itll make a full jump to drama next year now that Succession is off the table. For now, Im just celebrating the comedy category finding a way to share the wealth, a bit more like it did back in 2021 when it was Ted Lasso vs. the first season of Hacks. Ted still snared the top prize, but Jean Smart won lead actress shes never lost for this role! and Hacks won for both writing and directing, evidence of strong Television Academy support that really broke through last night. Hacks creators Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky have always cultivated an underdog vibe when I spoke to Downs and Aniello in May they were frank about how challenging the industry can still be: It is really bleak in the world of comedy, Downs told me. Now that theyve taken the big prize, it will be interesting to see how Hacks figures into future races, though there ought to be a clear narrative for Hannah Einbinder, the co-lead of Hacks who gamely runs in the supporting category and has, egregiously, never won. Its also encouraging to see Hacks win the top prize in its third season, a rare feat for awards that often cannot stop overlooking something once theyve started. Now that weve given Hacks what it deserves, how about Only Murders in the Building next? What better way to cure concerns about the future comedy on television than to give the top award to a different, excellent show each season? On with the Show and the Shogun WALL BREAKER For the next generation I want to make a good example thats then easy to follow, Hiroyuki Sanada told me in August. Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images FXs Shogun had already made history heading into Sundays main ceremony, picking up an impressive 14 awards at the Creative Arts Emmys and breaking the record for awards won by a single season of a show. The wins for lead actress Anna Sawai, lead actor Hiroyuki Sanada and best drama series were simply icing on top. But Shogun had to share its victories with The Crown, which picked up best supporting actress for Elizabeth Debicki, as well as somewhat unexpected victors The Morning Show (supporting actor Billy Crudup) and Slow Horses (writing for series creator Will Smith). Argue all you want about whether the meticulously crafted and acted Shogun should have won those too Im still pouring one out for Tadanobu Asano but these victories make perfect sense. The Morning Show got an enormous 10 acting nominations, and a repeat victory for Crudup was as good a way as any to reflect the clear affection for the show in the TV Academy. As Slow Horses continues to build its audience Stateside, with a new season airing on Apple TV+ as we speak, a writing award for this clever, twisty spy thriller was ideal recognition and maybe a way to draw in even more new viewers. The English Will Smith also pulled off one of the nights best lines when he took the stage: First of all, relax. Despite my name, I come in peace. The Nights Most Thrilling Surprise QUICK STUDY For me, it was nothing but a learning experience, Lamorne Morris told me of his work on Fargo during a live Prestige Junkie podcast last month. Kevin Winter/Getty Images In the limited series category, it was the expected big night for Baby Reindeer, with two victories for Richard Gadd and another for Jessica Gunning in addition to the series win. Its competition within the Netflix house the sumptuous black-and-white Ripley had already won three Creative Arts Emmys, and got an incredibly well-deserved directing win for series creator Steven Zaillian. But the most thrilling surprise of the night, for my money, had nothing to do with Baby Reindeer at all. Robert Downey, Jr., fresh off his Oscar win, had been tipped for a best supporting actor victory for his role in The Sympathizer, even when he was the shows sole nominee. Instead, he cheered loudly from his seat for Lamorne Morris, the Fargo star and Prestige Junkie podcast guest! who seemed as stunned and delighted as the rest of the room. Or Maybe This Was the Most Thrilling Surprise Not quite as exciting as getting an invite to the Traitors Castle, but close! Following Alan Cummings victory for outstanding reality host at the Creative Arts Emmys last weekend, The Traitors pulled off a matching win in the reality competition series, breaking what had seemed like an eternal stranglehold on the category by RuPauls Drag Race. Despite what some people who got mad at me online might believe, I was not in fact rooting for RuPauls Drag Race to lose, merely lobbying for some more variety in a category that ought to better represent the wide, widely entertaining range of reality TV out there. We dont know yet if this is a changing of the guard or a one-off like Lizzos Watch Out for the Big Girls triumphing in 2022, but that sounds like something to worry about in the future. Today, we celebrate Cumming and his plaid. Does Johnnie Walker Pay in Whiskey? It makes perfect sense to do an awards show bit based around the bar, given how often the nights biggest talent congregates there instead of in their seats. It even makes sense to secure a liquor sponsor the Moet & Chandon that Taylor Swift was sipping at the Golden Globes didnt get there by accident. But someone really got ahead of themselves scheming up the backstage moment with Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Emmy by his side, and Red White & Royal Blues Taylor Zakhar-Perez, who met up at the bar to toast with glasses of Johnnie Walker before taking the stage to present together. Its hard to tell if it was intentional or a production snafu, but both of them looked directly into the camera at multiple points, giving a real Can we have our money now? Liz Lemon vibe. Archetypes Are Not the New Reunion During last years Emmys yes, they happened in January, were still calling them last years, move on the producers scored sentimental points by reuniting the casts from Martin, Ally McBeal and All in the Family on replicas of their original sets. In an era when so many awards shows seem hellbent on cutting every extra minute, they were big swings that paid off beautifully. Reunions were part of the mix this year too, with Dan and Eugene Levy reminding us of Schitts Creek from the very beginning and castmates from The West Wing and Happy Days taking the stage together as well. But the shows script also leaned heavily on the idea of classic TV archetypes, pairing up people who had played TV dads, cops and so forth, for shared presenting segments. I love it when awards shows give us unlikely pairs, and it was a treat to see Kathy Bates mixing it up with Giancarlo Esposito, even if she is an iconic movie villain, not a TV one. But it felt weirdly academic for the hosts to have to explain the concept of a TV archetype before cutting to a given reunion, and not nearly as natural as just putting the Cheers gang back at the bar. Just look at the 38 words it took to introduce a segment with Mindy Kaling, Mekhi Phifer and Zach Braff: Joining us onstage right now are three actors whose characters were members of a profession that has been the source of great storylines going back to the very first medical drama, City Hospital, that debuted 73 years ago. All that as a way to say TV doctors! Then again, these unlikely in-person pairings are a lot more fun than a montage and I love a montage! and the more famous faces you can get onstage in an awards show, the better. So maybe theres a smoother word than archetype we can deploy next time and make this all feel a little more natural. Hosts with the Most Levy pere et fils brought precisely what they promised in pre-show interviews: gentle humor so inoffensive that their most frequent target was first-ever Emmys host, Walter OKeefe, who died in 1983. Its a wise move for a room as clubby as the Emmys, full of returning winners and industry veterans. You try making a risky joke in front of Carol Burnett! Perhaps the Levys or the shows producers Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay welcomed the contrast of immediately following the opening monologue with Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez. The Only Murders trio, who reportedly turned down an offer to host the Oscars in 2022, brought a sparkling, well-honed energy that every awards show obsessive dreams of. The Levys remained a welcome presence every time they returned to the stage or the aisles, in one particularly effective bit. But it was also hard not to wonder what Marty and Steve were up to in the audience. The Oscars hosting slot is still open for next year. Maybe its worth asking again? After months at the forefront of the conflict against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Middle East, the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower concluded 275 days at sea and returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, in July. The Eisenhower entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in November, just weeks after the start of the Israel-Hamas War. The ships arrival in the region marked the first time a carrier operated in those Middle Eastern waters since the end of the Afghanistan war in 2021. While there, the strike group shot down a barrage of Iran-backed Houthi drones and missiles on a regular basis earning the crew the Combat Action Ribbon for their actions. The carriers air wing also led the first strikes against Houthi facilities in Yemen in January, and employed several weapons in combat for the first time. Capt. Chris Chowdah Hill, the Ikes commanding officer, spoke to Navy Times this month aboard the Eisenhower about how the crew navigated the conflict in the Red Sea, led the international effort Operation Prosperity Guardian to safeguard civilian merchant vessels in the region and how leadership worked to maintain morale among the crew through multiple deployment extensions. This interview was edited for length and clarity. The aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower's commanding officer, Capt. Chris Hill, after the Ike returned home in July from a long and kinetic deployment. (MC3 Timothy Conroy/U.S. Navy) Navy Times: This was an historic deployment on so many fronts, and Navy leaders have described the conflict in the Red Sea as the Navys most kinetic conflict since World War II. So to start off, I wanted to get your perspective on what were some of the key takeaways and memorable moments for you from this deployment? Chris Hill: I could talk about this all day. So I would characterize it overall as the most complex naval engagement for the U.S. Navy since World War II. And Im looking back to Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Gulf War II, all that stuff just a very busy situation in the Red Sea involving multi-domain threats on the surface, in the air, and new kinds of systems, like some of the new drones and some of the anti-ship ballistic missiles, which had never been fired in combat until this moment, and the first time theyve been shot down, which we did. So that was unprecedented, in that sense. Weve overused that word on our end, but it was truly unprecedented. The admiral and I and other warfare commanders, with our combined experience, anywhere from 25 to 35 years in the Navy, we hadnt seen anything like this, right? So the big question is, were we prepared? So thats a question that we have to look at throughout. Sailors prepare an F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to the But going back, for this ship, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, its an older ship, going on 47 years, still fully capable. The ship did two back-to-back deployments during COVID in 2020 and 2021. A lot of sailors didnt get to see the world, which is quintessential Navy go visit port calls and interact with local populations. And that has a strategic impact of some sort as well. So leading up to deployment, we are expecting to do something more akin to what we did in the 80s and 90s some NATO engagements, lots of port calls, mainly focused in the Med. It was very exciting for sailors. We talked about it all the time. I made a lot of promises, and it all went out the window on Oct. 7. So Oct. 7 occurs, Hamas invades Israel, and were deploying on our normal schedule a week later on Oct. 14. We didnt really have a specific mission yet, because the situation was still developing, but we were given orders tomeet up with the Gerald R. Ford in the Eastern Med, which we did. While were en route, the USS Carney was ahead of us by about a month I think, maybe a little bit more, but they were already in the Red Sea and they happened to be in a position where they intercepted dozens of missiles and drones early on. Ike carrier heads home as Houthi attacks continue in the Red Sea So that was kind of a foreshadow of what we would expect when we got there. And so we ended up going to the Red Sea, but we were just transiting through initially. Ultimately ended up in the Persian Gulf or the Arabian Gulf to counter Iran. And then we werent there too long before we were directed back into the Red Sea because of the situation there where the Houthis were essentially targeting merchant vessels, making an attempt to shut down the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb. So on Dec. 31, we went back into the Red Sea. We remained there for about six-and-a-half months and were engaged very frequently, both defending other ships, defending ourselves, and also bringing the fight to the enemy quite regularly. NT: Tell me a little bit about Operation Prosperity Guardian. What was the Eisenhowers involvement with that like? How did that effort form, and what kind of support did the Eisenhower and its strike group provide? Hill: We were the main element of Operation Prosperity Guardian, which was designed to defend merchant vessels and that involved providing escorts and just defending ships whenever we could. Doing a wholesale escort mission in an area that is that congested is really hard for a single strike group. Having said that, we were regularly saving a lot of lives. And that was the implied mission, it wasnt the stated mission. Stated mission was to degrade Houthi capability and also provide protection. So we did both of those simultaneously while we were out there. Aviation machinist's mates conduct preservation maintenance on an F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the NT: The last time I was on this carrier was before getting underway during Large Scale Exercise. At the time, there was a lot of talk about being in the 6th Fleet, but always being prepared for things to change. And you mentioned in your first response a little bit about how things changed after Oct. 7. Can you share what that was like, realizing that the carrier might head into the Middle East for the first time since 2021? Hill: When were doing our our work ups, it ends in a capstone event called Composite Unit Training Exercise, or COMPTUEX, about five to six weeks long involving the entire strike group consisting of four destroyers, a cruiser, the aircraft carrier, the embarked air wing and staffs, anywhere between six and 7,000 people overall involved. We prepare for a range of threats, some of the most high end threats, to some of the threats that are currently in existence that we have dealt with over the past 10 to 20 years. So you create a range of a threat so you could be deployed to any theater 7th Fleet in the Western Pacific, or in the Middle East. I think we got sufficient training in that process, because there was a lot of variety. We were evaluated. We did well, but you never know what to expect, right? In every single conflict Ive been involved in, there was always a learning experience that had to happen. After day one, you start to look at, okay, what does the enemy have, and how are we going to counter it? Were professionals. We sit down, we plan these things out. And if the plan doesnt work, we debrief and we immediately change it, right? We have kind of this rapid learning process. We also had organizations back home, technical organizations, part of the Navy, that could say, Hey, you need to use this tactic or this technique or this procedure, and it will help. So you have tremendous support stateside to feed us information. So learning was constantly happening, and it was very effective. So I cant really say that we were surprised by anything. Its the expectation in our culture that you will see things that you didnt expect, and then you do something about it. NT: You mentioned that the leadership of this strike group has 25 to 35 years experience, and yet youd never seen anything like this kind of conflict. What was that learning curve like, and how did you adapt as the deployment went on to some of these threats? Hill: We had all been involved in other combat operations, right? For me, for example, flying the E-2 Hawkeye, I was used to doing command and control both in training, in combat of running the air battle, right? So that was kind of intuitive for all of us. So in that sense, there was no, no surprise, right? It was easily adaptable for us. One of the things we had to look at, though, was how is this going to impact the crew, being in this environment? So a lot of questions came our way. How is the crew doing? What are you doing for the crew? And it became an item that we talked about with media locally. I would say things like, Hey, the crew is doing great. And occasionally Id have a sailor that would come up to me say, Sir, I dont agree with you. Im not doing great. Thats partly because weve all been on short and long deployments. Even if youre not doing combat, being at sea in an austere environment like the Red Sea, where its hot, the waters hot, so the engines arent as efficient. It impacts your quality of life. And this is a known thing by sailors going back centuries. It is a tough life by itself. Naval air crewmen return after conducting search and rescue training aboard an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, attached to the Now you add the complexity of warfare, I would say the warfare element was inspiring to many. And I talked about that we felt like we had mission and purpose. We were actually doing something to make a difference in the world. We were affecting the enemy. We were showing American resolve by being there, right? You know, I would say to sailors, What if America said, You know, we dont care. Were not going to show up. Thats not what we do with the United States Navy we care about freedom and navigation as part of our core mission going back to 1775, right? So, a lot of discussion about that throughout the ship to remind the sailors that they were really contributing to something significant, and also mentioned the fact that, Hey, what is going on is unprecedented for the U.S. Navy at least in modern history going back 70 years. That was what contributed to morale in the positive. It might have been the one thing that sustained us through an extended deployment in the aggregate. So were looking at all these things as were evaluating how we did, what we could have done better theres always room for improvement on any deployment. But that was a big takeaway: the mission and purpose matters. And how do you measure it? How do you measure morale? I joked back in the day that I can measure morale by counting smiles. But its really hard to quantify. You can get it through feedback from sailors, so you have to now elicit feedback. I would bring sailors in this very room right here, 10 to 15 sailors a couple times a week. Through over the past almost year-and-a-half now, I have seen more than 2,700 sailors come through this room. We talked about morale, how the morale was, what we could do better listening to sailors try to get that feedback. And then explaining my philosophy, and I had expectations for them. They were required to love and value each other. And I realize sometimes, if everybodys your brother and sister, that doesnt mean you actually get along with them every time. But the expectation is they are your brother and sister, so you still love and value them, right? And at the end of the day, if someones going after them or theyre getting attacked, youre going to jump in front of that system. Thats the kind of environment we wanted to create thats sort of like the warrior mindset or warrior ethos. NT: Speaking of morale, I understand that the ship had Wi-Fi during this deployment and I wanted to ask how that contributed to morale and also combatting disinformation. Hill: Wi-Fi is a game changer here, right? And I realize that there are operational security concerns, theres times when you have to turn it off. It could expose you to hacking and all these other things that we worry about, and we have plans in place to mitigate that stuff. But as a human person, when youre having a tough day, who do you call? Right? Do you call mom and dad? Do you call your spouse? Everybody has their call person. Sometimes the connectivity doesnt work. We had some connectivity issues with Wi-Fi. When you have 5,000 people trying to get on a system with only a handful of satellites to connect to, it was a challenge, but Id like to see the Navy continue this process in a very careful, measured way to provide those resources to sailors so you can allow them to connect to their external support networks. That might be the thing that gets them through a tough day. We all have tough days. This is normal human behavior, right? What is the thing that can get them through? If Wi-Fi is a conduit for that, then lets invest in this, right? The technology exists now. Its less expensive than it was, say, 10 years ago. Lets take advantage of it. An Information Systems Technician cleans an antenna aboard the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea on April 10. (U.S. Navy) Also, the Wi-Fi opened up an opportunity to get into a little bit of more social media, right? So I was never a social media guy. I was always wary of it. Im not the kind of person that likes to show pictures of myself, and very reserved in that sense. But I decided to take a risk, working with my public affairs officer, I said, Why dont we use one of the social media sites, and Ill actually talk about my leadership philosophy or something like that. But it actually took off in a weird way. Parents got involved because theyre worried about their sailors, right? Just like my mom was. And so I would get hundreds and hundreds of requests to see pictures of their sailors, and I couldnt keep up with it. I didnt have enough time in the day for something like that. But every day, I would try to bring up one sailor and show them off to the world, and just show the world that these are normal, ordinary young folks doing extraordinary things, and some people found some beauty in that, and so we just kept it going, right? Also, I gave them a cookie. 22-yr old cryptologic technician technical from Euless, TX was requested to the bridge by her uncle. She works in intelligence and anti-ship missile defense (how crazy is that?!). How did she survive 9 months of deployment? Gym and jujitsu! Her advice to others: Find peace in pic.twitter.com/bMkWzIYdwW Chowdah Hill (@ChowdahHill) August 25, 2024 Im not trying to recruit for the U.S. Navy by any means, but maybe Im recruiting the parents so that they can convince their children that its an environment where it could be enriching and could change their lives. Which I do get to see all the time as a leader of a ship, right? We as leaders, we see this, and this is what kind of motivates us to continue on, like a school teacher. Seeing a student start, mature, and get better in class its motivating for a school teacher. Someone had said in the media that this social media was sort of an information warfare campaign of some sort. It was not intended to be that way. If it just so happened that the enemy claimed they sunk the ship which they made several claims, but they didnt touch us I could show a picture of the flight deck and show life as normal. I could show were baking cookies. Capt. Demo, our facility dog, is walking around the ship just like a normal day, which was all true, right? So if you want to call that information warfare, have at it. Capt. Demo, the four-legged, honorary fourth member of the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower's command triad, rests alongside the ship's commanding officer, Capt. Chris NT: I know the carrier air wing was incredibly active during this deployment, and led the first strikes against Houthi facilities in Yemen. And then they also fired off several weapons in combat for the first time. So what was the decision-making process like between you and the CAW, and what was it like to employ these weapons and conduct these strikes? Hill: In terms of striking, its an interesting process, and you have to bring in our intelligence specialists and their leadership that actually tries to find the targets, and then you have to vet it. And that vetting process, depending on what theater youre in or the intensity of the war, typically goes up a chain of command off ship. And they could say, Yes, we approve that target, and then we will do the weaponeering. So we have people that are experts on that, and thats usually coming from the air wing. So theyre saying, Okay, for this target, we need this type of weapon, missile or bomb. You want to minimize collateral damage. You dont want to escalate the problem, right? The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower conducts flight operations in response to increased Iranian-backed Houthi malign behavior in the Red Sea, Feb. 3, 2024. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Janae Chambers / Navy) Were very, very careful about that. This isnt World War II, right? And plus, we dont want to expend and waste things that are not going to strike. Our weapons are extremely precise, and we want it to stay that way, right? Only target the stuff that needs to be targeted. And then, when that decision is made on the type of weapon, then they come to me, because Im the holder of the weapons and I have two giant weapons magazines. The ability to fight a war long term I cant give you the amount of months, because it depends on the intensity of a given day but I could have gone on indefinitely, probably a minimum of 10 more months, given the equipment I had. Maybe there would be an occasional reload of this or that, or the other type of missile, bomb. But extraordinary capability within an aircraft carrier with its embarked air wing to fight a battle. Naval aviator becomes first American woman to secure air-to-air kill All of our weapons have evolved over time. This was the first time weve seen ballistic missiles shot in combat. First time theyve been shot down by our ships. So thats different. We knew drones were coming. Weve been talking about this for decades, and now we saw them. So we had some foreshadowing with the Carney, and so nothing was a shock to us, right? It was more, Hey, this is interesting. Lets do what we do and figure out a way to stop it. And we were doing that regularly. NT: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during this deployment? Hill: One of the things that I was challenged with was making sure people were getting the right amount of sleep so that they could perform well, that they had good reaction times. Mood matters to me, how you interact with other sailors, and a lot of that can get ruined if youre not sleeping. And I would say, I dont think the Navy historically has done a great job on sleep hygiene, but were getting better. So a lot of leaders are talking about it. We understand the value of sleep. So when youre in actual combat, its quite frequent that you have to launch alert aircraft to go after a target or something, which we did many times, that might not fall into the window of our normal flight ops. So well have a normal battle rhythm, anywhere between 10 to 14 hours per day, flying aircraft throughout the entire day. Its cyclical, right? But what about when were not there? If its a single carrier, we have to provide alerts at night, sometimes in the very early morning. The air wing as well, we had to make sure we very carefully monitor when people were actually sleeping and that that sleep occurred at a normal time. You cant just say, You can now do your eight hours of sleep right now. You have to time it so thats the time when they normally sleep. So creating the sleep battle rhythm thats circadian friendly, that allows people to be alert and respond to any threat. So we did a little bit of adjustment on that, because we didnt expect to do as many alert launches, and we did a lot. NT: I know one thing the commanding officer of the Carney said after returning from deployment was that there were a lot of quick decisions that had to be made navigating this conflict in the Red Sea and the Middle East. Can you speak a little about that, and what that was like for the Eisenhower? Hill: I would say the quick decisions were largely with the destroyers. Ballistic missiles were not a concern for me, because I had them as protection, right? But the response time is just seconds. They have to identify and make a decision quick. But we train our operators to make the decision without asking permission from the captain of the ship, who might be sleeping at that very moment or doing something else. Or hes got a radio on him, and for whatever reason, its not working. Its garbled. So our tactical action officers, the people that work in our combat cells on every ship, are trained to respond very quickly. Also our systems help you in that matter. Like these are pretty advanced algorithms of these systems. They can help you identify a threat, provide you with recommendations. So that makes the process easier, right? So very impressed with both the equipment we had, the missiles we had, and how the sailors performed. It was like a perfect nexus of all three. NT: There were multiple extensions during this deployment. You guys were gone for a long period of time, and now theres two carriers in the Middle East. In terms of pacing, how long do you think carriers can be engaged in this kind of conflict? Hill: If you look at it isolated, we are capable of being engaged forever. Any ship is capable of going for years on end without returning home. We have that capability. We just dont exercise it because its an all-volunteer force. We want to get people home, cycle other people in. Some need the experience in that environment, but thats looking at things isolated. We also have other parts of the world where we want to be, so we have to carefully apportion where our carrier strike groups are, and manage that appropriately. So thats stuff that we think about and talk about all the time on our end. The aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower transits through the Suez Canal, Nov. 4. (MC2 Jorge LeBaron/U.S. Navy) NT: What do you hope sailors take away from this deployment, as they look back on it? Hill: When theyre 80 years old and they have their walker, maybe theyre on an oxygen tank that they say, You know what? I was on the Ike. And telling the stories to their grandchildren, who are probably rolling their eyes. And I was proud to be on the Ike. It was tough, but we did a great job against the enemy. Right? And I want them to have that veteran experience where theres some pride in what they accomplished. You dont always see that in American history, right? But I hope that that happens many decades from now. NT: Whats it been like for the crew since returning from deployment, and what are the next steps for the ship? Hill: So coming back, most sailors are doing just fine. Some said it was weird coming home nine months away from families. For some it was lonely, because they dont have families to go to, so they werent around their peers all day long because their peers went home, right? We always monitor that. We want to make sure everybodys good. So theres a big effort to keep track of that situation and talk about it. So I talked about it through several times. Like, what youre experiencing is absolutely normal. If its too hard to handle, then you can go seek help, and we have those resources, as I talked about, but it hasnt been anything unusual in terms of post-deployment behavior, if you will. I havent seen anything unusual, and Ive done many different deployments. And even for me, its like, its weird coming home and it takes a few weeks to readjust. And we got underway recently, we did a friends and family day, one day in and out, and kind of got back into our battle rhythm. Despite false Houthi claims, the Ike aircraft carrier fights on Then we did an ammo offload for about a week to get in our battle rhythm, restore mission and purpose. And so my main thing looking forward is, how do I provide mission and purpose if were not at sea doing that mission, right? So our new mission is to upgrade the ship in a shipyard period, and this is based on the life cycle of shipso that we can make the ship even better for follow-on deployments. And theres probably a couple more deployments left in the ships life. Logistic Specialist 1st Class Adam Peterson embraces his wife after arriving home with the rest of the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower's crew in July. (MC2 Giovannie Otero-Santiago/U.S. Navy) NT: How will you remember this deployment? Hill: I might remember the fact that during some engagements, I was wearing my pajamas and my Adidas slides, and I think Im old enough where I think Ive earned the right to do that every now and then. People may disagree with me on that, and Im probably indicting myself, but there were times where, you know, just not enough time to slap on a uniform or take a shower, right? We had to do work. A federal jury found a Denver man guilty of running an illegal gambling parlor at Player One Arcade in connection to a network of gambling parlors extending from Greeley to Pueblo. Jonathan Arvay, 38, was found guilty of conducting an illegal gambling business, and conspiracy to do so, in connection to the Player One Arcade located at 970 S. Oneida Street in Denver, according to a news release from the United States Attorneys Office for the District of Colorado. During the trial, evidence showed that Arvays business was part of a network of gambling parlors. In the arcade, disguised games offered electronic forms of gambling, as well as virtual slot machines in which customers attempted to earn credits, according to the press release. The credits earned were then transferred to a purported cryptocurrency, Obsidian Digital Asset Coin (ODAC). The crypto currency was then exchanged for cash at an ATM-like cryptocurrency teller machine next door to or within the gambling parlor, the attorneys office said. Customers were required to pay a transaction fee to exchange the ODAC for U.S. currency. These gambling dens masqueraded as arcades with a veneer of legitimacy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch said in the release. I am grateful to law enforcement for digging beneath the veneer and finding that these establishments were causing real harm in our communities. Arvary is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 12. The maximum sentence for conducting an illegal gambling business is five years in prison. The number listed for Player One Arcade was not in service Tuesday. Every message passed to Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader, travels via a long network of messengers, slowing negotiations Hamas is changing its hostage negotiation tactics, a move Israeli sources say is dragging out talks and piling pressure on Israel. Handwritten notes, recent executions and last-minute amendments are making a deal even more difficult to land, sources close to the talks have said. The Telegraph spoke to four people in defence and intelligence in Israel, including experts on Hamas and sources close to hostage negotiations. One said that the decision by Hamas to kill six hostages in a tunnel under the southern city of Rafah has made the latest round of talks very complex. The security agencies, which run the negotiating teams, say the deaths have broken what they thought was a golden rule for Hamas. The concept was that the hostages are the holy grail of [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar and he would keep them alive, defend them with his own blood because theyre worth a lot in negotiations, a source said. And here, we see something phenomenal, they kill them and take full responsibility without even a blink. The killings halted any peace talks at the time but succeeded in putting pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israel prime minister, for failing to agree to the latest terms. They also triggered a major split with hostage families and senior national leaders in defence and security who want an urgent ceasefire. In the week after the six hostages were killed, however, Hamas changed its demands on how many Palestinians prisoners it wanted in exchange for each hostage. The murder of six hostages Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, and Almog Sarusibroke broke what Isreali security forces thought was a golden rule for Hamas - Bring Them Home Now/Reuters As the talks were prolonged by a row inside the Israeli government over withdrawing from the buffer zone along the Egypt border, Hamas changed its position again, something the US had hinted was happening over the summer too. The back-and-forth between Hamas and Israel has been further slowed by handwritten notes coming from Sinwar, Hamass only surviving leader, who is thought to still be hiding in the tunnel network. Since Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas political leader, was assassinated in Iran, Sinwar has taken personal control of negotiations. Every message passed to Sinwar is handwritten, passed by a long network of messengers, the intelligence source explained as the Hamas leader evades detection. That means that as the clock is ticking, they are also making the process much more long-winded than even it was before as the low-level delegation being sent to the talks is not in a position to make any kind of major decisions. A military source said: Sinwars strategy hinges on waiting for the cracks to appear in his opponents unity, believing that persistence will eventually lead to his advantage. Sinwar, who is thought to be hiding in the tunnel network under Gaza, is taking personal control of negotiations - AFP/Mahmud Hams The shooting of the hostages and the delays to negotiations has seen blame largely placed on the Israeli government, with protests growing ever more frequent and larger in size and scale. Protesters highlight that Mr Netanyahu is holding up a deal by refusing to withdraw troops from the Philadelphi corridor, a strip of land between Gaza and Egypt where arms, money and people have been smuggled. The prime ministers refusal to change his veto on the corridor has also caused a rift with Yoav Gallant, the defence minster, and Shin Bet, Israels internal security service, something the that Hamas has taken note of. The death of the six hostages and the lack of a deal have seen protests against Benjamin Netanyahus government - Shutterstock /Eyal Warshavsky One source said that Hamas executing the hostages and delaying further talks was part of a new strategy to both divide Israel, and create a widening rift inside the country. Hamas sees that every time they come with new demands, the pressure is on Israel, not Hamas, and now the blame is being laid at the door of the Israeli government every time anyone is killed in Gaza, so Hamas has found a new strategy to both divide Israel, and created a widening rift with Israel and the US, he added. This execution strategy could drag the conflict out for years with 101 [hostages] still in Gaza. Some experts believe it reflects a wider tactic to drag out the war and increase pressure on Israel internationally. The mounting civilian death toll in Gaza which Israel says is due to Hamas using the local population as human shields has left Israel increasingly isolated. The change in tactics to shoot hostages is also based on practical issues. Israeli soldiers are now so deep into Gaza that they are regularly closing in on hostage positions. As soon as Hamas hears the footsteps of the soldiers, they kill the hostages, an intelligence chief said. The guards with the hostages are afraid not to kill them because if they just run away when the IDF is close, they risk being accused of being Israeli accomplices. They know that if Israel manages to rescue the hostages under their watch alive, theyre dead men walking, so instead, they kill them. Its a huge problem as it means a totally new dilemma for Israel. For this, we dont have any sort of solution and it puts us in a deadlock as whatever we do, its bad. The IDF is so deep in Gaza that they are regularly closing in on hostage positions - AFP/Sharon Aronowicz The intelligence chief admitted that the protracted talks and changing tactics were causing a big conflict in Israeli society and tearing us apart. Basem Naim, a Hamas spokesman, told The Telegraph that Mr Netanyahu is to blame for the delays, claiming he is adding new conditions backtracking from his own proposals . or committing a new massacre. He also said the US was totally complicit in the genocide against Palestinians and backing up the Israeli government, which is also preventing a deal. 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. In an apparent road rage attack, an unknown suspect reportedly took a hammer to a vacationers car after the visitor lost his way on Hilton Head Island over the weekend. The Beaufort County Sheriffs Office had not made an arrest as of Tuesday afternoon due to a lack of leads. Beaufort County deputies were called around 1 p.m. Saturday to the Hilton Head Island Airport, where they met a 48-year-old man from Sevierville, Tennessee. He told police he had gotten lost while driving his 2024 Nissan Armada in the Spanish Wells area and tried to turn around on Spanish Wells Road, making a three-point turn in the gravel parking lot of a warehouse near Humane Way. After turning around, the man ended up behind a black pickup truck, possibly a Dodge, according to a sheriffs office incident report. As he waited for the truck to pull forward, the unnamed driver exited the vehicle and began yelling, appearing very hostile, he told police. With his windows closed, the man couldnt hear most of what the man was saying, but after cracking his door open he reportedly heard the driver yell What is your problem? The unidentified driver then grabbed a hammer from his truck cabin and approached the mans car, allegedly smashing both headlight covers before striking the passenger-side windshield twice. A female briefly exited the pickup to watch, but after four hammer strikes the pair climbed back into the truck and took off south on Spanish Wells Road toward the Muddy Creek neighborhood, the report says. The man advised police he had a pistol on him at the time but indicated he did not feel threatened enough to use it, saying he only would have shot at the hammer-wielding driver if he had approached his drivers side window. A Tennessee resident says an unidentifed suspect walloped his car with a hammer after he tried to turn around Saturday afternoon while lost on Hilton Head Island. Beaufort County deputies later found shattered plastic in the parking lot of 16 Spanish Wells Road, which serves as the parking lot for an iron works warehouse. Examining the mans Nissan, police confirmed that both headlights were smashed and noted two 1-inch circular cracks on the windshields passenger side. Shortly after, a deputy returned to the parking lot off Spanish Wells Road and found shattered clear plastic on the ground that matched the mans description of the damage. The business was closed and did not appear to have surveillance cameras at its front entrance, the officer noted. The driver of the Nissan gave police a three-digit number he thought he saw on the trucks license plate, but a database search of local plate numbers yielded no black pickup trucks, the incident report says. The officer also briefly patrolled the area around the business but found no matching vehicles. Sheriffs office personnel closed the case Sunday due to no further leads to continue an investigation, the report says. Department spokesperson said deputies could still make an arrest if they spotted the suspect vehicle in the area. Investigators were not sure if the suspect was affiliated with the business where the attack took place. Crimes fueled by road rage are far from uncommon in Beaufort County, local data shows. The sheriffs office reported at least 10 such incidents in a yearlong period ending in May 2023, with most involving drivers flashing weapons at other travelers. A majority of the cases do not end in arrests, usually due to a lack of evidence or neither party wishing to pursue charges after a mutual altercation. PHILADELPHIA Vice President Harris called the hateful rhetoric around Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, a crying shame and said Tuesday that her heart aches over the threats of violence in the city. Its a crying shame, literally, whats happening to those families, those children in that community, Harris said in an interview with the National Association of Black Journalists in Philadelphia. She added that former President Trump and his running mate Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) are leaning into racist tropes after amplifying false claims that migrants were abducting and eating pets, despite the local police department repeatedly saying such claims had no merit. When you are bestowed with a microphone that is that big, there is a profound responsibility that comes from that, Harris said. It means that you have been invested with the trust to be responsible in the way you use your words, much less how you conduct yourself, and especially when you have been and then seek to be again president of the United States of America. On Sept. 9, Vance posted on social media that Haitian immigrants were eating peoples pets around the city. Then, during last weeks presidential debate, Trump repeated the claims while answering a question related to the border. Though city officials have dismissed the claims, schools as well as City Hall have faced more than 30 bomb threats since Springfield has been thrust into the national spotlight. After multiple school evacuations, authorities will now conduct daily sweeps of schools. You say you care about law enforcement law enforcement resources are being put into this because of these serious threats that are being issued against a community that is living a productive, good life, before this happened. And spewing lies that are grounded in tropes that are age old, Harris said. I know that people are deeply troubled by what is happening to that community in Springfield, Ohio, and its got to stop. And weve got to say that you cannot be entrusted with standing behind the seal of the president of the United States of America engaging in that hateful rhetoric that, as usual, is designed to divide us as a country, 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. (Bloomberg) -- Vice President Kamala Harris said Donald Trump was responsible for triggering the events that led to the death of a Georgia woman that one report called the first officially preventable fatality related to abortion bans enacted across several US states. Most Read from Bloomberg Harris statement, issued Tuesday, stemmed from a ProPublica article on the case of Amber Nicole Thurman of Georgia, who died in 2022 from an infection arising from an abortion. Treatment was delayed, according to ProPublica, in the aftermath of the Supreme Courts Dobbs ruling that struck down the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that had guaranteed abortion rights. Thurman was the mother of a 6-year-old son. This is exactly what we feared when Roe was struck down, Harris said in a statement. These are the consequences of Donald Trumps actions. The case illustrates the stakes that abortion rights play in this election. Harris has vowed to sign into law a measure that restores Roe, while Trump has touted the 2022 Dobbs ruling while shifting questions about any particular case to states. For 52 years, theyve been trying to get Roe v. Wade into the states. And through the genius and heart and strength of six Supreme Court justices, we were able to do that, he said at his debate with Harris last week. On Tuesday, Harris campaign is initiating a voter registration drive, including on reproductive rights. It includes events by Harris running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, in Georgia and North Carolina. The two states, along with Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan, are among the most crucial battlegrounds. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. HARRIS COUNTY, Ga. (WRBL) Tuesday, Sept. 17 is National Voter Registration Day, and the nation is 49 days out from the November General Election. Harris County Board of Elections & Registration office says folks can stop by the office at 757 Carver Circle to register to vote. Folks can also register to vote on the Secretary of States website. The deadline to register to vote and be eligible to cast your ballot in the November Election is October 7th. Early voting will start October 15th and will go through November 1st. Early voting on weekends will be offered October 19th and 26th. The last day to request an absentee ballot is October 25th. Presidential elections typically have more voter participation, Chief Registrar of Harris County, Sherrail Jarrett, shares how she is preparing for the upcoming election. Were hoping to get of the voters that are going to come in, were hoping 40% of them will come early vote, Jarrett said. Wed love more, so please come and vote. But we are hiring additional poll workers for all the different precincts because we have 12 precincts besides the early voting locations. There are several local, contested races that will also appear on the ballot. Jarrett shares the importance of participating in local elections. Ive always felt that you start from the bottom and go up kind of your chain of command, Jarrett said. So, I feel that your local races are more important than your federal races to a point, because theyre going to be first ones you go to. Theyre going to make the most impact on your life day to day anyway. Those local, contested races can be found below. U.S. House of Representative District 3: Brian Jack (R) and Maura Keller (D) State Senate District 29: Incumbent Randy Robertson (R) and Ellen Wright (D) Georgia House District 139: Incumbent Carmen Rice (R) and Carl Sprayberry (D) Chattahoochee District Attorney: Incumbent Don Kelly (R) and Anthony Johnson (D) Plus, there will be a statewide referendum question, and two constitutional amendments. Anyone with questions is invited out to the Harris County Library this Saturday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m., Jarrett will be answering questions and sharing information about the My Voter 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 WRBL. Weeks after the National Association of Black Journalists caught flak for hosting former President Donald Trump at its annual convention in Chicago, a panel of three NABJ members sat down with his rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, in Philadelphia. Harris campaign was in talks with NABJ in July to determine whether a virtual or in-person option would be possible. But the two parties reached an impasse over Harris scheduling, which became increasingly busy after President Joe Biden abruptly dropped out of the race and passed the torch to his lieutenant. Tuesdays interview moderated by Gerren Keith Gaynor of theGrio, Tonya Mosley of WHYY, and Eugene Daniels of Politico was wide-ranging, covering various issues that Black voters have said are their top concerns, from the cost of living to the threat of racist attacks. For instance, when asked whether Black voters have fared better economically under the current administration, Harris described some of the accomplishments of the past few years. Weve created over 16 million new jobs, including over 800,000 new manufacturing jobs. We have the lowest Black unemployment rate in generations, the vice president told the panel. We know Black folks are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, and we have now finally capped the cost of insulin for our seniors at $35 a month, and capped the cost of prescription medication for our seniors at $2,000 a year. Harris took this opportunity to underscore her economic policy agenda, reiterating her promise to lower the cost of living for struggling Americans by, among other things, reining in the cost of housing and food. It took only minutes for Black men, as a voting bloc, to come up in the discussion. The panel asked Harris about some polling showing that a growing number of Black men are open to voting for Trump, drawn by his emphasis on the economy. Read More: Are We Really in the Middle of a Racial Realignment in Politics? Harris responded by recontextualizing the question, saying that neither she nor Trump should operate according to the assumption that Black men are in anybodys pocket, and that shes determined to earn their vote. How? I started, way before I was at the top of the ticket, what I called an Economic Opportunity Tour focused on Black men, understanding that, for example, we have so many entrepreneurs in the community who do not have access to capital, but theyve got great ideas, Harris said. She added, My work has included, as vice president, getting billions more dollars into community banks, including working with big banks to do that so that we can increase access to capital for our small businesses, for our startups. One of the most moving moments on Tuesday arrived when the conversation turned to Springfield, Ohio, where Gov. Mike DeWine has deployed the Ohio State Highway Patrol to monitor schools. Since last week, when Trump and his running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, rehashed racist and xenophobic conspiracy theories about Haitian migrants in Springfield, schools there have received more than 30 bomb scares. Read More: Haitian American Group Demands Retraction of Trumps Statements Its a crying shame. My heart breaks for this community, Harris said, painting a vivid image of children whose picture day was interrupted because of a bomb threat. I learned a long time ago in my career, having a background as a prosecutor, when you have these positions when you have that kind of microphone in front of you you really ought to understand, at a very deep level, how much your words have meaning. She added, I learned at a very young stage of my career that the meaning of my words could impact whether somebody was free or in prison. Unsurprisingly, the tone of the event was dramatically different from NABJs interview with Trump in July. During that discussion, Trump questioned Harris racial identity, claiming that he didnt know that shes Black until some years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. The former president also disrespected the Black women moderating the panel, frequently complaining about their questions. This isnt to suggest that there were no tense moments on Tuesday. When the panel pressed Harris on Gaza on whether she would pursue a specific policy change that might end a war thats killed more than 41,000 Palestinians over the past year she stuck to her usual line. We need to get this [ceasefire] deal done, and we need to get it done immediately, she said. That is my position. That is my policy. Still, as the conversation came to a conclusion, the vice president made sure to lean into the joy that has characterized her bid for the White House. I find joy in building community. I find joy in building coalitions, she said. I find joy in believing that the true measure of the strength of a leader is not based on who you beat down, but who you lift up. And I think we should all find joy, and have a sense of optimism about who we are as Americans and what we mean to each other and what we can do to lift each other up. The post Harris Denounces Racist Lies About Haitian Migrants, Appeals to Black Men appeared first on Capital B News. Vice President Harris is leading President Trump by 3 points in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, according to postdebate polling released Monday. The USA Today/Suffolk University survey shows Harris with 49 percent support among likely Keystone State voters, outpacing the former presidents 46 percent. The Democratic nominees advantage, however, falls within the polls margin of error. Harris also held a 5-point edge among independents, garnering 43 percent support to Trumps 38 percent, according to the survey unveiled a week after the party nominees faced off in a debate moderated by ABC News in Philadelphia. Trump had a double-digit lead with male voters, bringing in 53 percent support compared to Harriss 41 percent. The vice president, however, boasts a 17-point lead among female voters in the state, outpacing the former president 56 percent to 39 percent, the poll found. Harris also held a higher favorability rating within the swing state that carries 19 Electoral College votes; about 49 percent of respondents said they had a favorable view of her, while 47 percent had an unfavorable view of the vice president. Roughly 45 percent held a favorable view of Trump, while 54 percent said the opposite. The statewide survey was conducted Sept. 11-15 among 500 likely voters in the state. The margin of error was 4.4 percentage points. The Democratic nominee also held a slight lead in Pennsylvanias two bellwether counties, according to another set of postdebate surveys conducted by USA Today/Suffolk. In Northampton County, Harris garnered 50 percent support to Trumps 45 percent, also within the margin of error. President Biden carried the county by only 1 percent in 2020, flipping it blue after Trump won Northamptons support during his 2016 bid against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Harris also holds a 4-point advantage in Erie County, getting 48 percent support compared to the former presidents 44 percent. Similar to Northampton, Biden won the county in 2020 after Trumps edged Clinton by 2 points there in 2016. Both county polls were conducted in the days after the debate among 300 likely voters, with a margin of error of 5.7 percentage points In The HIll/Decision Desk HQs polling index of the state, Harris is leading Trump by less than 1 point 48.1 percent to 47.7 percent. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Vice President Kamala Harris met with the Teamsters Monday, leaving one question remaining: Which presidential candidate will the union endorse ahead of the 2024 election? The Teamsters are currently weighing its endorsement, with union president Sean OBrien telling reporters after the event that it has credible research and information to make a decision. More from Sourcing Journal OBrien did not commit to a timeline, but the union later confirmed that it could issue its official endorsement as soon as Wednesday. The 1.3-million-member Teamsters union is one of the last of the major labor unions to officially endorse a presidential candidate, with most of them pointing in favor of Harris instead of Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump. Both candidates are seeking to court working class workers ahead of the Nov. 5 vote. John Palmer, a Teamsters vice president and executive board member, told the New York Times that Harris expressed confidence in winning the election during the meeting, but pledged she would treat the union the same regardless of whether she gets the endorsement. Harris has been received multiple high-profile labor endorsements including the United Auto Workers (UAW), the AFL-CIO and the Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union (RWDSU). The vice president also got an endorsement the West Coast port dockworkers at the The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). With a labor battle at the East Coast ports remaining at a standstill ahead of a Sept. 30 contract expiration date, the International Longshoremens Association (ILA) hasnt endorsed either candidate yetlikely due to the fact that the Biden administration could still delay a possible union strike by invoking the Taft-Hartley Act. In recent years, the Teamsters have gravitated toward Democratic candidates, endorsing Joe Biden in 2020, as well as Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. George H.W. Bush was the unions last endorsed Republican candidate in 1988. We represent everybody from airline pilots and zookeepers, and we dont just represent registered Democrats. We represent registered Republicans and independents, OBrien told reporters. So we have to take [it] into consideration and she recognized the diversity of our membership as it relates to political affiliation. OBrien said in the press conference that the union delegates discussed the proposed Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which Harris hopes to pass, as well as the importance of vetoing right-to-work laws. Although Harris has been part of an administration that has touted itself as the most pro-union in history, the Teamsters have appeared to be divisive on their support of the vice president. During the meeting, union reps acknowledged their disappointment in the administration for signing off a legislation that thwarted a rail strike and forced workers to accept a new labor agreement. Harris pointed out that the move was initiated by Congress, and not Biden, the NYT report said. On top of that, the representatives also showed frustration that the administration didnt declare ahead of time that it would not intervene in the Teamsters dispute with UPS in 2023. OBrien told the White House to stay out of the negotiations weeks before a new contract was settled. The added pushback on Harris compared to prior Democratic candidates aligns further to OBriens plans to appeal to members despite their political allegiances. But even after appearing at the Republication National Convention in Julyan unprecedented step for a Teamsters bossOBrien still has plenty of gripes with Trump. The union chief has been critical of the former president for suggesting during an interview with Elon Musk that workers who go on strike should be fired, calling the proposal economic terrorism. When asked about his response to Trumps comment after the meeting, he said, my answer is not going to change. We know how valuable Vice President Harris time is and appreciate her willingness to meet with rank-and-file Teamsters face-to-face. Our members are the backbone of this country, and their voices matter most in this election. Their support can make the difference during any election cycle, OBrien said in a statement. These roundtables were historic, transparent, and a top priority to ensure the Teamsters remain the most democratic labor union in America. With the meeting, Harris followed in the footsteps of Biden and her opponent Trump, both of whom attended rank-and-file roundtables with the Teamsters earlier this year. Vice President Kamala Harris said Americans deserve better than the Springfield, Ohio online conspiracy theory that Haitians are eating pets in an interview on Tuesday hosted by the National Association of Black Journalists. The American people deserve and I believe, do want better than this, Harris said on Tuesday at the WHYY studio in Philadelphia. Regardless of someone's background, their race, their gender, their geographic location, I know that people are deeply troubled by what is happening to that community in Springfield, Ohio, and it's got to stop. The conspiracy spread on social media and former President Donald Trump brought it into the mainstream when he mentioned it on the ABC News debate stage last week. There have since been numerous threats of violence in Springfield, including more than two dozen bomb threats. Harris also said that the former president highlighting an unverified rumor fits a pattern of behavior from Trump. This is not new in terms of these tropes. This is not new in terms of where it's coming from, Harris said, of Trumps past actions. Whether it is refusing to rent to people, rent to Black families; whether it is taking out a full-page ad in the New York Times against five innocent Black and Latino teenagers, Central Park Five, calling for their execution; whether it is referring to the first Black president of the United States with a lie, birther lies. Trump's spokesperson, when asked for comment, accused Harris of using "disgusting rhetoric" but didn't provide specifics. Local officials have denied that there have been any real cases of peoples pets being eaten by immigrants or Americans in Springfield. But Sen. JD Vance, who represents Ohio and is Trumps running mate, has said that raising the rumor in public brings attention to immigration and border policy. Harris said the Springfield claims would continue to divide people and make some feel unsafe. You can go back to Ohio, Harris said when asked about her own security as a candidate. Not everybody has Secret Service, and there are far too many people in our country right now who are not feeling safe. 'The Trump Code:' A Timely Exploration Amidst America's Crossroads -- Judgment or Revival? Great Awakening or Great Reset? New Book by Troy Anderson Reveals the Spiritual and Political Forces Behind the Trump Legacy, Releasing September 17, 2024. NEWS PROVIDED BY Charisma Media Sept. 16, 2024 ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 16, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- As America stands at the precipice of the 2024 presidential election, engulfed in political upheaval and social division, a groundbreaking new book, The Trump Code, emerges to offer prophetic insight into the larger spiritual and historical narrative unfolding before our eyes. Written by Pulitzer Prize-nominated investigative journalist and bestselling author Troy Anderson, The Trump Code is set to release on September 17, 2024, from Charisma House/FrontLine. With former President Donald Trump once again dominating national headlines--this time in the wake of recent legal battles, two attempted assassination attempts and a potential return to the White House--The Trump Code explores the enigmatic connections between the Trump family, prophecy, politics, and esoteric knowledge. Could these elements hold the key to understanding America's future and the global struggle between good and evil? Is the nation on the verge of a Great Awakening or a Great Reset? Drawing parallels between the Trump era and a little-known 19th-century novel series, The Baron Trump Collection, written by American lawyer and novelist Ingersoll Lockwood, Anderson uncovers eerie similarities between fiction and reality. The Trump Code takes readers on a fascinating journey that weaves together prophecy, historical events, and divine providence to reveal the spiritual forces at play behind the scenes of one of America's most controversial political figures. "Troy Anderson's ability to navigate through the annals of time in The Trump Code reveals hidden prophetic secrets," says Pastor Paul Begley, host of The Coming Apocalypse. "The comparisons between the Baron Trump novels and today's President Donald Trump era will cause you to consider Nikola Tesla's time travel theory. A tantalizing must-read." As the nation grapples with its "Nineveh Moment"--a reference to the prophetic call for national repentance during times of impending judgment--The Trump Code compels readers to confront the spiritual dimensions of the momentous events shaping America's future. The book unearths hidden truths about the Trump legacy, the upcoming 2024 election, and the cosmic battle between light and darkness that will determine the fate of the nation and the world. Key questions addressed in The Trump Code: Could the Trump family's links to esoteric knowledge and time travel provide insight into America's destiny? Is the 2024 election a pivot point for revival or judgment in America? Are we witnessing the divine hand of providence at work, or the sinister machinations of darker forces? Endorsed by spiritual leaders like Dr. Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, and Rabbi Jonathan Bernis, President and CEO of Jewish Voice Ministries International, The Trump Code offers a profound call to action for believers. As America teeters between chaos and renewal, Anderson's prophetic insights invite readers to reflect on the broader implications of the Trump phenomenon and the divine orchestration of history. Troy Anderson is a bestselling author and investigative journalist with a keen eye for unraveling the spiritual forces behind political events. In The Trump Code, he masterfully intertwines prophecy, politics, and history to reveal the hidden narratives shaping America's future. For More Information or Media Inquiries To schedule an interview with Troy Anderson or to learn more about The Trump Code, please contact A.J. Rice at Publius PR, (215) 760-7815 Troy Anderson is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated investigative journalist and coauthor of the bestsellers The Babylon Code, Trumpocalypse, The Military Guide to Armageddon and Revelation 911. The vice president and COO of Battle Ready Ministries and founder and president of the Inspire Literary Group, Anderson is the former executive editor of Charisma magazine and Charisma Media and reporter at the Los Angeles Daily News and other newspapers. He lives with his family in Irvine, California. Find out more at TroyAnderson.us. Stay Connected with Anderson Facebook: @troy.anderson.16144 YouTube: @ProphecyInvestigators X: @TroyMAnderson Instagram: @troymanderson Threads: @troymanderson Title: The Trump Code: Exploring Time Travel, Nikola Tesla, the Trump Lineage, and America's Future | Release Date: September 17, 2024 | Retail: $19.99 | ISBN-13: 978-1-63641-439-3 | E-Book ISBN: 978-1-63641-440-9 | Binding: Trade Paper | Size: 6" x 9" | Page Count: 256 | Hometown: Irvine, California | BISAC Category: SOCIAL SCIENCE / Conspiracy Theories, RELIGION / Christianity / Pentecostal & Charismatic, POLITICAL SCIENCE To interview Troy Anderson, or to request a review copy, please contact: aj.vpnews@gmail.com. SOURCE Charisma Media CONTACT: aj.vpnews@gmail.com A little town west of Colorado Springs is eyeing the return of a big attraction this winter. "We are in the process of finalizing the agreement" with Ice Castles, Cripple Creek Mayor Annie Durham said. Preliminary steps were being taken, she said job postings and earth work to prepare the colorful, fantastical complex of ice thrones, towers, tunnels and slides. Ice Castles made a debut in Cripple Creek last winter after previously setting up in Summit County. "We are excited for them to return, because it definitely served an economic benefit to the city," Durham said. The mayor described Ice Castles as "overwhelmingly successful" upon its melt-off in March. That was after an 11-week run that started Dec. 19. With locations also in Utah, Minnesota and New Hampshire, Ice Castles have not always opened before Christmas, as is the Utah-based company's goal. Formed by stacking individual icicles and spraying water to freeze them, Ice Castles depend on cold temperatures for building and staying firm. Five- or six-week runs have come to be expected, company founder and owner Brent Christensen previously told The Gazette. Conditions in high-elevation Cripple Creek turned out to be better than expected, Christensen said at the close of business in March. He said visitation to the historic, remote casino town built from the Pikes Peak gold rush was also exceeded. He told The Gazette more than 100,000 people had flocked to Cripple Creek and said the location performed better than any other. Beyond saying the company anticipated announcing Ice Castles locations in the coming weeks, Christensen did not respond to a request for comment. Asked in March about a possible return, he said "we'll definitely, definitely want to come out." Other than the weather, Ice Castles locations depend on several factors. They depend on municipalities willing to take on traffic and parking and to provide water and power for building the sculptures and lighting the embedded, multi-color LED bulbs. The city of Cripple Creek reported spending about $18,000 to court the attraction last year. That was said to represent 25% of the cost for resources, including an estimated 8 million gallons of water. Another 25% came from local casinos, while Ice Castles pledged to cover 50% of the bill. Featured Local Savings Costs for this year were still being finalized, Durham said. Asked about the price for the city last winter: "Definitely the community made that money back." As for the water commitment: "I do acknowledge it's a significant amount of water," the mayor said. "However, especially when Ice Castles was being built, when the majority of water was being utilized, our public works director was up at our lakes keeping an eye on the levels, and according to him the levels never really changed." Another stated, logistical factor for Ice Castles is a nearby waterway to take back the melting structures. "It's the downflow I was worried about, erosion and different things," Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said. "But really that didn't seem to be an issue I saw or was briefed about." He was briefed as part of post-event talks involving first responders, public works, local businesses and residents. The county saw increases in traffic and accidents in the first winter of Ice Castles, but "it didn't have as many impacts as we had feared," Mikesell said. He spoke more about the impacts to businesses from Woodland Park, to Divide, to Victor and Cripple Creek. "The amount of tourism coming through helps the whole county," Mikesell said. "My worry was businesses shutting down in the winter; that's your tax base. So I really see (Ice Castles) as an economic win for the county, and I'm all for it." Jeff Hellner has opened a third business in Cripple Creek, the District Kitchen and Saloon, in hopes of catching Ice Castles visitors who stopped into his coffee shop and gift shop last winter and in hopes of easing visitor complaints about a lack of restaurants between the casinos. At the coffee shop and gift shop, "we just saw a giant increase" between winters with and without Ice Castles, Hellner said. "Probably about 100% increase in sales." Last year, Hellner founded the Gold Camp District Impact Group to diversify and grow the area's economy. It was the group behind the popular troll sculpture coming to Victor last summer. Ice Castles was but the next step toward a broader goal, Durham said. "Cripple Creek is focusing on being a destination," she said. "Ice Castles really helps bolster the family-friendly opportunities available to tourists in Cripple Creek outside of the casinos." Kamala Harris clung to her lackluster talking points on Israel and Gaza Tuesday as she faced questions from a panel of journalists from the National Association of Black Journalists. Tonya Mosley of WHYY, a Philadelphia-area public radio station that co-hosted the event, turned the subject of Harriss 45-minute live interview to Israels catastrophic military campaign in Gaza, which has killed more than 41,000 people. Youve called for a cease-fire hostage deal and a two-state solution as an end to the war for many months now. And while youve expressed support for Israel to defend itself, a two-state solution and a cease-fire are at odds with what [Israeli Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu has said is their right to defense, Mosley said. If it matters, as you say, how Israel defends itself, where do you see the line between aggression and defense? In our power as Israels ally to do something. OK, a lot to unpack in what you just said, so lets start with this, Harris replied. I absolutely believe that this war has to end, and it has to end as soon as possible. And the way that will be achieved is by getting a hostage deal and a cease-fire deal done. And we are working around the clock to achieve that end, she said. Already, Harriss response was essentially copy-pasted from her campaign websites Issues page (which itself was copy-pasted from Joe Bidens reelection site). She and President Biden are working around the clock to get a hostage deal and a ceasefire deal done, the section reads. Here, working around the clock apparently serves as a kind of euphemism for stalled talks with Netanyahu, who has plainly said, There is not a deal in the making. In total, the Harris-Walz campaign offers only three sentences about Israel and Gaza on its Issues page, and Harris seemed determined to make them stretch as far as possible in her conversation Tuesday. Harris reminded the audience of the 1,200 people who were killed during the October 7 massacre. And yes, so I have said Israel has a right to defend itself. We would. And But Madam Vice President, Mosley interrupted, seemingly sensing that Harris was not on track to actually answer her question. I think my ask is the difference between aggression and defense here. No, no let me finish, Harris said. No, but its important to put it in context. Which is what Im doing, and Ill get to that. As the vice president went on, she continued to rely on statements shed made in the past, as opposed to offering a genuine answer to the interviewers question. Harris insisted that how Israel defends itself mattersa line shed first delivered after speaking with Netanyahu in July and has repeated several times since. The statement implies that there are theoretically some boundaries that might limit Israels defense, but Harris did not deign to illuminate themeven though that was the question. Instead, Harris simply said, And far too many innocent Palestianans were killed. Women and children. We have seen with horror the images coming out of Gaza. And we have to take that seriously. And we have to agree that not only must we end this war but we have to have a goal of a two-state solution because there must be stability and peace in that region. Harris stated that our goal is to ensure that Israelis have security and Palestinians in equal measure have security, have self-determination and dignity. Another line ripped from her talking points. What levers does the U.S. have to support Palestinians in their right to self-determination? Mosley asked. And is it even possible as Israels ally? Well, absolutely, Harris replied. I have been actively involved in meeting not only with Israeli officials but with Arab officials to talk about how we can construct a day-after scenario where we participate in ensuring those exact goals that I outlined, Harris said. She said that there would be no reoccupation of Gaza and the territorial lines would remain the same. Harris added that while she hoped to create peace and stability, she didnt want the kind of stability that might empower Iran. Eugene Daniels of Politico also jumped in to ask a follow-up, which, spoiler alert, went similarly unanswered. Madam Vice President, just to follow up really quickly, is there a specific policy change that you as president of the United States would say you would do, that would help this along? Because you have gotten a lot of credit for emphasizing the humanity of Palestinians, but what I often hear from folks is that there is no policy change, Daniels said. Is there a specific policy change, as president, that you would do in our helping of Israel end this war? We need to get this deal done, Harris insisted. And we need to get it done immediately. And that is my position and that is my policy. We need to get this deal done. But in the way that we send weapons, and the way we interact as their ally, are there specific policy changes? Daniels pressed. Harris said that she was entirely supportive of a U.S. pause on the shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, after the U.S. had already sent at least 10,000the same kind that were likely used to strike at least one humanitarian zone in Gaza. The U.S. is still providing Israel with 500-pound bombs. There is some leverage that we have had and used, Harris said. She said she would not disclose private conversations, but said shed been involved in cease-fire talks with Netanyahu and officials from Qatar and Egypt. We are doing the work of putting the pressure on all parties involved to get the deal done. But let me be very clear also, I support Israels ability to defend itself. And I support the need for Palestinians to have dignity, self-determination as we move forward and get a two state-deal done. Several Israeli officials told ABC News that Netanyahu has purposely sabotaged negotiations to free the remaining hostages in Gaza, through his insistence that Israel retain control of the Philadelphi Corridor. Harris says Trump and abortion ban to blame for death of Georgia woman Abortion rights advocates gather to launch their campaign in Orlando WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Vice President Kamala Harris said on Tuesday a Georgia woman's death could have been prevented if the state did not have an abortion ban, and pinned the blame on Republican presidential rival Donald Trump. At least two women in Georgia have died after they could not access abortion-related medical care in their state, investigative news outlet ProPublica reported Monday. Amber Nicole Thurman, 28, died in August 2022 following complications after she took an abortion pill, and "suffered from a grave infection that her suburban Atlanta hospital was well-equipped to treat," the news outlet said, citing reports from a state committee that called her death "preventable." "This young mother should be alive, raising her son, and pursuing her dream of attending nursing school," Harris, the Democratic nominee for the Nov. 5 presidential election, said in a statement Tuesday. "This is exactly what we feared when Roe was struck down," she said. "These are the consequences of Donald Trumps actions." Trump as president named three of the Supreme Court justices who overturned the Roe v. Wade ruling on abortion, fulfilling a promise he made when he campaigned in 2016. Since the 2022 decision, Georgia and about dozen other U.S. states have passed laws banning or severely limiting abortion rights. "President Trump has always supported exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother, which Georgia's law provides. With those exceptions in place, its unclear why doctors did not swiftly act to protect Amber Thurmans life," Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. Trump has said that he believes abortion rights should be decided by states and include those exceptions. An official state committee concluded that Thurman's death was preventable, ProPublica reported. Doctors and a nurse involved in Thurman's care did not respond to questions about her treatment, it said. The Supreme Court decision and subsequent state abortion laws have resulted in multiple complaints against hospitals and doctors alleging they are refusing to treat women for pregnancy complications. Women in Texas have asked U.S. health authorities to investigate local hospitals for denying them abortions for dangerous ectopic pregnancies, and women in Idaho, Tennessee and Oklahoma have filed lawsuits alleging they were denied abortions despite suffering life-threatening pregnancy complications. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu and Timothy Reid; Editing by Heather Timmons and Deepa Babington) Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday denounced former President Donald Trump for spreading false stories about Haitian immigrants stealing and eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, where the claims have led to real-world bomb threats and intimidation of families. Its gotta stop, Harris said during an interview with three reporters hosted by the National Association of Black Journalists in Philadelphia. Weve gotta say you cannot be entrusted with standing behind the seal of the United States of America engaging in that hateful rhetoric that, as usual, is designed to divide us as a country. Trump brought up the unfounded racist trope during his debate with Harris on Sept. 10. His running mate, Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, has amplified it in interviews and social media posts, and claimed it came from firsthand accounts from my constituents. Since then, threats have led to evacuations and lockdowns in city buildings, medical centers and schools in Springfield. Both Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Springfield mayor Rob Rue, both of whom are Republicans, have said there is no truth to the unfounded claims about the citys immigrant community, which includes many Haitians who are legally residing in the U.S. under temporary protected status. Rue told TIME last week that the targets of bomb threats have included several city commissioners, a municipal employee, three schools, the towns city hall, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and the Ohio License Bureau Southside. Harris asked the audience to picture themselves as elementary school children excited about getting dressed up for picture day, only to find themselves evacuated because of a bomb threat, as happened in Springfield. "When you are bestowed with a microphone that big, there is a profound responsibility that comes with that, Harris said about Trump and Vances comments. "It's a crying shame, literally, what's happening to those families, those children in that community. Trump often talks about his support for police, but Harris said that spreading false stories that lead to violent threats is taking up the time and attention of local police and federal investigators who could be working on real public safety threats. "You say you care about law enforcement," Harris said. "Law enforcement resources are being put into this because of these serious threats that are being issued against a community that is living a productive, good life before this happened." Harris also suggested Trump's remarks about Haitians were part of a decades-long pattern of denigrating behavior toward people of color, pointing to him calling for the death penalty in the 1989 case of the Central Park Five, who were later found to be falsely accused of assaulting a jogger, and Trump being investigated early in his career for not renting to Black families. The NABJ event on Tuesday follows Trump's interview at the organization's annual conference in July, in which he falsely claimed Harris hasn't always identified as Black. Contact us at letters@time.com. Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris answers questions during a moderated conversation with members of the National Association of Black Journalists hosted by WHYY September 17, 2024 in Philadelphia. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) A week after debating former President Donald Trump in the City of Brotherly Love, Vice President Kamala Harris returned to Philadelphia Tuesday for a wide-ranging interview with a panel at the National Association of Black Journalists at WHYYs studio. Harris told the audience that there were very few solutions we havent thought of when it comes to gun violence in the U.S. Harris said she and running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz are both gun owners. Were not trying to take any guns away from anyone but we do need an assault weapons ban, she said. In addition to an assault weapons ban, Harris said, she supports universal background checks, and closing loopholes where gun show dealers dont always have to register gun sales. Politico journalist Eugene Daniels questioned Harris about the economy, asking whether or not voters are better off now than they were four years ago. In response, Harris pointed to several of the Biden-Harris administrations successful policy initiatives, including caps on the price of insulin and prescription drugs, creating jobs and the low unemployment rate among Black Americans. But, she added, there was still work to be done. Is the price of groceries still too high? Yes, she said, emphasizing her plans for an opportunity economy that includes giving first-time homebuyers $25,000 toward a down payment. Harris was asked about polling that suggests Black men, especially young Black men, are considering voting for Trump, the GOP nominee for president. Ive often been asked this question in a way that Ive had to respond by first saying that I think its very important to not operate from the assumption that Black men are in anybodys pocket, Harris said. Black men are like any other voting group: You got to earn their vote. So Im working to earn the vote, not assuming Im going to have it because I am Black, but because of the policies and the perspectives I have. I understand what we must do to recognize the needs of all communities. Young Black men, she added, are really the backbone of our economy overall, and when they do better economically, we all do better. She pointed to her plan to provide $50,000 in tax credit to small businesses as one example of a policy that would affect young Black men, who may not have access to resources they need to become successful entrepreneurs. Harris also reiterated her support for reinstating the protections of Roe v. Wade which the U.S. Supreme Court overturned in 2022 and codifying them into law. She said Trump was responsible for the abortion bans passed in states since Roe was overturned. The former president handpicked three members of the United States Supreme Court with the intention they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade. They did as he intended, she said. Women should be able to decide what is best for them, she added, when it comes to their own bodies, instead of having her government tell her what to do especially a bunch of people in these state capitals who think theyre in a better position to tell her what to do than she is to know whats in her best interest. Harris roughly 30-minute interview with the NABJ panel was a far cry from an interview with Trump during NABJs July conference in Chicago. During that interview, Trump falsely claimed Harris happened to turn Black over the course of her political career, insulted and was generally combative towards his interviewers. Some NABJ members had objected to Trumps appearance, citing his past behavior toward Black women journalists. The Trump campaign said Tuesday that Harris admitted today that she has failed Black Americans, during the interview. She told the NABJ that after three and half years of her failed policies, grocery prices are too high and the American Dream is unattainable for young Americans, Janiyah Thomas, the Trump campaigns Black Media Director said in a statement. Harris also addressed Trump and running mate J.D. Vances comments that falsely described Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. The American people deserve, and I do believe, want, better than this, Harris said. I know that people are deeply troubled by what is happening to that community in Springfield, Ohio, and its got to stop. She also criticized Trumps past comments about Black people, including calling for the execution of five young Black men convicted of a Central Park assault, who were later exonerated, and falsely claiming former President Barack Obama was not born in the U.S. I think most people in our country, regardless of their race, are starting to see through this nonsense, Harris said. And to say, you know what, lets turn the page on this. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Just days after another assassination attempt against former president Donald Trump, both campaigns spoke with voters in key battleground states Tuesday. I intend to be a president for all people, said Vice President Kamala Harris during a forum for Black journalists in Pennsylvania. Vice President Harris touted her plan for an opportunity economy. Where all people have access to the resources to compete, she said. Vice President Harris said she wants to expand the child tax credit for young parents and make home healthcare more affordable for older Americans. Not everyone has the ability to take time from work to do it, and they need help, she said. Her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, (D-Minn.), called voters in Georgia, telling them this is how they win the election. This is not gonna be won in a Twitter fight, Walz said. Its going to be by neighbors calling up neighbors on the phone. The White House said Vice President Harris called Trump Tuesday following the second assassination attempt against him. Thank you very much. Im still here!, Trump said in a video on X while meeting the law enforcement officers who captured the accused gunman. Before Trump traveled to Michigan for a town hall Tuesday night, his running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance, addressed the attempted assassination during a campaign event in the battleground state. Hes tough enough to take the slings and arrows but still be fighting every single day for the American people, Vance said. Vance highlighted their mass deportation plan for illegal immigrants, saying it would also lower housing costs. American housing ought to go to American citizens, not people who shouldnt even be in this country to begin with, he said. Something both campaigns could agree on during National Voter Registration Day: Americans should make their voices heard in November. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. HONOLULU (KHON2) Dan Link, a well-known face from the reality TV series Naked and Afraid, emerged victorious in the latest edition of the show, Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing. The series, which puts contestants through extreme survival challenges, reached its thrilling conclusion on Sunday, Sept. 15, with Link clinching the top prize of $100,000. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Leading up to the finale Before the finale aired, fans and friends eagerly awaited the outcome, hoping Link would win after coming in second place during a previous season. Katherine Ritter, a friend of Link, expressed her high hopes, saying, Last time we got to watch Dan Link on Naked and Afraid, and he made second place. We were all holding our breath. It was such a nail-biter. This time, were super hopeful hes going to win and bring home $100,000. Where to find Hawaiis handmade fortune cookies Joshua Duffin, another supporter, echoed these sentiments: Hey, guys. Last time, we had the premiere at our house, and it was so unfortunate he didnt win. He worked so hard. This year, Im hoping he wins and takes it home to Hawaii. Janiv Grafi, a fan of the show, was enthusiastic about Links chances. Watching him every season is super fun. Hes the most badass person I know, so Im sure hes going to get this one. Its been amazing. I think he won. Yeah. Another friend highlighted the intensity of the competition. Its intense. Being 40 days out in the wilderness, naked, deprived of everything is insane. There are only five days left, and six people are still in the challenge. Thats a huge number. Theres still so far to go to be crowned the last one standing. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Mrs. Hawaii United States Links pre-show insights In a pre-show interview with KHON2.com, Link shared his thoughts on the challenges ahead. I know that theres a fire challenge coming up, a friction fire challenge. Thats exactly what we faced in the previous season of Last One Standing. It was absolutely grueling and tough. The conditions in South Africa were wet and cold, and it broke us physically and mentally. He continued, Seeing this challenge again, knowing it will cut the final six down to three, is daunting. But its also exciting. Ive done it before, but every situation is different. You have to adapt to the materials and the environment. Hawaii resident wins big on reality TV show Link, known for his competitive spirit, admitted he gets a rush of adrenaline during the challenges. I dont consider myself super competitive, but when the clock starts, the adrenaline rushes, and I become extremely competitive. I think thats what will happen here as well. He identified his greatest competitor as Ky. Ky is smart, quick, and an excellent survival author, explained Link. Shes incredibly skilled and knows what it takes to win. Im rooting for her as my biggest competitor and ally. If she wins, Ill be jumping up and down for her. Link also mentioned other competitors. He said, Jeff and Gary are tough, but sometimes they get lucky. Fernando is a dark horse, smart and adaptable. Its really anybodys game at this point. The grand finale As Links local Hawaii ohana and hanai watched with bated breath to see if their dear freind was able to dominate the competition, the final episode showcased the remaining six contestants. b They battled through intense bushcraft challenges. Link and his fellow competitors were pushed to their limits, each trying to outlast the others in the harsh wilderness. Links victory was celebrated with a mixture of relief and joy. Winning this competition feels surreal, Link said after the finale. I started this journey almost by accident, thinking it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I didnt consider myself a survivalist, just someone with a background in biology working in a marine national monument. But here I am, the last one standing. He reflected on the journey, mentioning how he began on a 14-day challenge and was invited back for more. I came in second place on my first season and won this time; its been an incredible journey, he said. Im still dealing with imposter syndrome, especially facing off against such talented survivalists like Ky. Link also shared his pride in representing a minority in the outdoor community. Sometimes, you dont see yourself represented in the survival world if youre a minority or a queer person, Link explained. It makes you wonder if you belong. But being able to be an example for others is important. The legacy of Naked and Afraid Naked and Afraid first aired in 2013 and has since gained popularity for its extreme survival challenges. The series places contestants in remote locations with minimal supplies, testing their survival skills and endurance. Spin-offs like Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing add competitive elements, further intensifying the challenges. With Links victory, the latest season of Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing comes to a thrilling close, showcasing the resilience and determination of its contestants. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 Fans and friends are celebrating Links success, eager to see what comes next in his remarkable journey. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. A hazmat team was sent to a Ventura County hospital to investigate a hazardous spill that occurred in the operating room Tuesday. The incident was reported around 8 a.m. at St. Johns Pleasant Valley Hospital at 2309 Antonio Ave. A hazardous materials spill involving approximately half a gallon of formaldehyde has occurred in an operating room, the Ventura County Fire Departments public information officer posted on X, formerly Twitter. Hazmat-trained firefighters are preparing to enter the affected area. St. Johns Pleasant Valley Hospital hazmat spill No injuries were initially reported as a result of the spill. The operating room ventilation system is not connected to the rest of the hospital, so there should be no exposure to other patients and staff, the post stated. There was no word on what caused the spill. The Fire Department later said that the spill had been cleaned up and the case was turned over to the Environmental Health Department. The Pleasant Valley School District was notified about the situation by the Ventura County Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) One person was taken to the hospital after a hazmat incident at Cleveland Elementary School in D.C. forced students to evacuate on Tuesday morning, according to the DC Fire and EMS Department (DCFD). In a post on X around 11:18 a.m., officials said crews were on the scene of a hazmat incident in the 1800 block of 8th St. Northwest. Firefighters said an undetermined odor in the school building caused staff and students to begin feeling ill. Dog shot in head, bullet in neck in DC; $5K reward offered As a result, school officials evacuated the building and relocated to a nearby church. Officials with the DCFD told DC News Now that, as of 12:17 p.m., 24 students and four adults had been evaluated by medics at the scene. During the investigation, officials traced the odor to asphalt work at a construction site near the school. Vito Maggiolo with DCFD told DC News Now that the school was ventilated and no hazardous meter readings were detected. DC Public Schools released the following statement to DC News Now: At DC Public Schools, the health and safety of our students and staff are paramount. This morning, several members of the Cleveland Elementary School community reported feeling unwell due to an unknown odor that had permeated the building from nearby roadwork. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services were called to investigate the odor and evaluate impacted students and staff. The school was evacuated, and students were dismissed early to their families from a designated relocation site, (X/ dcfireems) (X/ dcfireems) Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) The Peoria County Board of Health voted to compensate employees after it voted to break its Cure Violence contract. During its meeting on Monday, the board unanimously voted to give 40 hours of separation compensation to Cure Violence employees in good standing with the county. This comes after the board voted to cut ties with Cure Violence earlier this month. Cure Violence is dropped by Peoria health board, residents want answers for whats next The Peoria City/County Health Department was funding the program with about $600,000 that the city of Peoria gave them as a grant. That money from the allotment Peoria received from the American Rescue Plan or the COVID-19 relief money given to cities and counties. The department tried to get the program off the ground twice, most recently with House of Hope, a South Peoria grassroots group. That effort, which started in October 2023, ended Aug. 17, when the health department said it wasnt the right fit for the program. Since then concerns over missing money and possible unauthorized transactions have come out, prompting both an internal audit which is standard when a program is wound down as well as an external auditor which would report to the board. Before that, the Peoria Community Against Violence was tasked with implementing the program, but it folded in November 2023 because of financial struggles. Earlier this month, the health department voted to hire an auditor to have a public accounting of the financial aspects of the program. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Colorado Springs Police Department is asking for the community's help in locating 13-year-old Jaelynn Fayth Medina. Medina was last seen on Friday in the 2200 block of Glenwood Circle in Colorado Springs, police say. Medina is described as a Hispanic female, standing 48 tall and weighing 114 pounds with medium-length brown hair and brown eyes. Jaelynn was last seen wearing a grey spaghetti-strap shirt and short light blue shorts. She took a pair of black pants and a black t-shirt when she left, according to police. Anyone with information on Jaelynn Medinas whereabouts is being asked to call Colorado Springs police at (719) 444-7000. There have been leaks in the mental health facility since 2022 [BBC] Leaking pipes have caused 4m worth of damage to the Acute Mental Health Inpatient Centre at Belfast City Hospital. It is the latest in a series of building defects across the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust which have spanned a decade. BBC News NI has learned that water has been dripping from various pipes since 2022, causing corrosion within the hot water system and damage to walls and floors. The health regulator, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), has issued a formal notice to the Belfast Trust to make a number of improvements to comply with relevant regulations. All of this has posed many questions including; how buildings are signed off by the Belfast Trust and at what cost to the public purse? 'Holes detected in hot water pipework' An improvement notice is a formal notice issued by an inspector when they believe that a contravention of statutory provisions has occurred or is likely to continue. It is a requirement for the recipient to make improvements to comply with relevant regulations. The Belfast Trust says it has started a refurbishment and redecoration project, which it estimates could cost millions of pounds. The mental health unit provides 80 acute mental health ensuite bedrooms, including six psychiatric intensive care beds. While the centre remains open, it is understood some bedrooms are being treated for damage, including mould. In a statement, the trust said the repairs would include replacing water pipes. It added: "Localised repairs were undertaken but further investigation has identified pin-holing to hot water pipework in other parts of the building. "Repairs have continued and currently one room is not in use and service delivery has not been impacted." "Analysis of the domestic hot water pipework has indicated erosion corrosion and galvanic corrosion to be the cause, pseudomonas is not a factor." The trust said the construction team which built the facility had worked on several other health estate projects. RQIA noted "lack of progress" over ligature risks with doors [BBC] In a statement to BBC News NI, the RQIA said at an inspection in April/May 2024 noted longstanding issues affecting the units water supply, which had an impact on patient experience and safety. It said the trusts senior management had given assurances that relevant agencies had been contacted to progress repairs and resolve issues. However, separately, BBC News NI can also reveal that in the same inspection the RQIA noted a lack of progress by the trust to address the ligature risks associated with the internal doors and handles in the unit over a significant period of time. The RQIA said it was not assured by the governance arrangements to manage the associated risk and because of these concerns it issued an improvement notice which the trust must comply to by 17 February 2025. The intervention followed a review of the Serious Adverse Incident (SAI) report relating to the death of a patient in the unit in May 2020. Pseudomonas has been discovered in the new Belfast maternity hospital [BBC] This latest news follows the delayed opening of the new maternity hospital at the Royal Victoria Hospital due to the high presence of a bacteria pseudomonas in the system. The delay could be up to five years as repairs are extensive including ripping out ceilings to restore infected water systems. It has been one problem after another for the Belfast Health Trust. BBC News NI has put several questions to the trust regarding its ongoing building problems. Independent review of water systems The opening of the Critical Care building in 2019 was also delayed by eight years following ventilation, sewage and drainage problems. The 12-storey building in the grounds of the Royal Victoria Hospital had been dogged by problems. It is understood millions of additional pounds had to be spent correcting flaws; including ripping out equipment that had become out-of-date due to the ongoing delay. In a briefing to MLAs, the trust said problems with the maternity building are separate to those encountered in the Critical Care project. The latter was due to the discovery of pipework corrosion, whereas the new maternity involves the detection of pseudomonas within the domestic water systems. The Belfast Trust has said it is currently commissioning an independent review of the water systems. Alongside that and subject to its outcome, the trust is also developing remediation options for the water systems. Heavily traveled road in Hanover closed indefinitely due to downed wires, poles HANOVER, Pa. (WHTM) A heavily traveled road in the Hanover area is closed indefinitely Monday evening to drivers because of downed wires, a local fire department said. Hanover Area Fire & Rescue said in a Facebook post that Broadway at the Hanover Bowling Center and the markets is closed indefinitely. A pole was clipped by a truck driver, bringing down wires and poles, and a different truck caught the wires falling, bringing down two other poles, the post states. 511pa shows that the closure was put in place around 6 p.m. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Daily Digest No one was injured. 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. An investigation is underway after police say a woman and a baby were shot in Boston late Monday night. Officers rushed over to Stratton Street in the citys Dorchester neighborhood following a Shot Spotter activation around 11:40 p.m. and found a woman and baby suffering from gunshot wounds, according to Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox. Cox said officers found the victims outside in a driveway. Both were rushed to different hospitals in the city. The baby has life-threatening injuries, but the womans injuries arent as serious, according to Cox. This is a pretty heinous act in general, pretty cowardly, Cox said of the shooting. I cant think of any reason why somebody would want to shoot a female and young child for any reason, so we really need the publics help in this one. Video from the scene showed a slew of officers and detectives scouring the large crime scene for evidence and the area roped off with yellow tape. Cox is pleading with the public to come forward with any information and give police a call. Since this happened outside, Cox is hoping that there might be a camera somewhere that captured something that can help police in their investigation. On Tuesday, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said the city will use every resource to track down the shooter. These are now community members who will be impacted, families that are going to live with trauma and were pushing out every resource that we can particularly to make sure that theres accountability in this case, Wu said. The names of the victims havent been released. There were no additional details available. 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 Can you help police find carjacking suspect? SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)The Shreveport Police Department is asking for the publics help in identifying a suspect in an armed robbery. According to police, the incident occurred on September 4 in the 9500 block of Mansfield Road. They say an individual approached the victim and stole their vehicle at gunpoint. No injuries were reported during the robbery. SPD Robbery Detectives have released images of the suspects, hoping that someone in the community will recognize them. If you have any information that could lead to the identification of this individual, contact the Shreveport Police Department at (318) 673-7300 or call Crime Stoppers at (318) 673-7373. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. On Sunday, New York Times reporters Jodi Kantor and Adam Liptak published a blockbuster article about the conservative justices efforts to shield Donald Trump from any consequences for his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. This is what Supreme Court reporting needs to become: less credulous academic translating of a handful of judicial opinions and more cultivation of inside sources, procuring of confidential memos, and production of massive scoops. More to the point, their pieceabout how the three Jan. 6 cases decided last year in favor of Donald J. Trump came togethercontains several remarkable news bombshells, including the fact that Justice Samuel Alito had the opinion in the Capitol assault case, Fischer v. United States, taken away from him by Chief Justice John Roberts; that the liberal justices were working to try to get the majorities to moderate maximalist positions in all three cases; and that Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch would have pushed the immunity case to be decided after the 2024 election. But the biggest revelation here is that the character John Roberts plays as an affable centrist steward of the courts reputational interestscreated largely in the press and played to the hilt by himis a total fiction. It was Roberts who decided that Trump and Trumpism would prevail in all three insurrection cases and he did not, in this instance, follow in the wake of the courts aggressive conservative maximalists. He was the aggressive conservative maximalist. And he created majority opinions in his own image. A singular revelation in the Times reporting is a memo Roberts produced in February of 2024, after a cross-ideological panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit handed down a decision rejecting Trumps claims that he was almost wholly immune from criminal liability for actions taken during his time as president. In his confidential memo, the chief justice offered a scathing critique of that opinion, complaining that the lower court judges failed to grapple with the most difficult questions altogether. He inveighed that the Supreme Court should take the casewhich would hold up Trumps criminal trial slated for the summerbut also previewed how the justices would reverse the lower-level ruling. I think it likely that we will view the separation of powers analysis differently from the appeals court, he warned. From that point onward, it appears he was committed to a sweeping decision for the former presidentand never seemed to wonder if a massive victory for Trump might imperil American democracy. There are many more damning details about Roberts race to award Trump the biggest possible victory in the pair of cases with his name on them. In Trump v. Anderson, which challenged Colorados removal of the former president from the ballot, Roberts had an opportunity for a narrow decision. All four women justices were prepared to unequivocally join a modest opinion that kept Trump on the Colorado ballot without gutting the constitutional bar on insurrectionists returning to office. The chief justice spurned them, siding instead with the four other conservative men who wished to write this clause out of the Constitution. In the immunity case, Justice Sonia Sotomayor tried to work with Roberts to find areas of compromise. In response, he ghosted her. The little scooplets are earthquakes, as is the fact that someone at the high court is not just talking to the press, but also leaking memos that reveal highly sensitive details of its decisionmaking process. But the real story that emerges between the lines is that anyone who believed that John Roberts was a principled movement conservative but also a Never Trumper was wrong. Roberts moved mountains to allow Trump to evade accountability for attempting to unlawfully overturn the results of the 2020 election. And we should be very clear that everything he has done behind the scenes and in his opinions suggests he will be willing to do so again. The interference in the 2024 elections? Its already happened. The two of us bear some blame for the construction of the chief justices false image as a moderate. We have long said that Roberts had a keen eye for the public mood, a sense of the fragility of the courts legitimacy, and a profound belief that his obligation to history would be to steer a course away from everything Trumpism represents, including vigilante violence and contempt for the rule of law. We saw these traits in some of Roberts earlier compromise rulings, like his opinion to save Obamacare when it was at its greatest peril and his decision to bar the Trump administration from adding a citizenship question to the census that could have devastated blue-state representation. Given this history, we thought he would guide the court to a place where the conservative legal movement prevailed but its lunatic fringe was defeated. We were wrong. The Times piece doesnt ask or answer the question of where that John Robertsthe one who recently voted against the big swing in Dobbs, upheld what remains of the Voting Rights Act, binned the very notion of the independent state legislature doctrine, and chastised his colleagues for political unseemlinesshas disappeared to. Whether he was faking it then or is faking it now is almost irrelevant anyhow. The fact laid bare by the reporting is that John Roberts is on Trumps side now, and willing to have the republic bear the consequences. The other revelation, as Georgetown Law professor Steve Vladeck pointed out in Mondays edition of his newsletter, is that Roberts has evidently convinced himself that he can manufacture public consent by manipulating optics. The chief justice does not appear to worry about public faith in the court as a good in itself worth preserving, but as a precondition to achieving his agenda. As Kantor and Liptak wrote, his language in the immunity decision seemed intended to stay above the fray, extending protections to all occupants of the Oval Office, regardless of politics, policy or party; this frothy both-sides language implies that Democrats and Republicans alike are just clamoring for a blank check to break the law from the Oval Office, and the survival of the republic depends on letting them do it. It seems Roberts has become so convinced that he is correct in his views about what the American public will and will not tolerate from the court that he genuinely believed that if he wrote in lofty institutional terms, the public would accept his opinion. The New York Times reports that Roberts colleagues Kavanaugh and Gorsuch piled on the flattery upon seeing his draft, lauding it as exceptional and remarkable, and it is plausible that all three men actually believed the nation would celebrate their decision rather than recoil with horror. The echo chambers in which these justices now reside leave no room for self-doubt. Last terms third Trump-connected case also saw Roberts powering past another perception problem at the expense of a colleague mired in scandal. According to Kantor and Liptak, the chief justice originally assigned the majority opinion in Fischer v. United States to Alito. The case tested the scope of an obstruction statute that prosecutors deployed to charge hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants, including Trump himself; after arguments, a majority of justices voted to narrow the statute, jeopardizing many prosecutions and convictions. Roberts assigned the majority opinion to Alito. A month later, news broke that an upside-down flag hung over Alitos household in early 2021, when it was closely associated with Trumps stop the steal movement. Roberts response? Kantor and Liptak suggest that he seized the opinion from Alito, authoring it himself. (It may mark the first time in history that a justice has lost a majority opinion to a colleague whos also in the majority for reasons that have nothing to do with the reasoned outcome.) They do not suggest that Roberts ever encouraged Alito to recuse from the case, or that his participation badly tainted the integrity of the outcome. Certainly Roberts did not evince any public discomfort with Alitos ethical breach. To the chief, pushing Alito to the side would suffice to forestall public backlash. And his concern these days is not what the court should do, but what it can get away with. In his reflection on the Times story, pollster Michael Podhorzer also notes that the Fischer opinion evidently wasnt taken away from Alito when the chief justice learned about his flag-flying proclivities, but rather when he was caught out for it by the media. Is there any better illustration of how Roberts runs the railroad these days? For years, the chief justice encouraged the public to believe that he saw meaningful and independent value in keeping the court in its own lane, out of politics, in good-faith inclination toward compromise. Those days are gone. It turns out it only matters, if at all, when youre caught. Two years ago, in his solo Dobbs concurrence, Roberts faulted both the majority and the dissent for their relentless freedom from doubt. We can only guess that some time thereafter, he decided doubt was, in fact, for suckers, and embraced the aggressive activism of his colleagues to the right. We get it: Losing is no fun, and in the early days of the 63 court, when Roberts tried to find a middle ground, he sometimes faced the sting of defeat, and rebukes from his own party. His solution, we surmise, was not to take a principled stand of dissent when the far-right bloc went too far, too fast, but to join them and lead them to new heights of extremism. If you cant beat them, it surely can be more enjoyable to join them, especially when any fears of breaking the republic can be washed away with your colleagues sweet, soothing sycophancy. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) On September, 15, Hendrick Health celebrates a century as they make 100 years of service to community. On September 15, 1924, Hendrick Health started its business known as West Texas Baptist Sanitarium. The following day, the first 11 patients were admitted, and the hospital opened with 10 nurses and 18 physicians. We are very excited about celebrating this incredible milestone with our Hendrick family and with the communities we serve, said Brad Holland. Holland also added, Throughout our history, our success has been directly tied to the support of individuals and entire communities. According to Hendrick Health, Reverend Millard Alford Jenkens, who served as a pastor of First Baptist Church in Abilene from 1915 until his retirement in 1948, dreamed of the five-story hospital building. From the beginning, Hendrick Health has been committed to serving all, regardless of finances or religious creed. The hospital was also designed to provide equal care in Dallas-Fort Worth in terms of equipment. Community donations have helped the hospital throughout its history. During the Great Depression, the hospital struggled financially while overflowing with patients. The hospital accepted payments in black-eyed peas, chickens, and goats. Sometimes, nurses and staff agreed to accept produce in lieu of paychecks. Ida and Thomas Gould, known as T.G. Hendrick, provided relief from the dire financial situation. They contributed $100,000 to the hospital to avoid bankruptcy, pay off the debt, and add a four-story East Wing building. In 1936, West Texas Baptist Sanitarium was renamed Hendrick Memorial Hospital. Throughout the century, donors funded more towers and wings around the original five-story building. When Project 2010 was completed in 2012, the hospital added 250,000 square feet of space, approximately ten times the size of the original hospital building. Project highlights included: Relocating and expanding Hendrick Childrens Hospital. Adding space for surgical services. A new physician office tower. The name evolved as services expanded from Hendrick Medical Center to Hendrick Health System. In 2020, the institution changed to Hendrick Health after acquiring Hendrick Medical Center South, formerly Abilene Regional Medical Center in Abilene, and Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood, formerly Brownwood Regional Medical Center, in Brownwood. To learn more about the history of Hendrick Health, click the Hendrick 100 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. Federal prosecutors on Tuesday unsealed a sweeping indictment against Sean "Diddy" Combs, which charges him with racketeering, sex trafficking by force and transportation to engage in prostitution. The indictment accuses Combs of being the ringleader of a criminal "enterprise" that allowed him to sexually, physically, emotionally and verbally abuse his victims for years. Combs "abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct," the indictment states. He also stands accused of narcotics offenses, arson, bribery, kidnapping, forced labor and other offenses. MORE: Sean 'Diddy' Combs hit with sex trafficking, racketeering charges in sprawling indictment The rapper's attorney, Marc Agnifilo, told reporters Tuesday that Combs "knew this was coming" ever since the raids on his homes in Miami and Los Angeles in March. In a previous statement, Agnifilo called the charges against Combs "unjust" and said his client was "an innocent man with nothing to hide" who "looks forward to clearing his name in court." Diddy pleaded not guilty Tuesday afternoon. Here's what to know about the indictment against Combs. PHOTO: Sean 'Diddy' Combs arrives to the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala Jan. 5, 2017. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters) Alleged sexual violence and drug-fueled 'Freak Offs' Combs, along with his staff and associates who made up his alleged enterprise, "wielded the power and prestige" of Combs' name in order "to intimidate, threaten, and lure female victims into Combs' orbit, often under the pretense of a romantic relationship," according to the indictment. Some of the alleged sexual abuse by Combs occurred in the form of so-called "Freak Offs," which prosecutors described as "elaborate and produced sex performances that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically recorded." The indictment says "Freak Offs" "occurred regularly, sometimes lasted multiple days, and often involved multiple commercial sex workers," who were at times allegedly transported across state lines or internationally. Combs allegedly distributed drugs during these sexual performances in part to keep them "obedient and compliant," according to the indictment. Before a "Freak Off," enterprise members -- Combs' staff and associates, the indictment said -- would allegedly arrange travel for the alleged victims, deliver Combs "large sums of cash" to pay the commercial sex workers and schedule the delivery of IV fluids, which both Combs and the women typically received afterward "to recover from the physical exertion and drug use," according to the indictment. The indictment also alleges Diddy would have his hotel rooms stocked with supplies, including drugs, baby oil, lubricant, linens and lighting. According to the indictment, searches of Combs' homes in Miami and Los Angeles turned up narcotics and "more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant." If the alleged victims resisted participating in a "Freak Off," Combs would allegedly threaten their careers and livelihoods, at times using "sensitive, embarrassing, and incriminating recordings" of them taken during "Freak Offs" "as collateral to ensure the continued obedience and silence of the victims," prosecutors said. "Victims believed they could not refuse Combs' demands without risking their financial or job security or without repercussions in the form of physical and emotional abuse," the indictment states. Agnifilo, Diddy's lawyer, said rather than evidence of sex trafficking, the defense said the "Freak Offs" were evidence of consenting adults experiencing intimacy "in a way that two adults want to be intimate." Alleged physical abuse and firearms Combs physically abused his victims on numerous occasions, the indictment alleges, at times "striking, punching, dragging, throwing objects at, and kicking them." The physical abuse was allegedly "recurrent and widely known" among the staff and associates who made up his alleged enterprise, prosecutors said. At times, Combs' alleged victims were "required to remain in hiding" for days at a time in order to recover from their physical injuries without being seen, according to the indictment. PHOTO: Members of the media wait outside Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse on September 17, 2024 in New York City. (John Lamparski/Getty Images) In addition to the alleged physical violence, the indictment alleges Combs allegedly maintained control over his alleged victims with "promises of career opportunities, granting and threatening to withhold financial support, and by other coercive means, including tracking their whereabouts, dictating the victims' appearance, monitoring their medical records, controlling their housing, and supplying them with controlled substances." The indictment specifically references a March 2016 incident -- which was captured on hotel security footage, which publicly surfaced in May -- when Combs was seen beating his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. According to the indictment, Combs "kicked, dragged, and threw a vase" at Ventura as she attempted to flee, and alleges he tried to bribe a hotel security worker who intervened in order to ensure silence. Combs has consistently denied the allegations against him. Ventura's suit, filed in November, was settled shortly thereafter with no admission of wrongdoing. After the hotel surveillance footage was made public in May, Combs issued an apology, saying he "hit rock bottom." On multiple occasions, the indictment also alleges Combs "carried or brandished firearms to intimidate and threaten others," including alleged victims and witnesses. Law enforcement officers who searched Combs' residences seized "three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers, as well as a drum magazine," according to the indictment. MORE: Diddy apologizes after video of alleged assault surfaces: 'I hit rock bottom' A culture of silence Combs' alleged enterprise -- which prosecutors say involved security personnel, household staff, personal assistants, supervisors and other associates -- was formed for the purposes of "preserving, protecting, promoting, and enhancing the power" Combs held, according to the indictment. Combs' enterprise allegedly relied on "securing absolute loyalty" from his associates in order to maintain their silence. The indictment says the enterprise served to protect Combs' alleged crimes from being revealed and prosecuted through threats of violence, abuse and retaliation. Those who "demonstrated loyalty to Combs and willingness to conceal his crimes" were rewarded, including with bribes, it states. At times when Combs believed he might be facing law enforcement action -- including less than a year ago when the video of his alleged assault on Ventura surfaced -- Combs and alleged enterprise members "pressured witnesses and victims, including through attempted bribery, to stay silent and not report what they experienced or knew to law enforcement," prosecutors wrote. As part of this campaign, Combs and his associates allegedly made phone calls to victims and witnesses -- at least two of which Combs recorded -- in which they offered up "a false narrative of events in an effort to conceal Combs' crimes," the indictment said. Here's what's in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs indictment originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Israel is suspected of a major attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon, involving exploding pagers which are said to have injured 2,750 people in the country. According to The Wall Street Journal, the devices were part of a recent shipment to Lebanon and appear to have been rigged to detonate at the same time. Here we explain why Israel is suspected of carrying out the attack, and the wider context of its conflict with Hezbollah. Who is behind the pager attack? Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack, but Hezbollah has asserted it was to blame. It may be the that Israel never formally admits the attack. It is already strongly suspected of being behind the recent killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas political chief assassinated in Tehran shortly after meeting Iranian officials. Israel generally has a policy of not commenting on attacks or assassinations carried out overseas, though its leaders do sometimes allude to them. Who are Hezbollah? Hezbollah is the armed Lebanese group which has been attacking Israel in solidarity with Hamas, following the Oct 7 massacre which prompted Israel to launch a full-scale invasion of Gaza. The group is strongly backed by Iran and designated a terrorist organisation by much of the West. It wields vast political power in Lebanon, and has military control over the south of the country. One of the injured: Some 200 are said to be in critical condition in hospital Why is Israel attacking Lebanon? Israel has been exchanging blows with Hezbollah since Oct 7. The Lebanese group has been firing large numbers of missiles at northern Israel, where border communities have been evacuated. Hezbollah says it is attacking Israel directly in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza, where tens of thousands have been killed by Israeli air strikes and ground forces. It also says it is responding to Israeli attacks on its forces in southern Lebanon. What happens next? After the pager attack, Hezbollah said it was at its highest levels of readiness. We affirm that the resistance, at all its levels and various units, is at the highest level of readiness to defend Lebanon and its steadfast people, a spokesman for Hezbollah said. The remains of one of the devices after it exploded It is very difficult to predict whether this attack will lead to full-scale war between Israel and Lebanon, which would be catastrophic for the region. Hezbollah is a far stronger fighting force than Hamas, having been closely trained and equipped by Iran with many powerful long-range missiles. If it was indeed carried out by Israel, the attack may have been a prelude to a larger-scale operation, or an invasion of southern Lebanon, something that some Israeli commanders desire so they can restore stability to their communities near the border. It may also have been an attempt to deter Hezbollah from further escalation, by showing its forces what Israel is capable of doing. Or it may simply have been retaliation for what Israel has claimed was a recent plot by Hezbollah to kill a former Israeli official with a remote bomb. 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. Lebanese army soldiers secure the area for an ambulance to enter the premises of the American University hospital. Eight people have been killed and some 2,750 injured in suspected coordinated explosions of hand-held telecommunications devices across Lebanon, Health Minister Firas Abiad said during a press conference in Beirut on 17 September. Marwan Naamani/dpa Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the explosions of pagers across Lebanon in which close to 3,000 were injured and threatened retaliation. After having examined all "available information about the attack that took place this afternoon, we hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible," the Iran-backed militia wrote on Telegram on Tuesday. "This treacherous and criminal enemy will certainly receive just retribution for this sinful aggression," the group said. Nine people were killed and around 2,800 more injured, including members of Hezbollah, by suspected coordinated explosions of pagers in several Lebanese regions, mostly in Hezbollah-controlled areas, the Health Ministry said in an update. Unconfirmed reports were circulating that Israel had targeted communications devices used by Hezbollah and was behind the detonations. The Israeli army initially did not comment on the events in Lebanon. A source close to Hezbollah told dpa that the detonations, which occurred in various regions across Lebanon, were a major "blow for the Hezbollah security apparatus." Among the killed is the son of a Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Ammar, the group said, while the son of Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah and the son of the head of security of the Wafiq Safa movement were among those injured, Hezbollah said. In an extraordinary development in the Middle East conflict, thousands of Hezbollah members have been injured and at least three people were killed after pagers that the militants used exploded simultaneously today. While exactly how this occurred remains unclear, it could very well be a monumental cyber attack that could have widespread implications far beyond the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Regardless, it should be a wake-up call. While no one has so far taken responsibility, Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the attack. A source from the group said that they expect the attack may have been launched in response to an alleged assassination attempt by the Lebanese militant group on a former senior Israeli security official. The existence of that plot was only revealed today by Israels Shin Bet security agency. Footage of communication pagers worn by Hezbollah members exploding across Lebanon. Unprecedented incident. https://t.co/gf37usZrxC pic.twitter.com/5VNZKzxEbi Faytuks News (@Faytuks) September 17, 2024 Lebanese channels are reporting that encrypted pagers for Hezbollah operatives have been compromised and all exploded at the same time. This is a mass casualty event. pic.twitter.com/yj6zAzpbNo Open Source Intel (@Osint613) September 17, 2024 Post Unavailable At this stage, the total number of individuals killed or injured by the pager blasts is unclear. Hezbollah has confirmed the deaths of at least three people, including two of its fighters. At the time of writing, at least nine people have died and approximately 2,800 have been wounded, according to Lebanons Minister of Health Firas Abiad. Of the injured, 170 at least are also said to be in critical condition. A man watches a video, published on social media, showing a wounded man on September 17, 2024, after Hezbollah members paging devices exploded simultaneously across Lebanon. Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP JOSEPH EID Irans ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was among those injured, according to Irans semi-official Mehr news agency. Amani has a superficial injury and is currently under observation in a hospital, a source told the Fars new agency, another semi-official outlet. BREAKING Iranian ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani injured by pager explosion, Iran's Mehr news agency reports Reuters Faytuks News (@Faytuks) September 17, 2024 Multiple videos posted to social media show scenes of chaos on the streets of Beirut, the Lebanese capital, with ambulances responding to the very many wounded, many of whom had sustained injuries, including burns, to their hands and hips. Similar scenes were played out elsewhere in Lebanon, including the southern city of Tyre, and in villages across the Beqaa valley and south Lebanon. #DEVELOPING: Initial Lebanese media reports of a serious security incident in Beirut. According to initial reports, the encrypted devices of multiple Hezbollah operatives exploded simultaneously in a southern suburb of Beirut. Multiple reports of numerous casualties. Take the pic.twitter.com/477vnPpszn Moshe Schwartz (backup) (@MosheReports) September 17, 2024 Soon after the explosions, Lebanons health ministry called for the mobilization of all healthcare workers and put the countrys hospitals on maximum alert. BREAKING: Hospitals filling up in Lebanon as hundreds of Hezbollah operatives had their pagers blown up simultaneously pic.twitter.com/Uow3KKlNdd Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) September 17, 2024 Other notices were put out to the public, warning them to avoid wireless communication devices, because of the risk of further explosions. Lebanese Army soldiers stand guard in Beirut on September 17, 2024, after paging devices exploded simultaneously in several Hezbollah strongholds around Lebanon amid ongoing cross-border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah fighters. Photo by Anwar AMRO / AFP ANWAR AMRO The incidents have led to alarm among Hezbollah, with one official from the group telling Reuters that the pager explosions represented the biggest security breach they had faced since the start of the current Gaza war. Security considerations mean that Hezbollah is responsible for its own discrete communication network and there have been previous concerns that Israel may have managed to penetrate its telecommunications. This speculation, though unconfirmed, has been fueled since October by the assassination of several Hezbollah commanders, with targeting coordinates having been generated for locations that were otherwise considered safe. Lebanon, and specifically Beirut, has been in Israels sights since Hezbollah began a campaign of rocket and drone strikes against Israel almost a year ago, in solidarity with Hamas, after that group launched its surprise invasion on October 7, 2023, starting the current conflict in Gaza. Smoke billows after rockets were fired from southern Lebanon over the Upper Galilee region in northern Israel on September 11, 2024. Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP JALAA MAREY Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have increased dramatically in recent months, stoking fears of a large-scale conflict breaking out between them. One key factor in the standoff is Israels stated plan to return tens of thousands of Israelis who had been evacuated from towns along the northern border with Lebanon when Hezbollah stepped up its campaign of rocket attacks. With the return of these evacuees now approved by Israeli officials, there have been suggestions that a major military operation may be about to be launched against the militant group. As well as the evacuations, the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has so far resulted in hundreds of deaths, most of them from the Lebanese militant group, as well as Israeli civilians and soldiers. The prospect of a large-scale offensive against Hezbollah isnt universally supported by Israeli officials. This has led to reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be poised to remove Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant from his post since he is said to oppose such an operation. In the meantime, Lebanon deals with the bloody aftermath of todays pager explosions. Hezbollah's pagers were jammed by Israel and caused their batteries to explode in different parts of Lebanon. Here's two examples. pic.twitter.com/iCjEyoxR7d Clash Report (@clashreport) September 17, 2024 Speculation is already growing as to how Israel might have carried out the campaign. There have been reports, including from three different security sources, that the targeted pagers were from a recent shipment to arrive in Lebanon. If true, that could suggest that they had some kind of malware implanted in them and an explosive charge. This would have required Israel to intercept and alter or swap out the shipments of these pagers, which would be a complex affair, but not one outside of the realm of feasibility. WSJ: exploding pagers were from a new shipment that arrived recently, were carried by hundreds of Hezbollah members; Hezbollah official speculates malware caused the devices to overheat and explode; some members felt pagers getting hot and disposed of them Aleph (@no_itsmyturn) September 17, 2024 Another possibility is that the lithium batteries in the pagers were triggered into an overheating mode, turning them into improvised explosive devices. The potential for commercial lithium batteries to explode is something that we have touched upon in a previous report. In such a way, it may have been possible for Israel to remotely trigger a thermal runaway, in which a power source either bursts into flames or explodes. Its also possible that a combination of the two, insertion of malware or alterations physically to the devices and using cyber warfare to exploit that structured vulnerability at an opportune time could also be at play here. "Exclusive sources for Sky News Arabia: Mossad placed a quantity of highly explosive PETN on the devices battery and detonated it by raising the batterys temperature." https://t.co/Li5LoSBSOz Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) September 17, 2024 In a similar manner how the deployment of the Stuxnet malicious software worm which Israel played a direct role in against Irans nuclear program two decades ago was a revelation that highlighted the new realities of cyber warfare, this event could end up having a similar effect. Turning everyday electronics that include wireless connectivity into improvised explosive devices may seem like dystopian science fiction, but it really isnt that far-fetched. Considering everyone reading this likely has just such a device in their pocket or hand, and considering the potential vulnerabilities of hardware created overseas, often by possible future adversaries, as well as the software that controls these devices, the alarm bells couldnt ring any louder, even if this event proves to be something else. We interact every day with examples of networked technology from the cars we drive to the computer hardware we use to make a living that also have power packs with large amounts of stored potential energy. So targeting such devices for nefarious kinetic purposes is darkly logical. When you think about it in that light, the explosive/incendiary charges are already distributed all over the globe by the billions. The possible ability to connect to and trigger those charges is, at least in theory, already built in. Now targeting the right devices and making them actually ignite is another thing, but for some devices, that could be more of a software challenge above anything else. Being able to remotely target individuals via their unique device, which has their electronic fingerprint attached to it, is also an unprecedented concept to comprehend. A potential kinetic attack opportunity like this has never existed in human history and even an adversary just lighting as many batteries on fire in a target country could cause massive and widespread damage and a near halt to productivity. This is just one of myriad potential cyber attack vectors that could cripple an entire society. On the other hand, if Israel meddled with the pager hardware directly and this wasnt just a pure cyber operation, that also points to the potential vulnerabilities in hardware supply channels, which have already been a constant issue of contention. This is a developing story and we will bring more details as they emerge. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com and tyler@twz.com Hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah operatives exploded simultaneously across Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday afternoon, killing at least 9 and injuring over 2,700, according to Lebanese health officials. A significant escalation Lebanons state-run National News Agency initially reported that the handheld pagers system was detonated using advanced technology, and dozens of injuries were reported in Beiruts southern suburbs and other areas, per Fox News. The explosions occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. local time. Lebanese Information Minister Ziad Makary says the country blames Israeli aggression after the pagers exploded. He is the first Lebanese official to fault Israel, according to The Times of Israel. Israel is refusing to comment on the explosions. Hezbollah holds Israel fully responsible for this criminal attack, per CNN. This is just the latest escalation in the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia that is a U.S. State Department-designated terrorist organization. According to CNN, the pager attack represents the latest escalation in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which has fired thousands of rockets at Israel since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, and Israel has retaliated with strikes against Hamas fighters. In July, Israel killed Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander, after a Hezbollah missile strike on Northern Israel killed 12 children and teens. Hezbollah retaliated to Shukrs assassination by firing 300 rockets and drones on Israel. A Hezbollah official, speaking to the outlet on condition of anonymity, described the incident as a detonation that was the biggest security breach during the nearly year-long war with Israel, per Fox News. The pager explosions reveal a breach in Hezbollahs militia operations, underscoring the groups vulnerability and exposure to Israeli intelligence and communications networks, according to CNN. Potential theories Hezbollah fighters have been using pagers as a low-tech means to try and avoid Israeli tracking of their locations, two sources familiar with the groups operations told Reuters earlier this year. A pager is a wireless telecommunications device that receives and displays messages, per Reuters. Experts have two major theories to explain how hundreds of pagers could have exploded simultaneously. According to CNN, one theory proposed that there was a cybersecurity breach that led to the overheating and detonation of the pagers batteries. The alternative theory suggest a supply chain attack, where the pagers were altered during the manufacturing and shipping process. David Kennedy, a former National Security Agency intelligence analyst, shared with CNN that the explosions shown in the online videos seem too big to be a direct cyberhack to overload the pagers batteries. Kennedy suggests the second theory to be more reasonable. Its more likely that Israel had human operatives in Hezbollah. The pagers would have been implanted with explosives and likely only to detonate when a certain message was received, he said. The complexity needed to pull this off is incredible. It would have required many different intelligence components and execution. Human intelligence (HUMINT) would be the main method used to pull this off, along with intercepting the supply chain in order to make modifications to the pagers, Kennedy said, per CNN. U.S. says it is not involved In a briefing, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller shared, The U.S. was not aware of this incident in advance, and at this point, were gathering information. Miller said officials were gathering information through diplomatic channels, but it is unclear if the U.S. has had contact with Lebanese and Israeli officials. Hezbollah blames Israel after pager explosions kill nine and injure thousands in Lebanon Nine people, including a child, have been killed after handheld pagers used by members of the armed group Hezbollah to communicate exploded across Lebanon, the countrys health minister says. Irans ambassador to Lebanon was among 2,800 other people who were wounded by the simultaneous blasts in Beirut and several other regions. Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, said the pagers belonged to employees of various Hezbollah units and institutions and confirmed the deaths of eight fighters. The group blamed Israel for what it called this criminal aggression and vowed that it would get just retribution. The Israeli military declined to comment. Hours before the explosions, Israels security cabinet said stopping Hezbollah attacks on the north of the country to allow the safe return of displaced residents was an official war goal. There have been almost daily exchanges of fire across the Israel-Lebanon border since the day after the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza on 7 October. Hezbollah has said it is acting in support of the Iran-backed Palestinian group. In its latest statement on Wednesday, Hezbollah said it would carry on its "operations in support of Gaza", adding that this was a continuous path separate from the hard price that awaits the enemy in response to its massacre on Tuesday. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are proscribed as terrorist organisations by Israel, the UK and other countries. The UN's spokesman said the latest developments in Lebanon were "extremely concerning, especially given that this is taking place within a context that is extremely volatile". Many Lebanese were in a state of shock and disbelief on Tuesday evening, unable to get their heads around an event that was unprecedented in scale and nature. Hezbollah said an unspecified number pagers - which the group relies on heavily for communications due to the risk of mobile phones being hacked or tracked - exploded at around 15:30 local time (12:30 GMT) in the capital Beirut and many other areas. One CCTV video showed an explosion in a mans bag or pocket at a supermarket. He is then seen falling backwards to the ground and crying out in pain as other shoppers run for cover. Hours later, ambulances were still rushing to hospitals overwhelmed with the number of casualties, 200 of whom the health minister said were in a critical condition. Outside, relatives were waiting in the hope of receiving updates. The LAU Medical Centre in Beirut's Ashrafieh district closed its main gate and was limiting the number of people getting in. Its very sensitive and some scenes are horrific, one staff member told the BBC. Most of the wounds were at the level of the waist, face, eyes and hands, he said, adding: A lot of casualties have lost fingers, in some cases all of them. The wife of Iranian ambassador Mojtaba Amani said he was "slightly inured" by one of the explosions and that he was "doing well" in hospital. Hezbollah's media office announced the deaths of eight fighters. It did not give details on the locations and circumstances, saying only that they were martyred on the road to Jerusalem". A source close to the group told AFP news agency that the son of Hezbollah MP Ali Ammar and the 10-year-old daughter of a Hezbollah member in the Bekaa Valley were among those killed. Later, the source said the son of another lawmaker, Hassan Fadlallah, was wounded, having initially reported that he was dead. Fourteen people were also wounded by exploding pagers in neighbouring Syria, where Hezbollah is fighting alongside government forces in the country's civil war, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. We hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression, Hezbollah said in a statement on Tuesday evening. This treacherous and criminal enemy will certainly get his just retribution on this sinful aggression from where it counts and from where it does not count, it added. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati also blamed Israel for the explosions, saying that they represented a serious violation of Lebanese sovereignty and a crime by all standards. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he told his Lebanese counterpart that he "strongly condemned Israeli terrorism". The US, Israel's closest ally, denied any involvement and urged Iran not to heighten tensions. Relatives of those injured by the pager blasts gathered at hospitals in Beirut and elsewhere [EPA] Hezbollah did not say what it believed had caused the pagers to explode. The Wall Street Journal cited a source as saying the affected devices were from a new shipment that Hezbollah had received in recent days. A Hezbollah official also told the newspaper some people had felt the pagers heat up before the blasts. Overheated lithium-ion batteries can catch fire, but experts said hacking into the pagers and making them overheat would not usually cause such explosions. A former British Army munitions expert, who asked not to be named, told the BBC the pagers would have likely been packed with between 10g and 20g of military-grade high explosive, hidden inside a fake electronic component. Once armed by a signal, called an alphanumeric text message, the next person to use the device would have triggered the explosive, the expert said. Lina Khatib, a Middle East analyst at the UK-based Chatham House think tank, told the BBC: "Israel has been engaging in cyber operations against Hezbollah for several months, but this security breach is the largest in scale. Nicholas Blanford, a Beirut-based senior fellow of the American think tank the Atlantic Council, said: Israel in one fell swoop has rendered combat ineffective hundreds if not thousands of Hezbollah fighters, in some cases permanently. He warned that Hezbollah's leaders would now face extreme pressure from the ranks and supporters to retaliate heavily, describing it as "the most dangerous moment" in the Hezbollah-Israel conflict since October. Lebanese army soldiers block an entrance of a southern suburb of Beirut following the blasts [AFP] A statement put out by the Israeli military on Tuesday evening did not comment on the pager explosions, but said the chief of staff Lt Gen Herzi Halevi had held a situational assessment with commanders "focusing on readiness in both offence and defence in all arenas". It also said there was no change in defensive guidelines to the Israeli public but asked them to remain alert and vigilant. Earlier in the day, the military said an air strike had killed three Hezbollah terrorists operating within a terrorist infrastructure site in the Blida area, near Lebanons border with Israel. Lebanons health ministry confirmed that three people had been killed in an Israeli strike, while Hezbollahs media office said it had carried out missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli troops and military sites. Israels Shin Bet internal security service also said it had foiled a Hezbollah bomb attack targeting an unnamed former senior Israeli security official. Hezbollah did not comment on the accusation. This comes at a time when Israel's government is threatening to step up its military effort against Hezbollah. On Tuesday morning, Israel's security cabinet made the safe return of 60,000 residents displaced in the north by Hezbollah attacks an official goal of the Gaza war. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said during a meeting with US envoy Amos Hochstein on Monday that the only way to return northern residents was through "military action". The possibility for an agreement is running out as Hezbollah continues to tie itself to Hamas, and refuses to end the conflict, a statement from his office said. Since the hostilities escalated in October, at least 589 people have been killed in Lebanon, the vast majority of them Hezbollah fighters, according to the Lebanese health ministry. On the Israeli side, 25 civilians and 21 members of security forces have been killed, the Israeli government says. Additional reporting by Frances Mao Hezbollah Throwing Out Pagers After Hackers Reportedly Figured Out How to Explode Them Remotely In one of the weirdest military headlines in memory, thousands of pagers belonging to members of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah exploded Tuesday afternoon, leading to countless injuries and at least nine deaths. A Hezbollah official told the Wall Street Journal that the group had recently received a new shipment of pagers, which are old-school wireless devices so retro that they were name-checked by NWA in the late 1980s that generally only receive and display messages. As Reuters reports, Hezbollah had been using one-way pagers to avoid Israeli forces from tracking their location. Rumors quickly circulated that hackers may have spread malware to these devices that somehow caused them to heat up and explode. According to the WSJ's source, some members felt the pagers heat up and threw them out before they detonated. Pagers were blowing up from around 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm local time. Videos circulating online show scenes of chaos, with local hospitals filling up with both injured Hezbollah members and civilians. A voice message circulated among group members, as shared with the Washington Post, warning them to ditch the affected devices. "Each one who received a new pager, throw it away," the message said. While the Israeli military refused to comment, Hezbollah has since blamed the country, with which it has been sparring for almost a year now. We still don't exactly know what caused the pagers to explode. Michael Horowitz, head of security and risk management consulting firm le Beck International, told the WSJ that malware likely caused the pagers' batteries to overheat and explode. Alternatively, small amounts of explosives may have been placed inside the devices and detonated remotely. "Either way, this is a very sophisticated attack," Horowitz told the newspaper. "Particularly if this is a physical breach, as this would mean Israel has access to the producer of those devices. This may be part of the message being sent here." According to security footage obtained by Reuters, some detonations took place after the pagers rang. This caused Hezbollah members to lift them up to their faces, likely exacerbating their injuries. Experts told the news agency that the batteries alone likely wouldn't have caused large enough of an explosion, suggesting explosives may have been used. In other words, it's still unclear if this was an "Israeli cyberattack," as Lebanese officials have since called it, or a concerted effort to take down many Hezbollah targets at once. "What we're talking about is a relatively small battery bursting into flames," Newcastle University lithium-ion battery expert Paul Christensen told Reuters. "We're not talking of a fatal explosion here. I'd need to know more about the energy density of the batteries, but my intuition is telling me that it's highly unlikely." It wouldn't be the first time Israeli intelligence booby-trapped a mobile device to target operatives. In 1996, the Israeli secret service reportedly remotely detonated a cellphone that belonged to a Palestinian who had allegedly masterminded several terror attacks. Israel, however, has never confirmed or denied involvement. A malicious computer virus dubbed Stuxnet, which was jointly developed by the US and Israel, was also used in 2010 to cause gas centrifuges in Iranian nuclear power plants to tear themselves apart a plot to sabotage the nation's uranium enrichment program. More on Israel: Adobe Caught Selling AI-Generated Images of Israel-Palestine Violence Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images The class of 2024 was not yet in high school when the COVID-19 pandemic pushed them into isolation and online schooling. Since then, these seniors, along with the rest of Gen-Z, have witnessed other major historical events, from Supreme Court decisions impacting reproductive rights and affirmative action to the crisis in the Middle East. To their credit, Gen Z has stepped up, leading advocacy efforts, educating their peers, and voting. Gen Z was largely responsible for the increase in youth voter turnout in the 2018 and 2022 election cycles. But now, with the 2024 elections just months away, concern has arisen over whether Gen Z's engagement will continue at recent levels. According to the latest Harvard Youth Poll, most young Americans do not believe that their high school education taught and prepared them to understand practical aspects of civic engagement. Ava Rollino, a 17-year-old from New Jersey, shared with us, The government [is] not doing enough to protect and promote the most important part of democracy: the right to vote. I think if our elected officials, families, and communities encouraged young voters we would see a shift in who is representing us. According to the poll results, this decline in voting and civic participation is most apparent among younger Black Americans and Hispanic Americans. If we care about a thriving democracy, we have to care about how each generation is participating in it. Low voter engagement among young people wouldn't just be bad news in 2024, it would exacerbate an existing crisis of trust. Ava, who is a member of Junior State of America, emphasized this lack of belief in government, sharing, Im disappointed in democracy. Youth voices are overlooked way too often and what we need as an upcoming generation is not being provided to us. Thankfully, we know what to do about it. High school students possess the untapped power to reactivate Gen Z, and subsequently have a tremendous impact on the 2024 election, and every election to follow. Each year, nearly four million students graduate from U.S. high schools, at which point nearly 90% are eligible to register to vote. And yet, less than half of 18 to 24-year-olds are registered nationwide, and even fewer 18-year-olds are on the voter rolls in major cities. For the health of our democracy, this has to change and it can. We, the New Voters Collaborative, are leaders from over a dozen nonpartisan organizations across the nation. Each of our organizations work to prepare high school students to participate in elections in different ways, and many of us are members of Gen Z ourselves. This isn't about partisan politics; it's about empowering a new generation to vote. Our approach is pragmatic: target high schools directly. Why? Because 38% of young Americans don't pursue further education, making high schools our last opportunity to reach them in an academic setting. Our research shows that high school students aren't apathetic; actually quite the opposite, with many serving as volunteers and participating in demonstrations. The problem is they are often overlooked in the electoral process; less than one fifth of young voters have been engaged by any campaign. Civic education is limited, voting laws for first-timers can be confusing, and practical barriers such as lack of transportation or long voting lines tend to discourage potential voters. Even when students are actively searching for ways around these challenges, there are few points of entry in high school curriculum and extracurriculars with which they can politically engage. This leaves first-time voters less likely to make the leap into showing up at the polls without additional intervention. High schools are also underutilized as sites of voter registration, despite existing state statutes supporting nonpartisan registration initiatives. To make lasting change, many of us at the Collaborative are focused on facilitating peer-to-peer strategies. By developing the leadership skills of high school students, we can empower them to run registration and civic engagement efforts in their schools. High school students can be highly successful at registering their classmates by tapping into existing social networks and school activities. This isn't just efficient and cost effective; it's powerful and sustainable. Research shows that those who vote in their first election, and those who are politically engaged at a young age are likely to remain engaged in future elections, becoming lifelong voters. Our collective impact is growing. Across our organizations, we've worked with over 1,000 schools and reached hundreds of thousands of students. With over 100 staff members and 600 volunteers, we're expanding our reach to more schools, covering diverse political and geographic landscapes from Maine to Texas to California. We're not just registering young voters, we're sparking a movement. With the knowledge gained through their participation, we are enabling these students to amplify their impact by influencing their families and communities to vote as well. If we are successful, by the 2024 general election, we will see a surge in young, informed voters making their mark on democracy. Our message to parents, teachers, and anyone who interacts with high schoolers is this: talk to them about voting. Encourage them to get involved, to understand the issues, and to make their voices heard, at and beyond the ballot box. At the New Voters Collaborative, we welcome all who wish to join this mission. Together, we can amplify the voices of America's youngest voters. Gen Z deserves more than a passing nod in our political discourse. We're committed to empowering students to ensure they're heard, valued, and engaged. This isn't just about one election; it's about nurturing the next generation of active, informed citizens. A movement is brewing to register every high school student in America. Join us! Co-Authors Jahnavi Rao, President and Founder, New Voters Sanda Balaban, Co-Founder, YVote and Executive Director, Project Pericles Amari Fennoy, Training & Program Manager, NAACP Youth and College Dairanys Grullonvirgil, Alumni and Youth Voice Associate Director, Generation Citizen Prof. Michael Hanmer, Director, Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement at the University of Maryland Angelique Hinton, Executive Director, PA Youth Vote Amanda Hollowell, Managing Director, National Organizing, When We All Vote Abby Kiesa, Deputy Director, CIRCLE Nivea Krishnan, Executive Director, New Voters Evan Malbrough Elisa Mateo-Saja Genie Massey, Program Coordinator, Maryland Civic Education Coalition Ava Mateo, President, 18by Vote Adriana Ontiveros, Director of Educator Engagement, When We All Vote Naraya Price, Equitable Democracy Fellow, CIRCLE 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? Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that Donald Trump needs to be taken more seriously and that the former presidents constant barrage of outrageous claims shouldnt be dismissed. Part of what Trump is counting on is for people to get desensitized, Clinton, who lost to Trump in 2016, told MSNBCs Rachel Maddow, adding: I mean, Oh, my gosh, did you hear what he said yesterday? Did you hear who he attacked? Did you hear the viciousness? And its just, like with a shrug, OK, fine were moving on. Well, Americans need to understand that they have to take Trump both seriously and literally. He has said what he wants to do. He and his allies with Project 2025, his desire to be a dictator, at least on day one, all of that is in the public record. Clinton, who had also been a U.S. senator and first lady, said voters should take Trump at his word and be outraged by what he says. She urged the same U.S. media that was merciless with President Joe Biden before he withdrew from the 2024 race amid questions about his mental acuity to have a consistent narrative about how dangerous Trump is. I believe Donald Trump has disqualified himself over and over and over again to be a presidential candidate, let alone a president, she said. Clinton also sounded a more optimistic note, saying more voters are now rejecting the kind of chaos that he represents, including a growing number of Republicans who are publicly coming out against Trump and announcing their support for his rival, Vice President Kamala Harris. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says former President Donald Trump is counting on "people to get desensitized," during a one-on-one interview with @maddow. She tells Maddow Americans need to understand that they have to take Trump "both seriously and literally." pic.twitter.com/qYVdr3Odzl MSNBC (@MSNBC) September 17, 2024 Hillary Clinton says Americans who, whether knowingly or not, share political misinformation should face potential civil or even criminal legal consequences. The 2016 Democratic presidential candidate made that comment during an appearance on Rachel Maddows MSNBC show on Monday night, after the host asked Clinton whether the U.S. government is taking foreign attempts to spread propaganda seriously enough. The question was tied to the Justice Departments recent indictment of two RT employees who covertly funded right-leaning commentators. I also think are Americans who are engaged in this kind of propaganda, and whether they should civilly, or even in some cases criminally charged, is something that would be a better deterrent, Clinton told Maddow. Because the Russians are unlikely, except in a very few cases, to stand trial in the United States. Clinton added: We need to uncover all of the connections. You can vote however you want, but we are not going to let adversaries whether it is Russia, China, Iran or anybody else basically try to influence Americans as to how we should vote in picking our leaders. The Justice Department claimed RT spent $10 million to pump pro-Russia propaganda and disinformation across social media to U.S. audiences. The indictment said RT paid up to $400,000 for political commentators to make videos; those commentators, according to the indictment, were duped and unaware their paychecks were coming from Russia. They are using Americans, both those who are witting and willing and those who are unwitting and are just so surprised to get $400,000 a week or $100,000 a podcast to parrot Kremlin propaganda, Clinton said. In the same interview with Maddow, Clinton called former President Donald Trump a danger to our country and the world. She also said shes optimistic American voters will reject his demagoguery and what he represents on election day. He has said what he wants to do he and his allies with Project 2025, Clinton said. His desire to be a dictator, at least on Day 1, all of that is in the public record. Trump, at last weeks debate with Kamala Harris and at his recent rallies, has denied any connection to Project 2025. I have nothing to do with Project 2025, Trump said last week. I havent read it. I dont want to read it purposely. Im not going to read it. The post Hillary Clinton Says Some Americans Who Share Political Misinformation Should Be Criminally Charged appeared first on TheWrap. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic nominee for president, says former President Trump is counting on Americans to become desensitized to his outrageous falsehoods. In an interview on Monday on MSNBCs The Rachel Maddow Show, Clinton urged the public to take her 2016 opponent both seriously and literally. Part of what Trump is counting on is for people to get desensitized its just, like with a shrug, OK, fine were moving on. Well, Americans need to understand that they have to take Trump both seriously and literally, Clinton said. He has said what he wants to do, he and his allies, with Project 2025, his desire to be a dictator, at least on day one. All of that is in the public record, she continued. And I believe that more Americans have to be willing to endure what, frankly, is discomforting and to some extent kind of painful, to take him at his word and to be outraged by what he represents. Clinton also agreed with Maddow, who said the press seems not to have learned lessons from the 2016 coverage of the presidential race, when Trump and Clinton faced off. She said she was struck by how quickly the press moves from one outrageous story to the next, even, Maddow said, as his campaign careens into very, very offensive territory. Maddow continued, listing some recent examples: The association with Holocaust deniers and the outrages at Arlington National Cemetery, of all places, the insults to recipients of the Medal of Honor, the recent incredibly racist and dangerous lies about specific groups of immigrants, Haitians, in this case, and Venezuelans in the case of Colorado. Clinton agreed with her assessment. Sadly, the press is still not able to cover Trump the way that they should, Clinton said. They careen from one outrage to the next. What was outrageous three days ago is no longer on the front pages, even though it threatens the physical safety of so many people. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trumps campaign, hit back at Clinton for her remarks, in an emailed statement. Crooked Hillary still cant get over being a sore loser from 2016 and now has let Trump Derangement Syndrome completely take over her life to the point shes appearing on low-rated MSDNC shows and begging Kamala for a job. Its sad, he said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Air Force Research Laboratory will host a hiring event for various entry-level to expert positions early next month. AFRL is looking to hire a variety of positions during an event happening Oct. 8-9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The event will take place at the Holiday Inn located at 2800 Presidential Drive, Fairborn. Exercise caution: Alligator reportedly spotted at Beavercreek park AFRL offers a multitude of positions across several fields of expertise. AFRL is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. Open jobs include: Business professionals Computer scientists Contracting specialists Data analysts Engineers (aerospace/aeronautical, electrical, electronics, mechanical, general and computer) Finanical management specialists Physicists Those interested in the hiring event can simply walk-in or upload their resume in advance. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The Golden Rule, the historic vessel renowned for its use in an anti-nuclear-weapons protest in the 1950s, is visiting Portland for a limited time as part of a Pacific Northwest tour hosted by the organization Veterans for Peace. The Golden Rule became known as the worlds first peace boat after four peaceniks sailed the boat toward the Marshall Islands in 1958, in an attempt to stop atmospheric nuclear weapons tests. The U.S. Coast Guard ultimately boarded the boat and arrested its crew. However, the protest drew international attention to the dangers of nuclear testing and directly inspired future peace organizations like Greenpeace. Rising public awareness of the danger of radiation led to worldwide demands to stop nuclear testing, a pamphlet handed out by Veterans for Peace states. In 1963, President Kennedy, the U.S.S.R, and the U.K. signed the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Golden Rule boat (Courtesy Veterans for Peace) Portland pooch named a semifinalist in 2024 Hero Dog Awards The boat, which is owned and operated by Veterans for Peace as part of its Golden Rule Peace Boat Project, is visiting Portland until Sept. 18. The Golden Rules next stops are Rainier (Sept. 18-20) and Newport (Sept. 24-30), before returning home to Humboldt Bay, Calif. The Golden Rule was restored in 2010 after it sank in Humboldt Bay. Volunteers with Veterans for Peace and other organizations spent years restoring the boat before a celebratory and emotional relaunch in 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 KOIN.com. (Bloomberg) -- Hong Kongs leader warned that American businesses will suffer if Washington adopts a bill to shut the citys US trade offices, as the financial hubs relationship frays with the worlds largest economy. Most Read from Bloomberg Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday repeated Chinas threat of retaliation if the US pushes ahead with an act that would close the citys three Economic and Trade Offices in America. The US could take such action if it no longer deems the former British colony sufficiently autonomous from China. If the US is determined to go its way, then our country has already indicated we will retaliate and will retaliate with strong and resolute measures, Lee said, at his first weekly press briefing since a summer recess. Those who suffer will be the US business sector. Branding the US actions shameless and ugly political tactics aimed at suppressing Hong Kongs development, Lee touted Americas lucrative trade surplus with the city. American firms were the third largest group this year receiving government assistance to expand or enter the hub, he added. InvestHK, responsible for attracting foreign direct investment, assisted over 350 non-local companies in the first seven months of the year, a 40% increase compared to 2023, according to Lee. Hong Kongs relationship with the US has deteriorated over a crackdown on dissent that American officials say has eroded the rule of law and democratic rights. The Biden administration was alarmed by the passing of a local security law in March, known as Article 23, that it said could exacerbate the erosion of fundamental freedoms. The bipartisan Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) Certification Act was passed last week by the House of Representatives and must be approved by the Senate before it can be signed into law by the president. While theres no timetable for a Senate vote on the act, the dispute threatens to open a new area of contention between Beijing and Washington as they seek to steady ties ahead of a volatile US election season. The Chinese embassy in the US last week vowed to take countermeasures if the US pushes ahead with the bill, without indicating what they might be. China previously retaliated to the Trump administrations decision to shutter the Chinese consulate in Houston by ordering the US to close its mission in the southwestern city of Chengdu. There are no direct US equivalents for Hong Kongs trade offices in China, complicating any tit-for-tat actions. Hong Kong has 14 Economic and Trade Offices overseas, including in Australia, Canada and the UK. They came under the spotlight in May after the British government accused an office manager at the London outpost of spying, allegations Lee said were unwarranted and unacceptable. (Updates with Chinas statement and more context after 6th paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. A homeless woman who claims she was subjected to unlivable conditions while living at a Sacramento motel then evicted is suing the county. In addition to the county, the lawsuit, filed Aug. 29 in Sacramento Superior Court, names other governmental entities including the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, the California Department of Housing and Community Development and the California Department of Social Services. It also names private entities including Shree Enterprises Inc., owner of the Greens motels, Step Up on Second Street, Sacramento Steps Forward and City of Refuge. Tanika Williams and her family became homeless during the start of the COVID pandemic. The family spent three years in and out of motels, finding only short-term help from various nonprofits and government programs. In the spring of 2023, the family tried to apply for project-based Section 8 housing, but SHRA did not process the application because the youngest daughter did not have a Social Security number, the lawsuit alleges. After being turned away from SHRA, the city informed the family they had an opening at the Greens Motel on Stockton Boulevard, one of the motels the city used as a shelter for homeless families. While there, the family endured poor conditions, the lawsuit alleges. Despite the strict adherence to the City Motel Program Protocol on their end, the Williams family repeatedly encountered abhorrent conditions at the Greens Hotel, the lawsuit states. Sewer water would seep up through their shower drain, black mold coated the base of their toilet, and exposed wires dangled out of their electrical wall sockets, threatening the safety of the Williams family and especially the children. They were also consistently subjected to bed bug and cockroach infestations, as well as a broken heater during the dead of winter that left them freezing. Williams filed complaints about the hotel with the city last October, but the city did not respond, the lawsuit alleges. She then received a notice stating the family had actually been out of the program for two months, and had to pay $4,000 or leave the motel. She participated in a Feb. 14 press conference with other families at the hotel to raise concerns about the conditions. That day, the hotel locked the Williams family out of their unit and police escorted them off the property. The next day all their belongings were outside in bags. Tanika Williams holds her daughter Makhila, 2, who has sickle cell anemia, at a press conference on Feb. 14, where she spoke about her familys plight after they were locked out of their room at a motel that serves as a city homeless shelter. Four months later, in June, the family was still homeless. And they remain homeless, the lawsuit states, as they travel to other parts of California in search of shelter. At times, the family of four have had to sleep on sidewalks. As theyve been on the move, theyve been unable to get medications to treat Williams husbands chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and her three-year-old daughters sickle cell anemia. Both are higher risk for illnesses that can spread in crowded settings, meaning the family did not want to go to the citys congregate shelters. Sacramento county spokeswoman Janna Haynes declined to comment on the lawsuit, but said the county has never contracted with Step Up. California Department of Social Services spokesman Jason Montiel also declined comment. Rachelle Ditmore, founder of City of Refuge, said the nonprofit was not heavily involved in the Williams experience with the city motel program as its contract with the city ended several days after the Williams got into the Greens motel. The rest of the defendants did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. The Greens Motel on Stockton Boulevard is no longer part of the citys motel shelter program, city spokesman Tim Swanson said. The city does still contract with the Santa Monica-based Step Up to operate the rest of its homeless hotels. In June, the council extended that contract until Feb. 28. Step Up had been the only entity that responded to a request for proposals. Tanika Williams gets ready to load her familys belongings that The Greens Hotel workers had bagged up and locked inside their room in February. During the June meeting, Councilwoman Lisa Kaplan asked the city auditor to investigate the invoices received by Step Up for accuracy as part of its homelessness audit. My concerns regarding the services provided by Step Up continue to this date as the city looks to continue to improve the positive outcomes for the unsheltered community while also assessing and holding accountable all the providers of these service to their contract, Kaplan said Tuesday. Kaplans request followed a January lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta against Step Up on behalf of the state Department of Housing and Community Department. That suit alleges Step Up, along with Los Angeles developer Shangri-La, misspent millions in Project Homekey money it got from the state to turn motels into homeless permanent housing. The new Sacramento lawsuit claims breach of contract, negligent maintenance of premises, retaliatory eviction, and an illegal tenant lockout. The suit also alleges the tenants had to change rooms every two weeks so they could not be covered by the citys eviction protection ordinance. Swanson said motel shelter guests do have to rotate rooms every two to four weeks, but the reason was for deep cleaning. Since December 2020, 2,866 people have stayed in the citys motel shelters, including 1,219 children, Swanson said. Of those, 635 have exited to positive destinations, including 476 that moved into permanent housing. There are 858 families on the wait list for one of the citys roughly 1,300 shelter beds, including the motel rooms, according to city data. Horry County near top in state for number of assaults, murders and robberies in 2023, SLED data shows HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Horry County saw more assaults, murders and robberies last year than nearly anywhere else in the state, according to newly released South Carolina Law Enforcement crime statistics. The states other most populous counties including Charleston, Greenville, Richland and Spartanburg also reported higher-than-average crime rates. And of counties with the highest crime and property crime rates in 2023, Darlington, Dillon and Marion were all near the top. Murders by county Nearly 500 people were murdered across the state last year, compared to 517 in 2022, SLED reported nearly a 5% drop. Heres a breakdown of murders by county across the Grand Stand and Pee Dee in 2023: Darlington, 15 Dillon, 9 Florence, 18 Horry, 19 Marion, 4 Marlboro, 2 Charleston, Richland, Greenville and Berkeley counties were the top four, while Horry and Beaufort counties were fifth. Sexual batteries by county There were 2,240 sexual batteries statewide in 2023, compared to 2,414 in 2022 almost an 8% reduction. Heres a breakdown of sexual batteries across the Grand Strand and Pee Dee in 2023: Darlington, 28 Dillon, 12 Florence, 119 Horry, 236 Marion, 13 Marlboro, 20 Greenville County had the most statewide with 238, while Horry County was second. Rounding out the top five were Richland, Charleston and Anderson. Robberies by county There were 2,185 robberies statewide in 2023, compared to 2,222 in 2022 a 3% drop that continues a seven-year trend of declines in the crime. Heres a breakdown of robberies across the Grand Strand and Pee Dee in 2023: Darlington, 35 Dillon, 14 Florence, 75 Horry, 149 Marion, 12 Marlboro, 20 Richland County led the state with 359 robberies last year, while Charleston, Greenville, Horry and Spartanburg filled out the top five. Aggravated assaults by county The Palmetto State logged 21,462 aggravated assaults in 2023, down nearly 6% from the 22,381 in 2022. Heres a breakdown of aggravated assaults across the Grand Strand and Pee Dee in 2023: Darlington, 568 Dillon, 295 Florence, 1,022 Horry, 1,177 Marion, 228 Marlboro, 198 Richland, Greenville, Spartanburg, Charleston and Horry counties were the top five for such a crime last year. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch Legacy conservative media sometimes has the feel of an old operating system straining to run new software it wasnt designed for. All of American media has had that problem since 2015. If you program an OS to process politics within certain parameters and then you download a piece of malware like Donald Trump, the computers going to start smoking and occasionally spitting out gibberish. In the case of legacy conservative media, the OS tries to process Trump through the pathways of familiar right-wing grievances. Take, for example, the extreme caterwauling about ABC News fact-checking him but not Kamala Harris at last weeks debate. Traditional conservatives are sensitive to debate moderators putting a thumb on the scale for Democrats, to the point that a single well-delivered rant about liberal bias once propelled Newt Gingrich to victory in a key presidential primary. Trump didnt lose the debate because of liberal bias, but its understandable that the OS would revert to processing his defeat that way. Traditional conservatives are also sensitive to double standards in the press about political violence. One cant have witnessed the hysterical vilification of Sarah Palin after the attack on Gabby Giffords in 2011 and subsequent non-vilification of Bernie Sanders after the attack on Republican congressmen in 2017 without smelling a rat. To my memory, the latter story barely lasted a week as a topic of intensive coverage even though it involved the attempted mass murder of federal lawmakers. The journalist class is liberal so it regards violence perpetrated against Democrats as more alarming and more likely than violence against Republicans. When, for the second time in two months, some nut schemes to assassinate Donald Trump, conservative commentators will inevitably worry that inflammatory left-wing rhetoric once again isnt being taken as seriously by the press as its right-wing counterpart. On Monday, Brit Hume of Fox News framed the issue this way: If Donald Trump is held responsible for Jan. 6 because of his allegations that the 2020 election was stolen, is it unfair, after two assassination attempts, to hold responsible the Democrats who have ceaselessly claimed Trump is a threat to democracy? In the past, accusing the Republican nominee for president of being a threat to democracy really would have been recklessly inflammatory. But laying aside whether Trump has been held responsible for the insurrection in any meaningful way (particularly by his own party), Humes question strikes me as another case of an old OS trying to run software it wasnt designed to run. Answering it requires answering another question: Is it true? Because if its true that Trump is a threat to democracy, and if conservative media nonetheless insists on discouraging that truth from being told, thats a case of extreme media corruption in its own right. Good faith and bad. When both political parties are operating in good faith, there are two ways the media can demonstrate good faith itself in reporting on political violence. One: They can hold the provocateurs on both sides responsible for riling up the crazies. Two: They can hold the provocateurs on both sides harmless for riling up the crazies, maintaining that violent people are ultimately responsible for their own actions. I prefer the second approach. Under the first, were morally bound to make political discourse so wan that even the most excitable nuts among us will struggle to find anything in it to overreact about. Youll never get a writer to go along with that. But whichever approach you favor, it needs to be followed evenhandedly. It cant be that Republican provocateurs are to blame when right-wing loons act out but Democratic provocateurs arent when left-wing loons do. What do you do when one party isnt acting in good faith, though? Thats the question that continues to fry legacy medias outdated operating systems, especially on the right. Implicit in Brit Humes formulation is the idea that Trump and the Democrats who accuse him of being a threat to democracy have equally good or bad intentions, making it unfair to blame one but not the other. The old OS is still processing Trump as a basically normal Republican politician (albeit with some eccentricities) whos broadly in line with American civic traditions. But he isnt. And forgive me for wondering at this late date whether insisting on treating him like one is less a case of an outdated OS struggling with new software thats not so new anymore than a deliberate ploy to excuse his habit of incitement. When assessing whether inflammatory rhetoric is defensible or not, one should start with the question I asked above: Is it true? Trumps sketchiest incitement rarely is, although sometimes hell hit upon something that does check out. For instance, when he accuses immigrants of murdering American citizens, there are actual cases he can point to that back him up. Those attacks might be demagogic insofar as they taint an enormous group with the sins of its worst actors, but the truth of the critique makes it effective enough to have compelled Joe Biden to utter the name of one of those murder victims during this years State of the Union address. Its true that some immigrants commit violent crimes. And because its true, I wouldnt ask Trump to stop talking about it because of how a hypothetical mental patient might react. Youre allowed to tell the truth in America, even if it raises the risk of people getting hurt. Trumps problem is that hes indifferent to the truth or falsity of his demagoguery. The election was rigged wasnt true. Haitian immigrants are eating pets isnt true. Many people tried to correct him on both points and were ignored or derided. All politicians lie but those are big, brazen, I-dont-care-if-the-country-burns-so-long-as-I-get-my-way lies. When you tell a lie like that and a cop at the Capitol ends up getting brained with a flag pole by a nut in a MAGA hat because of it, youre guilty of something worse than the usual negligence toward the truth that politicians display. And its not wrong for the press to recognize that greater culpability by holding you more responsible for the behavior of those whom youve incited. The fact that Trump practices his own blatant double standard with respect to inflammatory speech also contributes to the medias willingness to blame him for his supporters excesses, I think. We cannot tell the American people that one candidate is a fascist, J.D. Vance intoned on Monday in blaming the latest assassination attempt on Democratic rhetoric less than two weeks after Trump himself accused Kamala Harris of embracing fascismand communism, and Marxismin a speech. Last year, in a Veterans Day(!) address, Trump pledged that we will root out the communists, Marxists, fascists and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country that lie and steal and cheat on elections. Sounding increasingly Germanic, he continued, The threat from outside forces is far less sinister, dangerous, and grave than the threat from within. Our threat is from within. The old conservative media OS on which Brit Hume runs isnt programmed to process stuff like this from its leaders. Just yesterday, in an interview about the assassination plot, Trump said of Harris and Biden, These are people that want to destroy our country. It is called the enemy from within. They are the real threat. He has no moral objection in principle to inflammatory allegations about political opponents, demonstrably. He has a moral objection to inflammatory allegations about him, in keeping with his worldview in which things that are good for Trump are Good and things that are bad for Trump are Bad. Go figure that the mainstream press would conclude that when right-wingers threaten Democrats, they do so with a degree of approval (or unconcern) from the top thats uncommon among American politicians. Trumps defining political characteristic, the one that sets the tone for the institutional culture of his movement, is that he disdains norms. That being so, why shouldnt an unusually lowbrow demagogue who works tirelessly to encourage blind loyalty among his supporters bear more blame for incitement than an uncharismatic mainstream liberal like Biden or Harris? If you run your political party like a party, youll be treated like a politician when one of your supporters goes off. If you run it like a cult, youll be treated like a cult leader. Words and deeds. What about the other side of Humes question, though? Is it true, as so many Democrats insist, that Trump is a threat to democracy? For an argument in the affirmative, you can read practically any of the 400-plus columns in the archives of this newsletter at random. But if you want to save yourself some time, skip the words and focus instead on Trumps deeds. Hes the only president in American history to have attempted a coup, and hes still justifying that attempt in 2024. Here again the old OS of legacy conservative media runs into trouble. George W. Bush wants to end democracy was a baseless claim, easily rejected as a form of hysterical bias. The cartoonish authoritarian who tried to overturn the last election on false pretenses will connive to stay in office when his next term is up is harder to dismiss. How are we supposed to scold Democrats for irresponsibly accusing Trump of threatening democracy after he actually did threaten democracy? They have the receipts. Humes question is essentially self-refuting, in fact, as others have noted. If you believe Trump is responsible for an insurrection that aimed to halt the transfer of power then you necessarily agree with Democrats that hes a threat to democracy. Shouting fire! in a crowded theater isnt irresponsible if there really is a fire, Jonah Goldberg pointed out in his Los Angeles Times column today. There is a fire. Its still burning. Trump reiterated at the debate that he doesnt accept that he lost in 2020. He has described the January 6 rioters who tried to keep him in power as hostages and has promised to grant clemency to some of them. Last week the Department of Homeland Security designated January 6 of next year as a National Special Security Event, fearing what he might say or do to overthrow the incoming government if Harris prevails in November. House Democrats are already fretting about how Speaker Mike Johnson could obstruct certification of the results on that day if the GOP retains its majority in this falls elections. As recently as last week Trump declared that as president hell prosecute anyone who cheats in the upcoming election. And by cheaters, he didnt just mean those who cast illegal ballots; he said he intends to target Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials. The civic threat from the leaders of the two parties simply isnt symmetrical. This isnt a case of trying to derive cryptic intent from the crosshairs symbol on an election map; Trump is directly incentivizing criminal behavior that might aid his return to power and intimidating public officials whose lawful behavior might impede it. Jonathan Chait responded to Humes question about the assassination attempts on Trump with this pregnant hypothetical: What if Harris was relentlessly praising the shooters, calling them hostages, and promising to pardon them? The old conservative media operating system wasnt built to rationalize coup plots, let alone coup plots that extend across multiple election cycles. But if youre running the old OS, which requires you to believe that the party to which you belong is still more or less as normal as the other party, theres no way to explain the corresponding asymmetry in how the mainstream press covers incitement except as an expression of illicit bias. Theres another element of Trumps politics that the whining about double standards conveniently fails to account for. Hes always had a thing for political violence, especially when its committed on his behalf. No other mainstream American politician in my lifetime, left or right, could have inspired a list like this one. Trump was supposedly heard saying on January 6 that his vice president deserved to be hanged by the mob for refusing to halt the proceedings, and he allegedly was delighted at the spectacle of his followers battling cops to breach the Capitol. His former defense secretary claims that he wanted protesters outside the White House in 2020 to be shot. Earlier this month he hyped his plan to deport illegal immigrants en masse by promising itll be a bloody story. Fair treatment requires treating like things alike. Is the mainstream media treating like things alike with respect to incitement if it holds a man who wishes harm to his enemies and has repeatedly communicated that fact privately and publicly to the same standard as more traditional politicians? Particularly after he proved in the winter of 2020 how far he was willing to go, day after day and week after week, to keep his supporters incensed about a phantom plot to depose him? The proper response to an assassination plot against Trump is to order lots more Secret Service protection for him and to remind oneself that a society cant murder its way out of a democratic crisis, not to pretend that there is no crisis or that the leaders of the two parties are equally enthusiastic about it. Chait correctly noted in his own piece on inflammatory rhetoric that exploiting the latest attempt on Trumps life to discourage fair criticism is itself an authoritarian tactic: In the name of internal security, his defenders demand that his adversaries stop telling the truth about him. But youre allowed to tell the truth in America, even if it raises the risk of people getting hurt. Its fitting that Trumps most outspoken advocate about the alleged incitement against him has been J.D. Vance, a man who wondered himself in better days whether Trump might turn out to be Americas Hitler and whos now running point for him on the Haitians-eating-cats mega-smear. Unlike legacy conservative media, J.D. long ago upgraded his own political OS and is now running the lousiest populist software available. On Monday he published a dissertation-length indictment of Democrats and the press for exaggerating the threats made against Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, that included this passage: If anything, covering the bomb threats gives whoever makes them exactly what he wants: attention. The purpose is distraction and shame. How dare you talk about the problems of Haitian migration in Springfield? Youre endangering people, simply by discussing the problems of Kamala Harriss policies. Its a form of moral blackmail, designed not to make anyone safe but to shut everyone up. That would be an interesting argument if the claims of cat-napping that he aggressively promoted were an example of actual problems of Haitian migration, as he put it, but since they arent, its best read as an ironic confession of his own cynical nonsense. Threatening democracy is an actual problem posed by Donald Trump, and rather than confront it forthrightly, Vance and much of conservative media prefer to believe that were endangering him simply by discussing that problem. Its a form of moral blackmail, designed not to make anyone safe but to shut everyone up. I couldnt have put it better myself. On Election Day this year, America gets an opportunity to run the civic equivalent of an antivirus program and remove the national malware. Lets not miss that opportunity. 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. *Attached video: Homicides in Cleveland in recent years EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WJW) An Indiana man was found guilty of three felonies after his infant was found with rat bites and nearly died. According to a press release from the Vanderburgh County Prosecutors Office, David Schonabaum was found guilty related to the neglect and endangerment of his children on Sept. 11. Secret Service gives update on Trump attempted assassination According to the release, Schonabaum called 911 on Sept. 13, 2023, after he said he found his infant son in his basement covered in blood. First responders said it was clear that there was a rat infestation at the home on Linwood Avenue in Evansville at the time of the call. The 6-month-old baby was found in his bassinet in a pool of blood with over 50 bites to his body including his face, according to the release. According to the release, an investigation into the situation at the home found that the Department of Child Services was already providing services at the home due to safety concerns with the condition of the house. A third-party provider had also been assisting the family. A representative from that company revealed that, despite their assistance, any progress in the conditions of the house was fleeting, the release said. The provider made clear to David Schonabaum that his participation was necessary for providing the children with a safe house to live in, but the problems that needed addressed were never resolved. DeWine sending OSP members to Springfield schools after bomb threats According to the release, three children had been bitten by rats inside the home prior to the 6-month-olds injuries. During Schonabaums trial, a medical professional testified, saying the infant nearly died from blood loss due to his injuries. This baby now faces permanent injuries from this incident, the release said. Prosecutor Diana Moers said, David Schonabaum was found guilty as charged by a jury including the lead charge of Neglect of a Dependent Causing Serious Bodily Injury which is a Level 3 Felony that carries a potential maximum sentence of 16 years. The victim in this case was a 6-month-old baby who suffered horrific rat bites to his entire body while lying in a bassinet in his home which permanently disfigured him. The home he was forced to live in with his young siblings was overrun by rats and bugs, and the photos of the home show it full of trash and rat feces. This baby lived in an absolute house of horrors along with his siblings and pet dog. A sentencing for Schonabaum is now scheduled for Oct. 2 in the Vanderburgh County Superior 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. House Majority Leader Jason Osborne, an Auburn Republican, presents House Republicans' 2025 legislative plans at a press conference. (Ethan DeWitt | New Hampshire Bulletin) New Hampshire House Republicans say they will lower taxes and spending if voters keep them in control of the State House this November. But they have not made clear which taxes they will seek to cut. At a press conference unveiling their Contract With New Hampshire agenda Monday, House Republican lawmakers displayed a poster with the promises of that contract, including a pledge to lower taxes. But they did not say whether they will push to lower either of the states business taxes, the state meals and rooms tax, the tobacco tax, or the real estate transfer tax. Instead, Rep. Joe Sweeney, who spoke on behalf of House Speaker Sherman Packard, pointed to the states communications services tax, the 7 percent tax levied on all wireless cell phone and landline phone bills in the state. We always have a laundry list of taxes that Republicans are always looking to lower and reduce, Sweeney, of Salem, said. Off the top of my mind, I think in the next budget, further reductions towards the communication service tax. Its a great tax that pretty much everyone in New Hampshire pays its right under your cell phone bill. So we can reduce that tax as an immediate relief to taxpayers. As for business taxes, which make up a bulk of the states revenue, Sweeney was less direct. Asked whether the party would lower them, he said: Well look at the next state budget. The comments underscore the financial uncertainty faced by lawmakers and the next governor in 2025. After years of pandemic-era federal funding dollars have come to an end, some experts are warning that revenues might be leaner than usual in future years. Were not super excited about (fiscal years) 26 and 27, said Chris Shea, the states deputy legislative budget assistant at a House Ways and Means Committee meeting in May, referring to the next two-year state budget. I dont think youre going to see the same revenues youve seen the last couple of budget cycles. Theres going to be harder decisions being made. The tighter revenue could make any potential changes to tax levels tricky. Republicans passed a law in 2021 that phased out the states interest and dividends tax, which taxed investment income over a threshold. That tax will be completely phased out in calendar year 2025; eligible residents will need to pay 3 percent on those investments one last time next April for calendar year 2024. In the last decade, Republican lawmakers have also gradually reduced the business profits tax from 8.5 percent to 7.5 percent and the business enterprise tax from 0.75 percent to 0.55 percent. Sweeney said if voters kept them in power, Republicans would keep those tax reductions. Democrats have criticized the elimination of the interest and dividends tax, noting research indicating that it impacts mostly wealthier residents, and have warned that its repeal could lead to lower state revenue. Rep. Susan Almy, a Lebanon Democrat and the former chairwoman of the House Ways and Means Committee, has filed two bills in the past two years intending to restore the interest and dividends tax; both bills, House Bill 192 and House Bil 1492, were defeated unanimously on the House floor. No sitting House Democrat has filed legislation to restore the tax in 2025, according to a list of legislative service requests in the New Hampshire House. While all nine of Indianas seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are on ballots this November, just one of those races is competitive enough to draw attention from high-profile Republicans who hope to grow the partys majority in Congress. House Speaker Mike Johnson visited Gary on Monday to stump for Republican Randy Niemeyer at a campaign event in Indiana's 1st Congressional District in Northwest Indiana. The district is one of only two Democratic-controlled districts in Indiana. Randy Niemeyer, a member of the Lake County Council, is challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan. The Indiana Libertarian Party also fielded a candidate for the 1st Congressional District this year in 25-year-old Dakotah Miskus, who works in customer service and is from LaPorte County. Indiana's 1st District, which covers rust-belt communities like Gary and Hammond just east of the Chicago area, has been represented by a Democrat for more than 90 years, but national Republicans are eyeing Mrvans seat, for the second election cycle in a row, as a potential flip opportunity for the party, which currently has a nine-member edge over Democrats in the U.S. House. Johnson told IndyStar Republicans are excited about Niemeyers candidacy, calling the Lake County Councilman an ideal candidate for Congress. Additionally, the National Republican Congressional Committee this summer named Niemeyer on of 26 Young Gun candidates with competitive races to watch in November. I think this seat is one that belongs in the Republican column, Johnson said in a Monday phone call with IndyStar. It will make a big difference for the whole country, not just for Indiana, because if we have a larger majority, we can really move that policy agenda through the Congress. Republican Randy Niemeyer is running against Democrat U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan in the November election for Indiana's 1st Congressional District. From 2022: The 1st District could be competitive, Republicans have to get through state primary first This embedded content is not available in your region. But Mrvan survived a tough reelection campaign in 2022 in which national attention was also focused on his then-Republican opponent Jennifer-Ruth Green. The Democratic Congressman won that race by 5 percentage points two years ago. Mrvans campaign did not respond to questions from IndyStar on Monday, but Indiana Democratic Party Spokesman Sam Barloga said in an email that Mrvan reflects the values of residents in Northwest Indiana who will reelect him in November. Randy Niemeyer wants to bring Mike Johnsons extreme politics of national abortion bans and political gridlock to Northwest Indiana. Its no wonder Niemeyer wants to join a Republican majority in Congress that is one of the least effective in American history, Barloga said. The Region knows hard work and is home to thousands of union members who keep our factories and farms open. They want a member of Congress who works as hard as they do, and thats who they have in Frank Mrvan. Republican hurdles ahead Republicans will have to overcome Mrvans fundraising lead in addition to Northwest Indianas long history of voting for Democrats for the 1st District seat. As of June 30, Mrvan had an edge over Niemeyer in cash on hand with nearly $1.5 million compared to Niemeyer's $446,000, federal campaign finance records show. U.S. Department of Energy's Geri Richmond (left), Purdue Northwest University's Chenn Zhou (center) and U.S. Congressman Frank Mrvan (second from right) tour the Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation. The DOE recently awarded the center $7.1 million for its efforts in decarbonizing the steel industry. National political analysts and election predictors, such as Sabatos Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia, labeled Mrvans 2022 contest against Green a tossup, but dont see the same potential for Republicans in 2024. In late July, managing editor Kyle Kondik wrote that Sabatos is categorizing the 1st District as leans Democratic and even considered upgrading the seat to likely Democratic. But Kondik said Indianas 1st District is among working-class areas around the country that could easily imagine Trump doing better in 2024 than he did in 2020. The election is Nov. 5. Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: On Indiana stop, House Speaker Mike Johnson says 1st District can flip A natural liquid gas pipeline erupted near Houston on Monday, prompting authorities to evacuate homes and businesses as shelter-in-place orders covered multiple schools. Evacuation orders covered about 50 homes in Deer Park, where the fire originated, about 20 miles southeast of Houston. At least a few of the five residences nearest the blaze have been damaged, city officials said at a news conference. A responding firefighter from nearby Pasadena was injured near the fire, officials from the neighboring city of La Porte said in a statement. Details about the extent of the injury or the firefighter's condition were not available, and Pasadena fire officials did not immediately respond to a request for more information Monday. Evacuation orders covered nearly 1,000 homes and businesses in La Porte, according to the city's statement. In addition, the La Porte Independent School District said shelter-in-place orders were in effect at multiple campuses in the district. A pipeline carrying natural gas liquids burns near La Porte, Texas, on Monday. "All homes and businesses within a half mile of the incident site" are covered by the orders, Energy Transfer, which operates the burning pipeline, said in a statement. A vehicle may have struck the pipeline infrastructure before flames erupted, the company said. The cause of the fire and the possible breach were still under investigation. Classes at San Jacinto College's Central Campus in Pasadena were canceled, and students remaining at the location were told to shelter in place until authorities declare an "all clear," it said on Facebook. Deer Park said in its own statement that a Walmart location and an H-E-B grocery store were also covered by shelter-in-place orders. Deer Park city officials said at the news conference that some residents and business may also be affected by electricity outages because power lines may have been damaged; the utility serving the area reported single-digit numbers of locations without power. The pipeline blaze erupted at the Energy Transfer facility the company describes it as its La Porte location, but both cities say it's in adjacent Deer Park shortly before 10 a.m., according to the Deer Park and La Porte statements. Deer Park and La Porte fire officials established a unified command to tackle the blaze from its west and east, respectively, the Deer Park Office of Emergency Management statement said in a statement. Energy Transfer has shuttered the pipeline while firefighters wait for it to burn the last of the fuel, Deer Park officials said. "Theres a time frame thats going to be hours, Ill just say, for how long its going to take for that product to be burned off," Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton Jr. said. Multiple homes have been damaged, he said, and a grass fire that erupted nearby has been contained. "The fire is very hot," Mouton said. "A lot of the house structures that are adjacent to that are still catching on fire even though were putting a lot of water on them to try and control that." The blaze started at a valve station for a 20-inch Y-grade liquid natural gas line, Energy Transfer said in its statement. "The line has been isolated so that the residual product in the line can safely burn itself out," it said. "We have no timeline at this point on how long that process will take." Harris County Pollution Control air monitoring has found no measurable volatile organic compounds and a "moderate" amount of particulate matter, it said in a statement. People with breathing or other health issues "may want to take precautions," it said. The city of Deer Park said Energy Transfer has set up a hotline for residents, businesses and others affected by the blaze: 855-430-4491. Resources may be available, the city said. Multiple reunification sites in Deer Park and La Porte, including an activity center and a church, have been made available to evacuees. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com HOWARD COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Election day is right around the corner, and on November 5th, Howard County voters will be able to head to the polls and cast their votes. This year, ballots for Howard County will include federal, state, and county elections, and a proposition for the Coahoma Independent School District that community members can either vote for or against. Heres a look at what will be listed on your Howard County ballot, excluding Federal and State elections. County Attorney (Unopposed) Lindsay P. Wilkerson County Clerk (Unexpired term) Judy Padron Adriel E. Saldivar Sheriff Stan Parker Related: Need to register to vote or check your voter registration status? Heres how: County Tax Assessor-Collector Tiffany Sayles Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Angela Griffin County Constable Precinct 1 David Sousa Howard County ballot propositions The Coahoma Independent School District has a total of two election propositions, one proposition will appear on the November 5th ballot, and the other will appear on the October 19th election ballot. Voters will either vote for or against the following proposition: Coahoma ISD October 19th Election Proposition A: Authorizing the Board of Trustees of Coahoma Independent School District to purchase attendance credit from the State with local tax revenues. Also: Registered to vote? Here are some important dates you should know Coahoma ISD November 5th- General Election Proposition A: Ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of $0.6969 in Coahoma Independent School District for the current year, a rate that will result in an increase of 33 percent in maintenance and operations tax revenue for the district for the current year as compared to the preceding year, which is an additional $3,587,268.00. Overall, voters can choose either for or against a proposed tax rate that will increase the current rate to $0.6969 per $100 property valuation. By adopting this tax rate, the district will collect 33% more in revenue for the maintenance and operations of the Coahoma Independent School District. For more information about the upcoming election, visit the Vote 2024 section on our 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 Yourbasin. HOWARD COUNTY, MD Residents will vote this fall to elect new members of the Howard County Board of Education. Patch invited each candidate running for a seat on the school board to complete a questionnaire about their campaign priorities, their views and themselves. Below you'll find the unedited, verbatim responses from Trent Kittleman, candidate for HCPSS Board of Education District 5. Early voting runs from Oct. 24 through Oct. 31 and Election Day is Nov. 5. More information about voting locations, registration, mail-in ballots and dropbox ballots is posted here. The Howard County Board of Education consists of seven members elected to four-year terms. Five members are elected by district and two members are elected at large. Here are the people who filed for candidacy with the State Board of Elections for the Howard County Board of Education. District 1 Andre Gao, Ellicott City Meg Ricks, Ellicott City District 2 Larry Doyle, Columbia Antonia Watts, Elkridge District 3 Jolene Mosley, Columbia District 4 Julie Kaplan, Fulton Jen Mallo, Columbia District 5 Andrea Chamblee, Clarksville Trent Kittleman, West Friendship What is your name? Trent Kittleman What position are you running for? Howard County Board of Education, District 5 What ways can people contact you with questions? trentkittleman@verizon.net or through my website, trentkittleman.com Campaign website? TrentKittleman.com Age as of election day? Over 50 Place of residence? West Friendship, MD Family members? Two daughters; two sons-in-law; ten grandchildren (5 of whom attend Howard County Public Schools) plus a wide extended family, six of which families live next door on our farm. Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? Not at the moment, but one of my daughters taught in Howard County for 10 years, and stepson, Allan Kittleman, is a former State Senator and Howard County Executive Education? J.D., Order of the Coif, obtained at the University of Maryland School of Law Occupation? Currently . . . campaigning. Previously held elected or appointed political positions? Member of Maryland House of Delegates, 2015 - 2022 Why are you running for office? Because I am passionate about education. Because eight years in the Legislature brought me face to face with the depth and breadth of problems inherent in the current state of public education. And because I have five grandchildren in Howard County Public Schools. The Board of Education needs a knowledgeable, experienced, leader who knows how to read a contract and what questions to ask of staff. Too many avoidable problems are happening. Students should be transported to school on time, in buses and not have to walk up to two miles; and they should feel safe once in school. Deferring maintenance is unacceptable; our students should never have to endure schools with mold, mildew, bad air quality, & too few bathrooms! Housing our students in over 250 temporary relocatable classrooms due to a lack of capacity in our school buildings isnt reasonable, particularly when we could use a public-private-partnership to build six schools in two years - as Prince Georges County did. And the persistent failure to meet the needs of our special education students must come to an end. While Howard County still stands as a premier public school system, our academic scores are falling behind those of other counties. I want to see that this stops, and that our schools - just like our students -- are once again the best and the brightest. What are your top 3 priorities? 1. Academics: the focus of each school is, first, to ensure students can read, can write, and understand basic mathematics 2. Safety: Students are safe both travelling from home to school and while in school. 3. Special Education: Although HCPSS works hard to educate every student, we need to do better. What do you believe is the most important issue facing the school board? The budget ultimately determines the scope of our ability to successfully educate our children. Right now, that budget is insufficient. The Board must direct a complete and detailed review of how the budget is constructed to determine 1) where there are ways to allocate funds more effectively, (2) where there is overlap or waste, (3) if we are maximizing revenues from federal & state governments, from available grants, and from using programs such as the Public Private Partnership to stretch our ability to build schools quickly. What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? My hands-on experience running large organizations, overseeing multi-million-dollar budgets, and successfully building consensus to achieve results. Ive served on a number of Boards of Directors and as CEO of the Maryland Transportation Authority, my boss was a Board of Directors, so I have experience determining how much direction and involvement the Board should exercise as opposed to micro-managing the Superintendent. If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)? I am running in an open seat. Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. Common Sense Student Safety Provide on-time bus transportation Dont schedule children to WALK along major roads or elsewhere the route is predictably dangerous Have Student Resource Officers (SROs) in all schools Recognize and Respect Parents and Communities Redistricting schools should be kept to a minimum and should focus on keeping communities together. Acknowledge and respect parents rights as the primary drivers of their childrens education. Age-Appropriate Education To the extent that the topic of sex and gender education is taught in elementary grades, these schools should require parent approval or allow for an individual opt-out Focus on Fundamentals Howard County has some great schools, and we want to keep them that way, both physically and academically. HCPSS should: Fund and perform regular school building maintenance Focus on academics, first. Support Education Options We have an obligation to educate every child, including those with severe disabilities. HCPSSs current system is not working. HCPSS must take more advantage of available resources such as the publicly funded MANSEF schools that educate children with disabilities. What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? EXPERIENCE IN EDUCATION: Ive volunteered as a judge for our 5th-grade Simulated Congressional Hearing program for 13 years, judging numerous schools each year. I write a monthly Newsletter titled A Voice for Parents, and I am a current member of HCPSS Resource Reevaluation Committee. As a Delegate, I participated in designing the Kirwin BLUEPRINT, and every day during session, constituents talked to me about all facets of education. The most compelling conversations were with Special Education teachers who came down every year begging for relief from the constantly-expanding clerical requirements of their job. FINANCIAL EXPERIENCE: As CEO of the Maryland Transportation Authority, I was responsible for the $3.4 million operating budget and the over $6 billion six-year capital budget, giving me a useful understanding of how to maximize budget dollars. LEADERSHIP: As Deputy Secretary of Transportation, I created and guided a stakeholder committee that raised the paratransit on-time pickup from 75% to over 90%. As CEO of the MdTA, I was able to get the Bay Bridges third lane reopened before the summer rush. In both roles, I was an instrumental part of getting the ICC (Route 200) built. CONCENSUS-BUILDER: I served for 18 months on the Montgomery County Transportation Task Force II. We were given an almost impossible task of arriving at consensus among 34 members ranging from people focused solely on the environment to people focused solely on constructing roads. Getting a decisive majority vote to build the ICC was my greatest achievement! Moreover, as a Delegate, I spent eight years successfully working with legislators across the aisle How will you handle LGBTQ+ and racial issues brought before the school board? Depending on the issue, I would listen closely to all of the testimony, ask probing questions, discuss the issue with other Board members, carefully consider their comments, and, ultimately, vote or recommend in accordance with what I believe best complies with HCPSS policies. This is how I would handle issues on LGBTQ+ and race as well as issues on any other subject. How will you handle book-banning issues brought before the school board? Having a book removed from a school library must go through an extensive process before it gets to the Board. A request from a parent with a child in the school is sent to the Principal who will try to resolve the issue. If the Principal cannot resolve the issue, the Principal will forward the request to the Superintendent who will refer it to the re-reevaluation committee on which I serve. The RRC reviews the material and votes on whether the material should be retained or pulled. If the parent is not happy with the recommendation of the RRC, the parent can appeal the matter to the Board of Education. The Board has the final say. The Board seldom, if ever, disagrees with the Committee recommendation. Nonetheless, after reviewing the book, the recommendations, and the reasons for the decisions, if I believe the decisions failed to consider any important factor, I would raise this with the Superintendent at the Board meeting. If I felt strongly that the decision was wrong, I might also ask the parents who initiated the request to attend as well, and I might ask for more information or even a reconsideration. Ultimately, however, I would need to convince a majority of the Board in order to get the decision reversed. The ongoing debate surrounding the term "book banning" has sparked significant discussion and controversy in recent times. Many parents are advocating for the removal of specific books from school libraries, citing concerns over what they perceive as explicitly sexual content. It is not unreasonable to have pornography defined as explicitly sexual material that serves no redeeming social purpose --removed from the schools. However, this debate takes a complex turn when considering the actions of those who vehemently oppose the concept of book banning. A notable instance occurred in 2021 when a coalition of liberal educators, experts, and academics successfully pressured Dr. Seuss Enterprises to halt the sales and publication of several beloved children's titles by Dr. Seuss. The decision affected six notable works, including "The Cats Quizzer," "McElligots Pool," "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street," and "Scrambled Eggs Super." This situation illustrates an arguably double standard in the discourse surrounding book banning What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? I have expressed my views on most of the major topics the Board has considered this year in my 14 Newsletters, A Voice for Parents, all of which are posted on my website, TrentKittleman.com. And during eight years in the Legislature, I weighed in on a number of education bills, including Kirwan, the bill that produced the Blueprint. There were many options included in that bill, but it failed to address the greatest education inequity in the state. How is it fair that families with higher incomes have the wherewithal and thus the option to take their students out of failing schools, or schools that were closed during COVID, while families with lower incomes have no options. Many of their children are destined to remain in schools that fail year after year! Where is the equity in that? Howard County School Board Election 2024: Meet Trent Kittleman originally appeared on the Columbia Patch A Los Angeles County high school is home to two huge deposits of fossils that experts are now using to see what the world was like hundreds of thousands and millions of years ago. While constructing new buildings at San Pedro High School, researchers found two beds of fossils: a bone bed dating back 8.7 million years and a shell bed about 120,000 years old, the Los Angeles Times reports. The fossils indicate that Los Angeles was formerly underwater and that there may have been additional portions of the Channel Islands that would form and then dissipate, as Wayne Bischoff, the director of cultural resources for Envicom Corp., the company that managed the excavated fossils, told the Times. Theres never been this type of density of fossils ever found at a site like this before in California, Bischoff added. Its the largest marine bone bed found in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Given the proximity of the fossil beds and the fact that they were found under a high school, scientists said they hope to use what they find to educate the next generation. Austin Hendy, assistant curator at the Natural History Museum, told the Times that theres plenty more to discover. We hope that the students and the public will be able to sort of clamber over these rocks in the years to come and be inspired by what they find, Hendy 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. WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) A human smuggling defendant has a warrant for his arrest after he failed to show up in court for his charge of smuggling eight people through Wichita County. The Wichita County Jail booking photo for Jose Estrada-Garcia. Jose Estrada-Garcia, who listed his address as Arizona, did not answer the call for a status hearing in 78th District Court on Friday, Sept. 13. He was free on the human smuggling charge after posting a $10,000 cash bond after his arrest in September 2022. Woman charged with indecent acts wants bond lowered On Sept. 29, 2022, a Wichita County Deputy stopped a gray Dodge Caravan on US 287 after it was seen following a semi-tractor too closely. The deputy said Estrada-Garcia was driving and he had eight passengers, whom he said he knew very well, that he was driving to Fort Worth. But the deputy said none of the passengers knew Estrada-Garcias name or where they were going. When Estrada-Garcia was told what the passengers had said, the deputy says he admitted to picking his passengers up at a Hispanic market in Arizona and said he was dropping them off at a gas station in Fort Worth. He said he was being paid $250 per passenger. He said he knew what he was doing was wrong, but he had fallen behind on some bills, and this was a quick way to make money. This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. [Source] Over 500 people marched in New York on Saturday to support Taiwans inclusion in the United Nations, up from last years 300. Beginning at the Chinese Consulate in midtown Manhattan and ending at the New York Public Library, the march coincided with the 79th U.N. General Assembly and was led by Taiwanese legislators Ngalim Tiunn (Democratic Progressive Party) and Wu Chun-cheng (Taiwan Peoples Party). Participants chanted slogans such as Keep Taiwan Free and U.N. for Taiwan. Tom Chih-chiang Lee, director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, stressed the need to correct misconceptions about U.N. Resolution 2758, which recognizes the People's Republic of China but does not resolve Taiwans status. The rally highlighted Taiwans contributions to global development, with growing international support, including recent motions from Australia and the Netherlands backing Taiwans bid. Trending on NextShark: Milwaukee pho king crowned at breakdancing event Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! Police in Beirut inspect a car after a pager inside exploded on Sept. 17, 2024. (Hussein Malla / Associated Press) In what appears to be a first-of-its-kind attack, nearly 3,000 people were wounded across Lebanon on Tuesday including at least nine fatally after hundreds of electronic pagers used by Hezbollah members and others suddenly and mysteriously exploded. Lebanons state-run National News Agency called it an unprecedented security incident, with pagers blowing up in Beiruts Hezbollah-dominated southern suburbs and several other areas. More than 2,750 people were wounded, 180 of them critically, according to Firass Abiad, Lebanon's acting health minister. Most of the injuries were to the face, hands or stomach near where the pager would be held, Abiad said. Read more: Israel vows retaliation after Houthi missile attack Hezbollah blamed Israel for the attack. "We hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression," the militant group said Tuesday in a statement. Israeli officials and its military made no comment Tuesday about the exploding pagers. Israel has in the past shown itself capable of mounting sophisticated remote attacks. Hezbollah said that pagers used by its members, employees and operatives blew up around 3:30 p.m. Among the dead were one child and two of the groups members, the statement said. Irans ambassador was also wounded in the attack, its embassy said. Hezbollah's specialized agencies are currently conducting a wide-ranging security and scientific investigation to determine the reasons that led to these simultaneous explosions, the militant group's statement said. The bizarre and unprecedented attacks came hours after Israel signaled it was weighing an escalation of its military confrontation with the Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite militant group, one of Lebanon's most powerful political parties. Hezbollah, which has been engaged in a tit-for-tat fight with Israel since October, had switched to using pagers to communicate in recent months in an attempt to avoid Israeli tracking and surveillance of phones. The exact trigger of the explosions was uncertain. Read more: In Gaza, battling an old scourge: Will polio vaccine campaign succeed? Technical experts at SMEX, a Beirut-based internet watchdog group, speculated that a shipment of pagers could have been intercepted and planted with small amounts of explosives that would be triggered either by a timer or a prearranged signal. A security expert speaking to Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera said the pagers appeared to have been implanted with nearly an ounce of explosives. The person said that the pagers were part of a shipment of about 5,000 units brought in by Hezbollah. Another possibility was that Israel developed a way to overheat the pager batteries, experts said. Modern pagers utilize lithium-ion batteries, which can ignite and explode if subjected to sufficient heat. Hundreds of injured were taken to American University Hospital in central Beirut, where Mohammad Salhab, a burly man whose green shirt was streaked with blood, was waiting for news of his friend. "He was holding the pager in his hand," Salhab said. "The doctors had to amputate. They couldn't save his hand." News of the attack caused panic in neighborhoods and areas of the country where Hezbollah officials and operatives are present, with people calling family members and telling them to disconnect routers and other devices that could be vulnerable. Witnesses passing through Beiruts southern suburb at the time of the blasts saw a bloodied man lying on the ground with people crowding around. Pictures on social media claiming to be from the attack depicted one shopper at a fruit market standing near a stall when his bag explodes. Another depicts a man in a shop holding a pager and putting it on a desk before it detonates, throwing him back. The Times could not independently verify the videos or the images. Dozens of ambulances crisscrossed Beiruts streets carrying the wounded amid snarled traffic, while hospitals in the countrys south were inundated with casualties. The Health Ministry, meanwhile, put all hospitals on alert and called on medical staff across the country to report to their facilities. Late Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government's goals in the war against Hamas militants in Gaza Strip would now include the secure return of residents to northern Israel. About 60,000 people have been displaced in northern Israel since Oct. 8, when Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel in solidarity with Hamas. Analysts said even though Israel has not acknowledged responsibility, the pager attack heightened the risk of a major escalation. I think that we are closer than we were before to the scenario of full-scale war, said Orna Mizrahi, a senior research fellow at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies. Also Tuesday, Israels domestic spy agency, the Shin Bet, announced that it had foiled what it described as an attempt by Hezbollah to assassinate a former senior Israeli security official using a remotely activated device. It said the attack was intended to be carried out in coming days. Senior Israeli commanders, including Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, met Tuesday evening for talks on readiness for attack and defense in all arenas, the military said in a brief statement that did not mention the pager attacks. The United Nations called Tuesdays developments extremely concerning, particularly given the volatile context of ongoing Israeli-Hezbollah hostilities. Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the world body cannot underscore enough the risks of escalation in Lebanon and the region. Netanyahu met Monday in Tel Aviv with President Bidens envoy, Amos Hochstein, and an Israeli readout said the prime minister had made it clear that displaced Israelis would not be able to return home without a fundamental change in the security situation in the north. A similar warning came from Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who also met with Hochstein. He told the U.S. envoy that only military action could end the cross-border clashes. The spike in tensions between Israel and Hezbollah coincides with dogged efforts on the part of the Biden administration to help secure a cease-fire deal with Hamas. The Israel-Hamas war started Oct. 7 after a surprise assault by Hamas-led fighters killed about 1,200 people in a string of rural communities and at a desert music festival. About 250 people were taken hostage. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken traveled Tuesday to Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials. The United States, together with mediators Qatar and Egypt, has tried for months to secure an accord, but efforts have been stymied, most recently by Netanyahus demand to keep troops in a narrow strip of land on Gazas border with Egypt known as the Philadelphi corridor. Bulos reported from Beirut and King from Tel Aviv. 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. Ambulances carrying wounded people arrive to the emergency of the American University hospital. Eight people have been killed and some 2,750 injured in suspected coordinated explosions of hand-held telecommunications devices across Lebanon, Health Minister Firas Abiad said during a press conference in Beirut on 17 September. Marwan Naamani/dpa Hundreds of people were wounded in Lebanon on Tuesday when telecommunications devices exploded in a suspected coordinated attack, hospital sources in Beirut's southern suburbs told dpa. Some 300 people are being treated at the hospital, according to the sources. It was initially unclear whether anyone had been killed. The exact cause of the explosions was also unclear. Sources from Iranian-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah said numerous members have been injured, including fighters of the Radwan Force, an elite unit within the group. High-ranking Hezbollah representatives are also among the injured, a source close to the militia said. No official figures on the number of victims were initially available. The affected devices are believed to be hand-held pagers. Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was also reportedly injured in the explosion of a pager. Footage from surveillance cameras showed smaller explosions at supermarkets, with people seen lying on the floor afterwards. The detonations occurred in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold, as well as in the south of the country. Similar incidents were also reported from Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that several members of Hezbollah were injured by exploding communication devices near the capital Damascus. Syrian security sources reported that a pager exploded in a car in Damascus. Eyewitnesses reported of panic in the streets of Beirut. Numerous ambulances were on duty. The Lebanese Health Ministry called on all hospitals to be on high alert and urged people not to use radio equipment. The ministry also called on the population to donate blood. Hezbollah is a key ally of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Unconfirmed reports were circulating that Israel had targeted communications devices used by Hezbollah and was behind the detonations. The Israeli army has so far not commented on the events in Lebanon. Since the beginning of the Gaza war almost a year ago, confrontations have occurred almost daily in the border area between Hezbollah and the Israeli military, with deaths recorded on both sides as a result of the shelling, mostly members of Hezbollah. According to Israeli sources, three Hezbollah fighters were killed on Tuesday in an attack on a location in southern Lebanon. The pro-Iranian Shiite militia says it is acting out of solidarity with the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip. TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KSHV) The East Texas Food Bank presented two Hunger Hero awards on Monday as part of national Hunger Action Month A Community Partner Award was given to Ground Floor Collective. So we have been extremely honored to be able to partner with them in many different projects and continue to help them realize their goals here in our community, says Kristina Rivas-Jones, Co-founder and Executive Director of Ground Floor Collective. Original birth certificate reveals Texarkana womans age ahead of 100th bday party They have been an important partner to the food bank, especially since the opening of the Texarkana Resource Center. Ground Floor Collective has helped provide supplementary services and volunteer support to the food pantry. And driving home every evening seeing so many vehicles and so many people out here having those needs met, says Rivas-Jones, And then it allows them to have the capacity to focus on other things. Henry McCant received a Lifetime Achievement award for the work he has done to feed his community. Well, the church that I belong to at that time, the pastor wanted to feed the people. So we had a feeding and, for the church and I said, well, we need to do this more than one time and just like that, it kicked off, says Henry McCant, Founder of the Christian Pantry. For 20 years they have been providing food to the people of Domino, Texas in Cass County and beyond. Example, this past Wednesday, we gave a 532 families that one day. says McCant, And then the next day we gave out 490, that was on Thursday. So we give out a lot of food. He still personally makes a weekly drive to Tyler to pick up food from the East Texas Food Bank warehouse. He says none of that would be possible without the support of the food bank and the dedicated group of volunteers who he works alongside. MORE TEXARKANA NEWS Well, Im grateful to get it, but it really wasnt me. I have a group of volunteers that is very, very unique. I said, tell them theyre the best in the four state area period. Theyre just good, says McCant. To learn more about East Texas Food Bank and Hunger Action Month, visit the website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. The decline and fall of Huw Edwards keeps getting darker and more bizarre. Here was the BBCs top-paid news anchor, a man so trusted it was he who donned a black tie to inform us of Queen Elizabeths death; he was the face of elections and wars of Auntie Beeb, the UKs anchor in moments of crisis. Its hard to think of anyone more synonymous with respectability and the British Establishment. Yet, behind that facade of uber-decency was not just a fraud but a predator. A paedophile who gleefully downloaded unspeakable images of child abuse, of a boy as young as seven being sexually violated. Reading through the court reports of the 41 WhatsApp messages Edwards sent to the friend whom he paid 1,500 to keep sending the vile pictures, the establishment stalwart is all enthusiasm. Go on, he responds to a message offering him young content, rewarding the sender not just with cash but flashy trainers and a day out. What was he thinking? This man who was the face of probity. As a journalist, he knew better than most that viewing such images is a crime because the photographs are evidence of criminal abuse taking place. The images are the reason for the abuse. I dont understand why Edwards wasnt sent to prison. So did Huw Edwards apologise for his vile behaviour? Did he take advantage of the media scrum outside the court to sob, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa? Nope. Instead Edwards sought to explain his abhorrent behaviour by saying he had endured a difficult relationship with his monstrous father and suffered low self-esteem after failing to get into Oxford and going to Cardiff University instead. (The Oxford bit was specially pointed to by the judge). Um. What? There are many men who had monstrous fathers who dont look at seven-year-olds being abused. But what strikes me as particularly peculiar especially since this trial is of one of the most successful, famous, powerful men in the country is him invoking low self-esteem because he didnt get into Oxford. Edwards is 63, it is over four decades since he failed to get into Oxbridge and it didnt exactly hold him back. There are thousands of Oxford graduates who have been way less successful than Huw Edwards; he had about the most stellar career of any journalist of his generation. Going to Cardiff (which has an excellent journalism school, I have been one of their external examiners) wasnt exactly a hardship. Why was it even mentioned? Has Huw still got a chip on his shoulder about it? Can he still feel like an outsider, like someone who didnt make the grade even 40 years later after failing the test? Even when he has been so uber successful on every possible career metric? Its such a weird phenomenon, the Oxbridge failure chip as if going to Oxford or Cambridge is the defining feature of your life, rather than what you do after it. Im glad to say that in the current generation, the pull of Oxbridge is waning. I know several young people who have got in and chosen to go somewhere else, because the course was better. There are all sorts of other universities now which are more prestigious for particular subjects than Oxbridge: Bath for mechanical engineering or the LSE for science and economics, or the University of St Andrews, which recently trumped both Oxford and Cambridge in one of those top-university lists. Many British kids in the days of high fees are choosing to go to America instead (and not just rich ones US universities offer incredible bursaries to bright students without necessary funds). Oxford is lovely but it is not the be-all and end-all The obsession with having spent undergraduate years in a yellow-stone quad, that not doing so makes someone somehow lesser, is nuts. Its about 50 years out of date. The Britain where all the power brokers were what I call quadro-peds chaps who went to a public school with a quad, a university with a quad and often ended up in a job with a quad (in, say, the Inns of Court or Houses of Parliament) think Jacob Rees Mogg is thankfully over. Im glad that as a country weve got shot of that kind of wisteria-clad quad elitism, that we have a Deputy Prime Minister who parties in Ibiza and comes from a modest background. That weve a cabinet with the highest number of comprehensively educated ministers ever. That at the top of parliament, business and media, no one cares where you went to school or university, so long as you are good at your job (and a whizz on social media). This is meritocracy in action. Do you know where The Diary of a CEO entrepreneur Steven Bartlett was educated? Does it matter? (He dropped out of Manchester Met after a term.) Toffs I know now downgrade their accents and camouflage their poshness; they talk about having gone to school near Slough and woe betide a current Oxford student who lets on that their parents went there too. That is social annihilation. Todays Britain is all about having made it on your own merits; nepo baby is a term of scorn. Ironically, in some ways Edwardss elevation to the top of the BBC with his Welsh accent and regional provenance was a symbol that we were becoming a different kind of country. How sad that, despite his very presence being evidence of changing social mores, he was being eaten up by out-of-date educational snobbery. Oxford is beautiful. Its colleges are national treasures; its teaching, fantastic. But it is not the be-all and end-all. And the kind of country which had such a narrow funnel to power, where the in-club was so small it was established by an academic test at 18, is thankfully no more. That Huw Edwards was misguided, that he had poor judgement, that inside him was a gaping hole, which no amount of external achievement could fill, is now painfully obvious to everyone. This obsession with Oxford is a telling, pathetic detail in the downfall of a man who had it all, didnt know it, and threw it all away. Often the very demons that propel people to give their career everything, which take them to the top the need to prove themselves, the desire to show someone (often a parent) are also the forces that take them down. Huw-bris indeed. 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 BBC presenter Huw Edwards sentence cannot be reviewed for leniency despite complaints to the Attorney General. Edwards, who was the BBCs highest paid journalist, avoided jail on Monday when he was handed a six-month suspended term after admitting accessing indecent images of children as young as seven. It is understood that complaints have been made by members of the public and politicians to Richard Hermer, the Attorney General, urging him to refer the case to the Court of Appeal as being unduly lenient. Under the scheme, appeal court judges can increase the sentence if they rule that it is unduly lenient. Sentence weak and pathetic Richard Tice, Reforms deputy leader, said: The Attorney General must take the appropriate legal steps immediately to review this weak pathetic sentence for Huw Edwards which reinforces to millions of Britons that we are subject to two-tier justice. There is little more serious than child sex crimes which devastate victims. The Attorney Generals office told The Telegraph that Edwards case is ineligible under the scheme which is limited to sentences handed down by the Crown Court. Mr Hermer KC is unable to refer Edwards case to the Court of Appeal because Edwards was sentenced in the magistrates court. The disclosure prompted demands on Tuesday for a rethink of the unduly lenient scheme to give victims and members of the public a right to challenge soft sentences in the magistrates court. Retrial Mr Tice said: I believe the Crown Prosecution Service or Attorney General can ask for retrial by Crown Court judge acting as District Judge since it was wrongly allocated to magistrates court under section 66 of Courts Act 2003. If not then rules must be changed. Should never have been dealt with at such a low court. Dame Vera Baird, the former Labour solicitor general, who was also victims commissioner for England and Wales, said: It seems odd that there is a workable scheme for unduly lenient sentences in the Crown Court which the public can ask the Attorney General to consider. Yet, there is nothing that could help a member of the public who was a victim of what could be a very serious assault or sexual abuse or any interested party to make a formal application on a sentence in the magistrates court. Edwards, who was chosen by the corporation to announce the death of Queen Elizabeth II to the nation, sent 1,500 to Alex Williams, a convicted paedophile, after receiving 41 indecent images of children via WhatsApp. Westminster magistrates court heard how the married father of five told Williams to go on when asked whether he wanted naughty pics and vids of someone described as young. The court heard that of the 41 indecent images viewed by Edwards, the majority of the children were aged between 13 and 15. But in one video sent to the BBC presenter, the child being abused was aged between seven and nine years old. Edwards is pictured in the dock at Westminster magistrates court during his sentencing on Monday - Elizabeth Cook/PA More than 7,000 people caught with images of children being sexually abused avoided going to jail in the past three years, a Telegraph analysis of official data can reveal. The analysis by The Telegraph found that in the last three years just 19.2 per cent or 1,746 out of 9,084 offenders convicted of making, possessing or distributing child sex abuse material were jailed. The remaining four-fifths received either suspended or community sentences. Law enforcement experts warned that courts were treating child abuse imagery as a victimless crime in the wake of Edwards sentencing. Campaigners said it sent the wrong message to offenders that they could avoid prison even if they had committed serious offences. Rehabilitation orders According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), offenders have avoided jail even though they have been caught with thousands of images. Others have been given rehabilitation orders and suspended sentences and then reoffended. Simon Bailey, the former Norfolk chief constable who was national police chief councils lead for child protection, said: What has happened is that this is now being treated as a victimless crime. That is so far wide of the mark. We have lost sight of what has happened to those children, those babies that have been sexually abused. He added: In my opinion, abusers should have to confront their offending. They should have to undertake some form of rehabilitation and that should be part of their sentence. NCA chiefs have called for tougher sentences, arguing that the balance of 80 per cent avoiding jail and 20 per cent imprisoned is not quite right. They argue that jailing them would take them off the streets and stop them from offending. They are concerned that possession of indecent images of children can lead to more serious abuse. Fuelling demand Martin Grace, a child sexual abuse threat lead at the NCA, told The Telegraph: By accessing this material, offenders are fuelling the demand for it and we know that this behaviour is part of a continuum of offending that can lead to them going on to commit contact abuse. The NCA has warned that a decision by Meta, which runs Facebook and Instagram, to introduce end-to-end encryption meant thousands of referrals received from the company about people who may pose a threat to children could be lost. Mr Grace said: Online platforms create a permissive environment for offenders to normalise and develop their sexual interest in children, by allowing them to network and share content with ease. The NCA and UK policing work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice and safeguard children from this horrific crime. However, it is essential that technology companies also support this fight by identifying and reporting abuse that is taking place on their platforms. 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. For every resident in Ibiza, there were 3.45 times the amount of cruise ship passengers visiting the island in 2023 (Getty Images) Authorities in Ibiza are have implemented new regulations for cruise ships docking at their ports. The Council of Mayors on Friday announced plans to limit the simultaneous arrival of cruise ships to the Spanish island by allowing no more than two cruises to dock at the same time. Ibiza remains one of the most popular destinations for British tourists, attracting partygoers to the vibrant club and DJ scene, as well as families seeking white sandy beaches and crystal-clear coves. However, like many other Spanish and European destinations, overtourism has become an issue in recent years, affecting landscapes and the lives of residents. The council has agreed to speak with the Balearic Port Authority so it can assess the annual schedule of cruise ship arrivals in Ibiza and ensure that the volume arriving at the same time is limited to a maximum of two. The officials also proposed to discuss a more controlled and planned schedule of arrivals. Mallorca was the first Spanish holiday hotspot to limit the cruise ship arrivals last year, with a cap of three ships per day that can arrive in Palma. The president of Ibizas council, Vicent Mari Torres, said that while the island is not against the arrival of tourists on cruise ships, better planning needs to be carried out to ensure overcrowding does not affect their residents. Ibiza is one of many Spanish destinations that are implementing measures to restrict the impact of tourism (Getty Images/iStockphoto) When the arrival of more than two cruises occurs simultaneously, the port and transport services collapse, which generates a problem in Ibiza town," he said, according to The Daily Express . "We are not against the arrival of cruises but we ask that it occurs in a more orderly and planned way. "This lack of planning affects both the residents, who suffer this saturation at the time of arrival and tourists who take a bad image of their stay." Last year, Ibiza logged a record number of cruise ship passengers arriving in Ibiza. Data analysis from the non-profit Ibiza Preservation revealed that a total of 548,969 cruise passengers docked at the island in 2023. This was an 86 per cent increase on the 295,468 passengers registering their arrival in 2022, and surpassed pre-Covid numbers. Considering Ibizas population is around 159,000 residents, this means there were 3.45 times the number of cruise tourists than Spanish locals in 2023. While the Spanish island heavily relies on its tourism industry to sustain its economy, with 84 per cent of its GDP depending directly on travellers, the 21-mile-long island can only sustain so many visitors at once. Ibiza residents and authorities have previously voiced concerns about marine and wildlife damage, the rental market crisis inflated by illegal tourist rentals, and oversaturation due to the influx of tourists. The authorities have also considered staggering the amount of cruise ship passengers disembarking the ships instead of allowing thousands of tourists to flood the island all at once. For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast A sign paid for by the Idaho Republican State Central Committee at the intersection of Eagle Road and Fairview Avenue in Meridian encourages Idahoans to vote no on Proposition 1. (Christina Lords/Idaho Capital Sun) A new sign in opposition to the Proposition 1 ballot initiative is at the center of controversy as Nov. 5 general election draws closer. Idaho Republican Party officials say more than a dozen of the signs have been vandalized in Meridian and Eagle. Republican officials announced Monday they put up a $5,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for vandalizing the signs. Im dismayed to see this happen in Idaho, Idaho GOP Chairwoman Dorothy Moon said in a written statement. These signs were placed by individual citizens who wanted to warn their communities about the dangers of ranked-choice voting, so to see them defaced like this is an outrage. In a news release issued Monday, Idaho Republican Party officials provided photos that appeared to depict two of the defaced vote no signs. One sign appeared to have a swastika drawn over it, while the other appeared to be altered to encourage voters to vote yes on the measure. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Efforts to reach the Idaho Republican Party and ask whether GOP officials filed a police report were unsuccessful. It absolutely disgusts me to see swastikas drawn on our signs, Moon wrote in Mondays news release. This is an outright hate crime against every Republican in the state of Idaho. Use of Idahos state seal on campaign signs is not illegal, Secretary of States Office says Meanwhile, officials with the Idaho Secretary of States Office say they do not believe the use of the Idaho flag and Great Seal of the State of Idaho in those vote no campaign signs is a violation. A spokeswoman with the Idaho Secretary of States Office said there is limited statutory guidance governing use of the seal in political campaigns. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Several Idahoans have asked the Idaho Secretary of States Office and Idaho Attorney Generals Office about the use of the seal in political campaigns in recent days. As custodians of the Great Seal of the State of Idaho, the Secretary of States office is frequently requested to provide guidance for proper and allowed usage, the Idaho Secretary of States Office wrote in a statement to the Idaho Capital Sun on Thursday. Our office has received a few inquiries about using the state seal on political signs. The signs in question have the State Flag, which includes the State Seal. While there is very limited statutory guidance that governs the use of the Great Seal, this office offers several guidelines as custodian, the statement continued. The seal must be used without alteration and without the intent to misleadingly convey State of Idaho affiliation, approval, or sponsorship. Because its the display of the State Flag, we do not feel the signs conflict with guidance on using the State Seal. On Monday, former Idaho Supreme Court Justice Jim Jones wrote a letter to Attorney General Raul Labradors office asking Labrador to issue a cease and desist letter regarding the signs. Jones, who is an active supporter of the Proposition 1 ballot issue, wrote that use of the State Seal in the campaign ad is offensive and runs counter to state policy saying the State Seal should not be used for personal gain. Im writing to call your attention to an egregious misuse of the Great Seal of the State of Idaho by the Idaho Republican Party, Jones wrote. In recent days, Idaho roads have been affronted with sexually-charged public billboards saying, Dont Californicate Idahos Elections. Idahos Great Seal is right next to that deceptive and sexualized wording a great insult to the Gem State and its people. How does Proposition 1 ballot issue work? Ballot issues are a form of direct democracy in Idaho, where the people vote on whether or not to pass a proposed law, completely independent of the Idaho Legislature. Proposition 1 would end closed party primary elections in Idaho and create ranked-choice voting in the general election. Proposition 1 is up for a vote in the Nov. 5 general election in Idaho. It will take a simple majority of the vote to pass the ballot initiative. If approved, Proposition 1 would repeal the states closed primary election law from 2011 and in its place create a single primary election that is open to all candidates and all voters, regardless of party affiliation. The four candidates in the primary election with the most votes would all advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation. For the general election, Proposition 1 would create ranked-choice voting, which is sometimes called an instant runoff system. Under ranked-choice voting, voters would vote for their favorite candidate and have the option of ranking the remaining candidates in order of preference second choice, third and fourth. The candidate with the fewest votes would be eliminated and their votes would be transferred to any second choice candidates on those ballots. That process would continue until there are two candidates left and the candidate with the most votes is elected the winner. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Idaho is as red as it gets on the electoral map, but youd never know that from the turnout at the iconic Egyptian Theater in downtown Boise on the August night that Vice President Kamala Harris accepted her partys nomination. The enthusiastic convention crowd in Chicago had nothing over the group gathered in Boise. No doubt, there were more than a few wearing Chucks (shoe style) and pearls, which are part of Harris fashion attire. It was the next best thing to being at the convention, said Betty Richardson, a former U.S. attorney and Democratic congressional candidate who, along with Louise Seeley, is heading a group called Idaho Women for Harris-Walz. As Richardson tells it, enthusiasm for the Harris-Walz ticket is through the roof. Its especially high after President Biden bowed out of the race. Richardson was among the Democrats who knew that a change at the top of the ticket was needed after Bidens stumbling debate performance in June. What she didnt know was how much the interest would grow in the aftermath. This quiet little group of about 10,000 attracted more than 3,000 more members since Biden dropped out. And theres even more interest in the wake of Harris debate performance. Richardson says members are encouraged to engage in discussions, and they are not shy about doing so. The presidential race is the dominant topic, with postings exploding with support for Harris and Walz. There also are discussions ranging from the serious, such as capital gains taxes, to the more silly side such as debate Bingo, which was quite popular during the historic Harris-Trump encounter. This is one group that is having plenty of fun, judging by the variety of postings. As Richardson tells it, Not all of the members are Democrats. Republicans and independents are involved. Some are life-long Republicans who are fed up with the direction of the Republican Party. The lions share of members are from Boise and Meridian, with fair in the larger cities such as Nampa, Idaho Falls, Coeur dAlene and Pocatello. Richardson estimates that 4,000 live in rural areas the heart of Trump country in Idaho. Since the group is private, theres no danger of Trump-supporting husbands or fellow church-goers finding out. Yes, there still is sensitivity to those things in Idaho. I know a little something about that game. The first race I followed was 1960, with John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. My father was a strong-minded Republican, and Nixon was the only candidate worth talking about in our Osburn household. I found out many years later that my mother, who pretended to back Nixon, ended up voting for Kennedy. Today, women in Idaho who cant stand Trump have an outlet through Richardsons and Seeleys group. The issues are clear-cut, according to Seely. Its about womens health care and we are watching our rights dissolve, whether pregnant or not. I dont understand why a woman would be voting for this kind of control. We are losing so much and will continue to lose if we dont get out and vote for the right people. And thats not just voting for Democrats. Its (supporting) Republicans who have not drunk the Kool-Aid from the MAGA and IFF (Idaho Freedom Foundation) here in Idaho. Richardson says Idahos group is the second-largest group in the country on a per-capita basis (with North Carolina being No. 1. Weve created a community where people have meaningful conversations. We have a wide range of political experience, with some who have been involved all their lives. For others, this is the first time. The group, which has sister organizations throughout the country, has adopted Nevada, one of the battleground states that will decide the election. And there are forces in the Gem State who are available to send text messages, make phone calls, write postcards and knock on doors. Richardson and Seeley say the group is available to help in other states as well. Richardson, a veteran of political campaigns, doesnt expect the Harris-Walz ticket to carry Idaho. But the final tally might end up closer than expected, and the groups influence could carry over to some legislative races. Well see what happens on Nov. 5. Chuck Malloy is a long-time Idaho journalist and columnist. He may be reached at ctmalloy@outlook.com. Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, and Democratic vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, arrive to a campaign event at Wright Bros. Aero, Inc. on Aug. 18, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Idaho is as red as it gets on the electoral map, but youd never know that from the turnout at the iconic Egyptian Theater in downtown Boise on the August night that Vice President Kamala Harris accepted her partys nomination. The enthusiastic convention crowd in Chicago had nothing over the group gathered in Boise. No doubt there were more than a few wearing Chucks (shoe style) and pearls, which are part of Harris fashion attire. It was the next best thing to being at the convention, said Betty Richardson, a former U.S. attorney and Democratic congressional candidate who along with Louise Seeley is heading a group called Idaho Women for Harris-Walz. As Richardson tells it, enthusiasm for the Harris-Walz ticket is through the roof. Its especially high after President Joe Biden bowed out of the race. Richardson was among the Democrats who knew that a change at the top of the ticket was needed after Bidens stumbling debate performance in June. What she didnt know was how much the interest would grow in the aftermath. This quiet little group of about 10,000 attracted more than 3,000 more members since Biden dropped out. And theres even more interest in the wake of Harris debate performance. Richardson says members are encouraged to engage in discussions, and they are not shy about doing so. The presidential race is the dominant topic, with postings exploding with support for Harris and Walz. There also are discussions ranging from the serious, such as capital gains taxes, to the more silly side such as debate Bingo, which was quite popular during the historic Harris-Trump encounter. This is one group that is having plenty of fun, judging by the variety of postings. As Richardson tells it, Not all of the members are Democrats. Republicans and independents are involved. Some are life-long Republicans who are fed up with the direction of the Republican Party. The lions share of members are from Boise and Meridian, with fair in the larger cities such as Nampa, Idaho Falls, Coeur dAlene and Pocatello. Richardson estimates that 4,000 live in rural areas the heart of Trump country in Idaho. Since the group is private, theres no danger of Trump-supporting husbands or fellow church-goers finding out. Yes, there still is sensitivity to those things in Idaho. I know a little something about that game. The first race I followed was 1960, with John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. My father was a strong-minded Republican, and Nixon was the only candidate worth talking about in our Osburn household. I found out many years later that my mother, who pretended to back Nixon, ended up voting for Kennedy. Today, women in Idaho who cant stand Trump have an outlet through Richardsons and Seeleys group. The issues are clearcut, according to Seely. Its about womens health care and we are watching our rights dissolve, whether pregnant or not. I dont understand why a woman would be voting for this kind of control. We are losing so much and will continue to lose if we dont get out and vote for the right people. And thats not just voting for Democrats. Its (supporting) Republicans who have not drunk the Kool-Aid from the MAGA and IFF (Idaho Freedom Foundation) here in Idaho. Richardson says Idahos group is the second-largest group in the country on a per-capita basis (with North Carolina being No. 1. Weve created a community where people have meaningful conversations. We have a wide range of political experience, with some who have been involved all their lives. For others, this is the first time. The group, which has sister organizations throughout the country, has adopted Nevada, one of the battleground states that will decide the election. And there are forces in the Gem State who are available to send text messages, make phone calls, write postcards and knock on doors. Richardson and Seeley say the group is available to help in other states as well. Richardson, a veteran of political campaigns, doesnt expect the Harris-Walz ticket to carry Idaho. But the final tally might end up closer than expected, and the groups influence could carry over to some legislative races. Well see what happens on Nov. 5. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Donald Trump is back on the crypto grind, even though he doesnt seem to understand it. On Monday, the Republican presidential nominee used the buzz of his campaign to formally announce a cryptocurrency project that he and his sons have been teasing since August: World Liberty Financial. The decentralized finance, or DeFi, project has been likened to a get-rich-quick scheme for the former president should he retake the White House in November. But when asked directly about it on Monday, Trump seemed to lack for detailsnot just on World Liberty Financial but also on what cryptocurrency is in general. Why is it so important for America to lead in cryptocurrency adoption and innovation? asked an audience member on the far-right streaming network Real Americas Voice. Its A.I., its so many other things. You know, A.I., speaking of an interest in future, it needs tremendous electricity capability beyond anything Ive ever heard, Trump started. If you take all the electricity coming out of the U.S., in order to have it to be dominant in A.I. you need twice that amount. Just for this one thing. Who would make that? You need twice the electricity we already have. China is already building electric plants, he continued, completely dodging the question. They want to build them for the A.I., and its very important, but you need tremendous electricand in this country, because of our strong environmental impact statement problems that we have, you know, China doesnt have those problems. Trump allies have decried the slow rollout of World Liberty Financial as a mistake. The DeFi project, spearheaded by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, has ushered in an onslaught of misinformation. Fraudsters have relentlessly attacked it, compromising the social media accounts of Republican National Committee Co-Chair Lara Trump and Tiffany Trump, and sending supporters to fake websites with inaccurate details about the platform. False Telegram channels posing as the official World Liberty Financial channel have also drawn thousands of users to a host of misinformation, thwarted only by the Trump brothers loose warnings not to click on unaffiliated links and avoid scams. Trump has increasingly tried to frame himself as a pro-crypto candidate in this election cycle. At a bitcoin conference in Nashville in July, Trump promised to build out a strategic national bitcoin reserve if elected, according to CoinDesk. But the former presidents recent investments would show that his change of heart on the digital assets isnt all an act. Financial disclosures released in August show that Trump has $7.15 million coming from a source labeled NFT INT., likely referring to his NFT series. Hes also kept a stockpile of cash in the new-wave currencies, with the disclosure listing roughly $5 million in crypto. The Illinois Supreme Court on Tuesday heard arguments in one of Chicagos most closely followed low-level felony cases when attorneys for Jussie Smollett appeared before the states highest court in Springfield seeking to overturn his convictions nearly three years after he was convicted of staging a fake hate crime. The former Empire actor was convicted by a jury of five of six counts of disorderly conduct in December of 2021 for lying to the police on Jan. 29, 2019, when he reported that two men attacked him in the Loop, hitting him, yelling homophobic slurs and placing a noose around his neck. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation and $130,160 in restitution. But Smollett has yet to serve the sentence, as a lengthy appeal has wound its way through the system. A lower court previously affirmed the convictions in a 2-1 decision, but the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in possibly the actors last chance to avoid a stint in jail and have his convictions wiped away. Largely at issue throughout the appeal has been a decision by the Cook County states attorneys office to drop charges against Smollett, a move that at the time embroiled States Attorney Kim Foxx and her office in controversy. On Tuesday, Supreme Court justices fired questions at attorneys for both Smollett and the state, digging into the matter of what constitutes an agreement with prosecutors. Prosecutorial agreements that induce a defendants specific performance should be enforced irrespective of how unpopular a defendant is in the public eye, Smolletts attorney Nenye Uche said during the proceeding in the state capital. In essence, we harken back to the age-long principal of a deal is a deal. Cook County prosecutors had charged Smollett with disorderly conduct for concocting the hoax with brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who testified that he paid them to perpetrate the attack, but about a month later prosecutors dropped all counts against him, noting that he forfeited his $10,000 bond and had done community service. Foxx previously handed the case to deputies, saying she had recused herself. Former Cook County Judge Michael Toomin appointed Dan Webb, a former U.S. attorney, as special prosecutor amid scrutiny around the decision, finding, among other things, that Foxx had improperly recused herself. Webb eventually refiled charges. Smolletts attorneys have argued that the dropped charges amounted to an agreement between prosecutors and the actor, and that double jeopardy had attached when Smollett forfeited the bail money, though attorneys for the state contended that prosecutors who drop charges are not precluded from refiling charges in the same case. The Appellate Court largely sided with the state, though one justice dissented arguing that Smollett gave up something of value, community service and bond forfeiture, in exchange for a nolle of the whole indictment. Sean Wieber, a special assistant attorney general, told the justices there is no court record of a non-prosecution agreement between the state and Smollett. He also noted the community service Smollett did was prior to the dropped charges and not a forward-looking punishment. During the two-week trial, the jury was presented with an overwhelming amount of evidence that established the defendant orchestrated a fake hate crime and falsely reported it to the CPD as a real hate crime, Wieber said. Uche, though, argued that Smollett gave up his property, in the form of the money. He noted that the money was never returned to his client. This case is even more heightened by the fact that the government has essentially walked into court and converted a citizens property and walked away with it, Uche said, They want to keep his money and prosecute him so imagine the dangers for our criminal justice system where prosecutors will be essentially conducting illegal takings for the government. Justice Elizabeth Rochford raised the issue to Wieber, saying, What he did do was exchange something of value, his time in community service and the $10,000 bond. Wieber has said Smollett voluntarily surrendered the funds. The justices also questioned Uche about evidence supporting his contention that Smollett had entered into an agreement with prosecutors. I noticed that your opponent made the argument that there was no evidence in the record to support the agreement you talk about, Justice P. Scott Neville asked Uche. Uche replied that the prosecutors in court stated that Smollett had agreed to forfeit the bond. Uche, though, left the door open for an evidentiary hearing in a lower court if there are factual disputes. Even if I disagree and it should be reversed, and I humbly ask for that, but even if this court was to say, were not sure, we want to know what happened, were OK with an evidentiary hearing, he said. CHICAGO The Illinois Supreme Court on Tuesday heard arguments in one of Chicagos most closely followed low-level felony cases when attorneys for Jussie Smollett appeared before the states highest court in Springfield seeking to overturn his convictions nearly three years after he was convicted of staging a fake hate crime. The former Empire actor was convicted by a jury of five of six counts of disorderly conduct in December of 2021 for lying to the police on Jan. 29, 2019, when he reported that two men attacked him in the Loop, hitting him, yelling homophobic slurs and placing a noose around his neck. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation and $130,160 in restitution. But Smollett has yet to serve the sentence, as a lengthy appeal has wound its way through the system. A lower court previously affirmed the convictions in a 2-1 decision, but the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in possibly the actors last chance to avoid a stint in jail and have his convictions wiped away. Largely at issue throughout the appeal has been a decision by the Cook County states attorneys office to drop charges against Smollett, a move that at the time embroiled States Attorney Kim Foxx and her office in controversy. On Tuesday, Supreme Court justices fired questions at attorneys for both Smollett and the state, digging into the matter of what constitutes an agreement with prosecutors. Prosecutorial agreements that induce a defendants specific performance should be enforced irrespective of how unpopular a defendant is in the public eye, Smolletts attorney Nenye Uche said during the proceeding in the state capital. In essence, we harken back to the age-long principal of a deal is a deal. Cook County prosecutors had charged Smollett with disorderly conduct for concocting the hoax with brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who testified that he paid them to perpetrate the attack, but about a month later prosecutors dropped all counts against him, noting that he forfeited his $10,000 bond and had done community service. Foxx previously handed the case to deputies, saying she had recused herself. Former Cook County Judge Michael Toomin appointed Dan Webb, a former U.S. attorney, as special prosecutor amid scrutiny around the decision, finding, among other things, that Foxx had improperly recused herself. Webb eventually refiled charges. Smolletts attorneys have argued that the dropped charges amounted to an agreement between prosecutors and the actor, and that double jeopardy had attached when Smollett forfeited the bail money, though attorneys for the state contended that prosecutors who drop charges are not precluded from refiling charges in the same case. The Appellate Court largely sided with the state, though one justice dissented arguing that Smollett gave up something of value, community service and bond forfeiture, in exchange for a nolle of the whole indictment. Sean Wieber, a special assistant attorney general, told the justices there is no court record of a non-prosecution agreement between the state and Smollett. He also noted the community service Smollett did was prior to the dropped charges and not a forward-looking punishment. During the two-week trial, the jury was presented with an overwhelming amount of evidence that established the defendant orchestrated a fake hate crime and falsely reported it to the CPD as a real hate crime, Wieber said. Uche, though, argued that Smollett gave up his property, in the form of the money. He noted that the money was never returned to his client. This case is even more heightened by the fact that the government has essentially walked into court and converted a citizens property and walked away with it, Uche said, They want to keep his money and prosecute him so imagine the dangers for our criminal justice system where prosecutors will be essentially conducting illegal takings for the government. Justice Elizabeth Rochford raised the issue to Wieber, saying, What he did do was exchange something of value, his time in community service and the $10,000 bond. Wieber has said Smollett voluntarily surrendered the funds. The justices also questioned Uche about evidence supporting his contention that Smollett had entered into an agreement with prosecutors. I noticed that your opponent made the argument that there was no evidence in the record to support the agreement you talk about, Justice P. Scott Neville asked Uche. Uche replied that the prosecutors in court stated that Smollett had agreed to forfeit the bond. Uche, though, left the door open for an evidentiary hearing in a lower court if there are factual disputes. Even if I disagree and it should be reversed, and I humbly ask for that, but even if this court was to say, were not sure, we want to know what happened, were OK with an evidentiary hearing, he said. ____ An Illinois Truck Driver Was Found Dead With a Rope Around His Neck. Was Javion MaGee Lynched? This story contains discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. As a truck driver, Javion MaGee found freedom traveling outside of his hometown of Aurora, Illinois, and seeing other parts of the country. Last week, the 21-year-old was found dead in Henderson, North Carolina, his body lying against a tree with a rope around his neck, police said. The next day, a young woman who identified herself as MaGees older cousin took to social media to demand answers from the Vance County Sheriffs Office and the countys medical examiner. She said the coroners office was giving Javions mother a hard time with allowing her to identify the body because of the state its in. MaGees body was found on Sept. 11 sitting up with his back up against the tree with a rope around his neck, and the top of the rope up in the tree limb, according to the sheriffs office. This is very devastating for my family, MaGees cousin said in the viral video. On Monday, police released video surveillance that shows MaGee purchased blue rope from Walmart the night before his body was found, and a call to 911 reporting his death. Capital B has reached out to the cousin and the familys attorney for comment. Candice Matthews, a family spokeswoman, told the TRiiBE on Monday that the video doesnt prove anything. As a truck driver, this is part of the equipment used for loads. This is part of his job and part of the equipment thats used to tie down loads, Matthews said. The idea of her little cousin dying by suicide, which she says was a narrative given by police, is something we obviously dont believe, she said. As rumors quickly spread on social media, the family has been left with more questions than answers. Its a feeling many Black people have every time there is a report of another Black person found hanging or dead under suspicious circumstances, especially in a Southern state it evokes the painful history of lynching in America. Weve heard stories like this time and again, from Emmett Till in Mississippi to Edward Roach in Roxboro, North Carolina, and were not going to let Javion MaGees story get swept under the rug, Lee Merritt, one of the attorneys representing Javions family, said in a press release on Sept. 13. This is 2024, not 1924. MaGees death last week quickly drew concerns from civil rights activists, especially since North Carolina has dozens of known hate and anti-government groups, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Yet, Sheriff Curtis R. Brame, who is Black, seemed to dismiss the possibility of a lynching in an interview with WTVD-TV in Raleigh-Durham because of the way the rope was tied around MaGees neck. There was not a noose, there was not a knot in the rope, Brame said at the beginning of the interview. Theres been information put out there that theres a lynching in Vance County. There is not a lynching in Vance County. The young man was not dangling from a tree. He was not swinging from a tree. The rope was wrapped around his neck, Brame said minutes later to the TV news outlet. It was not a noose. It was not a knot in the rope, he repeated and added, So, therefore, it was not a lynching here in Vance County. Yet, the attorneys representing the family and civil rights leader Bishop William Barber II say the way MaGee was found needs to be taken more seriously and the Souths history cant be ignored. We must have truth transparency in this matter, said Barber II in the Sept. 13 joint press release with Merritt and attorneys Harry Daniels and Jason Keith. Hanging is not a form of death that can be easily dismissed, particularly here in the South, where it has been used as a weapon of terror against Black families for generations. The perception of lynching has shifted since the days when postcards depicted brutalized Black people of all ages hanging from trees by nooses, particularly following Tills 1955 murder by a racist mob. Since then, the idea of lynching has expanded to include not only historical acts of racial terror, but also various forms of racially motivated violence and injustices. To find somebody hanging from a tree, it should provoke a strong response from whatever investigative body that is examining the case, given the countrys history with lynching, Keith Taylor, a retired assistant commissioner with the New York City Police Department, told Capital B in a previous interview after Yolna Lobrins death in Orlando, Florida, last September. Brame was confronted by the ABC11 reporter about whether MaGee died by suicide. The sheriff responded that suicide is not a conclusion he would draw without the medical examiners report a different narrative than MaGees cousin said was given by police. And the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations are involved with the investigation, the sheriff said. Capital B has reached out to the North Carolina Officer of the Chief Medical Examine for comment about MaGees autopsy report and has not heard back. The post An Illinois Truck Driver Was Found Dead With a Rope Around His Neck. Was Javion MaGee Lynched? appeared first on Capital B News. If you watched last weeks presidential debate or clips from it, you probably heard my hometown of Springfield, Ohio, referenced in a less-than-favorable way. The back-and-forth has ignited a surge of outside opinions on our local situation. Ive been both a foreigner and a community leader. Ive lived in Springfield for nearly 25 years, but I spent 14 of my first 18 years in Latin America as the child of missionaries. I know what its like to live as an immigrant, adapting to new customs and cultures. Ive also served as a pastor in Springfield for nearly two decades, and since 2021, Ive had the privilege to lead one of its larger churches. With an influx of 15,000-20,000 Haitian seeking refuge here, Springfield has become a focal point in the immigration policy debate. But I cant help noticing that few, if any, of the talking heads actually call Springfield home. Our church, like many other churches, including those led by Haitian believers, are doing our best to meet needs and bridge cross-cultural divides. But that starts with what we Christians call discipleship, learning to think about this unique situation and every situation first and foremost not as Republicans or Democrats but as followers of Jesus, seeking to respond to human beings whom the Bible tells us are made in Gods image. Immigration crisis stems from federal mismanagement Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck releases a statement in September 2024 saying there's no evidence of any cats or other pets being harmed or eaten by the Haitian immigrants. Springfield, a central Ohio city of 58,000 about 50 miles west of Columbus, is experiencing a "significant housing crisis," according to a letter from Heck. He says the city's Haitian population has increased to 15,000-20,000 in recent years. Government of course does have an important role to play as well, which in a well-functioning democracy should be informed by the perspectives of the people on the ground not by rumors or social media memes. Most of us in Springfield recognize that this crisis stems from federal mismanagement. These policies were shaped in Washington, D.C., with little regard for the local municipalities left to handle the consequences. 'Please stop the hate': The reality of immigrants vs. hate in Springfield, Ohio While Washington can be blamed for policy failures, the responsibility for how we treat one another rests with us. My experiences give me a unique perspective not only to speak to what is happening in Springfield but to also offer guidance that would help a divided community respond better and thrive again. Immigration is a part of our heritage Whether you subscribe to a Christian worldview or not, we all share a common heritage of immigration. For those whose faith is shaped by the Bible, the story of Gods people is one of migration from the Old Testament to the spread of Christianity through the early church. And those outside the faith would agree that Americas history is rooted in immigration. No group can tell its story without acknowledging immigrations impact. Sadly, every story of every people group in America is marred by injustice and oppression. Maybe it is because of those challenges within our history that there is more common ground on immigration than many of us realize, including within the church. A Haitian chef explains his community: 'Our food also comes out of struggle' According to Lifeway Research, 91% of evangelical Americans want secure borders; 91% of evangelicals alsowant policies that reflect the human dignity of every person and that respect the unity of families. We do not need to choose between security and compassion, but can insist on policies that do both. This moment in our country could be a do-over. We have the opportunity to forge a safer, stronger and more compassionate community by addressing immigration challenges while never losing sight of the humanity of those affected immigrant or citizen alike. For people of faith, Jesus provides clear guidance on how we should treat others. In Matthew 22, Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves, putting on the same level our love for others as our love for God. If we think we can love God without loving our neighbors, we are missing all of the Gospel. Not just half of it. 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. To my fellow Christians, I issue this challenge: Lets follow Jesus example. Respond with care and compassion, as he did for the multitudes, and let no opinion leave our lips that lacks the concern he showed, even for those who disagreed with him. Whatever our faith, lets remember that slander comes in many forms. Echoing someone elses talking points without understanding can spread falsehood. And its no less damaging just because someone else said it. If it wouldnt come from the mouth of Jesus, it shouldnt come from ours, either. Jeremy Hudson is the senior pastor of Fellowship Church in Springfield, Ohio. 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 lies about Haitians in Springfield show lack of compassion Immigrants, Tell Me If You're Voting For Kamala Harris Or Donald Trump Hello, everyone! With less than 50 days until Election Day, we're back for another round of BuzzFeed's 2024 Election Diaries! This weekly series highlights different groups of voters nationwide to find out what political issues are most important to them AND who they plan to support for president in 2024. Immigrants have been in the news lately after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump spoused baseless and racist claims about Haitian migrants eating cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio, during last week's presidential debate. WSJ News via YouTube / Via youtube.com "...They're eating the dogs, they're eating the cats, they're eating the pets of the people that live there. This is what's happening in our country, and it's a shame," Trump said. CNN "You bring up Springfield, Ohio. ABC News did reach out to the city manager there. He told us there have been no credible reports of specific claims of pets being harmed, injured, or abused by individuals within the immigrant community," moderator David Muir responded. ABC Since then, Haitian migrants in Springfield have said they fear for their safety as these baseless rumors have been trending. Reportedly, over 30 bomb threats have been called on Springfield schools, causing state police to conduct "daily sweeps." Rebecca Noble / Getty Images We wondered how this story could impact immigrant voters heading into November. So, we're asking members of the BuzzFeed Community who migrated to the US to share if they will be supporting Kamala Harris or Donald Trump and why. Maybe you're from Europe, but you still find Trump's rhetoric offensive to the larger immigrant population, so you're voting for Kamala Harris. Dominic Gwinn / Getty Images Maybe you're an immigrant who doesn't necessarily like Trump's rhetoric, but you're voting for him because you support stricter immigration policies. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Or maybe, you're an immigrant who remains undecided on which candidate will get your vote. Immigrants, we want to hear why you might support Kamala Harris over Donald Trump (or vice versa!) Let us know in the comments below, or fill out this Google form to remain anonymous. If you are reading this and you're not an immigrant, don't worry! New groups of voters will be requested weekly! Also, if you don't qualify for this round but know someone who does, please send it their way! Imperilled Polish town battles to save dyke as flood waters close in An intercity train of the Polish state railroad PKP passes a level crossing in the city. Soeren Stache/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa In south-west Poland, communities were rallying on Tuesday morning to combat severe flooding threatening the town of Nysa. Located about 90 kilometres south of Wrocaw, Nysa is at risk as the Nysa Kodzka river nears the brink of breaching a crucial dyke protecting the town centre. Throughout the night, local residents joined forces with the army and fire brigade to fortify the weakened dyke with sandbags. "There were about 2,000 people on the dyke: women, men, children and senior citizens," Mayor Kordian Kolbiarz told radio station Rmf.fm. People had formed a human chain to transport the sandbags, he said. In the major city of Wrocaw, a crisis management meeting convened with Prime Minister Donald Tusk to address the escalating situation. The Polish government has declared a state of natural disaster in affected areas to streamline authority and enforcement of emergency measures. Tusk said that there were currently contradictory forecasts by meteorologists as to when the floodwaters could reach the city of Wrocaw. While initial predictions suggested the Oder river's waters would reach the city by Wednesday, recent updates now indicate a potential delay until Friday. However, this still needs to be analysed in detail, Tusk said. During the flooding of 1997, one-third of Wrocaw was inundated. At least four people have died from the floods in Poland so far. Thousands of LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones danced and chanted through the inaugural Gender Liberation March in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. Thousands of LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones danced and chanted through the inaugural Gender Liberation March in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (Cole Witter) Your trusted source for contextualizing Election 2024 news. Sign up for our daily newsletter. Under Pride flags, Black Lives Matter flags and Palestinian flags, thousands of LGBTQ+ people and their loved ones danced and chanted through the inaugural Gender Liberation March in Washington, D.C., on Saturday to send one unifying message: that fights for reproductive rights and transgender rights are inextricably linked. The overarching goal here is to make these connections, to get folks to start understanding that all of our rights are on the chopping block, said Raquel Willis, a transgender writer and activist who co-organized the march. She wants to remind Democrats that abortion is also a trans issue, she said in an interview with The 19th. Protesters marched in defiance of state legislation restricting their access to gender-affirming care, of the Supreme Court decision that overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, and of the extreme anti-LGBTQ+ agenda detailed in Project 2025. They traveled to Washington on buses from Atlanta; Baltimore; New York City; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Durham, North Carolina. The protesters wanted to show the powers that be that their power is limited and that trans joy and queer joy do not need permission to exist. On the streets surrounding the U.S. Capitol, roughly 2,000 protesters echoed chants led by Qween Jean, activist and founder of Black Trans Liberation: We are America too, followed by Wake up, wake up, this is your fight too, Abortion is a human right, and Our bodies, our business. Leslie Jennifer Porter, who also goes by Stormy, and Frances George took a bus from New York City that was sponsored by the event organizers. They both listened as high-profile activists and celebrities shared their experiences trying to access abortions, reproductive health care and gender-affirming care. They both marched through Washington to protest the political forces seeking to ban such care. And they each brought their own signs with their own message. George, 25, came to Washington to convey her opposition to the anti-trans legislation that has flooded statehouses in recent years. On a colorful sign, she had drawn bills banning gender-affirming care for minors and Floridas Dont Say Gay bill burning in a fire speckled with gold glitter. Im feeling like my voice has a strong power, she said. Theres more power together. Our voices sound louder, instead of being drowned out by a lot of other people. Porters sign, which she had worked on with friends, carried a simple message of love adorned with a few hearts: I Love Trans Folks, They Are Lovely. Porter, 37, carried that sign past dozens of bicycle police guarding the grounds to the Capitol, as she and other protestors marched to the Supreme Court and back to Columbus Circle. George had felt nervous surrounded by so many police officers along the route. She felt like they could and would find any excuse to arrest her. Other than keeping protesters on the street and off of the sidewalk, the police kept their distance during the march. There were few counter-protesters on the march route. As the march reached the Supreme Court, five men stood and watched across the street. They held an Appeal to Heaven banner symbolic of the far-right and Christian nationalist movement, wore MAGA apparel and held an anti-abortion sign. But those in the Gender Liberation March didnt appear to engage with the counter-protesters, either because they didnt notice them or chose to ignore them. Like Porter, they carried their own declarations of love: a glittery sign reading gender splendor is for everyone, a fathers sign that read walking for my son Nate, he is the best, another that read a world without trans people has never existed. For the march organizers, threading resistance with joy and love was crucial because to them, that joy is the antidote to the policies harming LGBTQ+ people, they said. Thats why a professional DJ was ready to hype up the crowd for a vogue-filled dance party outside the Heritage Foundation headquarters. The conservative foundation is the architect of Project 2025, a policy blueprint for a second Trump administration that would dramatically roll back LGBTQ+ rights. Some of the parents were crying, said Eliel Cruz, a veteran activist and march co-organizer, describing the scene as protesters reached the Heritage Foundation building, and some started dancing. When youre in states where youre having to nonstop fight these attacks and maybe flee, you just never get a chance for joy. One of the families on Cruzs mind is 17-year-old Daniel Trujillo and his parents from Tucson, Arizona. For years, Daniel and his mom, Lizette Trujillo, have driven back and forth to the states capital to testify against anti-LGBTQ+ bills and speak out against efforts to ban the gender-affirming care that Daniel relies on. On Saturday, Trujillo wasnt just at the Gender Liberation March to support her transgender son she was there as someone who chose to have an abortion at 22 and who suffered a miscarriage at 40. At Columbus Circle, with the Capitol building in the distance behind her, Trujillo said that when she saw everyone dance outside the Heritage Foundation, she felt herself start to sob. The last six years have been exhausting, she said. Weve been targeted by Breitbart, doxxed, spent many nights worried about Daniels safety. But all this worry has only fueled our advocacy, she said. Another parent of a transgender child, Stephen Chukumba, took the stage in D.C. by reading the names of young trans people who were killed or had died by the age of 25. The list was long, and included instances of lethal or near-lethal violence perpetrated on trans youth by other children. Chukumbas own son is 18. This hateful rhetoric is seeping into the psyches of our children, turning them into weapons its not just a war on trans people, its a war on all people, he said. Children are being groomed by a society that teaches them to fear difference. Hate is a learned behavior. Multiple speakers at the Gender Liberation March urged for action and warned against apathy in the face of rising violence against trans people. Some of us wont make it to the land we are trying to create. But the babies are watching us, said activist Aaryn Lang on Saturday, outside the Supreme Court. We do not have the luxury of treating very real threats like a difference of opinion They really want us dead, yall. They want us gone, today. So please, again, to the people with resources and power, quit acting like you cant do anything. Cruz said that advocates had seen a glaring lack of inclusion of trans issues in campaign conversations leading up to the presidential election. Mobilizations like these are definitely meant to push and remind and urge our electeds that were making these connections and are paying attention, and we need them to as well, Cruz said. Participants walk in the inaugural Gender Liberation March in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. Protesters marched in defiance of state legislation restricting their access to gender-affirming care, of the Supreme Court decision that overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, and of the extreme anti-LGBTQ+ agenda detailed in Project 2025. (Cole Witter) Organizers scheduled the march before President Joe Biden gave up his bid for a second term in the White House and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee. At the time, Democrats were predicting that former President Donald Trump would win the election and implement extremist anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Since Harris became the Democratic nominee, the tenor of the election has shifted. But Cruz and others say LGBTQ+ Americans face an existential crisis no matter who takes the White House next year. Organizers want Democratic leaders to speak explicitly about the vitriol against trans kids and adults. Its clear that speaking directly about the attacks, particularly on trans, non-binary folks, feels like a liability to a lot of our democratic leaders, Willis told The 19th in an interview ahead of the march. Theres really nothing but insinuation around being your full self in this country and having the freedom of that but really little to no direct nods to the attacks on trans people happening across the country, she added. Advocates have fumed about the lack of meaningful engagement on LGBTQ+ issues from the media. At the September 10 debate between Harris and Trump, moderators didnt ask any questions about LGBTQ+ issues. The debate included only one mention of LGBTQ Americans, a smear against transgender people that went unchallenged, said a statement from Sarah Kate Ellis, president of GLAAD, the nations largest LGBTQ+ media advocacy group. Campaign reporters and debate moderators are urged to ask questions that reveal a candidates records, views and plans for LGBTQ Americans, so that our community is included as they are in everyday life, not simply as political talking points. LGBTQ+ people and their allies increasingly represent one of the most powerful, if not forgotten, voting blocs in the nation, advocates argue. LGBTQ+ people make up eight percent of the population, according to census data. Two years ago, The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a national LGBTQ+ rights organization, published a report which found that queer voters would likely make up a fifth of the electorate by 2040. Even in 2024, their influence is expected to be outsized. GLAAD reported in February that 94 percent of LGBTQ+ people surveyed said they were likely to vote in this years presidential election. And LGBTQ+ voters arent the only ones voting on LGBTQ+ issues, advocates point out. HRC has increasingly identified Equality Voters, people who are not LGBTQ+ but vote with LGBTQ+ issues in mind. The organization reported that 75 million Americans are motivated to vote on LGBTQ+ rights. A few steps from the large-scale replica of the Liberty Bell that marks the center of Columbus Circle, actor Elliot Page and Stonewall veteran Miss Major Griffin-Gracy took the stage at the march. The Trans Latina Coalition, the Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project, and WeTestify, an organization that shares personal stories about abortion access, brought speakers as well. Everyones bodily autonomy and self-determination is under attack, Willis said in a statement after the march. While this movement centers trans and nonbinary people, women of all experiences, and those who may need abortion or IVF access at some point in their lives, we are fighting for everyones right to make decisions about their own bodies. The Gender Liberation Movement, the volunteer-run group that organized the march, intends to come back to Washington when the Supreme Court begins arguments for L.W. v. Skrmetti, the case that will determine whether gender-affirming care bans for transgender youth are unconstitutional. Those arguments are expected to take place in December at the earliest. When Willis took the stage on Saturday, she had a message for everyone to take home with them: I want every generation to come, to know that no matter how you live, how you love, what you look like, how you work, how you twerk, how you twirl, no matter what your dreams or fears or desires are, we do bear fruit. The post The inaugural Gender Liberation March linked the fights for reproductive and transgender rights appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. The Rhode Island Board of Elections will consider a complaint from Senate District 8 independent candidate Cathyann Baker Palocsik, who is objecting to Democratic state officials' substitution of Lori Urso as their nominee for the November ballot. (Photo courtesy of Cathyann Palocsik) The independent candidate vying to represent Pawtuckets Senate District 8 is contesting the process by which Democrat Lori Urso was tapped to run as the party nominee, filling the spot left open after State Sen. Sandra Cano resigned. In a complaint filed with the Rhode Island Board of Elections Monday, Cathyann Palocsik contended Ursos nomination was flawed and should be rejected a request which, if approved, would leave Palocsik as the only candidate in the race. Palocsik is among the critics, including Democrats, who took issue with the closed process in which Urso was picked to take Canos spot on the November ballot. Cano, first elected in 2018, announced late Thursday two days after the primary that she was stepping down from her seat in the Senate and ending her reelection bid, citing an unspecified job opportunity. Less than 24 hours later, Rhode Island State Democratic Party Chair Liz Beretta-Perik named Urso as the partys chosen replacement, following votes held by the Senate District 8 Committee and the state partys executive committee. Palocsik, who ran against Cano as a Republican in 2022, losing by more than 30-percentage points, blasted the partys attempted coronation in a statement Monday. The upcoming hearing at the Board of Elections will reveal how the attempted coronation of a new candidate by the State Democrat party leaders has failed, Palocsik said. I am running to represent the interests of the great people of Pawtucket; not the special interests, insiders and party bosses. Fatal error in process The legal complaint, filed by her lawyer, former House Minority Whip Nicholas Gorham, points to more specific problems with the process: namely, which group gets to choose a replacement nominee. The complaint refers to a clause in state election law which authorizes either the state committee of that party or a duly authorized subcommittee or the appropriate city, town, ward, or district committee or any duly authorized subcommittee of them to appoint a nominee if a candidate drops out within three days after the primary. Gorham insists that in the case of a state Senate race, the deciding body should have been the Senate district committee. Its pretty clear to me, he said in an interview Tuesday. I read it about 100 times, and its clear that the district committee has exclusive jurisdiction in circumstances to nominate someone to run in the House or Senate district that committee serves. According to Palocsiks complaint, this error is fatal to Lori Ursos nomination. But Beretta-Perik contends differently, insisting she was advised by Rob Rock, deputy secretary of state, that the appointment power lay with her as state party chair. Faith Chybowski, a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Department of State, confirmed this interpretation of the law in an email Tuesday. The R.I. Department of State maintains that State Senators and Representatives are state officers as defined in Rhode Island General Law 17-1-2, and as such, pursuant to Rhode Island General Law 17-15-38, a new party nominee is selected by the state committee, Chybowski wrote. Even if it was, in fact, the district committee that was supposed to appoint a candidate, Beretta-Perik said the complaint still had no merit. Urso was unanimously endorsed by the five-member Senate District 8 Democratic Committee prior to Beretta-Periks nomination, proof of which was documented in the paperwork submitted to the state. We have a letter from the district committee, she said. If, in fact, that is what the BOE wants, as far as I am concerned we have followed the procedure. Gorhams response: Then the state party shouldnt have been the one to send it. The complaint asks for a hearing before the state elections panel to determine whether Urso can remain on the ballot, though Gorham says he believes she has already been disqualified. The Rhode Island Board of Elections will consider the request at its meeting Wednesday. Past attempts to challenge candidates appointed by party officials after a primary have been tossed by the state elections board. However, those challenges, in the 2014 gubernatorial race and 2010 lieutenant governors race, did not pertain to legislative races. I dont think this has ever come up in this context, said Gorham. Gorham served 10 years in the Rhode Island House of Representatives as a Republican representing parts of Foster, Glocester, and Coventry. He declined to say when he was hired by Palocsik, citing attorney-client privilege. We have a letter from the district committee. If, in fact, that is what the BOE wants, as far as I am concerned we have followed the procedure. Rhode Island State Democratic Party Chair Liz Beretta-Perik State and local Democrats, including legislators representing Pawtucket, have expressed frustration with the nomination process, which removed the choice from voters and would-be candidates. Beretta-Perik acknowledged the highly unusual circumstances. I understand why people are upset, she said. Obviously, life changes and things happen. But voters initial discomfort does not mean the nomination process was ilillegal, Beretta-Perik said. Beretta-Perik praised Urso, who she met for the first time via a Zoom interview Friday, for her professional experience and community involvement. Urso has worked since 2014 as president and CEO of the Old Slater Mill Association and Slater Industrial Archives, and formerly served as deputy chief of staff to Canos fiance, General Treasurer James Diossa. She also served one term on the Westerly Town Council, from 2000 to 2002, and managed Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebiens primary reelection campaign. We were all very impressed by her, Beretta-Perik said. She did an outstanding job in presenting to us and answering questions. And as Urso pointed out, the party nomination does not guarantee Urso a seat in the state legislature. What I was given was the opportunity to campaign for office and run for office, Urso said in an interview Tuesday. I will do that vigorously and wholeheartedly. The state elections panel meets at 2 p.m. Wednesday at its offices in Cranston. The meeting will also be streamed on its YouTube page. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand The backbone of Indias fighter jet fleet is the Russian-designed Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and the country recently ordered 240 engines to keep the fleet airborne for years to come. Following approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security earlier this month, officials signed a deal with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to supply the so-called AL-31FP engines. The contract, worth more than 260 billion rupees or US$3.1 billion, will see the first engine handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) after a year. All will be delivered within eight years, according to a Ministry of Defence statement, with production of 30 annually. Made by HAL under Russian license, the engines currently feature local content of 54%. However, the company plans to boost the ratio to 63% by tapping Indias defense manufacturing ecosystem. This would also increase the indigenous content of repair and overhaul tasks of the aero engines, said the ministry. It further stated, These aero engines will be manufactured by the Koraput Division of HAL, and are expected to fulfill the needs of the Indian Air Force to sustain the operational capability of the Su-30 fleet for the defense preparedness of the country. Notably, India chose to stick with AL-31FP engines, even as Russia is upgrading its Su-30SM fighters with the newer and more powerful AL-41FS. Incidentally, the IAF is buying twelve new Su-30MKIs from HAL for $1.3 billion to make up for losses. This purchase was approved in September 2023. The air service has approximately 260 Su-30MKIs, six of which traveled to Exercise Pitch Black 2024 in Australia in July. The Indian detachment commander, Group Captain Ajay Rathi, praised the platform: With its advanced avionics, thrust vectoring and superior payload capacity, the aircraft is capable of undertaking offensive and defensive missions, to execute strategic and tactical operations. He described its key capabilities as its long range, maneuverability, firepower and effectiveness in contested environments. Last November, Indias Defence Acquisition Council signed off on a major upgrade program for 84 Su-30MKIs. HAL Chairman and Managing Director C.B. Ananthakrishnan subsequently told The Economic Times: The upgrade will see significant private-sector participation, with HAL as the lead integrator. Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, the Air Forces top officer, said the project would upgrade 51 aircraft systems, with 78% of the content being indigenous. HAL is responsible for 30 elements, while the private sector will upgrade eight systems. Once implemented, the upgrade will include installation of the Virupaksha active electronically scanned array radar, a new electronic-warfare system, and a domestic infrared search and track system. Demonstrators react as smoke billows from a tear gas shell fired by police to disperse the protesters, in Imphal Demonstrators react as smoke billows from a tear gas shell fired by police to disperse the protesters, in Imphal NEW DELHI (Reuters) -The Indian government is in talks seeking to resolve a long-running conflict between two ethnic communities in the northeastern state of Manipur, Interior Minister Amit Shah said at a press conference on Tuesday. Internet and mobile data services were restored in Manipur on Monday, official orders showed, after being suspended in some areas last week when student protests turned violent amid fresh fighting between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki groups. "We hope that we will be able bring the situation (in Manipur) under control," Shah told reporters at an event outlining the first 100 days of the third term of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. "If both (ethnic groups) do not come to an understanding, there won't be a resolution to the matter," Shah said, adding that the government was prepared with a "road map" outlining a range of efforts for the coming days. Manipur's government is led by Modi and Shah's Bharatiya Janata Party. The local government imposed a curfew in the Imphal Valley and surrounding districts last week, and government and private colleges in the state, which borders Myanmar, were also ordered shut for a few days. Schools are set to reopen on Tuesday, according to a government order, while a partial curfew is still in effect. At least 225 people have died and some 60,000 have been displaced since fighting broke out last year between the Meitei and Kuki communities over the sharing of economic benefits and quotas in government jobs and education that are given to the tribal Kukis. (Reporting by Pushkala Aripaka, and Tora Agarwala in Guwahati, India; Editing by Sonali Paul) Thousands of doctors in Kolkata have been protesting the rape and murder of their colleague [Getty Images] The Indian state of West Bengal has agreed to remove the police chief of its capital, Kolkata, following a meeting with doctors protesting the rape and murder of their colleague. Two other senior officials - the director of medical education and the director of health services - will also be removed, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said. Thousands of junior doctors in the state have been on a strike since 9 August, when the body of the 31-year-old woman was found at the state-run hospital where she worked. The crime sparked nationwide outrage and concerns about the safety of health workers in India. A hospital volunteer was arrested in connection with the case, which is now being investigated by a federal agency. The protesting doctors have voiced five key changes: justice for the victim, the removal of senior police officials, and enhanced security for health workers, among them. On Monday, Banerjee announced the government had accepted some of their demands. "The commissioner of Kolkata Police will be removed on Tuesday evening and there will be some more changes," she said at a midnight press conference, held after a five-hour meeting with a delegation of protesters. The decision has raised hopes for junior doctors resuming work - but protesters have said they would decide their next steps only after the promises made by the government are fulfilled. The woman's murder has sparked an outpouring of anger, especially in West Bengal. A series of protests have taken place since the killing. The largest saw tens of thousands of women across West Bengal participating in the Reclaim the Night march on 14 August to demand "independence to live in freedom and without fear". While protests died down in other parts of India, doctors in Kolkata refused to back down till all their demands are met. Thousands of them have set up camp outside the state's health department headquarters, defying a Supreme Court order for them to return to work, which was passed last week. Authorities had earlier invited the protesters for a meeting with the chief minister but the doctors insisted on livestreaming the meeting, which the government declined. The protests have put the West Bengal government on the back foot. Courts criticised the local administration and police for lapses in the handling of the case, which they have denied. The state government has said that 23 people have died after not accessing medical services during the strike. But the protesting doctors say they have ensured that emergency services are not affected. On Monday, Banerjee announced that no action will be taken against protesting doctors for abstaining from work. India's Supreme Court has said the incident had "shocked the conscience of the nation" and criticised authorities for their handling of the investigation. Banerjee's government has announced a slew of measures for women's safety at workplaces, including designated retiring rooms and CCTV-monitored "safe zones" at state-run hospitals. India's northeastern state of Manipur, which borders Myanmar, has suffered more than a year of ethnic violence (Findlay KEMBER) (Findlay KEMBER/AFP/AFP) Schools reopened in India's northeastern state of Manipur on Tuesday, more than a week after they shuttered due to deadly ethnic violence and clashes between protesters and police, the local government said. Fighting broke out in Manipur in May 2023 between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community, an ethnic conflict that has since killed at least 200 people. Since then, communities have splintered into rival groups across swaths of the northeastern state, which borders war-torn Myanmar. After months of relative calm, an uptick in violence again this month saw at least 11 people killed, including by insurgents reportedly firing rockets and dropping bombs with drones. Subsequent demonstrations by Meitei students against the fighting in the state capital Imphal turned violent, prompting the authorities to issue a curfew and an internet blackout in parts of the state. The violence has since abated, and a government order said "normal classes will resume for all schools in the state" starting Tuesday, a day after internet services were restored. "I urge everyone to use the internet responsibly and refrain from sharing or posting any unnecessary or inflammatory content that may disturb the peace and harmony," state chief minister Biren Singh said. Long-standing tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities revolve around competition for land and public jobs. Rights activists have accused local leaders of exacerbating ethnic divisions for political gain. Manipur is ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. sai/pjm/dhw This article was originally published in Indiana Capital Chronicle. Indianas top education officials applauded the states improved chronic absenteeism rates on Wednesday but conceded that too many Hoosier students are still missing a significant number of school days. The latest attendance numbers released by the Indiana Department of Education reported that 17.8% of K-12 students roughly 219,00 kids were chronically absent during the most recent 2023-24 school year, meaning they missed at least 18 days. Its the second year in a row that the number of chronically absent students went down, dropping from 19.2% in 2023, and 21.1% in 2022. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Its an improvement and we always want to celebrate improvements and data moving in the right direction but we still have some work to do, said John Keller, IDOEs chief information officer, during Wednesdays State Board of Education meeting. Keller maintained that the reasons for absences vary, but the interpretation of the why is really going to have to be a locally determined thing. Our general focus has been making sure that there are no insights in the data that remain unturned. But what were doing is holding up the mirror on this attendance data and allowing schools to slice it any way they can possibly think of, Keller said. Im guessing there are probably different approaches that we use to address the most chronic of the chronic absenteeism, versus things that are maybe a little bit more episodic and not as much of a long-term pattern. But thats what were trying to look at with broader analysis. Educators around the state have pointed to family challenges some students face at home, along with hard-to-break tendencies to keep kids home when even mildly unwell a habit borne out of the pandemic as key factors. Schools are getting creative to try to combat the growing problem, like increasing communication with parents and incentivizing absence-prone students to come to class. IDOE officials are also working on responses to improve school attendance, including development of a new Attendance Insights dashboard that breaks down weekly habitually truant and chronic absenteeism rates at the local and school levels. The state has already made the tool available to Hoosier school officials and plans to launch a public version later this month. It is statistically significant students who are coming to school 94% of the time are doing better, significantly, said Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner. As a parent or a grandparent or whatever, that 94% or more really, really matters. Teachers could have told us this before we ran the data, right? But running the data, it is very clear students need to be in the classroom in order to make the greatest performance. A deeper look at the data Student absences have been on the rise since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indiana and across the nation. Chronic absenteeism surged during the pandemic, nearly doubling to peak at 21.1% in 2022, according to IDOE. Keller said the latest data suggests Indiana has turned the corner and appears to be reversing from its high-absence period during the pandemic. He emphasized that all grades levels improved their chronic absenteeism rates in 2023-24 by one to two percent when compared to the year prior. These are not insignificant improvements, Keller said. But obviously, we have not returned to the pre-pandemic attendance. According to the 2023-24 data, 23.7% of students who receive free or reduced lunch were chronically absent nearly 11% higher than their peers. English language learners were also slightly more likely to miss class; 18.5% of English learners were chronically absent during the last school year, compared to 17.7% of non-English language learners. The Indiana Code specifically defines chronic absenteeism as being absent 18 or more days within a school year for any reason a higher standard than habitual truancy, which is ten or more days without an excuse. Under the compulsory education laws in Indiana, children must regularly attend school from the time theyre seven years old until they turn 18, with some exceptions. But unless theyre excused, students who cut class too often could end up under a juvenile courts supervision. Built-up absences could also prompt prosecutors to file misdemeanor charges against Hoosier parents, given that they are legally responsible for making sure their children go to school. Keller took notice of consistent, dramatic differences in academic performance for students who are chronically absent versus those with better attendance. The data pretty much speaks for themselves. There are stark differences between the populations on all these measures, he said, referring to noticeably lower scores on IREAD, ILEARN and the SAT among chronically absent students. No matter the quality of the interventions, it doesnt matter so much if (students) are not in the room, Keller continued. IDOE officials further noted that students who are chronically absent are significantly less likely to read by third grade, master key ELA and math skills, or be college-ready. The magnitude of that is startling, Jenner said. We look at the high schools, which is certainly the most significant, but if you look at kindergarten and first grade that is a lot higher than it should be. Thats when our teachers are working on the foundations with kids. So, weve got to make sure that habit is early, that kids are getting to school. New tools going live At IDOE, Keller said state officials have shifted their focus from just a school-focused look at attendance to honing in on individual students. The old way of looking at attendance was adding up all the days kids could have attended school, looking at all the days they did attend, and then creating a rate out of that number, Keller explained. Now were looking at the student level and saying, For this kid, did they attend 94% of the time they could have attended? Other ongoing analyses at the state level are digging into patterns of chronic absenteeism. Are the students who are chronically absent in any grade this year, were they the prior and the prior and the prior and the prior years? Keller questioned. Data shows that in 2023-24, about half of the chronically absent students had been chronically absent in one of the last prior three years. And half of them were new to the roster, if you will, Keller said. The new Attendance Insights dashboard meant to help state and local officials investigate data trends went live for school officials Aug. 23. A public version will be available later this month or early in October. The dashboard shows several years worth of week-by-week attendance data including excused and unexcused absences, as well as rates of chronic absenteeism and habitual truancy for individual schools. Because schools already report their attendance numbers to IDOE, Keller said the dashboard will show the most up-to-date data. Filters additionally allow users to break data down by students race, ethnicity and socioeconomic and English learner statuses. We want to set the table for schools to do that analysis, identify trends and patterns, areas where data collection can be improved, Keller said. We want to work with a variety of stakeholders to identify root causes. Board member Pat Mapes said the dashboard can help school and district administrators show parents that difference between academic achievement and whether or not youre at school. Because it doesnt matter how much the school sends letters, makes phone calls parents have to understand that your kids in our buildings is how they can progress academically and build the skills they need to be successful, Mapes said. Weve really never had anything like this to be able to pull data out to really make that story. Also in the works is an early warning system that studies more than a decade of data patterns among students who graduated high school and those who did not graduate to identify possible behaviors of concern and risk factors for becoming chronically absent. Currently, the 11 Hoosier school corporations are participating in a two-month pilot. We want to get it out as soon as possible. We want to stop the trial, take away the placebo, and give everybody access, Keller said. But were not going to do it until were confident. Indiana Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Indiana Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Niki Kelly for questions: info@indianacapitalchronicle.com. Follow Indiana Capital Chronicle on Facebook and X. Stacks of boxes holding mail are seen at a U.S. Post Office sorting center. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Indiana Secretary of State employees on Tuesday reported getting a suspicious envelope containing a powdery substance joining election officials in numerous states. Local, state and federal authorities responded to the State Government Center to secure the immediate area, conduct tests and remove the contaminated mail, according to a news release. Responding agencies included the Indiana Capital Police, Indiana State Police, State Fire Marshall, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, State and Post Office hazardous materials units, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. They determined preliminarily that the contents in the envelope were non-hazardous, per the release. Secretary of State Diego Morales meets with youth at the Indiana State Fair on Aug. 2, 2024. (Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle) We take every precaution to ensure the safety of our employees and the public. I want to especially thank members of my team; our law enforcement partners and other first responders for their swift and professional response, Secretary of State Diego Morales said. We are relieved that everyone is safe. Powdery packages were also delivered this week to election-related offices in at least a dozen states, The Associated Press reported: Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Wyoming. Morales office said he had made county clerks aware of the situation. Spokeswoman Lindsey Eaton also noted that, earlier this year, Morales hand-delivered and mailed instructions on spotting and handling suspicious email plus, doses of Narcan nasal spray to county clerks offices throughout the state. She also highlighted recent regional election security and safety conferences for county election administrators, emergency management offices and local law enforcement agencies. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WOLCOTTVILLE, Ind. The Indiana State Police is conducting a death investigation after a woman and three children were found dead in a home in Wolcottville, Indiana. According to the state police, officers from the Wolcottville Police Department were conducting a welfare check at a residence in the 100 block of South Main Street around 11:20 a.m. Tuesday. Officers discovered an adult female and three children deceased. State police were then contacted. State police said there is no threat to the public. Autopsies are scheduled for Wednesday. The investigation is ongoing. No other information has been provided. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu-nationalist government has frequently deployed bulldozers and earthmovers to flatten property owned by those facing trial, saying it targets illegal construction and is a firm response to criminal activity (Sanjay KANOJIA) (Sanjay KANOJIA/AFP/AFP) India's top court ordered authorities on Tuesday to pause demolishing private property as punitive action against people accused of criminal activity, condemning the so-called "bulldozer justice". Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu-nationalist government has frequently deployed bulldozers and earthmovers to flatten property owned by those facing trial, saying it targets illegal construction and is a firm response to criminal activity. The Supreme Court, which is hearing a clutch of petitions challenging the campaign, has asked the government to stall the campaign, until the next hearing scheduled on October 1. In a hearing last week, the court said the practice amounted to "running a bulldozer over the laws of the land". "Alleged involvement in crime is no ground for the demolition of a property," the judges added. Rights groups have condemned the tactic as an unlawful exercise in collective punishment, often targeting India's minority Muslim community. "It can't be demolished even if he's a convict... the demolition can be carried out (only) as per the procedure in accordance with the law," said Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, one of the trio of judges hearing the case. The campaign first started in 2017 in Uttar Pradesh state, governed by Yogi Adityanath, a Hindu monk seen as a potential successor to Modi and a key figure in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It has since spread to several other states controlled by the BJP. Officials say the demolitions are lawful as they only target buildings constructed without legal approval. But victims of the campaign deny that their dwellings are illegal, and say they are not given the required notice period to dispute demolition orders. Amnesty International has said that the demolitions were part of a selective and "vicious" crackdown on Indian Muslims who spoke out. sai/pjm/dhw An injured loggerhead sea turtle has been released back into the wild. The turtle, named Nazare, washed up on a beach in Cumbria in February, showing no signs of movement and covered in algae. The creature had a successful rehabilitation programme at various Sea Life facilities. Nazare was flown to the Azores and released back into the wild earlier this month. The reptile was rescued from a beach on Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness, on 4 February. It was found severely cold-stunned, suffering from pneumonia, and covered with a thick build up of algae and seaweed upon its arrival at Sea Life Blackpool. The turtle was found covered in algae and cuts [BDMLR/PA Media] Nazare's care involved gradually raising its body temperature, hydration injections, and closely monitoring condition around the clock. The team created floats to make sure Nazare did not drown, as well as using a toothbrush to clean the turtle's shell. Within days, it began showing signs of improvement, eating and moving independently. Once the team at Sea Life were happy Nazare was fit, healthy and ready to be returned to the wild, they secured a turtle passport, enabling it to be flown to the Azores. Following the rehabilitation, Nazare was flown to the Azores and released back into the wild [Anthony Devlin/Sea Life/PA Media] Nazare was temporarily housed at Porto Pim aquarium in Portugal, before the release back into the wild this month. The reptile was found to have a satellite tracking device fitted to its shell and had previously been microchipped. Sea Life learned the turtle had been previously released in June, having been found stranded before at Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, France. Sea Life Scarborough curator Todd German said: "She is an incredibly lucky turtle, having been rescued and rehabilitated not once, but twice." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk More on this story Related internet links Injured wildlife will have nowhere to go - charity Folly Wildlife Centre is a hospital for injured wild animals found by the public [BBC] An animal charity has warned of the catastrophic impact the closure of its centre could have on wildlife in its locality. Folly Wildlife Rescue in Tunbridge Wells announced last week it may have to shut due to rising costs and a slowdown in legacy payments. The hospital, in the Broadwater Forest, has counted actor Johnny Depp, Dave Davies of The Kinks, and the late guitarist Jeff Beck as patrons. Trustee and volunteer Sue Johnson warned "there will be nowhere" for local people to bring injured wild animals such as birds, badgers and hedgehogs. The rescue centre treats injured wildlife brought in by vets and the public every day but said it may have to close its doors if a 250,000 target to meet increased running costs is not reached. Speaking to BBC Radio Kent, Ms Johnson said "injured birds, badgers, hedgehogs, all British wildlife" depended on the treatment it provided. "It would also put extra pressure on other wildlife facilities who are also stretched, she said. The charity was founded by Dave and Annette Risley 30 years ago in their home but moved to the present custom-built facilities in 2012. It receives around 3,500 wild animals each year and is estimated to have treated over 30,000 since opening. Wildlife co-ordinator Hannah Hall said: "Were here every day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and its basically like an A&E for animals. "We also have a volunteer-run helpline able to offer advice." Hannah Hall's parents, Dave and Annette Risley, founded Folly Wildlife Rescue 30 years ago [BBC] The rescue centre made international headlines two years ago when Hollywood actor and musician Johnny Depp paid them a visit. A photograph of him cuddling a young badger saw Folly's Instagram followers quadruple overnight and the charity is hoping this high profile will result in donors stepping forward. Supervisor Charlotte McLoughlin said the charity was prepared to help all wild animals recover from injury before being released back into the wild. From big to small, were always ready to take them in. "Our staff are highly-trained on triaging and providing pain relief before our vet team arrive to continue their treatment. "Costs are rising but we still need to care for wildlife. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Folly Wildlife Rescue Hedgehogs Inside the Freak Off orgies at the centre of the sex charges against Sean Diddy Combs Sean Diddy Combs beaming in a black gown and mortar board as he was awarded an honorary degree by Howard University - Getty/Allison Shelley In 2014, Sean Diddy Combs beamed in a black gown and mortar board as he was awarded an honorary degree by Howard University. For Combs, who had dropped out of the prestigious college after two years, being embraced by academia was the latest honour in a career that had seen him feted with awards and made him one of the most wealthy rap stars in the world. But authorities now say that Combs, who urged graduates to close your eyes and dream in his commencement address, was a violent sex trafficker who used his polished public image for cover during this time. The music mogul, who was recently arrested in New York, has been charged with sex trafficking that allegedly took place between 2009 and 2018, transportation to engage in prostitution allegedly between 2009 and 2024, and racketeering, which allegedly began in 2008. The charges, which Combs denies, centre around allegations that he intimidated and threatened women into days-long orgies, that he referred to as Freak Offs, with male prostitutes. According to an indictment unsealed on Tuesday, Combs directed and occasionally filmed these encounters, administering drugs to keep the participants docile. Homeland Security Investigation agents are seen at the entrance of Sean Diddy Combss home at Star Island in Miami Beach - AFP/Giorgio Viera At times, the 54-year-old is said to have become violent during these Freak Offs, beating and kicking his female victims and dragging them about by their hair. Some of these injuries took weeks to heal, the indictment claims. Combs, who would allegedly masturbate during the Freak Offs, and his victims are said to have received intravenous drips to recover from the physical exertion and drug use. From thousands of bottles of baby oil to guns - the items seized The rapper allegedly distributed illegal drugs to his victims, including ecstasy, ketamine, and opioids, which would keep them obedient and compliant. During the searches of Combs homes earlier this year, law enforcement seized narcotics, videos of the Freak Offs and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, according to prosecutors. They said agents also seized firearms and ammunition, including three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers two of them, broken into parts, in his bedroom closet in Miami. A haul of AR-15s which were seized from his bedroom closet during a raid on his Miami Beach mansion - SLMIA Ammunition that was also seized - SLMIA And more items seized during the raid of the rapper and music moguls mansion - SLMIA Combs lawyer said his client didnt own the guns at his house, noting that he employs a security company. Authorities will not say how many victims Combs allegedly abused during his years of Freak Offs. All they will claim i s that multiple women were involved. During these years while prosecutors claim these Freak Offs took place, Combs was reaping the rewards of his decades as a kingpin on top of the music business. The indictment alleges that his public image was kept clean by a criminal enterprise tasked with satisfying his sexual desires while keeping the stories out of the public eye. In September 2023, Combs was given the key to the city of New York by its mayor, Eric Adams an irony that prosecutors pressed home after the indictment was unsealed. Combs receiving the key to the city of New York last year - Media Punch A year ago Sean Combs stood in Times Square and was handed a key to New York City, Damian Williams, the US attorney for New Yorks southern district, told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday. Today hes been indicted and will face justice in the Southern District of New York. In 2008, the year that the earliest charges date from, Combs was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame one of a series of awards in his glittering career. Photographs show the music mogul posing on the ground for the cameras, grinning in a crisp white suit and sunglasses. In 2023, the rap billionaire was handed a Global Icon Award for his contribution to music since the mid-1990s, when he worked with artists including Notorious BIG and Mary J Blige. Diddy (left) poses in the press room with his Global Icon Award and his son King Combs (right) at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards - Getty/Dimitrios Kambouris Combs is alleged to have built up a criminal enterprise made up of employees and associates that made his Freak Offs possible and maintain the reputation of the man who renamed himself Love in 2017. The public face of the Combs businesses included operations that spanned across record labels, a clothing line and a television network. But it was also tasked with enhancing the power, reputation and brand of Combs, fulfilling his sexual gratification, enabling sex trafficking, and using violence and threats to achieve its ends, according to the indictment. The group is said to have operated in New York as well as other locations across the US. Stocking up and cleaning up, the Freak Off way Allegedly made up of Combs security and household staff, personal assistants among others, the indictment claims they stocked up hotel rooms for Freak Offs and cleaned up afterwards. It also claims they would even deliver large sums of cash for Combs to allegedly pay the prostitutes, and schedule the delivery of IV fluids once the orgies had finally concluded. Combs and his associates are said to have engaged in violence against witnesses and anyone who threatened to derail his public image, including by multiple acts that included kidnapping and arson. Authorities declined to reveal further details about these alleged crimes on Tuesday. The 54-year-old allegedly brandished firearms to intimidate and threaten his victims, while three AR-15 semi-automatic rifles were found at raids on his homes earlier this year. Combs also allegedly threatened to harm the careers of the women who did not want to join in his Freak Offs. If that failed, according to the indictment, he had recordings made during previous encounters to ensure the continued obedience and silence of the victims. Nothing is off the table Damiam Williams did not rule out further charges being brought against Combs employees and associates who made his alleged crimes possible. Nothing is off the table, he said. While the indictment marks another blow to Combs shattered reputation, his public image has been in free-fall for months now amid press allegations and lawsuits brought by multiple women. Footage from 2016, released earlier this year, showed the rapper assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura at a Los Angeles hotel. Wearing a towel, he punched and kicked her before dragging her along the floor by her hoodie. Combs apologised for assaulting Ventura after the video emerged, saying he was disgusted with himself and had sought out professional help in therapy and rehab. The New York indictment alleges that a member of the hotel security staff attempted to intervene during the incident, and that Combs attempted to bribe them to keep it quiet. Outside court on Tuesday, Marc Agnifilo, Combs lawyer, said his client would plead not guilty to the charges and pledged to fight like hell to get him released from custody. His spirits are good, Mr Agnifilo added. Hes confident. Marc Agnifilo, Combss lawyer, outside the courtroom talking to reporters - Bloomberg/Yuki Iwamura And King, Sean Combss son, who was in court to watch his father - Reuters/David Delgado A judge later ordered Combs to be held in jail without bail. 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. Following the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, guests arriving to West Hollywood's San Vicente Bungalows for the HBO | Max after-party which included talent from series True Detective: Night Country, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Hacks, The Gilded Age, The White Lotus and The Sympathizer, responsible for six Emmy wins received caviar bumps and Champagne. Christopher McDonald, Casey Bloys, Jen Statsky, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs David Jon Photography Once inside the indoor-outdoor private members club, separate rooms and nooks offered a variety of treats. Right off the entrance on the lower lever, Chain BJ Novak's concept with Michelin-starred chef Tim Hollingsworth that recreates chain restaurant favorites served curlies and caviar, as well as cheddar bay beurre monte-poached lobster biscuits. Another room offered mozzarella and prosciutto di parma from La Morra Pizzeria, while upstairs, guests indulged in a Sushi Handroll Bar (with salmon, tuna and vegan options from Uoichiba) and a sake tasting with sommelier Kerry Tamura. Jean Smart David Jon Photography Emmys decorated the section designed to Hacks which scored a huge victory in being named outstanding comedy. Not only was Jean Smart celebrating a lead comedy actress win, but also a recent birthday (Sept. 13) and her colleagues presented her with a cake. She shared a hug with friend Molly Shannon. Jean Smart, Joe Pacheco, Molly Shannon, Christopher McDonald Jeff Kravitz Hacks co-creators and co-showrunners Paul W. Downs (who also co-stars and was nominated in the supporting actor category), Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky, were in high spirits after their win for comedy series writing. What's next up for Downs? "Films," he told Los Angeles. Having changed from her pink Louis Vuitton to a chic white dress, co-star Hannah Einbinder Los Angeles magazine's June cover star sat in a back table and joined the team in celebrating late into the night. Jodie Foster and Alexandra Hedison Jeff Kravitz Meanwhile, Jodie Foster did laps upstairs with her statue in tow fielding congrats for scoring her first-ever Emmy for her work in HBOs True Detective: Night Country. John Oliver and Alex Edelman also toted Emmys, while Conan O'Brien caught up with Casey Bloys, Connie Britton sipped cocktails from a table with her husband John Britton and Christine Baranski glistened in gold. 'Just For Us' writer/ star Alex Edelman David Jon Photography Baby Reindeer's Tom Goodman-Hill turned up at the end and dove into a pizza with friends. When did he realize he had a hit on his hand? "After two days," he said, noting how everything he referenced in his speech about going through hard times was true and reflected in the series. Curb Your Enthusiasm's Larry David made a cameo, while Los Angeles February cover star J.B. Smoove hit the dance floor with wife Shahidah Omar and let loose to to DJ M.O.S' tunes. The DJ teamed with Hollywood piano bar Tramp Stamp Grannys for late-night karoake. J.B. Smoove hit the dance floor with wife Shahidah Omar. David Jon Photography On their way out, guests passed a wood-fired pizza pop-up from La Morra Pizzeria at the exit offering a choice of three pies (plain, potato or spicy sausage) that they were able to take home. Meanwhile, over in Downtown Los Angeles, the Music Center was transformed into a swanky indoor-outdoor bash with multiple food venues serving guests at The Walt Disney Company party where the company celebrated a record-breaking 60 Emmy awards across its brands and studios (including FX, Hulu and Disney+). FX received 36 awards, the most of any brands and the most in FX's history. LIZA COLON-ZAYAS, AYO EDEBIRI, DANA WALDEN (CO-CHAIRMAN, DISNEY ENTERTAINMENT, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY), JEREMY ALLEN WHITE AND BOB IGER (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY) Disney/Frank Micelotta Live music, a Disney backdrop and espresso martinis greeted partygoers who ascended the stairs into the whimsical venue adorned with florals. Bars offered specialty cocktails with Johnnie Walker Blue Label while servers passed bites (from sushi to sweet corn pasta to burgers inspired by The Bear culinary producer Courtney Storer's recipes.). LIZA COLON-ZAYAS AND QUINTA BRUNSON Disney/Frank Micelotta Guests were delighted to see food booths from some of their favorite local eateries such as thick squares with Burrata from Apollonia's Pizzeria, vegetable curry and Southern-Thai fried chicken from Anajak Thai and outside, warm, freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies from West Adams bakery Fleurs et Sel (which also packed bags to-go). SHERYL LEE RALPH, LISA ANN WALTER AND TYLER WILLIAMS Disney/Eric McCandless A band got the crowd moving as Emmy show-goers, nominees and winners migrated over from the nearby Peacock Theater. Heidi Klum sparkled by the bar, while Derek Hough and wife Hayley circulated and the cast of Abbott Elementary (Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter and Tyler Williams) hung together at their table. JOHN LANDGRAF AND JOHN HAMM Disney/Alberto Rodriguez Jimmy Kimmel made laps, to the attention of fans and Fargo's Jon Hamm also caught eyes when he came over the Disney exec table. RON HOWARD, DANA WALDEN (CO-CHAIRMAN, DISNEY ENTERTAINMENT, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY) AND JUSTIN WILKES Disney/Eric McCandless Ron Howard passed by to greet Disney's Dana Walden, as did The Bear winners Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Jeremy Allen White and a glowing Liza Colon-Zayas, who became the first Latina to win Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. EBON MOSS-BACHRACH AND ERIC SCHRIER (PRESIDENT, DISNEY TELEVISION STUDIOS & GLOBAL ORIGINAL TELEVISIOON STRATEGY, DISNEY ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION) Disney/Frank Micelotta With 11 Emmys, The Bear topped its record of 10 comedy wins for one season, from last year. After FX's Shogun won outstanding drama and proved this year's most-winning series, with 19 awards that set a new TV Academy record for any show in a single year the cast and crew were likewise in celebratory spirits all night. Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai also became the first actors of Asian descent to win Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actress, respectively. HIROYUKI SANADA AND RACHEL KONDO Disney/Frank Micelotta Teenagers on Instagram will soon be automatically placed in a new type of account with built-in privacy restrictions that give parents more control. On Tuesday, Meta, the social media platforms parent company, will begin rolling out its teen accounts feature, which aims to put all teens including those who may try to lie about their ages into private accounts that can be messaged, tagged or mentioned only by people they already follow. Its the companys most significant move yet to manage how minors use Instagram. Teen girl on cellphone (Marina Demidiuk / Getty Images) The feature is Metas latest effort to combat child safety issues across its platforms. In January, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologized to parents at a Senate online child safety hearing who said Instagram contributed to their childrens suicides or exploitation. In recent years, the company has released a variety of features and opt-in restrictions aimed at teen users, including parental supervision controls. But so far, theyve been sporadically applied. Naomi Gleit, head of product at Meta, said it has been working to bundle new and existing tools into a more standardized package. Everyone under 18, creators included, will be put into teen accounts, Gleit told NBC News. They can remain public if their parent is involved and gives them permission and is supervising the account. But these are pretty big changes that we need to get right. The company has gotten a lot of feedback from parents, mostly about a few things, Gleit said. Parental supervisors will be able to limit their teens' Instagram usage and see whom they've been messaging, although they won't be able to read the actual conversations. One, it can be simpler and easier to use, and so thats one of the goals of this launch, she said. Two, theres some inconsistencies in the current settings that we do have. ... And then the third thing is really just wanting to have more control and tools to help their teen online. The rollout wont be immediate, however. New users will be defaulted into teen accounts upon sign-up if they are under 18, but existing teen users may not see immediate changes. Many around the world wont be placed into teen accounts until next year, according to a Meta fact sheet. Aside from the new privacy limits, such accounts will also be placed in the most restrictive content setting that limits potentially sensitive content from accounts they dont follow. The accounts will have the Hidden Words feature on, as well, meaning offensive words or phrases should be automatically filtered from any comments or direct messages they receive. Users under 16 will need parents or other guardians permission to change their new teen account settings, whereas teens older than 16 will be able to adjust them on their own unless their accounts are still linked to parental supervisors. Meta expects teens to try to find workarounds, Gleit said, which is why it plans to test a slew of measures to prevent them from changing their ages or creating new accounts with adult birthdays. If you have one account and then you try to create a new account on the same phone, we will ask you to age-verify, so asking for a government ID or asking for a video selfie to prove your age, Gleit said. Meta might also be able to trace teens who use different devices to create adult accounts if they, for example, register with their original teen accounts same email addresses or phone numbers. And were also working on a technology to try to predict, for people that have a stated age as an adult, do we think theyre lying and they might actually be a teen, Gleit said. For those people, we also want to ask them to age-verify and put them in teen accounts, as well. Using artificial intelligence, the technology, which Meta claims is a first for the industry, aims to help Instagram predict whether users are over or under age 18 even if their accounts list adult birthdays. Users under 16 will need parents or other guardians permission to change their new teen account settings, whereas teens older than 16 will be able to adjust them on their own unless their accounts are still supervised. The age prediction tools, scheduled to go into testing in the U.S. early next year, will scrutinize behavioral signals such as when an account was created, what kind of content and accounts it interacts with, and how the user writes. Those who Meta deems could be teens will then be asked to verify their ages. Gleit declined to give more in-depth details about how the technology will work, saying the company wants to keep teens from figuring out exactly how to circumvent its detection tools. Parents who set up supervision controls, which require both the guardians and their teens to opt in, will now be able to see whom their teens have been messaging although they wont be able to read the actual conversations. They will also be able to see which topics their teens have expressed interest in, as teen accounts will be able to select specific topics theyd like to see more of on their Explore pages. And for teen accounts, a new Sleep Mode (which replaces the existing Quiet Mode and Night Nudges features) will silence notifications and send autoreplies from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The accounts will also receive new Daily Limit prompts encouraging them to close Instagram after 60 minutes of use. Parental supervisors will be able to further customize which hours they wish to block their teens access to the app or set maximum time limits for each day. But just as teens are likely to lie about their ages on social media, Meta is similarly preparing for those who may try to hijack their parental supervision controls. Teen accounts wont be able to supervise other teen accounts, Gleit said, and there will be a limit to how many teen accounts one person can supervise. Our approach really is to give parents control, Gleit said. We think parents know their teens best, and so I dont think that all of those controls are necessarily right for everyone, but we want to give parents the options to choose whats right for their child. After Meta announced the rollout on Tuesday, some online said they welcomed the change. Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, author of the The Anxious Generation, wrote in a post on X that he's "cautiously optimistic about Metas new teen accounts." "It is the biggest and best step forward I have seen from them," he wrote, later adding that "this is just a first step in reforming an ecosystem that badly needs a simpler, more robust way to identify minors and install real age gating, especially for those under 13." Others said they feel Meta's latest effort to protect young users comes too late. Nonprofit advocacy organization Accountable Tech called it Instagram's "latest attempt to avoid actual independent oversight and regulation and instead continue to self-regulate, jeopardizing the health, safety, and privacy of young people." In July, the Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0), which aim to better protect American kids privacy and safety online. The legislation has not passed in the House. "Todays PR exercise falls short of the safety by design and accountability that young people and their parents deserve and only meaningful policy action can guarantee," Nicole Gill, cofounder and executive director of Accountable Tech, wrote in a statement. "Metas business model is built on addicting its users and mining their data for profit; no amount of parental and teen controls Meta is proposing will change that. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Instagram is overhauling the way it works for teenagers, promising more "built-in protections" for young people and added controls and reassurance for parents. The new teen accounts are being introduced from Tuesday in the UK, US, Canada and Australia. They will turn many privacy settings on by default for all under 18s, including making their content unviewable to people who don't follow them, and making them actively approve all new followers. But children aged 13 to 15 will only be able to adjust the settings by adding a parent or guardian to their account. Social media companies are under pressure worldwide to make their platforms safer, with concerns that not enough is being done to shield young people from harmful content. UK children's charity the NSPCC said Instagrams announcement was a "step in the right direction". But it added that account settings can put the emphasis on children and parents needing to keep themselves safe." Rani Govender, the NSPCCs online child safety policy manager, said they "must be backed up by proactive measures that prevent harmful content and sexual abuse from proliferating Instagram in the first place. Meta describes the changes as a "new experience for teens, guided by parents". It says they will "better support parents, and give them peace of mind that their teens are safe with the right protections in place." Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly viewed content about self-harm and suicide on Instagram before taking her life aged 14, told the BBC it was important to wait and see how the new policy was implemented. Whether it works or not well only find out when the measures come into place," he said. Meta is very good at drumming up PR and making these big announcements, but what they also have to be good at is being transparent and sharing how well their measures are working." How will it work? Teen accounts will mostly change the way Instagram works for users between the ages of 13 and 15, with a number of settings turned on by default. These include strict controls on sensitive content to prevent recommendations of potentially harmful material, and muted notifications overnight. Accounts will also be set to private rather than public - meaning teenagers will have to actively accept new followers and their content cannot be viewed by people who don't follow them. Parents who choose to supervise their child's account will be able to see who they message and the topics they have said they are interested in - though they will not be able to view the content of messages. However, media regulator Ofcom raised concerns in April over parents' willingness to intervene to keep their children safe online. In a talk last week, senior Meta executive Sir Nick Clegg said: One of the things we do find is that even when we build these controls, parents dont use them. Age identification The system will primarily rely on users being honest about their ages, but Instagram already uses tools to verify a user's age if they are suspected to be lying about their age. From January, in the US, it will use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to proactively detect teens using adult accounts, to put them back into a teen account. The UK's Online Safety Act, passed earlier this year, requires online platforms to take action to keep children safe, or face huge fines. Ofcom warned social media sites in May they could be named, shamed or banned for under-18s if they fail to comply with its new rules. Social media industry analyst Matt Navarra said Instagram's changes were significant, but hinged on enforcement. "As we've seen with teens throughout history, in these sorts of scenarios, they will find a way around the blocks, if they can," he told the BBC. Questions for Meta Instagram is not the first platform to introduce such tools for parents - and already claims to have more than 50 tools aimed at keeping teens safe. In 2022 it introduced a family centre and supervision tools for parents, letting them see accounts their child follows and who follows them, among other features. Snapchat also introduced its own family centre allowing parents over the age of 25 see who their child is messaging and limit their ability to view certain content. YouTube said in September it would limit recommendations of certain health and fitness videos to teenagers, such as those which "idealise" certain body types. Instagram's new measures raises the question of why, despite the large number of protections on the platform, young people are still exposed to harmful content. An Ofcom study earlier this year found that every single child it spoke to had seen violent material online, with Instagram, WhatsApp and Snapchat being the most frequently named services they found it on. Under the Online Safety Act, platforms will have to show they are committed to removing illegal content, including child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or content that promotes suicide or self-harm. But the rules are not expected to fully take effect until 2025. In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently announced plans to ban social media for children by bringing in a new age limit for kids to use platforms. Instagrams latest tools put more control in the hands of parents, who will now take even more direct responsibility for deciding whether to allow their child greater freedom on Instagram, and supervising their activity and interactions. They will also need to have their own Instagram account. But parents cannot control the algorithms which push content towards their children, or what is shared by its billions of users around the world. Social media expert Paolo Pescatore said it was an "important step in safeguarding childrens access to the world of social media and fake news." "The smartphone has opened up to a world of disinformation, inappropriate content fuelling a change in behaviour among children," he said. "More needs to be done to improve childrens digital wellbeing and it starts by giving control back to parents." Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, right, talks with homeowner Bruce Breslau following a legislative oversight hearing held by the state insurance commissioner at LA City Hall. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) Bruce Breslau has lived in his Chatsworth condo since 2009 and figures that last year he and his partner paid $1,200 in fees to help keep their 290-unit townhouse complex insured in case of fire and other calamities. That was before Breslau's California West housing development was dropped by Farmers Insurance and the homeowners board had to hunt around the world to replace the Los Angeles insurer, which was providing $92 million worth of coverage for about $350,000 each year, Breslau said. After cobbling together a patchwork of insurers that include Lloyd's of London, the complex still has insurance, but the total cost rose to $1.7 million for just $50 million in coverage, he said. As part of the new deal, homeowners have to pay an extra $4,700 special annual assessment. "There are people in this community, when this was announced at the board meeting, who were losing their minds. They were panicking," said Breslau, 71, who is still working and thus more able than others to absorb the added costs. "Where are you going to come up with that?" Homeowner Bruce Breslau, second from right, attends a legislative oversight hearing held by the state insurance commissioner at LA City Hall. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) Breslau was one of two homeowners who spoke out Tuesday morning at a news conference on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall before a hearing inside held by the state's Assembly Insurance Committee. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara testified at the hearing about his efforts to resolve the state's worsening homeowners insurance crisis. The Chatsworth complex is just one of countless casualties of the crisis, which has witnessed insurers sharply raise rates and pull out of the state, not renew coverage or stop writing new policies, amid escalating losses due to wildfires that have raged up and down California and have been attributed to climate change. On Tuesday, firefighters were still trying to contain the Bridge fire in the East Fork of the San Gabriel Canyon; it has burned some 55,000 acres and damaged or destroyed more than 50 homes. The more destructive Airport fire in Trabuco Canyon in Orange County had destroyed 120 homes as of Monday. A Farmers spokesperson declined to comment specifically on California West but said that Farmers regularly reviews its financial exposure and that "when we find risks no longer meet our underwriting guidelines, we inform customers that we are unable to continue offering them coverage." Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara testifies before an Assembly committee amid complaints his reform effort is lacking and moving too slowly. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) The news conference was organized by Consumer Watchdog, a prominent Los Angeles advocacy group that has been critical of a reform plan by Lara called the Sustainable Insurance Strategy, which includes multiple initiatives to lower the cost of insurance and make it more attractive for insurers to resume writing fire coverage in California. A key part of the strategy, as wildfire losses accelerate, is allowing insurers to use complex computer models called "black boxes" by the advocacy group that simulate possible losses from fires in calculating their premiums, rather than relying on past claims data. In exchange for that concession, the state industry has agreed to start writing policies again in high-wildfire-risk communities using a formula that requires insurance companies to issue a certain number of policies based on the percentage of the market they control. Under the terms of the formula, for example, if an insurer had a 10% statewide market share, it would have to cover at least 8.5% of homes in high-risk communities. Consumer Watchdog maintains that the final regulations recently issued by the department do not actually require that insurers meet that percentage but instead allow them to meet lesser goals and even devise their own plan to improve their coverage. Lara also plans to allow insurers for the first time to include in the cost of homeowner premiums reinsurance they buy from large firms to protect their own bottom line from catastrophic events. Consumer Watchdog says the changes amount to little more than a giveaway to the industry that will result in higher premiums without improving coverage. It suggests insurers be required to offer policies to homeowners and businesses that have taken steps to reduce fire risks on their property. "Insurance Commissioner Lara has been worse than asleep at the switch. He's been in the back rooms making deals with the insurance companies," Jamie Court, president of the group, said at Tuesday's event. At the hearing, Lara defended his plan, saying his Sustainable Insurance Strategy is the biggest reform of the industry since the 1988 passage of Proposition 103, which created an elected insurance commissioner with the authority to review, reduce and reject insurer rate hike requests. Consumer Watchdog founder Harvey Rosenfield was the author of the proposition. Lara said that his plan is updating decades-old regulations based on the proposition and that his department has been hiring more personnel and consultants as it seeks to finalize the new rules. "I'm proud to say that in the past year, we've made huge strides towards meeting the deadline I set of December 2024 to implement ambitious reforms designed to stabilize our state's insurance marketplace," he told the committee. Lara also announced during the hearing that the department would be working with Cal Poly Humboldt to develop a public computer model that could be used by insurers, communities and other parties to calculate possible wildfire losses. However, he warned that it would take several years to build the model, and that insurers would be allowed to use their own proprietary algorithms to set rates, which would be reviewed by his department's regulators. "This is not a quick or simple solution," he said. He also criticized Consumer Watchdog as an "entrenched interest" that benefits from its intervention in rate filings by insurers seeking rate increases. Under Proposition 103, as a so-called intervenor, the group can bill for its time spent on such cases. Lara alleged that the group has made close to $10 million over the decades, which he said was ultimately paid for by consumers. Consumer Watchdog maintains that its intervention in challenging excessive home, auto and other insurance rates has saved consumers $6 billion over 22 years. Rex Frazier, president of the Personal Insurance Federation of California, a trade group of property and casualty insurers, responded to Consumer Watchdog's criticisms of Lara's plan saying: "We need adults in the room, not a group that only makes money when problems are unsolved." 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. All of the investigations, raids and charges surrounding Eric Adams administration Federal authorities have laid siege to Mayor Eric Adams administration for more than a year and their dragnet appears to have tightened in recent weeks as agents launched a stunning series of raids on Hizzoners top lieutenants, closest political allies and most trusted aides. The Southern District of New York is running several of the investigations. But the feds have remained tight-lipped about the probes including their aims, potential charges and how they might entwine with each other. Heres what we know about the investigations, raids, charges and other legal woes encircling the Adams administration: Adams 2021 mayoral campaign Last November, federal agents burst into the Brooklyn home of Brianna Suggs, a 25-year-old fundraiser with close ties to Adams inner circle including Ingrid Lewis-Martin, the so-called Lioness of City Hall who acts as Hizzoners chief advisor and gatekeeper. Authorities are said to be investigating Suggs a key campaign operative who claimed to have raised more than $18 million for the mayor for a possible kickback scheme involving the Turkish government and a Brooklyn-based construction company. The feds warrant said they were looking for evidence of theft of federal funds, wire fraud, conspiracy to steal federal funds and conspiracy as part of a public corruption probe examining whether cash was illegally funneled into Adams 2021 mayoral campaign. Brianna Suggs with Mayor Adams in November 2023. Paul Martinka Investigators are also looking into airline upgrades and a plan to fast-track the opening of the Turkish governments new diplomatic headquarters in Manhattan, sources have said. This summer, Manhattan federal prosecutors ordered City Hall, Adams campaign and the mayor himself to turn over documents, texts and other records tied to the investigation. No charges have been filed. The NYPD commissioner and his twin brother Sources say the feds have targeted now ex-NYPD commissioner Edward Caban and his twin brother, James, as part of a sweeping corruption probe involving influence-peddling. Caban who had been with the NYPD for more than three decades stepped down last week after federal agents showed up at the door of his Rockland County home, waving warrants and demanding his electronic devices. Authorities did the same thing to ex-cop James Caban, who lives across the street from his brother, as part of an inquiry into James work as a fixer for ritzy Manhattan restaurants and nightclubs who were running into problems with the police. Neither have been charged or accused of any wrongdoing. Close aides David, Phil and Terence Banks The three Banks brothers Schools Chancellor David, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil and private consultant Terence are also targets of Manhattan federal prosecutors, whose agents seized their electronic devices during the run of sweeping raids earlier this month. Similar to the other inquiries, the Banks brothers are suspected of partaking in a corruption and influence-peddling scheme namely, whether ex-cop Phil Banks had a hand in steering city contracts to brother Terences clients, sources said. Adams and former Police Commissioner Edward Caban at an NYPD reception in August 2023. James and Edward Caban in an undated Facebook photo. The feds have raided both their homes in Rockland County earlier this month. Facebook / James Caban Since the raids which also ensnared David Banks partner, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright reports have surfaced that one of Terences clients, the education technology company 21stCentEd, snagged a meeting with the schools chancellor less than a month after hiring Terence to represent them. Investigators are looking into whether Terences firm, the Pearl Alliance, broke the law by using his family connections to help private firms get city contracts, a source told The Associated Press. None have been accused of a crime. Winnie Greco Federal agents hit the Bronx home of another one of Adams top aides, Winnie Greco, back in February as they searched for emails and records about trips the mayor made to China during his years as the Brooklyn Borough President. Adams and Schools Chancellor David Banks, whose electronics were seized by federal agents during a raid two weeks ago. William Farrington Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phil Banks Caroline Willis/Office of the Mayor First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright (center) is David Banks partner. Stephen Yang for the New York Post Greco, then a volunteer who ran the non-profit Sino-America New York Brooklyn Archway Association Corp., had put the trip together, sources said. Its not clear what evidence the government was looking to find about Adams overseas adventures, or how it might have fit into a larger corruption investigation involving Greco and the mayor, which is said to be run out of the Eastern District of New York. Greco had previously been scrutinized by the citys Department of Investigation over allegations she wrongly used her position at City Hall to get perks such as renovations to her properties. Eric Ulrich Eric Ulrich, the former head of the city Department of Buildings, is facing charges of trading political favors in return for more than $150,000 in bribes. Ulrich, a 38-year-old former councilman from Queens who also worked briefly as Adams senior advisor, pleaded not guilty in September 2023 to 16 felonies stemming from a years-long scheme that prosecutors say netted him a premium $10,000 Mets season tickets package, a bespoke suit and a painting by an apprentice of Salvador Dali, among other things. In return, Ulrich gave co-conspirators access to high-ranking city government officials that included invitations to exclusive events and dinners as well as jobs for their family members, fast-tracked projects and a litany of other corrupt practices and actions, prosecutors said. Adams administration has been rattled by the constant pressure from the feds. G.N.Miller/NYPost He allegedly used the cash and gifts he received from his six co-defendants to live large and fund a gambling habit that involved trips to casinos and illegal gambling dens. His case is still pending. Retired FDNY Chiefs Anthony Saccavino and Brian Cordasco Saccavino and Cordasco once the two highest ranking members of the FDNYs Bureau of Fire Prevention were hit with a federal indictment Monday that accused them of allegedly accepting nearly $200,000 in bribes. The feds say the pair formed a crooked secret partnership with a retired firefighter over two years to fast-track inspections about 30 different projects in the Big Apple in exchange for the payoffs, according to the Manhattan federal court indictment. The retiree, Henry Santiago Jr., delivered cash-and-check kickbacks to the pair during steakhouse dinners and at the fire prevention bureaus Brooklyn office, court papers said. They allegedly created a VIP lane for faster service that could only be accessed with bribes, said Damian Williams, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Thats classic pay-to-play corruption. Authorities charged both men with conspiracy to solicit and receive a bribe, solicitation and receipt of a bribe, honest services wire fraud, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, and making false statements. They have pleaded not guilty. DES MOINES, Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand released findings from a study that showed that Iowa is failing to meet the federal mandate for inspections for nursing homes that are certified to accept Medicaid or Medicare. Sand, in a Zoom presentation on Monday, cited that in Iowa nursing home inspections occur an average of every 17.1 months, while the federal mandate for inspection is every 12.9 months. Sand got the data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The report also stated Iowa ranked 46th nationally for the amount of licensed nursing staff per resident. Iowa also has nearly 11 out of 20 nurses who worked at a certified nursing home a year ago, who are now no longer employed at those nursing homes. Iowa has a workforce crisis and that, weve seen the legislature putting a lot of effort in, the governor, putting a lot of effort into other things like culture wars, as opposed to bringing more people into the state of Iowa to actually do the work that one needs to have done, said Sand. He added that the pay is also very low. Perry Middle School shooting threat deemed not credible, two teens charged The State Department of Inspections and Appeals issued a statement in response to the Auditors comments. The State Auditor today released a misleading report based on outdated and/or incorrect data and inaccurate performance measurements, wrote Stefanie Bond, Communications Director for the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing. Had the auditor contacted our department and worked with us, as he had done in the past, we would have provided his office with the accurate federal performance measurements and current inspection data. Bond called the report a waste of tax payer dollars. She also added that so far this year 99% of nursing homes in Iowa are within the required individual 15.9-month recurring inspection interval, and the remaining 1% will be completed before the end of this month. On Monday the Older Iowans Legislature took up issues of Iowa nursing homes and in-home care for seniors. That group looks at issues facing seniors in Iowa and tries to draft a bill when the State Legislature takes up session. Everybody wants the nursing home right next to them so they can go visit their loved ones, said Older Iowans Legislature President-Elect. So the dilemma is, in my opinion, not the number of nursing homes but rather how do we locate them? Latest Iowa 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 who13.com. STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) Officials said an automatic crash notification alerted Stafford County deputies of a crash involving a teenager on Saturday. The Stafford County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) said the crash happened on Sept. 14 at around 2 a.m. on Embrey Mill Road. Stafford County Sheriffs Office: 15-year-old detained after stealing firearm from cruiser, making threat to student SCSO said it found out about the collision because of an automatic crash notification from an iPhone. Dispatch could hear a voice say, Theyre gonna know, and I cant blow zeros. That same voice then requested dispatchers not to send anybody because they were fine. (Photo courtesy of the Stafford County Sheriffs Office) When deputies arrived at the scene of the crash, they found a Dodge Charger that had left the roadway and was in several bushes. The driver, a 17-year-old girl, said she had swerved to avoid hitting a deer, but SCSO deputies said she was showing signs of intoxication. SCSO said she admitted to playing beer pong before she got into her car and started driving. Deputies also found marijuana in her possession. Stafford County deputy rescues goose on the loose! No injuries were reported. SCSO said criminal complaints for driving under the influence, driving after illegally consuming alcohol, unlawful possession of alcohol and underage possession of marijuana were submitted but she was ultimately turned over to her parents. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Lebanese army soldiers secure the area for an ambulance to enter the premises of the American University hospital. Eight people have been killed and some 2,750 injured in suspected coordinated explosions of hand-held telecommunications devices across Lebanon, Health Minister Firas Abiad said during a press conference in Beirut on 17 September. Marwan Naamani/dpa Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the allegedly coordinated explosions of hundreds of pagers in Lebanon on Tuesday, calling it a "terrorist act" and blaming Israel. In a conversation with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib, Iran's top diplomat expressed his condolences and offered support, the Foreign Ministry in Tehran said. Iran's ambassador to Lebanon was injured in the incident but is not in critical condition, Iranian media reported. In a separate telephone conversation, Araghchi asked about the wife of the injured ambassador and about his condition. In the explosions of pagers across several regions but mostly in Hezbollah-controlled areas, some 2,800 people were injured and nine people were killed. Among the injured were numerous members of the pro-Iranian Shiite organization Hezbollah. Hezbollah held Israel responsible for the act and announced retaliation. Iran's ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani attends a press conference at the Iranian embassy in Beirut DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was slightly injured on Tuesday by the explosion of an electronic pager, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported, as numerous such devices exploded across Lebanon. "Amani has a superficial injury and is currently under observation in a hospital," Fars quoted a source as saying. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, in a phone call with his Lebanese counterpart, strongly condemned the "terrorist attack" and thanked Lebanon for providing immediate medical treatment to Amani, Iranian state media reported. More than 1,000 people across Lebanon, including Hezbollah fighters and medics, were wounded on Tuesday when the pagers they use to communicate exploded, security sources told Reuters. A Hezbollah official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the detonation of the pagers was the "biggest security breach" the group had suffered in nearly a year of war with Israel. Hezbollah is a powerful Lebanese Islamist militia and political movement backed by Iran, and a sworn enemy of Israel. (Addiional reporting by Parisa HafeziReporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Kevin Liffey) Irvine man pleads guilty in scheme to steal, resell over $525K worth of violins An Irvine man pled guilty Monday to orchestrating a scheme to steal and resell more than $525,000 worth of high-value violins and then robbing a bank when he realized he was under investigation. A male suspect seen on surveillance cameras robbing a bank in Irvine on April 2, 2024 (Irvine Police Department) The Department of Justice reported Mark Meng, 58, posed as a musical instrument collector from August 2020 to April 2023 and convinced violin shops across the country to loan him violins for a trial period. During these trial periods, he often either sold or schemed to sell the instruments. In some instances, he bought violin bows before asking for a trial loan. After receiving each violin, Meng negotiated prices ranging from $6,500 to $175,000, kept the instruments beyond the trial period, and then provided the shops with checks that he knew would bounce due to insufficient funds. When Meng was confronted by these shops, he either sent more fraudulent checks or would lie and say hed sent back the instrument, but that it was lost in the mail. Meng eventually stopped responding to the shops entirely. After stealing the violins, Meng resold them to a violin dealer in Los Angeles who was unaware of the scheme. For example, on February 1, 2023, a victim loaned Meng a Guilio Degani violin valued at $175,000 pursuant to a trial-period contract, which required Meng to return or purchase the violin by February 10, 2023, wrote the DOJ. However, Meng sold this violin to a buyer who was unaware of the violins stolen origin. The DOJ listed other high-end violins that were stolen by Meng: one Lorenzo Ventapane violin, dated 1823, and valued at $175,000; one Guilio Degani violin, dated 1903, and valued at $55,000; one Caressa & Francais violin, dated 1913, and valued at $40,000; one Francais Lott violin bow, stamped Lupot, and valued at $7,500; one Gand & Bernardel violin, dated 1870, and valued at $60,000; one French, Charles J.B. Colin Mezin violin, valued at $6,500; and one German, E.H. Roth Guarneri violin, valued at $6,500. Meng sold three of these stolen violins and a violin bow to a victim for a total of $44,700. Eventually, the FBI caught on to these thefts, and when Meng realized he was under investigation, he decided to rob a bank. The DOJ reported that on April 2, 2024, Meng entered a bank branch in Irvine, wearing a hat, sunglasses, a bandana covering his face and blue latex gloves. A male suspect, later identified as Mark Meng, seen on surveillance cameras robbing a bank in Irvine on April 2, 2024. (Irvine Police Department) A male suspect seen on grabbing a stack of cash during a bank robbery in Irvine on April 2, 2024 (Irvine Police Department) A male suspect, later identified as Mark Meng of Irvine, seen on surveillance cameras robbing a bank on April 2, 2024. (Irvine Police Department) The suspects newer model white Toyota Sienna minivan. He gave the bank teller a note that said $18,000. Withdraw. Please. Stay Cool. No harm. Thx. The teller told Meng she did not have access to the money he demanded, so Meng responded, Give me whatever you have. The teller, fearing harm to herself and her coworkers, handed Meng $446. The DOJ said a latent print left on the robbery note was traced back to Meng, and he was arrested several days later. On Monday, Sept. 16, Meng pled guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of bank robbery. Meng is scheduled for a sentencing hearing in February 2025 where he will face a statutory maximum of 20 years in federal prison for each count. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Israel is blocking more than 80% of food deliveries from entering a starving Gaza, according to data compiled by more than a dozen humanitarian groups warning of the dire consequences of the militarys almost year-long siege on the Palestinian territory. Alongside Israels nonstop bombing that has flattened entire neighborhoods and shredded Palestinian bodies, the ongoing obstruction of aid food, water, medicine, hospital supplies, fuel is contributing to Gazas worsening humanitarian disaster, with the enclaves entire population of 2.2 million people facing hunger and disease. The situation was intolerable long before last Octobers escalation and is beyond catastrophic now, Jolien Veldwijk, Gaza and West Bank director for aid group CARE International, said on Monday. Israels military offensive following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants that killed about 1,200 people has so far killed more than 41,000 people in Gaza, according to health officials. Over 11 months, we have reached shocking levels of conflict, displacement, disease and hunger, Veldwijk continued. Yet, aid is still not getting in, and humanitarian workers are risking their lives to do their jobs while attacks and violations of international law intensify. Palestinians, including children, wait in Gaza City as aid workers distribute food amid mass starvation in the territory on Sept. 12, 2024. Mahmoud Issa/Anadolu via Getty Images CARE is one of 15 aid organizations working in Gaza that gathered and analyzed data on the consequences of Israels aid blockade, providing its methodology here. In August, Gaza received a record-low average of just 69 aid trucks per day, while half the Palestinian population in south and central Gaza didnt receive any food rations. By comparison, the enclave received 500 aid trucks per working day in August 2023, a number aid groups say was still inadequate. In northern Gaza, there is an absence of fresh vegetables, fruits, poultry or meat. And for us as humanitarian workers, its impossible to deliver aid at scale because we are facing many challenges, Mahmoud Alsaqqa, a Gaza aid worker with Oxfam International, said in a Monday video. We have shortages of the cooking gas and the fuel that disrupts the operation of bakeries, community kitchens and the transportation of aid and teams. And also, the situation changes every day. The crossing is open one day, its closed the next. And even items are allowed to enter in on one day, its not allowed in the day after, he continued. Once inside Gaza, the aid workers are facing a deadly obstacle course in order to get goods to their intended destination. They risk their lives every day. According to the aid groups data, 83% of required food aid does not make it into Gaza, a sharp increase from 34% last year. This translates to Palestinians in the territory going from having access to an average of two meals a day to just one meal every other day, the aid groups say. An estimated 50,000 Palestinian children ages 6 months to 4 years need urgent treatment for malnutrition a statistic in line with doctors warnings that children are hardest hit by starvation. What I can tell you is that even in the south, where extremely limited amounts of humanitarian aid is entering, people are wildly malnourished, Dr. Tammy Abughnaim, an American emergency physician who recently volunteered in Gaza, told HuffPost last month. Starving people cannot recover from traumatic injuries. Starving children will have their growth stunted for years. Starving mothers cannot breastfeed their children. All of that is a direct result of Israels blockade and siege of the Gaza Strip. A spokesperson for the Israeli military directed HuffPost to request comment from Israels Coordinator of the Government Activities in the Territories, which oversees the humanitarian efforts in Gaza and the West Bank. COGAT did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request, though the Israeli government has maintained that there are plenty of aid trucks entering the strip. Atef Tayeh, a 6-month-old Palestinian baby photographed on Sept. 12, 2024, who fled with his family from northern Gaza to Deir al-Balah due to Israeli attacks, is in danger of dying of malnutrition. Ibrahim Nofal/Anadolu via Getty Images Earlier this month, a report by the United Nations special rapporteur on the right to food said that Israel is deliberately starving Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank as a means to exterminate the population and annex the land. The report by Michael Fakhri argues that the most well-recognized starvation act is weaponizing humanitarian aid, either by blocking said aid or by leveraging it for political negotiations related to the impacted population. By destroying and poisoning agricultural land, decimating ports and fishing vessels, Israel has destroyed approximately 93 per cent of the economy of the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector, Fakhri wrote in the report, joining the growing number of voices in the international community calling Israels actions genocidal. Military necessity can in no way justify such destruction, since the intended and achieved result has been a complete halt of the production of agricultural products, forcing the entire population to depend on humanitarian assistance for food, he continued. In turn, Israel then used humanitarian aid as a political and military weapon to harm and kill the Palestinian people in Gaza. Fakhri will present his report next month before the U.N. General Assembly, which is also meeting this week in New York. The aid groups stressed that member states must demand Israel end all aid obstruction and immediately implement a permanent cease-fire. U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Gallant hold a joint press conference at Israel's Ministry of Defense, in Tel Aviv By Steven Scheer JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's Business Forum on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to not fire his defence minister, saying it would create more division and weaken the country after reports of an imminent political shake-up rattled the country. Israel's leading television channels and news websites have reported that Netanyahu, under pressure from far-right coalition partners, was contemplating firing Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and replacing him with a former ally turned rival, Gideon Saar, who is currently a member of the opposition. The forum, which consists of 200 heads of Israel's largest companies that employ many private sector workers, said Netanyahu should stop "messing around with petty politics" during a war. "Immediately stop the process of replacing (Gallant)," the forum said in a statement. "The firing of the minister weakens Israel in the eyes of her enemies, and will further deepen the division in the people of Israel." Such a move would be a shock to the political and security landscape, especially as the war with Islamist group Hamas in Gaza rages on and with the looming threat of all-out war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. Netanyahu denied that he was in negotiations with Saar, though he did not refer to his plans for Gallant. Saar denied that he was negotiating with some members of the coalition. "The prime minister knows better than anyone that all the economic indicators also prove that Israel is deteriorating into an economic abyss and sinking into a deep recession," the forum said. "The last thing Israel needs at this time is the firing of a defence minister - which will continue to shock the country." On Monday, official data showed the economy grew an annualised 0.7% in the second quarter, revised down from a prior estimate of 1.2%. On a per capita basis, the economy contracted 0.9% in the quarter. In March 2023, Netanyahu fired Gallant after he broke ranks with the government and urged a halt to a highly contested plan to overhaul the judicial system. That triggered mass protests and Netanyahu backtracked. (Reporting by Steven Scheer; editing by Maayan Lubell and Angus MacSwan) The News Israel announced an expansion of its war aims on Tuesday to include halting attacks by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, raising fears of a broader regional conflict. Israel will now seek to return residents of its northern regions who fled as a result of cross-border fire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah back to their homes. The latest addition to the countrys goals come with ceasefire and hostage-release negotiations over the war in Gaza languishing. SIGNALS Netanyahu hopes to solve political headaches by replacing Gallant Sources: Reuters, Haaretz As Israel expands its war goals, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant looks set to be replaced by the more hardline Gideon Saar. Just as the sticking point of the Philadelphi corridor came out of nowhere to obstruct a hostage deal, Netanyahu has now invented a new excuse Gallants apparent softness on the Lebanon issue as a pretext for moving towards all-out war, and ensure the stability of his governing coalition, Haaretz military analyst argued. Appointing Saar would also ease two political headaches for the premier by helping him to pass a new state budget and conscription law acceptable to his ultra-Orthodox coalition partners, Reuters noted. But the backlash has already begun Sources: The Times of Israel, Reuters National Unity chairman Benny Gantz slammed the expansion of Israels war goals and the floated replacement of Gallant with Saar as security recklessness, calling the move the painful dictionary definition of petty politics, The Times of Israel reported. The news sent Israeli markets lower on Monday, Reuters noted, and the Israel Business Forum, which represents most private sector workers in the country, urged Netanyahu to rethink his plans, arguing they would further harm Israels economy. How Israel may have turned pagers into a weapon to attack Hezbollah Hundreds of explosions that erupted from handheld pagers across Beirut may have been the result of booby-trapped devices rather than a cyber attack, security experts have suggested. The pagers, which were being used by Hezbollah officials to communicate privately, detonated across the Lebanese capital on Tuesday, reportedly injuring thousands of people, including civilians and militant fighters. Nobody has claimed responsibility for the explosions, but the dramatic attack triggered an obvious question: how did they do it? One theory is the explosions were the result of an unprecedented cyber attack, with hackers somehow overheating and destroying the pagers remotely. Another is supply chain sabotage, with Israel able to booby trap hundreds of pagers destined for use by Hezbollah. The pagers, which were being used by Hezbollah officials to communicate privately, detonated across the Lebanese capital on Tuesday A cyber attack could have involved manipulating these devices and causing their batteries to overheat. Lithium batteries will smoke or melt if overheated and can catch on fire, with past fires reported on gadgets including smartphones, e-bikes or scooters. However, cyber security and military experts said such an attack would be unlikely to cause the kinds of sudden explosions seen in footage across social media. Alan Woodward, a cyber security expert at the University of Surrey, said: Ive heard of lithium ion batteries spontaneously igniting but to make it happen on demand is a different matter entirely. He said these kinds of batteries seemed to catch fire rather than explode, which contrasted with the social media footage. A more likely cause was sabotage using an old-fashioned booby trap, he said. He said it could have been a supply chain attack where the Israeli Defence Force hid a little C4 (a type of explosive) inside and set it to trigger upon receipt of a particular message or even just timed using device timer. The impacted devices appeared to include rugged pagers developed by Taiwanese company Gold Apollo, according to reporters at the website Bellingcat. The pagers small wireless communications devices designed to send short text messages had been new models brought by officials at Hezbollah in recent months, multiple security sources also told Reuters. Tony Ingesson, a former bomb disposal expert with the Swedish armed forces and an assistant professor at Lund University, also supported the explosion theory. The footage I have seen indicates an explosive substance of some sort. A very small charge is enough to injure someone. You dont need much. The advantage here is it is a device people will carry on their person, he said. Ken Munro, founder of cyber security company Pen Test Partners, said: Im leaning hard toward a supply chain attack, as to remotely cause a battery to explode in such a fashion would be extremely challenging. Footage on social media showed dozens of individuals being treated for injuries in the wake of the blasts, which occurred around 3.45pm local time, with wounds to their hands, fingers or torso. A former British army munitions officer told the BBC the devices could have been packed with as little as 10 to 20 grams of high explosive hidden inside fake electrical parts. The former officer, who asked not to be named, said such a package could have been armed by a signal, with the next person to use the device triggering an explosion. Bogdan Botezatu, head of threat research at cyber security company Bitdefender, said on X: Hacked pagers and phones dont randomly explode unless they are already attached to a nice ball of Semtex. Worst case, (lithium ion) batteries first catch on fire, then they go kaboom. The attack threatens to escalate simmering tensions across the Lebanese border, with Israel and Hezbollah engaging in repeated strikes since Oct 7 last year. A statement by the Iran-backed group said Israel would get fair punishment. Hezbollah had been known to use pagers as a low-tech solution to avoid Israeli signals intelligence. Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader, had previously urged fighters not to carry mobile phones, warning they were deadly agents. He has previously said that smartphones were surveillance devices in your pockets. If you are looking for the Israeli agent, look at the phone in your hands. The Wall Street journal reported that medical staff across Lebanon were discarding their own pagers, which are routinely used in hospitals around the world to send rapid text messages to colleagues. Lebanons state-run National News Agency blamed the attack on the handheld pagers system [which] was detonated using advanced technology. Hezbollah officials, meanwhile, said the attack represented the groups biggest security breach since Oct 7 last year. 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. REGBA, IsraelFor Ishai Efroni, director of security and emergency services for the Mateh Asher Regional Council, protecting his municipality from Hezbollah attacks is an endeavor thats both professional and personal. At the northwest regions impromptu command center last week, Efroni took calls from first responders as alerts of a Hezbollah rocket attack near his hometown of Kibbutz Matzuva rolled in. With such bombardment now a near-daily occurrence, Efroni doesnt anticipate that residents of his regions evacuated communities will be able to return home anytime soon. I cant tell my people to come back. Its not safe. They dont have shelters, he said Thursday. Its not a normal life. As we spoke, the rockets that landed near Matzuva sparked a fire in an open area that continued to spread through the dry brush hours later. In the border region of northern Israel, even coordinating civil services like firefighting can pose an intolerable risk to municipal workers, who must brave both the blaze and the threat of repeat rocket attacks by Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia group whose strikes since October 8 have emptied out large swaths of land near the border with Lebanon. And the evacuated zone, which includes communities within roughly 2 miles of the border, isnt the only part of northern Israel under threat. As Hezbollah keeps some 60,000 Israelis from their homes through continued bombardment, it also fires on populated areas south of the emptied-out towns and cities. Map via Joe Schueller An analysis by the Alma Research and Education Center, a think tank focused on the security situation in northern Israel, found that the Iranian-backed group is increasingly finding targets beyond the evacuated zonein populated areas as deep as 20 miles within northern Israel. While such escalations previously corresponded with Israels strikes against Hezbollah commanders, Alma President Sarit Zehavi said, Hezbollah now finds any pretext to expand its attack radius. (Israels air force has killed hundreds of Hezbollah fighters and dozens of commanders in targeted strikes since the wars start, including its military chief Fuad Shukr in Beirut in July.) Just last week, a Hezbollah drone struck an apartment building in Nahariya, a coastal city of more than 60,000 people about 6 miles from the border with Lebanon. Last month, a motorist on a Nahariya highway died after he was hit by shrapnel from an air defense missile that failed to intercept an incoming drone attack. Hezbollah rockets spark a fire between the border communities of Matzuva and Ya'ara on September 12, 2024. (Photo by Charlotte Lawson) Unlike fortified southern communities like Sderot, many of the norths evacuated and non-evacuated communities lack sufficient shelters, including those in the Mateh Asher region, where Efroni has poured every uncommitted shekel into building protected spaces. According to the emergency services director, his municipalitys evacuated area alone has some 500 homes without shelters. And for civilians to install the safe rooms themselves is a costly undertakingabout $40,000 per home, depending on the terrain. Twenty miles northeast, in Kiryat Shmona, the same problem exists on a larger scale. Thousands of homes in the city that once boasted a population of 24,000 are still without shelters, making it difficult for its evacuated residents to contemplate a future there. Even local schools lack adequate protection, according to Ariel Frish, a school principal now acting as the citys deputy security officer. Asked why the government didnt do more to prepare the large border community for the current fighting, he said: We like to get addicted to quiet, adding that most residents thought Hezbollah, which suffered massive losses during its last war against Israel in 2006, was deterred prior to October 7. Since then, Frish said, buildings in the city have taken at least 760 direct hits from Hezbollah. One such attack occurred late last month, leaving behind only a skeletal stone structure where a two-story house once stood after incoming rockets started a fire. Firefighters are not armies, so they will not come if its risky, Frish said. If they are afraid that there could be another missile, they would say, Better to burn the house than to kill a man. A home and car damaged by a Hezbollah attack on Kiryat Shmona. (Photo by Charlotte Lawson) The community, like dozens of others along the northern border with Lebanon, now resembles a ghost town after nearly a year of war. Some 2,000 essential workers and military personnel remained behind in Kiryat Shmona, but their presence is barely felt in the empty city streets. Meanwhile, the displaced residents of northern Israel are spread out in hotels and rented apartments across the country with no indication of when they might be able to come back. For many, the norths prolonged evacuation is tantamount to an admission by Israels leaders that the state cant protect its own communities. A January survey by Tel-Hai Academic College found that only 60 percent of evacuees were confident that they would return home after the war, though that share likely shrinks with each passing day as northern residents grow convinced that their government cannot restore security. The possibility of a settlement in the north is passing. Hezbollah continues to tie itself to Hamas, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin, on Monday in reference to Hezbollahs vow to keep fighting until Jerusalem reaches a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The direction is clear. As Hezbollah attacks persist and intensify, with no signs of the terror group coming to the table to reach a diplomatic solution to the fighting, Israel may now face an impossible choice between abandoning the north or launching a costly all-out war after which many border community residents may not have homes to return to. Until a determination is reached, Hezbollah can claim Israels indecision as a victory in itself. For Hezbollah, psychological warfare is the best warfare. Terror isnt about winning a war, its about frightening the population, Frish said from a local kindergarten, which still bears signs of damage from when it was hit by a rocket early in the war. As far as I see it, Hezbollah is the great winner up until now. 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. An Israeli army flare is seen over the Israeli-Lebanese border as seen from the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) JERUSALEM (AP) Israel said Tuesday that halting Hezbollah's attacks in the country's north to allow residents to return to their homes is now an official war goal, as it considers a wider military operation in Lebanon that could ignite an all-out conflict. Israeli officials have repeatedly threatened to take heavier military action to halt the near-daily attacks, which began shortly after the outbreak of the nearly yearlong Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Israel has regularly launched airstrikes on Lebanon in response and has targeted and killed senior Hezbollah commanders. As recently as last month it appeared a full-blown war was imminent. Tuesday's statement by Israel's security Cabinet signaled a tougher stance at a time when Israeli leaders have stepped up their warnings. But it also appeared to be largely symbolic and may not herald an immediate change in policy. The tit-for-tat strikes have displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the Israeli-Lebanon border. Hezbollah has said it would halt the attacks if there is a cease-fire in Gaza, but those talks have repeatedly bogged down. The United States has pressed for restraint even as it has rushed military aid to Israel, warning its close ally that a wider war would not achieve its goals. Israeli media have meanwhile reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering firing Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and replacing him with Gideon Saar, the leader of a small right-wing party who is seen as more hawkish. That would be the biggest leadership shakeup in Israel since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack triggered the war in Gaza and set off wider regional tensions. The announcement on Lebanon came after Israel's security Cabinet met late into the night. It said the Cabinet has updated the objectives of the war" to include safely returning the residents of the north to their homes. Israel will continue to act to implement this objective, it said. U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, who has made several visits to Lebanon and Israel to try to ease tensions, met with Netanyahu on Monday. Hochstein told Netanyahu that intensifying the conflict with Hezbollah would not help return Israelis evacuated from the border area to their homes, according to a U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private talks. According to the official, Hochstein argued that Netanyahu risked sparking a broad and protracted regional conflict if he moved forward with a full-scale war in Lebanon and said the Biden administration remained committed to finding a diplomatic solution in conjunction with a Gaza cease-fire or on its own. Netanyahu told Hochstein that residents cannot return without a fundamental change in the security situation in the north, according to a statement from the prime minister's office. It said that while Netanyahu appreciates and respects" U.S. support, Israel will do what is necessary to safeguard its security." Defense Minister Gallant has meanwhile said the focus of the conflict is shifting from Gaza to Israel's north. He told U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin this week that time is running out for an agreement with Hezbollah, saying the trajectory is clear. Hezbollah has said that while it does not want a wider war it is prepared for one. Raed Berro, a member of Hezbollahs bloc in the Lebanese parliament, said Monday that the militant group is ready for confrontation and has a lot in its pocket to deter the enemy and protect Lebanon in case Netanyahu thinks of expanding the war. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a close political ally of Hezbollah, largely dismissed the warnings, telling a local newspaper that the Lebanese have grown used to the increasing Israeli threats even if their tone has become louder recently. The war in Gaza began when Hamas launched a surprise attack into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking another 250 hostage. Militants are still holding around 100 captives, a third of whom are believed to be dead, after releasing most of the rest during a cease-fire last year. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed over 41,000 Palestinians in the territory since Oct. 7, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry does not differentiate between fighters and civilians in its count but says a little over half of those killed were women and children. Iran supports Hamas, Hezbollah and other militant groups across the region, which have carried out strikes on Israeli and U.S. targets in solidarity with the Palestinians. A missile launched by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Sunday set off air raid sirens in central Israel without causing casualties. Israel has hinted at a military response. Israel and Iran traded fire directly for the first time in April, and Iran has threatened to avenge the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in an explosion in Tehran in July. The targeted killing was widely blamed on Israel, which has not said whether it was involved. The U.S., Qatar and Egypt have spent most of this year trying to broker an agreement in which Hamas would release the hostages in exchange for a lasting cease-fire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. President Joe Biden endorsed the framework of the agreement in May and the U.N. Security Council backed it days later. But since then, both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of making new and unacceptable demands, and the talks appear to be at an impasse. ___ Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani in Washington, and Abby Sewell and Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Palestinians conduct search and rescue operations among the rubble of demolished buildings following an Israeli attack on Bureij Refugee camp in Gaza Strip. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Israel's army says it has killed a senior commander of the terrorist organization Palestinian Islamic Jihad in an attack inside a humanitarian zone in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Ahmed Aish Salame al-Hashash was the head of the group's rocket and missile unit in the Rafah area of Gaza and responsible for firing rockets from an area designated as a humanitarian zone into Israeli territory, the Israeli military said on Tuesday. "At the time of the strike, al-Hashash was embedded and operating inside the Humanitarian Area in Khan Yunis," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) wrote on X. The army said it had monitored the area from the air prior to the attack in order to minimize the danger to civilians. The Khan Younis humanitarian zone is located in the south of the coastal area. Israel's army reportedly killed al-Hashash there on Monday. It was not possible to independently verify the claims. The Gaza war was triggered by the unprecedented massacre of more than 1,200 people killed by fighters from Hamas, the PIJ and other armed Palestinian groups in Israel on October 7. Israel responded with massive airstrikes and a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, a further 26 people were killed in fighting in the Gaza Strip within 24 hours. Since the beginning of the war, a total of 41,252 people have been killed in the coastal area. The figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. A month ago, the Israeli army announced that "more than 17,000 terrorists" had been killed in the Gaza war. None of these figures can be independently verified. Rockets are seen on the sky during an Israeli bombardment on Bureij Refugee camp in Gaza Strip. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Israel has a new war goal, adding to mounting signs that the conflict could soon expand to the country's north as it warned the U.S. that military action would most likely be the only way to address mounting hostilities with Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. With fears of a broader regional war growing, Israel's internal security agency, Shin Bet, said Tuesday it had thwarted a Hezbollah plot to kill a former senior official in the Israeli security establishment. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced late Monday that the security Cabinet had updated its list of war objectives to include the safe return of residents who have been displaced from their homes near Israel's northern border with Lebanon because of months of fighting with Hezbollah. "Israel will continue to act to implement this objective," the prime minister's office said. In a meeting the same day with Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser to President Joe Biden, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the only way to achieve that goal was "via military action." Gallant sought to emphasize that the possibility of an agreement to avoid escalation with Hezbollah is running out because the militant group continues to "tie itself" to Hamas, his office said in a statement. It added that the defense minister and a number of other senior Israel Defense Forces officials "presented the IDF's operations against Hezbollah forces" to Hochstein. Gallant appeared to face mounting pressure to adopt a tougher stance on Israels approach in the north, as media speculation swirled that Netanyahu was set to fire him amid criticism from right-wing ministers upon whom his fragile coalition relies. For many months I have been calling on Prime Minister Netanyahu to fire Gallant, and the time has come to do so immediately, right-wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Monday on X. A decision must be made in the north and Gallant is not the right man to lead it. Reports from Israeli media suggested Netanyahu had been weighing replacing Gallant with New Hope party chairman Gideon Saar, a staunch critic of the governments handling of Israels offensive in Gaza. But the prime ministers office told NBC News in a statement Monday that reports of any negotiations with Saar were not correct. The exchanges with Hezbollah have continued in parallel with Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip. An Israeli official said one stumbling block in a potential deal with Saar was opposition from Netanyahus wife, Sara Netanyahu. Netanyahus office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israeli officials have repeatedly suggested war with Hezbollah could be imminent over the past few months, without such a military operation following. But it feels clear the war drums are beating toward a wider regional conflict as Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from his coalition partners and center-right supporters to restore calm in the northern region, former Israeli intelligence official and negotiator Avi Melamed said in an analysis shared with NBC News. The U.S. has voiced fears that an expanded military operation from its ally could spark a broader regional war. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned of the devastating consequences that escalation would have on the people of Israel, Lebanon and the broader region in a call with Gallant on Sunday, according to a Defense Department readout. On Tuesday, the Shin Bet said it had prevented an attack targeting a former senior official in Israel's security establishment that was "planned to be carried out in the coming days." It did not identify the former senior official by name. It said agents uncovered a Claymore explosive device equipped with a remote activation mechanism, with a camera and cellular technology, which it said could allow Hezbollah to activate it from Lebanon. Hezbollah did not immediately respond to the accusation, and NBC News has not independently verified the claims. Israel and Hezbollah have traded regular attacks in which thousands of people have been displaced on both sides of the border since the start of Israels offensive in Gaza following Hamas Oct. 7 terror attacks, in which Israeli officials said 1,200 people were killed and around 250 were taken hostage. More than 41,000 people have been killed and thousands more have been injured in Israels assault on the Palestinian enclave, according to local health officials. United Nations human rights experts on Monday condemned Western countries for continuing to support Israel. The suffering is unimaginable, and the world continues to remain silent, said Francesca Albanese, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to Egypt as the U.S. seeks to keep hopes of a cease-fire deal alive. Washington did voice public frustration with Israels conduct, pointing to Israeli strikes on schools and humanitarian workers in Gaza. "The IDF is a professional military and knows well how to ensure that incidents such as these do not happen," said the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Israel sets new war goal of returning residents to the north Israel has made the safe return of residents to the north of the country an official war goal, the prime minister's office has said. The decision was taken by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet late on Monday. About 60,000 people have been evacuated from northern Israel because of near-daily attacks by Iran-backed Hezbollah in neighbouring Lebanon. Cross-border fighting escalated on 8 October 2023 - a day after the deadly attack on Israel by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip - when Hezbollah fired at Israeli positions, in solidarity with the Palestinians. "The Security Cabinet has updated the objectives of the war to include the following: Returning the residents of the north securely to their homes," a statement from the prime minister's office said. "Israel will continue to act to implement this objective," it added. Earlier on Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the only way to return Israel's northern residents to their homes was through "military action", during a meeting with US envoy Amos Hochstein. The possibility for an agreement is running out as Hezbollah continues to tie itself to Hamas, and refuses to end the conflict, a statement from his office said. "Therefore, the only way left to ensure the return of Israels northern communities to their homes, will be via military action. Gallant's comments came as speculation grew that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to replace him amid differences between the two men over the war in Gaza. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin warned of the devastating consequences of further escalation. In a statement from the US defence department, his office said he "reaffirmed the necessity of a ceasefire and hostage deal, and that Israel should give diplomatic negotiations time to succeed, noting the devastating consequences that escalation would have on the people of Israel, Lebanon, and the broader region." Israel has repeatedly warned it could launch a military operation to drive Hezbollah away from the border. Hezbollah is a Shia Muslim organisation which is politically influential and in control of the most powerful armed force in Lebanon. The group has so far made no public comments on the issue. The latest Israeli move marks an expansion of the country's previously stated war goals: The elimination of Hamas and its military capabilities The return of all the hostages taken during the 7 October attack Ensuring that the Gaza Strip no longer poses a threat to Israel Israeli forces launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to the group's unprecedented attack, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken back to Gaza as hostages. More than 41,220 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. A Palestinian man mourning his son who was killed in Israeli bombardment in the southern Gaza Strip (Bashar TALEB) (Bashar TALEB/AFP/AFP) Hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon Tuesday, killing at least nine people and wounding some 2,800 in blasts the Iran-backed militant group blamed on Israel. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the wave of explosions, which came just hours after Israel announced it was broadening the aims of the war sparked by Hamas's October 7 attacks to include its fight against Hezbollah along its border with Lebanon. The sons of Hezbollah lawmakers Ali Ammar and Hassan Fadlallah were among the dead, a source close to the group told AFP, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. The blasts "killed nine people, including a girl", Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said in a casualty update. He added that some "2,800 people were injured, about 200 of them critically" with injuries mostly reported to the face, hands and stomach. The 10-year-old daughter of a Hezbollah member was killed in east Lebanon's Bekaa Valley when his pager exploded, the family and a source close to the group said. Tehran's ambassador to Beirut was also wounded in a pager explosion but his injuries were not serious, Iranian state media reported. In neighbouring Syria, 14 people were wounded "after pagers used by Hezbollah exploded", said a Britain-based war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Hezbollah blamed Israel for the blasts and warned it would be punished. "We hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression," the group said in a statement, adding that Israel "will certainly receive its just punishment for this sinful aggression". The United States, Israel's top arms provider and close ally, was "not involved" and "not aware of this incident in advance", said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. The afternoon blasts hit Hezbollah strongholds across Lebanon and dealt a heavy blow to the militant group, which already had concerns about the security of its communications after losing several key commanders to targeted air strikes in recent months. Hezbollah had instructed its members to avoid mobile phones after the Gaza war began and to rely instead on the group's own telecommunications system to prevent Israeli breaches. "Hundreds of Hezbollah members were injured by the simultaneous explosion of their pagers" in the group's strongholds in Beirut's southern suburbs, in south Lebanon and in the eastern Bekaa Valley, a Hezbollah source said, requesting anonymity. AFP journalists saw dozens of wounded being taken to hospital in Beirut and in the south, where dozens of ambulances rushed between the cities of Tyre and Sidon in both directions. Education Minister Abbas Halabi announced the closure of schools and universities on Wednesday "in condemnation of the criminal act committed by the Israeli enemy". - Israel expands war aims - Earlier Tuesday, Israel announced it was broadening the aims of the war sparked by the Hamas attacks to include its fight against Hezbollah along its border with Lebanon. To date, Israel's objectives have been to crush Hamas and bring home the hostages seized by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attacks that sparked the war. "The political-security cabinet updated the goals of the war this evening, so that they include the following section: the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement. Since October, the unabating exchanges of fire between Israeli troops and Hamas ally Hezbollah in Lebanon have forced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border to flee their homes. Not formally declared as a war by Israel, the exchanges of fire between Israeli troops and Hezbollah have killed hundreds of mostly fighters in Lebanon, and dozens on the Israeli side. On Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned that failing a political solution, "military action" would be "the only way left to ensure the return of Israels northern communities". Hezbollah, which like Hamas is backed by Israel's regional arch-foe Iran, claimed a dozen attacks on Israeli positions on Monday and three more on Tuesday. Before the wave of pager explosions, Israel said it killed three Hezbollah members in a strike on Lebanon on Tuesday. "The possibility for an agreement is running out as Hezbollah continues to tie itself to Hamas," Gallant's office quoted him as telling visiting US envoy Amos Hochstein. Netanyahu later told Hochstein he was seeking a "fundamental change" in the security situation on Israel's northern border. Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem said at the weekend that his group had "no intention of going to war", but that "there will be large losses on both sides" in the event of all-out conflict. - Blinken headed back to region - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was due back in the region to try to revive stalled ceasefire talks for the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. After months of mediated negotiations failed to pin down a ceasefire, Washington said it was still pushing all sides to finalise an agreement. US officials have expressed increasing frustration with Israel as Netanyahu has publicly rejected US assessments that a deal is nearly complete and has insisted on an Israeli military presence on the Egypt-Gaza border. The October 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Militants also seized 251 hostages, 97 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead. Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,252 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry, which does not provide a breakdown of civilian and militant deaths. On Tuesday, UN member states were debating a draft resolution demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of all Palestinian territories within 12 months. General Assembly resolutions are not binding, but Israel has already denounced the new text as "disgraceful". In Gaza, rescuers said several Israeli air strikes killed at least seven people overnight. burs/kir/ami Officials in Israel's defense establishment are now strenuously contradicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence that Israel maintain control of the narrow strip of land along the Gaza-Egypt border known as the Philadelphi Corridor, and warning that Netanyahu's reluctance to sign a cease-fire deal with Hamas is pushing Israel into a potentially disastrous war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, according to Israeli military and senior defense officials who spoke with ABC News. A war with Hezbollah in Lebanon "is easy to start, but very hard to end," one such official said, on condition of anonymity. "We are losing the war, we are losing deterrence, we are losing the hostages." PHOTO: An armored vehicle drives as damaged buildings are seen in the background, amid the ongoing ground operation of the Israeli army against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in the Gaza Strip, Sept. 13, 2024. (Amir Cohen/Reuters) ABC News, along with other journalists and accompanied by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) personnel, was given access to the Philadelphi Corridor Friday a narrow strip of territory roughly a half-mile wide that runs along the entirety of the southern Gaza border with Egypt. What were once blocks of apartments there are now piles of rubble amid a wasteland of dunes. Military officials told ABC News their work in the corridor was mostly done. IDF and other Israeli military officials, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, have called a cease-fire and hostage release deal with Hamas the key to reaching a solution to Israel's current regional strife. Israel and Hezbollah, which has been launching frequent rocket attacks against northern Israel from Lebanon, have each agreed to the broad parameters of a deal to decrease hostilities, but Hezbollah has said its participation is contingent on Israel reaching a cease-fire deal with Hamas in Gaza which Hamas says must include all Israeli forces leaving Gaza. MORE: Inside Rafah with IDF as war rages on PHOTO: Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defense minister Yoav Gallant during a press conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, Oct. 28, 2023. (ABIR SULTAN POOL/Pool via REUTERS/FILES) However, many Israeli officials, including several who spoke with ABC News in recent days, believe that Netanyahu is purposely trying to torpedo negotiations to free the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas by insisting that the Philadelphi Corridor remain under Israel's control, though they did not speak to possible reasons for Netanyahu's insistence. "If Philadelphi was so important, why did we wait eight months [into the war] to take it?" one senior Israeli official told ABC News. Those officials now say that Israel is "stuck" in Gaza, able to kill Hamas militants and yet unable to advance one of the Israel-Hamas war's primary aims, which Israeli Defense Minister Gallant recently told a small group of reporters was the "moral and ethical commitment" to bring Israel's remaining hostages home. One official said that given the current circumstances, the best Israel can hope for is the repatriation of perhaps 20-30 hostages out of the 100 or so believed to remain in Gaza. U.S. Envoy Amos Hochstein has been shuttling between Beirut and Jerusalem attempting to broker a cease-fire deal with Hezbollah that would see the latter retreat about 10 kilometers north of their current position in Lebanon, replaced by Lebanese Army forces and personnel from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), in exchange for small Israeli concessions along the Israeli-Lebanese border. This is the same deal Israeli officials have said has been on the table since January. MORE: Video: No cease-fire deal without Israeli control over Philadelphi corridor, says Netanyahu PHOTO: An Israeli soldier stands guard, amid the ongoing ground operation of the Israeli army against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in the Gaza Strip, Sept. 13, 2024. (Amir Cohen/Reuters) Adding urgency to the current situation are general concerns about whether Israel possesses sufficient munitions and missile and rocket/missile interceptors to defend itself in any confrontation with Hezbollah. One senior Israeli official told ABC News that Israel's hawks, clamoring for war with Hezbollah, are unaware of how difficult it is for Israel to procure Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) kits, necessary to convert so-called "dumb" bombs into precision guided weapons that use GPS coordinates to strike a target. Israeli officials are also concerned that Hezbollah's estimated arsenal of over 100,000 rockets and missiles could cause widespread damage across Israel. Those officials also warn of the potential for destruction on the Lebanese side. For example, during the 2006 Hezbollah-Israel war, Israel's air force crippled Lebanon's electrical grid and flattened large swaths of south Beirut. Israel is also contending with how to respond to a recent attacks from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, after Israel says it intercepted and destroyed a Houthi surface-to-surface missile fired at Israel on Sunday. The Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the missile attack, claiming in a statement that it was aimed at an "important military target" in the Tel Aviv region. The Houthis claimed the missile flew some 1,267 miles in less than 12 minutes and that Israeli anti-missile defenses "failed to intercept" the weapon. The IDF initially confirmed to ABC News that its defenses failed to intercept the missile but changed its conclusions upon further investigation. The Israeli officials who spoke with ABC News said that Israel is vowing retaliation, and is investigating how the Houthis managed to twice penetrate Israel's air defenses in two months. "The Houthis are here to stay," said one official, adding that the assessment is that they will likely keep attacking, regardless of a Hamas ceasefire. Israeli defense officials at odds with Netanyahu over Hamas, Hezbollah cease-fire conditions originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Israeli bombardment of the village of Blida in southern Lebanon on September 17 (Jalaa MAREY) (Jalaa MAREY/AFP/AFP) An Israeli strike on Lebanon killed three people Tuesday, the health ministry said, with Israel saying they were Hezbollah members, as tensions intensified after Israel expanded war aims to include its northern border. Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group has traded near-daily fire with Israeli forces in support of ally Hamas since the Palestinian militant group's October 7 attack on Israel triggered the war in Gaza. The health ministry said an "Israeli enemy strike" on the border village of Blida killed "three people and wounded two", without specifying if they were fighters or civilians. Israel's military said its air force "eliminated three terrorists" from Hezbollah who were at a "terrorist infrastructure site" in the Blida area. Hezbollah did not immediately announce any fighters had been killed, but claimed a series of attacks on Israeli troops and positions near the border on Tuesday. Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported several Israeli attacks in the south of the country. The latest deaths came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the political-security cabinet had "updated the goals of the war" to include "the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes". Almost a year of cross-border violence has displaced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border. On Monday, israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said "military action" was the "only way left to ensure the return of Israel's northern communities". The violence has killed some 627 people in Lebanon, mostly fighters but also including at least 141 civilians, according to an AFP tally. On the Israeli side, including in the annexed Golan Heights, authorities have announced the deaths of at least 24 soldiers and 26 civilians. Hezbollah has repeatedly said that only a ceasefire in Gaza will put an end to its attacks, and diplomatic activity in recent months has sought to avert all-out war. bur-lg/aya/srm Heavy white smoke billows from the southern Lebanese Marjayoun terrain, facing the Israeli settlement of Mutella following heavy Israeli shelling. Stringer/dpa The Israeli military said Tuesday it has killed three members of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement in southern Lebanon, amid fears of further escalation in the border area between the two countries. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, another two people were injured in the attack which targeted the town of Blida, near the Israeli border. Hezbollah did not initially comment on the incident. However, the group claimed several attacks on targets in northern Israel. The Israeli army also said it had attacked additional areas in Lebanon with artillery. The violence is stoking fears that the conflict between pro-Iranian Hezbollah and the Israeli military could worsen. Since the war in the Gaza Strip began on October 7 between Israel and Palestinian extremist group Hamas almost a year ago, there have been almost daily military confrontations in the border area between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. Deaths have been recorded on both sides - most of them members of Hezbollah. The pro-Iranian Shiite militia says it is acting in solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and will cease its attacks on Israel if the "aggression against Gaza and the Palestinian people" stop. Italy announces delivery of SAMP/T air defence system to Ukraine by end of September Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has announced that Ukraine will receive a promised SAMP/T air defence system by the end of September. Source: European Pravda citing Rai News, Italian news channel Details: At a European conference on air defence production, Crosetto announced that the new SAMP/T air defence system would be delivered to Ukraine by the end of the month. "We know how much every minute of delay costs," he stressed. In June, an official report said that Ukraine would receive the SAMP/T air defence system. Last week, the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Italy discussed a new Italian military aid package. Ukraine received the first SAMP/T system, also known as MAMBA, in 2023. This weapon developed jointly by France and Italy can track dozens of targets and intercept up to 10 targets simultaneously. It is also the only European-made system capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. Support UP or become our patron! Italy will deliver a second SAMP/T air defense battery to Ukraine by the end of September, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said on Sept. 17. Italy promised in June to send Kyiv another SAMP/T system, the only European-made air defense system that can intercept ballistic missiles. "By the end of the month the new Samp/T system will be delivered to Ukraine, and we know how much every minute of delay costs," Crosetto said at a conference on European air defense production, according to the Italian media outlet RAI. The announcement comes over a week after President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Italy on Sept. 6. Zelensky said during the visit that Ukraine is grateful for the air defenses supplied by Western allies, but that they are still "not enough to secure our entire territory and repel every Russian attack." Ukraine has lobbied international partners for more air defense capabilities in the wake of intensifying Russian strikes targeting energy infrastructure. Previously, France and Italy jointly supplied Ukraine with a SAMP/T system back in 2023. Ukraine's need for advanced air defense systems has become more urgent in light of Iran's recent transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia. Italian media has also reported that Italy's next military aid package will include a batch of long-range Storm Shadow missiles along with the SAMP/T system, but officials have not confirmed these reports. Read also: Ukraines air defense boosted by 17 IRIS-Ts, but Iranian ballistic missiles still a threat, experts say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Italy next to face storm after 21 killed in Europe floods Intense storms battering central Europe are now reaching Italy, where warnings for heavy rain, strong winds and floods have been issued for much of the country. Floods are already reported in the central city of Pescara, while the Italian meteorological service's weather alerts apply from the northern coast of Emilia-Romagna to the far-south. The warnings come as flooding has devastated parts of Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania and Austria this week, leaving at least 21 people dead. Authorities in Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia are also warning of flooding in the coming days. The significant flooding has been caused by Storm Boris, which brought vast amounts of rain and snow at the weekend. More than 5,000 soldiers have been deployed to help people in southern Poland, including the 40,000 residents evacuated from the town of Nysa. The flood waters are receding in some places in the region and spreading in others, with the extent of the damage revealed in Polish towns like Glucholazy. The town's main bridge collapsed after being damaged by the swollen river, while many of its streets have been covered in mud. Polish police on Tuesday confirmed at least six people have died, cautioning against false information following media reports that put the total number of people killed at more than a dozen. The country's prime minister, Donald Tusk, has declared a month-long state of natural disaster - with the worst flooding expected to hit the city of Wroclaw on Wednesday. [BBC] [BBC] Areas along the Czech-Polish border are among the worst-hit, where 15,000 people have been evacuated in Czech Republic as well. The country has experienced the worst flooding in over 27 years, according to local NGO Clovek v tisn. Ostrava has been one of the most-affected towns, after the river Oder burst its banks following heavy downpours on Tuesday. Meanwhile, water levels are continuing to rise fast on the River Danube in Slovakia and Hungary, with the Slovak capital Bratislava and its Hungarian counterpart Budapest preparing for possible flooding. Emergency services and volunteers, in some places backed up by the army, are also working round the clock to protect low-lying settlements in the region. Watch on BBC iPlayer A drone view of a flood-affected area in Ostrava, Czech Republic [Reuters] Austrian authorities have closed sections of the Danube to shipping traffic over the elevated water levels along the vital waterway, according to reports in local media. The Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service has warned the river could experience an "extremely rare" water increase - and confirmed plans are in place to put up flood barriers if necessary. In Italy, the country's National Civil Protection Service has also issued yellow alerts for nearly 50 regions tomorrow, warning there is a risk of storms, landslides and floods. Prof Hannah Cloke, a meteorologist from the University of Reading, told the BBC that river levels had peaked in most of the smaller, upland rivers of flood-hit eastern Europe. "Some bigger rivers, such as the Danube and Oder, are still rising in parts and will not start to go down again until late Tuesday or Wednesday, and will remain much higher than normal," she added. BBC Weather forecasts are pinpointing the Emilia-Romagna and Marche regions as areas of greatest concern. The region could see one or two months' worth of rainfall in the next three days alone, and there are major concerns over the prospect of flooding. Firefighters in Pescara, Abruzzo say they have already received more than 200 calls for help after heavy rainfall triggered flooding. In Romania, more rain is forecast in the eastern Carpathians, endangering towns and villages in Galati and Vaslui counties, which have already been hard hit. Hungarian soldiers in the village of Leanyfalu helping erect flood barriers with sand bags [Getty Images] Extreme rainfall is becoming more frequent and intense across central Europe, as across much of the world. While events in central Europe fit with expectations of more extreme rainfall in a warming world, it is not yet possible to quantify exactly how much of a role climate change has played. To know for certain, that requires a full scientific analysis of the natural and human influences - which can take weeks or months. But climate scientists have been warning for years about extreme rainfall events like these occurring as the planet warms. A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, leading to more intense rainfall. Warmer oceans also lead to more evaporation, feeding storm systems. For every 1C rise in the global average temperature, the atmosphere is able to hold about 7% more moisture. Prof Cloke told the BBC experts expect climate change to lead to worse flooding in the coming years if global temperatures continue to rise, as "extreme summer downpours are heavier and fill up rivers more quickly". She also noted: "Only a few weeks ago, parts of southern and eastern Europe were suffering from droughts, heatwaves and fires". "We have gone out of the frying pan and into the hot water." How has Italy reduced small boat arrivals by more than 60% in a year and what is the Albania scheme? Sir Keir Starmer has claimed that Britain can learn lessons from Italy on how to reduce migration, after far-right prime minister Giorgia Melonis administration saw small boat arrivals fall by more than 60 per cent this year. Ahead of a visit to Rome, Sir Keir hailed Italys dramatic drop in unregulated migration and expressed interest in Ms Melonis proposed asylum processing scheme in Albania, just months after scrapping the Tories controversial Rwanda scheme. Claiming that his talks with Ms Meloni had marked a return to British pragmatism, Sir Keir also praised Italys upstream work in north Africa, saying: I have always made the argument that preventing people leaving their country in the first place is far better than trying to deal with those that have arrived. Reducing the number of perilous small-boat crossings across the Channel is a political priority for the Labour government, which has announced its intention to smash people-smuggling gangs but has stopped short of opening safe alternative routes for asylum seekers to travel to Britain to have their claims heard. The prime minister is now looking to Italys example, where the countrys interior ministry reported a 62 per cent fall in migrant arrivals on Italian coasts over the first seven months of 2024. Frontex, the EUs border force, has calculated a 64 per cent fall in the number of people arriving from north Africa to Italy and Malta. More than 1,000 people arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel over the weekend, as eight people died trying to make the journey (PA) Hardline immigration policies Italy has long struck a hard line against migration, with deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini having tightened asylum seekers access to support and public services. He could now face six years in jail for preventing a boat carrying more than 100 people from docking in Italy in 2019. But the countrys hardline policies and rhetoric had failed to prevent cross-Mediterranean migration to Italy from continuing to rise dramatically until the fall seen this year, which has been widely attributed to controversial deals struck with the north African nations from which most boats depart. While Italy has strengthened ties with Libya and is training and equipping the Libyan coastguard, the EU last year pledged 105m (88m) to Tunisia to stop migrant crossings from setting off. However, Tunisia later said it had handed back some 60m of EU budget support amid a row over the funding. Human rights observers have since warned that EU funds are being used by countries including Tunisia to carry out collective expulsions of migrants, including people intercepted at sea en route to Italy, who are then put on buses and dumped in remote or desert areas. Migrants are stopped by the Tunisian maritime national guard at sea during an attempt to get to Italy last year (AP) And as part of the crackdown on crossings that has been funded by Europe, the UNs International Organisation for Migration warned this year that it believed some 15,000 to 20,000 migrants had become stranded in rural areas near the central Tunisian coastline. Human Rights Watch has also accused Italy and the EU of being complicit in crimes carried out against migrants intercepted at sea and returned to Libya, where the UN has warned they faced murder, enforced disappearance, torture, enslavement, sexual violence, rape, and other inhumane acts. Italys supreme court ruled this year that it is unlawful for Italy to return intercepted ships to Libya as it is not a safe country. That ruling followed long-running attempts by Rome to make it more difficult for charities rescuing migrants at sea to operate, including handing them fines for refusing to cooperate with the Libyan authorities. The fall in arrivals in Italy this year has also corresponded with a rise in arrivals via the shorter eastern Mediterranean route to Greece of nearly 57 per cent, according to the EUs border agency Frontex. These crossings previously fell under an EU deal with Turkey in 2016. Warning that Italys apparent fall in numbers must be put into context, Alberto-Horst Neidhardt, a migration specialist at the European Policy Centre think tank, noted that this years figures are in comparison with a significant surge seen in 2023, while the fact that overall arrivals to the EU have remained roughly static suggests that the flows of migration have merely shifted elsewhere. Mr Neidhart told The Independent that the reduction in arrivals is due to a combination of factors, including the obstruction of Mediterranean rescue operations and more vigorous efforts by Tunisia to prevent departures and return migrants to their countries of origin. But he warned that the deals such as those with Tunisia and Libya are short-term patchy remedies that treat the symptoms and not the root causes of irregular migration, and that they serve the purpose of saving the face of European governments by keeping their most unacceptable side-effects, including violations of human rights, as far away as possible from European voters eyes. Mr Neidhart added: There is also ample evidence that pouring money and resources into unstable countries governed by authoritarian regimes only makes the problem worse in the longer term, promoting elites economic interests, fuelling corruption, and undermining good governance. Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni with British prime minister Keir Starmer (AFP/Getty) Italys Albania deal In a further bid to cut migration to Italy, Ms Meloni has struck a deal with Albania to create an offshore asylum processing system, which is yet to come to fruition. In an echo of the controversy around the UKs costly and long-delayed Rwanda scheme, Human Rights Watch has described Italys scheme initially intended to become operational in May as a model of mismanagement and a blueprint for abuse costing hundreds of millions of euros. But with Sir Keir now expressing interest in replicating the Albania deal, home secretary Yvette Cooper insisted on Monday that it is very, very different from the axed Rwanda plan. Under the Tory scheme, asylum seekers would have been permanently deported to Rwanda. By contrast, Albania will accept asylum seekers on Italys behalf while their claims are processed. Failed asylum seekers from safe countries will then be returned to those countries, while those whose asylum claims are successful expected to be a small minority will be brought to Italy. Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni during her joint press conference with Keir Starmer at Villa Doria Pamphili in Rome (PA) Criticising the Albania scheme, Judith Sunderland of Human Rights Watch said in June: Italys latest gambit to offshore its responsibilities is all but guaranteed to violate peoples rights. Following its abusive deal with Libya, Italy now wants to take people who have effectively reached the country outside of the EU, breaching fundamental tenets of rescue at sea and undermining asylum rights and freedom from arbitrary detention. Both Ms Sunderland and Mr Neidhart warned that the scheme was unlikely to deter people from making dangerous boat crossings, with the latter adding: In fact, most of the persons processed in Albania will be transferred to Italy, after their procedure is over. The deal should be seen for what it is: a costly operation that moves the processing of claims outside the Italian territory, with questionable administrative benefits, ... intended to demonstrate to the Italian electorate that the government is acting on its pledge to crack down against irregular migration. It should also be seen as a deliberate and more concerted attempt to create a hostile environment for those arriving irregularly in Europe, at a time of growing social and political divisions and tensions. Brie Larson will grace the West End stage with her debut performance in 2025. The "Captain Marvel" actress will make her first appearance in the UK premiere of poet Anne Carson's modern interpretation of the timeless Sophocles drama "Elektra," with directorial guidance from Daniel Fish. Larson told BBC News, "I couldn't be more excited to perform in this Greek drama, or in better company collaborating with Daniel Fish and Anne Carson." "Storytelling has always been the way I organize life, feelings and experiences. I look forward to sharing space with the wonderful West End audience while we explore this timeless story." Fish also said in a statement, "What is ancient and what is contemporary? Carson's translation explodes this question." He continued, "It is a thrilling challenge to work on Sophocles's tragedy, by way of Carson's words, and on the beautiful stage of the Duke of York's with Brie Larson." According to BroadwayWorld, being haunted by the memory of her father's murder, Elektra is tormented by grief, a relentless desire to survive, and a burning thirst for revenge. It went on, "When her long lost brother Orestes at last returns, she urges him to a savage and terrifying conclusion but at what cost?" Brie Larson, who took home several awards in 2016 including SAG Awards, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes, hasn't stepped onto a theater stage in over a decade. Her last performance was as Emily in "Our Town" at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2010. "Elektra" is set to run from January 13 to January 18, 2025, at the Theatre Royal in Brighton. Following that, it will head to the Duke of York's Theatre in London for an extended 11-week run starting January 24, 2025. Italy's Salvini vows to stay on even if found guilty in migrant case Matteo Salvini, Italian Government Deputy Premier and Minister for Transports and leader of Lega far right party, arrives for the third day of the 50th Edition of the Ambrosetti Annual Forum in Cernobbio. Marco Ottico/LaPresse via ZUMA Press/dpa Italian far-right Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who is on trial over his weeks-long refusal to let a migrant boat dock in 2019, has vowed to remain in office even if he is handed a prison term. Salvini, who also serves as infrastructure minister and leads the far-right populist League party, told Italian broadcaster Rete 4 on Tuesday that he was prepared to take the case to the Supreme Court to secure an acquittal. In 2019, while serving as interior minister, Salvini gave orders to deny a ship operated by a Spanish aid organization from entering the port of the Italian island of Lampedusa. The Open Arms vessel, carrying some 150 migrants from Africa who had crossed the Mediterranean to reach the EU, was forced to stay at sea for three weeks, before it was finally allowed to dock. Proceedings against Salvini were launched at a court in the Sicilian capital Palermo more than three years ago and a verdict is expected next month. The public prosecutor has called for a six-year prison sentence for Salvini, accusing the politician of deprivation of liberty and abuse of office. In Tuesday's interview, Salvini, 51, reiterated that he believed his trial was politically motivated. "This is an attempt by the left to attack the government and the right to defend national borders," Salvini told the broadcaster, adding that he expects to be acquitted. IVF is supposedly key to Trumps campaign. JD Vance didnt even show up to vote on it Republican vice presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) speaks with media at the airport before he departs on September 14, 2024 in Greenville, North Carolina. ((Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)) During his debate with Kamala Harris last week, former president Donald Trump said that I have been a leader on fertilization and what he meant by that was in vitro fertilization treatment, otherwise known as IVF. The former president promised before the debate that either the federal government or insurance would cover the cost of IVF if he got a second term in the White House. This all seemed a little convenient, considering it was Trump who put IVF in jeopardy. His confirmation of ultra-conservative judges to the Supreme Court led to the overturn of Roe v Wade with the Dobbs decision, which then in turn led a court in Alabama to declare embryos humans. If embryos are humans, of course, then IVF is untenable. All of this caused a big political headache for Trump, which led to his knee-jerk policy proposal of Obamacare-style IVF for all. Needless to say, Republicans themselves many of whom are evangelicals who dont believe in IVF were not so happy to hear about it. This rift among members of the GOP has become especially problematic recently. So this week, Democrats decided to call Republicans bluff by having a vote on legislation to cover the cost of IVF. Just several weeks ago, Donald Trump said that he thought that we should have IVF for everyone, Senator Tina Smith told The Independent. He's all talk and no action, and these Republicans in the Senate follow his lead, but they never show up. Unsurprisingly, most Republicans opposed the motion. But what is more surprising is who did not vote at all: Trumps running mate and man on the Hill, Senator JD Vance of Ohio. It seems like an important vote, Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who had to split her time between the campaign trail and the Senate when she ran for president and is up for re-election this year, told The Independent. The Republican vice presidential nominee is seemingly too busy spreading misinformation about Haitian migrants in his home state, all while telling Democrats to turn down the volume of their political rhetoric. This is not the first time that Vance has skipped a vote on legislation that ostensibly matters to him. Hes previously said he supports an expanded child tax credit but then when given a chance to vote on a bipartisan proposal that passed the House and would have included a child tax credit, he skipped the vote. That move infuriated Ron Wyden, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee chairman who is usually polite to everyone, but said in August, Bottom line, the guys a phony. Thats the closest thing to fighting words for senators. Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, one of the architects of the expanded Child Tax Credit, had even harsher words. Its kind of shocking, but never heard a word about it before he was on the campaign, Bennet, who is also fairly mild-mannered, told The Independent. As The Independent reported a few months ago, some Democratic senators tried to work with Vance during his brief tenure in the Senate, only to be frequently disappointed. Many accused him of playing partisan politics and undermining his colleagues to score electoral points. He has a job to do and I dont think hes doing it, Smith told The Independent. Of course, Vance might have good reason to avoid taking tough votes. One is that it would put the ostensible number-two in the GOP in the uncomfortable position of siding with the Democrats. The other is that many anti-abortion activists in his party dont like IVF and see creating frozen embryos as antithetical to their ideals in the same way as abortion. Vance might actually be making Democrats job easier in one area by not turning up, however. Given the Republican control of the House, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has prioritized confirming President Joe Bidens judicial nominees. But a full Senate means it is harder to invoke cloture, which would end debate on judicial nominees and allow them to be confirmed. Doing so requires three-fifths of senators present. So far, Vances absence, along with those of other senators, made it easier for Democrats to confirm judges. For their part, Republicans dont seem bothered by Vances absence, even if it allows for Democrats to do that. Hes running for vice president, Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, told The Independent. It was a point echoed by Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana. He's a vice presidential nominee, he said, when asked about Vances absences. I don't know if you knew that, but he is, and that requires him to be on the campaign trail. For their part, Democrats are pleased to be able to continue their confirmation spree. We have a narrow majority in the Senate, Smith told The Independent. I am really glad that we're getting as many judges confirmed as we can. Speaking at an event in Georgia Monday night, Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance noted the need to tone down the national political rhetoric. His remarks continue the Trump campaigns efforts to lay this weekends attempt on Donald Trumps life at the feet of the Democrats and their inflammatory rhetoric. I do think that we should take this opportunity to call for a reduction in the ridiculous and inflammatory political rhetoric coming from too many corners of our politics, Vance said. Look, we can disagree with one another, he continued. We can debate one another. But we cannot tell the American people that one candidate is a fascist and if hes elected it is going to be the end of American democracy. The statement hasnt landed well online, where many have pointed out that much of the extreme rhetoric of the day comes from Vances own corner. In the past week, the Trump campaign has claimed that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are eating pets and, following the assassination attempt, said that Biden and Harris are the enemy from within, while urging them to tamp down their rhetoric. And Trump himself has often framed his political opponents as fascists hell-bent on destroying the country. On the 2024 campaign trail, Trump has called Kamala Harris a radical left Marxist Communist fascist and said of her policies: This is Communist. This is Marxist. This is fascist. In May, after being convicted by a Manhattan jury on 34 felony counts, Trump said the Biden administration is destroying our country, adding, Were living in a fascist state. In November 2023, he vowed to root out the Communists, Marxists, fascists, and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country. Even back in 2020, Trump raised the bogeyman of left-wing fascism in the Democratic Party, saying, Fascists! They are fascists. Some of them, not all of them, but some of them. But theyre getting closer and closer. While the Trump campaign may, in a dubious effort to pin political violence on the current administration, call for a cooling down of political rhetoric, Trump and the right evidently bear more than a little responsibility for its current temperature. In a blog post from 2012, J.D. Vance, then a law student at Yale, criticized the Republican Party for being openly hostile to non-whites and alienating Blacks, Latinos, [and] the youth. Four years later, he asked his former college professor to take down the post, titled A Blueprint for the GOP. Brad Nelson, who taught Vance when he was an undergraduate at Ohio State University, had asked his former student to contribute to the blog he ran for the Center for World Conflict and Peace. During the 2016 presidential primary, Vance asked Nelson to delete the post so he could work in Republican politics, which Nelson did, according to CNN. The article, which is accessible on the Internet Archives Wayback Machine, attacks the GOPs immigration policies, saying from a conservative point of view, expecting the government to deport 12 million people is nonsensical. Think about it: we conservatives (rightly) mistrust the government to efficiently administer business loans and regulate our food supply, yet we allegedly believe that it can deport millions of unregistered aliens, the Republican vice presidential nominee wrote. The notion fails to pass the laugh test. The same can be said for too much of the partys platform. Its the opposite of Vances views now, as he seems to openly argue that immigration is bad for America, despite the fact that his wife, Usha, is the daughter of Indian immigrants. And its telling that this is what Vance wanted deleted from the internet when the Ohio senator has expressed far more controversial views, including on right-wing podcasts. On one podcast in 2020, for example, Vance expressed strange views on the role of grandparents, on Indian culture, and the postmenopausal female. Meanwhile, two of his accounts on X still follow Hitler apologist Daryl Cooper. Yet Vance is more concerned with his own valid criticisms of the Republican Party remaining online. Before he entered politics, Vance was critical of Donald Trump and his 2016 candidacy for president, saying that hes noxious and is leading the white working class to a very dark place. It seems like Vance wants to put his previous views of Trump, along with his old views of the GOP, behind him for the sake of political advancement, which raises the question of whether he actually believes anything hes saying now. Amanda Holden paid tribute to Jamie Theakston after her Heart Breakfast co-host announced his cancer diagnosis DJ Jamie Theakston has been diagnosed with throat cancer after listeners noticed a change in his voice. The Heart Breakfast co-host announced on Tuesday that he is suffering from stage one laryngeal cancer. The 53-year-old said on Instagram: Hi Folks, as you know I recently had an operation to remove a lesion from my vocal cords. The biopsy has identified this as stage 1 Laryngeal cancer. So I have cancer but cancer doesnt have me. The prognosis is very positive and Im hoping to be back with you in October. Until then Ive been told to give my voice a rest and leave you in the mostly capable hands of JK [Jason King] and Amanda [Holden]. Big thanks to them and all the Global family who have been unbelievably supportive. He added: Be thankful for this day, and when I see you next, Ill have a great story to tell. Jamie Theakston, pictured with wife Sophie Siegle, said The prognosis is very positive - JOAL, TOPS Laryngeal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the larynx, also known as the voice box. On Sept 1, Theakston announced that he had sought medical advice after some listeners noticed there was something different about his voice. Symptoms of laryngeal cancer include a change in your voice, such as sounding hoarse, according to the NHS. Other symptoms include pain when swallowing, a lump or swelling in your neck, a long-lasting cough or breathlessness, a persistent sore throat or earache and in the most severe cases, difficulty breathing. There are more than 2,000 new cases of laryngeal cancer in the UK each year. The condition is more common in those over the age of 60, and is more common in men than women. Theakston posted an emotional message on his Instagram account - Instagram After fans noticed his voice appeared to be hoarse, Theakston wrote on Instagram: Sooo a few of you listeners have noticed my voice hasnt sounded right these past few weeks Ive got you to thank. Got it checked. Doctors found a lesion on my vocal cords which Ive had removed this weekend thanks for all the kind messages should be back on my feet soon. Theakston shot to fame in the mid-1990s, becoming known for presenting the childrens programme Live & Kicking alongside Zoe Ball from 1996, which he won a Bafta for. He then went on to host Top of the Pops in 1999. He joined Heart FM in May 2005, following three years at BBC Radio 1. 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 woman in Ann Arbor, Michigan, got a surprise when she answered the doorbell recently. Thats because she found herself face-to-face with Oscar-winning actor Jane Fonda, who was in town canvassing for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee. Actually, closer than face-to-face, as the video below opens with the woman and Fonda sharing a hug. Makes me want to cry, the unidentified woman tells Fonda. This is such an important election, Fonda replies, adding that shes doing everything I can. Ive never done this for a president. We have to get [Harris and Walz] elected. Michiganders are used to door knocks and phone calls, but Ann Arbor residents were not prepared for the one and only @Janefonda at their door! pic.twitter.com/t4CjvtNquY Kamala for Michigan (@KamalaForMI) September 17, 2024 Fonda also spoke Monday night to a crowd at a campaign office, where she emphasized the importance of dealing with global climate change. We cant lose four years, Fonda said, according to MLive. We have to cut our emissions in half by 2030. Were going in the wrong direction, and were going to be galloping in the wrong direction if Trump gets elected. We cannot allow that to happen. On Tuesday, Fonda also participated in a climate talk on the University of Michigan campus. Meanwhile, many social media posts expressed appreciation for Fondas canvassing call and wished shed visit their home as well. Oh my! Come to my town please! Deborah My Friends Call Me Slayer (@drodvik52) September 17, 2024 Good lord I would pass out! I've been wanting to post how .@Janefonda is my shero. I've been rewatching Grace & Frankie for the umpteenth time. Jane Fonda in Five Acts is absolutely amazing. (@booksanescape) September 17, 2024 Can't imagine opening the door and finding Jane Fonda on my porch ..wow pic.twitter.com/N9NFAOH7Pd Serendipity (@SerendipityinFl) September 17, 2024 If you ever come to my door @Janefonda, I'm offering you dinner and a joint. teabelly (@OgTeabelly) September 17, 2024 I dont think many men understand just what is moving us women of a certain generation to tears. Weve been waiting for a long, long time for this. It feels possible and we are done being disappointed. Martha LETS GO ,LA Smith (@jazziknits) September 17, 2024 Every now and then something cuts thru all of the chaos. This did that today for me. Being in a constant state of outrage is exhausting but we will win. All hands are on deck and when we are done, we will have left it all on the field. Early voting starts this week. See pic.twitter.com/wuOfxGkQOO Wanderlust (@CapriMilanRome) September 17, 2024 @Janefonda you're amazing! I still smile when I think of your talk with @JuliaLouisDNet in "Wiser Than Me". I'm 63 now and it gave me so much! THANK YOU. Christine Loriol #DavosStandard (@ChristineLoriol) September 17, 2024 Related... DAKOTA CITY, Neb. (KCAU) Testimony resumed Monday for the second week in the murder trial of Jason Jones. Much of the days testimony came from emergency workers who responded to a fire set inside the home of Michelle Ebeling, one of four people Jones is accused of killing. Investigators focused on what was used and how a fire they called intentional started. Nebraska State Fire Marshal investigator Justin Davis said there was a large red five-gallon gas can found in Ebelings home at 209 Elm Street in Laurel, which he said was used to start the fire. The investigator also said that when he entered the home, there was a strong gasoline odor. The red gas can was reportedly tipped over on the floor, along with irregular fire patterns on the carpet throughout the house. Firefighters told Davis there were only a couple of rooms in the house that actually had a fire in them due to gasoline being poured from one room to another. Des Moines PD: Officers tased suspect before he opened fire on them With a vapor ignition, its hard to pinpoint the area of origin if you dont have a lot of damage to the structure that the fire occurred in, Davis said. The fire at Michelle Ebelings house did die out due to a lack of oxygen. Meanwhile, when firefighter arrived at the Twifords house, the back door was already pried open. Jones trial is set to continue Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. at the Dakota County Courthouse. To view KCAU 9s previous coverage of this case, 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. JD Vance mocked for call to love our neighbors as Ohio schools evacuated amid false rumors he helped spread JD Vance mocked for call to love our neighbors as Ohio schools evacuated amid false rumors he helped spread Trump running mate and Ohio senator JD Vance is being mocked on social media for calling on Americans to love their neighbors, after a community in his home state has been besieged with violent, hateful threats based off a racist conspiracy theory he helped amplify. On Monday, Vance spoke at at the Georgia Faith & Freedom Coalition dinner in Atlanta, where he referenced the famous Biblical commandment to love ones neighbors. At this moment in time, in 2024 with all the violence and all the negative political rhetoric, we need to remember above and beyond that we must love our neighbors, that we must treat other people as we hope to be treated, and that we must love our God and let it motivate us in how we enact public policy, Vance told the crowd. As some on social media pointed out, that sentiment seemed at odds with Vances actions in recent weeks, which included amplifying an unfounded conspiracy theory about foreign-born members of his own constituency. Vance: We need to remember above and beyond that we must love our neighbors, that we must treat other people as we hope to be treated.. we must love our god and let it motivate us in how we enact public policy, pic.twitter.com/QgiAgpUTFo Acyn (@Acyn) September 16, 2024 Both Donald Trump and Vance have used social media on multiple occasions to amplify racist claims that Haitian and African migrants in Ohio are eating household pets and neighborhood animals like geese. Local officials, including the police, have said theres no evidence behind the claims, which originated in a fourth-hand rumor on a local Facebook group that was amplified by local neo-Nazi groups. Following these claims spreading widely among right-wing social media users and elected officials, the town of Springfield, Ohio, has received 33 seperate threats, prompting the closure of schools and government buildings. Some on social media argued this context made Vances comments on Monday hollow. The MeidasTouch, a liberal news site, put Vances face on a popular meme from the sketch comedy show I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, used to suggest situations where the person pointing the finger is the one whos guilty. Writer Parker Molloy called it wild to see Vances comments and reports of threats in Springfield back-to-back in their timeline. Wild to see these back to back in the timeline pic.twitter.com/uveOP54Ekd Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) September 16, 2024 Others quoted from a different part of Vances Monday speech, where he slammed Democrats for calling Donald Trump a fascist, pointing to similar remarks Trump made about Kamal Harris earlier this month. VANCE TODAY: We cannot tell the American people that one candidate is a fascist. TRUMP 11 DAYS AGO: Kamala Harris is the first major party nominee in American history who fundamentally rejects freedom and embraces Marxism, communism, and fascism. pic.twitter.com/VbrhbbsxGn https://t.co/Iy520EjvEf Eric Columbus (@EricColumbus) September 16, 2024 Vance and Trump have offered different explanations for the source of their claims about Ohio, Trump saying he heard them on TV, while Vance has variously pointed to calls from his constituents and news reports from right-wing personalities, though the senator has also acknowledged his claims may be proven untrue in the end. On Sunday, he seemed to tell CNN he was willing to spread false information if it raised attention to issues he cared about. If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then thats what Im going to do, said the senator. JD Vance says US could drop support for NATO if Europe tries to regulate Elon Musks platforms JD Vance has suggested that American support for NATO should be predicated on the European Union not regulating Elon Musk and his X social media platform, formerly known as Twitter. The Republican vice presidential nominee and Ohio senator claimed in an interview with YouTuber Shawn Ryan that a top EU official had threatened to arrest the billionaire if he allowed former President Donald Trump back on X. The leader, I forget exactly which official it was within the European Union, but sent Elon this threatening letter that basically said, Were going to arrest you if you platform Donald Trump, who, by the way, is the likely next president of the United States, Vance said in the interview published last week. Trumps running mate then suggested that US support for NATO should be used as a cudgel to get the Europeans in line. So what America should be saying is, if NATO wants us to continue supporting them and NATO wants us to continue to be a good participant in this military alliance, why dont you respect American values and respect free speech? Vance asked. Its insane that we would support a military alliance if that military alliance isnt going to be pro-free speech. I think we can do both. But weve got to say American power comes with certain strings attached. One of those is respect free speech, especially in our European allies. Musk has been accused of banning several journalists since taking over Twitter, now X. Im not going to go to some backwoods country and tell them how to live their lives, Vance added. But European countries should theoretically share American values, especially about some very basic things like free speech. JD Vance said that American power comes with certain strings attached (AP) The US ranked 26th in the world when it comes to free speech, with several members of the European Union higher up the list, according to the 2024 Global Expression Report. Internal market EU Commissioner Thierry Breton wrote on X in July that the platforms verification system of users using blue checks is deceiving. Now X has the right of defence but if our view is confirmed we will impose fines & require significant changes, he added. Musk who responded at the time, saying: We look forward to a very public battle in court, so that the people of Europe can know the truth. The European Commission offered X an illegal secret deal: if we quietly censored speech without telling anyone, they would not fine us. The other platforms accepted that deal. X did not, he added in another post. X could face disciplinary action under the EU Digital Services Act that was put in place in 2022. The legislation includes a number of regulations stating that platforms have to take responsibility for protecting European users from illegal content and disinformation. Vance has faced criticism for putting forward, in the same interview, a peace plan for the war in Ukraine that would appear to benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin, who views NATO as a top adversary. Ryan asked Vance what Trumps plan was to end the war in Ukraine. The senator said Trump would have a discussion with the Russians, Ukrainians, and Europeans and tell them that they need to figure out what a peaceful settlement looks like. Vance also told Ryan that a possible peace agreement could mean that Russia would hold onto the land they have seized and that a demilitarized zone would be implemented along the current frontlines. Vance added that Ukraine would also give Russia a guarantee of neutrality. What it probably looks like is something like the current line of demarcation between Russia and Ukraine becomes like a demilitarized zone, heavily fortified [so] the Russians dont invade again, he said. Trumps running mate also suggested that Europe, specifically Germany, and not Russia, would have to fund the rebuilding of Ukraine. Ukraine remains an independent sovereignty. Russia gets the guarantee of neutrality from Ukraine. It does not join NATO and some other allied institutions. Germans and other nations have to fund Ukraines reconstruction, Vance added. Ukraine has been trying to join NATO and the European Union for years. Already in 2008, then-NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said Ukraine would eventually become a member of the military alliance. Trump has long shared his disdain for NATO during his first term, he reportedly privately discussed pulling out of the alliance completely. The former president has also repeatedly indicated that he would refuse to adhere to NATOs Article 5 collective defense clause, which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all. Earlier this year, he said he had told a foreign leader that he would urge Russia to do whatever the hell they want to NATO members who were not spending enough on defense. Trump has also made a habit of praising dictators and authoritarian leaders, showing a particular affinity for Putin, whom he called genius and savvy after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The then-president also sided with Putin over the US intelligence community when asked about Russian interference in the 2016 election during a 2018 press conference with the Russian leader in Helsinki, Finland. This is an adapted excerpt from the Sept. 15 episode of "Inside with Jen Psaki." If getting totally embarrassed by Vice President Kamala Harris in front of more than 67 million debate watchers made Donald Trump furious and you know that it did its pretty clear the rest of the weeks events only added to his rage. Lets take a look at some of the things that are probably making Trump very, very mad right now: A Des Moines Register poll released on Sunday showed Harris cutting Trumps lead in Iowa to just 4 points. To give you a sense of what that means, the same poll had Trump leading Joe Biden by 18 points in June. In 2016 and 2020, Trump won Iowa by about 9 points and Iowa hasnt been a swing state since 2008. On Saturday, at a Congressional Black Caucus dinner in Washington, D.C., Harris mocked Trump for his line in the debate about having concepts of a plan. And all week long, she filled stadiums with tens of thousands of people in crucial swing states such as North Carolina and Pennsylvania. She also, of course, notched the endorsement of Taylor Swift, which is clearly still driving Trump nuts. On Sunday morning, he sent out a message on Truth Social, declaring, I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT! I mean, that debate was so galvanizing for Harris and so embarrassing for Trump that Karl Rove basically called Trump stupid in the editorial pages of The Wall Street Journal. So yes, Trump was embarrassed on Tuesday night, and hes been embarrassed every day since, but in response, he isnt retooling his campaign team. He isnt planning a bus tour across the Midwest to connect with voters. Instead, hes going back to the same xenophobic and racist playbook that he thinks won him the election in 2016: appealing to his base with fear a fear of immigrants, a fear of Black and Latino communities, a fear of basically anyone who doesnt look like him and JD Vance. Hes doubled down on a claim debunked by the local police, the mayor and even the Republican governor of Ohio that Haitian immigrants in Springfield are eating pets. It was a claim that originated with a Facebook post from one person who later disavowed it. But none of the facts matter to Trump they never have. Trump prompted the explosion of this conspiracy theory himself by elevating it on the debate stage and later vowing mass deportations starting in Springfield. The result? A city being terrorized. On Sunday, Wittenberg University in Springfield was put on high alert after someone threatened to shoot Haitians on campus. On Saturday, a bomb threat forced two hospitals to go into lockdown. Earlier in the week, multiple schools and municipal buildings were evacuated or closed because of similar threats, at least one of which used hateful language toward Haitians. NBC News also reports that a neo-Nazi group, which helped push the false claim, is now doxing local residents and officials who have publicly spoken out. And surprise, surprise, Trump is doing absolutely nothing to calm things down. When asked Saturday if he denounced those bomb threats in Springfield, Trump dodged the question, telling reporters: I dont know what happened with the bomb threats. I know that its been taken over by illegal migrants and thats a terrible thing that happened. Springfield was this beautiful town and now theyre going through hell. Its a sad thing. Not gonna happen with me, I can tell you right now. When the question is Do you denounce bomb threats that are terrorizing an American city? ... the answer should be unambiguous. But, of course, Trumps wasnt and, of course, in the next breath he kept lying about Haitian immigrants who are in this country legally. Weve seen this pattern before: Trump stoking conspiracy theories and then commenting on them as if hes some casual observer. He sets fire to the building, continues pouring gasoline all over it and then wonders aloud why its burning. This is what he does. Just ask anyone who was in the Capitol on Jan. 6. So yes, Trump may be a buffoon whos been roundly ridiculed but that doesnt make him any less dangerous. Its a dynamic Harris captured perfectly all the way back at the Democratic convention: In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man. But the consequences, but the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A New Jersey man pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after allegedly stealing a large quantity of gold bars from a 76-year-old Orchard Park victim last year, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced Tuesday. According to officials, 29-year-old Jaspreet Singh conspired with others to fraudulently convince victims to provide money and property to members of the conspiracy. On July 25, 2023, Singh traveled from New Jersey to Orchard Park after being instructed to drive to the home of a 76-year-old victim identified as W.D. and collect packages containing gold bars. Wyoming County officials pulled him over for speeding later that same day. $200,000 worth of stolen gold bars found during traffic stop in Wyoming County During the traffic stop, Singh provided conflicting information to the officers, but gave them permission to search the vehicle. The officers found a USPS package containing American reserve bullion one-ounce gold bars and a large quantity of shipping boxes. W.D. said that he and his wife were told their identities were used in a fraudulent scheme and that purchasing the bars would clear their names, officials said. If they did not purchase the bars, they would be arrested and prosecuted, the victim said. He suffered a great loss to his retirement funds and savings accounts. Conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a fine of $250,000 and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled. Latest Local News Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The Youngstown Area Jewish Federation is doing its part to help make sure people can vote in the general election this November. The Jewish Community Relations Council joined the League of Women Voters to host a voter registration drive at the Jewish Community Center Tuesday. People could register to vote and check their voter registration status. Organizers also had absentee ballot request forms and information on polling site locations. We would like every American who has the right to vote to go out and vote and we want to ensure that they have the ability. Thats why we do voter registration drivers, said Melissa Bateman, Director of Community Engagement. National Voter Registration Day was founded 12 years ago. The holidays goal is getting Americans registered to vote in time to cast their ballots for the next election. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Former president Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United State, was born on October 1, 1924 in rural Georgia. After serving as president from 1977 to 1981, he and his wife Rosalynn Carter returned to their hometown of Plains. Carter didn't want to "capitalize financially on being in the White House," he said in 2018, instead choosing to focus on humanitarian efforts. The former peanut farmer and Navy man shared, "it just never had been my ambition to be rich." He's been an ex-president longer than anyone else in history; Carter became the oldest living former president in American history on his 95th birthday, and he makes history every single day. "I think the best explanation for [a long life] is to marry the best spouse: someone who will take care of you and engage and do things to challenge you and keep you alive and interested in life," Carter said in 2019. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were married for 78 years until her death in November 2023. "The idea that they did what they could is a pretty powerful one," Jason Carter, the grandson of Jimmy and Rosalynn, told T&C of his grandparents, "and they took advantage of every opportunity that they had to do good for other people. They come from a tiny town, and they have enormous respect for people at the end of the road, that sometimes others look at with pity and think, 'Oh my God, these poor people.' And my grandparents always looked at those folks with real respect for the power that people in those communities had." As Jimmy Carter prepares to celebrate his 100th birthday on October 1 while in hospice care, we look back on the best photos of him throughout his life. Courtesy the Carter Center Alex Brandon - Getty Images Circa 1920s Jimmy Carter was born James Earl Carter, Jr. in October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia. Historical - Getty Images Circa 1920s Jimmy is pictured here with his sisters Gloria and Ruth, and his father James Earl Carter Sr. His father ran a general store. Historical - Getty Images Circa 1920s He grew up in Plains and attended college in Georgia. Pictured: Carter petting a colt in a field. Historical - Getty Images 1928 Jimmy and his sister Gloria in a portrait. Historical - Getty Images 1944 Carter was admitted to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1943. "When I was five years old, if anybody asked me what I wanted to do in the future, I would say I want to go to the Naval Academy and be a naval officer. My daddy was a first lieutenant in the First World War, and my unclemy favorite uncle, my youngest brother of my mother, was in the Navy. And he traveled in the Philippines and Japan and China and so forth and sent me a lot of mementos and letters back," Carter later recalled. "So between the two, between West Point and Annapolis, which was the only two free universities we knew about in those days, I chose Annapolis. So that was my longtime commitment." PhotoQuest - Getty Images Courtesy the Carter Center Circa mid-1940s Carter's Naval Academy yearbook picture. Bettmann - Getty Images Courtesy the Carter Center 1946 Carter at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis with a classmate. Bettmann - Getty Images 1946 On his graduation, Jimmy's mom Lillian (right) and Rosalynn (left) pinned on his Ensign bars. Jimmy Carter Library and Museum/Wikimedia Commons Courtesy the Carter Center Circa late 1940s After graduation, Carter was assigned to the U.S.S. Wyoming, where he worked for two years and then transferred to the submarine force during the Korean war. "I was in battleships first which did experimental gun programs. And I was the electronics officer and the photography officer. And that was on two battleships, the Wyoming and the Mississippi," he shared. "And then I went in the submarine force and I was in the Pacific almost all the time." Library of Congress - Getty Images Circa 1950s Jimmy and Rosalynn married right after his graduation, and quickly welcomed three sons, John William "Jack" (b. 1947), James Earl III "Chip" (b. 1950) and Donnell Jeffrey "Jeff" (b. 1952). Their daughter, Amy, was born in 1967. Bettmann - Getty Images 1971 After his father died, he moved home to Plains, and soon entered politics in Georgia. He was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 1962, and as Georgia's governor in 1970. RacingOne - Getty Images 1970s He remained a peanut framer until his election to the presidency. Hulton Archive - Getty Images Courtesy the Carter Center 1970s Carter pets his dog behind a tractor on his peanut farm in Plains. Archive Photos - Getty Images 1974 Plains has always been his home throughout his entire political career. "The Georgia governorship is one of the most powerful in the nation. And I enjoyed being Governor. That was one of the most pleasant four years of my life," he would later reflect. Archive Photos - Getty Images Courtesy the Carter Center 1975 He declared his candidacy for presidency in 1974, and began campaigning soon after. Mariette Pathy Allen - Getty Images 1976 Carter, his wife Rosalynn Carter, and their daughter Amy in Plains. Michael Brennan - Getty Images 1976 During a break from his presidential campaign, Carter played softball in (you guessed it!) Plains. Owen Franken - Corbis - Getty Images 1976 Carter hugs his wife after learning he won the presidential election. He won the popular vote by 50.1 percent, and received 297 electoral votes. Hulton Archive - Getty Images 1977 A photo from Carter's inauguration, as Rosalynn looks lovingly at her husband. Universal History Archive - Getty Images 1977 The Carters dance at a ball. Universal History Archive - Getty Images Circa late 1970s A portrait of Carter with his mother Lilian, his brother Billy, and his sisters Gloria and Ruth. All three of his siblings died of pancreatic cancer. Historical - Getty Images Circa late 1970s And here is a portrait of President Carter with his extended family. Left to right: Jack's wife Judy, grandson Jason, son Jack, Jeff's wife Annette, son Jeff, wife Rosalynn, daughter Amy, President Carter himself, Chip's wife Caron, grandson James IV, and son Chip. Historical - Getty Images 1977 During his time as president, he normalized relations with China, helped oversee the Camp David Accords, signed the Panama Canal Treaty, and advocated for human rights worldwide. Bernard CHARLON - Getty Images 1977 "During my administration, we tried to keep the peace. And we cherished our human rights," Carter said in July 2021. "We came out of the White House completely satisfied with the way we had acted in the trial that we made to overcome difficulties. And most of the time, we succeeded. At least we thought we did." HUM Images - Getty Images 1977 The Carters' first White House Christmas; they pose with a Christmas tree located in the Blue Room of the White House. Consolidated News Pictures - Getty Images 1978 Carter fly fishes on a private trout stream during a brief vacation. Bettmann - Getty Images 1978 One of Carter's notable foreign policy achievements during his presidency was the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt. Here, Carter walks with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at Camp David. Consolidated News Pictures - Getty Images 1978 Carter with his wife Rosalynn at Camp David. HUM Images - Getty Images 1980 Jimmy Carter's official presidential portrait. Hulton Archive - Getty Images 1980 Carter was the Democratic nominee again for the 1980 presidential election, but he lost to Ronald Reagan. Bettmann - Getty Images 1981 After his term as president ended, former president Jimmy Carter returned to his hometown of Plains. Chuck Fishman - Getty Images 1981 The original caption here is worth reading: "the former President thoroughly enjoys the woodworking tools given to him as a going away gift from his Cabinet and staff. Carter is sanding a table he built for Rosalyn to use as a typewriter stand when she starts to write her book." Rosalynn wrote First Lady from Plains about growing up in small-town Georgia and her role in the White House. Bettmann - Getty Images 1988 The Carters founded the Carter Center in 1982, with the goal of advancing human rights. Consolidated News Pictures - Getty Images Courtesy the Carter Center 1992 Carter, a longtime Braves fan, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game One of the 1992 World Series between the Atlanta Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays. MLB Photos - Getty Images 1992 In 1984, Jimmy and Rosalynn began working with Habitat for Humanity. "Habitat has successfully removed the stigma of charity by substituting it with a sense of partnership," Carter said. mark peterson - Getty Images 1993 He also kept woodworking; he made this chess set. Rick Diamond - Getty Images 1994 "I have one life and one chance to make it count for something... My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference," Carter said. Rick Diamond - Getty Images 1996 The Carters pictured at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum in Atlanta. Diana Walker - Getty Images 1998 Carter playing softball in Plains wearing a t-shirt that says "Jimmy Carter and the Secret Service." Erik S. Lesser - Getty Images 2002 Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development." BJOERN SIGURDSON - Getty Images 2005 Until 2020, the Carters spent one week a year volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. R. Diamond - Getty Images 2013 Barack Obama, Jimmy Carter, Michelle Obama, and Bill Clinton at the Lincoln Memorial celebrating the anniversary of MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech. Alex Wong - Getty Images 2014 Carter frequently taught Sunday School at Maranatha Baptist Church. Chris McKay - Getty Images 2015 In 2015, he was diagnosed with melanoma and started immunotherapy and radiation therapy. By the end of the year, his scans no longer showed cancer. Jessica McGowan - Getty Images 2018 Jimmy Carter walks hand-in-hand with his wife former First Lady Rosalynn Carter towards their home in Plains. The Washington Post - Getty Images 2019 Carter smiles as he speaks to the congregation at Maranatha Baptist Church, before teaching Sunday school. Carter has taught Sunday school for decades in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. NurPhoto - Getty Images You Might Also Like Since he was appointed Supreme Court chief justice by George W. Bush in 2005, John Roberts has been something of an enigma. He initially tried to cultivate a reputation as a fair-minded institutionalist, occasionally surprising observers in controversial cases, as he did when he cast the deciding vote upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. But dont be fooled. Roberts is no moderate. He's a right-wing idealogue whose leadership has done great damage to the Supreme Court, the Constitution, and the country and lately become an enabler of former President Donald Trump. As to his legal philosophy, a review of his record by the left-leaning nonprofit Take Back the Court Action Fund suggests that Roberts has been one of the most conservative justices since joining the Supreme Court in 2005. There is almost no partisan difference distinguishing Justices Roberts, Gorsuch, Alito, Roberts, and Scalia. A New York Times report now brings more evidence that, like so many others, Roberts, once willing to stand up to former President Trump, has made peace with him and joined the coterie of people who condone Trumps behavior and give him cover. The Times article highlighted the crucial, behind-the-scenes role that Roberts played in ensuring that the Court would protect Donald Trump in three January 6 related cases decided last term. His Machiavellian manipulations culminated in July when the court gave Trump a shocking victory by granting the president broad immunity from criminal prosecution. Roberts has come a long way since his testimony during his confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Then, he took pains to assure his listeners that judges are not politicians. He insisted that he had no agenda. He would decide every case based on the record, according to the rule of law, without fear or favor, to the best of my ability, and I will remember that its my job to call balls and strikes, and not to pitch or bat. He promised to be vigilant to protect the independence and integrity of the Supreme Court, and I will work to ensure that it upholds the rule of law. The Times points out just how far Roberts has departed from those commitments in regard to President Trump. As the Times put it, In a momentous trio of Jan. 6-related cases last term, the court found itself more entangled in presidential politics than at any time since the 2000 election. The chief justice responded by deploying his authority to steer rulings that benefited Mr. Trump. Last February, as the court got ready to hear arguments about whether Trump should be disqualified from being on the ballot because of his activities as an insurrectionist following the 2020 presidential election, Roberts got right to work. The Times reports, "While all nine justices agreed that Mr. Trump should remain on state ballots, four of the conservatives were pushing to go beyond that and rule that the Constitutions prohibition would require congressional action to take effect. That left the chief justice in control of the outcome. Ultimately, he sided with the four conservatives in an opinion that he wrote, but that was issued unsigned. In Fischer v. United States, another case arising out of the January 6 events, the court found that prosecutors had overreached in the charges they brought against some of the rioters. Here too, Roberts played a critical behind-the-scenes role. The Times notes that he had originally assigned the opinion to be written by Justice Samuel Alito. But, after the revelation that Alito had flown an American flag upside down to symbolize solidarity with those who had stormed the capital, Robert again sprang into action. He benched Alito and wrote the opinion favoring the insurrectionists himself. Completing last terms pro-Trump hat trick, Chief Justice Roberts led the way in coming up with a decision granting the president the kind of immunity from criminal prosecution available to no other citizen in the United States. As the Times explains, long before the court heard the oral argument in the immunity case, the Chief Justice sent his colleagues a confidential memo offering a scathing critique of the Court of Appeals' decision finding that the president had no immunity from prosecution. That memo offered a startling preview of how the high court would later rule. Slates Mark Joseph Stern got it right when he observed that the immunity decision that Roberts wrote fundamentally altered American democracy., awarding the president a sweeping and novel immunity when he weaponizes the power of his office for corrupt, violent, or treasonous purposes. This near-insurmountable shield against prosecution for crimes committed while in office, Stern explained, upends the structure of the federal government, elevating the presidency to a king-like status high above the other branches. And thanks to Roberts, Trump has been able to delay his trial on charges arising from his role in the January 6th insurrection. And should Trump return to the Oval Office, there would be little to stop him from assuming what Stern labels dangerous and monarchical powers. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. When Trump was in office, Roberts occasionally stood up to the administration as he did in the case saying the administration could not reinstate a question about citizenship in the 2020 census. But, in what was arguably the most significant case (Trump v. Hawaii) about the power of the presidency decided during Trump's term, Roberts again led the way in defending Trump. He upheld his decision to limit entry into the United States by citizens of many predominantly Muslim nations. In doing so, Roberts ignored a series of statements that Trump made during the 2016 presidential campaign advocating a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States. He called them extrinsic statementsmany of which were made before the President took the oath of office. He delivered for Trump, recognizing the presidents broad discretion to suspend the entry of aliens into the United States. While we did not know it then, Roberts willingness to ignore Trumps worst behavior to advance an expansive conception of presidential power foreshadowed what he would do in the presidential immunity case. In that case, as Stern puts it, his opinion went out of its way to gloss over much of Trumps most egregious misconduct. And the Chief Justices accommodation of the former president has come at a high cost to the Court. Roberts presided over a court that has lost the confidence of the American people. In 2005, 56% of the people approved of how the Supreme Court handled its job. This year, that number has fallen to a historic low, with only 41% registering approval of the court. The New York Times expose of Robertss key role in last terms dismantling of the Constitution to protect Donald Trump is the latest evidence of how far the Chief Justice has come in becoming a MAGA judge. It shows his often unseen but crucial role in leading what commentators rightly have labeled an extreme, right-wing majority, which is rapidly turning the court into little more than a partisan extension of the Republican Party. BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) A Johnson City man is expected to spend five years in prison for possessing and intending to sell drugs. District Attorney Paul Battisti announced that Giovanni Foster, 30, pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree on September 12 in Broome County Court. Foster admitted to possession with the intent to sell On July 11, the Broome County Special Investigations Unit executed a narcotics search warrant at 109 Floral Avenue Apartment 3 in Johnson City. During the search, investigators located nearly four ounces of methamphetamine, approximately two ounces cocaine, an ounce of fentanyl, and a digital scale. Foster will receive five years in New York State Prison followed by three years post-release supervision. Foster is scheduled for sentencing on December 12. Our office is committed to prosecuting individuals who exploit those suffering from the devastation of substance use disorder in our community. The 5-year prison sentence imposed serves as a stern warning to others that we will hold those that peddle poison in our community fully accountable for their actions, said Battisti. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) The Johnson City Public Library and Washington County Public Library were awarded funding for new equipment. A news release from Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett and three local lawmakers stated $14,106 in Technology Grant funding was awarded to the libraries. The grants are administered by the Tennessee State Library & Archives, a division of Hargetts office. Greeneville church breaks ground on new building after 2021 fire The Johnson City Public Library was awarded the bulk of that funding. It will receive $13,457 to pay for desktops and a server, according to the release. The Washington County Public Library will receive $649 to cover purchasing a label writer and digital camera. State Sen. Rusty Crowe and state Reps. Rebecca Alexander and Tim Hicks said investing in the public libraries will benefit their communities. Libraries serve as community hubs, offering a safe space for learning and personal growth, Crowe stated. This investment will allow them to enhance technological services so more lives can be enriched. Congratulations to everyone who worked diligently to secure these funds. Public libraries are vital resources that pave the way for our future leaders to succeed, Alexander and Hicks said in a joint statement. This investment will help modernize technology within our local library to ensure all citizens are best served. Hargetts office reports 98 libraries in Tennessee have received technology grants in 2024 for a total of $373,869. The grants are used by libraries to buy or replace electronics, computers and software. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Kaesang Pangarep, the youngest son of President Joko Widodo, has pushed back against an allegation of wrongdoing over the use of a private jet on a recent overseas trip. Most Read from Bloomberg Kaesang visited the office of Indonesias anti-corruption agency known as KPK on Tuesday to clarify that he had initially planned to take a commercial flight to the US in August, but had decided to hitchhike with a friend. My trip to the US was on my friends (private jet), Kaesang said in a statement. He did not provide further details about the identity of the aircrafts owner. The budding politician traveled with his wife last month as fierce rallies broke out in Indonesia, successfully halting proposed election law changes that would have allowed Kaesang to join a gubernatorial race. A spokesperson for the KPK said they will continue to analyze Kaesangs report over the next 30 days then decide the next steps. Jokowis youngest son was reported to the KPK through a public complaint channel by Boyamin Saiman of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society. The KPK had summoned Kaesang in late August over his use of a private jet, only to cancel the order after a few days, according to a local media report saying that a similar examination was already ongoing in another division of the agency. Kaesang said on Tuesday that his visit to the KPK was intended to be an act of transparency and good faith, a personal initiative as a good citizen and not because of a written summons. The anti-graft body denied allegations of intervention from Jokowi. Jokowis other son, Vice President-Elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka, had earlier come to his younger brothers defense. Gibran denied media reports that the private jet was lent by Sea Ltd.s e-commerce arm Shopee, which has invested in Solo city, where he was previously mayor. The incoming VP was quoted by KompasTV last week as saying the deal was purely professional. When asked about the issue, Jokowi told reporters last week that all citizens are equal in the eyes of the law. (Updates with comments from KPK spokesperson) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) The first Latino to be named the United States Poet Laureate, Juan Felipe Herrera, is the son of California farm workers. Throughout his career, his accolades include becoming an award-winning poet, childrens author, and retired professor. If I grabbed a handful of words, that I have never really heard, Herrera said in Spanish and translated in English, I spread on a big paragraph, so I can write at least a story, a magnificent story. Words like these took Herrera from Fowler, a small California labor community, to the Library of Congress. Imagine, Herrera exclaimed. After serving two terms as Californias Poet Laureate, he became the first Latino United States Poet Laureate in 2015. And now youre gonna go all around the United States. Thats going to be so much fun, and youre going to meet audiences, theyre going to be giant audiences, Herrera said. From a young age, Herrera fell in love with the art of storytelling as his mother would sing him corridos or Mexican ballads. A picture of Juan Felipe Herrera at the school that bears his name. A las once de la noche, estabamos desesperados, nos montaron en un coche para cansa mancornados, Herrera sang in Spanish, then translated in English, At 11:00 at night, we were out there, we feeling very desperate and the van came up and took us away with handcuffs on. The song told the story about border patrol agents taking the family away. He came from humble beginnings, Herreras parents were migrant workers, who moved from town to town for work. I noticed the life we lived, later on, I could reflect on it and write about it. He was offended by the negative language the national media used to describe migrant workers, people just like his parents. Invaders, thats what we are, so you tend to ingest all that and become that phrase. So, he set out to reshape how his community was portrayed, never thinking it would turn into a career. Only because we never talked about careers, we just lived day today to survive. Over the past 50 years, hes published nearly 40 books in both English and Spanish, with the goal that readers can take away a better understanding of one another. Theres too many negative depictions of each other and of all groups and thats what makes distance, fear, and anger boil up. As portrayed, his childrens book Super Cilantro Girl is all about a young girl who uses her newly found powers to save her mother crossing the US-Mexico border. The book was eventually adapted into a play and performed throughout California. With his laureate days behind him, Herrera now spends his time making frequent visits to the elementary school that bears his name. An incredible honor, considering education was a privilege his parents did not have. His father never stepped foot into a classroom and his mother only made it to third grade in El Paso. And that was a lot of grade, and she wasnt able to go beyond. Playful at heart, Herrera knows exactly how to keep children engaged in his writing. He wastes no time instilling in them that, like him, they are equipped to do or become anything. I tell them, before I go, I want to let you know that you, everyone here, has a beautiful voice, and thats who you are, thats your inner self. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. A federal judge on Monday rejected Donald Trumps former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows' attempt to move his 2020 Arizona election fraud case to federal court. Meadows had argued that his actions in Arizona were within his official duties as Trump's aide. The former White House Chief of Staff was indicted earlier this year along with 17 other Trump allies for their efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in several states where President Joe Biden won the popular vote. In Arizona, judges alleged Meadows worked with Trump campaign members to submit names of fake electors in attempt to certify a false win for Trump. U.S. District Judge John Tuchi ruled that Meadows charges, which include conspiracy and forgery, were completely unrelated to his official duties as chief of staff, making his argument for the case to be moved irrelevant. He also noted that Meadows untimely request was past the deadline to move a case to federal court. Although the Court credits Mr. Meadowss theory that the Chief of Staff is responsible for acting as the Presidents gatekeeper, that conclusion does not create a causal nexus between Mr. Meadowss official authority and the charged conduct, Tuchi wrote in the 15-page ruling. Mr. Meadows has not so much removed the States indictment as rewritten it, he added. In August 2023, Meadows was indicted on similar charges for his election subversion efforts in Georgia, where President Joe Biden won by 12,670 votes. Meadows also tried to move that case, but a judge denied his request in September 2023. A federal judge Monday rejected an effort by former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to move his Arizona indictment to federal court in a case focused on efforts to overturn Donald Trump's 2020 electoral defeat. U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi said Meadows missed a deadline to file his request and "has failed to show good cause that might permit the Court to excuse the untimeliness." Tuchi said Meadows had "failed to demonstrate the offenses charged in the states prosecution relate to his" official duties when he was Trump's chief of staff. An attorney for Meadows, who has pleaded not guilty, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday night. In April, a state grand jury in Arizona indicted Meadows and 17 other defendants, including former Trump aides Rudy Giuliani, Boris Epshteyn and 11 so-called fake electors over efforts to overturn Trump's election loss in the state in 2020. Prosecutors allege that Meadows worked with members of Trump's campaign to organize and carry out a scheme for false Republican electors' votes in Arizona and six other states. Weeks after the election in 2020, 11 Trump supporters met and signed a certificate falsely proclaiming Trump the victor in Arizona, even though Joe Biden won the state by 10,457 votes and state officials had certified his electors. Each defendant was charged with nine felony counts, including conspiracy, forgery and fraudulent schemes and practices. In August 2023, Meadows and Trump were among more than a dozen people who were indicted on state felony charges in Georgia tied to similar efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Four of the original 19 co-defendants pleaded guilty in that case; Meadows, Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty. Meadows lost an attempt to move his indictment in that case to federal court. The judge overseeing the case in Fulton County, Georgia, threw out three of the initial 41 counts in the indictment this month, including two brought against Trump. The case remains on hold over efforts to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis as prosecutor. Trump's federal case on efforts to overturn the 2020 election has stalled in Washington, D.C., with no trial date set. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him in Georgia and Washington. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The U.S. District Courthouse in Baltimore. File photo by Danielle E. Gaines. A lawsuit by a would-be independent U.S. Senate candidate has been dismissed by a federal judge. Emmanuel Osuchukwu, a Baltimore County resident, filed suit in August in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. He asked a judge to invalidate the state law that requires him to collect the signatures of 10,000 registered Maryland voters in order to be placed on the November ballot. U.S. District Court Judge James K. Bredar, in an Aug. 26 order, dismissed the lawsuit citing a lack of jurisdiction. Osuchukwu formally declared his intent to run as an independent candidate with the state board in June 2023. In Maryland, there are four ways to become a candidate for political office: winning a party primary; being nominated by officials of party that is not the Democratic nor Republican parties; collecting signatures from 10,000 registered Maryland voters, or 1% of the number of the registered voters eligible to cast a ballot for the office being sought; or filing a certificate of candidacy as a write-in candidate. Osuchukwu said many voters he spoke with declined to sign his petition because of the reasonable fear of identity theft. The signature requirement created an undue burden and violated his constitutional rights, he argued in a filing. In his lawsuit, Osuchukwu asked the court to issue a preliminary injunction against the Maryland State Board of Elections that would have prevented the creation of a finalized ballot until the court ruled. He also asked for an expedited hearing. An attorney representing the board asked Bredar to summarily dismiss the lawsuit. Bredar dismissed all three motions saying that the court lacked jurisdiction because the state agency had not consented to being sued. In dismissing the lawsuit, Bredar hinted in a footnote that Osuchukwu would not have prevailed had the case gone forward. Bredar noted a similar case challenging signature requirements in North Carolina was on point with Osuchukwus lawsuit. In 2020, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court that found signature requirements for write-in and independent candidates were not unduly burdensome and not a violation of constitutional rights. A judge on Monday denied a request by Mark Meadows, former President Trumps White House chief of staff, to move his criminal charges in Arizona from state to federal court. U.S. District Judge John Tucci ruled that Meadows didnt show good cause for missing the deadline to make his request and that he couldnt switch courts, anyway, because his charges were unrelated to his official duties. Although the Court credits Mr. Meadowss theory that the Chief of Staff is responsible for acting as the Presidents gatekeeper, that conclusion does not create a causal nexus between Mr. Meadowss official authority and the charged conduct, Tucci wrote in his 15-page decision. Meadows is charged in Arizona alongside more than a dozen Trump allies over accusations they engaged in an unlawful scheme to raise false claims of election fraud to pressure Arizona election officials to overturn President Bidens narrow 2020 victory in the state. Meadows, who faces nine counts, pleaded not guilty. He has looked to move courts, a process known as removal, to assert immunity from the prosecution. Meadows has latched onto a provision that allows federal officials to move state charges if they are sufficiently connected to their official capacity. Arizona prosecutors opposed the attempt. Tucci, an appointee of former President Obama, rejected Meadowss arguments, saying it relied on amorphous generalities that would vitiate the removal statute. Mr. Meadows has not so much removed the States indictment as rewritten it, Tucci wrote. Contrary to Mr. Meadowss assertions, the State has not indicted Mr. Meadows for merely facilitating communication to and from the President or for simply staying abreast of campaign goings-on. Instead, the State has indicted Mr. Meadows for allegedly orchestrating and participating in an illegal electioneering scheme, he continued. The judge also noted that Meadows missed the statutory deadline to start moving his charges within 30 days of his arraignment. Meadows filed his attempt 48 days afterward, and Tucci said he had no good cause to extend the normal window. Mondays ruling isnt the first time Meadowss removal efforts have failed. He has mounted a similar attempt in Georgia, where he is charged alongside Trump on racketeering and other charges over his alleged efforts after the 2020 election. That effort is further along, and Meadows appealed to the Supreme Court after a lower court ruled that former officials, as opposed to current ones, cant remove their criminal prosecutions. The justices have not yet decided whether to take up 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 The Hill. Julie Chrisley resentencing: This is how much prison time prosecutors are asking for The government is asking a federal judge to re-sentence Julie Chrisley to seven years in prison. An appeals court judge vacated Julies sentence in June and said the lower court needed to resentence her. The same judge upheld Todd Chrisleys conviction, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison. According to a sentencing statement filed in court on Monday, the government is asking the judge to sentence Julie to her original sentence of seven years in prison. For resentencing purposes, the government does not intend to introduce new or additional evidence on when Julie joined the bank fraud conspiracy. Instead, the government will proceed on an actual loss amount of $4.7 millionthe actual loss incurred after Julies real estate company received its first fraudulent loan on July 11, 2007, the government said in its statement. At the first sentencing, the government recommended a within-guidelines sentence; at resentencing, the government will urge the Court to do the same, namely, to re-impose the same 84-month sentence, which is within the new adjusted guidelines range. Julies resentencing hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday. Todd and Julie Chrisley, mostly known for their reality TV series Chrisley Knows Best, and Peter Tarantino, their accountant, were found guilty in 2022 of conspiring to defraud banks and the IRS out of millions of dollars and are serving a combined 15 years in prison. RELATED STORIES: The Chrisleys were originally sentenced to a combined 19 years in prison. A federal judge ruled that Julie must appear for her resentencing in person after asking to do it remotely. She is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service as she gets ready for next weeks hearing. Channel 2 Action News first started investigating the Chrisleys in 2017, when we learned that Todd Chrisley had likely evaded paying Georgia state income taxes for several years. Court documents obtained by Channel 2 Action News showed that by 2018, the Chrisleys owed the state nearly $800,000 in liens. The couple eventually went to trial and a federal jury found them guilty of bank fraud and tax evasion. RELATED NEWS: Julie Chrisley resentencing: This is how much prison time prosecutors are asking for The government is asking a federal judge to re-sentence Julie Chrisley to seven years in prison, according to our sister station WSB-TV in Atlanta. An appeals court judge vacated Julies sentence in June and said the lower court needed to resentence her. The same judge upheld Todd Chrisleys conviction, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison. According to a sentencing statement filed in court on Monday, the government is asking the judge to sentence Julie to her original sentence of seven years in prison, WSB-TV said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] For resentencing purposes, the government does not intend to introduce new or additional evidence on when Julie joined the bank fraud conspiracy. Instead, the government will proceed on an actual loss amount of $4.7 millionthe actual loss incurred after Julies real estate company received its first fraudulent loan on July 11, 2007, the government said in its statement. At the first sentencing, the government recommended a within-guidelines sentence; at resentencing, the government will urge the Court to do the same, namely, to re-impose the same 84-month sentence, which is within the new adjusted guidelines range. Julies resentencing hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday. Todd and Julie Chrisley, mostly known for their reality TV series Chrisley Knows Best, and Peter Tarantino, their accountant, were found guilty in 2022 of conspiring to defraud banks and the IRS out of millions of dollars and are serving a combined 15 years in prison. The Chrisleys were originally sentenced to a combined 19 years in prison. A federal judge ruled that Julie must appear for her resentencing in person after asking to do it remotely. She is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service as she gets ready for next weeks hearing, according to WSB-TV. Channel 2 Action News (WSB-TV) first started investigating the Chrisleys in 2017, when we learned that Todd Chrisley had likely evaded paying Georgia state income taxes for several years. Court documents obtained by Channel 2 Action News (WSB-TV) showed that by 2018, the Chrisleys owed the state nearly $800,000 in liens. The couple eventually went to trial and a federal jury found them guilty of bank fraud and tax evasion. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] This is part of a series called The secret life of, pulling back the curtain on professions youve always wanted to know more about. If you want to anonymously reveal all about your job, email money@telegraph.co.uk I decided to be a doctor when I was 13 years old. Theres not a lot of jobs that are interesting, sociable and offer a decent wage I thought that being a doctor was an attractive combination of all three. Medical school was really difficult. In my first year, 30pc of my class failed. Some of those students passed the re-sit, but about 10 people didnt and they were kicked off the course. There were 200 people in my year so thats about 5pc who didnt make it past the first year. We had lectures all morning and classes in the afternoon. Youd also have a lot of learning to do in your own time. People tell you to treat medical school like a nine-to-five job but the reality is you have to do more work than that. After two-and-a-half years of what wed call pre-clinical learning, I started rotating around different hospitals in the area. My favourite specialty was paediatrics. One of the big benefits about child medicine is that kids tend to get better. Often, they go back to how they were beforehand. Thats much rarer in adult medicine. After medical school, you graduate as a doctor and you start your two foundation years, known as F1 and F2. After six years of university and excelling throughout medical school, my salary as an F1 doctor was 28,000. My hourly rate was 13.85. At the time, someone working at Costa was getting paid more than me. And I graduated with 60,000 of student loans. I worried that it wasnt worth it all the way through my foundation training, but I hoped things would get better. After those two foundation years, you apply for training posts. There arent enough thousands of doctors every year dont get training posts. When I applied, there were four applicants for every place and it was one of the less competitive ones. Some specialties, like radiology, have ten doctors applying for each available spot. Of the 40 people I did my second foundation year with, I know of only three who got training places. Most of my friends who I was in medical school with left the UK and now work as doctors in Australia and New Zealand. Of the eight guys I lived with during medical school, only three of us are staying in the UK. Five people from my second foundation year (out of 40 of us in total) have gone to the same hospital in Melbourne. I am now paid, after three years as a doctor, around 43,000. Thats for a normal working week of 40 hours, and I get paid more for working 48 hours a week, plus nights and weekends. My friend who works in New Zealand is paid about 70,000 a year, and I know that the salaries in Australia are better than the New Zealand ones. Its not difficult to understand the appeal to leave more money, less arduous work, fewer patients, more training opportunities, nice sunshine and Ive felt tempted. One of my parents became unwell while I was training and Ive moved closer to home to support them. Otherwise, Id have left the country too. I dont think Im fairly remunerated and I think the media has been disingenuous by describing the latest government offer for junior doctor pay as a 22pc pay rise. That 22pc includes the 8pc to 10pc we were given by the last government, the 8pc we were due to get this year and a further 4pc which is backdated for 2023-24. The public thinks we are being offered a 22pc pay rise, which is not quite true. I believe in pay restoration, that our pay should go back to what junior doctors were paid in 2008. Consider the NHS roles that are better paid than junior doctors. Most staff in the NHS are on a pay scale called Agenda For Change; junior doctors are not included. In band seven of this pay scale, you have nurse practitioners and physician associates. A physician associate in this band is getting paid a better hourly rate on their first day in the job than I am, as a doctor with three years of experience. When I started as a junior doctor in F1, my hourly rate was 13.85 and a band seven physician associates was just over 20 an hour. Does that seem fair considering they have had less than half the training a junior doctor has and are not qualified to do as much as we do on graduation? Currently, a junior doctor on their first foundation year is paid 32,000 a year and a band seven physicians associate is paid 43,000. I think the F1 junior doctor should be paid at least that. It used to be understood that once you were a consultant (at least nine years after graduating as a doctor) you would be rewarded with a large salary. But consultants have seen worse pay erosion than junior doctors, so its not quite the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow it once was. A first year consultant, after the recent pay rise, is on 99,000. So a neurosurgeon is on 99,000. I dont think thats fair. If you went up to a person in the street and said: do you think its right for a consultant neurosurgeon, an expert in their field, with 15 years training (including medical school), should be paid 99,000 a year? I think they would laugh at you and they wouldnt believe it. Most of my contracts as a junior doctor have been for working 47 or 48 hours a week but that means you can work up to 72 hours some weeks. Depending on your placement, the shifts could be normal days like 9am to 5pm or they could be nights, weekends and long day shifts that include the evening. I have certainly felt over-tired and overworked. At the beginning of a night shift, Im bright-eyed and bushy tailed, by the 11th hour I can barely see or think. There have been high-profile cases of junior doctors killing people after a night shift as they drive home. Whats terrifying is that someone who was too tired to drive safely was, just an hour earlier, in charge of peoples lives in a hospital. I also have got rota fatigue at times, thats why I didnt immediately apply for a training post after my foundation years. I was sick of not being able to take annual leave when I wanted it, being on nights when I wanted to do specific things and being unable to swap out of them. Burnout is common among junior doctors. I had one friend who was burnt out at the start of F2. She was on a rotation she hated, working with challenging seniors, with an hour drive each way to the hospital. She talked about leaving medicine and at times I was worried shed do something more drastic. Things only improved when her rotation changed and she had a lighter workload. Ive suffered from burnout myself. Last Christmas, I was working full time as a locum doctor, while caring for my unwell father and studying for a medical exam. A consultant raised some concerns: shed noticed that I seemed disinterested in work, low in mood and at times snappy. It was fair and perhaps unsurprising considering Id regularly been working seven days in a row. I cut down on work for a period of time and felt much better for it. I have also certainly noticed the effect of the stress of night shifts, long hours and responsibility for peoples wellbeing on my body. When I started F1, I developed reflux due to stress. Another junior doctor developed alopecia chunks of her hair fell out because she was so stressed. Theres a lot of concern about the state of our hospitals but Ive been fairly lucky to work in the less crumble-y ones, although one ward in my hospital did have to shut due to a rodent infestation. The tech can be very slow. On average, Id say that 20 to 30 minutes a day is wasted waiting for computers to log in or boot up. For now, I have chosen to specialise in internal medicine. Ill spend three years practising different medical specialties such as gastroenterology, nephrology and oncology and then Ill choose one to specialise in. I was deliberating between specialising in adult or paediatric medicine but I stress a lot about my patients, go home questioning whether I did the right thing and wondering whether everyone is going to be there when I come in the next day. I dont want to have to stress about children. Its hard to say whether I regret choosing to be a doctor. If someone showed me a way to have a job that was well paid and that I found 70pc as interesting as I find medicine, I would probably take it. But I dont know what that path is. I never had a plan B. So I focus on staying in this career and making it the best I can. If everything aligned, this would be the best career you could have. It really is brilliant, theres just aspects that suck, like the remuneration. The rotation aspect of the job really takes its toll, too, especially when it comes to your social life. It can be very lonely. But its such an interesting job. You get to make people better. When you see people on the ward rounds, who you saw on admission, and they tell you that you saved their life thats a pretty indescribable feeling. Theres something new everyday and you never know whats going to happen when you walk into a hospital. You get really close with the people you work with. You really are in the trenches together. As told to Isolde Walters 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. Jury now weighing whether former AT&T exec accused of bribing Madigan played politics or committed crime In the end, after all the sweating and hand-wringing over Michael Madigans power to make or break their legislation, AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazzas scheme to bribe the Democratic leader was pretty successful, a federal prosecutor told a jury Tuesday. AT&T got its bill to end mandated landline service, a national priority that stood to save the phone giant hundreds of millions of dollars. The now-former company leader La Schiazza got the white whale hed spent years chasing, back slaps from superiors and a nice little $85,000 bonus. Even former state Rep. Eddie Acevedo, a Madigan ally, got a $22,500 payday in the form of a do-nothing consulting contract, the prosecutor said. But all the wheeling and dealing left just one constituency in the lurch, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sushma Raju said Tuesday in her closing argument in La Schiazzas bribery trial. It shorted the people of Illinois, who deserved a fair, transparent and honest legislative process, Raju said. What we got instead was a legislative process that was tainted by this defendant, who paid for the result he wanted. It was not lobbying it was a crime and Paul La Schiazza knew it. But the defense argument that followed painted a far different picture, one of common and completely legal dealings between the corporate and political worlds, where companies routinely seek to curry favor with politicians in order to get them to consider their agenda. The legislation AT&T wanted passed, known by the acronym COLR, took years of legitimate, tireless hard work, and not just by La Schiazza, defense attorney Tinos Diamantatos told the jury in his closing remarks. It was a team effort by AT&T to get something done lawfully and appropriately as the law allows them to do, Diamantatos said. This was no bribe. The government failed to meet its burden. It wasnt even close. The jury of four men and eight women was sent back at 2:40 p.m. and elected to go home after deliberating for about an hour and a half without reaching a verdict. U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman told them to return at 9 a.m. Wednesday for further discussion. 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. The trial, which proceeded far quicker than the original three-week estimate, has offered a sneak peek at evidence that will be presented at Madigans own racketeering trial, which kicks off in three weeks. According to prosecutors, La Schiazza schemed to pay Acevedo, a longtime Madigan acolyte, a total of $22,500 over nine months for doing little or no work for AT&T, even though he ostensibly was supposed to produce a report on the Latino caucuses in Springfield and Chicagos City Hall. The arrangement, which was pushed by longtime Madigan confidant Michael McClain, came as AT&T was looking to pass the COLR bill, which stood to save the company hundreds of millions of dollars, according to trial testimony. Echoing arguments in the ComEd Four trial last year that featured similar accusations of bribing Madigan, Diamantatos on Tuesday called La Schiazza collateral damage in the governments zeal to bring down the powerful speaker, and urged jurors to end the nightmare La Schiazza has been living since finding himself in the prosecutions crosshairs. The bottom line, ladies and gentlemen, is that this case is riddled with unanswered questions on the key important points, Diamantatos said. Paul is 100% innocent of these crimes. He was doing his job. He never offered anything to Mr. Madigan in exchange for an official action. Making a hire like Acevedo is what lobbyists do, Diamantatos explained. If the fix was in, there would be no further effort to pass COLR. We bribed a king. This should sail right through! Diamantatos said in a mocking tone, referring to an email seen by the jury where La Schiazza referred to the speaker as King Madigan. Working from a white poster board set up in the middle of the courtroom, Diamantatos listed what he described as a litany of holes in case, including on explicit testimony that the payments to Acevedo were a bribe, no surveillance or wiretapped conversations, and no proof that Madigan was even aware that Acevedo had been hired. He also told the jury there was no evidence that La Schiazza thought what he was doing was improper an element that prosecutors have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. But prosecutors said there was plenty of evidence that La Schiazza knew the line he was crossing. In her closing argument, Raju said La Schiazza believed the whole system was rigged from the beginning, making Madigans support for the landline bill all that more crucial to its passage. Without it, AT&T knew it would waste up to $1 billion on upkeep of the old copper wire system instead of investing in new technologies such as broadband and internet, she said. The pressure was on, Raju said. This was a national priority for the company and it was something being tracked. The responsibility was squarely on La Schiazzas shoulders. When Madigan reached out to AT&T through his right- hand man and solicited a bribe, La Schiazza faced a fork in the road, Raju said. He chose wrong. Paul La Schiazza did not choose the high road, she said. He paid the bribe because he wanted the rigged system to work in his favor. Raju said the moment of truth came in February 2017 when Madigan, after years of opposition, had finally expressed interest in sitting down with AT&T on the COLR relief bill. Four hours after that overture, AT&T lobbyist Bob Barry received a fateful email from McClain soliciting a bribe. It was short and sweet, Raju said. BOB is there even a small contract for Eddie Acevedo? McClain wrote. Raju said McClain didnt need to say do this for that or otherwise spell out what hiring Acevedo would mean. AT&T knew instantly what it was. (La Schiazza) knew the game was on, she said. To hide the payments, La Schiazza and others at AT&T arranged to pay Acevedos contract through the lobbying firm run by Tom Cullen, one of Madigans former political point men who testified he only agreed to the deal because he was a team player. Both Cullen and another witness, AT&T external affairs officer Steve Selcke, testified that Acevedo, whose penchant for drinking and sometimes belligerent behavior was well-known in Springfield, was far from an ideal hire for AT&T, but the deal went forward anyway at McClains urging to appease the speaker at a critical time for the company. In her closing remarks to the jury, Raju noted that the contract terms for Acevedo were reached before anyone even told him he was being considered for a position far from typical business practices at a large company. No one even bothered to reach out to Acevedo and tell him you already have a job, Raju said. Think about that for a second. He has a job and a paycheck? He didnt fill out an application. Didnt sit for an interview. Just days after COLR passed and was signed into law, La Schiazza received a request from Madigans son, Andrew Madigan, asking for a charitable contribution, setting off a flurry of emails that Raju said showed that La Schiazza knew the arrangement to hire Acevedo was improper. Here we go this will be endless, La Schiazza wrote to colleague Barry, a leader on AT&Ts government relations team, about the request from Andrew Madigan. Barry responded, I suspect the thank you opportunities will be plentiful. Yep we are on the friends and family plan now, La Schiazza replied. Raju said the sentiment was clear: This is the defendant acknowledging that AT&T had given Madigan something and gotten something in return. Its not building goodwill. Its not just kissing up to Madigan, she said. They needed to bribe Madigan to move the bill forward. Madigan did the ask. The defendant gave. COLR bill goes forward. AT&T wound up donating $2,500 to Andrew Madigans charity, according to evidence presented in court Monday. Andrew Madigan is not accused of wrongdoing. Diamantatos told the jury Tuesday the friends and family reference was a joke, and certainly not evidence that Madigan had been bribed. He also blasted the governments case for being based largely on the prosecutions interpretation of emails and text messages, not live testimony. But Diamantatos did highlight one email that he said is hugely problematic for prosecutors, where La Schiazza mentioned needing legal approval to engage Acevedo as a subcontractor. Is this someone acting corruptly? Illegally? Trying to bribe? Diamantatos said. Whos trying to pull the wool over whose eyes? All of the discussion of Acevedos hiring was done openly, freely, Diamantatos said. There was no Lets take this offline. Lets talk about this at the pizzeria down the street. Stop emailing me on my AT&T account. That in itself tells you Paul is 100% innocent, he said. Diamantatos also said the feds spent time throwing shade on Acevedo to make the contract look illegitimate. It was a real job where he was expected to do real work. Hes a consultant getting paid what sounds like market rate, he said. In rebuttal, Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Chapman called that idea preposterous. As AT&Ts senior compliance officer, La Schiazzas antennae should have been flying up in the air over McClains request to hire Acevedo, he said. Instead, he jumped right in. They simply went forward and did it, Chapman said. And again, Eddie didnt do any work. Nobody cared. They knew exactly what this was. And thats why it was not bona fide compensation. There is nothing normal about this deal. Chapman said La Schiazza and his team also certainly knew that Acevedos hiring connected right back to Madigan. This sort of, Oh, we had no idea how any of this could have been linked to Madigan is just silly, he said. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com Gov. Jim Justice has called a special session of the West Virginia Legislature that will start on Sept. 30, 2024. (West Virginia Legislative Photography) Last week, Gov. Jim Justice announced that a special session of the West Virginia Legislature will start on Sept. 30. The purpose of this session is to attempt to pass a child care tax credit and cut the states income tax by another 5%. However, Justice hasnt released any bills or told lawmakers of any plans yet. In his video announcement of the special session, he said, Weve worked with the legislative leadership over the weekend. Weve worked countless days in the past weeks. And really and truly, that date seems to be the best for everyone. However, Senate Finance Chair Eric Tarr, a Republican representing Putnam County, told MetroNews last week that legislative leadership had no discussions with Justice over the weekend like Justice claimed. Tarr said legislators are willing to listen to the governors proposal for an income tax cut, as long as theres a financial plan to go with it that takes into account the $115 million fewer dollars the state will be receiving in tax revenue. During his briefing, Justice said he was willing to cut the state budget to be equal to the tax cut if [lawmakers] can come to me with something they can propose that will cut things well look at it. So sure, hes willing to cut it if someone else does the work to figure out what to cut. Justice also wants to help relieve child care stress with a tax credit, which would pay West Virginia families $600 to $700 a month on child care. For families that make more than $43,000 annually, the tax credit would be about $300 for one child or $600 for two or more children. Theres been no indication from Justice where this money will come from. While the child tax credit is beneficial, it really wont do much to help the crisis West Virginians are facing. The state needs about 20,000 child care spots. Pandemic-era benefits that helped keep child care providers afloat over the last few years were scheduled to run out by the end of August. This year alone, dozens of child care providers have closed eliminating about 700 spots for children because of funding issues with the states child care assistance program for eligible families. Theres been no mention of plans or bills from Justice to help create more child care spots. House Democrats held a news conference earlier this month calling on the governor to allow lawmakers to take action on other child care bills that died during the regular legislative session. Those bills have already been through the House Committee on Health and would provide tax incentives to businesses if they create and provide child care for employees. These bills would help create more child care openings if passed. During his weekly virtual administrative briefing on Wednesday, Justice said, If it blows up, its not on me. Its really and truly on the Legislature. They need to step up and help right now. Well, yes, the Legislature does have to pass the bills in order for them to be put on the governors desk to be signed into law. But typically, a governor will work with legislators to get bills passed. Will Justice be at the Capitol during the special session? Will he be meeting with leadership to work out a deal? Or will he do what hes done in the past and present his bills and then hope all his wishes come true? Each legislator 134 in total are paid an additional $200 per day for a special session and interim meetings, and also receive reimbursements for travel expenses. Justice announced this one on the second day of the September legislative interims that took place in Parkersburg. The next scheduled interims will take place in Charleston on Oct. 6 to 8 neither of these plans are so urgent that they couldnt have waited another week. So why the rush to try to get these bills passed? Why waste taxpayer money when the next interims are so close? We could say well lets just defer it and kick it on down the road. Why? Why would we do that? Are we doing that so somebody after me can take credit? Justice said during the briefing. Ahh yes. Its an election year, and he wants credit for giving voters a few more bucks. During his Sept. 4 briefing, he slipped a couple times and said he wanted to give additional tax cuts to voters instead of taxpayers remember, not all taxpayers are voters. Lawmakers and Justice called the May special session a disappointment and a failure. Are we about to see history repeat itself? SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) The Kalamazoo City Commission has voted to enter negotiations with the Michigan Department of Transportation to get safety incentives to close three railroad crossings. MDOT said its not a negotiation, but rather an application process as part of their Local Grade Crossing program. After an evaluation of the crossing, MDOT provides cash incentives ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 for local road authorities to permanently close the roadway on both sides of a crossing, according to MDOT. Once the process is complete in Kalamazoo, two-way car traffic will be stopped over Water Street, Elm Street and the Elm Crossover, between Main Street and Kalamazoo Avenue. According to city documents, the move could generate $250,000 for each crossing on top of additional federal funding. Kalamazoo leaders to consider closing some train crossings Part of Mondays meeting packet also mentioned the potential elimination of a track that goes through downtown as well as relocating the Grand Elk rail yard near the east side of the city. City officials said this is part of a much larger traffic improvement plan. The payments are part of a federal program aiming to help reduce the number of street-railroad, or grade crossings by 25% nationwide, a goal of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Transportation leaders said some of the benefits of closing the crossings include reducing the risk of train and vehicle crashes as well as reducing traffic speeds in new cul-de-sacs. As the city officials press for traffic improvements, they say community engagement will be part of the process. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) Police are asking the public for information about a shooting that left a man dead early Saturday. Just after 4 a.m., a white GMC SUV was turning onto Westnedge Avenue from Florence Street when it was hit by gunfire. SUV shot at in Kalamazoo; 1 killed, 1 hurt The driver, 20-year-old Ladarius Jaheel Clay, was shot in the torso and later died at the hospital. A passenger was hit in the leg, but the injury was considered not life-threatening, KDPS said. Officers are looking for the shooter. KDPS said that it is following several leads and does not believe there is a threat to the public. KDPS is working to investigate and is asking for the communitys help. Anyone with information should contact KDPS Criminal Investigations Division at 269.337.8139 or Silent Observer at 269.343.2100. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Kamala Harris accomplishments as vice president: What New Hampshire voters should know Vice President Kamala Harris, 59, and her meteoric rise as the successor to President Joe Biden, 81, as the Democratic presidential candidate in the Nov. 5 election is the most significant seismic shift in presidential politics in recent history. According to a Sept. 13 Saint Anselm poll taken after the debate between Harris and former President Donald Trump, 78, she now leads the race in New Hampshire by eight points. This is a sizable shift from when Trump led Biden by two points in the Granite State following the Democratic presidents disastrous debate in June. Following Harris visit to Throwback Brewery in North Hampton, we examine some of Harris most significant accomplishments and policy initiatives. Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris campaigns in North Hampton, N.H., on Sept. 4, 2024. Immigration In response to immigration concerns, Harris call to action was the public-private partnership Central America Forward (CAF). The idea behind CAF is to support the creation of local jobs and other measures in order to slow the flow of mass migration. CAF has generated more than $5.2 billion since its launch in 2021, and its partners include more than 50 companies and organizations that have committed to supporting economic growth in the Central America region. The entities represent the financial services, textiles, apparel, agriculture, technology, telecommunications, nonprofit sectors, and others, according to the White House. Voting rights Harris was at the forefront of the administrations pursuit to enshrine voting rights protection throughout the U.S. according to White House transcripts. She pushed for Congress to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which wouldve extended the protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and required federal approval for some local election law changes. In 2021, the bill did not receive the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican filibuster, preventing the start of debate on the Senate floor where Harris would have cast the deciding vote in the evenly split chamber. Abortion Since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in June 2022, Harris has been a leading voice advocating for reproductive rights on behalf of the Biden administration. Harris visited a Planned Parenthood clinic on March 14, a historic first for any president or vice president while in office, according to previous reporting by USA TODAY. Walking through the clinic in Minnesota, the vice president spoke with staff members and health care providers as part of her nationwide Fight for Reproductive Freedoms tour earlier this year. Gun violence In September 2023, Biden established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention to reduce gun violence, overseen by Vice President Harris, as announced by the White House. The Office of Gun Violence Prevention builds upon actions taken by the Biden-Harris administration to end gun violence, which include the signing of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Heralded by the White House as the most impactful gun violence prevention measure in almost three decades, the now law bars individuals under the age of 21 from buying firearms, grants the Justice Department additional powers to prosecute gun traffickers, provides mental health services in schools to assist youth affected by gun violence trauma and grief and funds community-based violence intervention programs. Maternal health In her previous role as U.S. Senator for California, Harris introduced the Maternal CARE Act and the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, which would direct multi-agency efforts to improve maternal health, particularly among racial and ethnic minority groups, veterans, and other vulnerable populations as well as maternal health issues related to COVID-19. The vice presidents prior work on maternal and infant health care was a key component of the Build Back Better Act, passed in 2022. The legislation expands access to maternal care and makes new investments to drive down mortality and morbidity rates. Broadband expansion In 2023, Harris and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin to celebrate the announcement of new electronics equipment production made possible by the Biden-Harris Administrations Investing in America agenda and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requires the use of American-made materials and products for federally funded infrastructure projects, with the goal of bringing hundreds of new jobs to the U.S. The law also notably includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S. Our investments in broadband infrastructure are creating jobs in Wisconsin and across the nation and increasing access to reliable, high-speed internet so everyone in America has the tools they need to thrive in the 21st century, said Harris. USTODAYs's Margie Cullen and Reuters contributed to the reporting of this story. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: What has Kamala Harris accomplished as VP? Here's a quick look Colorado Parks and Wildlife is searching for the person responsible for shooting and killing a pronghorn in Pueblo West in what officials have deemed an act of poaching, according to a Tuesday news release. Parks and Wildlife officials said early in the morning of Sept. 1 a dead pronghorn was discovered shot roughly 80 yards from the road that leads to the Swallows State Wildlife Area. This was a senseless act where someone willfully killed this animal and just left it," Gretchen Holschuh, district wildlife manager for the Pueblo West region, said in the release. "These are poachers, not hunters, and we are going to investigate this fully. On Sept. 12, CPW officials came across a similar scene of a mule deer that had been shot and killed near Rock Creek Canyon Road in Pueblo, adjacent to the Kestral Pond Swim Beach. "This mule deer was treated unethically and that is something we take very seriously," Holschuh said. Featured Local Savings Illegally killing or injuring wildlife carries the consequence of an array of charges including harassment of wildlife, hunting big game without a license, illegal taking of wildlife, and careless use of a firearm. According to Holschuh, a person convicted of such acts could face a fine between $750 and $13,000 and up to six months in jail. CPW is asking anyone carrying information regarding the poaching act to contact officials by calling 877-265-6648, or by email at game.thief@state.co.us. "A reward of up to $500 is available if the information leads to an arrest or citation," officials said. Vice President Kamala Harrissaid on Tuesday that one of her goals as president would be to make sure no family pays more than 7% of household income on child care. Sadly, the state of affairs in our country is that working people often have to decide to either be able to work or to be able to afford child care, the Democratic nominee said during a live interview before a meeting in Philadelphia of members of the National Association of Black Journalists. My plan is that no family, no working family should have to pay more than 7% of their income on child care, Harris added. The vow was part of a broader comment Harris made about the burdens families face when caring for children or aging relatives or for both, as is often the case for members of the so-called sandwich generation. It is just absolutely too expensive for them to be able to work and do that, Harris said. Harris has talked about the need tosupport caregiving ever since she launched her presidential campaign in late July, after President Joe Biden dropped out. But several advocates who follow child care closely said Tuesday was the first time theyd heard Harris mention the 7% figure so clearly as one of her policy goals. VP Harris has always been a child care champion, but this is the first time Harris the nominee has laid out a specific affordability threshold that maps to legislation guaranteeing access to affordable, high-quality child care, Melissa Boteach, a vice president at the National Womens Law Center Action Fund, told HuffPost over email. A 7% cap could make a substantial difference to millions of Americans. Today, child care expenses represent 8% to 19.3% of median family income, depending on the type of care and the state, according to research by the U.S. Department of Labor. My plan is that no family, no working family should have to pay more than 7% of their income on child care.Vice President Kamala Harris The idea of limiting child care expenses to 7% of family income is not new. Its been the goal of leading Democratic lawmakers and reform advocates ever since the Department of Health and Human Services identified it as anaffordability threshold in 2016. Among the proposals to incorporate it waslegislation from Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) that became part of the Build Back Better agenda Democrats tried to pass in 2021. It had strong support from the Biden administration, including Harris. The proposalfailed to pass, partly because it would have required several hundred billion dollars of new federal spending over the course of a decade, and Democrats could not round up the votes to support that. Harris on Tuesday did not indicate how she would finance a new child care initiative or whether she was committing to the approach of the Murray-Scott bill. The proposal has gotten plenty of criticism: that it tries to do too much or too little, that its too specific about the type of child care it supports or not specific enough. Most of the criticism has come from conservatives, though some has come from liberals, too. But although Harris didnt wade into any of those issues on Tuesday, she did indicate she thought of the child care proposal as separate from her proposal to reinstate a pandemic-era program that provided a $6,000, one-year tax credit to families with newborns. Harris made clear that her opportunity agenda includes both child care solutions and the Child Tax Credit, Julie Kashen, senior fellow at the Century Foundation, told HuffPost over email. Families need both child care solutions and the child tax credit so they have the freedom to work, engage in their communities and make sure their children have the food, clothing, and school supplies they need (among other things!). Related... An image purportedly showing Kamala Harris posed beside Sean "Diddy" Combs is circulating across platforms after the rapper was indicted for sex trafficking, racketeering and other charges. But the photo is doctored; the original from 2001 showed the now-US vice president with talk show host Montel Williams, whom she briefly dated. "The Diddy Client List goes all the way to the top," says an X post shared September 16, 2024, the day federal agents arrested Combs in New York. Screenshot from X taken September 17, 2024 Similar posts spread the image across X and other platforms after the indictment of the Grammy-winning music mogul, 54, whose charges also include transporting victims across state lines to engage in prostitution, according to the US Attorney's office for the Southern District of New York. He pleaded not guilty September 17. The indictment alleges that Combs for decades "abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct." It accuses him of running a "criminal enterprise" that carried out "sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice." The powerful music industry figure, also known by the monikers Puff Daddy and P Diddy, has seen his reputation challenged amid several civil lawsuits that characterize him as a violent sexual predator who used alcohol and drugs to subdue his victims. Agents had raided his luxury homes in Miami and Los Angeles in March, indicating that a federal investigation and potential criminal case were in the works. The picture appearing to show Combs with Harris is altered, the latest in a flood of often-gendered disinformation that followed the vice president's emergence and nomination as the Democratic Party's nominee for the White House. A reverse image search surfaced the original Getty Images photo, which is more than two decades old (archived here). It shows Harris with Williams, a former marine who hosted "The Montel Williams Show" in the 1990s and early 2000s, and the television personality's daughter Ashley Williams. "Talk Show Host Montel Williams, daughter Ashley Williams and Kamala Harris attending Eighth Annual Race to Erase Multiple Sclerosis on May 18, 2001 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, California," the caption says. Screenshot taken September 17, 2024 of a photo by Ron Galella, Ltd. available on the Getty Images website Several other photos from Getty Images show the trio at the event (archived here). Williams and Harris dated for a short time in the early 2000s, but Harris's political ascent has drawn new attention to their relationship -- including the spread of false claims online. "@KamalaHarris and I briefly dated about 20 years ago when we were both single. So what? I have great respect for Sen. Harris," he wrote in a 2019 post on X (archived here). As some social media users separately claimed that footage of Harris and Williams at the 2001 event showed the Democrat with Combs, Williams posted on September 17, 2024: "Here they go again with 'all black people look alike...'" (archived here). He also amplified a comment noting that he and the rapper "look nothing alike" (archived here). AFP has debunked other misinformation about US politics here. (NewsNation) Vice President Kamala Harris took questions Tuesday from the National Association of Black Journalists in Philadelphia and addressed the controversial things her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, has said on various issues. Among other topics, she talked about the threats of violence residents of the city of Springfield, Ohio, have faced after Trump made false claims about immigrants there kidnapping and eating peoples pets. 5 takeaways from Harriss interview with NABJ Saying there are far too many people in our country right now who are not feeling safe, Harris also referenced Project 2025, which conservative organizations created as a blueprint for the next Republican presidential administration, as well as GOP-led efforts to restrict abortion access. Addressing the second assassination attempt against Trump, Harris said in the NABJ interview she feels safe under Secret Service protection. While she spoke with Trump on Tuesday and said he was glad hes safe, she added that his rhetoric on certain topics should be disqualifying. Sean Diddy Combs arrested in New York after indictment When you have that kind of microphone in front of you, you really ought to understand at a deep level that your words have meaning, Harris said. Lets turn the page and chart a new way forward and say you cant have that microphone again. Ashley Davis, a former official in the George W. Bush White House, and NewsNation political contributors A. Scott Bolden, Kurt Bardella and Denise Gitsham joined The Hill on NewsNation to discuss harmful rhetoric. Bardella, a Democratic strategist, called out JD Vance for his misinformation about Haitian immigrants, pointing the finger at Republicans. This is not a both-sides issue, he said. You dont get to lecture Democrats about rhetoric when you are the one advancing dangerous and disproven claims in Springfield that is resulting in people not being able to go to school because of bomb threats, Bardella added. Davis countered that both sides have a responsibility to tone down their talking points, adding, I refuse to go on TV shows that argue, and we dont usually do this. I dont think its right. I will never criticize Joe Biden, Barack Obama as a sitting president. The economy and the Israel-Hamas war were also mentioned during the discussion. While Harris didnt say specifically how she would end it, she said the hostages need to come home, and there needs to be a path toward peace for Palestinians and Israel. This interview comes as the Harris campaign is spending time reaching out to both Black and young voters. Polls indicate that they feel energized about the Harris nomination. When surveyed by the NAACP, 78% of Black people said they felt as excited as they did when former President Barack Obama first ran for office. About 56% said they felt even more excited, NewsNation partner The Hill reports. Still, that same poll showed that over a quarter of younger Black men said they would support Harris opponent, Republican Donald Trump, in this years U.S. presidential election. How Americans can register to vote ahead of Election Day When it comes to reaching out to younger voters, the Harris-Walz campaign and Democratic National Convention are launching a weeklong effort to engage them. This includes going to college campuses. Obama even took to TikTok to talk with social media influencers about the importance of getting out there to register and vote. Pennsylvania, where the NABJ conference is being held, is also important to candidates running in the presidential election. Decision Desk HQ polling shows that Harris holds a small lead of 48.1% to Trumps 47.4%, making it a tight race. The Associated Press and Reuters 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 NewsNation. Vice President Kamala Harris and her meteoric rise to become President Joe Bidens replacement as the Democratic presidential candidate is one of the most significant shifts in presidential politics in recent history. As the 2024 presidential election fast approaches, Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump are doubling down their campaigning in the more than half-dozen swing states, Nebraska included, that will decide who will take over the White House. With less than eight weeks until the general election, Republicans and Democrats are fighting tooth and nail for Nebraskas one electoral vote in Omaha's 2nd Congressional District, which could break a tie and get either candidate to 270 electoral votes, the number needed to win the presidency. The Cornhusker State's unique way of awarding electoral votes means all eyes are on one district in particular, where recent polling shows Harris ahead of Trump by about 8 points, putting the otherwise red state into play for the Democrats race to 270. More: All eyes are on Nebraska's 'blue dot,' which could determine who wins the White House As Harris steps up its campaigning in the state, we examine some of her most significant accomplishments and policy initiatives during her time as vice president. Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris laughs on Day 4 of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., August 22, 2024. Immigration In response to immigration concerns, Harris call to action was the public-private partnership Central America Forward (CAF). The idea behind CAF is to support the creation of local jobs and other measures in order to slow the flow of mass migration. CAF has generated more than $5.2 billion since its launch in 2021, and its partners include more than 50 companies and organizations that have committed to supporting economic growth in the Central America region. The entities represent the financial services, textiles, apparel, agriculture, technology, telecommunications, nonprofit sectors, and others, according to the White House. Voting rights Harris was at the forefront of the administrations pursuit to enshrine voting rights protection throughout the U.S. according to White House transcripts. She pushed for Congress to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which wouldve extended the protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and required federal approval for some local election law changes. In 2021, the bill did not receive the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican filibuster, preventing the start of debate on the Senate floor where Harris would have cast the deciding vote in the evenly split chamber. Abortion Since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in June 2022, Harris has been a leading voice advocating for reproductive rights on behalf of the Biden administration, often slamming Republican-led laws restricting abortion. Harris visited a Planned Parenthood clinic on March 14, a historic first for any president or vice president while in office, according to previous reporting by USA TODAY. U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks, during an event at the Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence in Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S., August 16, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Walking through the clinic in Minnesota, the vice president spoke with staff members and health care providers as part of her nationwide Fight for Reproductive Freedoms tour earlier this year. Gun violence In September 2023, Biden established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention to reduce gun violence, overseen by Vice President Harris, as announced by the White House. The Office of Gun Violence Prevention builds upon actions taken by the Biden-Harris administration to end gun violence, which include the signing of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Heralded by the White House as the most impactful gun violence prevention measure in almost three decades, the now law bars individuals under the age of 21 from buying firearms, grants the Justice Department additional powers to prosecute gun traffickers, provides mental health services in schools to assist youth affected by gun violence trauma and grief and funds community-based violence intervention programs. Maternal health In her previous role as U.S. Senator for California, Harris introduced the Maternal CARE Act and the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, which would direct multi-agency efforts to improve maternal health, particularly among racial and ethnic minority groups, veterans, and other vulnerable populations and maternal health issues related to COVID-19. The vice presidents prior work on maternal and infant health care was a key component of the Build Back Better Act, passed in 2022. The legislation expands access to maternal care and makes new investments to drive down mortality and morbidity rates. Broadband expansion In 2023, Harris and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin to celebrate the announcement of new electronics equipment production made possible by the Biden-Harris Administrations Investing in America agenda and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requires the use of American-made materials and products for federally funded infrastructure projects, with the goal of bringing hundreds of new jobs to the U.S. The law also notably includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S. Our investments in broadband infrastructure are creating jobs in Wisconsin and across the nation and increasing access to reliable, high-speed internet so everyone in America has the tools they need to thrive in the 21st century, said Harris. Reuters and USA TODAY reporter Maya Marchel Hoff contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: What did Harris do as vice president that Nebraskans should know? Kamala Harris Says She Is Working To Earn The Vote Of Black Men Vice President Kamala Harris discussed her campaign in a new interview while speaking with three journalists representing the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). The sit-down comes after the discourse earlier this summer during the 2024 NABJ national convention, where the organization welcomed former president Donald Trump to speak. The disastrous panel led to multiple controversies. Harris was unable to attend the Chicago conference and was said to be in talks for a virtual event with NABJ. On Tuesday (Sept. 17), Harris met with journalists representing NABJ in Philadelphia for an extended conversation. According to the the Associated Press, she clarified her efforts to appeal to Black men while campaigning for the White House. U.S. President Joe Biden introduces Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation 2024 Phoenix Awards at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Phoenix Awards, the culmination of the week-long 53rd Annual Legislative Conference, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to society. I think its very important to not operate from the assumption that Black men are in anybodys pocket, Harris explained. Black men are like any other voting group. You gotta earn their vote, so Im working to earn the vote, not assuming Im gonna have it because Im Black. According to data published by the Washington Post earlier this month, about 7 in 10 Black Americans say it is important that Harris become the first female president, including 75 percent of Black women and 67 percent of Black men. The outlet also reported interest in voting among younger Black men also rose, from 43 percent to 51 percent from April. Harris and Trump faced off in their first, and likely only, debate ahead of the November election. Moderated by World News Tonight anchor and managing editor David Muir and ABC News Live Prime anchor Linsey Davis, Nielsen data revealed an estimated 67.1 million viewers tuned in across 17 television networks. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. With only 50 days remaining to the 2024 Presidential Elections and a the FBI investigating second assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump, the race for the White House intensifies. A new Marquette University Law School poll released last Wednesday showed Vice President Kamala Harris with a four-point lead over Trump. It also showed Harris leading for the first time among the most enthusiastic voters. Trump had earlier held that advantage when President Joe Biden was still in the race and during the early days of Harris' own campaign. Here's what Harris' schedule looks like for this week. Where is Donald Trump this week? His campaign schedule after assassination attempt Kamala Harris' schedule from 9/16 - 9/22 Sept. 16: Washington D.C. Harris participated in a rank-and-file roundtable with the Teamsters Monday, the union had announced earlier this month. Both Trump and President Joe Biden had attended similar meetings earlier in the campaign cycle. The union is yet to endorse a candidate for the 2024 presidential race, according to a news release. "We look forward to having a conversation on the direction of the country and the issues that matter to working people," the union's General President Sean O'Brien had said in a statement on Sept. 5. VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS TO ATTEND TEAMSTERS RANK-AND-FILE ROUNDTABLE The International Brotherhood of Teamsters will host a rank-and-file Presidential roundtable with Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday, Sept. 16, in Washington, D.C. Harris has committed to meet with pic.twitter.com/JAz2Z5WIWC Teamsters (@Teamsters) September 5, 2024 Sept. 17: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Harris is scheduled to be interviewed by a panel of three National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) on Tuesday at WHYY Studios in Philadelphia. The interview conducted by Gerren Keith Gaynor, Eugene Daniels and Tonya Mosley will have an "in-person audience of NABJ professional and student members and local HBCU journalism and communications students," as per a NABJ new release. It will also be livestreamed for all NABJ members and the general public at 2:30 p.m. ET on NABJs Facebook and YouTube channels and WHYYs platforms. Where is Kamala Harris today? Travels include talk with Black journalists 'A long relay race': Hillary Clinton on passing the torch to Kamala Harris - Interview Sept. 19: Michigan Harris is scheduled to participate in a "Unite for America" livestream event with Oprah Winfrey in Michigan, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, reported. Sept. 20: Madison, Wisconsin Harris is scheduled to hold a rally early in the evening in Madison on Friday, as per the Journal Sentinel. Further details on her visit are not yet known. Contributing: Jessie Opoien, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, USA TODAY NETWORK 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: Kamala Harris schedule, rallies: Live stream with Oprah, Madison event Kamala Harris gave her most in-depth response yet to Donald Trumps outlandish claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio are kidnapping and dining on families cats and dogs, tying the allegations to the former presidents long history with age-old racist tropes, including birther conspiracies about President Barack Obama. It's a crying shame, she said during a discussion with members of the National Association of Black Journalists in Philadelphia on Tuesday. I mean, my heart breaks for this community. Trump fanned the flames of the conspiracy theory at his debate with Harris last week, when he said that new arrivals in Springfield were eating the pets of the people that live there. On Tuesday, Harris lamented the fact that children in the city have had to live in fear amid bomb threats that have followed the allegations. But she also suggested that the comments didnt exactly come as a surprise given his previous patterns when talking about race. She accused him of spewing lies that are grounded in tropes that are age old. Chaos Dogs City Where Trump Says Haitians Eat Pets I said it not very far from here the other day at the debate, Harris said. This is not new. This is not new in terms of these tropes. This is not new in terms of where its coming from. And whether it is refusing to rent to people, rent to Black families, whether it is taking out a full-page ad in the New York Times against five innocent Black and Latino teenagers, the Central Park Five, calling for their execution, whether it is referring to the first Black president of the United States with a lie, birther lies. Harris made similar comments on the debate stage last week when asked to respond to Trumps remarks at the NABJs annual conference earlier this summer, when the former president claimed that Harris, who is multiracial, happened to turn Black. His comments sparked widespread criticism, though Harris herself was initially measured in her response. Asked about Trumps remarks, she simply labeled them as his same old tired playbook, in her first sit-down interview last month, before opting for a more full-fledged response in September. I think most people in our country, regardless of their race, are starting to see through this nonsense, Harris said Tuesday. And to say, You know what, lets turn the page on this. This is exhausting. And its harmful. And its hateful. And grounded in some age-old stuff that we should not have the tolerance for. 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 Kansas City firefighter died Tuesday after experiencing a medical emergency during a training exercise. The firefighter, who has not been publicly identified, had worked as a firefighter and paramedic for the Rescue Division of Station 35 of the Kansas City Fire Department for 10 years, according to a news release from the fire department. The incident occurred around 11:45 a.m., according to the fire department. After other firefighters attempted to provide aid, the firefighter was transported to North Kansas City Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1 p.m. I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss today of a member of the Kansas City Fire Department who served our community with courage and commitment for a decade, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. Our community will forever cherish his dedication to the people of Kansas City and his love and devotion to service. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and all of his brothers and sisters at KCFD. City leaders are expected to speak in more detail about the firefighters death Wednesday. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Brian Betts, right, and attorney Kevin Shepherd pose for a photo Tuesday at the University of Kansas Law School following a hearing before the Kansas Court of Appeals. Brian Betts, right, and attorney Kevin Shepherd pose for a photo Tuesday at the University of Kansas Law School following a hearing before the Kansas Court of Appeals. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) LAWRENCE A Kansas Court of Appeals panel considered arguments Tuesday about whether a disgraced Kansas City, Kansas, police detectives involvement in a 1997 murder case should result in an overturned conviction. Brian Betts, who spent 25 years in prison before being released last year, hopes to prove his innocence by pursuing the legal challenge. But judges who heard his appeal questioned whether the evidence shows Detective Roger Golubski pressured a witness to implicate Betts in the murder of Golubskis 17-year-old nephew. Golubski was arrested in 2022 and faces federal charges of kidnapping, sexual assault, and being paid to protect a child sex-trafficking ring. He denies the allegations, and his trial is scheduled for December. Allegations of corruption surrounding Golubski are detailed in the KCUR investigative podcast Overlooked. His alleged misconduct came to light with the exoneration in 2017 of Lamonte McIntyre, who said Golubski helped frame him for a double murder in 1994. McIntyre spent 23 years in prison and won $12.5 million in a civil lawsuit in 2022. Betts conviction was based on testimony from his uncle, who then recanted before sentencing. The uncle said two detectives one of them white with a mustache pressured him into implicating Betts. In 2021, the uncle identified Golubski as the man with the mustache. In a hearing held Tuesday at the University of Kansas School of Law, a three-judge panel questioned attorneys about the uncles credibility and lack of documentation that would affirm whether Golubski interviewed the uncle. But Kevin Shepherd, a Topeka-based attorney who is representing Betts for free, said Golubskis involvement with the case is certain because trial records show the detective was sharing evidence with the victims family members. Shepherd said that at the time of Betts conviction, there were no witnesses who could testify about Golubskis history of strongarming witnesses. Now that Golubki faces accusations of alleged coercion and police misconduct, Shepherd argued, Betts conviction should be overturned. Kayla Roehler, deputy district attorney for Wyandotte County, said the limited police records from the case show only one detective interviewed Betts uncle, and it wasnt Golubski. There is no mention of Roger Golubski in a single police report, Roehler said. There is nothing that shows Roger Golubski was involved in this case. She acknowledged Betts original trial unfolded during a period where officers engaged in dereliction of law. Still, she said, just saying his name is not a smoking gun that warrants a new trial. In an interview after the hearing, Betts said police pressured his uncle into lying by threatening to charge the uncle with murder if he didnt cooperate. Betts, who has campaigned to remove Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree from office, expressed frustration with prosecutors who block him from clearing his name. The biggest question mark to me, the biggest strike against their ethics and their morals, is that they know that these officers were engaging in just despicable actions, misconduct on every avenue and every facet, and they are still protecting them, Betts said. Theyre still trying to uphold their illegal practices and their illegal actions Betts said the outcome of his appeal is the biggest thing in the world, because I have a negative stamp on me. When you Google my name and my history, I dont want this false conviction attached to me, he said. And theyve robbed me of 25 years and four months of my life. Judges Jacy Hurst, Lesley Ann Isherwood and Rachel Pickering will rule on the appeal. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The open sign is shining bright again outside a family-owned business in the Midtown Westport neighborhood in Kansas City. Security footage from early July shows two people breaking a window into Hahas Kebabs and Shawarma and then setting the inside of it on fire. Thats the hardest thing watching what you worked hard for the past two years go over in minutes, owner Fouad Frank Haha said. Minutes that resulted in even more time lost. Haha had to close the shop for about two months and spent $30,000 to $60,000 in repairs. He says the shop wasnt insured at the time. KCPD investigating after zTrip driver critically hurt in shooting A couple of weeks before that my brother passed away and we partnered on the shop and we just canceled the insurance to combine both of them at the same time, Haha said. Investigators have since arrested and charged George Daniels for second-degree arson. Theyre still searing for the other suspect. Police confirmed it was a targeted attack. Fouad says he doesnt know the people in the video. Now it makes you feel like everybody is watching you you could be a target to anybody to anyone, Haha said. But that feeling of uneasiness isnt stopping Fouad from reopening his family-owned business. My parents taught us no matter what, all this is material, one day it could be gone and one day you could build an empire, so we stay strong and its all about the thoughts in your head, he said. With the open sign on again, hes ready to welcome back the community. Showing their love through food after he says everyone checked in on them while they were closed. It feels like the first day. We have to bring that attention again and let the people know were back so they can try our delicious food, Haha said. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Fouad also gave his thanks to police for catching one of the people on the video. Again, no further arrests have been made, but if you know something, youre asked to call 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Gov. Jared Polis is flanked by Roosevelt Charter Academy Principal Kate Boyce (third from left), Colorado Springs School District 11 Superintendent Michael Gaal, and Roosevelt educators during the governors recent visit to the charter school in El Paso County. Polis is an advocate of the publicly funded, autonomously run charter school model. (The Gazette file) CHEYENNE BOTTOMS, Kan. (KSNW) Former farmland in Cheyenne Bottoms is being restored to its natural wetland state as bird populations decline due in part to a lack of shallow pools in the area. The roughly 1,000 acres of former farmland are being renewed under the supervision of the Kansas chapter of the Nature Conservancy. The wetland is in an earlier stage of restoration. Multiple pits were dug in the dirt. The hope is that when it rains, the pits will turn into a shallow pool, perfect for shorebirds that pass through during spring migration. Its all part of an effort to return the land to its natural state and restore the birds habitat to slow population declines. Cheyenne Bottoms is the largest wetland in the interior United States. Its a wetland of international importance; well have millions of birds stop over here every year during their migration cycle, both in the fall and springtime. Its a very important stopover point for not just waterfowl but shorebirds and a number of other wildlife species, said Jason Wagner, public land manager for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Shorebirds, specifically, are in steep population decline. They prefer shallow water. Its pretty obvious if they have the right habitat, you know, theyll do fine; the problem is the habitat is disappearing across their migratory pathway, said Robert Penner, the avian conservation manager for the Kansas Nature Conservancy. Storm Track 3 Forecast: Back-to-back rain chances through the weekend The goal of the construction is to transform the shallow pit into a place where shorebirds can coalesce, but it will take time for that to happen. It could probably rain right here tonight a couple of inches and not rain, you know, two miles down the road, Penner said. Rain filling the pit is just part of the equation. What we want to create out here is a mosaic of different vegetation heights and densities across the whole preserve, Penner said. Keeping food sources diverse is essential. We try to manage for that diversity of habitat that will benefit the number of species that we have out here, Wagner said. Birds are kind of like a barometer of how well the environments going, as are frogs and everything, and were losing everything, Penner said. Drought has decreased the amount of water in this large wetland, but this is the wetlands natural state, and its beneficial for increasing the diversity of wildlife. It dries up the plant material, and it incorporates it back into the wetlands, and so all that vegetation is back into the ground, and so then, when it rains, oh man, its just an explosion of invertebrates, insects, stuff like that which the birds really love, Penner said. According to the Nature Conservancy, dryness allows digging to be required for wetland restoration. The drought also helps with species diversity since different species thrive in different conditions. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Kappys Subs announces reopening thanks to community support In an uplifting turn of events, Kappys Subs, recently announced its closure, has revealed plans to reopen its doors. The announcement came through a social media post expressing appreciation towards the communitys overwhelming support. Kappys Subs opened in 1967. Read: Forced to close: Kappys Subs to close after almost 60 years of business We truly could not have saved Kappys without the love of our community, the post read. Foodies can mark their calendars for the reopening on Sept. 23. The restaurant is located near North Maitland Avenue and East Sybelia Avenue. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. KANSAS CITY, Mo. After months of complaints regarding mail services throughout the metro, locally elected officials announced they have joined forces across party lines to combat delivery delays and find solutions to the U.S. Postal Services growing problems. According to a news release, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO-05), Jake LaTurner (R-KS-02), Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), Mark Alford (R-MO-04) and Sam Graves (R-MO-06) united in a bipartisan effort to address mail delivery delays in the Kansas City area. Belton homeowner questions $1,260 monthly water bill The group of elected officials has called on USPS Postmaster General Louis Dejoy to follow through with solutions to problems identified in an audit. The audit investigated three Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas locations in June: Hickman Mills Post Office, Robert L. Roberts Post Office and Shawnee Mission Post Office. My mail is late all the time at the PO box, said Gary Roberts, who uses the South Troost Post Office in Kansas City, Missouri. I got something from Social Security on the 25th, but I didnt get it in my PO box until the 29th, and it was due on the 30th, so what do you think they did to me? They suspended my money. The audit aimed to evaluate the efficiency of delivery operations and property conditions at the processing and distribution Centers. And after investigations were complete, problems were found in four of these five key areas: Mail clearance times Delayed mail Late/canceled/extra outbound trips Dock scanning Security of registry items DeJoy determined that many of the postal services issues stem from employee shortages and inadequate management. It was reported that employees would sometimes not show up to work and that workplaces lacked a level of oversight from supervisors and managers. I got one (piece of mail) this last month from February, said Mary Kline, who uses the South Troost Postal Office. Many residents across the area are not getting their mail on time, and sometimes, theyre not getting it at all. Hundreds of gift cards stolen from Lees Summit store in scam investigation The audit also found safety concerns regarding trucks and trailers parked at the docks without wheel chocks, preventing them from rolling away. Drivers were also not securing trailer doors at all times, leading different Midwest division directors to get involved. On May 14, more than 30,000 delayed mail pieces were found at the Robert L. Roberts station in Kansas City, Kansas. On the same day, more than 1,600 delayed pieces of mail were identified at the Hickman Mills Post Office. In both cases, management did not accurately report the mail as undelivered. The findings in these audits and the recommendations are very serious things, said Sharice Davids (D-KS-03). Making sure that our scanning equipment is working, making sure that were properly staffed and making sure that the management practices are in place. Something is wrong at the highest levels and were not going to be able to fix it by fussing at a postal worker. Somebody whos out in this in the snow and rain, and condemning them if the mail is not delivered on time, said Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-05). Nine Kansas lakes to adopt new hunting policies for upcoming season According to a news release, Kansas City has some for the nations slowest mail service in the nation. This has led these local officials to call upon USPS to implement the Office of the Inspector Generals solutions. It is unacceptable that these facilities have fallen and are failing to keep up with the USPS standard of service, the representatives said. We wholeheartedly urge the leadership of the postal service to roll out the recommendations of the USPS Office of the Inspector General immediately to improve the service of the USPS in the Kansas City Metro area for our constituents. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KCSO: Suspect in custody after pursuit ends in crash KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) A person who reportedly led Knox County Sheriffs Office deputies on a chase is in custody after their vehicle crashed into a pole on Parkside Drive. KCSO told 6 News around 1 p.m. that the crash on Parkside Drive happened during a pursuit of a suspect vehicle after a domestic situation Tuesday morning. Take a look inside Knoxville Polices new immersive training simulator Although the sheriffs office did not identify the suspect, they did say he is in custody. This is a developing story. Download the WATE 6 News app or sign up for our email alerts for updates. KCSO said they will release additional information as it becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. TOPEKA (KSNT) On Sept. 4, a dump truck driver crashed into the US-75 Stover Bridge. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) told 27 News that its working to assess the damages. KDOT Spokeswoman Kate Craft told 27 News that a bridge team has been working to assess the damages. She said a repair project will be needed to fix the damage. KDOT will be developing plans to put the repair project out to bid. The process is being accelerated as much as possible, but we dont know any specifics at this time, such as repair costs, timeline, etc., Craft told 27 News. Photo by Colter Robinson. Photo by Colter Robinson. Photo by Colter Robinson. Photo by Colter Robinson. Photo by Colter Robinson. When asked whos responsible for paying for the damages, Craft said the repair costs would be collected from the responsible partys insurance company. Three hospitalized after car vs. cow crash in Lyon Co. The crash happened around 7:50 a.m. on Sept. 4 at the crossover for U.S. 24 Highway and Stover Road. The dump truck bed was completely sheared off of the truck. According to a 27 News reporter, an ambulance, firetruck and multiple Highway Patrol and Shawnee County deputies were on scene. This embedded content is not available in your region. The driver was taken to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries. He was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, according to a KHP crash log. 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. Editors Note: A previous version of this article referred to the defendant as a resident of Johnston. The article has since been corrected. JOHNSTON, Iowa An 18-year-old was arrested on Monday for allegedly sexually extorting a minor. According to court documents, 18-year-old Ekokolemba Lusalang was pretending to be a teenage girl while communicating with a minor female. During these conversations the victim shared sexually explicit photos and videos with who she believed to be her teenage female friend, but who was actually Lusalang, court documents state. 1 dead, 1 injured in fiery crash involving UTV in eastern Iowa Court documents state the victim made plans to hang out with Lusalang, who she still believed to be her female friend at the time, on Monday. That day the victim exited her apartment building and approached the vehicle she thought was driven by her friend, but instead she found Lusalang inside the vehicle. According to a criminal complaint, Lusalang told the victim that she had to get into his vehicle and go to a hotel with him, and if she didnt he would disseminate the sexually explicit photos and videos. According to Johnston Police, Lusalang drove from his home in Kentucky to Johnston for the sole purpose of meeting with the victim. Late Monday morning Lusalang was arrested and charged with purchase/possess depiction of minor in sex act first offense and extortion. Lusalang remains in the Polk County Jail on a $20,000 cash-only bond. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for September 27. Latest Metro 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 who13.com. LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) As 10 days have passed since the shooting on I-75 in Laurel County, state and area leaders held a briefing Tuesday afternoon regarding the ongoing manhunt for the suspect. Gov. Beshear was joined by Kentucky State Police (KSP) Commissioner Phillip PJ Burnett, Jr. and other local leaders for the briefing at noon EDT in London. Who is Joseph Couch? Alleged I-75 shooter warned he was going to kill a lot of people Officials said five people were injured and 12 vehicles were damaged in the I-75 shooting on Sept. 7. Since then, law enforcement has been searching Daniel Boone National Forest for the suspect: 32-year-old Joseph Couch. Over 28,000 acres of land have been searched and cleared, authorities said on Monday, and as the search expands, they have introduced K9s, cadaver dogs, thermal imaging, and more. During the Tuesday briefing, Beshear said cameras were placed throughout the forest to detect movement. The cameras continued to be monitored for any activity. Our best plan now is to augment law enforcement in this community to where our people are, Beshear said. In other words, as the odds of finding the individual in the forest are less, the deployment of our resources into the community now provides a better public safety outcome, a better deterrent, than simply continuing the manhunt at its current levels. According to Burnett, there have been over 400 reported tips regarding the manhunt for Couch, and the majority of those were outside the national forest. We feel like well be better off to protect our communities by moving those personnel, Burnett said. This is the best plan that we have going forward. We have looked at every possible scenario. Weve looked at every piece of equipment, technology that we can utilize, and this, from what we have discovered so far in this search, this is the best plan moving forward. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Beginning Tuesday afternoon, Beshear said state and local law enforcement will transition to having a larger presence in the surrounding communities. This was said to include schools, bus routes, sporting events, day cares, hospitals, residences, businesses, and more. We are reallocating resources because we believe it is necessary now to do so to provide for the best safety outcomes for our citizens, the governor said. Beshear emphasized that this is a reallocation, not a reduction, of personnel. We will not live our lives in fear, Beshear said. We will move forward together, and yes, we will get through this together. Safety concerns grow in Laurel County as suspected I-75 shooter remains at large Laurel County Crime Stoppers is offering a $15,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of Couch. Anonymous donors have also offered additional funds for a $35,000 total reward. Anyone with information that could help find Couch is asked to call any of the following Kentucky law enforcement agencies: Madylin Goins 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 FOX 56 News. FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) The campaign around this years Amendment 2 in Kentucky is heating up, with one side flexing a large number of endorsements 50 days before Election Day. The size of the coalition really, I think, sends a large statement that Kentuckians as a whole we love our public schools and its our job to protect them, Fayette County Education Association President Jessica Hiler said. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Protect Our Schools KY is the coalition representing different stakeholders and public education advocates advocating against Amendment 2. On Monday, the coalition shared that more than 100 organizations around the state are now allied with them, such as Kentuckys chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Executive Director Brenda Rosen shared concern that approving the amendment could impact funding for resources like counselors If Amendment Two passes, our public schools will not have what they need to meet the needs of our students, and disinvestment will lead to cuts in critical services for our future citizens, Rosen said. To say that there is no money left over if those funds are diverted, just I dont think is a great argument, because theres a lot of funding going into public schools in Kentucky, almost half the budget, Gus LaFontaine told FOX 56. LaFontaine, who founded the Richmond preparatory school sharing his namesake, felt the argument was disingenuous. If Amendment 2 is approved, the state constitution could then allow tax money to pay for students attending schools like his own. Opponents say public money should stay with public schools, and supporters like LaFontaine said that money should follow students instead of the school system itself. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Its not a surprise to see union-backed organizations backing the opposition to Amendment Two. I think our side on this issue revolves around parents and specifically the freedom that parents would obtain, LaFontaine said. Endorsing Organizations of Protect Our Schools KY, as of Sept 16: Council for Better Education 874K Disabilities Coalition AAUW Kentucky ACLU of Kentucky Advocacy Based on Lived Experience (ABLE) Allen County Education Association Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1447 Appalachians for Appalachia AROS Louisville Ashland Area Central Labor Council Bath County Education Association BLACK Bluegrass Central Labor Council Boilermakers Local 40 Bourbon County Education Association Bowling Green Warren County NAACP Breckinridge County Education Association Bullitt County Education Association Caldwell County Education Association Campbell County Education Association Commonwealth Alliance Voter Engagement Clay County Education Association Coleridge Taylor PTA CWA 3310 Dixie Magnet Elementary PTA Fairness Campaign Fifth District Education Association Fleming County Education Association Franklin County Education Association Greater Louisville Building and Construction Trades Council Greater Louisville Central Labor Council Green County Education Association Hardin County Education Association Hart County Teacher Association Henry County Education Association Hickman County Education Association Hood to the Holler Hopkins County Education Association IBEW Local 369 International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Indiana/Kentucky Local 4 Ironworkers Local 44 IUE-CWA Local 83761 J Graham Brown PTSA JCAESP-AFSCME Local 4011 Jefferson County Teachers Association Kentucky Civic Engagement Table KEA-Retired Kenton County Education Association Kentuckians for Science Education Kentuckians for the Commonwealth Kentucky Alliance for Retired Americans Kentucky Association of School Administrators Kentucky Association of School Librarians Kentucky Association of School Social Workers Kentucky Association of School Superintendents Kentucky Coalition for Healthy Children Kentucky Conservation Committee Kentucky Council for Teachers of Mathematics Kentucky Education Association Kentucky Education Support Professionals Association (KESPA) Kentucky Equal Justice Center Kentucky Psychological Association Kentucky Retired Teachers Association Kentucky School Board Association Kentucky School Board Association Kentucky School Public Relations Association Kentucky State Building + Construction Trades Kentucky Unitarian Universalist Justice Action Network Kentucky Voices for Health Kentucky Womens Network Kentucky Student Voice Team KY AFL-CIO KY Mental Health Coalition KY NAACP KY Policy KY Parent Teacher Association Laborers (LIUNA) Local 576 Laurel County Education Association League of Women Voters Louisville League of Women Voters of Kentucky Livingston County Education Association Louisville Showing Up for Racial Justice Louisville Showing Up for Racial Justice JCPS Team Louisville Urban League Louisville Urban League Madison County Education Association Mental Health America of Kentucky Montgomery County Education Association NAACP Owensboro Branch #3107 National Association of Social WorkersKentucky Nelson County Education Association Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Services (NKCES) Northern KY Central Labor Council Northern KY Education Association Owensboro Central Labor Council Pastors for Kentucky Children Pendleton County Education Association Progress Kentucky Pulaski County Education Association Showing Up for Racial Justice Southern High School PTSA Teamsters 215 Teamsters 783 Teamsters 89 The Peoples Campaign The Poor Peoples Campaign The Revolution KY Tri-County Central Labor Council Tri-State Building and Construction Trades Council UFCW 227 United Mine Workers of America Upper Kentucky River Education Association LaFontaine said much of the vote yes movement is grassroots-oriented. Protect Our Schools KY released the following list of backers: Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Kentucky sheriffs deputy killed in shooting. Suspect has died too, sheriff says. A Russell County sheriffs deputy was shot and killed while searching for a suspect Monday evening. Deputy Sheriff Joshua Phipps was helping Kentucky State Police and other agencies search on foot for the suspect around 5:30 p.m. at Bluebird Drive. Gunfire broke out when they found him, and Phipps was shot, authorities said. Phipps died later at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs. The suspect also died in the shooting. Deputy Josh Phipps died a hero, doing what he liked, Protecting and Serving Russell County, Sheriff Derek Polston wrote in a social media post early Tuesday. Polston asked for prayers for Phipps family and friends and the sheriffs office and its staff. Phipps was a three-year veteran of the agency. He said a number of other police agencies had contacted to offer help and support covering calls. Condolences poured in from across the state. Gov. Andy Beshear issued a statement on the social media platform X, saying Tragic news for our commonwealth as a Russell County deputy was killed in the line of duty last night. Britainy and I ask all of Kentucky to join us in praying for his family, fellow law enforcement officers and the entire Russell County community. Attorney General Russell Coleman pledged the full resources of his office and its Department of Criminal Investigations. Tonight, Russell County Sheriffs Deputy Joshua Phipps ended his watch to his county and his Commonwealth, Coleman said in a statement. All Kentucky mourns his loss and honors his selfless sacrifice. Along with Deputy Phipps brothers and sisters in uniform across Kentucky and the nation, we send our prayers and condolences to his family and colleagues. The Russell County Fiscal Court announced Phipps death in a post in which they said our deepest prayers for comfort and peace are needed for his family and our community. Continued prayers for all law enforcement who put their life on the line each day to ensure our safety and freedom. Russell Springs Mayor Eddie Thomas said our community has suffered a great loss tonight, and he asked for thoughts and prayers for our town, our county, and all of our first responders, as well as for the sheriffs office and the officers family and friends. This tragedy has shaken us all, but together, we will find strength and comfort, Thomas wrote in a Facebook post. Let us stand united as a community and support one another in the days ahead. This is a developing story and will be updated. Tragic news for our commonwealth as a Russell County deputy was killed in the line of duty last night. Britainy and I ask all of Kentucky to join us in praying for his family, fellow law enforcement officers and the entire Russell County community. ^ABhttps://t.co/4wX9vS16At Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) September 17, 2024 Im praying for Russell County as they grieve the loss of Sheriffs Deputy Josh Phipps who was tragically killed in the line of duty. May God strengthen his family and this community as we mourn this great loss.https://t.co/JLY9BlYEMK Auditor Allison Ball (@KYAuditor) September 17, 2024 UK President Eli Capilouto, left, shakes hands with Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, ahead of an interim education committee meeting. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley) FRANKFORT Five of Kentuckys university presidents told state lawmakers that their campuses are focused on inclusivity for all students as an interim committee sought information about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in higher education. The discussion, which lasted a couple of hours, in front of the Interim Joint Committee on Education on Tuesday comes amid Republican hostility to DEI efforts and threats to eliminate them in higher education, both in Kentucky and across the nation. Before the meeting, Rep. Josh Calloway, R-Irvington, shared on X, formerly Twitter, that he and other lawmakers, including Rep. Candy Massaroni, R-Bardstown, planned to file a bill during the 2025 legislative session that would eliminate a requirement for public universities and colleges to submit diversity plans to the Council on Postsecondary Education and remove penalties for not meeting CPE standards. While Representative Jennifer Decker continues to lead the charge to fully end DEI initiatives in Kentuckys post-secondary institutions, we aim to refocus colleges on education not division or exclusionary practices, Calloway said. Decker, R-Waddy, was the sponsor of the Houses answer to DEI in higher education last session. That bill would have eliminated DEI programs in higher education. Meanwhile, a Senate bill proposed a legal path for employees and students to sue universities on the grounds they were discriminated against for rejecting divisive concepts. Neither piece of legislation passed. Committee co-chairs, Republicans Sen. Stephen West and Rep. James Tipton, felt it was appropriate to get all the information out on the table regarding DEI at public universities heading into the next session, West said at the start of the meeting. Some of Kentuckys public universities have already begun looking at their diversity policies in the interim. In recent weeks, the University of Kentucky and Northern Kentucky University announced they were closing their diversity offices. The Kentucky Community and Technical College System said last week it plans to review its programs and resources. Campuses represented Tuesday were UK, the University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University, Eastern Kentucky University and Murray State University. Presidents of NKU and Morehead State University previously addressed the education committee about DEI programs on those campuses. KCTCS President Ryan Quarles recently told the Kentucky Lantern he would make a similar presentation in November. UK President Eli Capilouto said he hears concerns about DEI in questions regarding how it represents everyone. He said the purpose of the meeting was to to find a common approach to a common concern, and that was how we support everyone, regardless of where they are from, what they think, who they are. While UK eliminated its diversity office, no jobs were eliminated, Capilouto said. He added that the university was recommitting itself to refrain from statements that appear political or partisan and protecting academic freedom. Spaces for learning must be free for the exchange of ideas, and discovery should take our scholars and students wherever their curiosity and questions lead, because thats the only way were going to solve the thorniest of problems, Capilouto said. And we should welcome discomfort in hearing ideas. But we cant tolerate indoctrination, intimidation or disrespect. The lectern serves learning, and is not a pulpit for proselytizing. Kim Schatzel, who became president of UofL in early 2023, told lawmakers her institution will support all our students and all needs of all. Last year, UofL changed the name of its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to the Office of Institutional Equity. Equity means no preference, no bias, no discrimination, Schatzel said before she listed the various identities that make up UofLs student body Black, brown, white, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, refugees, first generation students, gay, straight, disabled, veterans and more. Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, referenced pro-Palestine protests at UofL and on other campuses that she said made Jewish students feel unsafe based on religion. She said she appreciated Schatzels efforts to make that right. Our Constitution talks about equality, Tichenor said. I dont love that word, equity. Because it assumes that theres an overall that everybody can have or comes in, you know, it leaves the same way. Thats just impossible. Were all different people. So I guess my question to you would be, why would you choose the Office of Institutional Equity, as opposed to the Office of Institutional Equality, because that truly is more of our founding in the United States of America, that were all created equal. WKU President Timothy Caboni said the university defines diversity through a combination of identities, such as geographical background, age, socioeconomic status, political views, gender identity, sexual orientation, race and more. The university launched its OneWKU campaign in 2020, which is cultivating a sense of belonging for all who are on campus. David McFaddin, president of EKU, said his university does not have a diversity office but remains committed to welcoming all. Bob Jackson, Murray States president and a former state lawmaker, said universities have a responsibility to advance the future workforce and highlighted academic programs at the university. I say all of these things because our workforce and economic development needs and issues are vitally important for all students all across Kentucky, no matter gender, race, income status or otherwise, Jackson said. And thats who we are. Im proud of who we are. Footage filmed in Kenya as anti-tax protests rocked the East African nation in June has been viewed tens of thousands of times in posts that falsely claimed it shows a rally by supporters of a Philippine pastor wanted for sex trafficking. Apollo Quiboloy surrendered to Philippine authorities in September following a massive police hunt into his sect's sprawling compound in the archipelago's southern Davao City. "KOJC RALLY First Time in Davao City," read text overlaid on a Facebook reel shared on September 2, 2024, using the acronym for Quiboloy's Kingdom of Jesus Christ sect. It surfaced as police in Davao City searched for Quiboloy, who is wanted in the United States for sex trafficking children and is facing similar charges in Manila (archived link). The self-proclaimed "Appointed Son of God" and ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte surrendered on September 8 and has pleaded not guilty to charges that could result in a life sentence if convicted. The video -- viewed more than 78,000 times -- shows a large crowd marching down a street with several participants holding placards. "It's like Edsa Revolution People's Power," the video's text overlay added, alluding to a peaceful mass uprising in 1986 that led to the ousting of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Screenshot of false post taken September 12, 2024 The video was shared elsewhere on social media alongside similar false claims here, here and here. "Wow! You're over, BBM," one user commented, referring to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, whose government is overseeing the case against Quiboloy. Another said: "That's just the general public; it doesn't include the armed ones yet." Anti-tax rallies A reverse image search of the video found it in a TikTok post shared on June 20, 2024, more than two months before the police raid of Quiboloy's compound. The post is captioned "Nakuru well represented", with hashtags "#rejectfinancebill2024", "#Nakuru" and "#Kenya". Nakuru is a city in Kenya, where large-scale anti-government protests broke out in June against proposed tax hikes (archived link). The protests quickly escalated into a wider outcry against President William Ruto's administration and continued even after he scrapped the controversial plan. Demonstrations reportedly broke out in Nakuru on June 20, the day the TikTok video was posted (archived link). Below is a screenshot comparison between the video shared in false posts (left) and the TikTok video (right): Screenshot comparison between the video shared in false posts (left) and the TikTok video (right) AFP confirmed the video was filmed in Nakuru by comparing it to Google Maps images from Mburu Gichua Road in the city (archived link). This embedded content is not available in your region. AFP previously debunked posts falsely linking the clip to anti-hunger protests in Nigeria. Baltimore The families of three of the six immigrant construction workers who died when the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed will ask a federal court to prevent the owner of the ship that crashed into the structure from escaping legal liability. The families announced on Tuesday that they will take legal action to hold Grace Ocean Private Limited legally liable for the deadly collapse. The Singapore-based company owns the Dali, the massive container ship that rammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in late March after it lost power, causing a large section of the bridge to collapse. Eight workers doing maintenance on the bridge that night fell into the water and six of them died. It took 11 weeks for the Port of Baltimore to fully reopen after the bridge collapse, causing millions of dollars in economic losses. "Six essential workers who were simply doing their job, six men who have come to this country with dreams of a better life, better future," said Gustavo Torres, executive director of the advocacy group CASA, during a press conference announcing the action. "That future tragically was stolen from them." Torres said the group is seeking justice "because no corporation, no amount of money, no legal loophole should ever be able to erase the value of a human life." If approved by the federal district court in Maryland, the move could allow the victims' families to request and obtain monetary compensation for the deaths of their loved ones, said Matthew Wessler of Gupta Wessler LLP, the firm filing the court motion. "They all have suffered an unimaginable tragedy, losing their loved ones, whether it was one of our clients who lost her husband and partner. Another who lost their son," Wessler told CBS News. "And we think that accountability, or they think that justice here means holding those responsible accountable." Grace Ocean Private Limited was "negligent," Wessler argued. "We believe that, at least at this point, what we know so far is that the ship should not have left the port when it did, after having lost power multiple times, within a day or two before it left," he added. Salvage crews work to free the cargo ship Dali after if collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the Patapsco River on May 10, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. / Credit: / Getty Images Wessler said his firm is planning to file the motion to hold Grace Ocean Private Limited legally liable before Sept. 24, a deadline in a federal court case started earlier this year after the ship company sought to limit its legal exposure stemming from the accident. CBS News reached out to the attorneys representing Grace Ocean Private Limited. The legal action will be filed on behalf of the families of Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez, Jose Maynor Lopez Sandoval and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, three of the construction workers who died in March. "My husband is a hero" In an exclusive television interview inside her home in Glen Burnie, Maryland, Maria del Carmen Castellon called Luna Gonzalez "the best husband" and her "best friend." The two immigrants from El Salvador met in the U.S. and married in 2017 after spending more than a decade together. Maria del Carmen Castellon and Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez. / Credit: Maria del Carmen Castellon Castellon said she still vividly remembers the last conversation she had with her husband in the hours before he left for his overnight shift on the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26. "That Monday, my husband calls me and says, 'Mami, can you make me a tortilla?" Castellon recounted. "He said goodbye with a kiss," Castellon added. "And when he said goodbye, all I remember is that he took his phone and he put it in the car and I saw his wallpaper was a photo of us. It was the last time I saw him." Torres, of CASA, the advocacy group that has been helping the families of the deceased construction workers, said the victims' loved ones deserve monetary restitution, labor protections and work permits, as some lack permanent legal immigration status in the U.S. "They are people who work really, really hard. They're people who were always thinking in the American dream, making a contribution and building their own businesses," Torres said. For Castellon, justice is a difficult concept: "Justice for me would be to have my husband at my side. Share all the dreams we had planned." To honor her husband's memory, Castellon has continued operating a food truck they opened together in Glen Burnie. Every day, she cooks and sells pupusas, tortas, tacos and cheesesteaks to a loyal clientele, many of whom are construction workers like her late husband. Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez. / Credit: Maria del Carmen Castellon One day, Castellon hopes to open her own restaurant, a dream she and her husband shared. "I know he's going to be very proud of me when I open the restaurant," she said. Castellon implored people "not to forget" her husband and the other victims of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. "They were there," she noted, "so this country can have better streets. And those bridges, to have better conditions." "The only thing I would love for people to know is that, for me, my husband is a hero, alongside his five coworkers," Castellon said. Sean "Diddy" Combs' lawyer says he'll appeal decision to deny bail Black women have higher risk of dying from all types of breast cancer, new study finds Sean "Diddy" Combs pleads not guilty to federal charges. What's next in case? COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Ohio State police are looking for a kidnapping suspect, now being separately accused in a Monday night shooting on the universitys campus. According to dispatchers, the shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. near the intersection of Olentangy River Road and John H. Herrick Drive, near the universitys College of Veterinary Medicine. The Ohio State University Police Division said a man, who is not a student or staff member, flagged down a bus at the intersection and told the driver he had been shot. This embedded content is not available in your region. Watch: Kidnapping suspect accused in shooting on Ohio State campus The unhoused victim told police he got in an altercation with another unhoused man named Richard James Patridge. Columbus police have been searching for the 31-year-old since Sept. 4, after he was accused of kidnapping a woman outside of Bexley. The suspect has multiple active felony warrants, not including possible charges from the shooting, and was previously seen riding a motorcycle. Richard Patridge (Courtesy Photo/Columbus Division of Police) OSU police set up a perimeter around the scene of the shooting and are actively looking for Patridge. They warned the public to lock doors and windows to their homes, and to walk with friends or coworkers and be aware of surroundings. The division asked anyone who spots the suspect to call 911, and to avoid confronting him. Scene of a shooting at the intersection of Olentangy River Road and John H. Herrick Drive. near Ohio State University campus on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (NBC4) Scene of a shooting at the intersection of Olentangy River Road and John H. Herrick Drive. near Ohio State University campus on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (NBC4) Scene of a shooting at the intersection of Olentangy River Road and John H. Herrick Drive. near Ohio State University campus on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (NBC4) Police dispatchers confirmed medical crews took the shooting victim to a local hospital in serious condition. Ohio State police confirmed he had stabilized as of 10:20 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. What we know about the I-75 shooting in Ky, including the search for the suspect The manhunt for Joseph A. Couch after the I-75 shooting in Southern Kentucky reverberated in local communities through early September 2024, prompting school closures and heightened vigilance among residents. As police searched through rugged terrain, they employed drones and helicopters to locate Couch, who authorities believe acted alone. Residents were advised to stay alert and cautious, and businesses even changed their hours of operation. Authorities significantly scaled back the search September 17, 2024, citing a need to move resources from searching the Daniel Boone National Forest to patrolling communities. The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists. No. 1: $35K reward for info about Kentucky I-75 shooting suspect as search closes on fourth day The search for a man accused of opening fire on drivers on I-75 this past weekend entered day four on Wednesday. | Read Full Story by Christopher Leach No. 2: Suspect charged with 5 counts of attempted murder in I-75 shooting in KY Search continues for alleged I-75 shooting suspect. An anonymous donor offered a $10,000 gift to the sheriffs office for information leading to his capture. | Read Full Story by Chris Leach No. 3: First disbelief, then shock: London, KY mayor on I-75 shootings in Kentucky You just never think that this is going to actually happen, London Mayor Randall Weddle said. When it happened, I didnt know what to think, other than shock. First disbelief, then shock. | Read Full Story by Monica Kast No. 4: Suspected KY I-75 shooter may still be hiding in national forest. Police believe he acted alone. Officials hope constant pressure from law enforcement forces Joseph Couch, 32, to come out from wherever he may be hiding, potentially in the nearby Daniel Boone National Forest. | Read Full Story by Bill Estep No. 5: Kentucky schools, businesses near I-75 shooting adjust to unusual circumstances Schools and libraries were closed the past few days, but things started to return to normal on Tuesday as the search for Joseph Couch stretched into a fourth day. | Read Full Story by Christopher Leach No. 6: Police find suspects car, AR-15 after I-75 shooting in Kentucky. Manhunt continues. Police said the suspected shooter bought the gun legally in London the same day of the shooting. Police found it at the scene. | Read Full Story by Alex Valentine No. 7: White House weighs in on I-75 shootings, urges Kentucky residents to remain vigilant We are praying for those who were injured and wishing them a speedy recovery, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Monday. | Read Full Story by Monica Kast No. 8: What we know about the shootings on I-75 in Kentucky Joseph Couch, the alleged shooter, was charged Monday morning with five counts of attempted murder. Heres what we know so far about the shooting on I-75. | Read Full Story by Monica Kast No. 9: Im going to kill a lot of people. I-75 shooting suspect sent texts before attack Alleged Kentucky I-75 shooter, Joseph Couch, is charged with attempted murder and assault. Court records reveal threatening texts sent just before shooting motorists. | Read Full Story by Christopher Leach No. 10: No deaths, five injured: What we know about the Kentucky I-75 shooting victims The 5 shooting victims are in stable condition following Saturdays attack in Laurel County. Heres what we know about them. | Read Full Story by Kendall Staton No. 11: Suspect in I-75 shooting has arrest record that includes alleged threats, DUI, vandalism Joseph A. Couch, the Interstate 75 shooting suspect, was arrested by Kentucky State Police earlier this year and charged with third-degree terroristic threatening, a misdemeanor, that was dismissed March 26. | Read Full Story by Bill Estep No. 12: At least 9 KY school districts closed amid police manhunt for mass highway shooter Out of an abundance of caution, school districts near where authorities are searching for the suspect involved in Saturdays I-75 shootings are closed for today. No classes and employees are to work remotely. | Read Full Story by Valarie Honeycutt Spears No. 13: Victim describes I-75 shooting in Kentucky. This man was out to kill. The woman was shot in the arm by a gunman still being sought by police on Sunday. | Read Full Story by Bill Estep No. 14: Uneasy residents of Kentucky town near I-75 shooting are locking doors and staying in The shooting happened a few miles from Livingston, and some people are taking precautions because the assailant hasnt been found. | Read Full Story by Bill Estep This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division. What to know about ash trees, EAB infestation SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The city of Sioux Falls is urging people with ash trees to take action if theyre not treating them for emerald ash borer. Ignoring the problem could spell trouble. Rick Klemisch knows ash trees. IM 29 would legalize recreational marijuana in SD Hes a forestry caretaker with the City of Sioux Falls. Hes part of the team that identified over 500 ash trees on private property this summer that need to be removed because of their decline from the emerald ash borer. You can see more turning this fall from what we did in July, Klemisch said. But if you dont have an eye for trees like Klemisch, there are a few tree characteristics you can look for in your yard to know if you have ash trees. Signs of an ash tree include a diamond bark pattern and a compound leaf. Your single leaf will be attached to the twig. This is whats going to pull off as a single leaf. Youve got one stem, multiple leaflets, opposite twigs. You have an ash tree, City of Sioux Falls Urban Forestry Specialist Bryan Peterson said. If your tree is infected with the emerald ash borer, you may notice the top of your canopy starting to thin. A much more obvious sign is no leaves on your ash tree. Trees die, and they die quickly. Once the tree dies from emerald ash borer its extremely unpredictable. It can fall in a light breeze, Peterson said. Thats why the city wants property owners with untreated ash trees to get ahead of the problem. Beetle numbers are increasing. Trees are dying on private property. Its time to take those trees out now before the arborist community is overwhelmed and all of a sudden youre making a call to remove your tree and no ones able to help because everyones doing it at the same time, Peterson said. You dont have to know a lot about trees to know you dont want to be in that situation. It should be a concern for everybody because they become dangerous, Klemisch said. Peterson says if youve been treating your ash trees, continue to do that. The city has a list of licensed arborists you can consult about removals or possible treatment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. What we know about the Hezbollah device explosions This embedded content is not available in your region. At least 32 people, including two children, were killed and thousands more injured, many seriously, after communication devices, some used by the armed group Hezbollah, dramatically exploded across Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday. In the latest round of blasts on Wednesday, exploding walkie-talkies killed 20 and injured at least 450 people, according to Lebanon's health ministry. The explosions occurred in the vicinity of a large crowd that had gathered for the funerals of four victims of Tuesday's simultaneous pager blasts, which killed at least 12 people and injured nearly 3,000. BBC teams in the city reported chaotic scenes in which ambulances struggled to reach the injured, while locals became suspicious of anyone using a phone. The explosions deepened unease in Lebanese society, coming a day after the apparently similar and highly sophisticated attack targeting thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah members. The militant group blamed its adversary, Israel. Israeli officials have so far declined to comment. Two firms based in Taiwan and Hungary accused in media reports of manufacturing the pagers have both denied responsibility, with the Taiwanese government saying the different parts of the pagers were not from Taiwan. "The components are low-end IC (integrated circuits) and batteries, I can say with certainty they were not made in Taiwan," Economy Minister Kuo Jyh-huei said. A Japanese company which apparently makes the walkie-talkies said it stopped producing that model 10 years ago. Here is what we know so far. How did the attacks unfold? The first round of blasts began in Lebanon's capital Beirut and several other areas of the country at about 15:30 local time (13:30 BST) on Tuesday. Witnesses reported seeing smoke coming from people's pockets, before seeing small explosions that sounded like fireworks and gunshots. Citing US officials, the New York Times said that the pagers received messages that appeared to be coming from Hezbollah's leadership before detonating. The messages instead appeared to trigger the devices, the outlet reported. Explosions continued for around an hour after the initial blasts, the Reuters news agency reported. Soon after, scores of people began arriving at hospitals across Lebanon, with witnesses reporting mass confusion in emergency departments. Similar scenes played out across the country in another round of blasts on Wednesday, at around 17:00 local time (15:00 BST). Reports suggest it was walkie-talkies that were blown up, devices that were purchased by Hezbollah five months ago, according to a security source speaking to Reuters news agency. At least one explosion was close to a funeral being held in Beirut for some of the victims of Tuesday's attack, creating panic among those near the procession. Twenty people have been killed and at least 450 injured, according to Lebanon's health ministry. What do we know about the devices? Details about the walkie-talkies detonated in Wednesday's explosions are still coming to light. Footage shot in the aftermath showed destroyed devices bearing the brand Icom, a Japanese company. A statement from the firm describes the IC-V82 model as a handheld radio which was exported to the Middle East from 2004 to 2014 and has not been shipped since then. Icom said production on that model stopped 10 years ago. The manufacturing of the batteries has also stopped, it says. The company says it is not possible to confirm whether the IC-V82s that exploded in yesterday's attacks were shipped directly from Icom, or via a distributor. It said any products for overseas markets were sold only to the firms authorised distributors. But the models may not even be from Icom. Earlier, a sales executive at the US subsidiary of Icom told AP news agency that the devices which exploded in Lebanon appeared to be a knock-off product adding it was easy to find counterfeit versions of the product online. The pagers that exploded on Tuesday were a new brand that the group had not used before, one Hezbollah operative told AP. A Lebanese security official told Reuters that around 5,000 pagers were brought into the country about five months ago. [BBC] Labels seen on fragments of exploded pagers point to a pager model called the Rugged Pager AR-924. But its Taiwanese manufacturer Gold Apollo has denied any involvement with the explosions. When the BBC visited Gold Apollo on Wednesday local police were searching the company's offices, inspecting documents and questioning staff. The founder, Hsu Ching-Kuang, said his company had signed an agreement with a Hungarian-based company - BAC - to manufacture the devices and use his company's name. He added that money transfers from them had been "very strange", without elaborating. BBC Verify has accessed BACs company records, which reveal it was first incorporated in 2022. Its CEO Cristiana Barsony-Arcidiacono told NBC that she knew nothing about the explosions. I dont make the pagers. I am just the intermediate. I think you got it wrong," she said. The Hungarian government said the company had "no manufacturing or operational site" in the country. What prompted the pager attack? Unnamed US and Israeli officials told Axios that detonating the pagers all at once was initially planned as the opening move in an "all-out" offensive against Hezbollah. But in recent days Israel became concerned Hezbollah had become aware of the plan - so they were set off early. Israeli officials have not commented on the allegations, but most analysts agree that it seems likely it is behind the attack. Prof Simon Mabon, chair in International Relations at Lancaster University, told the BBC: "We know that Israel has a precedent of using technology to track its target" - but he called the scale of this attack "unprecedented". Lina Khatib, from the UK-based Chatham House, said the attack suggested that Israel has "deeply" infiltrated Hezbollah's "communications network". In its statement accusing Israel of being behind the attacks, Hezbollah said it held the country "fully responsible for this criminal aggression that also targeted civilians". [BBC] Why does Hezbollah use pagers? Hezbollah has relied heavily on pagers as a low-tech means of communications to try to evade location-tracking by Israel. Pagers are wireless telecommunications devices that receive and display alphanumeric or voice messages. They are much harder to track than mobile phones, which have long since been abandoned as simply too vulnerable, as Israels assassination of the Hamas bomb-maker Yahya Ayyash demonstrated as long ago as 1996, when his phone exploded in his hand. In February, Hassan Nasrallah directed Hezbollah fighters to get rid of their phones, saying they had been infiltrated by Israeli intelligence. He told his forces to break, bury or lock their phones in an iron box. Experts now say the directive, issued during a live televised address, may have forewarned Israeli intelligence operatives that the group would be seeking a new - likely lower tech - method of communications. What is known about the victims of Tuesday's attack? A source close to Hezbollah told AFP news agency that two of those killed in Tuesday's attack were the sons of two Hezbollah MPs. They also said the daughter of a Hezbollah member was killed. Among the injured was Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani. Reports in Iranian media said his injuries were minor. Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah was not hurt in the explosions, Reuters reported quoting a source. Lebanese Public Health Minister Firass Abiad said damage to the hands and face made up the majority of injuries. The victims presenting to emergency rooms were a variety of ages, from the old to the very young, some wearing civilian clothes, he told the BBC's Newshour programme. Outside of Lebanon, 14 people were injured in similar blasts in neighbouring Syria, according to UK-based campaign group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Will the Hezbollah-Israel conflict escalate? Hezbollah is allied with Israel's arch-nemesis in the region, Iran. The group is part of Tehran's Axis of Resistance and has been engaged in a low-level war with Israel for months, frequently exchanging rocket and missile fire across Israel's northern border. Entire communities have been displaced from both sides. The blasts came just hours after Israel's security cabinet made the safe return of residents to the north of the country an official war goal. While visiting an Israeli airbase on Wednesday, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the country was "opening a new phase in the war" and and the "centre of gravity is shifting to the north through the diversion of resources and forces". Despite the ongoing tensions, observers say that until now both sides have aimed to contain hostilities without crossing the line into full-scale war. But there are fears that the situation could spiral out of control. Additional reporting by Frances Mao Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin's press secretary, said that the Kremlin has not received evacuation requests from residents of Sudzha, a city in the Russian Federation's Kursk Oblast that is currently under Ukrainian control. Source: Russian publications Podyem and Kommersant Quote: "Honestly, the first time I hear about this [about the request to organise a humanitarian corridor for evacuation ed.]. We have not seen this, unfortunately, and did not receive any requests in this regard." Details: On 13 September, Kommersant reported that inhabitants of the Sudzha district of Kursk Oblast of the Russian Federation wrote to the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, requesting that a humanitarian corridor "for the evacuation of civilians" be opened immediately. According to the media, residents appended to the petition a list of family and friends who are in the territory held by Ukraine's Armed Forces. It had 186 names, including 7 minors. According to reports, the majority of the families have no idea what happened to their loved ones. According to Kommersant, the International Committee of the Red Cross previously requested Russia and Ukraine to organise negotiations on the humanitarian corridor, but allegedly received no answer. The operation in Kursk Oblast began on 6 August. On 10 August, on the fifth day of the Ukrainian army's offensive deep into Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that Ukraine had brought the war to Russian territory. On 27 August, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that since the beginning of the operation in Kursk Oblast in Russia, Ukraine had captured 594 Russian soldiers and controlled more than 100 settlements or 1,294 sq. km. It is worth noting that Ukrainian troops began distributing humanitarian aid to people in the city of Sudzha in Russia's Kursk Oblast as early as the first day of the operation. Many media outlets recorded this. Ukrainian Pravda also paid a visit to Sudzha and spoke with its locals. Iryna Vereshchuk, Ukraines Deputy Prime Minister at the time, stressed that Russian civilians within the buffer zone are protected by international humanitarian law, which Ukraine fully complies with. She stated that Ukrainian military forces planned humanitarian operations to assist civilians; the establishment of humanitarian corridors for their evacuation both to Russia and to Ukraine; and the admission of international humanitarian organisations for humanitarian response and situation monitoring. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also brought up the issue of establishing military commandants' offices if required in the territories of Russia's Kursk Oblast that are under the control of Ukraine's defence forces. It was also claimed that Ukraine is prepared to provide schooling to children in Kursk Oblast if the necessity arises. On 16 September, Ukraines Foreign Ministry invited the UN and the ICRC to join humanitarian response efforts in the areas of Russia's Kursk Oblast currently controlled by Ukrainian forces. Dmitry Peskov, Putins spokesperson, described Ukraine's invitation as "a provocation", adding that Russia expects the UN and the ICRC to reject Kyiv's calls. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian prosecutors have launched an investigation into an alleged Russian execution of a Ukrainian soldier found dead with a sword inscribed with for Kursk in his body, in an apparent act of revenge for Kyivs recent incursion into the Russian border region. In a photo circulating online, a man is seen lying on his back on a rubble-strewn road with a medieval-style sword protruding from his chest. Duct tape can be seen around the wrists of one of his blood-stained arms. The words for Kursk are written in Cyrillic on the sword, in seeming reference to Ukraines cross-border attack on the Kursk region, the first foreign invasion of Russian territory since World War II. Ukraines prosecutor general, Andriy Kostin, said on Tuesday that the image showed another act of barbarism by Russia. His office later confirmed it had opened a criminal investigation into the alleged execution. Footage of an alleged execution by sword of an unarmed Ukrainian serviceman with taped hands is spreading on the web, he wrote on X. Russia continues its deliberate policy of eliminating everything Ukrainian, demonstrating worldwide its brutal cruelty and cynically disregarding any values and norms of the civilized world. Kostin said preliminary assessments showed the incident occurred in Novohrodivka, a city in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region. The image was later geolocated by Benjamin Strick, Investigations Director at the Centre for Information Resilience. CNN has independently verified this location. Ukraines human rights commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, said the alleged execution was a violation of the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Under this convention, prisoners of war must not be subjected to torture and must be protected from violence. Kyiv is investigating nearly 130,000 war crimes allegedly committed by Moscow since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Kostin said in June. Ukrainian officials recently told CNN that apparent executions have become more common this year. Video obtained exclusively by CNN, filmed during fighting late August near the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, shows an apparent execution by Russian troops of three surrendering Ukrainians, after their trench was overrun. Thursdays image comes as Russia is stepping up its efforts to expel Ukrainian forces from Kursk. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the start of Russias counteroffensive and said the Kremlin intends to deploy up to 70,000 troops to the region, but said last week that Moscows forces have not yet had any serious success. Meanwhile, Russia is inching forward toward Pokrovsk, northwest of Novohrodivka, where the alleged sword execution occurred. In an update Thursday, Ukraines military said its troops had thwarted 40 Russian attacks near Pokrovsk over the past 24 hours, and that the attacks were most fierce near Hrodivka and Novohrodivka. The Kremlin has not commented on the alleged execution. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The safety, health, and well-being of North Carolinas workers are vital to the success of our economy. When workers are safe, businesses grow, families prosper, and our communities thrive. Ensuring safe workplaces isnt just about compliance with regulations its about creating a culture where safety is a shared priority. The reality is that keeping workers safe in North Carolina faces challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is a shortage of safety inspectors at the North Carolina Department of Labor. Today, despite good effort, nearly 25% of safety inspector positions remain unfilled. These inspectors arent just checking boxes they are the first line of defense against unsafe working conditions. Without them, we miss opportunities to prevent accidents before they happen. Even if these positions were fully staffed, it would still take decades to inspect each of the over 300,000 businesses in North Carolina. Inspections alone cant get us where we need to be. Thats why we need a comprehensive approach that balances enforcement, education, and recognition. Enforcement is essential. Businesses that ignore safety regulations must be held accountable. Citations and fines deter bad behavior and signal that worker safety is non-negotiable. But enforcement is only one part of the solution. Education is just as important as enforcement if not more. While fines punish violations, education helps prevent them. Many job creators want to do the right thing but need clearer guidance on how to create safer workplaces. Workers, too, need to be empowered with the knowledge of best practices. Thats where consultative safety visits come in. These visits allow safety inspectors to identify potential hazards and give employers a chance to fix problems before accidents occur. Too many job creators see the NCDOL as an adversary, fearing that an inspection will lead to penalties rather than improvements. We need to change that perception. When industry leaders and regulators collaborate, workplace safety becomes a shared mission rather than a point of contention. Lastly, we must focus on recognition. When employers and employees make tangible progress toward improving workplace safety, they deserve to be acknowledged. Awards and recognition programs can motivate businesses to prioritize safety, as no company wants to fall behind its competitors when it comes to protecting its workers. Acknowledging good work builds momentum, encouraging other companies to follow suit. But even with a three-pronged approach to safety, we must still make sure we have North Carolina solutions tailored to North Carolina issues. One-size-fits-all regulation from Washington doesnt always address the unique needs of our state. The Biden Administrations proposals for new safety mandates may be well-intentioned, but North Carolina must have the flexibility to implement safety standards that reflect our specific industries and climate. For example, agriculture and construction workers face significant risks from heat stress. Instead of relying solely on federal regulations, North Carolina should develop its own heat safety standards that balance worker protection with productivity focusing on common sense solutions like water, shade, and rest breaks. Ultimately, keeping North Carolinas workers safe, healthy, and employed is a shared responsibility. Employers must commit to providing safe environments, workers must follow safety protocols, and the NCDOL must offer both oversight and support. Together, we can create a culture of safety that goes beyond compliance and builds a foundation for long-term success. When we focus on education, fill the gaps in safety oversight, and develop local solutions, we can build workplaces where safety isnt just a rule its a culture. Protecting workers means protecting their lives, their families, and their futures, and thats a mission we all share. Luke Farley is the Republican nominee in the race for NC Labor Commissioner. LADUE, Mo. The Ladue School District announced that Ladue Horton Watkins High School will be shut down Tuesday. The district announced the closure through an email sent Tuesday morning after a bomb threat was received against the high school. In the email, the district says police and the schools resource officers are currently investigating the threat and decided to cancel classes as a precaution. The district doesnt think that the threat is credible based on threats that have been received at other schools throughout the nation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Pearl Fire near Crystal Lakes in Larimer County has grown to 138 acres with 0% containment. Mandatory evacuations are in place for areas from Black Mountain to the Colorado/Wyoming state line. Evacuation centers are open, including one for large animals in Loveland. Firefighters are actively working to contain the blaze with air tankers and helicopters, though more resources are being brought in. The Larimer County Sheriff's Office is providing updates as the situation develops. Lady Archer has been blocked from becoming chairman of Londons Royal Parks - TERRY HARRIS/SHUTTERSTOCK Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, has cancelled the appointment of Lady Archer as chair of Londons Royal Parks in what has been described as a spiteful move. Lady Archer, who is married to the novelist and former Tory MP Lord Archer, was given the prestigious role by the Conservative government in May, and had been due to take up the unpaid job in July. Before she could start work, however, Labour won the general election and paused her appointment. On Tuesday the Department for Culture, Media and Sport announced that Loyd Grossman, the former presenter of MasterChef, was being reappointed to the role he has held since 2016, with no reference to the fact that Lady Archer had previously been given the job or explanation for the change. King Charles unveiling the Royal Parks plaque alongside Loyd Grossman in 2017 - JEFF GILBERT It comes after Sir Keir Starmer cancelled Rishi Sunaks appointment of General Gwyn Jenkins as national security adviser and delayed the appointment of a new ambassador to the US. The chairmanship of Royal Parks, a charity that is responsible for 10 parks in the capital including Regents Park and Hyde Park, is in the gift of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, rather than the charity itself. Political appointees who have not yet started their new role when there is a change of government can have their appointments revoked by a new administration. When Lady Archer was given the job by Lucy Frazer, the then culture secretary, Andrew Scattergood, the Royal Parks chief executive, said he was delighted at her appointment. He said her experience will be hugely valuable to us as we look forward to an exciting period. Four months on, Labour appears to have decided she is not right for the job. Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, cancelled Lady Archers appointment - GETTY In its announcement, it said: Any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation or candidature for election. Loyd Grossman has not declared any significant political activity. A similar declaration was made about Lady Archer when her own appointment was announced in May. Dame Caroline Dinenage, the chair of the Commons culture, media and sport committee, said: Lady Archer has the qualifications and experience for this role, the Chief Executive of The Royal Parks said so himself. Yet, maybe since she was unlikely to be a big Labour Party donor, or buy designer clothes for the Prime Ministers wife, she was deemed unsuitable. Its disappointing that the government has made this ill judged and spiteful decision. A fair and open competition Mr Grossman has already completed the maximum of two four-year terms as chairman of Royal Parks, and has been asked to carry on until the end of May 2025 while a new permanent chairman is chosen. A DCMS spokesman said that all appointments made in the run up to the general election were subject to approval by the new government, and that a fair and open competition to appoint a new chairman of Royal Parks would take place. A DCMS source said the re-run appointment process would include a new job specification to reflect the governments priorities. Lady Archer is chancellor of the University of Buckingham and chaired the board of trustees of the Science Museum from 2015 to 2023. She also chaired the board of Cambridge University Hospitals from 2002 to 2012 and was made a dame in 2012 for services to the NHS. Royal Parks, which manages around 5,000 acres of recreational land in London owned by the Crown, was an executive agency of the DCMS until 2017, when it became a charity. Mr Grossman declined to comment but his spokesman said he is not a member of the Labour Party and has no political affiliation. Lady Archer has been approached for comment. Royal Parks referred media inquiries on to DCMS. 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. Lame-duck Missouri governor still raising campaign cash with the help of lobbyist Gov. Mike Parson speaks at his last Governor's Ham Breakfast at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is the guest of honor Tuesday night at a fundraiser for a pair of PACs at the home of a longtime Jefferson City lobbyist. The event is being advertised as a celebration of public service for the Republican governor and First Lady Teresa Parson. Its hosted by Steve Tilley, a longtime lobbyist and adviser for Parson. It coincides with Parsons 69th birthday. Some of the invitations ask for donations to Uniting Missouri PAC, the political action committee created to bolster Parsons political career. For the last two years, Uniting Missouri has mostly existed to bankroll Parsons trips to the Super Bowl. But in the weeks leading up to the GOP primary, it spent several hundred thousand dollars supporting the candidacies of Mike Kehoe for governor and Andrew Bailey for attorney general. Parson is leaving the governors office in January because of term limits, and he has repeatedly said he has no intention of ever running for office again. Other invitations to Tuesday nights gathering seek to raise money for Missouri Prospers PAC, which was formed last week by Tilleys son-in-law. Missouri Prospers is one of a constellation of political action committees connected to Tilley, a former Missouri House speaker who became a lobbyist after resigning from office in 2012. For years, Tilleys lobbying clients have spread donations among six PACs associated with him and his firm. The PACs then donate that money to candidates. Its a practice thats drawn criticism from those who see it as a way to skirt limits on how much a candidate can accept from an individual or PAC, as well as a ban on direct corporate contribution to candidates. And in the past its drawn scrutiny from federal law enforcement. The FBI began looking into utility contracts in Independence after four Tilley-connected PACs donated to the citys mayor just days before a key vote. Each of the PACs had received money from a company connected to one of the contacts. No charges have ever been filed in any matter involving Tilley, and he has long denied any wrongdoing. Parson and Tilley have been friends for years, going back more than a decade to when they served together in the Missouri House. When Tilley resigned from office to become a lobbyist, he still had more than $1 million in his campaign committee. He invested a big portion of it in a Perryville bank, and later used the money to donate to candidates, such as Parson, who would then hire Tilley as a campaign consultant. Lawmakers felt Tilley had found a loophole in Missouris campaign finance laws, ultimately taking aim at his practices by passing legislation in 2016 requiring elected officials to dissolve their campaign committees when they register with the Missouri Ethics Commission as lobbyists. Since then, Tilley has been a prolific fundraiser for Parson and Uniting Missouri. At one point during the 2020 election cycle, a quarter of the governors campaign funds could be connected to Tilley. And Parsons years in office have been lucrative for Tilley. Before Parson took over as governor in June 2018, following the resignation of former Gov. Eric Greitens, Tilley had 25 lobbying clients. A year into Parsons first term, that number had ballooned to more than 70. LAMORINDA, CAA Lamorinda restaurant was among 19 in Contra Costa County and 278 statewide awarded a $5,000 grant as part of the California Restaurant Funds' fourth consecutive Restaurants Care Resilience Fund, it was recently announced. The grants were made possible by donations from San Diego Gas & Electric, So Cal Gas and The PG&E Corporation Foundation, all three of which have contributed to the fund since 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Funds donated by The PG&E Corporation Foundation are from shareholders, not PG&E customers, the utility company said.) "We're incredibly thankful to our generous donors for their continued support, which has afforded us the opportunity to assist thousands of business owners in Californias food industry since 2021," said Alycia Harshfield, executive director of CRF. "Together, we have proudly sustained the Resilience Fund for the past four years, ensuring that California's independent restaurant owners and caterers remain a vital and vibrant part of our state's culinary landscape and economy for many years ahead." Recipients can use the $5,000 assistance for equipment and technology upgrades, unforeseen hardships, employee retention bonuses and employee training, all of which allow Californias independent restaurant owners and caterers to invest in the longevity of their business and employees. Among the 278 restaurants awarded, 154 are in Pacific Gas and Electrics service area, 90 are in SoCalGas region and 34 are in San Diego Gas and Electrics territory. Eighty-eight percent are single-unit establishments, with an average of 10 years in business. Notably, 76 percent of the grant recipients identify as female, and 73 percent identify as people of color. Here are the Contra Costa County recipients: Royal Siam, Moraga Big House Beans, Antioch Butter Pecan Bakeshop, Pinole Chicken Pie Shop, Walnut Creek Da Nang Restaurant, Inc., Antioch Dream Bowlz, Bay Point Elevation 66 Brewing Company, El Cerrito Fiya Spice Caribbean LLC, Pittsburg Isla Restaurant, Concord Kaleidoscope Coffee, Richmond Lady Js Soul Food, Pittsburg Lemongrass Bistro LLC, Martinez Montperi Catering and Events, Walnut Creek Navarros Italian Deli, Richmond R&Rs Cafe, San Pablo Royal Indian Restaurant, San Pablo The Corner Kitchen, Concord The Great Impasta, Danville The Powder Keg Pub Inc, Hercules See the full list of 2024 Restaurants Care Resilience Fund grant recipients. Grants were made available to California resident restaurant owners with fewer than five locations and less than $3 million in revenue, and prioritized minority- and women-owned businesses. For the first time this year, the grants were open to commercial caterers based on appeals for support for catering companies because they are also part of the local food scene. Over 70 percent of this years recipients plan to use the $5,000 grants for kitchen equipment or technology upgrades, and 17 percent will dedicate the funds to employee retention bonuses. To qualify, the restaurants and caterers needed to have fewer than five units, and less than $3 million in revenue. "Receiving this grant is a great honor and feels like recognition of our efforts at Whitey's Jolly Kone to continue to grow and serve our community," said Jennifer Havson, co-owner of Whiteys Jolly Kone in Sacramento. "As third-generation owner-operators, we aim to revitalize the foundation that our grandfather and parents established for us, by expanding a family-friendly space to meet the needs of the current and ever-growing community throughout Sacramento. This grant will allow us to make technological upgrades to our building which was built in the early 1960s." Since 2021, during the coronavirus pandemic, the Resilience Fund has provided financial assistance to more than 1,600 independent restaurants and caterers across California. The Fund is currently accepting additional support from corporations, foundations, and individuals who want to invest in Californias food community. Donations of all sizes are accepted and celebrated at Restaurantscare.org/resilience. The California Restaurant Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1981 that empowers and invests in California's 1.6 million-strong restaurant workforce. CRF supports the restaurant community through relief grants for restaurant workers facing hardship, job and life skills training for 14,000 high school students each year, and scholarships. Lamorinda Restaurant Awarded $5K Resilience Grant originally appeared on the Lamorinda Patch SRINAGAR, India (AP) For decades, boycotting elections in Indian-controlled Kashmir was a sign of protest against Indian rule. That may change on Wednesday, when many residents of the Muslim-majority region say theyre willing to use their vote in a local election to deny Prime Minister Narendra Modis party the power to form an administration in the disputed region. The vote is the first in a decade, and the first since Modis Hindu nationalist government in 2019 scrapped the regions special status and downgraded the former state to a federally governed territory. The move which largely resonated in India and among Modi supporters was mostly opposed in Kashmir as an assault on its identity and autonomy. Boycotts will not work in this election, said Abdul Rashid, a resident in southern Kashmirs Shangus village. There is a desperate need to end the onslaught of changes coming from there (India). India wants to keep Kashmir under direct rule The election will allow Kashmir to have its own truncated government and a local assembly, instead of remaining under New Delhis direct rule. The regions last assembly election was held in 2014, after which Modis Bharatiya Janata Party for the first time ruled in a coalition with the local Peoples Democratic Party. But the government collapsed in 2018, after BJP withdrew from the coalition. Polls in the past have been marked with violence, boycotts and vote-rigging, even though India called them a victory over separatism. This time, New Delhi says the polls are ushering in democracy after more than three decades of strife. However, many locals see the vote as an opportunity not only to elect their own representatives but also to register their protest against the 2019 changes. Polling will be held in three phases. The second and third phases are scheduled for Sept. 25 and Oct. 1. Votes will be counted on Oct. 8, with results expected that day. Kashmir is divided between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan. Since 1947, the neighbors have fought two wars over its control, after British rule of the subcontinent ended with the creation of the two countries. Both claim the Himalayan territory in its entirety. In 2019, the Indian-controlled part of the region was divided into two territories, Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir, ruled directly by New Delhi. The region has been on edge since it lost its flag, criminal code, constitution and inherited protections on land and jobs. Limited power for local assembly Multiple pro-India Kashmiri parties, many of whose leaders were among thousands jailed in 2019, are contesting the election, promising to reverse those changes. Some lower-rung separatist leaders, who in the past dismissed polls as illegitimate exercises under military occupation, are also running for office as independent candidates. Indias main opposition Congress party, which favors restoration of the regions statehood, has formed an alliance with the National Conference, the regions largest party. Modis BJP has a strong political base in Hindu-dominated areas of Jammu that largely favor the 2019 changes but is weak in the Kashmir Valley, the heartland of anti-India rebellion. Our main concern is governance through local representatives. It will be good for us if the BJP forms the government here as its already in power at the center, said Chuni Lal, a shopkeeper in Jammu city. The vote will see a limited transition of power from New Delhi to the local assembly, with a chief minister at the top heading a council of ministers. But Kashmir will continue to be a Union Territory a region directly controlled by the federal government with Indias Parliament remaining its main legislator. The elected government will have partial control over areas like education, culture and taxation but not over the police. Kashmirs statehood must be restored for the new government to have powers similar to other states in India. However, it will not have the special powers it enjoyed before the 2019 changes. Last year, Indias Supreme Court endorsed the governments 2019 changes but ordered New Delhi to conduct local polls by the end of September and restore Kashmirs statehood. Modis government has promised to restore statehood after the polls but has not specified a timeline. Concerns about rigged vote Elections in Indian-held Kashmir are a sensitive issue. Many believe they have been rigged multiple times in favor of local politicians who subsequently became Indias regional enforcers, used to incrementally dilute laws that offered Kashmir a special status and legitimize New Delhis militaristic policies. In the mid-1980s, the regions dissident political groups emerged as a formidable force against Kashmirs pro-India political elite but lost the 1987 election widely believed to have been rigged. A public backlash followed, with some young activists taking up arms and demanding a united Kashmir, either under Pakistani rule or independent of both. India insists the insurgency is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, a charge Islamabad denies. Tens of thousands of people have been killed in the fighting, which most Kashmiri Muslims consider a legitimate freedom struggle. Noor Ahmed Baba, a political scientist, said the outcome of the polls is not going to change the dynamics of the Kashmir dispute since it will end with a largely powerless legislature, but will be crucial for optics. If local parties win, it is going to put some pressure on the central government and perhaps delegitimize from a democratic perspective what has been done to Kashmir. But a BJP win can allow the party to consolidate and validate 2019 changes in the local legislature, Baba said. Indias ruling BJP is not officially aligned with any local party, but many politicians believe it is tacitly supporting some parties and independent candidates who privately agree with it. The National Conference party says Modis BJP is trying to manipulate the election through independents. Their (BJPs) concerted effort is to divide the vote in Kashmir, said Tanvir Sadiq, a candidate from the National Conference. The BJPs national secretary, meanwhile, says his partys former ally, the Peoples Democratic Party, and the National Conference are being supported by former militants. Ram Madhav said at a recent rally that they want to return the region to its trouble-filled days. For residents whose civil liberties have been curbed, the election is also a chance to choose representatives they hope will address their main issues. Many say that while the election wont solve the dispute over Kashmir, it will give them a rare window to express their frustration with Indian control. We need some relief and end of bureaucratic rule here, said Rafiq Ahmed, a taxi driver in the regions main city of Srinagar. Las Cruces Police: 11-year-old girl charged with making school threat EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) An 11-year-old girl has been charged with allegedly posting a threat on social media that suggested gun violence would occur Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Sierra Middle School, according to the Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD). LCPD: 2 students arrested for posting school shooting threats LCPD said the 11-year-old student, who police wont publicly identify because of her age, was charged with making a threat of a school shooting. The student received a Class III Juvenile Citation and was turned over to the custody of a parent, according to LCPD. A Juvenile Class III Citation is equivalent to a criminal citation, or an arrest without detention, according to LCPD. Late Monday evening, Sept. 16, LCPD received information from Meta security of an alleged threat posted to an Instagram account. The Instagram post alleged a shooting would occur at 10:30 a.m. Sept.17 at Sierra Middle School, according to LCPD. LCPD said Meta forwarded account information, including the email address associated with the account, the IP address and other user information. With assistance from Sierra Middle School staff, LCPD interviewed the student who admitted to posting the threat on Instagram. A search of the students backpack yielded no firearms or weapons. The Juvenile Probation Office was contacted but they denied detention because of the students age, according to LCPD. Las Cruces Police said Monday that it arrested two teens recently for making online threats to carry out shootings at local schools. Anyone who sees or receives a threatening post is asked to refrain from forwarding it to others, or reporting it, as doing so may cause unnecessary fear and widespread panic, according to LCPD. Police encourage anyone who sees or receives information that is believed to be threatening to screen-save the content and immediately alert law enforcement by calling 911. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. When is the last day to register to vote in Massachusetts before presidential election? CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) Its National Voter Registration Day and the presidential election is less than two months away so if you havent done so already now is the time to make sure everything is up to date before heading to the polls. How to check if youre registered to vote and change your political party in Massachusetts 22News reporter Kiara Smith joins us live in the studio with what you need to know. As it gets closer to the November election the first step is making sure that you complete your voter registration and make sure your party is up to date. If youre looking to change your political party you can submit a new voter registration form at least 10 days before an election. There is one voter registration deadline you may want to keep in mind, the online and in-person registration deadline in Massachusetts is Saturday, October 26th. If you plan to register by mail using the National Mail Voter Registration form, it must be printed, signed, and postmarked by October 26th as well. To check your voter status visit the Secretary of the Commonweaths website. 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. When is the last day to register to vote in Pennsylvania? HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) To mark National Voter Registration Day, Pennsylvanians were reminded that the deadline to register to vote was fast approaching. Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said Tuesday that the deadline for the November election is Monday, Oct. 21. To be eligible to register to vote, Pennsylvanians must be: A citizen of the United States for at least one month before the election. A resident of the election district in which the person plans to register for at least 30 days before the election. At least 18 years of age on or before the election date. $50K Powerball winner sold in Pennsylvania, plus more winners Voting is a fundamental right in our representative democracy and the most basic way Pennsylvanians can make their voices heard, Schmidt said. I encourage every eligible Pennsylvanian who is not registered to vote to take a few minutes to register online before the Oct. 21 deadline so they can have their say on Nov. 5. The Shapiro Administration in 2023 launched automatic voter registration to help ensure free, fair, and secure elections. Automatic voter registration is offered at all PennDOT photo and drivers license centers. 147,586 Pennsylvanians registered to vote since automatic registration launched. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. Anyone who is already registered to vote can check their registration status online as well as update any changes to their name or address. Additional voter information can be found on the Department of State 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. NEW YORK (AP) Sean Diddy Combs pleaded not guilty Tuesday to federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges. An indictment says the music mogul engaged in a persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals. Later Tuesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky refused to grant Combs bail and ordered him to be jailed pending trial. Combs was arrested late Monday in Manhattan, roughly six months after federal authorities conducting a sex trafficking investigation raided his luxurious homes in Los Angeles and Miami. Over the past year, Combs has been sued by people who say he subjected them to physical or sexual abuse. He has denied many of those allegations. Here is the Latest: Combs' lawyer says he will appeal the decision to deny bail The defense attorney for Sean Diddy Combs says he will appeal the decision to deny his client bail. Combs has been indicted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the music mogul to be held without bail pending his trial. As he left the courtroom, Combs' lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said he is not surprised by the outcome and that he is looking forward to a bail hearing soon, saying: Tomorrow we fight again. Judge refuses bail for Sean Diddy Combs and sends him to jail to await trial A judge has refused to grant bail to Sean Diddy Combs and has ordered him to be sent to jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky announced the decision Tuesday after hearing lengthy arguments from prosecutors and Combs lawyers. Prosecutors asked that the music mogul be held without bail. Combs' attorneys proposed that he be released on a $50 million bond to home detention with electronic monitoring. Combs lawyer says his client is not a perfect person Combs defense attorney, who is asking that he be released on bail, has said in court that by coming to New York in anticipation of the charges, the music producer did the exact opposite of what we see defendants do when theyre presented with problems in the court. Marc Agnifilo said Tuesday that Combs came to New York to wait it out. Agnifilo also says Combs is receiving treatment and therapy for things that he needs treatment and therapy for. He says his client is not a perfect person, that he has used drugs and has been in toxic relationships. Prosecutors raise 2016 assault video in arguing for Combs to be detained Prosecutors seeking to have Combs' jailed without bail have pointed to a 2016 video of the music producer assaulting a woman as she attempted to leave a California hotel. In court Tuesday afternoon, Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson said the assault happened after one of Combs' Freak Offs, which is defined in the indictment as elaborate and produced sex performances. Johnson did not identify the woman who was attacked, but a video from that time first published by CNN this year shows Combs attacking R&B singer Cassie. Johnson says Combs tried to bribe a hotel security officer with a handful of cash in exchange for his silence, but was unsuccessful. She says the video showing the attack disappeared from the hotels servers within days and that this was no coincidence. Johnson says Combs only acknowledged this attack relatively recently, after being confronted with the video, and that this proves he cant be taken at his word. Prosecutors argue in court that Combs should remain jailed Federal prosecutors have asked that Combs be jailed without bail, while his attorneys have proposed he be released on a $50 million bond. In court Tuesday afternoon, Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson said the government is seeking Combs detention on multiple bases, including the severity of the charges against him and the potential punishment of life in prison. She argued that he is a flight risk and there is a risk of witness intimidation. Mr. Combs physically and sexually abused victims for decades, Johnson said. He used the vast resources of his company to facilitate his abuse and cover up his crimes. Simply put, he is a serial abuser and a serial obstructor. Combs enters a not guilty plea Sean Diddy Combs has pleaded not guilty to federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges. Combs stood up to enter his plea in a New York courtroom Tuesday. An indictment unsealed Tuesday alleges Combs presided over a sordid empire of sexual crimes, coercing and abusing women for years while using blackmail and shocking acts of violence to keep his victims in line. Comb's attorneys request Diddy's release on $50M bond A motion for bail from Combs attorneys proposes he be released on a $50 million bond secured by his home in Miami. The motion filed Tuesday also proposes his detention at home with GPS monitoring, with his travel restricted to federal districts in south Florida and southern New York. The motion says Combs will turn over his passport and that he is attempting to sell his private jet. It says he has remained in the country even though there were no restrictions on his travel, and that his attorneys have kept authorities updated on his location. It adds that conditions at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn are not fit for pre-trial detention. Prosecutors describe Combs' alleged violence, including kidnapping and arson Prosecutors say Combs repeatedly engaged in violence towards his employees and others. In a court filing Tuesday, prosecutors say Combs and an unidentified co-conspirator kidnapped someone at gunpoint a few days before Christmas in 2011 in order to facilitate a break-in at another persons home. They say multiple witnesses, police reports and other records corroborate the incident. The detention memo also says that two weeks later, Combs' allies set fire to a vehicle by slicing open its convertible top and dropping a Molotov cocktail inside. Prosecutors say police and fire department reports document the arson and that multiple witnesses heard Combs brag about his involvement. Prosecutors say Combs is a flight risk Prosecutors say Combs should be denied bail because he is a serious flight risk. In a detention memo filed in court, prosecutors say Combs has seemingly limitless resources to flee, pointing out that his net worth is close to $1 billion, including over $1 million in personal cash on hand as of last December. They said he has had a personal plane for international travel since 2019, along with multiple vehicles in multiple locations. The letter says Combs has the money, manpower, and tools to flee without detection. Prosecutors urge court to deny Combs bail Prosecutors say the violence Combs exacted on his victims was so extreme that he should be denied bail. In a detention letter written for the federal judge overseeing the music mogul's case, prosecutors described how Combs would assault women, employees and others by throwing objects at them, choking them, pushing them, kicking them, and slamming them against walls and on to the ground. The letter says the violence was sometimes spontaneous and sometimes premeditated, including resorting to kidnapping and arson when the defendants power and control were threatened. Prosecutors say Combs disposition to violence cannot be reasonably prevented through bail conditions. The letter also says Combs should be denied bail because he has already reached out to potential witnesses in the case and that further attempts at witness tampering are likely. Prosecutor says Combs was enabled by staff in his alleged crimes U.S. Attorney Damian Williams says Combs did not act alone. During a news conference Tuesday, Williams said Combs security and household staff, as well as operators high up in the music industry were complicit. Williams says they cleaned up damaged hotel rooms and "delivered large quantities of cash to Combs to pay for the commercial sex workers. Williams says the investigation is ongoing, and is urging "anyone with information about this case to come forward and to do it quickly. US Attorney says he wants Diddy detained ahead of trial U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, whose office is bringing the case against Sean Diddy Combs, says the music mogul led a criminal organization that carried out kidnapping, forced labor and sex trafficking, among other crimes. Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Williams said authorities will seek to have Combs detained while he awaits trial. He spoke before a display board showing images of some of the items recovered in searches of Combs homes in Los Angeles and Miami in March, including AR-15s and a drum magazine containing dozens of rounds of ammunition. He says agents also seized electronic devices that contain images and videos of sexual encounters. Williams says: Combs led and participated in a racketeering conspiracy that used the business empire he controlled to carry out criminal activity, including sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and the obstruction of justice. Combs' lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, has said he will fight to keep his client free. He says Combs is innocent and will plead not guilty. Cassie Ventura declines to comment on Combs indictment Combs former longtime girlfriend, whom he was seen attacking in a March 2016 security video, has declined to comment on the federal case against him. Douglas Wigdor, an attorney for the singer Cassie Ventura, said in a statement released before Combs was due to appear in court Tuesday that neither he nor his client have anything to say on the matter. Wigdor says: We appreciate your understanding and if that changes, we will certainly let you know. Ventura reached a settlement with Combs last November, one day after filing a lawsuit containing allegations of beatings and abuse by the music producer. Combs' lawyer says Diddy is innocent Outside the Manhattan courthouse early Tuesday, Combs lawyer, noted that his client came to New York City voluntarily because they knew the charges were coming. Marc Agnifilo said: Not a lot of defendants do that. He came to New York to, to basically engage the court system and start the case. Though the indictment was not unsealed at the time of his comments, Agnifilo said they know what the charges will be and that Combs is innocent of these charges. He vowed to fight like hell to get Combs released from federal custody. Prosecutors say injuries of Combs' victims sometimes took weeks to heal The indictment alleges Combs hit, kicked and threw objects at victims, and sometimes dragged them by their hair, causing injuries that often took days or weeks to heal. It says Combs also threw people around, choked and shoved them. Prosecutors say his employees and associates witnessed his violence and, rather than intervening, helped him cover it up, including by preventing victims from leaving, and locating and contacting victims who attempted to flee. Authorities say Combs was the head of a criminal enterprise The indictment describes Combs as the head of a criminal enterprise that engaged or attempted to engage in activities including sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, drug offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice. Hes accused of striking, punching and dragging women on numerous occasions, throwing objects and kicking them, and enlisting his personal assistants, security and household staff to help him hide it all. (Bloomberg) -- The race to become Japans next prime minister appears to be shaping up as a three-way battle among candidates with divergent policy views, according to the latest polling data. Most Read from Bloomberg Sanae Takaichi, a supporter of fiscal and monetary tools to stimulate the economy, has new momentum, while Shinjiro Koizumi, an advocate of deregulation, has given up some ground, the surveys suggest. Shigeru Ishiba, who has emphasized regional revitalization, remains popular among the ruling Liberal Democratic Partys rank-and-file. Most of the other candidates lack sufficient support to prevail in the election, according to the surveys of LDP supporters, members and party lawmakers ahead of the Sept. 27 election for party leader. The election will almost certainly also determine Japans next prime minister because of the LDPs dominance in parliament. While public opinion ratings have been the main gauge of the candidates prospects so far, the new polling data includes support among lawmakers, which may be the decisive factor in the election. The large field of nine candidates makes it likely that no single candidate will secure a majority in the election, which would then trigger a run-off between the two candidates with the most votes in the first round. Almost 90% of the votes in the run-off stage are assigned to party lawmakers. Based on surveys of LDP members and party lawmakers, the Yomiuri newspaper estimated on Sunday that Ishiba and Takaichi would have enough votes to make it into a two-way election run-off, with Koizumi close behind. The Yomiuri found strongest support among LDP lawmakers for Koizumi, a positive sign in a potential run-off. Koizumi, the son of a former prime minister, has been one of the frontrunners in public opinion surveys. In a series of news conferences and debates since campaigning began on Sept. 12, other candidates have criticized his call for reform of the labor market to give big businesses more flexibility in laying off workers. Koizumi has said reform is needed to help the flow of workers into startups and smaller businesses in new growth sectors. Political analysts say Koizumis support may have been eroded by public concern over his call to change Japans custom of jobs for life. While Koizumi remains among the top three candidates in popularity, he no longer appears poised to break out among LDP voters, Tobias Harris of Japan Foresight LLC, a political risk advisory, wrote in a note to clients. The latest polling data shows Ishiba retains strong support among LDP members and supporters, which could propel him into a run-off. A survey by the Asahi newspaper of LDP supporters showed Ishiba on 32% support, with Koizumi second on 24%. Ishiba has acknowledged his challenge is in shoring up support among LDP lawmakers, a problem he has faced in four previous attempts to win the party leadership. Takaichi, meanwhile, was selected as the top choice among LDP supporters in a Kyodo News poll published Monday, with 28% support, ahead of Ishiba on 24%. A Nikkei newspaper poll published on Sunday also showed Takaichi in second place behind Ishiba among LDP supporters. The most likely wild card in the election is Takayuki Kobayashi, who has emphasized economic revival over fiscal consolidation, according to the Yomiuri survey. Among LDP lawmakers, Kobayashi was the second most popular choice behind Koizumi in the newspapers poll. A similar poll of lawmakers taken by JNN found that Kobayashi and Koizumi were the two most popular choices. Harris of Japan Foresight said that while Takaichi and Kobayashi appear to be competing against each other for the support of right-leaning lawmakers in the LDP, Takaichis strength among rank-and-file LDP members may help compensate for the lawmakers she may lose to Kobayashi. He added it was unlikely that another of the other candidates would experience a late surge. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The Latino population in northwest Louisiana has grown steadily in the past 20 years, and community advocates and political analysts explain how that is changing the political landscape in the state. Politicians sometimes will lack outreach for communities that they do not represent, said Mario Villafuerte, the Executive Director of Rasa, a Latino advocacy group. According to Villafuerte, the Latino and Hispanic community in the area has grown between two to three percent over the past two decades. Likewise, he believes the amount of Latino voters turning out in Louisiana this upcoming election will mirror the growing population coming from Mexico and Central America. Political analyst Dr. Theron Jackson agrees. First time voter? Heres what you need to know I think, generally, the Latino vote is going to be greater, Jackson told KTAL. It grew from 2012 to 2016, it grew from 2016 to 2020, and you think about what they were voting for. In 2012, it was Obama. In 2016, it was Trump. In 2020, it was Biden. And each time, the Hispanic vote has increased. According to Jackson, who wins the Latino vote come November is more dependent on the issue than the candidate. Its an interest-driven scenario, said Jackson. If parties are smart, theyve got to court them in a way that doesnt take them for granted or does not see them or paint them with a wide brush. Villafuerte feels the Latino and Hispanic community is passionate about the same issues that affect all families in America, such as the economy, health care, and education. However, he feels some issues specifically affect members in the Hispanic community. Organization provides rides to polls for voters I think there is a misconception by politicians throughout the Gulf state and to our neighbors in Texas to the West, that criminality is connected with immigrant populations, expressed Villafuerte. Here in Northwest Louisiana and Shreveport-Bossier, Latinos involved in criminal activities is a fraction of the total. Political analyst Jackson said that the recent rhetoric among politicians regarding immigrant populations may also play a role in increased Latino turnout this November. I think when you see yourself held in that light negatively so often, you stand up to say thats not who we are, said Jackson. I think the consistent evolution of Hispanic turnout has been to say, We have a voice. We exercise our voice by our vote. According to Jackson, only half of eligible Latinos voted in the last presidential election, and this November may be historic. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Just days after threatening to sue Bill Maher for speculating about her cozy relationship with Donald Trump, 9/11 truther Laura Loomer has again hit back at rumors of a romantic affair with the Republican candidate while lobbing around her own defamatory claims about the vice president. Theyre taken it so far, and you know if I was a leftist journalist, if I was a Democrat, oh my God, the media would be up in arms if the Republican media was doing this to a left-wing journalist, she said on her podcast Saturday. Oh my god, theyre misogynist, theyre bullying a woman, theyre trying to Monica Lewinsky her, theyre trying to discredit the fact that shes a working woman, she added, speculating what left-wing outlets might say. Her vitriolic tirade then took an ugly turn, with the conspiracy theorist dragging Kamala Harris name through the mud by repeating claims, often touted by far-right figures, that the vice-president was only able to advance her career as a San Francisco attorney in the 1990s by sleeping with the citys then-Mayor Willie Brown. Laura Loomer Fires Back as Bill Maher Goes There on Donald Trump Affair Rumors But some of us women, we actually work hard, and some of us women have no desire to have sexual affairs with politicians or men with elite political status to climb the ladder, Loomer said. I know that Kamala Harris cant say the same, but believe me when I say thats not meor as Kamala Harris likes to say, they aint like us, right? She aint like me. I aint like her. Laura Loomer denied allegations that she was in a relationship with Donald Trump on her podcast. (Screenshot/X) Screenshot/X Notorious for her white nationalism and proud Islamophobia, Loomers tendency toward hate speech and disinformation has in the past seen her banned from a startling variety of online platforms, ranging from established social media sites like Facebook and X to payment processors, vehicle rental services and even take-out apps. Top MAGA Republican Calls Laura Loomer Disgusting Garbage Whatever the extent of her adoration for the Republican candidate, the toxic fallout of her ongoing presence in the Trump camp has sparked something of a civil war with the rest of the MAGA campaign, prompting attacks from otherwise firebrand Republicans like Senators Thom Tillis and Lindsey Graham as well as fellow conspiracy theorist Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. After Loomer claimed a Harris win would see the White House smell like curry, JD Vance has firmly sought to distance himself from her uniquely unhinged brand of political rhetoric. Lately even Trump himself appears to be going a little cold on her, with the Republican candidate posting on Truth Social Friday to to clarify that Loomer doesnt work for the campaign and that he doesnt always agree with her statements, albeit praising the fact that like the many millions of people who support me, she is tired of watching the Radical Left Marxists and Fascists violently attack and smear me. 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. Laurel County 3rd grader provides meals to people in need following I-75 shooting LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) Laurel County Schools students will head back to the classroom tomorrow for the first time since the I-75 shooting happened. In the time school was out, students who relied on school lunches were not being fed, but one family stepped up to help lift some of the stress off families in need. Gideon Johnson and his mom Samantha took the initiative by easing the burden of food insecurity by providing meals to people across the county. Since last Wednesday, they have provided food for children in the area who have been going without school meals. Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news Nutrition is a necessity, said Johnson. And sometimes some of these kids, the only food that theyre getting is at school. And when schools out, theyre not getting anything. And so, we think its just detrimental to our community that we are making sure that these little ones are fed. London Mayor Randall Weddle awarded Gideon a key to the city for his generosity. He said it is an initiative that has met such a great need after local schools canceled classes out of safety concerns. That was the concern, said Weddle. Families now have an extra burden of, you know, acquiring food where kids maybe eat during the day at school, but now parents were obligated to have more food at home. Gideon said his passion for helping others started last year after he noticed a good friend needed meal assistance. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: He needed help with his food, said Gideon. And I packed extra snacks and then it just came up from there. When school closed last week, he said he knew the need would be significant. So, he and his mom decided to pack and deliver bags with various food items and basic necessities. So far, they have helped feed 29 families. Maybe going forward when devastation hits our communities, not just here but nationwide, that people step up and follow what God has laid on their hearts to do to help those in their community, because it takes us all, Johnson added. I want Gideon to continue to be the light in the hands and the feet of Christ, added Weddle. Thats something that this world needs, this nation needs, and definitely this community needed that. We cant thank him enough for being that voice and showing love in a time when we need it most in this nation. Its a beautiful thing. Read more of the latest Kentucky news As Laurel County Schools return Tuesday, the mayor and Johnson family said they are ready to get back to a sense of normalcy. The school system released a statement saying it will provide enhanced security measures for bus transportation services, school campuses, and extra-curricular activities. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Lawmakers continue to question the role of diversity, equity and inclusion on college campuses after failing to pass laws that would have banned such initiatives and offices earlier this year. At the interim joint committee on education on Tuesday, the presidents of the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University, Eastern Kentucky University and Murray State University presented information and took questions from legislators about DEI diversity, equity and inclusion. Its a signal of what legislators could be focused on in the next legislative session, although presentations from presidents and questions from the meeting were varied and not strictly focused on DEI. The meeting comes weeks after both UK and NKU have eliminated their offices of diversity. UK dissolved its Office of Institutional Diversity in August, saying the change came after hearing from legislators and other stakeholders who express concerns about the role of DEI. Those who formerly held jobs within that office will move into new roles on campus, along with several other policy changes at UK, including ending mandatory diversity training at the university. One week later, NKU announced a similar move, eliminating its Office of Inclusive Excellence after the universitys chief diversity officer resigned. NKU cited similar reasons as UK, saying they were anticipating similar bills targeting DEI in the upcoming legislative session. The University of Louisville is the only school that took place in Tuesdays meeting that has an office related to DEI, the Office of Institutional Equity. That office was created last year in place of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, said President Kim Schatzel. Questions asked Tuesday by lawmakers include: What problem was UK attempting to solve by eliminating its Office of Institutional Diversity? Have changes been made to the DEI plan, which is required to be submitted to the Council on Postsecondary Education by state law, in recent months? What mandatory training exists for students and university employees related to DEI? How does the geographic location of the university impact its approach to diversity? University presidents pointed to their graduation and retention rates as evidence of success among their students, and emphasized there is no required DEI training at their schools. Multiple presidents emphasized the need to be welcoming to all people, and creating an environment where every person has the chance to earn a degree. Related to the DEI plan, which Rep. Jennifer Decker, R-Waddy, asked multiple presidents about, they said they had not made changes since submitting the most recent plans, and would work with CPE to ensure they were meeting standards. Anti-DEI bills failed last year Earlier this year, two bills were proposed in Kentucky would have blocked all DEI initiatives that promoted discriminatory concepts and would have forced public colleges and universities to dismantle and defund DEI offices and positions. Senate Bill 6, which was aimed at restricting DEI offices at public universities, failed to pass on the last night of the 2024 legislative session. Decker, who sponsored one of the anti-DEI bills earlier this year, argued last spring that DEI initiatives represented a failed policy that made college more divided, more expensive and less tolerant. In March, the Kentucky Attorney General said public universities use of certain DEI policies violated the U.S. Constitution and the Civil Rights Act. Drawing on the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College, the case which struck down affirmative action last year, Attorney General Russell Coleman said using underrepresented minorities as a metric for funding state colleges is unconstitutional. Following that, a law was passed barring the Council on Postsecondary Education from considering race in its performance-based funding model, which determines how state funding is distributed to public universities and community colleges. CPE then changed metrics in its performance-based funding model to remove race-based metrics from funding consideration, giving more weight to low-income bachelors degree produced and introducing degrees earned by first-generation students and non-traditional students into the model. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) After a more than two-year delay in fulfilling an open records request, the city of Grand Rapids faces a lawsuit that contends government foot-dragging may have cost a man his freedom. The Michigan State Appellate Defender Office, or SADO, served the city of Grand Rapids earlier this month accusing the Grand Rapids Police Department of violating the Freedom of Information Act. SADO submitted a FOIA request on June 17, 2022, seeking the police departments entire homicide file against Derrick Brown, who was convicted in 2021 of killing Richard Dannah during a house party in 2008. A police photo of Derrick Anthony-Dwayne Brown. Brown was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in June 2022. He has maintained his innocence, and SADO says the homicide file contains vital information that could lead to a new trial. Court documents obtained by News 8 reveal the city estimated it would take between 12 to 15 months after the final invoice to fulfill the request a timeline SADO classified as an unreasonable. The city missed its own estimated delivery date by another nine months. SADO did not get the file until July 31, 2024 775 days or two years, one month, two weeks after it filed its request. Even then, SADO claims unnecessary redactions in the file continue to delay Browns appeal. Browns team filed a motion for a new trial in March 2023 on the grounds that his previous team failed to investigate and present evidence that (another individual) not Brown, shot Richard Dannah. Browns lawyers failed to fully investigate and present an innocence defense, SADO argued. The motion was denied in September 2023. The case is now before the Michigan Court of Appeals. No court dates have yet been set in SADOs lawsuit. The city of Grand Rapids confirmed it had been served with the suit, but said it does not comment on ongoing litigation. SADO attorneys also declined to comment to News 8 for 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. FILE - Back row from left, Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, Marcel Malanga and Tyler Thompson, all American citizens, attend a court verdict in Congo, Kinshasa, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, on charges of taking part in a coup attempt in May 2024. (AP Photo/Samy Ntumba Shambuyi, File) KINSHASA, Congo (AP) The lawyer for three Americans sentenced to death in Congo on charges of participating in a coup attempt filed an appeal Tuesday, he told The Associated Press. A military court in Congo handed down death sentences last Friday to 37 people, including three young Americans, after convicting them on charges of participating in a coup attempt. The defendants, most of them Congolese but also including a Briton, Belgian and Canadian, had five days to appeal the verdict on charges that include attempted coup, terrorism and criminal association. Fourteen people were acquitted in the trial. Congo reinstated the death penalty earlier this year, lifting a more than two-decade-old moratorium, as authorities struggle to curb violence and militant attacks in the country. The men convicted in the coup attempt would likely be executed by firing squad. Congo is a member of the Treaty of Rome, and because of that the reinstatement of the death penalty was illegal, according to Richard Bondo, the lawyer for the convicted Americans. The parliament should have decided on an alternative penalty, Bondo told the AP but it hasn't so far. Six people were killed during the botched coup attempt led by little-known opposition figure Christian Malanga in May that targeted the presidential palace and a close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi. Malanga was fatally shot while resisting arrest soon after live-streaming the attack on his social media, the Congolese army said. Malangas 21-year-old son Marcel Malanga, who is a U.S. citizen, and two other Americans were convicted in the coup attempt. The other Americans are Tyler Thompson Jr., 21, who flew to Africa from Utah with the younger Malanga for what his family believed was a free vacation, and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, 36, who is reported to have known Christian Malanga through a gold mining company. Marcel Malanga told the court that his father had forced him and his high school friend to take part in the attack. Dad had threatened to kill us if we did not follow his orders, Marcel Malanga said. Marcels mother, Brittney Sawyer, maintains that her son is innocent and was simply following his father, who considered himself president of a shadow government in exile. In the months since her sons arrest, Sawyer has focused her energy on fundraising to send him money for food, hygiene products and a bed. He has been sleeping on the floor of his cell at the Ndolo military prison and is suffering from a liver disease, she said. LCPD: 2 students arrested for posting school shooting threats EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Two students suspected of making online threats to carry out shootings at local schools were recently arrested in Las Cruces, the Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) announced in a news release. LCPD said a 13-year-old boy was arrested on Friday, Sept. 13 for making online threats to carry out a shooting at Camino Real Middle School, and a 15-year-old girl was arrested on Monday, Sept. 16 for making a similar threat directed toward Centennial High School. Both students are charged with unlawful threats toward a school. LCPD will not publicly identify the students since they are both juveniles. LCPD and Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) officials learned of the threats made on social media. In addition to the police investigation, administrative investigations were conducted at Camino Real Middle School and Centennial High School to ensure student, staff and community safety, according to LCPD. Although students and staff were not under an immediate threat, the incident falls into a pattern of threats spread on social media that caused school security to be tightening last week. LCPD will continue to collaborate with public school officials to monitor schools and ensure the safety and security of students, faculty and staff, read the news release by LCPD. LCPD said the investigation is ongoing. Anyone who sees or receives a threatening post is asked to refrain from forwarding it to others, or reposting it, as doing so may cause unnecessary fear and widespread panic, according to LCPD. Police encourage anyone who sees or receives information that is believed to be threatening to screen-save the content and immediately alert law enforcement by calling 911. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. (Bloomberg) -- Arvind Kejriwal, the head of Delhis government, resigned from his post Tuesday and announced a replacement, just days after he was granted bail in a corruption case and released from prison. Most Read from Bloomberg Atishi, who goes by one name, will be Delhis new chief minister following her approval at a legislative party meeting Tuesday. Shes a member of Delhis cabinet and has held important roles in education and power. He has entrusted his faith in me and given me the responsibility, Atishi said of Kejriwal at a press briefing. In the coming months, the Aam Aadmi Party will work to ensure that Kejriwal is elected chief minister once again, she said. Kejriwal and the AAP have been under pressure for more than a year amid allegations of impropriety in a liquor distribution case. Multiple leaders of the party, including the former deputy chief minister, have spent months in prison without trial. The AAP has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party of misusing federal investigative agencies to target opposition leaders which they deny. Kejriwal was arrested in March, weeks before Indias national elections kicked off. The AAP governs Delhi Indias national capital region, which includes New Delhi, the administrative center and the northern state of Punjab. On Saturday, Kejriwal announced that he would resign and called for fresh elections, which are scheduled for next year. I have been accused of being a thief and corrupt, he said during an address, denying all the charges against him. His resignation came as a surprise to many in India. Kejriwal had previously refused to step down while incarcerated. Politically, it is a very astute move, said Niranjan Sahoo, senior fellow with the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation. It is an interesting way to take the battle to the peoples court. --With assistance from Anup Roy. (Includes more information about Delhi) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria to be out and about in Central Illinois Tuesday PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Were just 10 days away from the start of early voting for the November General Election. Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day, and a local organization is going out into central Illinois to commemorate it. The League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria is an association of women, and men, whos primary agenda is to get the community to vote. They said it doesnt matter who you vote for, its about voting for who you want to see in office. Peoria County needs election judges Connie Romanus, the president of the Greater Peoria chapter of the League of Women Voters, said the organization creates a sense of community. Its a great way to meet people, to get out in the community and share the things that we believe in, Romanus said. And definitely, you know, participate in your government wherever you can. Romanus said the leagues motto is Democracy is NOT a Spectator Sport. The event schedule for the league tomorrow is as follows: 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. ICC East Peoria Campus, at the Student Center 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Lincoln Branch Library in Peoria Noon 4:00 p.m. Bradley Student Center (Connie Romanus, LWVGP President will be present 2-4pm for interviews) The league said it will be available to assist 1st-time voters or those who want to update their registration if they have moved. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Get more news like this delivered to your inbox by signing up for our Travel newsletter here. This story was updated to correct a misspelling/typo. Florida-based Tammy Levent never imagined that bringing her laptop and iPad through customs at Cancun International Airport for a work trip in June would result in an approximately $200 fine. As an entrepreneur in the travel industry and owner of Elite Travel Management Group, Levent is no stranger to Cancun. For the last decade, she's visited two to three times a year for work, often bringing neophyte travel agents with her for trainings. When Levent arrived at the airport this time, she had two check-in suitcases and a carry-on with her. Passing through customs, she was flagged to one of the tables where her luggage was examined by an agent. The agent pulled out her iPad and laptop, telling her, "You can't have both," she recounted to USA TODAY. She said she's always brought these devices with her before, and this was the first time it was an issue. As the gateway to Mexico's most visited city, Cancun International Airport is also the busiest airport in the country with over 13 million passengers annually and 500 daily flights. Calling all passengers: Sign up for USA TODAY's Travel newsletter. Cancun without the crowds: Meet Isla Mujeres, a quieter Mexican getaway Unlike in the U.S., where there's no limit on how many laptops you can fly with, many of these passengers may not know that Mexican customs regulations only allow one portable computer per foreign arrival, including laptops and tablets. Otherwise, travelers face taxes of up to 19% of the deemed value of up to $4,000 of the device, according to the country's General Rules for Foreign Trade, under Baggage and Passenger Allowance. Levent said her older generation iPad was considered worth much more than it really is by the agent, making her fine higher than she felt was fair. "This was wrong," she said about her experience. "At the end of the day, you want tourism but youre driving people away," Levent said. "You have huge companies like pharmaceutical companies... (bringing bring groups in) and theyre coming with laptops and iPads." Beachgoers enjoy before the potential arrival of Hurricane Beryl in Cancun, Quintana Roo State, Mexico, on July 3, 2024. Why are travelers being fined for multiple electronic devices at Cancun Airport? The law isn't new. Travelers from abroad can bring "a portable computer equipment known as laptop, notebook, Omnibook or similar," according to the Mexican Customs list. If passengers don't pay the 19% tax on extra portable computers, they will be confiscated. "This has actually been in effect for a very, very long time," Michael Boguslavskiy, a travel agent for Caballeros Vacations who specializes in trips to Cancun, told USA TODAY. "It's a massively outdated list at this point but it's still there." (For example, you can only bring in 10 DVDs, if people still travel with those.) However, there's been a recent uptick in customs actually implementing the law and charging tourists, according to the Riviera Maya News. "It was never strongly enforced but now they are enforcing it worse than they ever have before," Boguslavskiy said. Cancun Customs Administration did not immediately respond to USA TODAYs request for comment. Boguslavskiy said some possible reasons could be due to an increase in passengers carrying multiple devices with the possible intention to sell them. "Obviously, thats not the case with 99% of people bringing a laptop and an iPad, but it's up to customs as they choose to view it," he said. Or it could just be to increase tax revenue from the influx of visitors. It's also not the only way Mexican customs can feel like smoke and mirrors to travelers, according to Boguslavskiy. Only two cameras are allowed tax-free, and technically, cigarettes exceeding 10 packs can be fined or confiscated. Since there's a duty-free store right before customs, people stock up on cheap tobacco thinking "it's safe," only to have it seized shortly after purchasing, he said. Upset with her Cancun Airport experience, Levent sent complaint letters to Mexican officials. In a return letter from the Cancun Customs Administration, Levent was told the luggage inspections are done at random. Boguslavskiy sends the customs list to all his clients heading to Mexico and advises every traveler going abroad to "please be up to date with what the local rules of customs are." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cancun Airport travelers get fined for bringing multiple electronics Ambulances carrying wounded people arrive to the emergency of the American University hospital. Eight people have been killed and some 2,750 injured in suspected coordinated explosions of hand-held telecommunications devices across Lebanon, Health Minister Firas Abiad said during a press conference in Beirut on 17 September. Marwan Naamani/dpa The Lebanese Minister of Education called for the closure of all public and private schools, including universities on Wednesday in condemnation for a mass pager attack that killed nine and wounded some 2,800 across Lebanon. Minister Abbas al Halabi said schools and universities across Lebanon will close to condemn "the criminal act committed by the Israeli enemy against Lebanese citizens." Nine people have been killed and some 2,800 injured in suspected coordinated explosions of the hand-held telecommunications devices across Lebanon, mainly targeting pro-Iranian Hezbollah members. The Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah blamed Israel for the detonations, threatening retaliation. Most of the victims suffered injuries to the hand, while some were also injured in the face, abdomen and the eyes, according to the health ministry. At least nine people were killed and thousands of others were injured when handheld pagers exploded across Lebanon on Tuesday in an apparent targeting of Hezbollah members, according to Hezbollah officials. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency initially reported that "the handheld pagers system was detonated using advanced technology, and dozens of injuries were reported" in Beiruts southern suburbs and other areas. Lebanons health minister later said at least nine people were killed and 2,750 wounded 200 of them critically. Among those injured when the pagers exploded included Iran's ambassador in Lebanon, Iranian state media reported. A security source in Lebanon told Reuters that the pagers were carried by members of Hezbollah. A Hezbollah official, speaking to the outlet on condition of anonymity, described the incident as a detonation that was the "biggest security breach" during the nearly year-long war with Israel. It wasn't immediately clear who was responsible for the attack. While Hezbollah blamed Israel, the Israeli government has not commented. HEZBOLLAH'S NEIGHBORS: ISRAELI BORDER COMMUNITY UNDER CONSTANT ATTACK FROM TERROR GROUP Photos and videos from Beiruts southern suburbs circulating on social media and in local media showed people lying on the pavement with wounds on their hands or near their pants pockets. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Several hundred" people were wounded in all in different parts of Lebanon when the incident happened, The Associated Press cited a Hezbollah official as saying. In a statement obtained by Reuters, Hezbollah confirmed that the blasts killed at least two of its fighters and a girl. The girl was the 9-year-old daughter of a Hezbollah fighter who was inside her parents' home when the pagers exploded, the Times of Israel reported. ISRAEL STRUCK BY LONG-RANGE MISSILE FROM YEMEN, 40 PROJECTILES FROM LEBANON IN EARLY MORNING ATTACKS Hezbollah said the cause of the simultaneous explosions was under investigation. Hezbollah members recently began using the pagers that exploded after the group's leader ordered them to stop using cell phones over concern that Israeli intelligence could track the devices. Hezbollah is an Islamic terrorist organization that has long had the backing of Iran. UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said Tuesday that she deplores the attack across Lebanon that left at least nine dead, including children, and thousands injured. In accordance with international humanitarian law, she reminded all concerned actors that civilians are not targets and must be protected at all times. "Even one civilian casualty is one too many," a statement from her office read. "The developments today mark an extremely concerning escalation in what is an already unacceptably volatile context. While the full impact of the attack is still unfolding, Hennis-Plasschaert urges all concerned actors to refrain from any further action, or bellicose rhetoric, which could trigger a wider conflagration that nobody can afford. "The Special Coordinator underlines the urgency of restoring calm and calls on all concerned actors to prioritize stability as paramount. Too much is at stake to do anything less," the statement added. U.S. State Department spokesman Matt Miller denied that the U.S. was involved or had any knowledge of the incident prior to the explosions. "I can tell you that the U.S. was not involved in it. The U.S. was not aware of this incident in advance," Miller told reporters, adding that the U.S. is gathering information on the incident. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Tuesday that the U.S. was not involved in the attack. She also said the White House was not aware of the operation or the incident. Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder also held a weekly press briefing Tuesday and echoed Jean-Pierres comments, saying there was no U.S. involvement, to his knowledge. The incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between Lebanon and Israel. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Israeli forces have been clashing near-daily for more than 11 months against the backdrop of war between Israel and Hezbollah ally Hamas in Gaza. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Lebanon explosions: Hezbollah apparently targeted as pagers detonate, several dead, thousands hurt INWOOD, Manhattan (PIX11) A two-and-a-half-year process of certifications, documentation, site approvals and meeting other requirements resulted in an event that was as lighthearted as the name of the business at the heart of the occasion. Happy Munkey Cannabis boutique opened on Monday afternoon as the first legal cannabis shop in Upper Manhattan above the George Washington Bridge. Its odyssey from concept to reality underscores how daunting the process to open legally can be, and is also a reminder of how illegal shops remain a challenge to the legitimate ones. The ribbon cutting on Monday afternoon was the end of a journey thats lasted far longer than the three years in which cannabis has been legal in New York State. Happy Munkeys co-founders, Vladimir Bautista and Ramon Reyes, said that the opening of their custom-designed boutique is validation for all theyve endured. Theyd sold marijuana on Uptown streets in the 2000s and 2010s, and now that its legal, they said that their long-standing entrepreneurship is paying off. More Local News Being told that Im a pariah that will never be an upstanding citizen, is how Bautista described the way hed been depicted to other people when he was selling cannabis on the street. He said that the states licensing program enabled a true transformation. To be able to see that through, he said, and turn that pain into power was invaluable to him. Bautista was talking about how New York State has prioritized giving cannabis licenses to people who were arrested and incarcerated when cannabis was illegal in New York before 2021. Between him and his co-founder, Reyes, theyd been arrested some three dozen times, and had been behind bars multiple times. After the state legalized marijuana, it also expunged the criminal records of Reyes and Bautista, and other former cannabis dealers. Now, the two said, theyre free to build wealth by running their business. However, they added, there remain some challenges to their financial prospects. You get these smoke shops, said Reyes, describing unlicensed stores, that theyre able to put a bunch of marijuana signs and neons, and all this stuff, where its like, you know, people dont know the difference, right, because thats all they see. He said that illegal cannabis stores can promote themselves in ways that licensed ones like his cannot. All they can see in the legal shop is maybe like the license on your door, Reyes said. He and Bautista, who also have two other partners in the business, pointed out that there are many advantages to people only purchasing cannabis from licensed shops like theirs. Among them, is that their product is inspected and tested by state authorities to ensure its not tainted with harmful substances such as fentanyl and E. coli. Also, taxes on the legal weed go toward funding programs from which communities benefit. In fact, 4% of the profit is earmarked, through taxes, to benefit the neighborhood in which each legal shop is located. In the case of Happy Munkey, that means Inwood and Washington Heights. The business partners said that the citys efforts to shut down illegal shops have been important for ensuring that people have access to high quality cannabis. The city has shuttered more than a thousand illegal shops since the summer began and destroyed much of the shops inventories. In fact, three illegal smoke shops within two blocks of the newly opened store have been shut down this year. Still, some illegal shops remain in the city. Bautista and Reyes said that it might help their business and others like theirs if some of the regulations imposed by the state were relaxed, particular when it came to advertising. This should be like any other thing, like as far as 21 and over, Bautista 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 PIX11. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)Georgia is the number one producer of peanuts in the United States, which cracks right along since its Georgias official crop. Piles of peanuts during a harvest at a farm in Bronwood, Georgia, US, on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022. (Photographer: Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg via Getty Images) To boil it down, Georgia peanut farmers provide more than 45% of the U.S. peanut crop each year, according to the University of Georgia (UGA). Georgia peanuts produce a farm gate value of well over $600 million. Lets get cracking with some peanut facts from the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC): Georgia farmers produced 53% of the United States peanuts in 2023, more than 1.56 million tons. Georgia farmers harvested 778,000 acres, yielding an average of 4,070 pounds per acre. Georgia farmers planted peanuts in 77 counties in Georgia. Georgia has approximately 4,000 peanut farmers. Georgia peanuts accounted for 29% of the states row and forage crops income. Georgias sandy soils and subtropical climate of Georgia are ideal for producing large yields of high-quality peanuts according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia. Peanut production in Georgia is concentrated in the Coastal Plain, the area south of the fall line, which runs from Columbus through Macon to Augusta. In a nutshell, records show that it wasnt until the early 1800s that peanuts were grown as a commercial crop in the United States according to Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB). In its native state it is a tropical, perennial plant that was likely brought to the South by explorers from South America via Africa, according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia. The peanut is thought to have been grown in Georgia about a decade before the Civil War. A farmer holds up a handful of dug up peanuts, dried and ready for harvest / Georgia, USA. (Photo by: Bill Barksdale /Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) They were first grown in Virginia and used mainly for oil, food and as a cocoa substitute, but at this time, peanuts were regarded as a food for livestock and the poor. Also at this time, the GFB said that peanuts were considered difficult to grow and harvest. Peanut acreage in Georgia has varied greatly over the years. During and immediately following World War II, the New Georgia Encyclopedia said that farmers were encouraged to plant as many acres of peanuts as possible for oil production to support the war effort. In the early 1900s peanuts became a significant agricultural crop when the boll weevil threatened the Souths cotton crop after George Washington Carver suggested using them as an effective commercial crop, the GPC said. As The Father of the Peanut Industry, Carver worked as a botanist and agriculture teacher in the early 1900s, which led to the creation of more than 300 peanut uses. One of the most famous peanut farmers is Jimmy Carter who was the 39th President of the United States. He grew up in Plains, Georgia, where his father owned a peanut farm and a local store. After graduating from high school, Carter went to the United States Naval Academy and entered the Navy to work on submarines until his father passed. Jimmy Carter on his peanut farm, Plains, Georgia, 1976. (Photo by PhotoQuest/Getty Images) Carter then left the Navy to help with the family business and the farm until 1971. In 1971, he became the 76th Governor of Georgia. Five years later in 1976, Carter won the presidential election. He is the first and only President to have been born in the state of Georgia. After placing the farm in a blind trust during his presidency, it fell on hard times which led to the Carters selling the family farm. Plains, Georgia still relies on peanuts as their main crop today, like many other towns in Georgia. Heres how peanuts make their way onto our tables: Farmers Plant the Seeds In Georgia, peanuts are planted after the last frost in April through May, when soil temperatures reach 6570F. Farmers typically plant specially grown peanut kernels from the previous years crop about two inches deep, approximately one to two inches apart in rows. Georgia farmers typically plant over 650,000 acres of peanuts every year. Seedlings Crack the Soil Peanut seedlings rise out of the soil about 10 days after planting. They grow into a green oval-leafed plant about 18 inches tall. Unlike most plants, the peanut plant flowers above the ground, but fruits below ground. Flowers Appear Yellow flowers emerge around the lower portion of the plant about 40 days after planting. When the flowers pollinate themselves, the petals fall off as the peanut ovary begins to form. Pegging is a Unique Feature This budding ovary is called a peg. The peg enlarges and grows down and away from the plant forming a small stem that extends to the soil. The peanut embryo is in the tip of the peg, which penetrates the soil. The embryo turns horizontal to the soil surface and begins to mature taking the form of a peanut. The plant continues to grow and flower, eventually producing some 40 or more pods. From planting to harvesting, the growing cycle of a peanut takes four to five months, depending on the type and variety. Georgia mainly grows runner peanuts. Harvesting Usually, a farmer drives a machine called a digger along the peanut rows. The digger pulls up the peanut plant, flips it upside down and sets it back down on the row. Drying and shaking Then the peanuts dry for a few days then another machine called a shaker or a picker, separates the peanut pods from the rest of the plant. To the table! Wait not yet. Peanuts arent usually sold directly to consumers straight from the farm. After harvest, farmers typically take their peanuts to a buying point where theyre tested and cleaned. Since peanuts are grown underground, they should be inspected for mold, moisture or insect contamination. Some farmers inspect, test and clean their own peanuts, especially if they sell directly from their farm. They still have to uphold the requirements set by the Peanut standards Board, who advise the USDA on quality and rules. Here comes the peanuts! After being tested and cleaned, peanuts are distributed to different manufacturers, grocery stores or buyers to be made into peanut butter, canned peanuts, candy bars, boiled peanuts and much more. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. We are awash with public inquiries. At present there are 18 up and running, ranging from the mother and father of them all into the Covid pandemic to those whose provenance is almost lost in the mists of time. Can anyone remember why there is an inquiry into undercover policing? It was set up by Theresa May in 2015 and is only now taking evidence for its Phase 2 hearings due to run until December. When it will report is anyones guess. The next phase, according to the inquiry website, is to examine current undercover policing practices and recommendations for how undercover policing should be conducted in future. This is the ninth year of the inquiry yet that seems to be something that should have been covered in the first week. What is more bizarre is that a review of undercover policing tactics 10 years ago found appalling practices so we know that already. Lady May, when Home Secretary, should have done something to improve matters, not bat them away to an inquiry. So far this has cost 88 million, of which 37 million has gone on legal costs. Nice work if you can get it. We have too many inquiries, they are too costly, they last too long and they often tell us little we did not know already. The Grenfell Tower inquiry took seven years to establish what was known within a few weeks of the tragedy. The report, amounting to more than a million words in seven volumes, said the conflagration was caused by the systematic dishonesty of construction companies that manufactured cladding for the tower blocks refurbishment. Their mendacity was compounded by decades of failure by government ministers and officials who ignored a series of warnings over the risks. This should have been the subject of a police investigation in 2016 with a view to bringing prosecutions but the statutory inquiry took precedence. Now Scotland Yard says it will take another 18 months at least to sift through the evidence. We are still awaiting reports on, inter alia, Scottish child abuse, Muckamore Abbey Hospital in Northern Ireland, the Omagh bombing in 1998, the murder of Jalal Uddin, an imam, in Rochdale eight years ago and the activities of a brain surgeon Sam Eljamel at a hospital on Tayside. Two more have just started, one into the Lucy Letby case even though she is behind bars and another into the murder 35 years ago of the Northern Ireland lawyer Pat Finucane. It has already been conceded that there was state collusion in his death and David Cameroin as Prime Minister apologised to the family in 2012. Will this tell us anything we dont know? For people affected by these events a judicial inquiry offers some sort of catharsis but they are not necessarily of benefit to the country as a whole. It is apparent that many are substitutes for proper criminal investigations which only follow when they are over, if they ever do. Judge-led public inquiries used to be rare. Between 1960 and 1990 there were just 30. They have grown like Topsy since the 2005 Inquiries Act with close to 100 over the past 30 years. The total cost must be well north of 1 billion, probably a lot more. A House of Lords committee has just produced a report into this burgeoning industry and has called for a complete overhaul of the way statutory inquiries are conducted. It recommended a fixed timescale to avoid unnecessary and excessive costs and more to be led by a panel of experts rather than a judge. Judicial inquiries are adversarial and tend to become a blame game rather than a means of finding out what went wrong and how to fix it. The Lords committee also proposes something that is obvious, but is rarely done a check on whether the recommendations are ever put in place. As Lord Norton, the committee chairman, said: Lessons learned is an entirely vacuous phrase if lessons arent being learned because inquiry recommendations are ignored or delayed. Furthermore, it is insulting and upsetting for victims, survivors and their families who frequently hope that, from their unimaginable grief, something positive might prevail. The committee said there should be more non-statutory inquiries which are faster, cheaper and more flexible. Look at Covid. Countries such as Sweden and France completed their inquiries years ago. We have had a number of parliamentary select committees looking at what happened, reaching conclusions that the current inquiry will take another three years to replicate. Public inquiries have become an all-pervasive part of our political culture, effectively supplanting the Royal Commissions of yore. Indeed, here is the rub. We set up inquiries to ask narrow questions about perceived wrongs or mistakes but no longer to confront the big issues. The Royal Commission model fell out of favour largely because governments simply ignored them and yet they are needed more than ever. How do we fix the NHS? Can we run the criminal justice system better? Why is productivity so low in this country? Is there a future without mass immigration? Of course, they dont always reach sensible conclusions and are often ignored. Harold Wilson joked that they take minutes and waste years (though his governments set up 10). One of the last ever Royal Commissions was into the Long Term Care of the Elderly which reported in 1999, recommending that the costs should be met according to need and paid for from general taxation. With a rapidly ageing population this was just pie in the sky and never happened. But a lot of these big, long-term questions remain unanswered and will only be resolved on a cross-party basis which is the supposed rationale behind the Royal Commission idea. What is the future of the welfare state as the cost of benefits rise to unsustainable levels? What is the likely impact on jobs of the advance of Artificial Intelligence? Can we decarbonise without wrecking our economy and putting the lights out? Why should we continue to rely on a bunch of inexperienced politicians and officials working behind closed doors to come up with answers to problems so great that they will haunt our grandchildren if we dont start to deal with them now? Royal Commissions, independent of government and made up of external experts, at least tried to address these questions in a transparent way. It is time for their revival. 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. BOSTON (SHNS) The Senate chair of the Education Committee signaled Monday that he will vote in favor of this Novembers ballot question to eliminate the requirement that students pass the MCAS to graduate high school and file legislation in January to create a new statewide graduation standard that is not tied to a test. Sen. Jason Lewis, a Winchester Democrat, said he thinks Massachusetts can improve and strengthen our public education system for all students, especially disadvantaged students, if we replace the MCAS graduation requirement with a more holistic graduation standard. Question 2 would eliminate the requirement that a student pass the MCAS in math, science and technology, and English in order to receive a high school diploma. Standardized tests like MCAS provide important and useful data about student learning and progress. Regardless of the outcome of Question 2, MCAS will continue to be administered in Massachusetts public schools, including in Grade 10. However, standardized tests are imperfect and cannot measure the full scope of skills, knowledge, and competencies that we want to develop in our young people and are critical for their future success, Lewis said. He added, Moving away from a graduation requirement based on standardized test scores and replacing it with course requirements and other richer student learning experiences would also align Massachusetts with the vast majority of other states. Lewis said he will file legislation in January, when the new legislative term begins, that will require all students (with certain exceptions) to complete MassCore, a set of courses for high school students that was adopted by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in 2007. MassCore is currently recommended for all students, but not required, he said. Requiring completion of MassCore in order to receive a high school diploma would strengthen course offerings across all high schools, ensure that all students are receiving a rigorous education, and provide a consistent statewide graduation standard, the senator said. My legislation will also consider other ways to encourage high-quality student learning experiences, like capstone projects, service learning, vocational/technical education, advanced coursework, and work-based learning. In announcing his support for Question 2, Lewis staked out political turf opposite that of fellow Democrat Gov. Maura Healey. The governor and Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler have said they oppose the teachers union-led push to eliminate the use of MCAS as a graduation requirement. Eliminating the only statewide academic standard for high school graduation is not the answer to the issues Sen. Lewis identifies, No on 2 campaign spokesman Dom Slowey said. Lowering standards is unfair to all children, but especially those who need the most help. Rather than lowering the academic standard for all students, the focus should be on ensuring students who are struggling get the help they need. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin waves to supporters at an April kickoff event for his mayoral campaign. (Stephen Lam / San Francisco Chronicle via AP) After 17 years wielding power and influence on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Aaron Peskin is facing a rather existential moment: Has this famously liberal city moved too far right to embrace an old-school progressive like him for mayor? Peskin, a slight man of 60 with a full beard and glasses, has spent his political career fighting for liberal causes. He's taken on large corporations, wringing substantial money from them to bolster community services. He's a vocal proponent of rent control and neighborhood preservation. As a recovering alcoholic, he thinks the city's homelessness issues should be addressed through a mix of compassion, affordable housing and services, rather than a punitive approach utilizing encampment sweeps and criminal citations. Despite his experience, Peskin entered the mayor's contest against incumbent Mayor London Breed and three other Democrats venture capitalist and former interim Mayor Mark Farrell, Levi Strauss heir and nonprofit executive Daniel Lurie, and fellow Supervisor Ahsha Safai as an underdog. Peskin joined the race in April, several months after Breed and the other three competitors had started campaigning. That put him at a financial disadvantage in a mayoral election shaping up as one of the most expensive in San Francisco history. But even more significant: Peskin entered the race as the only candidate running on a progressive agenda, putting him at odds with the rising chorus of voters and tech titans who want to see a more hard-core approach to the sprawling tent encampments and drumbeat of retail and property crimes that have eroded their sense of a safe, functional city. In recent decades, it hasn't been unusual for San Francisco to elect mayors who are centrist Democrats alongside a more progressive Board of Supervisors. But the tech money flooding into the race, combined with frustrations over the city's slow recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, has many voters questioning progressive policies and the wisdom of a city that governs with a bleeding heart. Many parents were furious that the city's schools were closed for more than a year during COVID longer than most in the country. The remote learning persisted even as the school board engaged in a divisive effort to rename a third of the city's public schools whose existing names, critics asserted, honored historical figures associated with slavery or oppression of women or "who otherwise significantly diminished the opportunities of those amongst us to the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Outrage over the progressive agenda fueled the recall of three school board members in February 2022. Four months later, voters also recalled then-Dist. Atty. Chesa Boudin, a leading reform advocate whose progressive policies on sentencing and incarceration were derided by opponents as a threat to public safety. Last March, San Francisco made national headlines when voters approved a pair of ballot measures that Breed had championed to broaden police surveillance powers and impose drug treatment mandates for certain welfare recipients. That same night, a slate of moderate candidates took control of the governing body of the local Democratic Party. Although the five leading candidates for mayor are Democrats, all but Peskin now fall in that moderate camp. Breed, in particular, has tacked right on issues such as homelessness and crime over the last year. Peskin celebrates the distinction, saying that he joined the race to keep San Francisco a "beacon" for the artists, creatives, immigrants and LGBTQ+ pioneers who've shaped the city's culture for decades, and that he fights for working-class people to ensure they can afford living in the city. "Don't get me wrong, I think that one of the most important things that any government does is to make people safe," Peskin said. "But, you know, that's all the other candidates are talking about. They're not talking about also making it safe and welcoming." Supervisor Aaron Peskin says he joined the mayoral race to keep San Francisco a "beacon" for the artists, creatives, immigrants and LGBTQ+ pioneers who have shaped the city's culture. (Jeff Chiu / Associated Press) Peskin has targeted Breed from the start of his campaign, arguing that her leadership is incoherent and dismissing her recent crackdown on homelessness as a cynical political ploy. "She actually embraced the Fox News narrative about San Francisco, rather than standing up and defending this city and embracing and strengthening our policies of compassion and of getting things done," he told The Times. Breed has countered that compassion has its limits, and that the city needs to take a tougher stance with homeless people who have refused shelter or won't seek treatment for drug addiction. During a July mayoral debate hosted by the local firefighters union, Breed said her decision to get tough on the homelessness crisis may not be popular but was necessary to propel San Francisco forward. We have had to move from a compassionate city to a city of accountability, she said. Read more: As San Francisco cracks down on homeless encampments, a question rises: Where will people go? Peskin said he is focused on leading San Francisco beyond the "doom loop" narrative that has dogged the city nationally for much of the last four years and into its recovery era. If elected mayor, he's promised to prioritize low-income housing and expand rent control. On homelessness, he wants to open more treatment facilities and expand shelter capacity, rather than continue the encampment sweeps that Breed has pushed over the last two months. Peskin said he knows something about recovery. In 2021, Peskin entered treatment for problem drinking amid allegations that he had joined a government meeting inebriated. The episode unleashed broader complaints that Peskin for years had bullied colleagues and lower-level staff, and that people feared retaliation if they reported his behavior. Peskin ultimately apologized. And after spending the initial weeks after the uproar in shame, he said he's now grateful for the wake-up call and is more than three years sober. "I always thought that my job was to care for the community, and I never realized that people actually cared about my well-being," he said. "The amount of support and love and encouragement that I've gotten from the most unlikely places and people has been just remarkably heartening." But even as Peskin touts his personal and professional journey, local polls show him trailing Breed, Farrell and Lurie in the city's ranked-choice voting system. All three have made tough positions on property crime, fentanyl dealing and homelessness a centerpiece of their campaigns. Whereas Breed, Farrell and Lurie are getting financial support from tech executives and wealthy business owners, Peskin touts his campaign as a grassroots effort fueled by working-class people. His endorsements include left-leaning LGBTQ+ and tenant rights organizations, labor unions and progressive politicians including former Mayor Art Agnos, former Supervisor Jane Kim and former state Sen. Mark Leno. "Aaron Peskin was built for public service," Agnos said. "What we have today are tech multibillionaires. Tech multibillionaires who live like monarchs, and now we are seeing they're trying to rule San Francisco like they were monarchs." "I think San Francisco has always led on the social issues," said Kim, who unsuccessfully ran against Breed in 2018. "Where we struggle and fight as progressives has been on the economic agenda, and who benefits economically in this city. Is it the ultra-wealthy and the billionaires, or is it our working class and our low-income workers? And that's the fight that Aaron is leading on." Supervisor Aaron Peskin, right, says he wants to address homelessness by expanding treatment facilities and shelter capacity. He opposes the aggressive encampment sweeps launched by Mayor London Breed, center. (Eric Risberg / Associated Press) Along with staunch supporters, Peskin has accumulated fierce critics during his years in office particularly around housing. Peskin represents some of the city's most historic neighborhoods, including North Beach, Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf and downtown's Financial District. He often distinguishes himself as someone who sticks up for neighborhood identity what some consider a dog whistle for "NIMBYism," a colloquial term for opposition to large multifamily housing projects or other unwelcome development. He has resisted efforts to amend zoning rules for certain neighborhoods to allow for denser housing. "Peskin would be an unbelievable step backwards," said Laura Foote, executive director of the advocacy coalition YIMBY Action, a housing organization that endorsed Breed. "We need to protect these people in our communities from the ever-escalating cost of housing, and that means building more." San Francisco has one of the longest housing approval processes in the country, and is tens of thousands of units shy of its state-mandated production goals. Breed has called for more housing development across all income levels in San Francisco as rental costs skyrocket and the median home price exceeds $1 million. Farrell, Safai and Lurie have also endorsed denser housing, though to varying degrees and in some cases only in certain neighborhoods. Peskin rejects the idea that he is anti-housing as a "developer-funded narrative." But he also argues that it's possible to build more housing "without turning Ocean Beach into Miami Beach." The disagreement over development highlights another layer of San Francisco's drift toward the political center, with more leaders coming out in favor of multifamily housing projects despite outcry from progressive groups concerned about gentrification and neighborhood changes. State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), who has authored some of the state's strongest housing production laws, has criticized Peskin's devotion to the "existing broken housing structure." Wiener, who has endorsed Breed, complimented Peskin as skilled and "incredibly smart." But he also warned that Peskin's brand of progressivism would set San Francisco back. "San Franciscans are quite progressive. But there is a strain among some people I think its a minority, but some people where they equate progressivism to having no change," Wiener said. "A city that isnt changing is a city that is dying." Peskin has been willing, at times, to buck the progressive label. He has supported laws to retain police staffing, and he recently told The Times he supports a controversial November ballot measure, Proposition 36, that would roll back a 2014 voter-approved law that turned some nonviolent drug and theft felonies into misdemeanors. Critics of the initiative, including Wiener and Gov. Gavin Newsom, say it would mark a return to an era of mass incarceration. Peskin uses those examples to argue that he can be compassionate while also being practical. "I've always thought the root of progressive is progress," Peskin said, "and progress is actually getting things done." 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 federal trial of three former Memphis police officers charged in connection with the January 2023 beating death of Tyre Nichols continued Monday, with the cross-examination of a Memphis Police Department (MPD) lieutenant who trained the defendants. Kevin Whitmore, who is representing ex-officer Tadarrius Bean, cross-examined Second Lt. Larnce Wright on training methods at the police academy, noting that Wright did not train Bean in several courses, so he could not speak to what Bean was taught, according to WATN, the ABC affiliate in Memphis covering the case in the courtroom. Wright did not teach the officers how to write reports, provide medical classes for them or teach them about the duty of an officer to intervene if another officer engages in misconduct, according to WATN. Last Thursday, Wright testified that the scenario of the initial traffic stop involving Nichols should have been low-risk, according to WATN. Wright said during the initial stop, Nichols voicing that he was trying to do what was asked should have led officers to deescalate the situation. Wright claimed officers were not following training for several reasons and described Nichols' behavior as human nature, according to WATN. The former officers -- Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith -- were charged on Sept. 12, 2023, with violating Nichols' civil rights through excessive use of force, unlawful assault, failing to intervene in the assault and failing to render medical aid charges that carry a maximum penalty of life in prison, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The officers have pleaded not guilty to all charges. On Monday, Whitmore showed Wright several presentation slides he uses in training, which the attorney said denoted that there is no such thing as a routine traffic stop, which could turn violent in an instant, according to WATN. The defense argued that training is only as good as the trainer. Wright claimed that if a violent felony was not committed, pursuit is not allowed, according to WATN. Body-camera footage shows Nichols fled after police initially pulled him over for allegedly driving recklessly, then shocked him with a Taser and pepper-sprayed him. Officers allegedly then beat Nichols minutes later. Nichols, 29, died on Jan. 10, 2023 three days later. Footage shows the officers walking around, talking to each other as Nichols was injured and sitting on the ground. The beating triggered protests and calls for police reform. Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis said she has been unable to substantiate Nichols was driving recklessly. Whitmore asked Wright if an officer could have tunnel vision during an arrest, alluding to the possibility that Bean was focused on handcuffing Nichols and didnt see what was happening to the suspect, according to WATN. 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) Desmond Mills Jr. and Emmitt Martin III, the two additional officers who were also charged in this case, have pleaded guilty to some of the federal charges. Martin pleaded guilty to excessive force and failure to intervene, as well as conspiracy to witness tamper, according to court records. The other two charges will be dropped at sentencing, which has been scheduled for Dec. 5, according to the court 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. The prosecution told ABC News in a statement Thursday that they will not have any statements until after the trial. The defense attorneys did not immediately respond to ABC News request for comment. MORE: What to know about the death of Tyre Nichols 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) After the police encounter, Nichols was transferred to the hospital in critical condition where he later died. 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. Tyre Nichols: What the video footage reveals, and questions that remain Michael Stengel, Haley's attorney, officially asked for a mistrial on Friday due to the forms -- known as response to resistance -- that were submitted as evidence for the trial, according to WATN. The ex-officers were required to fill out these forms to explain their use of force against Nichols. Stengel argued the documents were protected by Garrity. Garrity rights protect public employees from being compelled to self-incrimination during investigative interviews conducted by their employers, according to a Tennessee attorney general legal document. Stengel argued that the response to resistance forms the ex-officers filled out could not be used as evidence to protect the ex-officers' Garrity rights. Judge Mark Norris decided the documentation forms do not violate the ex-officers' Garrity rights and ruled in favor of keeping them as evidence, according to WATN. Norris said on Monday that there are 37 witness testimonies left in the trial, and that a juror has potentially been lost due to illness, according to WATN. Martin, one of two ex-officers who plead guilty to charges connected to the death of Tyre Nichols, was called to the stand after Wright was finished with questioning. Martin began his testimony Monday, towards the end of day. The five former officers charged in this case were all members of the Memphis Police Department SCORPION unit a crime suppression unit that has since been disbanded after Nichols death. All the officers were fired for violating MPD policies. ABC News' Kiara Alfonseca and Sabina Ghebremedhin contributed to this report. Lieutenant testifies in case of officers accused of beating Tyre Nichols to death originally appeared on abcnews.go.com ST. LOUIS A St. Louis Circuit Court judge handed down two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole to a man convicted for a 2022 double murder. According to a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department spokesman, the murders happened on Feb. 28, 2022, in the citys Walnut Park West neighborhood. Police found Thomas Anderson III on the front lawn of a residence in the 4800 block of Norwich Place around 8:05 p.m. Anderson had been shot in the head and was brought to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was 44. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Around 9:30 a.m. the following morning, police found Tyler Vaughn approximately 100 feet away in the 4900 block of Goodfellow Boulevard with a gunshot wound to his shoulder. Vaughn was declared dead at the scene. He was 32. Homicide detectives later arrested Deandre Walton for the murders. This past August, a St. Louis jury convicted Walton of two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action. In addition to his life sentences, Walton also received two consecutive 15-year terms for each count of armed criminal action. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. The Little Rock School District and the Little Rock Police Department each assure fast action as school districts across Arkansas are seeing a spike in social media threats. Both agencies posted public letters on Monday confirming that school threats would be taken seriously and that there would be repercussions for making threats. The LRPD letter said two arrests occurred due to school threats in September. Social media posts cause increased police presence at school districts in central Arkansas LRPD reports show the two arrests had taken place in two separate incidents at Little Rock schools, resulting in the arrest by investigators of two students in separate incidents for threatening their respective schools. Because they were underage, the reports did not include the names of the students. A 16-year-old is facing charges concerning a Sept. 9 incident at Premier High School in Little Rock. According to the police report, officers working at the school were told by a school official that the student had threatened to shoot up the school in a social media chat. Maumelle police say social media post is believed not to be a threat to local schools The student is facing a charge of terroristic threatening in the first degree, a felony, according to the report. In the second incident on Sept. 12, a 17-year-old student sent a message via social media to a school official stating, B****** be tripping dog, Im thinking of blowing up the school. The office forwarded the message to officers, who questioned the student before taking him into custody. The student is facing charges of threatening to commit an act of mass violence on school property, according to the report, and was released to the custody of his parents. Police arrest juvenile accused in social media threat made against Russellville Junior High School The LRPDs letter stated the growing number of school threats is part of a national trend, and it followed a multi-pronged approach to confronting these threats. LRSDs approach aligns with national efforts to prevent school violence, the letter continues. These efforts often involve a combination of security measures, threat assessment protocols, and collaborative partnerships between law enforcement, school resource officers, and educational institutions. Increased police presence expected at schools in Cabot after report of threat The school district letter by superintendent Jermall Wright decried the uptick in online threats for causing unnecessary fear and anxiety. Students who make such threats will be disciplined according to the LRSD Student Code of Conduct and may face serious consequences, the letter said. Wright continued, asking parents and guardians to speak with children about the dangers and repercussions of making and spreading threats, even as a joke. He stressed the importance of a safe and focused environment that is conducive to learning. Central Arkansas school officials warn of consequences as multiple school districts listed in social media threat Multiple Arkansas schools have reportedly taken precautionary measures in recent weeks after being made aware of threats made via social media. Officials have repeatedly warned that making threats of this nature is a felony that could involve a prison sentence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Watch the full livestream in the video player above. SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine spoke once again in Springfield Tuesday afternoon. The governor spoke to the press around 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17. He addressed recent developments in Springfield and answered questions from the media. During the conference, DeWine shared that he visited Springfield schools this morning, meeting with students, staff and the troopers on-site to provide additional security. According to the governor, there was one threat to one school building this afternoon and two non-school buildings, but like all other threats received, this was determined to be unfounded. DeWine sending OSP Field Force members to Springfield schools Troopers will continue to provide extra security on school grounds as Springfield works toward going back to normal. While all threats have been unfounded, DeWine hopes the state support will ease parents, students and staff worries. DeWine also spoke on Monday regarding the more than 30 bomb threats Springfield has received over the last week. During his speech, he said Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers would arrive to provide additional security to Springfield schools. During Tuesdays press conference, Springfield superintendent Dr. Robert Hill and Mayor Rob Rue also spoke, thanking the state of Ohio for the additional resources in the past seven days. Dr. Hill says attendance has been low in the past week due to fears, but he hopes students will return thanks to the additional security. He understands that the situation over the past week has been an extreme emotional toll on students, families and staff, but will continue to work with state and local leaders to bring schooling back to normal. When asked about the possibility of a visit from former President Donald Trump, DeWine said any political candidate is welcome to visit, but to keep in mind how limited resources are for the city of Springfield. Rue added that while presidential candidate visits are typically encouraged, it would be very difficult to host due to resources being stretched very thin at present. Watch the full livestream in the video player above. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. (KRON) A Livermore man is in custody in connection to a stolen vehicle operation, California Highway Patrol announced in a Facebook post on Monday. He is accused of possessing three stolen vehicles (pictured below): an orange Chevrolet Corvette, a dark-colored Jeep SUV and a Dodge sedan. All three vehicles were recovered by authorities, according to CHP. The investigation into this stolen vehicle operation began in July when investigators were notified about a faulty car registration. This was the best-selling car in California in 2023 and its not even close (California Highway Patrol) (California Highway Patrol) (California Highway Patrol) Bay Area town named richest in California The vehicle involved in that registration did not match the car and was likely switched to mask the fact it was stolen, CHP said. Officials did not say which of the three vehicles it was. As the investigation went on, a suspect who CHP did not identify is believed to be responsible for selling the stolen vehicle. A search warrant was eventually issued for the suspects Livermore residence. Upon searching his home, at least two more stolen vehicles with identification numbers that had been switched were located, according to CHP. CHP did not say when the suspect was arrested. His name is being withheld as CHP continues to investigate. The sale of used vehicles between private parties is common in California, but the CHP wants to remind buyers to remember that if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is, CHP wrote in a Facebook post. Operations like this will bring stolen vehicles from other states into California, where their identification numbers are switched and sold to unsuspecting buyers. When the new owner attempts to register the vehicle, they soon discover the truth. As most of these transactions are cash only, the buyer is left with nothing, and the seller cannot be contacted. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. New LMPD Chief Humphrey announced major changes in command staff. Here's who is moving Just after Mayor Craig Greenberg announced Paul Humphrey would become the new Louisville Metro Police chief, Humphrey declared there are massive shifts in leadership coming to the department involving high-profile members and positions. Out of the 24 command staff members, 16 people are moving positions, Humphrey said. "This will be one of the largest command staff movements in LMPD," he said. Lt. Col. Ryan Bates and Lt. Col. Emily McKinley will be Humphrey's deputy chiefs. Maj. Brian Kuriger, who was previously accused and cleared of sexually harassing another top officer, will be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and become assistant chief of accountability and improvement. Former Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel previously announced her intention to promote Kuriger to Lieutenent Colonel in a meeting less than a minute after Maj. Shannon Lauder voiced that he sexually harassed her, ultimately leading to Gwinn-Villaroel's resignation. Kuriger was cleared of wrongdoing by an independent investigation. Several others will also receive promotions, according to documentation provided by LMPD. There will also be a new leader to the First Division, the position Lauder most recently held. Maj. Bryan Edelen will be the permanent commander of the First Division, said LMPD spokesperson Matt Sanders. Lauder was placed on administrative leave pending a separate sexual misconduct breach-of-policy investigation against her and her husband, another LMPD officer, related to events described in their own lawsuit. The police department will also divide what was formally the Special Investigations Division, Humphrey said. The division contains both the Public Integrity Unit, which works on criminal cases involving police officers and members of the Metro government, and the Professional Standards Unit, which is an administrative-focused internal affairs investigator. The split is to increase "oversight and accountability," Humphrey said, adding that administrative investigations cannot be used in criminal prosecutions. Here are the other people moving into new positions: Lt. Col. Nicholas Owen will be an Assistant Chief of the Support Bureau Maj. Donald Burbrink will be the Assistant Chief of the Patrol Bureau Maj. Corey Robinson will be the Assistant Chief of the Administrative Bureau Maj. James McGah will lead the Administrative Services Division Lt. Glen Parcus will lead the Performance Division Lt. Daniel Lewis will lead the Fourth Division Lt. Tiffany Tatum will lead the Eighth Division Maj. Eric Wampler will lead the Professional Standards Unit Maj. David Allen will lead the Seventh Division Lt. Andrew Baker will join the Seventh Division Sgt. Andrew Graves and Sgt. Jordan Hillerich will transfer to the Traffic Unit "Much of the command staff moves are internal," Humphrey said. "So obviously, we're promoting several people due to retirements and people moving on, but a lot of the internal movement is about putting the right people in the right place." The official promotion ceremony for Humphrey and the other LMPD staff members will be Sept. 27 at the Kentucky International Convention Center, Greenberg said. Reach reporter Eleanor McCrary at EMcCrary@courier-journal.com or at @ellie_mccrary on X, formerly known as Twitter. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville Metro Police Department command structure JET 24/FOX 66 takes a look at an authentic downtown Dominican kitchen for Hispanic Heritage Month and how they have been well-received by the community. Dina Csir of Dinas Authentic Dominican Kitchen in the Flagship City Food Hall said she moved to Erie from the Dominican Republic in 2015. Fiesta on the Square kicks off the start of Hispanic Heritage month She said her mother taught her and her brothers how to cook, and soon it became her passion. Csir said her restaurant serves the community a piece of her country with food that can be found in a home in the Dominican Republic. Surprise! Unpredictable Hurst Day festivities kick off for Mercyhurst students Im very grateful first to God and then to the people who have reacted so well. I think the Erie people is theyre very welcoming and kind to let us in and were grateful for that, said Csir. Very supportive. I always felt that support since day one. Csir said she hopes to expand her business one day for more people to enjoy her food. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- As the need for foster parents in the Permian Basin continues to impact children in the foster care system, local organizations, foster/adoption care specialists and current foster parents provide insight, sharing different ways the community can support the need for foster homes in the area. According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, there are only 50 licensed foster/adoptive homes in both Midland and Ector counties, and out of the 169 children in substitute care, 75 percent of them are placed out of their home county. Local Foster Adoptive Home Development worker (FAD), Ginger Jackson said that because of the shortage of foster homes in West Texas, most children are moved out of the only place they know. We have a shortage of foster homes in the area and so a lot of the times when a child is removed from their primary home, they are taken, Jackson said, adding that the children are not only losing mom and dad, but then a lot of times theyre losing their school, theyre losing their friends, theyre losing everything that theyre comfortable and familiar with. Jackson said that the impact and trauma a child in the foster care system can have by having to move is huge; Because of this negative impact, local organizations and programs are working to educate the community on different ways to help and clear up common misconceptions about fostering. Candace Stauch, a foster mother from Midland, said that the most common misconception about foster care is that its too hard or heartbreaking for foster parents who get too attached. When I first started doing foster care, I didnt want to, I didnt think that it was something that would be good for me, Stauch said. I felt like God was actually telling me I should do that. And so we decided to open our home and start getting licensed. And miracles have happened because of that. Stauch said that in the beginning, several people told her to be careful of heartbreak and that she would get too attached; later, Stauch said she realized something she had not thought of before. Im an adult. Im a big kid, right? I can handle heartbreak. Its going to be hard, but I can do it. And these kids, though, they deserve to have everything that I can give them, Stuach said. They deserve to be loved unconditionally, a hundred percent, without reservation, And that if I have heartbreak, Ill survive. Another common misconception surrounding foster care is that the only way to help children in foster care is by actually becoming a foster parent, however, there are many other ways to support foster homes and children. Our primary objective, really, would be that we could encourage people to foster. That would be great if everybody could, but thats not realistic for everybody and we understand that, Ginger Jackson with FAD said. Theres a lot of ways that we can help our foster care system without actually being a foster home. Some other ways that the foster community can be supported, According to Jackson is to do respite care (Respite care is a short-term arrangement that typically latest from a few hours to several weeks depending on the need, that helps provide relief for foster parents), donations, If you know somebody whos fostering, you can support by being a friend, being a backup, listening to their story, calling, checking in on them, helping by donating, you know, gently used clothing, things like that. Overall there are several different ways to support the foster community, one of those ways includes an event on Tuesday hosted by several youth organizations. The event will begin a 6:30 P.M., on Tuesday, September 17th at the Mid-Cities Church at 8700 TX-191 in Midland and is hosted by The Attic Foster Network, High Sky Childrens Ranch, One Accord for Kids, TBHC Foster Care and Adoption and, Mid-Cities Church. The event will share the different ways community members can get involved, allow discussions, and answer any questions during the Foster/Adopt Q&A. There are a lot of ways, again, to support. It does not have to be through foster if thats not something youre comfortable with, but just come ask a question. Come get to know the people in our community that are making these differences and see if its something that, you know, speaks to your heart, Jackson said. To learn more about this event, visit this 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 Yourbasin. LISBON, Ohio (WKBN) A Columbiana County man who admitted to killing his wife and then dismembering her body could now spend the rest of his life in prison. Christopher Morrison returned to court for sentencing Tuesday after he admitted last month to shooting his wife Tiffany in December in the bathroom shower of their home in Liverpool Township to keep her from divorcing him. The crime happened just seven days before Christmas. Columbiana County Prosecutors called the murder unthinkable saying Morrison used a saw to dismember Tiffanys body and put her remains into garbage bags, leaving them in a shed. Tiffanys body was moved to an outside shed on the property. The hole in the shower was hidden and patched up, said Assistant Columbiana County Prosecutor Ryan Weikart. A heinous and unimaginable act that shows his genuine lack of remorse. The victims mother, Ruth Mahley, spoke in court describing the impact the loss has had on the lives of those that loved Tiffany. The anger, hurt and disbelief were unimaginable. Our lives were shattered, said Mahley. I find myself dialing Tiffanys number and then hanging up when I realize with a heavy heart that I will never hear that sweet voice again. When it was his turn to speak, Morrison spoke softly and claimed he still loved his wife. Our children now have to go forward without either of us, he said. And there is nothing I regret more. Ill be sorry for this until my last breath. Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Megan Bickerton sentenced Morrison to life in prison with no chance for parole for at least 25 years. She called his actions those of a monster and described Morrisons demeanor when police interviewed him days after Tiffany had been killed. It wasnt the reaction of a man who loved and cared about his wife, said Bickerton. It was the reaction of a monster who was trying to get away with murder. You can see her response to Morrison below: Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. HUBBARD, Ohio (WKBN) The manager of a Hubbard medical marijuana dispensary is worried it could close within the next few months due to a ban on recreational sales within city limits. Read next: Coitsville police investigating death of man who was hit by truck in hotel parking lot Dustin Crites pleaded with Hubbard City Council Monday evening to overturn the citys moratorium on recreational marijuana dispensaries. With medicinal sales down after already reducing our store hours, were not sure well be able to keep the store open until the November election, Crites said. Crites operates the ACA Dispensary on East Liberty Street. His medical marijuana facility has been in operation since December but he is worried it wont be open for much longer. Its definitely hurting our business to be able to stay open at the moment. Were going to fight and claw as hard as we can to be here until that vote, he said. The issue will be on the ballot for the November election. ACA is already state-approved for a dual-use license. Crites wanted the council to grant them the ability to use it so they could prove to voters there would be no issues. Third Ward Councilman Michael Mogg got up and spoke in their favor. I would like to ask all members of council to consider the decision that we made back in June. There is a member of this community that has been here for a year as you stated was asking for our help, Mogg said. Crites added Hubbard community members are driving to Warren and Youngstown to purchase recreational marijuana and argued the city is missing out on tax revenue by continuing the ban. The amount of revenue that could be brought in from rec, from adult use sales its way above what we could bring from a medicinal side, Crites said. Members of the cannabis industry, including nearby growing facility Riviera Creek and a Cleveland School of Cannabis Instructor, also wanted to address common concerns around legalization. This isnt for children. This is a 21-and-over thing, much like alcohol is 21 and over. Its extremely difficult to buy legal cannabis, said BC Wehman, Lighthouse Sciences instructor. Councilman Mogg asked his colleagues to consider holding a special meeting next week. Until then, ACA dispensary wants to hold on but Crites said if the vote fails, hell be forced to pack up and move his business. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AKRON, Ohio (WJW) Who wouldnt like a surprise gift delivered to their door? Well, one local police department is warning residents if an unexpected present shows up on their doorstep it may be part of a scam. According to a post on the Akron Police Departments Facebook page, whats known as a brushing scam has been showing up in many states. The post explains, that the unexpected delivery will have a recipients address, but wont include the senders information. SEE IT: Dashcam shows 8-year-old driving to local Target When the recipient opens the package to see what it is and possibly who sent it, there is a QR code to scan to find out who sent the gift, said the post. Once the code is scanned, all the information from that phone will be sent to scammers. The Better Business Bureau has also issued a recent warning about the scam. The BBB warns that items can be delivered by well-known companies, like Amazon, but come from third-party sellers, often foreign companies. Examples of gifts have included a humidifier, a hand warmer, a flashlight, a Bluetooth speaker, and a computer vacuum cleaner. Often, the items received are lightweight and inexpensive to ship, such as ping pong balls, face masks, or seeds from China. reads the BBB warning. Ohio woman gets black and bloody vape juice removed The good news? Police say, you can keep the present or throw it away just dont scan the QR code. According to Amazons website, they have partnered with the BBB to help consumers identify scams and learn about suspicious communications reported by others. CLICK HERE to learn more about common Amazon scam trends. And, CLICK HERE to read more from the BBB regarding these unexpected gifts. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A new animal shelter is coming to Logan County, with a ceremonial groundbreaking set for the end of September. According to a social media post from the Logan County Sheriffs Office, the Dog Warden of Logan County is getting a new shelter and its a significant upgrade from the current facility that houses four temporary kennels. Hiring event announced for WPAFB positions Currently, there is no Humane Society in the county and few, if any, rescues. Dog Warden Jacob Boyd says they currently collaborate with other counties for adoptions. With the new facility, the goal is to keep Logan County dogs in Logan County. There will be 26 adoption kennels, three quarantine kennels and five temporary holding kennels, for a total of 34 kennels. Boyd says this project has been in the works since December, but the tornadoes that ripped through Logan County earlier in March reallocated funds to relief efforts. Still, Boyd says there is an absolute need for the facility and says hes grateful to officials for moving efforts forward. Animal Resource Center calls attention to dog licenses, microchips To support the construction and operation of the shelter, Logan County Commissioners have approved financial donations to be accepted through the Logan County Sheriffs Office BEHIND THE BADGE Volunteers, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations can be made in several ways, including: Cash Donations: Drop off at the Sheriffs Office, 284 County Road 32 S, Bellefontaine, OH 43311, during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Checks : Mail to the above address Credit Card Donations: Contact Pam Reames at 937-539-0403 or via email at pnp5us@icloud.com Kennel sponsorships are also available for $4,000. Included with that price is a lifetime acknowledgment of the sponsor. Each kennel comes with a 10-year warranty. Additional sponsorship opportunities will be announced at a later date. Preliminary design of the shelter (Photo: Dog Warden of Logan County) A public groundbreaking ceremony is set for Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. on the jail grounds. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 long will Myrtle Beachs short-term rental conversion freeze last? What we know The City of Myrtle Beach wants to ensure the area has enough hotel rooms, condos, and oceanfront homes to accommodate the massive surge of summer tourists who visit the area. The issue now concerns whether a recent city policy to protect this industry, expiring in early 2025, will be extended. In April 2024, the City of Myrtle Beach approved a temporary nine-month moratorium and pause on converting short-term rentals that allow occupants for less than 90 days into long-term units. The ban encompassed properties between the intersection of Highway 17 and Oceans Blvd. and Grande Dunes Blvd., which coincides with the Myrtle Beach oceanfront that constitutes much of the city and allows for short-term rental properties. The city approved the policy due to increased requests to convert short-term rentals for long-term use. To support its decision, the city cited a Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce statistic that claimed every 1,000 short-term rentals converted for long-term use would cause a $5.7 million loss in direct economic impact. With the moratorium close to being halfway over, the question becomes: What will the findings show? Would converting short-rentals and hotels into long-term dwellings and condos hurt the Myrtle Beach economy? The Yachtsman Resort is distinctive for its glass towers on the Myrtle Beach ocean front. Sept. 13, 2024. Whos studying Myrtle Beachs oceanfront rental market, and will the moratorium be extended? New City of Myrtle Beach Director of Public Information Meredith Denari said that the Greenville, S.C.-based firm Arnett Muldrow, which specializes in helping communities that want to rebuild their aging downtown, reinvigorate their historic neighborhoods, and create economic development opportunities, according to the companys website, is leading the fact-finding mission. In an emailed statement to The Sun News, Arnett Muldrow Partner Tripp Muldrow said the company would share its draft findings with the City Council in early October 2024. Ethical standards dictate that I share our draft findings first with our client (the City Council) prior to conversations with anyone else, He wrote. At that time, I will be more than happy to provide any clarification needed so your readers can understand the findings with the cooperation of the City Administration. While the analysis at the heart of the initial moratorium isnt public yet, its also unclear if the city will choose to extend it beyond the initial nine months of the original proposal. Denari said she didnt have an answer as to whether the moratorium would get renewed beyond January 2025 but said moratoriums usually dont get extended. Myrtle Beachs approach is also rather unique, as other cities and states take a more hostile posture towards short-term rentals. Several cities like Rock Hill, S.C. and Park Township, MI, have placed moratoriums on allowing short-term rentals, and the governor of Hawaii also known for its tourism economy supported proposed legislation to convert short-term rentals into housing for locals. When asked if the city had taken inspiration from another municipality for the policy, Denari said she didnt know. Denari added that the areas status as a destination for vacationers necessitated freezing any further plans by developers or property owners. As more people keep coming to the Grand Strand because its such a popular destination, specifically Myrtle Beach, we need those short-term rentals, She said. We cant afford for the ones in our current inventory to be converted to long-term, and thats why were doing this moratorium. The freeze has had an impact. Max Mellman, managing partner at Hybridge Capital Management, has said the moratorium affected his firm. Hybridge purchased the Sandcastle Oceanfront Resort in 2022 and The Yachtsman Resort in 2024 in Myrtle Beach. While the Sandcastle is converting into a premium brand hotel, Mellman said the moratorium impacted his firms plans for their properties. He added that the firm wanted to convert the Yachtsman condos into long-term units and considered having an affordable housing option at Sandcastle before ultimately scheduling it for a renovation and transformation into a Voco by IHG. However, the moratorium halted those plans. The Yachtsman Resort, left, is distinctive for its glass towers on the Myrtle Beach ocean front. In 2024 the City of Myrtle Beach halted converting short-term rentals and hotels near the ocean into long-term rentals Sept. 13, 2024. Sept. 13, 2024. You have a slew of hotels that are that need renovation, he said in an interview with The Sun News. These business owners need a way to salvage their transactions, and the only way to do so is through housing, and getting people to move to Myrtle will stimulate the economy. So its a win, win. Mellman said he understands the citys position and wants to avoid a domino effect where thousands of short-term rentals and hotels leave the market. However, he said that older properties or independently run ones turning into long-term housing complexes would benefit local business owners in the Grand Strand and allow more people to live on the beach. Mellman added hes supportive of the current city government but that many hoteliers wont convert their properties especially branded or franchised locations leading to the feared chain reaction scenario. Getting people to move to Myrtle Beach is essential for the growth. I know they have goals for housing. We were trying to solve that, Mellman added. We understand the rationale why because they think (converting short-term rentals to long-term ones) will take dollars away from the city, but in the long run, itll really help. How many hotel rooms and short-term rentals are in the Myrtle Beach area? One statistic stands out if you visit the Myrtle Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau website and scroll to the industry research page. The Myrtle Beach area has 157,000 room units including hotels, condos and other rentals available for visitors, which, according to the CVB, is on par with Las Vegas. On its website, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority states that Sin City has more than 156,000 hotel rooms alone. The large supply of rooms and units highlights the clear need for these rooms to accommodate visitors, as the Grand Strand receives more than 17 million visitors a year. This vacationer-backed short-term rental economy also benefits the local government. The City of Myrtle Beach generates revenue through visitors staying in short-term rentals via a state accommodation tax and local hospitality tax. This short-term rental supply includes many listings on Airbnb and VRBO. The short-term rental data tracking firm AirDNA reports almost 33,000 short-term rental listings on Airbnb VRBO or both in Myrtle Beach compared to more than 24,000 in Las Vegas, almost 22,000 in Panama City, Fla. and less than 14,000 in Daytona, Fla. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A payroll manager at the Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis is accused of embezzling nearly $82,000 from the company. Denise Curry, 43, was charged with theft of property and released from jail Monday on a $20,000 bond. According to police, Curry had worked for the Peabody for 22 years and walked off the job in late July when confronted about the missing money. Hotel administrators said Curry exited the building, leaving behind her purse and other belongings, and never returned. Cordova convenience store robbed, shot fired MPD said the Peabody Hotel began its investigation of Curry when administrators discovered a $24,000 deposit from 1/22/2024 was missing. Detectives said employees also learned that Curry placed two change orders with the bank for $10,000 each in April and never returned the money to the bank. Peabody Hotel workers said over $21,000 was missing from Currys Office vault, and $16,000 was missing from another bank deposit. The hotel suffered a loss of $81,841.25. WREG contacted the Peabody Hotel, but so far no one is commenting on Currys arrest. Curry is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. U.S. colleges tighten protest rules amid pressure Xinhua) 09:00, September 17, 2024 Police officers detain a pro-Palestinian protester in the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), in Los Angeles, California, the United States, on June 10, 2024. (Xinhua) These changes come in the wake of the widespread pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the spring semester, which called for universities to disclose and divest from financial ties to Israel. SACRAMENTO, the United States, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- As students return to campuses across the United States this fall, many universities have implemented new policies aimed at restricting protest activities, which critics say has a chilling effect on both students and faculty. The new wave of administrative policies include encampment bans, severe restrictions on when or how demonstrations may occur, and suspensions of student organizations. Expanded conduct rules and harsher sanctions for violations often go together with these measures. For instance, Case Western Reserve University now requires administration approval for protests, while Rutgers University demands protesters obtain permits. Indiana University bans "expressive activity" between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. University of California and California State University systems prohibit encampments and the use of masks to "conceal identity" across their 33 campuses. New York University takes a controversial step by unveiling new student conduct policies prohibiting criticism of Zionism. These changes come in the wake of the widespread pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the spring semester, which called for universities to disclose and divest from financial ties to Israel. Palestine Legal, a civil rights organization, reported that throughout the spring of 2024, universities experienced levels of student protest reminiscent of the Vietnam anti-war and South African anti-apartheid eras. In response, university administrators called in law enforcement to arrest more than 3,000 students, professors, and solidarity activists on more than 80 campuses. Academic workers protest at the University of California (UC), Irvine in Orange County, California, the United States, on June 5, 2024. (Xinhua) These policy changes also come amid significant pressure from pro-Israel groups and lawmakers. U.S. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, a Republican from North Carolina and chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, has demanded information from some universities about their plans to prevent disruptions, antisemitic harassment, and intimidation on campus this fall, according to The Washington Post. Adam Lehman, president and chief executive of the Jewish campus organization Hillel International, has encouraged universities to be more proactive this school year, putting in place bias-reporting procedures that are inclusive of and responsive to Jewish student complaints. The U.S. Department of Education has also contributed to this shift. From Oct. 7, 2023 to this May, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the department opened 137 investigations into antisemitism and Islamophobia at universities and K-12 school districts. The office has admonished colleges for not having clear policies to assess and respond to reports of discrimination. However, these policy changes have faced significant criticism from civil rights organizations and academic groups. The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has condemned the new wave of administrative policies as "broadly chill students and faculty from engaging in protests." The AAUP argues that many of these policies are being imposed with little to no faculty input, bypassing the central role of elected faculty bodies in university governance. Palestine Legal cautions that while these rules have been instituted to target speech critical of Israel, they can be used to prevent students from speaking out about other issues as well, such as climate change and police violence. The organization said it is working to ensure that students know their rights in this rapidly changing environment and have support if they face repression. Academic workers protest at the University of California (UC), Los Angeles, in Los Angeles, California, the United States, on May 28, 2024. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua) Edward Ahmed Mitchell, deputy director at the Council on American-Islamic Relations, urges universities to respect the rights of all students and avoid repeating the "heavy-handed enforcement" seen in spring. "If they give students room to protest peacefully, and if they engage with students respectfully about their demands, then we can see a much more civil discussion on college campuses this fall," Mitchell said. At Columbia University, the school year began with the New York Police Department arresting student picketers demanding divestment on the first day of classes. At University of Michigan, four people were arrested, and two were hospitalized after police reportedly slammed students on the ground during a peaceful die-in demonstration. Despite these new restrictions, campus pro-Palestinian activism has shown no signs of abating. National Students for Justice in Palestine has called for a "day of action" on campuses, declaring, "University repression will not stop us. Draconian speech codes will not stop us." (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Zhong Wenxing) EMPOWERgmatVerbal Hello Everyone! Let's tackle this question, one thing at a time, and narrow down our options quickly so we know how to answer questions like this when they pop up on the GMAT! To begin, let's take a quick look at the question and highlight any major differences between the options in orange : The company's CEO backed away from her plan for dividing the firm into five parts, saying that she still had meant to spin off or sell two units but that the company would retain ownership of two others as well as the core company. A) plan for dividing the firm into five parts, saying that she still had meant B) plan that was to divide the firm into five parts, and she said that she still would mean C) plan to divide the firm into five parts, saying that she still meant D) planning on dividing the firm into five parts, and saying that she meant still E) planning to divide the firm into five parts, and she said that she meant still After a quick glance over the options, there are a few areas we can focus on to narrow down our choices: 1. for dividing / to divide / on dividing (Idioms) 2. saying / and she said / and saying (Wordiness) 3. had meant / would mean / meant / meat still (Verb Form) Lets start with #1 on our list, which is an idiom issue. On the GMAT, the proper idiom format here is plan to X or planning to X. Other forms of this are considered incorrect, and should be eliminated: A) plan for dividing the firm into five parts, saying that she still had meant B) plan that was to divide the firm into five parts, and she said that she still would mean C) plan to divide the firm into five parts, saying that she still meant D) planning on dividing the firm into five parts, and saying that she meant still E) planning to divide the firm into five parts, and she said that she meant still We can eliminate options A & D because they dont follow the proper idiom format. Now that we have it narrowed down to only 3 options, lets look at each one more carefully. We need to make sure they are not overly wordy, and we also need to make sure the verb used at the end conveys the intended meaning clearly: B) plan that was to divide the firm into five parts, and she said that she still would mean This is INCORRECT for a couple reasons. First, the phrases that was to divide and and she said are overly wordy. Option C handles both of these more concisely without changing meaning. Second, the future tense would mean doesnt fit the intended meaning here. The events of the sentence happened in the past, and they need to stay in the past. C) plan to divide the firm into five parts, saying that she still meant This is our CORRECT option! It is concise, keeps the intended meaning, and uses a clear past tense verb! E) planning to divide the firm into five parts, and she said that she meant still This one is INCORRECT for a few reasons. First, the gerund planning doesnt work here - its much clearer to use the noun plan to refer to the CEOs actual plan, and not the action of planning something. Second, the phrase and she said is overly wordy compared to using saying instead. Third, the adverb still needs to be BEFORE the verb its modifying, which in this case is meant. There you have it - option C is our winner! By eliminating idiom problems early, we narrowed down our options quickly and gave ourselves more time to focus on the more complex grammar issues! Dont study for the GMAT. Train for it. ' , verb +ing' modifier - ' , saying' Lord Mandelson has promised warmer UK relations with China, claiming that Sir Keir Starmer wont freeze out the country like the former Conservative administration did. The Labour grandee, the former business secretary under Gordon Brown and the architect of the partys election landslide in 1997, said the Government will do a much better job of maintaining proper channels of communication with the Asian superpower. Of the former Conservative government, he said: It was in danger of operating a boycott of Hong Kong and the necessary communication that Britain needs to maintain with China. And thats what is going to change under the new government. The British Government wants to, in time, recreate the strategic dialogue that Britain has had with China in the past, Lord Mandelson said in an interview with Bloomberg. The peer, who co-founded the political consultancy Global Counsel, said at an event at the University of Hong Kong on Monday that it was time for both sides to stop throwing mud at one another. He added that Labour has decided that it wants to engage with China after many years of a very poor, deteriorating relationship and I hope that China will reciprocate in that re-engagement. Sir Keir held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping last month, saying he was hopeful for frank, open and honest talks on areas of disagreement. Relations with China have soured since the time when David Camerons administration celebrated the start of a golden era in UK-China relations during his time in Downing Street. Warm UK-China relations appeared to peak in 2015 when the now Lord Cameron took Mr Xi for a pint of ale and fish and chips at his local Oxfordshire pub during a visit by the Chinese leader. However Lord Cameron this year accused Hong Kong police of posing a threat to our democracy and fundamental human rights. Rishi Sunaks government had also committed in the Tory manifesto to effectively categorise China as a hostile state. An authoritarian crackdown on Hong Kong by Beijing in 2020 triggered a backlash among Western politicians, causing many to flee the former British colony after it criminalised anti-government movements and inhibited free speech. Businesses also moved staff out of the region and shifted investment to nearby hubs such as Singapore. Despite Lord Mandelsons call for better relations, he sounded a note of caution for businesses that could be caught up in rising tensions between the West and China. He said: You can operate your business in both the American and Chinese economies, but inevitably youve got to be mindful of any downside risks of doing so. China sceptics have called for Downing Street to formally shift its diplomatic stance to reflect concerns around security, surveillance and human rights abuses. However, last month Baroness Chapman, a Foreign Office minister in the Lords, said the Government will cooperate with China where we can, including on global net zero, health and trade, compete where we have different interests, and challenge where we must. Chinese president Xi Jinping in August urged Sir Keir to take a long-term and strategic view of their relationship and work more closely, in a phone call reported by state broadcaster CCTV. Mr Xi said: China is willing to carry out dialogue on an equal footing with the British side on the basis of mutual respect, understanding and trust to make mutual benefit and win-win cooperation the main keynotes of China-UK relations. Lord Mandelson, Sir Tony Blairs former spin doctor who was dubbed the Prince of Darkness during the New Labour years, informally advised Sir Keir when he was leader of the opposition. He has argued that the UKs re-engagement with China should be conditional on Beijings condemnation of Russias war against Ukraine. He said: It hangs like a cloud, frankly, over Chinas relationship with the whole of Europe. We would want to see China taking a more responsible approach to that conflict. 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. Lorena, Tx (FOX44) Students at all Lorena ISD campuses were sent home at ten oclock Tuesday morning after smoke or the smell of smoke had been detected in multiple areas. Lorena police said they had received reports of smoke at the middle school and the high school early in the day. all students were evacuated and accounted for and reported safe. First responders began an investigation and after assessing the situation determined the source of the smoke appeared to be from an air conditioner blower motor. There was later a report of th odor of smoke at the primary school with evacuations then begun there. Parents were notified that they could pick up high school and middle school students by meeting at Mr Woody Lane and Williams road with school officials assisting arriving parents in picking up their children. Primary and elementary school students were picked up at their usual early release points. The investigation into the smoke and odor sources were continuing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. 'Lost Species' that Eluded 'Documentation for 55 Years' Is Finally Photographed on an Island The last documented New Britain Goshawk sighting was in 1969 WWF-Pacific / Tom Vierus New Britain Goshawk Over half a century after its last sighting, a "lost species" of bird has been foundand this time, there is photographic evidence. On Sept. 13, the World Wildlife Fund reported that a New Britain Goshawk was photographed in Papua New Guinea. Tom Vierus, a photographer from Fiji, captured the rare bird with his camera in the Nakanai Mountains. "I was on a scoping trip with WWF in Pomio [eastern New Britain], with three members of the local community guiding us through the forest, so we could better understand the presence of species," Vierus shared in a WWF release. He had been on a trip with WWF in March when he documented the New Britain Goshawk. "I photographed several bird species, including the New Britain Goshawk, but wasn't aware of the significance at the time," the photographer added. The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species categorizes the bird as vulnerable, a step above endangered. As of 2016, there are an estimated 2,500-9,999 "mature individuals." WWF-Pacific / Tom Vierus New Britain Goshawk Related: Rare Bright Pink Bird Spotted in Wisconsin for the First Time in 178 Years John Mittermeier, the director of the Search for Lost Birds at American Bird Conservancy, told WWF that the last time someone documented an observation of the New Britain Goshawk was in 1969. This documentation, which doesn't include photos, is kept at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Otherwise, Mittermeier noted that the bird has "eluded photo, sound, and specimen documentation for 55 years. " 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. After the 2024 New Britain Goshawk sighting, the local government asked the WWF to expand its conservation efforts for Papua New Guinea wildlife to Pomio in East New Britain. "It was such a great surprise to hear that this photo seems to be the first-ever of this 'lost species!' It is wonderful to see how conservation photography can help in safeguarding areas by documenting the existing biodiversity and also a good reminder of how important visual storytelling is," Vierus said of his New Britain Goshawk photo. Related: Texas State Park Uncovers Identity of 'Mystery Animal' After Asking Internet for Help Martha Eimba, the Pomio landscape manager of WWF-Papua New Guinea, said that the WWF has "begun a process of collaboration to understand the threats, livelihood opportunities, and social contexts" to protect Papua New Guinea's rare species and create a conservation program. This isn't the first time a species has been rediscovered in Papua New Guinea, which has the "third-largest intact tropical rainforest in the world." In 2022, a rare pigeon species was photographed, marking the first time a human documented the bird in 140 years. Mittermeier called the documentation of the black-naped pheasant pigeon "the kind of moment you dream about your entire life as a conservationist and birdwatcher." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Brandon Joseph Lavergne, who is incarcerated at the Lafourche Parish jail, helps clear trees after Hurricane Francine. (Photo by Julie O'Donoghue/Louisiana Illuminator) In the week after Hurricane Ida, when an enormous generator powering Lafourche Parishs 675-person jail threatened to overheat and shut down, Sheriff Craig Webre turned to an unexpected place for help. He asked one of the incarcerated people, George Robichaux, if he could keep it going. In his early 40s, Robichaux has been in and out of the jail for the past 10 years, most recently for theft. Hes also a bit of a mechanical wizard, Webre said, the type of person who can seemingly fix anything. The sheriffs instincts about Robichaux turned out to be right. After calling around to find a spare fan belt in Thibodaux, Robichaux was able to revive the generator, which he described as big enough to power half of Lafourche, to run for several more months. The solution turned out to be a blessing. For one, Hurricane Ida knocked out power across much of the parish for weeks in the fall of 2021. The replacement part for the car-sized generator, which had to come from France, also didnt arrive for another six months. Im from here. Everyone knows Im a mechanic, Robichaux said Thursday, the day after Hurricane Francine made landfall. I learned a lot of it from my dad and grandpa. As he talked to a reporter, Robichaux replaced a headlight on a sheriffs office van used to transport incarcerated people. He had also repaired chainsaws and smaller generators that day to help with storm recovery. . Francine wasnt as destructive as Ida had been, but large swaths of Lafourche still lost power Wednesday. Jail work crews made up of incarcerated people were busy clearing downed trees from the roads Thursday. In Louisiana, everyone pitches in to help out after a hurricane, even people who are usually behind bars. I would much rather do this than be locked in a cell all day, Robichaux said. George Robichaux, who is incarcerated at the Lafourche Parish jail, repairs a jail van that transports inmates. (Photo by Julie ODonoghue/Illuminator) Incarcerated natural disaster response Louisiana is certainly not the only place in America where prisoners respond to natural disasters. Several other states, most famously California, use incarcerated people to contain wildfires, for example. By 2020, most states in the country had government emergency response plans that relied partly on incarcerated labor to deal with a crisis, according to research done from Texas A&M. But Louisiana sets itself apart in two ways. It has the highest per capita incarceration rate in the country, meaning there are more prisoners per person here than anywhere else, and it is one of the most hurricane-prone states in America. The opportunities to use cheap, inmate labor for natural disaster response are particularly abundant here. Incarcerated people housed at Louisianas nine state prisons are, in general, convicted of more serious crimes and do not leave their facilities to help with hurricane recovery. They often contribute by filling sandbags on site. State inmates, mostly at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in St. Gabriel, filled 16,000 sandbags ahead of Francine that were transferred to the National Guard for distribution to the public, prison system spokesman Ken Pastorick said last week. But unlike any other state, most of Louisianas 28,000 state inmates arent staying in state prisons. About 15,000 are in local jails, where sheriffs can put them on public-facing work crews after a natural disaster. Its very common for many sheriffs, Webre said. Lafourches neighbor, Terrebonne Parish, uses incarcerated people in a similar way to clean up after a hurricane, a spokesman said last week, but at least two of the larger jails in the state do not. Orleans and Jefferson parishes dont have space in their local correctional facilities to house state prisoners for that type of work, according to representatives of the sheriffs who run them. Those facilities are overcrowded with pre-trial detainees who havent been convicted of crimes and arent sentenced to hard labor yet. People in that position are almost never put on a work crew. In Lafourche, Webre has room to hold state inmates and uses 35 to 40 incarcerated people in his custody as trusties, who work regular jobs. They start out inside the correctional center in a position like a cook or janitor. Those who are well-behaved can eventually start working in public outside the facility if they want, assuming they havent been convicted of a sex offense or a very violent crime, Webre said. It benefits the community at large, he said. People are breathing fresh air and getting exercise. The trusties typically clean parish government buildings and grounds, cut grass and set up for major events such as Mardi Gras parades. Last week after Francine, trusties helped stack sandbags to prevent flooding and used power tools to hack through fallen foliage blocking roadways. I wanted to be a trusty, so Im not in the jail all day, said Kevin Cox, who is on one of the work crews that helps remove branches from the road. Jail records show Cox is being held for a parole violation and as a felon found in possession of a firearm. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Pay for incarcerated work On the outskirts of Thibodaux, inmate Brandon Joseph Lavergne scrambled up a felled tree Thursday and straddled the trunk while taking a chainsaw to its larger limbs. Lavergne, who was arrested in 2019, became a trusty 15 months ago. Before he ever went to jail, he knew his way around a chainsaw and chopping through trees. His dad owned a tree service when he was growing up. Ive been doing this since I was 12 years old, Lavergne said after jumping down from the tree. Not everyone has Lavergnes experience, however. Advocates for incarcerated people have objected to the dangers of prison labor jobs in general. Civil rights attorneys are suing the state prison system for allegedly forcing inmates at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola to work in agricultural fields in unreasonably hot weather without enough breaks. In California, incarcerated firefighters have been injured more often than their professional, civilian counterparts, according to Time magazine. Brandon Joseph Lavergne uses a chainsaw to cut up a tree in Lafourche Parish after Hurricane Francine. Lavergne and the other members of his work crew are incarcerated at the Lafourche Parish jail. (Photo by Julie ODonoghue/Illuminator) In Lafourche, the trusties arent working on a farm or in a job as dangerous as containing a wildfire, but they also arent paid money for their work. Webre said he provides compensation in other ways. All trusties get 20 minutes of free telephone calls instead of 10 minutes like a regular inmate or detainee. They also get to stay in the common area later in the day and more television time. The jail also provides trusties a higher spending limit at the commissary, where they can buy snacks and personal items such as toothpaste. Incarcerated people who are under the sheriffs authority generally those convicted of less serious offenses can also shorten their sentences by becoming a trusty. Webre gives them one day off their sentence for every day of trusty work. Instead of doing nothing but watching TV and talking on the phone in a safe and secure facility, you are in sweltering heat cutting trees, Webre said. I think, to me, it speaks for itself. People should be rewarded for doing things that they are not required to do. You are teaching people who have violated the law that if you follow rules and be productive, you can be rewarded for that, he said. The sheriff cannot shorten the sentences of state inmates under his watch, even if they work as trusties in his jail. Their earned time off is based on a separate set of rules outside his control. Advocates for incarcerated people would like to see people earn some money while they serve time, regardless of the privileges put on the table, and especially if they are working a difficult job. Leaving prison without any startup cash makes it hard for people to stay away from criminal activity when they are first released, according to advocates. Why not give people $10 or $15 per day? You cant find a few hundred dollars to help these folks out? said Bruce Reilly, from Voice of the Experienced (VOTE) in New Orleans. The advocacy organization for incarcerated people is run by people whove spent time in prison. That $1,000 the day you have when you get out of prison is probably more valuable than having $50,000 a year later, Reilly said. Yet even without pay, people are eager to be trusties in Lafourche Parish, a sentiment Reilly said he personally understands. I imagine that most of them probably have some family members in the area and are concerned about them as anybody else would be, he said. Reilly served time in prison outside of Louisiana in the Northeast and recalls volunteering to shovel snow in the middle of the night just to be able to go outside to see the moon. Its often better than sitting in a cell, he said. Two things can be true at one time. There could be exploitation happening and [the incarcerated person] could be finding the benefits of that exploitation, Reilly said. Kevin Cox, who is incarcerated at the Lafourche Parish jail, helped clear trees after Hurricane Francine. (Photo by Julie ODonoghue/Illuminator) Lukashenko claims to have made arrangement with Ukraine not to cover drones flying into Belarus Self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said that he supposedly made an arrangement with Ukrainians not to "expose" the facts of drones flying into the territory of Belarus. Source: BelTA, a Belarusian state-owned news outlet, with reference to a statement by Lukashenko Quote: "I have to tell you openly: we have made an arrangement through channels with Ukrainians that we will not cover the facts of drones, both Russian and Ukrainian, entering our territory in the media. Because both of them are flying these drones poorly. Firstly, they are new to them. And secondly, there are electronic warfare systems that throw drones off course. We found one of them near Babruysk, in the centre of Belarus. And it was a Ukrainian drone, not a Russian one. Although it happens on the other side, too. We have an agreement." Details: Lukashenko claimed that "Americans told Kyiv, under certain circumstances, to attack Belarus infrastructure on its southern border". Nevertheless, Lukashenko decided to warn his "opponents" that an attack on his country "would mean World War III". Support UP or become our patron! HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) Hundreds of thousands of Americans will receive a lung cancer diagnosis this year. Alabamas five-year survival rate is trailing the rest of the county. 21.3% of lung cancer patients survive five years past their diagnosis compared to the national average of 26.6%, according to the American Lung Association. Click here to see all of our wellness stories Though often associated with a lifelong smoking habit, many non-smokers are diagnosed with lung cancer. They suspected lung cancer, said lung cancer awareness advocate Matthew Koebbe. We did a biopsy, and confirmed that, yes, it was lung cancer. Koebbe was diagnosed with non-smokers lung cancer in 2018. He said the cancer was identified by accident, found by his doctors while he was being monitored for another condition. They removed my upper right lobe, a lobectomy, but they missed a few cells, so I had 33 rounds of radiation, Koebbe said. It also had spread to a lymphoid, so I had four rounds of chemo as well. After his diagnosis, Koebbe said he began looking for information about the condition, and this search for data, treatment options and doctors led him to advocacy work. Get breaking news, traffic and weather alerts directly to your smartphone. Download the News 19 App Alabama is one of six states where Medicaid does not cover prescreening, Koebbe said. Prescreening helps catch early-stage lung cancer, increasing survivability rates. You have to do a CT scan, Koebbe said. You cant do a self-lung exam in shower for example. Thats part of the reason the survival rates are low I think. Its hard to detect. Though Koebbe said he hopes to see more prescreening coverage in Alabama in the future, many older adults and previous and current smokers qualify for the service now. The United States Preventative Services Taskforces (USPSTF) recommendations for prescreening are below: 50-80 years old Have at least a 20-pack-year smoking history (one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years) Are currently smoking or quit within the past 15 years Local fire department continues 15-year breast cancer fundraiser At Crestwood Medical Center, LDCT lung screening exams are covered by Medicare and private insurance if the patient meets the following criteria: Between the ages of 55-80 years of age (55-77 for Medicare; 55-80 for private insurance) Be asymptomatic (no signs or symptoms of lung cancer) Have a tobacco smoking history of 20 pack-years* (or more). Discuss this with your physician. Be a current smoker or one who has quit smoking within the last 15 years Have a written order from your physician/provider for lung cancer screening with LDCT that meets the requirements. As for Clearview Cancer Institute, screening is available for people who: Are 50-80 years old Currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years Have at least a 20 pack year hsitory The Huntsville Hospital patient criteria for a low-dose CT scan of the chest: Age 55-77 30+ pack year history (pack year history = packs smoked per day x years smoked) Active smoker within the past 15 years No signs or symptoms of lung cancer Outpatient Diagnostic Center (Huntsville, Madison, Decatur and Athens) has CT Lung Screening for high-risk people who meet the following criteria: Are age 50 or older who currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years Have a smoking history that is the equivalent of 1 pack/day for 20 years Have experienced asbestos exposure or have obstructive airway disease Have a smoking history and additional risk factors such as radon exposure, occupational exposures, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis Are not experiencing symptoms related to lung cancer If you find yourself facing a diagnosis, Koebbe said you should talk to your oncologist. He said you should make sure to find a doctor you trust and are comfortable asking questions and seeking out a second opinion when possible. Koebbe encourages seeking out information, but be careful of the source. Travis Manion Foundation hosts 9/11 Heroes Run at Toyota Field Please do not go to Doctors Google, YouTube, Twitter or TikTok, Koebbe said. If youre looking for factual information go to lungevity.org. Koebbe said he understands the shock of a cancer diagnosis, but new developments are made all the time. Lung cancer is no longer a death sentence, Koebbe said. I was first diagnosed six and a half years ago. At this conference I just came from, we had a PRA luncheon and I met a 22 year survivor and a 16 year survivor. For those concerned about environmental risks that could cause lung cancer, Koebbe recommends using a radon detector in your home. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. The Alabama Department of Public Health reports several North Alabama counties, including Lawrence, Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Limestone, Morgan, Madison and Jackson, have the highest potential for elevated radon levels. You can purchase a one-time test kit or multi-use detector online. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. On Sunday, Donald Trump was targeted in an apparent assassination attempt. Less than 24 hours after the alleged would-be shooter was taken into custody, the Republican told Fox News Digital why the suspect targeted him: Ryan Wesley Routh believed Democratic rhetoric, Trump argued, about the former president posing a threat to democracy. There were all kinds of problems with the claim, including the disconnect between the message and the messenger: Trump routinely accuses people and entities of being threats to democracy the same phrase he now considers too incendiary to be repeated. The GOP nominee, just over the last few months, has told the public that President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and even The New York Times should all be seen as a threat to democracy. The former president didnt literally say that people should stop using the phrase that I use all of the time, but that seemed to be the gist of his position. Hours later, his running mate confronted a similar problem. HuffPost reported: Speaking after another apparent attempt on Trumps life, [Ohio Sen. JD] Vance called for a reduction in the ridiculous and inflammatory political rhetoric. ... We cannot tell the American people that one candidate is a fascist, and if hes elected, it is gonna be the end of American democracy, he insisted. One of these days, Vance is going to meet his running mate, and theyll probably have a fascinating conversation. We cannot tell the American people that one candidate is a fascist? OK, but Trump tells the American people that one candidate is a fascist with surprising regularity. As recently as July, Trump described the Biden administration as a fascist government, as his campaign operation issued a fundraising appeal asserting as fact that President Joe Biden is a threat to democracy. Two weeks earlier, the former president wrote on his social media platform, JOE BIDEN IS A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY, AND A THREAT TO THE SURVIVAL AND EXISTENCE OF OUR COUNTRY ITSELF!!! The hysterical missive dovetailed with months of rhetoric in which Trump has told voters that the United States would likely cease to exist if he loses. The incumbent president, of course, is no longer seeking a second term, but after Biden passed the torch, Trump decided that Harris is a fascist, too. In fact, just 11 days before Vance declared, We cannot tell the American people that one candidate is a fascist, his running mate told voters that the vice president has embraced fascism. A few days later, Trump went on to insist that Harris is a radical left Marxist communist fascist. That was kind of hilarious that combination of ideologies is literally not possible and this was a timely reminder that the former president uses words without knowing what they mean, but it was also fresh evidence that Trump loves to throw around the fascist label. In case that werent quite enough, a day earlier, the former president wrote on his social media platform that he considers his critics to be Fascists. (He continues to capitalize words he finds interesting without regard for grammatical rules.) Evidently, the Trump campaign believes its simply a bridge too far to tell voters that one candidate is a fascist except when Trump does it, at which point its fine. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Up until fairly recently, Donald Trump made little effort to hide his skepticism of cryptocurrencies. For years, the Republican called them a disaster waiting to happen, adding that as far as he was concerned, Bitcoin seemed like a scam. When it came to crypto, the former president said he was not a fan, adding, Unregulated Crypto Assets can facilitate unlawful behavior, including drug trade and other illegal activity. The GOP candidate then started having chats with prospective donors at Mar-a-Lago, and wouldnt you know it, Trumps position started to evolve. For much of 2024, the Republican nominee appeared to see an electoral opportunity: By flip-flopping on the issue, Trump could pick up support and campaign contributions from some of the industrys wealthiest players. It was only a matter of time, however, before the former president realized that he, too, could try to make a few bucks for himself by way of a crypto gambit of his own. Evidently, that time is now. The New York Times reported: A day after an apparent assassination attempt against former President Donald J. Trump, he appeared on a livestream on Monday to champion his latest business venture: cryptocurrencies. Crypto is one of those things we have to do, Mr. Trump said on X. Whether we like it or not, I have to do it. I can imagine why some will see this news and simply roll their eyes, but dont click away too quickly, because this is a story with several surprisingly interesting angles. First, theres the dramatic reversal. The same guy who saw crypto as a disaster waiting to happen apparently now sees crypto as a money-making opportunity that he "has" to pursue. Second, those looking to Trump to explain his new venture are going to be disappointed. As an Associated Press report noted, the candidate did not discuss specifics about World Liberty Financial on Monday or how it would work. Thats true. In fact, when offered an opportunity to elaborate on his latest business opportunity, the former president appeared quite clueless and quickly changed the subject. Third, Trump has chosen a curious group of business partners. The Times report noted that the Republicans team includes two little-known crypto entrepreneurs with no experience running a high-profile business. The article added, On the livestream, he did not address the project directly, leaving the details to the two entrepreneurs, Chase Herro and Zachary Folkman. Mr. Herro has described himself as the dirtbag of the internet, while Mr. Folkman used to teach classes on how to seduce women. Fourth, even Trumps allies believe hes on the wrong track. Politico recently quoted Nic Carter, a Trump supporter who is a founding partner at a crypto-focused venture capital firm, who said, in reference to the former presidents new venture, This is a huge mistake. It looks like Trumps inner circle is just cashing in on his recent embrace of crypto in a kind of naive way, and frankly it looks like theyre burning a lot of the good will thats been built with the industry so far. But even if we put all of that aside, its worth dwelling on the fact that Trump keeps careening from one money-making scheme to another. Some might be tempted to see the Republican nominees latest gambit and think hes trying to raise money for his campaign. Hes not. This crypto venture is wholly unrelated to his 2024 political operation. And that, in and of itself, is extraordinary. The Times report added, Its highly unusual for a presidential candidate to embark on a new business just weeks before Election Day. Thats true, though its understating matters: Theres simply no precedent in the American tradition for a White House hopeful making provocative private-sector moves like these during a campaign. The crypto gambit comes on the heels of Trump selling batches of digital trading cards, which made the candidate look like a two-bit carnival huckster, but which was also part of a larger pattern. It includes the gold sneakers. And the Trump-endorsed Bible. And the fake university. And the board game. And the steaks. Were talking about a politician who appears to meander from one get-rich-quick opportunity to the next, without much regard for merit or dignity. Its not a secret that the Republicans finances are a mess, and a recent Washington Post analysis added, He is in a cash crunch personally and politically and has been unafraid throughout his career to put the Trump name on anything that might yield a stream of revenue. That analysis was published in March. The problem is considerably worse now. When it comes to someone seeking the highest office of a global superpower, thats ... not ideal. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com The day after an apparent assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump, Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama said they are trying to kill the former president. Hours later, Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance used the same word, saying that they were responsible for targeting his running mate. Its a line the Ohio senator has used before. Last month, while introducing Trump at a rally in North Carolina, Vance declared: They tried to kill him. A month earlier, as GOP members of Congress said they were to blame for the Pennsylvania assassination attempt, retired wrestler Hulk Hogan ripped his shirt off during a Republican National Convention speech, while declaring that they took a shot at the former president. He added that they have thrown everything at Donald Trump. At the same party gathering, Gov. Kristi Noem delivered similar remarks. Theyve attacked his reputation, the South Dakota Republican said, referring to Trump. They impeached him. They tried to bankrupt him, and they unjustly prosecuted him Who, one might ask, is they? Republicans never quite get around to identifying this mysterious villain which is an underappreciated problem. Axios published a memorable report along these lines during the Republican National Convention, highlighting the partys focus on its mysterious enemy. To Trump supporters speaking here, they are responsible for Trumps convictions in New York, his federal indictments, his multimillion-dollar fines in civil lawsuits, record illegal border crossings and even the attempt to assassinate Trump last weekend. In Trumps MAGA world, exactly who they are usually isnt defined. But its typically some combination of Democrats, the federal government, what the former presidents supporters call media elites, and other shadowy forces. The report added, Its all an escalation of the GOPs rhetoric about elitist forces working behind the scenes to take down Trump, whose political identity is partly rooted in playing a victim whos seeking retribution. As it relates to the apparent assassinations attempts, theres no need to think they are responsible, because we know who they are. In July, a man named Thomas Crooks a registered Republican appears to have shot at the former president during a rally in Pennsylvania. Two months later, another man, Ryan Wesley Routh a former Trump supporter also apparently intended to do the candidate harm. It wasnt some amorphous they who targeted Trump. The available evidence suggests Crooks and Routh did. But in Republican politics, it appears these details are insufficient. The party wants its base to believe that it wasnt just two men who put the former president in danger, rather it was a larger and broader enemy who deserve the partys contempt. No good can come of this. The more Trumps supporters believe they are capable of endless misdeeds up to and including trying to murder a presidential candidate the scarier the political conditions become. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com It was nearly a month ago when Donald Trump, apropos of nothing, published a one-sentence missive to his social media platform. The Republican Party is charging forward on many fronts, the former president wrote, and I am very proud that we are a LEADER on I.V.F. No one was altogether sure what he was talking about especially given how many of his allies on the right are routinely opposed to IVF though the GOP candidate added some clarity six days later. In an interview with NBC News, Trump said hed have either the government or private insurance companies cover the cost of IVF treatments for American women who need it. It was a strange announcement for a variety of reasons, and for reproductive rights advocates, the unexpected vow was difficult to take seriously. But the White House candidates declaration Trump not only supports IVF, he claims it should be free also gave Senate Democrats an idea. If the Republican Partys dominant leader is going to tell voters that the GOP is helping lead the way of IVF, then maybe Senate Republicans might reconsider their opposition to the Right to IVF Act, which Trump effectively endorsed online? GOP senator rejected this same bill in June, but the former president inspired Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to give his opponents on the other side of the aisle a second try. To the surprise of no one, Republicans the ones voters are apparently supposed to see as leaders on IVF rejected the legislation again. NBC News reported: For the second time in four months, Senate Democrats forced a vote on the Right To IVF Act, only to be blocked by Republicans who called it unnecessary and politically motivated as Vice President Kamala Harris seeks to make access to in vitro fertilization a 2024 campaign issue. The legislation was written by three Senate Democrats Washingtons Patty Murray, Illinois Tammy Duckworth and New Jerseys Cory Booker and it would prohibit states from imposing restrictions on the treatments, while also making IVF more affordable. Two Republican senators Alaskas Lisa Murkowski and Maines Susan Collins voted with the Democratic majority in the latest procedural vote, but every other GOP member balked. The final tally was 51 to 44, with some senators missing the vote. To advance, proponents needed 60 votes, and they obviously didnt come especially close. Republicans vote to block the Right to IVF Act pic.twitter.com/qzgpjTDKsM Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) September 17, 2024 If these circumstances sound at all familiar, its not your imagination. In late February, Duckworth sought unanimous consent a procedural move designed to help quickly advance uncontroversial measures on the Access to Family Building Act, which would create legal protections for IVF at the national level. It also failed in response to Republican opposition. Two weeks later, Murray tried to pass a bill to expand access to in vitro fertilization for military service members and veterans. It, too, was derailed by Republican opposition. In June, GOP senators rejected the Right to IVF Act, and now those same Republicans have derailed the same bill again. Republicans regularly claim that they are the party that stands up for families. Well, todays bill is about as pro-family as it gets, Schumer said ahead of the vote. It helps create families, IVF does. It says that access to IVF should be basic right for all. And it will make sure insurance companies cover IVF treatments in their plans. The New York Democrat added, Republicans cant just talk their way past an issue as personal as IVF; what ultimately matters is how they vote on the issue. The reference to Republican talk was of particular interest, because in June every member of the Senate Republican conference literally, all 49 members signed on to a joint statement, expressing their collective support for IVF access. We strongly support continued nationwide access to IVF, which has allowed millions of aspiring parents to start and grow their families, the GOP senators said. The result is the latest in a series of watch what they do, not what they say moments. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Bunuel Official Solution: Public Health Official: A recent study concludes that the new public park with running trails in Downtown Metroville has not contributed to an overall improvement in residents' physical fitness. This conclusion is based on a citywide survey showing no significant change in average weekly exercise hours reported by residents after the park's opening. However, this conclusion may be too simplistic. The same period saw a substantial increase in the number of gyms and fitness centers across Metroville. Additionally, there was a marked rise in the use of online fitness programs, likely due to the recent expansion of high-speed internet services in the area. In this passage, the public health official attempts to challenge the study's conclusion by: A. pointing out the limitations of the study's scope in assessing the impact of the public park on physical fitness. B. suggesting that the study's reliance on self-reported data might not accurately reflect the actual change in residents' physical fitness. C. introducing additional factors that could have influenced the citywide physical fitness trends during the same period. D. questioning the validity of using the number of weekly exercise hours as a measure of physical fitness. E. arguing that the study's timeframe was not sufficient to capture the long-term impact of the public park on residents' fitness. (C) Introducing additional factors that could have influenced the citywide physical fitness trends during the same period. The public health official highlights two key developments: the increase in the number of gyms and fitness centers across Metroville, and the rise in the use of online fitness programs. These points suggest other reasons for the lack of change in average weekly exercise hours as reported in the study, challenging the conclusion that the public park hasn't contributed to an improvement in physical fitness. This approach introduces other variables that could have impacted the overall physical fitness of residents, thereby questioning the direct linkage between the park's opening and the citywide fitness levels. The other options, while plausible, do not as closely match the strategy used by the public health official in the passage: (A) Pointing out the limitations of the study's scope in assessing the impact of the public park on physical fitness. The official does not directly critique the scope of the study. (B) Suggesting that the study's reliance on self-reported data might not accurately reflect the actual change in residents' physical fitness. The official does not specifically address the reliability of self-reported data. (D) Questioning the validity of using the number of weekly exercise hours as a measure of physical fitness. The official does not challenge the metric of weekly exercise hours itself. (E) Arguing that the study's timeframe was not sufficient to capture the long-term impact of the public park on residents' fitness. The official does not comment on the sufficiency of the study's timeframe. Hence, (C) is the correct answer as it best describes how the public health official challenges the study's conclusion. Answer: C I need a little more clarification regarding the answer. How is the public health official challenging the conclusion of the study? Even though additional factors are added like the opening of gyms during the same period or the rise in the use of online fitness programs, residents report no significant change in average exercise hours. From what I can understand, none of these factors(the opening of a park with running trails, the opening of new gyms or a rise in the use of online fitness programs) have contributed to an increase in the average exercise hours of the residents, unless it was on the decline. How do these additional factors mentioned by the public health official affect the study's conclusion? On Sunday, there was an apparent attempt on Donald Trumps life. On Monday, as NBC News noted, his political operation thought itd be a good idea to tell the public that Kamala Harris and Democrats represent a party of violence. The [social media] posts are similar to ones made from the same account after the first attempted assassination in July, although those were posted days after that incident. One post today said, Kamala Harris has consistently called President Trump a dictator and a threat to democracy. Make no mistake: its Kamala and the Democrats who are the party of violence. The obvious problem with such an argument is that the Democratic nominee has never endorsed political violence. Yes, Harris has referenced Trumps dictator rhetoric, but she was only quoting him, which Im pretty sure is still allowed. And, yes, Harris has also pointed to the GOP nominee as a threat to democracy, but thats only because he keeps taking overt steps to threaten democracy. But the less obvious problem matters, too because if the folks on Team Trump really want to have a debate over which party deserves to be seen as the party of violence, they might be disappointed by where this conversation ends up. Lets take a stroll down memory lane. In Trumps first year in office, Sarah Huckabee Sanders insisted that he had never promoted or encouraged violence. Even at the time, it was a difficult line to take seriously. A Washington Post analysis noted soon after that the claim was laughable, adding: Even if you dont believe Trump has technically incited violence (which he has been sued for), he clearly nodded toward violence at his campaign rallies. Sometimes it was veiled; other times it was unmistakable. Sometimes he was talking about self-defense, but it was clear he was advocating for a form of violence. Even Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, explained in 2016 that Trump had a consistent pattern of inciting violence. But after Trumps 2020 defeat, the problem took a turn for the worse. Indeed, after summoning his followers on Jan. 6, the outgoing president didnt just lie to his supporters about the election results, he also told his mob, If you dont fight like hell, youre not going to have a country anymore. An insurrectionist riot soon followed. As the former presidents legal troubles intensified last year, so too did his rhetoric about potential violence. In February 2023, for example, Trump promoted an online message from a supporter who threatened to physically fight for him. The same missive concluded with a locked and loaded warning. A month later, Trump publicly derided calls for peace, while suggesting that his indictment would raise the prospect of death [and] destruction that could be catastrophic for our Country. The same week, an NBC News reporter asked the former president whether he believed political violence would be justifiable. Trump responded, Well, I will say this. No, I dont like violence, and Im not for violence at all. But a lot of people are upset, and you know, they rigged an election, they stole an election, they spied on my campaign. They did many bad things. As a rule, when someone says, Im not for violence at all, but ... theres a rather obvious problem. As part of an analysis of his incendiary rhetoric, a Washington Post report added, There is now no denying that such language, even if you somehow regard Trumps intentions as innocent, can lead to a very dark place. This year has offered more of the same. In April, for example, Trump said in an interview with Time magazine that he doesnt think there will be political violence around the 2024 election because he believes hell win but that it always depends on the fairness of an election. Asked specifically about the possibility of post-election violence, the Republican told Time, [I]f we dont win, you know, it depends. It always depends on the fairness of an election. Or put another way, if Trump, driven by his ridiculous and evidence-free assumptions, decides that he doesnt believe the election was fair, hes not prepared to rule out the possibility of political violence. More recently, the GOP candidate decided to make jokes about a violent attack against Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosis husband. Its against this backdrop that the Trump campaign seriously expects people to believe that Democrats are the party of violence, which is among the most ridiculous claims Team Trump has ever made. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays installment of campaign-related news items from across the country. * After an apparent would-be assassin was taken into custody on Sunday, Donald Trumps political operation immediately got to work sending out fundraising appeals. A day later, those fundraising efforts continued. * The latest national Morning Consult poll found Kamala Harris leading Trump, 51% to 45%, while the latest national Monmouth University poll found the Democratic nominee ahead by a similar margin. (Click the links for information on the surveys methodologies and margins of error.) * In Pennsylvania, generally seen as one of the most important of the 2024 battleground states, the latest USA Today/Suffolk University poll found Harris narrowly leading the Republican nominee, 49% to 46%. (Click the link for information on the surveys methodologies and margins of error.) * Speaking of the Keystone State, voters in Philadelphia are poised to fill two vacant state House seats in special elections, though in both instances, Democratic candidates are running unopposed. * The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee this week announced a $25 million investment in programs to directly contact voters across 10 states. * In New Hampshires gubernatorial race, the latest poll from the Saint Anselm College Survey Center found former Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte with a small lead over former Democratic Mayor Joyce Craig, 46% to 43%. (Click the link for information on the surveys methodologies and margins of error.) * Speaking of the Granite State, the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire apparently thought itd be a good idea to celebrate the prospect of political violence targeting Harris. * Its National Voter Registration Day. * Four years ago, Scientific American, which began publishing way back in 1845, did something it had never done before: It endorsed a presidential candidate. At the time, the magazine backed Joe Biden. This year, for only the second time in the magazines 179-year history, Scientific American has done it again, throwing its support behind Harris candidacy. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com After nearly a decade of Donald Trump promising and failing to unveil an alternative to the Affordable Care Act, the Republican nominee was asked at least weeks debate, Just a yes or no: You still do not have a plan? The former president replied, I have concepts of a plan. Not surprisingly, Vice President Kamala Harris and her party have had some fun with that answer, but alongside the ridicule were some underlying questions: What, exactly, should American families know about Trumps health care concepts? How would the GOP candidates concepts affect our health security? The good news is, his running mate offered some answers. The bad news is, JD Vances answers were dreadful. The Ohio Republican appeared on NBCs Meet the Press a couple of days ago, and host Kristen Welker asked a straightforward question: Senator, can you clarify, what is Donald Trumps health care plan? Vance began by telling viewers that the former president rescued Obamacare, even though he disagreed with the original legislation. That wasnt even close to being true. Vance was brazenly lying about events from the recent past that we all saw and experienced. (As a new book explains, this happens quite a bit in contemporary GOP politics.) As part of the same on-air exchange, the senator also claimed that Trump helped more Americans get health insurance coverage. This, too, was the exact opposite of reality: The uninsured rate went down under Obama, up under Trump, and then down again under Biden. But the problem wasnt just Vances willingness to tell bald-faced, easily debunked lies on national television. Eventually, the Ohioan managed to say something interesting about his running mates policy goals. From the Meet the Press transcript: What [former] President Trumps health care plan is, is actually quite straightforward, is you want to make sure that pre-existing coverage conditions are covered, you want to make sure that people have access to the doctors that they need, and you also want to implement some deregulatory agenda so that people can choose a health care plan that fits them. The Republican vice presidential nominee added that, under Trumps preferred model, Americans wouldnt be put into the same risk pools. To bolster his point, Vance added that a young American doesnt have the same health care needs as a 65-year-old American. I realize this might seem a little wonky, but Vance was actually sketching out a vision in which people with pre-existing conditions will be much worse off under Trump. New York magazines Jon Chait explained, Vance is correct that young people have different needs than old people, and healthy people have different needs than sick people, and putting them all in the same risk pool means charging young people more than they would otherwise pay. ... What he doesnt tell the audience is that allowing insurers to give cheaper plans to the young and healthy means letting them charge more much, much more to people who arent young and healthy. Americans have some experience with this model. Its the one that existed before the Affordable Care Act became law. States had high-risk pools to cover people with expensive health care needs people with pre-existing conditions, for example keeping them out of the patient pools with younger and healthier people. The high-risk pools, however, created dramatic problems for those who needed the most help: Americans with pre-existing conditions were stuck with plans they couldnt afford and benefits that didnt meet their needs. The ACA fixed all of this. According to Vance, Trump wants to roll back the clock. As James Surowiecki explained after the senators on-air comments, In place of the risk-sharing thats the foundation of Obamacare, Vances health care plan would help the young and healthy at the expense of the old and sick. Its a detail voters can and should be aware of as Election Day draws nearer. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com MAGA Editor Rich Lowry Says He Didn't Use N-Word To Describe Haitian Migrants But Watch This National Review editor-in-chief Rich Lowry obviously used the N-word to describe Haitian immigrants during a Sunday interview on The Megyn Kelly Show. Of course, Lowry denied saying the slur even though he was literally caught on video and has gone viral for it. In the clip, Kelly defends JD Vance after he confessed that he made up the story of Haitians eating pets in Springfield, Ohio for attention. Lowry also attempted to justify Vances actions and thats when he used the racist slur. You remember alternative facts with Kellyanne? They did the same thing. She wasnt saying you make up fictions and pretend theyre facts. You bring other facts to bear in the debate that are being ignored, Lowry said. Nah. You know exactly what you did. You misspoke. You didnt mispronounce. We just got a window into who you really are. Because since when does migrant start w/ an n?pic.twitter.com/Qz9BuAzDDC https://t.co/2zLdHjQeLX W. Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) September 16, 2024 Thats what [Vance] was saying. I think it was in that interview where Dana Bash says, Police have gone through 11 months of recordings of calls and theyve only found two Springfield residents calling to complain about Haitian Thats when Lowry used the N-word to describe them, but tried to replace it with the word migrants. On X, his colleague and Fox News contributor Andrew McCarthy stated that it was an obvious mispronunciation mistake on Lowrys part and its not a big deal. Yep, this is exactly what happenedI began to mispronounce the word migrants and caught myself halfway through, Lowry agreed on X. Many folks called out Lowry, including comedian and host W. Kamau Bell who replied: Nah. You know exactly what you did. You misspoke. You didnt mispronounce. We just got a window into who you really are. Because since when does migrant start w/ an n? Actor Wendell Pierce added: The vowel sound wasnt the issue. Its that N that was the problem. This is what the Republican Party has come to embody under Trumps leadership: unapologetic racism without a morsel of regret. Lowry has made that crystal clear. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MAGEE, Miss. (WJTV) Magee police arrested a man who was walking near a school with a machete in hand, authorities said. According to Magee Police Chief Denis J. Borges, the incident occurred near Magee High School on Tuesday, September 17. He said dispatch received a call about a man walking near the school with a machete. Step-father of Carly Gregg testifies during trial When officers arrived at the scene, Borges said they located Willie Jones, and he was still holding the machete when officers approached him. Jones was arrested for felony possession of methamphetamine and transported to the police department. I want to assure you that we take any and all potential threats to our children seriously. While our investigation concluded that there was no immediate danger to the students, we will never take chances when it comes to the safety of our community. The safety of Americas future our children will always remain a top priority, said Borges. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. The failings of the Office of Child and Family Services, a division of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, was a key focus of the Legislature last session. (Photo by Getty Images) Maines embattled child welfare system has been making changes to improve staff support and retention, as well as resources for foster families after several recent child deaths put a spotlight on the agencys shortcomings. The failings of the Office of Child and Family Services, a division of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, was a key focus of the Legislature last session, with the Government Oversight Committee producing a roughly 70-page report outlining almost 30 suggested reforms for the agency. These included frontline worker conditions, as well as support for foster families and improving access to various services. During a Tuesday meeting with the Legislatures Blue Ribbon Commission to Study the Organization of and Delivery Service by the Department of Health of Human Services, the agency highlighted efforts to remedy the issues plaguing frontline workers and families involved with the system with the ultimate goal of improving child safety. We still have work to do, but moving in the right direction, said Molly Bogart, director of government relations for DHHS, speaking about staffing improvements. Throughout her presentation to the commission, Bogart repeatedly emphasized that the improvements were ongoing. Frontline workers and support staff Testimony and reports from caseworkers shared with the Government Oversight Committee last November underscored the high level of burnout from the physically and emotionally demanding job, with dozens of unfilled vacancies and convoluted policies that they believed led to unsound safety decisions. In July, OCFS Director Bobbi Johnson reported fewer vacancies for caseworkers and case aides, highlighting a number of incentives that she believed are improving retention. Johnson wasnt present for the meeting Tuesday. Following up on a recommendation from the oversight committee to improve recruitment and retention of frontline workers, Bogart said Tuesday there has been a significant decrease in vacancies across the agency, particularly among case aides. She reported a 10% vacancy rate for case aides, which is level with the numbers Johnson shared in late July and shows a continued improvement from the 25% vacancy rate earlier this year. However, state Rep. Margaret Craven (D-Lewiston) said she spoke with union representatives Monday about their concerns over a pending schedule change that they believe could lead to another exodus. DHHS Deputy Commissioner Beth Hamm said the agency has been bargaining with the union over the impact of the changes on staff. Hamm added that the changes were a result of staff feedback. Robin Upton-Sukeforth, a field representative for Maine Service Employees Association, Local 1989 of the Service Employees International Union, which represents caseworkers, said the changes will affect three different units. Upton-Sukeforth told Maine Morning Star she hopes bargaining will continue even as the schedule changes are implemented to make sure staff are able to share how the changes affect their work-life balance. This implementation of this schedule does not meet the work-life balance that the management has touted, Upton-Sukeforth said, adding that OCFS staff feel that this is going to create a lot of uncertainty for their schedules. Bogart also gave an update on the eight new supervisor trainer positions to help prepare new staff and support ongoing training that were approved in the most recent budget. Bogart confirmed that at least six of those positions had been hired, but she said it is still early in the onboarding process. The agency also hired a dedicated hotel and emergency room coordinator, Bogart said. That person is not only working on how Maine uses those spaces as temporary holding places for some children but is also engaging with national experts to learn more about how these practices play out across the country. There was also a suggestion from the Government Oversight Committee to create special teams to deal with complex cases. Bogart said the agency is developing a protocol for this. That work was happening previously, but in an ad hoc way, she explained, so the protocol would streamline those procedures. More support for foster families Another series of recommendations touched on resource families, the term the state uses for what are commonly called foster families. Bogart outlined recent investments made in treatment foster care training, which will help families and providers be better equipped to serve children with higher needs, she explained. The agency has also taken up the recommendation to expand financial support for foster families. In addition to funding allocated in the state budget, Bogart said the agency also established a dedicated contact to field financial concerns from foster parents. She added that they also created a working group to ensure those problems are being triaged and improved across the board. Other changes at OCFS There were several other small adjustments made by the agency Bogart shared with the commission. For example, the agency has contracted with a second child abuse pediatrician to increase capacity for consultations when necessary. It also joined the National Center for Fatality Review and Preventions case reporting system, which should improve data collection and reporting. There was also discussion about the Be There for ME campaign that launched earlier this summer and is designed to be a tool for any parent or caregiver who needs resources for housing or behavioral health services. Im really heartened to see all that the department is doing along these lines, said Rep. Daniel Shagoury (D-Hallowell), who is part of the Blue Ribbon Commission. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The News Extreme weather has continued to wreak havoc globally this summer, with floods in Sudan killing 17,000 people so far in 2024, record high temperatures recorded in Europe, and wildfires in California displacing thousands of people. Now, flooding continues to devastate swaths of Western and Central Africa as well as Central and Eastern Europe, leading to a state of emergency being declared in regions of at least four countries concurrently due to flooding. The flooding in each region was linked to climate change: Warmer weather leads to more intense rainfall, and higher ocean temperatures result in greater evaporation that then drives storms, the BBC noted. SIGNALS Climate change increasingly driving global displacement Sources: The Guardian, Zurich, New Security Beat Millions of people across seven African countries have been displaced, while in Europe, Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Hungary have also been affected, with evacuations ongoing. Climate scientists told The Guardian they were troubled, but unsurprised by the intensity of the floods damage and human consequences. Climate change knows no borders, the head of climate resilience at Zurich, an insurance company, said. In a study published earlier this year, scientists identified gaps in how countries track displacement and damage from flooding: The consequence of this muddied information flow is that the conventional measure of human flood exposure may severely underestimate the potential total number of people who may be forced to flee when overlapping disasters strike, they wrote in an editorial. Space tech developments could help better predict climate catastrophe Sources: arsTechnica, Brookings Institute , World Economic Forum Google announced a new constellation of 50 satellites to monitor wildfires this week, adding to the growing number of small orbital satellites monitoring Earth. Used to detect global pollution levels, observe crops, and collect weather and climate data, small satellites are cheaper and faster to make, easier to fix, and able to capture enormous amounts of data, the Brookings Institute noted. The demand for Earth-monitoring satellites is predicted to increase rapidly as extreme weather worsens. By 2030, observing Earth from space is estimated to contribute over $700 billion to the global economy and reduce greenhouse gasses by two gigatonnes, according to a World Economic Forum report. Majority of Trump supporters think his Haitian immigrant lies are true, poll shows Nearly half of Donald Trump voters say they believe his debunked claim that Haitian immigrants in Ohio are eating residents pets. Some 52 percent of Trump voters said that the claim is definitely or probably true, according to a post-debate poll by YouGov released this week. Meanwhile, 24 percent of Trump voters said theyre not sure if its true, while 25 percent said its probably or definitely false. On the other hand, 81 percent of Kamala Harris voters said the claim is definitely false. The former president, his running mate JD Vance and GOP allies like Ohio Representative Jim Jordan have repeatedly spread the false claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield are eating residents pets. The claim has been repeatedly debunked. Springfields city manager has confirmed there have been no credible, specific reports of pets being harmed. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, also called the untrue conspiracy theory a piece of garbage that was simply not true. More than half of Donald Trump voters say his debunked claim about Haitian migrants eating pets is definitely or probably true (AFP via Getty Images) Despite this, Trump amplified the false claim during the presidential debate with Harris last week. When moderator David Muir fact-checked the claim live on-air, Trump still pushed it. ABC News did reach out to the city manager there, Muir said during the debate. He told us there had been no credible reports of specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community. Well, Ive seen people on television. People on television say, My dog was taken and used for food, so maybe he said that and maybe thats a good thing to say for a city manager, Trump responded. The White House has also condemned the false claims. I think its important that all of us take a step back here and just lean on the facts here, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Thursday. The Springfield, Ohio police department has debunked this very bizarre and very hateful smear thats out there. The lies have sent shockwaves through Springfield. On Thursday, a bomb threat forced the evacuation of city hall and two schools. Local officials said the threat explicitly used hateful language towards immigrants and Haitians in our community. On Monday, threats continued to pour in. As a result, two more schools in Springfield evacuated while two nearby college campuses moved classes online and canceled on-campus events. The same YouGov poll showed that Trump voters also believed other debunked claims he has spread. Some 28 percent of Trump voters say its definitely or probably true that public schools are providing students with sex-change operations, an untrue claim the former president made earlier this year. Meanwhile, 75 percent of Trump voters say President Joe Biden did not legitimately win the 2020 election, an untrue claim the former president has peddled for nearly four years. Danielle Hazel speaks out and is accompanied by her attorney Gloria Allred. Hazel is challenging a rule that banned moms from the Miss America and Miss World competitions. (AP) A New York woman is trying to change the rules of major beauty pageants that prohibit mothers from competing. Danielle Hazels ambitions of competing in Miss America and Miss World competitions came crashing down when she had a son at 19, making her ineligible to compete due to what she calls discriminatory entry requirements. Now, shes trying to put an end to those eligibility rules. The 25-year-old filed a complaint with the New York City Human Rights Commission on Monday in an effort to expand the participant pool. Miss Americas eligibility requirements state that participants must be a US citizen, a single woman between the ages of 18 and 28 and have no legal dependents. This exclusion is degrading to Danielle as it is based upon the antiquated stereotype that women cannot be both a mother and be beautiful, poised, passionate, talented and philanthropic, Hazels lawyer, Gloria Allred, said at the Womens Rights Pioneers Monument in Central Park on Monday, the Associated Press reported. Being pregnant or being a parent is not a crime and should not exclude an individual from employment or business opportunities, Allred said. An individuals status as a parent should not carry a stigma and no person should have to feel embarrassed, humiliated, or degraded because they have become a parent. Danielle Hazel (right) speaks out and is accompanied by her attorney Gloria Allred. Hazel is challenging a rule that banned moms from the Miss America and Miss World competitions. (AP) Hazel said that when she told her six-year-old son that she couldnt compete, he replied: These rules are stupid. She continued: His sense of fairness at only six years old tells him that this is unjust and makes no sense. Hazel and Allred were joined by Veronika Didusenko, who was crowned Miss Ukraine in September 2018. Her reign spanned only a few days before she announced that the national beauty pageant was stripping her of her title after discovering she had a child. At the time, Didusenko, while admitting that she had failed to provide that information to the pageant, called the rules so archaic, so outdated, so old-fashioned. Stuart J Moskovitz, a lawyer for Miss America, suggested to The Independent that there was a difference between having legal dependents and being a mother. Danielle Hazels complaint, filed by Attorney Allred, is not factually accurate. There is no ban against mothers. The only ban is against potential contestants with legal dependents. In other words, if you are responsible for the daily welfare of the child, that welfare must take precedence over wishing to compete in the contest, he said. The rule has nothing to do with any attack on motherhood. It is solely to protect the welfare of minors dependent on their legal guardians. That legal guardian could be someone who is the childs mother, or it could be someone who has become the legal guardian of the child without being the mother. Someone who is a mother who has no responsibility for the child (for example, someone who gave up custody or the child for adoption, etc.) is not banned, Moskovitz continued. Essentially, the complaint filed with the NYC Human Rights Commission is a false document filed with a government agency. Miss America stands apart from other such contests. Miss America is a more than century old institution that observes the highest standards of conduct, ethics, etc. That puts us in conflict sometimes with those who do not share those standards. Protecting the welfare of children is consistent with those standards, he wrote. The Independent has also reached out to representatives for Miss World as well as the New York City Human Rights Commission for comment. KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian authorities have frozen almost 100 bank accounts linked to an Islamic business group being investigated for suspected child abuse, a senior police official said on Tuesday. Authorities are investigating Global Ikhwan Services and Business (GISB) for allegedly running charity homes from which police last week rescued more than 400 children and youth. Police said many showed signs of sexual abuse and neglect. The bank accounts held a total of more than 580,000 ringgit ($136,000) and the company is now being investigated for alleged money laundering as well as religious offences, the Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain told reporters. "We are conducting our investigation transparently and fairly while protecting the rights of those concerned," Razarudin said. GISB did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company had initially said it did not run the charity homes and denied all allegations of abuse, but then its chief executive said on Saturday GISB had broken unspecified laws and that there were 'one or two' cases of sodomy at the youth homes. Razarudin said four of the 96 bank accounts that had been frozen were now shut, and that police had also seized 8 vehicles belonging to the company. Authorities have said they would summon GISB's top management for questioning in the case, which has sparked outrage in Muslim-majority Malaysia and put the spotlight on the company's roots in a religious sect outlawed by the government three decades ago. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim, who acts as the custodian of Islam in the country, called for a thorough investigation into the case and for swift action to be taken against any wrongdoers. ($1 = 4.2750 ringgit) (Reporting by Danial Azhar; Editing by John Mair and Miral Fahmy) (Bloomberg) -- Malis army thwarted an attack on a military-training camp in the capital, Bamako, as unidentified assailants hit multiple targets across the city, closing a nearby airport as security forces fought off the gunmen. Most Read from Bloomberg The attackers targeted the airport area and a military training school, sparking an hours-long gun battle before security forces retook control of the area, Malis army chief of staff said late Tuesday. The attack, a rare one for Bamako thats largely been spared from the jihadist violence causing havoc in Mali since 2012, lead to losses of life and material damage, General Omar Diarra was quoted in a statement on public broadcaster ORTM. This cowardly and deceitful attack caused the loss of lives among us, including some of the schools students, Diarra said, without specifying the number of casualties. Mali has been under military rule since 2020, when interim leader Colonel Assimi Goita ousted the West African nations elected president, citing the previous regimes failure to repel the Islamist insurgents. Goita, who pledged to retake territory under jihadist control, has struggled to stop attacks by militants some linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State, targeting security forces and the population. Tuesdays attack is the first large-scale assault by suspected militants in the capital since al Qaeda-affiliates raided an upscale hotel in 2015. It comes after mercenaries from the Kremlin-backed Wagner Group deployed to Mali and European forces and a United Nations peacekeeping mission were forced to withdraw. Wagner suffered one of its heaviest losses since it arrived in 2021 last July when separatist rebels killed scores of Malian soldiers and mercenaries. Mali accounted for one third of reported Islamist attacks in the region last year, according to data compiled by the US Department of Defenses Africa Center for Strategic Studies. Al-Qaedas West Africa affiliate JNIM, which has been designated a terrorist group by the US, issued a statement saying it was behind the attack. An army spokesman only referred to the assailants as terrorists. Mop up operations to root out any of their collaborators are ongoing, Diarra told ORTM. Images broadcast by the channel showed about 20 men blindfolded and with their hands tied behind their backs. Schools, shops and the airport remained closed on Tuesday. At least two Ethiopian Airlines flights bound for Bamako were redirected to neighboring countries flight radar data showed, while Turkish Airlines cancelled an evening flight from Istanbul. The airport is adjacent to Air Base 101, which is used by Malis air force, and an operating base for Wagner. (Adds details on casualties from third paragraph, updates throughout) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Former star Woodland Hills football player dies after shooting in Larimer A man who died after a shooting in Larimer late Monday night was a standout football player in the Woodland Hills School District. Gavin Yarbough, 21, was shot multiple times late Monday night and died in the hospital. Yarbough was a standout football player at Woodland Hills High School who went on to play at Morgan State, a historically Black university in Baltimore. The Woodland Hills superintendent released the following statement Tuesday night: The Woodland Hills community is devastated to learn of the passing of Gavin Yarbough, a 2021 graduate of Woodland Hills High School. Gavin was a popular and well-liked student during his time at Woodland Hills. Our sincere condolences are with his friends and family during this unimaginably difficult time. The district will make any and all resources available to students and staff in need. Police have not released any information on potential suspects. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Charleroi residents, leaders respond to former President Trumps comments on immigrant population Sean Diddy Combs faces federal charges in New York, his lawyer says Custodian in McKeesport Area School District on leave after police say drugs were found in his car VIDEO: Neighbors stunned after UPS driver attacked in Carrick DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts A French man admits in court to drugging his wife so that he and dozens of men could rape her FILE - Police officers walk in the Avignon court house prior to the trial of Dominique Pelicot, in Avignon, southern France, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly, File) AVIGNON, France (AP) A 71-year-old French man admitted in court Tuesday that for nearly a decade, he repeatedly drugged his unwitting wife and invited dozens of men to rape her while she lay unconscious in their bed. His wife of 50 years, who has divorced him since his arrest, also got to speak, telling the court that she feels completely betrayed. In a trial that has gripped France and raised awareness about sexual violence in the home and beyond, Dominique Pelicot told the court that he also raped his wife, Gisele Pelicot, and that the 50 men standing trial alongside him understood exactly what they were doing. Today I maintain that, along with the other men here, I am a rapist, Dominique Pelicot testified. They knew everything. They cant say otherwise. Pelicots testimony marked the most important moment yet in a trial that has shocked the world. Although he previously confessed to investigators, his court testimony will be crucial for the panel of judges to decide on the fate of his co-defendants, who range in age from 26 to 74. Many of them deny having raped Gisele Pelicot, saying her then-husband had manipulated them or that they believed she was consenting. Many following the case also hope his testimony might help explain why Dominique Pelicot would subject the mother of his three children to such unconscionable abuse. Gisele Pelicot has become a hero to many rape victims and a symbol of the fight against sexual violence in France for agreeing to waive her anonymity in the case, letting the trial be public and appearing openly in front of the media. She shows up every day, passing through the courthouse security line behind men accused of raping her. As she left court during a break Tuesday, supporters brought her flowers. After days of delay due to what his lawyers said was a kidney stone and urinary tract infection, Dominique Pelicot, seated in a wheelchair, testified that the charges against him are true. With his ex-wife looking on from the packed gallery and his voice trembling and barely audible at times, he started a long day of testimony trying to explain childhood traumas that he said scarred and molded him into the person he became. One is not born a pervert, one becomes a pervert, Pelicot told the judges after recounting, sometimes in tears, being raped by a male hospital nurse at age 9 and being forced to take part in a gang rape at age 14. Pelicot also said that for years, his father sexually abused a young girl his family had taken in, and that his brother later said their father had invited other men to do the same. He regretted that his parents didn't let him continue his studies after he turned 14. He said that around that time, he tried to persuade his mother to leave the house with him, but she never wanted to. I dont really want to talk about this, I am just ashamed of my father. In the end, I didnt do any better,'' said Pelicot, who faces 20 years in prison if convicted. After he spoke about his difficult upbringing, Gisele Pelicot was given the opportunity to address the court. It is hard for me to hear this. For 50 years, I lived with a man. I couldnt imagine even one second that he could have committed acts of rape, she said. I trusted this man entirely. The two looked at each other, him from behind the docks glass window and her from the witness stand. I am guilty, he told her. I regret everything I did. I ask you for forgiveness, even if it is unpardonable. Asked if she wanted to respond, Gisele Pelicot turned and left the stand. When asked about his feelings toward his ex-wife, Dominique Pelicot said she didn't deserve what he did. From my youth, I remember only shocks and traumas, forgotten partly thanks to her, he said in tears. At that moment, Gisele Pelicot put on her sunglasses. Later, Dominique Pelicot said, I was crazy about her. She replaced everything. I ruined everything. A supermarket security guard caught Pelicot in 2020 secretly shooting video up womens skirts, according to court documents. During a search of his house and electronic devices, police found thousands of photos and videos of men engaging in sexual acts with Gisele Pelicot while she appeared to be unconscious in bed. With the recordings, police were able to track down most of the 72 suspects they were seeking, but not all. In addition to the photos and videos of Gisele Pelicot, investigators found photos of the Pelicots' daughter, Caroline Darian, and two daughters-in-law that were surreptitiously taken while they were in their underwear, getting undressed or taking showers, according to authorities. While her mother has stayed remarkably calm throughout the trial, Darian walked out of the courtroom Tuesday as her father was being asked about photos of her that were found on his laptop. Excuse me, Im going to vomit, she said angrily before rushing out. She has written a book about what happened to her family, called And I Stopped Calling you Daddy. After retiring, the Pelicots moved from the Paris region to a house in Mazan, a small town in the Provence region. When police officers called Gisele Pelicot in for questioning in late 2020, she initially told them her husband was a great guy, according to legal documents. They then showed her some photos. She left and later divorced her husband. Since Dominique Pelicots arrest, other cases have surfaced. He was fined after being caught shooting video of a womens crotch in 2010 and required to see a psychologist. Gisele Pelicot has said she never knew about this incident. Under French law, the proceedings inside the courtroom cannot be filmed or photographed. Dominique Pelicot has been brought into the court through a special entrance that's inaccessible for the media, because he and some other defendants are being held in custody during the trial and can't be filmed. Defendants who are not in custody have been arriving at the courthouse wearing surgical masks or hoods to avoid having their faces filmed or photographed. Among those hoping to secure a seat to watch the Tuesday's proceedings was Bernadette Tessoniere, a 69-year-old retiree who lives a half-hour drive from Avignon, where the trial is taking place. How is it possible that in 50 years of communal life, one can live next to someone who hides his life so well? This is scary, she said. Man arrested after allegedly exposing himself at casino in Shreveport Lucas Burns was arrested after an early-morning incident at a casino in Shreveport. (Source: SPD) SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) A man has been arrested after an early-morning incident at a Shreveport casino left him facing obscenity charges. It all happened on Sept. 14, at approximately 5:08 a.m., when Shreveport Police were dispatched to the 400 block of Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway. After arriving at the scene, police spoke with casino security who described a white male suspect who had exposed his genitals to patrons on the first floor of the casino. Louisiana TikTok chef BrittKham releases her first cookbook The suspect then fled into a parking garage. Police were able to quickly locate and arrest Lucas Burns, 45. The Shreveport Police Department said that acts of indecent exposure will not be tolerated. Disclaimer: All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Man arrested for DWI after being clocked going more than 100 mph Man arrested for DWI after being clocked going more than 100 mph EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 21-year-old man was arrested over the weekend and charged with driving while intoxicated after he was clocked driving more than 100 mph by a police officer, El Paso Police said. Esteban Torres Jr., 21, was arrested on a DWI charge on Saturday, Sept. 14 and booked into the El Paso County Detention Center on a $3,000 bond, police said. Torres was seen driving northbound on Loop 375 at a high rate of speed around 4 a.m. on Saturday morning. An officer operating a radar gun clocked him at 113 mph in a Honda Accord, police said. He was pulled over along the 1500 block of Joe Battle and police said he showed signs of intoxication, police said. He reportedly told police that he was coming from a bar and was on his way to his sisters house, police said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Man charged after allegedly stabbing woman sitting on bench outside Friendship Heights Metro Station CHEVY CHASE, Md. (DC News Now) Police said a man from D.C. is facing several charges, including attempted murder after he stabbed a woman who was sitting on a bench outside the Friendship Heights Metro Station. According to the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD), around 9:20 a.m. on Sept. 16, several officers, including D.C. police, were called to 2 Wisconsin Circle in the Chevy Chase area for a report of a stabbing. There, officers found a 66-year-old woman with stab wounds to her upper body. She was taken to hospital in critical condition. MSP investigating crash on I-495 that left one dead, multiple injured in Prince Georges County The investigation revealed that the woman was sitting on a bench when a man, identified as 39-year-old Marcus Dwayne Jackson, stabbed her and then ran toward D.C. Police said a good samaritan who witnessed the incident immediately called 911 and followed Jackson to Connecticut and Western Avenues. There, D.C. police officers took Jackson into custody. Detectives with the MCPD obtained an arrest warrant for Jackson, charging him with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, possession of a dangerous weapon with the intent to injure, second-degree assault and reckless endangerment. He was taken to a detention center in D.C., where he was awaiting extradition back to Montgomery County. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. A Virginia man was arrested Monday and charged with four counts of murder in the death of his wife and another man in a baffling case involving the couples au pair, with whom he was having an affair, in February 2023. Brendan Banfield, a 39-year-old criminal special agent, was indicted by a grand jury on four counts of aggravated murder and a firearm charge, Fairfax County Commonwealths attorney announced at a news conference on Monday alongside the Fairfax County Police chief. His arrest came 19 months after the killings of his wife, Christine Banfield, a 37-year-old pediatric nurse, and Joseph Ryan, 39, in their house in Herndon, an affluent suburb of Washington, D.C. On Feb. 24, 2023, just after 8 a.m., police responding to a 911 call found Christine Banfield nude in her upstairs bedroom with fatal stab wounds. Ryans body was just feet away. He was fully clothed and had been shot to death, allegedly by different guns, authorities said. Christine Banfield was fatally stabbed in her Virginia home on Feb. 24, 2023, where police also found the body of Joseph Ryan, who had been shot to death. Her husband, Brendan Banfield, was indicted on Sept. 16 on murder charges in their deaths. The family's au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhaes, was indicted in April on charges of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Ryan. Christine Banfield/Facebook The Banfields live-in au pair, 23-year-old Juliana Peres Magalhaes, was indicted in April on charges of second-degree murder in Ryans killing, and her trial is currently scheduled for November. Her attorney has previously said she acted in self-defense, and authorities said that Brendan Banfield told her to shoot the stranger who was attacking Christine Banfield after Brendan Banfield shot the man himself. HuffPost reached out to Peres Magalhaes and Brendan Banfields defense attorneys but did not get an immediate response. Brendan Banfields arrest, while he was driving Monday in Fairfax County, was a dramatic although not entirely unexpected development in a case that had perplexed investigators and confounded the public, who have been privy to scant details, each more bizarre than the next. From the beginning, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis told NBC4 Washington in April he expected there would be a lot of twists and turns in the case, that they were still ongoing, and that he believed eventually more than just one person meaning Peres Magalhaes would be held accountable. Ryan was invited to the Banfields home through a sexual fetish website, authorities said, where he exchanged messages arranging the date with an account purporting to be Christine Banfields. But prosecutors said in a court hearing that the account was created by someone else as a ruse in a premeditated scenario to kill her and Ryan. Brendan Banfield and Peres Magalhaes were having an affair before the killings, authorities said, and remained a couple afterward. Following the killings, prosecutors said they found framed photographs of them together in the Banfields bedroom, as well as evidence that the pair had visited a gun range shortly before the killings and purchased a Glock, the same gun Peres Magalhaes allegedly used to fire the shot that killed Ryan. In one 911 call Peres Magalhaes placed the morning of the killings she allegedly also called twice 13 minutes beforehand and hung up both times Banfield told the dispatcher that he had shot Ryan after seeing him stab his wife multiple times, The Washington Post reported. Authorities said Banfield used his IRS service weapon to shoot Ryan. Afterward, investigators said Banfield told them that he instructed Peres Magalhaes to retrieve the Glock and shoot Ryan again. It is unclear whether Banfield is still employed by the IRS. The Treasury Department did not immediately respond to HuffPosts query about his employment status. The Banfields daughter, then 4, was at home at the time of the killings, but authorities said she was physically unharmed. Despite authorities suggestions that Banfield had worked with the au pair to plan the killings, he remained free for more than a year after her arrest. Commonwealths Attorney Steve Descano said at Mondays news conference that new information obtained by detectives was very instrumental in Banfields new indictment, but he refused to elaborate. That information will come out on trial, he said. Both Banfield and Peres Magalhaes are being held at the Adult Detention Facility in Fairfax County, Descano said. She has been held there since her arrest last October. Davis said they had no legitimate reason to seek to hold Banfield elsewhere, and Descano noted there is only one detention facility in the county and it was just typical protocol to house him there. Aggravated murder when more than one person is killed on the same occasion, or when more than one murder occurs in less than three years carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole in Virginia. The firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of three years, Descano said. Banfield will be arraigned within the next few days in Fairfax County General District Court, Descano said, with a court date set for Thursday. Related... Carol Hunt and her daughters Louise and Hannah were killed in the attack [Contributed] A man has appeared in court charged with the murders of a woman and two of her daughters in a crossbow attack at their home. Carol Hunt, 61; Hannah Hunt, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25, were found fatally injured in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on 9 July. Kyle Clifford, 26, from north London, was arrested after being found injured having "shot himself with a crossbow in the chest" in a cemetery in Enfield on 10 July, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. The defendant, who was also charged with false imprisonment and two counts of possession of offensive weapons, was remanded in custody and is due to appear at the Royal Courts of Justice later. Kyle Clifford will appear via video link from police custody at the court hearing later [Hertfordshire Police] Police had previously been unable to interview Mr Clifford while he received treatment for his injury in hospital, where he remained under arrest. The victims were the wife and daughters of BBC racing commentator John Hunt. A brief court hearing was told the weapons Mr Clifford was accused of having at the Hunt family home were an MX-405 compact crossbow and a 10-in (25cm) "butcher's knife". Police and the ambulance service had been called to the property by Hannah Hunt, prosecutor David Burns said. "Police found Hannah Hunt lying in the doorway. She'd been shot by a crossbow in the chest," Mr Burns said. He added that Louise Hunt was found "tied to a chair" and Carol Hunt had suffered both crossbow and knife wounds. Carol Hunt was the wife of BBC racing commentator John Hunt [Contributed] Mr Clifford, who appeared at court via video link from Kempston police station, in Bedfordshire, nodded when asked to confirm his name and address. A fundraiser set up to support Mr Hunt and his surviving daughter, Amy, in the aftermath of the incident saw more than 120,000 in donations pledged. In a previous statement, Mr Hunt and Amy said their devastation "cannot be put into words". Det Ch Insp Nick Gardner, of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: "We have been working hard to gather as much evidence as possible and establish the full circumstances of what happened that day. "Although it has taken some time to reach this stage, we can now move forward with the judicial process and seek justice for their family." MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man was left critically injured after police say there was a shooting in the airport area early Tuesday morning. Around 6 a.m., officers say they responded to a shooting in the 2600 Block of American Way where a male victim was found suffering from a gunshot wound. He was then taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition. See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South. Sign up for WREG newsletters and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox. No suspect information is available at this time. If you have any information that could help police, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Sentencing will be Oct. 30 for a man who pleaded guilty Tuesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to two gun charges stemming from a March traffic stop. Jamar Sklenchar, 25, entered his pleas before Judge Anthony Donofrio to charges of attempted being a felon in possession of a firearm, a third-degree felony; and improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony. The charges came after a March 7 traffic stop on the West Side when a car Sklenchar was a passenger in was pulled over about 8:30 p.m. in a cul-de-sac on Tyrell Avenue for not having a license plate. When police did a record check, they discovered the driver had a suspended license, and Sklenchar had a warrant for possession of cocaine from both the Campbell and Columbiana police departments. Because the driver had a suspended license and the car was being towed, police searched it and found a loaded .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol that was hidden in a panel in the passengers side, reports said. Reports said Sklenchar told police he has a concealed carry permit, but a check of records shows that Sklenchar does not have a permit, reports said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Felice McWilliams Felice McWilliams is running for Danville City Council because she wants to be a voice for those who go unheard. The 63-year-old first-time candidate realized she wanted to seek public office while serving as an ambassador for PLAN Danville, the effort to receive public input and hold events for the citys 30-year comprehensive plan. The endeavor enabled her to get to know people in a different way by asking them their wants, their needs, their likes, their dislikes about our city, McWilliams said. I realized there were a lot of people in the city that have great and wonderful ideas for the city, whose voices are never heard, she told the Danville Register & Bee. I just started feeling the urge. I love the lord and I felt an urging from the holy spirit to serve my city in a different capacity. McWilliams, a native of Los Angeles who moved to Danville in 2014, has been active in her adopted community for years. I love where I live in this beautiful River City, she said. Its always green, its always fresh air and beautiful and there is always something to do. I love that about my city. She has been the exhibition chair on the board of directors for the Danville Art League since 2018 and serves on the River District Associations North Main Visionaries group and the Caswell Council for the Arts board of directors in North Carolina. A member of the Dan River Nonprofit Network, she also teaches ukelele and guitar and percussion appreciation classes. She is curator for the River District Associations Vibrant Windows initiative, which displays works by local artisans in the windows of the former Belk building on Main Street downtown. McWilliams directs and operates Making Danville Smile, an exhibition that inspires participants to paint rocks and later hide them to bring joy for people who find them. She also teaches art classes at area assisted living facilities and sings and performs music for them. McWilliams said her main concerns for Danville are a lack of physicians in the city and of places to go for major surgeries and quality health care. People my age, most of the people I know, go out of the city for their medical care, she said. People are cheated medically because they have to drive so far to get the medical care that makes them comfortable. Traffic isses are also a problem, especially traffic signals that are not timed according to the current level of traffic at a given period, she said. You sit and sit and sit and there are no cars coming, she said. That is just a waste of peoples time. Our lights need to reflect traffic. Two traffic lights can hold someone up for seven minutes, she added. Also, a solution must be found for the challenges faced at the Danville Area Humane Societys animal shelter, McWilliams said. The facility has the highest euthanasia rate in the state and has been under increased scrutiny from citizens and a campaign, Danville Deserves Better. Id like to be instrumental in mending that bridge thats been broken between pet lovers and owners in the city and our shelter, McWilliams said. McWilliams is one of nine City Council candidates running for five seats. The others are Petrina Carter, Shakeva Frazier and Maureen Belko and incumbents Sherman Saunders, Larry Campbell, Madison Whittle, Barry Mayo and Lee Vogler. Election Day is Nov. 5. Man flown to hospital after being hit by car at Round Top Campground, woman charged (WHTM) A man had to be flown to the hospital after his girlfriend intentionally hit him with a car at Round Top Campground in Gettysburg early Sunday morning, police say. Lauren Welch, 23, of North Carolina, allegedly hit her boyfriend with a car while he was walking through the campground after the two had gotten into an argument before 1 a.m., according to the charges filed by Cumberland Township Police. Adams County Control gave police a description of the striking vehicle, the driver, later identified to be Welch, and that the vehicle stayed at the scene for a little bit before going back to a camper, according to the criminal complaint. Lyft driver allegedly followed, kissed passenger in Cumberland County First responders rushed to the man who reported that Welch had hit him and that she tried to run him over multiple times before. Police said that he was on the ground, screaming and complaining of pain in his lower back, hip, leg and ankle. Eventually, the man was flown by helicopter to York Hospital because he had no feeling from his waist down, no reflexes on the bottom on his feet, and he was talking about having severe lower back pain, police said in the complaint. Police were able to talk with witnesses and learned that Welch was still at the camper. The striking vehicle, a 2018 silver Hyundai Elantra, was found at the campsite she was staying at with her boyfriend, the charges show. While talking with police, Welch said she was in an argument with her boyfriend, he left, and she followed him in the car, trying to get him in the vehicle before leaving him. However, when she was told that she was seen hitting him, Welch stated multiple times that she may have hit him, the complaint states. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter Police said Welch also admitted to smoking marijuana and drinking liquor before the incident. Welch faces felony charges of aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI and aggravated assault by vehicle, along with two misdemeanor charges of DUI. Welch was taken to Adams County Prison, where she remains locked up with bail set at 10% of $15,000, online court documents show. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 25. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. A North Carolina man accused of killing a man in a road rage shooting has been found guilty. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A jury found LaShawn Hughes guilty of murder, having weapons under disability, and tampering with evidence, according to court records. >> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: North Carolina man arrested after road rage allegedly leads to deadly shooting in Sidney In August 2023 Sidney dispatchers got a call about a man down in a parking lot in the 1600 block of Ferguson Court. TRENDING STORIES: When officers arrived they found Tyler Welsh, 32, dead from a gunshot wound, according to the Sidney Police Department. Hughes was arrested after driving away from the scene in his semi-truck. Police said they believe the fight between the two men was likely due to a road rage incident. Hughes is set to be sentenced on Oct. 25. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Russian occupation forces deployed a ballistic missile in an attack on a business in the city of Sumy in the northeast of Ukraine, injuring a man. Source: Sumy Oblast Prosecutors Office Details: According to the investigation, Russian forces likely deployed a ballistic missile to strike a business in Sumy around 11:05 (Kyiv time) on Tuesday, 17 September, in violation of international norms and customs of war. A 41-year-old man sustained injuries. Quote from Sumy Oblast Prosecutors Office: "Prosecutors are working alongside other law enforcement officials to document the effects of the attack. Pretrial investigation is being carried out by investigators from the Security Service of Ukraine Office in Sumy Oblast." Support UP or become our patron! Man who killed panhandler in Albuquerque will spend 5 years in prison ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A man who ran off to California after shooting and killing a panhandler two years ago will spend five years behind bars. Brandon Chatmon shot Vincent Lopez five times outside of the Wingstop near San Mateo and Zuni in October of 2022. Rio Rancho teen accused of murder will be held behind bars An employee told police that Chatmon was arguing with Lopez and then shot him. Chatmon was arrested in Long Beach, California a few months later. Chatmon pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence in June. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) A man who police said led officers on a chase pleaded guilty to a charge in his case on Tuesday. Tramaine Davis, 21, pleaded guilty to a charge of failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer in Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas. Police in Champion were involved in the chase of a stolen U-Haul in April when they said they spotted an SUV following the U-Haul. Police said officers also chased the SUV, ending in the arrests of Davis, who was the driver, and the passenger, who had a warrant for his arrest. Davis will be sentenced at a later date, after a presentencing investigation. Nadine Grimley 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. Man scheduled for execution next week in Missouri says his trial excluded Black jurors Attorneys for Marcellus Williams are using a prosecutors testimony to try and reopen proceedings before his execution next week by the state of Missouri. During an evidentiary hearing on Aug. 28, Keith Larner, who was the prosecutor on Williams murder case in St. Louis County, said he struck a potential juror because he was a young Black man with glasses. I thought they looked like they were brothers, Larner said of Williams and the prospective juror. Familial brothers, he continued. I dont mean Black people. Williams, 55, was found guilty in the 1998 murder of Felicia Gayle in St. Louis County. He is scheduled to die by lethal injection on Sept. 24. His attorneys argue that Larner violated his constitutional rights jurors cannot be excluded solely on their race. Racism is anathema to justice, the motion said. It has reared its ugly head here. Williams legal team filed a motion in federal court Tuesday. It also raised other issues with jury selection. Larner kept notes during the process, but they later went missing from the case file. The state ended up rejecting six of the seven potential Black jurors. The final jury was comprised of 11 white people and one Black person. And, the motion said, Larner questioned prospective Black and non-Black jurors differently, leaving Black jurors more susceptible to providing answers that would have disqualified them. The motion is the latest attempt to spare Williams life. He faced execution dates in January 2015 and August 2017, but those were halted to conduct further investigation and DNA testing. No forensic evidence ties Williams to the crime. He was convicted primarily on the word of two witnesses who testified against him and who have since died. In January, St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell filed a motion in support of vacating Williams conviction. Larners testimony came in a hearing related to that motion. Last week, St. Louis County Circuit Judge Bruce Hilton denied Bells case and upheld Williams death sentence. Williams also has a clemency application before Missouri Gov. Mike Parson. The application and Tuesdays motion note that Gayles family want the case to be finalized, but do not support going through with the death penalty. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The man accused of stabbing the mother of his children more than 30 times has been sentenced. Javon Owensby, 28, was sentenced to 15 to 20 years in prison and was designated a Violent Offender. He pleaded guilty last month to attempted murder, felonious assault and domestic violence as part of a deal with prosecutors. Three additional charges were dropped. Trotwood man indicted on 5 counts in ATV riders fatal shooting The stabbing incident occurred at the Cornell Woods Apartments in February. He was indicted on seven counts including domestic violence of a pregnant victim. Court documents show the victim still has a piece of the knife stuck in her skull. Though she is now out of the hospital, the stabbing has left her with lasting physical and mental injuries. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Man sentenced to over 3 years in prison for assaulting immigration detention officer BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A man has been sentenced to prison for assaulting an immigration detention officer in Kern County in 2022. Officials with the Department of Justice in Fresno said Arsen Tonoyan, 48, an Armenian national formerly residing in Los Angeles assaulted a detention officer at the ICE Golden State Annex detention center in Bakersfield. 4 arrested in connection to organized retail crime theft in Bakersfield Tonoyan walked up to a detention officer on March 7, 2022, and hit the officer multiple times, put the officer in a chokehold and took the officer to the ground, according to federal prosecutors. The officer suffered a concussion and other injuries from the attack. Tonoyan was sentenced to three years and five months Wednesday and he must pay $1,000 in restitution. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A man who pleaded guilty to a charge of vandalism for breaking a glass door at WKBN was sentenced Tuesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to probation. Jerome Gilmer, 23, pleaded guilty to the charge, a fifth-degree felony, before Judge John Durkin. As part of his probation, Gilmer will be staying with someone to make sure he takes his medication for mental health issues. Reports said Gilmer came to the WKBN building on Sunset Drive in Boardman in August 2023 and became upset after he was told he could not go in without an appointment. He kicked the door several times before breaking the glass and walking away. He was later spotted by Boardman police and taken into custody. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) A Monroe County man has been sentenced after trafficking drugs and possessing a firearm. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that 60-year-old Michael Anthony Boomer from Blakeslee was sentenced to 41 months in prison for selling cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Officials say Boomer pleaded guilty to the charges in February 2024. According to U.S. Attorney Karam, Boomer sold cocaine to a confidential informant on multiple occasions leading investigators to get a federal search warrant for his residence in Blakeslee. Arrest made after Plains Twp. hit-and-run Investigators said Boomer and his co-defendant/son Justin Larmont Hardy were found in possession of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, cash, and multiple guns. Hardy was sentenced to 60 months in prison for possession of a gun in furtherance of drug trafficking, officials note. Boomer will serve 41 months in federal prison, pay a $200 special assessment, and be placed on three three-year 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 PAhomepage.com. A 52-year-old man who has spent more than three decades in prison serving a life sentence for his part in the murder of an Orting store clerk was resentenced Tuesday and will soon be released. Dwayne Russell Satterfield was 18 years old on March 18, 1991, when he and three other teenagers entered the Jackpot Food Mart with the intention of killing 25-year-old Linda Miller and stealing from the store. Ansel Hofstetter, then 16, shot the woman twice with a rifle before the group made off with a few cartons of cigarettes and the cash register containing less than $100. Satterfield helped plan the robbery with the shooter, plotting Millers death so that there would be no witnesses a fact that led jurors to convict him of aggravated first-degree murder. That conviction guaranteed him a sentence of life in prison without parole. A 2021 Washington State Supreme Court decision found such punishments to be unconstitutional for young offenders, and in May the high court issued a decision in State v. Carter, finding that sentencing courts have the option to give people aged 18-20 who were convicted of aggravated murder a sentence with a set length of time. In Pierce County Superior Court on Tuesday morning, Judge Timothy Ashcraft, with the blessing of the victims daughter, Trista, who was an infant when the shooting occurred, sentenced Satterfield to time served, 33 years, four months. Pierce County prosecutors and the defendants attorney agreed to recommend that sentence, and Ashcraft said the intention was for Satterfield to be released as soon as possible. Satterfield, who has most recently been incarcerated at Airway Heights Corrections Center, west of Spokane, attended the hearing via Zoom. Before hearing the judges decision, he reminded the court of his last resentencing hearing, in January 2023, when Trista Miller forgave him in open court for his crime. I was thunderstruck by it, Satterfield said of being forgiven. In her eloquent words, she removed from me 30 years of shame and regret. I will be eternally grateful and humbled for her selfless act and compassion. The defendant promised to be a success when he re-enters society, telling the court that if he were released, he would leave prison with joy, hope and skills to propel him to greatness. Satterfield is the final defendant in the murder of Linda Miller whose release has been authorized. Deputy prosecuting attorney Brittany North, who handled Tuesdays resentencing for the state, told The News Tribune after court adjourned that Hofstetter was released sometime after he was resentenced to 26 years to life in 2016. The other two defendants who pleaded guilty to lesser charges in the case have long been out of prison. During his decades of incarceration, Satterfield has undergone a personal transformation, according to his defense attorney, Paul Michael Holland, an associate dean and associate professor at Seattle University School of Law. In a memorandum submitted to the court, Holland wrote that the court heard extensive evidence about the neglect and abuse Satterfield suffered as a child at the hands of his parents. The abuse came with psychological attachment issues and an instability that followed Satterfield through adolescence and up to the fatal shooting, Holland wrote. In prison, Satterfield has taught yoga classes through the statewide nonprofit Yoga Behind Bars, completed a wide range of correspondence courses, developed carpentry skills and tended beehives at Airway Heights Corrections Center. In a letter written prior to Satterfields 2023 resentencing hearing, the former executive director of Yoga Behind Bars, Rosa Vissers, said that hundreds of incarcerated men have taken Satterfields classes, where he shared with them tools to increase their self-awareness and impulse control while bringing self-deprecating humor and compassion to his teaching. In court, Satterfields attorney told Ashcraft he believed that the structures were in place to help his client successfully re-enter the community. According to court records, Satterfield plans to live in the Aberdeen area, and a number of employers in construction have been identified for him to contact, as well as a fitness center in Ocean Shores. When you look at what Mr. Satterfield has done by himself and what the community around him is prepared to do, I believe there is great cause for confidence, Holland said. After Ashcraft imposed the sentence, the judge gave Satterfield his best wishes. Good luck with your new life, Ashcraft said. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A man has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting women while claiming to be a licensed massage therapist, the San Diego Police Department said Tuesday. Christopher Scott Preston, 55, was arrested and faces charges for allegedly sexually assaulting the women in the Mira Mesa area in 2023, police said. Camp Pendleton Marine sentenced to prison for selling ghost guns To lure his victims, Preston allegedly posted advertisements on Groupon about his business, 360 Wellness and Consulting, and offered lymphatic drainage massages at a discounted price, police said. Preston then allegedly assaulted them during their scheduled massages, SDPD stated. FOX 5/KUSI tried contacting Preston at his home in Clairemont but no one answered. Neighbors described him as nice and quiet. Authorities said Preston is accused of multiple felony sex crimes against three women, with the first one coming forward in August. A victim said she went to the 360 Wellness and Consulting business to get a massage, said Lt. Dan Sayasane at a press conference Tuesday. During the course of the massage, she felt she was sexually assaulted and reported it to the police department. Investigators said the accuser decided not to pursue the case at the time because she was moving out of state. Then, in December, another accuser came forward, stating she also felt that she had been sexually assaulted at the business, Sayasane said. In April, a third woman filed a report with police, claiming Preston had groped her. We felt there might be possible other victims out there and we would like those people to come forward if they are involved in this, Sayasane said. Preston was released on bail after being arrested on Sept. 11, police said. According to a criminal complaint, he faces five felony counts including sexual battery and sexual penetration. He has been ordered to wear a GPS monitoring device and, if convicted, faces up to 11 years in prison. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with more information is asked to contact the San Diego Police Department Sex Crimes Unit at (619) 531-2210 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. FOX 5/KUSIs Tony Shin 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. MANCHESTER, Tenn. (WKRN) Whataburger is expanding its reach in Tennessee, this time in more rural quarters. Manchester will reportedly be the next Tennessee city to welcome the Texas-based burger chain. A report from the Manchester Times says the 24-hour burger chain is set to open in late 2025. An agenda from the Monday, Sept. 16, meeting of the Manchester Planning Commission lists a site plan for a proposed Whataburger location at 2758 Hillsboro Highway as an action item. Minutes from the meeting were not immediately available. VIDEO: Whataburger opening soon in Mt. Juliet Whataburger officially opened in the Volunteer State in 2021, with the first Nashville location in Hermitage. Since then, the chain has opened 10 locations in the Nashville and Memphis areas. Nashville-area locations include: Old Hickory Boulevard & Juarez Drive in Hermitage Nashville Pike in Gallatin South Cumberland Street in Lebanon Old Fort Parkway in Murfreesboro Sam Ridley Parkway West & Old Nashville Highway in Smyrna Hwy 109 & Hickory Ridge Road in Lebanon Gallatin Pike North & Myatt Drive in Madison Read todays top stories on wkrn.com A Mt. Juliet location is also on the horizon this year, joining the heavy Nashville-area presence. There are also three Memphis-area locations already open. The Manchester location would be the furthest east the chain has expanded in Tennessee. A spokesperson for Whataburger told News 2 the dont have any details to share about the proposed location. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Officials say the Pearl Fire began on private property in Larimer County and quickly grew to 138 acres in size. (Larimer County Sheriff's Office) The U.S. Forest Service has taken command of a wildfire burning near Red Feather Lakes in Larimer County. The Pearl Fire began early Monday and quickly spread to an estimated 138 acres. As of Tuesday morning, the Larimer County Sheriffs Office had issued mandatory evacuations for a large area stretching from Colo. 14 to the Wyoming border. The sheriffs office said that it had determined the fire originated on private property and was human caused, but further details wouldnt be released while an investigation is ongoing. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Fire departments from across the northern Front Range assisted with firefighting efforts on Monday, which included drops of water and fire retardants from air tankers and helicopters. The fire is considered 0% contained. Im grateful for the rapid response by our many regional partners working together seamlessly to protect this community, Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen said in a press release late Monday. Fire can create uncertainty, especially for those with homes or property in the evacuation zones. Our hearts are with you tonight. An overnight evacuation shelter is open at Cache la Poudre Middle School in Laporte, and a large animal evacuation center has been set up at The Ranch Events Complex in Loveland. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Monday verbally declared a disaster emergency in response to the Pearl Fire, authorizing state agencies to provide support and resources as firefighting operations continue. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Mark Meadows lost his latest attempt to move his state criminal charges to federal court. If that sounds familiar, it may be because the former Trump White House chief of staff previously lost that battle at multiple levels of the court system in his Georgia case. This latest loss came in the more recently charged Arizona case, which is also related to alleged interference in the 2020 presidential election. Meadows has pleaded not guilty in both cases. Still, when it comes to the broader question of Meadows quest to have his state charges proceed in federal court, the Supreme Court may have the last word. In fact, after failing thus far at the trial and intermediate appellate levels in his Georgia attempt, Meadows has a petition pending with the justices. A response from Fulton County prosecutors is due at the end of the month, after which Meadows can file a final reply brief before the justices consider whether to take up his appeal. If the high court does so, that could also have implications for Meadows Arizona removal bid, which was rejected by a federal trial court Monday. The charged conduct against Meadows in Arizona is unrelated to his official duties as White House chief of staff, U.S. District Judge John Tuchi wrote in rejecting Meadows claim. Therefore, because the Court concludes that the conduct charged in the States prosecution does not relate to Mr. Meadowss color of former office, the Court must remand this case to state court, Tuchi wrote. Arizona falls under a different federal appeals court than Georgia. So if Meadows appeals the Arizona denial, its possible that the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals could reach a different result than the Atlanta-based 11th Circuit. But if the Supreme Court takes up Meadows appeal in the Georgia case, then that could set a national standard applying to both cases and to the law of removal generally. 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 BALTIMORE A group of House Republicans are rallying for policy change via executive order after a poll found that the majority of Marylanders support law enforcement coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to turn in people unlawfully in the U.S. who have been convicted of a violent crime. Marylanders clearly want change in Marylands ICE policies, Del. Matt Morgan, a St. Marys County Republican, said in a statement Tuesday. The support for a change in this policy is much stronger, wider, and higher than even the notable support for Governor Wes Moore. Marylands House Freedom Caucus composed of Morgan and his fellow Republican Dels. Ryan Nawrocki, Kathy Szeliga and Robin Grammer of Baltimore County, Mark Fisher of Calvert County, Nic Kipke and Brian Chisholm of Anne Arundel County, and Lauren Arikan of Harford County are calling on Moore, a Democrat, to issue an executive order mandating that local law enforcement honor active ICE detainers before releasing people who are unlawfully in the U.S. from detention. A September poll conducted by Gonzales Research & Media Services Inc. of 820 registered voters likely to cast their ballots during the 2024 general election showed that 84.3% of Marylanders, with a 3.5 percentage point margin of error, would prefer if local law enforcement officers were required to turn people not legally living in the U.S. who have been convicted of gang activity or a violent crime, including sexual offenses, over to ICE. A little less than 10% opposed that policy. Over 82% of white voters and 90% of Black voters indicated they want this increased coordination between local police and the federal government, and support was high among both political parties. More than 80% of Democrats and 95% of Republicans responded in favor of the question. According to the Migration Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C., think tank, there are an estimated 225,000 people who entered the country unlawfully living in Maryland. Moore spokesman Carter Elliott IV said the governor remains steadfast in his commitment to upholding the rule of law in Maryland. Ensuring public safety has been and continues to be the Moore-Miller Administrations highest priority. The governor is committed to upholding the law all while ensuring due process and protecting the rights of all individuals, Elliott said in a statement Tuesday. The administration will continue to work in partnership with federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to address criminal behavior effectively and responsibly, while respecting legal and procedural guidelines. In 2021, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation largely along party lines to prohibit counties from entering into agreements with ICE to detain immigrants on its behalf. Another law was enacted the same year requiring state employees to deny the inspection of files containing photos or personal information for immigration enforcement purposes unless the requester has a valid warrant. Former Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, vetoed both bills. His vetoes were overridden again, along party lines during a special legislative session in December 2021. A Tuesday news release from the Freedom Caucus called the former an anti-ICE, pro-open borders bill. Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Chair Jeff Waldstreicher, a Montgomery County Democrat, told The Baltimore Sun in a text message Tuesday that the caucus is just plain wrong. The poll reflects strong support for current law: cooperation with ICE against dangerous criminals but opposition to mass deportation of our immigrant neighbors, he said. Chisholm, the Anne Arundel County Republican, is working with a group of delegates to pre-file legislation to increase the cooperation between Maryland jails and ICE to remove any individual who is here illegally and incarcerated for the worst crimes such as rape, murder, and human trafficking, the Freedom Caucus news release said. Republican bills on controversial issues like reproductive rights and immigration do not often pass in the Democratic-controlled General Assembly. Cathryn Paul, the public policy director for the immigrants rights organization CASA, said that policies that encourage local law enforcement to act on behalf of ICE can have unintended consequences by establishing climates of mistrust with the police, and that questions like those included in the poll can oversimplify complex issues. The focus on extreme cases can ignore the broader reality of how these policies impact everyday lives. It doesnt capture the effects on families, neighborhoods, and public safety as a whole, Paul said. What we need is a more compassionate, thoughtful conversation about how to keep all of our communities safe. We should explore solutions that protect both public safety and the dignity and humanity of all people. Maryland voters have a renewed interest in immigration policy following the death of Rachel Morin, who was killed on a Harford County walking trail in August 2023. The man accused of killing her, Victor Martinez-Hernandez, unlawfully entered the country four times. He is alleged to have killed another woman in El Salvador. For Morins death, Martinez-Hernandez has been charged with first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree rape and first- and second-degree assault. Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said at a news conference in June that American citizens are not safe because of failed immigration policy. ICE detainers are only issued for dangerous criminals, and the public deserves to be safe in their homes and communities, Arikan, the Harford County Republican, said. -------- There is an open seat in the United States Senate for Maryland as U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, a Democrat of three Senate terms, is not seeking reelection. Cardins decision last May not to seek a fourth term changed the political landscape of the state, including in one Western Maryland U.S. congressional district, where three-term U.S. Rep. David Trone, D-6th, made a run (and lost a bid) for the seat in the May 14 primary. Now, several seats in the states 10-member U.S. congressional delegation are in the hands of the states voters, and in some parts of Maryland, voters have a say about important local offices this year, too. Find out more about the selections on your ballot below. US Senate Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, a Democrat, and former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, are seeking the seat currently held by Cardin. Alsobrooks, 53, has led the states second most populous county as executive for about the last six years. Prior to that, she served as the countys states attorney from 2011 to 2018. Hogan, 68, was Marylands governor from 2015 to 2023, and the states first two-term Republican since 1959. Learn more about Maryland US Senate race U.S. Congressional District One Marylands First United States Congressional District largely encompasses the states Eastern Shore. In addition to the nine Shore counties, the district also includes Harford County and some of Eastern Baltimore County. Incumbent Maryland U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, R-1st, is in his seventh term in the House of Representatives. Harris, 67, the only Republican currently in the states congressional delegation, is facing the Democratic candidate, Blane Miller III, 50, a longtime Republican himself, who lost a bid as a Democrat for Harford County Executive in 2022. Harris previously pledged to serve only six terms before his 2022 reelection. Learn more about the Maryland District One Congressional race Legislatively referred constitutional amendment In 2023, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation to refer an amendment to the states constitution to the states voters on a controversial topic: abortion. The states voters approved a related measure in 1992 with a majority vote to make the procedure legal. This years question proposes an amendment to the state constitution, which adds an article to the document on the topic of the ending of a pregnancy. If the measure is passed, any future changes would require a future General Assembly to put the issue again before voters. If the measure fails, the procedure would still be allowed under current state law. Learn more about the proposed constitutional amendment Wicomico County Executive form of government The ballot will allow Wicomico County residents to vote on whether to keep the County Executive form of government after the County Council approved Resolution 70-2024 in June. Under the resolution, the county would adopt a council manager form for government on Dec. 1, 2026, if approved by the public. The County Executive form of government was first adopted in 2006. Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano is currently in the post. Learn more about the proposed Wicomico County resolution. This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Salisbury, Maryland Election Guide for Congressional, local races BOSTON (SHNS) The Massachusetts real estate market continued to chug along at its sluggish pace in August, with single-family home sales ticking up slightly while median prices once again set a new high record for the month. The Warren Group said there were 4,499 single-family homes sold in Massachusetts last month, a 2.2 percent increase over August 2023. The months median sale price for those homes was up 5 percent year-over-year, to $630,000 and a new high for the month of August. Its also the fifth month in a row that the median price has stayed above $600,000, showing just how resilient the market has been, Cassidy Norton, associate publisher of The Warren Group said. High and climbing prices have put homeownership out of reach for many people who want to live in Massachusetts. Gov. Maura Healey and the Legislature hope a law passed and signed this summer will spur the production of about 45,000 new units and the preservation of 27,000 more. Massachusetts is expected to have a 220,000-plus housing unit shortage by 2030. Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus is attending a slate of ribbon-cuttings and groundbreakings for housing projects around the state. He was in Lawrence on Monday for a ceremony marking the adaptive reuse of a 175-year-old mill building into 86 rental apartments for families with income levels ranging from 30 percent of the area median income to market rate. Augustus on Tuesday is breaking ground on construction of 50 units of 100 percent affordable senior housing in Westminster, and on Wednesday cuts the ribbon on a 40-unit residential project in Springfield and then breaks ground on a Northampton project to turn a nursing home into 60 family apartments. So far this year, the 27,376 single-family homes sold in Massachusetts represent a 1.1 percent increase compared to the first eight months of 2023, a year that ended with the lowest volume of sales in 12 years. Meanwhile, the 2024-to-date median home price is up 8.8 percent over the same time period to $620,000. 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 WWLP. BOSTON (WWLP) State leaders launch Massachusetts 250, an initiative to promote the history of the Revolutionary War. On Tuesday, Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Mayor Michelle Wu, Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao, Massachusetts 250 Commission Co-chairs State Senator Paul Mark and State Representative Mindy Domb, and state and local officials kicked off the event outside the Boston State House. Costumed Revolutionary War re-enactors gathered outside the State House for the ceremony. Paul Revere was back in Boston, but this time he rode his horse up Beacon Hill to the State House steps to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Reveres ride kicked off Massachusetts 250, a tourism initiative that includes re-enactments, parades, historic house tours, and more. Massachusetts was one of the original U.S. colonies and has made history by being the state with many firsts, such as the first ride of the revolution. Massachusetts 250 recognizes that Massachusetts not only was the first to start to have the first public park but also the first institution of higher learning, Harvard University, and the first to recognize marriage equality. Governor Healey explained that Massachusetts is honoring the first 250 years of our history by looking back on all of the firsts Massachusetts has celebrated over the years, First in freedom! First in education! First in healthcare! First in innovation! We celebrate that history, we honor that history, and every day were also making history. Lawmakers return slimmed-down spring supp to Healey Western Massachusetts Senator Paul Mark is one of the co-chairs of the Revolution 250th Commission along with western Massachusetts Representative Mindy Domb. Senator Mark explained the importance of celebration Americas origins in this state. This country was conceived here in Massachusetts. And what a great opportunity here on the 250th anniversary coming up of that conception, that were going to showcase and spotlight what makes Massachusetts still great. The celebration also featured the Massachusetts innovation of a robot dog, as well as a colonial music performance and a speaking program. All Massachusetts 250 celebrations are leading up to the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on the fourth of July in 2026. The state is supporting small towns who want to join in on the celebrations The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, awarded $1.5 million to organizations across the state to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. That will maybe tell some untold stories and invite people behind the scenes to learn more about the sights people manage across the state. So hopefully people will start packing their bags and come learn the authentic story of revolution in Massachusetts, said Travel & Tourism Executive Director Kate Fox. The Office of Travel and Tourism said they expect to present another round of grants later in the year. Jonathan Lane is the Executive Director of one of the organizations putting on Massachusetts 250 and he explained what kind of projects small-town and western Massachusetts historical societies have put on to join in on the celebrations, Theyre looking to do essentially small events, trying to engage with speakers, theyre trying to tell underrepresented stories. Massachusetts 250 Grant Awardees: 1Berkshire, Pittsfield Boston 4 Foundation, Boston Carlisle Historical Society< Carlisle Charlestown Historical Society, Boston City of Cambridge, Cambridge City of Chelsea, Chelsea City of Fall River, Fall River City of Salem, Salem Congregational Library & Archives, Boston Essex National Heritage, Inc., Salem Explore New Bedford, New Bedford Framingham History Center, Framingham Freedom Trail Foundation, Boston Freedoms Way Heritage Association, Devens Friends of Doherty Park, Boston Hingham Historical Society, Hingham Historic New England, Haverhill Lexington Historical Society, Lexington Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston Museum of African American History, Boston and Nantucket Museum of Old Newbury, Newburyport North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, Salisbury Plimoth Patuxet Museums, Plymouth Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum, Hadley Somerville Museum, Somerville Springfield Preservation Trust, Springfield The Concord Museum, Concord The Innovation Trail of Greater Boston, Boston The Museum of Printing, Haverhill Town of Arlington, Arlington Town of Concord, Concord Town of Visitors Center, Lexington Town of Weymouth, Weymouth USS Constitution Museum, Boston Visit North Central Massachusetts, Fitchburg WBUR, Boston Towns that want to get involved can email the commission, co-chaired by western Massachusetts lawmakers, Senator Paul Mark and Representative Mindy Domb at massachusetts250@mass.gov. 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. Second Massachusetts teen arrested after letter carrier robbed at gunpoint in New Hampshire Police have arrested a second Massachusetts teenager for his role in the brazen armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier at gunpoint in Nashua in April, U.S. Attorney Jane Young said Tuesday. Tyler Savinon, 18, of Lowell, Massachusetts, was charged with aiding, abetting, counseling, commanding, inducing, and procuring the robbery of property of the United States, Young said in a statement. Savinon was scheduled to appear in federal court in Concord on Tuesday afternoon. According to the charging documents, Savinon directed two co-conspirators, including one juvenile, to rob the mail carrier in order to obtain a proprietary key that would unlock blue mail collection boxes in the Nashua area. Surveillance video obtained by Boston 25 in April shows two suspects, one of them wearing a black mask and holding what appears to be a gun, approach the mail carrier at his USPS truck. The carrier is then seen raising his hands up in the air and giving something to the armed person. Another person can be seen approaching the back of the mail truck. Information, pictures, and video from concerned residents helped investigators identify the robbers, and eventually led police to Savinon, Young said. Investigators determined that Savinon had used the stolen key to access at least two collection boxes in Nashua one on Dunstable Road and one on Spring Street. Some of the stolen mail was used in financial crimes, such as check washing, Young said. If convicted, Savinon faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. In April, another teenager, Baraka Janvier, 18, also of Lowell, Massachusetts, was arrested in connection with the armed robbery of a postal worker in Nashua. Prosecutors charged Janvier in April with robbery after the USPS postal carrier was brazenly held up at gunpoint on Blacksmith Way in Nashua on the afternoon of April 16. 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 Like weve never seen In his rallies and in his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Donald Trump has repeatedly described the United States as a failing nation. His candidacy remains the best evidence for that claim. The Republican candidate for president of the United States baldly asserted on national television that doctors are executing babies after birth. He said that immigrants are stealing and eating Americans pet dogs and cats. He defended the rioters who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6. Even if he loses the election, this debate was a reminder though, frankly, one we didnt need that our democracy has big problems. Lets review the numbers on Donald Trump: 34 felony convictions. 54 pending criminal charges. 2 impeachments. 2 popular vote losses. $88 million owed to E. Jean Carroll. $450 million owed for civil fraud. $8 trillion added to the national debt. 2.9 million net losses of jobs. Is this what Trump meant when he promised numbers like weve never seen? Caroline Cottom Greensboro School shootings I agree with your September editorial about excising another in front of school shooting. But my formula for excision would be brutal: Shoot to kill. Responding officers will be ordered to kill the shooter even if he is surrendering, thus sparing us years of trials and appeals featuring whining about the shooter being abused as a child. News blackout. We need not know about school shootings. As in World War II, the press suppressed information that would have benefitted our enemies. Lesson: no payoff (attention) for school shootings. Most school shootings are copycat affairs fueled by what shooters see in the media. Hold parents liable. A minors parents are liable for his torts (civil wrongs). Criminal responsibility is another matter and should be investigated. Hold Hollywood accountable. It is a hotbed of antigunners but home to movies and videos flooded with graphic, gratuitous violence. No realistic consequence of violence is shown. Of course, our fine American Civil Liberties Union would petition a federal judge within minutes after my first two proposals are adopted. In the 1960s I took a Colt 1851 Navy revolver to Claxton and Kiser schools. It was an unloaded cap-and-ball revolver; the biggest danger was it falling on someones foot. The objective was educational: showing fellow students an example of a revolver used during the Civil War. Each time my father or uncle was with me. I regret that such an educational exercise would not be tolerated today. Charles A. Jones Greensboro Keep Doonesbury How does the newspaper decide which comics to run? If you want to pick some of the dumbest, anodyne, obscure cartoons for the comics section of the newspaper, fine. But at least bring back Doonesbury. Its relevant and funny and has a point to make, which perhaps explains why it was dropped? Scott Culclasure Greensboro Comics? No, candidates. I had thought of writing about how youve helped stop my lifelong habit of reading the morning comicssince your freshening up looks more like a trip back to the 1960s. But then I thought, I neednt waste limited letters to you about that. So let me instead write about two outstanding candidates for office. Because in the busyness of so many races, some may not have heard or read or seen on TikTok Jeff Jackson for attorney general. He is the real deal. There is not a politician I know who talks so plainly about what is important and why, how our system works or doesnt. He cares about the 99%; he serves in the JAG Corps Army Reserve; and hes a former state senator and prosecutor, and a current congressman. He will serve us well as attorney general. Please check out his newsletters or videos https://www.jeffjacksonnc.com/ Agriculture commissioner candidate Sarah Tabor has experience starting and running successful agribusinesses. She has 21st century ideas for how the agriculture industry in N.C. can be more successful. As a consumer I care about the quality of my food and how the land and people are treated in my home state. She has ideas about what we grow, who works in agriculture and how we do business that would be healthy for our state. Check out her plans at https://taberfornc.com/platform I dont know if these candidates agree with me on your change in the comics. But I do know they will be good for North Carolina. Jean Pudlo Greensboro Singing the Blues I am a longtime subscriber to the paper version of the News & Record. Over the last couple of years, the reasons to continue the subscription have waned. The Harris Teeter coupons virtually vanished, the articles have become less and less timely and relevant and now, my favorite comic, Baby Blues, has been removed from the pages. The only thing that keeps me as a subscriber is the obituaries. Please bring Baby Blues back or Ill be writing my own obit for my subscription. Amy Kemp Greensboro My question is why? Did anyone ask for the comics to be freshened (i.e., for the paper to get rid of the comics we have enjoyed for years)? Did the N&R do a survey of subscribers to ask if the readers wanted changes to those comics? Please, restore the previous strips by those we love: Steven Patsis, Brian Crane, Kirkman & Scott, Charles Shulz, etc. Or is this change final, and the final reason to cancel our subscriptions? George Orfanedes Greensboro WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) A Masury man received his sentence last week in a child endangering case. Jerami Wells, 33, pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree felony child-endangering charge last month. Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas Judge Ronald Rice sentenced Wells to three years of probation last Thursday, according to court records. Wells was charged in March after police were called to an apartment complex on Addison Road, where a caller said a young child was running through the parking lot without any shoes, socks or a coat. The temperature at the time was 35 degrees. When officers tried to make contact at the apartment where the children lived, the door was open but no one answered when officers knocked multiple times. Police said Wells, the father of the children returned and said he left the children, ages 2 and 5, alone while he walked to the store. The charge was elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony because Wells had a previous conviction for child endangerment, the report stated. 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. We May Have Found Where Modern Humans And Neanderthals Became One Small group of people in furs with wooden hunting tools walking through a forest When modern humans emerged from Africa, they explored far more than just new places. They encountered other human species, and in the Zagros Mountains of Iran, they did a heck of a lot more than just say hello. New research suggests this is where Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis interbred, changing the fate of at least our species, as we still carry Neanderthal DNA millennia later. Archaeologist Saman Guran from Germany's University of Cologne and colleagues used a combination of genetic, archaeological, topographical, and ecological data to narrow down the location. "We believe that the Zagros Mountains acted as a corridor facilitating northwards dispersal of [modern humans] and southwards dispersal of Neanderthals," the team writes in their published paper. This area includes one of the best-known Neanderthal sites, Shanidar Cave, where the remains of ten Neanderthal individuals were discovered, including the famous flower burial. Discoveries such as these have revealed Neanderthals are far smarter, creative, and caring than we initially gave them credit for. Guran and team's modeling based on the multiple data sources suggests the Zagros Mountains are where the environmental conditions that best suit modern humans and those best suited to our now extinct cousins overlap. It includes regions of colder habitats like the Neanderthals' Palearctic birthplaces, as well as the warmer richer habitats of the Afrotropical realm that birthed our own species. "Archaeological and fossil evidence indicates that [modern humans] entered southwestern Asia during [this time]," the researchers say. The timing, between around 120 and 80 thousand years ago, coincides with the second wave of interbreeding that's still written in our genes. With its high biodiversity, the Zagros region also had enough resources to allow both species to exist side by side, and the variety of environments allowed for pockets of safety when climatic conditions got tough. "The border areas of two realms are important in biology since they operate as refugia for species from glacial environments," Guran and team explain. It may have even been such shifts in climate conditions that drove both species closer together, increasing their interactions. Habitat suitability models of the two Homo species and their potential contact and interbreeding zones in southwest Asia and southeast Europe. (Guran et al., Scientific Reports, 2024) A single 65,000-year-old Neanderthal tooth, associated with a collection of stone tools, supports Guran and teams' ecological modeling. It places Neanderthals in the right place during the right time. What's more, previous research has found similarities in facial features between Neanderthals and modern humans in this region as well. Curiously, while we have ample evidence of Neanderthal DNA in humans, we have yet to find an example of modern human DNA in Neanderthals. This may just be due to the scarcity of available DNA specimens from Neanderthals, or it may be that due to the 500,000 or so years of genetic separation between our two species, successful gene exchange was rare. Guran and team encourage Iranian archeologists to investigate the area they've identified for further clues to such mysteries. The two species of humans shared the Persian plateau for tens of thousands of years, before Neanderthals lost their grip on existence. Now all that remains alive of this other humanity lives on only thanks to these encounters. This research was published in Scientific Reports. Related News PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) In response to a civil complaint filed by former constituent liaison Miguel Sanchez, Gov. Dan McKee and his two appointees named as defendants in the suit have filed an answer in U.S. District Court for the State of Rhode Island. In his initial complaint, Sanchez claims McKee, Senior Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Almond, and Chief of Staff Antonio Afonso violated his right to free speech by terminating his employment over social media posts about the Israel-Hamas conflict, saying, Firing ordinary government workers for expressing disfavored viewpoints in their personal life violates [their First Amendment right to freedom of speech]. BACKGROUND: McKee fires City Council member from governors office over Israel comments McKee and his fellow defendants pushed back in their response, notably denying Sanchezs claims that his role as a constituent services staffer was equivalent to a tech support role for government services and that he was not a spokesperson for the Governor and was not involved in policy conversation. They also disagreed with Sanchezs allegation that his was not a partisan political role and denied having knowledge of Sanchezs plans to run for Providence City Council when he was hired in 2021. (Sanchez, a progressive Democrat, was elected to represent Ward 6 in November 2022 and assumed office the following January.) Both parties agreed on the following facts of the case: On Oct. 22, 2023, Sanchez posted a short video on his X account showing protestors marching at an Oct. 21 rally in support of Palestinian citizens caught in the crossfire between Israel and the Hamas militant group, with a comment praising the large turnout. (Defendants agreed: A video was posted to an X account named @MSanchezPVD on October 22, 2023, the contents of which speak for themselves.) On Monday, Oct. 23, the Governor released the following statement: Let me be very clear I unequivocally condemn the despicable acts of war and terror perpetrated by Hamas against the people of Israel. (Defendants agreed: On October 23, 2023, the Governor released a statement, the contents of which speak for themselves.) The afternoon of Oct. 26, Sanchez met with Afonso and Almond about the stories surrounding his X posts from the Oct. 21 rally. Afonso and Almond also asked Sanchez if his posts were still up. Sanchez told them they were and no one had asked him to take them down. Afonso told Sanchez, You have the constitutional right to say whatever you want, but not the constitutional right to work here. The next afternoon, on Oct. 27, Sanchez was again summoned to meet with Afonso. Afonso and Almond met Sanchez in Afonsos office. Afonso offered Sanchez the options of being terminated or resigning. No one associated with the Governors office had previously asked Sanchez to remove his personal posts. Sanchez asked to speak with a representative from Human Resources. In response, Afonso asked Sanchez to leave the room. After Afonso and Almond conferred, they offered Sanchez a week of severance if he would sign a resignation letter. After reiterating his request to speak with Human Resources first, Sanchez was terminated on the spot, and escorted out by a capitol police officer. On Oct. 30, in response to a request for comment on Sanchezs firing, the Governors press secretary, Olivia DeRocha [sic], reiterated that [t]he Governors position on Israel is clear. She also added that acts of violence will not be tolerated in Rhode Island. (Defendants agreed: On October 30, 2023, DeRocha issued a statement, the contents of which speak for themselves.) On Oct. 31, DeRocha added that Sanchezs words and actions became a major distraction to the daily work of the Governors office. (Defendants agreed: On October 31, 2023, DeRocha issued a statement, the contents of which speak for themselves.) At a later conference, Governor McKee cited the interest that the questions that are being asked through the media and others as a reason for firing Sanchez. (Defendants agreed: On October 31, 2023, the Governor issued a statement, the contents of which speak for themselves.) The defendants denied Sanchezs assertion that he is entitled to compensatory relief against Alfonso and Almond, including back pay, compensation for time spent searching for replacement jobs, and mental anguish, instead requesting that the complaint be dismissed in its entirety and that costs and attorneys fees be awarded to the defendants. Both parties indicated that they would like to see the case decided by a jury. 0812 0913 SIDE BY SIDE 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. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attends a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Villa Doria Pamphilj in Rome. Roberto Monaldo/LaPresse via ZUMA Press/dpa Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed her satisfaction with the planned appointment of her far-right confidant Raffaele Fitto as one of the vice presidents of the European Commission. "Italy is finally a key player in Europe again," she declared in Rome after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled her picks for commissioners for the next five years. "Good luck, Raffaele. We are sure that you will fulfil your duties very well in the interest of Europe and Italy," she said. Fitto, who belongs to Meloni's Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, was previously with the Christian Democrats and the conservative Forza Italia party founded by Silvio Berlusconi. In Brussels, he is to hold the cohesion and reforms portfolio in von der Leyen's team of commissioners. Currently, Fitto is the Minister for European Affairs in Meloni's coalition of three right-wing parties which has been vigorously attempting to gain more influence in Brussels. The European Parliament still needs to approve the appointment. Resistance to the appointment has already been voiced in recent days from various factions who see Fitto as emblematic of a dangerous rightward shift in Europe. But others in Brussels dismiss that view, describing Fitto as more of a moderate and, above all, pro-European. A Kansas jury found six former members of a nationwide cult guilty Monday of forced labor and conspiracy to commit forced labor, federal authorities said. Kaaba Majeed, 50; Yunus Rassoul, 39; James Staton, 62; Randolph Rodney Hadley, 49; Daniel Aubrey Jenkins, 43; and Dana Peach, 60, were each convicted for their roles in enforcing child labor practices by way of physical, emotional and psychological abuse, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. Three of the defendants were previously high-ranking members of the United Nation of Islam, while three were wives of the cults founder, Royall Jenkins. The defendants were indicted in 2021, along with 48-year-old Etenia Kinard and 45-year-old Jacelyn Greenwell, who previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit forced labor. The trial took 26 days, according to the news release. Along with a large branch in Kansas City, Kansas, The United Nation of Islam operated sects in cities including New York City, Newark, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Atlanta, according to the Department of Justice. The KCK branch included an unlicensed organization that was billed as a boarding school for children from across the United States, but was actually a forced work program for children ages 8 to 16. The group, which at one point had hundreds of followers, was founded in the 1970s by Royall Jenkins. Jenkins, a former truck driver, convinced his followers that he was taken through the galaxy by aliens on a spaceship and shown the proper way to rule Earth. He moved the groups headquarters to KCK in the 1990s. Under the custody of cult members, the young victims worked upwards of 16 hours a day without pay in businesses including restaurants, gas stations, bakeries, laboratories and clothing factories, according to the federal indictment. The six defendants also forced the children to work in their own homes as unpaid cleaners and child care workers. The victims all lived in deplorable conditions, in overcrowded facilities often overrun with mold, mice and rats, the DOJ Office of Public Affairs wrote in a Monday news release. In contrast, the defendants and their immediate families lived comfortably. In order to enforce the illegal labor practices and conditions, the defendants and other UNOI members meted out corporal punishment, including forcing some of the children to undergo colonics, according to the federal indictment. Other forms of punishment included solitary confinement and isolation from the outside world, including restrictions on what victims read, who they spoke to and how much they weighed. Victims reported being beaten with a paddle, dangled upside down over train tracks, hit with extension cords and forced to consume only lemon juice for days at a time, according to the indictment. A federal judge in Kansas designated the United Nation of Islam as a cult in 2018. The same year, U.S. Judge Daniel Crabtree ordered $8 million be paid to Kendra Ross, a woman who said she was forced to perform unpaid labor for 10 years as a child in the cult. The eight defendants, including Greenwell and Kinard, will next appear in a federal district court on Feb. 18 for sentencing. Each could be sentenced to up to 20 years in federal prison. Previous reporting by The Stars Bill Lukitsch and Luke Nozicka was used in this article. (Bloomberg) -- The Czech town of Krnov never thought it would see again the kind of water that destroyed homes and inundated businesses more than a quarter of a century ago. Yet its shocked residents are now faced with something worse. Most Read from Bloomberg About 80% of Krnov, which is home to 23,000 people, was flooded in recent days. About 130 people remain in evacuation centers and the rest of the displaced were staying with friends and family, Deputy Mayor Miroslav Binar said in a text message late Monday. The town on the Opava river, which forms the border with Poland, is a snapshot of the devastation across central Europe from torrential rain thats rekindled memories of the havoc wreaked across the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany in 1997. Just weeks ago, the region was baking in heat, a weather pattern that led to a more vicious storm. Red weather alerts remain in place, with thousands of people already evacuated. Most people in Krnov remain without power or drinking water. The local hospital, lined with sandbags, was operating without working elevators, and was running on a back-up generator, local media reported. The flooding is worse than 27 years ago, Binar said. Thats based on a greater area of the town affected and higher levels of water, he said. It stunned us. Krnovs history dates back to the 13th century, yet its known more now for its soft drinks factory. Kofola CeskoSlovensko AS, named after its flagship caffeinated drink devised in the 1960s as a Communist-era substitute for Coke, said it had to suspend production in Krnov and was unable to say on Monday when operations would resume. The water level in Krnov was higher this time than in the dramatic year of 1997, when my father and I sat on the roof of our production hall, Jannis Samaras, Kofolas co-founder and chief executive officer, said in a statement. Tomorrow well start with the cleanup, and well work hard to resume production as quickly as possible. Images from the town were closely watched in the Czech Republic as firefighters struggled to convince people to leave their homes. That later complicated the rescue operation as the Opava rose and residents were forced to flee. Binar said it was too early to assess the financial cost. Right now, were solving basic needs of people, he said. But I expect that damages to the town and private property will be in hundreds of million or even a billion koruna. --With assistance from Peter Laca. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. When Chad Ullery wanted to restore a 1984 Land Rover Defender, he hired a Gig Harbor company to perform the work. He had heard the company and its owner had a good reputation. Nearly eight years went by and Ullery claimed he was ripped off: The job remained unfinished and the vehicle had yet to be returned. Ullery sued Defenders Northwest, alleging that the vehicle restorer and parts supplier was paid more than $140,000 for a project it never intended to complete. In two practically identical lawsuits filed since 2022 in a California court, Ullery accused the company of selling his vehicle and later attempting to pass off a different and inferior one as his own. This is absolute fraud on a scale thats unbelievable, Ullery said in an interview. Defenders Northwest and related defendants denied all allegations in a response filed in Orange County Superior Court the California jurisdiction where the two legal complaints were lodged. An attorney representing the company declined to comment on the suits, citing the pending litigation. Defenders Northwest is aware of the ongoing lawsuits involving a single vehicle, company CEO Brian Hall, whos a named defendant, said in a statement to The News Tribune. We strongly deny the allegations of fraud and the false and damaging information being spread online. We are vigorously defending ourselves and our honor in the face of these allegations. The company claimed that Ullery and others owed more than $60,000 for work performed on the Defender and in storage fees, including interest, according to court documents. A Land Rover Defender, seen here, is not the same as the vehicle brought into a Gig Harbor auto shop for restoration, lawsuits claim. Four lawsuits Ullery, a former kickboxer and actor whose credits include House of 1000 Corpses, said the gist of his claims are simple. Its pretty straightforward, he said. Im a guy who was trying to get a car built and got screwed by the guy who was supposed to do it. The details of the falling out are more complicated as are the parties involved. The litigation was filed in California, where Ullery lives, because a written agreement for the restoration work from February 2015 included language that any arising disputes between the parties would be resolved in Orange County, the suits said. Two complaints one filed in late 2022 and another in July laid out the alleged scheme perpetuated by Defenders Northwest against Ullery and fellow plaintiff Belmont Asset Solutions, LLC, a basically dissolved consulting business for which Ullery is a shareholder, he said. Yuri Vanetik is a representative and counsel for the plaintiffs, who took over managing the restoration project. He brought forth a third lawsuit amended last year in Orange County. Vanetik, a well-known Republican fundraiser, accused Hall and Halls wife of defamation for allegedly attacking him online, including through the use of fake-name accounts, to cause harm to his finances and reputation. In July, Belmont Asset Solutions sued Defenders Northwest and the Halls in Pierce County Superior Court, seeking to release a chattel lien that Defenders Northwest filed against the vehicle. A chattel lien legally enables a company to acquire or sell a vehicle if not compensated for work performed on it. All four lawsuits stemming from the dispute are ongoing. Legal troubles Vanetik, who describes himself as an attorney, political activist and businessman once serving as California Lottery commissioner and Criminal Justice commissioner told The News Tribune that he and others fell into this spiderweb with Defenders Northwest. Vanetik has been the subject of fraud-related litigation in the past. Perhaps most prominently, he was found liable for promissory fraud in a case reported on by the New York Times in 2019 regarding a Ukrainian businessman who had alleged Vanetik bilked him out of $200,000 after failing to deliver promised tickets to President Donald Trumps inauguration in 2017. Vanetik was later ordered to pay $200,000 plus interest after losing a federal court appeal in California last year, court records show. As a venture investor, I am often involved in litigation. Its outcome can be unpredictable, and in some instances being morally and legally right can still lead to losing a case, Vanetik said in a statement this month in response to the court decision. In litigation, just like in investing, losing is an inevitable risk. Vanetiks involvement in several civil lawsuits were scrutinized in 2018 in one of three stories published about him by McClatchy. The story reported on a case where he and his father were ordered to pay a combined $4.75 million for defrauding investors. Vanetik refuted McClatchys reporting, alleging that its claims and insinuations were patently false and that he hadnt been contacted for the article. He said he disagreed with the courts decision issuing the multi-million-dollar judgment, which was related to an oil business, noting that it was overturned on appeal and significantly reduced. The plaintiff said that $1.3 million of the judgment remained unsatisfied as of September 2023, according to a January court document. Delays for years The vehicle restoration was initially expected to cost $46,000 and take just a few months to complete, according to the two core complaints. Defenders Northwest billed the plaintiffs for parts, labor and other expenses between 2015 and 2018 but never actually acquired the parts or performed any substantive work, the suits claimed. As the timeline dragged on, the filings alleged, the company and Hall created excuses for delays, including a purportedly staged burglary and vandalism incidents, mystery mechanical bugs and difficulty obtaining parts attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The vehicle wasnt Ullerys primary mode of transportation, Ullery said, explaining why it had taken two to three years into the project before his concern began to set in. When he decided he finally wanted the vehicle returned in 2022, the lawsuits claimed, he and others were presented with unfounded charges and a last-minute release form they refused to sign that noted, among other things, that the vehicle was inoperable. A Federal Way-based attorney associated with Defenders Northwest, Shawn Harju, is also a named defendant in the two main lawsuits, accused of wrongfully demanding nearly $50,000 in storage payments and other fees and threatening to sell the vehicle. Messages left for Harju and a lawyer believed to be representing her were not returned. Harju was recently named as a defendant in an unrelated lawsuit alleging she received $114,000 through false invoices and fraudulent payments, the Federal Way Mirror reported last month. Harju has sought to have the suit tossed, according to legal news outlet Law360. Ullery claimed that Defenders Northwest had, at some point, taken the vehicle without permission to an auto show in Las Vegas, which he said was indicative that the Defender had been rebuilt in top-notch condition. An expert was hired by the plaintiffs to inspect the Defender purportedly belonging to Ullery and held by the defendants. The expert opined that it was in poor shape, worth almost nothing and not the same Defender that Ullery had sought to restore several years earlier, according to that experts court declaration. Ullery claimed that his vehicle had been stolen. Its almost as bad as if you dropped a brand new Corvette off at someones shop and they pulled around a Ford Fiesta and said thats your car, he said. Its almost that ludicrous. Beyond adamantly rejecting that his company did anything wrong, Hall said he was determined to prove the allegations to be false through the courts. We remain steadfast and committed to obtaining justice through the judicial system, trusting the process to absolve us from these baseless claims, he said. The two core lawsuits are seeking at least $400,000 in economic damages, legal fees and other relief deemed appropriate by the court, copies show. Credit - Jaap ArriensNurPhoto/Getty Images Social media company Metathe parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsAppannounced Monday that it will ban RT and other Russian state media from its apps worldwide, days after the State Department announced sanctions against Kremlin-coordinated news organizations. After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets: Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity, Meta said in a statement provided to TIME. Before the ban, RT had over 7 million followers on Facebook, while its Instagram account had over a million followers. The move is an escalation of actions Meta announced in 2022, after Russias invasion of Ukraine, to limit the spread of Russian disinformation, which at the time included labeling and demoting posts with links to Russian state-controlled media outlets and demonetizing the accounts of those outlets and prohibiting them from running ads. The company also complied with E.U. and U.K. government requests to restrict access to RT and Sputnik in those territories. In response, in March 2022, Russia blocked access to Facebook and Instagram in the country. Metas latest actions come after Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a press conference on Friday that the U.S. government has concluded Rossiya Segodnya and five of its subsidiaries, including RT, are no longer merely firehoses of Russian Government propaganda and disinformation; they are engaged in covert influence activities aimed at undermining American elections and democracies, functioning like a de facto arm of Russias intelligence apparatus. Sanctions unveiled Friday were imposed on RTs parent company TV-Novosti as well as on Rossiya Segodnya and its general director Dmitry Kiselyov, and the State Department issued a notice alerting the world to RTs covert global activities. Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told the Associated Press that the State Departments allegations were nonsense. Metas new global ban follows a similar YouTube global ban on Russian state-funded media channels, while TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) block access to RT and Sputnik in the E.U. and U.K. Contact us at letters@time.com. Meta threat reports indicate Russia has been the leading source of covert influence campaigns disrupted at the social networking giant's platform (Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV) (Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/AFP) Meta said it is banning Russian state media outlets from its apps around the world, prompting an angry reaction from the Kremlin on Tuesday. The ban comes after the United States accused RT and employees of the state-run outlet of funneling $10 million through shell entities to covertly fund influence campaigns on social media channels including TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube, according to an unsealed indictment. "After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets," Meta said on Monday in response to an AFP inquiry. "Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity," said Meta, whose apps include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads. The Kremlin on Tuesday slammed the decision as "unacceptable". "With this action Meta discredits itself," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. RT was forced to cease formal operations in Britain, Canada, the European Union and the United States due to sanctions after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, according to the indictment unsealed in New York, US prosecutors quoted an RT editor-in-chief as saying it created an "entire empire of covert projects" designed to shape public opinion in "Western audiences." - Secret content backing - One of the covert projects involved funding and direction of an online content creation company in Tennessee, according to the indictment. Since launching in late 2023, the US content creation operation supported by Russia has posted nearly 2,000 videos that have logged more than 16 million views on YouTube alone, according to the indictment. Prosecutors cited a content producer as grousing about being pressed by the company to post a video early this year of a "well-known US political commentator visiting a grocery store in Russia," complaining it felt like "overt shilling" but agreeing to put the video out. The company never disclosed to viewers it was funded by RT, US prosecutors said. "RT has pursued malign influence campaigns in countries opposed to its policies, including the United States, in an effort to sow domestic divisions and thereby weaken opposition to Government of Russia objectives," prosecutors argued in the indictment. - Proxies and mercenaries - Russia is the biggest source of covert influence operations disrupted by Meta at its platform since 2017, and such efforts at deceptive online influence ramped up after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to threat reports released routinely by the social media giant. Meta had previously banned the Federal News Agency in Russia to thwart foreign interference activities by the Russian Internet Research Agency. RT capabilities were expanded early last year, with the Russian government enhancing it with "cyber operational capabilities and ties to Russian intelligence," the US State Department said in a recent release. Cyber capabilities were focused primarily on influence and intelligence operations around the world, according to the State Department. Information gathered by covert RT operations flows to Russia's intelligence services, Russian media outlets, Russian mercenary groups, and other "proxy arms" of the Russian government, the United States maintained. The State Department said it was engaged in diplomatic efforts to inform governments around the world about Russia's use of RT to conduct covert activities and encourage them to take action to limit "Russia's ability to interfere in foreign elections and procure weapons for its war against Ukraine." burs/gv The Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp apps can be seen on the display of a smartphone, in front of the logo of Meta. Jens Buttner/dpa Social media giant Meta has intensified its efforts to curb Russian state propaganda, banning Russian media outlet RT globally just seven weeks before the US presidential election. RT, formerly known as Russia Today, along with several affiliated organizations, will no longer be allowed on Meta's platforms, the company announced late Monday. Meta-owned companies include WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram. RT had already been blocked in the European Union since spring 2022 due to disinformation campaigns related to the Russian war in Ukraine. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused RT on Friday of seeking to "meddle in the sovereign affairs of countries around the world." New information showed that RT "possess cyber capabilities and engaged in covert information and influence operations and military procurement," he added. The administration in Washington accused Russia of interfering in the US presidential election campaign. Similar accusations had been made in previous elections. The US imposed sanctions on several individuals and organizations, including representatives of RT, last week. Meta had already taken action against Russian state media after Russia's attack on Ukraine in February 2022, including curbing the distribution of its posts. The company said Russia remains the biggest source of covert influence operations. Meanwhile, RT accounts are still available in countries outside the EU on Elon Musk's social media platform X. Meta has banned Russian state media from its social media platforms in the wake of the outlets foreign interference activity, the company announced late Monday. After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets: Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity, Meta said in a statement shared with The Hill. The social media company expects the enforcement to be rolled out over the next few days as part of its broader efforts to combat Russian overt influence operations, Meta said. The Kremlin railed against Metas decision on Tuesday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters such selective actions against Russian media are unacceptable, and alleged Meta is discrediting themselves with the decision, The Associated Press reported. We have an extremely negative attitude towards this. And this, of course, complicates the prospects for normalizing our relations with Meta, Peskov said during his daily conference call, the AP reported. RT was formerly known as Russia Today. Rossiya Segodnya is the parent company for state news agency RIA Novosti and other outlets like Sputnik Radio. Its cute how theres a competition in the West who can try to spank RT the hardest, in order to make themselves look better, RT told The Hill in a statement, adding that Metas actions are censoring information flow to the rest of the world. Dont worry, where they close a door, and then a window, our partisans (or in your parlance, guerrilla fighters) will find the cracks to crawl through as by your own admission we are apt at doing, the outlet added. RT noted Meta and Facebook already blocked RT in Europe two years ago. In February 2022, Meta first took steps to limit the spread of Russian state-controlled media, which included blocking such outlets from running ads and adding nudges asking users to confirm they want to share or navigate to content from these outlets. These actions were taken for Meta platforms across the globe in all languages. Rossiya Segodnya did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Metas announcement comes just days after the State Department alleged RT is a convert influence arm of the Russian government. In doing so, it sanctioned the outlets parent company, stating RT has moved beyond being simply a media outlet and has been an entity with cyber capabilities. Earlier this month, the Justice Department (DOJ) handed down an indictment accusing two RT employees of leading a covert influence campaign by partnering with conservative company Tenet Media to hire various right-wing influencers. The DOJ also seized more than two dozen web domains it said Russia was using for covert campaigns. The moves marked some of the strongest taken by the Biden administration to combat alleged efforts by the Russian government the intelligence company has called the predominant threat to U.S. elections. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Meta has banned RT and other Russian state media outlets on its platforms, which include Facebook and Instagram. "After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets," the company told Engadget in a statement. "Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity." Meta shared briefing materials with Reuters, in which the company said it found evidence in the past that Russian outlets took steps to prevent their foreign interference activities online from being detected. It said it expects the outlets to continue with their deceptive practices. The ban will be enforced over the coming days. The company's announcement comes days after the Biden administration publicly accused RT of spreading propaganda and disinformation online. Authorities said that RT is spreading propaganda and information to justify and back its invasion of Ukraine using media outlets catering to locals, such as ones targeting Africa and France. Meta restricted Russian state media's access to Facebook in Ukraine back in 2022 at the request of its government, in order to limit the spread of those outlets' content. In response, Russia blocked Facebook in the country a few days later and opening a criminal case against the company. A judge later found Facebook and Instagram guilty of "extremist" activity, effectively banning Meta from opening offices and doing business in Russia. U.S. tech giant Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, announced a global ban on Russian state-run media outlets like RT and Rossiya Segodnya, citing their involvement in covert influence operations. This move escalates the company's previous actions, which had focused on limiting the reach of these outlets and blocking their ads. The ban will be enforced across Metas platforms, including Instagram and WhatsApp, over the next few days. The decision follows U.S. charges against RT employees for alleged efforts to influence the 2024 election, with Meta stating that Russian state media has a history of using deceptive tactics online. Earlier in September, the U.S. announced a sweeping crackdown on supposed Russian election interference, seizing 32 internet domains linked to Kremlin propaganda campaigns and sanctioning several high-profile propagandists working for RT. Alongside the new warning about RT, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that "the State Department also designated the Russian state-funded and directed media company Rossiya Segodnya and five of its subsidiaries, including RT, under the Foreign Missions Act." Read also: Kremlin propagandist attacked in Russia, possibly killed, Ukraines intelligence reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Miami Heat franchise officially condemned Haitian hate comments on social media amid a surge of false claims targeting the community. The false narrative surrounding them is extremely hurtful and offensive and has sadly made innocent people targets of hateful speech and physical threats, the team wrote. Our Haitian employees, fans and friends deserve better. The comment comes after former President Trump and his running mate JD Vance amplified claims of immigrants eating dogs in Springfield, Ohio. Cities across the country say their Haitian population has been adversely affected by Vances statements. Miami specifically touts 96,000 Haitians according to the U.S. Census. The Miami Heat staff, like Miami itself, is a diverse and brilliant mix of vibrant cultures, including many members of our Haitian community, reads the statement. On Sunday, Vance denied the impact of his claims and denounced any violence onset as a result of his reports while being interviewed by CNN anchor Dana Bash. There is nothing that I have said that has led to threats against these hospitals. These hospitals, the bomb threats and, so forth, its disgusting, said Vance. The violence is disgusting. We condemn it. Later in the interview, Vance admitted he embellished reports he received of the uncommon practice. The American media totally ignored this stuff until Donald Trump and I started talking about cat memes, Vance said. If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then thats what Im going to do, Dana, because you guys are completely letting Kamala Harris coast. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. To help inform voters across the state, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The News & Observer to help make this coverage possible. Name: Michael Dublin District/seat: Congressional District 2 Political party: Green Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 41 Campaign website: dublin4congress.org Current occupation: Teacher Professional experience: 24 years of teaching. Various other jobs previous to returning to school to complete my education and answering the call to become an educator and mentor in the public school setting. I volunteered in prison ministry for over two decades. Education: North Carolina State University Please list any notable government or civic involvement. This term notable is subjective. Notable to whom? I have been voting since 1986. I was engaged in social, political and environmental actions before that. I have been a boot on the ground and a voice in the street since the early 1980s. Even in the 1970s I was a young member of the NAACP. My involvement is notable to me and those I stand for justice with. What would be your top priority if elected? Currently, the top priority is to stop the genocide in Gaza and other areas around the globe. Since my youth I have never understood why in a country as rich and religious as ours we will not provide universal health care such as Medicaid for All. Health care is a human right. I also advocate for a livable wage of at least $25 an hour. I support cash reparations for descendants of slaves in the USA. I support the True Green New Deal because we dont have a spare planet in the trunk. How would you describe the state of the economy and what would you do to improve it? Our economy is predatory. The super rich get richer; dont pay enough taxes as they should with a progressive tax structure. Paying the workers what they deserve, taxing the rich corporations what they deserve and making sure everyone has health care (real health care, not junk health care, or access to health care that our slick politicians with their plastic promises advocate.) What should Congress do to ensure that it meets its deadline to fund the government? Stop playing these cat and mouse game with real peoples lives in the balance. Congress knows when these appropriation bills are due. Yet, too many of the members want to get on the House or Senate floor and put on a theatrical production for their constituents that would make Bugs Bunny proud. Will you certify the results of the presidential election? Yes Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue? Whereas I agree with this: Achieve 100% clean renewable energy and zero-to-negative carbon emissions by no later than 2035, Im not sure I totally agree with this: ensure no new nuclear energy facilities are constructed. Im not sure I am ready to close the door on all nuclear power plants. Under the Dome Get the latest news about North Carolina politics from The News & Observer's award-winning team. Get the free digest sent to your inbox by signing up here. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Michael J. Dias Foundation for Christian and Brians house in Springfield received a grant Monday morning. Christian and Brians house in the Forest Park neighborhood of Springfield helps to assist men in the area who are recovering from addiction. These houses have been the home to hundreds of men who are in need of help. It serves as a sober living community for men in the early stages of their recovery. Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni presented the foundation with a $20,000 grant to assist those who are recovering from addiction. Over the years, the DAs Office has provided $45,000 to support these homes. Brians mom Mary Ellen Metzger says there should be more places like Christian and Brians House that help people to reclaim their lives. She says at these sober homes men can stay up to a year or longer. I think because it is a struggle offering people the opportunity to not have to rush out and try to make it out on their own without the support of their peers and a structured program.. I think it makes a huge difference in their lives, said Mary Ellen Metzger Gulluni also pledged $10,000 from his drug forfeiture account to help expand the foundation with a womens recovery home and program. He says through offering his support he hopes to honor the lives of Christian and Brian and carry on their legacies by helping others to overcome addiction and live long healthy lives. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Elaine DePrince, left, with daughter Michaela DePrince in 2017. Jason Kempin via Getty Images The mother of late ballet dancer Michaela DePrince died just one day after her famous daughter earlier this month. Family spokesperson Jess Volinski confirmed in a statement posted to Facebook that Elaine DePrince died during a routine procedure in preparation for a surgery on Sept. 11 at age 77. A former special education teacher, Elaine DePrince raised a total of 11 children with husband Charles DePrince, who died in 2020. In the 1980s, the DePrinces adopted three sons with hemophilia, all of whom later contracted HIV and died in the 1990s. As previously reported, Michaela DePrince died Sept. 10 at age 29. According to Volinski, Elaine DePrince was unaware of her daughters death when she was admitted to the hospital for surgery. As unbelievable as it may seem, the two deaths were completely unrelated, the statement read. The only way we can make sense of the senseless is that Elaine, who had already lost three children many years ago, was by the grace of God spared the pain of experiencing the loss of a fourth child. The statement went on to note: What the family is going through right now is truly unimaginably painful. Grieving two family members who died within a 24 hour period is tragic and devastating. Elaine DePrince is survived by five daughters Mia, Beelee, Jaye, Mariel and Amie and two sons, Erik and Adam. Since 2022, Michaela DePrince had been a Boston Ballet soloist. Gallo Images via Getty Images As of Tuesday, no further details on Michaela DePrinces cause of death had been made public. Both the star dancer and her sister, Mia, were from Sierra Leone and were adopted by the DePrinces in 1999, according to The New York Times. The family first resided in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, before relocating to Vermont. Michaela DePrince went on to attend the American Ballet Theaters Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School on a scholarship and, after graduating, became the youngest dancer to perform principal roles when she joined the Dance Theater of Harlem in 2012. A year later, she began performing with the Dutch National Ballet and returned to the U.S. in 2022 as a Boston Ballet soloist. Her inimitable talents and unusual life story also brought her mainstream fame beyond the ballet world. At age 17, she appeared on Dancing with the Stars and later worked with Beyonce on the visual album for Lemonade. In 2018, it was reported that Madonna had secured the movie rights to DePrinces autobiography, Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina. The status of that film is unknown. Related... Sen. Kevin Hertel and legislators question Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Budget Director Christopher Harkins after the governor presented her budget proposal to the Michigan House and Senate Appropriations Committees on Feb. 8, 2023. (Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Updated, 7:06 p.m. 9/17/24 Legislation to permanently eliminate the 3% tax some public school teachers pay into a health care fund for retirement passed through the Michigan Senate along party lines Tuesday. SB 911, sponsored by state Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), already won approval by the House in late June as the Legislature was working to finalize an $82.5 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025. This is a large investment in public education, Hertel told the Michigan Advance on Tuesday. I would say its transformational, and getting this done will allow us to then hopefully continue to build on those per-pupil increases year after year as we go forward. That FY 2025 budget, which goes into effect Oct. 1, was the first in nearly a decade that failed to include an increase to the per-pupil allowance for the School Aid Budget, keeping it at $9,608 per student. However, it did include a decrease in rates paid to the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS), allowing the Democratic-led Legislature to redirect $670 million from the system into additional funding for schools, which Gov. Gretchen Whitmers administration originally proposed when she rolled out her $80.7 billion budget blueprint in February. The bill passed 20-16, with all Democrats in favor and all Republicans who were present voting no. Sens. Rick Outman (R-Six Lakes) and Jim Runstead (R-White Lake) were excused. Hertel said he was disappointed not to get any support from his Republican colleagues. Im somewhat shocked by that because were talking about freeing up $600 million across the state at our school districts, he said. And for the teachers that are paying the 3% for the pension portion, youre talking about putting those dollars back into their paychecks as well. So I was hopeful that we would have some support on the other side of the aisle. This is a game changer. It will fix a structural problem in how we fund our schools. The bill was a substitute proposed by Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) which incorporates a previously passed House version sponsored by state Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth). It automatically codifies a 5.75% rate reduction in payroll costs starting in FY 2026, which Camilleri said when combined with the FY 2025 budget, will make that savings permanent and put hundreds of millions of dollars back into the classroom immediately and for the long term. That sentiment was echoed by Al Latosz, Superintendent of Algonac Community Schools and President of The K-12 Alliance of Michigan. We are grateful to the Michigan Senate for engaging in an ongoing dialogue with educators about the importance of responsibly and permanently reducing these decades-old debt payments that have been forced on our schools and students, said Latosz. The passage of SB 911 will free up hundreds of millions of dollars annually that schools across Michigan will be able to invest directly into the programs that support the needs of our students. Republicans, as they have been from the outset of the plan, expressed concern about the legislation doing long-term damage by not fully funding future pension debt. Failing to pay your obligations has long-term implications, said Sen. Thomas Albert (R-Lowell). It makes it harder to fund education in the future, and it makes it harder for us to make sure we can pay our retirees the benefits they earned and are constitutionally protected. Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (Porter Twp.) also expressed his opposition. The bill before us is everything that is wrong with government, he said. A cynical money grab whose victims wont notice it until the thieves are long gone out of this building. Another empty win for the tax takers over the taxpayers. A raw deal dressed up to look like a good one. A shameless attempt to fool people, the same people who step up to teach our children. The bill is theft, pure and simple. Hertel said he was perplexed by that characterization. I actually think you could call it theft if we continue to take 3% out of educators paychecks and take this money from school districts and put it into the health care side of the pension fund that is over 140% funded today, he said.. I dont understand why we would continue to plug money into a fund that the experts tell us is properly funded when that money can do the work it needs to do in our classrooms and go back into the paycheck for educators across our state. Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), chair of the Senate Education Committee and a former educator for 20 years, shared that point of view from the Senate floor in support of the bill. So in this years state budget, we reduced MPSERSs payments instead, directing $600 million more state dollars right back into our schools. This is the average equivalent of approximately a $400 per student increase statewide. We also delivered a 3% pay increase for teachers who hired in before 2012 by removing the requirement of paying into this fully funded system, she said. This bill will grant school districts more flexibility in deciding how to use these surplus funds, including but not limited to investing in student mental health, in school safety, paying teachers more, staff more, and specialized academic interventions to meet unique school needs. Hertel said the legislation will solidify the savings for school districts in perpetuity. They can plan their budgets provided by these savings, and now they know its ongoing, so they can use those dollars to plan out year-over-year, he said. The legislation now goes back to the House for a final vote, which Hertel expects will be next week. If it passes it will go to Whitmer for her signature. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Microsoft says Russian operatives are ramping up attacks on Harris campaign with fake videos Microsoft said Tuesday that Russian operatives have in recent weeks intensified their online attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris campaign by producing and disseminating videos promoting outlandish conspiracy theories aimed at stoking US racial and political divisions. One of the inauthentic videos, which Microsoft said had been viewed millions of times, claimed to show Harris supporters attacking an attendee of a Donald Trump rally. Another video falsely claimed that Harris paralyzed a young girl in a 2011 hit-and-run accident. Russian operatives promoted the latter story through a website pretending to be a local San Francisco media outlet, Microsoft researchers said. Both videos were still accessible on X as of Tuesday afternoon, with one post of the video garnering 1.5 million views on its own. CNN has requested comment from the social media platform. The report is the latest evidence that Kremlin-linked trolls and digital operatives are ramping up their efforts to denigrate Harriss campaign just weeks before the presidential election. US intelligence agencies warned in July that Russia planned to covertly use social media to try to sway public opinion and undermine support for Ukraine in swing states. Russias preferences for the presidential race havent shifted since 2020 or 2016, when Moscow conducted a range of influence operations aimed at denigrating Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton, respectively, according to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. CNN has requested comment on the Microsoft report from the Harris-Walz campaign and from the Russian Embassy in Washington, DC. Russians struggled to pivot to attacking Harris There was an initial period after Biden withdrew from the presidential race in July when Russian influence operationsstruggled to pivot to find new ways to target the Democratic ticket, according to Microsoft. But then, in late August and early September, the videos attacking Harris and her supporters emerged. The shift to focusing on the Harris-Walz campaign reflects a strategic move by Russian actors aimed at exploiting any perceived vulnerabilities in the new candidates, Clint Watts, general manager of the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center, said in a blog post. The research comes amid a flurry of US government action aimed at blunting Russian disinformation efforts targeting American voters in the final stretches of the presidential campaign. The State Department last week declassified intelligence alleging that Russian state-run media outlet RT has become fully integrated into Russias intelligence operations around the world, including those targeting elections. That followed an indictment unsealed by the Justice Department that accused two RT employees of funneling nearly $10 million into a US company, identified by CNN as Tenet Media, to create and amplify content that aligned with Russian interests. US social media giant Meta on Monday announced a ban on RT over the Russian networks foreign interference activity. Iran has been the other foreign power that has actively tried to shape the US presidential campaign, according to US intelligence officials. Tehran has conducted a covert social media activity in an effort to undercut Trumps candidacy, US officials have said. Iranian government-backed hackers have also targeted the Trump campaign with a hack-and-leak of internal campaign documents to US media outlets, according to a statement from the FBI and other agencies. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A sixth grader has been arrested after making threats against a Nashville middle school. According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), the Rapid School Safety Team investigated threats made against Dupont Tyler Middle School. Upon investigation, police charged an 11-year-old with making a threat of mass violence. False threats lead to concerns, arrests in multiple Middle TN school districts Threats against schools, special events and businesses are taken very seriously by the MNPD, a press release from MNPD reads, in part. Those responsible, once identified, will be prosecuted. Tuesdays arrest is one of the latest school threat arrests made by Middle Tennessee agencies Rutherford County authorities arrested two juveniles in relation to a school threat. On Monday, a student was charged for making a threat against Cookeville high school. Last week, Wilson County school officials investigated multiple threats within 24 hours, one of which led to the arrest of a teenage girl. In Nashville last week, two eighth graders from separate Nashville schools were arrested for making school threats. Tennessee teen suspended, charged with felony for pointing finger gun on school bus The Tennessee Sheriffs Association had released a joint statement in light of the increased volume of school threats encouraging parents to talk to their children about the severity of a threat. We understand the frustration, stress, and fear communities across our state are dealing with, and we will continue to investigate every threat received in an effort to ensure the safety of our schools and all citizens, the joint statement reads, in part. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Migrants clash with Moroccan police for third night in a row as they attempt to enter Ceuta Tensions at the border between Morocco and Ceuta, a Spanish enclave that shares a border with Africa, continued for the third night in a row. Riot police were deployed to disperse people attempting to cross into Spain from Morocco after listening to a call on social media networks, according to authorities. The Moroccan police used water cannons against the groups of young people, mainly Moroccans, who retaliated by throwing stones at the police. Calls on social media asked people to head to Ceuta on Sunday to try and cross the border into Europe through Spain. Moroccan intelligence agency DGSN said in response in a post on Facebook that 60 people were arrested on suspicion of inciting a mass migration attempt. On Monday, nine young people attempting to swim to Ceuta were intercepted and detained by Moroccan forces stationed at the border before they reached Ceuta's Tarajal beach. Meanwhile, on the Spanish side of the fence, both the Guardia Civil and the Spanish National Police remain on alert although no action has been taken in the last few hours. Moroccan security forces stand guard outside the border with the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, in Fnideq, Morocco, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. - AP Photo A long-time target for migration attempts Scores of security personnel were deployed to the Moroccan border town of Fnideq to disperse groups of people who had heeded the calls on social media to breech the border fence. Ceuta and Melilla two tiny Spanish territories in North Africa bordering the Mediterranean have long been targeted by migrants and refugees seeking better lives in Europe. Many of those who had headed to the border were Moroccans of all ages including minors, and migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, Algeria and other places who have lived in the region and were waiting for the opportunity to cross into Europe, according to activists. The Spanish Interior Ministry said on Monday that its own and Moroccan security efforts over recent days had brought the situation "under control". Nationwide, Moroccan security forces have stopped more than 45,000 migration attempts from January to early September, according to the Moroccan Interior Ministry. In August alone, more than 11,000 migration attempts were prevented in the region around Ceuta and another 3,000 in the area around Melilla, the ministry said in a statement. New Milford middle school to close for the day after threat NEW MILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) A middle school in New Milford will be closed on Tuesday due to an active threat, according to school superintendent. Schaghticoke Middle School is the only school that will be closed, Superintendent Janet Parlato said. She said that there is an ongoing investigation of the threat. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Some U.S. service members share their military experiences on social media, garnering hundreds and sometimes thousands of followers by posting videos explaining the realities of deployments aboard ship, showing troops parachuting out of aircraft or cracking jokes about the different services, among other aspects of military life. On the video-sharing platform TikTok, this type of content is so prevalent that it earned its own label: miltok. A few of the more popular profiles post disclaimers on their pages indicating their content does not represent the Defense Department. But some experts studying the use of disinformation in warfare think it should. Researchers with RAND Corp. suggested the Pentagon empower active-duty influencers to tell stories about their service on social media as a means to build support for the military and protect against attempts to undermine it. RAND studied Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022 to understand how U.S. enemies could weaponize disinformation in future wars, as well as draw lessons from Ukraines response. They expect U.S. adversaries to sow false narratives in future wars as a way to fray alliances, encourage attacks against U.S. forces and undermine American service members will to fight. Their report, shared earlier this month, contained 12 recommendations for the U.S. government, including several calls to action for the Defense Department. In their study of the Ukraine-Russian war, researchers discovered that social media posts by Ukrainians including Ukrainian troops serving on the front lines created a groundswell of support that helped defend against Russian disinformation campaigns. Ukraines actions could serve as a blueprint for that type of effort in the United States, the researchers said. The U.S. military and broader U.S. government should strategically seek to promote such online voices to help support U.S. national security objectives, the Rand Corp. report reads. A Ukrainian military press officer shows the debris of a Russian Su-34 aircraft at a collection point of destroyed Russian armored vehicles on Oct. 5, 2022. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images) The Ukrainian military allowed troops to post on social media and gave them only broad guidelines for using it in order to leverage soldiers creativity, the researchers said. One Ukrainian officer garnered more than 140,000 followers on X by sharing photos of his units daily activities. Another 132,000 people follow a Ukrainian service member who posts on TikTok about cooking meals in war-torn areas of the country. His bio reads, a cook from the hell of war. These and other military influencers help show the human side to war, said the RAND report, which was authored by Todd Helmus and Khrystyna Holynska. This has helped to personalize the content and the war in ways that official, government-produced slick propaganda videos could never match, the report states. The result is that many Americans and Europeans are reminded of the war, its costs, and Ukraines tactical victories every time they scroll through Twitter or TikTok. The RAND researchers werent the first to recommend that DOD support social media influencers in the ranks as a means to combat disinformation. Lt. Col. Mike Knapp, a U.S. Air Force pilot and social media specialist, wrote commentary for the Modern War Institute in January, arguing the services should provide an influencer toolkit and work to authenticate the social media profiles of service members gaining traction on the platforms. The U.S. military currently does not encourage social media use and Army rules actively restrict what soldiers can share on their personal accounts, Helmus wrote in research last year. New Army social media policy pushes stricter rules In addition to working with military influencers, Helmus and Holynska suggested the Pentagon develop a mandatory media literacy course for troops to build their resilience to disinformation. Russia targeted Ukrainian troops with disinformation that painted their resistance as futile and encouraged them to surrender. The U.S. military can expect the same type of narratives from adversaries in future conflicts, the RAND researchers said. In Ukraine, the militarys strategic communications department created explainers to educate troops on Russian disinformation, blocked sources of Russian messaging, implemented media literacy campaigns and provided troops information about what to share and how to behave online. Following Ukraines lead, the Pentagon should mandate media literacy training, the researchers argued, adding that the militarys current training an online course titled influence awareness is not enough. The authors cited a report in the US Army War College Quarterly that described the training as prefabricated, inflexible and underdeveloped and urged the U.S. military to work with media literacy experts to develop in-person training programs. Every minute of every day, men and women in uniform are attacked by a weapon that threatens them, their services, and the nation, that report says about disinformation and propaganda. Yet the U.S. military has not trained them to prepare for this onslaught. RAND researchers also suggested that the Pentagon add disinformation threats into wargaming and maintain the capabilities of the psychological operations forces to counter disinformation during conflicts. This story was produced in partnership with Military Veterans in Journalism. Please send tips to MVJ-Tips@militarytimes.com. New missile allows Marine pilots to strike far, avoid air defenses Marine fighter pilots now have a missile that can strike targets up to 230 miles away, keeping aviators out of the range of many enemy air defense systems. In late August, personnel with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 out of Miramar, California, became the first to run ordnance operations with the missile the AGM-158A using F/A-18 Hornet aircraft, Marine officials said. The Air Force first used the air-to-ground missile in combat in 2018, firing it from B-1B Lancer bombers to strike a Syrian chemical weapons manufacturer, according to the statement. The (missile) not only surpasses the capabilities of any other weapon currently in the Hornets extensive weapons portfolio, but also the Marine Corps at large, said Maj. Bradley Kirby, an aviation ordnance officer with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The missile, which is also slated for use on F-35B and F-35C aircraft, comes in two variants: the AGM-158B extended range version and the AGM-158C long-range, anti-ship version. Cpl. Danny Santelmo unloads an AGM-158A joint air-to-surface standoff missile at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. (Lance Cpl. Jennifer Sanchez/Marine Corps) The Lockheed Martin-manufactured extended range variant can strike targets out to 620 miles, Air Force Times previously reported. Marines validated and verified the missile for use on the Hornet through a series of tests that included loading, software compatibility, transportation, safe handling, weapon arming and de-arming. The validation process is often completed using a training round, but Marines used live munitions due to the unavailability of training versions. The work done by the munitions and safety specialists involved will be used to develop a set of checklists for future use of the weapon, said Warrant Officer Josiah Hood, a squadron ordnance officer. Meanwhile, the missile is one of multiple new tools to debut this year for Marine Corps aviation. In July, a Marine helicopter crew sank a moving training vessel near Okinawa, Japan, with a newly acquired fire and forget missile, the AGM-179. That was the first time the Corps used that munition in a strike mission, Marine Corps Times previously reported. An AH-1Z Viper crew belonging to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced) and attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted the training mission. UPDATE: WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) A woman who had been missing for more than a week was found dead Tuesday evening. Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson said Amy Shipley, 45, was found deceased along Helens Lane in Cook Township. The cause and manner of Shipleys death are pending an autopsy and further investigation by the Westmoreland County District Attorneys Office and Ligonier Valley Police Department. Circumstances around Shipleys death and initial disappearance are still unknown as of this reporting. Amy Shipley, 45 (Westmoreland County District Attorneys Office) ORIGINAL STORY Detectives in Westmoreland County are searching for a woman reported as last seen more than a week ago. Amy Shipley, 45, was last seen Sunday, Sept. 8, on the 500 block of West Vincent Street in Ligonier Borough. Detectives said the circumstances surrounding her disappearance are unknown at this time. Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices. Anyone with tips or information is asked to call Westmoreland County Detectives at 724-830-3287 or Ligonier Valley Police at 724-238-5105. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATE: MSCO reports both Yearwood and Barney have been located and are safe. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office is asking for assistance in locating two missing persons. MCSO says 21-year-old Evan Yearwood and 14-year-old Dylan Barney were both last seen leaving the YMCA on Jefferson Road in Pittsford around 4:00 p.m. Yearwood is described as 5-foot 10-inches in height with Brown hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and gray shorts with white sneakers. Barney is described as 5-foot 5-inches in height with black hair and green eyes. He was last seen wearing a black shirt with black shorts and black crocs. Yearwood, age 21 (Right) Barney, age 14 (left) According to MCSO, both Yearwood and Barney are residents of the Villa of Hope in Rochester. Anyone with information is asked to call 911. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Mississippi man finds mammoth tusk and giant, extinct whale bone on the same day A Mississippi man recently made headlines after finding a tusk from a mammoth in a Madison County creek. The complete tusk was estimated to be 10,000-20,000 years old and was a first-of-its-kind discovery in Mississippi. But the story didn't end there. A plaster jacket was formed around the tusk to protect it and while it was drying, the man came across a fossilized bone from a giant whale that swam the seas millions of years ago. "That was pretty wild," said Eddie Templeton of Madison. "It was the same day. It wasn't as exciting of a find as the mammoth tusk by any stretch of the imagination, but it was interesting that in the same place on the same day, I ran across these two fossils." Templeton describes himself as an avocational archaeologist and fossil collector and was recently walking along a creek in Madison County looking for fossils when he came across a mammoth tusk. The tusk Templeton found came from a Columbian mammoth that lived between 10,000 and 20,000 years ago, not the more famous, but smaller woolly mammoth. Columbian mammoths could grow up to 15 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh in excess of 10 tons. Woolly mammoths were about 9-10 feet tall at the shoulder as were mastodons according to the National Park Service. James Starnes of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality's Office of Geology works at a site where the tusk of a Columbian mammoth was found. 'It was huge.': Mississippi man finds rare mammoth tusk, first in the state Mississippi man finds vertebra of ancient whale It was a huge find from a huge animal, but Templeton was about to find a vertebra from something bigger much bigger. Temple contacted James Starnes with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality's Office of Geology. Starnes, along with coworker Jonathan Leard, went to the site to excavate the find. As a part of the process, a plaster jacket was formed over the tusk to provide support and protection. While it dried, the three decided to see if they could find anything that would tell them more about the history of the tusk. "We walked further down the creek," Templeton said. "There were some gravel bars and we were looking at them. There was a deep pool with a log running across it." That's where Templeton saw a fossilized vertebra from an ancient whale known as Basilosaurus. "I've seen some before, so I knew what it was," Templeton said. Jonathan Leard with MDEQ's Office of Geology stand in the background while Eddie Templeton of Madison holds the vertebra of a Basilosaurus he found in a Madison County creek on the same day he found a mammoth tusk in the same creek. More: Mississippi scientists unearth bones of ferocious mosasaur, an ancient sea dragon Basilosaurus was the biggest whale of its day and ferocious If you've been to the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, you've likely seen the skeletal reproduction of a Basilosaurus hanging in the atrium. However, as big as it is, they may have been larger. "The mounted specimen downstairs is 62-feet long, but there are estimates they got up to 72-to-75-feet long," said George Phillips, paleontologist at the museum. "This would have been the largest vertebrate animal in the ocean." At that size it could eat about anything it wanted, and the predator had large teeth designed to do the job. "All of the teeth were designed for cutting," Phillips said. And the predator roamed the seas for millions of years. "It first appeared 39 million years ago and became extinct around 34 million years ago," Phillips said. Whale and mammoth parts found together? Obviously, mammoths lived on land and Basilosaurs lived in oceans. So, how could remains of the two be found in the same area? "They are directly related even though they're millions of years apart," Starnes said. Starnes explained that during the time of Basilosaurus, temperatures were high and so was sea level. "Going back to the dinosaurs, the world was in a greenhouse environment," Starnes said. "There was no ice on the poles at this time. "Sea levels worldwide were high. Central Mississippi would have been about 1,000 feet under water." However, mammoths were on the landscape during an ice age with much of the water frozen on land, so sea levels were much lower. "It literally is the opposite ends of the spectrum," Starnes said. So, that left remains of animals from completely different environments and millions of years apart in the same location. "This is pretty cool to have fossils in the same creek from such a span of time," Templeton said. Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mammoth tusk, extinct whale bone found by MS man on same day JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs awarded three grants totaling more than $3 million for community projects that strengthen law enforcement and public safety in the Southern District of Mississippi. The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) received $3 million to implement a rural digital forensics initiative to address the digital forensics needs of rural communities, the provision of forensic services, and creation of social media educational tools to assist with line law enforcement officer training in digital forensic investigations. MSU grant to help those disabled by long COVID-19 enter workforce The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) received $380,000 to enhance UMMCs security infrastructure through comprehensive upgrades of its existing CCTV system. Copiah-Lincoln Community College received $20,000 to fund training for new and existing law enforcement officers. The grants are part of the 2024 Office of Justice Programs Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety has released additional body camera footage from the Dec. 10, 2022, shooting death of Florida college student Isaiah Winkley. DPS last week released the camera footage from the admitted shooter, former Hancock County Sheriffs Deputy Michael Chase Blackwell, along with redacted call logs and incident reports on the shooting death of the 21-year-old son of a Georgia pastor and his wife. Since then, the Sun Herald requested and reviewed an additional 23 minutes of body camera footage from Deputy Lauralyn Yager, who responded to the call along with Blackwell and Sheriffs Lt. Christopher Sholar. Sholar did not have his body camera activated. This embedded content is not available in your region. The footage from the two deputies comes after a state grand jury in Hancock County found insufficient evidence to indict Blackwell of criminal wrongdoing. Isaiah Winkley had this bottle of Mentos candy in one hand a metal T-post used for fencing in the other when former Hancock County Sheriffs K-9 Deputy Michael Chase Blackwell shot and killed the Florida college student. The deputy was at least 10-feet away from Winkley when he started shooting and his police K-9 tied to 30-foot line. Despite the state grand jury ruling, what happened during the shooting caught the attention of federal authorities, who investigated the case and agreed to forgo criminal charges against Blackwell after entering into a rarely used no-prosecution agreement with the former officer. In exchange for the no-prosecution agreement, Blackwell agreed to surrender his law enforcement credentials and never again serve in law enforcement or security for the rest of his life. Footage of the shooting Blackwell, with his police K-9 and the two other deputies, responded to a report of a burglary in progress and encountered a shirtless Winkley the day of the killing. Blackwell fired four to five rounds, resulting in Winkleys death. In Blackwells camera footage, he tells the other deputies he is going to shoot Winkley before he starts firing. A judge who previously viewed all the camera footage described how Winkley slowly started walking toward him with a metal T-post and repeatedly screaming, Shoot me. The deputies had already twice stunned Winkley with a Taser before the shooting. Blackwell said in a statement he provided in a civil case that he was at least 10 feet away from Winkley when the deputy started shooting. This embedded content is not available in your region. The footage confirms the 21-year-old senior set to graduate from Pensacola Christian College in cybersecurity shortly after his killing did not have a gun at the time of the shooting. Instead, he had a bottle of Mentos candy in one hand and a red metal T-post used for fencing in the other. After the shooting, Winkley is seen lying face-up on the ground. Sholar tells deputies that an unconscious Winkley needs to be handcuffed. Once hes handcuffed with his head lying face-down in the ground, Sholar removes a sex toy, a bottle of hot sauce, and a pocketknife from Winkleys back jeans pocket. Sholar and Yagar then work together to apply a dressing over the gunshot wounds, but the deputies say Winkley isnt breathing. The deputies had already radioed in for ambulance service. More camera footage released The Sun Herald initially reviewed a 7-minute video from Blackwell. The Sun Herald has now reviewed the additional 23 minutes of footage since provided from Yagars body camera. In the footage provided, a shirtless Winkley does not appear to raise a hand or gesture in a threatening manner to the deputies, but repeatedly told deputies to shoot him. In the video from Blackwell, he is seen opening the back of his SUV, and getting his police K-9 named Dark out of the back before running a short distance toward the home where the burglary was reported. Hey, show me your hands right now, he shouts. Drop it. Drop it. Drop it, now. Drop it, Blackwell shouts along with other deputies. After Winkley is repeatedly shot with the Tasers, he manages to get up and appears to be using the metal T-post to help prop himself back up. Winkleys hands are always visible, and he does not appear to use the metal post to threaten deputies during the encounter. Blackwell yells to the other deputies that hes going to shoot Winkley. Blackwell starts firing just over two minutes after he arrives at the scene, the reports indicate. This embedded content is not available in your region. Yagars body camera footage shows more about the events as it unfolded before, during, and after the shooting. Her footage captures Sholar grabbing his assault rifle out of the back of his SUV and captures him and Blackwell, along with his police K-9, crossing over a wire fence after arriving at the scene.. Yagar crosses over the fence next. Another wire fence and metal gate separate the deputies from Winkley. The three deputies run to the side of the home, where Winkley is fatally shot. The Sun Herald reviewed the footage in slow motion as well to see a better view of what Winkley was doing with the metal T-post he was holding at the time of the shooting. Afterward, Yagars footage captures Winkley being handcuffed behind his back. After Blackwell gets the K-9 back in his SUV, he returns to the shooting scene. Sholar, the supervising deputy at the scene, tells Blackwell to go back to his vehicle since he was involved in the shooting. Sholar tells dispatch, Two deployments of Taser ineffective, and then tells Yagar they need to start medical treatment. Yagar radios in to tell dispatch someone needs to interview the man who called deputies out to the burglary in progress. Sholar puts on plastic gloves and Yagar follows suit. Yager appears to check Winkley for a pulse and then Sholar and Yagar apply a dressing over the gunshot wounds. Ygar says Winkley isnt breathing. Winkley died at the scene. An autopsy report showed he had five gunshot wounds. An evidence photo from the scene shows a bracelet Isaiah Winkley had with him the day he was shot. Attorney, judge offer other details U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola viewed the camera footage in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by attorney Lance Stevens on behalf on the Winkley family. The lawsuit is filed in federal court in Gulfport. In a rare move, Guirola denied Blackwell qualified immunity in the wrongful death lawsuit after reviewing all the footage along with exhibits and reports. Qualified immunity protects government officials, including law enforcement officers, from civil liability if their actions could reasonably be believed to be legal. Blackwell contends that he shot and killed Winkley because of an immediate threat to his safety and the safety of the two other deputies. However, in his ruling in the civil case, Guirola said, There exist material questions of fact whether Officer Blackwell faced an immediate threat of death or bodily injury at the time he applied deadly force. An evidence photo from the scene shows clothing items of Isaiah Winkley that were left behind. The use of such force, Guirola said, must be proportional to the threat. If the officer could reasonably use less than deadly force, he must, the judge wrote after also citing other cases where officers accused of using excessive force could not escape civil liability in a shooting anytime he claims he saw a gun. As a result, the judge said, Blackwell couldnt escape liability because he saw a suspect holding a post. Judge shares other insight In the civil case, the judge noted the camera footage reveals that both of Winkleys hands were plainly visible to Blackwell at all times, and Winkley never brandished the contents of either hand in a threatening manner. The judge provided the other details about the shooting as outlined below after reviewing the arguments in the civil case along with all of the body camera footage of the killing that was submitted under seal by Blackwell. When the deputies approached Winkley, the judge wrote that Sholar was carrying an assault-style rifle and a Taser. Blackwell had his K-9 on a leash and had his gun drawn, and Yager had a Taser in her hand, the judge wrote. Winkley, the judge said, had the 6 1/2 to 7-foot T-post in his right hand and a small item in his left hand the Mentos candy which was almost completely obscured from the officers view. Winkley shouted, Shoot me, and Sholar stunned him with his Taser. The judge issued his findings in the civil lawsuit Stevens filed in federal court in Gulfport on behalf of Winkleys parents, the Rev. Dwight Winkley, and his wife, Catherine, of Morehead, Georgia. Isaiah Winkley and his mom, Catherine. Isaiahs parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Hancock County Sheriffs Department and the deputy involved in the shooting death of their son in December 2022. An epiphany and sharing scripture The week before the shooting Isaiah Winkley told his friends and family he had what his attorney called an epiphany and felt hed been called on to share Gods word. The familys attorney said that over the days and nights ahead, Winkley did not sleep, spending his time instead sending scripture to classmates and friends. In the reports provided by the MDPS, various texts that contained scripture that Winkley had sent out in days leading up to his death are included. At some point after he started sharing scripture, Winkley got in his car and drove to Mississippi. He didnt tell anyone he was heading there. Winkleys Mercedes went off the road and ended up stuck near Highway 603 in front of St. Matthew Catholic Church. From there, Winkleys attorney said he walked down Highway 603 until he reached the home where he died. Prior to the shooting, Winkley had never been in trouble with law enforcement officials. At the time of his death, Stevens said Winkley believed that God had put a special mission before him, one that he embraced in a most enthusiastic, and ultimately unhealthy, way. However, Stevens said Winkley did not do anything to warrant his killing. This embedded content is not available in your region. A heartbroken family wants answers after 21-year-old killed in MS Coast police shooting Family files wrongful death lawsuit after FL college student shot 5 times by Hancock deputy MS Coast deputy feared for his life when he shot at college student, court papers say Federal grand jury considers criminal charges in fatal Hancock shooting, authorities say MS judge denies deputys request to seal camera footage in fatal shooting. Heres more Feds reach deal with MS Coast deputy in students death. Will he now avoid prosecution? JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) released accountability grades for the 2023-24 school year. The grades showed 85.7% of schools and 93.9% of districts earned a grade of C or higher. According to MDE, the largest-ever share of Mississippi districts are now rated A, B or C. In 2016, the Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) set a goal that all schools and districts be rated C or higher. At that time, the percentage of schools and districts meeting this goal were both 62%. Mississippi expands career coaching initiative Statewide student assessment data make up a large part of accountability grades. In 2023-24, the overall percentage of students scoring proficient and advanced reached an all-time high in mathematics, English Language Arts (ELA) and science. (Courtesy: MDE) I am incredibly proud of our students, teachers and school leaders for their academic achievements in the 2023-24 school year, said Dr. Lance Evans, state superintendent of education. This years school and district grades are a testament to the quality and success of Mississippi public schools. I am confident we will continue to build upon this success to make sure every Mississippi public school graduate is prepared for a successful future. School and district achievements in 2023-24 extend to all districts under state leadership because of poor academic performance or a state of emergency. According to MDE, all four state-led districts have steadily improved under state leadership: Holmes County Consolidated School District : Improved to a B grade this year, after maintaining a C for two consecutive years. The district was rated F when it was taken over in 2021. Noxubee County School District : Maintained its C grade from 2023, improving upon its D rating in 2022. The district earned an F every year from 2016 to 2021. Achievement School District (ASD): The Humphreys County portion of the ASD improved its grade to a C, improving upon its D grade in 2023 and F in 2022. The Yazoo City portion of the ASD improved to a C from an F in 2023. Why did satisfaction with K-12 rise in the past year despite little changes? The progress of our state-led districts proves what is possible when educators raise expectations, focus intensely on high-quality instruction and provide strong leadership, Evans said. Students are achieving at higher levels because they are being challenged and supported to succeed. 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. New mobility course in Visalia first of its kind in the state New mobility course in Visalia first of its kind in the state VISALIA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A mobility course unlike any other in the state opened in Visalia on Monday to help patients regain their independence by learning how to maneuver through various types of terrain. The new practice area at Kaweah Health Rehabilitation Hospital features river rock, gravel, brick walkways, flagstone, pebbles, crushed rock, turf, curbs, and various ramps. Lindsey Busfield with Maison Law Accident and Injury says this is the only facility in California where patients can go out and have a real-world application for practicing their mobility and recovery on different types of surfaces. New treatment for common but deadly heart condition now available in Fresno So many people, after they have suffered a significant injury or trauma, are stuck inside their homes because theyre afraid to go back out and navigate because theyre tripping and falling, she said. This not only gives them the physical ability to navigate these different terrains, but it also gives them the confidence that theyre not afraid to leave their homes. The hospital says the new course was constructed with funding from Maison Law Accident and Injury Lawyers. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 | News from CBS47 and KSEE24. A Modesto man who used social media accounts to coerce and threaten young girls pleaded guilty to five federal counts of sexual exploitation of a minor on Monday, according to the United States Department of Justice. Daniel Vincent Salazar Jr., 28, used Snapchat and Instagram to coerce several girls into sending him sexually explicit photos and videos and then threatened to send these images to classmates, family and friends if they didnt send more. The case against Salazar Jr. began when the Stanislaus County Sheriffs Office got a complaint from a 14-year-old girls parents and the principal of her school in December 2018. The girl told her teacher that she received lewd messages from an Instagram account, prompting an investigation that led to the discovery of other victims, according to court documents. Court documents show that at least two of the four victims listed in the criminal complaint are Stanislaus County residents, with one being from San Jose. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the San Jose Police Department assisted the Sheriffs Office in pinning Salazar Jr. as the suspect. Search warrants on Salazar Jr.s Instagram and Snapchat accounts led authorities to track down the device and IP addresses he was using, which were either registered to him or to a family member. Authorities also identified him by his tattoos, which were visible in several of the sexually explicit images he sent. Salazar faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years but could serve a maximum of 30 in federal prison in addition to fines up to $250,000 and restitution to the victims. He also faces a possible lifetime of supervised release. The sentence will be determined by a judge on Jan. 13, 2025. The case was conducted by the Sheriffs Office, FBI, SJPD and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa is prosecuting the case. The investigation was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. (Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Narendra Modis top political opponent in Indias volatile Jammu and Kashmir region says restoring power in the hands of the people is a priority if his party wins local elections that begin this week. Most Read from Bloomberg Omar Abdullah, who is seen as the likely next chief minister of the region if his coalition wins the most number of seats in the local assembly elections, said statehood is necessary for peace and stability. The first thing any elected government should do is to immediately demand the restoration of statehood, Abdullah, 54, said in an interview at his residence in Srinagar. He leads an alliance between his party the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference and the Indian National Congress, the countrys main opposition group. In August 2019, Modi stripped Jammu and Kashmir, the only Muslim-majority state in the country, of autonomy by downgrading its status to a union territory, bringing it under federal control. Part of the region was also split off into a separate union territory known as Ladakh. At the same time, Modis party amended the constitution to remove Article 370 that gave the people in Jammu and Kashmir special privileges and the ability to make their own laws, except on defense, foreign affairs, communication and finance. Local elections in Jammu and Kashmir which will take place in three phases from Sept. 18 to Oct. 1 will be the first since the state lost its autonomy five years ago. Residents will elect 90 candidates for the assembly, with the party or coalition winning the most number of seats selecting a chief minister. Unlike a state, a union territory with a legislature has reduced powers. The chief minister will have no control over important functions like policing, health and financing, which will fall under the authority of the central government represented in the region by the lieutenant governor. Abdullah and his allies want to ensure state powers are returned to Jammu and Kashmir so local lawmakers have more say over governance. Restoring statehood was the first step toward that goal, the political leader said in the interview. After that we will look to start implementing the promises made to improve the quality of governance and delivery of services to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he said. Abdullah is contesting the elections from two constituencies. Rahul Gandhi, a senior leader in the Congress party and ally of Abdullah, pledged at an election rally on Sept. 4 in south Kashmir that statehood would be restored to the region whether Modis Bharatiya Janata Party wants it or not. The process to restore Jammu and Kashmir as a state wont be straightforward though, according to legal experts. Restoration of statehood would be somewhat lengthy, starting with the lieutenant governor making a recommendation to the federal government, who then will move parliament to amend the 2019 Act, said Abani Sahu, a senior counsel in Indias Supreme Court and a constitutional lawyer. The BJP is contesting 62 of the 90 seats up for grabs, with the majority of those in the Hindu-dominant Jammu constituencies. Abdullahs main contest will be against the Peoples Democratic Party, led by Mehbooba Mufti, also a former chief minister in the state. Separatist Sentiment Avinash Mohananey, who previously worked on the Kashmir desk in the central governments Home Ministry, said there were a number of independent candidates some of them aligned to separatists movements who could determine the election outcome. Omar Abdullahs alliance has an edge despite being vilified by the BJP, but a lot depends on how independents candidates,of which there is a substantial number, fare and which they go after the elections, he said. Jammu and Kashmir has faced decades of separatist violence, with frequent clashes between militants and Indias military. Kashmir is claimed in full by both Pakistan and India, but divided and controlled by both countries. Fearing protests after stripping the state of its autonomy in 2019, Modis government cut internet access, imprisoned leaders including Abdullah for months and curtailed political activity. Election results will be released on Oct. 8, along with the vote count in the northern Indian state of Haryana, home to companies like Amazon.com Inc. and Microsoft Corp. The regional elections come just months after Modis party returned to power in June with a reduced majority in the parliament. While a victory for Abdullahs coalition in the Jammu and Kashmir elections wont threaten Modis federal government, it would be another symbolic blow for the prime ministers strongman image. I dont think there is anybody whos willing to compromise on statehood, Abdullah said. Making us union territory was simply to humiliate us. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Moldovan President Maia Sandu attends a preliminary meeting of the "Moldova Partnership Platform" at the Moldovan state residence. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa Moldova's government is in "a race against time to prevail" in the struggle to continue building democracy, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said on Tuesday at a gathering of foreign officials in Chisinau. Sandu made an appeal to foreign governments backing Moldova for more support, stressing that economic progress "is crucial for strengthening support for democracy, and democracy is the best foundation for creating a prosperous economy." "Moldova is ready to drive growth and stability at home and in the region, but we can't do it alone. So, we count on your further support," she said. Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe, and the country is divided between pro-EU and pro-Russian political forces. Like Ukraine, Moldova has been a candidate for EU accession since 2022. On October 20, at the same time as the presidential election, Moldova will hold a referendum on whether the goal of joining the EU will be enshrined in the country's constitution. Supporters of the referendum see it as a step that would cement the country's path towards the European Union. Moldova's government hopes to join the EU by 2030, although many view that timeline as very ambitious. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who helped launch the international conference to support Moldova along with France and Romania in April 2022, met with Sandu in Chisinau on Tuesday. Baerbock said they spoke about ways to strengthen Moldova's path toward EU membership, including through judicial reforms and measures to tackle corruption. The minister also said that a new German-Moldovan agreement on cyber security will help defend the country against destabilization and disinformation campaigns from Moscow. IT equipment, information exchange and training will help prevent cyber attacks and expose disinformation, said Baerbock. "In this hybrid war, fake news campaigns and lies from Russian actors are a targeted weapon," she added. Earlier on Tuesday, Baerbock pledged an additional 100 million ($111 million) in winter aid for Ukraine in view of the ongoing Russian attacks on infrastructure in the country. The support for Ukraine is "also support for Moldova and European democracy as a whole," Baerbock said on Tuesday. Moldova borders Ukraine, and Baerbock said that "the biggest concern of the local people here is that if Ukraine falls, Moldova will be the next country to fall." Baerbock went on to say that Russian President Vladimir Putin also wants to see Moldova collapse: "He has achieved the opposite. Moldova, like Ukraine, is now a candidate for European Union membership." The immediate task now is to further stabilise Moldova, she said. Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean (L) and Moldovan President Maia Sandu speak at the Moldova Support Platform conference at the Palace of the Republic. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa Moldovan President Maia Sandu (C) poses for a picture with (R-L) German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi, French Foreign Minister Stehane Sejourne and Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu ahead of the Moldova Support Platform conference at the Moldovan state residence. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean (L) and Moldovan President Maia Sandu speak at the Moldova Support Platform conference at the Palace of the Republic. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa Moldova's government is in "a race against time to prevail" in the struggle to continue building democracy, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said on Tuesday at a gathering of foreign officials in Chisinau. Sandu made an appeal to foreign governments backing Moldova for more support, stressing that economic progress "is crucial for strengthening support for democracy, and democracy is the best foundation for creating a prosperous economy." "Moldova is ready to drive growth and stability at home and in the region, but we can't do it alone. So, we count on your further support," she said. Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe, and the country is divided between pro-EU and pro-Russian political forces. Like Ukraine, Moldova has been a candidate for EU accession since 2022. On October 20, at the same time as the presidential election, Moldova will hold a referendum on whether the goal of joining the EU will be enshrined in the country's constitution. Supporters of the referendum see it as a step that would cement the country's path towards the European Union. Moldova's government hopes to join the EU by 2030, although many view that timeline as very ambitious. Moldovan President Maia Sandu attends a preliminary meeting of the "Moldova Partnership Platform" at the Moldovan state residence. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa Mom of Beloved Ballerina Passed Away Just One Day After Her Daughter's Untimely Death. But It Gets Worse NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 26: Elaine DePrince (L) and Ballerina Michaela DePrince attend the Jockey ShowEm Whats Underneath, ShowEm Your Jockey Event in NYC at One World Observatory on April 26, 2017 in New York City. - Photo: Jason Kempin (Getty Images) After the tragic, untimely death of professional ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince at age 29 on September 10, the family is mourning yet another tremendous loss. According to a Facebook post shared by Jessica Volinski, a spokesperson for the family, Elaine DePrince died on Wednesday, September 11 just one day after the death of her adoptive daughter, Michaela. The last few days have been even more difficult than most people realize because the family has also been dealing with the death of Michaelas adoptive mother, Elaine DePrince, Volinski wrote. She went on to clarify that Elaine passed away during a routine procedure in preparation for a surgery and was unaware of her daughters death the day before. As unbelievable as it may seem, the two deaths were completely unrelated. The only way we can make sense of the senseless is that Elaine, who had already lost three children many years ago, was by the grace of God spared the pain of experiencing the loss of a fourth child, the familys statement read. Michaela Mabinty was adopted by Elaine and Charles DePrince and brought to New Jersey at age four after she was orphaned in the West African country of Sierra Leone. The DePrinces, who were already raising 10 other children, put Michaela in dance classes, and it wasnt long before she knew she had found her passion. There was so much love right away, Michaela told Glamour in a 2015 interview. I had never been surrounded by something like that. Michaela went on to study at the American Ballet Theatres Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Ballet and joined the Dance Theatre of Harlem in 2012 before becoming a principal soloist with the Boston Ballet in 2021. She found mainstream popularity after her starring role in the Freedom section of Beyonces Lemonade film in 2016. As of this post, there has been no information released on the cause of Michaelas death. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. At least 33 bomb threats have been made in Springfield, Ohio, since false claims which were pushed by former President Donald Trump and his running mate surfaced about Haitian migrants eating peoples pets, the governor said. All of the threats have been determined to be hoaxes. Some targeted Springfield schools, including elementary school campuses, Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday at a news conference after he met with city officials. Our children deserve to be in school. Parents deserve to feel that their children are being educated and that their children are safe, DeWine said. Last week, schools in the city of around 58,000 were evacuated after bomb threats were reported. City Hall also received a threat against city facilities. The threats come in the days after Trumps running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, spread online a false claim that Haitian migrants were causing problems in Springfield and that [r]eports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldnt be in this country. Trump repeated the false claim which city officials and police have denied onstage at the ABC News presidential debate the next day. In Springfield, theyre eating the dogs. The people that came in, theyre eating the cats. Theyre eating, theyre eating the pets of the people that live there, Trump said at the debate. Springfield police said they have no credible reports of immigrants harming people's pets. Mayor Rob Rue called it "a lie" that is being repeated online, and he called for it to stop. DeWine said Monday "we have people, unfortunately, overseas who are taking these actions" and making the threats. "Some of them are coming from one particular country," he said. "We think that this is, you know, one more opportunity to mess with the United States. And theyre continuing to do that." Since the threats, tower cameras have been put in place in Springfield, the state has arranged for bomb-detecting dogs, and state law enforcement officers are being sent to help respond, officials said. "The people who are doing this are doing this to sow discord in our community and to disrupt our ability to do our normal functions that we have to do," said Andy Wilson, director of the state Department of Public Safety. "And we just can't let them do that." There are 17 school district buildings in Springfield. The Highway Patrol will do sweeps before school in every building, regardless of whether they have been threatened, said DeWine, a Republican. He called the move an "extraordinary step." "Our schools must remain open. Theyre going to remain open," he said. On Monday, the city government announced that its annual CultureFest celebration downtown, scheduled for two days starting Sept. 27, would be canceled because of security concerns. More than 15,000 Haitians live and work in Springfield. Haitian migrants have been granted Temporary Protected Status by the U.S. government because of unrest in Haiti, including violent by gangs ruling the streets. DeWine defended the Haitian migrants working in Springfield. He said that Trump, Vance and any other politicians has a right to talk about immigration and issues at the U.S.-Mexico border and that "it is a legitimate issue." "I have a job, though, in regard to people who are here legally in Springfield and a community that is, you know, people are making comments about them," DeWine said. "I have an obligation to speak out." "Following what the mayor has said, what the city manager has said and what the chief of police has said is: We have no evidence that anyone is eating someone's pets in Springfield, Ohio," he said later at the news conference. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com More than 95,000 Japanese aged over 100, most of them women A handout photo taken on May 23, 2024 by the Ashiya City government shows Tomiko Itook, ebelieved to be the world's oldest living person, celebrating her 116th birthday (Handout) (Handout/Courtesy of Ashiya City/AFP) The number of people in Japan aged 100 or older has hit a record high of more than 95,000 -- almost 90 percent of them women -- government data showed Tuesday. The figures further highlight the slow-burning demographic crisis gripping the world's fourth-biggest economy as its population ages and shrinks. As of September 1, Japan had 95,119 centenarians, up 2,980 year-on-year, with 83,958 of them women and 11,161 men, the health ministry said in a statement. On Sunday separate government data showed that the number of over-65s has hit a record high of 36.25 million, accounting for 29.3 percent of Japan's population. The proportion puts Japan at the top of a list of 200 countries and regions with a population of over 100,000 people, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said. Japan is currently home to the world's oldest living person Tomiko Itooka, who was born on May 23, 1908 and is 116 years old, according to the US-based Gerontology Research Group. The previous record-holder, Maria Branyas Morera, died last month in Spain at the age of 117. Itooka lives in a nursing home in Ashiya, Hyogo prefecture in western Japan, the ministry said. She often says "thank you" to the nursing home staff and expresses nostalgia about her hometown, the ministry said. "I have no idea at all about what's the secret of my long life," Japan's oldest man, Kiyotaka Mizuno, who is 110, told local media. Mizuno, who lives in Iwata, Shizuoka prefecture in central Japan with his family, gets up at 6:30 am every morning and eats three meals a day -- without being picky about his food. His hobby is listening to live sports, including sumo wrestling, the ministry said. Japan is facing a steadily worsening population crisis, as its expanding elderly population leads to soaring medical and welfare costs, with a shrinking labour force to pay for it. The country's overall population is 124 million, after declining by 595,000 in the previous, according to previous government data. The government has attempted to slow the decline and ageing of its population without meaningful success, while gradually extending the retirement age -- with 65 becoming the rule for all employers from fiscal 2025. kh/stu/fox Wales' first minister has vowed to cut waiting times and boost education standards in her first major statement on how she will run her government. Eluned Morgan outlined her priorities between now and the next election in 2026, promising to create jobs to tackle the climate crisis, to improve transport and fix roads. But the first minister, who took over from Vaughan Gething in August, told the Senedd that the Welsh government cannot "do everything". Opposition parties said the first minister's statement lacked substance, calling it "thin" and "light". The first minister's promise comes amid a row with NHS chief executives after she said she would hold them to account over waiting times. The boss of the Welsh NHS Confederation, Darren Hughes, said he was "disappointed" with Morgan who he said was "confrontational". Last August's waiting times figures hit record levels, with those waiting longest increasing. Morgan's statement on her priorities did not include any targets. But she said a "comprehensive list of what will be delivered by when and by whom" will be developed over the next few weeks. "We can't do everything - so we are setting priorities," Morgan told the Senedd. "We will cut NHS waiting times, including for mental health: we'll improve access to social care and improve services for women's health." Alongside the UK government she said her government would "create jobs that not only tackle the climate crisis but help make families better off and restore nature. We will accelerate planning decisions to grow our Welsh economy". The former health minister said her government "will boost standards in our schools and colleges, and provide more homes for social rent, ensuring every family has the chance to succeed". Morgan also vowed to "transform our railway and deliver a better bus network", in what appeared to be a reference to the government's Metro project, and its delayed bus franchising plans. Morgan also said she would "empower local communities to make choices" on the 20mph speed limit - councils are currently reviewing which roads are exempt from the speed limit. There was no list in the statement of what the Welsh government would not be doing or might cut. However it did not mention some parts of the Welsh government's responsibilities, including arts and culture funding, agriculture. It also followed a decision on Monday to scrap plans for gender quotas in Senedd elections. The first minister said "tough decisions lie ahead" and "we must prioritise government's limited time and resources". However, she added that the Welsh government had the "best opportunity in more than 14 years to realise our ambitions for Wales". Morgan promised more "transparency" for the public, "so taxpayers know where things are going well and where there is room for improvement", and said her Delivery Minister Julie James had been appointed to drive change in government. The first minister says she drew up her priorities for government after speaking to "hundreds of people in every corner of Wales", and after 7,000 responded to a party survey. She said she had a "clear message", with health, social care, the economy and growing the economy among people's top priorities. Opposition parties were unimpressed by the statement. Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Conservative Senedd leader, said it was the "lightest first minister's statement I've seen at the opening of a Senedd term". He said it was "light" on the way the initiatives would be delivered, and said the Welsh government had missed "every target to get those waiting times that have proved so stubbornly high". "What does the first minister believe in her role as first minister she can do to push those waiting times down that she couldn't do when she was health minister?" he said. Both he and laid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth highlighted that agriculture was not discussed by the first minister. Ap Iorwerth said similarly it was a "very, very thin " statement from the first minister. He said the result of the summer listening exercise, "as we've been told today, surprise, surprise, was that health and education and the economy were the top priorities". "Goodness me, if a party that's been leading Welsh government for 25 years hadn't realized that those were the priorities, then we're in deeper trouble with Labour than I thought". Analysis By Gareth Lewis, BBC Wales political editor We now know what the priorities are, even though there are not really any shocks on the list. But we are still not clear how the FM proposes to deliver them. A plan for that and targets - were missing from todays statement. There was some expectation management again, with a warning of limited time and resources - although opposition parties would argue that any problems that need fixing are of Welsh labours own making. The FM had revealed earlier during FMQs that a conversation has started with Keir Starmer about a review of the Welsh financial position. Ultimately Eluned Morgan will be judged at the 2026 Senedd election on how she delivers these priorities, with or without the prime ministers help. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) A Morgantown woman faces up to 40 years in prison after admitting to fentanyl and meth charges. Stephanie Allen, 33 of Morgantown, pleaded guilty to charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of West Virginia said in a release Tuesday. Stephanie Allen Allen was contacted by law enforcement for being in a suspicious vehicle at a Highlife Lounge in Morgantown and was arrested after deputies with the Monongalia Sheriffs Office found drugs, according to a criminal complaint filed in November 2022. Man allegedly pointed gun at state trooper in Preston County, saying Ill state police you At that time, deputies said that 73 grams of meth was seized from Allens possession, but the U.S. Attorneys Office said that some of the substance was fentanyl. Allen faces up to 20 years for each count. Allen was also arrested on felony drug charges in February of 2021 and in June of 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 WBOY.com. The Mormon Church has picked a site for its new Tacoma Temple. It wont be in T-town The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has chosen the location for its 45,000-square-foot Tacoma Temple. Itll be in Federal Way, the church announced Monday. The name and location isnt a mismatch, according to Clay and Mary Lu Dickinson, spokespeople for the LDS Tacoma coordinating council. The Seattle temple is actually in Bellevue, Mary Lu Dickinson said. (A temple is) often named after the largest city its by or the general area. In October 2022, the LDS church announced the selection of Tacoma and three other U.S. cities that would be getting a temple in the coming years. The 11.6-acre site is located at approximately 1405 South 364th Way, adjacent to Interstate 5. The location is south of Todd Beamer High School and west of Wild Waves theme and water park. The temple will serve LDS members from Port Angeles to Olympia and east to Puyallup. The Tacoma Temple will be built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on this 11.6-acre parcel adjacent to Interstate 5. Timeline The Dickinsons didnt know when ground would be broken for the temple, but Clay Dickinson said they are usually completed within three years of a location announcement. They also didnt know if it would be visible from I-5. I think members of our church want it to be, Mary Lu Dickinson said. The announcement comes two months after Sound Transit said it would be purchasing and demolishing a megachurch to the north of the temple site in order to build a light rail operations and maintenance facility for the Tacoma Dome Link Extension. David Jackson, a spokesperson for Sound Transit, said Monday that the route through the area the temple will be built has yet to be chosen. According to maps, two of the four proposed routes would skirt I-5 adjacent to or on the Tacoma Temple site. The line wont reach Tacoma until 2035. Church officials generally decline discussing the churchs finances, including the cost of building temples. Temple use Everything in the temple points to Christ and helps us return to his presence, Clay Dickinson said. LDS temples are used for marriages and making covenants and ordinances. The promises we make in the temple help us strengthen our families, be better neighbors and members of our community, Mary Lu Dickinson said. Its the most sacred place we feel we have on the Earth. The temple grounds will be open to the general public. However, the building itself will be open to the public only during an initial open house before it becomes permanently open only to LDS members. The LDS church said more than 280,000 members worship in over 480 congregations in Washington. The first branch of the LDS in Washington was organized Dec. 24, 1899 in Tacoma, according to Clay Dickinson. Washington has four temples in Bellevue, Spokane, Richland and the newest one in Moses Lake. MSNBC host Joe Scarborough described Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vances remarks that the left needs to tone down the rhetoric as gaslighting of the first order, citing a laundry list of cases where Vances running mate has praised and incited violence. Vance called on Democrats to cut this c--p out Monday following the second assassination attempt on his running mate, former president Donald Trump. Vance claimed the difference between conservatives and liberals is that no one has tried to kill Kamala Harris in the last couple of months. Im not even going to respond to the hypocrisy, Scarborough said on Tuesdays Morning Joe. Instead, he quoted extensively from New York Times chief White House correspondent Peter Baker, who wrote Wednesday about how the American political landscape has been shaped by anger stirred by and against Trump. He has long favored the language of violence in his political discourse, encouraging supporters to beat up hecklers, threatening to shoot looters and undocumented migrants, mocking a near-fatal attack on the husband of the Democratic House speaker and suggesting that a general he deemed disloyal be executed, said Scarborough, reading Bakers words. Getting Rid of Trump Wont Get Rid of Political Violence Mr. Trump insists his fiery speech to supporters on January 6th, 2021, was not responsible for the subsequent ransacking of the Capitol, Scarborough continued, quoting from Bakers piece. He resisted pleas from advisers and his own daughter, other family members as well, that day to do more to stop the assault. He even suggested that the mob might be right to want to hang his vice president and has since embraced the attackers as patriots whom he may pardon if elected again. Scarborough then alluded to his own experiences with Trump, who in 2020 repeatedly and falsely promoted a conspiracy theory that the former Republican congressman was involved in the death of an aide in his congressional office. In fact, she died in an accident, striking her head after losing consciousness due to an abnormal heart rhythm. He also noted Trumps amplification of posts calling for former GOP congresswoman Liz Cheneywho endorsed Kamala Harristo be sent to a military tribunal. The real introduction to violent rhetoric in America, in presidential campaigns, has been unprecedented since Donald Trump came onto the scene, said Scarborough. His guest, Barack Obamas 2012 campaign manager Jim Messina, also noted Trumps statement that there were very fine people at the white supremacist Unite the Right rally that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017. You know, as they burned their tiki torches and chanted anti-Jewish sentiments, Messina said, adding: JD Vance is the latest symptom of what Trump started. He admitted the Springfield pet thing was made up by him and others to highlight an issue. 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. An Indiana man was found guilty of three felonies after his infant child was found with rat bites in what prosecutors are calling a house of horrors. The case > A police chief in Texas has been suspended after allegations emerged that he may have sexually harassed officers and set up an illegal quota system. The latest > A Connecticut family donated a Cuddle Cot to a local hospital to honor their baby who passed away shortly after he was born. Their story > Six employees of New York Citys public school system took their children or grandchildren on trips to Disney World, New Orleans or other destinations using tickets that were intended for homeless students, investigators said in a new report. Details > Authorities in Wisconsin are investigating an incident where they found a bar was operating at over 50% of its lawful capacity and had over 150 underage patrons consuming alcohol. The investigation > Tyre Nichols posed no threat to officers when he was snatched out of his car during a traffic stop before being fatally beaten by five Tennessee cops, according to testimony Monday by a former officer who has pleaded guilty in the case. Latest from court > Police in Ohio say they found an 8-year-old girl shopping at Target after she took a car and drove there on busy roads. Read more > Two large police departments have cut ties with a Missouri businessman after he made disparaging remarks about female police officers during an expletive-laden rant on his podcast. Details > A massive pipeline fire burning near Houston, Texas, started after a vehicle hit a valve, officials say. Photo > A nonprofit organization is building a specially adapted custom home in Georgia for a veteran who was wounded in Iraq. Full story > Most Latinx immigrants said they didnt know abortion was legal in New Jersey. Meet the group helping the state understand why. This article is part of a partnership between The Jersey Bee and Next City exploring segregation in Essex County, New Jersey, and the solutions to building a more just and equitable county and state. When Ahuru immigrated to New Jersey from Peru, he didnt expect to have so much trouble finding his HIV medication. He was uninsured, and most of the information he could find online was in English. It was really frustrating, and I was only [in the U.S.] for two weeks, said Ahuru, who requested that his real name be omitted to protect his safety. He had not shared his sexual identity with family or friends yet. It was only after he asked strangers on the LGBTQ+ dating app Grindr for help that he found a free clinic in nearby Newark. While no one at the clinic spoke fluent Spanish, the staff was able to see him and provide HIV medication that day. Soon after, Ahuru learned about an opportunity to help other Latinx immigrants navigate reproductive and sexual health care as a promotora de salud, or community health worker, through the Abortion Justice Committee of New Jersey. Drawn to the opportunity to help others understand their medical rights, he spent the rest of the summer talking to more than 300 Latinx residents about abortion access in the state. Based on an approach developed in Latin America in the 1960s, the promotoras model is a community health framework in which local residents serve as trusted messengers to collect insights and share information. In New Jersey, the Latino Action Network Foundation, a nonprofit advocacy group and proponent of the promotoras effort, said it has successfully implemented the model for outreach on census, school segregation, and redistricting within Latinx communities over the years. In June, thanks to the work of advocates and promotoras like Ahuru, the group released the first-of-its-kind community survey on the state of reproductive health services for Latinx immigrants in New Jersey. The study a collaboration between the Abortion Justice Committee of New Jersey, the Latino Action Network Foundation and Latina Civic Foundation collected more than 730 responses from Latinx respondents residing in more than 70 towns or cities. While New Jersey has some of the countrys most permissive laws on abortion, the study found nearly 70 percent of respondents did not know if abortion was legal in the state. Forty-two percent of respondents said it was hard or very hard to access reproductive health services in their area, and those who had lived in the United States for less than five years reported the highest difficulty rates in accessing services. Theres just a severe lack of understanding in general for immigrants about what their rights are, but in particular on this issue [of] abortion access, said Kay Escobar, founder of the Abortion Justice Committee of New Jersey. Escobar said that many immigrants, especially those who have recently arrived, are confused about the Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade and mistake it as an abortion ban in all states. Low wages and immigration status only heighten Latinx immigrants barriers to exercise their medical rights even if they are aware of them, according to Escobar. Lack of targeted messaging for Latinx and undocumented immigrants also restricts abortion access, said Jesselly De La Cruz, executive director of the Latino Action Network Foundation. A lot of community members feel off-put by the narrative [around reproductive health] because its not really culturally inclusive, she said. De La Cruz added that the study found that language about choosing to become a parent and bodily autonomy was more effective in breaking the stigma around abortion than just saying the word abortion. Reproductive health care comprises a broad umbrella of care including cancer screenings, abortion care, STD testing, HIV screenings and more, but De La Cruz fears the lack of culturally sensitive messaging makes Latinx immigrants feel like accessing such services goes against their faith or is about politics. Both experts point to the promotoras model as one of the most effective ways to make sure Latinx immigrants get the information they need but say the state needs to step up its support for this population. As New Jersey lags, a promising community-led model (Chanelle Nibbelink for The 19th) Prior to the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade and ending the constitutional right to an abortion, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act in 2022 to protect the right to an abortion under state law. But the coalitions report suggests that these protections arent reaching Latinx residents in New Jersey, who comprise more than 20 percent of the states population. De La Cruz said that the state often looks like [they] are doing things on the surface but fails in its execution. When you really look at how [reproductive care] has been implemented, its not being accessible to everybody, De La Cruz said. Thats a chronic issue in New Jersey. In January, Murphy signed into law a historic bill that would require agencies in the executive branch to translate vital agency documents into New Jerseys seven most common languages, including Spanish, so residents can access health care, public benefits and other social services. Eight months after the bill was signed into law, New Jerseys Reproductive Health Information website is still only in English. The legislation states translations must be wrapped up by January 2025. Nancy Kearny from the New Jersey Department of Healths Office of Communications said the department has begun the process to have the Reproductive Health Information Hub translated in Spanish. However, no timeline was provided. [New Jersey] looks blue we look progressive, but when youre really in the weeds of some of these policies, were continuously lagging, particularly [for] Latinos, De La Cruz said. In New Jersey, 3.5 percent of White residents are uninsured, compared to 8.3 percent of Black residents and 17.9 percent of Latinx residents, according to the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. That means Latinx residents are over five times more likely to be uninsured than White residents. With those coverage gaps, Escobar of the Abortion Justice Committee of New Jersey raised concerns about predatory practices from the states anti-abortion centers on undocumented Latinx residents. With more than 50 anti-abortion centers located across the state, the centers appear to be free reproductive health clinics but are often religious ministries that do not provide abortion care. While New Jersey does not provide any public funding for such centers, Jessica Moreno said they remain successful in providing misleading information. [Anti-abortion centers] use disinformation and emotional and religious manipulation to scare people or try to convince them into carrying a pregnancy to term, which may or may not be what that person actually wants, said Moreno, a member of the Abortion Justice Committee. In December 2022, New Jersey Attorney General Anthony Platkin issued a consumer alert on anti-abortion centers in December 2022, but Escobar and other advocates grew tired of waiting for legislative action. During the summer of 2023, the collaborative trained 25 promotoras to interview more than 730 community members across New Jersey. On warm summer days, promotoras scattered across the state at street fairs, food pantry lines, laundromats, and taquerias to understand the challenges to reproductive health care. Following interviews, promotoras distributed more than 600 information pamphlets in Spanish warning residents about anti-abortion centers. What the promotoras heard offered a more nuanced take on the issue. While Latinx people are often characterized as religiously and politically conservative on abortion, the community-led survey shows more diverse perspectives from New Jerseys Latinx community. The study highlights that more than 43 percent of respondents thought abortion is acceptable in certain situations, such as when there are health risks to the birthing person or as the result of sexual assault. Nicole, a promotora from New Brunswick, said community members often do not want to talk about abortion at first. But when we explained the subtleties [of why someone would have an abortion], they were much more open to supporting it, said Nicole, who immigrated to New Jersey from Mexico one year ago and requested her name be changed to protect her privacy. It could be someone [who was] raped or abused crossing the border. Nicole spoke to more than 100 residents, the majority of whom self-identified as immigrants. She said that overwhelmingly many respondents wanted accurate information from community health clinics. They just couldnt find it, especially in Spanish. What you dont find are trustworthy clinics where people can go, talk more, or get mental health [support] and make [informed] decisions, Nicole said. Ahuru also noted that people often think Latinx people are apathetic about their reproductive health. His conversations with more than 300 community members told a different story. Women want to get checked every six months, especially women who are sexually active. Men want to get condoms and information even older women who are not sexually active are looking for pap smears, Ahuru said. Tailored solutions for a growing demographic Expanding language access continues to rise to the top of the list of how to improve reproductive health care for Latinx immigrant communities, especially among recently arrived immigrants, according to the community survey. Escobar said that solutions like the promotoras model are key to access. We found [promotoras] to be one of the most effective ways of being able to communicate information and peoples rights, they said. De La Cruz of the Latino Action Network Foundation added that government pilot funding for outreach programs like the promotoras model would be critical. Latino communities are more engaged with grassroots outreach, De La Cruz said. Funding a promotora[s] model would bridge the gap in the reproductive health disparities that we found in our survey. In June, New Jersey state Sen. Teresa Ruiz introduced the Reproductive Freedom and Health Equity bill, a package that would require insurance and Medicaid to cover abortions, lower barriers for reproductive health providers, and expand health care access on college campuses in New Jersey. Ruiz said the bill could address financial, informational, staffing and insurance barriers the same kind of barriers respondents shared in the promotoras survey. The bill passed through the Senate in June and was referred to the Assembly. Escobar said their organization is also advocating for more regulations to curb the impact of anti-abortion centers. We need to work hand in hand with policy institutions and policy attorneys to be able to figure out constitutionally permissible regulations that will not bump up against current Supreme Court precedent, Escobar said. Many of those solutions are already in motion at the community level, they added. Solutions are all here in front of us. It just takes work, they said. Read the full report on opinions on reproductive health care from the Latinx community in Spanish and English. The post Most Latinx immigrants said they didnt know abortion was legal in New Jersey. Meet the group helping the state understand why. appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. More than half of voters who support former President Trump came away from last weeks debate believing that Haitian immigrants in Ohio are eating peoples pets a false claim stoked by Trump and his running mate Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio). A post-debate YouGov poll, released this week, found that 22 percent of Trump-backers say they think the debunked lies that have spread about migrants abducting dogs and cats to eat are definitely true, while 30 percent said that they are probably true. Another 24 percent said they arent sure. During his first, and likely only, debate against Vice President Harris, Trump amplified the conspiracy theory during a moment that rapidly spread online. In Springfield, theyre eating the dogs, the people that came in, theyre eating the cats, Trump said. Theyre eating theyre eating the pets of the people that live there! Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) and other officials insist there is no evidence of immigrants abducting and eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. The story spread through social media before gaining a national audience through the former president. More than 67 million people tuned in to the Trump-Harris showdown. When ABC News anchor and debate moderator David Muir pushed back on Trump with a live fact check, the former president didnt back down. The people on television say My dog was taken and used for food,' Trump replied. Well see. Ohios Republican governor has defended the states immigrant population amid the rapid spread of the meritless allegations, which have prompted bomb threats to schools and other government buildings. Look, theres a lot of garbage on the internet and, you know, this is a piece of garbage that was simply not true. Theres no evidence of this at all, DeWine said Sunday on ABCs This Week. We need to focus on moving forward and not dogs and cats being eaten. Its just ridiculous. Vance, who has represented Ohio in the Senate for nearly two years, said constituents had contacted his office with the claims. Everybody who has dealt with a large influx of migration knows that sometimes there are cultural practices that seem very far out there to a lot of Americans. Are we not allowed to talk about this in the United States of America? Vance said Sunday on CBSs Face the Nation. Im going to talk about what my constituents are sending me, he added. The YouGov poll also found that 81 percent of respondents who plan to vote for Harris said the claims about Haitian immigrants eating dogs and cats were definitely false, while 7 percent said they were probably false. No Harris supporters said the claims were definitely true, but 4 percent said they probably were. Voters 65 and older were most likely to believe the dog and pet conspiracy theories, the survey found. About 30 percent of voters in that age group said they were convinced the false claims were definitely or probably true, and 20 percent said they were not sure. The YouGov poll was conducted between Sept. 11-12 among 1,120 adults over 18 in the U.S. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.8 percentage points. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. When Inez Crutchfield became the first Black woman to win the Athena Award in 1994, distinguishing Nashville-area women who "attained the highest level of professional excellence," she was asked how she wanted to be remembered. "I want to be remembered as having helped some other people, and hopefully to have been a role model to some of the young girls I have come in contact with," she said in a 1994 Tennessean article. A dedicated educator and mother-figure to many, Crutchfield was an eyewitness to Civil Rights history in Nashville when the student sit-ins rocked segregated lunch counters. She claimed many firsts as a Black woman and became a political powerhouse, brushing elbows and breaking bread with prominent Tennessee politicians despite never having served in elected office herself. "The progress we've made as a community began prior to 60 years ago. She's a generation that really put in the work," Davidson County Criminal Clerk Howard Gentry said by phone. "It's because of the Inez Crutchfields. She's the last of that generation." Crutchfield died Monday morning. She was 99. A life in Tennessee Crutchfield grew up in Watertown, near Lebanon, and was raised by her father Dee Gibbs, a World War I veteran who ran a dry cleaning and tailoring business, and her mother Bessie, an educator. It was in a class her mother was overseeing that a then-freshman Inez met senior Carl Crutchfield, her future husband. Crutchfield went on to study at Tennessee A&I, now Tennessee State University, alongside her husband upon his return from serving in World War II and their wedding. In 1949, while living on TSU's campus, the Gentry family moved next door in what became the beginning of a lifelong friendship between the two families. Where Inez Crutchfield succeeded, Carrie Gentry was right there with her. The Crutchfields had two children, Carlton and Beth. Howard Gentry was born nine-months after Carlton, he said. "I don't remember meeting them because she's been in my life for 72 years. She's been there the whole time," Gentry said. Both Inez and Carl dedicated their careers to TSU. Inez spent 37 years teaching in the health and physical education department. Her best friend, Carrie Gentry, was in the same suite. The student sit-ins It was in her role at the university that put Crutchfield in a unique position to be in the right place for the 1960 student sit-ins as the Civil Rights Movement reached its peak in Nashville. She drove students to meetings organizing the demonstrations. When they got arrested she brought them food. "I had many a mother I'd put my arms around and hold," Crutchfield said in a 1998 article in the Tennessean. "They would say, 'I didn't send my child here to be in jail.'" Together, she and Gentry, took on a behind-the-scenes albeit crucial support role. "Carrie and Inez were surrogate mothers to a group of people who were rebelling against a system that was unfair and unjust and disrespectful," attorney Aubrey Harwell said in 2019 of the pair. She appeased parents, assuring them their child wouldn't suffer any adverse academic consequences. "Attendance could affect your grade," she said. "We became a little lax in roll-calling." Inez Crutchfield and Carrie Gentry. Breaking barriers, together In 1963, together Crutchfield and Gentry broke the race barrier in the Davidson County Democratic Party Women's Club. "I had determined that the Democrats were more tuned in to Black Americans. The Democratic Women's Club had no Black members. There was some discussion of forming a Black club of Democratic women, but it was decided there was no point in starting another club," Crutchfield said in 1998. So she and Gentry set out to the Hermitage Hotel for a meeting, where they were met with some stares, but ultimately were accepted as members when Anna Belle Clement, sister of then-Governor Frank Clement, gave them her stamp of approval. "Though my momma was three months older, Momma Inez was always first in everything they did," Howard Gentry said. Crutchfield went on to become the first Black president of the club in 1975. Carrie Gentry became the second in 1978. Crutchfield didn't stop there. She'd go on to be the first Black woman to serve as Tennessee's representative on the Democratic National Committee. "A lot of the community, outside of the African American community, really never had real contact with people of color until they had contact with her," Gentry said. Always the architect, never the spotlight Crutchfield was a political force and always one of the smartest people in the room, Harold Ford Sr., said by phone Tuesday. Ford met the Crutchfields while he was studying business at TSU. He became close with the family his junior year when he moved into an apartment on the couple's property. Ford was frequently at the Crutchfield dinner table, asking their advice. "They always said to keep going, to keep going with your education" Ford said. "They were talking to their children, but that stuck with me." Ford went on the get his MBA, and took over a funeral home before people began whispering his name in political spheres. Ford called the Crutchfields for advice. "Carl was always the business man of the family, she was the politics. She weighed in on my prospects," Ford said. "Next thing I knew I was elected to the statehouse." Ford later became the first Black person to represent Tennessee in Congress, serving in the House of Representatives for Memphis from 1975 to 1997. Crutchfield was behind many success stories like Ford. Howard Gentry credits her with his position in life. "She's the reason a lot of people, both black and white, got into office," Gentry said. "There's no doubt she had a huge effect on my successes in the political realm. There's really not words for the impact she's had on my life." While incredibly kind and selfless, Crutchfield was stubborn about one thing running for public office herself. "I tried to get her to do that," Ford said chuckling. "I told her everyone knew who she was, that she'd bed great at it. She didn't want to be in the limelight, but she was extremely active in the background. She was more active in the Democratic Party than I was. She was the brainchild." No slowing down Retirement for Crutchfield was anything but restful. "If she tells you she's going to do something it's as good as done. She's most unselfish," friend Anne Helen Mayes said in a 1998 Tennessean article. "I don't see how she does it all. She can knock on Al Gore's door, and he'll open it and let her in. She's an exceptional person." While it's not clear if she did knock on Gore's door, she's said to have been in both his and his wife Tipper's good graces. She was also connected to former President Bill Clinton. "Innumerable Tennesseans have been fortunate over many years to benefit from the generosity, wisdom, and unerring guidance of Inez Crutchfield," former Vice President Al Gore said in a statement Tuesday. "Inez was a titan of political organizing in our state and her passion for civic engagement was infectious. She lit a spark of inspiration in those she counseled and her legacy will benefit the people of Tennessee and beyond for generations. I loved her and will miss her greatly." Inez Crutchfield poses for a photograph with grandson Carl, then-Vice President Al gore while then-President Bill Clinton stands in the background. Crutchfield served on a federal judicial selection committee, the board of Bethlehem Center and the board at Meharry Medical College, where she helped shepherd the merger between the school and Metro General. In October 2019, both Crutchfield and Gentry received the Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award, dedicated to those who demonstrates a commitment to community, home and hearth, and individuals in need. More recently, she remained active politically. In 2008, she served as a superdelegate supporting the future President Barack Obama. "You know all this time that we, and I know I, have been telling my children, other little children you can be anything you want to be, work hard, study, you are smart, so on," she said in a 2008 article. "But you know I don't think I believed I would see this in my lifetime. Obama made that real." A funeral service for Crutchfield will be held Sept. 23 at First Baptist Church Capitol Hill, though the time is still being decided. Arrangements are being handled by Lewis and Wright Funeral Directors. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Inez Crutchfield, ceiling-smashing Civil Rights activist, dead at 99 The mother of the late ballerina Michaela DePrince died one day after the death of her adopted daughter. Elaine DePrince died Sept. 11 at 77 during a routine procedure that took place within 24 hours of her daughter Michaelas death, according to a statement by Jessica Volinski, a spokesperson for the DePrince family. Michaela was 29. Elaine had been battling a hereditary disease and heart failure for many years, and, per Volinskis statement, did not know that Michaela had passed away when she went in for her procedure. Elaine DePrince died Sept. 11 at 77. Elaine DePrince / Facebook There has been a great deal of speculation online so the family would like to officially set the record straight about a few things. The last few days have been even more difficult than most people realize because the family has also been dealing with the death of Michaelas adoptive mother Elaine DePrince, Volinski wrote in the post. [Michaelas] mother Elaine died during a routine procedure in preparation for a surgery on September 11th. Michaela died before Elaine and Elaine did not know of Michaelas passing at the time of her procedure. As unbelievable as it may seem, the two deaths were completely unrelated, the statement went on. The only way we can make sense of the senseless is that Elaine, who had already lost three children many years ago, was by the grace of God spared the pain of experiencing the loss of a fourth child. Volinski s post continued, What the family is going through right now is truly unimaginably painful. Grieving two family members who died within a 24 hour period is tragic and devastating. We continue to ask for privacy and appreciate you directing anyone sharing incorrect information and speculation to this post. Michaela DePrince performs with the English National Ballet in 2017 in London. Ian Gavan/Getty Images Elaine died one day after the late ballerina. Elaine DePrince / Facebook A separate post announced the news of her death. After many years of battling a hereditary disease and heart failure, we are saddened to bring you this news. Elaine DePrince passed away on September 11th at the age of 77, the post read. She is survived by her children Mia, Beelee, Jaye, Mariel, Amie and her two sons, Erik and Adam. The family thanks you for their privacy as they navigate this very difficult time. A post on Elaines Facebook page revealed she had been battling a hereditary disease and heart failure for many years. Elaine DePrince / Facebook Michaelas final Instagram post on Aug. 9. Instagram / @michaeladeprince On her Facebook page, Elaine described herself as A former teacher, an author, a lyricist, and mother of 11. She also noted that she wrote a book, Cry Bloody Murder, which she said was about hemophilia and HIV, and co-authored another book, Taking Flight. The Post has reached out to Volinski for further comment. Michaela grew up as an orphan in Sierra Leone before being adopted by Elaine and brought to her home in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, joining Elaines 11 other children (nine of whom were adopted). Elaine enrolled Michaela in a dance class soon after the adoption. There was so much love right away, Michaela told Glamour in 2015. I had never been surrounded by something like that. Elaine and Michaela in 2017 in New York City. Jason Kempin/Getty Images Michaela was internationally renowned for her work, having been a ballerina at the Dutch National Ballet and, as of 2021, a principal soloist at the Boston Ballet. She starred in the 2011 documentary First Position and was featured in the 2021 movie Coppelia. She also performed on Dancing With the Stars during AT&Ts 2012 spotlight performance and in Beyonces Lemonade film. Beyonce remembered DePrince in a post on her website. Rest in peace Michaela Mabinty DePrince. Your courageous journey and beautiful dance as one of the worlds best ballerinas, will stay with us always, Beyonce wrote. Michaela at the American Ballet Theatre Gala in 2022 in New York City. Getty Images for American Ballet Theatre Michaela was an internationally renowned ballerina. Instagram / @michaeladeprince Michaelas death was confirmed in a post on her Instagram Friday. With pain in our hearts, we share the loss of star ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, whose artistry touched countless hearts and whose spirit inspired many, leaving an indelible mark on the world of ballet, and beyond, a statement posted by Team MDP said. [Michaelas] life was one defined by grace, purpose, and strength. Her unwavering commitment to her art, her humanitarian efforts, and her courage in overcoming unimaginable challenges will forever inspire us. She stood as a beacon of hope for many, showing that no matter the obstacles, beauty and greatness can rise from the darkest of places. News of Michaelas death was confirmed in an Instagram post on her account Friday. Instagram / @michaeladeprince Though her time with us was far too brief, her brilliance and legacy will continue to shine in the hearts of all who were touched by her story, for generations to come, the statement concluded. Love and prayers go to her chosen family, friends, and those who loved her. Michaelas cause of death is not known. Who was Mother Jones and why is this southwest Illinois town dedicated to her memory? A BND series about what makes Belleville, St. Clair County and southwestern Illinois a unique place to live. Send questions and tips to newsroom@bnd.com. Many travelers through the metro-east can recall a large, hand-painted white sign with crudely sketched words signaling a historic monument near Mount Olive. Few know that the sign directed them to the grave of the person who coined the phrase pray for the dead, and fight like hell for the living. More official-looking signs now lead the way to the memorial and final resting place of Mother Mary G. Harris Jones, a woman once dubbed the most dangerous woman in America and one of the nations first prominent labor organizers and activists. Mount Olive sits just east of Interstate-55 in Macoupin County, about 50 miles north of Bellevilles public square. A portrait of Mother Jones stands behind a cardboard cutout of three 20th-century boys working as union miners in the Mother Jones Museum on Sept. 12, 2024. Of all the causes she championed, those of children workers stood at the forefront of Joness activism. Nestled in a cemetery, which bares the graves of thousands of union miners and their families and descendants, her monumental tomb serves as an imposing reminder of the struggles the working classes faced at the turn of the 19th century. The final resting place and monument to Mother Mary Jones, one of Americas first and most influential labor organizers. The entrance to the Union Miners Cemetery in Mount Olive, Ill. on Sept. 10, 2024. The sign at the top reads the resting place of real union people. Thousands of graves serve as a testament to Mother Joness organizing efforts in the late 19th and early 20th century. Born some time in the early 19th century (usually dated to 1837, when she was baptized), Jones near century-long life was characterized by labor, both as a participant and activist. She stopped her first career as a teacher in order to raise children and support her husband in his ambitions as a union organizer for the National Union of Iron Workers before opening a dress shop once he and all four of her children died of yellow fever. Once her dress making shop burned down in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, a life time of fighting for labor rights awaited. A miner on the Mother Jones monuments sports a red bandana as union miners did in the late 19th and early 20th century. This is the origin of the term redneck and was used to show solidarity amongst union workers. A miner on the Mother Jones monuments sports a red bandana as union miners did in the late 19th and early 20th century. This is the origin of the term redneck and was used to show solidarity amongst union workers. She was feisty, deeply committed to social justice, active in supporting workers in almost every major strike of her dayand she had a great sense of humor, said Adam Hochschild, who founded Mother Jones Magazine in 1971. You dont always find all those characteristics together. The magazine operates as a nonprofit publication that focuses its progressive views on news, commentary, and investigative journalism on topics including politics, environment, human rights, health and culture. Hochschild said the founders chose the name to honor a great American and partly to make people curious to pick up the magazine and find out just what it was. Magazines arent the only tribute to the great labor leader though. The entire city of Mount Olive serves as a testament to Joness activism. With the national election on the horizon, many people have Trump or Harris signs in their front lawns, but almost all of them also share signs of solidarity with union workers, regardless of their political affiliation. Residents of Mount Olive often visit the cemetery, including this one, who rode his bike through the serene monument on a warm September evening. At Mount Olive City Hall, an entire museum to Mother Jones sits open for anyone interested in learning the history of working-class labor. Inside, photographic displays of armed strikers, despondent child workers and leveled miner villages are juxtaposed with images of Mother Jones posing and union organizers cheering successful bids. Hundreds of local union stickers line pieces of wood and other display cases. A sign advertising to African American miners, who would replace striking white workers in Illinois. The action resulted in increased racial tensions and damage to the labor movement that Jones would work to correct. Jones brought diverse workers together, including immigrants and African-Americans, around the ideal of solidarity, finding their common ground so they could acquire power, said Rosemary Feurer, who works as project manager for the Mother Jones museum. Photos of Jones provide a colorful description of the woman and one can see that agitative personality her mournful black dress and stern, pursed lips show a woman personified by her creed: I belong to a class that has been robbed, exploited, vilified, persecuted and jailed down the ages, and because I belong to that class, I have the instinct to go and help break the chains. Almost 100 years after her death, she is still inspiring many workers to think about a tradition of struggle, says Rosemary Feurer, a history professor at Nothern Illinois University specializing in labor history, and to think of their common interests, their needs and how to organize collectively rather than individually in order to address the same kind of wealth inequality that exists in such an uneven way in our time as it did in hers. Each labor day, hundreds descend upon the Union Miners Cemetery to drop off relics of their loved ones, such as this wreathe. In the background lie other graves and a large cornfield that showcases Mount Olives historic and contemporary working class nature. Feurer, who also works as the project director and statue committee of the Mother Jones museum, says one Joness most important works was inspiring and creating other labor organizers. In response to being called the grandmother of all agitators, Jones said she wished to be the great grandmother of all agitators. A tombstone of a union miner in Mt. Olive, Ill. Many organizers families leave remembrances of them by their graves, such as this bell that a miner would have used for signaling purposes. Joness work was often met with violence, and she was imprisoned a handful of times while campaigning for labor rights and organizing demonstrations. Many of these scenes are shown at the museum, but traveling exhibits help bring the story to a national level, since thats what Jones herself did. We have worked with people from across the globe to lift up her story, Feurer said, because in telling her story, we also capture much of the drama of working class historythe tragedy and the triumphs, the story of how people from across the globe came to the United States and through labor activism, remade the nation into a place that put workers perspectives on the agenda. Outside of the Union Miners Cemetery in Mount Olive, Ill. Near the entrance sits a sign advertising an imminent visit from Cecil Roberts, current president of the United Mine Workers, and whose grand parents both worked and died as union miners. MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) The Mount Pleasant Police Department is alerting residents about an increase in reported bitcoin scams targeting the community. These scams are typically carried out via email, with victims being threatened that embarrassing photos or personal information will be shared with their family and friends unless a payment is made in Bitcoin. In some cases, the scam emails even include a photo of the victims house, which can be particularly alarming. However, police emphasize that this does not necessarily mean the sender is local. There are many online resources where photos of residences can be found. The Mount Pleasant Police Department is actively investigating these incidents and is urging the public not to send money to anyone they dont know, especially if they are being threatened or extorted. Authorities advise that if you believe youve fallen victim to this scam or received such a threat, you should immediately contact the Mount Pleasant Police Department to file a report. Anyone contacted by someone demanding payment in Bitcoin should report the incident to the police before taking any further action. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. Its move-in! Cal Poly welcomes thousands of new students to campus for start of school year The familiar, back-to-school buzz was in the air at Cal Poly on Tuesday, as more than 3,000 students hauled laptops, mini-fridges, textbooks and carts full of clothes into their dormitories officially kicking off the start of the new school year for the Mustangs. The streets and sidewalks of campus rumbled under the feet of new students making their way to the dorms for the first time, families in tow, while staff and volunteers worked to keep things running smooth. Tuesday marked the first of a string of Cal Poly move-in days this week most freshmen and transfer students will move in Tuesday and Wednesday, while returning students are set to arrive Friday and Saturday through the start of classes on Sept. 23. Administration expected over 8,600 students to live in campus housing this school year, according to Cal Poly spokesperson Matt Lazier. That number is just shy of last years 8,801. Omar Torres is an incoming aerospace major from Santa Maria as move-in takes place on the Cal Poly campus on Sept. 17, 2024. Over 5,000 incoming freshmen are part of the crew of new students in San Luis Obispo. Cal Poly is expecting moderate enrollment growth this year up from last years 22,300 but enrollment numbers wont be finalized until after the October census. Around 59% of students living on campus will be freshmen, Lazier told The Tribune. The university typically requires first-year students to live on campus. Around 30% will be second-year students, with the remainder of campus housing set aside for returning third-, fourth- and fifth-years; transfer students; and graduate students. As of Sept. 17, six students were on the waitlist for campus housing one second-year student, four upperclassmen and one transfer student, he said. Cal Poly received a record-breaking number of applications this year. According to data acquired by The Tribune, the school had room for just 7.9% of first-time freshman hopefuls and 9.2% of new transfer applicants. Mixed emotions as students, families navigate Cal Poly move-in Emotions were high among students and their families Tuesday. For many Cal Poly newcomers, Tuesday marked the first time theyve moved away from home. That new sense of independence, some students and parents said, can be both exciting and scary. Incoming freshman Ceclia Method said the move to college is the opening of a new chapter of life. Cal Poly freshman Ceclia Method (left), talks to Nicole Crow (right), a student volunteer assisting with Cal Poly move-in on Sept. 17, 2024. Over 5,000 incoming freshmen will move to campus for the 2024-25 academic year. Others said making friends, getting to class on time and getting good grades were their top concerns. Simone Weiss, an anthropology and geography major, spoke to The Tribune about her mixed emotions on move-in day. Weiss is relocating to San Luis Obispo from Oakland. I go back and forth, Weiss said. Its like my body knows, and Im just shaky all the time, but overall, totally thrilled. She continued: Im most nervous for, I think, the lack of alone time. Honestly, just social stuff, but thats pretty insignificant. Ill figure it out. Weiss said she is excited to explore new classes, get into nature and try new things on campus. Josh Weiss, Simones father, told The Tribune hes also experiencing mixed emotions. We have a really close family, so of course ... when your last kid goes off to school, thats a big change, Weiss said. But Simone is an amazing person, and shes supremely capable, and this is a great fit for her. Keanu Widjaja, another Cal Poly freshman, said hes most excited to be on his own, and figure things out for himself. His top concerns: Getting to class on time and finding places to eat. Im a foodie, so I really hope theres good food here, he said. Lucille Widjaja, Keanus mother, said she is excited for, but also worried about her son. My older (kids) come back home every week. This is too far, she said with a laugh. But Im excited. Its such a beautiful campus, and he already made a lot of friends from the orientation. Widjaja, of Los Angeles, plans to major in business administration, with a focus in information systems. He wants to minor in music and computer science. Students and supporters move into dorms as Cal Poly move-in week kicks off on Sept. 17, 2024. Over 5,000 incoming freshmen will join the San Luis Obispo campus. Cal Poly freshman Andrew Thomson plans to major in city and regional planning. He is moving to SLO from Davis. Im excited to meet new people and have fun this first week, he said. Im just excited to be here. His mom, Krista DeZerega-Thomson, told The Tribune shes excited her son gets the full move-in experience. The last time she moved one of her kids into college, it was during the pandemic. We didnt get this experience because of the pandemic, so its cool, she said through tears, as volunteers cheered new freshmen into the loading zone. Im thrilled, and its such a privilege to get to come to Cal Poly. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is searching for a missing 42-year-old man who was last seen almost three months ago in Independence, Missouri. According to MSHP, Shaun Rellihan was last seen on Thursday, June 27 in the area of U.S. 24 Highway and Northern Boulevard in Independence. Rellihan is described as a white man with blonde hair and blue eyes. He is said to be 5 foot 7 and weighs about 145 pounds. Man hit and killed while riding bicycle in Kansas Citys Northland At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a white shirt and white shorts with black stripes. Rellihan is said to have a burn scar on his right forearm, a tattoo on his back of PSR, Independence on his chest, Youth on his left wrist, and a skull on his right forearm. If you or anyone you know has information regarding Rellihans whereabouts, MSHP and the Independence Police Department ask that you contact law enforcement at (816) 325-7300 or the detective on the case, Wendi Winans, at (816) 325-7347. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Maryland State Police (MSP) have released new details after four people were taken to the hospital and a man died in a crash on Interstate 495 in Prince Georges County on Sunday. On Sept. 15, just before 9 p.m., troopers responded to a collision involving a 2016 Honda Pilot and a 2018 Mercedes on the outer loop of I-495 at Route 50, in the Lanham area. State polices preliminary investigation indicated that a 19-year-old was driving a Honda on I-495 when he lost control and slammed into the back of the Mercedes. MSP said the Mercedes was stopped on the shoulder and the driver, 40-year-old Ayuk Etta, of Lanham, Maryland, was standing outside the car during the crash. He died at the scene. DC police identify man killed in shooting near Dupont Circle Two passengers in the Mercedes were taken to the hospital for treatment and were later released. MSP also learned that four young men, aged 17 to 19, were passengers in the Honda during the crash. State police said two of the teens refused medical treatment. However, the other two were taken to the hospital. Their condition is unknown at this time. On Sunday night, several lanes on I-495 were blocked off for more than six hours. Police identify man killed in domestic-related stabbing in Temple Hills The investigation is ongoing, but MSP said police believe excessive speed contributed to the crash. Once the investigation is complete, the Prince Georges County States Attorneys Office will determine if charges will be placed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Multiple people hurt in northeast Charlotte crash, MEDIC says Multiple people have been hurt following a crash in northeast Charlotte Tuesday morning, according to MEDIC. The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. on East Sugar Creek near The Plaza. ALSO READ: Am I going to die?: Driver recalls split-second to avoid crash before car went flying MEDIC said one person was taken to Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, and two others were treated for minor injuries. It is unclear what led up to this crash. This is a developing story; check wsoctv.com for updates. VIDEO: Am I going to die?: Driver recalls split-second to avoid crash before car went flying ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) As more people come to the City of Athens so do new developments and restaurants. Athens City officials announced that four new restaurants are headed to Athens including Texas Roadhouse, Five Guys, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and 7 Brew Drive-thru Coffee. (Courtesy: City of Athens) (Courtesy: City of Athens) (Courtesy: City of Athens) (Courtesy: City of Athens) To be a vibrant community, Athens has to offer diverse options for dining and shopping in order to support the local economy, Mayor Ronnie Marks said. We need the franchises, and we need the small businesses. Tonight, the City Council approved agreements that support both, which helps keep sales tax dollars in Athens to support city services and schools. Other local establishments such as Ros Grille along N. Jefferson Street in Athens will receive funding towards an expansion of outdoor dining. Download the WHNT News 19 App to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WHNT News 19 newsletters to have news sent to your inbox. Athens Alehouse and Cellar is also set to received funding for its renovation work at its new location on Marion Street. Marks said his office continues to work with other developers on retail opportunities, both shopping and dining. This increases the sales tax revenue for the City of Athens and for the Athens City Schools, he said. Sales tax makes up about 40 percent of our budget, and the school system receives a portion of our sales tax, so growing our revenue base is a priority. There is no estimate on when the restaurants would open for customers. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Murdochs vs. Murdochs: Rupert and His Children Go to Trial Over Control of His Trust "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." A trial straight of Succession began in Reno, Nevada yesterday. Rupert Murdoch, the 93-year-old head of a global media empire including Fox News and the Wall Street Journal, wants to change the rules for an irrevocable family trust that holds his assets. As it stands, his children serve as beneficiaries of the trust, but Murdoch would like to make some changes. (According to AP, "Irrevocable trusts are typically used to limit estate taxes, among other reasons, and cant be changed without permission from the beneficiaries or via a court order.") Based on reporting by the New York Times, the issue at the center of the case is as follows: Rupert wants to ensure that when he dies, control of the trust goes to his oldest son, Lachlan. Lachlan replaced Rupert in November 2023 as chairman of Fox and News Corp. However, three of his other childrenJames, Elisabeth, and Prudenceoppose the change to this trust. Right now, all four children have equal voting power over the trust. Rupert's two youngest children, Grace and Chloe, "share equally in the financial bounty, but have been promised no control," per NPR. "From what we know, this plan essentially seeks to put Prudence, James and Elisabeth on the same footing as Murdochs two younger daughters," Walter Marsh, author of the biography Young Rupert: The Making of the Murdoch Empire, told the BBC. Shop Now Young Rupert: The Making of the Murdoch Empire amazon.com $18.65 Proceedings are closed to the public and the media, but a group of media outletsincluding the New York Times, CNN, the Associated Press, Reuters, and morehave filed a petition to relax the secrecy around it. Per Reuters, "The news organizations say the public has immense interest in which of Murdochs children will succeed him at the helm of the influential media empire, an outcome that will affect thousands of jobs, millions of worldwide media consumers and the political landscape." All Murdochs are in attendance at the trial, including Rupert and his new wife, Elena Zhukova Murdoch. You Might Also Like Aided by favorable weather and new attractions, it was another year of record-breaking attendance at the Illinois State Fair. More than 773,000 people attended the 11-day event in August, topping last year's record by nearly 66,000, per an announcement made by Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Agriculture on Monday. "Each year, the hardworking team at the Illinois Department of Agriculture manages to improve the Illinois State Fair with innovative new offerings, bigger and more diverse entertainment options, and an unwavering commitment to spotlighting Illinois agriculture," said Pritzker in a news release. Big-name musical acts like the Jonas Brothers, Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert drew large crowds. The big draw to the Grandstand was Lil Wayne, who broke the attendance record by selling more than 15,000 tickets. The fair also serves as a way to showcase one of the state's leading industries agriculture where the Governor's Sale of Champions experienced record-high sales. The Grand Champion Steer sold for a combined $110,000, and the Land of Lincoln Grand Champion Steer sold for $65,000. More: 'You will not die. The terrorists will not find you.' Survivor of Hamas attack speaks out Fairgoers enjoy a ride at the Illinois State Fair on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in Springfield. Among new attractions to this year's fair was a naturalization ceremony where the governor welcomed nearly 200 new citizens to the United States from 49 countries around the world. The ceremony finalized the process to integrate into American society and accept the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. According to the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory at University of Illinois, the fair is estimated to generate $86 million in local economic impact in addition to $2.6 million in sales tax revenue for the state. The 2025 Illinois State Fair will be held from Aug. 7 to Aug. 17. Contact Patrick M. Keck: pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com/@pkeckreporter. This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Illinois State Fair brings $86 million in local economic impact Danielle Hazel claimed that she was "rendered ineligible to enter because she has a son" Gloria Allred From left to right: Veronika Didusenko, Gloria Allred and Danielle Hazel. A New York mother has filed a complaint against Miss America and Miss World over their requirements that a woman must be unmarried and have no children to compete. In the first complaint sent to the City of New York Commission of Human Rights and obtained by PEOPLE, Danielle Hazel who had a son at the age of 19 claimed that the entry requirement for the Miss World America pageant is discriminatory." In a second complaint, Hazel made the same accusation against the Miss America rules. She is challenging the requirement in court so that she might one day compete, and alleged in the complaint that while she has satisfied all of the other entry requirements of the pageants, she is rendered ineligible to enter because she has a son who is her legal dependent. Stuart J. Moskovitz, an attorney with the Miss America pageant said in a statement to PEOPLE: "There is no ban against mothers. The only ban is against potential contestants with legal dependents. In other words, if you are responsible for the daily welfare of the child, that welfare must take precedence over wishing to compete in the contest." "The rule has nothing to do with any attack on motherhood. It is solely to protect the welfare of minors dependent on their legal guardians," he continued. "... Miss America stands apart from other such contests. Miss America is a more than century old institution that observes the highest standards of conduct, ethics, etc. That puts us in conflict sometimes with those who do not share those standards. Protecting the welfare of children is consistent with those standards. " Ekta Saini, Miss World America's national director, said in a separate statement to PEOPLE that she was a "franchise holder" and didn't "make rules." She added, "Rules are made by our bosses in U.K. I am the national director of Miss World America. I don't make any rules, I don't break any rules. I follow their rules and regulations." Gloria Allred From left to right: Veronika Didusenko, Gloria Allred and Danielle Hazel. Related: Miss America Contestants Recall Disordered Eating, Drug Abuse Due to 'Unrealistic' Body Standards (Exclusive) In her complaint, Hazel added that she has been deprived of an opportunity that was extremely meaningful to her. She was not merely interested in fame or in prizes, but also dreamt of having the unparalleled charitable platforms Miss World provides, reads the complaint. In addition, this exclusion is degrading to her, as it is based upon the antiquated stereotype that women cannot be both a mother and be beautiful, poised, passionate, talented, and philanthropic. Gloria Allred From left to right: Veronika Didusenko, Gloria Allred and Danielle Hazel. Hazel said in a separate statement to PEOPLE that having her son Zion was one of the greatest gifts of my entire life, and she did not want nor plan to give up on her dreams and aspirations just because she became a mother. I was devastated when I later learned that having my son disqualified me from competing in some of the most respected pageants, including Miss World and Miss America, she said. When I told Zion, who is now six years old, about these rules, he had an immediate gut reaction: he said that these rules are stupid, she continued. His sense of fairness at only six years old tells him that it is unjust and [makes] no sense. Related: 11 Rules Miss USA Contestants Have to Follow (Including a Few New Ones) Hazel's lawyer Gloria Allred added in a separate statement that, being pregnant or being a parent is not a crime, and should not exclude an individual from employment or business opportunities. An individuals status as a parent should not carry a stigma and no person should have to feel embarrassed, humiliated, or degraded because they have become a parent. The pair were joined in a press conference on Monday, Sept. 16 by Veronika Didusenko, leader of the #RightToBeAMother global initiative and former Miss Ukraine 2018, who had to give up her crown because it was discovered that she was a divorced mother. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Didusenko said in a statement that she hoped to work with Allred and Hazel to cancel these discriminatory rules that have existed for more than 70 years. Hazel echoed these sentiments noting that she initiated the complaint process against Miss World and Miss America because she did not want herself and other women to be held back by these discriminatory entry rules. I also want to show everyone that mothers can also be philanthropists, advocates, and beauty queens, she said. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. New name announced for NE organization that provides legal and other services to newcomers Sporting T-shirts with the new Center for Immigrant Refugee Advancement (CIRA) brand are, from the left, Beatrice Mawawa, Noussouraddine Zakaria, Adem Harun, Ehblu Wah and Rhode Ibara Debat. (Courtesy of CIRA) OMAHA The marriage two years ago of a pair of like-missioned Nebraska nonprofits has now gone to another level. The organization previously known as Immigrant Legal Center + Refugee Empowerment Center announced Tuesday that it has a new name. It will be called the Center for Immigrant & Refugee Advancement, or CIRA. The name signifies a commitment to guiding and advancing the newcomers served by more than 100 full-time staff members that include multiple lawyers. Erik Omar, executive director, emphasized the word advancement. That really applies to everything we do for the immigrant/refugee community help them advance their positions here in the community, Omar said. The 2022 merger happened after the refugee centers executive director left and leadership at the immigrant center took on its management and operations. For more than 25 years, the entities individually had helped thousands of immigrants and refugees advance toward their goals. The thought then was to keep both names as a placeholder, Omar said. The new CIRA brand will be on full display Sept. 29 at the organizations 10th annual Food Truck World Tour fundraiser at 3 p.m. on the Metropolitan Community College campus at 32nd Street and Sorenson Parkway, he said. The event features vendors and cuisines from around the world. Proceeds will go to support the agencys legal representation of foreign-born clients, refugee services and social work programs. All services are free to clients, the organization said. CIRA operates in 10 different offices stretching from Scottsbluff, Nebraska, to Council Bluffs, Iowa. Omar said the organization even engaged translators to make sure the CIRA acronym was not a misuse of any language. It was important to us to invest our time into forming a new name and brand that both represents the journeys of immigrants and refugees and also communicates the expertise and compassion of our more than 100 team members who ensure they are welcomed, settled and able to build a life of their choosing, said CIRA board chair Mike McMeekin. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A new HBO documentary looks at how Donald Trump surrounded himself with yes men who fed into the idea that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Pictured: Sidney Powell, Rudy Guliani and others speak at a press conference about the election results. (REUTERS) Donald Trumps efforts to block the certification of the 2020 election is in the spotlight in a new documentary as it probes the former presidents ability to surround himself with so-called yes men who will do his bidding. Stopping the Steal, the documentary available on HBO on September 17 at 9pm, tracks Trumps extraordinary efforts from Election Day 2020 through January 6 to stay in power despite his election loss. The film reveals the former presidents reliance on so-called yes men, a group that includes his allies and conspiracy theorists alike, to boost his baseless claims while many elected officials refused to bend to Trumps will. Stephanie Grisham, a former Trump White House official, said in the film that she believes Trump knew he lost, But hes a narcissist and his ego will not accept defeat. Grisham, who has become a Trump critic after serving in his White House, said his ego, paired with a group of unwavering Trump supporters, strengthened his mission: When you have people who will so willingly come around you and tell you you didnt lose and the things you want to hear that enables him to double down and triple down. Trumps refusal to accept the election outcome came in many different forms. He put pressure on officials to support his election fraud claims in various states, including asking Georgias Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to help him find 11,780 votes, launched legal challenges to the election results as his allies apparently coordinated fake electors schemes across the country, and struck a chord with his unwavering base who in turn spread conspiracy theories that furthered his election fraud messaging. A new HBO documentary looks at how Donald Trump surrounded himself with yes men who fed into the idea that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Pictured: Sidney Powell, Rudy Guliani and others speak at a press conference about the election results. (REUTERS) The guys on the grassroots level, I think they really believe, Dan Reed told The Guardian. I dont think they have any doubt that the election was stolen, because they inhabit a universe in which that is a given. One of these unwavering believers featured in the film is Jacob Chansley, better known as the QAnon Shaman who pleaded guilty to a federal charge after storming the Capitol in a headdress and a spear. Throughout the year leading up to the 2020 election, Chansley was spotted at Trump rallies holding the sign: Q sent me. While Chansley supported the former president from afar, the current Republican nominee also had yes men in his inner circle. Some of his attorneys, Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell, launched a massive media campaign accusing the election of having been stolen and lawsuits challenging the election results. At the Save America rally on January 6, Giuliani repeated Trumps rigged election claims before telling a crowd: If were wrong, we will be made fools of... But if were right, a lot of them will go to jail. So lets have trial by combat. All four attorneys were charged in the Georgia criminal case related to election subversion allegations Ellis and Powell have pleaded guilty. Giuliani and Eastman pleaded not guilty in the case as well as in a similar case in Arizona. Ellis has agreed to cooperate with Arizona prosecutors. Also in Georgia, Giuliani defamed a mother-daughter duo of election workers after baselessly accusing them of quite obviously surreptitiously passing around USB ports as if they are vials of heroin or cocaine, among other unfounded claims that led to death threats against the women. He owes them nearly $150 million in damages an amount that prompted him to declare bankruptcy. Giuliani along with Trump and his former chief of staff Mark Meadows are also listed as unindicted co-conspirators in an ongoing case in Michigan, accusing 16 individuals of falsely trying to certify the state for Trump. Even Trump himself is facing federal charges in an election interference case. In contrast to his yes men, the documentary also captures many of the GOP officials who stood up to Trump. After Trump lost the election, in the face of the then-presidents groundless claims, former Attorney General Bill Barr said the Department of Justice found no evidence of election fraud. He resigned weeks later. In the film, he recalls Trumps 2am news conference: For him to go out and claim that fraud was underway, it was very dangerous. I started worrying a lot from then on. Then-President Trump waves to supporters during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by Congress, in Washington, DC, January 6, 2021. (REUTERS) Another Trump Republican, former Arizona House of Representatives Speaker Rusty Bowers, was pressured by Trump and Giuliani after the election defeat. He says in the film: I was for Trump the whole time and then it started. The steal. I had every motivation,Bowers says, but he never saw proof of the election fraud claims and refused to act on them. While Giuliani visited him in person, Trump called Bowers on more than one occasion. In one phone call, Bowers told the then-president: I voted for you. I worked for you. I campaigned for you. I just wont do anything illegal for you. The documentary premiers just 48 days before the 2024 election. I think January 6 is like the trailer to a movie, Grisham warns in the film. Thats the one thing with Donald Trump that Ive learned. You think hell just go this far and theres not more. Theres always more. He takes it as far as it will go. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The Polaris Dawn re-entry of Sept. 15, 2024 captured by NASA astronaut Don Pettit, on the International Space Station. | Credit: NASA An epic picture of Polaris Dawn's nighttime reentry has been beamed to Earth from space. NASA astronaut Don Pettit caught the conclusion of Polaris Dawn, a private space mission that included the first-ever commercial spacewalk, during its SpaceX Dragon spacecraft's return to Earth before dawn on Sunday (Sept. 15). "In addition to the multi-colored entry trail over Florida, the basic cone shape of the Dragon capsule can be seen," Pettit wrote on X, formerly Twitter, Sunday afternoon about his picture taken from the International Space Station (ISS). Related: Exquisite Star Trails Captured by Astronaut Don Pettit (photos) Pettit, who launched to the ISS on his fourth space mission on Sept. 11, is known for his dramatic pictures of star trails and other space phenomena when he is on orbit. He obtained the imagery from the cupola, a wraparound window set on the ISS that points at Earth. "We've got a number of new lenses on orbit that are optimized for nighttime imagery. I'm really looking forward to getting back on station and taking nighttime imagery to a new level," Pettit told Space.com in a pre-launch interview. His other crew members were excited to see Pettit at work, as fellow NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick noted on X. "So many of us were packed into the cupola this morning to watch Polaris Dawn come back to Earth. It was fun watching [him] make this shot happen amongst five human bodies jammed in the cupola," Dominick said. "Actually," Dominick added, "I think having lots of folks jammed in helped him stabilize his body and thus the camera for the shot." RELATED STORIES: Astronaut photographs solar eclipse's moon shadow from space Exquisite star trails captured by astronaut Don Pettit NASA's oldest active astronaut Don Pettit to make 4th trip to ISS on Sept. 11 Polaris Dawn, the second mission funded by billionaire Jared Isaacman, launched on a on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket early Tuesday (Sept. 10) from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Pettit captured the mission's conclusion after five days in space. Isaacman commanded Polaris Dawn his second space effort after funding and flying SpaceX's Inspiration4 in 2021. Also on board Polaris Dawn were mission pilot and Isaacman business associate Scott "Kidd" Poteet, as well as SpaceX engineers Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. Aside from Isaacman and Gillis working outside the capsule during the first commercial spacewalk, the mission's peak altitude of 870 miles (1,400 km) from Earth was farther than any crewed spacecraft since the moonbound Apollo 17 in 1972. FILE PHOTO: The Nova-C lunar lander designed by aerospace company Intuitive Machines is displayed at the company's headquarters in Houston By Utkarsh Shetti and Harshita Mary Varghese (Reuters) -Intuitive Machines said on Tuesday it has bagged a navigation and communication services contract of up to $4.82 billion from NASA for missions in the near space region. Shares of the space exploration company rose 52% to $8.21 in aftermarket trading and have more than doubled so far this year. As part of the contract, which has a base period of five years with an additional five-year option period, Intuitive will deploy lunar relay satellites and provide communication and navigation services to aid NASA's Artemis campaign. The contract would see Intuitive debut its lunar satellite constellations that will enable enhanced data and transmission services as well as autonomous operations. "We see the win today as significant validation towards Intuitive's outlook and its ability to continue to win additional contracts," said Andres Sheppard, senior analyst at Cantor Fitzgerald. Under NASA's Artemis program, the space agency aims to send commercial robot landers to the moon on science scouting missions and return astronauts to Earth's natural satellite this decade. NASA had paid Intuitive $118 million to build and fly Odysseus, which in February became the first U.S. spacecraft to land on the moon in half a century. The spacecraft, however, lost power and went dormant after a lopsided landing that hindered operations and scientific output. Odysseus was also the first lunar landing ever by a commercially manufactured and operated space vehicle. NASA is counting on a series of low-budget, private excursions to the moon to serve as pathfinders for missions carrying astronauts this decade. The plan allows financial room for failure and offers companies big incentives to succeed on a shoestring. (Reporting by Bhanvi Satija, Utkarsh Shetti and Harshita Mary Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri) NASA Scientists "Howl in Terror" as They Discovered Disastrous Flaw in $5 Billion Spacecraft About to Launch If NASA's $5 billion Europa Clipper mission launches next month, it will be embarking on a historic scientific objective. The enormous space probe, with solar arrays over one hundred feet long, is designed to travel all the way to Jupiter, where it will examine one of the gas giant's largest moons, Europa. Underneath its icy exterior, the Galilean moon is believed to harbor a deep ocean which contains twice as much seawater as Earth. Once it arrives in 2030, the Europa Clipper will perform dozens of flybys to assess if the water-world is capable of supporting life. But, as The New York Times documents, in May just months before the launch date the mission scientists at NASA discovered a disastrous flaw in the craft. As lead scientist Curt Niebur was informed by an urgent email, recent tests revealed that essential transistors in the Europa Clipper would be destroyed by Jupiter's intense radiation. Simply put, it would be game over. "You open that email right away," Niebur told the NYT. "You read it, and then you reply, 'Thank you for sharing,' and then you bury your face in a pillow and you howl in terror." One of the biggest hurdles to exploring Jupiter is that it's shielded by a monstrous magnetosphere. The magnetic field it contains captures charged particles and accelerates them to ridiculous velocities, forming bands of intense radiation that wreak havoc on electronics. The transistors, which are known as MOSFETS that stands for "metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect" were supposed to be able to withstand this challenge, but tests suddenly revealed they were failing in intense radiation environments. All of a sudden, the scientists' backs were against a wall. There were around 1,500 of these transistors used throughout the craft, and exactly where was difficult to determine. According to the NYT, they fretted that replacing them could cost up to one billion dollars and take years. And if the Clipper didn't launch in its 21-day window in October, the mission could be catastrophically delayed. But there's another side to the radiation's effects: annealing. As subsequent experiments showed, the heat from the radiation would eventually cause lightly damaged transistor's atoms to spread out and return to their original arrangement. In effect, they would partially "heal themselves," Joe Stehly, the mission's Project System Engineer, told the NYT. With that in mind, if they could pare down the Europa Clipper's flybys and sparingly use its electronic instruments, then maybe the mission could be salvaged. This approach, however, would still be filled with uncertainties, not to mention dramatically diminish the space probe's scientific objectives. But why settle for less? Jeff Srinivasan, the flight systems manager, proposed taking samples of each type of MOSFET and packing them into a "canary box" attached to the spacecraft. These would serve as early warning systems alerting scientists to when they should shut off certain electronics to avoid radiation damage. "It was one of those that's so-crazy-it-might-work moments," Stehly told the NYT. Though engineers would ideally have years to make such a system, they put it together in a month. And after rigorous assessments, it appears it'll work even better than expected. Now, the mission seemingly against all odds is slated to continue unaltered and launch next month. And as it travels to Jupiter, no doubt scientists and engineers throughout NASA will be crossing their fingers that the spacecraft's systems will survive. More on NASA: NASA Preparing to Launch Mission to World That "May Be Habitable Today" National Cheeseburger Day 2024: Where to find the best deals LOS ANGELES - Looking to snag a tasty deal on National Cheeseburger Day? Fast-food chains like McDonalds, Burger King, and Wendys are offering major discounts and freebies to celebrate. National Cheeseburger Day is celebrated annually on September 18, a day dedicated to honoring one of Americas most beloved fast-food creations: the cheeseburger. Whether its a 50-cent double cheeseburger or a 1-cent junior bacon cheeseburger, youll want to take advantage of these limited-time offers. Heres a breakdown of all the best deals to satisfy your burger cravings this week. McDonald's On Wednesday, September 18, McDonald's is offering 50-cent double cheeseburgers exclusively through its mobile app. This deal is limited to one per person, and you must order via the app to claim it. FILE - A man eats a McDonald's cheeseburger. ((Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)) Burger King Burger King is giving away free cheeseburgers to members of its Royal Perks loyalty program with any purchase of $1 or more on National Cheeseburger Day. For the rest of the week, other deals are available through the app, including a free Whopper Jr. on Monday and free chicken fries later in the week. Wendy's Wendy's has a special deal starting on September 18, where you can get a junior bacon cheeseburger for just 1 cent with any purchase made through the Wendy's app. The deal runs until Sunday, September 22. Buffalo Wild Wings Buffalo Wild Wings is offering a buy one, get one free cheeseburger deal for members of their Blazin' Rewards loyalty program. They also have 10 free boneless wings with a $15 order through the Buffalo Wild Wings app. Denny's On September 18, Dennys Rewards members can receive 20% off any burger on the menu. This includes a special burger from their limited-time Beetlejuice-inspired Afterlife Menu, featuring a triple-patty option called The Beetlejuicy Burger. Smashburger Smashburger is offering $5 classic single burgers all day on Wednesday. Customers can order in-store or online using the promo code "CLASSIC24." After making a purchase, youll also receive a 50% off coupon for a future visit. The Source: This article was based on information from a Fox Business report on National Cheeseburger Day deals, as well as details pulled from various chain announcements and promotions. The full list of offers from restaurants like McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, and others was confirmed through their respective apps and websites. Maryland has suspended the Chlld Care Credential Program, which will harm both workers and families, Christina Peusch writes. File photo by Getty Images. We are in the midst of a national child care crisis, and Maryland is no exception. Child care is essential for all Marylanders impacting everyone, including those without children or families who do not need child care services. Ask any business how a lack of consistent, affordable child care affects them, and youll hear how workers are stressed and productivity plummets when employees cannot come to work or focus due to child care issues. According to Child Care Aware of America, the child care workforce has declined by 26% since the pandemic began. Maryland alone has witnessed the closure of over 1,000 child care programs since 2020. The situation is dire for these small businesses, many of which are run by women from marginalized communities. The average salary for a lead teacher in a Maryland child care center ranges between $26,000 and $31,000 per year, as reported by the Maryland Family Network. These businesses rely heavily on Maryland State Department of Education programs such as the Child Care Credential Program. In Maryland, the Child Care Credential Program is a lifeline for child care providers, allowing them to participate in training programs to further their education. These funds cover preservice training, required annual training, professional development and credential bonuses to supplement low wages. This support is crucial for maintaining a qualified workforce. Despite its success, the program was suspended on June 30, 2024, due to lack of funding in the Department of Educations fiscal 2025 budget. The department has said that the program is expected to be restored in fiscal 2026, but that will mean at least a year without funding. To Colleen Donahue, director at First Presbyterian Preschool in Bel-Air, eliminating funding for the Child Care Credential Program is a slap in the face to the child care industry. Our school relied on the training reimbursement to pay for continuing education. I will no longer be able to have my teachers take all of the trainings that interest them because our school cannot afford to reimburse them without raising our tuition for parents. The Child Care Credential Program is vital for many Maryland child care businesses serving families across the state. Without dedicated state funding, the child care workforce and programs will suffer. This will directly impact access to high-quality child care for working Marylanders and poses risks for losing even more essential child care educators. Ending this workforce initiative will negatively affect over 55,000 early childhood education workers and directly impact over 20,000 program participants. With the program suspended, it seems the state Department of Education is willing to sacrifice quality due to lack of funding. How will this affect children? Why is quality not prioritized? While the Moore administration continues to support essential service industries and resources for Marylands most important natural resource our children we must ensure all Marylanders have access to licensed, quality child care to help aid our states economy. The Child Care Credential Program is connected to many required elements of the Blueprint for Marylands Future, including child care program quality measures such as EXCELS, Licensing, and Accreditation all of which are essential for participating in a mixed delivery pre-K system. Although the state remains committed to fully implementing the Blueprint, several programs remain unfunded including the Child Care Credential Program. Parents and children already suffer from the lack of affordable, accessible child care, forcing parents to abandon jobs, change hours, stress over employment opportunities, or quit training. Child care providers are the backbone of Marylands economy, and we cannot afford to let this essential program shut down. Maryland will continue to count its losses without more investments in child care. The time for action is now. Maryland must reinstate funding for the Child Care Credential Program to support our child care workforce and sustain our states economic health. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A National City man has been arrested on suspicion of fatally shooting two men in Barrio Logan Saturday night, authorities report. Officers with the San Diego Police Department responded to reports of gunshots at 9:39 p.m. Saturday in the area of the 1700 block of Newton Avenue in Barrio Logan. Arizona man gets 10 years for transporting teens to San Diego for prostitution When officers arrived, police say they found two men with gunshot wounds. An 18-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim, a 23-year-old man, later died at the hospital. Police say both victims are believed to be recent immigrants from Venezuela, but their names will not be released until their families are notified. According to Homicide Detectives, the investigation so far shows that two men and a third person were in and near a parked Kia Forte on Newton Avenue Saturday night when the suspect walked towards them and started shooting at the two men. The suspect then got into the victims Kia when he realized a woman was in the backseat and forced her to get out of the car before fleeing the scene. The Los Angeles Sheriffs Office was able to locate the stolen vehicle in Los Angeles County with the suspect inside several hours after the shooting. He was taken into custody without incident in the 1000 block of San Gabriel Blvd in Rosemead, California. Guillermo David Gonzalez, 23, of National City, has been booked into the San Diego County Jail and is facing two counts of murder, one count of carjacking and one count of robbery. I was here and I came out when I heard the boom, boom, boom,' a neighbor told FOX 5/KUSI. Neighbors recalled the sounds of the double homicide in Barrio Logan Saturday night. There was a white car parked and someone came and killed someone. I do not know what kind of weapon they had, but I heard multiple gun shots, a neighbor continued. I got up from bed because I heard something that sounded like gunshots, for some reason I thought it was fireworks. Then I looked out my window, I didnt see anything but I did hear about eight gunshots. I just thought it was a celebration but it was not clearly, another neighbor said. People who live nearby told us they often try to avoid being out at night, but overall have felt safe in the daytime. This comes just days after police announced an arrest and investigation into extortion of nearby businesses and reports of assaults at Chicano Park where gang members are accused of trying to own the area and keep Venezuelan immigrants out. Police investigate stabbing at Oceanside Harbor campground Detectives say they are interviewing witnesses, processing physical evidence, and gathering surveillance footage part of the ongoing investigation. Anyone with more information is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Voter engagement activists in Georgia are on a mission to ensure all eligible Black college students cast ballots in this years presidential election, holding voter registration drives on HBCU campuses throughout the state on Tuesday, in honor of National Voter Registration Day. In Atlanta, the voter engagement group Georgia Stand-Up is hosting a registration drive at Clark Atlanta University on Tuesday. The Fulton County Department of Registration and Elections will be registering students to vote at Morehouse College and Spelman College the same day. The Black youth vote in Georgia plays a pivotal role in every election cycle, according to voter engagement activists, but its impact will be even greater this year. An estimated 41 million young people turn 18 this year, making them eligible to vote for the first time in their lives. Nearly half of them (47%) are young voters of color. Some live in Georgia, where the last presidential election was decided by less than 12,000 votes. Among them are a number of Black college students enrolled in HBCUs across the state, where voter engagement activists are working to maximize youth voter turnout ahead of Election Day. Their demographic can be instrumental in swinging key elections, as they often represent a sizable, highly motivated, and civically engaged voting bloc, Georgia NAACP President Gerald Griggs told Capital B Atlanta on Monday. If we successfully engage Black college students, we can gain access to an enthusiastic network of influencers, who can advocate for them through social media and campus-based activism. The Georgia NAACP is one of several organizations participating in the registration drives. Griggs joined organizers with Black Voters Matter at Fort Valley State University Tuesday morning during the latest installment of the groups annual Black Youth Renaissance Tour. The cross-Georgia trek has additional stops scheduled at Albany State University on Wednesday, Cross Keys High School and First Iconium Baptist Church in Atlanta on Thursday, and Savannah State University on Friday, according to a press release. If youre unable to attend any of the drives taking place this week, you can register to vote in person at your local election office or by submitting an application online or via mail. What are the requirements to register to vote in Georgia? If you arent yet registered, you have to meet the basic requirements in the state of Georgia. You must be a United States citizen and a resident of Georgia. Georgia residents who are 17 can register to vote if their 18th birthday falls at least six months before Election Day. You must register to vote in the county that is listed as your primary address on your state ID. For example, if the address on your ID card is in Fulton County, you must register to vote in Fulton. People convicted of a felony can vote in the state of Georgia as long as they have completed their sentence, probation, and parole, and paid all necessary fines. Why are voter registration efforts so important in Atlanta? Black voter enthusiasm rose sharply in Georgia after Vice President Kamala Harris replaced President Joe Biden atop of the Democratic ticket. Registration among Black women rose 75% between July 21 and Aug. 13, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution analysis of recent state voter registration data. Harris poll numbers have leveled off since July, but young Black voter enthusiasm in Georgia remains high, according to Ida Gary, lead organizer in Georgia for Black Voters Matter. The voter engagement group co-founded by LaTosha Brown and Cliff Albright had more than 300 students in attendance at its Fort Valley State presidential debate watch party last week, according to Gary. We had to turn students away because there wasnt anywhere for them to sit, Gary told Capital B Atlanta on Monday. [Young Black voters] are more engaged than theyve ever been, she added. In Georgia, Oct. 7 is the deadline to register to vote in the November election (mail-in applications must be postmarked by the aforementioned date). Early voting begins on Oct. 15 and ends on Nov. 1. Polls open on Nov. 5 at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Voter registration activists are encouraging Georgians to vote early in person to ensure they have time to correct any problems they may encounter ahead of Election Day. The post National Voter Registration Day and the Battle for Georgias Black Youth Vote appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta. It's National Voter Registration Day. Here's how to sign up to vote in Arizona National Voter Registration Day is on Thursday, Sept. 17. With less than two months to go before the presidential election on Nov. 5, the day is a perfect time to make sure you're registered to vote or check if you need to update your registration. National Voter Registration Day started in 2012 to encourage more Americans to vote. Since it started, the group has helped more than 5 million people register to vote and make their voices heard at the polling booths. Here's everything you need to know about how to register to vote in Arizona or how to check your registration. Who will win the election? What this historian who has predicted 9 of past 10 elections says When is the deadline to register to vote? In order to vote in the 2024 presidential election on Nov. 5, you must be registered to vote by Monday, Oct. 7. How do I register to vote in Arizona? If you have an Arizona driver's license or state ID, you can register to vote online at Arizona.Vote. Otherwise, you'll need to register with a paper voter registration form. You can return the form to your county recorder by mail or drop it off. If you register with a state paper form, you'll see a section of the form that requires proof of citizenship. The U.S. Supreme Court recently limited Arizonans' ability to register to vote without citizenship documents, so you must provide proof of your citizenship status to register using this form. Otherwise, your registration will be rejected. Make sure you include a photocopy of one of these documents: Your Arizona driver's license. Your Arizona non-operating identification card. Your birth certificate. The photo identification page of your U.S. passport or passport card. Your naturalization documents. Your alien registration number. Your U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs or tribal identification card. You can register to vote in some races in the election, including the presidential contest and congressional matchups, even if you do not submit citizenship documents. However, you must use a federal form to register. You will be considered a "federal-only" voter and will not be able to vote a full ballot in upcoming elections. Hey, candidates, stop texting me: Here's how to stop the flood of political texts Can I register in person? Yes, you can register in person at your county recorder's office. You should contact the office directly for information on hours and locations. I think I'm registered. How do I check my voter registration status? To check your registration status, visit Arizona.Vote and click on the blue box that reads, "Your Voter Info." It will take you to the Arizona Voter Information Portal, where you can verify your registration status. If you live in metro Phoenix, you can also visit BeBallotReady.Vote to check the status of your registration. What's new with voter registration? A Supreme Court decision impacts some new voters in Arizona. Here's what to know This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How to register to vote in Arizona: Here's everything to know It's National Voter Registration Day. Here's how and where to register in Florida Are you registered to vote? Today's a good day for it, and time is running out. You've got less than three weeks before voter registration for the general election closes. Since 2012, Sept, 17 has been National Voter Registration Day. President Joe Biden issued a proclamation Monday honoring it and urging all Americans to work to "secure our democracy and protect our fundamental rights and freedoms." "American democracy begins and ends with the ballot box putting the right to vote and the right to decide our Nations future in the hands of We the People,' Biden said, "Voting defines our threshold of liberty and makes everything possible. On National Voter Registration Day, we recommit to protecting the sacred right to vote, and we encourage every eligible American to register to vote." Registering to vote is in. After global mega-pop-star Taylor Swift urged her fans to register last week, 337,826 people within 24 hours followed her link to the vote.gov website, although it is unknown how many completed their registrations. When is the general election 2024? The general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 5. Florida election dates and deadlines Voter registration deadline: Oct. 7 Deadline to request vote-by-mail ballots: 5 p.m., Oct. 24 Early voting period for general election: Oct. 25-Nov. 2. Each county Supervisor of Elections may choose to offer more early voting days, starting up to five days earlier or lasting one day longer. Election Day: Nov. 5 What is the deadline to register to vote in the Florida general election? You have until Oct. 7 to register to vote in the Nov. 5 election. The deadline to register for an upcoming election is 29 days before that election, the Florida Division of Elections said. How do I register to vote in Florida? ONLINE: Go to RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov to submit your voter registration application. You'll need: Your most current and valid Florida driver license (Florida DL) or Florida Identification (Florida ID) card The last four digits of your social security number If you do not have the required information, you can still use the online system to prefill an online voter registration application form that you can print. Sign it and either mail it to your county Supervisor of Elections office or drop it off. IN PERSON: You can also apply to register to vote at: Any Supervisor of Elections office (by mail or in person) Any office that issues Florida DLs or Florida ID cards The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles online system for renewing a Florida DL or Florida ID Any voter registration agency such as a public assistance office Any voter registration drive by an organization that has met Florida's updated standards Any public library Who is eligible to vote in Florida? To register to vote, you must: Be a citizen of the United States of America, per state and federal law Be a legal resident of Florida Be a legal resident of the county in which you seek to be registered Be at least 16 years old to preregister or at least 18 years old to register and vote Not be a person who has been adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting in Florida or any other state without having the right to vote restored Not be a person convicted of a felony without having your right to vote restored. It's a third-degree felony to use false information when registering to vote. Maximum penalties are $5,000 or five years in prison, according to the Florida Division of Elections. How do I check my voter registration in Florida? Go to RegistertoVote.gov to register to vote in Florida. Are you already registered to vote? You might want to make sure. Voter rolls are updated on a regular basis and if your status has changed, you haven't voted in two general elections and you have not responded to flyers verifying your address, you might have been removed. Some states have been aggressively purging their voter rolls and eligible voters have been removed, so you should make sure. You can verify that you're still registered and all the information is correct by going here and entering your name and birth date. Submit the form to see your voter status, address, county, voter ID number, political party and your voter status. "Active" means you are eligible to vote. You should do this every year well in time to address it before any voting deadlines. The deadline to register or update your register information in time for the Nov. 5 general election is Monday, Oct. 7. When does early voting start in Florida? By state law, early voting starts in Florida at least eight days before an election and generally ending the weekend before the election, which is Oct. 26 to Nov. 2. But many counties allow early voting several days earlier and up to Sunday, Nov. 3. Here are the dates and times for early voting in every Florida county. You must vote in your county but if you vote early you are not required to vote in your assigned precinct. ID is required to vote in Florida. How to request a mail-in/absentee ballot Any eligible Florida voter may request a vote-by-mail or absentee ballot and no reason is required. You must request a mail ballot every general election cycle, at least 12 days before the election. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the 2024 general election is 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24. Ballots may be returned by mail or in person and all ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: National Voter Registration Day: How to register to vote in Florida It's National Voter Registration Day. Here's how to register to vote in Wisconsin To vote in the presidential election this fall, Wisconsin residents will need to register to vote. Wisconsin is one of the states with same-day voter registration, so you can register to vote on Nov. 5 at the polls, but you can also register beforehand. Milwaukee County is hosting two events Tuesday on National Voter Registration Day, which is Sept. 17, to provide opportunities for voter registration and education. Here's what to know: Where and when can I register to vote in Wisconsin? There are four ways to register to vote in Wisconsin: online, by mail, at your local clerk's office or at your polling place on Election Day. Online through Oct. 16. You can register online at myvote.wi.gov, which is the state's official website for voting registration. As long as the information you enter like your address and driver's license or ID card number matches what the state DMV has on file, you'll be able to register online. If not, you can register by mail. By mail, postmarked by Oct. 16. You can start filling out a registration form on myvote.wi.gov, but the form is also available here in English, Spanish and Hmong. You'll need to print and sign the form, then mail or deliver it to your clerk's office. If you're registering by mail, you need to include a copy of a proof of residence document that's not a lease. At your clerk's office by Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. You can visit your clerk's office during its business hours to register to vote, up until the Friday before the election at 5 p.m. You can find your clerk's address here. At the polls on Election Day, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wisconsin has same-day voter registration, so you can register when you get to your polling place. What do I need to register to vote in Wisconsin? You may have heard of Wisconsin's photo ID law, which requires you to show photo identification to vote. You don't need a photo ID when you're just registering to vote, but you will need it when you vote at your polling place or request an absentee ballot. Here's what materials you do need to register: A Wisconsin driver's license or state ID card, if you have it. If you have a valid driver's license or state ID card, you will need to provide the number and expiration date. If your license or ID card is revoked, suspended or expired, or if you don't have one, you will be asked for the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you have none of those things, there's a place to note that and more information on the back of the form. Proof of residence. This proves that you live in the place where you are registering to vote in Wisconsin. Acceptable documents are explained in the section below. What is proof of residence for voter registration in Wisconsin? Proof of residence shows that you live where you're registering to vote in Wisconsin and is a different process than showing photo ID. It must show your current address, so if you've recently moved, it needs to reflect your new address. A driver's license works as proof of residence, but only if it has your current address. Here are more examples of proof of residence documents, and you can find more information here: A bank or credit card statement A paycheck or paystub A recent utility bill A real estate tax bill or receipt A residential lease , if it's valid on the date of registration. You can't use this one if you're registering by mail An intake document from a nursing home or assisted living facility A university or college ID card with your photo. This can only be used if you have a fee receipt within the last nine months or if your college provides a housing list to the local clerk. This document provides more information for voters in college, and whether you can use your student ID as photo ID. National Voter Registration Day events in Milwaukee: There are two National Voter Registration Day events in Milwaukee on Sept. 17 to provide opportunities for voter registration and education. Event locations: Milwaukee County Courthouse Rotunda : 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Concourse at American Family Field (Brewers vs. Phillies game): 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. To participate in National Voter Registration Day, bring an acceptable proof of residence document, that includes your voter's name and current residential address. For more information, you can contact the Milwaukee County Election Commission at 414-278-4060. What is MyVote WI? MyVote.wi.gov is the official state website for voter registration and information. It's run by the Wisconsin Elections Commission, which is the statewide board that maintains the voter database, gives guidance to local clerks, ensures compliance with election laws and other duties. Here's a list of things you can do on myvote.wi.gov, and links to that section of the website: This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: National Voter Registration Day 2024: Register to vote in Wisconsin It's National Voter Registration Day. Here's how to register in Tennessee and latest predictions Are you registered to vote? If not, it's a good time to do it for National Voter Registration Day. The day is touted as a "nonpartisan civic holiday dedicated to celebrating our democracy," according to the National Voter Registration Day website. In 2024, National Voter Registration Day falls on Tuesday, Sept. 17. To be able to vote in elections, people must be registered to vote before a specific day in each state. National Voter Registration Day encourages Americans to register to be able to vote before those dates, and this year it falls ahead of most of the state's deadlines to vote for president in the upcoming general election in November. In Tennessee, people can register to vote until Oct. 7 to be able to vote in November. Since its inception in 2012, more than five million Americans have registered to vote in time for their next trip to the ballot box. Want to register to vote? Here's how. College student? Here's how to vote: Election 2024: Attending college in Tennessee and not sure where to vote? Here's a guide. Where can I register to vote? How do I check my registration status? You can do it all in one location. Head to nationalvoterregistrationday.org and you can choose which state you wish to register to vote in and where you can check your registration status. How do I register to vote in Tennessee? Residents of Tennessee have a month to register to vote in the upcoming general election. Here's where you can register to vote: You can register to vote online at ovr.govote.tn.gov. Download and complete a voter registration application that can be found at sos.tn.gov/elections. Once completed it will need to be mailed to your county election commission. You can also pick up a voter registration application in person at the following locations: County election commission offices County clerks offices Public libraries Register of deeds offices Tennesseans can also register during a transaction with one of the following agencies: Department of Health (WIC program) Department of Human Services Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Department of Mental Health Department of Safety (motor vehicles division) Department of Veterans Affairs When do I have to register to vote in Tennessee for the general election? In Tennessee, people can register to vote until Oct. 7 to be able to vote in November. How many people voted in the 2020 election? More than 100 million voters cast their ballot in the 2020 presidential election, according to the New York Times. Tennessee voting calendar Here are some important dates to keep in mind as we near the November general election. Voter registration deadline: Monday, Oct. 7 Early Voting: Wednesday, Oct. 16 Thursday, Oct. 31 Absentee ballot request deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 29 When do we vote for president? Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, or you can participate in early voting. Who is predicted to win the presidential race? Allan Lichtman, a historian renowned for accurately predicting 9 out of the 10 most recent presidential elections, has his pick in, and he believes Vice President Kamala Harris will be the next president of the United States. Why though? Lictman stated that his prediction is based on a set of 13 "keys" or true-false questions assessing the strength and performance of the incumbent party in the White House, in a video interview with the New York Times. Which include: Did the White House party gain House seats during the midterm elections? Is the sitting president running for reelection? Is the White House party avoiding a primary contest? Is there a third-party challenger? Is the short-term economy strong? Has long-term economic growth been as good as in the previous two terms? Has the White House party made major changes to national policy? Is there sustained social unrest during the term? Is the White House untainted by scandal, and is the incumbent party charismatic? Is the challenger uncharismatic? Is the incumbent charismatic? Has the White House party experienced a major failure in foreign policy? Has the White House party achieved foreign policy success? Lichtman predicts a win for Harris because eight of the keys favor her, while only three favor Trump, he noted in the video. Lichtman said that "foreign policy is tricky, and these keys could flip." He added, "The Biden administration is deeply invested in the war in Gaza, which is a humanitarian disaster with no end in sight. But even if both foreign policy keys flipped false, there would still be only five negative keys, which would not be enough for Donald Trump to regain the White House." Who is winning the presidential race polls? The polls tell a somewhat similar story to Lichtman. A Reuters/Ipsos Sept. 11-12 poll showed Harris with an overall 5-percentage-point lead over former President Donald Trump nationally. But this is a race that will largely be decided in about seven battleground states where it is tighter, according to reports from USA TODAY. One of Trump's main advantages as we head to election day is the economy and his push for tariffs. The same poll showed some 56% of registered voters said they were more likely to support a candidate backing a new 10% tariff, or tax, on all imports, as well as a 60% tariff on imports from China. USA TODAY and Deleware's The News Journal contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: National Register to Vote Day 2024: Where to register in Tennessee Waco, TX (FOX 44) With elections just 50 days away, McLennan County is gearing up for National Voter Registration Day tomorrow. Here in Waco, the Project Vier Coalition leads National Voter Registration Day. We have numerous organizations coming together to set up registration tables across the county, said Dr. Peaches Henry, President of the McLennan County NAACP. Residents can expect to see registration drives at various locations including Waco Family Medicine, McLennan Community College, Baylor University, and local barbershops. The initiative will span Wacos own Voter Registration Week to ensure broad community participation. Henry stressed the importance of every election, from presidential races to local school board contests. Every election, from the president down to the school board, is crucial because these are the individuals who make decisions impacting your daily life, she explained. A major focus this year is engaging young adults. Caroline Rice, President of the Waco Youth Council, shared her concerns about her peers enthusiasm. Voting is a way to decide who wins the election. One vote might not seem significant, but many young people today feel their vote doesnt matter, Rice said. Conversely, Zamya Sumling, a senior at Baylor University, believes strongly in the power of the youth vote. Its important for our age group to vote because we have a significant influence on the world right now. Our voices and opinions matter, Sumling added. It is also crucial to note that many individuals have been removed from the Texas voter database, making it essential to confirm and update their registration status. Getting registered to vote is a quick and easy process, and local resources are available to assist. With efforts intensifying, McLennan County residents are encouraged by community leaders to take part in National Voter Registration Day and ensure they are prepared for the upcoming elections. If you would like to register to vote there will be events at Mclennan County Community College tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Michaelis Academic Center as well as Baylor University from 2 p.m. to 3:15 at the sub. You can also register to vote at both the Mclennan County democratic and republican party offices. For those uncertain about their voter registration status, checking it is straightforward. Voters can verify their status by visiting 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 KWKT - FOX 44. National Voter Registration Day: How many people are registered to vote in Alabama? Sept. 17 is National Voter Registration Day, part of a push for presumptive first-time voters across Alabama and the nation to register to vote on Election Day. On Election Day 2016, Alabama had 3,333,058 active and inactive registered voters according to the Secretary of State's office. That number increased to 3,457,572 for the 2018 general election. Two years later, 2020 saw a national increase in voter registration, leading to over 168 million registered voters on Election Day; 3,708,804 of those voters were Alabamians. That number decreased to 3,687,753 by the 2022 general election due to the purging of inactive voters. Many who had not recently participated in the voting process, passed away, moved out of the state or became disqualified from voting because of a felony conviction. More: When does early voting start in Alabama? Voters wait in line for the polls to open at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts polling place during the Super Tuesday Primary Election in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday March 5, 2024. More: Voting rights groups file suit challenging Alabama removing voters from rolls As of August, Alabama has 3,768,164 registered voters, a nearly 60,000 person increase from 2020. The last day to register to vote on Election Day in Alabama is Oct. 21. Election Day 2024 is Nov. 5. For more information, visit on Alabama's 2024 elections and voter registration, visit sos.alabama.gov. Victor Hagan is the Alabama Election Reporting Fellow for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at vhagan@gannett.com or on X @TheVictorHagan. To support his work, subscribe to the Advertiser. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: How many people are registered to vote in Alabama National Voter Registration Day: How to register to vote in Ohio for the 2024 election Still need to register to vote for the upcoming presidential election in November? Or do you need to check your voter registration is valid and up to date? Tuesday might be the day to do it. Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day, "a nonpartisan civic holiday dedicated to celebrating our democracy," according to its website. And if you're looking to register or check your voting status, here's what you need to know. Ohio purging voters: How to check your voter registration status before presidential election How to look up your voter registration status in Ohio You can check if youre registered to vote in the state of Ohio via the Secretary of State's office. To check, you must provide your first and last name and the county in which you currently reside. How to register to vote in Ohio Did your name not show up with the registered voter status? Theres still time to register to vote in Ohio using another link from the Secretary of State's office. You can also update your voter registration information, such as your address, using the same link. Be sure to have the following handy when registering to vote: Ohio drivers license or Ohio identification card number Name Date of Birth Address Last four digits of your Social Security number Lucas Aoki paints a mural in August 2020 at Dobie Mall in Austin promoting voter registration. (Credit: Jay Janner/American-Statesman/File) Register to vote in person You can register to vote in person at boards of elections, public libraries, and Bureau of Motor Vehicles locations. Ohio's Secretary of State's website lists other locations that are also available to register, including: The office of the Secretary of State The office of any of the 88 county boards of elections The office of the registrar or any deputy registrar of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles Public high schools or vocational schools County treasurers' offices Election 2024: Ways you can register to vote in Ohio Register to vote by mail There is a third option to register by mail. There is a National Mail Voter Registration form available on the Ohio Secretary of State site. You can also request that a county board of elections or the Secretary of State's office mail a voter registration form to you. When registering by mail, send the application to the county board of elections or the Secretary of State's Office. According to the Secretary of State site, "your application must be postmarked by the voter registration deadline, the 30th day before the election, in order to be eligible to vote in that election." In 2024, Sunday, Oct. 6, is 30 days before the Nov. 5 general election. When does voter registration end before the presidential election? Voter registration ends on Oct. 7, 2024, 30 days before the 2024 presidential election. New voter ID laws in Ohio and other states Enacted in 2023 after Republicans pushed for voting restrictions in 2020, the Buckeye State has implemented stricter voter ID laws as the nation races to the presidential election, according to USA TODAY. During the primary elections last March, more than 8,000 voters did not have their votes counted because their ID was not accepted, USA TODAY reports. Before you arrive at your polling station, keep in mind that your ID must be a photo ID, government-issued, and unexpired. What is National Voter Registration Day? The event started in 2012 and has worked to get more than 5 million people registered in time for their next trip to the polls, according to its website. The group requires its partners to be nonpartisan, not representing a political party or candidates. National Voter Registration day is endorsed by the National Association of Secretaries of State, the National Association of State Election Directors, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and the National Association of Election Officials (The Election Center). This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: How to register to vote in Ohio on National Voter Registration Day National Voter Registration Day: How to register and check voter status in Missouri National Voter Registration Day: How to register and check voter status in Missouri MISSOURI Tuesday marks National Voter Registration Day in the U.S. As Novembers general election is just seven weeks away, the deadline for voters to register is quickly approaching. For Missourians, the last day to register to vote for the Nov. 5 election is Oct. 8. How to register to vote In Missouri, there are a few options on how residents register to vote. Online An online form can be submitted on the secretary of states website. The form will ask several questions along with identification questions, including your political party affiliate and if youre interested in working as an election judge. The online registration form can be found here. Mail-in application Residents can print a form online and mail it into their local election authority. Applicants will choose their residing county and be given a form to fill out online before printing and mailing it. It should be noted that mail-in applications must be postmarked by Oct. 8 to be permitted, according to the secretary of states website. To fill out a mail-in application, click here. To find your local election authoritys mailing address, click here. In-person Applicants may visit their county clerks office in person to fill out a voter registration form. Additionally, residents can go to any Department of Motor Vehicles office or any state agency that services the public for an application. To find where your local county clerks office is, click here. Mailed to you Voter registration forms can also be mailed to applicants for them to send back to their local election authority. Blank forms can be expected within 3-5 business days from the initial request. Applications will need to be postmarked by Oct. 8 to be accepted. To request a form to be mailed to you, click here. How to check voter registration status Not sure if youre already registered or if your information is up-to-date? The secretary of states website has a form that allows residents to check their registration status. All that has to be filled out is a first and last name, birthday, last four digits of your social security number, and what county you registered under. Information put into the form should be precisefor example, typing your full name instead of a shortened nickname. When you hit submit, it will say if you are registered or not. If it shows youre registered, it will also provide information on your local polling location, jurisdiction, and other election-related resources. To check your voter registration status, click here. Updating voter information If youre already registered but need to change any information, like your name, address, or political party affiliation, voters will also need to fill out and submit registration forms. To change your name or address, complete a voter registration form through any one of the methods mentioned previously. On the form, there are checkboxes that will specify what information you are updating. If you need to switch political party affiliations, you will have to request the change online, and the local election authority will make the update. To fill out the online form, click here. More information regarding voter registration is available on the Missouri Secretary of State 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 FOX 2. It's National Voter Registration Day. Are you registered to vote in Texas? How to check Sept. 17 is National Voter Registration Day. Whether you're a first-time voter or you've participated in several elections, now is the time to make sure you're eligible to do so. Millions of people are either not registered to vote or have outdated registration details, which hinders their ability to participate in both local and national elections. Established in 2012, National Voter Registration Day aims to help citizens update their voter information. This annual event sees increased participation during presidential election years and has made a measurable difference in civic engagement. After global mega-pop-star Taylor Swift urged her fans to register last week, 337,826 people within 24 hours followed her link to the vote.gov website, although it is unknown how many completed their registrations. Here is how Texans can make sure they're registered to vote. When is the general election 2024? The general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 5. When is the deadline to register to vote in Texas? The deadline to register to vote in Texas is Oct. 7 by person and by mail. How can I register to vote online? Here is how you can register to vote right now. Visit Vote.gov, the official voter registration domain. Select the state you live in. You will be directed to your states registration website. From there, you can input your information to register for the first time, update your voter registration, or confirm your registration status. More: Are you still on Texas voter rolls? Do you need to register? Here's how to check How do I check my voter registration in Texas? Voter rolls are updated on a regular basis and if your status has changed, you haven't voted in two general elections and you have not responded to flyers verifying your address, you might have been removed. Nearly 1.1 million people were removed from the Texas voter rolls since 2021. Are you already registered to vote? You can verify your voter registration status on the Texas secretary of states website. Submit the form to see your voter status, address, county, voter ID number, political party and your voter status. "Active" means you are eligible to vote. What if I moved recently? If youre already registered to vote in Texas, you can update your mailing address online with the Texas secretary of states office: txapps.texas.gov/tolapp/sos/SOSACManager. Make sure you do so before Oct. 7. Who is eligible to vote in Texas? If you're a Texan looking to vote in the Nov. 5 election, you need to be sure you meet the registration requirements. Here is what you will need: Be a citizen of the United States. Be a resident of the county where the registration application is made. Be at least 17 years and 10 months old (you must be 18 to vote on Election Day). Have not been convicted of a felony or, if you have been convicted of a felony, you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole. Have not been declared by a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be either totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote. When does early voting start in Texas? Early voting in Texas is from Oct. 21 to Nov. 1. Texas election dates and deadlines Deadline to register to vote in Texas: Oct. 7 Deadline to apply for a ballot by mail: Oct. 25 First day of early voting by personal appearance: Oct. 21 Last day of early voting by personal appearance: Nov. 1 Last day for a county to receive a mailed ballot: Nov. 5 (Election Day) or Wednesday, Nov. 6 if postmarked Election Day: Nov. 5, 2024 What's on the ballot for Texans? Along with the presidential race, eligible Texans can also vote for various federal, state, and local officials seeking office. U.S Senator (the seat currently held by Ted Cruz) 1 of 3 Railroad Commissioners 15 State Senators 7 State Board of Education members 3 members of the Texas Supreme Court 3 members of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals 5 chief Justices and various justices for Texas Courts of Appeals Various district judges, including on criminal and family courts County Courts at Law Justices of the Peace District Attorneys County Attorneys Sheriffs Constables Tax Assessor-Collectors American-Statesman columnist Bridget Grumet and USA TODAY Network reporter C.A. Bridges contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: How to register to vote in Texas on National Voter Registration Day Its National Voter Registration Day. What Texans need to know ahead of the election AUSTIN (KXAN) Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day, a national initiative started more than a decade ago to help register eligible American voters ahead of the November elections. Since the civic holidays inception in 2012, the organization National Voter Registration Day and its teams have helped more than five million Americans register to vote. The annual holiday comes ahead of Texas Oct. 7 registration deadline for the November election. Key 2024 General Election dates to know in Texas The League of Women Voters of Texas outlines several major deadlines and dates for those voting in the November election. Oct. 7 is the final day prospective voters can register to vote or change their address before the General Election. Oct. 21 is the first day to vote in person, with early voting running through Nov. 1. RELATED: How many people are registered to vote in your county? The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is Oct. 25. That is the date when the application must be received, not postmarked, per the Texas Secretary of State. Election Day is Nov. 5. The final day to receive a ballot by mail is by 7 p.m. on Nov. 5 if the carrier envelope isnt postmarked, or by Nov. 6 at 5 p.m. if the carrier envelope is postmarked by 7:00 p.m. at the location of the election on Election Day. Exemptions to that rule are available to those overseas or who are serving in the military during Election Day. The League of Women Voters of Texas VOTE411 resource website also has personalized voting information and details on whats on individual peoples ballots. Voter eligibility and what you need to register in Texas Those in Texas can vote in an election if they match the following criteria: Must be a United States citizen Must be a resident of the county where they submitted the voter registration application Must be at least 17 years and 10 months old on the date of submitting their application, and must be 18 years old on Election Day Must not be a convicted felon (with some eligibility available to those who have completed their sentence, probation and parole) Must be have been declared either totally mentally incapacitated or partially incapacitated without the right to vote Those registering to vote in Texas for the first time can complete their registration in one of the following ways: Complete a Texas Secretary of State application online, print it, sign it and then mail the completed application to your county election office Request a printed application from the Texas Secretary of State and the office will send a postage-paid voter registration application to the applicants address to complete and then mail in Visit your local Voter Registrar to finalize the voter registration process Those not yet registered but who do have a Texas driver license or state identification can register to vote online while renewing, replacing or changing their contact information on those cards. That process can be done via the Texas Department of Public Safety, with more details about how to navigate that system available online. Those who are registered but need to update their name or address can update their voter registration details through the Texas Secretary of States voter portal. ICYMI: Travis County leaders to provide update on Paxton lawsuit over voter registration initiatives Voter registration events in Austin The League of Women Voters Austin Area chapter is running several voter registration events throughout September ahead of the Oct. 7 registration deadline. Upcoming registration events include opportunities at Alamo Drafthouse locations, shopping plazas and community events. A calendar breakdown of those voter registration opportunities are available online. Dos and donts on Election Day in Texas Those voting in person must bring and present one of these seven accepted forms of ID: Texas driver license Texas election ID certification Texas personal ID card Texas handgun license U.S. citizenship certificate with photo U.S. military ID card U.S. passport (book or card acceptable) Those who either dont possess or cant access one of these photo IDs can fill out a reasonable impediment declaration and show a copy or original version of one of these forms of ID: Certified domestic birth certificate or court admissible birth document Current utility bill Bank statement Government check Paycheck Government document with your name and an address, including your voter registration certificate POPULAR NOW: Some driver license offices will be open on Saturdays for the rest of September only In Texas, those voting in person cant use their cell phones within 100 feet of voting stations or use any mechanical or electronic devices to record sound or images within the same geographic boundary. Devices that cant be used in polling places include cell phones, cameras, tablet computers, laptop computers, sound records and other devices used to communicate wirelessly or capture sound or images. Likewise, Texas voters cannot wear apparel relating to a candidate, measure, or political party, per the Texas Secretary of State. Those who do might be asked to remove or cover up the apparel before entering to vote. More details on voting in person are available online. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. SAN JOSE, Calif. - National Voter Registration Day is Tuesday and voting centers across the country are hosting registration drives. Santa Clara Countys Registrar of Voters plans to hold three events throughout the county. "This will be my first year being able to vote. In 2020, I couldnt do it. I was 17, wasnt there yet," said Sebastian Ramos, a 3rd year student at San Jose State University. Research data shows that traditionally, voters 18-29 have the lowest turnout in the country. Ramos has his own view about why some young people dont vote. "I think a lot of people my age do see that some of these politicians are a little bit outdated. Our parents are their age, and they may agree with those views, but people my age, early 20s and teenagers as well, we dont really align with that kind of stuff," said Ramos. Ashely Vu is a recent San Jose State graduate now working for the Registrar of Voters, helping to attract new voters through social media and marketing campaigns. "We typically get our information from news articles or even social media as a whole. I think utilizing that as a way to spread information is really important, especially for the younger generation," said Vu. The Registrar of Voters will hold three events on Tuesday to encourage people to register to vote. Theyll be held at Santa Claras Central Park Library, San Jose State's Votes Festival and at the Registrar of Voters. "Were still educating our voters on the Voters Choice Act. So, they can go anywhere in the county to register to vote. One of the most important things is that our voters need to know where to go. So, they can vote in person here, they can go to any of our 109 voting centers, or they can drop their ballot off in a drop box," said Evelyn Mendes, Spokesperson for the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters. Mendes says the majority of voters in Santa Clara County vote by mail and all mail-in ballots must be postmarked by election day. Still, she says the Registrar is prepared to handle any unusual activity on election day. "We are prepared for instances that can happen at any vote center. We work really close with the FBI, with local law enforcement, security, the Sheriffs. So, we do have extra precautions, and we do meet with them, so we have protocols in case something happens," said Mendes. Mendes also mentioned that people are allowed to observe the voting process on election day, but they cant ask people who theyre voting for, and they cant block people from entering a voting center. For more information on voter registration or becoming an election worker in Santa Clara County, click here. MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A social media trend is behind the potential threat against a Madera high school and the ensuing Friday the 13th lockdown, deputies say. According to the Madera County Sheriffs Office, Minarets High School initiated a lockdown around 2:30 p.m. on Friday after deputies were made aware of a potential threat on campus. After nearly two and a half hours of sweeping the campus, sheriffs officials say they found no evidence of any potential threat. On Monday, deputies say they were made aware that Fridays incident was related to a nationwide social media trend where various threats against schools were called into law enforcement agencies across the country on Friday the 13th. The Sheriffs Office wants to remind the community that making violent threats is a crime and anyone caught doing so can be prosecuted. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Navajos will press U.S. House to revive aid for victims of bomb fallout and uranium mines A fireball rises into the sky over Nevada in the dark. A fireball rises into the sky over Nevada after the U.S. government detonated a 61-kiloton device on June 4, 1953. Nuclear weapons experiments at the Nevada Test Site spread fallout to other states, including Arizona, research and records show. (Getty Images) WASHINGTON Survivors of nuclear testing and uranium mines are ramping up pressure on Congress to reauthorize a federal compensation program that expired in June. Many of those afflicted since World War II are from the Navajo Nation, which is organizing a rally next week that will include prayers at the Capitol for radiation victims. I want Congress to realize that its important and we need to pass this bill because some people did not get any compensation, said Maggie Billiman, whose father, a Navajo Code Talker during World War II, died of stomach cancer that she attributes to fallout from nuclear tests that settled over their hometown in Arizona. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Much of her family has suffered from cancer, she said, and she looks forward to the ceremonial performances and prayers when activists converge at the Capitol on Sept. 24. Thats why were doing a peaceful rally there to bring people and be able to pray and sing and if someone could hear our voices, Billiman said. Its hard to process all these things and to have my family be suffering and my community be suffering. The federal government has paid $2.6 billion to over 41,000 downwinders and uranium workers since 1992 under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. The program provides $50,000 to $100,000 to people who developed certain illnesses linked to radiation and lived in a fallout zone or worked at uranium mines and mills. In March, the U.S. Justice Department projected that another 1,070 claims would be approved by the end of September. Congress has repeatedly extended the program. The most recent extension expired in June. The Democrat-controlled Senate voted 69-30 in March to extend the filing period for five years. The House, controlled by Republicans, has yet to vote on the measure. Speaker Mike Johnson has not said whether or when he would put the RECA reauthorization to a vote. Aides ignored requests Monday to discuss the bill. Republicans are refusing to take up the issue because its going to cost money, said Navajo Larry King, a former uranium mine worker from New Mexico. Many Dine lived downwind of nuclear bomb tests the U.S. government began conducting during World War II. An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 worked in the mines that operated for decades, living nearby with their families. The current federal budget runs out on Sept. 30. But RECA payments come from a trust fund that dont require any immediate replenishment, according to the Department of Justice Our people are neither expendable nor invisible, Justin Ahasteen, who heads the Navajo Nation Washington Office, said in a statement. Advocates will take buses from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to the nations capital, a two-day trip. Organizers expect more than 70 people at the protest. The DineTah Navajo Dancers will perform and provide blessings on the Capitol lawn to those affected by radiation exposure. Although the Navajo Nation is a key advocate for RECA, the program applies to downwinders in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Guam. About one in seven approved claims 5,480 through the end of 2023 came from Native Americans, 86% of them Navajo, totaling $372.6 million. King said he believes opponents in Congress are under a misunderstanding that this an Indigenous bill. Its for everybody. Its to compensate former uranium workers of all walks of life. Not just Indigenous people, said King, 67, a resident of Church Rock, New Mexico, who spent eight years as a mine worker. Speaker Johnson needs to get off his high horse and put that legislation up for discussion and a vote. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) The North Carolina State Elections Board will decide Tuesday for the first time whether to accept a digital version of a student ID as an acceptable photo voter ID. The board has never approved a digital ID in the past, but mobile technology is advancing quickly. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill physical student ID has already been approved for use as a voter ID, but Republican State Elections Board Member Stacy Eggers objected to including the digital version, leading to the formal vote on Tuesday. Currently, a student ID is acceptable at North Carolina State, East Carolina University, UNC and Duke. The question also goes well beyond just college campuses. According to ZDNET, at least 11 states have digital drivers licenses: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York and Utah. It will likely be up to state lawmakers in 2025 to decide whether digital licenses can be used at the polls. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In an unconventional alliance, Republican North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell spoke at a discussion forum Tuesday held by progressive U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont on the high cost in the United States of popular weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Saxenda. The State Health Plan voted in January to no longer cover Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonist medications for weight loss starting in April. This left thousands of state employees without access to these popular and effective medications. The SHP has cited unsustainable costs as the reason for the cut. Sanders said Novo Nordisk the Danish manufacturer of GLP-1 drugs Wegovy, Saxenda and Ozempic charges Americans with Type 2 diabetes $969 a month for Ozempic. In contrast, the same drug can be purchased for $59 in Germany, $71 in France, $122 in Denmark and $155 in Canada, Sanders said during an expert roundtable event on Capitol Hill, which was live-streamed on his social media. GLP-1 drugs approved for weight loss by the Food and Drug Administration include Wegovy, Saxenda and Zepbound. Ozempic and Mounjaro are also GLP-1s, but these are prescribed for diabetes and remain covered under North Carolinas health plan. As for people who use GLP-1s for weight loss, Novo charges $1,349 a month in the United States for Wegovy, while it charges far less in other countries, Sanders said. Eli Lilly and Co., a U.S. company also known as Lilly, manufactures Zepbound and Mounjaro. The list price of Zepbound is $1,059.87 per fill and for Mounjaro its $1,069.08 per fill, according to the Lilly website. Sanders was speaking about the list price and not the net price, or the final price of a product after discounts, all taxes and other costs have been taken into consideration. The federal government can also negotiate with drug companies the prices that Medicare will pay for certain high-expenditure drugs. Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and insurance companies negotiate with drug manufacturers for discounts on drugs. The states health plan contracts with a PBM, CVS Caremark, to negotiate discounts. The state pays out the full price of drugs and later gets back a percentage of these costs based on rebates negotiated by the PBM. As important and groundbreaking as these drugs may be, they will not do any good for the millions of people who cannot afford a drug, Sanders said. Speaking on the financial implications, Sanders said that if half of the adults with obesity in the U.S. took these weight-loss drugs at the current price point, estimates suggest that it would cost the country $411 billion per year, or $5 billion more than what Americans spent on all retail prescription drugs in 2022. In other words, the outrageously high cost of these drugs could bankrupt Medicare, while gradually increasing insurance premiums to absolutely unaffordable rates, he said. Novo Nordisk spokesperson Stacy Beard said in an email that the net price of Ozempic has declined by 40% since launch in the US and Wegovy is following a similar trajectory. Moreover, 99 percent of commercial plans cover Ozempic, and over 80 percent of Americans with insurance only pay $25 or less per month. Unfortunately, even when we lower our prices, too often patients in the United States dont receive the savings - this is a problem, said Beard. We appreciate that it is frustrating that each country has its own healthcare system but making isolated and limited comparisons ignores this fundamental fact. What remains constant is the indisputable value and cost savings Novo Nordisk medicines bring to patients, healthcare systems and society, she wrote in an email. We have and will continue to cooperate with policymakers on real solutions and are proud of the benefit our discoveries have brought to treat and defeat chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity. A Lilly spokesperson, Antoinette Forbes, wrote that breakthrough medicines like Mounjaro and Zepbound dont just happen and required tireless work and an investment of tremendous resources over two decades. She said that since 2017 for these medicines the company had designed, funded, and conducted 37 studies and trials and in the last four years, invested over $18 billion in new manufacturing facilities. She also said that Lilly has led the way on access and affordability, having launched Zepbound at a list price 20% lower than our competitor, and last month we launched single-dose vials for self-pay patients priced at a 50% or greater discount compared to the list price of all other incretin (GLP-1) medicines for obesity. Generic versions Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, also said that he had learned through a series of conversations with the CEOs of major generic pharmaceutical companies that they could sell a generic version of Ozempic for less than $100 a month. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly (the U.S. manufacturer of Mounjaro and Zepbound) own patents for GLP-1s. There are off-brand versions of these weight loss drugs made by compounding pharmacies, but these are not FDA-approved. Folwell said that this is not a Republican, Democrat, unaffiliated, Libertarian issue but a moral issue when people cannot afford the drug they need to take advantage of this. Folwell is a Republican who ran unsuccessfully for governor. He is capping off his last year as the states treasurer. We never questioned the efficacy of this drug. Were simply questioning what were having to pay for it, he said, adding that if the SHP had continued covering these drugs, it would have had to double the individual premiums on state employees. He also cited the recent coverage by Medicaid of these drugs, saying that hes asked them what theyre paying for it, and no one will tell me what theyre paying for it NC Medicaid started covering FDA-approved obesity management medications for beneficiaries 12 and older on Aug 1. For the added Medicaid coverage, a public notice posted July 10 on DHHS website says that the change will cost the state more than $21 million in 2025 and over $15 million in 2026. Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen will testify before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee next week. This committee is chaired by Sanders. Under the Dome Get the latest news about North Carolina politics from The News & Observer's award-winning team. Get the free digest sent to your inbox by signing up here. After months of questions about his position on abortion, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson said Tuesday his opinion on that right now matters very little. The Republican governor candidate addressed Charlotte-area business and civic leaders Tuesday at a luncheon hosted by the Hood Hargett Breakfast Club, where he shared his thoughts on the economy, public education and, when asked, abortion. Robinson for years supported a heartbeat bill, which would ban abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, the Raleigh News & Observer reported previously. But in an August campaign ad he says, I stand by (North Carolinas) current law, which bans abortions, with exceptions, after 12 weeks of pregnancy. Then in an interview last week with The Charlotte Observers news partner WSOC-TV, Robinson said he would sign a 6-week abortion ban if elected governor. On Tuesday, Robinson said he considers the state of North Carolinas law settled because there is consensus around a 12-week ban with exceptions for survivors of rape and/or incest. I dont get to decide this by myself When I was a social media influencer, guess what mattered? My opinion. When I was an activist, guess what mattered? The group that I was an activist for. As an elected official, guess what I have to go with? I have to go with consensus, he said. Robinson said the issue of abortion is brought up in elections to to move away from topics such as the economy and immigration. Any potential changes to the states law are in the hands of state representatives, and what they decide, we can sign, he said. It is time for us to move on, folks. We dealt with that issue. The people have spoken here in this state, he said. My opinion on that right now matters very little, because I dont get to make that decision. Robinson also was asked Tuesday by an audience member to explain his comment on a 2019 Facebook live stream that abortion is about killing the child because you werent responsible enough to keep your skirt down. Democratic nominee Josh Steins campaign has used the clip in ads this election cycle. On Tuesday, Robinson said the ads edited him out of context by cutting out the rest of the line, where he said or your pants up. I was speaking about abortion on demand, he said. Asked about Robinsons comments, Steins campaign referred an Observer reporter to a statement issued after the WSOC interview. Its become crystal clear that the only thing Robinson wants more than a total abortion ban is for North Carolina voters to not know the truth about it, Steins spokeswoman Morgan Hopkins said. In 50 days, voters will reject his extremism once and for all. Abortion rights have proved to be a fruitful issue for Democrats since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 and opened the door to new state-level bans of the procedure. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democrats presidential nominee, frequently mentions the issue on the campaign trail, and voters have turned out in support of a number of statewide ballot initiatives to preserve or expand the right to abortion. Stein leads Robinson by an average of 9.2 percentage points in recent polls, according to RealClearPolitics. Mark Robinson on Holocaust denial, daycare, teacher pay North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the Republican nominee for governor, speaks to the Hood Hargett Breakfast Club in Charlotte on Tuesday, Sept. 17. The following are other statements Robinson made Tuesday during the luncheon: Asked about past allegations of antisemitism, Robinson said Tuesday hes not a Holocaust denier. Hes been criticized previously for a past Facebook post that called reports of the Holocaust hogwash and other comments on social media, as well as a 2019 podcast appearance when he appeared to endorse the hosts conspiracy theory that Jewish bankers are one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. On Tuesday, he called the claims despicable and said he stood with Israel after the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas that set off the latest war in the region despite getting kicked in the teeth for it politically. Robinson said he visited Israel after the events of Oct. 7, describing the trip as a life changing experience. Robinson also pushed back on ads run by Steins campaign criticizing him for a daycare he and his wife ran. State officials cited the Precious Beginnings Child Development Center in Greensboro, owned by Robinsons wife, for several violations in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Robinson said Tuesday the daycare was one of the proudest moments of our lives and said the commercial uses footage not of his daycare and interviews with people who werent connected to the child care facility. The campaigns lawyers have exchanged letters on the ads previously. Lawyers for Robinsons campaign wrote the ad includes false attacks and called for Steins campaign to stop airing them. Steins lawyers defended the ad in their response. Robinson said issues in North Carolinas public education system are not the fault of our school teachers. He said teachers are underpaid and that, if elected, he would raise teacher salaries by eliminating other jobs in the states educational bureaucracy. Robinson said he believes elementary schools should offer a classical education centered on reading, writing and mathematics. He called for more focus on career readiness in K-12 schools and said colleges and universities should offer flexibility for older students already in the workforce. NC voter registrations pick up as expert says state could see record turnout RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) With less than 50 days to go until the general election, events occurred across North Carolina Tuesday to coincide with National Voter Registration Day as the state is poised to play a crucial role in determining who wins the White House. Lily Barnett, a senior at Meredith College, was among those encouraging her classmates to register, noting the power young voters could have in shaping the outcome of the election. We dont vote as much as other age demographics, so were doing our best to get our voices heard, she said. North Carolina is a swing state. Our votes matter big time. North Carolina is seeing an uptick in registrations as the election draws closer. For more information on how to register to vote in North Carolina and the key deadlines click here: https://www.ncsbe.gov/registering Last week, registrations increased by about 19,000, according to the N.C. State Board of Elections. Of those, about 55 percent of people registered as unaffiliated. Since the 2020 election, there have been some significant changes in voter registration data. Unaffiliated voters now outnumber registered Democrats and Republicans, comprising 37.7 percent of the electorate. About 31.5 percent of voters are registered Democrats and 29.9 percent are registered Republicans. The number of registered Democrats has decreased by about 213,000 while the number of registered Republicans has increased by about 52,000 and the number of unaffiliated voters jumped by more than 430,000. More and more people are considering themselves to be independent at least in mindset. Their voting preferences tend to be very consistent. But, they consider themselves to be more independent, said David McLennan, an expert on state politics at Meredith College. Since President Joe Biden exited the race, U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-NC 13th) points out Democratic voter registrations have risen, which he says makes him very optimistic. The signs that weve seen with voter registration are very encouraging and show a campaign with a ton of momentum heading into November, he said. State Republican Party Chairman Jason Simmons said Republicans have been narrowing the gap in voter registration with Democrats since the 2016 election and expect that trend to continue. What weve seen of late has just been more of the historic norms, the late push by both parties to reach out to groups, to reach out to unaffiliateds to reach out to the new movers for voter registration drives, he said. Nothing that weve seen from the Democrat Party on their voter registration numbers alarm us. And, we continue to see Republicans outpacing Democrat registration. North Carolina saw record turnout during the 2020 election when about 75 percent of registered voters cast their ballots. McLennan said he thinks 2024 could exceed that. I think we could see even an increase from 2020. Across demographic groups, it seems like enthusiasm in the race has changed since Harris has entered. The Trump people have been enthusiastic since 2015, he said. I think theres enthusiasm across the board. So, we might see younger voters, older voters, rural, urban, this could be a record-breaking election. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. Trucks and cars drive down the New Jersey Turnpike in Elizabeth, New Jersey. (File/Mario Tama/Getty Images) LINCOLN Nebraska, South Carolina and 22 other Republican-led states asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday to block a push by Democrat-led California to require more trucks used for transporting goods to reduce carbon emissions. Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who led the effort, argued in a letter that California is overstepping its authority and risks harming commerce beyond its borders. He and the other attorneys general wrote that forcing a shift from diesel fuel to electric energy could lead to higher prices for food, fuel and more consumer goods. California lacks the legal authority to export its electric truck mandate to the rest of the country, the letter says. Granting this waiver would be unconstitutional because it would allow California to regulate motor vehicles in a manner that no other state can. The letter was signed by leaders in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming. Californias Advanced Clean Fleets regulation would require all medium- and heavy-duty truck fleets in the state to be zero-emission by 2045 and by 2035 for the heaviest duty trucks, including those that transport goods from shipyards to rail yards. Even though this issue is specific to California, it would affect the rest of the states as well, because so many goods come into California and are then trucked to the rest of the country, South Carolina Attorney General Wilson said. Just as importantly, we cannot allow one state to dictate policy on an issue thats reserved for the federal government. Federal waiver needed California needs a federal waiver from the EPA to enforce stricter emissions standards on medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks because the federal Clean Air Act prevents most states from setting individual standards without a waiver. The Golden State has long been a national trendsetter for vehicle emissions. For decades, Republican and Democratic presidential administrations and the EPA have let California set its own standards to address air quality. The Biden administration, which has prioritized fighting climate change, could be inclined to approve the change. The same states have sued separately to stop the waiver if the EPA grants it. The attorneys general said giving California influence over fleet trucks would raise the costs of logistics and business far beyond the states borders. They argued it would violate the separate and equal sovereignty of the states. Rural states face risks Hilgers, like many of his farm-state peers, argued in the letter that biofuels risk being harmed. Rural elected officials have argued that requiring electric vehicles doesnt work in their regions because they lack the charging infrastructure. The AGs also argued rural states would be disproportionately affected by the resulting higher costs for traditional trucks and trucking, which they say would follow a zero-emissions mandate. The attorneys also argued that a 1994 federal law governing the Federal Aviation Administration prohibits states from regulating prices, routes and services of motor carriers. The letter argues that the California regulation would do so. California said in its waiver application that it needs to regulate trucking emissions to curb smog and improve air quality and public health, as well as meet state goals of combating climate change by transitioning to alternate energy sources. The application argues the pollutants from diesel vehicles are disproportionately damaging air quality in disadvantaged neighborhoods located near ports and highways. Like the SC Daily Gazette, Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Cate Folsom for questions: info@nebraskaexaminer.com. Follow Nebraska Examiner on Facebook and X. Trucks drive down the New Jersey Turnpike in Elizabeth, New Jersey. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) LINCOLN, Neb. Nebraska and 23 other Republican-led states including North Dakota asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday to block a push by Democratic-led California to require more trucks used for transporting goods to reduce carbon emissions. Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who led the effort, argued in a letter that California is overstepping its authority and risks harming commerce beyond its borders. He and the other attorneys general wrote that forcing a shift from diesel fuel to electric energy could lead to higher prices for food, fuel and more consumer goods. California lacks the legal authority to export its electric truck mandate to the rest of the country, the letter says. Granting this waiver would be unconstitutional because it would allow California to regulate motor vehicles in a manner that no other state can. The letter was signed by leaders in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming. Federal waiver needed California needs a federal waiver from the EPA to enforce stricter emissions standards on medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks because the federal Clean Air Act prevents most states from setting individual standards without a waiver. The Golden State has long been a national trendsetter for vehicle emissions. For decades, Republican and Democratic presidential administrations and the EPA have let California set its own standards to address air quality. The Biden administration, which has prioritized fighting climate change, could be inclined to approve the change. The same states have sued separately to stop the waiver if the EPA grants it. The attorneys general said giving California influence over fleet trucks would raise the costs of logistics and business far beyond the states borders. They argued it would violate the separate and equal sovereignty of the states. Rural states face risks Hilgers, like many of his farm-state peers, argued in the letter that biofuels risk being harmed. Rural elected officials have argued that requiring electric vehicles doesnt work in their regions because they lack the charging infrastructure. The AGs also argued rural states would be disproportionately affected by the resulting higher costs for traditional trucks and trucking, which they say would follow a zero-emissions mandate. The attorneys also argued that a 1994 federal law governing the Federal Aviation Administration prohibits states from regulating prices, routes and services of motor carriers. The letter argues that the California regulation would do so. California said in its waiver application that it needs to regulate trucking emissions to curb smog and improve air quality and public health, as well as meet state goals of combating climate change by transitioning to alternate energy sources. The application argues the pollutants from diesel vehicles are disproportionately damaging air quality in disadvantaged neighborhoods located near ports and highways. Californias Advanced Clean Fleets regulation would require all medium- and heavy-duty truck fleets in the state to be zero-emission by 2045 and by 2035 for the heaviest duty trucks, including those that transport goods from shipyards to rail yards. Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Cate Folsom for questions: info@nebraskaexaminer.com. Follow Nebraska Examiner on Facebook and X. Nemonte Nenquimo Fought to Protect the Amazon Rainforest and Her Tribe from Big Oil Amazon Frontlines We Will Be Jaguars, written with her partner Mitch Anderson, is Nemonte Nenquimos memoir of her life and struggle growing up as a Waorani woman in the Ecuadorian Amazon. After her early childhood in her community in the rainforest and her adolescence spent with evangelical missionaries, Nenquimo moved to Quito. While she was there, a violent conflict spurred by the oil company broke out between a Waorani family living near the oil fields in the rainforest and a Taromenane clan living in voluntary isolation deeper in the forest. One night, Nenquimo had a vivid dream of two little Taromenane girls who were being held captive after their family was murdered. The next morning she decided to head out alone to try and find and help them. The below excerpt was reprinted courtesy of Abrams Press. **Content warning: This excerpt contains descriptions of sexual harassment. ** The river was creamy brown, soup-like, and slow-moving beneath the scorching blue sky. Sandy yellow clumps of foam floated on the water. Swirling oily rainbows glinted on the surface. Rusty barges churned white water and belched black smoke. An old man sat in a canoe at the rivers edge, bobbing in the wakes. She is insisting, the soldier said loudly into his radio, leaning against the idling military vehicle. She says that she is from the village of Yarentaro. Over. Copy that. Tell her that no one is allowed in. Her people are f***ing crazy. Theyre threatening to kill anyone who enters. Copy that, the soldier said, raising his eyebrows. That is my land, I said fiercely, pointing across the river. My grandmother is buried in that forest. You heard the orders, the soldier said. Everything is paralyzed. Not even the oil companies are operating right now. Your people are threatening war against the companies, the government, everyone! I stared at the soldier coldly. He eyed me through his glasses, a leer forming on his face. Weve got some time to kill now, he whispered. I like me a feisty auca girl. He made kissing sounds. I turned away in disgust. The market was dusty at the rivers edge. A rusty, hulking barge clanked and scraped against the concrete slab of the port. I walked down the banks towards the old man in the canoe. He was busy gutting fish. How much to take me across the river? He looked up at me. His eyes were glassy-wet, like an old hunting dogs. Two dollars. I stepped onto the bow of the canoe. Downriver, I said. Away from the soldiers. The old man glanced at me strangely. Who is your family? he asked in Kichwa. I shook my head. I understood Kichwa, but I couldnt speak it. Youre not Kichwa? No. Im Waorani. The old man yanked the cord to start the outboard motor. Ah, he said, backing the canoe into the rivers current. Fire in your blood. I sat on the bow, gazing downriver. The canoe cut through the water, bouncing softly. There arent many fish anymore, the old man shouted over the drone of the outboard. Those f***ing barges! I nodded distractedly. The rivers current swirled, bubbled, and lapped against the wood. My ancestors knew this river as the Toroboro, the Mighty River. But now it was known as the Napo River. I pictured my warrior ancestors crossing it, bundles of chonta palm spears on their shoulders, their long black hair floating on the surface. The canoe glided into the muddy banks. The forest was a thick wall above red clay. I handed the old man two dollars. How do I get to the road? I asked. The old man looked at me with surprise. Youve never been here before? I shook my head. It was strange, even to me. For the first time, I was about to enter the forest of my ancestors, where my grandmother was buried, where our stories were born long ago. I thought you were a Waorani from these parts. No, Im from another village, far away. Ah, the man sighed. You look like youre about to get into some trouble, young girl. I shook my head, avoiding his eyes, and started up the muddy banks into the forest. Seems to be some problems out in those villages at the end of the road, he shouted after me. Better stay away from there. Thats where Im going, I shouted back, pushing through the stiff cane into the cool green woods. There was no trail that I could see. I walked a short way, then stopped. The forest was trilling and pulsing. I noticed the faint, days-old tracks of an ocelot. A line of leaf-cutter ants. A wasps nest. I felt lightheaded. Maybe it was the fumes from the port, or the rocking waters. Or was I feeling the spirits of my ancestors? I crumpled a wild garlic leaf in my hands and inhaled deeply. A truck rattled in the distance upriver. I walked towards the sound. A white blanket of light illuminated a patch of the forest. I stood in the shadows and a white truck rumbled around a bend in a cloud of dust. I scrambled up the edge of the road and waved my hand. The truck slowed. Amazon Frontlines Beautiful butterfly, where are you going? the driver said. He was an oil worker, an Ecuadorian from the coast; I could tell by his accent. He wore black shades, a white helmet, and a blue uniform. Im not a butterfly, I hissed. Im a Taromenane! The man laughed and rested his arm out the window. Then take off your clothes, butterfly. I glared at him in silence. Where do you want to go, beautiful one? he asked. To the village of Yarentaro. No, no, no! We cant go there! Thats the end of the road. Why not? Dont play dumb with me, butterfly. You Waorani, your people are acting like savages right now. Theyre f***ing crazy. Then Ill walk. I started down the hot, dusty road. The man idled the truck forward. Hop in the flatbed, he said. I jumped in the back of the truck. I cant have you sit inside with me, he shouted, leaning out the window. Its against company policy. The tires spit dust as the truck rolled forward. The boss likes all the pretty girls for himself, he shouted again, over the sound of crunching rocks. Soon the forest was a blur and my body was shaking against the metal. A pipeline snaked in the trenches. A gas flare hissed. We crossed a metal bridge. The creek water was foamy and gleaming with oil. A group of Waorani women stood on the edge of the road before a chain-link fence adorned with barbed wire. What were they doing there at the gates of the oil company? They had ripped clothes, bare feet, long earlobes, and empty water jugs. Surely it wasnt possible? But it was. The women were collecting water from the oil company. And I could guess why. Contamination. Once I had not known that word, but now I did. The fresh water of the creeks the women would normally depend on had been poisoned. An oil company security guard shoved a hose through the fence. The water poured out milky-white into the womens empty jugs. We picked up speed again and disappeared around the bend. The company was taking the oil from our forests and contaminating our water sources. The oil was taken to the cities so that the white people could drive cars and fly planes while Waorani women were degraded in the dusty shadows of the barbed wire, left to beg for water. I spit onto the road, spit on the long finger of the white mans world curling and curving and cutting into our forests. Spit on the boas tongue of civilization that turned my people from hunters and harvesters and shamans into barefoot beggars in our own lands. I knew how this all had come to be. It was, in large part, Rachel Saints doing. I had been just a little girl in the village of Tonampare when the helicopter had landed that day. Distracted by the shiny earrings some important woman had worn! Shiny earrings! I had no idea that inside the longhouse Rachel Saint was orchestrating her final act: facilitating the delivery of these forests to the blue-eyed, Bible-carrying boss of the oil company, Maxus Energy. That was 20 years ago. And now my women were begging the oil company for water. And there was war between my people and the Taromenane, a war between what we were and what we had become. Stay up-to-date with the politics team. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue Want more Teen Vogue climate coverage? Luis Tortes, 28, talks about his past year and a half of living homeless underneath State Route 118 in Pacoima in August. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Caltrans workers cleaned up homeless encampments a few blocks away along Paxton Street and Remick Avenue. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Gov. Gavin Newsom is threatening legal action against the city of Norwalk unless it reverses a ban on homeless shelters and other housing. It is unfathomable that as our state grapples with a homelessness crisis, Norwalk would pass an ordinance banning the building of homeless shelters," Newsom said in a statement. "It is counterproductive and immoral for any community to throw up their hands and say theyve done enough while they still have people in need." Last month, Norwalk passed an ordinance temporarily banning homeless shelters, single-room occupancy housing and supportive housing. The ordinance additionally banned liquor stores, laundromats, car washes and payday loan establishments. "By virtue of their operational characteristics, the uses listed and defined above, may have detrimental effects (i.e., maintenance of property, over proliferation, security noise, and possible economic impacts) on the community," according to a Sept. 17 city staff report. The report recommends that the City Council extend the ban on homeless shelters, liquor stores and the other developments for another 10 months. Newsom's administration sent a notice of violation of various housing laws to the city and warned that it may refer the matter to the Attorney General's Office for enforcement unless the ordinance is rescinded. Norwalk has until Monday to respond. Norwalks residents indeed all Californians should be outraged," Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said in a statement. "If necessary, my office stands ready to take legal action against Norwalk. 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. Gov. Gavin Newsom Monday threatened a possible lawsuit against the city of Norwalk if a recently adopted moratorium on emergency shelters for the homeless as well as single room occupancy and transitional housing isnt reversed. The Norwalk City Council adopted the urgency ordinance on Aug. 6, which put a moratorium on various establishments, including emergency shelters, along with transitional and supportive housing. Newsom signs smash and grab bill into law It is unfathomable that as our state grapples with a homelessness crisis, Norwalk would pass an ordinance banning the building of homeless shelters, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. It is counterproductive and immoral for any community to throw up their hands and say theyve done enough while still having people in need. We cant leave people in dangerous and unsanitary encampments the city of Norwalk needs to do its part to provide people with shelter and services. The states Department of Housing and Community Development sent city officials a Notice of Violation and Corrective Action Letter regarding the ordinance on Monday. The Notice of Violation warns that if Norwalk does not reverse course, HCD may refer the matter to the Attorney Generals Office for litigation and may revoke housing element compliance. HCD found the housing element in compliance in November 2023. Norwalk has until Sept. 23 to respond, a news release said. KTLA reached out to the city of Norwalk about the letter but didnt hear back in time for publication. Homelessness experts weigh in on Newsoms executive order on encampments In July, Newsom signed an executive order, which among other things, allowed state and local officials to dismantle homeless encampments. The executive order was issued in response to a Supreme Court decision in late June that granted officials authority to remove the encampments and ticket people for camping in public in Grants Pass, Oregon. While some city leaders applauded the executive order, others, like Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, called the decision unfortunate. The city of Norwalk will consider extending the moratorium for 10 months and 15 days on Tuesday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sometimes it can feel like your life is the center of the universe, but then you look up at the night sky and realize our world is so much bigger than us. Perhaps that's the reason people go starry-eyed for all the amazing things our galaxy can doa glowing blood moon, a meteor shower, or a solar or lunar eclipse. There's something celestialeven magicalabout the intersection of astronomy and astrology, which is why so many months in advance, people want to know when the next eclipse is in 2024. Keep reading to see what experts have to say about eclipses in generalplus, information on 2024's next eclipse coming up. Related: This Is the Most Famous Photo of Planet Earth What is an eclipse? According to the NASA website, an eclipse "occurs when one heavenly body, such as a moon or planet, moves into the shadow of another heavenly body." The two main types of eclipses are solar and then lunar. Astrophysicist and folklorist Dr. Moiya McTier is the co-host of Multitude podcasts Pale Blue Pod and host of Explore as well as the author of the book The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy. "Most generally, an eclipse is when one body passes in front of another, obscuring it from view," Dr. McTier tells Parade. "Eclipses happen when the Earth, sun and moon are in special configurations with each other." Related: What Is a Blue Moon? And When Is The Next One? What is an eclipse, explained for kids? Some adults are still trying to wrap their heads around what an eclipse actually is, so if you're not sure how to explain an eclipse to kids, don't sweat it. For both parents and even teachers, explaining eclipses to kids can be tough. You know, the "heavenly bodies" and "special configurations" of it all... Luckily, the European Space Agency (ESA) offers meaningful resources for parents, and educators alike when it comes to explaining solar eclipses to children, writing: "A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves between Earth and the Sun. When this happens, the Moon gradually blocks out the light from the Sun. If the Sun and Moon line up perfectly in the sky, we call it a total solar eclipse. The daytime sky becomes darker, until it feels just like nightyou can even see the stars!" In simple terms, explain to a child that a solar eclipse is when the moon blocks the light from the sun as it moves between Earth and sun. The ESA continues to explain lunar eclipses to children as: Up to three times a year, the full Moon's bright face slowly changes to a dark orange colour. This is called a lunar eclipse. It happens when the Moon is exactly on the opposite side of the Earth to the Sun. The Moon then passes through the Earth's shadow. But some sunlight is able to pass through the Earth's atmosphere and reach the Moon, giving it an orange color. If you need help explaining that in layman's termsfor kids!tell a child that lunar eclipses happen when the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth to the sun, which results in the moon looking orange in color. Related: Octobers Lunar Eclipse in Taurus Is Your Chance To Break Free Differences between solar and lunar eclipses There are two typessolar and lunar eclipsesand each depends on the positioning of the sun, moon and Earth in relation to each other. Eddie Mahoney, a NASA astronomer who runs an astrophotography workshop at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa in Hawaii, tells Parade, "A solar eclipse is when the moon passes in front of the sun and a lunar eclipse is when the Earth blocks the sun's light from reaching the moon. Dr. McTier explains, "A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes directly between the Earth and sun. It casts a tiny shadow on the surface of the earth called the umbra of the eclipse." As mentioned above, lunar eclipses can also often result in the moon appearing as if it's glowing with a distinct orange hue. "Lunar eclipses happen when the Earth is directly between the sun and moon, so the Earth casts a big shadow on our only natural satellite," Dr. McTier adds. "Another difference is that a total lunar eclipse always happens on a full moon, and a total solar eclipse always happens during a new moon." Related: 101 Quotes About Sunsets to Remind You of The Beauty in Each Passing Day There's another main difference between solar and lunar eclipses too, and that's how often they occur. "Eclipses don't happen on completely regular schedules, but they come in irregular periods," Dr. McTier explains. "Total solar eclipses happen roughly every 18 months and total lunar eclipses usually happen once 2.5 years, but we seem to be in a very eclipse-heavy period right now." According to NASA, there are also subcategories of lunar eclipses: total lunar eclipse and partial lunar eclipse. "A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon and the sun are on exact opposite sides of Earth," the NASA website explains. "Although the moon is in Earth's shadow, some sunlight reaches the moon. The sunlight passes through Earth's atmosphere, which filters out most of the blue light. This makes the moon appear red to people on Earth. Earth's shadow passes in front of the moon until it turns red or orange." Alternatively, a partial lunar eclipse is when only part of the moon is in the Earth's shadow. During this kind of eclipse, Earth's shadow is extremely dark on the side of the moon that actually faces Earth. In both scenarios, however, lunar eclipses usually last longer than solar eclipses. "A lunar eclipse usually lasts for a few hours. At least two partial lunar eclipses happen every year, but total lunar eclipses are rare," NASA writes. Related: What a Wonderful World! 75 Absolutely Fascinating Facts About Planet Earth When is the next eclipse? The next eclipse will fall on Sept. 17-18, 2024; it's a partial lunar eclipse, according to NASA. The last eclipse we saw was on April 8, 2024, and that was a total solar eclipse. Most of America was able to see at least a partial view of the full eclipse, which plunged a lot of people into darkness if they were in the path of totality (which was Texas through Maine). As USA Today reported, this partial lunar eclipse coincides with September's supermoon (the second one this year, where the full moon is closest to the Earth). Again, a lunar eclipse is when the Earth is between the moon and the sun, casting a shadow onto the moon. And it makes sense that this is happening during September's supermoon since lunar eclipses always happen during a full moon. Because it's only a partial lunar eclipse, only some of the moon will appear red. What to know about the Sept. 17-18, 2024 eclipse The next eclipse in 2024 is a partial lunar eclipse and most of North America will be able to see it. TimeandDate has a fun interactive map that will show you an animation of what this lunar eclipse will look like. According to TimeandDate, over 3.48 billion people will be able to see at least some part of this eclipse. The Maximum Eclipse will happen on Sept. 18, 2024, at 10:44 EST/9:44 p.m. CST. Related: What Does Our Galaxy Look Like? When are the 2024 eclipses? There are four eclipses in 2024. The big one was on April 8, the total solar eclipse we've been talking about. But there are a few others to keep an eye on the skies for: March 24-25, 2024: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse This eclipse was visible in most of Europe, North to East Asia, a lot of Australia and much of Africa. It was also visible in some of North and South America. A penumbral lunar eclipse "occurs when Earth's outer shadow falls on the Moon's face," per TimeandDate. They note that it's easy to miss it. April 8, 2024: Total Solar Eclipse The total solar eclipse (which we talked about above) will be visible in Western Europe, North America, northern South America and more. Sept. 17-18, 2024: Partial Lunar Eclipse This eclipse will be visible in Europe, a lot of Asia, North America, South America and more. Mahoney says, "This is when the Earth blocks some of the sunlight from reaching the moon and it becomes darker for a few hours." Oct. 2, 2024: Annular Solar Eclipse Lastly, there will be an annular solar eclipse on Oct. 2. "This is when the moon does not completely cover the sun and a ring of sunlight is still visible," Mahoney says. This eclipse will be visible in North America, a lot of South America and the oceans. Up Next: - How Earth Day Has Changed Since 1970 Related: When Is the Next Blood Moon? Go Ahead and Mark Those Calendars! BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Niagara Falls man pleaded guilty Monday to seriously injuring a pedestrian in a hit-and-run in February near the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport, the Erie County District Attorneys Office announced. Travis Rosario, 51, pleaded guilty to one count of leaving the scene of an incident resulting in serious injury. He faces a maximum of four years in prison. Officials said at 4:56 a.m. on Feb. 27, Rosario was driving a vehicle on Luiz Kahl Way near the airport when he hit a pedestrian who was crossing the road near Genesee Street. He then drove away from the scene without reporting the incident to police. The victim, a 44-year-old male from Williamsville, was taken by ambulance to ECMC with serious physical injuries, including a head injury and numerous fractured bones, according to the district attorneys office. Rosario is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 19. He remains released on his own recognizance. Latest Local News Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view 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 News 4 Buffalo. A Palestinian man mourning his son who was killed in Israeli bombardment in the southern Gaza Strip (Bashar TALEB) (Bashar TALEB/AFP/AFP) Hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon Tuesday, killing at least nine people and wounding some 2,800 in blasts the Iran-backed militant group blamed on Israel. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the wave of explosions, which came just hours after Israel announced it was broadening the aims of the war sparked by Hamas's October 7 attacks to include its fight against Hezbollah along its border with Lebanon. The son of Hezbollah lawmakers Ali Ammar was among the dead, a source close to the group told AFP, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. The blasts "killed nine people, including a girl", Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said in a casualty update. He added that some "2,800 people were injured, about 200 of them critically" with injuries mostly reported to the face, hands and stomach. The 10-year-old daughter of a Hezbollah member was killed in east Lebanon's Bekaa Valley when his pager exploded, the family and a source close to the group said. Iran's ambassador to Lebanon was also wounded in a pager explosion but his injuries were not serious, Iranian state media reported. In neighbouring Syria, 14 people were wounded "after pagers used by Hezbollah exploded", said a Britain-based war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Hezbollah blamed Israel for the blasts and warned it would be punished. "We hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression," the group said in a statement, adding that Israel "will certainly receive its just punishment for this sinful aggression". The United States, Israel's top arms provider and close ally, was "not involved" and "not aware of this incident in advance", said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. The afternoon blasts hit Hezbollah strongholds across Lebanon and dealt a heavy blow to the militant group, which already had concerns about the security of its communications after losing several key commanders to targeted air strikes in recent months. Hezbollah had instructed its members to avoid mobile phones after the Gaza war began and to rely instead on the group's own telecommunications system to prevent Israeli breaches. "Hundreds of Hezbollah members were injured by the simultaneous explosion of their pagers" in the group's strongholds in Beirut's southern suburbs, in south Lebanon and in the eastern Bekaa Valley, a Hezbollah source said, requesting anonymity. AFP journalists saw dozens of wounded being taken to hospital in Beirut and in the south, where dozens of ambulances rushed between the cities of Tyre and Sidon in both directions. Education Minister Abbas Halabi announced the closure of schools and universities on Wednesday "in condemnation of the criminal act committed by the Israeli enemy". - Israel expands war aims - Earlier Tuesday, Israel announced it was broadening the aims of the war sparked by the Hamas attacks to include its fight against Hezbollah along its border with Lebanon. To date, Israel's objectives have been to crush Hamas and bring home the hostages seized by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attacks that sparked the war. "The political-security cabinet updated the goals of the war this evening, so that they include the following section: the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement. Since October, the unabating exchanges of fire between Israeli troops and Hamas ally Hezbollah in Lebanon have forced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border to flee their homes. Not formally declared as a war by Israel, the exchanges of fire between Israeli troops and Hezbollah have killed hundreds of mostly fighters in Lebanon, and dozens on the Israeli side. On Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned that failing a political solution, "military action" would be "the only way left to ensure the return of Israels northern communities". Hezbollah, which like Hamas is backed by Israel's regional arch-foe Iran, claimed a dozen attacks on Israeli positions on Monday and three more on Tuesday. Before the wave of pager explosions, Israel said it killed three Hezbollah members in a strike on Lebanon on Tuesday. "The possibility for an agreement is running out as Hezbollah continues to tie itself to Hamas," Gallant's office quoted him as telling visiting US envoy Amos Hochstein. Netanyahu later told Hochstein he was seeking a "fundamental change" in the security situation on Israel's northern border. Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem said at the weekend that his group had "no intention of going to war", but that "there will be large losses on both sides" in the event of all-out conflict. - Blinken headed back to region - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was due back in the region to try to revive stalled ceasefire talks for the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. After months of mediated negotiations failed to pin down a ceasefire, Washington said it was still pushing all sides to finalise an agreement. US officials have expressed increasing frustration with Israel as Netanyahu has publicly rejected US assessments that a deal is nearly complete and has insisted on an Israeli military presence on the Egypt-Gaza border. The October 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Militants also seized 251 hostages, 97 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 33 the Israeli military says are dead. Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,252 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry, which does not provide a breakdown of civilian and militant deaths. On Tuesday, UN member states were debating a draft resolution demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of all Palestinian territories within 12 months. General Assembly resolutions are not binding, but Israel has already denounced the new text as "disgraceful". In Gaza, rescuers said several Israeli air strikes killed at least seven people overnight. burs/kir/ami Ambulances carrying wounded people arrive to the emergency of the American University hospital. Eight people have been killed and some 2,750 injured in suspected coordinated explosions of hand-held telecommunications devices across Lebanon, Health Minister Firas Abiad said during a press conference in Beirut on 17 September. Marwan Naamani/dpa Nine people have been killed and some 2,800 injured in suspected coordinated explosions of hand-held telecommunications devices across Lebanon, the Health Ministry in Beirut said on Tuesday evening. A child was among those killed when pagers in several Lebanese regions exploded earlier on Tuesday, Health Minister Firas Abiad said during a press conference in Beirut. Some 200 people are in critical condition, he said. The Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah blamed Israel for the detonations, threatening retaliation. Most of the victims suffered injuries to the hand, while some were also injured in the face, abdomen and the eyes, according to the health minister. Numerous Hezbollah fighters are said to be among the injured, including from the Radwan Force, an elite unit within the group. A source close to Hezbollah said high-ranking Hezbollah representatives have also been injured. Condemnation of explosions, vows of retaliation In a statement on Tuesday evening, Hezbollah said that after having examined all "available information about the attack that took place this afternoon, [it holds] the Israeli enemy fully responsible." "This treacherous and criminal enemy will certainly receive just retribution for this sinful aggression," the group wrote on Telegram. The Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement, which is allied with Hezbollah, also "strongly condemned the terrorist Zionist aggression that targeted Lebanese citizens by detonating communications devices in various areas of Lebanese territory ... without distinguishing between resistance fighters and civilians ... in a crime that defies all laws and customs." "We hold the occupation government [Israel] fully responsible," the Hamas statement said. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called it a "terrorist act" and blamed Israel. In a conversation with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib, Iran's top diplomat expressed his condolences and offered support, the Foreign Ministry in Tehran said. Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, was also reportedly injured in the explosion of a pager. Hezbollah is a key ally of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In a separate telephone conversation, Araghchi asked about the wife of the injured ambassador and about his condition. Meanwhile, the United Nations warned of the risk of an escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. "These developments are extremely concerning, especially given that this is taking place within a context that is extremely volatile," spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in New York. The UN is monitoring the situation, he said. "I think we cannot underscore enough the risks of escalation in Lebanon and in the region," Dujarric added. Syria also hit The explosions occurred in several regions across Lebanon, mostly in Hezbollah-controlled areas. Reports of similar incidents also came from neighbouring Syria. The head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based war monitor, said some 14 Hezbollah members were wounded in Syria when their pagers exploded. Syria strongly condemned "this terrorist aggression and this new bloody crime committed by Israel against civilians in Lebanon, which reflects Israel's desire to expand the scope of the war and its thirst to shed more blood." Unconfirmed reports were circulating that Israel had targeted communications devices used by Hezbollah and was behind the detonations. The Israeli army initially did not comment on the events in Lebanon. Israel prepares for expected retaliation Israeli broadcaster Kan reported that the military and the Defence Ministry were proceeding on the assumption that Hezbollah would respond with military action against Israel, with consultations reportedly taking place on this matter at the military headquarters in Tel Aviv. The Wall Street Journal reported that the pagers came from a consignment that Hezbollah had only recently received. Hundreds of fighters possessed such devices, the newspaper reported, citing an unnamed Hezbollah representative. The representative said he suspects that the devices were infected with malware that caused them to overheat and explode. Experts cited by Israeli media assumed that the pagers were a very important means of communication for the militia. Panic breaks out Eyewitnesses reported of panic in the streets of Beirut. Numerous ambulances were on duty. Footage from surveillance cameras showed smaller explosions at supermarkets in Lebanon, with people seen lying on the floor afterwards. The Lebanese Health Ministry called on all hospitals to be on high alert and urged people not to use radio equipment. The ministry also called on the population to donate blood. Schools and universities to close in protest The Lebanese minister of education called for the closure of all public and private schools, including universities on Wednesday. Minister Abbas al-Halabi said schools and universities across Lebanon will close to condemn "the criminal act committed by the Israeli enemy against Lebanese citizens." Background Since the beginning of the Gaza war almost a year ago, confrontations have occurred almost daily in the border area between Hezbollah and the Israeli military, with deaths recorded on both sides as a result of the shelling, mostly members of Hezbollah. According to Israeli sources, three Hezbollah fighters were killed on Tuesday in an attack on a location in southern Lebanon. The pro-Iranian Shiite militia says it is acting out of solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Seal of the State of New Mexico inside the Roundhouse on Jan. 10, 2024. (Photo by Anna Padilla for Source NM) About 16 percent of lawmakers have taken the required training to build field offices and hire staff to work in the places they represent across the state. Lawmakers can choose whether to hire a district legislative aide. If they do, they must go through human resources training, according to policy adopted in June by the Legislative Council, the committee made up of representatives and senators that oversees all lawmaking between sessions. Eighteen lawmakers have gone through the training so far, newly appointed Legislative Council Director Shawna Casebier said at a virtual meeting on Monday. There are 112 total seats in the House and Senate. Fourteen district legislative aides have been hired, along with one district office manager, Casebier said. She did not specify which lawmakers hired them. According to the policy, district legislative aides will be responsible for correspondence, scheduling, policy research, local constituent services, organization of nonpartisan town halls, and other duties assigned by the lawmaker as appropriate. Aides are explicitly prohibited from any election or campaign related work. Any lawmaker without opposition in the upcoming elections, became eligible on Sept. 1 to hire district legislative aides, said outgoing Legislative Council Service director Raul Burciaga during a previous meeting. If the incumbent in a contested race wins in November, they can start hiring staff Dec. 1. Newly elected members will be able to hire in April 2025, Burciaga said. A working group made up of Legislative Council Service staff is meeting to address questions that have come up in the rollout of lawmakers district offices, Casebier said. The group is considering potential revisions to the legislative district office policy, she said. The Legislative Councils next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 25. Casebier said she intends to have some recommendations for the Council then. Sen. Antoinette Sedillo-Lopez (D-Albuquerque) said she wanted lawmakers to be able to use their district staff when the Legislature is insession as a legislative aide in Santa Fe, as well. I understand thats not allowed, and I see thats a real problem, Sedillo-Lopez said. Since Im working with that individual on legislation, the idea of training a new person during the session seems kind of silly. Casebier said the working group is looking at the issue. Session staff are supposed to be hired by the chief clerks of the House and Senate, she said, and there is limited office space in the Roundhouse. To date, we have discussed that (district legislative aides) will not be working as session staff, in particular, that the position is focused on work in the district, but its certainly an ongoing discussion as part of those working group discussions, Casebier said. Sedillo-Lopez said it does not make sense to hire one legislative aide at the district level and hire a second one for the session. One idea that was thrown out was to have the staff resign from this position and then get hired on which again, seems kind of silly to me, Sedillo-Lopez said. The Legislative Council Service has hired new staff to support current operations and additional support needed for district offices and district legislative aides, Casebier said. The new hires include a web developer, a network administrator, two computer specialists and four new human resources workers, she said. The Legislative Council Service wants to hire two additional accounting staffers this fall, she said. Rep. Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque) asked when there will be guidelines to rent and furnish district offices. Casebier said there isnt a specific guide, but one is in the works. She said current policies require the Legislative Council Service to approve leases and ensure any furniture is properly purchased or leased under the states procurement code. The policy lets lawmakers pick where their district office will be, but requires them to consider public spaces before they seek out a space in the private market. House Speaker Javier Martinez, who chairs the council, encouraged lawmakers to look for places they can rent for free like community centers, senior centers, universities or colleges, especially those representing urban areas. Thats not an official policy necessarily but I would certainly encourage us all to look for those options before we enter into any type of expensive lease agreement, he said. No enemies to the right approach is getting worse among talking heads and leaders | Opinion A question for elected Kansas and Missouri Republicans: Are there any limits? Are there any ideas you wont or shouldnt entertain? Any right-wing figures you wont embrace? Is there anything thats wrong to do in the service of owning the libs? Im skeptical. Take Tucker Carlson. Heres a man whose lies and demagoguery were too toxic for Fox News. And hes gotten worse, if anything, since getting fired from his TV gig last year. In recent weeks, Carlson has made fresh headlines for promoting the ideas of Darryl Cooper, a revisionist historian who makes the case that maybe the Nazis werent so bad after all that their campaign of murder was just a big world-historical oopsie. Adolf Hitler and his minions launched a war where they were completely unprepared to deal with the millions and millions of prisoners of war, of local political prisoners. They went in with no plan for that and just threw these people into camps, Cooper said on Carlsons online show. As a result, millions of people ended up dead there. Thats pernicious, passive-voice Nazi-justifying nonsense. The kind of thing that deservedly used to be way, way out of bounds in American discourse. But thats not a problem for Carlson. He called Cooper best and most honest popular historian working in the United States today, Is it ever too much? Which was too much for many (but not all) of Carlsons former friends on the right. At The Spectator, Ben Domenech accused Carlson of whackadoo revisionism. In The Washington Free Beacon, Andrew Roberts decried the intellectually vacant yet preening snideness of Cooper and Carlson. And at The Wall Street Journal, commentator William Galston called on Donald Trump to disavow Carlson for providing a a friendly platform for Holocaust denial. When Carlson came to Kansas City last week, though, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey posted a picture of the two men smiling together. Great to have @TuckerCarlson in Kansas City, Bailey wrote on X. I miss shame. Are scandals over now? Bailey isnt the only regional Republican with a no enemies to the right outlook. Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas just went on The Benny Johnson Show a few days after Johnsons company Tenet Media was implicated in a federal indictment as having unwittingly taken money from Russian propagandists. Its a scandal. The kind of things politicians used to stay away from, at least for a few days or weeks or months until it all blew over. Now? No big deal. I blame Donald Trump, of course. Trump is responsible for a lot of nastiness over the last decade, but one of his worst legacies is inculcating in the GOP and perhaps the broader culture a never apologize, never surrender approach to politics that refuses to admit error of any sort. Theres us. And theres them. Apologies are signs of weakness that they will use against you. Contrition is vulnerability. Shame? Embarrassment? It doesnt even exist. If youre in the tribe, though, everythings cool. No apologies are needed. The only sin is squishiness. Which is how we end up with Trump taking Laura Loomer who has promoted 9/11 conspiracy theories to a 9/11 anniversary ceremony last week. The problem with this approach, of course, is that right and wrong cease to be considerations about how we conduct ourselves publicly. All thats left is power, and what youre willing to do and say to get it. We call that moral relativism. Republicans used to hate it, Im told. So there will be no distancing or disavowals from Bailey or Marshall, or from the Trump campaign. J.D. Vance, Trumps running mate, still plans to share the stage with Tucker Carlson later this month. Vance doesnt believe in guilt-by-association cancel culture, the campaign said in a statement. Heres the thing: We should be fine saying that Nazis were bad. We might at least pause when we find out a dictators money is funding our favorite pundits. And we should think twice before supporting Kansas and Missouri politicians for whom there are no apparent red lines. Joel Mathis is a regular Kansas City Star and Wichita Eagle Opinion correspondent. Formerly a journalist at Kansas newspapers, he served nine years as a syndicated columnist. No tax on tips proposal makes its way to Congress WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Building on an issue from the campaign trail, Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) is the latest member of Congress to propose a bill eliminating taxes on tips. Both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have spoken in support of eliminating taxes on tips. Following Trumps endorsement, Republican lawmakers have proposed three bills to remove taxes for tipped income. Horsford, a Democrat, added a fourth. His proposal, though, is different, he said. It would cap the income for people eligible for no taxes on tips at $112,500, according to the language of the bill. It would also remove the lower $2.13 minimum wage for tipped workers, bringing them up to the federal minimum wage. Two thirds of tipped workers dont even earn enough to pay federal income tax, said Sary Jayaraman, the President of One Fair Wage. It would be nice not to be taxed on tips, but the priority is earning enough to even be able to pay taxes at all. Trump has taken credit for the national discussion about taxes on tips, and said Harris copied his idea. She said no tax on tips. I said, I just said that, Trump said. Horsford said the credit doesnt belong to any politician. Instead, he said, it belongs to the workers advocating for no taxes and a fair wage for restaurant workers. Tax policy experts estimate exempting tipped income would add up to $150-250 billion over 10 years. Trump has not indicated how he would offset the revenue. Ask Donald Trump, does he have a pay-for for his tax cuts to the 1%, Horsford said. Once he gives you an answer, then Ill talk to you about your question. Horsford said he would work with the Republicans who have proposed eliminating taxes on tips, if they agreed to also eliminate the subminimum wage for tipped workers. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. U.S. law bans noncitizens from voting in federal elections, such as races for president, U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. Like many states, Pennsylvania also prohibits noncitizens from voting in elections for state offices. A 1996 federal law allows fines and imprisonment for up to a year for noncitizens who vote in federal elections. Violators can also be deported. When people in the U.S. register to vote, they swear under penalty of perjury that they are U.S. citizens. In Pennsylvania, only people who meet various requirements, including citizenship, can register to vote. Under the state constitution, a voter must have been a citizen of the United States at least one month, in addition to meeting state and voting district residency requirements. If a noncitizen attempted to vote in a Pennsylvania election, they would be subject to penalties, including imprisonment and deportation, said Ellen Lyon, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of State. The department is not aware of any instances of noncitizens registering to vote or voting in any recent elections, Lyon said in an email to The Associated Press. In recent months, the potential of immigrants voting illegally in the U.S. has erupted into a top election-year issue for some Republicans. Studies show noncitizens arent illegally voting in high numbers, according to Ron Hayduk, a political science professor at San Francisco State University who studies noncitizen voting laws. While there have been some reports of noncitizens illegally casting ballots, such incidents are infinitesimal, Hayduk said. Research by the Brennan Center for Justice in 2017 looked at 42 jurisdictions across the U.S. in the 2016 election, and reported that of 23.5 million votes cast, election officials found about 30 cases of potential noncitizen voting that they referred for prosecution or further investigation. A Georgia audit of its voter rolls conducted in 2022 found fewer than 2,000 instances of noncitizens attempting to register to vote over the last 25 years, none of which succeeded. Millions of new Georgia voters registered during that time. In 2017, Pennsylvania acknowledged that it had to fix a glitch that allowed noncitizen immigrants to register to vote when getting a drivers license. At one point, state election officials said noncitizen immigrants may have cast 544 ballots illegally out of more than 93 million ballots in elections spanning 18 years, going back to 2000. Claims that noncitizens are voting in large numbers have been clearly debunked over and over and over again, said Daniel Mallinson, an associate professor of public policy and administration at Penn State. Though no state constitutions explicitly allow noncitizens to vote, some municipalities in California, Maryland and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia, do allow voting by noncitizens in some local elections such as for school board and city council. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Shaler man charged with having nearly 200 child pornography files Pitt HC Pat Narduzzi issues statement after being fined for Backyard Brawl comments Station Squares Joes Crab Shack closes seemingly without warning months after bullet hits building VIDEO: Local softball community unites to support girl who survived crash that killed her father, siblings DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts None of Ukraine's plans to end the war envisages ceasefire, ceding territory, Podolyak says None of the plans Ukraine is developing to end Russia's war envisages a ceasefire or ceding territory to Moscow, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Presidential Office, told Current Time on Sept. 17. Podolyak's statement echoed a recent comment of Dmytro Lytvyn, an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, who dismissed Bild's article saying that Kyiv was allegedly ready to freeze the conflict as part of its "Victory Plan" as "fake." "(Freezing of the conflict) will not lead to the end of the war but will only lead to Russia gaining the opportunity to accumulate additional resources and proceed to the third stage (of the war) with more mass killings of civilians in Ukraine," Podolyak said. "There are no concepts of ceding territories, there are no concepts of freezing the conflict," he added. Kyiv has repeatedly rejected any ceasefire or temporary break in hostilities, saying it would only provide a window of opportunity for Russia to regroup its forces. Last month, Zelensky said that Ukraine's operations in Russia's Kursk Oblast were part of his "Victory Plan." The other aspects of the plan include Ukraine's participation in the global security infrastructure, pressuring Russia to end the war through diplomatic means, and an economic aspect, Zelensky said without revealing further details. According to Zelensky, the plan is over 90% complete, and Kyiv is preparing to present it to allies next week. Ukraine is preparing for a second peace summit, following its first global peace summit in Switzerland in June where Russia was not invited. Kyiv has said it aims to invite a Russian representative to the second conference. Read also: Estonian President Karis: We have to cross all red lines, then start forcing Russia out of Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. It was a hikers dream turned nightmare, Danielle Burr said. The 32-year-old embarked on the Kalalau Trail on an ideal August day. The 11-mile trail, which Burr had hiked once before, runs along the dramatic Na Pali Coast on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, challenging hundreds of intrepid hikers every year with its narrow footpaths and steep drop-offs. But the reward is worth it, Burr said: glittering views of the Pacific and sweeping expanses of the islands luscious greenery. On Aug. 29, the skies were clear, the sun shined and her group of a dozen friends buzzed with excitement. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Until they started dropping like flies. Violent gastrointestinal symptoms gripped eight members of her group, one by one, she told The Washington Post. Burr was helicoptered out to a hospital before the trips end. Its one of the most beautiful places in the world. I feel really fortunate to be able to be there, and appreciate and respect that land, Burr said. My guts exploding all over that land was not what I wanted to do at all. Burr and dozens of fellow hikers caught the highly contagious norovirus. The Kalalau Trail is closed until Thursday at the earliest because of a norovirus outbreak, according to state officials. At least 50 people fell ill in August and early September, but the actual number of people affected may be higher, officials said. The state health agency launched a survey last week to determine how many others may have caught norovirus on the trail and where exposure was most common. In the meantime, the trails restrooms are being cleaned and disinfected, officials said, and the health agency has collected water, soil and environmental samples. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting, diarrhea and fever, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most people recover within one to three days, but they can still spread the virus for a few days after. Norovirus outbreaks along hiking trails have happened before: This year, one sickened hikers along the Appalachian Trail, according to the National Park Service. And in 2022, the virus infected at least 222 people in the backcountry of Grand Canyon National Park, the CDC reported. For Burr, the experience was anything but run-of-the-mill, she said, laughing at the memory. Shes been hiking regularly for a decade and first trekked Kalalau last year. She was enamored by it, she said, and was thrilled to be back. This was a hikers dream, she said. Its such a special and peaceful place. Her group hiked all 11 miles within a day, arriving to their Kalalau beach campsite by late afternoon. The group planned to set up their camp and spend the evening relaxing, eating and chatting, before tucking away into their tents by sundown. But one member of the group began vomiting profusely. Then his brother did, too. Another group member rolled out of his hammock, suddenly sick as well. We all pause and look at each other and go, Uh oh, somethings happening, Burr said. By the next evening, Burr was sick. It was relentless. For hours, Burr heaved outside her tent. Im so sick, and its so dark out there, and the toilets are 10 minutes away, she said. I can barely stand up. By about 4 a.m., Burr told her boyfriend that she needed to go to the hospital and would need to be rescued. There was no way I could physically do that trail to get out, she said. And I was spreading the virus all over the place, like, Im a public health risk. A helicopter arrived not too long after sunrise, and Burr was ferried to Wilcox Medical Center. She was strapped to a fluid bag and told she probably had caught leptospirosis, a disease caused by a bacteria that is sometimes present along Hawaiis hiking trails, she said. Five more from her group fell ill by then, she said. And the sickness seemed to keep spreading: Burrs friends heard about more hiking groups becoming violently sick as well. Medical providers had not yet connected the dots that there was an outbreak, Burr said. As tales of fellow sickened hikers rolled in, Burr called the Hawaii Department of Health. The agency sent her a test kit, which confirmed that she had norovirus. By Sept. 5, the state health agency confirmed that norovirus had sickened several other hikers and campers, too, and shut down the trail. There was a window of time that people were still hiking in and getting sick. That could have been prevented, Burr said, adding that the outbreaks severity could have been mitigated if there were more restrooms - and cleaner ones - at the campgrounds. A lot of people found themselves in a situation of urgency where they were going in the woods. The state parks agency detailed its efforts to sanitize the campgrounds restrooms since the trails closure, and the health agency in a statement Monday evening emphasized that it has a system for health-care providers to report public health concerns, including outbreaks. The states health-care providers are required to report cases in which two or more people become ill where a common place of exposure has occurred, Hawaii state epidemiologist Sarah Kemble said. Burr said she hopes this outbreak leads to improvements of the trail and its campgrounds. Still, Kalalau calls to Burr. She plans to hike it again next year. Related Content Hacker tried to give stolen Trump material to Biden campaign, U.S. says After Key Bridge tragedy, a widows pain and unexpected blessings (Bloomberg) -- North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles Wednesday, displaying military hardware it has been suspected of sending to Russia in a test that came soon after it dispatched its foreign minister to Moscow. Most Read from Bloomberg North Korea fired multiple missiles starting around 6:50 a.m. toward waters off its east coast that flew about 400 kilometers (250 miles), South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a message sent to reporters. Japans Coast Guard said separately at least two ballistic missiles were fired and they landed outside of the countrys exclusive economic zone. The flight path was similar to the observed trajectories for a family of short-range ballistic missiles known as Hwasong-11, a wide class of rockets that weapons experts say can reliably hit targets with a high degree of precision. South Korea condemned the launch as a provocative act and said its sharing information with the US and Japan as the three analyze the test, the JCS said. North Korea usually does not comment on its missile launches until the following day. About a day before firing off the missiles, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui left for Russia, making her second trip in less than a year to the major backer of Kims regime. The foreign minister who rarely travels abroad last went to Moscow in January, when she held talks with President Vladimir Putin in a meeting the US and its partners saw as facilitating arms shipments from North Korea to aid the Kremlins assault on Ukraine. After arriving in Moscow on her current trip, Choe held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, the Tass news agency reported. There are no plans for Choe to meet Putin during this visit, Tass said. Kims regime may be looking for support as it readies for a parliamentary meeting on Oct. 7 that is set to approve measures seen as raising tensions with South Korea. At the session, the rubber stamp parliament known as the Supreme Peoples Assembly is expected to formalize changes to its constitution. At the last SPA meeting in January, Kim called for removing the concept of peaceful reunification with South Korea from the document and asserting authority near a contested nautical border that has been a scene of armed conflict. South Korea and the US have accused Kim of sending millions of rounds of artillery shells and scores of ballistic missiles to Russia to aid the Kremlin. Recent weapons tests by Kims regime are likely demonstrations for Putin of armaments that he can use in his assault on Ukraine, officials in Seoul have said. In exchange for the arms, Russia has sent aid that has propped up North Koreas economy and helped Kim advance his weapons programs, Seoul and Washington have said. Pyongyang and Moscow have denied the accusations despite ample evidence showing the arms transfers taking place. North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast nearly a week ago. It released images of the launch and the missiles appeared to be similar to rockets that weapons experts said were used by the Kremlin to attack Ukraine. Ukraines military intelligence chief has said supplies of North Korean ammunition to Moscow have been causing major headaches for his countrys defense, as Russias full-scale invasion grinds through its third year. The support from Russia has coincided with Kim taking a tougher stance toward Seoul and Washington. Kim raised security concerns when he hosted Putin in Pyongyang in mid-June, where the two countries reached a deal to come to the others aid if attacked. The North Korean leader also pledged to unconditionally support Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. --With assistance from Se Young Lee, Soo-Hyang Choi and Myungshin Cho. (Updates with Lavrov meeting, details on missile.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- North Korea sent its foreign minister to Russia for her second trip in less than a year to the major backer of Kim Jong Uns regime. The move comes as Pyongyang readies for a parliamentary meeting that will likely approve measures that raise tensions with South Korea. Most Read from Bloomberg Choe Son Hui led a delegation taking part in womens conferences, the official Korean Central News Agency reported Tuesday in a two-sentence dispatch. The foreign minister who rarely travels abroad last went to Moscow in January, where she held talks with President Vladimir Putin for a meeting the US and its partners saw as facilitating arms shipments from North Korea to aid the Kremlins assault on Ukraine. Her visit comes after Russia last week dispatched Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu to Pyongyang for talks with leader Kim. It was Shoigus second trip to North Korea in a little more than a year. As Russias then defense minister, Shoigu met Kim in July of 2023 and was given a tour of North Koreas latest weapons, which included ballistic missiles that Ukraine and others said made their way to the battlefield a few months later. The exchange of high-level delegations is a sign of the deepening cooperation between the neighbors who have moved closer as Putin and Kim have been increasingly isolated by leading democracies. The US and South Korea have accused Kim of sending millions of rounds of artillery shells and scores of ballistic missiles to Putin, in exchange for aid propping up North Koreas economy and advancing its weapons systems. Ukraines military intelligence chief has said supplies of North Korean ammunition to Moscow have been causing major headaches for his countrys defense, as Russias full-scale invasion grinds through its third year. The support from Russia has coincided with Kim taking a tougher stance toward Seoul and Washington. This has included stating his intention to remove the concept of peaceful reunification from the constitution, asserting authority over a contested Yellow Sea maritime border and boasting he has the legal right to annihilate his neighbor on the divided peninsula. North Koreas rubber-stamp parliament, known as the Supreme Peoples Assembly, will convene on Oct. 7, KCNA reported this week. At the meeting, it is expected to formalize changes to its constitution, after Kim at the last SPA session in January called for removing the concept of peaceful reunification with South Korea. He also sought clearly drawing boundaries at places including the Northern Limit Line. The NLL was set unilaterally by US-led forces after the Korean War, and waters around the area have been the site of clashes, including a 2010 incident in which South Korea claimed North Korea torpedoed one of its warships south of the line, killing 46 sailors. The area around the Yellow Sea islands have been one of the few places to have seen armed conflict between the two Koreas since the end of their 1950-1953 war, raising worries about an exchange of fire that could quickly escalate. North Korea may also be considering a nuclear test near the time the US presidential election is held to raise its profile, a top South Korean official said in July, as Kim rolls out new warheads capable of striking the US and its allies in Asia. --With assistance from Se Young Lee. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui (R) is traveling to Russia this week to attend a pair of forums, state-run media reported Tuesday, as military ties continue to grow between the isolated regimes. Choe met with Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) in Moscow in January. File Kremlin Pool Photo by Artem Geodakyan/Sputnik/EPA-EFE SEOUL, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui departed for a trip to Russia, state media reported Tuesday, as the two regimes continue to strengthen ties amid growing international concern about their military cooperation. Choe left for Russia on Monday to attend the Eurasian Women's Forum and the BRICS Women's Forum, state-run Korean Central News Agency reported in a brief dispatch. The Russian Embassy in Pyongyang also announced the trip on its Telegram channel, saying the minister traveled on a commercial North Korean Air Koryo flight and would participate in the forums in St. Petersburg Wednesday through Friday. Choe will also take part in an "extensive cultural program," the embassy said. The trip is the second to Russia this year by the North Korean envoy, who rarely travels abroad. She visited in January and held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of a series of high-level exchanges between the two increasingly isolated regimes. Pyongyang and Moscow have strengthened their relationship in the wake of the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Putin signing a mutual defense treaty in June. Washington and its allies accuse North Korea of supplying munitions to Russia, which Pyongyang has denied. A recent South Korean intelligence report said the North has sent 13,000 shipping containers suspected of carrying arms to Russia since mid-2022. North Korea, meanwhile, is believed to be receiving advanced technology for its space and missile programs along with a much-needed boost for its ailing economy. Ukraine's spy chief said on Saturday that North Korea's supply of military aid to Russia far outstrips that of any other allies and is among the largest challenges that Ukrainian forces are facing on the battlefield. "Seven to ten days after delivery, hostilities intensify, and there is nothing we can currently do to stop it," Kyrylo Budanov, head of military intelligence agency GUR, said at the Yalta European Strategy conference in Kyiv. "The volumes from North Korea are not comparable with anything else. There is a big gap between that and what is provided by other allies." At a press briefing Monday, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Washington continues to be "incredibly concerned by the expanding security relationship between North Korea and Russia." Miller expressed concern "both for the support that North Korea continues to provide to Russia to prosecute its illegal war against Ukraine, and for the prospect of Russia assisting North Korea in ways that ultimately will be destabilizing to the Korean Peninsula." Foreign Minister Choe's trip comes on the heels of a visit to Pyongyang by Sergei Shoigu, head of Russia's Security Council, last week. According to KCNA, Shoigu met with Kim Jong Un Friday and the two discussed "steadily deepening the strategic dialogue between the two countries and strengthening cooperation to defend the mutual security interests and on the regional and international situations." SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Northwestern senior outside hitter Jazlin Douma has been named the GPAC Attacker of the Week. Douma notched 33 kills and a pair of double-doubles in the Red Raiders two sweeps last week over Morningside and Dordt. The Orange City native leads the conference at 3.91 kills per set and her 168 kills are good for fifth in the GPAC. Top-ranked Northwestern returns to action on Saturday at Dakota Wesleyan. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NORWALK, Iowa A 19-year-old from Norwalk was arrested on Monday for allegedly making threats to shoot up a local school. On Tuesday, September 10 the Norwalk Police Department received information regarding a potential school shooting threat to the Norwalk Community School District, specifically to Oviatt Elementary School. According to police, an investigation into the threat revealed that 19-year-old Margaret Anderson, also known as Maxwell, made threats of harming students at the school. Johnston man accused of sexually extorting minor by posing as a friend According to court documents, Anderson said that she had thoughts that she wanted to take a gun to Oviatt Elementary School in Norwalk at 11:00 AM to the cafeteria and shoot children. The police department said after it learned of these statements Anderson was removed from the public. During an interview with investigators, Anderson told law enforcement that theyd been having intrusive thoughts of carrying out a shooting at a school or other places, a criminal complaint states. Anderson also began researching how to carry out the shooting, including researching recent school shootings like the one at a Georgia school and how to acquire a gun, the complaint states. On Monday Anderson was booked into the Warren County Jail and charged with Threat of Terrorism. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for October 1. Latest Iowa 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 who13.com. Norways Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace is opening up a new missile production facility in Virginia as global demand continues to rise amid major conflicts playing out in Ukraine and the Middle East, the company said Tuesday. Kongsberg announced earlier this year that it plans to expand production for missiles in Norway and open a new missile factory in Australia. The James City County, Virginia, location will provide additional production capacity, sustainment and in-country tech refresh capabilities for Kongsbergs Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) and Joint Strike Missiles (JSM), the company release states. NSM is an anti-ship missile and JSM is an air-launched missile used on the U.S. Air Forces F-35A fighter jet for complex missions like anti-surface warfare and land attack. Kongsberg already has a U.S. production facility in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The new missile production facilities in the US, Australia and Norway address the strong and long-term demand for our unique technology and the critical need to strengthen collective defence capabilities, Geir Hay, Kongsbergs CEO, said. Kongsberg has a proud history in the U.S. and we are delighted to continue to invest in the country to support American interests while creating jobs locally, he added. The company noted the decision to open the new U.S. facility was heavily influenced by the possibility that the Department of Defense could award a multiyear procurement contract to Kongsberg. The Pentagon has pursued a number of new multiyear procurement contracts not usually awarded to missile programs. Earlier this year, the Army awarded a multiyear contract to Lockheed Martin for the Patriot Advanced Capability Increment 3 Missile Segment Enhancement missile and plans to soon award a similar contract for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missile. The US Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force are important customers for Kongsbergs Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile, Eirik Lie, Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace president, said. Their demand signals gave us the predictability we needed to make this investment in the United States. The new missile factory, focused on assembly, upgrades and repairs for NSM and JSM, will include hiring more than 180 people. The company will invest more than $100 million into Virginia in the next few years in terms of property, plant and equipment, Heather Armentrout, president of Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace, Inc., the companys U.S. subsidiary, said. Kongsberg isnt the only Nordic country expanding missile production in the U.S. Saab announced earlier this year that it would be growing its footprint stateside with a new facility that will manufacture ground combat weapons and missile systems. The new site is part of a global manufacturing push from the Swedish company to quadruple its global capacity to produce its ground combat weapons. The new facility will support production of programs like the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb. Norway, one of the world's largest exporters of oil, now has more electric cars on its roads than petrol-driven vehicles. Of the 2.8 million private cars registered there, 754,303 are now all-electric, compared with 753,905 that run on petrol, according to new figures from the Norwegian Road Federation. The Nordic country of 5.5 million people is aiming to become the first nation to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars - by 2025. Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) have been boosted by tax breaks and other incentives, funded in large part from the money Norway makes out of oil and gas. The country has a sovereign wealth fund worth more than $1.7 trillion (1.3tn), built up from the proceeds of its oilfields, to act as a "pension fund" for when it runs out. This cash cushion has made it possible for the government to offer green incentives to motorists, including exempting electric car buyers from sales tax. In the early days of the EV revolution, Norway's environmental activists even enlisted the help of the country's biggest pop group, A-ha, to promote the use of the vehicles. Despite this milestone, there is still work to be done. Diesel models remain most numerous at just under one million, but their sales are falling rapidly, says the Norwegian Road Federation. At present, nine out of 10 new cars sold in Norway are electric vehicles, industry figures indicate. And it's not hard to see why when you consider how much the authorities do to favour them. Many places offer free parking for EVs and their drivers do not have to pay city tolls. And while electric car owners in many countries complain about the lack of charging facilities, there are numerous free chargers in every Norwegian town and city, with 2,000 of them in Oslo alone. 'Not something we can discuss': Washington attorney uses execs' words against Kroger deal SEATTLE An attorney for Washington state opened the antitrust case against the proposed $25 billion Kroger merger with Albertsons by unleashing a torrent of harsh language: he quoted the emails, texts and other messages of grocery executives, managers and consultants describing how much they compete, how they set prices and how shaky some thought the deal was. We kicked the (redacted) out of FM (Kroger subsidiary Fred Meyer), crowed one Albertsons official. Messages like that call into question the Boise, Idaho-based retailer's claims that it faces a dire future and needs to combine with Kroger, headquartered in Cincinnati. If theres no Walmart (in a market) we follow ACI (the stock ticker symbol for Albertsons), one manager described Krogers pricing strategy. Why the messages are important Such a message underscores that while Kroger competes with Walmart, it also competes with Albertsons. It might also undermine Krogers claims that it relentlessly lowers prices since the Cincinnati grocer has painted a hopelessly overpriced picture of Albertsons. At this point, this is not something we can discuss but we want to support your growth, a C&S Wholesale Grocers executive told an unidentified grocery operator regarding the possibility of the Keene, NH-based supplier re-selling stores to interested parties. The message indicates that C&S Wholesale, which would acquire hundreds of divested stores as part of the merger, wants to transform itself into a national grocery retailer and is keeping its options open. This merger is presumptively anticompetitive, warned attorney Glenn Pomerantz, representing the Washington Attorney Generals office. What Kroger, Albertsons lawyers said Attorneys for Kroger and Albertsons dismissed the states citing of a few embarrassing communications, claiming they had cherry-picked various company officials words. They repeated company promises Kroger will lower grocery prices by $1 billion and not cut front-line jobs or close stores. Kroger and Albertsons are seeking the deal, they said, to remain competitive in an industry that was changing quickly and that has been overrun by fast-growing nontraditional rivals selling cheap food to steal customers away from them. They attacked the states theory that grocery stores should be preserved as a competitive category that includes discounters like Walmart, but excludes other retail formats like Costco, Aldi, Trader Joes and Dollar General. The premise is false, Mark Perry, an attorney for Kroger, told the court. The traditional one-stop shop is a thing of the past, Enu Mainigi, an attorney for Albertsons, told the court. Monday marked the first day of a state trial brought by Attorney General Bob Ferguson to kill the merger. The bench trial, presided over by Judge Marshall Ferguson in King County Superior Court, is expected to last three weeks. Unions rally in Seattle A few blocks away, the attorney general joined the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 3000 for a rally against the merger outside Seattle's City Hall. "Do we think it's (the merger) illegal? You bet we think it's illegal," Ferguson shouted to a crowd of about 200 outside. "These CEOs can't be trusted," said Faye Guenther, president of Local 3000. What's happening in federal hearing? The court case follows three weeks of a preliminary hearing in U.S. District Court in Portland, Oregon, where regulators with the Federal Trade Commission seek to halt the deal as they pursue a federal lawsuit in Washington, D.C. Antitrust experts believe either case and a third lawsuit brought by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, which is set to go to trial on Sept. 30, all have the potential to derail the merger. About the Kroger Albertsons merger First announced in October 2022, Cincinnati-based Kroger wants to buy all outstanding shares of Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons, adding most of its employees and stores to its supermarket operation. To reassure concerns about maintaining competition, Kroger has agreed to sell 579 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers, a grocery supplier that also operates about two dozen retail supermarkets, including Piggly Wiggly. Upon completion, Kroger would operate more than 4,400 supermarkets (up from 2,700) generating about $208 billion in annual sales (compared to $150 billion before). If approved, Kroger would employ about 640,000 workers (up from about 414,000 currently), which could make it one of the 10 largest private employers in the world. But regulators at both federal and state levels have expressed deep concerns. They are worried C&S Wholesale Grocers' limited experience as a retailer will prevent it from being a strong competitor and that could lead to higher prices for consumers. They are also worried about the job security of the 60,000 workers that could be moved to C&S Wholesale Grocers. For the latest on Kroger, P&G, Fifth Third Bank and Cincinnati business, follow @alexcoolidge on X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kroger Albertsons merger: Washington AG antitrust trial starts Scaffolding is gradually disappearing from the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, five years after the devastating fire of April 2019. Paris is planning online ticket slots for the December reopening. Sabine Glaubitz/dpa More than five years after being nearly destroyed by a fire, one of Paris's most iconic landmarks is nearly ready to be reopened - but not without controversy. The Notre Dame Cathedral refurbishment is under fire from locals for not sticking with tradition, with almost 13,000 people signing a petition demanding the French government cancel plans to replace 19th-century stained glass windows with "contemporary creations." The windows "are an integral part of the history and soul of Notre-Dame, having survived the ages and miraculously survived the fire of 2019," according to the petitioners, who accused the government of succumbing to "woke ideology." An earlier petition by the magazine La Tribune de lArtwas signed by almost 200,000 people. The Macron government has been accused of "vandalism" and of breaking the countrys heritage preservation laws with its attempt to install the new-style windows in a church described as mixing Gothic and Romanesque styles of architecture. The historical landmark dating to the 1100s is due to be reopened on December 7, more than five years after it was nearly ruined by a blaze that made world headlines as firefighters battled for almost a day to control it. The reopening ceremony is set for the eve of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, one of the most important celebrations on the Catholic calendar. However, despite the significance of the event, the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics is not going to take part. While travelling back to Rome after an official visit to East Timor, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Singapore in September, Pope Francis said that he would not be taking up the French Governments invitation to attend the ceremony. Notre Dame was visited by around 12 million people a year before the 2019 fire, which was put down to faulty wiring. There have been fires at dozens of French churches in recent years, some of which have been arson. In early September, a man described by police as a multiple offender was arrested after a fire destroyed the Church of the Immaculate Conception near Calais. That blaze followed a fire in July in the tower of the cathedral in Rouen in Normandy. Joan of Arc, France's patron saint, was executed in the town in 1431 by an invading English army. The cathedral is the burial place of the heart of Richard the Lionheart, a 12th century Norman-English king. Dating to the 1100s, Notre-Dame is due to be reopened on December 7, more than five years after it was nearly ruined by a blaze that made world headlines as firefighters battled for almost a day to control it. Sabine Glaubitz/dpa WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) A Warren convenience store that was called a nuisance earlier in the summer by city council was the cause of a police call early Thursday morning. Officers with the Warren Police Department reported hearing several gunshots in the area of East Market at Chestnut just before 2 a.m. when a caller reported hearing shots in the area of the Convenient Mart on Elm Road NE. When police got to the store, they observed the front window had been hit. Reports state the clerk working at the time reported finding a projectile laying on the floor after it entered through the glass window and struck a lottery machine. The clerk told police an occupied vehicle in the lot at the time of the gunfire was also struck, but that the vehicle and its occupants left the scene and did not file a report on the matter, according to the department. No injuries were reported. In July, Warren City Council voted unanimously in objection a liquor license renewal for the store, stating it had nuisance issues they wanted corrected. At the time of the vote, Second Ward Councilman Andrew Herman said neighbors complained of constant activity in the parking lot and shots being fired constantly, including two people shot at the store on July 9. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The latest shooting of a 17-year-old boy is another statistic in what data shows may be a rising problem in the Metro Nashville area. According to authorities, the 17-year-old was shot three times in the back Monday night after trying to rob someone at a gas station near Percy Priest Lake. The incident reportedly left him with serious injuries. A 13-year-old girl was also shot in the back last weekend during a fight south of downtown Nashville. While both teens are continuing to be treated for their injuries, many of these shootings involving teens and children have been deadly. READ MORE: Teen critically injured in shooting near Percy Priest Lake The latest preliminary data from the Metro Nashville Police Department shows at least 13 teens and children between the ages of 0 and 17 have been killed between Jan. 1 and Sept. 14. That represents about 18.6% of all homicide victims so far this year. One of those teens was 16-year-old Zepplenin Phillips, who, on Aug. 31, was found lying on the ground near his Hermitage home with three gunshot wounds to his neck and chest. He was later pronounced dead at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. According to police, Phillips had communicated with a suspect in his murder about buying a gun prior to the shooting. Investigators believe Phillips was shot as he was walking up to a car to make the transaction. Another teen was shot and killed at an Antioch apartment complex just days earlier after what detectives called an exchange of gunfire. Authorities said 19-year-old Jerod Robb was found lying in the parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds and two pistols next to him. My mother instincts just instantly kicked in: Witness speaks out after deadly teen shooting in Madison In June, 16-year-old Justin Robinson died after shots broke out during another apparent dispute between a group of teens in Madison. Following the shooting, a witness told News 2 things have been getting out of control. Its scary out here, one woman said. You cant take your kids to the park without knowing them just knowing theyre going to be safe and okay. You got to worry about your kids, you know, in broad daylight getting shot. Data shows the number of deaths involving teens and children has nearly doubled since May and is about 62.5% higher than the number of homicides reported by mid-September in 2022. Only eight juveniles had died in homicides by then. The number of juvenile homicide victims was only slightly lower last year. However, a March 27 mass shooting at The Covenant School may have been a factor. By Sept. 16, 2023, 12 teens and children had been killed three of which were Covenant School students. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com When comparing the same time period in previous years, preliminary data shows children and teens have made up less than 15% of all homicide victims in Davidson County for at least the last three years prior to 2024. Juveniles made up less than 10% of homicide victims by September 2022 and 2021. The majority of victims this year have been between the ages of 13 and 17, while only two have been between the ages of 0 and 12. The data compiled by the MNPD Crime Analysis Section is sourced from incident reports using Uniform Crime Reporting definitions, and while officials say it is reviewed for accuracy and completeness, it does not reflect official counts. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A black X was sprayed across the front window of a house in the Ballycraigy estate in Antrim [BBC] Nurses who were forced to leave an estate in County Antrim in July after racist intimidation spent several weeks living in a hospital with their children. BBC Spotlight visited the disused building tucked away in a corner of Whiteabbey Hospital, turned into the most basic accommodation. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) did not tell the nurses, on temporary visas, that they could apply for support for emergency housing. The NIHE told Spotlight it was not permitted to give "immigration advice". Eight families, originally from Africa, fled the Ballycraigy estate after a number of racist attacks. Anti-immigration posters were taped to the windows of some properties, while others had a large black X spray painted across them. Several car windows were also smashed. At the time, one of the families told BBC News NI: Even when we were looking for accommodation, no-one told us that this was a no-go area. Three of the nurses and their families, including young children, lived in the disused building in Whiteabbey Hospital in Newtownabbey before finding accommodation. Spotlight has spoken to families off camera as they say they are still too afraid to speak publicly out of fear of reprisal. In the plain, sparsely decorated room they were using as a lounge, a games console in front of the television is a reminder that children had been forced to live there. Signs were taped to the windows of some of the homes [BBC] When they initially fled their privately rented houses on the estate, some turned to the NIHE for potential support. The NIHE told them that their temporary visas meant they were not permitted access to public funds and therefore could not get emergency accommodation. But when Spotlight asked the Home Office, it said people on temporary visas can apply for emergency support if their circumstances have changed. In response to questions from BBC Spotlight, the NIHE said it could not offer immigration advice. "Our role is to determine eligibility for housing and homelessness assistance," a statement added. It also said it utterly condemned the attacks on the families in Ballycraigy and would play its part in tackling race hate. 'Deeply distressing' The Northern Trust Chief Executive Jennifer Welsh described the attacks on health service workers as "deeply distressing". "Sadly there have been a number of incidents in recent months where members of our staff have been subjected to racial abuse and felt threatened," she said. "This is totally unacceptable. I want to send a strong message that our entire workforce has my support and the support of our community. "We will continue to offer our support to any members of staff who have been impacted by these recent events. Takura Makoni's home was targeted in south Belfast earlier this year [BBC] One of those who tried to support the nurses was Takura Makoni, policy officer at the African and Caribbean Support Network. He also moved home after being subjected to racist graffiti earlier this year. He told the programme: I want you to try and imagine if suddenly every healthcare worker from another country was to go back to their own country. Are you telling me those lads who are throwing bricks into the windows are going to get jobs as nurses and start taking care of their own mums and nans? Because they wont do it. Thats why people are getting on planes to come and do those jobs. Spotlight: Summer of Shame is on BBC One NI on Tuesday at 22:40 BST and is available now on BBC iPlayer. Which NY non-profits will benefit from Tom Golisanos $360M donation? See the list Paychex found and philanthropist Tom Golisano donated $360 million to 82 charities in Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse area. Billionaire philanthropist Tom Golisano has pledged a $360 million donation to 82 non-profit organizations across upstate New York. The announcement, made at the Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship, is set to make a significant impact across various sectors including healthcare, education, animal welfare, disability services, and general community support. In a moving address on Tuesday, Golisano emphasized his belief in the power of giving, stating, One of my favorite sayings is the only wealth you keep is that which you give away, and Im so lucky to be able to live that out. The grants, which will be disbursed over a four-to-five-year period, range from $250,000 to $20 million each and are unrestricted, allowing organizations to allocate the funds as they see fit. Which organizations will receive Tom Golisano donations? Health: American Cancer Society Hope Lodge - $2 million American Red Cross Rochester - $5 million Daystar Kids - $5 million Mercy Flight - $5 million Niagara Falls Medical Center - $10 million Oishei Children's Hospital - $10 million Rochester Regional Health - $20 million Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester - $2 million Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital (Syracuse) - $10 million Education: Alfred State College - $5 million Allendale Columbia School - $5 million St. John Fisher University - $5 million Aquinas Institute - $5 million Bishop Kearney High School - $5 million Canisius University - $5 million Charles Finney School - $3 million Daemen University - $5 million The Harley School - $5 million Hope Hall - $3 million McQuaid Jesuit - $5 million Niagara University - $10 million Nazareth - $5 million Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women - $5 million Roberts Wesleyan University - $5 million Rochester Institute of Technology - $10 million Intellectual and developmental disability services: Ability Partners, CP Rochester, Rochester Rehab, Happiness House - $5 million Arc Allegany-Steuben - $5 million Arc Chemung-Schuyler - $5 million Arc Erie - $5 million Arc GLOW - $5 million Arc Monroe - $5 million Arc Ontario - $5 million Arc Wayne - $5 million AutismUp - $3 million Best Buddies WNY - $1 million Catholic Charities Family and Community Services -$5 million CDS Life Transitions - $5 million Cobblestone Arts Center - $2 million EPI - $5 million Equicenter - $2 million Golisano Autism Center - $3 million Heritage Christian Services - $5 million Holy Childhood - $5 million Lifetime Assistance - $5 million Mary Cariola - TBD Mozaic (Arc Seneca Cayuga Yates) - $5 million People Inc. - $5 million Springbook - $5 million Starbridge Services - $2 million Summit Center - $5 million Animal Welfare: Better Together Rescue Center - $250,000 Beverly Animal Shelter - $1 million Chautauqua County Humane Society - $1.5 million Chemung County Humane Society - $1 million Finger Lakes SPCA of CNY - $1.5 million Headed for Furever - $250,000 Hornell Area Humane Society - $1.5 million Humane Society of Schuyler County - $1.5 million Humane Society of Yates County - $1.5 million Joyful Rescue - $250,000 Keller's Kats Rescue - $250,000 Lollypop Farm - $2 million Mr. Gray's Strays - $250,000 Operation Freedom Ride - $250,000 Pet Adoption Network - $250,000 Pet Pride of New York - $1.5 million Rochester Emergency Veterinary Services - $1.5 million Rochester Hope for Pets - $250,000 SPCA of Cattaraugus County - $1.5 million SPCA of Allegany County - $1.5 million SPCA of Erie County - $1.5 million Wyoming County SPCA - $1.5 million General community: Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester - $5 million Foodlink - $5 million Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind - $2 million Hillside Family of Agencies - $5 million Lifespan - $2 million Medical Motor Service of Rochester - $2 million Veterans Outreach Center - $2 million WXXI - $2 million Additionally, Golisano revealed a $52 million contribution to the Golisano Foundation, increasing its total assets to $120 million. Contributing: Democrat and Chronicle reporter Madison Scott This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Tom Golisano donates to upstate NY non-profits. See beneficiary list NYC mom challenges ban on mothers in top beauty pageants: Being a parent is not a crime Its the mother of all insults. The Miss America and Miss World pageants ban either some or all moms from their competitions but a New Yorker with a 6-year-old boy hopes to change that. Danielle Hazel, along with her famous womens rights lawyer, Gloria Allred, revealed Monday that she has filed a discrimination complaint against the pageants with the citys Commission on Human Rights. Being pregnant or being a parent is not a crime, Allred said. Danielle Hazel, a 25-year-old mom from Brooklyn, says pageants that ban some mothers from competing are discriminatory. Stephen Yang for the New York Post The legal challenge from Hazel, a 25-year-old mom from Brooklyn, says the Miss America pageant only allows female contestants with no legal dependents, while Miss World participants must be unmarried, have no children, and are not pregnant. Stuart Moskovitz, a lawyer for the Miss America pageant, insisted to The Post on Monday, There is no ban on mothers only on those with legal custodianship of their children. The only ban is where its necessary to protect the welfare of the child, Moskovitz said, claiming that Miss America works 365 days a year and is busier than the president of the United States. So unlike the US military, where single moms are allowed to serve and deploy as long as they have a family care plan, the grueling Miss America pageant does not allow for such accommodation, even if willing and able caretakers are available to help with childcare. If you have a legal dependent, you have to take care of the legal dependent, Moskovitz said. Any woman that puts competing in this contest above the welfare of her child, well, shes not a Miss America anyway. Even if there is shared custody, then that child is jeopardized, the lawyer said if such moms were to compete. Hazel said her dream since she was a child was to compete in a major pageant and that she was devastated when I later learned that having my son disqualified me from competing. That sense of injustice wasnt lost on her young son Zion, who told his mom that the rules were stupid she said. Miss Ukraine 2018 Veronika Didusenko lost her crown when it was revealed that she is a mom. Instagram/Veronica Didusenko, A flier for the Miss World competition emphasizes that contestants need be unmarried, with no children. Miss World America I do not want myself and other women to be held back by these discriminatory entry rules, Hazel said. I also want to show everyone that mothers can also be philanthropists, advocates, and beauty queens. Allred added, We are seeking an end to the discriminatory requirement of both pageants which we believe denies and excludes Danielle and other mothers from an important business and cultural opportunity simply because of their status as parents. The complaint was announced next to the Womens Rights Pioneers Monument on the Central Park Mall in Manhattan. Joining Hazel in announcing her legal challenge Monday was Veronika Didusenko, who was crowned Miss Ukraine in 2018 but lost the title once officials from Miss World discovered she had a child. One of the judges at the Miss Ukraine pageant pointed at me live on air and said, She had a child at the age of 19 and then divorced. I think its wrong to make such person a role model, Didusenko recounted Monday. Didusenko is now a crusader for mothers in the beauty pageant world. (From left) Didusenko, lawyer Gloria Allred and Hazel lament the discriminatory pageant rules in Manhattan on Monday. Stephen Yang for the New York Post Allred has already racked up a win for moms on the West Coast when she fought a similar rule on behalf of a California mother, Andrea Quiroga, who was blocked from entering the Miss California pageant because of her motherhood. A settlement led to the elimination of the pageants 70-year ban on mothers. For this new suit, Allred and Hazel are taking dead aim at the two remaining major pageants to help the next generation of mothers avoid discrimination with a hope for a similar outcome. None of these things change unless we challenge them, Allred said. A rep for the Miss World pageant did not respond to a Post request for comment. NEW YORK Murders are down, but traffic deaths are up and emergency teams are taking longer to respond to calls, according to the citys annual management report, released Monday by Mayor Adams. The report on the 2024 fiscal year also found SNAP application time is improving and minor summonses for things like public urinating and public drinking continue to skyrocket as the NYPD puts more officers on the streets and pays out record overtime. The 558-page report, mandated under the City Charter, includes troves of detailed data showing how every city agency measures up. We have over 2000 different indicators, so you always find one or two that were not where we want to be, Adams said at a press conference announcing the reports release Monday. But were moving forward. But were very clear on those big issues that are important, we want to make sure that we highlight them. Heres what you need to know about how the city is doing: Murders down, response times up Emergency response times were up, with an average of 15 minutes and 23 seconds up from around 14 minutes last year and about 11 minutes in fiscal year 2020. It now takes on average over 9 minutes to get a police response to the most serious crimes, like shootings and assaults, after calling 911. Most of this increase is driven by just 19 percent of precincts, each with major thoroughfare access points, the report says. The report pointed to an increased NYPD presence across several fronts. Enforcement of minor summonses like fare evasion and open container law violations have increased by 34% since last fiscal year, totaling 180,000, and by 210% since three years prior, before Adams took office. Summonses for drinking in parks and on stoops in particular rose by 13,000 since last year and by a whopping nearly 57,000 since fiscal year 2021. Major felony crimes are slightly down since last year, largely driven by a 15% decrease in murders and an 18% decrease in shootings, but still up overall from pre-Covid and grand larceny auto, robbery and felony crime in housing developments all increased from the year before. The stepped-up police presence across the city has come at a cost, with the NYPD paying out record overtime. This year, the number broke $1 billion for the first time. The NYPD is focusing relentlessly on how to do better protecting and serving people, Chauncey Parker, assistant deputy mayor for public safety, said on Monday in response to a question about the increased response times. So thats all part of by relentlessly following up and using creative, imaginative, evidence-based strategies that are going to drive that number. At the same time, civilian complaints against members of the NYPD have ticked upward every year in the Adams administration, this past year reaching 5,644. Dangerous streets Total traffic fatalities have hit their highest since pre-Covid, with 275 deaths in fiscal year 2024. According to the report, the increase was driven by a 53% uptick in moped deaths, with bicyclist fatalities, including e-bikes, down this year. The Department of Transportation also added 64 miles of bike lanes, 33 miles of which were protected. Affordable housing ticks up Housing showed modest signs of improvement, with the number of new affordable projects reached over 25,200, a thousand more than the year prior. Pre-K vacancies drop, student absenteeism high The total number of unfilled seats in 3-k programs an issue that has been a sharp issue of debate decreased by 10%. Twenty-five percent more families signed up for subsidized child care than last year, and over 41,000 applications, for a 291% increase from the previous year, were submitted for child care assistance through MyCity. But chronic absentee numbers in schools remain high and it is looking increasingly unlikely the city will be able to meet an incoming class size cap. Average class sizes stayed largely the same in the higher grades and teacher hiring has been slow, with the workforce increasing by less than 1%. The Department of Education has estimated they need around 10,000 to 12,000 more teachers to meet new lower class size requirements. More trees, bathrooms A Sanitation task force aimed at cleaning unkempt city properties across the five boroughs cleaned 30% more locations than the last fiscal year, and the Parks Department planted over 42,000 trees, up from 31,000 last year. Two percent more public restrooms were in service than last year, and 89% of parks overall were rated acceptable. However, despite a 5% increase in vacant lot cleaning requests compared to the previous fiscal year, 63% fewer lots were cleaned citywide. This decrease, the report says, is the result of city budget cuts that have since been partly restored. SNAP applications being processed faster Just 65% of SNAP applications and 42% of cash assistance applications were processed on time down from 92% pre-Covid for cash assistance applications. Were not where we want to be, but we have improved in both of our cash applications, Deputy Mayor Anne Williams-Isom said. And its still, the applications that were getting in are still pretty historically high. And were also doing better in our SNAP applications, too. So much improved. We will definitely make more progress. The Human Resources Administration this past fiscal year began to work through backlogs from pandemic-related recertification waivers and higher numbers of applications, according to the report. Adams, whose administration is embroiled in several federal investigations and has seen two high-profile resignations in the past week, rejected suggestions during a Monday press conference that the increased fanfare this year for the report which is typically released more quietly was intended as a distraction from the scandals. We have to write our own narrative, Adams said. Because if we dont show the success and we dont have a person who has benefited from what were doing, it just doesnt seem to get covered. And so we dont want to distract. We want to have folks pay attention of how successful this administration has been. _______ Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, left, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meet during the Munich Security Conference in Germany in February during which Blinken pressed for Orange County pastor David Lin's release. (Wolfgang Rattay / Pool via AP) After nearly 20 years in Chinese custody, Orange County pastor David Lin was released over the weekend and has returned to the United States. Lin, 68, had been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of contract fraud related to his efforts raising money to build a church in China. Both Lin's family and the State Department denied the charge. We welcome David Lins release from prison in the Peoples Republic of China, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a news briefing Monday, adding that the Biden administration is continuing to push for the release of other Americans wrongfully detained by foreign governments. For the last year, Lin has been at the center of an intense diplomatic campaign. California Gov. Gavin Newsom brought up the case during a visit to Beijing in October. This summer, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken pressed for Lins release during a diplomatic meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Last month, national security advisor Jake Sullivan also met with Wang and discussed Lins situation. Read more: After Israel visit, Newsom heads to China for climate talks. But can he avoid global conflicts? Lin was one of three Americans that the State Department considered "wrongfully detained" by China, a formal designation that allows the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs to negotiate for their release. Miller declined to say whether any concessions had been made to China for Lins release. The others still in Chinese custody are Kai Li, a businessman from Long Island, N.Y., held for eight years on espionage charges, and Mark Swidan, held for 12 years on a drug-related offense. On Wednesday, a bipartisan congressional committee will hold a hearing to draw attention to Li, Swidan and other Americans in Chinese prisons. The San Francisco-based human rights group Dui Hua Foundation, which helped work for Lins release, estimates that more than 200 Americans are being held in China against their will. China detains more Americans than any other foreign country, according to the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, with detention defined as either being held in police custody or being banned from leaving the country. The Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles did not respond to a request for comment. Lin, who was born in China, is a naturalized American citizen. He began returning to China in the 1990s to spread the gospel, according to China Aid, a Texas-based Christian advocacy group that was working for his release. In 2006, the Chinese government detained Lin for his efforts to build a "house church," or a place of worship independent from state-sanctioned religious institutions. In 2009, Lin was arrested, convicted of fraud and sentenced to life in prison. His sentence was eventually reduced, and he was scheduled to be released in 2029. Bob Fu, founder and president of China Aid, argued that Lins conviction was a case of entrapment by the Chinese government. David had been promised that he could build a church, said Fu, and so he started to build support, selling some properties and borrowing money. Fu called Lins release wonderful news but doesn't believe Chinese authorities are loosening their grip on religious freedom. The current regime is not happy with anyone trying to advance religious freedom," he said. In 2019, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom named Lin as part of its prisoners of conscience project. The commission cited Lin's work ministering to fellow prisoners and translating the Bible into Chinese. It also called attention to reports of his declining health and to threats to his safety in prison. On Sunday, Lin was flown from China to San Antonio, according to his daughter, Alice Lin. No words can express the joy we have, she told Politico. We have a lot of time to make up for. Alice Lin last saw her father in 2010. She and her brother traded off visiting him in prison until their visiting privileges were canceled, she told The Times last year. During brief phone calls, she said, he didn't like to discuss his health, but she believed he was growing frail and suffering from malnutrition. This year, in a letter to the Wall Street Journal, she made an emotional plea for her father's release. I dream of him meeting my husband and my 8-year-old son for the first time, she wrote. I yearn to hug him again myself. I dont know how much time either of us has left. He is elderly now, and I have cancer. We cant afford to wait. With her father now back in the U.S., she is "overjoyed and grateful for all those who played a role in bringing him home." "We appreciate the attention to my dad's return and the awareness it brings for other families in this situation," she wrote in a text message. "Right now we are focused on my dad's health and well-being as we spend time together as a family for the first time in many years." 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. Former President Obama is pulling out all the stops on National Voter Registration Day to expand the Democratic Partys reach, including appealing to younger voters through a partnership with well-known TikTok creators. The creators who are part of the initiative and whose content reaches more than 30 million users across social media will release videos with Obama that encourage eligible voters to go to IWillVote.com and register, a spokesperson for the former president told The Hill. As part of President Obamas ongoing efforts to mobilize young voters, President Obama has engaged content creators and activists, including at his office in Washington, DC and in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, the spokesperson wrote. President Obama discussed the stakes of the election, the importance of making sure everyone is registered to vote, and he also had some fun, they added. The engagement between the creators and the former president has generated thousands of visits to the website already, expanding the partys nationwide effort to reach new, younger voters less than 50 days before the 2024 election. Obama has already partnered with comedian and impressionist Matt Friend, Ive Had It podcast hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan, and music industry executive Carter Gregory, according to his office. The former president and his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, endorsed Vice President Harris shortly after President Biden decided in July that he would withdraw from the race. The duo also gave compelling speeches during the Democratic convention earlier this summer in Chicago. Obama made a similar push in August last year, encouraging potential Generation Z voters on the video-sharing app to register to vote and touting the achievements of the current administration. Democrats have had a thorny relationship with the short-form video app, operated by Chinese-owned company ByteDance. Biden signed legislation in April that could lead to a U.S. ban on TikTok, despite his now-halted reelection campaign joining the platform in February. Harriss 2024 campaign also started a TikTok page shortly after she announced her candidacy for the White House. Former President Trump, Harriss political rival, who previously was in favor of banning TikTok, reversed his stance this year and has warned voters this month that they should back him if they want to save TikTok. The other sides closing it up, but Im now a big star on TikTok, said the GOP nominee, who now has more than 11 million followers on the app. The initiative targeting young voters comes as Harriss campaign recently launched its own initiative to encourage younger voters, particularly in swing states, to register to vote. The team is looking to engage with potential backers both online and in person, with a variety of events planned on college campuses in the battleground states. The stakes this November couldnt be higher, and Vice President Harris knows our democracy is stronger when we all vote, Harris-Walz campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement. We are focused on meeting young Americans where they are to drive home the stakes of this election on the issues they care most about, and that when we vote, we win, 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. OceanGates former operations director says tragic deaths could have been prevented if US safety officials had investigated Former OceanGate director of marine operations David Lochridge, center, stands during his testimony on September 17, 2024. - Andrew J. Whitaker/Pool/The Post And Courier/AP David Lochridge, a former director of marine operations for OceanGate who expressed safety concerns about the ill-fated Titan submersible, said Tuesday that the tragedy could have been prevented if US safety authorities had investigated his complaints. Lochridge also blasted OceanGates company culture as being centered on making money and offering very little in the way of science during testimony before the US Coast Guard body probing the vessels implosion in June 2023, which killed all five people on board. I believe that if OSHA had attempted to investigate the seriousness of the concerns I raised on multiple occasions, this tragedy may have been prevented, Lochridge said at the end of Tuesdays hearing. Lochridge earlier described a 2018 report in which he expressed safety concerns over OceanGate operations and said that there was no way I was signing off on this. He said he had no confidence whatsoever in the construction of the submersible. Lochridge said he followed up with OSHA via email eight months after he was fired from OceanGate in 2018 to reiterate that he was extremely concerned about the Titans safety. He said he felt deeply let down that his warnings were not immediately investigated. CNN has reached out to OSHA for comment. A representative for OceanGate declined to comment on Tuesdays testimony. Lochridge said his responsibility was to ensure the safety of all crew, clients and training pilots but that he felt more like a show pony because no one else was qualified as a pilot. It was all smoke and mirrors, he said of the way the company operated. All the social media that you see about all these past expeditions. They always had issues with their expeditions. The Titan submersible sent its final message just six seconds before it lost contact with the surface during its dive to the Titanic, according to testimony on the first day of a two-week hearing held by the Marine Board of Investigation tasked with reviewing the tragedy. The mother ship, the Polar Prince, then lost track of the vessel. A lawsuit by the family of one of the victims has claimed the message, sent about 90 minutes into the vessels dive, was an indication the crew might have known something was wrong and were trying to abort the mission. Lochridge noted the manufacturer of the viewport an acrylic window on the submersible had built and certified it for a depth of 1,000 meters, or about 3,280 feet. But Lochridge told the safety agency that OceanGate intended to take the vessel to 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) with passengers who are unaware of this. Lochridge said OceanGate ignored the manufacturers concerns and its offer to construct a viewport certified to a depth of more than 13,000 feet. The viewport was designed in house by OceanGate and manufactured by a third party. Lochridge testified that the vision of OceanGates founder was give somebody this PlayStation controller and within an hour theyre going to be a pilot. Thats not the way it works, he said. Its like showing somebody how to fly a helicopter and then putting them in charge of taking passengers up. He accused the company of bypassing all the standardized rules and regulations that are set in place by people with experience. Lochridge said OceanGate was very push, push, push trying to get this out the door as quickly as possible so they could start making profit with what he described as an experimental submersible the company had already taken deposits to go to the Titanic in. Lochridge said leadership dismissed his concerns, choosing instead to focus completing the Titanic mission as soon as possible. Anytime I would give my displeasure about what was happening, my disapproval thats probably the best word I was dismissed, he said Tuesday. Everybody knew from the engineering team, I mean I spoke to every single one of them, all these children coming straight out of university, some hadnt even been to university yet None of them were experienced submersible operators. There was no experience across the board within that organization. His testimony before the Marine Board of Investigation came a day after testimony of former employees of OceanGate the company based in Everett, Washington that developed and operated the 23,000-pound submersible, charging about $250,000 per ticket. The company has faced mounting scrutiny of its operations amid reports of safety concerns. Former employees painted a picture of a company that cut corners in its haste to embark on missions with a poorly designed submersible. They wanted to be able to qualify a pilot in a day, someone who had never sat in a submersible. They wanted people to basically come in, get checked out as pilots and be able to take passengers down in the sub, said Lochridge, who said he was eventually fired in 2018 after raising the alarm over safety issues. He added, Anytime youre going in a sub, the most important thing is going home safe to your families, not going and making money and pushing the envelope. Dont take risks that are unnecessary with faulty and I mean faulty, deficient equipment. The Marine Board of Investigation, the highest level of inquiry by the Coast Guard, was convened within days of the submersibles disappearance and tasked with reviewing the cause of the tragedy and offering recommendations, including about potential civil penalties and criminal prosecution. The submersible lost contact with its mother ship during its dive to the Titanic on June 18, 2023. When it failed to resurface, an international search and rescue mission unfolded in the remote waters several hundred miles southeast of Newfoundland, Canada. Ultimately, authorities concluded the vessel had suffered a catastrophic implosion a sudden inward collapse caused by immense pressure. Debris from the submersible was found on the sea floor several hundred yards from the Titanic, and authorities recovered presumed human remains believed to belong to the victims. Stockton Rush, the founder and CEO of the vessels operator; businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood; businessman Hamish Harding; and French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet were all killed. When the investigation is complete, the US Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board will each conduct an independent analysis and complete reports, said Jason Neubauer, the chair of the Marine Board of Investigation. He cautioned additional hearings could be held in the future, and he would not provide an estimated timeline for the conclusion of the investigation. CNNs Dakin Andone and Cindy Von Quednow contributed to this report. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com OceanGate whistleblower says he had 'no confidence' in development of Titan sub An OceanGate whistleblower testified during a United States Coast Guard hearing into the deadly 2023 implosion of the Titan that he had "no confidence" in the way the experimental submersible was being built. David Lochridge, the former director of marine operations for OceanGate, said he was known as a "troublemaker" in the tourism and expeditions company because he was so outspoken about his safety concerns -- voiced years before five people were killed when the Titan catastrophically imploded during a deep-sea voyage to the Titanic wreckage in June 2023. Lochridge said Tuesday during an ongoing Coast Guard hearing into the deadly implosion that he was hired in 2015 to in part work on the operations for the Titan but was ultimately not involved in its development. Lochridge said he was "phased out" after butting heads with OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush -- one of the five people who died in the implosion. PHOTO: Former OceanGate's Director of Marine Operations, David Lochridge, center, testifies, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in front of the Titan marine board formal hearing inside the Charleston County Council Chambers, in North Charleston, S.C. (Andrew J. Whitaker/AP) When asked by the Marine Board of Investigation for the U.S. Coast Guard if he had confidence in the way the Titan was being built in 2017, Lochridge said, "No confidence whatsoever, and I was very vocal about that, and still am." Lochridge submitted a report in January 2018 outlining his concerns about the submersible's carbon-fiber hull, including imperfections, after he said Rush asked him to inspect it. "At the end of the day, safety comes first," Lochridge said. "Yes, you're taking a risk going down in a submersible, but don't take risks that are unnecessary with faulty, and I mean faulty, deficient equipment." MORE: 'All good here': Last messages revealed from Titan submersible before implosion: Coast Guard Lochridge testified Rush "liked to do things on the cheap." Asked why the company resorted to cost-cutting measures, Lochridge said, "The desire to get to the Titanic as quickly as we could to start making profit." He said he did not know about the financial side of the company, but that "there was a big push to get this done." "A lot of steps along the way were missed," he said. Lochridge testified that Rush wanted to do manned testing of the first Titan prototype, though Lochridge recommended doing unmanned testing due to his concerns. "I knew that hull would fail," he said. "It's an absolute mess." PHOTO: Remotely operated vehicle image of the Titan submersible tail cone presented by the U.S. Coast Guard during a marine board formal hearing inside the Charleston County Council Chambers, Sept. 16, 2024, in North Charleston, S.C. (Pelagic Research Services/U.S. Coast Guard) Lochridge was fired from OceanGate in 2018, days after submitting his report and attending an hourslong meeting with OceanGate executives, including Rush, ABC News previously reported. Documents reviewed by ABC News stated that it was clear Lochridge and Rush were "at an impasse" regarding the Titan hull, and "the only option was the termination of your employment." Lochridge testified Tuesday he was terminated because he was "anti-project." "I didn't want to lose my job," Lochridge said. "I wanted to go to Titanic. It was on my bucket list. I wanted to dive this, but dive it safely." Following his termination, Lochridge said he reached out to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in February 2018 with his concerns about public safety and was placed under the agency's Whistleblower Protection Program. "I wouldn't want to see anybody dying for the sake of going in a sub," Lochridge said Tuesday. "It's a magical place. I love it. I'm very passionate about what I do. If there's risk like that, don't do it." A defect was discovered in the first prototype of the carbon-fiber hull in 2019, and it was not used on Titanic missions, the Coast Guard said. A second carbon-fiber hull was subsequently made that was used on Titanic missions, including the doomed dive on June 18, 2023. OceanGate suspended all exploration and commercial operations after the implosion. MORE: New docs detail whistleblower's battle with Titanic submersible company The Coast Guard's hearing into the implosion is scheduled to last two weeks. Lochridge is the only witness scheduled to testify on Tuesday. During his testimony, Lochridge said he started being phased out of his duties after he inadvertently "embarrassed" Rush during a 2016 dive to the Andrea Doria shipwreck on OceanGate's Cyclops 1 submersible. Lochridge, a veteran submersible pilot, said he was meant to take several paying clients down to the wreck to take a 3-D model, but Rush wanted to pilot the dive instead. Lochridge said he objected, noting that the wreck is "dangerous" and that over a dozen people died during dives to the site at the time -- and eventually persuaded Rush to let him go along. He said Rush ended up getting the vessel stuck in the wreck and refused to relinquish control of the submersible to Lochridge until one of the crew members yelled at Rush to give Lochridge the PlayStation controller that piloted the vessel. Lochridge said Rush threw the controller at his head and one of the buttons came off, though he testified that he was able to repair it and get them back to the surface. PHOTO: This undated image courtesy of OceanGate Expeditions, shows their Titan submersible beginning a descent. (Handout/OceanGate Expeditions/AFP via Getty Images) After that, Lochridge said Rush stopped talking to him. Lochridge testified he raised objections after OceanGate phased out its relationship with the University of Washington's Applied Physics Laboratory in 2016. He said Rush decided to do all engineering for the Titan in-house. Asked by the board why that was the case, Lochridge said, "Arrogance." He also testified the company only cared about making money and it wasn't interested in scientific research. "The whole idea behind the company was to make money, that's it," Lochridge said. "There was very little in the way of science." OceanGate sued Lochridge following his termination, alleging, among other things, breach of contract, fraud and misappropriation of trade secrets. Lochridge alleged in a counterclaim lawsuit that he was fired for raising concerns about quality control. During the hearing on Tuesday, Lochridge said he dropped his OSHA case and walked away from the lawsuits in late 2018 because he didn't want to "put my family through any more of this," financially and emotionally. "It was going nowhere," he said. "It was too much for us as a family." Lochridge and OceanGate settled the dispute out of court in November 2018. Lochridge said OSHA closed the case in December 2018 following the settlement agreement. "I never paid a penny to OceanGate, I'm going to state that clearly," Lochridge said Tuesday. "I gave them nothing, they gave me nothing." In his final remarks, Lochridge said he hopes the investigation will shed light on "why OSHA did not actively address my concerns." "I believe that if OSHA had attempted to investigate the seriousness of the concerns I raised on multiple occasions, this tragedy may have been prevented," he said. "As a seafarer, I feel deeply let down and disappointed by the system that is meant to protect not only seafarers but the general public as well." ABC News has reached out to OSHA for comment. OSHA had previously declined to comment to ABC News on the case. The Coast Guard hearing is scheduled to resume on Thursday, with testimony from the company's former scientific director and a crew member who was on board OceanGate's 2016 dive to the Andrea Doria shipwreck. OceanGate whistleblower says he had 'no confidence' in development of Titan sub originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A man in Riverside County was rushed to the hospital in critical condition after reportedly being shot multiple times by an off-duty police officer who intervened during what authorities are calling a road-rage incident Monday. Officers with the Murrieta Police Department responded to reports of the shooting in a parking lot at 39540 Murrieta Hot Springs Road at around 9:15 a.m., the department said in a post to social media. When police arrived at the location, they found an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, along with an off-duty police officer from the city of Hemet and several witnesses of the shooting. Human skeletal remains found in Southern California mountains amid wildfire Authorities rendered life-saving measures on the gunshot victim, who was rushed by paramedics to the hospital where he was listed in critical condition. Murrieta road rage shooting The initial investigation revealed that the off-duty police officer was involved in the shooting of the male, Murrieta PD said. All gunshots have been accounted for, and no other people were injured by the gunfire. Police added that preliminary information suggests a road-rage incident between two individuals occurred and was witnessed by the off-duty officer, who has not yet been identified. Details are limited and its unclear how the road-rage incident was unfolding, but police said the off-duty officer subsequently intervened and fired on the adult male. Southern California woman, 30, stabbed to death by man, 24, she was dating A handgun was located at the scene and the off-duty officer is cooperating with the investigation, authorities said. Officials with Murrieta PD said the department will coordinate with the Riverside County Force Investigation Detail, the Riverside County District Attorneys Office and the county sheriffs department 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 KTLA. LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) The Commonwealths Attorney in Lynchburg has released a determination in the officer-involved shooting at the Super 8 Hotel that killed a man during a hostage situation on June 27. Attorney Bethany Harrison said that based on the law and evidence, the use of deadly force was justifiable and no criminal charges are warranted. According to the report, on Thursday, June 27, officers with Lynchburg Police were on the scene at the Super 8 Hotel attempting to resolve the situation between Francisco Javier Hernandez, Jr. and the female victim being held at knife point for over two and a half hours. Officer Harris and other officers positioned themselves with their firearms aimed at the bathroom door since Hernandez said he had a gun, had a hostage, was avoiding arrest, and not following commands. Multiple attempts were made to negotiate the peaceful surrender of Hernandez. Hernandez would not follow any directions to come out with his hands up and empty. ORIGINAL REPORTING: VSP identifies man killed in Lynchburg Super 8 Motel police shooting Repeated attempts were made by officers to Hernandez to allow the woman to leave safely and surrender to police, but these requests were ignored. Hernandez was allegedly armed with a knife and homemade Molotov cocktails. The report states Hernandez intended to use the female victim to persuade officers to leave so he could escape, as a human shield, or he intended to die by cop. During interviews with the officers involved, the Commonwealths Attorney learned that Hernandez continued to threaten the woman, holding a knife to her throat and making threats and gestures toward them. The officer inside the hotel room called out for the female to come out and for Hernandez to come out but both stayed inside the bathroom. The female said she was scared. An officer shot taser prongs at Hernandez. Hernandez was not affected by the taser. The report indicates that officers continued attempts at using non-life-threatening methods to resolve the situation. A search warrant to enter the hotel room was obtained, allowing officers to enter. Officers told the Commonwealths Attorney they were afraid for the victim, themselves, and the lives of their fellow officers. They entered the room and surrounded the bathroom door where Hernandez and they victim were located. In the final moments of the standoff, police said that Hernandez called out multiple times, I have a gun!, resulting in a single gunshot being fired, hitting Hernandez in the head. Bethony Harrison said no criminal charges are warranted against Officer Harris for the use of deadly force that was justified under the circumstances. The use of the taser was not excessive and also justified for the same reasons as cited above. The BWC footage will not be released as it displays the use of law enforcement maneuvers and tactics that, for the future safety of officers, should not be published. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. Officers looking for suspect accused of shooting person near Ohio State Officers are looking for a suspect accused of shooting a person near the campus of the Ohio State University Monday night in Columbus. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police responded to a report of a shooting just before 8:30 p.m. in the area of John Herrick Drive and Olentangy River Road, near the southern end of campus, according to our news partner WBNS in Columbus. The university posted a public safety notice online Monday night and said that a person flagged down a bus and told the driver they had been shot. TRENDING STORIES: The victim was transported to the hospital in stable condition, the university said. The university identified the suspect as Richard Patridge, 31. He is accused of abducting a woman at gunpoint in Columbus earlier this month, WBNS said. She was later found safe. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Officials continue to voice concern over release of Pillowcase Rapist in L.A. County Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger has joined other elected officials and members of the public in opposing the proposed release of the Pillowcase Rapist in the Antelope Valley. Christopher Hubbart was convicted in 1973, 1982 and 1990 in both L.A. and Santa Clara counties for a series of rapes and other sex crimes targeting dozens of women. After decades of incarceration, Hubbart was released from a mental hospital in 2014 and placed in a home just east of Palmdale despite fierce opposition from local residents. I just dont think the state should use the Antelope Valley as a dumping ground, community activist Albert Constante told KTLA in 2014. Southern California school mourns death of student who appeared on Americas Got Talent Two years after he was released, Hubbart, who has been designated by the state as a sexually violent predator, was taken back into custody after violating the terms of his conditional release, including failing five lie detector tests, the DAs office said at the time. A protester holds a poster showing Christopher Hubbart on May 23, 2014, in front of the home where the serial rapist was set to be released. (Credit: KTLA) Protesters gathered May 23, 2014, in front of the home where serial rapist Christopher Hubbart was set to be released. (Credit: KTLA) A home in Lake Los Angeles that was originally proposed for Hubbarts release was the target of protests in fall 2013, and the landlord removed it from consideration. (Credit: KTLA) Christopher Hubbart was released to a home near Lake Los Angeles on July 9, 2014. (Credit: Ed Frommer) In March 2023, the Santa Clara County Superior Court granted the conditional release resulting in Hubbart coming back to L.A. County; the California Department of State Hospitals recommended he be placed in the Antelope Valley, the DAs office said earlier this month. In a statement, L.A. County District Attorney George Gascon slammed the Santa Clara courts for proposing to release Hubbart, now 73, in Southern California. Continuing to release sexually violent predators into underserved communities like the Antelope Valley is both irresponsible and unjust, Gascon said. Repeatedly placing these individuals in the same community shows a blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of our residents. Our deputy district attorneys will persist in opposing Hubbarts placement in the Antelope Valley. Authorities looking to identify boy found riding scooter on freeway in Los Angeles On Monday, L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger released a letter saying the decision to place a man who has admitted to raping over 40 women and is suspected of raping dozens more is unequivocally wrong. She strongly opposes his placement in the Antelope Valley community of Juniper Hills for several reasons. File photo of Christopher Evans Hubbart File photo of Christopher Hubbart, the so-called Pillowcase Rapist. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department released this image in a flyer on the July 9, 2014, when Christopher Hubbart was sent to his new home. The rural nature of this foothill community and its challenging terrain have impeded the development and availability of a robust communications infrastructurecellular phone signals and service, landline services and internet connections are unreliable and inconsistent, Bargers letter read in part. Should any elements of his conditional release require the use of these types of technologies to supervise or monitor Mr. Hubbart, failure is possibleand imminent. Also, should an emergency occur, law enforcement emergency response times are longonly two Sheriffs deputies are assigned to the region where the proposed placement site is located, she continued. They alone are responsible for patrolling the southeast portion of the Antelope Valley, which spans hundreds of square miles. Barger also noted that the community where Hubbart could be placed is still working to recover from the 2020 Bobcat Fire, and to her, the idea of wildfire survivors taking on the added mental burden of having a violent convicted rapist living in their community is simply unfair and unjust. Christopher Hubbart belongs in a locked facility where there is no chance of him ever harming another human being, Bargers letter concluded. Valet critically injured in attack at popular West Hollywood cafe Tuesday is the last day members of the public can submit their comments about the proposed placement site to the L.A. County District Attorney via email or mail. A placement hearing is scheduled for Oct. 1 at 1:30 p.m. at the Hollywood Courthouse to consider the proposed address of 28800 Cruthers Creek Road in Pearblossom. Due to limited courtroom capacity, only five members of the public can attend in person, officials said, adding that they will be chosen by lottery. Information surrounding the California Department of State Hospitals conditional release program 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 KTLA. More than four months after the original due date, U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles has filed annual financial disclosures with the U.S. House Clerk and corrected last years filing revealing a never-before-disclosed bank account, line of credit, travel expenses paid by a group that supported his campaign, and investment property disclosures that do not align with Maury County property records. Ogles is seeking reelection this year, having defeated GOP challenger Courtney Johnston in the primary last month. He faces Nashville Democrat Maryam Abolfazli in November. Ogles has been required to file financial disclosures every year since being elected Maury County mayor in 2019. As in the past, Ogles newest filings are at odds with previous ones and include several corrections to past disclosures. Ogles filed for an extension to the original May 15 deadline, making the new deadline Aug. 13. The new filings squeaked in Friday, hours before a 30-day grace period expired after which he would have been subject to a $200 late filing fee. A correction to Ogles 2022 disclosure filed Friday reveals a never-before-disclosed First Horizon joint bank account that he claims is worth between $50,000 and $100,000. Earlier this year, he admitted that more than $300,000 he had reported as cash to the FEC for two years was in fact a pledge of funds for which the need never arose. Ogles had claimed that he could have loaned his 2022 campaign more than $300,000 but had not disclosed a personal bank account with that sum. The new filing reveals that while a previously undisclosed bank account exists, it does not contain the cash Ogles had claimed. New disclosures also list two investment properties located in Columbia, Tennessee, but details do not align with Maury County property records. The first investment property Ogles lists is valued between $100,000 and $250,000. The disclosure notes that the property was purchased in September 2022 weeks after his primary victory and sold in November 2022. Ogles discloses for the first time a line of credit with First Bank initiated in September 2022 worth $500,000 to $1 million, with which this property could have been purchased. According to Maury County property records, Ogles purchased a home on Neeley Hollow Road near his family home for $660,000 in September 2022. He sold the home just over a year later in November 2023 at a $60,000 loss to his District Director James Amundsen, according to property records. Ogles also discloses on both 2022 and 2023 filings another real estate investment in Maury County worth $500,000 to $1 million, which he claims brings in rent of between $5,000 and $15,000 per year. There is no property of that description listed as owned by the Ogles in Maury County property records. U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles addresses his supporters after winning the Republican nomination for a second term at an election night returns party at Ludlow & Prime in Franklin, Tenn., Thursday night, Aug. 1, 2024. Ogles and his wife, Monica, own three properties in Maury County, all located on Neeley Hollow Road, according to Maury County property records. Their family home is a 2,901 square foot home with a swimming pool built in 1988, appraised at the value of $559,000, which the Ogles purchased in 2015. Another property, purchased in 2016, contains a 1,666 square foot single family home built in 1954 and is valued at $157,100 significantly less than the disclosed $500,000 to $1 million. The third parcel, purchased in September 2022, is 3.9 acres and contains no buildings. The Ogles briefly owned a 1995 home on Neeley Hollow Road, sold in November 2023 as erroneously detailed on the disclosures. New disclosures also reveal travel he took with expenses paid by outside groups. According to the disclosures, Ogles traveled from Nashville to West Palm Beach, Florida, in March 2023 for a four-day trip, with lodging and food expenses paid by Club for Growth a libertarian organization whose political action committee spent significantly to back his campaign. He also traveled from Nashville to Orlando, Florida, for a four-day experience with lodging and food expenses paid by the Conservative Partnership Institute. Corrected disclosures reveal significantly less in retirement savings than Ogles previously disclosed: He discloses two retirement accounts between $30,000 and $100,000, down from originally disclosed accounts worth $150,000 and $350,000. Ogles' congressional office and campaign did not respond to questions seeking an explanation for the inconsistencies in the disclosures. Throughout the last year, neither Ogles' office nor his campaign has ever responded to questions from The Tennessean regarding errors and delays in his financial disclosures. Ogles has had chronic problems with financial disclosures even before his bid for Congress in 2022. Ogles omitted multiple items on financial disclosures submitted to the State of Tennessee as Maury County Mayor. In 2022, his first Congressional campaign finance disclosures were filed weeks late. He was required to pay $5,750 in civil penalties for campaign finance violations after the 2022 cycle. Since first filing for candidacy in 2022, every disclosure Ogles has filed with the Federal Election Commission has had to later be corrected. Ogles cell phone was confiscated by FBI agents last month, the day after he defeated a Republican primary opponent, in a probe that he has said he believes is connected with incorrect campaign finance filings. In new filings, Ogles attorneys have claimed the freshman congressman is a subject not a target of the investigation and asserted that the investigation is politically motivated, pointing out that the seizure of his phone occurred shortly after Ogles introduced articles of impeachment against Vice President Kamala Harris. Ogles introduced almost identical impeachment filings against Harris last year. Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com or on X @Vivian_E_Jones. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Late Ogles financial filings don't agree with county property records Ohio city's probe finds 'no alligator' on the loose after reported sighting Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Officials in an Ohio city said they do not believe there is an alligator on the loose at a local park after a reported sighting set off two days of searching. The City of Beavercreek said local police received a report Sunday about a "potential alligator sighting" at Dominick Lofino Park. The teenage witness snapped photos of the purported reptile and his mother, Megan Stanley, posted the pictures to social media. "He sent me pictures and I said, 'That looks like an alligator. You need to get off the bank or wherever you're at, and call the police,'" Megan Stanley told WHIO-TV. The sighting sparked an investigation and a search of the park by police and an Ohio Department of Natural Resources officer. The city said Tuesday that officials are now convinced there is no gator on the loose. "Additionally, no further sightings have been reported to the police or city staff despite an increase in visitors to the park. Based on these findings, officials believe that there is no alligator in the pond," the city said in a statement. Despite openly refuting the Haitian migrant conspiracy that has plagued his state, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine still wont come down on Donald Trump and J.D. Vance for their part in spreading the violent rhetoric. After attempting to dodge a direct question on the issue during an interview Monday evening with CNNs Pamela Brown, DeWine defended the Haitians in Springfield, Ohiobut wouldnt combat the MAGA leaders. But my job, I think, is to reflect exactly whats going on in Springfield, DeWine said. So, the mayor tells us and the chief of police tells us theres been no evidence at all of anyone eating a dog or any Haitians doing any of that. These Haitians that are there are legal. They work very, very hard. I met this morning with a number of business people who employ these Haitians, and they tell me that they are really essential to them getting the job done. When pressed again by Brown to answer the question, DeWine finally fessed up that the town was facing challenges, but wouldnt chalk up any of the blame for the citys mass closures on the baseless allegations spewed by Trump and Vance. Look, Im not here to place blame, DeWine said. Im here to tell what were seeing on the ground. And look, there are challenges. Weve got 15,000 extra people in a town of about 58,000. So far, the epicenter of the conspiracy theorySpringfieldhas received at least 33 bomb threats since the top of the conservative ticket started pushing the idea that Haitian immigrants were eating their neighbors pets. Springfield shut down two of its elementary schools Monday, while two local colleges switched to all virtual classes and activities. The city also canceled its annual CultureFest due to safety concerns. The city saw even more closures last week. Springfield evacuated two elementary schools and closed a middle school on Friday after receiving information from the Springfield Police Division. The day before, several other schools and a significant portion of Springfields government facilitiesincluding City Hall, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the Ohio License Bureau, the Springfield Academy of Excellence, and Fulton Elementary Schoolwere shut down due to bomb threats. On Sunday, Vance effectively admitted that the anti-immigration conspiracy was bogus. If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then thats what Im going to do, Vance told CNN. Ohio's Republican governor revealed on Monday that reported bomb threats against various sites in Springfield, Ohio, that have been blamed on Republican rhetoric surrounding the Haitian migrant crisis in the town were all "hoaxes." "Thirty-three threats; Thirty-three hoaxes," Gov. Mike DeWine announced during a press conference. "I want to make that very, very clear. None of these had any validity at all." DeWine said during the press conference that many of the threats came from "overseas." "We have people unfortunately overseas who are taking these actions," DeWine added. "Some of them are coming from one particular country." TRUMP REVEALS NEW PLEDGE AMID HAITIAN REFUGEE CONTROVERSY: I WILL SAVE OUR CITIES Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine says that all the bomb threats in Springfield, Ohio, have been "hoaxes." The governor's office said it is not disclosing the country in an effort to discourage threats to the schools and other buildings. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP DeWine also said that dozens of members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol will be stationed in city schools after the threats, with officers sweeping buildings before the arrival of staff and students. "We know that people are very, very concerned," DeWine said. "But weve moved resources into Springfield. People have the right to feel safe as well as being safe." Members of the media and prominent Democrats have relentlessly cited the threats as evidence that comments from former President Donald Trump, Sen. JD Vance and other top Republicans are putting people in danger in Springfield, but the governor's statements contradict that. Tom Elliot, founder of the multimedia marketplace Grabien, posted on X that media outlets spent at least 350 hours mentioning the bomb threats and associating them to Trump. "Last night, Ohio Gov. DeWine announced the bomb threats were all hoaxes. And yet as of this morning, only 3 hours were spent last night announcing the hoax (vs. 35 hours yesterday discussing the original "bomb threats" story), and thus far today only 1 hour announcing they were hoaxes, vs. another 11 hours circulating the original fake news," Elliot wrote. "Ohio Democrats were quick to blame Bernie, JD Vance, and President Trump for these bomb threats in Springfield, and their allies in the mainstream media went along with it without evidence," Reagan McCarthy, communications director for Ohio GOP Senate candidate Bernie Moreno, told Fox News Digital. "As it turns out, this was a false smear that has since been debunked. We look forward to their apology." TRUMP REVEALS NEW PLEDGE AMID HAITIAN REFUGEE CONTROVERSY: I WILL SAVE OUR CITIES The Trump War Room account on X also wondered aloud about a potential apology. "Where do President Trump and JD Vance go to get their apology from the media who claimed they incited them?" The Trump affiliated account posted on X about the bomb threats. William Martin, a campaign spokesperson for vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, ripped MSNBC's Willie Geist on Tuesday morning for blaming Vance's rhetoric for the bomb threats, saying it was "Disgraceful Fake News." Sen. JD Vance attends Charity Day 2024 hosted by The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund at BGC Group on Sept. 11, 2024 in New York City. The alleged threats played a direct role in the city of Springfield canceling its annual CultureFest celebration that was scheduled for this weekend. "In light of recent threats and safety concerns, the City of Springfield has made the difficult decision to cancel this years CultureFest celebration," the city said in a statement. "The decision was made with the utmost consideration for the safety and well-being of our community and event participants." The two-day event was scheduled for later this month, and officials said it "celebrates diversity, arts and local culture." However, officials said that after consulting law enforcement, the decision was made to cancel it to prevent "potential risks" to attendees and staff. "We deeply regret having to cancel CultureFest, as we know it is a beloved event for our community," said City Manager Bryan Heck. "However, the safety of our residents and visitors must come first." CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE The statement came a day after Wittenberg University had canceled campus activities and increased the number of police on campus due to a threat of a potential shooting which authorities said targeted Haitians. The Springfield City School District said in a statement Friday that "all threats to the Springfield City School District are taken seriously and will be prosecuted at the highest levels. The districts messaging to families continues to be one of gratitude for their patience and understanding as our Wildcat Family navigates these events." The city has seen a massive influx of Haitian migration in recent years, leading to some complaints from local residents who described the impact it has had on social services and the community. Others have said it has revitalized a town that was seeing decline before the influx. Amid those claims, however, were viral reports that migrants were eating pets and other animals, which quickly caught national attention in recent weeks. The city pushed back, saying that there had been no credible reports of pets being abused or harmed by immigrants, but they were echoed by Republicans -- including former President Donald Trump at last weeks presidential debate. Trump has also pointed to the alleged impact on the community as representative of broader issues of immigration affecting the United States. "In Springfield, they're eating the dogs, the people that came in, they're eating the cats," Trump said. "They're eating the pets of the people that live there. And this is what's happening in our country, and it's a shame." Many migrants from Haiti have come through the parole processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, which allow up to 30,000 nationals in a month. Meanwhile, an estimated 300,000 Haitians were recently given protection from deportation via a redesignation of Temporary Protected Status for nationals from Haiti. Fox News' Michael Lee and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Ohio governor contradicts Democrat narrative with damning revelation about bomb threat 'hoaxes' in Springfield A group of Ohio mayors were in Clark County Monday to show support for Springfield. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Representatives from the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the Ohio Mayors Alliance, and the National League of Cities met with Springfield Rob Rue, according to a spokesperson. They offered its assistance after a series of bomb threats in Springfield. The city has been in the national spotlight after false rumors about its Haitian immigrants. As reported Monday on News Center 7 at 5, Governor Mike DeWine said there have been 33 bomb threats across Springfield. All of them have been hoaxes. He announced that he authorized a contingent of Ohio State Highway Patrol (OHSP) troopers from its Mobile Field Force to provide added security at each of the districts 18 school buildings. TRENDING STORIES: Mayors from Dayton, Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo, Akron, and Athens were at Mondays meeting. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther praised Mayor Rue for his leadership. Cities like Springfield need cooperation at all levels of government, and we will continue to work with state and federal officials to keep all our residents safe, healthy, and housed, said Ginther. Mayors across America will continue to stand by Springfield and all cities working to responsibly address an increased number of migrants, which we can do without losing sight of our shared humanity. Former Ohio Governor Bob Taft was also in attendance. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Ohio school report cards are out. Here's how Licking County schools did This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy. The Heath City School District did not experience a decrease in any category. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce released its annual school district report cards Friday, and most Licking County districts met statewide standards. Granville Exempted Village, Northridge Local and Licking Heights Local school districts received the highest rankings among all Licking County districts, with five and four-and-a-half star ratings, respectively. A district received four or five stars if it exceeded standards or did so significantly. Three stars meant the school met statewide standards, and all but one Licking County district Newark City Schools met that threshold. The state collects data from more than 600 public school districts statewide and annually releases ratings based on their performance during the school year; this years rankings accounted for the 2023-24 cycle. The state uses five categories to aggregate a school districts overall ranking: achievement, progress, early literacy, gap closing and graduation. The ratings aim to help parents, educators and taxpayers understand which areas students are doing well in while highlighting others needing improvement. The achievement category assesses students performance on state tests meeting established thresholds and how well they did on tests overall. Progress compares year-to-year test scores. With early literacy, the state measures how well districts support struggling readers and their performance on third-grade reading tests. The graduation category shows the percentage of students graduating within four or five years of starting high school, while the gap closing column determines whether students of different races are meeting state standards. Heres what else to know about the rankings. Licking Heights, Northridge experience year-to-year boost Two districts increased their overall ratings from the 2022-23 school year: Licking Heights and Northridge. Licking Heights, after posting a four-star rating that cycle, improved to four-and-a-half this past year. It experienced increases in all five categories, particularly the gap closing and early literacy ones. "Early literacy is one of the things we're most proud of because we've had a really keen focus on early literacy skills with our kids in primary grades," Licking Heights Superintendent Kevin Miller said. "We strongly feel that reading is the foundation of everything else. "When you think about the fact that 20% of our kids come from non-English speaking homes, kids who are economically disadvantaged we just have a lot of challenges to get through each day with our kids, so that kind of outcome is outstanding to be honest." Northridge Local went from four to four-and-a-half stars because of notable increases in its early literacy and graduation ratings, the data show. It maintained similar scores in the other categories. Newark City, Lakewood Local drop in ranking Just two districts dropped in ranking: Newark City Schools and Lakewood Local. Newark City Schools posted a three-star rating during the 2022-23 school year but dropped to two-and-a-half stars this past year. It experienced decreases in four of five categories, including a more than 15-point drop in gap closing and near three-point decrease in graduation percentage. It scored the lowest graduation percentage 80.2% among all districts, according to the data. In an email, Newark City Schools Superintendent David Lewis said the district is "still in the early stages" of assessing the data and likes to look at the "trend data over the last three to five years to determine growth." "On the surface as a district, we're disappointed that we were rated just 2.5 stars. Our graduation rate sticks out as an area of immediate need for improvement. We've started programs such as workforce development to help more students reach graduation on-time. "We had successes across all of our buildings, and will look for ways to celebrate those successes." The district improved by nearly five points in the early literacy category, however. Like Newark City Schools, Lakewood Local had a massive drop in its gap closing score, decreasing from 56.8% to 38.6%. But its achievement, early literacy and graduation scores all stayed the same or increased. Other districts maintain same grade but some improvement, drop off School districts such Heath City and Southwest Licking Local had the same ratings compared to the year prior, but they progressed in some areas, including in their gap closing and progress categories. Southwest Licking Local Superintendent Kasey Perkins told The Advocate in an email that the district was "extremely pleased" with its overall ratings. "We continue to see improvements in different areas while maintaining our place in others," Perkins said. "Our permanent improvement data continues to grow while the district increased from four stars to five stars in our gap closing. "Our growing English language learner population continues to exceed state expectations and we continue to reduce our chronic absenteeism indictor. Our educators have worked hard with our students to achieve high marks and we will continue to utilize state testing data as one point of reference in the decision making process." Licking Valley Local, Johnstown-Montrose Local and North Fork Local also didnt change in rating but did experience some drop offs, particularly in the gap closing category. Heath City and Johnstown-Monroe maintained four-star ratings. Advocate reporter Josue Perez can be reached at jhperez@newarkadvocate.com. This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Ohio school report cards: How Licking County school districts fared A sheriff in Ohio took to social media to issue a warning to the public that anyone who is showing support for Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign could eventually house some extra guests. In a post on his personal campaign page, Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski appeared to encourage residents to write down the addresses of supporters for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. "When people ask me...What's gonna happen if the Flip - Flopping, Laughing Hyena Wins??" Zuchowski wrote in his post. "I say.write down all the addresses of the people who had her signs in their yards!" "Sooowhen the Illegal human Locust (which she supports!) Need places to liveWell already have the addresses of the their New familieswho supported their arrival!" his post continued. SINGER JOHN LEGEND LECTURES HOMETOWN TO 'EMBRACE' HAITIAN MIGRANTS, DISMISSES PET-EATING CLAIMS IN OHIO CITY Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski is telling the public to write down the addresses of Kamala Harris supporters so that those who oppose can send illegal immigrants to the supporters of Harris. Zuchowski has been sheriff in Portage County since 2021 and has served in Ohio law enforcement for nearly three decades, according to his bio on the department's website. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Fox News Digital reached out to the Portage County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff Zuchowski for comment. The sheriff's post comes as the city of Springfield, Ohio, has garnered national headlines in recent weeks over an influx of tens of thousands of Haitian migrants into the town of 60,000, where residents say the infrastructure doesnt exist to care for them all and that crime has been an increasing issue. HEAT PUSH BACK ON 'FALSE NARRATIVE' SURROUNDING HAITIAN MIGRANTS People watch as Springfield Police Department officers investigate the Springfield City Hall after bomb threats were made against buildings earlier in the day in Springfield, Ohio on September 12, 2024. A government building and school were evacuated after an alleged bomb threat Thursday in Springfield, Ohio, local media reported, rattling the small city at the heart of an anti-migrant conspiracy theory amplified by Donald Trump. Springfield has been thrust into the spotlight in recent days after an unfounded story of Haitian migrants eating pets went viral on social media, with the Republican ex-president and current White House candidate pushing the narrative despite it being debunked. "It's like living in a dystopian nightmare," Springfield resident Diana Daniels told "Fox & Friends " in a previous interview. "You hope you wake up and it's 2019 again, and then you realize it's 2024, and it's the same thing over and over again, day after day. It's hard sometimes to get up in the morning and hear residents that I've known for years struggle. This is a paycheck-to-paycheck kind of town working class. The citizens that depend on our social services like health care, the Rocking Horse [Community Health Center], going down to the Social Security office for benefits are waiting in line, and they're not getting the services they need." SPRINGFIELD PASTORS SPEAK OUT ON HAITIAN REFUGEE CHALLENGES: 'THE SUFFERING IS REAL' The attention on Springfield then became amplified again when Ohio Sen. JD Vance took to X to claim that people in the city have had their "pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldnt be in this country." A day later, during the second presidential debate, while giving an answer on immigration and border security, Trump similarly claimed that Haitian refugees in Springfield are "eating the dogs, the people that came in, they're eating the cats." "They're eating the pets of the people that live there, and this is what's happening in our country, and it's a shame," Trump said in the response. In response to a query from Fox News Digital, local officials pushed back against the claims surfacing online. "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 said. Fox News Digital's Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report. Original article source: Ohio sheriff asks for residents' addresses with Kamala Harris signs to send illegal immigrants to homes A sheriff in Ohio who made disparaging remarks about Vice President Kamala Harris and immigrants on social media suggested that residents compile a list of addresses where they see yard signs in support of the Democratic presidential nominee. In a public Facebook post Friday, Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski used anti-immigrant rhetoric and denounced both Harris and her supporters. Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski. "When people ask me...Whats gonna happen if the Flip Flopping, Laughing Hyena Wins?? I say...write down all the addresses of the people who had her signs in their yards! Sooo...when the Illegal human Locust (which she supports!) Need places to live...Well already have the addresses of the their New families...who supported their arrival!" the post said. Zuchowski, the sheriffs office and the Harris campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday afternoon. The post Zuchowski shared also included TV images mentioning Aurora, Colorado, and Springfield, Ohio towns that have become flashpoints in the immigration debate. Springfield in particular has been subject to security threats amid baseless claims about Haitian immigrants living there. former President Donald Trump amplified the claims at Tuesday's presidential debate, which drew more than 67 million viewers, when he said, Theyre eating the pets. Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, has made similar remarks on social media, and he doubled down on them in an interview Sunday on NBC News' "Meet the Press." Springfield Mayor Rob Rue has said "a lie" is tearing apart the city of nearly 59,000 residents. "We'd like that to stop," he said Saturday. Springfield is a little less than 200 miles southeast of Portage County. Zuchowski's Facebook page includes a photo of him with Vance and other pictures of him with Trump allies such as former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The photo with Vance is dated July 15. One of the photos with Flynn is dated June 13, and the other is dated March 30 and includes Ramaswamy. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Ohio sheriff wants to write down addresses of Harris supporters so they can take in human locusts Photo by WEWS. RAVENNA, Ohio Voters in Portage County, Ohio, are worried about putting up political signs in their yards thanks to the county sheriffs Facebook post that many are deeming intimidating and racist. The law enforcement official wrote that citizens should write down the addresses of Kamala Harris supporters so they can take in immigrants or as he said, human locusts. About 50 days ahead of the presidential election, many residents in the Northeast Ohio county, an area that went from supporting former President Barack Obama to former President Donald Trump, are concerned about a social media post from Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski. Late on Sept. 13, Zuchowski posted on both his personal and professional Facebook pages. When people ask meWhats gonna happen if the Flip Flopping, Laughing Hyena Wins?? I saywrite down all the addresses of the people who had her signs in their yards! he wrote. Now community members say theyre hesitant to show public support. Why would I want to put something in my yard to be targeted for, Ravenna resident David Lendvay said Monday. Lendvay said he wont be putting up his Kamala Harris for president sign anymore neither is Sheila Longmire. Hes on Facebook saying that he wants to know the address of everybody thats supporting her, Longmire said. Thats crazy. They both say that their county sheriff is trying to intimidate them. This is disturbing to Lendvay. I should be able to vote for who I want to vote for without my safety being violated, he said. Zuchowski, a Republican running for reelection, continued his viral post with Sooowhen the Illegal human Locust (which she supports!) Need places to liveWell already have the addresses of the their New familieswho supported their arrival! This language is terrifying for Longmire, a Black woman. Do I have to be in fear of my life because Im talking with you guys? she said. Its crazy because Im a different color. We reached out to Zuchowski and the sheriffs office but havent heard back. County GOP Chairperson Amanda Suffecool sat down with us to defend his perspective. If hed have been just boring, no one would be talking about this, so this puts it front and center, Suffecool said. Is illegal immigration, illegal? And do people within the county, within the state, care about it? And indeed they do. She brought up the situation in Springfield, Ohio, as an example of getting attention. The city has been facing chaos since right-wing activists and Trump and VP candidate J.D. Vance have falsely shared that Haitian immigrants in the town are eating cats and dogs. We are seeing the news say Its not an issue, its a nonissue,' she added. Theres a lot of people who are saying, How did they even know to fact-check it before it was brought up,' she said. Vance was asked by CNN if he knew the claims that Haitian immigrants were eating pets were false. If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then thats what Im going to do, Vance said, then adding that he was creating the American media focusing on it. She agreed with J.D. Vances rhetoric that bringing attention through an extreme post can help a larger cause. Anything that goes out into the light of day and gets talked about is good for us, the GOP chair said. Its good for our politics. It is good for our citizens to discuss things and understand where everybody stands. Gov. Mike DeWine and the mayor of Springfield have continued to explain that the individuals from Haiti are there legally. Despite this, the city has faced disorder at least 33 bomb threats, unwarranted national scrutiny, and false allegations. We asked Suffecool specifically about the remarks on the VP and immigrants, ones that dozens of viewers wrote to us to say are racist. He called her a laughing hyena, so theres no racist statement in that, she said. Weve always had caricatures in politics. That is racist in itself, Ravenna residents told us. Still, Suffecool said this wasnt voter intimidation just a way to start a conversation. Is this something that you should be fearful of? No, she added. He took artistic license, got some attention. Local officials on each side of the aisle are upset about this and Suffecools response. According to Tony Badalamenti, a Republican county commissioner, there is nothing they can do to hold Zuchowski accountable for spreading fear throughout the county. We have no authority, Badalamenti said. No commissioner has any authority over any other elected official. Attorney General Dave Yost is the only person able to make a change when a sheriff violates the law or needs to be held accountable, he said. We reached out to the AGs office but did not hear back. However, Badalamenti told us he was making a personal decision. He has resigned from his role on the GOP Central Committee a position he worked at with Zuchowski. When somebody said something that was just said on Facebook, for everybody to be proud to see, thats very disturbing, he said. This is the last straw that I just decided that I would walk away. Both Badalementi, Longmire and Lendvay are now going to vote for the Democrat running against Zuchowski former Stark County Sgt. Jon Barber. We met Barber outside his home in Kent, Ohio. Along with his own sign, he had up a Harris/Walz sign. His Back the Blue flag hung from his home. The temperature right now in politics, both on a national level and local level, is pretty hot and I just really think as an elected official, our job is to bring that temperature down, Barber said. Its really about telling people, Look, you have a right to have opinions, but they need to be done respectfully and not threateningly.' It should also be done in a way that doesnt violate their privacy, too, Lendvay said. The main concern should be the safety of the residents of this county, not publicly attacking them for who they vote for, the resident added. On Tuesday, Yosts office gave us a statement. The AGs office does not have the direct authority to make a change in an elected officer. If they are charged with a felony, then our office can seek suspension through the Ohio Supreme Court. Under Ohio law, only the electors or the Governor can seek removal of a sheriff or prosecutor and only for the reasons set out in state law, spokesperson Bethany McCorkle said. We had reached out to DeWines office on Monday, but his team said they would not have a statement, as they have been constantly dealing with Springfield. While Zuchowski didnt respond to us over the weekend or Monday, he did post on Facebook late afternoon Tuesday: As the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Portage County, I have sworn to protect ALL citizens of my County. Recently, I placed a post on my personal facebook page that may have been a little misinterpreted?? Ias the elected sheriff, do have a first amendment right as do all citizens. If the citizens of Portage County want to elect an individual who has supported open borders (which Ive personally visited Twice!) and neglected to enforce the laws of our Countrythen that is their prerogative. With elections, there are consequences. That being saidI believe that those who vote for individuals with liberal policies have to accept responsibility for their actions! I am a Law ManNot a Politician! I would also like to ThankThe Overwhelming Support I am receiving from many people in Portage County who are afraid or are Not allowed to agree with me publicly! Stay Strong and God Bless!! Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on X and Facebook. This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE LONDON, Ohio (WCMH) Seven months after it was hit by a tornado, Ohio State Universitys Molly Caren Agricultural Center is about to host the 62nd Farm Science Review. Just to see everything moving, this is the best time of year for us because theres just so much and you work all year for this, said Nick Zachrich, manager of the Farm Science Review. Exhibitors and other crews spent Monday putting the final touches on their areas. The grounds looked much different than they did in late February after the tornado hit. Watch: Farm science show returning to Madison County after tornado I was confident we were going to have a show, but it was just wow thats a lot of damage and a lot of things you just care about here, Zachrich said. Thirty-six buildings on the grounds were damaged, some worse than others, according to Zachrich. He said six ended up needing to be torn down. He also said cellular infrastructure and dozens of water and electric hook ups needed to be fixed. Theres never a normal season, Zachrich said. Its kind of like farming; when you talk to farmers, theres never a normal weather season, so its always different, theres always something new, but this one just had a little bit different challenges for us this year than what we normally are used to at Farm Science Review. The day after the tornado hit, the superintendent of the property said the review would go on as scheduled. Thats exactly whats happened. Resilience seems to be the word of the year for a lot of people in agriculture community because, you know, were dealing with the drought now and we had the tornado challenges all across the state this year, Zachrich said. He said a few more tents than usual are being used this year due to the buildings lost. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Columbus police and OSU police are searching for Richard Patridge, 31, in connection with a shooting Monday night near OSU. (This story was updated to add new information.) A suspect wanted for shooting a homeless man in the leg Monday night on or near the Ohio State University campus has been apprehended after an extensive manhunt, OSU police confirmed Tuesday evening. Richard Patridge, 31, has been charged with felonious assault for the shooting, Franklin County Municipal Court records show. Columbus police apprehended him behind a Target in the 1700 block of Olentangy River Road in the Lennox Town Center. Police also recovered a handgun believed to belong to Patridge near the Olentangy River. Patridge is accused of shooting an unhoused man in the leg near a homeless encampment Monday night at John Herrick Drive and Olentangy Road. The man who Patridge is accused of shooting told OSU police that Patridge shot him during an altercation. The victim, who was naked and bleeding, fled the scene and stopped a bus to get help. The victim was transported to OSU's Wexner Medical Center in stable condition. In addition to the shooting Monday night, Patridge was already being sought by Columbus police, accused of kidnapping his former girlfriend at gunpoint on a motorcycle earlier this month. The ex-girlfriend later escaped. Patridge was also wanted for pistol whipping his ex-girlfriend's reported boyfriend on Aug. 21 the same man who he is accused of shooting Monday night. Patridge is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday at 9 a.m., Franklin County Municipal Court records show. smeighan@dispatch.com @ShahidMeighan This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Person of interest in Ohio State shooting has been arrested The Gavel outside the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio, September 20, 2023, at 65 S. Front Street, Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original article.) The Ohio Supreme Court largely approved ballot summary language for Novembers Issue 1 anti-gerrymandering amendment on Monday, sending the language back to the Ohio Ballot Board for two revisions. A 4-3 Republican majority rejected 6 of 8 revisions requested by anti-gerrymandering advocates, while Democratic justices on the court said that was inadequate and that the summary needed a nearly complete redrafting. The summary was written by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who opposes the amendment, and approved 3-2 by the Ohio Ballot Board, which is chaired by LaRose. LaRose is also a member of the current Ohio Redistricting Commission that the amendment proposes to replace with citizen commissioners. While the court allowed most of the summary language in a decision released Monday night, it ordered the board to include in the summary language that accurately conveys that the public would have the right to express itself to the new redistricting commission under the terms of the amendment, written by anti-gerrymandering coalition Citizens Not Politicians. Distilled, the proposed amendment would provide the rights of public participation in the redistricting process through meetings, hearings and an online public portal, and would forbid communication with the commission members and staff outside the public-meeting and portal context, the court wrote. The other change ordered by the court compels the ballot board to make it clear that judicial review of the amendment is not limited to a proportionality standard. The current seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission includes the Ohio House Speaker and Ohio Senate President, along with the governor, secretary of state, auditor of state, and two minority party legislative leaders. If approved by the voters, the amendment would replace the politician commission with the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission, which would have 15 members made up of five Republican citizens, five Democratic citizens, and five independents. The summary language does not change the text of the proposed redistricting reform or what the amendment would actually do; its just the summary language used to describe the amendment on voter ballots. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX An average of Ohio voter preferences over the last 10 years including 2022 show a 56-43 Republican-to-Democratic preference of Ohio voters, but Republicans control supermajorities of 67 out of 99 Ohio House seats and 26 out of 33 Ohio Senate seats. Ohio voters were forced to vote under unconstitutionally gerrymandered districts in 2022 after Republicans on the Ohio Redistricting Commission ran out of time to produce constitutional maps and a split federal court ruled the maps that were declared gerrymandered by a bipartisan majority on the then-Ohio Supreme Court had to be used. Republican politicians on the Ohio Redistricting Commission battled with the bipartisan court majority for nearly two years over the maps in 2021 and 2022, with five Statehouse maps and two U.S. Congressional district maps being rejected as unconstitutionally gerrymandered. The swing vote in those cases, Republican Supreme Court Justice Maureen OConnor, was forced to retire due to age. She is now leading the Citizens Not Politicians amendment effort. One provision challenged by Citizens Not Politicians but allowed by the court states the amendment would repeal constitutional protections against gerrymandering approved by nearly three-quarters of Ohio electors participating in the statewide elections of 2015 and 2018, and eliminate the longstanding ability of Ohio citizens to hold their representatives accountable for establishing fair state and legislative and congressional districts. Citizens Not Politicians attorneys argued mention of the vote margin and method were not necessary, and the court said challengers laid out arguments that the language was tantamount to an argument against adopting the proposed amendment. But the court majority found that at worst including the vote margin and method could be questioned on relevance grounds not on accuracy grounds. This information is factually accurate, and relators have not shown that the information would mislead, deceive or defraud the voters,' the court majority stated in their decision. The court also allowed language added by state Sen. Theresa Gavarone during the Aug. 16 board meeting, which states the amendment would establish a new taxpayer-funded commission of appointees required to gerrymander the boundaries of state legislative and congressional districts to favor the two largest political parties in the state of Ohio. Justices dismissed Citizens Not Politicians arguments that the language leads voters to believe the amendment would require gerrymandering, despite the fact that the amendment states it would ban partisan gerrymandering. The court said the fact that the proposed amendment announces that it would ban partisan gerrymandering, is of little assistance in ascertaining whether the ballot languages use of the word gerrymander is improper. The court explored various definitions of gerrymandering in coming to its decision, finding that the requirement the amendment uses to dictate the drawing of Statehouse and congressional maps falls within the meaning of gerrymander.' Because the boards use of the term gerrymander is consistent with dictionary definitions and how the United States Supreme Court has used the term, it does not mislead, deceive or defraud voters, the decision stated. The court did not order any changes to the ballot title, though that was included in the changes requested by Citizens Not Politicians. We conclude that the secretary did not err in crafting the ballot title, the court wrote. While all the justices agreed to the changes, they were split on how many changes needed to be made. In his concurrence, Justice Patrick Fischer claimed gerrymandering, though in a bipartisan manner, is absolutely required under the proposed amendment, and that the state constitution would dictate that independent and third-party voters would have their voice removed from Ohios political world. Justice Michael Donnelly agreed to the decision that ordered changes to the ballot language, but vehemently disagreed that those corrections are even remotely adequate to prevent the ballot language as a whole from being misleading. He and Justice Melody Stewart joined Justice Jennifer Brunner in an opinion that agreed to the changes, but said the majority opinion reflects an abject failure of this court to perform an honest constitutional check on the ballot boards work. We should be requiring a nearly complete redrafting of what is perhaps the most stunningly stilted ballot language that Ohio voters have ever seen, Brunner wrote. She went on to say the ballot board language is tantamount to performing a virtual chewing of food before the voters can taste it for themselves to decide whether they like it or not. While the summary language will appear on ballots in the November general election, the actual language of the proposed amendment will be posted in polling places. The Ohio Secretary of States office said the ballot board will meet to make the revisions on Wednesday morning. Reactions Citizens Not Politicians released a statement saying they disagreed with much of the decision but agreed with the courts repudiation of the politicians on the ballot board for violating the Ohio Constitution. Ballot Board chair Frank LaRose released his own statement, calling the courts decision a huge win for Ohio voters, who deserve an honest explanation of what theyre being asked to decide. Former Ohio Redistricting Commission co-chair and Auditor of State Keith Faber said the court was thoughtful in its approach and they got it right. Senate President Matt Huffman and Gov. Mike DeWine have both spoken against the measure publicly. Fabers fellow co-chair Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio said while the decision enables Ohioans to make a more informed choice by addressing some of the most deceptive language, other misleading and argumentative language still remains. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Ohio Woman Has 2 Liters of Black and Bloody Vape Juice Removed from Lungs After Partner Finds Her Unconscious Jordan Brielle says she was fully addicted to vaping, even showering with her device until a medical emergency forced her to quit Kennedy News and Media Jordan Brielle in the hospital An Ohio woman says her vape habit landed her in a medically induced coma after doctors had to suction two liters of black and bloody fluid from her damaged lungs. Jordan Brielle, 32, had started smoking in her teens, but in 2021 switched to vaping and was soon spending up to $500 a week to maintain the habit. I was fully addicted, the Cincinnati woman told Kennedy News and Media, via The Daily Mail. I was vaping so much that I slept with it, it went to the shower with me. I was vaping an excessive amount. She continued this level of vaping for two years until last November, when she said she felt a heaviness in her lungs that was first diagnosed as a respiratory infection. Kennedy News and Media Jordan Brielle I kept going to the hospital with breathing problems, the residential care assistant said. I had a horrible cough and was going to the hospital two or three times a week for help. She told the outlet that it felt like there were 80 lbs. of pressure just laying on my chest, saying her body was swelling and her skin was turning gray. Related: More Middle School Students Are Vaping, Even as It's Becoming Less Popular Among High School Students However, she says, she still continued to use her vape until a medical emergency changed her life. Her partner found her unconscious, she says, with black mucus coming out of my mouth and my nose. He said I was gasping but couldn't catch my breath. I was unresponsive and had a faint pulse. Brielle shared that her partner called 911 and tried to suction the mucus out of her nose and give her CPR while he waited for paramedics to arrive. Getty Stock image of vape juice in a store 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 don't remember anything, she says. I was intubated immediately and taken to hospital.' Brielle said her lungs were full of two liters of fluid, which doctors said was vape juice the liquid the vaporizer converts to aerosol, which is then inhaled. My body was trying to force out the vape juice inside my lungs which was like concrete. It was pure black and bloody. At the hospital, they were sucking it out of me. Brielle was placed in a medically induced coma for 11 days, she says, sharing that she was told her lungs were damaged. She still lives with the possibility that they could collapse. Related: Blackpink's Jennie Issues Apology for 'Vaping Indoors' as Reps Say She 'Deeply Regrets Her Mistake' And, she adds, I've been left with a minor brain injury due to lack of oxygen to my brain. Now, Brielle says, I haven't touched a vape since the incident. She is sharing her story to warn others to avoid picking up the habit. I would say to anyone else quit any way you can. Do it for your health, your family, your life, your lungs whatever motivates you, use that reason and stop. I wouldn't wish what I'd been through on anyone else. I feel grateful to be alive. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education passed a resolution Monday in honor of the late John A. Reed Jr., a longtime minister and civil rights leader hailed by Mayor David Holt as one of the most impactful residents in the citys history. Reed, who died on Aug. 26, served Fairview Baptist Church in northeast Oklahoma City for over 61 years. Board Chair Paula Lewis said she and district Superintendent Jamie Polk shared a meal with Reed just a few days before he died. Lewis said Reed used his well-known catchphrase, Lets go to work, when their time together ended that day. To see him was to see greatness and to know his passion for this city and his passion for this district, Lewis said. More: Community says farewell to longtime preacher and civil rights activist at memorial service Board member Mike Shelton, who once served as a state representative, noted that few people seeking elected office in Oklahoma City succeeded without the support of Reed. He was very inspirational to me, Shelton said, noting Reeds influence in his election. The Rev. John A. Reed, Jr., poses for a photograph at the Fairview Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Feb.28, 2023. Here is the text of the resolution, read by Lewis during the meeting: Whereas, Reverend Doctor J. A. Reed, Jr., a true servant was born in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, and raised by devout parents who instilled in him a foundation of faith, preparing him for a lifetime of spiritual leadership and service; and, Whereas, Reverend Reed answered the call to ministry in August 1957, dedicating his life to teaching with conviction, compassion, and unwavering commitment, and nurturing countless souls in their spiritual growth; and, Whereas, Reverend Reed's journey of over 60 years in ministry, including 50 years as the pastor of Fairview Baptist Church, has been marked by his dedication to uplifting and empowering his congregation and community, in alignment with the vision of Oklahoma City Public Schools to provide equitable access to a world-class education for every student, every day, without exception; and, Whereas, Reverend Reed has embodied the spirit of servant leadership, advocating for justice, equality, and unity, and has been a guiding light, not only for his church family but for the entire Oklahoma City community, demonstrating the values of compassion, faith, and perseverance; and, Whereas, through his service in local, state, and national ministries, Reverend Reed made a monumental contribution to the faith community, fostering understanding, promoting peace, and building bridges of hope in a manner that echoes the commitment of Oklahoma City Public Schools to cultivate greatness in every student, equipping them with the tools and opportunities needed to reach their full potential. Therefore, be it resolved, that we, the members of the Board of Education of Oklahoma City Public Schools, honor Reverend Doctor J. A. Reed, Jr., A Man Sent From Above, for his extraordinary faith, leadership, and commitment to serving the people, and for his enduring impact on the spiritual and civic life of Oklahoma City. His legacy aligns with the vision of Oklahoma City Public Schools, inspiring us to work towards a brighter, more just, and equitable future for all. In his words, Lets go to work! This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC school board honors late minister, civil rights leader Oklahoma is one of the least vaccinated states in the US, especially among children: Study Oklahoma is ranked 48th in the nation for all-around vaccination records and second to last in vaccinations of children, according to a recent study. The personal finance company WalletHub examined 50 states and the District of Columbia across 16 key metrics with data including rates of children, teens and adults vaccinated against various diseases and share of people without health insurance. According to WalletHub, the data used to create this ranking were collected Aug. 12 from government agencies like the U.S. Census Bureau, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Resources and Services Administration, and nonprofits like Kaiser Family Foundation. The five states with the poorest all-around vaccination rates are Mississippi, Alaska, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Texas. The study also found that Texas, Oklahoma and Mississippi are among the states with the highest share of people without health insurance coverage. The study comes as millions without health insurance could pay over $200 for COVID-19 vaccines after the recent elimination of the federal Bridge Access program. The program, which provided free COVID-19 vaccines to adults without health insurance, ended last month due to a lack of federal funding. The states that vaccinate the most provide the safest environments when it comes to public health, as the likelihood that the next outbreak will begin or spread there is minimized, WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in a news release. According to the World Health Organization, vaccines save millions of lives each year and are most effective when a large portion of the population gets them. The organization also reports vaccines are also very safe in that "so few deaths can plausibly be attributed to vaccines that it is hard to assess the risk statistically. How did Oklahoma rank? Oklahoma received a cumulative score of 34.30 from WalletHub across the 16 key areas they studied. The state only ranked higher than Kentucky (32.59), Alaska (31.92) and Mississippi (24.51). Heres how some of the indicators ranked Oklahoma: 50 th for children and teenagers' immunization rates. 31 st for adult and elderly vaccination rates. 49 th for immunization uptake disparities and influencing factors. 48 th for influenza vaccination rate in children age 6 months to 17 years. 50th for share of teenagers age 13-17 with up-to-date HPV vaccination. Source: WalletHub 10 best states for vaccination record Rhode Island Massachusetts Maine Washington Maryland Vermont Minnesota New Hampshire District of Columbia, Washington D.C. Connecticut 10 worst states for vaccination record Mississippi Alaska Kentucky Oklahoma Texas Florida Wyoming Nevada New Jersey Arizona This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma one of least vaccinated states, especially among children: Study Oklahoma's young voters are enthusiastic about voting in the election, teacher says On Tuesday, National Voter Registration Day, school librarian Molly Dettman will be holding another registration drive at Norman North High School. Except for an interruption during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dettman has been holding the drive for the past seven years and finds young people just as enthusiastic as ever about their opportunity to participate in the political process. "Our young people are really interested in registering to vote and having their voices heard," Dettman told The Oklahoman on Monday. "One student came by to register and said, 'I can't complain if I don't at least vote and try,'" she said. Political scientists have noted that in Oklahoma and other states where a single party either Republican or Democrat dominates the political landscape, voter turnout is low. In 2020, voter turnout in Oklahoma was "depressingly low the lowest in the nation, in fact," said Tyler Johnson, a political science professor at the University of Oklahoma. Oklahoma and other states near the bottom of the list in turnout "share the non-swing, one-party majority trait," he said. If so, the alienation isn't apparent at the entry level to the process, Dettman said. How to register to vote in Oklahoma Sponsored since 2012 by a group of government agencies, including the National Association of Secretaries of State, and non-profit organizations like the League of Women Voters, Tuesday's voter registration drives are intended to emphasize the importance of voting and encourage those who have not done so to register to vote. Information on how to register to vote in Oklahoma can be found on the website of the Oklahoma State Election Board (OEB). In general, you can register to vote if you are a citizen of the United States, a resident of the state and are at least 18 years old. Unlike some other states, Oklahoma allows people convicted of a felony to register to vote when he or she has fully served his or her sentence of court-mandated calendar days, including any term of incarceration, parole or supervision, or completed a period of probation ordered by any court. A convicted felon who has been pardoned may register. According to the OEB, as of the end of August, 2.38 million people were registered to vote in the state. Of that number 1.24 million were registered as Republican, 656,000 as Democrats and 466,000 as independents. The overall number was a slight increase from the number registered in 2022, which was 2.30 million. Republican registrations increased by about 61,000, independents added about 53,000 registrations, but Democratic registration dropped by about 32,000. Democratic registrations surged in Pennsylvania and North Carolina after President Joe Biden dropped his re-election campaign and threw his support to Vice President Kamala Harris, according to news reports. In Oklahoma, however, Democratic registrations increased by only 2,100 from July to August. Oklahoma is not one of the "swing" states where the outcome of the presidential election is uncertain. Donald Trump carried every Oklahoma county in his 2016 and 2020 campaigns, although Biden won both the popular vote and the electoral vote count nationwide in 2020. Only half of Oklahomans eligible to vote participated in the 2020 election The OEB doesn't track the number of people in the state who meet the criteria to be registered voters but have not chosen to do so. However, "The Election Lab," a program at the University of Florida, has studied voter turnout as a percentage of the number who could have voted if they had made the effort to register and go to the polls. In the 2020 election, this study estimated that 2.88 million people met the criteria for registration and could have been eligible to vote in Oklahoma, but the total number of ballots actually counted was 1.57 million. This 54.4% turnout made Oklahoma last among all the states and the District of Columbia. When you compare the 2.88 million eligible to vote with the 2.6 million actually registered in 2020, it comes out to more than a quarter of a million people opting out of the political process a clear voter registration challenge. Republicans have not always enjoyed the 2-1 margin in voter registration they have in 2024. Just 10 years ago, in 2014, Democrats held a slim 3,000 registration edge 884,150 to 881,253, according to OEB records. And a registration advantage is not always a guarantee of victory. In 2018, Republican held a 31,000 registration edge over Democrats in the state's 5th Congressional District (Oklahoma, Pottawatomie and Seminole counties). Nevertheless, Democrat Kendra Horn managed to pull off a major upset, defeating incumbent GOP Rep. Steve Russell by a scant 3,338 votes. She became the first Democratic woman elected to the House from Oklahoma, and the first Democrat to represent the district in 44 years. This year Democrat Madison Horn (no relation to Kendra Horn) has a similar challenge in her effort to unseat incumbent Republican Rep. Stephanie Bice. But the Republican registration edge over Democrats in the 5th District as of August this year has grown to 48,000 votes. Bill Wertz is deputy editor of Viewpoints. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Young Oklahoma voters are ready to participate on Election Day For years a Fife apartment complex descended into chaos and crime when on-site management left tenants without support. Now, city officials say its new owner has seen great progress turning the complex around. In June The News Tribune dug into Sherwood Parks rap sheet and the lengthy steps the city and owners took to clean up the property at 2360 62nd Ave. E. On Monday The News Tribune took a tour of the newly renamed Ramallah Apartments to see what progress had been made since then. The roar of pressure washers and leaf blowers permeated the complex Monday as new owner Ahmad Rabi and project manager Issam Musafer gave a tour of several renovated units. Although some of the 18 two-story apartment buildings still have visible fire damage and boarded up windows, Rabi and Musafer said they are proud of the work thats been done to fix up the complex since Rabi bought 13 buildings in March. Thus far, Rabi said, hes spent $1.5 million renovating the units, and crews have cleared more than 30 tons of garbage and debris. Finished units shown to The News Tribune were clean with brand-new appliances and a working fireplace. Musafer listed renovations underway or completed: landscaping, pressure washing, interior and exterior remodeling, repainting the buildings, replacing siding, plumbing and electrical work, new flooring and new car ports. Im one of the tenants right now. If its not safe, I wouldnt be risking my life, Musafer said. Were adding value to the place, were adding value to the whole city. This is the work we want to be credited for. The site isnt generating calls for police service like it once did, Fife city manager Derek Matheson told The News Tribune on Thursday via email. The new owner is making good progress toward renovating the complex. Specifically, the city has issued remodel permits for 12 of the buildings (48 units), though none of those permits has concluded with a new certificate of occupancy just yet, Matheson said. The new owner may still be working though some landlord-tenant issues, as well. In the last three months there were 54 calls made to police from 2360 62nd Ave. E, according to Fife Police Department records. That included three calls for shots fired, 11 calls for suspicious or unwanted people and eight calls for domestic violence. After inheriting tenants who owed thousands, or tens of thousands, in back rent, Rabi said all the former tenants have since left or were served eviction notices largely without incident. As of Friday there were 31 units available to rent with 20 more units expected to come online by the end of the year, Rabi said. Monthly rent for one-bedroom units start at $1,400 and rent for two-bedroom apartments start at $1,789, he said. There is a deal going where tenants who sign a lease by the end of September get one month free, Rabi said. He welcomes prospective tenants to take a tour and see the complex for themselves. Once a star of the Kansas City skyline, this 90-foot cow statue now sits alone in park Editors note: This story is part of Whats Your KCQ?, a collaboration between The Star and Kansas City Public Library focused on answering readers questions and sharing stories from local history. Readers who have walked the Riverfront Heritage Trail sometimes write in to ask about some of Kansas Citys more obscure public art pieces, such as West Pennways miniature Mayan pyramid or the I-670 pedestrian bridges iron birds. One piece, however, stands above the rest as an object of reader intrigue: the Hereford Bull atop a 90-foot pillar in Mulkey Square Park. The Hereford Bull in Mulkey Square Park For more than 20 years this massive bull has stood guard by the old FBI Kansas City Field Office at 14th and Summit. But the statue has a longer history. It was an iconic feature of Kansas Citys skyline long before ground was broken on the FBI building and, indeed, even before I-670 and I-35 carved Mulkey Square into the island it is today, in the southwest corner of the downtown loop. The mighty Hereford first adorned the horizon in 1954, fewer than 800 feet to the northeast of his present position. He was conceived as the capstone to the new headquarters of the American Hereford Association, a million-dollar project announced in early 1951, four blocks west and three times larger than its previous headquarters at 300 W. 11th St. The American Hereford Association had its headquarters on 11th Street. The rise of the Hereford The expansion was long overdue. Between 1920 and 1950, annual registrations of Herefords had more than quadrupled, totaling 5.5 million new cattle over 30 years. Tasked with maintaining these pedigrees, the AHA had likewise exploded from 15 to 135 employees. A site for the new headquarters was selected atop a high bluff at 11th and Jefferson streets with a commanding view of the West Bottoms. The buildings design was taken on by renowned Kansas architect Joseph Radotinsky, himself a Hereford farmer, who envisioned the statue as integral to the building. Radotinskys drawing of the new AHA headquarters shows the bull facing west in 1951 Early renderings accentuate the statue but also contain a slight discrepancy the bulls direction. In some renderings he faces west, overlooking the railyards, while others have him facing south, maximizing his visibility from the Stockyards. This discrepancy would not be resolved for several years, but in the moment, crafting the statue itself posed significant challenges. A model of Radotinskys design shows the bull facing south. Around the time the new headquarters plan was announced, AHA field man Bud Snidow accompanied a team of sculptors from the firm of Rochette and Parzini to a farm in Queen Annes County, Maryland, to visit a very special Hereford. Hillcrest Larry IV, a 3-year-old, 1,900-pound bull who had just sold at auction for a record-breaking $70,500, stood as a testament to the profitability of the Hereford breed and made an auspicious model for the AHAs totem. The Hereford Bull statue in Kansas City was modeled after a 1,900-pound bull named Hillcrest Larry IV, who had just sold for more than $70,000. The creation of the bull statue Radotinsky passed the photographs, measurements, and miniature model of Larry to the Colonial Neon Company, a New Jersey manufacturer of advertising signs that agreed to build the bull after two competitors deemed the project impossible. Those doubts were not unwarranted. The statue was planned to be made of 39 sections of molded fiberglass-reinforced polyester plastic surrounding a steel frame. Not only did the statue need to resemble a real-life Hereford, but it also needed to withstand rain, hail, 110 miles-per-hour winds, and temperatures from -40 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, like all good advertising signs, it needed to glow. This last feat was accomplished with over 700 linear feet of high-intensity cold cathode tubing. Inside the Hereford Bull statue Unsurprisingly, the fabrication of a 5,500-pound three-times-lifesize bull using relatively new materials took longer than expected, and by summer 1953, the bull was only half-finished. The timing was unfortunate. President Dwight D. Eisenhower had already accepted an invitation to Kansas City that October to participate in the American Royal and dedicate the also incomplete AHA headquarters. Ike likes Herefords. In 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower dedicated Kansas Citys bull statue before it was completed and installed. It was not until October 1954 that the completed statue made the 5 1/2 day trip from North Bergen, New Jersey, to Kansas City atop a lowboy trailer. On Oct. 12 the bull was towed out of storage to AHA headquarters and hooked up to a crane, ready to be hoisted. The only thing left to do was decide which direction he would face, a question which, up to that moment, the group was still debating. The 90-foot rectangular pylon had been built with a north-south orientation, making a westward view impossible. And so, like many difficult decisions, it was put to a cointoss. The completed AHA headquarters in 1954 AHA Secretary Jack Turner flipped a nickel, which came up heads. Two men each bearing a 10-gallon hat approached. The hats read head and tail, and from the former Turner drew a slip of paper reading north. The bull was thus given a commanding view of the Missouri River and the Municipal Airport. The AHA building was officially opened later that week with a ceremony featuring a video message from Eisenhower followed by the first public lighting of the bull. Sunsetting the Hereford Bull Over the following decades the statue came to embody Kansas Citys Cowtown image, making him a point of pride for some and embarrassment for others. For the latter group, the statue was little more than a kitschy blemish on the skyline. Calvin Trillin, the Kansas City-born journalist, took it upon himself to defend the bull against such attacks in the pages of The New Yorker. Trillins impassioned defenses, though, could not stem the AHAs slow decline. Maintenance work is performed on the bull in 1986. By 1984, the organization no longer required such a large space, and soon left the building and bull behind. DST Systems, the new tenants of 715 Hereford Drive, vowed that they saw no reason to move the bull. The truth, though, was that he had already largely slipped from public consciousness. After Mid-Continent International later Kansas City International replaced the Municipal Airport as the regions primary air hub in 1972, the bull fell from the view of the passengers and pilots who had nicknamed him El Toro. In 1994, Bartle Halls Sky Stations, the citys most imposing pylon-based art piece, further eclipsed him. The bull was replaced atop its perch after its 1986 makeover. The final blow came in 1999 when HNTB Corporation, the old headquarters new tenant, announced plans for a vast remodel of the structure. The national design firms vision for their new headquarters did not include a 5,500-pound plastic Hereford. The AHA headquarters sat near Mulkey Square Park, seen to the south. For all the fanfare that attended his arrival, news of the statues looming descension made few waves excepting, of course, The indefatigable Trillin in the pages of The New Yorker. When the bull was finally dethroned and placed in cave storage in late 2000, The Star made no mention. A new era for the bull The statues hibernation was brief. In late 2002, he was placed upon a newly built pylon in Mulkey Square Park, the result of a collaboration between the AHA, KC Parks and Recreation, and MC Real Estate Services. His new post is undoubtedly of less prominence and visibility than his last, but his view still includes the Downtown Airport and the Missouri River, as well as the pylon that supported him for over 45 years. The Hereford Bull presides over I-35 This month marks the bulls 70th year in Kansas City. The FBI offices to his south have been vacated, so he stands alone on his forested summit. He no longer glows at night, and the surrounding trees now shield him from southbound I-35 traffic. But visitors to Mulkey Square Park might consider taking a moment to stop and marvel at Kansas Citys storied bull and wishing him well on his platinum jubilee. TOPEKA (KSNT) One person is suffering from serious injuries after a motorcycle crash in Topeka. According to the Topeka Police Department, officers responded to a car and motorcycle crash at 22nd Park and SW Wanamaker Road just before 9 p.m. Monday night. Upon arrival, TPD located the motorcycle on the scene and the rider was suffering from serious injuries. The car was located in a parking lot nearby. The motorcycle rider was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. NASA issues alert for stadium sized asteroid passing earth Tuesday The intersection was closed while officers investigated the crash but it has since reopened. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to email telltpd@topeka.org or contact the Topeka Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. 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. The last 2 messages the Titan submersible's passengers sent before the vessel imploded The last 2 messages the Titan submersible's passengers sent before the vessel imploded One of the last messages from the Titan submersible was, "All good here." The vessel lost contact with its support ship about 30 minutes after the message was sent. The new detail was revealed at a hearing by the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation. Some of the last words from the people in the ill-fated Titan submersible have been revealed at a hearing by the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation. According to an animated recreation of the Titan's journey presented by the Coast Guard in the Monday hearing, the crew sent the message "All good here" to its support ship, Polar Prince, shortly before it lost contact. The message was sent at about 10:15 a.m. in Newfoundland on June 18, 2023, per the animation. Shortly before the message, the Polar Prince sent the submersible several messages over the course of 12 minutes, asking if it could see the support vessel on its display, but the Titan did not respond. When it finally responded about four minutes later, the Polar Prince sent the message, "I need better comms from you," to which Titan responded, "Yes." The last message that the Titan sent to the Polar Prince was "dropped 2 wts," per the animation. This referred to the weights that the Titan could shed in order to return to the surface, according to CNN. The animation showed that the Titan lost contact with the Polar Prince at 10:47 a.m. The hearing in North Charleston, South Carolina, is scheduled to last two weeks. "It aims to uncover the facts surrounding the incident and develop recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future," the Coast Guard's press release on September 6 said of the hearing. The witness list includes ex-OceanGate staff members like Tony Nissen, its engineering director, Bonnie Carl, its human resources and finance director, and David Lochridge, its operations director. The hearing takes place more than a year after the Titan submersible set off to explore the wreckage of the RMS Titanic, nearly 13,000 feet underwater. After the support vessel lost contact with the submersible, a frantic search and rescue operation ensued. The US Coast Guard and OceanGate announced on June 22, 2023, that debris found on the sea bed confirmed that the submersible had imploded and that the five men on board were dead. The victims were OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, British-Pakistani multimillionaire Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman, and the former French navy diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet. Read the original article on Business Insider One Tri-Cities school district is far outpacing the others in COVID enrollment recovery Tri-City schools counted more than 51,300 students enrolled in K-12 programs this month, a sign that local school districts are slowly recovering after the drop during the COVID pandemic. The tally includes all students enrolled, either part-time or full-time, in Kennewick, Richland and Pasco public schools. Richland School Districts figures stood out. Staff reported at last weeks school board meeting an increase of 110 students, for a total of 14,100 this fall. Those numbers will likely change some as schools finalize their enrollment counts. The district saw growth in all grade levels except for kindergarten, which declined by 10 students. School board President Rick Jansons said on Monday that they were cautiously optimistic with their early numbers. I think were working hard to reach out to parents in our community and let them know theyre part of the solution, and were working hard to meet their needs, he told the Tri-City Herald. Richland still remains the only district in the Tri-Cities that has seen its enrollment fully rebound to pre-pandemic levels. In September 2019, six months before COVID interrupted in-person learning for all students, the three Tri-City districts counted nearly 51,500 students, according to OSPI apportionment data. That means, overall, Tri-City districts are still down over 140 kids. Kennewick reported a slight year-over-year increase in its September headcount to more than 19,000 students. Pasco saw a slight drop to about 18,200. School administrators are required by Washington law to record enrollment numbers on the fourth school day of September and report that data to OSPI. That count was taken Friday, Sept. 6. Subsequent counts take place on the first school day of each month during the school year, from October through June. Enrollment is important because its tied directly to public education funding. For each full-time pupil sitting at a desk, also known as a full-time equivalent, or FTE, schools receive thousands of dollars in general education apportionment from the state. Districts also receive money from other sources, such as the federal government, local taxpayers and from fees and other programs. But that enrollment apportionment makes up a large chunk of the total revenue that local school districts receive to operate. School districts also report FTE. This metric is separate from headcount in that it calculates student attendance based on their equivalence to a full-time student. Enrollment gains in Tri-Cities Comparing September 2023 headcounts to September 2024, here is the change for each school district in the Tri-Cities: Richland: +110, or +0.8%. Pasco: -61 students, or -0.3%. Kennewick: +19 students, or +0.1%. Mira Gobel, Pasco School Districts assistant superintendent of schools and emotional learning, said at last weeks board meeting that theyve seen progressive drops in their K-8 classrooms and a crazy increase in high school enrollment over the past five years. Like other districts, Pasco says theyre working hard to contact students who are still enrolled but have not showed up to school yet. That may include home visits. Headcounts at Pasco High School, Chiawana High School and other programs totaled nearly 5,960 this year, which is a slight decrease from the nearly 6,000 heads they counted a year earlier. Nearly 8,000 elementary students and 4,300 middle school students were also counted in Pasco. Kennewick reported 8,200 elementary students, 4,300 middle school students and 5,800 high school students this month. Nearly 690 students between grades 9th and 12th grades attend programs at Tri-Tech Skills Center, the districts optional technical and professional training school. Statewide, national trends About 1.1 million students attend class in schools operated by 295 public school districts across the state. Washington still has not recovered to enrollment levels seen before the COVID pandemic. Its still down nearly 47,000 students. In 2019, Washington OSPI reported an enrollment high of more than 1.14 million students, according to Seattle Times. Enrollment declines coupled with rising costs for operations and supplies, as well as a spending cliff of COVID stimulus, left several Washington school districts in dire financial straits last spring. Most grappled with multi-million-dollar spending gaps, while a few including Seattle Public Schools, the states largest public district were faced with school closures. School districts here in the Tri-Cities dodged last years blood letting thanks to a number of smart financial strategies including eliminating some vacant positions but are still struggling with tighter spending that has impacted some programs. The national perspective is a bit more complex and fuzzy. While public school attendance dropped from 49.8 million in 2012 to 49.6 million in 2022, according to Education Week, individual school districts are experiencing a wide gamut of enrollment changes from massive drop offs to record gains. A rise in private school attendance since the pandemic complicates this. Demographics also will certainly play a leading role in enrollment over the next decade, experts argue. A rising number of adults are childless and do not expect to have children, the Times reports. Every time I hear voting is your civic duty, I cringe. As a climate activist and Get-Out-The-Vote organizer, I cant help but feel our election system is disconnected from the reality of actual Americans. The platitudes traditional politics offer feel so oblivious to the constant political buffoonery people are expected to endure. Just look at the experience of being a young person in this country right now. Across the United States, we see books being banned, as if this fascist-hallmark was a hobby. Children are told to hide in corners during shooting drills as they prepare for yet another massacre. Our youth are being mined for data that is owned by corporations who are interested in exploiting privacy for financial gain. New college grads are saddled with debt as they head straight into a housing crisis, and women who are able to vote for the first time have fewer rights over their body than when they were born. Meanwhile, it doesnt take a climate expert like myself to tell you that the climate crisis is only getting worse. Wildfires in Hawaii, floods across the Midwest, and intensifying storms across the East coast are becoming so common-place that we are no longer surprised by their devastation. Despite numerous international agreements, we still see the United States emissions rising, and according to our own government, it is doubling down as the worlds largest fossil gas producer. The response to this reality has, more often than not, been a series of thoughts-and-prayers style platitudes that ignore the core problems themselves. Attacks on our democracy have been consistent. Dozens of states have passed restrictive voting laws since 2020. Our current system is set up to abandon the young voters we need to get to the polls. And yet, every time someone tells me, This is the most important election of our lifetime, for the hundredth vote in a row, I dart back with an eyeroll so deep I can see my brain. This not the time to offer washed-up buzzwords that overlook reality. This is a pivotal time for the future of our democracy and we need to inspire voters on the issues they care most about. For me, that issue is climate justice. Its why I am launching the Climate Movement for Democracy. Over the past few years, I have seen climate change go from being perceived as a hoax to becoming a mainstay policy point. The relentless organizing of the climate movement and demand from the public made climate justice a central pillar to the Biden-Harris administration and to this election. I would have never thought that a voice like mine would be welcomed into the halls of the White House, let alone given their platform to speak. Over the past few years, the Biden administration created the White House Office of Environmental Justice and passed nearly $400 billion dollars for climate, the largest investment in climate, ever. These efforts have been revolutionary and valiant, but I would be lying if I didnt acknowledge that they are still insufficient. Things have been far from perfect, but right now, we have a stark choice to make. We have two very different presidential candidates Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump offering very different visions for what the future of this country could look like. I want to live in a country where it no longer feels like our government is falling apart. I see a vision of a climate-just future, where green jobs are the norm and our entire infrastructure runs on clean energy. Communities that were once disenfranchised are empowered and we can make decisions with our own autonomy. Being a citizen of this democracy should not mean social instability. And yet, the right-wing policy goals outlined in Project 2025 are engineered to demolish our governments core infrastructure. The conservative policy and personnel program, designed to help Trump quickly enact his agenda as president, aims to place the entire federal bureaucracy under control of a single person. Its a fossil fuel lobbyist fever dream that shuts down clean energy funding and destabilizes essential regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency. This unitary executive project is the worst possible outcome for our planet and will kneecap our countrys ability to face the climate crisis. This contrast gets lost in the platitudes. Instead of banal rallying cries, we have to meet people where they are and focus on the issues they care most about. Eight million young people are aging into the voting process this election. Whether they are passionate about reproductive freedom, gun violence, or immigration, the best step forward is at the ballot box. On this National Voter Registration Day, Im launching the Climate Movement for Democracy, a campaign aimed at mobilizing voters to the polls to address the climate crisis. I know how all-consuming this conversation can be, and how disconnected our government can feel. But I take solace in the fact that if we show up to the polls and mobilize our friends, we can fundamentally decide what the future of this country looks like. Thats not a platitude, thats a fact. 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. An opening date has been set for a new Outback Steakhouse in Lexington. Heres when Gday, Lexington. Outback Steakhouse, the well-known, Aussie-themed restaurant chain, will open a new location at 5595 Sunset Blvd. in Lexington at 4 p.m. Oct. 15, according to a company spokeswoman. The site formerly was home to an OCharleys casual dining restaurant, which closed in 2022. The OCharleys building was demolished, and Outback has built a new facility on the site. The new Lexington outback is roughly 4,700-square-feet and, according to a statement from the company, features modern touches with a spacious dining room and a large bar area with Great Barrier Reef design with a seating capacity of 187 guests. About 125 employees will work at the Sunset Boulevard Outback, the company said. The Lexington Outback will also feature some artwork with a bit of local flair, depicting a kangaroo basking in the sun on a dock at Lake Murray. There are nearly 700 Outback locations in the U.S., according to data site ScrapeHero. Other Columbia-area locations include a spot on Harbison Boulevard and one at 7611 Two Notch Road. Founded in 1988 in Florida, Outback is known, as youd expect, for its steak menu, as well as sandwiches, seafood, desserts, salads, pasta and appetizers, including the famous Bloomin Onion. The location at 5595 Sunset Blvd. is near a number of other retail businesses, including Papa Johns, Tractor Supply Co., a Verizon store and many more. A Home Depot and a Walmart are across the street. More than 35,000 cars per day travel down that stretch of Sunset, per state Department of Transportation statistics. In 1941, as Allied bombs fell on Italy and Benito Mussolini plunged his country further into war, the young Italian filmmaker Alberto Lattuada explained how 20 years of fascist rule had led to catastrophe. "The absence of love brought many tragedies that might have been averted, Lattuada wrote. Instead of the golden rain of love, a black cloak of indifference fell upon the people. And so people have lost the eyes of love and can no longer see clearly. Here are the origins of the disintegration of all values and the destruction and sterilization of conscience: It is a long chain that is anchored at the devil's feet." Love seems scarce again today as autocracy spreads across the globe, and our vision is veiled by the fog of disinformation and the heat of enmity. Authoritarian leaders seek to break bonds of solidarity among those they govern, replacing them with intimidation and hostility. Former President Trump, who aspires to join their ranks, has followed a similar playbook to make Americas emotional and social climate propitious for autocracy. Read more: Opinion: Would Trump stop free and fair elections? Hitler and Mussolini's paths could be a clue But love remains a potent anti-authoritarian force. In Turkey, Poland and elsewhere, democratic activists and politicians have turned back tyranny by making love a central part of their strategies. Along with joy and optimism , hallmarks of Vice President Kamala Harris campaign, love can sustain an American pro-democracy movement too. Love is an act as well as a feeling, as bell hooks observed . It galvanizes us to stand up for our rights and advocate for a politics of equity, justice, transparency and solidarity. Love supports resistance to autocracy in places where freedom has been lost, and it can help endangered democracies like ours reverse course. Autocrats often use emotion for political purposes, evoking fear, contempt and disgust to define groups by exclusion. Trump has encouraged Americans to exchange kindness and empathy for hostility and callousness. "Part of the problem," Trump said when security guards treated protesters at a 2016 rally too gently for him, is nobody wants to hurt each other anymore. Read more: Opinion: The force propping up Trump that we still don't talk about Trump's recent depictions of immigrants as blood-polluting invaders and his political opponents as vermin continue to cultivate cruelty among his base. The rage of the civilian army he instigated to assault the Capitol, the surge of hate crimes and the escalating threats against public officials, including assassination attempts against Trump himself, suggest millions of Americans now consider violence a legitimate response to political differences. Fascist repression relied on similar beliefs. Yet I believe the United States is ripe for a heart-centered mass movement. A national campaign that explicitly elevates solidarity, kindness, tolerance and empathy as core values of a multiracial democracy and presents policies grounded in care and compassion is likely to resonate with many voters. Love could act as a bonding agent, creating the unity that is key to successful pro-democracy movements. It could bring faith leaders, civil rights activists and patriots into a dynamic coalition. Slogans such as " Make America Love Again " could compete with the far right's formidable propaganda apparatus. Love would draw in people bored by dry policy debates and help disenchanted voters reconnect with politics. Those who resist authoritarianism know love's power to bring about change. Ekrem Imamoglu, the opposition candidate in the 2019 Istanbul mayoral race, made "radical love" the centerpiece of his winning campaign against a candidate backed by Turkeys autocratic president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. We had two simple rules, said Imamoglu's campaign manager, Ates Ilyas Bassoy. Ignore Erdogan, and love those who love Erdogan. Imamoglu, an observant Muslim with liberal views, eschewed mass rallies and negative messages, walking the streets and engaging people directly, no matter what their ideology, he recounted . Hugging voters in cafes, mosques and parks, he established connection and trust. Three years later, Imamoglu was sentenced to more than two years in prison to ensure that he could not run as the opposition's presidential candidate. He was allowed to run for reelection as mayor and won. Love and optimism have also buoyed pro-democracy campaigns in Eastern Europe. "We love, we can, we'll win" became the slogan of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's 2020 challenge to the Belarusian despot Alexander Lukashenko. Love carried Poland's opposition Civic Coalition to victory last year. The campaign attracted young voters in particular by promising to liberalize laws on abortion which Poland almost totally banned in 2021 but Poles of all ages donned heart logos as they turned out in record numbers for a March of a Million Hearts. "When I see this sea of hearts, I can sense that a breakthrough moment is coming in the history of our homeland," opposition leader Donald Tusk, now Poland's prime minister, told the rally. The feeling fueled the countrys greatest voter turnout since 1989, ending eight years of far-right rule. Americans can find parallel examples in our own history. Civil rights leaders certainly knew that love can seem like a flimsy weapon against brute oppression: The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote that he once "despaired of the power of love in solving social problems." Then he heard Howard University President Mordecai Wyatt Johnson's lecture on Mahatma Gandhi, whose conceptions of nonviolent protest as a "love-force," along with Christian love, animated a transformative movement. "Along the way of life, someone must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate," King wrote, echoing the language Lattuada used to describe enmity's ripple effects under Mussolini. "This can only be done by projecting the ethics of love to the center of our lives." Il Duce once told a journalist the secret of his success: "Keep your heart a desert. Today's strongmen, including Trump, embrace the same bleak outlook. Its our turn to prove them wrong by cutting the chain of hate and reaching out to others with "eyes of love." The joy of the Harris campaign has given Americans much-needed positive momentum, but love can be the transcendent, unifying concept that motivates mass participation. Love insists that we are precious beings who deserve leaders who respect us and promote our well-being, not tyrants who deceive, rob, jail and kill us. We already know what hate can do; it's time to harness the immense power of love. Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a professor of history and Italian studies at New York University and the author, most recently, of Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present . 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. Former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo said you campaign in poetry; you govern in prose. The lyricism of Vice President Kamala Harris presidential campaign is apparent, shining as her speeches and rallies speak more to ideals than ideas. Less clear are the exact words she intends to transfigure into law, should she be sworn in next January. In part, this is because Harris is unique in recent presidential history, having been catapulted into a general election without first having spent the previous months competing for attention, donors and votes in a primary field. Rather than having her stand out in a crowd and then unify the party, her ascension compressed that effort into a dense, hot few weeks in July and August. Her attention is now fully on barnstorming the purple areas of swing states, focused less on appeasing the progressive base of the party than on winning over whichever voters are still making up their minds about how to vote in November or if at all. The result has been a campaign thats burning through the fuel the base provided when she became the nominee. The goal is to convert that energy into enough moderate votes to eke out a win against former President Donald Trump. In the process, she has steadily shed the stances she took when vying against 19 other candidates to court the progressive left in 2019. But should she find herself the next occupant of the Oval Office, shed be wise to look to her predecessor as an example for how to deliver progressive wins as a moderate. President Joe Biden ran as the most moderate candidate that year, a position that the former vice president argued made him the most likely to beat the incumbent Trump. Once hed become the presumptive nominee, however, Biden did something unusual: He moved to the left. Knowing his weakness among progressives, his team formed a task force with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., to hash out a policy agenda for the nominee. Sanders told NPR at the time that the goals of the task force were to move the Biden campaign into as progressive a direction as possible, and I think we did that. Thats an uncharacteristic understatement from Sanders. Once Biden was elected, his advisers turned to another adage in politics never let a crisis go to waste to load up the emergency Covid relief package with progressive policy goals, including a temporary expansion of the Child Tax Credit. He followed that up by proposing a massive infrastructure package, intended not just to build roads and bridges, but also to transform a social safety net that had seen Republicans cut and fray its strings over the decades. Much of the Build Back Better plan fell to the wayside, thanks to the stubbornness of Democratic moderates and united GOP opposition. Other policies and priorities like voting rights and abortion rights were waylaid in Congress, first by Republican filibusters in the Senate, then by Republicans reclaiming a majority in the House. But the pieces of his agenda that Biden did manage to pass have been major investments in progressive policy areas like climate change, as well as the more traditional infrastructure spending. Harris finds herself in a much different position as we head toward November. Having tried to win over progressives in 2020, she has a different segment of the electorate to mollify than Biden did. Politico captured this dynamic last week in an analysis of where the two had spent their time campaigning this year. Biden mostly shuffled among major cities attempting to shore up crumbling support among the left, while Harris has spent time in places like western Pennsylvania, speaking to white working-class voters whom Trump considers his. Policywise, this has meant shying away from some of the positions Harris took before assuming the vice presidency. Her campaign has disavowed her support for a mandatory buyback program for assault weapons, for example, as well as her previous openness to expanding the Supreme Court. Any former support for Medicare for All or banning fracking has been tucked into a box and shelved in the darkest recesses of the Naval Observatory. These are still good policies, in my view, but not the sort of thing Harris wanted to have in the spotlight. Layered on top of her previous policies are the intrinsic biases that she needs to overcome among skeptics who see her race and gender as a potential liability rather than a strength. Its apparently much easier for a typical voter to look at Harris and believe that a Black female Democrat is much more liberal than her current agenda or background as a prosecutor would suggest. How else does one explain why 47% of respondents in a recent New York Times-Siena College poll said she is too liberal or progressive, while 49% thought that Trump of all people is neither too liberal nor too conservative? Should she win, however, the question becomes how she chooses to use whatever mandate she has. Does she continue to play toward the middle if Democrats somehow reclaim the House and keep the Senate? Will she be more focused on appeasing moderate Republicans and the supposed center than shoring up democracy against Trumpism? We can make guesses, but, like Biden, we cant know for certain until she can pull the levers of power herself. It is an encouraging sign that she picked Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota as her running mate. Walz also won office after initially campaigning as a center-of-the-road Democrat. But when both houses in the state Legislature went blue in 2022, he didnt hesitate to use that slim majority to advance progressive legislation. As Walz said last year at the end of a remarkable legislative session: Minnesota is showing the country you dont win elections to bank political capital you win elections to burn political capital and improve lives. Its an instinct that Bidens advisers harnessed to his benefit and one that Harris should embrace, as well, should she become president. It will be all the better for the country if she finally finds a way to govern that still hits the ear like a sonnet. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Lets start with two terrorizing words from school: Pop Quiz! How many of you know that Tuesday, Sept. 17 is a national holiday? Its Constitution Day (and also Citizenship Day). I am willing to bet that far fewer of you knew that than would have known when it was Independence Day, July 4. Independence Day gets parades and fireworks, Constitution Day is largely lost and forgotten. Of course, Independence Day is important, celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. But that holiday is mostly about what we as Americans are free from free from King George III with his tyranny and taxes. Even more important to we the people today is what we are free for, and that is set out in the Constitution, signed on Sept. 17, 1787. Those are the two bookend documents that constitute the founding of our country, one widely celebrated, the other barely noted. Continuing our pop quiz, how many of you have actually read the Constitution? Its only 7,500 words, four pages long. Yet, a survey by Marquette Law School a few years ago showed that 57 percent of Americans had never read it. Scores from the Annenberg Public Policy Centers annual survey about the Constitution suggest that even that score is too low. The 2023 Annenberg survey found that two-thirds of Americans cannot name the three branches of government, 17 percent could not name any. Only 5 percent of Americans could name all the rights in the First Amendment to the Constitution, 20 percent could not name any. A survey by Citizens and Scholars showed that only one-third of Americans could pass the U.S. citizenship test (whereas more than 90 percent of immigrants pass). The problem here is far deeper than our lack of respect for a holiday or the document it celebrates. It is, as Jeffrey Rosen, president of the National Constitution Center, put it, a crisis of civic education. We have completely fallen down on what was originally understood to be job one of public schools: preparing students for citizenship. The most recent scores of the NAEP test, better known as the Nations Report Card, tells the tale: Only 22 percent of 8th graders score proficient or better in civics while a meager 14 percent scored proficient or better in U.S. history. Several education crises have combined to push the teaching of history and civics out of the center of the school curriculum. The Soviet launch of Sputnik in the late 1950s convinced educators we needed more science in schools. Poor scores on international tests in reading and math resulted in further changes to the curriculum, culminating in the huge regime of testing demanded by the No Child Left Behind Law in 2001. Now STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education to help kids prepare for jobs is the rage. One data point speaks clearly about the current priority: The federal government spends $50 per student per year on STEM and only 5 cents on civics. We need our own revolutionary moment now about the teaching of civics and history. We must restore the teaching of civics at the elementary and middle school levels where it has all but disappeared. State legislatures and school boards should require a full-year high school course in civics and government. Civics classes need to be about more than memorizing and regurgitating dates and events on tests. Students should be challenged to read primary documents of the period they are studying and engage in deep discussion about them. The question at every turn is: What does it mean to be an American, and why? How will students come to trust their government, vote and engage as citizensall current problemsotherwise? In his farewell message, President Ronald Reagan warned about our failure to convey the story and spirit of America to each new generation, calling for more attention to American history and a greater emphasis on civic ritual. Our purpose, he rightly said, was to develop informed patriots. Thats exactly what Constitution Day needs to be about this year, rededicating ourselves and our schools to knowing and celebrating the Constitution and developing a new generation of informed patriots. David Davenport is a research fellow emeritus at the Hoover Institution. He and Jeffrey Sikkenga are the co-authors of a new book: A Republic If We Can Teach It: Fixing Americas Civic Education Crisis. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Whether Vice President Harris or former President Trump is elected Americas next president, their debate last week surely increased the sense of vulnerability surrounding two of Americas most threatened friends and quasi-allies: Ukraine and Taiwan. Foreign policy was not a major focus of the discussion, but what was said and left unsaid by the candidates was cause for concern. On Ukraine, Trump noted the historical connection between President Bidens disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, which Harris explicitly supported, and Vladimir Putins decision to launch his second invasion of Ukraine. These people did the worst withdrawal and in my opinion the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country, said the former president. Thats why Russia attacked Ukraine. Because they saw how incompetent she and her boss are. As for what to do about Ukraine now, Trump repeated his usual refrain: Ill get the war with Ukraine and Russia ended. If Im president-elect, Ill get it done before even becoming president. In the past, he has said he will do it within 24 hours. Either compressed schedule suggests he will be giving ultimatums to one party or the other to make territorial or sovereignty concessions. But the only leader in the conflict that Washington has any real leverage over is President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is dependent on the U.S. for most of Ukraines weapons, intelligence and diplomatic support. If Trump is elected and demands that Ukraine permanently surrender territory to Russia, it will be a grievous offense, not only to Ukraine but to the entire international order established after World War II. Whatever portion of Ukraine Putin is allowed to retain would reward Russia for its aggression. Zelenskys war aim instead is to reverse it and see Russia punished for its war crimes. Moderator David Muir asked Trump directly at last weeks debate, Do you want Ukraine to win this war? After Trump repeated his assertion that there would have been no war if he had been in office, Muir asked again, Do you believe its in the U.S. best interests for Ukraine to win this war? Yes or no? Trump said, I think its in the U.S. best interest to get this war finished and just get it done.Negotiate a deal. Because we have to stop all of these human lives from being destroyed. Muir then asked Harris for her thoughts on support for Ukraine and whether her dealing with Putin would be any different from what were seeing from President Biden. She said she helped muster 50 countries to supply weapons to Ukraine, and because of our support, because of the air defense, the ammunition, the artillery, the javelins, the Abrams tanks that we have provided, Ukraine stands as an independent and free country. What Harris did not say, and neither Trump nor the moderators noted, was that the Biden administration, despite urging from other NATO members, initially denied Ukraine each of those weapons systems for fear of provoking Russian escalation. As a consequence, they were only delivered months after Russia had inflicted momentous additional death and destruction on the population and critical infrastructure of Ukraine. The moderators also did not ask Harris, and she did not volunteer, whether the Biden administration believes its in the U.S. best interests for Ukraine to win this war, as opposed to surviving a stalemate. As Fareed Zakaria reported last week, after talks with both government officials and private citizens in Kiev, he heard a common concern about Western resolve: We will keep fighting but we worry that we will be fighting alone. Harris used the debate as an opportunity to attack Trumps affinity for strongmen and dictators who will flatter him and eat him for lunch. He responded, worryingly, by invoking the flattery of Hungarys tough and smart strongman who has been criticized by other NATO members for his pro-Russia positions. Look, Viktor Orban saidthe most respected, most feared person is Donald Trump. Trump offered an additional reason he would quickly end the war: the same fear of escalation that inhibits the Biden-Harris administrations support for Ukraine. Putins got nuclear weapons, the ex commander in chief said. And eventually, maybe hell use them. China, which also has nuclear weapons, was discussed in the debate only in the context of its trade challenge. Taiwan was mentioned only briefly as an important supplier of chips. But Americas hesitancy on Ukraine, a democratic friend and security partner, reverberates in the Indo-Pacific, where Taiwan and the Philippines are similarly under severe threat from their expansionist, anti-Western neighbor. The fear of triggering World War III, shared by both Biden-Harris and Trump, necessarily affects U.S. policy in that region as well as in Europe. Yet, the burden of avoiding major power confrontations must fall at least as heavily on the shoulders of the aggressive powers who are creating and exacerbating the tensions. They should not be permitted to intimidate the West, whether on Ukraine or Taiwan. Joseph Bosco served as China country director for the secretary of Defense from 2005 to 2006 and as Asia-Pacific director of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief from 2009 to 2010. He is a nonresident fellow at the Institute for Corean-American Studies and a member of the advisory board of the Global Taiwan 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. Ever since it was declared as doctrine by the First Vatican Council, papal infallibility has proven to be a tricky business. As adopted, it says a pope cannot err, or can never say anything wrong. But only when hes speaking on matters of established faith or morals. And only when hes speaking ex cathedra, or invoking his specific authority as pope. Even so, many Catholic theologians today still dont accept the broad, can-do-no-wrong papal theory. Its been asserted only twice, to establish the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Mary in 1854 and the Assumption of Mary in 1950. Even the Vatican agreed it did not apply when Pope Paul VI condemned contraception in 1968. Its never been invoked in the churchs opposition to abortion. And it definitely does not apply to whatever the pope said last week about Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. In fact, American Catholics and non-Catholics alike should simply ignore Pope Franciss off-the-cuff, ignorant and irrelevant comments about the American presidential election. He should butt out of American politics. In one of his trademark free-wheeling, in-flight news conferences while on a visit to Indonesia, the 87-year-old pontiff responded to a question about the choice facing American Catholics in November between Trump and Harris by painting them both as bad. One must choose the lesser of two evils, he told reporters. Who is the lesser of two evils? That lady or that gentleman? I dont know. Trumps anti-immigrant policies and Harriss support of abortion rights are both anti-life, the pope argued. To send migrants away, to leave them wherever you want, to leave them its something terrible, there is evil there. To send away a child from the womb of the mother is an assassination, because there is life. We must speak about these things clearly. There are two things you can say about Pope Franciss unusual foray into American politics. One, what he said is especially strange coming from him. After all, this is the same pope who earlier allowed priests to forgive abortions, publicly disagreed with American Catholic bishops who called abortion the pre-eminent political issue and scolded bishops for threatening to deny communion to prominent American Catholic supporters of abortion rights, like President Joe Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). In so doing, perhaps unwittingly, Pope Francis actually reflects the views of most American Catholics. Sixty-eight percent of American Catholics, tuning out the strident anti-abortion rhetoric of many of their priests and bishops, support reproductive rights and oppose the overturning of Roe v. Wade. My second response to Pope Franciss comments? Hes just plain wrong. Dead wrong. From a strictly Christian point of view, theres no way you can put Donald Trump and Kamala Harris on the same level. This is a choice between a woman who, as district attorney and state attorney general, fought to protect women from sexual predators and a man whos been accused of sexual assault by over 20 women and found liable for sexual assault in a New York courtroom. This is a choice between a woman who champions a womans right to control her own body and a man who famously bragged about grabbing women by their private parts. This is a choice between a former prosecutor and a convicted felon. Pope Francis is wrong. Yes, the choice between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is clear. But its not a choice between the lesser of two evils. Its a choice between good and evil. Press is host of The Bill Press Pod . He is the author of From the Left: A Life in the Crossfire. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. You probably haven't heard that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is preparing to send a mission to Russia. Thats because top IMF officials have been trying to draw as little public attention to their plans as possible which ought to tell you something. Fund officials themselves know that this is a scandal in the making. The IMF is about to send its first official mission to Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The visit later this month, which is to be led by Deputy Head of Division Jacques Miniane, marks a quiet but significant shift in the Funds approach toward Russia. Western nations previously pressured the IMF to drop the idea of sending missions in 2022 and 2023. Now, the IMF is reengaging with Moscow, despite Russia's continued war in Ukraine. This decision is a big diplomatic win for the Kremlin, even if the IMF is acting as though it's business as usual. The Fund has tried to keep the mission low profile: we know about it mainly because of an incidental remark made to Reuters by the head of the IMFs Russia department. A terse IMF press release went largely unnoticed by the media. The IMF claims to be outside politics, but its actions show a blatant disregard for international law and human rights. The invasion of Ukraine isn't a matter of policy debateit's a crime. By engaging with Moscow now, the IMF sends a message that Russian actions can be overlooked. This isnt neutrality; it's complicity. Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and the IMF leadership are detached from the brutal realities of the ongoing war. They are focused on a vision for a postwar order in which peace and stability prevail. But this vision is built on arrogancethe belief that Fund bureaucrats understand the future better than anyone else. In reality, by attempting to move toward normalization, they strengthen Russia today, prolonging the war and emboldening future aggressions. The IMF sees Russias war on Ukraine as irrelevant to its policy mandate. Yet the war cant be ignored even if one insists on viewing economics in isolation from everything else: Russia's aggression is reshaping Europe's economy and destabilizing global markets. By choosing to look away from this grim reality, the Fund is effectively enabling Russia's actions. Read also: IMF to send its first delegation to Russia since full-scale invasions start, Russian representative claims The mission to Moscow sends a clear message: Russia can count on the IMF's support even as it continues its war. The IMF's job is to promote global economic cooperation and stability, not to ensure the financial stability of an aggressor state. If it acts to boost Russias economy, the IMF will be advancing Moscows ability to keep the war going. The only way to bring this war to a just end is by crippling Russias war machine. The rest of the international communityminus the Fund, apparentlyunderstands this well. Thats precisely why western governments have put so much effort into imposing a vast array of sanctions on Russia. Undermining the Russian economy is precisely the point. (It speaks volumes, by the way, that Aleksei Mozhin, the current Russian executive director of the IMF, is set to be replaced by ex-central bank official Ksenia Yudaeva, who has been under U.S. sanctions since April 2022.) In its reports, the IMF prefers to avoid blaming Russia for the direct effects of its invasion: economic shocks in Europe, soaring food prices in Africa, and the suffering of millions of people. As for Ukraine itself, its estimated that repairing the damage from Russias unprovoked invasion will cost hundreds of billions of dollars. The IMF's reluctance to confront these facts is nothing short of a lie. Rest assured that the Kremlin will make the most of the mission. Russian officials will hug and smile for the cameras, detailing every minute of the visit. They will cite it as proof that the war is as good as over, that Russia has been forgiven by the West, and that Ukraine no longer matters. Read also: Explainer: Ukraines $15 billion IMF loan program To Russia, this is more than a financial reviewit's a geopolitical victory. The IMF's actions will be spun as a signal that the West and the U.S. have written Ukraine off, leaving Russia powerful, prosperous, and influential. This mission sends another clear message: the man U.S. President Joe Biden once called a war criminal, Vladimir Putin of Russia, will now receive the imprimatur of one of the world's most reputable Western institutions. This is a diplomatic and moral disaster. The world cannot afford to let the IMF continue down this path of appeasement. The Fund must be held accountable for its actions. It cannot turn a blind eye to Russian atrocities while claiming to work toward global economic cooperation and stability. By normalizing relations with Russia, the IMF is doing more than just engaging in technical assessmentsit is enabling a war that has killed hundreds of thousands and destabilized the world economy. If the IMF wants to live up to its mission of promoting monetary cooperation, trade, and economic growth, it must stand against Russia's aggression, not facilitate it. Read also: Estonian President Karis: We have to cross all red lines, then start forcing Russia out of Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Opinion: How Is JD Vance So Bad at All of This? Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher. You simply cant make an idiot make sense, according to The New Abnormals Danielle Moodie, and thats especially true when it comes to JD Vance. When questioned by CNNs Dana Bash over the weekend about his baseless claims about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, the Republican nominee for vice president melted down, calling her a Democratic propagandist. He insisted that it was disgusting to insinuate that his lies had led to threats against Springfields Haitian community, as well as city schools and hospitals. Andy, you cant make this idiot make sense, Danielle tells co-host Andy Levy. He is so very bad at this, and by this, I mean seeming normal, being able to do regular interviews and not get himself caught up in a web of lies. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast. Then, Maya Wiley, former New York City mayoral candidate, ex-MSNBC legal analyst, and current president and CEO of The Leadership Conference, joins the podcast to talk about her new memoir, Remember, You Are a Wiley. The book, which shes been thinking about since her mayoral run, is a chronicle of the lessons Wiley learned as a child of activists. Why JD Vances Latest Immigration Claim Is Just Plain Wrong Plus! A conversation with independent journalist Justin Glawe, who writes the newsletter American Doom and has reported for the Daily Beast, Rolling Stone, Vice, Esquire, The Guardian, and more. Hes here to talk through Collective hysteria, his recent dispatch for Luke ONeils newsletter, Welcome to Hell World, which concerns election officials who just so happen to also be election deniers. Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher. 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. Opinion | JD Vance defending his lie about Haitians may be just as dangerous as the lie itself. After being called out for spreading lies about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, eating pets, Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance doubled down over the weekend. Strikingly, he didnt do this through weasel words or by pointing to some undiscovered set of evidence. Instead, he appeared to defend the idea that fabricating facts to support his worldview is appropriate. It was a startling confession that helps distill the corrosive nihilism of the MAGA worldview. If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then thats what Im gonna do, he told CNNs Dana Bash, because you guys are completely letting Kamala Harris coast. That exchange between Bash and Vance had begun with the anchor repeatedly pointing out that there was no evidence behind Vances claims about illegal Haitian immigrants eating their neighbors pets or eating geese taken from public parks. Among other things, Bash mentioned that Vance boosted a video on X claiming to show immigrants cooking cats in Dayton, Ohio. That video is unsourced, uncorroborated by evidence, was reportedly recorded somewhere other than Springfield, and was published by Christopher Rufo, a right-wing activist who specializes in manufacturing narratives about left-wing extremism. Rufo had offered a $5,000 bounty for evidence of the pet-eating slander. (Additionally, Daytons police chief called the claim outlandish and stated there was no evidence to support it.) When Bash pressed Vance to affirmatively say that the claim was a rumor that has no basis with evidence, Vance called it the firsthand account of his constituents. Of course, an alleged phone call from someone claiming to be a witness to an act is not evidence. But then Vance made that startling admission. The American media totally ignored this stuff until Donald Trump and I started talking about cat memes, he said, before defending the imperative to create stories to get the media to pay attention. You just said that this is a story that you created, Bash said. What followed was Vances unconvincing attempt to clean up what hed just admitted to. We are creating Dana, it comes from firsthand accounts from my constituents. I say that were creating a story meaning were creating the American media focusing on it. I didnt create 20,000 illegal migrants coming into Springfield, thanks to Kamala Harris policies. Her policies did that but, yes, we created the actual focus that allowed the American media to talk about the story. Vance downplayed his incendiary tall tales about immigrant enclaves preying on peoples pets which have resulted in dozens of bomb threats in Springfield as a meme. And he essentially argued that he has no obligation to make sure stories hes fed are true if it advances his narrative that immigrants are undesirable. Vances admission that he's okay "creating" the story gets to the heart of MAGA philosophy: Truth is subordinate to the pursuit of power. One begins with a premise (illegal immigration is harmful) and then floods the zone with any claims that seems to support that premise, with no regard to whether theyre true. Its reminiscent of former Trump adviser Kellyane Conways creating the phrase alternative facts to defend Trumps lies about the size of the crowd at his inauguration. Never mind that most Haitian residents in Springfield are there legally and face no accusations of unusual behavior. Vance is proposing ends-justify-the-means reasoning in which feelings and political goals trump the pesky details of reality. Even Trump doesnt so baldly admit that hes lying. His style is to never admit to his disregard for the truth. Meanwhile, Vance openly confesses to the nihilism behind MAGA falsehoods as a practical mode of activism. Its impossible to run an enlightened democratic society if the leaders of a major political party just make things up to make it easier to achieve whatever ends they desire. The outrage isnt just that Vance believes he has license to fabricate facts to support his and Trumps ideology. In this case, the outrage is also the particular fiction they crafted. By making up stories about Haitians eating their neighbors pets, they seek to dehumanize immigrants by portraying them as savage, criminal and parasitic. Its an obviously racialized narrative that fits in with Trumps fascistic rhetoric about immigrants poisoning the blood of our country. If Vance and Trump spoke truthfully about immigrants, then theyd have a much harder time convincing the public they represent an existential threat to the country. In a previous political era, politicians caught in the act of such blatant fabulism would make a serious effort to either evade responsibility for the lie or apologize and move on. But in this political era, MAGA politicians simply dig in their heels, by not only continuing to repeat the lies, but also by defending lying as something thats necessary and virtuous. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com 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: 49 days to the election Decision Desk HQ average : Kamala Harris +3.7, as of around noon ET today. Click here to see the latest numbers. PredictIt betting odds: 58 to 47 in favor of Harris. Yes, Donald Trump Can Win Former President Donald Trump is doing better than people are telling you. Tom Bevan of RealClearPolitics delivers a must-read chart. Click here to see Trump far outpacing his 2016 and 2020 polling numbers in swing states. Will he win? Who knows, but he can and very well might. As Bill OReilly told us last night, the can might be up to Trump. Its ridiculous, OReilly said about Trump saying he hated Taylor Swift on social media. Watch tonight: Trump holds a town hall at 7 p.m. ET moderated by Arkansas governor and former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders it will be his first public event since the second attempted assassination. What he should be talking about: Food pantries in Wisconsin report bare shelves long before the holidays Thought bubble : Kamala Harris says she will fix high prices with a price-gouging law a law Wisconsin already has a state version of. Maybe someone should tell the Democrat governor of Wisconsin. Or the other Springfield, Ohios like Charleroi, Pennsylvania, which struggles under the surge of Haitian migrants. Funny how nobody cares about it since they cant make Trump look bad. As we told you, there are a thousand towns with the same story. Bonus coverage: Scott Tranter joins us with the numbers tonight and whether pollsters fixed the 2016 and 2020 problems of undercounting Trump support. Trump, the Incumbent While Trump is busy insulting Taylor Swift, Democrats continue to successfully paint him as the incumbent Do yourself a favor and watch Gwen Walz on the stump. The cringe factor aside, turning the page on Trump appeals to a lot of people, even Republicans who want to be done with Trump. Fair question : What page are we turning from Biden and Harris to just Harris? They literally wont tell you. Ed OKeefe with CBS posted a video of Gov. Tim Walz ignoring his traveling press pool. President Biden now speaks to the press far more than Vice President Harris or Gov. Walz pretty remarkable. People react near an ambulance as the wounded are brought to a hospital in Beirut on September 17, 2024, after explosions hit locations in several Hezbollah strongholds around Lebanon amid ongoing cross-border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah fighters. (Photo by Anwar AMRO / AFP) Below the Belt! Israel blew up 2,800 Hezbollah terrorists by selling the Iranian-backed group pagers with explosives hidden inside. Look back : Israel killed Hezbollahs No. 2 by allegedly hacking his cellphone and then sending a missile through his apartment window. Soooo, the group wanted a more secure, untraceable way to communicate with its foot soldiers and got everybody pagers. Click here and here to watch the videos from when the pagers exploded countrywide. And click here for the best view Just think of where you carried your pager back in the day front pocket there you go. Zoom out: While the White House obsesses over a cease-fire in Gaza, Israel is quietly turning the Middle East power dynamic upside down and replacing America as the dominant force. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris holds a discussion hosted by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 2024. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) Fairness Check Today, Harris sat down for an interview with the National Association of Black Journalists lets just say it went a little differently than when Donald Trump sat down for an interview with the organization. Watch tonight : Former CNN anchor and journalism professor Frank Sesno on the fairness doctrine. 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. In 2016, RAND Corporation researchers described Russias attempts at influencing the American public as a firehose of falsehoods, characterized by a high volume of content distributed broadly, repetitively and with little commitment to truth and consistency. Our knowledge of these tactics was partly built on a degree of social media transparency that no longer exists in 2024. The social media site X ceased offering free access to researchers in 2023, now charging them $42,000 a month for the access necessary for large-scale research. Reddit also ended free access for large-scale research in 2023. Meta just replaced CrowdTangle, its platform allowing journalists and researchers to monitor trends on Facebook and Instagram, with a replacement that is reportedly less transparent and less accessible. And then theres TikTok, generally considered by researchers to be among the most opaque and difficult to work with of major social media platforms. TikTok has not necessarily grown worse in this regard, but its opaqueness has grown more consequential as its popularity has expanded. These recent declines in transparency may blind researchers and the public to the effects of other changes in the social media ecosystem that are altering how disinformation is being spread. These include the continuing rise of influencer marketing, the growing capabilities of artificial intelligence and declining content moderation by social media platforms, itself a consequence of such moderation becoming politically fraught. The increasingly controversial nature of confronting misinformation and disinformation reportedly culminated in leadership and staff departures at the Stanford Internet Observatory, an organization studying how social media platforms are abused. When Renee DiResta, the observatorys former director, explained how opinion had shifted against the organization, she highlighted the important role of partisan social media influencers. Recent BBC reporting also points to the central role of influencers in spreading Russian disinformation targeting U.S. voters, as do recent allegations from the Department of Justice that Russia provided financial support for several well-known conservative influencers. These instances reflect the growing importance of the influencer economy more broadly and reporting by the BBC and allegations by the Justice Department help substantiate concern that some influencers are becoming vectors of malign foreign influence. News stories such as these tend to focus on influencers with large followings, yet research indicates that its influencers with comparatively small followings who appear to be the most persuasive. Political organizations also approach these micro-influencers because they are relatively cheap to recruit and offer access to key demographic groups. If these smaller-scale influencers are also being recruited, wittingly or unwittingly, to spread disinformation to U.S. audiences, researchers would have little ability to spot it. Metas new tools, for example, only allow for an examination of a subset of public users with at least 25,000 followers or who go through the process of receiving a verified badge, leaving many of the most prized influencers beyond large-scale examination by the research community. The conversations around disinformation in 2024 have been dominated by AI, especially its ability to enhance the quality and quantity of disinformation encountered online. But I have so far focused instead on influencers because they offer a more direct solution to a key challenge faced by those seeking to target the U.S. public with disinformation: content distribution. Compared to digital advertising, the influencer marketing space is largely unregulated, unmonitored and potentially as alluring an option for distributing targeted disinformation today as online advertisements were in 2016. At the same time, the research community is in a much worse position to assess these evolving tactics relative to where they were during the 2020 elections, or even the 2022 midterms. What can be done today to confront disinformation in an environment where content moderation is increasingly viewed as overly partisan? The clearest answer may be prebunking. Prebunking can include presenting a disinformation narrative along with counter-evidence debunking the claim or, less controversially, it can focus on explaining the tactics used to make disinformation persuasive. One such tactic includes the use of fictitious American-sounding news websites to host disinformation, such as The Houston Post, which was cited in the previously mentioned BBC reporting as the origin of disinformation recently targeting American voters. Google deployed a widescale prebunking campaign educating millions of European voters in the leadup to this years European Union elections. They reportedly have no plans to launch similar prebunking campaigns in the U.S. because of broader fears that the practice could become politicized. While focusing on common mis- and disinformation narratives appears too controversial, it is unclear why this controversy should extend to public education campaigns focused on tactics. Specific narratives may be partisan, but tactics such as the deceptive use of fictitious news websites are employed by propagandists across the political spectrum. As policymakers work to enhance the research communitys ability to understand how these tactics are evolving, policymakers should start by deploying prebunking campaigns focused on teaching the public about known disinformation tactics. R. Gordon Rinderknecht is an associate behavioral scientist at RAND, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institution. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The New York Times reported Thursday that the Biden administration is considering allowing Ukraine to use NATO-provided long-range precision weapons against targets deep inside Russia. Such a decision would put the world at greater risk of nuclear conflagration than at any time since the Cuban missile crisis. At a time when American leaders should be focused on finding a diplomatic off-ramp to a war that should never have been allowed to take place, the Biden-Harris administration is instead pursuing a policy that Russia says it will interpret as an act of war. In the words of Vladimir Putin, long-range strikes in Russia will mean that NATO countries the United States and European countries are at war with Russia. Some American analysts believe Putin is bluffing, and favor calling his bluff. As the Times reported, Easing the restrictions on Western weapons will not cause Moscow to escalate,17 former ambassadors and generals wrote in a letter to the administration this week. We know this because Ukraine is already striking territory Russia considers its own including Crimea and Kursk with these weapons and Moscows response remains unchanged. These analysts are mistaking restraint for weakness. In essence, they are advocating a strategy of brinksmanship. Each escalation from HIMARS to cluster munitions to Abrams tanks to F-16s to ATACMS draws the world closer to the brink of Armageddon. Their logic seems to be that if you goad a bear five times and it doesnt respond, it is safe to goad him even harder a sixth time. Such a strategy might be reasonable if the bear had no teeth. The hawks in the Biden administration seem to have forgotten that Russia is a nuclear power. They have forgotten the wisdom of John F. Kennedy, who said in 1963, Nuclear powers must avert those confrontations which bring an adversary to a choice of either a humiliating retreat or a nuclear war. We should take this advice seriously. Putin has signaled numerous times that Russia would use nuclear weapons in extreme circumstances. In September 2022, Putin said, If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will without doubt use all available means to protect Russia and our people this is not a bluff. In March 2023, he struck a deal with Belarus to station tactical nuclear weapons there. Earlier this month, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov announced that Russia would be amending its nuclear doctrine in response to Western involvement in the Ukraine war. Imagine if Russia were providing another country with missiles, training and targeting information to strike deep into American territory. The U.S. would never tolerate it. We shouldnt expect Russia to tolerate it either. This game of nuclear chicken has gone far enough. There is no remaining step between firing U.S. missiles deep into Russian territory and a nuclear exchange. We cannot get any closer to the brink than this. And for what? To weaken Russia? To control Ukraines minerals? No vital American interest is at stake. To risk nuclear conflict for the sake of the neoconservative fantasy of global full-spectrum dominance is madness. The war fever in the U.S. foreign policy establishment is at such a pitch that it is hard to tell whether they believe their own rhetoric. In last Tuesdays debate, Vice President Kamala Harris conjured up images of Russian forces rolling across Europe. Surely she must know how absurd that is. For one thing, Russia can barely wrest a few provinces from Ukraine, which is by no means one of Europes great powers. Secondly, Russia made its war aims very clear at the outset most notably Ukrainian neutrality and a halt to NATOs eastward expansion. Hundreds of thousands of lost lives, and hundreds of billions of dollars later, no one is better off not Europe, not America and certainly not Ukraine. It is past time to de-escalate this conflict. This is more important than any of the political issues our nation argues about. Nuclear war would mean the end of civilization as we know it, maybe even the end of the human species. Former President Donald Trump has vowed to end this war, but by the time he takes office, it might be too late. We need to demand, right now, that Harris and President Biden reverse their insane war agenda and open direct negotiations with Moscow. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is an environmental lawyer and public health advocate. Donald Trump Jr. is executive vice president of the Trump Organization. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Last week, we gathered with other scholars at Ground Zero for a summit on terrorism and political violence. The mood was somber, not only because of reflections on 9/11 but also because of pained predictions of violence to come. It would have surprised nobody in attendance had they been told another assassination attempt against the former president would occur days later. This was, of course, not merely the second assassination attempt against Donald Trump. There have been many more plots over the past several years aimed at politicians of all stripes that never reached the point of gunfire being exchanged. The plots are indicative of a broader zeitgeist: We are under heightened threat of political violence. Read more: Goldberg: The rhetoric of Harris and Biden isn't what's sparking political violence. Here's why For instance, recent Republican rhetoric against a community of Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, led to dozens of bomb threats against that community, closing schools and hospitals . In October 2022, a man attacked the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , a Democrat, during an attempt to kidnap her. In 2020, authorities foiled a plot to kidnap Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan. There is a distinct and frightening possibility of a violent wave of assassination attempts and domestic terrorism now breaking, not only against the former president but also against Democratic officials and groups, Trump scapegoats and Trump supporters. During this presidential election, both Democrats and Republicans are framing the other side as an existential threat to the country, and so unstable individuals are being inundated with messages that have exacerbated an already volatile situation. This feeds violence before election day, but that wont be the end: Imagine what could happen following the election. Read more: Opinion: Too many Americans support political violence. It's up to the rest of us to dissuade them If Vice President Kamala Harris wins election in November, there is serious concern over violence waged by Trump supporters who may believe that the election was rigged, or stolen, as Trump claimed in 2020 after he lost the popular vote and the electoral college, leading to the Stop the Steal movement and fueling the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. If Trump is elected, many expect a visceral reaction from segments of the far left, including some who may resort to violence. Trumps election could also embolden any followers prone to violence, which could fuel more terrorism against immigrants, people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people and others. If he continues to praise the Jan. 6 terrorists and even pardons those who were convicted, Trump would be inviting continued vigilantism. Because we have witnessed two assassination attempts against Trump in the past two months, some Republicans are wondering how to reverse the apparent threat. They are right to call for the lowering of the political temperature, and they should reflect on their own partys role in promoting violent rhetoric the creeping normalization of extremely violent political speech, what some have called mainstreaming extremism. Trump himself not only dubbed the Jan. 6 defendants hostages, political prisoners, martyrs and warriors, but also reacted to the assault on Paul Pelosi with a jest in a campaign appearance : Well stand up to crazy Nancy Pelosi, who ruined San Francisco hows her husband doing, anybody know? In 2020, he publicly told members of one far-right white supremacist group to stand back and stand by . In response to the latest assassination attempt, vice presidential candidate JD Vance mused, The big difference between conservatives and liberals is that no one has tried to kill Kamala Harris in the last couple months. His analysis, simply put, is outright wrong. For instance, in western Virginia, a 66-year-old man was arrested for threatening Harris. His social media posts included the warning , AR-15 LOCKED AND LOADED. This is just one of countless threats and plots; most investigated by the Secret Service are not publicly disclosed. Politicians have contributed to the violent uptick not only with rhetoric but also with their actions and inaction in recent decades on gun policy, bringing us to this moment when assault weapons are widely available to any single individual with a grievance. The fact is, the United States remains in the eye of the perfect storm a highly polarized political climate in which extreme rhetoric is prized over moderation, in a country awash in weaponry and susceptible to disinformation and digital manipulation. Combating the threat of political violence is the duty of every American, but it is also the responsibility of our elected officials to tamp down the violent rhetoric. It will be difficult to navigate this crisis, and doing so effectively requires bipartisan condemnation of political violence from across the ideological spectrum. Jacob Ware is a research fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations where he studies domestic and international terrorism and counterterrorism. Colin P. Clarke is the director of research at the Soufan Group, an intelligence and security consulting firm in New York City. 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. TEGA CAY, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) More than six months after lackluster results, city leaders of Tega Cay have approved a new agreement that will allow a different company to take a crack at the culling attempt of the deer population. Queen City News has followed the various chapters in this fight to reduce the number of deer within the neighborhoods, which has become overwhelming. In August, city leaders announced it had agreed with the company White Buffalo, to oversee the sterilization of 200 deer. On Monday night, city leaders voted 4-1 to approve an agreement with another company that will handle the culling side of the approach. Lowcountry Wildlife Removal, LLC, will be paid $36,000 to cull 80 deer. The South Carolina company did not have a representative at Mondays meeting, however, David Henderson with the company spoke with city leaders at length weeks before the decision. PREVIOUS: Tega Cay officials continue work on deer population with new community survey He told them he does have reasonable confidence, that his approach will be successful. City council leaders admitted that the first approach failed, largely in part, because of the heavy limitations the sharpshooters were under. This included times they could shoot, and where they could shoot. Lowcountry Wildlife Removal, LLC, will have the ability to draft out specific locations they feel would be the best location to target, and will have more discretion as to whether those locations need to change. How many deer were killed in Tega Cay? Henderson explained that on my site visits it is incredibly likely, to cull 80 deer. The agreement will allow the culling of 80 deer, with the option to increase that if the goal is met. Henderson will be the only sharpshooter and will be followed by a law enforcement agent. While certain details have yet to be ironed out, he told city council members in early September that he is confident he can hit the 80 mark over the span of about a week, working five to six hours overnight. This approach will also happen after close to 200 deer are sterilized by White Buffalo. These deer will be marked, which could pose challenges for the culling efforts, according to Henderson. A significant percentage of the deer that you encounter on your route and at your signs, are marked, thats something that could impact the efficiency, he explained. Model A Brewing releases new ale to raise money to help local farmer get new cow The agreement passed with 4 out of 5 approvals. Councilmember Brian Carter stressed he will continue to vote against the culling efforts. He has stated in the past that he does not have confidence that the efforts will be a long-term solution. The sterilization is expected to begin in late October into early November. The culling efforts will begin after that and are expected to be complete by mid-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 Queen City News. SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) Spartanburg County Council members approved the introduction of an ordinance that would ban vehicles from stopping on roads in parts of the county. If passed, the proposed county ordinance would make it a misdemeanor for drivers to park or stop their vehicles along specific roads in unincorporated areas. Official documents say the ordinance [is] to prohibit parking, stopping [or] standing in or along certain roads within the unincorporated area of the county. County council members referred to feedback they have heard from residents in the county. Ive had constituents in one particular neighborhood [say] that trucks have basically taken over, said District 1 council member Monier Abusaft. They line up to go to an oil company. Those trucks idle on a very small road. When we reach out to the company, we get no response. Mary Jo Turner lives on Nebo Street in Abusafts district. Turner said shes fed up with the trucks coming through and blocking her driveway. During a busy day like today, you may see hundreds of cars and trucks go through this street, explained Turner. There are times when you would have a truck coming from [the oil companys campus] and the trucks coming from [Union Street] and stop in the middle of the street. Nebo Street connects to Union Street from the southwest; just one left turn away from Asheville Highway to the north. A railroad crossing sits just feet away from Turners driveway. Turner recalled lots of tractor-trailers coming in from both sides of the street during the day and when a train comes, Nebo Street becomes unpassable. Weve had emergencies where weve had the ambulances down here and the fire department, said Turner. Abusaft said Kinder Morgan, the oil company that sits on Nebo Street, hasnt responded to communication efforts made by the county. [The ordinance] allows the sheriffs office to be able to go in there and ask the 18-wheelers to move and if they refuse they can be ticketed which would go to the magistrates court and if they refuse, they could be towed, said Abusaft. The ordinance awaits a second reading by county council. A full copy of the proposed ordinance can be read below. 09162024-1930Download Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Right now alcohol is banned on all Siouxland Libraries property. Police Chief Jon Thum and Siouxland Libraries director Jodi Fick are bringing forward an ordinance to strengthen that measure. Our rules are set up to make sure that we have an environment that is friendly and that everyones behavior does not impact on other peoples use of the library. Unfortunately, when people get under the influence of alcohol, oftentimes their behavior is disruptive, Fick said. Staff said theyve seen a significant increase in people disobeying that rule. In the first half of last year, library staff say they had nine incidents involving alcohol at their downtown location. This year, theyve had 141 incidents and had to call the police for over 20 of those. What you need to know about whooping cough I know there are times we have different officers that patrol areas, including the libraries, and I know there are alcohol issues there, Sam Clemens with the Sioux Falls Police Department said. Currently, the library punishes anyone who brings alcohol onto its property by banning them from the library for some time. The ordinance would give police the ability to further support that enforcement. The current thing that police are able to do is if we ask someone to leave and they refuse to leave, then they can enforce a failure to vacate, but not necessarily based on what the behavior was, Fick said. It comes down to the city councils decision. They meet on Tuesday for the first reading of the ordinance. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem. (Ron Cooper/Oregon Capital Chronicle) To combat the flow of drugs into prisons, the Oregon Department of Corrections is considering a change to its mail rules that would prohibit inmates from receiving letters written with colored pencils or markers while only permitting white envelopes and paper. The proposed change comes as state prison officials seek to stop drugs from entering Oregons prison system, which has 12 facilities that handled nearly 1 million pieces of mail last year for some 12,000 people in custody. One pathway but not the only one is for drugs to enter prisons through the mail, sometimes disguised or shrouded with bright colors on paper and drawings. Were finding so much contraband that is disguised by the use of crayons, colored pencils, colored paper, Mike Reese, director of the Oregon Department of Corrections, said in an interview with the Capital Chronicle. And were just finding more and more with fentanyl and other drugs. Comment on rules The public can comment on the proposal by emailing DOC.RulesCoordinator@doc.oregon.gov by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25. But the proposed rule change also has drawn criticism. In the agencys administrative rule hearing on Monday, advocates and families of people in custody spoke out against the proposal. They said the change reaches too far and blocks children from sharing their handwritten, colorful drawings with their mothers in custody. The agency has not made a final decision on the rule change. The agency will take feedback until Sept. 25 and make a decision later this year. About the change Under the proposal, any nonwhite envelopes would be banned. Colored envelopes and those made of cardboard would also not be permitted. Mail in envelopes that do not follow the rules would be rejected by mailroom employees and returned, unopened, to the sender. Mailroom staff open letters to check for contraband, but with some exceptions: If they are sent to or from attorneys, health care providers or the corrections ombudsman, a governor-appointed watchdog with the legal authority to investigate complaints about prisons. Reese said the system wants to help people who have an addiction: We want to make sure that we have a sober environment that allows them to heal and to be successful. Oregon and much of the country is in the throes of a fentanyl epidemic, with about 1,400 Oregonians dying of overdoses in 2023, Oregon Health Authority data shows. 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. A relatively small amount can kill someone, too. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, small enough to fit on the tip of a pencil, is potentially lethal. Reese said everyone needs to be protected: those in custody, prison staff and postal employees who process mail. Outside Oregon, prison mail and drugs have proven lethal. A federal Bureau of Prisons correctional officer in California died in August after he opened up a letter tainted with narcotics, suspected to be fentanyl. Three people were charged in connection with a scheme to introduce drugs into that prison. Were doing everything we can to enhance the safety of our institutions at a moment when were seeing so many people in the community dealing with addiction issues, particularly with fentanyl, Reese said. Elizabeth Coleman, the behavioral health services manager at Two Rivers Correctional Institution in Umatilla, said the drugs pose a danger for people in custody as well as others who can be exposed, like their family and other staff. Anecdotally, every single week when we review misconducts, theres at least one of someone trying someone who got it in something caught in the mailroom, Coleman said in an interview. The drugs can include fentanyl as well as heroin and spice, a designer drug meant to mimic the psychoactive compound in marijuana. Like drugs outside prisons, those inside can be tainted with fentanyl. Coleman said she also recognizes the morale boost that connections with families provide. We want that connection to start, and also we want to keep people safe, everybody safe, Coleman said. Opponents weigh in Advocates, former inmates and family members raised concerns about the proposed changes. Mariana Garcia Medina, a senior policy associate with the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, said the proposal would limit the ability of adults to have constructive communications with the outside world, including their families. The proposed changes would impact their mental health and impose restrictions that can violate the Oregon constitutional protections for people in custody to not face unnecessary rigor, she said. Others said unrestricted mail with family was crucial to their well-being. Angela Kim, a legal assistant with the Oregon Justice Resource Centers Womens Justice Project, spoke about her experience while incarcerated at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. Her children lived in California, she said, and personal drawings and notes were valued. I received cards, drawings and letters, and each one was a treasure, she said. I have saved every one of them. Opponents also said the proposal could block people from receiving mail from other organizations that use colored envelopes. The strictness of the new requirements may also be difficult for some families to comply with, especially those with limited means to purchase the right papers and envelopes, Kim said. Kim said the agency has not released data on how widespread the drug problem was through the mail. Agency officials did not provide the Capital Chronicle with data on Monday, though officials said anecdotally that it is a common issue. Alisha Price, of Great Falls, Montana, whose husband is in an Oregon prison, also testified during the meeting. Their two children, both teenagers, love sending him cards and writing letters, Price said. They can only go see him about twice a year, she said. Without the letters and stuff, he would go absolutely crazy, Price said. Its already making him absolutely crazy. Mary Pierce, a peer support specialist in Josephine County who works with Welcome Home Oregon, a re-entry group for formerly incarcerated people, said brightly colored envelopes can bolster morale for people languishing in prison. It makes all the difference in the world when coming underneath your door or onto your bunk theres that bright colored envelope coming from a friend or family, said Pierce, who was incarcerated 10 years at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. So Im just asking that all of these things would be taken into consideration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) Officers with the New Orleans Police Department are searching for a man who is accused of threatening someone with a gun at Delgado Community College. On Friday, Sept. 13, the NOPD reported that a man allegedly threatened another person with a firearm at a school in the 600 block of City Park Avenue. Trial date moved for former New Orleans police officer Jeffrey Vappie Officials with Delgado Community College issued a statement on Friday saying that an incident occurred between a student and a non-student, during which the non-student displayed a gun. Delgado Campus Police responded immediately and are coordinating with local law enforcement, who are actively investigating. On Monday, Sept. 16, NOPD investigators identified the suspect as 19-year-old Cleavon Stewart. Police say Stewart is believed to drive a silver Infiniti sedan with black rims. Stewart is wanted on charges of aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm on school property and unlawful disruption of the operations of a school in connection with the incident. U.S. Marshals Service warns Louisiana residents about scam calls, spoofing According to the NOPD, Stewart should be considered armed and dangerous. If encountered, citizens should not interact with him and should call police instead. Anyone with information about Stewart can call NOPD Third District detectives at 504-658-6030 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111. 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. (WJET/WFXP) The company responsible for a commercial iron ore vessel in Ashtabula, Ohio, in March 2024 is facing federal discipline after investigators said the fire that broke out couldve been prevented by following regulations. The Cuyahoga, one of Canadas oldest shipping vessels, caught fire at the Port of Ashtabula while a crew member was using welding equipment to get paint off in the ships cargo hold while others were on break below the cargo hold. PHOTOS: Commercial boat on fire in Ashtabula Harbor Thankfully, nobody was injured in the fire but the U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was called in to investigate at the U.S. Coast Guards referral. The ship is owned by South Marine Systems of Westlake and after investigating, OSHA said they failed to designate a competent person to identify hazards and did not have a marine chemist present to test for hazardous atmospheres before welding started. OSHA also said the company didnt stop work on the vessel after small fires broke out that caused hazardous conditions and other risks. Fire breaks out on one of oldest Canadian freighters in Ashtabula OSHA said South Marine Systems failed at the following: Determine the flammability of the preservative coating on the bulkhead before hot work. Provide a 1-1/2 inch or larger fire hose with fog nozzle while employees use a welder to remove Amerthane 490 off the bulkhead, which would have protected workers from exposure to fire hazards and asphyxiation. Provide workers with a ladder to exit the water if they fall in, to prevent exposing them to hypothermia. Develop a fire safety plan. Establish an internal and external fire response organization. Ensure a Chinese-speaking employee performing hot work activities was able to communicate with a Spanish-speaking employee conducting fire watch, to ensure awareness of potential fire hazards. Verify employees received a medical examination to ensure fitness for duties involving fighting fires and using fire extinguishers. Provide employees exposed to asphyxiation hazards with a self-contained breathing apparatus. Train fire watch employees on the very basic elements of fighting a fire, including extinguishing agents and methods of extinguishing fires. Provide OSHA 300 Logs and Summary Form 300As for 2021-2023. As punishment, South Marine Systems received 15 serious violation citations resulting in over $164,000 in fines with one OSAH official saying the company played no part in the crew avoiding disaster. Fate, not South Marine Systems, helped the cargo vessels crew avoid disaster. The companys failure to comply with basic safety requirements for welding operations and working in confined spaces exposed workers to fires, asphyxiation and other dangers, explained OSHA Area Director Howard Eberts in Cleveland. South Marine Systems must review its training program and its work operations immediately to make certain everyone on their work crews can recognize hazards and safely respond to emergencies. The U.S. Coast Guard and National Transport Safety Board have also opened investigations of their own into the incident. With the Ashtabula Coast Guard station closing, who will look after the waters? South Marine Systems now has 15 from receiving the citations from OSHA to comply, request an informal conference with OSHAs area director or contest the findings before OSHAs review commission. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This article was originally published in Ohio Capital Journal. A school voucher lawsuit currently in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas will likely make its way before the Ohio Supreme Court eventually meaning whichever candidates are elected to the states high court this fall could end up ruling on this pivotal school funding case. Six candidates are running for three seats on the Ohio Supreme Court. Republicans currently hold a 4-3 majority. If Democrats win all three races, the court would flip 4-3 Democratic. However, if Republicans win all three races, it would become a 6-1 Republican court. Incumbent Democratic Justice Michael P. Donnelly is being challenged by Republican Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Megan Shanahan. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Incumbent Democratic Justice Melody Stewart is being challenged by incumbent Republican Justice Joseph Deters, who decided not to run for his current seat and instead chose to go up against Stewart. Democratic candidate Lisa Forbes, of the Eighth District Court of Appeals, and Republican candidate Dan Hawkins, of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, are fighting for Deters open seat. Vouchers Hurt Ohio lawsuit Vouchers Hurt Ohio filed a lawsuit in 2022 targeting the EdChoice private school voucher program, arguing the program has grown disproportionately while resources for public school districts have dwindled. The lawsuit has gone on to gain support from more than 200 Ohio school districts. Since filing the lawsuit, Ohio enacted universal school vouchers through last years state budget. Everybody has an interest in the school voucher case, Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro said. Im sure, regardless of who prevails in the lower courts, that case is going to make its way to the Supreme Court, and so composition on the court thats going to be open to looking at that issue fairly, and looking at what the constitution says is really important for the future of public education in Ohio. The lawsuit has a Nov. 4 court date, the day before the election. Having a court that will heed the words of our State Constitution that calls for a thorough and efficient system of common schools across the state is really important to us in a court thats going to be balanced, thats going to be fair, that is going to exercise good judgment and not act in the way that suggests that its in the pocket of interest, DiMauro said. The Ohio Supreme Court has been under Republican control since 1986. Partisan labels were added to the previously-nonpartisan races by the state legislature in 2021. When you have a court now that is unbalanced, and that is partisan, I think youre less likely to have that kind of outcome that is really looking at the text of the constitution, and fundamentally is going to act in a way thats in the best interest of all students across the state, including the close to 90% of kids who attend our public schools, DiMauro said. The Buckeye Institute, a public policy think tank, supports private school vouchers. We think vouchers are clearly constitutional from the national standpoint as it relates to the Federal Constitution, said Buckeye Institute Research Fellow Greg Lawson. I think the makeup of the (Ohio Supreme) Court would have potentially some impact on what the outcome of that case could be. But again, its highly questioned. We dont know how the election is going to turn out, so its hard to read the tea leaves until after the dust settles. Its vital the Ohio Supreme Court remains independent, DiMauro said. I think what this Republican legislature has done over the past years is that they want a court thats going to be an extension of their political power, DiMauro said. Theyve very deliberately tried to make this a partisan court, and we need a court that will be above partisan politics in order to serve as a check and balance on the legislature and a check and balance on the governor. 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. Nebraska voters in the state's 2nd Congressional District will face a rematch between Democratic State Sen. Tony Vargas, left, and U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb. (Candidate photos courtesy of the campaigns; Capitol photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) OMAHA Two major national groups that spend big on competitive congressional races aired their first TV ads Tuesday in the U.S. House race to represent Nebraskas 2nd District. The National Republican Congressional Committee launched an ad against State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha, the Democratic nominee. And the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee rolled out two ads against U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, the Republican incumbent. The themes of the first ads signal some frequent attack lines voters can expect through the November election in the Omaha-based district attacking Vargas for supporting criminal justice reforms and hitting Bacon for opposing abortion rights. NRCC hits Vargas on justice reform votes The NRCC ad, which features a hooded man walking at night, criticizes Vargas for backing bills in 2017 and 2020 that the Legislature considered to address crowded prisons, including earlier parole eligibility. The ad argues both measures would have put public safety at risk. In 2020, Vargas supported Legislative Bill 1004, changes to let more people convicted of felonies become eligible for parole sooner. Critics of the proposal argued the measure went too far by including people convicted of violent crimes. Supporters of LB 1004 said the Parole Board should be trusted to evaluate cases and would not grant early parole to people who had committed heinous crimes. Then-Gov. Pete Ricketts vetoed the bill after the session ended, killing it. The ad also criticizes Vargas for his 2017 support for LB 447, which would have cut mandatory minimum sentences for some crimes and given judges more flexibility on a case-by-case basis, partly to address prison crowding. The bill passed a first-round debate but did not secure enough votes to overcome a threatened filibuster and was not scheduled for a second. Bacon and the Omaha Police Officers Association have criticized Vargas for his support for the two bills, saying they risked public safety. Meg Mandy, a spokeswoman for Vargas campaign, said Bacon and his supporters need to stop trying to mislead voters about Tony Vargas record to cover up Bacons extreme agenda. She pointed to bipartisan support for the state criminal justice reforms. Conservatives and progressives supported cutting mandatory minimum sentences for drug-related crimes as too costly for affected families and taxpayers. Nebraskas proposed change was also supported at the time by former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich. The ad said Vargas voted to allow criminals to be released, which is technically true. But parole eligibility does not mean it will be granted, particularly in a state where the Parole Board lagged for years in letting people out early. Don Bacon and his allies are at it again, Mandy said. The truth is each of these bills was bipartisan with Republican support, and Tony has voted with Republicans to boost law enforcement funding by $37 million a year. DCCC hits Bacon on Trump, abortion The two DCCC ads try tying Bacon to what they call the MAGA agenda of former President Donald Trump and criticize Bacons support in 2017, 2019 and 2021 for a federal constitutional amendment to ban abortion nationally, before Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022. The 2021 personhood amendment, which Bacon co-sponsored, listed no exceptions. He has said he was told by lawmakers that the measure would have left room for protecting a mothers life. Bacon has said he would still support a federal ban on abortion with exceptions for the life of the mother. He has also said he is realistic about what kinds of abortion restrictions could pass in a divided Congress and said he would support a federal abortion ban set at 15 weeks as an incremental step toward curbing abortions. Critics said Bacon cannot balance abortion opponents and moderates by co-sponsoring a ban without exceptions and saying he would only support a ban with exceptions. Vargas has described Bacons abortion stance as out of touch. Matthew Zacher, a spokesman for Bacons campaign, said Bacon knew that Vargas and the Democrats would try to label his views as outside of the norm but said Nebraskans know Don as the most bipartisan Republican in Congress. Zacher said its Vargas views that are extreme. Vargas supports abortion rights and has said the decision about reproductive care is best left between a woman and her doctor. Bacon and the NRCC have criticized him for not specifying what limits on abortion, if any, he would accept. Nebraskans are set to vote this fall on two competing abortion amendments. Vargas supports one by Protect Our Rights that would codify abortion in the State Constitution until fetal viability, as defined by a treating health care provider. It sets no specific number of weeks to define viability. The current scientific standard for viability is 22-24 weeks gestation. Nebraskas current law, which the Legislature passed in 2023, prohibits abortions after 12 weeks gestational age. Bacon supports the other ballot measure, by Protect Women and Children, which would outlaw most abortions after the first trimester of pregnancy. It sets no floor on how early the Legislature could ban abortions. It would let state senators pass an outright ban. primary Both proposed amendments include exceptions language for later abortions: 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 restrictions amendment. Congressman Bacon supports the Nebraska law, which limits abortion after the third month with exceptions for rape, incest and the health of the mother, Zacher said. Its what most Nebraskans support. Mandy disagreed, saying Bacon has repeatedly tried to ban abortion nationwide with no exceptions for rape, incest, or the life of the mother. The DCCC ads were placed by the groups separately run group that handles independent expenditures in battleground races like NE-02. Early in-person voting starts Oct. 7. Election Day is Nov. 5. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Researchers have warned that potentially harmful chemicals from packaging could be leaking into food (Olivier MORIN) (Olivier MORIN/AFP/AFP) More than 3,600 chemicals used in food packaging or preparation have been detected in human bodies, some of which are hazardous to health, while little is known about others, a study published on Tuesday said. Around 100 of these chemicals are considered to be of "high concern" to human health, said lead study author Birgit Geueke from the Food Packaging Forum Foundation, a Zurich-based NGO. Some of these chemicals are relatively well-studied and have already been found in human bodies, such as PFAS and bisphenol A -- both of which are the target of bans. But little is known about the health effects of others, Geueke told AFP, calling for more research into how chemicals used in packaging end up being swallowed along with food. The researchers had previously catalogued around 14,000 food contact chemicals (FCCs), which are capable of "migrating" into food from packaging made of plastic, paper, glass, metal or other materials. They can also come from other parts of the food-making process, such as from conveyer belts or kitchen utensils. The researchers then searched for these chemicals in existing biomonitoring databases, which track chemicals in human samples. The team was expecting to find a few hundred FCCs, Geueke said. Instead, they were surprised to find 3,601 -- a quarter of all the known FCCs. Geueke emphasised that this study could not show that all these chemicals necessarily ended up in bodies from food packaging, as "other exposure sources are possible". Among the "high concern" chemicals were numerous PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, which have been detected in many parts of the human body in recent years and linked to a range of health problems. Also detected was bisphenol A, a hormone-disrupting chemical used to make plastics that has already been banned from baby bottles in many countries. Another hormone-disrupting chemical was phthalates, which has been linked to infertility. Less is known about oligomers, which are also byproducts of plastic production. "There is almost no evidence on the health effects of these chemicals," Geueke said. - Reduce contact with packaging - When it comes to toxicology, an old saying is that "the dose makes the poison". A limitation of the study was that it could not say whether there were particularly high concentrations of any of the chemicals, Geueke acknowledged. But she warned that these chemicals can interact with each other, pointing to a single sample that had up to 30 different PFAS. Geueke recommended that people reduce their contact time with packaging -- and to avoid heating up food in the packaging it came in. Duane Mellor, an expert in evidence-based medicine at the UK's Aston University and not involved in the research, praised the "very thorough piece of work". "However, it does not cover how much of these chemicals we are exposed to and hints at other sources of these chemicals in our environment," he told AFP. Rather than being "unduly alarmed", Mellor suggested that people "demand better data and minimise unnecessary exposure to chemicals which may ultimately impact our health". Some of the chemicals are also already facing bans. The European Union is in the final stages of banning the use of PFAS in food packaging. The EU has also proposed a similar ban for bisphenol A from the end of this year. The study was published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology. dl/rlp/bc A couple of sticky-fingered thieves made off with over 500,000 frozen shrimp valued at more than $300,000, as well as the truck in which they were transported, in a bizarre heist caught on camera, Law & Crime and WCAU reported. The jilted truck driver, who declined to identify himself, discovered the theft when he returned to the Middlesex, New Jersey parking lot where hed been parking the vehicle. The delivery was intended for a Costco in Monroe Township, which is less than 30 miles away from Middlesex. Surveillance video from the parking lot reportedly shows a pair of thieves driving the truck away during the late morning hours of Sept. 5, shortly before the trucks owner arrived on the scene. When I came into the yard, I dont see my truck, he recalled. I dont understand what happened. Wheres my truck? It's only me and my truck, now I don't have a job for a week, the driver lamented. I've tried to make applications, [but] I need to keep waiting." Hes hopeful that the two men will be caught and his truck returned to him. It seems that the thieves were unaware the truck contained shrimp, as the shipment was later found discarded about 16 miles away. The roughly 500,000 frozen shrimp were valued at around $305,000, but authorities were skeptical as to how the criminals planned to store or sell 25,000 pounds of contraband before it expired. Apparently, they never intended to. However, in a peculiar twist, officers saw on the security tapes that the two men had broken into four other trailers on the lot during the first week of September. For some reason, they opted not to steal those vehicles but decided to move on the one filled with shrimp. "We see everything. It's not like anything surprises us," Middlesex Police Det. Sgt. Sean Flanagan told WCAU. "It's part of [the job], we see weird crimes reported." However, Flanagan conceded that this incident was definitely unusual. We havent had something like this in Middlesex Borough before, he admitted. Over 60 threats made against South Carolina schools since Sept. 4, SLED says COLUMBIA, S.C. (WBTW) There have been over 60 threats targeting schools in 23 different South Carolina counties since Sept. 4, a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division news release said. Since August, at least six threats have been made locally, five from Georgetown County and one in Lake City. In late August, Carvers Bay Middle School faced three different threats: one to burn the school down, one to bomb the school, and one threatening to bring a gun to school. Two other Georgetown County schools also faced threats in Sept., one for a gun to be brought to school, and another to shoot up the school. As of Tuesday, 21 juveniles have been charged in connection to school threats in the state. Many of the threats made this school year have come from social media or other messaging apps, a report said. School threats are not a joke, SLED Chief Mark Keel said. Law enforcement takes every threat seriously, and everyone needs to understand that there are serious consequences. SLEDs Behavioral Science Unit has been requested to help with six school threat investigations, each in a different county. * * * Jordan White is a Digital Producer at News13. She joined the News13 team in August 2024. Jordan, a Myrtle Beach native, graduated from St. James High School in Murrells Inlet and is a graduate of Coker University. Follow Jordan on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. NANAKULI, Hawaii (KHON2) Dozens came to a West Oahu town hall Monday evening to address crime and safety in the area. One of the highlights focused on the School Resource Officer or SRO pilot program. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news At this point, its overdue, explained City Council member Andria Tupola. We really need in the schools, especially the West Side. Waianaes Holloway discouraged by West Oahu gun violence Tupola has been collaborating with neighboring island police who already have programs in place, working with the Department of Education and the Honolulu Police Department to make it happen. Rep. Darius Kila (D) who represents Nanakuli to Maili is excited for the program to get underway in his community. For the first time theyre going to see a consistent active presence from a law enforcement officer but also changing the whole substance of it, Kila said. They are not just there to enforce crime. They are there to be a part of the community, and I think thats something. Were lacking years of having them be that voice of reason having them be that support, but also be that resource to help folks honestly, just feel safe. Tupola said she hopes the SRO pilot program will take effect by the end of this school year, with the first campus being Nanakuli High and Intermediate. The Nanakuli community believes it will make a difference. I think thats important, Nanakuli High School teacher Kumu Pieper said. I feel like we took a lot of things away over the years. Ive been a teacher for 25 years on the West side and when I started school in 1998, we did have a police officer on campus. So I think just the presence alone scares students to get to class. They do what they need to do, and hopefully, we can reinstate that back into the schools. Retaliation, responsibility: Whos to blame for West Oahu violence? Honestly, I would feel more comfortable if we had an officer on campus, Nanakuli High student Jeremiah Magalles admitted. because they keep telling us that theyre going to push enforcement, but I dont see the enforcement, I dont see no improvement in the school. Theres still fights in school. Theres gun violence on campus. He feels it would make some people think and act differently on campus. It would bring like an image like, Oh I cant do that here.' The meeting also addressed concerns about violence in the community. HPD Chief Joe Logan was there to give an update and talk to residents. We continue to do enforcement, not just on the traffic side, but also with a larger presence of officers out here in the Maili, Nanakuli and Waianae areas, Logan explained. As far as statistic-wise, I dont have that data. I plan on getting that (Tuesday) morning at our meeting on exactly how we are and how its been going. But Ive heard nothing but good things about the officers out here, helping the community and trying to make a difference. He said they are dedicated to continuing their efforts to ensure the community feels safe. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) speaks at a press conference at Springfield City Hall alongside Ohio State Highway Patrol Colonel Charles Jones, left, Director of the Department of Public Safety Andy Wilson, second from right, and Springfield City School Superintendent Robert Hill, right, in Springfield, Ohio, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos) SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) Ohio stationed state police at Springfield schools Tuesday in response to a rash of bomb threats the vast majority that officials said came from overseas - after former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance falsely said legal Haitian immigrants in the small city were eating dogs and cats. Schools, government buildings and elected officials' homes in Springfield were among the targets of more than 30 hoax threats made last week that forced evacuations and closures. Two more schools had to be evacuated on Monday, and the high school was threatened on Tuesday. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine said a foreign actor was largely responsible, but he declined to name the country. Even with dozens of Ohio State Highway Patrol officers fanning out to protect the Springfield City School Districts 18 schools, many parents opted to keep their children at home. At one elementary school, some 200 students were absent Tuesday out of a population of 500. Theres still a high level of fear due to these unfounded threats and hoaxes that have marred our existence really for going on a week now, said Robert Hill, chief executive office of the Springfield City School District, appearing at a news conference with DeWine. Two highway patrol officers have been assigned to each school, a protocol that will be continued as long as it is necessary, DeWine said. We do not believe there is a real threat out there, but we are certainly not going to take any chances. And we want parents to be assured that their children can be kids and can go to school and can learn, he said. State police were visible at a middle school earlier Tuesday, with students dropped off as normal. Thousands of Haitian immigrants have settled in recent years in the predominantly white, blue-collar city of about 60,000, about 45 miles (70 kilometers) from the state capital of Columbus, where they have found work in factories and warehouses that had been struggling to fill job openings. The sudden influx has strained schools, health care facilities and city services and driven up the cost of housing and became a major political issue after Trump amplified debunked internet rumors about pet-eating during last weeks presidential debate. Vance has repeated the false claims. We did not have threats seven days ago. We did not have these concerns seven days ago. We did not have these hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars spent in Springfield and from the state of Ohio in support seven days ago. We do today, Springfield Mayor Rob Rue said Tuesday. Rue did not mention Trump or Vance by name, but called on national leaders to temper their words and speak truth. Thats what Springfield is asking. We need peace. We need help, not hate, he said. Vice President Kamala Harris, answering questions at a forum for Black journalists in Philadelphia on Tuesday, said her heart breaks for Springfield. She said the inflammatory rhetoric about Haitian immigrants is exhausting and its harmful and its hateful and and grounded in some age-old stuff that we should not have the tolerance for. Vance has not backed down, writing on the social media platform X that citizens are telling us that there are problems in Springfield and that he has repeatedly condemned the threats. He accused Harris of ignoring the residents' legitimate concerns and trying to stifle debate. DeWine's spokesperson, Dan Tierney, said Tuesday that the vast majority" of the bomb threats have come from foreign countries. He said a criminal investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies yielded information on the origin of the threats. Tierney was not more specific on how investigators determined they came from a foreign country, nor would he reveal the name of the country, saying that could encourage additional threats. These are largely foreign actors, not folks in the community or another part of the United States, he said. We think its useful in part because it shows that its, you know, false, that its safe to send your kids to school. And were providing extra patrol support to make sure people feel safe at school. ___ Rubinkam reported from northeastern Pennsylvania. PA students can qualify for free tuition at this local college NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. (WKBN)- A local college has announced that it has started a new scholarship program so that some more students can potentially receive free tuition. Westminster College announced that its new Westminster Advantage Scholarship will take effect in the fall of 2025. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be Pennsylvania residents with a weighted GPA of 3.0 or higher and have a total family annual income of $75,000 or less. Westminster College President Dr. Kathy Brittain Richardson released a statement in a press release: We want more students to take advantage of the opportunities Westminster College has to offer. The College has a long tradition of offering robust financial aid to students. This is just one more way we are making a Westminster education genuinely affordable. According to the press release, students must do the following to be automatically considered for the scholarship: Apply to Westminster as a full-time student File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025-2026 academic year Apply for a Pennsylvania State Grant through PHEAA for the 2025-2026 academic year According to the press release, funding is only available in the fall and spring semesters. For more information, visit the Westminster College 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 WKBN.com. The News Hundreds of Hezbollah members in Lebanon were injured after multiple pagers, a form of low tech personal wireless communication device, exploded Tuesday, a member of Hezbollahs media office said. Hezbollah, an Iran and Hamas-aligned militia and the strongest political party in Lebanon, alleged the pagers were targeted in a cyberattack. Hezbollah later issued a statement that alleged Israel was responsible for the attack, and vowed retaliation. At least 2,750 were injured, according to the countrys health ministry, and at least one child was killed. The Hezbollah official confirmed with Semafor that the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon was injured, adding that some pagers had also reportedly exploded in Syria. Know More The explosions appeared to be concentrated in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, and a southern suburb of Beirut, the Red Cross said, all known Hezbollah strongholds. A Hezbollah official told Al Jazeera the incident was the biggest security breach the Iran-backed militia had experienced since the Israel-Hamas war began following the Oct. 7 attack. Israel has not commented on the incident. Hezbollah had previously asked fighters to stop using smartphones, claiming Israel has the technology to compromise those devices. The pagers were the latest model brought in by Hezbollah in recent months, security sources told Reuters. Videos on social media shared from hospitals and streets showed extensive injuries that mainly targeted chests, waists, hands and faces. Three people including one child were killed, Hezbollah said in a statement, adding that the cause of the explosions was unknown as of yet. The folks in Glenwood gathered at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Panama City on Sept. 14 to honor the memory and contributions of their trailblazing entrepreneurial loved ones. The church's social hall was filled with forgotten stories, laughter and hugs as friends and families shared valuable business and cultural insights. The highlight of the event was the unveiling of six Glenwood Business District historical markers. The new historical marker for Reeds Paint & Body. a business established in 1982. The recognized businesses: Wilson Bros. Barber Shop, established in 1946; Lady Ethels Beauty College, established in 1947; Lewis Bail Bonding, established in 1955; Lees Motel, established in 1967; Reeds Paint & Body, established in 1982; and Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, established in 1909. Laura Johnson tells stories about her family's Lady Ethel's Beauty College prior to the unveiling of their small business historical marker at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Panama City on Sept. 14. The markers showcase the legacy of entrepreneurship and community spirit that defines the city's Glenwood neighborhood. Not to damper the day's festivity, the family of Lewis Bail Bonding reminded everyone that the 1984 murder of their loved one, Booker T., is still unsolved, and asked attendees to report any new information they may recall to the police. For more information about Glenwood's business district revival, contact Janice Lucas, city commissioner, at (850) 872-3002, or email jlucas@panamacity.gov To see more photos, visit newsherald.com This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Honoring Black excellence: PC unveils historical business markers PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) A Panama City man is facing manslaughter charges for his involvement in the fatal overdose of another man almost two years ago. According to the Bay County Sheriffs Office, 28-year-old Jerel Spruill sold what authorities initially believed to be a plastic bag of heroin to the victim on December 12, 2022. The victim was found dead in his home the next day from an apparent overdose. Upon further investigation, authorities determined that what they initially believed to be heroin was actually cut with fentanyl. An autopsy confirmed fentanyl as the primary factor in the victims death. Spruill was arrested Monday and is currently being held in the Bay County Jail on a $250,000 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 mypanhandle.com. Earlier this month, the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin became the first permanent home to a panel from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial outside of Washington, D.C. The granite in this piece of the monument came with an almost undetectable flaw, and so a duplicate was made for the nation's capital. You might walk right past it. The single dark panel from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial the only one permanently installed outside of Washington, D.C. now waits near the entrance of the exhibit spaces inside the LBJ Presidential Library on the University of Texas campus. Made from a slab of polished black granite imported from Bangalore, India, the panel is framed in black steel and rises from a white steel base. The etched names of 335 service members who were killed or missing in action from March 9 to March 16, 1968 one of the bloodiest periods of the war appear faint in the diffused light. Unfortunately, brighter directional light would have produced blinding reflections. More on the Vietnam War: Vietnam War Summit at LBJ Library examines complex, tragic legacy An interpretive text to the left of the panel tells part of the memorial's story: "Dedicated on Nov. 13, 1983, the V-shaped monument lists more than 58,000 names of Americans who were killed or missing in action between 1959 and 1975. Over the years, the memorial has become one of the most visited sites in Washington, a place of reverence where visitors, regardless of their views about the war, express gratitude to the men and women who gave their lives for their nation." Austin is now the durable home for Panel 44, one of the 146 original panels. It was set aside due to a small imperfection in the upper right corner, and a replica was made. Spend time with Panel 44 to absorb its full emotional impact. Anyone who was alive and alert during the 1960s and '70s will remember the initial public reaction to artist Maya Lin's renderings of a long, dark, horizontal monument, criticized by some veterans groups as a "black gash of shame." How quickly attitudes reversed once the timeless memorial was unveiled in 1982. The uninitiated tourist who strolls up to the monument on the National Mall cannot escape the seriousness and sorrowfulness of Lin's humane and respectful vision, even from a distance. When one comes face to face with the granite, and then reads the names of the fallen, one by one, their presence is palpable. Every personal friend or family member, as well as every stranger whose friends and family members had stood in the same spot, their stories come back to you. As does the tragic war. Come Oct. 5, the LBJ Library will open an exhibit inspired by the memorial panel. It will cover same the days March 9 to March 16, 1968 represented in Panel 44. How the Vietnam Memorial panel got to Austin In 2020, Jim Knotts, current president and CEO of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, a nonprofit devoted to honoring Vietnam veterans, contacted Mark Lawrence, who served until quite recently as director of the LBJ Presidential Library. "It turns out there was an extra panel," Lawrence says. "It had a small flaw in the upper right corner. That panel fell into private hands. Later, it was put up for sale on eBay. The Memorial Fund found out and bought it." Jan Scruggs, a U.S. Army veteran and founder of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, had it installed it in a conference room at the nonprofit's home offices. More on the Vietnam War: The Vietnam War split Austin wide open during the 1960s "Jim thought it should have a home where people could see it," says Lawrence, now holder the Walter Prescott Webb Endowed Chair in History and Ideas in the UT College of Liberal Arts. "They built a temporary exhibit that toured five museums. Meanwhile, Jim was working on a permanent home. For a while, he considered the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, since President Carter had authorized the memorial, which was then dedicated under President Ronald Reagan." The LBJ Presidential Library was another obvious candidate. "I was pretty excited about it," Lawrence says. "We had doubts that the floor could support the 900 pounds." "We had the steel frame fabricated here," say Lara Hall, curator at the LBJ Library. "It was hard to light without getting a hot spot. We intentionally left the stone exposed so you encounter it the way you would in D.C. We installed it Sept. 3. "Nobody has left any mementos on the pedestal so far." What to expect from the upcoming Vietnam War exhibit "The Vietnam War is an inescapably crucial part of LBJ's legacy," Hall says. "It's a fitting home for a piece of the memorial without passing explicit judgement on the war itself." This is not the first time a version of the wall came to Austin. In April 2016, a half-size replica of the wall was installed outside the library for the Vietnam War Summit, a nationally televised event. For the exhibit, "Aint No Daylight in Vietnam: March 1968," which runs Oct. 5 through August 11 of next year, the curator Hall wanted to add some perspectives to the 2016 library exhibit that went along with the summit. "We take a long look at the experiences of those on the ground juxtaposed to what was happening in the leadership," Hall says. By focusing on this specific month, we aim to provide a unique and deeply personal perspective on the Vietnam War, shedding light on the complexities and human experiences behind the historical events. More on the LBJ Library: LBJ Library at 50: The future of the Johnson legacy was sown on UT Austin campus Drawing from photographs, letters and personal accounts, Hall plans to immerse visitors in the intense realities faced by soldiers, medics and civilians. She wants to capture the harrowing experiences of combat, the emotional toll of the war, and the political and social reverberations of this critical period in American history. "March 1968 was a month of significant upheaval and change, marked by fierce battles, shifting strategies and growing domestic dissent," an advance release reads. "This exhibit delves into these transformative events, presenting an authentic and powerful narrative of those who lived through them." 'Aint No Daylight in Vietnam: March 1968' When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Sundays, Oct. 5 through August 11 Where: 2313 Red River St. on the University of Texas campus. Free parking available in the designated lot directly to the east of the library. Tickets: $8-$16 Info: lbjlibrary.org Michael Barnes writes about the people, places, culture and history of Austin and Texas. He can be reached at mbarnes@gannett.com. Sign up for the free weekly digital newsletter, Think, Texas, at statesman.com/newsletters, or at the newsletter page of your local USA Today Network paper. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Piece of Vietnam Veterans Memorial now resides in Austin's LBJ library Parents have got to start parenting: Putnam Sheriffs strong message after more threat arrests At least 15 kids have now been arrested locally in the last 10 days, accused of making school threats. The latest is an 11-year-old boy from Putnam County and Action News Jax got an inside look at what Putnam County Sheriff H.D. Gator DeLoach said the boy bought online. I dont care if youre in rural Northeast Florida, California, Washington State, or New York City, youre going to get shot if you point this at a law enforcement officer, DeLoach said. The Putnam County Sheriffs Office said deputies met with a parent of a student who goes to Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences. Officials say the parent told investigators her child was in a group text that received a photo of what appeared to be firearms and the text, Dont come to school tomorrow. While it looks real, its actually airsoft guns. Read: 11-year-old arrested for school threat in Putnam County after sending group text DeLoach showed Action News Jax the three airsoft guns that were purchased online by the boy. There was a Desert Eagle airsoft pistol with a fixed suppressor, another smaller-looking airsoft pistol, and a replica Glock 18 airsoft gun. I can tell you with 100 percent certainty, if someone pulls this on one of my deputies were going to return fire, DeLoach said. In the last two days, deputies said an 11-year-old threatened Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a 13-year-old made threats to two girls at Palatka Junior-Senior High, indicating he was bringing a gun to school. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Action News Jax is not showing their mugshots because of their ages. This hits home for me. I spent a lot of time as a youth resource deputy, the safety and security of our children is very near and dear to me, DeLoach said. Its not something Im willing to play around with. In both of these school threats, investigators said the students claimed they were just joking, but DeLoach told Action News Jax none of this is funny. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Were going to continue to post these pictures of these punks who think they might be playing a game, DeLoach said. This is not a game to us, its real life at the end of the day. If youre going to play adult games, youre going to get adult prizes for them. DeLoach believes there needs to be boundaries for online access and has a message for parents. These parents have got to start parenting, they have to be involved in their childrens life, theyve got to make sure theyre monitoring what theyre doing on social media if they grant them access, he said. Parents have got to stop being their friends and start parenting these kids. 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. There is no post-16 education provision on the Isles of Scilly currently - forcing children to go to the mainland [BBC] An increase in funding to support children from the Isles of Scilly being educated on the mainland is "a drop in the ocean", parents have said. There are no post-16 education options available to island students which means they have to travel to, and stay on, the mainland instead. The Council of the Isles of Scilly agreed at a meeting earlier to fund a 1,635 increase in a grant to cover transport and accommodation, bringing the total to 8,000 per pupil. Families said it was not enough but the authority insisted it would help reduce the financial hardship. UK children aged between 16-18 have been legally required to stay in education or training since 2014 if they are not in employment. The council is obliged to provide transport costs but not accommodation fees. Campaigner Samantha Mallon, whose 17-year-old son attends a boarding school in Hampshire, said: "Our children are being disadvantaged and we'd hoped that this would have been an opportunity to get things put right." Sam Mallon says she has raided her savings to cover the cost of her son going to a school on the mainland [LDRS] Children can be hosted by families on the mainland but the process is unregulated and some families prefer to pay more to send teenagers to a boarding school. Ms Mallon said some parents had paid between 10,000 to 20,000 extra to cover the costs. "We want to ensure our children's safety and a lot of us feel that this can only be achieved by ensuring our children are in regulated accommodation," she said. Councillor Joel Williams, lead member for children on the council, said: "I recognise that it's not enough for everybody but it is enough for some and enough for more people. "I recognise [parents'] concerns and we are still continuing to make our case to central government to try and increase the fund - and make sure the voice of local parents is heard," he added. The UK government said it was committed to providing funding to the council to meet students' needs and it would consider further support as part of the next spending review. The council added it would explore long-term solutions, including whether post-16 supported accommodation could be built so children could attend Truro & Penwith College, which could be cheaper than boarding elsewhere in the UK. Follow BBC Cornwall on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. More on this story Forestry England will start charging motorists 1 to park at Bourne Wood for up to two hours [JULIA GREGORY/BBC] There has been a mixed reaction by dog walkers and motorists to the introduction of parking charges at a popular Surrey beauty spot regularly used as a film set. Forestry England will start charging motorists 1 to park at Bourne Wood for up to two hours, with a maximum daily rate of 3. It is also offering an annual pass for 48. The forest, between Farnham and Tilford, is a popular spot for film-makers and was used as a location in Ridley Scott's Gladiator in 2000, as well as the Netflix series The Witcher and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Rachel Banks, who runs the Strolls and Scamps dog walking company, said: The charges are going to impact on our business. Forestry England said it only gets around 20 percent of its income from the government and has to generate the rest itself. Dog walker Evelyn Snare said: I'm quite content. It's a lovely area - why not look after it? "It's only less than a pound a week. So what can you complain about really? Ms Banks, who uses the area to walk dogs, said: We want to keep our prices competitive, but I think we are not the only business. "That will be impacted by this." Parking signs were vandalised ad cleaned up recently, according to some walkers. Another dog walker said the fee could put off some casual visitors and some motorists are already parking elsewhere which could cause problems for residents. Others said Forestry England already makes money from film companies using the pine wood as a location. A Forestry England spokesperson said: In recent years, our costs have risen considerably as the prices of materials and services have increased. "In order to maintain our current extensive network of places to visit we also ask for a contribution from those using them. "This includes charging for car parking in our network of car parks across the country. "All the money raised goes directly back into caring for the nations forests." Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, and on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Cornel West speaks at the National Press Club February 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has upheld a lower court ruling that rejected independent candidate Cornel Wests petition to appear on the November ballot. The one-page, unsigned order affirms the Aug. 23 ruling by the Commonwealth Court, which agreed with the Department of States determination that 14 of the West campaigns 19 presidential electors failed to submit the affidavits required for minor-party presidential electors by the Aug. 1 deadline. The West campaign did not immediately reply to a request for comment from the Capital-Star. The Supreme Court decision cleared the way for counties to begin printing and sending out mail ballots, and Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt on Monday certified the official list of candidates on the ballot. Counties can now prepare their ballots to be printed, then begin sending mail ballots to voters who have requested one as soon as they are printed, Schmidt said in a statement. Pennsylvanias presidential ballot will include Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, former President Donald Trump, the GOP nominee, Green Party nominee Jill Stein and Libertarian Party nominee Chase Oliver. The Department of States (DOS) online candidate database now reflects the official candidate list for all races, Schmidt added, with one exception: The Republican nominee for the 117th District in Luzerne County, is still unofficial after incumbent Mike Cabell challenged the results, which favored challenger Jamie Walsh by a handful of votes. There was no Democratic challenger in that race. The Luzerne County Board of Elections on Monday began the process to certify the results, and is scheduled to vote on the final certification Sept. 23. The DOS has a mail ballot availability page with county-by-county updates. Voters can apply for a mail ballot online or mail in a paper ballot request, or request a mail ballot in person at their county election office until the Oct. 29 deadline. Mail ballots have to be returned to county election offices by 8 p.m. on Nov. 5. The most recent polling of Pennsylvanias presidential contest from USA Today and Suffolk University has Harris with a 3-point lead over Trump statewide in Pennsylvania. Harris also leads Trump by 5 points in Northampton County and by 4 points in Erie County, both considered key bellwethers. With its 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania which Trump carried in 2016 but Biden carried in 2020 is the most critical battleground state for presidential candidates in the 2024 cycle. Harris will be in Philadelphia later today for an event with the National Association of Black Journalists, and Trump is expected to visit Bucks County this weekend. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE People are looking to leave San Diego for these 10 cities: Redfin SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Recent data from real estate company Redfin showed that while most San Diegans wanted to stay in the metropolitan area over the summer, there were a few other U.S. cities that garnered their homebuying interests. Data from June to August showed that 71% of local homebuyers searched for homes within the San Diego metro area, but the other 29% of residents wanted to take their real estate interests elsewhere. Julian apple farm closes for the season due to limited crop Phoenix, Ariz. was the most popular destination where San Diegans searched for a home outside of San Diego. According to Redfin, more than 500 users showed some interest in relocating there. Las Vegas, Nev. was next on the list, searched by 455 Redfin users between June and August, followed by Portland, Ore. with 355. The dataset did not reflect actual moves but rather a sample of about two million Redfin users who searched for homes across more than a hundred metro areas, Redfin stated. An individual must have viewed at least 10 homes in the three-month period to be included in the dataset, which excluded rental searches. Two South Bay cities considering bans on homeless encampments Other cities in the top 10 included Nashville, Tenn., Boise, Idaho, San Antonio, Tex., Hilo, Hawaii, Tampa, Fla., Houston, Tex., and Reno, Nev. Meanwhile, three percent of homebuyers looked to move into San Diego from other cities from June to August, the data showed. Most people looking to relocate to the San Diego area were from Los Angeles, followed by San Francisco and New York. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Thursday, September 19 Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road, NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500. The Kannapolis Farmers Market is held from 4-7 p.m. in the Oak Avenue mall parking lot at the corner of Vance Street and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard. Vendors offer a wide variety of fresh, local produce, as well as meat, eggs, baked goods, crafts, and prepared foods. Oak Grove Baptist Church at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg, is conducting a voter registration drive from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday throught Friday through Oct. 6. Applicants can complete the ballot there or drop it off at the Cabarrus County or Mecklenburg County Board of Election. Friday, September 20 The Concord Duplicate Bridge Club hosts face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at the Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. The cost is $5 per game. Details at www.bridgewebs.com/concord. If you dont have a partner, the website has some information on Find a Partner. Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, September 21 The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products. Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St. S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and takeout. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785. Sunday, September 22 A Griefshare program will be held at Cold Springs Global Methodist starting Sunday,Aug. 18 and running for 14 weeks, It will be from 3:30 to 5 p.m. For questions, call the Church office at 704-782-1811. To register visit www.griefshare.org The Houston Preaching Mission welcomes Rev. Garland Young who was pastor of Central UMC when the Coltrane LIFE Center was founded, 50 years ago. Come and hear about the inspiring work of Central during the 1970s. Sunday school classes will meet at 9:30 a.m.and worship together at one service at 10:30 a.m., followed by a congregational meal. The meal of baked chicken, green beans, macaroni & cheese, green salad, rolls, and pound cake, will be catered by Second Course. The meal is offered as a gift of the Houston Preaching Mission, but reservations are requested. Monday, September 23 The Concord Duplicate Bridge Club hosts face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at the Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. The cost is $5 per game. Details at www.bridgewebs.com/concord. If you dont have a partner, the website has some information on Find a Partner. Oak Grove Baptist Church at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg, is conducting a voter registration drive from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday throught Friday through Oct. 6. Applicants can complete the ballot there or drop it off at the Cabarrus County or Mecklenburg County Board of Election. Tuesday, September 24 TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome. If you need help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member or friend, you are invited to join us for: A GriefShare Support Group at Pitts Baptist Church, 140 Pitts School Rd., NW, Concord, weekly on Tuesdays, through Oct. 29 9:30-11:30 a.m. Note: Pre-Registration is required. For more information contact Linda Bounds at 704-793-8155. Oak Grove Baptist Church at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg, is conducting a voter registration drive from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday throught Friday through Oct. 6. Applicants can complete the ballot there or drop it off at the Cabarrus County or Mecklenburg County Board of Election. The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary will hold is first General Meeting of the 2024-25 year at The Salvation Army of Cabarrus County headquarters at 216 Patterson Ave SE, Concord. Socializing and refreshments begin at 9:30 a.m. prior to the meeting at 10. Major Whitney Morton, newly assigned Salvation Army Of Cabarrus and Stanly Counties officer, will be the guest speaker. Wednesday, September 25 The weekly bible study group meets at 11:30 a.m. in the Parlor at Calvary Lutheran Church 950 Bradley St., Concord, NC 28025 Food Truck Wednesday will feature a variety of food trucks from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center on N.C. 49, Concord. Oak Grove Baptist Church at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg, is conducting a voter registration drive from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday throught Friday through Oct. 6. Applicants can complete the ballot there or drop it off at the Cabarrus County or Mecklenburg County Board of Election. Thursday, September 26 Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road, NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500. The Kannapolis Farmers Market is held from 4-7 p.m. in the Oak Avenue mall parking lot at the corner of Vance Street and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard. Vendors offer a wide variety of fresh, local produce, as well as meat, eggs, baked goods, crafts, and prepared foods. Oak Grove Baptist Church at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg, is conducting a voter registration drive from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday throught Friday through Oct. 6. Applicants can complete the ballot there or drop it off at the Cabarrus County or Mecklenburg County Board of Election. Friday, September 27 The Concord Duplicate Bridge Club hosts face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at the Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. The cost is $5 per game. Details at www.bridgewebs.com/concord. If you dont have a partner, the website has some information on Find a Partner. Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, September 28 The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products. Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St. S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and takeout. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785. Sunday, September 29 A Griefshare program will be held at Cold Springs Global Methodist starting Sunday,Aug. 18 and running for 14 weeks, It will be from 3:30 to 5 p.m. For questions, call the Church office at 704-782-1811. To register visit www.griefshare.org Monday, September 30 The Concord Duplicate Bridge Club hosts face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at the Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. The cost is $5 per game. Details at www.bridgewebs.com/concord. If you dont have a partner, the website has some information on Find a Partner. Oak Grove Baptist Church at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg, is conducting a voter registration drive from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday throught Friday through Oct. 6. Applicants can complete the ballot there or drop it off at the Cabarrus County or Mecklenburg County Board of Election. Tuesday, October 1 TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome. If you need help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member or friend, you are invited to join us for: A GriefShare Support Group at Pitts Baptist Church, 140 Pitts School Rd., NW, Concord, weekly on Tuesdays, through Oct. 29 9:30-11:30 a.m. Note: Pre-Registration is required. For more information contact Linda Bounds at 704-793-8155. Oak Grove Baptist Church at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg, is conducting a voter registration drive from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday throught Friday through Oct. 6. Applicants can complete the ballot there or drop it off at the Cabarrus County or Mecklenburg County Board of Election. Wednesday, October 2 The weekly bible study group meets at 11:30 a.m. in the Parlor at Calvary Lutheran Church 950 Bradley St., Concord, NC 28025 Food Truck Wednesday will feature a variety of food trucks from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center on N.C. 49, Concord. Oak Grove Baptist Church at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg, is conducting a voter registration drive from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday throught Friday through Oct. 6. Applicants can complete the ballot there or drop it off at the Cabarrus County or Mecklenburg County Board of Election. The Cabarrus Senior Center Photo Club is alive and clicking away. If you like taking photos, come join the members on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Cabarrus Senior Center, 331 Corban Ave. SE, Concord, and share your photographic creativity. Whether you are a seasoned photographer or strictly amateur, all are welcome. Thursday, October 3 Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road, NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500. The Kannapolis Farmers Market is held from 4-7 p.m. in the Oak Avenue mall parking lot at the corner of Vance Street and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard. Vendors offer a wide variety of fresh, local produce, as well as meat, eggs, baked goods, crafts, and prepared foods. Oak Grove Baptist Church at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg, is conducting a voter registration drive from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday throught Friday through Oct. 6. Applicants can complete the ballot there or drop it off at the Cabarrus County or Mecklenburg County Board of Election. Friday, October 4 The Concord Duplicate Bridge Club hosts face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at the Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. The cost is $5 per game. Details at www.bridgewebs.com/concord. If you dont have a partner, the website has some information on Find a Partner. Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 5 The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products. Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St. S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and takeout. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785. Harrisburg Presbyterian Church presents a Fall Festival and Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain or sunshine. Come and enjoy crafts, games, food, and bounce house. If you wish to reserve an 8-foot space or have questions about the event, please email harrisburgpresbyterianchurch@gmail.com. For more information on selling at the craft fair, please contact Anne Williams at annew194@gmail.com. The church is located at 4815 Hwy 49 S, Harrisburg. Hot dogs at Harmony Church Concord, at 101 White Street, NW, will be from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call in orders are welcomed at (704) 467-0179. Sunday, October 6 A Griefshare program will be held at Cold Springs Global Methodist starting Sunday,Aug. 18 and running for 14 weeks, It will be from 3:30 to 5 p.m. For questions, call the Church office at 704-782-1811. To register visit www.griefshare.org Monday, October 7 The Concord Duplicate Bridge Club hosts face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at the Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. The cost is $5 per game. Details at www.bridgewebs.com/concord. If you dont have a partner, the website has some information on Find a Partner. Tuesday, October 8 TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome. If you need help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member or friend, you are invited to join us for: A GriefShare Support Group at Pitts Baptist Church, 140 Pitts School Rd., NW, Concord, weekly on Tuesdays, through Oct. 29 9:30-11:30 a.m. Note: Pre-Registration is required. For more information contact Linda Bounds at 704-793-8155. Wednesday, October 9 The weekly bible study group meets at 11:30 a.m. in the Parlor at Calvary Lutheran Church 950 Bradley St., Concord, NC 28025 Food Truck Wednesday will feature a variety of food trucks from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center on N.C. 49, Concord. Thursday, October 10 Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road, NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500. Friday, October 11 The Concord Duplicate Bridge Club hosts face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at the Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. The cost is $5 per game. Details at www.bridgewebs.com/concord. If you dont have a partner, the website has some information on Find a Partner. Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 12 The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products. Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St. S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and takeout. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785. Sunday, October 13 A Griefshare program will be held at Cold Springs Global Methodist starting Sunday,Aug. 18 and running for 14 weeks, It will be from 3:30 to 5 p.m. For questions, call the Church office at 704-782-1811. To register visit www.griefshare.org Does your community group or nonprofit agency have an upcoming event that would be of interest to the public? Email it to mplemmons@independenttribune.com. People Are Opening Up About What Was The Worst Moment For Them On 9/11, And The Mark It Left This year marked the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. While I think all of us old enough to remember that day will agree that it doesn't feel like yesterday, the memories of that day and the emotions we felt feel as vivid as ever. Gary Hershorn / Getty Images Recently, Reddit user MooglePomCollector was curious about people's recollections of that day when they asked: "Those alive during 9/11, what was the worst moment on that day?" Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images The thread got over 16K replies, with people sharing both first and secondhand accounts of what was the worst thing they remember about that day. Below are some of the comments that really stood out to Redditors: 1."The hours before I knew if my mom was dead or alive. They wouldnt let us leave the school, and I didnt have a phone. From our school, we could look out the window and see the smoke. Some people even saw the second plane hit. Finally, they couldnt hold us any longer, and I ran home. My mom was asleep and didnt even know what had happened; she had taken me to school and then decided she would take the day off and went home to nap and just slept all day." Sarin_The_End 2."An acquaintance of mine was a medical resident on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The hospitals went into emergency triage mode, prepping for an onslaught of injuried survivors, thinking there would be huge overflow from closer hospitals. Then it was justsilent. There were no survivors to send their way. Thats when she realized the unprecedented devastation of the attack." dinglepumpkin 3."When the second plane hit, and it became evident that this was not an accident." Campbell__Hayden Robert Giroux / Getty Images 4."I was in seventh grade in Brooklyn. Mom worked right around the corner from the WTC. When school let out, a friend's mom took me to their house until we could get in contact with my mom. When she picked me up at 6 p.m. at my friend's house, it was one of the most significant moments in my life because she was alive and here." samanthaaaaaaa7 5."Both my dad and sister were flying that day, and I didnt know when exactly. I lived in D.C., and the phones were all down, so I couldnt check. It was stressful. Definitely so much worse for so many people." 4sOfCors 6."I was a child, so the whole thing didnt really sink in until later. My dad was on a plane out of Jersey at that exact moment, so of course my mom was freaking out. We didnt own a TV, so we went to Circuit City to get one so she could watch the news and find out if he was okay. It wasnt until I saw my mom absolutely lose her shit on an employee trying to upsell her a TV that it really clicked for me how serious everything was." findallthebears Andrea Nieto / Getty Images 7."All the footage of people jumping." Santos_L_Halper_II "I had trouble sleeping without thinking of that for weeks. I still can't dwell on it for long without getting unnerved. The idea of having to choose between burning to death or jumping to your death is just unfathomable." arothmanmusic 8."My dad was a bartender in Fairfield County, Connecticut, near a train station, and he said the cars left there in the parking lot were sad. Then some of his regulars stopped showing up, and eventually, he found out they were gone." uPsyDeDown13 9."For me, the worst was thinking I had just lost both my parents in a six-month period my mom died in the spring of 2001. While my dad was at the Pentagon that day. I was a sophomore in high school and spent the day wondering who I was going to be living with, how I was going to keep our house, how I was going to pay for food, etc. All punctuated by new and increasingly horrific images and news updates. I barely remember that day other than sitting with my classmates in each subsequent period, staring at the TV, and talking in small groups." "A lot of people at the school had family that lived or worked in D.C. so we were all more than a little freaked out. Most of that day is a foggy haze to me. My brain was just overwhelmed with the enormity of it all and my own personal shock. My dad was fine in the end, but I didn't know until I got home from school, and checked the answering machine and heard his voice. I think I cried a little with relief." thrax_mador Alex Wong / Getty Images 10."A phone call from the mother of my lifelong best friend telling me that he had been killed at the Pentagon that day." HumanWagyu 11."When the first tower fell, I felt absolute dread and horror, knowing how many lives were ending at that moment. The second one falling just felt like the end of the world, and in many ways, it was. The world we lived in changed dramatically and immediately." Tedsallis 12."The smell was horrifying. Smells have a profound visceral effect on you, some kind of deep evolutionary thing, maybe, and this was just awful." handsomechuck "I can't forget it. This is the thing that people outside New York don't realize. The smell was awful. And it was literally everywhere. You couldn't escape it. Home, work, everywhere. It lasted for months. The rest of the world could shut off the TV and forget about it for a while if they wanted. But in NY, it was impossible." DiscoStu1972 Doug Kanter / AFP via Getty Images 13."I was living in the East Village at the time in one of NYUs dorms. I remember how quiet the streets were. Everything below 14th St. was closed off. Early in the morning on 9/12, like, around 5 a.m., I looked out the window down at the street and saw that a homeless man had died during the night. I called 911, and it took officers an hour to show up. But, I guess there was too much going on because that poor man lay there on the sidewalk with a sheet covering him for over 12 hours. Of all the things I experienced on that day and in the days following, this stuck with me the most." Thistlefizz 14."For me, it was that I had just gotten home from Army training late on September 9, and was really looking forward to relaxing with my girlfriend for the two days I had before classes started at university. I hadn't even unpacked my gear yet. I turned the TV on and watched the second plane hit, and my heart sank when my phone rang soon after. By the end of the day, I was saying goodbye to my friends and family again." UltraSapien 15."I was living in Okinawa when it happened, and immediately, the base shut down, and the sirens went crazy. They had prepared us for attacks from North Korea and that's how we treated that day. It was in the middle of the night, and I was like 11, so it was super weird." FattDamon11 Getty Images 16."My high school was on the flight path for an Air Force Base. Hearing the entire squadron of fighter jets take off in quick succession in a way that they had NEVER DONE BEFORE and not knowing why was absolutely unnerving." cyclejones 17."When I found out that my roommate's dad died in the second tower. He had gone down to the sky deck after the first plane hit, however, they gave the all clear, so he went back up to his office, thinking he would be okay because he was there in 1993 during the car bomb attack in the garage. Then the second plane hit, trapping him." badhouseplantbad 18."My father was an airline pilot for United Airlines, and he flew transcontinental from NYC/Boston on a regular basis. I was away at college and had no idea where he was until the afternoon. He ended up being in Denver for almost a week, but he knew quite a few of the crew members who died that day. He keeps a plaque with all of their names in his office." Silent_Beautiful_738 19.And lastly, "My cousin literally ran the 10 miles from Julliard, where he was attending school, to his mom's apartment in Brooklyn because she worked in the Towers. When he found out she was alive, hungover, and in the shower, he literally crawled into the shower with her and burst into tears. :(" Ranger_Chowdown Maskot / Getty Images/Maskot You can read more stories over on the original thread on Reddit. Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity. PepsiCo aims to transform regenerative agriculture with over $6 million in grants here's where the money will go PepsiCo is one of many corporations touting optimistic, expansive climate goals and a recent investment in sustainable agriculture has the iconic food, snack, and beverage business meeting ambition with action. Soon, "inventive projects exploring regenerative agriculture in Canada, Australia, and Mexico" will receive grants totaling $6.7 million from PepsiCo and its project partner AgMission, reported Sustainability Magazine. AgMission is, per its website, a "collective for climate solutions" working to enable progress in agriculture. The grant is part of a larger corporate approach, detailed Sustainability Magazine, one described by PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta as more than "a business strategy it's a transformative journey across our operations." Titled PepsiCo Positive (or pep+), the three-part framework aims to enhance climate and community impact by evaluating and elevating sourcing practices, working to construct a circular system, and empowering personal action. For PepsiCo, the overarching mission is to massively reduce its contributions to toxic pollution with a goal of "net zero emissions by 2040," noted Sustainability Magazine. It's a lofty goal. Per Reuters, the agriculture industry is responsible for "31% of human-made greenhouse gas emissions." That's due to dirty energy reliance, methane release, deforestation, and more. Enter PepsiCo's focal point of regenerative agriculture practices intended to educate, support, and sustain farmers to produce crops at standard qualities (and quantities) while also employing methods to repair soil, conserve resources, and minimize harmful pollution. One critical tactic is limiting the use of costly and poisonous nitrogen fertilizers, which contaminate air and water and also threaten our bodies, plants, and even pets. To encourage and facilitate regenerative agriculture projects, PepsiCo chose to invest in a triad of thoughtful and innovative ventures, explained Sustainability Magazine: one, a data storage and analysis system to help farmers reform practices without serious sacrifices; two, a process to cultivate and maintain thriving soil; and three, accelerated adoption of "cover cropping" techniques, which revitalize soil. The overarching priority is to "create the best outcome for the farmer, their land, their community, and the climate," said PepsiCo sustainable agriculture senior manager Ceejay Girard. Supporting green business policies might inspire you to implement some of your own. Protect the planet and invest in your future (from finances to home to health) with efforts to eat cleaner food, replace toxic products, and rewild your yard. An ancient Sanskrit proverb reads: "Upon this handful of soil our survival depends." With stakes so high, each seed of action we plant means a brighter future can bloom. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. PERINTON, N.Y. (WROC) Midvale Commons, a senior apartment complex in Perinton, has received $750,000 from New York State to build an additional 38 units of supportive housing for formerly homeless individuals over the age of 55. The senior units, 76 in total, are currently under construction and are expected to be finished before the winter of this year. According to the state, the new supportive housing development would be through PathStone, and Rochester Regional Health would provide the on-site support. The facility, over 75,000 sq. ft., is all-electric and carbon-neutral, according to Christa Construction, the builders of the project. The site is supported by solar and heat pumps. You can learn more and apply here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. PERRY, Iowa The Perry Police Department on Monday announced that two teens have been charged for allegedly joking about planning a school shooting at Perry Middle School. In a Facebook post the police department said Perry Middle School staff notified the school resource officer and police department Monday morning about information regarding a potential school shooting threat. An investigation was conducted and it was determined that the threat was not credible. Des Moines shootings leave LifeServe in urgent need of blood According to a letter from Perry Middle School, last Thursday two middle school students were discussing how to get class canceled, and allegedly jokingly discussed plans for a shooting at the school. Nearby students overheard the conversation and became alarmed. The middle school said it wasnt informed of the threat until Monday morning when the students who overheard the conversation told school staff. The police department said the two 14-year-old students have been charged with threats of terrorism in connection to the incident. Both have been referred to Juvenile Court. Latest Iowa 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 who13.com. While Washington and London are facing pressure to allow Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia using the Western-made missiles already in the country, Berlin declines to even provide such missiles. Germany has made a clear decision about what we will do and what we will not do. This decision will not change, Scholz said on Sept. 13, remaining adamant in his refusal to provide the countrys Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine. His remarks came after U.S. President Joe Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stopped short of lifting restrictions on using Western-supplied long-range weapons on Russian soil during their meeting in Washington. Read also: ATACMS restrictions subject of intense consultations between Ukraine and allies, Sullivan says In the spring, Washington confirmed that it had begun providing Ukraine with long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS). Kyiv had previously received missiles that could travel up to 160 kilometers, and the new batch consisted of advanced ones with a range of up to 300 kilometers. But Berlin's transfer of Taurus missiles did not follow. Prior, Germany followed the U.S. lead in handing over the first Patriot air defense system in early 2023 and the long-anticipated battle tanks. When Kyiv launched a surprise incursion into Russias Kursk Oblast, the operation received endorsement from Berlin. Germanys Defense Ministry said Ukraine is free to choose the weapons to use inside Russia for self-defense in compliance with international law. Yet, Berlin continues to hold off Ukrainian requests to provide the last piece of the puzzle, the missiles that can target the Russian military in the rear. A TAURUS (Target Adaptive Unitary and dispenser Robotic Ubiquity System) KEPD 350 air-launched cruise missile is on display during the press presentation at the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Schoenefeld, near Berlin, Germany, on June 3, 2024. (Ralf Hirschberger /AFP via Getty Images) "A nightmare scenario for Scholz is that Ukraine would use Taurus to strike politically sensitive targets inside Russia. Scholz fears that this could escalate the war and throw Germany into direct hostilities with Russia," Fabian Hoffmann, doctoral research fellow at the University of Oslo, who specializes in missile technology, told the Kyiv Independent earlier this spring. Fundamentally, this means that Scholz is restrained by a lack of political will, which stems from a lack of trust in Ukrainian leadership to not break any promises. A political decision President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested that Germanys refusal to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles is linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin's nuclear saber-rattling. As I understand it, the chancellor says that Germany is not a nuclear state and that this (Taurus missiles) is the most powerful weapon system in Germany, Ukraines president said in an interview with Bild. In his recent comments, Putin claimed that giving Ukraine the green light to use long-range weapons against targets inside Russia would mean NATO was "at war" with Moscow. Russia has been constantly issuing threats that have failed to materialize. Designed to hit buried and protected targets, such as command posts and bridges, the Taurus cruise missile can hit targets 500 kilometers away, outmatching the capabilities of other Western long-range systems that Ukraine has in service. Apart from ATACMS, Ukraine received the British Storm Shadow missiles, along with the French equivalent, the SCALP missiles, which have a range of up to 250 kilometers. The arsenal helped Ukraine hit Russian targets in the occupied territories, including Crimea. Kyiv has repeatedly promised it would not attack Russian territory with long-range weapons provided by Western allies without official approval. Berlin seems to not care. Among the reasons Scholz gave for not providing Ukraine with long-range missiles was the alleged inability to use them without the German soldiers' involvement, which was refuted. At this point, it has even become what you might call a personal issue of the chancellor, Jessica Berlin, a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), said. There's a personal element involved in the other political considerations. That is not the only driver of the decision, but is certainly playing a role. "At this point, it has even become what you might call a personal issue of the chancellor." According to a German general, who was not authorized to speak to the press, providing the Taurus missiles to Ukraine is solely a political decision, and the German Armed Forces don't object to the decision being made. Read also: Taurus missiles: Why Ukraine wants them and Germany hesitates Public opinion against Ukraine A year before the German parliamentary elections, the majority of Germans support Scholz's decision not to provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles. An April poll by Forsa Institute, requested by the German RTL television channel, showed that only 37% of Germans back the Taurus deliveries to Kyiv, while 56% oppose such a move. At the same time, according to a February poll by the ZDF TV channel, 62% of Germans favor European countries providing Kyiv with more weapons and ammunition, while 32% oppose it. Jessica Berlin said that German support for the provision of Taurus has been slipping in the polls, partly due to a lack of decisiveness, clarity, and political leadership. This creates a ripe environment for Russian propaganda and narratives around escalation, for which there is no German strategy to counter effectively, according to the expert. If the German public understood fully the nature of the situation and the nature of the threat we face from Russia, they would be less fearful of helping Ukraine's self-defense with German hardware, and they would understand that investing in Ukraine's defense is also investing in Germany's defense. Christian Molling, a security expert at the Germany-based Bertelsmann Foundation, told the Kyiv Independent that people basically have given up on arguing for Taurus. Read also: Estonian President Karis: We have to cross all red lines, then start forcing Russia out of Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Plattsburgh, NY. The Peru man accused of killing his wife and hiding her body in the trunk of a rental car pleaded guilty in Clinton County District Court on Monday. Scott Tyrell, 58, pleaded guilty to the murder of 57-year-old Lisa Dashnaw, whose body was found in the trunk of a car at Enterprise Rent-a-Center in Plattsburgh. Tyrell had pleaded not guilty to second degree murder and concealing a corpse in June. Tyrell said he had an argument with Dashnaw in their home on Reservoir Road in March. During the argument, Tyrell choked her until she died. Her body was found by her nephew, Larry Macey, who worked at Enterprise Rent-a-Car. A mother of three with 10 grandchildren, Dashnaw was a longtime nutritionist at Champlain Valley Regional Hospital. Family of Plattsburgh homicide victim outlines events leading to discovery of body in trunk Our family is both shocked and relieved that Scott has pleaded guilty, said Tami Lynn Dashnaw, Lisas sister. The lord has answered our prayers. Now we dont have to attend hearings or a lengthy trial, and we can focus on impact statements to present at Tyrells sentencing. We love and miss Lisa so very much. Judge Keith M. Bruno has scheduled Tyrells sentencing for November 18. Tyrell will face a maximum of 25 years to life in prison for the murder conviction, plus up to 4 years for corpse concealment. Sentencing will be left up to the 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 ABC22 & FOX44. As the development in Bali around the Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple continues, a cry for more transparency around the project's environmental impact is being raised. At the center of the development is the ancient Hindu temple and efforts to protect and preserve it. But as footage showing massive boulders falling into the ocean as a result of the construction of a nearby road has got viral, concerns about how this will impact both the surf at Uluwatu and the vibrant marine ecosystem are being raised. Surfing environmental advocates Save The Waves Coalition have launched a petition on Change.org calling for the local government to release the formal Environmental Impact Assessment. "It is concerning that this project is advancing without appropriate analysis and public transparency regarding the potential risks to the environment and the surf, especially in such a sensitive and biodiverse area," reads the petition. "That is why we feel an EIA(AMDAL) should be completed and presented to the public so that the project's full environmental implications are known." The situation in Bali goes back to a 1992 earthquake that left the temple with a large crack running through it. More than a thousand years old, and visited by thousands every year, the aim was to shore it up from further degradation. The Badung Regency government announced in April that they would be starting the approximately $5 million project, which includes construction of a road and seawall. Related: Watch: Gabriel Medina vs Italo Ferreira at Uluwatu. Who Wins? Meanwhile, Save The Waves reports that surf tourism contribute upwards of $35 million to the local economy with over 235,000 surfers visiting the area. Among them, world champs Gabriel Medina and Italo Ferreira, who were just enjoying the long, wide-open lefts of Uluwatu. "Save The Waves acknowledges the spiritual, cultural, and economic significance of the Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple to the Balinese people," continues the Save The Waves Petition. However, like many others throughout Bali and around the world, we are alarmed by the potential environmental risks this project poses to the surrounding marine and surf ecosystem. To our knowledge and to that of our local partners, no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been conducted for this proposed road project. Without such an assessment, it is impossible to gauge how Uluwatus biodiverse surf ecosystem might be affected," they add. Read the petition in full here. Related: Save The Waves Sounds the Alarm on Uluwatu Construction Project Related: Uluwatu Concrete Seawall Construction Underway, and the Video Is Alarming Cleanup of 51,450 gallons of firefighting foam and PFAS-contaminated water continues at a Navy-owned, privately leased hangar and its surrounding area in Maine -- the second accident in two months involving stockpiles at active and former military installations. A fire suppression system in a hangar at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station was triggered by mistake on Aug. 19, discharging 1,450 gallons of aqueous film forming foam, or AFFF, and 50,000 gallons of water into the building, nearby stormwater drains, sewer systems and drainage ponds at what is now part of Brunswick Executive Airport. The Navy had planned to remove the foam, which contains PFAS chemicals per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in October, according to Washington, D.C.-based advocates the Environmental Working Group. Read Next: Marine Sergeant Major Fired from Recruit Depot Was Arrested and Faces NCIS Investigation While the Navy was not responsible for the spill, the service is communicating with the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, which leases portions of the former base and is in charge of the cleanup, according to David Bennett, the public affairs officer for the Base Realignment and Closure Project Management Office. "The Navy is taking action across the country to remove AFFF from mobile systems, hangars or other structures located on property the Navy owns, including properties leased to third parties," Bennett said in a statement to Military.com on Sept. 9. PFAS chemicals are commonly referred to as "forever chemicals" because they do not break down in the environment and can accumulate in the human body. They have been linked to a number of health conditions, including testicular and kidney cancer, low birth weights, and other medical issues. Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency placed new limits on the acceptable levels of certain types of PFAS in drinking water following extensive research that found the substances potentially were harmful in any amount. The Brunswick discharge followed a spill in July of more than 7,000 gallons of water contaminated with PFAS at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico. According to a news release from installation officials Aug. 30, the water, which contained AFFF, had been removed from emergency vehicles as part of the Air Force's effort to remove PFAS-based foams from its systems. After the Brunswick discharge, Jared Hayes, senior policy analyst at the Environmental Working Group, told Military.com that the prospect of spills has been "looming over communities across the U.S.," especially those near active and former Defense Department bases. "Some of the biggest spills in the country in the past have been from military installations because they have such a concentrated and large inventory of [AFFF]," Hayes said in an interview Aug. 29. The fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act required the Defense Department to stop using AFFF for training and operations after Oct. 1, 2024, except on ocean-going vessels, where uncontrolled fires pose a significant threat to equipment and personnel. As a result of the deadline, the services have started removing their stockpiles from more than 1,500 facilities and 6,000 pieces of portable equipment and vehicles. The DoD announced in July, however, that it needed a one-year waiver to extend the deadline because, while it had made "significant progress" in meeting the law, it needed time to remove AFFF from all of its assets and additional time to install systems that use an alternative foam. "DoD is committed to eliminating AFFF for use for firefighting operations across its installations," officials said in a briefing July 1. Hayes said his organization expects the DoD to use a second waiver allowed under the law and extend the removal process through October 2026. "The DoD really needs to step up what they've been doing and make it a much bigger priority to remove these legacy firefighting foams from their active systems, contain them and make sure there isn't a risk of contamination like what happened at Brunswick," Hayes said. The Brunswick town council passed a resolution Sept. 3 calling for a full investigation into the spill and disabling of PFAS-based foam suppression systems at other hangars at the facility. "This event is a public health and environmental catastrophe unlike any other our community has ever seen," Brunswick Town Council Chairwoman Abby King wrote in a letter accompanying the resolution to Maine Gov. Janet Mills. "My community is desperate for answers as to how the damage of this event will be mitigated, their health protected, and future incidents prevented." As of March 31, the DoD has assessed 710 of 717 active and former installations for potential releases of PFAS chemicals and subsequent contamination. It has found 578 that need further study and has started those additional investigations at 350 locations, according to the department. Brunswick Naval Air Station officially closed in 2011. Related: DoD to Expand Investigation, Cleanup of 'Forever Chemicals' in Response to New EPA Standards Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis (at podium) speaks at the opening of a satellite election office in Philadelphia Sept. 17, 2024. The office will remain open year-round. (Capital-Star photo by John Cole) PHILADELPHIA To mark National Voter Registration Day, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis was on hand for the opening of a satellite election office that Philadelphia City Commissioners say will make voting more accessible for city residents. This is what democracy looks like, Davis said Tuesday at the office in West Philadelphia. Its about expanding access to make sure that every person has the right to participate in our democratic process. The satellite office was the third permanent one to open in Philadelphia. They are all funded by appropriations from Philadelphia City Council and will operate 7 days a week before and after the November election. The office will offer constituents a range of voter services, including registration and assistance with mail-in or absentee ballots. Philadelphia City Commissioner Omar Sabir, a Democrat and chairman of the three-member bipartisan board that oversees elections in the city, told the Capital-Star that he feels confident there will be 10 offices open across the city by mid-October, one in each council district. Sabir said that were in a period of misinformation, disinformation, but told the Capital-Star that these offices will let the citizens to be able to walk in and have a conversation with a live person, not a voicemail, not on the website, about their voting rights, and to receive accurate information. Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein, a Republican, said it was a beautiful day for democracy in Philadelphia, at the office opening and emphasized the importance of the offices to be opened across the city. It is essential that we bring voter resources directly to the communities. It could take over an hour to drive from some parts of the city down to City Hall, Bluestein told the Capital-Star. So by having an office in each council district, it allows us to better serve our constituents. Were making a commitment to year round, permanent offices in the neighborhoods where our constituents live, Bluestein told the Capital-Star, noting the offices would remain open year-round, unlike in previous election years or other parts of the state. Sabir described the offices, the first of which opened in April, as providing unprecedented access to voters in the city. He told the Capital-Star that he hopes what Philadelphia is doing could be a model across our country. The commissioners encouraged those who wanted to learn more about the satellite election offices to visit vote.phila.gov. In addition to Tuesday being National Voter Registration Day, it was also Constitution Day, and the same day that two special elections are taking place for seats in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Lauren Cristella, President and CEO of good government group Committee of Seventy, said it was an honor to be here today on a trifecta of civic holidays, at the office opening. She said that offices like this one bring people closer to their government, but also encouraged those in attendance to check in on friends and family about their voter registration status and apply to become a poll worker, if they are able to, noting there is a shortage of such workers. One of Cristellas predecessors at the Committee of Seventy is Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Al Schmidt. Schmidt, a Republican, served as City Commissioner in Philadelphia during the 2020 election and received threats after misinformation spread about widespread voter fraud in the city. Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, tapped Schmidt in 2023 to serve as the official who oversees elections across the state. Davis mentioned Schmidts service as Philadelphia City Commissioner during his remarks and expressed faith in Philadelphia being able to administer the upcoming election. We know Philadelphia knows how to run elections. We know that the elections are safe and secure, and we need to make sure that everyone whos eligible has the right to participate, Davis said. And you have our commitment that the Shapiro-Davis administration is going to do everything it can across the Commonwealth to make sure folks can freely and safely exercise their right to vote. Last year on National Voter Registration Day, Shapiro signed an executive order to automatically register eligible residents to vote when they go to a PennDOT license center. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) With the 100th anniversary of Route 66 coming up in 2026, the City of Albuquerque is working with 14 local businesses and property owners to restore vintage signs along the Mother Road. How fast is too fast? Speed limit confusion surrounds area near Albuquerque speed camera The City of Albuquerque Department of Arts & Culture and Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency is investing $432,000 in the Revamp Route 66: Sign Improvement Grant Program. As of mid-September, a little over one year after the program was announced, new and restored signs are popping up across the city. Some businesses like Root 66 Barber and The Imperial Inn have already had their signs finished. The 5501 Plaza and the Dog House said their signs are almost complete. Its been an honor to get it for sure. These signs arent cheap by any stretch of the imagination and its not something we would have probably invested that much money in. So to be awarded that really meant a lot to us, said Dacia Weist, owner of 5501 Plaza and program participant. Its going to be great; because its going to show, its neon. So we are looking forward to it, and hopefully it will attract more people, said Vicki Jaramillo, general manager of Dog House. KRQE NEWS 13 compiled the following list and photo gallery to track the transformation of the signs at the 14 establishments participating in the Route 66 sign program. **Note: Renderings of the signs may differ from the final product, and some establishments have already had their sign projects completed. Cost estimates listed below came from the project applications submitted to the City of Albuquerque that were requested by KRQE. 5501 Plaza, 5431 Central Ave. NW Estimated cost of improvements: $30,404.06 Project status: Almost complete Brief description of project: The existing signs have been updated with neon, vinyl graphics, electrical, and more. Americana Motel, 5908 Central Ave. SW Estimated cost of improvements: $30,834.56 Project status: Pending Brief description of project: Restore the neon, vinyl, and aluminum signage. Create a new aluminum arrow. Arrive Hotel, 717 Central Ave. NW Estimated cost of improvements: $142,310 Project status: Pending Brief description of project: New letter cabinets with backlighting. New blue neon, electronics, and more. Central Grill, 2056 Central Ave. SW Estimated cost of improvements: $29,085.66 Project status: Pending Brief description of project: Add neon with LED upgrades to the breakfast and lunch portion of the sign that includes the Route 66 logo. Dog House, 1216 Central Ave. SW Estimated cost of improvements: $18,511.45 Project status: Almost Complete Brief description of project: Replace the street sign and include neon that makes the dogs tail appear to be moving and as if the dog is eating hot dogs. Imperial Inn, 701 Central Ave. NE Estimated cost of improvements: $59,435 Project status: Completed Brief description of project: The sign project has already been completed. Zeon Signs/EPNM helped reimagine it. Loma Verde Apartments, 7503 Central Ave. NE Rendering of the sign for Loma Verde Apartments, 7503 Central Ave. NE in Albuquerque. (Credit: EPNM/Zeon Signs) Estimated cost of improvements: $21,161.23 Project status: Pending Brief description of project: Retrofit the double-faced pole display, add new neon, aluminum, and vinyl graphics. The Pickleballer, 1720 Central Ave. SW Estimated cost of improvements: $35,090 Project status: Pending Brief description of project: Create a new neon sign with a marquee on the original signpost. The sign will be used to advertise the restaurant and pickleball space. It will feature neon pickleball paddles and a ball that will appear to do a volley. Root 66 Barber, 5303 Central Ave. NW Estimated cost of improvements: $12,405.63 Project status: Completed Brief description of project: Thunderstruck Signs replaced an old Speedy Bucks sign with a new Root 66 Barber shop sign. Sandia Peak Inn, 4614 Central Ave. SW Estimated cost of improvements: $25,659.95 Project status: Pending Brief description of project: Repair neon, add new aluminum for logo and other parts of sign, and refinish letters. Tewa Lodge, 5715 Central Ave. S Sign rendering for Tewa Lodge at 5715 Central Ave. SE in Albuquerque. (Credit: EPNM/Zeon Signs) Estimated cost of improvements: $19,372.50 Project status: Pending Brief description of project: Repair lights, including neon. Repaint letters and parts of the sign. Trade Winds Shopping Center, 5400 Central Ave. SE Estimated cost of improvements: $17,220 Project status: Pending Brief description of project: Needs rewiring, new paint, and a new sign layout that will feature the Route 66 logo. Utility Shack (former site), 11035 Central Ave. NE Estimated cost of improvements: $42,400.15 Project status: Pending Brief description of project: Create a brand new sign using the original foundation, which will include new paint, LED lights, neon, and artwork from a local student. Note: The artwork in the rendering above will not be part of the finished product. Westward Ho Motel, 7500 Central Ave. SW Estimated cost of improvements: $20,644 Project status: Pending Brief description of project: Refurbish and retrofit the double-faced sign to include new paint, lettering, and neon. To learn more about the program, 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Not many cities have a 50-acre forest downtown. Gig Harbor, private landowners and conservationists sealed the deal recently to permanently save the final 11.41-acre parcel in such a forest from development, according to a press release. The sale was finalized Aug. 28. The conserved area will allow the city to begin building public trails and conserve critical fish habitat. The motion to authorize the mayor to move forward with the acquisition was unanimously approved by city council at their July 22 meeting. The conservation of a wildlife corridor of this size downtown is an incredible thing you dont really see a lot, Ali Querin, conservation project manager for the nonprofit land trust Great Peninsula Conservancy who took the lead on applying for grant funding and negotiating the sale, said. Named the txaalq Conservation Area after the main village site of the sxbabc band of the Puyallup Tribe that first existed there, the area spans just over 50 acres mostly between the Cushman Trail and Harborview Drive, with a section that extends beyond Harborview toward Burnham Drive. The area also includes about 2,300 feet of North Creek, also known as Donkey Creek, according to the citys website. The city of Gig Harbor purchased 11.41 acres of undeveloped land on Aug. 28, 2024 to add to the txaalq Conservation Area or North Creek Salmon Heritage Site in Gig Harbor. A video teaching the correct pronunciation of the village name is available online from the Puyallup Tribe. The city has acquired the full property, which is also called the North Creek Salmon Heritage Site, piece-by-piece in four phases since 2021. Partners in the project included the Puyallup Tribe, Great Peninsula Conservancy and the Gig Harbor & Key Peninsula Land Fund, which became a volunteer committee of GPC in early August. The recent 11.41-acre purchase was the fourth and final phase of the project. Private owners Walter and Carolyn Brooks chose to sell the Phase IV parcel after the city and its partners identified the parcel as a natural addition to the adjacent conservation area and invited the couple to consider protecting it from the risk of future development. They agreed this would be a wonderful use of this property that theyve taken care of so well, Querin said. With the addition of the full txaalq Conservation Area, Gig Harbor now has 120 acres of natural and conservation area, according to the press release about the acquisition. The citys total area is 3,924 acres. A permanent greenspace Both the creek and the surrounding streamside forest provide critical habitat to a variety of fish species, according to a survey done by Wild Fish Conservancy Northwest in 2018. One reason is the wood that falls into the stream. The wood traps sediment that the fish spawn in and . . . creates log jams that are important for fish habitat, (which) we lose when we have a lot of development in a watershed when houses or businesses or farms are constructed too close to streams, Jamie Glasgow, WFC director of science and research, said. Other benefits of a healthy streamside or riparian forest include shade, which keeps the water cool; less runoff from nearby surfaces with pollutants; less erosion because plant roots stabilize the stream bank; and leaf litter and other vegetation that falls into the stream and feeds the fish, according to Glasgow. Wild Fish Conservancy and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife have documented coho salmon, coastal cutthroat trout, chum salmon and Puget Sound steelhead trout in North Creek, according to a WFC letter of support for Phase I. While the stream provides favorable conditions for fish, Glasgow told The News Tribune via email there arent as many as would have been there historically. Protecting North Creek is important to give salmon a healthy watershed to return to, but that alone wont increase salmon populations, he wrote. We need the political will to also reform how, where, and when we fish; and how, where, and when we use hatcheries, he wrote. To date, that will has been insufficient or absent. Puget Sound steelhead trout are considered threatened under the Endangered Species Act, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries website. Like other members of the trout and salmon family, their populations have declined because of factors including habitat loss, fisheries that catch them intentionally or unintentionally and negative genetic and ecological impacts from hatchery fish, Glasgow told The News Tribune via email. Climate change is also affecting water temperatures and the amount of water flowing in streams. For context, we have less than 5% of the abundance of Puget Sound steelhead that we had in the early 1900s, Glasgow told The News Tribune via email. Wild Fish Conservancy biologists netted 35 mm trout in North Creek during their water typing survey of North Creek in 2018. Water typing surveys classify sections of streams as fish-bearing or non-fish bearing. Public trails on the way The North Creek Salmon Heritage Site will be fully owned and managed by the city of Gig Harbor, according to Jennifer Haro, city parks manager. A map of the txaalq Conservation Area indicates where the city of Gig Harbor could put in public trails. The city also shares stewardship with Pierce County for the parcels acquired in Phases I, II and IV. For Phase III, the city has a conservation easement with Great Peninsula Conservancy, she said. A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that permanently limits how the land can be used so as to conserve it. Gig Harbor plans to build trails through the area, including one connecting the Cushman Trail and downtown Gig Harbor. The city is in the process of budgeting funds for the design and permitting of this trail, and it will probably not be open until at least the end of 2026, according to Haro. The hope is that there will be at least one trail in the conservation area open by early next year. This trail wont be paved and the city isnt able to meet full Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards on it because of the slope, but it will be wide and easy to walk and the city is looking at some kind of crushed gravel option, Haro said. The other trails in the area will be dirt-surfaced. There is also an existing trail nicknamed the Lushootseed Loop in Phase II of the property, which is close to the Cushman Trail but not currently connected. The trail is largely overgrown and not easily visible from Harborview Drive, according to the citys conservation management plan for Phases I and II. The trail has a bridge over North Creek that may not be sound for pedestrians. The citys plan proposes inspecting and improving the bridge before formally reopening it to the public. In general, people will be able to do passive recreation activities in the conservation area, Haro said. That includes hiking, walking and viewing nature and excludes riding horses or biking. The Puyallup Tribe formed an intergovernmental agreement with the city in May 2023 that recognized their $50,000 contribution to the purchase of Phase I, according to the citys conservation management plan. Haro said the tribe will be allowed to gather native plants in the area, and the city plans to work with them to put up signage about the history of the area and potentially the names of native plants in their language. Other necessary structures the city is allowed to put in are benches, boardwalks and bridges as needed. The city can remove dangerous trees, do some invasive plant removal, maintain the trails and potentially plant new trees for a new understory where appropriate, according to Haro. How much did this cost the city of Gig Harbor? No money from the citys general fund was used for the purchase of Phase IV, Gig Harbor Mayor Tracie Markley said in the Great Peninsula Conservancy press release. The sale price of the property was $675,000 for the Phase IV parcel, plus additional taxes and fees which amounted to an additional $6,234. The property was paid for with a $612,817 grant from the Pierce County Conservation Futures Program, about $49,000 from the Gig Harbor & Key Peninsula Land Fund and about $14,500 from three smaller grants, she told The News Tribune via email. The city acquired the other phases of the conservation area in a similar fashion, with grants and donations, so that the entire land acquisition had no impact to the citys budget except for some staff time and the small cost for an environmental report, according to the citys website. Haro provided the full breakdown for the costs of the other three phases as follows: Phase I: The city paid $500,000, including $50,000 from the Puyallup Tribe, $435,750 reimbursed from the Pierce County Conservation Futures Program and local funds Phase II: The city paid $4.2 million, including $601,678 from Pierce County Conservation Futures and local funds Phase III: The city paid $1 million, including $50,000 from the Gig Harbor & Key Peninsula Land Fund and local funds Contributors of local funds included The Russell Family Foundation, The Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation, Gig Harbor Rotary and the KGI Watershed Council. The News Tribune reached out to each Gig Harbor council member to ask how each member weighed land conservation against the revenue development brings, as well as the citys budget situation and the need for more housing. One of the parcels that was going to be targeted for development was Phase III, a 5.15-acre property where 18 homes were going to be built. Council member Jeni Woock said these factors were not part of her decision to support the acquisition because they didnt align with what the citizens of Gig Harbor wanted. They wanted to conserve this property, and I think thats more important than any development that (would) come from this property, Woock said. The other council members did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The city doesnt have plans for future acquisitions of conservation area, though theyre open to the possibility, Haro said. There is no city budget set aside for acquisitions at this time. LARGO Florida lawmakers gave school districts until 2026 to revamp their schedules so middle and high schools students can get more sleep before classes. But changing start times to meet the state law wont be as easy as just flipping schools schedules around, Pinellas County district officials said during a Tuesday workshop. The endeavor involves the unpacking of several layers, not the least of which are student transportation and school choice programs, to create a system that runs efficiently and doesnt break the bank, superintendent Kevin Hendrick told the school board. If the district were simply to move elementary schools to the earliest start time, with high schools next and middle schools last, the upshot would be the need for another 50 bus drivers at a cost of close to $3 million, deputy superintendent Stephanie Woodford said. Some alterations to the districts application programs, such as magnet and fundamental schools, could help ease the load, Woodford said. Ideas that have been discussed as possibilities include cutting bus rides to some of the programs, creating stricter zones for admission to certain programs and creating flexible start time schedules. Were not trying to be alarmists, Hendrick said. We have to be realists. He noted that currently, high school bus routes for certain programs can run as long as nearly two hours each way. Because high schools start early in the morning, before traffic congestion worsens, theyd likely get longer as high schools begin classes at the height of rush hour. One key question that needs answers from the community, Woodford said, is: What is too long of a bus ride for choice? Along with that, she added, the district needs to know what types of programs, if any, parents would be willing to drive their children to attend. The issues arent easy ones, Hendrick said, because the district developed its choice programs haphazardly over decades. Decisions were made for all sorts of different reasons, often without consideration for past actions. Officials dont want to harm families access to choices, either by cutting programs or bus service, without careful consideration including the possibility of replicating offerings in different parts of the county, Hendrick said. So while the board is asking lawmakers to reconsider the law so districts can have more flexibility, he said, it also needs to talk about how to cope if no changes come. We have to start the discussion now, Hendrick said. Board chairperson Laura Hine said the issue is huge, and stressed the importance of hearing from the public early and often. She said the district has talked for nearly eight years about shifting start times to accommodate teen sleep patterns, but frequently faltered. Getting on track now makes sense, board member Dawn Peters said, because several agencies will have to weigh in on how the changes will affect them, too. And even though elementary schools are not specified in the law, board member Lisa Cane added, their families and after-school providers will be impacted, because they will likely move to the earliest start time. Officials said they will be talking about this issue for several months, including at a Listen and Learn forum 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Thurgood Marshall Middle School. The goal is to have a fully formed plan by next summer. Sadiq Khan said the plans would restore Oxford Street to its "former glory" [Getty Images] Plans to pedestrianise part of London's Oxford Street have been announced by the capital's mayor Sadiq Khan. Mr Khan said "urgent action" is needed to regenerate the famous high street, which was has been affected by a shift to online shopping and the Covid-19 pandemic. Oxford Street was once the jewel in the crown of Britains retail sector, but theres no doubt that it has suffered hugely over the last decade." Under the proposal a 0.7 mile (1.1km) stretch would be pedestrianised between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, with the potential for further changes towards Tottenham Court Road. The proposal, which was blocked by the previous Conservative-controlled Westminster City Council for its unpopularity with residents, has received backing from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner She said the pedestrianisation "will drive growth by creating new jobs, generating economic activity, and giving a much-needed boost to Londons night-time economy. The plan will depend on Mr Khan gaining permission from Ms Rayner as housing, communities and local government secretary to establish a new Mayoral Development Corporation, which would provide planning powers and allow the mayor to overrule the council. The project is expected to cost about 150m, with City Hall officials hoping local businesses, private funders and new revenue streams could foot the bill. Traffic would be banned on a stretch between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch [Getty Images] The now Labour-run Westminster City Council, which is responsible for the central London street, said it was blindsided by Mr Khan's plans - only finding out details on Thursday - but it would "work constructively" with the mayor. Stuart Love, Westminster City Council chief executive, said pedestrianisation posed "practical challenges" and it was waiting for details on "how long it could take to be delivered and how the concerns of local residents and users of the street will be addressed". The council said it already developed a ready to go 90m plan, half-paid for by landowners, to deliver wider footways and reduced congestion. But crucially their plan would maintain direct bus access to Oxford Street which they said was important to shoppers, workers, disabled, elderly, and those on low incomes. Oxford Street is one of the worlds busiest shopping areas, with around half a million visitors each day. Leading brands such as Topshop, House of Fraser and Debenhams have disappeared from the central London street in recent years, with the pandemic, hybrid working and US-themed sweet stores putting pressure on the street's popularity. But the New West End Company, a partnership of businesses and property owners in the West End, said in a report this year footfall has been boosted by the Elizabeth line and Oxford Street has managed to attract new flagship stories like Ikea and HMV. The mayor's plan would ban traffic from the world-famous street [Mayor of London] London's mayor is facing opposition to his resurrected plan to ban traffic from part of Oxford Street, which he says is backed by the new Labour government. Sadiq Khan's proposals include pedestrianising the stretch between Marble Arch and Oxford Circus, with potential restrictions introduced further east towards Tottenham Court Road. This follows the Labour mayor's previous attempt to pedestrianise part of the world-famous shopping street in 2018, which was blocked by the then-Conservative local authority. The Conservatives say the plan will be unpopular and that Khan is "forcing things through". Oxford Street is one of the world's busiest shopping areas, with about half a million visitors on average every day. Khan said he believed the plans would help revive the area, which has suffered the effects of big-name shop closures in recent years such as Debenhams and House of Fraser. "Oxford Street was once the jewel in the crown of Britain's retail sector, but there's no doubt it has suffered hugely over the last decade," he said. "Urgent action is needed to give the nation's most famous High Street a new lease of life." The mayor of London said he wants to make the street more attractive to its half a million visitors each day [Getty Images] The mayor said he was working with the new Labour government, retailers and businesses to restore the street to its "former glory". The project is expected to cost about 150m, with the mayor's office hoping it could be paid for by a combination of local businesses, new revenue streams and private funders. The plans also include the addition of planters, trees, water features and seating. The mayor's office said there would be access for disabled people, but the plans had not been finalised. Greater mayoral powers The new plan depends on the government awarding the mayor new planning powers to create a "Mayoral Development Area" around Oxford Street. This would mean Khan would take control of the area from Westminster City Council, although the boundaries of this proposed area are not clear. The government currently supports his proposal, Khan said. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: "Oxford Street is a world-renowned shopping destination and we want it to stay that way. "By working with the mayor and local leaders, we can ensure it gets the boost it needs." She added the plan would create jobs and boost the area's night-time economy. Sadiq Khan will need to be given new powers by government for the plan [Getty Images] The proposal appears similar to those submitted by Khan in 2017, which were later thrown out by the local authority as they lacked support from local residents. Paul Swaddle, leader of the Conservatives on Labour-run Westminster City Council, said he believed the new plan would be equally unpopular with locals. "They have real concerns about access for those with low mobility, for the elderly. Several bus services are currently routed along Oxford Street [PA Media] 'Ignored or overridden' "There is no detail in this plan, I don't think it has been thought through, I think it's a knee-jerk reaction from the government and I think locally it will be very unpopular." He also told the BBC he was "shocked" by the mayor's plans to take charge of planning decisions in the area. "Residents voices will just be ignored or overridden. "With a corporation that the mayor is suggesting, all power for planning is removed. "And what's not even clear is how far around Oxford Street that will stretch. "It will remove an awful lot of power from local residents to have their say in what happens to their area." Westminster City Council's chief executive said the authority already had its own 90m "shovel ready" plans for developing the street, which were popular with the community and local businesses. These included wider footpaths, more seating and trees being planted - but stopped short of introducing traffic restrictions. Stuart Love said: "The latest pedestrianisation proposal from the mayor of London was only shared with us last Thursday. "It will be important to receive further details about what is planned, including how long it could take to be delivered and how the concerns of local residents and users of the street will be addressed. "We will want to know how they will benefit from any proposals, particularly given the practical challenges pedestrianisation may have for the wider area." He added: "The council intends to work constructively with the mayor and the government to ensure the best outcomes for local communities, businesses and London." This embedded content is not available in your region. Road to pedestrianisation Plans to transform Oxford Street have been discussed for decades since it became the UKs premier shopping destination: In the 1960s, there were proposals to deck the street with pedestrians walking on podiums as traffic flowed beneath, the Guardian reported The first mayoral pledge to pedestrianise the street came during the 2004 election with Lib Dem candidate Simon Hughes - but Ken Livingstone held the post and the policy was not pursued In the years that followed, changes were made to the street, including pavement widening and a reduction in bus routes Sadiq Khan was elected in 2016 on a manifesto promising to ban traffic from Oxford Street but his bid was ultimately blocked by the then Tory-led council following opposition from residents In 2021, Westminster Council shelved its pedestrian piazza plans at Oxford Circus, which it intended to implement after blocking Khans pedestrianisation proposals The councils own shovel ready 90m plans to give Oxford Street a facelift were set out last year with more benches, more trees and wider pavements proposed. It remains to be seen how much of this work will be carried into Khan's plan. 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 (Bloomberg) -- Poland will outline a complex reconstruction plan for the regions affected by the flood after the water subsides, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday. Most Read from Bloomberg The program will include the funds secured from the state budget as well as from the European Union, he told reporters in Wroclaw, southwestern Poland. The plan is set to address the needs of residents to rebuild their lost properties and help municipalities to rebuild damaged infrastructure, Tusk added. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The Oklahoma City Police Department announced on Tuesday a second arrest has been made in connection to a deadly shooting from May. Authorities say the shooting happened the morning of May 22, 2024, after officers were called to the scene concerning gunshots at an apartment complex near SW 15 & Westwood. Arrest warrant issued for suspect in deadly shooting in SW OKC Police say 38-year-old Anthony Hines was found deceased and a second person found injured was treated and later released. At the time of the shooting, police believe a verbal confrontation started prior to the gunfire. Michael Jean Williams, Image courtesy Oklahoma City Police Department Doneto Patrick, Image courtesy Oklahoma County Detention Center Officials say 19-year-old Michael Williams has been arrested in connection to the shooting. This comes months after Doneto Patrick Jr. was arrested in May after a warrant was issued for his arrest regarding the shooting. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. West metro authorities have issued a warning to wealthy residents that homes are currently being targeted by "organized groups" of criminals intent on burglary. Orono Police Department says it and other police departments in the area have received reports of "multiple burglaries," with work under way to identify the suspects responsible. "Police departments have shared information and believe affluent neighborhoods are being targeted by one or more organized groups committing these acts," the crime alert issued Monday said. "It is believed the suspects are not choosing houses at random and are watching them carefully prior to burglarizing them." Residents are being advised to take extra measures to protect their homes, including installing security alarms, cameras and lights, ideally ones that are linked to their cell phones. They are also advised to make sure all doors and windows are locked when leaving home, leaving a few lights on if they're out to make it look like someone is home, and filling out a house/vacation check form to let Orono police know when they'll be away for an extended period of time. Orono is one of six cities in Minnesota where Zillow says the average home that hits the market costs more than $1 million. Related: Minnesota now has 6 cities where typical home is worth $1M+, Zillow says DENVER (KDVR) Englewood police cleared an anonymous tip about an explosive device at the campus that houses Englewood High School, Englewood Middle School and the Englewood Leadership Academy on Tuesday afternoon. At noon, the Englewood Police Department said they were investigating a threat inside the combined building. Police said the students were in lockdown and were being evacuated from the building while K-9 officers and a bomb squad cleared the building. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Just before 1 p.m., police said the building was thoroughly searched and cleared. Students were able to return to class. Earlier in September, Englewood police investigated an anonymous tip about an explosive device inside the combined building. The threat was unfounded. This is one of many threats made to Colorado schools in September. Several schools across Colorado either increased police presence or canceled classes altogether in early September after reports of several social media threats. People can submit tips on school threats to Safe2Tell. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Students returns to classroom after evacuation due to police activity The Cocoa Beach Police Department said Tuesday afternoon that the school has been cleared and students are safe to return to classrooms. The school will send updates to parents with any additional changes to the students schedules. Earlier Story: The Cocoa Beach Police Department said Tuesday afternoon that it has evacuated students from Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School as a precaution due to a suspicious incident. Police said students are safe and do not need to be picked up. CBPD said to avoid the Minutemen Causeway area due to police activity. Read: Man, woman found dead at home near Lake Nona Officers said they are making significant progress in ensuring the safety of the high school and it is expected to resume shortly. Channel 9 is working to gather more information, and it will provide updates on Eyewitness News, beginning at 4 p.m. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The three were involved in the organising of illegal street races, including some during lockdown [West Midlands Police] The sentencing of two men and a woman for organising illegal street races has been hailed as a breakthrough by West Midlands Police. Retail worker Ahzi Nagmadin, 24, and Jessica Roberts, 30 were each jailed for three years by Birmingham Crown Court and Rashani Reid, aged 32, was sentenced to four years and two months. All three had admitted causing a public nuisance. In February, courts granted an order banning drivers, riders or passengers participating in racing anywhere in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall. Supt Gareth Mason said it was the first time the organisers of street racing in the area had been jailed. He described the illegal races as a "big problem in the West Midlands" and said the three, all from Birmingham, had used closed social media groups to coordinate their activities. Retail worker Nagmadin, of Blakemore Close, Bartley Green, was "the creator of a popular street racing account, which had around 20,000 followers", the West Midlands force said. It said his account would announce the location of the meetings at the last minute and afterwards share images of the cars. Unemployed Reid, of Barber Street, Lozells, was responsible for posting on a similar Instagram account, the force said, and he was involved in organising events and attended races. Nursery worker Jessica Roberts, of Ballams Wood Drive, Birmingham, was found by the police to have hundreds of messages on her phone, discussing attending and arranging meet-ups. Supt Gareth Mason said street racing was a big problem in the West Midlands [BBC] Det Con Mark Campbell said all three played different roles in the races, some of which took place during coronavirus lockdowns. He said Nagmadin "was proud of the brand identity he had created", that Reid "wanted to be a social media influencer", and that Roberts gave out warnings to racers about any police presence. Councils were previously granted a street cruising injunction following a crackdown on the activity [BBC] Four police forces from across the region - West Midlands, Staffordshire, West Mercia and Warwickshire - previously came together to tackle street racing under the name of Operation Hercules. In February this year, a ban on street racing across Birmingham and the Black Country was granted by judges until 2027. The order prohibits drivers, riders or passengers participating in racing anywhere in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. More on this story Related internet links PhilTower Consortium has merged with Miescor Infrastructure Development Corporation (MIDC) to create a new independent tower company in the Philippines. No name has been formed for the new entity yet. It is owned by investors including Macquarie Capital, Manila Electric Company (Meralco), and Global Network. In a statement by Macquarie, which has been a shareholder in PhilTower since 2021, the new tower will consist of over 3,300 operational towers, plus more than 2,100 committed orders. The new company is poised to meet the Philippines increased demand for connectivity and quality digital infrastructure. The new entity is focused on improving coverage for its mobile network operator clients and driving further investment into digital infrastructure. It will also improve the connection of local based operators Globe, Smart, and Dito. The Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) approved the transaction. The MIDC teams expertise and portfolio are highly complementary to PhilTowers, and together with our partners we will have the ability to make a real difference through the delivery of world-class telecoms infrastructure and services to our customers, said former PhilTower CEO and CEO of the new business Devid Gubiani. As the Philippine government focuses on building up its digital infrastructure and empowering its people digitally, we are proud to be bridging the digital infrastructure gap for local communities across the country, said Macquarie Capital head of infrastructure and energy capital Asia Pacific and senior managing director Ivan Varughese. In 2022, PhilTower acquired 1,350 towers from Globe Telecom in a US$340 million deal. Miescor acquired 2,180 towers also from Globe Telecom. The acquisition was part of an agreement from Globe to sell 5,709 cellular towers with Frontier scooping 3,529, according to Data Center Dynamics. DES MOINES, Iowa The name of the man who died after being shot during a fight at a Des Moines convenience store parking lot early Sunday morning has been released. Rayjon Ray, 24 of Des Moines, has been identified as the victim in the shooting, according to Sgt. Paul Parizek of the Des Moines Police Department. Witness describes shooting that left two officers hospitalized, suspect dead Emergency crews responded to a crash at 2nd Ave. and University Ave. around 5:29 a.m. Sunday and found Ray inside a vehicle that had crashed into a retaining wall. He was suffering from a gunshot injury and was critically wounded. Medics transported Ray to a local hospital for treatment but he died from his injuries. Investigators gathered evidence, including surveillance video, that indicated Ray had been part of a large gathering at a convenience store parking lot at 1442 2nd Ave. early Sunday morning. Arguments broke out during the gathering and escalated to a physical fight. Sgt. Parizek said Ray intervened and struck 25-year-old Kyonta Taylor, knocking him to the ground and thats when Taylor pulled a gun and shot Ray. Taylor was arrested Monday and is charged with voluntary manslaughter and felon in possession of a firearm. He is being held in the Polk 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 who13.com. A national threat to schools with "MHS" in the name has led to local systems closing their doors or increasing police presence on Tuesday as a precaution. The Moore Police Department reported an increased presence at Moore High School on Tuesday morning after a threat circulated late Monday night. Minco Public Schools is also closed on Tuesday. In a post on X, the department said they "had been made aware of an alleged threat/screenshot circulating amongst students on Snapchat." Since school began Tuesday morning, Moore said they have found the threat "does not appear credible" and seems to be associated with the growing trends involving other school districts with the abbreviation of "MHS." "We'll continue to monitor the situation closely. We encourage students, teachers, and families to remain vigilant and report suspicious behavior. Together, we are #moorestrong," the department posted Tuesday morning. This trend also impacted Minco Public Schools, as Superintendent Kevin Sims posted on Facebook Monday night. Sims said the school system will be closed on Tuesday after receiving a bomb threat. "Due to an abundance of caution, we are going to close tomorrow and we will have no activities tomorrow Tuesday, September 17th, 2024. Please do not come up to the school. We will have a bomb detection division of the OHP here tomorrow as well as other law enforcement agencies," Sims posted. Ryan Walters: 'Threats will not be tolerated' Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters issued a statement Tuesday addressing the threats made against schools around the state over the past several days: These threats will not be tolerated. The safety of our students is my highest priority, and our agency is coordinating efforts with local districts and law enforcement. We are making all resources available and will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure our students safety and security. Southmoore High School officials allowing early dismissal Southmoore High School administrators say school is on hold and families can check their students out early after a threat circulated on social media on Tuesday. The Moore Police Department is starting an active investigation. Parents and guardians may check out their students by coming to the school's main entrance or by phone checking out 10th to 12th-grade students. "There have been multiple fake threats over the past two weeks; however, out of an abundance of caution, parents/guardians may check out their students," MPS Administration said. "... We have a high level of police presence on the SHS campus and students are not being released to the next passing period." 'MHS' school threat shared from Snapchat creating concern nationwide Other 'MHS' high schools across the nation, such as Moorhead, Minnesota and Marysville, California, have taken precautions after seeing similar threats shared on social media, news outlets report. According to the California television news station Action News Now, the Yuba County Sheriff's Office found the threat in their community was part of a nationwide trend. Both districts have determined there is "no known threat" to either school. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma school threats, closures grow after social media threat The offences were reported to have taken place in Cardiff in 2018, Cardiff Magistrates' Court heard [BBC] A police officer has been charged with two counts of sexual assault in connection with two incidents in Cardiff. Fiona Anderson, 32, from Alford Crescent, Exeter, appeared before magistrates in Cardiff on Tuesday. The offences are reported to have taken place in Cardiff in 2018, with Ms Anderson off duty from her role as a PC with Devon and Cornwall Police at the time, the court heard. She was granted unconditional bail and will next appear at Cardiff Crown Court on 14 October. Ms Anderson spoke only to confirm her name and address during the hearing at Cardiff Magistrates' Court. The court heard that she had been suspended from duty since her arrest. ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Officers with the Odessa Police Department were out in full force Tuesday to support a fellow member of law enforcement. According to OPD, officers have lined Grant and Andrews Highway, down to Yukon road, to help escort a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper to Schlemeyer Field. The trooper was injured early Tuesday morning in a crash in Ector County. According to Ector County Sheriff Mike Griffis, between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. on September 17, ECSO was assisting DPS with traffic control on a crash in the westbound lanes of Highway 302, just east of Notrees. ESCO Deputy Justin Toombs angled his unit, with emergency lights activated, to divert traffic to the inside lane. RELATED: DPS trooper, ECSO deputy injured in crash Griffis said a driver in a Cadillac struck Deputy Toombs unit, which injured a DPS trooper. Deputy Toombs, the DPS trooper, and the driver of the Cadillac were all taken by ambulance to the Emergency Room at Medical Center Hospital. Deputy Toombs is said to be stable, but the Winkler County Sheriffs Office said the trooper involved received life threatening injuries in the crash. OPD said the trooper, who has not been publicly identified, has been taken by ambulance to the airfield off Yukon Road and will soon be flown to Lubbock for continued medical care. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Police warn of new sextortion scam in Snoqualmie and North Bend The Snoqualmie Police Department is warning residents about a new version of the sextortion scam that includes photos of victims homes. Several residents in Snoqualmie and North Bend have reported receiving emails with personal details, such as their address, accompanied by ransom demands. This scam involves victims receiving an email with a PDF attachment, threatening to release compromising sexual data unless they pay up. The scam, referred to as the Pegasus sextortion, uses AI-generated emails that include Google Maps photos of victims homes, heightening concerns for personal safety. According to police, much of the personal information comes from open sources or previous data breaches. The email gives the victim 24 hours to comply before allegedly releasing embarrassing images or information to their family and friends. It also claims the extortionists have installed spyware called Pegasus on the victims computer to monitor their activities. The Snoqualmie Police Department emphasizes this is a scam and urges residents not to respond or pay any ransom. Delete the email, the department advised in a public statement. To protect yourself from these scams, the FBI recommends never sending compromising images of yourself, being cautious about opening attachments from unknown contacts, and covering your web camera when not in use. Polish town keeps floods at bay as battle continues in Central Europe A view from the Polish bank across the border river Oder to the village of Lebus north of Frankfurt (Oder). Patrick Pleul/dpa Thousands of residents in the south-western Polish town of Nysa rallied on Tuesday to successfully prevent the breaching of a crucial dyke, as severe flooding across Central and Eastern Europe continues to keep emergency forces on edge and the death toll nears 20. "Nysa has been saved from the worst," the head of the regional administration, Monika Jurek, was quoted as saying by Poland's PAP news agency. Located about 90 kilometres south of Wrocaw, Nysa was at risk as water levels in the Nysa Kodzka river continued to rise amid the persistent rainfall that battered the region since the weekend. The water level has since started to recede, Jurek said. Throughout the night, local residents joined forces with the army and fire brigade to fortify the weakened dyke with sandbags. "There were about 2,000 people on the dyke: women, men, children and senior citizens," Mayor Kordian Kolbiarz told radio station Rmf.fm. People had formed a human chain to transport the sandbags, he said. In the end, these efforts helped to secure the dam. Poland is one of several Central and Eastern European countries grappling with historic flooding since last weekend. At least 19 deaths have now been confirmed across Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic and Romania due to the floods triggered by sometimes unprecedented levels of rainfall. On Tuesday, thousands of emergency forces were still deployed across the region, with no end in sight in many areas. Floods could reach Wrocaw by Thursday Entire swathes of land in south-western Poland remained inundated on Tuesday and the Polish government has declared a state of natural disaster in affected areas to streamline authority and enforcement of emergency measures. According to the latest forecasts, the floodwaters of the Oder river could reach the major city of Wrocaw on Thursday or Friday. During the flooding of 1997, one-third of Wrocaw was inundated. A crisis management meeting convened with Prime Minister Donald Tusk in the city to address the escalating situation. At least four people have died from the floods in Poland so far. No let-up in Czech Republic, Slovakia Across the border, the situation also remained tense in the flood-stricken areas of the Czech Republic, with numerous gauging stations still at the highest flood alert level, posing a danger to people and property. Three people are known to have died in the Czech Republic so far. In the northern Bohemian city of Usti nad Labem, near the border with Germany, the Elbe river's crest is not expected until Tuesday evening. In South Bohemia region, the historic Rozmberk fish pond is at risk of overflowing. If the large body of water rises too high, it would dramatically escalate the situation for communities along the Luznice river. The government in Prague gave the green light on Monday evening for the deployment of up to 2,000 soldiers in the disaster areas in the east of the country. At least three people have died due to the flooding. In neighbouring Slovakia, people are anxiously watching the Danube. The crest of the river reached the capital, Bratislava, early on Tuesday. A peak of around 9.7 metres above the local zero gauge point was recorded. Normally, it remains around 2 metres. The waterfront areas were submerged but flood protection walls shielded the historic Old Town. Zoo animals were taken to safety. In the outer district of Devinska Nova Ves, people had to leave their homes due to the high water. Environment Minister Tomas Taraba estimated the damage in Slovakia to be at least 20 million ($22.2 million). Death toll rises in Austria In Austria, emergency services discovered an 81-year-old woman dead in her flooded house on Tuesday, raising the total death toll in the rain-battered country to five. The woman was found in her house in Wurmla, a town in the hard-hit eastern state of Lower Austria, authorities reported. Four days of persistent rain have submerged vast areas of eastern Austria. The danger of dam breaches remains high despite the rain stopping on Tuesday, according to authorities. While the number of dead found during the floods stands at five, the cause of death for one of those victims remains unclear. Flood waters have begun to recede slightly in Austria, but local authorities say that the situation in some parts of the country remain tense. The full extent of the damage is still not known. In Lower Austria, 271 roads are still closed due to flooding, and 26 communities are cut off by land. Residents of some villages were brought to safety on Monday night. The authorities say around 33,000 emergency service workers were on duty during the four days of continuous rainfall. The amount of rain that fell in eastern Austria in just a few days was four to six times the usual amount for the entire month of September. Some 6,000 homes destroyed in Romania Clean-up operations are under way in the flooded areas of eastern Romania, where at least seven people died. Around 6,000 homes in mostly remote villages were hit by the flooding, with many completely destroyed. Thousands of people have lost all their belongings. The fire brigade sent 1,000 additional volunteers from across the country to the region. Hundreds of soldiers are also on the scene. There are also plans to call on the help of prisoners from a high-security prison in Galati. Political leaders weigh in after man illegally living in Arkansas faces charges following deadly crash Political leaders weigh in after man illegally living in Arkansas faces charges following deadly crash PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. Political leaders are reacting after a man from Honduras who was living in Arkansas illegally was arrested in connection to a deadly crash in Pulaski County. According to Arkansas State Police, 30-year-old Maynor Yair Sorto-Herrera was arrested on Sept. 9 in connection with a crash that killed 48-year-old Jennifer Ann Morton of Little Rock near Arch Street. Honduran man illegally in Arkansas facing homicide, DUI charges in Pulaski County deadly crash ASP officials said that Herrera was driving a truck south on Arch Street on the morning of Sept. 8 when his vehicle crossed into the northbound lane, striking Mortons car. Investigators said Herrera is a native of Honduras and has been illegally living in Alexander. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders made a statement Monday saying how every tool would be available to prosecute the man responsible while also criticizing the Biden-Harris administration on its border policies. Its time for the federal government to step up, close the border, and end the mayhem in our communities, Sanders said. Arkansas politicians speak on Sanders deploying National Guard to southern border Immigration and border issues have been a focal point in politics, like during the presidential debate. Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton also weighed in on the arrest, with the Republican lawmaker claiming that the crash was the effect of reckless policies. This tragedy is another sobering reminder that reckless policies can turn every state into a border state, Cotton said on X. Supreme Court upholds ban on encouraging illegal immigration State Sen. Clarke Tucker (D Little Rock) pushed back on those comments, stating that the Natural States junior senator could have already taken more action to address concerns at the U.S. southern border. If Sen. Cotton is concerned about the border and reckless policies, then he needs to do his job and work with other Senators to get a bill passed, whether Donald Trump wants to use it as an election issue or not, Tucker said. White House touts new immigration policy Herrera was charged with negligent homicide, battery, DUI, violation of the Concealed Weapons Act, reckless driving, driving without a license, failure to stop after an accident with death and other traffic violations. He pleaded not guilty to his charges last week and is scheduled to be back in court in November. He is currently being held in the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. State police noted he was previously deported from the United States in 2018. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A second attempt on the life of Donald Trump has, inevitably, sparked another partisan war of words between the rival camps in the presidential election. Democrat politicians, particularly Vice President Kamala Harris, stand accused of fomenting violence against Trump over the last eight years. And it is certainly true that repeated and ill-advised (not to say historically inept) attempts to portray Trump as a fascist have dialled up the animosity of American politics to an unhealthy level of hysteria. And in a country where legally-held guns outnumber its citizens, such rhetoric is at the very least unwise. The latest attempt to pin the blame on Harris for the latest would-be assassins attempt to be remembered in the history books is a video of her appearance on the Ellen show, in which the then US Senator was asked which of three GOP hate figures Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and his attorney general, Jeff Sessions would she prefer to be stuck in an elevator with. Does one of us have to come out alive? replied Harris, accompanied by a peel of her now famously voter-repellent laugh. This, we are now told, is an incitement to violence. Presumably we are being invited to believe that the gunman perhaps also the would-be assassin who came within a hairs breadth of killing Trump in July in Pennsylvania was a perfectly normal, balanced, responsible citizen until he watched some daytime TV and was thence turned into a psychopathic lunatic who just happened to own some weaponry. Now, it should be obvious to everyone, not least politicians themselves, that using dehumanising language about their political opponents, suggesting they are pursuing some shadowy, nefarious political agenda that will turn their country into a hellish dystopian Fourth Reich, should be avoided. That so many of them, on both sides, believe that such language is entirely justifiable shows how bereft of true statesmanlike leadership the country is. But it is absurd that in the Land of the Free, in the land of the First Amendment, enacted to protect freedom of expression, that harmless, though tasteless and unfunny, jokes, rather than the availability of firearms, can be blamed for gun violence. In the UK too there has been an over-reaction to jocular comments made by politicians over the years. No one and I mean that literally believed that Jess Phillips, interviewed shortly after being elected as an MP in 2015, was actually advocating violence against Jeremy Corbyn when she replied to the question of whether she would ever stab the Labour leader in the back. No, she would do it in the front, she said, sparking off an avalanche of faux offence among Corbyns legions of online fans. Phillips was responding in exactly the same terms in which the question had been asked. It was light-hearted, jovial. That alone should have given her critics a clue as to the nature of her words: they were a joke. And even tasteless jokes are different from actual, real-life threats of violence. But in a world where so many on the Left still claim that silence is violence and that words themselves can cause physical harm, it is hardly surprising that jokes are presented as evidence of intended violence. Crucially, the difference lies in intent. No one can seriously claim that either Harris or Phillips desired acts of violence to be committed against anyone. Whereas those, for example, on pro-Palestinian marches who carry placards demanding a new intifada are of a different, and far more sinister category. Yet among those who decried Jess Phillipss choice of language, there is an eerie silence when it comes to explicit demands for violence against Jews. To be clear, all politicians, whichever cause they espouse, must be careful about depicting their opponents as fascists (Left or Right variety) or racists or otherwise evil unless the actual hard evidence is there to substantiate those claims. Too often it is not. Too often such claims are based on nothing more than infantile prejudices against anyone who holds a different political opinion from them. But neither should such expressions of opinion be curtailed by the law. Opinions even wrong ones should be able to be expressed without fear of a knock on the door from Plod, and an interview with officers in which the offender is either that his views could have hurt someones feelings, or, worse, accused of fomenting violence without any evidence of a causal link to a specific incident. Similarly, voters in America are able to judge whether Harriss previous language and attempts at humour were appropriate to either her office or her targets. For gun-wielding champions of the Second Amendment to try to blame harsh language and bad jokes for the peril in which the Republican presidential nominee has twice found himself is stretching the limits of irony and political satire. 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. New poll indicates whether Harris or Trump has the edge in the most important battleground A new poll conducted entirely after last week's debate indicates Vice President Kamala Harris holding a three-point edge over former President Trump in Pennsylvania, which is arguably the most crucial of the seven key general election battleground states. Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, is ahead of Trump, the GOP nominee, 49%-46% among likely voters in Pennsylvania, according to a USA Today/Suffolk University poll conducted Wednesday through Saturday (Sept. 11-14). The vice president's advantage over the former president among the 500 respondents is within the poll's margin of error of 4.4 percentage points. HEAD HERE FOR FOX NEWS UPDATES ON THE SECOND ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON TRUMP Vice President Kamala Harris, right, and former President Donald Trump shake hands during their presidential debate, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. Photographer: Doug Mills/The New York Time/Bloomberg via Getty Images The survey was conducted before Sunday's second assassination attempt against Trump. And the poll was released on Monday, which marks 50 days until Election Day on November 5. Both Harris and Trump have repeatedly made stops this summer in Pennsylvania, which along with Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona and Nevada, had razor-thin margins that decided the outcome of the 2020 election between Trump and President Biden. And the seven states will likely determine whether Harris or Trump wins the 2024 presidential election. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP HARRIS-TRUMP SHOWDOWN ROCKED AGAIN, WITH 50 DAYS TO GO UNTIL ELECTION But with 19 electoral votes at stake, Pennsylvania's the biggest of the key battlegrounds. And while the campaigns and their allied super PACs are pouring resources into all seven states, more money has been spent to run spots in Pennsylvania than any of the other battlegrounds. And both sides have dished out more dollars to reserve airtime going forward in the Keystone State than any of the other swing states, according to figures from AdImpact, a top national ad tracking firm. Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at IBEW Local Union #5 on September 02, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Pennsylvania, along with Michigan and Wisconsin, are the three Rust Belt states that make up the Democrats' so-called "Blue Wall." The party reliably won all three states for a quarter-century before Trump narrowly captured them in the 2016 election to win the White House. Four years later, in 2020, Biden carried all three states by razor-thin margins to put them back in the Democrats' column and defeated Trump. WHAT THE LATEST FOX NEWS POWER RANKING IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE SHOW In addition to her statewide edge over Trump, two separate USA Today/Suffolk University surveys conducted post-debate in Erie and Northampton counties two bellwethers that have historically predicted which presidential candidate carries Pennsylvania indicate the vice president ahead by mid-single digits. All three surveys indicated that a widening gender gap that benefits Harris is fueling her overall advantage over Trump. In the statewide survey, Harris tops Trump by 17 points among female voters while the former president leads the vice president by a slimmer 12 points among men. Harris had even wider leads among women in Erie and Northampton counties. "This is female-gender advantage on steroids," Suffolk University Political Research Center director Dave Paleologos told Fox News. "In all three data sets, the women margin is around almost twice Trump's edge among men." The USA Today/Suffolk survey is the first conducted in Pennsylvania following the debate, which was held in Philadelphia. A CBS News survey in the field in early September, in the week before the debate, indicated a tied race in the Keystone State. "It's the one state that it's hard to see someone losing and then still winning the presidential race," Mark Harris, Pittsburgh-based longtime Republican national strategist and ad maker, told Fox News Digital earlier this month. "It's clearly ground zero." Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub. Original article source: New poll indicates whether Harris or Trump has the edge in the most important battleground A constant refrain in political analysis is, essentially, that nothing matters. Sometimes, it can feel like not even a massive gaffe or scandal can affect how voters feel about a candidate, and not even major news events can move public opinion on issues. But sometimes, things do matter. Presidential debates are one of those things. Last week's debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump produced fewer policy specifics than voters wanted, but along the way Harris succeeded in painting Trump in a bad light. In the week since the debate, polls have shown a slight increase in support for the Democratic nominee. As a result, on Monday, Sept. 16, Harris's chance of winning the election according to 538's forecasting model reached 61-in-100 surpassing her previous high from Aug. 26. If we look at all the polls that have been conducted entirely after the debate and compare them with each firm's pre-debate survey, Harris has made small gains in most of them. Harris gained 1 percentage point on margin according to an Ipsos/Reuters national poll released late last week; 2 points in RMG Research's polling; 2 points according to Morning Consult; 2 points according to Big Village; and 1 point according to SoCal Strategies. The only exceptions are Leger, Redfield & Wilton Strategies and Ipsos/ABC News, whose post-debate polls showed Harris losing 1 point, standing pat and standing pat, respectively, compared with their last surveys. 538's averages of national and state polls agree that Harris has made marginal gains since the debate. As of 9 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday, Sept. 17, Harris leads Trump by an average of 2.9 points in national polls, up ever so slightly from her 2.5-point lead on debate day. That 0.4-point gain is considerably smaller than the average post-debate change in election polls going back to 1952 but then again, with polarization, most changes in opinion are smaller now. Notably, Harris is still down about 1 point from her late-August high in national polls. PHOTO: 538's national polling average of the presidential election as of Sept. 17, 2024 at 9 a.m. Eastern. (538 photo illustration) In national polls, the real boon for Harris is not that she has gained four-tenths of a percent of support; it's that she has put a stop to Trump's gains. Before last week, Trump was gaining about half a point of popular-vote margin nationally on Harris since late August. If he had continued on that path, he would have been favored to win the race in 538's forecast by later this month perhaps as soon as this week. Instead, Harris is the one who has modestly improved her chances of winning the race. But because presidential elections are decided by the Electoral College, it's the state polls, not national polls, that really matter. And in addition to the national polls we've already mentioned, state polls also show real gains for Harris. In New Hampshire, a poll from Saint Anselm College Survey Center found Harris up by 8 points over Trump, 2 points better than Harris's pre-debate average in the state. Polls in Alaska, Arkansas and New Mexico also came in above average. A poll from the right-leaning Trafalgar Group released Monday showed Harris up by 2 points in Nevada. Polls from InsiderAdvantage and the highly rated Marquette University Law School found Harris up by 2 and 5 points, respectively, among likely voters in Wisconsin. And on Sunday, the always-closely-watched Selzer & Co./Des Moines Register poll showed Trump leading Harris by just 4 points in Iowa, a state our model had been expecting Trump to win by 8. And yes, shifts in non-swing states matter, even if Harris is unlikely to win them in the end. Polling movement is often correlated from state to state, meaning that if Harris is gaining in Iowa and Arkansas not to mention nationally she's probably also gaining in Pennsylvania and North Carolina. All of this nets out to a pretty sizable shift toward Harris in our election forecast (which can be a bit more aggressive than our polling averages in reacting to correlated movement in polls). Our model's predictions for the final margin between the two candidates in the big seven swing states are about 1 point better for Harris today than they were last week. Our forecast in Wisconsin has gone from Harris+2 to Harris+3; in Michigan, from Harris+1.5 to Harris+2.2; in Pennsylvania and Nevada, from Harris+0.1 to Harris+1.5; and in Georgia, North Carolina and Arizona, from Trump+1 to Harris +0.2. In fact, the polls are so (comparatively) good for Harris that the model is actually forecasting a national popular vote that is more Democratic than the current national polling average. Our model calculates an implied national popular vote based on estimated turnout in each state, and today that number is closer to Harris+4.2 than Harris's 2.9-point lead in national polls. This echoes 2012, when state polls looked better for President Barack Obama than national polls did (Obama ended up beating his national polling average over Republican nominee Mitt Romney by more than 3 points). This difference between the national electorate in the national polls and the one implied by state polls may sound small, but in fact 1.5 points could end up deciding the whole election. The forecasted margin between Harris and Trump is currently equal to or smaller than 1.5 points in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina and Pennsylvania a bloc that is together worth 68 electoral votes. In the 2020 election, now-President Joe Biden ended up needing to win the national popular vote by at least 3.8 points (assuming a uniform national swing) in order to carry enough states to win 270 electoral votes. This year, thanks to her stronger standing in state polls than in national ones, our forecast thinks Harris needs to win the national popular vote by only about 2.1 points in order to be favored to win. However, that still means the Electoral College will probably help Trump, meaning that it's essential for Harris to maintain her current lead in the northern battleground states especially. That's why our forecast gives Harris a 61-in-100 chance of winning instead of 72-in-100 (her current chances of winning the national popular vote). Ultimately, though, it is still early days: We have seven weeks left until Election Day, and many major firms have yet to release any post-debate data. We will have to keep watching the data to see how Harris's and Trump's chances change. As history has shown, campaign events can unearth new information, reinforce perceptions of candidates, or deprive underdogs of a last chance to shake up the campaign. That's truer than ever in tightly contested national elections, regardless of higher levels of polarization. 538's polling averages and election forecasting model will continue to update with the latest polls as they are released. Polls show Harris gaining after the presidential debate originally appeared on abcnews.go.com (Video by Daisuke Sato) The deafening roar of revving car engines. Spinning tires spitting tufts of white smoke. The acrid smell of burnt rubber. These sights, sounds and smells are the hallmarks of the thrilling world of Japanese drift culture. A recent event held at the Mobara Twin Circuit in Chiba Prefecture saw dozens of drifting devotees take to the track for a day of fast-paced racing and demonstrations. Among this group of automotive enthusiasts were Soldiers and civilians assigned to the U.S. Army in Japan. If you see something unusual, don't overlook it. It could just be an ancient discovery. Joel Lapointe from Quebec, Canada, was investigating the Cote-Nord region ahead of a camping trip using Google Maps when he found what could be a crater left behind by an ancient space rock. While using Google Map's satellite feature, Lapointe came across a pit he found unusual. A man from Quebec, Canada, came across a strange pit while using Google Earth. 12-YEAR-OLD BOY STUMBLES UPON STUNNING ANCIENT FIND WHILE WALKING DOG IN ENGLAND: RELATIVELY RARE After seeing this strange pit, Lapointe decided to investigate it further. He contacted a French geophysicist named Pierre Rochette, who believed the find could be a rare discovery. "Looking at the topography, it's very suggestive of impact," Rochette told CBC News. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Rochette later received samples from the site in question, and found that at least one contained zircon, a mineral that undergoes transformation in the event of a meteor impact. More research is being done to find more definitive answers about the potentially rare discovery. Joel Lapointe was using Google Earth to scope out an area for a camping trip in the Cote-Nord region of Quebec, Canada. MOM, SON DIG UP ANCIENT OBJECT OFTEN FOUND NEAR BURIAL GROUNDS WHILE GARDENING "It could tell us about when it was delivered to Earth," Tara Hayden, postdoctoral associate at Western University's department of Earth sciences, told CBC. "That's the wonderful thing about impact craters. We get to have this link between Earth and the outside universe." The study of impact craters allows scientists to better understand "the past, present and future of collisions" across the solar system, per the American Museum of Natural History. So far, there have been 200 total confirmed impact craters found, 31 of which have been discovered in Canada, Gordon Osinski, an Earth sciences professor at Western University, told CBC. Experts believe that Lapointe may have found an impact crater from an ancient space rock on Google Maps while he was planning his camping trip. He added that there are many geologists hunting down a find like this one, but true discoveries are very rare. "It's quite easy with Google Earth these days to go on and find structures that are circular or semicircular in origin. You know, nine times out of 10 they're not [craters]," Osinski said. The next order of business is for Osinski and his team to potentially head on location to find out more about the find. "It's super exciting," Osinski told CBC. "It doesn't happen too often." Original article source: Possible ancient meteor crater found by Canadian man planning trip using Google Maps It rained on Sunday in Redding, but this wasn't just any rain. More rain drenched Redding on Sunday than had ever fallen on any other Sept. 15 in the last 131 years. The National Weather Service recorded .59 inches of rain at the Redding Regional Airport on Sunday, breaking a record that had stood since 1976, when .36 inches of rain fell in Redding. Then, from midnight until 3 a.m. Tuesday, another two-tenths of an inch of rain came down. The weather service began keeping rainfall records in the Redding area in 1893. The weather service recorded rainfall closer to downtown Redding when the previous record of .36 inches was set. The agency began taking temperature and rainfall measurements at the current location at the airport in 1986, according to the weather service. Along with that good soaking, Redding has also benefitted recently from recent below-normal temperatures, which are expected to continue through the week, according to Dakari Anderson, a weather service meteorologist. Sunday's high temperature was 81 degrees, coming in at 12 degrees below normal. Sunday's storm also brought plenty of lightning. There were a total 336 lightning strikes across the North State, Anderson said, with most of those in Shasta, Tehama and Glenn counties. The National Weather Service recorded 336 lightning strikes across the North State overnight on Sept. 15, 2024, along with a record-breaking rainfall for that period. For the rest of the week, the weather service said there was a 30% chance of rain Monday afternoon and evening. The forecast called for partly cloudy skies Tuesday in the morning and in the afternoon. The chance of rain was expected to increase to 50% in the evening and into Wednesday morning, the weather service said. The chance of rain declines to 20% Wednesday night, the agency said. High temperatures are expected to be in the 70s through Wednesday and then rise back up into the 80s on Thursday and Friday, said the weather service. Does the rain and cooler temperatures mean this is the end of fire season? The one-word answer: Nope. The rain "is helpful, but our fire season's definitely not over," said Jas Shaw, a spokesman for the Redding office of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Cal Fire has gone to or assisted with 543 fires in Shasta and eastern Trinity counties since Jan. 1, Shaw said. Note to readers: If you appreciate the work we do here at the Redding Record Searchlight, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know. The rain came in overnight and wet down the vegetation, but a "wind event" is expected later this month that will dry out the grass, brush and trees in the surrounding foothills and mountains, she said. The Redding-based National Interagency Coordination Center for fire agencies in the North State posted a map on its website Monday that indicated a low risk of fire danger in the Redding area on Monday. The mountains surrounding Redding rated a "little to no risk" of fire danger, the agency's fire risk map said. For Tuesday through Friday, the potential for fire drops to "little to no risk" for nearly all of the North State. By Saturday, the fire potential increased slightly to "low risk," according to the map. Surrounding mountains remained in the green of "little to no risk" of fire potential, the map said. Despite the lower risks indicated by the maps, Anderson, of the weather service, was clear that there is more fire season ahead. "We're expecting conditions to dry back out later this weekend, leading into early next week, and this transitional season can be pretty tricky just because we've had the whole summer's worth of drying and fuel drying out over the area," Anderson said."So no I wouldn't say this marks the end of our season," said Anderson. Reporter Damon Arthur welcomes story tips at 530-338-8834, by email at damon.arthur@redding.com and on Twitter at @damonarthur_RS. Help local journalism thrive by subscribing today! This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Sunday rain over Redding going down in the record books CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Three out of four of the top figures leading the Democratic and Republican national tickets are making stops in the Tar Heel State this week. On Tuesday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will speak in Asheville as he runs for vice president. Sen. JD Vance will be in Raleigh on Wednesday as Donald Trumps running mate. Trump will address voters in Wilmington on Saturday. Trump blames Biden and Harris rhetoric toward him despite his own history of going after rivals Counting the visits happening this week, we will have seen eight so far this month from presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Both parties are making it clear they want to secure North Carolinas 16 electoral college votes. Theyre putting the most precious commodity, which is their time, into the Old North State, said Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University. With fewer than 50 days until the election, our nations top candidates are making their presence known, trying to reach unaffiliated and undecided voters in this swing state. For Donald Trump, it is difficult, if not impossible, for him to end up in the White House without North Carolina, said Cooper. It is critical for both candidates. It is even more so for Donald Trump. The latest data from the State Board of Elections shows there are more than 2.8 million unaffiliated voters. That accounts for almost 37 percent of North Carolinas registered voters. Your vote is your voice, and unaffiliated voters making up the largest voting party here in North Carolina have the largest voice share in this election, said Joselle Torres with Democracy NC. Its why non-partisan organizations like Democracy NC are rallying people who normally wouldnt head to the polls to cast their ballots, specifically the younger generation. Over one million Gen Z voters out of four million who are registered to vote across America, over one million of them will be voting for the first time ever in this 2024 general election, and thousands of them are unaffiliated voters, said Torres. We want to be able to educate them. The candidates are following the same strategy. Vice President Kamala Harris was just in Charlotte and Greensboro last week. Trump will visit the coast at the end of this week. While the people who show up to the rallies are usually voters who already have their minds made up on who theyre supporting, the reach goes far beyond that. Judge rejects former Trump aide Mark Meadows bid to move Arizona election case to federal court The rallies themselves, the audience, yeah, thats important, said Cooper. But whats really important is the amplification of those events, right? So, the press coverage that goes in before, the press coverage thats after. The kind of people who dont show up but might be interested to know that that candidate cares about their community, right? They might actually talk to somebody who showed up at that rally. Political experts said for some unaffiliated voters, issues like the economy, immigration and health care could motivate them to get out and vote. But often these voters are less interested in policy-based solutions and more interested in how the candidates portray themselves and each other. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. When is the presidential election and early voting dates? Donald Trump will face Kamala Harris in the 2024 race for the White House after an eventful start to the campaign. Joe Biden pulled out of the race after intense pressure following his disastrous first debate with Trump. When is the US election? The US election will be held on Tuesday, Nov 5 2024. The winner will serve four years in the White House starting from their inauguration on Jan 20 2025. Voters will be electing not just a president, but Congressional candidates for seats in the House of Representatives and the US Senate. What are the key battleground states ? The road to the White House effectively runs through a few critical battleground states, which play an outsized role on election day. The states are typically divided, and flip between Democrat and Republican with a narrow margin of victory. Pennsylvania, and its 19 electoral college votes, has proved to be a critical state in the last few presidential elections, and 2024 will be no different. Trump will also have to flip Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin and Nevada, which Mr Biden narrowly carried in 2020 to win the presidency. Florida and Ohio, once considered marginal, have been safe Republican territory in recent elections. However, nothing is set in stone. When does early voting start? Alabama was the first state to send its mail votes on September 11. Heres a timeline for early in-person and mail voting: September 11 Alabama September 19 Wisconsin September 20 Minnesota, South Dakota and Virginia September 21 North Carolina, and Military and overseas ballots September 23 Mississippi September 26 Michigan September 30 Nebraska October 7 Georgia October 9 Arizona October 15 Georgia October 16 Nevada October 17 North Carolina October 19 Nevada October 21 Texas October 22 Wisconsin October 26 Michigan What happens on election day ? The majority of voters go to the polls and ballots are counted. Many people may have already cast their vote ahead of time using the postal voting system or early voting. What time does polling end? Votes are counted in each state after their respective polls close. Poll close times vary from state to state but generally begin from around 7pm local time. The range of time zones across the US means that on the east coast, ballots will have been tabulated while voters in states like Alaska and Hawaii are still making their way to the polls. When do we get the election results ? The winner of the election will likely not be projected for days. Even then, the results are not properly finalised for months. However, states and the whole election result are typically called long before final votes are counted. This article is kept updated with the latest information for the 2024 election. 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. Arkansas House District 62 Mark McElroy (R) Incumbent Mark McElroy was first elected to the Arkansas House as a Democrat in 2012, going on to win two more times before filing to run as an independent in 2018 and losing that race. In both 2020 and 2022, he ran and won as a Republican. Hes the vice chair of the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee and sits on the Public Transportation Committee. McElroy is a former judge and a farmer. He told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in 2020 that he considered himself a moderate Republican with a policy outlook similar to then-Governor Asa Hutchinsons. He said that gun control and reproductive rights are among the issues that he takes the most conservative stance towards. Dexter Miller (D) Dexter Miller works for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, providing tech support and digital services for public schools. He was the chair of the Helena Regional Hospital Board, where he says he was part of keeping the hospital from closing and is involved with the Phillips County Planning Commission. As your State Representative, I will fight to secure investments in education, our economy, community safety, and rural hospitals, he says on his campaign website. I wont be silent as politicians force folks off of their health insurance. Raising teacher pay was a step in the right direction, but we can do more to give students the resources they need to thrive, he says. I will be ready to deliver solutions for our schools and mitigate the damage done by the disastrous LEARNS Act. This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: McElroy and Miller compete for Arkansas House District 62 Arkansas Senate District 22 John Payton (R) Incumbent Republican John Payton has served in the Arkansas General Assembly since 2013, first in the state House of Representatives and then in the Senate since 2023. Hes co-chair of the Joint Retirement and Social Security Programs Committee and vice co-chair of the Charitable, Penal and Correctional Institutions Subcommittee. A graduate of Missouri Auction School, Payton owns several auto auction houses and used car dealerships. He also raises cattle on a family farm. Payton is a member of the NRA, the Cattlemans Association and is a member of the chambers of commerce of Heber Springs, Clinton and Fairfield Bay. Sandy Maier (D) Democratic challenger Sandy Maier worked for 30 years for the California Department of Social Services and other state agencies, in programs addressing teen pregnancy and domestic violence. She was the recorder and treasurer of Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, and a member of its chamber of commerce. Women should have the right to make decisions when it comes to their own bodies, safety from gun violence, there needs to be access to a good education, healthcare, a living wage, and no child should ever have to go to bed hungry! she says on her campaign website. This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Maier and Payton compete for Arkansas Senate District 22 MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) A detective with the Prichard Police Department has entered a plea of not guilty after he was accused of perjury, according to court documents. 44-year-old Jason Timothy Matthias Hadaway entered the not guilty plea on Tuesday, the day before his arraignment was scheduled. He was arrested earlier this month on a third-degree perjury charge. New OB-GYN office in Mobile aims to improve health care for women A mugshot of Jason Hadaway (Mobile County Sheriffs Office). His arraignment will no longer take place after his not-guilty plea. Hadaways perjury charge stems from a criminal complaint alleging he made false statements about a January 2023 murder case when asked about it in June while under oath during a court proceeding. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Princess Anne to visit Isle of Man next month The visit will take place on 17 October [PA Media] The Princess Royal is to visit an exhibition celebrating the Isle of Man's RNLI links and refurbished Manx cathedral next month. The visit, which has been confirmed on the official website of the Royal Family, will take place on 17 October. Princess Anne, who is patron of the Cathedral Isle of Man's multimillion-pound development appeal, will attend a Thanksgiving Service at the church in Peel. The princess will also attend the All at Sea exhibition at the House of Manannan in the western town. The Princess Royal last visited the island in 2021 for the Tynwald Day ceremony [BBC] The display highlights the influence witnessing shipwrecks in Manx waters had on island Sir William Hillary's pursuance of the foundation of a national lifeboat institution. It was created to mark the 200th anniversary of the creating of the lifesaving organisation. Princess Anne last visited the island in 2021 when she presided over the annual open-air ceremony of the island's parliament on Tynwald Hill on behalf of the late Queen Elizabeth II. As a crown dependency, the British monarch holds the title Lord of Mann. Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook, and X? You can also send story ideas to IsleofMan@bbc.co.uk More like this story Related internet links Done this before Ohio Prisoner admits to killing cellmate with towel A prisoner has been sentenced after admitting to killing his cellmate in Warren County. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Jedidiah Lang, 43, of Youngstown, was sentenced to 15 years to life after pleading guilty to killing Cody Bartimus at the Warren Correctional Institution (WCI) in 2023, according to the Warren County Prosecutors Office. Bartimus was found unresponsive in his cell during checks on Oct. 26, 2023. TRENDING STORIES: Medics transported him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Montgomery County Coroners Office determined Bartimus cause of death to be strangulation, Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell said. Lang told the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) investigators he had his knee into Bartimus back while he pulled his neck with the towel. He said it was done to, rip his head off. He stated he knew Bartimus was dead because he had, done this before. Lang was previously sentenced to 15 years to life after being convicted in 2013 of murder in a Knox County case. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] (Bloomberg) -- Malaysias Islamist party, which advocates strict Islamic laws, is wooing non-Muslims in a bid to form the next government in elections less than four years away. Most Read from Bloomberg Parti Islam Se-Malaysia changed its constitution last week to allow people from other religions to join as associate members, according to party officials. Its a major concession for PAS, as its known, which won the most seats of any party in the last general election in 2022 but is part of the opposition bloc. But questions remain over why members of Malaysias Chinese or Indian minorities would want to join a group that pushes a religious agenda. The party had in the past championed the formation of an Islamic state and draws support from the majority Malays who are Muslim by law. Youre not going to be forced to be Muslims, said PAS lawmaker Halimah Ali in an interview on Saturday in central Pahang state where party members gathered for an annual congress and voted to change the constitution. When you join PAS, you dont have to be Malay, you dont have to follow Malay culture. You can preserve your identity. With the new changes, anyone who follows a religion can join PAS but atheists will be excluded, according to PAS Secretary-General Takiyuddin Hassan. Associate members get the same voting rights as regular members but they cant contest top leadership positions. We are now considered a multiracial party, Takiyuddin said. I think we have a better opportunity to represent Malaysians, not only Malays and Muslims. Green Wave The changes in PAS may find little support from minority communities that are opposed to the partys overly religious political agenda, according to Oh Ei Sun, principal adviser for Pacific Research Center of Malaysia. To truly win over non-Malay supporters, PAS needs to moderate its political stance to be inclusive, he said. Even as it opens up to non-Muslims, PAS is unwilling to compromise on its beliefs found in the Koran and the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, Halimah said. At the party meeting, a senior PAS official said the party was prepared to shut down Malaysias only casino if it wins control of Pahang. PAS has often said it will enforce stricter rules for Muslims should it come to power, noting that the religion bans alcohol consumption and gambling. Shortly after winning all of the parliament seats in Terengganu state in 2022, it amended laws to punish Muslim women for out-of-wedlock pregnancies and donning mens clothing. After the 2022 election, alcohol and gaming stocks tumbled before recovering when Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim formed a unity government made up of liberals, parties of minority races and regional groups. As PAS gains more influence, Anwar has sought to burnish his own Islamic credentials. Last year his government canceled a concert after two members of British band The 1975 shared a same-sex kiss on stage and banned Swatch watches that showcase Pride colors. His government has made overtures to PAS to join his coalition which were rebuffed. The rise of the party, which controls four out of Malaysias 13 states, has been labeled a green wave of conservative Islam by its critics. Halimah said she rejects the characterization. They call us the green wave to create this fear among non-Malays, non-Muslims, especially the Chinese, she said. It is the peoples wave. --With assistance from Ram Anand. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Close up of the spider lily. (Photo by Japan Travel) This carpet of over 5,000,000 bright red spider lilies beside the Koma River made it to the list of the top 30 reasons to visit Japan or really, the top 30 most beautiful places in Japan. So remarkable, in fact, that the Emperor and Empress of Japan came last year to see it for themselves. The entrance fee of 300 allows you to walk amongst the flowers and enter the festival area with all day stage events and food and souvenir booths. Getting there Kinchakuda is about a 10 minute downhill walk from Koma Station (Seibu Chichibu Line). Koma Station is a little over an hour from Ikebukuro which makes it an easy day trip. Visitors are encouraged to take the train. Thousands of people come to see this yearly event and parking spaces are limited. Kinchakuda Manjushage Festival () Date: Through Oct. 2 Admission: 300 Venue: Komahongo Address: 125-2 Komahongo Hidaka-shi, Saitama-ken 350-1251 Tel: 042-982-0268 Website The red carpet is right beside the Koma River. (Photo by Japan Travel) Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone brought residents and local organisations together to try to solve issues affecting Eastfield in Northampton [Laura Coffey/BBC] A series of walkabouts by police and community leaders has started in a county's crime hotspots. One of the selected areas, Eastfield in Northampton, has seen burglaries and car crime almost double in a year. The neighbourhood tours have been set up by Labour's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire, Danielle Stone. The secretary of Eastfield's Residents' Association said local people wanted to feel confident they were being listened to. The Eastfield area in Northampton was chosen because there had been a spike in some offences like burglary and vehicle crime. Last year, there were 33 burglaries in the area, up from 19 in 2022, and there were 40 vehicle crimes last year compared to 23 during the previous year. Arun Siva, the owner of the Londis shop on Broadmead Avenue, says he experiences a lot of shoplifting [Laura Coffey/BBC] The Commissioner's first stop was a parade of shops on Broadmead Avenue. Arun Siva owns the Londis shop and does not think shoplifting in Eastfield is taken seriously. He said: "Our shop got robbed one morning early and we reported it but nothing happened. "I lost 2,000 and couldn't get that back." The issues of drug dealing in Eastfield Park and the amount of fly-tipping in the surrounding areas were also highlighted. Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Rodney Williams joined the tour around Eastfield [Laura Coffey/BBC] The Commissioner's entourage included police officers, West Northamptonshire and Northampton Town councillors, housing officials and the probation service. Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Rodney Williams said he recognised people were not always aware of the action the force are taking: "We could be better at relaying exactly what activity we are doing. "We do a lot of plain clothed activity around the town as well as on Eastfield in order to tackle criminality. "With drugs, we've taken action elsewhere in town which has seen crime spiral down here." Ms Stone said "I want to make sure everyone feels as safe as they can in the area where they live, and part of achieving that is to make sure Police are continuing to engage with the communities they are serving. We are absolutely committed to listening and learning from residents, and working with them to identify what actions we can take to improve their quality of life." Sammie Wakefield, secretary of Eastfield Residents Association, has lived in the area for six years [Laura Coffey/BBC] Sammie Wakefield, secretary of Eastfield Residents Association, said Residents want to feel confident that they are being listened to, but they also want to see action, so I think its been beneficial for the Commissioner to come and see the estate. "Im looking forward to seeing how we can all work together as a bigger group to move things forward. Ideas that will now be explored include multi-agency action days, regular litter picks and fly-tipping clean-ups. Destinations for future walkabouts include central Corby Town Centre, Kingsthorpe in Northampton and Redhill Grange in Wellingborough. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story Related internet links (Bloomberg) -- Progressive Americans unhappy with Vice President Kamala Harris about-face on fracking need to ease up, said environmentalist Bill McKibben. Most Read from Bloomberg Look, it doesnt make me happy, but its obvious why we need to cut her slack here, he said Tuesday in Rhinebeck, New York. This elections going to be decided most likely in Pennsylvania. Thats an accident of history that Pennsylvania also happens to have a lot of fracking in it. While softer language on fracking may appeal to moderate residents in swing states, it risks disillusioning the climate activists who helped elect President Joe Biden and Harris four years ago. Thus far, however, progressive groups have largely held their fire on Harris policy shift. By presenting a united front, theyre trying to avoid the return of Donald Trump, a big backer of fossil fuels, to the White House. In her prior run for the presidency, Harris said there was no question shed ban fracking if elected. But in her debate this month against Trump, she said she didnt support a ban anymore and touted how the Biden administration has boosted oil and gas. Beyond fracking, Harris hasnt weighed in on whether she would reverse a pause on permitting new plants to export liquefied natural gas, or LNG, that went into effect under Biden. One of the problems with this election is that because there were no primaries, there was no way to get candidates on the record about their LNG plans, McKibben said at the event. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. CINCINNATI, Ohio (WDTN) New images of what a future and modernized setup could look like in The Jungle have been unveiled. On Tuesday, Sept. 17, the Hamilton County Commissioners presented proposed plans for Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. Improvements are called for the stadium itself, as well as the outside surrounding area. The proposed exterior rendering appears to show video screens, which would show media of the Cincinnati Bengals. Currently, there is not physical support stands to hold where they would be placed. Hamilton County, Ohio/MSA Sport Hamilton County, Ohio/MSA Sport The IEL Indoor Facility near the stadium would be removed, according to the proposed photo. Hamilton County officials show the facility would be replaced with structured grass parking on Mehring Way. Hamilton County, Ohio/MSA Sport Hamilton County, Ohio/MSA Sport The proposed site plan shows a new Bengals office space with a training center, which would be the cause behind the removal of the IEL Indoor Facility. An enhanced and improved training area with 2,000 seats could be utilized for the new Team Complex, along with on-site medical care and administrative offices. Hamilton County, Ohio/MSA Sport Hamilton County, Ohio/MSA Sport Hamilton County, Ohio/MSA Sport Hamilton County, Ohio/MSA Sport An interior stadium upgrade could include additional seating to the upper bowl. The creation of a middle level club is also proposed in plans set forth by the county. According to the proposal, new entries, escalators, stairs and transportation would be considered if the plan is approved. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Prosecutors said Monday that there is no indication former Las Vegas City Councilwoman Michele Fiore is a domestic terrorist and believe her allegation is a mistaken claim. In July, a federal grand jury indicted Fiore now a suspended Pahrump Justice Court judge on several counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Fiore engaged in a scheme to defraud charitable donors of more than $70,000 for her own personal benefit, a superseding indictment from August said. The government classified former Las Vegas City Councilwoman Michele Fiore as a domestic terrorist in 2020, a title she has kept amid recent legal troubles in federal court, her lawyer, Michael Sanft, said in court documents filed earlier this month. Sanft said his client was classified as a domestic terrorist following her support for rancher Cliven Bundy and the armed standoff he had with the government in 2014. The documents surround what evidence could be entered in Fiores federal trial. According to prosecutors, Fiore misread the governments threat banding, which they said [correlates] to the type of investigation and is unrelated to the level of threat, if any, an individual may pose. Because the federal case involves Fiore, who is a public official, the FBI deemed it its highest priority threat band, prosecutors said. There will be no reference to Fiore as a domestic terrorist in the governments case-in-chief, prosecutors said, noting surveillance of Fiore before her arrest in July did not consider her armed and dangerous. Prosecutors add Fiores connection to the Bundy standoff has nothing to do with her current case. Court documents say from 2017 to 2022, Fiore allegedly founded and mismanaged funds that were intended to pay for memorial statues for a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer who died in the line of duty. Documents allege she spent money from charitable donations for a variety of personal expenses, including rent, travel and a payment for Fiores daughters wedding. Fiore has pleaded not guilty and a trial was scheduled for later 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 KLAS. Federal prosecutors are urging a Manhattan court to keep defendant Sean Diddy Combs in detention ahead of his trial, calling him a flight risk and a significant risk to obstruction of justice. There is no condition, or combination of conditions, that will reasonably assure the appearance of the defendant as required and the safety of others and the community, not to mention the integrity of the proceedings, prosecutors wrote in their letter Tuesday. Combs was charged in a three-count criminal indictment, unsealed on Tuesday, with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The indictment alleges Combs abused, threatened, and coerced women and others, since 2008, and oversaw a criminal enterprise that relied on employees and the influence of Combss business empire to attempt to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice. Combs was arrested late Monday in New York and is expected in court Tuesday afternoon. As reflected by the gravity of the charges in the Indictment, the defendant is dangerous and poses an ongoing threat to the safety of the community. If released, he remains a serious risk of flight, despite the conditions offered by his counsel. Most glaringly, the defendant also poses a significant risk of obstructing justice, the prosecutions letter reads. The prosecutors note that the indictment accuses Combs of attempting to bribe security staff and with threatening and interfering with witnesses to his alleged criminal conduct. He has already tried to obstruct the Governments investigation of this case, repeatedly contacting victims and witnesses and feeding them false narratives of events, as described in detail below. There are simply no conditions that would ensure that the defendants efforts to obstruct and tamper with witnesses will stop, the letter reads. The letter then details Combss alleged use of threats, violence and brandishing of firearms to intimidate and threaten others. It notes the defendant still has access to gun, including illegal firearms. They argue Combss violent tendencies are widely known, but at no point during the past few decades has the threat of public exposure or law enforcement intervention deterred the defendant from continuing his abuse. The prosecutors note the extent of the evidence against Combs, pointing to the 50 interviews conducted with victims or witnesses and records obtained pursuant to more than 300 grand jury subpoenas or by voluntary means. Prosecutors argue that the terms posed by the defense counsel, including home detention with electronic monitoring and a $50 million bond secured by Combss Miami home, are plainly insufficient especially given the defendants history of engaging in obstructive conduct. Prosecutors further note that the proposed conditions dont include limitations on access to digital devices. In a statement Monday night, Combss attorney, Marc Agnifilo, said he and his client were disappointed by the unjust prosecution of Combs, whom Agnifilo praised as a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist. He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal, Agnifilo continued in his statement. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court, he added. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Prosecutors Say Teen Killed Mom and Showed Friend Corpse: 'Are You Squeamish Around Dead Bodies?' Carly Gregg, 15, is accused of by prosecutors fatally shooting her mother before trying to kill her stepdad in March Northwest Rankin High School; Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK Ashley Smylie and her daughter Carly Madison Gregg According to prosecutors, when a 14-year-old Mississippi girl frantically messaged her friend to come over to help with an emergency one afternoon this past March, the friend had no idea what she'd witness next. Are you squeamish around dead bodies? 14-year-old Carly Gregg allegedly asked the friend when she answered the front door, according to Mississippi state prosecutor Kathryn White Newman, in footage broadcast by CourtTV, who spoke at the now-15-year-old's murder trial. Local WAPT and WJTV also reported on Newman's opening statements in the trial, which began Monday. According to Newman, moments later, Gregg led her friend to her bedroom, where her mother was dead on the floor from three gunshots, CourtTV and WAPT reported. Newman told the courtroom that Gregg's mother was searching her daughter's bedroom for vape pens, WLBT also reported. Gregg faces murder and attempted murder charges, according to The Clarion Ledger, WLBT, and WJTV, as prosecutors allege the young girl used her mother's own gun to shoot her dead inside the familys Brandon, Miss., home before calling her friend to the house. Later, the teenager is accused by prosecutors of lying in wait an apparent ambush designed to shoot and kill her stepdad, Heath Smylie, when he arrived home, WLBT, WJTV, and The Clarion Ledger reported. Newman laid out the prosecution's case to jurors on Monday, according to video from the courtroom shared by Court TV. Newman alleged the teenager arrived home with her mother, a math teacher at Northwest Rankin High School, where Gregg was a student. Gregg went straight into her parents bedroom to retrieve a .357 Magnum pistol from beneath their mattress, Newman alleged. Hiding the gun behind her back, Gregg went to her own bedroom and confronted her mother, fatally shooting her three times, Newman said, according to The Clarion Ledger, WLBT, and WJTV. Related: 'Ever Seen a Dead Body?' 14-Year-Old Allegedly Invited Friend to See Mom's Corpse After Killing Her: Police Northwest Rankin High School Ashley Smylie At a preliminary hearing in April that was recorded and released by the blog Jackson Jambalaya, Rankin County investigator Zachary Cotton said theres home security footage that shows Greggs allegedly nonchalant behavior before and after the shooting. Cotton alleged that one video shows the teenager returning to the kitchen after allegedly killing her mother, where the suspect is seen then texting from a phone. The investigation allegedly found that the teen was messaging her stepfather asking when he would be home, according to Cotton. 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. Cotton alleged in court that between killing her mother and attempting to shoot her stepfather, Gregg was seen in another video "singing to her dog" before texting her friend to come to the house. Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK Defense attorney Bridget Renea Todd and Carly Madison Gregg When her stepfather arrived home, prosecutors allege Gregg attempted to shoot him and then fled through the familys backyard after they scuffled over the weapon, WJTV, WLBT, and CourtTV reported. She was arrested near the house soon after, WAPT, WLBT, and WJTV reported. Gregg faces two life sentences if shes convicted in the murder and attempted murder, according to The Clarion Ledger, WAPT, and CourtTV. The outlets report the teenager rejected the states plea deal of 40 years in prison and that her defense team entered a plea of insanity. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. PSP: Man shot in car causes crash, killing another man near Pa. Turnpike RIDLEY TWP., DELAWARE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) State police are investigating a double homicide after a man was shot in a car causing a collision and killing another man standing near the PA Turnpike. PSP TIPS: Joshua Waltz According to Pennsylvania State Police, on September 13 around 10:00 p.m., troopers were called to I-95 North at mile marker 6.4 to I-476 North in Delaware County for a reported two-vehicle crash. Through further investigation, troopers reported the crash happened on the I-95 ramp to I-476, a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu was disabled and the driver, Joshua Waltz, 33, of Delaware, was outside his car standing at the rear bumper. Womans body found in front yard of Nanticoke home PSP TIPS: Clinton Martin Police stated a Gray 2010 Mazda 5 was traveling on the right shoulder and hit the guide rail, then dragged along the right barrier before striking Waltz. Troopers said they found the driver of the Mazda, Clinton Martin, 29, of Lansdowne dead from a gunshot wound while Waltz was found dead underneath Martins vehicle. State police say this is an active double homicide investigation. Troopers are offering a $4,000 reward and ask anyone driving in the area of this incident that have a dash cam or any other recording devices on their cars to contact PSP Media at (484) 840-1000, call PSP Tips Toll Free at 1-800-4PA-TIPS(8477) or submit a tip online. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. Pro-trans activists have called for the puberty blocker ban to be lifted - WIKTOR SZYMANOWICZ/GETTY Scottish children were prescribed puberty blockers on the NHS despite doctors not knowing what risks the drugs posed to them, health chiefs have admitted. Tracy Gillies, the medical director at NHS Lothian, said it was really very difficult to articulate why any clinician would now prescribe drugs to suppress puberty to treat gender issues, after a lack of reliable evidence for safety or effectiveness was highlighted by the Cass Review. Between 90 and 100 children in Scotland, some as young as nine, received puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones between 2012 and last December, before their use for new patients was halted in April. Rhoda MacLeod, head of adult services at the Sandyford Clinic in Glasgow, home to the countrys only gender identity service for children, also admitted we dont know about the benefits and risks of the drugs. Tracey Gillies, Tracy Gillies, the medical director at NHS Lothian - NHS The senior clinical figures admitted to deficiencies in how services had operated despite activist groups, funded by the Scottish Government, demanding that the puberty blocker ban be lifted. Working in that uncertainty isnt good, so we have to put some controls on this, Ms MacLeod told a meeting of Holyroods health committee. We have reports of people saying this [puberty blockers] is beneficial, but systematically, we dont know what the benefits are and what truly the risks are. The clinicians both backed the findings of the landmark review carried out by Hilary Cass, which was published in April and led to a halt on puberty blockers on both sides of the border. Ms MacLeod blamed a rapid expansion in patients referred for gender issues over recent years for how we find ourselves in the place were in. She acknowledged that this did not excuse or alleviate concerns about practices and backed a redesign of Scottish services in line with Dr Casss recommendations for England. An ongoing review of child patients currently on Scottish waiting lists for gender services, which have grown to more than 1,000, revealed that 70 per cent were biological girls. Half had a neurodevelopmental condition such as autism and around a third had a diagnosed mental health disorder, yet their issues had often been viewed through the lens of gender, Ms MacLeod said. This is a complex group of young people that need a really good, robust multidisciplinary team approach, she told MSPs. As soon as a child mentions theyre gender questioning everyone goes I cant deal with this, they need to go to the gender service. The problem is you then see everything through that lens rather than focusing on that young person or child. Psychological consequences Ms Gillies said demands to reduce long waiting lists had been very hard to reconcile with developing a service that examined in depth reasons a young person was distressed about their gender. She said that suppressing puberty, using drugs which had not been licensed for use in treating gender issues, was likely to have physiological consequences, some of which are known, some of which are postulated, but not yet evidenced. The assessment process leading to such an intervention needs to have really quite significant rigour, she added. The shift that there has been following Cass is its really difficult to articulate why any prescriber might want to undertake that step. Theres been quite poor or very short-term follow up of individuals, what we dont know is the long-term consequences. life-changing impacts Ruth Maguire, the SNP MSP, told the witnesses that it was shocking to hear about the way children had been treated. She criticised a lack of curiosity about why a high proportion of neurodiverse girls were being referred to gender clinics. She said: I want to be really clear that we never get to a situation again when we are giving children and young people drugs where we dont know the benefits or risks of them, and they have life-changing impacts. 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. As the states Oct. 1 ban on sleeping in public approaches, Miami-Dade County is moving to figure out emergency accommodations for its population of about 1,000 unsheltered homeless people, who could otherwise face jail time. Under the law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in March, counties and cities will be legally responsible for prohibiting unauthorized camping in public places. Local governments across the state are now scrambling to get their homeless populations off the streets. A memo circulated in September by Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cavas office highlights the possible use of tiny homes as short-term crisis housing that could lessen pressure on the countys jails. At roughly 450 square feet each, the 175 two-bedroom units could provide stable accommodation to hundreds of homeless Miamians. Miami-Dade Countys homeless agency, the Homeless Trust, would manage the modular units, should county officials approve their implementation. Ron Book, chairman of the Homeless Trust, said the agency is prioritizing the acquisition of air-conditioned units with bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms. If youre going to build a tiny home project, it needs to be a real home, Book said. The county has entertained similar ideas in the past, though a proposal to build 100 such homes on Virginia Key ran aground in 2022 amid pushback from community members. Ron Book of the Homeless Trust walks towards his seat during a commission meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, inside Miami-Dade Commission chamber at the Stephen P. Clark Center in Miami. More details about the proposed tiny homes, including their cost and where they would be placed, remain unclear. But to county officials, their necessity is evident, especially compared to the alternative. The states camping ban also permits counties to designate spaces for homeless encampments, which can exist for up to a year. They must maintain adequate levels of sanitation, bar illegal substance and alcohol use, and provide behavioral health services. But encampments pose an inadequate solution, even in the short term, according to the county government. Levine Cavas office described them as fraught with concerns that include less-than-dignified standards of care, the exclusion of certain people in need, including those struggling with substance abuse, and the potential security risks associated with mixing disparate homeless households. On top of that, the mayors memo says it would be a costly and logistically difficult feat to open and operate an encampment with a one-year lifespan. I hope, said Book, that we would never have an encampment. In addition to the tiny homes, the Homeless Trust is considering a series of crisis housing options to avoid the construction of encampments. Enlisting and funding faith-based organizations that already have some emergency shelter capacity, for example, could free up beds for people who would otherwise face jail time for sleeping on the street. Miami-Dade is also exploring expanding its existing shelter capacity to create immediately available crisis housing for those who need it. According to the Homeless Trust, those centers have lower barriers to entry than traditional shelters and could be an option for those who are otherwise hesitant to stay in shelters because of their stricter requirements. Other proposals include hotel-to-housing conversions, like the proposed project in Cutler Bay for homeless seniors. That project is up for a final vote Tuesday. Tiny homes remain a preferred option, but the clock is ticking. Book is working to shuttle the proposal through the approval process without compromising safety and health. The Oct. 1 deadline is important, stressed Book. But the Jan. 1 [2025] deadline at which point residents can sue local governments that dont enforce the camping ban is even more important. This story was produced with financial support from supporters including The Green Family Foundation Trust and Ken OKeefe, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) South Carolinas law allowing parents to spend taxpayer money on private schools violates the constitution, the states highest court ruled Wednesday. The 3-2 ruling prohibits paying tuition or fees with Education Scholarship Trust Funds, but it does allow parents to use that money for indirect private expenses like tutoring, textbooks and other educational material. Nearly 3,000 students have already been awarded $1,500 each under the program. The court wont require it be paid back if spent on private school tuition or fees. The case was argued before the high court in March, well before the money was distributed. South Carolina justices refuse to stop states first execution in 13 years The South Carolina law is part of a nationwide movement. Groups that study the programs report that at least 16 states have some form of the vouchers. The South Carolina case centered on part of the state constitution that says no money shall be paid from public funds nor shall the credit of the State or any of its political subdivisions be used for the direct benefit of any religious or other private educational institution. Lawyers who think the program is illegal said giving the private schools public money is a direct benefit even if the program allows students to pay fees or transportation to attend a public school outside of their district. A parent who chooses to use a scholarship to pay their childs private school tuition is undoubtedly using public funds to provide a direct benefit to the private school, wrote Justice Gary Hill in his first major opinion since joining the court a year ago. Hills sharply written ruling tracked the history of why South Carolina voters had to amend their constitution in 1972 to affirm the right of a free public school education for all children after state lawmakers spent two decades trying to keep Black children from going to school with white children through a flurry of maneuvers and proposals including eliminating public school entirely. Our General Assembly knew how to draft an amendment to present to the people that would allow public funding for private schools, but it did not, Hill wrote of lawmakers more than 50 years ago. Supporters of the now overturned law said putting the money into a trust fund was key. The money goes to parents, who get to make a decision on where to spend it instead of state government directly paying the private schools themselves. In a dissent, Chief Justice John Kittredge said the ruling ignores the broad power South Carolinas Legislature has to create policy. The literary style of the majority opinion may be appealing, but its underlying rationale is anathema to the rule of law, Kittredge wrote. The chief justice also suggested other programs where private money goes toward public education institutions like college scholarships paid with money from the state lottery or the pre-kindergarten program First Steps. Hill responded in his decision those programs have a different structure than the trust fund driven vouchers. Supporters of the law can appeal. They also could attempt in 2025 or beyond to put a constitutional amendment before voters eliminating the constitutional provision, but fears that getting a majority vote could be tricky prevented them from trying that the first time. Families cried tears of joy when the scholarship funds became available for their children, and todays Supreme Court ruling brings those same families tears of devastation, Republican State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver said in a statement that promised to work to find a way to get the program started again. Republican Gov. Henry McMaster said the state will ask the state Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling because it may have devastating consequences for thousands of low-income families. The decision goes against what lawmakers saw in past court opinions, said Republican Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey. The Court changed the rules, and poor children lose, Massey said in a statement. The new law allowed vouchers of up to $6,000 for as many as 5,000 students a year, eventually expanding to about 15,000 students, or about 2% of the statewide school age population. Only families making under about $120,000 could get the assistance. Allowing parents to spend public money on private schools has been a two-decade effort that ran through three governors, four House speakers and five education superintendents in a state where Republicans have been consolidating and expanding their power. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) Tuesday is the first day Ohio State Troopers began patrolling every public school in the city of Springfield. This effort is part of a new plan to fight against anonymous threats. Patrols arrived before faculty and students to secure the building and maintained a visible presence throughout the day. Deeply concerned: Springfield issues statement on recent events In the past week, the district says they experienced 33 fake bomb threats. In the past 24 hours, the district reported one bomb threat that was also found to be fake. Governor Mike DeWine spoke in Springfield Tuesday afternoon to give an update on whats happening in schools. DeWine visited Simon Kenton Elementary School and met with students and faculty. Springfield City Schools Superintendent Robert Hill says even with the states support, families are still afraid to bring their kids back to school. He says there has been a county-wide decline in attendance because of the recent bomb threats that were found to be fake. I encourage our parents to please return your students to school. We have the resources. There may be more threats. This may not be over. But with the support of the governor, the support of Director Wilson, and the support of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, our schools are open and ready to serve our highly impoverished population, said Hill. New sky towers have also been placed throughout the city to increase public safety. The Ohio Director of Public Safety Andy Wilson says the city is working with local driving schools to create a curriculum for Haitian Creole speakers. He says the city is exploring non-traditional methods to educate new drivers. WATCH: DeWine provides update on Springfield situation Because the number one issue we have in the public safety space with the Haitians is not crime, is not violence. Its the driving thats the public safety issue. So what we want to do is we want to get drivers education to that population and incentivize them to take those classes, said Wilson. Wilson adds that once the resources for drivers are set up, the next step will be partnering with Haitian community leaders to get those drivers involved. DeWine says that the state will continue to provide resources to make sure families and faculty feel safe in Springfield. He adds that the states major concerns right now are healthcare, drivers education, and supporting local schools amidst the influx of Haitian migrants. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Whats Happening in Public Safety breakfast on Wednesday, September 18, featuring Caddo Parish Sheriff Henry Whitehorn, Sr. The event begins at 7:45 a.m. with breakfast and registration at the Petroleum Club of Shreveport, 16th floor. Attendees will hear Sheriff Whitehorn discuss his first 90 days in office and his future plans for enhancing public safety in the community. The event offers valuable insights into how his leadership will shape Caddo Parish and allows business and community leaders to collaborate on critical initiatives. Caddo Parish Sheriff Whitehorn opens facility for hunters Sponsored by Chase Bank, the breakfast also serves as a networking opportunity with influential figures from the local business, civic, and community sectors. Early bird pricing is available for members at $30 until September 9, with tickets rising to $40 after. Non-members can attend for $45, but pre-registration is required. Click here to register. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Signage at an early voting center on Sept. 23, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As traditional in-person and phone polling falls by the wayside, artificial intelligence has become an essential part of figuring out how Americans are feeling. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) The Pulaski County Clerks office is celebrating National Voter Registration Day by hosting eight events Tuesday in central Arkansas. National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating democracy that occurs each September. Since launching in 2012, the team associated with the initiative and its partners have registered more than 5 million Americans to vote, according to the holidays website. Vote Fest is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Pulaski County Clerks parking lot, which is located near the intersection of W. 2nd and S. Spring Streets in downtown Little Rock. The event will include food trucks and DJ Multitalented, as well as the opportunity for Arkansans to register to vote, check their voter registration and sign a pledge to vote on election day. Arkansas had the lowest voter participation in the nation during the 2020 U.S. presidential election, with 62% of eligible citizens registered to vote and 54% voting, according to the Arkansas Civic Health Index report. This is below the national average of nearly 73% of citizens registered to vote and about 68% voting. The Pulaski County Clerks office is also partnering with several nonpartisan groups to host the following seven voter registration sites around central Arkansas: Partner: Central Arkansas Indivisible Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: UA Pulaski Tech Norths student center 3000 W. Scenic Drive North Little Rock Partner: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: UA Pulaski Tech Souths main building 13000 Interstate 30 Little Rock Partner: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Time: 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Location: Hall High Schools library 6700 H Street Little Rock Partner: League of Women Voters / Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. /Get Loud Arkansas Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location: Philander Smith Universitys student center 900 W. Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive Little Rock Partner: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Location: Shorter Colleges auditorium 604 N. Locust Street North Little Rock Partner: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity / Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: Arkansas Baptist Colleges cafeteria 1600 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Little Rock Partner: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Time: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: UA Little Rocks Donaghey Student Center 2801 S. University Avenue Little Rock Arkansas organizations are also hosting their own voter drives around the state Tuesday in honor of National Voter Registration Day including the following: Event: NWA National Voter Registration Day Block Party Organization: Get Loud Arkansas Time: 12 to 4:30 p.m. Location: Wilson Park 675 N. Park Avenue Fayetteville Event: National Voter Registration Day with Indivisible Organization: Indivisible Little Rock & Central Arkansas Time: 4 to 7 p.m. Location: Fassler Hall Little Rock 311 E. Capitol Avenue The deadline for Arkansans to register to vote in Novembers election is Oct. 7. More information about voter registration and the voting process in Arkansas can be found in the Advocates 2024 Voter Guide. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) In the weeks after her 37-year-old son, Quantez Burks, died at Southern Regional Jail on March 1, 2022, Kimberly Burks said she asked the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of West Virginia to provide an autopsy report to the family but never got it. Autopsy reports are not generally available to the public. In November 2022, West Virginia Department of Homeland Security officials released records under a federal Freedom of Information Act request by 59News, which showed only one inmate died at Southern Regional Jail on March 1, 2022 and that the inmate died of heart disease with a natural manner of death. The Burks family had released photographs, showing Quantez Burks body was bruised and swollen from head to toe. In the summer of 2024, nearly a year after seven former Southern Regional Jail correctional officers and their lieutenant were arrested in relation to her sons death, Kimberly Burks said federal investigators told her that the State Medical Examiners Office had ruled Quantez Burks death a homicide. To find out that they actually labeled it as a homicide is a big deal to me, Kimberly Burks said on Monday, September 16, 2024. It made me feel a little better in that aspect. Federal prosecutors allege a group of those at Southern Regional falsified official state records after a group of guards allegedly handcuffed and beat Burks, who died of a heart attack during one such alleged incident, on March 1, 2022. West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found in 2022 that Quantez Burks death was a homicide Four officers have pleaded guilty, and some have admitted to conspiring with others to cover what had allegedly happened to Quantez Burks. Kimberly Burks said she believes others at Southern Regional Jail were involved in providing false reports to the public and intentionally keeping information about Quantez Burks death from his family. Hours after Burks death, WVDHS officials stated in a press release that Burks had been combative with arresting officers from Beckley Police Department, that he had been combative with Southern Regional staff on admission and later with officers. The autopsy report states that, although Beckley Police Department officers had called to notify Southern Regional staff that Quantez Burks was uncooperative, Burks was cooperative with officers. The autopsy report also alleges Quantez Burks had told medical staff that BPD officers had whooped him pretty good the day before. Kimberly Burks said on Monday that video of her sons arrest, released by Beckley Police Department officials in May 2023, does not appear to show her son being seriously injured during the arrest. Steven Robinsons mother questions policies at Southern Regional Jail, after son reportedly overdoses in jail He had no injuries like that, said Kimberly Burks. I think its still a cover-up through Homeland Security. They have blamed somebody else for what they did. Kimberly Burks said she also questions the official state records of other inmates deaths. In a statement to 59News on September 6, 2024, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services officials said that when an inmate dies, the investigation begins with gathering information from the death scene through the law enforcement agency assigned to investigate. A county medical examiner at the scene interacts with law enforcement officials, witnesses and first responders to collect initial details. The State Medical Examiners Office then collects law enforcement reports, which are often completed weeks, or months, after a death. Cameron Dunbracks mother wants answers for jailed sons death DHHS officials said additional evidence may be submitted, which can lead to a cause or manner of death being amended. It is important to emphasize that the OCMEs role it so as to ascertain the cause and manner of death without delving into questions of guilt or innocence, the DHHS statement reads. While the term homicide may indicate the involvement of another person, it does not equate to a legal determination of murder or imply criminality. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Birmingham City Council released an image visualising what Druids Heath could look like after its regeneration [Birmingham City Council] Council chiefs have been questioned over a 307m financial gap for a scheme to regenerate an estate which featured in a BBC TV drama. Birmingham City Council outlined plans in May in to demolish 1,864 homes and provide 3,267 in their place in Druids Heath. But according to a report, the "viability gap" for the regeneration scheme totalled 307m over the duration of the project. The estate was used as a backdrop for the Steven Knight drama This Town, which aired earlier this year. The report stated it was "usual" to have such a shortfall at the start of a regeneration project, but "there must be transparency around any financial gap and how it might be filled". Report author, interim programme director Kerry Scott, wrote "positive conversations" had taken place with Homes England and the West Midlands Combined Authority. "There have been constructive conversations about how government support can be used in the future to support the project," the report added. Tower blocks in Druids Heath are set to be demolished as part of regeneration plans [BBC] The financial situation was also raised at a recent Homes Scrutiny Committee meeting as councillors discussed the latest updates. Committee chair, councillor Jamie Tennant, asked whether there was a risk "that money doesn't come". Paul Langford, strategic director for city housing, acknowledged the multi-million pound financial gap was a "big number" but reiterated it was not unusual when looking "over a 15, 20, 25 year period". "It doesnt mean we're short of that cash on day one," he added. The scheme is set to deliver 51% affordable housing and would not displace or make existing tenants homeless, the report said. Consultation feedback is due to be delivered to the community next month. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. More on this story Related internet links The former Charlesgate Nursing Center at 100 Randall St., off North Main Street, in Providence. (Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current) The Rhode Island Department of Housing expects to close on its purchase of the former Charlesgate Nursing Center in Providence within the next 10 days, and for $100,000 less than anticipated last fall. After nearly a year of negotiation and property inspections, the State Properties Committee gave its final approval Tuesday morning for the $6.85 million purchase and sale agreement for the tower located at 100 Randall St. A copy of the agreement was not immediately made available. This acquisition will be a large step forward in addressing the states homelessness crisis, Interim Housing Secretary Daniel Connors told the committee. The state set out to acquire the property after its owner, Davenport Associates, closed the nursing home in May 2023 citing staffing shortages. Charlesgate had been a nursing home for five decades. Since last summer, the Housing Department has paid $72,000 in monthly rent to Davenport in order to shelter homeless families. A total of 57 rooms (which can vary on the number of beds) were made available with support services administered by Amos House, a Providence social services nonprofit organization. Plans call for the building to provide up to 105 rooms for shelter space, Connors said. The state initially engaged Amos House for a one-year contract through Sept. 30, 2024, and now plans to extend it for another year, Housing Department spokesperson Emily Marshall told Rhode Island Current. It would be very discouraging if we werent extended, Amos House CEO Eileen Hayes said in an interview Thursday afternoon. The need is just so great and nobody else has 57 families. Hayes called the states Charlesgate purchase one of the most important initiatives undertaken in boosting the number of available shelter spaces. The 2024 Point in Time count conducted by the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness found that 2,442 individuals across the state were unhoused during their annual count in January 534 of whom were living in outdoor spaces. We need to identify more buildings that can be converted into housing, that should be the states plan, Hayes said. We do need a transitional plan over the next three to five years as we develop housing, because we dont have enough shelter right now. Portions of Charlesgate are also leased out to Woonsocket-based Community Care Alliance and YWCA, which both have active contracts through the end of the year, said Housing Department attorney Christopher Fragomeni. Davenports initial asking price for Charlesgate was $7.15 million, but was lowered by a total of $300,000 to factor in a $200,000 repair credit last fall as part of the states preliminary purchase and sale agreement and another $100,000 announced Tuesday because more repairs will be needed, Connors said. Fragomeni said much of the work needed is toward maintenance and upkeep. Charlesgate will also require some environmental remediation work, Fragomeni said though it was not specified what needs to be done. The maximum remediation cost is roughly $575,000, which Fragomeni said was based on an estimate provided by Providence-based SAGE Environmental. Theres a possibility in dialoguing with Rhode Island DEM that they wont require a full remediation, he told the committee. Maybe its something just like a land use restriction. Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management spokesperson Evan LaCross said he could not comment on any specific contaminants at Charlesgate. LaCross said the Housing Department had yet to file any formal site inspection reports. Davenport Associates is liable for any additional contamination found on the premises, Fragomeni added. This story was updated to include comment from Amos House CEO Eileen Hayes and the correct Charlesgate building set for purchase. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX YORK COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) A raccoon has tested positive for rabies in York County, according to the Peninsula Health District. The rabid animal was found near Catherine Court in Seaford. Exposure includes a bite, scratch or contact with saliva by open wound, eyes, nose or mouth. It can also be through direct contact between a pet and a rabid animal, which is why district health officials advise citizens to vaccinate their pets. The Peninsula Health District also instructs citizens to report all exposure to their doctors and the local health department. Additionally, the Virginia Department of Health strongly urges citizens to avoid feeding wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes or other animals. Rabies can be fatal, therefore anyone who has been exposed to this animal should contact the Peninsula Health District or the Newport News Environmental Health Office at 757-594-7340. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Wind and rain will be making the morning commute nasty, but there will be gradual improvement through the day. The area of low pressure that was along the South Carolina coast yesterday has moved inland and will sit and spin over central South Carolina today. We will still have showers being drawn across the Piedmont from the coast through this afternoon, but winds are going to diminish after lunchtime. The highs today are going to be in the mid-70s. The chance of rain is 70%. Showers will linger into the evening, then taper off overnight. We will have lows in the mid-60s under cloudy skies. There is a 70% chance of showers tomorrow with highs returning to the mid-70s. By Thursday, the showers begin to come to an end. Rain chances drop to 50% with highs staying in the mid-70s. A new pattern takes over starting Friday! High pressure will push in more sunshine on Friday and Saturday, and that will warm us back to normal, with highs near 80. Partly cloudy skies are expected Sunday and Monday, and highs will dip back to the mid-70s. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A proposal by interim superintendent Eduardo Galvan to increase four administrators' salaries has been removed from an MPS committee agenda. On Tuesday evening, Milwaukee Public Schools planned to present a proposal intending to increase four administrators' salaries by thousands of dollars each. But that proposal, which comes as the district faces a financial crisis that has drawn multiple state audits, is no longer up for discussion. The district amended its initial proposal to the Board of School Directors' Committee on Accountability, Finance and Personnel that is set to meet Tuesday evening, crossing out the proposed salary increases. The measure would need approval from the full board to go into effect. It's unclear why MPS rescinded the proposed salary increases Monday afternoon. In an emailed statement, the district declined to provide further details. Initially, a document presented to the committee for approval included raising salaries for four administrators to $200,000 each. The four staff members who would have been affected are the chief of staff, interim chief school administration officer, chief human resources officer and chief academic officer, the document shows. According to the district, MPS chief staff are paid $193,692.67 annually. Individually, the four listed on the document had between 17 and 29 years of experience as of 2023-24, according to a state database. MPS finances are under close scrutiny This spring, news broke that the district was months late in submitting required financial information to the state. Along with calls for audits by Gov. Tony Evers and state legislators, questions over mismanaged finances drove now-former superintendent Keith Posley, chief financial officer Martha Kreitzman and comptroller Alfredo Balmaseda to leave their jobs. A group called the MPS School Board Recall Collaborative tried to recall four school board members in the wake of those financial issues, but the Milwaukee Election Commission found that the group did not collect enough signatures. Tamika Johnson, one of the organizers of the recall effort, on Monday told the Journal Sentinel that the proposal on administrator salary increases is a "prime example" of fiscal irresponsibility in MPS. "It was a good thing that they took it off the agenda. But I want to know, is it off the table, period?" Johnson said. "Why are we constantly giving raises to people who are failing our children?" School board president Marva Herndon said she expects the board will review policies related to administrator salary increases. "Policy like that, it sits in the superintendent's office. And then it's up to the board to vote it up or vote it down. And that's the reason why we're saying we want to do a review," Herndon told a reporter Monday. The Journal Sentinel reached out to, but did not receive responses from, MPS interim superintendent Eduardo Galvan and board members Xela Garcia, Jilly Gokalgandhi, Darryl Jackson, Henry Leonard and Erika Siemsen. Board members Missy Zombor and Megan O'Halloran confirmed the raises had been removed from the agenda. O'Halloran declined to comment further. Zombor said she would not have supported the proposed salary increases for the four administrators. She also said she supported the proposed chief financial officer salary as part of a separate list of proposed recommended appointments, saying the chief financial officer position is critical to the district's corrective action plan. Aycha Saw was named as MPS' new CFO earlier this month. She previously served as the city of Milwaukee's comptroller. The Milwaukee teachers association had no immediate comment. Garcia, Jackson, Herndon, Leonard and Zombor are members of the Committee on Accountability, Finance and Personnel. The committee is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Donald J. O'Connell Memorial Auditorium, Central Services Building, 5225 W. Vliet St. Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12. Cleo Krejci covers education and workforce development 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: Raises for top MPS administrators removed from committee agenda Police will begin keeping track of aggressive beggars who are warned or cited in Southeast Raleigh in an effort to reduce panhandling complaints along New Bern Avenue. In a Sept. 6 memo, City Manager Marchell Adams-David said there have been 73 complaints about panhandling so far this year in the Police Departments Southeast District. When is panhandling illegal? The Police Department treats panhandling as a quality-of-life issue. City and state rules make it illegal: to beg upon streets or elsewhere in Raleigh without a permit. to ask for money in an aggressive manner that intimidates people, including within 100 feet of an ATM or between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. to stand or sit in street or road right-of-way in order to approach cars to ask for money to be intoxicated in a public place and disruptive by begging for money What has Raleigh been doing? City Council member Corey Branch, who represents the Southeast District, asked last month what the city is doing about panhandling complaints and if the ACORNS Unit could help along New Bern Avenue. The ACORNS program is a team of social workers and police officers who work to connect people experiencing homelessness, substance use or mental health problems with organizations that can help them. The city has taken an educate first, enforcement last approach, Adams-David responded in the memo. The complaints are mostly in the 1000 and 4000 blocks of New Bern Avenue at the intersections with North Raleigh Boulevard and New Hope Road Most of these offenders were given a warning, a few were given citations, and a quarter were unfounded complaints, she wrote. Some of the offenders were found to have active warrants and were promptly arrested. Police held meetings in July and August to educate community members on what is lawful and what is unlawful. But until now there has been no database to tell officers when someone they encounter has been warned or cited before.. What will the city do differently now? Effective immediately, Southeast District Community Squad members will begin compiling this information for possible future enforcement actions, Adams-David wrote. They will keep track of individuals they encounter and the disposition of that encounter (citation or warning), she wrote. This information will aid in locating these individuals to offer health and human services when possible. This information will be passed on to district officers in case of continual encounters. ACORNS officers are already being consulted on panhandling, the manager added. They will continue offering resources and will partner with the Housing and Neighborhood Services department to help panhandlers who do not have a home. But Adams-David said those who are warned and go on to violate rules and refuse offers of help will receive a citation, or ticket. A progression of violations will eventually result in the subjects arrest, a series of actions that will significantly reduce the panhandling issue, she wrote. If implemented effectively, these actions will curb the aggressive beggars in the area and significantly reduce citizen complaints. Reducing panhandling incidents will create a safer and more orderly community along the New Bern Ave corridor, she wrote. Southern California school mourns death of student who appeared on Americas Got Talent Students and staff at Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga are grieving the loss of varsity dance team captain Emily Gold. Gold, 17, took her own life Friday night, just months after she appeared on Americas Got Talent with her team. Friends and loved ones described her as beautiful, kind, loving and a leader. The high school senior was also a member of the varsity cheer squad. Emily Gold In one of her final Instagram posts, Gold wrote that performing on AGT was the most incredible experience. She also thanked her high school team for being the best family she could ever ask for. Rancho Cucamonga police said that Gold was found dead on the eastbound 210 Freeway at Haven Avenue, and the investigation is still ongoing. Los Osos High School is making grief counselors available to support students and staff. Emily was a cherished member of the Los Osos High School campus and was beloved by her fellow students and teachers, the Chaffey Joint Union High School District superintendent said in a statement. Golds death comes during national suicide prevention month. A suicide and crisis hotline is available 24 hours a day to anyone in need of support and can be reached by dialing 988. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Golds family pay for funeral expenses. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A jury has found a Rapid City man guilty of 5 charges of Assault on a Federal Officer. 31-year-old Jeremy Crow faces up to eight years behind bars or a 250-thousand dollar fine for each charge. A sentencing date has been set of December 2. We are playing: USD was ready to play on Saturday In December of last year, a tribal officer tried to detain Crow, but he pushed him back and tried to drive off in a police car. The officer shut the car off and a bystander called for help. During the arrest, the first officer was bit on the arm. 2 days later, Crow forced his way out of his cell and bit two corrections officers on the hand. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Rapper Sean Diddy Combs was hit with sex trafficking and racketeering charges on Tuesday as federal prosecutors filed a criminal indictment against the music mogul. In the 14-page indictment, Combs, 54, is accused of transporting women across state lines for the purposes of prostitution. (He) abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, the indictment read. To do so, Combs relied on the employees, resources, and influence of the multi-faceted business empire that he led and controlled creating a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice. Combs is already facing multiple accusations in civil lawsuits of sexual abuse and trafficking. The Shake Ya Tailfeather rapper was arrested late Monday in Manhattan, roughly six months after federal authorities raided his luxurious homes in Los Angeles and Miami. The New York Times said Diddy was taken into custody after a grand jury indictment. TMZ reported Diddy was in a Midtown hotel when feds arrested him. Combs lawyer Marc Agnifilo released a statement on X Monday night that read in part: We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorneys Office. According to a July report, a federal grand jury in New York City had been hearing evidence in a criminal investigation involving Combs. Two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News the disgraced music mogul and his legal team had been notified by authorities in the Southern District of New York that he was the subject of an ongoing probe. A law enforcement official confirmed at the time of that report to Deadline that Diddy and his legal team were formally notified of those proceedings, but did not give details on what claims the investigation involves. A blockbuster lawsuit by his ex-girlfriend, Cassie, accused him of physically abusing her for years and raping her when she tried to leave him. The suit was settled in late 2023. A recent lawsuit filed in New York accused the rap mogul of drugging and sexually assaulting a 22-year-old IMG model, who says in the suit she kept the clothes she wore that night as evidence. Former model Crystal McKinney filed a Manhattan Federal Court lawsuit in May alleging Combs attacked her in 2003 after a designer introduced them at a Mens Fashion Week event at Cipriani Downtown. At the dinner, Combs was overly suggestive, bordering on leering, as he plied McKinney with alcohol and promised to use his industry connections to advance the Georgia natives career, predicting she was going to make it big one day, the suit alleges. [H]opeful that Combs would fulfill his promises to help her career, McKinney accepted an invitation back to Combs W. 44th St. Midtown studio, where she alleges the rapper and his associates offered her marijuana she later determined was laced with an intoxicant. In graphic detail, the suit alleges Combs then led a clearly intoxicated McKinney to the bathroom, forcibly kissing her and shoving her head down to perform oral sex against her will before leading her back into the studio, where she lost consciousness. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Mila Tomsich via Getty Images Most ice age teens started puberty around the same time as humans in modern times do, according to archaeologists who studied the skeletons of adolescents who died in Europe between 10,000 and 30,000 years ago. But physical maturity was delayed in some individuals, likely because of their challenging and hazardous lifestyles. An international team of researchers studied the skeletons of 13 adolescents recovered from seven archaeological sites in Italy, Russia and Czechia (the Czech Republic). In a study published Sept. 12 in the Journal of Human Evolution , the researchers detailed their use of "maturation markers" on the skeletons to estimate different puberty stages in teens who died in the Upper Paleolithic period. Babies are born with about twice the number of bones as adults; during childhood, these bones grow and then fuse together by the time a person is 18 to 25 years old. Archaeologists can therefore use bones to identify several stages in the years-long process of puberty, including the major adolescent growth spurt, the beginning of menstruation when bones start fusing, and the time that sexual maturity is reached and all the bones are fully fused. The researchers were able to determine the stage of puberty reached in 11 of the 13 ice age individuals. They discovered that these ancient adolescents had their growth spurt between the ages of 13 and 16, similar to the range of 12.5 to 14 years for modern foraging groups. Ice age teens also reached maturity between the ages of 16 and 21. This suggests that several ancient teens spent a longer time in adolescence than their counterparts in Western societies, who tend to reach maturity between 16 and 18 years old. Study lead author Mary Lewis , a bioarchaeologist at the University of Reading in the U.K., told Live Science in an email that, while it is not surprising that ancient Homo sapiens went through the same stages of adolescent growth as we do, it is surprising that they began puberty around the same age 13.5 years "suggesting this age range aligns to a potential 'genetic blueprint' for the start of human sexual maturation." Related: Stunning reconstruction reveals 'lonely boy' with deformed skull who died in cave in Norway 8,300 years ago However, one major difference between ice age adolescents and modern ones can be seen in the estimates for menarche, or the beginning of menstruation. Although the researchers' sample size is small just five females from this time period they concluded that the age of menarche was no earlier than 16 to 17 years old. In the modern U.S. population, the average age that menstruation begins is 11.9 years old . However, in modern hunter-gatherer populations, the range is later, around 13 to 17 years. Image 1 of 2 A woman bends over an small, assembled partial skeleton in a lab Image 2 of 2 A man bends over a broken skull and bones in an archaeology lab "There is a common misconception that adolescents today are entering puberty so much earlier," April Nowell , a Paleolithic archaeologist at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, told Live Science in an email. "But what we see is that teens today are following a pattern that has remained largely unchanged for thousands of years," in that they start puberty around the same age as their ice age relatives once did. "A perspective from deep time helps us to contextualize puberty today something that a more limited snapshot can't do," she added. For archaeologists, studying adolescents and the process of puberty far back in time is the key to understanding both individual variability in the puberty process and the cultural meaning that adolescence held within a past society, such as whether teens were treated differently by their communities, Nowell said. A pencil illustration of a young man with dwarfism One individual from the Italian site of Romito represents the earliest known case of chrondroplastic dwarfism. The researchers found that he died around 16 years old, well into puberty. However, his development lagged somewhat behind other males from the period. His short stature of around 3.3 to 4.25 feet (1 to 1.3 meters), along with his delayed puberty, may have meant his community viewed him as more child than adult which may explain why he was uniquely buried in the arms of an older woman, the study authors wrote in the paper. RELATED STORIES Ancient Egyptian teenager died while giving birth to twins, mummy reveals 2,000-year-old 'bog body' of teenager with missing skull discovered in Northern Ireland Anglo-Saxon teen girl discovered buried with lavish jewelry strewn across her head and chest "I'm really excited to see this paper, as the authors are deepening our understanding of pubertal timing by tens of thousands of years," Sharon DeWitte , a biological anthropologist at the University of Colorado Boulder who was not involved in the study, told Live Science in an email. One potential application of this kind of research would be to assess the puberty process in our close cousins, the Neanderthals , to see "whether they progressed to sexual maturation and 'adulthood' in the same way," Lewis said. "Ultimately," Nowell said, "this research may be able to answer questions related to social structure, population dynamics and even Neandertal extinction." AUSTIN, Texas - Family members of suspected serial killer Raul Mezas victims are demanding the Travis County District Attorney take the case to trial. They said they will not accept a plea deal, something prosecutors and defense attorneys have been working to come to an agreement on. In a letter sent to the District Attorney Jose Garza this past weekend, the family members of the victims said they will not accept any settlement offer. "Mr. Meza is ready for this ordeal to be over. Not just for himself, but for the whole community," Mezas defense attorney Russell Hunt said. Meza is already a convicted murderer. He killed 8-year-old Kendra Page in 1982 and was sentenced to 30 years, but was released after just 11. He is now charged with capital murder for the 2019 death of 65-year-old Gloria Lofton and murder for the 2023 death of 80-year-old Jesse Fraga. Late last month, the defense offered life in prison for one murder and 20 years for another and Meza would be eligible for parole after 40 years. The judge said she would not accept anything less than life in prison without the possibility of parole. MORE STORIES: When Meza entered the courtroom on August 27, and found out his plea deal had fallen apart, he reacted by staring at the prosecutor. "I think his first reaction was, wait a minute, what's going on? We thought we had a deal," Hunt said. The victims' families said any deal would not be sufficient for them. "We demand to take this to a jury trial and fight for the death penalty." During Garzas 2020 campaign for district attorney, he pledged to never pursue the death penalty. Garza has not responded to FOX 7s request for comment on the letter sent to him. The law enforcement expert and advocate for the victims said they will have more to say about their decision once the district attorney responds. Meza has a hearing set for Sept. 30. This map from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shows planned locations for CP2, a a giant liquefied natural gas export terminal and an associated pipeline at Cheniere Pass on the Gulf Coast of Cameron Parish. This map from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shows planned locations for CP2, a a giant liquefied natural gas export terminal and an associated pipeline at Calcasieu Pass on the Gulf Coast of Cameron Parish. FERC issued crucial approvals for the projects Thursday, June 27, 2024. (FERC map) With regards to Fishermen, environmental groups fight massive LNG terminal in court, by Pam Radtke, Floodlight News, Sept. 9, 2024. Lets call the Calcasieu Pass 2 terminal what it is: another toxic threat to Louisianas people and environment. As a native of New Orleans and an advocate for environmental justice, Im deeply concerned about the impact this project will have on our communities. Fishers and residents are right to fight back. As a person that worked and studied marine biology for three years at Nicholls State University, I know this LNG terminal will only add more pollution, devastating the health and livelihoods of those already hit hardest by fossil fuel expansion. And yet, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission keeps rubber-stamping these projects. Its time to stop treating these communities like sacrifice zones for a fossil fuel industry thats only interested in profit. Dawn Richard, Hip Hop Caucus, cultural producer and artist relations director Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert! SHOULD CALIFORNIA BAN KILLER ROBOT COPS? It sounds like something out of a movie, but ACLU California Action is warning Californians that a real life RoboCop could soon no longer be the stuff of science fiction. The civil rights advocacy organization, which represents Californias three ACLU chapters, sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom urging his signature on AB 2681, a bill by Assemblywoman Akilah Weber, D-San Diego, that would ban law enforcement from deploying killer drones against the public. ACLU joins Californians in strongly opposing the acquisition and use of weaponized robots, especially killer robot cops, for several reasons, the letter reads in part. Those reasons include concerns about worsening the epidemic of police violence in this country. It is too easy to pull a trigger from behind an office desk. If police can kill remotely and risk-free, it is inevitable that they will kill more often. And as weve seen in the military, robots armed with lethal weapons are often used sloppily, killing unintended targets, the letter reads. The ACLU also warned about the militarization of police forces. Rather than spending millions in taxpayer dollars on arming officers to the brim and pushing police to view themselves as at war with communities, we have consistently advocated for sensible reinvestment of these precious dollars into life affirming supportive services that are known to greatly improve public safety, like housing support, employment opportunities, and community development, the letter reads. Finally, the ACLU warned about the potential for violations of peoples civil rights if police are allowed to use killer drones. For example, killer robot cops patrolling a peaceful protest would surely chill speech, not to mention the privacy concerns associated with the level of constant surveillance these robots would engage in, the letter reads. The bill is opposed by law enforcement organizations, including the California Police Chiefs Association. In a letter to lawmakers opposing the bill, the organization warns that it would prevent police from using drones to deploy less-lethal forms of ammunition, such as flash bangs. They argued as well that AB 2681 could put police in danger. In the unfortunate situation where a shooter, who has already committed violence, is barricaded but still armed with a firearm, AB 2681 contemplates requiring officers to expose themselves to gunfire and life-threatening situations to deploy a less-lethal disruption, rather than utilize remote-controlled technology to safely bring a dangerous situation to an end. In this scenario, needlessly restricting the use of life saving technology is unacceptable, the organization wrote. Police lobbied for an amendment to the bill that would exempt them from the ban. Weber ultimately rejected the amendment, and the bill passed without it. Law enforcements reaction to the final form of the bill is especially noteworthy as AB 2681 only prevents the use of robots armed with a weapon specifically designed to threaten or cause death, incapacitation, or great bodily injury to a person, the ACLU wrote. Newsom has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto the bill. QUOTE OF THE DAY Someone years ago told Elon he was very funny and weve been paying for it ever since. - Social media strategist Guille Cummings, via Threads. The post came after Musk posted, and then later deleted, on his platform X that neither President Joe Biden nor Vice President Kamala Harris had encountered an assassination attempt while former President Donald Trump had faced two, with a thinking face emoji. Musk later claimed it was a joke. Best of The Bee: Its truly a crisis: Placer County calls on Governor Gavin Newsom to quell insurance market, via Chris Biderman . Direct democracy is in Californias political DNA. How to be informed this election, via Nicole Nixon . Voting in California? Here are 8 places to find unbiased election info and fact checks, via Brianna Taylor. With every Google Photo alert reminding her of a memory two or three years ago, Elmira Miocic, a Crown Point resident, said the first thing she notices now is the change in her Ukrainian family and friends. As Ukrainian family and friends send her current photos taken amid the two-and-half-year war, Elmira Miocic said the effects of living in a war-torn country are evident when compared to the old photos. You can recognize every Ukrainian who stayed in country by (their) eyes, Elmira Miocic said. It could be (a) happy face, but eyes theyre like tired, sad. Elmira Miocic, 37, grew up in Kharkiv, Ukraine, which is about 15 miles away from the countrys border with Russia, she said. Elmira Miocic moved to Crown Point in July 2020, she said, to be with her husband, Antony Miocic. Ahead of the Russian invasion in February 2022, Elmira Miocic said she pleaded with her parents to go to the pharmacy to buy medications and to buy non-perishable foods to last them a few months. Her parents reassured her they would be fine, Elmira Mioicic said. But, she remembered she still had a Ukrainian credit card so she ordered items for them to be delivered to their house. Luckily, they were prepared with basic stuff at least, Elmira Miocic said. Then, on the evening of Feb. 23, 2022, which was the early hours of Feb. 24, 2022 in Ukraine, her husband said they were driving home from the gym when they started getting alerts about Russia invading Ukraine. Elmira Miocic said she immediately started video calling her parents to check on them. They answered, and they were okay. But during their call, a loud noise nearby caused her parents to hunch over and momentarily express the fear they were feeling, she said. Im always calling them with video because I want to see face expression, Miocic said. I was seeing that they are really scared but they are trying not to show me. With the start of the war, Elmira Miocic said it was hard to convince her parents to leave Ukraine because they owned their home and they had jobs. But, with how close her parents live to the Russian border, Elmira Miocic said she knew they had to leave their home, at least for a little while. In Kharkiv, its like first you see explosion and hear explosion and then air sirens will go. Its no way to hide, Elmira Miocic said. A few weeks into the war, Elmira Miocic said she found out she was pregnant, so she asked her parents and grandmother to leave the war zone for at least the length of her pregnancy so that she wouldnt be stressed. Her parents and grandmother drove through Ukraine to neighboring Moldova and into Romania. Meanwhile, Elmira Miocic said she took multiple flights to get to Romania, where she was able to meet her family, she said. From Romania, she said they drove through Bulgaria to Turkey, where they stopped. Elmira Miocic said she drove four days with her family from Romania to Turkey, while it took her family eight days to drive from Ukraine to Turkey. Her family settled in Turkey, and they stayed there from March 2022 to March 2023, Elmira Miocic said. After that, they returned to their home in Kharkiv, she said. The good news (is) they come back to Kharkiv to their house and it still exists, she said. My parents liked Turkey so much, but they were so homesick. Its been stressful with her parents returning home, Elmira Miocic said, but they are happy to be back in their own home. Her mother was able to return to her old job and her father found a new job, she said. But, whats been most challenging, has been living under constant stress without an end date in sight, Elmira Miocic Theyre hoping next summer, next autumn, she said. Her son was born in March 2023, Elmira Miocic said, and her mother was able to fly to the U.S. in June 2023 to see her grandson. Her mother enjoyed a month away from the war to be with her family, Elmira Miocic said. During the stormy night that led to tornados this summer, Elmira Miocic said she and her husband woke up their infant son and took him to the basement for safety when the sirens went off. In that moment, she had a realization. I had this experience once. All moms in Ukraine, during two years, every night, wake their kids and bring them to the bathrooms, between two walls, in the basement, in shelters, Elmira Miocic said. Im lucky to do it once. Its their reality; its their everyday routine. The U.S. has been very helpful in supporting Ukraine, Elmira Miocic said. But, she said she has heard a shift among some people who are tired of refugees or immigrants coming to the U.S. But, to protect their sanity and their children, Elmira Miocic said Ukrainians need to leave the war zone for some time. For kids, its hard, Elmira Miocic said. Its just one way to save your mental health. The Russia invasion of Ukraine began in 2014, Elmira Miocic said, when Russia took control of Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk. Ukraine has had soldiers fighting Russia for many years, she said, and with the most recent invasion, the country has needed more support. We have brave people. We have people who (are) ready to fight, whos already fighting, Elmira Miocic said. Ukrainians will never give up. They will fight to the last soldier in this country. If Russia wins the war, Elmira Miocic said its forces will advance, piece by piece, further into Europe. That scenario wouldnt play out immediately but is plausible, she said, as is proof of Russia beginning its war with Ukraine 10 years ago. I think with strong support, regular support I just want Ukrainians to win, Elmira Miocic said. Antony Miocic, who is also Croatian, said if Russian President Vladimir Putin were able to conquer Ukraine, he would have the opportunity to invade nearby Moldova, Estonia and Georgia, which are smaller countries. After that, Putin would be able to go after larger European countries, like Poland, he said. If theyre stopped in Ukraine, we will have peace. If you give them a chunk of Ukraine, if you force Ukraine to disarm, you will have World War III. You will have something that resembles it, he said. Elmira Miocic said she hopes to return to Ukraine one day, because shed like to show her son her hometown of Kharkiv, which has a lot of parks, cultural centers and universities. That will be (an) opportunity only when war will be over because I will not put my baby in that danger, she said. All my heart believes it. It will be end. We will be able go and spend time as family. akukulka@chicagotribune.com A burning oil tanker that was attacked by Yemens Houthi movement has been towed to a safe area in the Red Sea without any spill, an EU naval mission says. The Greek-owned and flagged MV Sounion, carrying about a million barrels of crude, was abandoned by its crew after being hit by missiles on 21 August. Houthi fighters later detonated explosives on board, sparking several fires. A photo released on Monday night showed three vessels belonging to what the EU mission described as private stakeholders carrying out the salvage operation, protected by a warship. The Sounions destination was not given, but Saudi Arabia has reportedly offered to help the salvagers offload its oil. The completion of this phase of the salvage operation is the result of a comprehensive approach and close co-operation between all stakeholders committed to prevent an environmental disaster affecting the whole region, the EUs Operation Aspides said on X. A potential spill from the Sounion could be almost four times larger than the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, which saw 2,100km (1,300 miles) of coastline contaminated after a tanker ran aground off Alaska, according to the US. The Iran-backed Houthis said at the end of August that they had agreed to allow the Sounion to be towed away from Yemen after being contacted by several international parties. They also stressed that the attack on the tanker showed their seriousness in targeting any ship that violates the Yemeni embargo. The Houthis have repeatedly targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November, sinking two vessels, seizing another and causing the deaths of at least four crew members. They say they are acting in support of the Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. They have claimed - often falsely - that they are targeting ships only linked to Israel, the US or the UK. They have not been deterred by the deployment of Western warships to protect merchant vessels, nor by US and British air strikes on territory they control in north-western Yemen. Israel also bombed Yemen in retaliation for a deadly drone strike on Tel Aviv, and it has vowed to make the Houthis pay a heavy price for a missile attack on Sunday. In a separate development on Monday, the Houthis said they had shot down a US-made MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemens Dhamar province and released videos which they said showed the charred wreckage on the ground. The US military said it was aware of the claim. How to register to vote in Delaware DELAWARE - Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day, which serves as a reminder to Americans as deadlines loom for the 2024 Election. If you are planning to vote in this presidential election, it's time to check your voter registration. Am I registered to vote? Delaware voters can check their voter registration status online with your name, date of birth and driver's license or state ID number. Am I eligible to vote? To register to vote in Delaware, you must be: A citizen of the United States A resident of Delaware 18 years old on or before the date of the next General Election Delaware residents can't register to vote if you: Have been adjudged mentally incompetent. Adjudged mentally incompetent refers to a specific finding in a judicial guardianship or equivalent proceeding, based on clear and convincing evidence that the individual has a severe cognitive impairment which precludes exercise of basic voting judgment. Were convicted of a felony and have not fully discharged your sentence Were convicted of a disqualifying felony and have not been pardoned When is the last day to register to vote? Delaware residents must register to vote by October 12. You can register to vote online, by mail, or at a number of government agencies, including any statewide Department of Elections office, Delaware Organized Voter Registration Program event, and other government offices. When is Election Day? Election Day is November 5. Polls will open in Delaware from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. What is National Voter Registration Day? National Voter Registration Day was established in 2012 as a "nonpartisan civic holiday dedicated to celebrating our democracy." Over 5 million Americans have reportedly been registered to vote as a result of the national holiday. CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA - AUGUST 27: Workers prepare SpaceX's Polaris Dawn Falcon 9 for another launch attempt from Launch Complex 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center on August 27, 2024 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Polaris Dawn mission was delayed by a day after a helium leak was found. The private spaceflight is backed by Jared Isaacman, the billionaire founder of payments platform Shift4. During the mission, the astronauts will attempt the first spacewalk by a private company. The launch is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 3:38 and has a four-hour window. Joe Raedle/Getty Images CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA - AUGUST 26: SpaceX's Polaris Dawn Falcon 9 rocket sits on Launch Complex 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center on August 26, 2024 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Polaris Dawn mission is a private spaceflight backed by Jared Isaacman, the billionaire founder of payments platform company Shift4. During the mission, the astronauts will attempt the first spacewalk by a private company. The launch is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 27, at 3:38 and has a four-hour window. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) ***BESTPIX*** Joe Raedle/Getty Images CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA - AUGUST 27: Workers prepare SpaceX's Polaris Dawn Falcon 9 for another launch attempt from Launch Complex 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center on August 27, 2024 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Polaris Dawn mission was delayed by a day after a helium leak was found. The private spaceflight is backed by Jared Isaacman, the billionaire founder of payments platform Shift4. During the mission, the astronauts will attempt the first spacewalk by a private company. The launch is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 3:38 and has a four-hour window. Joe Raedle/Getty Images The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a $633,000 fine against SpaceX for safety violations during two rocket launches last year from Florida. The agency said Tuesday that Elon Musks commercial space company failed to follow requirements of its launch license by using an unapproved launch control room and deleting a mandatory part of the pre-launch checklist during a Falcon 9 launch in May 2023. Two months later, SpaceX used an unapproved rocket fuel farm during a launch of its larger Falcon Heavy rocket. The safety violations come after a string of environmental violations stemming from the companys Starship program at its Starbase facility in South Texas. Since August, state and federal regulators have fined the company more than $152,000 for violating clean water laws there. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Safety drives everything we do at the FAA, including a legal responsibility for the safety oversight of companies with commercial space transportation licenses, Marc Nichols, the FAAs chief counsel, said in a statement. Failure of a company to comply with the safety requirements will result in consequences. The FAA said SpaceX in May 2023 requested an update to its communications plan for launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The update called for adding a new launch control room at the companys Hangar X and removing a T-2 hour readiness poll from its pre-launch procedures. In its enforcement letter, the FAA said it told the company on June 15, 2023, and again the next day that it would not be able to approve the requested changes before the planned June 18, 2023, launch date. The warnings did not stop SpaceX. It used the new launch control room and deleted the readiness poll in which controllers say whether the launch is safe to proceed without permission during the Falcon 9 launch. The mission carried a payload of Indonesian communications satellites into orbit. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The FAA proposed a fine of $175,000 for each of those actions for a total of $350,000. On July 19, 2023, the company submitted a revision to its explosive site plan for launches at Kennedy Space Center. It outlined a newly constructed rocket propellant farm for the launch site. A week later, the FAA told SpaceX it would not be able to approve the changes before the planned July 28, 2023, launch. As the FAA continued its review and despite the notification, SpaceX used the unapproved rocket fuel farm for the Falcon Heavy launch. The EchoStar XXIV/Jupiter mission carried a 9 metric ton communications satellite to orbit. The FAA proposed a $283,009 fine for the fuel farm violation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad SpaceX has 30 days to respond to the FAA about the proposed fines. In a post on his X social media site, Musk called the FAAs enforcement actions more lawfare. SpaceX will be filing suit against the FAA for regulatory overreach, he said. How to register to vote in New Jersey NEW JERSEY - Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day, which serves as a reminder to Americans as deadlines loom for the 2024 Election. If you are planning to vote in this presidential election, it's time to check your voter registration. Am I registered to vote? New Jersey voters can check their voter registration status online with your name and date of birth. Am I eligible to vote? To register to vote in New Jersey, you must be: A United States citizen At least 17 years old, though you may not vote until you have reached the age of 18 A resident of the county for 30 days before the election A person not serving a sentence of incarceration as the result of a conviction of any indictable offense under the laws of this or another state or of the United States. New Jersey residents can't register to vote if they are serving a sentence of incarceration as a result of a conviction of an indictable offense under the laws of this or another state or of the United States. When is the last day to register to vote? New Jersey residents must register to vote by October 15. You can register to vote online, or by filling out a paper registration form that must be delivered to the County Commissioner of Registration or Superintendent of Elections for your county. When is Election Day? Election Day is November 5. Polls will open in New Jersey from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. What is National Voter Registration Day? National Voter Registration Day was established in 2012 as a "nonpartisan civic holiday dedicated to celebrating our democracy." Over 5 million Americans have reportedly been registered to vote as a result of the national holiday. Vladimir Kara-Murza Advocates For The Return Of Political Prisoners Held In Russia On Capitol Hill Vladimir Kara-Murza Advocates For The Return Of Political Prisoners Held In Russia On Capitol Hill By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russian activist Vladimir Kara-Murza shook his head in disbelief as he addressed lawmakers and diplomats in a U.S. Senate hearing room on Tuesday, just weeks after he was released from prison in Siberia in a major prisoner swap. "The word surreal doesn't even come close to describing what I feel now," the dissident said at an event intended to highlight what participants described as the plight of hundreds of prisoners still detained in Russia for their political beliefs. Coinciding with Kara-Murza's visit, Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will introduce this week the Bridge Act, legislation intended to protect Russians and Belarusians working to support democracy in their home countries. According to a text seen by Reuters, the Bridge Act among other things would authorize funding to support independent media and civil society in Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and back a number of actions to support dissidents living outside their countries. Kara-Murza was freed in an Aug. 1 prisoner swap from a 25-year sentence for treason after saying the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin was bombing Ukrainian homes, hospitals and schools. His release came after a months-long campaign that included letter-writing by members of Congress and passage of a resolution calling for his release. "Whatever the cynics and the skeptics will tell you, advocacy works and public attention protects and public attention saves," Kara-Murza said. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has positioned himself as a main backer of Putin since the Russian leader ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, part of which was launched from Belarusian soil. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus since 1994, has denied there are political prisoners in his country, although he used the full force of his security apparatus in August 2020 to crush protests that broke out over allegations of a stolen election. Thousands of people were arrested. On Monday, Lukashenko signed a decree pardoning 37 people convicted of crimes related to "extremism," the state news agency said. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Stephen Coates) Remains found in Daniel Boone National Forest identified as Kentucky woman missing since 2016 A eight-year missing persons investigation has shifted to a murder investigation as Kentucky State Police have identified remains found in 2021 as a missing Clay County woman. The remains were confirmed to be 30-year-old Angela Toot Toot Smith, of Big Creek, after exhaustive testing, KSP announced Tuesday. Smith was reported missing by family members in March 2016 to KSP Post 11 in London. In March 2021, state police were informed of human remains found in Daniel Boone National Forest in Big Creek. KSP on Tuesday announced the remains were Smith, and foul play is suspected. The Charley Project, an archive of missing persons documents that Smith was last seen at her trailer home on March 12, 2016, and was reported missing on March 27, 2016. Her trailer home caught fire around the time of her disappearance, and no indication was present that anyone was home at the time of the fire. The investigation is ongoing by Detective Logan Gay. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Post 11 London at 606-878-6622. Remains found in forest believed to belong to man who vanished in 2022, WA cops say Remains found in a forest may belong to a man who has been missing for nearly two years, Washington deputies say. John Hopkins, 69, of Seattle, was first reported missing in November 2022, the Skamania County Sheriffs Office said in a Sept. 16 news release. His rented car was later found parked at the McClellan Meadows Sno-Park lot, deputies said. Deputies said they searched the area several times to no avail. Then, in 2023, hunters stumbled on items believed to have belonged to Hopkins about 1.5 miles northeast from where his car was found, according to deputies. However, his remains were not found, deputies said. Again, volunteers from the sheriffs office search and rescue team and Silver Star Rescue Team set out to find Hopkins, deputies said. Searchers found remains believed to be Hopkins near McClellan Meadows in Gifford Pinchot National Forest on Sept. 14, deputies said. DNA testing will be done to confirm the identity of the remains, the sheriffs office said. Third discovery since August The discovery of the remains was the third of its kind in Gifford Pinchot National Forest since August, according to deputies. Deputies said a bear hunter found a skull in the forest on Sept. 4, McClatchy News reported. The identity of the skull is unknown, deputies said, adding that it will be sent for forensic analysis. About a month earlier, another human skull was found in the forest, deputies said, McClatchy News reported. The skull, found in the Big Lava Bed area, is believed to belong to a 31-year-old Oregon man missing since 2013, authorities told news outlets. He had been looking for caves in the area with his partner when he vanished, deputies said. Gifford Pinchot National Forest is about a 90-mile drive southeast from Tacoma. Bear hunter stumbles across human skull in national forest, Washington cops say Hiker finds human skull on lava field that may be man missing since 2013, WA cops say Hiker from SLO who went missing in Yosemite National Park is found dead Vaccine access of Americans, especially for children and the elderly, is critically important, Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN) said Tuesday. We need to get back to a normal place where we understand that vaccination has really changed the world, Bucshon said during Boosting the Status Quo: Vaccinating Americas Most Vulnerable, a panel event hosted by The Hill and sponsored by the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. Access to vaccination is really critically important for both children and seniors. Bucshons comments come as the U.S. grapples with declining childhood vaccination rates stemming from lingering vaccine hesitancy from the COVID-19 pandemic. American parents still overwhelmingly support vaccinating their children but vaccination rates among kindergarteners fell throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. National vaccine rates among kindergarteners declined from 95 percent to about 93 percent between the 2019-20 and 2021-22 school years, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On top of this, kindergarten exemptions rose by to 3 percent last year, with vaccine exceptions increasing in 41 states exceeding 5 percent in 10 states, according to the CDC. Vaccine exception rates greater than 5 percent limit the level of achievable vaccination coverage which increases the risk for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, according to the agency. During the event, Bucshon, who is also a physician, touched on how Republican lawmakers contributed to spread of misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine by pushing back on doctors in Congress like himself from encouraging Americans to get the shot. I think we are getting back to a more normal time, with COVID it was just such a big disruption worldwide and there was a scramble to get a vaccine to stop it, he said. Unfortunately, that scramble also happened during an election year in America. The congressman said his biggest concern about the surviving vaccine hesitancy from the pandemic is how it has spilled over into childhood vaccinations for diseases like the measles and mumps. This has been established medical care, for most people, for decades, he said. Bucshon added that while some people do suffer from adverse health events following vaccination, the rate at which those adverse events occur is tiny. Statistically, youre in better shape if you get yourself vaccinated. This story was updated on Sept. 18, 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 The Hill. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) has received a pacemaker and will return to work in Washington, D.C., following a medical emergency last week. Wilson recorded a video released Monday saying that his collapse at an event last week marking Ukraines Independence Day was the result of a severe drop in blood pressure. Attendees at the event said that Wilson was treated with CPR after he collapsed. Providentially, I was with U.S. House Chaplain Margaret Kibben and two heart surgeons who immediately provided aid, he said. Kibben is the former chief chaplain for the Navy. Doctors, nurses and additional medical personnel at George Washington University Hospital provided excellent care for speedy recovery. With a pacemaker implant, issues have been resolved for my public service. Wilson said he and his wife are grateful for hundreds of messages of prayers from constituents and from dozens of colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, from the House and Senate. He thanked his staff for stepping up and fulfilling all duties while he was recovering. This event will now be an inspiration of love and affection weve experienced from constituents, he said in the video. Wilson will return at a key time for House Republicans to pass legislation to avoid a government shutdown. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), overseeing a slim Republican majority, has faced some opposition in his party for a short-term funding deal and further pressure from former President Trump to add a measure that requires proof-of-citizenship for voting. Democrats have said that legislation is a nonstarter and note its already illegal for noncitizens to vote. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A new report from the Department of Labor raises tough questions about whether and to what extent forced labor and child labor are intertwined with climate-friendly technology. The department released a report this month finding that several minerals that are key components of electric vehicles and solar panels may be produced through these unethical labor practices. The findings point to major ethical quandaries surrounding the ongoing energy transition. Climate change, if not addressed, endangers many of the worlds most vulnerable people. At the same time, the report raises serious human rights concerns about the technology being used to address it. There are supply chains where there are certain bottlenecks in countries with a very bad performance when it comes to human rights, said Tom Moerenhout, a research scholar at Columbia Universitys Center on Global Energy Policy. The ethics of that is critical not just for a government [that] is trying to direct public policy in an ethical way, but also often for consumers and companies, Moerenhout added. The new report stated forced labor is involved in the extraction of Chinese aluminum and silicon, Indonesian nickel and cobalt from Congo. It said child labor was being used to mine the aforementioned cobalt as well as copper from Congo and Zambia, Zambian manganese, Zimbabwean lithium and inputs used for South Korean Indium. It also highlighted labor concerns regarding the supply chain for certain Chinese products, saying Chinese lithium-ion batteries were produced with minerals from Congo that used child labor and/or forced labor. The global transition away from planet-warming fossil fuels and toward more climate-friendly renewables and electric vehicles, often called the energy transition, is driving up demand for such minerals, which are used in technologies like electric vehicles, batteries and power lines. The International Energy Agency has projected that by 2040, demand for lithium could grow by more than 40 times, while demand for cobalt and nickel could grow by about 20 times to 25 times. Copper demand is projected to more than double during the same period. The U.S. does not necessarily get the majority of its imports of these metals from the countries in question, but theyre still major global suppliers. For example, 46 percent of U.S. nickel imports come from Canada, but half of the nickel mined worldwide in 2023 came from Indonesia. And while major suppliers of U.S. cobalt imports include Norway, Canada, Finland and Japan, most of the worlds cobalt comes from Congo. Abigail Hunter, executive director of the Center for Critical Minerals Strategy at energy security think tank SAFE, said this means that even if the U.S. isnt directly importing the minerals, it is still likely importing items that contain them. That means we are importing embedded materialwhich is almost always going through China for further transformationAND that we have less leverage over how the material is extracted, including if it is extracted with forced, child, or forced child labor, Hunter said in a written statement to The Hill. Lithium-ion batteries represent one mineral-based product that the U.S. imports from China. However, Hunter said that by participating in the energy transition, the U.S. can try to curb the use of unethical labor. The clean energy transition, which is driving US demand for these materials to new horizons, presents the opportunity for us to engage directly and encourage a shift away [from] these practices as a demand source and investor, she said. Experts have noted one way to tackle the issue is by improving requirements for supply chain traceability. A major renewable power trade group says that the industry makes investments in such tracing to avoid using minerals extracted using forced labor. The clean energy sector invests heavily in supply chain tracing tools, supply chain audits, and supplier selection and commitments that support the industrys efforts to avoid buying materials made with forced labor, said MJ Shiao, vice president of supply chain and manufacturing at the American Clean Power Association, in a written statement. But trying to trace the minerals through supply chains also comes with challenges, experts said. After minerals are sourced, they need to be refined for use in energy technologies, and the vast majority of mineral refining occurs in China. Once that cobalt goes into a refining phase you cant differentiate where it came from, said Gracelin Baskaran, director of the Project on Critical Minerals Security at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Beyond traceability, some have also suggested a tax on minerals extracted with child and slave labor. If [a] material is going to be produced in a manner that violates labor and safety standards, that material should be . tariffed at a higher rate, said Greg Wischer, founder of consulting firm Dei Gratia Minerals. But he noted implementing such tariffs could have trade-offs because it could reduce demand for minerals from already low-income countries, worsening conditions on the ground. Meanwhile, experts say the issues with the mineral supply chains do not make a case against taking action to mitigate climate change. Baskaran noted the Labor Department report raised concerns about workers rights in some of the same African countries that are hit with some of the worst droughts in the world and that could be particularly vulnerable to climate change. We cant not go through the transition, because thats also going to cost millions of lives, she said, adding that the issues should be addressed in parallel. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Lisa Schindler has two daughters and supports reproductive rights: "It's just ridiculous that soemebody else gets to dictate what we can do with our bodies. It's so third-world. It just blows my mind." She wore a "Bans off our bodies" T-shirt she picked up in Washington, D.C., this spring. "I was itching to wear it again." (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan) Montanans voices are being heard on the issue of reproductive rights. Recent events in Bozeman and Missoula highlighted by the appearance of Freeda Womb, a 20-foot-tall inflatable IUD focused on the need to protect our ability to make personal, private decisions about our families and our health. The events attracted enthusiastic supporters and media coverage from across the state. Now, we are celebrating the fact that Montanans will actually get the chance to vote on Constitutional Initiative 128, a measure that will protect Montanans right to abortion. Backers of CI-128 secured twice the number of voter signatures needed to place the measure on the ballot but, even so, Montanas secretary of state and attorney general attempted to keep it off. A court recently ruled that Montanans should, indeed, have the right to get the chance to decide. As encouraging as this is, we know this isnt the end of politicians trying to decide for people what they can and cant do with their bodies. These are freedoms well need to continue fighting to protect. There is a growing push, both nationally and within our state, to limit our freedom to plan our own futures and access essential healthcare and family planning tools. There is no decision more personal than whether and when to have children. Is now the right time? Am I financially prepared? Am I healthy enough for a pregnancy? Can I handle a child if Im already caring for children, my parents, or siblings? These are decisions that should stay between us, our families, and our doctors not the government. Contraception gives us freedom over our futures. If you want confirmation, just ask any of the 75% of Montana women who have used a form of contraception. But our freedom to make these decisions is at risk. Montanans health and autonomy are being attacked from every angle, from Helena, to Washington, D.C. Here at home, Montanans agree that access to reproductive healthcare is essential. According to an August 2024 Middle Fork Strategies poll, 83% of Montanans agree that IVF should remain legal and 56% believe that abortion should remain legal. In Congress, the Right to Contraception Act was introduced to establish a federal right to contraception. This bill was incredibly popular and supported by more than 80% of all Americans, including 94% of Democrats, 76% of independents, and 68% of Republicans. However, Senate Republicans including Sen. Steve Daines ignored this bipartisan support and blocked the bill. Thankfully, Sen. Jon Tester stood up for our rights by co-sponsoring the bill and voting for it. He understands that this isnt just a healthcare issue, its an issue of freedom. Republicans efforts to block the Right to Contraception Act are part of a broader national trend. When the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, Justice Clarence Thomas also called for the Court to reconsider Griswold v. Connecticut the landmark decision that recognized the right to contraception nearly 60 years ago. Project 2025 would restrict access to emergency contraception for 48 million women across America including 151,000 women in Montana. Opponents of reproductive freedom didnt stop at abortion and they wont stop at contraception. Senate Republicans even blocked nationwide protections for IVF, threatening many peoples ability to start a family. This fight isnt about policy. Its about control. Extremists think they know better than us. The only question we need to ask ourselves is this: Will we let them? (Bloomberg) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson said President Joe Bidens signature climate law would be an early target for Republicans if Donald Trump wins the presidency and the party secures control of Congress after the November election. Most Read from Bloomberg The law, which Democrats billed as the largest-ever investment in fighting climate change, provided hundreds of billion of dollars in tax credits and other incentives for clean power. Republicans have long opposed the funding, with Johnson on Tuesday denigrating it as mortgaging our childrens future to fund todays big government bureaucracy. Projected to ultimately provide trillions of dollars in incentives to projects for electric vehicles, wind, solar, hydrogen and nuclear power, the law could be a ripe target for Republican hunting for ways to pay for extending Trumps tax cuts, which expire at the end of next year. Johnsons remarks at a forum held by the conservative America First Policy Institute echo those of Trump, who has vowed to rescind unspent funding from the the law. Still, Johnson told CNBC in an interview after his speech he would be open to keeping some of the laws energy tax credits, conceding it wouldnt be possible to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act in its entirety. Youve got to use a scalpel and not a sledgehammer, because theres a few provisions in there that have helped overall, Johnson said without elaborating on which provisions he would keep. Several Republicans have implored the speaker not to repeal the climate law, saying it would undermine private investments and stop projects that have already begun. Earlier: House Republicans Tell Johnson Not to Repeal Climate Law A full repeal would create a worst-case scenario where we would have spent billions of taxpayer dollars and received next to nothing in return, a group of Republicans wrote to Johnson last month. Johnson, elected speaker last year after the historic ouster of Kevin McCarthy, has struggled to unite his caucus and will likely face a challenge if Republicans maintain the House majority. Speaker Mike Johnsons pledge to gut popular investments in our clean energy future if Republicans take control of Congress shows that hes willing to throw even members of his own caucus under the bus to do Donald Trumps bidding, said Lena Moffitt, executive director of Evergreen Action, a progressive climate group. (Adds Johnson remarks to news outlet in six paragraph, comment from environmental group in last.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Ahead of the election, Republican lawmakers are raising alarm bells about Texas billionaire John Arnold, who was appointed to Metas board earlier this year warning he could undermine the efforts to keep speech free and open on Facebook ahead of the presidential election. Arnold, who is worth an estimated $2.9 billion according to Forbes, has spent tens of millions of dollars bankrolling left-wing causes, including bail reform in New York State and George Soros-affiliated organizations that slam disinformation. John Arnold is a far left radical who funded pro-criminal projects in Indiana and pro-censorship organizations nationwide. His board appointment should make every patriotic American nervous about Big Tech interfering in the 2024 presidential election, just like they did last cycle, Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) told The Post. John Arnold has given tens of millions to left-wing causes, including bail reform in New York State and George Soros-affiliated organizations that slam disinformation. ASSOCIATED PRESS Mark Zuckerberg recently wrote to the House Judiciary Committee that he wanted to promote free speech and not manipulate the upcoming election, Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC), a member of the committee, told The Post of the Meta CEO. Id like to believe that, but it defies credulity when John Arnold, funder of millions to pro-censorship groups, sits on Metas board. Americans deserve to speak freely without the leftist dark money network feeding the censorship industrial complex and working against their right of free expression. In an August letter to the House Judiciary Committee, Zuckerberg said he would push against censorship after acknowledging Facebook had demoted The Posts story about Hunter Bidens laptop before the 2020 election, and that it had bowed to pressure by the Biden administration to censor Covid-related content. Zuckerberg wrote that I believe the government pressure was wrong and I regret I was not more outspoken about it. Mark Zuckerbergs August letter to the House Judiciary Committee could be undermined by the appointment of Arnold to Metas board, sources told The Post. Bloomberg via Getty Images But Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), another member of the committee, believes Arnolds role at Meta signals Zuckerberg may be unwilling to completely move away from censorship. Meta is notorious for censoring conservative speech. Only after Zuckerberg got caught engaging in election interference by censoring the [Posts] Hunter Biden laptop story in October 2020 did he promise reform to Metas content moderation procedures, Steube told The Post. Seems like John Arnold, who has spent millions upon millions involved in censorship efforts, should be the last person on Metas board if Zuckerberg had a bit of seriousness in his pledge. Tom Cotton told The Post the effort to censor content is Orwellian. ZUMAPRESS.com A spokesperson for Arnold told The Post: John strongly believes that the bedrock principles of the First Amendment must be protected at all costs, which is why he has supported The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) since 2013, and it is one of the reasons why he is now supporting the University of Austin Texas, an institution committed to free speech on campus. Asked about Arnolds role on Metas board, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) criticized the companys past efforts to suppress speech Is there anything more Orwellian? and noted the board [is] stocked with left-wing academics deciding issues of free speech. While Meta has right-leaning members on its board, including venture capitalist Marc Andreessen and former George W. Bush administration official Robert M. Kimmitt, lawmakers note that Arnold is far more political than anyone else on the board especially since conservative firebrand Peter Thiel left in 2022. Arnold, 50, began his career as an energy trader at Enron before launching hedge fund Centaurus Advisors which earned him the title of Americas then-youngest billionaire in 2007. In 2012 he closed the fund and began donating to address public policy issues through his philanthropy Arnold Ventures. Jim Jordan has launched an investigation into social media giants that have censored content some at the governments behest. Getty Images He gave $1.5 million to the Social Science Research Council that operates MediaWell, which curates research and news on digital disinformation and misinformation between 2018 and 2022, according to 990 filings. Topics of the research range from how to regulate extreme-speech actors on smaller platforms like Parler to Fighting an indestructible monster: Journalisms legitimacy narratives during the Trump Era to criticizing the Covid lab-leak theory as racist and a conspiracy theory. The organization has also advocated for policies like those implemented in the European Union that crack down on deep extreme speech. In 2020, Arnold gave $500,000 to Global Witness, an NGO that left-leaning billionaire George Soros has supported since 2002. While Global Witness emphasizes its commitment to protect human rights, much of its recent research has focused on election disinformation. John Arnold began his career at Enron before launching his own hedge fund Centaurus, which briefly made him the youngest billionaire in America. Bloomberg via Getty Images Recent Global Witness investigations have suggested that X elevate[s] right-wing views and that tech companies are failing to properly rein in climate disinformation. Arnold gave $13.5 million to the New Venture fund from 2016 to 2020. According to nonprofit Capital Research, the fund lobbied for increased government oversight of speech, including net neutrality. And a Washington Examiner report from 2022 suggests Arnold gave nearly $10 million more between 2019 and 2021 to groups linked to the movement to combat so-called disinformation and misinformation. Over the last five years he has also given more than $45 million to organizations pushing for bail reform in New York, according to a Fox News report even more than the $40 million Soros has given to these efforts. Zuckerberg said last month that he believes the pressure from the government to censor speech was wrong. AP While Arnold previously worked with Facebook by bankrolling a 2018 partnership that sought to study how social media was impacting elections, he doesnt have much social media experience beyond that. Last month, he acknowledged in a Bloomberg interview that his February appointment to Metas board of directorscame out of left field: I am not a tech person, which made the invitation even that much more surprising. I think they were looking for somebody who had some energy expertise the amount of infrastructure thats required to run the data centers for AI is immense, Arnold said. My background in public policy is an asset to them. John Arnold brings a wealth of experience to Metas Board of Directors, particularly in energy and infrastructure, which are critical areas of expertise as Meta builds the next generation of computing, Meta said in a statement. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) A social media post from Michele Morrow, the Republican nominee for North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction, received attention and criticism from local groups, leaders, and others. Monday evening, a Democratic supporter asked Morrow on X for her thoughts on charter schools not having guidelines. The question was in response to a former teacher at a Burke County charter school being sentenced for several sex crimes against children. Morrow replied she would keep all students in every school as state superintendent by working with the North Carolina General Assembly to enforce mandatory background checks for every public school staff member and immediately suspend the license of those arrested for crimes against children. She argued Democratic opponent Mo Green would not keep students safe because he is endorsed by an LGBTQ+ equality organization. Mo Green has stated the Parental Bill of Rights Does more harm than good and he states he is proudly endorsed by Equality NC, whose mission statement is to promote LGBTQ+ power, Morrow wrote. Newsflashthe + includes PEDOPH*L*A!! Mo Green will NOT keep our children safe! (Provided) Greens campaign responded to Morrows comments the following day, calling her wrong, hateful, and bullying vulnerable students, staff, and families across North Carolina. This is another example in Michele Morrows long history of spreading hatred, encouraging violence, and proving shes unfit to lead our public schools, Green said in a statement. Shes the wrong role model for North Carolinas 1.3 million students in public schools. Every child deserves to learn, and every staff member deserves to work, in an environment that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive, he continued in his statement. Politicians like Morrow use schools as battlegrounds for their culture wars and its simply unacceptable. We have to be focused on the very real education challenges in front of us, such as getting a well-paid teacher in every classroom and addressing the shortage of mental health professionals who support the well-being of our students. Greens campaign also cited a national survey that reported 90% LGBTQ+ youth said recent politics have taken a negative toll on their overall well-being. Michele Morrows bullying hurts vulnerable children, Greens campaign said in a statement. She would be a dangerous state Superintendent of Public Instruction. Equality NC, which says it is the oldest statewide organization dedicated to securing rights and protections for the LGBTQ community, also responded to Morrows comments. The organizations communications director Jazmynne Cruz said, Equality NCs long-term goal is to achieve comprehensive statewide nondiscrimination protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression in housing, employment, public accommodations, credit, insurance, and education without exemptions that single out LGBTQ+ people. We aim to ensure that every North Carolinian sees themselves reflected in this movement for equality, working together to create a safer, more equitable world for all marginalized individuals. As a community, LGBTQ+ people deserve leaders who invest in our public education system and believe in keeping all students safe, she continued. Messages like these are what drive the Equality NC PAC to endorse candidates like Mo Green, who are committed to valuing equality for North Carolinians and who will root for the safety of all students, including our most marginalized students, who face the most harm due to mis- and disinformation aimed at calling into question their right to be safe in their homes, schools, and communities. Equality NC PAC endorses Mo Green for many reasons, including his public commitment to ensuring that all students are safe at school and have access to education that prepares them to be the driving force in their future. Equality NC says it uses the reference from Human Rights Campaign, which defines LGBTQ+ as an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer, with a + sign to recognize the limitless sexual orientations and gender identities used by members of our community. Said Cruz, This is what Equality NC means when representing LGBTQ+ people. Cruzs criticism of Morrows comments was shared by Kori Hennessey with the LGBTQ Center of Raleigh. The false and malicious statement that pedophilia is a part of the LGBTQ+ community only continues to drive hate and violence against us, Hennessey said. The + in LGBTQ+ refers to recognizing those not specifically captured within the commonly-used acronym. Morrows comments drew further criticism from state Rep. Debra Butler, who said, Ms. Morrow has proven her ignorance over and over again on a wide variety of issues. When you arent well-informed, you say foolish, untrue and hurtful things. North Carolinas voters are ready for solutions, not wannabe schoolyard bullies. CBS 17 reached out to Morrow and state Republicans for comment. Neither have provided a response. As of Tuesday evening, Morrows X post remains up. Candidates for NC superintendent face off in Saturday debate Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A group of members of the Republican Party of Arkansas filed an injunction in federal court on Sunday to force action closing its partys primaries. The filing asks the court to mandate Secretary of State John Thurston to recognize the vote outcome from the Republican state convention in June. At the convention, party members voted to close primaries and enact new candidate registration requirements. Republican Party of Arkansas delegates take legal action against party leaders over refusal to enforce closed primaries The filing asks the court to take immediate steps to ensure that the rules and platform changes are published and adhere to all relevant party and election procedures. Attorney General Tim Giffins office filed a motion for dismissal on Monday, calling the RPA injunction request threadbare in his response. Republican Party of Arkansas Executive Committee repeals delegates approval of closed primaries among other action items A closed primary would mean that only registered Republicans could vote in that partys primary elections. At its convention, the RPA heard concerns that under the current system, Arkansas Democrats were voting in Republican primaries. Arkansas law requires voters to declare their party affiliation before voting in primary elections. It does not do so for the general election. Locals, officials react to punch thrown at Saline County Republican Committee meeting Secretary of State John Thurston stated that changing to a closed primary for Republicans would require a change in Arkansas law. RPA members supporting the closed primary move have said this is not true. Griffins call for dismissal calls out the procedure followed when RPA made its convention vote, including the scant details surrounding the vote. Controversy arose in voting procedure, leading to the RPA executive committee voting in July that RPA votes at the convention, including the closed primary, were null and void. Benton police investigating fight at Saline County Republican Party meeting RPA members filed suit in August against the executive committees vote, asking for an injunction. Griffins dismissal motion states that the call for an injunction is part of an intraparty dispute as an additional reason for its dismissal. In addition, the motion points out that Thurston is immune from the suit since the entire argument behind it is from intraparty politics. Finally, Griffin points out that the call for an injunction is not ripe since the next Republican primary in Arkansas will not occur until May 2026. Arkansas Republicans vote to hold closed primaries, critics voice concerns on rollout The court has not set a trial 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 KARK. WASHINGTON Last month, GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump surprised almost everybody in the nations capital by floating a plan to require insurance companies to pay for the costs of in vitro fertilization for women who need it. On Tuesday, Senate Republicans blocked a bill that would do just that. Its the second time in recent months that the GOP has filibustered the Right to IVF Act, Democratic legislation that, in addition to ensuring insurance coverage for such treatments, would also enshrine into federal law a right for individuals to receive IVF treatment as well as for doctors to provide it. The vote fell largely along party lines, 51 to 44, short of the 60 votes the bill wouldve needed to advance. Republicans want people to think they support IVF because they know how unpopular that position is. They want to keep their true agenda hidden from the public, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) warned during a press conference on the steps of the Capitol. He was flanked by his Democratic colleagues, who held up large photos of families who have used IVF. Democrats initially forced a vote on the bill in June after a ruling earlier this year by the Alabama Supreme Court that declared that frozen embryos can be considered children. IVF providers in the state responded by ceasing to offer services for fear of being held legally liable if embryos were destroyed. The GOP state legislature later passed a bill extending liability protections for IVF providers. Senate Democrats speak on the Senate steps before a vote on the Right to IVF Act. Bill Clark via Getty Images Republicans have insisted since then that they support IVF even if some in their evangelical base are opposed to the treatment as they seek to appeal to women voters ahead of Novembers elections. We are going to be, under the Trump administration, we are going to be paying for that treatment, Trump said in August when asked about IVF. Were going to be mandating that the insurance company pay. Republicans have long opposed insurance mandates (spending years railing against the Affordable Care Acts individual mandate, for example), and few in Congress expressed an interest in the former presidents suggestion. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a Trump ally, said flat out he wouldnt support it, while others voiced concerns about the cost of such a proposal. Democrats, meanwhile, never took it seriously. American women are not stupid, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said last month. Making vague promises about insurance coverage does not stop a single extremist judge or state legislature from banning IVF. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), who had both of her children with the help of IVF, said Republicans have spent weeks lying about their records on IVF and pretending to champion this cause. Theyre running on a campaign platform that would ban IVF and abortion nationwide, the senator added on a press call Tuesday organized by Vice President Kamala Harris presidential campaign. Senate Democratic leadership brought up the Right to IVF Act for another vote to put pressure on Republicans, particularly those up for reelection this year like Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Rick Scott (Fla.). Both GOP senators dismissed the Democrats bill as unnecessary, even as they pledged support for IVF. This is a vote we already had, Scott told HuffPost. They didnt try to improve it. Its just a political statement by Schumer, not to solve a problem. The Florida Republican tried instead to pass his bill that would make it easier to save for IVF costs by doubling the contribution limits of Health Savings Accounts. But Democrats blocked that measure, saying it wouldnt protect access to the treatment. Women who struggle to have kids dont deserve to be someones political punching bag, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said during Tuesdays press conference. They do not deserve to be yanked around by politicians who when push comes to shove wont actually vote to help them. Jennifer Bendery contributed reporting. Related... WASHINGTON For the second time in four months, Senate Democrats forced a vote on the Right To IVF Act, only to be blocked by Republicans who called it unnecessary and politically motivated as Vice President Kamala Harris seeks to make access to in vitro fertilization a 2024 campaign issue. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., forced the vote Tuesday after Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump called himself "a leader on fertilization, IVF" at the recent debate with Harris and floated a vague plan to mandate that insurance companies or the government cover the treatment for free. The vote was 51-44, falling short of the 60 needed to break a filibuster, with Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine again voting with Democrats in favor of the bill. All other GOP senators present voted against it. The bill would establish broad protections and nationwide rights for individuals to access in vitro fertilization or IVF treatments and ensure that health providers can offer those services without restrictions or interference. Donald Trump during the presidential debate in Philadelphia on Sept. 10. Harris, the Democratic nominee, said in the recent ABC debate that under Donald Trumps abortion bans, couples who pray and dream of having a family are being denied IVF treatments. Trump hit back, expressing his support for IVF and noting that the very negative Alabama Supreme Court ruling that threatened access to IVF treatment was overridden by the state Legislature. Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., dismissed it as another show vote and vowed that Republicans support IVF, full stop. This is not an attempt to make law. This is not an attempt to get an outcome or to legislate, Thune said. This is simply an attempt by Democrats to try and create a political issue where there isnt one. After the bill failed Tuesday, Harris said in a statement: Every woman in every state must have reproductive freedom. Yet, Republicans in Congress have once again made clear that they will not protect access to the fertility treatments many couples need to fulfill their dream of having a child. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., the author of the bill, said she worries that laws could be passed in some states that would define a fertilized egg as a human being as the Alabama Supreme Court did which then prevents IVF from being carried out. As the bill went down, Duckworth told NBC News that the path to passage is for Democrats to sweep the 2024 election and bring it back up in Congress. She predicted that Democrats would lift the filibuster to get around the 60-vote requirement, which would require 50 senators to vote to change the rules. I think its really important to families around the country to be able to start their families when they want to, Duckworth said. Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, the Republican vice presidential nominee, did not vote Tuesday as he campaigns but accused Schumer of playing political games. President Trump and Senator Vance have made themselves crystal clear: They fully support guaranteed IVF access for every American family, Vance spokeswoman, Taylor Van Kirk, said. Republicans have offered a narrower bill, written by Sens. Katie Britt, R-Ala., and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, that would cut off Medicaid funding for states if they prohibit IVF. Democrats say the bill contains loopholes. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Republicans on Tuesday blocked a bill that would have created a right to access in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments and mandated that insurance plans cover the practice, deriding the vote as a political ploy. Senators voted against advancing the bill, 51-44, marking the second time Democrats have sought to put Republicans on the record on the contentious issue. Sixty votes were needed to open debate on the measure. Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) voted with every Democrat and independent. Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) did not vote. GOP senators derided the Democratic legislation, authored by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), as nothing more than a show vote, accusing Democrats of misrepresenting Republicans views on IVF. Ahead of the vote, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) tried to pass via voice vote a competing bill he and Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) introduced earlier this year that would withhold Medicaid funding from states that ban IVF, but it was blocked by Democrats. Lets be clear there is not a single senator in this chamber on either side of the aisle who wants to ban IVF, Cruz said on the floor ahead of the votes. But Democrats maintained that it was important to put members on the record after former President Trump rearranged the chess board on the topic by calling for universal coverage of IVF treatments. If Donald Trump is serious about protecting IVF, then he is busily calling all the Republican senators and telling them to vote yes on todays bill, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said ahead of the vote. And if hes not making those phone calls, well, then we know this is just one more Trump lie. When Trump stands up and says hes a champion for women its as if he thinks we cant hear him when he talks to his right-wing base about how hes responsible for overturning Roe v. Wade, Warren said. Its as if he thinks we cant hear him when he takes credit for having created the problems that now exist when women cant get access to abortion and when IVF clinics are in legal jeopardy. While some Republicans have signaled an increased openness to Trumps call, they largely stuck together Tuesday. The topic cropped up as a key election issue earlier this year when the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children, and clinics across the state swiftly ceased their operations. GOP lawmakers are quick to note that Alabama legislators moved quickly to remedy the ruling, while offering fixes of their own. Trumps proposal came as a surprise to GOP lawmakers and seemed to divide them over the idea of requiring the government or insurance companies to cover treatments. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) indicated that he does not back the plan because theres no end to that and pressed that he would prefer a means-tested tax credit instead. Tillis told reporters last week he is a little bit hesitant about a possible mandate, especially with pressing business before the chamber next year with the expiration of the 2018 tax cuts affecting how to pay for IVF treatments. In the meantime, Democrats have been relentless in tying IVF to other types of reproductive care, including abortion and contraceptives. They maintain that the conservative-leaning Supreme Court could take on those issues after the Dobbs ruling two years ago. Sadly, access to IVF can no longer be taken for granted. From the moment the MAGA Supreme Court eliminated [Roe v. Wade], the hard right made clear that they would keep going, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on the Senate floor earlier Tuesday. As we saw earlier this year in Alabama, IVF has become the next target of ultraconservatives, and access to this incredible treatment is more vulnerable than ever. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EXCLUSIVE: At a scheduled House hearing on Wednesday, Republicans plan to grill Small Business Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman over what they have characterized as the agencys behavior in regard to claims of taxpayer-funded electioneering in swing-state Michigan. GOP Texas Rep. Roger Williams, chair of the House Small Business Committee, said Monday that Guzman will be asked directly about alleged agency efforts to register voters in Democrat-heavy precincts of the Wolverine State. "The Small Business Administration has lacked transparency and stonewalled committee oversight at every turn," Williams said. "The administrator must answer directly to our members about what we are hearing from our constituents back home, particularly about why small business concerns are being ignored within the Biden-Harris administration " WATCHDOG GROUP SUES FEDS FOR RECORDS AS LAWMAKER CALLS VOTER REGISTRATION EFFORTS A SLAP IN THE FACE Williams and his Senate counterpart, Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, began demanding documents and other information in May over what the SBA had called its "first-ever" voter registration agreement with Michigan officials. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The SBA in March had forged a memorandum of understanding with the Michigan Department of State, pursuant to President Bidens Executive Order 14019, which promotes access to voting. Since then, Williams and committee Republicans have been demanding information, including documents and travel schedules of top agency officials. The letter from the two lawmakers also cited Guzman as the "most-traveled" Cabinet member. To date, the committee has said SBAs compliance has been markedly insufficient, with lawmakers claiming the agency has "slow-rolled and wasted time producing documents that were either nonresponsive to the Committees requests or duplicative." The agency is "diverting its resources away from assisting Main Street so it can register Democratic voters," Williams said. In August, an SBA spokesperson argued that the agency has provided "extensive testimony, briefings, transcribed interviews, documents and other information in response to congressional inquires, including the Committees most recent subpoena." HOUSE COMMITTEE DEMANDS BIDEN AGENCY REVEAL STAFF TRAVEL HISTORIES AMID ELECTIONEERING ALLEGATIONS "We are continuing the work to fulfill the subpoena beyond our initial document production. Any suggestion that the agency is conducting improper work or that its response has been anything other than cooperative is simply not true," the spokesperson added. Democrats on the panel, meanwhile, have dismissed the majoritys demands and said their behavior tarnishes the panels record. The House Small Business Committee has otherwise "prided itself in bipartisan cooperation to help American entrepreneurs," ranking member Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., told Fox News Digital in June. "Unfortunately, with [these] subpoenas, Republicans have rejected these principles to pursue a partisan inquiry," Velazquez said. However, others have countered that Democrats are politicizing the committee, as a source with knowledge of the committees work pointed to at least five derogatory mentions of the Heritage Foundations Project 2025 in the committees last session. Velazquez and Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., had invoked the conservative advocacy groups work to rebut Republican amendments aimed at reducing regulatory burdens on small business. KEY BIDEN AGENCY SLAPPED WITH HISTORIC SUBPOENAS OVER IMPROPER SWING-STATE VOTER REGISTRATION PUSH Democrats have sought to link Republican officeholders and former President Trump to Project 2025 as a form of criticism. While several of Trump's former Cabinet secretaries and top White House senior aides are authors of the project, Trump has denied having any connection to it. Williams said that instead of voter registration in Michigan or other related concerns, the SBA should focus on its founding mission. "The American taxpayers deserve to know the truth about who the SBA is truly working for, because the last few years have been a disaster for Main Street America," he said Monday. Small Business Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman Fox News Digital has also learned the committee will question Guzman on the agencys reported decision to end active collection of COVID-era small business loans under $100,000 while the agency saw billions of loan dollars accidentally go to fraudulent concerns. The committee also plans to address Vice President Harris small business tax deduction proposals and how witnesses may believe it meshes with potential plans to allow a current 20% small business tax deduction to expire. Original article source: Republicans plan to confront Bidens small business chief on electioneering concerns, loan forgiveness WILMINGTON, NC. (WNCN) As torrential rain fell Monday and winds led to high surf, there was significant flooding along the North Carolina coast due to Potential Tropical Cyclone 8. Several flash flood warnings were active in Brunswick, New Hanover, Columbus, and Bladen counties and dozens of roads, cars and buildings were flooded in areas along the coast. Get full list of rainfall totals NC coast rainfall top 20 inches in 1,000-year event Extremely heavy rain was reported in many areas, according to the Sunset Beach Police Department in Brunswick County. Key roads such as U.S. 17 in Brunswick County and U.S. 74/76 were closed in Columbus County. Radar data indicated 18 inches of rain in the Carolina Beach area and 13 inches in Brunswick County. Officials later released an updated list of rainfall totals. Wilmington Fire Dept photo of a dog being rescued in Carolina Beach Monday. Makatoka Rd in Supply. Photo from Brunswick County Sheriffs Office. A Jeep fell into a washed out part of N.C. 211 between Dosher Cut Off and River Mist subdivision. Photo from Brunswick County Sheriffs Office. US 17 underwater from Potential Tropical Cyclone 8. Photo from Brunswick County Sheriffs Office. A woman was safe after her car was pushed off US 17 near mile marker 25 in Brunswick County. Photo from Brunswick County Sheriffs Office. Wilmington Fire Dept photo of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach water rescues Monday. US 17 underwater from Potential Tropical Cyclone 8. Photo from Brunswick County Sheriffs Office. Wilmington Fire Dept photo of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach water rescues Monday. East Moore Street washed out in Southport. Photo from Southport Police Dept. Carolina Beach near Lake Park Boulevard. Image from Erica H Dunn The Outer Banks where the north end of Ocracoke Island was partly underwater. Photo from the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Sunset Harbor Road in Brunswick County. Photo from Brunswick County Sheriffs Office. A state of emergency was declared in Carolina Beach in New Hanover County, where at least 4 feet of water was covering Lake Park Blvd next to Carolina Beach Lake Park. At least one vehicle was abandoned in deep water. A shelter for people needing help was opened Monday evening by the American Red Cross at Carolina Beach Recreation Center at 1121-B North Lake Blvd. Carolina Beach Elementary School plus a dozen other structures were flooded before noon. Lawn furniture could be seen floating away in Carolina Beach near Lake Park Boulevard. Just after 3 p.m., U.S. 17 was closed and water rescues were underway near Randolphville Road NE. Also, U.S. 74/76 closed at NC 11 due to flooding. N.C. 211 in Brunswick County was closed where bridges were damaged over Duke Energy Canal and Dutchman Creek. A Jeep fell into a washed out part of N.C. 211 between Dosher Cut Off and River Mist subdivision. Photo from Brunswick County Sheriffs Office. Water was up to the door handles of several vehicles stranded on U.S. 17 as of 3:10 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. In Southport, several roads were also flooded or washed out, according to town police. East Leonard Street between Jabbertown and Fire Fly was heavily flooded and impassible, Southport police said. More than 3 feet of floodwater covered the parking lot at the Brunswick County courthouse around 1 p.m. North Carolina Emergency Operations Center released rainfall totals for Monday: Ocean Blvd at Carolina Beach: 18.32 1 mile S of Snows Cut Bridge: 14.83 Sunny Point Military Terminal in Brunswick Co.: 14.59 Boiling Springs Lake: 14.16 Half mile N of Snows Cut Bridge: 14.01 Saint James (Brunswick County): 13.34 Abbington Oaks in Southport: 12.74 Mallory Creek at Leland: 6.78 Wilmington Airport: 3.61 Flooding extended up to the Outer Banks where the north end of Ocracoke Island was partly underwater, according to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Officials said the flooding there was from a combination of a higher-than-average high tide and high surf advisory. The Outer Banks where the north end of Ocracoke Island was partly underwater. Photo from the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Travelers should also use caution at the north end of Ocracoke Island around high tides through the rest of this week, Cape Hatteras National Seashore said. On Hatteras Island, there were hazards at the north end of Rodanthe, due to building materials and parts of septic systems, from threatened oceanfront structures. Also, there will likely be ocean overwash in Hatteras, Buxton, Rodanthe, and near the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge visitor center, seashore officials said. A woman was safe after her car was pushed off US 17 near mile marker 25 in Brunswick County. Photo from Brunswick County Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Researchers stunned by discovery during deep-sea exploration off coast of Papua New Guinea: 'The rainforest of the ocean' Researchers recently discovered several new deep-water species, including sharks, during a three-month expedition in Papua New Guinea. The team explored an area known as the Coral Triangle, which is known as a global biodiversity hotspot with more species of fish, corals, and other marine life than anywhere else in the world. ABN Newswire, which reported on the trip, called this area the "rainforest of the ocean." The expedition was led by National Geographic Pristine Seas, in partnership with the Papua New Guinea government's Conservation and Environment Protection Authority as well as the Wildlife Conservation Society. Scientists utilized cutting-edge technology and local knowledge to help collect data, which will help to guide future conservation efforts. Rising global temperatures, overfishing, and pollution all threaten Papua New Guinea's oceans, ABN Newswire reported, citing Jelta Wong, the country's minister for fisheries and marine resources. For instance, coral bleaching is a major concern in the Coral Triangle, which hosts nearly 600 species of reef-building corals alone, per the World Wildlife Fund. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an estimated 1 billion people across the globe benefit either directly or indirectly from the ecosystem services provided by coral reefs. For instance, the Coral Triangle is home to large populations of commercially important tuna, which supports a multibillion-dollar global tuna industry, per WWF. Plus, NOAA says, coral reefs protect coastlines from waves, storms, and floods by acting as buffers. Meanwhile, more than 75% of all coral reefs are threatened, according to the Environmental Justice Foundation. To that end, people across the world are coming together to help save coral. For instance, scientists in Florida are breeding and training king crabs to assist in coral restoration. They plan to eventually set the crabs free to roam the reefs and eat algae, one of the leading threats to coral there. Plus, another group of scientists discovered that using sound therapy can help sick coral restore itself. The method involves playing recordings of healthy coral reefs underwater though coral doesn't have ears, it can perceive the recordings through tiny hairs that get moved by sound. Alan Friedlander, lead scientist of the Papua New Guinea study, highlighted the importance of his team's work, calling the Coral Triangle the most biologically diverse place in the ocean. "Our assessment will provide a thorough understanding of the places we explore, helping to inform management and protection of the country's unique marine environment," he said in a statement. Dr. Enric Sala, National Geographic explorer in residence and executive director of Pristine Seas, added: "A healthy ocean provides everything from the oxygen we breathe and moments of wonder to jobs and food for people who depend on it. Papua New Guinea's waters are distinctive, in that they provide a home for a stunning array of marine life. We are hopeful that our science will inform further marine protections for the benefit of all." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. BOHUMIN, Czech Republic (AP) Torrential rains have gone, flooding waters have been receding and the sun was shining again in the Czech town of Bohumin. But Zuzana Kublova was not in a mood to enjoy it. The house where Kublovas family lives was inundated as was almost this entire town in the worst flooding in years that spread at a broad swath of Central Europe. After three days in safety upstairs, without power, running water or a cellphone signal, she stepped down to face a scene of destruction. The entire ground floor is flooded, so all of us seven people and two dogs have to live together on the first floor without electricity and water, Kublova told The Associated Press on Tuesday. And dont even ask how we go to the toilet, she said. It has happened again, something that had happened to us two or three times in the past. The town was submerged by a flood wave brought by the Oder River that was fueled by record rains in northeast Czech Republic in recent days. Bohumin was submerged because its among the places that still dont have an adequate protection against repeated flooding in this part of the country. Other places ravaged by floods, including Opava, Krnov and parts of the nearby regional capital of Ostrava, experienced a similar ordeal, which many compared to the flood of the century in 1997. The damages will be huge, Kublova said. All is destroyed downstairs. The floors are gone. Authorities estimated the damage was in the billions of euros (dollars) in one region alone. The Czech government approved the deployment of 2,000 troops to join firefighters and others to help with clean-up and recovery efforts. We are like newlyweds, resettling again, Kublova said after inspecting the ground floor, still partially flooded. It is not very amusing though, till we get some insurance ... it is hard to talk about it. Three Czechs were among at least 16 people who have been reported killed in the floods, including in Romania, Poland and Austria. No fatalities were reported in Bohumin. ___ Associated Press writer Karel Janicek in Prague contributed to this report. Retired Greensboro officer says he dealt with man accused of trying to assassinate Donald Trump 100 times Retired Greensboro officer says he dealt with man accused of trying to assassinate Donald Trump 100 times GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) Ryan Routh was no stranger to law enforcement in Guilford County. From the 90s to the early 00s, he racked up a slew of charges, ranging from driving with a suspended license, which is a misdemeanor, to possessing a weapon of mass destruction, which is a felony. In Greensboro, one retired police officer interacted with Routh more than 100 times, including when he was booked into jail for barricading himself inside his business with an automatic rifle. Retired Greensboro Officer and military veteran Eric Rasecke says he was a seven-time Officer of the Year winner who served Greensboro police for more than 26 years. He had constant interactions with Routh throughout his tenure, but none of them were violent. I had been dealing with Mr. Routh from the latter part of the 1990s to the early 2000s, Rasecke said. He resided in my patrol beat, and his business was in my patrol beat as well. Man accused of trying to kill Trump wrote a book urging Iran to assassinate the ex-president Rouths business, United Roofing Company, was near the Greensboro Coliseum off Gate City Boulevard. His home was a mile away from there on Hiatt Street. He drove a truck for his roofing company. North Carolina state records show his license was revoked in conjunction with a motor vehicle violation in Nov. 2001. His license was suspended. He allowed all of his employees to drive without licenses, had no insurance on any of his vehicles, and everyone in the Greensboro Police Department knew it, Rasecke said. That made Routh a regular with the GPD. Its almost like blatantly saying, Here I am He would be constantly pulled over for those traffic violations, Rasecke said. Rouths involvement in what federal authorities call a second attempt on the life of former President Donald Trump brought all the memories back for Rasecke. He was there in the aftermath of the 2002 incident where Routh was pulled over yet again and ran to barricade himself inside United Roofing with a fully automatic rifle. He runs up into the business. Law enforcement the only thing they can do at that time is think about protecting themselves and the general public, so they locked down the area, closed off the roadways called in the negotiation teams, he said. Suspect in apparent Trump assassination attempt charged with federal gun crimes The resolution, to Rasecke, was similar to what authorities say Routh did in Florida 22 years later. He came out peacefully and surrendered himself, he said. He is alarmed by what he calls a big change in the man he used to encounter so often. In Florida, Routh once again had an automatic firearm, according to police hence the charge of a convicted felon possessing a firearm. The 2002 weapon of mass destruction charge was a felony, and records show another felony in 2012 for possession of stolen goods. His sentences were probation and parole. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. Q: I have received two emails telling me I may be part of the Katz-Lacabe v. Oracle class action proposed settlement. You have to click on a link to access a claim form which I am afraid to do. Is this class action suit legitimate? D.E. Answer: It is a legitimate class action lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that Oracle, a technology company, has been compiling information on people and selling it to third parties without consent. Oracle provides software and other services to banks, health care providers and other types of businesses. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff, Michael Katz-Lacabe of San Leandro, Calif., said he received a report from Oracle telling him that Oracle had tracked, compiled and analyzed his web browsing, geolocation, brick-and-mortar purchase, and other activity and thereby created an electronic profile on him. Katz-Lacabe is the founder of the Center for Human Rights and Privacy. The center promotes human rights and privacy in the United States. People included in the lawsuit include all natural persons residing in the United States whose personal information, or data derived from their personal information, was acquired, captured or otherwise collected by Oracle Advertising technologies or made available for use or sale by or through ID Graph, Data Marketplace or any other Oracle Advertising product or service from Aug. 19, 2018 to the date of final judgment in the Action. While it has not admitted any wrongdoing, Oracle has agreed to pay $115 million. More information and a claim submission form are available at https://www.katzprivacysettlement.com/. Q: I notice that a lot of Jeep Wranglers have a row of small plastic ducks and other plastic figures lining the bottom of their windshields. What do they signify and how did the fad start? J.L. Answer: Jeep ducking or Duck Duck Jeep started when Allison Parliament, a woman from Ontario, Canada, put a yellow rubber duck on a Jeep Wrangler, like hers. She had had a frightening experience earlier that day and put the duck on the strangers Jeep as a way of getting a little happiness after the encounter, according to Motor Trend. The act of placing a rubber duck on someones Jeep called Jeep ducking and/or Duck Duck Jeep began with one person, Parliament. She unknowingly started a movement of kindness, fellowship, and recognition with that first rubber duck she placed on a Jeep. Two years later, that single gesture has morphed into the Jeep ducking craze that has swept throughout the Jeep enthusiast community in the United States as well as in nearly a dozen other countries around the world, Motor Trend said. Thank you I would like to thank the wonderful stranger who found my checkbook. After searching for several days, I went to my bank to find out what I needed to do. What a surprise on Saturday morning, I opened my door to get my newspaper and there was my checkbook placed in my door. Kind stranger, you have made a little old lady very happy. Again, thank you. G.M.W. By Maayan Lubell JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel on Tuesday added the safe return of its citizens to their homes near the border with Lebanon to its formal war goals amid reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned to replace his defence minister with a hawkish rival. Netanyahu's office said he laid out the war aim in an overnight security cabinet meeting. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced from towns and villages on both sides of the border by near-daily exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and the Lebanese Hezbollah. Iran-backed Hezbollah opened a second front against Israel a day after the war in the Gaza Strip began with an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel on Oct. 7, and fighting across the Israel-Lebanon border has since escalated. "The Security Cabinet has updated the objectives of the war to include the following: Returning the residents of the north securely to their homes. Israel will continue to act to implement this objective," a statement from Netanyahu's office said. Israel has said it prefers a diplomatic solution that would see Hezbollah moved farther back from the border. However, Hezbollah, which also says it wants to avoid all-out conflict, says that only an end to the war in Gaza will stop the fighting. Gaza ceasefire efforts are deadlocked after months of faltering talks mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States. Soon after the security cabinet meeting ended, Israeli broadcasters reported that Netanyahu and Gideon Saar were close to finalising a deal that would see Saar replace Yoav Gallant as defence minister. Saar, a former justice minister, has been critical of the government's war policies over the past few months, saying it should take the initiative more and take decisive action against Israel's enemies, including Iran. Saar has been critical about making a deal with Hamas to end the Gaza conflict, while Gallant has been pushing for a truce that would include swapping Israeli hostages in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu would be strengthening his political position by adding Saar's four-seat faction to his coalition as he would be less reliant on each one of his other partners. It could also ease two political headaches for Netanyahu, passing a state budget and a new conscription law that would be acceptable to his ultra-Orthodox coalition partners who want to keep religious Jewish seminary students out of the military. In his role as defence minister, Gallant has often taken an independent line against Netanyahu. He has dismissed Netanyahu's repeated aim of "total victory" in Gaza as nonsense. Gallant has also called for a clearer post-war plan that would see the enclave governed by Palestinians. Last year, during protests over a drive by Netanyahu to curb the Supreme Court's powers, Gallant broke ranks and spoke out against a plan which he said was causing such deep social divisions that it endangered national security. Netanyahu sacked him, but backtracked when Israelis took to the streets in one of the largest demonstrations in the country's history. (Reporting by Maayan Lubell and Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Angus MacSwan) RI budget surplus comes in $13 million higher than forecast, but deficit looms PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Rhode Islands state government closed out the 2023-24 budget year with a surplus of $292 million, an amount thats $13 million higher than lawmakers had expected when they crafted the current years tax-and-spending plan. The $292 million surplus was for the recently concluded fiscal year, which ended June 30. It was down from the $412 million surplus the state posted last year, according to a preliminary report released Monday by State Controller Dorothy Pascale. Most of the extra money from the surplus is already spoken for: state lawmakers voted earlier this year to use $279 million of the funds to help balance the new 2024-25 budget thats now in effect. Pascale said general revenue came in $5 million below estimates during 2023-24, but state departments also spent a combined $69 million less than they were allocated. The newly created Department of Housing spent only about $4 million of the $31 million in general revenue allocated to it, according to the report. But a spokesperson said the appropriation included $28 million that was directed to the new Low Income Housing Tax Credit Fund, which will be spent over future years as the money is awarded. (The new department also spent $126 million of federal money.) The relatively meager extra surplus means Democratic Gov. Dan McKee continues to face a challenging outlook as he crafts his 2025-26 budget proposal, due to the General Assembly in January. Forecasts suggest the governor needs to close a roughly $260 million deficit. McKee spokesperson Olivia DaRocha said that in light of the projected deficit for next year, it remains critical for the state to maintain fiscal discipline, and the McKee administration will continue employing strategies to curb discretionary spending. Like states across the country, Rhode Island must live within our means and adapt operations to a post-ARPA environment, where large surpluses are no longer the norm and cannot be used to cover budget deficits, DaRocha added, referencing the exhaustion of federal funds from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act. The results show things ended very close to where we thought they would, overall, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, D-Warwick, told 12 News in a statement. As always, specific items merit further review and have implications for our current and upcoming budgets, Shekarchi said. State government must be vigilant in both its everyday execution of functions as well as initiatives that ensure we have the resources to serve all Rhode Islanders. Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, D-North Providence, also downplayed the final number as only a small addition to the states surplus that slightly reduces out-year deficits. Rhode Islands annual state budget currently totals just shy of $14 billion, an increase of over $4 billion since before the pandemic, thanks to a huge inflow of federal funds as well as rising state-funded spending. Pascale said the rainy-day fund currently stands at $289 million. Ted Nesi (tnesi@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesis Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter, Threads and Facebook. 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. (Bloomberg) -- A group of developed nations will make a new push to resolve differences amid fading prospects for a deal to restrict funding of foreign oil and gas projects by their export credit agencies. Most Read from Bloomberg Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development members have held talks on an initiative put forward by European nations last November without reaching any consensus. They face a narrowing window to strike a deal before the US presidential election and COP29 UN climate summit. Fresh discussions will aim to overcome opposition to the plan from South Korea and Turkey, and take into account feedback provided last week by the US on the existing proposal, according to people familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity to discuss private talks. The OECD is seeking to expand a ban on the financing of unabated coal-fired power plants adopted in 2021. Members are scheduled to hold a virtual meeting in early October, with a vote on the issue possible as soon as November, some of the people said. An OECD spokesperson confirmed talks on the issue have taken place but declined to provide further details. South Korea has opposed the European plan, citing concerns about energy security and fair competition, according to a document drafted by Korea Trade Insurance, the nations export credit agency, and published under a Freedom of Information request. Turkey has argued the proposal isnt feasible on national security and energy security grounds, according to the document. A spokesman at Korea Trade Insurance declined to comment further, saying the OECD talks are confidential. A White House spokesperson didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. The Turkish energy ministry and Turk Eximbank both declined to comment, while the countrys finance ministry wasnt immediately available for comment. Some OECD members are making concerted efforts to reach a consensus on prohibiting public financing for fossil fuel projects, said Kim Kyoheung, a lawmaker with South Koreas opposition Democratic Party, and who made the request for the document. But the Korean government is undermining these efforts, causing talks to reach a stalemate. Restricting export credit agencies is seen as a potentially important tool in curbing the flow of financing to fossil fuels projects. Group of 20 nations offered more than $30 billion for such ventures in 2022, led by Canada and South Korea, according to data compiled by Oil Change International, a climate advocacy group. Total investment in fossil fuels in 2023 was about $1.1 trillion, of which about 75% was allocated to oil and gas, the International Energy Agency said in a report last year. The US last week provided feedback on the European plan though it stopped short of offering a formal counter proposal, some of the people said. US negotiators are encouraging any agreement to prioritize transparency and to acknowledge the complexities of determining the climate impact of new projects, according to a US official, who asked not to be identified while the talks are ongoing. The US could ultimately put forward an option that would aim to restrict financing of unabated fossil fuel projects based on their emissions intensity, some of the people said. OECD members had been seen reaching an agreement ahead of the COP29 summit opening Nov. 11 in Azerbaijan, according to the Korea Trade Insurance document. A week earlier in the US, voters could elect Donald Trump, who used his first term to encouraged more US funding for foreign coal projects. If Trump wins, the laggard countries within the OECD will have no incentive to agree to anything, said Nina Pusic, a public finance strategist at Oil Change International. Most OECD members have agreed in principle on the overall goal of ending state financing for fossil fuel projects, although they requested further discussions on the scope of proposed revisions, the Korean document said. OECD decisions must be reached by consensus, and in formal negotiations and other consultations many countries are represented by foreign, trade or finance ministers along with representatives from their export-credit agencies. For the US, that typically means a Treasury Department official is sitting alongside a representative of the US Export-Import Bank, which last year authorized roughly $1 billion in finance for foreign fossil fuel projects. --With assistance from Ugur Yilmaz. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Two Richland County H2Ohio wetlands projects are among a dozen that will benefit from more than $7 million in grant funding, Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources announced. Wetlands are a vital component of H2Ohio to improve water quality across our state," DeWine said. "Every new wetland we create or restore continues to build on all the progress weve been making over the years through H2Ohio. More: Four local communities awarded grants for public drinking water distribution equipment A Richland County Park District Clear Fork Mohican River Wetlands Restoration Project will receive $351,500, and a Western Reserve Land Conservancy Black Fork Oxbow Reconnection and Wetlands Restoration Project will receive $619,734. Other new wetlands projects are located in Athens, Butler, Clark, Delaware, Franklin, Greene, Holmes, Lake and Summit counties. These projects range from wetland restoration to enriching stream corridor forested areas. They were selected through a competitive grant process, and H2Ohio grant awards will fund up to 100% of the project costs. There are 183 H2Ohio wetland sites across Ohio that are either in progress or complete. Wetlands are scientifically proven to improve water quality by trapping, filtering and removing excess nutrients, like phosphorus, from the water before flowing into other waterways. This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland County wetlands projects among 12 awarded H2Ohio grants Approximately 9.7% of Richmond residents do not have an internet subscription, according to the 2023 American Community Survey one-year estimates. Richmond City Council recently adopted a resolution to declare high-speed internet a public necessity for all Richmond residents, an update to similar legislation passed three years ago. (Liam Velazquez/Capital News Service) By Liam Velazquez/Capital News Service RICHMOND, Va. Richmond City Council recently adopted a resolution to declare high-speed internet a public necessity for all Richmond residents, an update to similar legislation passed three years ago. Andreas Addison, 1st District councilman and mayoral candidate, proposed the 2021 resolution. That resolution called on city officials to assess digital infrastructure and develop a strategy to provide Richmond with faster, reliable and affordable internet access. The 2024 resolution, co-patroned by Addison, calls to develop and implement a plan. We have not had an update on that project, and this was really pushing the initiative and saying, wheres what we asked for in 2021? Addison said. The pandemic, which pushed students and employees to rely on home internet, highlighted the citys need for better and more affordable internet. Some students did not have access to high-speed internet, and could not always complete their assignments, according to Addison. Its all kind of rolled into a much bigger conversation around internet access, digital literacy, digital accessibility, Addison said. Knowing the internet, how to access it safely and other challenges as well. The federally funded Affordable Connectivity Program launched in December 2021, to try and address these same issues. The program offered eligible households discounts of up to $30 a month for internet services. The ACP was discontinued this June due to a lack of funding. Lifeline is a current federal program that offers discounts up to $9.25 a month for internet services to eligible households, and up to $34.25 for eligible subscribers on tribal lands. Approximately 9.7% of Richmond residents do not have an internet subscription, according to the 2023 American Community Survey one-year estimates. Low-income communities are among those affected, unable to access important telehealth, education and workplace opportunities, according to City Council. Comcast director of government affairs Antoine Banks stated in a letter submitted to the Council that the company supports equitable access to the internet. The letter asserts there is 100% access to broadband services throughout the city, but the issue is a lack of adoption with programs that reduce service costs. People are not aware of these programs or do not trust them, according to Banks. Comcast has a discounted service program for those eligible. Offering affordable or even free internet service alone is not enough to close the digital divide, Banks stated. The underlying barriers that prevent people from adopting the technology must also be addressed. Banks emphasized there needs to be a strong focus on education, digital navigation and effective communication to help people utilize provided resources. Part of the Councils vision is to have a faster, fiber network throughout the city. Broadband allows users to connect to the internet, and different services offer varying speeds. Fiber-optic technology transmits data at a faster speed. What is the roadmap of our opportunity to truly put fiber where its needed? Addison said. So that its not just broadband access, which is relatively slow and doesnt have a lot of good bandwidth for really complicated uses. Price is another factor in fibers favor, aside from initial infrastructure costs. Addison said some city residents pay the same for broadband that he pays for high-speed fiber internet. Theyre paying $65 a month for broadband; same fee I am paying for fiber, Addison said. Market failures have left low-income communities without equal access, according to City Council. Thats the challenge I want to tackle, is it should not be market driven on how we bring internet connectivity to neighborhoods, Addison said. And right now it is. The Federal Communications Commission increased the broadband baseline standard to download speeds of at least 100 megabytes per second and upload speeds of at least 20 mbps earlier this year. Richmonds median internet speed is on the slower side, according to the industry publication CNET. The city was ranked 86th of the 100 most populous cities, based on data from the broadband speed test application Ookla. The average download speed in Richmond clocked at 185 mbps and an upload speed of 51 mbps upload speed, which is higher than the FCC baseline. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Rideshare union pushes for driver protections as CPD looks for rideshare robberies suspects CHICAGO A rideshare drivers union is warning its members about a trend where drivers have been the target of robberies in Chicago in recent weeks. People have been frightened away from doing this job, said Lenny Sanchez, Director of the Independent Drivers Guild of Illinois (IDGI). We have seen many people state that the risk and reward is no longer worth it. The Chicago Police Department issued a community alert Monday morning about a rash of such robberies targeting rideshare drivers on the South Side. According to CPD, at least a dozen robberies have happened on South Crandon and South Exchange Avenues in the citys South Shore neighborhood, where one-to-two male customers enter a rideshare drivers vehicle and one of them asks to use the drivers phone to make a call. The offenders then flee the vehicle on foot, but during three of the robberies, one of the male customers showed the driver they had a gun and demanded their cell phone before they fled the scene on foot. Incident times and locations 6700 block of South Crandon Avenue on Aug. 30, 2024 at 12:03 A.M. 6800 block of South Crandon Avenue on Aug. 30, 2024 at 10:30 A.M. 6700 block of South Crandon Avenue on Sept. 6, 2024 between 2:00-2:15 A.M. 6900 block of South Crandon Avenue on Sept. 6, 2024 between 2:00-3:30 A.M. 6700 block of South Crandon Avenue on Sept. 6, 2024 at 4:00 A.M. 6700 block of South Crandon Avenue on Sept. 8, 2024 at 5:30 P.M. 7200 block of South Exchange Avenue on Sept. 8, 2024 at 10:10 P.M. 6800 block of South Crandon Avenue on Sept. 9, 2024 at 6:18 A.M. 6700 block of South Crandon Avenue on Sept. 11, 2024 at 12:30 A.M. 7200 block of South Exchange Avenue on Sept. 13, 2024 at 1:20 A.M. 7200 block of South Exchange Avenue on Sept. 16, 2024 at 12:05 A.M. 7200 block of South Exchange Avenue on Sept. 16, 2024 at 4:22 A.M. Theres been years of these crimes happening against us and very few people convicted of these, Sanchez said. So, the risk reward for these criminals makes it a very attractive crime to commit to target us rideshare and delivery workers. CPD describes the suspects as being 12-25 years old and wearing hooded sweatshirts during the robberies. Sanchez said the IDGI is pushing for more protections to safeguard workers in an industry that has dealt with its fair share of crime. One of those protections is asking Uber and Lyft to require customers to upload a selfie when requesting a rideshare vehicle to pick them up. We want to be part of requesting the service to deter a criminal from continuing to use the apps the way they have been used, whether its to lure someone to steal a cell phone, or lure someone to a bank to withdraw money at gunpoint or steal their cars, Sanchez said. So, they have this technology its just flipping a switch and theyre refusing to do it. A spokesperson for Lyft provided WGN News with the following statement: This behavior is unacceptable and not tolerated on the Lyft platform. When instances like this are reported to us, we contact the driver to offer our support and permanently remove the ride requester from the Lyft community. We stand ready to assist law enforcement with any investigation. As part of our commitment to safety, we recently launched the Rider Verification program in Chicago, which adds another level of security by verifying that riders are who they say they are, further helping protect our driver community. Lyft Spokesperson According to Lyft, the company has processes in place to support law enforcement in the instance something like the incidents above happen. Those processes include helping law enforcement properly obtain relevant records for affected users, implementing internal workflows that allow our team to quickly investigate and take action against individuals who attempt to use the Lyft platform in an unauthorized way, and making sure affected drivers are supported. Lyfts rider verification program, which has been launched in Chicago and eight other cities around the United States, adds an additional safeguard by confirming rider identities utilizing third-party data sources to verify riders, according to Lyft. For riders who arent automatically verified, they may be prompted to upload a government-issued ID to become a validated rider. More specific details on Lyfts policies and processes to help keep drivers safe can be found at this link: https://www.lyft.com/safety/driver Uber has not replied to WGN News requests for comment 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 WGN-TV. The tip of Passau at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers is under water. Tobias C. Kohler/dpa No ships are allowed to sail on the Austrian section of the River Danube until further notice following a prolonged period of heavy rainfall, the Ministry for Climate Protection and Mobility announced in Vienna on Tuesday. Sections of the river had been closed in succession since flooding began last weekend. On Tuesday, shipping was also banned in the border area with Bavaria. The closure has stranded around 70 cargo ships and 70 passenger ships in Austria. Most passengers have been able to go ashore. More than 100 people travelling on the Swiss river cruiser Thurgau Prestige were allowed to leave on Tuesday, after the flooding had confined them to the vessel in Vienna over the past few days. The Danube is closed to shipping because the high water levels are falling only slowly after the continuous rain finally came to an end. The ministry says the rising temperatures mean that snow that fell on the mountains is now expected to melt, bringing fears of a renewed rise in the Danube's level. The authorities say it is not yet possible to estimate how long the ban on shipping will remain in force. FILE PHOTO: An electoral banner of Romania's ruling Social Democrat Party is seen while workers clean the yard in front of Parliament building in Bucharest BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romanian police were looking for a man who started a fire inside the country's parliament building on Tuesday which caused hundreds of people to be evacuated but no casualties. Police said the man threw a flammable liquid and set light to it after getting into an argument near an exhibition hall inside the building. The incident has raised concerns over security, although police said the argument appeared to be spontaneous and not politically motivated. The exhibition hall was outside the security checkpoint. Up to 300 people were evacuated, but the man managed to run away, police said. "It was a spontaneous action," a police spokesman told reporters. "The person did not throw the flammable substance at other people, just at assets." Romania's parliament is one of the world's biggest administrative buildings. It was built in the 1980s on the orders of late communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, who demolished large swathes of Bucharest's historic centre to make room for it. It is now home to the lower house and the Senate, as well as the Constitutional Court, several other state institutions and three museums. (Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Christina Fincher) Rupert Murdoch Caught in Fierce Court Battle with Children to Decide Who Will Control Media Empire When He Dies Rupert, 93, is aiming to cut three of his children out of the family trust, which would allow his most conservative son to call the shots without interference AP Photo/Andy Barron Rupert Murdoch, holds wife Elena Zhukova Murdoch's hand Rupert Murdoch is in the middle of a fierce court battle with his children. The media magnate, who owns News Corp and Fox News, is sorting who will have control over his media empire and the family's $19.6 billion trust when he dies. On Monday, Sept. 16, Rupert, 93, and four of his children Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan and James attended a hearing before a Reno, Nev., probate commissioner to discuss who will take over the family business. The hearing, which the Associated Press says involves more than 40 lawyers, could potentially extend into next week. According to the BBC, Rupert seeks to change the Murdoch Family Trust that dates back to 1999 and handled succession arrangements. The trust detailed that the family gets eight votes on the board of News Corp and Fox News four of which belong to Rupert, and the other four to his eldest children. When Rupert dies, the four siblings would have an equal number of votes. But Rupert wants to alter the trust so that Lachlan, 53, would get total control and voting power without his siblings' interference. Related: The Murdoch Family: All About the Real-Life People Who Inspired 'Succession' Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Lachlan Murdoch, James Murdoch, Anna Murdoch and Rupert Murdoch in 1987 As per the BBC, journalist Andrew Neil said in the 2020 documentary The Rise of Rupert Murdoch that Rupert had been grooming his sons since they were teens to take over the family business. In turn, according to The New York Times, the magnate also pitted his siblings against one another, damaging his relationship with James. Related: Rupert Murdoch Has Lost Faith in Ron DeSantis, Report Alleges, as Fox News Gets Tougher on Florida Governor Rupert, who began building his massive media empire in the 1960s, stepped down as both Fox News and News Corps chairman in September 2023, leaving Lachlan (who is politically right-leaning like his father) in charge as of last November. The media magnate also put to rest any speculation that he and the company weren't doing well. "Our companies are in robust health, as am I. Our opportunities far exceed our commercial challenges. We have every reason to be optimistic about our coming years. I certainly am and plan to be here to participate in them," Rupert wrote in a letter read by America's Newsroom co-host Bill Hemmer. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Lachlan Murdoch, Rupert Murdoch and James Murdoch in 2016 At the time, Lachlan released a statement that congratulated his father on a long career. "We thank him for his vision and his pioneering spirit, his steadfast determination and the enduring legacy he leaves at the companies he founded and countless people he has impacted," Lachlan said. According to The New York Times, Lachlan's political outlook will maintain News Corp and Fox News' conservative values throughout news stations and newspapers, should he remain the executive chairman of the companies. This decision has reportedly inspired James, 51; Elisabeth, 66; and Prudence, 56 all of whom NYT categorizes as more centrist to fight back together. Related: Lachlan Murdoch Is 'More Conservative' than Dad Rupert, Says Source: 'Could Go All Out for Trump' (Exclusive) Peter Mathew/Fairfax Images/Getty Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch and James Murdoch in 2002 In addition to Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan and James, Rupert is also father to Grace, 22, and Chloe, 21, who have no voting rights under the Murdoch Family Trust. 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. Rupert has been married five times. He and his first wife Patricia Booker share Prudence. He and Anna Mann, his second wife from 1967 to 1999, share Elisabeth, Lachlan and James. Wendi Deng, his third wife from 1999 to 2013, is mother to Grace and Chloe. Rupert was married to Jerry Hall from 2016 to 2022, and tied the knot a fifth time in June to Elena Zhukova. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The Russians targeted civilian energy infrastructure in Donetsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv oblasts over the past day. Source: Ukraines Energy Ministry Details: Substations in Sumy Oblast were shut down during air raids. A missile and drone attack caused a fire at one substation, resulting in a power cut affecting over 281,000 consumers in 601 settlements and industrial firms in two oblasts. Electricity has been partially restored. A substation, household consumers and a mine were left without electricity due to attacks in Donetsk Oblast. There were no people in the mine at the time of the incident. In Cherkasy Oblast, an overhead power line was disconnected as a result of falling UAV wreckage, and substations and household consumers lost power. Electricity has been restored. In Chernihiv Oblast, overhead lines were disconnected due to rocket attacks, and more than 2,000 subscribers in 22 settlements lost power. Electricity has been partially restored. Additionally, in the southern region, equipment at a substation was switched off for technical reasons, but there were no power cuts to consumers. Equipment is now back in operation. In the central region, strong winds caused overhead lines to be disconnected, affecting substations and household consumers. Power was restored via backup systems. Support UP or become our patron! The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Sept. 17 that it had repelled Ukraine's new attempts to cross into Russia's Kursk Oblast west of the currently controlled territories. Ukraine launched a cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast in early August, reportedly seizing around 100 settlements and 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russian territory. The Ukrainian positions in the region are now threatened by a Russian counterattack launched last week. Commenting on Russia's counterattack, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that "everything was going according to our plan" and that Russia's "rapid" offensive had not yet achieved "serious" success in the area. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine attempted to attack in the direction of the villages of Veseloye and Medvezhye, about 25 kilometers west of the currently-held territories in Kursk Oblast. Kyiv has not commented on these claims, which cannot be verified independently. One of the objectives of Ukraine's incursion into Kursk Oblast was to force Russia to redeploy its forces from the front in Ukraine. Before the Kursk operation, the most intense Russian assaults were observed in Donetsk Oblast, primarily near Pokrovsk. While the Russian offensive on Pokrovsk has slowed down after the launch of the Kursk incursion, heavy fighting continues in other sectors of the front in Donetsk Oblast, including near Vuhledar. Russia has also intensified its attacks on bordering Sumy Oblast, which the military considers to be a response to Kyiv's success in the Kursk operation. In addition to pushing Russian troops away from the border, Ukraine has reportedly taken over 600 Russian captives and inflicted 6,000 casualties in Russia's region as of early September. Read also: Russia launches counteroffensive in Kursk can it push Ukraine off its own turf? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. FILE - U.S. and Russian national flags wave on the wind in Moscow's Vnukovo airport, Russia, April 11, 2017 to welcome a U.S. dignitary. (AP Photo/ Ivan Sekretarev, file) NEW YORK (AP) The video was seen millions of times across social media but some viewers were suspicious: It featured a young Black woman who claimed Vice President Kamala Harris left her paralyzed in a hit-and-run accident in San Francisco 13 years ago. In an emotional retelling from a wheelchair, the alleged victim said she cannot remain silent anymore and lamented that her childhood had ended too soon. Immediately after the video was posted on Sept. 2, social media users pointed out reasons to be wary. The purported news channel it came from, San Franciscos KBSF-TV, didnt exist. A website for the channel set up just a week earlier contained plagiarized articles from real news outlets. The womans X-ray images shown in the video were taken from online medical journals. And the video and the text story on the website spelled the alleged victims name differently. The caution was warranted, according to a new Microsoft threat intelligence report, which confirms the fabricated tale was disinformation from a Russia-linked troll farm. The tech giants report released Tuesday details how Kremlin-aligned actors that at first struggled to adapt to President Joe Biden dropping out of the race have now gone full throttle in their covert influence efforts against Harris and Democrats. It also explains how Russian intelligence actors are collaborating with pro-Russian cyber hacktivists to boost allegedly hacked-and-leaked materials, a strategy the company notes could be weaponized to undermine U.S. confidence in November's election outcome. The findings reveal how even through dramatic changes in the political landscape, groups linked to Americas foreign adversaries have redoubled their commitment to sway U.S. political opinion as the election nears, sometimes through deeply manipulative means. They also provide further insight into how Russias efforts to fight pro-Ukrainian policy in the U.S. are translating into escalating attacks on the Democratic presidential ticket. The report builds on previous concerns the U.S. has had about Russian interference in the upcoming election. Earlier this month, the Biden administration seized Kremlin-run websites and charged two Russian state media employees in an alleged scheme to secretly fund and influence a network of right-wing influencers. Russia-linked actors have spent several months seeking to manipulate American perspectives with covert postings, but until this point, their efforts saw little traction. Notably, some of the recent examples cited in the Microsoft report received significant social media engagement from unwitting Americans who shared the fake stories with outrage. As the election approaches, people get more heated, Clint Watts, general manager of the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center said in an interview. People tend to take in information from sources they dont really know or wouldnt even know to evaluate. Microsoft explained that the video blaming Harris for a fake hit-and-run incident came from a Russian-aligned influence network it calls Storm-1516, which other researchers refer to as CopyCop. The video, whose main character is played by an actor, is typical of the groups efforts to react to current events with authentic-seeming whistleblower accounts that may seem like juicy unreported news to U.S. voters, the company said. The report revealed a second video disseminated by the group, which purported to show two Black men beating up a bloodied white woman at a rally for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. The video racked up thousands of shares on the social platform X and elicited comments like, This is the kind of stuff to start civil wars. Microsofts report also pointed to another Russian influence actor it calls Storm-1679 that has recently pivoted from posting about the French election and the Paris Olympics to posting about Harris. Earlier this month, the group posted a manipulated video depicting a Times Square billboard that linked Harris to gender-affirming surgeries. The content highlighted in the report doesnt appear to use generative artificial intelligence tools. It instead uses actors and more old-school editing techniques. Watts said Microsoft has been tracking the use of AI by nation states for more than a year and while foreign actors tried AI initially, many have gone back to basics as theyve realized AI was probably more time-consuming and not more effective. Asked about Russias motivation, Watts said the Russia-aligned groups Microsoft tracks may not necessarily support particular candidates, but they are motivated to undermine anyone who is supporting Ukraine in their policy. Harris has vowed to continue supporting Americas ally Ukraine in its fight against Russias invasion if elected president. Trump has demurred when asked about whether he wants Ukraine to win the war, saying in the recent presidential debate, I want the war to stop. At a forum in early September, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to suggest jokingly that he would support Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming U.S. election. Intelligence officials have said Moscow prefers Trump. The Harris campaign declined to comment. The Russian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment. Earlier this summer, Microsoft found that Iranian groups have also been laying the groundwork to stoke division in the election by creating fake news sites, impersonating activists and targeting a presidential campaign with an email phishing attack. U.S. intelligence officials are preparing criminal charges in connection with that attack, which targeted the Trump campaign, two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. Microsoft's new report also touches on how a Chinese-linked influence actor has used short-form video to criticize Biden and Harris and to create anti-Trump content, suggesting it doesnt appear interested in supporting a particular candidate. Instead, the company said, the China-aligned groups apparent goal is to seed doubt and confusion among American voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election. ___ The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about APs democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. The Russian military is striking Sumy Oblast because of Ukraine's successes in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Vadym Mysnyk, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian military's Operational Tactical Group Siversk, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on Sept. 17. The statement came after Russia launched a heavy drone attack on the northeastern Ukrainian region, disrupting electricity and water supplies. Russian attacks against Sumy Oblast have escalated since Kyiv launched a cross-border incursion into the neighboring Kursk Oblast in early August. Mysnyk nevertheless said that Russian strikes on Sumy Oblast would have continued even if Ukraine had not successfully advanced in the Kursk sector. While Russia has ramped up attacks against the region since August, Sumy Oblast has been shelled on a daily basis since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022. "It's just a matter of time before they dump all this (all the weapons) on us. Either here (in Sumy Oblast) or in another city. But they will strike at Ukraine with everything they have, using the entire arsenal," the spokesperson said. "They (Russia) see our successes in the Kursk operation and we are close to them so there is probably some fear that we will somehow operate in other cities on the border," he added. Mysnyk also noted that the Russian military had reduced the number of mortar attacks on the border of Sumy Oblast and stopped attacking Kharkiv Oblast with aerial guided bombs. This may indicate that Russia's resources are "not unlimited," he added. Russia recently launched a counterattack in Kursk Oblast, seeking to dislodge Ukrainian troops from its soil. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that "everything was going according to our plan" and that the Russian "rapid" offensive had not yet achieved "serious" success in the area. Ukrainian soldiers also have reportedly taken over 600 Russian captives and inflicted 6,000 casualties in Kursk Oblast as of early September. Read also: Russia launches counteroffensive in Kursk can it push Ukraine off its own turf? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian forces attacked the city of Kharkiv with guided aerial bombs on Sept. 17, injuring at least seven people, local authorities reported. The city's Kyivskyi district came under attack, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov. Four first responders are among the injured, he said. Sept. 17 marks Rescuer's Day in Ukraine. Another two civilian men, aged 19 and 25, also suffered injuries, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. In an interview with the Ukrainian media Interfax, the head of Ukraine's State Emergency Service Andrii Danyk said that as of July, 93 emergency workers were killed and almost 400 wounded since the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion. Attacks against population centers in Kharkiv Oblast intensified after Russia launched a new cross-border offensive in the northern part of the region in May. While the push has been halted by Ukrainian troops, Russian troops continue to hold a handful of settlements just across the border. In one of the recent attacks, Russian forces hit an apartment building in Kharkiv on Sept. 15, killing a 94-year-old woman and injuring over 40 people. Read also: Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 2, including child, injure 9 over past day Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia Oblast kills at least 2, injures 5 Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Russia attacked Zaporizhzhia Oblast the night of Sept. 17, killing at least two civilians and injuring five others, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported. Rescue workers are currently searching for people under the rubble, Fedorov said. Earlier in the night, Fedorov reported that explosions had occurred in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Fedorov later said that Russia "massively attacked" the region's Komyshuvakha community. The attack killed at least two people and injured five. The strike also damaged several homes and an infrastructure facility. Rescue workers are still on site, and the full extent of the damage is still being investigated. Russia has continued to strike civilian targets across Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Part of the region is occupied by Russian forces, who are attempting a breakthrough in the country's southeast. The city of Zaporizhzhia is located less than 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the front lines. Read also: Ukraine war latest: 1 million killed, wounded in Russias full-scale war in Ukraine, WSJ reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian attacks against Ukraine killed two and injured nine people over the past day, local authorities reported on Sept. 17. Ukrainian air defense shot down 34 of the 51 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight on Sept. 17, according to the Air Force. Twelve Russian drones were "lost" on Ukrainian territory, likely as a result of electronic warfare means, while the other two returned to Russia, the statement read. Ukrainian forces used aircraft, mobile fire groups, anti-aircraft missile troops, and electronic warfare units to repel the air attack. Air defense systems were active in Kherson, Sumy, Poltava, Mykolaiv, and Kharkiv oblasts. In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces attacked 10 settlements over the past day, including its regional center, the city of Kherson. Two people, including a child, were killed, while three others suffered injuries due to the Russian strikes, the local military administration reported. In Kharkiv Oblast, two women, aged 63 and 65, were injured in Russian attacks against the city of Kupiansk. A 63-year-old man suffered injuries because of a Russian attack against the village of Podoly, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. In Donetsk Oblast, three people were injured in Russian attacks against the city of Pokrovsk, Governor Vadym Filashkin said. Russia also attacked energy infrastructure in Sumy Oblast, targeting the Konotop, Okhtyrka, and Sumy districts, according to the local military administration. Following the attack, local water utility facilities were cut off, and they are currently operating on emergency backup power. The Sumy City Council said water is being supplied to the city at a reduced pressure while the sewage system is operational. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Putin to increase Russian military personnel and staff by 180,000 Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian detained in US for smuggling drone technology to Russia The United States has detained Russian Denis Postovoy on charges of violating export restrictions, money laundering and the illegal supply of dual-use and military microelectronics to Russia. Source: US Department of Justice, as reported by European Pravda Details: The US Department of Justice reports that the defendant, 44, lived in Sarasota, Florida, and has been purchasing and illegally exporting electronic components from the United States for use in the production of drones since at least February 2022. The investigation has revealed that the man ran a network of companies in Russia, Hong Kong and other countries. The US Department of Justice reports that the defendant provided false information in export documents and sent microelectronics to Russia through other countries, including Hong Kong and Switzerland. Prosecutor Matthew Graves said that Postovoy "misstated the true end users and end destinations by submitting false information on documents, transshipped items that were ultimately destined for Russia through intermediary destinations". Background: Last September, the United States arrested Russian citizen Maxim Marchenko on charges of facilitating the smuggling of US dual-use electronics to Russia. In July 2024, the US sentenced Marchenko to three years in prison for facilitating the smuggling of US dual-use electronics to Russia. The same month, two suspects, 53-year-old Salimdzhon Nasriddinov and 38-year-old Nikolai Goltsev, confessed in a New York court to collaborating with sanctioned Russian companies that had helped supply them with banned weapons components. Support UP or become our patron! Stream FOX 35 News ORLANDO, Fla. - A Russian national residing in Sarasota, Florida, is accused of smuggling, money laundering, and defrauding the United States by exporting microelectronic components with military applications to Russia. Denis Postovoy, 44, was arrested on charges of conspiring to violate U.S. export control laws. According to an indictment, Postovoy began his illicit activities in February 2022, after Russias invasion of Ukraine, by acquiring U.S.-made microelectronics used in drones and exporting them to Russia without proper licenses. Postovoy allegedly operated through a network of companies in Russia, Hong Kong, and other locations, purchasing the components from U.S. distributors and using intermediary destinations to conceal the final destination of the shipments. U.S. authorities said that the scheme aimed to strengthen Russias military capabilities. MORE STORIES: Postovoy's companies, including Hong Kong-based WowCube HK Limited and Russias Vector Group, are said to have played a key role in the scheme by submitting false documentation and transshipping goods through countries like Switzerland and Hong Kong. Payments were allegedly funneled through foreign bank accounts, including those in Russia and Hong Kong, to U.S. suppliers of the microelectronics. Postovoy's arrest is part of a broader effort coordinated by the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, a joint initiative of the Departments of Justice and Commerce to prevent hostile regimes from acquiring sensitive technologies. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Russian nuclear test chief says Moscow is ready to resume testing 'at any moment' A view shows a model of a nuclear test at the museum of the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kurchatov By Andrew Osborn (Reuters) - The head of Russia's nuclear testing site said on Tuesday his secretive facility was ready to resume nuclear tests "at any moment" if Moscow gave the order, in rare comments likely to fuel concerns that the risk of such a step is rising. Moscow has not conducted a nuclear weapons test since 1990, the year before the fall of the Soviet Union, but some Western and Russian analysts say President Vladimir Putin could order one to try to send a message of deterrence to the West if it lets Ukraine use its long-range missiles to strike Russia, something that is under discussion. A nuclear test by Russia could encourage others such as China or the United States to follow suit, starting a new nuclear arms race between the big powers, which stopped nuclear testing in the years after the Soviet collapse. Russia's testing site, located on the remote Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, was where the Soviet Union conducted more than 200 nuclear tests, including the detonation of the world's most powerful nuclear bomb ever in 1961. It is closely watched by Western spy satellites for activity amid signs of construction work last summer shown in open-source satellite images. Rear Admiral Andrei Sinitsyn, the head of the facility, gave a rare interview to Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the Russian government's official newspaper, which was published on Tuesday, days after Putin warned the West it would be directly fighting with Russia if it allowed Ukraine to strike Russian territory with Western-made long-range missiles and spoke of retaliation. "The test site is ready for resumption of full-scale testing activities. It is ready in its entirety. Laboratory and testing facilities are ready. The personnel are ready. If the order comes, we can start testing at any moment," said Sinitsyn. Pictured in his naval uniform alongside a cabinet holding a book about Putin and a giant white porcelain polar bear, Sinitsyn painted a picture of a facility kept in a high state of readiness that was protected by elite troops. "The most important thing for us is not to disrupt the implementation of state tasks. If the task of resuming tests is set, it will be accomplished within the time frame stipulated," he said. 'DEMONSTRATIVE TEST' Putin, in charge of the world's largest nuclear power, signed a law last November withdrawing Russia's ratification of the global treaty banning nuclear weapons tests, a move he said was designed to bring Russia into line with the United States, which signed but never ratified the treaty. Russian diplomats said at the time that Moscow would not resume nuclear testing unless Washington does. Putin said in June Russia could test a nuclear weapon "if necessary", but saw no need to do so at the present time. The United States last tested in 1992. Only North Korea has conducted a test involving a nuclear explosion this century. A senior member of a Russian think-tank whose ideas sometimes become government policy suggested in May that Moscow consider a "demonstrative" nuclear explosion to cow the West. In an article for Profil, a business magazine, Dmitry Suslov said Russia needed to act to dissuade the West from crossing a red line. "The political and psychological effect of a nuclear mushroom cloud, which will be shown live on all TV channels around the world, will hopefully remind Western politicians of the one thing that has prevented wars between the great powers since 1945 and that they have now largely lost - fear of nuclear war," Suslov wrote. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Gareth Jones) Russian occupation forces deployed glide bombs to attack the Kyivskyi district in the city of Kharkiv twice on 17 September; one of the bombs hit a wood near a shopping mall. So far, seven people are known to have sustained injuries, including four emergency response workers who were fighting a fire nearby. Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov on Telegram Quote from Terekhov: "So far, six people are known to have been injured in the explosion of the occupiers glide bomb." Details: Four of the people injured in the attack are emergency response workers who were extinguishing a fire nearby. They are currently being treated. Terekhov earlier said that Russian occupation forces deployed two glide bombs to attack Kharkivs Kyivskyi district, with one of the bombs hitting an unpopulated area. Syniehubov later added that one of the bombs hit a wood near a shopping mall. Updated: Later, the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office confirmed that seven people had been injured, including four State Emergency Service officials and three civilians. Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration Prosecutors previously established that the Russian army launched an attack from the village of Stroitel in the Russian Federation's Belgorod Oblast, using three guided aerial bombs. Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration Support UP or become our patron! Russians launched large-scale Shahed drone attack on Sumy causing water and power outages in city The Russians launched a large-scale Shahed drone attack on the city of Sumy on the night of 16-17 September. Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration (SOMA); Suspilne Sumy, a Sumy-related branch of Ukrainian public broadcaster, citing acting mayor of the city Artem Kobzar Quote: "Last night, the enemy launched a large-scale airstrike on the city of Sumy using Shahed UAVs." Details: The administration added that the aftermath of the attack is being clarified, and all services are working to address the impact of the attack. Quote from SOMA: "Air defence forces are actively engaged in air defence and countering enemy strikes." Update: Kobzar reported that as a result of the attacks on Sumy, water is being supplied to the city at a decreased pressure. Due to the lack of electricity, trolleybuses will not run on Tuesday. Support UP or become our patron! Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway to step down after school year: Sort of at wits end Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway will step down from his position after his contract expires at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Holloway, 57, said Tuesday he has been exhausted by a toxic political environment and ever-present demands of a major university president. I dont want to be in an environment where I need, where my family needs, protection. Thats the part I didnt bargain for, Holloway told NJ.com. I didnt sign up to have a police detail with me everywhere I go. Holloway started in the position before the 2020-21 school year and signed a five-year contract. He said after leaving the presidency, he would take a year-long sabbatical and then plan to return as a history professor. This decision is my own and reflects my ruminations about how best to be of service, Holloway wrote in a letter to the Rutgers community. According to Rutgers, the school welcomed its largest, most diverse and most accomplished freshman class this year. Under Holloways leadership, the school also received $970 million in research funding last year, just short of the so-called billion-dollar club. Earlier this year, Holloway was a candidate to become president at Yale, where he attended graduate school and earned his Ph.D. in history in 1995. Rutgers also touted Holloways return-to-school plan from 2020, claiming it led the nation in vaccination requirements. Holloway was also president for tense moments including a 2023 faculty strike and the on-campus pro-Palestine protests earlier this year. During the strike, protesters backing the faculty demonstrated outside Holloways house, a moment that apparently stuck with him. He said he also spoke with other collegiate leaders throughout the country. Were sort of at wits end, he told NJ.com. When youre facing absolutely no-win situations constantly, in this era of hyperbole about failing to do X, Y, and Znone of us signed up for that. Rutgers did not immediately announce its plans for replacing Holloway as president. I am confident that many of my colleagues in the University Senate are looking forward to ensuring that the Senate has a meaningful role in the search for a new president, psychology professor Paul Boxer told the Bergen Record. _____ FILE - Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway testifies during a hearing of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce regarding pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses, May 23, 2024, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File) The embattled president of Rutgers University announced Tuesday that he will step down next year after a tenure that has included contending with the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing the universitys first-ever strike and surviving a no-confidence vote by the faculty senate. Jonathan Holloway, 57, who became the first Black president of New Jerseys flagship institution of higher learning when he took office in the summer of 2020, said he will leave office when the current academic year ends June 30. He then plans to take a yearlong sabbatical before returning to the university as a fulltime professor. This decision is my own and reflects my own rumination about how best to be of service, Holloway wrote in a statement posted on the university's website. Holloway said that he notified the chairwoman of the Rutgers Board of Governors about his plans last month. Holloway currently receives a base salary of $888,540 and bonus pay of $214,106 for a total of more than $1.1 million a year. He will receive his full salary during his sabbatical, school officials said. Holloway began his tenure in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, as students were returning to campus from lockdown, and also dealt with the first faculty strike in school history last year, when thousands of professors, part-time lecturers and graduate student workers hit the picket lines. He also faced a largely symbolic no-confidence vote by the faculty senate in September 2023 and received national scrutiny earlier this year from Republican lawmakers for his decision to end a pro-Palestinian encampment through negotiations rather than police force. Founded in 1766, Rutgers has nearly 68,000 students in its system. School officials said Tuesday that they plan to conduct a national search to find the university's next president. They noted that during Holloways presidency, Rutgers broke records in undergraduate admissions, climbed significantly in national rankings and exceeded its fundraising goals. Students in Sacramento, Galt arrested in connection with threats made against schools Detectives have arrested two teenagers accused of issuing threats to shoot up Sacramento County schools on social media amid a rash of online warnings targeting schools nationwide. Detectives on Monday night arrested a C.K. McClatchy High School student accused of posting online threats of a shooting at the Sacramento campus last week as unrelated threats swirled on social media nationwide targeting several schools across the capital region. A C.K. McClatchy High student, identified as a 14-year-old girl, was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats, Officer Anthony Gamble, a Sacramento Police Department spokesman, announced Tuesday. He said detectives worked extensively to identify and find the person responsible for the threats of a shooting at the Land Park campus posted on social media last week. In a time when parents around this country have to mourn the loss of a child due to a school shooting, it is absolutely unacceptable that anyone would perpetuate this fear in others, Gamble said in a written statement. The Sacramento Police Department takes a firm stance against this type of behavior and will investigate these incidents to the fullest extent of the law. Also Monday the Galt Police Department arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection to making threats targeting schools in the Galt Joint Union High School District. It was unclear which schools were included in the threat, but the threats were deemed not credible, police said. Based on an extensive investigation, we believe the suspect acted alone and there are no outstanding suspects involved in this incident, police said online. The online threats typically the same message with a schools name added or superimposed circulated on social media last week. Parents said on social media that John F. Kennedy and Hiram Johnson high schools, among others, also saw a threat, according to parents who took to social media in the past several days. The wave of hoax threats has heightened awareness for students, school officials and authorities. Authorities arrested three students suspected of bringing weapons to Sacramento-area schools in the past several days, including a middle-schooler, though officials said those arrests were unrelated to the nationwide online threats. Also last week, the Roseville Police Department arrested a 13-year-old student who created fake social media accounts to spread false threats to create fear at his school, against Silverado Middle School. The Navy on Monday released the service details of a sailor who was detained by Venezuelan authorities at the end of August after a top official in the country alleged he was part of a plot to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro and overthrow his regime. Wilbert Joseph Castaneda, who has been held in Venezuela for more than two weeks, is a petty officer first class and Navy SEAL who has been in the service since 2007, according to the records provided by the Navy. A U.S. official had earlier confirmed that an enlisted sailor was detained late last month as the country is embroiled in a disputed election that Maduro claims to have won. The Associated Press reported that Venezuela Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello identified Castaneda as one of three Americans, as well as two Spanish and one Czech citizen, who were arrested as part of the alleged assassination plot. Read Next: Marine Sergeant Major Fired from Recruit Depot Was Arrested and Faces NCIS Investigation Cabello claimed that all six were part of a CIA-led plot to overthrow the Venezuelan government and showed images of rifles that he said were confiscated from some of the arrested, according to the AP. However, U.S. officials have refuted that claim, and some of Cabello's claims about Castaneda do not appear accurate. Those tensions have been building since Venezuela's July 28 election between Maduro and Edmundo Gonzalez, which officials from several countries say was stolen by Maduro. However, both State and Defense department officials have said that there is no U.S. government plan to overthrow Maduro, and a State Department spokesperson told Military.com that "the United States continues to support a democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela," in an email Monday. The State Department spokesperson also confirmed that they were aware of "unconfirmed reports of two additional U.S. citizens detained in Venezuela." Navy records for Castaneda, who appears to have first been detained, but not identified, on Aug. 30, show that the sailor joined his first SEAL team in 2009 and bounced between teams on the East and West coasts throughout his career. He was promoted to petty officer first class in June 2013. Typically, the Navy will not offer further details of what team a SEAL is assigned to out of security concerns. Shortly after his detention became public, a U.S. official told Military.com that Castaneda was "not on official travel or approved leave." CBS News reported that Castaneda had also been stripped of his Special Warfare insignia -- commonly known as the Trident -- indicating that the elite warfare community was in the process of removing him from its ranks. The records offered by the Navy also do not back up Cabello's claim that Castaneda deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and Colombia. The Navy's data does not show that Castaneda was awarded either the Iraq or Afghanistan campaign medals -- though those records are not always complete. The Navy's data on Castaneda does show that he has a track record of deployments, with four Sea Service Deployment ribbons, two Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary medals, and an Armed Forces Service Medal. His records also do not show any combat or valor awards, though he did receive three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals. The Venezuelan's allegation that Castaneda, along with the five others, were plotting to overthrow Maduro is not as far-fetched as it may seem. In 2020, a former U.S. Green Beret, Jordan Goudreau, helped arm and train a group of around 300 Venezuelan army deserters in neighboring Colombia who were then supposed to sneak into Venezuela and help ignite a rebellion against Maduro. The plan fell apart, several combatants were killed by Venezuelan security forces, and two of Goudreau's U.S. Special Forces compatriots were arrested by the Maduro regime. Goudreau was arrested in July 2024 in New York on federal arms smuggling charges and is now awaiting trial. Venezuela is also simply a dangerous country for Americans, especially given the increasing sanctions against allies of Maduro by the U.S. The State Department has long warned American citizens not to travel to Venezuela, citing "a high risk of wrongful detention." The travel warning also notes that Venezuela's "security forces have detained U.S. citizens for up to five years" and the U.S. "is not generally notified of the detention of U.S. citizens in Venezuela or granted access to U.S. citizen prisoners there." Last year, the Biden administration signed off on a deal in which Maduro released 10 Americans in exchange for a presidential pardon for Alex Saab, who was being held in custody on money laundering charges and, according to prosecutors, was helping the Venezuelan strongman avoid U.S. sanctions. Related: Enlisted US Sailor Detained in Venezuela as Tensions Between the 2 Countries Simmer Saks Encourages New York Visitors to Get Out and Vote In recognition of National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, Saks is collaborating with Vote.org, the largest nonpartisan voter registration and get-out-the-vote platform in the U.S.,to support voter accessibility. Starting Tuesday, voters can visit saks.com/vote to find resources to register to vote, check their voter registration status, learn more about the candidates on their local ballot and request an absentee ballot through Vote.orgs platform. More from WWD In addition, Saks has set up a window installation at the New York flagship to encourage visitors to exercise their right to vote in the 2024 election. The initiative marks the second time Saks has collaborated with Vote.org to reach voters with convenient, nonpartisan resources and election information tools. Six of Saks window on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 49th Street spell out Vote, in geometric, neon letters and feature QR codes that direct to Saks online voter registration experience, encouraging both the New York community and visitors from out of state to register to vote. Saks is encouraging flagship visitors to register to vote. As a prominent American brand with a far-reaching platform, Saks is committed to raising awareness of timely issues that matter to our customers, employees, partners and communities, said Emily Essner, chief marketing officer of Saks. Voting is a fundamental right, and we are proud to work with Vote.org to help increase access to nonpartisan voter registration resources. We look forward to inspiring voters nationwide to get involved and make their voices heard during this upcoming election season. Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Go behind the headlines as NewsNations Missing investigates missing person cases from across the country, from cold cases to the latest developing stories. Tune into our latest cases digital show each Friday where we speak to loved ones and examine the case. Subscribe to our newsletter here. (NewsNation) The family of a missing teenager has searched for 20 excruciating years as a trail of secrets and sightings has failed to result in finding their daughter. The beauty of small-town Burleson, Texas, is that its the ideal place to grow up and build a foundation at least for most. Samantha Tapps sister said life in their home was rough. Samantha Tapp had difficult time at home Kendale Wyatt said life in the suburbs of Fort Worth, Texas, wasnt easy due to their adoptive mother. Mother-to-be Mischa Johnson vanished in Hawaiian paradise There obviously was abuse. She definitely believed in corporal punishment, Wyatt said. It did tend to spiral out of control. Where she used to just use the paddle, she then would just lash out and smack us [with] whatever she had: phone cord, hanger, shoe. Unmoored, the sisters were split up to live with relatives. It took an especially hard toll on 16-year-old Tapp. [She was] hanging out with boys all the time. I know that she stole the car, Wyatt said. Tapp, known to her friends and family by her nickname Sam, was eventually brought to live with Wyatt and their grandparents. Samantha Tapp was 16 when she disappeared. (Kendale Wyatt) An age-progressed photo shows how Samantha Tapp might look today, in her 30s. (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) Samantha Tapps sister says their home life was rough. (Kendale Wyatt) Samantha Tapp tried to leave her grandparents house to live with her sister. (Kendale Wyatt) Samantha Tapp got into trouble as a teen. (Kendale Wyatt) There were possible sightings of Samantha Tapp years after she disappeared. (Kendale Wyatt) Samantha Tapps sister wants her to know any trouble she was in is long past. (Kendale Wyatt) She began working hard to keep getting good grades at Burleson High School. Still, she had struggles, in part because of challenges with her mental health. She was not on her medication anymore. She was on medication for bipolar disorder, but when she came to live with us, she wasnt on it anymore, Wyatt said. But I also wasnt having to get her dressed in the morning and drag her to school. She seemed like she was thriving for a while. As things were improving, Wyatt moved across town to live with her boyfriend and his family. Thats where she was when she was surprised by a knock on the door. It was Tapp. She wanted to stay there. She said that she had gotten in an argument with my grandfather, and she didnt want to stay there anymore, Wyatt said. I told her that she was going to have to go back, at least for now, until I could figure out a way for her to legally stay with me. Asha Degree case: Police now believe missing NC girl was killed But what Wyatt didnt know at the time was that shed never see her little sister again. I figured she would come back, but she didnt. I wish that I could have ran after her right away and just for her to stay because she didnt feel like she had to run away from me, Wyatt said. Samantha Tapp disappears Private investigator Jason Watts says Tapp didnt vanish without a trace. A few days after she went missing in October of 2004, some of her clothing was taken from her grandparents home. Cigarette butts were left behind. When I first began looking into the case, there was nothing, Watts said. I mean, all you had was a flyer on the internet. Thats it. No podcast, no news article online, nothing. Tapp was classified as a runaway. Weeks passed, then months, and still, there was no word from the teenager. Watts wants to know why. What has become of her? Why has she not made contact with any family in almost 20 years? Watts asked. Have a question about the case? Join the conversation by submitting it on this page, and we may answer it on the show. You can watch new episodes of Missing every Friday on our YouTube page. Submit a form. He was brought on the case years later and says Burleson police did not get information on crucial sightings in real-time over the years. Clues left behind in search for Samantha Tapp NewsNation was told that Tarrant County deputies, who cover the area around Fort Worth, ran Tapps name through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database. So did the police in Copperas Cove, Texas. One intriguing hit came in June of 2014 at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport, where customs ran Tapps name and birthdate. It happened nearly a decade after she disappeared. We ran these possible sightings down as far as we reasonably could. But unfortunately, just like with the Burleson PD, by the time we got to them, any records as to why these hits occurred has been lost, Watts said. Remains identified as missing 3-year-old Elijah Vue In 2007, an uncle said Tapp called, asking if she could come live with him in San Antonio, Texas. Then, at some point, she called back and said never mind, she wasnt coming there, that she had met some man and was moving to Melbourne, Florida, Wyatt said. Which is weird. That story changed in 2015 when it was relayed to authorities again. In the later version, Tapp had actually shown up at her uncles home with an infant in tow. But the uncles wife didnt recognize her and reportedly turned her away. Those bits of information add up to a trail thats been difficult to follow. You could treat these things sort of like breadcrumbs, perhaps, Watts said. The problem is, we are unable to verify them or confirm them, so we dont know that they are, in fact, breadcrumbs of Samantha Tapp. Asking Samantha Tapp to come home Age-progressed photos show what Tapp might look like today as a woman in her 30s. Investigators and Wyatt are also working to let Tapp know that any trouble she might have been in as a minor has long passed. She is not wanted or being sought after for any reason, Watts said. If that is the reason she is scared to come forward, she does not need to worry about that anymore. YouTuber in court after allegedly violating order filed by mother of Sebastian Rogers What is waiting for Tapp is a loving sister. I missed having her present. Having been adopted and her being the only family that I had as a constant, its hard not to have that now, Wyatt said. NewsNation reached out to the Burleson Police Department but did not receive a response. Tapp would be 36 today and is described as a white woman with brown hair, likely between 5 feet, 4 inches and 5 feet, 6 inches in height. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Samantha Leighann Tapp can contact the Burleson Police Department at 817-426-9903 or the Texas Department of Public Safety Missing Persons Clearinghouse at 512-424-5074. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has made a big announcement for a tiny porcupine. The zoo wildlife alliance announced Tuesday its veterinarians successfully performed the first-ever cesarean section (C-section) for a North American porcupine in an effort to save the life of the mother, Maizey, and her baby, Dakota, in what wildlife officials say marks a major advancement in veterinary science. WATCH: Giant pandas make public debut at San Diego Zoo During Maizeys pregnancy, the wildlife alliance says care specialists closely monitored the mama porcupine and provided around-the-clock care as she went into labor. When the team noticed she needed assistance, veterinarians performed a successful C-section, then cared for the newborn porcupine while Maizey healed. The zoo wildlife alliance says Maizey and Dakota are doing well. Maizey has since healed and is back to her normal self, while the male porcupette is healthy and playful, and getting bigger every day. His care specialists say he spins in circles and practices flaring up his quills, which is a porcupines natural defense against predators. San Diego Zoo partners with international zoos to save the platypus Porcupette born to Maizey the porcupine in first-ever C-section birth of North American porcupine (Photo: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) Porcupette born to Maizey the porcupine in first-ever C-section birth of North American porcupine (Photo: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance vets perform first-ever C-section on Maizey the porcupine (Photo: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance vets perform first-ever C-section on Maizey the porcupine (Photo: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance vets perform first-ever C-section on Maizey the porcupine (Photo: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) This groundbreaking surgery emphasizes the integral role of expert veterinary medical care in zoological facilities and highlights the advantages of innovative approaches to save species in need of conservation, said Dr. Michele Goodman, director of animal care with Elmwood Park Zoo and veterinary advisor for the North American porcupine Species Survival Plan. For the North American porcupine, this procedure represents a significant step forward to improve long-term survival rates and contributes to broader conservation efforts aimed at securing its future in the wild. Porcupines are nocturnal rodents that are found in two mains regions of the world. The wildlife alliance on their website states Old World porcupines are found in Europe, Africa and Asia, while New World porcupines are found in North, Central and South America. One of the oldest male gorillas in the world dies at 52 at San Diego Zoo Safari Park The thin-spined porcupine Chaetomys subspinosus is listed as vulnerable, as it is losing its habitat mainly due to cocoa plantations in northeastern Brazil, according to the wildlife alliance. Learn more about porcupines at animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/porcupine. The zoo wildlife alliance credits veterinary technicians, hospital care specialists and neonatal assisted care unit specialists for their work in saving Maizey and baby Dakota. San Diego Zoo comes in 8th place in USA Todays Best Zoos in the U.S. contest This landmark procedure highlights the critical role that our veterinary teams play in species conservation, not just in emergencies, but as part of a legacy of leadership in wildlife care, said Greg Vicino, vice president of wildlife care with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. The success of Maizeys C-section is another example of our veterinarians unwavering commitment to preserving the health and longevity of wildlife. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is an international, nonprofit conservation organization that operates the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) Monday, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it is awarding grants to eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) including Savannah State University under the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Program (Hawkins) and the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP). Savannah State University is being awarded $299,480 in FY24 funding. City of Savannah to unveil new historical marker at World War II Memorial The Hawkins Program is designed to support comprehensive, high-quality State-accredited teacher preparation programs by creating centers of excellence at HBCUs; Tribal Colleges or Universities; or Minority Serving Institutions, such as Hispanic-Serving Institutions. The program focuses on the various aspects of the teacher preparation pipeline, including the recruitment, preparation, support, placement, retention, and retraining of teachers for and in under-resourced schools to support underserved students. The MSIEP program assists predominantly minority institutions in effecting long-range improvement in science and engineering education programs and increasing the flow of underrepresented ethnic minorities, particularly minority women, into science and engineering careers. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An aerial photo of flooding along the Edisto River after Tropical Storm Debby hit South Carolina in early August 2024. (Provided by Charleston County Sheriff's Department) COLUMBIA South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster applied for federal disaster aid to help Lowcountry residents impacted by Tropical Storm Debby last month. The storm, which made landfall in South Carolina on Aug. 8, damaged more than 900 homes in Charleston, Colleton and Dorchester counties, Derrec Becker, spokesman for the state Emergency Management Division, told the SC Daily Gazette on Tuesday. Among those homes counted by county and state officials, issues ranged from minor damage to shingles to total destruction, he said. Storm response and damage to public property also cost a dozen counties more than $16 million, according to estimates collected by county and state officials provided to the governors office. In response, McMaster asked the Biden administration to issue a Presidential Disaster Declaration and a U.S. Small Business Administration disaster declaration for eligible counties. The Presidential Disaster Declaration would allow for direct aid to residents in Charleston, Colleton and Dorchester counties, as well as reimbursements to local governments in 12 counties. If approved, uninsured and underinsured residents in only those three counties could apply for money from the Federal Emergency Management Agencys Individual Assistance Program to help cover costs such as home repair, as well as rent and hotel stays while theyre displaced. Home repair assistance would be available only for owner-occupied homes, not vacation or rental properties. Renters could get assistance to live somewhere else for a limited time while their landlords make repairs, as well as help replacing destroyed personal property, such as furniture. Becker said the reasons for submitting certain counties for aid vary. It could be that most of the homes damaged in other counties were adequately insured or that the estimated total damage in a county isnt enough to qualify. Generally, state officials look for at least 100 uninsured homes with major damage before applying for aid, he said. In those three counties, 84 residences had major damage, three were destroyed and drinking water from wells at 100 Charleston County homes was contaminated, according to damage estimates provided to the governor. Local governments and eligible nonprofits in the following counties could get help through FEMAs Public Assistance Program: Bamberg, Barnwell, Berkeley, Colleton, Dillon, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Orangeburg, and Union counties. They could qualify for federal aid to help recoup their costs through the storm, such as creating flood barriers and operating shelters, as well as repairs after the storm to roads, bridges, stormwater systems and utilities. If approved, the U.S. Small Business Administration disaster declaration would allow small businesses and residents in Berkeley and Orangeburg counties to apply for low-interest disaster loans to help with repairs. This is an initial request for federal assistance, the governors office said in a statement. If approved, the governor may add more counties based on need. Editors note: This article has been updated to clarify that renters would also qualify for assistance, though assistance for home repairs would be available only to homeowners. SC governors may intervene in death penalty cases. Have any of them done so? Six South Carolina governors stood as the last word on whether a death sentence should be carried out. Two Democrats. Four Republicans. Each said the courts had spoken. Follow the law. No clemency. Gov. David Beasley, who served from 1995 to 1999, faced the question most often 17 times considering such cases as a man who killed a 17-year-old and then a 9-year-old and taunted their parents and another who carved KKK into a black womans body. Gov. Jim Hodges, who served from 1999 to 2003, in an email asking him to comment on his decisions said, The oath of office the governor takes is to uphold the law, and South Carolina law provides for juries to consider the death penalty in limited circumstances. I believe the juries carefully considered the facts and crimes before authorizing the death penalty in the cases I reviewed, and did not disagree with their conclusions. His office considered seven cases, including one in which a father drove the family minivan to his wifes condominium, parked outside, doused the interior with gasoline and set it on fire. Inside sat their 2-year-old daughter restrained by her car seat. Most if not all of these cases had been tried before South Carolina juries multiple times due to procedural decisions by appellate courts, Hodges said. Then the Governors Office legal team reviewed all the court filings and any submissions by the lawyers for the inmates. He personally reviewed those filings as well. My memory is that all of these cases involved horrific murders that included significant aggravating circumstances, he said. There were not any issues that suggested innocence in the cases. Gov. Mark Sanford had 14 cases while in office. Govs. Richard Riley and Carroll Campbell had two each and Nikki Haley had one. Campbell, who served from 1987 to 1995, died in 2005. The other former governors did not respond to requests for comment. Sanford told The State shortly after taking office in 2003, I dont have a problem with the death penalty. Some people do, and I respect their opinion, but its not mine. He promised his final hour reviews of cases would be the weightiest of his work. Sanford served until 2011. Despite his personal opposition to the death penalty, Riley did not commute the sentences of the first two men executed after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled capital punishment must be proportional to the crime and is not in an of itself cruel and unusual. During Rileys tenure, Joseph Shaw and Terry Roach, convicted in the deaths of Thomas Taylor, 17, and Taylors 14-year-old girlfriend, Carlotta Hartness, in 1977, died in the electric chair in 1985. Shaw also confessed to killing Betty Swank, 21, who was shot 12 days before the Taylor-Hartness killings. All three victims were from Columbia. When South Carolina executes a man for the first time in more than a decade this Friday, the state will use the most common method of execution in the United States. Convicted murderer Freddie Owens is scheduled to die by lethal injection at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20. It will be the first execution carried out by the state in 13 years, and the first under a new legal arrangement that requires condemned prisoners to choose their method of execution from a selection of lethal injection, electrocution or firing squad. Owens, who also goes by the name Khalil Divine Black Sun Allah, declined to choose his own method of execution, saying it was akin to suicide and thus against his Islamic faith. One of his attorneys, Emily Paavola, was instead granted the power by the S.C. Supreme Court to choose his method of execution. Despite expressed concerns about the strength and potency of the drugs chosen to be used, she chose lethal injection as the method by which Owens will die. Owens is in prison for the 1997 murder of Irene Grainger Graves, a 41-year-old convenience store clerk and mother of three. Graves was shot and killed by a 19-year-old Owens during an attempted robbery in Greenville County, after she was unable to open the stores safe. After his 1999 murder conviction, Owens also killed fellow inmate Christopher Bryan Lee during a dispute inside the jail. Lee, 28, was serving 90 days in the county jail for a traffic offense at the time, the Greenville News reported. Fifteen minutes before Owens scheduled execution, McMaster, Attorney General Alan Wilson and Corrections Director Bryan Stirling will get on a phone call with the execution chamber. The warden will ask whether any pending legal issues will impede the execution, and whether the governor will issue clemency to the prisoner. If the answer to both questions is no, the officials will stay on the line to be told when drugs are being administered, when the prison officials are checking for a pulse and when a doctor comes in to pronounce the prisoner dead. Most-common method of execution Since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, there have been 1,414 executions carried out by lethal injection across the country, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Its by far the most-common method of execution, followed by 163 executions in the electric chair, 12 in the gas chamber and three by firing squad. Lethal injection is carried out by injecting the prisoner with a cocktail of drugs meant to induce unconsciousness, paralysis and then death. It was first adopted in Oklahoma in 1977 as a supposedly more humane alternative to methods such as electrocution or hanging, and eventually became the default mode of execution in the United States. Today, it is used by 27 states and the federal government either as the primary or an alternate method of execution. It is also used in China, Guatemala, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. The Maldives and Nigeria also have lethal injection on the books, but have never carried out an execution using the method. In using lethal injection, a prisoner is strapped to a gurney, hooked up to a heart monitor and has an intravenous line placed in their arm. Ironically, proper sterilization procedures are followed and the area is disinfected with rubbing alcohol before the line is laid. This is done just in case a prisoner receives a last-minute reprieve. In a standard execution, pentobarbital is administered first to knock the prisoner out, followed by pancuronium bromide to paralyze muscle movements, including those necessary for breathing, and finally potassium chloride to cause cardiac arrest leading to the prisoners death. History of lethal injection in S.C. South Carolina first adopted the method in 1995 as an alternative to the electric chair. Since then, 36 prisoners have been executed by lethal injection in the state. But South Carolina was unable to carry out a lethal injection after 2011 because of a lack of the necessary drugs. Because those sentenced to death had the option to choose between the electric chair and an injection, choosing an injection effectively delayed executions indefinitely. By 2021, state lawmakers added a third option death by firing squad to force those on the states death row to make a choice so that executions could proceed. Then in 2023, the S.C. Legislature passed a shield law allowing the state to keep its suppliers and procedures for executions secret, removing the potential for blowback on drug companies that had made them reluctant to supply the drugs. Later, the state Department of Corrections revealed it would proceed with executions going forward solely using a pentobarbital injection, rather than the three drug cocktail. That drug on its own will eventually lead the prisoner to stop breathing similar to an opioid overdose. Justice has been delayed for too long in South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster said in a statement at the time. This filing brings our state one step closer to being able to once again carry out the rule of law and bring grieving families and loved ones the closure they are rightfully owed. SC power companies call for cost trackers. Heres what that could mean for customers. South Carolina utility companies want to bill customers along the way for the cost of new construction, before power plants become operational. Consumer and environmental groups warn lawmakers to beware. (File/Getty Images) COLUMBIA South Carolina utility companies want to bill customers along the way for the cost of new construction, before power plants become operational. Consumer and environmental groups warn lawmakers to beware. As a Senate panel over the coming weeks and months weighs the future of energy in the rapidly growing Palmetto State seeking to balance the electricity and natural gas needed to power a larger number of homes and businesses with the rising cost to customers power companies are suggesting they consider a new funding tool: A capital cost tracker. South Carolinas power debate kicked off earlier this year, when state-owned utility Santee Cooper sought legislative permission to partner with Dominion Energy on a 2,000-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant. The companies want to build it on the site of a former coal-fired power plant along the Edisto River in Colleton County. The legislation was fast-tracked through the House, but senators hit the brakes. Theyre meeting in the off-session to find a solution. Santee Cooper CEO Jimmy Staton estimates the Colleton County gas plant could jointly cost the utilities up to $2.5 billion to build. What is a cost tracker? Its also expected to take seven years to build. Power companies are at a disadvantage when they have to wait that long to recoup an investment. It would be better, said Dominion Energy South Carolina President Keller Kissam, if companies could go to regulators every couple of years for permission to up power bills each time a construction milestone is met. As far as what you invest, you get more immediate recovery, said Kissam, the Virginia-headquartered utilitys top executive in South Carolina. And, therefore, investors are more inclined to want to be a part of what you do, he told senators. Kissam went on to say that during the companys latest application process to raise utility rates, he heard from a pair of residents on a fixed income who asked why the company couldnt increase rates more gradually. With intermittent, moderate increases, power customers are less shocked than with 14% or 15% increases on their monthly bills, he said. Senators have reacted with a mix of intrigue and skepticism. At last weeks public hearing, consumer and environmental advocates opposed the idea. They compared the mechanism to a much-maligned piece of legislation pushed by utility companies that, 17 years ago, paved the way for a failed nuclear power plant in the state. Its sort of like a quasi Base Load Review Act, right? asked Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, as he listened to the pitch. I think what youre talking about actually makes sense, Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said in response to Kissams testimony. But theres got to be a trust factor, too. The problem is there are too many people right now who dont trust. The Edgefield Republican was among those who pressed pause on efforts in the House earlier this year to jumpstart the natural gas plant at Canadys and overhaul utility regulations in the state over fears the plan had not been fully vetted. The bill backed by House leaders did not include the so-called capital cost trackers that companies are now suggesting. This time would be different, Kissam said. The utility would subject itself to more oversight from regulators along the way and wouldnt get up-front approval to charge for all costs. Where are cost trackers used? Besides, 37 other states already use them, Kissam said. South Carolina is the only state in the Southeast that doesnt, he said, holding up a map produced by a national association of investor-owned utility companies. Duke Energy is approved for these payments, which show up on customers bills in the form of riders, on 11 projects across five states. The riders pay for environmental improvements, renewable energy projects and large power transmission lines, according to the 2023 report by the Edison Electric Institute. Dominion Energy has riders for 13 projections in Virginia, including solar, wind, broadband and two natural gas-fired power plants. Only one state (California) and one company (San Diego Gas & Electric) have more. The 15 riders held by the southern California utility pay largely for electric vehicle charging and microgrids. I recognize that puts us at a disadvantage, Massey said. You got to be able to attract capital to build the generation thats necessary to keep the lights on But theres a reason we are where we are right now. Massey spoke of the battle to reach a deal with Dominion in the fire sale for SCANA Corp., the parent company of the now-defunct South Carolina Electric & Gas, after the company abandoned an expansion of the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station in Fairfield County. The joint project with Santee Cooper started in 2013. But delays, cost overruns and fraud led to its shuttering four years later, but not before the companies jointly spent $9 billion. In its buyout of SCANA, Dominion ultimately swallowed a portion of the debt, knocking down what residential customers were paying by about $22 per month. But that relief didnt come without intense negotiations. All those things that sounded like they were so altruistic, they were not, said Massey, who co-led a Senate panel investigating the failed project. They threatened Sen. (Nikki) Setzler and I every day that they would walk away and SCANA would go bankrupt. In the end, Dominions 800,000 customers in South Carolina saw their bills reduced but theyll still be paying on $2.3 billion worth of debt for the next 14 to 15 years. I cant put that behind and I dont think Im the only one, Massey continued. There are a lot of people who dont have a seat at this table the people who are paying the bills. Santee Coopers share of the debt was $3.6 billion. About 5% of power bills for its 2 million customers including those in Berkeley, Georgetown and Horry counties served directly and those served by power cooperatives that buy power from Santee Coopers plants goes toward paying that off. Those bills are expected to climb next year, when a rate freeze implemented as part of a lawsuit settlement expires. Utility regulators were meant to have oversight on the VC Summer expansion, but contractors and utility executives would later be charged and plead guilty to fraud in federal court for hiding information from investors, as well as regulators. A risk to customers John Roof, representing consumers who are members of the AARP in South Carolina, also noted that mismanagement preceded the fraud. Allowing for capital cost trackers, he and others said, does nothing to prevent poor management. Eddy Moore of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy compared it to paying a repair man upfront for painting your house before you know the job is done well. And Taylor Allred of the Costal Conservation League said a lag in the payback actually incentivizes utilities to keep operating expenses low and complete projects on time and on budget. Besides, he said, natural gas plants are touted as quicker and easier to build than a massive nuclear reactor such as those at VC Summer, which marked the first attempt at a new nuclear plant in decades. Our states investor-owned utilities are surely capable of financing them under the current regulatory framework, Allred said of gas plants. Let us know what you think... SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) A recent data breach involving billions of social security numbers has experts and consumer advocates telling everyone to take steps to protect themselves and their childrens identity. Mariko often helps her six-year-old daughter with her homework. The East Tennessee mother said while its important for her to teach her children, she also said its just as important to protect them and their identities as well. Woman seeks answers 17 years on from mothers unsolved murder in Knoxville Ive just been very careful about anything that I post online or say online that doesnt include my kids names or birthdates or any of their personal information, Mariko said. Thats something experts, like Dr. Ron Mortensen, said every parent needs to do. There was a study done by Carnegie Melon that says children have a 51 times higher chance of having their identity stolen than adults did, he said. Mortensen is a child identity expert and warns parents about protecting their kids social security numbers. He recommends to give your social security number or the kids social security numbers out unless its absolutely necessary. Thats because stealing a childs number usually goes undetected for years, meaning getting it is like winning the lottery for thieves. A 2012 ABC News report showed how thieves took an 11-year-old girl named Briannas Social Security number and ran up $132,000 in debt. Eight-year-old Bradleys identity was stolen and used to take out loans and five credit cards, leaving a $19,200 debt in his name. East Tennessee in drought: Farmer calls for action on climate change As a mother, Mariko said that is something that truly concerns her. Its something that I always worry about especially with fraud so prevalent these days. AllClear ID estimates that one in 10 U.S. children are victims. Criminals will hack home computers hospitals, child welfare agencies, daycares and even schools to steal tax forms to find a social security numbers. One out of four cases involve someone who knows the child, like a parent. It is a massive problem. And nobody cares about it, Mortensen said. Even when a parent finds out their childs number has been stolen, the social security administration wont help them. Mortensen said if your child becomes a victim, you will have to deal with it mostly on your own. The Social Security Administration does not want to give those numbers out, Mortensen added. Youre pretty well left to try to rectify the situation on your own. Theres not a lot of help from Social Security to do that. That means prevention is key. Mortensen said parents should take action and get a credit report on their child and also freeze their credit. See more top stories on WATE.com Its not easy because they have to verify who the kid is and everything, but they can do it and I would recommend locking up the childs credit from the time they are born, Mortensen said. To freeze your childs credit, or your own for that matter, contact the three major credit bureaus of Experian, Transunion, and Equifax. Have something to write with when you do. You will need have to have all their information like date of birth, legal name, address and social security number and be prepared to create a password. In 2018, a federal law was passed that allows you to do this for free. And you can keep it frozen until theyre old enough to use the account themselves. Experian (TRW): 1-888-397-3742 or 1-888-EXPERIAN TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 or 1-800-916-8800 Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 or 1-866-447-7559 If fraud is found: Contact the card issuer Report the fraud immediately by phone and in writing Close all of the affected accounts Complete an affidavit indicating fraud has occurred Keep detailed logs of all contacts you have made Notify your local police department and obtain copies of all police reports Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Scandinavian Airlines to offer direct flights from Seattle to Copenhagen next summer After 57 years, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) will have direct flights to Seattle again starting next summer. On Tuesday, Scandinavian Airlines announced five weekly direct flights from Copenhagen to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport starting in the summer of 2025. Seattle becomes only the 11th North American city in the airlines network connecting it to Scandinavia and Northern Europe. We are excited to expand our North American network with Seattle. The route from Copenhagen will provide more travel options for our customers and strengthen the connection between Scandinavia and the Pacific Northwest, a region of growing economic importance with deep Scandinavian roots, said Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of SAS. In a press release, SAS points to the deep-rooted connections to Seattle through the culture, skills, and entrepreneurial spirit of Nordic immigrants going back to the early 1900s. This new addition to our network further expands our global reach and underscores our commitment to providing travelers with more direct route options. Seattle has been a highly requested destination by our customers, and we are excited to respond to their needs by launching this route. Additionally, Seattles growing cargo operations make this expansion even more strategically valuable, van der Werff continues. Operations begin May 21, giving those traveling from Seattle access to the 39 European cities part of the SAS network, including cities such as Berlin, Milan, Zurich and Helsinki. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a press statement after the summit of the Central Asian states (Z5+1). Michael Kappeler/dpa German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday described the deepening of relations with the republics of Central Asia as a "strategic goal for Germany" as he continued a visit to Kazakhstan for a regional summit. "Never before has the exchange between our societies been so close - and it is constantly increasing: politically, economically and culturally," Scholz said in the Kazakh capital Astana. "We want to continue and further intensify this." Scholz had established a strategic partnership with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan at the first summit bringing together the five Central Asian countries a year ago. "Especially in times of global uncertainty, we need close, trusting international partners," Scholz said. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that cooperation in the energy sector had a "key role" in the relationship with Germany. He also invited German companies to participate in the exploration of rare earths and other metal deposits in his country and in the extraction of lithium, which is vital for the production of batteries. Although the five countries - all former Soviet republics - have close relations with Russia, they are also trying to improve relations with Western countries in order to reduce their dependence on their powerful neighbour. Together, the five countries have just under 80 million inhabitants, slightly less than Germany. However, their area is roughly equivalent to the territory of the entire European Union. In recent decades, Germany has largely overlooked the region in favour of close economic ties to the two major powers nearby, China and Russia. But Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine upended those relations. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a press statement after the summit of the Central Asian states (Z5+1). Michael Kappeler/dpa German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a press statement after the summit of the Central Asian states (Z5+1). Michael Kappeler/dpa German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday described the deepening of relations with the republics of Central Asia as a "strategic goal for Germany" as he continued a visit to Kazakhstan for a regional summit. "Never before has the exchange between our societies been so close - and it is constantly increasing: politically, economically and culturally," Scholz said in the Kazakh capital Astana. "We want to continue and further intensify this." Scholz had established a strategic partnership with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan at the first summit bringing together the five Central Asian countries a year ago. "Especially in times of global uncertainty, we need close, trusting international partners," Scholz said. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that cooperation in the energy sector had a "key role" in the relationship with Germany. He also invited German companies to participate in the exploration of rare earths and other metal deposits in his country and in the extraction of lithium, which is vital for the production of batteries. Although the five countries - all former Soviet republics - have close relations with Russia, they are also trying to improve relations with Western countries in order to reduce their dependence on their powerful neighbour. Together, the five countries have just under 80 million inhabitants, slightly less than Germany. However, their area is roughly equivalent to the territory of the entire European Union. In recent decades, Germany has largely overlooked the region in favour of close economic ties to the two major powers nearby, China and Russia. But Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine upended those relations. Russia had long been Germany's most important energy supplier, but sanctions over the war in Ukraine led to a sharp reduction in gas deliveries and an energy crisis in Germany, where prices spiked. The fallout from the split with Russia has also led Germany and other Western countries to consider lessening economic dependence on China in order to reduce similar risks of becoming too dependant on one country. This has led the German government to explore deeper partnerships countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Kazakhstan is Germany's third most important oil supplier, and is also a producer of uranium, iron ore, zinc, copper and gold. The country is also considered a potential partner for the production of hydrogen, which is obtained from renewable energies and has been viewed as a potential climate-friendly fuel for the future. The Ark Alexandra Academy in Hastings has banned pupils from bringing mobile phones to school [Getty Images] A school which has banned students from bringing mobile phones onto its two campuses said it has already seen "a significant uplift in standards". The Ark Alexandra Academy in Hastings, East Sussex, introduced the ban at the start of the autumn term, with pupils who break the ban facing having their phones confiscated. Some parents have reacted angrily, claiming the phones are needed to ensure children's safety on their way to and from school. The school said it would not be feasible to store so many phones safely during lessons. Rhys Spiers, the academy's executive principal, said: "Mobile phones are a distraction to learning. "We explored various options to safely store students phones on site during the school day, but the operational challenge of securing nearly two thousand phones daily meant these approaches were not practicable. "We have proactively communicated with parents and students about the changes to our mobile phone policy, which has already led to a significant uplift in standards across the academy." The Ark Alexandra Academy has campuses in St Leonards-on-Sea and Hastings [Google] Mark Rodrigues, whose child is in Year 11, said having a mobile phone helped save them from being attacked. He told BBC Radio Sussex: "On their way home they have been approached by other children, verbally abused to the point they felt unsafe. "They were able to phone us and we were able to get to them. We don't know what would have happened if it wasn't for that." The academy said it was "a misconception" that children were safer having a mobile phone, arguing it made them more likely to become victims of crime if they were targeted by phone thieves. 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 stories Related internet links SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) Another school threat surfaced on Monday to Arlington School District, according to a social media post from the Kingsbury County Sheriffs office. What to know about ash trees, EAB infestation The threat prompted the school district to contact the SD Department of Criminal Investigation. The post says the DCI investigated the threat and determined it was no longer an active threat to the 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 KELOLAND.com. A researcher has revived an almost 100-year-old theory to refute that the Big Bang ever happened, challenging one of the most established theories in modern science. As detailed in a paper published in the journal Particles, Kansas State University associate professor of computer science Lior Shamir argued that light photons lose their energy as they cover the vast distances of space. This century-old "tired light" theory was first proposed by astronomer Fritz Zwicky in 1929 to explain the observation of redshift, or the decrease in photon energy of light as its wavelength increases, of distant galaxies as they move away from us. In simple terms, it holds that the universe must be static rather than expanding at an accelerating rate, since the light would be losing energy over time instead of showing movement between galaxies. Since then, astronomers have repeatedly disputed the theory, putting it on the fringe of physics. But now Shamir is pointing to data from the James Webb Space Telescope to resuscitate the idea. "In the 1920s, Edwin Hubble and George Lemaitre discovered that the more distant the galaxy is, the faster it moves away from Earth," said Shamir in a statement. "That discovery led to the Big Bang theory, suggesting that the universe started to expand around 13.8 billion years ago." "The tired light theory was largely neglected, as astronomers adopted the Big Bang theory as the consensus model of the universe," Shamir explained. "But the confidence of some astronomers in the Big Bang theory started to weaken when the powerful James Webb Space Telescope saw first light." The groundbreaking telescope revealed a glaring discrepancy, Shamir argued, which should force us to reevaluate our current understanding of the creation of the universe. Instead of showing an infant early universe while peering into the very earliest days of the universe, JWST observations have shown "large and mature galaxies," Shamir argued. "If the Big Bang happened as scientists initially believed, these galaxies are older than the universe itself." By studying the way the redshift changes by taking into consideration the Earth's constant rotational velocity around the center of the Milky Way, Shamir says he found that "the difference in the redshift increased when the galaxies were more distant from Earth." "Because the rotational velocity of the Earth relative to the galaxies is constant, the reason for the difference can be the distance of the galaxies from Earth," he explained in the statement. "That shows that the redshift of galaxies changes with the distance, which is what Zwicky predicted in his Tired Light theory." However, whether other scientists would agree with Shamir's reintroduction of Zwicky's theory is doubtful. For one, as astronomers have previously argued, distant objects would appear more blurry if a photon's energy were to be degraded. We have yet to observe photons losing their energy as they travel through space. Scientists have also used observations and measurements of the cosmic microwave background, the cooled "fossil" remnants of the first light that traveled through the universe, to refute the idea that light loses energy as it travels. More on the Big Bang: Scientists Say There May Have Been a Second Big Bang In 2015, a paleoanthropology team discovered jaw remains of a roughly 42,000-year-old Neanderthal in France. Over the next several years, the team, lead by Ludovic Slimak, found more of the Neanderthals remains and began to analyze its genome. Despite its proximity to other groups of Neanderthals and the eras modern humans, the lineage of the specimen, dubbed Thorin, found by Slimak managed to stay totally isolated from groups of other early beings. There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something, says Thorin Oakenshield in J.R.R. Tolkiens beloved fantasy novel The Hobbit. You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after. For example, in 2015, paleoanthropologist Ludovic Slimak made a remarkable discovery at Grotte Mandrin, a cave in Rhone Valley, France. He and his team had been working the area since 1998 to find remnants of humanitys prehistoric forbearers, and after 17 years, they certainly found something: a piece of a jaw belonging to a Neanderthal. As the years went on, more and more remains of this Neanderthal were discovered. I began to find {remnants of the Neanderthal's jaw} in 2015, Slimak told the New Statesman in 2022, but each year we find one tooth, or one fragment of bone. Slimak determined that this particular Neanderthal lived 42,000 years ago, towards the end of that species time on this planet. As such, he named the Neanderthal Thorin after the Tolkien character. Thorin in the Hobbit is one of the last dwarf kings under the mountain and the last of its lineage, Slimak told the website IFLScience. Thorin the Neanderthal is also an end of lineage. An end of a way to be human. MATTHIEU RONDEL - Getty Images To confirm his suspicions about Thorins age and attempt to glean more information about not just when but how this particular specimen lived, Slimak and his colleagues had Thorins genome analyzed. The results, published earlier this month in the journal Cell Genomics, show that Thorins lineage managed to stay isolated from the rest of the Neanderthal population, in spite of the fact that other groups lived nearby. Nearly a decade before ever finding Thorin, Slimak had already theorized that any Neanderthals who had resided in the Rhone Valley would have been different from those in the surrounding areas. His assessment, at that point, was based on the stone tools found at various sites, noting that those in the Rhone Valley didnt reflect the newer tool-making style found at other locations. It turns out that what I proposed 20 years ago was predictive, Slimak told the publication Live Science. The population of Thorin had spent 50 millennia without exchanging a single gene with the classical Neanderthal populations. The analysis showed that Thorin had high genetic homozygosity, which indicates inbreeding in the lineages recent past. It also offers no evidence of interbreeding with modern humans of the time. Everything must be rewritten about the greatest extinction in humanity and our understanding of this incredible process that will lead Homo sapiens to remain the only survival of humanity, Slimak said in assessing what this discovery means. How can we imagine populations that lived for 50 millennia in isolation while they are only two weeks walk from each other? All processes need to be rethought. You Might Also Like Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2023 - Credit: Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images for Sean "Diddy" Combs Embattled music mogul Sean Combs has been charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and interstate transportation to engage in prostitution, a federal grand jury indictment unsealed Tuesday in New York revealed. The sprawling and sordid RICO case, which claims Combs used his vast wealth and prestige to run a criminal enterprise centered on his own sexual gratification between 2008 and this year, carries the possibility of life in prison for the Bad Boy Entertainment founder. A downcast Combs, 54, appeared in a courtroom in lower Manhattan Tuesday, wearing gray sweatpants and a plain black T-shirt. Throughout the two-hour hearing, Combs mostly faced forward and spoke aloud once as he pleaded not guilty to the three charges. The scene played out hours after he was arrested and escorted from the Manhattan hotel where hed been staying. Combs attorney Marc Agnifilo said he was disappointed with the unjust prosecution, calling Combs an innocent man with nothing to hide. If convicted as charged, Combs faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison. More from Rolling Stone Prosecutors asked that Combs whom they labelled a serial abuser and a serial obstructer be held without bail. As reflected by the gravity of the charges in the Indictment, the defendant is dangerous and poses an ongoing threat to the safety of the community, they wrote in a letter to the judge, later emphasizing in court their fear that Combs would tamper with witnesses and victims. Combs defense asked the court to trust the disgraced mogul, requesting for Combs to be released to home detention with electronic monitoring and a $50 million bond secured by his Miami real estate. A judge agreed with prosecutors, denying Combs bail and sending him to jail while he awaits trial, with marshals whisking Combs away before he could issue parting words to his family. Judge Robyn Tarnofsky said she had very significant concerns about Combs substance abuse and what appears to be anger issues, adding that Combs couldnt be relied upon to trust himself, nor could his lawyer control him. On Tuesday morning, Combs adult sons Quincy, Christian, and Justin were seen arriving at the courthouse in lower Manhattan in support of their father. During a short recess before the judge made her decision, Combs sat alone as his lawyers exited the courtroom. He closed his eyes, put his hand on his chin and bounced his leg before glancing back towards the pews where his family was sitting to give them a slight wave. Combs garnered a smattering of additional supporters outside the courthouse, too. One man screamed Fuck yall! while wearing a Combs sweatshirt, while others drove by yelling P. Diddy! One black Cadillac rolled slowly past the courthouse blasting Combs 1997 hit Ill Be Missing You honking its horn. Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, ran through the indictment during a press conference, concluding his remarks by noting, A year ago, Sean Combs stood in Times Square and was handed a key to New York City. Today, hes been indicted and will face justice in the Southern District of New York. (Combs returned the key, after it was rescinded, earlier this summer.) We are not done. This investigation is ongoing. And I encourage anyone with information about this case to come forward and to do it quickly, Williams added. We are committed to bringing justice to everyone victimized by the defendant. Im not taking anything off the table. In a court filing, prosecutors said investigators already had interviewed more than 50 victims and witnesses and that the probe collected evidence through more than 300 grand jury subpoenas sent to individuals, airlines, hotels, car services, banks, escort services, and entities including Combs companies. Outside the courtroom before Combs made his appearance, lawyers for his ex-girlfriend Casandra Cassie Ventura sat watching a livestream of the DOJ press conference. The lawyers, Douglas Wigdor and Meredith Firetog, filed Venturas blockbuster lawsuit against Combs last November. In the complaint, Ventura said Combs subjected her to a vicious cycle of abuse, violence, and sex trafficking, and that he violently raped her when she tried to break up with him. Ventura isnt named in the indictment, but the 14-page filing specifically mentions a 2016 incident at a Los Angeles hotel where Combs kicked, dragged and thew a vase at a woman in a caught-on-video attack. In her lawsuit, Ventura detailed a 2016 physical assault with the same circumstances, saying it happened at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles. Her account was confirmed when CNN published surveillance video in May that showed a towel-clad Combs pursuing a barefoot and fleeing Ventura down a hotel hallway. At an elevator bank, Combs was seen throwing Ventura to the floor, kicking her, stomping on her, and attempting to drag her back to a room. He was then seen grabbing what appeared to be a vase off a table and hurling it in her direction. (Combs originally denied the beating, but later apologized when the video was made public, saying he made no excuses for the beating.) In their detention letter to the court Tuesday, prosecutors referred to Venturas lawsuit by the date it was filed. They went on to say that a hotel security staffer eventually intervened in the 2016 incident, and that Combs attempted to offer the hotel security officer a stack of cash to ensure his silence. They added that Combs allegedly paid more than $46,000 to cover damages to a penthouse hotel room in Manhattan in 2012. In her lawsuit, Ventura alleged Combs paid tens of thousands of dollars for damage to a New York City hotel in 2013 after staging a drug-fueled sex party there dubbed a Freak Off. For decades, Sean Combsabused, threatened and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct, the indictment reads. To do so, Combs relied on the employees, resources and the influence of his multi-faceted business empire that he led and controlled. Prosecutors said the Combs Enterprise was comprised of Combs various business endeavors in the media, entertainment, and lifestyle industries, including Bad Boy, Combs Global, RevoltTV and his alcoholic spirits business, which promoted the Ciroc vodka brand owned by Diageo. They said Combs and other members and associates of his alleged enterprise used their power to intimidate, threaten, and lure female victims into Combs orbit, often under the pretense of a romantic relationship. Combs allegedly used threats of violence to make victims engage in Freak Offs, prosecutors said in court filings. They alleged Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically recorded the highly orchestrated encounters. And they claimed Combs kept the sensitive, embarrassing, and incriminating recordings to use as collateral to ensure the continued obedience and silence of the victims. On top of allegedly transporting commercial sex workers across state lines and internationally, Combs also allegedly distributed a variety of controlled substances to victims during the purported Freak Offs, including ketamine, ecstasy, and gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), the court filings made public on Tuesday said. Prosecutors claimed that Combs used the drugs in part to keep the victims obedient and compliant, so they would continue to engage in Freak Offs, despite fatigue, physical and emotional exhaustion, and pain. Prosecutors said unidentified members of Combs alleged enterprise also helped facilitate his Freak Offs by booking hotel rooms and travel for victims and sourcing the supplies. The indictment said that during the raids of Combs homes in Miami and Los Angeles in March, cops seized narcotics and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant. Authorities also allegedly seized high-powered firearms, including three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers, as well as a drum magazine loaded with 60 rounds of ammunition. Prosecutors said two of the three defaced AR-15s were found hidden in Combs Miami bedroom closet. One had a 10-round magazine fully loaded with large caliber ammunition. The second allegedly had a 30-round magazine loaded with 19 rounds of the same .223 ammo. According to prosecution filings, Combs brazenly pressured witnesses and victims to stay silent amid threats of negative publicity or legal or law enforcement action. Prosecutors say the mogul and his associates even tried attempted bribery and feeding victims and witnesses a false narrative of events in an effort to conceal Combs crimes. At least two of these calls were recorded, prosecutors alleged. Prosecutors said Tuesday that one such call took place just three days after Ventura filed her lawsuit. They said Combs reached out to another alleged victim of his sexual abuse and recorded portions of their conversations using the cellphone of an unidentified co-conspirator. During the calls, Combs allegedly asked for the womans support and friendship, and attempted to convince the woman that she had willingly engaged in acts constituting sexual abuse. The defendant also assured the victim that if she needed the defendant too, she aint got worry about nothing else,' prosecutors said. They described the conversation as a thinly veiled attempt to coerce the victim into adopting and supporting Combs false version of events to protect him. They claimed Combs later contacted witnesses who had received grand jury subpoenas. The indictment accused Combs of wielding control over his victims through promises of career opportunities, [and] granting and threatening to withhold financial support, as well as tracking their whereabouts, dictating the victims appearance, monitoring their medical records, controlling their housing, and supplying them with controlled substances. In her lawsuit, Ventura said Combs became deeply entrenched in every aspect of her life, paying for her apartment and having her medical records sent directly to him. Notably, arson was listed among the alleged acts carried out by the purported racketeering conspiracy. In a detention letter accompanying the indictment, prosecutors shared details about one alleged incident from December 2011. They said Combs and a co-conspirator kidnapped an individual at gunpoint to facilitate breaking into and entering the residence of another person, referred to as Individual-1. About two weeks later, the co-conspirator set fire to Individual-1s vehicle by slicing open the cars convertible top and dropping a Molotov cocktail inside the interior. (The alleged kidnapping victim appears to be different from Individual-1, as Combs attorney said she was a woman.) When Ventura sued last year, she alleged that when she tried to move on from Combs and had a brief romantic relationship with musician Kid Cudi in 2011, Combs allegedly beat her. Combs later told Ventura he planned to blow up the rappers car in his driveway, her lawsuit claimed. In a statement to The New York Times in November, Cudi confirmed that his car exploded. This is all true, he said. (Ventura and Combs quickly settled that suit.) In more footnotes added to the Tuesday court filings, prosecutors mentioned several other accusers who have filed sexual misconduct lawsuits against Combs over the last year, noting that the claims against Combs related to threats and physical and sexual violence date back to the 1990s. The accusers whose lawsuits were noted included Joi Dickerson-Neal, Liza Gardner, Crystal McKinney and Dawn Richard. Earlier on Monday, before his arrest, Combs was spotted posing for photos with his children in Harlem. Over the last few months, he has been keeping a relatively low profile. In their court filings Tuesday, prosecutors said their extensive probe collected evidence from 90 cellphones, laptops, and cloud storage accounts, as well as over 30 other electronic and storage devices, such as hard drives, thumb drives, cameras, and a surveillance system. They said much of the electronic data came from Combs himself, as well as coconspirators, victims, and witnesses. Venturas 35-page, highly detailed lawsuit sent shock waves through the music industry. She described suffering severe beatings that left her with bruises, burst lips, black eyes and bleeding [skin]. She alleged Combs forced her to recruit male sex workers from escort services and pour excessive amounts of oil over herself for the alleged Freak Offs. She said that if she refused Combs demands, he would beat her. In the months since Ventura first dropped her bombshell lawsuit, eight more women and one man have come forward to sue Combs with allegations ranging from sex trafficking to sexual assault. While Combs issued a public apology for the shocking hotel surveillance video, he has denied any wrongdoing in the other lawsuits. As legal pressure has mounted, he stepped down from the chairmanship of his Revolt TV media company and sold his stake in the company. More than a dozen companies fled his e-commerce platform. In January, liquor giant Diageo cut him loose in a private settlement under which Combs will no longer be a joint owner of the tequila brand DeLeon or have any ties to Ciroc vodka. Once a billionaire, a new Forbes estimate places his net worth at roughly $400 million. Combs 10-bedroom, gated neo-European estate just down the street from the Playboy Mansion in the tony Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles was listed for sale earlier this month with an asking price of $61.5 million. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Sean Diddy Combs was arrested Monday night in New York City by federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations, multiple sources told ABC News. A federal grand jury in Manhattan returned an indictment against Combs, which set in motion his arrest, sources told ABC News. Sean Diddy Combs accused of sexual assault in new lawsuit by former model The charges remain sealed. Combs lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, addressed the news in a statement, calling it an unjust prosecution. We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorneys Office. Sean Diddy Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community, the statement read. He is an imperfect person, but he Is not a criminal. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court. Combs has been under investigation for the better part of a year since his longtime former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, came forward with allegations in a civil lawsuit. At least 10 additional lawsuits followed. Combs has denied the allegations in all of them Back in March, Combs Los Angeles and Miami homes were raided by federal agents, authorities previously said. A Homeland Security Investigations spokesperson said in a statement at the time that the raid was executed as part of an ongoing investigation. Law enforcement sources told ABC News, also in late March, that federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations seized a number of electronic devices as part of the court-authorized searches of Combs two properties. The searches, carried out in Los Angeles and Miami, were part of a federal sex trafficking investigation into the hip-hop and liquor mogul, the sources said. HSI agents flooded Combs mansions and gathered evidence as part of an investigation led by prosecutors with the Southern District of New York. Several women have filed civil lawsuits against Combs accusing him of rape, sex trafficking and other alleged abuses. He has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct. No additional details have been made available. This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates. Music mogul Sean Diddy Combs was arrested Monday evening in Manhattan after being indicted by a grand jury, according to multiple reports. The New York Times reported that the charges against the 54-year-old were not entirely clear, but the rapper, producer and entrepreneur has been embroiled in a federal investigation and sexual assault lawsuits. In November, R&B singer Cassie, the rappers former girlfriend and protege, was the first to sue him, alleging years of abuse, beatings and rape. Her lawsuit also claimed that the 54-year-old engaged in sex trafficking by requiring her to engage in sex acts in multiple jurisdictions with sex workers while Combs filmed. Agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security raided a mansion in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Holmby Hills in March, along with another one of his homes in Miami. At the time, his defense attorney Aaron Dyer referred to the raids as a gross use of military-level force, saying the allegations against Combs were meritless and that the rapper would continue to fight to clear his name. FILE - Sean "Diddy" Combs arrives at the LA Premiere of "The Four: Battle For Stardom" at the CBS Radford Studio Center, May 30, 2018, in Los Angeles. Combs has sold off his stake in Revolt, the media company the rapper and entrepreneur founded over a decade ago, the Los Angeles-based company said Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in a statement on its website. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File) In a statement about his arrest, another of Combs attorneys, Marc Agnifilo, told KTLA that they were disappointed with what we believe is the unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorneys Office. Off-duty officer in Southern California shoots man involved in road-rage incident He is an imperfect person but is not a criminal, his lawyers statement added. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court. Criminal charges would be a major but not unexpected takedown of one of the most prominent producers and most famous names in the history of hip-hop. In a post to X, formerly Twitter, United States Attorney Damian Williams confirmed Combs arrest based on a sealed indictment filed in the Southern District of New York. We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time, Williams added. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. (NewsNation) Sean Diddy Combs was arrested Monday in Manhattan following a grand jury indictment, multiple outlets are reporting. Diddys attorney, Marc Agnifilo, issued the following statement: We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorneys Office. He called Diddy an imperfect person, adding: To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. Diddy accused of sexual abuse in Danity Kane band member lawsuit Its not clear which charges the rapper was arrested for, but he has several sexual misconduct and assault allegations spanning over 30 years. He has denied all allegations. Two of the rappers properties were searched in a raid by federal investigators months ago as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation, according to Nexstars WPIX. Firearms and phones belonging to Combs were confiscated during that search. Music mogul and entrepreneur Sean Diddy Combs arrives at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, May 15, 2022. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) Two sources familiar with the situation confirmed to NBC News that federal investigators presented evidence against Combs to a grand jury in the southern district of New York, though no connection to his reported arrest has been confirmed. What we know after Diddys houses were raided Formerly known as Puff Daddy, Combs faced backlash after the lawsuits, but he was once considered one of the most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the last three decades. The founder of Bad Boy Records has worked with artists such as Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112, and also created a fashion clothing line and a music-focused TV channel. The first lawsuit against Combs came in November 2023, when his ex-girlfriend Casandra Cassie Ventura alleged in New York federal court that he beat, raped and abused her during their relationship. She was 19 when they began dating; he was 37. A day later, the pair announced theyd settled the suit but more allegations soon came to light. In late November and early December 2023, Combs was accused of raping, sexually assaulting and attacking multiple women. A music producer, Rodney Lil Rod Jones, filed a lawsuit in February, alleging Combs sexually assaulted him and forced him to have sex with prositutes. NewsNations Cassie Buchman and Safia Samee Ali and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Embattled hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has been arrested in New York City on unspecified federal charges, prosecutors say. The arrest in Manhattan follows raids on two of his properties in Los Angeles and Miami in March as part of an "ongoing investigation" into sex trafficking. Mr Combs's lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said they were "disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution". He said his client was an "innocent man". The musician has faced a series of allegations from sexual assault to abuse, including by his ex-partner Casandra "Cassie" Ventura. He has denied all the claims against him. His arrest was made in connection with an ongoing investigation by US homeland security officials, multiple law enforcement sources told the BBC's US partner CBS News. US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams confirmed the arrest in a statement on Monday night. "Earlier this evening, federal agents arrested Sean Combs, based on a sealed indictment filed by the SDNY," the prosecutor said. He said the office plans to unseal the indictment on Tuesday morning and we "will have more to say at that time". Combs faces a number of civil lawsuits, including allegations that he raped an underage girl and tried to "groom" a producer and force him to have sex with another man. His lawyer said on Monday night that Mr Combs was looking forward to "clearing his name in court". We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution," Mr Agnifilo said in a written statement to the BBC. Sean 'Diddy' Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the black community." The rapper's legal problems began in November 2023 when Ms Ventura filed her lawsuit. Two other women filed lawsuits that same week alleging abuse and assault - including one who said Mr Combs had choked her for so long that she passed out. He denied all the allegations at the time and a spokesperson for the rapper called the lawsuits a "money grab". Then in December, another civil lawsuit alleged a woman had been "sex trafficked" by Mr Combs and two other men when she was 17 years old. In February this year, new accusations came to light in a civil lawsuit filed by his former producer Rodney Jones Jr, who said Mr Combs made unwanted sexual advances and tried to "groom" him into having sex with others. Mr Combs denied the allegations but one month later, his properties were raided. The musician was stopped at an airport in Miami as he was preparing to leave for the Bahamas and handed over electronics to authorities. Many of the lawsuits came shortly before the expiration of the New York Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily allowed people who said they were sexually abused to file claims, even after the statute of limitations had expired. In May, CCTV footage posted by CNN appeared to show the rap mogul attacking and beating Ms Ventura, an episode that was chronicled in her civil suit. Mr Combs - who has also gone by the names Puffy, Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Love, and Brother Love is one of rap's most successful moguls. Editors Note: Follow live updates on the arrest of Sean Diddy Combs. Music mogul Sean Diddy Combs, who has faced a parade of sexual assault lawsuits and a federal human trafficking probe in the last year, has been arrested, the producers attorney tells CNN. Combs was arrested Monday night at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan and taken into custody by Homeland Security Investigations, a source familiar with negotiations for his surrender told CNN. The charges and details of the case against Combs are unclear. The arrest was made based on an indictment that is expected to be unsealed Tuesday morning, according to a statement from Damian Williams, US attorney for the Southern District of New York. HSI, the lead investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, including human trafficking, terrorism, drug smuggling and other organized criminal activity. Combs has been in New York since last week, his attorney said. Negotiations for his surrender had been ongoing and a grand jury voted to indict Thursday, September 12, according to the source. We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the US Attorneys Office, Marc Agnifilo, an attorney for Combs, told CNN. Combs attorney said that the musician has been cooperating with the investigation that led to the indictment and voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. His team maintains his innocence, and says he has nothing to hide. Combs attorney said that the musician has been cooperating with the investigation that led to the indictment and voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. His team maintains his innocence, and says he has nothing to hide. Sean Diddy Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community. He is an imperfect person but is not criminal, Agnifilo told CNN. Agnifolo asked people to please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court. Earlier this year, Combs became the target of a months long sex trafficking probe by the Homeland Security Investigations agency, which led to the dramatic searches of the musicians Los Angeles and Miami homes in March. Following the home raids, a law enforcement source told CNN that the federal probe stems from many of the sexual assault allegations made in several civil lawsuits against the producer. CNN learned that the scope of the investigation is much larger, focusing on sex trafficking, money laundering and illegal drugs. Since last November, Combs has been hit with 10 lawsuits, nine directly accusing him of sexual assault. As previously reported by CNN, several of those accusers have met with federal investigators for questioning as part of the wide-ranging probe. In an aerial view, the home of Sean "Diddy" Combs is seen during a raid by federal law enforcement agents in Los Angeles, California, on March 25. - MEGA/GC Images/Getty Images CNN exclusively reported in May that federal investigators were preparing to bring accusers of Combs before a federal grand jury for testimony a significant escalation in the governments investigation that signaled the Justice Department was moving toward potentially seeking an indictment of the rapper and businessman. Combs has previously denied all wrongdoing alleged in the various lawsuits. However, he issued a public apology after CNN exclusively released surveillance footage earlier this year that showed Combs brutally assaulting his former girlfriend, Casandra Cassie Ventura, in a Los Angeles hotel in March 2016. In response to the numerous inquiries we have received regarding the indictment of Sean Combs, neither Ms. Ventura nor I have any comment, attorney Douglas Wigdor, who represents Ventura, said in a statement on Tuesday. We appreciate your understanding and if that changes, we will certainly let you know, Wigdor told CNN. An attorney for three of Combs accusers Lil Rod, April Lampros and Grace OMarcaigh called the arrest long-awaited. We leave the criminal aspect of this case in the hands of the people and justice system, attorney Tyrone Blackburn said in a statement Monday night. As for the civil cases, we await our time for the facts to reveal themselves and seek the justice our clients deserve. Blackburn said he expects more alleged victims to come forward. We knew this was coming. The evidence is very clear and it was only a matter of time. This is an important step towards justice for all of Mr. Combs victims including my clients. Justice will prevail, Blackburn added. Combs faces a slew of civil lawsuits Though it is unclear what evidence and allegations have led to Combs arrest, the artist faces a slew of civil lawsuits filed in the last year, all but one of which include allegations against him of sexual assault. As recently as last week, Dawn Richard a former member of the musical group Danity Kane filed a lawsuit in New York accusing the producer of sexual battery, sexual harassment and false imprisonment, among other allegations. Richard also alleged in the suit that she witnessed Combs brutally beat Ventura, who filed and quickly settled her own lawsuit against Combs in November 2023. One of Combs attorneys, Erica Wolff, denied Richards allegations in a statement to CNN and accused Richard of having a financial motive. Another former member of Danity Kane, Aubrey ODay, reacted to news of Combs arrest in a post on X Monday night. The purpose of Justice is to provide an ending and allow us the space to create a new chapter. Women never get this. I feel validated. Today is a win for women all over the world, not just me. Things are finally changing, ODay wrote. Like Ventura, Danity Kane was represented by Combs Bad Boy label. Combs has also repeatedly denied the allegations brought by Ventura, who said she was raped and subjected to years of physical and other abuses by Combs. However, Combs was seen earlier this year in a 2016 video published by CNN grabbing, shoving, dragging and kicking Ventura. Two days after the video was published, Combs apologized for his actions seen in the recording. Its so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that, Combs said in a video statement posted to Instagram. I was f**ked up I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. He continued: I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I am disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it. Im disgusted now. The music mogul has faced increased public scrutiny since the raids of his homes in Los Angeles and Miami in March, which came weeks after a lawsuit was filed against him by Rodney Lil Rod Jones. Jones, who worked as a videographer and producer for Combs, accuses Combs of sexual assault, sexual harassment and grooming and claims to have video and audio recording of the musician and his staff engaging in serious illegal activity, according to a complaint filed in New York federal court. Among other allegations, Jones claims that Combs forced him to procure and interact with sex workers, threatened him and served alcoholic beverages laced with drugs to house party guests. Shawn Holley, Combs attorney, denied the allegations in a statement to CNN, calling Jones a liar. His reckless name-dropping about events that are pure fiction and simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to garner headlines. We have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies, Holley said in the statement. One of the 10 suits against Combs names him as a defendant but brought claims of sexual assault against Combs son, Christian Combs, by a woman who worked as a yacht crew member. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Kara Scannell, John Miller and Amanda Jackson contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Federal prosecutors on Tuesday (Sept. 17) unsealed a criminal indictment against Sean Diddy Combs over sweeping allegations of sexual abuse, accusing the once-powerful rapper, producer and music executive of running a racketeering conspiracy that included sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson and bribery. Less than a day after he was arrested Monday in New York City, Manhattan federal prosecutors unveiled the substance of their case against Combs accusing him of operating a criminal enterprise centered on his pervasive pattern of abuse toward women. More from Billboard For decades, Sean Combs abused, threatened and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct, reads the indictment, which was obtained by Billboard. To do so, Combs relied on the employees, resources and the influence of his multi-faceted business empire that he led and controlled. If convicted of the charges, Combs is facing a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life behind bars. At a press conference announcing the indictment on Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams warned that his office would target anyone who engages in sex trafficking, no matter how powerful or wealthy or famous they are. A year ago, Sean Combs stood in Times Square and was handed a key to New York City, Williams said. Today, hes been indicted and will face justice. Combs, 54, is expected to be arraigned later on Tuesday at a Manhattan federal courthouse. In separate court filings, prosecutors have already asked the judge to deny release on bail and keep Combs in jail until trial, calling him a flight risk and warning that he might obstruct the case. A spokesperson for Combs did not immediately return a request for comment on the unsealed indictment. In an earlier statement following his arrest, Combs attorney Marc Agnifilo said he and his client were disappointed at the unjust prosecution he was facing. He is an imperfect person but he is not a criminal, Agnifilo said. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court. Combs, also known as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, was once one of the most powerful men in the music industry, producing massive hip-hop hits and running a business empire that encompassed his famed Bad Boy Records, among other endeavors. But over the past year, he has faced a flood of civil lawsuits from at least eight victims over allegations of sexual abuse, starting with a high-profile case filed late last year by his former longtime girlfriend Cassie Ventura. That case quickly settled, but it was later corroborated by a widely shared video of Combs assaulting her at a hotel. Criminal charges against Combs were not unexpected. Federal agents carried out raids in March on his homes in Los Angeles and Miami, and multiple news outlets had reported that he was facing an ongoing investigation that included potential allegations of sex trafficking. In Tuesdays unsealed indictment, prosecutors allege that Combs violated the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act a law known as RICO thats often used to target mobsters and drug cartels. Over 14 pages of details, the government claims Combs operated a similar criminal racket from 2008 onward, but one centered on fulfilling the personal desires of Combs, particularly those related to sexual gratification. Combs used the Combs business, including certain employees, to carry out, facilitate, and cover up his abuse and commercial sex, prosecutors write. Much of the case centers on events that Combs allegedly called freak offs, which prosecutors describe as elaborate and produced sex performances between victims and male sex workers during which Combs would masturbate. They allege Combs and his associates wielded the power and prestige of his fame to intimidate, threaten and lure female victims into his orbit, then used force, threats of force, and coercion to get them to participate. During the freak offs, prosecutors claim Combs and others kept victims obedient and compliant by providing them with drugs, then subjected them to physical, emotional and verbal abuse, including hitting and kicking them, threatening career repercussions and blackmailing them with footage. Victims believed they could not refuse Combs demands without risking their financial or job security, prosecutors write. Combs also used the sensitive, embarrassing and incriminating recordings that he made during freak offs as collateral to ensure the continued obedience and silence of victims. When faced with the risk that someone would expose his conduct, Combs and others used similar tactics to keep witnesses and victims silent, prosecutors allege, including bribery, kidnapping and arson. The indictment says members of the organization carried firearms, and that Combs himself carried or brandished firearms to intimidate and threaten others. In addition to the RICO allegations, the indictment also accuses Combs of violating federal sex-trafficking laws and a federal statute barring the transportation of sex workers. The indictment does not make clear how many alleged victims were impacted, and Williams declined to offer more details on Tuesday. Though Tuesdays indictment makes repeated mention of other members of Combs organization, the rapper himself is the only person currently facing charges. But at Tuesdays press conference, Williams warned that could change. We are not done, Williams said. This investigation is ongoing, and I encourage anyone with information about this case to come forward and to do it quickly. Read the entire indictment here: Best of Billboard Sign up for Billboard's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Sean 'Diddy' Combs Denied Bail and Sent to Jail Before Trial in Sex Crimes Case A federal judge denied bail for Combs Steve Granitz/WireImage Sean "Diddy" Combs Sean "Diddy" Combs, facing federal sex crime charges, will be held in custody without bail prior to his trial. A federal judge in New York ruled to hold the music mogul behind bars at his arraignment on Tuesday, Sept. 17, rejecting a bail proposal made by Combs' attorneys. Combs was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution, in a federal indictment unsealed Tuesday. At the arraignment, prosecutors alleged that Combs had what appeared to be drugs in the hotel room in which he was arrested on Monday, September 16. Combs appeared at his arraignment Tuesday wearing a black long-sleeve shirt and gray sweatpants. The rapper and producer stood and entered a plea of not guilty in court. Related: Sean 'Diddy' Combs Indicted on Sex Trafficking, Racketeering and Prostitution-Related Charges Following the judge's decision, Combs turned to his family, including his son Christian, who was seated in the third row, and put his hand on his heart. Members of Combs' family declined comment to PEOPLE. They left the courthouse without making a statement. 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. Combs' attorneys had proposed a $50 million bail package that would've included a $50,000 bond for the Bad Boy Records founder. Combs, one of the most powerful individuals in the music industry, is accused of forcing women to engage in long, orchestrated sex performances known as "freak offs," some of which lasted several days. 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. Sean Diddy Combs was ordered to be detained pending trial Tuesday after he pleaded not guilty to charges including sex trafficking and racketeering. On Tuesday morning, the government unsealed a three-county indictment accusing Combs of various crimes related to an alleged decades-long pattern of physical and sexual violence against women in his orbit. Federal prosecutors charged him with sex trafficking and racketeering for directing a vast criminal enterprise through which he assaulted and trafficked women with the help of his various businesses from at least 2008. More from The Hollywood Reporter My concern is that this is a crime that happens behind closed doors, Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky said, referring to the allegations of sex trafficking and more, in announcing her decision to deny bail pending trial. The indictment also refers to a series of events called Freak Offs, in which commercial sex workers were allegedly brought in by Combs, who then used force, threats of force, and coercion to cause victims to engage in extended sex acts that were recorded and could last for days. The judge added that she was concerned about a power imbalance between the mogul and alleged victims and that those alleged victims may be susceptible to coercion. Defense attorneys for Combs said in a press conference that they would be appealing the decision for Combs to be held without bail and would return for a hearing Wednesday. Combs was in attendance at the hearing Tuesday, wearing a black T-shirt and sweatpants. A row filled with family members, including some of his children, sat behind him in the packed gallery. Combs did not speak out loud, other than to say he was not guilty, but often nodded in agreement with his attorney, Marc Agnifilo, as he discussed the measures Combs had taken to cooperate with law enforcement. Combs sought release on a $50 million bond, secured by equity in his Miami residence and that of his mother. He proposed home detention with GPS monitoring and to be restricted to parts of Florida, New York and New Jersey, mainly to deal with pending litigation and attend medical appointments. Agnifilo added that he had obtained the passports of Combs and several of his family members months ago and the Combs was in the process of selling his private plane, in order to assuage fears of any flight risk. He noted that Combs also voluntarily flew to New York on Sept. 5 to await arrest. While in New York, Combs has been seeking therapy and treatment, he said. We can trust him because hes earned his trust through actions, Agnifilo said. The government opposed bail. It said he poses an ongoing safety risk and may try to tamper with the case or flee. He is a serial abuser and a serial obstructor, Assistant ADA Emily Johnson said. The indictment alleged that Combs repeatedly engaged in acts of violence, including assault, arson and brandishing firearms. In December 2011, for instance, he and an associate kidnapped an unnamed individual at gunpoint to break into a residence, according to a filing from prosecutors. Roughly two weeks later, members of the alleged criminal enterprise set fire to that individuals car with a Molotov cocktail. The individual is believed to be Kid Cudi, who confirmed accusations in a lawsuit from Casandra Ventura, better known as Cassie, that Combs set fire to the rappers car. As to the single charge of sex trafficking, Agnifilo claimed the charge related to one woman with whom Combs had been previously been in a 10-year relationship appearing to refer to Ventura which Agnifilo called mutually toxic. However, he alleged that the woman had consensually agreed to have sexual contact with male sex workers, in an arrangement with Combs. Is it sex trafficking? Not if everybody wants to be there, Agnifilo said. Prosecutors stressed Combs access to firearms. In a March raid of his home, law enforcement seized several guns, including three AR-15 rifles, each with defaced serial numbers, according to the indictment. Combs attorney argued those rifles belonged to his private hired security. The government said Combs has a disposition to violence such that he cant be released. No bail conditions can address the defendants tendency to become violent when angry or emotional: anyone in his presence is at risk of abuse or assault, the filing stated. Defense attorneys for Combs argued that leaked video footage from 2016, which appears to show Diddy assaulting a woman, believed to be Ventura, in a hotel room as she tries to leave, was more a matter of Ventura finding out Combs was dating multiple women and getting into an altercation, than a propensity for violence. Hes not a perfect person, Agniflio said. Prosecutors also opposed bail based on arguments that Combs is likely to obstruct proceedings. It pointed to him bribing hotel security to prevent them from disclosing the video depicting his assault of Ventura. Agniflio said Combs had since apologized for the incident but that he took actions because it was a deeply embarrassing event. More recently, Combs and his associates allegedly reached out to potential witnesses in the investigation and directed them to lie in an attempt to conceal his alleged crimes. During one of the calls, which took place just three days after he was sued by Ventura, the mogul reportedly asked for the victims friendship and told her she aint got to worry about nothing else if she went along with his version of events. Additionally, the government claimed Combs poses a major flight risk due to his substantial resources. It said he has access to dozens of bank accounts, some personal and many under corporate entities, which contain millions of dollars, as well as over $1 million in personal cash on hand. If Combs wanted to flee, he has the money, manpower, and tools to do so quickly and without detection, the filing stated. Prosecutors also underlined the severity of the charges as a reason for Combs to flee. Prosecutors compared the decision to deny bail for Combs to the decisions made for R. Kelly, Jeffrey Epstein and Keith Raniere, the founder of NXIVM, who had also been represented by Agnifilo. But Agnifilo said those incidents involved minors, who could not consent, which was different from the allegations involving Combs. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Sean "Diddy" Combs, the music mogul embroiled in legal and civil troubles, has been indicted for puppeteering a "criminal enterprise" that fueled itself off of the coercion and the sexual and physical abuse of women for years, using silencing tactics to keep employees and victims compliant, an unsealed indictment revealed Tuesday. Combs is being charged with three counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The 14-page indictment accused Combs of using his businesses to commit kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice. For Combs to commit these acts the Southern District of New York's prosecutors alleged that Combs used his employees and businesses. Reports have confirmed that Combs was arrested Monday in a Manhattan hotel room, nearly six months after the federal sex trafficking investigation that led to the raid of his properties in Miami and Los Angeles. He was denied bail on Tuesday afternoon after pleading not guilty to charges, The New York Times reported. The former head and creator of Bad Boy Records has been at the center of numerous sexual assault lawsuits, including a bombshell lawsuit and later settlement with former long-term partner and musician Cassie Ventura. The most recent person to file a sexual assault lawsuit against Combs is former Danity Kane girl band member Dawn Richard. Richard filed the lawsuit against Combs on Sept. 10, alleging similar allegations of sexual battery and abuse, Variety reported. Since the countless lawsuits, Combs has maintained his innocence, only admitting to fault and apologizing when a video of Combs physically assaulting Ventura in a hotel hallway in Los Angeles in 2016 was released to the public earlier this year. The document released on Tuesday painted Combs as a violent man who used physical abuse to hit and assault victims, which can be seen in the leaked video with Ventura. The New York Times reported that one of Combs' attorneys said Tuesday morning, Hes going to plead not guilty, obviously. Hes going to fight this with all of his energy and all of his might, and the full confidence of his lawyers. And I expect a long battle with a good result for Mr. Combs. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said at a news conference Tuesday, A year ago, Sean Combs stood in Times Square and was handed a key to New York City. Today, hes been indicted and will face justice in the Southern District of New York. Williams stated that the investigation into Combs isn't over and urged the public to bring any more information to prosecutors. Williams concluded, "We are committed to bringing justice to everyone victimized by the defendant . . . Im not taking anything off the table. At the center of the charges is the alleged behavior many people including Ventura have described in lawsuits against Combs. The indictment alleges that Combs "engaged in a persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals, which included physical violence to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct." The indictment detailed that Combs drugged female victims and male sex workers to perform sex acts which were called freak offs. Combs would arrange, watch, and or film these acts as a way to coerce the victims into silence, the indictment said. Combs would also sometimes arrange flights for these women to ensure their participation through drugs, controlling their careers and his financial support and using intimidation and violence, according to the indictment. During the raid of Combs' properties in Miami and Los Angeles, law enforcement confiscated narcotics and seized firearms and ammunition, including three AR-15s and more than 1000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant used for the "freak offs." If Combs is convicted of these charges, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years to life in prison, Variety reported. Earlier on Tuesday, Combs' attorney told TMZ on Tuesday that he will fight like hell to free his client on bail, emphasizing Combs is innocent. So far, Combs' attorneys stated he has been cooperating with prosecutors subpoenas. Sean 'Diddy' Combs Will Plead Not Guilty, 'Fight with All His Energy' After Sex Crimes Indictment: Lawyer The music mogul is charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution, according to a federal indictment Steve Granitz/WireImage Sean "Diddy" Combs Sean "Diddy" Combs plans to fight his indictment on federal sex crimes charges with all his energy might, his attorney told reporters outside of court on Tuesday morning. Speaking outside of the federal courthouse in Manhattan, the music moguls attorney, Marc Agnifilo, said that not a lot of defendants cooperate so willingly with federal authorities. He came to New York to basically engage the court system and start the case and it will start today, Agnifilo said of his client, who was indicted on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. Hes going to plead not guilty obviously," Agnifilo said. On Monday, Sept. 16, the office of the US Attorney of the Southern District of New York announced that Combs had been arrested by federal agents based on a sealed indictment filed by federal prosecutors. He was taken into custody at his Manhattan hotel by Homeland Security Investigations agents, sources told PEOPLE. On Tuesday, the federal indictment was unsealed. Related: Sean 'Diddy' Combs Indicted on Sex Trafficking, Racketeering and Prostitution-Related Charges Steve Granitz/WireImage Sean "Diddy" Combs In March, federal agents raided Combs homes in Beverly Hills and Miami. "Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners," Homeland Security Investigations said in a statement. In November, his ex-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, known as Cassie, accused Combs of rape and other allegations. 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 following day, she dropped the lawsuit after they came to an amicable agreement. Theo Wargo/Getty Cassie Ventura and Sean "Diddy" Combs On the federal charges his client faces, Agilfino said, "Hes going to fight this with all of his energy and all of his might and the full confidence of his lawyers and I expect a long battle with a good result for Mr. Combs." Related: A Timeline of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Sexual Assault Allegations and Lawsuits Im going to fight like hell to get him released and he should be released with all that hes done and come here voluntarily," Agilfino added. In a statement to PEOPLE following the rapper's arrest on Monday, Agnifilo said Combs' defense was "disappointed" by what he called an "unjust prosecution. Sean 'Diddy' Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community," Agnifilo said. "He is an imperfect person but he is not a criminal." Prosecutors allege in the indictment that back to 2009, Combs assaulted multiple women. One incident in 2016 at a Los Angeles hotel, in which Combs allegedly "kicked, dragged and threw a vase" at a woman, was caught on camera, according to the indictment. Prosecutors claim the rapper tried to bribe a staff member in exchange for silence. 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. Following the arrest of Sean Diddy Combs on Monday night (Sept. 16), the federal indictment was unsealed the following morning revealing that Combs was charged with racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution. Hes since plead not guilty to all charges and will not be granted bail. Federal prosecutors described Combs as dangerous and insisted that he be reprimanded in jail without bail. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson said in court, Mr. Combs physically and sexually abused victims for decades. He used the vast resources of his company to facilitate his abuse and cover up his crimes. Simply put, he is a serial abuser and a serial obstructor. AUSA Johnson also noted that Combs has an extensive and exhaustive history of obstruction of justice, including alleged bribery and witness intimidation, per Associated Press. Combs legal team requested that he be released on $50 million bond under house arrest with electronic monitoring. He is not a perfect person. There has been drug use. He has been in toxic relationships, his attorney Marc Agnifilo said in court. Agnifilo later claimed that Combs was receiving treatment and therapy for things that he needs treatment and therapy for while mentioning that Combs came to New York voluntarily to cooperate in the case. In the indictment, Combs was accused of drugging both male and female victims for Freak Offs, as well as physically assaulting members of his staff. He was describes as the head of a criminal enterprise that engaged or attempted to engage in sex trafficking, forced labor, interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution, drug offenses, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors reportedly interviewed over 50 victims and witnessesand that number is expected to rise. Combs arrest came six months after federal authorities raided his homes in Los Angeles and Miami and found evidence of drugs, footage of said Freak Offs, more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, and firearms plus ammunition including three AR-15s with defaced serial numbers. If convicted on every charge, each would require a mandatory 15 years in prison with the possibility of a life sentence. The investigation stemmed from Cassie Venturas explosive lawsuit from November 2023, which also sparked a series of lawsuits accusing Combs of sexual assault, sexual trafficking, and other heinous, criminal activity. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Secretary of Russian Security Council arrives in Iran photo Sergey Shoigu, the Secretary of the Russian Federation's Security Council, arrived in Iran on Tuesday 17 September. Source: Russian state-owned news agency TASS Details: According to reports, Shoigu met with Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. TASS does not provide any other information about the trip. Since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Iran has supplied Russia with weapons used to attack Ukrainian infrastructure, such as the Shahed-type kamikaze UAVs. Sergei Shoigu. Screenshot: TASS Background: In early September, it was reported that Iran sent its short-range ballistic missiles to Russia. European intelligence stated that these were most likely missiles with a range of up to 120 kilometres. Support UP or become our patron! See the results: Readers voted on who won the presidential debate and shared candid views Its been a week since the first and possibly only presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. We asked readers to vote in our poll that closed over the weekend, asking who they thought won and whether the debate swayed their vote. Scroll to check out the results and read comment from local readers who agreed to fill out our survey. But, of course, a lot of news has transpired over this time: the Trump-Vance ticket doubled down on the discredited story about Haitians eating cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio. The Harris-Walz campaign launched a new outreach effort focused on the Latino community. On Sunday, there was an apparent assassination attempt against Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate. This poll is unscientific and expresses the sentiment of readers concerning the head-to-head between Harris and Trump. Who won the Sept. 10 presidential debate? Harris: 63.18% Trump: 30.89% Neither: 5.93% Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris take part in a presidential debate hosted by ABC in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 10, 2024 This debate swayed my vote No: 68.58% Yes: 22.02% Neither: 9.4% The policies and issues I care about were addressed by Donald Trump No: 65.06% Yes: 30.69% Neutral: 4.25% The policies and issues I care about were addressed by Kamala Harris Yes: 58.59% No: 36.55% Neutral: 4.86% The debate moderators asked relevant questions: Yes: 64.82% No: 27.15% Neutral: 8.03% Comments from the public to question We received responses more than 300 readers from this poll. Here is a sample of responses below. Question: Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump faced off in debate hosted by ABC Tuesday night. How did the debate impact your vote for president? Kamala Harris did not take Donald Trumps bait! Her facial expressions were perfect; they reflected what she could have been thinking without using words. A stellar performance! Barbara Mueller, Alexander I will vote Trump because it was 3 against 1 and Harris never answered any true questions she just tried to bate Trump . No really important question were answered. Deborah Fowler, Alexander Voting for Harris. It did not change my vote. Wished she talked more about the economy. It is good, people are traveling, gas is low, etc. Diane Wilson, Hendersonville Kamala Harris is an idiot. She's been in charge for the last nearly four years. She has bragged about being in the room on all of the big decisions and she has cast a record number of tie breaking votes in the US Senate to the detriment of the American taxpayer. Hilary Clinton is smarter and classier than she (Kamala) could ever be Phillip Marlow, Hendersonville The problems are there and they are owned by Harris. No solutions given. All she did was act like an immature adult and bully President Trump or tried! Patricia Sams, Mills River It further drove home that Donald Trump is not fit to be President, nor lacks the mental stability to hold a leadership position in government or any other organization. Bryan Benson, Asheville This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Harris-Trump debate: Reader poll results are out along with comments HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) Senator Mike Braun released a policy plan for educational matters in Indiana as part of his Freedom and Opportunity Agenda. Sen. Braun says the plan focuses on seven areas, including expanding school choice, increasing teacher pay and incentives, school safety and raising academic standards and accountability measures to prepare students for a career, college or the military. As a father and former school board member, I know parents are the primary stakeholders in their kids education. My future-focused education plan puts Hoosier kids and parents first, raises teacher pay and incentive, ensures that our kids are safe, and puts Indiana schools on the path to become the best in the nation. Sen. Braun said. Indiana Secretary of State: More than 90% of Hoosiers registered to vote The plan consists of the following: Universal school choice Expand school choice programs, reform the Choice Scholarship Program and double the Education Scholarship Account Program for families with special needs. Boost teacher pay and improve benefits Raise base salaries for teachers in high-need areas, guarantee benefits like new parent leave and offer improved health insurance options. Build a strong teacher pipeline Invest in programs to transition professionals into teaching, cut red tape for out-of-state teachers and address teacher shortages with targeted recruitment. Prioritize school safety Establish the Indiana Office of School Safety, increase funding for security grants and implement cyber safety training for students. Improve quality and raise academic standards Use evidence-based materials for reading and math, focus dollars on the classroom and student achievement, maintain accountability with clear metrics and limit cell phone use in schools. Prepare students for success beyond high school Invest in career scholarship programs, support extracurriculars and reward schools for graduating students prepared to excel in their career, college or the military. Protecting parental rights Parents get access to education information. The plan will support direct notification if a child requests a name or pronoun change inconsistent with their biological sex and doesnt allow biological male competitors into girls sports. The full plan can be viewed below. FILE_2392Download Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). Sen. Sanders looks to lower the cost of popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Americans face a hefty price tag for diabetes and weight-loss drugs. The people of the United States pay by far the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said. Sanders announced major generic pharmaceutical companies are willing to break the trend. They tell me that they can sell a generic version of Ozempic, the exact same drug that Novo Nordisk is manufacturing to Americans for less than $100 a month, Sanders said. Currently, pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk charges Americans $969 a month for Ozempic and $1349 a month for Wegovy. Sanders says these same drugs are more affordable in Europe and Canada. They will not do any good for the millions of people who cannot afford them, Sanders said. High prices and limited access have made it more difficult for Americans who need these drugs to live. I started rationing my Ozempic, T1International Co-Lead Kristen Whitney Daniels said. Its the same playbook that happened back in 2016 when I started rationing my insulin. Dr. Reshma Ramachandran with Doctors for America National blames drug companies for ripping off her patients. Some of our patients have turned to unregulated, compounded versions of these drugs that have significant risks or may not just work, Ramachandran said. Yale Economist Melissa Barber says lowering the price of both Ozempic and Wegovy will not hurt drug manufacturers. I would still anticipate them to have among the highest profits of any drug company in the world, Barber said. The CEO of Novo Nordisk will appear at a hearing next 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. Senate bill to protect IVF fails again WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Senators voted Tuesday on a bill to create a national right to in vitro fertilization. Its round two for the legislation, which failed in June and failed again. At a press conference surrounded by the faces of families who used IVF, Democratic senators say the procedure needs to be protected. Look at these families faces, look at their joy, said Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.). The Right to IVF Act aimed to do that by ensuring access to IVF nationally and making it more affordable through insurance. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said it asks a simple question of Republicans, Do you support American families access to in vitro fertilization? Some Republicans say the bill isnt needed. Fortunately, IVF is legal in every state, said Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.). Florida Senator Rick Scott says the Democrats bill isnt a serious attempt to protect IVF. Its just a political move today by Schumer, said Scott. The issue gained attention in February when an Alabama Supreme Court decision threw into question the legality of IVF. Alabama Senator Katie Britt says Democrats bill is too broad. It includes completely separate treatments and technology even including human cloning, said Britt. Britt and Texas Senator Ted Cruz are pushing their own IVF bill that would deny Medicaid funding to states that ban the procedure. Democrats blocked that bill and blamed former president Donald Trump. He is the reason that IVF is at risk in the first place, said Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.). Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth has used IVF to grow her family. She called on Republicans to support the bill. Former president Donald Trump says he supports IVF. Hes said if re-elected, he would have the government pay for the treatment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to Hold Hearing on Nomination of Patrice Kunesh for Chair of National Indian Gaming Commission The the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will host a nomination hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 18, to consider President Bidens nomination of Patrice H. Kunesh to serve as the Chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission. The hearing will be led by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), vice chairman of the Committee. 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. Prior to the nomination hearing, the Committee will hold a business meeting to consider four bills Event Details: WHAT: Schatz and Murkowski to lead Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Nomination Hearing. NOMINEE: The Honorable Patrice H. Kunesh to serve as the Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission. WHEN: TOMORROW, September 18, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET LIVESTREAM: Live video of the event will be available 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 Nearly twice as many children involved in Nebraska's child welfare system died last fiscal year than did the year before, raising alarm for the Legislature's child welfare watchdog office that spent much of the year shut out by the state agencies the office is tasked with overseeing. In its annual report released Monday, the Office of the Inspector General for Nebraska's child welfare system noted a "considerable increase in deaths and serious injuries" reported to the watchdog by the state's Department of Health and Human Services in the 2023-24 fiscal year, which ended June 30. The department reported the deaths of 21 children involved in the state's child welfare system though not all of them were in state custody or even known to HHS prior to their deaths, which are also reported to the Legislature's watchdog office when children who previously had no interaction with the system die as a result of suspected abuse or neglect. Still, the figure marks a substantial increase from the 11 child deaths reported to Inspector General Jennifer Carter's office in the 2022-23 fiscal year and the 12 child deaths reported the year before that. The 21 deaths reported to Carter's office mark the most since the 2020-21 fiscal year, when her office tracked 30 deaths in Nebraska's child welfare system. The office also saw a spike in reported serious injuries to system-involved youths, which jumped to 27 last year following 15 in the 2022-23 fiscal year and 13 in the year prior. Carter's office is only required by law to investigate the deaths or serious injuries of system-involved youths that did not occur by chance and may have been the result of abuse or neglect within the child welfare system. And while not all of the 48 deaths and serious injuries her office was notified of this year fall into the category, the office now has a backlog of 32 pending mandatory death or serious injury investigations, each involving children served by HHS. More than half of those 32 cases have been added to the office's to-do list in the last two years, as death and serious injury cases of children in the state's child welfare system mount faster than Carter's office which includes her and two assistant inspectors can investigate. "That, for us, is an unusually high number," Carter said in a phone interview Monday. "So (it's) something that is obviously of concern that we will both be watching and trying to get to those investigations as soon as we can. "It is also a challenge for our office resource wise. We are small but mighty." And the state has not made things easier. Carter's office went seven months last fiscal year without access to any of the information required for the inspector general to provide legislative oversight of HHS, the state's largest and among its most troubled agencies. In response to a nonbinding legal opinion from Attorney General Mike Hilgers' office in August 2023 that cast doubt on the constitutionality of the Legislature's watchdog offices, HHS along with the state's prison system shut the inspectors general out of its online records system and physical facilities, violating state law and leaving the watchdogs in the dark for seven months. The impasse ended in February when Nebraska lawmakers reluctantly signed a memo of understanding with Gov. Jim Pillen's executive branch temporarily restoring access to the oversight offices while a special legislative committee studies the structure of legislative oversight functions in an effort to find a permanent path forward. Under the stopgap agreement, though, HHS did not restore Carter's office's access to its own internal case management system, instead requiring inspectors to request information in a process that Monday's report described as "more secure but also cumbersome and time-consuming." "It is not the best or most efficient use of government resources," Carter's office wrote in the report. Meanwhile, the state's judicial branch which houses a portion of Nebraska's child welfare system in the form of the Juvenile Probation Services Division was excluded from February's stopgap agreement entirely. That division, which has long objected to legislative oversight on the same constitutional grounds that prompted last year's lockout, hasn't reported a single child death or serious injury to Carter's office since December 2021. The year before the judicial branch stopped notifying Carter's office of child deaths, Juvenile Probation reported the deaths of 10 children under its supervision. It's unclear how many if any there have been since, Carter said, leaving the Legislature's child welfare watchdog with an incomplete picture of the state of Nebraska's child welfare system. "It's hard because we don't know what we don't know," she said. Top Journal Star photos for September 2024 The Senate on Tuesday failed for a second time to advance an in vitro fertilization (IVF) protection bill by a vote of 51-44. The legislation needed 60 votes to advance. Republican Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, voted in favor of the bill along with all Democrats. The legislation was largely dismissed by Republicans as a political stunt meant to drum up support for vulnerable Democrats. "Republicans support IVF. Full stop. No question about that," Republican Whip John Thune said during a news conference shortly before the vote. "This is not an attempt to make law. This is not an attempt to get an outcome or to legislate. This is simply an attempt by Democrats to try to create a political issue where there isn't one." Collins and Murkowski voted for Illinois Democrat Tammy Duckworth's Right to IVF Act when it failed to advance in June. But as reproductive rights continue to be a flashpoint in the upcoming election, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer dared Republicans to block the bill again. "If the Senate votes no today and strikes IVF protections down yet again, it will be further proof that Project 2025 is alive and well," Schumer said on the Senate floor earlier Tuesday. "Remember Donald Trump's Project 2025 is tied to the Heritage Foundation, one of the most important and extreme conservative think tanks in the country, and earlier this year, they came out fiercely against today's bill protecting IVF." PHOTO: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer offers remarks following the Senate Democrat policy luncheon at the Capitol, Sept. 10, 2024. (Rod Lamkey/AP) The vote came after Trump on the campaign trail reaffirmed his support for IVF. MORE: National Republican Senate Committee instructs GOP candidates to support birth control ahead of vote on contraception bill During a town hall in August, Trump said he and his team had been exploring ways to help those wanting in vitro fertilization. "I've been looking at it, and what we're going to do is for people that are using IVF, which is fertilization the government is going to pay for it, or we're going to get -- we'll mandate your insurance company to pay for it, which is going to be great. Were going to do that," Trump said then. Then, during his Sept. 10 debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump said he has "been a leader on IVF." In response, Schumer said he'd again bring the bill to the floor for a vote to give Republicans another chance to support it. It would need 60 votes to advance. PHOTO: Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump speaks as Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris listens as they attend a presidential debate in Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 2024. (Alex Brandon/AP) "We have seen the Republican Partys nominee for president claim to be a leader in fertilization and come out in support of expanding access to IVF by requiring insurance companies to cover IVF treatment -- a key provision included in the Right to IVF Act," Schumer wrote in a letter to his colleagues on Sunday. "So, we are going to give our Republican colleagues another chance to show the American people where they stand." MORE: Trump's push for free IVF may attract suburban women, but questions about covering cost "So to my Republican colleagues today, you get a second chance to either stand with families struggling with infertility or stand with Project 2025, which aims to make reproductive freedoms extinct," Schumer said. The Right to IVF Act combines several Democratic bills. It establishes a nationwide right for access to IVF, expands fertility treatments for veterans, and seeks to increase affordability for fertility care. Efforts to advance this bill accelerated over the summer after an Alabama Supreme Court ruling that embryos are children, which temporarily upended IVF access in the state. But Republicans, who say they support IVF and note it is not currently illegal to access it in any state, criticized the bill before the vote in June, calling it a political stunt and opposing the legislation as being an overreach. MORE: Gwen Walz, wife of VP contender Tim Walz, shares details of their fertility journey Before the vote, Republicans attempted to unanimously pass a separate piece of IVF legislation. That bill, sponsored by Sens. Katie Britt, R-Ala., and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, would have prohibited states from receiving Medicare funding if they banned access to IVF. Their bill was blocked from advancing by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who said the GOP offer was inadequate. I have been perfectly clear about the glaring issue with this Republican bill, Murray said on the Senate floor. The cold hard reality is that this Republican bill does nothing to meaningfully protect IVF from the biggest threats from lawmakers and anti-abortion extremists all over this country. It would still allow states to regulate IVF out of existence." Senate IVF bill fails again to advance on mostly party line vote originally appeared on abcnews.go.com WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) A Senate Judiciary Committee intended to examine a steady rise in hate dividing the country, ultimately divided the hearing room Tuesday. While exiting the room, one attendee shouted, moron at Sen Ted Cruz (R-Texas). Cruz used his speaking time to slam Democrats. Several Republicans complained Democrats ignored their wishes to hold a hearing focused solely on antisemitic threats on college campus. Several campuses have reported an increase in anti-Jewish rhetoric and acts of intimidation since the Israel-Hamas war began. Lets have a hearing focused on this problem not lumping this problem in with every other problem, said Sen Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Committee Chairman Sen Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) condemned antisemitic speech and all hate crimes, but said he believed the committee should not prioritize one group over another. Prioritizing which group is being discriminated against the worst, I dont believe is a valid exercise of our authority here, said Durbin. Maya Berry, the head of the Arab American Institute, defended Democrats position and the free speech of students, prompting a contentious back and forth with Sen John Kennedy (R-La.). Kennedy accused the Muslim American civil rights leader of supporting Hamas and went on to tell her she should, hide her head in a bag. According to FBI data, between 2015 and 2022, hate crimes increased 99% . Threats against Jewish and Arab Americans spiked significantly in the months after October 7th and theres been an increase in threats against Black, Hispanic and LGBTQ Americans in recent years. All targeted communities are being impacted so we have to have a response that acknowledges that, says Berry. Berry suggested lawmakers expand resources to combat hate fueled by misinformation online. The Head of the National Jewish Advocacy Center, Dr. Mark Goldfeder, warned Democrats against ignoring the rise of hate specifically targeting Jews. What starts with the Jews never ends with the Jews, says Goldfeder. It did not take very long for the chants to more from death to Israel to death to America. To protect Jewish students from hate speech, Goldfeder is encouraging Congress to promote the education of anti-Jewish tropes. Goldfeder also called on Democrats to pass federal legislation expanding the definition of antisemitism to include criticism of Israel. The bill passed the House earlier this year with bipartisan support. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. For the second time this year, the Senate failed to advance the Right to IVF Act, a bill that would expand federal protections and access to infertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization (IVF). The vote on Tuesday came after former President Donald Trump recently claimed that he would support universal coverage on IVF treatment, and declared the Republican Party was the leader on IVF. The bill, which had been voted on in June, would have required government and private insurance plans to cover the treatment, just as any other disease is covered. It would also enshrine a persons right to make those reproductive decisions. Since Trumps remarks, congressional Republicans have been left to take a stance on a controversial issue among their evangelical and conservative supporters ahead of November. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, said hours ahead of the vote that bringing the legislation back to the floor was in an effort to make Republicans live up to their word and answer whether they support Americans access to IVF. Republicans want people to think they support IVF because they know how unpopular that position is, said Schumer, who is the grandfather of a child conceived through IVF. If Republicans get their way, the IVF services that so many families depend on are very much at risk. Legislative effort fails Senate Republicans Tuesday rejected the legislation that would allow patients to seek and receive fertility treatment, including artificial insemination, freezing of eggs, genetic testing for embryos, IVF and medications to assist with fertility. The 51-44 vote failed to reach the 60-vote threshold required to advance the bill. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, both Republicans, broke ranks and voted for the measure. In June, the Senate voted on the same bill, introduced by Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who struggled with fertility for 10 years before having her daughters. The bill also failed to reach 60 votes in a 48-47 vote. The issue got national attention in February after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled the embryos used in IVF should be considered children under state law, leaving women and families who sought out the treatment in limbo as some Alabama fertility providers halted IVF services. However, Alabamas Republican governor signed legislation that would protect doctors from legal liability so services could resume. The failed advancement of Tuesdays bill comes as voters say they overwhelmingly support the protection and access to IVF treatments. About 74% of Americans believe that IVF should be either even more accessible than it is now (55%) or that access to it should not be changed (19%), according to an August Yahoo News/YouGov poll. The poll also revealed that 37% of Americans believe that Republicans want to limit access to IVF. Trump says he supports IVF; GOP offers alternate proposals Trump has made multiple recent remarks pledging to mandate the government or insurance companies to pay for all costs related to IVF. "We want to produce babies in this country, right?" Trump said, according to Reuters, during a town hall-style campaign event on Aug. 29 in La Crosse, Wis. In an August interview with NBC News, Trump said that he was always for IVF, right from the beginning. When pressed to clarify that the government or insurance company would pay for the services, Trump responded, Under a mandate, yes. However, Senate Republican Whip John Thune expressed his concern regarding a mandate when asked last week about Trumps IVF remarks, according to CNN, I dont know of any Republicans not favor of IVF, Thune answered. The mandate part, thats a challenging issue for lots of reasons, not the least of which is what it does to insurance costs. We put a lot of mandates on insurance companies as it is already. Other Republicans have tried to formulate alternative legislation related to IVF. On Monday, Republican Florida Sen. Rick Scott, whose daughter is undergoing IVF treatments, tried to pass the Increasing Value for Families (IVF) with HSAs Act in an attempt to make IVF services more affordable. However, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat, objected and pushed for the support in Tuesdays vote. In June, Republican senators Katie Britt and Ted Cruz also brought to the floor the IVF Protection Act following the rejection of the Democrats legislation. Their bill would block states from receiving funding for Medicaid if they prohibit IVF services. However, Democrats blocked the unanimous request and criticized it for not going far enough to protect access to IVF. It is ridiculous to claim that this bill protects IVF when it does nothing of the sort, said Washington Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat. In fact, it explicitly allows states to restrict IVF in all sorts of ways. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks to the media following the Senate Republican policy luncheon at Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) WASHINGTON (AP) Republicans have blocked for a second time this year legislation to establish a nationwide right to in vitro fertilization, arguing that the vote is an election-year stunt after Democrats forced a vote on the issue. The Senate vote was Democrats latest attempt to force Republicans into a defensive stance on womens health issues and highlight policy differences between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump in the presidential race, especially as Trump has called himself a leader on IVF. The 51-44 vote was short of the 60 votes needed to move forward on the bill, with only two Republicans voting in favor. Democrats say Republicans who insist they support IVF are being hypocritical because they won't support legislation guaranteeing a right to it. They say they support IVF here you go, vote on this, said Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, the bill's lead sponsor and a military veteran who has used the fertility treatment to have her two children. The Democratic push started earlier this year after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law. Several clinics in the state suspended IVF treatments until the GOP-led legislature rushed to enact a law to provide legal protections for the clinics. Democrats quickly capitalized, holding a vote in June on Duckworth's bill and warning that the U.S. Supreme Court could go after the procedure next after it overturned the right to an abortion in 2022. The bill would establish a nationwide right for patients to access IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies and a right for doctors and insurance companies to provide it, an effort to pre-empt state efforts to limit the services. It would also require more health insurers to cover it and expand coverage for military service members and veterans. In a statement after the vote, Harris said Republicans in Congress have once again made clear that they will not protect access to the fertility treatments many couples need to fulfill their dream of having a child. Republican vice presidential candidate and Ohio Sen. JD Vance, who missed the vote because he was campaigning, said during a stop in Wisconsin that the measure was not a serious IVF bill, but a measure designed to make Republicans look bad. The Senate blocked a ridiculous showboat bill that had no chance of passing, Vance said. Republicans argued that the federal government shouldnt tell states what to do and that the bill was an unserious effort. Only Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted with Democrats to move forward on the bill both times. Meanwhile, Republicans have scrambled to counter Democrats on the issue, with many making clear that they support IVF treatments. Trump last month announced plans, without additional details, to require health insurance companies or the federal government to pay for the fertility treatment. In his debate with Harris earlier this month, Trump said he was a leader on the issue and talked about the very negative decision by the Alabama court that was later reversed by the legislature. South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Senate Republican, said that Democrats are trying to create a political issue where there isn't one. Let me remind everybody that Republicans support IVF, full stop, Thune said just before the vote. The issue has threatened to become a vulnerability for Republicans as some state laws passed by their party grant legal personhood not only to fetuses but to any embryos that are destroyed in the IVF process. Ahead of its convention this summer, the Republican Party adopted a policy platform that supports states establishing fetal personhood through the Constitutions 14th Amendment, which grants equal protection under the law to all American citizens. The platform also encourages supporting IVF but does not explain how the party plans to do so. Republicans have tried to push alternatives on the issue, including legislation that would discourage states from enacting explicit bans on the treatment, but those bills have been blocked by Democrats who say they are not enough. Sen. Rick Scott, a Florida Republican, said in a floor speech then that his daughter was currently receiving IVF treatment and proposed to expand the flexibility of health savings accounts. Republican Sens. Katie Britt of Alabama and Ted Cruz of Texas have tried to pass a bill that would threaten to withhold Medicaid funding for states where IVF is banned. Cruz, who is running for reelection in Texas, said Democrats were holding the vote to stoke baseless fears about IVF and push their broader political agenda. Senator Peter Welch said Monday he is introducing legislation to address what he called a healthcare crisis in the country. Welch and Republican Senator John Boozman of Arkansas introduced the Physician Fee Stabilization Act. The legislation would ensure more flexibility in determining price adjustments for medical services without causing pay cuts to Medicare serving physicians. Weve got a crisis in healthcare. As we all know, its too expensive, in all kinds of ways. But one of the effects of that is, theres enormous pressure on what I think are the most important people in our healthcare system, said Senator Welch. According to the American College of Surgeons, physicians have seen their Medicare payments decrease by nearly 30 percent after adjusting for inflation since 2001, including the most recent cut in 2024. The proposed bill would raise the co-called budget neutrality thresholdfrom $20 million to $53 million, as well as provide for increases for inflation every five years. The crisis that primary care is facing is that, in our upside down, extraordinarily expensive healthcare system, were putting the squeeze on primary care, paying them less than it costs oftentimes to provide the care that they need. Jessa Barnard, executive director for the Vermont Medical Society, expressed support for the bill. If services are not paid for, medical practices in Vermont wont be able to keep their doors open to serve the needs of Vermonters. Some may be forced to close all together while others may have to make the heartbreaking decision to limit how many Medicare patients they can see, said Barnard. Dr. Toby Sadkin, a family doctor in St. Albans and the chair of Primary Care Health Partners, said this network provides care to over 30,000 Vermonters. She also said payment for primary care has not kept up with cost of services, putting PCHP at risk. Costs for almost everything have been increasing yet Medicare payment for primary care physicians has decreased yearly for the past four years and is scheduled to decrease further with the CMS proposal for a 2.8% cut to primary care payments in 2025, said the doctor. The Vermont Medical Society says more cuts across primary care are to be expected in 2025 unless changes are made. Senator Welch said he hopes that, by the end of this year, he and his colleagues can get the Physician Fee Stabilization Act included in a must-pass 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 ABC22 & FOX44. HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) Holyoke has declared September as Childhood Cancer Awareness month. The mayor made the proclamation Monday, with the families of childhood cancer survivors from Holyoke. More than 9,000 children under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer this year according to the American Cancer Society. Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia explained the importance of todays proclomation. To raise awareness and the lack of funding there is for the research on childhood cancer so theres a lot of money that gets poured into adulthood level cancer, but not enough for children, says Garcia. Around 1,800 children die from cancer every year. The 5 year survival rate has gone up in the past 40 years from 58% to 85%. 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. There is magic in the sky each month when the full moon rises, marking the alignment of the sun, Earth and our planet's only natural satellite. It's an ancient indicator of time, and one that Native American tribes recognized as a signal of the changing seasons. They gave the moons names to mark the occasions, and while sky-gazers have variations on why moons garner certain monikers, most can agree on the ethereal appeal of the quiet and reliable lunar performance. September's full harvest moon technically reaches its peak fullness late Tuesday, so look for it rising plump and luminous on Tuesday at 7:17 p.m. and Wednesday at 7:53 p.m. in Palm Beach County. This month's full moon is especially celebrated because it is a supermoon. It also includes a partial lunar eclipse on Tuesday as the Earth passes between the sun and the moon casting a fleeting shadow that will appear to slice off the very top of the brightest and largest object in our night sky. The partial eclipse will begin at 8:41 p.m. Tuesday but will be hard to notice until about 10:13 p.m. when the top edge of the moon starts to enter the Earth's shadow, according to retired NASA executive Gordon Johnston. The peak of the eclipse, with 8% of the moon in shadow, will be at about 10:44 p.m. Supermoon stalwarts say there is only one supermoon per year and that is the one that comes closest to Earth during its orbit. But there are also those who say a supermoon occurs when the moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth, which means there can be more than one. Under the second definition, September's supermoon is the second of four consecutive supermoons this year. NASA says supermoons appear slightly brighter and larger than a regular full moon, but the differences may be indistinguishable to the casual observer. How the town of Jupiter got its name: Is Jupiter, Fla. really named after the planet Jupiter? Other names for September's full moon include the Drying Grass Moon, Corn Moon, and the Barley Moon. Here are explanations for the names of all full moons: Wolf Moon, January The Wolf Moon rises over the Atlantic Ocean on Jan. 6, 2023, at Ross Witham Beach on Hutchinson Island in Martin County. January is dark and cold, giving over its evenings to wolves who howl and hunt amid the deep snowpack of midwinter. It has other names, according to a compilation by Western Washington University, including the Maker Moon, Great Spirits Moon, and from the Arapaho tribe of the Great Plains, the moon when snow blows like spirits in the wind. Snow Moon, February A Snow Moon rises over Milwaukee on Feb. 27, 2021. February was a time when food stores may have been running low and hunting in the snow was difficult. For the Arapaho, February was the moon of frost sparkling in the sun. The Assiniboine in the Northern Plains called it the Long Dry Moon. Worm Moon (or Crow Moon), March A full Worm Moon rises over Scituate, Massachusetts on March 18, 2022. This is a time when the land softens, the earthworms reappear and the robins return. Basically, it signals the end of winter. It was also called the Crow Moon by northern tribes, and the moon of buffalo dropping their calves by the Arapaho of the Great Plains. Pink Moon, April A Pink Moon rises over Phoenix on April 7, 2020. In April, the groundcover phlox would appear with pink flowers signaling spring. It was also called the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, and the Full Fish Moon, which was a nod by some coastal tribes to shad coming upstream to spawn. Sometimes this is the first full moon after the spring equinox, marking it as the Paschal Full Moon. The Paschal Full Moon, which sometimes occurs in March, determines what date Easter falls on. Flower Moon, May A Flower Moon rises over Fountain Hills, Arizona, on May 6, 2020. Flowers become more abundant in May, but May's moon is also called the Full Corn Planting Moon and the Milk Moon. In the Northern Plains, it was given the name the Idle Moon. The Cherokee of the East Coast called it the Planting Moon. Strawberry Moon, June A Strawberry Moon sets over the Kennedy Space Center on June 15, 2022. June is the time to pick strawberries. It is also a time when the corn is not yet ripe, giving June the name the Green Corn Moon or the Full Leaf Moon. The Arapaho of the Great Plains dubbed this moon the moon when the buffalo bellows. Buck Moon, July In July, deer begin to grow their new antlers. The Apache of the Southern Plains called July the moon of the horse/time of ripeness. Sturgeon Moon, August Fishing is robust in August in many areas around the Great Lakes. The Anishinaabe of the Great Lakes also called this the Berry Moon, while their neighbors to the northeast, the Algonquin, said the August moon is when Indian corn is edible. Harvest Moon, September A jet flies in front of the Harvest Moon on approach to Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix in September 2002. According to Space.com, the Harvest Moon traditionally is the moon closest to the fall equinox, which is usually Sept. 22 or 23. Fall vegetables including corn, pumpkins, squash, beans and wild rice are ready to harvest. The Arapaho of the Great Plains call September the Drying Grass Moon. Hunter's Moon, October With the harvest gathered, October is a time to hunt. It is also a time for a marked change in seasons, with the Arapaho calling October the Falling Leaves Moon, and the Algonquin calling it the moon of white frost on grass. Beaver Moon, November There are different ideas on why November is the Beaver Moon, including that it is a time when beavers are active before winter and that it is a signal to set traps before waterways freeze. The Abenaki of Northeast Maine called November the Freezing River Maker Moon. Cold Moon, December The first day of astronomical winter is Dec. 21 or 22. It is when the top half of the Earth is tilted away from the sun, giving way to colder days and longer nights. The Cherokee also called it the Snow Moon. To the Comanche of the Southern Plains, it was the Evergreen Moon. What's a Supermoon? The term supermoon has many meanings. For staunch astronomers, it is usually the closest moon of the year to Earth, but astrophysicist Fred Espenak gives the title to full moons that come within 90 percent of the closest approach to Earth. Depending on the source, there could be one, four or six supermoons on average a year. What about a Blue Moon? Blue Moons, like Supermoons, have different definitions. Some steadfast blue mooners consider a moon blue only if it's the second full moon in a month. But Blue Moons can also be defined as the third of four full moons in a season the time between a solstice and an equinox, according to EarthSky.org. "How can both of them be Blue Moons? The answer stems from the nature of skylore, and folklore in general. Its lore. And its of the 'folk.' So it sometimes gets messy," wrote EarthSky columnists Bruce McClure and Deborah Byrd. Kimberly Miller is a veteran journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate and how growth affects South Florida's environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. Help support our local journalism, subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: September's full supermoon is the harvest moon, includes an eclipse HARRIETSTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) According to a State Police press release, they responded to a serious personal injury motorcycle accident on State Route 3 in the town of Harrietstown on Friday, September 13, at about 1:21 p.m. State Police have said that a preliminary investigation determined a 2003 Kawasaki, operated by a male 57-year-old Florida resident, was traveling on State Route 3 near the State Boat Launch, Saranac Lake, when he struck the rear of an unknown vehicle, ejecting him off the motorcycle. According to State Police, he was airlifted to Fletcher Allen Medical Center in Vermont sustaining life-threatening injuries. Police say 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 WWTI - InformNNY.com. SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) Sevier County is looking for residents input on how to improve traffic safety after they were awarded a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The county is working on a Safety Action Plan to eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes across Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Pittman Center and Sevier County. As they put the plan together, they are asking the public to help them identify safety concerns while driving, walking, or biking. Woman seeks answers 17 years on from mothers unsolved murder in Knoxville Im just concerned, thats all, said Sevier County Resident, Bob Rodriguez. When it comes to driving around Sevier County, residents said narrow roads, speeding, and the lack of sidewalks are their biggest concerns. Volume, the amount of people that are coming in here for road runs and stuff like that, vacationing. They had the big campers coming in. I mean, thats all great. Im all for it, but maybe our roads need to be a little bit wider, said Rodriguez. With Sevier County bringing in millions of visitors a year, they said traffic is only getting worse. But residents, like Rodriguez, are glad the county is asking for their feedback Its good to hear. I mean, I have to drive here every single day. So I come down the Parkway, if we go out to lunch and stuff like that, were all over the roads, all the time, so its nice to know that they would like to seek the publics help, said another resident, Sydney Pack. East Tennessee in drought: Farmer calls for action on climate change The county aims to eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes with its plan, but first, officials need to find where the problem areas are. Rodriguez said Dumplin Valley could be a start. I see a lot of people that do walk on that road, and they have to jump off into the ditch when cars come by. That road is really unsafe, he said. As someone who works in a public defenders office, Pack echoes the need for more walkability. We see a lot of people that need to get around places, without a drivers license and stuff like that. So they have to go out and walk on the main roads, like parkways and all of that with all of the traffic. So it would be more beneficial to them to have safer to be able to walk everywhere, she said. Knoxville gets $17.8M grant to improve safety along Chapman Highway They both agree the county needs more safety precautions and said they are glad the county is making a plan. Well, I think thats great because that shows their awareness of the problem. We just want to see the action, said Paker. Right now the county is in the analysis and discovery phase of the comprehensive Safety Action Plan, and they are seeking public engagement. To fill out their safety concern survey, or to find out when an in-person meeting is coming near you, visit 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. SF man accused of stealing over $300 worth of items arrested in Colma (KRON) A San Francisco resident was arrested after allegedly stealing more than $300 from a Colma business, according to the Colma Police Department. At 9:47 p.m. on Sept. 5, Colma police officers were informed of a theft as they were patrolling a store in the 5000 block of Junipero Serra Boulevard. The officers learned that a man had taken multiple items without paying and fled through the emergency exit at the back of the store. The officers subsequently responded to where the suspect was reported to be and detained him. The loss prevention officer informed the officers that the suspect they detained was the correct person. Amazon orders workers back to the office 5 days a week The suspect was identified as 36-year-old San Francisco resident Jared Green. Police said they located drug paraphernalia on the suspect. According to Colma PD, Green stole approximately $334.57 worth of merchandise. Green was arrested for petty theft and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police said Green was issued a citation for his charges and then was released on his promise to appear 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 KRON4. FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) After 32 years promoting Fresno City College, Kathy Bonillas sudden passing struck Fresno City College faculty, students, and alumni who all gathered in the Old Administration Buildings auditorium on Monday to bid her farewell. Senior Program Specialist Ernie Garcia emceed a memorial on Monday that sought to bring the same spirit Bonilla brought to Fresno City College, a spirit of dignity and respect along with humor and fun. We wanted to strike a balance that was fun, but also paid a great deal of respect to that, the honor she had for this college, Garcia said. Bonillas memorial started with a Star Wars-style title crawl, paying homage to Bonillas deep admiration for the movie series set in a galaxy far, far away. The opening to the title crawl read, The year was 1961. On June 22, God knew Fresno City College and the City of Fresno would need a media expert with a keen sense of humor and a big heart. So he created Kathy Bonilla. Following the title crawl, Garcia invited the colleges Interim President Dr. Kim Armstrong on stage to lead everyone in the auditorium in prayer. Dear heavenly father, Armstrong said. I want to thank you for sending your child, your beloved daughter Kathy, to live among us and share your love for humankind through her. Following President Armstrongs prayer, along with a moment of silence, student Osmar Villa sang a rendition of Amor Eterno, that echoed through the Old Administration Building. Amor eterno, eternal love, Garcia said. just like the love Kathy had for her family and friends. And then we all have for her. As colleague after colleague went up and shared their favorite stories of Kathy, the room rode a rollercoaster of emotions, knowing they would not be able to make new memories with their dear friend. State Center Community College District Chancellor Carol Goldsmith says Kathy was a good friend and mentor who was there for Goldsmiths first days as Fresno City College President. Goldsmith presented Kathy and her family with several recognitions including a proclamation from the City of Fresno making the day Kathy Bonilla Day. Goldsmith also read a congressional record in which Congressman Jim Costa spoke about Bonilla. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Kathy Bonilla, who made an impact on the community through outpouring of love and compassion. Her humor and laughter will remain a reminder of joy that she has filled countless lives with her kindness and love lived on in the memories of her loved ones and those who have the honor of knowing her. Congressman Jim Costa (as read by Carol Goldsmith) So today everybody in Congress will agree on one thing, Goldsmith said. Kathy Bonilla was a Jedi Knight. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BOSTON (SHNS) A commission tasked with reconceiving the structure and sustainability of states beleaguered emergency family shelter system is up against a quickly approaching deadline, with still broad disagreement amongst its members about what exactly is at the core of the states right-to-shelter law. The commission was established in a supplemental budget passed in April that also injected $251 million more into the shelter system and established new time limits on how long families can stay in the state-supported housing. The members have to turn in a report by December 1 with their recommendations to improve the sustainability and effectiveness of the Emergency Assistance (EA) program, review safety practices at overflow sites, lay out how to best support and ensure the long-term sufficiency of those seeking shelter, and create a region-based response to support families in need of shelter. We are short on time. I want to be clear. This commissions report is due in December, and I dont think were going to have this completely figured out and solve it, but were hoping to really be running down a lane that folks can kind of get behind as we work on the current implementation challenges and opportunities that we have, commission chair Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said at a Monday meeting. Special commissions are often created by the Legislature when lawmakers are unable to agree on a policy shifts. Oftentimes, the panels themselves disband without coming to an agreement themselves. The shelter system has been in crisis over the past two years as it has strained under the weight of new arrivals to the country and long-term Massachusetts residents who have had trouble leaving the system, but Driscoll said that she sees the commission as an opportunity to not just address the immediate surge in family homelessness but to reform the Emergency Assistance program at large, which she said was already fraught with issues prior to the swell of immigration. The commissions guiding principles for the EA system that theyve identified are rare, brief and non-recurring. We can anticipate having an EA shelter system thats rare, so that its not a revolving door, that would be brief, so that youre not there for a year-plus, and again something that youre in and out of ideally, that were providing the sort of support that a family might need so that this becomes a real tool for families who might find themselves in need of shelter, that they get an off-ramp into something that can be sustainable, and obviously sustainable to the commonwealth in terms of costs, Driscoll said. She added that the commission is also considering how to be able to adjust the systems size when necessary how to expand it when there is more demand, but shrink it down and save money when there is less. The Healey administration has enacted tighter restrictions on the family shelters over the past year in efforts to rein in spending that topped $1 billion in fiscal year 2024 and overburdened shelter providers and other resources. More and more families, as a result, have turned to sleeping on the streets and other public spaces. Over a dozen activists came to the commissions Monday meeting, where they held signs at eye level with Driscoll, Housing Secretary Ed Augustus, Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh, and Emergency Assistance Incident Command Deputy Director Adit Basheer. One of the signs read, 5 Nights Then Homeless Not OK, referencing a policy that forces families to choose between five nights at a temporary overflow site and removing themselves from the waitlist for more long-term shelter for six months, or sleeping in potentially dangerous conditions. Activists also held a rally at the Embrace statue in the Boston Common later Monday afternoon in solidarity with families experiencing homelessness, and against the Healey administrations shelter restrictions. I think its very striking that no families who have been directly impacted by homelessness and participate in the system are centered in the meeting, said Kelly Turley of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, after the commission meeting Monday. Driscoll said the next step towards completing their report is meeting with different stakeholder groups, and recommended meeting with providers, community-based organizations and advocates, and municipalities. Leah Bradley, CEO of the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, told Driscoll she also believed that families actually in the system should be consulted in the process. Democrat Sen. Robyn Kennedy, chair of Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, was critical of restrictions on the family shelter system. I think the principles are right, she said, of the guiding principles that Driscoll laid out. But I think that we have to be crystal clear that policy doesnt get us to achieve those goals. Restrictions, limits dont get us to meet brief, dont get us to meet non-recurring, dont even really get us to meet rare. Kennedy said as the commission reimagines the shelter system, she encourages them to be willing to think very differently about how we approach this whole model of delivering all the services, not just EA. This includes other housing services like HomeBASE, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition, the rental voucher program and to think of all of them as linked together, she said. They actually, again, not only are better for families, but they actually save the commonwealth money in the long run, versus trying to limit access, she said. However, while the progressive senator from Worcester was encouraging a more holistic framework, a Republican representative on the commission was pushing for the members to use their power to reexamine who, exactly, the right to shelter applies to. For years, Republicans have argued the 1983 law that created Massachusettss right-to-shelter was only intended for long-term residents of the Bay State not recent immigrants, some of whom come to Massachusetts because theyve heard of its expansive social services. We need to do a dramatic change, and in that right to shelter law in making sure that we are taking care of those folks who have been in Massachusetts for a long period of time, and have to reexamine people who come from out of the state from wherever out of the state, Tennessee or coming across the border in Texas that when theyre coming here, what theyre eligible for on day one probably has to be reexamined, Frost said. He added that he was worried about an uptick in families who have been moved out of shelters into more permanent housing something that has been a goal of shelter providers, lawmakers and the administration, as they say it will remove pressure on the shelter system and put families in more stable homes. Frost said he was worried about migrant or short-term families leaving shelters and competing with longer term Massachusetts residents for stable housing or state-run services. I understand what youre asking us, and I think we welcome that conversation with everybody here and others, Driscoll said. Ruthzee Louijeune, president of the Boston City Council, spoke at the rally on Monday. Prior to speaking, she told the News Service that she hopes the commission will focus on finding a more humane policy. People do not want to be in shelters. They want to find solutions, she said. We are a country of immigrants, weve had this shelter law on the books, and its been one thats protected young kids and families and no one can be happy with what they see when we see young kinds sleeping outdoors when they should be at school or out of harms way. Driscoll said in the meeting that one thing the commission is considering is the length of stay policy. The Healey administration began instituting a nine-month limit this spring. It isnt going to be a one-size fits all system. Length of stay policies how is our length of stay policy helping or hurting families that might find themselves in EA shelter? she said. Andrea Park of Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, an advocate who has been working to organize against shelter restrictions, said she appreciates the sentiment around fitting specific families needs, but that it strikes less true when the administration is simultaneously instituting restrictions. The intensive case management is something that people who have been in shelter for a long time have needed for years, and that is where we should be focused on. I appreciate the one-size-fits-all approach, but I just hope that were talking about the same things, because I dont think these limiting approaches, as Sen. Kennedy said, putting restrictions on, is not the way to get people into sustainable housing, 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 WWLP. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Students at Stewart Elementary School received a visit from the Franklin County Sheriffs Office on Monday. Members of the department delivered several boxes filled with hundreds of books about social emotional learning. The sheriffs offices Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director Aaron Whitfield said its all about investing back into the community. Watch: Sheriffs office pays visit to elementary school The sheriffs office worked with Half Price Books to get all of the books donated. Whitfield said this is just one of several initiatives the office is working on to get out in the community in positive ways. This is what we do, he said. You know, we are the Franklin County Sheriffs Office, but we are here for the community. Without the community, there is no us, so seeing the smiling faces today and feeling that energy, the positivity, it brightens our day and hopefully we can brighten theirs. After delivering the books, members of the sheriffs office read to the kindergarten and first-grade classes. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Man dies after shooting Monday night in Orlando, police say Police in Orlando said a man has died after a shooting Monday night. Around 9 p.m., officers responded to the 300 block of North Lakeland Avenue. Thats not far from the intersection of North Tampa Avenue and West Washington Street. Police responded to the shooting on North Lakeland Avenue in Orlando. Police responded to the shooting on North Lakeland Avenue in Orlando. Police responded to the shooting on North Lakeland Avenue in Orlando. Police responded to the shooting on North Lakeland Avenue in Orlando. Police responded to the shooting on North Lakeland Avenue in Orlando. Police responded to the shooting on North Lakeland Avenue in Orlando. Police said a man was found shot, and he was taken to a hospital for treatment. The victim later died from his injuries, officials said. READ: Questions arise over how skybox tickets given to Orange County commissioners The Orlando Police Department says they are actively investigating the deadly shooting. Monitor WFTV.com for updates on this story. This embedded content is not available in your region. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. I shopped at Hannaford, the largest supermarket chain in Maine, and I wish it would come to every state I shopped at Hannaford, the largest supermarket chain in Maine, and I wish it would come to every state Hannaford started as a small produce cart in 1883 and is now Maine's largest grocery chain. It has locations in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. Hannaford in Scarborough, Maine, impressed with its vast selection and fresh produce. As a New Yorker, I'm always surprised when I make the trek out of the city and discover new supermarket chains, many of which are larger and far better stocked than the grocery stores I'm used to in the city. On a recent trip to Portland, Maine, I stopped off at Hannaford Supermarkets in Scarborough and was blown away by the massive selection of produce, meat, and tasty-looking prepared foods. Founded in 1883, Hannaford Supermarkets started out as a small produce cart operated by Arthur Hannaford in the coastal city of Portland. The company was later led by Edward Hannaford, Arthur's brother, and Stewart Taylor took over as president in 1940, according to the chain's website. Under Taylor's leadership, the business expanded rapidly and underwent multiple mergers and acquisitions. As of 2016, Hannaford has been part of Ahold Delhaize, which also owns Food Lion and Stop & Shop. Hannaford has since grown into the largest grocery store chain in Maine, with additional locations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. The supermarket chain has 189 stores in those five states and employs more than 26,000 people. Its largest concentration of stores is in Maine, where it has 68 locations. Although there are 52 locations in New York, none are in New York City, which meant this would be my first time ever shopping at Hannaford. Here's what it's like to shop at Hannaford Supermarkets. I visited a Hannaford Supermarket and Pharmacy in Scarborough, Maine. I visited a Hannaford Supermarket in Scarborough, Maine. Erin McDowell/Business Insider During my drive from Connecticut to Portland, I passed locations all over the state. I found that there was the highest concentration of stores in Maine, which made sense, considering Hannaford is the largest grocery store chain in the state. Outside, there was a sign advertising Hannaford's grocery pickup program. A sign advertised Hannaford To Go outside the store. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The service offers free pickup to Hannaford customers who order over $125 of groceries. I usually order my groceries through a service like Instacart, but if I lived in the suburbs, I could see myself using a pickup service like this one. Right when I entered the store, I was greeted by a large produce section. I was impressed by the produce section at Hannaford. Erin McDowell/Business Insider A podium in front of the store advertised the store's "Farm Stand" fruits and vegetables, which are all grown by local Maine producers. The prices appeared pretty on par with what I pay for produce in New York, though the quality looked much better. There was also a wide selection of in-season fruits. The store had a large selection of peaches and blueberries. Erin McDowell/Business Insider I visited in early August at the height of the peach and blueberry season. I was pleasantly surprised to see these two fruits highlighted next to each other in a display. I was amazed by the colorful displays. I was impressed by the variety of fruits sold at Hannaford. Erin McDowell/Business Insider While the produce selection at my local grocery store in Brooklyn often looks drab and a little out-of-date, this produce selection was bursting with color and variety. From practically every kind of apple to organic lemons and mangoes, I was impressed by the selection. There was also a selection of charcuterie plates and vegetable trays with dips. There was a selection of vegetable trays and snack plates. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The large vegetable trays, which included celery sticks, tomatoes, broccoli florets, carrots, and a tub of dip, cost $15.99, while the smaller charcuterie plates, which included two different kinds of grapes and sliced cheese, cost $3.99. I was also impressed by the store's bakery section. There was a large selection of store-made baked goods. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The store highlighted several local products, such as English muffins and granola, and used signs and labels on the price tags. The prices for all of these products were pretty on par with what I typically pay at my local grocery store. The bakery also had a case fully stocked with assorted cakes. There was a large dessert case filled with cakes. Erin McDowell/Business Insider Individually sized tarts, tiramisu, and larger cakes for parties were available. The case was well-stocked, and there were plenty of options to choose from. There was also a large selection of cheeses. I was impressed by the cheese selection. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The cheeses were placed alongside gourmet crackers, wine, and jams to make crafting a charcuterie board easy. In another section of the store, I found other kinds of cheese, pub cheeses, and dips. There was also a large selection of pub cheeses and dips. Erin McDowell/Business Insider I couldn't possibly imagine a cheese this supermarket didn't sell. From British and Irish cheddar to multiple different varieties of Brie, the cheese selection at Hannaford was possibly better than any I've seen at any other grocery store. There were also a lot of options for prepared foods. There was a large selection of prepared foods. Erin McDowell/Business Insider Labeled in the case as the chain's "time savers," there was everything from pasta dishes to chicken pot pies and curry dishes that could feed a whole family. I was particularly drawn to a tray of chicken piccata, which looked very fresh and only cost $9.99. There were also multiple buffet stations at the store I visited. There was a Mediterranean antipasto station with olives. Erin McDowell/Business Insider There was a Mediterranean antipasto station with different kinds of olives to choose from. There was also a small selection of hot foods like chicken wings. The selection of hot foods was slightly lacking, in my opinion. Erin McDowell/Business Insider This was a slight letdown, and I wished there had been more options for hot prepared foods like I often pick up from Whole Foods for a quick and easy dinner. There was also a salad bar with a variety of toppings. The salad bar had many toppings to choose from. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The ingredients all looked fresh, though some needed a top-up when I went. In the deli section, there was a case filled with sandwiches to grab and go. I was impressed by the selection of sandwiches. Erin McDowell/Business Insider There was a large variety of sandwiches, from chicken salad sandwiches to Nashville hot chicken wraps. I was also surprised to see a fresh lobster roll in the case. I was surprised to see that Hannaford was selling its own lobster roll. Erin McDowell/Business Insider I was pleasantly surprised to see this Maine staple available in the sandwich case. It cost $9.99, which I thought was a really good deal especially compared to other lobster rolls I tried and ranked that weekend. Another section had grab-and-go sliced deli meats and cheese. A deli case had sliced meats and cheese. Erin McDowell/Business Insider This made it super easy to get what you needed from the deli without having to wait in line. However, when I went at around midday on a Tuesday, the store was pretty empty anyway. There was also a case filled with live lobsters. A large case of lobsters was in the middle of the seafood section. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The lobsters were located right in the middle of the sales floor and were impossible to miss. I thought they were well-priced at $8.99 per pound the price of lobster is $20.99 per pound for a small lobster from Citarella, a grocery store chain that sells lobster in New York. I was also impressed by the selection of fresh sushi rolls. There was a large selection of sushi rolls, which are made fresh daily. Erin McDowell/Business Insider I'm a huge fan of grabbing sushi rolls from my local grocery store for an easy and healthy dinner, but the selection at Hannaford was much better than what I'm used to. It ranged from crunchy California rolls to sashimi sushi combos and mango-topped spicy shrimp rolls. The prices were also pretty reasonable, ranging from $5.99 for a vegan roll to $17.99 for a family pack. There were also standard grocery-store items like packaged meats. The meat cases were well-stocked. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The price of two pounds of chicken breasts was $13.06, which is about what I typically pay in New York. There were also large cases of meat and seafood. The meat case had a large selection. Erin McDowell/Business Insider I was surprised by the variety of choices, from marbled steak cuts to sausages and marinated steak tips. The seafood counter was also impressive, offering everything from fresh Atlantic salmon to seasoned cod fillets. The meat aisle extended into a section with burger patties and ribs. There was also a case of burgers and ribs. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The store had everything you'd need for a late summer cookout. A pack of four burger patties from two different brands cost around $12. There was also an aisle with hot dogs and more sandwich meat. The selection of hot dog brands seemed endless. Erin McDowell/Business Insider I couldn't believe the selection of different hot dog brands. This Hannaford location also sold beer and wine. There was an entire aisle dedicated to wine. Erin McDowell/Business Insider There was an impressive selection of wines sorted by category, from malbec to chardonnay. At the end of the aisle was a small section of Stonewall Kitchen products, a local Maine brand. There was also a section of "Hannaford selects" wines, recommended by the store. Hannaford had a section dedicated to certain wines. Erin McDowell/Business Insider There was a lot of variety in the wines chosen, both in terms of flavor profiles and price range. The cheapest "Hannaford selects" wine was an $8.99 bottle of Artie sauvignon blanc, while the most expensive on this particular day was a $17.99 bottle of Decoy chardonnay. At the edge of the freezer aisle was another section promoting local products. There were signs throughout the store pointing out which products were local to Maine. Erin McDowell/Business Insider This section was entirely dedicated to butter and herbal popcorn from Little Lad's, a company based in Corinth, Maine. Multiple aisles were dedicated to frozen foods. There was also a large freezer section. Erin McDowell/Business Insider As a self-proclaimed freezer aficionado, I was impressed by the selection of frozen foods. However, it was pretty standard for any large grocery store and didn't compete with Trader Joe's more unique frozen foods. The plant and flower section was small but would come through in a pinch. There was a floral section with bouquets and plants. Erin McDowell/Business Insider While I've personally seen better and more varied floral sections at other grocery stores, this Hannaford had a decent selection of bouquets and houseplants for any occasion, from a last-minute anniversary gift to a housewarming gift. This store also had a large pharmacy section. This Hannaford location had a pharmacy. Erin McDowell/Business Insider The store had multiple aisles of health and wellness products in addition to an actual pharmacy where customers could order and pick up prescriptions. The store was really quiet on the afternoon that I visited and there was no shortage of checkout lanes open. There were multiple checkout lanes open when I visited. Erin McDowell/Business Insider Overall, I could see why Hannaford has grown to become the largest supermarket chain in Maine and has expanded to multiple states since it was founded over 100 years ago. The biggest things that stuck out to me at Hannaford were the store's incredible selections of fresh meat and fish, the sushi bar, and the emphasis on local produce and products. I think there's an opportunity for Hannaford Supermarkets to expand to even more states and I, for one, am eager for a New York City location to one day open. Read the original article on Business Insider The remains of the vessel that capsized in the middle of the night at the weekend (Bernard BARRON) (Bernard BARRON/AFP/AFP) Khames made it out alive when the overcrowded vessel he was on capsized in the English Channel, but the migrant from Egypt has no idea whether the childhood friend he was travelling with also managed to survive. Eight people have been confirmed dead since the boat ran into trouble trying to reach Britain from France in the dead of night this weekend, with around 10 taken to hospital. "I shouted my friend's name five times, six times, but there was no answer," Khames told AFP about the dramatic events in the small hours of Sunday. The 31-year old declined to give his last name -- or that of his friend -- for fear of alarming his family while there was still hope, but said they are both "from the same city, the same neighbourhood, the same street". Khames, who participated in a memorial service for the deceased Monday, told AFP that the two caught up with each other a month ago in Italy, from where they travelled by bus to France to undertake the perilous journey across the water to England. They were still together on the beach just before embarking on the boat. "That's the last time I saw him," Khames said. Weather conditions were good as they set off but Khames quickly realised that the boat, a rigid-hulled inflatable, was too small for the estimated 59 people from Eritrea, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Egypt and Iran who were crowding in. The vessel capsized shortly after midnight, off the French coast near Ambleteuse, a picturesque village some 10 kilometres (six miles) north of Boulogne-sur-Mer. French authorities said it probably ran into rocks. "Everybody started searching for a friend, a son, a brother, a loved one," Khames said. A Sudanese migrant who used her smartphone light to check on the bodies being dragged onto the beach told Khames that she thought she recognised his friend among the dead. Since then he has been living "a nightmare", he said. His request to be allowed to see the bodies to make sure was rejected because he is not family. "But he doesn't have anybody else here," said Khames about his friend, desperately hoping that he will show up among the injured taken to hospital. - 'My last attempt' - The latest tragedy means 46 migrants have lost their lives attempting to reach British shores so far this year, a regional official said, up from 12 in 2023. Since his narrow escape Khames has decided that one failed crossing is enough, and that he will now apply for asylum in France rather than try for Britain again. "This was my first attempt," he said. "It is also my last." The French and British governments have sought for years to stop the flow of migrants, who pay smugglers thousands of euros per head for the passage on overloaded rubber dinghies. More than 22,000 migrants have arrived in England by crossing the Channel since the beginning of this year, according to British officials. Taking advantage of calm weather, more than 1,000 people made the crossing from France to England this weekend alone, according to UK government figures. These included 801 people on Saturday aboard 14 small boats and 292 people on Sunday -- the day of the disaster -- on six boats. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and France's President Emmanuel Macron pledged this summer to strengthen "cooperation" in handling the surge in undocumented migrant numbers. Starmer held talks Rome on Monday with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has enjoyed some success in reducing the flow of migrants across the Mediterranean. sad-kau/jh/sjw/cw Disclaimer: All persons are innocent until proven guilty SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Shreveport Police have arrested a man on multiple on multiple domestic violence charges following a violent domestic dispute on September 7th that left a female victim bloodied and injured. Credit: Shreveport Police Department According to a media release from the Shreveport Police Department, 32-year-old Kendrick McDowell was arrested after a week-long investigation. Police say, patrol officers successfully located McDowell on September 14th. Shreveport woman arrested for home invasion, child cruelty He faces charges of domestic abuse battery with serious bodily injury, along with three counts of domestic abuse battery with child endangerment, due to the presence of children during the incident. Police say that this arrest is the result of outstanding work by SPD patrol officers, who worked diligently to track down the suspect and ensure that no further violence occurred. The victim is expected to make a full recovery. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. The cause of the collapse is now being investigated [Sierra Leone's NDMA] Rescuers in Sierra Leone are continuing to search for more survivors after a seven-storey building collapsed in the capital Freetown, killing at least 10 people. The West African country's National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) said seven people had been rescued from the rubble on Shell New Road so far, but "more people remain trapped". It added that some of those in the rubble had been "able to communicate their locations" to the rescuers. The building in eastern Freetown collapsed between 11:00 and 12:00 local time (12:00 and 13:00 BST) on Monday, the NDMA said. Two girls and a boy - all aged under five - are among the victims. Two cranes have been brought in to help the rescue teams, who were earlier seen using picks and their bare hands to try to clear the wreckage. Local resident Mohamed Camara wept as he told AFP news agency that his wife and three children were trapped in the rubble. The cause of the collapse is being investigated. The building was used for both residential and commercial purposes, according to initial assessments conducted by the NDMA. The agency's head Brima Sesay stressed the need to raise "public awareness about the risks associated with using unqualified contractors and substandard building materials". He also said his agency "will continue conducting vulnerability assessments to help reduce the frequency of building collapses across the country". Sierra Leone is one of the world's poorest countries, and buildings are often built with substandard materials. UPDATE: Hinton Road in Raleigh County reopened after single-car accident UPDATE: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 @ 4:12 p.m. | RALEIGH COUNTY (WVNS) According to Raleigh County Dispatch the 900 block of Hinton Road in the White Oak area of Raleigh County was reopened. RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WVNS) A single-car accident has closed part of a road in Raleigh County. According to Raleigh County Dispatch, a single-car accident closed the 900 block of Hinton Road in the White Oak area of Raleigh County at around 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. West Virginia man dies in Virginia motorcycle accident The extent of any injuries was not reported at this time. Raleigh County Dispatch stated that responding agencies included the Raleigh County Sheriffs Office, Ghent Volunteer Fire Department, Beaver Volunteer Fire Department, and JanCare Ambulance. Stick with 59News 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 WVNS. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Several people weighed in on the issue of homelessness, and specifically The Warming Shelter, during Mondays Sioux City city council meeting. The warming shelter announced its closing earlier this month, citing a lack of community support and declining resources. With just over two weeks until the shelter is set to close, staff members, former homeless people and community members appealed to council members to do what they can to keep the center open. City council votes no on proposed rezoning of 3700 Jefferson Street They continue to serve a great purpose and a need that we have in our community, Mayor Pro Tem Dan Moore said. And its more than just Sioux City, its the Siouxland area. So were going to try to work with The Warming Shelter. Were going to try to work something out at least for this winter, for this season coming up. The Warming Shelter opened in 2013. Workers told KCAU 9 that anywhere between 100 and 200 people will use the shelter at any given 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Federal nuclear power regulators have given the go-ahead for the first research nuclear reactor in more than 40 years to be built at Abilene Christian University. Texas A&M University already has one. Its Nuclear Science Center is shown in this March photo. Earlier this year, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp announced an effort to bring reactors to the systems technology satellite campus in Bryan. Eli Hartman, Assignment Editor / The Texas Tribune Abilene Christian University will be home to the first new research nuclear reactor in more than 40 years, which the universitys NEXT Lab and Abilene-based nuclear startup Natura Resources will build on campus. Shown is the universitys recreation center. Courtesy Marmon Mok Federal nuclear power regulators have given the go-ahead for the first research nuclear reactor in more than 40 years, and its here in Texas. Abilene Christian University will be home to the advanced nuclear reactor, which the universitys NEXT Lab and Abilene-based nuclear startup Natura Resources will build on campus. The permit is a milestone in the research and development of smaller-scale nuclear reactors in Texas and could become the states first new nuclear reactor since the Comanche Peak power plants second unit was licensed to operate in 1993. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The NEXT Lab reactor could generate enough energy to power the equivalent of only about 250 homes. However, it will create a testing ground for a type of reactor that its developers believe can be scaled to larger utility-scale reactors. It will be housed in the universitys Science and Engineering Research Center, which was completed in August 2023. With the NRCs issuance of the construction permit, we are one step closer to making that a reality. The performance-driven approach of Natura Resources to advanced reactor deployment has quickly moved them from a relative unknown to a leader in the upstart advanced reactor industry, said Phil Schubert, university president. Federal inspectors will monitor the construction of the reactor, which will not produce electricity until ACU obtains additional federal approval to fuel the reactor with uranium. This is the first research reactor project weve approved for construction in decades, and the staff successfully worked with ACU to resolve several technical issues with this novel design, Andrea Veil, director of the NRCs Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, said in a news release. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Molten salt will be used to cool the reactor, which can reach extreme temperatures. Heat radiates through the molten salt that can then be used to create electricity. While this method of cooling has existed for more than 50 years, it is not widely used. Legacy reactors generally rely on water to cool fuel rods. According to Natura Resources, molten salt creates an additional level of safety. Because the salt vaporizes at temperatures far above the operating temperature of the proposed reactor, the molten salt remains at a much lower pressure than typical reactors. And any loss of containment would be stopped by the salt solidifying and trapping uranium. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has given initial construction approval to one other molten-salt reactor, a Kairos Power facility in Albuquerque, N.M. ACUs reactor will use liquid fuel uranium dissolved in molten salt compared with the Kairos planned use of solid uranium. ACU is not the first Texas college with a nuclear facility. The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M have on-campus nuclear reactors. Earlier this year, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp announced an effort to bring reactors to the systems technology satellite campus in Bryan. Douglass Robison, founder and president of Natura Resources, said the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is the gold standard of licensing of nuclear reactors and proves that larger, industrial-scale molten-salt reactors can be licensed in the U.S. Natura Resources hopes to scale the technology to 100-megawatt reactors, which could power about 25,000 homes. If were going to meet the growing energy needs, not only in the state of Texas but in our country and the world at large, we must begin deploying advanced nuclear reactors, Robinson said in a news release. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The announcement of a new nuclear power reactor, even on a research scale, comes as the states political leadership has shown an increased appetite for the power source. Gov. Greg Abbott ordered state energy regulators to create a task force to examine the future of nuclear energy in Texas, including how to streamline a federal permitting process that can take years. Robison was named as a member of the task force. Nuclear power emits virtually no carbon-based greenhouse gases, which are the leading cause of climate change. Energy expert Doug Lewin cautioned that Texans should not be prepared to see a proliferation of new nuclear generation on the grid. It is costly and time-consuming to build. Its really important for folks to understand that if nuclear is going to scale in the state, its a 2030s thing, not a 2020s thing like this is a one-megawatt reactor, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dow Chemical and X-Energy are developing an advanced nuclear reactor at Dows Seadrift plant about 80 miles southwest of Houston on the Texas coast. The Department of Energy selected the project for up to $50 million in federal funding in 2023. It has yet to get a construction permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. EDITORS NOTE: The story has been corrected to state that a West High School student reported the threat found on Snapchat. We regret the error. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The Sioux City Community School District is also investigating a social media threat involving West High School. According to SCCSD, a social media threat circulating on Snapchat was also reported to the school by a West High School student. As with the North Middle threat, the school district stated that they believe that this threat isnt credible and will continue the school day as normal. Sioux City Community School District Officials are investigating another social media threat involving a Sioux City school. According to a release from SCCSD, they were notified of a threat that was made in a Snapchat group consisting of students at North Middle School. The Warming Shelters closure to prompt unhoused encampments The school district said that they are investigating the threat but do not believe that the threat is credible. They state that staff and students are safe and that the school day will continue as usual. The school district said they are thankful to the student who saw the threat and reported it to their parents. They also said any students found responsible for making threatening posts or resharing them will face disciplinary action and possible criminal charges. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Sir David Attenborough: 'The world would be worse off without our stories' Seventy years after he first fronted a wildlife programme, Sir David Attenborough is keenly aware of the impact they can have. "The world would be in a far, far worse situation now had there been no broadcasting of natural history," he said. "People have found it a source of fascination and beauty and interest, and this has become key to looking after the world." In September 2024, the BBC is marking 90 years of broadcasting from Bristol. We spoke exclusively to Sir David, who has presented many of the programmes made at BBC Bristol's Natural History Unit. When Sir David's broadcasting career began in 1954, just 3.2 million people had television licences in the UK. The goal of programmes like Zoo Quest was to capture wild animals for zoo collections, the accepted practice at the time. Now, Sir David's programmes all carry a strong message - that the natural world is at risk more than ever before. "People are aware of the problems of conservation in a way which could not exist without broadcasting," he said. "The perilous state that the natural world is in at the moment, these things are apparent to people all around the world. "You don't watch a natural history programme, I hope, because you think it's going to be good for the natural world; you do so because it is rivetingly interesting, and complicated, and beautiful. "The awareness of people around the world about ecological damage, that is due to natural history," he added. Peter Scott (l) went on to host wildlife programme Look, while Desmond Hawkins (r) pioneered early radio shows on the natural world [BBC] Bristol's association with wildlife programming goes back to the mid 1940s, when The Naturalist was produced on the Home Service by Desmond Hawkins from the city. "Desmond was the king of natural history broadcasting and an accomplished naturalist," said Sir David. Ten years later, in 1955, wildlife programme Look, presented by Peter Scott, featured pioneering German filmmaker, Heinz Sielmann, the first person to film inside a woodpecker's nest. "This was sensational, everyone in Britain was blown away by this, and because there was only one television network, it was all you talked about at the bus stop when you were going into work," recalls Sir David. The switchboard at the Lime Grove studios was jammed with viewers ringing in to find out more, and it gave the BBC the nudge to set up the Natural History Unit in Bristol in 1957. 'Shows on green slime' In 1979, Sir David presented Life on Earth, a landmark television programme made in Bristol, which attracted around 15 million viewers. "Bristol led the world to be truthful," he said. "It started this with radio, and when television came along, Peter Scott and Desmond Hawkins continued that tradition. "The other big mega power in broadcasting was the United States, and in the 1970s, viewers there thought natural history was just lions attacking antelopes. "Bristol's programmes taught them that termites could be just as interesting. "When we first started trying to get the subscriptions to finance the plans I had, I remember making the mistake in pitching this to an American network controller. "I waxed very eloquently about how the programme would be the history of life from the microscopic beginning, and the executive turned to me and said 'you mean it's going to be about green slime?' "I replied 'more or less,' but we managed to flog it in the end." Today's equipment is capable of capturing wildlife scenes like never before [BBC Studios] Sir David's programmes have gone from being shot on 16mm film stock with clockwork cameras in 1954 to ultra high definition 4k in the present day. When he was making Zoo Quest, cameras would only film for 40 seconds before the clockwork motor ran out. Today, filmmakers gather hundreds of hours of video just to capture one special moment which may only last for seconds. "When we started, the film people in London were very derisory about 16mm, they called it 'bootlace'. "We couldn't film on 35mm because we couldn't drag around those enormous great big cameras. "Almost every year, we had better facilities. The film became smaller, the recording apparatus became more sensitive. "I've tried to film Orangutan, and they do absolutely nothing - they just sit in the trees, and they're very difficult to see. "Now along comes a drone, and you can film things that you couldn't possibly ever see from the ground," Sir David said. Sir David's children kept him in London when he was a young television producer [Getty Images] Sir David was awarded Freedom of the City of Bristol in 2013, to mark his connections with the programmes made there. He almost became a Bristolian, but family life and work pressures intervened. "In 1955, I was told I was to be made head of the Natural History Unit in Bristol, and I said I would prefer not to do so because I had just bought a house in London, my son and daughter were fixed in schools. "I also had responsibility for Prime Ministerial broadcasts with Anthony Eden, which I wasn't all that interested in, but nonetheless I had the responsibilities. "Had it happened three years earlier I probably would have been there. "It is always a joy to visit Bristol, the city has a regional personality. "If you're a broadcaster, particularly a natural history broadcaster, there is nowhere else like Bristol in the world." Sir David was given a standing ovation when he took his seat at Wimbledon this year [Getty Images] In his 98th year, Sir David's next programme is a seven-part series called Asia, which will premiere later in 2024. But despite the global acclaim his career has earned him, he remains very modest about his role in the shows he presents. "I'm given huge credit for things that have nothing to do with me, because I speak the words and that's the easiest business part of the entire outfit," he said. "A lot of people think that I'm there recording the programme, working the camera, working out the travel and putting in the expertise, whereas all of these things are part of the team. "People are aware of the problems of conservation in a way that could not exist without broadcasting, and the BBC can claim that we're leading that," he added. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this story Related internet links EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The Socorro Independent School District (ISD) will be hosting a job fair for teacher and instructional aide positions this Thursday, Sept. 19, the school district said in a press release. The school district says the job fair will be from 4:30 p.m. through 6:30 p.m. this Thursday at the District Service Center located at 12440 Rojas Drive, El Paso, TX 79928. SISD will be seeking candidates for teacher and instructional aide positions for all grade levels for special education, bilingual/ESL education, and general education. During the job fair, candidates will have the opportunity to interview for positions and possibly receive a job offer. Candidates should bring a resume and any other documents they would like to share with their interviewers, SISD said. Those who are interested should apply by clicking here: www.sisd.net and clicking under the jobs link. For more information regarding the SISD Instructional Personnel Job Fair, contact the Department of Human Resources at 915-937-0298 Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. About Asian Doe: Asian Doe, described as a biological male of likely Southern Chinese descent, was found dead in 2011 near another victim killed in a string of murders known as the Gilgo Beach serial killings. The new sketches depict Asian Doe with both short and long hair. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said it is possible that the victim who was found wearing exclusively womans clothing identified as a woman and described them as likely between 17 and 23 years old at the time of their death from blunt force trauma, which possibly occurred in 2006. Authorities also believe they may have been a sex worker. Flyers in multiple languages have been distributed in immigrant communities and a $2,500 reward is being offered for information leading to their identification. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) An officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department suffered minor injuries after an alleged DUI driver crashed into a patrol car. That crash caused a chain reaction that damaged two other patrol cars. The crash happened just after 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, near 700 East and 1300 South. Officers say the driver, identified as Alonzo Ganga, 25, was driving northbound when he crashed into the back of a parked SLCPD patrol car that had its lights activated. The patrol car was one of four responding to assist in another unrelated crash later determined to be caused by an impaired driver. The initial investigating officer and the driver from the unrelated crash, identified only as a 47-year-old woman, were inside one of the patrol cars damaged in the subsequent crash. Both suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Ganga was not injured in the crash. The officer and the woman were treated on the scene before being taken to the hospital for further care. The Salt Lake City Police Department said both were released and the officer has returned to active duty. Im incredibly thankful that our officer is already back to work keeping our city safe, said SLCPD Chief Mike Brown. This incident is a clear reminder of the dangers our police officers face every day. Were fortunate this wasnt worse, and I strongly urge everyone to make responsible safe choices never drive under the influence. The woman from the initial crash was reportedly given a ticket for driving under the influence while Utah Highway Patrol booked Ganga into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail. The charges he is facing have not been publicly released. 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. SLED: 21 juveniles charged after 60+ SC school threats made this month SOUTH CAROLINA (QUEEN CITY NEWS) In the last two weeks, more than 60 threats have been made against South Carolina schools, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Half of the states counties, a total of 23, have seen school threats since September 4. Officials say many of these threats are being shared among students on social media or digital messaging apps. Twenty-one juveniles have been charged in connection with the threats. SLEDs Behavioral Science Unit has been asked to help with six school threat investigations in different counties. This comes after numerous threats have been made against schools in the greater Charlotte area. Queen City News School Threats School threats are not a joke, said SLED Chief Mark Keel. Law enforcement takes every threat seriously, and everyone needs to understand that there are serious consequences. SLED, state, and federal agencies are working with local law enforcement as they investigate these incidents. Anyone with information on a school threat should report it to local law enforcement. Call 911 in an emergency. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) Nearly two dozen juveniles have been charged in South Carolina for making school threats this month. That states top law enforcement agency is now warning that you could face serious charges for making school threats. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Agency said it was aware of more than 60 threats that targeted schools throughout 23 counties since September 4. Many of the threats were shared between students through social media or other messaging apps. These threats are extremely serious and will be treated as such, said Renee Wunderlich, SLEDs director of public information. School districts facing a wave of social media threats. What are the consequences of making one? After learning about the threats, law enforcement officials worked to secure schools and find those responsible. Wunderlich said that work is ongoing. So far, 21 juveniles have been charged in connection with the school threats in South Carolina. A student in Berkeley County was charged last week after a social media post threatening to shoot up a middle school was circulated. The 12-year-old juvenile was charged with student threats and unlawful communication. School threats are not a joke, said SLED Chief Mark Keel. Law enforcement takes every threat seriously, and everyone needs to understand that there are serious consequences. The agencys behavioral science unit has been requested to help six school threat investigations, each in a different county. SLED is also working with local law enforcement and state and federal partners. Anyone who has information regarding a school threat should report the information immediately to local law enforcement or call 911 if there is an emergency. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. WASHINGTON, N.C. (WNCT) The Small Business Center and Beaufort County Community College hosted their Hands-on Homesteading & Small Farm Workshop Monday. It is an all-day, hands-on workshop for aspiring homesteaders and farmers to help them build business foundations. So, the workshop is based on basic formation, starting and growing a small farm in Eastern North Carolina, Beaufort County Community College Small Business Director Jack Dugan said. The workshop contains elements of business planning, strategy, operations, financing. At the conclusion of the workshop, $1,500 was given away to one person to help them grow their farm. Farming is not only essential to the future of rural North Carolina, but we think it can be a very productive business venture also, Dugan said. So, if were here, were held here today to help people build a small foundation and get started right. Small farm owners said the workshop is a great way to not only learn about farming but also about running your own business. So, I think just having that a deeper understanding is going to help make sure that I can keep all the information more accurately moving forward, Owner of BGF Produce Catie Jo Black said. Our mission is to support the Beaufort County artisans and farmers, Harbor District Market Manager Randa Flournoy said. We do always encourage as many farmers as we can get. Theres always that need here in the community for the farm, the fresh local produce. They said these act as a storefront for newer artisans and farmers who do not have their own. We hope to be, kind of, that stepping stone to provide that for them, a kickstart here for their small business, and then we hope that they grow so much when they graduate out, Flournoy said. Anyone looking to be a vendor at Harbor District Market can apply online. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. Everywhere you go in the party conference centre at Brighton you keep seeing the same number - 72. That's how many MPs the Liberal Democrats now have - and they have been celebrating that fact all week. It's a dramatic increase on the 15 MPs they had before the election and represents a record number of seats for the party. The newbies come from all walks of life. Some have followed the traditional route into politics through local government and backroom roles. Others were not expecting to get elected and have had to hastily rearrange their lives and hand in their notice at work. A few have fascinating back stories... Roz Savage Dr Roz Savage, MP for South Cotswolds [Jennifer McKiernan/ BBC] About two decades before Dr Roz Savage became the Lib Dem MP for the South Cotswolds, she wrote her own obituary. As her Methodist minister father neared the end of his own life, she took stock of her own and realised the "salary and status" of her high-flying management consultant job was making her miserable. She ditched her job and her marriage and set off in a boat to become the first woman to row solo around the world, across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Savage explained she had intended to keep herself entertained with a stereo, but it broke early into the trip and left her alone with her thoughts for months on end. "That was brutal," she recalls. "I definitely went to some dark places. "I'm actually quite scared of the ocean - it's a really unforgiving environment and if you get separated from your boat it's game over. "But I just kept on not quitting and it ended up being transformational - it's what gave me the courage to stand for parliament." Now the 56-year-old backbencher has the chance to make a name for herself in a different way, as she was picked third in the Private Members Bill ballot so will be able to bring forward her own draft law and has a better chance than most of seeing it adopted by the government. Thousands of people have been in touch asking her to back causes that mean a lot to them - from sewage leaks, to climate change, and assisted dying - and she's set up a spreadsheet to try and help decide on one to take action on next month. Mike Martin Mike Martin, MP for Tunbridge Wells [Jennifer McKiernan/BBC] Well-travelled, speaking multiple languages, and with a military background, some might say Mike Martin has a touch of former Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown about him. Martin spent time in Afghanistan as a political officer in the Army, working with the Taliban "and an unbelievable cast of characters". After a stint at the Foreign Office and with a global charity, he bought a small sailing boat and travelled around the world with his wife, getting married on the deck of the same craft. They lived in Australia and Fiji over the pandemic before returning to his wife's home town of Tunbridge Wells with their baby daughter. Even having spread his wings so wide, he insists Westminster doesn't feel parochial, describing politics as "the place to get things done", moving "from the tactical level to strategic". Manuela Perteghella Manuela Perteghella, MP for Stratford-on-Avon [BBC] The general election was a Midsummer Nights Dream for the new Liberal Democrat MP for William Shakespeare. Manuela Perteghella became the first Liberal to win Stratford-on-Avon since 1906, and the first female MP to represent the constituency. She said her first few months in the job have been exciting and daunting at the same time. Her predecessor was the former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi who, she says, hasnt been in touch since she was elected. She wants to focus on fuel poverty, special educational needs provision, housing, and ending sewage discharges. Born in Italy, Perteghella has lived in the UK for more than 30 years and holds a doctorate in literature and translation. Fittingly, she studied Shakespeares plays during her PhD and now shes writing her own political script. What Shakespeare play best sums up Lib Dem conference? I think All's Well That Ends Well, she says. Steff Aquarone Steff Aquarone, MP for North Norfolk [BBC] Steff Aquarone still cant quite believe hes the MP for North Norfolk. I didnt expect to be elected this year until maybe a few weeks before the day, he says. But I thought it would take two or three electoral cycles to win back the seat. In a seat formerly held by Lib Dem minister Norman Lamb, Aquarone ousted a Tory MP, winning with a majority of 2,585. Before entering politics, he was involved in the film industry and technology start-ups. Crowd-sourcing is his thing. For example, the funding for Tortoise in Love, a romantic comedy he made with a friend, was entirely crowd-sourced from the Oxfordshire village where it was set. In the village - which Aquarone points out is within a Lib Dem-held constituency - people still talk about it fondly, he says. His priorities are health and sewage discharges, issues that he campaigned on ahead of the general election. Josh Reynolds [Getty Images] At 25, Joshua Reynolds is the youngest Lib Dem MP in the House of Commons. In his Maidenhead constituency, he replaced one of the most senior MPs in Theresa May, the former Conservative prime minister who stood down ahead of the general election. The pair met recently, and May had some advice for her successor. Its about being local and being active and standing up for those keys issues that are important to you, Reynolds said. That was the key message that she tried to get across. Born and raised in Maidenhead, Reynolds studied business and management studies before working as a manager for a supermarket chain. He said hes still paying off his student loan and doesnt seem to resent his partys U-turn on scrapping tuition fees. The Conservative-Lib Dem coalition government raised the cap on university tuition fees in England to 9,000 a year in 2012. He said the party was punished over three general elections for that decision. A councillor for several years before entering Parliament, he said he got into politics in school. But surveys show young people like him are less likely to vote in elections. Reynolds said politicians need to talk about the issues that matter to them. The messages and the core policies are exactly the same, he said. Its how we deliver those core policies that attracts young people. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) South Carolina groups on both sides of the gun rights aisle are speaking out following the recent deadly high school shooting in Georgia. Many are concerned with whats being done to prevent a similar situation from happening in South Carolina. Moms Demand Action said the U.S. needs stricter gun and safe storage laws. On the other side, South Carolina Carry, a gun rights group, said the focus should be put on the underlying issue of mental health, rather than guns as the problem. Of course, not everyone that has a mental health problem will become a mass shooter, but everyone that is a mass shooter clearly has a mental health problem, said Dan Roberts, executive board member and outreach director with South Carolina Carry. Officials said two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School were killed on Sept. 4 after a teenager opened fire. Nine others, including eight students, were hurt. Roberts said one thing he could agree on with Moms Demand Action is these situations didnt happen in the 80s and 90s, or at least not as often. We didnt ever think, Oh, I lost to my buddy Johnny in a fist fight, Im going to go home and get my shotgun and Im going to ambush him at school tomorrow,' Roberts said. Something has changed, and it is not the access to guns. Roberts said safe storage laws might not be enforceable without violating the 4th amendment searching homes. He said hed like to see gun safety education teaching kids that guns arent scary. However, Roberts does not want thousands of people to be forced to give up their guns. So, all were talking about is instead of forcing innocent potential victims to just, you know, huddle in a corner, praying for help, at least empower them to have a last-ditch ability to try to defend themselves, Roberts said. South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette spoke to News13 exclusively about what theyve done at the state level, increasing pay for school counselors in recent years. That is, thats the secret, Evette said. We need an SRO [school resource officer] on campus, but we need somebody that understands the children, that can catch children in a bad situation before it turns into a horrible tragedy. Roberts said he thinks both sides of the aisle should be open to finding a solution. He said at the end of the day, hes a parent too and wants his kids safe at school. * * * Adrianna Lawrence is a multimedia journalist at News13. Adrianna is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and joined the News13 team in June 2023 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023. Keep up with Adrianna on Instagram, Facebook, and X, formerly Twitter. You can also read more of her work, here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Donald Trump Jr, US presidential candidate Donald Trumps son and key campaign adviser, and Robert Kennedy Jr, former presidential candidate who joined the Trump campaign, have said that the US and Russia have to negotiate in order to put an end to the war in Ukraine. Source: Donald Trump Jr and Robert Kennedy Jr in The Hill, as reported by European Pravda Details: Trump Jr and Kennedy Jr argue that the fact that Russia has so far failed to respond to the crossing of what had previously been thought to be red lines from strikes on Crimea and Russian territory, to Ukraines allies agreeing to give it F-16 fighter jets is not a sign of the Kremlins weakness but rather of its "restraint". "The hawks in the Biden administration seem to have forgotten that Russia is a nuclear power," they write. "Putin has signaled numerous times that Russia would use nuclear weapons in extreme circumstances," Trump Jr and Kennedy Jr continue, alluding to Russian leader Vladimir Putin claiming that Russia would use nuclear weapons if its territorial integrity was threatened. They believe that the Biden administration allowing Ukraine to use US-supplied weapons to strike targets in Russia would trigger a nuclear war. "There is no remaining step between firing U.S. missiles deep into Russian territory and a nuclear exchange. We cannot get any closer to the brink than this. And for what? To weaken Russia? To control Ukraines minerals? No vital American interest is at stake," Trump Jr and Kennedy Jr write. They believe that the idea that Russian forces could invade NATO countries, which is an image Vice President Kamala Harris conjured during the 10 September presidential debate, is "absurd". "For one thing, Russia can barely wrest a few provinces from Ukraine, which is by no means one of Europes great powers. Secondly, Russia made its war aims very clear at the outset most notably Ukrainian neutrality and a halt to NATOs eastward expansion," Trump Jr and Kennedy Jr argue. They conclude their column by arguing that it is "time to de-escalate this conflict" through the US opening "direct negotiations with Moscow" and evoking Donald Trumps promise to end the war in Ukraine if he takes office in November. Donald Trump Jr is one of the key advisers to his fathers campaign, and Robert Kennedy Jr, who suspended his campaign in favour of Trump, is a member of Trumps transition team, which will take over from Bidens administration if Trump wins. It is unclear in what capacity Trump Jr and Kennedy Jr wrote their column and to what extent it reflects Donald Trumps views. Trump himself has been repeating for months in his election campaign that he would be able to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours. Trump claimed that his plan included negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin. Background: On 15 September, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump once again promised to end the war in Ukraine if re-elected, saying he would do so with strength and intelligence. Earlier, JD Vance, Trumps vice president nominee, proposed a plan that included a ceasefire along the current line of contact, the creation of a "demilitarised zone" on Ukrainian territory, and Ukraine's rejection of NATO membership. Support UP or become our patron! George Stinney Jr. was just 14, a kid fond of art and airplanes with his whole life ahead of him, when men led him from his home and made him confess to crushing two girls skulls with a 15-inch piece of iron and leaving their lifeless bodies in a ditch beneath a bicycle. A month later in 1944, an all-white male jury found the Black boy guilty of murdering the two white girls. The Clarendon County trial lasted a day, deliberations just 10 minutes. No appeals were filed, no stays requested, and 53 days later, Stinney was killed in Columbia on June 16, 1944, the youngest person legally executed in the U.S. that century. With South Carolina set to resume executions Friday for the first time since 2011, the cruel and unusual case of George Stinney is worth revisiting. He is not the youngest person ever to be executed. The New York Times reports eight people have been executed for crimes committed when they were 12 or younger. But Stinney didnt do it. He was so small news reports say prison guards had trouble attaching an electrode built for an adult to his right leg. One report says, The first 2,400-volt of electricity shooting through Stinneys body caused the death mask that covered his face which, again, was made for an adult to slip off, revealing the teens tear-stained face to those witnessing the execution. It took nearly 4 minutes and three jolts of electricity to kill him. Decades later, Stinneys youngest sister said she was grazing the family cow with him that fateful day when they saw the two girls, alive. She said she returned home with him and the cow, and they spent the afternoon together. She said that she hid in the chicken coop when the men took her brother away. After that, the family fled Alcolu, relocating to Pinewood and then to Sumter, fearful of the vengeance of locals. Amie Ruffner recalled all this in court in 2014, long after her brother was put to death by a legal system that let him down every step of the way. South Carolina Judge Carmen Mullen listened to Stinneys younger siblings, no longer young, and vacated his conviction. Mullens 28-page ruling almost reads like a novel except that it really happened. It changed the legacy of Stinneys life, and it cites all the guardrails that have been erected since he was killed that might have kept him alive: confession safeguards, rights to impartial juries and effective counsel, required appeals of executions. It takes on greater resonance with the state set to resume killing death row inmates who have exhausted appeals. They had been left in limbo until July when the state Supreme Court legalized execution by lethal injection, electrocution and firing squad. Starting Friday, executions could occur every five weeks for six men convicted of heinous crimes whose sentences have already been appealed unsuccessfully to the state Supreme Court. Their system is different than Stinneys. The state has required appeals since 1996 in sentences involving capital punishment. And the U.S. determined in 2005 that imposing the death penalty on anyone younger than 18 is cruel and unusual punishment. In 2013, better lawyers than the one Stinney had in 1944 invoked the unusual legal theory of coram nobis to overturn his conviction, citing serious errors and omissions that denied him due process and saying there was no other remedy to right the states fatal wrong. Mullen drew the case and found the original lawyer, Charles H. Plowden, did little to nothing in defending Stinney. She called him the essence of an ineffective lawyer. She found no written confession in the record and no evidence of a murder weapon or bloody clothes at his trial. She found that Stinneys lawyer called few to no witnesses to defend him, certainly not his siblings, and conducted little to no cross-examination. She found that case law now says that no death sentence should be imposed out of whim, passion, prejudice or mistake. It was the system self-correcting, just way, way too late. In court, a man who talked to Stinney in jail recalled him saying that they were going to electrocute him and that he didnt kill the girls, and that they made him say those things. A forensic psychiatrist who wrote her 2010 thesis on the Stinney case added that any confession given was a coerced, compliant false confession and is unreliable. The miscarriage of justice was as clear to Mullen as it was to Stinneys family years ago. Since the time of trial, the Jim Crow era has evolved into the Civil Rights era, Mullen wrote. Both have come and gone, resulting in great social, legal and administrative progress in this region. Regardless of that progress, from time to time we are called to look back to examine our still-recent history and correct injustice where possible. There was no appeal of Mullens ruling in 2014. It will stand for all time, a stark acknowledgment that an execution is irreversible and the state can get it wrong. Just as those girls deserved justice, Stinney deserved a better story. Send me 250-word letters to the editor here, 650-word guest essays here and email here. Say hi on X anytime. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The South Dakota State Penitentiary and Jameson Annex in Sioux Falls went into lockdown status at 11:30 Sunday night. The Department of Corrections isnt saying what led up to the higher security measure. According to a release from the Department of Corrections, the length of the lockdown is unknown. During the lockdown, phone service will be managed for inmates. All visits are canceled during this time. However, attorney visits wont be affected, according to the release. One parent who has a son in prison told us today by phone that the lack of communication is frustrating for the families. We checked with the Attorney generals office today. They say the cases against the inmates are currently making their way through the court system and range from aggravated assault to reckless burning and property damage. What you need to know about whooping cough In July there was unrest at the Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield. The Department of Corrections called it a fight, and said six people were injured. The inmates told us it was a gang war and blamed a lack of supervision because they claim the prison is understaffed. Information on the current lockdown in Sioux Falls is limited to a release from the Department of Corrections. The last line reads in part.. Because this is related to facility security and operations, we will not be responding to further questions and inquiries during the lockdown. The latest count from the Department of Corrections puts the prisoner count at the state penitentiary at 772 inmates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. South Sioux City workshops to be held on future of school district SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (KCAU) South Sioux City Community Schools will be introducing Cardinal Vision to help shape the future of its school district. According to a press release, Cardinal Vision is a community engagement program that offers fellow community members, parents and teachers the opportunity to explore the challenges and opportunities to develop solutions. Sioux City schools investigating another social media threat The community will be able to participate in five interactive workshops, consisting of presentations, group discussions, and hands-on activities to ensure all voices are heard and all ideas are considered. The First Cardinal Vision community workshop will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the South Sioux City Middle School gym. All are encouraged to attend. Future workshops are as follows: Oct. 8 Oct. 29 Dec. 10 Jan. 14 Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. South Sudans President Salva Kiir has agreed with the de facto leader of Sudan, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, that vital oil exports from the landlocked country could resume through its northern neighbour. Sudans 17-month civil war has disrupted South Sudans oil industry, which the countrys economy relies on. Four months of work repairing the damaged infrastructure would allow the oil to flow once again. But there remains a question whether the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which is fighting the army in Sudan, would allow the exports to go ahead as it controls most of the areas the oil would pass through. President Kiir and Gen Burhan discussed the resumption of exports at talks on Monday in South Sudans capital, Juba. Addressing a joint press conference with his Sudanese counterpart, South Sudans Foreign Minister Ramadan Abdalla Goc said the two leaders discussed pressing issues impacting both countries as they focused on enhancing regional peace and stability through constructive dialogue and co-operation. Mr Goc said Gen Burhan confirmed to President Kiir that Sudanese engineers have accomplished the necessary technical preparations for the resumption of South Sudans oil production. He said engineers from South Sudan were expected to visit Sudan in the coming weeks to familiarise themselves with the readiness of the facilities, after that the two countries will announce the official resumption of oil flow. The civil war in neighbouring Sudan has deprived South Sudanese coffers of petrodollars, the governments main source of revenue, according to think-tank the International Crisis Group. Mr Goc also said that during the talks, President Kiir reaffirmed his government's commitment to restoring peace and stability in Sudan. Sudans acting Foreign Minister Hussein Awad said President Kiir and Gen Burhan also agreed to re-open humanitarian corridors between their two countries to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance to Sudan. More BBC stories about South Sudan: [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 MILWAUKEE - School districts have varying policies when it comes to cellphones. It's a powerful device that almost all of us carry everywhere we go. Cellphones keep us connected. At least that's what parents, like Andrea Smith, counts on for her Brown Deer High School freshman. "Its taken a lot," Smith said. "I use it as a form of protection for him, when hes at football games and stuff, but he knows when hes in school, its to be put in his locker or not carried around school." SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News And schools recognize how cellphones affect student performance. "Theres reasons to limit that usage," said Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin Behavioral Health Program Clinical Supervisor Dr. Kate Bennett. She said phones in the hands of children can come with side effects, both physical and emotional. This includes changes in mood, sleep patterns and cyberbullying. "I know theres a lot of discussion about removing cellphones during the day," Bennett said. So what are the biggest school districts in our area doing about cellphones? FOX6 News reached out to some of the largest school districts in the area: Milwaukee, Kenosha and Racine. No one from those districts would go on camera, but all have policies in writing. In Milwaukee, phones are allowed for approved purposes. Otherwise, they can be confiscated. Possible penalties include suspension and expulsion if used for harassment. Kenosha's policy leaves it up to each teacher to decide if students can use phones in their class, but they can't connect to district wifi. All students can use phones before school, during lunch, after school and in emergency situations. In Racine, cellphones are prohibited, with some exceptions, like medical reasons. Like other districts, they also restrict cellphones in areas where you'd expect privacy, like the bathroom. But when it comes to enforcement, Racine does things a little differently. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android. Last year, the district set up a cellphone committee. Groups of students, teachers, staff and parents at each campus develop policy on a school-by-school basis. Out of that, records show some of Racine's high schools require students to store cellphones out of sight. Case High School decided to focus on treating cellphone misuse as an addiction. "Technology is really integral to our life," Bennett said. And parents, teachers and community members must have open conversations with kids about it, because it's technology we can't always get away from. "I trust the way the school communicates with us, and if there was an incident, I would know about it sooner, than later," Smith said. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) Officials from the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians are suing the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management over its decision to greenlight two areas off the Oregon Coast for potential floating wind energy projects. The southern Oregon tribe which passed a resolution against floating offshore wind energy in those areas last November filed its suit Friday in U.S. District Court in Eugene against the ocean energy bureau, accusing it of violating two federal laws meant to protect the environment and culturally significant areas. The decision to file this legal action was not taken lightly, Brad Kneaper, chair of the tribal council, said in a news release. We would much rather work collaboratively with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to determine where the best places are to develop wind energy, minimizing the impacts to the coast and our people. The suit comes two weeks after federal officials announced they would hold an auction for companies interested in surveying and proposing floating offshore wind energy farms in two lease areas. One area, a 61,000-acre site, is located 30 miles off the coast of Coos Bay, while the other, spanning nearly 134,000 acres, is located 20 miles off the coast of Brookings. If fully developed, wind farms on the two sites could generate more than 3.1 gigawatts of renewable energy, enough to power 1 million homes, federal officials said. Tribal officials say the two proposed offshore areas are in the tribes ancestral territory and that the areas are home to fish and other marine species and have views of significant cultural, historic and economic significance to the tribe. Kneaper said in the release that the tribe is willing to withdraw the lawsuit if the October lease sale is delayed and the bureau commits to assessing the cumulative and future impacts of wind energy development not just along the Oregon Coast, but also across all development areas being auctioned off along the West Coast. BOEM does not discuss pending litigation through the media, John Romero, a spokesperson for the ocean energy bureau, said in an email. The lawsuit In the suit, the tribe, represented by attorney Rick Eichstaedt of the Spokane-based law firm Rey-Bear McLaughlin, accused the ocean energy bureau of violating the federal National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, as well as the National Historic Preservation Act, which requires federal agencies to protect culturally significant sites. The tribe claims the agency failed in an environmental assessment to consider not just the current impacts of surveying and potentially developing the areas for wind energy, but also future impacts as well as the cumulative effect of wind power generation along the entire West Coast, not just off the coast of Oregon. The bureau has auctioned five areas off the California coast for floating wind energy projects. In July, it released an environmental assessment of the two Oregon lease areas, and said there would be no significant impact to people or the environment as companies survey, study and plan proposals. Any projects proposed by developers would need to go through another environmental impact analysis, and the public and interested parties would also be able to comment before it could be approved and built. Kneaper said the July assessment ignored the cumulative and future impacts of wind development, and failed to identify alternative areas that did not have the same cultural and historic importance for the tribe and marine species. The tribe has consistently urged that BOEM delay moving forward with wind energy development until a better understanding is made of the impacts to fish, wildlife, the marine environment and cultural resources important to the tribe, he said. No one, including BOEM, has an understanding of how wind development will impact the fragile marine environment. Kneaper accused the bureau of being driven by politics and ignoring concerns among coastal residents. In November, Coos County residents will vote on a ballot initiative to oppose offshore wind development, and a coalition of independent fishing boat operators, seafood companies and industry groups have also asked Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek to intervene to stop floating offshore wind development from moving forward. Wider picture Under Oregons climate change policies, the state needs to curb its greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century. The Climate Protection Program, which is currently being redone by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, has set a target of reducing emissions from fossil fuels in Oregon by 50% by 2035 and by 90% by 2050. Wind energy will be needed to help achieve those goals, officials say, and offshore wind is slated to be part of the solution. The Oregon Department of Energys latest energy report said the state needs about 20,000 megawatts of energy to come from offshore wind by 2050 to meet that target. The Biden administration also has wind energy plans. It is planning for up to a dozen offshore wind energy auctions through 2028, with the hope of developing a total of 30 gigawatts of wind energy enough to power more than 10 million homes on the East and West coasts to be deployed by 2030. The Oregon sites would account for about 10% of that, according to the bureau. This article was first published by the Oregon Capital Chronicle, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com. Follow Oregon Capital Chronicle on Facebook and X. WEBB CITY, Mo. More and more school districts are seeing more and more school threats posting on social media. Its often a national thread with no local ties, but still something schools take seriously. To make sure our schools are a safe environment for all our students, said Dr. Brenten Byrd, WC R-7 Superintendent. In the age of social media, its not a matter of if, but when the next school threat pops up. Unfortunately, social media is just expanding every day. And so we are going to see these things spread more quickly. And our goal today is to partner with parents and students to put an end to these rumors more quickly, said Dr. Byrd. School superintendents from Carl Junction, Carthage, Joplin, and Webb City met to discuss the growing number of threats online. Our plea is for parents to report this directly to the school district and refrain from posting it on social media. The more people that talk and reply on social media makes it that much more difficult for us to get to the truth behind the threat, said Dr. Luke Boyer, Carthage R-9 Superintendent. They point to social media as a common denominator in spreading school threats, often originating from other states with no local basis. The superintendents say they all take safety seriously and will investigate any threat. We want nothing but for them to be safe. You dont have to reach out to a public relations director or one of us, the superintendentsreach out to any of our employees. They will all take it seriously. We will look into it, said Dr. Phil Cook, CJ R-1 Superintendent. We work backwards with law enforcement as well. And they have very good techniques to track things backwards. But we spend hours and hours doing that to make sure theres nothing credible or that it can be mitigated immediately, said Dr. Kerry Sachetta, Joplin Schools Superintendent. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. WASHINGTON (AP) House Speaker Mike Johnson will move ahead with a temporary spending bill that would prevent a partial government shutdown when the new budget year begins on Oct. 1, despite the headwinds that prompted him to pull the bill from consideration last week. The bill includes a requirement that people registering to vote must provide proof of citizenship, which has become a leading election-year priority for Republicans raising the specter of noncitizens voting in the U.S., even though it's already illegal to do so and research has shown that such voting is rare. I urge all of my colleagues to do what the overwhelming majority of the people of this country rightfully demand and deserve prevent non-American citizens from voting in American elections, Johnson said Tuesday. Johnson told reporters he was not ready to discuss an alternative plan to keep the government funded other than what will come before the House on Wednesday. Im not having any alternative conversations. Thats the play. Its an important one. And Im going to work around the clock to try and get it done, Johnson said. The legislation faces an uphill climb in the House and has no chance in the Senate. The vast majority of Democrats oppose it, and some Republicans do, too, but for different reasons. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the only way to prevent a government shutdown was for both sides to work together on an agreement. He said the House vote announced by Johnson was doomed to fail. The only thing that will accomplish is make clear that he's running into a dead end, Schumer said. We must have a bipartisan plan instead. The legislation would fund agencies at current levels while lawmakers work out their differences on a full-year spending agreement. Democrats, and some Republicans, are pushing for a short extension. A temporary fix would allow the current Congress to hammer out a final bill after the election and get it to President Joe Biden's desk for his signature. But Johnson and some of the more conservative members of his conference are pushing for a six-month extension in the hopes that Republican nominee Donald Trump will win the election and give them more leverage when crafting the full-year bill. Schumer said a six-month measure would shortchange the Pentagon and other government agencies that need more certainty about funding levels. You simply cannot run the military with six-month stopgaps, Schumer said. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell declined to weigh in on how long to extend funding. He said Schumer and Johnson, ultimately, will have to work out a final agreement that can pass both chambers. The one thing you cannot have is a government shutdown. It would be politically beyond stupid for us to do that right before the election because certainly we would get the blame, McConnell said. Johnson said last week that he was not giving up on his proposal just yet and would be working through the weekend to build support. He said ensuring that only U.S. citizens vote in federal elections is the most pressing issue right now and were going to get this job done. On Sunday, he traveled to Florida to meet with Trump, who had earlier seemingly encouraged a government shutdown if Republicans dont get assurances on Election Security. Trump said on the social media platform Truth Social that they should not go forward with a stopgap bill without such assurances. The House approved a bill with the proof of citizenship mandate back in July. Some Republicans who view the issue as popular with their constituents have been pushing for another chance to show their support for the measure. Still, other Republicans are expected to vote no because they view the spending in the bill as excessive. BOSTON (WWLP) The emergency shelter program special commission held its third meeting on Monday to discuss the status of the migrant crisis in Massachusetts, drawing a crowd of protesters and onlookers. This meeting sought to set goals for future work authorization numbers, move people out of shelters and into stable housing, and decide on the commissions next steps. In the meetingwhich was open to the publicmany held signs and banners to protest a shelter stay limit rule that Governor Healey imposed on August 1, which implements a five day stay maximum in some temporary shelters. Some commissioners, like provider Leah Bradley, expressed concerns that align with the concerns of the protestors. She said that the current system does not prioritize familial wellbeing. Homelessness has a profound impact on children. So how do we keep them out of the system to begin with, said Bradley. How do we make sure that theyre not repeating homelessness too, because that even has a worse impact on kids. Others, like Representative Paul Frost, say they are most concerned about the financial burden of supporting migrants in the state and have called for stricter regulations. But we know why were here, why this kind of exploded on us, are the new arrivals, said Frost. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll chaired the meeting, and said her administration will take both perspectives into account while making policy going forward. The commission plans to hold listening sessions from now until December with providers, advocates, organizations, and municipalities. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. The recent letter "Don't lose the country we love," (Sept. 12) doesn't pass the smell test. Yes, Donald Trump probably did give the largest tax cut in history, but it mostly benefited the very wealthy. More illegals did probably come to our borders, but it was due to Republicans yelling as loud as they could that our borders were open and unguarded, essentially inviting everyone to come. Trump did not make us safer, he simply kowtowed to and was played by Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un as the simple, egotistical fool that he is. It is news to me that we are at war. We are helping to support a young democracy that is resisting a hostile takeover by Russia. Finally, the current administration is not condemning Israel for protecting itself, but is rightly concerned and horrified by the loss of innocent life that has been inflicted during this conflict. If Trump gets elected, I truly fear we may lose the country we love. Trump must never be allowed in any position of authority ever again. We spent $900,000 to build a glass house. Airbnb guests love it, and it's a dream to live at one with the outdoors. Andrew Hawthorne and his wife spent $900,000 to build a glass house on a lake in North Carolina. They plan to live there some of the year and rent it out on Airbnb for as much as $1,000 a night. Hawthorne sketched his dream on a paper bag and learned how hard it is to be an amateur builder. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Andrew Hawthorne, 35, who along with his wife Anna, 32, designed and built a glass house in North Carolina. The essay has been edited for length and clarity. In 2015, my wife and I saved up to travel to New Zealand, her home country, for five months. We were driving out to Cape Kidnappers, an iconic lookout point on Hawke's Bay, when we saw this super-architectural house in the middle of a field. It was just sitting in the middle of nowhere. This New Zealand home inspired Hawthorne to build a glass house in San Diego and another one in North Carolina. Courtesy of Andrew Hawthorne I pulled into the driveway and knocked on the door because I needed to know the story of the house. I'm just that kind of guy. We met the owner, who was really cool, and he ended up coming with us to Cape Kidnappers. He encouraged us to build our own house in San Diego and promised to fly out and help. Hawthorne used YouTube videos for some of the building. Courtesy of Andrew Hawthorne I'm not a professional builder or architect. I originally went to school for mechanical engineering, but I ended up getting out of because I went to a career fair and realized I didn't want to work for anyone else. I've done all sorts of different things. I was a film director for an ad agency and my wife and I ran a wedding photography business. The Hawthornes ran a luxury wedding photography business before custom-building homes. Courtesy of Andrew Hawthorne We learned a lot during the San Diego project, which went from 2017 to 2019, and our New Zealand friend did fly out to help with framing. It really taught me everything I needed to know about building. I got thrown in the deep end. It was exhausting though, and we didn't talk about another house for a few years. But after a while, we were like, "Hey, let's go for it again." We spent two years trying to build in Park City, Utah, but the winters create such short windows to build. As we were losing hope, we took an impromptu trip with my family to Lake Gaston in North Carolina, about two hours south of where I grew up in Raleigh. The design for the glass house had been on my mind Hawthorne took some inspiration from Phillip Johnson's Glass House in Connecticut. Courtesy of Andrew Hawthorne The original design a design that had been itching in my head was drawn up on a paper bag at a coffee shop. It is somewhat based off Philip Johnson's Glass House, which has been one of my favorite architectural projects of all time. But I also had a lot of personal touches I really wanted to execute. As a photographer, light has always been a big part of my craft. Originally, I wanted to put massive wood slats across this open court in the center of the house, but I realized that would make some really weird light textures in the house. So I scrapped it. I grew up in the woods in North Carolina and I wanted to create an element of time in the house. We put a Japanese maple in the courtyard and surrounded it with glass, so you can watch the tree changing seasons from inside the house. The tree is positioned so residents of the house can watch it change throughout the year. Courtesy of Andrew Hawthorne I first found a possible lot to build the house on Zillow. It was just the worst lot I've ever walked. There were these massive, ravenous trees everywhere. But there was a lot next to it even though it was also covered in trees, I could just tell it was going to be a beautiful lot. I knocked on the neighbor's door, who told me the owner was down the street. I shook his hand and made him an offer. His agent forced me to get an agent, though. So I literally got an agent for one day just to handle all the paperwork. I bought the lot for $238,000 in August 2022. It can be tough to build a house without a lot of experience The living room of the home on Lake Gaston. Courtesy of Andrew Hawthorne I hired someone to do the foundations, drywall, framing, siding, and insulation. The portions I did myself were the electrical, HVAC, windows, landscaping, the dock, kitchen and bathroom installation, finishes, electric fireplace, heated floors, and roof work. I'm not a manual labor fiend, but I love turning my ideas into reality. You just get in a rhythm. I work really hard. My dad was a tank of a worker. There are definitely challenges building a house as an amateur. I couldn't buy A/C equipment very easily because I don't have a license wholesalers wouldn't even sell me anything. I went with a Mr. Cool system because they will sell direct to consumers. A contractor quoted me $163,000 to do the HVAC duct work. I called the county and asked if I could do my own HVAC, and they said yes. I did it for around $19,500. Inside the Lake Gaston home. Courtesy of Andrew Hawthorne I have an engineering mind, so all of it is common sense to me. That's just how my mind works. Sometimes I go to YouTube when I'm really stuck. Like when I was installing the air handler the main engine for cooling and heating your home I needed to make it flow downward instead of upward. I don't just search for "how to" videos. I found videos of experts online and patched together different tricks I saw them doing. I use YouTube like a textbook. Altogether, we spent around $900,000 building the home. It has 1,200 square feet of glass. We had twins in the middle of glass-house construction The bathroom inside the Lake Gaston home. Courtesy of Andrew Hawthorne. We got pregnant with twins in the middle of this project. Everything got kinda crazy. In the late stages of building, we were living in an Airstream on site with our 3-year-old daughter. We had the twins in October 2023 and they were in NICU. They were two hours away, and I was jumping back and forth with my daughter. Then, we rented a house across the street. The neighbors were awesome and watched my daughter sometimes. It was the most insane part of my life so far. I was literally doing flooring for, like, 12 hours a day. I'd go home, sleep for like four or five hours, then stay with the twins for a couple of hours while my wife slept, then I would go back. We moved into the house on December 9, 2023. The countertop company literally dropped off the material on Christmas Eve, so I say the house was done by Christmas. Once you live in a glass house, it's really hard to go back to anything else. In the best way, it's like you can't escape the elements. You're always kind of outside. I planted a maple tree on our dock, which has become a destination The maple tree is watered by a Wi-Fi-operated irrigation system. Courtesy of Andrew Hawthorne The dock was finished in early June of 2024. We planted a maple tree on it. For the tree on the dock, I was like "Why not?" I like things that are unique. We wanted to find a way to tie the dock to the house we wanted it to feel like the same architectural design. I had some ideas about a massive roof system, but we ran out of money for that. So I said let's put a big fat tree here. The maple is a statement piece on the water to guide people to the house. In a handful of years, that tree will be 30 to 40 feet tall. We've named it the Great Maple Tree of Lake Gaston there are no other trees on the lake. When we posted it on Instagram, the pictures kept getting labeled as AI. Hawthorne said he wants to retire to the house one day. Courtesy of Andrew Hawthorne The tree itself was only $1,000, but sinking the barrel and supplying all the dirt was intense. It's tied to the house's irrigation system and probably cost about $10,000 total. Every day at least five to 10 people stop by on boats to take pictures of it. The house actually has a Wi-Fi-enabled irrigation system, so I control when the tree gets watered from my phone. It's basically a glorified potted plant. We're renting out the glass house, but I dream of growing old there We drove the Airstream back to San Diego and came back here full-time in early August. We will be in North Carolina multiple times a year at least every summer. The point is for our kids to create memories on the lake. I'll be able to go here when I'm old, and there will be no stairs. We list it on Airbnb and Vrbo, and have a direct booking system. We've had around 14 bookings since June the price ranged from $450 to $700 a night depending on seasonality or if it's a weekend or a holiday. A nighttime view of the Lake Gaston home. Courtesy of Andrew Hawthorne. Next summer, we anticipate during peak season we can charge up to $1,000 a night. We've had 14 bookings so far most of them are families. One family caught fish off the dock with their kids. One of the guests said their kid put the house in a back-to-school essay as their favorite summer memory. That's what we want for our kids, too. Correction, September 24, 2024 An earlier version of this article misstated the name of Andrew's wife Anna. Read the original article on Business Insider A massive strike targeting hundreds of Hezbollah operatives and their associates via exploding pagers was likely the culmination of a complex intelligence operation that took months to execute, according to a Rolling Stone analysis of images and videos related to the attack. More than 2,800 people have been reported injured in the wave of blasts, with at least eight confirmed deaths, Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said in a televised press conference. At least one child was injured, he said, adding that hospitals were overwhelmed. Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the attacks. As news of injuries related to exploding pagers across Beirut and southern Lebanon began to spread, so too did rumors that Hezbollah operatives were being targeted in a cyberwarfare operation designed to make batteries used in secure communications devices explode. Videos of the exploding devices indicate the effect was unlikely to have been achieved due to a hack or cyberwarfare operation, a U.S. source tells Rolling Stone an assertion consistent with this reporters prior experience with munitions, and advanced military training in both explosives and electrical engineering. Instead, it is far more likely that an intelligence organization intercepted the devices remnants of which match a type of Motorola pager at some point prior to delivery and retrofitted them with internal explosives designed to be triggered remotely. Hezbollah operatives use pagers because, in theory, encrypted messages sent to and from such devices can be more difficult to intercept and decipher than voice communications or smartphone-based app messaging services. Reuters reported that the exploding devices were brought into Lebanon within the last several months, citing three security sources. Rolling Stone has not independently confirmed those reports. The Israeli intelligence services are the most likely source of such an operation, possessing the resources, motivation, and requisite experience to carry it out. The Israelis would have had to refit actual pagers with a small piece of DetaSheet [a plastic explosive] and a flat bridge-wire detonator, and then gotten them into Hezbollahs supply chain, says the U.S. source, who has expertise in explosives and special operations, after reviewing video of the explosions and photos of the remnants of pagers alleged to be the source of the blasts. Even just an exploding bridge-wire detonator alone could cause damage its like a blasting cap, just small and flat. While pagers and other small communications devices do have internal batteries, either of a standard AA or AAA type or a small rechargeable lithium-ion cell, by themselves these do not possess the physical characteristics required to produce explosions of the type seen in the videos no matter how advanced a hacker might be. The difference between an explosion caused by thermal runaway of a lithium-ion battery and the rapid detonation of even a small amount of a military grade plastic explosive is significant: The first is a sudden burst of flame, whereas the second is more akin to the bang of a large firecracker. Theres a reason you can take a smartphone on a plane despite the (rare) potential for thermal runaway: It is because lithium-ion comes nowhere near having the explosive characteristics of Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) or hexogen (RDX), two of the most common ingredients used in industrial and military-grade explosives. Such explosives experience high-order detonations, sending out blast waves that expand at velocities measured in the thousands of meters per second. Although thermal runaway of a battery can be dangerous, and the resultant sudden and energetic conflagration can cause injury and property destruction, the process is not similar to the type of detonation seen in videos of the blasts in Lebanon. It is possible that whoever added the explosives to the pagers was able to trigger them by remotely overheating a battery PETN detonates at a temperature of 215 Celsius (419 Fahrenheit). An individual carrying a device rapidly heating up to that temperature would almost certainly notice it prior to the pager exploding. Israel does have the capability to carry out cyberwarfare attacks aimed at crippling infrastructure or damaging physical devices, most notably demonstrated in the U.S.-Israeli joint Stuxnet malware operation from 2009 to 2010. Stuxnet was aimed at Irans nuclear program, and appears to have been specifically targeted at centrifuges used in an uranium enrichment facility in Natanz. But Israel also has a history of conducting targeted strikes against its enemies using discreet explosive devices. Notable among these was the January 1996 assassination of Hamas bomb-maker Yahya Ayyash known as The Engineer, an honorific nom de guerre commonly applied to prolific bomb-makers in the Arabic-speaking world in the West Bank. Ayyash was killed when Shin Bet, one of Israels intelligence services, detonated 15 grams of the explosive RDX it had planted in a cellphone he was using. The blast, triggered remotely once Ayyash was confirmed to be speaking on the phone, killed him instantly. As a matter of policy, Israel neither confirms nor denies responsibility for targeted assassinations. As of writing, no one had claimed responsibility for the wide-ranging attacks on Hezbollah operatives and their associates in Lebanon. 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. Students in Springfield, Ohio, attended classes Tuesday with increased security provided by the state, as threats linked to false claims about Haitian immigrants continue to disrupt daily life in the city. State troopers, tower cameras and bomb detection dogs were deployed to enhance security at Springfield schools, which have received dozens of bomb threats since late last week, Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine has said. The threats began rolling in after last weeks presidential debate, when former President Donald Trump touted unfounded allegations that Haitian immigrants in Springfield are stealing and eating pet cats and dogs. DeWine flatly denied the false rumors about the citys Haitian immigrants and told CNN business leaders feel Haitian immigrants are really essential to them getting the job done. DeWine told PBS News Hour on Tuesday night that comments like ones made by Trump and Republican running mate JD Vance are very hurtful to immigrants who are working hard. And frankly, (the comments) need to stop, the governor said. Springfield, in southwestern Ohio, has a population of around 60,000 and is about 80 miles north of Cincinnati. The city has experienced 25% population growth in the past three years, in part because of the influx of Haitian immigrants, Mayor Rob Rue, a Republican, has told CNN. The threats of violence and school closures have forced adults to have difficult conversations with students that are robbing them of the blissful ignorance of being a child, Jeremy Hudson, senior pastor at Fellowship Church in Springfield, told CNN. Theyre asking questions like, Why did this happen? he said. Because they understand that somethings going on, they just dont understand why. And frankly, there isnt a great answer to give a kid. When asked Tuesday whether the Trump campaign has reached out to express support, DeWine told reporters he has not spoken recently with Trump or Vance, a US senator from Ohio. The governor said Trump will be welcomed to visit Springfield, but emphasized resources are really stretched in the city right now. Springfields mayor said it would be fine with me if they decided not to make that stop right now because of the strain on city resources. State patrol to check school buildings Starting Tuesday, 36 troopers from the state highway patrols mobile field force will sweep each of the districts 17 school buildings before classes start and will remain on campus throughout the day to provide security, DeWine said. The governor has also directed Ohio Homeland Security to conduct vulnerability assessments on the citys infrastructure and to provide tower cameras for police use. Bomb detection dogs will be stationed in the city every day, DeWine noted. At a news conference Tuesday, the governor said Springfield received one threat in the previous 24 hours that was deemed to be unfounded. We do not think there is a real threat out there, but we are certainly not going to take any chances and we want parents to be assured that their children can be kids, he said. There was also a bomb threat for the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus on Monday, which the governor said was connected to events in Springfield. The superintendent of the Springfield public school district encouraged parents to return their children to school, saying at the news conference Tuesday it was the first close-to-normal day weve had since last weeks debate. Our attendance was down today, Springfield City School District Superintendent Robert Hill said. There is still a high level of fear due to these unfounded threats and hoaxes that have marred our existence, really, for going on a week now. One student at Tecumseh High School was arrested by the Clark County Sheriffs Department after making an online terroristic threat, according to Hill. Tecumseh is in New Carlisle, a town just west of Springfield, but in the same county. Hill cautioned this may not be over, acknowledging there may be more threats, but with support from the governor and the state highway patrol, Springfield schools are open and ready to serve our highly impoverished population. Two colleges and two elementary schools shut down in-person learning Monday after receiving separate threats none of which were valid, the governor said. Students at Simon Kenton and Kenwood Elementary schools were evacuated Monday based on information district officials received from the citys police, the Springfield City School District said in a release. That marks six buildings within the district to be targeted by threats within the past week, the district said. Wittenberg University announced Monday it would move to virtual learning for the rest of the week because of the bomb threats and a campus shooting threat that targeted members of the Haitian community, the university said. The university has received five separate threats since Saturday, and most have been resolved, school President Michael Frandsen told CNN on Monday. Law enforcement agencies have increased patrols on campus, he said. Clark State College also announced its campuses will be closed this week and classes will be held virtually after the school received similar threats through email. In addition to the citys schools, two area hospitals were forced to shut down last week because of threats. Amid the safety concerns, Springfield also decided to cancel its annual CultureFest, a festival celebrating diversity, art and culture in the city that had been scheduled for September 27 and 28. Springfields mayor thanked the governor Tuesday for believing local leadership about false claims that Haitian immigrants are eating pets and urged national leaders to temper their words and speak truth. We did not have threats seven days ago, we did not have these concerns seven days ago, we did not have these hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars spent in Springfield and from the state of Ohio seven days ago, Rue said at news conference. A Haitian father tries to pick his son up from Fulton Elementary School in Springfield on September 12 after the school was evacuated following bomb threats earlier in the day. - Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images Baseless claims about the Haitian community Approximately 12,000 to 15,000 immigrants live in Clark County, where Springfield is the county seat, the city notes on its website. In the 2020 presidential election, around 61% of Clark County voters cast their ballots in favor of Donald Trump and Mike Pence and 37% voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. The city says some Haitian immigrants are there legally as part of a parole program that allows citizens and lawful residents to apply to have their family members from Haiti come to the United States. These Haitians that are there are legal, they work very, very hard, DeWine said Monday. There was no evidence to support other claims such as Haitians stealing geese out of local parks officials with the Clark County Sheriffs Office said. In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Rue acknowledged his city has experienced infrastructure strain because of an influx of immigrants. But he emphasized: We have strain and stress and were trying to figure it out, but none of this attention that has been brought upon Springfield, Ohio, is helping us. We were not receiving threats before at this level when we were highlighted on the national stage. Now we have threats now were having to respond. This is costing the city, said the mayor, who cited hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses, not including overtime and other city contracts needed to secure the city. Rumors hurting city, church leaders say Philomene Philostin, a Haitian American business owner in Springfield, says the baseless rumors are hurting people in her community particularly, the children. Philostin told CNN she is a youth leader at her church, where children who are too young to fully understand the issues at hand have been asking her about the rumors. Her own child has faced uncomfortable questions about Haitian culture, she said, which have led to feelings of embarrassment and distress. Philostin said she asks herself every day where the baseless claims about the Haitian community that Trump and Vance have been spreading are coming from. Her experience is that immigrants come to Springfield to work, run businesses, pay taxes and take care of their families, she said. She would like Trump to apologize for his false accusations, she said. The people of Springfield have children, she noted, and any parent should be able to understand the feeling of having a child come home from school asking about a bomb threat. People here, theyre really scared. Theyre really worried. They dont know whats going to happen, she said. Hudson, the Fellowship Church pastor, said the communitys problems didnt start with being mentioned at the presidential debate. The influx of Haitian immigrants has bolstered the local economy and enriched the community, Hudson said, but its also put pressure on the city to scale up its resources in a short period of time. In the past year, hes seen local conversations around immigration become heated and witnessed some emotionally charged city commission meetings. Then the presidential debate thrust the city into the national spotlight. This has really reached a tenor that is unprecedented, Hudson said. What we have seen over the last seven days has not been our experience over the last year. Quite frankly, we didnt need it. We were having a hard enough time trying to bring a community together without the difficulty that that brought. CNNs Steve Almasy, Paradise Afshar, Chris Boyette, Taylor Romine and Emma Tucker contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MADISON, N.J. (PIX11) Just days ago, a 1-and-a-half-year-old husky shepherd mix named Sven escaped Hurricane Francine in Louisiana for a chance at a new life. Lynn Garcia works at St. Huberts Animal Welfare Center and is the director of its WayStation Transport Program, which has relocated more than 20,000 shelter animals across the country. We had to wait for the storm to hit to see how many we could relocate after the fact, said Garcia. Francine made landfall in Louisiana on Sept. 11, knocking out power to 400,000 homes. Shelters struggled to keep their animals safe. More Local News We had some partners that had staff members that stayed in the shelter while the storm hit to make sure that the pets were safe, said Garcia. We had one partner that had a tree fall on their dog kennels, and one partner that their surgery center was completely underwater. This weekend, with the help of Greater Good Charities, more than 85 pets were flown out of New Orleans to Pennsylvania, giving shelters much-needed relief. It created the space for newly lost or displaced pets to be taken care of until they can be reunited with their families, said Garcia. Around 50 of the animals came with Garcia to St. Huberts. Its an amazing feeling, said Garcia. These pets rely on us for everything, so being able to reach out in this time of need to give to give them the space and the time that they need to deal with the aftermath means everything to us and those pets. Many of the animals from Louisiana are available to adopt right now. If you cant adopt, you can consider fostering or donating. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Stadium-sized asteroid deemed 'potentially hazardous' by NASA, is expected to move 'relatively close' to Earth Stadium-sized asteroid deemed 'potentially hazardous' by NASA, is expected to move 'relatively close' to Earth The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is monitoring a "potentially hazardous" asteroid that is moving past Earth on Tuesday. NASA told Fox News Digital that the rocky object, which has been named 2024 ON, is 350 meters long by 180 meters wide, which roughly equals 1,150 feet by 590 feet larger than previous estimates. NASA has deemed the asteroid "stadium-sized" and reported it was 621,000 miles away from Earth on Tuesday morning, which is considered relatively close. Davide Farnocchia, a navigation engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, told Fox News Digital that an asteroid of this size coming this close to Earth only happens every five to ten years. Farnocchia, who works at the laboratory's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, said that the last time a large meteor entered the Earth's atmosphere was in Russia in 2013. Earth has not been hit by a meteor of 2024 ON's size since prehistoric times. Flashback: Study Says Asteroid That Killed The Dinosaurs Also Caused A Global Tsunami NASA announced that a stadium-sized asteroid would be passing "relatively close" to Earth on Tuesday. Although the asteroid is close enough to Earth to be deemed a "potentially hazardous object," Farnocchia said there is no chance the asteroid will hit Earth. The asteroid would need to be within a couple of hundred miles to be a concern. Read On The Fox News App "We actually check [about the possibility of collision], not just for the immediate future, but also for the next hundred years," the engineer explained. "And there is no possibility of collision in the next hundred years." The asteroid is one of five that will pass by Earth over the next two days, but the other rocky objects will not come nearly as close as 2024 ON. The four asteroids will be between 1.1 to 3.9 million miles away from Earth, and three of the asteroids measure roughly 51 feet in diameter, which is the size of a house. 2024 ON will be 621,000 miles from Earth on Tuesday night, NASA says. Newly Discovered Dinosaur Species Is Only Green Fossil Ever Gound, To Be Displayed In Los Angeles One of the asteroids, named 2013 FW13, measures around 510 feet in diameter and will pass by Earth on Wednesday. NASA's Asteroid Watch Dashboard tracks "asteroids and comets that will make relatively close approaches to Earth." According to a data table, 2024 ON was traveling at around 8.8 kilometers per second on Tuesday morning, which is nearly 20,000 miles per hour. "The dashboard displays the date of closest approach, approximate object diameter, relative size and distance from Earth for each encounter," the organization's website explains. NASA announced that a stadium-sized asteroid would be passing "relatively close" to Earth on Tuesday. "The dashboard displays the next five Earth approaches to within 4.6 million miles (7.5 million kilometers or 19.5 times the distance to the moon); an object larger than about 150 meters that can approach the Earth to within this distance is termed a potentially hazardous object." Original article source: Stadium-sized asteroid deemed 'potentially hazardous' by NASA, is expected to move 'relatively close' to Earth Stadium-Sized Asteroid Will Pass by Earth on Tuesday and NASA Says It's Coming Back The asteroid, named by the space agency as "2024 ON," is 621,000 miles from Earth Getty Planet Earth and big asteroid in the space NASA has issued a high alert regarding a large asteroid that is set to pass by Earth. The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory issued an alert for a "stadium-size" asteroid approaching Earth on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Four other asteroids were also included in the warning. The large asteroid, named by the space organization as "2024 ON," is about 950 feet in diameter and is 621,000 miles from Earth, NASA said. The four additional asteroids varied in size, with three said to be the size of houses and one the size of a building. Related: Asteroid the Size of a Football Stadium Just Whizzed Past Earth and It's Coming Back in 2032 "The dashboard displays the next five Earth approaches to within 4.6 million miles (7.5 million kilometers or 19.5 times the distance to the moon)," per NASAs Asteroid Watch Dashboard. "An object larger than about 150 meters that can approach the Earth to within this distance is termed a potentially hazardous object." The asteroid first passed by Earth in 2013, but is expected to make return in 2035, according to The New York Post and The Independent. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The latest asteroid comes a year after NASA said another asteroid this one the size of the Empire State Building could hit Earth in less than 200 years. Related: Skyscraper-Sized Asteroid Will Pass by Earth This Weekend at Half the Distance of the Moon The near-Earth object, named Bennu, has been the focus of NASA research and the OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and Security Regolith Explorer) spacecraft since the asteroids discovery in 1999, NASA said at the time. Studying Bennu is imperative because the asteroid has a slim shot of eventually hitting Earth. NASA said in a 2021 paper from the OSIRIS-REx science team gives Bennu a [one-in-2,700] chance of impacting Earth on Sept. 24, 2182. Previously, it had "three close encounters [with Earth] in 1999, 2005 and 2011," per the paper. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Could Britain copy Italys plan to use Albania for the offshore processing of asylum seekers? Keir Starmer has reportedly said he is interested, during a visit to see Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Under her premiership, Italy has seen a decline in illegal immigration, with a 62 per cent drop in arrivals as of July this year compared to the same period last year. Those numbers must look attractive to the government, which has seen illegal immigration increase in their short term in office so far. Although that might sound tempting, so far none of the facilities in Albania have opened. The deal was only struck last year and they should open this autumn, although that was delayed from the original plan to open them this summer. Instead, Italys success has been because of the Mattei Plan, which involves investing billions in Africa. The idea is that by tackling the dysfunction and poverty of these countries, the reasons for emigration could be neutralised. However, Italy also pays the Libyans for what are called pull backs. The ECHR means that any refugee vessel rescued by an Italian ship will likely be taken to the mainland, where they have a good chance of being able to stay, no matter how genuine their case is. Therefore the Libyans are paid to stop the vessels leaving or to intercept them while they are still in their waters. There is no ECHR in Libya, and the detention centres there are notorious for bad conditions. Indeed, one of the ironies of the debate over Britains Rwanda plan was that the UN already does offshore processing in Rwanda because they consider it safer to send asylum seekers there rather than leave them in Libya. All of this is of limited utility to Britain however. Despite extensive co-operation and millions in funding from Britain, France is not going to pull back boats in the Channel and the ECHR very much applies there. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has previously suggested something similar to the Mattei Plan, to invest aid money in the countries where asylum seekers come from in an effort to reduce the desire to come here. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely to work. Not only are the sums under discussion far too small, most of the countries where our asylum seekers come from either cannot be invested in, like Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, or are already prospering, like Vietnam. What about the Albanian offshoring plan? It envisions intercepting boats in Italian waters and then taking them to Albania, where they can be processed. Much like the suggestion that Germany could use Rwanda for processing some asylum seekers, which was withdrawn in the face of media hostility, this is only about processing and not a permanent removal. So, if the asylum seeker is successful in their claim then they could expect to be transferred back to Italy. As Britain has an unusually high rate of asylum grants, this would be no deterrent at all. Adding an extra step to the process and paying more to shuffle asylum seekers around would be foolish when the public is fed up with broken promises and high costs of asylum. Despite protests from some on the Labour backbenches that Starmer is meeting a fascist, which is hard to square with the pink-clad Meloni and her predilection for Aperol Spritzes in meetings, there seems little that Starmer can learn from Italy. That leaves the government in a tricky situation. Although they have finally recruited a Border Security Commander to lead their plan to smash the gangs, their interest in Italy suggests they arent as confident in that strategy as they might have claimed. By cancelling the Rwanda plan and recommitting Britain to the ECHR, they have very little opportunity for effective action. Expansion of human rights law has increasingly narrowed down the options for any government, unless they are willing to challenge it directly. The Rwanda plan tried to stretch the law as far as possible, without breaking it. It was perhaps inevitable therefore that the government would end up looking at offshoring asylum seekers again. Unfortunately the Italian model has few lessons for Britain. The government has said they are committed to making hard choices: on asylum they may find the choices harder than they want to stomach. 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) -- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said hell prioritize economic growth in the governments upcoming Budget, despite concerns from business that a looming package of tax hikes and spending cuts could stymie the British economy. Most Read from Bloomberg The No. 1 priority of this government is economic growth and all decisions will be made against that objective, Starmer said to reporters as he flew back from meeting Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Monday. If it promotes economic growth, its in the Yes column, if it is inhibiting growth its in the No column. Starmer faces a major test on Oct. 30 when he and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves present the new Labour administrations first Budget, with Starmer warning that they need to take tricky decisions to address a fiscal shortfall left by the previous Conservative government. Reeves has hinted at potential tax rises, which are widely expected to focus on wealth levies such as capital gains and inheritance taxes. Were going to do the tough, difficult things up front, Starmer said. Were going to do the really hard stuff now. The challenge for Starmer will be reconciling his push for growth with a Budget that may act as a brake on the economy. Some of Britains wealthiest people have warned that they will leave the country because of Labours tax plans, and any fiscal tightening from Starmer would come at a time when the economy is already stagnating. Starmers argument is that growth will only come once the government has put its own finances on a stable footing, with Starmer citing a 22 billion ($29 billion) shortfall that needs to be addressed. He and Reeves regularly stress a desire to prioritize stability and to avoid an economic crisis akin to that presided over by former Premier Liz Truss, when markets punished the government for having unfunded tax plans. Reeves and Starmer have already set about tackling the governments economic position with their decision to remove winter fuel payments from most pensioners, a move that sparked a major backlash and a significant rebellion from their own Labour MPs. Given that Labour ruled out any changes to income tax, the national insurance payroll tax, VAT or corporation tax in its election manifesto which covers about two-thirds of the UK tax take theyre having to look in other areas to raise funds. One option for Starmer is to ease the economic picture for himself by making tweaks to the governments self-imposed fiscal rules. The current rules require debt to be falling as a share of the size of the economy in five years time, and the previous Conservative government was only meeting that target by a narrow margin. On Monday a group of leading economists said Starmer should change the rules to allow the government to borrow more to invest in the countrys ailing public infrastructure and Starmer didnt rule out the prospect of changes. Youre tempting me into issues which are going to have to be dealt with in the Budget, Starmer said. Ive always thought its important to borrow to invest. But we have got to make sure we have strong fiscal rules in place. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Following a meeting with his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to add about 4.75 million to her initiative to help stem irregular migration. The funding is a part of Meloni's "Rome Process", an agreement signed in July 2023 as part of European efforts to "externalise" migrant controls by outsourcing them to third countries. The Rome Process pledges to tackle the root causes of illegal migration including conflict, economic hardship and climate change and crack down on migrant smugglers. After their meeting on Monday, Starmer praised Meloni for the "remarkable progress" Italy has made in reducing the number of migrants reaching its shores by boat. The centre-left British leader is not a natural ally of Meloni, who heads up the far-right Brothers of Italy Party, but as illegal migration continues to top the UK's political agenda, Starmer said he was attempting to learn how Italy's government has managed to tackle the issue so effectively. "You've made remarkable progress working with countries along migration routes as equals, to address the drivers of migration at source and to tackle the gangs. As a result, irregular arrivals to Italy by sea are down 60% since 2022," Starmer told Meloni at their joint press conference in Rome. "So I am pleased that we are deepening our cooperation here ... to share intelligence, share tactics, shut down smugglers routes and smash the gangs. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer share a laugh on the occasion of their meeting at Villa Doria Pamphilj in Rome. - Phil Noble/AP Meloni echoed Starmer's sentiments and said the UK prime minister had expressed interest in new solutions such as the Albania deal. We talked about the Italy-Albania agreement, which is a solution that the British government is showing a lot of interest in, and clearly we have offered them all the elements to better understand this mechanism that has been one of the new changes the Italian government has brought in the politics of migration flows, Meloni said. Amnesty International has criticised Rome's decision to open processing centres for asylum seekers in neighbouring Albania, calling them "a stain on the Italian government". Crackdown under fire More than 22,000 migrants have crossed from France into the UK so far this year, a slight increase from the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, several dozen people have died while attempting to cross, including the eight killed when a boat carrying about 60 people ran aground on rocks late on Saturday. In stark contrast, the number of migrants arriving in Italy by boat in the first half of this year was down 60% from 2023, according to the countrys Interior Ministry. Meloni pledged a crackdown on migration after taking office in 2022, aiming to deter would-be refugees from paying smugglers to make the dangerous Mediterranean crossing to Italy. Her government has signed deals with individual African countries, including Tunisia, to block departures, imposed limits on the work of humanitarian rescue ships, cracked down on traffickers, and taken measures to deter people from setting off. Italy also has signed a deal with Albania under which some adult male migrants rescued at sea while trying to reach Italy would be taken instead to Albania while their asylum claims are processed. Related However, Italian prosecutors in Palermo revealed on Saturday they were seeking a six-year prison sentence for Meloni's deputy PM, far-right Lega leader Matteo Salvini, for his role in the 2019 refusal to allow a humanitarian NGO ship carrying migrants to dock near Lampedusa. Salvini, who has since received full support from the Italian premier and his coalition partner, will have his case heard in October. Starvation in war-hit Sudan 'almost everywhere' - WHO Starvation in war-stricken Sudan "is almost everywhere", the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has told the BBC's Today programme after visiting the country. "The situation in Sudan is very alarming... the massive displacement - it's now the largest in the world, and, of course, famine," director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. He said 12 million people were already displaced, adding that attention in the global community to Sudan was "really low" and race was a factor. Thousands of people have been killed since a civil war broke out in April 2023 between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). "Imagine: destruction, displacement, diseases everywhere, and now famine," Dr Tedros told the BBC. He said he had recently visited a camp for the internally displaced people and a hospital in Sudan. "You see there many children skin and bone, emaciated." Close to 25 million people - half of Sudan's population - "need support", Dr Tedros said. He stressed that Sudan "is not getting the attention it deserves", and that was the case with other recent conflicts in Africa. "I think race is in the play here. That's what I feel now. We see the pattern now." Dr Tedros - who grew up during war in Ethiopia - said: Especially in Africa, I think the attention is really, really low. Thats the sad part, because you see it repeatedly, not just in Sudan, he added. I know the smell of war, the image of war, the sound of war," the WHO chief said. "From that, I can understand how it impacts others, and I remember my mother praying I survive a day at a time - growing up, survival of the day was a big thing, I see the same thing is Sudan and Gaza." Following Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Dr Tedros said the world did not give equal attention to black and white lives". At the time, he elaborated by saying only a fraction of the aid given to Ukraine was given to other humanitarian crises, with Tigray in Ethiopia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Syria not receiving the same treatment. Dr Tedros urged mainstream media to give more attention to Sudan, describing the situation there as a "tragedy". In August, a UN-backed committee of experts declared a famine at a camp housing about 500,000 displaced people near the besieged city of el-Fasher in Darfur, one of the regions worst affected by the conflict. The leader of Sudan's army, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the head of the RSF, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, had jointly staged a coup in 2021, but then fell out eventually plunging Sudan into a civil war last year. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is accused of supporting the RSF with money and guns - which it denies - while Saudi Arabia is said to have close ties with the Sudanese government. Various mediation efforts, brokered by Saudi Arabia and the US, have failed to end the conflict. More BBC stories about Sudan: Photos by Gage Skidmore (modified) | Flickr and Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 The State Bar of Arizona is planning to appeal the decision of an attorney discipline panel that dismissed ethics charges against the lawyers for Republican candidates Kari Lake and Mark Finchem stemming from a 2022 lawsuit they filed that sought to bar the use of electronic ballot tabulators in Arizona. Last month, the panel determined that the Bar had not proved ethical violations with clear and convincing evidence and dismissed a complaint against Andrew Parker and Kurt Olsen, who represented Finchem and Lake. The State Bar filed a Notice of Appeal in the matter referenced, Arizona Bar Public Relations Manager Taylor Tasler said in an email to the Arizona Mirror. There is no additional information at this time. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The panel cited a decision by the Arizona Supreme Court earlier this year which reversed sanctions that were imposed on the Arizona Republican Party in a case in which they challenged the election results in Maricopa County. In that ruling, the justices said that courts should not sanction lawyers for bringing long-shot complaints that revolve around elections. Olsen and Parker filed a lawsuit on behalf of Lake and Finchem prior to the 2022 midterm elections that sought to bar the use of machines to count votes. Both Lake and Finchem were on the ballot in 2022, and both lost their races. In December 2022, a federal judge found evidence to sanction the two attorneys for what the judge called a frivolous complaint and ordered them to pay a sanction of $122,000. Later, citizens filed ethics complaints with the Bar against the duo. In their lawsuit, Lake and Finchem alleged that the electronic ballot tabulators used to count ballots in Maricopa and Pima counties and required to be used by Arizona law were hackable and that the courts should place an injunction on their use ahead of the November 2022 election. The judge accused the attorneys of making false claims about Arizona elections, taking particular umbrage with a claim that Arizonans use electronic devices to vote. In reality, more than 99% of voters in Arizona mark paper ballots, which are then counted by electronic tabulating machines. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the decision to throw out the case and backed up the trial courts assessment that the case was frivolous. Lake and Finchem have tried unsuccessfully to revive the case on multiple occasions, even petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court, asking them to overrule the lower courts decisions. SCOTUS declined to take on the case. Parker has previously admitted in court that the Republicans had no evidence to support their claims that tabulation equipment or any voting equipment in the state had been hacked. Tabulation equipment is not connected to the internet, nor is there any evidence that any voting equipment in the state has been hacked. Olsen is also facing additional disciplinary action for lying to the Arizona Supreme Court in Lakes 2022 election challenge. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Board of Trustees Chair Brian Lamb was elected to another two-year term on Nov. 9, 2023. Credit: State University System of Florida With three campuses kicking off presidential searches, the Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida will plan to expand its oversight over the selection of university presidents. Under existing procedure, university search committees are responsible for recommending a list of final applicants for campus visits and presenting the finalists to the universitys board of trustees. The proposed rule would change procedure to require the chair of the Board of Governors to approve the list of finalists before they are presented to a board of trustees. The sitting Board of Governors chair is Brian Lamb, appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2019. He is a graduate of the University of South Florida and later chaired that universitys board of trustees. One other proposed change would grant the Board of Governors chair an additional appointment to each university search committee. Search committees can be no larger than 15 members. The Board of Governors chair now names one member to any committee; now in the future, he or she would appoint two members. One of them would be a member of the Board of Governors and the other a member at-large. The Board of Governors will meet Wednesday in Tampa and take up operating budgets for each university and their legislative budget requests, among other regulation changes. The panel is expected to publish a public notice of the presidential search change, with further action planned in October. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Presidential searches The new search rules would apply to active presidential searches and are applicable prospectively, according to the proposal. Three presidential searches are now underway at Floridas public universities. Florida Atlantic University recently completed a series of listening sessions to formulate its search process and will review presidential criteria during a meeting next week. Advertisement of the position will begin after the criteria are set. This is a second attempt at a presidential search for the university after a state investigation ended the first search. The University of Florida is in the early phases of searching for a new president following the departure of former President Ben Sasse. Former President Kent Fuchs is serving as interim president. Reporting by the Independent Florida Alligator found that Sasse spent in excess of the previous administration when he hired staffers from his time serving in the U.S. Senate and spent lavishly on catering, including a $38,610 sushi bar. Florida A&M University has kicked off its presidential search following President Larry Robinsons departure. Robinson, who served in the role for nearly seven years, announced he would step down shortly after an improperly handled allegedly fraudulent $237 million donation from a young Texas hemp farmer. The episode resulted in the hiring of an interim president who requested resignations of several other administrators. During a FAMU Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday, Chair Kristin Harper said the university is not prevented from starting the presidential search process as the proposal is being considered by the governors. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Ballots await processing at the Salt Lake County Government Center in Salt Lake City as votes are cast in Utahs primary election on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) The Utah County clerk who has been a vocal critic of voting by mail is facing calls from state election officials to improve his offices election processes after a state review of the 2024 primary found some of his staff were too strict during ballot signature verification, resulting in unnecessarily challenged ballots. The review by Lt. Gov. Deidre Hendersons office also found other discrepancies that could have potentially allowed some 19 voters to cast their ballots in person without ID verification. Though state election officials did not go as far as to raise concerns about voter fraud in the report released this week, they wrote theres no way to verify that because at some polling places, the county poll workers counted more ballots than they reported identifying voters. Those problems reconciling the number of ballots cast and voters that checked in at polling places were because of a new fast cast voter program Utah County implemented this year that lacked controls and was therefore noncompliant with state election code, according to the report. Utah County Clerk Aaron Davidson, in an interview with Utah News Dispatch on Tuesday, generally accepted most of the states recommendations to improve his offices election processes, saying hes already acted on most of them but he took issue with the assertion that his offices signature verification was too strict. Who defines too strict? said Davidson, who encouraged Utah County voters to use ballot drop boxes or in-person voting this year while expressing distrust in the U.S. Postal Service. Its subjective. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In their report, state election officials emphasized the importance of adhering to best practices outlined in training materials provided by the Lieutenant Governors Office. Voting is a constitutional right, state election officials wrote in the report. Signature verification is the process by which identity is established for by-mail ballots. Care must be taken to verify that each ballot was cast by the registered voter, but undue and unnecessary burdens should not be placed on voters, especially when a voters signature matches the signature on file with the county clerks office. Problems with fast cast voting program, voter reconciliation During the Lieutenant Governors Offices review of the 2024 primary, it found some discrepancies in the Utah County Clerks office while reviewing both reconciliation and signature verification practices, according to the report. Henderson sent four members of her elections team to review processes and procedures in the Utah County Clerks office on July 2, prompted by concerns over reconciliation at the countys polling locations and above average ballot signature rejection rates. Reconciliation means the act of ensuring that the number of people that checked into a voting center and the number of votes cast at that center match. Reconciliation, the report says, is paramount to ensuring election integrity and ensuring that ballots are properly counted throughout the election process. During their review, Hendersons staff members confirmed reconciliation at polling places was not always conducted pursuant to state statute. More specifically, discrepancies occurred when ballots were being tabulated using the countys new fast cast voting program, which Utah County experimented with during the 2023 election and implemented for the 2024 primary. That program, Hendersons office concluded, lacked controls and was therefore noncompliant with state election code. The fast cast voting program allowed people to take their filled out by-mail ballots to polling locations and scan them directly into a tabulator after showing their ID. Ahead of the primary, State Elections Director Ryan Cowley warned about possible problems with the fast cast program. The report says he voiced concerns about the potential for individuals to scan more than one ballot without poll workers knowledge. In order for the fast cast tabulators to read by-mail ballots, a key security feature must be disabled, the report says. Disabling this would allow for any ballot to be read, creating the potential for multiple ballots to be scanned in by a single voter. During their July 2 visit to Utah County Clerks Office, Hendersons staff reviewed the countys records of the number of people who checked in at each polling location and the number of ballots cast at each location. Even though their review happened a week after the June 25 primary, the clerks office had not reconciled their polling locations, the report says. From their review, Hendersons staff found there were at least 19 more ballots cast than voters who had checked in at Utah County polling locations. This means that at least 19 votes may have been cast without a voter showing ID or having their signature checked and reviewed by poll workers at the polling location, the report says. Davidson attributed the discrepancy to confusion with poll worker training, according to the report. Clerk staff believe that these voters were properly verified, but the check-in process was not fully completed by polling place staff, meaning those voters did not receive vote history. However, the report states, there is no way that this can be verified. While state elections officials dont go as far as to say those votes were fraudulent, they wrote in the report its conceivable that some voters may have cast more than one ballot through the fast cast system or skipped the check-in process altogether. Either would be a violation of Utah law. High signature rejection rates Hendersons staff also discovered that some employees were rejecting ballot signatures at significantly higher rates than others, the report says. This required higher incidents of notification to voters and required voters to cure their rejected ballots. The process created unnecessary additional steps for elections staff and voters who had cast a legal ballot to have their vote counted. While the Lieutenant Governors Office encourages innovation by local election officials, those innovations must maintain sound principles of security and accessibility, the report says. This office also supports the right of each Utahn to choose from any statutory voting method. Utah law and rules set by the Lieutenant Governors Office outline training standards for election officials regarding signature verification. Each individual verifying signatures on ballots are required to complete an annual training course established by the Lieutenant Governors Office. Hendersons office verified that everyone who verified signatures at Utah County had completed that required training. However, during their review, Hendersons staff found Utah Contys signature verification rate was higher than the statewide average for the 2024 primary and more than five times higher than the states 2023 primary election rejection rate which promoted further view, according to the report. During their July 2 visit, Hendersons staff reviewed the signature rejection rates of each Utah County elections employee, conducted a random sample of signatures reviewed by various employees, and specifically focused on those with high and low rejection rates, according to the report. One employee, they found, was rejecting too many signatures. About 25% of the voter signatures that that employee rejected should have been accepted, state officials wrote. Other Utah County employees also had high rejection rates, according to the report. Properly verifying voter signatures is important, but the high rejection rate and the results of the review suggest that some staff members were too strict in their signature review, state election officials wrote in the report, adding that the high rejection rates should have been caught during audits that are conducted during signature verification processes. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US When the Lieutenant Governors Office staff asked county clerk management about the audits, they acknowledged that they did identify a number of employees who seemed to be rejecting signatures at higher rates than other election employees, the report says. However, no remedial action was taken. Hendersons staff also noted at least one factor that seemed to be contributing to Utah Countys high signature rejection rates was the quality of signatures that the county clerks office had on file. The clerks office should make a concerted effort to obtain and save higher quality signature images as voters submit updated voter registration forms, affidavits, other forms, etc, the report says. Grainy or otherwise unclear signatures make it difficult for proper comparison. Recommendations Hendersons office offered a list of recommendations for the Utah County Clerks Office, including: Reconcile the number of voters checked in at each polling location with the number of ballots cast at each polling location a process that should be completed by poll workers at the polling place and reviewed for accuracy by the clerks office during the canvass of the election. They also recommended reconciliation to occur periodically throughout the day at each polling location. Either abandon the fast cast voting program or make significant modifications to bring it into compliance with state code. Review Utah Countys signature verification procedures and training materials provided by the Lieutenant Governors Office and implement the best practices outlined in those materials. Review and implement the signature verification audit policy established by the Lieutenant Governors Office and the instructions related to audits in the Utah Elections Handbook. Begin updating the Utah County Clerks Offices signature bank by saving higher-quality images. Utah County Clerk response Davidson said in general the state review of his offices procedures was really good adding that hes already implemented some of the states recommendations though he disputed a few aspects of the reports findings. Im not disputing we can improve, he said. Yes, we can improve. But I dont think its as bad as their findings say that it was. On the recommendation that Utah County update its signature bank with higher-quality images, Davidson said we have no idea what theyre talking about on that, saying hes not sure what blurry or graining signatures state officials were referring to. We work hard every election, he said. Every ballot thats cast, we associate every ballot thats cast with the voter record, and we can store up to five signatures. And we have religiously done that. So if they happened to see some signatures that are grainy or unclear, they must have stumbled upon a couple of them where thats the only signature we have. Davidson also took issue with the characterization that his offices signature rejection rate was too high. He said its not necessarily a bad thing that their rejection rate was above average. So its hard to say, well, was that due to being better educated and not just approving everything. Or did we swing too far? he said. Davidson added that if anyone has concerns about Utah Countys signature verification or other procedures, he urged them to come visit his office and watch the process. He said his office now has weekly signature verification training every Monday morning using real Utah County voter signatures, in addition to the training provided by the lieutenant governors office. Were going to continue to use their training, plus our additional training, Davidson said. Because their training is kind of text book training, whereas were going to look at real signatures and talk about the stylistic similarities and differences with our reference signature compared to the signature that they put on the ballot. Asked if his offices additional signature verification training could cause his staff to be too strict when verifying signatures which could result in a higher rate of rejection, Davidson said signature verification is subjective and not a hard science. He said the additional signature verification training is meant to try and make it not so subjective, but its still going to be subjective. Shelly Jackson, Hendersons deputy director of elections, told Utah News Dispatch in an interview Tuesday that as long as counties are doing the states required signature verification training, we have no concerns with additional training. Our concerns, she added, would be if they are putting an extra barrier, an extra hurdle for voters to overcome. She noted the review did find instances of signatures that should have been accepted, but werent, and thats what state election officials were concerned about. As for the fast cast program issues, Davidson said his office will make significant changes to that program to increase controls. In November, instead of tabulating the ballots on the spot at polling locations after voters show their ID, he said his office will have special ballot envelopes that voters will slide their ballots into before theyre placed in a drop box to be counted and reconciled with in-person voter check in tallies and tabulated later at the county clerks office. Davidson said the new fast cast process would be different from a by-mail drop box because voters identities will be verified by ID, and not by signature verification. Davidson continued to discourage voting by mail, saying we reject 0% of the ballots cast in person, while signature verification and ballots being sent through the mail can have more issues. He also raised frustrations that the lieutenant governors office focused on the discrepancies listed in the report, but not on concerns he raised with about 3,900 ballots delivered directly to the county clerks office by a postal worker. They broke protocol, he said. They delivered it to our lobby with an individual mail carrier. And that really broke the chain of custody. During elections, were supposed to go pick up the ballots from the post office with two people. Anytime those ballots are touched, and theyre live ballots, two people have to be there at all times. And that gave me great reservation about the postal service. He also complained about ballots that dont get postmarked, which can result in ballots being disqualified. Under Utah law, by-mail ballots cant be legally counted unless theyre postmarked the day before Election Day. He said he told state election officials about these concerns, but they were dismissed as we trust the postal service, dont worry about it, he said. Jackson, however, told Utah News Dispatch that when he raised the concerns with state election officials, he also told us that he spoke to the post office, addressed that, and his concern was resolved. So Im not sure what there is to keep focusing on. The state review also focused on ballot processing and verification within the county clerks office not on processes before the votes are cast at polling places or before ballots reach the clerks office. These are statutes that are in place and that were under (Davidsons) control and his purview, Jackson said. Overall, Davidson said hes accepting the states findings and recommendations. Were implementing them, and we were already implementing them before the review came out, he said. Asked whether state election officials will be following up to ensure Utah County implements the recommendations, Jackson said we always follow up. She said she doesnt anticipate any continuing violations, noting Davidson has been working with our office, hes been responsive to the report, and his staff is great, theyve been cooperative. But yes, of course, well follow up, she added. That is part of our role overseeing elections. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A group of state legislators, local politicians and nonprofits on Tuesday launched a national coalition that hopes to circumvent the congressional stalemate on gun reform by pressing for violence prevention efforts at the local level. The coalition, Legislators for Safer Communities, aims to capitalize on the shifting politics of gun reform by focusing more attention on state legislatures, where violence prevention advocates have scored their biggest wins in recent years. Part incubator of best practices and part national coordination committee, the coalition strives to rack up more wins while strategizing how to tailor policy goals to local realities. It supports ambitious but politically challenging reforms like banning assault-style weapons and mandating universal background checks for firearm purchases, but also sees opportunities to push lighter-lift measures that typically get less attention, like safe gun storage laws and funding community violence intervention programs. People march around the Colorado State Capitol during a protest to end gun violence in schools on March 24, 2023, in Denver, Colorado, following shootings linked to a local high school. Michael Ciaglo via Getty Images Some of the countrys most prominent reform groups such as Brady, Everytown for Gun Safety, Giffords Law Center To Prevent Gun Violence, Community Justice and March for Our Lives have partnered with the coalition. It features 171 legislators from 43 states across the country, including some gun owners and lawmakers from conservative-leaning states where reform remains a contentious subject. The coalition, which bills itself as nonpartisan but as of Tuesday included only Democratic politicians, views that broad exposure to varied political environments as a major strength. Each member of this organization is thinking about how to draw in these practices that other states have already deployed and start saving more lives, Illinois state Rep. Bob Morgan told HuffPost. The genius of this new organization is the inclusion of what has been the most successful gun violence prevention strategies across the nation, while also considering the unique political realities of each state whether its red or blue. Morgan noted at a virtual press conference Tuesday that while Texas is known for political resistance to reform, the states school districts distribute educational information on safe firearm storage in an effort to protect children. Every state can learn from some other state, Morgan said. Thats the beauty of what were doing here. State legislatures have emerged as gun reformers most hospitable venues over the last two decades. Headline-grabbing mass shootings, a historically high rate of gun deaths by suicide, and gun violence becoming the top killer of U.S. children and teenagers have prompted far more aggressive legislation at the local level compared with the federal level, especially in Democratic-led states. But relatively conservative legislatures have also taken a tougher stance on gun violence in the aftermath of major mass shootings. Florida state Rep. Christine Hunschofsky served as the mayor of Parkland in 2018, when a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School left 17 dead and 17 others injured. The incident drove support in Florida for the passage of a gun safety bill with a red flag provision, which can temporarily restrict a persons ability to possess firearms if they present a threat to themselves or others. Florida conservatives, including law enforcement officials, often viewed so-called risk protection orders with suspicion at the time, Hunschofsky said. But seeing the legislation in action has turned former critics into proponents, she said, with the law being used thousands of times since its passage. Theyve seen it work in the communities and can now be trusted messengers to talk to conservative people in conservative states about how theyve had a positive impact in keeping our communities safe, Hunschofsky told HuffPost. This type of experience has led Hunschofsky to believe theres more room for reform than conventional wisdom might suggest. The goal is to have the best practice for wherever you live and whats possible for where you live, she said. Sometimes people will look at Texas or Florida and say, You cant do anything there and thats not true. You might not be able to do the same things there that you can do in Illinois, but it doesnt mean you cant do anything. Christine Hunschofsky, then the Democratic mayor of Parkland, Florida, attends a meeting on school safety with officials at the White House on Feb. 22, 2018, in Washington. Evan Vucci via Associated Press Like Hunschofsky, several other members of Legislators for Safer Communities know from personal experience how severely gun violence impacts Americans. Nevada state Assembly Member Sandra Jauregui attended the 2017 Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas, where a gunman fired more than 1,000 rounds leaving 60 dead and hundreds of others injured. What we are all trying to do is enact policies that are proven to prevent gun violence, Jauregui said. Were all looking at the policies that are going to have the most impact. Washington state Rep. Liz Berry, a co-chair of Legislators for Safer Communities, worked for then-U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.) in 2011 when Giffords and more than a dozen others were shot outside Tucson, Arizona. Six people died, including Berrys friend and fellow staffer Gabe Zimmerman. Because of the gridlock in D.C., were the ones stepping up, passing really big pieces of policy, Berry said. Its where the action is. Youre going to see more progress and more exciting things happen at the state level. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Amendment H was the main speaking point during a Sioux Falls Rotary meeting, hosting both proponents and opponents of Amendment H where they discussed the pros and cons of the ballot question. Amendment H is a ballot question that would change South Dakotas voting system from a partisan primary system to a top-two system for the offices of governor, state legislator, county official, U.S. senator and U.S. representative. What you need to know about whooping cough On Monday, the proponents speaking for Amendment H were former South Dakota Senator, Dave Knudson and member of the board for South Dakota Open Primaries, Drey Samuelson, the former Chief of Staff of U.S. Senator Tim Johnson. Speaking against Amendment H were Michael Linngren and Republican Rep. Bethany Soye. Proponent Drey Samuelson said he has a couple of reasons he wants to pass Amendment H. One is voter turnout is dismal in this state, we just had a primary where only 17% of voters voted in and that was the lowest total in 30 years. We need more people to vote and the best way is to encourage independents to vote, Samuelson said. Another problem is simple fairness. Independents pay taxes but they cant cast meaningful votes, they pay taxes that go to administering our elections but they cant do it, if thats not taxation without representation I dont know what is. Proponent Dave Knudson said how he thinks its important for people to understand how open primaries work. There is no longer a Democratic or Republican primary, there is a single South Dakota primary, all candidates run in that single primary and registered South Dakota voters are entitled to vote in that primary, said Kundson. Right now 150,000 independent voters or 25% of our total electorate are shut out from meaningful primaries. Opponent Michael Linngren said people need to understand the pros and cons. There are two things I want people to walk away and be comfortable with. One do you understand the consequences of this amendment? And two is this the best system? Because this is going into our constitution this will be a law for all time making it very hard to make revisions, make changes and so are we truly comfortable with the text we have in front of us, said Linngren. Opponent Bethany Soye said it would create a general election in June. I think its a little confusing its called an open primary because there is still a Republican ballot and a Democratic ballot but anyone can choose which one, Soye said. Anyone from any party could run and have a runoff in November, it totally gets rid of primaries. Knudson said that open primaries make it more important for those running to appeal to all voters. If you are confident that your policies and procedures are popular with the general electorate you want the widest possible electorate, Knudson said. if you are confident that what youve got is a good program you want as many people as possible to vote on that. Soye responded saying the data suggests otherwise. I think we just have to look at the evidence of the states that have passed this for decades and like you mentioned California, Soye said. If you look at the makeup of their assembly from before and after, they went from 50 Democrats and 29 Republicans to 62 Democrats and 18 Republicans, and have those Democrats become more moderate? Id be hard pressed to say that they have. You just have to look at the agenda thats coming out of there, its actually pushed towards one side rather than the middle. Samuelson said its not a system immune from criticism but believes that open primaries are the right way to go. There is no system thats perfect, you can take shots at open primaries, Ive never said it was the perfect system, all Im saying is its a much better system, Samuelson said. 150,000 independents are locked out of voting in the primaries and having their voices be accommodated. Thats a terrible system in my opinion. Linngren responded saying people need to consider the amendment carefully. What we are here to decide today is not if we have correctly identified the problem, I think everyone in here more or less would agree that independents should have a right to voice their opinion in a democracy but, is this the right system, is this the right solution or in fact is the treatment worse than the disease, said Linngren. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. State legislature passes new bill banning array of common food additives: 'The point of this bill is to encourage manufacturers' The California State Legislature has passed a bill banning the use of red dye No. 40 and five other chemicals used in foods, CNN reported. Lawmakers emphasized that the new law is intended to protect schoolchildren from the effects of red dye No. 40, yellow dyes Nos. 5 and 6, blue dyes Nos. 1 and 2, and green dye No. 3. The bill, which is being called the California School Food Safety Act, specifically prohibits schools from offering foods or beverages containing the chemicals. "The point of this bill is to encourage manufacturers to make minor modifications to their recipes, so that they can serve the same foods that we all love, that our kids love, but without these dangerous chemicals that harm people," Democratic assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, who introduced the bill, said, per CNN. "We have incredible confidence that they're able to do that because they make the same products in so many countries around the world, just without the harmful chemicals." Although all of the now-banned chemicals have previously been labeled as safe by the FDA, newer research has found potential links between them and shortened attention spans in children. According to one such study published in the journal Environmental Health, "Together, the human clinical trials and animal toxicology literature support an association between synthetic food dyes and behavioral impacts in children." The study added, "The current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acceptable daily intakes are based on older studies that were not designed to assess the types of behavioral effects observed in children." One potentially positive effect of the bill is that it could spur food companies to phase out some of their artificial ingredients, replacing them with natural alternatives to create a healthier product (for both consumers and the planet). California previously passed the California Food Safety Act, which prohibited the sale of foods containing brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, or red dye No. 3 in the state. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. BOSTON (WWLP) Just hours after being sworn in as a trooper, 25-year-old State Police recruit Enrique Delgado Garcia died following serious injuries sustained during a training exercise at the Massachusetts State Police Academy. Authorities say Delgado-Garcia became unresponsive during a defensive tactics training exercise at the academy in New Braintree on Thursday and died in the hospital on Friday. The recruits mother told reporters he suffered from broken teeth, a neck fracture, and severe brain trauma and said she did not understand why training was so violent. Before beginning his State Trooper training, Delgado-Garcia worked as a victim witness advocate for the Worcester District Attorneys Office. At a press conference on Monday, the Worcester District Attorney said a different office would be handling the investigation of his death because Delgado-Garcia was so loved in their community. Right now, we have jurisdiction of this case. And as you can see, we cannot handle this case because we have a conflict. Again, we loved Enrique, said Joseph Early, the Worcester District Attorney. Based on the familys concerns, were going to get someone to review this matter that does not have a stake in its outcome. Governor Healey released a statement giving her condolences to Delgado-Garcias family and friends. He was a beloved member of his academy class, known for his compassion and devotion to service. This is a devastating time for all who knew and loved him, said Healey. Delgado-Garcias body was moved from UMass Memorial Medical Center to the chief medical examiners office in Westfield on Saturday. DA Early says while the autopsy has been concluded, the report has not been finalized. Againwe know it was in the boxing ringit was videotaped. Whoever we give this matter to will be able to address that. And they have to do a thorough and complete investigation. Againit has to be someone who doesnt have a stake in its outcome, District Attorney Early adds. In the meantime, there has been an outpouring of support from the community. The Academy has not yet said what reforms could be made as a result of Delgado-Garcias death. Delgado-Garcia graduated from Westfield State University in 2022. The universitys communication director tells 22News they intend to put out a statement in response death of Delgado-Garcia. 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. Georgia Public Service Chairman Jason Shaw has said he embraced biomass energy after the south Georgia resident witnessed the large number of fallen trees and debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in 2019. Dan Chapman/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Georgia regulators have signed off on a controversial Georgia Power plan to build new biomass power plants that will burn wood waste other organic material to generate electricity. With a 4-1 vote Tuesday, the Georgia Public Service Commission endorsed Georgia Powers plans to add nearly 80 megawatts of biomass energy, a move that critics contend will result in extensive cost overruns affecting ratepayers for several decades to come. The state regulatory body approved agreements for Georgia Power to purchase biomass energy from three facilities that will convert wood chips and other waste from timber and paper mills into enough electricity to power thousands of homes and businesses. The biggest controversy is over a proposed 30-year agreement with Altamaha Green Energy for a Wayne County facility for 70 megawatts of biomass. The two other agreements are 10-year contracts with International Paper for a total of 8 megawatts of biomass that would burn paper mill waste and materials at existing facilities located in Macon County in south Georgia and Chatham County on the coast. Georgia Power officials project that the Wayne County power plant, which would primarily burn woody biomass, will be completed by the end of 2029. Several environmentalists question whether state regulators support for the biomass projects gave too much weight to the economic benefits of new jobs created by the timber industry. PSC Commissioner Tricia Pridemore cast the lone dissenting vote Tuesday in opposition of the three biomass purchasing agreements. The biomass projects were included in Georgia Powers 2022 Integrated Resource Plan, a three-year blueprint which was amended at the request of PSC Chairman Jason Shaw to require Georgia Power to seek bids to develop more biomass. Shaw and groups like the Georgia Forestry Association tout biomass as a diverse, reliable energy source that benefits the timber industry. Shaw referenced the large amount of comments filed online regarding the biomass agreements, which included opponents speaking out and letters of support from agribusiness organizations. Theres a lot of strong opinions on this docket, and (theres) a stack of comments that have been filed mostly online from folks, Shaw said Tuesday. And then theres support letters from Georgia Farm Bureau and Georgia Agribusiness Council and Georgia Forestry Association and Dean of the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia. We realized the nature of that but I just wanted to thank our staff, the company, the interveners and everyone thats taking part in this important decision. The financial details of Georgia Powers biomass purchase agreement have not been disclosed publicly, but Georgia Power officials acknowledged at a PSC hearing last month that the cost to add the biomass is higher than other energy sources. Independent utility evaluator Harold Judd, who is president of Accion Group LLC, projects the cost to generate biomass at the Altamaha plant will be about three times higher than the estimated average price for new energy sources in 2028, according to an analysis from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. And advocacy groups like Georgia Interfaith Power and Light say the method of energy production releases more climate-warming pollution than burning coal. Codi Norred, the groups executive director, also argued that any potential economic benefit will not be enough to offset the cost to customers. It is unconscionable that commissioners would demand Georgia Power customers subsidize a dirty, expensive industry when too many of them are struggling to pay rising energy bills, Norred said. Its clear the commission has no intention of protecting customers. They have made their priorities plain: grant Georgia Powers request no matter the cost to customers. Prior to Tuesdays vote, the PSC heard testimony and attorneys cross-examine Georgia Power officials about the biomass expansion contracts. The PSC board reviewed evidence and testimony submitted by regulatory staff, utility analysts, public policy experts, and clean energy advocates and the state forestry industry. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX This article was originally published in Alabama Reflector. The Alabama state superintendent said Thursday afternoon that a diploma pathway focused on career readiness should not be used to remove lower achieving students from another diploma pathway. Speaking to members of the Alabama State Board of Education during a work session, Eric Mackey told board members that students should not be forced to work toward a career-pathway focused diploma known as Diploma B just because they have lower ACT scores than others. There will be no If your ACT score is 22 youre on Option A, and if its 21 youre on Option B, Mackey said. And if anybody tries to do that, the furor of the state superintendent will come down on them, because that is not the purpose. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The remarks came in a discussion over the diploma options of A and B, with B meeting a career-focused option required by the Legislature. SB 253, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, the chair of the Senate Education Policy Committee, was part of a package of bills focused on workforce development in the 2024 regular legislative session. The legislation requires the board to create a diploma under the laws goal of facilitating the development of a career pathways diploma at the K-12 level that would enhance career and technical education opportunities for high school students who plan to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. Mackey said that diplomas issued by the schools will not note whether they are the A or B option. Both diplomas require 24 credits. But the superintendent said he was worried about returning to an old educational model where people sent students to vocational schools just to get them out of the building. Im telling you, if anybody tries to go back to that, there will be fire raining down on them because that is not what this is about, he said. This is about giving students opportunities. Chesteen said in a Thursday afternoon phone call that he agreed with Mackey after the Reflector summarized what was said at the work session. I think its one thing to pass a piece of legislation. I think the most important piece to that is the implementation. How is it going to affect the students? And thats what I want to monitor very carefully, he said. Chesteen said we cant use it for an easy pathway out for these kids that dont score well, and they need to have a career pathway after they graduate. Diploma A requires four credits each in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. Diploma B requires four credits in English Language Arts and Social Studies, but two credits in Mathematics and Science. Option B also requires three credits in Career and Technical Education to complete a whole sequence. Were going to have kids that score a 32 on the ACT, that want to be Option B because they like working with their hands, and they want to go into robotics or such thing, and were going to have kids with with a 20 ACT, that are strivers, they want to do the Option A, Mackey said. The Board intends to announce the intent to adopt the changes in the October meeting. Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com. Follow Alabama Reflector on Facebook and X. Above: Aug. 15 report from Zara Barker on the local doctor charged in Matthew Perrys death. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The San Diego doctor charged in connection to Matthew Perrys death had his license to practice medicine suspended by the state medical board last month as he awaits next steps in the felony case. Mark Chavez, 54, is expected to plead guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine next month after he reached a deal with prosecutors in exchange for a commuted prison sentence, according to federal court documents. In the meantime, the La Jolla-based doctor is prohibited from practicing medicine pending the cases conclusion and a probe by state Office of Administrative Hearings into whether his involvement violated the Medical Practice Act, medical board records show. Shoot me up with a big one: A timeline of the last days of Matthew Perry If it is determined the Medical Practice Act was violated, the doctor will have his license revoked. Chavez is one of five people including medical practitioners and an illicit ketamine dealer charged in a sweeping indictment filed by federal prosecutors in August, following a months-long investigation into Perrys overdose death at his Pacific Palisades home last October. Federal prosecutors allege the Friends star, who had publicly struggled with substance abuse, was taken advantage of by the defendants for financial gain after he sought them out to obtain surgical anesthetic ketamine when his regular doctors refused to provide him with more. One of the primary defendants in the indictment, Los Angeles doctor Salvador Plasencia, said in a text to Chavez I wonder how much this moron will pay, before charging him thousands of dollars for the drug in the weeks leading up to Perrys death, according to the indictment. Prosecutors say Chavez met up with Plasencia in Orange County to provide him with doses of ketamine, which Perry had been been using through his regular doctor as a treatment for depression, that were obtained through a fraudulent prescription. Defendants Plasencia and Chavez as medical doctors knew full well this was not the proper way to administer ketamine and they even talked about that in their exchanges, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in a press conference about the incitement on Aug. 15. According to court documents, Chavez reached the deal with prosecutors in an effort to cooperate with the prosecution as they go for Plasencia and their other main target, Javen Sangha, who allegedly supplied Perry with the doses in his system when he died. Both Plasencia and Sangha pleaded not guilty to their respective felony charges detailed in the indictment. If convicted, Plasencia could get a sentence of life in prison, while Sangha could receive up to 120 years. Under his plea agreement, Chavez faces up to 10 years in prison. He is due back in court for a change of plea hearing on Oct. 2 and has been released on a $50,000 bond awaiting further court proceedings. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 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 Forensic evidence can be an important tool in solving and prosecuting sexual assault cases, but some victims don't feel comfortable coming forward to police or medical examiners right away. Enter Leda Health, a company selling at-home evidence collection kits. "Collect time-sensitive DNA after sexual assault," the company advertises. Typically, rape kitsas they are unfortunately calledare administered by medical professionals. With Leda's "early evidence kits," people collect potential DNA themselves and send it off to be processed by the company's partner labs. But some states think Leda is overselling what its product can do for a victim. "These kits essentially offer false promises to consumers by misleading them to think evidence collected privately at home can result in a criminal convictionthat is yet to have happened anywhere with the use of these kits," said Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry when she sued Leda in civil court in June. At least two statesMaryland and Washingtonhave outright banned the evidence kits. New York and Pennsylvania have sent cease-and-desist letters to Leda. In a suit of its own against Pennsylvania and New York, Leda counters that "these kits are important because data shows that factors like lack of access, privacy concerns, personal safety, and distrust cause many sexual assault victims to avoid law enforcement and traditional methods of reporting and seeking help." The company "has never claimed that its resources are better or more effective than those offered by the government," but it adds "survivors may require more (and different) resources than what governments currently offer them." States haven't exactly done a stellar job at managing sexual assault forensic evidence. In some states, police have been caught throwing out untested rape kits even before statutes of limitation expire. Many states have backlogs of untested rape kitssome numbering in the thousands, according to the group End the Backlog. At last measure, Pennsylvania had 177 kits in its backlog and Marylandone of the worst offendershad 5,468 untested rape kits. In April, Maryland's Democratic Gov. Wes Moore signed into law a measure banning the sale of self-administered sexual assault evidence collection kits, deeming such sales "an unfair, deceptive, or abusive trade practice." The law also bans self-collected evidence from being admissible in criminal or civil court proceedings, unless collected using a kit issued by the Maryland Department of Health. In 2023, Washington state passed H.B. 1564, which bans selling "a sexual assault kit that is marketed or otherwise presented as over-the-counter, at-home, or self-collected or in any manner that indicates that the sexual assault kit may be used for the collection of evidence of sexual assault other than by law enforcement or a health care provider." "Leda Health believes sexual assault survivors need resources beyond what the government offers," the company said in a lawsuit filed in response against Washington state. Leda "does everything it can to supply admissible results," including offering a full chain-of-custody report. The ban violates the First Amendment, the company argues, by restricting "what it can and cannot say about sexual assault evidence collection." The post States Are Banning This DIY Rape Kit appeared first on Reason.com. It was a busy day at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank on Tuesday, but thankfully there were some volunteers with extra muscle on hand. The Steelers rookie class came out to the food bank to take a tour and volunteer. Officials say the nine players helped pack nearly 3,000 pounds of peppers. CLICK FOR PHOTOS The peppers will now be distributed to local pantries, The Market and direct distributors of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Time releases Worlds Best Companies, 7 are based in Pittsburgh Charleroi residents, leaders respond to former President Trumps comments on immigrant population 2 people charged after man shot, killed over cleanliness of house in South Side Slopes, police say VIDEO: Girl, 13, still recovering after she was shot in Duquesne home DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts STEUBEN COUNTY, N.Y. (WETM) The Steuben County Sheriffs Office has released a statement regarding a series of social media threats that have been circulating in the area since yesterday. According to Steuben County Sheriff James Allard, deputies were made aware on Tuesday, Sept. 17, that the series of threats, regarding a possible shooting at several area schools, had now made their way to Corning High School and BOCES. Sheriff Allard states that these swatting hoaxes appear to be a part of a larger pattern of hoaxes that are going around the northeast United States and that there does not appear to be any credibility to them. Weapons detection system to be implemented in Elmira City Schools Allards statement comes after a statement was released by Chemung County Sheriff William Schrom on Monday, Sept. 16, deeming the threats non-credible following an investigation. The Steuben County Sheriffs Office will be working closely with Steuben County school districts, school resource officers and local and federal law enforcement to monitor the situation. All Steuben County schools will see increased visibility as a precaution. Allard states that the sheriffs office will remain vigilant, as well as follow through with and take appropriate action for all reported threats. The community is encouraged to immediately report any threat or concerning behaviors to law enforcement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. President Trump on Jan. 6, 2021. HBO's "Stopping the Steal" follows Trump's attempts to subvert the election, leading up to the insurrection on the U.S. Capitol. (Evan Vucci / AP) Getting folks to watch a documentary about the Big Lie is a Big Ask. Who wants to relive that horrible chapter in America's political history, especially while we're writing a new, possibly less-horrible chapter? Despite its title, HBO's "Stopping the Steal" is as much about what lies ahead of us as it is about that other election that put Joe Biden in office and then-President Trump on a warpath. The 90-minute film, which premieres at 9 p.m. Tuesday on HBO, explores the depth and veracity of Trump's scheme to overturn the election results through the first-hand accounts of the people who were there. The collective stories of former Trump appointees, staffers and Republican elected officials, who worked and served behind the scenes in the months before and after the election, paint a picture of Trump's brazen scheme to try to steal the election and what it took to stop him and his allies from succeeding. Read more: I spent 24 hours on Trump's Truth Social so you don't have to. No wonder it's tanking Directed by Dan Reed ("The Truth vs. Alex Jones"), "Stopping the Steal" takes viewers back to July 2020, when the president's popularity was slipping and the election was looming. By late summer, President Trump starts to grease the wheels for excuses if he lost, says Alyssa Farah Griffin, who served in 2020 as White House director of strategic communications and assistant to the president. And the film cuts to a summer presser where the former president proclaims, These elections will be fraudulent. Theyll be fixed or rigged. Spanning to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, the film explores chronologically how Trump attempted to hang onto the presidential office, no matter the cost. News and events we're already familiar with Trump's vaguely threatening call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger demanding he "find" the president the votes he needed and Trump's private admissions that he knew he lost to Biden take on a new light through the accounts of those who stood between Trump and his nefarious plans. Up until the election, you could always appeal to his self-interest Mr. President, this is a bad idea for you. This will hurt you," says former Atty. Gen. William Barr, who served under Trump. "That would work if you appealed to his self-interest. That is what helped keep things within the guardrails." Barr says Trump embarked on a destructive campaign that reached new levels of depravity immediately following projections that Biden had won the election. At 2 in the morning [Trump held a news conference], and for him to go out and claim that fraud was underway, it was very dangerous. I started worrying a lot from then on," Barr says. Former Trump campaign and White House official Stephanie Grisham says when the president doubled down on the falsehood that the election was rigged, his staff likely knew better. They played along, though, because no one wanted to be the target of his anger. I guarantee anyone that was around him at the time, despite what they were thinking inside, they were saying, Oh it was stolen, sir,' Grisham says. Read more: The Jan. 6 hearings are the year's most important TV. Read our recaps The film juxtaposes accounts such as Grisham's with footage of Trump and his Big Lie team (who included Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell) spewing accusations about ballot tampering by poll workers, voting by illegal aliens and deceased people, and claims that Dominion Voting Systems' electronic ballot machines had been hacked. None of it was true, of course, but that didnt stop them from leaning on local officials in critical swing states such as Arizona and Georgia. I was for Trump the whole time and then it started. The steal, says former Arizona House of Representatives Speaker Rusty Bowers. Bowers faced intense pressure from the president and Giuliani to go along with their illegal scheme to replace the state's slate of electors with ones who would elect Trump. The Arizonan recalls an in-person meeting with Giuliani, where Bowers asked for evidence of election fraud. Rudy, you have the proof?' Yeah, yeah!' [Then Jenna said] 'Oh, I left it back at the hotel.'" Like many others who refused to prop up the false allegations, Bowers was doxxed and threatened by legions of Trump's supporters. The film makes it clear that Bowers is among the Republican officials who stood by their principles, but often at great personal cost. Former Arizona Assembly Speaker Rusty Bowers testifying at a hearing about Jan. 6 and the post-election actions of former President Trump. (FedNet) Former Arizona Atty. Gen. Mark Brnovich was another avid Trump supporter heading into the 2020 election. President Trump did a great job, he says in the film. I was right there with him. [Then] he called me and said, Hey, youll be the most popular guy in America. Youll be able to run for president. All you gotta do is say theres fraud or find some fraud. Brnovich didn't succumb to Trump's demands, but he also didn't investigate the matter of the fake electors scheme. Other participants in the film, however, did put it all on the line to protect democracy, including Raffensperger; Maricopa County Board of Supervisors appointees Clint Hickman and Bill Gates; and Georgia Election Operations Manager Gabriel Sterling. Marc Short, then chief of staff for Vice President Mike Pence, also offers gripping insight into his former boss' dangerous and precarious position. Among those in the film who still insist the Big Lie is the Truth are Trump attorney and insurrection architect John Eastman. Also making an appearance is self-proclaimed QAnon Shaman Jacob Chansley. You may remember seeing footage of Chansley on Jan. 6, shirtless, clad in a furry, horned helmet and sporting red, white and blue face paint. There's no need to quote him here. We've lived through this story, so "Stopping the Steal" isn't a cautionary tale. But it is a powerful reminder of what we should prepare for. I think Jan. 6 is like the trailer to a movie," Grisham says. "Thats the one thing with Donald Trump that Ive learned. You think hell just go this far and theres not more. Theres always more. He takes it as far as it will go. Sign up for Screen Gab, a free newsletter about the TV and movies everyones talking about from the L.A. Times. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) In recent months, you may have noticed more and more small businesses closing their doors for good. Its something thats happening across the Tri-State. Its happening from Headys Pizza in Evansville, long-time family business Clements Jeweler in Madisonville, to clothing boutique, Flutter in Newburgh. I think its hard to find a solution to a problem that you dont really know why its happening, Heather Vaught, the owner of River City Coffee and Goods said. Its a problem being felt everywhere, but we start in the heart of Downtown Evansville where small businesses add to the charm of the River City. Most of what we do is promoting Evansville, the entire store was created simply based off the fact that I really love living here and I couldnt find a shirt that said Evansville so I made one, Vaught laughed. Vaught opened River City Coffee & Goods eight years agoa one-stop shop for a gift or a quick pick-me-up. This is the first year in eight years that weve actually seen a decrease in business, Vaught explained. She attributes the problem to a couple of things including neighborhood factors and the economy. Its definitely scary. Ive spent a lot of time on Main Street specifically and a lot of passion and honestly many years of like many business owners not getting paid at all running this business. Its scary when you have property and you have staff and the staff is the most discouraging part to me because they depend on me to live, Vaught said. With hard times, come hard choices. Customers coming in for their favorite coffee may not be able to find it after two oclock anymore. Vaught says a limited menu, that requires less manpower, was a choice that had to be made. I dont think its anything that any one of us is doing wrong, but I feel like Im letting them down. And even the local makers that are selling stuff this is sometimes a significant part of their income. It just definitely has a domino effect. Its not just me, not just our staff but people throughout our community and region and feeling the effects of our particular business being slow, Vaught said. Just a block down Main Street, youll find a quaint, quiet place where you can dive into your next favorite book. Your Brothers Bookstore has been open for almost three years and the owners are already considering moving to a new location because of factors out of their control. Main Street is struggling. It always feels like something can go wrong thats going to put you out of business. Your sales can be fine but if they shut down a street then youre done for. And thats what happens to us. Thats what hurts us, Adam Morris, the owner of Your Brothers Bookstore said. Its the cost of progress as The Vault on Main project continues at the site of the former 420 Main building. We love progress and we definitely want progress to continue and we want it to happen but we dont want it to come at the cost of the small businesses on Main Street, Morris explained. According to the Small Business Administration, 99.9% of businesses in the United States are qualified as small. So theres no doubt that help may be needed. Smack dab in the middle of these two businesses, youll find the Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center. A free, confidential service designed to help business owners and dreamers with 1-1 counseling with business advisors, training and connections to resources. Theres this whole myriad and whole world of things that come along with putting a business with any hobby that you might have. So thats where we come in. We help people understand, what are those fundamentals, Dominic Poggi, the Regional Director, of Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center said. This year alone, the SBDC has helped 37 businesses get started. With a goal of 23, the SBDC is well on its way to double that number before the year ends. While that stat is promising, Poggi and his team realize that not every business is in the same boat. He says marketing is one of the biggest issues clients struggle with. Every single person that walks in our door has a unique story. So, its really important that we meet people where they are, truly understand where theyre coming from, where theyre trying to go and then develop a plan to go forward, Poggi said. Poggi says its difficult to generalize one specific problem small businesses are facing because of their unique journeys, however, stressing the importance of shopping small is an easy one. You could buy one from Walmart or you could buy one from GaylaCake and guess how much of that money is going to stay here in our local economy versus when you go to spend it with that local baker versus Walmart, Poggi explained. Not only is this how I make my living but its also my home. I own the building and a little place in the back and its where I live. So, if GaylaCake goes down, I not only lose my income but also my home. And thats a very scary thought, Gayla Bell, the owner of GaylaCake said. GaylaCake, a Jacobsville staple for 11 years, has been hit with hard times following the Covid-19 pandemic. And making changes isnt Bells first choice. Being in this neighborhood, which is a poverty ridden neighborhood, I wanted to keep my prices where people could come in and get their treats. With the down turn in the economy, raising prices is just a hard thing to do right now because none of us can afford it, Bell said. From letting employees go, cutting down on days open, to changing her business model completely its been discouraging for Bell. But she says theres a sense of comfort knowing shes not alone. Ive had to do an extraordinary amount of pivoting over the past couple of years and just being the lone owner and making a lot of heavy decisions, Bell said. Including pulling back on the amount she can give back. Need a gift card or gift basket for your organizations next auction or annual event? Small business owners are usually on the other end of that ask. And Bell says shes had to pull back on saying yes. So who do you turn to when youre out of ideas? So I call on the ISBDC, I have a business advisor, and she and I will talk through things but she doesnt have all the answers either. Shes just an enormous encouragement to me. Other businesses dont always have the answers. Opinions are everywhere and everybody will throw out some ideas but theyre not always going to work, Bell said. I always like to be clear that we dont have all the answers, we arent a silver bullet. And in fact, its not even our job to give you the answers. But what were here to do is to challenge you and help you think through things and arrive at decisions on your own but maybe with more informed or better data or more info to help you make a good decision based on whats happening, Poggi said. Theres not one answer. But you can be part of the solution. Take the extra step and think about your favorite local shop. I think if people want to see Evansville grow and be more vibrant and have unique things and not just be a box store cookie cutter environment, spending your money at a local business is the only way to make that happen and continue, Vaught said. Small business in general is crucial to a community. You know the business owners, you know where your money is going, Morris said. Convenience is important to people. Its important to me. But sometimes, even buying from a small business can be an act of kindness that not everyone gives but also I would say that the products that you get from those small businesses will be above and beyond what you will get at a big box store. OR We put our heart and soul into everything and I mean if you look at any of the downtown businesses or any of the businesses in Jacobsville or wherever they might be we all put our lives into this, Bell said. To learn more about the Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center, click here: https://isbdc.org/locations/southwest-indiana-sbdc/ Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). HUBER HEIGHTS, Ohio (WDTN) A student was apprehended at Wayne High School for bringing a gun onto school property. Huber Heights City Schools shared information with families and the community regarding an incident that occurred on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Just before noon, district administration received a report that a student at Wayne High School may have a gun on campus. Wittenberg extends campus closure after threats Administrators worked with Huber Heights police and school resource officers to take immediate action. The student was located in an in-school suspension classroom. After all other students were removed from the classroom for their safety, staff detained and searched the student. A gun was found in his backpack. Huber Heights City Schools says the student cooperated during the investigation and was taken into custody by police. He was removed from the building without incident. We are thankful for the quick actions of our administration, police officers, and school resource officers and will address criminal and disciplinary actions appropriately, said a statement from the 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 WDTN.com. By Mohammed Torokman and Ali Sawafta JERICHO/RAMALLAH (Reuters) -Half of the pupils stayed away from classes at an elementary school in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Tuesday, a day after it was attacked by Jewish settlers with wooden bats in violence that has surged since the Gaza war erupted. This type of attack, which wounded seven people according to Palestinian officials, has tested the patience of Israel's allies, including the United States, who have called for restraint in the West Bank as the death toll climbs in Gaza and the conflict spreads in the Middle East. A video filmed by Israeli activists and posted on social media showed a band of young men striking people who were screaming in the yard of Al-Ka'abneh school during the assault in a Bedouin area near Jericho on Monday. "Half of the students today did not come to school because of the state of fear and terror they experienced yesterday because of the settlers' attack on the school," Ahmed Nasser, an official at the Palestinian Ministry of Education, told Reuters. Violence against Palestinian villages was on the rise even before the outbreak of the Gaza war, as settlement building has spread unchecked across the West Bank. Since Oct. 7, when Hamas-led fighters attacked Israel, triggering the Gaza conflict, such attacks by Israeli settlers have increased. Figures last month from the U.N. humanitarian agency OCHA showed them running at around four per day. "We were studying as usual in class, then they started saying that settlers attacked the schools, I was able to gather my siblings so that nothing happens to them," said student Aya Mlehat. "I was able to gather them in a classroom, and the settlers started banging on the class trying to open it against our will." 'WE RAN AND HID' Palestinians and rights groups regularly accuse Israeli forces of standing by as attacks take place and sometimes even joining in themselves. Legal action against violent settlers is rare. "The army came along with the settlers, we ran and hid in a class with a teacher, and did not go back to the class... He told us to stay low under the tables, we stayed under the table and he told us to be quiet," said student Malak Mlehat. The Israeli military said settlers arrived after a report that an Israeli civilian had received a head injury in a clash with Palestinians. "A confrontation was instigated at the scene, during which a number of Palestinians were injured," it said in a statement. It said soldiers and police arrived and dealt with the confrontation, detaining several suspects in the area. Countries including the United States have begun imposing sanctions on individuals and face pressure to do more and to curb the expansion of settlements on land the Palestinians want as the core of a future independent state, a key part of the two-state solution favoured by Western countries. At the same time the West Bank has witnessed almost daily sweeps by Israeli forces that have involved thousands of arrests and regular gunbattles between security forces and Palestinian fighters. More than 703 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, including both fighters and unarmed civilians, according to the Palestinian health authorities. In the same period, about 40 Israeli troops and civilians have been killed in attacks by Palestinians or in clashes with fighters, according to figures from Israel's domestic security agency. Most countries deem Jewish settlements built on land Israel occupied in a 1967 Middle East war as illegal, and their expansion has for decades been among the most contentious issues between Israel, the Palestinians and the international community. Israel cites biblical, historical and political ties to the area. (Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Alex Richardson and Jonathan Oatis) New study ranks Arizona public schools dead last in the nation. No wonder Congratulations to the Arizona Legislature. After decades of neglect and outright contempt, our leaders have finally achieved their goal. When it comes to public education, were No. 51! This, according to a new study by Consumer Affairs. The consumer research company analyzed data from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and concluded that public education in Arizona is the worst in the nation. I envision the Republicans who run the Legislature popping champagne corks. Arizona has stiffed public schools for decades Zach Norman gets off bus at Desert Harbor Elementary School in Peoria, in 2021. For decades, theyve stiffed the schools while cutting taxes. Theyve worked tirelessly on schemes to divert ever larger amounts of taxpayer money into private and religious schools under the banner of choice. Well, congratulations. Public school teachers are quitting faster than the pipeline can supply replacements, and classrooms are now packed to the gills as Arizonas educators struggle to do right by Arizonas children. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of upper middle-class students are fleeing to private schools and getting taxpayer money to do it. Do you suppose our leaders commitment to public schools will improve once all their suburban constituents kids have snagged an Empowerment Scholarship Account and left? The Consumer Affairs study analyzed public education in all states and D.C. in four key categories: K-12 performance, school funding, higher education quality and safety. Put them all together and were rock bottom. Arizona, which scored last in our total ranking, had consistently low scores across the board and was at the bottom in pupil-to-teacher ratio, earning the distinction of having the most crowded public school classrooms in America, the report said. Arizona gets a lot for the little it pays teachers Arizonas public schools ranked 50th in funding in 2022-23, the year studied. But they ranked 40th in performance based on an analysis of seven metrics including graduation rates, average SAT and ACT scores, and average National Assessment of Education Progress reading and math scores for fourth graders and eighth graders. That tells me were getting some decent bang for the buck. Arizona lowered the bar for teachers: Then made the shortage worse But, as the study pointed out, the states in the nations educational sub-basement Arizona, Alabama, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Idaho all had one thing in common. These states have relatively low average teacher salaries and low math and reading test scores among fourth graders and eighth graders (with the exception of Idaho), the study said. Perhaps more importantly, these states also spend less on K-12 students. Put another way, if we want to invest in the states future, then weve got to invest in the states children. Want more? Vote that way in the election And weve got to invest in leaders who are interested in working with the public schools to make them better. Sadly, our leaders seem to spend the bulk of their time obsessing about school bathrooms and book bans and woke teachers. About how to grow the states ESA program. You want a Legislature that devotes less energy to figuring new and creative ways to divert public money to private and religious schools? One that will instead work on ways to improve the public schools the vast majority of Arizonas children attend? Did I mention theres an election coming up in just seven weeks? 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: Arizona public schools rank dead last. Thank the GOP-run Legislature Stunning San Francisco home boasts ample turntable parking, Cabo-like climate. How much is it? A fabulous San Francisco home complete with a roof deck, state-of-the-art movie theater and parking for up to eight cars on a vehicle turntable has hit the market for $22 million. The reconstructed property in Cow Hollow spans 7,000-square-feet of living space over four levels. Theres a wellness center, wine room, spa with steam room and an infinity pool. Thats not all. Because San Franciscos weather can be surprisingly cold for a California city, some home buyers might find the propertys locale, as described in the official property listing, the most exciting feature. This private, wind-protected oasis feels more Malibu or Cabo than San Francisco, the listing says about the propertys microclimate. The $22 million listing on Union Street in San Francisco spans 7,000-square-feet of living space. The residence, originally built in 1906, is located at 2567 Union Street, San Francisco. Its one of the priciest homes for sale in the city. Ideal for entertaining, the main level boasts tremendous scale and flow with seamless connectivity to the south-facing outdoor space, the property listing states. The bedroom level has four en-suites and laundry facilities. The private primary bedroom is rear facing. The roof deck is accessed through a retractable skylight. From the sky lounge, theres a glass wall that opens up to panoramic views of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and Telegraph Hill. Other features include an elevator to all levels, water filtration system, lutron lighting system, multiple wet bars, custom light fixtures, top-notch appliances, hidden speakers in the ceiling, air conditioning, an advanced movie theater and integrated security systems. A parking garage in San Francisco? Priceless, especially with a vehicle turntable. Josh McAdam of Sothebys International Realty San Francisco Brokerage is the listing agent. The Cow Hollow home in San Francisco has a warmer microclimate that much of San Francisco. A roof-top deck presents tremendous views of San Franciscos Golden Gate Bridge. Check out the huge see-through glass terrace, ceiling in this Northern California home Is this one of Silicon Valleys most sophisticated homes? $14.5M masterpiece for sale After a nice stretch of cooler weather across Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley, summer will be looking to fight back as we go throughout the work week! Warm and muggy weather is on tap for this afternoon, as high temperatures soar into the 80s areawide with decreasing clouds. Temperatures will continue to warm on Thursday and Friday, with portions of our area nearing triple digit heat index values for the first time since early August! Storm chances may increase by the time we get to the weekend, though considerable uncertainty remains in terms of timing and rainfall totals. Check out the latest details you need to know by tuning into KNWA Today or FOX24 News at 7 this morning! Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. Democratic Assemblywoman Shea Backus and Republican challenger David Brog. With the Democratic supermajority in the Assembly on the line, Democrats and Republicans are eyeing control of Assembly District 37, a seat that has ping-ponged red-blue-red-blue. Incumbent Democratic Assemblywoman Shea Backus, who will face Republican David Brog in the general election, said though the seat in Clark County currently has a slight Democratic edge, retaining the seat will still be hard work. I think its still competitive, Backus said. I only won by about 800 votes the last time, which wasnt a large margin. The race has garnered attention from national groups including the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), the official arm of Democratic Party focused on state legislative races. Backus was one of seven legislative races in Nevada that was spotlighted by the group in June, which she said has helped with fundraising Backus had raised about $170,000, as of campaign finance reports filed in July. Brog had raised roughly $160,000. I think people realize my seat is valuable and because it seems to be a hot seat, I think nationally it has been highlighted, she said. Brog didnt respond to numerous attempts for comment. According to his campaign website, he is a Harvard Law graduate who worked as a chief of staff for former Pennsylvania Republican-turned-Democrat U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter. Brog was recruited by conservative mega donors Sheldon and Miriam Adelson in 2015 to run the Maccabee Task Force, which addresses antisemitism on college campuses. Backus, an attorney, was first elected to AD 37 in the blue wave of 2018. She ousted Republican Assemblyman Jim Marchant, an election denier who only held the seat one term. She was then unseated in 2020 by Republican Andy Matthews. A combination of campaigning in the pandemic, which made door knocking difficult, in a red-leaning district during a time people were frustrated around the politics of lockdowns all played a role in her loss, Backus said. The campaign looked a lot different that year, she said. She was able to reclaim the seat in 2022 when Matthews didnt seek re-election and instead successfully ran for state controller. It was the first election after the AD37 went through redistricting in 2021 and gained larger Democratic margins. Among registered voters, the district currently has 16,327 active Democrats, 15,554 active Republicans and 15,743 active nonpartisan voters. Backus said though nonpartisans in the district tend to break left its still going to be a competitive race. If Republicans can flip one Assembly seat they can break Democrats supermajority. Gov. Joe Lombardo had made a priority in 2024 of breaking the Democratic supermajority in the Assembly and stopping Democrats from gaining supermajorities in both chambers. Democrats are currently one vote away from a supermajority in the state Senate. Brog is one of a half dozen Republican candidates running for state Assembly with the backing of Better Nevada PAC, a Lombardo-aligned political action committee. Two-thirds supermajorities would allow Democrats to override any gubernatorial veto. I know the governor has taken personal interest in my race and has allowed his PACs to attack me and campaign for my opponent, Backus said. Brog on his website has accused Backus of voting for soft-on-crime policies and for opposing giving parents a choice in their childs education. Lombardo sought to increase funding for the states Opportunity Scholarship private school voucher program during the 2023 Legislative session. His proposal to raise funding from $6.66 million annually to an initial $50 million in the upcoming biennium, before climbing to a projected $500 million in 2031, was stripped from his omnibus education bill. Though Brogs website doesnt identify the criminal justice policies he thinks Backus is soft on, its likely hes referring to Assembly Bill 236, which passed in 2019 with bipartisan support. The bill sought to make modest changes to sentencing policies by lowering some penalties for those convicted of nonviolent theft and drug crimes in an effort to address, and potentially reduce, Nevadas growing prison population. The final draft of AB 236 was significantly watered down and moved forward after Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, which originally opposed the legislation, testified in neutral. Lombardo has repeatedly criticized the bill, campaigning against it himself when running for governor in 2020, and unsuccessfully pushed legislation in 2023 to undo aspects of AB 236. The whole point of the criminal justice bill was to make sure the penalties for the crime aligned with the severity of the offense, Backus said. I always find it interesting (AB 236) is what they attack, she added When you really dive into it, the reality is that it was making it more uniform, so you didnt have someone accused of a violent crime paying penalties that are less than someone doing a misdemeanor crime. Backus said that while Lombardo is trying to raise fears about the consequences of Democrats securing veto-proof majorities in the Legislature, Nevadans neednt be alarmed. In 2023 Lombardo vetoed a record-breaking 75 bills, including measures that would have provided health care coverage for pregnant undocumented women, reformed the eviction process, offered modest tenant protections, and capped rent at 10% for people older than 62 or who rely on disability insurance benefits for one year. When Im talking to people at the door and listening to their financial struggles I can list off several policies that would have helped those individuals, if those bill werent vetoed, she said. Cars drive along a burning field near Pokrovsk in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region on Sep 16 - AFP Washington fears Russia is sending large quantities of enriched uranium to China in an effort to evade sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine. Chinese imports of enriched uranium from Russia, the worlds largest exporter of the radioactive metal, soared in 2022 and 2023, according to data released by the World Bank. The US is now investigating whether the uranium, used as nuclear power plant fuel, is then being imported to America. China only started to send vast quantities of enriched uranium to the US after Congress passed a ban on the import of the metal from Russia after the Ukraine invasion. As China may be seeking to carve out a greater role for itself in world enriched uranium markets, increased imports of Russian enriched uranium may facilitate the pursuit of Beijings ambitions, said a report in March by the London-based Royal United Services Institute think tank. 03:58 PM BST Thanks for following our live coverage Thanks for following our live coverage. It has now ended. Well be back soon for more updates and analysis on the war in Ukraine. 03:37 PM BST Western countries competing to spank RT the hardest Western countries are in competition over who can spank Russia Today (RT) the hardest, a spokesperson for the state network has said. Its cute how theres a competition in the West who can try to spank RT the hardest, in order to make themselves look better. META/Facebook already blocked RT in Europe two years ago, now theyre censoring information flow to the rest of the world. Dont worry, where they close a door, and then a window, our partisans (or in your parlance, guerrilla fighters) will find the cracks to crawl through as by your own admission we are apt at doing. 03:22 PM BST Zelenskys victory plan will not involve freezing conflict Volodymyr Zelenskys victory plan, which will be presented to Ukraines allies next week, will not involve freezing the conflict in any way, a senior presidential adviser has said. The president has repeatedly stated that freezing the conflict will not result in the end of the war, but will instead allow Russia to accumulate additional resources and continue with the third stage of civilian massacres in Ukraine, Mykhailo Podoliak said. Naturally, there are no plans that would entail relinquishing territories or freezing the war. Mr Podoliak went on to say that the Russia could be defeated with a specific quantity of weapons, including military, diplomatic, economic, and political pressure. 03:00 PM BST Russia suffers 610,000 casualties since start of war, says MoD Russia has likely suffered 610,000 casualties (killed or injured) since the war broke out in February 2022, the UK Ministry of Defence has said. The MoD also said that recruitment in 2024 has decreased compared with the previous year, meaning Russia has been increasing sign-on bonuses to attract new recruits. Estimates suggest military personnel payments amounted to around 8% of federal spending in the year to June 2024, the MoD said. Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 17 September 2024. Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/pyg0nlxocb #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/tZlwY3Z0oJ Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) September 17, 2024 02:42 PM BST Ukraine tries to pierce two border towns in Russia Ukraine failed to pierce Russias western border as it continues its fight back against the Russian counteroffensive in Kursk, Moscow has claimed. Kyivs forces have been attempting to pierce the Russian border towards Veseloe and Medvezhe as it fights back against Moscows counteroffensive to Ukraines initial invasion on Aug 6. The border towns are located around 15km (9.3 miles) to the west of the main battle in Kursk. 02:05 PM BST Which countries have the largest active militaries? 01:45 PM BST One million people killed or wounded in war Around one million Ukrainians and Russians have been killed or wounded since Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion, according to reports. Anonymous sources, cited by the Wall Street Journal, said Kyivs losses had been 80,000 soldiers killed and 400,000 more wounded. President Volodymyr Zelensky in February put the figure at 31,000, breaking a taboo over discussing casualties on the Ukrainian side. Western intelligence estimates believe Russia has lost 200,000 troops, while a further 400,000 have been wounded in combat. This figure is close to the 635,000 estimated by Kyiv on Tuesday. Rob Lee, a prominent military analyst, said Ukraine had a between killed to wounded ratio because it makes a greater effort at casualty care and evacuation. 01:32 PM BST Ursula von der Leyen fills top EU jobs with pro-Ukraine figures Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, has announced she will fill her team in the EUs executive arm with pro-Ukraine figures. Von der Leyen, a vocal supporter of Kyiv herself, revealed Andrius Kubilius, the former prime minister of Lithuania, will oversee the EUs defence policy. Speaking to the European Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Kubilius said the EU needs to radically ramp up production of our military industry and to integrate Ukraines military industry with the European one. We need to remove any red lines in the defence of Ukraine, he added. Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the former Estonian prime minister, has been put in charge of foreign affairs and security policy. He has repeatedly called for more action by the West to help Ukraine fight off Russias invasion. Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commissions president - AFP 12:56 PM BST Watch: Ukrainian drone rams Russian lancet drone This is the moment a Ukrainian drone rammed a Russian lancet drone mid-air. Air ramming is the process of hitting one aircraft with another, often a last-ditch tactic used when other attempts to take down the aircraft have failed. 12:40 PM BST Germany: Moldova could be next after Ukraine Russia could invade Moldova next if it manages to succeed in Ukraine, the German foreign minister has warned. Everything that we do to support Ukraine also means fostering stabilisation with regards to Moldova, Annalena Baerbock said. It is clear what the greatest concern of the people here is: that if Ukraine falls, Moldova is the next country in line. 11:50 AM BST Russians attack embattled Ukrainian city 40 times in a single day Russian forces attacked the beleaguered city of Pokrovsk in Ukraines east 40 times on Monday, Ukraines military said. For weeks, Moscows troops have been bearing down on the key garrison city, a major logistics hub for Ukraines defence in the Donetsk region. The General Staff of Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Monday the heaviest fighting along the frontline took place on the Pokrovsk front where our defenders stopped 40 attacks. More than 20,000 people - almost half of its population - have fled the city since August, while Russian strikes over the past two weeks have cut off water and electricity to many of its remaining residents. Capturing Pokrovsk would be a step towards Russias objective of capturing the whole of the Donetsk region, which it currently controls 80 per cent of. 11:21 AM BST Ukraine claims Russia executed prisoner with sword Ukrainian authorities are investigating claims that a prisoner of war was executed by Russian troops with a sword in Donetsk. Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraines human rights commissioner, wrote on Telegram: Photos appeared on social networks of how the Russians probably executed an unarmed Ukrainian prisoner of war with a sword with his hands tied with tape. Such actions are a gross violation of the Geneva Convention relative to the treatment of prisoners of war. How much longer will the world watch as Russia openly demonstrates disregard for any norms and laws? Ukrainian authorities said they were trying to establish the identity of the prisoner and the date of the apparent execution. The images circulated on social media have not been independently verified by The Telegraph. 11:04 AM BST Kremlin to expand army by 180,000 due to threat on Western border The Kremlin said on Tuesday that an order by President Vladimir Putin to transform Russias army into the second largest in the world was needed to address growing threats on Russias western borders and instability to the east. Putin on Monday ordered the regular size of the Russian army to be increased by 180,000 troops to 1.5 million active servicemen in a move that would make it the second largest in the world after Chinas. This is due to the number of threats that exist to our country along the perimeter of our borders, Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, told reporters on a conference call. It is caused by the extremely hostile environment on our western borders and instability on our eastern borders. This demands appropriate measures to be taken. 10:46 AM BST Nato has to cross all Russias red lines, warns Estonian president Alar Karis, Estonias president, warned that Nato allies must do more to help defend Ukraine by crossing all of Vladimir Putins so-called red lines. We probably realize now that we have to cross all of these red lines and then start forcing Russia out of Ukraine, Mr Karis told the Kyiv Independent at the 20th annual Yalta European Strategy (YES) Conference in Kyiv. Mr Karis, whose country borders Russia, also backed Volodymyr Zelenskys calls for restrictions to be lifted on striking deep inside Russia using Western-provided long-range missiles. We are in a very simple position, we should lift the restrictions, he said. Estonias President Alar Karis meets with Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Sep 12 - Reuters 10:35 AM BST Zelensky: Victory Plan for Ukraine 90pc complete Volodymyr Zelensky has said his Victory Plan for Ukraine is over 90 per cent complete and that Kyiv is preparing to present it to allies next week. In his nightly address on Monday, the Ukrainian president said the necessary steps for Ukraine have already been clearly defined. These steps will give us the strongest possible positions to bring about peacea real and just peace. For every step, we have a clear list of actionswhat exactly is needed and what will strengthen our efforts. There is nothing impossible in this plan. Over 90% of it is already laid out. Throughout the day, we held various meetings to prepare our Ukrainian Victory Plan. Each point is filled with real substancemilitary, political, diplomatic, and economic. Key figures for every area have been involved. The necessary steps for Ukraine are already clearly defined. pic.twitter.com/T8P32L8ua9 Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) September 16, 2024 09:51 AM BST In pictures: Returned Ukrainian POWs at rehabilitation centre A soldier shows a photo of himself on a mobile phone before captivity as he undergoes medical examinations - Getty Images Europe Another returned Ukrainian POW poses to show his lack of muscle following his time in captivity - Getty Images Europe He is pictured waiting for medical treatment at the centre in the Poltava Region, Ukraine - Getty Images Europe A returned POW shows traces of torture at the rehabilitation center - Getty Images Europe 09:41 AM BST Meta bans Russian state media over foreign interference Facebook owner Meta said on Monday it was banning RT, Rossiya Segodnya and other Russian state media networks from its platforms over foreign interference activity. The ban marks a sharp escalation in actions by the worlds biggest social media company against Russian state media, after it spent years taking more limited steps such as blocking the outlets from running ads and reducing the reach of their posts. After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets. Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity, the social media company said in a statement. Enforcement of the ban will roll out over the coming days across its apps, including Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads. 08:08 AM BST Russia attacks energy infrastructure in Ukraines Sumy region Russian forces attacked energy infrastructure in Ukraines northeastern Sumy region, cutting power in some districts and forcing authorities to resort to back-up power systems, local authorities said on Tuesday. The attack dealt damage in Konotop, Okhtyrka and Sumy districts of the region and the critical infrastructure facilities were using back-up power systems, regional officials said on Telegram. Sumy water supply facilities said that the attack cut power to them at night, prompting the switch to emergency power supply. Mayor Artem Kobzar said there were no casualties in the city and that energy workers were dealing with the attacks aftermath. 07:36 AM BST Ukraine says it shot down 34 out of 51 Russian drones Ukrainian air force said on Tuesday it shot down 34 out of 51 Russian drones overnight. The military said air defences were employed in five regions. 07:34 AM BST Hello and welcome to our live coverage We will be bringing you the latest updates from the war in Ukraine. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Overland Park police are investigating after shots were fired during an attempted robbery on Tuesday morning near College Boulevard and Oakmont Street. According to the Overland Park Police Department, around 5:15 a.m. Monday, the officers responded to a caller who reported an aggravated assault. View the latest headlines from Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas at fox4kc.com OPPD was dispatched to the area but could not locate the suspect on foot. At 5:30 a.m., however, officers found the suspect on a traffic camera sitting on a car in the parking lot of a nearby business. The owner of the car exited the business and confronted the suspect. The suspect pointed his gun toward the owner but did not fire his weapon. The owner of the vehicle ran back into the business and called police. As officers arrived, they reportedly observed the suspect committing an armed robbery in the parking lot. The suspect had a high-powered rifle later found to be illegally modified. Kansas news: Headlines from Wichita, Topeka and around the Sunflower State On-scene officers then took cover and told the suspect to drop the weapon. The suspect then aimed his firearm at one of the officers and shot several times. At this time, it is unknown if the suspects firearm ran out of ammunition or became jammed, but it was reported that the suspect eventually dropped the gun, allowing police to place them in custody. Law enforcement said no one was hurt during the incident. If you have any information regarding this incident, call the Overland Park Police Department at 913-895-6300 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. UPDATE: The subject who died in this police shooting was identified by the TBI as Tremayne D. French, 26. Records show French pleaded guilty to carjacking in 2019. He also pleaded guilty in a 2018 robbery and was sentenced to six years. ***** MEMPHIS, Tenn. The man arrested after a carjacking and police shooting that ended in another suspects death Monday was a part-time City of Memphis employee, officials said. Tadarius Nichols, 25, is in the Shelby County Jail log, charged with motor vehicle theft and evading arrest in the incident that ended with a fatal shooting by police near a school in Frayser. We can confirm that at the time of the incident he was a part-time employee in our Parks division, a city spokesperson said Tuesday in an email. They had no further comment. Suspect dead after shootout with Memphis Police in Frayser A court affidavit states that Nichols was the driver of the stolen Dodge Charger that stopped near Cornerstone Academy on Overton Crossing on Monday afternoon. Nichols denied to police that he was involved in the earlier carjacking. Police say it started in Raleigh just after midnight Monday morning when a white Dodge Charger was taken in a carjacking from the 4100 block of Ann Arbor Lane. At 2 p.m. officers spotted the carjacked vehicle near Watkins Street and Dellwood, with two males inside. They say they attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop. The Charger stopped at Frayser Boulevard and Adair Drive, where the suspects got out and ran east on Frayser Boulevard. Martin testifies Tyre Nichols was not a threat, but says he was angry As officers pursued them on foot, they say one of the suspects fired shots at officers. Officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The man was pronounced dead on the scene, and a weapon was found nearby. Records do not list the name of the suspect who was killed. TBI said they will release his name once they notify family. Nichols grandmother, Mattie Kelly, said she raised Nichols and has never known him to be in trouble. If Tadarius knew that car was stolen or carjacked, he wouldve never got in that car, Kelly said. He probably was scared and he probably ran, but he did stop. She said her grandson has a job and was working, and described him as very quiet. Sometimes you get involved with the wrong people, she said. We checked and did not find other listed arrests for Nichols as an adult in Shelby County. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Suspect arrested for threat on social media towards Homewood High School HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WIAT) A suspect is charged with making a terroristic threat on social media toward Homewood High School last week. An announcement sent out Monday by Principal Joel Henneke stated the threat, posted on Instagram, was made by someone with no association with Homewood City Schools. While we believe there is no credible threat to our school, please know that our school resource officers will remain vigilant and alert to any unusual activity, as student and staff safety is our top priority, Henneke stated in the release. Alabama opposes defense attorneys request to film nitrogen execution Several schools throughout central Alabama were threatened last week in the aftermath of a high school shooting in Georgia that left four dead and nine injured. Read the full statement from Principal Henneke below: Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. Thirty years ago a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper was shot through his kitchen window in Anderson, Missouri. Today, the suspect believed to have been behind the crime remains at the top of the patrol's most wanted list and is still wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. On the evening of Sept. 16, 1994, Cpl. Bobbie J. Harper was watching TV with his family and went to the kitchen to get something to eat when he was shot in the chest by a high-powered rifle bullet through the window, according to News-Leader archives. The 54-year-old underwent surgery, as the bullet fragments had caused serious damage to his heart, lung, intestines and liver, and was reported to be in critical but stable condition at a Joplin hospital. A week later, charges were filed against Timothy Thomas Coombs, 35, initially for attempting to kill a law enforcement officer and armed criminal action and later by federal authorities for trying to flee. Springfield News-Leader clipping from April 30, 1995, about religious extremists, like Timothy Coombs, living in the Ozarks. In April 1984, Harper was named the Department of Public Safety's Employee of the Month for confronting an armed man who threatened to take his rifle into the county courthouse. A few months after the shooting, Harper retired from his 31-year career with the MSHP. In April 1996, Harper died at age 55 of complications from heart surgery at a Milwaukee hospital. Why was Harper shot? According to archived News-Leader reports, Coombs shot Harper as retribution for jailing a fellow member of a white supremacist religious sect, Robert Joos Jr. The highway patrol believed Coombs belonged to Citizens of Christ but he has also been known to identify himself as an ambassador for the "Kingdom of Yahweh Ministries," according to the patrol's most wanted description. Joos was the top leader of the "Sacerdotal Order of the David Company," a self-made church professing racial separation and defiance of man-made governments, according to a News-Leader article on religious extremists. In 1986, police tried to arrest Joos for "stimulating the legal process," accusing him of filing fake legal orders in a case that didn't involve him. He remained at large for almost eight years, until June 1994 when Harper and other officers arrested him. Timothy Thomas Coombs is still wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Missouri State Highway Patrol thirty years after he is alleged to have shot Cpl. Bobbie Harper. When authorities visited Joos' farm looking for clues after the shooting, they were met by a man armed with a rifle claiming to be James Wilson. Authorities then found his real name was Timothy Coombs. The most wanted post also lists Cal Liberty, William Patterson and James Mason as other aliases. While his last known address had been in Witts Springs, Arkansas, Coombs was born and believed to have family members in Ocean County, New Jersey, according to the FBI. The highway patrol noted Coombs had worked as a tree planter for private contractors in National Forest areas, as well as a paramedic and volunteer firefighter. The case filed against Coombs in 1994 in McDonald County Circuit Court remains open and the FBI continues to offer a reward of up to $100,000 for information that could lead to his arrest. More: What happened to Kelle Ann Workman? Here's what we know about 1989 case, 3 men charged Family sues Missouri State Highway Patrol In 2016, Harper's daughter Kimberly and widow Sharon Harper filed a lawsuit against the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the McDonald County Prosecuting Attorney with the help from the ACLU of Missouri for violations of the Sunshine Law. The Harpers had filed requests beginning in 2012 for all records pertaining to Joos' arrest, the shooting of Bobbie Harper and the resulting investigation. They were denied access to most of the records. The circuit court sided with the patrol, citing the federal Freedom of Information Act regarding FBI reports and an on-going investigation process. Upon appeal in 2019, the Missouri Court of Appeals sided with the family, noting that FOIA only applies to federal agencies and that any records retained by the MSHP, even those including FBI documents, would fall under the Sunshine Law. Upon the 30th anniversary of the shooting at the Harpers' home, Coombs remains wanted. Although publications by the ACLU note he is believed to be deceased, Bridget Patton, spokesperson for the Kansas City FBI Bureau, said the investigation is ongoing, and the reward is still offered for any information related to the case. If Coombs is alive, he would be 65 years old. 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: FBI still looking for suspect 30 years after Missouri trooper shooting (WJET/WFXP) Getting a loan and buying a car can be a stressful ordeal, especially if youre denied, but what about when you get turned down for a car loan you didnt apply for in a state where you dont live? A Venango County man found himself in such a situation after receiving a notice in the mail saying the car loan he applied for had been denied despite not applying for one or trying to purchase a vehicle according to Pennsylvania State Police. Traffic stop uncovers three firearms in Jamestown, NY PSP Franklin first received the report about the denied loan on Sep. 11 after the victim received the denial from a Dearborn, Michigan area car dealership. The victim said they spoke with the dealership about the fraudulent loan attempt which has since been canceled after the dealership said they felt something was off about it. Greene Twp. recieves thousands in funding to help aid water project Police described the suspect as an older black man with gray hair who went to the dealership and used the victims ID as part of the car-buying process. Police continue to investigate. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Lake Whitney, Tx (FOX44) The Bosque County Sheriffs Office has confirmed human remains have been found near the Lake Whitney dam in Bosque County. Bosque County Sheriff Trace Hendricks said his department was notified by the Corps of Engineers Monday that they had found what they believed was a human bone near the base of a cliff near the dam, A further search of the area above that site turned up more bones that they said were obviously human. The area was described as difficult to access because it is on the edge of a rock wall with heavy brush and timber which blocks visibility and prevents passage. Bosque County Sheriffs Office investigators were sent to secure the area and were being assisted by Texas Rangers and the Waco Police Department Crime Scene Unit. Sheriff Hendricks said during the search, various items of clothing and a wallet were found. Sheriff Hendricks said the wallet contained the ID of a man who had been reported missing July 29, 2022, but that the remains would have to be examined by a lab to provide absolute positive identification of the deceased. William C. Stamp had ben reported missing that day, with his vehicle found abandoned at a convenience store in Laguna Park. A number of searches have been conducted since that time with nothing being found. The investigation into the disappearance has remained open all this time. Sheriff Hendricks said evidence collected at the scene and statements received from family members have led investigators to believe no foul play was involved. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. The Oklahoma State Election Board Office inside the state Capitol in Oklahoma City, was one of at least five states in the U.S. which election officials received suspicious packages on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Sean Murphy) Suspicious packages were sent to election officials in at least six states on Monday, but there were no reports that any of the packages contained hazardous material. Powder-containing packages were sent to secretaries of state and state election offices in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Tennessee, Wyoming and Oklahoma, officials in those states confirmed. The FBI and U.S. Postal Service were investigating. It marked the second time in the past year that suspicious packages were mailed to election officials in multiple state offices. The latest scare comes as early voting has begun in several states less than two months ahead of the high-stakes elections for president, Senate, Congress and key statehouse offices around the nation, causing disruption in what is already a tense voting season. Several of the states reported a white powder substance found in envelopes sent to election officials. In most cases, the material was found to be harmless. Oklahoma officials said the material sent to the election office there contained flour. Wyoming officials have not yet said if the material sent there was hazardous. The packages forced an evacuation in Iowa. Hazmat crews in several states quickly determined the material was harmless. We have specific protocols in place for situations such as this, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said in a statement after the evacuation of the six-story Lucas State Office Building in Des Moines. We immediately reported the incident per our protocols." A state office building in Topeka, Kansas, was also evacuated due to suspicious mail sent to both the secretary of state and attorney general, Kansas Highway Patrol spokesperson April M. McCollum said in a statement. Topeka Fire Department crews found several pieces of mail with an unknown substance on them, though a field test found no hazardous materials, spokesperson Rosie Nichols said. Several employees in both offices had been exposed to it and had their health monitored, she said. In Oklahoma, the State Election Board received a suspicious envelope in the mail containing a multi-page document and a white, powdery substance, agency spokesperson Misha Mohr said in an email to The Associated Press. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, which oversees security for the Capitol, secured the envelope. Testing determined the substance was flour, Mohr said. State workers in an office building next to the Wyoming Capitol in Cheyenne were sent home for the day pending testing of a white substance mailed to the secretary of states office. Suspicious letters were sent to election offices and government buildings in at least six states last November, including the same building in Kansas that received suspicious mail Monday. While some of the letters contained fentanyl, even the suspicious mail that was not toxic delayed the counting of ballots in some local elections. One of the targeted offices was in Fulton County, Georgia, the largest voting jurisdiction in one of the nations most important swing states. Four county election offices in Washington state had to be evacuated as election workers were processing ballots cast, delaying vote-counting. The letters caused election workers around the country to stock up the overdose reversal medication naloxone. Election offices across the United States have taken steps to increase the security of their buildings and boost protections for workers amid an onslaught of harassment and threats following the 2020 election and the false claims that it was rigged. ___ Salter reported from O'Fallon, Missouri. Volmert reported from Lansing, Michigan. Mead Gruver in Cheyenne, Wyoming; Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee; Summer Ballentine in Columbia, Missouri; Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City and John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, contributed to this report. SUV involved in deadly crash on South Carolina road, Highway Patrol says A person who was walking on a road Monday was killed in a crash with an SUV, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The collision happened at about 3 p.m. in Florence County, said Lance Cpl. Lena Butler. Both the pedestrian and a 2001 Ford Explorer were heading east on Carmon Short Cut Road when the collision happened near the intersection with Jordan Church Road, according to Butler. The pedestrian died at the scene. The Florence County Coroners Office has not publicly identified the pedestrian. Butler said the driver was the only person in the SUV and was not hurt. No other injuries were reported. There was no word if the driver was wearing a seat belt. Information about what caused the crash was not available, but it continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol. Through Sunday, 629 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2024, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,030 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported. At least 13 people have died in Florence County crashes in 2024, according to DPS data. There was another deadly wreck in Florence County Sunday, when a pickup truck collided with a bicycle, killing the bike rider, according to the Highway Patrol. Swastikas drawn on items at Target & Cumberland County churches burglarized; two charged CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Two people are facing charges for allegedly drawing swastikas on items inside a Cumberland County Target and burglarizing multiple local churches, State Police said in a news release. Trystan Zimmerman, 25, and Sophia Brandt, 19, allegedly caused over $2,000 worth of damage after swastikas and vulgarities were drawn with black marker on items, including childrens toys and electronics, at the South Middleton Township Target. The duo is also accused of breaking into three churches, two in South Middletown Township and another in Monroe Township, and stealing money, State Police said. During the one burglary, they used a fire axe to break into the church and were unsuccessful in stealing anything, State Police said. Cumberland County childcare worker, second person facing child sex abuse charges Both of them are also being charged with burglary, institutional vandalism, attempted theft, and criminal mischief for the church burglaries. State Police said the duo also face charges of ethnic intimidation, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct for the incident at Target. State Police said they are currently being arraigned at Cumberland County Prison Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Daily Digest Troopers believe that both Zimmerman and Brandt are connected to other crimes between Carlisle and Annville. Anyone with information is asked to contact PSP Carlisle at 717-249-2121. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A shelter-in-place order has been lifted in the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood after a shooting left a woman dead and a SWAT team looking for the suspect, authorities said. According to the Portland Police Bureau, the methodical search was concluded Tuesday evening but a suspect was not located. This comes after a fatal shooting Tuesday morning brought a response from the PPB, the Gresham Police Department and the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office. Authorities arrived at the scene near 5900 SE 136th Avenue around 8:37 a.m. KOIN 6 News teams on the ground said East Metro SWAT teams arrived just after 9:30 a.m. to search for an armed suspect. Police ordered a shelter-in-place for nearby residents that remained in effect until just before 7 p.m. Crews rescue person from basement on fire in Montavilla neighborhood home At the site of the shooting, authorities found a woman with life-threatening injuries and said she was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. She died hours later, officials said. According to David Douglas School District, both Gilbert Park Elementary and Alice Ott Middle School were placed in secure mode until police gave them the all-clear around 12:36 p.m. Teen critically hurt; pinging cell phone leads to hit-run arrest Based on the Portland Police Bureau, there are no safety concerns to our schools, the district wrote in an afternoon update. Police presence might still be in the area near Southeast 136th, if you live nearby, please follow law enforcement directions. A nearby resident, David Bet, said the situation caused everyone to scramble while everything shut down. SWAT teams respond to shooting in SE Portland Tuesday morning SWAT teams respond to shooting in SE Portland Tuesday morning I called the school because my kids go to school there, go to the park, so just let them know what happened and they shut the school down, a nearby resident, David Bet, said. It was scary. You know, its too close to home. This has happened too often terror around here in south this park. So its its become a nightmare. Third set of human remains found in Gifford Pinchot National Forest since August I think a lot of times when theres violence like this, you disconnect because its not close to your circle of people, said another neighbor, Shawna Ramirez. But just even knowing that it was someone that lived close to me was disheartening. And then when I heard who it was, it just really makes me sad. At the height of the response, 60 units from the various law enforcement agencies flooded the area. It was very chaotic at that point, they had all the streets blocked, they had multiple drones going everywhere, it was pretty scary actually, neighbor Bonni Doss said. Its a little scary that it happened so close, said Ternnell Hale, another local resident. Hale said he kept his kids from school because he didnt want to risk it. Hale checked his mailbox and Doss tended to her dog after the chaos subsided as neighbors tried to return to a sense of normal. Even still, uneasiness lingered in the air for many. I just really say a prayer for their family. Its really just a sad, sad thing that happened, Doss said. The Portland Police Bureau said their Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) was at a training out of town when the incident happened so the East Metro SWAT, comprised of personnel from the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office and the Gresham Police Department, responded. PPBs Homicide Unit also responded and is investigating. Law enforcement officials havent released the name of the woman who died. KOIN 6 also asked Portland police if they had a description of the suspect but they havent provided one yet. Anyone with information about this shooting is encouraged to contact Portland police. Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. (Bloomberg) -- Judges are racing to resolve fights many in swing states over how Americans will cast ballots and tally results in the Nov. 5 presidential election as absentee and early voting is poised to start. Most Read from Bloomberg Nevada and Pennsylvania appeals courts are fast-tracking lawsuits over the fate of mailed ballots that contain errors or defects. A federal appeals court will hear arguments next week on whether Mississippi can count absentee ballots that arrive after election day. A trial is set for next month on vote certification rules in Georgia that Democrats warn could cause chaos. Judges are also setting speedy schedules as new fights continue to hit the docket. Republican and Democratic national party organizations have filed lawsuits in recent weeks over registration, voting and ballot tally certification processes in Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and North Carolina. While the US Supreme Court has cautioned against last-minute intervention in elections by federal judges to avoid voter confusion, there is no firm cutoff date for challenges. And that guidance isnt directed at state courts, where much of this years pre-election action is playing out. In Pennsylvania, voting-rights lawyers are exploring ways to revive a fight over a state law that disqualifies absentee ballots because of problems with the date voters write on the envelope. A lower court blocked the law in August. In a 4-3 order on Sept. 13, the high court dismissed the case on a procedural issue because it didnt name all 67 county boards of elections. The dissenting justices said that the court had authority to hear the case regardless of any jurisdiction problem, writing that a prompt and definitive ruling was of paramount public importance. The challengers argue thousands of votes in the swing state are at risk of not being counted based on a rule unrelated to whether a ballot arrives on time or a voter is eligible, citing invalidated ballots in past elections. The Republican National Committee, which intervened to defend the law, called the order a win to secure commonsense mail ballot safeguards. The Democratic National Committee jumped into the case to back the challengers. Mimi McKenzie, legal director of the Philadelphia-based Public Interest Law Center, one of the groups that brought the case, said they believe they can get it back on track before election day. While its a setback in that it would be good to have a decision as soon as possible, the court most certainly did not weigh in on the underlying merits, she said. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court adopted an order in August speeding up timelines for cases related to the November contest. Other fights over absentee and provisional voting in the state are at various stages of appeals. Elsewhere, dozens of election cases are pending, with several significant pre-November showdowns on the calendar. Lawyers for the RNC and the DNC will square off this month before the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in the Mississippi absentee ballot fight. Republican-leaning Mississippi isnt a battleground, but the case is seen as a proxy for the GOPs broader attack on post-election-day ballot counting and could become a vehicle for the US Supreme Court to weigh in. The Nevada Supreme Court will hear arguments in early October in a case brought by the RNC and Republican nominee Donald Trumps campaign challenging the states counting of mailed ballots that arrive without a postmark shortly after election day. A lower court judge sided with the state in August and the high court agreed to an expedited schedule. In Georgia, one of the newest cases is on a fast track to trial. The DNC filed a lawsuit over recent changes adopted by the state election board regarding how vote tallies are certified, arguing theyre designed to empower Trump allies at the county level to interfere with the results. The RNC intervened to back the board. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney scheduled an Oct. 1 bench trial, noting the challenged rules will affect how local officials statewide manage the fast-approaching election. Time is therefore of the essence, he wrote. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- The Kamala Harris-Donald Trump debate sparked big increases in TV viewership in seven states that are likely to decide the 2024 presidential election. Most Read from Bloomberg The Sept. 10 debate between Democrat Harris and Republican Trump drew an audience of 67.1 million viewers overall, up more than 30% from Trumps earlier face-off with Biden. The gain was even larger in the seven swing states, according to Nielsen data. Arizona and Wisconsin registered the biggest jumps in viewers at 41% each. Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina and Pennsylvania also posted larger increases than the US average. The higher ratings suggest the debate may have more impact in those crucial states. Clearly, theres something very interesting going on here, said Brian Fuhrer, Nielsens senior vice president of product strategy, who put together the data. Hosted by CNN, the first presidential debate took place in June between President Joe Biden and Trump, with Bidens sluggish performance leading him to withdraw from the race. After Biden dropped out in July and endorsed Harris, she clinched the Democratic nomination. The Harris-Trump debate drew more viewers among all racial groups, with the biggest gains among Asian and Black audiences, according to Nielsen. The Hispanic audience climbed by 41%, compared with 22% for Whites. Viewing increased across all county sizes although only the largest counties increased more than the total. The second debate saw Harris and Trump spar over issues like abortion rights, immigration policy and the economy. Trump declared the contest his best debate ever, but complained that the ABC News moderators were biased against him, and he has said he wont debate Harris again. Major Democratic donors cheered the contest as a Harris victory and pop star Taylor Swift endorsed the vice president on social media shortly after the debates conclusion. Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance, a senator from Ohio, and his Democratic rival, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, are scheduled to meet in an Oct. 1 debate hosted by CBS News. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Tarrant County commissioners voted to end a contract with the University of North Texas Health Science Center as fast as humanly possible after NBC News reported that the Fort Worth graduate school had used hundreds of unclaimed bodies for research and sale around the country. Were directing the county administrator to wrap up the program with UNTHSC as fast as humanly possible, said County Judge Tim OHare. No ones body should be used for medical research absent their pre-death consent or the consent of a loved one, and certainly no ones body should be sold for profit absent consent. The Health Science Center, which includes a medical school and other graduate programs, entered into a contract with Tarrant County in 2018 to handle the bodies of county residents for whom no next-of-kind could be located, as well as for families who could not afford to bury or cremate their loved one. According to the agreement, the Health Science Center would use some of the bodies to educate its medical students. For bodies that could not be used for research or education, the center would charge the county a $300 fee per body for cremation. Although critics have previously questioned the ethics of using a persons body without their consent or their loved ones consent, a investigation published Monday by NBC News pushed UNTHSC to halt the program that used unclaimed bodies, fire program leadership, and hire an external company to review the programs practices, according to a statement from HSC. Although HSC had already halted the program as of Friday, county commissioners took a vote Tuesday to formally end the contract. A spokesperson for HSC said he had no additional details to share when asked how HSC will source cadavers for medical education. The countys contract with UNT HSC had been re-approved annually by commissioners before Tuesdays vote. Before its contract with HSC, Tarrant County paid for either cremation or burial for deceased county residents whose families couldnt afford a burial or cremation and for residents with no known next-of-kin. HSC offered to effectively take over Tarrant Countys program for poor and unclaimed bodies. In 2018, Claudia Yellot, then the director of HSCs Willed Body Program, told county officials that a partnership with HSC would allow the county to save money on burial and cremation costs while also providing essential education to medical students and researchers. Most recently, commissioners voted 4-1 to continue the partnership in January. At the time, representatives from the Health Science Center said that the program had received about 200 unclaimed bodies per year from the county, about one-third of which could be used for research and education. In 2023, the Health Science Center used 73 unclaimed bodies for research and education, said Rustin Reeves, the then-director of HSCs Center for Anatomical Sciences told commissioners. The NBC News report revealed that HSC was also selling some body parts to research companies across the U.S. Reporters identified at least 12 people who had died and whose bodies were used by HSC without their families knowledge or consent. In addition, 10 companies interviewed by NBC News said they were unaware that the bodies they had purchased from HSC were not willingly donated. The Tarrant County Republican Party on Monday called out members of its own party for voting against the countys highest elected official on the issue of voting sites on college campuses. County GOP Chair Bo French shared a party resolution on X expressing disapproval of Republican County Commissioners Manny Ramirez and Gary Fickes, who voted Thursday to approve a list of early voting sites that included eight college campuses. County Judge Tim OHare voted against the motion, which was brought by Ramirez, holding that polling locations on college campuses unfairly favor a small segment of the voting population. His opponents decried the move as voter suppression. Ramirez and Fickes voted with Democrats on a key election vote that undermines the ability of Republicans to win the general election in Tarrant County, the resolution states. The resolution calls out Ramirez specifically for signaling a disregard for the interests of the party and its constituents, and urges him and Fickes to reconsider their political decisions to better reflect the values and expectations of the Republican electorate. OHare has said publicly that low voter turnout is advantageous to conservatives in Tarrant County. Ramirez and Fickes did not make themselves available for comment after Tuesdays Commissioners Court session. French fired the first shot on Thursday after the sites were approved, accusing Ramirez and Fickes of siding with the Leftist mob. In the ensuing days, text messages sent by the Tarrant County Patriots PAC urged Republican voters to call and ask Ramirez why he wants anti-Trump, anti-Cruz Democrats to win in November. Ramirez responded in a letter addressed to French over the weekend by accusing the party chair of spreading misinformation about him and the other Republicans on the Commissioners Court. Additionally, youve used party resources and shadow PACs to attack me, all because of a personal disagreement on a single issue, Ramirez said in the letter. In an attempt to set the record straight, Ramirez wrote that he made his motion and vote on the recommendation of County Elections Administrator Clint Ludwig and that he proposed adding more early voting sites at senior centers. When asked by OHare at the Sept. 4 session how many early voting sites he recommended for the county, Ludwig said between 60 and 70. Ramirez has received support from local elected officials. Texas Rep. Charlie Geren, a Fort Worth Republican, posted Ramirezs letter to French on X on Saturday, and thanked the commissioner for standing on conservative principles and keeping polling locations on college campuses. Republicans know how to earn the vote. Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker posted Ramirezs letter on Tuesday, saying that Ramirez should not be vilified for his vote. Democracy is meant to be an arena for ideas, she said. When we resort to winning at the expense of voter turnout, weve all lost. Ramirez recognizes that its the communication of ideas and policies and ability to bring people together that wins elections not partisan politics, she continued. We may run for office under the banner of one party but once elected you take an oath to serve all. Tasers are failing when police need them most. So why do they still carry them? A representative for Axon Enterprise Inc. demonstrates the company's TASER 7 in Washington on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Associated Press) Four people were shot and injured by police after Tasers used against a suspected fare evader in Brooklyn were ineffective in subduing the man. The incident has raised questions about the use of deadly force by police for a petty crime, but also of the usefulness of the Taser as a tool for police to control suspects following years of similar incidents. Jennvine Wong, a supervising attorney with the Legal Aid Societys Cop Accountability Project, described the Taser as an escalation of the use of force. Theres this question about whether or not its a proportional use of force, she told The Independent. In this instance, its not even clear to me that the individual was actually engaging in a threat that justified the use of a Taser. The New York Police Department said its officers fired shots during the weekend encounter in Brooklyn after their Tasers failed and the suspect advanced with a knife. One bystander and the suspect were critically injured, while another bystander and an officer were also shot. A Taser is a compressed-gas-powered device in the shape of a handgun that releases two probes connected to the device by 15ft wires at high speed. The probes pierce the skin and temporarily incapacitate subjects using an electrical current that tenses muscles all over the body. At least that is what they are supposed to do. A subway approaches an above ground station in the Brooklyn borough of New York with the New York City skyline in the background, June 21, 2017 (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The latest Brooklyn incident follows years of incidents in which the use of Tasers by police has turned into deadly shootings. Less than two months ago, a man wielding a knife was shot and killed by police in Deer Park, Texas, after a Taser failed to subdue him . A 2019 investigation by APM Reports found more than 250 cases over three years in which a Taser failed to subdue someone who was then shot and killed by police. In 106 of those cases the suspect became more violent after receiving the electrical shock, it found, suggesting the Taser may have made a bad situation worse. The investigation also found that Tasers, which are carried by more than 400,000 officers nationwide, are unreliable up to 40 per cent of the time. A review of reports from the Los Angeles Police Department by the Los Angeles Times in 2016 found that nearly a quarter of people shot by LAPD police officers in the year prior were wounded or killed during encounters where a Taser was used without success. In one of the incidents, police fired a Taser at a homeless man suspected of an assault. When it didnt work a second time, the officer engaged in a struggle with the man on the ground, before he was fatally shot. The NYPD has been the subject of dozens of lawsuits over the last ten years for incidents involving the use of Tasers, many of them resulting in payouts of hundreds of thousands of dollars. In this frame grab taken from Pueblo Police Department body camera video and provided by attorney Kevin Mehr, representing Cristy Gonzales, Pueblo police Cpl. Bennie Villanueva deploys his Taser into Gonzales' back as she lies on the ground during an arrest, in Pueblo, Colorado. Conzales is suing the officer for excessive force. (Bodycam) In one incident, police used a Taser against JahLire Nicholson inside the home where he lived with his mother in the Laurelton neighborhood of Queens. According to the lawsuit, Nicholson had a screwdriver in his hand at the time the officers arrived, but officers did not instruct him to drop the screwdriver. The officers fired Taser barbs in Mr. Nicholsons direction, but Mr. Nicholson moved away from the officers and the Taser barbs, at which time one of the officers shot and killed Mr. Nicholson with a firearm, it continued . The case was settled for $962,000. The company that manufactures the Taser has made bold claims about its effectiveness and benefits for years. Axon, which has a monopoly in the US market, says on its website that its energy weapons have been used to save more than 275,000 lives from death or serious bodily injury. The company claims that the weapons have been used over 5 million times in the field, and that its own study of 1,201 field cases show that the use of a Taser results in no direct serious injuries from the weapon more than 99 per cent of the time. But that study likely does not include deaths caused by police shootings as a result of an escalation caused by the use of a Taser. Axon did not respond to a request for comment. Wong believes that the use of Tasers should be considered in a wider debate about how police use force when responding to a potentially dangerous situation. I think that there has to be a reconsideration of what is proportional use of force by officers, she said. While training has obviously a huge part to do with that, theres still a portion of policing culture that has to do with how an officer approaches the use of force. I mean, were talking about $2.90 right? she said of the subway fare the man was alleged to have dodged. TREMONT, Ill. (WMBD) The Tazewell County Health Department announced that it will be offering two vaccine clinics next month. According to the health department, the clinics will be held on Oct. 5 and 12 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the health departments main campus at 21306 Illinois Route 9 in Tremont. The clinics will offer flu and COVID-19 vaccines for adults and children six months old and up. Both events are drop-in events and no appointments are needed. Tazewell County Health Department expands with building purchase Those who attended are encouraged to bring their insurance information, though those without insurance can also attend. Those unable to attend the clinics but still want to get vaccinated can call (309) 929-0294 or set up an appointment here. Appointments are available starting Oct. 1. The Illinois Department of Public Health encourages everyone to fight respiratory diseases by washing their hands, covering their mouth when they cough and staying home when sick. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Teacher works to diversify the art of dance at UNCSA in Winston-Salem Teacher works to diversify the art of dance at UNCSA in Winston-Salem WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) At six years old a plie or a tendu can be tough, but for some new dancers its now how they learn the moves but who teaches them. Alejandra Dore is one of the people pushing to diversify dance. Shes an instructor with the Preparatory Dance Program at UNC School of the Arts. Shes also from the Dominican Republic and is a native Spanish speaker. After my first class, the joy that I felt after that class, I still have it, that joy, said Dore. She practiced her skills and joined professional companies in the Dominican Republic and Ecuador. Then she moved to the United States and decided she wanted to teach and joined UNCSA. When I came here, that was six years ago, I thought we have to do something because we have a lot of Hispanic kids, a lot and why are they not having the same opportunities, said Dore. She wanted to find kids like six-year-old Zoe. Zoes mom Larissa Morales tells FOX 8 shes been dancing around the house since she was little. Morales didnt know there were opportunities for her daughter, until she saw a flier posted by Dore in a grocery store catering to the Latinx community in Winston-Salem. She was very happy when I told Zoe I found the ballet class for you she was so happy, she said finally mama, Im going to have what I want, said Morales. Immediately, Zoe and any other child who speaks Spanish at home knows theres something different about Dore. They are very happy, especially when I give them instructions in Spanish, they are like, oh she knows my language, said Dore. Dore, along with other instructors and leaders at UNCSA are focused on building a bridge for more kids to enjoy dance, while also building the life-long skills dance brings. The ballet works for the kids in everything theyre going to do in their life, said Dore. Shes teaching discipline, strength, and how to have a little fun, no matter where you come from. Dore also works closely with the Hispanic League to provide more dance opportunities. You can learn more about the classes offered at UNC School of the Arts by visiting uncsa.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 FOX8 WGHP. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The laugh line, I am choosing a sperm donor, may seem like a strange way to launch a story about ethnicity and the ballot box. But the Portland theater company Teatro Milagro uses a provocative look at efforts to woo the Hispanic vote during this critical election year. In The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/LatinX/Latine Vote, Dr. Paola Aguilar, a professor of Latinx studies, is recruited by an unnamed political party to woo the Hispanic vote. Despite the stereotyping and clueless insults, she takes the job because she needs the money for in-vitro fertilization treatments. In one scene, Dr. Aguilar tells the recruiter she does not speak for her entire community. Thats kind of a problem, the recruiter replies. Thats precisely why we asked you here, to speak for your entire community. Teatro Milagro is one of several cities presenting this National New Play Network rolling world premier, which runs through September 22 in Portland. Playwright Bernardo Cubria wrote The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/LatinX/Latine Vote. Lawrence Suilagi directed The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/LatinX/Latine Vote at the Teatro Milagro theater in Portland, September 2024 (KOIN) Director Lawrence Suilagi said the play exposes what goes on behind the scenes and what a political party believes, which puts the identity of Dr. Aguilars character at stake as well. Teatro Milagro Executive Director Danel Malan Gonzalez said the theater, now in its 41st year, celebrates change. No matter how the vote turns out, there will be changes, for sure. The Latino vote is important, she said, because theres a lot of families torn apart by political decisions. Theres a lot of families who struggle to have the right to vote, to drive, to have a job, to have health benefits. So theres lots of issues in the Latino community that are important to any family. Danel Malan Gonzalez, the executive director at the Teatro Milagro theater in Portland, September 2024 (KOIN) The theme fits into the overall mission of Teatro Milagro at the Miracle Theater Group founded by Malan Gonzalez and her husband, Jose. Milagro is one of the only theater groups in the nation owned by people of color. Their vast array of programming includes lectures, plays, grants to Latino filmmakers plus meeting spaces for Latino-based community groups at the building they own, 525 SE Stark Street. Its really what we want to be is the whole package where you can have one-stop shopping of Latino cultural experiences, Malan Gonzalez said. In this play, even the term Latino needs explanation. The Teatro Milagro theater in Portland, September 2024 (KOIN) Its not just people thinking that Mexico is the only place, Suilagi said. Its also about motivating an increasingly significant and influential part of the electorate 13% of all voters during this important election year. It really is just to be involved, he added. If you show up, change will happen. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This article is part of Prison Banned Books Week, a campaign that aims to raise awareness of prison censorship. When tablets were first introduced in correctional facilities over a decade ago, incarcerated people were promised a bounty of content and features, including educational materials, music and movies, games, and e-books. Since then, there have been countless reports about the predatory telecom companies behind these devices. New data, based on responses to Freedom of Information Act requests, reveals that in 47 out of 52 U.S. carceral jurisdictions, tablets are also a major contributor to prison censorship in America. Prisons already censor more than any other public institution. In fact, single-state prison systems (Florida, Texas, New York, and Virginia) censor more titles than all schools and libraries in the country combined. Its difficult to imagine how prison censorship could get more extreme, and yet tablets are limiting what people can read in myriad ways. Consider the prison telecom JPay advertising 30,000 free titles on its tablets: FOIA requests revealed that all these books have been taken from the repository of lapsed copyright titles and Project Gutenberg and are over 95 years old. Titles such as A Concise Anglo-Saxon Dictionary for the Use of Students, published in 1894, The Ruined Cities of Zululand, published in 1869, and The Euahlayi Tribe: A Study of Aboriginal Life in Australia, published in 1905, are representative of the selection. There are many older works that are worth reading, of course, and Shakespeare, Ulysses, Anna Karenina, Frankenstein, and Mrs Dalloway can all be found on Project Gutenberg. But these gems are few and far between. Shawn Younker, incarcerated in Pennsylvania, writes, We might as well be rummaging the dusty old leftovers in some thrift store or back alley dumpster. Indeed, marketing the figure of 30,000 is particularly pernicious when you realize that you could scan through this list of titles for hours and find only a handful of things youd actually want to read. As bad as this is, theres an even worse consequence of the thousands of titles rhetoric. Prison officials often say that because there is such a plethora of reading material available on tablets, incarcerated people no longer need access to paper literature. Missouris Department of Corrections is exemplary. It implemented a draconian censorship policy in September 2023the strictest such policy in the United States. People incarcerated in Missouri cannot receive books as gifts or any free reading material. Instead, books can be purchased only through a persons prison caseworker, paid for directly from the persons prisons bank accountwhich charges extensive feesand from a highly limited number of approved vendors. Censorship is legal in prisons, but it has to conform to certain criteria, one of which is that the bans have to enable some way for incarcerated people and booksellers to exercise the right to free expression. So, the banning of some books is fine, but the banning of all books is not. By pointing to the tablets, prison officials are effectively telling the courts that they can stop allowing paper literature into prisons. For the past 17 years, I have read letters from incarcerated people asking for reading material through several different prison book programs. People inside are hungry for reading material of all kinds, but especially educational materials. The most frequently requested book is the humble dictionary. Prison book programs have to fundraise and beg for dictionaries. They fly off the shelves faster than they can be stocked. Nearly every requestand the 40-plus prison book programs around the country get hundreds to thousands a monthincludes a dictionary. Dictionaries are so requested because people teach themselves how to read or read better by using them. Most incarcerated people have not been well served by public education. In the last major study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2003, 60 percent of incarcerated people were found to be functionally phonemically illiteratethat is, although they could pronounce written words, they could not parse meaning from texts written above a fourth-grade level. Malcolm X famously says in his autobiography that he taught himself to read from the dictionary while incarcerated. Its got to be a laborious way to acquire this skill, but it speaks to the dedication many incarcerated people havea commitment that is thwarted by censorship policies. Another barrier is cost. For example, Keefe Group subsidiary Advanced Technologies Group has a contract with the Federal Bureau of Prisons that is over $76 million. This eye-wateringly large contract does not, however, offer people in federal prison anything for free. People in federal prisons pay for access to each book, magazine, and video on their tablets. Georgia and Michigan charge 99 cents per e-book. New Mexico and South Carolina charge people 5 cents and 1 penny per minute for reading, respectively. Cost barriers are censorship. The prison wage in 14 states is 25 cents an hour. A functionally illiterate person trying to teach themselves to read on their prison tablet in New Mexico would have to pay around $35 for a short (50,000-word) book because they are charged 5 cents a minute. People incarcerated in New Mexico make 10 cents an hour, so that person would have to labor for an unfathomable 357 hours to be able to read this one book. Where does all this money go? It gets divided between states and the telecom companies. For example, Georgia receives an average monthly revenue of $432,243.80 from tablet services in 2020 through their contract with Securus/JPay. This revenue share is for all medianot just booksbut illustrates the extreme financial incentive prisons have to participate with prison telecom companies in this fleecing of incarcerated people. For the 202226 contract, Georgias Estimated Value (Revenue Share) is over $9.6 million. Michigan receives $10 from the sale of each tablet and 10 percent of all e-book, music, game, and movie sales from its contract with JPay. Pennsylvanias contract for $50 million with GTL includes a 22.5 percent kickback from the sale of music, e-messaging, games, e-books, and deposits into peoples prison bank accountscalled commissaries. Pennsylvania can make up to $4.35 million a year off these sales. Carceral administrators claim that tablets were introduced not solely to make money. Instead, prison officials say, tablets are a safer option because paper mail is the primary conduit for contraband into prison. Prisons and jails also claim that liquid drugs, especially synthetic cannabinoids and fentanyl, are being sprayed on books and other literature mailed to incarcerated people. Concern about drugs in prisons is not unfounded, but the belief that mail is the main vehicle for sneaking drugs into prison is largely unsupported by available evidence. Florida stopped all paper mail going into prisons by citing 35,000 contraband items found in paper mail between January 2019 and April 2021. Although this may sound like a lot, it represents only 1.7 percent of the nearly 2.1 million contraband items found in the prison system during the same period. Prison policies have extensive censorship criteria, and mailroom staff must individually scan each letter, book, and magazine that enters a prisonflipping through the entire reading contentto determine if it violates the censorship policy. Pennsylvania set up an entire processing center where all books have to be mailed and where staff go through rigorous examination of all materials before it is allowed to be passed along to the intended recipient. The people that work there spend all day inspecting spines and scanning content. Christopher, incarcerated in Pennsylvania, says, The entire process may take up to three, four months, with no explanation for the delay. Sometimes its much longer. For example, he ordered a photo book, which took over a year to be processedlikely because images are heavily censored. In recent years, prisons have struggled to hire and retain enough staff to ensure they function, and mailrooms are no exception. This may contribute to some attempts to limit the volume of mail coming into facilities in the first placeincluding the emphasis on tablets as alternatives to paper literature. Tablets could be an amazing resource. A tablet can hold far more books than any individual cell or prison library, and tablet users can watch videos, stream music, and stay in touch with loved ones with electronic messaging and phone calls. As they currently exist, though, prison tablets are a clear representation of how prisons censorlimiting content in myriad ways and allowing access only through high costs. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Authorities responded to a shooting near Percy Priest Lake that left one teen critically injured on Monday night. The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) responded to a call outside the Mapco on Smith Springs Road just after 7 p.m. There, they discovered a 17-year-old boy who had been shot, resulting in serious injuries. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Officers told News 2 their initial investigation found the 17-year-old tried to rob a person who was walking out of the Mapco store. The 20-year-old robbery victim allegedly went back to their car and pulled out a firearm before shooting the 17-year-old three times in the back. The teen was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). His condition is not known at this time. Following the shooting, the 20-year-olds mother reportedly contacted a member of the police department who has been closely involved in outreach to the Hispanic community to report what her son told her about the shooting. Number of teen homicide victims in Nashville continues to rise Detectives said they found the rifle that had been used in the shooting at the 20-year-olds home. During an interview, the 20-year-old told authorities he had shot the teen with the perception that the teen was going for [a] pistol. Officials said a nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol was found in the 17-year-olds clothing. Investigators have not yet had the opportunity to interview the teen due to his medical condition. As of Tuesday, no charges had been filed against the 20-year-old. MNPD is still investigating, and the case will be turned over to the District Attorneys Office in the near future. There is no further information at this time. 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. Editors Note: This story has been updated to reflect the shooting happened near Pflugerville but was not within city limits. TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) Jenna Clark said she and her sons friend went to confront another family about a broken phone on July 30 and it led to her son being shot and treated at the hospital. Clark said a mother answered the door and an altercation erupted. She started walking back to her truck which had her three sons inside. And while that was happening, her son opened up the front door to their house and just unloaded the gun into my truck, Clark said. Her 15-year-old son, Avaun Bennett, was shot in the neck. Avaun Bennett, 15, was shot in the neck in Pflugerville on July 30, 2024 (Photo Courtesy Jenna Clark) They had to remove the bullet from the sinus in his face and put a plate in there, she said. After nine days in the hospital, Bennet recovered physically. It definitely could have been a lot worse. There are all those major arteries, veins and nerves, and it just missed everything, she said. I think mentally, hes not okay with how things are playing out, but physically, hes doing better. The Travis County Sheriffs Office confirmed it received a call on the day of the shooting related to an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon at a Pflugerville address but KXAN confirmed it was not within city limits. A spokesperson for the office was unable to provide additional details because the case involved minors and is still under investigation. Clark said she never wanted the situation to get violent. She said she is still in disbelief that it led to a shooting. Youre always told if your kids have an issue, you go speak to the parent if they cant resolve it, Clark said. You cant just go around shooting people, almost killing them. Clark is raising money on GoFundMe to pay for medical and car bills. Teen crime in Central Texas KXAN obtained data from the Austin Police on the number of gun-related crimes involving teens. The numbers are trending lower this year compared to the last two. There were 140 crimes involving teen gun violence in 2022 and 125 in 2023. There have been 64 so far in 2024. Despite numbers trending lower, Shana Fox, of the Council on at Risk Youth, or CARY, said youth violence is pervasive in Central Texas. Weve seen an uptick in youth violence, specifically around aggression, assault gangs and weapons violence, she said. Fox and her team work with high-risk students to empower them with skills to avoid crime and violence. We focus on an evidence-based model that we know is effective. It focuses on empathy, social skills and decision-making, she said. We know that if students are empowered with these tools they will be more successful. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) An 18-year-old male is reportedly in critical condition after he was shot multiple times Monday night at a West Knoxville apartment complex, according to the Knoxville Police Department. Knoxville Police trains for high-stakes scenarios with simulator KPD said Tuesday morning that its detectives are pursuing strong leads in the shooting investigation, which began after a call reporting the shooting came in Monday, Sept. 16 at around 10:30 p.m. The shooting occurred at an apartment complex in the area of 1000 Canyon Oak Place. Around that same time, KPD was notified of a gunshot victim arriving at the emergency room of the University of Tennessee Medical Center. The investigation revealed that the victim was walking towards his apartment when multiple rounds were fired at him in an apparent targeted shooting, KPD stated in its Tuesday news release. The investigation remains ongoing. This is a developing story. Download the WATE 6 News app or sign up for our email alerts 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. Tennessee boating deaths rise after drownings at Old Hickory, Percy Priest, Normandy Lakes Three drownings in less than a week in Tennessee pushed boat or watercraft-related deaths on state waters to 19 this year as of mid-September, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The state has averaged about 22 boat or watercraft fatalities per year since 1965, according to the TWRA's 2023 Tennessee Boating Incident Statistical Report. The TWRA also reported 46 boat or watercraft-related injuries in 2024, according to agency spokesperson Barry Cross. The TWRA released the following information on the most recent drownings on Tennessee lakes as well as some additional statistics: Murfreesboro man dies at fishing tournament A 74-year-old Murfreesboro man participating in a fishing tournament at Normandy Lake in Coffee County drowned on Sept. 14, according to the TWRA. William Henry did not return for tournament weigh-in, which led to a search. Henry was found unresponsive near his vessel. Coffee County first responders pronounced Henry dead. He was wearing a lifejacket. The investigation is continuing. Virginia man dies on Old Hickory Lake A Virginia man drowned Sept. 12 on Old Hickory Lake in Wilson County during an outing on a pontoon boat with family and friends in the Spencer Creek area, according to the TWRA. Clarence Claiborne, 49, from Petersburg, Virginia, reportedly jumped into the lake for a swim at about 12:45 p.m., according to the preliminary investigation. A sunset on Old Hickory Lake at Shutes Branch. Claiborne, who was not wearing a life jacket, did not resurface and couldn't be found by any other passengers on the boat. Multiple emergency crews responded, and Claiborne's body was found at about 5:30 p.m. The investigation is continuing. Hermitage man dies at Percy Priest Lake Authorities believe a Hermitage man out with friends drowned after jumping into Percy Priest Lake late Sept. 11, as the boat was drifting in a no-wake zone near Elm Hill Marina, according to the TWRA. Jason McDonald, 55, immediately struggled and called for help as the boat was drifting away, based on the preliminary investigation. Before a rescue could be made, McDonald disappeared under the water and did not resurface. The Metro Fire Department made a recovery at about 1:55 a.m. on Sept. 12. McDonald was not wearing a lifejacket. It was the third boating-related fatality on Percy Priest Lake this year. Tennessee boat and watercraft related fatalities since 2015 (According to the TWRA's 2023 Boating Incident Statistical Report): 2015 14 2016 22 2017 16 2018 23 2019 8 2020 31 2021 21 2022 29 2023 27 2024 (Through Sept. 15) 19. Injuries on Tennessee waters according to the TWRA's 2023 Boating Incident Statistical Report: 2020 53 2021 60 2022 56 2023 58 2024 (Through Sept. 15) 46. 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: TWRA: Deaths on Old Hickory, Percy Priest, Normandy Lakes grow Johnson City Medical Center, a flagship hospital for Ballad Health, has received a rating of one star out of five from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.(Brett Kelman/KFF Health News) Johnson City Medical Center, a flagship hospital for Ballad Health, has received a rating of one star out of five from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.(Brett Kelman/KFF Health News) Ballad Health, an Appalachian company with the nations largest state-sanctioned hospital monopoly, may soon be required to improve its quality of care or face the possibility of being broken up. Government documents obtained by KFF Health News reveal that Tennessee officials, in closed-door negotiations, are attempting to hold the monopoly more accountable after years of complaints and protests from patients and their families. Ballad, a 20-hospital system in northeastern Tennessee and southwestern Virginia, was created six years ago through monopoly agreements negotiated with both states. Since then, Ballad has consistently fallen short of the quality-of-care goals, according to annual reports released by the Tennessee Department of Health. Despite these failures, Tennessee has given A grades and annual stamps of approval to Ballad that allow the monopoly to continue. This has occurred, at least in part, because Ballad is graded against a scoring rubric that largely ignores how its hospitals actually perform. Now that may change. In an ongoing renegotiation of Tennessees monopoly agreement, the state health department has pushed for an eightfold increase in the importance of hospital performance, making it the most heavily weighted issue on which Ballad would be judged, according to state documents obtained through a public records request. The negotiations appear to be the states most substantial response to residents who sound alarms about Ballad hospitals. After years of complaints from patients and their families, Ballad Health, the state-sanctioned hospital monopoly providing care for patients in a 29-county region of Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and North Carolina, may soon be required to improve care or be broken up. Dani Cook, a community organizer who has led efforts against Ballad for years, including an eight-month protest outside a Ballad hospital in 2019, said a renegotiated monopoly agreement could be a first step toward progress that locals have long sought, but only if it is enforced by the state. Cook also questioned why Tennessee took years to prioritize something as fundamental as good care. Thats what baffles me about this entire relationship: Ballad seems to never be held to account, Cook said. And thats why, when I look at this, I say, Oh that sounds great. But lets see what happens. Ballad Health was created in 2018 after Tennessee and Virginia officials waived federal anti-monopoly laws and approved the nations biggest hospital merger based on whats called a Certificate of Public Advantage, or COPA, agreement. Despite the warnings of the Federal Trade Commission, the regions rival hospital systems became a single system without competition. Ballad is now the only option for hospital care for most of about 1.1 million people in a 29-county region at the nexus of Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina. In an effort to offset the perils of the monopoly, Ballad was required to enter agreements with the states that set expectations for the company and limited its ability to raise prices or close hospitals. Each year, Tennessee grades Ballad against this agreement on a 100-point scale. If the company performs poorly, Tennessee could in theory revoke the COPA, and then enforce a plan to split Ballad into separate companies, according to the monopoly agreement. The new negotiation documents offer a snapshot of how Tennessee hopes to reshape this agreement, detailing more than a dozen changes the health department proposed in February and a counterproposal from Ballad in May. It is unclear if or how these proposals may have changed in the subsequent months. Tennessee Department of Health spokesperson Dean Flener said the agency would not comment on Ballad or the ongoing negotiations. In a written statement, Ballad did not comment directly on the negotiations but said the company enthusiastically agrees that the most important thing to our patients is the quality of care they receive. The company said in 2023 that its hospital quality slipped due to the pressure of the coronavirus pandemic and that it was in the process of rebounding. We strongly support a shared focus on quality of care as it relates to the COPA, Molly Luton, a Ballad spokesperson, said in the statement. Historically, quality of care has been just a small part of how Ballad is held accountable. Twenty percent of Ballads annual COPA score comes from measurements of hospital quality, but the company gets full credit on three-fourths of those measurements if it reports any value even a terrible one. Only 5% of the annual score is determined by real-world hospital performance. Protesters gather in opposition to the closure of the neonatal intensive care unit at Holston ValleyMedical Center, a Ballad Health hospital, in 2019. (Photo: Dani Cook) If quality was weighted more, Ballad would have scored much worse in past years. Annual reports released by the Tennessee Department of Health over the last two years show that Ballad failed to meet more than 74% of the states quality-of-care benchmarks, including some about mortality rates, readmission rates, emergency room speed, surgery-related infections, and patient satisfaction. Under Tennessees proposed changes, all these metrics would matter much more. But Tennessee would also lower the overall standards for Ballads monopoly and ease a charity care obligation that Ballad has repeatedly not met, according to the negotiation documents. Ballad has said it hasnt met the charity care obligation because changes to Medicaid programs have left fewer patients uninsured and in need of charity. The documents show that: Tennessee has proposed increasing the share of Ballads annual score that is attributable to real-world quality of care from 5% to 40% and no longer giving Ballad any points for merely reporting quality statistics. In a counteroffer, Ballad proposed raising this percentage to 34%, with some points still awarded to the company just for reporting. Tennessee proposed lowering the minimum overall score that Ballad needs to obtain each year for its monopoly to be considered a clear and convincing public advantage. If Ballad falls below this threshold, the COPA agreement could be modified or terminated. Tennessee wants to lower the threshold from 85 out of 100 to 75. In its counteroffer, Ballad proposed 70. Tennessee would reduce or weaken a requirement for Ballad charity care spending that is largely moot. Ballad has been required to provide more than $100 million in free or discounted charity care to low-income patients each year under the current monopoly agreement, but it has failed to do so five years in a row, falling short by about $194 million in total. Tennessee has waived the requirement each year. Cook, who described the new documents as a rare glimpse into closed-door dealings that Ballad patients never get to see, said it was striking to witness the company push for lower standards. Why would they be pushing back on improving the quality of care that people receive? Cook said. If they are really among the nations best because thats what they tell the entire region why do you need the standards lowered? KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. Tesco could use Clubcard data to warn shoppers when they are buying too many unhealthy items, its chief executive has said. The boss of Britains biggest supermarket said he expected to use artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor how customers were shopping to help nudge people into making healthier choices. Tescos Ken Murphy said: I can see it nudging you, saying: look, Ive noticed over time that in your shopping basket your sodium salt content is 250pc of your daily recommended allowance. I would recommend you substitute this, this and this for lower sodium products to improve your heart health. He said this was very simple stuff which could really improve peoples daily lives. The suggestion is likely to delight health campaigners who have warned that unhealthy eating is driving a costly obesity crisis that is impacting the NHS. The Institute for Public Policy Research this week called for extra taxes on unhealthy foods such as biscuits and chocolates to discourage people from buying them. However, the suggestion that Tesco would seek to influence peoples personal choices has sparked concerns among privacy campaigners. Jake Hurfurt, Big Brother Watchs head of research and investigations, said: It is astounding that Tescos CEO wants to use this data to tell us how to live our lives. He said: Mr Murphys comments should alarm everyone and serve as evidence that loyalty card schemes are based on mass-scale surveillance of customers. Tesco has no right to make judgements about whats in our baskets or nudge us on what we should and should not be buying. NatWest last year sparked backlash after it started telling customers to stop eating meat and to drive electric cars, having combed through their accounts to calculate their carbon footprint. The bank at the time argued this was an opt-in feature. Tesco stressed it was not currently looking at rolling out a nudge policy. However, the potential for the company to intervene either through messages at the tills or emails after checkout is significant. Tesco is by far Britains largest supermarket, holding almost a third of the UK grocery market. More than 20m people are currently signed up for the supermarkets Clubcard scheme, which launched in 1995 and gives customers access to better deals. The suggestion that Tesco could use Clubcard data to nudge customers into making healthier choices in the future follows pressure from regulators for supermarkets to do more to help with obesity in the UK. In 2022, the government introduced rules forcing grocers to move junk food away from prominent parts of their stores such as entrances and near checkouts. Sir Keir Starmer is plotting a series of further interventions on public health in a bid to help save the NHS from collapse. These include a ban on energy drinks for children under 16, which is expected to be introduced to Parliament next month, and supervised tooth-brushing rolled out for pre-school children later this year. Critics have been warning that Britain is moving towards becoming a nanny state. Speaking at the FT Future of Retail Conference on Tuesday, Mr Murphy suggested AI could also be used to help Clubcard customers get better value when they shop. This could mean telling customers they should wait a week to stock up on products if Tesco had an offer coming up that could make their shop cheaper. Mr Murphy said the aim was for customers to feel that Clubcard is literally doing their job for them and making their lives easier. The comments come amid growing scrutiny over the extent of data collected by supermarkets through their loyalty schemes and how they use it. As well as using loyalty card data to tailor offers, supermarkets are increasingly selling the information to third parties. Estimates have suggested that Tesco and Sainsburys alone make 300m a year from selling this in-house data on their customers. So-called insights on shoppers are anonymised, but are used to build archetypal customers that can give other businesses an idea of what a typical person might be interested in. Tesco has said it does not sell or share any individual customer data and we take our responsibilities regarding the use of customer data extremely seriously. A spokesman for Sainsburys has previously said it doesnt sell customer data but lets companies use our platform to display ads to relevant customers, based on anonymised customer audiences. 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. Middle schoolers are still lagging months behind pre-pandemic achievement levels in science, according to newly released test scores. Disturbingly, their losses in the subject have actually grown since the worst days of the COVID crisis. The scores, released Tuesday by the nonprofit testing group NWEA, serve as more evidence of a trend that has stood out in earlier data: Students who were still in elementary school when the pandemic began are experiencing particularly worrisome setbacks as schools try to chart a path to academic recovery. Meanwhile, todays elementary schoolers have nearly returned to the levels of learning last seen in 2019. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter This summer, NWEA circulated scores from their widely used MAP Growth assessment of math and reading. The results, which included the performance of nearly eight million American students from grades 38, revealed that todays eighth graders were a full year behind 2019 learning in both subjects. By contrast, learning delays for third graders were only about one-quarter that size. Related Students Headed to High School Are Academically a Year Behind, COVID Study Finds In general, learning loss in science has been less significant than for core disciplines like math and reading because STEM instruction is comparatively limited in the early grades. In a 2018 survey, elementary teachers said they spent only 18 minutes each day focusing on science, compared with about an hour on math and 1.5 hours on reading. Susan Kowalski, an NWEA senior researcher who worked on the report, said the scores showed that students who experienced their foundational years of STEM instruction in 2020 and 2021 were now struggling to cope. If science is taught at all in elementary school, its in the fourth and fifth grades, Kowalski reflected. So in 2021, those were the kids who were hardest hit in science, and they are now seventh and eighth graders who have never really rebounded. The latest data is drawn from 621 public schools that consistently administered the MAP Growth Science test to the same grade levels between 2017 and 2024. This ongoing sample allowed the research team to measure students this spring against not only those in the pre-COVID period, but also during the initial phases of the pandemic, when tens of millions of students were receiving virtual instruction. Those results show that, by the spring of 2021, students across all tested grades had fallen significantly behind in science, with especially sizable learning losses mounting in grades 4 and 5. But elementary schoolers have since recovered the most ground compared with their same-age predecessors of three years ago, with learning gaps reduced by 50% for third graders, 82% for fifth graders, and 33% for sixth graders. Fourth graders, whose performance dropped the furthest during the early stages of the pandemic, have now fully returned to their 2019-era achievement levels in science. Related Studies: Pandemic Aid Lifted Scores, But Not Enough To Make Up for Lost Learning But the gaps for older students essentially, those who saw the biggest dips three years ago have grown with time. In 2021, NWEA estimated that seventh and eighth graders would require 0.9 and 1.7 months of additional science instruction, respectively, to catch up to where similar students had been in 2019; by 2024, the projection for students in that grade had grown to 1.7 and 3.2 months of supplemental learning, respectively. NWEA In other words, kids whose initial encounters with science were thwarted by the COVID shock appear to be falling further behind, even as state and federal leaders have provided school districts with billions of dollars to lead recovery efforts. Heidi Schweingruber, the director of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicines Board of Science Education, said that students halting progress in science could constrain their life chances in the future. Adolescents begin to develop aspirations for college and career only a few years after they receive their first lessons in science. If theyre missing that foundation and cant follow a strong pathway into high school science, are we closing doors for them in terms of what they might consider after graduation? Schweingruber asked. Middle school is the time when kids are starting to develop an identity of who they want to be. As other testing data have indicated previously, the pandemic also significantly widened achievement gaps separating students along racial lines. While middle schoolers of all racial and ethnic backgrounds had fallen behind in science by the spring of 2021, Hispanic students lost more ground than their white classmates. Among eighth graders, Hispanics required a projected 3.4 months of academic recovery in 2021 and 6.3 months in 2024; whites in the same age cohort needed 0.5 months of recovery in 2021 and 1.6 months now. Black students, who have mostly bounced back from the science losses sustained in 2020 and 2021, are still, on average, between 10 and 15 months behind the average achievement levels for children in their grades. Hispanic students, whose progress has only stalled further since 2021, are almost as badly off. Erika Shugart, CEO of the National Science Teaching Association, said in a statement that she wasnt surprised to see negative impacts concentrated among middle schoolers, though she added that persistent gaps in STEM instruction could prove economically and socially destructive in the long run. The U.S. is already facing significant challenges producing a STEM-ready workforce, Shugart wrote. Science literacy is crucial for making informed decisions about health, the environment, and technology. Falling behind in science education can impair individuals ability to engage with and understand complex issues, affecting personal and societal well-being. To combat lost science learning, NWEAs authors recommended different strategies to curb chronic absenteeism, entice students to participate in summer learning opportunities, and weave science instruction into middle school reading instruction, which research suggests could improve performance in both subjects. Kowalski said that, more than any particular approach, educators needed to embrace a mentality shift away from remediation and toward learning acceleration. A former high school physics instructor, she argued that schools cant get their pupils back on track simply by offering them what they missed four years ago. They cant succumb to low expectations and say, These students are behind, so I need to slow down. Its more like, These students are behind, so I need to accelerate. A Border Patrol agent died Monday night in a head-on collision on Farm to Market Road 70 in southern Nueces County. The Texas Department of Public Safety said in a news release that the crash happened at about 8:45 p.m. when 46-year-old Brandon Brown, of Corpus Christi, traveling east in his personal vehicle, a 1998 Lexus ES, was struck by a 2023 Dodge Charger that was headed west on the two-lane road and approaching the intersection of County Road 67. The driver of the Charger, 39-year-old Eva Rosa, of Bishop, drove the vehicle onto the wrong side of the road, crossing into the eastbound lane and striking the Lexus, the release said. Brandon Brown, a 46-year-old Border Patrol agent from Corpus Christi, died Monday night in a crash on Farm-to-Market Road 70 in Nueces County after his 1998 Lexus ES was struck by a black 2023 Dodge Charger driven by Eva Rosa, 39, of Bishop. Browns car traveled off the road and came to rest in a ditch, and the Charger stopped in the eastbound lane of FM 70, the release said. While no one saw the crash as it happened, two individuals who had been traveling in a vehicle behind the Charger stopped and reported it to the DPS, Sgt. Rob Mallory said. Brown had to be extricated from the driver's seat of the white vehicle, according to a Facebook post shared by Precinct 3 Constable Jimmy Rivera. Both Rosa and Brown were taken to Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi Shoreline for injuries suffered in the crash. Brown later died from his injuries at the hospital, the release said. Rosa was alert and talking. Mallory said that an investigator told him Brown worked at the Kingsville Border Patrol Station as an agent. The fatal crash is under investigation by troopers in the Texas DPS Corpus Christi Highway Patrol Office. In addition to DPS troopers, officials from the Nueces County Sheriffs Office, deputies for the Nueces County Precinct 3 constable, the Nueces County Emergency Services District No. 3, Emergency Services District No. 6, the Annaville Fire Department and EMS, and HALO-Flight were also at the scene. This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Border Patrol agent dead after head-on collision on FM 70 Monday night Officials in Texas on Monday designated a Venezuelan gang called the Tren de Aragua as a "foreign terrorist group" and endorsed Donald Trump's claim that many migrants crossing into the United States were released from prisons in Latin America. The Tren de Aragua is an international criminal organization that operates in several Latin American countries and engages in extortion, homicide, drug trafficking and smuggling of people, authorities say. Because of a political and economic crisis in Venezuela, many people from that country are allowed to enter the United States and apply for asylum. But Texas's top border official, Mike Banks, argued that Venezuela "has released prisoners with one condition: you leave Venezuela and don't come back." He said the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris is encouraging such people to come to the United States with what Banks called an open border policy. Immigration advocates meanwhile say the Biden administration has harshly cracked down on the border with undue restrictions on people wishing to cross and seek asylum. Appearing at the same press conference as Banks, Governor Greg Abbott formally declared Tren de Aragua a "foreign terrorist organization." This allows the authorities to go after the gang under a beefed up anti-terrorism law and also allows for the creation of a task force assigned specifically to fight the group. The move came a week after the presidential debate in which Trump accused Harris baselessly of allowing millions of undocumented immigrants to cross to the United States from Mexico after being released from prisons or mental health care facilities. mav/ag/dw/nro Texas driver license appointments now available last 2 Saturdays in September, DPS says Texas driver's license The Texas Department of Public Safety will offer driver's license appointments for the last two Saturdays of September. Texans have faced monthlong delays for appointments on the Texas DPS website, leading residents to travel to nearby cities for quicker appointments. Participating locations throughout the state will be open for half days on Sept. 21 and 28 to serve those needing driver's licenses, identification renewal, or replacement services. Texas residents are still required to make an appointment for both dates. Some locations may also offer new Texas resident driver's license and identification card services. Click here to schedule a DPS appointment. LATEST NEWS: DPS Offers Saturday Driver License Appointments in September AUSTIN @TxDPS is adding Saturday appointments at select driver license offices statewide through the end of September. Participating officeslocated in all regions of Texaswill be open for half days pic.twitter.com/ZnE4v8EuEK Texas DPS (@TxDPS) September 17, 2024 What do I bring to a driver's license or identification appointment? If seeking a non-commercial driver's license or identification card, Texas requires the following to be brought to a local driver's license office: Application for an Original Texas Driver's License or Identification Card Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Evidence of Lawful Presence Proof of Residency Proof of Identity Provide Social Security Number Proof of Insurance for each vehicle owned Evidence of Texas Vehicle Registration for each vehicle owned (New residents who are surrendering an out-of-state driver's license only) Click here to read more about these required documents. Why isn't my local office listed for scheduling an appointment? If a local driver's license office isn't showing up when attempting to schedule an appointment online, there isn't an available appointment at that location. Customers may choose the next-closest office to check available appointment dates. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas driver's license, ID appointments open Saturdays in September Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that the state is taking an aggressive stand against the violent Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua (TdA) and declaring the group a "foreign terrorist organization." During a press conference in Houston on Monday, Abbott announced that Texas is launching a comprehensive, statewide operation that will aggressively target the dangerous Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua also know as (TdA) to disrupt their criminal operations and deny their foothold in the state during a press conference in Houston. "Today in Houston, I designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization. Texas will aggressively target them to disrupt their criminal activities & deny their foothold in our state," Abbott said in a post on x. "Texas is the wrong state for them to do business in." Abbott directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to elevate the TdA to a Tier 1 gang and to create a TdA Strike Team that will identify and arrest TdA gang members. AURORA PD ARRESTS 10 MEMBERS OF TREN DE ARAGUA IN CONNECTION WITH APARTMENT BUILDING TAKEOVERS: STATEMENT Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday announced the state is going to target a Venezuelan gang that he said was notorious for brutal violence and murder and posed a threat to Texans safety. "The recent entry and expansion of the vicious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, is a dangerous and deadly problem facing our state and nation," said Governor Abbott. "Our top focus is the safety and security of all Texans." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Our goal is to defend Texas from the growing threat of the gang. We will not let them use Texas as a base of operations to terrorize our citizens. They have a target on their back, and we are going after them," Abbott continued. Gov. Abbott was joined by DPS Director Steve McCraw, Texas Border Czar Mike Banks, and National Border Patrol Council Vice President Chris Cabrera. ICE CONFIRMS AURORA, COLORADO GANG MEMBERS ARE IN THE UNITED STATES ILLEGALLY, RELEASED BY BIDEN ADMIN "Tren de Aragua gangsters are like cockroaches," said DPS Director McCraw. "They multiply quickly; small intrusions into communities become infestations if not aggressively pursued. These Venezuelan thugs are highly combative, violent, and certainly adaptable." "Theyre always involved in situations that first start with human smuggling. Then they are involved in the extortion, kidnappings, rape, assaults, and sex trafficking of migrants. Governor Abbott has made it very clear: We will not allow any of these gangsters to gain a foothold in Texas," McCraw vowed. With this designation, Texas will be able to use the courts to curb the gangs criminal operations, use civil asset forfeiture to take their property, and enhance criminal penalties during prosecution. Last year, Governor Abbott signed Senate Bill 1900 into law that defined transnational drug cartels and criminal organizations as foreign terrorist organizations in the State of Texas and increased penalties for the distribution of illegal drugs and the operation of stash houses. The TdA has also wreaked havoc in Colorado. VIOLENT VENEZUELAN PRISON GANG INFILTRATING US, BECOMING MORE ORGANIZED AND BRAZEN: 'MS-13 ON STEROIDS' Four Venezuelan nationals were confirmed to be in the United States illegally in a statement provided to Fox News by ICE on Thursday. Four Venezuelan national members of the Tren de Aragua gang arrested in Aurora have been confirmed as illegal aliens, per a previous statement from an ICE spokesperson to Fox News. The Venezuelan nationals, ranging in ages from 19 through 24, all crossed the southern border through Texas illegally in 2022 and 2023, under the Biden administration. All four were arrested by Aurora police and ICE has placed detainer requests on two of them. The four were arrested after a shooting which occurred near Nome Street Apartments, one of the apartment buildings in Aurora which had reportedly been overtaken by armed members of Tren de Aragua. The Tren de Aragua is based mainly in Venezuela and has roughly 5,000 members between the South American country and the United States. According to the House Committee on Homeland Security, there have been at least 7.8 million encounters with illegal aliens at the southwest border during the Biden administration. ICE makes determinations on a case-by-case basis. Fox News Digital's Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report. Original article source: Texas Gov. Abbott designates Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, as a foreign terrorist organization Gov. Greg Abbott and state officials labeled the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as a "foreign terrorist organization," according to a press release Monday. While speaking at the Texas Department of Public Safety's Southeast Texas Regional Headquarters, the governor said how he plans to defend Texas from the organization. Here is what Abbot's plans are. Who is Tren de Aragua? According to Insight Crime, Tren de Aragua is a Venezuelan criminal organization that originated within the countrys prison system around 2014. It initially operated from the Aragua state, hence its name, and was led by inmates inside the Tocoron prison. Over time, it grew into one of the most powerful and violent gangs in Venezuela, expanding its operations beyond the prison walls. The group engages in various criminal activities, including drug trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, kidnapping, and illegal mining. Tren de Aragua has extended its influence across Venezuela and into neighboring countries, including Colombia, Brazil, and Peru, often controlling key routes used by migrants and refugees fleeing Venezuelas political and economic crisis. Gov. Greg Abbott declares Venezuelan gang a terrorist organization Gov. Abbott signed a proclamation officially designating Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization. This designation allows Texas to leverage the courts to disrupt the gang's criminal activities, seize their assets through civil forfeiture, and impose tougher penalties during prosecutions. The governor further instructed DPS to establish a dedicated TdA strike team to aggressively combat the gangs operations in Texas. This team will consist of DPS resources and hundreds of personnel, including Highway Patrol troopers, Special Agents, and Texas Rangers. They will collaborate with Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Centers and law enforcement agencies to deploy resources to areas where criminal activity is known to occur. "Our goal is to defend Texas from the growing threat of the gang," Gov. Abbott said. "We will not let them use Texas as a base of operations to terrorize our citizens. They have a target on their back, and we are going after them. Texas is the wrong state for them to try to do business in. Tren de Aragua gangsters are like cockroaches, said DPS Director Steve McCraw. "These Venezuelan thugs are highly combative, violent, and certainly adaptable." What is Senate Bill 1900? Last year, Gov. Abbott signed Senate Bill 1900 into law, officially designating transnational drug cartels and criminal organizations as foreign terrorist organizations in Texas. The law increases penalties for drug distribution and the operation of stash houses. It also adds these foreign terrorist groups to existing intelligence databases and empowers state and local authorities to file public nuisance claims against them. Where will DPS look for Tren de Aragua? Texas DPS will collaborate with federal and local partners through state-funded Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Centers located in El Paso, Houston, Irving, Laredo, Lubbock, McAllen, San Antonio, Tyler, and Waco. These centers bring together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to jointly identify, target, investigate, suppress, and prosecute violent criminal gang members across Texas. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas governor desginates Tren De Aragua gang as terrorist organization AUSTIN Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons attempt to block a voter registration drive in one of his states most populous urban counties and biggest Democratic strongholds has failed in state district court. On Monday, State District Judge Antonia Arteaga dismissed the Republican attorney generals lawsuit against Bexar County, the home of San Antonio. Paxtons suit was part of a broader GOP campaign against Democratic voter registration efforts as the Senate and presidential races have tightened in Texas a campaign marked by false claims and conspiracy theories of a grand Democratic plot to steal the election with a wave of ballots cast by voters who are in the country illegally. Texas Democrats earlier this month called on the Department of Justice to investigate Paxton over the action that kicked off this campaign: searches of Latino and Democrat activists and a candidate in counties surrounding Bexar. In the latest fight, Bexar County had proposed to send out registration forms to unregistered voters something Paxton argued was outside of the scope of the countys legal powers. Judge Arteaga ruled Paxtons suit was moot, because the county had already sent out the voter registration forms, The Texas Tribune reported. That upheld the argument of Bexar County, whose assistant district attorney argued that those unregistered voters targeted by the county had already received those forms, and perhaps have already returned them. Paxton cried foul Monday night, arguing Bexar had expedited the registration forms to get ahead of his lawsuit. In a display of bad faith, Bexar County engaged in dirty tricks to avoid appropriate judicial review of a clearly unlawful program that invites voter fraud, the attorney general said in a statement. These actions demonstrate that Bexar County knew what they were doing was wrong, yet expedited the mailout of unsolicited registration forms before the issue could be argued in court. Paxton has appealed the decision. With the Senate race in Texas appearing tight Democratic Rep. Colin Allred has repeatedly polled within the margin of error against incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz (R) the election could come down to registration. In 2020, less than 80 percent of Texass voting age population registered to vote, and just more than half of eligible voters cast a ballot, according to state data. A deadline looms over both sides: Less than three weeks remain to register Texas voters for the election to come. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Regardless of our individual positions on the death penalty, I think we can all agree that putting a potentially innocent man to death for a crime that may not have occurred would be a grave miscarriage of justice," state Rep. Lacey Hull, R-Houston, says at a news conference Tuesday at the Capitol. This article is part of Dealing the Dead, a series investigating the use of unclaimed bodies for medical research. The University of North Texas Health Science Center will stop accepting unclaimed bodies following an NBC News investigation that documented how the Fort Worth program cut up and leased out the remains of poor people for training and research without consent from the dead or their families. The centers president, Sylvia Trent-Adams, announced the decision in a Monday afternoon email to students, faculty and staff. The move was prompted, she said, by documents uncovered while responding to reporters public-records requests about the centers Willed Body Program. The documents uncovered through these requests revealed details into the program of which HSC leadership was not previously aware, Trent-Adams wrote. Among the revelations were a lack of sufficient controls and oversight of how outside companies handled and used corpses provided by the Health Science Center. Trent-Adams said leadership had been unaware that the body program was routinely shipping unclaimed remains including those of U.S. military veterans across state lines. The documents also detailed deficiencies in leadership, standards of respect and care, and professionalism exhibited, the email said. The NBC News investigation published Monday found the center had received about 2,350 unclaimed bodies from Tarrant and Dallas counties in the past five years. More than 830 of them were selected for use, including to educate medical students or leased out to companies that rely on bodies to develop products and teach doctors how to work with them. The center charged $1,400 for whole bodies. Heads went for $649, torsos for $900. On Tuesday, Tarrant County commissioners voted to accept the Health Science Centers decision to formally terminate the agreement and to direct county staff to, as one commissioner put it, wrap up the program with UNTHSC as fast as humanly possible. Judge Tim OHare, the countys top elected official, said commissioners were in agreement: No ones body should be used for medical research absent their pre-death consent or the consent of a loved one, he said before the unanimous vote. And certainly no ones body should be sold for profit absent consent one way or the other. Nursing student Serena Karim urged Tarrant County commissioners Tuesday to terminate an agreement to send unclaimed bodies to the University of North Texas Health Science Center. The Health Science Center also terminated its agreement with Dallas County, according to county Administrator Darryl Martin. He said the county had been planning to let the contract expire on Sept. 30 in light of NBC News' findings. County officials had justified providing these bodies to the center because they had been marked as unclaimed meaning that the deceased did not have families willing or able to make funeral arrangements. The agreements had saved each county about $500,000 a year in burial and cremation costs. But NBC News analysis of these cases found repeated failures by death investigators in Dallas and Tarrant counties and by the center to contact family members who were reachable before declaring a body unclaimed. Reporters identified 12 cases in which families learned weeks, months or years later that a relative had been provided to the medical school. Five of those families found out what happened from NBC News. The news angered and traumatized them. Among those bodies was Victor Honey, an Army veteran who was mentally ill and homeless in Dallas. After his death in September 2022, his body was dissected and the parts were used by medical product and training companies and the Army. His family, including relatives who live in the Dallas area, knew nothing about it until NBC News informed them of what happened this spring. They have since claimed his cremated remains and had them buried at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. The Health Science Centers move to explicitly ban the use of unclaimed bodies follows a torrent of changes triggered by NBC News reporting. On Friday, as the news outlet prepared to publish its investigation, the center announced it was temporarily suspending the Willed Body Program, firing the officials who led it and hiring a consulting firm to investigate the programs operations. The center also permanently closed a laboratory, BioSkills of North Texas, where medical device makers paid tens of thousands of dollars for access to lab space and bodies. Several entities that had unknowingly paid the center for unclaimed bodies also promised changes. DePuy Synthes, a Johnson & Johnson company, told NBC News that it had paused its relationship with the Health Science Center after learning that it had received body parts of unclaimed people. Boston Scientific, whose company Relievant Medsystems used the torsos of more than two dozen unclaimed bodies, said it was reviewing its transactions with the center. The Army, which has received at least 21 unclaimed bodies from the Health Science Center since 2021, said it, too, was reviewing its reliance on the program. And the Texas Funeral Service Commission, which regulates body donation programs in the state, issued a moratorium on out-of-state body shipments earlier this year while it investigates a range of issues, including the acquisition and distribution of unclaimed bodies by the center. In her email to faculty and students on Monday, Trent-Adams, the Health Science Center president, described how the centers Willed Body Program had in recent years veered away from the mission outlined when it was founded in the early 1980s: educating the centers own medical students. The agreements several years ago to take control of unclaimed bodies from Dallas and Tarrant counties had led to a substantial influx of bodies, Trent-Adams said. That growth, she said, exceeded management capabilities and led to significant oversight issues. Moving forward, she said, the Willed Body Program will obtain human specimens only from consenting donors, with the goal of getting back to the programs mission of educating future doctors and other health care providers. Trent-Adams said she would soon hold a town hall to answer questions and address the concerns of students and staff. We are refocusing our efforts on the original educational intent of the program, she wrote, and are working to make sure no unclaimed bodies are still being used in any of our programs. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Texas officials confirm cause of massive pipeline fire in La Porte. Fire still burning Officials have confirmed the Deer Park pipeline fire near Houston was caused by a vehicle crashing into a valve. After initial investigations by police and local FBI agents, Deer Park officials say a white SUV drove through a fence and struck an above-ground valve. UPDATE on the Vehicle Accident Related to the Deer Park Major Pipeline Fire:https://t.co/vrguWfKEYt pic.twitter.com/NXGqQqPydz City of Deer Park (@DEERPARKTXGOV) September 16, 2024 The vehicle drove through the fence on the west side of the Walmart parking lot, located at 9025 Spencer Hwy. The SUV then traveled into the pipeline's right-of-way and hit the pipeline valve, according to a statement released Monday evening by Deer Park officials. Officials also said the preliminary investigation revealed no evidence of "terrorist activity," and it appears to be an isolated incident. Investigations continue as authorities work to identify the involved vehicle and its driver. Read original story: Huge Texas pipeline fire in La Porte may take 'several hours' to burn out, officials say When will pipeline fire be extinguished? As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, the pipeline fire was still burning. The pipeline's operator, Energy Transfer, isolated the involved valve to allow residual product to burn off. The fire is expected to be extinguished later in the day Tuesday. Deer Park pipeline fire helpline Energy Transfer has also set up a helpline for those directly affected by the fire. For assistance with displacement or other impacts, residents may call the pipeline operator at (855) 430-4491. Energy Transfer will document the information and recommend available support and resources. 4 people injured in pipeline fire During a 1:30 p.m. press conference Monday, Harris County authorities reported one firefighter had sustained minor injuries from the pipeline fire. Local news outlets later reported three additional injuries, two of which were heat-related. TRND TEXAS PIPELINE FIRE La Porte pipeline fire prompts shelter-in-place orders, evacuations Officials with the City of La Porte responded to a pipeline fire at the 8700 block of Spencer Highway near East Boulevard around 9:55 a.m. Monday. The spreading flames near Spencer Highway and Summerton made additional smaller grass fires, according to local news outlets. "The smoke is just going straight up into the air, so from a weather perspective, there's no wind and there's also no inversion," KHOU 11 meteorologist Pat Cavlin explained. "Because the smoke is allowed to go straight up into the atmosphere and not hug the ground, this is not an immediate concern for surrounding neighborhoods, just the immediate area." LA PORTE, Texas (AP) - Firefighters were battling a pipeline fire in suburban Houston that sparked grass fires and burned power poles on Monday, forcing people in the surrounding neighborhood to evacuate. The fire began at 9:55 a.m. in La Porte, located about 25 miles (40 pic.twitter.com/BzXa2YavU1 Chris Walker (@WalkerATX) September 16, 2024 Shortly after the fire began, the county's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management reported crews responding and warned local residents to prepare for evacuations. Evacuation orders were issued later in the day. "There are about 350 homes that are very near the fire point and so there's an evacuation order in place," Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia said. Traffic to the area had also been closed. Despite fire damage to a playground, La Porte ISD reported students had safely sheltered in place. The school then ensured its students stayed indoors as a precaution, while all other activities resumed as usual. San Jacinto Junior College students and staff were also urged to shelter in place. Around 12:30 p.m., students were released to return to their homes. All classes and activities for the rest of the day are canceled, and employees have been asked to work remotely. Texas power outage map The pipeline fire initially caused power outages for around 4,000 customers. As of Tuesday morning, the outages seem to have been resolved. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: La Porte pipeline explosion: Officials confirm cause of ongoing fire YOUNG COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL) In the early morning hours of a cold February day over a century ago, the sleeping town of Graham was awoken by the sound of gunfire at the Young County Courthouse. TEXOMA ARCHIVES: Bank robbery and public hanging in downtown Wichita Falls In her book How Did They Die? Murders in Northern Texas 1882-1927, Julie Coley, a Wichita Falls author and local historian, referred to the ordeal as one of the most sensational murders in Young County. Young County Courthouse (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL) Coley said the circumstances leading up to the deadly shooting are still the source of controversy in Young County. The fatal shooting took place in the Young County town square in downtown Graham, outside of the Young County Courthouse, and to properly tell the story of the murder, we have to go back to 1909 when Eugene William Fry was elected to serve as the Young County Judge. Controversy surrounding former Young Co. judge After serving five years in Young County, Fry was elected to the Texas State House of Representatives in 1914, and Walter P. Stinson was elected to take his place as County Judge of Youn County. Apparently, after reviewing county records, Judge Stinson found many irregularities, including thousands of dollars worth of funds that were unaccounted for. Photo of the old Young County Courthouse (Photo credit: KFDX/KJTL) Judge Stinson hired a firm to conduct an audit on February 13, 1915, which eventually led to the former judge E.W. Fry being charged with forgery of over $25,000, the equivalent to over $750,000 today. E.W. Fry was arrested on the charge of forgery and later released on bond. Apparently, when Fry asked Judge Stinson to see the warrant, he allegedly refused. County commissioners hire special deputies Naturally, the Young County Commissioners were concerned that Fry would attempt to steal or destroy the records, so they hired two special deputies to patrol the courthouse grounds; Riley Dollins and George Thomas Cherryhomes. TEXOMA ARCHIVES: The scandalous story of the Worlds Littlest Skyscraper Tom Cherryhomes was a well-respected and liked member of the Young County community. A man of high integrity, he was selected years earlier by Young County Commissioners to serve as a deputy. He was a deacon at his church and a member of the Board of Trustees at the Tonk Valley School in Young County. Man hired to guard courthouse shot by would-be robbers In the early morning hours of February 24, 1915, around 3:30 a.m., Cherryhomes was patrolling the grounds of the Young County Courthouse with Dollins when they heard a strange noise coming from the north side of the courthouse. When they went to investigate, they were met by three or four men. Some reports claimed the men were all wearing masks. The group of men approached the two guards and demanded they throw up their hands. According to several accounts, Cherryhomes responded, Ill never throw up my hands, and began shooting. A volley of gunfire erupted from both sides, gunshots ringing through the streets of downtown Graham. According to some accounts, Dollins had been using a shotgun and went running inside the courthouse to get more ammunition, only to hear the groaning voice of his comrade. Dont leave me, Ive been shot, Cherryhomes reportedly said. Despite being hit, Cherryhomes continued shooting his two pistols until he ran out of ammo before staggering across the street into the telephone office to call his wife and say, Ive been hit; take care of the children. Cherryhomes, who had been shot in the stomach, eventually died later that afternoon. Former judge among four indicted for murder It was later learned that two of the men who ordered the deputies to put their hands up were struck during the incident. Pat Carlton was fatally shot during the shootout. The other man who was wounded was Pete Fry, none other than the brother of the former Young County Judge. It was later further revealed that E.W. Fry himself, along with his brother, Pete Fry, and Pat Carlton, were accompanied by John Lisckke and Rufus Todd for the apparent break-in attempt at the courthouse. The four surviving would-be robbers were indicted for the murder of Cherryhomes. A change of venue was requested and the trial was moved to the 78th District Court in Wichita County. The ten-day trial began on April 6, 1915, less than two months after Cherryhomes was fatally shot. Many testify in trial for Cherryhomes murder According to Coleys account of the trial, Ollie Brown, the city marshal of Newcastle and former night watchman in Young County, testified that Pete Fry and Rufus Todd told him Judge Fry was willing to pay $1,000 to get the records from the courthouse. He said he agreed to talk to Dollins and Cherryhomes about the situation but instead told a Young County Commissioner. W.H. Mayes, a telephone operator, testified that the gunshots woke him up, and shortly after, Cherryhomes and Dollins arrived at the office. After calling a doctor, he overheard Cherryhomes tell him that Carlton had shot him and that Todd was there. When former judge E.W. Fry took the stand, he testified that Cherryhomes had been in on the plan for them to access the documents and that they had organized a friendly holdup that went wrong. Ultimately, after deliberating for about 25 minutes, the Wichita County jury returned a verdict of not guilty, acquitting all four men of Cherryhomes murder. Former Judge Fry never sees inside of prison cell After being acquitted of the murder of Cherryhomes, former judge E.W. Fry was later found guilty of the forgery charges against him and sentenced to 40 years in prison. According to one account, Fry returned to Graham a few days after his second trial with a pardon in his hand. Despite being found guilty of the crime, he never served any time behind bars for forgery. Monument for Cherryhomes in front of the Young County Courthouse (Photo credit: Josh Hoggard, KFDX/KJTL) Justice was never served for Cherryhomes, but hes never been forgotten by the people of Young County. The name of Cherryhomes was etched on a stone monument and placed on the grounds of the Young County Courthouse. The monument reads: In memory of Tom Cherryhomes, who died defending the records of Young County. This story was written thanks to hours of research by Wichita Falls author and local historian Julie Coley. Her published works can be purchased on Amazon or locally at Pickers Universe at 10th and Indiana or at Emmalees Shop at Jacksboro Highway and East Scott. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. Latest in an ongoing series about where the 2024 presidential candidates stand on issues of major importance to voters. Its been clear ever since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022 that abortion would be one of the key issues of the 2024 presidential campaign. The GOP generally supports the courts decision to scrap the constitutional right to abortion a decision that dismantled nearly 50 years of nationwide legal protection for the procedure and paved the way for individual states to curtail or ban it. Democrats, in contrast, oppose the courts decision and have called for making Roe v. Wade the law of the land again legislation that 56% of registered voters would support, according to an April Yahoo News/YouGov poll. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement But where do Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump stand? Abortion has made headlines throughout the 2024 campaign. On April 8, Trump announced that he would leave it up to individual states to outlaw the procedure. In response, the Biden campaign accused Trump of endorsing every single abortion ban in the states, including abortion bans with no exceptions. Since Harris took President Bidens place atop the Democratic ticket, she has only increased the pressure on Trump, who has been privately emphatic with advisers that the abortion issue alone could kill their chances of victory in November, according to the New York Times. I have talked with women around our country, Harris said during their Sept 10 debate in Philadelphia. This is what people wanted? Pregnant women who want to carry a pregnancy to term, suffering from a miscarriage, being denied care in an emergency room because the health care providers are afraid they might go to jail, and she's bleeding out in a car in the parking lot she didn't want that. Her husband didn't want that. A 12- or 13-year-old survivor of incest being forced to carry a pregnancy to term? They don't want that." In response, Trump has tried to rebrand himself on the issue by criticizing bans in Arizona and Florida, watering down the GOP platforms abortion language and claiming that his administration would be great for women and their reproductive rights. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Novembers election will be the first in U.S. history to feature a former president competing against the current vice president. As a result, this years candidates already have extensive White House records to compare and contrast. Heres what Harris and Trump have done so far on abortion and what they plan to do next. Where theyre coming from Where Harris is coming from: Harris has always been a far more outspoken advocate for reproductive rights than Biden, a Catholic who told supporters last year that hes not big on abortion. As attorney general of California, Harris sued an anti-abortion group that secretly recorded sting videos of abortion providers. In the U.S. Senate, she repeatedly pushed for maternal health legislation, including a 2017 bill that would have banned common state-level abortion restrictions (such as laws requiring doctors to perform specific tests before administering the procedure) as well as two bills designed to lower Americas maternal mortality rate. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Black mothers across the country are facing a health crisis that is driven in part by implicit bias in our health care system, Harris said in 2019, citing statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that Black women are 3.3 times more likely than white women to die of pregnancy complications. We must take action to address this issue, and we must do it with the sense of urgency it deserves. Then-Sen. Harris also co-sponsored bills to expand birth control access and fund care for uterine fibroids. As a candidate for the Democratic Partys 2020 presidential nomination, Harris went a step further than any of her rivals Biden included by proposing federal pre-clearance for new abortion laws in states with a history of restricting abortion rights. Modeled after the Voting Rights Act and meant to [block] discrimination before it occurs, Harriss plan would have forced states such as South Carolina, Iowa and Georgia to obtain permission from the Justice Department before passing new abortion laws or else have them declared illegal and unenforceable. Where Trump is coming from: Trump has said in the past that he favors abortion rights despite his personal discomfort with the procedure. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Im very pro-choice, he said during a Meet the Press interview in October 1999. I hate the concept of abortion. I hate it. I hate everything it stands for. I cringe when I listen to people debating the subject. But you still I just believe in choice. But Trump changed his mind while considering a 2012 presidential run and started to describe himself as pro-life. Pro-life people will find out that I will be very loyal to them, just as I am loyal to other people, he told the New York Times. I would be appointing judges that feel the way I feel. True to his word, Trump vowed during his 2016 presidential campaign to nominate Supreme Court justices who would automatically overturn Roe, even going so far as to release his list of potential nominees and to say that there would have to be some form of punishment for female patients if the procedure was outlawed (a statement his campaign quickly walked back). What theyve done in office What Harris has done as vice president: On abortion, Harriss vice presidency can be divided into two phases: before Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (the 2022 Supreme Court decision that ended Roe) and after. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Before Dobbs, Harris largely focused on the broader issue of maternal health, calling attention to the fact that Black women suffer pregnancy complications at a much higher rate than white women and are much less likely to be believed when something goes wrong. In December 2021, she announced the first-ever White House Maternal Health Day of Action, along with new commitments to support safe pregnancies and childbirth, and reduce complications and mortality in the year following birth. The following June, the Supreme Courts conservative majority struck down Roe. In response, the Biden-Harris administration took a series of actions to expand access to abortion pills via telemedicine and at pharmacies; to defend emergency care for patients experiencing pregnancy loss and other pregnancy-related problems; to support patients ability to travel across state lines for abortions; and to safeguard the privacy of patients and providers. Harris immediately became Bidens point person on the issue. Behind the scenes, Harris led intense efforts to marshal outside allies [while] pressing the Biden administration to do more in response, according to CNN. In public, she traveled the country, initially holding fact-finding roundtables with state legislators and stakeholders and later headlining campaign-style events to promote the administrations response. We stand for the freedom of every American, including the freedom of every person everywhere to make decisions about their own body, their own health care and their own doctor, Harris said at a June 2023 abortion-rights rally in Washington, D.C. So we fight for reproductive rights and legislation that restores the protections of Roe v. Wade. And heres the thing. The majority of Americans are with us. They agree. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement In March, Harris became the first and only vice president to pay an official visit to an abortion clinic, according to the White House. What Trump did as president: Trump nominated three Supreme Court justices during his time in the White House: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. In 2017, Senate Republicans eliminated the filibuster for Supreme Court nominations, lowering the threshold for confirmation from 60 votes to a simple majority of 51 votes. As a result, all three of Trumps nominees were confirmed with minimal bipartisan support. And all three voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. For 54 years, they were trying to get Roe v. Wade terminated, and I did it and Im proud to have done it, Trump boasted in January. While in the Oval Office, Trump also backed a federal abortion ban after 20 weeks of pregnancy, saying it would help to facilitate the culture of life to which our nation aspires, and blocked organizations that provide abortion referrals such as Planned Parenthood from receiving federal family-planning money. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Trump has described himself as the most pro-life president in American history. What they want to do next What Harris wants to do next: In response to Dobbs, Biden has repeatedly emphasized the need to restore the protections of Roe v. Wade in every state by passing legislation in Congress. Harris has made this promise a central part of her fledgling campaign. When Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom, as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law, she said in her Democratic National Convention speech. But doing so would require at least 60 votes in the Senate unless Harris is willing to lift the filibuster for abortion legislation. While centrist Democrats blocked Bidens brief push for a filibuster carve-out in 2022, its possible that the idea could make a comeback if Harris wins in November. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Our president, Joe Biden, he's been clear, Harris told a meeting of the Democratic National Committee in September 2022. Hes kinda done with those archaic Senate rules that are standing in the way. And, you know, for me, as vice president, Im also president of the Senate. I cannot wait to cast the deciding vote to break the filibuster. With just two more seats in the Senate, Harris continued, we can codify Roe v. Wade, we can put the protections of Roe in law. Short of that, Harris would likely continue the federal protections put in place during Bidens presidency which another president could easily overturn. What Trump wants to do next: Nodding to a series of recent post-Roe election losses for Republicans in places where further abortion restrictions have been on the ballot, Trump has cautioned his party against going too far on the issue, criticizing some of the more restrictive state laws as a terrible mistake and blaming the abortion issue, poorly handled by many Republicans, for GOP underperformance in the 2022 midterms. So after considering a 15-week national abortion ban of his own, Trump announced in April that he would leave it up to individual states to make their own rules. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Whatever they decide must be the law of the land, he said in a video. Trump later said that he would not sign a federal abortion ban as president. But when pressed during the Sept. 10 debate with Harris, he seemed to suggest that the reason he wouldn't sign a ban is because Congress would never pass one while repeatedly refusing to say whether he would actually veto such legislation, should it ever emerge from Capitol Hill. I'm not in favor of [an] abortion ban, but it doesn't matter because this issue has now been taken over by the states," Trump said. I won't have to. "But if I could just get a yes or no," one of the moderators interjected. "Because your running mate JD Vance has said that you would veto if it did come to your desk." "Well, I didn't discuss it with JD, in all fairness," Trump replied. "I don't mind if he has a certain view... but I really didn't." Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, 14 states have effectively eliminated abortion; an additional seven have banned it at an earlier stage than the half-century status quo under Roe, which protected abortion rights until 22 or 23 weeks of pregnancy the point of viability at which a fetus can survive outside the womb. Several other states are trying to further ban the procedure. That means only about half the states would continue the protections of Roe v. Wade under a second Trump term. In addition, Trump allies and former Trump officials have been developing plans for executive actions including criminalizing the shipment of abortion pills that would allow him to outlaw abortion without passing any new legislation, according to the New York Times. We dont need a federal ban [because] theres a smorgasbord of options, said Jonathan Mitchell, the legal force behind a 2021 Texas law that found a way to effectively ban abortion in the state before Roe v. Wade was overturned. But I think the pro-life groups should keep their mouths shut as much as possible until the election. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Its Tuesday, September 17. Take a look at our top stories in news and weather with KELOLAND On The GO First@4. An Aberdeen man has been indicted on seven counts of computer-generated child porn. Aberdeen man indicted on computer-generated child porn A jury has found a Rapid City man guilty of 5 charges of Assault on a Federal Officer. Rapid City man guilty of assaulting a federal officer An anonymous threat on social media led to the Belle Fourche Middle School being put in lockdown Tuesday afternoon. Belle Fourche Schools put on lockdown due to anonymous threat A former Sioux Falls therapist is headed to prison for having an illegal relationship with one of his patients. SF therapist sentenced for illegal relationship with patient State, local and federal firefighters are battling a blaze in Custer State Park. Firefighters fight Oak Draw Fire in Custer State Park Though we had a few scattered light showers in the morning for some of you in southeastern KELOLAND, it has been a rather nice day beyond that to get outside with more above-average warmth. Storm Center PM Update: Warm into Friday; Several Rain Chances Download the KELOLAND News app to find the latest headlines while on the go. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Thief banned from all UK schools and universities A prolific thief who targeted students and teachers has been banned from entering all schools and universities in the UK. John Tinney, 62 and from Glasgow, stole personal possessions to fund his alcohol addiction, Newcastle Crown Court heard. His latest offence saw him take a man's wallet from a restricted area at Northumbria University in Newcastle on 28 February. Tinney was jailed for eight months and made subject of a five-year long criminal behaviour order after he admitted burglary. The court heard Tinney entered an area only accessible with a swipe card in the Sandyford Building and took a wallet from a man's coat. Judge Carolyn Scott said the victim saw Tinney but assumed he was a staff member as he appeared to have an ID tag. The man said the loss of his wallet had caused "constant worrying" and added "a lot of stress to [his] already busy life". He said he was especially sorry to lose his driving licence and a good luck charm given to him by his mother. John Tinney's last offence was committed at the Sandyford building at Northumbria University in Newcastle [Google] Prosecutor Kate Barnes said Tinney, who had 41 convictions for 177 offences, had a "long history of entering educational properties" and stealing possessions. Before the latest theft, his previous offences were committed at Lancashire University in Preston earlier this year, the court heard. In mitigation, Jordan Parkinson said Tinney, of Ashgill Road, was an alcoholic who stole to fund his addiction. Judge Scott made the order banning Tinney from entering any UK educational establishment, including schools, universities, colleges and student accommodation, for five years. She said he had "simply lost the right for now to visit those locations without consequences", adding breaching the order could result in imprisonment. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. Related internet links Think AZ has the worst road rage? You're wrong, new study shows. Here's why Phoenix drivers rank middle-of-the-road when it comes to road rage, according to a new study. Louisiana ranked first for the state having the most road rage, and Rhode Island ranked the lowest. Arizona, meanwhile, ranked 23rd. The results came from a study conducted by H&P Law, a personal injury law firm out of Nevada. The firm analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Trace, a nonprofit newsroom focused on gun violence, for all 50 states. The study looked at multiple factors, from firearm-related incidents to accidents related to aggressive or careless driving, fatalities from aggressive or careless driving and speeding violations. Fatal car accidents and firearm-related incidents were weighted most heavily. Proceed with caution: These are the Phoenix area's most dangerous intersections These 10 states have the most road rage Louisiana New Mexico Montana Arkansas Colorado North Carolina Delaware Florida Wisconsin Tennessee These 10 states have the least road rage Rhode Island California Virginia New Hampshire New York Massachusetts Washington Wyoming South Dakota Iowa Reverse lanes: Phoenix residents petition city to end 'suicide lanes' on 7th Street and 7th Avenue This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Think AZ has the worst road rage? Think again. Here's what to know LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Police are unable to identify any credible threats after shooting threats on social media mentioning Lancaster sparked concern among community members. According to the Lancaster City Bureau of Police, threats of a school shooting have been circulating online. However, based on information shared among federal and state law enforcement, police could not identify the threats as credible. Police said they believe the post, which mentions Lancaster, refers to a school district in Texas. Authorities from the area reported they are investigating similar social media threats. The post features a picture of a firearm and a list of schools that feature Lancaster. Police said they are investigating copycat posts that mention schools in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, area but are still unable to identify credible threats. This comes only a week after multiple social media posts featuring threats to schools in the Midstate surfaced online. Anyone with information about where these posts originated from is encouraged to contact Safe2Say at 1-844-723-2729. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Three killed in Israeli strike in Lebanon amid fears of escalation Heavy white smoke billows from the southern Lebanese Marjayoun terrain, facing the Israeli settlement of Mutella following heavy Israeli shelling. Stringer/dpa The Israeli military said Tuesday that it killed three members of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement in southern Lebanon, amid fears of further escalation in the border area between the two countries. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, another two people were injured in the attack which targeted the town of Blida, near the Israeli border. Hezbollah did not initially comment on the incident. However, the group claimed several attacks on targets in northern Israel. The Israeli army also said it had attacked additional areas in Lebanon with artillery. The violence is stoking fears that the conflict between pro-Iranian Hezbollah and the Israeli military could worsen. Since the war in the Gaza Strip began on October 7 between Israel and Palestinian extremist group Hamas, there have been almost daily military confrontations in the border area between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. Deaths have been recorded on both sides - most of them members of Hezbollah. The pro-Iranian Shiite militia says it is acting in solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and will cease its attacks on Israel if the "aggression against Gaza and the Palestinian people" stops. After almost a year of constant fighting, there are increasing signs again that the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon could escalate into an open war. The return of Jewish refugees to their homes in the north of the country is now one of Israel's declared war aims - alongside the liberation of hostages from the Gaza Strip and the destruction of Hamas. The only way to achieve this is "military action," Israel's Defense Minister Joav Galant said at a meeting with US mediator Amos Hochstein, according to his office. So far all diplomatic efforts to solve the conflict with Hezbollah have failed. Sources close to the Lebanese militia told dpa that they were ready for "any scenario." "Our fighters have been ready since October 8," the sources said, adding that the movement's leaders have always affirmed they are ready to protect Lebanon from any Israeli attack. Riad Kahwaji, director of the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis (INEGMA), told dpa that he is expecting an escalation, but that the extent was hard to predict. "It seems there are differences within the Israeli government on this question, and they don't appear to be on the same page as the IDF on this matter," he said, referring to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Kahwaji said he believes the Israeli army would prefer to see a ceasefire deal reached in Gaza before opening the Lebanese front. Makram Rabbah, a political analyst, on the other hand, said he believes that Israel will carry out a ground operation in Lebanon, adding "it is a matter of timing." But Lebanon's House speaker and close ally of Hezbollah, Nabih Berri, said he does not expect a large-scale Israeli ground operation in Lebanon. "A direct, face-to-face ground confrontation with the Israelis is what we wish for and to us it is much better than mutual shelling. The enemy knows it will pay a heavy price if it tries to advance on the ground, that's why I rule out that it would resort to such a choice, unless it wants to commit a foolishness," Berri said in comments to Lebanon's Al-Joumhouria newspaper. Israel's Jerusalem Post newspaper, meanwhile reported, citing political and military sources, that Israel was closer than ever to a full-scale war with Hezbollah. Israel is using all its military and diplomatic pressure to ensure that the Hezbollah militia withdraws behind the Litani River, 30 kilometres from the border - as stipulated in UN Resolution 1701. Three Modesto-area teens arrested in past week for threats against schools. The trend is national Two more Modesto-area minors were arrested on suspicion of making separate threats against their school, following a flurry of threats and arrests across the country, the Modesto Police Department and Stanislaus County Sheriffs Office announced Tuesday. Last week and over the weekend, MPD said it received multiple reports of threats of violence toward schools in the area most posted on social media. These social media posts were investigated, and although they appeared to be part of a statewide hoax or scam, the impact they had on our community was real, leaving students and their families fearful and scared, read a statement from the Sheriffs Office. A Modesto High School student was arrested on suspicion of making threats against the campus allegedly posting a picture of a firearm, along with a threat. In a separate incident, a student at Hanshaw Middle School was arrested by MPD on Monday. Hes accused of making school shooting threats, which were allegedly overheard by other students and reported to their parents, who reported to MPD in turn. MPD officers notified the school and learned the student in question did not arrive at school Monday. They went to the students home and arrested him there. Officers also arrested a man on suspicion of narcotics sales after allegedly finding evidence implicating him at the home. The narcotics arrest was said to be unrelated to the school shooting threat arrest. We take all threats of school violence seriously and will continue to investigate these threats to ensure the safety of our community, read a statement from Sgt. Jose Meza, supervisor of MPDs Threat Assessment Team. Both the Modesto High student and the Hanshaw student were taken to juvenile hall and booked on various charges, according to MPD. In a separate incident, a 14-year-old Newman boy was arrested Friday on suspicion of making threats to local schools in the Newman and Patterson areas. The Sheriffs Office released a public safety statement Tuesday about the recent local and nationwide threats of school violence that happened last week. The statement asked people to remain vigilant and report any threats or suspicious activity to law enforcement. Law enforcement also asked residents to not spread unverified information on social media. In the Sacramento area, the San Juan Unified School District said four of its schools were targeted on social media, The Sacramento Bee reported. Threats were made against Silverado Middle School, which resulted in the arrest of a 13-year-old boy. The Buckeye Union School District announced it had several schools mentioned in an online post. Rocklin Unified School District also was the subject of a threat made on TikTok. These incidents were reported by the Sacramento-based news agency KCRA. These cases of threats were part of a trend that resulted in several arrests of minors across the United States following the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia. A flurry of threats against schools some credible and some not have happened since. LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala (WHNT) The Limestone County Sheriffs Office (LCSO) said three more students in the county school system have been arrested for threats. LCSO said one student at West Limestone High School made verbal threats to other students, claiming to have a gun and saying they would shoot them. Man charged in attack that left corrections officer injured in Morgan County According to authorities, another student at Ardmore High School wrote out a threat on paper suggesting that there was going to be a shooting at the school. Lastly, the sheriffs office said a student at Clements High School made a threat on Snapchat indicating that he had a gun at school and was going to shoot another student. LCSO said those responsible for the threats were identified and arrested. No weapons were found in either incident and at no time Tuesday was there any immediate danger to students, the sheriffs office said. We are grateful for the bravery and courage of those who have come forward to report threats of harm towards others, Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin said about the incident. Thank you for being a role model and helping keep those around you safe. These three arrests brought the total number of students arrested in Limestone County since the beginning of last week to eight. 14 total students were arrested for making threats in North Alabama. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (COLORADO SPRINGS) The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) said multiple people were taken to the hospital after a Honda struck one car and then crossed over the median hitting another vehicle. According to CSPD, on Monday, Sept. 16 at around noon, officers were called to the area of Austin Bluffs Parkway and North Union Boulevard about a multi-vehicle crash. When officers arrived they learned that a Honda sedan was allegedly traveling east on Austin Bluffs at a high rate of speed when it hit an eastbound Chevrolet sedan. The Honda then traveled over the center median and hit a westbound Ford truck. CSPD said multiple people were taken to the hospital, and the driver of the Honda was taken with life-threatening injuries. The Major Crash Team was called to assist in the investigation and is currently in the early stages, according to CSPD. Speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in 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 FOX21 News Colorado. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) TikTok, one of the most popular social media apps, may be banned in the United States. The companys lawyers were fighting in federal court to stop a possible ban. The app must find new owners or get off the app store by January 19th unless lawyers can convince an appeals court to let them stay. Theres no question that the clock has been TikTok-ing pretty quickly on this, said lawyer Seth Berenzweig. TikTok is one of the most popular social media apps for young people, 170 million Americans use it. Even the presidential candidates are trying to connect with young voters on the app. Earlier this year Congress overwhelmingly passed a bill to ban the app, concerned about national security because of TikToks Chinese owners. President Joe Biden signed it in April. Congress had two main issues with the app: the control China had over the content Americans see and the amount of data TikTok collects on American users. This app is a Chinese spy balloon in Americans phones, said Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas.). TikToks lawyers argued the law violates free speech, but judges were skeptical the First Amendment applies to companies outside of the U.S. This case is different because it involves something happening abroad, said Judge Srinivasan. Lawyer Seth Berenzweig predicts the government will win in court. I dont think its a very strong case, quite frankly, because I dont think that TikTok has a constitutional First Amendment freedom of speech right, said Berenzweig. The court expects to rule 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. A three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals sounded unconvinced Monday that the TikTok sale or ban law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, was unconstitutional. The law, which would have gone into effect no earlier than this January, is effectively on pause while TikToks legal challenge works its way through the courts. In a two-hour hearing, lawyers for TikTok argued that its current business structure is protected by its free speech rights under the First Amendment and that the governments argument against Chinese influence over TikToks algorithms is unsupported. The U.S. government argued that TikTok, owned by parent company ByteDance, which was founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, poses a national security threat and exposes the data of its 170 million American users to the Chinese Communist Party. Judges questioned TikTok about Chinas ability to determine what content is served to American users via TikToks algorithms, including its For You Page. The government is just flat wrong, TikToks lawyer, Andrew Pincus said. The recommendation engine itself is influenced in the U.S., its trained in the U.S. on U.S. data, its modified in the U.S. based on U.S. content moderation decisions. In 2022, TikTok launched an initiative called Project Texas to demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding U.S. user data and governance transparency. It includes having Oracle, a U.S. software company, isolate TikToks services in the U.S. within Oracles U.S. cloud environment. In December 2022, Forbes reported that ByteDance employees used TikTok to monitor its journalists locations in an effort to discover which employees were leaking confidential materials. TikTok and ByteDance have since condemned the practice and said that three employees involved were terminated, with an additional employee resigning. Pincus also said that the data TikTok collects from American users is anonymized and is comparable to other Chinese companies, like major e-commerce platforms. While Pincus didnt name the e-commerce platforms, Chinese companies Shein and Temu have skyrocketed in popularity with American consumers in recent years. Pincus characterized TikTok as being unfairly singled out, an argument that some TikTok creators have also made in defense of the platform, noting that China has repeatedly obtained American user data from U.S. social media companies in the past. In response, the government argued that TikToks source code was created in China and that the platform may continue to be influenced by China. The judges also questioned whether the U.S. branch of TikTok is protected by First Amendment speech laws while it remains under the ownership of ByteDance. Judge Neomi Rao cited a 1988 case, one that the government didnt cite in its argument against TikTok, in which the circuit upheld the Justice Departments closure of the Palestine Information Office, a U.S. entity, due to its association with a designated terrorist organization. Our circuit seemed to suggest very strongly that the control or the relationship itself was a strong justification for what the government did, Rao said. Pincus said he was not familiar with the case. TikTok and ByteDance have said that they will not be able to comply with the sale or ban law as it is laid out, which would require U.S. TikTok to be divested from ByteDance and sold to U.S. ownership before Jan. 19, 2025. An extension could be granted until April if TikTok is seen to be attempting to comply with the divestiture order. If not, U.S. app stores like Apples App Store and Googles Play store will have to stop offering TikTok, and internet service providers will be compelled to stop supporting access to TikTok. TikTok creators and users in the U.S. have responded overwhelmingly negatively to the proposed ban. During the hearing, TikTok argued that creators would not be able to replicate their account followings on other platforms, limiting their own speech and business activity on TikTok. The government responded that it is not targeting the creators, just the perceived Chinese influence within the platform. In court documents filed ahead of the hearing, the Justice Department and a senior U.S. intelligence official said they have no direct evidence that China has used TikTok for propaganda purposes in the U.S., but that there is significant risk it could happen. The documents also cited two academic studies that suggest TikTok favors pro-China content over anti-China content, such as content related to Chinese treatment of the Uyghur minority group and Tibet. TikTok characterized the studies as deeply flawed. While Biden signed the proposed TikTok sale or ban law, he and Vice President Kamala Harris have used the platform to campaign for the 2024 election, with the Kamala HQ account (previously Biden HQ) posting regularly to over 4.4 million followers. The last post on the account, from Sunday, highlighted Donald Trumps post on Truth Social that said I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT! Trump, who initially tried to ban TikTok in 2020, a move that was then blocked by federal courts, also has a TikTok account with over 11 million followers. Trump then expressed support for TikTok following Bidens passage of the national security package that included the provision to ban TikTok. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard TikTok's defense on Monday, as the social media company sought to persuade the three-judge panel that Congress's attempts to ban the platform are a violation of the First Amendment. It's not clear that the judges were persuaded. Judge Neomi Rao, a Trump appointee, and Judge Douglas Ginsburg, a Reagan appointee, both seemed skeptical of TikTok's argument that Congress lacked the authority to force a sale of the app to a U.S.-based company. "I know Congress doesn't legislate all the time, but here they did," said Rao. "They actually passed a law. And many of your arguments want us to treat them like they're an agency." The federal government's initial attempts to ban TikTok took place under the Trump administration. In August of 2020, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that required TikTok's Chinese-owned parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app to a U.S.-based firm. President Joe Biden cancelled that executive order, but instructed his administration to investigate whether concerns about Chinese malfeasance on the platform were justified. Then, in March of 2024, Congress passed legislation to again force the sale, and Biden signed it. Trump has since changed his tune on TikTok, and now claimsnot wronglythat banning TikTok would reduce competition and enhance Meta's dominance. But unless TikTok prevails in court, the app will be banned by the end of the year unless it finds a U.S. buyer. Failing that, the iPhone app store will be forced to stop updating, and eventually carrying, the app. That's the real First Amendment question at stake: Can the U.S. government prohibit Americans from creating, viewing, and engaging with the speech on the platform? "The speech on TikTok is not Chinese speech," said Jeffrey Fisher, an attorney for TikTok, during the Monday hearing. "It is American speech." U.S. actors who claim that TikTok is a national security threat have generally failed to explain precisely what they mean, though it is of course possible that the Chinese governmenta repressive, authoritarian regimeuses its influence over the company to promote propaganda or anti-American speech. That's bad, but censoring propaganda isn't the answer; let people view it, if they wish to. Sen. Rand Paul (RKy.) has called the TikTok ban a "disturbing gift of unprecedented authority to President Biden and the Surveillance State that threatens the very core of American digital innovation and free expression." He's exactly right. The federal government cannot be trusted with the authority to police social media platforms. We already know what federal bureaucrats will do with such power: use it to censor contrarian and provocative speech. No matter how the Court of Appeals rules, the case is likely to make its way before the Supreme Court. A second assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump inspired some truly awful takes. Rachel Vindman, wife of Trump impeachment witness Alexander Vindman, wrote on X, "No ears were harmed. Carry on with your Sunday afternoon." She later deleted the comment. Former Republican Congressman turned anti-Trump CNN commentator Adam Kinzinger seemed to imply that it the assassination attempt was Trump's own fault because he has used violent rhetoric. Look violent rhetoric is wrong, and has no place. But MAGA pretending they didn't light this fire is gaslighting to the 100th power. Since Trump showed up our politics has gone to crap. Literally just accused a group of people of eating our pets. So stop Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) ???????????????????????? (@AdamKinzinger) September 16, 2024 Trump, for his part, lost no time in blaming the thwarted attack on his own political enemies, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. "Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at, when I am the one who is going to save the country, and they are the ones that are destroying the countryboth from the inside and out," Trump told Fox News. Politicians on both sides of the aisle love to blame violent rhetoric for real-world violence. For years, Democrats wrongly attributed the horrific shooting of former Rep. Gabby Giffords (DAriz.) to conservative rhetoric. Now the shoe is on the other foot, and Trump and his supporters have unhesitatingly embrace an argument they correctly found ridiculous several news cycles ago. When deranged lunatics do violent things, lay the blame on those who are actually responsible(the deranged lunatics)not other people's speech. Two of the worst headlines responding to the assassination attempt came from The Cincinnati Enquirer and TIME magazine. An opinion piece in The Enquirer held that "There is no place in politics for violence. That said, the former president, Donald Trump, brings a lot of this stuff on himself." Meanwhile, TIME wrote that the alleged shooterRyan Wesley Routhhad an "unclear political ideology." This could not be further from the truth. Routh was outspoken on social media, was interviewed by the mainstream mediaincluding The New York Times and Semaforand self-published a book. He is very clearly a one-time Republican who now hates Trump, is fanatically pro-Ukraine and anti-Russia, and vigorously supports Biden and Harris. That doesn't mean Democratic anti-Trump rhetoric is to blame for the shooting, but no one should pretend that his ideology is some giant mystery. It's not. Scenes from Washington, D.C. Washington D.C. City Council Member Trayon Whitewho once claimed that the Rothschilds were responsible for a bad snow storm in the citywas arrested on suspicion of taking bribes. QUICK HITS Police arrested Sean Combs for alleged sex trafficking. Richard Nixon, father of the war on drugs, apparently said privately that pot was "not particularly dangerous." Would-be Trump assassin Ryan Routh hid in the bushes for nearly 12 hours before Secret Service apprehended him. Don't expect to know who won Pennsylvania on Election Night. Republicans are frustrated with House Speaker Mike Johnson (RLa.). The post TikTok Goes to Court appeared first on Reason.com. Texas Space Commissioner Brad Morrison, left, confers with Executive Director Norman Garza Jr. during a July 17 commission meeting in Austin. The Texas Space Commission is looking for applicants for its first-ever grants from the $150 million Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Norman Garza Jr., the Texas Space Commissions first executive director, says the applications will result in grant awards for high-quality projects that will play a direct role in helping to propel the space industry sectors across Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Members of the Texas Space Commission were announced in March by Gov. Greg Abbott at Johnson Space Center in Houston. The agency is looking for applicants for its first-ever grants. Office of the Texas Governor Executive Director Norman Garza Jr. laughs with Nancy Currie-Gregg after his first meeting with the Texas Space Commission on July 17 in Austin. Since he started with the agency, hes been hiring staffers and getting the organization up and running. Hes also been traveling around the state to meet with entities connected to the space industry. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News The newly created Texas Space Commission is looking for applicants for its first-ever grants from the $150 million Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund. The call for applications is one of the first tangible actions of the agency created for the purpose of expanding the states space business. Government entities, higher-learning institutions, businesses and nonprofits can apply for funds to use on projects tied to new spaceflight technologies, space-related research or workforce training, curation of materials involved in space exploration or spaceport development. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The applications will result in grant awards for high-quality projects that will play a direct role in helping to propel the space industry sectors across Texas, said Norman Garza Jr., the commissions executive director. There is no application deadline as the commission will be reviewing submissions on a rolling basis. The taxpayer money is part of the $350 million used to start the commission. The other $200 million will be used by the Texas A&M University System to build a research and training facility next to Johnson Space Center in Houston. State Rep. Greg Bonnen, a Friendswood Republican, led the writing of House Bill 3447 that formed the commission. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill in June 2023 and announced the agency during a March ceremony at the Johnson Space Center. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The commission named Garza, a Harlingen native who grew up in Pleasanton, as its executive director in June. Before joining the agency, he was the assistant vice chancellor for state government relations at Texas A&Ms Engineering Experiment Station in Bryan. He started with the commission in July. Since then, hes been hiring staffers and getting the organization up and running. Hes also been traveling around the state to meet with entities connected to the space industry. State officials previously have said Texas is home to 1,800 aerospace firms that provide more than 150,000 jobs. The commission is working on a strategic plan it hopes to have drafted by December. Its also compiled a list of domestic and international space companies looking to relocate that it could target in efforts to grow the industry in Texas. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan appointed nine members to the commissions board of directors. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The board previously voted to make Gwen Griffin, founder and CEO of aerospace public relations firm Griffin Communications Group, its chair. Kathy Lueders, general manager of SpaceXs Starbase in South Texas, was elected vice chair. Kirk Shireman, vice president of Lunar Exploration Campaigns at Lockheed Martin, was named secretary. Brad Morrison of Boerne is the only San Antonio-area member of the board. He is the founder and CEO of Atlantis Industries, a company that works to protect satellites from space radiation. Happy Tuesday and welcome to another edition of Rent Free. This week's stories include: The federal government has given a "tenant empowerment" grant to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which just settled a lawsuit filed by its own tenants about the "inhumane" condition of its properties. Seattle's affordable housing mandates are leading to less housing getting built. Affordable housing in D.C. is in financial crisis, thanks to rising operating costs and a court process that takes years to remove nonpaying tenants. But first! Our lead story about Senate Republicans' new housing bill. Tim Scott Versus the Chassis Requirement On Thursday, a group of Republican senators led by Sen. Tim Scott (RS.C.) introduced the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act, which proposes a grab bag of reforms to federal housing programs. Unlike the slew of federal YIMBY (Yes in my backyard) bills that have been introduced in recent years, Scott's bill doesn't try to poke, prod, or bribe local and state governments into liberalizing their zoning codes. "Housing policy is inherently local, and federal legislators should encourage local solutions to local problems," reads the press release on the bill. Nevertheless, the bill does include at least one idea to increase housing supply. That includes a repeal of the federal regulation requiring that manufactured housing sit on a permanent steel chassis. Residential building codes for traditional, site-built housing are set by state and local governments. Manufactured housing, which is built off-site and shipped to its destination, is regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Housing wonks have long singled out HUD's requirement that manufactured homes sit on a permanent steel chassis, even once they're delivered, as a major headwind on manufactured home productions. There's some debate about whether HUD's chassis requirement is primarily responsible for a massive, post-1970s drop in manufactured home production, or whether it's a slightly less ruinous but still unnecessary, costly regulation. Wherever one lands on that debate, everyone would seem to agree that repealing the chassis requirement will reduce the cost of building the cheapest form of housing on the market. Scott's bill would also repeal the cap on the number of public housing units that can be "converted" to other types of subsidized affordable housing under HUD's Rent Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. RAD is intended to address the massive backlog of capital improvements needed at public housing complexes by shifting these units into other programs where funding is more dependable and private capital is available. Current law caps the number of public housing units that can be converted using the RAD program at 455,000 (or close to half of public housing units). Nonprofit Accused of Operating Slum Housing Gets $10 Million 'Tenant Empowerment' Grant This past week, I reported that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) gave the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), along with the Massachusetts Alliance of HUD Tenants, a $10 million grant which they will jointly distribute to tenant associations at privately owned, federally subsidized multifamily housing. The tenant groups will use that money to ensure their landlords maintain their buildings and provide habitable living conditions. HUD's decision to give this grant to AHF is highly questionable, given the organization's track record of managing its own residential properties. From my article: A detailed Los Angeles Times investigation published in November 2023 reported a number of issues at AHF-owned properties, including apartments infested with cockroaches, exploding radiators, water shut-offs so regular that tenants had to defecate in wastebaskets, violent crime and drug dealing left unaddressed, and months-long elevator shut-offs that left disabled tenants stuck on upper floors or forced to sleep in the lobby. While many of these problems are common at residential hotels on Skid Row, AHF-managed properties were more frequently hit with code complaints and emergency calls than similar properties, reported the Times. A former AHF employee described the living conditions at foundation properties as "inhumane." Just yesterday, AHF settled a class action lawsuit filed by tenants of one its Los Angeles buildings. The nonprofit agreed to refund tenants a portion of their rent, hire an elevator consultant, and work with pest control experts to fight bug infestations in its buildings. HUD told me in a statement that AHF "is part of a team that applied for these awards. The team is not only eligible, but the best qualified applicant." One would think that a nonprofit that hadn't been accused of leaving their tenants in "inhumane" conditions would be more qualified to help tenants fight for better living conditions. According to HUD, that's not the case. In Seattle, Affordable Housing Mandates Mean Less Housing Seattle's Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) Program, like all "inclusionary zoning" programs, is predicated on the idea that building new housing somehow makes housing less affordable. When Seattle upzoned the city's "urban villages" to allow denser construction under the MHA program, it also required developers to offset the alleged affordability impacts of their new, larger projects by either building below-market-rate housing or paying an in-lieu affordable housing fee. The program has been controversial from the jump. City staff warned that fewer projects would be feasible under the costs of the MHA's affordable housing mandates. The city is being sued by one Seattle homeowner over a $77,000 MHA fee that was charged when trying to add more units on her property to house her adult children. Earlier this month, researchers Jacob Krimmel and Betty X. Wang published a new study confirming the complaints of MHA's critics. "We find that new construction differentially declined in the upzoned, affordability-mandated areas," they write. "Developers intentionally avoided MHA-zoned areas despite their upzoning opting instead to build on nearby blocks without affordability requirements." The difference in construction rates between MHA and non-MHA blocks is as much as 70 percent, they found. This confirms past research on other cities' inclusionary zoning policies. They raise the costs of building housing, raising costs and reducing construction. D.C. Affordable Housing In Crisis The vast majority of subsidized housing units in Washington, D.C., aren't making enough money to cover their operating expenses, reports BisNow. That leaves the properties themselves at the risk of foreclosure and affordable housing tenants at risk that they'll be forced to vacate their homes once they're foreclosed on. From the Bisnow story: More than 80% of housing properties that have received D.C. funding aren't bringing in enough rental income to pay their mortgages and maintenance costs, according to the District's Department of Housing and Community Development. And more: The scale of the crisis is viewed as existential: 22,000 units that house 48,000 vulnerable residents are at risk of foreclosure today, according to DHCD. Landlords are blaming the situation on a mix of higher operating costs and the housing court delays caused by D.C.'s pandemic-era eviction policies, which have allowed tenants to stay for years in their units without paying rent. Delinquencies have risen dramatically, the report [ by Apartment and Office Building Association] concludes, because of D.C.'s pandemic-era policies that have tripled the length of the legal process required to evict nonpaying tenants. While cases have been delayed, many tenants continue living in units without paying rent and rack up tens of thousands of dollars in debts, a massive financial hole that is difficult to escape from. They have left landlords with substantially less revenue to maintain their operations and few options to generate more income. Quick Links Kevin Erdmann on RealPage and its incoherent critics. California voters will decide whether to repeal state limits on local rent control policies when they vote on Prop. 33 this November. In anticipation of it passing, San Francisco politicians are already drafting an ordinance to expand rent control to units built after 1979. Atlanta is threatening landlords of allegedly blighted properties with eminent domain if they don't repair their buildings to the city's satisfaction. Britain's new Labor government wants to build new towns to combat the country's housing cost crisis, reports The New York Times. Minnesota YIMBYs regroup after a bruising legislative session where most of their bills went nowhere. The post Tim Scott Wants to Deregulate Manufactured Housing appeared first on Reason.com. Time for Phenix City to step up. City sued twice over wastewater in Chattahoochee River Phenix City is facing two lawsuits, one from the state of Alabama, over allegedly violating the Clean Water Act. The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and the Alabama Department of Environment have both sued the Phenix City utilities department in recent days. Both groups say the city has violated permits because the local wastewater treatment plant has water flowing into the Chattahoochee River at contamination levels higher than the Environmental Protection Agency and the state of Alabama allow. These suits come 60 days after the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper delivered a required notice with the intent to sue on July 16. It is time for Phenix City to step up and prioritize infrastructure before further harm is done to the river and those who depend on it, Jason Ulseth, the director of the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, said in a statement. Recreators throughout the Chattahoochee River Basin deserve the right to swim, paddle, and fish on clean waterways. The Clean Water Act and the operation permit by the Alabama Department of Environment, which is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit, require the plant to remove a certain amount of effluents such as ammonia, suspended solids, and bacteria or E. coli that are harmful to human and environmental health. We have not seen any noticeable changes since our notice, Henry Jacobs, deputy director of the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper said. When we had initial conversations with the city with our lawyers there was a willingness to meet and walk through the plant. Then they canceled the treatment center tour and its been radio silence since then. John Spraggins, utility director of Phenix City, told the Ledger-Enquirer in July he was waiting on parts for their primary clarifier system, which would help lower spikes of total suspended solids. and other pollutants that are in violation of the operating permit. Manufacturing of the parts dictates the speed. Were working with a contractor to get started on the clarifier construction, Spraggins said in July. The Ledger-Enquirer asked Spraggins and Phenix City Assistant City Manager, Chan Gamble for an update on the parts and the work over the last 60 days but Gamble said the city will not comment on pending litigation. In a press release on Monday, Phenix City acknowledged the lawsuit from state of Alabama but said the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper lawsuit was duplicative and unnecessary. Phenix City is working together with ADEM to modernize our sewer system to continually meet the needs of the growing population in the Citys service area. Our Utilities Department is nearing completion of an approximately $15 million project to upgrade the current wastewater treatment plant and is developing plans to improve the wastewater collection system, some of which was installed close to one hundred years ago. The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper was unaware previously that Phenix City was delivered a lawsuit by ADEM three days before they filed on Sept. 16. The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper said in a statement Tuesday it was reviewing the ADEM lawsuit and was committed to holding Phenix City accountable over the alleged water violations. The news that the Alabama Department of Environmental Management just filed its own lawsuit against Phenix City further reinforces the fact that it is well past the time for Phenix City to cease its violations of the Clean Water Act and continuing pollution of the Chattahoochee River, the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper said in a statement. Water conditions on the Chattahoochee River near the outfall pipe for Phenix City, Alabamas wastewater treatment plant 05/21/24 The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper said in its lawsuit that it seeks declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, the imposition of civil penalties of up to $66,712 per day for each of the citys violations of the Clean Water Act. This number is based on Clean Water Act penalties that would go toward the Federal Treasury not the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. ADEM is enforcing the violations based on the Alabama Water Pollution Control Act, which authorized the attorney general to recover penalties from violations of $25,000 per violation. The Phenix City wastewater treatment plant reported effluent violations and E. coli results greater than its permitted amount of 2,419 col/1000ml in the following months: January, 2020, March 2021, April 2022, January 2023, October 2023, November 2023, January 2024, February 2024, March 2024, April 2024, May 2024, June 2024, and July 2024, according to records reported to ADEM by Phenix City. Chattahoochee Riverkeeper said the plant has not properly maintained infrastructure and has had non-permitted discharges of raw sewage in the the form of sanitary sewer overflows. The sewage overflows have been regularly occurring since 2021, no fewer than 90 times, discharging 2 million gallons of raw sewage in February 2024 alone, according to the lawsuit. Since January 2020, the Chattahooche Riverkeeper found 60 violations of Amomonia, 55 violations of total suspended solids, effluent for carbonaceous biochemical oxygen 21 times, exceeded total suspended solid removal 13 times, and E. coli violations 11 times. The ADEM previously gave notice to the Phenix City utility department that it was violating a pollution discharge permit on Dec. 19, 2023, according to a copy of the permit provided to the Ledger-Enquirer by Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. It isnt clear why ADEM decided to file a lawsuit now. ADEM and the Attorney Generals office of Alabama did not respond to questions in time for publication. The ADEM lawsuit against Phenix City is available online through the Circuit Court of Russell County. NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) Financial woes, safety concerns, a lightning strike and final messages sent by the Titan submersible were highlighted as a Coast Guard hearing was underway in North Charleston. Heres what happened Monday before Day 2 of the hearing begins. MORE ON THE TITAN SUBMERSIBLE The day began with a basic breakdown of facts gathered regarding the Titan, a manned submersible set out to explore the Titanic wreckage when it imploded. Following the breakdown came an animation revealing Titans last messages to its support vessel, POLAR PRINCE, before all contact was lost. DAY 1: Final moments before Titan implosion revealed during Coast Guard hearing The former OceanGate Engineering Director Tony Nissen was the first witnesses called to the stand. Throughout his testimony, he maintained developing the Titan and its prototypes had problems that heightened throughout his employment including being struck by lightning while in the Bahamas. Nissen said he later discovered a crack in a prototype hull which he attributed to the lightning strike. When he notified Stockton Rush, OceanGates founder and CEO, that the vessel was likely compromised, Stockton said, It would be okay, Nissen alleged. These events led Nissen to not sign off on a July 2019 expedition, Stockton wanted the Titan to perform as the crack had not been addressed. Nissen was fired in July 2019 for not signing off, he testified. This was not out of character, according to Nissen. He explained Stockton always got what he wanted or it was death by a thousand cuts. Next up to the witness stand, virtually, was Bonnie Carl, OceanGates former human resources and finance director. Carl said that while she was there from March 2017 to her exit in February 2018 money was always tight. The company rarely had money coming in and shareholders were mainly Stocktons friends and family. Sometimes when money was low, Stockton would provide a temporary loan to the company for payroll payments, Carl testified. Despite this, she said the reason for her exit was OceanGates attitude towards safety concerns raised. In one instance, Carl recounted seeing what she estimated to be 18-year-olds wrenching away on equipment. As the day came to a close, Coast Guard panelists called Tym Catterson, a longtime former contractor for the company, to speak. Catterson also reinforced the theme of safety concerns among OceanGate employees. He told panelists that he himself would not have felt comfortable going down to the Titanic in the submersible although he was present on the dive platform the day of the implosion. Catterson explained he brought his concerns to Stockton and other top employees over six times however he was told several engineers were working on the vessel and Stockton was confident in it. For day two of the Titan Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) hearings, former Marine Operations Director David Lochridge will be questioned the entire time. LIVE UPDATES: 3:48 p.m. Lochridge reads closing personal statement: 3:45 p.m. Lochridge said hull was supposed to be 7 to 10 inches thick, but the Titan hull that imploded was only 5 inches thick, according to the Coast Guard. 3:42 p.m. Transcription of conversation between Lochridge and Stockton before Lochridge was let go from the company entered into evidence. 3:25 p.m. Stockton, and I can speak about him because were under subpoena, he was a control freak. That is it. It was his way or not at all, Lochridge stated. 3:18 p.m. Stockton was against pilot training and marine credentialing over financial reasons, Lochridge explained. He also said he never saw Coast Guard parties at the OceanGate facility for reasons such as inspections. 2:40 p.m. The reason Cyclops 1 was declassified was because the amount of modifications OceanGate had performed it needed to go through the ABS again, Lochridge said. 2:26 p.m. Lochridge says after signing the settlement agreement, he understood that he could not share with the Coast Guard or any other agency his experience at OceanGate unless subpoenaed. 2:21 p.m. Lochridge reads full settlement agreement below. 2:15 p.m. Lochridge stated that he dropped his OSHA claim and settled with OceanGate. Lochridge did not pay anything and neither did OceanGate. 2:03 p.m. 2:05 p.m. Lochridge said the day he and his wife were traveling back to Scotland for his father-in-laws funeral he was served with lawsuit papers from OceanGate attorneys. On July 10, after reaching out to OSHA, he received a letter back saying the organization would investigate as soon as possible. 1:52 p.m. 2:01 p.m. March 16, 2018 Lochridge was sent a settlement agreement to OceanGate where they wanted him to pay $10,000. Lochridge declined to pay and sent that proof to OSHA. Lochridge said OceanGates filings against him were threats but not an official countersuit. The threats were on the basis that his claims were invalid. He said he did not release any records to anyone but OSHA. Continuing Lochridge said he was looking for advice from OSHA further as he thought he was protected under the Whistleblower Protection Program, but was getting nowhere. 12:19 p.m. OSHA sent a letter to OceanGate and the Coast Guard informing them of Lochridges complaint on Mar. 7, 2018. OceanGate responded demanding Lochridge settle and pay their lawyer expenses for dealing with the suit, Lochridge testified. 11:59 a.m. 12:04 p.m. Lochridge details correspondence. 11:58 a.m. Allegedly, Lochridge was under the Whistleblower Protection Program for 10 months. 11:46 a.m. In February after his firing, Lochridge said he informed OSHA of his concerns over his time at OceanGate and started the process to placed under whistleblower protection. 11:44 a.m. When he was fired in January 2018, Lochridge said OceanGate was waiting on only two components for the Titan. 11:37 a.m. Lochridge recommended that Titan testing be unmanned. He said companies do not typically do manned testing until after several pressure tests have been run on submersible hulls. He said Stockton wanted to do manned testing on the Titan before normal testing had been ran. 11:33 p.m. Lochridge said he had zero confidence in former Engineering Director Tony Nissen and his capabilities when it came to building the Titan. 11:28 a.m. Stockton spoke on a taped recording about Titan carbon fiber hull saying, It doesnt just implode, it screams like a m*****f***** and then it implodes, Lochridge testifies. 11:23 a.m. Lochridge was not allowed to go into board meetings because they were afraid he would open his mouth, according to his testimony. He explained he would report everything to senior management and not shy away from raising safety concerns. 10:53 a.m. A former Coast Guard petty officer named Matt was also brought on to the Titan project in the beginning stages however left after a period due to disagreements on safety, according to Lochridge. 10:47 a.m. Lochridge testifies OceanGates former human resources employee who testified on Monday was with him as a trainee when refused to sign off on the production pieces of Titan. 10:40 a.m. One example of Stockton keeping things cheap was by using a vacuum bag on the balast bag for initial engineering of the Titan, according to Lochridge. Lochridge did testify that he does not know whether any of Stocktons engineered pieces made it onto the final Titan. 10:36 a.m. Stockton like to keep things less expensive, according to Lochridge. 10:27 a.m. Lochridge explained when the initial Titan hull came in he could visibly see damage and imperfections all throughout it. 10:15 a.m. Lochridge reads and breaks down engineering report he wrote in January 2018 regarding the Titan. Exhibits are presented as former OceanGates Director of Marine Operations, David Lochridge gives his testimony for the Titan marine board formal hearing inside the Charleston County Council Chambers Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in North Charleston. Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post and Courier Exhibits are presented as former OceanGates Director of Marine Operations, David Lochridge gives his testimony for the Titan marine board formal hearing inside the Charleston County Council Chambers Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in North Charleston. Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post and Courier Exhibits are presented as former OceanGates Director of Marine Operations, David Lochridge gives his testimony for the Titan marine board formal hearing inside the Charleston County Council Chambers Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in North Charleston. Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post and Courier 10:10 a.m. 10:12 a.m. Lochridge was initially not apart of the team inspecting parts for the Titan project until he asked to be placed on it. He said none of the components for the project were adequate and he consistently voiced opposition calling the equipment faulty and deficient. 10:07 a.m. Lochridge said he had no confidence whatsoever in how the Titan was being built during in 2017 and voiced the concerns. Himself and several others on the project all voiced concerns over the project. He said some of the engineering team was coming directly from college and some had not even been to college and they were all brought on by Tony Nissen. 9:54 a.m. Lochridge said he and the former Engineering Director Tony Nissen, who we heard from in day 1, did not have a relationship at all because Nissen did not like what he had to say. 9:48 a.m. In August or September 2016, OceanGate wanted to deleted an addition added to Lochridges contract that stated the company would have to pay for his wife and his daughters residence after immigrating from Scotland. Lochridge said Stockton sat down with him saying he wanted to delete the addition in the contract so Lochridge told Stockton he was leaving. The next day Stockton had a change of heart and said he was taking back what he said, however he wanted Lochridge to agree to a contract addendum that said Lochridge would have to pay back what was left of his contract if he left, Lochridge testified. He said he agreed but was also told by Stockton to not tell immigration services about the addendum. 9:44 a.m. Stockton and Nissen told Lochridge to not have any contact with Dave Dyer who was an applied physics lab teammate. Lochridge said there was talk of having Boeing and NASA involved in the Cyclops 1 project, however he never saw any evidence of this. He originally believed the Cyclops would eventually be classed 100%. 9:41 a.m. After dropping the partnership with the physics lab, Stockton started in-house engineering and brought in former engineering director Tony Nissen, Lochridge said. 9:27 a.m. Lochridge testifies if Stockton was unhappy he would make things hard on everyone else especially regarding the University of Washington Applied Physics Lab team. He maintained that he himself had a good relationship with the lab. 9:25 a.m. Stockton was aware that he was required to notify the Coast Guard of dives, although he did not notify for the Andrea Doria dive, according to Lochridge. 9:22 a.m. Three mission specialists were aboard the Andrea Doria dive and those mission specialists were paid clients, according to Lochridge. The purpose of the dive was to create a 3D model of the wreck. 98% of the time Lochridge would take the mission specialists down on the dives as he was the most qualified, he testified. 9:19 a.m. In short, Stockton did not listen to Lochridge on a dive to the Andrea Doria in the Cyclops 1 and incorrectly dived, damaging the vessel they were in. While they were on the dive and after the damage, Lochridge said Stockton panicked. Lochridge took over and got the team back to the top. During this, Stockton allegedly threw the submersible controller at Lochridges head during the dive while the submersible was stuck. Exhibits are presented as former OceanGates Director of Marine Operations, David Lochridge gives his testimony for the Titan marine board formal hearing inside the Charleston County Council Chambers Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in North Charleston. Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post and Courier Hear the full recounting below. 9:07 a.m. The University of Washington Applied Physics Lab was phased out and after an incident Lochridge was also phased out of the projects by spring 2017, Lochridge said. When asked why he was phased out, Lochridge said he embarrassed Stockton on a trip to the Andrea Doria wreckage in summer 2016 accidentally. 9:06 a.m. The Titan project was nothing in 2016 when Lochridge came aboard, he said. They were still testing things on Cyclops 1 and it was still in its infancy, Lochridge explained. 9:05 a.m. Cyclops 1 was initially a classed submersible, but when it came to be owned by OceanGate several modifications were made that took it out of classification. OceanGate did not have the submersible reclassed afterward, according to Lochridge. 9:01 a.m. Lochridge testifies he never did any work on the Titan and was kept away from the Titan project. He told panelists he raised concerns several times throughout the time he worked there as he doesnt like being bullied into things. 8:58 a.m. Lochridge said there was no pilot training set for employees when he arrived at OceanGate in 2016. 8:57 a.m. Lochridge said he was responsible for communications with ABS when the company would get Antipodes, a submersible, classed. 8:55 a.m. The former operations chief said he was the only pilot qualified for piloting OceanGates submersibles in his eyes. He said the three employees he was in charge of did not get qualified to pilot the submersibles in OceanGates arsenal. 8:51 a.m. Cyclops 1 was not classed when Lochridge went for his first meeting upon being hired at OceanGate. He was initially hired for director of marine operations and was taken on as a contractor. Lochridge said he began working for OceanGate in 2016 after getting a work visa to move from Scotland. 8:49 a.m. Lochridge says the Cyclops 1 was not classified by the American Bureau Shipping classification agency, however he said he believes it is very important that submersibles are classified. Cyclops 1 was the prototype for Cyclops 2 which became the Titan that imploded. 8:45 a.m. Lochridge approximates he has piloted about seven to ten submersibles. He had to go through a pilot training for each which he said was about three years. 8:41 a.m. Former OceanGate operations director explains his professional background. 8:36 a.m. Former OceanGate Operations Director David Lochridge called to testify. 8:34 a.m. Neubauer clarifies that the former OceanGate engineering director who testified on Day 1 about the cracked hull was a prototype that was not used in any Titanic expeditions. 8:30 a.m. Opening statement and review of hearing rules by U.S. Coast Guard Chief of Office of Investigations Jason Neubauer. STAY CONNECTED: Receive news alerts from this hearing and watch it on the go with the NEWS 2 APP (download it here). You can also subscribe to daily emails for the latest news on the titan hearings. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Before Implosion, Titan Pilot and CEO Had Panicked Meltdown When He Crashed Into a Shipwreck: Ex-Employee "It was unprofessional behavior of him, he started to panic," David Lochridge testified of Stockton Rush Wilfredo Lee/AP; Getty Years before he piloted the Titan submersible more than 2 miles beneath the surface of the Northern Atlantic Ocean on a doomed voyage to see the wreckage of the Titanic, Stockton Rush took another small group of passengers to see another famed ship beneath the waves but fell into panic due to a lack of experience, a former employee claims. David Lochridge, who worked as operations director at OceanGate, which Rush co-founded and ran as CEO, testified on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at an ongoing U.S. Coast Guard hearing about the implosion of Titan while on its way to the Titanic last summer, killing all five people aboard, including Rush. Lochridge did not mince words about his views on Rush or OceanGate. The whole idea behind the company was to make money, he said at one point. Thats it. He was no less blunt in recounting a previous voyage, reportedly in 2016, in which Rush insisted on piloting another of OceanGates submersibles, called the Cyclops 1, down to see the remains of the Andrea Doria ocean liner. Lochridge said he had expected to be the pilot, as the most experienced such member of OceanGates team. Unfortunately, the CEO decided that he wanted to take it down, Lochridge said. I objected because I knew sometimes he could do things to please himself. But, according to Lochridge, Rush essentially pulled rank: Just remember Im the CEO, youre just an employee. At Lochridges urging, Rush let him still join the trip on the Cyclops, along with three paying passengers, Lochridge said. Almost immediately, however, there were issues, according to his testimony. Related: Final Message from Doomed Titan Sub Revealed, Sent Seconds Before Losing Contact with the Surface Wilfredo Lee/AP; Getty Stockton Rush (left) and the Andrea Doria Rush ignored concerns about the weather, and how the currents in the Atlantic, off the coast of Massachusetts, were buffeting the dive platform to and fro. Later, Rush, at the helm of the Cyclops, struggled to begin the dive, Lochridge said: He attempted to take it off, he didnt do it very well. As they descended, Lochridge said, he reminded Rush that they had planned to keep some distance from the wreckage because of the danger it poses to divers who get too close. But Rush rebuffed him, he said, with dont tell me what to do. The Andrea Doria lies relatively close to the surface, only about 250 feet deep compared to the Titanic, at 2-plus miles and the Cyclops crew had a clear sonar image, Lochridge said. Still, Rush smashed straight down on the bottom," seriously limiting visibility, as two of the passengers remarked, Oh my god, we are right on the wreck, Lochridge said. Lochridge advised Rush to assess their surroundings and wait for better visibility before continuing the journey, which is standard practice for any competent submersible pilot, he said. He just kept arguing with me in the sub, very unbecoming of a submersible pilot, Lochridge testified. Im trying to give the best course of action to get him out of it, [but Rush responded with], No matter what, Im doing this. 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. Rush then decided to do an unusual maneuver, Lochridge said, turning the Cyclops about 180 degrees while moving and ended up going full speed into the port side of the bow and we could hear the cracking as he got us jammed in underneath. Im not going to say how foul my language was, Lochridge told Coast Guard investigators on Tuesday, but it wasnt good. At that point, it was unprofessional behavior of him, he started to panic and the first thing was [asking], Do we have enough life support on board? Lochridge said, remembering what happened next. I was like, Stockton of course we have enough life support. We need to get out of here. Rush asked about getting a support dive team from the surface to help, but Lochridge asked to take the controls, he said. Instead, Rush just kept repeating, Were stuck, were stuck, were stuck, Lochridge said. Every time I went to take the controller from him, he pushed it further and further behind him, he testified of Rush. (Elsewhere in his testimony, he commented wryly on the widely discussed fact that OceanGate submersibles were controlled via Playstation controller.) Lochridge said that during the dive to the Andrea Doria, while he had gone to look out into the ocean, from inside the sub, to assess the situation, Rush never once got out of the seat in the back of the sub. Eventually it took one of the paying clients she shouted at Stockton to give me the fing controller. She had tears in her eyes, Lochridge said. Rush obliged, in his way, Lochridge said: He threw the controller at Lochridge and it clattered it off the right side of my head, then hit the ground and one of the buttons came off. (Robust, he quipped of the technology.) Lochridge said he quickly fixed the controller, took the helm and had us out 10-15 minutes. Xinhua/Shutterstock The Titan submersible Once he had pulled the Cyclops back about 160 feet, he admonished Rush, This is what were supposed to do, he said. Rush, he said, was apologetic, telling him, I owe you one, anything I can do for you. Back at the surface, the others celebrated Lochridge for intervening, he said. But more importantly, more dangerously, he testified on Tuesday, It shouldnt have gotten to the stage it got to. If he [Rush] had in any way behaved like any other submersible pilot I know and looked at your surroundings, talked on the radio, on the communications, let the top-side know he didnt do it. Their relationship never recovered from that, Lochridge said. Because people were cheering and the passengers were obviously very grateful for what I did, which to me is just my job, at that point he stopped talking to me, he said, and it went on from there. In the wake of the Andrea Doria incident, Lochridge was phased out of the project completely, he testified. He said he had embarrassed Rush even if I didnt mean to. Publicly, Rush touted the Andrea Doria trip as a success. He said in the press at the time that "given the conditions, we got as much time on the wreck as we could. We have great respect for harsh ocean conditions, and for the history of this infamous wreck, so ensuring the safety of our crew is always our top priority." Related: Photo Shows What Was Left of Titan Sub After Implosion as OceanGate Attorney Says 'There Are No Words' According to The New York Times, Lochridge was fired from OceanGate in 2018 as part of a falling-out after he expressed his concerns about the companys approach to diving, in particular its development of the Titan sub. Lochridge subsequently filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, ABC News reported. It was inevitable something was going to happen, and it was just when, he said on Tuesday. Lochridge and OceanGate were tangled in dueling lawsuits that were later settled, the Times reported. The Coast Guard this week opened what is expected to be a two-week hearing into the Titan implosion that will review testimony from technical experts, crew members, and other relevant parties, and will examine evidence related to the submersibles design, operation, and safety protocols, the Coast Guard has said. Afterward, investigators will submit a final report. OceanGate has since suspended its operations amid the ongoing investigation into what happened. According to the Associated Press, the company says it has cooperated fully with the government probes. Attorney Jane Shvets, representing OceanGate at the hearing, read a brief opening statement on Monday, Sept. 16, in which she said they "offer our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones, among them those here today, of those who died on June 18, 2023." "There are no words to ease the loss endured by the families impacted by this tragic incident," she said, "but we hope that this hearing will help shed light on the cause of the tragedy and prevent anything like this from happening again. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The Titan submersible's lead engineer says he told OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, 'I'm not getting in it' when asked to do a test dive The Titan submersible's lead engineer says he told OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, 'I'm not getting in it' when asked to do a test dive OceanGate's former engineering director said he refused to take a dive in the ill-fated submersible. Tony Nissen testified in a hearing that he had told the CEO, "I'm not getting in it." He said he felt pressured to prepare the Titan submersible for operations. The Titan submersible's lead engineer testified at a hearing that he felt pressured to prepare the ill-fated vessel for operations and even refused to do a test dive in it. OceanGate's former engineering director, Tony Nissen, testified during a Monday hearing by the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation. He was asked in the hearing whether he would have felt comfortable going down for a dive in the Titan. Nissen said that his relationship with CEO Stockton Rush soured after he refused to pilot in the submersible. "I'm not getting in it," Nissen said he had told Rush, adding he did not trust the operations crew of the vessel. And when he was asked whether he felt "rushed to start operations," Nissen replied, "100%." Nissen testified that he was fired in June 2019 because he stopped the team from going to see the Titanic that year. He said he had told them that "it was not working like we thought it would." During the hearing, it was also revealed that the last words the Titan's passengers sent up to its support vessel support ship, Polar Prince, were, "All good here." According to an animated recreation of the Titan's journey presented by the Coast Guard in the Monday hearing, the crew sent the message to Polar Prince about 30 minutes before it lost contact. The hearing in North Charleston, South Carolina, is scheduled to last two weeks. Apart from Nissen, OceanGate employees like Bonnie Carl, its human resources and finance director, and David Lochridge, its operations director, will testify. The hearing comes more than a year after the vessel set off to explore the wreckage of the RMS Titanic, nearly 13,000 feet underwater. After the support vessel lost contact with the submersible, a frantic search and rescue operation ensued. The US Coast Guard and OceanGate finally announced on June 22, 2023, that the submersible had imploded. All five men on board died in the tragic implosion. The victims were OceanGate CEO Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding , British-Pakistani multimillionaire Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman, and the former French navy diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet. Read the original article on Business Insider A single red rose, locked to the fence of the small house on Jackson Street in Gary, carried a simple yet heartfelt message: RIP Tito, Love You Forever. As the news of Tito Jacksons passing spread Monday, visitors from across the country began to gather at the house where the Jackson 5 was born, paying tribute to the man who, alongside his brothers, helped change the face of music. A red rose with a heartfelt message is left on the fence of the Jackson family home in Gary, paying tribute to Tito Jackson after his passing. (Javonte Anderson/Capital B) Jackson, a founding member of the Jackson 5, died on Sunday at the age of 70 after suffering a heart attack while driving to Oklahoma. His passing has profoundly impacted his hometown of Gary, where he and his familys legacy is coiled with the citys history. From locals to fans who traveled from as far as Ohio and England, mourners are making pilgrimages to the familys childhood home, sharing memories and leaving tributes for the beloved musician. It is with a heavy heart that I extend my deepest condolences to the Jackson family on the passing of a true Gary legend, Tito Jackson, said Gary Mayor Eddie Melton. Titos impact on our culture is immeasurable. You will be truly missed. The Jackson familys journey from a small house in the citys Midtown neighborhood to global fame has always been a source of pride for the community. Born and raised in Gary, Jacksons love for music started early. As a child, he would sneak his fathers guitar, playing it behind his back, despite knowing the consequences. After catching him, Joe Jackson punished Tito but later asked him to demonstrate what he could play. Impressed, Joe handed Tito the guitar and instructed him to learn every song on the radio. From there, Titos musical journey began. Soon after, Joe gifted Tito a brand-new red guitar, a moment that cemented Titos passion for the instrument. Tito Jackson performs last month during the Fool in Love Festival at Hollywood Park Grounds in Inglewood, California. (Scott Dudelson/Getty Images) In his autobiography, Moonwalk, Michael Jackson wrote, The house on Jackson Street was bursting with music, with Tito often sneaking to play their fathers guitar. Tito would hoist the guitar onto his belly, Michael recalled. In the quiet morning hours, an artist named Demont Pinder, who flew in from Maryland, set up an easel outside the Jackson home. With a brush in hand, he began painting a portrait of Tito, capturing the image of a young man who would become part of one of the most iconic groups in music history. Demont Pinder paints a portrait of Tito Jackson in front of the Jackson family home in Gary. Pinder was among the mourners who made the trip honor the music legend on Monday. (Javonte Anderson/Capital B) Its only right, Pinder said. I got to do it. As the day wore on, more fans stopped by, admiring Pinders work and sharing stories about how the Jacksons influenced their lives. Tito and his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael formed the Jackson 5, launching to stardom with hits like ABC and Ill Be There. Their soulful harmonies and infectious energy made them teen heartthrobs in the 1970s, and Titos guitar playing became a key part of their signature sound. The outpouring of love and grief following Titos passing has been felt far beyond the city limits. His sons Taj, TJ, and Taryll Jackson posted a heartfelt tribute on their band 3Ts Instagram account, calling their father an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being. They added, It will forever be Tito Time for us. The city of Gary released an official statement honoring Titos contributions to the community: Thank you, Tito, for all you have done for Gary and for the world. You will be truly missed, the city said. Back in Gary, the connection between the Jacksons and their hometown never faded. Titos most recent performance in the city was just this past May, when the Jacksons performed at the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. By late morning, a steady stream of visitors arrived at the Jackson family home. Chris Knople, who traveled from neighboring LaPorte County with his wife, reflected on the deep influence of the Jackson 5 as he stood outside the home. We both grew up listening to the Jackson 5, he said, taking a photo of the house. As the morning traffic around the Jackson home picked up, Pinder stepped back to admire his nearly completed portrait of Jackson. The tempo and blaring horns of Dancing Machine by the Jackson 5 played through his phones speaker, providing the soundtrack as he added the final touches to the painting. The upbeat track, one of the Jackson 5s iconic hits, energized the small crowd gathered to watch Pinders work come to life. Pinders portrait of Tito Jackson rests in front of the Jackson family home in Gary. This is a special place, he said about the Jackson family home. (Javonte Anderson/Capital B) This is what its all about, he said as he brushed the last strokes onto the canvas. This is a special place. The post Tito Jackson Is Honored in Gary with Heartfelt Tributes appeared first on Capital B Gary. Paychex founder and philanthropist Tom Golisano donated $360 million to 82 charities in the Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse areas. Hundreds of people gathered at the Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship Tuesday to hear a "major announcement impacting Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse, New York." While attempting to hold back his tears, billionaire philanthropist Tom Golisano announced plans to donate $360 million to 82 non-profits across upstate New York. "One of my favorite sayings is the only wealth you keep is that which you give away, and Im so lucky to be able to live that out," Golisano said in an emotional speech. The Paychex founder announced that the non-profit organizations, spanning from healthcare, education, animal welfare, disability services and general community needs, will receive unrestricted, multi-year awards ranging from $250,000 to $20 million each. These awards, Golisano said, will be paid over a four-to-five-year period. Members of each organization joined Golisano on stage to accept their award, noting the press conference was the first time any of the organizations learned about these grants. Paychex founder and philanthropist Tom Golisano is greeted by Beth Paul, president of Nazareth University. Golisano donated $360 million to various organizations including several schools and colleges. "I had put most of these organizations in my will so that when I, you know, they would benefit," Golisano said. "But I decided since I didn't think anything was going to happen for the next three weeks, why not give it to them now, so they can use it now." Golisano also announced that he will be awarding $52 million to the Golisano Foundation, increasing the total investment assets to $120 million. Many of the organizations receiving money have been impacted by funding cuts from the United Way of Greater Rochester. Golisano stated he made his decision about donating this money about five weeks ago and though he wasn't able to include every good organization in the community, he said the door is open. Golisano said he has put no restrictions on these donations. He said he is leaving it up to the management of each organization to decide what they will do with this money. Which organizations will receive donations? Paychex found and philanthropist Tom Golisano speaking with the media after he donated $360 million to 82 charities in Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse area. Health: American Cancer Society Hope Lodge - $2 million American Red Cross Rochester - $5 million Daystar Kids - $5 million Mercy Flight - $5 million Niagara Falls Medical Center - $10 million Oishei Children's Hospital - $10 million Rochester Regional Health - $20 million Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester - $2 million Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital (Syracuse) - $10 million Education: Alfred State College - $5 million Allendale Columbia School - $5 million St. John Fisher University - $5 million Aquinas Institute - $5 million Bishop Kearney High School - $5 million Canisius University - $5 million Charles Finney School - $3 million Daemen University - $5 million The Harley School - $5 million Hope Hall - $3 million McQuaid Jesuit - $5 million Niagara University - $10 million Nazareth - $5 million Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women - $5 million Roberts Wesleyan University - $5 million Rochester Institute of Technology - $10 million Intellectual and developmental disability services: Ability Partners, CP Rochester, Rochester Rehab, Happiness House - $5 million Arc Allegany-Steuben - $5 million Arc Chemung-Schuyler - $5 million Arc Erie - $5 million Arc GLOW - $5 million Arc Monroe - $5 million Arc Ontario - $5 million Arc Wayne - $5 million AutismUp - $3 million Best Buddies WNY - $1 million Catholic Charities Family and Community Services -$5 million CDS Life Transitions - $5 million Cobblestone Arts Center - $2 million EPI - $5 million Equicenter - $2 million Golisano Autism Center - $3 million Heritage Christian Services - $5 million Holy Childhood - $5 million Lifetime Assistance - $5 million Mary Cariola - TBD Mozaic (Arc Seneca Cayuga Yates) - $5 million People Inc. - $5 million Springbook - $5 million Starbridge Services - $2 million Summit Center - $5 million Animal Welfare: Better Together Rescue Center - $250,000 Beverly Animal Shelter - $1 million Chautauqua County Humane Society - $1.5 million Chemung County Humane Society - $1 million Finger Lakes SPCA of CNY - $1.5 million Headed for Furever - $250,000 Hornell Area Humane Society - $1.5 million Humane Society of Schuyler County - $1.5 million Humane Society of Yates County - $1.5 million Joyful Rescue - $250,000 Keller's Kats Rescue - $250,000 Lollypop Farm - $2 million Mr. Gray's Strays - $250,000 Operation Freedom Ride - $250,000 Pet Adoption Network - $250,000 Pet Pride of New York - $1.5 million Rochester Emergency Veterinary Services - $1.5 million Rochester Hope for Pets - $250,000 SPCA of Cattaraugus County - $1.5 million SPCA of Allegany County - $1.5 million SPCA of Erie County - $1.5 million Wyoming County SPCA - $1.5 million General community: Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester - $5 million Foodlink - $5 million Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind - $2 million Hillside Family of Agencies - $5 million Lifespan - $2 million Medical Motor Service of Rochester - $2 million Veterans Outreach Center - $2 million WXXI - $2 million Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who edited our Weld Street Project and also did reporting for it. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Tom Golisano donates $360M to upstate NY non-profits: The list The units of the Ukrainian Navy have destroyed Russian ammunition storages near the temporarily occupied city of Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast. Source: press service of the Ukrainian Navy Details: Reportedly, a few days ago the units of the Ukrainian Navy launched a missile attack on Russian critical ammunition storages, detected earlier by Ukraines defence intelligence near the city of Mariupol. Confirmed reports say that both the infrastructure of the storages and tonnes of ammunition, which the Russians stored for later use in the territory of Ukraine, were destroyed as a result of the strike. Quote: "The Ukrainian Navy jointly with the units of other structures of the Defence Forces of Ukraine keeps defeating the enemy on the ground, in the sea and in the air!" Support UP or become our patron! Blackman, left, talking to the chief test pilot at the time, Jimmy Harrison, before displaying the Vulcan at Farnborough in 1958 Tony Blackman, who has died aged 96, was an RAF fighter pilot who later joined Avro, where he tested over 100 of the delta-wing Vulcan bombers and rose to be chief test pilot. He was invited to join Avro in August 1956 by the companys then chief test pilot, the charismatic Roly Falk. Blackmans first test flight was on the second prototype Vulcan, and as more of the iconic aircraft left the production line at Woodford near Manchester, Blackman flight-tested most of them. He also tested the Shackleton Mark 3 maritime patrol aircraft. Blackmans arrival at Avro, the company that had made the Lancaster bomber, coincided with a golden era in British aviation, when the annual Farnborough Air Show thrilled thousands of spectators. The Vulcan, with its unique delta-wing configuration and surprising manoeuvrability, was a star performer in the hands of pilots such as Blackman. A more advanced version of the Vulcan was developed to become the RAFs main strategic bomber. In the spring of 1961 Blackman tested a Mark 2 carrying two dummy Skybolt ballistic missiles mounted on pylons under each wing. By the time production of the Vulcan ceased, Blackman had tested 105 of the 134 built. In July 1967 he was the captain on the maiden flight of the second prototype Nimrod, a converted Comet airframe, and a replacement for the Shackleton. He went on to test the majority of the 54 aircraft built. He also made the first flight, on June 28 1977, of a converted Comet that was to be a test bed for the ill-fated Nimrod Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft that was subsequently cancelled. In 1965 the name Avro was dropped following AV Roe Ltds absorption by Hawker Siddeley. Blackman spent many hours testing and demonstrating the Hawker Siddeley HS 748, a successful twin-engine passenger aircraft. In December 1972 he took the American Howard Hughes on a demonstration flight. Hughes was sufficiently impressed to fly two more sorties with Blackman. In 1970 he was made chief test pilot, and this coincided with converting Victor bombers to be in-flight refuelling tanker aircraft. Blackman became responsible for the flight-testing programme of the aircraft that was to make such a major contribution during the Falklands War in 1982. Hawker Siddeley Aviation merged with the British Aircraft Corporation to become British Aerospace and, a year later, Blackman retired after 22 years service with Avro. In 1970 he was awarded a Queens Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air and four years later was appointed OBE. Anthony Lionel Blackman, the son of a radiologist, was born in Southend on April 6 1928 and educated at Oundle School and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated in Natural Sciences. During his National Service with the RAF he was a maths and physics instructor, before starting his training to be a pilot in 1950. After converting to jet fighters, he joined 11 Squadron to fly the Vampire fighter bomber from Wunstorf in West Germany. With the arrival of the more capable Venom, he transferred to 5 Squadron. On August 21 1953 he took off as the leader of a pair of aircraft. His aircraft suffered severe engine vibration and he made a force-landing, walking away from the damaged Venom. His No 2s aircraft suffered an engine failure and caught fire, but the pilot survived the forced landing. Blackman joined No 13 Course at the Empire Test Pilots School at Farnborough in February 1954. At the end of the one-year course he left for the Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment at Boscombe Down, where he tested and evaluated bomber aircraft. These included the Vulcan, the beginning of his long association with one of Britains greatest postwar aircraft. After retiring from test flying he joined Smiths Industries on their Aerospace Board, initially as technical operations director, and then marketing director, helping to develop the new large electronic displays and flight management systems. On leaving Smiths he joined the board of the UK Civil Aviation Authority as the technical member. In October 2010 he learnt that the new Coalition government had cancelled the Nimrod MRA 4 project, which Blackman considered to have the potential to be the best reconnaissance aircraft in the world. He described the decision as incredible and almost irresponsible. He predicted correctly that the country would be forced to buy from the United States, but it was not until 2020 that a replacement entered service, leaving the RAF without a maritime patrol and anti-submarine capability for 10 years. Blackman was elected a fellow of the American Society of Experimental Test Pilots and of the Royal Institute of Navigation, and was a liveryman of the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators. As well as being a county councillor for Honiton, he became a well-respected author on aviation subjects, writing authoritative books on flight-testing the Vulcan, the Nimrod and the Victor. He also published a memoir, Test Pilot, and a series of mystery novels featuring an aviation insurance investigator, Peter Talbert. His wife Margaret, whom he married in 1956, predeceased him, and he is survived by their son and daughter. Tony Blackman, born April 6 1928, died August 13 2024 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. 'Too dangerous to ignore' Russia's malicious activity in the Baltics set to test NATO resolve Russian intelligence is everywhere. And its propaganda is everywhere, not only in Estonia but all over the world, Estonian President Alar Karis told the Kyiv Independent during an interview on the sidelines of the 20th annual Yalta European Strategy (YES) Conference in Kyiv. Russia has been actively meddling in the domestic affairs of the Baltic states. An Estonian professor was arrested by the Estonian Internal Security Service (ISS or Kapo) in January 2024 on suspicion of being a Russian spy and later sentenced to six years in prison. Meanwhile, Moscow has also been ratcheting up tensions in the Baltic Sea. GPS jamming, disappearing buoys and an aborted "ocean-grab" are just some of the recent events that are raising concerns about the Kremlin's intentions in the region. "Things are coming to the surface again in a very dramatic way at the moment," Elisabeth Braw, a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, tells the Kyiv Independent. Read also: Estonian President Karis: We have to cross all red lines, then start forcing Russia out of Ukraine Testing waters A draft decree posted on the Kremlin's website on May 21 declared Russia would be unilaterally redrawing the maritime border with Lithuania and Finland in the Baltic Sea. Then, as quickly as it appeared, the draft decree vanished on May 22. There has been no public explanation from the Kremlin as to why it was taken down, but Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis described it as "an obvious escalation against NATO and the EU." The map of the Baltic Sea region. (The Kyiv Independent) A day after the draft decree disappeared, so did buoys on the Narva River which mark the separation of Russian and Estonian territory. Both countries agreed on the buoys' location in 2022, but the Kremlin then backtracked and disputed the placement of more than half of the 250 markers, which Russian border guards unilaterally began removing on May 23 without providing an explanation. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas described it as a "border incident" and said it was being investigated. You see quite a lot of change in the Baltics. We are trying to convince our people to spend more on defense, to build up factories, to cooperate more with Ukraine, and to learn everything that we can because we feel that if Ukraine is unable to stop the Russians, then the Russians will not stop, and then who knows what will happen next, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told the Kyiv Independent in an exclusive interview. "If Ukraine is unable to stop the Russians, then the Russians will not stop." The Latvian defense minister shared a similar concern. "We are in a hybrid conflict right now," Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds told the Kyiv Independent on Aug. 23. "Unfortunately, this is the neighbor we are facing," he added. Jamming signal Russia has been suspected of intentionally jamming the GPS systems aboard commercial aircraft for more than a decade, but incidents over the Baltic Sea region have skyrocketed in recent months. According to a report by The Sun in April based on data from the website GPSJAM.org, some 46,000 aircraft have reported problems over the Baltic Sea since the previous August, with most of them occurring in Eastern Europe near borders with Russia. Some incidents have resulted in aircraft having to turn around mid-flight, and even a plane carrying the U.K. defense secretary has been targeted. Describing the phenomenon earlier this year, Landsbergis said it was "getting too dangerous to ignore." While it's almost impossible to definitively prove who is responsible for the GPS jamming, a jammer blocks a signal from the point where it is deployed up to a distance of 350 kilometers for some military-grade models. This photograph shows a boat in the Baltic sea on a surveillance camera of the French navy patrol airplane Atlantique 2 on mission above the Baltic Sea on June 16, 2022. (Fred Tanneau / AFP via Getty Images) This means in order to block GPS signals over the Baltic Sea, the jammer would have to be located in one of the countries surrounding it. Unless NATO countries are engaging in self-sabotage, this leaves one obvious candidate Russia. The Baltic states have also been actively countering a variety of other attacks, including cyber. We have been prepared for cyber-attacks for quite a long time because they started in 2007. We also start to convince also Western parties that this is a very important issue, President Karis told the Kyiv Independent. Read also: Lithuanian FM: West chose to be caught off guard by Russias invasion Military intentions Back in May, an ominous warning was issued by NATO's newest member, Sweden. Micael Byden, the supreme commander of the Swedish Armed Forces, said Putin may be seeking dominance over the Baltic Sea and has his eye on the Swedish island of Gotland. Located around 330 kilometers (around 200 miles) north of the Russian exclave Kaliningrad, Gotland is Sweden's largest island, and its central location means it is of vital strategic importance in the Baltic Sea. "Who controls Gotland controls the Baltic Sea," said Byden. NATO military exercises in the Black Sea in June were another reminder of how much things have changed in a short time. Twenty NATO member states, including the recently added Sweden and Finland, put forward 9,000 troops, 50 ships, and 45 aircraft to take part in the drills. What does Russia have in the region? As well as having direct access to the Baltic Sea through its most eastern arm in the Finnish Gulf, Russia also has the exclave of Kaliningrad, a small piece of land sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania. Russia's Baltic Sea Fleet has its headquarters and main base in Kaliningrad, with another base in Baltiysk. Western analysts have described the size and power of the Baltic Sea Fleet as "somewhat limited," and when Russia conducted military exercises in the Baltic Sea in August 2023, around 30 warships and boats were set to take part, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. But that's not all Russia possesses in Kaliningrad. "Kaliningrad is essentially a Russian weapons depot, and it has a lot of militarily operational equipment in use, not just in storage," Braw said. According to a December 2023 article by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Russia has amassed a "formidable" arsenal of weapons in the exclave in recent years that includes "cruise missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and nuclear weapons." So what's going on? Without a direct line to the Kremlin, it's impossible to know for certain, and expert opinion varies from an escalating hybrid war to an outright intention to invade the Baltic states Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The top officials from all three states are well aware of such a possibility. When we add up the number of troops, missiles, tanks, and money, Russia is nowhere near the power that it was during the Soviet Union when it could match NATO, Landsbergis told the Kyiv Independent. In real military scenarios, it's incomparable. NATO could overwhelm Russia. But the Russians are not counting on that. They are counting on how they explain it to themselves democratic weakness, inability to make decisions, differences in opinions, he added. "NATO could overwhelm Russia." Throughout 2024, Western and NATO officials have been sounding the alarm on Russia's expansionist ambitions beyond Ukraine. Denmark's Defence Minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, said on Feb. 9 Russia could attack a NATO country "within a threeto five-year period." A top German general a day later said Germany should be prepared for a war with Russia within the next five years. And a senior Estonian official told the Financial Times (FT) in the same month that Russias "intent and capability to attack a NATO country before the end of the decade was "pretty much consensus" within the military alliance. If accurate, a simple matter of geography puts the Baltic states in the crosshairs of these future scenarios. A Swedish navy military hovercraft travels during the Baltic Operations NATO military drills (Baltops 22) in the Stockholm archipelago, the 30,000 islands, islets and rocks off Sweden's eastern coastline on June 11, 2022. (Jonas Gratzer/Getty Images) Servicemen belonging to Stockholm's Amphibious Regiment are seen during the Baltops 24 military exercises on the island of Uto, located in the archipelago of Stockholm, Sweden, on June 11, 2024. Baltops is the largest regional joint of navy and defense branches of armies carrying out integrated military operations within NATO framework in the Baltic Sea region, including Sweden and Finland as the new members of the alliance. (Narciso Contreras/Anadolu via Getty Images) While on paper, NATO is far more powerful than Russia, Dr. Jan Kallberg, a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, Washington D.C., and a fellow at the Army Cyber Institute at West Point, said the Kremlin could be relying on an inefficient and incoherent response from the military bloc to offset this. "They maybe think the Western leadership isn't tough enough to stand up when things really hit the fan," he tells the Kyiv Independent, adding: "They might think that they can act quickly and the West won't have the time to do force generation in the area and they can, with little means, just capture the Baltics and the West faces a fait accompli. "Their bet is that the Western leadership would cave in," Kallberg said. Two days after Kallberg spoke to the Kyiv Independent, a Russian think tank with a large influence on Kremlin policy said Moscow should consider a "demonstrative" nuclear explosion to dissuade the West from allowing its weapons to be used to strike inside Russia. Such a nuclear scenario is, according to some Western officials, already enough to worry the U.S. to the point where Washington has taken preemptive steps to prevent it. Russia knows very well that it's not the only nuclear power in Europe and in the world. I don't think we are going to test a nuclear attack on any country, President Karis said, however. Latvian Foreign Minister Spruds is also measured in his assessment, saying that for Latvia and the other Baltic states, it's "nothing new for us." "For us, there is no need to panic because we've been used to hybrid activities already for years," he said, adding: "It's cyber attacks, it's weaponization of illegal migration, it's disinformation campaigns, it's some incidents against critical infrastructure. "So we've seen it, and we are experiencing it permanently." Read also: The goal should be strategic defeat of Russia Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds Does Russia want war in the Baltic Sea region? As alarming as the prospect of further Russian invasions, naval assaults, and "demonstrative" nuclear explosions are, Braw cautions against getting too wrapped up in looking for outright signs of military aggression. "Frankly, I don't think taking over the Baltic states is Russia's first objective," she said. "If you invade a country, if you break it, you own it and occupying and administering occupied territory is extremely cumbersome, as Russia is seeing in Ukraine. I think weakening them, destabilizing them, and making them in many ways failed states is more what Russia wants, Braw added. Braw points to things like GPS jamming forcing and the mysterious disappearing decrees on maritime borders as actions designed to waste the time and resources of the Baltic governments and "making them uncertain about what's next." A Russian naval ship takes part in the rehearsal of the Naval Parade in the morning in St. Petersburg in the Gulf of Finland on July 21, 2024. (Artem Priakhin/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) "And this is intended to create a sense of paranoia and inferiority where you eventually say, 'we just have to live with a great deal of Russian influence in the region," she added. Braw also points out that there is little NATO can do about such things as it's only set up to respond to overt military aggression. "The Russians have been imaginative before, this is what they're good at," she said. "They think of different ways of harming other countries, achieving their goals, and they do it underneath the threshold of Article 5, which means the affected countries struggle to respond. Kallberg agrees that if the situation in the Baltic Sea escalates further, whatever comes next won't be an outright declaration of war but something designed to test NATO's response. For us, it's very important to keep this transatlantic bond. As far as defense (goes), the U.S. should be number one (leading) in this case, President Karis said. Read also: Its personal Why Germany still refuses to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Dental Hygienist Elizabeth Valdivia, right, cleans the teeth of Armani Allen, 2, as his mom, Nicole Nelson, of Long Beach, holds him at the Oral Health Education Center in October. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Eight years after an independent state watchdog agency harshly criticized the state for failing to provide dental care to low-income children, California has failed to remedy the problem or fully implement the commission's recommendations, according to a follow-up review published last week. The Little Hoover Commission found that less than half of the children in Medi-Cal received an annual dental visit in 2022 3% higher than when the initial report was released in 2016, which implored the state to do more to ensure that children have access to needed care. "California is still doing a miserable job," said Pedro Nava, chair of the commission and a former member of the state Assembly. "We have failed generations of children. We and they deserve better." The 2016 report was one of the most scathing reports that the commission had generated in years, Nava said. It found that only 44.5% of children in the Medi-Cal program had a visit with a dentist in 2016, a key indicator of whether children are receiving the care they need to prevent painful dental decay, and recommended that the state increase the rate to 66%. Lawmakers responded with a law requiring the health department to set a target of at least 60% of children. Read more: California kids have some of the worst teeth in the nation. Here's why Last fall, after the publication of an L.A. Times story on high rates of dental disease among California children, the commission initiated a follow-up review of the state's progress. It found that the state had fallen far short of the goal; in 2022, the most recent data provided in the report, 47.6% of children with Medi-Cal visited a dentist, a 3-percentage-point increase from 2016. "If you were an investor in a private company, and that was the best they could do, you'd sell your stock and invest it somewhere else," Nava said. "It is a disappointment that low-income families with children have to shoulder the burden of this every day." California has made some improvements since 2016, the report said, fully implementing one recommendation and partially implementing seven of the commission's eight others. The state health department, however, disputes those findings and said they have fully implemented all of the recommendations from the 2016 report. The percentage of kids going to the dentist had been increasing significantly, they said up to 49.6% in 2019 but the pandemic interrupted that growth. "California, along with every other state in the nation, was profoundly impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtually every state within the U.S. decreased and had a recovery period that lasted at least two years to return to pre-COVID figures," the Department of Health Care Services wrote in a statement provided to The Times. Since 2016, the department has made a number of important changes, the department wrote, including expanding the use of tele-dentistry to reach members across the state, increasing provider networks and creating a public education and outreach media campaign for Medi-Cal patients and providers. In 2023 the percentage of children who visited the dentist "recovered to 2019 levels. Even higher utilization is projected in 2024," the health department said, although data have not been been released on this upward trend. I don't think this response really questions the fact that they have not come close to reaching the recommendation set by the Legislature of 60% of kids getting in to see the dentist, let alone our rate of 66%," said Ethan Rarick, executive director of the Little Hoover Commission. "Kids' dental health is among the worst in the country, and much more needs to be done. Read more: Help keep kids' teeth cavity-free with these tips California children have among the worst rates of dental disease in the nation. A national survey from 2020 to 2021 found that 14.8% of the states children ages 1 to 17 had decayed teeth or cavities in the last 12 months studied ranking 47th out of 51 among all the states and the District of Columbia, with only Louisiana and Wyoming faring worse. "I don't understand," Nava said. "If you're the fifth-largest economy in the world, you ought to be a leader in children's health." Nationwide, more than half of children develop cavities by the age of 8, usually because of poor nutrition, bad hygiene habits or a lack of dental care. The reality of dental disease can be devastating to children, causing pain and difficulty eating, sleeping and focusing in school, and low-income children of color are at greatest risk. L.A. Countys Smile Survey, which was conducted by the public health department, found that on any given day, more than 4,500 Los Angeles County kindergarten and third-grade children need urgent dental care, which means they may be experiencing mouth pain or a serious infection. The state increased the payment rate for evaluating a child's teeth, for example, from $15 to $45, and up to $100 if a dentist sees the same child two years in a row, according to the California Dental Assn. The reimbursement for a filling increased from $48 to $67.20. These rate increases were funded by Proposition 56, a 2016 tobacco tax that raised money for Medi-Cal payments, and by CalAIM, a state initiative to transform Medi-Cal. The Proposition 56 money was also used to fund county oral health plans and repay student loans for new dentists. The state has made it easier for dentists to enroll as Medi-Cal providers by simplifying the enrollment forms and putting them online, the report said. It also began a pilot program for telehealth to help bring care to healthcare deserts through the Dental Transformation Initiative. Read more: Patients phoning for Medi-Cal help are hit with hourlong waits, disconnections, audit finds Between the Medi-Cal payment rate and fewer administrative burdens, dentists appear to have taken note: 40% of all California dentists in the state now take Medi-Cal, a 34% increase since 2017, according to the dental association. The program had such a huge hole to dig out of, and COVID really derailed everything," said Brianna Pittman-Spencer, senior director of government affairs at the California Dental Assn. "There have been improvements but obviously still a long way to go for the impact we want." Eileen Espejo, who leads the oral health project at Children Now, said she was pleased to see that the state had at least started to implement most of the recommendations, but that the numbers suggest the approach may not be working. "If were going to do better, it doesnt seem like we should do more than the same," she said. Read more: A guide to early learning: Back to school edition In particular, she worries about children in far northern counties and those bordering Nevada, where dentists are hard to find. Twenty-one counties have five or fewer dental providers that take Medi-Cal, the report found. How are we going to get providers to live in parts of the state where they arent yet?" she asked, adding that using more telehealth dentistry and allowing dental hygienists to provide more care could be part of the solution. "Hopefully this report will light a fire and get more people engaged," Espejo said. "I certainly think it opens the pathway for advocates to ask for more resources to help improve the program." This article is part of The Times early childhood education initiative, focusing on the learning and development of California children from birth to age 5. For more information about the initiative and its philanthropic funders, go to latimes.com/earlyed. 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. TOPEKA (KSNT) City of Topeka crews will be closing an intersection on Topeka Boulevard for almost a week to complete mill and overlay work. Robert Bidwell with the City of Topeka issued a press release on Tuesday, Sept. 17 regarding an upcoming road construction project at the intersection of Southwest 37th Street and Topeka Boulevard. The project will last a total of five days and is due to start on Monday, Sept. 23 depending on weather conditions. Drivers will be directed to take one of four different detour routes when approaching the intersection. These include: (Photo Courtesy/City of Topeka) Northbound drivers from the Topeka Boulevard/I-470/Kansas Avenue intersection, east on Kansas Avenue and follow it north to 29th Street. Traffic then follows the existing detour route north to 12th Street then west to Topeka Boulevard. Southbound motorists from Topeka Boulevard and Huntoon Street proceed east on Huntoon Street/12th Street to Kansas Avenue. Traffic then continues south on Kansas Avenue until it curves west to Topeka Boulevard. Eastbound drivers from 37th Street and Burlingame Road head north on Burlingame Road to 29th Street, then move east to Kansas Avenue and south to 37th Street. Westbound motorists go from 37th Street and Kansas Avenue move north on Kansas Avenue to 29th Street then west to Burlingame Road and south to 37th Street. FBI called to investigate suspicious packages found at Topeka state office building Bidwell said both 37th Street and Topeka Boulevard will stay open to local traffic to get to businesses and residences up to the intersection closure. After this current project is completed and open again, mill and overlay work will move on 37th Street between Topeka Boulevard and Kansas Avenue. Traffic will be brought down to one lane in each direction on 37th Street with all work slated to end on Nov. 11, 2024. 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. AUSTIN (Nexstar) One year ago from Monday, the Texas Senate acquitted Attorney General Ken Paxton of all charges accusing him of corruption, bribery, and abuse of office in Texas second-ever impeachment of a statewide official. The historic trial attracted national intrigue to an already-salacious Texas Capitol, but its dramatic conclusion was just one chapter in an ongoing political saga, rather than the end. The political rifts triggered an earthquake still yet to settle. PREVIOUS: Paxton impeachment trial coverage The trial was an initiating event for things that were latent that finally got a chance to come to the surface, House District 65 Republican nominee Mitch Little told Nexstar. Little gained notoriety as one of Paxtons defense attorneys during the trial, springing him to victory in the Republican primary in his North Texas House district. He beat a Republican who voted to impeach Paxton, and for that reason. Barring a significant electoral shift, he will be in the House as an outspoken reformer come January. You had animosity over how the House was led, that it wasnt driving conservative principles. The House was essentially functioning, in large part, as an enemy of the grassroots. And then the impeachment of Ken Paxton really brought all of that to the surface, he said. Conservatives like Little and many of the dozen-plus up-and-coming Republicans who ousted their incumbents take issue with some institutional mechanisms of the House. They want to stop appointing members of the minority party to chair committees, a longstanding practice meant to encourage bipartisanship. They want to oust the House Parliamentarian, meant to be a neutral arbiter of House rules but one some conservatives see as killing conservative bills for technical infractions. And they want to codify impeachment procedures to require more representation and transparency than was granted to Paxton last year. Did they have the right to investigate Ken Paxton? Theres no question they did. The problem is not whether they had the authority to do it. The problem is whether they did it correctly and whether the concerns were legitimate, Little said. If you have the accused person with an opportunity to be represented by counsel and to introduce evidence in that process, a lot of this could have been resolved on the front end. To be sure, The Texas House under Speaker Dade Phelans leadership has been one of the most conservative legislative bodies in the nation passing bans on abortion and college diversity programs, approving billions of dollars for border security and tax cuts, and allowing Texans to carry firearms without training or a license. Still, procedural critiques have led to a growing field of challengers gunning for Speaker Phelans post. Phelan faced a formidable primary challenger backed by the likes of Donald Trump and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. He survived a runoff by 366 votes. There are now six representatives running for speaker Tom Oliverson, Shelby Slawson, David Cook, James Frank, John Smithee, and Ana-Maria Ramos. Ramos, notably, is the only Democrat to run for the top post in the Republican chamber. She said her top priority is supporting public schools and defending against Gov. Greg Abbotts push to subsidize private school tuition with state dollars. We havent had somebody to really go out there and fight, Ramos told Nexstar. Whatever it takes to protect our public schools, it does not have to be me. I will do whatever it takes and unified as a party, but we need to stay unified to protect our public schools. For his part, Phelan is intent on maintaining the post. He is unlikely to secure a majority of Republican votes, though. Hell need to win with large Democratic support. Little thinks that path is politically perilous. (I) think that is very perilous, not only for the legislative session, which is going to be in total war, but its perilous for those Republicans who decide to work in league with the Democrats to reappoint Dade Phelan as a speaker, Little said. I think theyll be facing the primary battles of their lives. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CANTON, Conn. (WTNH) How would you like to adopt a four-day work week? The Town of Canton is doing just that. They just launched the new schedule for four months to start, in a pilot program aimed at enhancing services for residents while giving staff a shorter work week. Two Conn. towns try 4-day work week Town officials hope despite being closed Fridays, the extended hours during the week will make town services more accessible to residents needing in-person assistance. Plus, they expect a cost savings for taxpayers, with town buildings being closed Fridays. Many of the reasons residents visit town hall can be accomplished electronically as we have seen a decline in foot traffic throughout the years, First Selectman Kevin Witkos said in a statement. Additionally, the four-day work week for town staff recognizes the proper work-life balance that we believe will have a positive effect on our talented hard-working staff and enable them to better serve the community Monday -Thursday, he continued. Could the U.S. adopt a four-day workweek? Starting Monday, Sept. 16, the Town Hall and Senior & Social Services Department revised their hours. The Town Hall will now operate: Monday and Tuesday: 8 am. to 5 p.m. Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday: Closed The Senior & Social Services Department will now operate: Monday through Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Friday: Closed Other local towns have adopted the four-day work week, including Plainville, Vernon, and Mansfield. Canton officials encourage residents to submit their thoughts on the new schedule to 4dayworkweek@townofcantonct.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 WTNH.com. Andrew Gibson will travel 500 miles by tractor with a message to farmers to 'harvest' their prostate health [BBC] A former paramedic, whose prostate cancer diagnosis came "out of the blue", is embarking on a 500-mile tractor road trip to raise awareness about the illness amongst rural communities. Andrew Gibson, 58, from Chipping Sodbury, near Bristol, found out he was unwell when he collapsed while refereeing an amateur rugby match in 2020. Four years later, after extensive treatment, he said he is taking the message to farmers to "harvest" their prostate health. Mr Gibson set off earlier and will travel for two days by tractor, to and from his former ambulance station in Lancashire, to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK. "Research shows people living in rural areas, and farmers in particular, are less likely to engage in preventative health measures, including cancer screenings, which are so simple," he said. "I wanted to try and make the farming community much more aware, particularly men, of their personal health, in particular with prostate cancer." Mr Gibson, 58, collapsed while refereeing an amateur rugby match in 2020 [Harvest your prostate health] Mr Gibson said his prostate cancer diagnosis came as a massive shock. "I took my health for granted," he said. "Even when I started to feel the odd twinge, stiffness and pain it was put down to leading a highly active lifestyle something I now know was a big, missed opportunity, which has cost me dearly. "Suddenly, overnight, my world had changed." He was originally told that he only had two years to live but believes his treatment has helped him survive longer. He has urged others to see a doctor "the minute they noticed anything different". 'Question their symptoms' The prostate is a small gland in the pelvis. The causes of prostate cancer are largely unknown, but most cases develop in men aged 50 or older, and it is more common in black men, according to the NHS. Mr Gibson sets off on a loaned Demonstrator T6/T7 tractor from the Badminton Estate, in Gloucestershire, heading to Hoghton Tower, near his former ambulance station in Chorley, Lancashire. The following day he will drive the return leg, finishing at the Bristol GenesisCare outpatient cancer centre, where he has been receiving treatment. "Im determined to spend the time Ive got left to spread the word to the highly active farming community not to dismiss the aches and pains and to harvest your prostate health," Mr Gibson said. "If my story can help others to recognise or question their own symptoms and get tested, then Ill be delighted." Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this story Related internet links This story was updated to correct a misspelling/typo. A black bear with only two legs was sighted in the mountains of West Virginia. Kirk Price, an outdoorsman based in West Virginia, told USA TODAY Monday that his trail camera spotted the two-legged animal in the Appalachian Mountains in southwest West Virginia. Price, who shared videos and images of the two-legged bear captured by his trail camera on Instagram, said he believes the bear to be an approximately 8-year-old male. Price said he first found out about the bear in 2018, and the animal was "smaller then and has almost doubled in size since originally spotted." "At that point he was already walking around by himself and was not a cub," Price told USA TODAY over email. "A cub usually stays with their mother until close to 2 years old." Watch video of two-legged bear Price said while he has only seen the bear once in person, he and several others have seen the animal multiple times on trail camera photos and videos over the years. "Hes very (elusive) and is rarely spotted in person," Price said. "He lives in the mountains. Believe it or not he moves around quite a bit. He has roughly a 5-mile radius." In a 2022 video posted to YouTube, Price spoke about his experience of witnessing a two-legged bear live and said when he got up close to the bear, the animal had "clean nubs" making him believe it was born that way. Price, who was with his dogs in the area, said the bear looked healthy and ran up the hill after he got his dogs away from the animal. The bear has not been given a name by those who have seen him, and Price said they "normally just refer to him as the 'two-legged bear'." The rare find is reminiscent of a two-legged bear named Pedals, who was spotted many times in New Jersey before he was believed to have been killed during a hunt in 2016. 'Truly amazing' bear While many users on Price's Instagram post speculated that the bear's lack of front legs are the doing of a hunter, Price says he "firmly believes" the bear was born with only two hind legs and the absence of his front legs is not because of any external factors. "I firmly believe he was born that way and has overcome all odds. Thats what the focus should be on. This bear is truly amazing," the outdoorsman added. Price further said that hunters should be not suspected to be the bad guy in the story. Price said that while he himself is a hunter and hunts bears and eats them regularly, he is also a "firm believer in conservation" and loves seeing them "thrive on the landscape." "This particular bear is special, and I would never purposely hunt him," Price said. USA TODAY has reached out to the West Virginia Department of National Resources for more information about sightings of the animal. 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: Two-legged bear seen in West Virginia's Appalachian Mountains: Video British commuters have long had to cope with a host of excuses regarding poor service, but squirrels refusing to leave the train may well be a new one... - David Sloane Squirrels forced the cancellation of a train service after they got on board and refused to leave. The two rodents reportedly started to attack rush-hour commuters on Mondays 8.54am Great Western Railway (GWR) service from Reading to Gatwick after they attempted to hitch a ride. Witnesses said pandemonium ensued as passengers ran off the train at Gomshall, Surrey, and the conductor attempted to force the squirrels to get off the carriage. One of them was successfully seen onto the platform further on in the route, but the other could not be shifted and the service was cancelled. The saga began when the train stopped at Gomshall, a Surrey village, at 9.47am when the pair of unwanted passengers jumped aboard the rear carriage. A spokesman for GWR joked they had done so without tickets. The squirrels started to attack those on board, prompting them to flee onto the platform and get into other carriages, The Sun reported. A source told the newspaper: It was complete pandemonium. The squirrels got into the rear carriage and attacked people. All the passengers ran off the train and got another carriage. The conductor then had to lock the doors to stop the squirrels moving up the train. The train continued on its journey until it arrived at Redhill, its penultimate destination. Staff members at the station spent half an hour attempting to lure the squirrels off the train using broomsticks, a telescopic grabber and peanuts. They succeeded in getting one of the rodents off the train but the other refused to leave. Railway bosses decided to terminate the service altogether and send the train back to Reading, where it originated. The decision meant some passengers heading to Gatwick were in danger of missing their flights. A spokesman for GWR said: We can confirm that the 08.54 Reading to Gatwick was terminated at Redhill after a couple of squirrels boarded the train at Gomshall without tickets, breaching railway byeclaws. We attempted to remove them at Redhill, but one refused to leave and was returned to Reading to bring an end to this nutty tail. 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. AUSTIN (KXAN) Travis County leaders filed on Tuesday a federal complaint against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, arguing his lawsuit attempted to violate the National Voter Registration Act and suppress voter registration efforts. Earlier this month, Paxton filed the lawsuit over the Travis County Commissioners Courts Aug. 27 decision to contract with Civic Government Solutions (CGS) a company that uses a subscription model to provide access to a proprietary database of potentially unregistered voters. With that database, Travis County leaders planned to send out voter registration cards to eligible voters. READ MORE: Paxton sues Travis County over approved agenda item regarding voter registration The National Voter Registration Act, among other things, made it a duty of local government to take affirmative acts, to locate and register eligible voters and mail voter registration applications, said Travis County Judge Andy Brown at a press conference. Thats exactly what Travis County did, and the Attorney General of Texas didnt like it, he continued. Paxtons lawsuit filed on Sept. 6 said that Travis County officials hired CGS, which Paxton said is partisan. Paxton said in his lawsuit the company is, [interested] in getting people to vote for progressive candidates. Travis County has blatantly violated Texas law by paying partisan actors to conduct unlawful identification efforts to track down people who are not registered to vote, Paxton said in a press release. Programs like this invite fraud and reduce public trust in our elections. We will stop them and any other county considering such programs. Paxtons lawsuit named four members of the Travis County Commissioners Court, Travis County Andy Brown and Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector Bruce Elfant. Civic Government Solutions was omitted from the lawsuit. At the press conference, Travis County Attorney Delia Garza said the county filed several pleadings in response to Paxtons lawsuit, including the federal complaint, an overturning of the injunction, and a notice to transfer the lawsuit from state to federal court. In Texas, in this country, we still value the things that are foundational to us things like voting, things like registering to vote, things like making sure people have a voice in their government, Garza said. Travis County Tax Assessor and Voter Registrar, Bruce Elfant, said Texas ranks 29th among states in voter registration and 34th in turnout, and is lacking in advancements to change that. Texas is still one of only eight states that does not allow online voter registration. Travis County leaders said the federal court will decide on whether to hold a hearing at a later date. Counties have a duty to register eligible Texans to vote and should do everything they can to lower barriers and help people engage in this democratic process, which is exactly what we are doing while Ken Paxton works to undermine trust in our democratic process, Brown said. Travis County will fight to preserve the right to vote. The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming November election in Travis County is October 7th. Cora Neas and Anthony Torres 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 KXAN Austin. From new treatments to AI: advances in the fight against cancer A range of new anti-cancer research was unveiled at the European Society For Medical Oncology in Barcelona (Manaure QUINTERO) (Manaure QUINTERO/AFP/AFP) From combining treatments in unprecedented ways to deploying artificial intelligence for personalised medicine, a raft of new advances in the fight against cancer have been presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), which ends on Tuesday. Here are some of the big announcements made at the five-day conference held in the Spanish city of Barcelona, which brought together 30,000 specialist doctors and researchers from around the world. - Breastfeeding after cancer - Women who breastfeed after receiving treatment for breast cancer do not have a higher risk of their cancer returning or of getting new tumours, according to two international studies presented at the conference. This was also true for women carrying a genetic mutation called BRCA, which significantly increases the chance of developing breast cancer, the research found. There had previously been concerns about pregnancy and breastfeeding after women had been diagnosed with breast cancer, because both can affect hormone levels. "These results are key for women who wish to become pregnant and breastfeed their baby after breast cancer," said Fedro Alessandro Peccatori, a researcher and doctor at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan. - New combination for lung cancer - Immunotherapy, which stimulates the body's immune system to fight tumours, has already been shown to be an effective weapon against lung cancer. On Saturday, the results of a phase two trial revealed promising signs against metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, which is when the most common form of lung cancer spreads to other parts of the body. The trial tested a new combination of two different immunotherapies along with chemotherapy. "By aiming at a second target of the immune system and combining these treatments, it seems that we are improving response rates -- that is, the number of patients who have their tumours shrink," Nicolas Girard, an oncologist at France's Curie Institute, told AFP. - Rare pregnancy-linked cancer - Another combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy produced excellent results against a very rare form of pregnancy-related cancer which develops in the placenta. The cancer only occurs in around one out of every 10,000 pregnancies. The combination of treatments led to 96 percent of the cancer in patients being eradicated. "This is an exceptional result," said Benoit You, a France-based oncologist who presented the research. - AI for personalised medicine? - A huge artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm trained on a database of more than a billion images of tumours from around 30,000 patients in the United States also showed promise for future cancer treatment, researchers said Monday. The model is capable of "detecting a certain number of molecular anomalies and mutations that the human eye is not always able to see," Fabrice Andre, research head at France's Gustave Roussy cancer centre, told AFP. In the long term, the doctors hope this kind of AI will be able to help them offer personalised treatments for each patient. - Hope for saving affected organs - One of the main messages to come out of the ESMO conference was that combining immunotherapy with radiation therapy before surgery improves the overall survival rates for a growing number of cancers, including for the breast, bladder and cervix. But receiving these kinds of treatments ahead of surgery seems to also allow for the affected organs themselves to be saved, Andre said. "Organ preservation is absolutely essential to have a quality of life that is as close as possible to normal," he said. Research presented on Monday showed encouraging results for preserving rectums in patients with cancer affecting this important part of the digestive tract. This only occurs after the treatments have caused the tumour to completely vanish. "Until now the standard was surgery, but it seems we are entering a new era where surgery could be avoided," said David Sebag- Montefiore, an oncologist and researcher at the UK's University of Leeds. There are hopes that this treatment combination could also have the potential to work for other cancers, such as those of the ear, nose and throat -- or lungs. ito/dl/fg Jury selection began Tuesday in the murder trial of a man accused of strangling his ex-wife in Yonkers in 1997 after the judge ruled the defendant was not unfairly prejudiced by the long delay in charging him in the case. Westchester County Judge George Fufidio rejected the defense assertion that Rafael Ramos could not get a fair trial after so many years with Fufidio even suggesting that the long wait actually hurt prosecutors because new testing excluded Ramos as the source of DNA on a key piece of evidence. "The Court finds that the People did not act in bad faith by bringing charges against the Defendant when they did and that the delay in the case is excusable," Fufidio wrote in his decision Friday following a so-called Singer hearing last month, in which he heard from the original detectives and prosecutors about why no charges were brought earlier. Ramos, a former Sing Sing correction officer, was indicted last year on a charge of second-degree murder in the March 9, 1997, death of 34-year-old Nusinaida Ramos in her Colin Street home. The mother of two was strangled with a shirt and beaten and her body was discovered the next day when the family went to check on her. Rafael Ramos, right, at his arraignment in Westchester County Court on June 14, 2023, after his lawyer, Vincent deMarte entered a not guilty plea on a charge of second-degree murder in the March 9, 1997, killing of Ramos' estranged wife Nusinaida Ramos in her Yonkers apartment. Ramos' girlfriend initially provided alibi for him Ramos and his girlfriend had picked up his son and daughter from the Colin Street home for a scheduled visitation on March 9. He told detectives the next day that he had only gone into the house to use the bathroom and denied any involvement in the killing. The original lead detective and prosecutor in the case, Christopher Deering and Steven Vandervelden, respectively, testified at the hearing that Ramos was not initially considered a suspect, primarily once the girlfriend had provided an alibi for his whereabouts the rest of the day of the killing. But after she and Ramos broke up she recanted the alibi, claiming in 2006 in sworn testimony to Assistant District Attorney Julia Cornacchio that Ramos had left her and the children alone in the Bronx for more than 90 minutes on March 9. Nusinaida Ramos in an undated photo. The 34-year-old mother of two young children was killed in her Colin Street home in Yonkers on March 9, 1997. Her estranged husband, Rafael Ramos, was charged with second-degree murder on June 14, 2023. Cornachio was not called as a witness at the hearing. But Yonkers cold case Det. John Geiss who had the case from 2002 until his retirement two years ago testified that despite the woman's recantation, Cornachio did not think she had enough to win a conviction and directed him to continue investigating and submit evidence for further forensic testing. Inheriting a cold case When Assistant District Attorney Daniel Flecha became head of the cold case unit and inherited the case in recent years, he checked whether new technology could help the investigation. Advanced testing was performed and the results provided two unknown male DNA profiles from the shirt Nusinaida was wearing when she was killed. Ramos' ex-girlfriend was hesitant to continue helping in the investigation, Flecha testified, and he decided the case was not going to get better as far as the evidence was concerned, Fufidio wrote in his ruling. So Flecha requested permission to seek an indictment and it was granted. It was only after Ramos was indicted that testing revealed he was not the source of the DNA found on the T-shirt. Defense lawyers Lynda Visco and Andrew Restivo argued that prosecutors are going to trial with essentially the same evidence they had in 2006, but offered no specific reasons why Ramos was prejudiced by the delay in charging him. Fufidio agreed with prosecutors that there had been insufficient evidence to charge Ramos initially and found that they had not waited just to gain some tactical advantage. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Man accused of strangling ex-wife in Yonkers in 1997 to face trial Here are several storylines to follow this week in the Coulee Region. Wisconsin's AFL-CIO Union Conference brings national union officials to La Crosse National AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su will address members of Wisconsin's AFL-CIO chapter at their biennial convention Monday morning. The theme of the conference will be Union Pride Union Power. Shuler is expected to discuss the union's policy and political victories as well as goals for the 2024 election and beyond. Su will make keynote remarks to the chapter in the afternoon. The convention is being held Sept. 16 through 17 at the La Crosse Center. Capella Weddings & Events three-day grand opening event With renovations complete, Capella Weddings & Events will be hosting its grand opening event in the historic First Methodist Episcopal Church. The three-day event will feature live piano and jazz music, a concert and fundraiser dinner by the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, tours of the space, food and drinks, and a pop-up maker's market. La Crosse County Board of Supervisors meet Thursday After the board's planning meeting and other committee meetings were canceled last week, the full board is set to convene on Thursday. Board members are set to hear a presentation on the 2025 budget, which was originally scheduled for last week, among other items on the agenda. The owner of a gun store testified Monday that Illinois ban on the sale of assault-style weapons and large capacity magazines has had a significant impact on his business and prevented his customers from buying items they would normally use for self-defense, hunting, target shooting or other legal activities. Scott Pulaski, who owns Piasa Armory in East Alton, Illinois, was the opening witness in a federal trial challenging the constitutionality of the states assault weapons ban, formally known as the Protect Illinois Communities Act, or PICA. The trial before Judge Stephen McGlynn involves numerous plaintiffs gun store owners, gun rights advocacy groups, and private individuals who argue the law violates the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects the right of individuals to keep and bear arms. Illinois lawmakers passed the ban in 2023 following a mass shooting the prior year at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park that left seven people dead and dozens more injured. The alleged shooter in that case used a Smith & Wesson M&P-15 semiautomatic rifle, which is among the dozens of types of weapons now restricted under the new law. In opening statements, plaintiffs attorney Andrew Lothson said the law should be ruled unconstitutional because it restricts access to weapons commonly used for lawful purposes. He also cited a legal standard set out in the U.S. Supreme Courts most recent ruling on Second Amendment rights, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, arguing there is no historical tradition in the United States of regulating such weapons that dates back to the founding of the Constitution. But Assistant Illinois Attorney General Christopher Wells said in his opening statement that weapons primarily designed for use by the military are not protected under the Second Amendment. He said the state plans to call two expert witnesses with military backgrounds who will testify that the AR-style semiautomatic rifles restricted under PICA are not materially different from the M-16 rifles commonly used in the military, except for the fact that the M-16 has a setting allowing it to be fired as a fully automatic weapon. Plaintiffs on Monday tried to preempt that argument by calling their own expert witness, retired Marine Corps Gunner Jeff Eby, who said in his opinion, the guns banned under the Illinois law are not fit for military use because they only operate as semiautomatic weapons, meaning they only fire one round each time the trigger is pulled. The military, he said, uses weapons that can switch from semiautomatic to fully automatic operation, or even operate in a burst fire mode in which three bullets fire with a single pull of the trigger. Eby testified that fully automatic weapons are more suitable for combat use because firing large volumes of shots at an enemy increases the chances of hitting something while also acting as a psychological deterrent for the enemy. During cross examination, however, Wells produced reports suggesting Ebys theories were outdated, and that modern military planners prefer using the more accurate semiautomatic weapons in combat, weapons more similar to those banned under PICA. In April 2023, Judge McGlynn granted a temporary injunction blocking enforcement of the law while the case proceeded, saying he believed the plaintiffs were likely win on the merits of their case meaning the law would likely be found unconstitutional. But the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals quickly reversed that ruling and lifted the injunction. And in a 2-1 ruling in November, the court sided with two other district court judges in Chicago, holding the law likely does not infringe on the Second Amendment and allowing enforcement of the law to continue. That decision was quickly appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to review the decision at this juncture and remanded all the cases back to the district courts for trials. The case in East St. Louis is the first of those to go to trial. McGlynn has scheduled five days for the trial. New high-risk tropical threat for US to arise in Gulf of Mexico next week An area close to Central America, Cuba and Florida is likely to give birth to the next significant tropical threat to the southeastern United States before the end of September, AccuWeather meteorologists warn. "The region we are closely watching is more commonly a threat to tropical development in the late spring or mid- to late autumn," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva stated. "There's even evidence of the Central America gyre now, which is also more common in the spring and later in the autumn." The gyre is a vast but weak, slow-spinning storm, and it has set up over Central America. A gyre over the warm water of the Caribbean makes it easier for clusters of showers and thunderstorms to form, which can evolve into tropical depressions and storms either on the Atlantic or Pacific sides of Central America. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Typically during the middle to late part of September, tropical storms and hurricanes are generated by tropical waves that originate from Africa. However, in recent weeks, unusual conditions have disrupted the evolution of tropical waves, resulting in fewer named storms. Not only have the tropics been behaving strangely, but so have weather patterns in general across the U.S. Waves of cool air moved into the Southwest, and an unusually strong jet stream-level storm in the Southeastern states formed in the wake of Francine. The jet stream storm helped create a potent tropical rainstorm that made landfall in North Carolina-a setup more common for mid- to late October. The weirdness may continue should a potent tropical storm or hurricane spin up next week more from the Central America gyre rather than a tropical wave over the Atlantic Ocean. "Given how warm waters typically are in the region and energy from the Central America gyre, there is the potential for any system that forms over the western Caribbean to the Gulf of Mexico to intensify and track into the U.S. quickly," DaSilva said. Because of the concern, AccuWeather's team of experts has raised the development chances to "high." There will likely be some stiff breezes (wind shear) near the U.S., but systems that move with the shear rather than against it are sometimes less negatively affected by it, DaSilva explained. While climatology suggests a track into the central or eastern U.S. Gulf coast is most likely at this time with a feature that forms and ramps up quickly with a strong jet stream, a delay in the development of the tropical feature and weaker jet stream could allow a rare late-September track along the Texas coast. AccuWeather has designated the formation window from Monday, Sept. 23, through Wednesday, Sept. 25. This represents only the period when a tropical depression or storm may form and not the entire life cycle. Any U.S. landfall could occur days after the formation period. Residents and visitors as well as fishing, shipping and cruise interests from Central America to southeastern Mexico, Cuba, the U.S. Gulf Coast, the southern Atlantic coast and the Bahamas should monitor the situation. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suffered a big political setback as his Liberal Party lost a special election in a Montreal district that until recently had been considered safe ground for him. Most Read from Bloomberg The defeat will raise the pressure on the 52-year-old leader to step aside before the next election, which is scheduled for October 2025 but may happen earlier than that. Its the second significant defeat at the ballot box in just a few months for his party. In June, voters elected a Conservative Party candidate to represent an area of Toronto that had previously been a Liberal stronghold. Now theyve rejected the Liberals again in the electoral district of LaSalle-Emard-Verdun in Montreal, Trudeaus hometown though they lost by only a narrow margin. Theres all sorts of reflections to take on that, Trudeau told reporters Tuesday. But the big thing is to make sure that Canadians understand the choice they get to make in the next election on the kind of country we are. The losses in the countrys two largest cities are an unmistakable sign of trouble for the prime minister, whose political base is heavily concentrated in urban centers. The special election was won by Louis-Philippe Sauve of the Bloc Quebecois, a political party that advocates for Quebecs interests in Ottawa and runs candidates only in that province. As with the Toronto special election more than two months ago, this one was close: Sauve won by just 248 votes, according to preliminary results posted by Elections Canada. He wound up with 28%, while Liberal candidate Laura Palestini had 27.2%. A candidate for the New Democratic Party, Craig Sauve, received 26.1%. In 2021, the Liberals won LaSalle-Emard-Verdun easily, finishing more than 20 percentage points ahead of the Bloc Quebecois. The seat became open when former Justice Minister David Lametti, who was ousted from Trudeaus cabinet, decided to leave politics. As Trudeau has fallen out of favor with voters, Pierre Poilievres Conservatives have seized the momentum in national polling. Most surveys over the past year have shown the Conservatives leading by a wide margin as much as 20 percentage points which would hand Poilievre a large majority government if carried through to election day. But so far, there has been no sign that Trudeau intends to resign. The prime minister appears to have the support of the majority of his 154-member caucus, and ahead of Mondays byelection he brushed aside repeated questions about leaving office, insisting hes eager to go head-to-head with Poilievre in a national contest. --With assistance from Brian Platt. (Updates with prime ministers comments in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Law enforcement officials at a Virginia military base are still actively investigating an August incident at Arlington National Cemetery involving what has been described as a confrontation between former President Donald Trump's campaign and a cemetery worker, even as the Army says it considers the matter closed, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. As part of the probe led by the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Police Department, an investigator with the base's police department has sought in recent days to contact Trump campaign officials about the incident, the sources said. Investigators are seeking to interview the officials involved in the incident, according to the sources. MORE: 'Unfairly attacked': Army defends Arlington National Cemetery employee involved in Trump incident Stanley Woodward, a lawyer representing the Trump campaign officials, declined to comment when reached by ABC News. Although the Army oversees Arlington National Cemetery, law enforcement is handled by Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia, as a neighboring base. The base's police department falls under the Army in an administrative capacity, but operates as a law enforcement agency and is staffed by federal law enforcement officers, not military police. "The investigation is ongoing at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall by base authorities," a defense official told ABC News in a statement that indicates the Army is not directing the probe. Last month, the Trump campaign was accused of engaging in a physical and verbal altercation with a staffer at Arlington National Cemetery while the former president was there to mark the third anniversary of the deaths of 13 service members in Afghanistan. Trump's aides filmed a campaign video in a section of the cemetery where recently fallen service members are buried. PHOTO: Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump at a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Aug. 26, 2024, in Arlington, Va. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Federal law prohibits campaigns from using the military cemetery for political campaigning or election-related activities. Trump's campaign insisted its aides acted appropriately and promised to release video they said would exonerate its staff. That video has not been released. In the days following the incident, the Army defended the cemetery staffer, saying the person had been "unfairly attacked" -- but also said that it considered the matter closed. "The incident was reported to the JBM-HH police department, but the employee subsequently decided not to press charges. Therefore, the Army considers this matter closed," an Army spokesperson said on Aug. 29, three days after the incident. "This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the [Arlington National Cemetery] employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked." When asked for comment on Monday, an Army spokesperson referred ABC News to its Aug. 29 statement. Base authorities at the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Separately, however, the Army on Monday acknowledged the case is still being investigated when it explained why it is blocking the release of documents related to the incident. In a letter responding to a request filed by ABC News under the Freedom of Information Act, the Army said documents couldn't be released yet because "those documents are part of an open investigation." Trump Arlington cemetery incident still under investigation: Sources originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., said on Monday how the second assassination attempt against former President Trump was a "confluence" of Republican "misinformation" and "fear-mongering" alongside the "complete availability of assault rifles." Sherrill spoke to CNNs Jim Acosta one day after Secret Service agents successfully thwarted the assassination attempt at Trump International Golf Club, opening fire on the suspect who was later taken into custody. Although Sherrill acknowledged the Secret Service needed to do more to protect Trump, she linked the attempted assassination to the GOP. "I think we also have to address some underlying issues that are going on here as well. This really seems to be the confluence of two very bad things going on in the Republican Party," Sherrill said. Former President Trump faced a second assassination attempt at his golf club on Sunday. MSNBC HOST ASKS IF TRUMP CAMPAIGN WILL CALL FOR 'TONING DOWN' RHETORIC AFTER SHOOTING OUTSIDE HIS GOLF CLUB She added, "On one side, the attempts to divide, to enrage the population, to put out false rumors and misinformation. We know the mayor in Springfield is begging the Republican Party to stop with the false information on immigrants. They have portions of the town on lockdown at this point, and an increase in all of the partisanship and the fear-mongering thats going on." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "And then on the other side, we have this complete availability of assault rifles, too. It seems almost anyone who wants to have access. So how did this man, who already had some convictions for barricading himself with a weapon, have access to weapons of war that I was trained on when I was in the military?" Merrill asked. Acosta later referenced a since-deleted post from X CEO Elon Musk asking, "Why they want to kill Donald Trump?" and remarking, "And no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala." He asked Sherrill whether Musk could be in "legal jeopardy" from his post. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., discussed her thoughts with CNN's Jim Acosta on the second assassination attempt against Trump. "Well, it certainly I think opens him up to some moral jeopardy. Why is he asking that question? Is he suggesting people should take note of that and take action? I mean, right now, when we continue to see these attempts to divide people, to divide the American population, to create chaos, to sow discord, this is a very dangerous time, and we need leaders who are going to bring people together to unite us," Sherrill said. "And now as we face these perilous times, Donald Trump and the GOP and Project 2025 and J.D. Vance and now Elon Musk continue to try to sow division and wedges and hatred into the population. And I think its very dangerous." Later on in the segment, Acosta commented, "It just seems as were getting closer and closer to the election, the rhetoric is getting amped up to some pretty volatile levels." CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "The rhetoric is getting amped up to very volatile lead levels on one side of the aisle. That is getting amped up by the GOP Republicans, MAGA Republicans, by Donald Trump," Sherrill argued. NBC host Lester Holt similarly remarked on Monday how the assassination attempt "comes amid increasingly fierce rhetoric on the campaign trail" from Trump. Original article source: Trump assassination attempt a 'confluence' of GOP rhetoric and 'availability of assault rifles': Dem lawmaker Trump assassination attempt suspect oddly 'poised' during arrest, sheriff says: 'He knew the gig was up' The man accused of the second alleged assassination attempt on former President Trump was "poised" and composed when law enforcement officers closed in on him, signaling that he knew "the gig was up," the Florida sheriff who arrested him revealed. In an interview on "America Reports" Monday, Martin County Sheriff William Snyder praised law enforcement and credited a civilian bystander for turning over a photograph of the Black Nissan that 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh used to flee. Minutes earlier, Secret Service agents had fired shots in Routh's direction when they spotted him poking a rifle through the fence around Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., where the former president was playing a round of golf. "The coordination between the Palm Beach County's sheriff's office which gave us the information and my road patrol deputies was flawless," Snyder said. "Had it not been for a civilian witness who did the right thing, gave us a description and a picture of it, actually, and had the Palm Beach sheriffs office not been so good about getting that information out, that guy wouldve gotten past us and who knows what wouldve happened next." WHO IS RYAN WESLEY ROUTH: ALLEGED GUNMAN AT TRUMP GOLF CLUB Snyder described a "very tense" few minutes before authorities were able to track down the purported would-be assassin. Despite the 30 rifles drawn at him and helicopters overhead, Routh appeared oddly unbothered when law enforcement closed in, Snyder recalled. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Right after the stop, what I saw was someone who was very poised, very in control of himself. Even though we had armed deputies all over the place, probably 30 deputies out there, rifles, a helicopter overhead, both north and southbound on I-95 shut down. Hes in the middle of it all, he never asked 'Hey, whats this about? When I saw that, I realized he knew what time it was," Snyder said. "He knew that the gig was up, and he was caught." Ryan Routh is accused of aiming a rifle at former President Trump while he was golfing at his course in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday. It is being investigated as a second assassination attempt on Trump. At the time, Snyder said he was initially informed that shots had been fired but was not updated that the shots had been fired by Secret Service agents. "We operated on that potential and that information and made them stop thinking we were encountering an armed assassin of the former president," he said. "We were aware that we were making probably what would be the highest profile stop maybe in the history of this sheriff's office," he added. "We did have the BOLO from the Palm Beach County sheriffs office. We did know the vehicle description, the tagwe knew they were northbound on I-95. We pulled onto the interstate and one of my patrol deputies picked that vehicle out of the traffic, called out the location, surrounded it with heavy-duty trucks, forced it off the road, then at gunpoint got the suspect out of the vehicle and safely in custody." BODYCAM VIDEO CAPTURES ARREST OF TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT SUSPECT Authorities said Routh had two backpacks, bullet-deflecting ceramic plates and a GoPro camera when he was detained. His rifle was also recovered by authorities. Bodycam footage that was released Monday afternoon showed the moment deputies arrested Routh. The video shows deputies ordering the driver to slowly walk backwards with his hands on his head toward deputies after surrendering. Routh appeared for a federal court hearing in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday morning, where he was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Fox News is told additional federal charges are possible. The initial charges announced Monday will keep Routh in custody. Fox News' Stephen Sorance and Stepheny Price contributed to this report. Original article source: Trump assassination attempt suspect oddly 'poised' during arrest, sheriff says: 'He knew the gig was up' Trumps former chief of staff Mark Meadows fails in bid to get election interference case moved Trumps former chief of staff Mark Meadows fails in bid to get election interference case moved Mark Meadows, Donald Trumps former White House chief of staff, has failed to move his election interference case in Arizona to federal court. A judge denied Meadowss request to move the case. Meadows faces charges in Arizona and Georgia over his alleged role in an illegal scheme to overturn the 2020 election results in Trumps favor, authorities say. At a hearing in Phoenix on Monday, US District Court judge John J Tuchi said Meadows missed a deadline for his case to be moved to federal court, did not offer a good reason for the move and also failed to show the allegations relate to his official duties when he was then-president Trumps chief of staff. Meadows unsuccessfully attempted the same legal move in a separate election interference case a year ago in Georgia. Prosecutors argue, in a bid to keep Trump in office despite losing the 2020 presidential election, Meadows worked with other Trump campaign members to submit names of fake electors from Arizona and other states to Congress. Mark Meadows appeared virtually at the pre-trial hearing in the fake electors case in Phoenix on Monday (AP) President Joe Biden won in the state of Arizona by 10,457 votes in the 2020 election. According to the Arizona indictment, Meadows confided in a White House staff member in early November 2020 that Trump, who is referred to as the unindicted co conspirator 1 throughout the indictment, had lost the election. Prosecutors allege despite this, Meadows arranged calls and meetings with state officials to discuss the fake elector conspiracy. His attorneys say nothing Meadows is accused of in Arizona was criminal. Instead, they argue the allegations against him in the indictment consist of messages from others trying to get ideas in front of Trump. Meadows has pleaded not guilty to the charges in Arizona and Georgia. Trump was not charged in Arizona but a total of 18 Republicans were, including 11 who submitted a document falsely claiming he had won the state, another Trump aide and five lawyers connected to him. Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has had another setback in court (AP) Meadows hoped moving the case to federal court could lead to a quick dismissal on the grounds he was immune from prosecution as a federal officer at the time. In a motion in July, his attorneys argued: Mr. Meadows has the right to remove this matter because he has a federal defense of Supremacy Clause immunity to the State charge and Congress has provided that federal courts are the appropriate forum to adjudicate such issues. They added: The conduct giving rise to the charges in the indictment all occurred during his tenure and as part of his service as White House Chief of Staff. It is not yet known whether Meadows will appeal the judges decision. The Supreme Court ruling granting Donald Trump broad criminal immunity stemmed from the federal election interference case, but it could wind up helping the Republican presidential nominee in all of his criminal cases. And Trump lawyer Alina Habba seems to think it may help her client in the civil realm, too, as she cited it in his bid to avoid liability in a pending Supreme Court appeal brought by Trumps former fixer, Michael Cohen. Cohen wants civil damages for alleged government retaliation during the Trump administration. The case stems from when he was serving federal time for Trump-related crimes and started writing a book that would be unfavorable to the then-president. Cohen was released after the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, but he tells the justices that, when he didnt immediately agree to waive his free speech rights, he was sent back to prison and thrown in solitary confinement. He was released with a federal judge finding that the government action was retaliatory in response to Cohen desiring to exercise his First Amendment rights to publish a book critical of the President and to discuss the book on social media. In addition to Trump, Cohen sought damages against former Attorney General Bill Barr and other Trump-era officials. In opposing Supreme Court review of Cohens appeal, Habba filed a brief on behalf of Trump on Friday citing the immunity ruling in Trump v. United States several times, including a quote from the decision written by Chief Justice John Roberts that said immunity is required to safeguard the independence and effective functioning of the Executive Branch, and to enable the President to carry out his constitutional duties without undue caution. Of course, both Cohens civil appeal and the Jan. 6 criminal case that led to the immunity ruling show that more caution was warranted during Trumps time in office. But when it comes to Cohens pending appeal, the justices dont even have to consider the immunity issue if they want to side with Trump. As I noted when Cohen filed his petition in July, the main legal problem Cohen faces is that, despite the seriousness of the claim hes pressing, the Supreme Courts longstanding treatment of similar civil appeals has all but foreclosed relief for people like Cohen, no matter how well-deserving they may be. Reinforcing the difficulty Cohens petition faces is the brief filed Friday alongside Trumps, by the Justice Department on behalf of the government, Barr and other officials opposing Cohens appeal, emphasizing how tough the Supreme Court has made it for claims like his to succeed. Cohen can file a final reply brief before the justices consider whether to review his appeal. It takes four justices to agree to do so. 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 The skyline of Springfield, Ohio. Right-wing activists have spread lies about the town's Haitian community. (Getty Images) This story was originally published by The 19th. Sign up for their daily newsletter. Call it a mothers intuition. After former President Donald Trump repeated a vicious smear about Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, during his September 10 debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, many parents in that community instinctively kept their children home from school. They were right to be concerned. In the days following Trump remarking on national television that these immigrants are eating household pets a debunked rumor that first spread on social media the threats rolled in. The bomb and mass shooting threats that started shortly after the debate and continued through the weekend forced evacuations and closures of government buildings, hospitals, a university and schools in Springfield. Although Trumps words have imperiled Haitian immigrants, he has not withdrawn his claim; he has doubled down on it. On Thursday, while campaigning, he suggested Haitians had ruined beautiful Springfield and were not in the city legally, although Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said they are living and working there lawfully. Trump also insinuated the immigrants are involved in sexual violence against young American girls, continuing his pattern of linking immigration to the predation of White women and girls. The targeting of Haitians in the smalltown Midwest has led to an outcry of support from the public, policymakers and immigration advocates. The National Parents Union, a woman-led organization made up of parent advocacy groups fighting for equity in education, criticized the reckless and irresponsible comments from Republican leaders and announced that it stand[s] with the families of Springfield in a statement on Friday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX But no one empathizes with Springfields Haitian community like Haitian Americans themselves, they say. The 19th spoke with scholars and immigrant advocates, mostly women of Haitian heritage, about the repercussions of Trumps words. They contend that his claim and the hate before and after it are nothing new: Due to the unique ways race, religion and resistance have intersected in Haitis history, immigrants from the Caribbean nation have experienced a specific brand of xenophobia in the United States, even as Black immigrants in this country lack visibility. This kind of narrative has been going on since at least the middle of the 19th century, said Danielle N. Boaz, professor of Africana Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. We can connect all of this back to the thing that Haitians did that was unforgivable to people of European heritage, which is they had this . . . rebellion that started in the 1790s and culminated in what historians have sometimes called the only successful slave rebellion in history, where they were able to defeat not only the French but other foreign powers. The 1804 creation of Saint-Domingue, later Haiti, left slaveholding societies terrified that the human beings they held in bondage would also rebel. For securing their freedom, Haitians were demonized, with the Vodou religion often used to make wild claims against them, Boaz said. So, over the years, the narrative just kind of increases about how Haiti is this barbaric place, she said. Its run only by Black people. Trump reinforced the barbarism messaging by implying Thursday that Haitians are savage criminal aliens. Despite Springfield Police denying any credible reports or specific claims of Haitians abusing animals or committing other crimes, Trumps allegations have reverberated nationally. Christopher Rufo, who has led the national push against critical race theory in schools and is a trustee for the New College of Florida, where hundreds of books on gender and diversity were discarded last month, offered a $5,000 bounty to anyone with evidence of Haitian immigrants in Springfield eating cats. In Florida and New York the states with the largest Haitian-American communities Haitian-American leaders condemned Trumps remarks and similar statements by his running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio. The bomb and shooting threats targeting Haitians disproportionately place pressure on mothers, said Taisha Saintil, senior policy analyst for the UndocuBlack Network, which advocates for Black immigrants. Often childrens primary caregivers, women rearrange work schedules, stay home or make childcare plans when schools close, losing household income in the process. A note on the front door of Fulton Elementary School directs parents to a nearby school for pick-up after the building was evacuated due to bomb threats earlier in the day. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images) Women are often the ones managing the day-to-day fears, picking up and dropping off children, and trying to shield them from the psychological trauma of these threats, Saintil said. This gender dynamic adds another layer to the stress, as women feel pressure to keep things normal for their families while silently shouldering the weight of their own fear and frustration. Having immigrated to Florida from Haiti in 2006 at age 9, Saintil said that she feels for Springfields Haitian community. Before moving to diverse Fort Lauderdale, Florida, she briefly lived in a White community where she said her classmates taunted, spat on her and called her a cat-eater. I remember . . . the fear, waking up every single day knowing that Im going to get bullied, nobody wanting to talk to me, sitting at the lunch table by myself, Saintil said. When I compare it to what is happening now to the newly arrived kids, I think about just how . . . the bullying will mark them for the rest of their lives. Lured by manufacturing jobs, an estimated 15,000 Haitian immigrants have settled in Springfield a mostly White town of just under 60,000 people starting in about 2017. Before then, Springfield experienced an economic downturn caused, in part, by population decline. Then, the immigrants arrived, giving the city an economic boost. Valerie Lacarte, a senior policy analyst with the Migration Policy Institutes U.S. Immigration Policy Program, said that immigrants typically settle in areas because they know they can find reliable employment or their ethnic community already lives there. Springfield wasnt previously home to a Haitian community, but state officials reportedly advertised the citys livability and jobs, news that attracted migrants. You have employers who are hiring these people, so from the job market perspective, thats a good thing. You have a match, Lacarte said. But this mutually beneficial development did not prevent tensions, which, last year, worsened after a Haitian immigrant crashed into a school bus, killing one child, Aiden Clark, and hurting nearly 30 others. Still, Nathan Clark, Aidens father, spoke out at a city commission meeting last week to denounce immigration foes for exploiting his sons death. Anti-immigrant residents, meanwhile, have complained that Springfield lacks the infrastructure for population growth. Its tempting to think the growth of immigrants, thats whats causing the problems, said Karthick Ramakrishnan, coauthor of Framing Immigrants: News Coverage, Public Opinion, and Policy and a University of California, Berkeley, researcher. Its the politicization of immigrants, and especially in places that have significant Republican voting populations, the scapegoating of immigrants tends to be higher. This is an issue weve seen time and again in the American heartland, places that are depopulating, places that are short of workers, that actually benefit from immigrant workers, but you have people . . . tapping into these national dynamics, when it comes to race and xenophobia, to win elected office. Officials must be intentional about social cohesion to avoid conflict between the longtime residents and the Haitian transplants, said Lacarte, the daughter of Haitian immigrants. Its important to make sure that both the U.S.-born and foreign-born community members get the attention and resources needed to grow together as a diverse community. Longtime residents may misunderstand why people who look and sound different from them are moving in, Lacarte said. They witness the demographic shift, but they dont realize these changes can be helpful. Then, bad actors deepen anxieties by spreading disinformation about immigrants. Immigrants have been not only filling these jobs and helping grow the economy. They have their own demand for goods and services, Lacarte said. They send their kids to school. They even, in some cases, create businesses . . . and that grows the economy. During the presidential debate, Trump did not portray foreign-born workers as a positive but as a threat to Americans, accusing immigrants of taking jobs from Black workers. This framing overlooks that immigrants fill jobs the native-born population doesnt pursue, Lacarte said, and that more workers are needed as birth rates decline and the White population ages. It also belies the fact that Black immigrants exist. About one in five Black people are immigrants or the children of Black immigrants, the Pew Research Center reported in 2022. Africans have driven Black immigrant growth; their population increased by 246 percent between 2000 and 2019. In 2005, The New York Times reported that more Africans were entering the United States than since the slave trade. Today, Africans make up 42 percent of the Black foreign-born population, while Caribbean immigrants make up 46 percent. Of the latter, most come from two countries: Jamaica and Haiti. After footage of Border Patrol agents on horseback confronting Haitian migrants in Del Rio, Texas, went viral in 2021, Saintil said she received multiple messages disclosing, I did not know there were Black immigrants. Where did they come from? She assumed, due to her profession, that people knew the United States had Black immigrants. Most of my work now has been to raise visibility of Haitian and Black immigrants, Saintil said. Were the most detained, the most placed in solitary confinement. Our bail bonds are higher. So, the same things that are happening to African Americans in the criminal justice system are happening to Black immigrants in the detention center. Our asylum claims are the most denied because immigration judges dont trust our pain. Long before the debate, Trump disparaged Black immigrants. In 2017, he reportedly said that Nigerians lived in huts and Haitians all have AIDS. The following year, he labeled Haiti, African nations and El Salvador shithole countries. In Springfield, local Republicans have echoed Trumps remarks. In addition to the pet-eating allegations, theyve accused immigrants of being in gangs, spreading disease and practicing voodoo rituals, claims police have denied. As Haiti became the yardstick for measuring whether Black people could participate in society equally, attacks on its character escalated. By the 1880s, stories spread about Haitians engaging in cannibalism and human sacrifice, especially of White children, Boaz said. Told repeatedly, these stories inform the rumors about Haitians in Springfield today, and they may jeopardize women. Historically, women in marginalized communities, whether immigrants, ethnic minorities, or refugees, have been specifically targeted for intimidation, Saintil said. This may be because some view them as easier to attack or harass than men. . . . In this context, when Haitian women are being targeted for threats, harassment or even racial slurs in public spaces, the consequences are far-reaching. This not only creates an atmosphere of terror for women but can also ripple through the entire family. Haitian-American anthropologist Gina Athena Ulysse, a professor of humanities at the University of California, Santa Cruz, said that shes tired of defending her personhood and identity. Following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Ulysse wrote a book called Why Haiti Needs New Narratives: A Post-Quake Chronicle because she found the dehumanizing remarks about Haitians then disturbing. Were always having to refute as opposed to having an identity that is an affirmed one, Ulysse said. There is a profound disappointment that in 2024 that I am listening to someone who is running to be the president of the highest nation in the land say something this surreal, this absurd. But Im also someone as a Black woman, as a social scientist, as someone who understands race and racial construction, what that is meant to do, and that is to paint Haitians as the ultimate others, cannibalists and otherwise, so that it can keep fueling this narrative thats necessary to strip people of their humanity. Ulysse said that the broader immigrant community faces xenophobia, too. One study concluded that the level of anti-immigrant rhetoric in the Republican Party today rivals anti-Chinese sentiment during the late 1800s, a period that restricted Chinese immigration. Chinese immigrants have also been accused of consuming dogs and cats, insults revived during the onset of COVID-19, which Trump called the China virus. Hes gone from talking about Mexican immigrants as predominantly being criminals and rapists to then talking about immigrants as vectors of disease and and now using similar kinds of dehumanizing language to talk about . . . not just what they eat, but the kind of the social threat they supposedly pose to American society, Ramakrishnan said. I think the kinds of emotions its supposed to evoke are emotions of disgust, of othering and reduced empathy, and also support for drastic measures like rounding up and deporting people who are not deemed to be American. If Harris becomes president, she would not only be the first woman in the Oval Office but also the first person of South Asian and Caribbean heritage. Might that change perceptions and policies related to Caribbean immigrants? No matter how well meaning one person may be, theyre part of a social structure and a system that makes decisions, Ulysse said. Shes not going to make decisions by herself, so what difference does it make that shes from the Caribbean? Shes got advisors. Shes got to think about Congress. Shes got to think about the Senate. Shes got to think about geopolitics and history. Community members eat at a Haitian restaurant in Springfield, Ohio, on September 12, 2024. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images) When Trump took aim at Haitian immigrants during the debate, Harris laughed in apparent disbelief but did not rebuke him. Ulysse finds it disturbing that many people laughed at Trumps claims because, as absurd as they are, theyre endangering Haitians. On Friday, President Joe Biden called the attacks on Haitians simply wrong, noting that White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is a proud Haitian American. Along with being terrified and traumatized, Saintil said the Haitian children and parents impacted by the threats and smears likely feel betrayed. Youre getting it from a country that you thought you could be safe in, she said. Youre getting it in a country that youve been hoping to be in because you thought your life would be better, but now youre being treated worse than dirt. Youre being called a savage . . . How do you go on from there? SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A report has accused Judge Aileen Cannon of again breaking a federal disclosure rule by quietly attending a right-wing judicial seminar and filing to have her travel expenses reimbursed. ProPublica reported Tuesday that Cannon attended a banquet thrown by George Mason Universitys right-leaning law school in 2023well after she was called on to preside over Donald Trumps classified documents case. ProPublica reported that Cannon traveled to Virginia in May of that year to sit through a lecture and have dinner with fellow members of the Federalist Society, Antonin Scalias loved ones, and other conservative judges. The website reported that documents showed Cannon submitted multiple requests for reimbursement to the law school, which is named after Scalia. Cannons attendance at last springs event had not been reported on prior to Tuesday. That lack of public notice reportedly puts Cannon in violation of a 2006 rule that requires federal judges to file disclosure forms for their attendance at partisan events within 30 days and to also make them public on their courts websitesomething Cannon reportedly failed to do. Judge Cannon Dismisses Trump Classified Docs Prosecution: Unconstitutional Cannon controversially tossed Trumps classified documents case in July on the grounds that special counsel Jack Smiths appointment was unconstitutional. That decision came as a shock to many at the time, with critics asserting that the Trump-friendly decision may have been the result of bias. The appointment to Trumps case in 2022 put Cannon, 43, and her political leanings under a microscope, with Democrats calling on her to recuse herself from the case because she was a Trump appointee. NPR was first to report in May of this year that Cannon broke the same disclosure rule by taking weeklong trips to events at a luxury lodge in Montanasponsored by George Masonthat she didnt disclose on her website in 2021 and 2022. Clerk of Court Angela Noble defended her Cannons appearances in Montana after NPRs report, claiming it was merely oversight and technical issues that prevented Cannon from disclosing her trips on her website. Any omissions to the website are completely inadvertent, she told NPR. A clerk for Cannon also came to her defense in a statement this week to ProPublica, claiming the judge had submitted the necessary disclosure but had just mistakenly omitted it from her website. Judges often do not realize they must input the information twice, the clerk reportedly said. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Trump doesn't want to debate Harris again. I'm thankful we won't have to live through that. Donald Trump declared last week that there would not be another presidential debate between him and Vice President Kamala Harris. Pundits were quick to point out that the Trump campaign was already doing "damage control" after a weak debate performance the first time around, and the Harris campaign apparently accused Trump of trying to dodge a second debate loss. And I'm sure voters and media outlets were excited for a second debate, just for whatever craziness would result. I argued following the debate that Trump had a poor performance, but frankly, Im not so sure that matters, and I dont think his decision not to debate further will turn off many voters. Why? People have made up their minds. If you are going to vote, there is a good chance you already know which candidate you will support. Trump's debate decision probably doesn't move the needle Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump watches a video of Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign rally in Las Vegas on Sept. 13, 2024. Debates have traditionally been grounds for candidates to differentiate themselves on policy civilly. Look at the Obama-Romney debates or the Gore-Bush debates, and you will see an entirely different political climate. These civil environments could persuade swing voters, particularly when our nation was far less polarized. The candidates gave voters policy decisions to weigh. However, in the present, our debates have devolved into a slugfest between two candidates who utterly detest each other, catering to voter bases who don't exactly get along. Part of that is the dynamic of these two particular candidates, but the other part reflects that there are no longer voters to convince, only voting bases to rally. Trump and Gen Z: Trump's campaign is courting Gen Z frat bros. I'm not convinced it will help. According to a recent New York Times/Siena College poll of likely voters, 5% are undecided, and neither candidate seems all that eager to persuade them. Harris at least says there is a place for those voters in her campaign (though her actions tell me otherwise). Trump has long actively pushed moderates from his party away, choosing instead to turn the party over to MAGA. This election amounts to a referendum on Trump, and there are very few Americans who don't have sharp feelings one way or the other about our 45th president, which is why so few voters have yet to decide on their choice for 2024. Trump's decision is disappointing to me on several levels Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris take part in a presidential debate hosted by ABC in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 10, 2024 As someone who watches every debate, I cant help but be relieved not to have to watch one of those dumpster fires again. Even so, part of me cant help but be disappointed. Debates are supposed to be a civil comparison of stances between two candidates. Instead, they have become so hostile due in part to Trumps abandonment of political norms. Republicans have lost their way: Where are the Republicans I grew up admiring? Trump has infected GOP with his MAGA virus. His entirely disruptive nature within American politics has shifted the political landscape, and just as he refused to debate his Republican primary opponents out of fear, he is doing the same thing in the general election. The former president is again abandoning the typical flow of the election cycle because he cant handle his ego being hurt by a poor performance. I expect the Vance vs. Walz debate to be equally broken Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz are scheduled for a vice presidential debate on Oct. 1 in New York City. There is one more debate coming, though. Americans have another chance to watch our politicians likely embrace chaotic personal attacks with the vice presidential debate slated for Oct. 1. Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz have joined their running mates in the idea that their opponent will destroy the country. Such dramatic outlooks are horrible for the prospects of a respectful debate between candidates. Trump chose Vance as someone who can emulate the MAGA style of politics. Vance has proved to have some shortcomings as a candidate, but I'm sure he will try his hardest to be a faithful MAGA representative in the debate. Walz similarly will look to emulate Harris' rhetoric that Trump and his allies are a threat to democracy. These outlooks have no compatibility with civility and will do nothing to change voting decisions. This season of debates has made it clear that civility is out the window The abandonment of civil political norms in our country is a large reason why we have become so polarized. It is no longer the expectation that we can calmly disagree on major issues. The expectation is now hostility. This is the result of each party's actions. The GOP is embracing Trump's MAGA movement, and the Democrats are heightening rhetoric in response. 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. I cant help but hope these issues leave whenever Trump is out of politics, but I think he has pushed the Democrats so far that they cant move back and shifted the Republican Party so far outside respectful governance that we never return. The reality we live in is inevitable escalation, and I am frustrated that there is no end in sight. But at least we might not have to see it again before November. Dace Potas is an opinion columnist for USA TODAY and a graduate of DePaul University with a degree in political science. 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: Will Trump and Harris debate again? Doesn't look like it. Good Donald Trump Jr. and former U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. opposed permitting Ukraine to strike Russian territory with Western-supplied long-range missiles, calling on the Biden-Harris administration to negotiate with Moscow. In a joint op-ed published by The Hill on Sept. 17, the two cited Russia's nuclear saber-rattling rhetoric and recent comment by Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that lifting restrictions on long-range strikes would mean NATO being "at war" with Moscow. Russia has consistently issued threats, including nuclear ones, since the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but none of them have materialized. Ukraine is hoping for permission to use two Western-supplied long-range missiles that it already possesses to strike military targets such as airfields located deep inside Russian territory. Anticipation had been high last week ahead of meetings between Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Washington, but no announcement on a decision was made. Trump Jr., the son of former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump, and Kennedy Jr., who suspended his presidential campaign this summer and endorsed Trump, claimed that lifting restrictions "would put the world at greater risk of nuclear conflagration than at any time since the Cuban missile crisis." The two urged U.S. President Joe Biden and Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, to focus on "finding a diplomatic off-ramp" to Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. Trump and Kennedy also rejected the threat of Moscow's attack on other European countries in the future, saying that Russia "can barely wrest a few provinces from Ukraine." The opinion comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing to present his "Victory Plan" to Biden and other leaders later this month, which reportedly doesn't envisage a ceasefire or ceding territory to Moscow. Trump has repeatedly promised to end Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine within 24 hours if elected but has not publicly elaborated on how he plans to achieve that. During the presidential debate on Sept. 10, Harris pledged to support Ukraine while Trump refused to answer whether Ukraine's victory was in the best interests of the U.S., instead insisting that it was "in the U.S.'s best interest to get this war finished and just get it done. Negotiate a deal." Kyiv has said it aims to invite Russia for an upcoming second peace summit, though Moscow has shown no interest in accepting the invitation. Kyiv's 10-point peace formula includes a complete Russian withdrawal from the country. Russia named Ukraine giving up on occupied territory and ceding additional ground as conditions for talks. Read also: US sense of urgency questioned as billions in Ukraine aid hangs in balance Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Courtroom Shutterstock/sirtravelalot A federal judge in Texas gave a major win to corporate employers seeking to disable or destroy the National Labor Relations Board Tuesday. This ruling came in a case brought by the tech company Findhelp, which mirrors other cases brought by companies like SpaceX and Trader Joes that are currently moving through the courts. Judge Mark Pittman, who was appointed to the federal bench for Northern District of Texas by Donald Trump, is overseeing a case brought by Findhelp in which the company effectively argues that the NLRB is unconstitutional. In this case, and others like it, employers are claiming that the employment protections afforded to NLRB judges are unconstitutional because such judges cannot be removed at will either by the agency head or the president. Instead, the NLRB head or the president must establish a proper cause for removal. In the Findhelp suit, the company filed for a preliminary injunction in hopes of stopping ongoing proceedings at the NLRB, the federal agency that adjudicates unfair labor practices. Findhelp claimed that if the unfair labor practices case against it were to proceed, the company would suffer irreparable harm. The injunction was filed in an effort to head off an NLRB hearing set for Sept. 23. In his ruling, Pittman cited a decision by the conservative-leaning Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Jarkesy v. SEC, a case that later made its way to the Supreme Court. In a parallel case related to the Securities and Exchange Commission, a different federal regulatory agency, the court ruled that SEC administrative judges had been unconstitutionally protected from removal. Pittman wrote that in the current case, NLRB administrative judges "are afforded the same two layers of forcause removal protections that the Fifth Circuit found to be unconstitutional" with regard to the SEC judges. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. This ruling on the injunction represents a major victory for Findhelp and signals that the court may be poised to rule in the company's favor in the near future. The case is one of many brought by corporate entities that hop to render the NLRB effectively useless by disempowering its administrative judges. Similar cases have been brought by Starbucks, Trader Joes and SpaceX, among other companies. One of these cases is likely to reach the highly employer-friendly Fifth Circuit on appeal in the years ahead, and could easily wind up before the Supreme Court. This ruling also represents a striking victory for the conservative legal movement, which has pushed to have these kinds of administrative-law cases tried in regular civil or criminal courts, rather than agency-specific administrative courts where experts in the subject matter typically oversee the proceedings. (Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump said that he would revive the state and local tax deduction, a popular tax break for New Yorkers that the former president limited during his time in the White House. Most Read from Bloomberg I will turn it around, get SALT back, lower your Taxes, and so much more, Trump said in a Truth Social post on Tuesday, a day before he is scheduled to hold a rally on Long Island, New York. The deduction is a particularly potent issue in New York City-area suburbs where the combination of high tax rates and high property values make the tax write-off especially valuable. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Trumps signature tax law, capped the value of that deduction at $10,000, regardless of marital status. Trump didnt specify what changes he would make to SALT. Limiting the SALT deduction had broad support from Republican members of Congress and not just because it helped offset other provisions to reduce tax rates and increase the standard deduction. Capping the deduction has had a disproportionate impact on jurisdictions that have higher taxes and property values which tend to be dominated by Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, scoffed at Trumps promise to reverse himself on the deduction limit. Trump was the one who took away SALT. It hurt many New Yorkers, including lots on Long Island, Schumer said. Now that hes going back to Long Island for the first time he changes his mind? Give me a break. Trump has flirted with reversing course on SALT as far back as 2019, when he told a group of regional reporters at the White House he was open to talking about it. There are some people from New York who have been speaking to me about doing something about that, about changing things, Trump said at the time. Repealing the SALT cap would add $1.2 trillion to the cost of that tax law extension over the next 10 years, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Trumps Long Island rally, at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale on Wednesday, is off the beaten path for presidential candidates, who generally focus on the battleground states most likely to decide the election. But Long Island has taken center stage in the hard-fought battle for control of the US House of Representatives. Democrats are pouring resources into efforts to unseat GOP House members Anthony DEsposito and Nick LaLota. Forty-seven percent of high-income tax returns filed in Nassau County in 2021 had their state and local tax deductions capped, according to IRS statistics. New York has voted Democratic in every election since 1984, and polls show Kamala Harris with a double-digit lead in the state. But the former president, a native New Yorker, has long cast a quixotic eye on the state, especially after his conviction earlier this year in Manhattan on charges he falsified business records to cover up a hush-money payment to a pornographic actress. Ill work with the Democrat Governor and Mayor, and make sure the funding is there to bring New York State back to levels it hasnt seen for 50 years, Trump said in his social media post. Last month, Trump called New York Governor Kathy Hochul very unpopular and the nastiest speaker at the Democratic National Convention. Hochul has referred to Trump as a fraud, a philanderer and a felon. --With assistance from Steven T. Dennis and Zach C. Cohen. (Updates with additional context in paragraphs 8, 9, 11, and 14.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Robert A. Pape, a political scientist who studies political violence, has little doubt that former President Trump has made more incendiary comments than Vice President Kamala Harris. The problem, however, is what his research tells him: Both sides of the political spectrum have radical elements that see violence as justified if it means stopping Trump from gaining power (10% of adults) or making sure Trump returns to the White House (7%). Together, they account for millions of people, he estimates. And more of them on both sides have been incited by rhetoric to act in recent years, whether its the two apparent assassination attempts on Trump , the hammer attack on then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosis husband, Paul, that sent him to the hospital, or any number of events that have lasted only a day in the headlines. We dont have a meter that tells you three incendiary statements are OK but 10 is what triggers support for violence, said Pape, a University of Chicago professor who conducts studies every few months on peoples attitudes toward political violence. Doing counts of how many times does Trump say something outrageous versus how many times the Democrats say something outrageous is actually meaningless. That dynamic has created a frustrating dilemma for Democrats and other Trump critics who see his attacks on Democrats rhetoric as hypocritical and believe their own statements that Trump is an existential threat to democracy are accurate and necessary. Furthermore, the motives of violent actors are often unclear, given the mental health issues that often accompany such attacks. Trump has stoked violence since he entered public life and has promised during this campaign that he would pardon members of the violent mob he revved up before they entered the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, many assaulting police officers and chanting Hang Mike Pence, hoping to help Trump overturn the results of the election. He repeated a false claim last week about legal immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, eating peoples household pets, increasing tensions that have led to dozens of bomb threats levied against local schools. Read more: As political violence rises, speaking truth becomes harder Trumps social media post this week accusing Harris of taking politics in our Country to a whole new level of Hatred, Abuse, and Distrust was couched in incendiary language, referring to his opponent as Comrade Kamala Harris, repeating claims that she uses Communist Left Rhetoric and accusing her of allowing millions of migrants whom he labels criminals, terrorists and mentally ill to INVADE and take over our Country. By the time his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, echoed similar complaints in a speech Monday, many of their opponents were aghast, accusing the duo of gaslighting the public. Donald Trump regularly threatens our democracy, praises dictators, and applauds himself for rolling back freedoms like abortion access, Rep. Adam B. Schiff, a Burbank Democrat and Senate candidate who led the first impeachment trial against Trump, said in response to a question from The Times. He also incited the most violent attack on our Capitol in history. There is nothing inconsistent about defending our democracy and deploring the use of political violence indeed they go hand in hand. Most of the Trump campaigns specific complaints about Democrats involve Harris and others calling the former president a threat to democracy, which it says provokes a potentially violent response by raising the stakes of the election to existential terms. Harris criticized Trump on Tuesday for spreading lies that have endangered students in Springfield, and other rhetoric that has demonized minorities, during an interview with the National Assn. of Black Journalists in Philadelphia. You cannot be entrusted with standing behind the seal of the president of the United States of America, engaging in that hateful rhetoric that, as usual, is designed to divide us as a country, is designed to have people pointing fingers at each other, she said. Polls show overwhelming majorities of voters fear political violence if their own candidate wins in November and the other side refuses to accept the result, including 83% of Democrats and 76% of Republicans, according to an August Deseret News/HarrisX survey . Nearly 80% of voters regardless of party fear violence before the election. President Biden said before he dropped out of his reelection campaign that he was running because Trump is an existential threat to democracy. But after the second apparent attempt to target Trump on Sunday, he struck a more unifying tone, calling Trump in a conversation that both men described as cordial and making public statements reinforcing that in America, there is no place for political violence. Harris said she called Trump to check on him Tuesday, echoing Bidens language that a healthy democracy requires resolving differences peacefully. But the lines Republicans are drawing for Democrats is confounding at times because they include criticizing Democrats for quoting Trumps own words. Scott Jennings, a Trump supporter who regularly appears on CNN, went after Harris on Monday. Read more: Vance doesn't back away from false claims about migrants in Ohio even amid threats to the community I mean, she repeats it herself. Trump will be a dictator on Day 1, Jennings said. I mean, this country fights dictators. The problem? Trump, who has repeatedly threatened retribution against political opponents if elected, was asked in a December interview in Iowa by Fox News host Sean Hannity whether he would abuse his power if he goes back to the White House. Except for Day One..., Trump said. Were closing the border and were drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, Im not a dictator . Ari Fleischer, a former press secretary to President George W. Bush, made a similar critique in an L.A. Times interview Tuesday, calling out Harris for repeating Trumps 2022 plea for termination of parts of the Constitution to put him back in office. Fleischer did not appear to realize Harris was quoting Trump when she made those remarks. But when pressed, he said Harris needed to use more context to avoid raising tensions. Fleischer keeps a file of heated American political rhetoric dating to the Founding Fathers. He recalled his own boss being called a war criminal. American [political] language has always been rough, tough and excessive, he said. But after two assassination attempts, stop the talk about the threat to democracy. The threat to democracy are the two assassins. 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. Whale Trail Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may end up getting tapped to run the US Department of Health and Human Services if Donald Trump is elected president but first, he's got some explaining to do about all those weird animal stories. In a statement to CNN, a spokesperson for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that the Kennedy failson is indeed the subject of a probe concerning an incident involving a whale, a chainsaw, and a trip from Cape Cod to New York decades ago. Around the time Kennedy suspended his independent presidential bid and bent the knee to Trump, the upsetting anecdote told by his daughter Kathleen to Town & Country magazine back in 2012 resurfaced. In the interview, the younger Kennedy known as "Kick" recalled her dad sawing off the head of a dead whale that had washed up near the storied family's compound in Hyannis Port and hauling it back to their other home in Mount Kisco, New York. Told as a feel-good illustration of RFK Jr.'s "eccentric environmentalism" that took place during the daughter's childhood in the early 1990s, the resuscitated story took on new life amid Kennedy's bizarre return to the spotlight. Letter Be Though the story had died in the wake of the fast-paced news cycle surrounding this year's election, the onetime presidential candidate who's now stumping for Trump said during a campaign rally event over the weekend that the National Marine Fisheries Services, which falls under the NOAA's purview, sent him a letter "saying they were investigating me for collecting a whale specimen 20 years ago." As a note: it seems Kennedy got the date wrong by about 10 years, given that the 36-year-old Kick said she was six years old when the incident occurred, placing the incident around the year 1994. "This is all about the weaponization of our government against political opponents," Kennedy continued, later adding that he believed he'd be covered by the statute of limitations on the alleged decapitation. Notably, the 70-year-old firebrand does not deny Kick's story, and said he responded to the NOAA's letter with one of his own that accused the agency of decimating marine wildlife populations with "giant offshore wind farms off the East Coast." Between the brain worm, the bear cub, and now the whale, RFK Jr.'s greatest hits sound more like a Lewis Carroll allegory than a candidate's scandals and perhaps going forward, they can be treated as a parable about who not to choose for a cabinet position. More on the Kennedy that couldn't: RFK Jr. Says He Constantly Gets Fooled by Fake AI Content (Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump headlined an event billed as the unveiling of a crypto platform promoted by the Republican nominee and his sons, putting the spotlight on a niche sector of digital assets with a history of controversy. Most Read from Bloomberg The project, World Liberty Financial, will be part of the decentralized finance segment of digital assets and is supposed to help with financial security and being able to transact freely, Trumps son Donald Jr. said in an X Spaces livestream on Monday. Its a real problem that needed to be addressed, and honestly I think this is the way, Donald Jr. said after comments from his father. The launch came a day after the former president emerged unscathed from a second apparent assassination attempt, the latest shock to roil the presidential contest. LISTEN: The X Spaces chat where Trump announces a crypto project The Republican nominee has pivoted to courting the digital-asset sector in search of donations and votes amid a tight race for the White House, even vowing to make the US the crypto capital of the planet. His stance is an about-face given that he previously denounced Bitcoin as a scam. If we dont do it, China is going to do it, Donald Trump said, in reference to the goal of the US becoming the key crypto hub. China is doing it anyway. But if we dont do it, were not going to be the biggest, and we have to be the biggest and the best. Trumps sons Eric and Donald Jr. began promoting World Liberty Financial on X and Telegram in recent weeks. Decentralized finance or DeFi is an arcane crypto sector, where people trade, lend and borrow digital assets peer-to-peer using automated software. Pro-Crypto Stance The effort is consistent with Trumps pro-crypto policy stance, said Campbell Harvey, a finance professor at Duke University. Its one thing to say you are pro-crypto and another to launch a company in the space, Harvey said. The more than two-hours-long X Spaces event was light on specific details about World Liberty Financial or when it might go live. It did say the project would issue a digital token, WLFI, that would play a role in the governance of the business. But US persons would have to be verified accredited investors to purchase the cryptocurrency. The conversation also touched on a range of other topics, such as stablecoins, tokenization, access to credit and digital payments. The former presidents profile may make many more people aware of DeFi, proponents of which claim gains in efficiency resulting from cutting out traditional intermediaries like banks. Critics argue the sector rests in a regulatory gray zone and is prone to hacks, a bugbear for crypto as a whole. A white paper for World Liberty Financial reviewed by Bloomberg News before Trumps X Spaces announcement listed Donald Trump as chief crypto advocate, Eric and Donald Jr. each as Web3 Ambassador, and 18-year-old Barron Trump as chief DeFi visionary. A disclaimer in the document said that World Liberty Financial is not owned, managed, operated or sold by the Trumps, while noting they may receive compensation. (Updates with more from the X Spaces event in the eighth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. This article was first published in the On the Trail 2024 newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox on Tuesday and Friday mornings here. Hello, friends. Im writing from Flint, Michigan, where Donald Trump will rally Tuesday. 3 things to know A Springfield police officer talks to a parishioner after a service in support of the Haitian community at St. Raphael Catholic church in Springfield, Ohio, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. | Luis Andres Henao The big idea Weve seen Springfield before A week has passed since Trump, early in Tuesdays debate, unleashed fury on a small Ohio city. Theyre eating the dogs, Trump said of immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, population 58,000. Days earlier, Trumps running mate, Sen. JD Vance, had amplified a series of internet rumors, claiming Haitian illegal immigrants were abducting and eating pets. Citizens of Springfield, Vance claimed, were suffering because of Haitian migrants. As it were, many of the purported claims proved to be false. One viral social media post a woman claiming her neighbors cat was stolen, perhaps by a Haitian neighbor was later debunked by the woman who posted it. (I messed up royally, she said.) Another viral photo of a Black man carrying two geese proved to be from a different city entirely and the man was cleaning up roadkill, not slaughtering pets. Another woman, charged with eating a cat, proved to be a lifelong Ohio resident, not a Haitian migrant. Theres a lot of garbage on the internet, and, you know, this is a piece of garbage that was simply not true, Mike DeWine, Ohios Republican governor, said. Theres no evidence of this at all. And now, the citizens of Springfield are having their lives disrupted because of these rumors. On Thursday, Springfields city hall was evacuated due to bomb threats, as were several other buildings, including an elementary school. On Friday, two elementary schools were evacuated due to bomb threats and a middle school was closed, and some Haitian families sheltered in place for their safety. On Saturday, two local hospitals were forced into lockdown. On Sunday, a Springfield college canceled all on-campus activities after a shooting threat, and another local college announced its classes would be held online for the next week. On Monday, the citys annual celebration of diversity, arts and culture was canceled, for the safety of our residents and visitors. The Republican mayor of Springfield is exasperated, Politico reports. Any political leader that takes the national stage and has the national spotlight needs to understand the gravity of the words that they have for cities like ours, and what they say impacts our city, Rob Rue, Springfields mayor, said. His city, he said, is caught in a political vortex. And for what its worth, he added, your pets are safe in Springfield, Ohio. If anyone can commiserate with whats happening in Springfield, its the people of Whitewater, Wisconsin, an even smaller Midwestern city, which found itself in the middle of its own political vortex this year. In January, a far-right website ran a story about migrants flooding the small town. When Trump visited Green Bay in April, he made sure to single out the town: Look no further than the tiny town of Whitewater, Wisconsin, Trump declared at a rally on April 2. He claimed the city was inundated with Biden migrants, making it a hotbed of cartel activity and illicit drugs, like no one has ever seen before. I spent three days in Whitewater in April, and I found a much different story. (You can read my full report here.) The town was, in fact, dealing with a drastic growth in its foreign population between 800 and 1,000 migrants had arrived in the previous two years, and that came with challenges: schools were struggling to teach students with few English skills; the police department saw an uptick in unlicensed drivers; an increased demand in housing outpaced supply. Quietly, the towns residents worked to address the situation. A volunteer immigration support group banded together to help organize ESL classes, food and clothing supplies, and legal services. The school district worked to bring in Spanish-speaking teachers through a guest teacher visa program. A community center distributed food, clothing, furniture, bedding, books and games, free of charge. Trumps comments complicated things for the town. The work community members were already doing suddenly became a political lightning rod. When all the kerfuffle first happened, I realized, I cant do anything about the grandstanding at the border; I cant do anything with the stalemate in Congress; but I can do this, Kristine Zaballos, who runs the community center, told me. Look around your community, and do what you can. Springfield is dealing with the same challenge. When there is an influx of people arriving in a specific place, some people will feel threatened, Viles Dorsainvil, president of Springfields Haitian Community Help and Support Center, told The Dispatch. What the city needs, though, is less fearmongering and more help: More ESL classes and interpreters, he said. Cross-cultural education, which goes both ways. That is an important message that Trump, Vance and others could spread: the U.S. has seen an uptick in new arrivals over the past four years, and there is a desperate need to help them acclimate to their new life in the U.S. Spurts of immigration are accompanied by growing pains, as Springfield and Whitewater have seen. But theres a good chance that the immigrants in your and my communities, just like those in Springfield, are also fueling economic growth. Theres a good chance that they arent in the country illegally, too: many Haitians in Springfield are beneficiaries of temporary protected status, making their presence in the U.S. legal. The message Trump, Vance and others shouldnt spread? The us-versus-them message that pits Americans and migrants at opposite ends of a zero-sum political spectrum. Vance, during a CNN hit Sunday, repeatedly spoke of his Ohio constituents and the migrants separately, as if Ohios newest arrivals arent his constituents, too. Its not just inaccurate, but its bad politics: two-thirds of U.S. adults prefer a candidate who focuses on solutions and says things like we need to modernize our immigration system so that legal, hard-working migrants can legally come to our country, work and be a part of the American dream, according to polling from the National Immigration Forum. Most Americans know we need tangible solutions that strengthen our country, Forum president and CEO Jennie Murray said. They are not interested in fearmongering. Poll pulse In light of the apparent assassination attempt, Im re-upping our latest Deseret News/HarrisX polling on political violence. A vast majority of U.S. voters 77% are concerned about more political violence before Novembers election, and majorities of both Republicans and Democrats fear violence from the other side post-election should their candidate win. Does Taylor Swifts endorsement make a difference for you? Only 6% of voters say her Harris endorsement makes them more likely to back Harris, too, according to the latest ABC News/Ipsos poll. Meanwhile, 13% say it makes them less likely to back Harris. What Im reading On the topic of immigration: who deserves credit for the plunging border apprehension numbers this year? The Biden administration (and its executive orders) are first-in-line, though Mexico may merit equal recognition: Bidens border strategy wouldnt be possible without the help of Mexico, which has performed its own internal deportation operation, shuttling migrants from the U.S.-Mexico border all the way to the countrys south, forcing migrants to head north again. This cycle sometimes called el carrusel, or the carousel has caused some migrants to trek across Mexico six or seven times. Whether the system continues when a new Mexican president takes office in October, and a new U.S. president enters in January, is worth monitoring. How Mexico is helping Biden and Harris at the U.S. border (Mary Beth Sheridan, The Washington Post) The MAGA MLM: The Trump campaign is testing a new, rewards-based program to encourage voter turnout. Campaign volunteers are told to target hard-to-reach, low-propensity voters those that have shown interest in Trump, for example, but dont frequently vote. For each one of those voters a campaign volunteer contacts, they inch closer to a series of rewards: collectible patches, t-shirts, expedited entry to rallies, collectors edition hats. Trumps swing-state plan targets sometimes voters (Sophia Cai and Torey Van Oot, Axios) A good piece of religion reporting from Minnesota, where Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz home congregations are visited and observed. Walz, a self-described Minnesota Lutheran, is soft-spoken about his faith. But this dispatch from the Midwest offers a glimpse into the diverse, progressive Christianity that Walz identifies with. Lutherans in Walzs Minnesota put potlucks before politics during divisive election season (Giovanna DellOrto, The Associated Press) BONUS: Retired federal judge Thomas B. Griffith participated in a recent 60 Minutes segment examining the ongoing fallout from the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Griffith, alongside a team of conservative legal scholars, examined the evidence of Trumps stolen election claims. Rioters were duped, Griffith concluded: All the evidence points in one direction, he said. And that is that President Biden won, and President Trump lost. U.S. attorney explains Jan. 6 Capitol riot prosecutions See you on the trail. Editors note: The Deseret News is committed to covering issues of substance in the 2024 presidential race from its unique perspective and editorial values. Our team of political reporters will bring you in-depth coverage of the most relevant news and information to help you make an informed decision. Find our complete coverage of the election here. Trump, Vance to campaign in Michigan after second assassination attempt Michigan voters likely aren't feeling overlooked, as campaigns continue to flock to the key battleground state as the calendar nears November and the presidential election between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump draws closer. Tuesday will see both Trump and his running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, campaigning in Michigan. First, Vance will hold a rally in Kent County in the afternoon before Trump holds an evening town hall in Flint. Opinion polling of voters in Michigan currently shows a near deadlock between Trump and Harris the RealClearPolling average has Harris leading by 0.7 percentage points. Like the current polling average, election results in Michigan are expected to be close this fall. Michigan is one of a handful of battleground states expected to be vital to deciding the outcome of the Nov. 5 election, having been won by Trump in 2016 before being flipped by President Joe Biden in 2020. Trump holding town hall in Flint after second assassination attempt Trump, the Republican nominee, will hold a town hall meeting in Flint Tuesday evening. It's expected to be the first public event Trump holds after an apparent assassination attempt targeted him while he golfed in Florida on Sunday. Trump said on social media he was safe and unharmed, while law enforcement stopped the alleged gunman later on Sunday. It was the second time in a little more than two months that a gunman targeted Trump in July, a gunman fired at Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Michigan also hosted the first public campaign event after the Butler shooting, when Trump and Vance rallied with supporters in Grand Rapids. It's unclear how the Sunday attempt will affect Tuesday's planned event in Flint, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Dort Financial Center in Flint. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who served as Trump's press secretary during his time in the White House, is slated to moderate the town hall. Trump's last Michigan visit was to Eaton County's Potterville on Aug. 29. Vice-presidential nominee JD Vance, left, stands next to former President Donald Trump during a rally at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Vance heads to key swing county But before Trump's town hall is slated to begin in Flint, Vance will hold a rally with supporters Tuesday afternoon in Sparta, a village of around 4,200 residents about ten miles north of Grand Rapids. Sparta is located in Kent County a west Michigan county that once represented a reliable core for Republican candidates but has become much more competitive in recent elections. Kent County is considered a vital battleground in presidential elections. Trump won it in 2016, while Biden carried the county four years later. Since 2008, every presidential candidate who won Kent County ultimately won Michigan, except Mitt Romney in 2012. Vance has made multiple visits to Kent County previously along with the Grand Rapids rally with Trump in July, he also delivered remarks in Byron Township, a suburb of Grand Rapids, in August. The Harris campaign is aware of Kent County's importance to Michigan, as well. Vance's counterpart on the Democratic ticket, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, rallied with supporters in Grand Rapids on Thursday. Harris will be in Michigan this week, too Harris, who replaced Biden as the Democratic nominee after the president ended his reelection campaign in July, is also slated to visit the Great Lakes State this week. The Harris campaign confirmed on Monday that Harris would be joined by TV host, producer and author Oprah Winfrey for a livestreamed broadcast from Michigan Thursday evening. The event with Winfrey does not appear to be open to the public. Harris' most recent visit to Michigan came on Labor Day, where she spoke about unions in Detroit. Given Michigan's importance to the electoral map this fall, it's near-certain presidential campaigns and candidates will continue to flock to the battleground state in the weeks leading up to the November election. 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: Donald Trump, JD Vance to hold events in Michigan on Tuesday FIRST ON FOX: The Trump campaign unveiled a website Tuesday that tabulates how much voters in each state can expect to pay in taxes if the Trump tax cuts expire next year. "Kamala Harris voted against the Trump Tax Cuts and will let them expire if she's elected," the website, dubbed KamalaTaxIncrease.com, says. "Democrats in Washington don't care about you they will work together with Kamala Harris to make sure you pay more taxes and have less money in your pocket. According to the Tax Foundation, if the Trump Tax Cuts expire, most taxpayers will see a notable tax increase," it adds. Using data from the Washington, D.C.-based think tank the Tax Foundation, the Trump campaigns new website displays a map of the U.S. with a breakdown on what residents in each state could expect to spend in additional taxes. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE CALL TO EXTEND TRUMP TAX CUTS, AVOID 'LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN AMERICAN HISTORY' A new website released by the Trump campaign that tabulates how much voters can expect to pay in increased taxes if Trump's tax cuts expire next year. TRUMP TO LAUNCH CRYPTO PLATFORM: WHAT TO KNOW READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "When Kamala is in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin this week will she tell voters that on average they will pay more than $2,000 in extra taxes each year if she is elected and lets the Trump Tax Cuts expire? The choice is simple more money in your pockets with President Trump or higher taxes with Kamala Harris," Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaigns national press secretary, told Fox News Digital. The national average tax hike falls at $2,580.57, while residents in blue states such as California and Washington can expect an average increase of $3,360 and $4,375, according to the website. TRUMP PROMISES TO HALT TAXES ON SOCIAL SECURITY; CITES INFLATION NIGHTMARE FOR SENIORS Florida residents face an average tax hike of $3,505 per year, while Nevadans can expect a $3,523 spike, and Wyoming residents $4,254, according to the data. A new poll ahead of Tuesdays ABC News Presidential Debate shows Vice President Kamala Harris leading former President Trump by eight percentage points among likely voters in Virginia. The Tax Foundation additionally has a calculator on its website that can tabulate expected increases based on an individual's personal background, such as income and marital status, to view more in-depth data. Trump and Republican lawmakers passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017, which drastically overhauled the nation's tax code, including reducing the top individual income tax bracket to 37% from 39.6% and nearly doubling the size of the standard deduction. The law, however, is set to sunset in 2025, with Vice President Harris vowing to reverse the Trump-era cuts. She is proposing to raise the rate that major businesses pay from 21% to 28%, and also seeks to increase the federal government's small business tax deduction tenfold, from $5,000 to $50,000. TRUMP'S ECONOMIC SCORECARD: WHERE HE STANDS ON TAXES, TARIFFS AND MORE Trump has pledged to make the entirety of his 2017 tax law permanent if he is re-elected in November. "He wants to let our tax cuts expire," Trump said in May at a rally in New Jersey. "Instead of a Biden tax hike, Ill give you a Trump middle-class, upper-class, lower-class, business-class big tax cut. Youre going to have the biggest tax cut." Former President Trump speaks at the Economic Club of New York, laying out his vision for the economy if he wins a second term. (Getty Images) Last week, the Chamber of Commerce and 500 businesses spread across the nation published an open letter to Washington lawmakers and the next presidential administration, calling on them to keep the Trump tax cuts in place or risk the U.S. facing "the largest tax increase in American history." TRUMP, HARRIS TOUT TAX PLANS AHEAD OF PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE "While the impact of a massive tax increase on individual Americans is clear, it is critical for policymakers to understand that the expiration of many pro-growth business tax reforms from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) also will dramatically increase costs for families and customers, harm main street businesses, reduce take-home pay for workers, and result in the loss of innovation and American jobs," Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement of the letter. "Pro-growth tax policy doesnt just grow the overall U.S. economy; it raises wages for American workers and improves standards of living," the statement continued. "Maintaining and improving pro-growth tax policy ensures that the U.S. remains globally competitive, retaining and attracting businesses, jobs, investment, and innovation here at home." Harris, meanwhile, pledged in July that she would not to raise taxes on anyone making under $400,000 a year if elected to the Oval Office in November. The Tax Foundations Center for Tax Policy also told fact checking website Verify this week that Trump's proposed tariff plans which include between 10% and 20% tariff on all imported goods and a 60% tariff on all goods imported from China would lead to an average increase of more than $6,000 per household. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub. Fox News Digital's Megan Henney and Breck Dumas contributed to this article. Original article source: New Trump website reveals how much money a Harris presidency could cost taxpayers On Monday, Sept. 9, the Crawford County Sheriffs Office initiated contact with David Heisz, 42, and Anastaisa Anderson, 29, at their residence of 306 Grove St. in the village of Gays Mills, according Sheriff Dale McCullick. Law enforcement personnel conducted a search of the residence and vehicles for illegal narcotics under the guidelines of Wisconsin ACT 79. As a result of the search, numerous items of evidentiary value were discovered, methamphetamine, methamphetamine paraphernalia, and a controlled substance. Heisz was arrested and transported to the Crawford County Jail on charges of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a schedule II-controlled substance, neglecting a child, and probation violation. Anderson was arrested and transported to the Crawford County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a schedule II-controlled substance, and neglecting a child. Trump's first campaign event since second assassination attempt to be town hall in key battleground Former President Trump will host a town hall event in Flint, Michigan, on Tuesday, the first campaign event since the latest attempt on his life. Trump will be at Flints Dort Financial Center on Tuesday evening for a town hall-style event, where he is expected to take questions from the audience and focus remarks on the auto industry and inflation. The event comes just two days after Trump survived a second assassination attempt, this time while playing golf at Trump National Golf Club in Florida on Sunday. WITNESS SAW TRUMP ASSASSINATION SUSPECT FLEE BUSHES, TOOK PHOTO OF GETAWAY CAR Trumps Flint town hall will be moderated by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who is expected to take on a larger role in campaigning for the former president in the homestretch of the campaign. The event comes as the campaigns are now within the last 50 days of the election, with both candidates scrambling to solidify support ahead of November. Michigan figures to play a key role for both Trump and his opponent, Vice President Harris, being one of the swing states most likely to turn the election in either candidates favor. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP According to the Real Clear Politics polling average, Harris currently holds a slight lead over Trump in the state with an average of 48.3% support to Trumps 47.6%. Vice President Harris WHO IS RYAN WESLEY ROUTH: ALLEGED GUNMAN AT TRUMP GOLF CLUB However, current polling in Michigan compares favorably for Trump compared to where he stood in 2016 and 2020, when Trump trailed Clinton in the state at this point in the 2016 election by an average of 5.2 points and trailed President Biden at this point in 2020 by 4.8 points. Trump would go on to win Michigan in 2016 by less than one percentage point, while Biden topped Trump in Michigan in 2020 by less than three percentage points. Sen. JD Vance attends Charity Day 2024 hosted by the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund at BGC Group on Sept. 11, 2024, in New York City. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Trumps Tuesday event will not be the only trip for the presidential campaigns to Michigan this week, with Harris expected to host a "Unite for America" livestream event from Michigan with Oprah Winfrey on Thursday. Meanwhile, Trumps running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, is expected to hold an event in Sparta, Michigan, on Tuesday. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub. Original article source: Trump's first campaign event since second assassination attempt to be town hall in key battleground MANHATTAN (KSNT) Kansas State University is reporting the discovery of a student who tested positive for tuberculosis this month. The university made the report public in a special issue of K-State Today sent to students on Friday, Sept. 13. A student in Manhattan told university officials about testing positive for tuberculosis. The student is currently in isolation, per CDC guidelines. Tuberculosis can show up as a bad cough lasting for several weeks, pain in the chest and coughing up blood, according to the CDC. Other signs of infection include weakness, fatigue, weight loss, no appetite, chills, fever and sweating at night. K-State is working closely with the Riley County Health Department to help identify any individuals with prolonged contact who should be tested out of precaution. The health department will contact any identified individuals who may need to be tested with instructions on next steps. K-State Today Special Issue excerpt Sept. 13 Four hospitalized in Jefferson County school bus crash K-State encourages students, staff and other community members to visit the Lafene Health Center website to learn more about tuberculosis. Students, faculty and staff can also call 785-532-6544 to speak with a representative at the Lafene Health Center. 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. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) The widow of slain Knox County Sheriffs Office deputy Tucker Blakely filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the widow of the suspect who fatally shot Blakely, claiming she was responsible for the incident and the firearm used. The suit, which was filed in Knox County on Monday, names Angela Rose as the defendant in the case. Tucker Blakelys widow, Katarina Blakely, is being represented by attorney T. Scott Jones. Kentucky manhunt: Leaders to give update on ongoing search for I-75 shooting suspect Angela Rose is the widow of shooting suspect Matthew Rose, 30, who died after a shootout with KCSO deputies on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023 when they responded to a domestic incident call in the Hardin Valley area of West Knox County. Tucker Blakely, 29, died Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 after being shot Sunday night. Now, almost a year after the shooting, Katarina Blakely alleges in the suit that Angela Roses negligence and reckless actions resulted in the death of Tucker Blakely. She is seeking $10 million. Within the suit, a report from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reveals some details of Angela Roses statements to investigators in late October 2023 amid the aftermath of the shooting. Her statements are part of Katarina Blakelys argument that Angela Rose is responsible for her husbands death, because Angela Rose knew of her husbands history of mental illness, violent behavior, and still allowed him at their home despite his conviction of domestic violence and reckless use of a firearm stemming from an August 2023 incident in Michigan. The suit also claims that Angela Rose allowed her husband to have access to her firearms. Teen shot multiple times at Knoxville apartment complex, KPD investigating The suit also has several police reports as attached exhibits detailing Matthew Roses criminal history. Regarding the lawsuit, T. Scott Jones issued the following statement on Tuesday: The tragic events referenced in the recently filed Complaint could have all been avoided had Mrs. Rose exercised even a modicum of good judgment as she through her repeated enabling actions literally set the wheels in motion which directly led to Deputy Blakelys demise. She not only purchased firearms, she maintained unsecured firearms, she allowed her husband to have access to those firearms and she did all of these in violation of numerous court orders. Court orders are there for a purpose, and she was well aware of her husbands mental condition and the prohibitions of him being around firearms. Her irresponsibility cannot be masked by assertions of being a victim herself when she had availed herself of Court protection and then chose to voluntarily ignore and disregard the very Orders protecting her and her family. This tragedy was avoidable and while she did not pull the trigger herself, she clearly metaphorically loaded the offending weapon and allowed the gun she purchased to be used multiple times by her husband whom she knew was a danger to himself, her family and ultimately the public at large. Attorney T. Scott Jones, representing Katarina Blakely, wife of late Tucker Blakely A refuge: Advocate shares history behind Kuwohi after Clingmans Dome name change If you or someone you know is involved in a domestic violence situation, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit their website at www.thehotline.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 WATE 6 On Your Side. Native Vote 2024. Tuesday, September 17, 2024, is recognized as National Voter Registration Day across the United States. On Monday, the White House released a presidential proclamation recognizing National Voter Registration Day, 2024. In the his proclamation, President Biden writes: "the Department of the Interior is working to increase Indigenous peoples' access to voter registration." If you are not registered to vote, please do so today. Read the entire presidential proclamation below. NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY, 2024 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation American democracy begins and ends with the ballot box -- putting the right to vote and the right to decide our Nation's future in the hands of "We the People." Voting defines our threshold of liberty and makes everything possible. On National Voter Registration Day, we recommit to protecting the sacred right to vote, and we encourage every eligible American to register to vote. Today, there are forces trying to take us back in time. They are trying to suppress voters and subvert elections. They are supporting unlimited dark money and extreme gerrymandering to try to influence the election system in their favor. We saw it on January 6, 2021, when a violent mob of insurrectionists and election deniers breached the Capitol. It is a solemn reminder that the work to secure our democracy and protect our fundamental rights and freedoms is not over in this country. Each generation must join the work to preserve our democratic values and norms. 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. That is why, when I came into office, I was determined to secure the right to vote and the right to have every vote counted. I signed an Executive Order that directed the entire Federal Government to work on promoting non-partisan access to voter registration and election information. So far, Federal agencies have worked to make voter registration more accessible for veterans and college students. The Department of Justice has doubled its voting rights enforcement staff. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has worked to ensure that all newly naturalized citizens understand the privilege of voting and have the opportunity to register. And the Department of the Interior is working to increase Indigenous peoples' access to voter registration. Furthermore, Vice President Kamala Harris declared National Voter Registration Day to be one of three National Days of Action on Voting Rights, calling on all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, to come together to encourage voter registration. This year, one of my guests at the State of the Union was one of the brave Americans who marched in Selma, Alabama, nearly 60 years ago on "Bloody Sunday." Thanks to these activists who fought tirelessly for the right to vote -- from Seneca Falls, New York, to Selma, Alabama -- the 19th Amendment was ratified and the Voting Rights Act was signed into law. But to fully secure the right to vote in every State, the Congress must take action and pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Today, I am thinking of a quote from Benjamin Franklin. When he was asked if the Founding Fathers had given America a monarchy or a republic, he responded, "A republic, if you can keep it." On National Voter Registration Day, we are reminded that our republic is in our hands and it is incumbent upon us to maintain it. It is in that spirit that we encourage every eligible American to ensure they are registered to vote. You can verify that your registration is accurate and up to date and offer to help your neighbors do the same. For more information, visit Vote.gov. NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 17, 2024, as National Voter Registration Day. I call on all eligible Americans to observe this day by ensuring that they are accurately registered and by committing to cast a ballot in upcoming elections. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth. JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR. 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 Tumwater family was at home when they discovered a man in a closet, police say A young family got the shock of their lives last week when they found a man hiding in the closet of their home, according to Tumwater police. About 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, police were dispatched to the 800 block of Israel Road Southwest. Once there, police learned that a woman, 22, her boyfriend, 19, and an 18-month-old child had been at home for about 90 minutes. The boyfriend had noticed footprints leading to a hallway closet. He reached for the handle of the closet door and thats when a man came running out and exited the home. A K9 was used to track the man but he was not found, Police Lt. Jen Kolb said Tuesday. The man is thought to be in his 30s. He was last seen wearing a black Carhart jacket and blue jeans, she said. The woman, identified as Rebecca Blevins in an interview with King 5, believes they may have prevented a kidnapping. Kolb said police dont have evidence of that, but they are continuing to investigate. We dont know the motivation of someone hiding in the closet, she said. Were still trying to determine the who, what and why. Right now the man in the closet is facing possible criminal trespass or burglary charges, she said. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Tumwater police at 360-754-4200. Sweden's new foreign minister Maria Malmer Stenergard walks after the opening of the parliament (Riksdagen) in Stockholm ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey and Sweden will hold their first meeting on Wednesday addressing a security pact the sides agreed to ensure Ankara's approval of Stockholm's NATO membership bid, a Turkish diplomatic source said on Tuesday. The meeting will take place during a visit to Ankara by Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, and it carried "special importance" in terms of improving cooperation on terrorism, the source said. Turkey approved Sweden's bid to join the military alliance in January after a more than year-long delay over concerns about Sweden's stance on groups and individuals it deems terrorists, and over an arms embargo that Stockholm later lifted. As part of the approval, Ankara demanded that Stockholm amend anti-terrorism laws and crack down on members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) - also labelled a terrorist group by the United States and European Union - as well as a group it accuses of orchestrating a 2016 failed putsch. The formation of the "Security Compact" was agreed by NATO's then-chief Jens Stoltenberg and Turkish and Swedish leaders at an alliance summit in 2023. The parties had also agreed that Stockholm would present a "roadmap" on counter-terrorism. Sweden joined NATO in March. "Cooperation in the field of security, especially the fight against terrorism, will be discussed within the framework of the road map," the source said, adding that the talks aimed to pave the way for additional steps on the PKK and its Syrian offshoots, as well others. Turkey's foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, and Stenergard will also discuss bilateral ties during the meetings, the source added. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Jonathan Spicer) TV stars have got away with certain behaviours, BBC boss admits Tim Davie said he had no doubt that the Huw Edwards scandal had affected the corporations reputation - Tim Whitby/Royal Television Society Television stars have been allowed to get away with certain behaviours in the workplace, Tim Davie has admitted in the wake of recent BBC scandals. The admission by the corporations director-general came as he was asked at an event about the perception that famous people paid big salaries are indulged and their behaviour [is] permitted. Huw Edwards, who was the BBCs highest-paid news presenter before being sentenced this week for child sex offences, was the subject of workplace complaints from younger employees who alleged he sent them inappropriate messages. Jermaine Jenas, the Match of the Day and One Show presenter, was recently sacked by the BBC over complaints about inappropriate phone messages. Graziano Di Prima, the Strictly Come Dancing professional, also left the corporation after he was found to have kicked his celebrity partner, a claim which emerged following allegations of a bullying culture on the BBC One programme. Mr Davie spoke about the Edwards scandal during an interview with the BBCs Amol Rajan at a Royal Television Society conference. He said: There is no doubt that an affair like this impacts our reputation. Were very mindful that peoples trust in the BBC is absolutely essential. Mr Davie was also asked if there was one rule for famous people and one rule for young members of staff. A disciplinary investigation into Edwards invited staff to come forward with complaints, but that process was shelved when the presenter resigned. A wider review of the BBCs workplace culture was announced last month. Huw Edwards, pictured leaving court on Monday, was handed a six-month suspended prison term - Tolga Akmen/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The BBC boss said the culture had moved on enormously in the past 20 or 30 years. However, he admitted: There is still something about businesses where youve got these people we often say that a person is creatively brilliant but it comes with certain behaviours. One of the things I want to do in the next stage of this voyage as director-general I really would love to be at a point where we really get beyond this. You use crisis to move yourself on. Asked again about the perception that bad behaviour by star performers was indulged and excused, he replied: Its a constant work in progress. Appalling crimes Mr Davie said that more than 50 per cent of the BBCs workforce were now women, adding: The environment is different. This is why it hurts so much when these things happen. He also insisted that Edwards would never return to the BBC. This man has just been convicted of appalling crimes and its pretty straightforward in my mind that I cant see him working at the BBC again. Its not a difficult question, he said. The secret life this guy was leading what weve seen is shocking. The director-general said more than 50 per cent of the BBCs workforce were now women - Karl Black/Alamy Live News However, Mr Davie said that Edwards would not be removed from the BBCs archives. The presenter was the face of the corporations news coverage for some of Britains most significant effects in recent years, including royal occasions, and he was chosen to announce the death of Queen Elizabeth II. We never completely ban and rip someone out of the archive, the director-general said. I would never say never. There may be a documentary, a contextual piece where were seeing images from people who are no longer working with us, who have been, frankly, disgraced. Im not seeing a scenario in which any Huw Edwards material is used in day-to-day programming or anything else but I think its wrong of the BBC with its archive to say youll never see archive of an individual again. It doesnt pass the common sense test. The BBC is currently conducting a review into claims made by Amanda Abbington, the actress, about her experiences on Strictly Come Dancing. She has alleged that her partner, Giovanni Pernice, was abusive, cruel and mean to her during rehearsals. Pernice vehemently denies the claims. Mr Davie said the BBC was pretty close to the end of the review. Asked if it would have been useful to have the report finished before the new series of the dance show began last week, he said: Many things in life would be useful. 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 Twin Cities will host a mix of '90s nostalgia acts, hugely popular local bands, tribute shows, and indie rock luminaries this week. (As well as the opportunity to relive one of the summer's biggest concerts.) Here's what you'll find around the Twin Cities this week. Blues Traveler: 30 Years of Four Tuesday, Sept. 17 at First Avenue There are two responses to realizing it's been 30 years since Blues Traveler's Four came out: "It's already been 30 years!?" or "It's only been 30 years!?" I fall into the latter camp, since it feels like that album was ubiquitous radio fodder three lifetimes ago. Whatever your opinion, it's been 30 years since "Run Around" was inescapable. The band that made a harmonica player a household name celebrates the milestone just four days after its official 30th anniversary at First Avenue, where you can join others in pretending to remember all the words to "Hook." More concerts on Tuesday: Sepultura Wednesday, Sept. 18 at the Uptown Theater The Brazilian metal veterans have gone through a lot of phases since forming in the mid-80s, starting as a thrash band and toying with industrial, nu-metal, and adjacent genres. As with any band that's lasted 40 years, the lineup has changed quite a bit. Nonetheless, they've persevered through the loss of founding members Max and Igor Cavalera. (It's been decades since Max was at the microphone, but the band still features founding members Paulo Jr. and Andreas Kisser.) Even without those driving forces of the band's early years, Sepultura has been a titanic influence and Wednesday's show is a chance to check out the Uptown Theater if you haven't been since it reopened as a concert venue last summer. More concerts on Wednesday: Hippo Campus with Lutalo Thursday, Sept. 19 at First Avenue Hippo Campus suits up the night before the Friday release of its fourth studio album, Flood. It might your last chance to see them in the relative intimacy of First Avenue for a while. The popular Twin Cities-based group is embarking on a big tour with their next hometown show scheduled for Surly's sprawling Festival Field next summer. Plus, you can get a preview of new tracks like "Paranoid," the album's lead single which has a music video partially shot at the James J. Hill Center in St. Paul. Related: Surly announces first concert of 2025 Festival Field season More concerts on Thursday: St. Vincent with Dorian Electra Thursday, Sept. 19, and Friday, Sept. 20 at the Palace Theatre Annie Clark is taking up residence at St. Paul's Palace Theatre for two nights in support of her latest album, the self-produced All Born Screaming. Clark has been remarkably consistent in the 17 years since releasing her self-titled album as St. Vincent. All Born Screaming calls back a bit to her earlier albums with her mix of genre-bending instrumentation and entrancing hooks. She's a uniquely great live performer who occasionally throws in unexpected and delightful covers like her shredding rendition of The Pop Group's "She Is Beyond Good and Evil or Big Black's "Kerosene." More concerts on Friday: M. Ward with Leslie Stevens Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Fine Line While M. Ward gained some broader recognition through his She & Him project with actress Zooey Deschanel, he's never quite gained a popularity that matches the influence and appeal of albums like Transistor Radio, Post-War, and Migration Stories. His distinctive brand of Americana has proven adaptable and intelligent, whether he's collaborating with Neko Case and Jim Ward, covering Daniel Johnston, or thoughtfully engaging with Billie Holiday. His catalogue is sprawling, but concertgoers may be in for a set of classics as he just released his first "best of" collection, For Beginners: The Best of M. Ward. More concerts on Saturday: Descendents with The Buzzcocks Sunday, Sept. 22 at the Palace Theatre The Palace Theatre isn't going to remind anyone of the punk scene when the Descendents were kicking things off in the '70s. Nonetheless, it's an opportunity to see the punk legends who, even with a couple of short breaks in their career, have been at it for a very, very long time. Fellow genre lifers, The Buzzcocks, open, along with the Grumpster. More concerts on Sunday: Related: Wilco plots unique three-night run of concerts in St. Paul Just announced concerts: Related: Metallica releases live recordings of both Minneapolis shows Twitter Reacts To the Ironic Twist of the Haitian Prosecutor Investigating Trumps Assassination Attempt U.S Attorney Markenzy Lapointe speaks during a press conference on September 16, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Ryan Wesley Routh is charged with two federal counts: possession of a firearm while a federal convict and possession of a firearm with the serial number obliterated. - Photo: Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo (Getty Images) Its a joke that even we couldnt prepare enough for. The federal prosecutor spearheading the investigation into former President Donald Trumps second assassination attempt is you guess it Haitian-American. Just days after the GOP candidate perpetuated the baseless rumor that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio were eating the dogs... eating the cats, Haitian-born Markenzy Lapointe, one of South Floridas top attorneys, was named as the prosecutor overseeing the investigation. As we ponder on exactly how Trump feels about this surreal turn of events, its not lost on us that the internet had loads to say on the subject. One X user, @rimaanabtawi, tweeted Bat chen an tann met li! which is a famous Haitian proverb translating to beat the dog, wait for its owner. Bat chen an tann met li! https://t.co/xYhT70gwJ0 pic.twitter.com/gwkKwHmeBT Rima Isam Anabtawi (@rimaanabtawi) September 17, 2024 Another user wrote God has an amazing sense of humor and never misses an opportunity to check ignorance. God has an amazing sense of humor and never misses an opportunity to check ignorance. Salute to the community at home and abroad! https://t.co/UnFBqZJiNX Olanike Alabi (@OlanikeAlabi) September 17, 2024 Lapointe migrated to the U.S. when he was just 16 years old, according to The Miami Herald. He served in the Marines during the Gulf War in 1990, and after returning to the states from active duty, Lapointe graduated from Florida State University with his bachelors in 1993 and then his law degree in 1999. Just a Haitian immigrant doing his Black ass job. https://t.co/kSC6BJhxNr Dae (@iheartdatrian4u) September 17, 2024 User @primediscussion joked this was straight out of the Shonda Rhimes playbook. The US District Attorney of the Southern District of Florida in charge of the new Trump assassination is Haitian. How fucking ironic. JWalk (@TVTalkWithJWalk) September 16, 2024 After working as a law clerk for Florida Supreme Court Justice Harry Anstead, Lapointe joined the U.S. Attorneys Office in 2002, according to The Miami Herald. You HAVE to BE CAREFUL HOW YOU TREAT PEOPLE. https://t.co/E2r64AMCgu pic.twitter.com/Y92r3g4FAR Randi White (@RandiWhite) September 17, 2024 In 2022, President Biden appointed Lapointe as an United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. He was confirmed by the Senate in 2023. Even though Lapointe is clearly more than qualified to serve in his position, we know his race will remain a hot topic of discussion while dealing with the former president. @iWriterGirl wrote how shes waiting for MAGA to go super weird and begin their conspiracy theories about the Haitian-American lawyer. Its not lost on me that Markenzy Lapointe is Haitian. I cant wait for MAGA to go super weird with conspiracy theories about how the investigation is rigged. blair channing rae (@iWriterGirl) September 16, 2024 Lapointe said the investigation into the second assassination attempt against Trump is still in its early stages. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Two arrested for drug and property crimes in Georgetown County Sheriffs Office parking lot GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) Georgetown County Sheriff Carter Weaver announced Monday the arrest of two Connecticut residents on drug and property crime charges after they were caught in the Georgetown County Sheriffs Office parking lot. Deputies observed Amanda Jean Williams, 39, and Kirk Frew, 55, attempting to ingest illegal drugs in their vehicle outside the sheriffs office on Monday afternoon. A search of the vehicle uncovered suspected methamphetamine and a large quantity of copper wire, some of which had already been stripped for sale. Additionally, the vehicles license plate was determined to be stolen from Virginia, and deputies recovered a South Carolina tag, the status of which is still under investigation. The two suspects claimed they were at the Sheriffs Office to meet a third party who had offered to assist them in obtaining a permit to haul metals. Williams and Frew are facing charges of possession of methamphetamine, transport of non-ferrous metals, and possession of a stolen license plate. Further charges may be pending as the investigation continues. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) A federal grand jury has indicted two Lowcountry men, Deangelo Montrel Lamont Simmons, 31, of Moncks Corner, and Raynard Dewayne Williams, 36, of North Charleston, for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy. Both men are accused of conspiring to possess and distribute over five kilograms of cocaine. If convicted, Simmons and Williams could each face up to 25 years in prison and fines as high as $20 million. Both men are currently being held in custody as they await trial. The charges are the result of a large-scale investigation conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and several local police and sheriffs departments from the Charleston area. U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs emphasized that the charges are only accusations at this stage and that the defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty 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 WCBD News 2. CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) Two South Bay cities will be voting on Tuesday to consider adopting laws banning homeless encampments in certain areas. The discussion on proposed encampment bans in Chula Vista and National City come six months after a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned legal protections for unhoused people sleeping in public when shelter is inaccessible and they have nowhere else to go. Both ordinances, which bear similarities to the unsafe camping ordinance passed by San Diego city leaders last year, would bar unhoused people from bedding down in public right of ways, near schools or city parks, along transit stops and nature preserves, or outside city shelters. In the six months since the high courts ruling in Grants Pass v. Gloria Johnson, et al., momentum has surged for cities across the county looking to pursue more punitive approaches to address one of the most visible aspects of the homelessness crisis. Vista homeless encampment ban now in effect Five cities in the region have either enacted an encampment ban or are exploring such a measure, arguing the laws are a critical tool to address health and safety issues tied to these sites while upping pressure on unsheltered people to accept offers for help. Were routinely having to remove mattresses, shopping carts, other large debris from our storm drain culverts, Stephen Manganiello, National City director of public works, said in a hearing earlier this month. Our crews often encounter hypodermic needles and other biohazardous waste. I have a big concern, very worried for our workers, Im worried for the public. Gov. Gavin Newsom has propelled some of this movement towards clearing encampments with the Supreme Courts go ahead, last month vowing to cut off state homelessness funding to municipalities he views as not doing enough to clear these sites. Prior to the Grants Pass decision, local governments in the western U.S. were largely prevented from enforcing measures regulating encampments when there is not adequate, accessible shelter available. However, homeless advocates have pushed back against these laws, arguing that outright bans on encampments are an ineffective solution as most of the cities in the county do not yet have enough shelter beds or long-term housing to meet the need. Without such resources, advocates contend laws regulating encampments simply push around or criminalize vulnerable people who have no other options, ultimately making it harder for them to exit homelessness. In a staff report, Chula Vista acknowledged this shortfall: While the city has made efforts to expand its short-term emergency housing portfolio, the vast majority of its long-term options to move people out of these shelter environments are not anticipated to come online for years. The last point-in-time count conducted by the city of Chula Vista in August estimated about 449 people were living on the streets, down 14% from last years total of 510. Meanwhile, the city has 120 emergency shelter beds, 102 transitional housing units, 30 permanent supportive housing units and 112 rapid-rehousing units. The city says an additional 132 permanent supportive housing units are in the pipeline, which are set to open in 2026. San Diego mayor reacts to governors order on homeless encampments National City, which previously strayed away from an encampment ban in favor of an outreach-oriented approach, similarly addressed these impacts flagged by homeless advocates. The city has seen an influx of unhoused people moving from the city of San Diego since its encampment ban went into effect. According to a staff report, about 174 unsheltered people were counted in National City this year, up 9.7% from 2023. National Citys vote on the encampment ban during its 6 p.m. meeting Tuesday will be the second vote on the proposed law, while the Chula Vista City Council will be considering a camping ordinance for the first time in its 5 p.m. meeting. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Two swimmers dead, drowned off southwest corner of Maui AHIHI-KINAU, Hawaii (KHON2) Two Maui visitors were found dead in the waters off of the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Maui Fire Department units responded to a 25-year-old male and 26-year-old female from Washington in distress just after noon on Saturday. How to survive being caught in a riptide The two bodies were found 100 to 150 yards from the north side of the reserve. Reports said Jetski 14 located the unresponsive female and took her to shore. JS14 then went back out to locate the male who was with her. CPR was administered to both victims, but resuscitation efforts proved to be unsuccessful. Check out more news from around Hawaii Emergency Medical Services pronounced both visitors dead at the scene. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Two New York men arrested in connection to narcotics distribution investigation Plattsburgh, NY. Two New York State residents were arrested by police Tuesday morning as part of a continual investigation into local narcotics distribution. Officers were executing a search warrant on Pond Street when they found Jamie Lugo, 47, of Plattsburgh, and Enmanuel St. Hilaire, 22, of White Plains. Police say they also found a third unidentified person within the home, plus $5,000 and a handgun. Lugo and St. Hilaire were charged with criminal weapon possession and criminal nuisance. Both will appear in court on a later, undetermined date. Police have confirmed that this situation is still under investigation. Anyone with additional information can call PPD at 518-563-3411. Enmanuel St. Hilaire (Courtesy: PPD) Jaime Lugo (Courtesy: PPD) Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The death toll from disastrous flooding in Myanmar following Typhoon Yagi has risen to 226, many more people missing after reports of deadly landslides and entire villages being swept away by raging rivers. The United Nations has warned that as many as 630,000 people could be in need of help, while state TV reported nearly 640,000 acres of rice paddies and other crops have been destroyed, creating longer term food insecurity for the already impoverished population. At least 287 people are also believed to have died in heavy rains and powerful winds as Typhoon Yagi swept across northern Vietnam, Laos and Thailand before reaching Myanmar. Myanmars junta made a rare appeal for foreign aid at the weekend to tackle the rescue mission and aftermath of the floods that have wreaked havoc in a country already suffering the economic and humanitarian impact of three years of war. The Southeast Asian nation has been in turmoil since the military seized power in a February 2021 coup, triggering widespread violence and destroying the economy. Flood-affected residents are transported on a rescue boat in Taungoo - AFP The chaos has made the country even more vulnerable during times of natural disaster, but the junta has previously frustrated foreign humanitarian assistance, including the suspension of travel authorisations for aid groups last year after Cyclone Mocha. State media reported that nearly 66,000 houses had been destroyed as of Friday evening, along with 375 schools and a monastery. However, many of the worst-affected areas remain difficult to reach after major infrastructure, including a railway bridge in Mandalays Pyawbwe township and the Yangon-Mandalay highway in the capital Naypyitaw was swept away or severely flooded. A man clears water from his home in Naypyitaw - AP Phone and internet communications have also been cut off in parts of the country, stoking fears that the damage could be more widespread and death toll much higher than currently known. The UNs World Food Programme on Monday said the floods were the worst in Myanmars recent history, without giving precise details. Severe flooding hit the country in 2011 and 2015, with more than 100 deaths reported on both occasions, while in 2008 Cyclone Nargis left more than 138,000 people dead or missing. The storm has mainly affected Naypyidaw, as well as the Mandalay, Magway, and Bago regions, along with eastern and southern Shan state, Mon, Kayah and Kayin states. Local media reports suggest many of the most badly affected villages have been forced to carry out and fund their own rescue operations. Flood victims receive relief supplies from a private donor in Naypyitaw, Myanmar - AP Eyewitnesses reported seeing people trapped on top of their flooded homes or in trees. We had no time to move our belongings as water level rose rapidly and had to climb on the roof, a Naypyitaw resident told the Irrawaddy. The floodwaters are very strong, and they were higher than a man. The news site said most of the 350-plus homes in Thabyaypin village in Mandalay Regions Yamethin Township were swept away by a torrent of floodwater and 80 residents were missing. The township was devastated after the Paunglaung River burst its banks. People were killed by mudslides. In some villages, houses were buried. People are only helping each other, and no officials have come so far, one resident said. India has so far sent 10 tonnes of materials, including dry rations, clothing and medicine, but the UN has issued an urgent appeal for more resources. The latest storm to hit Southeast Asia has added to concerns that extreme weather events are a side-effect of the global climate crisis as warmer air can hold more water vapour, leading to more frequent and severe flooding. 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. CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) The University of Illinois is set to receive more than $135,000 in federal money to fund specialty crop research. Illinois State Senator Paul Faraci and the Illinois Department of Agriculture announced today that the money would come from the 2024 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. According to Faraci, the goal of the grant is to grow more fresh produce and to make it more accessible to everyone. From the Farm returns with a report on crop, production prices Ensuring every family has access to fresh, healthy food is a priority, Faraci said. This funding will help bring more locally grown produce into our schools, markets and homes, which will have a lasting impact on the health of our residents. The grant will focus on improving specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables and herbs, and crops that help to make Illinois agriculture healthier and more diverse. U of I researchers will work to develop rapid agricultural water testing to identify and reduce microbial contamination in specialty crops. At the U of I extension, researchers will work with specialty farmers to evaluate the best soil, climate and conditions to grow ginger. Its officially harvest season and day two of farm safety week According to Faraci, specialty crops make more than $400 million in farm sales annually across the state of Illinois. This grant is a game-changer for Champaign County, Faraci said. Agriculture is the backbone of our community, and this funding will ensure we continue to innovate in specialty crop production while improving access to healthy, local food for all residents. Over the next three years, the U of I will receive $64,679 and the U of I Extension will receive $70,442. In total, around $525,000 will be used to support programs in Illinois that enhance specialty crop production, research and education. For a full list of grant winners and more information on the Illinois Specialty Crop Block Grant Projects, visit the Illinois Department of Agricultures 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 WCIA.com. Angoon students prepare to paddle the unity canoe they built with master carver Wayne Price on June 19, 2023. It is the first canoe of its kind since the U.S. Navy bombardment of Angoon in 1882 that destroyed all the village's canoes. The Navy plans to issue apologies to Kake and Angoon residents in the fall of 2024. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon) Two Tlingit villages in Southeast Alaska will receive apologies for wrongful military action from the U.S. Navy this fall. The first of those apologies will take place in Kake this weekend, where U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Mark B. Sucato will acknowledge the harms of a bombardment in 1869. An apology in Angoon is scheduled for Oct. 26, the 142nd anniversary of the 1882 bombardment. Navy Environmental Public Affairs Specialist Julianne Leinenveber said it was determined that the military actions were wrongful because they resulted in loss of life, loss of resources, and inflicted multigenerational trauma on the affected communities. The pain and suffering inflicted upon the Tlingit people warrants this long overdue apology, she wrote in an email. Tlingit people have asked the U.S. government to apologize for decades. Leinenveber said the U.S. responded in the last few years with planning discussions at the highest levels of military leadership and the federal government about how to issue a substantive, meaningful apologies in a culturally appropriate manner. Lately, she wrote, military relationships with Alaska Native clans brought the matter to the attention of Navy leadership, who coordinated with the Office of the Secretary of Defense to formally apologize for the bombardments. The Navy will be issuing this apology because it is the right thing to do, regardless of how much time has passed since these tragic events transpired, she wrote. Joel Jackson, the president of the Organized Village of Kake, said the apologies are meaningful to the community even after a century. Its a long time coming, he said. Hopefully, through this apology, we can start healing from the wrongs that were committed against us. Jackson said he is particularly concerned with the effects of intergenerational trauma, which he said he sees in his community today. The Navy apology will specifically acknowledge the U.S. governments responsibility for that trauma. Jackson said the military history of the event is not an accurate accounting of what happened. Many accounts refer to the bombardments as the Kake Wars. We never did go to war with them, he said. They attacked our communities. Military action in Kake There are different accounts of the military events in Kake in 1869. Some refer to the events as a bombardment, while others refer to them as the Kake Wars. What goes without much dispute is that a U.S. Navy vessel, the USS Saginaw, totally destroyed three village sites and two forts in the area of Kake in the winter. Soldiers then burned the villages and destroyed food and canoes. By all accounts, the destruction led to many deaths. Descriptions of the events that precipitated the bombardment differ. An account from William S Dodge, one of two mayors of Sitka under the provisional government, printed in the Annual Report of the Department of the Interior, recounts that two Alaska Native men were killed by a sentry in Sitka when they were unaware there was an order not to leave the village there. Afterward, men from Kake killed two colonizers in retaliation, which caused the war, Dodge wrote. A forthcoming book from Zachary R. Jones, Ph.D., is similar to this account, with the detail that a Kake clan leader asked for trade blankets and goods as compensation for the deaths in accordance with Tlingit law, but the general refused, which is why a party of Kake Tlingits killed two trappers on Admiralty Island in retribution. The information was released in advance of the books publication in a news release from the Sealaska Heritage Institute. New relationships Angoon School Principal Emma Demmert was invited by the U.S. Navy to take part in planning meetings early this summer for its October apology. She said she is hopeful for the future after working with Navy officials and seeing their openness and willingness to embrace Angoons cultural traditions. This is a really good step to healing for our community, and its really been enlightening to be a part of the team and meeting with the Navy on this whole topic, she said. Demmert said the apology is a shift in relations with the U.S. government and she credits the Biden administration, in part, for that change. She also pointed to the work Angoon students did to build a dugout canoe and shine light on the history of the bombardment as a reason for renewed attention to the issue. In Kake, Joel Jackson said he was also looking to the future and to right relations with the U.S. military. Giving an apology is by no means the end of it. Definitely well be looking for them helping us even more, he said. Jackson pointed to Kakes high unemployment rate. Helping to set up infrastructure, you know, to get in some totem poles, stuff like that. Hopefully a museum to commemorate what happened. Correction: One of the references to the year of the bombardment of Kake was incorrect in the original version of this article. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE WASHINGTON, D.C. (WDHN) Enterprise native and U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) recently joined a bipartisan delegation led by Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) on an official visit to Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK). In attendance with Britt, along with lead Senator Bill Hagerty, were also Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.). The Senators met with Fumio Kishida, Japans Prime Minister, and ROK President Suk-yeol Yoon. Together, they participated in the Second Annual Trilateral Executive Dialogue, where top U.S., ROK, and Japanese government and business leaders gathered for security and economic talks. Strengthening our trilateral ties with Japan and the Republic of Korea is of vital strategic importance to Alabama and the United States. These relationships are critical for Alabamas 21st-century economy and for Americas national security, especially given the growing aggression of the Chinese Communist Party in the Indo-Pacific, said Senator Britt. I was honored to join a bipartisan delegation of my Senate colleagues to have fruitful discussions with key regional partners that advance our mutual interests. Thank you to President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida for their hospitality and for the opportunity to attend the Second Annual Trilateral Executive Dialogue in Seoul. Believe it or not, Japan and the Republic of Korea are among the top Alabama export destinations. Japaense and Korean companies have invested billions of dollars in Alabama in recent decades. A group of people posing for a photo in front of a building Description automatically generated Senator Britt and delegation attend a dinner hosted by ROK President Suk-yeol Yoon and First Lady Keon-hee Kim A group of people standing in front of flags Description automatically generated with medium confidence Senator Britt and delegation in Kantei with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida A person sitting at a table Description automatically generated with medium confidence Senator Britt speaks at high-level Trilateral Executive Dialogue in Seoul A group of people standing in front of a podium with flags Description automatically generated with low confidence Senator Britt and delegation attend high-level Trilateral Executive Dialogue in Seoul Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is granting the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences funds to develop programs reducing the rate of maternal and infant death in the Arkansas Delta. The $2.4 million grant will be used over the next four years to test prevention strategies. Sanders unveils plan to combat Arkansas maternal mortality issue, Democrats argue it does not address real problem The UAMS announcement of the grant stated that as of March, Arkansas had the highest maternal mortality rate in the United States, at 8.6 deaths per 100,000 live births, against a national average of 5.4. Arkansas also has the third highest infant mortality rate in the United States, with 7.67 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, based on 2022 data. The statistics are even more troubling for the delta region. According to UAMS officials, Black women in the Arkansas Delta are 1.8 times more likely to have pregnancy-related deaths than white, non-Hispanic women. Committee sends plan to improve maternal mortality, infant health in Arkansas to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders UAMS officials said the grant will focus on projects in Helena-West Helena, Lake Village and Pine Bluff as a joint venture between BioVentures LLC at UAMS, the UAMS Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and the UAMS Division for Academic Pathways and Workforce Partnerships. UAMS will use the funding for the primary activities of screening and providing education to health care providers. It will also engage five students from historically Black colleges and universities per year to identify and develop programs to meet community needs. UAMS awarded nearly $600,000 HHS grant to reduce infant, maternal mortality due to community disparities UAMS officials said other key partners on the grant are the Jefferson Regional Medical Center School of Nursing in Pine Bluff, the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership in Lake Village and the UAMS East Regional Campus in Helena-West Helena. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The UAW said its locals are pushing back against what the union says are Stellantis' attempts to move Dodge Durango production out of Detroit. The union said that locals representing thousands of members have filed contract grievances related to the Durango situation, saying the company's efforts to move production of the SUV out of the United States violate the contract with the union. Details about the alleged attempt to move Durango production were not immediately available. The Durango is currently built at the Detroit Assembly Complex-Jefferson, the eastside plant formerly known as Jefferson North Assembly Plant. Also on Monday, the union said it filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board against the automaker that owns the Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat brands for its "illegal refusal to provide information about the companys plans regarding product commitments," which the union said also violates the contract. Stellantis provided a statement about the unfair labor practice charges, which were confirmed by an NLRB spokeswoman. However, the company response did not answer questions about the alleged efforts to move Durango production. The UAW says that Stellantis has been trying to move Dodge Durango production out of Detroit. "Stellantis has not received the filing, and therefore has not had an opportunity to review the charge. The Company has not violated the commitments made in the Investment Letter included in the 2023 UAW Collective Bargaining Agreement. Like all of our competitors, Stellantis is attempting to carefully manage how and when we bring new vehicles to market, with a focus on enhancing our competitiveness and ensuring our future sustainability and growth. We will communicate our plans to the UAW at the appropriate time," according to the statement provided by spokeswoman Jodi Tinson. The dustup comes as the automaker is facing increasing pushback from the union and others. In a letter to Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares last week, the company's U.S. dealers also criticized the direction of the company in light of falling sales and said the UAW is not the issue. More: Stellantis dealers warn of brand degradation; company scolds them to keep dispute in house More: Fain at Warren Truck rally: Stellantis nowhere near hitting commitments in UAW contract The issues are just the latest disputes between the automaker and the union. Last week, members rallied at Local 140 in Warren, saying the company's announcements of planned investments at Warren fall far short of its commitments in bargaining. The union has also threatened a national strike against Stellantis over the idled Belvidere Assembly Plant, although the company said the union cannot legally strike over that. UAW President Shawn Fain, in the release, said the union intends to enforce the contract. Eric Graham President of UAW Local 140, left, shakes hands with UAW President Shawn Fain, before Fain speaks at a rally outside UAW Local 140 Hall at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant on Thursday Sept.12, 2024. The rally came after Stellantis announced they will be eliminating the second shift at Warren Truck, cutting nearly 2,500 jobs. In our 2023 contract, we won major gains, including a commitment to reopen an idled assembly plant in Belvidere, Illinois, and to build the Dodge Durango in Detroit. We also won the right to strike over those commitments, if we have to, Fain said. Now, Stellantis wants to go back on the deal. As a united UAW, we intend to enforce our contract, and to make Stellantis keep the promise. Fain plans to address UAW members at 7 p.m. Tuesday on the union's social media accounts. Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: UAW to Stellantis: Don't move Dodge Durango production out of Detroit (Bloomberg) -- The UK wont let NIMBYism thwart the massive clean-energy build-out required to decarbonize the grid by 2030, the countrys energy secretary said Tuesday. Most Read from Bloomberg The government sees a rapid transition as key to meeting climate commitments and protecting consumers from fossil-fuel price shocks, while driving economic growth. But the development of solar and wind farms and transmission towers is often opposed by local communities. We will take on the blockers, the delayers, the obstructionists, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband said at an industry conference in London. The government will need to make difficult decisions to realize the energy shift, he said. In the first days of the new Labour government this summer, Miliband approved a series of major solar projects in England that are crucial to meeting climate goals but unpopular with some local residents. To get the public on board, Prime Minister Keir Starmers administration has said it wants people to see tangible benefits from new infrastructure. Those may include funds for community projects or initiatives that bring in locals as investors. The UK has sought to shore up energy supplies since Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine sent natural gas prices soaring. That experience showed that fossil fuels cant provide the security and affordability the country needs, Miliband said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Some of Ukraines allies are starting to talk about how the fight against Russias invasion might end, raising concerns in several other Western capitals that these efforts could lead to Kyiv being forced into a premature cease-fire. Most Read from Bloomberg As part of their discussions of strategy for the next year, officials are more seriously gaming out how a negotiated end to the conflict and an off-ramp could take shape, according to people familiar with the matter who asked for anonymity to discuss private deliberations. Shares in European defense companies declined with Rheinmetall AG falling as much as 6.4%. Saab AB dropped as much as 4.4% while Leonardo SpA was down 3%. The people made clear that any decision to negotiate would be for Kyiv to make and that nobody is pressuring Volodomyr Zelenskiy into talks. Ukraines president has been adamant, publicly and privately, that ceding territory to Russia would be unfair, the people said. With no sign that Russia has scaled back its objectives, the prospect of real negotiations still remains distant, they said. But as the war heads toward another winter, theres little sign of breakthrough on the battlefield. Thats prompting some allied officials to start exploring ways in which diplomacy could break the deadlock. Though Kyivs surprise incursion into the Kursk region of Russia upended the perception the war had settled into a stalemate that played to the Kremlins strengths, theres little immediate prospect of Kyiv dislodging Russian troops from all the land they occupy and some allies remain unclear about the operations longer-term strategic purpose. Moscow has struggled to advance on the ground but its missiles have destroyed large parts of Ukraines energy infrastructure, raising fears about how the country will weather this winter. Zelenskiy is expected to push for NATO and EU membership, economic and security agreements and a continued supply of more advanced weapons as part of his victory plan, two of the people said. Hes due to present it to US President Joe Biden when they meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly later this month. He is also keen to share the plans with presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. A negotiation to end the fighting would have to resolve a key conundrum: how to ensure that Ukraine wont be vulnerable to a future Russian attack while reassuring its allies that they wont be dragged into a direct conflict with the Kremlin. The latter concern is a major reason why several allies have so far been cautious about allowing the use of the long-range weapons they provide in Russia and the possibility of Ukraine becoming part of NATO - with its security guarantee - anytime soon. Any talks also would have to get over the bitter legacy of the Minsk Accords that were agreed after Vladimir Putins annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014. For Kyiv and its supporters, that agreement, signed seven years before the full-scale invasion, points to the hazards of entering negotiations with the Russians. Zelenskiy has warned that Putin would again use the time provided by any cease-fire to regroup and eventually attack again. One European defense official said their government shares the concern that following any deal, Putin would prey on insecurities in the West as he prepared for a new conflict. Whats more, the official noted, it would be politically difficult for Zelenskiy to sign any agreement that includes territorial concessions while Putins goal to subjugate Ukraine in its entirety remains unchanged. At the very least, it would make sense for Putin to wait to see who wins the US election and what their actual policies are, said the official. Some allies believe that the time between the November US election and next Januarys presidential inauguration may provide a window of opportunity during which the outgoing Biden administration may have more political leeway to make a deal. Continued military and financial support for Ukraine could face uncertainty with a change of administration in the US and the rise of far-right forces in Europe. Should he win the election, Trump has also suggested he would seek a deal in that time, without providing details. JD Vance, his running mate, recently said the former presidents plan could include Russia retaining what it has taken and a demilitarized zone established along current battle lines. On Sunday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is among those to have resisted providing Ukraine with longer-range missiles, told broadcaster ZDF that now was the moment to discuss how to get out of the war faster. A senior US official said they expected Zelenskiys plan to be quite maximalist and conceptual rather than detailed. But the trajectory the war takes over the next two months will be quite significant, the official said. The base case is that the inauguration passes and the war continues to grinding on, but chances of alternative scenarios are not negligible, the official added. Allies immediate concern is to help Ukraine restore some of its energy capacity ahead of winter and fend off Russian advances around the strategic town of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. Still, discussions over the medium-term strategy are also fueling disagreements within some Western governments, officials said. One camp is more persuaded by Putins threats of escalation if allies allow Ukraine to use the weapons they provide deep inside Russia and more likely to favor a push toward a diplomatic resolution. Other allies oppose negotiations anytime soon and want to increase the supply of arms to Ukraine. That split over potential talks points to a long-standing frustration among some officials, and many in Ukraine, over the allies reluctance to give Zelenskiy more weaponry to deploy against Russian forces. The Ukrainian president himself has criticized allies for delays to fulfilling commitments made earlier this year to provide Kyiv with more air defense systems and their ongoing indecision over lifting restrictions on the use of western-provided missiles to strike military targets deep inside Russia. Moscow, in contrast, has been able to ramp up its production of missiles and artillery ammunition. It also receives military support from the likes of North Korea and Iran as well as key technologies from China that are needed to manufacture weapons. Ukrainians are strongly opposed to any territorial concessions, with 55% of respondents rejecting the idea in a poll released by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology in July. However, the number of those categorically against giving up land drops to 38% if Kyiv is granted NATO and European Union membership as part of the deal. --With assistance from Jenny Leonard, Daryna Krasnolutska, Michael Nienaber and Donato Paolo Mancini. (Updates with European defense stocks in third paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The Ukrainian Navy recently carried out a missile strike on ammunition depots near the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol, according to a Sept. 17 statement. The strike destroyed both the storage infrastructure and tons of ammunition that Russian troops were stockpiling for use against Ukraine, the Navy said. Petro Andriushchenko, an adviser to the exiled mayor of Mariupol, shared photos showing Russia's "destroyed warehouses" in the neighboring village of Hlyboke, Donetsk Oblast.. The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims. Mariupol came under siege by Russian forces between February and May 2022, leaving thousands dead and reducing Mariupol to rubble. According to authorities' rough estimates, at least 25,000 people may have been killed during the siege of Mariupol. The exact number remains unknown and could be much higher. Read also: Russian weapons depot wiped off the face of the earth by Ukrainian drone attack, SBU source claims Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine may start the export of biomethane to Europe in November 2024 after a sufficient quantity of it is stocked in storages and staff is properly trained. Source: Heorhii Heletukha, Head of the Board of the Bioenergetic Association of Ukraine Public Union, as reported by Ukrinform news agency Details: Heletukha reports that at the moment, Ukraine has seven biomethane plants which it plans to launch by the end of 2024. Two out of them produce liquefied biomethane and do not require the connection to the gas transportation system. "So, five plants will be connected to gas networks: one to the Gas Transportation System of Ukraine, and four more to the distribution system. As far as I know, two of the plants which will be connected to distribution systems are prepared the best," Heletukha noted. He added that these facilities already have connection agreements. At the same time, the expert stresses that under the law, which created opportunities for biomethane export, gas should first be pumped into gas storage facilities for a month. For this, the manufacturers of biomethane must learn to work with the platform of the operator of the Ukrainian gas transportation system, as well as with the mechanisms of the gas market for conducting export. "I think it will take some time. Then, the manufacturers of biomethane will be pumping gas for a month. I think in November one of them will stock up a necessary quantity of biomethane and will be ready to export it," Heletukha said. He estimates that all seven biomethane plants which plan to start operating can produce 111 million cubic metres of gas per year. Those two plants prepared the best to start working can produce six million cubic metres of biomethane per year. He noted that at the moment, it is too early to make forecasts for 2025 regarding the development of biomethane production, since potential investors will wait for first results of biomethane export. Background: There are seven biomethane projects which it is planned to launch as early as in 2024. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's air defence downs 34 out of 51 Shahed drones, 12 disappeared from radar, 2 returned to Russia Ukraine's air defence forces destroyed 34 out of 51 Russian drones launched on the night of 16-17 September. Twelve drones had disappeared from radar and two returned to Russia. Source: Ukraines Air Force Details: Air surveillance troops of the Air Force detected and tracked 51 strike drones from Russias Kursk and Primorsko-Akhtarsk as well as Cape Chauda in temporarily occupied Crimea from 19:00 to 06:00. Aircraft, anti-aircraft missile troops, mobile fire groups, electronic warfare units of the Air Force and the rest of Ukraine's defence forces were involved in repelling the attack. As a result of the combat efforts, 34 attack drones were downed. In addition, 12 drones had disappeared from radar in various Ukrainian oblasts (no information on casualties or damage had been reported) due to the electronic warfare units active countermeasures. Two drones returned to Russia. Air defence was responding in Mykolaiv, Kherson, Sumy, Poltava and Kharkiv oblasts. Support UP or become our patron! Special Forces of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) from the Khimik (Chemist) group attacked a Russian military base in Syria on Sunday, 15 September. Source: Kyiv Post, citing a source in DIU Details: The mission is said to take place on the southeastern outskirts of Aleppo. Russian troops were manufacturing and testing attack UAVs at the base. In addition, the attacked base was used by the Russians to manufacture "camouflaged improvised explosive devices", the warheads of which were stored at the position attacked by the DIU special forces. The video shot by a scout shows the symbols of Ukrainian military intelligence near the Russian base. Shortly afterwards, an explosion occurs at the Russian facility, followed by the detonation of the ammunition. The video also shows explosives that had been previously planted on the premises of the base. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's parliament approved on Sept. 17 a bill that proposes a tax increase of Hr 58 billion ($1.4 billion) in 2024 and Hr 137 billion ($3.3 billion) in 2025. The draft law was introduced to the parliament as the country struggles to shore up its budget deficit amid Russia's ongoing full-scale war. The bill would increase the military tax from 1.5% to 5%, set higher taxes for self-employed persons, impose a 50% tax on bank profits in 2024, and 25% tax on the profits of other financial institutions. The parliament failed to gather enough votes to pass the initial version of the bill on Sept. 3, which was meant to bring an additional Hr 30 billion ($720 million) to the state budget. Only after the revision by the parliamentary tax committee did enough lawmakers 241 support the bill. Before becoming law, the legislation must pass a second reading and be signed by the president. After passing, the law will have to be antedated to Oct. 1 as it is unlikely to be approved until later in October, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said in August that Ukraine faces a budget deficit of $35 billion next year, though foreign partners have pledged to cover roughly $20 billion of that sum. Kyiv has grown increasingly reliant on external sources of financing, such as grants and loans from the EU, the U.S., the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and other partners as Russia's war continues to put heavy strain on the country's economy. The proposed tax increase is part of an effort to find additional sources of funding at home, which may also include increased domestic borrowing and measures to boost the number of jobs and wages. Despite the dire budgetary situation, the bill has received criticism due to its potential repercussions on already difficult living conditions in the country. The ZN.ua media outlet conducted a survey in July that showed that around 32% of Ukrainian families have enough money only to buy food, while 9% said they even struggle to buy groceries. The population's economic hardships are further compounded by the physical danger of Russian attacks and blackouts caused by Russia's drone and missile campaign against energy infrastructure. Read also: The economic toll of 10 years of Russias war against Ukraine in charts Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Law enforcement has launched an investigation into the alleged execution of a Ukrainian serviceman by members of the Russian Armed Forces. Source: Prosecutor Generals Office Details: Under the procedural supervision of the Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office, a pre-trial investigation has begun in a criminal case involving violations of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder. The investigation is being conducted by investigators from the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. On 17 September 2024, a post appeared on a Telegram channel regarding the possible execution of a Ukrainian soldier by Russian forces in the city of Novohrodivka. Photos published in the post show a sword with the inscription For Kursk plunged into the body of a Ukrainian defence forces serviceman. The images also reveal the absence of equipment on the soldier, and one of his hands has tape on it. The Prosecutor General's Office reports that urgent investigative and search actions are underway. The circumstances of the crime are being examined to identify those responsible and hold them to account. Requests have been sent to the relevant authorities as part of the criminal proceedings. Quote from Ukraine's Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin: "The criminal regime continues its deliberate policy of destroying everything Ukrainian, showing the world its extreme cruelty and brazen disregard for the values and norms of the civilised world. Our goal is to find and punish every individual involved in these crimes. The world must see the atrocities of the occupiers and respond decisively to each case. Only through joint efforts can we bring this evil to justice." Support UP or become our patron! The Ukrainian army needs to increase the number of mechanised weapons, specifically armoured personnel carriers (APCs), Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and tanks, to enhance its combat capabilities. Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW) Details: Ukrainian forces have partially addressed artillery ammunition shortages, caused by delays in Western aid, by employing FPV drones to counter Russian infantry and armoured vehicle assaults. However, these drones are not capable of fully replacing the tactical needs of traditional field artillery. Ukraine has also taken steps to increase domestic production of 155mm artillery shells, though these industries had to be built from scratch during the war. In addition, Ukraine has been working to expand its production of armoured vehicles since 2022, including APCs, but it is still unable to manufacture complete tanks. Quote: "The US and other foreign allies likely can greatly increase the effectiveness of Ukrainian force-generation and force-reconstitution efforts by providing Ukrainian forces with more mechanised equipment, such as M113 armoured personnel carriers, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, and main battle tanks. Ukraines 155th Infantry Brigade was recently upgraded to a mechanised infantry brigade after the brigade was equipped with Leopard tanks, for example. The generation of more Ukrainian infantry without a commensurate increase in mechanised equipment will not substantially increase Ukraines combat power or increase Ukraines warfighting capabilities." Details: Zelenskyy also stressed that Ukraine requires permission to use Western-supplied precision weapons to target military sites within Russia. He noted that Russia is already exploiting Western restrictions and policy delays by relocating aircraft from airbases that are within the range of these precision weapons. Quote: "ISW has previously assessed that there are over 200 military objects in Russia within range of US-provided ATACMS that are not airfields, and significant delays in allowing Ukraine to strike these objects gives the Kremlin more time to fortify or relocate these assets beyond the range of Western-provided weapons before Ukrainian forces are able to strike them with these weapons." Details: ISW has previously assessed that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is aiming to outlast both Western military support for Ukraine and Ukraines resolve to defend itself by relying on attritional warfare and efforts to erode trust in the Ukrainian government. Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine is extending the war into Russian territory through strikes in Russia and the ongoing incursion into Kursk Oblast to weaken domestic Russian support for the war. He also emphasised that Russia will only consider negotiations with Ukraine if Ukraine remains militarily strong. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 16 September: Ukraine has taken steps to address its manpower shortages, but delays and insufficiencies in Western military aid to Ukraine continue to limit its ability to generate effective combat units that can defend critical areas and contest the theatre-wide initiative. Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine's incursion into Kursk Oblast has forced Russia to redirect some resources from Ukraine to defend in Russia but that Ukraine still needs sufficient resources and Western permission to strike military targets in Russia to mitigate the theatre-wide strain on Ukrainian forces. Russia continues to build out its long-term military capacity by gradually increasing the size of its armed forces. Iran is simultaneously setting conditions to build a nuclear weapon while continuing to signal its willingness to resume nuclear negotiations with the West. Select Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials continue to face corruption charges as the Russian military leadership is undertaking a wider effort to root out corruption in the MoD. Ukrainian forces advanced in the Glushkovsky district, Kursk Oblast, and Russian forces recaptured territory in the area as of 16 September. Ukrainian and Russian forces recently advanced in the Kursk salient. Ukrainian forces regained territory near the cities of Kharkiv and Pokrovsk. Russian forces advanced near Kreminna, Chasiv Yar, Pokrovsk and Vuhledar. Russia reportedly continues to coerce migrants to fight in the Russian military. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk was arrested at the airport in Krakow, Poland, Ukrainian lawmaker Zhan Beleniuk said on Sept. 17. "Oleksandr Usyk was arrested at the Krakow airport. The circumstances are being investigated," Beleniuk said via Telegram. Beleniuk also posted video of Usyk's arrest. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced shortly after midnight on Sept. 18 that Usyk had been released following the intervention of Ukraine's Foreign Ministry. He also said he spoke to Usyk by phone while he was detained. "I was outraged by this treatment of our citizen and champion," Zelensky said. The arrest resulted from "a misunderstanding," Usyk wrote in an Instagram post after his release. "There was a misunderstanding that was quickly resolved," he said. "Thank you to everyone who was worried. I thank Ukrainian diplomats for their support. And respect to the Polish law enforcement officers who perform their duties despite their height, weight, arm span, and regalia." Usyk's wife, Kateryna Usyk, earlier wrote on social media that the arrest was not related to anything criminal. "Everything is fine, nothing criminal," she said. On the instructions of Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine's Consul General in Krakow went to the airport to intervene on Usyk's behalf, ministry spokesperson Heorhy Tykhyi said in a statement. "The Ukrainian side categorically rejects the attitude to its citizen and champion demonstrated in the video," Tykhyi said. Sybiha reportedly appealed to his Polish counterpart to resolve the situation. Usyk became the undisputed heavyweight world champion after defeating British boxer Tyson Fury back in May. Read also: Usyk says he has no interest in entering politics Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian government tells how "screening" meeting with European Commission on key negotiating chapter will be held A three-day meeting between representatives of Ukraine and the European Commission on one of the key negotiating chapters begins in Brussels on 17 September. Source: Ukraines Ministry of Justice announcement regarding the details of the meeting, as reported by European Pravda Details: This is the second bilateral EU-Ukraine session within the framework of the screening of the compliance of Ukrainian legislation with EU law, and it will take place in Brussels on 17-19 September. The meeting is dedicated to negotiating Chapter 23, Judiciary and Fundamental Rights. The Ukrainian delegation is headed by Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, and will also include other government officials and MPs. Quote: "The agenda of the meeting includes reports on three blocks: Judiciary, Anti-Corruption Policy and Fundamental Rights. Chapters 23, Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, and 24, Justice, Freedom, Security, are the most important chapters throughout the negotiation process. No EU negotiating chapter will be closed until the benchmarks within these two chapters are met," the Ministry of Justice said. Background: Earlier, Stefanishyna said that Ukrainian negotiators had been preparing for this meeting since May 2024. Read also EuroPravda's first interview with Stefanishyna after the government reshuffle: "My goal is to erase the perception of Ukraine as a country of inferior, corrupt officials" Support UP or become our patron! The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Ukrainian Parliament) has fully adopted the draft law No.6490-d on customs reform. Source: Yaroslav Zhelezniak, Members of the Ukrainian Parliament "Customs reform has been adopted with 260 votes in favour of it," Zhelezniak reported. He noted that this reform is the beacon of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the US. The explanatory note of the draft law says that it provides for change in the selection process for the position of the head of the State Customs Service of Ukraine, taking the practice of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and other anti-corruption bodies as a baseline. The engagement of international experts in the organisation of the competition for the selection of attestation commission members, introduction of the decision-making algorithm by the competition committee, as well as granting the head of the State Customs Service the right to appoint their deputies without coordinating it with the Minister of Finance of Ukraine are also part of the reform. In addition to this, the procedure of an independent audit of customs bodies was established, the requirements for recruitment, re-attestation and increasing salaries for customs officials were introduced. Background: The financial committee recommended the draft bill No.6490-d on customs reform for the second reading and adoption. Support UP or become our patron! Mykhailo Podoliak, an adviser to the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, confirms that freezing the war, declaring a ceasefire, or transferring territory to Russia is not part of Ukraines strategy to stop the war. Source: Podoliak on the air of Current Time TV channel Quote: "The president has repeatedly stated that freezing the conflict will not result in the end of the war, but will instead allow Russia to accumulate additional resources and continue with the third stage of civilian massacres in Ukraine. Naturally, there are no plans that would entail relinquishing territories or freezing the war." Details: Podoliak emphasised that Kyiv has only one official position: the war should conclude with Russia's defeat. "The defeat of the Russian Federation can be accomplished with a specific quantity of weapons. That is, in broad terms, military, diplomatic, economic, and political pressure. Furthermore, the Kursk operation demonstrates that it is truly possible to act efficiently, particularly on Russian soil, bringing and escalating the war there," Podoliak asserted. According to him, the Kursk operation appears in the victory plan of Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "This, firstly, will significantly affect the social sentiments that exist in Russia. Secondly, it will put significant pressure on Putin's environment and lead to the end of this war," he said. According to Podoliak, Western partners want the international law to prevail, but this requires tactical or strategic defeats of the Russian Federation, as everything else will lead to escalation. Quote: "An erroneous end to this war alone will cause an escalation of the situation not only in Eastern Europe, but throughout Europe, as our Western partners are well aware. Another issue is bureaucracy, decision-making speed, desire to truly cease hiding behind these phantom red lines, or rather discuss them, and so on. But Ukrainian diplomacy is working on it, and the president of Ukraine is actively discussing it on numerous forums." Background: In his evening address on 16 September, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine had defined the necessary points of a plan to win the war against Russia and was ready to present it to its allies as early as next week. Support UP or become our patron! An Israeli soldier stands at the entrance of a tunnel where the military says six Israeli hostages were recently killed by Hamas militants in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) UNITED NATIONS (AP) The U.N. General Assembly is considering a Palestinian resolution Tuesday demanding that Israel end its unlawful presence in Gaza and the occupied West Bank within a year and calling for sanctions and an arms embargo against the country. It will be put to a vote in the 193-member assembly Wednesday as Israels war against Hamas in Gaza approaches its first anniversary and as violence in the West Bank reaches new highs. The war was triggered by Hamas attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7. Israels ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, urged member nations to reject the measure, describing it as an attempt to destroy Israel through diplomatic terrorism and that "ignores the truth, twists the facts and replaces reality with fiction. Instead of a resolution condemning the rape and massacre committed by Hamas on Oct. 7, we gather here to watch the Palestinians U.N. circus a circus where evil is righteous, war is peace, murder is justified and terror is applauded, he told the assembly. This resolution doesn't move the region forward, it drags the region backward, delaying the hope for peace and advancement. The resolution, if adopted by the General Assembly, would not be legally binding but the extent of its support would reflect world opinion. There are no vetoes in the assembly, unlike in the 15-member Security Council. It 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 sweeping condemnation of Israels rule over the lands it captured during the 1967 war, the International Court of Justice said Israel had no right to sovereignty over the territories and was violating international laws against acquiring the lands by force. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, opened the General Assembly meeting by saying Palestinians face an existential threat. He claimed Israel has held them in shackles and that it's beyond time Israel's occupation ends and Palestinians return to their ancestral lands in dignity, in peace and security. Those who think the Palestinian people will accept a life of servitude, a life of apartheid, are the ones who are not being realistic, he said. Those who claim that peace is possible in our region without a just resolution for the question of Palestine are the ones who are not being realistic. The resolution demands Israel withdraw its forces, immediately halt all new settlement building and evacuate all settlers from the Palestinian territories. The measure also calls for Israel to pay reparations to Palestinians for the damage caused by its occupation. It urges countries to take steps to prevent trade or investments that maintain Israels presence and implement sanctions, including about settler violence. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas Greenfield told reporters that the resolution has a significant number of flaws, saying it goes beyond the ICJ ruling and doesnt recognize both that Hamas is a terrorist organization in control of Gaza and that Israel has a right to defend itself. In our view, the resolution does not bring about tangible benefits across the board for the Palestinian people, she said. I think it could complicate the situation on the ground, complicate what were trying to do to end the conflict, and I think it impedes reinvigorating steps toward a two-state solution. Mansour told reporters this week that over 60 countries have asked to speak ahead of Wednesdays vote. He said an initial Palestinian draft demanded Israel end its occupation within six months but that it was revised in response to concerns of some countries to increase the time frame to within a year. He said the focus of the resolution is putting into place the International Court of Justices ruling, which is also not legally binding. The idea is, you want to use the pressure of the international community in the GA, and the pressure of the historic ruling by the ICJ to force Israel to change its behavior in the direction of accepting to withdraw from the occupied territory, Mansour said. Most likely, he said, Israel wont pay attention to the resolution and the Palestinians will then submit another one. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek all three areas for an independent state. The international community generally considers all three areas to be occupied territory. Ambulances carrying wounded people arrive to the emergency of the American University hospital. Eight people have been killed and some 2,750 injured in suspected coordinated explosions of hand-held telecommunications devices across Lebanon, Health Minister Firas Abiad said during a press conference in Beirut on 17 September. Marwan Naamani/dpa After allegedly coordinated explosions of hundreds of telecommunications devices in Lebanon, the United Nations has warned of the risk of an escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. "These developments are extremely concerning, especially given that this is taking place within a context that is extremely volatile," spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in New York. The UN is monitoring the situation, he said. "I think we cannot underscore enough the risks of escalation in Lebanon and in the region," Dujarric added. In the explosions of pagers across several regions but mostly in Hezbollah-controlled areas, some 2,800 people were injured and nine people were killed. Among the injured were numerous members of the pro-Iranian Shiite organization Hezbollah. Hezbollah blamed Israel for the incident and announced retaliation. This story was updated to correct a misspelling/typo. As the ballet community and family members continue to reel over the death of famed ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, a devastating twist has emerged. DePrince's mother, Elaine DePrince, died less than 24 hours after her 29-year-old daughter's death in what loved ones are saying is a tragic and unrelated coincidence. On Friday, the DePrince family confirmed Michaela's sudden death, which happened Tuesday. Then over the weekend they followed up with a post that Elaine passed away "during a routine procedure in preparation for a surgery" on Wednesday. "The last few days have been even more difficult than most people realize because the family has also been dealing with the death of Michaelas adoptive mother Elaine DePrince," DePrince family spokesperson Jess Volinski wrote on Saturday. OFFICIAL FAMILY STATEMENT UPDATE 9/14/24:Michaela DePrince Elaine DePrinceThank you to everyone for your outpouring... Posted by Jess Volinski on Saturday, September 14, 2024 Elaine DePrince did not know about her daughter's death "at the time of her procedure" and the two deaths are "completely unrelated," Volinski wrote. "The only way we can make sense of the senseless is that Elaine, who had already lost three children many years ago, was by the grace of God spared the pain of experiencing the loss of a fourth child," Volinksi wrote. "What the family is going through right now is truly unimaginably painful. Grieving two family members who died within a 24-hour period is tragic and devastating." 'An unforgettable inspiration,' DePrince family says Michaela Mabinty DePrince was called to ballet at a young age, telling Glamour in 2015 that a magazine cover featuring a ballerina en pointe landed on her face while she was outside her orphanage in Sierra Leone. The cover was the first thing she handed to her adoptive mother, Elaine DePrince, who put her in her dance classes as soon as they got settled in New Jersey. Michaela DePrince grew up alongside 11 siblings, nine of whom were adopted, according to Glamour. Michaela DePrince won a scholarship to study at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School in New York City, a pre-professional ballet training program at the American Ballet Theatre when she was a teenager, Glamour reported. And the rest was history. She went on to dance with a number of professional ballet companies, including the Joburg Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Dutch National Ballet and most recently the Boston Ballet. USA TODAY reported. Michaela DePrince went on to "achieve her dreams and so much more," her family wrote. Michaela DePrince also starred in the 2011 documentary "First Position," booked a guest performer role on "Dancing with the Stars," appeared in Beyonce's "Freedom" music video in 2016, became the focal point of a biopic directed by Madonna, played lead in ballet movie "Coppelia" and wrote two books: "Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina" and "Ballerina Dreams." She "touched so many lives across the world, including ours," according to a statement from the DePrince family. "She was an unforgettable inspiration to everyone who knew her or heard her story." "From her early life in war-torn Africa, to stages and screens across the world, she achieved her dreams and so much more," they said. "Her passion and impact on the dance world, especially in inspiring young Black dancers to pursue their dreams, has been tremendous. We will miss her and her gorgeous smile forever and we know you will, too." Michaela DePrince performs "Giselle" with the English National ballet on Jan. 13, 2017. Tributes pour in after ballerina Michaela DePrince's 'sudden' death Tributes have poured in from all corners of the world following the announcement of the young ballerina's passing. A number of women, dance companies and those fortunate to have crossed paths with the ballet superstar or her work are all devastated by the loss, using social media as a way to pay respect and honor her memory. While funeral and burial services held for Michaela DePrince will be private, the DePrince family has asked the public to consider making a donation to War Child, an organization that she worked with closely, in lieu of flowers, USA TODAY reported. "This work meant the world to her, and your donations will directly help other children who grew up in an environment of armed conflict," according to a Friday post by the DePrince family. Some of the online posts dedicated to Michaela DePrince in the wake of her passing have been compiled below. Michaela DePrince was without a doubt a ballet legend. She pushed ballet doors open for a whole generation of black dancers, her influence will be felt for many years. Rest in power pic.twitter.com/Os43qjg70V Ana Plum Fairy (@snowweisz_) September 13, 2024 I implore EVERYONE to read Michaela DePrince's memoir - Taking Flight tells the story of her life, and it is my favourite autobiography. This is awful news. She was a beautiful and powerful ballerina and the most inspiring person. Rest in power https://t.co/MJomWyLAPj ice (@icescinema) September 13, 2024 We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Michaela Mabinty DePrince. DePrince started her professional ballet career at Dance Theatre of Harlem, making history as the youngest dancer to be featured in principal roles.#MichaelaMabintyDePrince #RestinPower pic.twitter.com/W5Mp0z3tAy DanceTheatreofHarlem (@DTHballet) September 13, 2024 We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Michaela Mabinty DePrince, a brilliant artist and beloved member of the ABT family. We express our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who were touched by her light. : Erin Baiano pic.twitter.com/qbUb7mOsCf AmericanBalletTheatre (@ABTBallet) September 13, 2024 The death of Michaela DePrince gets even more tragic knowing she died the 10thand her mom the next day. Awful. Just awful. pic.twitter.com/UT3F2ru4vs Buttered Jorts (fka kelly jensen) (@veronikellymars) September 15, 2024 Devastating news Sierra Leonean-American ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince has passed away. The news of her passing was announced on her official instagram page. No cause of death was given. She was 29.https://t.co/cm6mhvGKl0 pic.twitter.com/pl053xfgIP Vickie Remoe (@VickieRemoe) September 13, 2024 Today we honor Michaela DePrince, whose remarkable journey from a war-torn childhood to becoming a celebrated ballet dancer inspires us all. She gained international recognition for her inspiring journey from an orphan in Sierra Leone to becoming a prominent ballet dancer with pic.twitter.com/IGADddUTAF EBONY MAGAZINE (@EBONY) September 15, 2024 Take the time to watch this in honor of #MichaelaDePrince. Though she grew up in the ashes of unimaginable horror, pain, & tragedy, like dust she rose. Fo her life to end so abruptly at the age of 29 is heart wrenching. How can life be so cruel!pic.twitter.com/8hXKpd2kU0 Queens R. Made (@QueenRMade1) September 13, 2024 Same year I had teachers telling me my body wasnt made for the dance world the documentary First Position came out. Watched it sobbing but so happy at least ONE of US made it & was still going. Been following her since. I am devastated. Goodbye Mabinty #michaeladeprince pic.twitter.com/8f7xDt4KPQ not very DEMURE (@_adrian_sean) September 13, 2024 Going through all her videos I can find has me feeling so sad. I hope she is resting peacefully now. #MichaelaDePrincepic.twitter.com/oEp7xsjxna Marissa (@rissalutions) September 14, 2024 World renowned ballerina Michaela DePrince was only 29 years old when she suddenly passed.. Audiences unfamiliar with ballet may recognize her dancing in Beyonces Lemonade video or on the show Dancing With The Stars. My condolences to her family. Fly Black butterfly. pic.twitter.com/icxjdsEyoZ Loni Love (@LoniLove) September 14, 2024 Michaela Deprince pic.twitter.com/kVg6HgYMJ0 Babacar Samba Naudin (@babacar1987) September 15, 2024 Very saddened to hear the news about Michaela DePrince. Years ago as a young journalist with @channelonenews, I interviewed her when she was a teen, well before the Beyonce video and global fame. I remember most how sweet she was and how her mother welcomed me into their home. pic.twitter.com/aJvPIndWZV Gary G. Hamilton (@GaryGHamilton) September 16, 2024 Never be afraid to be a poppy in a field of daffodils. - @michaeladeprin3 Our sincere condolences to the family of Michaela DePrince. A graceful Ballerina advocate, her life story touched many. We will continue to dance cheerfully & smile wholeheartedly in her remembrance. pic.twitter.com/KROBjUBoI5 BLACK GIRLS ROCK! (@BLACKGIRLSROCK) September 16, 2024 We are devastated to learn of the passing of Michaela Mabinty DePrince, a bright light in the dance world and beyond. She leaves an enduring legacy of artistry, courage, and generosity. We send our deepest condolences to her loved ones. Photo by Liza Voll for Pointe. pic.twitter.com/zHetxNat5Y Pointe Magazine (@pointe_magazine) September 13, 2024 This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ballerina Michaela DePrince, who died 1 day before her mom, remembered More than 200 union members gathered in Modesto on Saturday to support Adam Grays bid for Californias 13th Congressional District. Civil rights activist and labor icon Dolores Huerta, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and State Treasurer Fiona Ma also were present, urging voters to take action. After spending the morning canvassing for Gray, supporters gathered at Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA), Local 1130, at 1911 Yosemite Blvd. in Modesto. Adam Gray, the Democratic candidate for Californias 13th Congressional District seat, spoke to his supporters about Congress current unproductive nature. Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis hands the microphone to congressional candidate Adam Gray in Modesto, Calif. on September 14, 2024. We have a Congress that blames everybody else, Gray said. Im running to make a change and get Congress back to work. The key to this election, Gray said, is voter mobilization. If people get out and vote, I feel real good about our chances, he said. In 2022, Gray, a former Democratic state assemblyman, lost the congressional election to Republican businessman John Duarte by 564 votes. Almost half the number of people voted in the 2022 election than in 2020. With their November rematch landing in a presidential election year, Gray is confident he has a shot to win, considering a bump in overall voters. CA-13 congressional candidate Adam Gray delivers a speech to union members in Modesto, Calif. on September 14, 2024. People have to know who Adam Gray is, who is for labor, who is for unions, who is for workers, Huerta said. And his opponent, John Duarte, is a farmer, and hes really more for corporations and the bosses than he is for the workers. Huerta, 94, has been a lifetime advocate for labor, women, and civil rights. She is known as a role model in the Latino community. We need somebody that can stand up for the working people because these labor unions are the ones that create the middle class, Huerta said. If you dont have a middle class, you dont have a democracy. This election is about democracy; to make sure we have a democracy and not a dictatorship. Labor activist Dolores Huerta delivers a speech to union members in Modesto, Calif. on September 14, 2024. In part, Lt. Gov. and 2026 candidate for governor Kounalakis was at the rally to campaign for the Harris-Walz ticket. Modesto is on the map right now, and thats because of the Adam Gray seat, she said. By mobilizing the LiUNA members and their families, we believe we can deliver a win for Adam Gray in this District. Whether its the members of LiUNA or the members of the Democratic Party, whats happening today is this hard work of going door to door that will make all the difference. Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis points to CA-13 congressional candidate Adam Gray during her speech to union members in Modesto, Calif. on September 14, 2024. Wendell Forest, 56, of Hilmar and Brian Forest, 58, of Modesto are members of Local 1130. Theyve been canvassing in the area for 17 years. Everybody took flyers and got the word out, Brian Forest said. The main motivation for Brian and Wendell Forests canvassing has been to support the union. Were here to support whatever is going to help our union, said Wendell Forest. Victor Chavez, 26, of Patterson is a representative of the North Valley Labor Federation. He attended the rally to inform voters about whats at stake this November. Making sure that voters are informed on who is going to stand with organized labor and who is not, and advance the interests of not just organized labor, but all of the working class, he said. Making sure we have a majority of pro-labor politicians in the House and the Senate and making sure that working people have a say in national politics is most important, he said. In unusual move, U.S. Army sends missiles and airborne infantry to Alaska base near Russia U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, board a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, ahead of a force projection operation to Shemya Island in the North Pacific Ocean, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Sept. 11, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hunter Hites) U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, board a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, ahead of a force projection operation to Shemya Island in the North Pacific Ocean, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Sept. 11, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hunter Hites) The U.S. Army has deployed airborne soldiers from within Alaska and additional soldiers from Hawaii and Washington to isolated Shemya Island in the Aleutians, it announced late last week. The deployment, first reported by Stars and Stripes, is a test of the Armys ability to move fast, said the commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division, based at Fort Wainwright, near Fairbanks. Testing ourselves with this operation and others like it is critical to our nations defense and the preservation of a free and open Indo-Pacific, said Maj. Gen. Joseph Hilbert in a written statement. Our ability to deploy combat-credible forces quickly and effectively to any location, no matter how remote, is critical to supporting the nation and our strong relationships with allies and partner nations. Its the first time since 2018 that Fort Wainwright soldiers have deployed to Shemya, the isolated home of Eareckson Air Station and the closest American military base to Russia. Eareckson is 280 miles from the nearest Russia-owned island and 645 miles from Petropavlovsk, the capital of the Russian territory of Kamchatka. The deployment, which began last week, also includes elements of the 1st and 3rd Multidomain Task Forces. Those task forces operate a variety of equipment, including HIMARS, a kind of mobile rocket artillery currently used by Ukraine in its war against Russia. A HIMARS unit previously deployed to Shemya in 2020, and Navy SEALs conducted an exercise on the island last September. Advance elements of the units arrived Sept. 8, with more arriving on Sept. 12. That coincides with Ocean 2024, a joint military exercise between China and Russia in the Sea of Japan. Separate from that exercise, six Russian patrol aircraft flew through an air defense zone near Alaska between Friday and Sunday, NORAD reported. The air defense zone is in international airspace, and no foreign aircraft entered American airspace. In June, Russia and China conducted an unprecedented joint bomber patrol through the air defense zone, Hilbert noted. As the number of adversarial exercises increases around Alaska and throughout the region, including Junes joint Russian-Chinese bomber patrol, the operation to Shemya Island demonstrates the divisions ability to respond to events in the Indo-Pacific or across the globe, with a ready, lethal force within hours, he said. The Army did not say when the Shemya deployment will conclude, but prior operations have ended before the start of winter, which brings extraordinarily bad weather to the Aleutians. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In unusual move, U.S. Army sends missiles and airborne infantry to Alaska base near Russia U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, board a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, ahead of a force projection operation to Shemya Island in the North Pacific Ocean, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Sept. 11, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hunter Hites) The U.S. Army has deployed airborne soldiers from within Alaska and additional soldiers from Hawaii and Washington to isolated Shemya Island in the Aleutians, it announced late last week. The deployment, first reported by Stars and Stripes, is a test of the Armys ability to move fast, said the commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division, based at Fort Wainwright, near Fairbanks. Testing ourselves with this operation and others like it is critical to our nations defense and the preservation of a free and open Indo-Pacific, said Maj. Gen. Joseph Hilbert in a written statement. Our ability to deploy combat-credible forces quickly and effectively to any location, no matter how remote, is critical to supporting the nation and our strong relationships with allies and partner nations. Its the first time since 2018 that Fort Wainwright soldiers have deployed to Shemya, the isolated home of Eareckson Air Station and the closest American military base to Russia. Eareckson is 280 miles from the nearest Russia-owned island and 645 miles from Petropavlovsk, the capital of the Russian territory of Kamchatka. The deployment, which began last week, also includes elements of the 1st and 3rd Multidomain Task Forces. Those task forces operate a variety of equipment, including HIMARS, a kind of mobile rocket artillery currently used by Ukraine in its war against Russia. A HIMARS unit previously deployed to Shemya in 2020, and Navy SEALs conducted an exercise on the island last September. Advance elements of the units arrived Sept. 8, with more arriving on Sept. 12. That coincides with Ocean 2024, a joint military exercise between China and Russia in the Sea of Japan. Separate from that exercise, six Russian patrol aircraft flew through an air defense zone near Alaska between Friday and Sunday, NORAD reported. The air defense zone is in international airspace, and no foreign aircraft entered American airspace. In June, Russia and China conducted an unprecedented joint bomber patrol through the air defense zone, Hilbert noted. As the number of adversarial exercises increases around Alaska and throughout the region, including Junes joint Russian-Chinese bomber patrol, the operation to Shemya Island demonstrates the divisions ability to respond to events in the Indo-Pacific or across the globe, with a ready, lethal force within hours, he said. The Army did not say when the Shemya deployment will conclude, but prior operations have ended before the start of winter, which brings extraordinarily bad weather to the Aleutians. This article was first published by the Alaska Beacon, 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. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) A 16-year-old is recovering in the hospital after police said he was shot overnight in Champaign. Officials with the Champaign Police Department said the shooting happened at Bradley Avenue and Oak Street around 10:23 p.m. on Monday. Officers received reports that someone had been shot there and when they arrived, they found a 16-year-old from Urbana. He had been shot multiple times in the torso and his wounds were potentially life-threatening. Pedestrian hit by car, seriously hurt in DeWitt County; traffic being rerouted Officers and personnel from the Champaign Fire Department rendered medical aid until the teen could be taken to the hospital. Officials said he was immediately taken into surgery upon arrival and is currently resting in serious but stable condition. The initial investigation indicated shots rang out as the teen was walking near Bradley Avenue. Police are working to determine the cause of the gunfire and who was responsible. Both remain unknown at this time and the investigation remains active and ongoing with no arrests made. Officers are still canvassing the area to look for witnesses or video cameras that may have seen what happened. Anyone who was an eyewitness, or who has security cameras on their home, is asked to contact the Champaign Police Department. The departments non-emergency phone number is 217-351-4545. Alternatively, anyone wanting to remain anonymous can contact Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477. 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 WCIA.com. NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WPRI) A University of Rhode Island (URI) student who allegedly assaulted a police officer at an off-campus party faced a judge Tuesday morning. Cody Calkins, 21, pleaded not guilty to charges of simple assault, obstructing an officer in the line of duty, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. He was released on $1,000 personal recognizance and has permission to travel home to Florida. He is due back in court in October. Mr. Calkins is an excellent student who greatly enjoys his enrollment at the University of Rhode Island. We are going to let the judicial process run its course, his attorney, Brendan Horan, said in a statement to 12 News. On Sept. 6, body-worn camera footage shows police walking up Leonard Bodwell Road to break up a house party of approximately 100 people in the Bonnet Shores neighborhood. In court, the prosecutor said an officer asked to see the ID of a female who was drinking when a man interfered. Thats when Calkins allegedly grabbed the officer, who then fell to the ground. WATCH: Bodycam footage shows URI students assaulting officers Calkins and Jake Dignam, 20, were taken into custody. Dignam is due in court on Sept. 24. Narragansett Town Manager James Tierney played a portion of the body camera footage during a town council meeting Monday night. Youll see a lot of green and pavement in these videos because the officer was knocked to the ground and thats where the camera was pointing, Tierney explained. Town Councilor Steven Ferrandi hopes the footage serves as a wake-up call for the university and urged them to invest in building more student housing so the town doesnt have to house 6,000 to 8,000 students. The students behavior may also result in disciplinary sanctions, including suspension and dismissal, according to the university. 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. US Air Force says war with China in the Pacific is not 'imminent or inevitable' but the threat is growing US Air Force says war with China in the Pacific is not 'imminent or inevitable' but the threat is growing The Secretary of the US Air Force said war with China in the Pacific was not "imminent or inevitable." Even so, Frank Kendall said the likelihood of one is growing and will continue to grow. He cited China's advanced military drills that were aimed at an invasion and blockade of Taiwan. A war between the US and China in the Pacific is not "imminent or inevitable," but the threat of one is growing, according to a top US military official. Frank Kendall, the US Air Force Secretary, made the assessment during a keynote address at an Air & Space Forces Association convention on Monday. "I am not saying war in the Pacific is imminent or inevitable. It is not," Kendall said. "But I am saying that the likelihood is increasing and will continue to do so." Kendall cited China's growing capabilities, and pointed to it staging more extensive and advanced military drills that he said were aimed at an invasion and blockade of Taiwan. He also mentioned China's heavy investments in military organizations, capabilities, and operational concepts, which he said are specially aimed at thwarting the US and its allies' capacity to project power in the Western Pacific. "I've been closely watching the evolution of [China's] military for 15 years. China is not a future threat; China is a threat today," he said. One of the main flashpoints between the US and China could be over Taiwan, although there's also growing tension between China and the Philipines, another US ally. According to daily updates shared by Taiwan's defense ministry, China's aircraft, vessels, and ships now operate around Taiwan almost daily, sometimes crossing the median line in the Taiwan Strait and causing Taiwan to scramble its planes. But experts from the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for the Study of War said in May that an aggressive Chinese coercion campaign short of war but still threatening was more likely than a full-scale invasion, and that the US needed to prepare for such an eventuality. For decades, the US has adopted " strategic ambiguity " toward Taiwan, positioning itself as the island's most steadfast ally, while declining to explicitly say whether it would come to Taiwan's aid if China attacked. But the FT reported last week that preparations for a possible China attack had intensified since Phil Davidson, then the US Indo-Pacific commander, said in 2021 that China may invade Taiwan by 2027. It also reported that Navy SEAL Team 6, an elite military special-missions unit, has spent more than a year planning and training at its Dam Neck base in Virginia Beach for a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan. In January, US officials also told Reuters the US is trying to spread its military logistics hubs across the Pacific, including warehouses in Australia. Kendall said that over the past 15 years, he's seen growing concern and alarm from other countries in the Indo-Pacific region over China's capabilities and intentions. He also said that "China continues to expand its nuclear forces and its ability to operate in cyberspace," and that "we can expect all these trends to continue." "To prevent conflict, we must be ready," he said. Read the original article on Business Insider US claims to have seen Zelenskyy's new "peace plan" US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield has said that the American side already saw the new pewce plan by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Source: Thomas-Greenfield at a press conference at the UN headquarters on Tuesday, 17 September, European Pravda reports Details: The American diplomat was answering a question about the "peace plan" that Zelenskyy is to present to Joe Biden by the end of September. "We have seen President Zelensky's peace plan. We believe that it lays out a strategy and a plan that can work. And we need to understand how we can contribute to that by working with all the presidents who will be here in New York," she added. The US ambassador added that "we have hope to make some progress" on the issue of peace, without specifying what exactly she meant. By saying "peace plan" Thomas-Greenfield was presumably referring to what the Ukrainian side labelled a "victory plan", which Zelenskyy announced last month. Later, the Ukrainian leader said that the plan contained four points on strengthening military support for Ukraine "plus another one that we need after the war". Earlier, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry denied the Bilds report that Zelenskyy's "victory plan" supposedly envisaged a freeze of the hostilities. Support UP or become our patron! The Titan submersible launches from a platform in an undated image courtesy of OceanGate Expeditions (Handout) (Handout/OceanGate Expeditions/AFP) The US Coast Guard on Monday began a hearing over the implosion of the privately owned Titan submersible that killed five people on a journey to the Titanic last year. The two-week hearing into the catastrophe will feature evidence as to what went wrong and whether physical or design failure contributed to the accident, which garnered worldwide attention. Tony Nissen, a former engineering director at US-based OceanGate, the company which operated the submersible, testified Monday that he had been concerned by safety issues during his tenure, according to US media. Nissen told the hearing, which is being held in South Carolina, that he had refused to sign off on a 2019 dive to the wreckage of the Titanic due to concerns over the Titan's hull. He was fired later that year. He said that the company's CEO Stockton Rush, who was among those to die in the implosion, had been unfazed after learning of a potential 2018 lightning strike on the submersible and possible hull problems. Refusing to believe news of the damage, Rush insisted "it'll be OK," Nissen said, according to testimony from the hearing published in The New York Times. The vessel, which was about the size of an SUV car, is believed to have imploded during its June 18, 2023 descent. The Titan lost contact about an hour and 45 minutes after plunging into the ocean, and a days-long rescue mission which captivated the world ensued before the sub's failure was finally confirmed on June 22. Victims are presumed to have died instantly in the disaster, which occurred under the crushing pressure of the North Atlantic at a depth of more than two miles (nearly four kilometers). Apart from Rush, the four others on the Titan were British explorer Hamish Harding, French submarine expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani-British tycoon Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman. A debris field was found 1,600 feet (500 meters) from the bow of the Titanic, which sits 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. The Titanic hit an iceberg and sank in 1912 during its maiden voyage from England to New York, with 2,224 passengers and crew on board. More than 1,500 people died. nr/bfm/dw A man passes by the U.S. Capitol on his scooter in Washington By Moira Warburton WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. House of Representatives plans to vote Wednesday on a stopgap spending bill that would extend government funding for six months and require Americans to provide proof of citizenship when they vote, House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Tuesday. The vote sets up a confrontation with the Senate, where Democrats who control the chamber say any spending bill should not be paired with the voting requirements Republicans want. "I urge the House to be serious, come to the table, work together to reach bipartisan agreement," Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said at a news conference. Unless a stopgap spending bill is sent to President Joe Biden by midnight Sept. 30, the end of the government's current fiscal year, many agency operations will cease and thousands of federal workers would be furloughed for lack of funds. Last week, Johnson had to abandon his attempt to pass a spending bill when it became clear he did not have enough support for passage from his rank-and-file Republicans. It is not clear whether he will succeed this time. Republicans can afford few defections in order to pass legislation with their narrow 220-211 majority, and at least one of them said on Tuesday that the bill would not do enough to restrain federal spending. "I'm a 'hell, no,'" Representative Thomas Massie wrote on social media. A shutdown could upset voters in the weeks before the Nov. 5 elections, with control of both the House and the Senate at stake. The last government shutdown occurred at the end of 2018 and stretched well into January 2019. Johnson's decision to pair must-pass spending legislation with controversial new voting restrictions could raise the likelihood that lawmakers will not be able to reach a compromise by the Sept. 30 deadline. Fueled by Republican former President Donald Trump's false claims about election fraud, the Republican voting bill would require those registering to vote to provide proof of U.S. citizenship and compel states to purge suspected noncitizens from their voter rolls. It is already a felony for a noncitizen to vote in a federal election. A 2017 study found only 30 instances of suspected noncitizen voting out of 23.5 million votes cast the previous year. Democrats describe the bill as a voter suppression effort, and President Joe Biden's administration has said the legislation would do nothing to safeguard elections. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski, a moderate who occasionally breaks with her party, predicted Congress would ultimately pass a spending bill without the controversial voting provisions -- but only after Johnson tries to pass his version. "I'm hoping we learn quickly what the House can and cannot do so we can move here," she said. (Reporting by Moira Warburton and Katharine Jackson in Washington; Writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Scott Malone and Jonathan Oatis) By Nate Raymond (Reuters) - Key members of the U.S. federal judiciary on Tuesday were warned by one of their colleagues to guard against the risks of cyber breaches by foreign actors who could seek to interfere with election-related litigation and spread misinformation. U.S. Circuit Judge Michael Scudder, who chairs a committee on information technology for the federal courts, warned of the potential election-year hacking risk during a meeting of the U.S. Judicial Conference, the judiciary's top policymaking body, in Washington, D.C. "Now is a time when everyone in the judiciary needs to stay alert and be extra smart and vigilant in all aspects of our use and monitoring of our IT systems," Scudder told reporters during a post-meeting press conference. He cited public reporting from the U.S. intelligence community that "foreign adversaries see this election season as an opportunity to spread misinformation and to sow doubt about the workings and stability of our national government." U.S. intelligence agencies last month accused Iran of launching cyber operations against the campaigns of both U.S. presidential candidates, including a hacking operation targeting Republican former President Donald Trump's campaign. Scudder, who serves on the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, said that while he knew of no current cyber threat involving the courts, "we must presume the judiciary faces this same risk." "The reporting out of the intelligence community has emphasized just the risk to the nation as a whole," he said. "And it takes really no imagination in our view to see election-related litigation potentially hit the courts again this upcoming cycle." In 2020, three "hostile foreign actors" breached the federal judiciary's document-filing system, Democratic Representative Jerrold Nadler, who at the time headed the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, said during a hearing in 2022. The cyberattack prompted the judiciary to change how it handles sensitive documents at the lower-court level. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Christopher Cushing) US says 'not involved' and 'not aware' in advance of Lebanon pager blasts US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said 'terrorist members of a terrorist organization are legitimate targets' regarding pager explosions in Lebanon (ANWAR AMRO) (ANWAR AMRO/AFP/AFP) The United States said Tuesday it was not aware in advance and had no involvement in mass explosions of pagers used by Lebanon's Hezbollah, as it urged restraint by Iran in response. "I can tell you that the US was not involved in it, the US was not aware of this incident in advance and, at this point, we're gathering information," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters. Miller declined to comment on widespread suspicion that the blasts were carried out by Israel, which has been regularly trading fire with Hezbollah after the October 7 attack on Israel by another Iranian ally, Hamas. The blasts came after weeks of private diplomacy by the United States to discourage a major Iranian retaliation against Israel for the killing of the Hamas political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, on a visit to Tehran. Miller said the US message to Iran remained unchanged. "We would urge Iran not to take advantage of any incident to try to add further instability and to further increase tensions in the region," Miller said. A senior US envoy, Amos Hochstein, a day earlier met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials as he sought to discourage a full-scale war against Lebanon. "We do want to see a diplomatic resolution to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah," Miller said. "We want to see one that allows the tens of thousands of Israelis who've been displaced from their homes and the tens of thousands of Lebanese who have been displaced from their homes to be able to return home," Miller said. But Miller suggested that Hezbollah -- considered a terrorist group by the United States -- was fair game to strike, without confirming Israeli involvement. "Terrorist members of a terrorist organization are legitimate targets for countries to launch operations against," Miller said. The United States is a close ally of Israel and foe of Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution overthrew the Western-oriented shah. Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, who is considered a reformist within the cleric-run state, at a news conference on Monday said that he sought better relations with the United States, including restoration of a 2015 nuclear accord. "We do not want to fight with America if it respects our rights," he said. Asked about his remarks, Miller said the United States had "great fondness" for the Iranian people but that "when it comes to the regime, ultimately, we'll judge them by their actions, not their words." "The way to show brotherhood would not be through rhetoric. It would be to stop arming and encouraging terrorist groups, to stop nuclear escalation, blocking the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it would be to stop plotting to kill political opponents, stop transferring missiles and drones to Russia, and ultimately stop cracking down on the human rights of its own people," Miller said. sct/jgc By Moira Warburton WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S. Senate bill aimed at enshrining federal protections and expanding insurance coverage for fertility treatments failed on Tuesday, as Republicans voted against it days after Donald Trump surprised supporters by voicing support for such a policy. The bill failed 51-44, falling short of the required 60-vote threshold after most Republicans voted against it for the second time. Democrats control the chamber by a slim 51-49 margin. The bill's sponsor, Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, first attempted to get a vote on the same bill in late February, after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled the embryos used in in vitro fertilization, or IVF, should be considered children, jeopardizing access to the treatment used by millions of Americans every year. "The freedom to get reproductive care is at risk for millions of other women whose most desperate hope in the world is to have a little one of their own," Duckworth, who had her two daughters via fertility treatments, said in a Senate floor speech after Tuesday's vote. "Republicans only seem to care about protecting life when it supposedly consists of some cells in a medical lab freezer." Republican presidential candidate Trump said in August he would require the government or insurance companies to pay for IVF if he is elected, surprising some hardline Republicans for whom the treatment is controversial. "We want to produce babies in this country, right?" Trump said during a town hall-style campaign event in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Trump's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. (Reporting by Moira Warburton in Washington; editing by Jonathan Oatis) US senator accuses Muslim advocate of supporting extremism in hearing on hate By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican U.S. Senator John Kennedy accused a leading Muslim civil rights advocate of supporting extremism during a Senate hearing on hate incidents in the U.S., drawing criticism from many rights groups. "You support Hamas, do you not?" Kennedy told Arab American Institute Executive Director Maya Berry, who replied by saying: "You asking the executive director of the Arab American Institute that question very much puts the focus on the issue of hate in our country." In a follow-up question, the senator asked, "You support Hezbollah, too, don't you?" He later told her, "You should hide your head in a bag." Berry repeatedly said in her responses that she did not support those groups, and added that she found the line of questioning "extraordinarily disappointing." Islamist militant groups Hamas, which carried out a deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel, and Hezbollah are both designated as "foreign terrorist organizations" by the U.S. government. Multiple rights advocates denounced Senator Kennedy. "It is absolutely reprehensible that a U.S. senator would weaponize the racial identity of a witness and accuse her of supporting terrorism by using an anti-Arab and anti-Muslim trope in a hearing meant to tackle precisely that kind of bigotry," Council on American Islamic Relations Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw told Reuters. "This harassment is alarming," Muslim American advocacy group Engage Action said. The Democratic-led Senate Judiciary Committee, which organized Tuesday's hearing, also condemned the senator and called Berry's response to him "powerful." Rights advocates have warned about rising threats against American Muslims, Arabs and Jews since the eruption of Israel's war in Gaza following Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. U.S. incidents in recent months include the attempted drowning of a 3-year-old Muslim girl in Texas, the fatal stabbing of a 6-year-old Muslim boy in Illinois, the stabbing of a Muslim man in Texas, the beating of a Muslim man in New York, threats of violence against Jews at Cornell University that led to a conviction and sentencing, and an unsuccessful plot to attack a New York City Jewish center. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; editing by Jonathan Oatis) US Senator Sanders says generic drugmakers could sell Ozempic for less than $100/month A box of Ozempic made by Novo Nordisk is seen at a pharmacy in London (Reuters) - U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders said on Tuesday he received confirmation from major generic pharmaceutical companies that they could sell copycat versions of Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug Ozempic for less than $100 a month. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Jorgensen is set to testify before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), which Sanders chairs, in a hearing next week focusing on U.S. prices for its widely popular Ozempic and weight-loss drug Wegovy. KEY QUOTE Sanders said he spoke to the chief executives of several major generic drugmakers over the past few months. "They have studied the matter and they tell me that they can sell a generic version of Ozempic, the exact same drug that Novo Nordisk is manufacturing, to Americans for less than $100 per month," he said. Sanders did not name the companies to which he spoke. Ozempic's patent is not set to expire in the United States until 2032. CONTEXT Ozempic, which has the same active ingredient as Wegovy and is used off-label for weight loss, belongs to the popular GLP-1 class, which has seen overwhelming demand in the United States. Some analysts have forecast the total market for weight-loss drugs to reach $150 billion by the early 2030s. However, this comes amid criticism from lawmakers over the high costs associated with these medications. BY THE NUMBERS A month's supply of Novo's Ozempic carries a U.S. list price of $935.77 while Wegovy lists for $1,349.02 per month, according to the drugmaker's website, although most consumers pay less. (Reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri) In this image released by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, board a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, as part of a force projection exercise to Shemya Island, Alaska, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Sept. 13, 2024. (Airman 1st Class Hunter Hites/U.S Air Force via AP) ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) The U.S. military has moved about 130 soldiers along with mobile rocket launchers to a desolate island in the Aleutian chain of western Alaska amid a recent increase in Russian military planes and vessels approaching American territory. Eight Russian military planes and four navy vessels, including two submarines, have come close to Alaska in the past week as Russia and China conducted joint military drills. None of the planes breached U.S. airspace and a Pentagon spokesperson said Tuesday there was no cause for alarm. Its not the first time that weve seen the Russians and the Chinese flying, you know, in the vicinity, and thats something that we obviously closely monitor, and its also something that were prepared to respond to, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a news conference. As part of a "force projection operation, the Army on Sept. 12 sent the soldiers to Shemya Island, some 1,200 miles (1,930 kilometers) southwest of Anchorage, where the U.S. Air Force maintains an air station that dates to World War II. The soldiers brought two High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, with them. U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, said the U.S. military also deployed a guided missile destroyer and a Coast Guard vessel to the western region of Alaska as Russia and China began the Ocean-24 military exercises in the Pacific and Arctic oceans Sept. 10. The North American Aerospace Defense Command said it detected and tracked Russian military planes operating off Alaska over a four-day span. There were two planes each on Sept. 11, Sept. 13, Sept. 14 and Sept. 15. The planes operated in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, a zone beyond U.S. sovereign airspace, but within which the U.S. expects aircraft to identify themselves, NORAD said. The Russian Embassy in the U.S. did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. NORAD has said the number of such incursions has fluctuated yearly. The average was six to seven intercepts a year. Last year, 26 Russian planes came into the Alaska zone, and so far this year, there have been 25. Often in such encounters, the military provides photos of the Russian warplanes being escorted by either U.S. or Canadian planes, such as during a July 24 intercept of two Russian and two Chinese planes. However, none was released in the past week and a NORAD spokeswoman, Canadian Maj. Jennie Derenzis, declined to say whether jets were scrambled to intercept the Russian planes. The U.S. Coast Guard said Sunday its homeland security vessel, the 418-foot (127-meter) Stratton, was on routine patrol in the Chukchi Sea when it tracked four Russian Federation Navy vessels about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northwest of Point Hope, Alaska. The Russian vessels, which included two submarines, a frigate and a tugboat, had crossed the maritime boundary into U.S. waters to avoid sea ice, which is permitted under international rules and customs. Two years ago, a U.S. Coast Guard ship about 85 miles (137 kilometers) north of Alaskas Kiska Island in the Bering Sea came across three Chinese and four Russian naval vessels sailing in single formation. Ryder, the Pentagon spokesperson, said the recent spike is something that well continue to keep an eye on, but doesnt pose a threat from our perspective. Sullivan called for a larger military presence in the Aleutians while advocating for the U.S. to respond with strength to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. In the past two years, weve seen joint Russian-Chinese air and naval exercises off our shores and a Chinese spy balloon floating over our communities, Sullivan said in a statement Tuesday. These escalating incidents demonstrate the critical role the Arctic plays in great power competition between the U.S., Russia, and China. Sullivan said the U.S. Navy should reopen its shuttered base at Adak, located in the Aleutians. Naval Air Facility Adak was closed in 1997. ___ Associated Press writers Tara Copp and Lolita Baldor contributed from Washington, D.C. The US sent Taiwan waterlogged shipments of moldy body armor and machine guns tossed in a cardboard box, DoD watchdog says The US sent Taiwan "mildewed" body armor and machine guns left in a cardboard box, the OIG said. About two-thirds of the military shipment was damaged by water as it sat for months at an airbase. The watchdog said the ruined gear was part of a $345 million package signed by Biden in 2023. The US sent Taiwan hundreds of pallets containing "unserviceable" equipment and ammo in the last year because the gear got wet while sitting for months at an air base, a government watchdog said. In a report published on Wednesday, the Office of the Inspector-General said that the lapse risked souring the US' reputation after Taipei wasted weeks drying and taking stock of the ruined shipments. The Defense Department sent 504 pallets to Taiwan from November 2023 to March 2024 under the presidential drawdown, which allows the US to give weapons and gear to its partners out of its own stocks. The OIG said at least 340 of those pallets about two-thirds of the total shipment "sustained water damage" because they were delayed for so long. That included 120 pallets containing 500 wet and moldy tactical vests and "3,000 mildewed body armor plates," the watchdog said. The boxes carrying the equipment also showed clear signs of damage. "We observed disintegrating tri-walls with visible mold spores, wrapped in plastic that had trapped water, facilitating further deterioration and mold growth," the officials wrote. The shipments were stored at Travis Air Force Base, but the OIG said that the US Army didn't request flights to send the gear to Taiwan for two months after receiving the boxes. Without facilities to store or protect the equipment and ammo, they were exposed to the bad weather, the report added. The report also said the shipments contained 2.7 million rounds of ammo manufactured in 1983. Some of the rounds were "poorly packaged," while others were expired, the OIG said. According to the report, US diplomats working with the Taiwanese national defense ministry said some ammo had arrived in open boxes, making it seem like the rounds came from units that had "cleared out stuff they didn't want." One top US official noted that the shipment "did not leave senior leaders from the Taiwan MND with a favorable impression," the report wrote. Additionally, the shipments to Taiwan included six M240B machine guns from the National Guard in Clovis, New Mexico, that were dumped in a cardboard box without any wrapping. The OIG said the six machine guns were found in a cardboard box without any wrapping or packaging. Office of the Inspector General The OIG warned that the gaffe risked damaging Taiwan's confidence in the US at a time when Taipei is already facing growing pressure from Beijing. In a statement to Taiwanese media, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Pete Nguyen said the Defense Department would learn from the OIG's report and improve its shipment process. "Taiwan is a key security cooperation partner, and the US government is committed to ensuring that equipment delivered to this partner is sufficient for operational use," Nguyen said, per the Taipei Times. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider. The damaged items sent to the self-governed island were part of a defense package worth $345 million that President Joe Biden signed in July 2023. Tensions between Taipei and Beijing have been roiling to new heights since the reelection of the Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan, a sign that voters continue to support resisting mainland China. Read the original article on Business Insider Using AI to Replace an Actor Is Now Against the Law in California Using an AI-generated digital replica to replace the contributions of an actor or performers voice or likeness whether that individual is living or dead is now against the law in California. California Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signed a pair of bills that extend SAG-AFTRAs recently won protections for AI into California law. More from IndieWire The first bill, AB 1836, prohibits the use of a deceased persons voice or likeness in digital replicas without the prior consent of their estate, according to SAG-AFTRA. The second, AB 2602, prohibits contractual provisions that would allow for the use of a digital replica of an individuals voice or likeness in place of the individuals actual services, unless the individual gave their consent to a clear, specific description of how the AI would be used. In the case of the protections for deceased individuals, the California bill removes some existing exceptions that were in place for film, TV, and audiovisual work that were previously in place when it came to digital replicas. The other bill though is the first of its kind in the U.S., even as SAG-AFTRA and other labor unions are actively pushing for protections on the federal level, specifically the No Fakes Act that last week was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. But above all, both of these laws are extensions of what SAG-AFTRA performers already fought for in the strike last year, which is that actors must have informed consent and compensation for anything that involves the use of AI. But considering those protections apply primarily to theatrical and TV performers working under that specific contract, the extension of it to protect anyone in California living or dead is a big deal. It might also have an impact on the ongoing labor strike between SAG-AFTRA and the video game studios, as AI is the key sticking point in those negotiations as well. Newsom dropped by the SAG-AFTRA headquarters in Los Angeles in order to sign each of the pieces of legislation. He was joined by SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher and National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. It is a momentous day for SAG-AFTRA members and everyone else, because the AI protections we fought so hard for last year are now expanded upon by California law thanks to the Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom, Drescher said. They say as California goes, so goes the nation! SAG-AFTRA applauds Gov. Newsom, Crabtree-Ireland said. AB 1836 and AB 2602 represent much-needed legislation prioritizing the rights of individuals in the AI age. No one should live in fear of becoming someone elses unpaid digital puppet. Gov. Newsom has led the way in protecting people and families from AI replication without real consent. Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. AUSTIN (KXAN) The University of Texas Austin has created a new unit dedicated to free speech on campus. It stems from last springs protests on campus that ended in arrests and confusion. It was a lot of chaos It was a lot of chaos. A lot of confusion, attorney Logan Campbell explained. It was those chaotic scenes in the spring that prompted UT to create a new unit inside the Deans office to tackle students rights and responsibilities when it comes to their free speech on campus. Leaked memo reveals inside details of UTs protest response The First Amendment can be very much a gray area, Campbell said. Its not black or white. Yes, this is protected speech. No, this is not protected speech. Campbell explained its something that protects not only students but also schools. Universities are not really looking for reasons to arrest protesters, he explained. I think its the opposite because of all the chaos and the logistical nightmare it creates. New guidelines introduced Some of those new guidelines for the school include assembling peacefully, handing out flyers and identifying yourself if asked by officials. The university also wants protesters to avoid blocking entrances or exits, wearing items that might conceal their identity, and no camping. A new website lays out ways students can protest while staying in the bounds of what the school finds acceptable. It even suggests alternate ways to protest, like online or through the school newspaper. Criminal trespass cases from April UT protest dismissed by Travis County attorney Every individual here in the U.S., they have the right to free speech, Campbell said. That free speech is protected under the First Amendment, but that First Amendment right is not absolute. Campbell said he thinks more universities will follow suit if they do not have plans in place, like UTs. The website also explains where people can physically demonstrate. Not included on that list was the South Mall or the Main Mall. KXAN reached out to a university spokesperson for more information but have not heard back. This article will be updated if that changes. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UTEP to host largest career fair of year this week UTEP to host largest career fair of year this week EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) will host its biggest career fair of the year this week. The 2024 UTEP Career Expo will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 at the Don Haskins Center, 151 Glory Road. UTEP said there will be over 200 employers in attendance, including Dell, JP Morgan, GECU and several branches of the U.S. military. Students are encouraged to attend, as there will be part-time, full-time, and internship opportunities available. Attendees should bring multiple copies of their resumes and be prepared to deliver elevator pitches, according to UTEP. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TechCrunch Michael Gronager, co-founder and CEO of Chainalysis, has taken a personal leave of absence from the company. The blockchain analysis outfit isnt sharing why but says the development is temporary. According to The Block, which first reported the news, Chainalysis President and COO Sari Granat, who joined the outfit in 2022, is acting as interim CEO. The University of Wisconsin System is no longer reporting enrollment by campus, making it more difficult for the public to know where their local branch campus stands financially. Six of the 13 branch campuses have closed or will by the end of this school year, with declining enrollment cited as the primary justification for closure. "There's enough tension and anxiety over the closure of some UW institutions without (UW System) making matters worse by trying to shield basic enrollment numbers from the public," said Bill Lueders, president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, an organization that promotes government transparency. "It's only going to increase the amount of distrust people have toward UW universities." The change in practice came to light when the UW System released preliminary headcounts at each university on Monday. The data showed most universities enrolled more students than they did the previous year, marking the second straight year of enrollment growth despite fewer traditional high school students to recruit and the disastrous rollout of a new federal financial aid form. But the UW System declined to release campus-level data for universities, seven of which have more than one campus. UW System President Jay Rothman defended the decision, saying that because some students take classes at multiple campuses, it's "hard to try to pinpoint exactly" where the students are. That makes the university's total enrollment the "best number to report." Rothman rejected the idea of the reporting change providing less transparency. He said chancellors are in "regular communication" with communities that have a branch campus. 6 UW branch campuses have closed The branch campuses have long operated as more affordable launchpads for students to start a college degree closer to home before transferring to a four-year university. The two-year campuses have struggled to fill seats for more than a decade. In 2018, the UW System placed these campuses under the oversight of four-year universities in a hail Mary attempt to keep them open. The approach hasn't panned out. UW-Platteville Richland shuttered after the spring 2023 semester. UW-Milwaukee at Washington County, UW-Oshkosh Fond du Lac and UW-Green Bay Marinette closed at the end of the 2024 spring semester. UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha and UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities will close after the spring 2025 semester. The reporting change marks a departure from five years of practice. The UW System previously provided reporters with branch campus enrollment data upon request and within a few hours. Obtaining the information now will require a public records request be made under the state's public records law. Universities collect campus-level data and report it to the UW System but declined to provide this data to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Monday, referring the question to the UW System. UW universities provided branch campus projections this summer Universities provided some indication of enrollment at their branch campuses in budget documents released in June. The estimates were based on the number of full-time equivalent students, not a headcount, which counts every student even if they are not enrolled full-time. The projections showed: UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha: 445 students, a decrease of 324 due to the closure of UWM's other branch campus at Washington County UW-Eau Claire Barron County: 288 students, an increase of nine UW-Green Bay Manitowoc and Sheobygan: Steady with a decrease of two students UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities: 802 students, a decrease of 355, of which 332 are due to the closure of UW-Oshkosh's other branch campus in Fond du Lac UW-Platteville Baraboo/Sauk County: 152 students, a decrease of 19 UW-Stevents Point Wausau and Marshifield: 309 students, a decrease of 57 UW-Whitewater Rock County: 550 students, an increase of 17 Which universities gained students? Which lost? Eight of the 13 universities reported a higher headcount than the previous fall. UW-Madison unsurprisingly led the way in growth, gaining nearly 1,400 students for an enrollment of more than 51,700. UW-Whitewater also reported a more than 2% increase, pushing its enrollment to nearly 11,800 students. UW-Oshkosh and UW-Platteville took the largest hits, with each losing more than 4% of students compared to last fall. UW-Milwaukee reported a less than 1% decline. UW-Parkside and UW-Stout also reported declines. "This is significant because it represents a second straight year of enrollment growth, despite significant headwinds," Rothman said. "And it demonstrates that families and students continue to value the education our universities provide." Rollout of new FAFSA form hurt UW enrollment Among the headwinds universities are facing: fewer traditional high school students to recruit, and fewer of them choosing to go on to college. These demographic problems have plagued institutions across the country for much of the past decade. A less-familiar obstacle for UW campuses this year was the federal government's revamp of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA. The rollout of the new form was marred by technical glitches, delays and bureaucratic problems that likely dissuaded some who were on the fence to not bother with college. Rothman said universities didn't see the typical late surge of enrollments they would have in normal years, which he attributed to the form's problems and uncertainty over financial aid awards. Another factor that hurt enrollment, Rothman said, was the closure of three branch campuses and the lack of a program promising tuition coverage for low-income, in-state students available to students this fall outside of UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee. Rothman is asking the state Legislature to fund a statewide promise program in the future. Contact Kelly Meyerhofer at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com or 414-223-5168. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @KellyMeyerhofer. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW System no longer readily releasing branch campus enrollment data College students this past spring used on-campus encampments , including at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to protest Israel's prosecution of the war on Hamas. New Universities of Wisconsin and UW-Madison policies have place strict limits on institutional statements by the UW system, its universities and university departments, requring viewpoint neutrality about matters outside the university system. (Baylor Spears | Wisconsin Examiner) A new Universities of Wisconsin policy requires statements in the name of UW institutions to avoid expressing a point of view on political or social controversies. On the heels of the new UW system policy, announced Friday, UW-Madison instituted a policy Friday that echoed the system document. The policy change was first reported on Friday by the UW-Madison student newspaper, The Daily Cardinal. Institutional statements issued by university leaders should be limited to matters that directly affect the operations and core mission of the university, and should maintain viewpoint neutrality in any reference to any matter of political or social controversy, the UW System policy states. The policy applies to statements issued through university channels and that are likely to be perceived as speaking in the name of and on behalf of the university system, any of the university campuses, or any particular department, center, division, program or other university entity. It applies to UW System President Jay Rothman, system vice presidents, university chancellors or a variety of other academic officers. The policy permits statements about regulations, legislation or court rulings that directly affect the university. But those statements are only allowed to share support or opposition when authorized by Rothman or a university chancellor. Both the UW system and the UW-Madison policies include disclaimers emphasizing that they are not intended to infringe on university employees free speech rights. This policy does not apply to statements made by faculty or staff in exercising academic freedom with respect to scholarship, teaching, and intellectual debate, nor to faculty or staff acting on their own behalf in their capacity as individuals and not purporting to speak in the name of and on behalf of any university or unit, the UW system policy states. The UW systems policy follows a statement issued in May by the UW-Milwaukee expressing support for a cease fire in Israels war on Hamas in the Palestinian territory of Gaza. The statement also included a condemnation of the Hamas attack Oct. 7, 2023 that preceded Israels attacks. The statement followed negotiations between the university administration and student groups on the campus who protested Israels prosecution of the war. The statement and related actions at UWM prompted criticism from Jewish groups as well as Rothman at the time. Asked Monday whether the UWM events prompted the change, Mark Pitsch, director of media relations for the UW system, told the Wisconsin Examiner in an email message, The Universities of Wisconsin, along with peers across the country, for years have discussed how to handle institutional statements and President Rothman decided the time had come for a formal policy. In a message to students, staff and faculty Friday explaining the new UW-Madison policy, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin acknowledged she has been among campus leaders throughout the U.S. who have chosen to make public statements about or take positions on major issues, events, and controversies. Mnookin wrote that I have come to believe that this practice is problematic, and that such statements delivered by an institutional leader may, however inadvertently, discourage free expression among the plurality of voices within our university and risks crowding out other points of view. That applies to messages aimed at comforting and supporting people who are hurting and suffering in the wake of something that has occurred in the broader world, she wrote. And yet, while some may feel comforted by a given message, others may feel excluded or unseen by what is said, and by what is left unsaid. As of Monday the American Association of University Professors Wisconsin chapter had no comment on the new policy. One especially vocal opponent has been Nathan Kalmoe, who holds a staff position at UW-Madison and who sharply criticized the policy on the social media platform BlueSky shortly after it was announced. Kalmoe is the executive administrative director at the Center for Communication and Civic Renewal in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. In an interview Monday he specified he was speaking for himself and not for the center, the school or the university. The disclaimers in Madison and UW System policies protecting the right to free speech of individuals are important, Kalmoe said. He contends, however, that the university as an institution and its departments and other units should be free to take stances on significant matters. He cited as an example statements that the UW-Madison chancellors office as well as a number of university departments and programs issued in support of the Black community in the aftermath of the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd in 2020. The universitys declared commitment to equality means recognizing that certain controversial issues are a direct threat to equality in our society, Kalmoe said in an interview. John Lucas, assistant vice chancellor for public affairs at UW-Madison, said in an email message that the new policy requires a situation to have a direct impact on campus operations or the universitys mission for the university to take an institutional position. When that does not apply, the policy allows for an informational statement from the institution to acknowledge the situation and provide support and resources, Lucas said. In all cases, it would also allow faculty members, in their individual capacity, to continue sharing their own views in all manner of ways. Asked whether the new policy would have permitted statements of the sort that followed Floyds death, Lucas said it was hard to retroactively assess a George Floyd statement, but added, that was a situation that also had a direct impact locally and on campus operations. Nevertheless, Kalmoe said issues in wider society such as racism, sexism, antisemitism or islamophobia can have a direct effect on students and their wellbeing on campus and should prompt university support. By treating them instead as subjects of controversy requiring a neutral perspective, he said, it falls short. Kalmoe also believes the university has a responsibility to set a moral example on such subjects. If the campus is muzzled on those kinds of things that are directly related to our mission and to the intellectual and moral values of the university, he said, then were removing from public discourse a vital voice that influences how people think about these issues, and forfeiting the opportunity for leadership on these issues that are directly related to our values. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, and Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, at a joint subcommittee meeting on Sept. 16 in Richmond. (Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury) Virginia lawmakers are carefully examining the states 52-year-old funding formula, which determines the funding level for public schools. During its first meeting in Richmond on Monday, a small subcommittee of lawmakers faced the reality that the transformation could take a while, with members of the public in attendance and watching online. Lawmakers said they hope to move forward swiftly, but not too quickly, after a December study showed that local governments in Virginia are spending far more than the state for K-12 education to fund the states Standards of Quality in Virginia school divisions. Researchers learned that for fiscal year 2021, school divisions needed close to $11 billion in state and local funding. Instead, schools spent $17.3 billion, $6.6 billion more than the funding formula indicated was needed. Researchers said local governments covered the vast amount of funding. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, which studied the formula, said lawmakers could partially replace the SOQ formula by using student-based calculations for special education and English learner funding, or fully replace the entire staffing-based formula with a new student-based formula. According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, since the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission published its report on the Standards of Quality last December, funding for public education is projected to increase by $1.85 billion between fiscal years 2023 and 2026. $1.17 billion of this new funding will result from new policy spending, including salary increases. Policy experts told legislators from the House and Senate that other states have taken around three years to adopt new funding formulas. According to the Learning Policy Institute, a nonprofit that studies ways to improve education policy, nine states, including Tennessee and Pennsylvania, have adopted new funding formulas since 2000. The education system today does not look the same as it did when our funding system was designed, said Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, serving as the committee chair. This is our opportunity to evaluate the current system and ensure that it is aligned to meet the needs of our students and school divisions for the next half-century. Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, chair of the House Education Committee, said funding for public education is one of the largest components of the states budget. As a result, he said funding schools often impacts other priorities around the commonwealth. For that reason, we will be careful, thoughtful and deliberate as we move through this process to make sure we get it right, Rasoul said. Del. Terry Austin, R-Botetourt, said he would like to see the Department of Education staff and the Secretary of Education involved in the lengthy process. Neither Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera nor any Department of Education staff appeared to be present for the meeting on Monday. The legislature allocated $600,000 to the department over the next two years to support the subcommittee. Del. Terry Austin, R-Botetourt, asking questions at a joing subcommittee meetiing on Sept. 16. (Nathhaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury) I dont want to see us work through this very quickly, Austin added. Although we can move through it in a timely fashion with a good, organized work plan, this is something thats going to be very challenging because there is tremendous diversity in the commonwealth of Virginia from one border to another, both east, west, north and south. Some Democratic lawmakers, including Locke, believe much of the work the committee will be tackling could have been addressed in two omnibus bills that Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed last session. The bill would have raised teacher salaries to the national average. In his veto, Youngkin said he supported the desire of ensuring that teachers and state-funded education support positions are funded competitively, but passed up on the legislation because it relied heavily on what he viewed as flawed data from the National Education Association, which represents educators across the country. However, while the governor and legislature could not agree on the two bills, they agreed on reforming the funding formula. Christian Martinez, a spokesman for Youngkin, said the governor has been clear that the funding formula is archaic and an opportunity for real reform. The commonwealth needs a more effective K-12 funding formula that strategically allocates resources to meet the specific needs of students, teachers, and school divisions, ensuring that critical needs are addressed effectively, Martinez said in a statement. The committee will keep its public comment period open through Thursday. Lawmakers will review a draft work plan at its next meeting on Oct. 31. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Va. Man Accused of Killing Wife and Man Nearly a Year After Accusation Against His Au Pair Prosecutors allege Brendan Banfield allegedly stabbed his wife, Christine Banfield and shot another man on Feb. 24, 2023 at the couples Herndon, Va., home Fairfax County Police Department Brendan Banfield A Virginia man has been indicted in connection with the 2023 killings of his wife and an unrelated man, nearly a year after the married couples au pair was accused of one of the slayings. Brendan Banfield, 39, was indicted by a Fairfax County grand jury on four charges of aggravated murder and one charge for the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, the Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorneys Office said in a press release shared on Monday, Sept. 16. He's expected to be arraigned on Thursday, Sept. 19. PEOPLE couldn't immediately identify an attorney who can speak on his behalf. Prosecutors said Banfield allegedly stabbed his wife, Christine Banfield, 37, and shot a man named Joseph Ryan, 38, on Feb. 24, 2023 at the married couples Herndon, Va., home. The charges also come nearly a year after the husband and wifes live-in au pair, Juliana Peres Magalhaes, 24, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and a firearm offense in connection with Ryans shooting death, according to the prosecutors office. That morning, at about 8 a.m., authorities responded to the home after a 911 call made by Peres Magalhaes. She allegedly told police a friend of hers was hurt, before a man, who police said was Banfields husband, got on the line, PEOPLE previously reported. Related: Months After Man and Woman Were Killed in Upscale Va. Home, Au Pair Who Called 911 Is Charged with Murder Christine Banfield/Facebook Christine Banfield Inside the home, police said they found Christine, a mother and pediatric nurse, suffering from upper-body stab wounds and Ryan, suffering from gunshot wounds nearby. Christine was brought to a hospital where she was pronounced dead while Ryan was declared dead at the scene. Police previously said they saw no signs of a break-in and said they dont know why Ryan was in the house that morning, only saying he was known to Christine. According to NBC Washington, police said the au pair said she and Christines husband were out that morning and when she returned to the home, she saw a car she didnt recognize. She in turn called the husband, who came to the house. Nearly seven months after the killings, in October 2023, Peres Magalhaes, a native of Brazil, was arrested on accusations she fatally shot Ryan. Prosecutors said she has remained in custody since her arrest. Online court records show her criminal trial is expected to start on Nov. 11. Fairfax County Police Department Juliana Peres Magalhaes Peres Magalhaes attorneys have previously claimed that she shot Ryan in self-defense, according to reports. They also claimed that the husband told her to shoot the man, WUSA reported. Related: How a Fetish Website Is Central to Prosecutors' Case Against an Au Pair Accused of Murder NBC reported detectives have said the au pair and the husband had previously said Ryan was attacking Christine, which led to the husband firing at Ryan. 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. No charges had been filed in connection with Christines death until now. According to the prosecutor's office, the aggravated murder charge filed against Brendan carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole, while the firearm offense carries a mandatory minimum of three years behind bars. Early last year, a double murder devastated two families and shocked our entire community, Commonwealths Attorney Steve Descano said in the release. I will ensure that my office puts forward the strongest case possible at trial, and that we continue to seek justice for the victims and their families. 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. The Kathleen C. Cailloux City Center for the Performing Arts in Kerrville is the citys largest polling site. A federal judge has rendered a split decision in the legal fight over two Kerrville ordinances intended to limit canvassing and soliciting in the Hill Country city. At issue are two city ordinances. One passed by the City Council in March required with a few exceptions -- anyone soliciting or canvassing in Kerrville to obtain a permit from the city. The permitting process requires paying a nonrefundable application fee, as well as undergoing a background check and being fingerprinted by the Kerrville Police Department. The ordinance also limited soliciting or canvassing to between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The other city ordinance at issue is one that placed limits on campaign-related and election-related activities. The ordinance banned campaigning within 100 feet of a door through which voters enter a polling place. In Kerrville, that generally refers to the Kathleen C. Cailloux City Center for the Performing Arts, its largest polling site. The ordinance prohibits political signs or literature in the green space outside the auditorium while the polls are open, as well as 30 minutes before and after that period. It also prohibits electioneering in the auditoriums parking lot when its operating as a polling place and bans placing signs in trees or other city-owned foliage on the auditoriums property. The ordinance says there have been multiple complaints from Kerrville residents about intimidation, harassment and difficulty getting from their vehicles to the polling place. A local political advocacy group and several residents filed a lawsuit over the summer challenging the ordinances, accusing the Kerrville City Council of violating their First Amendment rights and of enacting a scheme to protect incumbents by making the price of participating in civic matters too costly and burdensome. In a 32-page ruling, federal Judge Xavier Rodriguez struck down the portions of the electioneering ordinance that barred people from congregating in areas near a city-owned or controlled polling place, saying Kerrville "prohibited vast swaths of speech, without even defining these limitations in writing." Rodriguez upheld the remaining part of the electioneering ordinance he deemed to be "viewpoint neutral (and) reasonable." In his ruling, Rodriguez found that Kerrville officials "provided ample evidence of past incidents of voter intimidation." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rodriguez allowed most of the city's canvassing and soliciting ordinance to remain in place, striking down only the section that requires solicitors to apply for permits with the city. READ MORE: Plant that would put treated sewage into Comal River moves closer to approval Kerrville officials said the ruling was largely a victory for the city. "While the city is disappointed that the judge did not uphold each ordinance in its entirety, we are pleased that significant provisions of each ordinance remain in effect as we balance the rights of voters and electioneers," Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said in a written statement. "The Kerrville City Council has worked hard to protect city residents rights to be left in peace at their homes, to engage in the political process, and to vote without intimidation or harassment, and will continue to do so in the future." Advertisement Article continues below this ad The plaintiffs in the lawsuit local advocacy group Liberty in Action and Kerrville residents Terri Hall and Rachel Vickers said they plan to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The vaccines you need to know about before you travel Few things can ruin a vacation faster than illness. But while a mild stomach bug will probably affect most travelers at some point, there are far more dangerous diseases including potentially lethal ones adventurers should know how to protect themselves against. Global concern is mounting over the spread of mpox, a viral illness formerly known as monkeypox, that initially killed 1 in 10 people who contracted it, but now kills up to 3.3%. In August, Sweden became the first country outside the African continent to confirm a case of the newer and more severe mpox strain, clade Ib, which has now also spread to Asia, with a confirmed case in Thailand and suspected cases in Pakistan and the Philippines. International concern A passenger walks past a banner informing travelers about Monkeypox (MPOX) at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Indonesia on August 26, 2024. - Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the ongoing mpox outbreak across more than a dozen central African nations a public health emergency of international concern, the highest level of alarm under international health law. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination with two doses of the Jynneos mpox vaccine for people in the US at high risk of catching the virus. In terms of bite prevention, travelers are urged to use insect repellent and wear permethrin-treated long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors the same advice as for other mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria or dengue fever. Both have also been in the news lately, this time for more positive reasons. A health worker fumigates an apartment in Cuba as health authorities launch small-scale fumigation efforts in a bid to fight the spread of the oropouche virus. - Norlys Perez/Reuters Until recently, there wasnt a widely available dengue vaccine for travelers. But in the past couple of years, a vaccine called Qdenga has been rolled out in the UK, the European Union and some countries outside Europe, while Dengvaxia is offered in the United States. But according to Dr. Nicky Longley, consultant in infectious diseases and travel medicine at The Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HTD) at University College London Hospitals, dengue vaccination is not quite the silver bullet travelers had hoped for. The Qdenga vaccine reduces the risk of getting severely ill and dying if you catch dengue a second time, but if you havent had dengue before, it offers almost no protection, she says, and there is a theoretical risk that it might increase your risk of severe infection. Longley advises people who havent previously contracted the virus to hold off on the vaccine while trials are still ongoing, and instead take the above-mentioned precautions against mosquito bites as should everyone, regardless of vaccination status. One traveler who welcomes the arrival of the new Qdenga vaccine is UK-based travel writer Chris Dwyer. After catching dengue while on vacation in Malaysia in 2014, he developed joint pain, weak limbs, a fever and a temperature that got progressively worse. Dwyer had to be hospitalized and put on a drip while doctors monitored his liver and white blood cell count. He eventually recovered, but the experience was clearly harrowing, and Dwyer knows that having previously been infected with dengue, he would be at even greater risk if he were to catch it a second time. I am seriously considering getting jabbed with Qdenga now, as Im frequently in Asia and know how dangerous it would be to get sick again, Dwyer says. Meanwhile, headlines proclaiming that malaria could be eradicated within a decade are generating excitement after the development of an affordable vaccine against the devastating disease that kills 600,000 people, the vast majority being African children under the age of 5, every year. Malaria is a disease spread when the female anopheline mosquito feeds on a person with malaria and then feeds on another. Risk of infection A health worker vaccinates a baby against malaria during the launch of a vaccination campaign at a commune in Abidjan, West Africa in 2024. - Sia Kambou/AFP/Getty Images Babies in South Sudan and the Ivory Coast were given the first doses of the vaccine last month, with more African countries said to be authorizing it. Its good news for the worlds second-most populous continent, but the chances that it could also result in a malaria vaccine for global travelers within a similar time frame are almost zero, says Longley. Its just not a suitable vaccine for travelers, because you need constant boosters and exposure, and it doesnt offer full protection. What it does do, she explains, is reduce the risk of death in children, and once a whole population is vaccinated against malaria, the disease will eventually be eradicated. But we are still a long way away from a malaria-free world, and anyone visiting affected regions (it can occur in the US, although cases are relatively rare) should be aware of how to do so safely and responsibly. Equally keen to spread that message is Anniina Sandberg, the Finnish founder of boutique travel agency Visit Natives, who has been exploring remote regions of Africa for at least two decades. As a professional traveler, she knows exactly which antimalarial drug works best for her and always packs mosquito nets when traveling to the African savanna, not just for her own safety but also because they make lifesaving gifts for local communities. However, Sandberg herself once came close to death after getting ill on a trip many years ago and wants to share her experience as a cautionary tale. Ahead of a year-long field trip among the Maasai in Tanzania when she was still a student, Sandberg was prescribed an antimalarial drug in combination with antibiotics. However, after a few months, the daily medication began to seem unnecessary. Anniina Sandberg contracted malaria and typhoid fever while traveling in Africa. - Aurelie Debusschere/Native Immersion I noticed that the local population would regularly get malaria and recover from it, so I naively began to think of it as just a bout of flu, she says. Of course, its a lot more dangerous than that, and as soon as I stopped taking the tablets, I got very sick, with a high fever, aches and pains. Even though she visited a hospital and was given malaria medication, Sandbergs condition rapidly deteriorated with additional severe stomach flu. After she was rushed back to the hospital, it transpired that she didnt just have malaria but also typhoid fever, a bacterial infection common in parts of the world with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. Typhoid vaccines are widely available, with booster doses recommended every few years. Sandbergs ordeal didnt put her off intrepid adventures. You can be super cautious, but you can never eliminate every health risk when traveling, in any destination, says Sandberg, who also had a rabies scare a few years ago. While visiting the Tanzanian Datoga tribe, whose traditional way of life revolves around herding sheep on the savanna, she spotted an animal in the herd that was clearly very unwell. I couldnt know for sure if it had rabies or something else, but it was definitely very sick, and I did my best to avoid it, she says. Taking precautions A mosquito net hanging over a day bed on the viewing deck of a luxury cliffside suite in South Africa. - Martin Harvey/The Image Bank Unreleased/Getty Images However, a few days later, Sandberg suddenly realized that the sheep was right behind her and had just licked her foot, where she had a broken blister. I got very anxious, she says. I knew I had to seek medical help as soon as possible. As she was miles from a hospital, Sandberg had to wait until her return to Helsinki, Finland, a few days later before she could be given a course of post-exposure rabies shots. This is vital when there is a risk of infection, even if you have been vaccinated against rabies; initial vaccination just buys you more time. If you havent had the vaccine before, we normally say you should start treatment within a week, but obviously the sooner the better, advises the HTDs Longley. The length of time it would take to develop rabies, she clarifies, depends on the location of the infected wound. It could take weeks or even months for the virus to enter the nervous system and reach the spinal cord and the brain. Once it does, there is no hope of survival. With successful post-exposure treatment being a race against time, there have been cases of people choosing to seek treatment locally rather than flying home, only to find out later that it wasnt actually the rabies vaccine they were given. In a foreign environment, Longley warns, you cant necessarily know if the vaccine youre getting is verified or not, or if it has been stored at the right temperature. Rabies vaccination is super important, she says, because rabies is relatively widespread. Contrary to popular perception, the virus isnt just a threat mainly in Asia. Its present in more than 150 countries across every continent except Antarctica. There are bits of Europe, bits of the Americas places you wouldnt necessarily think of where it is also a big risk, says Longley. Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), a human viral infectious disease that affects the central nervous system and circulates in various parts of the world, some far from tropical, is another virus whose risk people often underestimate. There are parts of central Europe for which we would definitely recommend vaccinating against TBE, especially if youre going hiking or camping, says Longley. TBE is not rabies at all, but like with rabies, if you have TBE, there isnt a specific treatment for it, and although the majority of people will recover, some people are severely unwell with it and can become disabled, and there are some deaths with it. If you are someone who is going to potentially be exposed to lots of ticks regularly, its well worth investing in the vaccine. The cost of vaccines for TBE and generally can vary significantly between clinics. Its worth shopping around for affordable vaccines, says Longley, but more important still is ensuring that the health advice you seek out ahead of a trip is the best possible. Actually, the advice is often more important than the vaccine you think you want, adds Longley. Which vaccines do you need? Childhood vaccination is one of the most effective public health strategies to control and prevent disease. In the United States, several vaccines are included in the standard recommendations for children at specific ages between birth and 10 years, including hepatitis A, measles, Covid, mumps and rubella. More, like tetanus and diphtheria, are added for adolescent. The CDC has a full list, but its also advisable to ask your doctor. Adults are advised to keep a record of their immunizations and when they need to be boosted. When planning a trip, it is a good idea to consult the CDCs destination pages for travel health information, to ensure that you have all the recommended and required vaccines for your destination, and know how else to protect yourself from the risk of disease. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Valley schools hit by wave of threats. Fresno school threats were hoax, police say Schools in the Fresno area like many around the state and country have been hit by threats of violence that appear to be making the rounds on social media, but Fresno police said Tuesday they are not credible. Police said the latest threats surfaced Monday night, but investigators said they were fake threats that have been shared before and recirculated. Although at this point in the investigation there does not appear to be any credible threats, the Fresno Police Department will be increasing its uniform presence around the schools throughout the day, police said in a statement on social media Tuesday. The Madera County Sheriffs Office said threats in its jurisdiction were tracked back to a social media trend linked to last weeks Friday the 13th. Last Friday was Sept. 13. Though the threat was determined to be fake, Minarets High School just off Highway 41 in ONeals was under lockdown as deputies looked into the potential danger. We would like to once again reassure parents and the community there is no threat to students or staff related to last weeks incident, the sheriffs office said in a statement Monday. Some agencies around the country have said the wave of threats first started following the Sept. 4 mass shooting Appalachee High School in Georgia. Two students and two teachers were killed. The threats typically appear in social media posts and feature photos of a gun. Every time the district receives these threats even if they are not credible school can be disrupted, and students and their families are affected emotionally, according to A.J. Kato, the communications manager for Fresno Unified School District. Even though these recent posts have been found to have no validity, we want to remind our families and community they are not harmless, Kato said in a written statement. We, along with our law enforcement partners, take every instance seriously, so each time someone posts or shares a post it pulls officers and additional resources from other areas of need. It is also very frightening for our families and students to see something being shared that relates to their school, Kato said. The threats will not be tolerated, she said. Threats within the past week came in to schools around the central San Joaquin Valley. A 13-year-old was accused of posting a gun on his social media in a threat Sept. 10 to Strathmore Middle School, according to the Tulare County Sheriffs Office. Then two teens were arrested in a separate threat to schools in Visalia Unified School District. Hoax calls in places like Modesto and Sacramento also led to police response. The Modesto Bee reported two minors were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of making threats to campuses in social media posts. In a separate incident, a 14-year-old Newman boy was arrested Friday on suspicion of making threats to local schools in the Newman and Patterson areas. Four schools in the San Juan Unified School District were also targets of the hoax, according to a report by The Sacramento Bee. The Buckeye Union School District and Rocklin Unified School District also received threats. Threats also made news out of state in Texas and Illinois, to name a few. Vance, Kemp say GOP is united as long-simmering Trump feud is relegated to the past, for now Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance speaks at an Atlanta dinner for the Georgia Faith & Freedom Coalition. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Republican Vice Presidential nominee J.D. Vance shared an Atlanta stage with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Monday night, where Vance made a call for conservative unity before a crowd of high-profile names and faithful conservatives. Think about the incredible team that we have. We have Brian Kemp, Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, Tulsi Gabbard, and Bobby Kennedy Jr. What an amazing team of patriots fighting for this country, Vance said at a dinner for the Georgia Faith and Freedom Coalition, a conservative Christian lobbying group Of course, theres a lot of disagreement between those five individuals I just named, and amazingly, amazingly, theyre all on Trumps team for 2024, because we are the party of common sense, he added. We can disagree, and weve got to get common sense back in the White House, and thats why were here. Kemps praise for Vances boss, former President Donald Trump, was subdued. His five-minute speech led with the importance of maintaining the Republican majority in the state House and Senate before mentioning the man who will be at the top of the ballot in November. This fight, as you know, does not stop at the state level. We have to expand our majority in Congress, take back control of the U.S. Senate, and send Donald Trump back to the White House, he said. The reason that we have to do that is because we know what the other side will do if they take control of the federal government. Kemp offered no praise for Trump or Vance but said a Vice President Kamala Harris presidency would bring more immigrants into the country and higher crime and taxes. The truth is the vice president is just another politician saying whatever they have to to win the election. That is whats at stake this November. Not just one policy, not just one law. Kamala Harris wants to take our country farther away from its founding principles. In his keynote speech, Vance, a converted Catholic, outlined the evolution of his own faith. He said he moved away from religion in college but came to rediscover it as an adult. I increasingly found the answers in the Christian faith that I discarded as a young man, he said. And that realization that the basic truths about being a good man, about being a good husband, about being a dedicated father, those truths found their best expression in the Christian faith of my grandmother. Vance said a second Trump administration would benefit Americans of all faiths, arguing that Trump would do better than Harris at fighting crime, stopping illegal immigration and lowering the price of goods. But Vance told the conservative Christian crowd that Trumps return to the White House would be especially good for people like them, saying that cultural conservatives will always have a seat at the table in the Republican Party. I stand here as the vice presidential nominee saying the Republican Party is proud to be the pro-life and the pro-family party, he said. Now we believe that human life is precious and every life is worthy of protection because we believe that every child, born and unborn, is created in the image of God. Now, following the Supreme Courts landmark decision, we recognize that the obligation to help nurture and protect the women and the babies all over this country has only just begun. Vance pledged that will mean improving medical care for pregnant women and new mothers as well as enforcing paternal responsibility. Were going to do new investments in counseling, in job training, and help with newborn expenses, he said. Were going to do new investments in education and pregnancy care centers and so much more because we believe that this country must be more welcoming to families. And were committed to helping as many women as possible choose life and welcome new life into this world. Democrats have viewed abortion as a winning issue from them after the overturn of Roe v. Wade led to the dissolution of abortion rights in states including Georgia. The Faith and Freedom event came on the same day as a ProPublica report profiling the case of Amber Thurman, a Georgia woman who died in 2022 after presenting to a hospital with a rare complication from a medication abortion. Doctors waited 20 hours to perform a routine procedure to clear the fetal tissue from her uterus, called a dilation and curettage, or D&C, but it was too late, ProPublica reported. Thurmans death, which happened the month after the states six-week abortion ban took effect, represents the first time an abortion-related death has been officially deemed preventable. As Vance was speaking, the DNC put out a press release detailing previous Vance statements on abortion as a reminder of his close ties and unpopular promises to this anti-choice group. Political fallout The dinner marks the closest thing to a reconciliation between Kemp and the Republican presidential nominee since a mostly one-sided spat ended their friendship in 2020 after Kemp declined to cosign Trumps false claim of election theft in Georgia. Things got so bad between the two that Trump enlisted former U.S. Sen. David Perdue to run against Kemp in the Republican gubernatorial primary in 2022, but Kemp easily fended off the challenge. The bad blood seemed to mostly slip into memory since then, with Trump keeping silent on Kemp and Kemp vowing to support the Republican presidential nominee. Then, in a move that left some Georgia Republicans gobsmacked, Trump attacked Kemp, first lady Marty Kemp, Attorney General Chris Carr, and other top Georgia Republicans during his August rally in Atlanta. Your governor, Kemp, and (Secretary of State Brad) Raffensperger, theyre doing everything possible to make 2024 difficult for Republicans to win, he said just last month. What are they doing? I dont know. Theyve got something in mind, you know, theyve got a little something in mind. Kemp is very bad for the Republican Party. The attack left politicos puzzled because Kemp is more popular than Trump is in Georgia the governor had a 63% approval rating in June, according to polling from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. And while Trump narrowly lost Georgia in 2020 after winning in 2016, Kemps support grew significantly between his 2018 race against Stacey Abrams and their rematch in 2022. Georgia is one of seven key swing states that could help determine whether Trump or Harris win the White House in November, and the race is expected to be close, with polls largely within the margin of error. Not long after the Atlanta rally, Trump seemed to recalibrate his position on Kemp in a post on social media. Thank you to @BrianKempGA for all of your help and support in Georgia, where a win is so important to the success of our Party and, most importantly, our Country. I look forward to working with you, your team, and all of my friends in Georgia to help MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Speaking to the friendly crowd, Vance and Kemp sought to demonstrate a unified front, as did other Georgia GOP leaders, including fellow Trump target Carr, Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson and Congressmen Mike Collins and Barry Loudermilk. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A former undergraduate professor of JD Vance revealed Tuesday that the veep hopeful once asked him to delete a 2012 blog post where he criticized Republicans mass-deportation plans and more. Brad Nelson, who taught Vance at the Ohio State University, told CNN that Vance contacted him in 2016 to ask that he remove the article so he could launch a career in Republican politics. Nelson obliged with Vances request and the post was taken offline, but an archived version of it can still be found in internet archives. I was a bit surprised at the blowback he apparently received from the GOP, as I thought his post was fairly innocuous, Nelson said. Anyway, I liked JD and wanted to help him out, and so I went ahead and deleted his post. The argument Vance made in the article, titled A Blueprint for the GOP, asserted that Republicans ran on unrealistic immigration policies in the 2012 election and that the party had alienated voters of color. CNNs Dana Bash Shuts Down JD Vances Migrant-Pets Claim in Blistering Fact-Check A significant part of Republican immigration policy centers on the possibility of deporting 12 million people (or self-deporting them), Vance wrote. Think about it: we conservatives (rightly) mistrust the government to efficiently administer business loans and regulate our food supply, yet we allegedly believe that it can deport millions of unregistered aliens. The notion fails to pass the laugh test. The same can be said for too much of the partys platform. Vance reportedly added that the GOP was relying too heavily on the turnout of white voters while scaring swing-vote minorities away from the party by running candidates like Sarah Palin. You cant actively alienate every growing bloc of the American electorateBlacks, Latinos, the youthand you cant depend solely on the single shrinking bloc of the electorateWhites, Vance wrote. Now, 12 years later, Vance has hinged much of his time as Donald Trumps running mate on advocating for the same lofty immigration policyto deport migrants by the millionshe once shot down as implausible. Vance has also been at the forefront of pushing a hoax that Haitian migrants are eating peoples pets in Springfield, Ohio, which many experts believe will hurt the tickets appeal to naturalized Americans of color. The article adds to a long list of unpleasant nuggets from Vances past that have emerged since he entered the national limelight this summer, which includes a pair of photos of the staunch conservative dressed in drag. Second Photo Alleged to Show JD Vance in Drag Posted Online Vance has not addressed the old blog post himself, but his team has played it down as a non-story in a statement to CNN. There is nothing noteworthy about the fact that, like millions of Americans, Senator Vances views on certain issues have changed from when he was in his twenties, spokesperson Will Martin told CNN. Vance is no stranger to flipping his views. He was a bitter critic of Trump as recently as 2016, when he publicly referred to the then-presidential hopeful as an idiot and reprehensible. Behind closed doors, reports said Vance compared Trump to Adolf Hitler. Vances support of the former president, however, has been steadfast since he won a U.S. Senate seat in 2022. He offered a partial explanation behind his infamous flip-flop on Trump on Sunday. The reason that I changed my mind on Donald Trump is actually perfectly highlighted by whats going on in Springfield, Vance said. Because the media and the Kamala Harris campaign, theyve been calling the residents of Springfield racist, theyve been lying about them. Theyve been saying that they make up these reports of migrants eating geese, and they completely ignore the public health disaster that is unfolding in Springfield at this very minute. You know who hasnt ignored it? Donald Trump. 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. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Early voting in Virginia starts on Friday, Sept. 20 and 10 On Your Side wants voters to be prepared. Your Local Election Headquarters on WAVY.com Candidate signs can be found lined up outside of the Virginia Beach Registrars Office, where election workers have started prepping ahead of the important election deadlines. On Tuesday, poll workers began testing the voting equipment to ensure they are ready for early voters. The Virginia Beach Director of Elections, Christine Lewis, told 10 On Your Side that safeguards are still in place to ensure all votes are counted properly. Every November election is completely different from the next, it has its own life to it, Lewis said. This election is going to be pretty big. We expected long lines and just everyone be patient. Our office is locked down 24/7. The only way you can get to the office is with a badge. Everyone has a secure badge that they use for access, and the voters will be able to get in through [the door] on Friday. Everythings locked up. The ballots are locked up. Lewis expects about 1,000 people to stop by to vote on Friday, Sept. 20. Just last month, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued executive order 35 to protect legal voters and ensure accurate counting. It is now considered a class six felony if you intentionally vote more than once in the same election. If theyre registered to vote in Virginia Beach or in Virginia, we have whats called VERIF, Lewis said. Its the voter registration database that the state houses. We know where everyone [is registered], we can see if someones registered to vote in Virginia Beach. They cant be registered to vote in another locality because their Social Security number, all their information is in that database. The last day to register to vote or to update your information is Oct. 15, and the last day to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you is Oct. 25. To sign up for deadline updates and for additional voter information, sign up for alerts here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner of the country's July 28 vote, in an election the opposition has decried as fraudulent (Pedro Rances Mattey) (Pedro Rances Mattey/AFP/AFP) Venezuela said Tuesday it had arrested a fourth US citizen over what it claims was a plot to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro in the aftermath of elections the opposition claims he stole. The American, who joins three compatriots, two Spaniards and a Czech held by Venezuela, was arrested in Caracas after "taking photos of electrical installations, oil facilities, military units," Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said. He told parliament the man was "part of the plot against Venezuela, the plot against our country" which he said included a plan to "assassinate President Nicolas Maduro" and others, including himself. On Saturday, Cabello had announced the arrest of the other six foreigners, whom he claimed worked for intelligence agencies and the Venezuelan opposition in the supposed plot to get rid of Maduro. Washington, Madrid and Prague, which have denied involvement in any such plot, on Monday demanded information from Venezuela about their citizens. Maduro said Monday they had all "confessed." His regime has been at loggerheads with much of the international community since disputed July 28 elections in which the socialist strongman claimed to have won a third six-year term. The European Union and several Latin American states have refused to accept the election result without Caracas providing a full breakdown of the vote tally, which it has not done. The United States has said there is "overwhelming evidence" that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won. Venezuela on Tuesday lodged an official protest with the European Union after the bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell described Maduro's government as "dictatorial". Borrell made the remarks in an interview broadcast in Spain Sunday. "The head of the opposition had to flee.... What do you call all that? Of course it is a dictatorial regime," he said, adding more than 2,000 people had been "detained arbitrarily." "Venezuela held elections, but it was not a democracy before, and it is much less so after." Venezuela's deputy foreign minister for Europe, Coromoto Godoy, wrote on social network X Tuesday that she had handed a "note of protest" to the head of the EU delegation in Caracas. "We will no longer tolerate any interference... The European Union should take care of its own problems," she added. - 'Unprecedented' repression - Venezuela's opposition has published its own count of polling station-level ballots, which it says show Gonzalez Urrutia had won by a landslide. Gonzalez Urrutia sought asylum in Spain earlier this month after a warrant was issued for his arrest on charges linked to his insistence that Maduro had cheated him out of an election win. Tensions have since risen between Caracas and Madrid, where a minister last week accused Maduro of running a "dictatorship". Venezuela's Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said Tuesday he had urged his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares in a telephone call to "immediately rectify" Madrid's stance towards his country, adding Venezuela would "not tolerate an escalation of aggressions and interference" from Spain. In Washington, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed Tuesday to keep pushing for "democratic freedoms" in Venezuela as he spoke virtually with Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who is in hiding. And in Geneva, a UN fact-finding mission said repression in Venezuela had reached "unprecedented levels of violence" that was "orchestrated by the highest civilian and military levels of government, including President Maduro." bur-mlr/cb/nro Venezuela's government says fourth US citizen was detained in alleged plot to kill President Maduro FILE - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro addresses government loyalists gathered at the presidential palace in support of his reelection one month after the presidential vote, in Caracas, Venezuela, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File) CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) Venezuelas government Tuesday announced the arrest of a fourth U.S. citizen in connection with an alleged plot to kill President Nicolas Maduro in which authorities claim the CIA, Spains intelligence agency, organized crime groups, sex workers and members of the opposition are involved. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello revealed the arrest and details of the plot during a speech before the National Assembly, whose members applauded the detention. Cabello did not identify the most recently detained American. The alleged plan joins dozens of other anti-Maduro plans that his government earlier this year claimed to have foiled. Those who try to mess with Venezuela, we will screw them, regardless of their name, Cabello said. He spoke hours after an independent panel of experts backed by the United Nations Human Rights Council issued a scathing report against Maduros government, accusing it of deploying the harshest and most violent mechanisms of its repressive apparatus in the wake of the disputed July presidential election. Cabello told lawmakers that the objective of the latest alleged plot is political. He claimed the U.S. citizen detained Tuesday in the capital, Caracas, had taken photos of electrical and oil-industry infrastructure and military units. It is not the first time he has come to Venezuela, Cabello said, without identifying the man. He insisted, without providing evidence, that the CIA designed, promoted and financed the plot and Spain's National Intelligence Center was aware of it. Cabello on Saturday announced the arrests of three Americans, two Spaniards and a Czech citizen in connection with the alleged plan. He identified one of the U.S. citizens as Wilbert Joseph Castaneda Gomez, whom he claimed is a Navy SEAL who had served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Colombia. Any claims of U.S. involvement in a plot to overthrow Maduro are categorically false. The United States continues to support a democratic solution to the political crisis in Venezuela, the Department of State said in a statement after the initial arrests were announced. Cabello on Tuesday also linked to the alleged plot sex workers who were supposedly in contact with the foreigners, and members of the main opposition coalition. Tensions between Venezuelas government and the U.S. have increased since the presidential election, whose result sparked protests across the South American country that resulted in the arrests of more than 2,000 people, including minors, and the deaths of two dozen. Venezuelas National Electoral Council, which is stacked with Maduro loyalists, said Maduro won a third six-year term, but it did not provide a detailed breakdown of the results. Members of the opposition, however, surprised the government by collecting tally sheets from 80% of the nations electronic voting machines and publishing them online. The tally sheets, they said, indicate that former diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez won the election with twice as many votes as Maduro. On Monday volunteers with Hometown Heroes were seen putting veteran banners back up along Waterford Street. This came after the nonprofit was sued by Lance Greer, a Union City man who said one of these banners damaged his motorhome, causing nearly $7,000 in damage. Erie state trooper graduates from FBI National Academy After learning a district judge ruled in favor of Greer, Hometown Heroes said they just couldnt afford to move on. Union City Hometown Heroes took down about 25 of these banners over the weekend but has since put them all back up following a lot of local support. The nonprofit said theyre going to appeal the ruling to defend those who fought for our nation. Just from the overwhelming support from the town, from government, from everybody, its like, you know what, we want them up for homecoming, said Beverly Ballog, treasurer for Union City Hometown Heroes. Everybodys willing to help us, so were going to get an attorney and go from there, hopefully, it all gets thrown out. Of the 225 Hometown Hero banners hanging in Union City, JET24/FOX66 was told about 20 of those heroes were killed in action. Its all about respect. These guys put their lives on the line so we can do this, enjoy the beautiful day, and be free in America, said Matt Baughman, an army veteran. Just before 5:00 p.m. Monday, reporter Tyler Gallagher called Greer, who said he had no comment. But about an hour and a half later at the Union City Council meeting, the president said Greer called just minutes ago to say he would not be taking any money from Hometown Heroes. Erie company continues community effort with new roof for Erie Humane Society I hope we get to the bottom of it, and if we have to hire a lawyer to do it, well do that and make sure we set a precedence here because every small community around this area from Waterford to Corry to Mill Village, they have them and they have them up, said Stephen John Tomcho, president of Union City Hometown Heroes. JET24/FOX66 was told several people and organizations offered to help pay the lawsuit, but the Hometown Heroes organization will not let them. Greer has not officially revoked the lawsuit yet, so Hometown Heroes said they will move forward with their appeal until official action is taken. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPRINGVILLE, Utah (ABC4) Springville Police are recognizing a military veteran and one of their own for quick actions that saved a motorcyclists life after a two-vehicle crash on Friday. The crash took place near 2200 West 400 South, according to police. They say a male motorcyclist was critically injured in an accident after being hit by a car turning left. A military veteran, who was not named by police, was on scene and rendered first aid. Wildfire update: Rudd Creek Fire 90% contained, Elizabeth Ridge Fire still burning [The military veteran] used a belt as a tourniquet (which was the best thing available at the time), Springville Police Chief Lance Haight told ABC4.com in a statement. Sergeant Larry Teuscher arrived shortly after that and applied a tourniquet which all of our officers wear on their vests. Haight said the tourniquet slowed the bleeding until EMTs arrived. The paramedics said he was on his way out if we didnt apply the tourniquet when we did, Sergeant Teuscher told ABC4.com. The officer said its rare to hear what happens on the other side of the call. Hearing that the man made it and their actions made a difference left him at a loss for words. It makes me love my job that much more, he said. Springville police say the family of the injured man is asking for faith and prayers that his leg will be able to heal without infection. Great job by our good [S]amaritan and Sergeant Teuscher; they saved the [patients] life, Chief Haight said on Facebook. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. SEVERN, Maryland (KSEE/KGPE) Despite an early wake-up call, the energy at Fresno Yosemite International Airport was keenly felt Monday morning. These veterans are worth it, they deserve our gratitude, President of the Central Valley Honor Flight Paul Paul Loeffler said. How the Honor Flight will give Central Valley veterans a new welcome home A total of 67 veterans left on the 29th Central Valley Honor Flight. The trip is paid for by donations, so veterans like Bob Small from Fresno who served in Korea and Vietnam, can get a chance to see monuments made in their honor. Ill look at those names and remember them, Small said thinking about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. How the Honor Flight will give Central Valley veterans a new welcome home When we were there, they had my six and thats why Im still here. Small said an already exciting day got off to a special start when he was picked up in a limo with a police motorcycle escort. The celebratory arrival was thanks to a funeral home he helps through his current work as a pastor. I think its going to be fabulous with all the veterans here, getting to know some of them, to hear their stories and where they served. Of the 67 veterans on the trip, five of them are women. The womens ages range from 67 to 95 years old and have years of service covering every year from 1951 to 1997. All 67 veterans are traveling with a guardian on a specially chartered plane; the plane is even decorated with American flags and patriotic gear for the occasion. For much of the four-and-a-half-hour flight, veterans and their guardians swapped stories of their time in the armed forces and found out who was stationed where and when. Once the flight touched down at Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI), veterans were greeted by a water canon salute and a welcoming committee inside. They were even cheered on by another honor flight, about to return home to Washington state from their trip to Washington D.C. 'Veterans are worth it' 29th Central Valley Honor Flight touches down at BWI airport Vietnam war veteran Jim Carr and his brother Carl, also a veteran, are both traveling with the Honor Flight. Just seeing all the monuments, and hanging out with my brother for a couple of days, Carr said. Day two of the Honor Flight is scheduled to be even busier. The group is set to visit a plethora of memorials and monuments, including the United States Capitol building. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) In the midst of National Suicide Prevention Month, the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA) released new information Monday that may help better understand who is at risk of dying by suicide. VHHA looked at data from emergency department visits among patients who attempted suicide from 2020 through 2023. Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA) graphic The organization found that the numbers peaked in 2021, with 985 emergency visits that year. That does not count the number of people who were otherwise admitted to hospitals for suicide attempts or who never sought treatment. VHHA Vice President of Communications Julian Walker said people need to know this information so they can be on the lookout for someone who might be in trouble. CDC figures indicate almost 50,000 suicide deaths in 2022, which they say is about one death every 11 minutes, Walker said, and then when you factor in the people who think about attempting suicide or plan suicide, or seriously consider it, those numbers are in the millions. Some of the most disturbing CDC data includes the fact that suicide was the second-leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 14, as well as young adults ages 25 to 34. If you or someone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, one resource available is the 988 Lifeline. You can call or text at any time of day or night to connect with free, confidential support. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the vice presidential candidate for the Democrats in the upcoming general election, was set to make public remarks in Macon Tuesday as part of a campaign outing in Georgia, one of the most important states in the presidential race. Walz arrived in Macon late Monday night, flying into Middle Georgia Regional Airport and meeting local Democrats. He was set to give remarks in Macon, talk to press, then leave for events in Atlanta later Tuesday. At the start of Walzs remarks in Macon Tuesday, he condemned the second alleged assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump that occurred over the weekend, which has resulted in a suspect being arrested and an active investigation, according to multiple media reports. Walz called it a horrific situation. Walz also emphasized that he wanted to see a peaceful election and being able to shake the hand of the other person in a political battle is an important aspect of democracy. Minnesota governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz speaks to a crowd of supporters and phone bankers at the Macon Bibb County Democratic Committee office on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Macon, Georgia. Walz visited the office on National Voter Registration Day and spoke on the phone with potential Middle Georgia voters as a part of his Macon campaign stop. Ahead of Walzs appearance Tuesday, supporters of Trump showed up downtown holding Trump signs and chanting in protest of Walz. This is the second event that Vice President Kamala Harris campaign has done in Macon this month. Local friends of the campaign held an event earlier in September to vouch for Harris stance on abortion access. Trumps campaign has also held events in Georgia, as both parties seek to shore up as many votes as possible in the swing state that proved crucial in 2020. After making remarks, Walz joined supporters to work a phone bank and make calls before heading to H&H Soul Food to talk with diners. Trump supporters showed up there too, chanting and holding signs across the street. Minnesota governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz speaks to a voter while phone banking at the Macon Bibb County Democratic Committee office on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Macon, Georgia. Walz visited the office on National Voter Registration Day and spoke on the phone with potential Middle Georgia voters as a part of his Macon campaign stop. This is a developing story. For more coverage of Walzs visit to Macon, visit macon.com. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the vice presidential candidate for the Democrats in the upcoming general election, was set to make public remarks in Macon Tuesday as part of a campaign outing in Georgia, one of the most important states in the presidential race. Walz arrived in Macon late Monday night, flying into Middle Georgia Regional Airport and meeting local Democrats. He was set to give remarks in Macon, talk to press, then leave for events in Atlanta later Tuesday. At the start of Walzs remarks in Macon Tuesday, he condemned the second alleged assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump that occurred over the weekend, which has resulted in a suspect being arrested and an active investigation, according to multiple media reports. Walz called it a horrific situation. Walz also emphasized that he wanted to see a peaceful election and being able to shake the hand of the other person in a political battle is an important aspect of democracy. Ahead of Walzs appearance Tuesday, supporters of Trump showed up downtown holding Trump signs and chanting in protest of Walz. This is the second event that Vice President Kamala Harris campaign has done in Macon this month. Local friends of the campaign held an event earlier in September to vouch for Harris stance on abortion access. Trumps campaign has also held events in Georgia, as both parties seek to shore up as many votes as possible in the swing state that proved crucial in 2020. After making remarks, Walz joined supporters to work a phone bank and make calls before heading to H&H Soul Food to talk with diners. Trump supporters showed up there too, chanting and holding signs across the street. This is a developing story. For more coverage of Walzs visit to Macon, visit macon.com. ATLANTA - Both vice presidential candidates have Georgia on their mind this week as Democratic nominee Gov. Tim Walz heads to Atlanta on his first solo campaign swing through Georgia a day after Republican candidate Sen. JD Vance's visit. Walz will begin his visit to the Peach State with remarks at a political event in Macon on Tuesday morning before flying to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to participate in multiple events. Later in the afternoon, the Minnesota governor will head to Ashville, North Carolina to speak at a rally. An advocate for the Harris-Walz campaign tells FOX 5 that the governor will address reproductive rights during his trip, saying that it is an issue that may be instrumental for undecided voters. Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz speaks at the campaign rally at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 20, 2024. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP) (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images) ELECTION 2024: HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN GEORGIA JD Vance campaigns with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Walz's visit to Georgia comes a day after a visit by his Republican counterpart, who traveled to Cobb County to take part in a dinner held by the conservative Christian group The Faith & Freedom Coalition. Vance and Gov. Brian Kemp took to the same stage with a shared focus: advocating for former President Donald Trump and criticizing Kamala Harris. "We have to expand our majority in Congress, take back control of the U.S. Senate and send Donald Trump back to the White House," Kemp told a full ballroom of evangelical political activists and donors. Vance also addressed the issue of abortion during a speech to the crowd, promising a second Trump administration would pursue policies that help would-be mothers and new mothers, such as investments in job training, education and child care. "We are united in our gratitude and our admiration for these devoted defenders of the unborn and for the judges, justices, and especially President Trump, who is committed to defending the law and the Constitution allowed this breakthrough after over 50 years," Vance said, celebrating that abortion regulation is now back in control of state governments. This was Vance's third visit to the state since being selected as Trump's running mate. Georgia's importance in the 2024 presidential election Georgia remains a crucial battleground in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Democrats narrowly won the state four years ago, and it is once again a key focus for both the Democratic and Republican campaigns. As the race intensifies in the final weeks before the election, both campaigns are making concerted efforts to secure votes in Georgia and other battleground states that could determine the outcome of the 2024 election. Republicans had feared previous tension between Trump and Kemp would help Harris keep Georgia in the Democratic column four years after Biden won the state by a mere 11,779 votes out of 5 million cast. Lately, however, the two Republicans' formerly frosty attitude toward each other has warmed. A recent Quinnipiac University poll found that Trump has pulled ahead of Harris, garnering favor among 49% of those polled compared to Harris' 45%. Early voting in Georgia begins Oct. 7. The deadline to register for the Nov. 5 election is Monday, Oct. 7. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)Dan and Jacque Jovic are happy to be back in the United States after spending two weeks with KTAL NBC 6 viewers in Australia. The Holiday Vacations Wonders of Australia viewer trip was a jam-packed 13 days during which the Jovics and KTAL NBC 6 viewers got to experience so much of what makes the country great. Multiple-night stays in Sydney, the Brisbane area, Lamington National Park at OReillys Rainforest Retreat, and Australias tropical north allowed everyone to experience Australian culture, its beautiful landscapes, unique wildlife, and delicious food. Nearly two dozen travelers embarked upon a 17-hour flight to Sydney, Australia, out of Dallas DFW airport. More: Entertainment News The group spent all of the trip along the countrys eastern and northern coasts enjoying the activities big cities have to offer while also enjoying pristine beaches and charming coastal villages. KTAL NBC 6 viewers Jerry and Nancy, Ernie and Elaine, and Frankie and Christie enjoyed the trip from the ArkLaTex. One of the first days of the trip was spent visiting the famed Sydney Opera House. The group received a VIP tour of one of the worlds most recognizable architectural wonders. It was a day and night that Dan and Jacque will never forget, and they thank NBC 6 viewers for sharing it with them. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. VILLAGE OF FRANKFORT, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) The Village of Frankfort will be looking to abolish their police department, according to letters posted on Facebook over the last two days by the Villages Police Benevolent Association and Mayor Justin Smithson. According to a post by Village of Frankfort PBA, a proposed law was brought forth at the Villages monthly meeting by trustee James Caiola on Tuesday, September 10 to dissolve the department. It passed unanimously, and is now subject to public hearing. Unfortunately, after years of countless discussions with numerous Village administrations, the extremely challenging decision has been made to begin the process of closing the doors to the Village Police Department, Smithson said in the villages letter. Smithson went on in the letter to say that over a quarter almost $570,000 of the villages over-$2 million budget goes toward the police department. While the Frankfort PBA claims that the village would lose several critical services, Smithson said in his letter that no services would be lost, as the Town of Frankforts departments already conduct business checks in conjunction with the village. By law, should the department be abolished, the Town of Frankfort would completely take over policing duties in the village. Currently, the village is already under contract for the services of town police chief Matt Palumbo. According to the villages statement, the department currently employ four full-time officers one of which will be retiring at the end of the year and according to Smithsons letter, minimal part-time Police Officers. No official statement has been made on what would happen to the villages officers. According to Smithson, the Village would become another zone within the department and the Town would take over 24-hour coverage. A public hearing is set for the issue on Monday, October 7 at 6:30 pm at the Village Hall on Railroad Street. Should the proposal pass, the abolition of the department will go into effect as soon as the law is filed with the New York State Secretary of 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 WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. Villages of Hope Advances the Fight Against Human Trafficking to Build Future for Survivors Jacksonville, FL Villages of Hope is celebrating a year of transformation and progress for the women survivors of human trafficking it serves in Northeast Florida. To mark these milestones, Villages of Hope will host its annual Light Her Way signature event on November 7, 2024, at Bowing Oaks in Jacksonville. The evening will feature a delightful mix of bourbon tastings, savory appetizers, and cozy bonfires. Guests will enjoy live music and have the opportunity to bid on exciting auction items, all while supporting a crucial cause. Light Her Way is a platform to share stories of hope and survival while attracting new supporters to advance the organizations mission. Sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $1,000 to $15,000, offer unique benefits and valuable exposure for businesses and organizations. Event Details: Date: November 7, 2024 Location: Bowing Oaks, Jacksonville, FL Time: 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm For more information on sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, please contact Villages of Hope at 904-253-3123 or visit www.VillagesOfHope.org. About Villages of Hope Villages of Hope is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization located in Jacksonville, Florida. All donations are tax-deductible. Villages of Hope is dedicated to filling an immediate need for housing and providing safe, supportive housing for survivors of human trafficking, enabling them to rebuild their lives with dignity and security. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [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. Ten competitors lined up at the bottom of one of the steepest hills in L.A. Saturday morning, unsure if their vehicles could make the daunting 22% grade. Looking down from the top was the judge with a stopwatch, the girl with the checkered flag, and the exact same gas fumes the vintage car lovers enjoyed almost fifty years ago. That was the last time the famed Model T Hill Climb in Signal Hill was run. The Model T Hill Climb in Signal Hill Photo by Chris Nichols Driving a 100-year-old car is not for the faint of heart, says Timothy OGorman, a retired LAPD sergeant who serves as president of the Long Beach Model T Club. We have people from Boeing and Chevron, a retired fireman, and a horsewoman who does cowgirl type stuff. The motley bunch, some garbed straight out of Wacky Races, raced past the crowd of spectators determined to reach the park at the top of the hill. Disney Legend Bob Gurr at the Model T Hill Climb in Signal Hill Photo by Chris Nichols It was more of reenactment than a race, said the clubs Leonard Glick, a retired auto shop teacher who spent a year convincing the city of Signal Hill to bring back the beloved event as part of the citys centennial celebration. From 1957 to 1979 hundreds of Model Ts made the annual chug up the mighty hill where oil was first discovered in 1921. John Reed-Torres checks out the record player at the Model T Hill Climb in Signal Hill Photo by Chris Nichols The neighborhood is still dotted with pumpjacks bringing up the black gold that fuels these racers, roadsters, and even an oddball transport wagon called a depot hack. Real estate agent Jason Anderson, with a background in theater and magic, was behind the wheel of that one, spinning records on his mobile gramophone and checking the ticker tape of text messages sent to his phone that went spooling across the floor. Jason Anderson at the Model T Hill Climb in Signal Hill Photo by Chris Nichols The grand prize was won by Ed and Karen Archer whose 1915 Model T Speedster made the run in 11.55 seconds. They brought that car all the way down from the San Francisco Bay Area, says Glick. Theyre in their 80s and dressed in their white driving suits, leather helmets and goggles. Winners Karen and Ed Archer at the Model T Hill Climb in Signal Hill Photo by Chris Nichols Many young car enthusiasts today often prefer tuning and drifting in Japanese speedsters of the 1980s and 90s, but OGorman says Model Ts are probably the cheapest classic car you can get into, noting that the cars are easy to work on and parts are still commonly available. The Model T Hill Climb in Signal Hill Photo by Chris Nichols Some of the cars on display had been in the same family for generations and many had participated in the original hill climbs. The tradition died out after land squabbles and insurance premiums became too difficult to deal with, but Saturday went off without a hitch. Id say it was a huge success, Glick beams. My phone has been blowing up and I saw a lot of smiles on city officials. Maybe theres a possibility it will happen again. Announcer Chris Rini (R) at the Model T Hill Climb in Signal Hill Photo by Chris Nichols A group of teenagers checking their cellphones. (Courtesy of SDI Productions via Getty Images) The Virginia Department of Education announced on Tuesday that it has published its final cellphone-free education guidelines. Two months ago, the governor directed the department to develop them to limit students time using addictive cellphones in schools and eliminate clear distractions in the classroom. The final guidelines, which have grown from a seven-page document to 27 pages, include suggestions on improving communication gaps between parents, teachers and school officials in emergency and non-emergency situations. Additional information was added to support school leaders with the best practices. The guidelines continue to define cellphone-free education as bell-to-bell, meaning phones should be turned off and stored away from the first school bell until dismissal. The period includes lunchtime and breaks between classes. VDOE said many students wrote in asking to use their cellphones during lunch, but doubled down on its position that the phones distract students. It is essential that students have the opportunity to develop face-to-face conversations and critical in-person communication skills during unstructured school hours, the agency stated. The final guidelines only provide exemptions for students with disabilities and English Learner students with a documented language barrier. According to studies, students have used cellphones to browse the internet and social media apps, and message people during instructional time. Students have also used the devices to record events at schools and post them on various platforms. As proposed last month, the draft guidance includes age-appropriate cellphone restrictions in Virginias elementary and secondary public schools. If a parent determines an elementary student needs to bring a cellphone or personal electronic communication device to school, it must be stored, off, and away from the student during the school day. Students should not use cellphones in the school building or on the school grounds before or after school. In middle and high school, students should not have a readily available cellphone or personal electronic communication device during the bell-to-bell school day, the guidance states. Middle schools should establish local policies that determine cellphone and personal electronic communication device use within the school building or on school grounds outside of bell-to-bell, the guidance stipulates, including before and after school. Cellphones and personal electronic communication devices may be used on a high school campus before or after school. Officials said Tuesday that a task force will also be established to support schools and division leaders in enhancing communications and handling school-based emergencies. This guidance from the Virginia Department of Education is an important step towards creating a healthier learning environment where students can receive a quality education free from harmful distractions, said Gov. Glenn Youngkin in a statement, who thanked parents, students and school staff for their substantive engagement in the process and committed to continued discussions to refine the policies. Department officials held several meetings with the public before drafting the guidelines. The public comment period ended on Sunday. While some have already adopted cellphone regulations, school boards are expected to adopt them by Jan. 1. On Thursday, VDOE will release an Administrators Toolkit to support school leaders in implementing their policies. No timetable was provided for when the microgrants are expected to be available for schools to raise awareness about the mental health impacts of cellphones and social media. The governor allocated $500,000 from existing funds for the Departments of Education and Behavioral Health and Development Services to support the initiative. We are so thankful for the collaborative input from families, educators, and students on such a critical challenge for our young people, said Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons in a statement. Virginians helped us shape the final guidance and our implementation supports. We look forward to continuing to work with families and educators as we help ensure that every student can have a cellphone-free education. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Virginia Department of Health encourages residents to get flu vaccination PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) Sept. 17 is Get Ready for Flu Day and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is advising Virginians to consult a medical provider about getting vaccinated. VDH recommends that everyone over 5-months-old be vaccinated for the flu each year with few exceptions. This is especially true for people over the age of 65, young children, women who are pregnant and those who have increased risk for illness. According to VDH, September and October are the best times to get vaccinated against the flu but advises that pregnant woman and children may need to get vaccinated earlier. VDH recommends these steps to protect yourself and others from the flu: Practice good hygiene cover coughs and sneezes and wash hands often. Clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces in your home, school, or office. Take steps for cleaner air when indoors (improve ventilation). Stay home when sick and get treatment, if eligible. You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours Your symptoms are getting better overall, AND You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Once you resume normal activities, take added precautions for the next five days. This includes improving air quality while indoors, washing hands often, keeping distance from others, or masking. If youre very sick or youre at high risk for severe illness from flu, talk with a health care provider to see if prescription treatment is right for you. Treatment works best if taken within two days from when your symptoms start. For more information about flu vaccinations 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 WAVY.com. Emissions from a coal processing plant in Buchanan County. (Charlie Paullin/Virginia Mercury) Virginias largest producer of natural gas is expanding its regional headquarters in the Southwest region of the state. Natural gas can be derived from coal bed methane, a potent greenhouse gas driving climate change which, in Virginia, is emitted through mining in the states coalfields. On Friday, CNX Resources held a ribbon cutting to celebrate moving its regional headquarters from Claypool Hill in Tazewell County a few miles north to the Richlands Professional Building in the town of Richlands within the same county. CNX brings to life our vision for an all-American, all-of-the-above approach to fueling Virginias unprecedented economic growth and energy needs, leveraging Southwest Virginias rich coal mines to produce abundant, affordable, and lower emissions natural gas, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin said, referencing his energy plan that calls for continued use of natural gas. The move, announced in 2023, was made possible with a $900,000 loan from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, a regional authority the Virginia legislature created in 1988 to diversify the economy in the states 13 coal-producing counties in the region. The funds for the loan come from a severance tax Tazewell county assessed on coal and natural gas companies, explained Youngkins press secretary Christian Martinez. The loan will go to the Tazewell County Industrial Development Authority, which will use $500,000 to purchase about 121 acres of CNX Resources property near Tazewell High School. The IDA will also give the remaining $400,000 to CNX Resources to pay for upgrades to the Richlands Professional Building, where CNX Resources has entered into a 15-year lease. The expansion will house 75 employees and bring on eight new ones, while also increasing the Richlands Professional Building square footage by 85%. The loan must be repaid within five years, but the $400,000 is forgivable if CNX Resources employs at least 75 employees full-time with an average annual salary of $100,000 by the fifth anniversary of the loan. Jonathan Belcher, executive director of the VCEDA, said in a statement the authority was pleased to work with a great company that demonstrates why the region is such a great place to do business and expand. CNX Resources, headquartered in Pittsburgh with operations also in Ohio, West Virginia and across the counties of Buchanan, Russell and Tazewell in Virginia, produces natural gas from the Marcellus and Utica shales of Appalachia. The company, which operates in Virginia as Pocahontas Gas, produced around 52% of all natural gas in the state in 2023, mostly in Buchanan County, Virginia Energy spokeswoman Tarah Kesterson stated. Natural gas across the state that year had an estimated value of $217 million and accounted for 54% of in-state electricity generation, she added. The year prior, in 2022, about 83% of that natural gas came from coal beds through the extraction of methane from coal, a process known as coalbed methane, or CBM, according to the Energy Information Administration. Those levels accounted for 10% of the countys coal-bed methane. Methane is 25 times stronger than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere, and can also come in the form of coal mine methane, or CMM, produced by mining operations releasing it as a safety measure to prevent explosions during underground digging for coal. Brian Aiello is a spokesperson for CNX Resources, which was part of a 2023 state workgroup that suggested Virginia could create incentives for CMM capture to stimulate economic activity and reduce emissions that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere. The headquarters move signifies our commitment to the region and aligns with our ongoing efforts to drive economic progress while reducing emissions in the Commonwealth, Aiello stated. On the topic of CMM incentives, Aiello said the company was pleased that efforts at both the state and federal level to encourage the capture and beneficial use of coal mine methane continue to move forward, adding that such projects are an environmental and economic win-win for the region. Virginia received funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over the summer to capture coal mine methane. Sen. Travis Hackworth, R-Tazewell, introduced a bill this past session that would have allowed CMM to count as a renewable energy source, but it got carried over to the 2025 session amid concern that it wouldnt be a clean energy source and could continue incentivizing methane. The International Panel on Climate Change, which links human created emissions to climate change, said that one ton of methane has a planet warming potential over a 100-year time frame that is equal to 28 to 36 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Scientists have long linked climate change with increased severe weather events but the extent of its impact is unknown. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX TechCrunch U.S. public utility giant American Water says it has disconnected some of its systems after discovering that hackers breached its internal networks last week. American Water, which supplies drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people across the United States, confirmed the security incident in an 8-K regulatory filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday. The New Jersey-based company said in its filing that its water and wastewater facilities are "at this time" not affected and continue to operate without interruption, though the company noted that its currently unable to predict the full impact of this incident. In vitro fertilization bills from both Democrats and GOP blocked in U.S. Senate Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth speaks about access to in vitro fertilization on the steps of the Capitol building on Sept. 17, 2024, along with other Senate Democrats holding photos of families who benefited from IVF. At right, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., holds a photo of Duckworths family that includes Duckworths children, born with the help of IVF. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt | States Newsroom). WASHINGTON The closely divided U.S. Senate gridlocked Tuesday over the best way to provide nationwide protections for in vitro fertilization, despite lawmakers from both political parties maintaining they want to do so. Republicans voted against advancing a Democratic bill that could have prevented states from enacting harmful or unwarranted limitations on the procedure and bolstered access for military members and veterans. Two Republicans voted with Democrats Maines Susan Collins and Alaskas Lisa Murkowski. That came just a short time after Senate Democrats who narrowly control the chamber in a procedural move blocked a GOP bill from Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Katie Britt of Alabama that would have barred Medicaid funding from going to any state that bans IVF. The 51-44 vote that prevented Democrats legislation from moving toward a final vote followed numerous floor speeches and press conferences, including by the Harris-Walz presidential campaign, that sought to elevate the issue ahead of the November elections. The measure needed 60 votes to advance. This is a chance for my colleagues across the aisle to put their votes where their mouths have been, said Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, the bills sponsor and a mom of two children born as a result of IVF. They say they support IVF. Here you go vote on this. Duckworth said the legislation would provide critical IVF services to U.S. military members and veterans, many of whom experience infertility or experience difficulty having children due to their service. It allows our military men and women, prior to a deployment into a combat zone, to preserve and freeze their genetic material; so that should they come home with injuries that result in them becoming infertile, they will have already preserved their genetic material so that they can, themselves, start those beautiful families they wanted, Duckworth said. Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris released a written statement following the vote rebuking GOP senators for blocking the bill. Every woman in every state must have reproductive freedom, Harris wrote. Yet, Republicans in Congress have once again made clear that they will not protect access to the fertility treatments many couples need to fulfill their dream of having a child. Republicans blocked Democrats bill earlier this year. But Senate leadership scheduled another vote after Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump reignited the issue in August when he said his administration would mandate health insurance companies pay for IVF a significant break with how the GOP has approached the issue. We are going to be, under the Trump administration, we are going to be paying for that treatment, Trump said during an interview with NBC News. Were going to be mandating that the insurance company pay. Alabama ruling Democrats began speaking at length about preserving access to IVF earlier this year after the Alabama state Supreme Court issued an opinion in February that frozen embryos constitute children under state law. That ruling forced all the states IVF clinics to halt their work until the state legislature passed a bill providing criminal and civil protections for those clinics. Democrats have since argued that legislating the belief life begins at conception, which is championed by most conservative Republicans, is at odds with access to IVF, which typically freezes more embryos than would be implanted. Those frozen embryos can be preserved or discarded, depending on the patients wishes, the clinics policies and state law. Some conservatives believe that discarding shouldnt be legal or are opposed to the process altogether. The Southern Baptist Convention, for example, voted earlier this year to oppose IVF, writing in a resolution that couples should consider adoption and that the process engages in dehumanizing methods for determining suitability for life. We grieve alongside couples who have been diagnosed with infertility or are currently struggling to conceive, affirm their godly desire for children, and encourage them to consider the ethical implications of assisted reproductive technologies as they look to God for hope, grace, and wisdom amid suffering, it stated. Senate Democrats press for IVF protections has gone hand-in-hand with their efforts to bolster other reproductive rights, like access to birth control and abortion. The issues could play a significant role in determining the outcome of the presidential election this November as well which political party controls the House and Senate. Republican vice presidential nominee and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance missed Tuesdays vote, but voted against advancing Democrats IVF bill when it was on the floor in June. IVF bill from Cruz, Britt Before the Senate held a vote on Democrats bill, Cruz asked for quick approval of an IVF bill he and Britt introduced earlier this year. Washington state Democratic Sen. Patty Murray blocked his unanimous consent request. During debate on that bill, Britt questioned why Democrats havent scheduled a recorded vote on her legislation, saying it could get the 60 votes needed to advance toward final passage. Today, we have an opportunity to act quickly and overwhelmingly to protect continued nationwide IVF access for loving American families, Britt said. Our bill is the only bill that protects IVF access while safeguarding religious liberty. The Britt-Cruz legislation has three co-sponsors, including Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis, Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall and Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker. Murray said the Britt-Cruz bill didnt address what would happen in states that legislate fetal personhood, which she called the biggest threat to IVF. It is silent on whether states can demand that an embryo be treated the same as a living, breathing person, Murray said. Or whether parents should be allowed to have clinics dispose of unused embryos, something that is a common, necessary part of the IVF process. Cruz tried to pass his legislation through the unanimous consent process, which allows any one senator to ask for approval. Any one senator can then block that request from moving forward as Murray did. There is no recorded vote as part of the UC process. Cruz previously asked for unanimous consent to pass the bill in June, but was blocked then as well. [subhedLegal protections [/subhed] Democrats 64-page bill would have provided legal protections for anyone seeking fertility treatment, including IVF, and for the health care professionals providing that type of care. It would have barred state and federal governments from enacting harmful or unwarranted limitations or requirements on IVF access. The legislation would have bolstered fertility treatment coverage for members of the military and veterans, as well as their spouses, partners, or gestational surrogates. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine supports Democrats legislation. Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer Sean Tipton wrote in a statement released this week that Democrats IVF bill would protect the rights of Americans to seek the medical services they may need to have children and ensure no healthcare provider faces legal consequences for trying to help their patients as they seek to build their families. This legislation also increases access to IVF treatments for all Americans by mandating that employer-sponsored insurance plans and other public insurance plans cover fertility treatment, Tipton wrote. Significantly, it would ensure the federal government does right by its own employees by providing coverage for active-duty military, veterans, and civilian staff. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Sept. 17 the composition of the EU's executive arm as the bloc seeks to better respond to Russia's war in Ukraine and other global challenges. Von der Leyen, winning her second five-year term in the June elections, has proven to be a vocal supporter of Ukraine during the full-scale war, which is reflected in her picks for key Brussels jobs. For the first time in history, the European Commission will include the position of defense commissioner. Former Lithuanian Prime Minister and Member of the European Parliament Andrius Kubilius will take up the new post overseeing the EU's defense policy. Von der Leyen said the commissioner will "work on developing the European defense union and boosting our investment in industrial capacity." Russia's war in Ukraine revealed serious deficiencies in the European defense industry as EU countries struggled to provide Kyiv with sufficient arms and munitions. Kubilius, who headed Lithuania's government between 1999-2000 and then again between 2008-2012, has been an outspoken supporter of Kyiv's struggle against Moscow. Speaking to the European Parliament on Sept. 17, Kubilius said that the EU needs "to radically ramp up production of our military industry and to integrate Ukraine's military industry with the European one." "And we need to remove any red lines in the defense of Ukraine," he added. One of the most senior positions in the commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, was given to former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. The Estonian politician is replacing Josep Borrell, who headed the EU's diplomacy since 2019. Kallas's appointment was long expected after she stepped down from the Estonian government in July. Leading the Baltic country at the Russian border from 2021 until 2024, Kallas advocated for more decisive measures by the West to help Ukraine fend off Russia's aggression. Under her leadership, Estonia has been among the leaders in the Ukraine aid in terms of GDP per capita. Kallas also argued for Ukraine's membership in NATO and supported Paris's proposal of deploying Western military trainers in Ukrainian territory. Another appointment that will be crucial for Ukraine is Slovenia's Marta Kos, who was nominated to replace Hungarian Oliver Varhelyi as the enlargement commissioner. Kos will be responsible for the EU's Eastern neighborhood policy and "will work on supporting Ukraine and continuing the work on reconstruction, and support candidate countries to prepare them for accession," von der Leyen said. Kos, whose final appointment is still awaiting a decision by the national parliament, previously served as ambassador to Switzerland and Germany. Experts told the Kyiv Independent in June that a potential replacement of the Hungarian commissioner, whose homeland has repeatedly obstructed Kyiv's membership efforts, could signal a more positive outlook for Ukraine's accession. Ukraine was granted membership candidate status in 2022 and began accession talks with Brussels in June this year. Varhelyi remains in the EU's executive as the health and animal welfare commissioner. Two of the commission's new executive vice presidents are Spain's Teresa Ribera Rodriguez, who is in charge of climate and competition policy, and Finland's Henna Virkkunen, who is overseeing tech sovereignty and security, underscoring the European Commission's focus on climate and innovation. Other new appointments include ex-French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne leading the bloc's industrial strategy, Latvia's Valdis Dombrovskis overseeing economy and productivity matters, Poland's Piotr Serafin in charge of budgetary issues, and Slovak diplomat Maros Sefcovic overseeing trade policy, among others. Read also: European elections: Far-right gains, center holds, Ukraine-skeptics flounder Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen holds a press conference on the suggested structure and portfolios of the college of European Commissioners in Strasbourg European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen holds a press conference on the suggested structure and portfolios of the college of European Commissioners in Strasbourg By Ingrid Melander and Philip Blenkinsop STRASBOURG, France (Reuters) - European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday named a new team to lead the European Union's most powerful institution for the next five years and tackle challenges to the region's security, competitiveness and growth. Reversing the 27-nation bloc's lagging competitiveness, building up robust military manufacturing capacity and ensuring a fair transition to green energy will be key goals, the German conservative said. Key appointments include Spain's Energy and Environment Minister Teresa Ribera as the bloc's new antitrust chief, whose job will be to rein in the power of Big Tech and ensure that the EU achieves its green goals. With a record as one of Europe's most ambitious policymakers on climate change, Ribera could intensify a crackdown against Big Tech led by outgoing antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager. She will also seek to ensure the EU's single market is not distorted by companies benefiting from foreign subsidies. "The whole college (Commission) is committed to competitiveness," said von der Leyen, who this summer was handed a second term as EU chief executive by member states after her political camp won the most votes in the EU elections. Climate change remains the major backdrop for EU policies, von der Leyen told a news conference. But, compared to her first term, security and competitiveness have become priorities too, she said. Lithuania's Andrius Kubilius will be the EU's first defence commissioner, with the new role designed to build up military manufacturing capacity in the face of Russian aggression in Ukraine, next to the bloc's eastern border. The European Commission wants to set up a fund to support strategic sectors, a document showed, helping it compete in new technologies, especially against China and the United States. The EU executive has the power to propose new EU laws, block mergers between companies and sign free trade deals. All candidates will be quizzed by European Parliament lawmakers, who have to approve their nominations and will attempt to extract various commitments from the nominees at hearings expected in coming weeks. Hungary's Oliver Varhelyi is among the candidates EU officials expect to come under pressure during his hearing. Each of the 27 member states will have one seat at the Commission's table, a role comparable to a government minister, although its political weight varies greatly depending on the portfolio. The appointment of the Commissioners is always the result of tough negotiations with member states and careful balancing of each country's weight, party affiliation and gender. The EU's two biggest countries have top jobs. Von der Leyen is German, and France's outgoing foreign minister Stephane Sejourne will be in charge of the key industrial strategy portfolio. KEY JOBS But there was some drama when, in order to secure that portfolio, French President Emmanuel Macron, in a show of his waning clout, had to yield to von der Leyen and pick Sejourne, instead of the incumbent, Thierry Breton, who repeatedly clashed with the commission chief. Poland's nominee Piotr Serafin got the powerful job of overseeing the EU's budget. Key jobs have also gone to smaller member states. Estonia's Kaja Kallas will be in charge of foreign policy. As Estonia's prime minister she has become one of the most vocal critics of neighbouring Russia among European leaders - and one of the staunchest supporters of Ukraine's bids to join the EU and NATO. The EU's new energy commissioner, Denmark's Dan Jorgensen, will be charged with bringing down the EU's energy prices but will also lead a new division dedicated to housing, his mission letter stated. Slovakia's Maros Sefcovic will have the trade portfolio, the Netherlands' Wopke Hoekstra will tackle climate policies, Latvia's Valdis Dombrovskis will be in charge of the economy and Finland's Henna Virkkunen will oversee tech sovereignty, security and democracy. The next EU Commission is expected to take office by the end of the year, meaning one of its first tasks will be dealing with the outcome of the U.S. presidential election in November. A second presidency for Donald Trump could radically affect Western unity on supporting Ukraine against Russia's invasion and upend trade relations between Brussels and Washington. There are 11 women, including von der Leyen, in the 27-strong Commission team she proposed on Tuesday, well short of the gender balance she had aimed for. Von der Leyen said that was after she negotiated with member states so they proposed more women for the jobs. (Reporting by Marine Strauss, Sudip Kar-Gupta, Jan Strupczewski, Foo Yun Chee, Andrew Gray, Phil Blenkinsop, Julia Payne, Kate Abnett in Brussels, Bart Meijer in Amsterdam, Tassilo Hummel in Paris; Writing by Ingrid Melander; Editing by Christina Fincher and Sharon Singleton) Ursula von der Leyen's commission picks come at a crucial moment for the bloc (FREDERICK FLORIN) (FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP/AFP) After weeks of political horse-trading, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen unveiled Tuesday a new top team tasked with shoring up the EU's economic and military security through the next five years. Faced with Russia's war in Ukraine, the potential return of Donald Trump as US president and competition from China, the new commission will need to steward the EU at a time of global uncertainty. To confront the challenges, von der Leyen handed powerful economic portfolios to France, Spain and Italy -- with a hard-right candidate from Rome taking a top role in a commission seen shifting broadly rightward. "It's about strengthening our tech sovereignty, our security and our democracy," the commission chief said as she announced the team at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. France's outgoing foreign minister Stephane Sejourne was handed an executive vice president role overseeing industrial strategy, after von der Leyen ousted Paris's first nominee. Spain's Teresa Ribera, a socialist climate campaigner, was also made an executive vice president, tasked with overseeing competition and the bloc's transition toward carbon neutrality. As Russia's war against Ukraine grinds on through a third year, security and defence assumed a new prominence. Former Lithuanian prime minister Andrius Kubilius landed a new defence role overseeing the EU's push to rearm, making him one of several hawkish Russia critics in eastern Europe to receive a prominent position. Those also include Estonia's ex-premier Kaja Kallas, already chosen by EU leaders as the bloc's foreign policy chief. And Finland, another country neighbouring Russia, saw its pick Henna Virkkunen given a weighty umbrella role including security and tech. As part of the bloc's careful balancing act, the German head of the EU executive had to choose the lineup for her second term from nominees put forward by the other 26 member states. That has meant treading a political tightrope between the demands of competing national leaders -- and putting some noses out of joint. The highest-profile casualty was France's first-choice candidate Thierry Breton, who quit suddenly as internal market commissioner on Monday accusing von der Leyen of pushing Paris to ditch him. Von der Leyen fell short in her efforts at gender balance, ending up with 40 percent women after pressuring member states for female nominees. But women obtained the lion's share of executive VP roles, with four of six posts. - Controversial Italian pick? - The choice of who gets which job is an indication of where Brussels wants to steer the European Union -- and the weight commanded by member states and political groupings after EU Parliament elections in June. Cementing its status as parliament's biggest group, Von der Leyen's centre-right European People's Party commands 15 of 27 commission posts -- to the chagrin of left-wing lawmakers like France's Manon Aubry who warned of a lurch "far to the right" in terms of policies too. Among the powerful vice presidents is Italy's Raffaele Fitto, handed a cohesion brief in a nod to gains made by far-right parties in the June elections. Giving a top role to a member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's post-fascist Brothers of Italy party has raised hackles among centrist and leftist groups -- while Meloni said it "confirms the newfound central role of our nation in the EU". After Green party losses at the June ballot, whether climate would remain high on the agenda and which commissioners would steer green policy was a subject of scrutiny. As well as Ribera's overarching role, the centre-right Dutchman Wopke Hoekstra will carry on in a position handling climate and the push to make the EU carbon neutral. Among other eye-catching choices, Croatia's Dubravka Suica obtained a new role overseeing the Mediterranean region, and the enlargement gig went to Slovenia's Marta Kos -- yet to be confirmed as her country's candidate. Other important figures going forward look set to be Slovakia's Maros Sefcovic, handling trade, and Poland's Piotr Serafin, who will steer negotiations over the bloc's next budget. All would-be commissioners still need to win approval from the European Parliament, with hearings to start in coming weeks. Lawmakers could flex their muscles by rejecting some candidates -- or at least dragging them over the coals, as expected with Italy's Fitto. Chief among those suspected for the chopping block are Hungary's Oliver Varhelyi, nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban's man in Brussels these past five years, who received a diminished portfolio covering health and animal welfare. The stated target is to have a new commission in place by November 1, but diplomats say that looks ambitious, with December 1 more likely. del/ec/ub/gv European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presents her new Commission to media representatives during a press conference after the Conference of Presidents. The heads of state and government had previously nominated candidates for the College of Commissioners. Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled her proposed new leadership team on Tuesday, with top jobs for France and Italy and a dual focus on economic and security issues. The assembly of the European Union's executive leadership team - a delicate exercise balancing geography, political allegiance and gender - comes as the bloc faces deep challenges including Russia's war on Ukraine and competitive backsliding against the United States and China. The focus on security and the EU's lagging competitiveness for von der Leyen's next five-year term "reflects a lot the time we live in," she told the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. "Last time, the topic of global warming was absolutely top," said von der Leyen, who was first appointed commission president in 2019. "The dominance of the topic is still there," she added, mentioning recent devastating floods and wildfires. "But this time, for example, the topic of security triggered by the Russian war in Ukraine, but also the topic of competitiveness has much more impact" on the organization of her team, von der Leyen said. The German conservative politician presented her long-awaited commission picks to EU lawmakers after weeks of wrangling with member states over names and portfolios. The nominations are subject to the approval of EU lawmakers. The commission proposes and enforces legislation for the bloc's almost 450 million inhabitants and employs around 32,000 people. The Italian (top) Job Von der Leyen nominated six vice-presidents and 20 commissioners - one from each EU member state besides her native Germany. She controversially nominated far-right Italian politician Raffaele Fitto to be a vice president in the EU executive arm, a precedent likely to encounter resistance in the EU legislature. Fitto, a member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, is to hold the cohesion and reforms portfolio. As vice president, he would oversee several other commission portfolios. If confirmed, it would be the first time a politician from the FdI has held a commissioner post. Fitto is currently Italy's Minister for EU Affairs and was previously minister for cohesion under former centre-right prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. Meloni did not back von der Leyen for a second commission term, however the German conservative needed to consider the risk of Italy drifting further to the right in opposition to the EU, as Hungary has done. Explaining her decision, von der Leyen said it reflected the fact that "Italy is a very important country and one of our founding members." "Italy is finally a key player in Europe again," Meloni said in Rome, welcoming the nomination. Resistance to the anticipated news had been voiced in recent days from various factions who see him as emblematic of a dangerous rightward shift in Europe. But others in Brussels dismiss that view, describing Fitto as more of a moderate and, above all, pro-European. To secure his appointment, Fitto - along with all other nominees - will need to pass a hearing in the EU legislature and later a vote alongside von der Leyen's other choices. French drama and Slovenia hold-up The commission formation was delayed by a domestic political row in Slovenia about their candidate and was overshadowed on Monday by the surprise resignation of France's commissioner Thierry Breton. The incumbent EU internal market commissioner wrote in a barbed letter posted on X that von der Leyen had asked Paris to replace him with a different candidate, in exchange for "an allegedly more influential portfolio for France." Breton, who had publicly criticized von der Leyen's leadership during this year's European Parliament elections, wrote that this "political trade-off" had been made "for personal reasons" that she never discussed directly with him. This was "further testimony to questionable governance" in the commission, he added. Stephane Sejourne, the outgoing French foreign minister, was put forward by Paris at the last minute after Breton's abrupt resignation. Von der Leyen nominated Sejourne executive vice president in charge of the industrial strategy portfolio, a policy area prioritized by France. Gender balance struggle Complicating matters further was von der Leyen's request for EU capitals to nominate both a man and a woman for the commission roles in pursuit of gender parity among her 26 commissioners. Despite her repeated urging, only nine commissioners and vice presidents will be female. Von der Leyen said the original nominations from EU countries were "completely unacceptable," with 22% of the candidates female and 78% male. The commission president said she subsequently worked with EU states to improve the share to 40% women and 60% men. Alongside Fitto and Sejourne, there will be four women among the six vice-presidents - Teresa Ribera from Spain, Finland's Henna Virkkunen, Romanian Roxana Minzatu and former Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas. Kallas had previously been selected as the bloc's new foreign policy chief. A new European defence commissioner has also been set up for the first time, with a focus on the bloc's defence industry. Von der Leyen nominated Lithuania's Andrius Kubilius to the role. Despite the ongoing political row in Slovenia, Marta Kos was nominated for critical role of enlargement commissioner, with new EU candidates including Ukraine trying to join the bloc. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrives for a press conference after the Conference of Presidents. The heads of state and government had previously nominated candidates for the College of Commissioners. Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presents her new Commission to media representatives during a press conference after the Conference of Presidents. The heads of state and government had previously nominated candidates for the College of Commissioners. Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa LA CROSSE - If Wisconsin voters had questions about how Donald Trump or Kamala Harris plans to address health care or climate change, they came away with few answers from last week's presidential debate. Since it was the first, and apparently, the last time the two will meet, there won't be any opportunities to hear both candidates answer questions about two critical issues side-by-side. In contrast, the night after the debate, a small group gathered for a town hall meeting designed to go deep into the two topics Wisconsin residents ranked among the top 5 issues on their minds heading into the Nov. 5 election. That health care and the climate are significant issues for voters isn't as surprising as how little of substance is being said about either topic on the campaign trail. At the debate, Harris pledged to maintain and strengthen the Affordable Care Act while Trump said he had the concepts of a plan to replace its lousy coverage. Harris called out Trump for calling climate change a hoax while touting the Biden Administration's investments in clean energy. Still, you won't find much outside of vague statements on either presidential candidate's websites. Laura Olson, far right, Chief Business Development Officer at Eneration, a company that helps health care facilities reduce their carbon footprints, speaks during a Main Street Agenda town hall meeting Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Western Technical College. Lack of details from Harris, Trump driving voter frustration Voters, especially in swing states like Wisconsin, are sometimes portrayed as helplessly polarized; unwilling or incapable of civil discussions about the impact of policies on health care and climate change and how the two issues might overlap. Nathan Miller, 25, came to the Main Street Agenda town hall meeting for more than platitudes. "Really the most disappointing aspect is, I want her (Harris) to say, hey, I want now to have a discussion about policies," Miller said in an interview following the town hall. "Trump is not having any discussion about policies. He's not coming out to say, we're gonna actually be progressive, make some changes here. It's just someone who's there making noise." The town hall meeting featured a panel discussion with two faculty members from the La Follette School of Public Affairs at UW-Madison who focus on climate change and health care policy, Morgan Edwards and Yang Wang, and Laura Olson, chief business development officer at Eneration, a subsidiary of Gundersen Health System that helps health care companies reduce their energy costs. The moderator, Casey Meehan, the director of programming at La Crosse's Sustainability Institute, asked detailed questions about the narrowing gap between liberals and conservatives over climate change, Medicaid expansion in Wisconsin and how health care companies are reducing their carbon footprints. The event was co-sponsored by the Journal Sentinel, Sustainability Institute and La Follette. When it came time for audience questions, Miller asked a very specific question about the energy loss from the usage of methane from a local landfill to heat a local hospital. After the town hall, he said some of his frustration as a voter stems from the lack of such specific policy discussions. "Are we gonna at least have a discussion about making changes, or are we just gonna do nothing? Right? We're not even talking about ideas of what we're gonna do," he said. "Are we even gonna have a discussion that changes should be made?" Community events can help foster a sense of connection Miller, who grew up in Tigerton, returned to Wisconsin after working for a vendor with the National Park Service in Alaska. Following his graduation from UW-Madison, he had worked at the Verso Mill in Wisconsin Rapids until it shut down. Part of what fueled his desire to come back to his home state is the deep sense of community that still exists here, but finds itself stressed from a lack of connection. We can't give up on these kids. School violence is soaring in Milwaukee and across nation. He sees loneliness and isolation as fueling a lot of the anger and divisiveness in politics, especially with older men. He said for many people in his generation, communities like La Crosse are natural magnets for Midwest nice and connections beyond social media. Nathan Miller, 25, asks a question during a Main Street Agenda Town Hall Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Western Technical College in La Crosse focusing on health care and climate change "Everyone wants to go back to their college years when you talk to a millennial, because it was the first, it was one of the few times in their lives they got to actually talk to people around them. It was easy to talk to people," he said. Jim Fitzhenry is the Ideas Lab Editor/Director of Community Engagement for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Reach him at jfitzhen@gannett.com or 920-993-7154. WisconSays survey participants rate eleven social topics on a scale of "not a problem" to an "extremely big problem" in Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Madison Survey Center. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Harris and Trump campaigns fail to deliver substance voters seeking A mob of President Donald Trumps supporters destroys multimedia equipment during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol (Alex Kent/Tennessee Lookout). Many voters are willing to accept misinformation from political leaders even when they know its factually inaccurate. According to our research, voters often recognize when their parties claims are not based on objective evidence. Yet they still respond positively, if they believe these inaccurate statements evoke a deeper, more important truth. Our team conducted a series of online surveys from 2018 to 2023 with over 3,900 American voters. These surveys were designed to elicit responses about how they evaluated political statements from several politicians, even when they recognized those statements as factually inaccurate. Consider former President Donald Trumps claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him. Even among supporters who recognized that his claims about fraud were not grounded in objective evidence, we found that they were more likely to see these allegations as important for American priorities: for example, they believe the political system is illegitimate and stacked against their interests. The same logic applies to factually inaccurate statements about COVID-19 vaccinations that President Joe Biden made, suggesting that vaccinated people could not spread the disease. In our surveys, voters who supported the president saw the statement as important for American priorities, despite recognizing its factual inaccuracy. Through these questions, we were able to uncover the criteria that guide voter behavior, depending on who makes which statement. Voters from both parties cared more about moral truth when they were evaluating a politician they liked. When evaluating a politician they didnt like, on the other hand, voters relied more on strict factuality. Our surveys documented how voters provide such justifications for their partisan standard-bearers, revealing a significant degree of moral flexibility in voters political judgment. I conducted this research with Oliver Hahl of Carnegie Mellon University, Ethan Poskanzer of the University of Colorado, and Ezra Zuckerman Sivan of MIT. Why it matters Conversations about how to combat misinformation often focus on the need for better fact-checking and education. However, our discovery illustrates the deeper but overlooked drivers behind voters tolerance and support for factually inaccurate statements. The findings suggest that misinformation survives not only due to voters gullibility but their moral calculations about whether partisan ends justify the means. If voters are deliberately choosing to support misinformation because it aligns with their partisan perspectives, then providing factual corrections will not be enough to protect the democratic norm of grounding public policies in objective facts. What still isnt known Our research leaves critical questions about how to combat such moral flexibility and its consequences. To be sure, we do not see such moral flexibility as categorically wrong. As a society, for instance, we tend to think that telling kids that Santa Claus exists is unproblematic, because doing so protects certain values such as childrens innocence and imagination. But when it comes to public debate on an issue that should be based on objective evidence, moral flexibility limits the extent to which partisan groups can come to an agreement about facts, let alone what policy to derive from them. Whats next What can pull people on opposite sides of the political spectrum to cooperate with one another, if they cannot agree on what is factually correct? There are likely more areas where partisan voters do agree with one another than the culture war narrative implies and we hope to learn from them. In work in progress with sociologist Sang Won Han, we are studying lawmakers who frequently co-sponsor bills with politicians in the opposite party. Sociologists Daniel DellaPosta, Liam Essig and I are also researching what contributes to politicians polarization in situations where opposite partisan voters actually do share a consensus. For example, a majority of both Democratic and Republican voters support background checks for gun purchases, while bills for such measures consistently fail to pass. The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) The personal information of millions of Illinois residents, including those in Boone, DeKalb, Ogle, and Winnebago counties, were exposed in an unsecured database in July. According to Capitol News Illinois, security researcher Jeremiah Fowler identified the vulnerability, saying voting records, registration, death records, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and addresses of 4.6 million people were temporarily available on the open internet. The records were identified from dozens of Illinois counties, including Alexander, Boone, Champaign, DeKalb, Effingham, Gallatin, Hamilton, Henry, Jefferson, Ogle, Pike, Sangamon, St. Clair, Williamson, and Winnebago. Ive found voter databases in the past, so I kind of know if its a low-level marketing outreach database that someone has purchased, Fowler told WIRED. But here I saw voter applications there were actually scans of documents, and then screenshots of online applications. I saw voter rolls for active voters, absentee voters with email addresses, some of them military email addresses. And when I saw Social Security numbers and drivers license numbers and death certificates I was like, OK, those shouldnt be there. Fowler said he identified 15 unsecured databases before contacting county clerks and a technology vendor, Platinum Technology Resource, who supplies services to those counties. Capitol News reported that all county clerks, with the exception of one in Alexander County, responded saying they had been in contact with Platinum about the issue. The county clerk in Alexander County reportedly said they were not affected. We have evidence of a claim the file storage containing voter registration documents may have been scanned, the company wrote to affected counties in early August. The containers are securely segregated from the overall system, which we can assure you has not been scanned or accessed. After it was notified, the Illinois State Board of Elections alerted all county clerks on July 19th. It is unknown if anyone other than Fowler accessed the data. At the end of the day, its not about naming and shaming contractors, Fowler said. Every company does the best they can. Its about identifying, strengthening the system and learning from it. Winnebago County Clerk Lori Gummow told Capitol News that she had notified the States Attorney and county board members, and Platinum had assured her it had high confidence that the countys records had not been accessed. Experts say the most effective action you can take to guard against identity theft is to freeze your credit files at the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. That will prevent others from signing up for credit cards or opening other financial accounts in your name. But if you want to apply for something requiring a credit check, you must lift the freeze. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Signage at an early voting center on Sept. 23, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Voting rights groups in Alabama filed a lawsuit challenging the actions of the Alabama Secretary of State's Office to remove people from the state's voter registration list weeks before the general election. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) Voting rights groups filed a federal lawsuit Friday against Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, saying his attempt to remove individuals who are not citizens from the states voter registration rolls violates the U.S. Constitution and federal law. The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama alleges that Allens initiative breaches several provisions of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and Voting Rights Act of 1965. The lawsuit also alleges that the action violates the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution because it discriminates against naturalized citizens and eligible voters that the Secretary of States Office identified. The framing of the announcement, and the description of the voter roll purge process that Secretary Allen described in that Aug. 13 release gave us immediate concern that there was some unlawful purging activity going on here, said Jess Unger in an interview Monday, a senior staff attorney for voting rights with the Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights organization representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Alabama Secretary of States Office declined comment Monday. In a statement released on Aug. 13, the office said more than 3,000 residents registered to vote in the state had been issued noncitizen identification numbers by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It also stated that the Secretary of States Office instructed the boards of registrars in the state to inactivate those on the list and to initiate steps necessary to remove all individuals who are not United States Citizens. I have been clear that I will not tolerate the participation of noncitizens in our elections, Allen said in the news release. I have even gone so far as to testify before a United States Senate Committee regarding the importance of this issue. We have examined the current voter file in an attempt to identify anyone who appears on that list that has been issued a non citizen identification number. Each immigrant is provided a unique identification number listed on an identification card, otherwise known as a green card, that each keeps until they return to their country of origin or are naturalized and become citizens of the U.S. and thus eligible to vote. The office said in the statement that the federal government rebuffed the states request seeking the names of noncitizen residents living in Alabama. Allen acknowledged in the release that some of those issued noncitizen identification numbers may have been naturalized and therefore eligible to vote. The plaintiffs, who include the League of Women Voters of Alabama and the Alabama Coalition of Immigrant Justice, argue that Allens action violates provisions of the NVRA, enacted by the federal government in 1993. The NVRA leaves states responsible for maintaining their voter registration lists, but within specific parameters. According to the description in the U.S. Department of Justices website, the act requires list maintenance programs to incorporate specific safeguards, e.g., that they be uniform, non-discriminatory, in compliance with the Voting Rights Act, and not be undertaken within 90 days of a federal election. The lawsuit alleges that Allen, through the news release, initiated a new program within 84 days of the election, less than the 90 days mandated by the NVRA. You are not entitled just to your voter registration transaction, but you are entitled to remain on the rolls unless you are removed for a valid reason, Unger said. Unger said Allen must assume the 3,000 people cited in his news release are citizens and eligible to participate in the election. Unger said they cannot be removed simply because they have noncitizen registration numbers. He doesnt know for sure whether any or all of these 3000-plus folks have since become naturalized U.S. citizens, Unger said. The plaintiffs also allege that the process the Alabamas Secretary of State established discriminates against naturalized citizens. A person may become an American citizen through birth or through naturalization, by passing a test and then taking the oath of citizenship. To assess whether a noncitizen is registered to vote, Allen is screening for permanent residents with a noncitizen identification number and who are also registered to vote. The office is then imposing an additional process that requires them to prove their eligibility to vote. The lawsuit argues thats a burden not imposed on native-born citizens. The criterion used to select registered voters for inclusion on the purge list is both arbitrary as a means of ferreting out ineligible voters, and discriminatory in that it targets naturalized citizens for extra burdens, the lawsuit states. The lawsuit lists plaintiffs erroneously identified as noncitizens. Among those listed in the lawsuit is Roald Hazelhoff, who is from the Netherlands who became a citizen of the United States in 2022 and is registered to vote. He received a letter from the Jefferson County Board of Registrars after because his name was part of the more than 3,000 people the Secretary of States Office identified. He reported to the elections office to address the situation and plans to vote in the coming election. Although he is presently listed as active on the voter registration rolls, he remains uncertain whether he will be able to vote on November 5, 2024, the lawsuit states. The correspondence not only warned residents on the list, but it also stated that their names were referred to the state Attorney Generals Office for further investigation and possible prosecution. A message was sent to the Attorney Generals Office Monday seeking comment. The lawsuit argues that language in the letter amounts to pressure and violates the Voting Rights Act, which states that it is unlawful to either threaten or intimidate someone from attempting to exercise their right to vote. We think there is also an intimidation aspect here, because it is not just notices, which themselves are misleadingly written, and we suspect has led some voters to request to remove themselves from voter registration even if they are eligible voters, Unger said. It is everything around this as well. This is in the context of a nationwide rumor mill, or hysteria, about people voting who shouldnt be voting. Allen has supported legislation that places additional barriers to the ballot box. We will continue to conduct such reviews to do everything possible to make sure that everyone on our file is an eligible voter, Allen said in the statement. I am hopeful that in the near future the federal government will change course and be helpful to states as we work to protect our elections. There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud or voter fraud reaching levels to overturn an election. According to the Heritage Foundation, a conservative leaning think tank, there have been 20 cases of election deceit in Alabama in the past 24 years, with multiple election experts dismissing the claim and stating that elections in the U.S. are safe and secure. In the 2022 midterm election alone, 1.4 million people cast a ballot, according to the Secretary of States website. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE With Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz under congressional scrutiny for his connections to Chinese entities, one top lawmaker fumed at allegations he had appointed a Chinese political party member to a state board. In August, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., wrote to FBI Director Christopher Wray requesting information on "Chinese entities and officials Governor Walz has engaged and partnered with" as part of its investigation into "elite capture" or Chinas strategy of developing relationships with U.S. political figures. Last week, the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) reported that one of Walzs chairperson appointments to the Council of Asian-Pacific Minnesotans (CAPM) is a person with ties to Chinas third-largest political party. HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING WALZ OVER LONGSTANDING CONNECTIONS TO CHINA In 2021, Chang Wang took his seat as vice chair representing Chinese ancestry on the CAPMs board. His term expires in January. Other ancestries represented on the panel include Tibetan, Polynesian and Bhutanese. Wang, however, was or is one of 25 members serving on the Central Civil and Judiciary Committee of China Association for Promoting Democracy (CAPD) [party]," the DCNF reported, citing an archived University of Minnesota biography. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP In China, minor parties like CAPD effectively operate with the express permission of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP). CAPD Chairman Cai Daifeng has urged CAPD members to rally around the CCP Central Committee and properly advise the ruling party, according to Chinese state media Xinhua. When asked about the news in light of his correspondence with the FBI, Comer said it is "deeply concerning." GOP VETERAN LAWMAKERS DROP SCATHING STOLEN VALOR LETTER AS TRUMP CAMP RIPS FREAKISH TIMOTHY "Governor Walzs documented history and cozy relationship with Chinese entities and officials is a national security threat," Comer said. "Based on information obtained by the House Oversight Committee, the governors decision to embrace China with open arms may have allowed the CCP to influence his decision-making as a congressman and governor and potentially would allow the CCP to influence the White House should Vice President Harris be elected." The Kentucky lawmaker added that Americans deserve to have the full picture of Walzs reported ties to the CCP. "The committee will continue to push the FBI for all relevant information in its possession." According to his CAPM biography, Chang studied filmmaking at Beijing Film Academy, holds an art history degree from the University of Illinois-Champaign and got his Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota. His legal focus is immigration law, art law and foreign direct investment. Fox News Digital reached out to Chang via his Kingsfield Law firm but was unsuccessful. Meanwhile, Comer indicated that the FBI has "failed" to comply with his month-old request for information. "The committee requested information about the CCP-affiliated entities and officials with which Mr. Timothy Walz has engaged, as well as any warnings or information the Federal Bureau of Investigation has provided to Mr. Walz or his office about CCP influence operations. The deadline to produce such documents and information has passed, and the Bureau has failed to provide any response to the Committee," Comer said, calling the bureaus silence "inexcusable." Walz has reportedly visited China about two dozen times, and Comer noted he organized a 1993 trip to the Communist nation for his students. He had been teaching high school in Box Butte County, Nebraska, at the time. In 2007, Walz was a fellow at Macau Polytechnic University in the autonomous Macau region while he was a member of Congress. "Macau Polytechnic University exists in alignment with Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, a political warfare program developed by President Xi Jinping to exert Chinas influence worldwide," Comer said in a separate statement. Gov. Tim Walz speaking at LaborFest. However, Chang told DCNF that his elderly parents are his only ties to China. The outlet added that his current University of Minnesota bio does not include his Chinese political affiliation as the archived link had. Changs parents were scientists at a Chinese academy whose work contributed to military products, according to a Pentagon document. "Walz cant explain away the pattern," China expert Gordon Chang told Newsmax in a recent interview regarding evidence of ties to Chinese entities. Walz is not the first Democrat to receive attention for his alleged ties to China or Chinese interests. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., has batted back criticisms in regard to Fang Fang, a suspected Chinese spy who had worked to develop "close ties" with his office as early as 2014. Swalwell said previously that when the FBI alerted him to Fangs potential ties to Chinese espionage, he "did everything I hoped everyone would do, which was to cooperate and help the FBI and she was removed." Similarly, when the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., was notified by the feds that her professional driver of 20 years was also suspected of similar ties, she fired him. Earlier this month, police in New York State arrested an aide to Gov. Kathy Hochul on charges of conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling and money laundering conspiracy. Linda Sun was hired by the executive chamber "more than a decade ago," Hochul said in a statement, adding that the Empire State fired her in 2023 over evidence of misconduct. Hochul's office said Sun was first hired by the executive branch a decade ago a timeframe that would instead have placed Andrew Cuomo in Albany. Fox News Digital also reached out to Walz office in St. Paul and the Harris campaign for comment. Fox News Digital's Brooke Singman contributed to this report. Original article source: Walz appointee with apparent CCP ties could expose potential veep's national security weakness, lawmaker says WAMEGO (KSNT) Police took action Monday in Wamego following allegations of violence at a local school. The Wamego Police Department (WPD) posted to social media on Sept. 17 about a recent situation at a USD 320 school. Police said they were informed of a group chat mentioning violence at a school in the district before students arrived at their classrooms Monday morning. The WPD increased the presence of its officers at USD 320 schools while an investigation took place. Officers found that a non-threatening remark was made on Friday, Sept. 13 and, after being passed around between several people, came to be perceived as a threat. Four hospitalized in Jefferson County school bus crash Police later found a photo of a magazine from a firearm was distributed to students in the district. The WPD seized the magazine and confirmed there is no threat to students from the photo in question. Staff at Wamego Police and USD 320 want to do our best to keep the students safe. WPD asks that if you hear a remark, or on social media see a remark, about school violence, notify law enforcement as soon as you hear or read about it, so we may investigate it in a timely manner. WPD social media statement Sept. 16 FBI called to investigate suspicious packages found at Topeka state office building 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. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Starting Oct. 1, many unhoused Siouxlanders will be without a place to rest as the Warming Shelter closes its doors. With one less housing resource in Sioux City, people will look towards open spaces, like parks, to sleep. You can usually tell if its an encampment if theres tents set up, if they have all their belongings, usually theyll have a shopping cart right next to their tent that has all their belongings in it, Sioux City Police Sergeant Thomas Gill said. And this person thinks that they can they can live and establish residency in a city park. City council votes no on proposed rezoning of 3700 Jefferson Street Over the summer, the Sioux City Police Department received several calls about homeless folks set up where they shouldnt be. And understand that being homeless or in a transitional phase in your life, its not illegal, but being in city parks after park hours, trespassing on public property or private property, thats where it gets to be illegal, Gill said. If you want to go to a campground and pay their fees, then by all means thats where you should go to camp. If someone is caught or reported to the police while camping at a public park, officers will issue a warning, and if the person returns they will either receive a citation or go to jail. During the winter months, it can be dangerous for those outside, and not just because of the weather. Sometimes a lot of homeless people try to set up an encampment in the warmest place they can find, which sometimes is under bridges, which makes it very dangerous because a lot of times theyll start fires, Gill said. That fire can get out of control, which happened when a propane tank exploded here a few years back. That caused some severe damage to city property, said Sergeant Gill. Ramps on I-29 near Sloan to close for paving project There are still other resources, like The Gospel Mission, that can help people through the winter. We have the soup kitchen, we have plenty of services, Gill said. Go to those if youre experiencing homelessness, go to the soup kitchen. But by all means, dont try to camp out in the city park. KCAU 9 reached out to Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott about the Warming Shelter. The council has made a proposal to the board of the Warming Shelter to allow them some time to look for long-term solutions, but allow them to stay open for a period of time past their proposed closing date, Scott said in a statement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Warrior Up campaign aimed to get American Indians to the polls TULSA, Okla. The United Indian Nations of Oklahoma is launching its second bi-annual Warrior Up to Vote event, an unprecedented statewide initiative to increase voter registration among American Indians in Oklahoma. Ben Barnes, UINO Board Chairman, said that when We vote, we can impact taxation, our tribal compacts, and tribal sovereignty, which helps all those issues that disproportionately affect American Indians. Ben Barnes, UINO Board Chairman Whether you are a young person or an elder, no matter your background or education, voting is something we can all do to uplift our communities, and it requires minimal effort, Barnes said. Rocking the Native Vote: Quapaw Tribe campaigns for voter participation American Indians represent 13% of Oklahomas population but have been historically underrepresented in voter registration and turnout. Warrior Up to Vote aims to change that. The Warrior Up to Vote tour is more than a voter registration drive; it celebrates American Indian sovereignty, community strength, and the power to create change through political engagement. The groups efforts to register tribal citizens to vote are nonpartisan, but they will include information on candidates positions on tribal sovereignty and issues critical to Indian Country. The tour is committed to showcasing Oklahomas Native communities statewide and nationally by visiting as many tribal communities as possible before the Oct. 11 voter registration deadline. Registering American Indians gives Tribal Citizens a voice in policymaking. Key Tour Dates and Events: Sept. 23 Miami, OK Shawnee, Miami, Peoria, Seneca Cayuga, Eastern Shawnee, Quapaw, Wyandotte, Ottawa and Modoc Tribal Nations Sept. 24 Vinita and Tahlequah, OK Cherokee Nation and UKB Tribal Nations Sept. 25 Bartlesville and Pawhuska- Delaware Tribe of Indians and Osage Nation Tribal Nations As part of this campaign, voter registration materials, including posters and flyers with QR codes that link directly to the online registration resources, will be distributed to tribal nations and American Indian voters. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Native Vote 2024. In Oklahoma, the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma (UINO) is launching its second bi-annual Warrior Up to Vote event, a statewide initiative to increase voter registration among Native Americans in Oklahoma. The tour will start Sept. 23 to Oct. 5. Currently, Oklahoma ranks 50th in voter participation and registration, and Native Americans have some of the country's lowest voter registration and turnout rates. Warrior Up to Vote aims to change that. Tribal citizens in Oklahoma comprise 13 percent of the state's population. 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. The Warrior Up to Vote tour is committed to visiting as many tribal communities as possible before Oklahomas Oct. 11 voter registration deadline. Ben Barnes, UINO Board Chairman, explains that voting is a right and can make huge impacts on issues affecting Indian Country. "There are so many problems we feel we can't move the needle on because they seem insurmountable when we look at them as a whole. Societal issues such as education, healthcare, mental health and substance abuse seem impossible to overcome," said Barnes. "But registering to vote is a right. We can impact taxation, our tribal compacts and tribal sovereignty when we vote, which helps all those issues that disproportionately affect Native Americans. Whether you are a young person or an elder, no matter your background or education, voting is something we can all do to uplift our communities, and it requires minimal effort." UINO received a grant from the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), which will help UINO visit tribal nations, tribal complexes, and headquarters across Oklahoma. As part of this tour, UINO will distribute voter registration materials to Tribal Nations and Native voters, including posters and flyers with QR codes that link directly to the online registration resources making registering to vote easier. Tribal nations are encouraged to display these materials in high-traffic areas such as social services offices, health centers, tribal tax offices and other community spaces. Margo Gray, UINO Executive Director, is hoping that this tour will help turn out Native voters in record numbers. "United Indian Nations of Oklahoma is mobilizing the Native vote like never before," said Gray. "With the support of our tribal leaders, we can reach more Natives than ever, and we can make our collective voices more impactful than ever. This tour is truly historic, and we are ready to Warrior up to Vote." The Warrior Up to Vote tour is expected to make the following stops at tribal complexes and headquarters across Oklahoma: 9/23 Monday Miami, OK Shawnee, Miami, Peoria, Seneca Cayuga, Eastern Shawnee, Quapaw, Wyandotte, Ottawa and Modoc Tribal Nations 9/24 Tuesday Vinita and Tahlequah, OK Cherokee Nation and UKB Tribal Nations 9/25 Wednesday Bartlesville & Pawhuska- Delaware Tribe of Indians and Osage Nation Tribal Nations 9/26 Thursday - Kaw City, Ponca City, Tonkawa Kaw, Ponca and Tonkawa Tribal Nations 9/27 Friday Redrock & Pawnee, OK - Otoe Missouria and Pawnee Tribal Nations 10/1 Tuesday Perkins, Stroud, McCloud, OK - Iowa, Sac & Fox, Kickapoo Tribal Nations About the Author: "Neely Bardwell (descendant of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indian) is a staff reporter for Native News Online. Bardwell is also a student at Michigan State University where she is majoring in policy and minoring in Native American studies. " Contact: neely@nativenewsonline.net Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed an executive order in Tacoma on Monday to improve the state's effort to help individuals make a successful reentry into their community when they leave prison. (Courtesy of Gov. Jay Inslee's office) Gov. Jay Inslee issued an executive order Monday to deepen and expand Washingtons efforts to prepare individuals for successful reentry in communities upon leaving prison. His order calls for developing a comprehensive entry and exit process tailored to each persons needs in areas such as housing, employment, health care, substance use treatment, and mental health services. It also seeks to ensure each person has a Washington identification card or drivers license and information on how to access social services. And it enlists Washington in a nationwide initiative known as Reentry 2030 that aims to reduce recidivism by boosting the successful reentry of those leaving state-run correctional facilities. This executive order is basically a public safety executive order, Inslee told a large crowd gathered in William Philip Hall at the University of Washington Tacoma. It does so by committing the state to provide services needed to keep individuals from returning to prison, he said. This is a major effort to reduce crime, Inslee added. What were doing basically is telling everyone who leaves our custody and our Department of Corrections a statement: We have provided you the services you need to succeed outside of our walls. So good luck, now dont come back. Washington is the sixth state to sign onto the nationwide initiative known as Reentry 2030. Missouri was the first, in July 2023, followed by Alabama, North Carolina, Nebraska and New York. Inslee is the second governor to embed the initiative goals into an executive order. Reentry 2030 is a partnership between the Correctional Leaders Association, The Council of State Governments Justice Center, JustLeadershipUSA and the Bureau of Justice Assistance, a component of the U.S. Department of Justice. Inslee signed an executive order in 2016 to ensure education, job training and other services are available to individuals as they prepare for the transition out of prison. Whats in place, Inslee said, has reduced the rate of recidivism in the first three years of release by 30 percent. The new directive seeks to strengthen collaboration among executive branch agencies in the effort. For example, it tasks the state Department of Corrections and state Department of Children, Youth & Families to design and implement the entry and exit process, and to provide each person leaving a correctional facility with contact information for local social service programs and other community resources. The state Department of Licensing must work with corrections to make sure that, upon release, all consenting individuals have a valid drivers license or state identification card. This may require DOL to make changes to provide incarcerated persons with access to driver education and a driving test. Another provision says the Employment Security Department must collaborate with the corrections agency on employment and training services prior to and following ones release, including connecting them with WorkSource services. And, to allow qualified applicants to seek jobs with state agencies, the Department of Enterprise Services and the Office of Financial Management must update training for supervisors on how much of an applicants criminal history is appropriate to consider. Agencies covered in the order must provide progress reports annually starting Sept. 1, 2025. While Inslees order covers only executive branch agencies, it encourages other statewide elected officials as well as the state Legislature, community colleges and universities, and state boards and commissions to follow its provisions. On Monday, Adolphus Redding and Buffy Henson, spoke of how education and job training they obtained while incarcerated paid dividends when they got out. Redding is now an aerospace machinist apprentice and Henson is an account executive in the Correctional Industries division of the Department of Corrections. If you see it, you can achieve it, Redding said. Venezuelan election officials said incumbent Nicolas Maduro won with 52 percent of votes cast in July 28 polls (MARCELO GARCIA) (MARCELO GARCIA/Venezuelan Presidency/AFP) The United States, Spain and the Czech Republic on Monday demanded information from Venezuela about six of their citizens detained in the South American country over an alleged plot to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro. The government in Caracas on Saturday announced the arrests of three Americans, two Spaniards and a Czech it claimed had ties with US and Spanish intelligence agencies and the Venezuelan opposition. Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said 400 rifles were confiscated as the alleged plot was dismantled -- not the first time Maduro has claimed to have been the target of US-led attempts to unseat him. Maduro, widely accused of increasingly authoritarian rule and human rights violations, claimed Monday the detainees had "confessed," as he batted away assertions that they were mere tourists. "These terrorist tourists in their spare time were going to set bombs, they come for a new type of tourism: adventure tourism it can be called, explosive tourism," he said on state TV. Maduro added that "the government of the United States did not expect we would have the capacity to capture the head of... the terrorist plan against Venezuela." The United States and Spain have vehemently denied claims of involvement in any plot. The arrests came amid heightened tensions between Caracas and both Washington and Madrid over July 28 presidential elections the Venezuelan opposition accuses Maduro of having stolen. On Monday, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said he could confirm the detention of a US "military member," and said there were "reports of two additional US citizens detained in Venezuela." "We are seeking additional information and monitoring the situation," he said. Caracas and Washington broke off diplomatic ties in 2019. Spain's foreign ministry said it "continues to demand from the Venezuelan authorities official and verified information on the arrest of two Spaniards, as well as a clarification of the charges they are accused of." Spain said its two detained citizens were not part of the CNI intelligence service. In Prague, a foreign ministry spokeswoman said the Czech embassy in Bogota had sent a note to Caracas demanding "detailed information" about its citizen as well as "consular contact." - 'Dictatorial' - Dozens of countries have rejected Maduro's claim to a third six-year term after elections the opposition says it can prove its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won with a landslide. On September 8, Gonzalez Urrutia arrived in Spain, which granted him asylum after a month in hiding in Venezuela. Tensions have since risen between Caracas and Madrid. Last week, Venezuela recalled its ambassador to Madrid for consultations and summoned Spain's envoy to Venezuela for talks after a Spanish minister accused Maduro of running a "dictatorship." Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell, in an interview broadcast in Spain on Sunday, also labeled Maduro's government "dictatorial," pointing to more than 2,000 people "arbitrarily detained" in the election aftermath. The six are not the first foreigners to be arrested in Venezuela on conspiracy charges. Americans Luke Denman and Airan Berry, serving 20-year sentences over a botched armed invasion of Venezuela in 2020, were released last December in a prisoner swap. Maduro's last re-election, in 2018, was also rejected by most of the international community, yet he managed to cling on to power with support of the military, state institutions, and allies Russia and China. erc/jt/mar/mlr/bjt A Washington State man was sentenced to four months in prison for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, according to the Department of Justice. Benjamin John Silva, 37, of Yacolt, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras after pleading guilty to a felony charge of obstructing law enforcement during a civil disorder. Silvas participation in the Capitol attack, alongside other rioters, disrupted a joint session of Congress that was certifying the electoral votes for the 2020 presidential election. According to court documents, Silva was identified near the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol, an area known for some of the most violent clashes with police that day. Silva entered the Tunnel twice and, during his second time, joined other rioters in pushing against the police line in a coordinated effort to break through. Silva will serve 24 months of supervised release, including four months of home confinement, and was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution in addition to the prison sentence. He was arrested by the FBI in July 2023. Hundreds of Hezbollah members were injured across Lebanon on Tuesday as pagers exploded in what appeared to be an Israeli attack. A Hezbollah official told Reuters that the detonation of the devices marked the biggest security breach since the terrorist group began attacking Israel on Oct 8. Mojtaba Amani, Irans ambassador to Lebanon, was among the injured, according to Irans Mehr news agency. One security expert told The Telegraph that the attacks appeared to have used an old-fashioned explosive booby trap. Residents said explosions were taking place even 30 minutes after the initial blasts An injured man is attended to as he lies on a street in Lebanon Video footage showed one mans device appearing to explode while he shopped in a supermarket, while bleeding men were seen lying on the streets in the city of Baalbek. Explosions also happened in the Dahiya neighbourhood in Beirut, the capital, a Hezbollah stronghold where a top commander was assassinated by Israel in July. Other footage showed ambulances rushing to the scene of an explosion in the city, and hospitals treating dozens of bleeding men. Residents said explosions were taking place even 30 minutes after the initial blasts, according to Reuters. The security source added that devices were also exploding in the south of Lebanon. The affected pagers were from a new shipment that Hezbollah had received in recent days, sources told The Wall Street Journal. A Hezbollah official told the outlet that hundreds of fighters had such devices, speculating that malware may have caused them to heat up and explode. The official said some people felt the pagers heat up and disposed of them before they exploded. Prof Alan Woodward, a cyber security expert at the University of Surrey, told The Telegraph: A tiny amount of explosive can injure badly, especially when right next to the body. If this proves to be real, I dont think its a cyber attack, but rather an old-fashioned explosive booby trap. A fragment of what appears to be an exploded pager Lebanons Internal Security Forces said that wireless communication devices of certain types exploded in a number of Lebanese regions, especially in the southern suburbs, which led to injuries. The security forces asked citizens to clear the roads to facilitate the treatment of the injured and their transfer to hospitals. While Israel did not comment publicly on the incident, Topaz Luk, a close advisor to Benjamin Netanyahu, retweeted a post from an Israeli journalist who predicted that the Israeli prime minister would not launch a major attack on Lebanon before flying to New York next week. This didnt age well, Mr Luk responded to the post. An injured man sits on a scooter in Beirut - X The prime ministers office quickly issued a statement, saying Mr Luk hasnt been serving as the prime ministers spokesman for a few months now, and isnt in the close circle of discussion. The residents of three Israeli towns near the Lebanese border were asked to stay near bomb shelters because of the unique security situation in which we have found ourselves in the past hour. 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. During a congressional hearing on hate crimes Tuesday, Republican Senator John Kennedy accused Maya Berry, the executive director of the Arab American Institute, of supporting terrorism. Berry was invited to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the rise in hate crimes against Arab and Jewish Americans since October 7. Instead of hearing her thoughts, the Louisiana senator advanced an antagonistic and acrid line of questioning. You support Hamas, do you not? asked Kennedy. Berry replied, to the applause of some in attendance, Hamas is a foreign terrorist organization that I do not support, but you asking the executive director of the Arab American Institute that question very much puts the focus on the issue of hate in our country. Kennedy continued, You support Hezbollah too, dont you? Over interjections from the senator, Berry said, Again, I find this line of questioning extraordinarily disappointing, Senator. You have Arab American constituents that you represent. The answer is I dont support violence, whether its Hezbollah, Hamas, or any other entity that invokes it. You cant bring yourself to say no, can you? Kennedy persisted. Do you support or oppose Iran, and their hatred of Jews? Berrys response was again interrupted by Kennedy, who cast aspersions on her for having previously criticized Congresss decision to cut funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, or UNRWA, which provides relief to Palestinians. The move to defund UNRWA, which was based on unconfirmed Israeli allegations that 12 of its staff had been involved in the October 7 Hamas attack, was widely criticized by Palestinian rights activists, including Berrywho began explaining that her criticism was based on foreign policy. Kennedy again cut in: Let me ask you one more time, you support Hamas dont you? You support UNRWA and Hamas, dont you? Sir, I think its exceptionally disappointing that youre looking at an Arab American witness before you, and saying, You support Hamas. I do not support Hamas, Berry responded, before another interruption from Kennedy. You know whats disappointing to me, the senator said. You cant bring yourself to say you dont support UNRWA, you dont support Hamas, you dont support Hezbollah, and you dont support Iran. You should hide your head in a baga comment that elicited gasps from attendees. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has condemned Kennedy for his display of anti-Arab bigotry and deployment of common anti-Arab and Islamophobic stereotypes during his questioning. .@SenJohnKennedy: You support Hamas, do you not?@AAIUSA's Maya Berry: Hamas is a foreign terrorist organization that I do not support...You asking the executive director of the Arab American Institute that question very much puts the focus on the issue of hate in our country? pic.twitter.com/h7WU3ePLOu CSPAN (@cspan) September 17, 2024 Supreme Court Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch will discuss his new book Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law, along with his co-author and former clerk Janie Nitze, at a town hall event Tuesday evening hosted by the National Constitution Center (NCC) in Philadelphia. NCC President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen is moderating the event, which is being held in honor of Constitution Day. In Over Ruled, Gorsuch, 56, and Nitze reportedly use a wide range of examples of regulation from various levels of government to illustrate their case that increasingly voluminous laws are bringing a host of unintended consequences. Gorsuch, who was appointed by former President Trump to the high court, has in most cases sided with the Supreme Courts conservative majority. The event is slated to begin at 6:30 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. Former President Trump will speak with voters in the storied auto manufacturing community of Flint, Mich., Tuesday evening at a town hall moderated by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who served in his administration as press secretary. The event is Trumps first public appearance following the apparent thwarted assassination attempt last weekend. Underscoring the electoral importance of the Great Lakes State, the Flint event also comes just hours after a visit to a township near Grand Rapids, Mich., by running mate Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio). The Trump campaign has said that the talk will focus on economic issues, particularly the auto industry. Speaking with WNEM news Midland, Michigan State Police seemed to acknowledge the added challenge of providing protection for Trump in the current political environment, but vowed to do all they can. Flint police have said they will increase planned security for the event. The appearance is slated to begin at 6:30 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. An Anoka County deputy on patrol caught a crash on camera early Tuesday morning when an impatient driver went around stopped traffic and ran a red light. The deputy was on routine patrol on Highway 65 and Bunker Lake Blvd NE when he saw a "significant" car crash around 7:21 a.m. involving a red light runner. Anoka police released the video on social media, showing a Jeep crashing into an SUV that was turning at the intersection. In the video, the Jeep is shown bypassing stopped traffic via the right-turn lane before attempting to go straight across the intersection and smashing into the turning SUV, flipping before stopping. "Law enforcement have been seeing too many individuals committing dangerous traffic violations, such as running red lights, on our roads," the Anoka County Sheriff's Office said. According to police, no one was seriously injured, and the driver of the Jeep received a citation from the Minnesota State Patrol. Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change. On Tuesday evening, stargazers in North America, South America, Europe, and Africa will be treated to three celestial events taking place at the same time: the harvest moon, a blood moon, and a supermoon. All three occurring simultaneously are quite rare, Teresa Monsue, an astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, told NPR. Heres what to know about the celestial trifecta and how to watch it in the U.S. Read More: These Are All the Different Types of Eclipses What is a harvest moon? The harvest moon appears near the autumn equinox. Its name, according to the almanac, comes from the time when its brightness would help farmers harvest their end-of-season crops. What makes this moment special is that the moons orbit and the Earths horizon are positioned in such a way that the moon appears to rise above the horizon much faster than usual. When viewed right after sunset, when the moon is closest to the horizon, it creates an optical illusion that makes the harvest moon look bigger than usual. That effect will be further amplified by the fact that Tuesday nights harvest moon will also coincide with a supermoon. What is a supermoon? Supermoons occur when the moon is both full and at its closest to Earth, making the moon appear larger than usual. Supermoons occur between three to four times a year because the moons orbit and distance from Earth changes with each new cycle. What is a blood moon? During a lunar eclipse, the Earths shadow partially blocks the suns light from reaching the moon, giving it a reddish appearance often referred to as a blood moon. On Tuesday night, in addition to seeing the characteristics of a harvest and supermoon, stargazers can also expect the moon to have an unusual red color due to a partial lunar eclipse that will be taking place at the same time. Where and when can I watch the Harvest-Blood-Supermoon? Its helpful to watch from a place where skies are clear, which you can find by checking your local weather app. The Midwest, South, and Southern Plains of the U.S. are expected to have relatively clear skies on Tuesday night, according to the Washington Post. West coast cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco can also expect relatively clear skies. However, on the East Coast, things may be more tricky. Cities such as Boston and Washington, D.C. may have cloudier forecasts, making it more difficult to see the event. The partial lunar eclipse begins at 8:41 p.m. E.T. and reaches its peak at 10:44 p.m., according to NASA, but viewers may be able to notice part of the moon entering full shadow as early as 10:13 p.m. When will be the next Harvest-Blood-Supermoon? The next Harvest-Blood-Supermoon combination will occur in fall 2033, according to the public service radio program EarthDate. While it is a while away, the 2033 moon will be even more rare because it will also include a full lunar eclipse instead of a partial one. The next full supermoon will be visible on Oct. 17, 2024, and the next lunar eclipse will occur on Mar. 14, 2025, according to NASA. Contact us at letters@time.com. Sept. 17 (UPI) -- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance announced its veterinarians have performed the first-ever cesarean section birth for a North American porcupine. The wildlife alliance said Maizey, a female North American porcupine living at the San Diego Zoo, suffered complications during labor that necessitated a C-section procedure to protect her life and that of her male baby. "This landmark procedure highlights the critical role that our veterinary teams play in species conservation, not just in emergencies, but as part of a legacy of leadership in wildlife care," Greg Vicino, vice president of wildlife care with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, said in a news release. "The success of Maizey's C-section is another example of our veterinarians' unwavering commitment to preserving the health and longevity of wildlife." The male porcupette, who has not yet been named, is being hand-reared by zookeepers to allow Maizey to recover from the C-section. "For the North American porcupine, this procedure represents a significant step forward to improve long-term survival rates and contributes to broader conservation efforts aimed at securing its future in the wild," said Michele Goodman, director of animal care with Elmwood Park Zoo and veterinary advisor for the North American porcupine Species Survival Plan. Minister for water and flooding MP Emma Hardy described the incident as unacceptable [BBC] Severn Trent has agreed to pay 327,500 to restore a waterway after a sewage spill killed the vast majority of its aquatic life. A blocked sewer polluted a 1.7km (1.05m) stretch of Dimore Brook in Quedgeley, Gloucestershire, in August 2021. An investigation by the Environment Agency (EA) found the incident killed hundreds of sticklebacks, several eels and thousands of insects. Severn Trent said the blockage had been caused by an accumulation of fats, oil and grease incorrectly disposed of into the sewer by third parties. Minister for water and flooding MP Emma Hardy described the spill as unacceptable. The EA said the vast majority of aquatic animal life had been killed by the sewage discharge into the brook, which is operated by the water company. EA's officers found sewage fungus - a thick layer of algae - growing along a 1km (0.6m) stretch of the watercourse from Meerbrook Way to the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. Sewage fungus can deplete oxygen levels in waterways and kill aquatic life [Reuters] Sewage fungus gives off a foul odour and can reduce oxygen levels in the water, which can kill river species. The water company has now agreed to pay 327,500 as part of an enforcement undertaking. This is used by the regulator as an alternative to prosecution. Investigating officer Ian Skuse said: While we will always take forward prosecutions in the most serious cases, enforcement undertakings are an effective enforcement tool to allow companies to put things right and contribute to environmental improvements. The money will be paid to Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust to fund projects to mitigate the damage caused to the area. The trust's head of external relations Sophie Wootton-Lee said the money would be spent on a number of habitat creation and restoration projects. She added: Well also be looking to increase the habitat provided in the area for an iconic Gloucestershire species, the European eel, by creating pond complexes, reedbeds, scrapes and carrying out wet ditch restoration. Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust wetland restoration work at its site in Coombe Hill [Billy Heaney] Ms Hardy added that the government would crack down on water companies and begin the work of cleaning up Britains waterways. Measures in tabled legislation include powers to ban the payment of bonuses to executives of water companies found to have polluted waterways. It would also give the EA increased powers to bring criminal charges against executives of companies that persistently break the laws governing sewage discharge. A spokesperson for Severn Trent said the incident was "regrettable". We have since engaged with local businesses to advise them of the best way to dispose of used cooking products, and a new pumping station has come online to divert the flow away from this section of the sewer," they said. The spokesperson added: "Beyond this we are working as fast as possible to deliver a multimillion-pound programme of improvements to reduce spills and improve river health across our region. Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this story Related Internet Links Editors note: This story contains graphic descriptions. Several months after Russian Sergei Kozlov, an assault fighter of the infamous Wagner Group, returned home from the war in Ukraine, he violently killed his 18-year-old partner Daria, who was pregnant with his child. She was beaten to death, suffering a traumatic brain injury, a broken nose, a liver rupture, and a closed abdominal injury the description of all 138 injuries took several pages in the case file, Russian state-controlled media outlet Kommersant reported on Sept. 4. On Sept. 9, the Russian Omsk Oblast Court convicted Kozlov of murder and sentenced him to 19 years behind bars. But this was not his first time in prison. In 2021, Kozlov was found guilty of severe and minor bodily harm and was supposed to serve 6.5 years in prison. But he was soon recruited by the Wagner mercenary group to join Russias war against Ukraine. For his combat achievements, Kozlov was even awarded the medal "For Courage," Kommersant wrote. Moscow has been recruiting convicts for its war since the summer of 2022, first under the auspices of the Wagner Group and later under the Russian Defense Ministry. As of October 2023, Russia has reportedly recruited about 100,000 prisoners. Initially, prisoners, even those convicted of violent crimes, were promised a pardon after completing a six-month military contract. Since January, Russian army recruits drawn from prisons no longer receive pardons but are released on parole, and are expected to fight until the war is over. Russian POWs are seen living in a prisoner of war detention camp lining up for a meal in the cafeteria in the Lviv region, Ukraine, on Aug. 3, 2023. (Paula Bronstein /Getty Images) But as many of the convicts have already returned home under the previous conditions, reports of their new crimes appear to be increasing in Russia. Since the start of the year, Russia has seen a record number of grave crimes in the past 13 years more than 403,000 the Russian Verstka media outlet reported, citing the Russian Interior Ministry. "Among the factors influencing the growth of crime, the Interior Ministry pointed to the war in Ukraine and the return of former prisoners from the front line," the outlet wrote. 'Wave of lawlessness' Over the past two years, at least 107 people have been killed, and another 100 have been seriously wounded by Russian war veterans returning from the front line in Ukraine, Verstka said in its investigation published in April. The majority of the victims were killed by ex-convicts, the outlet wrote. Mikhail Savva, a legal expert from the Center for Civil Liberties, believes that the current situation in Russia can be described as a "wave of lawlessness" and the "degradation of legal culture." But the return of ex-convicts is not the only reason, Savva says. "Aggression against an independent state is forbidden by international law. So many people in Russia understand that their government violates everything that can be violated," he told the Kyiv Independent. "Because it is precisely through the disregard for the law that people get the idea that anything is possible." The building of the Government of Moscow is seen with the illumination of "Z," a symbol of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, after Earth Hour in Moscow, Russia, on March 26, 2022. (Konstantin Zavrazhin/Getty Images) Russian prisoner of war, captured by Ukrainian army in Russia's Kursk Oblast, at a detention center for Russian prisoners in Unspecified location, Ukraine on Sep. 6, 2024. (Oleg Palchyk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images) According to Savva, the high number of crimes committed by convicts returning from the front line is mainly because Russia recruits prisoners convicted of nearly all types of crimes. Only those convicted of terrorism, extremism, and sexual crimes against minors are forbidden to be recruited, Savva says. However, most of the verdicts on extremist or terrorist charges in Russia are simply falsified, as the Kremlin uses them to imprison those protesting against its regime, he adds. "Hence, murderers, serial killers, and others can join and stand under the Russian army flag." In May, the Moscow Times reported that Russian cannibal Dmitry Malyshev, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison for murder and several other serious crimes, joined one of Russias Storm V penal military units. Malyshev was reportedly recruited to the army together with serial killer Aleksandr Maslennikov, sentenced to 23 years in prison for the "double murder and dismemberment of women." In late August, multiple Russian media outlets reported that a former Wagner mercenary, Ivan Rossomakhin, convicted of several crimes, had signed a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry and returned to the war in Ukraine. Rossomakhin was recruited by Wagner Group in September 2022 while he was serving a 14-year term for murder and theft. By the end of his military service, he was pardoned by Putin, according to Current Time, a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty project. Then in 2023, upon returning from the war in Ukraine, he raped and killed an 85-year-old woman. While serving his 23-year sentence, Rossomakhin reportedly joined the Russian army again. A woman sits on a bench in a residential area in the town of Yefremov in the Tula region, Russia on March 23, 2023. (Natalia Kolesnikova / AFP via Getty Images). Reports of Russian soldiers committing crimes against Ukrainian prisoners of war have also recently increased, with several cases of alleged execution brought by Ukraine to the attention of international organizations. Ukraine's Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on Sept. 17 that he had appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United Nations in response to a photo that allegedly shows the execution of a Ukrainian prisoner of war with a sword. However, according to Savva, the rise in violence and brutality by Russian troops toward Ukrainians, including prisoners of war, is only partly due to the large number of convicts in their ranks. "The reason is not that there are many convicts in the Russian army, but that the army is fighting in conditions where war crimes are the norm. In the Russian army, (war crimes) are not subject to punishment. They do not prohibit it," Savva says. Ukraine recruits convicts too. How is it different? In May, Ukraine also began allowing convicts to enlist in the army. However, the eligibility requirements for these prisoners are more stringent compared to those in Russia. Those serving for premeditated murder, the murder of two or more people, sexual violence, drug production, and crimes against national security are not eligible to enlist. "There are limitations based on the severity of the crimes," Savva says. "In Ukraine, for instance, serial killers remain in prisons, unlike Russia." He says the whole recruitment process is different, too. Russia does it "en masse," and most of the convicts have joined the Storm V penal military units. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, different brigades recruit prisoners to fight alongside their other soldiers, which also helps their socialization, Savva says. While Ukraine has said it's looking to recruit a total of 20,000 convicts, over 10,000 convicts signed up in Russia last April alone, the U.K. Defense Ministry reported. "What we are witnessing now in the Russian army is the degradation of it as an institution of order," Savva says. Note from the author: Hi! Daria Shulzhenko here. I wrote this piece for you. Since the first day of Russia's all-out war, I have been working almost non-stop to tell the stories of those affected by Russias brutal aggression. By telling all those painful stories, we are helping to keep the world informed about the reality of Russias war against Ukraine. By becoming the Kyiv Independent's member, you can help us continue telling the world the truth about this war. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The Wellington school district says there is no immediate threat to its schools after a high school student sent out a Snapchat message about a possible threat. The message was sent out by a high school student on Friday and forwarded to other people. The district said police and administrators investigated the situation and identified the author of the original post. The school district did not specify what the post 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 KSN-TV. We Asked Gun-Owning Parents How They Keep Their Children Safe With Guns In The Home: Here's What They Said On Sept. 4, 14-year-old Colt Gray allegedly opened fire at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, killing two other 14-year old students and two teachers. Gray was arrested and charged with murder. The following day, Grays father, Colin Gray, was also arrested in connection with the attack, and was charged with multiple counts of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree murder and cruelty to children. At a news conference held that day, Chris Hosey, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, said, These charges stem from Mr. Gray knowingly allowing his son, Colt, to possess a weapon. Colin Gray is not the first parent to be charged for a school shooting carried out by their child. In February, a Michigan jury found Jennifer Crumbley guilty of manslaughter for the 2021 school shooting committed by her son, Ethan, who was 15 years old when he opened fire at his high school, killing four students. Jennifer Crumbley purchased the weapon used in the attack and took her son to a shooting range to practice firing it, according to prosecutors. (In a separate trial, Ethan Crumbleys father, James, was also convicted of manslaughter in the shooting.) Though school shootings are increasingly common, the victims of such attacks account for a very small percentage of firearm deaths. The majority (54%) are suicides, according to a report from the Pew Research Center. Of the 48,830 total gun deaths in the U.S. in 2021, 103 (0.21%) occurred in shootings that met the FBIs definition of an active shooter incident. (An alternative analysis by the Gun Violence Archive counts 706 deaths in incidents it defines as mass shootings, or 1.4% of all gun deaths.) These attacks loom large in our collective fears, particularly since so many of the victims are children. The reality is that most children are more likely to encounter a weapon in their own home. Given the high rate of gun ownership in the United States, millions of American children are living in homes that contain a firearm. A 2020 Gallup poll found that 48% of people who have children under the age of 18 live with a gun in their home or on their property. Parents can take steps to reduce the risk of children being hurt by a firearm at home. Victorass88 / Getty Images/iStockphoto Parents gun safety practices dont necessarily follow the patterns you might expect. A study published Sept. 9 in JAMA Pediatrics surveyed 870 parents in nine different states who owned at least one firearm and had at least one child under 18. Researchers found that parents who demonstrated and practiced proper firearm handling with their children and showed children how to shoot their firearms ... were significantly more likely to store their firearm unlocked and loaded, Jennifer Paruk, a researcher at Rutgers University and one of the studys authors, told HuffPost. Overall, Paruk said, 17% of parents with a firearm in the home stored it unlocked and loaded, with those who taught their kids how to safely handle firearms more likely to leave a firearm accessible in this way. These findings suggest that some parents believe that modeling responsible firearm use and teaching responsible firearm use just eliminates the need for secure storage, Paruk said. Parents might think, Well, I already taught my kid how to use it safely, then why do I need to keep it stored up if I already taught them how to use it? she continued. While keeping weapons in secure storage defined as having weapons stored locked and unloaded, separately from ammunition has been shown to reduce the risk of children being harmed by firearms, teaching kids about gun safety may not have the same benefits. Training and education shouldnt replace safe storage, Paruk said. One reason is suicide prevention. In child firearm suicide deaths, 79% of the time the firearm belonged to a parent or to an extended family member, and the death often took place in the childs home, Paruk said. These grim statistics, she continued, highlight that an important part of firearm safety is just keeping those firearms stored securely so that kids cant access and use them, especially in moments of crisis. Some parents who own guns are speaking out about safe storage. Gerenme / Getty Images/iStockphoto Johanna Thomas, a social worker and gun safety advocate for Be SMART, is raising a 15-year-old and an 11-year-old in Fayetteville, Arkansas. There are three handguns in her home. Thomas keeps them in a safe in her bedroom closet that can only she and her husband can open, either with their fingerprints or with a code only they know. Firearms are locked and unloaded and our ammunition is stored in a separate safe that is controlled by an electronic keypad. Both safes are bolted into the shelving, Thomas told HuffPost. Of her two daughters, only the 15-year-old has handled a gun under parental supervision at a firing range. The process was controlled and deliberate. As a family, we sat down and talked about if she felt ready to handle a firearm and if she even wanted to. She was interested, so my brother and husband took her to the range for her first lesson, Thomas said. She only handles the firearms under the supervision of my husband or me and in a controlled environment, specifically an indoor or outdoor firing range, and only for sport. Thomas 11-year-old is not ready, she said, although she is aware of the guns and her sisters trips to the firing range. Thomas doesnt worry about her children being harmed by the securely stored weapons in her home, but she fears what could happen when they are at other peoples houses. I do worry about my child coming into a situation in which another adult has not properly stored their firearm, and now that adults child has an unsupervised gun. Its terrifying. I never depend on my children to not touch a gun, no matter how much I emphasize that they shouldnt, she said. Whenever her children have friends over, Thomas discloses that she has secured weapons, along with information about pets, a swimming pool, alcohol and medications, and she expects other parents to reciprocate. This normalization of guns can seem foreign to folks from the bluer parts of the country. Ben, a father of two young daughters who asked to use a pseudonym for this article, was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. There, he said, guns were not a part of life. He did not know anyone who went hunting, and the only weapons hed seen in person were two non-operable guns from World War I that [my grandfather] got at a garage sale or something well before I was born that just sat up above his bar. He had no gun education, and, had he taken any interest, Ben would have had to seek out that information on his own which could have put him in a dangerous situation, such as another person showing him their gun. Ben now lives in rural Minnesota, where hunting, both with guns and bows and arrows, is a regular part of life. Children here, including my own, grow up knowing that hunting culture and hunting season is something that your family does, he said. People there cant comprehend why anyone would want to ban guns, just as people in California dont understand why people would own them, he said. He also noted that Minnesota has background checks and other safety measures that some other states do not. Bens weapons are stored in safes, separate from ammunition. He said his children do not know where they are kept, and are aware that they should never touch a gun and should alert an adult if they ever find one. While he only rarely hunts and owns few weapons, Ben sees the prevalence of guns as a compelling reason to educate children about them and their use. My daughters growing up with gun safety and knowledge when theyre of age, even knowing of them now and what to do now if they encounter one, is important, he said. Gun safety requires parents to acknowledge their blind spots. Feifei Cui-paoluzzo / Getty Images Parents arent the only ones wrestling with when and how to speak to their children about guns. Pediatricians are also expected to talk about gun safety with families especially now that firearms are now the No. 1 cause of childrens deaths in the United States, after surpassing motor vehicle accidents in 2020. Janine Zee-Cheng is a pediatrician in Indiana, which has a relatively high rate of gun ownership. One of their standard questions when talking to parents, they said, is how weapons are stored and secured in each familys home. In addition to storing unloaded guns in fingerprint safes like the kind Thomas described, Zee-Cheng recommends trigger locks, which their patients can get for free at the local childrens hospital. Unfortunately, they have found that many families do not abide by these precautions. A lot of people around here have guns for home security. So theyre like, well, theres no point in having a gun if I have to unlock it and load it and stuff like that, they said. They want immediate access, in case theres some threat to them or their property. These conversations with families arent easy, as parents tend to get super defensive, super quickly when asked about firearms, they said even though Zee-Cheng tries not to sound judgmental when posing these questions. Zee-Cheng also recommends that parents follow Thomas lead and couch questions about guns as part of a standard set of questions to ask before playdates. I think people place a lot of trust in their kids ability to be safer on firearms than developmentally Im not sure that all of those kids are in that same place, they said, noting that gun safety is not the only place that parents overestimate their kids maturity. We have a hard time remembering that our children are not extensions of ourselves. Our children are not always able to make the mental jumps that we are as adults, Zee-Cheng said. Paruk echoed this sentiment. We just want parents to think back to their own childhoods, to their own teenage years, if they ever snuck around the house, or if they ever did something that their parents told them not to. That exercise may reveal potential blind spots. A 2021 study showed that while 70% of parent gun owners reported that their children could not access a firearm in their home, their children reported otherwise over one-third of the time. The onus to keep kids safe always falls on the shoulders of adults, Thomas said. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. A beloved valet for a popular West Hollywood restaurant has been hospitalized after being kicked and punched repeatedly by another man over the weekend. The attack occurred Saturday around 10:30 p.m. when a man went on a "violent rampage" on Santa Monica Boulevard, first attacking someone at a bus stop and then two other people near the Soho House, said A.J. Sacher, director of operations at Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood. The man then came into the parking lot at the restaurant and "viciously" beat Efrain Zarazua, the valet for the eatery, Sacher said. "He basically tried to kill him," he added. Zarazua, who is known as Frank, sustained head, neck and bodily injuries and was in the intensive care unit at a local hospital as of Monday night, Sacher said. He had been punched and kicked repeatedly by the man for no apparent reason, he added. Zarazua has worked at Barney's for at least 30 years and has been a "fixture" at the restaurant, Sacher said. "He's the sweetest, nicest guy in the world," he added. "He's the last person who deserves this kind of violent attack." The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed in a news release that a suspect approached the victim "without provocation" and punched him in the face, causing him to hit his head on the ground and lose consciousness. The suspect then kicked the victim about 10 times in the head and torso before fleeing east on Santa Monica Boulevard, according to the release. "The suspect is still outstanding, and detectives are requesting the public's help to identify the suspect," according to the statement. "LASD West Hollywood Detective Bureau will be handling the investigation." Zarazua's family has created a GoFundMe page to raise money for his medical expenses and any other bills. "He is loved by his regulars and employees throughout the years working there," according to the page. "We need your help to cover any medical expenses and help with some bills that can cover from the lost time he will be missing work as he recovers." 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. West spent US$2 billion to purchase products made from Russian oil in 2024 Since the beginning of 2024, Western countries have spent US$2 billion purchasing Turkish oil products made from Russian oil. Source: Politico Details: It is worth noting that the volume of fuel delivered to the West by Turkish refineries using Russian oil is increasing. One of Turkiyes oil refineries, Star Aegean, owned by Azerbaijan, is 98% dependent on Russian oil, with approximately 73% of its supply coming from Russian energy giant Lukoil, which the United States has sanctioned. However, nearly nine out of ten barrels from the refinery are sent to Western allies that support Ukraine. The fact that oil is initially processed in third nations allows for sanctions to be avoided because it is not illegal to purchase oil products made from Russian oil in another country. Politico notes that this loophole is well-known, and Ukraine has consistently urged for its closure. At the same time, Turkiye receives discounts on Russian oil ranging from US$5 to US$20 a barrel compared to the Brent brand. Last year, the Turkish side increased its purchases by 34%, and in the first half of 2024, by 70%. Turkish refineries sell petroleum products at a 10% discount to those produced in Saudi Arabia, for example. Background: Lukoil, a Russian corporation, aims to restore Druzhba oil exports to Slovakia and Hungary in October. Western businesses insured ten tankers that left Russia for Asia this year. Support UP or become our patron! West Tennessee Healthcare President and CEO James "JR" Ross in front of entrance to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. (Photo: West Tennessee Healthcare) West Tennessee Healthcare President and CEO James "JR" Ross in front of entrance to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. (Photo: West Tennessee Healthcare) West Tennessee Healthcare President and CEO James JR Ross died Thursday. Ross had helmed the nonprofit health care system that serves half a million West Tennesseans since 2017. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Ross family as they grieve and we would ask that everyone respect their privacy, West Tennessee Healthcare stated in a social media post Thursday afternoon. The company did not release Ross cause of death. The Board of Trustees and the leadership team are in prayer for all of our West Tennessee Healthcare family and medical staff members as we navigate through this difficult time. We will be providing more information once arrangements are finalized, the post states. Ross is survived by his wife Cindy and two daughters, Ashley and Kelsey. Beneath the post, hundreds of commenters shared their condolences and praised Ross dedication to his patients. In a statement on X, Jackson Mayor Scott Conger said he is heartbroken by the loss of James JR Ross, a dear friend and incredible leader at West TN Healthcare. JRs heart for this community and the people in it was unmatched, Conger wrote. His legacy will continue to inspire us all. Originally from Henderson, Tenn., Ross earned his nursing degree in Jackson, Tenn. and began working for West Tennessee Healthcare as a registered nurse in the surgical intensive care unit in 1985, according to his company profile. He went on to serve in multiple patient-facing and administrative roles at the Jackson-based health care company, becoming vice president of hospital services in 2000 and then chief operating officer in 2009. Ross held degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Union University and Jackson State Community College. Ross led the health care system through the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent revenue dips and staff furloughs. West Tennessee Healthcare closed its Humboldt Medical Center emergency room and expanded Milan General Hospitals emergency room and upgraded its trauma center under his tenure. The company opened a new North Hospital facility in Jackson in 2022, marking the seventh hospital for the health care system, which in total runs 90 medical centers serving 9,000 square miles, much of which is rural. In several rural areas, West Tennessee Healthcare operates the only hospital in the county. Tennessee, like other states across the nation, has seen an increase in rural hospital closures in recent years. Tennessee has logged 15 rural hospital closures since 2010, the second-most rural hospital closures of any state in that time period. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX MULLENS, WV (WVNS) The bi-annual fire school that the Division of Forestry State Parks and Wildlife holds for new employees took place in September 2024. People from all over the state make their way to Twin Falls Resort State Park to attend the sessions. Most of the new employees attend the training once and then proceed onto other fire related education programs. Fires continue across multiple Mountain State counties Mock fires, on screen simulator fires, and a group fire where all attendees will be involved will take place. An important note is that there will not be any real fires set. Some people will act as the fire with smoke bombs to give the illusion of what an actual fire does. The community aspect of this training helps those who work in the same industry create bonds. The relationship between those individuals helps one another out if they have to collaborate on a situation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. (Bloomberg) -- Floods across 14 central and West African nations have affected at least 4 million people rendering many of them homeless killed about 1,000 and are devastating crops in a region thats already short of food and plagued by insecurity. Most Read from Bloomberg The heavy rains in the western half of the semi-arid Sahel zone, which borders the southern Sahara Desert from Africas west to east coasts, are likely to persist, according to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network. Researchers blame this years deluge which coincides with a crucial crop season on global warming, saying that rising temperatures are resulting in the air storing more water vapor. A large part of the Sahara will get more than 500% of its normal September rainfall, according to Severe Weather Europe, a blog that publishes meteorological forecasts. The International Rescue Group described the floods across the region as the worst in 30 years and estimates from University of California, Santa Barbaras Climate Hazards Center show large stretches of Mali received the highest rainfall on record for the first 10 days of September. Parts of Niger and Chad did too. The dramatic flooding that were currently seeing in West Africa coincides with the monsoon season, said Benjamin Sultan, a researcher at the French governments Research Institute for Sustainable Development whos working on climate change with a focus on West Africa. Its becoming more and more intense every year, causing deadly floods as were seeing in the Sahel. The floods are hitting a region thats among the least-prepared globally for climate-related disasters, with little money available to buffer infrastructure against adverse weather. Chad ranks last in an index of 187 countries assessed by the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative for climate-change vulnerability and of the countries affected by the floods five rank in the bottom 10. Record Hunger In Chad, the floods have swept across almost the entire country, resulting in at least 340 deaths and rendering 1.5 million homeless, according to the government. Theyve destroyed about 160,000 dwellings, submerged 260,000 hectares (642,470 acres) of land and drowned 60,000 livestock. With flooded farmland and drowned livestock, there will be a lot less food available now and in the future in a country where 3.4 million people already face acute hunger the highest level of food insecurity ever recorded in Chad, Jens Laerke, a United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs spokesman, said in a briefing last week. Neighboring Niger is also hard-hit with 400,000 made homeless and 273 killed while Mali has recorded 62 deaths and 345,000 people are without shelter, according to the governments and aid groups working in the two nations. Food prices are rising in Niger as transport routes to markets become impassable. Ive never seen rains like this, said Mamadou Tidiani, a farmer with seven children in Nigers Agadez region. Its too soon to say how much of the harvest that was destroyed, but I fear it will be bad. Northern Nigeria also hasnt been spared from floods, partly caused by a dam bursting near the town of Maiduguri, displacing more than 610,000 and killing 201, according to the World Health Organization. Half of the city of more than a million people is under water, according to the United Nations World Food Programme. Sign up here for the twice-weekly Next Africa newsletter Across the region 55 million people are deemed food insecure, a fourfold increase from five years ago, the WFP said in a statement. Hunger looms large, said the organization, which is running emergency kitchens in Maiduguri and providing emergency food in Chad, Liberia, Mali and Niger. Tahir Hamid Nguilin, Chads finance minister and chairman of the flooding prevention committee, has said the situation is unprecedented, especially in the northern part of the country, which is largely desert. The floods have affected production of millet, corn, sorghum and rice. Further south, in Cameroon, 11 people have died and close to 200,000 have been displaced by the floods, which have also destroyed 103,000 hectares of farmland, according to the government. The government is relocating people to safer areas and arranging for students to continue studying after 198 schools were inundated and a major bridge damaged. Some cocoa plantations have been flooded and roads from farms to markets arent usable. This year is exceptional. Since I was a child I havent seen flooding like this. We believe its climate change, said Mahamane Hamza, a 62-year-old agronomist in Nigers western Tahoua region. Its destroyed tens of thousands of hectares of farmland. The wet weather in western Africa coincides with torrential rains in European nations including Poland, Austria and Germany that have left at least 18 people dead. --With assistance from Emele Onu, Paul Richardson, Ana Monteiro, Moses Mozart Dzawu and Diakaridia Dembele. (Updates with extent of floods in first paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Whatcom County hired a temporary medical examiner based in Montana. How will that work? Whatcom County has a temporary interim medical examiner, replacing the forensic pathologist who was removed after allegations that bodies were left to decompose on at least one occasion in May. On Tuesday, the County Council unanimously confirmed Dr. Aldo Fusaro to the post as the County Executives Office works to end its contract with Dr. Allison Hunt and Hunt Forensics PLLC, who had been conducting autopsies and other services. Whatcom County seeks to appoint interim medical examiner as current contract ends Fusaro has been deputy medical examiner for the Montana State Medical Examiners Office since 2017, according to a background report provided to the County Council. He joined a council committee meeting via Zoom on Tuesday and addressed the turmoil. What I found out in the week that I was (in Whatcom County) is that its a great bunch of people. Theyre very supportive. And I think that after righting the ship, we can steer it on a proper course, Fusaro said. He told the council that he intends to apply for the permanent position. Until a permanent medical examiner is hired, Fusaro will be splitting his time between Whatcom County and Montana. Forensic pathologists will conduct autopsies and Fusaro will be available for consultation, Deputy Executive Kayla Schott-Bressler told the council. We have on-site staff who will handle day-to-day responsibilities, Schott-Bressler said. Before taking the job in Montana, Fusao was associate medical examiner for King County from 2005 to 2017. Early in his career he served in the Office of the Cook County Medical Examiner, which includes Chicago. He has taught at the University of Washington School of Medicine and at Rush Medical College in Chicago. Hunt became Whatcom Countys medical examiner in January 2022 when Dr. Gary Goldfogel retired after more than 30 years. Whatcom County spokesman Jed Holmes told The Herald in August that it could take several months to appoint a new medical examiner. Chick-fil-A, Jim N Nicks Community Bar-B-Q and Starbucks are among the new restaurants set to begin construction soon near Hendersonville City Hall, between Maple Row Boulevard and Maple Drive on East Main Street. Site plans were recently approved by the Hendersonville Planning Commission for the new restaurants. They also approved a Rio Bravo Mexican Grill and Raising Canes Chicken Fingers in the same vicinity. The chicken sandwich giant and slow-smoked, authentic barbeque spot, Chick-fil-A and Jim N Nicks, are expected to join the Mayfair development in front of the historic Bradford-Berry House. More: Are Chick-fil-A, Starbucks part of a new plan for East Main Street in Hendersonville? The 6,108-square-foot Chick-fil-A will be located at 262 East Main St and the 4,900-square-foot Jim N Nicks, the latest addition to the retail development, will be located at 264 East Main St. Other recently-announced locations for the Birmingham-based barbeque chain can be found in Dothan, Alabama, Pace, Florida, Hickory, North Carolina, West Cobb, Georgia and Knoxville and Clarksville, Tennessee. Jim 'N Nick's is looking to open another 8 or so restaurants between now and early 2025, a representative said. More: Raising Cane's set to make Clarksville debut, Jim 'N Nicks deferred Chick-fil-A, Jim N Nicks and Starbucks are among the new restaurants slated to begin construction near Hendersonville City Hall, between Maple Row Blvd and Maple Dr on East Main St. With site plans approved, the next step would be to obtain a building permit for construction, Hendersonville Planning Director Keith Free said. Though the planning department doesnt have a specific timeline for this step, some work has already begun. Disturbance has already started over there in preparation for the restaurants that are coming, Free said. A site plan for the new Rio Bravo location a favorite Mexican restaurant among locals in Hendersonville was approved by the commission earlier this month. The long-standing restaurant has been searching for a new spot after its lease expired in 2023. Rio Bravo fans wont have to go far to get a fix. The eatery's new site can be found at the intersection of East Main Street and Bonita Parkway, where other recent developments have opened like Prime Car Wash, CheerVille and Half Batch Brewing. Chick-fil-A, Jim N Nicks and Starbucks are among the new restaurants slated to begin construction near Hendersonville City Hall, between Maple Row Blvd and Maple Dr on East Main St. More: Raising Cane's chicken fingers coming to Hendersonville. Rio Bravo on the move Popular chicken chain Raising Canes Chicken Fingers will also be nearby after officials signed a 15-year lease for its East Main Street location with property owners in 2022. The newest Starbuck's site at East Main will round out the area, adding to other locations across Hendersonville. Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Raising Cane's, Chick-fil-A, more set sights on Middle Tennessee town What's Next for Diddy After Arrest on Sex Crimes Indictment? An Expert Explains Prosecutors have asked Sean "Diddy" Combs to be jailed, claiming he's a flight risk Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Sean "Diddy" Combs Sean Diddy Combs has a long legal road ahead of him now that he has been indicted on federal sex crimes charges, a former federal prosecutor tells PEOPLE. This case is 100 percent going to trial, attorney Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor and president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, tells PEOPLE. Arrested on Monday, Sept. 16, at a Manhattan hotel, the music mogul, 54, is charged with sex trafficking by force, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution, according to a federal indictment unsealed Tuesday by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York. Rahmani does not expect Combs to enter into a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, as many defendants do. At his arraignment on Tuesday, Sept. 17, he pleaded not guilty, according to the Associated Press. Related: Sean 'Diddy' Combs Indicted on Sex Trafficking, Racketeering and Prostitution-Related Charges Considering that sentences for the charges against Combs range from 15 years to life in prison, Diddy is not going to take any deal where he is going to spend decades in federal prison, he says. One of the most shocking allegations in the 14-page indictment centers around sex performances Combs called freak offs, where female victims were allegedly drugged and forced to have sex after being lured into Combs orbit, often under the pretense of a romantic relationship. Related: Inside the Alleged 'Freak Offs' at Center of Sex Crimes Charges Against Sean 'Diddy' Combs Combs is accused of producing, directing and recording these events, which lasted for hours and sometimes days, according to the indictment. During raids of Combs' homes in Miami and L.A. in March after several lawsuits alleging sexual abuse were filed against him, federal investigators allegedly found three AR-15 rifles and 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant. It's crazy, says Rahmani. I've been doing this for more than 20 years, and put more than 1,000 people in federal prison, and I never saw a case with a thousand bottles of baby oil. His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, says Combs plans to fight the charges and will plead not guilty. Related: Sean 'Diddy' Combs Will Plead Not Guilty, 'Fight with All His Energy' After Sex Crimes Indictment: Lawyer Heres whats expected to happen next in the bombshell case: Detention Hearing Combs was arraigned on Tuesday. Rahmani says the next step, a detention hearing, has to happen within three court days of an initial appearance. Diddy's defense attorneys have proposed a bail package that includes a $50,000 bond. But prosecutors have asked the judge overseeing Combs' case to deny him bail and keep him jailed. The detention hearing, says Rahmani, is an important event: Obviously, being out on bond or being detained is going to make a big difference in the case, in terms of strategy and the whole appearance. The judge will weigh whether Combs is a flight risk or a danger to the community, Rahmani says. He hasn't taken off yet, so risk of flight may work in the favor of the defense, he says. But danger to the community is something very different. If you have someone who, at least according to the indictment and the U.S. Attorney, is allegedly threatening witnesses and has multiple AR-15s, with obliterated serial numbers, this is pretty serious. I could see a judge saying, Here's someone who's a danger,'" he says. It could easily go either way. Setting a Trial Date Normally a trial takes place within 70 days of an initial appearance because defendants have a right to a speedy trial, Rahmani says. Most of the time defendants, waive their right to a speedy trial," he says. "So I don't expect that trial to happen within 70 days, but if Diddy insists, we would have a trial before the end of the year. That is unlikely, though. Fighting the Charges Before the Trial Before the trial begins, Diddy is likely going to file motions to try to get some of the charges dismissed, he says. There are all sorts of pretrial motions that can be filed by the defense to attack the indictment or the evidence. 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. HONOLULU (KHON2) In the heart of Honolulu, Hawaii Candy Company is a beacon of local craftsmanship and tradition. Founded in 1933, the company has been serving up unique treats for over nine decades. Cheryl Ohta, owner and operator, represents the third generation of this family business, which her husband Keith Ohta, the current head, inherited from his grandfather. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Hawaii Candy Company began as a maker of confectionery sweets but shifted its focus due to rising costs and labor demands. Today, it is renowned for its handmade fortune cookies and coconut balls. Despite the shift, the company has maintained its commitment to sources as many local locally produced ingredients as possible and has adapted to the evolving market with an innovative spirit. Cheryl Ohta shared that the company has faced numerous challenges over the years but has managed to keep its legacy alive through resilience and adaptation. Its been a journey, she said. The business has changed a lot, especially with the rise of online shopping and the impact of COVID-19. We had to pivot quickly, and that meant ramping up our online presence. The shift to online sales was significant. Before the pandemic, Hawaii Candy Company processed around 10 orders a week. During the peak of COVID-19, this number soared to 250 orders per week. This surge highlighted the increasing importance of e-commerce for small businesses, even as physical stores faced restrictions. One of the most distinctive products from Hawaii Candy Company is its handmade fortune cookies. Contrary to popular belief, fortune cookies have their roots in Japan, not China. Cheryl explained, Fortune cookies, or tsujiura senbei in Japanese, were originally sold at shrines in Japan with fortunes inside. Keiths grandfather went to Japan to learn how to make them and brought the recipe back to Hawaii. What sets Hawaii Candy Companys fortune cookies apart is not just their size but also their handmade quality. Each cookie is crafted with care, using a traditional method where the batter is poured onto a griddle and then hand-folded while still warm. Cheryl noted, Because our fortune cookies are handmade, no two cookies are exactly alike. The process is labor-intensive but ensures each cookie is unique and delicious. For those interested in trying these special cookies, Hawaii Candy Company offers several options. While the company itself does not dip its cookies in chocolate, they partner with other local businesses that do. Diamond Head Chocolates, Choco lea in Manoa Valley and Hawaiian Paradise Candies all use Hawaii Candy Companys cookies to create their chocolate-dipped versions. Aside from fortune cookies, Hawaii Candy Company is also famous for its coconut balls, which are made from a cherished recipe passed down from Keiths grandfather. Cheryl explained that their coconut balls, often marked with a distinctive red color, are a staple of local markets and stores. If you see a red coconut ball in Hawaii, its ours. Were very proud of this recipe, and its a significant part of our heritage, she said. Despite their success, Cheryl and Keith remain committed to local sourcing. We source as much as possible from local suppliers. For example, even though we need flour, we get it from a local distributor, Cisco, which is based here, Cheryl said. This dedication to local sourcing is part of their broader commitment to supporting the local economy and preserving their islands unique culinary traditions. Hawaii Candy Company also participates in broader efforts to support local food manufacturers through organizations like the Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association (HFMA). Cheryl explained, We work with other small manufacturers to advocate for our needs and challenges. By coming together, we can make a more significant impact and ensure our voices are heard. Looking to the future, Cheryl is hopeful but realistic about the challenges that lie ahead. Were in our fourth generation now, and while were optimistic about continuing our legacy, the business environment is tough. Were doing our best to keep the tradition alive and adapt as needed, she said. The Ohta familys commitment to quality, tradition, and local sourcing shines through in every product they make. Whether its their classic fortune cookies, red coconut balls, or other treats, Hawaii Candy Company stands as a testament to the rich culinary heritage of Hawaii and the enduring power of family-run businesses. You can find Hawaii Candy Company products at these locations: Longs. Safeway. Foodland. Times. Don Quijote. Marukai. Walmart. Target. Tamuras Wahiawa. Tamuras Kaimuki. Waianae Store. Military Commisaries. Military Exchanges. Cookies are also distributed throughout the neighbor islands. And, of course, you can always order online. Locals and tourists alike can enjoy their handmade treats and support a business that remains deeply connected to its roots and community. In addition to their handmade cookie selections, HCC acquired Chip & Cookie, Wally Amoss famous Hawaii inspired cookie recipe. With each cookie containing 30% chocolate chips, Ohta admits these are special cookies. You can click here to find out more about the yummy products hand crafted by Hawaii Candy Company. Supporting local businesses, such as Hawaii Candy Company, is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, local businesses contribute significantly to the communitys economy. When you shop at a local business, more of your money stays within the community, helping to create jobs and support local families. For example, Hawaii Candy Company sources its ingredients from local suppliers, which helps to boost other local businesses and strengthen the regional economy. They hire a local workforce which puts money directly back into Hawaiis economy. Additionally, local businesses often offer unique products and services that you cant find anywhere else. Hawaii Candy Companys handmade fortune cookies and traditional coconut balls are perfect examples. These distinctive products reflect the rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship of the area. By supporting local businesses, you are preserving these unique traditions and encouraging the continuation of specialized skills and knowledge. Finally, local businesses tend to provide personalized customer service and foster community connections. Owners like Cheryl Ohta often have deep roots in the community and are personally invested in their customers satisfaction. This level of dedication creates a more personalized and engaging shopping experience, which is often lost in large chain stores. Supporting local businesses also contributes to a more sustainable and resilient local economy. Local companies are more likely to adapt to community needs and invest in local projects. They also tend to have a smaller carbon footprint compared to larger corporations that ship products from far-off locations. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 In essence, when you support local businesses, you are not only enjoying unique and high-quality products but also investing in the health and vitality of your community. Its a way to foster economic growth, preserve local culture, and build stronger community bonds. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Vice President Kamala Harris is traveling to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday to take questions from three members of the National Association of Black Journalists. Her visit comes six weeks after former President Donald Trump sat down with the organization at their national convention in Chicago, where he made false claims about Harris racial identity and clashed with one of the moderators. Harris previously declined an invitation to the NABJ convention because it conflicted with Texas Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lees funeral. The July convention also took place less than a week after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race. Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundations Phoenix Awards dinner at Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. on September 14, 2024. More: Kamala Harris' schedule this week includes livestream event with Oprah, Madison rally The Democratic presidential candidate will field questions at WHYY, Philadelphias local PBS radio station, according to reporting from Reuters. Her interview will be hosted by Tonya Mosley, co-host of NPRs Fresh Air, Gerren Keith Gaynor of TheGrio, and Eugene Daniels, White House correspondent for Politico. Both Harris and Trump have spent considerable time trying to court Black voters, whose support is seen as crucial in the 2024 election. For Trump, its an uphill battle. More: Where is Donald Trump this week? His campaign schedule after assassination attempt According to a poll conducted by the Pew Research Center in late August, 77% of Black voters surveyed at the time were planning to cast their ballot for Harris. Thats up from the 64% of Black voters who planned to support Biden before he exited the race. Black voters tend to support the Democratic Party. In 2020, 92% of Black voters supported Biden compared to Trumps 8%. Harris trip to Pennsylvania on Tuesday may also help her standing in the state. With its 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania is seen as a must-win swing state in the November election. Melissa Cruz is an elections reporting fellow who focuses on voter access issues for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach her at mcruz@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter, at @MelissaWrites22. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where is Kamala Harris today? Talk with Black journalists planned TechCrunch News broke this weekend that China-backed hackers have compromised the wiretap systems of several U.S. telecom and internet providers, likely in an effort to gather intelligence on Americans. The wiretap systems, as mandated under a 30-year-old U.S. federal law, are some of the most sensitive in a telecom or internet provider's network, typically granting a select few employees nearly unfettered access to information about their customers, including their internet traffic and browsing histories. "I think it absolutely was inevitable," Matt Blaze, a professor at Georgetown Law and expert on secure systems, told TechCrunch regarding the latest compromises of telecom and internet providers. Why 43 million acres in U.S. are owned by foreign nations A plane flies overhead during rehearsal for the air show at Hill Air Force Base on Friday, June 28, 2024. | Marielle Scott, Deseret News An Idaho congressman is asserting more than 43 million acres of agricultural land is owned by foreign nations including adversaries like North Korea, Iran or China. To that end, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, is co-sponsoring the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act, or CIFUS, to add the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that 43.4 million acres of U.S. agricultural land is foreign owned, some near key military installations. This legislation protects Idaho from threats seen and unseen, Crapo said. Allowing land purchases from foreign adversaries to go unchecked poses a great risk to national security and encroaches on Americas natural resources. Sens. Mike Braun, R-Ind., Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.), Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., Tom Cotton, R-Ark., John Tester, D-Mont., Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, John Fetterman, D-Pa., Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Katie Britt, R-Ala., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., Todd Young, R-Ind., Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., also co-sponsored the legislation. The House passed companion legislation introduced by Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., last week, too. Utah has grappled with the issue as well. Utah, in fact, is in the top five in the country for the amount of land acreage at risk, due to the number of key military installations it hosts, including Hill Air Force Base, the Utah Test and Training Range and Dugway. In 2023, according to the Kiowa County Press, the North Dakota state Legislature passed a pair of bills aimed at stopping the threat. The media outlet reported that one law prohibits land ownership by nations or businesses in those countries deemed foreign adversaries under certain federal rules. The other law deals specifically with farmland, blocking foreign governments from acquiring it. Chinas agricultural investment outside its borders has grown more than tenfold in less than a decade, according to the reporting by the North Dakota outlet. For the law dealing with agriculture, there are exceptions, including Canadians who want to buy North Dakota farmland. The states agriculture commissioner cited some concerns about these restrictions, including the potential impact on agribusiness opportunities. Ultimately, city leaders canceled a would-be purchase of an agricultural operation by China. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a Republican, testified before an agricultural congressional committee earlier this year about the issue, according to the North Dakota Monitor. Over the years, I have witnessed this hostile communist country work to systematically take over more of Americas vital food supply chain, said Noem, who signed into law harsh restrictions on select foreign entities buying farmland in state. In Utah, similar restrictions are being implemented. Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman, got legislation passed earlier this year that is attempting to change the course in Utah. The growing threat Her bill, HB516 prevents countries North Korea, China, Iran and Russia from buying land in Utah. And it goes further. If those countries, or foreign controlled companies with a 51% ownership in land holdings, already own parcels, that land has to be relinquished within a year. I have tried to help people see why this is so important to Utah for a couple reasons the first being this is a major national security concern, she told the Deseret News earlier. She added that the multiple national agencies have published reports and sounded the alarm that China is purchasing land and in proximity to military installations. The law she got passed requires coordination with the Utah Department of Public Safety to document those land holdings. The agency is compiling a database on land holdings in Utah and sets in motion a way to reverse that course. A little over 20% of Maines privately held agricultural land is held by foreign investors, which makes up 9% of total foreign-held land. Hawaii has the second-largest percentage of foreign-held U.S. agricultural land, which is 9.2% of the privately held agricultural land in the state. Those number are according to a report by the American Farm Bureau Federation. Reuters reports that the number of U.S. farm acres owned by foreign entities grew more than 8% in 2022, although it represents just a little more than 3% of farmland. In Utah, less than 40,000 acres are under foreign ownership, but lawmakers want to stop the trend. Although Chinese-owned land is a tiny fraction of all foreign-owned land in the U.S., its purchases have raised fears that the Chinese government could have control, through the Chinese corporations, over U.S. assets or gain access to U.S.-based information, according to a National Public Radio report. Indeed, during the past four decades, Chinese companies and investors have bought up land in the U.S. as well as purchased major food companies like Smithfield Foods, the United States largest pork processor. According to Smithfields website, it has says it has 75 company owned farms, 28 contract farms and one feedmill in Utah. (NewsNation) Haitian immigrants have moved to Springfield, Ohio, in recent years, seeing an opportunity to rebuild in the area after escaping mass violence and poverty back home in Haiti. This week, the community was unwittingly flung into the national spotlight after former President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance repeated unsubstantiated claims that some immigrants in the Ohio town are eating neighbors pets. The claim has been refuted by local authorities, who said there are no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community in a statement. Springfield in the Spotlight: More on the Clark County city fighting unfounded rumors The Haitian population is estimated to be between 15,000 to 20,000 in the area and has provided a boost to the nearly dying city, which had lost both industry and population over the last decade, reported Dayton Daily News. What is Temporary Protected Status for migrants? Haiti is among 15 countries that qualify for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a federal immigration designation that allows immigrants to legally live and work in the country for up to 18 months. It allows individuals to come to the U.S. legally and immediately apply for a work permit. Many who come under TPS also apply for asylum, which takes a considerably longer time due to nationwide backlogs. President Joe Bidens administration announced an 18-month extension and redesignation to TPS for Haitians living in the country this year due to the ongoing instability of the nation. Why are Haitians going to Ohio? Criminal gangs have pillaged their way through the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, killing, raping and kidnapping thousands of people in recent years and leaving hundreds of thousands of others homeless and unemployed, which in turn has deepened poverty. Haitians first started arriving around 2018 and chose Springfield because of job opportunities and affordable housing, Lucken Merzius, a Haitian immigrant living in the area, told PBS News. I got a decent job when I was in Haiti, and then had to make a difficult decision to leave. It wasnt easy, he told the outlet. Once the first delegation arrived, they told family members and friends back home to join them, and from there, the community steadily grew, he said. The first motivation was job and work opportunities, Rose Joseph, an Amazon warehouse worker who also does seasonal tax preparation work, told Reuters. Joseph came to Springfield in 2022 after arriving in Florida two years prior to escape violence in Haiti. Like many others, he made his way north on word of good job prospects, the outlet reported. The immigrants arrival brought an economic revival to the city, which was once a manufacturing hub but started to crumble once factories shuttered in the last decades. The city shrank from a population of 80,000 to 60,000 by 2014. That number has since grown due to the increase in Haitian immigrants, reported The New York Times. Haitians arrival causes mixed reactions among locals While the immigrants were welcomed by many longtime residents, their arrival has also caused concern and even animosity among others who say the newcomers are taking jobs at factories, driving up housing costs, worsening traffic and straining city services. Its causing sharp increases in rent and home prices, which is forcing people out of their homes, Bill Monaghan, a former journalist in Springfield, told NewsNation. Its causing delays in public safety response like police, fire or even emergency services. You go out to a site, and no one speaks English, Monaghan also said. The number of affordable housing vouchers fell as landlords moved to market-based rents that were rising in the face of higher demand, a blow to existing residents relying on them, reported Reuters. These sentiments were exacerbated last year when a minivan slammed into a school bus, killing an 11-year-old boy. The driver was a Haitian man who had recently settled in the area and was driving without a valid license. During a city commission meeting Tuesday, the boys parents condemned politicians use of their sons death to further political points. For others, the immigrants have felt like a lifeline. We want more jobs in our community, and in order to fill those jobs, some jobs need to be people who are not originally from here, Jaime McGregor, who owns the manufacturing factory McGregor Metals in Springfield, told PBS. McGregor told the outlet that about 10% of his workforce, about 30 employees, is Haitian. I wish I had 30 more, he said. Our Haitian associates come to work every day. They dont have a drug problem. Theyll stay at their machine. Theyll achieve their numbers. They are here to work. And so in general, thats a stark difference from what were used to in our community. NewsNations Rich McHugh and 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 WDTN.com. Former President Donald Trump's false and provocative claims about Haitian immigrants abducting and eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, have cast a national spotlight on the small midwestern city and its migrant population. The unsubstantiated rumors initially spread widely online -- and were magnified by some right-wing politicians and Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance -- after a series of social media posts went viral. A spokesperson for the city of Springfield has told ABC News these claims are false, and there have been "no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals in the immigrant community." Still, a firestorm brought on by the Republican presidential candidate's comments has eclipsed the complexities of the American immigration system and the geopolitical dynamics that have contributed to the rising number of Haitians seeking refuge in the United States -- including the thousands who have settled in Springfield over the last roughly three years. More than a decade of temporary protections While Trump has vowed to conduct "large deportations in Springfield," most of the estimated 12,000 to 15,000 Haitians in the city are legally authorized to live and work in the U.S. And many of them -- and many Haitian migrants who have settled elsewhere in the country -- are protected from expulsion by law. MORE: Trump pushes false claim that Haitian migrants are stealing and eating pets Hundreds of thousands of Haitian immigrants hold Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, a designation created by Congress in 1990 that allows migrants in the U.S. to stay for a limited amount of time if the executive branch determines conditions in their home country prevent them from returning safely. Haitian nationals were first granted TPS in 2010 after a catastrophic earthquake decimated the Caribbean nation, claiming more than 100,000 lives and overwhelming its government. Those protections were renewed multiple times during the Obama era and then extended by six months during Trump's time in the White House before the former president moved to sunset the provision in 2019. However, that decision was met with multiple legal challenges that effectively ran out the clock on his administration. PHOTO: Welcome to Springfield signage is displayed along Spring Street, Sept. 16, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images) Shortly after President Joe Biden took office, he moved to reinstate TPS for Haiti, sharply increasing the number of Haitians eligible to apply for the status. "Haiti is currently experiencing serious security concerns, social unrest, an increase in human rights abuses, crippling poverty and lack of basic resources, which are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic," Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in a May 2021 statement explaining the decision. This past June, Biden expanded protections for Haitians again, ruling that the more than 300,000 migrants from the country who arrived in the U.S. after November 2022 were eligible to apply for TPS while allowing more than 200,000 Haitians whose protections were expiring to apply for an 18-month extension. Haiti's persisting instability The Biden administration has also worked to address the challenges facing Haiti and improve the security situation in the country, but it has encountered little success. The assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise in July 2021 left a power vacuum in the country that left local authorities weak and unable to check the violent gangs that took control over large swaths of its capital city, Port-au-Prince. The turmoil prompted Haiti's interim leader at the time, former Prime Minister Ariel Henry, to request help from abroad to restore law and order. U.S. diplomats worked to answer the call by encouraging the creation of a multinational security force, but it took an entire year for the United Nations Security Council to greenlight a Kenyan-led operation. The mission originally promised to surge 2,500 troops to Haiti, but so far fewer than 400 have been deployed, and its U.N. authorization is set to expire next month. In recent months, Haiti has seen some improvements -- including the reopening of its main airport -- but many of its citizens say their country is still plagued by widespread gang violence. The Biden administration has also worked to put Haiti on a path toward holding democratic elections for the first time since Moise's assassination by facilitating the creation of a transitional presidential council, which intends to hold a vote in early 2026 -- the same time Haiti's current TPS designation is set to expire. MORE: Springfield, Ohio, parents ask Trump and Vance to stop using their child as 'political tool' Why Springfield? Although Trump describes towns like Springfield as being "overrun" by migrants, the vast majority of Haitians in the U.S. reside in Florida and the northeast, not the Midwest, according to the American Community Survey, which is run by the U.S. Census Bureau. But local authorities in Springfield say the Haitians who flocked to the city in recent months aren't yet reflected in the census data, and that the percentage of migrants now accounts for around 20% of its total population. According to immigration advocates, many Haitians who relocate to Springfield are drawn by its relatively low cost of living and ample employment opportunities, including manufacturing jobs the city's chamber of commerce has worked to create. PHOTO: A mural is displayed in an alley downtown, Sept. 16, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio. (Luke Sharrett/Getty Images) But Springfield's relatively small population size -- just over 58,000 in 2022 -- means the influx of newcomers has been more noticeable, especially when it comes to strain on the city's resources. Under U.S. law, most Haitian migrants are automatically eligible for public benefits, including Medicaid, nutritional assistance and other federal public benefit programs that rely on local outlets to render services. Some residents of Springfield say the increased number of migrants has led to difficulty accessing these resources. Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced last week that he would send $2.5 million to Springfield over the next two years to provide more health care options for the city's residents. MORE: GOP Gov. DeWine defends Haitian immigrants: 'They came to Springfield to work' On Sunday, he appeared on ABC's "This Week" and defended the Haitian immigrants in Springfield, telling co-anchor Martha Raddatz they're in Ohio legally and praising their work ethic. "I think it's unfortunate that this came up. Let me tell you what we do know, though. What we know is that the Haitians who are in Springfield are legal. They came to Springfield to work. Ohio is on the move, and Springfield has really made a great resurgence with a lot of companies coming in. These Haitians came in to work for these companies," DeWine said on Sunday. "What the companies tell us is that they are very good workers. They're very happy to have them there, and frankly, that's helped the economy. Now, are there problems connected? Well, sure. When you go from a population of 58,000 and add 15,000 people onto that, you're going to have some challenges and some problems. And we're addressing those," he added. On Monday, DeWine said he would also send law enforcement officers to conduct bomb sweeps of Springfield's schools after more than 30 threats have been made in the past week. Why is the Haitian population of Springfield, Ohio, booming? originally appeared on abcnews.go.com This article is part of Prison Banned Books Week, a campaign that aims to raise awareness of prison censorship. Every morning, Anthony Arriaga, 47, serving his 21st year for a murder conviction, is one of the first men to enter the Sullivan Correctional Facilitys Law Library after me. Whats up, Lead Counsel? I shout, walking from behind the wooden counter reserved for the facilitys law clerks to the front area designated for the general population so I can dap him up. Arriaga and I work as law clerks in Sullivan. To get hired as a law library clerk, you have to complete a 48-hour course in basic legal research and law library management and pass an exam, or take an accredited paralegal course. Your job entails speaking with guys about the sensitive facts of their cases, photocopying documents, scrutinizing trial minutes for errors, researching case law, formulating arguments, and preparing motions or briefs that can sometimes run more than 40 pages. This morning, Arriaga strolls into the law library, black specs on, a red document folder clutched to his hip. The Bronx-bred paralegal assistant, armed with years of litigation experience, has amassed 30 wins in civil and criminal cases. He grabs a bottle of germicide, sprays it onto a rag, and wipes down the keyboard, mouse, and monitor plugs on one of the thin client computers we paralegals use for legal research. Last, he wipes down the Swintec typewriter bolted to the table. Why is the law library here requiring incarcerated people fighting for their legal rights to use technology from the late 19th century? Its a good question. A few months ago, Arriaga wouldve parked himself in front of a standalone PC with a blank Word document on the screen. Back in March, however, security staff waltzed in and confiscated four standalone PCs that were networked to an inkjet printer, one after another, leaving us with typewriters to type our legal work. We immediately wanted them back. The thin client computers, which remain, are mini-CPUs dependent on a remote server and a broader network. These give us access to Westlaw and LexisNexis, apps that allow us to search the newest court decisions, legislation, and secondary sources. But thin clients dont give us access to Microsoft Word to write briefs. Patrons have noticed the slow-up, too. On a Saturday afternoon, I waited to get called back inside from the yard. A few feet away, Matt Matagrano, a middle-aged man who wore a blue seizure helmet, explained in sign language and aloud to another man that because of the high volume of typewriter clacking, not having computers has made jobs as law library clerks harder. Its been an ongoing conversation since March. Recently, administrative clerk Keith Born King Douglas, doing time for drug trafficking, pulled up the prison rule governing the operation of the law library and read it aloud: The law library should be equipped with a sufficient amount of working typewriters, word processors or computers. I pointed to the screen at the word or, signaling that access to word processors wasnt mandatory. A few law clerks tried to keep hope alive. But in prison, from my experience of dealing with administrators, when they take things that they didnt want you to have in the first place, rarely do they return them. Other people, like Arriaga and I, decided on our own individual plan of action. He slapped open a manila folder to reveal a civil deposition addressed to Corinne Leone, the director of Law Library Services: Why do we have outdated typewriters when we have tablets? Through the service provider JPay, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision provides incarcerated people with tablets, which allow us to send and receive secure emails to our family and friends. With our tablets, we can browse a vast musical archive, unless were in solitary confinement for disciplinary reasons, but no legal materials. There is no word processor app on the tablets. We can listen to tunes, but inside New York state prisons, guys who are writing institutional grievances and legal letters, or better yet, drafting post-conviction motions in hopes of securing their liberty to make it back home to their family and loved ones, are reduced to using relics? The first typewriter was unveiled by Remington in 1886. At that time, steam engines didnt carry passengers. Women didnt have the right to vote or own property. Today, at a whopping $400, one Swintec typewriter costs substantially more than a PC does. On a recent trip to the law library, I opened LexisNexis and typed AI in the search field: 1,777 results popped up in the New York Law Journal. Pro se litigants are up against district attorneys equipped with A.I. enhanced research and motion drafting tools at their fingertips. We dont even have Microsoft Word. From 1971, when the Supreme Court endorsed prison law libraries, keeping them updated with the latest legal materials and tech has always been a point of contention between prison staff and people incarcerated there. Prisoners have legally faced off with administrators from California to Tennessee over typewriters and computers. In response to one such complaint, one district judge stated, the typed word leaps more vivid to the watery judicial eye. That made me think: If the typed word leapt more vividly to the judicial eye, does a font influence how the reader perceives whats written? I brought this question to my colleague, Annina Heini, a professor of forensic linguistic studies in Australia, who introduced me to a phenomenon called cognitive fluency. Studies have suggested people are more likely to believe statements when they are easier to read. Also, different fonts access particular networks of associations in peoples minds, and even convey authority, and thus influence how people feel and think about what they are reading. Cognitive fluency and watery judicial eyes aside, Arriaga and I are still handicapped without a PC. Given that it took political will to get us tablets, perhaps the only thing that can change law library policies statewide would be legislation. I called New York state Sen. Julia Salazars office from the prison yard, as my friend Jonathan Parker stood sentry behind me so nobody tapped me on the shoulder to ask me who would get the phone next. I wanted to know how this might be addressed at the legislative level. Salazar is the chair of the state Senates committee on crime and correction. I agree that typewriters are archaic, and its unfair. We can look and chew gum at the same time but many in the state government have a scarcity mentality, Salazar told me. The opposition may not come just from the other side of the aisle; sometimes it comes from members of my own party. We spoke for some time about the legislative tug-of-war that shed confront, and peripheral issues. Then I asked her, So where do we go from here? Were going to put together legislation to pass a bill that would allow Gov. Hochul to allocate funds from the state budget, she told me. I hung up, hopeful. I knew the legislative process was glacial, but at least the ball was rolling in the right direction. When I saw Arriaga the next morning, he was happy to hear about my discussion with the senator. Now, were both confident that its only a matter of time until correctional policy changes, and standalone PCs linked to inkjets are mandatory tools afforded to the entire population in law libraries statewide. Prison staff often refuse to take what prisoners say at face value; they shouldve known, though, not to take our Word. The Morton Board of Trustees voted out its longtime fire chief Monday after he violated two municipal codes. The trustees voted unanimously to remove Joe Kelley as director of fire and emergency services after he moved outside village limits last month. He also had not been driving his village-assigned vehicle, which was also a violation of the municipal code. Village President Jeffrey Kaufman made the decision to remove Kelley on Aug. 29 and announced his decision at their Sept. 3 board meeting. A yes-no vote on reinstatement, required to complete the state-mandated, two-step process for removal or reinstatement of municipal officials, was tabled until Monday's meeting. All six trustees voted no to Kelley's reinstatement. Kaufman said that Kelley had sold his house to make the move more than 45 miles outside the village, but indicated Kelley wanted to remain as fire chief. "He's a decent man," Kaufman said. "He left on good terms (but) it was a safety situation. We have to have the fire chief in town. When we have a multiple (vehicle) accident or something (else), we have to have our fire chief." More: Two teenagers accused of stealing car at gunpoint in Peoria, crashing it after chase When asked where exactly Kelley had moved to, Kaufman declined to comment. Kelley had been with the village since 1995 and served as the city's fire chief since 1999. Justin Hale, a division chief who has served in his role since January 2023, will act as fire chief in an interim role. He said he intended to vie for the full-time position. "I'm looking forward to having a great working relationship with our volunteers moving forward," Hale said. "I feel like I have a good working knowledge of our department. Being a volunteer myself before I was a full-time firefighter, I feel that we're going to move our department in the right direction." More: Man accused of stealing rental car with child inside in Peoria has been arrested in Iowa The village plans to appoint the next full-time chief at their next board meeting on Oct. 7, with Kaufman saying that they're looking specifically for someone qualified as a paramedic and one willing to serve full-time on the first shift. "We're going to be running our own fire department on first shift," Kaufman said. "We're going full-time on first shift, so (we're going to seek) someone qualified to do that." This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Morton votes to remove its fire chief after two municipal violations While Russia's deadly war rages on Ukraine's soil, one unexpected aspect of the invasion is that natural gas continues to flow through Ukraine from Russia, with both sides profiting from the deal and to an extent financing each other's war machines. That is expected to change when their deal expires at the end of the year. Russia has been paying Ukraine transport fees to carry its gas through thousands of kilometers of underground Ukrainian pipelines as part of a 2019 agreement between the two countries. Russia then rakes in billions of dollars of profits selling the gas to European partners. While Ukraine had the right to halt its gas deal by invoking a force majeure clause when the war broke out and deprive Russia of billions of dollars of funding for its war, doing so would have severely hurt Ukraines allies and likely created a major energy crisis felt around the world. Instead, Ukraine has emphasized to its partners that it does not plan to renew the deal past its 2024 expiry, giving them time to find and negotiate alternative sources of energy. It is also working to secure a separate deal to use its pipeline network to bring gas to Europe from Azerbaijan. Many European countries have already sharply reduced their dependence on Russian gas because of the war, but the region still imports significant volumes of Russian gas to meet its energy needs. The gas agreement and its vulnerabilities again came to the forefront in the wake of Ukraines invasion of Kursk the remaining border location where gas enters Ukraine from Russia and the site of a critical metering station. How does the deal work? Both Russia and Ukraine make money off the deal though Russias revenues from selling gas to Europe far outweigh Ukraines income from the gas transport fees. Infographic showing the amounts of the EU's Russian gas that travels through Ukraine. (Lisa Kukharska / The Kyiv Independent) The former head of Ukraines gas pipeline operator, GTS Operator, estimates that Russia earns around $5 billion a year from the deal, while Ukraine received $800 million in 2023. The former GTS Operator head, Serhii Makohon, added that the majority of this $800 million was spent on maintaining and operating the transit, leaving around $100-$200 million left in revenues for Ukraines budget. Bloomberg has estimated Russias revenues higher, at $6.5 billion dollars a year. The original agreement guaranteed $7 billion for Ukraine over 5 years, but Russia reduced its gas volumes and payments to Ukraine in 2022 after the invasion shut down one of the routes into Ukraine through occupied territory. Russia rebuffed Ukraines offer to reroute the volumes through open pipelines. In response, Ukraines state gas company opened up an arbitration case for late and insufficient payments. Ukraine did not say how much Russia had underpaid. European partners also benefit from the deal, receiving relatively cheaper Russian gas transported over land rather than by sea. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine has roiled the natural gas markets, with key events causing large spikes in Europes natural gas prices and contributing to rising living costs in Europe. Key events during Russia's invasion of Ukraine have shocked the European natural gas market. (Lisa Kukharska / The Kyiv Independent) Who buys the gas? Central and Western European countries have been relying on Russian natural gas for decades, with the recent Ukraine deal from 2019 only the latest in a series of agreements. The full-scale Russian invasion marked a turning point, forcing an unprecedented shift in Europes energy policy. Europe is now "fully committed" to phasing out Russian gas, EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said on Sept. 11, and is "ready to live without this Russian gas coming from the Ukrainian transit route. With European countries taking steps to diversify their energy sources and reduce their dependence on Russia, the share of Russian gas among EU natural gas imports dropped from 45% in 2021 to 15% last year. Infographics of quarterly EU natural gas imports by source. Russian gas has dropped from 45% of EU imports to 15%. (Lisa Kukharska / The Kyiv Independent) The sharp drop in demand from European buyers has led to Russias energy giant Gazprom posting its largest losses in 25 years with a $5.5 billion loss in the first half of 2024. While most European nations with maritime access have shifted to buying more liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports arriving by boat, landlocked countries in Central Europe, like Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria, face more challenges. Austria imports the highest share of Russian natural gas of any EU country, hitting a record of 98% in December 2023 and fluctuating above 80% in recent months. The country has pledged to eliminate Russian gas imports by 2027. Russian natural gas made up 82% and 85% of natural gas imports in Hungary and Slovakia in the first four months of 2024, respectively, according to a report from Fitch Ratings. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbans government, in contrast with the EU position, has defended the continued use of Russian gas, claiming stable Russian supplies are an economic imperative. European countries have also reduced their overall gas consumption. According to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, it has decreased by 20% since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. Despite these reductions, the EU still remains Russias largest export market for natural gas. Some countries still have contracts with Russia to purchase their gas beyond 2024 and will need to break or find other ways to fulfill the contract, potentially importing Russian gas through the Turkstream route. How does Russian pipeline gas reach Europe? Gas used to enter Ukraine from two points along the Russian border from the North through the metering station in Sudzha in Kursk Oblast, and from the East through the Sokhranivka metering station, near the border with Luhansk. Map of key gas pipelines from Russia to Europe. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, key gas pipeline routes have been shut down. (Lisa Kukharska / The Kyiv Independent) Because of the heavy fighting, shelling, and subsequent occupation in parts of Luhansk, Ukraines gas operator, GTS Operator, has not been able to operate at the Sokhranivka entry point. It declared a force majeure event in May 2022, halting the flow of gas along that route and rerouting spare capacity through the Sudzha entry point in Kursk. At the time, about a third of gas from Russia to Europe flowed through the Sokhranivka route. Since then, the route through Kursk has been the only entryway into Ukraine across the Russian border. The Nord Stream pipeline, which delivered gas from Russia to Germany, used to carry the largest volumes of Russian gas to Europe of the pipelines. During the course of the war, Russia reduced volumes in transit by Nord Stream, eventually halting them altogether, claiming it was forced to do so in response to sanctions. Germanys largest gas importer, Uniper, was awarded billions in damages from Gazprom in arbitration in June for Russias failure to deliver on its contracts. After volumes stopped pumping through the Nord Stream pipeline, saboteurs damaged the pipelines in 2022. German authorities issued an arrest warrant last month for a Ukrainian national in connection to the explosions of the Nord Stream pipelines, according to media reports. Kyiv has repeatedly denied connection to the Nord Stream blasts. The Polish section of another route for Russian gas the Yamal route was shut down in 2022 after Poland and Bulgaria refused Russias demand to pay for the gas in rubles. Russia had wanted payment in rubles in response to Western sanctions imposed because of its invasion. What's next? The Ukraine pipelines may soon be filled with gas from Azerbaijan, replacing the Russian supplies. The Azeri gas would travel through southern Russia before reaching Ukraine. Naftogaz will not extend the transit agreement with Gazprom. We are not conducting negotiations and do not plan to, said Oleksii Chernyshov, the CEO of Naftogaz, Ukraines national energy company, in a July interview with Liga.net. "We are looking for alternative solutions. For example, we have been approached by businesses from Azerbaijan, particularly Socar. But we don't have a ready-made solution yet. It is too early to talk about it, Chernyshov said. On Sept. 6, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev confirmed that negotiations are underway with the EU, Moscow, and Kyiv about a potential deal. For several months we have been making great efforts to come to a common denominator, Aliyev said. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The City of Myrtle Beach responded no to two questions about the downtown theater. After repeated requests from The Sun News, the City of Myrtle Beach said it would not provide a written legal opinion about the theaters financial structure and denied any claims that having city-paid staff work as unpaid volunteers for the Downtown Redevelopment Corporation violates the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. These questions follow months of public discussion about a new $22 million theater downtown. With interest, loan documents show the theater is expected to cost closer to $31 million. The project consists of gut-renovating three historic buildings in downtown Myrtle Beach and creating a 300-seat theater in partnership with Coastal Carolina University. After meeting with staff from The Sun News in August, assistant city attorney Amy Neuschafer refused to answer if the structure involving the Downtown Redevelopment Corporation and two LLCs was legal. I dont make that assessment, thats why we have hired experts, she said at an in-person meeting called by top city staff. Im not going to give you a legal opinion. Thats not my job. The Sun News has asked the city leaders, city attorneys, and attorneys hired by the city if it is legal for a town to own a nonprofit, which in turn creates LLCs to get tax credits since the city does not pay state or federal taxes. The city had to work with the decades-old nonprofit Myrtle Beach Downtown Redevelopment Corporation to create other companies to get federal and state tax credits expected to total approximately $4.9 million if not more. The city has partnered with a Federal Tax Credit Investor Entity, which will own 98.99% of the LLC. According to city staff, that entity is a company called Tax Credit Marketplace based in Greenville, SC. The city encouraged the Sun News to speak with the company as experts in the field, but company officials have declined interviews on several occasions and not returned calls. An organization chart describing the structure on a PowerPoint slide presented to the City Council on their May 28, 2024 meeting. Days after the city requested an in-person meeting, The Sun News contacted and spoke with Robert Lewis, the citys hired attorney for the theater project, from the firm Rogers Lewis Group LLC, based in Columbia, South Carolina. The question of a legal opinion about the overall structure was also posed. I think its better to ask the city about that, every city you know has different ordinances, different regs, but the city can certainly own property, and I think the city can own for profit or nonprofit property, he said. I know of no law or ordinance or regulation that would prevent that. A nonprofit owning an LLC to get tax credits is legal and something Lewis said hes seen before, noting that he knows of one other city that has structured a deal like this. Lewis said he could not give the names of those cities or towns that hes worked with before because of attorney-client privilege. The city also declined to give the name of the other city. In response to a later question asked via email about if the city would provide a written legal opinion regarding the legality of a city to own a nonprofit that in turn owns multiple LLCs, spokeswoman Meredith Denari said it was not appropriate. The City Attorneys Office provides legal counsel to the mayor and City Council, the city manager, employees of City departments, and the citys boards and commissions, Denari said via email on Aug. 26, 2024. It is not appropriate for the City Attorneys Office to provide legal advice or opinions to the media or public, nor does the city obtain written legal opinions from attorneys to provide to the media or public. The Sun News should consult with independent legal counsel if it wishes to obtain a legal opinion. Later on in the same email exchange, The Sun News asked again if the City of Myrtle Beach would ask South Carolinas attorney general for a legal opinion on the structuring of this deal. No. This was addressed in our meeting, Denari said in reply. The City of Myrtle Beach told The Sun News they will not ask the AGs Office for an opinion on the overall structure. Weeks earlier, Communications Director for the South Carolina Office of the Attorney General Robert Kittle said his office does not provide written legal opinions to members of the general public, including the media. Instead, municipalities would need to reach out to the AGs Office to request a legal opinion on the matter. The DRC is a city-founded nonprofit organization, according to its bylaws. Currently, Myrtle Beach staff comprise three of the five positions on the board of directors. They are the citys Chief Financial Officer Michelle Shumpert, City Manager Jonathan Fox Simons Jr. and Assistant City Manager Brian Tucker. Part of their jobs in those positions require them to volunteer for the DRC by serving on the board of directors. Shumpert previously confirmed that she is not paid for her volunteer work with the DRC. Public sector employers may not allow their employees to volunteer, without compensation, additional time to do the same work for which they are employed, the U.S. Department of Labor Fair Standards Act states. In response to queries about if the DRC roles occupied by Shumpert, Tucker or Simons violate federal law, Denari replied on behalf of the city stating it does not. No, her email reply said. The Bylaws state that, by default of their position, Fox (city manager), Brian (assistant city manager) and Michelle (chief financial officer) serve on the Board of Directors without compensation. In recent weeks, the citys Freedom of Information Act paralegal Agatha Puleo has responded to requests for documents from the DRC made by The Sun News. She later completed a FOIA request that asked for a copy of the nonprofits bylaws. At the DRCs last board meeting in June which met for eight minutes and produced a unanimous vote in favor of the $22 million loan for the theater, the city clerk was in attendance taking notes, according to meeting minutes. The Sun News asked if directing either city employee to do work for the DRC violates the Fair Labor Standards Act. No, Denari said via email. The DRC is a City of Myrtle Beach affiliate and the city is in possession of the documents requested through FOIA. We comply with FOIA by providing those documents, when requested. JOHNSTON, R.I. (WPRI) Federal and state officials celebrated in 2018 when they announced a $100 million settlement with subsidiaries of Stanley Black and Decker Inc. to clean up three miles of toxic soil in the Woonasquatucket River. The remediation of the Superfund site would ultimately lead to the reopening of the Woonasquatucket River, which cuts through multiple towns. The river has been closed to swimming, fishing and other recreational activities for generations. Its on something called the National Priorities List, which means this is one of the biggest contaminated sites or most seriously contaminated sites in the country, Terry Gray, director of the R.I. Department of Environmental Management, told Target 12. Fast-forward six years, however, and theres little to show for the 2018 settlement. Federal officials point to some cleanup work thats been done. But the three miles of toxic soil remain, and families are still receiving summer robocalls with the same warnings that Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. remembers hearing when he was a child growing up in town. Dont go anywhere near it, Polisena said. A Target 12 investigation has since learned the lack of cleanup activity is partly the result of stalled negotiations over what it would take to dump the roughly 300,000 tons of toxic soil at the states central landfill, managed by the quasi-public R.I. Resource Recovery Corp. Its frustrating, Polisena said. We need to show the people that we can all come together as government agencies. The impasse has frustrated federal officials to the point that its spurred behind-the-scenes talks about potentially changing course, avoiding the landfill altogether and instead capping the toxic soil into the area around the river, according to multiple people familiar with the discussions. A similar tactic was used in the northern part of the Superfund site, near the housing complex known as Centredale Manor, which is one pocket where cleanup has happened since 2018. But Gray doesnt like any idea that doesnt involve extracting and removing the toxins completely, saying hes concerned about the surrounding areas because climate change has led to more frequent flooding. Thats not something that were in favor of at all, Gray said. Its a business decision by Resource Recovery as to whether or not they do this or not. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency which oversees the cleanup efforts denied that any alternate plan is currently in place, even though local and state officials said its being considered. EPA spokesperson Jeff Norcross said the federal agency also doesnt know how much of the $100 million has been spent so far because they are only overseeing the cleanup efforts. He also highlighted work thats already been done, including capping the former mill area where the toxins originated, along with some of the surrounding commercial and residential areas. Pre-design investigations and designs for the downstream portions of the site are completed or underway, he added. Site preparations necessary for future remediation are also partially completed and in progress. Federal officials acknowledged that negotiations at the landfill remain ongoing and that the EPA continues to work with our state and local partners on this and all aspects of the site. But Target 12 has confirmed federal officials have become increasingly concerned that management at the central landfill is dragging its feet and trying leverage more money out of a deal. The quasi-public agency also located in Johnston has the ability to accept this type of toxic soil and store it safely. Extracting the toxic soil and shipping it somewhere else could drive up the price, giving the landfill a strong position in negotiations. Resource Recovery executive director Luigi Vergato said in an email his agency is still weighing several factors, as it does with all requests to dump toxins in the landfill. The considerations include whether the work can be done in a way that ensures the health and safety of the people doing the work, he said. We will also consider whether or not the acceptance of the soils would be beneficial to the operation of the landfill and the communities where the contaminated soils are found, while also weighing the potential environmental risks and liabilities of the accepting this material, Vergato said. In a Sept. 4 email, Vergato told Target 12 he expected the landfall agency to complete its evaluation of these factors and to render a decision within the next 90 days. Polisena, a lawyer, said hes eager for the work to get underway after all these years because the waterway has been shut down to his residents for so long. Itd be huge, he said. It would be huge for the environment, itd be huge for quality of life, and I think most importantly, we want this river clean so it can be used again. The mayor said hed reserve judgment on whether itd be safe to keep the toxins near the river until the outside engineers and environmentalists could explain the risks to him clearly. But Polisena said he was confident neighbors wouldnt like any idea that doesnt involve removing the toxic soil completely. And he acknowledged he wouldnt want to raise his family in the area if he knew so many toxins were capped nearby. I would look to go elsewhere, he said. At the state level, Gray said hes especially worried about any plan that jeopardizes nearby wetlands. If wetlands are eliminated, the parties would have to create an equal area of new wetlands somewhere else. But the director said his agency would oppose any plan that doesnt involve extraction. Flooding is a real potential, he said. More aggressive flows are a potential and I think it would be really hard to maintain the safety and integrity of a disposal unit thats anywhere within the floodplain of the river. Meanwhile, residents like Michael Korba are eager to see the pace of the cleanup speed up. Korba, who takes a walk through the area twice a day, said hed rather not see the toxic soil remain in the area, arguing its time the river can reopen safely to both humans and wildlife. They need to get working on it, he said. Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook. Tim White (twhite@wpri.com) is Target 12 managing editor and chief investigative reporter and host of Newsmakers for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and 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. NY ranked as top state for teachers in U.S. Here's why New York is the best state for teachers in the country in 2024, according to a newly-released WalletHub study. The Empire State topped the list, which compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 24 key indicators of teacher-friendliness like teachers' income growth, pupil-teacher ratio and public-school spending per student. "Despite having one of the most crucial jobs in America - educating the next generation - teachers are often underpaid and underappreciated," Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst said. "The states that make a teaching career the most rewarding are those that compensate educators well, invest heavily in educational resources, pass laws that improve school-system quality, and provide supportive conditions that lead to low turnover." Here's why New York prevailed. What makes New York stand out New York has recently been ranked the best state for teachers in the U.S., according to a newly-released WalletHub study. New York stood out with the highest average annual salary for public school teachers after adjusting for the cost of living $82,571 among all states. The Empire State also has the strongest tenure protections in the country, the highest amount of funding per public-school students in country, $31,839, and the lowest teacher turnover rate of 4.3%, according to WalletHub. "Teachers in New York also have the eighth-best income growth potential and the fifth-highest average pensions," the study states, as well as the eighth-best school system in the U.S. Best school systems: Here's why NY school system ranked 8th best in nation How WalletHub assessed teacher-friendliness In this study, New York was followed by Washington, Virginia, Utah and Maryland. The worst states for teachers in 2024 are Tennessee, Nevada, New Hampshire, Hawaii and Maine. WalletHub compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across two key categories: Opportunity and Completion and Academic and Work Environment. "Because competitive salaries and job security are integral to a well-balanced personal and professional life, we assigned a heavier weight to the first category," the study says. The Opportunity and Completion category assessed these factors: Average starting salary for teachers Average salary for teachers Teachers' income growth potential 10-year change in teacher salaries Average teacher pension Share of new teachers with inadequate pensions Projected competition in year 2030 Public-school enrollment growth Length of time before tenure kicks in Teacher tenure protections Teacher preparation program completion And the Academic and Work Environment category included these elements: Existence of digital learning plan State statute on out-of-school access to instructional materials State guidance on accessible technologies Quality of school system Pupil-teacher ratio Public-school spending per student Presence of annual teacher-evaluation requirement Presence of teacher-effectiveness requirement Projected share of teacher turnover Share of teachers who feel supported by their administrator Average commute time Prevalence of childhood disadvantage Working mom-friendliness The weighted average across all metrics were then determined in order to calculate an overall score for each state and the resulting scores were used to rank-order the states. Data used to create the ranking was collected as of Aug. 19, 2024 and the information was sourced from multiple entities, such as the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Education and the National Council on Teacher Quality. Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Networks NY-Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NY ranked as top state for teachers in U.S. Here's why SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) A man from Windsor, Massachusetts was arrested and charged in Springfields federal court for allegedly trying to extort money from Social Security and threatening a Springfield medical office. According to the U.S. Attorneys office in Boston, Michael Andrew Rodgers, 31, was arrested on Monday after being indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of threatening interstate communications and one count of extortionate interstate communications. He was released by the judge with conditions. Springfield woman arrested in connection with deadly motorcycle crash on Page Blvd Investigators say that on April 5, 2023, Rodgers posted a threat on the Google review page of a Springfield medical practice that stated: They gonna get whats coming soon. [] Will be there in the morning to get them myself one way or another. Locked and loaded. Beneath this text, Rodgers allegedly included an image of a hand holding a gun. On April 6, 2024 is it allege that Rogers submitted a threat through a fraud reporting website for the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General with the intent to extort Social Security disability benefits. He allegedly wrote: I m gonna start taking what I need. By any means nessacary. [] GIVE ME MY MONEY OR IM GONNA START DROPPING PEOPLE. YOULL NEVER FIND MY WEAPONS SO STOP LOOKING AND GIVE ME MY CHECK. [] NEXT TIME I SLICE SOMETHING OPEN. IT WONT BE ME. ITLL BE ONE OF YOUR CHILDREN ILL MERC A WHOLE SCHOOL AND NOT GIVE A F***. [] SO YOULL BE MY FIRST TARGET IF YOU KEEP REFUSING TO HELP ME. The charges against Mr. Rodgers involve very serious and terrifying threats designed to instill fear and extort his victims. His alleged extortion demands to unlawfully obtain money from the federal government clearly crossed the line into criminal conduct. In these virulent times, no one should ever have to endure the fear and distress caused by this type of alleged conduct., said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. Our office remains steadfast in pursuing justice and ensuring that those who resort to violent threats and intimidation are held fully accountable for their actions. While the First Amendment gives us the right to express our own opinions, violent physical threats are certainly not protected speech, said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. When someone repeatedly threatens the lives of others, its a clear red flag, and we have to take their despicable words at face value. Todays arrest of Michael Rodgers demonstrates the FBIs resolve to investigate and bring to justice anyone who crosses this line. The safety and security of the Social Security Administration is of utmost priority and our agency is committed to protecting employees from threats and acts of violence. We thank our law enforcement partners, the Massachusetts State Police and the FBI assisting in this investigation and working to apprehend this subject. said Corwin Rattler, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, Boston-New York Field Division. If found guilty of the charges, Rogers could face up to 20 years in prison and $500,000 in fines. No information was available on when he is expected to return to 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 WWLP. Farmer Jon Old says growing wasabi will become more difficult in a warmer climate [BBC] Producers of wasabi and wine have described the challenges of growing their crops in increasingly wet and unpredictable weather. All 10 of the warmest years on record have been since 2003 - with 2022 being the hottest. However, since 1998, the UK has also seen six of the 10 wettest years on record. The BBC visited the Little Waddon Vineyard in Dorset and the Wasabi Company in Hampshire to ask them what they think. Winemakers Karen and Simon Priestman believe it is more difficult for growers in this climate. Karen and Simon Priestman say they have always grown something [BBC] "Is it global warming or is it global wetting?" says Mr Priestman. "We think it's global wetting." The married couple follow an ethos they call "grape to glass". They are low intervention winemakers who grow without using pesticides, chemicals or even adding water. Due to its situation on a south-facing slope, they get large amounts of run-off from the hills behind. During lots of rainfall, it provides plenty of hydration for the vines. The grapes are harvested when they are at their juiciest [BBC] "We don't need to irrigate, not in Dorset," says Mrs Priestman. Producing a variety of wines - red, white, and a British sparkling - harvest falls around October. As early as March, their time is spent maintaining the vineyard. Pruning allows both air and sunlight to move freely between the vines. But they say while they have produced some amazing sparkling wine, they are facing real challenges. "We seem to have some really hot years, and then some bad years," says Mrs Priestman. "When it's very wet, you get downy-mildew. I think that weather is going to happen more and more - and that's really challenging for growers." The vineyard owners are proud of the variety of alcohol they make, including a British sparkling wine [BBC] Jon Old, founder of the Wasabi Company, has been growing wasabi in the UK for over a decade. Known for its mustard-like kick, it is an aromatic spice traditionally eaten with sushi. It is an aquatic crop, much of which grows alongside Japanese mountain streams. His family have been watercress farmers here since the 1850s, but until a chef told him of a farm he had seen in Japan that grew something similar, he had not grown anything else. Flowing through the beds on Mr Old's farm is natural, mineral-rich water fed by springs more than 40m below the ground. "It just planted a seed in our head and we thought 'well if wasabi grows in water, then maybe it's something we can do'," he says. More nets are used as shade when the sun is intense [BBC] Wasabi takes roughly 18 months to grow. In that time, the stem grows above ground and gets bigger as the leaves fall away. This stem is called a rhizome. Although not native to the UK, Mr Old stresses the conditions for growing wasabi on his farm are ideal - but a warming climate leaves a bitter taste in his mouth. He says very high temperatures and light levels can "cause a yellowing to the leaves and it will eventually stop growing". "If we're getting longer summers, if we're getting hotter summers, then it does become more of a challenge to grow wasabi - even in the UK." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Related internet links More on this story MEMPHIS, Tenn. Terrified witnesses are now speaking out with more details about a shootout that took place outside of a baby shower in Northeast Memphis on Saturday evening. The shooting happened in a shopping center on Raleigh LaGrange Road where businesses are located for families to eat, celebrate, and get their hair done. MPD investigating baby shower shootout I had all the clients get on the floor. We hurried up and locked the door and ran to the back and called 911, said one of the witnesses. We were working on a kids hair. She says the little girl had to be eight or nine years old. She was very afraid, the witness said. She didnt even want to come out of the back room to finish her hair because I was putting beads on her hair and she didnt want me to finish. It was a first-time experience for her. Businesses in the area have cameras that were able to catch the shootout. Video footage shows two men hanging out of a black Mustang and other men in the parking lot shooting at each other. Suspect dead after shootout with Memphis Police in Frayser; 2nd man arrested A witness told police the shootout started at 5:15 p.m. when a car drove by Ladies Nyte Beauty Bar-tique where the baby shower was held and started shooting. It was about four or five of them, the witness said. We assume that since nobody was hurt that they probably just wanted to disrupt the baby shower or scare someone in the baby shower. MPD cannot confirm that but according to this incident report victims inside the baby shower refused to talk to officers. Police also say several cars in the parking lot were hit with bullets, and a family member inside suffered a stroke but no one was injured by the gunfire. Man accused of beating woman arrested in earlier shooting at Hickory Hill gas station I come from a country where there was a 14-year civil war and for me, it was very scary because I didnt come here to die here in America where Im supposed to be free, the witness said. After the shooting, 35-year-old Anthony Jackson was charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun. However, hes not charged with the shooting. The other suspects are still on the run. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) Wittenberg university will continue to hold all classes remotely through the weekend due to ongoing threats. According to a spokesperson at the university, the school will go fully remote for the rest of the week, including Saturday and Sunday. Wittenberg is continuing to take precautions due to ongoing threats the University has received in recent days. As the threats continue to be assessed by Wittenberg police, local law enforcement, and the FBI, all classes and most operations will be delivered remotely until at least Sunday, Sept. 22, and on-campus activities and events are canceled. Campus alert obtained by 2 NEWS The same was true on Monday as well after campus events and activities were closed Sunday following threats of a shooting. Students enrolled in field, clinical, or other off-campus experiences should not attend any placements until after classes resume in-person at the university. Most faculty and staff are also expected to work remotely. The Center Dining Room will remain open, but with limited options available to patrons. The university will continue to witness an increased police presence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Woman pleads not guilty to theft of several guns during local home burglary YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A Kent woman on Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court pleaded not guilty to the theft of several firearms from a home that was broken into in 2022. Ciara Tillison, 32, entered her pleas before Magistrate Dominic DeLaurentis to one count of burglary, a second-degree felony; and 17 counts of grand theft when the property is a firearm or dangerous ordnance, a third-degree felony. She remains free on bond. A trial date of Nov. 18 was set, which is expected to be pushed back. She is accused of taking part in the theft of several guns during a burglary in November 2022 at a home in Springfield Township. She was indicted Sept. 5 by a grand jury. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Woodruff County man found guilty of assaulting sheriff during fight in beanfield WOODRUFF COUNTY, Ark. A Woodruff County man was found guilty of assaulting the county sheriff during a disagreement in a beanfield last year. According to court records, a farmer in Woodruff County called dispatchers to report that his combine was on fire in his beanfield near Three Forks Road on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Arkansas woman pleads guilty to bomb threat against Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders The affidavit states that Woodruff County Sheriff Phil Reynolds responded to assist with the combine fire when 67-year-old Joseph Rudick approached him, resulting in a fight between the two. The court document noted that Rudick and Reynolds sustained multiple facial wounds, including cuts and swelling. Both were taken to a local hospital for treatment, according to the affidavit. Arkansas State Police officials said that deputies with the Woodruff County Sheriffs Office asked special agents to investigate the fight between Rudick and Reynolds. Arkansas man arrested, accused of making threat against Attorney General Tim Griffin Investigators said Reynolds took Rudick into custody before contacting ASP officials for assistance. Rudick was arrested by special agents on Nov. 8, 2023, according to ASP. On Wednesday, Rudick entered a no-contest plea and was found guilty of felony second-degree battery on a law enforcement officer. Rudick was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay the Woodruff County Sheriffs Office restitution of $3,000. 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 KARK. 'Working for 3 an hour made me feel dirty' Paramjit Kaur says she agreed to work for as little as 3 an hour because she was desperate [BBC] Open your wardrobe, and there's a good chance you'll find garments made in Leicester. The city was the engine of England's clothing industry, with companies including retail giant Next keeping tens of thousands of people in work. After many years of factory closures, a boom in fast fashion then created a profitable new industry. Sub-contractors offered the flexibility to deliver large orders to tight deadlines, as stores focused on piling it high and selling it cheap. But then the coronavirus pandemic lifted the lid on how intense competition had created widespread exploitation in Leicester's supply chain. Now the city is fighting to save its garment manufacturing industry once again. Paramjit Kaur, 61, worked as a sewing machine operator at several Leicester companies after moving from India to join her husband Harvinder Singh. By the time she arrived in 2015, there was already growing concern about garment factories paying well below the living wage. Paramjit says she could not speak English and struggled to find work, so she spent years working in factories that paid her between 3 and 5 an hour. She says some employers covered their tracks by creating a paper trail, which appeared to show she earned the National Living Wage. 'We were desperate' Speaking in a mixture of Hindi and Punjabi, Paramjit described how one company asked her to work for a 5 hourly rate, adding others did not give her holiday or sick pay. "They would show 'full pay' on the payslip but once the money was in my bank, I was told to return it," she said. "I used to give it back in cash. Three or four factories used to do this." When asked why she returned the money, Paramjit said: "It felt dirty and bad but I needed to work. No-one was paying more. "We were desperate. We had to pay council tax, the gas bill, rent. The bills kept coming. "It felt horrible. 'Keep working, keep working', is what they would say." Paramjit says she returned part of her earnings in cash [BBC] Paramjit is one of several workers from India who told the BBC they earned 5 an hour or less in different clothing factories in Leicester. That is well below the National Living Wage, which now stands at 11.44 an hour for adults over 21. A woman in her 50s, who asked not to be identified for fear of repercussions, told the BBC she was paid 4 an hour to work as a "packer" in various garment factories. "I thought it was reasonable and it was the going rate," she said. "It was what most people were getting. I was desperate to work and save because I have to support my parents, my sister and nieces back in India." The workers have been supported by the Fashion-workers Advice Bureau Leicester (FAB-L), which is funded by retail brands. These brands insist that factories making their clothes allow FAB-L to go into their sites and support workers. Tarek Islam says 60 workers at one factory weren't paid for several months [BBC] Tarek Islam, from FAB-L, says the group helps exploited garment workers who often struggle because of poor English language skills. Tarek says Leicester's garment workers sometimes accept such low wages because they are afraid of losing Universal Credit if they do not take action to get paid work. Employers also convince workers they are doing them "a favour" by giving them the experience to find minimum wage jobs, Tarek adds. Tarek says some firms demand unpaid hours, or cash refunds, so their audits record the payment of "full wages". "They [employers] may make a payslip for 18 hours, so on the system people are getting paid for 18 hours, but they'll make them work for 36 hours," Tarek says. "So when you check the paperwork, everything seems fine. Another thing they'll do is say, 'I'll pay the full wages in your account, so on paper we can pass all the audits, however we agreed only 5 to 6 an hour, so that extra money you need to give back to me'." Tarek says exploitation in the industry has been the "absolute norm". However, he adds: "Because the brands have increased their auditing process, and become tighter, the workers we've spoken to mostly say they're being paid the minimum wage." Exploitation in the industry has been described as the "absolute norm" [BBC] Tarek says FAB-L has helped 90 garment workers recover a total of 180,000 of unpaid wages since its launch in early 2022. But he believes that is the tip of the iceberg. Tarek says one woman burst into tears as she explained how she was owed 5,000 - and too afraid to tell her husband in case he accused her of spending it. Tarek discovered that her factory had not paid 60 workers for three months. It then emerged that factory was also waiting for late payments, and FAB-L helped everyone recover their money. Tarek says he has previously persuaded garment businesses to pay up by offering to "mediate" complaints with the fashion brands they supply. "As soon as I say, 'do you want me to raise it with the brand?' They'll say 'maybe we can resolve it between ourselves'," he said. FAB-L has been funded by eight brands - including Asos, River Island and Next - and two trade unions. The group was set up in response to damning headlines about exploitation in Leicester's clothing supply chain during the pandemic. A damning report about factories supplying Boohoo was published in 2020 [Boohoo] The tipping point came after barrister Alison Levitt published a scathing report about factories supplying the online fashion retailer, Boohoo. Tarek says UK fashion brands are now "trying to be reputable", and now most garment workers still employed in Leicester say they are receiving the National Living Wage. But many workers have lost their jobs as some suppliers shifted contracts overseas. Several estimates seen by the BBC suggest the vast majority of Leicester's garment factories have closed since the crackdown began. The Apparel and Textile Manufacturers Federation believes about 700 were operating five years ago, compared to only 60 to 100 now. Saeed Khilji chairs the Textile Manufacturer Association of Leicestershire [BBC] Saeed Khilji, from the Textile Manufacturer Association of Leicestershire, believes the scandal in the city did "huge damage" to legitimate clothing businesses that were already struggling to make a profit. He says that persuaded many retailers to avoid production in Leicester. The pandemic also drove a rise in online shopping. Another manufacturer, Alkesh Kapadia, believes that was an even more serious blow to Leicester's business model. He says the previous model relied on retailers ordering large quantities of each design to fill their stores across the country, whereas online brands need much smaller quantities of each design. Alkesh used to export clothes from his Leicester factories as far afield as the US, Canada and India. But he says he has lost 2.5m the past 12 to 18 months because retailers have demanded ever-lower prices at a time when costs have risen. Alkesh has moved production to Morocco, Turkey and Tunisia [BBC] Now his company has moved production to factories in Morocco, Turkey and Tunisia, where manufacturing is cheaper. "Fashion was my passion," he says. "My surname is Kapadia. Kapadia means fabric. "For 200 years we used to make fabrics. My father up there would be really upset that I have stopped this business." Saeed's factory in Nottingham Road never reopened after the pandemic [BBC] Meanwhile, Saaed used six Leicester factories to make his garments, but now he says he only runs an import-export business because the UK is impossible to afford. "As a factory owner, we not only pay the minimum wage," he says. "There's also national insurance, rent, the electricity bill. Nothing has gone down." The catalyst for change was two-fold, he says. "Mainly the price issue. Living costs were rising, but retailers didn't want to pay the price, and secondly, we had sweatshops in Leicester, [but] 95% of factories were good but struggling, because we got this bad name because of this 5%," Saeed adds. Saeed's factory has been empty for years [BBC] Saeed's factory, in Nottingham Road, never reopened after orders were cancelled during Covid. "All orders we had stopped," he says. "All fabrics we had, we can't use it. Retailers cancelled orders because they can't sell. When they cancelled, they didn't pay us." He says that has left him with stock that he cannot sell and will donate to charity. Saeed says he "cannot see any future" for garment production in Leicester, and Alkesh agrees. "We are thinking that Leicester will die if you don't do anything now. Even if you do something now, it's very hard to save this industry," Alkesh says. Alkesh and Saeed are still based in Leicester, but both have set up their own online retail brands to sell imported clothes to customers directly. Saeed says his stock will now be donated to charity [BBC] However, the non-profit organisation Labour Behind the Label is now campaigning for fashion brands to support the city's ailing manufacturing industry. It wants brands to commit to ordering at least 1% of their products from Leicester's factories. Tarek, from FAB-L, says brands also need to consider more serious exploitation overseas. "Imagine what exploitation is happening there," he says. "Child labour. Trade unions being killed in factories. "A brand producing in the UK, even with exploitation in their chain, is better than a brand that is producing out of the UK." Prof Rachel Granger, from the city's De Montfort University, is an industry expert. She believes Leicester's garment industry will only survive if there is significant investment in new robot technology and a focus on quality. "Germany had the same problem a decade earlier and invested in robots," she says. "There just are not the resources to invest, that is the crux of the problem." More on Leicester's garment industry Related internet links ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A somber remembrance was held Monday among those in the sheriffs community as they honored those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The Monroe County Sheriffs Office held a wreath laying ceremony earlier in Rochester as part of a state-wide Sheriffs Week initiative, paying tribute to those in law enforcement who have died in the line of duty. Among those being remembered were Officer Jameison Ritter and Anthony Mazurkiewicz, as well as Special Deputy Fred Sovah, who was killed on the job in 1931 while apprehending a suspect. Sheriffs Week continues through Saturday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Wyandotte County residents to vote on $180 million bond for KCK schools in November KANSAS CITY, Kan. Wyandotte County residents within the Kansas City, Kansas Public School District (USD 500) will once again vote on a bond proposal for the school district. The KCK Board of Education approved a $180 million bond issue in August that will go to voters for approval on the November ballot. The bond includes the construction of three new schools and a new addition to the existing Sumner Academy school campuses. KCKPS said the recommended facility upgrades and improvements are based on input gathered from students, parents, staff and community members through a survey. KCPD investigating after zTrip driver critically hurt in shooting The building addition to Sumner Academy is estimated to cost $7,000,000 and will consist of eight classrooms and restroom facilities and additional support space that will connect to the main building and allow the district to remove mobile classrooms from the campus. Another project would combine Silver City and Noble Prentis elementary schools at the current Noble Prentis site and is estimated to cost $35,000,000. Construction of a new building would begin while the existing building is occupied. The current building would be demolished after the new school is built. Silver City elementary would be repurposed for a new Argentine Middle School after students moved into the new combined site. The third project is for a new Central Middle School and is estimated to cost $66,368,900. The project would require a full demolition of the existing building and would temporary relocate students during construction. U.S. 169 bridge repair project begins Monday in Wyandotte County Back in May, Wyandotte County residents voted down on a $420 million bond proposal for the KCK school district. That bond included the rebuilding of Central and Argentine Middle Schools, replacing older elementary school buildings, eliminating mobile classrooms, a new state-of-the-art public library, a new district aquatic center and comprehensive renovations to existing schools campuses. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android KCKPS will be hosting a community bond presentation on Monday, Sept. 23, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Sumner Academy to explain the proposed bond in greater detail. Food will be served from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. An American flag flies above the construction site of a multifamily housing development last year in Los Angeles. In many places, homeowners are opposing state and local efforts to strip away exclusive single-family-home zoning to allow the construction of more multifamily housing. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) When Minneapolis, then Oregon, then other local and state governments began stripping away exclusive single-family-home zoning over the past five years to allow the construction of multifamily housing, many development advocates predicted the start of a pro-YIMBY revolution. But the yes-in-my-backyard movement has stumbled even before its really gotten started. In court challenges around the country, opponents have cited spikes in traffic, strains to infrastructure, displacement of low-income residents, hits on property values and changes to neighborhood character. Multifamily zoning advocates, however, counter that opponents are resisting changes that will yield broader societal benefits. The debates are challenging elected leaders, planning specialists, homebuilders and advocates, pitting long-established homeowners against a system desperate to get a handle on the nations growing crisis of housing affordability and homelessness. People want to maintain their neighborhood character, but it should be about ensuring quality of life for everyone, said Natali Fani-Gonzalez, a Democratic member of the Montgomery County Council in Maryland who has endorsed changes to zoning laws. Youre part of a community you dont own it. We need to evolve with society. I dread the possibility The most recent ruling arrived this month, when the Montana Supreme Court issued a decision paving the way for a pair of state laws to take effect over the objections of homeowners. In 2023, Montana lawmakers were lauded for a bipartisan effort dubbed the Montana Miracle, a collection of measures that overrode local zoning ordinances to encourage more multifamily homes and accessory dwelling units, or ADUs smaller secondary cottages or in-law apartments within or on a lot of a single-family home. The laws, championed by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, were supposed to go into effect Jan. 1, 2024. But in December, a consortium of single-family homeowners from across the state called Montanans Against Irresponsible Densification, or MAID, filed a complaint. The group argued that the state had unconstitutionally taken away homeowners property rights and would wrest local control from cities and counties. The lawsuit warned, in part, that the laws meant new construction could begin down the block without notice. I dread the possibility of waking up one morning and finding that one of my neighbors has sold her property to a developer who is then erecting a multi-unit building or a duplex, or an accessory dwelling unit right next to our nice and carefully maintained single-family dwelling, wrote Glenn Monahan, a Bozeman resident and managing partner of MAID, in an affidavit filed with the initial lawsuit and quoted in the courts ruling. If such development aimed at increasing density in my neighborhood happens, I believe it will seriously and adversely affect the economic value of my property, Monahan wrote. More important than economic value is the moral, aesthetic neighborhood values that my wife and I share with the neighbors Representatives for MAID did not return calls for comment. Wealthier and whiter Berkeley, California, first established a residential zone exclusively for single-family homes in 1916 just as racist covenants banning home sales to non-whites were gaining steam nationally and other workarounds to preserve neighborhood segregation were being tested. Today, around 75% of residential land in the United States is zoned exclusively for single-family homes. These neighborhoods are typically wealthier and whiter, according to a 2023 research report by the Urban Institute. Minneapolis is credited as the first major U.S. city to enact substantial changes to increase density when it abolished single-family-only zoning citywide in 2019, allowing up to three dwelling units on any residential lot. People want to maintain their neighborhood character, but it should be about ensuring quality of life for everyone. Natali Fani-Gonzalez, a Democratic member of the Montgomery County Council in Maryland That same year, the Oregon legislature passed a law with two so-called upzoning provisions: allowing duplexes in single-family zoning areas of cities with at least 10,000 residents, and allowing townhouses, triplexes and fourplexes in cities of at least 25,000 residents. Upzoning encompasses a range of policy tools such as building more missing middle housing in the range between single-family homes and apartment buildings, focusing on transit-oriented development, lifting parking requirements, and increasing floor-to-area ratios. But researchers and planners told Stateline that it can take years for these policy changes to address current housing needs or undo the harms of restrictive zoning. The largest challenge is that zoning reform takes a really long time to implement. From the start of reform to actually seeing effects, it takes about 10 years, said Stephen Menendian, assistant director and director of research at the University of California, Berkeleys Othering & Belonging Institute. Even the Minneapolis reforms, which happened at warp speed, will take another four years to fully assess the effects, Menendian said. Its been less a revolution and more of a slow shift. UC Berkeleys Zoning Reform Tracker, last updated in November, provides an overview of municipal zoning reform efforts across the U.S., documenting 148 initiatives in 101 municipalities over a span of 17 years. Other local governments have passed ordinances taking aim at single-family-only zoning in various ways, including Austin, Texas; the city of Alexandria and Arlington County in Virginia; Sacramento, California; and Portland, Oregon. Many have been challenged in court. In Minneapolis, the 2040 plan, as the citys long-term planning blueprint is known, was held up after its passage in 2019 by years of environmental lawsuits and back-and-forth rulings, delaying implementation. Finally, state lawmakers in May passed a bill exempting comprehensive housing plans from environmental review, a measure aimed squarely at preserving the 2040 plan. Even then, a county judge issued an injunction, forcing the city to halt parts of the plan and revise it. Talking it out Diana Drogaris, outreach coordinator for the National Zoning Atlas, a research organization that works to demystify zoning laws across the U.S., thinks city leaders are improving their communication with residents during public hearings and input sessions. However, she notes that leaders must balance transparency with managing valid fears of zoning changes. A zoning change is going to have an effect on the public. It will affect the store they go to, their commutes, what type of resources are available, Drogaris said. And I think community leaders are getting better at having these conversations. The public doesnt need to know every nook and cranny of these outdated codes, she said, but enough to understand how that one zoning change is going to change how that land is being used in their community. Menendian argues that misconceptions on both sides among housing advocates and concerned community members fuel much of the anger. Theres a lot of misnomers about zoning reform, he said. Homeowner groups also are expected to challenge a recent series of upzoning changes in Austin, approved at the end of 2023 and this spring. In 2022, a group of citizens successfully sued the city over a handful of ordinances designed to streamline housing development. When a lawsuit is filed, work toward new housing developments may stop. California enacted a law in 2021 allowing property owners to split their lots and build two new homes in certain cities. In April, a Los Angeles judge ruled the law unconstitutional. In June, the state filed its notice of appeal. Meanwhile, in Northern Virginia just outside the District of Columbia, the city of Alexandria and Arlington County, which also passed zoning changes last year, are facing their own legal challenges. The full impact of Alexandrias zoning overhaul even if it clears its legal challenges may not do much to affect housing outcomes. According to the city managers estimates, allowing up to four units in zones that are currently limited to single-family dwellings would only create a net new 178 units over 10 years. Absolutely some sort of backlash This fall, both Montgomery County, Maryland, and Berkeley, California, will be considering upzoning proposals, following a summer filled with contentious public hearings. Fani-Gonzalez, the Montgomery County councilmember, said that modernizing the countys zoning, in conjunction with other policies such as rent stabilization, will help keep residents in their homes while creating new housing to accommodate the growth associated with being just outside Washington, D.C. We need more housing, but we cannot get stuck with building cookie-cutter houses that only certain folks can actually afford, said Fani-Gonzalez. In California, the city of Berkeleys proposal to end exclusionary zoning in its neighborhoods is part of a broader effort to undo its racist legacy. The Berkeley City Council took its first steps in examining that legacy by denouncing the racist history of single-family zoning in 2021, a largely ceremonial move that gained steam when the city council asked the city for a report on missing-middle housing. The citys latest upzoning plan was scaled back this summer after a five-hour public hearing. Lori Droste, a Berkeley councilmember from 2014 to 2022, told Stateline that she had been advocating for major upzoning changes since 2016 but struggled to get the votes. What changed, she said, was linking the need for zoning changes to the national consciousness raised by 2020 protests around systemic racism and racial injustice. Zoning reform is going to take time. Its probably going to take 20 years before anyone notices real changes. But if we dont start now, the housing crisis will only get worse, she said. When asked by Stateline if she expects any legal action if the upzoning proposal is successful, Droste responded, I imagine there will be. Im not in the city attorneys office, but absolutely theres going to be some sort of backlash. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ALBANY, New York Balloting by mail and early voting have benefited New York Democrats in recent years providing the margin of victory in a long list of competitive races. But as the state has emerged as a national battleground for control of the House, Republicans have quietly built a seven-figure operation to reverse that trend in key congressional districts. Rep. Elise Stefanik is leading that push, which mirrors GOP efforts in other battleground states. Shes committing at least $1 million to drive up early GOP turnout in an effort to boost five of her congressional colleagues and help elect two new ones. Historically, weve seen that when Republicans take advantage of the laws that Democrats enacted and Democrats always try to tip these to their favor Republicans actually win, Stefanik said. We are not going to let Democrats take advantage of how theyve legislated in Albany. There is much at stake. Her efforts as well as those of fellow Republicans in other battleground states could prove to be a deciding factor in which party controls the House next year. Republicans in most of New York have participated in non-traditional voting at far lower rates than Democrats in recent years. Thats due in large part to GOP claims that activities such as mail-in-balloting should be viewed with suspicion. But Republicans throughout the country have acknowledged over the past year that discouraging their supporters from using every legal means of voting will only give Democrats a big turnout advantage. Even former President Donald Trump has started coupling his criticism of pre-Election Day voting with requests for Republicans to do just that. I will once and for all secure our elections. Were going to go to paper ballots. Were going to have same-day voting, voter ID. Were going to do it properly. Were going to have good, secure, beautiful elections, Trump said in a video message this summer. But until then, Republicans must win, and we must use every appropriate tool available to beat the Democrats. Whether you vote early, absentee by mail, or in person, we are going to protect the vote. Whether these new efforts work is one of the outstanding questions in races like New Yorks battleground congressional battles this fall, though Democrats predict the mixed messaging will undermine them. Its difficult to make the case to your supporters that you want them to vote early when you spent the last year telling them they shouldnt vote early, said state Senate Deputy Leader Mike Gianaris, who authored an absentee voting law that Stefanik challenged in court. The hypocrisy is showing. Stefanik is planning to spend at least $1 million of the money she has raised for the state party to drive up Republican turnout before Election Day, in a year in which as many as seven House districts are being seriously contested. Stefaniks operation is modeled after one shes used before in her own races and is one she describes as making her the highest overperforming Republican when it comes to absentee and early in-person voting in the state. Her plan is part of a broader effort to help fellow New York Republicans hold the House. It relies on volunteers in the safest Republican seats because while there are plenty of energized conservatives in the districts held by Stefanik, Rep. Claudia Tenney and Rep. Nick Langworthy, there are not a lot of doors locally worth knocking on. Stefaniks political operation has established phone bank centers in these districts. Republicans based in them can now call voters in battleground seats and encourage them to request absentee ballots or show up to the polls early. Anybody who promises to do so will receive a second call a few days later if voting records indicate they havent yet followed through. We had a lot of voters who were adamant they were only going to vote on Election Day, she said. When we made them aware you can vote early in person, they were excited to do that. Those efforts are similar to those Republicans are carrying out in other states that will play key roles this fall. In places like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, party leaders have encouraged Republicans to turn out early. Trumps campaign has launched a Swamp the Vote effort to help voters obtain mail-in ballots, while the conservative Turning Point Action is spending tens of millions of dollars to drive early turnout in Michigan and Arizona. In New York, the early voting operation is a key component of the GOPs plan to energize its operations in seven key congressional contests. Meanwhile, two years after performing well below expectations, New York Democrats have since regularly hyped their plans to overhaul their centralized efforts in the state. The state party has quadrupled its fundraising this year and has opened dozens of field offices in competitive congressional districts. Republicans have offered fewer public boasts about their efforts in recent months, but are also overhauling their centralized operations. The state partys federal account had raised $2.1 million by the end of July, up from $1.2 million at that point in 2022. An additional House GOP Battleground Fund PAC that Stefanik launched has raised $2.7 million. And those are just two pieces of a broader congressional effort in New York that Republicans expect will raise $100 million. If Republicans fail to improve their turnout before Election Day, it would likely put them at a significant disadvantage, leaving them behind at the ballot box as Election Day starts in each of the districts theyre contesting. In 2019, New York established a nine-day early voting window. During the pandemic, it began experimenting with widespread voting-by-mail, and a new law that was upheld by the courts in August means this will permanently be a feature of elections in the state. Democrats have been more quick to take advantage of the new laws they created, often performing about 12 points better among non-traditional voters compared to their Election Day results. Just this February, Democrat Tom Suozzi was elected to replace George Santos in Congress after a virtual tie among voters who cast ballots on the Tuesday of the special election. The deciding factor for Suozzi was winning the pre-election vote by 14,000 ballots. Some of that success was due in part to the Trump-era, GOP position on non-traditional voting, when party leaders regularly suggest that mail-in votes are evidence of fraud. This years national Republican platform calls for securing our elections by supporting same day voting. In New York, notably, those kinds of criticisms have often come from Stefanik. The states constitution has long been read to limit absentee balloting to a finite number of instances, such as when a voter is sick or traveling on Election Day. Voters rejected a 2021 amendment that would have allowed for unfettered voting by mail. But a couple of years later, Democrats passed a bill that attempted to work around the restrictions by allowing widespread absentee balloting and counting these votes during the states early voting window. Kathy Hochul and extreme New York Democrats are trying to destroy what is left of election integrity in New York, Stefanik said in a statement announcing a lawsuit the day that bill was signed. Under Kathy Hochuls failed leadership, elections are less secure and less transparent and will now be unconstitutional. The states Democratic-dominated court system rejected Stefaniks suit this summer, meaning absentee balloting will remain a key part of elections in November. I have always supported legal absentee voting, Stefanik said, adding that she was simply opposed to the new law that was counter to the New York constitution. Were not letting Democrats try to take advantage of this system and the rules of the road they tried to put in place for themselves. This story has been updated with new information. Multiple New York City Public Schools employees have been accused of taking their children and grandchildren on a Disney World trip meant for young people suffering from homelessness, according to a report released this month. Anastasia Coleman, the special commissioner of investigations for the district, wrote the report on Jan. 26, addressing it to the chancellor of New York City Public Schools. It was released publicly on Sept. 9. The report claims that Linda Wilson, Queens regional manager for Students in Temporary Housing (STH), took her own family members on a Disney World trip sponsored by her job. She is also accused of allowing other employees to bring their family members on trips, which included Washington D.C., and the Rocking Horse Ranch Resort in New York, the report read. Wilson initially denied bringing family members on the trips, according to the report. The NYC Department of Education said in a statement that the accusations in the report happened before the current administration took office. While this series of incidents precedes the current administration, this kind of behavior is unacceptable, and all staff identified in this report are no longer employed by New York City Public Schools," a spokesperson for the department said. "Our students in temporary housing deserve to have the supports they need, and when we were given the report from SCI, we acted immediately. The department said the new Students in Temporary Housing leadership team has steps to ensure all centrally managed trips undergo a formal approval process. A new operational support leader will be assigned to review all internal trip protocols, the department said. Here's what else we know. People gather at the Magic Kingdom theme park before the "Festival of Fantasy" parade at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, on July 30, 2022. More about the investigation The investigation began in March 2019 when someone complained about Wilson, saying that she was supposed to plan multiple out-of-town field trips for students facing homelessness, according to the report. The trips were supposed to be enrichment opportunities for improving attendance or other academic achievements for the students, the redacted report said. Several staff members said Wilson brought her own family members on the trips by forging permission slips. Wilson and the staff members would complete permission slips using the information of homeless students, then sign off on the paperwork as the parents of those students, the report says. In addition to Wilson, the following were also named in the report: Queens Students in Temporary Housing program manager Shaquieta Boyd Queens Students in Temporary Housing family assistant Joanne Castro Queens Students in Temporary Housing family assistant Mishawn Jack Queens Students in Temporary Housing family assistant Virgen Ramos Queens Students in Temporary Housing community coordinator Maria Sylvester It was not immediately clear whether anyone is representing the staff members. Like Wilson, Ramos and Sylvester initially denied bringing family members on the trips, the report said. Boyd and Jack refused to speak with investigators, while Castro initially refused to speak to investigators and then resigned, according to the report. Program rules state no staff family members may attend Investigators spoke to someone who said Wilson supervised about 20 staff members overseeing students in temporary housing. Staff members attended most of the trips as chaperones with one or two buses with 30 students each. Wilson organized the trips to Disney World in Florida, Washington, D.C., and New Orleans, according to the report. Wilson had payment requests for the trips processed and some of the stipulations stated that all trips must have some sort of educational component. Each student must also have a valid permission slip to attend and no staff family members could attend, according to a source who spoke with investigators. Wilson also worked with Keys to Abundant Life, Inc. to book transportation, hotels and activities for the trips, the report read. According to an informant investigators spoke to, Wilson worked with Keys to Abundant Life, Inc. because there is less oversight of community-based organizations like the group than if she were to book directly through the Department of Education. According to the report, Wilsons two daughters were known to attend these trips and Wilsons staff members also brought family members along. The investigation report said that not many homeless students who were listed on the trip paperwork actually went on the trips. According to the report, Wilson decided which staff members could go on the trips, assigned students to each staff member to chaperone and then filled their spots with family members of the staff. Their plans were discussed in person so there would be no paper trail, one informant told investigators. The trips were planned and paid for using grants meant to help students suffering from homelessness, according to the report. The trips were also supposed to allow students to visit college campuses, but when investigators contacted the colleges listed on Wilsons plans, the schools said they never spoke to her. Staff member had to beg to bring students on one trip Other trips staff members took family on included on to the Rocking Horse Ranch Resort in New York, the report says. During a trip in June 2018, Wilson planned a trip to Syracuse University, one informant said in the report. The group ate lunch at the university but did not tour the university and instead went to Niagara Falls, the report says. When asked why they were eating at the university, someone overheard program manager Boyd say the school visit was a requirement to plan trips for the students, the report says. Another person told investigators that some Department of Education students did attend the Disney World trip but multiple staff members, including Wilson, Jack, Ramos and Sylvester, brought family members. He had to beg Wilson to allow him to add two of his students to the trip, the report said. Staff members deny accusations Investigators spoke with several of the employees named in the report, who initially denied bringing family members on the trips. Wilson spoke with investigators with her attorney present and said she never brought any of her daughters on the trips. She said she did not know if any staff members had brought their children because she did not know their children. When investigators showed Wilson photographs of herself on a 2016 Washington D.C. trip, she identified herself and two of her daughters in the photos. She said her daughters did not go to Washington D.C., on the bus and instead, they had something else to do nearby in Maryland that day. Her daughters later met the group in Washington, D.C., Wilson said. The special commissioner of investigations recommended in its report that Wilson, Boyd, Jack, Ramos and Sylvester be fired and have information about the accusations attached to their personnel files so they cannot work with the Department of Education again. Coleman encouraged the Department of Education to seek reimbursement from those accused. Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Disney trips for homeless students went to NYC schools staff: Report FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - The attorney for Quindarrius Zachary, also known as Lil' D or Dee, appeared in court on Monday to request his clients release from jail due to health concerns. Zachary was arrested late last week on a material witness warrant and was transported to Fulton County Jail. According to a GoFundMe account set up by his family, Zachary was taken into custody as he was leaving a hospital and was denied his request to be placed in the jail's medical unit. Zachary suffers from severe sickle cell disease, according to his attorney, Dennis Scheib, who argued that his client would not survive while in custody. Zachary has reportedly been hospitalized at least 10 times in the last four months, Scheib said. Zachary was not indicted in the Young Thug and YSL RICO case. However, testimony from Antonio Sledge, also known as Mounk Tounk, implicated Zachary in a 2015 drive-by shooting, along with Damekion Garlington. Zachary was specifically mentioned in statements three and four of Sledges plea agreement: Statement 3: While associated with YSL, and to support and express loyalty to YSL, defendant Damekion Garlington and Quindarrius Zachary appear in a video with another person, A.S., where the defendant brandished a weapon used in a drive-by shooting. In the video, on behalf of YSL, the defendant threatened to harm a person named Kel, a rival gang member who had started a relationship with the defendant's ex-girlfriend. Statement 4: On or about April 28, 2015, as reflected in Fulton County Indictment 15SC138994, the defendant and fellow YSL associates Damekion Garlington and Quindarrius Zachary committed a drive-by shooting using the firearm wielded in the video mentioned in statement 3, targeting family members of a rival gang. On Monday, the jury heard testimony from several officers with the Atlanta Police Department regarding the 2015 drive-by shooting. They also heard from a woman whose apartment was damaged during the shooting. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker established a new policy on Monday for cameras livestreaming the court proceedings. From now on, cameras will not be allowed to show the judge or lawyers when they are having discussions at the bench. The reason for the sudden rule change is unclear. Additionally, a "very interesting" email was discussed outside the presence of the media and cameras. According to attorney Doug Weinstein, who represents Deamonte Kendrick, it is unknown exactly who will testify this week. Good morning, all. Another day in YSL and who knows what it may bring. Witness list for the week is in flux. Each day brings surprises. Thanks for all the tags, but folks should know that as much as I want some of the posts I just cant respond to. Doug Weinstein (@doug_weinstein) September 17, 2024 In related news, the Celebration of Life service is being held today for Rich Homie Quan (real name Dequantes Devontay Lamar), who was once on the witness list, along with his father, for the YSL trial. A barbershop owned by Lamar's father was targeted in a shooting in September 2014. The state's prosecutors have been trying to link the incident to the alleged criminal gang led by Young Thug. Several weeks ago, Kenneth "Lil Woody" Copeland admitted on the witness stand that he and a friend opened fire on the barbershop to send a message. However, Copeland said it had nothing to do with YSL or Young Thug. MOST RECENT STORIES The Young Thug and YSL RICO trial is now the longest-running trial in Georgia's history. Young Thug and 27 others were indicted in 2022 for violating Georgia's RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) law and committing multiple violent crimes. Following the longest jury selection in history (10 months), the trial for Young Thug and several co-defendants began in November 2023. It is now the longest trial in Georgia history. Prosecutors are attempting to prove that YSL (Young Slime Life) is a criminal street gang responsible for numerous offenses, including murder. The defendants maintain that YSL stands for Young Stoner Life and is the name of a record label founded by Young Thug. Young Thug is facing eight criminal charges. The trial has been plagued by various disruptions, including illnesses, the arrests of a juror and a lawyer, the stabbing of defendant Shannon Stillwell, the removal of the judge originally assigned to the case, and more. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A new program at Youngstown State University could help attract the next generation of future attorneys to campus. The University is launching a new 3 plus 3 Philosophy and Law school program designed to decrease the time students must stay in school while still achieving their undergraduate degree in Philosophy and their legal education all in just six years. Then the law school basically takes you without a bachelors degree and your first year of law school gets transferred back and used as your final year of your undergraduate degree. So it saves you a year of tuition, a year of living costs, and all those sorts of expenses and lets you start being a lawyer a year earlier, said Associate Dean Alan Tomhave. YSU is working with law schools at the University of Akron, Cleveland State and Case Western Reserve to offer the new program through Youngstown States Beeghly College of Liberal Arts Social Sciences and Education. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Some local university students celebrated the nations Constitution on Tuesday. Read next: Former officer headed to prison after losing appeal Tuesdays Constitution Day marks the date delegates signed the document that helped create the U.S. government. The Constitution was ratified 237 years ago portraying attorneys before the U.S. Supreme Court. Members of the Universitys Moot Court team presented oral arguments before a team of Youngstown State graduates who acted as Justices of the High Court. Those same graduates now work in the legal 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 WKBN.com. (Bloomberg) -- Zambias Chamber of Mines said proposed legislative and policy reforms pose an unprecedented threat to investors rights and will undermine the countrys ambitions to quadruple copper production. Most Read from Bloomberg The industry group whose members include units of First Quantum Minerals Ltd. and Barrick Gold Corp. is opposed to a draft law and related plans to increase state control over some minerals. President Hakainde Hichilemas government has demonstrated a serial unwillingness to consult meaningfully with the mining companies, the Chamber said in an emailed statement on Tuesday. The administration risks undoing all the good work achieved since coming to power in 2021 to attract investment to the southern African nation, which relies on copper for about 70% of export earnings, it said. Hichilema has spent much of his term in office repairing ties with copper miners after the industrys relations with his predecessor soured due to frequent shifts in policy. Africas second-biggest copper producer is targeting output of 3 million tons by early next decade a sharp hike from less than 700,000 tons last year. Such an increase will require investors to transform multiple exploration projects into operating mines. The government recently announced plans to establish a state-owned firm to control at least 30% of future mines production of critical minerals including copper. Its among initiatives that will undoubtedly deter potential investors from exploring Zambia, the Chamber said. The government is set upon taking the minimum stake at no cost, it added. A proposed law to overhaul governance of the mining sector would grant unaccountable and arbitrary discretionary decision-making powers to individual regulators, presenting obvious future corruption risks, according to the Chamber. Subsidiaries of FQM and Barrick were Zambias largest producers of copper last year, accounting for about two-thirds of output, according to government data. Units of Vedanta Resources Ltd. and Abu Dhabis International Resources Holding are also part of the mining chamber. Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe didnt immediately respond to request for comment. --With assistance from Matthew Hill and Taonga Mitimingi. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Zelenskyy and Air Force considering way to increase number of F-16s in Ukraine video President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that, at a meeting with Ukraine's Air Force Command on 17 September, they found a way to expand Ukraine's fleet of F-16 fighter jets. Source: Zelenskyy's evening video address Quote: "I held a meeting on our F-16 fleet. Together with the Air Force Command. There is a clear vision of the steps how to increase the number of combat aircraft in Ukraine and speed up our pilot training." Details: Zelenskyy did not specify what these steps are. He added that all the tasks for the Air Force and the Ministry of Defence were also defined at the meeting. Zelenskyy also spoke about the "military component" of the victory plan. He said that he worked with the military command on 17 September, which resulted in the preparation of a "good, strong content of the military package" that "can significantly strengthen Ukraine in accordance with the victory plan". Support UP or become our patron! When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Micron The Chinese government is promoting two new lithography machines to reduce reliance on foreign chipmaking tools amid U.S. sanctions, reports the South China Morning Post. Although these machines show notable technological improvements, they still trail industry leaders like ASML and Nikon. The two machines are deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography devices featuring argon fluoride lasers. One operates at a 193nm wavelength, offering a resolution below 65nm and an overlay accuracy under 8nm. The other operates at a 248nm wavelength, with a resolution of 110nm and an overlay accuracy of 25nm. The best Chinese litho tool currently made in high volumes by Shanghai Microelectronics Equipment (SMEE) the SSX600 can produce chips on a 90nm process technology. Therefore, one of the new DUV tools is better than the SSX600, and the other is worse than the SSX600. However, they are significantly behind ASML's NXT:1980Fi and Nikon's NSR-S636E. ASML's least advanced DUV machine currently made has a resolution below 38nm and an overlay accuracy of just 1.3nm. Nikon's most advanced tool also has a resolution of 38nm and an overlay performance of 2.1nm. The new systems represent a breakthrough in Chinas domestic chip-making efforts, but the machines are not yet commercially available. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) highlighted these advancements but did not disclose the companies responsible for the machines. China has long sought to reduce its reliance on foreign suppliers, especially for critical semiconductor technology, but it still depends heavily on ASMLs machines. However, ASML has to get an export license from the Dutch government to sell its advanced DUV tools, which basically means that Chinese entities cannot get these machines. SMEE, a state-owned company, is seen as Chinas best chance to develop domestic lithography systems. However, SMEE lags significantly behind ASML and other global competitors. Last year, SMEE demonstrated a lithography tool capable of making chips using 28nm-class process technologies. However, the company still has to start mass production of this system. Despite these challenges, SMEE has made strides. In March 2023, the company filed a patent for EUV lithography technology. This development shows some progress despite the hurdles presented by international sanctions and trade restrictions. Orders have opened for the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T and 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack. The two-door Dodge muscle cars are the Stellantis brand's first foray into fully electric vehicles and are expected to be available in the fourth quarter of this year. The company previously listed the starting price for the R/T at $59,595 and the Scat Pack at $73,190, both excluding the $1,995 destination charge. Gas-powered and four-door versions of these muscle cars 496 horsepower for the R/T and 670 for the Scat Pack, which includes a 15-second 40 HP "power shot" delivered by push button along with a Banshee EV high-performance model have also been promised down the road, but company officials have gone to great lengths to tout the chops of these first EVs. Orders have opened for two versions of the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona, the Stellantis brand's first electric vehicles. The Scat Pack, for instance, is said to reach "0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds while running the quarter-mile in an estimated 11.5 seconds, maintaining Dodges throne as the worlds quickest and most powerful muscle car," according to a news release. We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries, and we know our customers are driven by performance, so customers who make the 'first call' by having their name on a sold order of the next-generation Dodge Charger by Oct. 31, 2024, will receive a First Call experience loaded for performance, including a two-day driving experience at the Radford Racing School (in Chandler, Arizona), a First Call welcome kit and custom VIP concierge service, Matt McAlear, Dodge brand CEO, said in the release. 2024 Charger Daytona EV: Dodge drops the Challenger, but flexes new muscle Darren Jacobs, a spokesman for Stellantis, said a "sold order" refers to a Charger customer order placed through a dealer. He said that any deposit amount would be determined between the dealer and the customer. All orders must be confirmed by Oct. 31, and the customer must eventually take delivery in order to receive the First Call experience, Jacobs said. Ordering information is available at dodgegarage.com. The First Call welcome kit promises "an official letter of authenticity documenting the vehicle as a First Call Dodge Charger Daytona, Dodge-branded leather driving gloves," the release said. Dodge Neon SRT-4: Everything you need to know about the compact car In addition, all-electric Charger Daytona model purchases are to include either an at-home level 2 charging station or $600 in charge credits through Stellantis' Free2move Charge. The vehicles will also qualify for the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit, the company noted. The electric Charger Daytona is being assembled at the Windsor Assembly Plant in Canada. Stellantis also owns the Jeep, Ram, Chrysler and Fiat brands. Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dodge opens order book for electric Charger Daytona Japan launches world's first steady-state nuclear fusion reactor in bid to offer limitless energy: 'Up and creating electrical power within the next 10 years' A Tokyo-based company called Helical Fusion is set to launch a first-of-its-kind steady-state nuclear fusion reactor, Interesting Engineering reported. It would be considered a "pilot" reactor, but if successful, the project could have major implications for the future of clean energy. Existing nuclear reactors work by creating energy using fission the nuclear reaction where atoms are split apart. However, scientists have long sought to create a nuclear reactor that harnesses the power of fusion, where two atoms slam together. A fusion reactor would mimic the same process that powers the sun and could theoretically produce virtually unlimited clean, renewable energy. Fusion also doesn't produce the same radioactive byproducts that fission does, making it safer overall. Assuming that it can secure enough funding, Helical Fusion aims to create just such a reactor. "We intend to have the world's very first steady-state combination reactor up and creating electrical power within the next 10 years," Helical Fusion CEO Takaya Taguchi told Reuters. "If we run the pilot reactor starting in 2034 for a few years we could begin constructing a commercial reactor and have it functional in around 2040 at the earliest." Although scientists have achieved nuclear fusion, they have struggled so far to produce it without expending more energy than they manage to create, making previous attempts commercially nonviable as well as unsustainable. However, scientists around the world are making advancements in the nuclear field all the time, leaving the impression that a commercial nuclear fusion reactor is inevitable. Recently, the Japanese and American governments joined forces to combine each country's scientific progress on harnessing nuclear fusion. Chinese scientists have also reportedly made some major advancements recently. A California-based startup is also working on a process that it hopes could help to make fusion commercially viable. In the meantime, nuclear fission isn't going anywhere, either. The classic method of producing nuclear energy is already safer than many people believe, and the government just allocated $2 billion for a nuclear fission power plant in Michigan. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Scientists propose unconventional method to safeguard Earth's biodiversity: 'This is meant to help offset natural disasters' Amid a changing climate, highlighted by rising global temperatures and sea levels, scientists have suggested a plan to safeguard the future for endangered Earth-based species: create a biological repository on the Moon. Life on Earth is unique, at least in our corner of the universe, so having a backup plan to preserve the rich biodiversity that's blossomed here is a forward-thinking concept. Mary Hagedorn, a cryopreservation pioneer at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and lead author of a new paper in BioScience, has offered that the Moon provides many benefits for tissue storage, as shared by Anthropocene Magazine. It may not be the most hospitable of environments, but that's part of what makes it ideal for this plan. It's remote enough to be safeguarded from social unrest and naturally cold enough in certain areas to accommodate the -390 degree Fahrenheit temperatures needed to viably store animal tissue. This would be difficult to accomplish on Earth without lots of electricity, equipment, and liquid nitrogen. Plus, since there's no atmosphere on the Moon, the climate isn't at risk of changing. They wouldn't be freezing entire animals; instead, they would focus on key cells that could be used to grow a variety of other ones, similar to the way stem cells work. "Initially, a lunar biorepository would target the most at-risk species on Earth today, but our ultimate goal would be to cryopreserve most species on Earth," Hagedorn shared. "We hope that by sharing our vision, our group can find additional partners to expand the conversation, discuss threats and opportunities and conduct the necessary research and testing to make this biorepository a reality." There are similar conservation facilities here on Earth, such as the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway, which offers free storage to nations working together toward ensuring the world's future food supply. It contains 250,000 types of wheat, 160,000 types of rice, and 46,000 types of maize, all foods that make up about two-thirds of humanity's food consumption, according to its website. However, as the report detailed, it was threatened by floods due to thawing permafrost in 2017, revealing certain vulnerabilities for storage amid the changing climate, even in remote areas. The proposed plan is to start with endangered species first, then expand that to include species essential to biodiversity, as the report detailed. It includes pollinators, primary producers, and landscape-transforming "engineers" like termites, just to name a few. Still, there are hurdles to overcome before this facility can work. Studies need to be made on microgravity and how it may affect cells, and samples would need to be protected from the high levels of solar radiation. Hagedorn proposes a "decades-long" effort to explore the potential for this Moon-based repository, starting with testing on the International Space Station before moving on to the surface. "We aren't saying, 'What if the Earth fails?' If the Earth is biologically destroyed this biorepository won't matter," as Hagedorn shared. "This is meant to help offset natural disasters and, potentially, to augment space travel." Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. The exterior of the Delias San Antonio location was seen shortly after FBI agents raided it on July 24. Christopher Lee/Staff photographer Plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed against Delias, the best tamale maker in Texas, are requesting the companys 77-year-old founder get added to the lawsuit. In July, the FBI raided several of the popular restaurants locations, including its location on San Antonios Northwest Side. The company is being sued by former employees who allege the company committed fraud and age discrimination. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The plaintiffs filed a motion to request the name of Delia Garza, the founder of Delias, be added to the lawsuit. Currently, the lawsuit only lists McAllen-based Delgar Foods LLC, which does business as Delias Tamales, as a defendant. In response to the motion, lawyers with Delias said the change should be denied because it would be past deadline by seven months. They say the 77-year-old founder is a passive owner and has not been involved in Defendants decision-making since 2018. Garza is credited with the companys legacy, building the company from humble beginnings in 1998 with only $20 of masa and ingredients to seven locations. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The first restaurant Garza opened was in South McAllen, according to the company website. The San Antonio restaurant, which opened in 2020, is the first location located outside of the Rio Grande Valley. The lawsuit, which was filed by 26 former employees, alleges that Delias created a scheme to get the plaintiffs fake Social Security cards so they could work for the company. Delias then took out Social Security taxes from the workers paychecks but kept all of the deductions for itself, the lawsuit states. Social security would send the monies back to Defendant, because the social security cards (it) helped get the plaintiffs were fake, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiffs are seeking the reimbursement of Social Security and interest. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The lawsuit also alleges that as the plaintiffs neared retirement, they would be let go by Delias because it didnt want any issues in connection with the alleged scheme. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. The looting of baggage has practically ceased at the Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport since baggage handlers were compelled to wear body cameras, the National Police announced. Before the body cameras were made mandatory, passengers reported thefts from baggage more frequently. The number of such complaints has fallen from 119 in 2022 to 78 last year. The Airport Police therefore recommended that baggage handlers should wear a body camera while at work. Due to the cameras only seven criminal proceedings were launched. In five of those cases the thieves were not Hungarians, while in the two other cases police were able to identify the perpetrators on the basis of the body cameras. BKK and MAV ticket inspectors and paramedics started wearing body cameras in 2021 and they have been mandatory for police officers since last year. ********************************* 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! A third-degree, highest-level flood alert is in effect along all sections of the Danube in Budapest from Monday, Gergely Karacsony, the city's mayor, has said. Water management experts conducted a range of protective measures over the weekend which included closing off vents and sluice gates, preparing water production facilities for safe flood operations and putting moorings in place, he said on Facebook. The mayor noted that the embankments on both sides of the Danube will be closed to traffic from 8pm on Monday, and the owners of the cars parked there have been asked to move their vehicles. According to forecasts the Danube will reach the lower embankment on Tuesday morning, he said. Meanwhile, the Budapest water works, the disaster management authority and subcontractors assisting the defence work will be making one million sand bags available, approximately 800,000 of which will be used on Margaret Island. To ensure the smooth operation of protection efforts, the island's protected zone will be closed to vehicle traffic and pedestrian traffic will also be restricted from 8am on Tuesday, he added. Traffic restrictions will also apply on Nanasi and Kiralyok Road in northern Buda because of the delivery of the materials needed for the four-kilometre clay dyke being built there, the mayor said. Pinter: Preparations for Flood Protection at 'One Hundred Percent' Preparations for flood protection have reached "one hundred percent" across the entirety of Hungary, the interior minister said. Measures implemented so far will ensure that the water of the Danube river can be confined and kept between its barriers, Sandor Pinter told a press conference. In the case of other rivers, the measures may include the temporary opening of reservoirs in order to protect residents, their property and land against flood water, he said. Protection operations are carried out with the participation of water management authorities, the armed forces, police, prison management and the national disaster management chief directorate, Pinter said, adding that municipalities and the ambulance services were also on alert. Meanwhile, the prime minister has convened the operative body for flood protection, the minister said, adding that its work was coordinated by the national disaster management authority backed by national water management authority providing expertise. The Hungarian army is also participating in flood protection with 12,000 people, equipment including helicopters and convicts who volunteer, he said. Pinter asked municipalities to set up flood defence committees, adding that sandbags, vehicles and other equipment would be provided by the central operative body. The flood situation will be evaluated early in the morning on the basis of overnight data every day and steps will be taken accordingly, he said. Floods - Govt Spox: Levee North of Budapest to Be Reinforced With 1,000 Tonnes of Rocks The levee along the Danube riverbank at Szigetmonostor, north of Budapest, will be reinforced with 1,000 tonnes of rocks, the government spokeswoman said. According to the latest forecasts, the Danube will peak at Budapest at 860cm, Eszter Vitalyos said on Facebook after a meeting of the Pest County defence committee, noting that the river had peaked at 891cm in the 2013 flood. One of the critical points in the county's number 3 electoral district, which Vitalyos represents, is the levee at the God ferry crossing at Szigetmonostor, which will be reinforced with 1,000 tonnes of rocks, the spokeswoman said. She asked the disaster management authority to intervene on the lower sections of highway 11. Official: Govt Supporting Local Councils in Flood Defence The state is providing local councils with professional, logistical, material and financial assistance in their flood protection efforts, the parliamentary state secretary of the interior ministry said. The state is providing multiple forms of assistance to every locality defending against the flood, Bence Retvari told a press conference. Each locality has been assigned an expert from the water management authority with extensive knowledge on flood protection who will help organise the defence work, he said. Also, each locality has a liaison officer from the disaster management authority to ensure the supply of the necessary materials such as sandbags, he added. The localities' flood protection costs will be covered from the force majeure fund, the state secretary said. Istvan Lang, the head of Hungary's Directorate of Water Management, said the recent heavy rainfall has resulted in flood waves in the catchment areas of the Danube and Leitha rivers. The flooding of the Leitha is expected to approach or exceed the record water levels, he said, adding it was likely that an emergency reservoir will have to be opened above the north-western town of Mosonmagyarovar. The river's water will be released onto a 140-hectare agricultural area to ease the burden on the town, Lang said. Concerning the Danube, he said that water levels at the Szigetkoz island plain in the northwest are expected to reach the near-record highs but won't affect the populated areas. He said the Danube is expected to peak on Thursday and Friday at the Szigetkoz area at Nagybacs near Komarom-Esztergom in the north, and in Budapest on Saturday and Sunday. The peak water level is expected to be 30-40cm below the 2013 level, he said. Zoltan Gora, who heads the National Disaster Management Directorate, said the operative bodies overseeing the protection efforts were now all up and running. Floods - Catholic, Reformed, Baptist Charities Aiding Protection Efforts Caritas Hungary, the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid and the Hungarian Baptist Aid are assisting the flood protection work in Hungary. Caritas Hungary, the aid organisation of the Catholic Church, said in a statement on Monday that it is setting aside 10 million forints (EUR ) in emergency aid for the procurement of essential flood protection equipment, mitigating flood damage and supporting those in need. The organisation is setting up a disaster base at the local parish in Nagybajcs, in north-western Hungary to coordinate the aid efforts. It is also inviting donations at www.karitasz.hu and via the donor line 1356. The Hungarian Reformed Church Aid said in a statement that it is assisting the flood defence work at Dunaalmas with 30 people and calling on volunteers for the coming days. They said they will be helping out in the village of Tahi, north of Budapest, from Tuesday, and in the capital, if necessary. The organisation said it is launching a donation drive on the donor line 1358. The Hungarian Baptist Aid and the HUBA Rescue24 organisation of firemen and rescue teams have also started flood defence work. The aid organisation is recruiting volunteers and organising donation drives at www.baptistasegely.hu and the donor line 1355. Floods - Orban Postpones All International Obligations Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Monday that he has postponed all of his international obligations due to the extreme weather conditions and the ongoing floods in Hungary. He posted the announcement on the X social media platform. Bertalan Havasi, the PM's press chief, told MTI that Orban had cancelled his speech at the European Parliament, a visit to Vatican City later this week, and will not attend the UN General Assembly in New York. Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto will represent Hungary at the latter, he added. Orban Convenes Operative Body for Flood Protection Prime Minister Viktor Orban convened a meeting of the operative body responsible for flood protection early on Monday morning, the prime minister's press chief said. The operative body was briefed by the head of each state body involved in flood protection operations, Bertalan Havasi said. They then determined the most urgent tasks and approved the flood protection plans for the coming days. Orban affirmed that all the technical and financial resources needed for the protection efforts are in place. Floods - Magyar: PM Made Right Decision to Postpone Strasbourg Trip Peter Magyar, the head of the opposition Tisza Party, on Monday said Prime Minister Viktor Orban was right to postpone his visit to Strasbourg this week. "Accepting our recommendation, Viktor Orban cancelled his participation in the European Parliament debate in Strasbourg," Magyar said in a statement. "This is the right decision," he said. "There is no place for political debates in such a serious flood situation, as it calls for total national unity." Tamas Menczer, the communications director of the allied ruling Fidesz and Christian Democrat parties, responded by saying that "this government had already tackled several crises including floods, the red sludge flood, Covid, migration and others when you were still living a carefree life" "We will immediately let you know if we need your wise advise, but until then, please, be patient!" Boka: Hungary Activated IPCR Crisis Response Mechanism Hungary, as the president of the Council of the European Union, on Monday activated the EU's integrated political crisis response (IPCR) mechanism, the minister in charge of EU affairs said. Janos Boka said on Facebook that the mechanism enabled central European member states severely affected by the extreme weather conditions and flooding to coordinate protection tasks. The affected member states could also decide how the EU can most effectively help them carry out their tasks, he added. The activation of the mechanism was needed because unprecedented severe weather conditions have resulted in extreme floods in several states including Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, he said. Several of these countries have announced a state of emergency, he added. A coordination centre will meet on Tuesday morning and its work will enable experts to monitor the flood situation and specify the support needed, and generally coordinate with EU institutions, he said. The Hungarian presidency is ready to activate the EU Civil Protection Mechanism if the member states express a need for it, he said. Toll-free flood protection helpline Phone: 06 80 204-240 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! Peter Magyar, the head of the opposition Tisza party, on Friday said the government was "unqualified" to handle the issue of migration. In a post on Facebook, Magyar accused Prime Minister Viktor Orban of using the issue of migration to deflect attention from "Hungary's economic collapse and the health-care crisis". He said "locals in Vitnyed, in Gyor-Moson-Sopron County" were saying that the government was planning to settle 500 illegal migrants in the village, in north-western Hungary, and put them under the supervision of the military. "Enough with the deflections and the lies,"Magyar said, and asked the government why it wanted to use taxpayer money to turn a formerly reputable school into a "migrant camp". "The people in Vitnyed are afraid, and the homes there and are losing their value," he said, insisting that the government had gone back on its promise to protect Hungarians from illegal migrants and released 2,000 people smugglers. He said the government was also bringing in "60,000 Asian economic migrants a year", putting the profits of multinational companies before the safety and livelihood of the Hungarian people. Magyar said the Tisza party supported strict migration regulations and the protection of Hungary's borders, and called on the government to stop building migrant camps and withdraw its decision to settle Asian economic migrants in the country. Meanwhile, Menczer: MEP Magyar Demands Observation of Brussels' Migration Rules Peter Magyar, the head and MEP of the opposition Tisza Party, demands the observation of migration rules set by Brussels which make illegal migration legal, the communications director of ruling Fidesz said in a video posted on social media. The video posted by Tamas Menczer on Facebook quotes European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as saying that "we can grant more opportunities for people to come to Europe legally". It also quotes Liberal MEP Guy Verhofstadt as saying that "real legal routes to enter the European Union" were missing. Those statements, Menczer said, meant that "they make immigration legal, permit and even organise it," adding that Brussels had set mandatory quotas and ordered the creation of "migrant ghettos", naming the regulations "a migration pact". "Illegal migrants then enter Europe and massacre the European people," he said, adding that "it is hard to tell the family members of the victims how wonderful the rules set by Brussels are". "We choose the Hungarian people and want no part of immigrants just as we want no part of the pro-immigration rules of Brussels," said Menczer. 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! Thai President Foods will invest around HUF 18bn to expand capacity at its noodle plant in Esztergom (N Hungary), Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto announced on Friday. The state is supporting the investment, which will create 80 jobs, with HUF 2bn, Szijjarto said. He added that local suppliers' share of Thai President Foods' feedstock was on the rise. Close to 100pc of the plant's output is exported, mainly to markets in Europe. European countries open to investments by Asian companies can profit much in the new era of the global economy, Szijjarto said, adding that Hungary was the "best example" of that. The investment in Esztergom by the Thai-owned company, clearly shows the success of the government's Eastern Opening policy, he said, adding that Asian companies were dictating the pace in a number of sectors, taking the place of their Western competitors. He noted that bilateral trade between Hungary and Thailand had exceeded USD 750m last year. He added that around 155,000 people were employed in the food sector in Hungary. Since 2014, the government has provided support for 78 big food industry investments, creating close to 9,000 jobs. About half of food sector output is exported. 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! On 8 October, a special series of gastronomic events will kick off at the Michelin-recommended Spago Budapest. Istvan Szanto, the restaurant's executive chef, will be presenting a four-hands dinner with Istvan Akacs, head chef of Pajta Restaurant, celebrating the best of Hungarian cuisine. A shared menu, a shared passion For this special occasion, Istvan Szanto, Executive Chef of Spago Budapest, and Istvan Akacs, Head Chef of Pajta, have jointly created a special multi-course menu that combines the gastronomic philosophies of the two restaurants. The menu is based on local ingredients, combining modern and traditional techniques to offer guests a unique culinary experience. The event promises to be a truly unique gastronomic adventure, thanks to the shared passion and commitment to quality food shared by the chefs of Spago and Pajta. Spago Budapest's gastronomy series aims to strengthen the Hungarian gastronomic dialogue and cooperation between the sector's players. The series offers a unique opportunity for chefs from the capital and the countryside to create together, sharing their experiences and inspiration. Spago Budapest needs no introduction, as it has been a staple for those seeking outstanding culinary experiences in the capital since its opening. Its gastronomic concept is a fusion of Californian, Mediterranean and Asian influences. In homage to Hungary's rich culinary heritage, Spago Budapests menu naturally includes traditional Hungarian dishes as well, with a contemporary twist. The emphasis is on fresh, quality ingredients, and Istvan Szanto and his culinary team are committed to the highest level of professionalism and attention in the preparation of their dishes. Istvan Szanto believes that close cooperation between Hungarian restaurants is essential for the development of Hungarian gastronomy, bringing not only chefs but also the gastronomy-loving public closer together. This is how the concept of "Four-hands" was born, with Istvan Akacs as the first guest chef. A Pajta - The pearl of rural sustainable gastronomy The farm-to-table concept Pajta Restaurant is located in the heart of Oriszentpeter in the Orseg region and has become one of the flagships of Hungarian rural cuisine. The restaurant's Head Chef, Istvan Akacs, places great emphasis on close cooperation with local producers, the use of seasonal ingredients and a modern interpretation of traditional Hungarian flavors. The philosophy of Pajta is that dining is not just about food, but an experience, reflecting the beauty and richness of the landscape of the Orseg region. Their cuisine places great emphasis on local ingredients and the treasures of the surrounding nature, such as forest mushrooms or game meats, and adds the professional knowledge and technology of modern high-end restaurants. Istvan's mindset was shaped by stagings in Michelin-starred Scandinavian restaurants, and he gained a wealth of experience in the domestic gastronomic scene before arriving at one of the most progressive restaurants in the Hungarian countryside, Pajta. "I believe that a chef's trademark is his own story, expressed in flavors on his plate. It will be very exciting to create a joint story between Pajta and Spago," said Istvan Akacs. This event is the first in a multi-part gastronomy series that aims to bring together Spago Budapest with Hungary's best and most renowned chefs and restaurants from the countryside to showcase the diversity and richness of Hungarian cuisine. Reservation and details: https://spagobudapest.com/en/4-hands-dinner Her professional background in education began with a teaching career in southern England, where she served in various schools as an art teacher and later as Head of Art at a grammar school in Devon. Subsequently, she relocated to northern Scotland to join the boarding school Gordonstoun, where she assumed leadership roles extending beyond the art department, culminating in the role of Deputy Head of Curriculum. She holds a Masters degree in Leadership from Aberdeen university, has been an iPGCE mentor for international trainee teachers at Warwick University and currently a peer accreditor for COBIS. Four years ago, she moved from Scotland to the warmer climes of Tokyo, where she served as Head of Secondary. This year she relocated to Budapest where she is delighted to be leading the Secondary School at BISB. 1.When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here? I arrived in Budapest at the start of July ready start my job as Head of Secondary at BISB and a new life in Hungary. The weather this summer has been fantastic so I have been able to enjoy exploring the capital before starting work at the end of August. 2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere? Yes, I flew directly to Budapest from Tokyo, having worked in Japan for the last four years. 3. What surprised you most about Hungary? Listening to history podcasts in preparation for my relocation has been a fascinating journey into the past, revealing the incredible diversity and depth of the culture and people. 4. Friends are in Budapest for the weekend - what must they absolutely see and do? A trip to one of the amazing historic thermal baths to soak up the atmosphere and relax. 5. What is your favourite Hungarian food? I am still exploring as there is so much to try but so far Sajtos pogacsa (cheese bread) and Turogomboc (sweet cottage cheese dumplings) have been a delight. 6. What is never missing from your refrigerator? Fresh tomatoes 7. What is your favourite Hungarian word? Egeszsegere as it translates directly to the same as Slainte Mhath which I had grown accustomed to saying having lived in the north of Scotland for many years. 8. What do you miss most from home? We had to rehome our cats when we moved from the UK and I miss them lots. To fill the void, I visited the Cat Museum in Budapest to spend some time with other felines last week! 9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue? With an undergraduate degree in art and design, it would have to be something creative. I have always fancied the idea of a florist as I am also an early riser. 10. What's a job you would definitely never want? Influencer the constant pressure to maintain a flawless image and share every detail of my life online would be too much for me. 11. Where did you spend your last vacation? Albania a tiny farmers cottage next to a lake in central Albania with some close friends. The quiet, dark skies and wildlife were a joy. 12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday? Back to family and friends in bonny Scotland but tempted to go for a short break around Lake Balaton first as I have heard so many wonderful things about it from colleagues. 13. Apart from temptation what can't you resist? Haribo sours! 14. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen? 1980 new wave and early electro pop Heaven 17, Thompson Twins, the Cure and Human League were my favourite bands. Films Cabaret, the Breakfast Club and Dead Poets Society. 15. Red or white? Depends can I also add in a good Rose too? 16. Books or films? I really cant choose and it depends on my mood. Books are so much more immersive so if I want to forget my troubles, a book wins every time. 17. Morning person or night person? A morning lark since being a teenager and increasingly not an owl. Late nights are even less of a thing these days! 18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about? Climate Change. 19. Buda or Pest? I have to say Pest as this is where I live! 20. What would you say is your personal motto? No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. Aesop HENDERSON The Henderson Mennonite Heritage Park is hosting a new event this year entitled One Book, One Heritage Park. They are excited to host award-winning author Mildred Schindler Janzen for a question-and-answer session and book signing. Her book is Surviving Hitler, Evading Stalin, a memoir about her remarkable escape from Nazi Germany. One Book, One Heritage Park will be held on Saturday, September 28, at 10 a.m. at the Henderson Mennonite Heritage Park in the Country Church. The event is free, but a free-will donation will be accepted. Apple Preishka and coffee will be served following the authors session. Her book has won numerous awards, including the 2023 Sunbury Press SUNNY Award, the Scriptoria Press SUNNY Award, and the 2022 International Book Award: Autobiography/Memoir. Books may be purchased at the Heritage Park Visitors Center before the event. A limited supply of books will be available at a discounted price after the first of September. If you would like to learn more about the author and her story, here are several links. Here is the link to her Facebook page and a short documentary on YouTube titled Mildreds Escape: A WWII Survival The Henderson Heritage Park is located 1 miles south of Henderson I-80 Exit #342; for more information, call 402-723-4550 or 402-723-4252. 2024 Tata Punch Details: The new 2024 Tata Punch has been launched at a starting price of Rs 6.12 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai), featuring several new additions and a more affordable sunroof variant, giving it fresh appeal to attract more customers. "Indias No.1 Selling SUV got its new vibe with the addition of new premium and first-in-segment features and offering more affordable sunroof option with new sunroof variants in adventure persona," Tata Motors said in a press release. The updated Tata Punch model lineup includes ten broad variants: Pure, Pure (O), Adventure, Adventure Rhythm, Adventure S, Adventure+ S, Accomplished+, Accomplished+ S, Creative+, and Creative+ S. With this update, the Punch receives several new features, including the segments first 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, rear AC vents, a wireless charger, a USB Type-C charging port in the center console, and a front-row armrest. While no other changes have been made to the micro SUV, features like auto climate control, power-folding wing mirrors, puddle lamps, a rear-seat center armrest, a cooled glovebox, LED DRLs, automatic headlamps with wipers, and projector headlamps have been carried over from the pre-facelift version. It continues to offer the IRA pack, which includes IRA-connected car technology. The standard safety kit for the micro SUV includes dual airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchors, central locking, brake sway control, and ABS with EBD. The 2024 Tata Punch retains the same powertrain as its pre-facelift model, featuring a 1.2L three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine. This engine produces 86bhp of power and 113Nm of torque. Buyers can choose between a 5-speed manual transmission or an AMT automatic gearbox. "Punch is the highest-selling car in the country in FY25 and is the most sought-after SUV in the country today along with being the fastest SUV to reach the 4 lakhs milestone in Aug24," the company said in a release. Anant Chaturdashi is one of the most significant festivals in Hindu culture, celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm across India. Falling Today, 17 September, i.e. the 14th day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada; Anant Chaturdashi marks the end of the ten-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival. This day is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped in his infinite form as Anant, symbolizing the endless, eternal nature of the universe. Significance of Anant Chaturdashi The word "Anant" means infinite, and "Chaturdashi" refers to the 14th day. Today, 17 September, Lord Vishnu is worshipped in his eternal and boundless form; symbolizing infinity and the endless cycles of time. According to Hindu mythology, Anant Chaturdashi is associated with the Ananta Vrata, a vow that devotees undertake to seek Lord Vishnus blessings for prosperity, protection, and good fortune. It is also the day when the immersion (Visarjan) of Lord Ganesha idols takes place after the conclusion of Ganesh Chaturthi. Families and communities bid an emotional farewell to Lord Ganesha, seeking his blessings and promising to welcome him back the next year. Auspicious Timings for Anant Chaturdashi and Ganesh Visarjan 2024 Performing Ganesh Visarjan during the auspicious Choghadiya Muhurat on Anant Chaturdashi is believed to bring good fortune and divine blessings. Here are the key timings according to Drik Panchang: Chaturdashi Tithi Begins: 03:10 PM on September 16, 2024 Chaturdashi Tithi Ends: 11:44 AM on September 17, 2024 Auspicious Choghadiya Muhurat for Ganesh Visarjan: Morning Muhurat (Chara, Labha, Amrita): 09:11 AM to 01:47 PM Afternoon Muhurat (Shubha): 03:19 PM to 04:51 PM Evening Muhurat (Labha): 07:51 PM to 09:19 PM Night Muhurat (Shubha, Amrita, Chara): 10:47 PM to 03:12 AM, September 18 Rituals and Traditions On Anant Chaturdashi, devotees observe various rituals dedicated to Lord Vishnu. A special puja is performed where a sacred thread, known as Anant Sutra, is tied on the wrist. This thread, often made of cotton or silk with 14 knots, represents the 14 years that Lord Vishnu promised his devotee to protect and provide prosperity. Men tie the thread on their right wrist, while women tie it on their left wrist, praying for wealth, health, and peace. Some of the key rituals observed during Anant Chaturdashi include: - Anant Puja: Devotees worship Lord Vishnu with offerings of fruits, sweets, flowers, and an elaborate meal known as bhog. Special prayers are offered, and the Anant Sutra is tied while chanting prayers seeking protection and eternal prosperity. - Ganesh Visarjan: The day is most prominently known for the grand Ganesh Visarjan processions, where devotees carry the idols of Lord Ganesha to rivers, lakes, or the sea for immersion. These processions are filled with music, dance, and chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya. Its a festive yet emotional moment as devotees bid farewell to Lord Ganesha, asking him to return next year with more blessings. - Fasting and Charity: Many devotees observe fasts on this day, consuming only fruits or a simple meal after performing the Anant Puja. Charity and donations to the poor are also considered highly auspicious acts, as they symbolize sharing and caring for the less fortunate. Mythological Story Behind Anant Chaturdashi The significance of Anant Chaturdashi is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. According to legend, a devout woman named Sushila was advised by Lord Vishnu to observe the Anant Vrata to bring prosperity to her family. She tied the Anant Sutra on her wrist and followed all rituals with devotion, which led to the prosperity and well-being of her family. However, her husband, Kaudinya, unaware of the significance of the ritual, removed the thread and faced various hardships. Realizing his mistake, he later sought Lord Vishnu's blessings and performed the Anant Vrata, bringing peace and prosperity back to his family. This story is a reminder of the power of faith, devotion, and the eternal presence of the divine. Anant Chaturdashi Celebrations Across India The celebrations of Anant Chaturdashi vary across regions but are especially grand in Maharashtra, Goa, and parts of Gujarat, where Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on a large scale. The grand immersion processions of Ganesh Visarjan are the highlight of the day, with communities gathering in large numbers to offer their final prayers to Lord Ganesha. In northern and southern India, the day is primarily focused on worshipping Lord Vishnu and observing the Anant Vrata. Devotees perform pujas in temples and at home, seeking divine blessings for a prosperous future. Anant Chaturdashi is a day that brings together devotion, celebration, and the values of faith and perseverance. Whether it is the vibrant processions of Ganesh Visarjan or the sacred observance of the Anant Vrata, the festival signifies the cyclical nature of life, the infinite blessings of the divine, and the importance of devotion. As families bid farewell to Lord Ganesha, they look forward to his return the next year, ensuring the spirit of togetherness and faith continues in their lives. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has asked for the resignation of Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal following her critical comments about senior party leader Atishi, who has been named as the next Chief Minister of Delhi. Senior AAP leader Dilip Pandey accused Ms. Maliwal of following the BJP's narrative, despite being nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the AAP. Dilip Pandey's Accusations Against Swati Maliwal Dilip Pandey, a senior figure in the AAP, sharply criticized Ms. Maliwal, claiming she had betrayed the party by aligning with the BJP's views. "Swati Maliwal accepted a Rajya Sabha ticket from the AAP but chooses to follow a BJP script. If she has any integrity left, she should resign from the Rajya Sabha and seek re-election on a BJP ticket," Pandey said. This public demand for resignation highlights the growing tensions between Maliwal and the AAP, which have been building since earlier controversies. Rift Between Swati Maliwal and AAP The current dispute between Maliwal and her party escalated after she alleged that Bibhav Kumar, an aide to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, had assaulted her at the CMs residence. This incident marked a turning point in the relationship between the MP and AAP leadership, leading to public friction. Maliwal's Criticism of Atishi's Appointment On the day the AAP officially named Atishi as Arvind Kejriwals successor for the Chief Minister's post, Maliwal voiced strong opposition. In a social media post, she described the development as a "sad day" for Delhi, bringing up a controversial accusation that Atishis family had defended convicted terrorist Afzal Guru. "Today is a tragic day for Delhi. A woman whose family fought to save Afzal Guru from being hanged is being made Chief Minister. Her parents sent mercy petitions to the President to prevent Afzal Gurus execution," Maliwal wrote. She went on to call Atishi a "dummy CM" and questioned her family's political stance, raising concerns about national security. Maliwals remarks further included accusations that Atishis parents believed Afzal Guru was wrongly convicted as part of a political conspiracy. "Though Atishi Marlena is merely a dummy CM, this issue touches upon the security of the nation. May God protect Delhi," Maliwal added, intensifying the political storm. MUMBAI: In yet another provocative statement, Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad has threatened to `bury any Congress dog' coming to his program. On Monday, the Buldhana legislator's announcement of a `reward' for anyone chopping off Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's tongue had set off a huge political row. Talking to reporters on the same day, Gaikwad is heard saying in a video that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde -- who heads the Shiv Sena -- will attend a program about the government's flagship `Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana' for women in his district. "If any Congress dog tries to enter my program, I will bury them then and there," Gaikwad is heard saying. The MLA had earlier announced a Rs 11 lakh reward to anyone who `chops off' Rahul Gandhi's tongue for his remarks on scrapping the reservation system. "I have made the statement. If I have not apologised, why should the CM do so?....Of 140 crore people in the country, 50 per cent of the population gets reservation. And I am firm on the statement I made about the person who spoke about removing reservation," Gaikwad said, when asked about the controversy. The police on Monday night registered a case against him over the remark about the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Gaikwad is no stranger to controversies. Last month, a video of a policeman washing his car went viral on social media. The MLA later claimed the policeman cleaned it on his own after vomiting inside. In February, Gaikwad had claimed to have hunted a tiger in 1987, and said he wore its tooth around his neck. The forest department then sent the tooth for forensic identification, and charged Gaikwad under the Wildlife Protection Act. KOLKATA: The Bengal chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Tuesday wrote to the West Bengal Medical Council urging it to cancel the registration of the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh. Following Ghosh's arrest by the CBI on September 2 in connection with the alleged financial irregularities at the RG Kar Hospital, the WBMC had on September 7 issued a show-cause notice to him asking him to reply within three days on why his medical registration had not been cancelled. There has been no response from Ghosh, who is now in CBI custody following his arrest in the rape-murder case, the sources said. On Tuesday, the IMA Bengal, in a letter to WBMC president Sudipto Roy, also a TMC MLA, asked him why Ghosh's medical registration was still not cancelled despite the provision for doing so in its constitution. The IMA also asked Roy, who is considered close to the former principal, "to keep your personal relationship with Dr Sandip Ghosh apart and cancel his medical registration immediately". The letter was written by the state president of the IMA Bengal unit Dilip Kumar and former national president Santanu Sen. Senior officials from the United States and India met on Monday in New Delhi for the eighth U.S.-India 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue, signaling continued progress in the Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership between the two countries. Leading the U.S. delegation were Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, and Jedidiah P. Royal, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs. Their Indian counterparts included Nagaraj Naidu, Joint Secretary for the Americas at the Ministry of External Affairs, and Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary for International Cooperation from the Ministry of Defense. The dialogue advanced key areas of collaboration, with discussions focusing on defense cooperation, space and civil aviation partnerships, clean energy initiatives, and industrial and logistical coordination. The officials reviewed critical developments across the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, including the situation in Ukraine and efforts to support a ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Gaza. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations, emphasizing the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties alongside governmental cooperation. Assistant Secretary Lu and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Royal underscored the U.S.s dedication to enhancing its partnership with India in line with mutual strategic interests. This Intersessional Dialogue also paved the way for the next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, where both nations will continue to explore ways to advance their shared priorities in global and regional security, technology, and economic growth. The U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue serves as a crucial platform for aligning the two countries' strategic goals and addressing global challenges collaboratively. The Supreme Court of India has strongly condemned the West Bengal government's directive preventing female doctors from working night shifts in state-run hospitals. This order was issued following the tragic rape and murder of a female doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The apex court, however, emphasized the need for enhanced security measures instead of restricting women from working night shifts. CJI: Women Require Security, Not Concessions Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, who presided over the hearing, expressed his disapproval of the state's notification. Speaking to the West Bengal government's counsel, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, he questioned the rationale behind restricting women from working night shifts. "How can you say women cannot work at night? Why limit women doctors? They don't want a concession; women are ready to work in the same shift," the CJI remarked. The Supreme Court highlighted that the issue could be resolved by providing adequate security for women, rather than curtailing their professional responsibilities. "It is your responsibility to provide security; you cannot restrict women from working at night. Pilots, army personnel, and others work during nighttime hours," the CJI added. Supreme Court Orders Amendment of Notification The court directed the West Bengal government to revise its order, making it clear that women should not be restricted based on the time of their shifts. The bench reiterated that women in various professions, including those in aviation and the military, work during the night, and limiting women doctors based on time alone is unjustified. The court emphasized that security is paramount, and it is the state's duty to ensure a safe working environment for all employees, including female medical professionals. Call to Remove Victim's Name from Wikipedia During the hearing, the Supreme Court also addressed the issue of privacy, specifically ordering Wikipedia to remove the name of the victim from its platform. This directive aims to safeguard the dignity of the deceased and ensure privacy in sensitive cases like this one. The Supreme Court of India began hearing the plea related to the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata on August 9, 2024. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra perused the CBI report and said disclosing the status would jeopardise further investigation. In a significant directive, the Supreme Court ordered Wikipedia to remove the name and photo of the victim from their platform to protect her identity. The court also addressed concerns about the CBI's handling of evidence, stating that there is no indication that the agency destroyed any evidence, including 27 minutes of CCTV footage. The court reviewed the status report submitted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding the progress of their investigation and CBI to also file status report on probe so far on alleged financial irregularities in medical departments. During the hearing, the West Bengal Police clarified that they have handed over all evidence, including CCTV footage, to the CBI and do not possess any information related to the crime. This statement comes amid concerns about potential evidence tampering. The Supreme Court also refused to stop streaming of live proceedings in the suo motu case related to the rape and murder of a postgraduate medic at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The top court said it was a matter of public interest and the public must know what is transpiring in the courtroom. As the hearing commenced, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, sought the stopping of live proceedings in the case. He alleged that women lawyers of chamber are facing threats of acid attack and rapes. The top court assured Sibal that it would step in if there were any threats to lawyers and others. The hearing is currently underway. The medic's body with severe injury marks was found 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. Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024 Live: Seven districts in Jammu and Kashmir, flanking the Pir Panjal mountain range, are poised to participate in an assembly election for the first time in a decade, with phase 1 polling scheduled for Wednesday in the union territory. More than 23 lakh voters will determine the outcomes for 219 candidates, including 90 independents, vying for 24 assembly seatseight across three districts of the Jammu region and 16 spanning four districts of the Kashmir valley. Marking the first assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir post the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, the Election Commission (EC) reports that 23,27,580 electors are registered to cast their votes in phase 1, including 11,76,462 males, 11,51,058 females, and 60 third-gender individuals. Security measures are in place, featuring layered protection from the Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF), Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police, and J-K Police. Constituencies entering the polls on Wednesday encompass Pampore, Tral, Pulwama, Rajpora, Zainapora, Shopian, DH Pora, Kulgam, Devsar, Dooru, Kokernag (ST), Anantnag West, Anantnag, Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Shangus-Anantnag East, Pahalgam, Inderwal, Kishtwar, Padder-Nagseni, Bhadarwah, Doda, Doda West, Ramban, and Banihal. The Supreme Court of India has temporarily halted bulldozer demolitions across the country until October 1, unless they involve public roads, water bodies, or railway lines. The court's decision reflects concerns over the widespread use of demolition as a punitive measure without proper legal oversight. The ruling was issued on Tuesday, and the court announced it would develop formal guidelines to regulate when and how properties can be demolished under municipal laws. Criticism of Bulldozer Justice Last week, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy, Sudhanshu Dhulia, and SVN Bhatti expressed strong disapproval of the increasing use of bulldozers in demolitions, particularly in cases where properties are destroyed without due legal process. The bench criticized what it referred to as "bulldozer justice," calling it a practice that is "inconceivable" in a nation governed by the rule of law. The justices emphasized that any state action, including demolitions, must be in accordance with the law and not used arbitrarily. Case in Gujarat Sparks Concern The Supreme Court's intervention was prompted by a case from Gujarat, where municipal authorities threatened to demolish a family's home after a member of the household was named in an FIR. The family, which has lived on the land in Kathlal, Kheda district for over two decades, sought the court's protection against what they viewed as an unfair and retaliatory action. The petitioners lawyer argued that the house in question was legally constructed, and the involvement of one family member in an alleged crime should not justify the demolition of their residence. The Supreme Court concurred, stating, "In a country where actions of the State are governed by the rule of law, the transgression by a family member cannot invite action against other members of the family or their legally constructed residence." Akhilesh Yadav's Reaction On Supreme Court's direction, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said, "Bulldozer can't be justice. It was unconstitutional, it was to scare people. Bulldozer was to deliberately suppress the voice of Opposition. I thank Supreme Court for this direction that has stopped bulldozer. CM, UP government and the people of BJP glorified the 'bulldozer' as if this is justice...Now, when the Supreme Court has given a direction, I think the bulldozer will stop and justice will come through court." National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah, during his campaign in Budgam, where he is contesting elections, said that the restoration of Article 370 is not impossible as it was not a decision made by God. He noted that the Supreme Court, which gave the verdict against the article, could tomorrow rule in their favor. The court has ruled in our favor three times before, and it can do so again. Nothing is impossible, he stated. Omar further explained, "Three previous decisions made by the Supreme Court were changed by a five-judge bench, and in the future, a seven-judge bench could also reverse the decision." He was responding to Home Minister Amit Shah, who recently said that Article 370 is now history and will never be part of India's Constitution again. Targeting Shah, Abdullah added that the Home Minister should focus on the current situation and the rise of terrorism in Jammu, saying, "The Centre has been directly ruling Jammu & Kashmir for the last ten years. So, who is responsible for the situation in Jammu now?" Earlier, Farooq Abdullah stated, "We will fight for the restoration of Article 370 and will again approach the Supreme Court." He added that the National Conference remains committed and will continue its fight for the restoration of Article 370. New Delhi: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday extended his warm wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 74th birthday. "Warm birthday wishes to the visionary leader & great son of Maa Bharati, Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji." he wrote on Social media platform X. He further said "Your vision for a stronger, prosperous India resonates in every heart. May your dynamic leadership & unwavering dedication continue to transform India and inspire generations!" Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde also extended birthday greetings to PM Modi, "My birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I wish him good health and long life," Shinde said. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India is moving towards becoming an economic superpower, I wish him the strength to fulfill his resolve of a developed India by 2047. Maharashtra is also making every possible effort to fulfill Prime Minister Modi's resolve of making the country a 5 trillion economy. I want to say that the 21st century is India's century because the captain of the country is Prime Minister Modi. I wish him a very happy birthday," Shinde added. Famous sand sculptor Sudarsan Pattnaik also extended birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "May Mahaprabhu's blessings be with you always and your dreams of a Viksit Bharat be realized. Happy birthday, Hon Prime Minister @narendramodi ji," he wrote on X On this occasion, he also dedicated a sand art to PM Modi. "Please accept my good wishes through this sand art installation in New Delhi. Jai Jagannath!" he added. On his 74th birthday, Narendra Modi on Tuesday will inaugurate 26 lakh PM Awas houses at Gadakana in Bhubaneswar. According to Police Commissioner Bhubaneswar Sanjeev Panda, after arriving at Bhubaneswar airport, PM Modi will proceed to the Gadakana slum area near Sainik School of Bhubaneswar. During his stay in the slum, PM Modi is scheduled to interact with the PM Awas beneficiaries. The PM will leave the slum and later go to the Janata Maidan, where he will launch the Subhadra Yojana. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the United States from September 21 to 23, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday. His trip will include key meetings, addressing the Indian diaspora, and participation in the Quad summit as well as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Heres a breakdown of his itinerary. September 21: Quad Leaders Summit The central highlight of PM Modis visit will be his participation in the Quad leaders' summit on September 21, taking place in Wilmington, Delaware. This summit will be hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden, marking the first time Biden has hosted foreign leaders in his hometown as president. The significance of this gathering is amplified as it is likely to be one of Bidens last major international engagements before the U.S. elects a new president, with India set to host the next Quad summit in 2025. The summit will bring together the heads of the four key Quad nations: Japan, Australia, India, and the United States. The discussions will focus on reviewing the progress made over the past year and shaping the agenda to support the development goals of Indo-Pacific countries. The Quad's influence in the region and its role in promoting stability and cooperation will be key topics of conversation. September 22: Modi & US Progress Together Event in New York On September 22, PM Modi will travel to New York to address a major gathering of the Indian diaspora at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The event, titled "Modi & US Progress Together," has garnered significant interest, with over 24,000 members of the Indian community expected to attend. The event aims to celebrate the growing ties between India and the U.S., focusing on the collaborative progress made in various sectors. During his time in New York, PM Modi will also meet with CEOs from leading U.S. companies. These discussions will emphasize fostering deeper collaboration in key areas like artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, semiconductors, and biotechnology. This interaction aligns with India's push toward technological advancement and innovation, further strengthening India-U.S. economic partnerships. September 23: Summit of the Future at UNGA On September 23, Prime Minister Modi will deliver an address at the "Summit of the Future" during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The theme for this year's summit is "Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow," reflecting a focus on global cooperation to address future challenges. World leaders from across the globe are expected to attend the summit, making it a significant diplomatic event. On the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with several global leaders to discuss various issues of mutual interest, further enhancing India's position on the international stage. After West Bengal Chief Ministers fifth and final invitation to the agitating doctors to solve the impasse over RG Kar issue on Monday, doctors ultimately held talks with the TMC leader at her Kalighat residence. Following the meeting, West Bengal CM agreed to three of five demands of the protesters. We have accepted almost all demands of the doctors. Keeping in mind the plight of the common people, we did the best we could. I now appeal to the doctors to return to work, Banerjee said. What Are The 3 Demands Mamata Has Agreed Upon The government has dismissed two senior officials from the health department and the Kolkata Police Commissioner. Apart from this, the police chief of the city's north zone, which includes RG Kar Medical Collegethe site of the recent rape and murder of a trainee doctorwill also be relieved of duty, he allegedly offered money to the victims parents. The signed minutes of the meeting confirm the approval of a 100 crore fund for infrastructure development in hospitals. Additionally, the rebuilding of patient welfare committees will be made more inclusive, incorporating a wider range of stakeholders. Doctors To Continue Protest While the deadlock has been resolved, protests and the ceasework are likely to persist until formal orders are issued in the morning. A protesting doctor, Debasish Halder said, We will decide on what our next step would be after the hearing at the Apex court and after we confirm the government issuing those transfer orders it has promised. The state government is anticipated to announce new police commissioner after 4 pm on Tuesday after a scheduled Supreme court hearing. China and Russia are increasingly concerned about the growing India-US relationship due to its emphasis on inclusivity, peace, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, news agency PTI quoted a senior US diplomat as saying Monday. Richard Verma, the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, shared these insights during a discussion at the Hudson Institute. Frankly, why do you think China and Russia are so concerned about this partnership? Because we bring a way of life to the rest of the world that is about inclusivity, about peace, about the peaceful resolution of disputes, about the rule of law, and its about hearing everyones voice in a society, PTI quoted Verma as saying in response to a question. Verma highlighted that the India-US relationship is distinct from the actions of some of the US's adversaries. This unique dynamic is why President Joe Biden has referred to the India-US bond as the "defining relationship of this century." Reflecting on past remarks, Verma recalled that nearly 20 years ago, then-Senator Biden, along with Tony Blinken, had noted that if the US and India were close partners by 2020, it would make the world safer. Not just because we have two big militaries, not just because we have two big economies, but because we actually stand for something that matters to people in their daily lives across the world, Verma said. On the topic of the QUAD, Verma emphasized its role in promoting peace, security, and stability. He pointed out that the QUADs initiatives, such as advancements in technology and cybersecurity, aim to serve the greater good rather than focusing on military aspects. This is about like-minded countries coming together in a different form, bringing in the most populous country in the Indo-Pacific to chart new territory, Verma added. Looking ahead, US President Joe Biden will host the fourth in-person QUAD leaders summit at his Delaware residence next week, a notable part of his foreign policy legacy. India, initially set to host this years summit, will now do so next year. The spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal on Tuesday said that as a part of continuing efforts under Operation Sadbhav, the Navy and Air Force have dispatched a second tranche of aid to Myanmar. Myanmar, which is hit by Typhoon Yagi, will get 32 tons of relief material and 10 tons of ration, Jaiswal said. In a post on X, Jaiswal said, "Operation Sadbhav continues: India dispatches a second tranche of aid to Myanmar. @IAF_mcc aircraft is carrying 32 tons of relief material including genset, hygiene kits, temporary shelter, water purification supplies and medicines for the people of Myanmar. Indian Navy @indiannavy is bringing additional 10 tons of ration for Myanmar." Earlier on Sunday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that as a part of Operation Sadbhav, the government has dispatched humanitarian aid to Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos. The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday deployed its C-17 Globemaster aircraft to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in Vietnam (Hanoi) following the severe flooding caused by Typhoon Yagi. Loading and coordination was carried out by C-17 team at Hindan Air Force Station. 35 tons of aid comprising of water purification items, water containers, blankets, kitchen utensils, solar lanterns for Vietnam. In a post on X, External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar said, "India launches Operation Sadbhav. Demonstrating our solidarity with the people affected by Typhoon Yagi, India is dispatching aid to Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos. 10 tons of aid including dry ration, clothing and medicines left for Myanmar onboard Indian Navy INS Satpura today. @IAF_MCC is carrying 35 tons of aid comprising of water purification items, water containers, blankets, kitchen utensils, solar lanterns for Vietnam. 10 tons of aid comprising genset, water purification items, hygiene supplies, mosquito nets, blankets and sleeping bags for Laos." Meanwhile, at least 236 people have been confirmed dead after Typhoon Yagi caused severe flooding in several regions of Myanmar. Some 77 people remain missing, reported Al-Jazeera citing state-run Global New Light of Myanmar. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicated the toll could be even higher. Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal's voluntary 48-hour deadline to resign ends today. He is set to meet the Lieutenant Governor at 4:30 pm, though his successor remains uncertain. On Monday evening, AAP's 12-member Political Affairs Committee, the party's top decision-making body, gathered at Kejriwal's residence to deliberate on who will take over. A day after bail by the Supreme Court, Kejriwal on Sunday announced that he would resign from the Delhi CMs post and attempt to clear his name through public opinion. During an address to AAP workers outside the partys office, Kejriwal said, I am going to resign after two days and ask people whether I am honest. Till they respond, I won't sit on CM's chair. The leading candidate on the list is AAP's top minister Atishi, with Saurabh Bhardwaj, Raghav Chadha, Kailash Gahlot, and Sanjay Singh also under consideration. Despite a series of meetings held on Sunday and Monday, the identity of his successor remains unknown. In one-on-one meetings, Kejriwal sought feedback from members of the political affairs committee on who should succeed him. Demanding for early polls in the capital city, AAP convener said, "Delhi elections are due in February but I demand that the elections in the national capital be held in November along with Maharashtra... I will only sit on CM's chair after people give me a certificate of honesty. Want to give 'agnipariksha' (trial by fire) after coming out of jail. Arvind Kejriwal's former Deputy, Manish Sisodia, has made a similar commitment, effectively removing both from consideration. Sisodia, who was arrested in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case, spent 18 months in jail before receiving bail. Despite Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's election, his legal troubles remain unresolved. The Supreme Court has imposed restrictions on him, prohibiting access to his office and the Delhi Secretariat, and barring him from signing files without the consent of Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. This effectively limits his ability to function as Chief Minister. Kejriwal's recent announcement of a potential resignation has been met with criticism from the BJP, questioning why he has not resigned immediately. Delhi Congress, despite being a part of the INDIA bloc alliance, dismissed the move as a political stunt. Delhi Congress chief Devendra Yadav criticized Kejriwal for not resigning during the city's recent crises, such as floods and water shortages. Mumbai: Filmmaker Hansal Mehta, who is receiving a lot of positive response to his recently released theatrical film The Buckingham Murders, has shared why he chose Kareena Kapoor Khan to essay the lead in the film. The director told IANS that Kareena has the perfect balance of acting prowess and star power but the actor in her is often overshadowed by her star power, and its solely because of the audiences perception. He told IANS, Kareena is a star with tremendous enduring appeal. I have always looked beyond that and seen her as a fine actor whose acting prowess has been overshadowed by her glamour. I wanted to subvert that glamour and explore Kareena the actor and I was thrilled when she agreed to do the film. What a fine actor she is. And a terrific collaborator on set. The film sees Kareena essaying the role of a tough cop who is on a hot pursuit of a murder of a kid in a neighbourhood while she battles her personal demons. The film also stars celebrity chef Ranveer Brar, who plays the role of the murdered childs father, Ash Tandon, Ranveer Brar, and Keith Allen. 'Faraz', 'Scam' and now The Buckingham Murders, he seems to be enjoying working in thrillers, of late. While he has acclaimed dramas like 'Shahid', 'Aligarh', 'Scoop', what is it about thrillers that appeals to the storyteller in him? Hansal said, I made a film called Chhal, released in 2002. In my opinion it was a very slick and cool thriller that did not get its due then. Maybe subconsciously I keep wanting to make that genre. But I do not see films as thrillers alone - I do films for the story and its characters. The world I can explore, the people I can discover and how these truths can be unfurled through a mysterious tale. The film also marks a new journey for Kareena as a producer after successfully completing 25 years in the industry. This is Kareenas 5th collaboration with Ektaa R. Kapoor after Veere Di Wedding, Crew, Jaane Jaan and Udta Punjab. Presented by Balaji Telefilms, the film is produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Mahana Films and TBM Films. The US State Department has approved a potential military sale to Taiwan valued at approximately USD 228 million amid heightened tensions with China, reported Focus Taiwan. According to US Department of Defence's Defence Security Cooperation Agency, the sale involves the return, repair, and reshipment of spare parts and related equipment. This includes both classified and unclassified components for aircraft, as well as associated engineering, technical, and logistics support services. The US Congress has been notified of the sale and is expected to grant its approval. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its appreciation for the US's continued support of Taiwan's security under the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence also highlighted the strategic importance of this sale, noting that ongoing grey zone tactics by China have impacted Taiwan's training and operational readiness. The ministry further highlighted that this aviation-related equipment would enhance the combat readiness and safety of Taiwan's Air Force. According to CNA, this marks the 16th military sale to Taiwan authorised by the Biden administration, underscoring sustained US support. Over the past five years, US-Taiwan relations have grown significantly, particularly in terms of military cooperation and economic ties, as tensions with China continue to escalate. Under President Joe Biden, the US has intensified its support for Taiwan through increased arms sales and military exchanges. In 2021, the US approved a significant arms deal with Taiwan that included F-16 fighter jets and anti-ship missiles, further demonstrating a firm commitment to Taiwan's defence. Recently, Taiwan's defence ministry announced that the delivery of F-16V fighter jets, which were purchased from the US, is now expected to begin in 2026, following the resolution of production and delivery issues, reported Focus Taiwan. Additionally, the US has advocated for Taiwan's inclusion in various international organizations and forums, from which it has historically been excluded due to China's objections. For example, in 2021, the US supported Taiwan's bids to join the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). High-level meetings between US and Taiwanese officials have also deepened bilateral economic and technological collaboration, particularly in the semiconductor industry, where Taiwan plays a key role. Despite the strengthening partnership, the US maintains its "One China" policy, officially acknowledging Beijing's claims over Taiwan while maintaining unofficial relations with Taipei. China has strongly condemned US actions, ramping up military activities around Taiwan in response to what it views as provocations. On 16 September police in Brazils Sao Paulo state opened an investigation into the actions of, a candidate running for the mayorship of Sao Paulo city next month who threw a chair at a rival candidate during a live TV debate the previous evening. End of preview - This article contains approximately 403 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 16 September, Chiles economy ministry presented a 32-point plan aimed at revitalising the Biobio regions industry as local steelmaker Huachipato winds down its operations. End of preview - This article contains approximately 355 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 16 September a large crowd turned out for the burial of the Honduran environmental activist and local councillor, who was shot dead by hitmen while driving home from church on 14 September in the municipality of Tocoa in the Caribbean department of Colon. End of preview - This article contains approximately 358 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Climate change pressures have led some companies to try growing cocoa in new environments to produce chocolate. Some of the companies have set up growing operations in laboratories to produce cocoa from cell cultures. Others are experimenting with non-cocoa substances in an effort to create chocolate alternatives. Higher temperatures worldwide have made it harder to grow cocoa beans in traditional rainforest environments. But worldwide demand remains high for chocolate. So, scientists and businesses are looking to create new products to meet that demand. California Cultured is a plant cell culture company based in West Sacramento, California. It is growing cocoa from cell cultures inside a lab and plans to start selling its products next year. The process involves putting cocoa bean cells in a container with sugar water. This helps them quickly reproduce and mature. Alan Perlstein, chief executive of California Cultured, spoke to the Associated Press. He said his companys process can produce a harvest in just one week. This compares to six to eight weeks for a traditional harvest. He said the method also uses a lot less water and labor than harvesting cocoa beans in a field. Perlstein said he sees the demand for chocolate continuing to increase, while the supply decreases. Using alternative processing methods might be the only way to increase the supply of cocoa without causing environmental harm or greatly increasing costs, he said. Cocoa trees grow about 20 degrees north and south of the equator in areas with warm weather and a lot of rain. But scientists fear further climate change will dry out the land in such areas. The worldwide market for chocolate is huge. The chocolate market for candy worldwide reached $238.5 billion in 2023, research website Statista reports. Sales in the United States alone reached more than $25 billion in 2023, the National Confectioners Association said. The trade organization represents the candy industry. The price of cocoa increased earlier this year because of rising demand and West African crop losses from plant disease and weather changes. West Africa produces most of the worlds cocoa. Carla D. Martin is executive director of the U.S.-based Fine Cacao and Chocolate Institute. She told the AP that drops in the world cocoa supply have led some companies to look for ways to replace the ingredient that produces the taste of chocolate. Planet A Foods is once such company in Planegg, Germany. It believes the taste of mass market chocolate is created not only by the bean itself, but also how it is fermented and cooked. The company has tested out many ingredients, from olives to seaweed, to find a possible substitute. It is currently using a mix of oats and sunflower seeds as the best tasting chocolate alternative, said company spokesperson Jessica Karch. Planet A Foods calls the product ChoViva, which can be used in place of other ingredients in baked goods. The idea is not to replace the high quality, 80 percent dark chocolate, but really to have a lot of different products in the mass market, Karch told the AP. Similar efforts can be found in Israel. One company there, Celleste Bio, is taking cocoa bean cells and growing them indoors to produce cocoa powder and cocoa butter. The companys co-founder, Hanne Volpin, said that within a few years the company aims to be able to produce cocoa no matter what the situation is with climate change and disease. Volpin added, We only have a small field, but eventually, we will have a farm of bioreactors. Im Bryan Lynn. The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. _____________________________________ Words in This Story culture n. the process of growing things, especially bacteria, for scientific purposes alternative n. one of two or more things you can choose between mature v. completely grow or develop ingredient n. one of the different foods used to make other foods ferment v. when a substance is stored and the sugar in it changes into alcohol because of a chemical process Joe Jones, president of the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association, center, addresses negotiators for the city during contract negotiations at the Municipal Plaza building on June 24, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Firefighters union members overwhelmingly approved a new labor contract with the city that will come with double-digit raises the first time in more than a decade that the citys firefighters and paramedics have had a say in their working conditions. More than 97% of the 1,363 San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association members who voted on the proposed contract favored it, according to the ballot results the association released Monday. Just 35 members voted against it. The union counts 1,795 members. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its members last voted on a labor contract in 2009. When that contract expired in 2014, union leaders and city negotiators became locked in a yearslong stalemate that resulted in a new contract hammered out in 2020 through binding arbitration, meaning the union had to accept the terms which offered less generous salary increases than members had wanted. That contract expires Dec. 31. READ MORE: How San Antonio will cut city costs to pay for firefighter raises This time around, a new contract was hashed out at the bargaining table in six months, with both sides reaching a tentative agreement Aug. 23 that resulted in a 20% salary increase over three years. The union had initially sought a 34% wage increase over that same period. Its kind of a hallmark of unionism to vote for your wages and benefits and your working conditions, and weve been denied that for 15 years, association President Joe Jones told reporters after both sides had signed the tentative contract. I really cant overstate how important it was to sit in the room and negotiate a new contract. That three-year contract wont take effect until the City Council approves it a vote that will take place Thursday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Starting Oct. 1, firefighters and paramedics will receive a 7% increase to their base pay. Additionally, the city will move $2,400 from current certification pays to base salary. This autumn, students in the Finnish town of Riihimaki headed back to school with backpacks full of books. This marks a change from recent years. For the past 10 years, the Finnish government pushed laptops and other electronic devices in the classroom. Finland's public education system is known for its good results and its readiness to try new teaching methods. Until recently, many schools gave laptops for free to all students from as early as age 11. But Finnish parents and teachers have become increasingly concerned over the effect of screens on children. Riihimaki is a town of about 30,000 people. It sits 70 kilometers north of the capital, Helsinki. In 2018, the towns middle schools stopped using most books. But this school year, schools in Riihimaki are going back to pen and paper. "Young people are using phones and digital devices so much these days that we don't want school to be one of the places where children are only staring at screens," said Maija Kaunonen, an English teacher at Pohjolanrinne middle school. The distractions that come with the use of digital devices make many children restless and unable to give their full attention to learning, Kaunonen said. She added, "Most students just did the exercises as quick as they could so they could then move on to using social media. "And it took them no time at all to change tabs in the browser. So when the teacher came round to them, they could say: 'Yes, I was doing this exercise'." Across Finland, children's learning results have been slowly getting worse in recent years. In answer, the government plans new laws to ban the use of personal devices, such as phones, during school hours to cut back on screen time. Improved concentration One of Kaunonen's students is 14-year-old Elle Sokka. She said she did not always pay attention to the school subjects when learning digitally. Instead, she moved to another web page. Eighth-graders Miko Mantila and Inka Warro, both 14, said their concentration has improved since books returned to the classrooms. "Reading, for one, is much easier and I can read much faster from books," Mantila said. "And if you have to do homework late at night, it's easier to go to sleep when you haven't just been looking at a device," Warro added. Minna Peltopuro is a psychologist working with the town on the change. She said the total screen time should be cut because Finnish teenagers currently stare at a screen for up to six hours each day on average. She added that too much use of electronic devices comes with both physical and mental risks, such as eye problems and growing anxiety. Peltopuro added that the brain is at risk when trying to do more than one thing at a time. "Especially at a young age, one cannot manage it well," she said. Im Jill Robbins. Elviira Luoma and Anne Kauranen reported this story for Reuters. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. Quiz - Finnish Students Go Back to School With Books, Not Screens Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ______________________________________________ Words in This Story laptop n. a small portable computer digital adj. using or characterized by computer technology stare v. to look at something for a long period of time tab n. a clickable area within a web browser window that represents a separate web page or resource distraction n. something that makes it difficult to think or pay attention concentration n. the ability to give your attention or thought to a single object or activity; the ability to concentrate psychologist n. a scientist who specializes in the study and treatment of the mind and behavior; a specialist in psychology anxiety n. fear or nervousness about what might happen What do you think of this story? Write to us in the Comments Section. Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton have been married for 10 years. During their married life they had three children: Prince George is the eldest child of the family. The boy is 8 years old. The only daughter is Princess Charlotte, the girl is 6. The youngest is Prince Louis, he is 3. Today the FoodOboz editorial staff will tell you what the royal children like to eat. ADVERTISIMENT Prince George Aldo, a 64-year-old Italian who now lives in Surrey and is an ambassador for youth charity Centrepoint, told how he has met 38-year-old Prince William, who is a patron of the organization, on several occasions and the latter told him that his son loves classic spaghetti carbonara . "I'm waiting for the call because apparently his little boy loves spaghetti carbonara, so I'm waiting for the call to go and cook it for him," Aldo told the Daily Mil. Princess Charlotte Princess Charlotte is the only daughter of Kate Middleton and Prince William. She loves olives. One day her mom Catherine, while visiting a school in London during Children's Mental Health Week, told the public that her daughter loves to eat olives. It's not a full meal of course, but many were curious to know about the princess' taste preferences. ADVERTISIMENT Prince Louis Prince Louis is the youngest son of the royal family, who is 3 years old. At his rather early age, he is very fond of eating beets. The vegetable for the baby is simply boiled and sliced. 09:01 The Union Minister said he sees a more sinister attempt to form a divisive narrative in the comments of the LoP. "I have worn a turban 62 years of my life. I've worn a kada even longer. I think most children in our families when they're born, the first occasion, you know, they put a kada around. But, I think the more disturbing trend is, you know, to say that this is a statement which was made out of ignorance, he doesn't know what he's talking about. I think that's wrong. I think there is a more systematic sinister, and I'm using this word carefully, attempt to foment a divisive narrative, to create a sense of insecurity and freedom. Now, my brothers and sisters who came to the United States to work here many years ago. Some of them have active contacts with their home country. Some of them just go through social media or whatever they read. Now, if you foment a narrative like this that Sikhs are finding it difficult or insecure to wear turban, some of them may actually believe it, which is not the case," Hardeep Puri said. The Minister said that it was during the Congress regime in 1984 that one of worst anti-Sikh riots had taken place and Sikhs were targeted for wearing a turban. "If there has been any time in the history of our post independence existence, when there was an existential threat to the Sikhs or the felt one, I've experienced it myself, it was during 1984, I don't know, use the word riots because it was a one sided pogrom against, you know, innocent people, 3000 of whom were killed in cold blood in India. And if you look at what happened before that in the 80s in the run up to the Asian Games, Sikhs used to be taken out of buses, etc. and because you're a turban Sikh, you go on the side," he said. Hardeep Puri said that it was Prime Minister Modi who had done many things for the Sikhs including the opening of the Kartarpur corridor, while the LoP had even reffered to Sikhs being second class citizens in the country. "I'm proud to be a government minister. Before that, I was a civil servant. I was a diplomat for 39 years, but I was a diplomat not because any government appointed me. I appeared in a UPSC examination and qualified and under different governments. Now, I think it's a matter of great pride for somebody like me to say that the Sikhs have never had it so good, all the grievances which were there have actually been addressed by the honorable Prime Minister, whether it is removing names of Sikhs from the blacklist, whether it is addressing the issue of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor or, you know, celebrating the Sahibzada's contribution in terms of Vir Bal Divas, etc. All that is there. What I'm surprised about is that there seems to be a pattern in this. And last year this honourable Leader of Opposition came here and he said Sikhs were second class citizens," he said. The minister said that by making those remarks Rahul Gandhi was trying to spread insecurities amongst the Sikh community at a time of elections in the US. "Whilst he's attacking an ideology, he's trying to, you know, build a narrative by turning around and saying you cannot practice your religion. Has anybody in India told him that? Now the people who are supporting up, no, no, there are some grievances. Every community has grievances. Let me assure you the majority community also has grievances that they are made to sometimes feel like a minority community in their own country. There are other minority communities. But the beauty of a democracy, and by the way, we have 960 million registered voters and something like 680 million actually turned out to vote. That is a celebration of democracy. There are differences of opinion in the United States. But, if somebody who should know better, comes out here and at a time when there's an election going on, makes it a point to go to places to place to fret insecurity. In our country, we say that that they are spreading lies and rumours," Puri said. At a recent interaction in the US, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, had claimed that the fight is about whether a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear a turban in India and would be able to visit a Gurdwara. "First of all, you have to understand what the fight is about. Fight is not about politics. It is superficial. What is your name? The fight is about whether he, as a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear his turban in India. Or he as a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear a kada in India. Or a Sikh is going to be able to go to Gurdwara. That's what the fight is about and not just for him, for all religions." Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri who is in Washington DC for discussions with United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm on Monday (local time) hit out at Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The Jordanian army has launched a full-scale attack on Palestinian guerrillas in towns all over Jordan following weeks of sporadic fighting between the two sides. King Husseins generals ordered tanks into the capital Amman at dawn using artillery and rockets against mortar fire. The strategic town of Zerka, that controls supply routes to the north of the country, was also the scene of heavy fighting. There have been claims and counterclaims of victory. Amman Radio said the Jordanian army controlled three-quarters of the capital while Palestinian sources said they controlled the whole city, where Palestinians make up 70% of the population. Amman airport and the countrys borders are closed, and telecommunications lines are down. King Husseins troops are reported to have stormed the headquarters of the Palestine Liberation Organisation. But the whereabouts of PLO leader Yasser Arafat are as yet unknown, although he is believed to be in Syria which has supported the Palestinian cause. Following the 1967 war with Israel, Jordan lost the West Bank of the Jordan River. Thousands of Palestinians fled into Jordan, swelling the refugee population to two million. From their new base, the PLO launched military operations against Israel and drew bloody reprisals that killed and injured Jordanians. The recent multiple hijacking of western airliners forced to land in Jordan by Palestinian militants has made the king even more determined to crack down on the guerrillas. King Hussein condemned the hijackers as the shame of the Arab world in an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro earlier this week. He also warned that if the PLO guerrillas did not respect recent ceasefire agreements they would suffer the consequences. He added: Every day Jordan sinks a little more. There must be peace or war. Yesterday he formed a new government of military hardliners led by Brigadier Mohammed Daoud in a move described by Mr Arafat as a fascist military coup. For their part, Palestinians are angered by King Husseins recent involvement in Middle East peace moves with Israel initiated by the United States. Courtesy BBC News In context During what became known as Black September, Yasser Arafat ordered the overthrow of King Husseins Fascist government. Syria, Iraq and Israel quickly became involved and Syrian troops invaded Jordan. The US 6th Fleet moved into the Mediterranean, the Soviet Union began leaning heavily on its ally Syria to pull out and the PLO guerrillas were gradually driven out of the suburbs of Amman. Yasser Arafat agreed to a ceasefire on 25 September. Under the terms of the agreement signed two days later in Cairo his troops were to withdraw from Jordanian towns and cities and recognise the kings authority. Fighting continued into 1971 when King Hussein drove out the Palestinians from their remaining bases and expelled them from the country. The Palestinian extremist group Black September was named after the month in which the Palestinians were driven out of Jordan. The competition started in second grade for DJ Wangs son. Eight-year-old William was enrolled at a top elementary school in Wuhan, a provincial capital in central China. While kindergarten and first grade were relatively carefree, the homework assignments started piling up in second grade. By third grade, his son was regularly finishing his day around midnight. You went from traveling lightly to carrying a very heavy burden, Wang said. That sudden switch, it was very hard to bear. Wang, who traveled often to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand for his job in tourism, decided to make a switch, moving his family to the city that sits at the base of mountains. The family is among a wave of Chinese flocking to Thailand for its quality international schools and more relaxed lifestyle. While there are no records tracking how many are moving abroad for education, they join other Chinese expats leaving the country, from wealthy entrepreneurs moving to Japan to protect their wealth, to activists unhappy with the political system, to young people who want to opt out of Chinas ultra-competitive work culture, at least for a while. Jenson Zhang, who runs an education consultancy, Vision Education, for Chinese parents looking to move to Southeast Asia, said many middle-class families choose Thailand because schools are cheaper than private schools in cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Southeast Asia, its within reach, the visa is convenient and the overall environment, as well as peoples attitude towards Chinese people, it allows Chinese parents to feel more secure, Zhang said. A 2023 survey by private education company New Oriental found Chinese families also increasingly considering Singapore and Japan for their childrens overseas study. But tuition and the cost of living are much higher than in Thailand. Within Thailand, the slow-paced city of Chiang Mai often ends up being the top choice. Other options include Pattaya and Phuket, both popular beach resorts, and Bangkok, though the capital is usually more expensive. A trend gathering pace The trend has been ongoing for about a decade, but in recent years its gathered pace. Lanna International School, one of Chiang Mais more selective schools, saw a peak of interest in the 2022-2023 academic year, with inquiries doubling from a year earlier. Parents were really in a rush, they wanted to quickly change to a new school environment because of pandemic restrictions, said Grace Hu, an admissions officer at Lanna International, whose position helping Chinese parents through the process was created in 2022. Du Xuan of Vision Education says parents coming to Chiang Mai fall into two types: Those who planned in advance what education they want for their kids, and those who experienced difficulties with the competitive Chinese education system. The majority are from the second group, she said. In Chinese society, many value education to the point where one parent may give up their job and rent an apartment near their childs school to cook and clean for them, and ensure their life runs smoothly. Known as peidu, or accompanied studying, the goal is academic excellence, often at the expense of the parents own life. That concept has become twisted by the sheer pressure it takes to keep up. Chinese society has come up with popular buzzwords to describe this hyper-competitive environment, from neijuan which roughly translated means the rat race that leads to burnout or tang ping, rejecting it all to drop out, or lie flat. The terms reflect what success looks like in modern China, from the hours of cramming required for students to succeed on their exams to the money parents spend hiring tutors to give their kids an extra edge in school. The driving force behind it all is numbers. In a country of 1.4 billion people, success is viewed as graduation from a good college. With a limited number of seats, class rank and test scores matter, especially on the college entrance exams known as the gaokao. If you have something, it means someone else cant have that, said Vision Educations Du, whose own daughters attend school in Chiang Mai. We have a saying about the gaokao: One point will topple 10,000 people. The competition is that intense. Wang said his son William was praised by his second-grade teacher in Wuhan as gifted, but to stand out in a class of 50 kids and continue to get that level of attention would mean giving money and gifts to the teacher, which other parents were already doing before he was even aware of the need. Back in Wuhan, parents are expected to know the material covered in extracurricular tutoring classes, as well as what is being taught in school, and ensure their child has mastered it all, Wang said. Its often a full-time job. Time for hobbies In Chiang Mai, freed from Chinas emphasis on rote memorization and hours of homework, students have time to develop hobbies. Jiang Wenhui moved from Shanghai to Chiang Mai last summer. In China, she said, she had accepted that her son, Rodney, would get average grades because of his mild attention deficit disorder. But she could not help thinking twice about her decision to move given how competitive every other family was. In that environment, youll still feel anxious, she said. Should I give it another go? In China, her energy was devoted toward helping Rodney keep up in school, shuttling him to tutoring and keeping him on top of his coursework, pushing him along every step of the way. In Thailand, Rodney, whos about to start 8th grade, has taken up acoustic guitar and piano, and carries around a notebook to learn new English vocabulary all of it his own choice, Jiang said. Hed ask me to add an hour of English tutoring. I thought his schedule was too full, and he told me, I want to try and see if its OK. He has time to pursue hobbies and hasnt needed to see a doctor for his attention deficit disorder. After bonding with one of his teachers about snakes, he is raising a pet ball python called Banana. Wang says his son William, who is now 14 and about to enter high school, finishes his homework well before midnight and has developed outside interests. Wang, too, has changed his perspective on education. Here, if he gets a bad grade, I dont think much of it, you just work on it, he said. Is it the case that if he gets a bad grade, that he will be unable to become a successful adult? Now, I dont think so. HUIZHONG WU, CHIANG MAI, MDT/AP Monetary authorities in Macau and Hong Kong have announced a bond linkage that will allow investors from both regions to trade bonds seamlessly.This significant development was revealed in a joint statement from the Monetary Authority of Macau (AMCM) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) yesterday. The new bond linkage directly connects the Central Moneymarkets Unit (CMU) of Hong Kong with the central securities depository (CSD) managed by the Macao Central Securities Depository and Clearing (MCSD), a subsidiary of the AMCM. This initiative allows investors in both markets to clear, settle, and hold bonds in each others jurisdictions, marking a notable advancement in financial cooperation between the two territories. The timing of this announcement is particularly relevant as Macau actively seeks to diversify its economy. Authorities in Macau view bond trading as a vital component of their new financial ecosystem. Benjamin Chan, chairman of the AMCM, noted that this bond linkage could serve as an additional financing channel to support major national strategic initiatives, including those related to the Greater Bay Area (GBA). He further highlighted Macaus historical ties with Portuguese-speaking countries, suggesting that this new infrastructure will enhance its role as a gateway between China and these nations. It will also strengthen Macaus function as the financial services platform serving China and Portuguese-speaking countries, achieving mutual market access among the financial markets and infrastructures in the GBA, he said. Eddie Yue, chief executive of the HKMA, emphasized the importance of this linkage as a significant milestone that could enhance collaboration within the GBA. He stated that in recent years, the HKMA has been working to establish connections with various neighboring financial markets to bolster regional cooperation and create more opportunities for diverse financial services, particularly in renminbi business. This also provides domestic and overseas investors with a greater variety of investment products, further strengthening Hong Kongs competitiveness as an international financial center, Yue added. Specific details regarding the operational aspects of the bond linkage are still pending. The and AMCM and HKMA have indicated that further information will be released in due course, including an official launch date that will outline detailed arrangements for participants in both markets. Lynzy Valles Crime has increased 14.6% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year, reaching a total of 7,160 cases, according to data presented by Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak at a press briefing yesterday. The rise in criminal activity comes as Macaus tourism industry experiences a strong rebound, with over 16.7 million visitors in the first six months, representing a 43.6% jump from 2023 and a 82.4% recovery compared to pre-pandemic levels. With the rapid recovery of Macaus economy, the number of tourists increased significantly, bringing new challenges to the management of public security in the Region, Wong said. The largest increases were seen in crimes against heritage which rose 23.9% to 4,418 cases. Within this category, fraud cases jumped 50.8% to 1,394, theft increased 15.3% to 1,052 cases, and usury crimes surged 655.6%. Crimes against people also saw a 22.1% rise to 1,191 cases, including a 55.6% spike in rape cases to 34 incidents. Violent crimes increased 22.1% to 149 cases, though this was still down 53.9% from the first half of 2019. Kidnapping cases saw the biggest jump, rising 1,300% from just one case to 14. Gaming-related crimes, which include fraud, loansharking and theft in casinos, jumped 62% year-on-year to 683 cases in the first six months. Fraud cases linked to money exchange gangs operating in casinos surged 317% to 130 incidents. Police arrested 1,924 individuals associated with these gangs, with 927 banned from entering casinos. Meanwhile, Loansharking cases increased 86 to 104 instances, with 17 arrests made. To combat the rise in fraud, police have implemented a three-pronged strategy of prevention, recovery of funds, and enforcement, said Wong. In the first half of 2024, police carried out 177 fraud prevention awareness campaigns reaching over 40,000 people. In response, the PJ established a publicity and deployment plan for fraud prevention awareness for college students through the Education and Youth Development Bureau and various colleges and universities, and planned to pursue participation in regulating anti-fraud publicity. We also cooperate to organize promotional activities for foreign students and post messaging on campuses across Macau to raise awareness. Wong said. From January to June of this year, authorities prosecuted a total of 4,614 cases of illegal pedestrian crossings, marking a four-fold increase compared to the same period in 2023. This surge is attributed to enhanced law enforcement efforts by the police, who have identified issues with pedestrian compliance regarding traffic regulations. To address these concerns, the police plan to intensify their enforcement actions in this area. In response to this situation, the bureau has been actively promoting awareness through various media platforms, including WeChat, Facebook, Instagram, and video displays on buses, reminding travelers to adhere to traffic rules, Wong said. Additionally, the office has increased special patrols in areas where illegal pedestrian crossings are frequent, focusing particularly on driveways where pedestrians are observed crossing unlawfully and neglecting to use designated crossing facilities, the official added. The PJs Anti-Fraud Coordination Centre has created 19 direct communication groups with various sectors to alert them to scams. It has also cooperated with banks to freeze 292 accounts in mainland China linked to 50 Macau fraud cases, recovering over RMB9.38 million. In the fight against illegal immigration, police detected 22 cases of aiding illegal entry in the first half of the year, down from 36 in the same period of 2019. Thirty ringleaders were arrested, a 47.4% decrease. Despite the increases, Secretary Wong stressed that serious violent crimes like murder and kidnapping remain very rare in Macau, and the overall crime situation is under control, and social order is largely stable. However, with the influx of tourists, the Secretary stated that authorities are closely monitoring risks of robbery, theft and gambling-related crimes. Police will implement targeted prevention and enforcement measures to ensure public safety. Nadia Shaw The strongest typhoon to hit Shanghai since at least 1949 flooded roads with water and broken tree branches, knocked out power to some homes and injured at least one person as it swept over the financial hub yesterday. More than 414,000 people had been evacuated ahead of the powerful winds and torrential rain. Schools were closed and people were advised to stay indoors. One elderly man was injured by a falling tree on Shanghais Chongming Island, according to state media. He was taken to a hospital for treatment. Typhoon Bebinca made landfall around 7:30 a.m. in the sprawling Pudong business district with winds of 151 kph near its center. Torrential rains flooded roads in the district, according to images broadcast by state media. Elsewhere in Shanghai, uprooted trees and fallen branches blanketed some roads and sidewalks. As the typhoon eased, responders cleared branches and other objects blown around by the storm. More than 60,000 emergency responders and firefighters were at hand to lend aid in Shanghai. Authorities said winds uprooted or damaged more than 10,000 trees and knocked out power for at least 380 households, damaging four houses. At least 53 hectares of farmland were flooded. The typhoon weakened as it moved inland, dousing parts of Jiangsu, Anhui and Zhejiang provinces. Flights, ferries and train services had been suspended in the megacity and in neighboring provinces, disrupting travel during Chinas three-day Mid-Autumn Festival. Shanghais airports canceled hundreds of flights Sunday and into Monday, while in Hangzhou, about 170 kilometers southwest of Shanghai, authorities also canceled more than 180 flights. Flights at Shanghais airports resumed yesterday afternoon as the storm moved away. Weather authorities expected Shanghai and parts of neighboring provinces to receive up to 30 centimeters of rainfall between yesterday and Wednesday. Shanghai, which has 25 million people, is rarely hit by typhoons, which usually make landfall further south in China. Typhoon Yagi hit Chinas southern Hainan island earlier this month and has caused devastation in Southeast Asia. In Myanmar, Yagi caused at least 74 deaths with dozens missing. Four deaths were reported in Hainan, at least 10 have died in Thailand and 20 in the Philippines. Vietnam has reported more than 230 people killed in the typhoon and subsequent flooding and landslides, with dozens more still missing. SIMINA MISTREANU, TAIPEI, MDT/AP The city of San Marcos is drawing up plans for new city hall as part of "transformational" development project City of San Marcos The city of San Marcos is drawing up plans for new city hall as part of "transformational" development project City of San Marcos San Marcos is in the early stages of planning a "transformational" project to build a new city hall surrounded by mixed-use development along a busy road that links Interstate 35 with the city's historic downtown. The project, sometimes referred to as Hopkins Gateway, promises to revitalize about 74 acres of city-owned land along Hopkins Street, roughly between the street's H-E-B store and the San Marcos River, with housing, retail and a walkable "civic corridor" with community gathering spots. Improvements would be also made to the four-lane Hopkins Street. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The city would construct a new city hall preliminary plans have it at about 85,000 square feet on four acres on the north side of Hopkins, across from the nearly 50-year-old current city hall, according to a presentation that city staff made to the San Marcos City Council earlier this year. "I think that it is going to be an asset to the city," Mayor Jane Hughson said in a phone interview. "We want a city hall that is going to be open and inviting." When the current city hall building was constructed in 1975, Hughson said, the population of Hays County population was about 34,000. The county's population this year is an estimated 280,846, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Since 2000, the city's payroll has expanded from about 350 employees to "well over" 700, she said. The growth has forced the city to move some staffers into temporary buildings, she said. "We've got people all over the place," she said. "Pulling them all together in one building would be helpful." Advertisement Article continues below this ad The library and activity center on the city land will remain as part of the "civic corridor," she said. In April, the city hired Katherine Caffrey to oversee the project, Caffrey is a former deputy city manager for Cedar Park, a city of 77,000 north of Austin, where she helped craft the vision and bring to fruition the Bell District, a roughly 50-acre public-private development that is intended to serve as the city's downtown center and will include a new city library. The Bell District has been in the works since 2014 and the first phase is expected to open this fall, Caffrey told the San Marcos City Council in July. As for the Hopkins Gateway timeline, she said that her goal is seven years, though it is likely to open in phases. A crucial step for the project is to hold an election in which the public will vote to release the parkland that the city owns on the project site to be developed for other uses. Caffrey said she hopes to hold the election in November of next year, allowing for enough time to educate the public about the project. The city would then begin the process of selecting a development partner, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MORE COVERAGE: A Hill Country nature preserve is growing by more than 600 acres Caffrey was recently selected as the new city manager of Des Moines, Washington. She will be stepping down as project director in October and "no final decisions" have been made about a successor, Lauren Surley, a spokesperson for the city of San Marcos, said in an email. "The project will continue to move forward, and we are committed to maintaining momentum," she said. The cost has yet to be determined. The city's proposed fiscal year 2025 budget includes $4 million for the project. "What I really heard was a desire for development that was community-oriented in this area," Caffrey told the council. "I heard a desire for a gateway so when visitors and event residents are entering San Marcos off of Interstate 35, they're seeing the best rather than something that doesn't represent the community very well." Advertisement Article continues below this ad The new city hall will give the city "an opportunity to really make an architectural statement that contributes to the whole revitalization of this area," she said. At its meeting on Sept. 3, the city council discussed creating a committee to guide the project. The panel could include representatives from San Marcos-based institutions such as Texas State University and the San Marcos River Foundation. "This group will really not be designing the new city hall... we are not asking them to weigh in on carpet choices," Caffrey told the council. "It is really intended to be more higher-level on what conceptually we're trying to achieve." In August, the council awarded a $247,000 contract to the architecture firm Lopez Salas Architects to begin determining the size and cost of the new city hall. In a February presentation to city council about the project, city staff pointed to a $204.7 million project underway in Pflugerville, known as Downtown East, as a model. The project will include a new city hall with an outdoor cafe and a recreation center with 11,750 square feet of retail, according to reporting by Community Impact. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hughson said that she wants San Marcos' new city hall to have a "presence," whereas the current one is nestled behind trees at a sharp bend in the road. She envisions it as making an impression on the students, tourists and other newcomers finding their way to the city. BUHL After being shot in the head and possibly hit by a vehicle, Chopper the dog is getting his life back. Found abandoned and in dire circumstances two weeks ago by fishermen at Milner Dam, the Rottweiler has been rescued, thanks to the kindness of an animal rescue group, an able veterinarian and a willing foster dog owner. That, and a small army of supporters who are cheering the canine on after its traumatic event, even donating thousands of dollars for medical bills and other care. With all the attention, it appears Chopper has reached celebrity status. But the canine cant hear any applause it was also determined that the dog is deaf. Each day he is getting better, hes getting stronger, said foster owner Kel Lee told the Times-News on Friday. Chopper, so-named because of Lees love of motorcycles, trusts people a little bit more each day. Animal rescue Friends Furever responded Sept. 1 after fishermen found the dying animal near Milner Dam. Chopper, estimated to be about 6 years old, was quickly taken to Healing Hands Small Animal Emergency Hospital for emergency care. Thats where Lees place in the story comes in. That night, Lee, from Buhl, was feeling stressed. He was having a difficult time removing a bolt from a motorcycle he was working on as part of his motorcycle repair business, and was feeling uneasy about the upcoming work week. I was not having a good night, he said. Then he looked on his phone and saw a Facebook post about Chopper, and everything else got placed on hold. At first glance, he saw a sad photo of what he assumed was a dead dog, but as he read the post about Choppers story, his emotions were a roller coaster of anger, empathy, sadness and hurt. The look on this dogs face (in the Facebook photo) Ive seen that look on other animals faces before, its a look that theyve given up, there is nothing left in the tank, he said. It looked like he was done. He just wanted to be left alone so he could die. Lee, an animal lover with other Rottweilers of his own, called Dave Wright, founder of Jerome-based Friends Furever and volunteered to take Chopper into his house as part of a foster program. He picked up the dog at the veterinarian hospital. The dog was sedated, his head partly shaved at the hospital as veterinarians worked on the bullet wounds both an entrance and exit wound at the top of his head. Since then, the dog has come a long way. Chopper didnt do much of anything for a few days but gradually started to show some strength. His first walk entailed all of 30 feet. Now, he goes for walks around the block and Lee says its evident its previous owner gave him walks because Chopper walks on a leash like a show animal, not allowing the leash to get tight. Chopper enjoys romping around with Reba and Cash, Lees other two Rottweilers. He is nervous; he doesnt trust much, Lee said, but he wants to. Chopper at first didnt allow him to get close to him, but now allows him to pet him and runs his head up against his hand, almost forcing him to scratch his head. Chopper loves to be brushed, and Lee said hes removed mountains of hair from the animals body. If Chopper sees Lee interacting with another person, Chopper will warm up and be friends with that person as well, and will allow the friend to pet him. Lee regularly posts Facebook updates the first one he admittedly did as a way to get back at Choppers former owner who might have abandoned him. The others, he said, were by popular demand. There are still so many questions about Choppers background, or even what his future holds. Lee wants to know the dogs background, even if it is just his name. He is surprised that despite numerous posts, no one has offered a good lead on who the dogs former owner was. He wonders if Chopper was always deaf, or if the head injury caused the impairment. This dog spent days trapped on a steep cliff before 2 Idaho men came to the rescue BLISS Nobody seems to know how a dog ended up trapped on the side of a steep cliff in rural Idaho. Nor is it clear how long he sat huddled o Lee wonders what Choppers life was like. I have the feeling he had a good life until things went south, or maybe he is just starting to be happy, he said. Lee doesnt know whether he will be able to keep Chopper permanently. I dont know where it goes, he said, but I do know he is not going anywhere unless its something better than what he has right now. I wont budge on that. He has received comments from people who say Chopper should live in a one-dog household, but said 99% of comments hes heard have been an outpouring of love and compassion. Wright surmises Chopper was grazed by a bullet shot from long range after a landowner possibly felt threatened. Dazed, the dog potentially got hit by a vehicle but escaped that incident with no broken bones but other injuries. Wright, who lamented what he sees as a too-lenient law that allows for the shooting of dogs, called Lee a great guy, and the animal rescue stays in regular, if not daily, contact with him. He stepped up and we need to see more people doing that, Wright added. Resources for animal rescues have been declining, so fundraising is definitely down but weve been able to manage, he said. Foster homes are critical for rescues, and Wright encourages people to get engaged with programs, whether they be with animal rescues or other nonprofits in the community. He is surprised about the attention Chopper has received. The surge of funds received by Friends Furever not only covered Choppers vet expenses but the nonprofit had enough funds left over to pay for more than 20 dogs in its private boarding kennels for another week. Lee said he hasnt accepted offers of monetary aid. Wright recalled another incident from 2018 in which he rescued a Great Pyrenees who was stranded on a cliff near Bliss. We climbed up the cliff and brought him down, he said, and people worldwide heard the story. It went viral, Wright said. We got calls from France. 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. TWIN FALLS In-N-Out Burger will get its desired location after all, as the City Council on Monday overwhelmingly agreed that it should be granted a special use permit to allow a drive-thru with extended hours. The permit was initially denied in June by the citys planning and zoning commission, after which In-N-Out appealed to the city council, as allowed by city code. The council approved the permit on a 5-1 vote, with one council member abstaining, almost the complete opposite of the 5-2 vote by planning and zoning to not allow it. What was different this time? Different people hearing the issue, Planning and Zoning Director Jonathan Spendlove said. The same information was presented, but council members looked at the matter differently. Council member Spencer Cutler voted no on the proposal, while Grayson Stone, who works in real estate, abstained because he had provided In-N-Out with possible alternative sites. Once the restaurant obtains the required permits and licenses and completes the project, In-N-Out will still need to ensure that public roads are not detrimentally impacted by excessive traffic volumes directly attributed to the business, including Nelsen Point Place leading to the Twin Falls Visitor Center. Councilman Craig Hawkins said one of the reasons why he voted for the permit was that the city has tools to ensure that In-N-Out abides by its word. Although he said he had doubts when he first heard of In-N-Outs planned location due to the intersection of Fillmore Street and Blue Lakes Boulevard already being one of the busiest in Twin Falls, I think In-N-Out has done its due diligence. Todd Smith, In-N-Out development manager, said the popular burger chain agreed with the conditions placed on the special use permit. In addition to showing numbers of comparable establishments in Utah and Arizona that indicated that the business could handle traffic flow, he presented city council members layouts of a drive-thru that could handle 27 cars, and another plan that could handle 35 cars that would be used on a temporary basis. For the grand opening, In-N-Out would apply for a special event permit in which the Twin Falls Police Department would take the lead in traffic control. Smith said a dirt area near Petco could be used to que waiting motorists as they waited for a chance to bite into one of the chains famous burgers. In-N-Out Burger, in its appeal application, said the planning and zoning denial came as a result of the majority of the commissioners being persuaded by emotional public testimony. They apparently lost focus of the facts that support approval of the restaurant at the proposed location, the appeal said, even though recognizing the passion and concern of those who provided public testimony. Social media was also flooded with posts from people who said they wanted In-N-Out Burger to locate here, but were concerned about the location. The Twin Falls In-N-Out burger will be at least the third location in Idaho, the appeal application said, and wont generate as much excitement as the restaurant that opened last winter in Meridian. China respects Serbia's sovereignty, territorial integrity on Kosovo issue: FM spokesperson Xinhua) 09:01, September 17, 2024 BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- China respects Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity on the Kosovo issue, and believes that the security and lawful rights and interests of ethnic Serbs in the Kosovo region should be upheld, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday. It is reported that the police of the temporary institutions in Pristina forcibly raided and controlled institutions of ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo, and the Kosovo police arrested four Serbs and confiscated Serbian currency in the National Bank of Serbia located in northern Kosovo. The situation in the Kosovo region again experienced tension. When asked for comment, the spokesperson said unilateral moves do not help address the issue and will only disrupt regional security and stability. "Relevant parties need to continue practical and constructive dialogue, and actively look for a lasting solution to the Kosovo issue," said the spokesperson. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Zhong Wenxing) Jacob Beltran covers crime, breaking news and general assignments for the Express-News. He can be reached at jbeltran@express-news.net. A San Antonio native, Jacob began his journalism career in 2010. He's worked for the student-run newspaper for San Antonio College, The Ranger, and for Texas A&M University-San Antonio, The Mesquite. He enjoys video games, photography and exploring during his free time. Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada expressed doubts on the Filipino heritage of Cassandra Li Ong, who appeared for the first time in the joint public hearing of the upper chamber regarding allegations of human trafficking linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Ong, the representative of Lucky South 99 POGO hub in Pampanga, was questioned about particular details in her birth certificate, among other issues, during the Senate hearing on Tuesday, September 17. - Advertisement - The 24-year-old claimed she was born in San Juan and revealed to the committee the names of her parentsLi Xia Ying and a certain Richard. She was unsure about the identity of her father, saying she never had a familial relationship with him. According to Ong, she was born through the aid of a midwife and was subsequently sent to the Chinese General Hospital in Manilasome seven kilometers away from San Juan. She told lawmakers her family moved to Binondo when she was around two or three years old. Estrada confirmed through documents presented that Ong was born in the town, but the streets stated are no longer present now. As a three-term mayor of San Juan, he chided her on the address found in the certificate, saying that the area no longer exists today. The place of birth indicated in the certificate of live birth is 345 P. Mendoza Street. There is no address or house number in San Juan, Estrada told her. He also rebuked Ong, saying that her statements were inconsistent with the actual information of streets in the town. It seems that the entries in the birth certificate of Cassie Ong are quite questionable. There was neither a manghihilot (midwife named) Rosario Mendez, nor the address stated that was included in the birth certificate, Estrada pointed out. The Philippine Statistics Authority confirmed the identity of Ongs parents. A representative from the agency told the committee that her was mother was pure Chinese, while her father was a naturalized citizen. Estrada then called the agency to investigate the irregularities on late registration in issuing birth certificates. The agency assured that steps are now being done to do so. Ong was also scrutinized about her relationship with her godfather, Duanren Wu, who allegedly plays a prominent role in the POGO operations in the country. She earlier admitted at the House Quad Committee hearing that Wu and her mother are like best friends. She denied knowing a certain Xiao Long, who was allegedly linked to the Whilrwind Corporation. Ong also denied knowing that Wu is a wanted fugitive in China, but acknowledged that they work together at Whirlwind. Ong is in a romantic relationship with Wesley Guo, the brother of Alice Guo. She said she is also close with her godfather, who traveled with them. UNITED NATIONS, New YorkNothing justifies Israels collective punishment of the people of Gaza as they endure unimaginable suffering, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told AFP on Monday (Tuesday Manila time). Guterres lashed out at Israels handling of its war in the devastated Palestinian territory, now almost in its second year, as the UN prepares to host world leaders starting next week. - Advertisement - It is unimaginable, the level of suffering in Gaza, the level of deaths and destruction have no parallel in everything Ive witnessed since (becoming) secretary-general, said Guterres, who has led the embattled international organization since 2017. We all condemn the terror attacks made by Hamas, as well as the taking of the hostages, that is an absolute violation of international humanitarian law, he said. But the truth is that nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people, and that is what we are witnessing in a dramatic way in Gaza, he added, decrying the widespread carnage and hunger blighting Gaza. On Oct. 7, Hamas fighters infiltrated from Gaza into southern Israel, unleashing unprecedented violence which killed 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP toll including hostages killed in captivity. In response, Israel vowed to destroy Hamas, in power in Gaza since 2007, and its land and air offensive has claimed 41,226 lives according to the health ministry of the Hamas government. More than 200 humanitarian workers, mostly UN staff, have also been killed. Accountability should be a must for all civilian deaths, Guterres said acknowledging serious violations had been perpetrated by both Israel and Hamas. Against that backdrop the UN leader has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire, but talks overseen by the United States, Egypt and Qatar remain deadlocked, with Israel and Hamas accusing each other of resisting a deal. They are endless, Guterres said of the talks, saying it would be very difficult to reach a compromise but that he remained hopeful. With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refusing to return his calls since October, Guterres is not counting on a breakthrough during the General Assemblys high-level week from Sunday when he would typically receive all visiting heads of state and government. As far as I understand, it was already said publicly that it is not his intention to ask for any meeting with me. So of course, the meeting will very probably not take place, Guterres said, brushing off the apparent snub. What matters is not the question of a phone call or no phone call, a meeting or no meeting what matters is what happens on the ground. What matters is the suffering of people. What matters is the constant denial of the two-state solution and the undermining of that two-state solution by the different actions that are taking place on the grounds. With grabbing of land, with evictions, with the new settlements being built all illegally and in the context of an occupation that now, according to the International Court of Justices opinion, is in itself also illegal. He also said a proposed surveillance mission he backed to oversee any future ceasefire looked improbable, with all sides unlikely to sign up. UN missions require the agreement of the host countries. It was partly for this reason that almost a year ago, the Security Council mandated a multinational mission, led by Kenya, not the UN, to help police in gang-plagued Haiti where blue helmets are reviled. But with only a few hundred police officers deployed and the mission lacking funds, Washington has raised the specter of transforming it into a UN mission something that the Security Council could only do at Haitis request. I find it very strange that its so difficult to fund a relatively small police operation in Haiti, he said. Rep. Ron Salo of Kabayan party-list called on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to assign personnel to Philippine Embassies abroad to provide immediate and accessible services to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Salo made the statement following consultations he had with OFWs in the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Hong Kong, and other countries. - Advertisement - During the consultations, Salo said the OFWs informed him that while PhilHealth is efficient in collecting membership fees, it lacks a presence abroad which contributes to OFWs struggle in availing of the benefits due to them. PhilHealths collection system is highly efficient, which we commend. However, the availment of services for OFWs needs improvement, Salo stated. Our OFWs, who contribute significantly to the countrys economy through remittances, deserve more accessible health services, including immediate processing of claims. We have agencies like the DFA, DMW, OWWA, Pag-IBIG, and SSS present in our embassies and consulates, but sadly, PhilHealth is missing, Salo added. Salo also appealed to the PhilHealth Board of Directors to assign attaches or personnel in countries with large OFW populations, such as the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman), Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Italy, to address OFWs healthcare needs promptly. A Floyd County man has pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and the maiming of two teenagers in a head-on collision that occurred on Virginia 8 in Patrick County on Dec. 16. Oscar Eduardo Vidrio, 31, formerly of Martinsville, pleaded guilty in Patrick County Circuit Court on Tuesday to the permanent maiming of another while driving under the influence, driving while intoxicated and maiming, driving while under the influence first offense, and driving with a revoked or suspended license. Micah Underwood, 16, of Floyd and his girlfriend, Lauren Worley, 17, of Patrick County, were struck head-on by a vehicle driven by Vidrio. Underwood told police that he had just rounded a turn on Virginia 8 at 9:35 p.m. when he met a vehicle in his lane. Family and rescue personnel located the crash with the use of Life360, an app on Worleys phone, that gave specific information about the location of the crash. Worley, Underwood and Vidrio were all flown by AirCare to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Underwood suffered a broken leg and broken arm and underwent surgery for his injuries. Worley was trapped in the vehicle and rescue workers used a hydraulic rescue tool to free her. Her family said at the time the she suffered severe forehead brain trauma, a broken jaw, a damaged cardioid artery, broken femur, bruised lungs and a cut spleen. Miraculously, Worley survived her injuries and attended graduation at Patrick County High School in May. We know shes a miracle, her family told the Bulletin just before Graduation Day. A pre-sentence report was ordered and Vidrio is due to be sentenced Nov. 22. Driving while intoxicated and maiming is a Class 6 felony and is punishable by up to five years in prison, permanent maiming of another while driving under the influence carries a sentence of up to 10 years and $100,000 in fines, and driving under the influence first offense may result in up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500 with a mandatory minimum of $250. Vidrio was convicted in Danville General District Court in November 2014 of driving without a license, and in Martinsville General District Court in December 2014, of driving with an expired registration, and in January 2018 of driving with a revoked or suspended license, failure to have a vehicle inspected and speeding, according to the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System Vidrio has been jailed in the Patrick County Jail since his arrest on Dec. 25. Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman expressed his intent to visit Egypt soon and meet with President El-Sisi, while announcing a $5 billion investment by the Saudi Public Investment Fund in Egypt. This marks the first phase of a broader initiative between the two nations. During a meeting with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in Riyadh on Monday, September 16, the Crown Prince highlighted Saudi Arabias strides under Vision 2030 and praised the contributions of Egyptian workers to the Kingdoms development. The discussions, attended by key officials from both countries, covered a range of mutual interests. Bin Salman also expressed optimism about the upcoming inaugural meeting of the Coordination Council between the two nations in October and stressed the importance of resolving trade disputes to encourage further Saudi investment. He reiterated the significance of the electrical connection project and conveyed Saudi Arabias readiness to support new and renewable energy projects in Egypt. The Crown Prince also applauded the ongoing cooperation to address regional crises, including in Gaza and Yemen, and backed Egypts efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. He emphasized the pivotal roles of both Egypt and Saudi Arabia in promoting Arab unity and addressing regional issues. On September 16, Angolan airline TAAG reported a cyber attack targeting its technological infrastructure, affecting some local servers. However, the airline assured that its operations remained unaffected. In a statement, TAAG confirmed the disruption to certain on-premises services but emphasized that flight operations continue to meet national and international safety regulations. Following the attack, the airline activated its contingency plan, with the IT department working to restore the impacted services. While TAAG did not detail specific disruptions, it assured that flight schedules, reservations, and ticketing services remain operational. The incident has been reported to the relevant authorities. Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi announced on Monday September 16 that the countrys pharmaceutical factory is now certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and ready to produce medicines for the global market. We now have a global certification. The medicines produced here can be exported anywhere, Nyusi said during a visit to the National Medicines Factory in Maputo province. He highlighted that, unlike older regional facilities, this factory stands out for its modern capabilities. The facility, which manufactures 83 types of drugs, recently earned WHO certification after multiple inspections, enabling it to expand production internationally. Nyusi emphasized the factorys potential for growth, particularly in vaccine and injectable drug production. He also noted the high standards and quality of the medicines, which should help reduce the illegal sale of counterfeit drugs. In the near future, we aim to make medicines widely available, so there will be less demand for stolen or counterfeit drugs, he added. Opened in 2015, the factory produces millions of medications annually and employs 250 workers, including both local and international staff, most of whom are young. 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: Liver cells with DNA damage are stained red (left). Proliferating intestine cells, with no DNA damage, are stained yellow (right). Credit: UNIGE - UNIBE The accumulation of mutations in DNA is often mentioned as an explanation for the aging process, but it remains just one hypothesis among many. A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), in collaboration with the Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern and the University of Bern (UNIBE), has identified a mechanism that explains why certain organs, such as the liver, age more rapidly than others. The mechanism reveals that damages to non-coding DNA, which are often hidden, accumulate more in slowly proliferating tissues, such as those of the liver or kidneys. Unlike in organs that regenerate frequently, these damages remain undetected for a long time and prevent cell division. These results, published in the journal Cell, open new avenues for understanding cellular aging and potentially slowing it down. Our organs and tissues do not all age at the same rate. Aging, marked by an increase in senescent cellscells that are unable to divide and have lost their functionsaffects the liver or kidneys more rapidly than the skin or intestine. The mechanisms that contribute to this process are the subject of much debate within the scientific community. While it is widely accepted that damage to the genetic material (DNA), which accumulates with age, is at the root of aging, the link between the two phenomena remains unclear. DNA molecules contain coding regionsthe genes that code for proteinsand non-coding regions that are involved in the mechanisms that regulate or organize the genome. Constantly damaged by external and internal factors, the cell has DNA repair systems that prevent the accumulation of errors. Errors located in the coding regions are detected when genes are transcribed, i.e. when they are activated. Errors in non-coding regions are detected during cell renewal, which requires the creation of a new copy of the genome each time, via the process of DNA replication. However, cell renewal does not occur with the same frequency depending on the type of tissue or organ. Tissues and organs that are in constant contact with the outside environment, such as the skin or intestine, renew their cells (and therefore replicate their DNA) more oftenonce or twice a weekthan internal organs, such as the liver or kidneys, whose cells proliferate only a few times per year. The liver as the ideal model for studying aging The group led by Thanos Halazonetis, full professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the UNIGE Faculty of Science, is studying the mechanisms of DNA replication. His team, in collaboration with the groups led by Prof. Stroka and Prof. Candinas at the Inselspital in Bern and UNIBE, has been studying liver cells (hepatocytes), which proliferate infrequently. The scientists analyzed the potential link between the more rapid aging of the liver and the lower frequency of DNA replication in its cells. "Our study model, the mouse liver, is an ideal organ for studying the mechanisms of DNA replication in vivo. In adult mammals, hepatocytes rarely proliferate unless they have been partially ablated. After ablating two-thirds of the livers of young or old mice, we can study the replication mechanisms in a young or aging organ, directly in the living organism," explains Prof. Deborah Stroka, co-last author of the study. By mapping for the first time the sites at which DNA replication starts in liver cells that regenerate after ablation, the scientists discovered that these are always located in non-coding regions. It was also observed that replication initiation was much more efficient in young mice than in old mice. "These non-coding regions are not subject to regular error checking and therefore accumulate damage over time. After removal of the liver in young mice, there is still little damage and DNA replication is possible. On the contrary, when the experiment is carried out in old mice, the excessive number of errors accumulated over time triggers an alarm system that prevents DNA replication," explains Giacomo Rossetti, research fellow in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the UNIGE Faculty of Science and first author of the study. This block of DNA replication prevents cells from proliferating, leading to degradation of cell functions and tissue senescence. Hope for slowing down the aging process These observations could help explain why slowly proliferating tissues, such as the liver, age faster than rapidly proliferating tissues, such as the intestine. In cells that have remained dormant for long periods, too many cryptic DNA lesions have accumulated in the non-coding regions, which contain the origins of replication, and prevent replication from being triggered. In rapidly proliferating tissues, on the other hand, little damage accumulates thanks to frequent cell renewal, and the origins of replication retain their efficiency. "Our model suggests that by repairing cryptic DNA damage before replication is triggered, certain aspects of aging could perhaps be avoided. It is on this new working hypothesis that our efforts will focus," concludes Halazonetis. More information: In vivo DNA replication dynamics unveil aging-dependent replication stress, Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.08.034. www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(24)00963-2 Journal information: Cell 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 problem of snake bites, which kill tens of thousands of people each year, is being exacerbated by climate-induced flooding in a number of countries with little access to antivenoms, the WHO warned Tuesday. Each year, as many as 2.7 million people are bitten by poisonous snakes, with up to an estimated 138,000 deaths. "One person dies from snake bite every four to six minutes," David Williams, a World Health Organization snakebit expert, told reporters in Geneva. Far more peoplearound 240,000 each yearare left with permanent disabilities, he said. Snake venom can cause paralysis that stops breathing, bleeding disorders that can lead to fatal hemorrhage, irreversible kidney failure and tissue damage that can cause permanent disability and limb loss. Most snake bite victims live in the world's tropical and poorest regions, and children are worse affected due to their smaller body size. Williams stressed that disabilities caused by snake bites can drive not only the victims but their entire family into poverty due in part to the high cost of treatment, but also loss of income when the family breadwinner is the victim. A major problem, he warned, was that "some regions of the world simply don't have enough safe and effective treatments available to them". Sub-Saharan Africa, for instance, has access to just around 2.5 percent of the treatments it is estimated to need. The UN health agency explained in 2019 that production of life-saving antivenoms had been abandoned by a number of companies since the 1980s, sparking a grave shortage in Africa and some Asian countries. India is the worst affected country in the world, with around 58,000 people dying there due to snake bites every year, while its neighbors Bangladesh and Pakistan are also hard-hit, Williams said. The impacts of climate change are meanwhile worsening the situation in some places, he said, pointing in particular to how flooding can often increase the number of snakebites. He pointed to Nigeria, which is currently "going through a critical shortage of snake antivenom due to an influx of additional cases of snakebite that have been brought about by the flooding". "And this is a problem that occurs in many areas of the world where these sorts of disasters occur on a regular basis," he said. Major flooding events in Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, South Sudan and other countries had also been followed by a rise in snakebites. WHO also warned that climate change risked shifting the distribution and abundance of venomous snakes, possibly exposing previously unaffected countries to the dangers. 2024 AFP Joe Biden supporters gather Oct. 30, 2020, outside the Webb County Democratic Party Headquarters to welcome a Biden for President Soul of the Nation tour bus. Danny Zaragoza /Laredo Morning Times AUSTIN A New Braunfels woman who helped organize the Trump Train that surrounded a Biden-Harris campaign bus on Interstate 35 ahead of the 2020 election testified Monday that the incident was an exercise in free speech and the drivers involved were not trying to intimidate anyone. Randi Ceh was among a group of supporters of then-President Donald Trump that surrounded the Biden-Harris bus on Oct. 30, 2020, between San Antonio and Austin. Ceh and her husband, Steve Ceh, are among six people involved in the incident who are being sued by three people who were on the Biden-Harris campaign bus when the confrontation occurred. The suit, filed by former Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis, former campaign staffer David Gins and bus driver Timothy Holloway, claims the Trump Train drivers engaged in an organized attempt to intimidate people on the bus. Staffers for then-Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden canceled an event planned at Texas State University in San Marcos after the confrontation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The lawsuit accuses the defendants of violating the Ku Klux Klan Act, an 1871 federal law intended to prevent political violence and intimidation tactics. The suit seeks punitive and compensatory damages. The defendants and their attorneys have disputed those allegations, saying the people on the bus were not in danger and the incident was not an attempt at intimidation. Testifying in federal court in Austin on Monday, Randi Ceh insisted she had no intent of intimidating the people on the bus or impeding their progress when she wrote a social media post encouraging members of New Braunfels "Trump Train" Facebook group to meet at the Solms Road exit of the interstate to wait for the campaign bus. Ceh was working that day and only briefly joined the Trump Train because she happened to catch it on her way home, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It was just really happenstance that I ended up being there, she said. Ceh described the event as an our team versus your team political exercise. She said she had no intent of intimidating the people on the bus or impeding their progress. Sam Hall, an attorney for the plaintiffs, attempted to show that Ceh was aware that the convoy was impeding the buss progress, pointing to posts on the Facebook group by others saying SURROUNDED and They did not stop! Too much Trump support so they are going straight through to Austin. He asked Ceh if she had used her ability as the Facebook groups administrator to take down such posts, and she said she had not, citing users' First Amendment rights to freedom of speech. He pointed also to her use of the hashtag #BlocktheBus in her posts. We used our first amendment right to drive down the highway, she said. We did a 'Trump Train' and it was cool." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ceh said she and her husband created the Facebook group in 2020 after they moved from Las Vegas to New Braunfels a few years earlier, looking for a more wholesome environment to raise their family. In Las Vegas they had begun doing flag runs in which they organized convoys of vehicles, and they continued the tradition in New Braunfels, she said. After New Braunfels canceled its Fourth of July parade that year due to the coronavirus pandemic, they arranged their own parade, she said. That led them to begin organizing Trump Trains to show support for then-President Donald Trump's re-election campaign. Their Trump Trains grew to include hundreds of vehicles, she said. One Trump Train on the evening of Oct. 29 the night before the incident with the bus including 980 vehicles, she said. She described the Trump Train events as family oriented, fun, a little bit of faith in there. Her husband started a prayer group among the Trump Train participants that would meet in Landa Park in New Braunfels, she said. Every week it got bigger and bigger and bigger, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When Ceh said that she expected the Oct. 30 Trump Train to be like the prior ones she had organized, Hall asked if any of the others had had a target or been organized to intercept something. She disputed his description of the incident, saying, It sounds like youre saying something happened, but I dont know what youre talking about. Referring to screenshots of her text conversations, Hall described how Ceh had updated members of the Facebook group with information about the whereabouts of the bus which she had received through a text message chain with other Trump Train organizers. He asked her about her political views, displaying a post she had made in the group referring to Demoncrats being the epitome of evil. She had considered Joe Bidens politics to be evil, she said. When Hall asked her whether she had considered the 2020 election to be a choice between good and evil, she agreed that she did. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ceh's husband, Steve Ceh, also took the stand on Monday afternoon. Hall showed a video of him at a gathering of Trump supporters in which he referred to Oct. 30 as a good day and called the people on the bus socialists. When you write speeches, you say things to fire people up, Ceh said in defense of his words. He described the Trump Train events as being like a revival The tone was a lot of prayer, a lot of faith, a family atmosphere. 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: Colorized transmission electron micrograph of Avian influenza A H5N1 viruses. Credit: Public Domain Colorado's outbreak of avian flu in poultry and dairy cattle seems to have died down, though the state continues to monitor farms for signs of the virus. That doesn't include regularly testing farms' workers thoughunless they have symptoms and their employers have a known outbreak. Dairies have to bulk-test their milk at least once a week for H5N1, a flu virus that is particularly lethal to poultry and spilled over to cattle earlier this year. Poultry farms that had to cull their animals because of infections also must test as they introduce new birds, in case they missed something while disinfecting. Surveillance of people is far less regular, though. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment only monitors workers on farms with known outbreaks, and only tests those who show symptoms, which is in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The department hasn't reported any new human testing since at least the start of September. At that point, 137 people had taken tests and 10 came back positive since 2022. The health department also routinely tests wastewater for unusual spikes in flu, and asks local labs to send samples of the influenza family that includes H5N1, so it can find out if that particular strain is spreading, spokeswoman Kristin Richmann said. "Since there is a substantial decrease in newly affected farms in Colorado, no active outbreaks among birds at poultry facilities and no affected dairies with symptomatic workers, a need for testing has not been indicated recently. We will continue to test and treat symptomatic workers for avian flu as we identify them," she said. The state also offers a month's worth of free protective equipment to farms, but has received only 36 orders so far. Since March, when it became clear that H5N1 was spreading in cattle, at least 4,800 people exposed to infected animals nationwide have undergone monitoring for symptoms, and 240 have been tested, according to the CDC. Fourteen of those tests came back positive, including nine people who worked with infected poultry, four who worked with cows and one person in Missouri who reported no contact with cattle, poultry, or raw milk. The Missouri patient spent time in a hospital but has since recovered, and the CDC isn't sure how they got the virus. None of the other people who tested positive needed hospital care. Small studies of farmworkers suggest that infections have gone undetected, and no one knows if people can get and possibly spread the virus without symptoms. The most recent state report, from Sept. 6, showed backyard poultry operations in Morgan and Larimer counties were still under 120-day quarantines. As of Tuesday, 13 dairies in the state also were quarantined, either because they had visibly sick cattle or because their milk samples tested positive for H5N1. In July, Colorado state veterinarian Dr. Maggie Baldwin ordered commercial dairies to submit milk samples for batch testing. The order doesn't include raw milk operations, which the state doesn't regulate, though it encourages them to test voluntarily, she said. Pasteurization, which involves heating milk to temperatures that kill viruses and bacteria, eliminates the risk of H5N1 from eating or drinking dairy products. At that point, the virus had spilled over to three poultry operations in Weld County, which had to cull a combined 3.3 million chickens. The Colorado Department of Agriculture declared those outbreaks over in late August. Workers could have carried the virus on their clothes or used equipment contaminated at the dairies, but no one is certain how the spillovers happened, Baldwin said. "We don't have a smoking gun," she said. Colorado had two clusters of human cases in July at poultry facilities. Neither the state health department nor the CDC specified which facilities had outbreaks, but they did report that nine people who helped kill and dispose of infected birds had symptoms and tested positive. All of the patients reported eye inflammation, and six said they ran a fever or had chills, with smaller numbers reporting other flu-like symptoms, such as sore throats and coughing. All received antiviral medication and recovered. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also tested "peri-domestic" species that live near people, such as mice and rats, in the farms with outbreaks, but got relatively few hits, Baldwin said. The virus showed up in four domestic cats, a wild rabbit, a prairie vole and 22 mice in Weld and Larimer counties. Experts don't yet know if those animals could spread the virus to livestock or people. So far, six cats have gotten the virus in Colorado, including two indoor cats, Baldwin said. The other four that tested positive in the state either had a connection to an infected farm or hunted small animals outside, according to the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association. The combination of required and voluntary testing is enough to give Colorado a clear view of how the virus is spreading in animals, Baldwin said. "We feel pretty confident and comfortable that we are getting a pulse," she said. 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: Credit: CC0 Public Domain The process of food intake appears to be organized at the cellular level like a relay race: during eating, the baton is passed between different teams of neurons until we have consumed the appropriate amount of energy. This is the conclusion of a recent study by researchers at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg (FAU). Through this complex mechanism, the brain likely ensures that we neither eat too little nor too much. Malfunctions of this process may lead to eating disorders such as anorexia or binge eating. The findings appear in the Journal of Neuroscience. To survive, we need to regularly replenish our energy by eating. This process is coordinated in the hypothalamus, an important control center in the brain. The hypothalamus constantly receives important information from our body and environment, such as whether it is day or night, or whether our blood sugar levels are low. Based on this data, it triggers certain innate behaviors, such as going to bed when it's dark or heading to the refrigerator when we're hungry. But how does the brain make sure we don't stop eating once the initial hunger subsides and stretch receptors in the stomach signal that food has arrived? "When we eat, we quickly switch from what we call 'appetitive' behavior to 'consummatory' behavior," says Prof. Dr. Alexey Ponomarenko, who holds the Professorship of Systemic Neurophysiology at the Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology at FAU. "We know little about how the brain controls the duration of this consummatory phase. It should neither be too long nor too short so that we receive the right amount of energy." Led by Prof. Ponomarenko, the FAU scientists, together with a team from the University Hospital of Cologne investigated what happens in the brain during eating. The researchers studied the mouse hypothalamus, which is similar in structure to the human hypothalamus. "We analyzed the electrical activity of a specific region of the hypothalamus using an artificial intelligence method," explains mathematician Mahsa Altafi, a doctoral student at FAU and a joint senior author of the study. "This allowed us to determine which neurons firethat is, generate electrical impulsesat specific times during food intake." Sequential activation of four teams of neurons The scientist was able to identify four distinct teams of neurons that become active in sequence during the eating process. These groups of neurons work together much like relay runners, each participating in different phases of the race. "We suspect that these teams weigh the information they receive from the body differentlyfor example, the blood sugar level, the amount of hunger hormones, and how full the stomach is," says Prof. Ponomarenko. The fourth team, for example, might give more weight to the stretch sensors than the first team. "That's how the hypothalamus may ensure we eat neither too little nor too much." The researchers also looked at how the neurons within each team communicate with each other. It has long been known that neurons have a rhythm of activity: there are times when they are particularly excitable and times when they barely fire. These phases alternate regularly-often tens of times per second or more. To communicate, neurons must oscillate in the same rhythm. It's like using a walkie-talkie: both devices must be tuned to the same frequency or you'll only hear static. "We were now able to show that the teams of neurons involved in food intake all communicate on the same frequencies," says Prof. Ponomarenko. "In contrast, groups of neurons responsible for other behaviorssuch as exploring the environment or social interactionprefer to communicate on a different channel." This probably makes it easier for the neurons involved in eating to exchange information and stop the eating process at the right time. This finding may even have therapeutic potential: it is already possible to influence the rhythm of neurons from the outside, for example through oscillating magnetic fields. Perhaps the communication of these "feeding teams" could be improved in this way. If successful, this could help alleviate eating disordersat least that is the long-term hope. "In mice, the oscillatory behavior of neurons can be influenced even more directly by optogenetic manipulations," explains FAU scientist Ponomarenko. "We are now planning a follow-up study to investigate how this affects their feeding behavior." More information: Mahsa Altafi et al, Sequential activation of lateral hypothalamic neuronal populations during feeding and their assembly by gamma oscillations, Journal of Neuroscience (2024). DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0518-24.2024 Journal information: Journal of Neuroscience This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Contraception for mothers of newborn babies can often be overlooked amidst the focus on the health of the newborn baby and the significant adjustments required following the birth of the child. A Monash University-led study has found that early access to contraception information and services postnatally can support family planning and encourage adequate spacing between pregnancies to ensure better health outcomes for both mothers and babies. This can help avoid unintended pregnancies and improve the health and well-being of women and their families. The new study gathered general practitioners' (GPs) views on providing contraceptive care during the six-week checka routine medical review of mother and baby six to eight weeks after birth. Conducted by researchers from SPHERE Centre of Research Excellence at Monash University, it has been published in the Medical Journal of Australia. Senior author, Dr. Jessica Botfield, said GPs were well placed to deliver contraceptive care, including provision of information and education, which new mothers needed to support their decision-making. Dr. Botfield suggested that discussions about contraception should be an essential part of the 6-week check and other postnatal check-ups with GPs. "Access to contraception information and services to plan for and space pregnancies is critical, particularly in the postpartum period when women may be at risk of an unintended pregnancy soon after giving birth," Dr. Botfield said. "Contraception enables women to attain the number and spacing of births they desire. However, many women lack access to information or services to achieve this postnatally, and contraception is often not currently discussed or provided at the 6-week postnatal check." Dr. Botfield said contraception should ideally be discussed both antenatally and postnatally to facilitate decision-making and support access to appropriate contraception, which can reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy and short inter-pregnancy intervals. "Short interpregnancy intervalsi.e. a pregnancy within 12 months of a preceding birthare associated with higher risks of adverse outcomes for mothers and babies," Dr. Botfield said. "Our study with GPs provides important insights into their views and experiences of providing contraception information and services to mothers of newborn babies and the barriers and issues that need to be addressed." This work builds on earlier SPHERE studies about women's views and preferences regarding postpartum contraception and who is responsible for postpartum contraception advice and provision in Australia. The GPs interviewed in the study made a number of suggestions for how to overcome the challenges of providing postpartum contraceptive care including: Development of national guidelines for postpartum contraceptive care (note: the recently-updated RACGP "Red Book' now refers to contraception in their 'interconception' chapter, which provides some guidance for GPs) Prioritizing collaboration with other maternity providers, including midwives and child and family health nurses Improving access to contraceptive education and training for GPs, including for long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods such as IUDs and implants Provision of financial incentives for GPs to upskill/undertake contraception and LARC training. The study involved interviews with 23 GPs across Australia. Most were female and practiced in metropolitan areas. More information: Perkins JK, James S, Mazza D, Botfield JR. General practitioners' views and experiences of postpartum contraception counselling and provision: a qualitativedescriptive study. Medical Journal of Australia. Published online September 9, 2024. doi.org/10.5694/mja2.52438 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: A colorized scanning electron micrograph of MRSA. Credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Staphylococcus aureus, mostly known from its antibiotic-resistant variant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is among the leading causes of both community- and hospital-acquired infections. According to the most recent data, MRSA killed around 120,000 people in 2022 globally and far more are killed by antibiotic-susceptible strains of S. aureus. So far, however, all attempts at developing a protective vaccine for S. aureus have been unsuccessful. Research from Amsterdam UMC, in collaboration with UMC Utrecht, Leiden University, and the University of California, San Diego, have discovered an important immune component that offers protection against infection, suggesting a new direction for the future. These results are published in Cell Reports Medicine. "Our findings directly challenge the current way of thinking about staphylococcal infections. It is generally assumed that the recognition of S. aureus by IgG antibodies, which helps immune cells to kill Staph, is key to offering protection. In this study we propose that this might not be the answer. We show that not IgG, but IgM antibodies are required for clearance of S. aureus during an infection," says Nina van Sorge, professor of Translational Microbiology at Amsterdam UMC. The research team, led by prof. van Sorge and Dr. Astrid Hendriks, a postdoc in her group, explored the presence of S. aureus-recognizing antibodies in the blood of healthy individuals. They focused on particular sugars, which form a sort of sugar coat around the bacterium. They found that almost all healthy individuals had both IgG and IgM antibodies that could recognize these sugar coats. "We all have high antibody levels against the S. aureus sugar coat, since we are exposed to this bacterium multiple times throughout our lives without getting ill. Yet we don't know which antibodies are in fact preventing us from getting ill," says Hendriks. In the lab, IgM antibodies were significantly more effective at killing the bacteria than IgG. "IgG antibodies offer protection against bacterial pathogens in general and are actually critical for the protective effect of vaccines against, for example, pneumococcal and meningococcal infections. But for S. aureus, it is more complex. This clever bacterium has developed ways to circumvent our defense system, and in particular IgG antibodies, which is part of the reason that it still causes so many problems," says van Sorge. However, researchers found that S. aureus did not counter the effects of IgM. Finally, they discovered that patients with life-threatening S. aureus bloodstream infections actually had much lower levels of sugar coat-specific IgM antibodies in their blood than healthy individuals. Importantly, patients that did not survive the infection had the lowest amount of IgM antibodies. The researchers hypothesize that insufficient levels of sugar-specific IgM antibodies increase the risk of serious staphylococcal infections, and even mortality. Although more research is needed to validate this hypothesis, these findings provide important new insights that may shape future development of vaccines and other immune-boosting therapies. 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 An industrial chemical used in plastic products has been cropping up in illegal drugs from California to Maine, a sudden and puzzling shift in the drug supply that has alarmed health researchers. Its name is bis (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate, commonly abbreviated as BTMPS. The chemical is used in plastic for protection against ultraviolet rays, as well as for other commercial uses. In an analysis released Monday, researchers from UCLA, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and other academic institutions and harm reduction groups collected and tested more than 170 samples of drugs that had been sold as fentanyl in Los Angeles and Philadelphia this summer. They found roughly a quarter of the drugs contained BTMPS. Researchers called it the most sudden change in the U.S. illegal drug supply in recent history, based on chemical prevalence. They found that BTMPS sometimes dramatically exceeded the amount of fentanyl in drug samples and, in some cases, had made up more than a third of the drug sample. It was also a growing presence in fentanyl over the summer: In June, none of the L.A. fentanyl samples tested by the team contained BTMPS, the analysis found. By August, it was detected in 41% of them. "This is effectively unprecedented," said Morgan Godvin, one of the authors of the study and project director for Drug Checking Los Angeles, a UCLA project that works in partnership with the L.A. County Department of Public Health to analyze illicit drugs. "We have no idea just how many people have been exposed," Godvin said, but if the high prevalence among drug samples tested so far is any indication, "that translates to tens of thousands of fentanyl users being exposed to BTEMPS, sometimes at very high volume." The findings were publicly released as a preprintresearch that has not been peer reviewedon the website of Drug Checking Los Angeles and have been submitted to medRxiv, a website where scientists share preliminary findings. BTMPS has been studied in rats for its potential to reduce withdrawal symptoms from morphine and affect nicotine use, but it can be toxic and even deadly to rodents at sufficient doses, and health researchers say there is an urgent need for more studies on its effects on the human body. The PubChem database lists a number of possible hazards associated with BTMPS, including skin irritation and eye damage. Godvin was alarmed by animal studies indicating dangers from inhaling BTMPSsuch as tremors and shortness of breathbecause smoking is now common in L.A. among people who use fentanyl. People who use drugs have said that BTMPS can smell like bug spray or plastic and have reported blurred vision, nausea and coughing after ingesting it. One told researchers that "it smelled so bad I could barely smoke it." The UCLA and NIST researchers warned that "with such a sudden and sustained prevalence in the drug supply, users are at risk of repeated, ongoing exposures, which may compound health effects." A 35-year-old man in Los Angeles said that in recent months, he had noticed a rubbery or synthetic taste in the fentanyl he used. "I was asking my friend that I buy from, 'What the hell is this?'" said the man, who requested anonymity to speak about his drug use. When he took samples that were supposed to be fentanyl to Drug Checking Los Angeles to analyze, he learned that some contained the strange chemical. The 35-year-old said he now tries to avoid BTMPS, but "a lot of people are just trying to get anything to keep from being sick" from opioid withdrawal. Whatever clandestine labs are doing, he said, "we're the guinea pigs." L.A. and Philadelphia are far from the only places where the chemical has popped up: The team also detected BTMPS in trace amounts of drugs left behind on drug paraphernalia from other locations, including Delaware, Maryland and Nevada. As of last week, a University of North Carolina program that tests drug samples from across the country had also found BTMPS in more than 200 samples from a dozen states stretching from the West Coast to Maine. UNC senior scientist Nabarun Dasgupta said the chemical began showing up in drug samples that it tested this summer, most often mingled with fentanyl, both in powder form and in fake pills. Alex Krotulski, a director at the nonprofit Center for Forensic Science Research and Education in Pennsylvania, said the amount of BTMPS found in drug samples it has tested varies dramaticallysometimes making up a small amount, sometimes amounting to the "primary component" in the sample. Unlike other adulterants added to fentanyl for their psychoactive effects, "it's not like it's something that you go out and you use a bunch of to get high," Krotulski said. The UCLA and NIST team found that people who use drugs rated samples high in BTMPS as "bunk"low in qualityand broadly saw it as "highly undesirable." Yet another oddity is that BTMPS has not followed a familiar path for new drugs in the U.S. Instead of showing up in one area and spreading to others, "this one has hit all at once across the U.S. within a two-week period," said Tara Stamos-Buesig, founder and chief executive of the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego. Stamos-Buesig, whose group helps analyze the contents of illegal drugs in San Diego to inform and protect people, said that "I've told people for a whilewe can't hyper-focus on fentanyl" as if it were the only threat. "There's a lot of other stuff coming on board," Stamos-Buesig said. The UCLA and NIST analysis suggested one possible scenario: Illegal drug manufacturers might be adding BTMPS to fentanyl precursors or to the final product "at a high level in the supply chain," possibly to stabilize them from degrading from light or heat exposure as illicit drugs are made, stored and transported, they wrote. UCLA assistant professor Chelsea Shover added that the team had found BTMPS for sale on online platforms like Amazon and Alibaba with similar wording to what Chinese chemical companies had used in the past to market to fentanyl producers, with sellers touting their "experience getting through Mexican customs." "This is clearly implying that this is to be used to make illicit drugs," Shover said. "It's stuff you wouldn't expect to see if it was just selling an industrial chemical in a standard way." As it stands, there is no test strip that can quickly detect BTMPS as there is for fentanyl. Nor is the chemical routinely tested for by doctors or medical examiners, which means that if someone has been harmed by BTMPS they took accidentally, "clinicians would have no way of knowing," the UCLA and NIST team wrote. The UNC Street Drug Analysis Lab likewise said that much remains unknown at this point, including whether BTMPS poses an overdose risk, although the lab cautions that "EVERY substance at some volume will be toxic." Dasgupta said the detection of BTMPS represents the first example of the burgeoning network of drug checking programs working together to find a substance "before any health authorities or any law enforcement did." Godvin said that "just a few years ago, we wouldn't have even known about this" and urged Angelenos to get drugs analyzed through Drug Checking Los Angeles if they are able. In a drug supply already riddled with threats like fentanyl and the animal tranquilizer xylazine, "this gives us a whole other thing to worry about," Godvin said. 2024 Los Angeles Times. 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 Norway introduced its Regular GP Scheme in 2001. This gives all citizens the right to choose a GP in their home municipality and facilitates personal continuity between the doctor and the patient. These types of long-term doctor-patient relationships are associated with reduced use of emergency health services and lower mortality, both internationally and in Norway. A widely discussed Norwegian study from 2022 showed that patients who had the same GP for more than fifteen years had a 25% lower risk of dying compared to patients who had the same GP for one year or less. However, there has been an increasing shortage of GPs in recent years. As of July 2024, just over 188,000 people in Norway do not have a regular GP, representing almost 3.5% of the country's population. Since long-term doctor-patient relationships appear to be more beneficial than short-term ones, the assumption can be made that losing your regular GP could be detrimental. You would end up in a group of people who have only known their GP for a short period of time. However, many factors influence the contact and length of relationship with a GP, such as age, gender and health issues, as well as the fact that people can choose to change their GP up to twice a year. These are traits and trends that are also related to health, health care use and mortality. It can therefore be difficult to distinguish the effect of a long-term doctor-patient relationship from the effect of other factors related to the patient. It is not coincidental that some patients switch their GPs more frequently and thus have shorter doctor-patient relationships. This group may include people with multiple health problems who feel they have been inadequately examined, leading them to seek more hospital referrals because of these issuesrather than just the doctor-patient relationship itself being the problem. However, some disruptions to the doctor-patient relationship are coincidental, such as when the doctor goes on holiday, has mandatory hospital service, relocates or retires. It is reasonable to assume that these disruptions have nothing to do with factors related to the patients, and thus it becomes possible to study the effect of losing a regular GP without the interference of factors that influence both the length of doctor-patient relationships and health outcomes. Despite the shortage of GPs in many countries, few studies have been conducted on this topic. Since Norway has exceptionally good data on its population, health care use, mortality and GPs, researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) were inspired to investigate the consequences of a GP leaving their position due to unavoidable personal circumstances. Their work is published in the journal BMJ Quality & Safety. Between 2011 and 2021, 819 GPs retired and 228 relocated between counties. The researchers studied the impact on health care use and mortality over the course of five years by comparing the almost 1.2 million patients associated with these doctors to similar patients and GPs where there was evidence of a continuing relationship. They found that for every 1,000 patients who lost their regular GP, there were 13 to 16 additional contacts with the out-of-hours medical service and hospital emergency departments in the first year. Over all five years, there were approximately 148 more contacts per year in general practice and 51 additional planned contacts in hospitals every year. Compared to the patients who continued with the same doctor, this represented a 3% to 5% increase. However, they found no difference in mortality rates between patients whose GP relocated or retired and those whose GP had not. The researchers conclude that there may be multiple reasons why having the same GP over time is beneficial for health, and that you would not be at risk if your GP were to relocate or retire. The increase in health care use appears to be small to moderate, and the risk of mortality remains unaffected. The findings are somewhat in contrast with much of the research on continuity. This indicates that studies on the duration and disruption of doctor-patient relationships are complex, requiring different research methods to shed light on various problems. More information: Kristin Hestmann Vinjerui et al, General practitioners retiring or relocating and its association with healthcare use and mortality: a cohort study using Norwegian national data, BMJ Quality & Safety (2024). DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2023-017064 Journal information: BMJ Quality & Safety 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 new study involving Colorado researchers found that sleep problems among preteens increase their risk of suicidal thoughts two years later, though the researchers urged parents not to panic. Suicide rates among children between 8 and 12 increased roughly 8% each year from 2008 to 2022, according to the National Institutes of Health. Children's Hospital Colorado declared a youth mental health emergency in 2021, though the most recent survey data suggests some improvement, at least among teens. The study used data from a larger project that had asked parents of 8,800 kids about their children's sleep when the kids were 9 or 10 years old, then followed up two years later to see who had developed thoughts of suicide or made a suicide attempt. About 91% of kids reported no suicidal thoughts, while 8% had suicidal ideation and fewer than 1% made an attempt. While the majority of kids with sleep problems didn't report suicidal thoughts or attempts, the odds they would increased with worse sleep disruption. Kids who had "severe" sleep disturbances had more than twice the risk of those with "minimal" disruption. The connection was even more significant for children who had nightmares almost every time they slept. The connection remained even after controlling for whether kids had symptoms of anxiety or depression, lived in high-conflict homes, or had close relatives with depression, all of which are risk factors for thoughts of suicide, said Josh Gowin, an assistant professor of radiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and one of the authors. They don't know why nightmares in particular had a strong connection to suicidal thoughts and behavior, but kids who are more prone to them might have more stressors in life or brain wiring that makes them go into fight-or-flight mode more easily, said Dr. Joel Stoddard, a psychiatrist at Children's Hospital Colorado who is also an author on the study. Most kids who have sleep problems won't harm themselves, but establishing that sleep disturbance is a risk factor will allow for earlier intervention, since parents are more likely to notice and discuss it with a doctor than to bring up that their child might be depressed, Stoddard said. That would create an opportunity to talk about treatment options and locking up weapons so kids can't harm themselves in a bad moment, he said. "It's easier to see (disrupted sleep) than the internal state of the child," Gowin added. "It's also easier to talk about." Parents should bring up any sleep problems with their child's primary care doctor, since poor sleep also has other negative effects, Stoddard said. In some cases, just changing bedtime habits will be enough to fix the problem, though some kids need more treatment, he said. "There are so many different reasons that people have disrupted sleep," he said. 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: Pre (A) and postintervention (B) angiographic images of a recurrent CoAo treated with Minima stent implantation in a 5 month old, 5.9 kg infant. Credit: Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions (2024). DOI: 10.1002/ccd.31074. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ccd.31074 Babies born with a narrowed blood vessel now have a device specifically designed for them, thanks to research conducted at the Smidt Heart Institute and Guerin Children's at Cedars-Sinai. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the new stent, a metal mesh tube that keeps blood vessels open, for use in newborns, infants and children who have narrowing in the aorta or pulmonary artery. Because the stent expands, it is meant to save these children from additional surgeries as they age and need a larger stent for their growing bodies. The results of the study are published in Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions. "This approval represents a monumental shift in the way we care for babies with congenital heart disease," said Evan Zahn, MD, who helped develop the new stent and is director of the Pediatric Congenital Heart Program at Guerin Children's and in the Department of Cardiology at the Smidt Heart Institute. "It is a joy to know how many patients and families will be positively impacted now that the stent is more widely available." Cedars-Sinai is one of the few hospitals in the U.S. where interventional cardiologists are trained in deploying the stent and where children who need it can get that specialized care. About 40,000 babies are born with a heart defect every year in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many of these children have narrowing in the aorta, the artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body, or in the pulmonary artery, which carries blood from the heart to the lungs. The FDA approved the first-ever stent in 1994, but for adults. Since then, the only option for babies with narrowing has been to resize an adult stent to fit their tiny vessels and replace the stent multiple times as their bodies grow. "The stents we have had up to this point have had a fixed maximum diameter, meaning that baby is going to need to get it replaced, typically through open-heart surgery," Zahn said. To place the stent, an interventional cardiologist makes a tiny hole in the child's leg and feeds a long, thin tube called a catheter through the groin and into the narrowed blood vessel. A balloon at the end of the catheter expands the vessel and allows the cardiologist to place the stent. Over the past five years, Zahn collaborated with engineers at a company called Renata Medical to develop and study the new stent, known as the Minima Stent System. It is made with a unique cell design that allows it to expand to fit a child's growing body. The expansion is done during a two-hour catheterization procedure rather than through open-heart surgery. Children are expected to be well enough to go home the day after the procedure. Cedars-Sinai was one of four medical centers involved in an early feasibility study that contributed to the approval of the new stent. The results of that study, published in May, report that the stent was safely implanted and opened narrowed blood vessels. "This is the start of a game changer for scores of children all around the world," said Eduardo Marban, MD, Ph.D., executive director of the Smidt Heart Institute and the Mark S. Siegel Family Foundation Distinguished Chair. "It's a privilege knowing Cedars-Sinai has been intimately involved in the creation of this device." More information: Darren P. Berman et al, Results of the multicenter early feasibility study (EFS) of the Renata Minima stent as treatment for branch pulmonary artery stenosis and coarctation of aorta in infants, Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions (2024). DOI: 10.1002/ccd.31074. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ccd.31074 Journal information: Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions 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: Manhattan plot of ACD GWAS. In addition to variants in APOE region, we identified five new genetic loci associated with VaD. Blue and red lines correspond to p value of 5e7 and 5e8. Credit: Alzheimer's & Dementia (2024). DOI: 10.1002/alz.14115 In landmark research, scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) have reported the largest-ever genome-wide association study of dementia from all causes, revealing an overlap of genetic risks including neurodegeneration, vascular factors and cerebral small-vessel disease. Genome-wide association studies help scientists identify genes associated with a particular disease or trait by exploring the entire set of DNA, or genome, of a large group of peoplein this case, a dataset of 800,597 individuals, with 46,902 and 8,702 cases of all-cause dementia and vascular dementia, respectively. "Dementia is a multifactorial disease with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia pathologies making the largest contributionsand yet, most genome-wide association studies focus just on Alzheimer's disease," said Bernard Fongang, Ph.D., with the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT Health San Antonio. "We conducted such a study of all-cause dementia and discovered a substantial genetic overlap with vascular dementia." Fongang, who also is with the departments of biochemistry and structural biology, and population health sciences, at the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio, is corresponding contact for the study titled "A genome-wide association meta-analysis of all-cause and vascular dementia," published July 24 in Alzheimer's & Dementia. The Mega Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (MEGAVCID) consortium, an international consortium of cohorts focusing on the genetics of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia, is credited as the study author. Two clinically distinct dementias According to the study, Alzheimer's disease is traditionally considered the most common dementia subtype, followed by vascular dementia. The two conditions are clinically distinct, however. Vascular dementia is diagnosed based on the presence of stroke or extensive cerebral vascular disease, with atherosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis considered the underlying pathologies. But a wealth of evidence from recent years has emphasized a broad role for brain vascular damage as a major mechanism for cognitive impairment. It is now increasingly recognized that a component of vascular pathology is prominent in all major dementias and acts synergistically with amyloid beta, tau and other neurodegenerative pathologies to affect dementia risk, the study notes. Because most genome-wide association studies have focused on Alzheimer's disease, highlighting multiple genetic risk variants, Fongang's team conducted such a study of all-cause dementia and examined the genetic overlap with vascular dementia. Its vast dataset drew from individuals comprising the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE), the Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Consortium (ADGC), the European Alzheimer Disease Biobank (EADB) and the UK Biobank (UKBB), encompassing four different reported ancestries: European (98.5%), African (1.0%), Asian (0.4%) and Hispanics/Latino (0.1%). Known genetic variants associated with Alzheimer's disease were replicated for all-cause dementia and vascular dementia. Functional analysis revealed the overlap of genetic risks of all-cause dementia with neurodegeneration, vascular risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes, and cerebral small vessel disease. Essentially, known genetic variants for Alzheimer's disease were identified as risk factors for all-cause dementia and vascular dementia. "Our findings expand the current knowledge base of dementia genetics by focusing on both all-cause dementia and vascular dementia," Fongang said. "We identified several putative genetic variants and biological pathways associated with all-cause dementia and vascular dementia, and added additional support for the involvement of vascular mechanisms in dementia pathogenesis." The study concluded that the results should be validated in additional datasets including non-European individuals. 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: Climate change is increasing the threat of infectious disease in part by extending the range of vectors like mosquitoes. A global network of doctors and laboratories is working to pinpoint emerging viral threats, including many driven by climate change, in a bid to head off the world's next pandemic. The coalition of self-described "virus hunters" has uncovered everything from an unusual tick-borne disease in Thailand to a surprise outbreak in Colombia of an infection spread by midges. "The roster of things that we have to worry about, as we saw with COVID-19, is not static," said Gavin Cloherty, an infectious disease expert who heads the Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition. "We have to be very vigilant about how the bad guys that we know about are changing... But also if there's new kids on the block," he told AFP. The coalition brings together doctors and scientists at universities and health institutions across the world, with funding from health care and medical devices giant Abbott. By uncovering new threats, the coalition gives Abbott a potential headstart in designing the kinds of testing kits that were central to the COVID-19 response. And its involvement gives the coalition deep pockets and the ability to detect and sequence but also respond to new viruses. "When we find something, we're able to very quickly make diagnostic tests at industry level," Cloherty said. "The idea is to ringfence an outbreak, so that we would be able to hopefully prevent a pandemic." Factfile on viruses, among the most abudant organisms on Earth. The coalition has sequenced approximately 13,000 samples since it began operating in 2021. In Colombia, it found an outbreak of Oropouche, a virus spread by midges and mosquitoes, that had rarely been seen there before. Phylogenetic work to trace the strain's family tree revealed it came from Peru or Ecuador, rather than Brazil, another hotspot. "You can see where things are moving from. It's important from a public health perspective," said Cloherty. Difficult and costly More recently, the coalition worked with doctors in Thailand to reveal that a tick-bourne virus was behind a mysterious cluster of patient cases. "At the time, we didn't know what virus caused this syndrome," explained Pakpoom Phoompoung, associate professor of infectious disease at Siriraj Hospital. Testing and sequencing of samples that dated back as far as 2014 found many were positive for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTSV). "Less than 10 patients had (previously) been diagnosed with SFTSV in Thailand... we don't have PCR diagnosis, we don't have serology for this viral infection diagnosis," Pakpoom told AFP. Ticks are another disease vector that are expanding their geographic range. Diagnosing it "is difficult, labor intensive and also is costly". And there is a growing need to track these threats as climate change expands the range of infectious disease globally. The link between climate change and infectious disease is well-established and multi-faceted. Warmer conditions allow vectors like mosquitoes to live in new locations, more rain creates more breeding pools, and extreme weather forces people into the open where they are more vulnerable to bites. Human impact on the planet is also driving the spread and evolution of infectious disease in other ways: biodiversity loss forces viruses to evolve into new hosts, and can push animals into closer contact with humans. 'You have to be vigilant' Phylogenetic analysis of the SFTSV strain in Thailand gives a snapshot of the complex interplay. It showed the virus had evolved from one tick with a smaller geographic range into the hardier Asian longhorned tick. The analysis suggested its evolution was driven largely by pesticide use that reduced the numbers of the original tick host. Record dengue outbreaks have been recorded in several parts of the world in recent years. Once the virus evolved, it could spread further in part because Asian longhorned ticks can live on birds, which are traveling further and faster because of changing climate conditions. "It's almost like they're an airline," said Cloherty. Climate change's fingerprints are in everything from record outbreaks of dengue in Latin America and the Caribbean to the spread of West Nile Virus in the United States. While the coalition grew from work that preceded the pandemic, the global spread of COVID-19 offered a potent reminder of the risks of infectious disease. But Cloherty fears people are already forgetting those lessons. "You have to be vigilant," he said. "Something that happens in Bangkok could be happening in Boston tomorrow." 2024 AFP Emergency vehicles line Spencer Highway responding to a pipeline fire near Spencer and Summerton on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 in La Porte. The fire caused road closures and shelter-in-place advisories Monday afternoon in the area, with evacuations to homes and businesses in the immediate area near the fire site. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer A Clear Lake man watches the pipeline fire as he is giving a ride to his friend who is a resident on E. Meadow Drive Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 in Deer Park. The pipeline fire happened near 8700 block of Spencer Highway in La Porte. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer A La Porte pipeline fire is seen from the San Jacinto College Central campus in Pasadena on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. Yvette Orozco/Houston Chronicle A Clear Lake man takes photos of the pipeline fire with his cell phone as he is giving a ride to his friend who is a resident on E. Meadow Drive Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 in Deer Park. The pipeline fire happened near 8700 block of Spencer Highway in La Porte. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Firefighters drinking water and taking a breaking from working on E. Meadow Drive to keep the pipeline fire under control Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 in Deer Park. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Residents on Meadow Way Drive are self evacuating as the pipeline fire burns in the background Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 in Deer Park. The pipeline fire happened near 8700 block of Spencer Highway in La Porte. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer A pipeline fire burns near Spencer Highway and Summerton on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 in La Porte. The fire caused road closures and shelter-in-place advisories Monday afternoon in the area, with evacuations to homes and businesses in the immediate area near the fire site. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Firefighters take a break from battling a fire at a pipeline near Spencer Highway and Summerton on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 in La Porte. The fire caused road closures and shelter-in-place advisories Monday afternoon in the area, with evacuations to homes and businesses within a half mile from the fire site. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer A plume of fire is visible, Tuesday, Sep. 17, 2024, a day after a pipeline exploded near Spencer Highway and Red Bluff Road in La Porte. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Diane Hutto wipes away tears as she walks with her husband a day after being evacuated from their home Tuesday, Sep. 17, 2024, a day after a pipeline exploded near Spencer Highway and Red Bluff Road in La Porte. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Fire response vehicles line a residential street as flames are visible over the tree tops near Meadow Brook Drive And East Meadow Drive, Tuesday, Sep. 17, 2024, a day after a pipeline exploded near Spencer Highway and Red Bluff Road in La Porte. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Fire response vehicles line a residential street as flames are visible over the tree tops near Meadow Brook Drive And East Meadow Drive, Tuesday, Sep. 17, 2024, a day after a pipeline exploded near Spencer Highway and Red Bluff Road in La Porte. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Flames are visible over the tree tops and fire department vehicles are visible Tuesday, Sep 17, 2024, as a Pasadena Police vehicle blocks the road near the site where a pipeline exploded near Spencer Highway and Red Bluff Road in La Porte. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer A plume of fire is visible, Tuesday, Sep. 17, 2024, a day after a pipeline exploded near Spencer Highway and Red Bluff Road in La Porte. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Fire response vehicles line a residential street as flames are visible over the tree tops near Meadow Brook Drive And East Meadow Drive, Tuesday, Sep. 17, 2024, a day after a pipeline exploded near Spencer Highway and Red Bluff Road in La Porte. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Grand View Memorial Park grave markers are visible in the foreground as flames leap above the tree tops Tuesday, Sep. 17, 2024, as the fire continues to burn after a pipeline exploded near Spencer Highway and Red Bluff Road in La Porte. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Isabel Sanchez, Cristina Garcia and Jacob Sanchez left their voluntarily left trailer home yesterday but had to return today, Tuesday, Sep. 17, 2024, to retrieve a few items as the fire continues to burn after a pipeline exploded near Spencer Highway and Red Bluff Road in La Porte. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer The area marked in red was still considered off-limits by the City of Deer Park as of 2:35 p.m. Tuesday. Courtesy City of Deer Park A pipeline fire near Deer Park and La Porte was still burning Tuesday after an SUV crashed into an above-ground pipeline valve Monday morning, possibly starting the fire. The natural gas pipeline is owned by Energy Transfer located near the border between Deer Park, La Porte and Pasadena. Here's what to know about pollution risk in the vicinity of the fire and the chemicals Energy Transfer uses. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Advertisement Article continues below this ad Follow along here for live updates from Houston Chronicle reporters: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a statement posted to X that initial air quality readings in the area around the fire were concerning, but have since been debunked using more sensitive equipment. Twenty readings, according to the statement, initially gave results above the maximum level considered safe by Harris County Pollution Control officials. However, a subsequent test using more sensitive equipment showed air quality remained within acceptable levels, according to Hidalgo. La Porte Independent School District announced it is collecting food, water and other essentials for families impacted by the pipeline fire. Advertisement Article continues below this ad LPISD officials said the district was accepting prepackaged snacks, water and hygiene items Wednesday afternoon in a post on Facebook. Those interested can contact Sherrita Rachel at 832-851-6209, or bring items to the South Region Driving School at 911 South Broadway St. - John Lomax V Harris County Hazmat teams are preparing to enter homes in the area around the pipeline fire to test air quality, according to a City of Deer Park news release. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Once the area is deemed safe, the Deer Park Volunteer Fire Department will enter the neighborhood to perform an initial search of the homes around East Meadow. That will be followed by a second, more thorough, inspection, according to the news release. The evacuated zone has been condensed, the release read. If you are a property owner within the red coloration on the map, please do not attempt to enter the area. Homes in the area may still be without power. Harris County Pollution Control said in a post on X that the particulate matter from the fire is moderate, but there is no immediate risk for healthy individuals. - John Lomax V Advertisement Article continues below this ad Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a statement Tuesday afternoon that the owner of the pipeline on fire in Deer Park, Energy Transfer, was "currently working to isolate the part of the pipeline closest to the burn by 'clamping' the pipeline at the south side." Meanwhile, CenterPoint crews worked to secure transmission lines to the north of the fire so that Energy Transfer could block that side as well, Hidalgo said. At the time of her latest update, just before 3 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon about 29 hours after the fire ignited Hidalgo said the fire was still burning, though pressure within the pipeline had been dropping as it came closer to extinguishing. She said that Harris County Pollution Control was still monitoring the air in the area, and that the department would work with Harris County Hazmat after the pipeline was clamped to make sure that no excess natural gas had entered the community or affected first responders working the scene. "Once firefighters inspect the nearby houses for safety concerns, the pipeline is clamped, and our officials determine air quality is safe, residents will be able to return to their homes," she said. - Rebekah F. Ward Map of the evacuation area surrounding the pipeline fire. Courtesy City of La Porte Evacuations will likely remain through Wednesday for residents and community members in Willow Springs Bayou, between Fernrock Drive and Somerton Drive, Spencer Highway, Canada Road and Oakhaven Road/Eagle Run Street. Law enforcement continued to perform traffic control duties and increased presence in areas affected by the fire. The La Porte Fire Department also continued to monitor the uncontrolled flame as it burned through Tuesday afternoon. Spencer Highway between Underwood Road and East Boulevard was reopened Tuesday but remained closed between East Boulevard and Luella Boulevard, according to the city of La Porte Police Department. - Caroline Wilburn The Energy Transfer pipeline that caught fire Monday was used to transport a mixture of natural gas liquids including ethane, propane, butane, isobutane and pentane plus, a highly flammable combination. Authorities' investigation of an SUV crash that may have triggered the massive blaze when its driver ran into an exposed valve ushered in questions about pipeline safety measures. The valve for the 20-inch line sits in a small grassy lot adjacent to a strip mall and several yards from the highway. The lot's edge is lined with bollards and several valves appear to be cordoned off with standard chain-link fences. Energy Transfer did not immediately respond to a question about any further security measures they had in place. - Rebekah F. Ward The city of Deer Park spokesperson Kaitlyn Bluejacket said officials have provided no specific deadline for when the fire will be extinguished, but expect it to burn through Tuesday afternoon. Once the fire is out, Deer Park police will be able to begin its formal investigation into what caused Monday's fire. - Caroline Wilburn Evacuations remained in place for the community near the fire as the pipeline continued to burn Tuesday. In a Monday news conference, Deer Park Assistant Police Chief Frank Hart said residents would be able to return to their homes once it's safe. "But the product has to burn out of that line enough that temperatures get down, where it's safe for people to move back in," he said. La Porte ISD officials said that the district would operate as normal Tuesday and buses will resume their usual routes, officials announced on Facebook. School district officials said exceptions will be made for families evacuated as a result of yesterdays pipeline fire. "We understand some families may face challenges in light of the fire on Monday," the post reads. "As always, we encourage you to do whats best for your family." As of Tuesday morning, Spencer Highway remained closed between Canada and Underwood, officials with Deer Park Emergency Management Office said in a post on X, formally known as Twitter. - Michael Garcia, Rebekah F. Ward and Octavia Johnson Is the natural gas fire affecting air quality? It does not appear that the ongoing fire near Deer Park is affecting localized air quality. Some of the closest air quality sensors indicate moderate air quality, meaning only residents that are unusually sensitive to particulate matter in the air could be experiencing allergy-like symptoms. An air quality alert is in place for Harris, Galveston, and Brazoria counties, but that is not related to the natural gas fire. What are winds like? Winds are fairly light at the surface. Winds are calm at Ellington Air Force Field and out of the west at only 3 mph at La Porte Municipal Airport. The risk of winds causing additional spot fire development is very low. Will rain help? The chance for rain is very low Tuesday. Areas near and along the coast have a slim chance of a sea or bay breeze, but it likely won't be enough to help mitigate the ongoing fire. Even if it does rain, there is a decent chance that wouldn't help given the nature of the ongoing fire. If water would help to extinguish flames, first responders likely would have already doused it more than 24 hours out. - Justin Ballard Evacuees who were transported from the Wal-Mart parking lot Monday following the pipeline fire can pick up their vehicles from the parking lot, Deer Park City officials said in a news release Tuesday. Evacuees are asked to travel southbound on East Boulevard to the checkpoint where they will be escorted to their vehicles. - Caroline Wilburn Residents of Parsons House La Porte, a retirement and assisted living facility, were evacuated Monday due to the pipeline fire and transported to the Parsons House Cypress community. After spending Monday night in Cypress, residents returned to La Porte Tuesday morning. - Caroline Wilburn The city of Deer Park spokesperson Kaitlyn Bluejacket said local police won't be able to investigate further until the fire concludes. In a news release Monday night, Deer Park city officials said police and the FBI did not believe the crash was an act of terrorism and called it an "isolated incident." They did not provide any more information. Around 10 a.m. Monday, a white SUV drove through a fence on the west side of Wal-Mart's parking lot at 9025 Spencer Highway, Deer Park city officials said in a news release. The driver entered a strip of land containing natural gas equipment and struck an above-ground pipeline valve. The La Porte's Office of Emergency Management officials said its Emergency Operations Center would remain active Tuesday as first responders continued to manage the flame as a product of the natural gas liquid burned off. Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton Jr. said there is no timeline for when the flame is expected to subside. - Caroline Wilburn Deer Parks towering inferno has made for some striking visuals, including one thats literally out of this world. NASA Astronaut Don Pettit on Tuesday morning shared a photograph taken from the International Space Station, which clearly showed the flames from the Deer Park pipeline fire, even from 254 miles above the Earths surface. The fire, Pettit noted, is just 10 miles from NASAs Johnson Space Center. - John Wayne Ferguson Energy Transfer officials announced that people affected by the pipeline fire in Deer Park and La Porte are being "taken care of and have been provided lodging at area hotels." The fire is still under investigation. "We continue to work closely with local authorities to safely manage the response and cooperate in the investigation. We want to thank all the emergency response teams for their ongoing efforts to safely manage the response to this incident," the company said in a statement. For anyone displaced or impacted by the fire, Energy Transfer created a helpline at 855-430-4491. - Octavia Johnson La Porte ISD will operate as normal Tuesday and buses will resume their usual routes, officials announced on Facebook. District officials said exceptions will be made for families evacuated as a result of yesterdays pipeline fire. "We understand some families may face challenges in light of the fire on Monday," the post reads. "As always, we encourage you to do whats best for your family." - Caroline Wilburn However, Deer Park's Office of Emergency Management officials said Tuesday morning that the burn-off timeline will be extended and the fire is significantly smaller than Monday. A firefighter directs a line of water around a fire on a pipeline near Spencer Highway and Summerton on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 in La Porte. The fire caused road closures and shelter-in-place advisories Monday afternoon in the area, with evacuations to homes and businesses within a half mile from the fire site. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer "The City of Deer Park is continuing to monitor the pipeline fire on Spencer (Highway)," the Deer Park OEM officials said in a statement. - Octavia Johnson and Caroline Wilburn WHERE IS THE PIPELINE FIRE?: This map shows where it is in the Houston area A pipeline fire near Deer Park and La Porte was still burning early Tuesday morning. Deer Park city officials said Energy Transfer and Harris County Pollution Control would continue to monitor the air, but no air monitoring issues were reported as of Monday night. Evacuations are still underway for residents and community members near the fire. For anyone displaced or impacted by the fire, Energy Transfer created a helpline at 855-430-4491. 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 If you've ever been worried or anxious at work so much that it affects your performance, you might have workplace anxiety. Having some level of anxiety at your workplace is normal; everybody feels this to some extent, but it shouldn't become a functional problem. Dr. Asim Shah, professor and executive vice chair in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, explains the causes of workplace anxiety, how to manage it and when to seek professional help. Workplace anxiety can be triggered by your environment, which includes your co-workers, a supervisor, small tasks or major projects. If you have workplace anxiety, you might notice signs like: Feeling overly anxious or nervous Physical changes such as excessive sweating or trembling Obsessively thinking about a task A lack of interest in your work "The anxiety becomes so overwhelming that you are unable to focus and concentrate," Shah said. "These feelings can impair your daily work functions." If these feelings last over six months, Shah says it could be time to seek professional help. "Some employers might offer an employee assistance program where you can go for help. You can also start talking to a therapist through psychotherapy or look into medication management for your workplace anxiety," he said. It is important to know that getting a new position isn't always the answer to your workplace anxiety. To manage it and help to reduce stress, Shah recommends to: Break your tasks into small pieces to not feel so overwhelmed. Set small goals throughout the work week and praise yourself for accomplishing them. Express your emotions. Journal how you feel. Talk, laugh or cry with someone you confide in. Start healthy habits and do things that you enjoy. Work within your limits. Set boundaries with your workload. "The goal is not to suffer and not let your anxiety affect work performance. About 60% of people experience workplace anxiety. It is common, which means you can do something about it," Shah said. An East Helena man convicted for his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection in Washington, D.C., told 60 Minutes in a story broadcast Sunday he still believes the 2020 election was stolen and that his actions that day were patriotic. Jerod Hughes, 39, who along with his older brother, Joshua, pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding, spoke to CBS journalist Scott Pelley for a story by the television news magazine that included U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves, retired conservative federal judge Thomas Griffith and Officer Daniel Hodges of the DC Metropolitan Police. I still feel very strongly, Hughes, 39, said when Pelley says he must have felt deep commitment to drive 2,000 miles from Montana to Washington, D.C. This way this country is headed my paycheck my wife is disabled and it is hell for us to try and make it with the tens of thousands of dollars of medical bills and a lot of us see Donald Trump, the outsider coming in, and trying to help us out, help the little guy out against the big government. The rioters entered the Capitol in protest of the 2020 election going to Democrat Joe Biden and not to Trump, the incumbent Republican. Jerod Hughes was sentenced Jan. 6, 2023, the two-year anniversary of the riot, to 46 months in prison, three years of supervised release and $2,000 in restitution. Joshua Hughes was sentenced Nov. 22, 2022, to 38 months of incarceration, three years of supervised release and $2,000 in restitution. The brothers pleaded guilty Aug. 25, 2022, to an obstruction of an official proceeding charge. At one time they faced nine felony counts each. The brothers placed themselves at the tip of the spear that day and were among the first 10 rioters to enter the Capitol building, federal prosecutors said. The brothers turned themselves in to authorities after they returned to Montana and initially were incarcerated in early 2021. 60 Minutes showed video footage of Jerod Hughes inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, and kicking open a door so the mob can rush in. And it shows him yelling at officers. No matter how I look at it, I share some of the responsibility of what happened that day, letting people in, being part of that mob," Hughes said. "I did not personally fight with any cops or engage with any officers, but I have a lot of family who are police officers and I have a tremendous amount of respect and I did not like seeing them being assaulted. Pelley pointed out there was not a lot of respect shown by Hughes for police shown in the video. No, absolutely, Hughes said. I will hold my hand up and say I should not have been screaming at those cops. Its not something I am proud of. In a Dec. 30 sentencing memo, Hughes' attorney states he was responding to the entreaties of the Commander in Chief to save the country. It is only in retrospect he has learned that he was responding to the clarion call of a charlatan, the 12-page memo says. Defendants intentions were noble in that he was responding to a call to sacrifice and civic duty as a citizen. It is only in hindsight that he recognizes that he was a misguided, naive dupe. Hughes said Sunday he got a lot of his news raising questions about the 2020 election from Fox News, the internet and obviously Trump himself saying the election was stolen. If I find out I was dead wrong on this and the election was legit and Joe Biden got the most votes in presidential history, I would be extremely embarrassed, I would hold my hand up and say I was wrong. I am an idiot. Hughes said. I dont believe that, though. And whether I was right or wrong, I believe what we did was patriotic, because we truly believe the election was stolen, for a number of reasons. We really believe that. 60 Minutes noted Hughes, shown wearing an ankle monitor, has served time in prison but is spending his final days of incarceration under home detention. Graves said guidelines for prosecution were put in place under the Trump administration and continued under the Biden administration. The prosecution focused on people who entered into the Capitol, engaged in violent or destructive behavior, helped others enter, and illegally carried firearms or other weapons on Capitol grounds. Not everyone who was there that day was charged, he said. The charges range from trespassing to the most serious: seditious conspiracy. Graves told 60 Minutes that seditious conspiracy, of which 14 people have been convicted, is a Civil War-era statute that accuses people of using force against the government to interfere with the operations of the government. The news story reported that 1,000 defendants have been convicted so far in connection with the riot. About 350 trials are still pending and the FBI is still searching for suspects. Also, more than 900 80% of those charged have pleaded guilty. Trump, a Jan. 6 defendant, has referred to those now incarcerated as hostages. Thomas Griffith, a retired conservative federal judge who co-wrote the report Lost, not stolen, a yearlong study by conservatives into the 2020 election, told 60 Minutes there was no evidence that fraud changed the outcome of the election in any precinct. Hodges, the DC Metropolitan Police officer, was pinned against a door in the West Front Tunnel by the rioters. He said he had his gas mask yanked from his face and was beaten in the head with his own riot baton. Graves told Pelley 140 law enforcement officers suffered injuries that day. Hodges said that if those found guilty are pardoned, they would feel justified for what they did. He said they could do it again and it would be incredibly destructive for the fabric of the country. 11 searing moments of Jan. 6: From 'an attempted coup' to chaos 'An attempted coup' 'Carnage' at the Capitol 'Detached from reality' A tense conversation 40 feet away 'I will not break my oath' Lives upended A judge has denied William Beeman's petition for post-conviction relief. Seventh Judicial Court Judge Mark Fowler ruled against the petition on Monday, saying Beeman's defense team had not proven the state acted in bad faith during his 1980 murder trial. The ruling, based on testimony given during a post-conviction trial on June 19 and 20, stated after multiple reasons for seeking post-conviction relief, the only one that survived after various legal proceedings was the issue of biological evidence. If it had been proven the Muscatine County Sheriffs Office or Muscatine County Attorney had acted in bad faith in destroying the evidence, Beeman, 66, could have gotten a new trial. Beemans attorneys argued a vaginal swab collected in the case could identify the real culprit. The Court finds that Mr. Beeman has not carried his burden of proving bad faith, the judgement said. To find that the State acted in bad faith, the Court must be convinced that the State knew the exculpatory value of the evidence. Here, the State had no reason to know that the blood evidence might exculpate Mr. Beeman. First, the blood type matched the victim, so the State might reasonably have concluded that the blood belonged to the victim. Second, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) identification testing was not a common investigatory technique until about 1986 in the United Kingdom and about 1987 in the United States. Beeman has served 44 years of a life sentence after being found guilty of the stabbing death of Michiel Winkel, 22, at Wildcat Den State Park. He was convicted by a jury in 1980. A sexual assault kit from the case was lost or destroyed after Beeman was convicted and prior to an appeal in 2020. Winkel was found dead near the campground just off a walking trail in the park. Beemans attorneys argued new medical evidence about the state of Winkels body indicated she could not have died five days earlier on April 21, 1980, as the state alleged. The defense also claimed to have witnesses that saw Winkel alive after April 21. Beeman filed for post-conviction relief in November 2023, claiming new evidence would prove his innocence. Beeman has maintained his innocence throughout the time he has been incarcerated and has argued that a signed confession to the murder presented at the 1980 trial was coerced. He was represented by attorneys from The Midwest Innocence Project, a Kansas City, Missouri, based organization, and the Iowa State Public Defenders Wrongful Conviction Unit. Previously, Muscatine County Court and the Iowa District Court have denied motions by Beeman for a new trial. The Iowa Supreme Court declined to take the case. Rangers led the way in the D-Day landings 80 years ago Rangers led the way in the D-Day landings 80 years ago Rangers on the front lines of Allied campaign The fight at Pointe du Hoc Rangers led the way in the D-Day landings 80 years ago Suspicious packages were sent to election officials in at least six states on Monday, but there were no reports that any of the packages contained hazardous material. Powder-containing packages were sent to secretaries of state and state election offices in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Tennessee, Wyoming and Oklahoma, officials in those states confirmed. The FBI and U.S. Postal Service were investigating. It marked the second time in the past year that suspicious packages were mailed to election officials in multiple state offices. The latest scare comes as early voting has begun in several states less than two months ahead of the high-stakes elections for president, Senate, Congress and key statehouse offices around the nation, causing disruption in what is already a tense voting season. Several of the states reported a white powder substance found in envelopes sent to election officials. In most cases, the material was found to be harmless. Oklahoma officials said the material sent to the election office there contained flour. Wyoming officials have not yet said if the material sent there was hazardous. The packages forced an evacuation in Iowa. Hazmat crews in several states quickly determined the material was harmless. We have specific protocols in place for situations such as this, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said in a statement after the evacuation of the six-story Lucas State Office Building in Des Moines. We immediately reported the incident per our protocols." A state office building in Topeka, Kansas, was also evacuated due to suspicious mail sent to both the secretary of state and attorney general, Kansas Highway Patrol spokesperson April M. McCollum said in a statement. Topeka Fire Department crews found several pieces of mail with an unknown substance on them, though a field test found no hazardous materials, spokesperson Rosie Nichols said. Several employees in both offices had been exposed to it and had their health monitored, she said. In Oklahoma, the State Election Board received a suspicious envelope in the mail containing a multi-page document and a white, powdery substance, agency spokesperson Misha Mohr said in an email to The Associated Press. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, which oversees security for the Capitol, secured the envelope. Testing determined the substance was flour, Mohr said. State workers in an office building next to the Wyoming Capitol in Cheyenne were sent home for the day pending testing of a white substance mailed to the secretary of states office. Suspicious letters were sent to election offices and government buildings in at least six states last November, including the same building in Kansas that received suspicious mail Monday. While some of the letters contained fentanyl, even the suspicious mail that was not toxic delayed the counting of ballots in some local elections. One of the targeted offices was in Fulton County, Georgia, the largest voting jurisdiction in one of the nations most important swing states. Four county election offices in Washington state had to be evacuated as election workers were processing ballots cast, delaying vote-counting. The letters caused election workers around the country to stock up the overdose reversal medication naloxone. Election offices across the United States have taken steps to increase the security of their buildings and boost protections for workers amid an onslaught of harassment and threats following the 2020 election and the false claims that it was rigged. Salter reported from O'Fallon, Missouri. Volmert reported from Lansing, Michigan. Mead Gruver in Cheyenne, Wyoming; Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee; Summer Ballentine in Columbia, Missouri; Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City and John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, contributed to this report. Police are searching for an unidentified male driver connected to a road accident that occurred on Monday at the Argwings Kodhek-Ole Dume junction in Kilimani, Nairobi County. The crash resulted in the deaths of two individuals and left several others injured. On the same day, authorities reached out to Kenya Bus Service (KBS), the drivers employer, requesting information to help locate him. The incident unfolded in the morning when a 51-seater bus, speeding along Valley Road toward Yaya Centre, lost control and collided with a motorcycle, killing the rider and his passenger instantly. Witnesses reported that the bus driver was speeding down the steep section of Argwings Kodhek Road right after departing Ole Dume when he lost control and struck the motorcycle. Police reports indicate that brake failure in the bus contributed to the driver losing control. The bus lost control and crashed on the edge of the road, resulting in serious head injuries for both the rider and the pillion passenger, who died on the spot, the report stated. After crime scene investigators processed the accident site, authorities towed the bus to Kilimani police station, where it will remain until the investigation concludes. Police spokesperson Resila Onyango confirmed that the search for the driver is progressing well, and they are confident he will be apprehended soon. We are taking every possible measure to ensure his arrest. We have contacted KBS, and we believe its only a matter of time before we locate the suspect, who will assist us in our investigations, she stated. Abby Church is a City Hall reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at abby.church@houstonchronicle.com. Before coming to the Chronicle, Abby covered Tarrant County government at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. As an Air Force brat, she spent her childhood everywhere, but she claims Virginia as home. She graduated from James Madison University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and creative writing. Quiver Steak House, a popular nightclub in Kilimani, Nairobi, has agreed to permanently lower its music volume in response to mounting pressure. This decision follows a notice of closure issued by Nairobi City County after complaints from residents about excessive noise pollution. The club proudly announced that it has made a groundbreaking decision to become the first club to embrace the innovative concept of not playing music. In a statement, Quiver management explained, After listening to our neighbors and engaging in several discussions, we are making a historic move. We will be the first club to introduce an innovative concept by eliminating loud music. The statement emphasized the clubs commitment to unity and environmental conservation, indicating that the change was made in response to ongoing conversations with the community. Quiet Clubbing Concept Despite this shift, Quiver Steak House reassured patrons that they would still be able to enjoy all the venues offerings, with the only difference being the absence of loud music. This approach is designed to create a vibrant atmosphere where guests can fully immerse themselves in the experience without the distraction of blaring music, the club stated. We believe people can still enjoy their meals, drinks, and fun while engaging in meaningful conversations and forging connections with one another. By removing loud music, the club aims to promote a more social environment, allowing laughter, chatter, and the clinking of glasses to take center stage. Revelers are invited to explore a new way to enjoy a night out, where the energy of our guests, rather than loud music, sets the rhythm of the evening. Geoffrey Mosiria Takes Action Following Repeated Warnings The decision to reduce the music volume comes after Geoffrey Mosiria, Nairobi City Countys chief environment officer, moved to close down the club following repeated warnings to lower its volume. We have issued several notices informing them that their loud music has been disturbing the neighbors. Today, we served them with a notice of intended closure, Mosiria stated over the weekend. This behavior is illegal, and we are now enforcing action against businesses that fail to comply with our soundproofing regulations. We will not tolerate continued environmental pollution and disturbances to the communitys peace, he added. President Ruto Orders Closure In addition to county government pressure, reports suggest that President William Ruto personally approved the nightclubs closure. The club is located near key government buildings, including the State House, Department of Defence headquarters, and the Nairobi County Commanders office. Rodriques Lunalo Mulindi, an aide to Governor Johnson Sakaja, confirmed that Ruto gave the directive before leaving for Nyeri on Sunday, September 15. The president ordered the clubs closure, and the governor sent a team to enforce it. We measured the noise levels and found them disruptive. The closure was carried out successfully, and the owner signed the necessary documents, Mulindi explained. Heres to hoping that other Nairobi clubs, known for their excessively loud music, will follow Quivers lead. Secondary school teachers have intensified their calls for increased allowances to supervise the upcoming Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, which will commence on October 22, 2024. Represented by the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), the educators are demanding a staggering increase of 600 to 800 percent in their out-of-workstation allowances. In a letter addressed to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, Kuppet Secretary-General Akello Misori proposed raising the daily rate for invigilators to Kes. 3,000, a handsome rise from the current Kes. 400, representing a 650 percent increase. The union also seeks to elevate the daily compensation for supervisors to Kes. 3,500, significantly up from their current rate of Kes. 450. Additionally, they request Kes. 4,500 per day for principals, who act as examination center managers during the exam period. This figure signifies an 800 percent increase from the current daily rate of Kes. 500 for principals. Misori emphasized that their members would reject the existing remuneration structure during the upcoming examinations. He urged the Cabinet Secretary, responsible for the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) budget, to ensure the council compensates teachers in line with the Human Resource Policies and Procedures Manual for the Public Service, which serves as the governments benchmark. The low remuneration for examination management persists throughout the invigilation, supervision, and marking processes, Misori stated. He added that such inadequate compensation undermines Kenyas standards for fair labor practices and adversely affects the morale of teachers, ultimately threatening the credibility of national examinations. President William Ruto has established a committee to review the controversial new university funding model, which has ignited discussions among students, parents, and education stakeholders. In a notice published in the Kenya Gazette on Monday, Ruto announced the creation of the National Working Committee on the Review of the New University Education Funding Model. The committee will consist of four sub-committees. One sub-committee will focus on refining the new funding model for universities and technical, vocational education, and training institutions (TVETs), while another will handle appeals related to the categorization of students into various eligibility bands. The third sub-committee will evaluate the structure of student loans, and the fourth will assess the costs associated with university academic programs. The chairpersons and co-chairpersons of the workstreams (sub-committees) will form the Coordination Board of the Committee for the New University Education Funding Model. The board will include Japheth Micheni Ntiba as chairperson, along with the chairpersons and co-chairpersons of the four workstreams and lead joint secretaries from each of the workstreams, Ruto stated. The first sub-committee, chaired by Karuti Kanyinga and co-chaired by Dibora Zainab Hirbo, comprises 30 members. The second sub-committee, led by chair Walubengo Waningilo and co-chair Lucy Machugu, includes 25 members. Robert Oduor Otieno will chair the sub-committee focusing on student loan structures, with Aron Kiprotich Bett as co-chair. This sub-committee consists of 18 members. The fourth workstream, chaired by Mohamed S. Rajab and co-chaired by Patrick Malanga, includes 31 members. Each sub-committee also features two joint secretaries and a two-member secretariat. Ruto noted that the National Committee will serve for eight weeks from the date of establishment or for a longer period as specified in the Gazette. Governor Greg Abbott, left, listens as Texas Border Czar Mike Banks comments on the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua during a press conference at the DPS Southeast Texas Regional Headquarters in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday said the state is launching a crackdown on Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang that has drawn national attention and that the Texas Republican likened to MS-13 on steroids. Abbott declared the gang a foreign terrorist organization and directed the states Department of Public Safety to ramp up efforts to halt its operations in Texas. They have a target on their back and we are going after them, Abbott said during a press conference in Houston. We know that if we dont stop this now, it could spread rapidly across our state. Advertisement Article continues below this ad RELATED: Police deny Venezuela gang has taken over rundown apartment complex in Denver suburb The announcement comes as former President Donald Trump has made migrant crime a centerpiece of his campaign to retake the White House and pushed exaggerated claims that the gang took over an apartment complex in Colorado. What is Tren de Aragua? The gang is the largest criminal organization in Venezuela and has been spreading across parts of South America as its members prey on migrants fleeing the nation, charging them fees to smuggle them into other countries and trafficking others for sexual exploitation, according to InSight Crime, a think tank that tracks organized crime. The gang started in a prison and is now seen as one of the fastest-growing security threats in the region, with a network throughout Colombia, Peru and Chile. Tren de Aragua is notoriously violent and its activities have spread beyond human trafficking to include drug trafficking, loan sharking and more. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Like the Italian mafia and other criminal organizations, the gang has followed migration patterns out of Venezuela and into the U.S., where more than 700,000 Venezuelans have settled in recent years amid economic and political upheaval in their home country. Historically when we have seen mass migrations of people, some criminals have come into the country amid those migrant flows, said Scott Stewart, vice president of intelligence at the security firm TorchStone Global. The U.S. is also the land of criminal opportunity. How serious of a problem is the gang in the U.S.? Experts say the gang is active in the U.S. and should be taken seriously. But they say its reach has been exaggerated by Trump and others on the right, and it is so far not something that American law enforcement cannot handle. This is not a threat to the American state. Its not going to be destroying cities, said Michael Shifter, a senior fellow at the Inter-American Dialogue, a nonprofit in D.C. But its a serious problem that needs to be dealt with and contained. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The U.S. Treasury Department in July sanctioned the group as a transnational criminal organization and the State Department has offered up to $12 million in rewards for information leading to the arrest of its leaders. The gangs members have been linked to a series of high-profile crimes, including the shooting of two New York City police officers and the alleged takeover of an apartment building in Aurora, Colo., outside of Denver, where Abbott bused thousands of migrants from the Texas border. Trump has focused especially on the situation in Aurora, claiming armed migrants have taken over the city, which local leaders say is false. READ MORE: Here are 4 takeaways for Texas voters from the Trump-Harris presidential debate Theyre taking over buildings, Trump said during last weeks presidential debate. Theyre going in violently. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The takeover allegations began when a video showing armed men at an Aurora apartment complex went viral last month. The Denver Post reported this month that police had identified 10 people linked to the gang operating in the city, six of whom had been arrested. Police have denied gangs have taken over the apartment complex and said they had not arrested any gang members on charges related to collecting rent from residents there. This narrative out there is exaggerated, the citys Republican mayor, Mike Coffman, told the New York Times. Like MS-13, I believe it has become a bit of a boogeyman, said Stewart, the TorchStone Global analyst. Are they a problem in the U.S? Yes. But it is a problem that law enforcement can handle This is not the zombie apocalypse. Is Tren de Aragua active in Texas? Abbott said the state has seen slow but increasing activity by Tren de Aragua members over the past year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw said the agency believes the gang is active in cities across the state, including Houston, but El Paso is kind of the center of gravity right now. Like the apartment complex in Aurora, El Pasos Gateway Hotel has drawn national attention, especially on the right. Elon Musk reposted allegations that the gang had taken over the hotel on X, the social media site he owns. A judge last week ordered a temporary shutdown of the hotel after the El Paso county attorney accused its owners of operating it illegally, failing multiple fire inspections and allowing criminal activity on site. El Paso Police Department officers said in affidavits the hotel has become a hub for suspected gang activity, including by members of the Venezuelan gang, the El Paso Times reported. County Attorney Christina Sanchez said the hotel was not overtaken by Tren de Aragua members, however, and clarified that the lawsuit stemmed from broad criminal activities there, the newspaper reported. It's important to clarify that this lawsuit was not prompted by criminal activities attributed to any specific group or gang, Sanchez told the paper. I want to be clear that at no time did we allege in our lawsuit that the hotel was taken over by any gang or group of individuals. The Houston Police Department declined to comment about any arrests made in the city related to the gang, and referred questions to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which also declined to comment. McCraw did not offer any specific examples about arrests in Houston. A DPS spokeswoman on Tuesday said the agency has arrested two Tren de Aragua members in the Houston area on drug and human trafficking charges, but did not provide more information on those cases. What did Abbott order? The governor said labeling Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization will allow the state to levy enhanced penalties against its members, use civil assets to seize its property and more. Abbott ordered DPS to elevate Tren de Aragua to a tier 1 gang, which is considered the biggest threat to the state and the highest priority by the agency. Other tier 1 gangs include Tango Blast, Texas Syndicate, Barrio Azteca, and the Texas Mexican Mafia. They are classified as such because of connections to Mexican cartels and large memberships. Outside an Audi factory in Brussels described by the German carmaker as the "cradle" of its electric drive, around 200 picketing workers huddled around a bonfire in the morning drizzle. The firm is considering closing the plant, a move that analysts say is symptomatic of the troubles afflicting Europe's wider electric car industry, amid low demand and competition from China. Audi is a subsidiary of Volkswagen, which earlier this month made the bombshell announcement that it was considering the unprecedented step of closing production sites in Germany. With 3,000 jobs on the line, the Brussels workers have launched a prolonged strike, with a large demonstration planned in the capital on Monday and walkouts elsewhere in solidarity. Some have been sleeping in tents outside the modern facility, which switched to producing electric vehicles (EVs) in 2018 after 70 years making combustion engine models. "They screwed up with electric," Karim Chawki, 52, a picketing worker, said. "They wanted to innovate. We were going to be a pilot plant but they drove it into a wall. It didn't work and now we are the ones who are going to pay." Europe has been racing to produce more EVs as part of its green transition, with the clock ticking down on an EU deadline to phase out the sale of fossil fuel-burning cars by 2035. But sales have struggled to take off. New registrations dropped six percent on the previous year across the continent in July, according to the European Union. This was partially due to the phasing out of some subsidies but the weakening demand has fuelled concerns about the sector. The potential closure of the factory in the Belgian capital was a "first effect" of the challenges facing European carmakers, said Felipe Munoz, an analyst with the automotive data company Jato Dynamics. Cheaper Chinese vehicles have saturated the market while consumers are yet to warm up to EVs, which have higher upfront costs and tend to lose value more quickly, he said. Audi did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Announcing that it was considering shutting the Brussels site in July, the firm said demand for the high-end Q8 e-tron manufactured there dropped and the factory suffered from high logistics and production costs. "Europe is too far behind," said Chawki, an assembly worker, sporting a black beanie and a short, grizzled beard. "Have you ever seen Chinese cars? They're much more advanced," he added, sheltering with others under a trade union canopy. A few kilometres away, plans to slap import duties of up to 36 percent on EVs imported from China are under discussion at the European Union's headquarters. The EU decided in July to levy extra tariffs after an anti-subsidy probe concluded car manufacturers in China benefitted unfairly from state subsidies. But the move has faced resistance from some countries, including Spain and Germany, which fear damage to trade ties with Beijing. A report by former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi last week said the tariffs would "help level the playing field". But an "industrial action plan" was needed to help European manufacturers to pull through and continue in their path towards decarbonisation. "These countervailing duties can give companies a breather," said Conor McCaffrey, an analyst at Bruegel, a Brussels-based think tank. "But alone they won't be enough. Productivity and competitiveness also need to massively increase." European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has promised a new "Clean Industrial Deal" to channel investment towards infrastructure and industry in the first 100 days after her new team takes office later this year. But that might come too late for the Brussels Audi workers facing the prospect of unemployment. "Their anger is very legitimate, very understandable, especially since Audi is not very clear on its plans," Bernard Clerfayt, the minister in charge of employment for the Brussels region, told AFP. The company received about 27 million euros ($30 million) in public funding to help reskill workers when it converted production to electric, he noted. Belgian unions have called for strike action across the country on Monday to protest against potential lay-offs, amid rumours of a possible foreign buyer. "We know nothing, they leave us in the dark," said father-of-one Regis Lauwereyns, 32. "We feel abandoned." Germany will from Monday expand border controls to the frontiers with all nine of its neighbours to stop irregular migrants in a move that has sparked protests from other EU members. Berlin announced the sweeping measure following a string of deadly extremist attacks that have stoked public fears and boosted support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser on Sunday said that the step aimed to limit irregular migration and "put a stop to criminals and identify and stop Islamists at an early stage". The border controls will be in place for an initial six months and are expected to include temporary structures at land crossings and spot checks by federal police. Poland and Austria have voiced concern and the European Commission has warned that members of the 27-nation bloc must only impose such steps in exceptional circumstances. Germany lies at the heart of Europe and borders nine countries that are part of the visa-free Schengen zone, designed to allow the free movement of people and goods. Border controls with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland were already in place before the crackdown was announced. These will now be expanded to Germany's borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark. Faeser said the government hoped to minimise the impact on people living and working in border regions, promising "coordination with our neighbouring countries". The interior ministry however noted that travellers should carry identification when crossing the border. In recent weeks, a string of extremist attacks have shocked Germany, fuelling rising public anger. Last month, a man on a knife rampage killed three people and wounded eight more at a festival in the western city of Solingen. The Syrian suspect, who has alleged links to the Islamic State group, had been intended for deportation but managed to evade authorities. The enforcement failure set off a bitter debate which marked the run-up to two regional polls in the formerly communist east, where the anti-immigration AfD scored unprecedented results. With national elections looming next year, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government has been under intense political pressure to toughen its stance on migrants and asylum seekers. Scholz was in Uzbekistan on Sunday to sign a migration deal for workers to come to Germany, while simplifying deportation procedures in the opposite direction so that "those that must go back do go back", the chancellor said. Closer to home, the German government has presented plans to speed up deportations to European partners. Under EU rules, asylum requests are meant to be handled by the country of arrival. The system has placed a huge strain on countries on the European periphery, where leaders have demanded more burden-sharing. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that Germany tightening its borders means that it would "essentially pass the buck to countries located on the outer borders of Europe". Austria's Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said his country "will not accept people who are rejected from Germany", while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned Germany's move as "unacceptable". Warsaw has also struggled with migration and accused Moscow of smuggling people from Africa and the Middle East into Europe by sending them through Belarus to the Polish border. Berlin on Friday said that Tusk and Scholz had discussed the issue and agreed to strengthen EU external borders, "especially in view of the cynical instrumentalisation of migrants by Belarus". Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, meanwhile, mocked the German chancellor on social media site X, writing: "Bundeskanzler Scholz, welcome to the club! #StopMigration." Germany took in more than a million asylum seekers in 2015-16, many of them Syrians, and has hosted over a million Ukrainians since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022. The extra burden on municipal authorities and integration services in Germany needed to be "taken into account" when talking about new border controls, Berlin's interior ministry said. In the Netherlands, Prime Minister Dick Schoof on Friday unveiled the country's strictest migration policy yet, saying it will request an opt-out from EU common policy on asylum next week. A four-party coalition dominated by far-right firebrand Geert Wilders's Freedom Party wants to declare an "asylum crisis" to curb the influx of migrants through a tough set of rules including border controls. (Above) Students tend to plants growing in simulated moon regolith at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. (Below, from left): High school and SIU students working on the project include Aini Ahmed, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy; Sarah Almeida, IMSA; Chetan Singh, graduate student in microbiology; Hannah Phillips, senior in microbiology; Danielle Snyder, freshman in microbiology; Alyssa Zhan, senior in plant science and Scott Hamilton-Brehm, associate professor of microbiology. The IMSA students volunteered to work on the project while visiting SIU for a summer program put on by the STEM Education Research Center. (Photos by Russell Bailey) Student research team at SIU hopes to discuss research on space-age crops with professionals by Tim Crosby CARBONDALE, Ill. Students led by a Southern Illinois University Carbondale researcher may have the rare opportunity to present their research on using microalgae to grow crops in regolith, like the surface of the moon, to scientists and other professionals. Five abstracts from SIUs AlgaeUnlocked team, led by Scott D. Hamilton-Brehm, associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences, have been accepted for presentation at a conference highlighting the important role algae plays in capturing and utilizing carbon dioxide. The team, one of just 15 nationwide finalists for the U.S. Department of Energys AlgaePrize, is working on a project that could be used to grow crops in off-Earth environments such as its moon and Mars. It is extraordinary for undergraduates and high school students to have their work accepted for presentation at an international science conference and it showcases the research education they are getting here in Carbondale, Hamilton-Brehm said. It will give them a chance to learn firsthand what its like to present preliminary research something they will do regularly as career scientists. The team is trying to raise $10,000 by April 10 to attend the Algae Biomass Summit, Oct. 20-22 in Houston, and to travel to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for the final 2023-25 AlgaePrize competition, April 11-13 in Golden, Colorado. That event will culminate in the AlgaePrize grand champion being announced. Earlier this year, the SIU team received a $10,000 grant to find ways to use microalgae combined with another patented technology created by an SIU spinoff company to produce biostimulants and biofuels. AlgaeUnlocked, composed of students from SIU and Carbondale Community High School, competed against almost 50 other teams nationwide for the grant. The AlgaeUnlocked team includes SIU students Hannah Phillips, Alex Bechtel, Chetan Singh, Danielle Snyder and Alyssa Zhan. Contributions to the team will pay for travel expenses, registration, hotels, car rental, gas and research supplies, such as plant soil, pots for biostimulant studies, soil analysis and aquariums to grow algae. The team also has been making videos illustrating its progress toward the research goals. The Algae Biomass Summit is a large gathering of algae and seaweed professionals, including commercial leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists, policymakers, investors and young innovators from around the world. Speakers and attendees will include national and international technologists, senior executives of commercial algae companies, product developers, marketers, academics researching algae science and cultivation methods, as well as federal policy makers tasked with advancing technology. The AlgaePrize goal is to find better ways to process and use microalgae, Hamilton-Brehm said. SIU is currently the only place where the novel technology oxidative hydrothermal dissolution is located. Preliminary research from a SIU REACH award, allowed the students to connect the dots and proposed a way to use OHD processed microalgae to feed and support crops in future space exploration colonies. OHD is an environmentally friendly technology that uses heat, pressure, oxygen and water to break down complex organic materials into simple, water-soluble products. The technology was pioneered by Ken Anderson, director of SIUs Advanced Energy Research Center. Hamilton-Brehm said the team is experimenting with using the OHD-processed microalgae to grow corn, cannabis and soybeans. With soybeans, the team has planted them in simulated lunar and Martian regolith. The team is experimenting with growing the plants outdoors at the SIU Farms research fields, the campus research greenhouses and in Hamilton-Brehms laboratory. So far, the experiment has been a success, with cannabis and soybeans growing up to 100% more than their control counterparts. PNN New Delhi [India], September 17: The birth centenary of Late Mulchand Shah, a revered business leader and philanthropist, was marked by the launch of a commemorative coffee table book at the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai. The book, which chronicles the life and legacy of Mulchand Shah, was unveiled in the presence of distinguished leaders from various sectors, celebrating the extraordinary journey of a man who built a global business empire while remaining deeply committed to social service. Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Rahul Narvekar, Justice K.K. Tated, former Judge of the Bombay High Court, and spiritual Guru Devendra Brahmachari were among the Guests of Honour. They were joined by corporate stalwarts such as Sundararaman Ramamurthy, MD & CEO of BSE Limited; Harish Mehta, Founder Chairman of NASSCOM; Navneet Munot, MD & CEO of HDFC Asset Management Co. Ltd.; and Umesh Shah, Ex-CEO of Unilever International and Group CEO of UMA Global Foods. Manik Shah, Chairman and Managing Director of Manik Shah Group, delivered a deeply personal speech reflecting on his father's journey from humble beginnings to becoming a global business leader. "This is not just a book; it's the story of my father's incredible journey from a small village in Rajasthan to building a global business empire," he said. He shared memories of his father's progressive values, "Even in the 20th century, my father believed in giving all his children the freedom to live their lives as they chose." Manik Shah highlighted how his father, Late Shri Mulchand Shah, taught him the importance of balancing business success with social responsibility, noting, "He always told me that business is not just about making money; it is a means to give back to society." He recounted how his father's principles of honesty, dedication, and building long-term relationships became the foundation of their global operations, which now span more than 80 countries. Reflecting on his father's social contributions, Manik Shah added, "He was not only committed to growing the business but also to helping others by supporting schools, temples, and hospitals. He believed that as we succeed, our responsibility towards society grows." He closed his remarks by pledging to uphold his father's legacy, stating, "I have always dreamt of building a business empire greater than my father could have ever imagined, but I am equally committed to ensuring that every step I take honours his values." The next generation of the Shah family also delivered heartfelt addresses, paying tribute to their grandfather's influence on both their personal and professional lives. Manav Shah, Director of Manek International Pte Ltd, Singapore, spoke about the values of integrity and hard work that were ingrained in him from an early age, while Khushboo Shah, Director of Mascot International Pvt. Ltd., emphasized the importance of continuing her grandfather's legacy of giving back to society through their business operations. Nidhi Shah, Operations Head at Manek International Pte Ltd, and Ashray Shah, Business Head of Manik Shah Group, both acknowledged the responsibility they feel in carrying forward the values instilled by Mulchand Shah. They expressed their commitment to ensuring that the business, while expanding globally, remains rooted in the ethical principles passed down through generations. Alok Ranjan Tiwari, MD & CEO of Eternal Corporate Media Pvt. Ltd., delivered the keynote address and praised Mulchand Shah's life, stating, "Late Shri Mulchand Shah's life journey is a beacon of inspiration for all of us. From humble beginnings to building a global business empire, his unwavering commitment to honesty, hard work, and giving back to society is a testament to what true success looks like. We should all strive to follow in his footsteps, not just in business but in life, by embodying his values of integrity and service to the community." As part of the event, Navneet Munot and Umesh Shah participated in a panel discussion titled "Jain Leadership in Business and Beyond". Moderated by Alok Ranjan Tiwari, the panel addressed how Jain values of non-violence and ethics have shaped their professional lives. Munot elaborated on how these principles influence sustainable investing, while Umesh Shah spoke about leading global teams with Jain ideals such as ahimsa (non-violence) and satya (truth). Prominent business figures in attendance included Motilal Oswal, MD & CEO of Motilal Oswal Group; Pradeep Rathod, Chairman & MD of Cello World; Angelo George, CEO of Bisleri; and Paras Gundecha, a renowned Mumbai realty developer. A highlight of the evening was the soulful Bhajan performance by Padma Shri Anup Jalota, which was highly appreciated by the audience. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Navin Pandey of Navbharat Times, closing a memorable tribute to Late Shri Mulchand Shah's impactful life and enduring legacy. (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 17: Dhanshree Gems, a leading name in the global gemstone market, is redefining industry standards with its premium gemstone offerings and innovative approach. Founded in 1998 by Amit Gupta in Delhi's Chandni Chowk, Dhanshree Gems has evolved from a modest local shop into an internationally recognized brand renowned for its authentic, high-value gemstones. Over the past 26 years, Dhanshree Gems has embraced modern advancements in e-commerce, revolutionizing the gemstone buying experience. The company's robust online platform allows customers worldwide to access and purchase genuine gemstones with ease, transcending geographical barriers. The firm's dedication to excellence was recognized at the National Achievers Awards 2021, where it was honored as the "Best Gemstones Dealer in Delhi." The award, presented by Bollywood actress Hina Khan, highlights Dhanshree Gems' exceptional customer service, quality products, and commitment to building lasting client relationships. Dhanshree Gems' strategic shift to online sales has been a key growth driver. The company's e-store features an extensive collection of over 10,000 gemstones, including various jewelry pieces and crystal-based wellness products. With 24/7 customer support, secure payment options, and swift delivery, the company has successfully expanded its reach beyond its Delhi store, amassing a loyal international customer base and increasing its clientele by 500-600% over the past two decades. Addressing concerns about gemstone authenticity, Dhanshree Gems ensures that every gemstone undergoes rigorous certification. The company provides International Gemological Institute (IIGJ) and Gemological Institute of America (GIA) certificates, verifying that each gemstone is sourced from reputable mines and is free from treatments. Looking ahead, the global gemstone market is projected to exceed $50 billion by 2033, driven by rising disposable incomes and growing demand for luxury items. Dhanshree Gems is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth with its diverse range of lifestyle and crystal-based products that align with contemporary wellness trends. In addition to its extensive product range, Dhanshree Gems is committed to customer education. Its website features a blog offering detailed information on gemstone properties, uses, and benefits. With a remarkable Google rating of 4.9, Dhanshree Gems continues to excel in customer service, both online and offline. The company's focus on trust, transparency, and personalization has cultivated a loyal and expanding customer base. For those seeking high-quality gemstones and a superior shopping experience, Dhanshree Gems invites customers to explore its extensive collection online or visit its store in Lajpat Nagar, Delhi. (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) VMPL Gurgaon (Haryana) [India], September 17: A charitable event, jointly organized by the India Youth Development Foundation (IYDF) and Pest Control Innovation, was successfully held in September 2024 at the Mera Parivar Orphanage in Gurgaon, Haryana. This initiative aimed to provide material support to the children of the orphanage while fostering their creativity and cognitive potential through engaging interactive activities. Filled with love and hope, the event brought care and attention to 50 children, igniting a beacon of hope for their futures. IYDF and Pest Control Innovation: Bringing the Power of Love through Charity IYDF has long been dedicated to supporting vulnerable groups, particularly impoverished children and orphans. This collaboration with Pest Control Innovation once again demonstrated their relentless efforts in this cause. Dharmendra Kumar Singh, the organizer of the event, together with 12 volunteers, including Sunil Singh, Ameer Khan, Hariom Sahi, Dashrath Sah, Romesh, Suraj, Utkarsh, Nilesh Kumar, Kartik Singh, Ashwani Singh, and Anil Jaiswal, brought a generous donation of essential supplies for the children. Held at the Mera Parivar Orphanage, led by Amit and located opposite the Hanuman Temple in Sanjay Gram Colony, Gurgaon, the event saw the volunteers distribute a range of items including backpacks, notebooks, pens, art supplies, snacks, healthy drinks, pizzas, and game balls to the children. Special prizes were also prepared for those who excelled in the activities. Diverse Activities to Unleash the Children's Potential The event commenced at 4 p.m. and lasted until 6:30 p.m. To encourage participation, the volunteers carefully planned a series of activities including a painting competition, a quiz contest, and various indoor games. The children enthusiastically displayed their creativity and imagination in the painting competition, while the quiz contest showcased their sharp thinking and teamwork skills. The children were divided into groups and actively participated in each competition, not only winning prizes but also gaining confidence and a sense of achievement. Through these activities, the volunteers helped the children develop their creative thinking and taught them the value of teamwork and communication in a fun and engaging way. Volunteers' Reflections: The Joy of Helping Others Dharmendra Kumar Singh, the organizer of the event, expressed how deeply moved he was by the interaction with the children. He stated, "All of us volunteers thoroughly enjoyed spending time with these children. Seeing their smiles and hearing their laughter made us realize the profound impact of our work." He also extended his gratitude to IYDF for their support of the event. After the event, the volunteers shared their thoughts: "This was not just a donation of supplies but a connection of hearts. Seeing the children's smiles made us feel that everything we did was worthwhile." Throughout the event, the volunteers bonded with the children, fostering a sense of warmth and care. The final award ceremony was particularly touching, as the children's smiles and gratitude left a lasting impression on everyone involved. Children's Experience: Growing Up with Love and Care The children who participated in the event expressed their heartfelt gratitude. Mr. Amit, the head of Mera Parivar Orphanage, remarked, "These children rarely get the opportunity to participate in such events. Today, they enjoyed delicious food, took part in fun games, and received prizes. We are very thankful to IYDF and Pest Control Innovation for not only providing material support but also bringing emotional encouragement and support." Looking Ahead: Ensuring the Continuity of Love This event not only provided the children at the orphanage with a fulfilling and joyful afternoon but also highlighted IYDF's commitment to working with various sectors to advance social welfare. IYDF stated, "We will continue to collaborate with companies like Pest Control Innovation to promote more charitable activities and support children in need. The smiles of these children are our greatest motivation, and we will do our utmost to create better conditions for their future." Conclusion: Bringing Together Compassion to Warm the Community The joint initiative by IYDF and Pest Control Innovation brought both material and emotional support to the children of Mera Parivar Orphanage. On this love-filled afternoon, 50 children felt the warmth of care from the community, and the volunteers exemplified social responsibility and humanitarian concern through their actions. Moving forward, IYDF will continue to strive, gathering more social forces to help vulnerable groups and keep the torch of love burning. As the volunteers stated, "This has been an inspiring journey, and we are more than willing to continue contributing to these children's growth." Through this event, IYDF once again proved that love knows no boundaries and that social responsibility and care can indeed change lives. Together, let's join hands to light the beacon of hope for more children in the future. (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) VMPL New Delhi [India], September 17: On the afternoon of September 13, 2024, the International Youth Development Foundation (IYDF) and Wingz Infotech hosted a heartwarming charitable event at Asha Niketan (L'Arche International FMR India) in Asansol, West Bengal. The event aimed to provide essential items to children with physical and mental disabilities at the orphanage while also offering emotional support through inspiring speeches. This event brought tangible assistance to these children and enveloped them in a warm embrace of social care. Organizers and Volunteers: Symbols of Dedication and Support The event was organized by Santanu Banerjee of Wingz Infotech, with the support of several dedicated volunteers. These included Advocate Poli Das, Debasish Mukherjee, Sunil Sharma, Asish Singh, and Md Tousif Alam. They played an active role in every aspect of the event, providing selfless assistance to the children at the orphanage. Donated Items: Enhancing the Children's Lives The variety of donated items was extensive, including essential goods and food products. The donations comprised groceries, cakes, chocolates, snacks, tea leaves, spices, different types of lentils, soy chunks, biscuits, mustard oil, sunflower refined oil, puffed rice, noodles, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, mixed pickle jars, sugar, salt, chickpeas, Poha (flattened rice), English cakes, candies, and Haldiram Mix Bhujiya, among others. These supplies not only provided necessary nutrition and hygiene for the children but also added diversity and joy to their lives. Volunteers personally handed these items to the children, ensuring that each child felt the support and care of society. The children's faces lit up with smiles upon receiving these supplies, highlighting the profound impact on their lives. Event Highlights: Moments of Inspiration and Support The event commenced with an introduction to IYDF, followed by the national anthem, setting a solemn and warm tone. The volunteers then delivered motivational speeches, conveying a crucial message to the children--that IYDF and Wingz Infotech would always stand by them, offering support through every challenge in life. These inspiring speeches made the children feel the encouragement and backing from society, which will serve as a significant motivational force for their future growth. The interaction between the volunteers and the children went beyond providing supplies; it was a form of emotional support, offering comfort and hope. Words from the Beneficiary: Positive Feedback and Gratitude Subhasish Mondal, the head of Asha Niketan, expressed his gratitude for the event organized by IYDF and Wingz Infotech. He shared, "This event showed us the care and support of society. We warmly welcome such initiatives, and the smiles on the children's faces today are the best proof of its success. This distribution has brought substantial help to the children, and we are grateful to all the volunteers for their selfless dedication." Volunteers' Reflections: The Fulfillment of Acts of Love After the event, Santanu Banerjee and the volunteer team shared their thoughts: "This event not only allowed us to experience the joy of helping others but also let us see the spark of hope in the children's eyes. These children face many difficulties in life, but through events like this, we bring a little warmth and happiness to them." The volunteers expressed that they deeply understood the significance of helping vulnerable groups through this event and hoped to have more opportunities to participate in such charitable activities in the future. They unanimously agreed that such acts of kindness not only improved the children's lives but also made society more loving and caring. Continuing the Spirit of Love: IYDF's Ongoing Commitment This collaboration between IYDF and Wingz Infotech brought practical help and emotional support to the 15 children with disabilities at Asha Niketan. In the future, IYDF will continue its dedication to supporting more children and families in need by organizing more charitable activities. Through donations and care, they aim to spread love and hope. IYDF believes that through the combined efforts of all sectors of society, every child should have an equal opportunity to pursue their dreams. Such activities not only bring temporary joy to the children but also sow seeds of hope for their future. Through this event, IYDF once again demonstrated the power and value of acts of kindness. In the days to come, IYDF will continue to join hands with businesses and volunteers to support those in society who need it most, spreading love and creating a better future. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir Pune (Maharashtra) [India], September 17: OnePlus is currently gearing up for the launch of its next flagship handset, the OnePlus 13. After weeks of speculation, the brand's China President, Louis Lee, recently confirmed the handset's October launch in China. OnePlus 13 is expected to debut in the Indian market in the first quarter of 2025. While the price of the handset is yet to be unveiled, it is expected to be positioned in the premium segment like its predecessors. Once launched, customers can use the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card to shop for OnePlus 13 on Easy EMIs and easily afford the handset. Besides the launch date, Lee confirmed that the OnePlus 13 will be equipped with the latest generation of flagship chips, sparking speculations that it may feature the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset. The rumoured chipset is expected to boost the performance and multitasking capabilities of the device. It will likely come paired with an Adreno GPU for enhanced graphics. Apart from this, the OnePlus 13 leaks also suggest a robust list of features hinting at the strong gaming performance of the handset. OnePlus 13 is expected to feature a 6.8-inch BOE micro-curved display with 2K resolution and LTPO technology. This 120Hz screen is custom-designed for resource-intensive games like Genshin Impact and will feature an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for improved security. In terms of photography, the model is expected to sport a triple camera module, which will include a 50MP Sony LYT-808 sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide shooter, and a 50MP periscope lens with 3x optical zoom capabilities. As a premium flagship device, the OnePlus 13 is expected to wow users with an all-glass back. The flagship handset is also set to ditch the circular module place for a vertically stacked design. Additionally, the OnePlus 13 is expected to boast a power improvement over the OnePlus 12, with a 6,000mAh battery and 100W fast-charging support. Whether the wireless charging perk will be included or excluded still remains to be seen. All the speculations and leaked details about the OnePlus 13 suggest that it could be the ideal device for gaming and multitasking. Given its top-of-the-line features, this premium handset is expected to be priced around Rs. 65,000 to Rs. 70,000 in India. Shoppers can use the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card to embrace the unprecedented performance of this flagship handset without experiencing any financial strain. They can shop for the smartphone on Easy EMIs and repay the cost of the handset conveniently over 1-60 months. Apart from that, shoppers can also tap into attractive discounts, cashback deals, and zero down payment offers on select best-selling OnePlus mobiles when shopping on the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network. Follow these steps to shop for the flagship OnePlus 13 handset using the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card * Head to your nearest Bajaj Finserv partner store* Select the model of your preference and head to the checkout counter* At checkout, share your Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card details with the in-store representative* Finalise your EMI terms, such as the repayment tenure* Share the OTP sent on your registered phone number to verify the order and walk out of the store with a brand-new smartphone. *Terms and Conditions Apply 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 69.14 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. To know more, visit www.bajajfinserv.in. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN New Delhi [India], September 17: In a significant leap forward for healthcare technology, a groundbreaking development in healthcare has emerged from India. Quick Vitals, an AI-powered health monitoring app, is set to revolutionize how Indians track and manage their health, offering a range of vital checks. Developed by Hyderabad-based Bisam Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, this groundbreaking application offers users the convenience of tracking vital health metrics from the comfort of their homes, utilizing their smartphones or tablets. The Power of AI in Your Pocket Quick Vitals harnesses the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Deep Learning to provide users with a comprehensive health monitoring solution. The app, available on both iOS and Android platforms, utilises advanced Photoplethysmography (PPG) technology to analyse light absorption changes due to blood volume variations, enabling accurate assessment of vital health indicators in mere seconds. What sets Quick Vitals apart is its ability to transform ordinary smartphones into personal health monitoring devices. Through sophisticated AI algorithms, the app provides precise readings for vital health indicators such as heart rate, blood pressure, and more, rivalling the accuracy of dedicated medical devices. Harish Bisam, Founder & Managing Director, explains the motivation behind Quick Vitals. "In India, where access to regular health check-ups can be challenging for many, we saw an opportunity to leverage technology to bridge this gap. Quick Vitals brings professional-grade health monitoring to every smartphone user, empowering individuals to take control of their health proactively," says Bisam, who was also part of many trade delegations from Australia to India, including government and private organizations. Comprehensive Health Monitoring at Your Fingertips Quick Vitals offers an impressive array of health checks, including: Haemoglobin check at home Blood sugar test HbA1c test Breathing rate monitoring Pulse rate checking Blood pressure monitoring Heart rate variability (HRV) tracking The app provides two modes of assessment: Contactless spot checks using the device's camera and continuous monitoring with PPG sensors. This versatility ensures that users can perform quick health checks on-the-go or opt for more detailed, ongoing monitoring. Seamless Integration with Healthcare Providers One of Quick Vitals' most innovative features is its seamless integration with Doctors Plus, a platform connecting patients with healthcare providers. This integration enhances the patient's healthcare journey by providing easy access to essential health data. Doctors can now review a patient's vital signs and health trends over time, leading to more informed diagnoses and personalized treatment plans. "By bridging the gap between personal health monitoring and professional medical care, Quick Vitals is not just an app - it's a comprehensive healthcare solution," Bisam adds. The Growing Importance of Mobile Health Monitoring The launch of Quick Vitals comes at a crucial time. The global digital health monitoring devices market is expected to reach $946 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 21% from 2024 to 2030. This growth is driven by increasing smartphone penetration and a rising awareness of preventive healthcare. In India, where smartphone users are projected to reach 1 billion by 2026, apps like Quick Vitals have the potential to significantly impact public health. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reports that 1 in 4 Indians is at risk of dying from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) before the age of 70. Regular monitoring of vital signs, as facilitated by Quick Vitals, can play a crucial role in early detection and management of these conditions. Additionally, remote health monitoring can reduce the burden on healthcare systems, especially in areas with limited access to medical facilities. Quick Vitals stands out not only for its innovative approach but also for its commitment to accuracy and user privacy. The app is ISO-certified and approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), India's national regulatory body for pharmaceuticals and medical devices. "We understand the critical nature of health data," Bisam states. "That's why we've implemented robust cloud registration and adhere to strict Indian data protection standards." Empowering Patients and Transforming Healthcare Quick Vitals represent a significant step towards patient empowerment. By making health monitoring accessible and convenient, the app encourages users to take an active role in managing their health. This shift towards proactive health management has the potential to reduce the burden on healthcare systems and improve overall public health outcomes. Quick Vitals represents a convergence of cutting-edge technology and essential healthcare needs. For a country as vast and diverse as India, with its unique healthcare challenges, Quick Vitals offers a glimpse into a future where every citizen has the tools to monitor and manage their health effectively. For an affordable price of under Rs 100 per month, you can scan and access the app 24/7, 365 days a year. To download the app, visit here - https://www.quickvitals.ai/aboutqv.php (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) The central government, which is actively exploring various avenues to ensure gig and platform workers are covered under social security schemes, has invited platform aggregators to register themselves and their platform workers on the e-Shram Portal. As per a statement from the Ministry of Labour and Employment on Tuesday, this registration process is crucial to ensuring workers' access to social welfare schemes, while aggregators will help develop an accurate registry of beneficiaries. To guide the process, the Ministry has issued an advisory with a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlining aggregator responsibilities, including registering workers and updating their data. The e-Shram portal is meant to register and support unorganised workers by providing them with a Universal Account Number (UAN). eShram portal captures details of workers such as name, permanent address, current address, occupation, educational qualification, and skill type, among others. Upon registration, platform workers will receive a Universal Account Number (UAN), which will allow them access to key social security benefits, the ministry said. "Central Government, working with few aggregators, has successfully completed testing for API integration and is advancing the registration process. This joint effort aims to ensure full coverage of gig workers, with ongoing collaboration between the Ministry and platform aggregators," the statement read. Through the guidelines, the Aggregators have also been requested to regularly update workers' details, including work engagement and payments. Any workers' exit must be reported promptly to maintain accurate records. To assist with the onboarding of workers and aggregators, a toll-free helpline (14434) has been set up to provide information, guide registration, and resolve any technical issues encountered during the process. The Ministry has also scheduled a meeting with the Aggregators on Wednesday, which will be chaired by Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya, to sensitise and encourage them in this important initiative. Chairing a review meeting recently, the minister said that his government is committed to extending social security benefits to gig and platform workers. "Our government is fully committed to the well-being of gig and platform workers, who form a crucial part of our workforce," the Minister stated, as per an official statement from his ministry recently. The Minister had also underscored the importance of the Code on Social Security, which, for the first time, defines gig and platform workers in India. (ANI) ATK Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], September 17: Hybrid, a leading name in the advertising technology ecosystem (AdTech) in India, officially marked its entry into the Gujarat market with the successful launch of "Ahmedabad Konnect". Hosted in partnership with Adgully, the event brought together marketing heads, agency leaders, and key decision-makers across the state. Ahmedabad Konnect featured in-depth discussions on Gujarat's evolving digital landscape, adoption challenges, and how Hybrid's innovative solutions could help brands optimize their digital advertising spending. The event's highlight was a roundtable conference where participants exchanged insights on the local digital market dynamics. The conference addressed the need for a better understanding of how Gujarat-based agencies and brands can adopt advanced digital advertising solutions in a rapidly evolving market. Hybrid presented its AI-powered offerings, including VOX Contextual Marketing Suite, TV Sync, Hyperlocal Targeting, etc, showcasing how these technologies can be leveraged for improved digital performance. Speaking about the potential in Gujarat, Shreyas Sathe, MD and Co-founder of Hybrid INSEA, said, "Gujarat's burgeoning digital economy holds immense promise. The response we received from local brands and agencies has been phenomenal. They are eager to harness our AI-powered solutions to take their digital advertising efforts to the next level." Gandharv Sachdeva, Country Head, India, Hybrid, also expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Our AI-led solutions are designed to meet the needs of a market that is ready to embrace the future of digital advertising. Gujarat is a key market for us, and we look forward to partnering with local brands to drive more effective and efficient digital campaigns." The event not only facilitated crucial conversations around the digital future of Gujarat but also reinforced Hybrid's commitment to bringing cutting-edge digital marketing solutions to businesses across India. About Hybrid Hybrid is an international ad tech ecosystem providing brands and agencies with technological solutions for buying and optimizing advertising campaigns in digital media with its stack of proprietary technologies based on AI and ML algorithms and 13+ years of development experience. Hybrid offers an entire ecosystem for programmatic ad buying and non-cookie technologies for contextual targeting based on advanced Computer Vision. It specializes in providing innovative and customized solutions such as Hybrid Platform, Contextual Marketing Suite VOX, Hybrid Places, and TV Sync technologies to improve the effectiveness of digital advertising campaigns. The company's 12 representative offices worldwide include India, Poland, Indonesia, Germany, Mexico, Cyprus, The US, Thailand, and Singapore. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir Faridabad (Haryana) [India], September 17: On the 11th Remembrance Day of the visionary founder of Manav Rachna, Dr. O.P. Bhalla, the Manav Rachna family paid a profound tribute to his enduring legacy. The commemoration began with a floral tribute by everyone present and singing of soul-stirring bhajans by students from Manav Rachna International School, Charmwood. A havan ceremony ensued, uniting members of the Manav Rachna family in prayer. Honoring Dr. Bhalla's life as a philanthropist, social reformer, and educationist, the day also saw the initiation of various social upliftment programs, reflecting the spirit of service he deeply embodied. The event unfolded in the august presence of the esteemed guests, S.K. Arya, Chairman, JBM Group; and Swami Nijamritananda Puri, Administrative Director, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, whose presence added to the depth of this occasion. The event witnessed the presence of key dignitaries, including Satya Bhalla, Chief Patron MREI; Dr. Prashant Bhalla, President MREI; Dr. Amit Bhalla, Vice President MREI; Dr. N.C. Wadhwa, Director-General MREI; Prof (Dr.) Sanjay Srivastava, Vice-Chancellor, MRIIRS; and other senior functionaries. S.K. Arya, and Swami Nijamritananda Puri, alongside Satya Bhalla, led the distribution of 30,000 kilograms of dry grains to around 20 non-governmental organizations and the support staff of Manav Rachna. The entire Manav Rachna fraternity came together to contribute to this remarkable initiative, which further exemplifies the institution's deep commitment to community welfare. Over the past 11 years, Manav Rachna has donated approximately 1.5 lakh kilograms of dry grains, continuing its legacy of service and compassion. Upon witnessing the ongoing activities, Swami Nijamritananda Puri shared his heartfelt sentiments, saying, "It's truly inspiring to see the initiatives of Dr. O.P. Bhalla Foundation moving forward so beautifully. It's rare to witness a family carry on such a meaningful legacy with such dedication. As a member of this society, I deeply appreciate all that you're doing for it. Every life you touch and improve makes our shared world a better place--ultimately making mine better too." S.K. Arya conveyed his regards and said "Dr. O.P. Bhalla was less of a talker, more of a doer, a true Karmayogi. My compliments to the Manav Rachna family for these very tangible initiatives. A great job done!" Dr. Prashant Bhalla, President MREI, expressed, "Dr. O.P. Bhalla's commitment to community service was second nature to him, and we strive to honor his legacy by carrying forward his ethos through initiatives that enrich lives and uplift communities. His vision lives on in everything we do, and it is our duty and privilege to keep it alive." Dr. Amit Bhalla, Vice President MREI, added, "With the blessings and enduring vision of our Founder, we are steadfast in our commitment to offering quality education and giving back to the society. We broke into the list of Top 100 universities as per the Government of India's NIRF Rankings this year and our students have actively been embracing opportunities for community service. We are forging ahead, just as Dr. O.P. Bhalla envisioned." In alignment with his lifelong commitment to giving, Manav Rachna launched "Give@MR", a noble initiative that embodies Dr. Bhalla's generosity and his vision for social upliftment. Give@MR (giveatmr.manavrachna.edu.in) is a transformative endeavor designed not only to empower exceptional and deserving students, but also offer to interested individuals a platform to contribute to a cause that resonates strongly with them. Alumni, Industry, and Corporate can contribute towards financial aids, scholarships, infrastructure and more. This cause aligns deeply with Dr. O.P. Bhalla's enduring belief that education is the cornerstone of empowerment, unlocking the potential of individuals and communities. Sanya Bhalla, Executive Director of Alumni Relations & International Collaborations, shared, "We believe that financial barriers should never restrict access to education. Give@MR reflects this commitment by offering financial aid and scholarships, ensuring all students can pursue higher education. I am proud to take forward my grandfather's legacy of societal contribution through this initiative." In honor of Dr. O.P. Bhalla's philanthropic vision, Manav Rachna Foundation collaborated with Lions Club and Rotary Club of Faridabad for a Mega Blood Donation Camp, where students, faculty, and staff enthusiastically participated. A total of 1742 units of blood have been collected in the camp. An awareness and registration drive for interested stem cell donors was conducted in association with Genebandhu and Jeevandayini Foundation. 215 students and faculty members have registered as Bone Marrow Donors, and 70 individuals have registered for organ donation. Dr. N.C. Wadhwa, Director General MREI & Vice Chairperson, Dr. O.P. Bhalla Foundation expressed, "Dr. O.P. Bhalla had one profound goal--to nurture individuals who would excel in their fields while dedicating themselves to the betterment of society, ultimately becoming exemplary global contributors. The Dr. O.P. Bhalla Foundation serves as a shining example of his vision, leading numerous welfare initiatives thoughtfully designed to tackle a wide range of critical issues." The 11th Remembrance Anniversary of Dr. O.P. Bhalla underscored Manav Rachna and the Dr. O.P. Bhalla Foundation's steadfast dedication to advancing education, healthcare, and community welfare. The institution remains resolute in its mission to realize the beloved Founder's visionary goal of fostering a more equitable and inclusive society. Founded in 1997, Manav Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI) stand as a symbol of excellence in education, providing high-quality learning across diverse fields. With over 39,000 alumni, 100+ global academic collaborations, and 80+ Innovation & Incubation Entrepreneurial Ventures, MREI is home to premier institutions, including Manav Rachna University (MRU), Manav Rachna International Institute of Research & Studies (MRIIRS) - NAAC A++ Accredited, and Manav Rachna Dental College (under MRIIRS) - NABH Accredited. MREI also operates twelve schools nationwide, offering Indian and International curricula such as IB and Cambridge. Consistently ranked among the top in India by NIRF-MHRD, TOI, Outlook, Business World, ARIIA, and Careers360, MREI's achievements reflect its commitment to quality education. MRIIRS holds QS 5-Star ratings for Teaching, Employability, Academic Development, Facilities, Social Responsibility, and Inclusiveness. MRIIRS recently entered the Top 100 Universities list in the NIRF Rankings 2024 with Rank 92 and was placed 38 in Dental Category. (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) TikTok faced pushback in a federal court on Monday in its efforts to stop a law that requires the app to divest from its Chinese ownership or face a ban in the United States. A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals in Washington heard arguments from TikTok, its owner ByteDance, and a group of users claiming that the ban violates free speech and is unconstitutional. The US government alleges TikTok allows Beijing to collect data and spy on users. It also says TikTok is a conduit to spread propaganda. China and the company strongly deny these claims. TikTok has until January to find a buyer or face the ban, which would likely provoke a strong response from the Chinese government and further strain US-China relations. It would also upend the social media business and rile many of the app's 170 million US users. ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, has stated it has no plans to sell TikTok, leaving the app's legal appeal -- focused on US guarantees for free speech -- as its only option for survival. "The law before this court is unprecedented. Its effect would be staggering," said Andrew Pincus, the lawyer arguing on behalf of the wildly popular video-sharing app. "For the first time in history, Congress has expressly targeted a specific US speaker (i.e., TikTok USA)," he added. In their questions, the judges challenged this argument, comparing it to earlier cases in US jurisprudence. This included a case from the 1980s where closing the Palestine Information Office in Washington DC was deemed legal because it was backed by the PLO, an organization officially designated as a terrorist group. TikTok's lawyer countered: "Mere foreign ownership can't possibly be a justification, because it would turn the First Amendment (protecting free speech) on its head." He added that seeing foreign ownership alone as criteria for forced divestiture "would be a pretty shocking change here," citing other foreign-owned media companies such as Politico, Al Jazeera, and the BBC. The lawyer also questioned why the US law did not target e-commerce sites with similar Chinese ownership. Pincus said that if you followed the US government's logic, which he disagreed with, "certainly those sites could well be susceptible to (China's) action, but they've been excluded by Congress (in the law)." The judges grilled the US government on whether TikTok USA, a US-based company, should be denied its free speech rights. The US government lawyer, Daniel Tenny, insisted that the content being targeted was a recommendations algorithm based at ByteDance in China, not anything created by US users, and that it was therefore out of reach of free speech considerations. "There's really no dispute here that the recommendation engine is maintained, developed, and written by ByteDance, rather than TikTok US, and that is what's being targeted," Tenny argued. The trio of judges will decide the case in the coming weeks or months, but regardless of their decision, the case is likely to reach the US Supreme Court, experts said. "After listening to the oral arguments, I am more convinced that this case will end up in the Supreme Court," said Sarah Kreps, director of Cornell's Tech Policy Institute. "Overall, the judges sounded more skeptical of the TikTok case but also raised important questions about the First Amendment, foreign influence and standards of scrutiny that I do not think were clearly resolved with today's exchanges," she added. The fate of Americans' access to TikTok has become a prominent issue in the country's political debates, with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump opposing a ban. Democratic President Joe Biden, whose vice president Kamala Harris is running against Trump, signed the law that gives TikTok until January to shed its Chinese ownership or be expelled from the US market. The next round of negotiations for an India-EU free trade agreement (FTA) is planned next week, from September 23-27 here in the national capital, commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal told reporters on Tuesday. During this round of talks, both sides will discuss core trade issues covering Goods, Services, Investment and Government Procurement along with necessary rules such as Rules of Origin, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), technical barriers to trade (TBT) and Trade Remedies. Continuing from the previous rounds, the concerns of Indian stakeholders regarding the EU's sustainability measures, such as Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), deforestation, and others, will be discussed with the EU side, the secretary said. Negotiations for an India-EU FTA were formally re-launched on June 17, 2022. Negotiations cover 23 policy areas and chapters. Eight rounds of negotiations have been held till now. During the eighth round of negotiations in June. discussion/negotiations on 21 policy areas/chapters were held in as many as 90 technical sessions. Similarly, on the India-UK FTA, the commerce secretary apprised that an Indian team visited the UK in April for negotiations on outstanding issues. Subsequently, the Services team also visited the UK in May to discuss outstanding issues in the Services track. A virtual meeting between Piyush Goyal and Jonathan Reynolds, UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade was held on July 11, 2024, to discuss the next steps in India-UK FTA. Also, both Ministers met on the sidelines of the G7 Trade Summit in Italy in July. Union Minister Piyush Goyal has said recently that India is actively working on the process of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with many countries and expressed confidence in fast progress with the United Kingdom. (ANI) NewsVoir New Delhi [India], September 17: Lava International Ltd., the leading Indian smartphone brand in its latest addition to the Blaze series, introduced Blaze 3 5G today. The new smartphone is engineered to elevate the 5G smartphone experience with segment's-first Vibe light feature, MediaTek D6300 5G processor, Glass back finish and dual stereo speakers . The Blaze 3 5G is launched in two colour variants namely Glass Gold and Glass Blue priced at INR 9999 inclusive of bank discounts. The phone will be available on Lava e-store and Amazon starting 18th September 2024. Mr. Sumit Singh, Product Head, Lava International Ltd., said, "Blaze 3 5G, the latest offering in the Blaze series is designed to enhance the smartphone experiences with better camera capabilities, vibe light and a good processor in the entry segment. Enabling a premium product experience has been our key focus area as we believe it is time to cater to the larger consumer base with quality and value. The introduction of the 'Vibe Light' in the new series adds a unique dimension to the user experience, blending aesthetics with functionality. We believe Blaze 3 5G will resonate with users who seek a smartphone that empowers them to travel, capture, create, and build content effortlessly." Design and Display The Blaze 3 5G features a 6.5-inch HD+ IPS display with a punch-hole design, offering vibrant visuals and smooth performance with a 90 Hz refresh rate and 180 Hz touch sampling rate. Packed in an elegant glass back panel, the smartphone boasts a chic and premium feel. Its unique Vibe Light back design delivers a standout, vibrant experience, making it a youthful and modern-day choice. Segment-first Vibe Light Delivering photographic brilliance with the "Vibe Light" feature, Blaze 3 5G enhances user experience by improving lighting conditions for photos and videos. It excels in low-light conditions, providing additional illumination to capture clear and bright images. For video recording, Vibe Light ensures consistent and even lighting, crucial for crisp and clear footage. For portrait photography, it creates a studio-like effect with better contrast and softer shadows. The colour temperature slider in VIBE Light settings allow users to adjust between warm and cool tones, mitigating the harshness of traditional LED flashes. Coupled with a 50 MP Dual AI Rear Camera and 8MP Front camera, Blaze 3 5G offers the best-in-the-segment photography features. Battery Power and Performance Featuring MediaTek Dimensity 6300+ processor, delivering an Antutu score of 410k+, (6GB+6*GB) LPDDR4X RAM and 128 GB UFS 2.2 ROM Blaze 3 5G provides for a blazing performance. The smartphone offers 128GB of internal storage, expandable up to 1TB, allowing users to store their favourite apps, photos, and videos without worrying about space. A 5000mAh battery with 18W fast charging enables day long usage without any hassles. Safety and Security The Lava Blaze 3 5G comes with a clean, ad-free stock Android OS for a seamless user experience. It features a side fingerprint sensor for quick, convenient unlocking, and a face-unlock option for added security. Enhanced with App Lock, anonymous auto call recording, Dual App support, an Anti-Peeping Feature, and assured security updates, the Blaze 3 5G provides comprehensive data protection and a wholistic experience to the users. Free Service @Home Following brand's consumer-first philosophy, Lava will be offering Free Service @Home for Blaze 3 5G users, pan India alongside attending user concerns at Lava retail outlets. To avail at home service, follow the link: www.lavamobiles.com/lava_service_at_home. Spec Sheet #ProudlyIndian l Made in India, Made for India Lava International Limited, headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, is a pioneering mobile handset and solutions company in India, founded in 2009 with the vision to empower individuals. The company's corporate office and manufacturing facility, equipped with a production capacity of 42.52 million handsets per annum, are strategically located in Noida. Lava's commitment to innovation is reflected in its two state-of-the-art research and development centres in Noida, housing dedicated teams in software and hardware design. The company's extensive nationwide presence is facilitated by a robust retail network of 1.65 Lakh retailers, directly served by over 1000 distributors, and supported by a vast after-sales service network of 800+ professionally managed service centres. Beyond smartphones, Lava is expanding its product portfolio to include smartwatches, neckbands, Probuds, and an extended True Wireless Stereo (TWS) segment. The brand's credibility is underscored by being ranked the 'Most Trustworthy Brand' in the CMR Retail Sentiment Index. (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) ATK New Delhi [India], September 17: Teerthanker Mahaveer University (TMU), Moradabad celebrated a momentous occasion with a Special Convocation and Youth Meet, where the prestigious Honorary Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) was conferred upon His Holiness Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji. This significant honour was bestowed by the Chancellor, Suresh Jain. In his acceptance speech, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji expressed deep gratitude for the honour and praised TMU for creating an environment that goes beyond the traditional boundaries of academia. Gurudev remarked, "TMU not only excels in academics but also places great emphasis on personal development, which is equally important. The environment here is truly commendable." He also praised TMU for upholding its principles of sustainability and social responsibility. "From the beginning, TMU has focused on cultivating students who carry both skills and strong values, ensuring they make a positive impact on society. The university's dedication to sustainability sets it apart as a leading university, and I hope this vision continues to inspire others across the nation," he stated. "The university's focus on nurturing responsible, well-rounded individuals who are mindful of the environment is inspiring. I feel deeply honoured to receive this degree from a university that stands for such values," Gurudev added. Balancing Knowledge and Values Dedicated to academic excellence and personal growth, TMU promotes a unique educational philosophy. The university's comprehensive approach integrates modern learning with ancient wisdom, ensuring that students graduate with knowledge and a deep sense of responsibility towards society and the environment. Gurudev's recognition of TMU's holistic approach to education reaffirms the university's status as a leader in shaping values-driven individuals. In keeping with the theme of values and education, Gurudev addressed the audience on the importance of living in harmony with nature and oneself. "It is my privilege to be here during Paryushan Parv. The values of compassion and discipline are beautifully reflected in the event." He also touched on global concerns, such as water conservation, warning that the next major conflict could arise over water scarcity. He praised TMU for its efforts in raising awareness and ensuring no water is wasted on campus. Chancellor's Deep Respect for Gurudev's Teachings Chancellor Suresh Jain, in his address, emphasised the alignment of Gurudev's values with the university's mission. He also expressed his deep respect for Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji, urging the youth to imbibe the values of simplicity, compassion, and selflessness that Gurudev embodies. "We are truly honoured to have Gurudev among us today, and I hope that his teachings inspire not just our students, but everyone associated with the university," Suresh Jain remarked. He led the gathering in rhythmic chants of "So Hum," a key practice in Sudarshan Kriya, infusing the event with spiritual energy. The powerful chanting echoed throughout the pandal, uniting the audience in a shared experience of peace and mindfulness. Executive Director's Insightful Message Executive Director Akshat Jain delivered a heartfelt note, captivating both Gurudev and the audience. He acknowledged the profound influence of Indian culture, which continues to inspire worldwide. "It is our responsibility to bring these rich traditions to the Indian youth, and TMU is fulfilling this mission," he stated. Jain also highlighted the significance of Sudarshan Kriya, a transformative practice he learned from Gurudev, calling it "the true path to happiness." His speech resonated deeply with the attendees, reinforcing the importance of personal and cultural growth. A Ceremony of Tradition and Honour The event was rich with tradition and symbolism. Group Vice Chairman (GVC) Manish Jain presented Gurudev with a shawl, while Executive Director Akshat Jain presented a ceremonial coconut, symbolising respect and gratitude. Vice-Chancellor Prof V.K. Jain highlighted TMU's recent achievements, including its high NAAC grade, NIRF ranking, patents, and support for startups. Registrar Dr Aditya Sharma also presented the official citation, further reinforcing TMU's reputation as a leader in both academics and social responsibility. The procession included notable figures such as Chancellor Suresh Jain, GVC Manish Jain, Executive Director Akshat Jain, Vice Chancellor Prof. V.K. Jain, Registrar Dr Aditya Sharma, and Dean of Academics Prof. Manjula Jain, along with distinguished guests including MLC Dr Jaipal Singh Vyast, MLC Dr Hari Singh Dhillon, Mayor Vinod Agarwal, Anil Jain, as well as directors, principals, and other key university officials. A diverse crowd of over 15,000 - spanning students, faculty, officials, and Art of Living community members attended this grand event. The presence of the First Lady, Veena Jain, and Director of Administration, Abhishek Kapoor, was also notable. Dr Madhav Sharma conducted the proceedings. A devotional music performance by renowned Art of Living musicians, led by Saket Kakkar, and a yoga demonstration by Ritu Narang, enriched the atmosphere. Looking Towards a Bright Future The Special Convocation and Youth Meet culminated in a powerful sense of unity, as students, faculty, and guests left inspired to pursue not just academic excellence but also a path of personal growth and social responsibility. The conferment of the honorary degree to Gurudev was a proud moment for TMU, symbolising the university's commitment to recognising individuals who have made exceptional contributions to society. As the Chancellor, Suresh Jain, concluded his speech, he urged everyone to adopt the values shared by Gurudev. "Together, we can create a better world through knowledge, compassion, and sustainability," he said, marking the event as a significant milestone in TMU's journey towards building a brighter future for its students and society. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 17: Galgotias University proudly kicks off its Orientation Day for the academic year 2024-2025, welcoming over 12,000 new students across 20 schools and 30 departments. From today through the 19th of September, the campus will come alive as students, faculty, and staff engage in a three-day celebration designed to introduce the university's vibrant community, resources, and academic programs. Having completed their online orientation last week, the freshers were met with enthusiasm today as faculty and support staff extended a warm welcome, ensuring that each student feels at home. The Student Council, representing 25+ clubs-the largest of its kind in India-also played a key role in welcoming the new cohort, offering them a glimpse into the vast extracurricular and leadership opportunities that await. Speaking about the new students, Dr Dhruv Galgotia, CEO of Galgotias University, said, "At Galgotias University, we are committed to shaping the future by empowering students to reach their fullest potential. This new cohort is joining a community where excellence is the norm, innovation thrives, and every student is encouraged to challenge the status quo. I have no doubt that our newest members will contribute to and elevate the proud legacy of this university." With over 200 programs, from Polytechnic to PhD courses, Galgotias University offers an education that blends academic rigor with real-world relevance. The university's A+ accreditation by NAAC and its leadership in innovation-ranked among the top 3 in India for patent filings-are a testament to its commitment to quality and excellence. Galgotias University's dynamic community of 40,000+ students and a strong network of 80,000+ alumni ensures that each student has access to a supportive, nurturing environment. As students embark on this new chapter, they will not only be learners but also innovators, leaders, and global citizens. Welcome to Galgotias University-where you'll find a world of opportunities and the support to achieve your dreams. Galgotias University is committed to empowering students through a blend of academic rigor and real-world relevance. With 200+ programs across 20 schools, including Polytechnic, UG, PG, and PhD courses, and an A+ NAAC accreditation, we prioritize quality education. Our vibrant community of 40,000+ students and 80,000+ alumni excels globally, with achievements in international events like the Paralympics and national competitions. With 25+ active clubs, one of India's largest Student Councils offers leadership and collaboration opportunities. The university fosters entrepreneurship with 100+ student-led startups, supported by the Galgotias Incubation Centre. Ranked Top 3 in India and #1 in UP for patent filings, Galgotias boasts 300+ national and international awards. Cutting-edge infrastructure, experiential learning, and strong industry ties ensure our students are equipped for success. Galgotias University has received the prestigious QS 5-Star rating in Teaching, Academic Development, Innovation, Employability, and Facilities. Website: www.galgotiasuniversity.edu.in Facebook: www.facebook.com/GalgotiasUniversity/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/galgotias-university-18544b190/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/galgotias_university/ Twitter: twitter.com/GalgotiasGU YouTube: www.youtube.com/@GalgotiasUniversity_1 (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir Manipal (Karnataka) [India], September 17: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) concluded successfully the 5th National Conference on Youth in Social Change conducted at the Dr. TMA Pai Auditorium today. The event brought together over 600 participants, from more than 20 non-MAHE institutions including dynamic young leaders, change-makers, and passionate social advocates from across the country. The Conference was spearheaded by Chief guest of D Carthigueane, Regional Director Regional Directorate of NSS Bangalore, Sankara Mahalingam, Global Head - CSR, Firstsourc, Harish Deshishtha Kulkarni, Manager - CSR & Lead-Global, Employee Volunteer Program, Tata Communications,Capt. Shanthi S, Sr, Program Director, Infosys Foundation, Misha Bhatt, Senior Vice President, iVolunteer, Satyam Gambhir, Cofounder Platform Commons, Utkarsh Sinha, Managing Director, Bucolic Kailash, Navaneeth Ganesh, Consultant, Ministry of Education, along with Dr. H S Ballal, Pro-Chancellor of MAHE, Manipal Centered on the theme, "Bridging the Gap Between Academic & Corporate Volunteering to Synergize Social Change," the conference emphasized the seamless transition of students' volunteering efforts during their academic years into impactful corporate volunteering. Chief guest D Carthigueane, Regional Director of Regional Directorate of NSS Bangalore, the 5th National Conference on Youth in Social Change offered a vibrant platform for thought-provoking discussions, insightful presentations, and interactive sessions on youth engagement and social change. It provided participants with a valuable opportunity to share their experiences, ideas, and innovative solutions, focusing on how corporate volunteering can synergize social change. Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, VSM (Retd), Vice Chancellor MAHE, Manipal, welcomed attendees and outlined the conference's theme, "Bridging the Gap Between Academic & Corporate Volunteering to Synergize Social Change." He emphasized the importance of transitioning students' volunteering experiences into corporate settings, enhancing both professional growth and community contributions. The conference aims to explore the pivotal role of volunteering in academic and corporate environments, fostering sustained community engagement and maximizing the benefits for individuals, institutions, and society. Speaking on the occasion, D. Carthigueane, Regional Director of NSS Bangalore, expressed gratitude for being invited to the conference and commended the collective effort to involve youth in societal change. He highlighted the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports' launch of the Bharat portal, a platform providing diverse opportunities for young people in sectors like cyber security and healthcare, promoting experiential learning and voluntary service. He praised Manipal's commitment to hosting the event under the NSS banner, aligning with the goal of student development through community service. The Swachhata Sava, coinciding with the Prime Minister's birthday and ending on October 2nd, symbolizes youth empowerment and community involvement. He thanked MAHE for organizing the event, calling it a stepping stone toward a cleaner, empowered future. Dr. H S Ballal, Pro-chancellor of MAHE, Manipal, presided over the event. Dr. Praveen Kumar, the organizing secretary of the conference, delivered a vote of thanks. The conference also witnessed the presence of key figures like Dr. Anup Naha, Convenor, Dr. Abhishek Chaturvedi, Co-convenor, and student secretaries MS Manaswini u and Aniket Poojary. The event brought together diverse gathering of young minds with wealth of perspectives and ideas to the table, enriching the discussions around the theme of bridging academic and corporate volunteering. The involvement of students from various institutions highlighted the conference's wide - reaching impact and underscored the collective commitment to fostering social change through collaborative efforts. Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University. MAHE offers over 400 specializations across the Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams; through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bangalore, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In October 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 4th in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and an enriching campus life, as well as for national & multi-national corporates looking for top talent. (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) Rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs was arrested in New York City amid a federal sex trafficking investigation. The music mogul was taken into custody on Monday (local time) following a grand jury's indictment, though the specific charges were not clear, The Hollywood Reporter reported. Speaking with the publication, Combs' attorney Marc Agnifilo shared,"We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the US Attorney's Office." He added, "Sean 'Diddy' Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community. He is an imperfect person but he is not a criminal. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court." Combs has been in the headlines for a long time now. Most recently his former bandmate Dawn Richard filed a sexual assault lawsuit against him. Richard's suit included claims of battery, false imprisonment, withholding millions of dollars in unpaid royalties and wages, as well as stealing her copyrighted works. Richard's complaint was at least the eighth brought against him since his former girlfriend Casandra Ventura filed a lawsuit detailing years of physical and sexual abuse last year. That action quickly settled but led to other accusers, including Liza Gardner, Joi Dickerson-Neal and Crystal McKinney, bringing similar complaints. Combs was also served a sexual assault lawsuit from producer Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones in February, who accused the music mogul of harassing and trafficking him. Combs filed a motion to dismiss Lil Rod's suit in August. He has denied the other allegations as well, and largely said the accusers are looking for payouts, as per The Hollywood Reporter. In March, federal law enforcement raided Diddy's homes as part of an investigation into human trafficking. (ANI) Actor and dancer Julianne Hough has shared her thoughts regarding Anna Delvey's participation in the dance competition TV series 'Dancing with the Stars', reported People. During the recent episode of the 'Call It What It Is podcast', the cohost of the TV series talked about the participation of Anna Delvey with podcast cohosts Jessica Capshaw and Camila Luddington. While reacting to Delvey competing with her ankle bracelet while still under house arrest, the trio couldn't contain their excitement. "Some people are so angry about this. I love it. Some people are not happy, it's controversial," Luddington shared. Hough agreed, "It's controversial for sure. I'm so obsessed." "I'm so obsessed you guys, like I need her to win! I don't even know who the other contestants are. I don't care," Luddington said, adding, "I want her to win. I'm serious and by the way she could be deported at any second." Julianne said that the show could be a "great opportunity" for Delvey as it "allows people to show their most true self." "I just love it so much because I was obsessed with the show, and Julia Garner just crushed it," said Hough, adding, "And there's so much fun to be had with it and she like plays into it." Delvey, whose true name is Anna Sorokin, rose to prominence by impersonating a wealthy German heiress and used her social standing to scam wealthy individuals, banks, and hotels. In 2017, she was arrested and later convicted of grand larceny (first, second, and third degree) and theft of services in 2019. "Her sentence included four to 12 years in prison, which was cut short when she was released in February 2021 for good behavior. Shortly after her release, Delvey was taken into custody by ICE for violating the terms of her visa. She has been living under house arrest in New York City while fighting her deportation case," reported People. The decision to make her part of the show was supported by 'Dancing with the Stars' showrunner, Conrad Green "We've always tried to be a very broad church when it comes to the types of people, the types of backgrounds, the types of stories we have on the show," said Green, adding, "Anna is fascinating to a lot of people, a lot of people have watched the dramas about her life and have followed her story, so I think there is an inherent curiosity about her." "I think it's perfectly valid for her to be on the show, and I think people have been really curious to see how she performs," he added, reported People. 'Dancing with the Stars' is hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, with Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli serving as judges. (ANI) Amid the ongoing controversy following the Justice Hema Committee report, actor Sanjjanaa Galrani met with the Karnataka State Women's Commission to request the formation of the "Sandalwood Woman Artist Association" (SWAA), which would focus on women's rights and safety in the industry. Speaking to ANI, Sanjjanaa said, "In the Kannada film industry, we don't have any independent body. From my foundation, Sanjjanaa Galrani Foundation, I have requested the formation of an independent body... so that newcomers entering the industry are aware of their rights and understand appropriate behaviour." Earlier this month, Sanjjanaa took to Instagram to call for the formation of SWAA. Commenting on the establishment of a POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) committee for the film industry, Karnataka Women's Commission chairperson Nagalakshmi Chowdhary said, "This is the first time the film industry has had a meeting about forming a committee for women... It is a law that any organisation with more than 10 women must have a POSH committee. I have issued them a letter. They have 15 days to respond. A POSH committee will not hinder film production. If anyone faces harassment, they can approach the committee... The president of the film industry has agreed to it." Sexual assault allegations against prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry surfaced following the Justice Hema Committee report, which disclosed shocking details of crimes against women in the industry. Filmmaker Ranjith, actor and CPI(M) MLA Mukesh, and actors Edavela Babu, Baburaj, Jayasurya, and Siddique have been accused of various sexual harassment complaints. Last month, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report on the harassment faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry was made public. It contained distressing accounts of harassment, exploitation, and mistreatment of women professionals. The 235-page report, published with the names of witnesses and accused redacted, notes that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by about 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors who dominate and exert control over the industry. The report, prepared by a three-member panel led by a former judge of the Kerala High Court and set up by the state government in 2017, was submitted to the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government in December 2019 and was made public only this month. The government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the challenges faced by women in the industry. (ANI) Central government has decided to provide essential commodities to the people of Manipur at reasonable prices by opening Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandars, announced Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In addition to 21 existing Bhandars, 16 new facilities will be opened, announed Home Minister Shah, adding, that the eight centres among 16 will be in the hills. "In line with PM Shri narendramodi Ji's commitment, the MHA is launching an initiative to provide commodities to the people of Manipur at reasonable prices," Home Minister Amit Shah wrote on X. "Now the Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandars will be open for common people from September 17, 2024. In addition to 21 existing Bhandars, 16 new ones will be opened. Among the 16 new centres, eight will be in the valley, and the remaining eight in the hills," the post shared by Union Home Minister read. Earlier on Monday (September 16), authorities in Manipur's Bishnupur, Imphal West, Imphal East and Thoubal districts have given relaxation in curfew starting on Tuesday from 5 am to 6 pm to enable people to buy essential items including medicines. Authorities in the four districts issued orders relaxing the restriction on the movement of people. Relaxation will not apply to any gathering, large-scale movement of persons, sit-in protests or rally etc, which is unlawful in nature. The order issued by District Magistrate, Imphal East District, said that prohibitory orders had been issued restricting the movement of persons outside their respective residences with effect from September 1. "There is a necessity to relax the restriction of movement to facilitate the public purchase of essential items including medicines and food items, etc...it is hereby informed to the public that restriction of movement of persons outside their respective residences imposed in Imphal East is hereby relaxed from 5 am to 6 pm on September 17, 2024, for all areas of the district," the order said. The order issued by Bishnupur District Magistrate said that the curfew, which was imposed on September 3, has been relaxed for the requisite period from Tuesday. Manipur has seen ethnic violence with the authorities making efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the affected areas. (ANI) Kerala government has denied reports circulating in the media regarding the funds spent in connection with the Wayanad disaster, calling it factually incorrect, per an official release from Kerala CMO. The release said that the state government had submitted a memorandum to the central government seeking immediate additional assistance for the disaster. Preliminary estimates of the necessary expenses for various aspects were clearly stated in the memorandum. However, these estimates are now being misrepresented in the media as actual expenditure in the disaster-affected areas, which is untrue, the release added. The figures in the memorandum, prepared according to the guidelines of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), have been misinterpreted, which undermines the state government's efforts to secure central assistance for the Wayanad landslide disaster, the release said. The claims of expenses reported by the media are misleading and against the interests of the state. The government urges the media to correct these inaccurate reports, the release added. This comes after Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief K Surendran accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government of presenting inflated relief expenditures to the High Court in connection with the Wayanad landslides. In a post on X, Surendran alleged that the state government had exploited the tragedy for its own benefit. "The inflated relief spending presented by the state disaster management authority in the Kerala High Court for the Wayanad landslides reeks of corruption and misappropriation. The Pinarayi Vijayan government has shamelessly turned this disaster into a corrupt money-grabbing scheme," he said. "While the people of Kerala selflessly rallied to help the Wayanad landslide victims, the CPM-led LDF government focused on how to exploit the tragedy for its own gain. The entire state now sees their inhumane, greed-driven agenda," the BJP leader added. A series of landslides in Wayanad were triggered by torrential rainfall that killed hundreds of people in the state. The landslides had occured in Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Vellarimala villages in Meppadi panchayat, Vythiri taluk in Wayanad district. (ANI) Army Veteran, Ty Cobb, shops for CBD gummies which he says helps reduce his anxiety at Rock and Roll It Vape Shop on Saturday February 25,2023 in Houston, TX. a Edibles enable me to process and understand my emotions and high levels of anxiety. I have a better quality of life and am not so uptight and intense.a He said. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Cans of hi Seltzer are seen Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, at a Spec's Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods store in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Washington Ho & Tony Buzbee launch HoBuzz, Texas Sober Delta-8 THC seltzer. The Texas Sober seltzer is now available by the 6-pack at hobuzzco.com, with shipping nationwide, and will debut in Houston at the 8th Wonder Brewery taproom (2022 Dallas St.) and other select locations beginning Monday, Sept. 4. Christina Griffin, Courtesy of HoBuzz Veterans Chris Luna, Carl and Christina Arnold and their friend Jenn Totten, who is also married to a Veteran, talk beside a Delta 8 vending machine located in the Tomball VFW Post 2427 during a steak night hosted for Veterans and their families on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 in Houston, TX. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer The Texas Supreme Court will soon decide whether a state agency can wipe out a multibillion-dollar industry with a pen stroke. The case over cannabis carries enormous political baggage, with drug prohibitionists and medical marijuana producers on one side and farmers and hemp sellers on the other. The elected justices must decide if a political appointee can act even after the Legislature punts on the same issue. It all comes down to how high is too high. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hemp and marijuana both come from the cannabis plant. Under federal and state law, the difference is the amount of psychoactive THC, with hemp defined as containing less than 0.3% dry weight. Hemp became legal under the 2018 federal Farm Bill and in 2019 under Texas House Bill 1325. Cannabis chemistry is far more complicated than the law suggests. Two forms of THC are at issue here: the naturally occurring delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol from marijuana, which can make you high, and the hemp-derived delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, which makes you not so high. Delta-9 can land you in jail, while delta-8 is legal. When Texas legalized hemp, farmers planted thousands of acres, and entrepreneurs set about making rope, clothes, tinctures, beauty products and gummies, with some even selling hemp flowers for smoking. The problem is that police cant tell the difference between hemp and marijuana, and only careful and expensive tests can determine whats legal. Some big-city district attorneys and police departments stopped prosecuting low-level cases because it was too expensive and time-consuming. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Today, lax enforcement has led some smoke shops to sell high-THC products. Texas Monthly declared that the hemp law essentially legalized marijuana because many products they found in smoke shops exceeded 0.3% THC. Conservative lawmakers are appalled, and the states medical marijuana companies are frustrated. The Republicans dont want people to get high, even a little bit, and the prescription drug guys cant compete with retail marijuana, so they are losing market share and money. Veterans groups, though, have fought to keep delta-8 legal, declaring that the mild mood enhancer helps with PTSD and anxiety. After lawmakers failed to outlaw delta-8 in 2021, the Texas Department of State Health Services stepped in. DSHS first banned the manufacturing of smokeable hemp products within the state, and the Texas Supreme Court upheld this decision. When DSHS declared in October 2021 that delta-8 was illegal, Austin-based producer Hometown Hero won an injunction against the state. The Texas Supreme Court will soon decide if DSHS has that authority. Texas hemp industry argues that delta-8s high is minimal, and the state should not punish it because bad actors exploit law enforcements confusion. A Hemp Industries Association study in 2022 found the sector employed 50,000 Texans and generated $8 billion in revenue, and a delta-8 ban would wipe out $6.8 billion of it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A hemp-derived cannabinoid can be psychoactive, Cynthia Cabrera, chief strategy officer of Hometown Hero, told me. It doesnt mean that its some evil drug, because then we should be outlawing caffeine, and we should be outlawing sugar if were going to go after things that are psychoactive. Legalizing all THC products, if done thoughtfully, could solve these problems. The Food and Drug Administration could oversee testing and labeling and protect against contaminants. I stress thoughtfully because recreational marijuana legalization in other states has shown mixed results, sometimes boosting the illicit trade when overtaxed and underregulated. Im a fan of how Uruguay became the first nation in the Western Hemisphere to legalize pot. When I visited, only citizens could grow at home, buy THC from a pharmacy or join cannabis-growing clubs. Headshops with big green leaves in the windows are illegal, its more of a hobby than an industry. Our nations entrepreneurial spirit will never allow that kind of restraint. According to the nonpartisan Texas Lyceum, 73% of Texans agree we should stop ruining peoples lives and wasting valuable law enforcement resources and harassing people for using pot. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Texas Supreme Courts decision, though, will likely come down to politics. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and his Christian nationalist allies want to ban delta-8; the all-Republican court will likely help him. Texas justices, though, should instead take a cue from conservative U.S. Supreme Court rulings that reduced the power of government agencies to impose regulations not explicitly authorized by elected lawmakers. By that conservative logic, the justices should rule against the DSHS and leave the question to the Legislature. Then lawmakers should do nothing and grant Texans the liberty to use whatever THC products they desire and end the senseless, expensive and ruinous prohibition against marijuana. Congress leader Pawan Khera on Monday said that the Congress-National Conference alliance will restore the right of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. "Jammu and Kashmir was a state whose rights were taken away, its statehood was taken away, it was made a Union Territory and it must get back this right. We will get back this right of Jammu and Kashmir," Khera told ANI. He said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have made up their minds to defeat the BJP. "If you look at the track record of Congress in the last ten years, be it Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, wherever we have formed governments we implemented our guarantees. People have faith in us. "We have put our entire agenda in front of the public in our manifesto...The people of Jammu and Kashmir have made up their minds. They have decided that if the BJP has to be defeated, then only INDIA Alliance parties should be voted for," he said. Khera said that if the Congress-NC alliance comes to power, then the government will work according to a common minimum program. "We as a party in this country are pioneers in terms of running successful alliance governments. We have done this in the past in various states, also in the centre. There is always a framework which governs the code of conduct for all allies, that framework is a common minimum program which you will see once the elections are over and the results are out. There will be a common minimum program in the framework of which we will all function," he said. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election is between the BJP and the Congress-NC alliance. Speaking at an election rally in Kishtwar on Sunday Amit Shah said, "The upcoming elections are between two forces. On one hand, you have the BJP which walks on the ideals of Pandit Prem Nath Dogra and Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. It's clear to us that J&K was and will always be an integral part of India. When we fought against the idea of '2 Vidhaan and 2 Pradhan' for the country, the Congress Party, under the leadership of Nehru, opposed our campaign. Farooq Ji used to say that even if Modi Ji becomes Prime Minister 10 times, he cannot remove Article 370. Mehbooba ji used to say that if Article 370 is removed, there will be bloodshed. But our Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed Article 370 and established one flag, one leader and one constitution in the country." Assembly polls will be held in Jammu and Kashmir in three phases on September 18, September 25 and November 1. Votes will be counted on October 8. (ANI) Union Minister Ramdas Athawale clarified of not endorsing the statement by Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, who offered a reward of Rs 11 lakh to anyone who cuts off Gandhi's tongue. Speaking to ANI on Monday, Ramdas Athawale said "I dont agree with the statement of Sanjay Gaikwad. We have the right to oppose Rahul Gandhi's remarks but we can do that in other ways. We all should criticise Rahul Gandhi over his statements but using these kinds of statements is not right." This comes after Sanjay Gaikwad's controversial remarks about the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. Sanjay Gaikwad is Shiv Sena MLA from Buldhana. Sanjay Gaikwad stated "The kind of statement made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has exposed the true face of the Congress. During the Lok Sabha elections, they sought votes by spreading lies that the Constitution was in danger, claiming the BJP would change it. Today, in America, he said that the reservation system established by Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar would be dismantled. These words have come from his mouth. Whoever cuts his tongue, I will give them Rs 11 lakh." Maharashtra Police have registered an FIR against Gaikwad under sections 351(2), 351(4), 192, and 351(3) of the BNS. "Rahul Gandhi has a habit of criticising India on foreign soil. He has done this before as well," Athawale said. He went on to say that Rahul Gandhi always tries to attack Narendra Modi in foreign countries. "When he says that he will end reservations in the country is serious. The backward communities are unhappy with Rahul Gandhi's statement," he added. Notably, Rahul Gandhi came under massive heat after he made remarks on BJP, Sikh community and reservation while he was addressing the Indian diaspora in the US. Rahul Gandhi was on his US visit when he interacted with students and teachers at the University of Texas. (ANI) Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri who is in Washington DC for discussions with United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm on Monday (local time) hit out at Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The Union Minister said he sees a more sinister attempt to form a divisive narrative in the comments of the LoP. "I have worn a turban 62 years of my life. I've worn a kada even longer. I think most children in our families when they're born, the first occasion, you know, they put a kada around. But, I think the more disturbing trend is, you know, to say that this is a statement which was made out of ignorance, he doesn't know what he's talking about. I think that's wrong. I think there is a more systematic sinister, and I'm using this word carefully, attempt to foment a divisive narrative, to create a sense of insecurity and freedom. Now, my brothers and sisters who came to the United States to work here many years ago. Some of them have active contacts with their home country. Some of them just go through social media or whatever they read. Now, if you foment a narrative like this that Sikhs are finding it difficult or insecure to wear turban, some of them may actually believe it, which is not the case," Hardeep Puri said. The Minister said that it was during the Congress regime in 1984 that one of worst anti-Sikh riots had taken place and Sikhs were targeted for wearing a turban. "If there has been any time in the history of our post independence existence, when there was an existential threat to the Sikhs or the felt one, I've experienced it myself, it was during the 1984, I don't know, use the word riots because it was a one sided pogrom against, you know, innocent people, 3000 of whom were killed in cold blood in India. And if you look at what happened before that in the 80s in the run up to the Asian Games, Sikhs used to be taken out of buses, etc. and because you're a turban Sikh, you go on the side," he said. Hardeep Puri said that it was Prime Minister Modi who had done many things for the Sikhs including the opening of the Kartarpur corridor, while the LoP had even reffered to Sikhs being second class citizens in the country. "I'm proud to be a government minister. Before that, I was a civil servant. I was a diplomat for 39 years, but I was a diplomat not because any government appointed me. I appeared in a UPSC examination and qualified and under different governments. Now, I think it's a matter of great pride for somebody like me to say that the Sikhs have never had it so good, all the grievances which were there have actually been addressed by the honorable Prime Minister, whether it is removing names of Sikhs from the blacklist, whether it is addressing the issue of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor or, you know, celebrating the Sahibzada's contribution in terms of Vir Bal Divas, etc. All that is there. What I'm surprised about is that there seems to be a pattern in this. And last year this honourable Leader of Opposition came here and he said Sikhs were second class citizens," he said. The Minister said that by making those remarks Rahul Gandhi was trying to spread insecurities amongst the Sikh community at a time of elections in the US. "Whilst he's attacking an ideology, he's trying to, you know, build a narrative by turning around and saying you cannot practice your religion. Has anybody in India told him that? Now the people who are supporting up, no, no, there are some grievances. Every community has grievances. Let me assure you the majority community also has grievances that they are made to sometimes feel like a minority community in their own country. There are other minority communities. But the beauty of a democracy, and by the way, we have 960 million registered voters and something like 680 million actually turned out to vote. That is a celebration of democracy. There are differences of opinion in the United States. But, if somebody who should know better, comes out here and at a time when there's an election going on, makes it a point to go to places to place to fret insecurity. In our country, we say that that they are spreading lies and rumours," Puri said. At a recent interaction in the US, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, had claimed that the fight is about whether a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear a turban in India and would be able to visit a Gurdwara. "First of all, you have to understand what the fight is about. Fight is not about politics. It is superficial. What is your name? The fight is about whether he, as a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear his turban in India. Or he as a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear a kada in India. Or a Sikh is going to be able to go to Gurdwara. That's what the fight is about and not just for him, for all religions," Puri said. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav offered prayers to Lord Vishwakarma, at his residence in Bhopal on the occasion of Vishwakarma Puja on Tuesday and extended greetings to the citizens of the state. CM Yadav also extended wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday today. "I would like to extend greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti. PM Narendra Modi is also celebrating his 74th birthday today and I extend greetings to him too. May he lead a long life...," CM Yadav told ANI. Meanwhile, in a post on X, CM Yadav wrote, "Warm greetings to the architect of 'New India', the world's most respected politician, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday. Under your leadership, the country is rapidly moving towards achieving the resolution of 'Viksit Bharat' and becoming a global superpower. May Baba Mahakal bless you with good health, long life and a glorious life." "Happy Birthday to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ten years of the Modi government has laid the foundation of a new, strong and prosperous India," the CM wrote in another post. Besides, 'Vishwakarma Jayanti' is a Hindu festival that celebrates Lord Vishwakarma, the divine architect and craftsman of the gods. It is being celebrated on September 17 this year. Nonetheless, the exact date of Vishwakarma Jayanti varies from year to year because it is based on the Hindu lunar calendar. The association of 'Vishwakarma Jayanti' with 'Kanya Sankranti' highlights the importance of this day for those who are involved in trades, craftsmanship and business. Devotees believe that by worshipping Lord Vishwakarma on this day, they can seek his blessings for success and prosperity in their professional endeavours. This festival is an occasion for artisans, craftsmen, and factory workers to honour Lord Vishwakarma and pray for skill enhancement, better tools, and overall improvement in their work. (ANI) During its last hearing on September 9, the apex court had asked the protesting doctors to resume their duties by 5 pm on September 10. The doctors have, however, continued their protests. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, yesterday agreeing to doctors' demands, announced that Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal, the Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police, North, and two senior officials of Health Department would be replaced. During today's hearing Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal raised concern about live streaming of the court's proceedings stating that it is having huge implications and clarifies that he is not representing the accused but representing the state of West Bengal. Sibal also apprised the bench stating that advocates in his chamber have been getting rape threats. CJI Chandrachud, however, said that live streaming of proceedings will not be halted as it is a matter of public interest. He however, assured that steps will be taken to protect the members of the Bar. As per the Court's prior directions, the CBI has filed a fresh status report. Supreme Court perusing the report said that investigation by CBI is to unearth the absolute truth and said the Central agency has responded to all of the issues raised by the top court including the process of post mortem The apex court said that CBI had to be given adequate time to unearth the truth. (ANI) Aam Aadmi Party national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday in a meeting of party MLAs proposed the name of Atishi to be his successor. She was subsequently elected as leader of Delhi AAP Legislative Party, as per sources. Addressing a legislature party meeting at his residence in the national capital, Kejriwal made the proposal and the MLAs have supported him, sources said. Earlier, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj dimissed the possibility of Delhi Chief Minister's wife Sunita Kejriwal taking over. When asked about Arvind Kejriwal's potential successor, Bharadwaj said, "I have no knowledge, whether it will be someone from the council of ministers or from among the MLAs. But we will let you know. As far as I understand the politics of Arvind Kejriwal, I don't think it will be Sunita Kejriwal. She is not interested."As he arrived for the meeting at Kejriwal's residence, AAP MLA GopaL Rai told ANI, "Legislative party meeting has been called. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced that unless the people support him again and make him win, he will not continue as the CM. Until then the party will choose the CM and the Government will function under the leadership of that CM. Government will be formed in Delhi under the leadership of CM Kejriwal once again".On Saturday, Kejriwal announced that he would resign and would not resume as the CM until the people of Delhi declared him "honest." He has also called for advancing polls in the national capital to November this year, ahead of the scheduled February elections.Kejriwal stated that if re-elected by the public, it would serve as a "certificate" of his honesty. He added that he would push for early elections, alongside those in Maharashtra.The announcement by the 54-year-old leader came two days after he was released from the Tihar jail after being granted bail by the Supreme Court in a corruption case related to the alleged Delhi Excise Policy scam.The apex court also imposed certain conditions on Kejriwal's release, including that he must refrain from making public comments about the case and must attend all hearings before the trial court unless exempted. (ANI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi under whose leadership the third BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre completed its first 100 days in office. "It is PM Narendra Modi's birthday today. I extend to him greetings on this occasion. May he be blessed with a long life and the strength to serve the nation. PM Modi has brought laurels to the country before the world. That is why, our country is heading towards becoming an economic superpower. From the 11th, PM Modi has brought our economy to the fifth position," Chief Minister Shinde said while speaking to ANI on Tuesday. Shinde further said that many welfare initiatives for the poor, farmers and women were made in the last 10 years, which could not be done under the previous rule or in 50-60 years. "Now his resolve is Viksit Bharat 2047. His vision is to take the country's economy to the third position and make it an economic superpower. What could not be done by the opposition in the last 50-60 years, when they were in power? All such decisions for the welfare of poor, farmers and women have been taken in the last 10 years," Shinde said. He also wished the citizens of Maharashtra on the occasion of Marathwada Liberation Day and said, "To make the union of the country, it was important to merge Hyderabad with it. Therefore, the then Home Minister initiated police action. Several freedom fighters from the Marathwada region sacrificed their lives for the freedom of Marathwada, we pay tribute to them." "We had our last cabinet meeting here in Sambhajinagar. We made several decisions for the benefit of the people, and they were not just on paper. Several decisions were implemented too." Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the nation receiving recognition across the world. "PM Modi has emphasised infrastructure development in the country. Today, India is recognised in the world and the credit for this goes to PM Modi," Ajit Pawar said. (ANI) Aam Aami party leader Atishi, who has been picked as the successor of Arvind Kejriwal after he announced his resignation as Delhi Chief Minister, has affirmed that she will work for the next few months with the goal of returning Kejriwal to the post after the upcoming elections. Expressing gratitude towards AAP Supremo Arvind Kejriwal, Atishi while addressing a Press conference on Tuesday said, "First, I would like to thank the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for giving me such a big responsibility and showed trust in me. This can happen only in Aam Aadmi party that a first time politician becomes Chief Minister of a state" "As much as I am happy for being given such a big responsibility, I am also sad that the Delhi Chief Minister is resigning. The BJP has left no stones unturned, creating hindrances for the AAP. Made all central agencies run behind him," Atishi said. Urging the people to re-elect Arvind Kejriwal in the upcoming elections in the national capital, Atishi said, "The people of Delhi, Aam Aadmi party MLAs and I, who will remain the Delhi CM till the next elections will work with one resolution that we need to make Arvind Kejriwal the Chief Minister of Delhi again. On behalf of all AAP MLAs and the 2 crore people of Delhi, I want to say that that there is just one CM of Delhi - Arvind Kejriwal".Addressing media after Atishi took over as the Chief Minister, Delhi Minister Gopal Rai reiterated party's demand for early elections in Delhi and said that Atishi would carry responsibilities of the Chief Minister unless Arvind Kejriwal is elected by the people with a "thumping" majority."When he (Arvind Kejriwal) decided to resign, legislative party meeting was held today. In the meeting it was unanimously decided that until the next elections, that we want to be held in October-November at the earliest, and people make Arvind Kejriwal the Delhi CM with a thumping majority, Atishi would carry out the responsibilities as the new CM," Delhi Minister Gopal Rai said while addressing a press conference.Speaking to the media, Delhi government minister Kailash Gehlot who was also seen as a potential candidate for taking over the CM seat said, "Everyone unanimously agreed on Atishi's name".On Saturday, Kejriwal announced that he would resign and would not resume as the CM until the people of Delhi declared him "honest." He has also called for advancing polls in the national capital to November this year, ahead of the scheduled February elections.Kejriwal stated that if re-elected by the public, it would serve as a "certificate" of his honesty. He added that he would push for early elections, alongside those in Maharashtra.The announcement by the 54-year-old leader came two days after he was released from the Tihar jail after being granted bail by the Supreme Court in a corruption case related to the alleged Delhi Excise Policy scam.The apex court also imposed certain conditions on Kejriwal's release, including that he must refrain from making public comments about the case and must attend all hearings before the trial court unless exempted. (ANI) People in Mumbai participated in Ganpati Visarjan on Tuesday. Ganpati Visarjan is held on the culmination of the 10 day long Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew parallels between British rule and the Congress and said that the people who are trying to "divide and rule" have problems with Ganesh Puja. Addressing an event in Bhubaneswar, the Prime Minister alleged that the British, during its rule in India, had problems with Ganesh Utsav and added that people who are "hungry for power" have issues with Ganesh Puja. This comes in the backdrop of the recent controversy triggered by PM Modi attending Ganesh Puja at Chief Justice DY Chandrachud's residence. "Ganesh Utsav is not just a festival of faith for our country. Ganesh Utsav played a very important role in the independence of our country. The British, who worked on the policy of 'Divide and Rule', were irked by the Ganesh Utsav. Dividing us in the name of caste was a weapon of the British. Today also, the people who are trying to divide and break Indian society are irked by Ganesh Utsav. People who are hungry for power have an issue with Ganesh Pooja. The people of Congress and its eco-system are agitated because I attended Ganpati Poojan," PM Modi said. Ganesh Chaturthi festival commenced on September 7 and continues until Anantha Chaturdashi. This festival is also known as Vinayak Chaturthi or Vinayak Chavithi. 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. 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. Homes and 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. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which addresses the management, preservation, and misuse of Waqf properties, will be passed in Parliament in the coming days. Addressing a press conference on the first 100 days of the third term of the PM Modi government, Shah said, "Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is committed to the management, preservation and misuse of Waqf properties. It would be passed in the Parliament in the coming days." Earlier, the Lok Sabha Secretariat, in an official statement, said that a meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, will be held on September 18, 19 and 20 at the Parliament House Annexe in the capital city of New Delhi. During the meeting on September 18, representatives from the Ministry of Minority Affairs will record oral evidence before the committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. On September 19, the committee will hear the views or suggestions of some experts and stakeholders, such as Prof Faizan Mustafa, Vice Chancellor, Chanakya National Law University, Patna; Pasmanda Muslim Mahaaz and All Indian Muslim Personal Law Board, on the bill. On September 20, the Joint Parliamentary Committee will hear the suggestions of All India Sajjadanashin Council, Ajmer, Muslim Rashtriya Manch, Delhi and Bharat First, Delhi, on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Earlier this week, a group of Muslim Social Workers and Islamic Scholars during a meeting in Delhi expressed their support to the government, emphasising that doubting the government's intentions is not appropriate. Speaking to ANI, Islamic Scholar Mufti Wajahat Qasmi said that a meeting was called to remove the confusion created by some political parties against the government, saying that the land of Muslims will be snatched away. "The meeting was called regarding the amendment of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. We called the meeting to remove the confusion created by some political parties against the government, saying that the land of Muslims will be snatched away. The meeting was conducted peacefully. We are standing with the government and we should not doubt the intentions of the government. The government is thinking for the needy and poor Muslims. With this bill, Waqf will flourish, Muslims will flourish and so will the country," he said. (ANI) Fire Noodz is opening in Finn Hall in February. Finn Hall The Smoke is a new barbecue restaurant in Finn Hall at 712 Main in downtown Houston. Finn Hall The Smoke, a new barbecue restaurant in Finn Hall, offers jumbo spuds filled with chopped meats. Finn Hall Carol Kay's in Finn Hall is a new venture of Stacey and Shannen Tune, owners of Craft Burger. Carol Kay's Dena Baughman will open Water Oak Cafe & Bakery at Baybrook Passage Shopping Center in Webster. Water Oak Cafe & Bakery Sudor Sauna Studio has opened at Regent Square. Sudor Sauna Studio Sudor Sauna Studio has opened at Regent Square. Sudor Sauna Studio Warby Parker opens a new store at La Centerra at Cinco Ranch in Katy on Jan. 14. Warby Parker Warby Parker opens a new store at La Centerra at Cinco Ranch in Katy on Jan. 14. Warby Parker Finn Hall, a 20,000-square-foot food hall at 712 Main St. in downtowns Jones on Main, signed several new restaurants, according to Miranda Cartwright, general manager of property operations at Midway. The historic Jones on Main office campus is owned by Lionstone Investments and managed by Midway. Chef Reginald Scott held a soft opening for Smoke, a fast-casual BBQ restaurant specializing in smoked meats, vegetables and sides. Menu items include 48-hour brined smoked chicken wings, a jumbo turkey leg and the Smokey Bowl as a vegan option. The grand opening is Feb. 6. Fire Noodz, a spicy noodle shop created by Chris Nguyen, Sonny Nguyen and Mark Tiu serving dishes such as Thai curry ramen and fried cheesy fire balls, is the first venture since the owners left Oh My Gogi. Opening is planned in February. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Shannen and Stacey Tune, owners of Craft Burger, will open Carol Kays, a restaurant incorporating Southern and Caribbean cuisine, in February. Carol Kay will offer smothered biscuits and gravy, cornbread beef hash and eggs, jerk chicken, curried chicken rice bowls, quinoa salmon bowls and more. The restaurants join other independently operated establishments at Finn Hall, including Craft Burger, Papalo Taqueria, Pizza Zquare, Maui Bento, Greenway Coffee, Shallows Nest and Cranky Carrot Juice Co. Water Oak Cafe & Bakery, a venture of Pasadena-based Dena Baughman, will open a 3,053-square-foot cafe with a patio Baybrook Passage Shopping Center, at 19435 W. Bay Area Blvd. in Webster. Baughman has signed a long-term lease to bring her online Water Oak House bakery to a brick-and-mortar location across Interstate 45 from Baybrook Mall. Wade Greene and Hannah Tosch of Colliers represented the tenant. Danny Miller represented the landlord, Gulf Coast Commercial Group. Austin-based interior designer Kim Lewis is designing the space with a Southern chic theme incorporating peach, soft blues and greens, botanical wallpaper, earthy tile selections, plus leather and marble accents. Opening is planned for April. The decor at Water Oak Cafe & Bakery incorporates a Southern chic scheme. Owner Dena Baughman worked with interior designer Kim Lewis on the design. Opening is planned in April 2023 in Webster's Baybrook Passage Shopping Center. Water Oak Cafe & Bakery Warby Parker has a new store at La Centerra at Cinco Ranch in Katy. The location, featuring artwork by London-based illustrator Anna Broadhurst, represents the eye care retailers 18th store in Texas. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Vitalyc MedSpa leased 2,510 square feet in 6 BLVD Place at 1800 Post Oak Blvd. Tyler Trevino and Chris Reyes of Shop Cos. represented the tenant. Elise Weatherall of Wulfe & Co. represented the landlord. Warby Parker opens a new store at La Centerra at Cinco Ranch in Katy on Jan. 14. Warby Parker Sudor Sauna Studio, a new spa founded by Katherine Garcia and Kevin Cumming, opened a 2,500-square-foot studio at Regent Square, a development of GID on West Dallas Street near Allen Parkway. The studio is designed to promote restorative benefits by combining a deep sweat or sudor in Spanish chromotherapy (color therapy) and a cold plunge. Shoe Palace leased 6,900 square feet in Brazos Town Center, a development of NewQuest Properties at U.S. 59 and FM 762 in Rosenberg. Austen Baldridge and Bob Conwell of NewQuest Properties represented the landlord. Matt Reed of Shop Cos. represented the tenant. Crawfish Cafe leased 3,500 square feet in Barker's Crossing at Barker Cypress Road and U.S. 290. John Nguyen of NewQuest Properties represented the tenant. Lauren Shepperd of Williamsburg Enterprises represented the landlord. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kerala Health Minister Veena George said on Tuesday that 175 people have been included in the contact list of the 24-year-old patient who died of Nipah virus infection. Speaking to ANI, George said that out of 175 people, 126 have been listed as high-risk category contacts. "We have found that the death of a student in Malappuram was due to the Nipah virus. 126 of the 175 contacts of this person are in the high-risk category because there are chances of the virus is getting transmitted from one person to other people. We have started house surveillance. Samples tested so far are negative," the Kerala Health Minister said. She further said that the district administration has urged everyone living within a 3 km radius to wear masks. Restrictions, including a ban on gathering and setting up containment zones have been done, she said. "We have taken all measures to ensure that the virus is not spread. There are isolation bays for those found infected. We have requested ICMR for their help," the health minister said. Earlier in the day, George met Union Health Minister JP Nadda in Delhi regarding the Nipah outbreak in Malappuram. "I had the appointment a week ago, and many issues were discussed. This meeting was in continuation I had communicated with letter. The meeting was good," the minister said. On September 16, the minister chaired two Nipah review meetings held online. A control cell has been set up in the Malappuram Government Guest House compound due to the Nipah alert. The control cell can be reached at 0483 2732010 and 0483 2732060. According to a State Health Ministry release, a field survey has been initiated within a three-kilometre radius of the deceased person's residence, with 66 teams deployed. As part of the prevention measures, field-level operations are ongoing. The test result of a 24-year-old man who died at a private hospital in Malappuram was found positive for the Nipah virus on September 15. The samples were tested at the National Institute of Virology in Pune. The deceased was a student in Bengaluru. (ANI) Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday hit out at the BJP government for the first 100 days of Modi 3.0, calling it "unstable and crisis-ridden." In a statement released by him on X, he criticised the union government for failing to create sufficient employment. https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/1835930512310813018?t=Q9R_IAnTRSrYbyWzw-M9ow&s=08 His post read, "Yesterday marked a hundred days of this unstable, crisis-ridden government--an anniversary characterised by yet another failure to act on India's mass unemployment crisis. Our statement on the necessity for the government to acknowledge the gravity of the crisis facing India's youth." Citing the International Labour Organisation's (ILO's) India Employment Report, 2024, he claimed that there has been 'almost zero growth in employment'. "The ILO's India Employment Report, 2024, finds that each year, around 70-80 lakh youths are added to the labour force, but between 2012 and 2019, there was almost zero growth in employment- just 0.01 per cent. The same report found that in 2022, unemployment was very high among the urban youth (17.2 per cent) as well as rural youth (10.6 per cent)," the statement read. Further criticising the government, he said that there has been an increase of jobs in the informal sector while employment in the formal sector has decreased from 10.5 per cent to 9.7 per cent. "The ILO report found that the Modi government increased the percentage of low-paying informal-sector employment without social security, while formal employment decreased from 10.5 pc to 9.7 pc from 2019-22. Citigroup confirmed the same trend, noting that only 21 pc of India's labour force has salaried jobs, lower than 24 pc of pre-Covid," he added. He also claimed that the absolute number of workers in the agricultural sector has increased, saying that people are moving from factories back to farming. He said, "For the first time in decades, under Modi's mismanagement, the absolute number of workers in agriculture is increasing. This goes against the very basic concept of economic modernization, which every developed country along the world has gone through." He added further, "The non-biological PM and his drumbeating economists have consistently attacked the idea of jobless growth. The reality of what we have seen since 2014 is perhaps even more stark, job-loss growth." (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted regular bail to businessmen Amit Arora and Amandeep Dhall in a case related to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which was being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa appeared for Amit Arora in the matter while Advocate Tanveer Ahmad Mir represented Businessman Amandeep Singh Dhall in the Court. This development means that all accused individuals in this particular ED case have now been granted bail. The case involved allegations of money laundering, and the ED has been probing the financial transactions of several individuals. The bail of Arora and Dhall signifies a legal relief for the accused, though the broader legal proceedings in relation to the case may still continue. Amit Arora, the director of Gurugram-based Buddy Retail Pvt Ltd, and Amandeep Singh Dhall, the director of Delhi-based Brindco Sales Private Limited, have been key figures in the money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Amit Arora has been under investigation due to his alleged involvement in a larger money laundering probe tied to the Delhi Excise Policy case. He had been granted interim bail on medical grounds, and the upcoming decision will determine whether this interim relief is converted into regular bail. In the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, Amit Arora, the director of Buddy Retail Pvt Ltd, was not arrested. The CBI filed a chargesheet against him without taking him into custody. Filing a chargesheet without arrest is a procedural step often taken when authorities believe there is sufficient evidence to proceed with prosecution, but they do not consider the accused a flight risk or a danger to the investigation. On September 3, 2024, the Delhi High Court reserved its order on the bail plea of Amandeep Singh Dhall in a case related to the Enforcement Directorate's investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). In addition to this, Dhall's bail in a separate case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently under review by the Supreme Court of India. Earlier, in June 2024, the Delhi High Court had denied him bail in the CBI case, which adds to his legal challenges. The CBI case pertains to related financial irregularities or corruption charges, complementing the ED's investigation under PMLA. Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan, representing Amandeep Dhall, argued on the grounds of parity, stating that individuals like Manish Sisodia, K Kavitha, and Vijay Nair, involved in the same case, have been granted bail by the Supreme Court. Krishnan highlighted that the trial is expected to be lengthy and that Dhall, along with the other accused, has already been in custody for several months. Advocate Vivek Gurnani, representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), opposed Amandeep Dhall's bail plea. He argued that Dhall is accused of specifically influencing witnesses and attempting to bribe and affect the investigation while in custody. Gurnani highlighted that there is substantial digital evidence and witness statements supporting these allegations. He contended that the delay in the trial is attributable to Dhall's actions, which distinguish his case from those of other individuals granted bail. Amandeep Dhall was arrested on March 1, 2023, by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The ED alleged that Dhall, along with others, was involved in the formation of the liquor policy and in facilitating kickbacks to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its recoupment by the South Group. Both the ED and the CBI have claimed that there were irregularities in modifying the Excise Policy, including undue favours to licence holders, waivers or reductions of licence fees, and extensions of the L-1 licence without proper approval. It is alleged that the beneficiaries diverted "illegal" gains to the accused officials and falsified their accounts to evade detection. (ANI) Congress workers held a protest in Chandigarh on Tuesday against Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu over his recent statements on Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi. The state president of Chandigarh Congress, Harmohinder Singh Lucky, condemned the remarks of the minister, saying that such below-the-belt remarks are strictly opposed by the party. "The remarks made by Minister Ravneet Bittu on the orders of the BJP and Modi, are quite below the belt, we strongly oppose those remarks. He has forgotten what Rahul Gandhi has done for him, wherever he has reached in politics, he has only reached that position because of Rahul Gandhi and Congress. Congress had decided to support the youth, and because of that he had progressed in politics," he told ANI during the protest. The Union minister had slammed Rahul Gandhi for his remarks made during his USA visit, saying that if the Congress leader is not an Indian and if there should be an award to catch the number one terrorist, it should be on Rahul Gandhi. "Rahul Gandhi is not an Indian, he has spent most of his time outside. He does not love his country much because he goes abroad and says everything in the wrong way. The people who are most wanted, separatists, and experts in making bombs, guns, and shells, have appreciated what Rahul Gandhi has said. The enemies of the country who try to blow up planes, trains, and roads, are in support of Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi is the country's number 1 terrorist. The biggest enemy of the country whom the agencies should catch is Rahul Gandhi today," Bittu said. Earlier, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit slammed the Union Minister over his controversial remarks and said that his political career in the Congress was also a mess. "We can only pity such people. His political career in Congress was also a mess. He used to praise Rahul Gandhi, and now, after resigning from Congress and joining the BJP, he is showing his loyalty to the BJP party," Dixit said. Punjab Congress chief and Lok Sabha MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring had also said that the minister was trying to please his masters. "He is saying anything to please his masters. This public knows that Rahul Gandhi's father was martyred, and his body was torn to pieces, you call him a terrorist," the Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said. The controversial remarks by the minister came after Rahul Gandhi, during his visit to the USA, said that the fight is about whether a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear a turban in India and would be able to visit a Gurdwara. "First of all, you have to understand what the fight is about. The fight is not about politics. It is superficial. What is your name? The fight is about whether...he as a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear his turban in India. Or he as a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear a kada in India. Or a Sikh is going to be able to go to Gurdwara. That's what the fight is about and not just for him, for all religions," he had said. (ANI) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah asked the Centre on Tuesday who was responsible for an "increase" in terror attacks in Jammu. His comments came as the first phase of the three-phase elections in Jammu and Kashmir are set to start on September 18. He also expressed hope about the return of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. "Nothing is impossible. If it were impossible, the Supreme Court would not have given the verdict in favour of Article 370 thrice...If today a five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court has announced a verdict against Article 370, then isn't it possible that tomorrow a seven-judge constitution bench will give a verdict in favour of Article 370...," Omar told reporters in Budgam on Tuesday. Omar Abdullah, who is contesting from Budgam and Ganderbal assembly seats, held the Bharatiya Janata Party responsible for terror attacks in Jammu. "First, Amit Shah sahab, please tell me, Who is responsible for a rise in terrorism in Jammu?" Stating that the National Conference and Congress have been out of power for ten years in Jammu and Kashmir, Omar said there has been direct Centre's rule here for six years. Omar said, "If you are witnessing terror attacks in Jammu, if Yatris are targeted in Reasi, if forces are attacked, if officers (army soldiers) and our brave soldiers are killed. Who is responsible?" He was responding to the Centre's assertion that Article 370 will never return to Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at a rally in Kishtwar on September 16, Home Minister Amit Shah said, "NC and Congress say that they will reinstate Article 370 if their government is formed. Should Article 370 be back?... The reservation which the Pahadis and Gurjar brothers get, would not be possible if Article 370 is restored... But I have been observing the environment in Kashmir, neither Farooq Abdullah nor Rahul Gandhi is forming the government here. Article 370 is now a part of the history. There is no place for Article 370 in the Constitution of India. There can never be two prime ministers, two constitutions and two flags in Kashmir. There will only be one flag and that is our Tricolour," he said. Assembly polls are being held in Jammu and Kashmir in three phases. The first phase of voting will be held on September 18, the second on September 25 and the third on November 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8. (ANI) Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Tuesday attacked BJP leader Ravneet Bittu's statement on Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and claimed that Rahul Gandhi was the one who told Ravneet Bittu to wear the turban as he never used to wear a turban, adding that the BJP leader "needs treatment." This comes after Bittu said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is not an Indian and if there should be an award to catch the number one terrorist, it should be on Rahul Gandhi. "He needs treatment. Rahul Gandhi was the one who told Ravneet Bittu to wear the turban as he never used to wear a turban...He stained his grandfather's (Beant Singh) turban by saying that Congress promoted terrorism in Punjab," Randhawa said. When asked about assembly by-elections in Rajasthan, the Congress MP said that the discussion would be held on Wednesday on all seven seats. "Tomorrow a meeting has been convened to hold discussion on all seven seats and we will announce good candidates and win the elections," he added. The BJP leader attacked for his remarks on Sikhs during his US visit and said that the Leader of Opposition does not love his country. "Rahul Gandhi is not an Indian, he has spent most of his time outside. He does not love his country much because he goes abroad and says everything in the wrong way. The people who are most wanted, separatists, and experts in making bombs, guns, and shells, have appreciated what Rahul Gandhi has said. The enemies of the country who try to blow up planes, trains, and roads, are in support of Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi is the country's number 1 terrorist. The biggest enemy of the country whom the agencies should catch is Rahul Gandhi today," he said. "Rahul Gandhi will not become a terrorist because of your statement. The people of the country know about your mentality, your intelligence, your knowledge, and how ungrateful a man is," he added. Earlier in Virginia, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said that fight is about whether a Sikh, is going to be allowed to wear a turban in India and would be able to visit a Gurdwara. "First of all, you have to understand what the fight is about. Fight is not about politics. It is superficial. What is your name? The fight is about whether...he as a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear his turban in India. Or he as a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear a kada in India. Or a Sikh is going to be able to go to Gurdwara. That's what the fight is about and not just for him, for all religions," he said. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday listed in November hearing on the Committee of Management Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah plea challenging the Allahabad High Court order rejecting the mosque committee challenging the maintainability of various lawsuits initiated by Hindu devotees. A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Sanjay Kumar, meanwhile, asked the counsel of the Committee of Management Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah whether they can file an appeal against the Allahabad High Court's single judge bench August 1 order before the division bench. The court sought the lawyer to take instructions in this regard and listed the matter in November 1. One of the counsel from the devotee sides raised preliminary objection whether appeal will lie in the Supreme Court and said that they can move to division bench of the high court against the order. The court, which was initially inclined to issue notice on the plea, later adjourned the matter over this issue. Advocate Tasneem Ahmadi appeared for the Mosque committee, while Senior Advocate Madhavi Divan and advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain appeared for the Hindu parties. Karanjawala and Company, through senior partner Meghna Mishra, alongwith Shreyansh Rathi, Associate, is representing Rajendra Maheshwari, one of the Respondents before the Supreme Court. Maheshwari had filed a Civil Suit in 2020 before the Mathura District Court. The Committee of Management Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Allahabad High Court order rejecting the mosque committee challenging the maintainability of various lawsuits initiated by Hindu devotees. In the plea, the Committee of Management Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah challenged order dated August 1 passed by the High Court of Allahabad, whereby the High Court has dismissed the Applications under Order VII Rule 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) filed by the mosque committee seeking rejection of plaints in 15 different suits filed by the Hindu devotees. The management committee has filed the plea through advocate Mehmood Pracha and RHA Sikander and also sought interim relief for putting a stay on the HC order. More than 15 suits by different plaintiffs have been filed claiming competing rights over the Shahi Masjid Eidgah on the ground that it is the site of the birthplace of Lord Shri Krishna (Krishna Janmabhoomi). "The petitioner herein, who has been arrayed as a defendant by the different plaintiffs/respondents herein in the subject (15) suits, had filed individual applications under Order VII Rule 11 of the CPC in each suit for rejection of the respective Plaint. The Plaints were, inter alia, barred by the provisions of the Limitation Act, Places of Worship Act, Specific Relief Act, Waqf Act and Order XXIII Rule 3A of the CPC," the plea said. "After hearing all the parties in all the 15 Suits, the High Court has passed an inherently flawed Judgement by combining selective pleadings of different Suits filed by different Plaintiffs/Respondents herein (containing differing pleadings and claiming different reliefs), into a common hotchpotch, to make a new composite Suit from the pleadings of the 15 Suits and thereafter, reading them selectively to dismiss all the applications under Order VII Rule 11 of the CPC filed in all the 15 suits by a common judgement," the plea said. "The High Court has passed a common judgement by a selective combined reading of the pleadings in 15 suits and not taken into consideration the specific pleadings of each Plaint to decide whether that particular plaintiff is barred by law on the basis of its pleadings," the plea filed by the mosque committee said. On August 1, Allahabad High Court dismissed the petition filed by the mosque committee challenging the maintainability of lawsuits initiated by Hindu devotees. Various matters relating to the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Masjid disputeare being dealt in different legal forums. Earlier, the Committee of Management Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah has filed an appeal in the top court challenging Allahabad High Court order, which transfers to itself all the petitions relating to Mathura's Krishna Janambhoomi land dispute from District Court Mathura, Uttar Pradesh Masjid Idgah challenged the order dated May 26 passed by the Allahabad High Court, whereby it transferred all such cases relating to the Krishna Janambhoomi dispute from the District Court Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, to itself. Ranjana Agnihotri, a resident of Lucknow, had filed a suit in Mathura court demanding the ownership of 13.37 acres of land of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi.In her legal suit, Agnihotri demanded removal of the Shahi Idgah mosque built in Krishna Janmabhoomi. The suit filed in the Mathura court sought the removal of a mosque said to have been built in 1669-70 on the orders of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the 13.37-acre premises of Katra Keshav Dev temple, near the birthplace of Lord Krishna. (ANI) Amanatullah Khan, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Okhla, on Tuesday moved the Delhi High Court challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He was arrested recently in connection with a money laundering case related to alleged irregularities in appointments made at the Delhi Waqf Board during his tenure as its chairperson. By filing a petition in the Delhi High Court, Khan is contesting the legality of his arrest and seeking relief from the judicial process. The ED's investigation stems from accusations of financial misconduct and irregularities in appointments within the Waqf Board, with Khan allegedly being involved in these activities. Khan was recently arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and following his arrest, he was sent in ED remand for several days, during which the ED interrogated him regarding the financial mismanagement and other allegations linked to the case. Khan is currently in judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail after the court deemed it necessary to keep him in custody pending further investigation Amanatullah Khan, has been arrested in connection with the purchase of a Rs 36 crore property in Okhla, which is part of the broader investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into alleged money laundering and irregularities during his tenure as the chairperson of the Delhi Waqf Board. According to the Enforcement Directorate, Khan the main accused in this case, with the investigation still ongoing. The ED has informed the trial court that a supplementary charge sheet will soon be filed against Khan, further detailing the allegations and evidence against him. The agency has already conducted raids and investigations related to the property acquisition and financial dealings, leading to Khan's arrest. On the other hand, Khan's legal counsel, represented by advocates Rajat Bhardwaj and Kaustubh Khanna, argued in court that Khan has cooperated with the investigation. They stated that Khan appeared before the ED on April 18 and submitted data from his phone as requested on February 9. They further emphasized that the ED had raided Khan's residence in 2023, and four other accused individuals in the case were arrested in November 2023, remaining in custody since then. Enforcement Directorate case against Amanatullah Khan involves two separate FIRs, one is of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR relates to alleged irregularities in appointments made at the Delhi Waqf Board during Khan's tenure as its chairperson. Another FIR was filed by Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) concerns an alleged case of disproportionate assets. Both investigations are part of a broader scrutiny of Khan's financial dealings and official conduct. (ANI) Congress Uttar Pradesh chief, Ajay Rai, has called for strict punishment for those accused in the alleged gang rape of a woman in Ayodhya. Rai, who met the victim's father in Ayodhya on Tuesday, described the incident as "unfortunate" and highlighted the widespread corruption in the state, while demanding stringent action against the culprits. Earlier, on September 15, Akhilesh Yadav had shared a post on X in which the woman shared her ordeal. "The video statement of a gang rape victim in Ayodhya has exposed the root cause of the increasing harassment and atrocities against women in UP. The victim had to endure significant hardships to file a report due to the indifference of certain police officers. This complexity in filing reports means that many crimes go unregistered, which emboldens criminals," Yadav said on X. Congress chief Rai also described the encounter of gangster Mangesh Yadav as "fake." "The encounter of Mangesh Yadav was entirely fabricated. I visited Mangesh's family, and he was taken from his home and killed. His entire family has been devastated," Rai stated. Earlier, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also criticised the BJP government over alleged fake encounters in the state, claiming a "pattern" had emerged. In a post on X, the SP chief said, "A pattern of encounters has been set under BJP rule: first someone is picked up, then a fake encounter story is concocted, followed by staged photos shown to the world. After the murder, when the family reveals the truth, they are pressured and offered various temptations." "The more the BJP and its forces try to prove these encounters as genuine, the more apparent it becomes that they are false. The BJP has orchestrated an encounter with the truth itself," he added. Last week, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath dismissed the Samajwadi Party's allegations. "You see, when a mafia or a dacoit is killed in a police encounter, it seems as if a sensitive nerve has been struck, and they begin to protest. Tell me, if a dacoit, killed in an encounter, had been left to continue his crimes, could the Samajwadi Party have restored the lives lost? During their rule, the police used to run while the goons chased them. Today, the roles are reversed. The mafia is running, and the police are in pursuit," the Chief Minister remarked. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party National President JP Nadda said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made great efforts to improve the lives of the people from all sections of society while providing a report on the works that the Modi 3.0 government did during its first 100 days since the formation of the NDA government back on June 9. Addressing the media, the Union Minister said that the third term of PM Modi has seen rapid progress in its first 100 days and that the achievements of various ministries would be made public by the ministries in the next four to five days. Nadda further said the building of 3 crore permanent houses for the poor has also started under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Rs 2 lakh crore has been released in the 17th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. "Modi 3.0, i.e., the third term of the honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, has seen rapid progress. To mark the completion of 100 days of the third term of the honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the achievements of 100 days of the various ministries of the Modi government will be told to the public by the ministers for the next four-five days," Nadda said. "In Modi Government 3.0, within 100 days, approval was given to build 3 crore houses for the poor under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. With the approval, the work of building permanent houses has also started. Similarly, the 17th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi has also been released. Under this scheme, an amount of more than Rs 2 lakh crore has reached the accounts of farmers so far," he added. Nadda also emphasised the centre's approval of the Unified Pension Scheme and also the increase in the amount of the minimum support price. He further stated that during these 100 days, 15 Vande Bharat trains have started operating, approval to build eight national high-speed road corridors was given and a total of Rs 3 lakh crore has been approved for improving infrastructure by the Modi government. "In 100 days, the Modi government has approved the Unified Pension Scheme. Keeping in mind the interests of the farmers, the amount of minimum support price has been increased. During this period, 15 new Vande Bharat trains have started operating. Approval has been given to build 8 National High-Speed Road Corridors. Approval has been given for 8 new broad gauge railway lines. Approval has been given to build 12 new smart cities. Also, an allocation of Rs 3 lakh crore has been approved to further improve the infrastructure," he said. Nadda said that under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Jan Arogya Yojana, a free treatment facility of up to Rs 5 lakh per year would be provided to people above the age of 70 in the country and that under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana, about 62,500 km of all-weather rural roads would be constructed to connect 25 thousand villages with roads. "Under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Jan Arogya Yojana, a scheme linked to all sections of society, now free treatment facilities of up to Rs 5 lakh per year will be provided to people above 70 years of age in the country, irrespective of income and social class of the person. The fourth phase of Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana has been approved. Under this, about 62,500 km of all-weather rural roads will be constructed to connect 25 thousand villages with roads. Many such works have been done during the third term of the Prime Minister, of which I have mentioned some major works. All these works have been done in just 100 days. The country has started moving forward with the resolution of "Developed India" under the leadership of the respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi," Nadda said. Nadda further stated that to celebrate PM Modi's birthday today, the BJP workers will be celebrating it as 'Sewa Diwas' and 'Sewa Pakhwada' from September 17 to October 2. He also extended his best wishes to PM Modi on behalf of all the BJP workers. "Today is the birthday of PM Modi and like every year, the BJP is celebrating it as 'Sewa Diwas' and 'Sewa Pakhwada' from 17th September to 2nd Oct. PM Modi has made huge efforts to bring improvement in the lives of people from all sections of society... I extend my best wishes to PM Modi on behalf of all the BJP workers and pray for his good health and long life," Nadda said. (ANI) Western "tolerance" on Gaza conflict harms regional stability: Arab League chief Xinhua) 09:10, September 17, 2024 CAIRO, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit warned on Monday that Western "tolerance" for the ongoing Gaza conflict could severely impact Middle East stability. Aboul-Gheit made the remarks during a meeting with Tor Wennesland, the United Nations special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process in Cairo, according to an AL statement. The officials discussed Gaza and West Bank developments, focusing on the conflict's regional impact and potential escalation on the Lebanon front. They agreed on the need for humanitarian efforts alongside a political process addressing the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. The meeting also discussed the future diplomatic steps to move the two-state solution from the framework of "rhetoric and intentions to the field of action and implementation." Aboul-Gheit stressed that political work must continue on all fronts, especially in the United Nations and the UN Security Council. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 kidnapped. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 41,226, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Monday. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Zhong Wenxing) Exterior of the Great Jones Building at 708 Main Street, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 in Houston. WeWork, a coworking giant once valued at $47 billion and lauded as innovator disrupting the real estate industry has been attempting to recover billions of dollars of losses after years of ferociously unsustainable growth. The company is reportedly veering toward bankruptcy and last week told landlords it's going to try to renegotiate all leases and close underperforming locations. WeWork quietly close one of its largest locations in Houston earlier this year, with no coverage or announcement. Karen Warren/Staff photographer WeWork's tenants, like these at the Galleria, have access to conference and event rooms, onsite staff and concierge services. Courtesy of WeWork Common Desk, a WeWork company, is expanding its coworking footprint in the Ion, Rice Management Company's innovation hub in Midtown Houston. Common Desk Houston's struggling office real estate market could face further losses if coworking giant WeWork, already facing a potential bankruptcy, closes any of its remaining locations. WeWork, which closed a downtown Houston location this year, rents more than 200,000 square feet in three buildings across the region that could fall victim to further cost-cutting. The New York-based company also is attempting to renegotiate most of its leases in a bid to stay in business, but Houston is home to just 3% of WeWork's branded U.S. co-working space good news for city's office real estate market, which is 25 percent vacant. New York has 30%, and Los Angeles and San Francisco each have 8%, according to research from Texas-based real estate firm Partners. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Houston is a lot more insulated, said Steve Triolet, senior vice president at Partners. Co-founded in 2010 by charismatic CEO Adam Neumann, WeWork signed large leases in high-profile buildings where its trendy interior designs welcomed young entrepreneurs who could enjoy free beer and foosball tables amid spacious collaboration areas. WeWork grew ferociously to become one of the largest coworking companies, with a value of $47 billion despite never turning a profit. But a failed 2019 initial public offering led to Neumann's ouster, and the pandemic further exacerbated its financial troubles. Still, the company went public in October 2021. In the first half of 2023, WeWork said expenses exceeded $2.2 billion and that it lost $696 million over the two quarters. By last month, WeWorks market valuation had dipped to less than $200 million, 98% less than on its first day of trading, The Street reported, and the company warned that losses and ongoing cash needs could threaten its future. Talk of bankruptcy began to swirl. On Sept. 6, WeWork said it would seek new terms for nearly all of its leases, the payments on which account for more than two-thirds of its operating expenses, interim CEO David Tolley said in a letter to investors. Tolley said WeWork would exit so-called "unfit and underperforming locations" and invest more in its strongest sites. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But WeWork already had been closing some U.S. locations. In February, it closed one of its largest Houston locations, 708 Main, where it leased the entire 10-story, 95,000-square-foot building. Real estate brokerage CBRE is marketing the furnished space, though it and building owner Lionstone Investments declined to comment. WeWork members were given the opportunity to move and have their expenses covered, a company spokesperson said. That leaves three WeWork-branded locations in Houston: 56,000 square feet, or 5 percent, of 609 Main downtown; about 100,000 square feet, or 19 percent, of 2700 Post Oak in Uptown-Galleria; and about 52,000 square feet, about 16 percent, of 1725 Hughes Landing in The Woodlands. The square footage figures are from 2019 announcements; the landlords declined to comment. As the company attempts to recover, WeWork appears to be taking cues from Common Desk, a Dallas-based chain of coworking locations WeWork bought last year for $21 million. Common Desk doesn't pay rents; it shares its coworking revenue with landlords. If membership declines, Common Desk doesn't have to pay rent that membership income might not allow it to afford. WeWork, looking to lighten its rent burdens, said in a 2019 five-year plan that it would consider joint ventures, franchising and partnership agreements with landlords similar to those of Common Desk. WeWork has been trying to go more toward the Common Desk model, and I think one of the main reasons why they purchased them, it wasn't so much for the footprint, it was more for their expertise in negotiating those leases with my landlords, Triolet said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If WeWork files for bankruptcy, any leases or agreements with landlords could be rejected or renegotiated, said Brian Kilpatrick, an attorney with Houston-based law firm Wilson, Cribbs and Goern. The threat of a bankruptcy wiping out much of what WeWork owes landlords could encourage them to reach a settlement, Kilpatrick said. If WeWork closes additional Houston locations, that could leave substantial holes in office towers and their respective landlords scrambling to fill space in an office market already flush with space. Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the response from Uttar Pradesh government on a plea filed by Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan, who was granted bail after two years in connection with the Hathras case, for the relaxation of bail conditions. Kappan sought the relaxation of the bail condition where he was asked to record his presence in the police station every Monday. A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and R Mahadevan asked the counsel appearing for Uttar Pradesh to get instructions from the state and posted the matter for hearing after two weeks. In September 2022, the apex court had granted bail to Kappan who was booked by the Uttar Pradesh police under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) other charges in the alleged Hathras conspiracy case. The apex court while granting bail to Kappan had imposed several conditions on him and also observed that every person has right to freedom of speech and expression. He was arrested in October 2020 while on his way to Hathras in Uttar Pradesh after a Dalit woman from there died following a gang-rape. Uttar Pradesh government had said that Kappan has close links with extremist organisation Popular Front of India (PFI). Uttar Pradesh had said that Kappan has "deep links" with terror funding/ planning organisations like PFI and its student wing, Campus Front of India (CFI). These organisations have allegedly been found to have connections with Al Qaeda linked organisations like IHH in Turkey, Uttar Pradesh government had said. The Uttar Pradesh Police had arrested Kappan and three others on October 5, 2020, from the Mant area of Mathura. Police had claimed that the accused were travelling to Hathras to disturb peace and harmony in the area. The police had said it has arrested four people having links with the PFI in Mathura and identified the arrested persons as Siddique from Malappuram, Atiq-ur Rehman from Muzaffarnagar, Masood Ahmed from Bahraich and Alam from Rampur. However, Kappan, a reporter for Malayalam news portal Azhimukham and secretary of the Delhi unit of Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ), has maintained that he was going there to report on the gang-rape and murder of a 19-year-old Dalit girl. (ANI) Launching a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Atishi, who is set to succeed as the Delhi Chief Minister, Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Virendraa Sachdeva on Tuesday alleged that the Delhi Minister's parents had written mercy petitions to cancel the death sentence of the 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. He also claimed that an "anti-national government" would now run the national capital. Addressing a press conference, the Delhi BJP chief said, "Arvind Kejriwal has pushed Delhi into anarchy after announcing Atishi Marlena's name. There's a reason behind it. We all have heard the name of Afzal Guru. A mercy petition was submitted to the President for Afzal Guru, and her parents signed it." Sachdeva displayed pictures of Afzal Guru, his parents, and the petition sent to the President, stating, "In this petition, Atishi's parents' picture was also present." He further alleged that an anti-national government would operate in Delhi, adding that it is Delhi's "bad luck" that Atishi is becoming the Chief Minister. "Now, in Delhi, not just a corrupt government, but an anti-national one will operate. They will work to divide the country. Remember Atishi's speech at JNU, where she said, 'Don't vote for a capable candidate (referring to BJP or ABVP); instead, vote for goons.' It's Delhi's misfortune that she is going to be the Chief Minister." Meanwhile, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said that the situation in Delhi is dire and blamed AAP for worsening it over the past decade. "This resignation is delayed. Delhi has been without a CM for the last six months. It's clear that Arvind Kejriwal's ego is bigger than Delhi's welfare. Now, when all his options were closed, he decided to bring Atishi as CM. This is all a drama to deceive the people of Delhi. The situation in Delhi is bad. Congress destroyed Delhi for 15 years, and AAP has worsened it over the last 10 years. If elections are held within a month, the BJP is ready," Tiwari said. Earlier today, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal alleged that the Delhi Minister's parents had written mercy petitions to cancel the death sentence of Afzal Guru. Calling Atishi a "Dummy CM," Maliwal said, "May God protect Delhi." She also shared a purported letter, which she claimed was the mercy petition written by Atishi's parents. "Today is a very sad day for Delhi. A woman is being made the Chief Minister of Delhi whose family fought a long battle to save terrorist Afzal Guru from hanging. Her parents wrote mercy petitions to the Honourable President to save Afzal Guru. According to them, Afzal Guru was innocent and was framed as part of a political conspiracy," Maliwal said in a post on X. "Although Atishi Marlena is just a 'Dummy CM,' this issue is related to the security of the country. May God protect Delhi!" she added. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal resigned as Delhi Chief Minister on Tuesday, and the party's newly-elected legislative party leader Atishi has staked her claim to form the new government. Kejriwal tendered his resignation to Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena. Kejriwal was released from Tihar Jail in the national capital on September 13 after the apex court granted him bail in the Delhi excise policy case. The current term of the Delhi Assembly will end on February 11, 2025. The last assembly election in Delhi was held on February 8, 2020. AAP leaders have said that the assembly polls in Delhi should be held alongside those in Maharashtra and Jharkhand later this year. (ANI) Kerala BJP Chief on Tuesday raised concerns about the credibility of Pinarayi Vijayan's government figures regarding Wayanad relief expense, suggesting they may be inaccurate or manipulated amid ongoing debates about the allocation and utilization of relief funds in the region. Kerala BJP Chief K Surendran reiterated that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should tell the actual expense in Wayanad natural calamities. Surendra told ANI, "Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan should clearly explain what the actual expense is in Wayanad natural calamities? He should tell what the government has spent from SDRF and what they need more of. The government has spent nothing for voluntary workers." BJP pointed out alleged discrepancies in fund allocation and utilization. The BJP Chief alleged that the government's figures may be inflated or fabricated. "Either the government is trying to make the central government a fool or it wants to steal money in the name of Wayanad Landslide, he added. Surendran on Monday accused the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government of presenting inflated relief expenditures to the High Court in connection with the Wayanad landslides. Congress leader VD Satheesan also slammed the Kerala government and said that they had not followed the SDRF rules while submitting a memorandum before the government of India over the Wayanad landslides. "Whenever a state government is submitting a memorandum before the government of India, they have to follow the SDRF rules. Unfortunately, they have not followed the SDRF rules. It will lose the credibility of the rehabilitation process. For example, for the burial of the dead bodies a huge amount was shown. But that property was given by a Harrison Malayalam plantation, the equipment was given by some other contractors, and all the burial process were done by the volunteers," he said. He also mentioned that the Kerala government is not putting pressure on the central government. "Usually whenever a natural calamity happens, the central government should provide some advance to the state government. We are not seeking the distress relief front. It is common. We expect special financial assistance. This is the way international calamity in a bigger ground is happening. But unfortunately they are not giving any advance and they are not saying anything on this thing. So the government has to review the memorandum and to correct it," Satheesan said. (ANI) Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday lauded work of student artists at a workshop on the theme 'Viksit Bharat' with the participants putting colours to their imagination for a developed India. A large number of student artists and artists attended the event, which was organised by National Gallery of Modern Art in collaboration with the Lalit Kala Akademi. Artists depicted the progress and development of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shekhawat appreciated the artists for showcasing the aspirations of people for a 'Viksit Bharat' on canvas. "The occasion of PM Narendra Modi's birthday, the whole nation celebrates it as a week of dedication to service and cleanliness. The National Gallery of Modern Art has invited artists from across the country to come and express their thoughts through colours on the same. We expected 600 participants but more than 1,800 came," he said. A group of women artists from a private university depicted women's empowerment and various welfare schemes run by the government for women. Artists used different mediums for their expression including acrylic paint and oil. Aryan Pawar, a student of Jamia Milia Islamia, said they were excited about the Viksit Bharat theme. "PM Narendra Modi is working hard to make our nation developed. This is why I am making a portrait of PM Modi." Another student artist, Kusum, who studies in a college in Gurugram, said that it was a great honour to be the part of this event. Her painting had Chandrayaan with PM Modi in the background. Sneha, who arrived from a Noida-based universtiy, said she has drawn PM Modi as Bahubali of India. "The way he is working is not less than Bahubali," she said. Shekhawat also inaugurated "Kala Karma' exhibition at the National Gallery of Modern Art. The event was held on 'Vishwakarma Puja' day. Modi government has completed 100 days in its third term and has launched a series of initiatives spanning various sectors. The government is keen to make India a developed country by 2047. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday got emotional remembering his mother on his 74th birthday and said that when his mother was alive, he always used to visit her on birthday to seek her blessings and thanked one of the beneficiaries who fed him 'kheer' during his visit to their house, reminding him of his mother. "Before coming here, I went to the home of an Adivasi family to attend their Grih Pravesh event. My sister in that family gave me Kheer to eat. And when I was eating that kheer, it was obvious that I missed my mother. When my mother was alive, I always used to visit her on my birthday to seek her blessings. My mother used to feed me 'Gud' (jaggery) by hand. She is not there anymore but my Adivasi mother fed me Kheer and gave me birthday blessings," PM Modi said, addressing the people in Odisha. On his 74th birthday, PM Modi was in Odisha where he interacted with women beneficiaries of 'PM Awas Yojana' and laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various development projects worth Rs 3800 crore in Odisha's Bhubaneswar district. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated his 74th birthday, several political leaders,, including LoP Rahul Gandhi and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, extended their heartfelt wishes. The BJP heavyweights, including Union Ministers Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, extended their wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he turned 74. In a post on X, Amit Shah commended PM Modi's vision of "New India" and added that the Prime Minister made impossible tasks possible with his strong will and determination. "Modi ji has linked everything from heritage to science with the vision of 'New India'. With his strong will and determination for public welfare, he has made many seemingly impossible tasks possible and has set new records for poor welfare," Shah said. "In the form of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, the country has got such a decisive leader, who has worked to bring about a change in the lives of the deprived by bringing them into the mainstream, starting from the security of the country. Along with increasing the self-esteem of the countrymen, the global outlook towards India has also changed under his leadership. Modi ji, who has increased the prestige of the country from the depths of the sea to the heights of space, is an inspiration for peace, compassion and empathy all over the world. #HappyBdayModiji," he added. Lauding PM Modi's commitment, Union Minister Rajnath Singh said, "Many congratulations and best wishes to the successful Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi on his birthday. Not only India but the whole world has seen and experienced his visionary and strong leadership. Modiji has led the country with full readiness, concentration and asceticism and is still doing so. #HappyBdayModiji" "From the welfare of the poor to the welfare of every person in the society, Modiji has cared about it and has worked for it with full dedication. Today, under the leadership of Modiji, India is making its mark as a capable and strong nation to achieve the huge goal of becoming a developed India. Today, India aspires to touch new heights on the strength of the steps it has taken in the last ten years. This courage and confidence are the result of Modiji's tireless hard work and efforts. I pray to God for his good health and long life. #HappyBirthdayModiJi," he added in a thread of posts on X. BJP chief JP Nadda extended his best wishes to PM Modi on behalf of all the BJP workers and said that the BJP workers will celebrate the birthday of PM Modi it as 'Sewa Diwas' and 'Sewa Pakhwada' from September 17 to October 2. "Today is the birthday of PM Modi and like every year, the BJP is celebrating it as 'Sewa Diwas' and 'Sewa Pakhwada' from 17th September to 2nd Oct. PM Modi has made huge efforts to bring improvement in the lives of people from all sections of society... I extend my best wishes to PM Modi on behalf of all the BJP workers and pray for his good health and long life," Nadda said. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said that PM Modi has glorified Maa Bharati on the global stage. "Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to the respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji on his birthday, who has glorified Maa Bharati on the global stage, who has given concrete form to the dream of Antyodaya and poor welfare through revolutionary decisions and public welfare policies, who is our guide, source of inspiration for crores of workers, and an ardent devotee of Baba Kedar." Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the party is celebrating 'Sewa diwas' and 'Sewa Pakhwada' for 15 days on the birthday of PM Modi. "On the occasion of PM Narendra Modi's birthday, we are celebrating 'Sewa diwas' and 'Sewa Pakhwada' for 15 days...several events will be organised during this period," Sawant said. LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi extended birthday greetings to the Prime Minister on his 74th birthday. "Happy Birthday PM Narendra Modi ji. Wishing you a long and healthy life," Rahul Gandhi posted on X. Indian National Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge posted on X, "Best wishes to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi Ji on his birthday. May he be blessed with good health and long life." AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said, "Heartiest birthday wishes to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji. I wish you a long and healthy life." Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wished PM Modi a a long life with enduring health. "Warmest birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Wishing you a long life with enduring health in the years ahead," Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin posted on X. PM Modi is celebrating his 74th birthday today. He was born on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat. In his initial years, he worked with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and later devoted himself to politics, working with the Bharatiya Janata Party organisation at the national and state level. PM Modi led the BJP-led NDA to a third successive victory in the Lok Sabha polls. PM Modi is known to have a powerful 'personal connect' with the people on the ground and is also known as India's most techno-savvy leader, using the web to reach people and bring about change in their lives. (ANI) The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, announced that the Double Olympic Medal Winner in Shooting, Manu Bhaker, has been appointed as the Brand Ambassador for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways on Tuesday, a release said. The shooting ace, Bhaker, who won medals in shooting in the recent Summer Olympics held in Paris, is the daughter of a Marine Engineer. Speaking after the signing, Sarbananda Sonowal said, "It is a moment of great pride for every Indian as well as for every member of India's maritime sector that Manu Bhaker, the daughter of a proud marine sailor, is now going to champion the marine sector of India as she has been officially signed as the Brand Ambassador of the Ministry today. Bhaker has made every Indian proud when she became the only person from our country to ever win two individual Olympic medals in an Olympics ever. Her achievement as a successful sportsperson stems from the fact that she spent her forming years in a family driven by the values of marine sector - of punctuality, discipline, perseverance and humility. Through her story, we want to reach out to the people of India, especially the youth, to tell them about the promising life that marine sector offers and how one can meaningfully contribute towards Bharat becoming Atmanirbhar by 2047, a wonderful vision of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji." Sonowal said, "The Nari Shakti of Bharat has always been a tremendous source of power. Since the days of yore, we have been praying and celebrating the immense power and compassion that Nari Shakti bring to build a prosperous and vibrant society. I am delighted to meet some of the women achievers and felt immensely proud for what they have done for the cause of nation building. The women achievers not only bring a smile to the people, but they also give hope that nothing is impossible. As a human being, we have been blessed by Mother Nature with all the strength and it is upto us how we harness this great natural power towards a positive direction like nation building. Under the visionary leadership of PM Modi ji, India is cruising ahead towards realising the vision of becoming an Atmanirbhar Bharat by 2047. We must do whatever needs to be done to realise this vision. The tales of these wonderful women will inspire scores of women and youth to pursue something that they feel passionate about and are able to make a meaningful contribution. I am sure as their stories are being told, over and again, our objective to power the vision of Modi ji will get another positive push and move us closer to realising the vision." Applauding the untiring effort of PM Modi to encourage sports, the Paris Paralympics Medal winner Thulasimathi Murugesan said, "I am very happy that our country has been performing well at the Paralympics. From 4 medals in Rio 2016 to 19 in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, to now 29 medals in the Paris Paralympics, this has been a remarkable feat for the athletes. I want to thank PM Modi, who has been steadfast in supporting us, which enabled us to perform well. From necessary nutrition to training and equipment, we have received fantastic support from the government, and I want to thank our PM for the mental encouragement. Prime Minister Sir's personal involvement via interaction with the players motivated them to give that extra push. PM also celebrated the success of the Paris Paralympics with all the players, which encouraged all of us but also future players training to participate in future sporting events." Sonowal also participated in the "Swachata Hi Seva 2024" to commemorate the birthday of PM Modi. The drive was conducted after hundreds of employees joined the Minister in taking pledge towards cleanliness and sustainability at the Chennai Port Hospital. More than 400 saplings were also planned by the employees as part of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.' More than 500 women participated in the "Harnessing Nari Shakti for the Development of the Nation" programme. The diverse group of participants consisted students from the Indian Maritime University (IMU), AMET University, and the Chennai Port Higher Secondary School, apart from Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port. (ANI) The Sealdah Court has approved the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) prayer for extending the police custody of former RG Kar Medical College principal Sandip Ghosh and Tala Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abhijit Mondol by three days. During the hearing on Tuesday, the CBI lawyer stated that Ghosh and Mondol are subjected to further investigation regarding call recording, DVR, CCTV, and other data related to the case and that custodial interrogation was required in this case. "They are subjected to further investigation regarding call recording, DVR CCTV, and other data. We want custodial interrogation. Things are in process. Custodial interrogation is required regarding data," the CBI lawyer said. He further said that both of them were not at all cooperating during interrogation and further prayed for three days of CBI custody. Before the start of the hearing of this case, the Sealdah Bar advocates requested the judge not to grant bail to Sandip Ghosh and Abhijit Mondol. Earlier today, the Supreme Court said that it was disturbed by reading the report given by the CBI in the RG Kar Medical College incident. A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and also comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said that they are also disturbed by what they have read in the status report. The Supreme Court was hearing a suo motu petition on the rape and murder of a doctor in the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal. The court also said that they are concerned about what the CBI has flagged for them. The court remark came when a lawyer raised issues like discrepancies in the seizure list, among others. Meanwhile, the West Bengal government removed the Kolkata Commissioner of the Police, Vineet Goyal, and top officials at the Department of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday, adhering to the demands put forward by the protesting junior doctors after their meeting with the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee on Monday. Junior Doctors are still protesting over the rape-murder case at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital near the Swasthya Bhawan today. (ANI) "Nearly 12 lakh people are present here at Girgaon Chowpatty. Thousands of Ganpati idols are being brought here for immersion. Ganeshotsav is the biggest festival of Maharashtra and people celebrate it despite their social status," Shinde said. Shinde also offered prayers to Lord Ganesha at his residence. Union Minister Piyush Goyal also attended Ganpati Visarjan in Malad. Meanwhile in Hyderabad, Telangana, thousands of devotees participated in Ganpati Visarjan procession. Ganesh Chaturthi festival commenced on September 7 and concluded on Anantha Chaturdashi. This festival is also known as Vinayak Chaturthi or Vinayak Chavithi. 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. 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. Homes and 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. (ANI) During a media interaction at the hospital, Sarma remarked that today marks the 74th birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose life struggles serve as a source of inspiration for the people of India. "Prime Minister Modi's life struggles are a source of inspiration for the people of India," he said. Sarma emphasised that PM Modi's journey--from humble beginnings to elevating India to a position of global prominence--embodies a dream, resolve, and an unyielding quest. He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and noted that members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) observe this day as one of service. In this spirit, he described the blood donation drive as a modest but meaningful effort to support those in need. He also thanked Cabinet Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah and several party workers for their participation in the drive. Guwahati Mayor Mrigen Sarania; Commissioner and Secretary of Medical Education and Research Dr Siddharth Singh; Director of Medical Education Dr Anup Kumar Barman; Principal of Gauhati Medical College Dr Achyut Chandra Baishya; Superintendent of Gauhati Medical College & Hospital Dr Abhijit Sarma; and other senior medical officers were also present at the event. (ANI) Delhi Congress Chief Devendra Yadav on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after Arvind Kejriwal's resignation as Delhi Chief Minister. Yadav stated that Kejriwal's resignation was not a voluntary decision, but rather a forced one due to the court's restrictions. He emphasized that if Kejriwal had truly resigned on moral grounds, he would have done so long ago. Congress Delhi Chief Devendra Yadav on Tuesday said that Arvind Kejriwal was forced to resign from the CM post when the court has restricted him, saying "AAP are completely exposed." "They (AAP) are now completely exposed in front of the people. If he (Arvind Kejriwal) had resigned on moral grounds, he would have done it long ago. Now, when the court has restricted him, he is forced to resign. Despite all of this, today he is saying that people will decide. The people can be emotional. But whether you are guilty or not, will be decided by court," Yadav said. Meanwhile, on the new CM designate Atishi, AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang said, "Proposing Atishi's name as the new CM of Delhi is a very good step and we welcome this. Atishi will take forward the works of Arvind Kejriwal. He will go among the people and the public will decide whether to make him CM or not." Punjab Minister Harpal Sigh Cheema said that BJP tried to malign the image of Kejriwal. "Today Arvind Kejriwal has failed all the conspiracies of the BJP which they made against him. BJP tried to malign the image of Kejriwal but they were not able to do so. Arvind Kejriwal has decided to go between the public and this is a very good step," Cheema said. Earlier today, Arvind Kejriwal resigned as Delhi CM and Atishi staked claim to form new government. Kejriwal tendered his resignation to Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena. Talking to reporters, AAP leader and Delhi minister Gopal Rai said that Kejriwal had stated after getting bail in the Delhi excise case that he will take the post of Chief Minister only after he gets a renewed mandate from the people of Delhi in the assembly poll. "Accordingly, he gave his resignation. AAP MLAs met in the morning and elected Atishi as their leader. We have conveyed this to the LG. Atishi has staked claim to form the government. We have requested that the date of swearing is decided at the earliest so that works related to the two crore residents of Delhi are taken forward," he said. Kejriwal was released from Tihar Jail in the national capital on September 13 after the apex court granted him bail the Delhi excise policy case. The apex court also imposed certain conditions for Kejriwal's release, including that he must refrain from making public comments about the case and must attend all hearings before the trial court unless exempt. (ANI) Dandelion Cafe has opened a new location in the Heights. Becca Wright Dandelion Cafe made a splash when it opened in Bellaire. Now, the restaurant is bringing its famous chicken and waffles to the Heights. The cafe officially opened its new Heights location on Tuesday at 611 W. 22nd, in the historic Heights Clock Tower. It's the third and largest location for Dandelion Cafe after its first in Bellaire and second at Rice University. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its a dream come true to expand, connect with even more Dandy fans in a central location, and watch our vision come to life, co-owner Sarah Liberman said in a statement. Blueberry focaccia french toast at Dandelion Cafe, which just opened a new location in the Heights. Becca Wright Lox n bagels at Dandelion Cafe, which just opened a new location in the Heights. Becca Wright Superfood salad at Dandelion Cafe, which just opened a new location in the Heights. Becca Wright Avacado toast at Dandelion Cafe, which just opened a new location in the Heights. Becca Wright Like its Bellaire location, breakfast will be served all day with items such as a breakfast sandwich, breakfast taco and chicken chilaquiles. There are also lunch sandwiches and a full coffee bar with specialty coffee drinks, smoothies and tea. Dandelion Cafe stepped into the national spotlight last year when it competed in "Good Morning Americas" United States of Breakfast competition, beating Houston institution the Breakfast Klub with its chicken and waffles. Lunch items found at the Rice University location will eventually be added to the Heights menu, including the chicken caprese panini and mushroom panini. The new kitchen is also six times larger than the one in Bellaire, so Dandelion has hired an in-house baker. The large space allows for double the production than Bellaire and will be a commissary for all three sites. Considering we can probably fit the entire Bellaire location inside of our Heights kitchen, this is a huge and exciting upgrade in growth for us that will allow us to achieve things weve been wanting to do for years like offer market goods and grab-and-go items, and now we can finally do that, co-owner and executive chef JC Ricks said in a statement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dandelion Cafe opened a new Heights location with bar seating and a patio. Becca Wright The new location has the same sunny atmosphere as the Bellaire outpost, with yellow accents, dandelion-themed tiles and industrial windows. Customers can also look into the kitchen through a large wooden service window. Liberman worked closely with Garrison Design Office. She even handcrafted dandelion-stamped plates and mugs. There are plans for a wall featuring assorted dandelions, live plants and a moss logo designed by the Flora Culture that will be perfect for photos. At 3,500 square feet, customers can sit at the wrap-around coffee bar, in the main dining room seating or on the dog-friendly patio. A private room is also available for rent; it can seat 25 people. The owners also want to bring back the market goods they were offering at the onset of the pandemic, including jams, pickles, salsas, granola and sausages. The Heights location will be run by general managers Jeff Buhrer and Rommel Carino, who have both been with the local business for at least a year. Buhrer previously had 10 years with Underbelly Hospitality, and Carino has 27 years of hospitality experience, most recently at Laurenzo's El Tiempo Cantina group. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The restaurant took a hit after Hurricane Beryl wiped power from its Bellaire location, closing it for nine days. Lieberman estimated they lost nearly $50,000. Good Morning America surprised the owners with a $14,800 donation in the following days. It also received funds from the Southern Smoke Foundation, a nonprofit that supports restaurant workers. During a media interaction at the hospital, CM Sarma said that today marks the 74th birthday of PM Modi. He described the Prime Minister's life struggles as a source of inspiration for the people of India. "PM Modi's journey--from his humble beginnings to his role in elevating India to a position of global prominence--embodies a dream, resolve, and an unyielding quest," CM Sarma said. He expressed his gratitude towards Prime Minister Modi and highlighted that the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) members observe this day as a day of service. In this spirit, he referred to the blood donation drive as a modest yet meaningful effort to support those in need. He also thanked Cabinet Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah and several party workers for participating in the blood donation drive. During today's event, Guwahati Mayor Shri Mrigen Sarania; Commissioner and Secretary, Medical Education and Research, Dr Siddharth Singh; Director of Medical Education, Dr Anup Kumar Barman; Principal of Gauhati Medical College, Dr Achyut Chandra Baishya; Superintendent of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Dr Abhijit Sarma; and other senior medical officers were also present. (ANI) Lauding the ties between India and Australia, Victoria's Premier Jacinta Allan has called the relationship between the two nations "incredibly strong one." She stressed that India and Australia share a lot in common in terms of values. In an interview with ANI, Allan called education an incredibly important part of community and economy in Victoria and expressed pride to welcome the largest number of Indian international students to study in educational institutions in Victoria and Melbourne. Highlighting the ties between two nations, she said, "Relationship between India and Australia is an incredibly strong one and as the premiere of the State of Victoria in Australia, we are proud to call the most number of Indian-born Australian residents home, they live in Victoria and what that provides us with this incredibly strong foundation to come and strengthen the economic and cultural ties between our two nations. We have a lot in common in terms of values but also our priority growth areas in terms of renewable energy and building more homes and building better transport connections to support ongoing growth in both of our communities." Allan said that she wants to explore the opportunity for Victorian education institutions to partner with Indian institutions to deliver education in India. Speaking about the ties between two nations in education sector, Victoria's Premier said, "Education is an incredibly important part of our community and economy in Victoria in the state of Australia and we are proud to welcome the most number of international students and the most number of Indian international students to study in our great Victorian and Melbourne-based international education institutions and my message during my visit here is to continue to say very strongly that international students continue to be very welcome in our community, a very important part of our business and our relationships and our culture." "But we want to also explore the opportunity for Victorian education institutions to partner here in India with Indian institutions to deliver education here," she added. She also spokeabout choosing India as the first country for her first overseas visit after taking over as Victoria's Premier. Allan recalled her past visit to India, which she undertook 15 years ago. "This is my first overseas visit as Premier of Victoria but it is not my first time to India. I had the great pleasure of visiting here 15 years ago when we launched our first India Strategy as our priority for the Government and it remains a priority for me because we have so much in common, so much in common in terms of values, focus on hard work and families and building for the future that we have that foundation that we can grow in terms of the focus that we have into the future on those priority areas that support jobs and business development, health and education," Allan said. She recalled Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to India in 2023. She said that Australia shares a "strong relationship" with the Indian government. Underscoring the "strong" ties between governments of two nations, Allan said, "There is a strong bond I know between the Australian and Indian Governments and I know the Australian Prime Minister was very pleased to visit India last year as part of the Quad meetings and had the opportunity to visit that amazing Modi Stadium that has been constructed and we have such strong relationships with India and with the Indian Government and again that underpins those opportunities for the future that are really important to both governments. Earlier in March 2023, Australian PM Anthony Albanese visited the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to watch the first day of the final Test match of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023. PM Modi welcomed his Australian counterpart at the venue. Both the leaders were greeted with loud cheers as they did a lap of honour at the stadium prior to the match. Asked on how she sees India-Australia cooperation in terms of economy, Allan said, "If you look at the growth areas of India's economy or Australia and our economy in Victoria, they are centered around very similar areas around continuing to drive investment in renewable energy, the building of more homes, the investment in transport connections and what underpins all of that is the delivery of good strong education, whether it's from Indian education providers or Victorian education providers that partner with Indian education institutions, and that has been a key part of my visit here this week is how we can strengthen those relationships, invest in those relationships between our education providers to support those economic opportunities into the future." She also said that her visit is particularly focused on connecting with women in India and speaking to them about the opportunities that strengthening education, partnerships and providing more economic opportunities for women strengthens the nation as a whole. Speaking about her visit to India, Victoria's Premier said, "There is so much that is special about India. What particularly has been a particular focus of my visit is connecting with women in the Indian community and talking with women about the opportunities that strengthening education, strengthening partnerships, providing more economic opportunities for women strengthens the nation as a whole. That is certainly the experience that we have in Victoria and Australia and I am really excited about the opportunity to meet over the course of my visit more women here in India because it also mirrors the conversations I have with women back home in Victoria." "We all share the same thing. We want the best for our kids. We want a strong, safe community. We want to get great education outcomes and that's been a part of the conversations I've been having with women here in India," she added. Jacinta Allan is Victoria's 49th Premier, the longest serving female minister in Australia's history and longest serving Labour Minister. This is her first overseas visit as Premier of Victoria. (ANI) Speaking on the ARY News program 'Off the Record', Atif Khan stated that even government officials are unaware of the contents included in the constitutional amendment bill. "If the government was serious, they would have presented the bill publicly, but even the members of government seemed clueless related to amendments," Khan said. Atif expressed his disappointment, pointing out that some MNAs were either sleeping or disengaged during parliamentary sessions. During National Assembly (NA) sessions, Atif pointed out that certain members of the NA were either sleeping or not paying attention, ARY News stated. He questioned why the law minister hadn't presented the draft for discussion in Parliament and chastised the government for not sharing the measure with its allies. Atif Khan, a member of the opposition, argued that the government had to have at the very least told its coalition partners what was in the contents of the bill, ARY News reported. (ANI) Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "not an era of war," Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, said that all peaceloving countries would rally around to PM Modi's call for diplomacy, peace and not war. He noted that India, through its G20 Presidency and other statements made by PM Modi or other senior officials, has been pushing in the direction of taking conflict zones into a situation of secession of hostilities and finding a resolution to those conflicts. On being asked about PM Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval's visit to Russia and how US sees India's role in the ongoing conflict, Puri said, "I would like to think that all peace loving countries would finally rally around to the Prime Minister's call that this is a time for diplomacy, this is a time for peace, not for time for war. wars cannot be continued on an indefinite list. I'm not going into the causation factor who's right or who's wrong. You could argue that you know there was a Minsk agreement that was not followed or something else happened. Today, the devastation that wars cause anywhere in the world, whether it's conflicts in nearer home in the Middle East or elsewhere, they have to be brought to the drawing board to the negotiating table." "So, I think the point the Prime Minister of India has made consistently, he said that in a speech to the GA (General Assembly) some years ago, it's a point he has reiterated, it's a point he has had a discussion and I'm very happy to find that all these signals I've seen have been that a country like India can help have come from both the sides. And that is what I think deserves to be. I won't go into the individual thing. If the foreign minister, External Affairs Minister comes here, I want you to be able to talk to him in greater detail, but not just in energy for everything else. Today, we need to be able to move forward on the processes of peace. And India, both through its G20 presidency, as indeed through other statements that the Prime Minister has made or other senior government functionaries have made, has been pushing in the direction of taking conflict zones into a situation of secession of hostilities and then finding a resolution to those conflicts." Earlierthis July, PM Modi visited Russia and held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was PM Modi's first visit to Russia since the war started between Moscow and Kyiv in 2022. Recently, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited Russia to attend the BRICS National Security Advisers' meeting. During his visit, he held meetings with Russian leadership, including Vladimir Putin, Sergey Shoigu. Hardeep Singh Puri has dismissed reports that India has been facing pressure from the US over its cooperation with Russia. He also said that Europe continues to buy more energy from Russia than India. "I've had the privilege of being associated with this ministry now for three years. I'm not aware of any point in my three years here where anyone has even made that suggestion. Let me put the arithmetic to you in a simple way. Russia before the events of February 2022 produced 13 million barrels of crude in a day. Just imagine a situation, forget about who buys it and who sells it. If that 13 million barrels had gone out of the equation of 102 million barrels which was being produced, that 13 million barrels would have to be accessed from somewhere else, in which case the prices would have shot up to USD 120, USD 130 a barrel per day,." he said. "In fact, today also, Europe buys more oil and more energy from Russia than we do in India. Also, we have a situation where I think it's in everybody's interest that at least the stability and the predictability of the scenario helps the market. So, the answer is no. At no stage has anybody said it, but people continue to buy it themselves. For instance, gas which goes in a crude and energy which goes in a pipeline from Russia to Hungary was exempt from the price cut. What goes in a pipeline from Russia to Japan was exempt. What the suggestion that was made was that there should be a price cap on which purchases should be made from the Russian Federation. That price cap is there, but by the way, oil prices, some like me will applaud that have actually come down. My latest look at oil prices was about USD 72 a barrel. A few days ago, in fact, I was quite surprised it had even crossed the 70 and was below the USD 70 mark," he added. Notably, Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in a conflict since February 2022. India has called for resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy. However, India has continued to purchase Russian oil. During his meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Samarkand in September 2022, PM Modi said, "today's era isn't of war" while emphasising the need to find ways to address the problems of food, fuel security and fertilizers. Following his visit to Russia, PM Modi traveled to Ukraine in August, first by an Indian PM to the European nation. During the bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, PM Modi emphasised India's position of peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. During PM Modi's visit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed confidence that India had a role to bring peace to the conflict ridden region. (ANI) Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri who is currently in the United States has severely criticised Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accusing him of having a "Jinnah like" mindset, that wants the nation to bleed and "foment a divisive narrative." "He (Rahul Gandhi) never talked about the Sikhs while being in India. When they were in power, which government produced the monsters...they need to do some solid introspection, why this happened. This is a narrative anchored in total lies and. Therefore I am, not surprised that he is going around doing it but it is, I think, this thing about Muhammad Ali Jinnah, what he did, that either I want what I want, or else I will destroy it," Puri who is in Washington DC for discussions with United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm on Monday (local time) said. "There can be some differences. But the whole beauty of democracy is to sit and address this issue...They should see the contribution of RSS for the nation. The one distinguishing feature in PM Modi government's ideology is Nation First...but he (Rahul Gandhi) is doing like Jinnah...you want to bleed it into a kind of breakup. But I want to remind them that our very old, more than 5000 years old, culture and civilization, it's an old civilization. People like this will not be able to break it, and we are a proud nation, the minister added. The Minister also alleged that Rahul Gandhi's comments showed that there was a "systematic sinister" attempt to divide. "I have worn a turban 62 years of my life. I've worn a kada even longer. I think most children in our families when they're born, the first occasion, you know, they put a kada around. But, I think the more disturbing trend is, you know, to say that this is a statement which was made out of ignorance. I think that's wrong. I think there is a more systematic sinister, and I'm using this word carefully, attempt to foment a divisive narrative, to create a sense of insecurity and freedom," Hardeep Puri said. "Now, my brothers and sisters who came to the United States to work here many years ago. Some of them have active contacts with the, with their home country. Some of them just go through social media or whatever they read. Now, if you foment a narrative like this that seeks are finding it difficult or insecure to wear turban, some of them may actually believe it, which is not the case. If there has been any time in the history of our post independence existence, when there was an existential threat to the Sikhs or the felt one, I've experienced it myself, it was during the 1984, I don't know, use the word riots because it was a one sided pogrom against, you know, innocent people, 3000 of whom were killed in cold blood in India. And if you look at what happened before that, you know, in the 80s when they in the run up to the Asian Games, Sikhs used to be taken out of buses, etc. and said, you know, because you're a turban Sikh, you go on the side," he added. Hardeep Puri also praised PM Modi saying that it was under his leadership that many initiative had been take for Sikhs including the opening of the Kartarpur corridor. "I think it's a matter of great pride for somebody like me to say that the Sikhs have never had it so good, all the grievances which were there have actually been addressed by the honorable Prime Minister, whether it is removing names of Sikhs from the blacklist, whether it is addressing the issue of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor or, you know, celebrating the Sahibzada's contribution in terms of Veer Bal Divas, etc. All that is there. What I'm surprised about is that there seems to be a pattern in this. And last year this honorable leader of opposition came here and he said Sikhs were second class citizens. I came across that statement. Then now recently, apparently in different places here, whilst he's attacking an ideology, he's trying to, you know, build a narrative by turning around and saying you cannot practice your religion," Puri said "Every community has grievances. Let me assure you the majority community also has grievances that they are made to sometimes feel like a minority community in their own country. There are other minority communities. But the beauty of a democracy, and by the way, we have 960 million registered voters and something like 680 million actually turned out to vote. That is a celebration of democracy. There are differences of opinion in the United States. But, if somebody who should know better, I choose my words carefully, who should know better, comes out here and at a time when there's an election going on, makes it a point to go to places to place to fret insecurity. In our country, we say that that they are spreading lies and rumours," Puri said. (ANI) India and Australia are rapidly advancing their partnership, with education and economic growth at the core. Lisa Singh, CEO of the Australia India Institute, praised the strengthening ties between the two nations, emphasising the role of the Indian diaspora and government efforts in fostering this relationship. "We are certainly a lot closer as partners today than we were ten or twenty years ago," Singh said, attributing this progress to collaboration across various sectors. Singh further highlighted the importance of people-to-people connections, especially the growing Indian community in Australia, which is now one million strong. "The glue between Australia and India is really its people... and those that want to engage in business with India to understand its economic rise," she added, pointing to the complementary strengths of both nations in fields such as clean energy and education. Victoria's Premier Jacinta Allan echoed this sentiment, describing the India-Australia relationship as "incredibly strong" during her visit to India. Allan pointed out that Victoria hosts the largest number of Indian-born Australian residents and international students, making education a key driver in the bilateral relationship. "Education is an incredibly important part of our community and economy," she said, stressing the significance of ongoing collaboration between Indian and Victorian educational institutions. Allan also highlighted shared economic priorities, particularly in renewable energy, transport infrastructure, and housing, as key areas where India and Australia can work together. She said, "We have a lot in common in terms of values but also our priority growth areas in terms of renewable energy and building better transport connections." The Premier's visit to India also focused on engaging with women leaders to discuss ways to create more opportunities for women in both countries. Allan emphasised that strengthening education and economic opportunities for women would benefit both nations. She added, "We all want the best for our kids, strong communities, and great education outcomes." Both Singh and Allan agree that the growing partnership between India and Australia is built on shared values and the mutual benefits of increased collaboration in education, business, and renewable energy. (ANI) Emily Wilkins, the president of the National Press Club, issued a statement on the alleged assault of Indian journalist by Congress workers in Dallas, United States, and said it may have violated the First Amendment rights of the reporter. This comes after media reports surfaced that a journalist, working with an Indian news channel, was manhandled by Congress workers in Dallas when he was conducting an interview with the Indian Overseas Congress chief. Notably, the First Amendment Rights in the US give an individual freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition. The incident happened just before Rahul Gandhi landed in the US for a three-day visit, the reports said. https://x.com/PressClubDC/status/1835838085117985129 Elaborating on the incident, Wilkins said that the said journalist, who is an NPC board member, interviewed India Overseas Congress chief, Sam Pitroda, and the interview was done in a "professional manner with agreed to recording." She further said that some members of IOC staff objected to the last question asked by the said journalist and stopped the interview, by allegedly pushing the reporter, taking away his phone and deleting files from it. "According to a recent article in @IndiaToday and confirmed in conversations between Mr. Sharma and an NPC Board member, Sharma was at a hotel near the Dallas Airport awaiting the arrival of Rahul Gandhi, the opposition leader in India, who was beginning a U.S. tour. While he waited, Sharma interviewed the Chair of the India Overseas Congress (IOC), Sam Pitroda. The two had met in the past and the interview was done in a professional manner with agreed to recording," Wilkins said in his statement. "Several members of the IOC were listening to the interview as well as several members of Mr. Gandhi's advance staff. On the last question, members of the audience objected to the subject of the question and stopped the interview by shouting at Sharma and pushing him while taking his phone. The group, which included Gandhi's staff, deleted files from Sharma's phone and kept it from him," she added. The National Press Club President further said that Sam Pitroda later apologised to the journalist. She also emphasised that Pitroda "had no objection" to the question. "Pitroda, who had been whisked to the airport to meet Gandhi, later apologized to Sharma. He had no objection to Sharma's question and was in the process of answering when the audience erupted. Later in the week, Rahul Gandhi answered a similar question at a Press Club Newsmakers event in Washington," the statement read. She further asserted that the security staff must be aware that reporters working in the US are protected by the First Amendment, "regardless of the nationality" of the interview subject, reporter or security teams. She added that security team had no role in the interview and had no right to take away the reporter's phone. "Security staff must be aware that reporters working in the U.S. are protected by the First Amendment, regardless of the nationality of the interview subject, reporter or security teams. This was an on-the-record interview with ground rules set between Mr. Sharma and Mr. Pitroda. The security team had no role related to the content or duration of the interview. They had no right or standing to take Sharma's phone from him or delete content," Wilkins further added. Notably, the Bharatiya Janata Party has lashed out at the Congress party over the alleged assault incident, and has asked on whose orders this was done. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said that this incident reflects the "true mindset" of the Congress party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also slammed the Congress over the row, while taking a jibe at Rahul Gandhi's 'Mohabbat Ki Dukaan' slogan. "I read in the newspapers today that an Indian journalist, while in America, faced severe mistreatment," PM Modi said. "They talk about the Constitution. Ye nafrat ki dukaan pe mohabbat ki dukaan ka board laga kar ke ghumte hai." (ANI) The US delegation was co-chaired by Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah P Royal, an official press release by the US Department of State relayed. On the Indian side, Joint Secretary for the Americas Nagaraj Naidu from the Ministry of External Affairs and Joint Secretary for International Cooperation Vishwesh Negi from the Ministry of Defence led the discussions. "India and the U.S. held the 2+2 Intersessional today with officials from India's Ministry of External Affairs and Defence, and the U.S. State and Defense Departments. Key discussions covered bilateral strategic and defense priorities, alongside regional and global issues," the MEA said in a post on X During the meeting, both sides advanced key priorities, including defence cooperation, collaboration in space and civil aviation, and industrial and logistics coordination. Clean energy cooperation was also high on the agenda as the two countries aim to tackle global challenges together. Discussions also addressed broader issues affecting the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, such as support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and a ceasefire and humanitarian assistance for Gaza. The US officials, Assistant Secretary Lu and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Royal, reiterated the United States' commitment to deepening the existing partnerships with India. They also emphasized the importance of expanding people-to-people ties to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries, the press release stated. This Intersessional Dialogue laid the groundwork for the upcoming US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, a key platform that enables both nations to advance their Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership. Through such discussions, the US and India aim to enhance cooperation in various sectors and address regional and global security concerns. (ANI) Chinese ambitions - "the grand rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," as Chairman Xi Jinping calls it - are almost unbridled in their scope. As well as seeking to dominate nearby territory such as Taiwan, the mountainous border with India, international waters in the South China Sea and the icy wastes of Antarctica - Beijing has cast its zealous net deep into space too. A sharp warning came recently from the Headquarters of the US Space Force. In a space threat fact sheet it stated, "Intensifying strategic competition presents a serious threat to US national security interests in, from and to space. China and Russia seek to position themselves as leading space powers while undermining US global leadership. Both countries are developing new space systems to enhance military effectiveness and end any reliance on US space systems." Dr Malcom Davis, a senior analyst in Defence Strategy and Capability at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), concurred. He told ANI: "Clearly, China would like to dominate space in terms of control, and deny space access to the US and to US allies...In every sense of the word, I think the Chinese are determined to overtake the US in space." Before delving further into the contents of that American Space Force report, it is pertinent to see how China is already trampling upon international norms on Earth. If Beijing is willing to unashamedly do this on our terrestrial ball, against the wishes of others, then what will it attempt in the vast, uncontested reaches of outer space? China is planning a permanent moon base, and it will presumably ride roughshod over the US-sponsored Artemis Accords of 2020 that recommend principles regarding moon colonization. A key provision in the Artemis Accords is license for lunar operators to establish "safety zones" around their activities "to avoid harmful interference". Some 43 countries have signed the accords, but not China or Russia since they are developing their own frameworks. China's and minor partner Russia's proposed base at the moon's south pole is called the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). Its roadmap was unveiled in 2021, but China revealed further information earlier this month. Five super-heavy-lift rockets are to help establish the first phase of the ILRS from 2030-35, after which it will expand through till 2050. Chinese state media said the extended station will be a "comprehensive lunar station network that utilizes the lunar orbit station as its central hub and the south pole station as its primary base, and it will include exploration nodes on the lunar equator and the far side of the moon". Power will come from solar, radioisotope and nuclear generators. To date, 13 countries have signed up to the ILRS project. However, how will China behave on the moon? It has already shown in Antarctica how it despises international treaties. Specifically, China requested an Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA) around its Kunlun Station on Dome A in 2013. An ASMA is the equivalent of a lunar safety zone, but China's request was roundly denied under the Antarctica Treaty System (ATS) since there is no threat to or need for deconfliction in this zone. China insisted it needed the ASMA for precautionary reasons, and the situation has devolved into an international stalemate. Since then, Beijing has spitefully obstructed various unrelated decisions by the ATS. On the moon, China could just as easily spurn international treaties and efforts to deconflict exploration programs, especially since the south pole is the most favored area for colonization sites. The Outer Space Treaty prevents any country from reserving a territorial claim on the moon, but "safety zones" are the nearest thing to establishing sovereignty there. However, if China were to arrive on the moon first, it could take control of parts of it by establishing its own massive "safety zones" in defiance of treaties or public opinion. Who is to stop it? Xi certainly has a track record of bullying and disdainfully treating rules and norms. He is ramping up sustained pressure on Taiwan. Since President Lai Ching-te's inauguration in May, the number of Chinese air defense identification zone (ADIZ) or Taiwan Strait centerline incursions has risen from an average of 7.5 to 18.7 per day. Year on year they are up 73%, and this year's cumulative total of incursions already exceeds that of 2023. By the end of August, the PLA had intruded 1,986 times, compared to 1,703 for the whole of last year. It is not just Taiwan that China is intimidating. On 26 August, a PLA Y-9 electronic intelligence aircraft violated Japanese airspace over the Danjo Islands in the East China Sea. This appeared to be the first time a Chinese military aircraft had violated Japanese airspace since World War II. With Tokyo supportive of Taiwan, China is increasingly eyeing the possibility of interdicting the Japanese Ryukyu Island chain, which includes Okinawa, critical to both the Japanese and American militaries. Meanwhile, in the Western Pacific, for the first time a Chinese Type 075 landing helicopter dock ship operated with the aircraft carrier Shandong east of Taiwan during a surge deployment exercise in August. This was the first time these two powerful naval assets had operated together. Back in the South China Sea, the Philippines noted the presence of 203 Chinese vessels, the most ever recorded, near its own occupied features last week. These were mostly maritime militia vessels (fishing boats acting at the behest of the state), but also coast guard and naval vessels. Some 71 boats were swarming Sabina Shoal alone, a site of tension between the Philippines and China. Malaysia's government has been trying to play down Chinese encroachment into its maritime territory in the South China Sea. Recently, the Chinese research ship Ke Xue San Hao was conducting an illegal survey of Chinese waters at Ardasier Bank within Malaysia's exclusive economic zone, and before that three coast guard vessels were loitering. As can be seen from this snapshot of recent nefarious Chinese activity, Beijing does not mind intimidating other nations in order to gain advantage. Unfortunately, China also nominated space as a new domain of warfare in 2015, and it is boldly staking its claim in this celestial sphere. The US Space Force explained, "China's rapidly growing space program - second only to the US in number of operational satellites - is a source of national pride and key to President Xi's 'China Dream' to establish a powerful and prosperous nation. Beijing expects space to play an important role in future conflicts by enabling long-range precision strikes and by denying other militaries the use of space-based information systems." Last year, China conducted 66 successful space launches, placing 217 payloads into orbit. More than half - 114 payloads to be exact - were for satellites capable of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). China now has 470+ ISR-capable satellites with optical, multispectral, radar and radio frequency sensors that can detect American and others' military assets. One of the most significant of these is the Yaogan-41 remote sensing satellite launched in December 2023. It allows China to persistently monitor American and allied forces in the region. According to the US military, since the end of 2015, China's on-orbit presence has grown by approximately 550%. Quantitatively this is more than 800 satellites and, indeed, as of March 2024, China had more than 950 satellites in orbit. Furthermore, Beijing's improving space-based capabilities can combine with the PLA's growing arsenal of long-range weapons to enable long-range precision strikes against US and allied forces. China is even successfully utilizing reusable spaceplanes. Three launches have occurred, the first lasting two days and the second more than nine months, and both released unidentified objects. The third spaceplane launched in December 2023 and it remains in orbit today. The US Space Force further warned: "Intelligence suggests the PLA likely sees counter-space operations as a means to deter and counter US military intervention in a regional conflict. Moreover, PLA academics stress the necessity of 'destroying, damaging and interfering with the enemy's reconnaissance...and communications satellites' to 'blind and deafen the enemy'." Chinese intentions were made manifest in 2007 when it employed a direct-ascent antisatellite (ASAT) missile to destroy a defunct weather satellite in low Earth orbit (LEO). This created more than 2,700 pieces of trackable debris that remain an orbital hazard. The USA claimed, "That missile evolved into an operational ground-based system intended to target LEO satellites. The PLA actively trains on this system today." The Pentagon assessed that China "likely intends to field ASAT weapons capable of destroying satellites up to geostationary equatorial orbit (GEO) at 36,000km. In 2013, China launched a ballistic object which peaked at 30,000km, suggesting it may already have a basic ASAT capability against higher orbits." Addressing China's counter-space capabilities, Dr. Davis of ASPI said: "What you're seeing is that, while the Chinese are developing this sort of direct-ascent, kinetic-kill ASATs, the favored capability for them will be soft-kill systems that are either co-orbital or ground-based, because they can deliver reversible, scalable effects, and they also don't create clouds of space debris." He added: "What they're demonstrating, perfecting, is the technological means to do these sort of attacks in a crisis leading up to war, to exploit the gray-zone attack using, for example, a dual-role commercial satellite that has an anti-satellite capability." In fact, Beijing is developing satellite "inspection and repair systems" that could serve as weapons. In January 2022, for instance, the Shijian-21 satellite moved a derelict BeiDou navigation satellite to a graveyard orbit above GEO. "This technology could be used in future systems to grapple other satellites." Dr. David Stupples, professor of Electronic & Radio Engineering at City University of London, told ANI that, while the ASAT threat is "very serious", any attack would lead to fratricide due to American retaliation. "But what China has then said is, okay, you can do all of that, but we will flood space with our signals intelligence satellites and our reconnaissance satellites, etc. and, therefore, we'll make it very difficult to do that." Further evidence of nefarious Chinese intentions is seen in SJ- and TJS-series experimental satellites observed conducting unusual, large and rapid maneuvers in GEO. The USA believes these are "tactics which could have a number of different military applications". Additionally, the PLA owns multiple ground-based laser weapons able to disrupt, degrade or damage satellite sensors. "By the mid-to-late 2020s, they could have higher-power systems able to damage satellite structures." Dr. Stupples commented: "They do have lasers powerful enough at the moment probably to destroy a satellite in LEO. But they're also developing satellite-killer satellites which will go alongside another satellite and then aim a laser at the solar panels or antennas ... I don't know as yet whether they've launched any, but I wouldn't be surprised if they had, because they would be testing it against their own satellites." PLA exercises routinely incorporate jammers against space-based communications, radars and navigation systems like GPS. There are also indications China may be developing jammers able to target satellite communications over a range of frequencies, including the US military's protected extremely-high-frequency systems. Another achievement was China's July 2021 fractional orbital launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile with a hypersonic glide vehicle. This was a world-first, and it marked the longest flight of any PLA land attack weapon ever. In 100+ minutes, it flew around 40,000km. Dr Davis warned: "We should be very concerned, because the Chinese are clearly developing a world-class military space capability that includes both space support and counter-space. And I think that all the good intentions and flowery language of arms control and regulatory reform aside, the Chinese will use counter-space capabilities prior to or at the outset of the next war. We should expect space to be contested, and ultimately a warfighting domain, where the Chinese will seek to deny us access to critical space support." The US Space Force sounded the same alarm bells: "China is the pacing challenge and is rapidly improving its space capabilities to track and target US military forces." (ANI) Pakistan's federal government on Monday informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the military trial of former prime minister Imran Khan is not under its consideration, Dawn reported. Additional Attorney General (AAG) Barrister Munawar Iqbal Duggal gave this statement before the Islamabad HC bench, which comprised of Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb during the hearing of Khan's petition. The incarcerated founder of Pakistan, Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), filed the petition against his possible military trial in connection with cases registered against him over May 9 riots. However, Justice Aurangzeb asked the Pak government to submit a categorical response to the possibility of ex-PM's military trial by September 24, as reported by Dawn. The judge asked the AAG and the law officer of the defence ministry, retired Brigadier Falak Naz, about the procedure of trying a civilian by military courts. Naz informed the court that the magistrate concerned is notified before initiating the court martial proceedings. He said a civilian can be tried by military court for certain offence under Section 2(1)(d) of the Pakistan Army Act. Justice Aurangzeb asked if the military authorities served notice on the accused prior to the court martial proceedings, adding that Khan's petition could be disposed of if the court is assured that he would be issued notice well before his trial in a military court. According to Dawn, AAG Duggal said there was no information with the defence ministry about Khan's military trial to date, adding that in case military authorities sought his trial, the ex-premier would be dealt with in accordance with law. However, he informed the court no decision has been made in this regard so far. The court asked Mr Khan's counsel if the petition was premature since the defence ministry has yet to make a decision. Notably, the counsel, Uzair Bhandari, said that Barrister Aqeel Malik has said on record, that Khan would be tried by the military court. He also asked the court to take note of the press conference of the director general of ISPR, where he without naming Khan had hinted at his military trial. The court then sought a categorical response from the government and adjourned hearing to September 24. (ANI) A sampling of this falls upcoming restaurant openings sounds very Houston: Indian fried chicken, Gulf Coast-inspired bistro fare, bowls of ramen, jollof jambalaya, and plenty of steak and sushi. The citys diverse array of cuisine hasnt changed despite this years non-stop cycle of restaurant openings and closings plus the aftershocks of the May derecho and Hurricane Beryl. The Houston Chronicle's food team keeps a pulse on whats happening in the kitchen, at the dining table, and even behind the bar. Here, weve highlighted 15 openings to know about in the coming months. Feel free to let us know what weve missed. Afuri Ramen Yuzu shio ramen from Afuri Ramen. Afuri Ramen This international ramen chain with more than a dozen locations is planning to make its Texas debut in Houston. The sleek, minimalist designed dining room sets the stage for the restaurants signature yuzu shio ramen, a lighter and more delicate broth compared to, say, pork-based tonkatsu, The open kitchen will include a room where customers can watch noodles being made from scratch before a variety of broths are added to each bowl. An opening date for this fall has not been set. 1215 N. Durham; afuriramen.com Advertisement Article continues below this ad ChopnBlok A wider range of West African dishes will be served at ChopnBl?k's new Montrose location. Jia Media Chef-owner Ope Amosu shined a light on West African food when he opened ChopnBlok at Post Houston food hall two years ago. The concept is finally opening, likely in late September or early October, as a brick-and-mortar in Montrose. Amosu plans to expand on the West African experience by introducing new dishes, adding alcoholic drinks, and providing a stage for live music. He said hell take the restaurant even deeper into its West African roots by sourcing a variety of new ingredients from the motherland for the expanded food-and-drink menu. 507 Westheimer; chopnblok.co Dandelion Cafe Chicken and waffles from Dandelion Cafe. Becca Wright Yes, the Good Morning America-approved chicken and waffles will be on the menu. Coffee, juices and pastries are also available. But when Dandelion Cafe opens in the Heights this month it will have a much larger kitchen, a dog-friendly patio and private room to rent for events and meetings. Owners Sarah Lieberman and JC Ricks plan to open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. 611 W. 22nd; dandelionhouston.com Advertisement Article continues below this ad Doko and Bar Doko Duckstache Hospitality will keep adding to its Japanese restaurant empire it already operates Handies Douzo, Aiko, Himari and Kokoro this fall with two Autry Park concepts: Doko, which focuses on sushi, and Bar Doko, an intimate cocktail bar located just steps away in the same complex. Fish will be flown in Japans Toyosu Market and cocktails will be Japanese-inspired, including sake-forward drinks. 3737 Cogdell, Suite 145 and 135 HOUSTON EATS: The Chronicles top 100 restaurants Haii Keii A rendering of Haii Keii, a new restaurant to open in Upper Kirby this summer. Courtesy of Haii Keii Sushi and steak restaurants abound in Houston, and Haii Keii will combine the two. Seared steaks and sashimi are no doubt on the menu at this Asian-inspired Upper Kirby establishment, but chef Jeffrey Taylor, who spent seven years at Morimoto in New York City before joining Uchi, plans to roll out dishes such as Peking duck, Japanese milk bread and other small plates to share, too. 3300 Kirby; haiikeii.com Advertisement Article continues below this ad Kyuramen Woodlands Korean kimchi ramen at Kyuramen. Courtesy of Kyruramen This ramen spot along a strip of Bellaire in Asiatown became a bit of a social media sensation as customers lined up to nab one of the private booths laid out in a honeycomb-like design. The chains second location here heads to The Woodlands in October, where customers can expect the same bowls of noodle soups, omelets over fried rice and newer specialties like burgers swapping out buns for sticky rice patties. 8821 Metropark; kyuramen.com Maven Espresso shot from Maven Coffee + Cocktails Becca Wright Riding a wave of growth fueled by coffee and carajillos, Maven is set to open its first stand-alone since starting as a coffee cart at Minute Maid and then inside the Thompson Hotel. The Sawyer Yards outpost is aiming to become a neighborhood spot for not only coffee, pastries and craft cocktails but also as a more full-service restaurant with dinner and late-night drinks. 1501 Silver; mavenhouston.com Advertisement Article continues below this ad Leos River Oaks Next door to the historic River Oaks Theatre, which just had its splashy reopening, will be the fine-dining restaurant Leos. Former GJ Tavern head chef Tim Reading will oversee the kitchen and its menu of steaks and seafood. The 5,100-square-foot space will include private dining rooms and a sprawling patio. Its expected to open in October. 2009 W. Gray; leosriveroaks.com Mi Luna Mi Luna, a Houston restaurant that closed six years ago in Rice Village, is making a return in Montrose Collective. Agustin Fata Advertisement Article continues below this ad MORE FROM BAO ONG: Houston Restaurant Weeks will now last through September due to Beryl and derecho Miltons Milton's is slated to open in fall 2024. Casey Giltner Local Foods Group is slated to unveil the space that was formerly home to Eau Tour as Italian-American trattoria Miltons within the next few weeks. Restaurateur Benjy Levit tapped chef Seth Siegel-Gardner to develop the menu of pastas, wood-fired meats and other smaller antipasto plates ideal for pairing with wines or cocktails. 5117 Kelvin; instagram.com/miltonshtx Perseid By mid November, Aaron Bludorn and Cherif Mbodji expect to have their first hotel restaurant up and running. Perseid at the Hotel Saint Augustine, the first of the trendy Bunkhouse properties to open in Houston, will serve bistro fare with Gulf Coast influences. The Museum District restaurant will be the fourth concept from the Bludorn team. 4110 Loretto Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pok Pok Po Kahani Social Group's Surpreet Singh, left, Jassi Bindra, and Preet Paul Singh plan to open Pok Pok Po and Bol. Kahani Social Group The Kahani Group, which opened fine-dining Indian restaurant Amrina in The Woodlands a few years ago, is now doubling down on the fast-casual route. First up is the fried chicken concept Pok Pok Po, where the groups executive chef Jassi Bindra deploys Indian-inspired flavors and recipes for the poultry, sides and sauces featured on the menu. A bowl concept called Bol will share the same space and is slated to open soon after. 3201 Louisiana; pokpokpo.com Relish Lobster roll from Relish. Julie Soefer A second location of Relish, which has been a staple in Upper Kirby since 2016, is expected to open this fall in the Memorial area. This larger location will include more booth seating and an oyster bar, but the comfort-food offerings remain the same burgers, salads, lobster rolls and fried chicken. 12850 Memorial; relishhouston.com Travelers Cart A selection of street food-inspired dishes from Traveler's Cart. Jenn Duncan The Baloch National Movement (BNM) launched the Fifth Balochistan International Conference in Geneva on Monday, coinciding with the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The event is part of a series of activities organized by the BNM to highlight the ongoing human rights abuses in Balochistan and draw international focus to the region's political situation. The conference featured speeches by notable human rights activists, political figures, and legal experts who addressed a wide array of concerns regarding the human rights violations in Balochistan. The Balochistan Post reported that the event aimed to garner support for the Baloch people and underscore their plight. Speaking via video link, human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari focused on the alarming issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, drawing attention to the case of Rashid Hussain Baloch, who has been missing for six years. Despite clear evidence pointing to his transfer to Pakistan and subsequent disappearance, authorities continue to deny any involvement, Mazari said. She added that the Baloch people's struggle for self-determination remains unresolved, and the state's denial of their identity has led to further hostility and distrust between the Baloch population and Pakistan. Former British Labour MP John McDonnell also addressed the conference, calling for increased international pressure on Pakistan to tackle what he described as "severe human rights violations" in Balochistan. He emphasized the need for global accountability, urging the international community to cease ignoring the situation in the region. Italian journalist Francesca Marino, author of Balochistan: Bruised, Battered, and Bloodied, analysed the conflict and described the systematic repression faced by the Baloch people. She noted that the humanitarian crisis in Balochistan is severely underreported in global media. Researcher Jennifer Philippa Eggert spoke about the unique challenges Baloch women face amid the ongoing conflict, stressing the importance of international attention to gender-based violence in the region. Naseer Dashti, a Baloch historian and author, expressed concern over Pakistan's use of the Fourth Schedule against Baloch activists, warning that such repressive measures would only escalate tensions. He urged an end to these policies, which disproportionately target the Baloch population. BNM Chairman Naseem Baloch delivered a passionate address, outlining the immense struggles and suffering endured by the Baloch people. He reminded attendees that Balochistan was once an independent state and asserted that the Baloch resistance to Pakistani rule is morally and legally justified under international law. He further described Pakistan as a "terrorist state," accusing it of widespread human rights abuses, including collective punishment, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings. He referred to the existence of a 'Cemetery of Unknown Bodies' in Mastung, where victims of state violence are buried without identification. Baloch also condemned China's role in Balochistan, accusing it of exploiting the region's natural resources through strategic projects, which he claimed have exacerbated the oppression of the Baloch people. He called for global solidarity, asserting that the struggle for Baloch independence is both against human rights abuses and for national sovereignty. "Our sacrifices will continue until we are free," he declared. The conference, moderated by activists Niaz Zehri, Shalli Baloch, and Iman Baloch, is part of a larger series of events organized by the BNM in conjunction with the UNHRC session. On Tuesday, the BNM will hold a protest outside the United Nations office in Geneva, near the Broken Chair monument, to draw further attention to what they describe as "gross human rights violations" in Balochistan. Additionally, a photo exhibition titled Frames of Balochistan: A Visual Journey of Beauty and Struggle will run from Tuesday to Wednesday. The exhibition will showcase the culture and resilience of the Baloch people while shedding light on the ongoing human rights crisis in the region. (ANI) According to The Express Tribune, the protesters also called for electricity rates to be set at PKR 8 per unit for commercial use and PKR 3 per unit for domestic use in the province. The protestors said that these measures would address the concerns of those affected by the Tarbela and Ghazi Barotha projects and provide benefits to communities along the Indus River. The protest, spearheaded by Ehsan-ul-Haq Bam Khelvi, the district president of Da Haq Awaz, involved a march to the Tarbela Dam powerhouse. A heavy police presence, including barriers and containers, prevented the protesters from accessing the dam's premises. Negotiations with the local administration proved fruitless, leading the protesters to demand that senior WAPDA officials come to the site to address their grievances. With no resolution in sight, the protesters staged a sit-in at Hamlet Chowk Road, declaring that their protest would continue until their demands were met. Notably, Swabi is pivotal for Pakistan's power generation, particularly through the Tarbela Dam, one of the largest earth-filled dams in the world. Located near Swabi, the dam is a key component of Pakistan's hydropower network, generating approximately 4,888 megawatts (MW) of electricity. In recent months, electricity prices have surged for the 14th time within a year, significantly increasing the financial burden on consumers. From July 2023 to August 2024, adjustments have added over PKR 455 billion to consumer costs. The highest increase, PKR 7.06 per unit, occurred in March 2024. These frequent price changes have made it difficult for citizens to manage their expenses. (ANI) The much-anticipated 'Constitutional Package' failed to make its way to the parliament even on Tuesday as the Pakistan government deferred presenting the proposed amendments, saying that it would bring the legislation before the house after a consensus had been achieved, Dawn reported. Despite claims of having sufficient support for the constitutional amendments, the government's reluctance to present the package appears to be largely due to opposition from the JUI-F. The government's efforts to address the objections through backchannel negotiations are ongoing. Although the package was not presented to parliament, a draft of the proposed constitutional changes began circulating widely on social media and mainstream outlets, offering a glimpse into the government's plans for the judiciary. According to leaders from the PML-N, this draft was not intended to be the final version. The government plans to incorporate feedback from opposition parties before finalising the document. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar clarified in the National Assembly that the draft shared was a preliminary working paper rather than the conclusive draft. Barrister Aqeel Malik, an aide to the Prime Minister on legal matters, mentioned in a television interview that objections to certain clauses of the proposed bill were the reason it wasn't tabled in parliament on Monday. "There were some objections to some of the clauses of the proposed bill, that was why it could not be tabled in parliament [on Monday]," he stated. He further emphasised that the government aims to secure a consensus and is prepared to amend the proposal accordingly, indicating that the bill would not be presented until broader agreement is achieved, as reported by Dawn. PML-N leader Tariq Fazal Chaudhry announced on TV that the government plans to make another attempt to pass the package within the next two to three weeks. He noted that the government needs 13 opposition votes to achieve the two-thirds majority required for the constitutional amendment. Earlier on Monday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with a delegation from the PPP, led by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. The discussion focused on securing support for the 'Constitutional Package'. According to the Prime Minister's Office, both parties reviewed the proposed amendments in depth and agreed to broaden the consultation process. Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasised that constitutional amendments fall within the purview of parliament's rights and stated that the proposed changes aim to deliver immediate and effective justice. He encouraged PPP leaders to continue their involvement in the consultative process. Dawn reported citing sources that while the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) and Imran Khan-founded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have largely agreed with the package's provisions, including the creation of a constitutional court, they oppose a proposal to extend the tenure of the Chief Justice and other Supreme Court judges. Senator Irfan Siddiqui announced that the 'Constitutional Package' would not be presented to parliament on Monday, leading to the prorogation of both the Senate and National Assembly sessions. Senator Siddiqui also said that the draft circulated was not the final version and needed further refinement with input from all parliamentary parties. He added that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had not outright rejected the package but sought more time to review the proposed amendments Siddiqui affirmed hope that the government would refine the proposal over the next two weeks to address all stakeholders' concerns before presenting it again. He noted that there were no objections to the establishment of a constitutional court, intended to handle constitutional matters and reduce the backlog in the Supreme Court, which currently has over 60,000 pending cases. Siddiqui mentioned that the delay was partly due to the government's attempt to keep all ruling alliance members in the capital, which had become challenging. (ANI) Arzu Rana Deuba, Foreign Affairs Minister of Nepal, kicked off the celebrations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 74th birthday with a heartfelt message on X. She wrote, "Warmest birthday wishes to Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi. May this special day bring you happiness and continued strength in serving your nation. Nepal and India share a deep bond of friendship and cooperation, and I look forward to further strengthening our ties in the days ahead." https://x.com/Arzuranadeuba/status/1835907422034292881 Nepal Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba had held a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 19, 2024 to discuss the multifaceted diversity of India-Nepal ties. She also handed over an invitation from Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli for PM Modi to visit Nepal during her last visit to India. The meeting aimed to elevate the historical ties between the two countries to new heights. PM Modi highlighted the close civilisational ties and progressive partnership between India and Nepal. Earlier in the day, prominent leaders and state officials took to X to extend their birthday wishes to PM Modi. Union Minister Amit Shah praised Modi's vision of "New India," stating, "Modi ji has linked everything from heritage to science with the vision of 'New India'. With his strong will and determination for public welfare, he has made many seemingly impossible tasks possible and has set new records for poor welfare." Shah also highlighted Modi's role in enhancing India's global stature and his influence as a figure of peace and empathy. BJP President JP Nadda joined the chorus of congratulations, expressing, "I extend my heartiest congratulations on his birthday to Narendra Modi ji, the successful Prime Minister, who is dedicated every moment to realizing the mantra of 'Antyodaya', dedicated to the service of the nation and the upliftment of the people." Nadda lauded Modi's leadership for turning the vision of a developed India into reality and inspiring BJP workers. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also shared his best wishes, noting, "Many congratulations and best wishes to the successful Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi on his birthday. Not only India but the whole world has seen and experienced his visionary and strong leadership." Singh emphasized Modi's role in steering India towards growth and development, acknowledging his dedication and hard work. Chief Ministers from various states joined in the celebrations. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath celebrated Modi as the "most popular politician and successful Prime Minister," commending his relentless efforts for national welfare. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma also conveyed their congratulations, highlighting Modi's impact on India's global standing and societal progress. Later today, PM Modi will visit Odisha to inaugurate significant development projects and launch the 'SUBHADRA' scheme, underscoring his ongoing commitment to national development and public service. (ANI) Former Union Minister Smriti Irani, spoke on the importance of expanding gender equity in India as well as throughout the Global South, during her address to the leaders of the World Bank, informed a press release. She also pointed out the strides made by India in the direction and how it has helped in put forward their Gender Strategy 2024-2030. "In order to expand our global competitiveness, leaders of government and commerce throughout the Global South must ensure that gender equity policies are fully implemented," the Bharatiya Janata party leader said on Monday. "Education, healthcare, childcare, and housing policies disproportionately impact women - especially in developing and growing economies like ours. It is critical that we get the policy right so that women and girls can help lead government and industry, while also fulfilling their personal potential," she added. 'The Alliance for Global Good -- Gender Equity and Equality' is a privately funded, Indian based, non-governmental organization (NGO) working to empower women across the globe achieve their economic potential, the release stated. https://x.com/smritiirani/status/1835960533201178908 Taking to social media platform X, Smriti Irani said, "A pleasure to engage with the Executive Directors of the@WorldBankin Washington DC. Over the past decade, India has made remarkable strides in Women-led Development under PM@narendramodi's leadership. As the World Bank prepares to unveil its Gender Strategy 2024-2030, India remains committed to prioritising gender parity." "Also emphasised that, to strengthen global competitiveness, it is crucial to fully implement gender equity policies across the Global South. With forward-thinking policies, we can create an environment where women excel as leaders in government and industry, all while fulfilling their personal and professional aspirations," she added. During her address, the BJP leader spoke on the issues of gender parity in the Global South and to the importance of engaging both political and corporate leadership. She also emphasised India's work to advance education policy, expand programs investing in women-led enterprises and shift cultural mindsets towards women as issues core to gender equity. "Our region of the world is growing in terms of population, economic output, and global influence, so it is incumbent upon us - as leaders - to have the foresight, will, and commitment to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to meet her or his potential," Irani said. According to the release, the former Minister will continue to meet with government and business leaders in Washington, DC, over the next several days to discuss her priorities for gender equity. The logo and website of the alliance were launched by Smriti Irani earlier this year. Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, and other dignitaries were present at the occasion. The Alliance for Global Good: Gender Equity and Equality marked a significant milestone in the global pursuit of gender equality. "Launched in Davos 2024, it is a testament to India's unwavering commitment to the cause of women-led development as championed by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. The Alliance aims to bring together global good practices, knowledge sharing and investments in the field of women's health, education, and enterprise and aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being;4- Quality Education; 5 - Gender Equality and Empowerment; 17 - Global Partnership for Development and more," the Ministry of Women and Child Development said in a statement. "The Alliance is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and anchored by the CII Centre for Women Leadership with the World Economic Forum as a 'Network Partner' and Invest India as an 'Institutional Partner'. Born out of the G20 Leaders' Declaration and India's abiding commitment to the cause of women-led development, the Alliance is poised to make a transformative impact on gender-related issues," it added. (ANI) Facebook owner Meta has announced that it is blocking Russia's state controlled RT, days after the US administration accused the media outlet of carrying out "covert influence activities" aimed at undermining American elections and democracies. "After careful consideration, we expanded our ongoing enforcement against Russian state media outlets. Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities are now banned from our apps globally for foreign interference activity," a Meta spokesperson said in a statement as cited by NBC News. Meta, whose apps include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads, started limiting Russian state-controlled media two years ago and the enforcement of the ban announced Monday (local time) is expected to roll out in the next several days. The State Department said it is starting a diplomatic campaign to alert nations about the risks associated with RT activities and disclosed declassified US intelligence findings suggesting RT is completely integrated with Russia's intelligence operations worldwide. "We took these steps based on our conclusion that Rossiya Segodnya and these five subsidiaries are no longer merely firehoses of Russian Government propaganda and disinformation; they are engaged in covert influence activities aimed at undermining American elections and democracies, functioning like a de facto arm of Russia's intelligence apparatus," the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said on Friday. Blinken alleged that the leaders of RT oversaw an online crowdfunding project to provide military gear to Russian forces fighting in Ukraine, in addition to their covert influence operations. According to Blinken, Russian forces engaged in combat in Ukraine received "sniper rifles, suppressors, body armour, night vision equipment, drones, radio equipment, personal weapon sights, and diesel generators" as a result of the crowdfunding campaign, reported CNN. "Thanks to new information, much of which originates from RT employees, we know that RT possessed cyber capabilities and engaged in covert information and influence operations and military procurement," Blinken said. The announcement by the US State Department comes as part of a larger US government initiative to reduce RT's influence around the world, according to CNN. "We're taking steps to hold accountable those who weaponise disinformation to undermine our democracy. That's what we did just last week when the State Department, the Justice Department, the Treasury Department, and the FBI took a series of coordinated actions to counter Russian influence and interference in our elections and in our democracy," Blinken said. "In addition to imposing sanctions, visa restrictions, and other measures, the State Department also designated the Russian state-funded and directed media company Rossiya Segodnya and five of its subsidiaries, including RT, under the Foreign Missions Act. As a result, these actors are now required to notify the State Department of all personnel working in the United States as well as their property," he added. Notably, the announcement of sanctions comes just a week after federal prosecutors declared that two RT staff members would face criminal charges for surreptitiously transferring about USD 10 million to a US business in order to produce and promote programming that favoured Russian interests. (ANI) Business leaders in Karachi have urged Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar to address the city's deteriorating infrastructure issues, The Express Tribune reported. The report stated that the leaders called for an immediate renovation of roads in major markets and the repair of the collapsed sewerage system, which they claim is causing severe traffic congestion and harming local businesses. They also highlighted poor road conditions and failing sewer systems, which are leading to environmental pollution and discouraging shoppers from visiting markets. Notably, the recent rains have exacerbated the situation, with many roads and public spaces across the city being washed away. Only 5 per cent of Karachi's roads meet high standards, while the majority are in poor condition. One businessman stated, "Karachi's citizens are suffering despite paying the highest taxes in the country. The city, which contributes over 65% of national revenue and 95% to the provincial exchequer, remains neglected." They described commuting in Karachi as a "matter of life and death," with frequent traffic jams causing frustration and prompting commuters to break traffic rules, leading to accidents and worsening the city's traffic issues. Atiq Mir, Chairman of the All Karachi Tajir Ittehad, has called for a forensic audit of the city's road and sewer systems. He alleged, "More than 50 per cent of development funds are pocketed by political parties in collusion with contractors." Mir added that Karachi residents are incurring billions in additional fuel costs due to persistent traffic jams. He also criticized the allocation of funds to the Sindh government as a "dead loss" due to widespread corruption and mismanagement, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability to repair and improve the city's infrastructure, reported The Express Tribune. Asif Gulfam, Chairman of the Alliance of Arambagh Market Association, stressed the importance of a master plan that prioritizes repairing sewerage lines before undertaking road construction. In a statement, Acting President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Altaf A. Ghaffar, voiced similar concerns. He urgently appealed to Chief Minister Shah and Mayor Akhtar to take prompt and effective action to address the city's deteriorating road infrastructure. Ghaffar highlighted a growing number of complaints from both the business community and the general public, who feel "mentally tortured" by the city's failing infrastructure. He noted that many roads have become so damaged and waterlogged, especially after this year's monsoon rains, that they are impassable for both vehicles and pedestrians, The Express Tribune reported. The most affected areas include major shopping centres such as Jodia Bazaar, Mauripur, Kaemari, Bolton Market, and Lee Market, as well as key roads like MA Jinnah Road, Korangi Road, and various sections of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, and Liaquatabad. (ANI) Sharing a post on X, Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, wrote, "Humanitarian support to Namibia: In solidarity with the Global South. As a credible HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) provider and a reliable friend, India is extending food grain assistance to the people of Namibia, to strengthen their food security in the wake of recent spells of drought." The post further said, "A consignment of 1000MTs rice has departed from Nhava Sheva Port for Namibia today." Notably, the El Nino-induced drought has contributed to deteriorating food security conditions across Namibia, driving negative impacts on crop and livestock production, food price shocks, and unemployment, as per the official website of US Embassy in Namibia. El Nino is a climate phenomenon that occurs when the Pacific Ocean warms above average, causing irregular global weather patterns. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Report warns of a severe food security crisis in Namibia, with an estimated 1.4 million individuals - nearly half of the population - anticipated to experience high levels of acute food insecurity. This critical situation is expected to increase during the lean season, spanning September 2024 to March 2025. India and Namibia enjoy warm and cordial relations. The Namibian people and leadership view India as a dependable and trusted friend. Indian support during their liberation struggle is warmly recalled by Namibian leaders, according to a website of the High Commission of India in Namibia. (ANI) The spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal on Tuesday said that as a part of continuing efforts under Operation Sadbhav, the Navy and Air Force have dispatched a second tranche of aid to Myanmar. Myanmar, which is hit by Typhoon Yagi, will get 32 tons of relief material and 10 tons of ration, Jaiswal said. In a post on X, Jaiswal said, "Operation Sadbhav continues: India dispatches a second tranche of aid to Myanmar. @IAF_mcc aircraft is carrying 32 tons of relief material including genset, hygiene kits, temporary shelter, water purification supplies and medicines for the people of Myanmar. Indian Navy @indiannavy is bringing additional 10 tons of ration for Myanmar." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1835953183904157846 Earlier on Sunday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that as a part of Operation Sadbhav, the government has dispatched humanitarian aid to Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos. The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday deployed its C-17 Globemaster aircraft to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in Vietnam (Hanoi) following the severe flooding caused by Typhoon Yagi. Loading and coordination was carried out by C-17 team at Hindan Air Force Station. 35 tons of aid comprising of water purification items, water containers, blankets, kitchen utensils, solar lanterns for Vietnam. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1835286453716131857 In a post on X, External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar said, "India launches Operation Sadbhav. Demonstrating our solidarity with the people affected by Typhoon Yagi, India is dispatching aid to Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos. 10 tons of aid including dry ration, clothing and medicines left for Myanmar onboard Indian Navy INS Satpura today. @IAF_MCC is carrying 35 tons of aid comprising of water purification items, water containers, blankets, kitchen utensils, solar lanterns for Vietnam. 10 tons of aid comprising genset, water purification items, hygiene supplies, mosquito nets, blankets and sleeping bags for Laos." Meanwhile, at least 236 people have been confirmed dead after Typhoon Yagi caused severe flooding in several regions of Myanmar. Some 77 people remain missing, reported Al-Jazeera citing state-run Global New Light of Myanmar. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicated the toll could be even higher. (ANI) The Mexican Embassy in India expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Indian government for illuminating the iconic Qutub Minar in New Delhi with Mexico's flag colors. This gesture celebrated Mexico's 214th Independence Day on September 16. The embassy added that Mexico strategic partnership, strengthening trade-investment exchanges, exploring cooperation in innovation, and promoting our lively cultures. The embassy said, "On 16th September night, the iconic Indian monument Qutub Minar was illuminated with Mexico flag colors. Miliatry will continue working towards a strategic partnership, strengthening trade-investment exchanges, exploring cooperation in innovation, and promoting our lively cultures." https://x.com/EmbaMexInd/status/1835996250430185860 "On 16th September night, the iconic monument Qutub Minar was illuminated with flag colors. will continue working towards a strategic partnership, strengthening trade-investment exchanges, exploring cooperation in innovation, and promoting our lively cultures." https://x.com/EmbaMexInd/status/1835996255425589578 Earlier on July 5, an Officer of Mexico Police, M Olmos A, who underwent training at the Mexico Police Training Programme at Rashtriya Raksha University in Gandhinagar said on Friday that now she knows better practices for policing. Olmos told ANI, "For the past 15 days, we took part in a special training here in India. Now, we know better practices for policing in my country." The Director of the School of Internal Security and SMART Policing, Major General Deepak Mehra, said that statues of eminent personalities like Mahatma Gandhi find a place of honour in many prominent places and cities in Mexico. It shows that Mexico and India have shared values of peace and non-violence. "Together, these serve as a constant reminder of our shared values of peace and non-violence. Perhaps one of the most prominent cultural exchanges between Mexico and India can be attributed to eminent Mexican poets. Nobel laureate of 1990 and Ambassador of Mexico to India between 1962 and 1968, Octavio Paz's best works were written during his time in India, which are the gateway for many Mexicans," Mehra said. (ANI) Nicole Alarcon and Agustin Alarcon, one of five couples who allege a Houston IVF lab knowingly implanted dead or damaged embryos into would-be mothers, hold a press conference alongside their legal team on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Nicole and Agustin Alarcon began to worry they were doing something wrong after their third attempt at in vitro fertilization once again ended without a pregnancy. Then a doctor called them with a startling admission. The couple learned the embryos used in all three IVF cycles had been damaged earlier this year, but that a Houston fertility clinic opted to move forward with the transfers anyway, according to a lawsuit filed Monday in Harris County District Court. The Alarcons are one of five couples who filed the lawsuit that accuses Aspire Houston Fertility Institute of failing to notify patients until months after a failure at its Piney Point laboratory occurred around February or March. Aspire attributed the failure to contaminated or defective freeze medium a specialized solution used to preserve embryos, eggs or sperm made by medical equipment manufacturer CooperSurgical, the lawsuit says. Advertisement Article continues below this ad IVF IN TEXAS: Texas doctors wary but hopeful IVF will be protected after Alabama ruling The Alarcons said they endured three failed IVF cycles in March, April and June before learning of the lab failure three weeks ago. Two of the transfers were unsuccessful and the third resulted in a miscarriage. They kept us completely in the dark, Nicole Alarcon said Tuesday at a news conference. They failed to tell us about it, and really set us up for a lot of heartbreak. The other four couples opted to remain anonymous in the lawsuit but have similar stories, said Robert H. Marcereau, a California attorney who is one of four lawyers representing the couples. Several couples may be unable to try another round of IVF in the future, he said. This was probably their last chance to have biological children, because some of our clients are older, Marcereau said. These were their last embryos and their last shot. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Aspire strongly denied the claims made in the lawsuit, calling them "false and defamatory." The company said it was not aware of the allegations until Tuesday afternoon. "To be clear, at no time did Aspire ever knowingly transfer non-viable tissue," the company said in a statement. Aspire and CooperSurgical are named as defendants in the lawsuit. CooperSurgical did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. The lawsuit seeks more than $1 million in damages for each plaintiff. A hearing in Harris County District Court has not yet been scheduled, according to court records. Dozens of patients embryos were damaged in the lab failure, and Aspire reported an almost zero success rate on transfers after the damage occurred, the lawsuits says. Advertisement Article continues below this ad IVF AFTER ROE: Abortion bans have hopeful parents worried about the future The lawsuit says that if CooperSurgicals freeze medium is to blame, it would represent a disturbing pattern for the manufacturer. Last year, the company recalled a different product that is used in the IVF process. At least eight families have filed lawsuits that claim one of the companys products damaged their embryos. The Houston lawsuit is similar to one that Marcereau and his partners at the California-based Fertility Law Group filed earlier this year in that state. That lawsuit accuses a fertility lab of mistakenly damaging embryos by exposing them to hydrogen peroxide, then transferring them to patients. Nicole Alarcon holds the hand of her husband, Agustin Alarcon. They are one of five couples who allege a Houston IVF lab knowingly implanted dead and/or damaged embryos into would-be mothers, during a press conference alongside their legal team on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer They broke our trust Agustin Alarcon, 32, and Nicole, 31, began dating 16 years ago in high school. They began trying to conceive immediately after they married in 2020, but they were unsuccessful. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The couple tried intrauterine insemination, another type of fertility treatment, twice last year before pursuing IVF. The process resulted in 14 viable embryos, but their first three attempts at transferring those embryos were unsuccessful. The couple was shocked when an Aspire doctor called to tell them about the lab failure. He recommended against moving forward with any more transfers because the embryos were essentially destroyed, Nicole Alarcon said at the news conference. READ MORE: Senate Republicans again block legislation to guarantee womens rights to IVF A fertility clinic is supposed to help you grow a family, she said. You put a lot of trust in these people. And they broke our trust, and so many other families. Nicole Alarcon said the Aspire doctor told them that the fertility clinic noticed its success rates begin to drop earlier this year but initially believed there was a problem with the way their embryos were being thawed. The doctor said the clinic didnt realize the extent of the damage until later, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Aspire said in its statement that it identified a slight decrease in thawing survival rates for embryos frozen in its Piney Point lab between Feb. 1 and March 14. The decrease coincided with a change in the freezing medium used by the lab. The lab immediately stopped using the medium after it identified the issue, and survival rates returned to the lab's normal standards, the statement says. Aspire said it believed the issue was limited to a decrease in embryo survival rates at the time of thawing, and that it had no reason to suspect embryos that survived thawing would be negatively impacted. The company later became aware of a moderate decrease in expected pregnancy rates for the time period, which may or may not be related to the freezing medium, the statement says. Aspire said it has been working to notify potentially affected patients, and that it offered replacement services to those patients. Attorneys for the couples said they had a fertility doctor review images of the embryos to confirm they had been damaged before they were transferred. They also interviewed patients and Aspire lab personnel who told them the fertility clinic had an almost zero success rate with the damaged embryos, Marcereau said. Nicole Alarcon and Agustin Alarcon, one of five couples who allege a Houston IVF lab knowingly implanted dead or damaged embryos into would-be mothers, hold a press conference alongside their legal team on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Our life savings Agustin Alarcon noted that the failed IVF cycles also had financial consequences for the couple. Estimates put the cost of a single cycle of IVF at $12,400. The Alacorns paid out of pocket and even sold a car to pay for the treatments. It was a lot of savings. Pretty much our life savings at this point, Agustin Alarcon said. MORE FROM EVAN MACDONALD: UTHealth Houston president to step down once successor is appointed Attorneys for the couple said they hope the lawsuit, and others like it,will highlight the fact the IVF industry is lightly regulated. Couples who feel theyve been wronged have few options for recourse, but that could change if legislatures adopt regulations for the IVF industry, the attorneys said. Theres nothing that says what these fertility clinics can and cant do, said attorney Michelle B. Hemesath, a partner at Fertility Law Group. Were hoping that cases just like this one will spur change. James Moriarty, a Houston attorney representing the couples, said he believes regulations could help other families avoid the heartbreak the Alarcons and the other couples endured when they learned their embryos had been damaged. Tel Aviv [Israel], September 17 (ANI/TPS): According to Arab media reports, numerous members of Hezbollah in various areas of Lebanon were injured when their communication devices exploded. Around 70 people have been injured, but the number may be higher. Lebanese sources quoted by Sky News in Arabic claim the blasts were the result of Israeli hacking. Israeli officials have yet to comment. Some 1,000 Hezbollah operatives so far have been injured by exploding pagers and radios, according to Arab media reports. Reports suggest that Hezbollah figures in Syria were also injured in the apparently simultaneous blasts. Also injured was Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani. Social media is rife with videos that caught the explosions, their aftermath, and chaos in Lebanese hospitals. Unverified Arab media reports have attributed the blasts to an Israeli cyber attack. Notably, Israel's Security Cabinet on Monday night updated its official war goals to include the secure return of 60,000 evacuated northern residents to their homes. Nearly 60,000 Israelis were forced to evacuate their homes near the Lebanon border when Hezbollah began launching rockets and drones in October. Hezbollah leaders have said they will continue the attacks to prevent Israelis from returning to their homes. The attacks have killed 26 civilians and 20 soldiers on the Israeli side. According to figures released by the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) Hezbollah fired 1,307 rockets at northern Israel in August, an average of 40 rockets daily. Since October 8, Hezbollah has launched more than 6,700 rockets and drones. Israeli officials have been calling for Hezbollah to be disarmed and removed from southern Lebanon in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Second Lebanon War. Israel's three other official war goals are the eradication of Hamas's military and governing capabilities, the return of all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 97 remaining hostages, more than 30 have been declared dead. Hamas has also been holding captive two Israeli civilians since 2014 and 2015, and the bodies of two soldiers killed in 2014. (ANI/TPS) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday highlighted that the relationship between India and Romania is not only close and warm but also deeply substantive. The remarks by EAM came while he was speaking at the release of India-Romania commemorative postal stamps. Notably, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and EAM Dr S Jaishankar released a postage stamp on the completion of 75 years of "India - Romania" relations, in New Delhi on Tuesday. While addressing the event, Jaishankar stated that establishing a modern and dynamic connection between India and Europe has become an increasingly important objective. He said, "It is true that when we look at trade routes between India and Europe, Romania had a particularly important position... For us, how to build a contemporary connect between India and Europe has become increasingly important endeavour. Last year, we took a big step toward contemplating an India-Middle-East-Europe connectivity corridor. We expect that this corridor will take a concrete form. I am confident that what we regard this connection between Indian and Europe will take a modern form and develop as a crucial connectivity corridor." He added, "Our own ties with Romania are close, they are warm, they are substantive... There is an Indian community with about 9,000 Indians, maybe more, living in Romania..." The External Affairs Minister further emphasised that under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, the government has been dedicated to strengthening and enhancing relations with Europe. "I would like to convey to all of you, if you look at the last decade of the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, perhaps no government in our history has paid as much attention to developing ties with Europe as we have seen in the last decade. Not just ties with big nation states, not just ties with Brussels but ties with the sub-regions, individual countries...," Jaishankar said. Notably, India and Romania established diplomatic relations in 1948, and raised it toAmbassadorial level in 1968. India and Romania regularly support each other on several multilateral issues and work in tandem at the UN and other international organisations. Foreign Office Consultations have been instituted to review bilateral relations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. EAM Jaishankar and former Foreign Minister of Romania, Bogdan Aurescu met on the sidelines of Munich Security Conference on 19 February 2022. FM Aurescu's visit to India in April 2021 to attend the Raisina Dialogue was cancelled due to the pandemic, but he had attended the Dialogue online. At the invitation of former FM Aurescu, EAM addressed the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy on September 8, 2021. They also interacted briefly at the Foreign Ministers' lunch in Bled, Slovenia on September 3, 2021, and met on the sidelines of EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Stockholm on May 13, 2023. (ANI) Baloch activists gathered in Geneva for the 5th International Conference of the Baloch National Movement and highlighted human rights abuses perpetrated by Pakistan and China and called for international attention and action. Hammal Baloch, a central committee member of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), said that through the event, they want to show the world the real face of Pakistan. "Through the event we want to show the world the real face of Pakistan. Pakistan often attempts to portray Balochistan in a positive light, showcasing it as a region where infrastructure is developing and prosperity is flourishing. However, mainstream media is entirely banned there. Consequently, the Baloch National Movement strives to utilise every international platform available each year to project the voice of Balochistan to the global audience." Emphasising the severity of the crisis in Balochistan. Hammal further said, "A genocide is occurring in Balochistan. It's not just that people are being killed; rather, there is a genocide of everything. The education system is being destroyed, and culturally, people are being eradicated. Gwadar is being fenced off. Efforts are being made to prevent democratic voices from being raised there." Outlining the key objectives and outcomes of the conference, Naseem Baloch, Chairperson of the Baloch National Movement, said that their primary aim is to unite these diverse groups in a coordinated effort to achieve liberation from Pakistan and China's control. He said, "Today's conference focused on the policies of China and Pakistan, and we were joined by representatives from Sindhi, Kashmiri, Pashtun, and Uyghur communities. We addressed crucial issues such as the struggles for autonomy in Sindhudesh, Pashtunistan, and East Turkistan. Our primary aim is to unite these diverse groups in a coordinated effort to challenge the China-Pakistan alliance and swiftly achieve liberation from their control." Highlighting the conference's crucial role in addressing human rights abuses, Faheem Baloch, Coordinator for the Baloch National Movement's Foreign Affairs Department, stated, "The primary goal of this conference was to bring to light the human rights violations committed by Pakistan and China. The speakers offered valuable insights and focused on the specific challenges faced by Baloch women. We are hopeful that such events will not only persist but also become more impactful and effective in the future." The Baloch National Movement (BNM) is a political organisation advocating for the rights and autonomy of the Baloch people, an ethnic group primarily residing in the Balochistan region. The movement seeks greater political and economic autonomy for Balochistan, often citing historical grievances, marginalisation, and the exploitation of natural resources in the region. The BNM aims to address issues such as the lack of development, human rights abuses, and political suppression faced by the Baloch community. Its goals include achieving self-determination and preserving Baloch cultural identity. (ANI) The United Nations, in a report on the human rights crisis in Myanmar, revealed the devastating consequences of the military coup that took place on February 1, 2021, and said that since then, at least 5,350 civilians have lost their lives, over 3.3 million people have been displaced. Notably, on February 1, 2021, the military junta seized power in a coup ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate. The UN's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in a report published on Tuesday on the human rights situation in Myanmar, detailed a range of serious violations that continue to underscore the deepening crisis and lack of rule of law throughout the country. Since the coup on 1 February 2021, at least 5,350 civilians have been killed, more than 3.3 million displaced, and over half the population is living below the poverty line, primarily due to military violence, according to the report. The report also documents the vast scope of detentions undertaken by the military. Nearly 27,400 individuals have been arrested since the coup, with arrests on the rise since the military's implementation of mandatory conscription in February 2024. Credible sources verified over 9,000 individuals as having been detained by the military -- a third of the 26,933 persons, including 5,556 women and 547 children, taken into custody since February 2021. Nearly half of arrests during the reporting period occurred in Yangon, Mandalay and Sagaing. Arrests have particularly increased since the military announced the implementation of mandatory conscription in February 2024. Citing credible sources, the report also said that at least 1,853 people have died in custody, including 88 children and 125 women. Many of these individuals have been verified as dying after being subjected to abusive interrogation, other ill-treatment in detention, or denial of access to adequate healthcare, the report said. The report looks at the devastating impact of violence, destruction, and deprivation on people's mental health, as well as the regression in economic and social rights, which is precipitating further economic decline. At the same time young people, who provide the key to Myanmar's future, are fleeing abroad to escape being forced to serve in or fight for the military, the report noted. In light of the above findings, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk renewed his recommendation, among others, to the UN Security Council to refer the full scope of the current situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court. He reiterated his calls for an end to the violence and for the immediate and unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained, the report said. In addition, the High Commissioner called on the military to cease immediately all violence and attacks directed against civilians; ensure the full and timely implementation of the provisional measures indicated by the International Court of Justice; respect human rights obligations and comply with international humanitarian law where applicable; release all political prisoners without further delay and discontinue politically motivated prosecutions through the instrumentalisation of the judiciary, the report said. (ANI) Lebanon's Health Minister confirmed a series of explosions across the country, resulting in the deaths of at least eight people and injuring 2,750 others. The blasts were caused by exploding handheld pagers, according to a report by Al Jazeera. Health Minister Firass Abiad further informed that 200 people are in critical condition after the communication devices exploded on Tuesday. He also said that the victims are receiving treatment in over 150 hospitals. In a statement earlier on Tuesday, Hezbollah said that "pagers belonging to employees of various Hezbollah units and institutions exploded," killing two of its fighters and a girl. The group further said that it was investigating to determine the causes of the explosions. A Hezbollah official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, described the explosion of handheld pagers as the organisation's "biggest security breach" in nearly a year, according to Al Jazeera. No official statement has been released by the Israeli military regarding the explosions in Lebanon. Earlier, Arab media had reported that some 1,000 Hezbollah operatives so far have been injured by exploding pagers and radios. Reports suggest that Hezbollah figures in Syria were also injured in the apparently simultaneous blasts. Also injured was Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani. Social media is rife with videos that caught the explosions, their aftermath, and chaos in Lebanese hospitals. Unverified Arab media reports have attributed the blasts to an Israeli cyber attack. Notably, Israel's Security Cabinet on Monday night updated its official war goals to include the secure return of 60,000 evacuated northern residents to their homes. Israeli officials have been calling for Hezbollah to be disarmed and removed from southern Lebanon in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Second Lebanon War. Israel's three other official war goals are the eradication of Hamas's military and governing capabilities, the return of all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 97 remaining hostages, more than 30 have been declared dead. Hamas has also been holding captive two Israeli civilians since 2014 and 2015, and the bodies of two soldiers killed in 2014. (ANI) Authorities stated that the victims had been lured to the Katcha region of Kashmore district in Sindh province under false pretences of employment opportunities. As per ARY News, police swiftly responded to the information they received, intercepting the victims' journey to Kashmore's Katcha district and safely transporting all rescued individuals to the SSP office. Earlier, the Punjab government had announced a bounty of Rs 10 million on the heads of dacoits in the Katcha region, following orders from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. This initiative is part of an intensified campaign against criminals, particularly those involved in violent crimes against law enforcement, according to ARY News. The announcement also specified that a reward of Rs 5 million has been offered for the capture of the most wanted bandits, with additional rewards of Rs 2.5 million for the arrest of terrorists and other criminals. Maryam Nawaz emphasised the government's commitment to prosecuting terrorists who have targeted law enforcement officers. (ANI) United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Philemon Yang on Tuesday stressed the role of justice and the rule of law in achieving lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. The remarks by Yang came during an emergency session that was held at the 79th UN General Assembly on the situation in Palestinian territories. Sharing a post on X, Yang wrote, "Today, I addressed the General Assembly at its 10th Emergency Special Session, devoted to the situation in Palestine. International law, the UN Charter, and UN resolutions must be respected by all Member States." "Justice and the rule of law are essential for achieving lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians," the post on X added. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Permanent Mission to the UN submitted a first draft resolution on Tuesday to the UN General Assembly demanding Israel end its presence in the occupied Palestinian territories within 12 months. The move came after the UNGA granted the mission additional rights to participate at the UN, Anadolu Agency reported. Notably, on May 10, 2024, a resolution was adopted to recognise the reconsideration of Palestine's UN membership in the UN Security Council and the granting of additional rights to Palestine, which holds observer status. The resolution called for arrangements to allow Palestine to participate in General Assembly sessions, UN meetings and conferences, specifying that this would be done "on an exceptional basis and without setting a precedent." The resolution had won a resounding majority of 143 votes in favour, including by India. The tenth Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly was convened for the first time in April 1997, following a request from the Permanent Representative of Qatar. The session followed a series of Security Council and General Assembly meetings regarding the Israeli decision to build Har Homa, a 6,500 unit housing project, in the Jabal Abu Ghneim area of East Jerusalem. (ANI) The US 7th Fleet said on Tuesday that a US Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft transited the Taiwan Strait and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations. "By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations," the US 7th Fleet in a statement said. "The aircraft's transit of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military flies, sails and operates anywhere international law allows," the statement added. Meanwhile, China objected to the move by the US and vowed to "resolutely defend national sovereignty," according to a report by VOA. "On September 17, a US P-8A anti-submarine patrol aircraft flew through the Taiwan Strait," Li Xi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), said. The PLA theater command "organised fighter jets to tail and stand guard against the US aircraft's flight, dealing with it in accordance with the law. Theater troops are on constant high alert to resolutely defend national sovereignty and security and regional peace and stability," Li said, according to VOA. Notably, Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. Earlier in July, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te accused the Chinese government of misinterpreting a United Nations resolution to justify its military activities against Taiwan and drawing an inappropriate linkage to its "One China" principle, the Central News Agency (CNA) had reported. Beijing claims that the UN resolution confirmed its one-China principle, which implies that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China. (ANI) He toured the exhibition and reviewed the latest innovations driving the global utilities ecosystem, as well as ongoing efforts to advance the sustainability of the water and electricity sectors. He commended efforts to identify new solutions and opportunities to support secure, affordable, and sustainable utilities in the UAE and internationally. Sheikh Khaled was accompanied during the visit by Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi, Minister of Investment; Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy; Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary-General of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi; and Jasim Husain Thabet, Group CEO and Managing Director of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA). The World Utilities Congress 2024 serves as a global knowledge exchange and sustainable utilities innovation platform, and is hosted by TAQA. Organised by dmg events, this year's congress is being held under the theme 'Enabling a Secure and Sustainable Utilities Future'. More than 12,000 global professionals from across the power and water utilities value chain are attending the 2024 edition of the event, which features strategic and technical conferences, more than 110 sessions, over 280 global speakers, 10 energy and water ministers, and more than 1,400 conference delegates. (ANI/WAM) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thanked his counterparts from Nepal, Italy and Mauritius for extending wishes on his 74th birthday. Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth extended wishes to PM Modi on his birthday. In a post on X, Jugnauth stated, "Many happy returns of the day Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji. @narendramodi I wish you good health and success in your earnest endeavour to make our world a better place." In response to his wishes, PM Modi said that he deeply appreciates his message and called Mauritius a "close partner" in India's endeavours for a better future for people and humanity. In a post on X, PM Modi stated, "Deeply appreciate your kind wishes and message Prime Minister @KumarJugnauth. Mauritius is our close partner in our endevours for a better future for our people and humanity." Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli wished PM Modi a year filled with health, happiness and continued success in his leadership. "Happy Birthday, Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji! Wishing you a year filled with health, happiness, and continued success in your leadership. May you achieve great milestones and inspire many," Oli posted on X. In response to his wishes, PM Modi stated that he looks forward to closely working with him to advance partnership between India and Nepal. PM Modi wrote on X, "Thank you, PM @kpsharmaoli, for your warm wishes. I look forward to working closely with you to advance our bilateral partnership." PM Modi thanked his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni for her wishes. He said that two nations will continue to collaborate for the global good. "Thank you, Prime Minister @GiorgiaMeloni for your kind wishes. India and Italy will continue to collaborate for the global good," PM Modi posted on X. His statement came after Meloni extended wishes to PM Modi and expressed confidence that the two nations will continue to strengthen friendship and collaboration. On X, Meloni wrote, "Happy birthday to the Prime Minister of India @narendramodi. I am sure that we will continue to strengthen our friendship and collaboration between Italy and India, to face together the global challenges that await us." As Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated his 74th birthday on Monday, several political leaders, including Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, extended their heartfelt wishes. The BJP heavyweights, including Union Ministers Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, extended their wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he turned 74. He was born on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat. PM Modi led the BJP-led NDA to a third successive victory in the Lok Sabha polls 2024. PM Modi is known to have a powerful 'personal connect' with the people on the ground and is also known as India's most techno-savvy leader, using the web to reach people and bring about change in their lives. (ANI) Breaking news Houston Chronicle A former Galveston police officer was accused of assaulting several children at an apartment complex pool while working as a security guard, according to the district attorneys office. A grand jury Tuesday indicted Jared Rivas on two counts of injury to a child, one count of unlawful restraint of a child, one count of official oppression and four counts of assault causing bodily injury, officials said. MORE FROM HOUSTON CHRONICLE: HPD officer shot, 2 detained in northwest Houston, officials say Advertisement Article continues below this ad Court records hadnt yet been uploaded online in connection with the grand jurys decision as of Tuesday afternoon. Houston Public Media reported Rivas allegedly attacked several teenagers at a pool party. Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri held a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffery Pyatt on the sidelines of GasTech 2024 in Houston. The two leaders reviewed the existing energy cooperation and agreed to explore ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across the energy value chain for "just and orderly energy transition." During the meeting, Puri and Pyatt discussed how the cooperation between two nations is strengthening in the energy sector due to collaboration between the institutions and companies from India and the US. Sharing details regarding his meeting with Geoffery Pyatt, Hardeep Singh Puri stated, "Met my friend for more than three decades & US @AsstSecENR Mr Geoffery Pyatt at #GasTech2024 in Houston today." "We reviewed the existing energy cooperation & agreed to explore ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across the energy value chain for just & orderly energy transition. Also discussed how our cooperation in energy sector is both broadening & deepening due to the excellent collaboration between the institutions & companies from both sides," he added. Hardeep Singh Puri, who is on a visit to the US, inaugurated the India Pavilion at GasTech. He noted that the Indian companies present in GasTech event showcase their latest technological advancements, capabilities and future opportunities to collaborate and invest. In a post on X, Puri stated, "Delighted to inaugurate the India Pavilion which marks a strong presence of India's energy sector entities at @GastechEvent, the world's largest event for the natural gas, LNG, hydrogen, low-carbon solutions, and climate technology industry in Houston." "As India journeys towards energy self-sufficiency under the leadership of PM @narendramodiJi, the Indian companies which are present in the premier event in large numbers showcase their latest technological advancements, capabilities and future opportunities to collaborate & invest," he added. Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas also joined a ministerial panel at GasTech 2024 alongside Egyptian Minister Karim Badawi, Nigeria's Minister Ekperikpe Ekpo, Turkish Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Geoffery Pyatt. He stated that world, without India's proactive approach, could have faced a more severe energy crisis. He noted that India's energy demand is expected to rise at a compounded annual growth rate of about 3 per cent per annum by 2040 and it is estimated to double by 2050. In a post on X, Puri stated, "Delighted to join a Ministerial Panel with fellow Ministers from Egypt, HE Karim Badawi, Nigeria Rt Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo & Turkiye HE Alparslan Bayraktar & @AsstSecENR Mr. Geoffrey Pyatt, in a session on "From mitigation to adaptation: Navigating volatile geopolitics in a fragmenting global order" moderated by Prof. John Defterios, @NYUAbuDhabi at @GastechEvent, the world's largest event for the natural gas, LNG, hydrogen, low-carbon solutions, and climate technology industry in Houston. I spoke about how the emerging markets are reshaping the global energy landscape with nearly 80 per cent of the increase in global energy demand by 2045 to come from emerging economies." "This surge in demand is driving substantial investments in both conventional and renewable energy sources. Without India's proactive approach, the world could have faced an even more severe energy crisis. India is the world's fastest growing large economy, consuming about 5 mb/d of crude, 67 million people visit petrol pumps every day in India. India's energy demand is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of about 3% per annum by 2040 and it is estimated to double by 2050. India has adopted a pragmatic & balanced approach that underscores climate commitments while safeguarding national interests under the leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji," he added. Highlighting measures taken by India to increase domestic production, Puri in a post on X further said, "We have taken several measures to enhance domestic production, diversify the supplies, accelerated adoption of low carbon solutions like biofuels, EVs & Hydrogen. Our initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) illustrate the power of global partnerships in accelerating clean energy deployment." Earlier on Monday, Hardeep Singh Puri and US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm convened the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) Ministerial, where they welcomed the progress made under the partnership to drive clean energy innovation, strengthen energy security, and accelerate clean energy transitions. During the meeting in Washington, DC, on Monday, the two sides reviewed the initiatives undertaken across the technical pillars under the SCEP, including Power and Energy Efficiency, Responsible Oil and Gas, Renewable Energy, Emerging Fuels and Technologies, and Sustainable Growth. "The ministers welcomed progress made under the partnership to drive clean energy innovation, strengthen energy security, and accelerate clean energy transitions, including through more focused efforts on clean energy manufacturing and building resilient, responsible, stable, secure and diversified supply chains," the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated. (ANI) The US on Tuesday (local time) said that it has been "clear and consistent" regarding concerns with Pakistan's ballistic missile program for many years. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed commitment to strengthening the international non-proliferation regime by taking action against networks supporting activities of proliferation concern. While addressing a press briefing on Tuesday (local time), Miller said that the US' action last week follows the October 2023 and April 2024 designations of six Chinese entities and one Belarusian entity that have worked to supply Pakistan's missile program. Asked about US concerns as sanctions have been imposed against suppliers of Pakistan's ballistic program, Miller responded, "The United States is committed to strengthening the international non-proliferation regime by taking action against networks supporting activities of proliferation concern. We have been clear and consistent about our concern with Pakistan's ballistic missile program for many years." "The Executive Order action that was taken last week follows our October 2023 and April 2024 designations of six PRC entities and one Belarusian entity that have worked to supply Pakistan's missile program as well as numerous third country entities on the Department of Commerce entity list for decades," he added. Miller further said that it has been the US' policy to deny support to Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile program. He said that the US will continue to use sanctions and other tools to ensure that its national security cannot be impacted and the US financial system cannot be used by proliferators. In response to another question regarding US sanctions against Pakistan's ballistic missile program, Miller stated, "Pakistan has been a longtime partner of ours. I think what this action shows is, there continue to be places where we have disagreement and when we have disagreement, we won't hesitate to act to protect America's interests." "It has been our policy to deny support to Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile program. We will continue to use our sanctions and other tools to ensure our national security cannot be impacted and that the US financial system cannot be used by proliferators," he added. Last week, the US State Department imposed sanctions on China-based firms, for their supply to Pakistan's ballistic missile program under the missile sanctions laws. "The Department of State is taking action against five entities and one individual that have been involved in the proliferation of ballistic missiles and controlled missile equipment and technology. Specifically, the Department of State is designating the Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry (RIAMB) pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery," US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a press statement. Notably, RIAMB has worked with Pakistan's National Development Complex (NDC), which the United States assesses is involved in the development and production of Pakistan's long-range ballistic missiles. "Additionally, the United States is imposing sanctions under the missile sanctions laws (i.e., the Arms Export Control Act [AECA] and the Export Control Reform Act [ECRA]) on three PRC-based entities, one PRC individual, and a Pakistani entity for ballistic missile proliferation activities: PRC-based firms Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Company, Universal Enterprise Limited, and Xi'an Longde Technology Development Company Limited (aka Lontek); PRC individual Luo Dongmei (aka Steed Luo); and Pakistani-based entity Innovative Equipment," the press statement read further. The State Department spokesperson further added that the US 'will continue to act' against proliferation and associated procurement activities of concern, wherever they occur. "These sanctions are being imposed because these entities and individuals knowingly transferred equipment and technology controlled under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Annex, in support of MTCR Category I missile programs, to a non-MTCR country," he said in a statement. The US had designated four entities targeting proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery previously as well. These entities too had supplied missile-applicable items to Pakistan's ballistic missile program, including its long-range missile program. The entities included Belarus-based Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant, which has worked to supply special vehicle chassis to Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile program. It further imposed sanctions on three Chinese entities, including, "Xi'an Longde Technology Development Company Limited", "Tianjin Creative Source International Trade Co Ltd" and "Granpect Company Limited." (ANI) (This story was updated to add new information.) VERO BEACH Breeze Airways is adding two destinations from Vero Beach Regional Airport Washington, D.C., and Ogdensburg, New York beginning Nov. 21. Nonstop flights to Washington Dulles International Airport will be on Thursdays and Sundays. Ogdensburg flights will include a layover at Dulles. After announcing service to New Haven from Vero Beach just a couple weeks ago, were back with more, said David Neeleman, Breeze Airways founder and CEO, in a news release Tuesday. Vero Beach has never seen service to Dulles, and connecting Vero Beach Regional Airport with the nations capital will no doubt be a huge addition for the community." Washington Dulles International Airport is about 26 miles west of downtown Washington. Ogdensburg International Airport is in northern New York state, across the St. Lawrence River from Canada and about 60 miles from the Canadian capital Ottawa. Poll: Vote for where you want Breeze Airways to fly next Breeze Airways: What to know about fares, routes, refunds and cancellation policies Other Breeze destinations Washington and Ogdensburg join Hartford, Connecticut; Islip, New York; Newburgh, New York; New Haven, Connecticut; Providence, Rhode Island; and White Plains, New York, as destinations. Breeze began flying into Vero Beach in 2023. The Cottonwood Heights, Utah, based airline was founded in 2021 by Neeleman, who also founded Morris Air, WestJet, JetBlue Airways and Azul Brazilian Airlines. In 1932, Eastern Airlines was the first passenger airline to serve Vero Beach. In the 1990s, USAir Express and American Eagle flew from the airport, but cut ties in 1996. In 2015, Elite Airways began service to and from the airport, but left left in 2022, creating the void that Breeze now fills. Nick Slater is TCPalm's Indian River County Watchdog reporter. You can reach him at Nick.Slater@tcpalm.com and 224-830-2875. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Breeze Airways flights from Vero Beach to Washington, D.C., Ogdensburg Former Abercrombie & Fitch chief executive officer Mike Jeffries is facing more allegations of sexual abuse in a new BBC report. After the BBCs initial investigation into the clothing chains former leader was released last fall, one of the alleged victims, David Bradberry, filed a civil action complaint in a New York federal court against Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith and Abercrombie & Fitch claiming that the company allowed Jeffries to run a sex-trafficking organization during his tenure. More from WWD On Friday, the BBC reported that eight more men have come forward alleging sexual exploitation and sexual abuse that was related to incidents which were said to have occurred between 2009 and 2015. The new allegations claim for the first time that Jeffries staff was involved in some instances. Last fall after what was a two-year investigation by its Panorama team, the BBC released The Abercrombie Guys documentary and podcast. Some accusers claimed they had been exploited or abused at the gatherings, which were said to have been held at Jeffries former home in the Hamptons, at Claridges in London, La Mamounia in Morocco and Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in the South of France. The events were said to have been held between 2009 and 2015, and the men were allegedly recruited by a middleman, James Jacobson. The men allegedly received cash for sexual acts. At that time, an Abercrombie & Fitch spokesperson said the company was appalled and disgusted and it had initiated an independent investigation. In November, Abercrombie & Fitch suspended Jeffries lifetime annual bonus of $1 million. Late last year Jeffries filed a lawsuit in Delaware asking that the legal fees that he is incurring for defending himself in the civil complaint be covered by Abercrombie & Fitch. In March, a judge reportedly ruled in his favor. Media requests to executives at Abercrombie & Fitch seeking comment about the new allegations were unreturned Monday. Jeffries and Smiths attorney Brian Bieber did not respond to media requests Monday, nor did a spokesperson at his firm Gray Robinson. There are also claims in the just-out BBC report that Jeffries assistants injected some attendees in the penis with what they were told was liquid Viagra, according to multiple men interviewed by the BBC. Some of the alleged victims described sex events including one in Jeffries presidential suite in a Madrid hotel in 2011 that was like a movie set of an Abercrombie store. That unnamed accuser said he had been offered the chance to appear in an advertisement for the brand, if he flew to Madrid to meet Jeffries. The accuser told the BBC that he thought we were going to do a photo shoot. What he allegedly found was a group of assistants in Abercrombie & Fitch uniforms polo shirts, jeans, and flip-flops folding clothes on a table pretending to be store workers in a dimly lit room that had erotic photos of mens abs on the dark walls. After allegedly being encouraged to act like one of the shirtless greeters who welcomed shoppers to Abercrombie & Fitch stores as was customary in the brands stores at that time, the victim was allegedly informed that two very important guests were going to be the customers that you need to impress and entertain because theyre going to be buying a lot of clothes from you. The accuser said that Jeffries and Smith then came out of a corner of the room, and Jeffries allegedly forcibly kissed him and then performed oral sex on him, despite him trying to say no repeatedly, according to the BBC report. A former model for the brand Keith Milkie claimed that one of Jeffries former assistants bragged about having done some work for Abercrombie & Fitch at the same time as working at the alleged sex events in the BBC article. Milkie could not be reached for comment Monday. In November, Bradberrys suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York alleged international sex trafficking and abuse of prospective models. The complaint said that Abercrombie & Fitch allegedly funded a criminal enterprise that Jeffries and his partner Smith orchestrated between 1992 and 2014. After turning the preppy label into a multibillion-dollar brand that was associated by many for its ad campaigns with muscular men, Jeffries exited the top job at Abercrombie & Fitch in 2014 after a 22-year run. Brad Edwards, a lawyer at the Crime Victim Law Firm who is representing Bradberry and other plaintiffs, said he and his team are still in the discovery phase of their civil action case and are gathering documents, speaking with witnesses and (alleged) victims, and are preparing to take depositions. Edwards said Monday, The BBC piece was another informative piece that continues to shed light on this important case. The number of victims is much, much higher than what has been reported and we continue to urge everyone, whether victim or witness to anything, to contact our office as soon as possible. One of the reportedly former attendees of the sex parties, Diego Guillen, confirmed Monday that he had been interviewed by Federal Bureau of Investigation officials and that for a period of time he had made wake-up calls to a list of people in 2011. Guillen told WWD that for some months in 2011, possibly seven, he was paid $500 to call a list of people to wake up. Hey, please wake up. You will be picked up at 8 in the morning. I dont have a list anymore. I dont know names. I dont remember anything about it. Later in Mondays interview, Guillen said that he had called only to wake them up. The BBCs report claimed that Guillen, who is now a Miami-based lawyer and real estate broker, said he had never had sex for money before. At that time unemployed and homeless, Guillen had reportedly said he did not feel exploited. Reached Monday, Guillen said he was not very pleased with how they laid it out in the BBC report, but he will maintain his story. I have no evidence that there was any abuse whatsoever in any of these events. None. Zero, he said. I find it incredibly unfair that, at this point in time there are so many men that are coming forth so many years after for one reason only, because they are trying to get money out of this. I think its absolutely gross. Guillen claimed that Jacobson had instructed him to make the calls. Nobody was an employee that I am aware of. I wasnt part of the organization. I never worked for Abercrombie & Fitch so I dont know if they were employees or how much they were getting paid, he said. Declining further questions, Guilen said that he was no longer interested in continuing to speak with the media about the matter. He said, Im sick of it. I dont want to be involved. I dont want to have anything to do with it any longer. I wish Matthew [Smith] and Michael [Jeffries] good luck with this in court. I hope that they prevail, because I think thats the fair thing. But if they dont, it is really no longer my problem. Guillen said that he has cooperated with the FBIs investigators, who visited his house. He said that he has been very kind to the BBC, because they were draining me over this. Guillen said that he felt an obligation to speak about the matter, because he finds it incredibly unfair that these people continue to press charges against Jeffries and Smith, based on allegations that are not true. And if they are true, lets say they are true for a minute, then I hope they have all of the evidentiary support to prove that their testimony is truthful. It must be corroborated, and there is no way to corroborate that. I hope they have pictures or videos or something. Jacobson could not be reached for comment Monday. Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. There are no incumbents in the race to become Missouri's 58th governor. Gov. Mike Parson, who served in the role since June 2018, is not running again. There are four candidates in the race: Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, a Republican; state Rep. Crystal Quade, a Democrat; Bill Slantz, a Libertarian; and Paul Lehmann, of the Green Party. Mike Kehoe, Republican Mike Kehoe Kehoe, who was appointed by Parson to serve as the state's 48th lieutenant governor in June 2018, was elected to a full term in 2020. He defeated eight Republican challengers in the primary to reach the Nov. 5 ballot. He was raised in North St. Louis City by a single mother and started working at age 15 to help pay the bills. Later, he owned an ambulance manufacturing company and then a car dealership. Elected to the Missouri Senate in 2010, Kehoe served as the majority floor leader. He previously served as chair of the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission. If elected, Kehoe said reducing crime will be his top priority. He wants to hire more law enforcement officers, enact laws that are stricter on fentanyl dealers and address immigration issues. He wants to improve teacher salaries and working environments, and expand career training. Crystal Quade, Democrat Crystal Quade Quade, a state representative who has represented a swath of Greene County in the Missouri House for eight years, was the first in her family to graduate from high school. She grew up in southwest Missouri and lives in Springfield, where she worked as a chapter services director for Care to Learn. Quade was first elected to the Missouri House in 2016 and was re-elected in 2018, 2020, and 2022. She has served as Minority Floor Leader for much of that time. She earned a reputation around the state for defending the party's position and helping to elect other progressive candidates. Quade defeated four Democratic challengers to reach the Nov. 5 ballot. If elected, she will advocate for abortion rights, support public education, stand up to corporate special interest and ban foreign ownership of agricultural land. Bill Slantz, Libertarian Bill Slantz Slantz, a native of New York, is the owner and founder of the W.G. Slantz Company, a radio and television consulting firm specializing in music performance rights. In the late 1990s, he relocated to St. Charles County, where he lives. He is the former chair of Missouri's Libertarian Party. If elected, he supports phasing out Social Security, income taxes, and a minimum wage. He supports no restrictions to free speech or laws governing abortion or guns. He said the free market should drive healthcare, energy, and wages. Paul Lehmann, Green Paul Lehmann Lehmann, who lives in Fayette, is a retired farmer. He has a bachelor's degree from Missouri State University and a master's degree in divinity from Eden Seminary in St. Louis. He was a minister in the United Church of Christ for more than three decades. Lehmann ran for Missouri Secretary of State in 2020, arguing that voting is a fundamental right and citizens should be automatically registered to vote at age 18. If elected, he wants to move away from using chemicals in agriculture, overhaul building codes to require new construction to be nearly independent of the grid, and replace part of Interstate 70 with a rapid transit rail line. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Four candidates for Missouri governor on the Nov. 5 ballot What happened: Pandey's body was discovered in her apartment on Aug. 26, two days after she had been killed. Security camera footage from the day of the crime captured her with Bobby Shah outside her unit. In the video, Pandey is heard asking, "What are you going to do?" to which Shah responded by racking his gun and telling her to open the door. According to KHOU 11, Pandey previously worked at a Hillcroft restaurant, where Shah was a frequent customer. His motive remains unknown. The violence occurred near the Porgera gold mine in Papua New Guinea's central highlands [Alamy] A series of shootouts between rival tribes over a disputed gold mine has left at least 30 people dead in Papua New Guinea, police said on Monday. Security forces have been given emergency powers to stop the fighting - including the use of "lethal force" - according to the country's police commissioner. Alcohol sales have been banned and an overnight curfew is in place, he added. Unrest had been brewing near the Porgera gold mine in the country's central highlands ever since members of the Sakar clan settled on land owned by their rivals, the Piande, sometime in August. Police say that on Sunday alone, more than 300 shots were fired by tribesmen, after peace talks between the clans had failed. "This deteriorating situation has been caused by illegal miners and settlers who are using violence to terrorise local communities and victimise traditional landowners," said Papua New Guinea's police commissioner David Manning. "Put simply, if you raise a weapon in a public place or to threaten another person, you will be shot," he added. There were reports in local media that the Canadian-owned mine - the second largest in Papua New Guinea - was briefly forced to cease operations as the fighting intensified. Buildings were set on fire and schools, hospitals and government offices in the region have been closed, according to the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier. [BBC] Tribal conflicts are a frequent occurrence in Papua New Guinea's highlands, but an influx of automatic weapons has "turbocharged" the most recent bout of violence, according to police. The Porgera gold mine once accounted for around 10 percent of Papua New Guinea's yearly export earnings, but tribal violence and a slow government takeover have stalled production in recent years. A witness, speaking to Radio New Zealand, described the recent levels of violence as "unprecedented". At least 26 people were killed, including 16 children, when three villages in East Sepik province were attacked earlier this year. In 2022, gunfights between rival clans living near the mine killed at least 17 people. Security teams have been posted along the highway leading to the mine, using loudhailers to broadcast messages of peace. Pope Francis urged Papua New Guinea to "stop the spiral" of violence during a visit earlier this month. "It is my particular hope that tribal violence will come to an end," he said. "It causes many victims, prevents people from living in peace and hinders development." The BBC has reached out to PNG Police for comment. Starmer looks to Italy on how to stop migrant boats Sir Keir Starmer has suggested he will study Italy's asylum processing deal with Albania as part of a "pragmatic" approach to tackling migrant boats crossing the English Channel. Speaking to reporters, the prime minister said he had discussed the "concept" of Italy's deal during talks in Rome with Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni. Meloni said Sir Keir had shown "great interest" in the planned scheme, under which some migrants rescued in Italian waters will be sent to the Balkan country to have their asylum claims processed. Sir Keir also said he was interested in Italy's model of paying north African countries to do more to stop boat crossings. He added that deals with Tunisia and Libya appears to have had quite a profound effect in helping Italy cut the number of migrant arrivals. The Labour government has scrapped a Conservative plan to send asylum seekers on a one-way ticket to Rwanda, where they would only be able to apply for refugee status in the east African nation. But it has indicated an interest in schemes under which migrants crossing the English Channel could have their applications to stay in the UK processed abroad. Italy's right-wing government, led by Meloni since October 2022, is not a natural political ally for Labour leader Sir Keir, but he has expressed an interest in learning from its tactics to counter illegal migration. Under its five-year deal with Albania, agreed last year, some migrants rescued by the Italian coastguard will be sent there to have their asylum claims processed in two centres funded and managed by Italy. In a key difference with the Rwanda plan, those that succeed will come to Italy as refugees. Those whose applications are rejected will be detained in Albania until they can be returned to their home countries. Only migrants from countries deemed safe by Italy - whose claims are more likely to be rejected - will be sent, whilst pregnant women, minors and other categories of vulnerable people will be excluded. An Italian-run migrant centre in the Albanian port of Shengjin is not yet operational [Getty Images] The scheme, which the Italian government says will cost 670m (564m), was meant to start in August but has been delayed, with Meloni saying it will be "few weeks before it gets going. It has been criticised by some right groups, who have questioned how failed asylum claims could be properly appealed and argued it could leave people in legal limbo. En route to Rome, Sir Keir said he was interested in learning about the scheme and later confirmed he had discussed it during his meeting with Meloni. The prime minister also discussed the model with Albanian counterpart Edi Rama during a summit of European leaders in July, when he said he wanted to "look at what works". Speaking at a press conference, Sir Keir said the impact of Italy's Albania deal was not yet clear because the scheme had yet to begin operating, but he had discussed "the concept of it" with Meloni. It is not clear, however, how likely it is such a deal could be replicated. Albania, which is seeking to bolster its longstanding application to join the EU, has suggested that such a deal is only with Italy, its closest ally in Europe. 'British pragmatism' Sir Keir also underlined he was also interested in Italy's agreements with north African countries, which have emerged as important hubs for migrants attempting to make the journey to Europe. Alongside the EU, Italy has granted Tunisia financial aid for education and energy projects in return for greater efforts to stop migrants crossing the Mediterranean. It has an agreement with the UN-backed Libyan government, under which Italy trains and funds the coastguard to intercept migrant boats. Both of those deals have proved controversial, attracting criticism from rights groups for the treatment of those stopped from crossing. Sir Keir told reporters this work to stop arrivals "upstream" was a "more likely factor than the Albania deal in explaining a 64% drop this year in the number of people crossing to Italy from Africa. "Preventing people leaving their country in the first place is far better than trying to deal with those that have arrived in any of our countries, so I was very interested in that," he added. "In a sense, today was a return - if you like - to British pragmatism. "We are pragmatists first and foremost. When we see a challenge we discuss with our friends and allies the different approaches that are being taken [and] look at what works." However, some Labour backbenchers have criticised their leader for seeking inspiration from Meloni's government. Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson called it "disturbing," whilst Nottingham East's Nadia Whittome said the UK should not be "taking lessons" from Italy. Video footage posted online showed migrants running across a hilltop through the border town of Fnideq - AFP Chaos erupted on Sunday near the fence separating Morocco and Ceuta, a Spanish enclave located on the African nations coast, as hundreds of young Moroccan men co-ordinated an attempt to illegally cross the border. Video footage posted online showed migrants running across a hilltop through the border town of Fnideq, the closest Moroccan town to the Spanish exclave. Moroccan security officers were forced to form a human barrier to stop the migrants from reaching the barbed wire fence into Spain. Officers then fired bullets into the air in an attempt to disperse the crowd. Groups of migrants were also caught attempting to swim on the beaches of Castillejos and Beliones, where the body of a Moroccan man was found. Moroccan authorities said they stopped the migrants from entering Spain, though they did not say how many people were detained. Spains two enclaves on Moroccos Mediterranean coast, Ceuta and Melilla, share the only land borders of the European Union with Africa. This means that autonomous cities experience sporadic waves of illegal migration crossings. The large-scale attempted crossing on Sunday came after authorities confirmed they had arrested at least 60 people last week over a social media campaign that was designed to incite migrants into making a mass crossing. The social media movement, which led to an increased police presence in the border region, saw Sept 15 being described as The Promised Day and the Great Escape. Dozens were detained on suspicion of fabricating and disseminating false information on TikTok and Instagram. Messages posted on the platforms urged young Moroccans to gather in Fnideq and then attempt to cross into Ceuta via the El Tarajal border. Heaviest security deployment ever in Fnideq Despite the arrests, Sundays mass crossing attempt still prompted the heaviest security deployment ever experienced in Fnideq, according to Mohammed Ben Aissa, a local human rights activist. But despite the increased police presence and several failed attempts, many migrants remain undeterred and have vowed to keep on trying to cross into the Spanish city. They do this deliberately to scare and keep us from trying again. But it wont stop us. Well keep coming back as many times as needed, one failed migrant told La Sexta, a Spanish TV channel. Similar attempts to cross the eight-kilometre Ceuta border into Spain occurred in August when hundreds of young Moroccan men tried to swim past immigration authorities. At least 11,300 attempts to cross into Ceuta were blocked in August, according to Moroccan authorities. Earlier this summer, Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish prime minister, visited Mauritania, Senegal, and Gambia, three countries where migrants often start their journeys to Spain. Mr Sanchez has spoken of the need to achieve better cooperation on migration with African countries owing to the increasing number of migrants attempting to cross the border in Ceuta and Melilla, as well as the Canary Islands, where arrivals have also soared. Figures show that the number of migrants arriving in the Canary Islands increased by 160 per cent between January and July 15 compared with a year ago, totalling almost 20,000 people. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. WELLS, Maine A local man was sentenced to 18 years in prison in what prosecutors described as a "horrific act of domestic violence" in which he stabbed a woman in the neck, burned her, and threatened to kill her on Christmas Day. Michael A. Scott, 42, was convicted of domestic violence elevated aggravated assault, kidnapping and domestic violence criminal threatening on Sept. 4 at the York Judicial Center, Biddeford, Maine. Michael A. Scott, 42, was convicted of domestic violence elevated aggravated assault, kidnapping and domestic violence criminal threatening on Sept. 4 at the York Judicial Center, Biddeford, Maine. Justice James Martemucci sentenced Scott to 26 years in prison, with all but 18 years suspended, for the charge of domestic violence elevated aggravated assault. Additionally, Scott received concurrent sentences of 18 years for kidnapping and 10 years for criminal threatening, meaning he will serve these sentences at the same time as his main sentence. The conviction and sentence were announced Monday by York County District Attorney Kathryn Slattery. "We are grateful for the bravery of the victim of this horrific act of domestic violence," said Slattery. "We are gratified that the court recognized the severity of the crime and sentenced the defendant to a lengthy prison term." The charges stem from a domestic violence assault on Christmas Day 2022 when Scott attacked his female victim in Biddeford. Prosecutors said Scott stabbed her in the neck with a knife and strangled her with a pillow until she lost consciousness. He also bound her with duct tape, burned her, and threatened to kill her. The victim suffered significant injuries, including severe burns and the amputation of four fingers. She was hospitalized for seven weeks as she recovered from her injuries. Scott was arrested Jan. 12, 2023, by the U.S. Marshals Service Maine Violent Offender Task Force on a warrant issued by the Biddeford Police Department. He was accused of engaging in a course of conduct that manifested in a depraved indifference to the value of human life and resulted in serious bodily injury for the victim. The York County District Attorneys Office expressed its appreciation to the Biddeford Police Department, Sanford Police Department, the Maine State Police Crime Lab, the U.S. Marshals Service, and other organizations for their assistance in this case. If you need help As a community service, the following information is published with stories in which domestic and/or sexual violence is alleged, while making no judgment on the guilt or innocence of the accused: If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please reach out to Caring Unlimited at 1-800-239-7298 for support. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Wells man sentenced to 18 years for 'horrific' Christmas Day assault Police take a suspect into custody as they investigate the scene of where a police officer was shot responding to an alleged home invasion, in the 7100 block of Alderney Drive on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 in Houston. According to Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz, two men knocked on the door of a home and rushed in as soon as the homeowner opened it. A nearby neighbor immediately called 911. As officers approached the right side of the home, police said a suspect in a hoodie shot at one of the officers in his "lower extremities." The officer returned fire, Diaz said. The officer was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital. Two suspects have been taken into custody. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Has Wisconsin nearly doubled its budget to attract tourists? State Sen. Rob Cowles says so Is Wisconsin doubling down on efforts to attract visitors? One Wisconsin lawmaker says funding for the states tourism department is up nearly 100%. The most recent State Budget increased funding for the Department of Tourism by 98%, state Sen. Rob Cowles, R-Green Bay, said July 12, 2024, during the Weekly GOP radio address posted on WisPolitics.com, as he hailed the importance of attracting tourists to the Badger State. Cowles address was made just a few days before the Republican National Convention, held July 15-18, 2024, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Cowles referenced the RNC along with the upcoming NFL Draft, set for April 2426, 2025, in Green Bay as important milestones for Wisconsins tourism industry. In his radio address, Cowles pointed out that tourists bring their wallets with them, and the money they spend patronizing local businesses and restaurants makes a difference in local communities and statewide. We were intrigued by Cowles' claim that funding had nearly doubled. Is he right? Budget summary When asked for backup, the senators staff pointed to data from the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, a state government agency that provides fiscal and program information and analyses. A summary prepared by the bureau on the state Department of Tourisms 2023-25 budget shows a table that puts the 2023-25 change at 97.8%. For simplicity in the radio address you are referencing, I rounded up to 98% to avoid the need to verbalize decimals in the radio address, Cowles said in an email to PolitiFact Wisconsin. Cowles, in the email to PolitiFact Wisconsin, explained that tourism spending ensures that more people learn about Wisconsin, and When visitors come to Wisconsin, we build a stronger tourism industry, which drives a stronger economy. The senator also touted tourism as a great return on investment. Visitors will spend their money here, leaving funds with small businesses throughout the state and generating additional revenues for local governments and the state government, he told PolitiFact in an email. Here is a breakdown of the fiscal bureaus calculations: Tourism funding for fiscal year 2022-23 is $18,287,700. But the bureau uses a two-year budget system so the base year is doubled to $36,575,400 for the budget. Total funding for fiscal years 2023-25 is $72,343,900. Subtract $36,575,400 from that and you get $35,768,500 for one year and that equals an increase of 97.8% True State's role In a June 11, 2024 news release, Travel Wisconsin announced the 2023-25 biennial budget signed by Gov. Tony Evers invested approximately $35 million over the two-year period to raise Wisconsins profile across the country as a premier business, cultural and recreational destination. This is the largest increase in marketing and advertising funds for the Wisconsin Department of Tourism in state history, and with this investment, the department will be able to run a competitive marketing campaign and keep pace with neighboring states, Travel Wisconsin said in the news release. Meanwhile, Evers office noted that when the governor introduced his 2023-25 budget, it proposed making more than $117 million in additional investments to bolster the states tourism industry, including efforts to expand existing programs such as the Tourism Capital Investment Grant Program, increase support for marketing and advertising initiatives, attract and recruit large-scale events and conventions to Wisconsin, and provide for the local arts with innovative programs and funds. In total, the final budget included less than half than what Gov. Evers originally requested to support the tourism industry in Wisconsin, Evers communications director Britt Cudaback said in an email to PolitiFact Wisconsin. Our ruling Cowles said: The most recent State Budget increased funding for the Department of Tourism by 98%. The states nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau confirmed the nearly 98% figure, so the math is correct. The governors office did object to Cowles radio address statements, saying that some of the funding requested in the governors budget aimed at tourism was removed or cut back by Republican legislators. Be that as it may, the nearly 98% figure touted by Cowles in his radio address is right on the money. For a statement that is accurate and theres nothing significant missing, our rating is True. Sources This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Politifact Wisconsin: Sen. Cowles says state doubled tourism spending TOKYO, Sep 17 (News On Japan) - Sharp, a major home appliance manufacturer, has unveiled its first electric vehicle (EV) as part of its move into the electric vehicle market, with a five-seater 'extended livingroom' EV Sharp van. The rear seats are a standout feature. While the windows allow a clear view of the outside, they can be closed off with liquid crystal shutters, transforming the space into a private area. Positioned as an "extended living room," the interior comes equipped with Sharp's signature home appliances, including monitors and air purifiers as standard features. The vehicle can also be operated via voice commands, utilizing Sharps proprietary AI and sensor technology. For production, Sharp will collaborate with its parent company, Taiwans Foxconn, which specializes in EV manufacturing and design. The company aims to bring the vehicle to market in a few years. Source: ANN TOKYO, Sep 17 (News On Japan) - Land prices across Japan have been rising for four consecutive years, with North Kanto emerging as a key area of interest due to its favorable living conditions. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism recently announced the 2024 benchmark land prices, which serve as an important indicator for land transactions nationwide. Notably, Onna Village in Okinawa saw the most significant increase in residential land prices, rising by 29%, driven by the influx of new residents, partly due to increased inbound tourism. Meanwhile, in commercial areas, Ozu Town in Kumamoto recorded a 33.3% rise, thanks to the expansion of Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer TSMC. Experts point out that areas with convenient transportation and a family-friendly environment tend to see more relocation, leading to land price hikes. Mika Kasamatsu, Deputy Editor of Suumo, highlighted that towns with easy accessibility and good childcare services are particularly attractive to families. Utsunomiya City in Tochigi Prefecture is one such example, where land prices have been increasing for four consecutive years. The city opened a next-generation light rail transit (LRT) system in August 2023, enhancing transportation options. Additionally, Utsunomiya has prioritized childcare, maintaining a "zero waitlist" for daycare for seven years and offering free medical care for children up to high school seniors. With the growing acceptance of remote work, more people are choosing to live in areas outside city centers. Former Japan national swimmer Takeshi Matsuda noted that, for many families, deciding where to raise children and what kind of education they will receive is a strong motivator for relocation. Matsuda himself considered moving to a more spacious area outside Tokyo when his child was born, prioritizing a comfortable living environment over proximity to his workplace. Climate is also playing an increasing role in relocation decisions. Cooler regions, particularly summer resort towns like Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture, have attracted a growing number of residents, leading to a 14.3% rise in land prices. Karuizawas mild climate has made it particularly appealing to families with children. As a result, student numbers at Karuizawa Seibu Elementary School have surged, increasing by 58 students across all grades over the past five years, forcing the school to rely on temporary classrooms. Katsuura City in Chiba Prefecture is another area benefiting from its climate. The city has not recorded a day with temperatures above 35C since 1906, attracting residents seeking relief from the heat. In 2024, relocation inquiries in Katsuura more than doubled compared to the previous year, with the city promoting its mild winters and comfortable summers as key selling points. In southern Japan, Nichinan City in Miyazaki Prefecture has been drawing attention for its warm climate and abundant seafood. The city enjoys an average annual temperature of 18.7C and over 2,200 hours of sunshine each year, about 170 more hours than Tokyo. This abundance of sunshine has contributed to lower utility costs for residents, with one individual reporting a noticeable reduction in energy bills since relocating from Tokyo four years ago. To encourage more people to consider relocation, Nichinan City offers a free trial program. Families can stay in designated housing with panoramic views of the Nichinan coast for three to ten days, allowing them to experience life in the city before committing to a permanent move. The citys natural beauty, warm climate, and trial relocation program have made it an attractive option for those considering a move. Overall, the steady rise in land prices reflects a growing trend of people seeking to live in regions outside major metropolitan areas. With improved transportation, family-friendly policies, favorable climates, and lower living costs, towns like Utsunomiya, Karuizawa, and Nichinan are becoming increasingly popular relocation destinations. As remote work reshapes where people can live, these regional areas are expected to continue experiencing growth in the coming years. Source: TBS TOKYO, Sep 18 (News On Japan) - Seven members of the organized crime group 'Chinese Dragon,' including 50-year-old Kazujirou Shirai, were arrested for disrupting business operations by causing a public disturbance in front of an Apple store in Omotesando, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. The incident occurred over a five-day period in September last year, during which the group repeatedly shouted loudly and interfered with the store's operations. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, the Chinese Dragon gang had gathered in large numbers, with two separate groups forming outside the store to purchase the newly released iPhone models for resale purposes. However, tensions flared between the groups over how the queue was organized, leading to heated arguments. As a result of the disruption, the store halted in-person sales of the iPhones, limiting purchases to pre-orders only. Source: ANN OKINAWA, Sep 18 (News On Japan) - The village of Onna in Okinawa has recorded the highest land price increase in Japan, with prices for some areas rising by 29%. The average nationwide land price has increased by 1.4% for the third consecutive year, but the sharpest growth is seen in residential areas like Onna Village. Situated along the central coast of Okinawa Island, Onna is famous for its clear blue waters, perfect for snorkeling and diving, and beautiful coral reefs. A key factor behind this surge is the growing number of people relocating to the village. One such family, the Michi family, moved from Osaka last year. The husband, who previously worked in construction, now runs a print shop in Okinawa. Their move was prompted by a suggestion from the wife after frequent trips to the island. We used to visit Okinawa twice a month for vacations. One day we wondered, why not just live here? explained the wife. With the influx of new residents, Onna Village's population has now exceeded 11,000. Many newcomers are also from Osaka, and they bring a sense of community to the growing village. However, living in Okinawa comes with its own challenges. The cost of vegetables can be three times higher than on the mainland, and importing goods from outside Okinawa further increases expenses. Despite these challenges, the family finds that their overall lifestyle is more economical, and they enjoy a simpler way of life with easy access to the beach. The booming demand for property has also attracted the construction of resort hotels along the coast, catering to the growing tourist demand. In Onna Village, rents can reach 200,000 yen, and the number of foreign residents has also been steadily rising. The villages natural beauty and the increasing flow of both domestic and international tourists suggest that its popularity will only continue to grow. Source: ANN FUKUOKA, Sep 18 (News On Japan) - The endangered Shimagengorou, a fast-swimming beetle known to inhabit still waters such as ponds and rice paddies, has been captured for the first time in 20 years in Ukiha City, Fukuoka Prefecture. Due to the use of pesticides and land development, the beetle is now on the brink of extinction. Kiyoshi Ota, an advisor to the Underwater Biology Research Society at Daiichi Pharmaceutical University High School, commented: "It's one of the most beautiful species of diving beetle, with golden streaks running through its body. Its truly a stunning creature." Despite its beauty and high ornamental value, it has become increasingly difficult to find. On the evening of September 8, Ota ventured into a mountainous area of Ukiha City in search of aquatic insects. While investigating a pond, he felt there might be something unusual and decided to cast his net. To his surprise, he captured three Shimagengorou beetles. The reason for their presence in Ukiha City is currently under investigation. The Shimagengorou beetle, rediscovered after 20 years, will be exhibited to the public along with other species at a school festival in October. Source: ANN By Ikenna Ngere Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have apprehended Shizzer Joy Nasara Bada, the former Commissioner of Finance and Accountant General under Nasir el-Rufais administration in Kaduna State. Bada was reportedly arrested on Sunday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos while attempting to travel abroad. The arrest comes amid growing suspicions that Bada might be fleeing the country due to ongoing corruption investigations linked to both herself and former Governor el-Rufai. ICPC officials had reportedly been tracking her movements after receiving intelligence that she might attempt to evade questioning. This move is part of a broader investigation targeting several high-ranking officials from el-Rufais administration. According to Saharareporters, sources suggest the scrutiny is centered on alleged financial mismanagement during their time in office, with multiple individuals under investigation for their roles. The Kaduna State House of Assembly recently indicted el-Rufai for allegedly embezzling N423 billion from the state treasury. Though the exact charges against Bada have not yet been disclosed, insiders believe they involve significant financial irregularities and misappropriation of public funds. Badas arrest has sparked widespread speculation, with many questioning whether this marks the start of a larger investigation into the former governors administration. The ICPC is expected to release further details as the investigation progresses, potentially revealing the extent of corruption within the previous leadership. Former Governor el-Rufai, meanwhile, has launched a legal challenge against the Kaduna State House of Assembly after it accused his administration of mismanaging N432 billion during his eight-year tenure. His attorney, Abdulhakeem Mustapha, filed a fundamental rights lawsuit in June, seeking to contest the claims made against him. By Udeze Ekene The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has withdrawn its threat to boycott Saturdays governorship election in Edo State. The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and the states PDP Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, said the decision followed a review of commitments from Nigeria Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The PDP reached the decision in a caucus meeting, the video of which was obtained by African Independent Television (AIT) on Tuesday. The meeting had Governor Obaseki, Aziegbemi and the partys governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, among others in attendance. Addressing newsmen, Obaseki and Aziegbemi advised Edo citizens to come out en mass to vote for the partys candidate. We, as a caucus, are pleased with the current utterances from the security agencies in Nigeria. We want to particularly appreciate the statement issued by the Inspector General of Police, making a commitment to support the peace process to ensure that theres a level playing field for all the players. And we endorse his efforts to draft a lot more men to Edo to support the elections on Saturday. We are also pleased with the preparations of INEC so far. And we have every reason to trust what the authorities of INEC have committed to, Governor Obaseki said. On his part, Aziegbemi added, We are ready for the elections. We believe very strongly that the programs we put together will lead us to victory. And that our people, Edo people, should not be afraid to come out on the 21st of September to cast their votes. We believe that we are one. We believe that nobody will come and hurt his or her brother or sister at the polling unit. And we think that, together, we will make the right choice and Edo will be better for it. By Enioluwa Adeniyi The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, on Monday, directed his lawyers to institute a suit against the senator representing Edo north, Adams Oshiomhole, over defamatory allegations. According to Ighodalo, the former governor of the state had accused him of involvement in Planwell, a ponzi scheme that surfaced in Edo state in the early 1990s. Oshiomole during a campaign rally on Saturday had said, People of my age and even younger have not forgotten how Asue Ighodalo and all his associates were involved in what they call Planwell. Planwell was set up as an institution where you deposit 10,000 in the morning by tomorrow it becomes 15,000, and after six months, people were defrauded, and the institution disappeared. And they became rich, and Edo people became pauperised. In a response to the allegations through his counsel, Ayo Asala, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ighodalo described Oshiomoles comment as false, defamatory, and malicious. A letter by Ighodalos lawyer and addressed to Oshiomhole reads, It is sad to note that despite your status as an elder and holder of a public office, you appear to have developed a pattern of spewing false statements in the public domain purely for the achievement of your political ends. This baseless, unfounded, false, and malicious allegation has become another in a long line of such defamatory fabrications and statements made by you in respect of our client in the recent past. Our client is an accomplished Nigerian legal practitioner and a corporate leader whose impressive resume from birth up till the current day is entirely in the public domain, and our client has absolutely no connection with and could never have been involved in any manner whatsoever with the purported Planwell scheme with which you have seriously defamed our clients reputation. It is clear that the fabrication of the unfounded and false story regarding the purported involvement of our client in the said Planwell scheme or any other financial scheme whatsoever is a figment of your imagination and a story fabricated purely for the purpose of denigrating the good character and reputation of our client for the achievement of the political purpose of advancing the sinking fortunes of your political party and candidate in the forthcoming Edo state gubernatorial elections. Our client has been inundated with calls and other contacts from concerned members of the public who heard your said allegations on electronic and social media, as a result of which our client has suffered enormous unwarranted reputational damage arising from the lies and baseless fabrications of which you have become the purveyor. Ighodalo is demanding an immediate and unqualified retraction and apology for your false, defamatory, and malicious statements, which should be published in at least two national television networks and three nationally circulating newspapers. Pay to our client damages in the sum of 20 billion Naira for your false, defamatory, and malicious statements referred to herein. Take notice that it is our clients instructions that we immediately institute appropriate proceedings against you for damages in the sum of twenty (20) billion Naira (N20,000,000,000.00) for your said false, malicious, irresponsible, and damaging statements made against our client without any foundation whatsoever in fact. Further take notice that such action will be instituted without further notice or correspondence to you in that regard whatsoever. A custodian works in a bathroom at Durham Elementary School on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 in Houston. The school is among several campuses that would see infrastructure improvements if Houston ISD's $4.4 billion school bond passes in November. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Texas law prohibits public school districts, including Houston ISD, from directly advocating for school bond measures but they can inform voters about whats in the proposal. The Texas Election Code bars public employees, including teachers, principals and school board members, from spending public funds to advocate for or against any candidate or measure on the ballot, including a bond. They also cannot spend funds on any communication that is reasonably likely" to influence a voter to vote for or against a measure. Under the law, HISD can only use public funds to factually describe the details of its $4.4 billion proposal or produce explanatory material about what is at stake in the Nov. 5 election where the measure is on the ballot. If passed, the bond would spend funds on rebuilding and renovating schools, lead abatement, pre-k expansion and other upgrades without raising taxes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jim Whitton, of counsel for law firm Brackett & Ellis, said the political advertising and electioneering laws are in place to prevent public entities from spending taxpayer dollars to influence the outcome of an election. However, he said the line between advocacy for a bond and informing voters about a proposal is "vague" and "dull," and its a case-by-case basis on what exactly crosses it. Of course, the school board wants the bond issue to pass, Whitton said. They wouldn't have called a bond election if they didn't want to pass. But they can't say, We want you to vote in favor of this. They can just put out materials that actually say, Here's what's going to be built if the bond election passes. According to the Texas Ethics Commission, district employees can violate the law by using motivational slogans such as good schools are the foundation of a good community or every child deserves a good education when communicating about the bond. Its also a violation to include calls to action like put children first or show that you care about education, or phrases like vote for, support, vote against, defeat, reject, or cast your ballot for in communication related to a bond election, according to the commission. Advertisement Article continues below this ad However, district employees can say what the bond is expected to fund if approved, such as, in HISDs case, spending $375 million on three new Career and Technical Education centers, $445 million on technology upgrades or more than $500 million on heating, ventilation and air conditioning improvements. It's difficult line to toe, for school administrators to describe the need for a bond in a way that doesn't sound like you're promoting voting for the bond, Mark Tilley, the division director of legal services for the Texas Association of School Boards. You can imagine that's a difficult thing to do sometimes, and there's certainly some gray area. Tilley said the law allows employees to express their support for a measure in a personal capacity, but not to, for example, use their district email to advocate in favor of a measure. District employees could face up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $4,000 if they advocate for or against a bond with public resources, but they are allowed to spend their own time and resources on advocacy. School board trustees and employees don't lose their First Amendment rights just because of these prohibitions in state law, Tilley said. They provide guardrails on how public funds can be used, how school district resources can be used, but they can't prohibit somebody from voicing their opinion on their own time. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texans can file a sworn complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission if they believe a public institution or employee has violated the law, setting in motion a process that may include a preliminary review or hearings. The commission will either dismiss the complaint or impose a fine on the person who violated the law. 'A LIFETIME OF HURT:' Family of late HISD student hopes his death will improve student safety In addition to the commission, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has recently said he will stop school districts from using taxpayer funds to encourage employees to vote in a certain way. He has sued seven school districts, including Huffman, Frisco and Denton ISDs, this year after administrators allegedly encouraged employees to vote for pro-public education candidates. It's really difficult for school administrators to know where that line (between advocacy and informing) is, and trustees for that matter, Whitton said. I think with the fear of getting sued by the Attorney General, that many board members and administrators may choose just not to advocate because there's some risk involved. Julius Abure By David Onna The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has instructed Julius Abure to stop presenting himself as the LP chairman. According to reports, this position was detailed in a counter-affidavit filed by Ayuba Mohammed, an Executive Officer in INECs Litigation and Prosecution Department, in suit NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024. This was in response to a suit by the Labour Party contesting its exclusion from the commissions refresher training for uploading party agents before the Edo and Ondo gubernatorial elections. The development follows the expiration of Abures tenure on June 9, 2024, as confirmed by the partys Board of Trustees Secretary, Salisu Mohammad. INEC claimed it did not monitor, participate in, or recognise the purported National Convention of the Labour Party held on March 27, 2024, in Anambra, where Abure claimed to have been re-elected. The Commission argued that the convention was conducted in breach of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, INECs regulations and guidelines for political parties 2022, and the Labour Party constitution 2019. Citing its regulations, INEC stated that it only deals with valid and subsisting national chairmen and secretaries of political parties in issuing notices and correspondence. The Labour Party has been embroiled in a leadership crisis, with Lamidi Apapa declaring himself the original chairman, opposing the INEC-recognised Abure faction. In a bid to resolve the crisis, the National Executive Committee (NEC) established a 29-man Caretaker Committee, led by Nenadi Usman, to conduct democratic congresses and elect new party leadership at all levels. The leadership crisis has sparked concerns about the partys future, with some members accusing Abures leadership of illegalities and corruption. By Kazeem Biriowo US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., has disclosed that more Nigerians study in the United States than from any other African country. The Ambassador, while speaking on Tuesday at the 23rd Annual EducationUSA College Fair in Abuja, also mentioned that more than 17,600 Nigerian students studied at over 970 institutions across all 50 states and the District of Columbia last year. He noted that the event highlights the strong people-to-people ties between the United States and Nigeria. It is wonderful to see the flourishing interest from Nigerians considering studying in the United States and from representatives of U.S. colleges and universities who travel to Nigeria to meet with prospective students. Our Embassy-sponsored College Fair provides a great opportunity to obtain current information on studying in the United States and to discuss career possibilities. The Ambassador also noted that the annual College Fairs have significantly increased the number of excellent applicants to U.S. institutions and boosted financial aid and scholarship opportunities for Nigerian students. Last year, over $30 million (47.7 billion naira) in financial aid, scholarships, and assistantships were awarded to students advised by EducationUSA Nigeria, with 73 students supported through the Opportunity Funds Program in Abuja and Lagos. Many of those students attend a diverse range of institutions in the United States, from small liberal arts colleges to large state universities. Today, we have assembled an equally diverse group. Representatives from 50 U.S. colleges and universities are here, and we are thrilled you made the trip. Those of us who live here are well acquainted with the talent, intellect, and energy of Nigerias students. We look forward to continuing our partnership for education with Nigeria. Access to quality education is essential for equitable economic growth, improving health indicators, advancing gender equality, and promoting socioeconomic progress. A prosperous and stable Nigeria benefits both Nigeria and the United States, and it all starts with education. Studying in the United States also creates new friendships that will last a lifetime. You will experience the tapestry of American culture and hopefully gain a better understanding of us as Americans. And you will share your countrys rich and vibrant culture with your new American friends, whose horizons will broaden as a result. Our Public Diplomacy team from the Embassy will be on hand to answer questions and provide guidance. We also have representatives from the U.S. Embassy Consular section here to explain their role in international education. I hope you will take advantage of this great opportunity today and that attending a U.S. college or university is in your very near future. By Timi Owolabi Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has hit out at Federal Capital Terrritory, FCT, Minister Nyesom Wike, calling him a frustrated politician. Mohammed was reacting to Wikes threat to put fire in the states of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governors for showing solidarity to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. DAILY POST recalls that the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum, PDP-GF, had earlier berated the minister for making the threat. Reacting to Wikes threat while receiving members of the PDP National Working Committee in Bauchi on Tuesday, Mohammed described Wike as a frustrated politician. He also stated that disagreements within the party are never personal and should not be misunderstood. Dismissing Wikes threat, the governor assured that Bauchi is strong enough to handle any challenges. Mohammed downplayed the comments made by his frustrated friend, reaffirming their personal relationship and his commitment to leadership. When we argue, its never personal, and no one should misunderstand that. We are united; this is not a splinter group. As you can see, we are united in Bauchi. No one can set Bauchi on fire. Bauchi has enough water to put out any fire. My friend who made that comment is simply frustrated. Perhaps I said something that upset him, but its not personal. My friend remains my friend, my work is my work, and leadership remains leadership, he said. The governor also reiterated the need for party members to unite in order to prevent the collapse of the PDP, which he credited for being responsible for most of the developments in the country. In his remarks, the National Legal Advisor of the PDP, Kamaldeen Ajibade Adeyemi, SAN, reassured the governor of the NWCs support We believe it is important to stand with you and to let you know that whatever steps the Governors Forum takes, we, as the National Working Committee, will always be ready to implement them, he said. Megan Menchaca is a Houston Independent School District reporter for the Houston Chronicle and the co-author of The Report Card. She can be reached at megan.menchaca@houstonchronicle.com. Megan joined the Chronicle in 2023 after working as the higher education reporter for the Austin American-Statesman. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in journalism and government. The campaign for Tunisias presidential election kicked off on Saturday, September 14, with the three candidates engaging in various activities like field visits, manifestos, and press conferences. However, the atmosphere is tense, as one of the contenders, Ayachi Zammel, has been imprisoned for allegedly falsifying sponsorships. Zammel, an industrialist with liberal leanings, is notably absent from his own campaign launch. His detention has prevented him from presenting his platform directly to the public. Anticipating this, his team prepared a series of pre-recorded videos featuring Zammel, with the first released on Saturday evening. On Monday, September 16, his supporters gathered in downtown Tunis, condemning what they described as judicial tactics aimed at silencing their candidate. We hope that the prisoner Ayachi Zammel will be released as soon as possible. Candidate Ayachi Zammel wants peaceful elections. Tunisians have no other choice than the peaceful way and elections, said Ramzi Jebabli, Ayachi Zammels campaign manager. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called for the swift appointment of a new UN envoy to Libya. He made this appeal during a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati in Moscow. The Egyptian Foreign Minister on his part emphasized the need for the Libyan people to determine their own future. He also stressed the importance of ending the conflict in Sudan. Currently, Stephanie Koury is fulfilling the duties of the UN envoy after Abdoulaye Bathily resigned in mid-April. Koury has been engaging in talks with various Libyan political factions, but no new envoy has been appointed to replace Bathily. Bathily stepped down after his initiative to bring together the five key Libyan political groups for negotiations failed, hindering efforts to resolve the issues that had blocked the 2021 elections. The U.S. has completed the withdrawal of its troops from Niger, according to an official announcement on Monday. A small contingent of military personnel remains to secure the U.S. Embassy, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said. Earlier this year, Nigers military government terminated an agreement allowing U.S. forces to operate in the country. This culminated in a joint statement declaring that U.S. troops would fully withdraw by mid-September. While the U.S. transferred its last bases to Nigers authorities in August, some American soldiers stayed on for administrative purposes to oversee the exit. The U.S. withdrawal marks a significant change in counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel, a region where groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State operate. One such group, Jamaa Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), is active in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, and seeks to expand further into neighboring countries. Niger had been one of the few partners Western nations relied on to combat extremist groups in the Sahel. The U.S., France, and other European nations had stationed over 2,500 troops in the region, investing heavily in military training and support. However, Niger has shifted away from these Western alliances in recent months, turning to Russia for military assistance, including the arrival of Russian trainers to bolster the countrys air defense capabilities. Three supporters of the terrorist organization ISIS were arrested this Tuesday by the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) for their alleged involvement in the preparation of several terrorist plots aimed at seriously undermining Moroccos security and public order The arrest was conducted on the basis of information provided by the services of the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) and is part of ongoing efforts to counter terrorist threats. Elements of the DGSTs Special Forces initiated intervention and arrest procedures in separate operations targeting the suspects aged between 18 and 39 in the cities of Fez and Fnideq, as well as in the rural commune of Ouled Ghanem (El Jadida province), the BCIJ said in a statement. Searches carried out at the homes of the suspects led to the seizure of electronic media, which will be subjected to the necessary digital expertise, as well as knifes, a Daesh emblem drawn on a piece of wood, and manuscripts of an extremist nature. According to preliminary investigations, the suspects, who pledged allegiance to the so-called khalifa of ISIS organization, were effectively involved in the preparation of their terrorist plots and acquired expertise in the manufacture of explosive devices, with a view to executing their subversive plans targeting several vital services in the Kingdom as part of individual terrorism operations, the statement pointed out. The suspects were taken into custody to complete the investigation with a view to elucidating all their terrorist plots and projects, and identifying any ramifications with terrorist organizations abroad. Miles Peterson caught Lauren Lundgren completely by surprise with his marriage proposal. The two had met in their sophomore year of college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He was majoring in agriculture economics and Lauren in child, youth and family studies. Miles liked her outgoing personality and she liked his easy go-with-the-flow personality. We really clicked right away, Lauren said. Its true what they say, opposites attract. In May of their senior year, Laurens girlfriends told her they were going to do a last girls get-together before their graduation a few weeks later. They decided to meet at James Author Vineyards near Lincoln. In my head I thought nothing of it, Lauren said. We all got dressed up, and once we got there, we went to take pictures and thats where I saw Miles at the top of the hill waiting for me. It was very special. The Petersons were married in March and now live in Bertrand, where Miles farms corn and soybeans. Thats 45 minutes west of Kearney. Lauren, who went to Millard West, said shes adjusting well to farm life. Shes also started her own day care. I definitely had to get used to not getting my Amazon packages in one day, but that adjustment hasnt been too bad, she said. I love how slow paced things are out here, and I enjoy getting to watch Miles do what he loves from start to finish every year. Finding the right time Since Miles is a farmer, they had to pick a day for the wedding that wasnt during harvest or planting. That left us with the winter months or the dead of summer. I was trying to dodge both of those seasons, so March felt like a great in-between, Lauren said. They went for a timeless and elegant celebration, with lots of black and whites with little greenery. Their tablecloths were ivory with black napkins. Centerpieces were white florals and greenery. Our head table was the trickiest thing for myself to think of what I wanted, Lauren said. Barbie at Hy-Vee Florals nailed my vision. Lots of single flower vases all along the head table. It was perfect. Memorable moment Their private first look before the ceremony and sharing their vows together was a sweet moment theyll never forget. Being alone together was so special and a lot less nerve-wracking, Lauren said. We were able to take it all in and enjoy each others words and raw emotions. Band wins over DJ Food and drinks were their biggest expense with 415 guests. They opted for a band over a DJ, but said it was worth every penny. Downtown Collective knocked it out of the park. They were incredible, Lauren said. So many compliments on how amazing their performance was, and I cant tell you how awesome and easy they were to work with. We love them. They wanted their dog to be a part of their day, so they printed a couple of Fathead photos of her and had her on the dance floor. Everyone got a kick out of that. A corny moment saved They were serving popcorn during cocktail hour and had cute custom popcorn bowls for their guests. However, they forgot to pick up the popcorn the Friday before the wedding. Thankfully our wedding coordinator at 402 Events caught the mistake while setting up, and my brothers friend was able to run and pick it up in time for cocktail hours, Lauren said. I had no idea until a couple days after that it all happened. The couple said their Memory Box Photo Booth was a hit. Its called the Glam Booth. It ended up being one of our most complimented things at our wedding, Lauren said. Pizza anyone? Theyve gotten a lot of use out of their Ooni Pizza Oven. It works great for a fun date night at home, Lauren said, and weve been able to make so many different kinds of pizzas. We love it. Rocking his wedding ring Lauren says she never realized how good Miles would look wearing his wedding band. She feels so lucky to be called his wife and appreciates how patient and loving he is. Our wedding day was absolutely perfect because of him, and I thank him all the time for putting up with me during the planning process. He was always my reminder that not everything has to be perfect and the day will be amazing. Miles said Lauren is a gift from God. She motivates me to be a better person every single day. Her compassionate and loving attitude makes every day with her such a joy, he said. She has been the most incredible wife and my love grows larger for her every single day. Close The Petersons walk down the aisle at Kountze Memorial Church. The Petersons leave the church. Miles and Lauren Peterson met as students at Nebraska-Lincoln. The reception at the Durham Museum. They used black and white for their reception at Durham Museum. It was able to fit around 415 guests. "I liked how grand and open it was," Lauren said. The special popcorn bowls for guests. They decorated with white flowers. The reception at Durham Museum. They had 415 guests. The wedding party. The Petersons enjoying their reception. A tender moment during the reception. Cutting the wedding cake. They loved having a band instead of a DJ. Lauren and friends in the photo booth. The Petersons are living in Bertrand on a farm. The photo of Lauren and her friends in the photo booth. The newlyweds. Omahan, Bertrand farmer celebrate wedding at the Durham Museum The Petersons walk down the aisle at Kountze Memorial Church. The Petersons leave the church. Miles and Lauren Peterson met as students at Nebraska-Lincoln. The reception at the Durham Museum. They used black and white for their reception at Durham Museum. It was able to fit around 415 guests. "I liked how grand and open it was," Lauren said. The special popcorn bowls for guests. They decorated with white flowers. The reception at Durham Museum. They had 415 guests. The wedding party. The Petersons enjoying their reception. A tender moment during the reception. Cutting the wedding cake. They loved having a band instead of a DJ. Lauren and friends in the photo booth. The Petersons are living in Bertrand on a farm. The photo of Lauren and her friends in the photo booth. The newlyweds. Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), the Republican vice presidential nominee, delivers remarks at a campaign event in Philadelphia, Aug. 6, 2024. Vance characterized his new opponent, Tim Walz, as a San Francisco-style liberal who represents the radical left of the Democratic Party. Photo: Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times/Redux J.D. Vance is a liar, and he doesnt care who knows it. For the past several weeks, he has said, falsely, that Haitian immigrants have overrun Springfield, Ohio. Theyre eating cats, theyre spreading disease, theyre overwhelming the schools, and they cant even drive, claims the states junior senator. Vances propaganda spread quickly on the right, as Republican officials and extremist social-media personalities picked it up even as local police and Ohios Republican governor debunked these claims. Christopher Rufo, a far-right commentator, offered a $5,000 bounty to anyone who could send him proof of the story. Donald Trump repeated the false story during his debate with Vice-President Kamala Harris. During a Sunday appearance on CNN, Vance stuck by his claims but then added, If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then thats what Im going to do. When host Dana Bash pressed him further, he said, I say that were creating a story, meaning were creating the American media focusing on it. Some have interpreted that statement as an admission of guilt, though its not clear whether Vance truly meant it as such. Though he may not confess to lying outright, he seems to think of himself as a propagandist or at least to be comfortable in the role. Why wouldnt he be? The public, not Vance, is paying the price for his lies. By the time he spoke of creating a story on CNN, threats had temporarily shut down government offices, schools, and colleges in Springfield. Haitian immigrants say their cars have been vandalized, one with acid. Im going to have to move because this area is no longer good for me, one woman told The Haitian Times. I cant even leave my house to go to Walmart. Im anxious and scared. In launching a verbal assault on Haitian immigrants, Vance encouraged a commensurate attack on public life in Springfield. Immigrants bear the brunt of his rhetoric, though it is becoming difficult for anyone in town to go to work, or to school, or to the hospital, regardless of their immigration status. Whats happening in Springfield could happen anywhere and matters would get worse if in November he obtains the power he seeks. Springfield is a laboratory in which he is experimenting with a national project. His rhetoric forecasts a brutal strike on multiracial democracy itself. Trump, in a related move, amplified false allegations that a Venezuelan gang had taken over an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado, a claim that has led to violent threats against the tenants. The slumlord who owns the apartments encouraged the gang rumor, eager to distract the public from his own alleged misdeeds. Tenants say there are rats and roaches and that the apartments often lack running water. Trump would only multiply their woes. The former president has promised mass deportations if elected with Springfield and Aurora leading the way. A shared belief in the inhumanity of the immigrant binds Vance to Trump and forms the heart of their deportation plot. Blood libel is a tactic, another way for them to frighten voters and inflame the base. When Vance falsely accused Haitian immigrants of eating pets in Springfield, he knew he was striking directly at American domestic life. The Haitian community cant understand its new home, he implied, and that makes it dangerous. Your household is at risk; not even your beloved animals are safe. The truth has never mattered to Trump, let alone to Vance. The aspiring vice-president lies in service of his political ambitions, which are deeply authoritarian in character. He appears to believe that the right to participate in public life is conditional. Native-born Americans may take part, but recent immigrants cant be trusted to do the same, especially if they are not white. As Jamelle Bouie of the New York Times wrote in his newsletter, Vance does not care how immigrants came here, or why, or whether they are willing to work. What matters to Vance is who they are, where they come from and what they look like, Bouie wrote. They dont belong to this soil, he might say, and therefore they dont belong. If public life is tied to blood and soil, immigrant Americans are shut out from it by definition. In this view, multiracial democracy is a liberal fiction, and pluralism can only pervert Americas authentic nature. That view has many adherents, but it has not yet prevailed, even in Springfield. Though some residents are fearful of the towns Haitian community, they do not speak for everyone. When a minivan driven by a Haitian immigrant crashed into a school bus, killing 11 year-old Aiden Clark, the boys father, Nathan, spoke up against prejudice. My son was not murdered, Clark said at a city meeting. He was accidentally killed by an immigrant from Haiti. Clark added, This tragedy is felt all over this community, the state and even the nation, but dont spin this towards hate. Vance wants to pit recent immigrants against native-born Americans. This is an old trick, and it can keep political careers alive for a while, but as Springfield shows, there is no way to attack immigrants without undermining rights for everyone else. If the right to belong, to be in public life, is conditional, then it can be stripped from anyone. In Springfield, as elsewhere, the fates of native-born Americans are bound up with those of their immigrant neighbors. To recognize that fact is to foster a new solidarity. The price of J.D. Vances lies could be high indeed, but it doesnt have to be. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos: Getty Images On Wednesday, a Washington, D.C., court ruled that betting markets were legal in the U.S. the first time in about a century that the practice was allowed in the country. The road to that ruling, however, was far from a sure thing. In June, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote an opinion that overhauled how a large segment of the federal government operates. The case, Loper Bright Industries v. Raimondo, was one of the more quietly momentous decisions of a historic summer session, overturning the so-called Chevron deference precedent and effectively restraining regulators from interpreting the laws and regulations they are tasked with enforcing. Last week, one of the first major lower-court decisions to come out of Robertss ruling dropped, clearing the way for people in the U.S. to gamble on elections for the first time in nearly a century. The case pitted a New York online betting market against a federal regulator, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The betting market, a company called Kalshi, claimed that the CFTC had wrongly stopped trading of contracts on political elections under a mistaken interpretation of gambling laws that equated elections with games. On the side of the betting-market firm was right-wing think tank the Cato Institute, where one of Donald Trumps largest donors, trading firm Susquehanna International Group co-founder Jeff Yass, is the vice-chair. After a short trial, a Biden-appointed judge ruled that Kalshi, which allows betting on anything from earthquakes to bitcoin, could allow people in the U.S. to gamble on elections. In her decision allowing election-betting to go forward, Judge Jia Cobb cited the decision in Loper Bright, and how it changed how she could consider the law. One of Kalshis biggest investors? Yasss trading firm, Susquehanna. Nobody knows how open and legal betting American politics will play out especially if it kicks off during an election that is hardly in short supply of extreme drama. The Washington D.C. appeals court cleared the way for Kalshi to open up gambling on elections, with just 34 days to go until the U.S. election. The ruling was made in part because of colossal changes to the way that federal agencies can oversee industries, but also because regulators failed at this time to demonstrate that it or the public will be irreparably injured by the spread of rampant election betting. Offshore gambling, through sites like Polymarket and Predictit, have been predicting winners and losers for most elections this century, but generally with very light and sparse trading. This decision would likely represent a mainstreaming of the practice. Not that political-betting markets dont have some usefulness they can reflect shifts in popular sentiment and election dynamics faster than scientific polls. Still, how they will actually impact an election once they are fully unleashed remains to be seen. These political markets all generally work the same way: They allow bettors to put money down on, say, Kamala Harris or Donald Trump winning on November 5, and the balance of both sides ends up being either candidates odds of winning. The companies collect fees on each trade, so the more people trade, the more money the company makes. Kalshi has made it clear that the demand for legal betting is an important part of its underlying business. The election is now 50-some-odd days away, Yaakov Roth, a lawyer for Kalshi, said during a court hearing in September, according to a transcript. These markets are time bound. Theyre going to disappear in a matter of weeks. So theres obviously the loss of the business over the next period of time. Kalshi is not the only betting market that stands to enrich a major political backer. Polymarket, whose main market on the presidential-election outcome has seen nearly $1 billion in bets placed, received funding from Peter Thiel, as well as venture-capital firm General Catalyst, where Ken Chenault, the former CEO of American Express who backs Kamala Harris, is managing director. Already, concerns that the markets could be used to manipulate public sentiment are rising. That question looms large among opponents of political betting. Democratic senator Jeff Merkley, of Oregon, told Politico that the decision is a nightmare that could allow for wealthy backers to paint a preferred candidate as more likely to win. Think about that anonymous political power or that anonymous corporate power that says, Not only do we want this candidate to lose or that candidate to win, were going to bet on the person that we want to win, Merkley told the outlet. Its a deeply corrupting combination of dark money and election bets. How that would work is less clear. Political-betting markets were a routine part of the elections going back to the founding of the country, before the advent of scientific polling, and were only outlawed after a series of state and federal laws started to clamp down on the practices, said Koleman Strumpf, a political-economy professor at Wake Forest University. In the early 20th century and the 19th century, these markets were humongous, Strumpf said. There is very little evidence in the historical record of market manipulation. The CFTC was only able to produce examples of potential manipulation on betting markets, including one apparent attempt that was erased from the markets in about 30 minutes. And highly regulated markets where there is more trading tend to be less susceptible to manipulation than dark offshore ones where relatively small sums of money can move prices around. Even before the ruling last week, the odds on political-gambling sites have moved more or less in line with those published by FiveThirtyEight or Nate Silver, which use models based on polling data. (To underline how similar polling and betting can be, this summer, Silver joined Polymarket as an adviser.) The choice is not, do we have prediction markets or not, Strumpf said. These markets will exist. One of the lessons from prohibition is that when theres demand, the supply rises to meet it. That doesnt mean there wont be problems. The U.K. has recently been going through a series of mini-scandals about political betting, the most egregious of which appears to come down to a political aide to former prime minister Rishi Sunak placing a 100-pound bet on the date of an election before it was publicly known. To that extent, the court has kept open the possibility that problems may arise, and election-betting markets in the age of DraftKings would once again need to get reined in. Ensuring the integrity of elections and avoiding improper interference and misinformation are undoubtedly paramount public interests, and a substantiated risk of distorting the electoral process would amount to irreparable harm, the court ruled. However, it acknowledged that troubles could arise from foreign donors, shady campaign-donation practices, or voter confusion and left the door open for the CFTC to find some evidence and try again. Such a showing is not out of reach. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Lately, convicted fraudster Donald Trump has really gotten into crypto, which he has favorably dubbed as crazy new currencies. Over the past few years, Trump has dabbled in the industry, lending his likeness to digital trading cards, or non-fungible tokens, that made him look like a superhero or, I dont know, a Masonic lodge member marching in a local St. Patricks Day parade. Even Melania got in on the NFT weirdness. But Trump and his sons have been teasing a bigger, real deal crypto venture for months. On Monday, he finally announced it: a Trump-backed crypto bank called World Liberty Financial. Right now, its a meme company that aspires to one day be a bank, a lender, and an exchange all at the same time. What could go wrong? World Liberty is, as of right now, really more of a fakakta idea than it is a functioning company. At this point, there is little to go on about how it actually operates beyond its own marketing, which leans heavily into the well-worn Trump family narrative. Folks, we all know how crooked banks and financial institutions rig the system against everyday Americans, Donald Trump Jr. wrote, according to a message in the companys Telegram channel. (Junior, as well as Eric and Barron Trump, are reportedly involved in the companys operations.) They shut people out, deny them loans, drown them in paperwork and kill them with legal and processing fees. Our entire family has experienced this first hand weve been de-banked, de-platformed and had every political game imaginable played on us. In fact, Trumps embrace of crypto has really ramped up ever since he was temporarily barred from most New York banks after losing this civil fraud trial earlier this year. As far as it purports to be anything, World Financial is a so-called decentralized finance (or DeFI) company, with a corporate structure that gained rapid popularity in crypto circles in 2020 and 2021 for supposedly cutting out banking-industry middlemen. But DeFI fell out of favor, in part, because it was so vulnerable to being hacked and robbed. One of the largest and most infamous DeFI projects were the twin digital tokens TerraUSD and Luna, conceived by the abrasive founder turned fugitive turned prisoner Do Kwon, whose collapse led directly to the end of Sam Bankman-Frieds empire. And World Financials pedigree isnt exactly inspiring: One of the brains behind it, Mark Herro, is an ex-colon cleanser salesman and affiliate marketing guy who has called himself a dirtbag of the internet. Another influential voice is Zachary Folkman, who used to run pickup-artist seminars on YouTube. A few reports noted how strange it was that Trump would launch a new company less than 50 days until the election. But the timing here makes sense when you look at another deadline. On September 19, the lock-up period ends for Trump Media & Technology Group, Trumps fraud-riddled social-media company. This means that insiders, including Trump, could start selling their shares. This, in turn, has created a problem for Trump. If he sells, the price will plummet. Since Trump owns more than half of the companys shares, his Trumps paper fortune would plummet, and he would run out of an easy way to access cash. (Im not selling, Trump claimed last week.) Trumps net worth has already fallen by hundreds of millions of dollars, and even some of its most die-hard traders will short the stock to make a quick buck. Trump has so far been able to put off his money problems, but World Financial is likely another way to tap his supporters to pay his bills. The Opelika Police Department has asked for the public help locating a 15-year-old girl who has been missing since Sunday, according to a Facebook post from the law enforcement agency. Sonia Yaneli Morales Hernandez was last seen leaving her Opelika home in the 2900 block of Hilton Court on Sunday. Authorities described her as a Hispanic girl who stands approximately 4 foot 8 tall with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Hernandez has been asked to call the Opelika Police Department at (334) 705-5200 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App. Tips can also be forwarded through Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at (334) 215-STOP(7867), toll-free at 1-833-AL1-STOP, or via their Facebook page or their website. The country's nuclear power capacity is expected to grow further with the construction of new reactors and the potential for international collaborations. South Korea's shift towards nuclear energy is driven by a desire for energy security and a commitment to reducing emissions. In the first half of 2024, nuclear power accounted for 32% of South Korea's electricity generation, surpassing coal and natural gas. This year, nuclear power has generated more electricity in South Korea than either coal or natural gas for the first time ever, achieving a milestone in one of the world's top importers of fossil fuels. Nuclear power accounted for 32% of South Korea's electricity generation mix in the first half of 2024, ahead of coal and natural gas, each with a 28% share, according to data by energy think tank Ember cited by Reuters columnist Gavin Maguire. The advance of nuclear power generation at the expense of fossil fuels marks a momentous milestone in South Korea, which is the world's third-largest importer of LNG behind China and Japan and the fourth-biggest importer of thermal coal. South Korea has bet on more nuclear power in recent years, especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the scrapping of a previous nuclear phase-out plan in 2022. South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol, elected in March 2022, scrapped his predecessor's policy to phase out nuclear energy over some 45 years. The new president has set a target for nuclear power to provide at least 30% of the country's electricity in 2030. Currently, a total of 26 reactors provide about one-third of South Korea's electricity from 26 GWe of plants. The country plans to boost its nuclear power generation further. Last week, South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) granted a construction permit to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) to build two new nuclear reactors, Shin-Hanul 3 and 4 reactors, in Uljin, southeast of Seoul. "The construction approval is in line with the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's energy policy, which reverses the previous government's nuclear phase-out policy," Yonhap news agency quoted Sung Tae-yoon, the presidential chief of staff for policy, as saying. "It paved the way for restoring the nuclear energy ecosystem, which was on the verge of collapse, and help the nuclear industry regain a momentum." Indeed, nuclear energy has regained momentum in South Korea, helping to lower emissions and the reliance on LNG and coal imports. In recent years, solar and nuclear generation has helped drive a decline in power sector emissions in the country, Ember says. "South Korea's power sector emissions grew in the last two decades as increasing demand for electricity was met predominantly by coal and gas, but emissions reached their peak in 2018 as solar and nuclear power increased and replaced coal," Ember's analysts note. South Korea remains dependent on coal and gas for nearly half of its power generation. Still, the fact that nuclear has now become the single largest source of electricity suggests that South Korea, like other Western countries, is pivoting back to nuclear power to guarantee energy security amid heightened geopolitical tensions. Moreover, unlike many other countries, South Korean firms have the expertise to build nuclear reactors and are winning contracts abroad. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many allies of the U.S. and the EUwith the notable exception of Germanyhave stepped up efforts to bolster energy security and depend less on energy commodities. Many of those have chosen to rely more on nuclear energy, which would also help them cut emissions and move closer to their net-zero goals. At the COP28 climate summit in Dubai at the end of last year, the United States and 21 other countries pledged to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050, saying incorporating more nuclear power in their energy mix is critical for achieving their net zero goals in the coming decades. The United States, alongside Britain, France, Canada, Sweden, South Korea, Ghana, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), among others, signed the declaration at the COP28 climate summit. Despite being an industry notoriously known for years of delays and huge cost overruns, a global nuclear power renaissance is underway. The comeback of nuclear energy is expected to drive a record-high electricity generation from nuclear in 2025, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said early this year. By next year, global nuclear generation is forecast to exceed its previous record set in 2021, the IEA said in its Electricity 2024 report. Even as some countries phase out nuclear power or retire plants early, global nuclear generation is expected to rise by nearly 3% per year on average through 2026, according to the IEA. The key growth drivers will be the completion of maintenance works in France, restart of some nuclear power plants in Japan, and new reactors coming online in China, India, South Korea, and Europe, among others. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Spain is an established green energy leader in Europe, with its significant wind and solar generation capacity giving renewable power generation over a 50% share of the nations total electricity mix. The next phase of Spains decarbonization strategy appears to be harnessing its renewable potential for hydrogen. According to research by Rystad Energy, Spain can achieve approximately 5 GW of installed electrolyzer capacity by 2030. However, to meet its target of 11 GWthe highest in the European Union (EU)the country will need additional support from its subsidy programs. Germany follows closely in second place with a target of 10 GW by 2030, but is currently projected to reach 4.5 GW, according to Rystad Energy's analysis. Spain's optimal conditions for renewable energy, coupled with supportive policies, have positioned it as one of the most cost-effective regions for green hydrogen production. While the global hydrogen market has not met investors early and enthusiastic expectations, with only a few operational projects such as the Puertollano green hydrogen plant, with capacity of 20 megawatts (MW) in Spain itself the outlook is more promising. Our projections indicate Spain could significantly boost green hydrogen production by 2030, with most projects considered low-risk and on track for timely commissioning, thanks to strong government support. This funding is already driving progress, as seen in BPs recent final investment decision for the first 25-MW phase of the Castellon refinery hydrogen plant, which could expand to 2 GW of electrolysis capacity by 2035. The European Hydrogen Bank (EHB) has highlighted the advantages and interests in the Spanish hydrogen sector, awarding subsidies to three major Spanish initiatives via a pilot auction which attracted 130 bids from European nations in total, including 46 from Spain. EHB support is complemented by the Spanish government's significant 794 million ($885 million) state aid package under the EUs IPCEI Hy2Use program, aimed at supporting hydrogen-related infrastructure including large-scale electrolyzers and transportation networks for the production, storage and distribution of low-carbon hydrogen. Moreover, Spains hydrogen sector is set to benefit from a 2.3 billion subsidy program recently announced by the government, of which 1.2 billion will be dedicated to developing renewable hydrogen hubs and 750 million to strengthening the nations green technology supply chain. With this Spain joins other European countries such as Germany, France, Netherlands in recently opening billion-dollar funding programs and auctions. Spain is positioning itself as a key player in Europe's hydrogen market but has yet to outline plans for generating domestic demand. Unlike Germany, which has set ambitious targets and ranks second in production capacity, Spain could focus on becoming a net exporter, particularly to Germany, which faces challenges due to less favorable renewable energy conditions. Seizing this opportunity could not only benefit Spain but also position it as a game-changer in the regional hydrogen landscape, Minh Khoi Le, Head of Hydrogen Research, Rystad Energy Learn more with Rystad Energys Hydrogen Solution. In the EHB pilot auction, bids from all applicants ranged from 0.37 to 0.48 per kilogram of renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO) hydrogen, with projects receiving grants between 8 million and 245 million, significantly advancing each applicant countrys green goals. Spanish bids stood out, with lowest average levelized cost of production, benefitting from its lower renewable energy costs. One of the awarded Spanish projects, DH2 Energys Hysencia, will have 35 MW of electrolyzer capacity and bid 0.48 per kilogram for 17,000 tonnes of hydrogen over 10 years, requesting 8.1 million in funding. Located in Argon, the project recently secured an environmental permit and will include 49 MW of solar feedstock capacity. With incentives, the projects estimated levelized cost of hydrogen is 6.24 per kilogram ($6.86 per kilogram). DH2 Energy will collaborate with ArcelorMittal and Fertiberia, which will use hydrogen in the steel and fertilizer industries, respectively. The second successful Spanish project in the EHB pilot auction was El Alamillo H2 by Benbros Energy. This features 60 MW of capacity and bid at a price of 0.38 per kilogram, requesting total funding of around 24.6 million for 65,000 tonnes of hydrogen over 10 years. This makes the projects estimated levelized cost of hydrogen, with incentives, 5.80 per kilogram, with details on offtake agreements are not yet available. The final Spanish project to win in the EHB auction is Renato PtXs Project Catalina with 500 MW of electrolyzer capacity at 0.48 per kilogram for 480,000 tonnes of hydrogen across a 10-year period. It plans to develop 1.1 GW of combined solar and wind power and will be connected to a green ammonia plant via a 221-kilometer hydrogen pipeline. Supported by the EHB, the projects estimated levelized cost of hydrogen is 4.61 per kilogram. The project aims to produce 84,000 tonnes of green hydrogen and 247,000 tonnes of renewable ammonia, using 504 MW of onshore wind and 571 MW of solar PV, with Fertiberia as the major offtaker for fertilizer production. At a national level, Spains Ministry of Ecological Transition has unveiled a 1.2 billion funding initiative for large-scale green hydrogen projects and powerful electrolyzer installations, financed entirely through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Scheduled to launch in the final quarter of 2024, the program aims to develop extensive green hydrogen valleys or clusters, boosting large-scale production and use of electrolytic hydrogen and its derivatives. To qualify for funding, applicants must secure commitments to purchase at least 60% of their hydrogen production, have a minimum installed capacity of 100 MW, and ensure the hydrogen is produced from renewable sources. They must also meet additional criteria, including promoting job creation, gender equality, socio-economic development, small and medium-sized enterprises, circular economy practices and emissions reduction. Projects can cover multiple locations within 100 kilometers of each other and can receive up to 400 million each. By Rystad Energy More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Liquefied natural gas has become a major growth driver for the energy industry. Burning much more cleanly than either coal or oil, gas has earned a place in the energy transitionbut that place is far from secure. Despite continued strong demand for LNGwhich saw Qatar order 12 new LNG carriersthe expected growth in that demand may fail to live up to expectations. What's more, challenges abound on the supply side, from sanctions on Russian LNG to supply chain and regulatory problems with U.S. projects, according to a new report by Wood Mackenzie. In early August, a U.S. appeals court vacated the remand authorization of NextDecade Corporation's Rio Grande LNG export project issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on the grounds that the FERC should have issued a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement during its remand process. In general terms, this means that the Rio Grande LNG project will be delayed. Construction on Phase 1, which will include three liquefaction trains, continues. Still, the court's ruling will affect the rest of the project, delaying the final investment decision on Phase 4 and possibly affecting the construction of Phase 2 and Phase 3. In its report about the outlook for the LNG industry, Wood Mac noted that the Rio Grande LNG case is an example of the risks surrounding LNG projects in the United States that are yet to receive a final investment decision, "compounding the uncertainty created by the Biden administration's "pause" on export approvals in January." The analysts noted that this infamous pause will probably be lifted after the November elections. After that, regulators would need to devise a new framework for future approvals of such projects in line with all relevant regulations. There is also a potentially more serious issue of demand. The biggest driver of demand growth in the liquefied natural gas space is certainly Asia. Yet right now, the going is good, with Asian imports up by 15% over the first eight months of the year, per Wood Mac. However, Chinese LNG imports are about to start declining because its gas storage sites are nearing capacity, Bloomberg reported earlier this month. And if the winter is mild, these will not empty fast, undermining overall regional demand. Another issue with Asian demand and any bullish assumptions about it is price sensitivity. So far this year, prices for LNG have been quite affordable, hence the strong increase in LNG imports. But, as Wood Mac's analysts point out in their report, most Asian countries remain highly sensitive to price changes, ready to stop buying the moment the price goes too high. This, incidentally, may be just what is on the cards for U.S. natural gas. Next year, there could be substantially higher gas prices in the United States, Reuters energy columnist Gavin Maguire reported last week, citing data from LSEG. The forward strip of the Henry Hub benchmark suggests that U.S. natural gas prices could average $3.20 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) next year. This would be up from an average price of $2.22 from the benchmark U.S. natural gas price so far this year. Quite a substantial price increase indeed, but not unexpected in the least, after gas drillers were forced to start shutting in wells in the face of weak prices that were eating into their profits. Such a development would see U.S. LNG exports become costlier, discouraging price-sensitive buyers in Asiaand possibly in Europe. LNG imports into Europe, including the EU, Norway, the UK, and Turkey, fell by 20% over the first half of the year, a transition think tank reported this month, with LNG imports into the EU falling by 11%. According to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, LNG imports would fall further over the full year, by some 11.2%. Per the think tank, this is because demand for LNG has reached its peak and, from now on, will be falling. It is, however, likely that price plays a part, too. Europe is no longer the bottomless pockets operation it was until a couple of years ago, and has had to become more frugal with its money. There is also the supply side. The EU specifically filled up its storage caverns with gas last year. The winter turned mostly mild, and a lot of that gas remained unused. European demand, then, may not have peaked, but prices would affect it. Elsewhere, Western sanctions have made it hard for Novatek's Arctic LNG 2 to really take off. The facility is producing liquefied gas. However, according to media reports, this gas is being shipped to storage instead of to overseas buyers. In Florida, an LNG project has been delayed for five years due to supply chain issues and high costs. "The COVID-19 pandemic created an extremely challenging environment for the negotiation and execution of contracts. Those impediments continued for some time after the effects of the pandemic had begun to subside in 2022," the company behind the Eagle LNG project told the FERC. Finally, there is the emissions question, which Wood Mac says is going to become increasingly prominent in the futureif other countries follow the EU's example of insisting on low-emissions LNG, regardless of the price. And that price will inevitably go higher as emission regulation piles on. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Turkey, while interested in Turkmen gas, has other options for securing its energy needs, including LNG deals and potential pipeline imports from Iraq. Its been just over a year since Turkmenistan, a country boasting the worlds fourth or fifth biggest largest natural gas reserves, ended decades of indecision and finally announced it was serious about exporting to Western markets. For just about any other country, such an announcement would have touched off a frenzy of courtship by countries and companies interested in developing export deals. But with Turkmenistan the process has been slower and more difficult than would normally be expected, as recent events have highlighted. In March this year, Turkmen President Serdar Berdymukhamedov visited Turkey where he signed what appeared to be a landmark agreement with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, opening the way for a swap deal enabling Turkmen gas to be supplied to Iran, which would then supply the same volume of its own gas to Turkey. Turkish officials at that time seemed confident that a commercial agreement would follow swiftly. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced in a TV interview July 26 that he would fly to Ashgabat within days to conclude a deal that would see 1.5-2.0 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas per year from Turkmenistan exported to Turkey via Iran. Supply could start as soon as early 2025, and the gas could be re-exported to Europe, he indicated. It seemed like a done deal. But almost two months after Bayraktars initial announcement, the commercial agreement is still awaiting signatures. If concluded, the agreement with Turkmenistan would be a major coup for Ankara, which has been trying since the late 1990s to bring Turkmen gas to Turkey, and which is keen to bring in more gas from anywhere it can to reduce its dependence on Russia and Iran. Legacy contracts with Russia and Iran that account for around half of Turkeys gas demand are expiring over the next two years, and, as of today, there is no indication either will be renewed. But it would also be a major step forward for Turkmenistan, giving Ashgabat the chance to prove that it can be a reliable supplier, worthy of the attention of European gas buyers. The deal could also reassure Western investors to a sufficient degree that they would be willing to fund the construction of a dedicated pipeline across the Caspian Sea that Turkmenistan needs if it is to export gas to Europe in large volumes. But as has been the case throughout the post-Soviet era, getting a firm commitment out of Turkmen officials has proven challenging. Bayraktar announced the pending deal in advance of his visit to Turkmenistan on July 29. His trip had been slated to last only one day, but it was extended for a second day. Ultimately, the minister returned to Turkey apparently with little more than an agreement for the two sides to continue talking. Deepening the mystery surrounding the trip, reports differed over exactly what meetings had taken place. Bayraktar himself reported meetings with officials from Turkmengaz, Turkmenpetrol, and the Turkmen parliament, along with a meeting with Turkmen Energy Minister Annageldy Saparov. Neither Bayraktars X/Twitter feed nor the Turkish Energy Ministrys website mentioned any meeting with Turkmen President Berdymukhamedov. The ministrys website simply posted a single photo of Bayraktar and Saparov shaking hands. The Turkmenistan government Internet site, however, reported that Berdymukhamedov had indeed met with Bayraktar, although, unusually, there was no photograph published of the two men together. For two countries which set great store on protocol and diplomatic formalities, the reporting discrepancy marked an unusual departure from established norms. Neither side has revealed any details of why the expected swap agreement for exporting Turkmen gas to Turkey via Iran has not been concluded. However, the recent experience of Azerbaijan, which did manage to conclude an agreement with Turkmenistan to import gas via swaps with Iran may, shed some light on recent developments. In late 2021, Baku agreed to a swap arrangement under which Turkmenistan would send around 2 bcm a year of gas to northeast Iran, which would send the same volume of its own gas to Azerbaijan. The swap began in early 2022, and by mid-year was reportedly going so well that the three partners reached an agreement to double trade volume. But for reasons that have never been confirmed, the doubling of volume didnt happen, and by January this year trading operations appear to have halted: reports circulated that Turkmenistan, buoyed by the operations initial success, sought to hike the price of gas beyond what Azerbaijan was prepared to pay. Given Bakus own production having risen to a level where it could meet its domestic and export commitments without resorting to imports, Azeri officials supposedly halted talks. Although nothing has been said, it very much appears that Ashgabat has attempted to employ a jack-up-the-price tactic with Turkey. Again, as with the Azerbaijani swap arrangement, Ashgabat may be overreaching in the Turkish negotiations. While Ankara remains outwardly committed to bringing Turkmen gas to Turkey, both via swaps through Iran and a dedicated pipeline, Ankara is not short of other options. In May, Turkey concluded an LNG purchase agreement with Exxon Mobil, details of which have yet to be announced. And on September 2 Turkeys state gas importer, Botas, signed a 10-year agreementwithShell for the import of 4 bcm per year of LNG twice the planned swap imports from Turkmenistan. Two days later, Turkish officials gave notice that they were expecting another major LNG agreement to be signed at the Gastech conference to be held in Houston Sept 17-20. Turkey also has other options for importing gas by pipeline, with neighboring Iraq also boasting significant reserves that could be transited to Turkey far more easily, cheaply, and reliably, than gas from Turkmenistan. The real loser in this is Turkmenistan, explains John Roberts, a Caspian energy analyst. Turkey is still Turkmenistans best option for developing a major new export route, he said, explaining that the nature of energy markets means that for any gas export deal to succeed, reliability is the key. The Turkmens need to prove they are reliable partners, he added, pointing out the number of projects to export Turkmen gas which have been proposed but not progressed. Their persistent failures to conclude firm sale and purchase agreements casts doubt on whether they can persuade buyers that they can be reliable. By David OByrnevia Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Slumping refining margins amid tepid fuel demand in China have already claimed victims among the refineries in the Shandong province, where two plants operated by chemicals giant Sinochem were declared bankrupt in recent days. Zhenghe Group Co and Shandong Huaxing Petrochemical Group Co were declared bankrupt after creditors failed to agree on restructuring plans for the refineries, local court statements showed on Tuesday, as carried by Bloomberg. A third refinery operated by Sinochem in the Shandong province, home to Chinas independent refiners, is expected to begin meetings with creditors later this month. This is Shandong Changyi Petrochemical Co, per a separate local court statement cited by Bloomberg. Most of the processing units at all three plants have been idled for months, due to the plummeting refining margins that have hit the refineries in Shandong especially hard. The three refineries have a combined nameplate capacity to process 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude. China has seen weaker-than-expected road fuel demand this year, which has prompted a decline in refining margins, leaving many plants in debt. Underwhelming demand this year has lowered oil refining output as independent Chinese refiners are particularly sensitive to low margins and prefer to reduce refinery throughput when margins and demand are weak. Refining margins across Asia fell in the first week of September to their lowest level for this time of year since 2020, which could lead to more curbs on run rates at Asian refiners, including in China. In August, Chinese refiners were estimated to have processed around 12.6 million bpd of crude oil, down by nearly 10% compared to July and 17.5% lower compared to August last year, ING commodities strategists Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey wrote in a Monday note. The numbers suggest that apparent oil demand fell below 12.5 million bpd, down by more than 15% year-over-year and to its weakest level since August 2022. The numbers also indicate that crude oil inventories in China built at a pace of around 3.2m b/d in August, the largest monthly build in Chinese crude oil inventories going as far back as 2015, INGs analysts noted. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com On Tuesday, Azerbaijan, which will host the COP29 climate summit, unveiled a dozen initiatives it hopes to achieve at the November meeting, including funds to help developed countries lower emissions and fight climate change and a significant boost to energy storage globally. The Azerbaijani COP29 Presidency sent a letter to all parties, outlining the Action Agenda for the upcoming climate summit. One of the outcomes the Presidency looks to achieve is to broker a deal on a Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF). This fund would be made of voluntary contributions from fossil fuel-producing countries and companies and will be aimed at catalyzing the public and private sectors across mitigation, adaptation, and research and development. The Fund will also have special facilities for highly concessional and grant-based funding to rapidly address the consequences of natural disasters in the developing countries in need, the presidency said. On energy storage, COP29 will aim to have parties pledge a target to boost global energy storage capacity six times above 2022 levels, reaching 1,500 gigawatts (GW) by 2030. To enhance energy grids, endorsers are also expected to commit to considerably scaling up investments in grids as part of global efforts to add or refurbish more than 80 million kilometers (49.7 million miles) by 2040. The previous climate summit, COP28 in Dubai, which ran one day into extra time amid heated debates on the future of fossil fuel use and production, ended with a compromise text referencing for the first time a call to all parties to transition away from fossil fuels. But the final agreement was watered down compared to any references to phasing out or phasing down of fossil fuels, as objections from many oil exporting countries led by Saudi Arabia held back talks in the final days and sent the conference into overtime. Ahead of the summit this year, several major oil-producing countries, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, are pushing back against talks on an agreement to mitigate the use of fossil fuels, negotiators from Western countries told the Financial Times last week. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The Dutch government is stepping in again to support TenneT, the state-owned grid operator, with a new supplementary 19 billion bridge loan. This comes after a failed deal to sell TenneT's German network to Berlin. The loan will help meet rising electricity demand and support grid investments through 2026. Earlier this year, the Dutch state already loaned 25 billion to TenneT, which is staring down the barrel of significant capital needs due to the expansion of its power infrastructure. The latest loan consists of a 2 billion bridge for 2025 and another 17 billion bridge for 2026, until other solutions are put in place. Talks between the Netherlands and Germany regarding the sale of TenneT's German grid collapsed in June due to financial constraints in Berlin. Now, Dutch officials are eyeing private investment as a potential solution to TenneT's capital needs, either through share sales or an IPO. Investment banks have already been invited to pitch for roles in a potential IPO of the German operations. The Netherlands began looking to unburden itself from its German TenneT division last year after looming costs attributed to the shift to green energy began to rise. Germany aims to generate 80% of its 2030 power output from renewables like wind and solar energy, and 100% by 2035. This need for high-voltage grid farms and power grids that need to be extended to reach green energy sites and transmit their output call for significant investment in new networks. As it turns out, those costs were not only too much for the Netherlands but too much for Germany as well. Participation in Tennet Germany by private investors is currently seen as the best way, to drum up the capital it needs, Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen and Climate Minister Sophie Hermans have said. This could be done through the private sale of shares or flotation. These options will be discussed in the months ahead. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Power prices in France turned negative for hours on Tuesday morning amid tepid demand in a struggling economy and increased renewables generation. French intraday power prices traded at as low as -$22.25 (-20 euros) per megawatt-hour (MWh) on the Epex Spot exchange, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. So far this year, Frances power demand has been undershooting projections by grid operator RTE as the French and European economies are seeing little if any growth. France, which derives about 70% of its electricity from nuclear energy, returned last year to the top spot of Europes net power exporters, as its nuclear fleet returned from maintenance and domestic demand was lower. Even with high levels of electricity exports, power supply in France is set to exceed demand for several hours on Tuesday. European wholesale electricity markets have seen zero or negative power prices for the most hours on record this year amid soaring renewable energy generation and a mismatch between supply and demand hours for solar power. Negative pricing occurs when there is more electricity supply than demand, a scenario becoming more frequent as Europe continues its aggressive push toward renewable energy. The number of tradable hours in which power prices were zero or negative have jumped so far this year in major wholesale power markets, including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland, and southern Sweden, per LSEG data cited by Reuters. Zero or negative wholesale power prices have started to slow investment in capacity additions and make the case for the need for higher investment in energy storage, through which power producers would avoid curtailing electricity output or having to pay to offload electricity. The rapid expansion of wind and solar capacity is reshaping the continents energy landscape. On days when both sources are generating at high levels, the market can become saturated with inexpensive power, driving prices down to the point where they even turn negative. While this benefits consumers in the short term, it also highlights the challenges of managing an energy grid increasingly reliant on intermittent renewable sources. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com OFS Technologies, the company created after buying out the assets of Baker Hughes in Russia in 2022, is currently working to boost its inventory of wells to lay the foundations for Russia to increase its oil production when needed, the firms chief executive officer David Gadzhimirzaev told Russian news agency Interfax in an interview on Tuesday. Russia is actively working to raise the number of oil wells to be ready to boost production when the time and conditions are right, the executive told Interfax on the sidelines of an energy forum in Russia. Gadzhimirzaev leads OFS Technologies, which was created in 2022. Back then, one of the worlds top oilfield services provider, Baker Hughes, announced its withdrawal from Russia in the wake of Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine, as did many other energy companies. Baker Hughes signed in August 2022 an agreement to sell its Oilfield Services business in Russia to its local management team. The agreement follows on Baker Hughess previously announced suspension of new investments for its Russia operations and commitment to comply with applicable laws and sanctions. Back then, Baker Hughes says that the new business will operate independently of Baker Hughes including an independent brand and it will assume all current OFS Russia assets, liabilities, and commercial obligations. Two years later, OFS Technologies is estimated to hold 10% of the Russian oilfield services market, according to Interfax. Asked about the impact of the ongoing OPEC+ cuts, to which Russia is a part, Gadzhimirzaev told Interfax that the company doesnt see any effect on the drilling business. Lowering crude oil production doesnt necessarily mean declining drilling activity, because companies continue to explore for new oil and gas reserves, the executive said. We are increasing the inventory of wells so that the country is ready to increase production at the right time, Gadzhimirzaev told Interfax. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Firefighters take a break from battling a fire at a pipeline near Spencer Highway and Summerton on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 in La Porte. The fire caused road closures and shelter-in-place advisories Monday afternoon in the area, with evacuations to homes and businesses within a half mile from the fire site. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer A firefighter directs a line of water around a fire on a pipeline near Spencer Highway and Summerton on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 in La Porte. The fire caused road closures and shelter-in-place advisories Monday afternoon in the area, with evacuations to homes and businesses within a half mile from the fire site. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Smoke and flames from a pipeline fire in La Porte is visible for miles. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Clouds of black smoke hanging over La Porte and Deer Park were visible for miles Monday after a fire erupted from a natural gas liquids pipeline, sparking fears about air pollution spewing from the blaze. "It's the air that I breathe, it's my home," said Gerardo Perez, 25, who lives in La Porte and had to shelter in place in his class at San Jacinto College when the fire erupted. He said he worried about the pillar of flames and smoke so close to his neighborhood. Harris County Pollution Control Services responded to the fire on the 8700 block of Spencer Highway on Monday morning, shortly after the La Porte Fire Department's 9:55 a.m. arrival. The county department checked air quality near the fire throughout the day using hand-held sensors, an ambient air-monitoring vehicle and two stationary sensors. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pollution control department spokesperson Kayla Roman said that soot levels from the fire were "moderate and not an immediate risk for healthy populations," though "sensitive populations may want to take precautions." Soot, also known as particulate matter, is composed of fine particles that can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Particulate pollution can also worsen existing lung conditions and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Roman said particulate matter, often with particles so small that people do not know they are inhaling it, was the "pollutant of concern for this incident." The county's mobile monitoring tools also scanned for volatile organic compounds, or vaporized chemicals that can be toxic. Though officials did find elevated levels of fine particulate matter, also known as PM 2.5, they did not detect large amounts of volatile organic compounds, Roman said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The county department pointed residents to its online dashboard offering data from mobile monitoring stations they set up around the site of the fire. The pipeline, owned by Dallas company Energy Transfer, caught fire in Deer Park, local officials said. The blaze ignited at a valve station along Spencer Highway. Shiv Srivastava, the policy director for local environmental justice group Fenceline Watch, was near the blaze Monday morning. "We have seen flames get bigger and bigger, and a huge amount of smoke," Srivastava said in a video recorded in front of a towering black plume. The fire occurred near a number of schools, including Deer Park Elementary and multiple La Porte ISD schools. Company officials said in a statement Monday afternoon that the roaring fire continued for hours because the stretch of pipeline had to be "isolated so that the residual product in the line can safely burn itself out." The natural gas liquids contained in the pipeline, a mixture of hydrocarbons, are very flammable. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Roman with Harris County Pollution Control Services said officials were initially concerned about toxic volatile gases coming from the burning plume of hydrocarbons. Their tests suggested that the hot flames turned the majority of those compounds into soot pollution instead. The La Porte Fire Department evacuated all homes and businesses within a half mile of the incident site. South Sudan and Sudan discussed the resumption of South Sudanese crude oil exports via a port in Sudan and noted the progress made, following months of shut-in crude flows from South Sudan due to a ruptured pipeline in war-torn Sudan. South Sudans President Salva Kiir met with the Chairman of Sudans Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, and discussed the resumption of oil exports through Sudan, following four months of work on the oil infrastructure, the presidents office said in a statement on Monday. Foreign Affairs Minister Ramadan Abdalla Mohammed Goc confirmed that Sudanese engineers have accomplished the necessary technical preparations for the resumption of oil production, the office of the president added. Engineers from South Sudan are expected to visit Sudan in the coming weeks to take stock of the progress and assess whether the pipeline and associated infrastructure are ready to resume crude oil flows from South Sudan, the minister added. South Sudans oil exports have plunged since the beginning of the year. The country is struggling to get any money in its budget as its oil exports, on which it depends for 90% of state revenues, are stalled by a ruptured pipeline in neighboring Sudan that is currently the only outlet for South Sudan to sell its crude. In March, Sudan declared force majeure on crude oil exports from its landlocked neighbor South Sudan, following a major rupture in the pipeline carrying crude from South Sudan to a port in Sudan in an area with active military activity. The latest conflict in Sudan erupted in April last year, when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, took up arms against the Sudanese army in the capital Khartoum. Many of South Sudans oilfields cannot send their oil north via the pipeline in Sudan and revenues for South Sudan are plummeting. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The Venezuelan opposition coalition called this week on the U.S. federal government to withdraw oil operation licenses issued to American companies for projects in Venezuela as a means of turning up the heat on the Maduro government further. We want them canceled this is a lifeline to the regime, Rafael de la Cruz, adviser to Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, the candidate who ran against Maduro in the July elections, said, as quoted by the AP. We want all the oil companies to go to Venezuela. So, its not about the companies. Its about the situation that is impoverishing the country so badly that practically the whole population wants this regime gone, de la Cruz also said, speaking at an event organized by the Council of the Americas, a New York-based business entity, per the AP. U.S. sanctions against Venezuelas oil industry effectively ban American companies from operating there without a special exemption license. The biggest energy major to get such a license was Chevron, back in 2022 when anti-Russian sanctions threatened global oil supply. Then, in October 2023, the U.S. introduced a temporary sanctions relief until April 2024 that allowed the production, lifting, sale, and exportation of oil or gas from Venezuela, and the provision of related goods and services, as well as payment of invoices for goods or services related to oil or gas sector operations in Venezuela. The period of the relief ended in mid-April and the sanctions snapped back in the absence of much progress in bilateral talks on fair elections. According to de la Cruz, the participation of American companies in the development of Venezuelan crude oil reserves under the Maduro government legitimizes said government. Their presence in the country, he argued, helped normalize de facto dictatorship that he is trying to set up in Venezuela. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com One of the four juveniles charged as adults in the carjacking and killing of an Omaha man last month appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday. Joseph Keyes, 14, is one of six people to face charges of first-degree murder, robbery and other felonies in connection with 64-year-old Mursal Jamas Aug. 13 death. Prosecutors say the six boys accosted Jama in his garage at the Camelot Apartments, shooting him once before taking off in his car. Keyes was set to appear for the Tuesday hearing alongside two of his codefendants, 16-year-old Dasean Titsworth-Hunt and 17-year-old Trenton Titsworth-Hunt, but both opted to waive the hearing and face trial in Douglas County District Court. A preliminary hearing for the fourth juvenile charged as an adult, 16-year-old Talan Wilson, is set for next week. The two others, ages 11 and 13, face the same charges in juvenile court. State law prohibits children younger than 14 from being charged as adults. Police: Robberies, multi-county pursuit preceded murder Testimony from Omaha Police Homicide Detective Chad Frodyma offered new information about the preceding robberies and following multi-county pursuit. Police and prosecutors have not said which juvenile they suspect of firing the shot that killed Jama. Shortly before 11 p.m. on Aug. 13, according to Frodyma, police received a report of an armed robbery at the QuikTrip gas station near 120th and Dodge Streets. Two men reported six juveniles robbed them at gunpoint, taking their wallets and attempting to steal their newer-model Mercedes before fleeing. They did not succeed in stealing the Mercedes. The robbery was captured on the Mercedes dashcam, which included audio. Frodyma said the video had a clear picture of the six juveniles, some of whom were wearing masks to cover their faces. Three of the six Keyes, Wilson and the 13-year-old were wielding guns during the QuikTrip robbery, according to Frodyma. Jama was shot and killed shortly before midnight, Frodyma said. Surveillance footage from the Camelot Apartments parking lot captured audio of the shooting and some video of the incident, though the view into Jamas garage was partially obscured. Police previously said Jama was sitting in his garage after returning home from a shift as an Uber driver when the boys approached him. Audio from the surveillance camera captured yelling, with at least one juvenile yelling something at Jama, before a single gunshot is heard. Frodyma said multiple juveniles initially ran from the garage after hearing the gunshot, but they all went back and piled into Jamas car. Jama was taken to the hospital, where he died. His cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the abdomen, Frodyma said. It was about an hour later, shortly after 1 a.m. on Aug. 14, when Frodyma said police were alerted to a pursuit entering Douglas County. The Nebraska State Patrol and the Cass County Sheriffs Office pursued the vehicle allegedly Jamas black Kia from Nebraska City into Bellevue. Also on Aug. 13, according to prosecutors, some of the boys were involved in an early morning smash-and-grab robbery at McGills Gun Shop in Nebraska City. Nine guns were stolen from the shop, and only five have since been recovered, according to Frodyma. Police and prosecutors speculate the boys returned to Nebraska City after shooting Jama with the intent of returning to the gun shop. Law enforcement officers who were surveilling the business overnight saw a black Kia pull into the shops parking lot before abruptly taking off. Though officers were unaware of the Kias relation to the carjacking and shooting of Jama, they were suspicious and pursued the car. The Nebraska State Patrol and the Cass County Sheriffs Office pursued the car into the Omaha area. Shortly after exiting Highway 75 onto Q Street in Omaha, Frodyma said the 13-year-old opened the front passenger door as the car was moving and spilled out before attempting to run. The Nebraska State Patrol cruiser followed the 13-year-old and quickly took him into custody, as the Cass County Sheriffs Office cruiser continued to follow the Kia. From Q Street, the Kia turned left onto 46th Street and continued northbound. The Kia came to a rolling stop near 46th and I Streets, and the five remaining occupants of the car ran away on foot. The Cass County deputy, who was alone at the scene after the Nebraska State Patrol vehicle broke off to pursue the 13-year-old, opted not to chase the five juveniles. Cold and wet suspects apprehended It was about 4 a.m. when 911 received a call from a woman near 46th Avenue and J Street reporting that three juveniles, later identified as Trenton Titsworth-Hunt, Keyes and the 11-year-old, were on her porch asking to be let inside. After they ran from the car, there had been a torrential downpour of rain, Frodyma said, and the boys were cold and wet as they waited on the porch. When police arrived at the home, the boys attempted to flee but were quickly apprehended, Frodyma said. They were taken to the police station to be interviewed, where Keyes declined to speak with police. Frodyma said Keyes was wearing a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants, which matched what one of the boys was seen wearing in the Mercedes dashcam video. Wilson was taken into custody the next day and Dasean Titsworth-Hunt was arrested the following week. According to Frodyma, Trenton Titsworth-Hunts and Keyes cell phones were recovered after their arrests. A full data extraction, including GPS information, was completed on both phones, which showed Keyes at the scene of the QuikTrip robbery, Jamas shooting and the pursuit, Frodyma said. Frodyma said he also saw reviewed messages from Trenton Titsworth-Hunt and Keyes offering guns for sale, along with multiple videos of the six boys listening to music and flashing firearms. Asked how and when the six boys came together on the evening of Aug. 13, Frodyma said it happened at some point after 7:45 p.m., as a timestamped video on Trenton Titsworth-Hunts cell phone showed him at his fathers house at 7:45 p.m. Defense attorneys for Keyes asked only two questions during cross-examination, and neither prosecutors nor defense attorneys offered closing statements. Douglas County Court Judge Craig McDermott found probable cause to believe Keyes committed the charged crimes first-degree murder, two counts of robbery and three counts of use of a firearm to commit a felony and sent the case to Douglas County District Court for further proceedings. Karly Wood didnt have a penchant for going to late-night parties. But in the early morning of Nov. 13, 2022, Wood went to a party near 34th and Ames Avenues to celebrate a womans birthday. She never returned. Shortly after 4 a.m., about 30 minutes after Wood arrived at the party held inside a small tan multipurpose building, gunfire erupted. When it was over, eight people including Wood were shot. Medics took Wood to the Nebraska Medical Center, where she died. She was the only person killed in the shooting. Douglas County Deputy Attorney Kevin Ryan told a jury of 10 women, four men and two alternates that DNA found on a gun overwhelmingly points to Imhotep Davis involvement in Woods death during opening arguments in Davis trial on Tuesday. As he sat motionless and dressed in a gray suit and light green tie, Davis, 26, listened as Ryan, along with fellow Deputy County Attorney Amy Jacobsen, made their case for the jury to convict Davis of second-degree murder in connection with Woods death. Davis also faces various firearms charges related to the incident including first-degree assault in connection to another person being injured in the shooting. As Douglas County District Court Judge W. Russell Bowie monitored the proceedings, Ryan described Wood as having been shot eight times three times in her stomach, four times in a side of her body and once in the lower leg. An autopsy, Ryan said, found nearly all the individual bullets could have been fatal to Wood. While a chaotic scene unfolded at the medical center in midtown Omaha with gunshot victims arriving for treatment, Ryan said another person wearing designer-style ripped jeans and a shiny red and maroon jacket with an artistic graphic on the back arrived at Immanuel Medical Center for treatment of a gunshot wound in north-central Omaha. Ryan said that person was Davis. Ryan added Davis and another person walked into the hospital nonchalantly from a black Ford F-250 pickup truck. Ryan said footage from security cameras located at nearby Skinner Elementary School showed a person, who matched the designer clothing Davis was alleged to have been wearing that night, as part of a group of people approaching the Ames Avenue building shortly before the shooting took place. Its clear that its him, Ryan told the jury, saying the security camera footage was captured in a well-lit parking lot. Ryan added the footage also showed the F-250 along with a Chevrolet Malibu sedan and a Chrysler 300 sedan allegedly driven by others involved with the shooting. Ryan argued investigators DNA and ballistics tests conducted on bullet casings and a gun found in the Malibu matched with the gun Davis allegedly handled as depicted in security camera footage. Ryan further argued bullets taken from Woods body matched those discharged from that gun. Davis attorney, Joe Naatz, sought to paint a picture where the prosecution didnt have definitive proof Davis was directly involved with Woods death. Naatz pointed to people at the party who Ryan said either werent found by Omaha police investigators or didnt want to testify on behalf of the prosecution. Naatz argued the law enforcement investigation was rushed, and investigators overlooked key pieces of information and failed to explore potential leads. Naatz said prosecutors arguments against Davis amount to nothing more than a theory. By the end of this trial, I believe youll see the story is full of gaps, contradictions and uncertainties, Naatz said. Davis trial is scheduled to last 10 days. He is the third person to appear in court in connection with the shooting. Two other people, 27-year-old Kiwan Dampeer and 30-year-old Tyvel Lampkin-Davis, have been found guilty and sentenced for their respective roles in the shooting. Lampkin-Davis pleaded no contest to possessing a firearm on school grounds and accessory to a felony last year. He admitted to taking a gun from Davis after the shooting and keeping it in his car, and he was sentenced to probation. Dampeer was found guilty during a bench trial last year on four firearm charges, including discharging a firearm at an occupied building. He shot twice into the party from a nearby parking lot, according to court records. The shots fired by Dampeer are not believed to have hit anyone, and his motive for doing so was not made clear at trial. He was sentenced in March to 20 to 27 years in prison and is appealing his conviction. The Ames Avenue building where Wood was killed now houses Timber Creek Total Care, a therapeutic group home for girls ages 13 to 19. The home includes a pink bedroom Woods mother, Amber Wood, has dubbed Karlys Room. EL PASO The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge presented awards to four Woodford County businesses for their support of local law enforcement. Awards were given during a Sept. 13 meeting of the FOP Spoon River Valley Lodge 427 in El Paso. Those recognized were McGrath Highway Chevrolet-GMC, Heller Ford, American Buildings Co. and Kirby Foods, all in El Paso. Each received the FOPs Blue and Gold Award, the highest award the FOP presents for community support of law enforcement. These businesses have made the annual El Paso Community Blue into one of the regions largest National Night Out events, attracting more than 2,000 citizens from the El Paso-Gridley School District to meet local law enforcement officers and Police Chief Joe Montemurro during an enjoyable outing, Lodge 427 President Donald Ike Hackett stated in a news release. Their contributions have made it possible to further improve the relationship between El Paso Police officers and the citizens they serve and protect. McGrath Highway Chevrolet-GMC, Heller Ford and American Buildings Co. have provided financial support each year for to provide free food, drinks and admission to the El Paso community swimming pool during the event, the news release said. Kirby Foods employees have donated their time to grill, serving more than 1,000 hot dogs in three hours, and also supplied more than 500 bottles of water for the event. Photos: El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 1 091224.JPG El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 2 091224.JPG El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 3 091224.JPG El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 4 091224.JPG El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 5 091224.JPG El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 6 091224.JPG El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 7 091224.JPG El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 8 091224.JPG El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 9 091224.JPG El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 10 091224.JPG El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 11 091224.JPG El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 12 091224.JPG El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 13 091224.JPG El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 14 091224.JPG El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 15 091224.JPG El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 16 091224.JPG El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 17 091224.JPG El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 18 091224.JPG El Paso-Gridley at Ridgeview volleyball 19 091224.JPG Yemen's Houthis unveil new "hypersonic" missile following attack on Israel Xinhua) 09:11, September 17, 2024 ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group on Monday unveiled their new missile system, which they claimed possesses hypersonic capabilities, just one day after launching a missile attack deep into Israeli territory. The missile, dubbed "Palestine-2," was revealed through footage released by the Houthi-run al-Masirah channel, showcasing what the group asserted to be cutting-edge technology designed to challenge regional defense systems. The video depicted the "Palestine-2" missile being raised on what appeared to be a mobile launcher and swiftly ascending into the air, leaving plumes of white smoke in its wake. The missile's name is prominently displayed, accompanied by "Hypersonic" in bold red letters. The revelation of this Houthi weapon comes amid escalating tensions in the region and has drawn sharp responses from Israeli leadership. According to Houthi footage, the "Palestine-2" boasts an impressive range of 2,150 kilometers and is powered by solid fuel in two stages. They asserted that the missile can reach speeds of up to Mach 16 -- 16 times the speed of sound -- placing it well within the hypersonic category if verified. The Houthi group further claimed the missile is equipped with stealth technology and possesses maneuverability that allegedly surpasses even "the most sophisticated air defense systems globally, including Israel's renowned Iron Dome." These claims, if being substantiated, would represent a significant leap in the Houthis' missile technology and could potentially shift the balance of power in the region. However, it is crucial to note that these assertions have not been independently verified, and local Yemeni military experts often approach such claims with a degree of skepticism and caution. The unveiling follows a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. On Sunday, the Houthi group confirmed they had launched an attack deep into Israeli territory, claiming to have used a "new hypersonic ballistic missile." In a televised address broadcast via the al-Masirah channel on Sunday, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi stated, "Our operations will continue as long as the aggression and siege on Gaza continue." He further emphasized the group's commitment to their cause, asserting that the group is "moving to do more, and what is coming is greater." Al-Houthi also referenced ongoing maritime operations, describing them as "successful and highly effective" in targeting navigation associated with Israel and its allies. In response to the attack, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning on Sunday, stating that the Houthis would face a "heavy price" for their actions against Israel. "This morning, the Houthis launched a surface-to-surface missile from Yemen into our territory," Netanyahu told his cabinet ministers at the start of their weekly meeting. "Anyone who attacks us will not escape our wrath." Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar expressed gratitude to Yemen's Houthi group for their recent long-range missile attack against Israel through an official message reported by the al-Masirah TV on Monday. "I congratulate you on your success in reaching the depth of the enemy entity with your missiles, bypassing all Israeli air shields and defense systems," Sinwar stated in his message addressed to the Houthi leader. This recent development is part of a series of confrontations between the Houthi group and Israel. In July, the Houthis claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Tel Aviv, which led to retaliatory Israeli airstrikes on key Houthi-controlled areas and sites in Yemen, including the strategic port city of Hodeidah. The ongoing conflict has included multiple attacks by the Houthi group on targets in southern Israel and ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea region. (Web editor: Peng Yukai, Zhong Wenxing) The logo for Chevron appears above a trading post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Nov. 1, 2021. The company will be at the 2024 Gastech Conference at the George R Brown Convention Center in Houston this week. Richard Drew/Associated Press The 2024 Gastech Conference kicked off Tuesday at Houston's George R. Brown Convention Center, where global leaders gathered discuss solutions in the energy industry. "Gastech is a global event that draws tens of thousands of attendees and millions of dollars in economic impact to its host city, and we are incredibly excited to have in Houston," said Michael Heckman, president and CEO of Houston First Corporation. Here's what to know about the 2024 Gastech Conference hosted in Houston this week. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What is the Houston Gastech Conference? The Houston Gastech Conference is a four-day global event where leaders will collaborate, transform and advance the global energy system and new industrial age, according to the conference website. The conference is a platform for pioneers and pathfinders, showcasing more innovations and visions for climate action and sustainability. "Gastech 2024 will unfold at a critical moment in the energy calendar, as continued disruption of global supply lines and increased pressure to meet net-zero goals has put unprecedented stress on the international system," according to the conference news release. BUSINESS NEWS: Exxon agrees to sell stake in Baytown hydrogen facility to Abu Dhabi energy group Who's attending the Gastech Conference? The Gastech Conference will feature 800 exhibiting companies from more than 125 countries including NECs, IECs, EPCs and solutions providers. Several leaders in the gas, energy and technology will attend including Chevron CEO Mike Wirth, ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance, Woodside Energy CEO and MD Meg O'Neill, Cheniere Energy President and CEO Jack Fusco and 68th Secretary of State John F. Kerry. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some international leaders will be attending this year's conference. The conference will bring these experts together for business opportunities, to explore solutions and technologies, and networking within the industry. When does the Gastech Conference start in Houston? The Gastech Conference is scheduled to take place from Sept. 17-20 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. WORKFORCE REDUCTION: Shell cutting jobs on oil and gas exploration and development team Advertisement Article continues below this ad Where to park for the Gastech Conference The Gastech Conference website listed ways to commute to the George R. Brown Convention Center this week, including METRORail, Zipcar, ride-sharing and more. Those using their own vehicles to travel can find parking options near the center by visiting grbhouston.com/attendees/parking-maps-and-directions. How do I attend the Gastech Conference? Anyone interested in attending the Gastech Conference can register as an exhibitor, a delegate or a visitor. Exhibitors were requested to book a stand and someone on the conference team would reach out. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Fill out a form online for one of the delegate rates such as the Strategic Conference pass and Technical & Commercial Conference pass. The form will allow you to register up to five delegates. Minister for Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye has condemned the National Democratic Congress(NDC) over their position on the Electoral Commission. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) accuses the Electoral Commission (EC) of possessing a voters register that has irregularities and bloated names. The party is of the firm belief that the EC wants to rig the December 7 elections in favor of the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP). They therefore threaten a protest against the Commission on Tuesday, September 17. "We had a very good meeting with the regional police bosses and the agreement is that we are going to proceed with our demonstration on the 17th of this month. And its going to happen not just in Greater Accra but in all the other regions of the country at the same time. We wanted to have a confirmation about the endpoint in terms of the route, we had an agreement that we are going to start from the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, proceed through Farisco Traffic Light through to TUC, continue through the Ministry and come all the way to Parliament and end up in front of the premises of the Electoral Commission, NDC General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey told the media at the EC Headquarters after a meeting between the leadership of the party and the Accra Regional Police Command. Reacting to the NDCs posture on the register during Peace FMs 'Kokrokoo' show on Monday, September 16, Dr. Okoe Boye wondered why the opposition party is afraid, because, to him, the Commission led by Jean Mensa has no power to make a President for Ghana. He noted that the election of a leader though made by the citizens is ultimately a decision only God can make. To him, no one can decide who to become a king if God hasnt appointed such a king. It is God who makes a king . . . lets do what we can as humans but its God who will make a king tomorrow, he replied the NDC. 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 Former President John Dramani Mahama has launched a blistering attack on State institutions, particularly the Military and religious institutions for what he says is their support for the New Patriotic Party and their flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Addressing NDC supporters at a campaign event, the former President, in a furious tirade, questioned the Chiefs, Clergy and Imams as well as traditionalists in the country why they are not berating the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration. We have Pastors, Imams, Chiefs and civil society groups in this country who instead of rebuking the NPP, rather support them. When NDC says something, it is like we are the bad ones. They must rather joining forces with us to tell the government that, due to your wickedness towards Ghanaians, it is time for you to go. But you will see Chiefs commending them (NPP) that they have done good jobs. In the churches, you see pastors praying for him (Bawumia) that the government has done a good job; we bless you and may God give you victory. He goes to the traditionalists and they pour wine to their shrines and ask their ancestors to guide him (Bawumia), he said. He averred that "they are hypocrites but I am confident that the NDC will win". 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 Professor Joseph Osafo has shared disbelief in the notion that the Electoral Commission is planning to rig the December 7 elections. The Senior Psychologist, speaking in relation to the National Democratic Congress' threat to embark on demonstration against Electoral Commission (EC) citing irregularities in the voter's register, doubted the possibility of the Commission to subvert the authority of the electorates. The NDC has scheduled its protest on Tuesday, September 17. According to the party's General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, we had a very good meeting with the regional Police bosses and the agreement is that we are going to proceed with our demonstration on the 17th of this month. And its going to happen not just in Greater Accra but in all the other Regions of the country at the same time." He continued; We wanted to have a confirmation about the endpoint in terms of the route. We had an agreement that we are going to start from the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, proceed through Farisco Traffic Light through to TUC, continue through the Ministry and come all the way to Parliament and end up in front of the premises of the Electoral Commission. But to Prof. Osafo, it is highly unlikely for the EC to interrupt the elections to favor a party, hence called on the politicians to desist from inciting their supporters to wreak mayhem. "Nobody will subvert Ghana's supreme will. We are the ones going to vote and will vote accordingly", he emphasized on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show. 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 Democratic Congress (NDC) has formally presented its petition to the Electoral Commission. The petition which was presented by the party's National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia was received by Samuel Tettey, the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations at the EC. Concerns The largest opposition party has expressed concerns about discrepancies in the voter's register ahead of the 2024 election. In a nationwide demonstration on Tuesday, September 17, under the theme Enough is Enough the party reiterated its demand for an independent forensic audit of the voter's register. Other demands include a re-exhibition of the voters register post forensic audit, a 5-day re-exhibition period following the forensic audit, correction of unauthorized vote transfers, and adoption of a definitive timetable for electoral activities. Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/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 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 archaeological excavation in ancient Fregellae uncovered the oldest known villa in the region. Credit: LEIZA / Dominik Maschek From 22 July to 19 August 2024, a team of researchers from the Leibniz-Zentrum fur Archaologie (LEIZA) and the University of Trier investigated the remains of the late Republican city of Fregellae in present-day Italy to better understand the social and economic fabric of the region before and after its destruction in 125 BCE. Investigations of the oldest villa in the area and a Roman military camp outside the city show that the attack also ruined the economic basis of the local inhabitants' livelihood. As a result, the region remained uninhabited for more than 170 years. This year, work focused on a villa with an agricultural production facility and the further development of a Roman military camp that was built during the siege of the city. The villa, which belonged to the local elite, is the oldest of its kind discovered in the region to date. It was built about 80 years before the destruction of Fregellae. "It's fascinating that we were able to uncover the architectural structure of such an early production facility," explains Prof Dr. Dominik Maschek, project manager at LEIZA. "Despite the traces of fire and the almost complete removal of the building materials, the finds offer valuable insights into rural life and the economic activities of the inhabitants at the time." Archaeobotanical investigations and finds of amphorae and storage vessels prove that wine, fruit and grain were produced in the complex. "The wine was probably not only produced for the local market. It is quite possible that it was traded within Mediterranean exchange networks as far as Spain and France. The cultivation of grain and fruit, on the other hand, was certainly intended for the local market," explains Maschek. Archaeobotanical analyses of seeds and plant remains provide information on the cultivation and trade of wine. Credit: LEIZA / Anton Ritzhaupt The obliteration of the site by the Roman army not only meant the end of this production site, but also the loss of the livelihood of its inhabitants. Maschek adds, "The violent destruction caused lasting damage to the entire economy of the region. The landscape remained uninhabited for over 170 years until the area was finally used as a rubbish dump. We have found numerous ceramic vessels dating from around 50 CE." In addition to the work on the villa, the researchers have also further investigated the military camp identified last year. The camp, built for the siege of Fregellae, covered an area of 90 x 143 meters and was surrounded by a rampart and a ditch. The investigations support the previous findings on Roman military strategy and siege tactics. "This new information consolidates our picture of the Roman siege in 125 BCE," explains Maschek. The agricultural production site and the surrounding cultural landscape provide archaeologists with important clues as to the extent of the destruction and the consequences of the Roman campaign against Fregellae. This year's finds make a decisive contribution to understanding the changes within the surrounding cultural landscape after the attack. Next year, the rich finds from the excavations will be further investigated and analyzed with the aim of reconstructing the effects of war and conflict on the cultural landscape, from the destruction of 125 BCE to the fighting of World War II. Project information The research project, "A Landscape of Conflict: Battlefield Archaeology in Territory of Ancient Fregellae / Modern Arce, Ceprano, and San Giovanni Incarico," has been led by Maschek since 2015. The archaeological investigations at the excavation site, located about 100 km from Rome, reconstruct the Roman military assault on the once flourishing city of Fregellae. Remains of wall paintings, sanctuaries, atrium houses, floor mosaics and public baths in the city center provide clear evidence of deliberate destruction. The main aim of the research project is to find out how such sieges in the Roman period affected the urban hinterland and what degree of damage the surrounding cultural landscape suffered in the case of Fregellae. Provided by Leibniz-Zentrum fur Archaologie (LEIZA) 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: NASA/JPL-Caltech On September 4 2024, astronomers discovered an asteroid, 1 meter in diameter, heading towards Earth. The space rock would burn up harmlessly in the atmosphere near the Philippines later that day, officials announced. Nevertheless, it produced a spectacular fireball that was shared in videos posted on social media. The object, known as RW1, was only the ninth asteroid to be spotted before impact. But what of much bigger, more dangerous asteroids? Would our warning systems be able to detect all the asteroids that are capable of threatening us on the ground? Asteroid impacts have influenced every large body in the solar system. They shape their appearance, alter their chemical abundance andin the case of our own planet at the very leastthey helped kickstart the formation of life. But these same events can also disrupt ecosystems, wiping out life, as they did 66 million years ago when a 10 km space rock contributed to the extinction of the dinosaurs (excluding birds). Asteroids are the material left over from the formation of our solar system, that was not incorporated into planets and moons. They come in all shapes and sizes. Their paths are determined by gravity and can, to some extent, be predicted. Of particular interest are the objects that are close to Earth's orbitcalled near-Earth objects (NEOs). As of Sep 2024, we know of approximately 36,000 such objects, ranging in size from several meters to a few kilometers. But statistical models predict nearly 1 billion such objects should exist and we only know of very few of them. We have been monitoring these asteroids since the 1980s and setting up more detailed surveys of them since the 1990s. The surveys use telescopes to make observations of the entire sky every night and then compare images of the same region on different dates. Astronomers are interested in whether, in the same area of the sky, something has moved with respect to the stars from one night to another. Anything that has moved could be an asteroid. Observing its positions over a longer period allows team members to determine its exact path. This in turn enables them to predict where it will be in future, though such data collection and analysis is a time-consuming process that requires patience. It is made even more challenging by the fact that there are many more smaller objects out there than bigger ones. Some of these smaller objects are nevertheless of sufficient size to cause damage on Earth, so we still need to monitor them. They are also reasonably faint and therefore harder to see with telescopes. It can be difficult to predict the paths of smaller objects long into the future. This is because they have gravitational interactions with all the other objects in the solar system. Even a small gravitational pull on a smaller object can, over time, alter its future orbit in unpredictable ways. Funding is crucial in this effort to detect dangerous asteroids and predict their paths. In 2023, NASA allocated US$90 million (69 million) to hunt for near Earth objects (NEOs). There are several missions being developed to detect hazardous objects from space, for example the Sutter Ultra project and NASA's NEOsurveyor infrared telescope mission. There are even space missions to explore realistic scenarios for altering the paths of asteroids such as the Dart mission. Dart crashed into an asteroid's moon so that scientists could measure the changes in its path. It showed that it was indeed possible in principle to alter the course of an asteroid by crashing a spacecraft into it. But we're still far from a concrete solution that could be used in the event of a large asteroid that was really threatening Earth. Detection programs create a huge amount of image data every day, which is challenging for astronomers to work through quickly. However, AI could help: advanced algorithms could automate the process to a greater degree. Citizen science projects can also open up the task of sorting through the data to the public. Our current efforts are working, as demonstrated by the detection of the relatively small asteroid RW1. It was only discovered briefly before it struck Earth, but gives us hope that we are on the right track. Asteroids less than 25 m in diameter generally burn up before they can cause any damage. But objects of 251,000 meters in diameter are large enough to get through our atmosphere and cause localized damage. The extent of this damage depends upon the properties of the object and the area where it will hit. But an asteroid of 140 meters in size could cause widespread destruction if it hit a city. Luckily, collisions with asteroids in this size range are less frequent than for smaller objects. A 140-meter-diameter object should hit Earth every 2,000 years. As of 2023, statistical models suggest that we know of 38% of all existing near earth objects with a size of 140 meters or larger. With the new US Vera Rubin 8.5m telescope, we hope to increase this fraction to roughly 60% by 2025. NASA's NEOsurveyor infrared telescope could identify 76% of asteroids 140 meters in size or bigger by 2027. Asteroids larger than 1 kilometer in size have the ability to cause damage on a global scale, similar to the one that helped to wipe out the dinosaurs. These asteroids are much rarer but easier to spot. Since 2011, we think we have detected 98% of these objects. Less comforting is the fact that we have no current realistic proposal for diverting its paththough missions like Dart are a start. We might eventually be able to compile a near-complete list of all possible asteroids that could cause global impacts on Earth. It's much less likely that we will ever detect every object that could cause localized damage on Earthsuch as destroying a city. We can only continue to monitor what's out there, creating a warning system that will allow us to prepare and react. 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 soldier for the military police in Honduras is burning a pile of recently destroyed coca plants, the main ingredient in cocaine. Credit: Fritz Pinnow for The Ohio State University For many decades, the coca plantthe main ingredient in cocainehas been grown almost exclusively in South America. But a new study shows that nearly half of northern Central America appears to be highly suitable for cultivating this lucrative cash crop. Findings show that 47% of Honduras, Guatemala and Belize have the right climate and soil for commercial coca growing. Most of southern Central America was not suitable. It's not a hypothetical concern. Researchers began the study after seeing media reports and press releases about coca eradication operations by police and military forces in several Central American countries. "South America's long monopoly on coca production for the international cocaine market is over," said Kendra McSweeney, corresponding author of the study and professor of geography at The Ohio State University. "That's a very significant development in the dynamics of the cocaine trade." The study, published Sept. 17 in the journal Environmental Research Letters, was led by Paulo J. Murillo-Sandoval of the Universidad del Tolima in Colombia. For now, coca growing in Central America appears to be rare and scattered in remote areas, McSweeney said. But this study suggests it has the potential to become more widespread, especially under business-as-usual drug policies. The researchers drew data from press releases and media reports of 55 separate coca eradication operations in Central America from 2017 through 2022. McSweeney and her colleagues mapped the approximate locations of each coca field cluster. Next, they used digital data on combined soil, climate and topographic factors that might favor or limit coca farming in those areas. They then used machine-learning models to compare these Central American locations to known coca-growing sites in Colombia. "This is the kind of assessment that researchers do routinely for standard crops. To see, for example, can soy be grown in this part of Brazil?" McSweeney said. "But we wanted to know if this illegal crop could be grown in an area where we don't think it has been grown until recently. And it turns out it is great for growing coca. It's ideal." While nearly half of northern Central America has the right biophysical characteristics to grow coca, a question is why criminal groups are growing coca there at all, given the current coca surplus in South America. There are no definitive answers, the authors said, but there are some possible theories. Murillo-Sandoval indicated that the end of the armed conflict in Colombia since 2016 leveraged new ideas about how the coca business can be managed. One new way is to explore the potential of growing coca nearer to northern markets, including the United States. Also, there are a variety of precursor chemicals that are needed to turn coca into cocaine, and those chemicals are less regulated in Central America than they are in Colombia. Another advantage to Central America is that growing coca there would allow traffickers to avoid Coast Guard interdiction of boats smuggling cocaine north out of South America, shortening the supply chain for traffickers based in Mexico. "It would be much more convenient and cheaper for them to buy cocaine produced right next door in Guatemala, than have it shipped from Colombia," McSweeney said. "It is an economic and strategic decision." McSweeney said she and her colleagues discussed whether they should publish these results because of ethical concerns. They were concerned about possibly providing information that could be helpful to organized criminal networks involved in growing coca. They also worried that police and military in Central America could use the information to target law enforcement in the rural communities unlucky enough to be located near coca plantations, and who might erroneously be assumed to be involved, McSweeney said. But their Central American co-author and collaborators in the region encouraged publication of the research and said that the general public had a right to know and discuss the findings, so they can be prepared. "The citizens there need to know how big this industry could become. As for the criminals, they're way ahead of usthey already know about Central America's agricultural suitability. They've been testing growing conditions in multiple countries for years," McSweeney said. McSweeney emphasized that coca plantations are still rare in northern Central America, and the researchers are not predicting where coca will be grown in the future. They stress that the coca industry's future in Central America will depend in part on how the countries involved respond to the current threat. Murillo-Sandoval said he knows from Colombia's experience that eradication of coca plantations doesn't work. It only spreads coca-growing to new areas. McSweeney and colleagues' previous work has also shown that at-sea interdiction of drug shipments is equally counter-productive. In conclusion to the current study, the researchers urge drug policy analysts and policymakers to consider novel policy and law-enforcement approaches. Current supply-side approaches to the drug war that rely heavily on law enforcement raids and destruction of growing operations simply encourage criminals to move their operations elsewherea dynamic that has played out in South America for decades. McSweeney said, adding that this study shows that Central America is at risk of becoming one of the next places for these destructive dynamics to take root. "We need to find new ways to battle the drug problem that don't encourage this outcome," she said. "The solutions don't all lie in Central America. We have to re-think our drug policies at home, too." 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 The burden of supporting asylum-seekers with food and housing often falls to cities, creating severe budget crunches. But Denver is piloting a new approach designed to integrate immigrants into the workforce faster. The Denver Asylum Seekers Program offers six months of rent-free housing along with legal assistance, food aid and workforce training. The program started on April 10, 2024, with spots for up to 1,000 participants. Only asylum-seekers who were already living in Denver when the program launched are eligiblea provision designed to control costs and discourage hopeful participants from coming to Denver. This is an important detail in a city thatlike othershas groaned under the financial strain of an influx of migrants since December 2022. Upfront financial costs of the new program include expenditures on housing, food and training, which is predicted to cost around US$1,700 per migrant. So is this expenditure worth it? One way to assess that is to look at an economist's tool set called a cost-benefit analysis. I teach this tool set as a professor of economics at Colorado State University. Such an analysis considers the broad benefits and costs of a program like Denver's compared with maintaining the status quo or "doing nothing." A system under strain Migrant flows in Denver reached a peak in early 2024, when 5,213 people arrived in just one day, leading the city to cut hours at recreation centers and the Division of Motor Vehicles to help free up funds to provide food and housing. Many of the migrants arrived from the Mexico border, put on buses paid for by the Texas governor because of Denver's status as a sanctuary city. Denver has seen 42,817 migrants arrive since the end of 2022, more than any other U.S. city its size, but the numbers have fallen significantly in recent weeks. The new Denver Asylum Seekers Program was designed to control costs by serving a limited number of asylum-seekers while assisting others with "securing onward travel," as the city describes it, after staying just 72 hours in temporary housing. Previously, the city had offered 14 days of shelter for adults and 42 days for families. The program allowed Denver to trim $15 million per quarter from its previously projected budget, but the city will still spend $90 million on migrant services in 2024, including the costs of the Denver Asylum Seekers Program. Costs of 'doing nothing' Denver currently has more than 10,000 people experiencing homelessness, so one motivation for the new program is to keep these migrants off the streets. Denver's homeless population grew 32% in 2023 to about 10,000 people, even when migrants are not included in the totals. More people on the streets leads to higher care costs in emergency rooms and for policing. If the program means that some of the costs associated with "doing nothing" are avoided, then those avoided costs could go to other income support and preventive programs. This idea was illustrated in 2023 when Denver faced extra expenditures on migrant services and around $2 million was paid from Department of Human Services accounts, shortchanging other programs. How Denver's program addresses issues The Denver program is a direct response to work authorization processing times for newly arrived asylum-seekers, whichin recent monthshave taken as long as a year. Under federal law, asylum-seekers must wait 150 days before even applying to legally work in this country. The Denver program is designed to put that waiting period to good use via workforce training, which increases the odds that migrants will quickly secure employment as soon as they're allowed to work. Workforce training will benefit not only the migrants themselves, but also their dependent family members and local economies. Recently published statistics show that, so getting migrant parents to work will minimize costs to programs that support children like public welfare services. Other benefits of migrant services Research suggests that supporting migrants will also promote local economic development. An economics professor at Montana State University found that a 100-dollar increase in monthly assistance received by refugees through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program was associated with 5% to 8% higher wages for these migrants once they started working. The research concluded that refugee assistance was cost-effective to bridge refugees into well-matched jobs. Those jobs, in turn, contribute to the long-run economy that benefits everyone. Refugee integration has also been shown to be valuable for Colorado specifically. Professors from the Colorado School of Public Health and the University of Colorado Anschutz documented links between economic sufficiency and community integration of 467 Colorado refugees over three years. They measured integration based on understanding American culture, knowing legal rights, and other aspects of social and economic stability. Investment returns of migrant employment A common counterargument to investments in new migrants is the possibility of labor-market displacement of native-born workers. However, in a paper circulated by the U.S. Department of State, refugee admissions were shown to have not affected wages or employment for natives over a 30-year study period. In 2018, the Colorado Department of Human Services generated $611 million in new economic activity in the state. The rate of return was $1.23 in new state and local tax revenue for each $1 invested in refugee services. If this first-of-its-kind program achieves this same return on investment, it can be expanded or replicated in other cities to decrease migrant expenditure and promote local economic sustainability. 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: Ducks in the study were sourced from companies that sell game meat. Credit: University of Exeter Ducks are still commonly killed with lead shot in England despite a ban and voluntary moves by shooting groups, research published in Environmental Pollution shows. Lead is highly toxic to both humans and wildlife, and using it to kill ducks has been illegal in England since 1999. In 2020, leading shooting organizations announced a plan to end the use of lead shot for hunting all live quarry. In the new study, researchers from the University of Exeter and WWT, the charity for wetlands and wildlife, collected 176 mallards from 37 suppliers across England in 202122. Of the 133 that contained recent shot, 69% had been shot illegally with lead. The U.K. government is due to review legislation on lead ammunition in the coming months. "Our findings suggest that neither legislation nor the voluntary switch has stopped the use of lead shot for killing ducks," said Emily Strong, from the Environment and Sustainability Institute on Exeter's Penryn Campus in Cornwall. "As well as analyzing ducks shot in 202122, we looked at five comparable surveys from 2001 to 2019, to see how things have changed over time and in different parts of England. "In the North West and West Midlands, the likelihood of mallards containing lead shot decreased significantly over time, but no other regions showed significant changes. The use of non-lead shot types varied over time, with increases in steel shot use approximately matched by declines in bismuth shotbut illegal use of lead remains dominant." Strong is working with shooters to identify and remove barriers to the phase-out of leadwhich include cost, availability, and concerns that non-lead shot may be less effective, as well as fears around the loss of traditional practices. Dead ducks in the studysourced from companies that sell game meat for human consumptionwere assessed using stable isotope analysis to see which were wild and which were captive-reared. Captive-reared ducks are more likely to come from game estates where they are driven over a line of shooters for sport, while wild birds are more often killed by specialist wild duck shooters. Of the samples collected, reared ducks had a 75% chance of containing lead shot, while wild ducks had a 48% chance of containing lead shotsuggesting use of lead shot is more frequent among driven-game shooters than wild duck shooters. Rules review Ammunition remains an important source of exposure to lead for people, wildlife, livestock and companion animals. Each year an estimated 7,000 tons of lead is fired either into animals or the wider environment across the U.K. Rules vary across U.K. nations, but current laws include a ban on lead for shooting of wildfowl (ducks, geese and swans) in England and Wales, and for shooting over wetlands in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The U.K. government and devolved administrations are due to consider possible legal changes over the next few months. Co-author Dr. Julia Newth, from WWT, said, "It's a scandal that this illegal shooting has been going on for years. Lead has been poisoning our wildlife and communities for decadesbut this year the government has an opportunity to turn things around. "Voluntary efforts to phase out lead ammunition have failed: It took policy to remove lead from petrol, paint and pipes, and it will take policy to remove it from ammunition. This autumn is our chancenow is the time to end the era of lead for good." More information: Emily A. Strong et al, TEMPORARY REMOVAL: Spatial and temporal variation in the prevalence of illegal lead shot in reared and wild mallards harvested in England, Environmental Pollution (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124756 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: The genetic analysis of when kakapo arrived in New Zealand remains unresolved. Credit: Chris Birmingham/Department of Conservation/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA Aotearoa New Zealand is a land of birds, from the smallest of wrens to the mightiest of moa. The ancestors of some species have been here for tens of millions of years, while others arrived only a few million years ago. So a recent suggestion that moa and kiwi are recent immigrants from Australia, while wrens and kakapo are New Zealand's truly ancient birds, was sure to ignite controversy. The contentious report was based on a scientific review of fossils found at St Bathans in Central Otago. However, putting dates on arrivals requires a combination of both physical fossil evidence in deposits of a known age and genetic dating techniques that determine when the birds we know today diverged from their closest relatives. Dating the arrival of birds in New Zealand New Zealand is part of the larger continent of Zealandia, which finished separating from the supercontinent Gondwana some 57 million years ago. Some familiar animals were likely present in proto-New Zealand at this time, including our unique silent frogs, the ancient tuatara and many invertebrates. Tens of millions of years of dispersal of both plants and animals followed. Fossils and DNA allow us to explore these dispersal events in detail. Fossils can preserve evidence for millennia longer than DNA molecules, but DNA can shed light on many processes even when fossils are rare. This quality is particularly valuable since the chance of finding fossils decreases the further back we look in time. Both approaches carry their own assumptions and biases that influence calculations of the range of arrival times. Our team uses ancient DNA to date these arrivals, showing for example that the purple swamp hen ancestors of takahe and moho arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand around four million years ago from Australia, as part of a suite of open-habitat birds that included ancestors of the kaki black stilt, pouakai Haast's eagle and kerangi Eyles' harrier. Other genetic studies have shown the ancestors of New Zealand wrens, the most primitive of all perching birds, split off about 50 to 60 million years ago. Wren fossils are part of the wonders unearthed at St Bathans, alongside remains of both moa and kiwi. Genetic and morphological analyses of ratites (such as ostrich, kiwi, moa and elephant birds) suggest the ancestors of moa and kiwi reached Zealandia, separately, around 50 to 60 million years ago. Both groups filled the job vacancy in the ecosystem left by dinosaurs, becoming large and flightless. The kakapo, meanwhile, along with the kaka and kea, belong to a family that split off from all other living parrots very early on; they, too, are an ancient group. But genetic dating of their arrival in Zealandia remains unresolved, with studies variously putting it between 20 to 80 million years ago. The ancestors of birds have been arriving in New Zealand for tens of millions of years. Credit: Adapted from Valente et al (2019), CC BY-SA Precise dating of these splits presents a significant challenge. Nevertheless, the range between 30 million and a few million ascribed to the moa and kiwi by the recent announcement is not borne out by available evidenceand neither group is Australian as reported. Moa are most closely related to the flying chicken-sized tinamous from South America, and kiwi are relatives of the giant extinct elephant birds from Madagascar. Indeed, Australia did not even exist as a discrete entity 50 to 60 million years ago; it was still firmly affixed to Antarctica and South America. Exactly what routes the ancestors of moa and kiwi took to reach Zealandia remains unknown. They were part of a group of flying birds with a worldwide distribution called Lithornids, which lost flight many times independently and evolved into the ratites we know today. The bones will speak The St Bathans fossil deposit has given us an indispensable window into prehistoric New Zealand, and in many ways it is familiarthe bones of moa, kiwi, parrots, wrens and bats provide a reassuring continuity. As the publication notes, though, there are also many strange things in the fossil depositcrocodiles, a relative of flamingos and a giant turtle. There's an Alice in Wonderland quality to St Bathans, and it's a crucial piece of the story of Aotearoa New Zealand's biological heritage. The presence of a bird's fossil in the deposit indicates the lineage was present in New Zealand a long time ago. But how long ago, exactly? Most estimates put the age of the St Bathans lake sediments between 12 and 20 million years, but these estimates are imprecise, making definitive statements about the age of animal groups difficult. Even if a lineage was present in the St Bathans deposits, this still does not prove a continuous presence from that time to the present day. Whatever the age of St Bathans, it's tempting to think remains found in the paleo-lake are members of truly ancient lineages, while things that only arrived after the lake dried up are invaders, little more than wayward tourists that got off at the wrong stop. No matter when ancestors of birds arrived in New Zealand, their time on these isles has shaped their evolution in profound ways. Our team is working on determining arrival times and it's looking increasingly dynamic, tied to environmental conditions. The ancestors of the majestic huia arrived here 27 million years ago, evolving distinct beak shapes in males and females and white-tipped feathers that were high-status symbols in Maori society. At the other end of the scale, the closest relative of the 16kg Haast's eagle, whose ancestors arrived here a mere 2.5 million years ago, is the smallest eagle in the worldweighing only 1kg. Let's continue to embrace and care for our amazing bird faunawhatever their age, they all have a bit of Aotearoa New Zealand in them. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Justin Ballard is the Houston Chronicle's first ever newsroom meteorologist. He can be reached at justin.ballard@houstonchronicle.com. He brings five years of experience forecasting tropical systems, severe weather outbreaks, and blizzards to the Houston Chronicle. His unique experience in forecasting will serve him well in his role at the Chronicle, as Houston has experienced a number of impactful weather events in recent years. Justin looks forward to his work with the Houston Chronicle, where he'll be responsible for posting daily weather forecasts. On top of daily forecasts, he is excited to tackle more in-depth weather and climate stories that impact the residents of Southeast Texas. A North Carolina native, Justin joined the Chronicle in July 2023. He graduated with his bachelor's degree in meteorology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in December 2017. 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 As a child growing up in the early 1990s, I remember learning in school about the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide released by burning fossil fuels traps heat near the Earth's surface, like the glass of a greenhouse. I imagined myself on the playground, roasting inside a humid hothouse. Fast forward 30 years, and the terms have changed. For a while, "global warming" was the go-to expression for talking about rising global temperatures and the role of human activities, particularly the use of fossil fuels. It had a spike in internet searches in 2007, probably due to former Vice President Al Gore's documentary "An Inconvenient Truth: A Global Warning," which hit theaters in 2006. Near the end of the Obama administration, "climate change" became the most common term. It's now trending in Google searches more than global warming. Both terms make the same point: Rising global temperatures have major consequences on local weather patterns and worldwide climate effects, including stronger hurricanes, droughts, floods and fires. However, the words we use to discuss these effects can make a large difference in how people understand the risks and the need for more sustainable choices. What's in a name? A lot, it turns out I'm a linguistics researcher currently living on Mayotte Island, off the coast of Madagascar, where I study climate change knowledge among local populations and the language they use to discuss it. Local fishers on Mayotte struggle to talk about the phenomenon because there is no established terminology for it. What my colleagues and I have learned offers some insight into the difficulties people in many cultures have with understanding climate change. In the grand scheme of climate change education and sustainability efforts, this seemingly minor problem of translation is in fact symptomatic of a larger underlying issue regarding the relationship between humans and their environment. In fact, when we dig deeper into the challenges of communicating climate change across cultures, two factors come into play: spiritual beliefs and notions of time. Spiritual language can overlap Spiritual and religious beliefs can play an important role in how climate change is understood and even named. For example, the translation for the term climate in Inuktitut, an Inuit language spoken in Canada, is "sila." However, sila also refers to wisdom, the spirit, the earth, and the universe. It is something sacred to be revered. Seen through the lens of this second set of definitions, sila is effectively impossible for people to influence. It is beyond humankind's reach to change the cosmos. As a result, communication aimed at promoting awareness of climate change becomes politicized in Eastern Canadian Inuit languages. My colleagues and I encountered similar challenges while discussing possible future efforts to slow down environmental destruction caused by climate change on Mayotte. The Maore fishers we interviewed, many of whom were of a deep Islamic faith, often responded with "Inshallah," or God willing, when questioned about efforts the community could make in the future to address the problem. They saw these climate change-related events as out of their hands, as something only God could interfere with. People understand time in different ways Second, we might think that time is objective and therefore shared across cultures. But as Albert Einstein argued, time is relative. Time is not only relative scientifically speaking, but also culturally. For example, the ancient Greeks had more than three types of time, one of which we still use today, Kronos, or linear timethink chronological order. We have all but forgotten Aion, or sacred, eternal time, and Kairos, or cyclical time. Notions of time play an important role when thinking about climate change, since the heart of the phenomenon involves a slow, continuous change over a long period. We cannot see climate change happening with the naked eye, because it occurs over years and decades. Of course, we can see its effects on weather patterns, including extreme heat waves and heavy downpours. Getting people to think about time in a way that simultaneously thinks about the now, and a "then" in the distant future, proves to be challenging in many cultures. For example, researchers studying sustainability efforts in the Maldives Islands have come up against this very issue. While discussing time, many local residents think in terms of the now and the near future, whereas policymakers must think about longer-term effects on a larger scale. These contrasting approaches to time have made it difficult to put into place sustainability efforts to tackle rising sea levelsa significant threat to this tropical nation of 26 atolls. Translating climate change A first step to confronting this problem is to put language at the forefront of climate change education efforts. One youth-driven nonprofit making strides in this area is Climate Cardinals. The group's objective is to translate climate change research into as many languages as possible. Most scientific studies and reports are in English, which can be a barrier to the many non-English speakers around the globe. In their efforts to translate this research and related phenomena, they need to think carefully about how important words are translated and understood. The United Nations and other groups are also starting to take seriously the connection between climate change skepticism and religion, including the need to reconcile eventual points of friction. For example, the Faith for Earth Initiative works with religious organizations to address the compatibility of sustainability efforts and faith. It does this by helping religious leaders connect core spiritual values, such as caring and rejection of greed, to the community's environment, thus reconnecting with nature and seeing themselves as its stewards. Finally, it is imperative to keep studying local or indigenous knowledge about the environment as related to change and time. The ancient Greeks certainly had their reasons for dividing time into multiple categories. So what were the environmental and historical influences that led them to do so? For instance, researchers and community members in Australia are looking to reconcile Indigenous knowledge with Western science. Thanks to the locals' longstanding observations of their environment over several generations, they were able to identify local effects of climate change. Such information is often overlooked and difficult to obtain by traditional research methods. Beyond the headlines Climate change awareness and sustainability efforts will only increase over time. Care must be taken to how these concepts are lived, understood and talked about in non-Western settings. Language is part and parcel of these efforts and deserves to be considered more carefully. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain People's deep connection with the oceantheir "marine identity"can help us reset society's relationship with the seas, new research led by Dr. Pamela Buchan, from the University of Exeter, suggests. A diverse, international group of marine researchers and practitioners met to discuss marine identitybased on testimony and photos from multiple countries. The paper, published in the journal People and Nature, is titled "A transdisciplinary co-conceptualization of marine identity." The project is endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the EU Mission Ocean & Waters. The group included Diz Glithero of the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition, Dr. Emma McKinley of Cardiff University, who helped deliver the workshop, and others from across Europe, Africa, Indonesia, North America, and Australasia. They found many common themes, including traditions and customs; and dependency on the ocean for recreation, livelihoods, health and sustenance. They also found differences, such as negative ways the ocean can form part of identityparticularly for those whose communities and livelihoods are at risk from extreme weather. The group agreed upon a broad definition of marine identity: "An identity rooted in how the ocean as a place supports the sense of self." This is the first time that an international, cross-cultural definition of marine identity has been agreed upon. Dr. Pamela Buchan, a marine social science researcher, said, "Challenge 10 of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) calls for the restoration of society's relationship with the ocean. "We know identity drives people more than valuesand people react to threats to their sense of self. "As a result, marine identity could have a powerful impact on protecting and restoring the ocean. "While many people feel deeply connected to the ocean, they may not think of this in terms of 'marine identity.'" By helping to define and raise awareness of the term, the researchers hope to promote "marine citizenship"people exercising their right to be involved in marine decision-making and taking responsibility for the ocean. Dr. Buchan added, "We can foster this by encouraging easy access to the ocean for everyone, from a young age. "In the UK, for example, as an island nation, many people have a strong marine identitybut often the sea is seen as something remote, to visit then retreat from. "We see conservation and management of marine resources as a matter for government policy, and we do not have policies that directly enable local stewardship. "We hope our research will help strengthen the concept of marine identity, empower people to protect the ocean, and encourage decision-makers to actively consider the relationships that people have with the sea." 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: Artificial impression of the Arctic Weather Satellite in its orbit at an altitude of approx. 600 km. Credit: ESA/Mlabspace The Arctic Weather Satellite (AWS) of the European Space Agency (ESA) was sent on its journey to a polar orbit 600 km above the Earth on August 16, 2024. On board: four low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF in Freiburg. They are essential components of the passive microwave radiometer with which the AWS measures temperature and humidity in the Arctic more precisely than ever before. This should contribute to a better understanding of both the Arctic and the climate change that is particularly visible in it. If the mission is successful, ESA plans to launch a global constellation of identical small satellites into space to enable more precise and shorter-term weather forecasts (nowcasting) and climate observations on a global scale. The task of LNAs in technical systems is to improve the quality of incoming signals. As their name suggests, they amplify weak signals while causing as little background noise as possible so that signals can be more easily detected and analyzed. In this way, LNAs increase the sensitivity of systems. "The more powerful a low-noise amplifier is, the more accurately and reliably a system can collect data. They play a major role in satellite-based Earth observation, as the microwave radiation that reaches the satellite radiometer is very weak," explains Dr. Fabian Thome, Deputy Head of Business Unit High Frequency Electronics at Fraunhofer IAF. "It is a great confirmation and motivation that we are contributing to better research into the Arctic and its effects on the global climate with our LNAs." Contributing LNAs for frequency ranges around 54, 89 and 170 GHz to the AWS radiometer The AWS microwave radiometer consists of a rotating antenna that picks up the natural microwave radiation emitted by the Earth's surface and transmits it to four feedhorns and four receivers. The antenna and receiver each belong to one of four groups comprising a total of 19 channels, which together cover a frequency spectrum of 50 to 325 GHz: Eight channels with frequencies from 50 to 58 GHz measure temperature, one channel at 89 GHz detects clouds, another at 165.5 GHz both clouds and humidity, five channels between 176 and 182 GHz are only responsible for humidity, while finally four channels at 325 GHz plus/minus 1.2 to 6.6 GHz measure humidity and also detect clouds. With this technical equipment, the radiometer is able to create high-resolution vertical humidity and temperature profiles under all weather conditions. Fraunhofer IAF has provided a total of four LNAs for three of the four channel groups: one module for the frequency range around 54 GHz, two identical modules for 89 GHz, which were connected in series for greater overall amplification, and one module for the 170 GHz range. The researchers have enhanced proven technologies based on the compound semiconductor indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) and realized metamorphic high-electron-mobility transistors (mHEMTs) for monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs). InGaAs mHEMT technology for MMICs "Fraunhofer IAF is a world leader in the development of transistors and circuits for satellite-based radiometry systems. Our modules define the state of the art in many performance areas," emphasizes Thome. This can also be seen exemplarily in the AWS radiometer modules: In tests, the LNA for the frequency range around 54 GHz achieved a noise figure of 1.0 to 1.2 dB with a gain of 31 to 28 dB, thus significantly improving the state of the art. With noise figures of 1.92.3 dB at 2325 dB gain (89 GHz) and 3.34.1 dB at 2530 dB gain, the other AWS LNAs are exactly in the range of the current state of the art. In developing the modules, the researchers worked closely with the direct client ACC Omnisys (AAC Clyde Space) from Sweden, which built the radiometer system for OHB Sweden and ESA. Fraunhofer IAF was able to use its research infrastructure and the expertise of its employees along the entire value chain in the development and production of the modules. Teams from the fields of microelectronics, epitaxy, technology and precision mechanics worked closely together and carried out all the key steps from circuit design to material growth, processing and measurement as well as process technology, separation, assembly technology through to module construction and integration until the LNA modules were ready for use. An initial qualification of the modules for use in space also took place at the institute before the hardware was handed over for receiver integration. AWS and EPS-Sterna: New Space for more precise weather forecasts, nowcasting and climate monitoring The AWS mission is to collect more precise weather data in the Arctic for the first time, which will enable short-term forecasts for the polar regionincluding so-called nowcasting, which refers to forecasts for the next few hours. As the Arctic has a strong influence on global weather, the data also enables better global weather forecasts. This also applies to the climate: climate change is progressing faster in the Arctic than in other regions of the world. At the same time, changes in the Arctic have an impact on the global climate due to feedback effects. Close-up of the 89 GHz LNA MMIC integrated into the respective AWS microwave radiometer LNA module. Credit: Fraunhofer IAF If successful, an entire constellation of identical small satellites will follow the AWS: the EUMETSAT Polar SystemSterna (EPS-Sterna). The plan is to have six satellites in three different orbits at the same time to collect long-term weather data from the polar regions. The satellite set will be renewed three times, so that a total of 18 satellites will be used during the time of the mission. Two satellites are planned as replacements. The first of six EPS-Sterna satellites is due to be launched in 2029. With this project, ESA is pursuing the New Space approach for the first time. New Space is characterized by projects being carried out in the shortest possible time with significantly fewer resources. In the case of AWS, whose total mass is only 150 kg, only three years passed from project start to rocket launch, during which a fraction of the cost was incurred compared to previous projects. Further advantages of New Space are the greater resilience of constellationsthe failure of a satellite in the network can be compensated for or replaced quickly and cheaplyand the flexibility of missions, which can be extended or shortened if necessary, without consuming large amounts of resources. From September 24 to 26, 2024, Fraunhofer IAF will present exhibits of the LNA modules installed in the AWS radiometer as well as other high-frequency electronics from the application areas of satellite communications, mobile communications or low-temperature measurement technology at this year's European Microwave Week (EuMW) in Paris (booth: 202K). Provided by Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics 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 killer whale leaps out of the water when swimminga behaviour known as porpoising. Credit: Minette Layne/Wikipedia/CC An orca has been born to the southern residents: L128, calf of a first-time, 31-year-old mom, L90. The baby is tiny, with clear fetal folds, making it probably about three days old. It was seen for the first time on Sunday, said Michael Weiss, research director for the Center for Whale Research, which confirmed the birth on Monday. Mom and baby appear to be doing fine, Weiss said. The baby is nursing and moving normally, and mom looks physically robust. The pair was seen traveling up and down the west side of San Juan Island all day Monday. "Any birth is good news," said Weiss, who helps track the J, K, and L pods that make up the southern residents, a distinct population of fish-eating orcas that frequent the Salish Sea. The orcas, listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, have struggled to rebuild their numbers after years of losses. Everyone is hoping for a female, but the gender of the baby is not yet known. The July 1 census was 73 whales, which does not count the new baby. Also seen recently was L25, confirming she is still leading the pods as the oldest southern residentperhaps the oldest orca ever known. Possibly born in 1928, L25 carries the vast generational knowledge of countless miles, traveling and finding fish for her family. The older matriarchs lead the pods, particularly in times when fish are scarce. New calves face tough odds, with about half of newborns not surviving their first year. One of the challenges is toxins in their mother's milk, especially for an older, first-time mom like L90. Pollutants are carried to the calf in the fat of the mother's milk. The southern residents are battling extinction. They are facing a lack of adequate, regularly available food because of the decline of Chinook salmon throughout their range. Orcas preferentially target Chinook, the biggest, fattiest salmon. They will also eat chum and coho. Orcas form lifelong family bonds, with the young never leaving their mothers. They are highly social, deeply intelligent top predators. They share language, greeting ceremonies and care of their young. Matriarchs such as L25 also share most of what they catch. J pod is the pod most likely seen year-round in the waters of the San Juan Islands, British Columbia and even the urban waters of Seattle. According to the Center for Whale Research, J pod has 25 members. K pod has the fewest members, with 15 members. L pod is the largest of the three, with 33 members, not counting the newest baby. 2024 The Seattle Times. 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: Between-sex bonds have been reported in a range of primate species with a multi-male multi-female social organization. From top left to bottom right: female (left, with infant) and male red-fronted lemur at Kirindy Forest, Madagascar ; grooming session between a male and female chimpanzee showing closeness with face to face mutual grooming at Tai National Park, Ivory Coast; female Assamese macaque grooming a male at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand; alpha male and female white-faced capuchin forming a coalition at the Lomas Barbudal Monkey Project, Costa Rica. Credit: J. Ostner, L. Samuni, K. Srithorn, S. Perry. Evolution and Human Behavior Female and male primates often form close bonds, but not purely out of affection. Close relationships usually evolve when there is a clear benefit for both parties, with protection and reproductive control playing key roles. A new study, led by primatologists Liesbeth Sterck from Utrecht University and Julia Ostner from the University of Gottingen, provides theoretical insights into how these bonds are formed. The study, published in Evolution and Human Behavior, underlines the decisive role that females play. Why do some female and male primates hit it off and form strong bonds, while others don't? Science has long offered various theories to explain these connections, ranging from sheer physical attraction to deep-rooted evolutionary processes. While these ideas are compelling, most studies on primate bonding have traditionally focused on males as the key players, often overlooking the crucial role that females might play in these relationships. Benefits for both Mapping hundreds of primate observations from the past decades, an international team of primatologists suggests that these 'friendships with benefits' between male and female primates usually evolve when both can gain something. For females, it's about choosing whom they mate with. For males, it's about caring for and protecting their young. These dynamics are especially important in groups where males cannot just dominate females and where offspring need looking after. These bonds are also most likely to form in groups where males aren't the boss and where male care is crucial. The primatologists mapped hundreds of earlier observations of chimpanzees, lemurs, macaques, and other species. "Our findings show that these bonds aren't just about attraction and affection," says Sterck. "They are also strategic. Both male and female primates unconsciously seek out these friendships that provide benefits. The benefits can be protection, better access to resources, or securing the survival of their offspring. For evolution to shape these behaviors, it is not needed that they know when or how the bonds pay off." Changing bonds and breaking up The study also shows that the nature of these bonds can change over time. Initially, males tend to groom females more often during the mating season, but this dynamic can shift. Females might look for male support to protect their infants during nursing. A male may bond with a female initially to secure mating rights, and after the female gives birth, she may rely on the male for protection. Once the offspring become independent, these bonds often dissolve, and both the male and female may move on to other partners. However, in cases where females give males the opportunity to father multiple subsequent offspring, long-term bonds are more likely to form. These stable relationships are common in species like macaques, baboons and chimpanzees, where females repeatedly prefer the same male and males provide ongoing care. Such long-lasting bonds are often supported by mutual benefits, making continued investment worthwhile for both sides. Human relationships When it comes to human relationships, the dynamics might be more complex. Moreover, humans typically form exclusive pairs, while both female and male primates maintain a practice with multiple mating partners. But some of the same underlying principles from primate bonds apply, according to Sterck's team. "Just like our primate relatives, human bonds often involve a mix of affection and strategic partnership," says Sterck. "While love and emotional connection are vital, unconsciously there's also an element of mutual benefit, whether it's support, protection, or shared resources." Love and affection still play a crucial role in primate bonding, says Sterck, even if the evolutionary foundation of these relationships is built on long-term benefits. "While the drive to form strong bonds may stem from evolutionary advantages, emotions like love and affection kick-start these connections. These feelings act as the lubricant, smoothing the way for the actions and behaviors necessary to maintain and deepen these bonds over time." Future research To further investigate how widespread their bonding theory can be in the animal kingdom, Sterck's team calls for additional research. They specifically call for additional research in great apes (such as gorillas and bonobos) and so-called New World primates, including tamarins and capuchinsor even further to non-primate species living in permanent social groups, such as wolfs and lions. They also envision that this approach can shed new light on the evolution and dynamics of human pair bonding. 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: Ediths checkerspot butterfly, whose three populations on Stanford land Ehrlich studied for decades. All three are now extinct due to climate disruption and pollution. The species still exists as other populations. Credit: Paul Ehrlich No oncologist would wait for a patient's cancer to spread before treating it. Similarly, waiting to detect the potential loss of a species across all its known habitats means interventions are often too late to turn the tide of extinction, according to ecologists Paul Ehrlich and Rodolfo Dirzo of Stanford University and Gerardo Ceballos of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Their new book, "Before They Vanish: Saving Nature's Populationsand Ourselves," calls for earlier detection and mitigation of threats to ward off population extinctionthe loss of plants, animals, fungi, or microbes within specific geographic areas. The approach provides a greater chance at stopping the spread of species loss, according to the authors. Drawing on decades of research and experience, the authors explain how humanity is pushing countless species to the brink of extinction, with devastating consequences for ecosystems and human civilization. They highlight how conservationists have tended to focus on saving iconic animals, such as tigers and eagles, on the brink of extinctionprimarily for ethical and aesthetic reasons. It is only relatively recently that biodiversity's crucial role in supporting human life has been appreciated by the scientific community, according to the authors. The book serves as both a diagnosis and a plea for action, outlining solutions to avert a global ecological catastrophe. Below, Ehrlich, Dirzo, and Ceballos discuss their new book, their decades in the field, and their hope for the future. What are some of the cascading effects of population extinctionsthe loss of a species in a specific geographic locationthat may not be immediately obvious to the public? Dirzo: Look at the combined impact of deforestation, poaching, and hunting on the populations of elephants, giraffes, and other large herbivores in African savannas. The local loss or decline of these vertebrates' populations not only leads to the decline of prey for carnivores but triggers major vegetation changesmore grass and shrubs. These changes in turn create a perfect storm for small mammal populations, particularly rodents, to thrive. Many of these are host to zoonotic disease agents that could spark outbreaks among people. How do you respond to potential criticism that focusing on population-level extinctions could divert resources from protecting critically endangered species? Ceballos: Conservation requires focusing on both population and species levels. Protecting critically endangered species means protecting their last populations. However, focusing on population-level extinctions means maintaining populations at regional and national levels, preventing further deterioration of declining species, and maintaining ecosystem services at those levels. For example, maintaining elephant populations in South Africa will help conserve the species on the continent while preserving the benefits to both ecosystems and the human well-being of that country. Your work spans decades of research. What changes in extinction patterns or conservation approaches have you observed over your careers? Ehrlich: In my 70-plus years in conservation, I have seen the scientific community slowly come to realize that the true "wealth of nations" is their biodiversitythe only type of capital that human beings cannot survive without. My scientific surprise has been the discovery, partly in my research, of the "insect apocalypse"the massive destruction of insect populations. Among other things, that is a major factor in the decline of bird populations. Dirzo: Our work has drawn attention to the fact that biodiversity conservation efforts need to consider policy intervention to prevent the extinction of ecological interactions. For example, the loss of populations in an ecosystem can lead to the local extinction of processes such as pollination or pest control. Also, biodiversity conservation is being increasingly recognized as a critical factor of societal well-being in terms of human health, including disease regulation and mental health. If readers take away just one action item from your book, what would you want it to be? Dirzo: Changing human behavior away from unsustainable meat consumption and industrial agriculture. This represents an action that will reduce massive land-use change, greenhouse gas emissions, personal health afflictions, waste, and inequity. Ceballos: A very important action is to vote for the politicians that have conservation as a major issue in their political agenda. Given the accelerating rate of land-based vertebrate losses, what gives you hope that we can still make a meaningful difference? Ehrlich: Humanity has shown the ability to change behavior very swiftly when people feel threatened. One of the chores of scientists is to be sure that everyone understands that civilization cannot persist on its current trajectory. Ceballos: Many successful conservation cases at all levels indicate that the current extinction crisis is not predetermined. 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: Establishing an inclusive, accessible, distributed and pan-European genomic infrastructure that could support the streamlined and scalable production of genomic resources for all European species. Credit: npj Biodiversity (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44185-024-00054-6, https://www.nature.com/articles/s44185-024-00054-6 In a new publication, the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) announces the success of its pilot project. This initiative assembled a large collaborative network of scientists and institutions across 33 countries to produce high-quality reference genomes of 98 European speciesso far. The pilot project has provided valuable lessons and highlighted key challenges, positioning ERGA as a model for decentralized, inclusive and equitable biodiversity genomics initiatives around the world. Among many of the project's milestones are the first chromosome-level genome assemblies of species from Greece, one of Europe's most biodiverse countries. Species such as the Cretan wall lizard (Podarcis cretensis) and Aristotle's catfish (Silurus aristotelis) were sampled by local scientists in Greece to produce genomes that are now openly available for anyone across the world to access and study. The findings are reported in an article published today in the journal npj Biodiversity. These are but two examples of what can be achieved by uniting an international community of biodiversity scientists, fostering collaboration between and within countries. The ERGA pilot project emphasized equity and inclusion, with the goal that genomic research and resources are accessible to all, regardless of geographical origin. For many of the participating scientists and countries, the project offered the first opportunity to actively engage in the generation of state-of-the art reference genomic resources for their native biodiversity. The ERGA pilot project was also successful in building momentum and bringing visibility to the growing importance of biodiversity genomics in Europe and beyond. Genomic data hold immense potential to inform conservation actions for endangered species and unlock discoveries in the fields of human health, bioeconomy, biosecurity and many other applications. For example, the greater argentine (Argentina silus) is among the species sequenced by the projecta commercially important fish species from the northern Atlantic. This new reference genome will enable scientists to make more accurate assessments of the genetic status of the species' populations, ultimately guiding management decisions to ensure that fishing practices are responsible and sustainable. One of the species for which a high-quality reference genome is now also available for the first time is the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). With this reference genome, it will be possible in future, for example, to investigate genetic disorders for which only the symptoms are currently known. This applies in particular to the so-called "pinching-off syndrome," says bird of prey expert Dr. Oliver Krone from the Leibniz-IZW. In this disease, the flight and control feathers of young white-tailed eagles are malformed and make flying impossible. The causes of this malformation of the feathers are genetic and are passed on recessively from both parent birds to the offspring. Furthermore, there are many possibilities to utilize the eagle genome for phylogenetic questions, Krone adds. For example, subpopulations could be differentiated from one another or isolated populations could be identified. As the global scientific community strives to unlock the full potential of genomic data, the establishment of a Europe-wide collaborative network under the ERGA umbrella accelerates scientific progress and facilitates its translation into tangible benefits for biodiversity and society. Additionally, the network helps scientists at all career stages to find and share opportunities for training, partnerships and funding. The ERGA pilot project was co-initiated in early 2021 by the then ERGA chair Dr. Camila Mazzoni from the Leibniz-IZW and the Berlin Center for Genomics in Biodiversity Research (BeGenDiv) who led calls with hundreds of genome scientists to set up and plan the collaborative project in an inclusive and decentralized way. ERGA is the European node of the wider Earth BioGenome Project (EBP). In order to achieve its ambitious goalto sequence all eukaryotic life on Earththe EBP crucially needs worldwide participation and new, decentralized models of genome production. The ERGA pilot project was able to show that a fully distributed, collaborative and coordinated genome production model is not only feasible but effectiveeven at a continental scale and without a central source of funding available. In fact, most of the project budget came from grassroots efforts by individual members and partnering institutions, with additional support from sequencing partners and commercial sequencing companies providing grants, discounts and in-kind contributions. The ERGA pilot project helped to identify and address the many challenges of working at the international scale. These challenges include dealing with the legal and logistical hurdles of shipping biological samples across borders, resource disparities between countries and the search for balance between decentralization and the need for standardization to guarantee that only the highest possible reference genome assemblies which meet EBP metrics were produced by the project. ERGA's decentralized approach holds great promise for the future of biodiversity genomics. The pilot project's success in building momentum and uniting researchers illustrates the power of this model. By fostering international collaboration and focusing on inclusivity and equity, ERGA is setting new standards for biodiversity genomics. The lessons learned and the challenges identified and addressed in the pilot project will guide future efforts, promoting robust and standardized workflows and a comprehensive genomic database for species in Europe and beyond. "The ERGA pilot demonstrated the importance of a well-connected scientific community that is willing to cooperate to achieve a major common goal. This success marks a significant milestone for ERGA, illustrating that such an initiative can be highly inclusive while still maintaining the high standards set by the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP) for reference genome production. This ERGA pilot project provides both an example and a roadmap for distributed efforts to build biogenomes across Europe and potentially beyond," said Camila Mazzoni, former ERGA Chair and senior author of the article publishedteam leader "Evolutionary and conservation genomics" in the Leibniz-IZW Department of Evolutionary Genetics. "The ERGA pilot project attempted to up-scale the generation of high-quality reference genomes across an entire continent. An endeavor of such magnitude was made possible only through its commitment to the principles of inclusion, equity and collaboration as well as the dedication of its diverse, transdisciplinary and cross-sectoral participants. I feel incredibly lucky to have worked alongside such an amazing group of colleagues to help kickstart the construction of a genomics encyclopedia of European species," said Ann McCartney, Member of the ERGA Pilot CommitteeAssistant Researcher at University of California Santa Cruz, and adjunct Assistant Professor at University College Dublin. "When we took on the leadership of this project, we didn't anticipate the extent of the work ahead. It was a challenging endeavor, but through perseverance and teamwork, we succeeded. We also had the invaluable support of sequencing centers, universities, and commercial companies who contributed to the ERGA pilot project, offering human resources for library creation, free sequencing and in-kind products. This experience was truly one of a kind," said Alice Mouton, Member of the ERGA Pilot Committeeformer FNRS postdoctoral researcher, and scientific collaborator at the University of Liege. "ERGA was all a dream, until it wasn't. Through this pilot project the prospect of uniting Europe under the flag of biodiversity genomics is now reality. We can be proud to have first established the process by which the genomes of many species will become available to the scientific community for conservation and beyond," said Giulio Formenti, Member of the ERGA Pilot CommitteeResearch Assistant Professor at the Rockefeller University. "The ERGA Pilot project is a significant milestone in the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP) and a major step forward for biodiversity genomics in Europe. As the first biodiversity genomics project coordinated at a continental scale, ERGA has demonstrated two fundamental principles on which the EBP was builtthe first being that sequencing capacity will be geographically distributed, and the second being that any benefits derived from sequenced genomes would be shared equitably. ERGA is now poised to expand its goals to sequence thousands of genomes for conserving European biodiversity and the growth of a sustainable bioeconomy," said Harris Lewin, Chair of the EBP Executive CouncilResearch Professor at ASU. More information: McCartney A. M. et al. The European Reference Genome Atlas: piloting a decentralised approach to equitable biodiversity genomics. npj Biodiversity (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44185-024-00054-6, www.nature.com/articles/s44185-024-00054-6 Provided by Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife 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: An 81-year-old woman was Austria's fifth victim of the floods, a police spokesman told AFP. The death toll in the extreme weather and flooding let loose by Storm Boris in central Europe has risen to 22, authorities said on Tuesday, after three more victims were reported in Poland and one in Austria. High winds and unusually heavy rainfall have hit swathes of Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia since last week. Although the weather seemed to be stabilizing in several places, the ground remained saturated and rivers were overflowing, with authorities asking people to remain cautious. Two big cities in PolandOpole in the south and Wroclaw in the westwere still awaiting the flood wave and there were concerns that the dykes there could break. Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Tuesday announced additional government aid for those in Poland hit by the storm, bringing the total sum to two billion zloty ($520 million). Polish police on Tuesday reported that three more people had died as a result of Storm Boris, raising the toll in the country to seven. Police chief Marek Boron announced the updated figure of seven dead at a televised crisis meeting. At least two of the new victims were discovered in the southwestern district of Klodzko. "The body of an 82-year-old man was discovered in a car," district police spokeswoman Wioletta Martuszewska told AFP. Map showing 3-day accumulated rain over central and eastern Europe hit by Storm Boris, up to September 14. "A couple of hours later, mountain rescue services said the body of a man had been found near a riverbed," she added. There were unofficial reports of additional victims elsewhere, but police cautioned against publishing unverified information. "We ask everyone not to report false information about the number of flood victims in the media," the police said on X, formerly Twitter. 'Disaster' A new victim was also reported on Tuesday in Austria. An 81-year-old woman was Austria's fifth victim of the floods, a police spokesman told AFP. The fire brigade found the woman's body on Tuesday in her flooded home in Lower Austria, the worst-impacted province in the Alpine nation. Storm Boris has caused the deaths of seven people in Romania and three in the Czech Republic, according to the latest tallies. Experts say climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as torrential rains and floods. In Austria, on Tuesday, 26 communities were cut off and with the weather improving, "we are discovering the scale of the disaster", Lower Austrian governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner told reporters. In the Czech Republic, more than 60,000 homes were still without electricity, mainly in the country's northeast, and 500 people were evacuated on Monday evening, including children. The largest Czech retention basin, the Rozmberk pond in the country's south, has been overflowing its banks. Experts say climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activities is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as torrential rains and floods. Andreas von Weissenberg of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said studies to determine whether climate change is linked to these events are expected in the coming months. Von Weissenberg said local Red Cross teams were helping the rescue and evacuation efforts, including attending to people's "emotional and mental health". He said the floods have been "branded as historic", but warned that "climate change has a way of moving the goalposts". 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain If you look up in the Kansas and Missouri skies on Tuesday, Sept. 17, you may be able to catch a glimpse at not only a supermoonbut also a partial lunar eclipse. A supermoon occurs when the moon is at its closest point to Earth, according to NASA. NASA calls supermoons the "biggest and brightest" full moons of the year. Supermoons happen three to four times a year and appear consecutively. September's supermoon is the harvest supermoon. The next supermoon will be Oct. 17, followed by the last one of 2024 on Nov. 15. There was also a supermoon in August. A partial lunar eclipse, on the other hand, is when the Earth moves in between the sun and the full moon, but isn't perfectly aligned. The lunar eclipse will last just over four hours. This will be the second lunar eclipse of 2024. The next lunar eclipse will be a total one next March, according to Space.com. In Kansas City, it will begin at 7:41 p.m., shortly after sunset at 7:22, and peak at 9:44 p.m. The lunar eclipse will end at 11:47 p.m. The weather in Kansas City on Tuesday night could be perfect for viewing the solar event. The National Weather Service is forecasting mostly clear skies with a low of around 69 degrees. There are three full moons left for the year, according to Space.com. The hunter's moon will occur Oct. 17, the beaver moon Nov. 15 and the cold moon Dec. 15. 2024 The Kansas City Star. 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: YcaO-catalyzed enzymatic reactions and spy BGC. Credit: Nature Chemical Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01736-9 Thanks to a serendipitous discovery and a lot of painstaking work, scientists can now build biohybrid molecules that combine the homing powers of DNA with the broad functional repertoire of proteinswithout having to synthesize them one by one, researchers report in a new study. Using a naturally occurring process, laboratories can harness the existing molecule-building capacities of bacteria to generate vast libraries of potentially therapeutic DNA-protein hybrid molecules. The findings are detailed in the journal Nature Chemical Biology. "Two of the most common building blocks in biology are nucleic acidsused for making RNA and DNAand amino acids, which make up proteins," said University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign biochemistry professor Satish Nair, who led the study with postdoctoral researcher Zeng-Fei Pei. "We have these two sets of biological molecules that do very different things, and, for decades, chemists have been trying to integrate them into the same molecule. If you can make a complex protein and then put a nucleic acid on it that makes it go exactly where you want it to go because it will bind to specific regions of DNA or RNA, you can build a precision drug." Such drugs can be used to interrupt various disease-promoting processes in the cell, blocking the transcription of mutated genes, for example, or binding to pathogenic noncoding RNA molecules to stall their activity, Nair said. The initial discovery was serendipitous, he said. He and his colleagues had been looking for proteins that bind to metals when they noticed that a team at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, England, had reported on a bacteria-generated molecule of interest that appeared to be a DNA-protein hybrid. The Illinois team contacted the Innes Centre scientists, Natalia Vior and Andrew Truman, suggesting they re-examine the molecule to determine if it was in fact what it appeared to be. Once that initial discovery was confirmed, the American and English scientists collaborated on a more in-depth analysis to discover the molecular mechanisms that formed the hybrid. Finding a naturally occurring DNA-protein hybrid and determining how a bacterium can be induced to make it would streamline what is now a slow, labor-intensive process, Nair said. "Lots of high-powered laboratories all over the world have been using various synthetic chemical methods to make biohybrid molecules, and that's great: They're all proof-of-concept and it works," he said. "The problem is that you can't do it at large scale. You can't make 100 million compounds because that would require you to do the chemical synthesis 100 million times." In a series of experiments, Nair and his colleagues found that two bacterial enzymes together convert certain peptides into DNA-protein hybrids. The first enzyme, YcaO, modifies an amino acid in the peptide to convert the peptide into a ring structure like the bases that allow DNA and RNA to pair with other DNA or RNA molecules. The second enzyme is a protease that cuts off one part of the newly modified molecule, converting it into a fully functional nucleobase-protein hybrid. The team was able to make the conversion in a test tube by adding only three ingredients: the original peptide and the two enzymes. But they also demonstrated that the process could be carried out by the bacterium E. coli. Understanding this process will allow laboratories to create hybrid molecules that can attach to any region of the genome or any RNA molecules in cells, Nair said. Using bacteria to streamline the pipeline will speed the process of discovery. "Now, we're off to the races," he said. Nair is also a professor of chemistry and in the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology at the U. of I. More information: Pei Z.-F. et al. Biosynthesis of peptide-nucleobase hybrids in ribosomal peptides, Nature Chemical Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41589-024-01736-9 Journal information: Nature Chemical Biology Jessica Navarro plays with her daughter, Kaelyn Duffey, on her play mat on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024 in Porter. Kaelyn, 1, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after suffering a stroke at birth. Kaelyn's therapists at Texas Children's Hospital were laid off in August, but she has new therapists now after a round of rehirings. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Texas Childrens Hospital has rehired a number of the rehabilitation therapists who were laid off Aug. 6, according to an internal letter sent last month by hospital CEO Mark Wallace. After several families spoke out publicly about disruptions to their childrens treatment, therapists were hired back to serve patients in at least three Houston-area locations: The Woodlands, Katy and Kingwood. Three families whose children received therapy services at hospital locations in The Woodlands and in Katy told the Chronicle their childs original therapist returned. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Of 20 therapists who were laid off in The Woodlands, several were offered their jobs back, according to a source familiar with hospital operations. The Aug. 26 letter from CEO Wallace, a copy of which was obtained and authenticated by the Chronicle, addresses the physical, speech and occupational therapists at the hospital. We have rehired some of your colleagues to their respective roles at the organization and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to welcome them back, Wallace said in the letter. At our core, patient care remains the top priority and I want to assure you that we have learned from this experience and will be better tomorrow because of it. Texas Childrens did not respond to questions about the reason for the rehires and declined to make Wallace, who has since announced his retirement, available for an interview. The hospital has not disclosed how many therapists were originally laid off, and its unclear how many were hired back. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a statement, the hospital said it made the thoughtful decision to restore certain roles and to continue delivering the high quality care our patients expect and deserve. Kaelyn Duffey wears ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) braces while in her stander on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024 in Porter. Kaelyn, 1, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after suffering a stroke at birth. She attended regular outpatient therapy appointments at Texas Children's Hospital to regain some brain function, but her parents recently learned that all of her therapists had been laid off. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Memorial Hermann Health System said it held virtual recruitment events in early August for former Texas Childrens employees, including therapists. While it declined to say how many former therapists attended, the hospital engaged with more than 400 former Texas Childrens employees, according to a statement. We continue to screen, interview, and offer roles in the following areas: nursing, patient access, therapy, revenue cycle, social work, lab, pharmacy, and human resources, the statement said. We have a focused plan to help applicants find positions within our organization and will continue outreach to help them in any way we can. Joe Rodes, whose son restarted physical therapy earlier this month at Texas Childrens with his original therapist, said his family was lucky to have her and were happy to be back with her. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Even after the layoffs, the therapist had reached out to the family to check on the boy, a toddler who suffered a brain injury at birth, Rodes said. Thats a really special person. The hospital attributed the Aug. 6 layoffs to historic financial challenges in the health care industry. Financial documents show the struggles largely stemmed from regulatory changes in the state Medicaid program and rising expenses. Over a nine-month period that ended this summer, the hospital had recorded an operating loss of $355 million, according to financial documents. The deficit was largely driven by the hospitals Texas Childrens Health Plan, which administers insurance coverage exclusively for patients on Medicaid and the Child Health Insurance Program. The plan lost 23% of its membership about 150,000 patients after a change in Medicaid eligibility rules last year caused millions of Texans to lose coverage. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The layoffs immediately led to canceled appointments for patients receiving pediatric therapy services, including children with autism and children recovering from strokes, according to earlier interviews with Rodes and six other patient families. The families said their childrens treatment plans consisted of multiple therapy sessions each week. Many voiced their frustration about the disruption and what they said was a lack of communication from the hospital on how long they would have to wait. They were also concerned about their children losing contact with a therapist they had come to trust. 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 Thousands of students across Scotland are at risk of homelessness and unable to access the right housing in the country's biggest cities, according to a new report co-authored by researchers from the University of Glasgow. The report for the Cross Party Group on Housing says there is a severe student housing crisis in cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee and calls on the Scottish Government to take immediate action to tackle the issue. It highlights significant shortfalls in student accommodation, including a shortfall of 13,852 bedspaces in Edinburgh, 6,093 in Glasgow, and 6,084 in Dundee. An acute shortage of accommodation compounded by a lack of affordable and/or accessible options for students with additional support needs or mature students with families, has left many students facing precarious living situations. The report, co-authored by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland, the University of Glasgow led UK Collaborative Center for Housing Evidence (CaCHE), the University of Stirling, StudentCrowd, the Edinburgh Student Housing Co-operative (ESHC) and Slurp Edinburgh (Students for Action on Homelessness), also stresses the importance of city-wide one-stop shops that would guide students to suitable and affordable accommodation, an initiative that could help alleviate some of the pressure on housing markets in major student cities. "The Scottish Government declared a housing emergency earlier this year, but students are often left out of the conversation," said Graham Simpson MSP, Convenor of the Cross-Party Group on Housing. "We have come up with a set of recommendations for the government that are clear and challenging. These include the need for a collaborative approach to student housing, more robust data on student accommodation, and the integration of student housing into local housing strategies." CaCHE's Dr. Gareth James said, "CaCHE is proud to have supported this cross-sector collaboration to explore student housing options and experiences of homelessness in Scotland. The research, conducted for the Cross-party Group on Housing, reveals an imbalance between supply and demand in key university cities and offers practical recommendations for governments, local authorities, and universities. "Key findings highlight the need for better data on student housing markets, particularly regarding affordability and availability in the private rental sector. Student accommodation must also be included in local housing strategies to address its impact on communities and wider housing systems. "The study also calls for creating local knowledge hubs to help students make informed housing decisions and suggests using a systems-thinking approach to understand how student housing affects local markets. Going forward, the Scottish Government and local authorities must prioritize gathering new evidence and balancing market demands with social needs to improve student housing and support local communities." Lawrence Williams of Slurp Edinburgh added, "From hidden homelessness to unaffordable rents, students in Scotland face a range of housing issues that have long been overlooked by policy-makers and universities. This report is a promising first step towards recognizing the crisis and identifying structural barriers to student housing security. We urgently need bold measures like rent controls, cooperative student housing, and guaranteed emergency accommodation for homeless students." More information: Student housing options and experiences of homelessness in Scotland: a report by the Cross-Party Group on Housing - UK Collaborative Centre For Housing Evidence. UK Collaborative Centre For Housing Evidence. Published September 16, 2024. Accessed September 17, 2024. housingevidence.ac.uk/publicat ty-group-on-housing/ 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: CausalXtract pipeline. Credit: eLife (2024). DOI:10.7554/eLife.95485.1 Researchers have developed a tool that provides new insights into cause-and-effect relationships between cells and how these change over time. The research, published today as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, is described by the editors as a fundamental study presenting a new data-processing pipeline that could be used to better understand cellcell interactions. The utility of this pipeline is convincingly illustrated using tumor-on-chip ecosystem data, but it could also be applied to perform causal discovery in other areas of science, meaning this work could potentially have a wide range of applications. The ability to obtain images of live cells under different experimental conditions has made it possible to extract invaluable information about the shape and status of cells and their interactions with other cells. But this wealth of information remains underexploited because, until now, there has been a lack of methods and tools that can pinpoint the cause-and-effect relationships between the features seen. This ability to pinpoint cause-and-effect is called causal discovery. The new tool, called CausalXtract, was adapted from a previous discovery method which can learn causal networks from biological systems but without information on the timing of events. "Our previous causal discovery tool can learn contemporaneous causal networks for a broad range of biological or biomedical data, from single cell gene expression data to patients' medical records," explains co-lead author Franck Simon, a research engineer at the Institut Curie, Universite PSL, Sorbonne Universite, France. "However, live-cell time-lapse imaging data contain information about cellular dynamics, which can facilitate the discovery of novel cause-and-effect processes, based on the assumption that future events cannot cause past ones." Simon served as co-lead author of the paper alongside Maria Colomba Comesat the time Ph.D. student in the Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy, now researcher at the Tumours Institute of Bari, Italyand Tiziana Toccia Ph.D. candidate at the Institut Curie, Universite PSL, Sorbonne Universite. To explore this, CausalXtract reconstructs time-unfolded causal networks, where each variable is represented by several nodes at different timepoints. This factors in the links between successive time steps in the data. This graph-based causality goes beyond the early models of temporal causality ("Granger causality") which can overlook actual causal effects, as demonstrated in the study. "We benchmarked the tool using artificial datasets that resemble real-world data in terms of number of time steps and network size and found that it matches or out-performs existing methods while running orders of magnitudes faster," adds Simon. To test the tool's performance with real biological data, the team used time-lapse image data from a tumor-on-a-chip model demonstrating the effects of the cancer drug, trastuzumab. A tumor-on-a-chip model replicates the 3D structure and microenvironment of a tumor, consisting of tumor cells, immune cells, tumor-associated fibroblasts and endothelial cells. From this model, "we extracted cell features such as geometry, velocity, cell division, cell death, and transient and persistent cellcell interactions from the raw images," says Tocci. The team then reconstructed a time-unfolded causal network from information about the cell features, interactions and therapeutic conditions at different time points. "This reconstruction revealed new biologically relevant insights and confirmed existing known relationships between cells," says Maria Carla Parrini, co-author of the study, who oversaw the tumor-on-chip experiments at Institut Curie. For example, the model confirmed that treatment with trastuzumab increases cell death and the number of interactions between cancer and immune cells, but it also showed for the first time that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) independently block cancer cell death. While it was already reported that CAFs reduce the effectiveness of treatment, these findings provide new insights into how this occurs. The team was also interested to note that CausalXtract identifies opposing effects at different timepoints. For example, it captured that a cell's eccentricityhow much the cell deviates from its normal circular shapechanges at different phases of cell division. Late phases of cell division are linked with an increase in cell eccentricity, but this is preceded by a decrease in eccentricity 24 hours before the cell splits, once the decision to divide has been made. This demonstrates the tool's potential for uncovering novel and possibly time-lagged causal relationships between cellular features. "CausalXtract opens up new avenues to analyze live-cell imaging data for a range of fundamental and translational research applications, such as the use of tumor-on-chips to screen immunotherapy responses on patient-derived tumor samples," says co-senior author Eugenio Martinelli, Full Professor at the Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata. "With the advent of virtually unlimited live-cell image data, flexible interpretation methods are much needed, and we believe that CausalXtract can bring unique insights based on causal discovery to interpret such information-rich data," adds co-senior author Herve Isambert, Group Leader DR CNRS, Institut Curie, Universite PSL, Sorbonne Universite. More information: Franck Simon et al, CausalXtract: a flexible pipeline to extract causal effects from live-cell time-lapse imaging data, eLife (2024). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.95485.1 Journal information: eLife Provided by eLife 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 graph charts the words of Trump and Harris on key variables during the Sept. 10 presidential debate. Credit: Vivek Astvansh, CC BY. An analysis of the choice of words by American presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in their recent debate reveals five insights into their personalities. First, my co-author and I found that Trump made more self-references than Harris, whereas Harris referred more to others than Trump did. Trump also did not say "Kamala" or "Harris" even once, suggesting an attempt to anonymize the vice president. Second, both candidates equally emphasized geopolitics, mentioning Russia, Israel, Ukraine and Iran. However, neither mentioned Palestine. Third, Trump used slightly more words that indicated uncertainty than Harris did. Fourth, Trump used more achievement-oriented words, whereas Harris used more that suggested affiliation and power. Fifth, Harris focused more on the country's present state, whereas Trump emphasized the past and the future. Focusing on words The theory of psycholinguistics suggests that a person's personality is revealed in their choice of words. That can mean that when an audience seeks information about people, they often rely on their choice of words and, equally importantly, words they don't use. When speakers want to persuade a listener, they strategically choose some words and avoid others. The same concept applies to candidates and voters during an election campaign. We used theories in psycholinguistics and computational linguistics to analyze the two candidates' choices of words and discover some psychological indicators that may help voters make sense of what was said "between the lines." These data-driven insights could be useful for undecided voters, particularly in the swing states of Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin and Nevada. They could also be useful for decided voters, either as confirming their prior views on the two candidates or altering their opinions on what they already know about the candidates. Data source and analysis method We downloaded the debate transcript data from ABC News. Next, we developed a program using Pythona computer programming languageto separate the debate transcript into speaking turns. For example, Harris took the first turn to speak, followed by Trump, and next Harris, and so on. Therefore, our data file allowed us to decompose the debate into "speech acts," where each act is a candidate's turn to speak. We entered this data file to a text analysis software program that helped us measure each speech act on four psychological variables: Self-referencing, opponent reference and third-party referencing; Geopolitical wars; Uncertainty; Candidate's motivations; Temporal focus. A key distinguishing feature in leaders' speeches is how much they focus on themselves versus others. Self-referencing is usually related to hubris, overconfidence or outright narcissism. In contrast, referencing others suggests the speaker is communicating with the other party as opposed to reciting prepared remarks. Therefore, we next measured each candidate's speech on self-referencing, opponent referencing and other-referencing. 1. Referencing Trump tended to focus more on himself as reflected by his higher use of the word "I." In contrast, Harris used "we" more frequently, signaling a focus on collective responsibility. This asymmetry indicates that Trump centered more on individual agency, while Harris leaned towards a more group-oriented approach. Harris often addressed Trump directly, which suggests she intended to engage him in a more personal and direct conversation. In contrast, Trump avoided directly addressing Harris, instead using third-person references or speaking more broadly to the audience. Interestingly, in the TrumpBiden debate on June 27, 2024, Trump said "Biden" twice and "Joe" thrice. Trump's speech indicates that he "anonymized" Harris, distancing himself from directly confronting her, while Harris sought a direct exchange. The debate dynamics reflect Harris's intent to engage Trump personally, while Trump sidestepped this engagement in favor of more generalized discourse. 2. Geopolitical wars This presidential election campaign has been affected by geopolitical instability via the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars. Therefore, we measured how often the candidates mentioned the geopolitical wars. Trump mentioned war and conflict-related topics far more frequently than Harris, indicating that he placed a stronger emphasis on discussing military and conflict issues during the debate. Trump also referred to Russia more often than Harris, suggesting a greater focus on geopolitical matters concerning Russia. However, both candidates discussed Ukraine at similar levels, indicating a shared interest in the topic. Both candidates made frequent references to Israel, showing its significance for both. Mentions of Hamas and Iran were relatively low, with Trump bringing up Iran slightly more. Neither candidate mentioned Palestine, suggesting that it was not a key focus for either during the debate. 3. Uncertainty Both candidates used tentative language at relatively similar levels, with Trump showing a slightly higher tendency towards uncertainty. This suggests that while neither candidate was overly hesitant in their statements, Trump exhibited a marginally higher degree of caution or ambiguity in his speech compared to Harris. 4. Motivations Psychological research suggests people generally have three motivations: affiliation, achievement and power. Therefore, we compared the two candidates' use of affiliation-oriented words, achievement-oriented words and power-oriented words. Harris used affiliation-related words more often than Trump, indicating that she referenced group identity or a sense of belonging more frequently than Trump. Neither candidate mentioned achievement-related terms very often, but Harris did so at a slightly higher level, suggesting a subtle focus on her accomplishments. Harris also used more power-related words than Trump, suggesting she placed more emphasis on control, authority or influence in her speech. 5. Focus: Past, present or future Trump exhibited a stronger focus on past and future contexts, frequently referencing previous accomplishments and future plans, while Harris concentrated more on present issues, emphasizing ongoing challenges and current actions. This distinction suggests that Trump tends to frame his narrative around what he has done and what he will do, while Harris centers her arguments around what is happening now and immediate needs. Persuading others Communicators use language to sway others, particularly during elections when each candidate aims to persuade undecided voters to cast their ballots for them while strengthening the opinions of committed voters. Language can also help reveal the communicator's personality traits and help voters weigh evidence on which candidate aligns with their interests and values. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Maize (corn) is one of the most important staple crops in the world and has been extensively studied. Yet, many aspects of the genetic mechanisms regulating its growth and development remain unexplored. Recent research revealed that a family of proteins called COI1, previously associated with defense mechanisms in other plant species like Arabidopsis and rice, primarily regulates growth in maize. This finding could lead to developing more robust and productive maize varieties. In plants, growth and defense often conflict. When a plant focuses on defending against pests or diseases, growth usually takes a backseat due to the opposing interplay between proteins that suppress defense genes, known as JAZ (jasmonate ZIM-domain), and proteins that suppress growth genes (DELLA). COI proteins are central to balancing these two processes by degrading JAZ. The research focused on six COI proteins in maize, divided into two groups: COI1 and COI2. Mutant plants were created missing one, two, or all four COI1 proteins. However, mutants lacking both COI2 proteins could not be produced, as pollen lacking both proved lethal. This indicates that COI2 proteins play a crucial role in male reproduction and pollen development in maize. The real surprise came from plants missing all four COI1 proteins. "These 'COI1-4x' mutants exhibited significantly reduced growth compared to wild-type maize plants," said Leila Feiz, the first and co-corresponding author of the study recently published in The Plant Cell. "This was contrary to my expectations, as COI mutations typically result in taller growth in other species like Arabidopsis and rice." Feiz elaborated, "In C3 coi mutant plants, such as Arabidopsis, the lack of JAZ degradation by COI leads to DELLA being trapped by JAZ. This induces gibberellic acid-induced growth genes, which are usually suppressed by DELLA in the absence of gibberellic acid. Conversely, wild-type plants treated continuously with jasmonic acid grow shorter than untreated ones. This is because COI perceives jasmonic acid and degrades JAZ. "The degradation activates defense genes and releases DELLA from JAZ entrapments, consequently inhibiting growth. Unlike Arabidopsis and rice COI mutants, which show a taller phenotype than their wild-types, the maize quadruple COI1 mutant exhibited shorter growth compared to its double mutants and wild-type plants." Further analysis revealed that maize COI1 proteins may have evolved a new function: degrading DELLA proteins, which suppress plant growth. Feiz proposes that by breaking down these growth-inhibiting DELLAs, COI1 proteins enable maize to continue growing even while defending itself under high levels of jasmonic acidabundant in plants grown in hot and arid climates where C4 plants, such as maize and sugar cane, evolved. This novel role of COI1 in regulating DELLA levels and growth may be an adaptation that has helped maize, and possibly other C4 plants, thrive in such environmentsa driving force in C4 evolution. By decoupling growth and defense responses, maize and other C4 plants like sorghum can maintain robust growth even when facing environmental stresses that would typically limit growth. The research project has an interesting backstory. It began nearly five years ago with a handful of single-mutant plants rescued from an abandoned project. Kevin Ahern, then a field manager and graduate student in Georg Jander's lab at the Boyce Thompson Institute, rescued them by pollinating and collecting their seeds. A few months later, Feiz, a researcher in Jander's lab, took over the mutant seeds to continue the project. Throughout this research, she collaborated with several other scientists, including Shan Wu, a postdoctoral researcher in Zhangjun Fei's lab, who helped analyze a large RNA sequencing dataset. This study opens new possibilities for enhancing crop resilience and productivity by revealing how COI proteins interact with DELLA proteins and other components of the plant's signaling pathways. It highlights how fundamental research in plant biology can uncover fascinating evolutionary adaptations and lead to real-world agricultural advancements. More information: COI1 F-box proteins regulate DELLA protein levels, growth, and photosynthetic efficiency in maize, The Plant Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koae161 Journal information: Plant Cell PAWLET Vermont Police are investigating three suspicions deaths in Pawlet Vermont. Sunday morning Vermont State Police announced they were investigating suspicious deaths in the Rutland County town of Pawlet, just across the state line from Granville, N.Y. Police received a call reporting a suspicious person early Sunday morning, and an investigation led police to a residence on Vermont Route 133 where state troopers located the deceased victims. State Police announced Sunday evening that the case remains in its early phases. Detectives are canvasing the area and conducting interviews, and the scene is being processed by the Crime Scene Search Team. According to police the victims bodies will be brought to the Chief Medical Examiners Office in Burlington for autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death. The names of the victims will be released following confirmation of identities and notification of relatives, State Police reported. No additional details are available at this time, state police said in a press release Sunday. Detectives have said that this was an isolated event and that there is no threat in the community. Police are asking that anyone who may have information that could assist in this case should call Vermont State Police in Rutland at (802)-773-9101 or provide an anonymous tip online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit. Vermont State Police has said it will provide updates on this case as the investigation continues. Penny Morales Shaw is running for Texas House District 148. Penny Morales Shaw If you think our state Legislature has been more preoccupied with political posturing than productive policymaking lately, Penny Morales Shaw, 58, would agree. After spending the past two years representing District 148 in a Republican-majority Texas House, the Democratic incumbent told us she has been dismayed by the lack of true debate or cross-party negotiation among her colleagues. She told the editorial board that she expects much of the same in the coming session this January. Yet she remains undeterred in getting things done with the least amount of conflict, to help the most people. We appreciate Morales Shaw's commitment to commonsense solutions. The few bills she has managed to pass despite a slew of well-intentioned proposals indicate she could do more to find Republican allies who could help her deliver for her constituents. But we believe she has the drive and know-how to get more done next session, and urge voters to give her more time to continue building on those relationships. Last session, Morales Shaw worked hard to file bills that may not make headlines, but that would concretely improve her constituents quality of life. Her district used to include much of the Heights but was almost entirely redrawn to stretch into northwest Harris County, wrapping around Jersey Village. It includes the Jones Road Superfund site, where residents have spent years battling to clean up an underground plume the legacy of improperly dumped chemicals from a dry-cleaning company that poisoned their water supply. As a native Houstonian serving on the Committee on Environmental Regulation, Morales Shaw told us she makes it her mission to balance human interests with business interests. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It's a priority to empower constituents to find out about and have a say in new developments an upcoming concrete batch plant, perhaps in their neighborhood before theyre built. When she realized that the only way for people to review environmental permitting applications was to visit different brick-and-mortar places around the city, and that all too often the files werent even available, she did what shouldve been done a long time ago: She filed a bill requiring certain water use and environmental permit applications to be uploaded online. If we can get margaritas to go, we can put permits online, she said. That bill, as well as a second one she had filed raising the maximum fines the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality can use to crack down on polluters, originally didn't make it very far. But with the TCEQ under sunset review last session, she saw an opportunity to work across the aisle with the two Senate and House heads of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, Rep. Keith Bell, R-Forney, and Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown. She managed to roll both bills into the final TCEQ sunset bill that was signed into law. Thanks to Morales Shaw's efforts, state lawmakers voted to increase the maximum daily fine amounts for pollution violations many of which hadnt been bumped in 10 or 20 years to meaningfully deter petrochemical companies careless with their safety and security. She also pushed for Houston industry to be eligible for a TCEQ funding grant that rewards innovative solutions to reduce air pollution emissions. According to Morales Shaw, the grant was originally available only to the upstream segment of the oil and gas industry up in West Texas, and now the downstream segment will be eligible starting this October. Morales Shaw clearly hears her constituents concerns, from complaints about dogs being chained for too long, to critical bus lines being cut because of school funding shortfalls, to anger at CenterPoint after Hurricane Beryl. To make sure her constituents arent left high and dry the next time a hurricane hits, she told us she worked with the Red Cross to compile a list of area relief centers, vet them and ensure theyre prepared to open their doors if needed. She also filed a bill requiring local and state government to better accommodate disabled people during disasters, as per the Americans with Disabilities Act standards. While we have misgivings about how much can be accomplished in a Republican-controlled House, we remain confident in Morales Shaws ability to get things done, despite the obstacles. After all, she balanced raising four children alone with a 20-plus-year career in law and business after the untimely death of her husband. When necessary, shes shown she isnt afraid to use her bully pulpit to push for change. For example, by breaking quorum to protect voting access, or by being an outspoken critic of the Houston ISD takeover particularly Superintendent Mike Miles handling of bilingual and special education. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Her Republican opponent, Kay Smith, on the other hand, seems to be more concerned with hitting the party platform talking points than with voters day-to-day concerns. Her outdated campaign website covers everything from critical race theory to eliminating COVID-era mask mandates and lockdowns. Smith did not participate in the screening. LOWER TOWNSHIP The Cape May-Lewes Ferry will receive $20 million to replace a more than 40-year-old diesel engine vessel with a diesel-hybrid model, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker announced Monday. The money comes from the Federal Transit Administrations Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program. The award was among 18 announced by the Biden administration nationwide and one of two in New Jersey. The other will benefit the New York Waterways Weehawken Ferry Maintenance facility in North Jersey. Booker wrote in support of the project earlier this summer, his office said in a news release. The diesel-hybrid ferry is expected to operate with lower emissions compared to a diesel ferry and allow zero-emission operations while near port and while docked. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry has been a vital link between New Jersey and Delaware for decades, and this funding is an investment in a cleaner, more efficient transportation system that will reduce emissions and strengthen our regions economy, said Booker. Modernizing this ferry with diesel-hybrid technology is an important step toward making our infrastructure more sustainable for generations to come. According to Thomas J. Cook, executive director of the Delaware River and Bay Authority, the agency that operates the ferry, architects are expected to complete design of the new vessel by years end, with construction bids going out next year. "Our goal is to improve service and reduce operating costs while laying the foundation for sustainable ferry operations for the next generation of our customers," Cook said. The numbers work against offshore wind Offshore wind developers, green energy proponents and governmental officials including Governor Murphy continue to publicize and promote false information regarding economic benefits to our state and counties from these projects. Its estimated by the NJ Council on the Green Economy that in the next 10 years offshore wind will create over 9,500 jobs per year. Thats a persuasive number to the public and politicians, designed to deceive them and to quiet opposition. Analyses and facts reveal the truth: These projects are being imposed on our coastline without regard of any harmful consequences or consideration of any reasonable alternatives (such as micro-nuclear, for example). Guaranteed jobs in the offshore projects are few. For example, Atlantic Shores LLC in NJ guarantees 88 jobs during the operations and maintenance phases and offers no job guarantee for the development and construction phases. While its documents claim that there will be a positive economic impact, the significant negative effect on tourism revealed in scientific studies of this issue is ignored. How much does this job creation cost taxpayers/ratepayers? Major financial gifts are tax incentives, tax credits and subsidies, all from taxpayers and ratepayers. This financial support is 31 times more than for oil/gas and 70 times more than for nuclear. Most of these companies are foreign/multinational, which means that these subsidies etc. will not benefit U.S. companies. The estimated 16,000 annual tourism job loss in Atlantic and Ocean counties coastal communities dwarfs Atlantic Shores average 2,200 annual job creation in New Jersey for their three projects. This adds up to a net $1.3 billion loss in New Jerseys average annual gross domestic product. This is harmful, not beneficial, to our economy. Offshore wind energy is weather dependent, unreliable, costlier than other sources and has a fossil-fuel backup (the bad energy source). This plan for our coastline is the most complex, destructive, inefficient and expensive energy source available. It makes no sense. Anne H. Phillips Brigantine Murphy overstepped on environmental rules New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has grossly overstepped his office authority by using an executive order to implement a 100-year environmental plan (REAL) that anticipates catastrophic sea level increases by the year 2100. He is completely bypassing the state Legislature by using his appointed Department of Environment Protection, a group of his handpicked cronies, to do his bidding. Such far-reaching restrictions require the full weight of the legislative branch, not just the opinion of Murphy and his cronies. Perhaps it is time for municipalities to lawyer up and get ready for a serious battle that has immense financial, economic and social consequences. Dictating such a policy is deplorable. Thousands of local homeowners would be forced to buy flood insurance at a cost of thousands of dollars. There is, in fact, insufficient data to support such radical regulations. This is a pattern with Murphy. He also tries to impose ocean wind farms, even though locally opposed. There is no evidence that the areas he deems to be in the flood zone ever had or will have flooding. It is pure erroneous speculation that needs the Legislature to do an investigation and review. Anthony DiSimone Wildwood Crest AC Electric bill feels like extortion Wasnt it Atlantic City Electric who told thousands of residents that if residents agreed to have their smart meters installed, they would save on their electric? Then I believe, this same companys executives and managers committed a federal and state crime known as extortion by telling residents that if you dont agree to having a smart meter installed, you will have to pay an additional $15 per month. I believe there is a possibility of blackmail being committed as well. Since they are a utility and in the state of New Jersey, where our governor and attorney general shaft us all the time, no one should be surprised. Where are the State Police or the FBI now? David Barsky Atlantic City Texas needs nuclear, solar and yes, natural gas, says former Texas land commissioner Jerry Patterson. zorandimzr/Getty Images/iStockphoto Future of energy Regarding Texas leads the U.S. in renewable energy. Next up: Your home. | Opinion, (Aug. 26): I am a proponent of wind and solar energy and generally agree with Matthew Boms' premise. As a former Texas senator, I was involved in legislation deregulating electric generation in Texas which ultimately passed in 1999. As Texas land commissioner, I signed the first offshore wind lease in the U.S. However, the precipitous decline in natural gas prices made offshore wind not economic; the lease expired and no power was produced. There is one important point not made in Mr. Boms' piece, and that is that the federal production tax credit (PTC) for renewable energy has outlived its usefulness and should be repealed. Wind and solar generation no longer need start-up incentives that allow them to sell electricity at or below cost when compared to thermal generation such as natural gas. While wind and solar are producing one-third of Texas electricity today, and adding battery storage and more solar will like push that number close to half of Texas generation, Texas still needs more dispatchable generation such as natural gas. In my view, the greatest impediment to more natural gas generation is the fact that companies cannot generate a return on investment sufficient to warrant investing in natural gas generation because they would be competing against the PTC-subsidized wind and solar generators. Texas needs all sources of electric generation nuclear, solar, battery storage and natural gas and we need more of it. We especially need dispatchable natural gas generation, and we wont get it as long as investors cannot make a profit. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jerry Patterson, Austin, former Texas senator and land commissioner Regarding Why Kamala Harris fracking gymnastics dont really matter | Opinion, (Sept. 11): I agree with Loren Steffy that we need a national energy policy. I agree that neither business nor politicians offer us a vision of our energy future. Since Steffy didnt offer one either, I will. Because new energy is cheaper, cleaner and more efficient, the Fossil Fuel Age is ending. Electricity is the new king of energy. It will be, to use a phrase from the New York Times' David Wallace-Wells, functionally infinite and effectively free. We are a decade into a four-decade energy transition that is an enormous business opportunity, gushes the entrepreneur Casey Handmer. To do right by the children, we must stabilize our climate. Alas, the Climate Change Performance Index reports that nearly every country is doing more than the U.S.A. For America to become great again, we must do the right thing. We must lead the world toward a just, sustainable future. Nan Hildreth, Houston Advertisement Article continues below this ad Regarding What is fracking? Inside the Texas oil extraction method Kamala Harris no longer wants to ban, (Sept. 11): If fracking is now back in the national conversation, as you say, I have a couple of questions. Whatever happened to that study you wrote about some time ago on the possible correlation between fracking and the numerous minor earthquakes experienced in regions of our country where there are no geological faults but lots of fracking going on? David Kelly, Spring Paxton targets trans Texans Regarding His original birth certificate says hes male. Ken Paxtons rule says hes not. | Opinion, (Aug. 30): Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken another cruel step in targeting the trans community in Texas. He issued subpoenas to out-of-state hospitals regarding their gender-affirming care. He requested the Department of Public Safety to provide a list of all individuals who had legally changed their gender on their Texas drivers license. Now he has instructed the DPS to ignore court-ordered mandates to change their gender on drivers licenses. An inaccurate identification of gender on a drivers license is direct threat to the rights, privacy and safety of trans Texans. Paxtons actions are a disgraceful and purely political ruse to alienate and isolate the trans community. Dale Story, Houston Advertisement Article continues below this ad Regarding Law professor: Its unconstitutional for Texas DPS to deny trans peoples court orders | Opinion, (Aug. 22): The move by AG Paxton to order the Department of Public Safety to ignore court orders to change the gender marker on a state-issued identification represents a new kind of breakdown of the rule of law in Texas. Professor Ryan Nelson effectively pointed out the legal problems with what DPS has done. It makes trans drivers less safe and puts police officers in a difficult position when doing traffic enforcement. I know that officers have training to keep them from making assumptions about people when examining their identification, but making officers' jobs harder by creating a mismatch between a persons appearance and their gender marker uses the police as a political pawn in Paxtons culture war. I would say it is shameful if he were, in fact, capable of shame over such things. The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks is seeking additional comments on the draft Mountain Lion Action plan. The draft Mountain Lion Action plan is a document that will be used by GFP to guide mountain lion management in South Dakota through identified management objectives and measurable strategies to meet those management objectives. At the September GFP Commission meeting, the commissions request was to reduce the Black Hills population objective from 200-300 to 150-250 total mountain lions. Therefore, additional opportunity for public comment is being made available and final adoption of the revised action plan will occur at the October GFP Commission meeting. All individuals interested in mountain lion management in South Dakota may provide suggestions and comments on the revised action plan by Sept. 25, 2024. The complete plan can be found online at gfp.sd.gov/management-plans. Written comments on the plan can be sent to 523 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, S.D. 57501, or submitted at gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. Comments must be received by the respective deadline and include your full name and city of residence. Kathmandu, Nepal, September 17, 2024: The government has formed a study committee to address the citizenship issue. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) has formed a five-member committee under the leadership of Tokraj Pandey, the head of the policy, planning, monitoring, and evaluation division of the MoHA. The committee is mandated to investigate current issues concerning to the citizenship laws and regulations. During a night mission over North Vietnam on Dec. 27, then-Lt. Ron Forrester was shot down and killed. His daughter, Karoni, was only 2 at the time. Courtesy Karoni Forrester On Dec. 27, 1972, U.S. Marine pilots Capt. Ralph Jim Chipman and Capt. Ron Forrester set off from an air base in Thailand in their A-6A Intruder aircraft for a nighttime combat mission over the northern part of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Shortly after entering the target area, their radio communications went silent, and the pair never returned to base. Days before he went missing, Forrester penned a Christmas letter home, sending his love to his family in Odessa, Texas, and most especially to his then 2-year-old daughter Karoni. She would wait nearly 51 years after he was shot down, until December 2023, to learn his remains had been recovered. Friday, Sept. 20, is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. More than half a century since Forrester went missing and nine months after learning his remains had been positively identified, Karoni will place a bronze rosette beside her fathers name and Chipmans, both etched in stone on the walls of the Honolulu Memorial Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii. The rosettes signify that the soldiers have been accounted for. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Karoni, who now lives in Austin and has dedicated much of her life to the POW/MIA accounting mission, will not be alone in this effort. In the largest event of its kind, 30 Gold Star families will join her in placing rosettes at the memorial, honoring their service members and the more than 950 Americans who were missing from the Vietnam War and have since been accounted for. For the families of the missing who have spent decades demanding answers and actively working with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and its predecessor agencies, placing a rosette symbolizes the nations promise that their loved one was never forgotten. It is an acknowledgement of the uncertainty and painful emotional weight they shouldered for so many years. In far too many cases, family members carried that weight until the ends of their lives. It is also a stark reminder to us as Americans that more than 94,000 American servicemen and women went missing in action, were lost or buried at sea during World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War their names commemorated at American Battle Monuments Commission cemeteries and memorials around the world. Nearly 1,600 service members remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War alone. Paying tribute to our missing on this day each year and publicly recognizing new accountings does more than just honor our fallen, it gives hope to those who are still seeking answers. The Athenian statesman Pericles noted in his famed funeral oration during the first year of the Peloponnesian War that for fallen military, the noblest of all tombs is not that in which remains are laid, but of that in which their glory survives, and is proclaimed always and on every fitting occasion both in word and deed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Families of the missing often have no tomb, no grave, no touchstone with which to connect to their missing loved one. Sometimes, remains are never recovered. Occasionally, a dog tag, helmet or personal item is all that comes home. Their names engraved on walls stand as a tribute to their lives, their service, their sacrificetheir mark on the world. Our fallen may be commemorated by columns and inscriptions, Pericles said, but so, too, do they dwell in the hearts of men. This is especially true of our missing, who live on in the memories of their loved ones and in the solemn promise to share their stories with future generations. Dr. Danny Avula has taken a commanding fundraising lead in Richmonds mayoral race, now outpacing his closest competitor Harrison Roday by over $100,000 in total contributions, reports filed with the Virginia Department of Elections show. The fundraising reports, filed this week, show Avula raised over $300,000 between July 1 and Aug. 31, compared with Rodays roughly $154,000. Michelle Mosby trailed at a distant third, bringing in nearly $67,000 in the two-month span. Andreas Addison and Maurice Neblett, meanwhile, saw contributions totaling $32,808 and $306, respectively. Heres where each candidate now stands financially. By the numbers How much each candidate has raised since announcing their candidacy: Dr. Danny Avula: $827,698 Harrison Roday: $727,452 Michelle Mosby: $290,512 Andreas Addison: $128,497 Maurice Neblett: $2,740 Addison Addison, current 1st District councilman, has now brought in a total of $128,497 since he launched his bid for mayor. His remaining cash balance is $12,349. His campaign has featured multiple opportunities for one-on-one connection. On Saturday, he bartended at the Bingo Beer Company on West Broad Street, speaking with constituents while mixing their drinks. And on Monday, he announced he would host weekly conversations at local coffee shops, starting Thursday at Grit Coffee on Libbie Avenue. Addison has been endorsed by Jewel Gatling, former chair of the Richmond City Democratic Committee; David Harris Jr., nephew of Arthur Ashe and founder of the Arthur Ashe Boulevard Initiative; Jeremy Hoffman, a climate scientist and environmental advocate; and the mayors of Tacoma, Washington; Huntington, West Virginia; and Athens, Ohio. His top donors for the most recent period included Ethan Burnes of Lynch Leadership Academy in Boston ($5,000), Allison Vanderberg of EY Consulting ($2,500) and Daniel OBrien ($1,500). Avula Avula formerly led Virginias Department of Social Services. His recent surge brings his total contributions to $827,698. And despite releasing its first television ad last week, Avulas campaign still has $657,126 in cash remaining by far the most of any of the candidates. That ad which features Avulas adopted daughter, Arjanae, who is gay came in the midst of questions regarding Avulas commitment to LGBTQ+ rights. In the one-minute video, which has amassed 118,000 views on YouTube, Arjanae said Avula was supportive of her when she came out, and eventually brought her into his family. I needed that safe place, Arjanae said in the ad. So I went to Dr. Dannys, and I never left. Thats how I chose the Avulas, and they became my family. She said her father has dedicated his career to making sure no one is left behind. Avula has been endorsed by Dr. Wendy Klein, former director of primary care at Planned Parenthood; housing groups including the Richmond Association of Realtors and the Home Building Association of Richmond; and 2nd District City Councilwoman Katherine Jordan. His top donors for the period included Housing RVA, a political action committee ($42,500); the Richmond Association of Realtors ($10,000); and Robert Ukrop ($10,000). Mosby Mosby, former 9th District councilwoman, has raised a total of $290,512, with a remaining cash balance of $133,451. In addition to her previous role on City Council, Mosby has touted her experience heading the Help Me Help You Foundation, a nonprofit that connects clients with resources like affordable housing, physical and mental health care, substance abuse recovery and career opportunities. Mosbys endorsements include the Higher Heights political action committee, which supports progressive Black women; Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William; Del. Delores McQuinn, D-Henrico; Del. Mike Jones, D-Richmond; former Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones; and current City Council members Nicole Jones, Cynthia Newbille and Ellen Robertson. Among her top donors for the most recent period were Alfred Liggins III, CEO of Urban One ($10,000); erstwhile Mayor Jones ($6,000); and Carlos Brown, president of Dominion Energy ($2,500). Neblett Nebletts fundraising total is $2,740, according to the most recent reporting. His current cash balance is around $730. A self-described community organizer, Neblett has said he is running to make City Hall work for everyone and to increase transparency and efficiency in the administration. Neblett did not list any endorsements. His only reported cash donor for the most recent period was Christian Schick of Richmond ($100). Roday Roday has now raised $727,452 and has $376,617 in remaining cash. A former investment banking analyst, Roday previously worked for Sen. Tim Kaines campaign. He also founded Bridging Virginia, a nonprofit that provides financial assistance to women- and minority-owned small businesses. Rodays endorsements include the New Virginia Majority, a civic engagement organization; the Richmond Education Association, which serves as the local chapter of the Virginia Education Association teachers union; and the Richmond Crusade for Voters, which works to increase the political influence and voting strength of African-Americans. Among his top donors for the most recent period were Thomas McInerney, CEO of Genworth Financial ($20,000); Melanie Cross ($8,000); and Davis Brothers Construction Company ($5,000). The five candidates will participate in two forums this week one at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Forest Hill Presbyterian Church on Forest Hill Avenue, and one at 6 p.m. Wednesday at The Chapel on Mactavish Avenue. The next financial reporting deadline is Oct. 15. Early voting will begin Friday. Many school divisions in the Roanoke and New River valleys adopted stricter cellphone policies ahead of this school year, but some will now have to reconsider those plans to meet the Virginia Department of Educations new minimum guidelines for cellphone-free education. The VDOE released its final guidance for cellphone-free education in the states K-12 public schools on Tuesday. That came in response to Gov. Glenn Youngkins Executive Order 33, which directed the VDOE to define cellphone-free education and create guidelines for school divisions to follow when making their own policies. On Aug. 15, the VDOE released its draft guidance and requested feedback from parents, faculty, staff and other stakeholders. In the draft guidance, the VDOE defined cellphone-free education as cellphones being turned off and stored away during the bell-to-bell school day. Bell-to-bell is the time from the first bell at the start of the school day to the dismissal bell at the end of the school day and includes lunch and time in between classes. Parents, students, teachers, staff and community members provided the VDOE with feedback through its website and through in-person listening sessions across the state with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons. On Sept. 13, results from a Washington Post-Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University poll showed that 69% of Virginia parents of school-aged children are in favor of cellphone-free education as defined in the draft guidance, a news release from the VDOE stated. We are so thankful for the collaborative input from families, educators, and students on such a critical challenge for our young people, Coons said in the release. Virginians helped us shape the final guidance and our implementation supports. We look forward to continuing to work with families and educators as we help ensure that every student can have a Cell Phone-Free Education." The final guidance is similar to the draft guidance released a month ago. It lays out a separate set of age-appropriate measures for elementary, middle and high schools to follow. Elementary students may bring cellphones with them to school, but they must be turned off and stored away from the student for the entire school day. The VDOE specifies stored away as meaning that the devices arent easily accessible and arent stored on the students person, including in their pockets. Examples the VDOE provides of how school divisions could require students to store cellphones are in their bookbags, in their lockers, in locked pouches or in designated spots in the classrooms. The VDOE additionally states that students in elementary school are not allowed to use their cellphones in the school building or on school grounds at all. Middle schoolers are also allowed to bring their phones to school with them, but they cannot use them during the bell-to-bell school day. The final guidance states that school divisions should determine whether or not middle school students can use their phones on school grounds or in the school building outside of the bell-to-bell school day, including before and after school. High school students may bring their phones to school but cannot use them during the bell-to-bell school day. However, high schoolers are allowed to use their phones on the grounds before or after school. Franklin and Montgomery counties adopted policies that ban cellphone use during the entire school day ahead of the 2024-25 school year. In August, Roanoke, Roanoke County and Salem adopted policies that allow high school students to use their phones during lunch, in between classes and before and after school. All school divisions are required to have policies that align with the VDOEs guidance for bell-to-bell cellphone-free education in place by Jan 1. The final guidance lays out minimum guidelines, so school divisions may also adopt policies that are more comprehensive than the guidance, according to the news release from the VDOE. The department plans to review the guidances impact at the end of this school year and consider opportunities for refinement and improvement. This guidance from the Virginia Department of Education is an important step towards creating a healthier learning environment where students can receive a quality education free from harmful distractions, Youngkin said in a news release. I appreciate the substantive engagement from parents, teachers, administrators and our students and we will continue to engage in these discussions with parents and students on how Virginia can continue to improve these policies and keep the Commonwealths education system best-in-class. Best high schools in Virginia Best high schools in Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has ordered state officials to help school divisions ensure communication with parents during school emergencies is a top priority as the deadline to implement the states new cellphone-free education policies is approaching in January. The Virginia Department of Education on Tuesday released the final version of its guidance for cellphone-free education in K-12 schools, which includes an added appendix that addresses safety concerns voiced by students and parents. The guidance is largely similar to the draft guidance released by the department last month in keeping with the directive that any student with a cellphone should turn it off and store it away, bell-to-bell throughout the school day. A top concern noted during the public comment period was that students be able to communicate with their parents in the event of a school emergency. The finalized guidance lays out the existing laws that schools are required to follow regarding emergency procedures. Schools must notify parents at the start of each school year about any updates to the annual crisis emergency plan and outline the communications plan for parent notification in the event of a school crisis. Youngkin has also ordered the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, the Virginia Department of Education and the Department of Criminal Justice Services Virginia Center For School and Campus Safety to help school divisions develop their required emergency response plans to ensure that communication with parents during emergencies is a top priority. Youngkin will establish a task force to support school and division leaders with enhancing communications during school-based emergencies. Youngkin ordered the education departments cellphone-free education guidance. He released an executive order in July calling for cellphone restrictions in schools, the first statewide effort in Virginia to restrict cellphone usage during instructional time. This guidance from the Virginia Department of Education is an important step towards creating a healthier learning environment where students can receive a quality education free from harmful distractions, Youngkin said in a statement Tuesday. I appreciate the substantive engagement from parents, teachers, administrators and our students and we will continue to engage in these discussions with parents and students on how Virginia can continue to improve these policies and keep the Commonwealths education system best-in-class. Together, were creating a healthier, safer and more focused learning environment for our children. Hundreds of students wrote in to the department asking to use their phones during lunch hours. The department did not concede that request. It noted research that indicates students receive more than 200 notifications a day on their smartphones and two-thirds of U.S. students report being distracted by using digital devices. It is essential that students have the opportunity to develop face-to-face conversations and critical in-person communication skills during unstructured school hours, the Department of Education said in a Tuesday news release. Shakari Briggs is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at shakari.briggs@houstonchronicle.com. Before joining the Chronicle in November 2023, she worked for Spectrum News as a digital journalist based in her hometown. Shakari comes to the Houston newsroom with experience in broadcast reporting and producing as a former multimedia journalist and associate producer. The Dallas native has also worked at small to medium-sized newspapers throughout her career. Her reporting on the rise and fall of a shopping mall won an Arkansas Associated Press Managing Editors Contest award. She also earned an Arkansas Press Association award for freelance reporting. There you go again, chuckled former President Ronald Reagan as he landed a devastating blow to his opponents 1980 debate performance and forever cemented the phrase into our political lexicon. Since then, Reagans one-liner has become a powerful way to define politicians dealing in hyperbole and outright lies. It could easily have been used by Vice President Kamala Harris in response to former President Donald Trumps torrent of erroneous statements about immigration during their recent debate. It is also an apt response to Gov. Glenn Youngkin's recent foray into the politics of immigration and his specific suggestion that our local officials are lax in holding illegal immigrants accountable thereby putting our entire commonwealth at risk. The governor did not cite any specific locality that excuses the criminal actions of persons in the country illegally, prompting sheriffs in Martinsville and Bedford to publicly resist the characterization. Youngkins statement is classic political misdirection: take a problem, exaggerate the risks and then blame it on individuals who are not responsible to burnish your bona fides with your base constituency. So, what does Youngkin mean when he says that local officials are not holding illegal immigrants accountable? Last time I checked, local officials do not have the power to enforce federal immigration law; that is the responsibility of the U.S. government. And both former and present attorneys general, Mark Herring and Jason Miyares, have opined that local government cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is voluntary. Moreover, local law enforcement arrests people when they believe a crime has been committed; they cannot simply round up persons to check their legal status. When felony arrests occur, the information is typically entered into state and federal databases, but localities do not have the time or resources to call ICE every time a migrant is arrested. ICE can issue detainers to localities, but the latter cannot keep people in jail once their sentence has been served. Finally, if you ask sheriffs and prosecutors throughout the state, they will tell you that if a person is charged with an offense whether in the country legally or not they are generally prosecuted and punished. In this country, no one (other than a sitting president, according to the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling on immunity) is above the law. Do we have immigration challenges? Of course we do. The number of immigrants turned away or apprehended at U.S. borders reached 3.2 million in fiscal year 2023, the most since the 1980s. Although these figures have recently dropped, the problems continue. There has been no major immigration reform since Reagan and Congress passed a comprehensive bill in 1986. Since then, our challenges have been further complicated by the changing faces of migrants. Increasing numbers seek entry not just for economic opportunity but to stay alive when confronted with political persecution in places like Venezuela, China or Afghanistan. Most of these are not the vermin and criminals demonized by Trump, but instead people like Miriam Miyares, the mother of Virginias Attorney General. Ms. Miyares fled Cuba in 1965, became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1982 and moved to Virginia in 1987. Her son Jason was born in North Carolina in 1976, and immediately became a U.S. citizen upon birth. What might have happened if Ms. Miyares had arrived from Cuba today? People like her need a chance to justify their claims without being deported. But we do not have enough agents to separate legitimate claimants from others, or enough courts to process people quickly and deport those who should not be here. And criticizing local officials does nothing to address this problem. Asylum backlogs were a major focus of the bipartisan immigration reform bill that was scuttled by Republicans in Congress after former President Trump directed that it be killed, primarily for political reasons. That bill would not only accelerate the processing of asylum applications but create a Border Emergency Authority to summarily deport migrants who enter the country improperly, without even permitting them to apply for asylum. It would have increased resources for ICE and immigration courts to reduce chaos, make the process fairer, and create greater barriers to those who would do us harm. While Youngkin can deflect focus onto local officials who have little to do with the problem, he has been silent on the federal measure that could have made a difference. Vice President Harris has stated that she would sign this proposal into law. The November election may give her the chance to do it. 27 photos from the Times-Dispatch archives Cancun man shot to death resisting ATM assault Cancun, Q.R. The FGE has started an investigation into the broad daylight shooting death of a man inside an ATM. On Monday, a Cancun resident was shot to death while inside a bank ATM area for resisting a robbery. The deadly attack happened in the citys central area of Mercado 28 Monday afternoon around 3:00. Police were called to the scene where they found the shot man laying dead on the floor inside the ATM area of the bank. In a brief statement, authorities said the Fiscalia General del Estado (FGE) is carrying out the corresponding investigations, as well as the analysis of the video surveillance cameras, to clarify the motive of the crime and find the person or persons responsible. According to available information, witnesses reported seeing the man inside the bank with a backpack. He was depositing money when he was approached by an individual who tried to take the backpack. In his refusal to hand it over, he was shot twice and left for dead. The man was reportedly shot in the chest and head by his attacker before the gunman fled on a motorcycle. The shot man was found laying dead on the bank floor Monday. Photo: September 16, 2024. Municipal Police cordoned off the area Monday afternoon while FGE personnel arrived to gather information and begin their investigation. Noises from trunk lead to discovery of abducted woman Cancun, Q.R. Attempts at cries for help lead police to the discovery of a woman stuffed into the trunk of a car. The woman was heard by passersby who alerted local authorizes. Police found the woman, reported to be in her late 30s and from Nicaragua, stuffed in the trunk of a car after being abducted earlier that same day. The woman was found Sunday evening around 8:30 when the car was parked in a busy central city parking lot. According to the woman, who was found bound and gagged, she was in there more than 10 hours. The person who made the discovery said they heard noises coming from the inside of the trunk while walking to their car. They approached to hear it was a woman inside. Responding police requested help from Cancun firemen in opening the trunk of the car they found located along Tulum Avenue. Paramedics arrived and transferred the locked up woman to hospital under Municipal Police guard. A look back at the presidency of Calvin Coolidge reveals many similarities to what were experiencing as a polity now. Perhaps its time to reconsider the proper role of government, which is not so much to run social affairs as to help society run itself. Historical comparisons rarely offer definitive guides to the present. Such juxtapositions, however, can reveal ways in which conditions from the past persist into the present, thus providing a reminder of the consistency of history. Comparisons can also show how present policies and attitudes may have diverged from valuable beliefs or traditions that should be recovered. The 1924 presidential election presents an illuminating reference for the election about to occur a century later. In 1924, Republican Calvin Coolidge ran against John Davis, a Wall Street lawyer nominated after a record 103 ballots by a Democratic Convention in disarray. Coolidges landslide victory that year led to arguably the most successful conservative administration in modern history, rivalled only by President Reagans first term. However, with the intervention of the Great Depression in 1929 and World War II in 1941, it would take nearly 60 years for American political conservatives to again find their footing. The two-term presidency of Theodore Roosevelt had already introduced progressive policies into the Republican Party and the national political discourse. This progressivism would later increase in radicalism and strongly influence the presidency of Woodrow Wilson. Under Wilson, progressives pushed for higher taxes, an enlarged federal government, and increased administrative agency regulation over a wide swath of society. Occurring alongside Americas entry into World War I, this progressive activism steadily drained America of energy, eventually leading to Warren G. Hardings call for a return to normalcy in 1920, when Coolidge ran as Hardings vice-presidential candidate. The Harding-Coolidge ticket sought to return peace, prosperity, and normalcy to a country that had undergone much tumult during Wilsons presidency. After years of progressive reforms that sought to change the relationship between citizens and their government, an influenza epidemic that killed 700,000 Americans, and outbreaks of terrorism and urban violence often prompted by socialist and anarchist agitatorsall capped off by a President Wilson who remained hidden from the public after suffering a debilitating strokeAmericans felt rudderless in a stormy sea of unwanted change. Harding-Coolidge won with 60.4% of the vote. Although progressives themselves demanded dramatic changes in American life and politics, they simultaneously punished other dissenters. Using the Sedition Act to imprison political dissidents, for example, Wilsons administration had displayed an oppressive indifference to individual liberties. Seeking to bring healing and harmony back to American society, Coolidge, now president after Warren Hardings sudden death in 1923, pardoned the protestors convicted under the Act. Though he did not share the beliefs of those convicted protestors, neither did he believe in punishing dissenting political beliefs. In 1924, Coolidge sought the presidency on his own merits, and ran such a successful peace and prosperity campaign, returning to the stabilizing and unifying principles of the past, that progressive Republicans bolted the party. Since the Democratic Party was also seen as too conservative, the progressives formed their own party, which under Senator Robert La Follette carried only the state of Wisconsin. A public slogan opposing the progressives was I prefer Coolidge to Chaos. Even Theodore Roosevelt described La Follette as a most sinister enemy of democracy. Subsequently, progressives would drift on the political margins until they found a home in Franklin Roosevelts New Deal. This progressive strain would eventually embed itself in the Democratic Party, later manifesting as the wokery of the 2020s. Republicans triumphed in 1920 and 1924 in part because the public had become disillusioned by high-minded progressive promises, largely unfulfilled, of a bright new world through government action. Coolidges call for a return to common sense in government reflected a critique of unproven, experimental progressive schemes. Coolidges opposition to progressivism was rooted in his view of democracy. Progressivism, he argued, had often resulted in autocratic methods of government. Instead of government agency experts determining the shape and nature of society, according to Coolidge, the people acting in their collective private capacities should make such determinations and then call on government to enact whatever legislative programs were desired. Dont hurry to legislate, was the advice Coolidge had often given to the Massachusetts legislature during his years as governor. To Coolidge, the role of government was not so much to run social affairs as to help society run itself. Coolidge warned against the progressive rush to enact new laws; instead, he believed that the solutions to many of the nations difficulties depended ultimately on the character and moral force of the nation. This view of democracy, however, would gradually weaken amid the rapid growth of the administrative state in the wake of the New Deal. Besides combatting progressive excesses, Coolidges 1924 campaign also addressed the issue of immigration. During the Wilson presidency, immigration had exploded. When the war ended and the economy went into a downturn, the continued wave of immigration threatened the jobs of American workers. The issue was not legal versus illegal immigration, for there were no advocates for open borders or lawless immigration. The issue was simply the appropriate levels of immigration given the state of the American economy. Coolidge stood for lower levels of immigration so as to protect American workers. This was not a call for permanently lower immigration, only a recognition that for as long as jobs remained threatened in the wake of World War I, American workers should be protected. Coolidge took the same approach with tariffs, which he argued were necessary to protect American jobs jeopardized by all the cheap goods being exported by war-torn Europe. Contrary to Wilson, Coolidge saw his role not as world leader but simply as an elected American president, concerned first and foremost with the welfare of the nation. He opposed Wilsons internationalism, which he feared would entangle the United States in foreign crises beyond Americas control. Coolidge was not blindly isolationist; in fact, he worked hard to achieve international arms-limitation agreements. But he was careful about preserving Americas national sovereignty from international agreements and organizations, like the League of Nations, that could drag the country into unknown commitments. The America First message of the 2024 Republican platform echoes the Coolidge belief that the United States government owes its primary duty to the citizens who elected that government. While numerous consistencies exist between the 1924 and 2024 presidential campaigns, one stark difference is the approach to government debt. Coolidge opposed debt and placed utmost importance on decreasing the debt compiled by the Wilson administration. To Coolidge, decreasing debt was not just a hope or a political slogan. Indeed, not since the Coolidge presidency has the federal government actually reduced its nonmilitary expenditures in absolute terms. The veterans bonus controversy reflects Coolidges courageous commitment to controlling debt. Facing the economic downturn in America upon returning from combat service in Europe, veterans began calling for bonus payments that would better compensate them for their military service. This was a politically popular demand, made by hundreds of thousands of veterans who had served their country. Members of Congress quickly acceded to these demands in 1924, even though there were no budgeted funds. Adhering to his commitment to reduce the debt, Coolidge vetoed the veterans bonus legislation. Coolidge argued that the budget must be kept in line and that the interests of one group could not preempt the nations welfare. In answer to the American Legions spirited opposition to his veto, Coolidge declared that patriotism which is bought and paid for is not patriotism. Service to our country in time of war means sacrificeit is for that reason alone that we honor and revere it. Coolidge stuck to this position, even at the risk of losing the presidential election later that year. Coolidges views on debt coincided with his views on politics as reflecting and reinforcing the character of the nation. Thrift and industry and work and save were Coolidges stock phrases. To Coolidge, an effective and enlightened democracy depended on the self-restraint of citizens and their representatives. Similarly, he defined his role as president in terms of constitutional restraint: his executive powers included only those clearly outlined in the U.S. Constitution. According to Coolidge, the Constitution did not authorize the president to intrude into areas that belonged to other branches of government or to private society. This political humility restrained Coolidge throughout his presidency from attempting to expand his executive powers in ways that so many of his successors would later do. This view of restraint also applied to the process of democratic governance. To Coolidge, government could not cure every ill, and legislation could not fix every problem. Individuals and society had to assume responsibility for addressing all those problems that could be addressed outside the realm of government. In sum, remembering the 1924 campaign helps promote an understanding that not all contemporary issues are unprecedented. It also helps illustrate how recent generations have drifted away from the bedrock principles that made Calvin Coolidges administration the success it was. Lets hope it has set a precedent that someone will emulate. Hundreds of handheld pagers have exploded almost simultaneously across Lebanon and in parts of Syria, killing at least nine people, government and Hezbollah officials say Ricko Ceasar waits to board a METRORail after work at the train station near NRG Park on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Ricko Ceasar waits to board a METRORail after work at the train station near NRG Park on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Ricko Ceasar waits to board a METRORail after work at the train station near NRG Park on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Houston. Karen Warren/Staff photographer When Ricko Ceasar was 17 years old, he tried to get his drivers license but couldnt afford the mandatory drivers education course hed been homeless on and off for most of his childhood. So he got a job and took the bus. Now, at 26 and a father of two, he wishes he had the opportunities afforded by a license a better-paying position, easier access to doctors appointments for his children, a more reliable commute from his home in south Houston. I never really understood the seriousness of having a driver's license, he said. A new state program will pay for the cost of drivers education for people like Ceasar, but many young people and driving schools dont know it exists after a slow rollout and scant public outreach. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In July, the Texas Workforce Commission opened applications for its Drivers Education Funding program, which covers the cost of drivers education for foster youth, homeless youth, victims of family violence or children of victims. The program is funded through donations by Texans when they apply or renew their drivers licenses. The original debut, in 2021, was delayed by a technical glitch that required legislative action in the next session. Since then, state Sen. Jose Menendez said, the workforce commission has put the program on the back burner. It's very, very frustrating to me that even though we were able to pass this, that it took this long to get everything done, said Menendez, a San Antonio Democrat who sponsored the 2021 legislation that enabled the program. As of August, the fund that supports the program first enabled in 2019 to cover the cost of just IDs had taken in more than $4.3 million in donations, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. But state comptroller records showed that only $280,000 of that was allocated and less than $42,000 actually spent. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Drivers education can cost up to $650, and many driving schools offer practice and test vehicles for students who dont otherwise have access to one. Sarah Fischer, a spokesperson for the Texas Workforce Commission, said very few people have applied to have their drivers education covered just 15 as of Aug. 20. Similarly, only 15 of more than 1,000 licensed driving schools have been approved to participate in the program. It is news, I'm sure, to a lot of people across the state, Fischer said. She added that the commission had been unable to hire staff to begin work on the program until this March, when the funding was transferred from DPS. She said that since the program launched in July, the commission has reviewed applications from students within five days and that she expects to have 70 schools approved by the end of the month. Thousands of young people across the state are eligible. Last year, there were 4,398 kids between ages 15 and 18 in foster care, according to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. And nearly 115,000 young people in Texas schools experienced homelessness last year, according to the Texas Education Agency. That doesnt count the many thousands more who have exited foster care or become homeless after they leave school, all of whom remain eligible until they turn 26. (Ceasar, who turned 26 in March, just missed the deadline.) Youth who have experienced family or dating violence are also eligible. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Licenses lead to better outcomes Anyone who applies for a Texas driver's license or identification card has the option to donate money to support programs for veterans, survivors of sexual assault, and organ donors and recipients. In 2019, a new checkbox appeared on applications: Do you want to support the issuance of a DL/ID for foster or homeless youth? The initial idea was like, let's figure out a way for kids to not have to pay $45 or $16 to just be able to get an ID, said Sarah Crockett, the public policy director at Texas CASA, a statewide association for Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers. The amount of money donated surprised even advocates: In the first full year of the program, Texans donated $1.3 million, far more than could be spent on IDs alone. So the idea was, lets try to tackle the next big barrier for kids experiencing homelessness or foster care and try to pay for drivers education, Crockett said. In 2021, lawmakers expanded the original program to include drivers education. In Texas auto-centric cities, access to a car often means access to opportunity. A 2012 study by Casey Family Programs, a nonprofit child advocacy organization, found that youth previously in foster care in Texas had better outcomes if they had a drivers license upon leaving care. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I wouldnt have had half the jobs Ive had in the last few years unless I had a drivers license, said Justin Prince Hayward, a Houston-based advocate and mentor at the nonprofit Collective Action for Youth. After he left foster care, he remembers getting up at 5 a.m. to take multiple buses across Houston to navigate simple business such as applying for food stamps. In 2021, Hayward, who is now 29, testified in support of the drivers education bill, telling lawmakers about how hard it was to get a license when he was homeless and didnt have access to a car. Theres a lot of barriers that one has to maneuver around, such as finding a driving school, paying the fees and finding a car that is test-ready, he said. I didnt have a lot of adults lining up to lend me their car. He took the test three times before he passed. Luckily, by then, he had found a mentor who helped pay for the test and lend Hayward a car. Getting a license changed my life, Hayward said. Tracy Williams, the owner of Smart Wheels Driving Academy in south Dallas, has also seen how getting a drivers license can open up opportunities for youth and adults. Before she opened the driving school, Williams worked as a parole officer and saw how formerly incarcerated people struggled to find employment without a drivers license. It wasnt just that they couldnt get there many jobs require driving as part of the job. Williams had worked with the workforce commission in the past, so when she heard that the agency had a new program to cover the cost of drivers education for qualifying youth, she signed up immediately. Teaching kids to drive is a way to continue helping the community, she said. In the suburban cities throughout Dallas, theres no public transportation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Now, advocates are working to get more driving schools signed up so that young people across the state can access the program. Any licensed drivers school can register as a vendor on the workforce commissions website. Melinda Cabrera is president and CEO of the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara. This column was published in partnership with the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce. FLORENCE, S.C. Royall Elementary teacher Alissa Bennett said two employees fired at the school were treated unfairly after another employee was reinstated. Two administrators and three other employees were no longer at the school Aug. 1, following a post on the schools Facebook page that was deemed insensitive. Bennett, who has spoken in support of the school, addressed the board again Thursday night, joined by dozens of colleagues including one of the fired employees seeking an appeal. The Facebook post showed two employees wearing Border Patrol T-shirts at a celebration of the first day of school. Staff members dressed to represent countries participating in the Olympics. One of the Royall employees that was terminated on August 1 has been reinstated by the Florence One School District, Bennett said. The Royall team and Royall community are absolutely overjoyed that justice was served for this member of our school family. The male custodian who was terminated started back to work for the district the beginning of September, approximately one month after his termination. He was fortunate to have the support of a civil rights organization to assist him in his plea for reinstatement. However, I am here tonight because the district has not treated the other female employees equally. Those employees, unfortunately, do not have a big organization supporting them or assisting them in their fight. They have had to seek legal counsel using their own funds, and have spent thousands of dollars going through the appropriate appeals process. Their appeals have been denied, and they are now in a position where their future is being held to a vote by you. The employee you are voting on tonight is a vital part of the success that Royall has had for years. She works as a reading interventionist for our primary students in kindergarten through grade three. She has helped bridge the gap for a numerous amount of students and struggling readers who are coming to us in kindergarten and first grade, way below grade level. Her amazing talent and ability to connect with these students is greatly missed. The children ask for her daily, wanting to know where she is, why shes not picking them up when they will be able to read with her. All three classified employees were terminated for the exact same offense. So my question is this: What reason does the district have for choosing to reinstate one male employee over the other female employees? Why are some employees appeals being denied while others are being reinstated without even going through the appropriate process. It seems that this civil rights organization had enough evidence to show that the district made a very wrong decision on August 1, so why hasnt everyone been reinstated? As teachers, we are trusted to make equitable decisions daily for the students in our classroom. As a district, these are your employees. Why are you not living up to the same standard? Why are these women being forced to fight for their careers when the male was reinstated without any board meeting? By not treating all of these employees equally, the district is in direct violation of the South Carolina Human Affairs Law. Direct. It is my hope that our current board members make the fair and equitable decision tonight when voting behind closed doors, and if our current members dont have the integrity to offer the same opportunity to every single one of those involved, then I hope the public exercises their right to vote and we get the lawbreakers off and nominate new members who are going to act with moral integrity. make it right, do the right thing. The board does not customarily respond to statements made during the public participation part of its meeting. One of the three classified employees that was fired from Royall Elementary filed an appeal that was on Thursdays agenda for an executive session. After returning from executive session, a motion was made to deny the request and uphold the uphold the administrations decision. Two board members opposed, one abstained. I would like to make a comment that I am in agreement with the superintendent on allowing two people to resign, but Im not in agreement with the termination of any of the staff, said Bryan Chapman (District 8) who opposed the motion. Florence One Schools did not confirm reinstatement of a Royall employee. However, a board member confirmed that one former Royall employee was reinstated. We feature a curated selection of some of the biggest, most important, and fascinating news thats making waves online Pedestrians ride an escalator past an electronic screen and ticker board that indicates stock figures at the Singapore Exchange headquarters. (Photo: Getty Images) 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 is gearing up to make bold regulatory changes to breathe new life into its struggling stock market. Second Minister for Finance Chee Hong Tat has outlined plans to overhaul the system. Here's how Singapore plans to rejuvenate its stock market here. TikTok is back in the spotlight as it is faces a potential ban or forced sale in the United States due to national security concerns tied to its Chinese parent, ByteDance. Singaporean CEO Shou Zi Chew is spearheading the company's defence against the potential ban, which involves complex legal and constitutional issues. The outcome of the court case will decide if TikTok must divest from ByteDance or face a nationwide ban. More on TikTok's issues in the US and how its Singaporean CEO is leading its defence here. New home sales in Singapore fell to 208 units in August, marking a steep decline from the previous month and a year earlier. This is due to limited new residential projects and developer caution in the face of high interest rates. Despite this, home prices have remained steady, especially in the second-hand market. Developers anticipate more unit launches later this year but face growing concerns about additional government measures and housing affordability. Read more on Singapore's housing market supply crunch here. Singaporeans Wynnette Yip and Magdalene Huang share their stories of moving to Sweden one grapples with cultural shocks, while the other enjoys a fulfilling new lifestyle. Their stories provide unique insights into the challenges and rewards of Singaporeans relocating abroad. Google's Pixel Pro 9 Fold promised top-notch durability but did it deliver? Popular tech YouTuber Zack Nelsons extreme durability tests show the foldable smartphone has several weaknesses. Here's why prospective buyers of Google's Pixel Pro 9 Fold should handle the device carefully. Maggi, originally a Swiss creation, has become a household name in Malaysia. From its humble beginnings to its current status, find out how Maggi made an impact on Malaysian culture. Economy class syndrome, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is a serious health issue resulting from prolonged immobility, commonly exacerbated by long flights. Symptoms include pain and swelling, with severe cases leading to pulmonary embolism. Both economy and premium class travellers are at risk if they remain inactive for extended periods. This how you can minimise DVT risk on your next flight. The global coffee market is experiencing significant price hikes due to environmental and market changes. Interestingly, the "king for fruits", the durian, infamous for its strong odour, is playing a role in this economic shift. Here's how the durian and market shifts are contributing to the global coffee shortage here. Amazon is tightening its return-to-office (RTO) policy, requiring employees to be in the office five days a week starting next year, up from three days. This move contrasts with other tech companies' more flexible approaches and has sparked backlash from employees who prefer remote work. More on Amazon's move to full-time office work in 2025 here. "I was told that there was no plan by the city to provide public transportation." Woodbury County Sheriff Chad Sheehan, on the lack of public transportation stops connecting the new Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center to the rest of the city "What we were hearing was that the community was just disappointed that we ever left in the first place. We hear all the time how grateful people are that we're here, how thankful they are." Misty Parrow, senior health center manager at Sioux City's Planned Parenthood clinic, which closed in 2017 and re-opened in 2020; Planned Parenthood traces its history in Sioux City back to 1934 "Pray for our country and President Trump!" Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, in a social media statement following Sunday's assassination attempt targeting former President Donald Trump "Im incredibly grateful for President Trump's safety and the law enforcement officers who quickly apprehended the suspect. Political violence in any form is an attack on our American values. I ask that you join me in praying for our country and the safety of President Trump." U.S. Sen. and former Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, in a social media statement on the assassination attempt "Im glad President Trump was unharmed, and Im grateful that law enforcement was able to identify this individual and intervene. Im continuing to pray for the former presidents safety and security." U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, in a social media statement on the assassination attempt The Iowa Utilities Commissions approval of this project is a gross overstep of authority, trampling on the rights of our landowners and putting the safety of Iowans at risk." Iowa Rep. Charley Thomson (R-Charles City), on the IUC's approval of a controversial CO2 pipeline project; nearly 40 Iowa Republican lawmakers have announced a planned federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the pipeline's approval "There is still a significant amount of debris in the lake itself. We want to open the water with a no-wake zone, which will allow individuals to continue clean up and dock retrieval from this event." Sam Schelhaas, law enforcement chief for South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, in a statement on the re-opening of McCook Lake, which had been closed to boaters for months following historic flooding this summer; boat traffic on the lake is restricted to 5 miles per hour or less JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) The FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on Tuesday were investigating the origin of suspicious packages that have been sent to or received by elections officials in more than 15 states, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or that any of the packages contained hazardous material. The latest packages were sent to elections officials in Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York and Rhode Island. Mississippi authorities reported a package was delivered there Monday, and the Connecticut Secretary of State's office said the FBI alerted it of a package that was intercepted. The FBI is collecting the packages, some of which contained an unknown substance, agency spokesperson Kristen Setera in Boston said in a statement. We are also working with our partners to determine how many letters were sent, the individual or individuals responsible for the letters, and the motive behind the letters, she said. As this is an ongoing matter we will not be commenting further on the investigation, but the public can be assured safety is our top priority. Its the second time in the past year that suspicious packages were mailed to election officials in multiple states. The latest scare comes as early voting has begun in several states ahead of the high-stakes elections for president, Senate, Congress and key statehouse offices, causing disruption in an already tense voting season. Local election directors are beefing up security to keep workers and polling places safe while also ensuring that ballots and voting procedures wont be tampered with. The National Association of Secretaries of State condemned what it described as a disturbing trend of threats to election workers leading up to Nov. 5, as well as the second apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. This must stop, period, the group said. "Our democracy has no place for political violence, threats or intimidation of any kind. The Colorado Secretary of States Office said a package containing white powder and with the sender listed as U.S. Traitor Elimination Army was intercepted at a mail facility. It said the package was similar to those sent to other states and that early indications suggest the powder was harmless. On Tuesday, the FBI notified the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealths office that postal service investigators had identified a suspicious envelope delivered to a building housing state offices. The package was intercepted. Packages also were sent to secretaries of state and election offices in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Wyoming this week. The packages forced evacuations in Iowa, Oklahoma and Wyoming. Hazmat crews quickly determined the material was harmless. The Mississippi Secretary of States Elections Division said it received a package similar to those sent to other states and that the state Department of Homeland Security was testing it. The division said it has notified county election officials to be on the lookout. Oklahoma officials said the material sent to the election office there contained flour. We have specific protocols in place for situations such as this, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said in a statement after the evacuation of the six-story Lucas State Office Building in Des Moines. A state office building in Topeka, Kansas, was evacuated due to suspicious mail sent to both the secretary of state and attorney general, Kansas Highway Patrol spokesperson April M. McCollum said in a statement. Topeka Fire Department crews found several pieces of mail with an unknown substance on them, though a field test found no hazardous materials, spokesperson Rosie Nichols said. Several employees were exposed to it and were being monitored. In Oklahoma, the State Election Board received a suspicious envelope in the mail containing a multi-page document and a white, powdery substance, agency spokesperson Misha Mohr said. Testing determined the substance was flour. State workers in an office building next to the Wyoming Capitol in Cheyenne were sent home Monday pending testing of a white substance mailed to the secretary of states office. Suspicious letters were sent to election offices and government buildings in at least six states last November, including the same building in Kansas that received suspicious mail Monday. While some of the letters contained fentanyl, even the suspicious mail that was not toxic delayed the counting of ballots in some local elections. One of the targeted offices was in Fulton County, Georgia, the largest voting jurisdiction in one of the nations most important swing states. Four county election offices in Washington state had to be evacuated as election workers were processing ballots cast, delaying vote-counting. The letters caused election workers around the country to stock up the overdose reversal medication naloxone. Election offices across the United States have taken steps to increase security amid an onslaught of harassment and threats following the 2020 election and the false claims that it was rigged. LeBlanc reported from Boston. Christina Almeida Cassidy in Atlanta; Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York; Susan Haigh in Norwich, Connecticut; Jim Salter in OFallon, Missouri; Isabella Volmert in Lansing, Michigan; Mead Gruver in Cheyenne, Wyoming; Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee; Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City and John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, contributed to this report. Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here. Dear Care and Feeding, My stay-at-home wife and I disagree about parenting and I want us to see eye to eye, but dont know how to inspire her. Shes a wonderful mother, and when we have disagreements, I feel like its because I want things to be better for her, but I always fail to get that across. A main disagreement we have is around chores. I feel like, as a parent, ensuring your children participate in household chores is one way to help them be good kids and adults, while letting them do as they pleasesimply because they whineis shirking your duty as a parent (and member of society). I admit Im an idealist and very traditional, so I have high standards. She has issues with low self-worth, poor self-talk, and a history of depression (which she claims is not an issue now and continues to see a therapist regularly) so I find it difficult to not reinforce any negative self-image, which she is prone to, while also seeking to work to improve our children and our home together. Eager for Excellence Dear Eager, Eeek. I want to address your actual questionchores vs. no chores/whiningbut first I want to comment on your high standards. The way you cast your preferences with your children against your wifes self-image is troubling. In the midst of sorting out how you will parent together, you may want to take a look at that? It doesnt sound like you need to inspire her, to use your word. You need to understand her perspective so you can come to an agreed-upon way to raise your kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, I agree with you on your basic points: whining is bad, and doing some chores is good! I was fortunate that my daughters preschool teachers refused to respond to whining (they told the kids they couldnt actually hear whining) and my daughters dad and I basically did the same. So, we did not raise a whiner! I dont know how old your kids are, but I suggest practicing this method. As for chores, the earlier start the better. Clearing the table or putting dirty clothes in a basket are not too tough even for young kids. Maybe the way to talk to your wife about it is that it is less about your standards than about ensuring your kids can be independent as they get older, and understand how to take responsibility for themselves. It can be exhausting to hold a line on chores (and personally, I am not good at this) but when I remind myself that its good for my daughter, I do find my resolve. Maybe you can find a way to get off your high horse and focus this disagreement on whats good for your kids, rather than your own self-image. Advertisement Want Advice on Parenting, Kids, or Family Life? Submit your questions to Care and Feeding here. Its anonymous! (Questions may be edited for publication.) Dear Care and Feeding, Im a 38 year old man with a seven year old daughter Zoe. I have full custody of her, as my ex Caroline has serious substance abuse issues and several brushes with the law related to said substance abuse. Last year, there was a serious incident at her school. There were strict pickup instructions that Zoes mother does not have the authority to take her off the premises, and that if she were to arrive at the campus and ask about our daughter, I was to be contacted immediately. Despite that, there was an abduction. Caroline just strolled up, said she was Zoes mother, the teacher on the spot asked Zoe if that was true, Zoe nodded, and off they went. Fortunately, we managed to recover her quickly and without harm to my daughter. This was in violation of procedure, and Lenore the teacher on staff was placed on administrative leave and then given some kind of training course to remedy the defect Advertisement Advertisement Well, guess who is Zoes home room teacher this year? I quite honestly do not trust this woman with my daughter one bit. And I also dont really want to have to interact with her in any fashion. However, Im not in a city where I can just switch schools, and my initial inquiries make it seem like theres no chance of changing home room teachers. Im probably going to try to make an official appeal about this, but from what I understand, it will probably be denied. I dont know what to do further, but something has to be done. I do not want Zoe around Lenore, not even for an instant if I can help it. Seeing Red Dear Seeing Red, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First of all, I am so sorry this happened. It must have been very scary and I completely understand your agitation. It sounds like there was a greater failing here than just what happened with Lenore: why doesnt this school have proper signout protocol? For all 11 years my daughter has been in school, from day care to 7th grade, I have had to speak to the office to sign her out of class. I wasnt even allowed to talk to her through the fence at recess! And if there was a change to the normal pick up routine after school, I have to email her teacher in advance. I hope that the overall protocol was reviewed as part of this incident, for you and every other parent. Advertisement Now, about this years class assignment. Frankly, I would raise a stink. I do not typically suggest tons of parental intervention on class assignments and things like thatwhen kids have to face challenges, like not being with their friends or not liking a specific teacher, I overall think it builds resilience for them to have to cope. Often, the reason the school doesnt want to make a change in teachers is because they dont want other parents making similar requests in an attempt to help their kids avoid some minor and temporary discomfort. Advertisement Advertisement However, this was not a minor incident: the school failed you on the basic safety of your child, and this teacher in particular did something they should not have done. It makes you uncomfortable on a daily basis. Its not a punishment to Lenore to have your daughter removed, its just a change that would be better for everyones comfort (frankly, probably for Lenore too). Go to the office in person and demand a meeting with the principal. And keep asking until you get what will make you feel confident that your daughter is safe at school. Advertisement Catch Up on Care and Feeding Missed earlier columns this week? Read them here. Discuss this column in the Slate Parenting Facebook group! Dear Care and Feeding, My beloved 9-year-old stepdaughter is nervous about the upcoming addition of a sibling. Her dad and I want to add to our family, and she is worried that having a baby around will mess with our perfect family (her wordsIm happy were doing something right!) and that our family traditions and travel will all change. She also worries that my parents and my siblings (her step-grandparents and step-aunties) will love my biological kid more than they love her. Advertisement Advertisement I have done a lot of listening, I have told her her feelings are understandable, and Ive promised to set time aside for baby-free dates so she can still have dedicated big kid time with us. What else should I be doing to help build excitement about a baby sibling and calm worries? Also, we are currently in the trying phasewe are not currently expecting said baby, so we have some time to work through this. Siblings Advertisement Dear Siblings, We cant turn back time but I might have advised you not to share with your stepdaughter that you are trying to get pregnant. Yes, its exciting. But it can be stressful and uncertain enough for adultsnow your stepdaughter is hypothesizing about the unknown and you have to deal with that stress too! Advertisement My suggestion would be to redirect conversation to something elseanything elseuntil you are actually pregnant, and ideally are past the first trimester. Hopefully, she can put this out of her mind until its an actual situation she needs to confront. And by then, she may have a year or two more of life under her belt, and a bit more ability to adjust. If you do get pregnant and she is still anxious about her place in the family, I would recommend finding her a therapist to help her through the transition. She doesnt have to go to therapy forever, but support through these life changesand a little special attention from a thoughtful adultcan make a huge difference in easing our kids stress. Hillary In November, Ohio residents will have an opportunity to vote on Issue 1, a constitutional amendment that would finally abolish the states extreme partisan gerrymandering. Voters will not, however, be informed of this fact on the ballot. Instead, the Ohio Supreme Courts Republican majority ruled Monday that the amendment will be described in egregiously misleading terms on the ballot itself, with ultra-biased language designed to turn citizens against it. Incredibly, a proposal that would end gerrymandering will be framed as a proposal to require gerrymandering, a patently false representation of its intent and effect. The courts 43 decision marks yet another effort to subvert democracy in Ohio by Republicans who fear that the citizenrywhen given a voice on the mattermight dare to loosen their stranglehold on power. The decision in Citizens Not Politicians v. Ohio Ballot Board is the latest volley in a long-standing battle over a simple question: Should Ohio have a representative democracy, or should GOP lawmakers be allowed to draw wildly unrepresentative districts that permanently entrench their rule? For decades, Ohio has been one of the most gerrymandered states in the country. In 2015 and 2018, its voters overwhelmingly approved two constitutional amendments designed to limit partisan influence over maps. The amendments required the Legislature to enact genuinely bipartisan redistricting plans; if lawmakers failed to do so, a new bipartisan board, the Ohio Redistricting Commission, had to draw fair, representative maps. Advertisement This process proved easy to game by political actors, because Republican politicians held a majority on the new commission. In 2021 and 2022, this GOP majority enacted a series of flagrant gerrymanders, which the state Supreme Court struck down. The commission flouted the courts decisions over and over again, running out the clock to the election. It then invited a conservative federal court to impose a gerrymander that the Ohio Supreme Court had already ruled unconstitutional. As a result, the states Republicans won a towering and unearned supermajority in the Ohio Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Issue 1 is a direct response to this disaster. The proposal would repeal most of the earlier amendments and, in their place, create a truly independent redistricting commission made up of five Republicans, five Democrats, and five unaffiliated voters. This new board would be obligated to draw legislative and congressional maps that do not unduly favor one party over the other. These maps would prioritize proportionality, meaning that a party should win a number of seats roughly proportional to its statewide vote. So if Republican candidates win about 57 percent of votes, they should win about 57 percent of seats in the state Senatenot 79 percent of seats, as they did under the 2022 gerrymander. Advertisement More than 535,000 Ohioans signed petitions to place Issue 1 on the ballot, reflecting widespread support for the reform. The final question was how exactly the proposal should be described to voters on the ballot. Unfortunately, the task of writing the ballot language fell to the Ohio Ballot Board, another partisan body with a Republican majority led by Secretary of State Frank LaRose. Just last year, LaRose tried to manipulate the ballot-initiative process in Ohio to thwart an abortion rights amendment seeking to raise the threshold of passage from 50 percent to 60 percent. (He failed, and the abortion amendment passed.) LaRose also sat on the redistricting commission that pushed gerrymandered maps in defiance of the Ohio Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Now LaRose is abusing his position on the Ohio Ballot Board to paint Issue 1 in a comically negative light. The Ohio Constitution bars ballot language that would mislead, deceive, or defraud the voters. Yet the boards description of the amendment states that it would create a new taxpayer-funded commission of appointees required to gerrymander the boundaries of state legislative and congressional districts to produce partisan outcomes (emphasis added). It also declares that the amendment would repeal constitutional protections against gerrymandering approved by nearly three-quarters of Ohio electors participating in the statewide elections of 2015 and 2018, a gratuitous reference to the failed reforms of the previous decade. Advertisement The boards description also asserts, in fearmongering rhetoric, that the amendment would eliminate the longstanding ability of Ohio citizens to hold their representatives accountable for establishing fair state legislative and congressional districts. And it declares that the amendment would prevent a commission member from being removed, except by a vote of their fellow commission members, even for incapacity, willful neglect of duty or gross misconductwhich is just a scary way of saying that the commission holds exclusive power to remove its own members. The amendments title, as chosen by the board, similarly attempts to frighten citizens into opposing it. Its described not as an anti-gerrymandering reform but as an attempt to create an appointed redistricting commission not elected by or subject to removal by the voters of the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This phrasing is exaggerated to the point of falsity and is wildly unconstitutional. Ballot language may not, under state law, attempt to sway voters for or against the initiative its describing. It must remain honest and objective. And yet the Ohio Supreme Court upheld this distorted, pejorative language on Monday in a cynical decision that itself reflects profound hostility toward Issue 1. Why? In early 2023, Republicans flipped the court to a 43 conservative majority. That majority is now flexing its power to obstruct the fight against gerrymandering in Ohio. (One member of the majority, Republican Justice Pat DeWine, is the son of Gov. Mike DeWinewho is himself a member of the current broken redistricting commission that the amendment would abolish.) Advertisement The majoritys reasoning is so willfully obtuse that it would be funny if it werent so antidemocratic. In its unsigned opinion, the majority asserts that it is fair to claim that the amendment requires gerrymandering because it prioritizes partisan political outcomes above all else. In reality, the proposal merely uses political outcomes as a benchmark to ensure partisan fairness, preventing one party from manipulating districts to seize an unearned, lopsided edge in the Legislature. The Ohio Supreme Court recasts this approach as an evil worse than gerrymandering; it equates the consideration of political data (to guarantee fair maps) with the abuse of such data (to enact unfair maps). As Justice Jennifer Brunner wrote in dissent, the majority thereby greenlights a fraud upon the voters. Its decision is utterly lacking in integrity, upholding an Orwellian lie that accuses the amendment of doing the exact opposite of what it actually does. Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Has Sabotaged Early Voting in a Critical Swing State Read More The majority took a similarly blinkered view of the ballot boards other efforts to stack the deck against Issue 1. It upheld entirely unnecessary language that lauds the failed reforms of the past decade and cautions voters against repealing them, praising it as factually accurate. (In truth, as Brunner noted, this language is impermissibly argumentative, serving no purpose other than to dissuade voters from voting for the amendment.) The majority also asserted that it is self-evidently true that Issue 1 would eliminate the longstanding ability of Ohio citizens to hold their representatives accountable for establishing fair state legislative and congressional districts. This rhetoric is not self-evidently true; rather, it openly takes sides in the debate over gerrymandering. Opponents of the practice argue persuasively that legislators cannot be held accountable when theyre entrenched in unfair districts. Supporters of gerrymandering claim that legislators remain accountable no matter what because they can in theory still be voted outeven though in practice its a veritable impossibility. The ballot boards Republicans support the latter view, one that happens to benefit their fellow Republicans. So they wrote it into the ballot language, and the state Supreme Court gave them the thumbs-up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of the remaining ballot language, including its title, is little more than a condemnation of the amendment. The whole purpose of Issue 1 is to put redistricting in the hands of citizens, not politicians. But the ballot board recast this reform as a malevolent plot to give unaccountable and potentially corrupt bureaucrats total control over redistricting. And the Ohio Supreme Court rubber-stamped it, up to a false suggestion that commissioners could not be removed for gross misconduct. The court even upheld language implying that voters could not challenge the commissions work in federal court, a suggestion that is obviously and indisputably untrue. Advertisement By adding negative language that is not remotely close to the proposed amendments language, Brunner explained in her dissent, the ballot board crafted language to mislead voters into believing that there is something bad about the amendmentinstead of omitting argumentative language and letting the voters make their decisions unfettered by the boards proselytizing. Advertisement Now proponents of Issue 1 will have to explain to Ohio voters that their own ballots are lying to them about what the amendment would do. It is not the only state court subverting the will of the people to preserve unlawful gerrymandering: Floridas Republican-controlled Supreme Court is poised to nullify the states fair-district amendments, handing GOP lawmakers unlimited power to enact grievously skewed maps. Direct democracy was designed to ensure that citizens exercise their own ultimate authority over the law when intransigent politicians defy the popular will and establish unrepresentative rule. But it may prove impossible to restore democracy through the ballot when black-robed partisans weaponize state courts in favor of the ruling regime. Myra Grignon has relatives in Slovakia with whom she keeps in touch. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share You can read this exclusive content thanks to the FALATH & PARTNERS law firm, which assists American people with Slovak roots in obtaining Slovak citizenship and reconnecting them with the land of their ancestors. Bryndzove halusky is one of those Slovak dishes that are described as an acquired taste, mainly due to the taste of bryndza, a special soft crumbly cheese made from sheep milk. But Myra Grignon, a third generation Slovak by descent, very much enjoyed the dish when she tasted it in Slovakia. "I had it four times when we were there last time in January and February. It was so good! I love bryndza," she tells The Slovak Spectator. Unfortunately for her, back home in St. Paul, Minnesota, there is no bryndza cheese to be had and when she cooks bryndzove halusky herself, she has to make do without one. "I try to use other cheeses we have, but it's not the same. Definitely not the same." Actually, this is not the only Slovak dish that Myra Grignon makes, as she enjoys cooking and baking from recipes handed down by her mother. She even tries to pass them down to her relatives; Myra made a cookbook for her family, compiling all the old recipes along the regular ones. Related article Related article I hope to be a credit to the Slovak people, says Slovak American Read more No idea about her past For a long time, Grignon did not know what Slovak roots she had. Her grandparents on both sides of the family that had emigrated from Slovakia in early 20th century passed away before she was born. Moreover, her parents did not talk much about it. "They spoke Slovak to each other when they didn't want any of us kids to know anything. But no, they didn't tell us much " she says, adding she doesn't even know their reasoning. However, she does remember her mother travelling to Canada to visit relatives that had immigrated from Slovakia. Also, her mother would write letters to her relatives in Slovakia but never shared what was discussed. She was young back then and had no interest in learning more, which she now regrets. You may remember lawyer and former lacrosse player Gregory Tears from an earlier installment of this series. His grandmother and mother spoke Slovak when they were together, but not when they were with the children. He believes the reason was because his parents wanted their kids to grow up as American citizens. Grignon learned more about her maternal history from her cousin in the US and distant cousins in Slovakia on her paternal side. She found out that her father's relatives were from the village of Lendak, located under the Belianske Tatry mountain range. They emigrated in 1900 and 1901, while her mother's relatives hailed from the town of Bardejov, northeastern Slovakia and moved out in 1900 and 1903. As with many other emigrants, they started out in Pennsylvania, working in the coal mines. Then, for reasons unknown to Grignon, they moved to Moquah, a Slovak community in northern Wisconsin near Lake Superior where they had a farm, which now belongs to Grignon's brother. There is a monument in Moquah bearing names of its pioneers, with Grignon's paternal grandparents and parents listed among them. There is still the founding St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church that her family attends. She then hopped on Ancestry.com and started researching her family's history. "When I get on Ancestry.com, four hours later and I'm still looking at it, digging up records. I have so many binders of information. I'm just intrigued by it," Grignon says. Grignon has a friend who shares a similar background; they grew up together, going together to schools, college, and now live just a few kilometres apart, their lands in Moquah butting each other. Interestingly, two of their grandfathers were practically neighbours in Slovakia, then they moved to Wisconsin and became neighbours once again. Related article Related article A Slovak American's dream of helping Slovakia qualify for Olympics in lacrosse Read more Keeping in touch with relatives Thanks to this, much to her surprise, she found out she still has relatives in Slovakia. When she reached out to them, they were just as surprised by the revelation. She visited them in 2001 and then again in 2023 and 2024. "They welcomed me with open arms. They could not have been kinder, let us stay in their homes. They gave us gifts, food, and shots of vodka, it was very nice. They were so happy to have someone from America come and visit them," she recalls, adding they keep in touch via emails, texts, Facebook and WhatsApp. She learned that her paternal great-grandfather was a farmer on land owned by Prussian Count Christian Hohenlohe, who owned a large amount of land in the Belianske Tatry mountain range in northeastern Slovakia. Now, Grignon's fourth cousins own the land. "It was incredible to discover my Slovak roots. Both my parents passed away about 25 years ago. This is a big tribute to them. I found out that our traditions that my parents instilled on me are similar to the traditions my relatives in Slovakia keep. I'm very happy to be able to pass that on to my nieces and nephews since I don't have children." These traditions are mostly related to holidays such as Christmas and Easter. "On Christmas, we have oblatky (wafers) with honey, we do the prayer, we have pirohy (pierogi) and shots. When I was growing up, my brothers would go cut down the tree on Christmas Eve day, we do this on our farm, and then decorate it. We go to mass at midnight. I try to keep the traditions going and try to make all the dishes," she says. In addition, Grignon prepares traditional baked dough balls known as bobalky (in some places called opekance or pupaky that can be sweet or savoury) with poppy seeds, and mushroom soup. When it comes to Easter, it's decorating eggs, fasting, going to church. "We have pirohy again. Those are the only two times a year that we have them." A lot of people in Moquah still keep these traditions, but local to that community. As for other dishes, she prepares holubky (cabbage rolls). And although not originally Slovak, she loves langos as well. Related article Related article First, he read Harry Potter in Slovak. Now, an American imports Slovak books to US Read more It takes a lot of money, paperwork With the exception of one of her nieces, Grignon is pretty much the only one in her close family who researches her family history and pursues the Slovak citizenship. "I mean, they're interested in it, but they don't want to put in all the work digging through records because it's very time consuming," she explains. To give you an idea of what it took Grignon to get to where she is now, she had to hire a Slovak genealogist to help her find some of the birth and death records, because she couldn't do it on her own. One of her cousins in Slovakia also helped with obtaining some information. For example, the cousin found a land deed that Grignon's great-grandfather owned, and that he gave the land to Grignon's great aunt, which was unusual for the time to give land to a female. She also had to leaf through court records in Wisconsin, and travel to the embassy in New York. Then she could start piecing everything together. It took a lot of money and paperwork. "I did take beginner lessons in Slovak. Obviously, it didn't work," she says jokingly, as the interview was in English. But she admits that she is thinking about taking level one again this fall because she forgot everything. Still, about a month ago when she made the oath for the Slovak citizenship in New York, she had to say it in Slovak. Grignon repeated the oath and, despite a strong American accent, it was easily understandable. "I was hoping I could make the oath in Slovakia, but since I requested the citizenship in New York at the embassy I had to make the oath there," she says. When asked about why she wants Slovak citizenship, Grignon says she wants to honour her parents and grandparents while keeping the traditions alive. "Maybe move or retire to Slovakia. I wouldn't mind living there for 5-6 months and then living here for the remaining year," she says. Spectacular Slovakia travel guides There's still much to uncover about the Eocene epoch. Andrej Cernansky during his recent fieldwork at Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. He was digging up plants high above the Arctic Circle that grew in the forests back grew there more than 55 million years ago. (Source: Courtesy of Andrej Cernansky) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Slovak palaeontologist Andrej Cernansky from Comenius University in Bratislava is continuing to shed more light on long-extinct animals. Last year he co-authored a study on a new species of gecko representing an archaic lineage that survived the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Now he's back with another discovery. A Slovak-Belgian team of scientists has unearthed fossils of a reptile in Belgium that until now was known only to have lived in North America. It probably got into Europe by crossing a land bridge that appeared in the Atlantic Ocean for a few million years. The Eocene (56 to 34 million years ago) is a very interesting geological epoch and these fossils date from the beginning of this epoch, from the time of the warmest global climate of the past 200 million years. Since we know very little about the early Eocene epoch, which spanned from 56 to 48 million years ago, this find offers another piece of the puzzle. Related article Related article Slovak paleontologist names reptiles after important historical figures Read more To stay up to date with what scientists in Slovakia or Slovak scientists around the world are doing, subscribe to the Slovak Science newsletter, which will be sent to readers free of charge four times a year. 'A small tank' The research team, led by Cernansky who worked with scientists from Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, reported the fossils from Dormaal, a locality in eastern Belgium in a recent study. What is what and when it was The Mesozoic Era lasted from about 252 to 66 million years ago. It is comprised of the Triassic (252-201 million years ago), Jurassic (201-145) and Cretaceous (145-66) Periods. The Mesozoic is followed by the current Cenozoic Era. Its first period is called the Paleogene (66-23), which is comprised of the Paleocene (66-56), followed by the Eocene (56-34) and finally the Oligocene (34-23) epochs. Among the many reptiles so far found are glyptosaurids, an extinct group of reptiles that looked like small armoured tanks. Their bodies were covered by osteodermal shields, which are bony deposits found on the skin of many reptiles to this day. They have a typical granular structure. Glyptosaurids lived in North America when dinosaurs roamed the planet during the Cretaceous period from 145 to 66 million years ago. It was at the end of the Palaeocene - beginning of the Eocene, subdivisions of the Palaeogene, that they migrated, thanks to the warmer climate at that time, and spread to what is now Europe and Asia. However, it was assumed that only a few glyptosaurids lived in Europe, in particular the genus Placosaurus, fossils of which have been found, mainly in France. These date from the late Eocene, i.e. from around 38 to 34 million years ago. Poor Slovaks, a popular weather lore, and Fjuzn returns. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Good evening. Here is the Monday, September 16 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes. From pilgrim to superhero: Pellegrinis flood response President Peter Pellegrini is seen in a tracked fire-fighting vehicle in Bratislava on September 15, 2024. On the same day, he took part in a national pilgrimage in Sastin. (Source: Facebook/Peter Pellegrini) While last years national pilgrimage to the Seven Sorrows of Mary in Sastin, western Slovakia, was bathed in sunshine, this years event on September 15 was marred by persistent rain. The Bratislava Archdiocese, the organiser of the event, was compelled to move the celebrations from the outdoor venue to the local Basilica of the Seven Sorrows of Mary in response to weather warnings. Believers from across the country were urged not to travel to Sastin. This year, due to adverse weather conditions, we encourage you to celebrate the Sunday Mass for the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of Mary in your parishes and churches, and to spiritually unite with the celebration at the national basilica in Sastin, the archdiocese said in a press release last Thursday. The decision was well-justified. The basilica has limited capacity, and the town had declared an emergency situation on Sunday due to heavy rain and rising levels of the Myjava River. Nevertheless, President Peter Pellegrini chose to disregard the archdioceses appeal. He opted not to lead by example by watching the Mass on television or going to a Catholic church in Bratislava. Instead, he travelled to Sastin, where he wished the entire country a beautiful feast day and expressed his thoughts for all those who, regrettably, are unable to attend the Mass due to the extreme weather affecting the country. He also shared a photo of himself praying in the basilica. On the same day, President Pellegrini was seen posing on a tracked fire-fighting vehicle in the flood-affected Devinska Nova Ves in Bratislava, where he wished residents the best in managing the situation somehow, while others were busy sandbagging. His photo on the vehicle amused Slovak internet users, with one post jokingly suggesting that Pellegrini was now delivering cheaper groceriesa promise made by his party, Hlas, before last Septembers parliamentary elections, despite food prices rising since. This summer, Pellegrini, whose party remains part of the governing coalition and which he recently led, faced criticism for his silence on the governments attacks on cultural institutions and the suspension of the prison sentence for the convicted corrupt official and former top prosecutor Dusan Kovacik. MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE Weather: The Danube River in Bratislava is reaching its peak in the upper section, experts from the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) said on Monday night. Find out how the situation in the capital developed throughout the day. The Danube River in Bratislava is reaching its peak in the upper section, experts from the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) said on Monday night. Find out how the situation in the capital developed throughout the day. Opinion: Special contributor and head of the home affairs desk at Sme daily, Michaela Terenzani, summarises the most significant political events of the past week. This time, she highlights how opposition leader Michal Simecka and his party made an astute move that exposed the coalitions plan to remove Simecka from his role as deputy speaker of parliament as fundamentally absurd. Special contributor and head of the home affairs desk at Sme daily, Michaela Terenzani, summarises the most significant political events of the past week. This time, she highlights how opposition leader Michal Simecka and his party made an astute move that exposed the coalitions plan to remove Simecka from his role as deputy speaker of parliament as fundamentally absurd. Opinion: People in Slovakia are officially the poorest, as a comparison of real wages in the EU has shown, writes economist Ivan Miklos. People in Slovakia are officially the poorest, as a comparison of real wages in the EU has shown, writes economist Ivan Miklos. Archaeology: Archaeologists in Trencin hope to uncover a secret room behind the crypt at Trencin Castle. Archaeologists in Trencin hope to uncover a secret room behind the crypt at Trencin Castle. Advertorial: Pressburg Mint, as one of the few private mints in the world, serves clients globally, with a strong presence in the USA, Western Europe, and East Asia. If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you. FEATURE STORY 40 days of rain? A rainy day in Bratislava. (Source: TASR) One of the most well-known pieces of weather lore in Slovakia is about Medard, which goes like this: Medards drop will be dropping for 40 days (Medardova kvapka 40 dni kvapka). Is it still valid, though? FESTIVAL video //www.youtube.com/embed/2osbbTqTuTQ This Friday kicks off the vibrant Fjuzn festival, a week-long celebration of multi-genre and multicultural magic! Hosted by the Milan Simecka Foundationcurrently under fire from the governing coalition simply for being named after the grandfather of opposition leader Michal Simeckathis festival promises to unite people from all walks of life. Get ready to embrace a dazzling mix of cultures and creativity in Bratislava! IN OTHER NEWS Slovak Railways (ZSSK) is implementing measures for international travel documents purchased through ZSSK for journeys to, from, or through Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary due to the exceptional situation caused by adverse weather and flooded railway lines in these regions. UniCredit Bank has commenced the migration of its entire payment card portfolio to Mastercard, a process expected to continue until the first half of 2025. The PINs and original limits on the accounts linked to the cards will be retained. Clients of UniCredit Bank will be able to use their new cards immediately upon exchange. A virtual version of the debit card will be available in the mobile application in advance, eliminating the need to wait for the delivery of the physical card by mail. MP Martina Holeckova is leaving the Christian Democrats (KDH). She stated that she can no longer work in a party whose actions she no longer understands and also cannot truthfully and honourably defend interests with which she does not agree. After last years elections, Holeckova emerged as one of the most prominent figures in the KDH and a staunch critic of the ruling coalition, which is not entirely typical for the KDH. The dissolution of the National Crime Agency (NAKA) and the reallocation of hundreds of police officers may have been illegal. The Police Union of Slovakia asserts that the reassignment of officers to other units was not discussed in advance. The anti-corruption NGO, Zastavme korupciu, highlighted this issue, referencing statements from union representatives. According to them, the Supreme Court has previously deemed such actions unlawful. The police force has stated that it followed legal procedures during the reorganisation of NAKA. The Police Union of Slovakia asserts that the reassignment of officers to other units was not discussed in advance. The anti-corruption NGO, Zastavme korupciu, highlighted this issue, referencing statements from union representatives. According to them, the Supreme Court has previously deemed such actions unlawful. The police force has stated that it followed legal procedures during the reorganisation of NAKA. The Investments Ministry has met all milestones for the fifth payment request from the recovery plan. Key milestones achieved include: the plan for priority life situations, the establishment of a central procurement platform for acquiring and utilising IT resources, and the transition from coal use in the Upper Nitra region. (TASR) Prime Minister Robert Fico, who turned 60 last weekend, appears during a press briefing following the government meeting on the adverse weather situation in Bratislava on September 16, 2024. He is flanked by Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (l) and Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (r). This appearance marks Ficos first reaction to the floods in Slovakia, as he had not been seen or heard from for several days. (Source: TASR) WEATHER FOR TUESDAY: The weather will be partly cloudy to overcast, with some areas experiencing dense cloud cover. Isolated showers or light rain are possible, especially in the morning. Daytime temperatures are expected to range from 17C to 24C. (SHMU) SEPTEMBER 17 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Olympia. Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us. P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk. Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram (@slovakspectator). The Danube reached 9.7 metres at its peak on Tuesday. Devin Castle in Bratislava on September 17, 2024. The castle remains closed until Thursday. (Source: TASR) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share As the Danube continues to crest in Bratislava, MP Veronika Remisova took the opportunity in parliament on Tuesday to propose that her colleagues join her in applauding the firefighters and volunteers involved in flood recovery efforts. We can give them a spontaneous round of applause, said acting Speaker of Parliament Peter Ziga, smiling as MPs clapped in recognition. Early this morning, the Danube began to peak in its upper reaches, reaching a maximum height of 905 centimetres at Devin, a Bratislava borough where the Danube and Morava rivers meet, the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) said late on Tuesday morning. In central Bratislava, the Danube peaked at 971 centimetres. The water level remains high, and authorities expect stabilisation at current levels in these areas throughout the day, the met office added. Due to the rainfall in the German and Austrian Danube basins and the increased inflow from the Morava River, the cresting in Devin and Bratislava will continue until tomorrow. A significant rise in water levels is ongoing in the middle and lower stretches of the Danube in southern Slovakia. The Danube levels in central Bratislava on September 17, 2024. Hydrologists noted that the Morava, a border river with Austria and the Czech Republic, is also peaking in its upper section, with a sharp rise and the start of cresting in its middle and lower parts. An unusual situation has been observed at Devinska Nova Ves, the Bratislava borough where the Danube is causing the Moravas water level to back up. Experts noted that peaks are expected later today along the middle section of the Morava. Flood warnings in Slovakia on September 17, 2024. (Source: SHMU) The situation in the areas of Bratislava most affected by flooding is also stabilising. We cannot speak of any improvement yet. The water levels of the Morava and Danube rivers are still not receding, said Darius Krajcir, the mayor of Devinska Nova Ves. Istrijska, Vapencova, and Mlynska Streets remain closed until further notice. Devinska cesta in Devin also remains closed to vehicles due to high water levels (35 cm). According to the local authorities, residents needing to travel to or from Devin should use the shuttle transport provided by military vehicles via Devinska Nova Ves. Partizanska luka (Zeleznicna studnicka) in the forest park remains closed due to damaged playgrounds. However, it is expected to reopen on Saturday. Bratislava Castle will be closed until Friday, the TASR news agency reports. On Sunday, a small section of the retaining wall in the Bratislava Castle grounds collapsed due to the weather conditions. Devin Castle is closed until Thursday. Rain from the past few days will give way to clear skies and temperatures slightly above 20C in the coming days. A man clears mud from the road after floods in the town of Stupava, in the Malacky district, on September 17, 2024. (Source: TASR) For now, Viedenska cesta (from the exhibition grounds to Stary most) and Kocankova Street (up to Stary most) also remain impassable. Bratislavas public transport operator has reported that tram number 9 is now running along its usual route. However, trains between Bratislava and Vienna are still suspended, and services to the Czech Republic from Cadca and Nove Mesto nad Vahom are only operating up to the border. The Moravsky Svaty Jan Hohenau and Medvedov Vamosszabadi border bridges also remain closed. Shipping on the Danube remains suspended, the Transport Ministry said on Tuesday. Transport inspectors had to deal with a pontoon that had broken loose from Austria. After crossing the border, it was secured within Slovak territory. M. R. Stefanik Airport in Bratislava is operating without restrictions. According to Environment Minister Tomas Taraba, the damage caused by the floods in Slovakia is estimated to reach 20 million. However, he did not explain how this figure was calculated, and the full extent of the damage remains unknown. In recent days, Taraba has repeatedly made misleading statements about the floods. Initially, he claimed that the heaviest rainfall in the region would occur over Slovakia. Over the weekend, he stated that the situation in Slovakia was not as critical as in neighbouring countries because Slovakia had prepared well. In doing so, he overlooked the efforts made by people in the Czech Republic and Austria. Slovakia could potentially receive funds from the European Unions Solidarity Fund, established in 2002 in response to flooding in Central Europe, if certain conditions are met. According to MEP Lubica Karvasova, damages would need to exceed 3 billion or 0.5 percent of Slovakias GDP (approximately 600 million) or 1.5 percent of a regions GDP (450 million for the Bratislava Region and 180 million for the Trnava Region). Bratislava Region Governor Juraj Droba said on Tuesday that the greatest damage was caused in the districts of Malacky (Malina stream) and Pezinok (Blatina stream), as well as in Devin and Devinska Nova Ves. The Petrzalka side of the Danube. (Source: Facebook/Juraj Droba) On Monday afternoon, Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that his government would provide financial aid to the affected areas. The government always has a small financial reserve that it can use, Fico said. The coalition nearly failed to unseat Michal Simecka from the post. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Michal Simecka, the leader of the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS), was removed from his position as deputy speaker of parliament on Tuesday. The decision came following a secret ballot, in which 76 out of 77 present MPs voted in favour of his dismissal. The sole invalid vote left the tally narrowly in favour of the removal, with no MPs opposing or abstaining. The coalition, which controls 79 of the 150 seats in parliament, achieved this by securing a majority despite the absence of three MPs from the ruling party Hlas: Roman Malatinec, Samuel Migal, and Radomir Salitros. Approached by the Sme daily, Malatinec said, Hlas should focus on its own policies and avoid being drawn into this battle. There are more pressing issues. This marks a historic deviation from Slovakias modern parliamentary tradition, where it has been customary for one of the four deputy speaker positions to be held by the opposition. The debate over Simeckas removal began several weeks ago, with the Hlas party previously evasive about its stance on the issue. The extraordinary session to vote on his dismissal was initiated last week by MPs from Smer and the far-right Slovak National Party (SNS). The accusations against Simecka included allegations of misuse of state subsidies by his family and claims of manipulating subsidy allocations. Additionally, his role in organising protests against the controversial ministers of culture and justice was cited, with claims that he wants to keep his familys access to public funding safe. Parliament before the removal of Michal Simecka from the position of deputy speaker on September, 17, 2024 in Bratislava. (Source: TASR) Simecka has denied these allegations, and last week, coalition MPs were unable to substantiate claims of illegal conduct by Simecka and his relatives, despite assertions from coalition leaders, including PM and Smer leader Robert Fico. On the other hand, Progressive Slovakia published a list of coalition MPs involved in projects or organisations that had previously received state funds. In a defiant response on Tuesday, Simecka remarked, Mr. Fico, you may remove a deputy speaker, but you cannot remove an opposition leader. I look forward to defeating you in the next elections. Now I have several extra hours each day to do so. He further mocked the situation, suggesting that Slovakias problems would miraculously resolve following his removal. Simecka characterised the move as retaliation for his good opposition work. He learned of his ousting during a meeting with President Peter Pellegrini, a former Hlas leader and a former protege of Robert Fico. Currently, parliament lacks a permanent speaker of parliament due to ongoing conflicts over the post within the ruling coalition. As of today, the parliament is led by three coalition representatives and deputy speakers: Peter Ziga (Hlas), who recently faced a corruption charge; the charged ex-police chief and MP Tibor Gaspar (Smer); and SNS leader Andrej Danko, who earlier this year was involved in a car accident and fled the scene. It remains unclear who will replace Simecka from the opposition ranks, with opposition parties rejecting the idea of nominating another candidate from their side. Related article Botanists are fretting about Slovakias nature, a celestial show, and an American with a passion for halusky. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Good evening. Here is the Tuesday, September 17 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes. Hospital incident involves pro-Putin officials son Lukas Machala, a conservative, serves as chief of staff at the Culture Ministry. (Source: TASR) On Monday, a dramatic incident unfolded at a Bratislava hospital involving Samuel Machala, 23, the son of Lukas Machala, a pro-Putin senior official who is believed to wield significant influence at the Culture Ministry, often considered the real decision-maker rather than Minister Martina Simkovicova. According to the news website Aktuality.sk, Samuel Machala allegedly assaulted police officers who had been called to the scene. The police are currently assessing the situation. This incident is not Machalas first run-in with the law. In late May, he was arrested in Bratislava-Dubravka for stealing a pensioners purse. After being swiftly apprehended, he returned the stolen items, valued at 325. Machala now faces theft charges. Due to his mothers position as a district prosecutor, the case is being overseen by the higher regional prosecution office in Bratislava. Lukas Machala remarked, I fully respect the actions of healthcare professionals and law enforcement. He added that the situation is more complex than it appears and highlighted his sons long-term health issues. Lukas Machalas father, Drahoslav Machala, was an agent for the State Security, the secret police of communist Czechoslovakia, where he reported on foreign journalists. MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE Bratislava: The situation in Bratislava is improving following the elevated river levels over the weekend, though several popular attractions remain closed. The situation in Bratislava is improving following the elevated river levels over the weekend, though several popular attractions remain closed. Business: PM Robert Fico has unveiled his 2.7 billion fiscal overhaul. The plan indicates that books will become more expensive. PM Robert Fico has unveiled his 2.7 billion fiscal overhaul. The plan indicates that books will become more expensive. Politics: The coalition has stripped the opposition leader Michal Simecka of a key parliamentary position, but Simecka is not mourning. He says he will have more time to prepare for defeating Fico in the elections. The coalition has stripped the opposition leader Michal Simecka of a key parliamentary position, but Simecka is not mourning. He says he will have more time to prepare for defeating Fico in the elections. Travel: See where you can cycle in Bratislava and its surrounding areas (once the flood situation improves). If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you. FEATURE STORY An American who cooks traditional Slovak recipes Myra Grignon with her Slovak citizenship certificate. (Source: Archive of M. G.) Myra Grignon, a third-generation Slovak-American, has fallen in love with the traditional Slovak dish bryndzove halusky. I had it four times when we were in Slovakia last January and February, she enthuses. Grignon, passionate about her Slovak heritage, not only cooks traditional recipes but has also compiled a family cookbook to preserve these culinary links to her roots. EVENT Dobry trh The September edition of the Good Market will be held from 10:00 to 17:00 on September 21 in Bratislava. (Source: Facebook/Dobry trh) Dobry trh (Good Market) returns to Panenska Street in Bratislava this Saturday, offering a vibrant mix of high-quality food, unique designs, books, accessories, and clothing. The event also features an exciting cultural programme with art installations, concerts, and workshops. IN OTHER NEWS Bratislava police are searching for 72-year-old William Funk, who has permanent residency in Germany. He was last seen on September 16 around 16:00 on Hrebendova Street in Bratislava, where he was with his wife. He then left and has not been heard from since. On the morning of Wednesday, September 18, a partial lunar eclipse will be visible from Slovakia before sunrise. The Earths shadow will cover 8.5 percent of the Moons surface at its peak, with the eclipse starting at 4:13 and the Moon exiting the shadow at 5:16. The eclipse should be visible to the naked eye, depending on the weather. (SAV) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has officially announced that Maros Sefcovic will be her candidate for Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, which will also include customs policy. The Slovak will also be responsible for interinstitutional relations and transparency. However, not all Slovak MEPs are expected to support Sefcovic. Prime Minister Robert Fico has described the post as a success for Slovakia. The Fund for Supporting the Culture of National Minorities (FPKNM/Kult Minor) will now have 8.8 million available , following an amendment to the FPKNM Act approved by MPs on Tuesday. This half-million-euro increase is linked to the official recognition of the Vietnamese minority. The funeral allowance will rise from 79.67 to 200 from January 2025. President Peter Pellegrini welcomed opposition leaders at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday. Pictured from left: Branislav Grohling, leader of the Freedom and Solidarity party (SaS), Milan Majersky, leader of the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), and Michal Simecka, leader of the Progressive Slovakia movement (PS). Last week, Pellegrini met with the leaders of the coalition parties. (Source: TASR) Members of the Slovak Botanical Society at the Slovak Academy of Sciences have expressed particular concern over the current state of nature conservation in Slovakia, especially in light of recently adopted or proposed legislative changes concerning biodiversity and environmental protection. They are also dissatisfied with the disregard for expert and scientifically verified knowledge related to nature conservation, the replacement of leading experts with politically appointed individuals lacking professional qualifications, as well as the spread of misinformation and the general undervaluing of environmental research and protection. (SAV) They are also dissatisfied with the disregard for expert and scientifically verified knowledge related to nature conservation, the replacement of leading experts with politically appointed individuals lacking professional qualifications, as well as the spread of misinformation and the general undervaluing of environmental research and protection. (SAV) The state and the Confederation of Trade Unions (KOZ) have agreed in the fourth round of collective bargaining to increase salaries in the public and state sectors by 5 percent from January 2026 . In 2025, each employee in the state and public sectors will receive a bonus of 800, which will be paid by June 2025 at the latest. Slovakia will send an economic diplomat to Thailand. The economic diplomat is to assist Slovak entrepreneurs in the region, support investment projects, and contribute to promoting Slovakias tourism potential. Mutual trade exchange has grown in recent years, reaching 466 million last year. (TASR) WEATHER FOR WEDNESDAY: Expect partly cloudy skies with occasional periods of increased cloud cover. There may be isolated showers or thunderstorms in some areas. Temperatures will range from 19C to 25C during the day, with light to moderate easterly winds. (SHMU) SEPTEMBER 18 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Eugenia. Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us. P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk. Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram (@slovakspectator). https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/estonian-president-admits-wests-growing-fatigue-over-ukrainian-conflict---reports-1120180562.html Estonian President Admits West's Growing Fatigue Over Ukrainian Conflict - Reports Estonian President Admits West's Growing Fatigue Over Ukrainian Conflict - Reports Sputnik International Estonian President Alar Karis has admitted that the West is growing weary of the conflict in Ukraine, which is in its third year. 2024-09-17T17:29+0000 2024-09-17T17:29+0000 2024-09-17T17:29+0000 world vladimir putin ukraine kiev russia kursk estonia ukraine crisis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/02/19/1116979707_0:185:3017:1882_1920x0_80_0_0_e848c58ac6e56508fca79b5882018e29.jpg "There is fatigue. Those on the front lines are tired, as well as those in the rear, and those for whom the conflict in Ukraine feels distant," Karis told Estonian public broadcaster ERR. The president argued there was no point in pushing for peace talks between Kiev and Moscow at the moment because the West's support for Ukraine was not enough to allow Kiev to negotiate ceasefire terms from a position of strength. Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed starting ceasefire talks with Kiev as soon as Ukrainian forces withdrew from the territories that Russia sees as its own. Ukraine rejected the proposal. Following a Ukrainian military incursion into the western Russian region of Kursk in August, Putin declared that negotiations with those intentionally harming civilians and targeting nuclear energy sites were impossible. Russia has been conducting a special military operation in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. President Putin said that the operation aims to "protect people subjected to genocide by the Kiev regime." https://sputnikglobe.com/20240911/nato-risks-hot-war-with-russia-as-biden-mulls-stepping-on-ukraine-long-range-missile-tripwire-1120109461.html ukraine kiev russia estonia 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 russias special military op in ukraine, special military operation, special military operational zone, special op zone, russian troops in special op zone, ukraine casualties in conflict, total ukrainian losses, how many people did ukraine loose, how many people did kiev loose, new russian weapons in ukraine, advanced russian weapons, russian defense ministry statements, latest russian military statements, what did shoigu say about ukraine, donetsk peoples republic, nato in ukraine, is nato in ukraine, russian drones, drone warfare, new military drones, uavs in ukraine, ukraine crisis, ukraine conflict, battlegroup sever, battlegroup yug, battlegroup zapad, battlegroup vostok, battlegroup tsentr, battlegroup dnepr, russia ukraine peace talks, russia ukraine peace settlement, russia ukraine negotiations, russian air defenses, mercenaries in ukraine, foreign merc in ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/eu-allocates-14-bln-from-frozen-russian-assets-for-ukraines-air-defenses-and-ammunition-1120176539.html EU Allocates 1.4 Bln From Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraines Air Defenses and Ammunition EU Allocates 1.4 Bln From Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraines Air Defenses and Ammunition Sputnik International The first revenues generated from Russia's frozen sovereign assets in the EU have been allocated for the payment of air defense systems and ammunition supplies to Ukraine, European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis has said at a European Parliament session. 2024-09-17T12:51+0000 2024-09-17T12:51+0000 2024-09-17T12:51+0000 economy valdis dombrovskis josep borrell dmitry peskov russia ukraine european union (eu) european commission frozen assets https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/17/1115763746_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_1fd21a4813660d58fa30de1f53ffe8a0.jpg The first revenues generated from Russia's frozen sovereign assets in the EU have been allocated for the payment of air defense systems and ammunition supplies to Ukraine, European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis has said at a European Parliament session.According to Dombrovskis, "the work is being carried out swiftly, and contracts have been signed with member states." He added that the European Commission expects the main deliveries to be made by the end of the year.Following the start of the special military operation in Ukraine, the European Union and G7 countries froze almost half of Russias foreign currency reserves, amounting to around 300 billion. More than 200 billion is held in the EU, primarily in accounts with Belgiums Euroclear one of the world's largest clearing and settlement systems. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240726/russia-warns-of-retaliation-over-eus-use-of-frozen-assets-for-ukraine-support-1119516207.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International frozen russian assets, european union, valdis dombrovskis, revenues from frozen russian assets, ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/from-echelon-to-prism-us-intel-services-could-be-behind-hezbollah-pager-detonation---expert--1120180857.html From Echelon to PRISM: US Intel Services Could be Behind Hezbollah Pager Detonation - Expert From Echelon to PRISM: US Intel Services Could be Behind Hezbollah Pager Detonation - Expert Sputnik International The recent detonation of pagers in Lebanon could be caused by interfering with software responsible for charging the devices, Alexei Leonkov, a military analyst and editor of Arsenal Otechestva (Arsenal of the Fatherland), told Sputnik. 2024-09-17T18:49+0000 2024-09-17T18:49+0000 2024-09-17T18:58+0000 world science & tech alexei leonkov americans edward snowden lebanon opinion us middle east israel https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/09/11/1120181991_0:0:2921:1643_1920x0_80_0_0_591ea6eb38cc19773429c5857089f5a7.jpg "The Americans and allied intelligence agencies created the "Echelon" [surveillance] system which was built in parallel with the communication network, paging communications, cellular communications, and the global Internet, for monitoring and controlling network participants," military analyst Alexei Leonkov tells Sputnik, commenting on the pager explosion in Lebanon. Since Echelon's inception in the 1960s, the US has developed international communication standards and a wide set of surveillance tools which allow the US intel community to spy on users worldwide, as ex-NSA contractor Edward Snowden disclosed in 2013, commenting on the US' Prism program. The recent detonation of pagers could be caused by battery overheating which, in turn, could be provoked by interfering with software responsible for charging the devices, as per the pundit. "[If the pager] was close to an artery [the explosion of a battery] could cause damage making one bleed to death within five minutes. And that's it, the person can't be saved," the pundit concludes. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/what-is-known-about-mass-pager-explosion-in-lebanon-1120178496.html lebanon israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova 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 Ekaterina Blinova pager explosion in lebanon, massive pager explosions in lebanon, hezbollah pager explosions, us echelon surveillance system, us prism, edward snowden, us massive surveillance, us spying program https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/how-does-ukraine-try-to-distance-itself-from-suspected-trump-assassin--1120176633.html How Does Ukraine Try to Distance Itself From Suspected Trump Assassin? How Does Ukraine Try to Distance Itself From Suspected Trump Assassin? Sputnik International Routh pointed an assault rifle at Donald Trump on his Florida golf course on September 15, in what became the second assassination attempt on the 45th US president since July. 2024-09-17T12:57+0000 2024-09-17T12:57+0000 2024-09-17T13:08+0000 world us ukraine donald trump assassination assassination attempt volodymyr zelensky links conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105211/52/1052115228_0:56:2965:1724_1920x0_80_0_0_b6d8983888c04339caeebaca5ad216e0.jpg It seems the Kiev regime is desperately trying to brush off Ukraines links to purported would-be Trump shooter Ryan Wesley Routh, following his claims (on X and in interviews) about his involvement in the Ukraine conflict.Zelensky then went further by extending his "best wishes" to the 45th US president and his family and adding that "Its good that the suspect was apprehended quickly."In the same vein, the International Legion of Ukraine, a unit with the Ukrainian Ground Forces, argued that it had no association with Routh.The Guardian has meanwhile cited the legion as saying that Routh's ideas about what he once called "a black and white" Ukraine conflict were "delusional."The same tone was struck by Matthew Crosston, Professor of National Security and Director of Academic Transformation at Bowie State University who told Sputnik that "the early information coming out about the [suspected Trump] shooter clearly indicates a man of questionable mental stability that has over the years often resulted in radical extreme expressions of delusional political action." Crosston minced no words when dubbing Routh "an unhealthy and unstable person."In last years interview with the New York Times, Routh claimed he was willing "to fight and die in Ukraine," and in separate development, he told Newsweek that hes eager to recruit volunteers for Ukraines Foreign Legion. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240916/cia-veteran-ukrainian-connection-in-trumps-assassination-attempt-cannot-be-ignored-1120170439.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg 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 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg the second assassination attempt on the 45th us president, ryan wesley routh's assassination attempt on donald trump, american citizen ryan routh, the 45th us president, the ukraine conflict https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/iraqi-pm-dispatches-medical-teams-to-lebanon-to-treat-thousands-of-injured-in-pager-blasts-1120182899.html Iraqi PM Dispatches Medical Teams to Lebanon to Treat Thousands of Injured in Pager Blasts Iraqi PM Dispatches Medical Teams to Lebanon to Treat Thousands of Injured in Pager Blasts Sputnik International Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani ordered a dispatch of Iraqi medical teams to Lebanon on Tuesday to assist those injured in the pager blast attack. 2024-09-17T21:30+0000 2024-09-17T21:30+0000 2024-09-17T21:28+0000 world middle east mohammed shia al sudani benjamin netanyahu matthew miller lebanon israel hezbollah explosion https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/09/11/1120181808_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_9faa83297467f03679d910a6fb70a0bb.jpg The latest confirmed tally lists 2,750 people as injured and at least 9, including a child, dead as a result of the mass detonation of handheld pagers in parts of Lebanon. An earlier, widely reported tally of 11 dead and over 4,000 injured was rescinded by Lebanon's health ministry. "The Iraqi government is closely monitoring the serious security developments in Lebanon, including the recent cyber attack by the Zionist entity ... Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani has directed the dispatch of Iraqi medical teams and emergency response units to Lebanon to provide urgent assistance as quickly as possible, alleviating the suffering of the innocent civilian victims," the Iraqi prime minister's office said. The recent developments in the Middle East, including Israel's preparations for a land incursion into southern Lebanon, require urgent international interference before the situation escalates into a broader war, the press office added. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held phone conversations with his Lebanese counterpart, Abdallah Bou Habib, and Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, offering Cairo's full support. He assured Lebanon of Egypt's commitment to stability and security in Lebanon, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said. The Lebanese government and Hezbollah movement have blamed the explosions on Israel. An official statement on the explosion has not been released by Israel; however, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi has said top military officials have called a meeting "with an emphasis on readiness for attack and defense in all arenas."The Lebanese Foreign Ministry said that the reason for the detonation of pagers was a cyberattack by Israel. Media reported that pagers were used by Hezbollah as a closed communication system least susceptible to hacking and eavesdropping.Citing sources familiar with the matter, Axios earlier reported that the operation had reportedly been approved during meetings between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his cabinet and security chiefs.US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters that Washington was gathering information on the incident, adding that the US was neither involved in it nor aware of the operation in advance. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/from-echelon-to-prism-us-intel-services-could-be-behind-hezbollah-pager-detonation---expert--1120180857.html lebanon israel 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 what happened in lebanon, who ordered pager explosions, middle east tensions https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/is-the-pager-attack-only-the-beginning-1120183448.html Is the Pager Attack Only the Beginning? Is the Pager Attack Only the Beginning? Sputnik International After thousands were injured and more than a dozen killed in an attack that saw thousands of pagers explode nearly simultaneously across Lebanon, experts are left wondering if Israel plans to invade Lebanon. 2024-09-17T22:43+0000 2024-09-17T22:43+0000 2024-09-17T23:06+0000 michael maloof middle east newsfeed benjamin netanyahu edward snowden lebanon israel syria hezbollah cctv https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/0f/1114211885_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_96d415dae4ecd358bd01572e32ed0665.jpg After examining all the facts, current data, and available information about the sinful attack that took place this afternoon, we hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression that targeted civilians too, a statement from Hezbollah reads, adding that the group will continue to support the Palestinian resistance.CCTV footage from Lebanon showed the devices exploding in civilian areas, including a grocery store. The Lebanese Ministry of Health has urged all citizens with pagers to dispose of the devices immediately. Former senior security policy analyst at the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Michael Maloof, told Sputniks The Final Countdown that the attack seems to be a precursor to a larger attack by Israel on Lebanon.According to Maloof, the attack was designed not only to kill and injure but also to interrupt Hezbollahs communications, a common military tactic before a larger attack.Maloof is not alone in his speculation. Mohamad Elmasry told Al Jazeera that it could portend a large-scale invasion by Israel. It seems to me what you want to do before a large-scale invasion is to disable or disrupt the communication network of the enemy. I do think well have to pay close attention to what happens over the next few hours and potentially a couple of days."Elmarsy also noted that Hezbollah has been increasing its use of couriers to send messages and may have to rely on that tactic more heavily in the wake of the attack.Meanwhile, Netanyahu has convened a meeting with top defense officials including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi to discuss readiness for attack and defense in all arenas.It is still unclear how the attack was pulled off. A Hezbollah official speaking anonymously told media outlets that the pagers were a new model that included lithium batteries and unnamed security sources told US media that the devices were recently acquired by the Lebanese group, but the reports did not specify a timeline.Former NSA contractor turned whistleblower Edward Snowden posted on X that it is likely explosives were planted inside the devices, rather than a hack that caused the batteries to overheat.In a later post, Snowden condemned the attack as "reckless" and "indistinguishable from terrorism."It could still be possible that intentionally overheated batteries were used to ignite implanted explosives. One anonymous Hezbollah official reportedly told US media that some Hezbollah members noticed that their pagers were heating up and managed to dispose of them before they exploded. Alternatively, modified devices could be used to reroute electricity to an implanted explosive after being given a signal, but that should result in an instant explosion without a heat-up period.In Iraq, improvised explosive devices used against occupation forces utilized modified cell phones that when called, could be instructed to redirect electricity to an explosive charge. That tactic has continued to be used by the IS*. Israeli media reports stated that owners of the pagers received a message shortly before the attack.Remnants of at least some of the exploded devices appear to have been manufactured by Gold Apollo, a Taiwan-based wireless company focusing on pagers. For explosives to be implanted into the device, they would have had to be intercepted and modified before entering the Hezbollah supply chain. Israel has a history of using explosives planted inside electronic devices. In 1996, Hamas member Yahya Ayyash was assassinated by Israeli intelligence forces who detonated implanted explosive materials while he was speaking on the phone.According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, at least 2,750 people were injured and nine were killed, while an additional seven people were killed in Syria, according to Iranian media.Israel has not officially commented on the attack. According to Israeli media, Topaz Luk, a former spokesman for Netanyahu, implied in a now-deleted social media post that the Israeli Prime Minister was behind the attack. This didnt age well, Luk wrote on X in reply to a post that predicted Netanyahu would not make any moves against Lebanon before his trip to New York next week.The office of the Prime Minister distanced itself from the comment, saying that Luk has not been the spokesman for months and isnt in the close circle of discussion.*also known as ISIS or the Islamic State, banned in Russia as a terrorist organization https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/iraqi-pm-dispatches-medical-teams-to-lebanon-to-treat-thousands-of-injured-in-pager-blasts-1120182899.html lebanon israel syria Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino lebanon-israeli war, hezbollah israeli war, pager attack, pagers explode in lebanon https://sputnikglobe.com/20240917/metas-ban-on-russian-news-networks-very-bad-and-politicized-decision--analyst-1120173805.html Metas Ban on Sputnik Very Bad and Politicized Decision Analyst Metas Ban on Sputnik Very Bad and Politicized Decision Analyst Sputnik International A politically motivated move by Meta to ban Russias Rossiya Segodnya and RT news outlets from its apps globally reflects the companys biased approach, analysts said in separate interviews with Sputnik. 2024-09-17T07:13+0000 2024-09-17T07:13+0000 2024-09-18T09:37+0000 analysis russia meta rt media facebook https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/09/11/1120173648_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_074ad5385cda61916b5111c2da4252b8.jpg "There is a perception in the United States that the flow of Russian information will always be disinformation and that it will be tipped in favor of Donald Trump, even though [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has said that he could deal with Kamala Harris, too. This [perception] is simply untrue. I mean, the idea is to frighten the American people that they don't know one idea from another. I mean, that's the smokescreen," Professor Joe Siracusa, political scientist and dean of Global Futures, Curtin University, told Sputnik.Recently, Russias Rossiya Segodnya, RT and other related entities were banned from Meta* apps globally over alleged foreign interference activity.Metas ban on Russian news outlets mean that they [Meta] are really sort of censoring the news themselves. What they're saying to the American people is that you're not mature enough to understand ideas", per the professor.In a separate interview with Sputnik, Facebook whistleblower Ryan Hartwig says that as a former Facebook content moderator, he saw firsthand how the company influenced elections throughout the world.When it comes to Facebooks foreign influence, suffice to mention the elections in Spain, Venezuela, and the US, according to Hartwig.Given the fact that Facebook was being influenced by the USs Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to suppress major stories like the Hunter Biden laptop saga, other countries should consider Meta a government agency, the whistleblower adds.As for the Ukraine crisis, Its clear that Meta is acting in coordination with the US government and the US State Department as a proxy for a foreign conflict, Hartwig concludes.*Meta is banned in Russia as an extremist organization. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230501/zuckerberg-reportedly-loses-workforce-trust-as-he-steers-meta-into-morale-crisis-1110005523.html russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Siracusa on Meta's ban on Russian media Sputnik International Siracusa on Meta's ban on Russian media 2024-09-17T07:13+0000 true PT4M03S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Oleg Burunov https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg metas ban on russian news networks, flow of russian information, russian president vladimir] putin, uss federal bureau of investigation, the hunter biden laptop saga